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Home , Albin Grewe, Archie Henderson, Artturi Lehkonen, Bates Battaglia, Bruno Gervais, Chuck Fletcher

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 07/12/19 1149555 Report: Ducks sign defenseman Michael Del Zotto to 1149582 Kings sign to entry-level deal 1-year, $750,000 deal 1149583 FAGEMO SIGNS THREE-YEAR ELC; NORTH AMERICA-BOUND IN 2020-21 1149556 Coyotes fan with autism, scouting aspirations joined team Canadiens at NHL Draft 1149584 Canadiens sign and Joel Armia to 1149557 Coyotes camp invite Sean Dhooghe is changing the mold two-year contracts for small players 1149585 Junior Predators alumni move up to development camp 1149558 Danton Heinen out to prove he’s top-six Bruin 1149586 Which Nashville team wins a championship first: Titans or 1149559 Bruins coach knows about playing in pain; Predators? he recently had knee replacement surgery 1149560 Danton Heinen, Bruins agree to a two-year contract 1149561 Bruins’ Danton Heinen happy to avoid arbitration, looks 1149587 Why Devils’ John Hynes expects an ‘invested’ Taylor Hall forward to future in 2019-20 1149562 Danton Heinen "wanted to be an offensive guy," now 1149588 Jack Hughes gives scouting report on new Devils (and Bruins need him to be more of that guy former teammates) Case McCarthy, Patrick Moynihan 1149589 Devils’ Ty Smith brings lessons from WHL, offseason growth into 2nd development camp 1149563 What's next for the Sabres after trading for another 1149590 Is New Jersey the next stop for NJ Devils' Jesper defenseman? Boqvist? 1149564 Roundtable: Is Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen worth a look for the Lightning? 1149591 Where does Jakub Skarek fit into Islanders' goalie Flames picture? 1149565 Nazem Kadri explains why he refused trade to Flames 1149566 As Battle of Alberta cools off, more joining Grant Fuhr on short list of players to play for Oilers and Flames 1149592 What start of Kaapo Kakko era will cost the Rangers 1149593 Nesconset native Rob O'Gara is a free agent and will be looking for a place to play 1149567 Kron, Dawson promoted as Canes make changes to 1149594 Kaapo Kakko, Rangers agree to entry-level contract scouting staff 1149595 Goldman: Evaluating whether the Rangers should trade or 1149568 A stream of consciousness from Hurricanes development extend camp Flyers Blackhawks 1149596 ’s departure from the Flyers doesn’t mean 1149569 Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and top pick Kirby Dach what you might think it means | Mike Sielski among the attendees at this month’s Blackhawks 1149597 Flyers president Paul Holmgren says he decided to ‘step Convention aside,’ is now senior adviser 1149570 Blackhawks announce star-studded attendees list for 12th 1149598 Chuck Fletcher a key to Paul Holmgren's decision on new annual fan convention role with Flyers 1149571 Powers Points: Ian Mitchell, Blackhawks to discuss future 1149599 Paul Holmgren no longer Flyers president, taking on new next week role with team as senior advisor 1149600 Paul Holmgren steps aside, taking senior advisor role with Flyers 1149572 Stars defensemen outlook: What's going on with Julius 1149601 Some Flyers already easing back to work in Minnesota Honka and will he be on the Stars' roster this ? 1149602 As Paul Holmgren steps into lesser role, final piece of 1149573 Stars forward outlook: How will Montgomery align Dallas' Flyers’ 2018-19 organizational shakeup locks into plac news threats alongside Benn, Seguin, and Radulov 1149603 Jakub Voracek’s next act: Longtime Flyer still dangerous 1149574 Stars agree to 2-year, $3 million deal with former first- but likely entering a new phase of his career round pick 1149604 Tim Benz: Mike Sullivan nails ’s biggest 1149575 's Detroit Red Wings staff shakeup: 2 problem. Now fix it. scouts leave for Oilers 1149605 Retiring Matt Cullen: Penguins runs were ‘the 1149576 Red Wings release top scouts Wright, Finley best years’ 1149577 Steve Yzerman’s Tampa condo on the market for $1.695 1149606 Alex Galchenyuk’s will be a difference-maker for the million Penguins 1149578 What kind of impact did Tyler Wright’s drafts have on the Red Wings’ rebuild? 1149579 2020 vision: How the Red Wings are positioned for a potentially intriguing free-agent class next summer Oilers 1149580 Matheson: Oilers bringing Tyler Wright and Archie Henderson in to scouting 1149581 As Battle of Alberta cools off, more joining Grant Fuhr on short list of players to play for Oilers and Flames 1149607 San Jose Sharks re-sign two restricted free agents 1149608 Joe Pavelski on Sharks exit: ‘Our heart definitely was with San Jose’ 1149609 Sharks re-sign young centers Dylan Gambrell, Antti Suomela to contracts 1149610 NHL free-agency review: How LA Kings stack up in Pacific Division 1149611 Former Shark Joe Pavelski selling San Jose mansion for $3.6 million 1149612 An early look at the Sharks’ 2020 unrestricted free agents St Louis Blues 1149613 Blues win 'best comeback' ESPY; O'Reilly pulls out tooth during acceptance speech 1149614 Champ stamp: Blues fans keep their word by getting Stanley Cup tattoos 1149615 Lightning owner Jeff Vinik hopes the Rays stay in Tampa Bay — but would he buy the team? 1149616 Roundtable: Is Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen worth a look for the Lightning? Maple Leafs 1149617 AHL app’s bizarre alerts pull minor league hockey fans into workplace drama | The Star 1149618 Small and skilled: Leafs see potential in fourth round pick Nick Abruzzese 1149619 Mirtle: Projecting the Maple Leafs opening night lineup for 2019-20 1149622 Patrick Johnston: Benning says Canucks have a plan in place for any salary cap scenario 1149623 Alex Burrows joins Vancouver Canucks’ ring of honour Dec. 3 1149624 Patrick Johnston: Ferland the player Canucks hoped Virtanen might have been in NHL 1149625 Micheal Ferland is a great add for Canucks at a fair cost but the signing’s not without cap questions 1149620 Golden Knights use development camp as recruiting tool for college free agents 1149621 For second straight year, Alex Ovechkin takes home ESPY award Websites 1149626 The Athletic / How an AHL push notification made a private work dispute public 1149627 The Athletic / By the numbers: A look at the 10 worst contracts in hockey 1149628 The Athletic / Could a big late-summer trade improve the fortunes of your NHL team? 1149629 The Athletic / By the numbers: A look at the 10 best contracts in hockey 1149630 .ca / Why the Maple Leafs are investing in Justin Brazeau 1149631 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks face crucial challenges as appear attainable 1149632 Sportsnet.ca / Report: Coyotes ticket sales soar after Phil Kessel trade 1149633 USA TODAY / Paul Holmgren steps aside, taking senior advisor role with Flyers 1149634 USA TODAY / New York Rangers ink No. 2 overall NHL draft pick Kaapo Kakko to entry-level contract

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1149555 Anaheim Ducks

Report: Ducks sign defenseman Michael Del Zotto to 1-year, $750,000 deal

By Elliott Teaford | PUBLISHED: July 11, 2019

Michael Del Zotto’s tenure with the Ducks last season was a short one. He played only 12 games between the time they acquired him from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 16 and then traded him to the eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues on Feb. 25.

Del Zotto made enough of an impression on Ducks Bob Murray to earn a second chance with the club. Murray signed the 29- year-old free agent defenseman to a one-season, $750,000 contract, according to a report Thursday on the Canadian website TVA Sports.

The Ducks liked Del Zotto’s passing skills, which was why they swapped defenseman to get him from the Canucks. But when the Ducks’ season continued its downward spiral, Murray shipped Del Zotto to the Blues in exchange for a draft pick, giving him a chance to play for the Stanley Cup championship.

Del Zotto played seven games with the Blues down the stretch, but he did not appear in any of their playoff games. He had three assists with the Ducks and three more with the Blues after recording one and three assists in 23 games with the Canucks last season.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149556 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes fan with autism, scouting aspirations joined team at NHL Draft

BY CHARACTER COUNTS | JULY 11, 2019

It was a very special #NHLDraft for GM Chayka and his staff.

Meet our new friend and scouting expert, Connor Havens. #ThisIsHockey pic.twitter.com/iK3xypLvxS

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) July 11, 2019

The Arizona Coyotes had an extra scout with them for the 2019 NHL Draft.

Connor Havens, a Coyotes fan who was diagnosed with autism, received an invite from Coyotes general manager John Chayka to come join the team on the floor at the draft.

“We heard you graduated, so we wanted to give you a special gift,” Chayka said in a video message for Havens. “How would you feel about coming to the 2019 draft in Vancouver? Our scouts might need help so make sure you’ve got your list ready.”

At Rogers Arena, home of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, Chayka and the Coyotes made selections across the two-day draft starting with Victor Soderstrom in the first round and ending with Valentin Nussbaumer in the seventh round. Havens was credentialed and was shown in a video from the team chatting on the draft floor with Chayka and assistant GM Steve Sullivan.

“I want to be a scout,” he told Chayka, later recommending that the team select defenseman Adam McCormick from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the QMJHL.

“Connor just reached out and just graduated there. Came down, had a few ideas for us, really pounded the table in the seventh round,” Chayka said. “He had a guy on his list that he felt was there late. So, might be an invite, so we’ll see. But I really enjoyed him.”

McCormick, who had 30 points in 63 games last year, went undrafted.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149557 Arizona Coyotes them an extra dimension to their game that surprises opponents and catches eyes everywhere they go.

While Dhooghe admits that he did pick up on some of Hinostroza’s style Coyotes camp invite Sean Dhooghe is changing the mold for small during those early years of watching the older skater play, he insists that players it wasn’t about size.

“When I first started watching him, at the time … I still had plans to grow,” By Cat Silverman he said, laughing.

“But it was his edginess that did draw my eye. His raw talent, his vision on the ice… when you’re really young you just kind of walk into a rink and It can be easy to look at Sean Dhooghe’s stats on paper and assume just go, ‘That guy, he’s good.’ That was Vinnie.” there’s been a typo. It was knowing how happy those Arizona players — Hinostroza, Fischer, Even Dhooghe admits that. When he sat down to talk during the Arizona even the Wisconsin-born Schmaltz — were with the organization, Coyotes development camp the final week of June, he wasn’t shy about combined with some high praise for the Coyotes from Wisconsin head cracking jokes regarding the rather undersized elephant in the room — coach Tony Granato, that helped Dhooghe decide that he wanted to his height. head to the scorching heat for development camp. The Coyotes weren’t his only invitation; they extended theirs a little before the draft, but the 20- “Any time someone looks at the roster before a game, it’s pretty hard for year-old Badgers sophomore did confirm that other teams reached out to them to believe,” the -born forward said. “They think it’s a typo or him as well. something … then they see me.” He had options but figured Arizona was the place he wanted to head. In a sport where the average NHL player’s height is a hair over 6 feet tall, Dhooghe isn’t just undersized — he’s comically short. He’s a full half a He said people expected him to fail as he moved from level to level. They foot shorter than Johnny Gaudreau, who became expected he’d start to falter in the transition to college the poster child for success in spite of size when he took the league by storm back in 2014. He’s even an inch smaller than Nathan Gerbe, the While he’s out to prove those doubters wrong, though, he has a different famed NHL journeyman who even penned an entire Player’s Tribune approach to how he hopes to accomplish that. He’s not in it to prove he opus describing how tough it was to break into the sport being as small can play in spite of his size — he’s here to show that his size is an as he was. advantage, too.

It’s made Dhooghe a bit of a social media sensation. He’s pulled off “I don’t think that any of my weaknesses as a player have to do with my undercover stunts in the stands at the University of Wisconsin, height,” he said. pretending to be an over-excited fan, and he took Twitter by storm when While he’s had to figure out what works for him all on his own, though, he danced with 6-foot-8 Nikita Pavlychev of Penn State during a game in using coaches only for guidance and opinions but never for true first- March of this past year. hand experience, he’s managed to figure out what advantages his size Patrick Burns can give him. Even in hockey, there can be a huge benefit to being that size. @PatrickBurns_ “Being as small as I am, it gives me strengths,” he said, “literally no one I would do just about anything to see Nikita Pavlychev (6-foot-8) and else on the ice can do some of the things that I do because they’re too Sean Dhooghe (5-foot-3) drop the gloves. tall.”

133 Too tall? It’s not something said in hockey. Just this summer, one GM even managed to cause an uproar when he said that taller prospects put 10:22 PM - Mar 8, 2019 a smile on his face; the idea that some players are too tall to be afforded 20 people are talking about this certain advantages almost flies in the face of everything that people believe about the sport itself. Most undersized players get tracked as they move from league to league, at the very least out of a sort of morbid fascination for seeing the For Dhooghe, though, it’s the lack of size that gives him the chance to tie underdog pull ahead. They give interviews about how they’ve managed up some ankles. His acceleration is an advantage, he said, but his turns to make it that far in spite of their size, insisting that they’re as good as are where he’s really able to thrive. He can stop faster, turn sharper, and they are because they don’t let their size get to them. get a better grip on his edges than some of his bigger counterparts, enabling him to move around the taller bodies with a more practiced ease Dhooghe, though, takes a different approach. And as he wrapped up his and change direction without as much effort. third NHL development camp this summer, he’s confident that his height isn’t an obstacle, but a secret advantage – and that may be what ends up “The first thing people try to do is cross-check me, but I’ve got a low getting him a shot in the pros when his college career concludes. center of gravity. I can come out of my turns faster, too,” he pointed out.

The Coyotes are no strangers to the Chicago Mission program. They Then there’s his stick. The NHL has cracked down on players trying to boast four players who grew up skating for the same organization, known play with longer sticks, but Dhooghe said that having such a short twig is for a willingness to let players thrive on their strengths rather than forcing actually a bit of an advantage. them into rigid styles of development. “People think that because my stick’s small it’s a disadvantage,” he said. It’s no surprise that a program like that was able to help Dhooghe when “But I get to keep the puck close to me.” he played for Mission a few years after Arizona’s current crop of Chicago That’s a built-in possession advantage; add in the speed he’s able to use alumni. He grew up watching those players that make up the backbone to get around the opposition, and he’s already got the puck in the back of of Arizona’s core forward group right now, benefiting from the same the net before the defense is sure what’s really going on. individuality-promoting Triple-A program that produced Nick Schmaltz, Vinnie Hinostroza, Christian Fischer, and Christian Dvorak. Fischer Dhooghe is headed back to Wisconsin for another season, where he’ll be played with Dhooghe’s older brother, and he got to watch the notoriously one of the oldest players looking to guide a young, promising Badgers undersized Hinostroza wrap up his career with the organization just as roster. Dhooghe was getting started. He’s still going to be the smallest, even with another undersized forward, It’s easy to see parallels between how Hinostroza and Dhooghe play in Cole Caufield, entering his rookie year. But as he’s made clear, that’s not particular. Where some smaller players take the speed route and learn to something he feels he has to overcome; instead, he just has to show the dance around the bone-crushing hits and physical play, they’ve both world why it might be his biggest weapon after all. developed a stellar sense of puck protection and physical stability that permits them to skate through the opposition and take a few hits instead The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 of having to dance around it. They still use speed and evasive tactics, but aren’t afraid to get involved in the grittier areas of play — and it gives 1149558 Boston Bruins “Definitely always want to score more goals,” he said. There’s nothing better than scoring. I’ve always kind of worked on my shot in the summertime and continue to work on it.

Danton Heinen out to prove he’s top-six Bruin “I think I also need to get in a mindset where I’m shooting more and more confident in my shot. Different opportunities you might pass up. I believe in my shot, and I believe I can score.” By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated July 11, 2019, 8:19 p.m. Boston Globe LOADED: 07.12.2019

The Bruins have reason to be encouraged that Danton Heinen can develop into a top unit player.

Danton Heinen is neither a physical presence nor a right-handed shot, two qualities the Bruins would prefer in a top-six winger. But the realities of this roster, which appears to be reliant on internal fixes, make Heinen as good a candidate to fill the hole as anyone.

“Maybe a bit,” he mused Thursday, when asked if he stated a case during last year’s stint as a right wing sidecar to Patrice Bergeron and , most of those minutes coming when All-Star sniper David Pastrnak was injured in February and March.

“Playing with those guys, it’s an honor for sure. It feels good to be a guy they tried up there and to get the opportunity. To me, I didn’t take it lightly at all.”

Heinen, who avoided arbitration by signing a two-year, $5.6 million deal late Sunday, will get a few more cracks at proving himself a heavyweight player in this league. A smooth-skating, defensively responsible forward with playmaking touch, he will have to keep developing his shot and strength (6 feet 1 inch, 188 pounds) to win playoff puck battles, too often lost last season.

Speaking via conference call from his offseason home in Langley, B.C., the 24-year-old said he’s not “wrapped up” in his offensive totals, which dipped across the board last year, or his role on the club, which has seen him play nearly every wing spot across four lines.

“I see myself as an offensive guy,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s kind of what’s best for the team . . . I’ve kind of played all over, but honestly, wherever they want me. Whatever they need me to do.”

Heinen, who went from 16 goals and 31 assists as a rookie to 11 and 23 as a sophomore, shot less (114 times) and finished less (9.6 shooting percentage) than in year one (135 and 11.9). The Bruins still have reason to be encouraged that Heinen, if he keeps developing, could be a fit on the top unit.

Last year, he played nearly 198 minutes at 5-on-5 on the right side of Marchand and Bergeron, the scoring 11 goals and surrendering four. They had 53.8 percent of scoring chances, according to Natural Stat Trick.

While Pastrnak (career-high 38 goals) is a much more dynamic offensive talent, and the line’s highlight-reel flashes saw them hailed as one of the league’s best, they weren’t flawless. In just over 462 minutes, they had 56.3 percent of the chances, and outscored opponents by a slim margin (28-24). In theory, dropping Pastrnak to the No. 2 unit, with Czech mate David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk, could provide the scoring balance needed to replicate the Bruins’ Stanley Cup Final run.

In the postseason, coach Bruce Cassidy toyed with DeBrusk-Krejci- Pastrnak, who had a 3-1 goals edge, controlled 62.2 percent of the shot share and 64.1 percent of the chances in their brief time in the regular season (57 minutes together). In 74 postseason minutes, they played opponents to a draw, and using expected goals percentage (a metric that takes into account quality of scoring chances for and against), they were slightly underwater (49.83).

Heinen will be in the mix again, as will Karson Kuhlman. As a rookie, the hard-charging Kuhlman showed well with Krejci and DeBrusk (3-1 goal differential, 58.26 shot share, 63.01 expected goals, 49.09 scoring chances) in more than 58 minutes of postseason time together.

“Going forward, to me it always depends, OK, what are the options,” Cassidy said after the season. “Who’s going to go there and make us the best team? At times, Danton Heinen did a good job. I felt at the end of the day could he sustain it every night? Wasn’t convinced. Not saying he could or couldn’t, but that was my decision to put Pasta back there.”

Heinen, who scored twice with six assists in 24 playoff games, would like to force his coach’s hand. 1149559 Boston Bruins recently, had his right hip replaced, likely a result of compensating for the left knee. Finally fixing his knee should bring welcome relief.

“I’m hoping now that those days you wake just to go to the bathroom and Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy knows about playing in pain; he recently had think, ‘Geez, it must be raining’ are gone,” he said. “I’m eager to get in knee replacement surgery there [with the Bruins trainers] and work with them. Towards the end of the season there I couldn’t even ride a bike, which is what I typically do. Us coaches, we’re getting older, well, except Pando [assistant Jay By Tara Sullivan Globe Staff,July 11, 2019, 1:00 p.m. Pandolfo], he’s young, he’s an animal, but we try to get in there, before practice, get a workout.

“I couldn’t at the end. I couldn’t bend it. I like to ride, I’m a bike rider. Bruins Bruce Cassidy has attacked his knee rehab with the Summer comes, the nice weather, I have a hybrid bike, I’ll go out on the same energy and focused he’s employed behind the bench. path where I live for an outdoor ride, which is way better than inside. So I The annual list of injuries revealed at season’s end is a rite of passage in can’t even do that right now. Hopefully this turns the corner.” the NHL, the sport’s own confessional to the punishing rigors of a Before long, Cassidy and his Bruins will round their way into a new physical sport. The Bruins were no exception, their litany of groin strains season, when the memory of a Game 7 loss surely will fuel the fight to and shoulder sprains, broken jaws to broken bones a fitting companion to get there again. As he guides them forward, the coach will need no extra the heartbreak of defeat in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup. reminders of the toughness required along the way, no new lessons in Head coach Bruce Cassidy was more informative in the days following understanding of what his players go through every day. He’s been there. that 4-1 loss at TD Garden than he was during the thick of his team’s “If there’s a lingering injury, I understand the mental side of it,” he said. “I long playoff run, but for every admission he made about Patrice don’t think anybody pops out of an injury 100 percent. You don’t have full Bergeron, Zdeno Chara or Chris Wagner and the surgeries they did or faith in that part of your body and you have to battle through it a little did not face this summer, he neglected to include one major candidate longer. And after that I also understand where you’ve got to pull them for the operating table. through it. You have to trust the people that fix you. It’s a delicate Himself. balance.”

Cassidy underwent full knee replacement surgery June 26, and said in a Boston Globe LOADED: 07.12.2019 phone conversation this week he’s well on the road to recovery, attacking his rehab with the same energy and focus he employs on the bench. With every expectation he’ll be back on skates by training camp, Cassidy returns with renewed appreciation for the toll of a game in which coaching has provided his greatest success, but where playing was what challenged his every joint.

It was actually in a game of ball hockey (think without the ice; a ball instead of a puck) when a then 19-year-old Cassidy initially tore the ACL in his left knee, but the series of events that followed, including a dubious decision by team doctors to rehab rather than do immediate surgery, all but assured he’d be here someday.

Someday arrived in the midst of the Bruins’ second-round playoff series against Columbus.

“All of a sudden it just sort of gave out, maybe I lost my footing or whatever,” Cassidy said. “I don’t know if it was in the gym, maybe, but it got puffy all of a sudden. They kept draining it through the Carolina series and some of the St. Louis series. I got X-rays and they said ‘you have to get it done.’

“Then you’re squeezed for time. They told me 12 weeks rehab was standard, but they’ve knocked that down already to eight weeks. I wanted to make sure I was ready for camp and that’s how it played out. You lose your summer, but I’m hoping to get some back in late August.”

Cassidy was due to have staples removed on Thursday, a precursor to getting rid of the crutches that have been his companion since post-op. But he has been up and moving all the while, having this conversation as a rinkside spectator for his two young children as they honed their skating skills. A lot of the credit goes to the help of visiting medical professionals, but just as much goes to a man who is eager to finally clear a hurdle that has popped up continuously since that first injury, when the desire by his then-team doctors to get him on the ice outweighed the more prudent route of surgery, which would have likely erased a full season. Cassidy, a first-round NHL draft pick, had a good shot of making the roster of the Chicago Blackhawks, but instead, saw his progress slowed by a knee that needed constant attention.

“I’ve had five or six knee surgeries, I know what it’s like. Once you get off [the pain meds], we start doing therapy right away, and it’s going good,” he said. “You’ve got to get your extension and flexion back as good as possible, and mine are back to almost normal. I had to have the total knee replacement — they’d gone in three times to shave cartilage stuff down, but this time there was none left.”

Not after what Cassidy put it through. Playing, swelling, resting, rehabbing — a path through a minor league/European career that never reached the heights he once imagined, but seemed to imbue him with just the right kind of experience for coaching. Along the way, he had an ACL repair on his other knee (with no long-term consequence) and, more 1149560 Boston Bruins

Danton Heinen, Bruins agree to a two-year contract

By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated July 10, 2019, 12:21 a.m.

Danton Heinen produced a 11-23—34 line in 77 games last season.

The Bruins and Danton Heinen agreed to a two-year contract late Tuesday, one which will pay the second-year winger an average of $2.8 million through 2021.

The pact let the club and Heinen, 24, avoid salary arbitration.

Last week, the left-side shooter from Langley, British Columbia was one of 40 restricted free agents to exercise that option. Tuesday, the NHL Players Association set a hearing date for Aug. 3. Everyone can now take those hours off.

Among comparable forwards in this RFA class, Heinen — who made $925,000 last year at the end of his entry-level contract — came in behind ex-Harvard forward Alex Kerfoot, who joined his new club, Toronto, on a four-year deal worth $3.5 million. Heinen will earn more than Tampa center Cedric Paquette (two years, $1.65 million per) and San Jose winger Kevin Labanc, who surprised many by signing for one year at just $1 million.

The fourth-round draft pick (116th overall) in 2014 produced a 11-23—34 line in 77 games last season, often riding his off (right) wing on the third line with trade deadline additions Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson (now with Buffalo).

He could see duty on the third line again — perhaps with Coyle and another winger to be named later — or get another shot at a top-six job, a role at which he had a few tries last season.

Heinen’s rookie season saw him put up 16-31—47 totals while forming another effective third line, with David Backes and Riley Nash (now with Columbus).

Had the Bruins and Heinen gotten to the hearing, the club would have the option to pick between one or two years at the salary the negotiator decides.

They could also have walked away from the award, which would have made Heinen an unrestricted free agent.

General manager also continues to try to find common ground with RFA defensemen Charlie McAvoy, 21, and Brandon Carlo, 22, both of whom are expected to earn significantly more than Heinen.

McAvoy could push $7 million a season with his next contract, while Carlo could be in the $3 million-$4 million range. Neither of them have arbitration rights.

If they cannot reach a deal with the latter two, they have until Dec. 1 to sign, or they must sit out the 2019-20 season.

The last big-ticket RFA dealing with the Bruins was winger David Pastrnak, who held out until Sept. 14 before signing his second contract.

Pastrnak, then 21, was coming off a 34-36—70 season and signed a six- year, $40 million pact. His $6.67 million annual cap hit was, and remains, the team’s fourth-highest, trailing David Krejci ($7.25 million), Tuukka Rask ($7 million) and Patrice Bergeron ($6.875 million).

According to CapFriendly, the Bruins have some $7.35 million in cap space after signing Heinen. That is not likely enough to fit both McAvoy and Carlo under budget, making it likely the Bruins will pursue a trade.

Backes (two years left at $6 million), John Moore (four years at $2.75 million) and Kevan Miller (one year at $2.5 million) are among the higher- paid Bruins for their roles on the team, though any trade partner would not freely accept them. Backes was a healthy scratch nine times in the playoffs, and neither Miller (knee) nor Moore (shoulder) are expected to be healthy by training camp, which begins in early September.

Boston Globe LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149561 Boston Bruins we’ve taken steps in that direction for me. I feel like I’ve played all over, but it’s honestly wherever they want me or whatever they need me to do.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 07.12.2019 Bruins’ Danton Heinen happy to avoid arbitration, looks forward to future

By STEVE HEWITT | PUBLISHED: July 11, 2019

Without a new deal in place, Bruins winger Danton Heinen was one of 40 players around the NHL who filed for arbitration as a restricted free agent, meaning a hearing would be scheduled for next month as part of a long arbitration process.

But he’s happy it didn’t get to that .

The same week he and his agent filed for arbitration, Heinen struck a new deal that will keep him with the Bruins for the next two seasons at an average annual value of $2.8 million. Heinen was confident a deal would get done all along.

“I definitely was not going to be looking forward to that,” Heinen said Thursday of an arbitration hearing that was set for Aug. 3. “You see around the league, it’s not the nicest process to go through, so I was definitely excited to get it done. … My agent, I just kind of trusted him and he’s looking out for my best interests, so I trusted what he was doing.

“I’m excited with what we got done.”

Now Heinen can focus on building on his first full two seasons with the B’s, which have been encouraging.

With the ink not yet dry on the new deal that was announced Tuesday night, the 24-year-old joined a conference call from his home in Langley, British Columbia, where he will be spending most of his summer as he trains and works on ways to improve his game.

One point of emphasis will be finishing his chances. After a rookie season in which he posted 16 goals and 31 assists, his numbers dipped last season to 11-23-34. Though he had some big moments in the playoffs, he produced two goals and six assists in 24 games as the Bruins made a run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

“You definitely always want to score more goals,” Heinen said. “There’s nothing better than scoring. But I’ve always worked on my shot. In the summertime, I continue to work on it. That’s definitely something I emphasize and I’m going to continue to work on. I think I also need to get into a mindset where I’m shooting more and more confident in my shot because different opportunities you might pass up or whatever, but I believe in my shot and I believe I can score. I think it’s just continuing believing in that and working on it. …

“I think as a player, you try not to get your head wrapped around too much in numbers. … For me, I think as an all-around player I felt more comfortable in my all-around game. Sometimes it’s the way it works. It’s situational and every year is different, but I think if you keep on sticking and working on the details, keep trying to improve your all-around game, that stuff will come and that’s what I’m focused on, keep on getting better and keep on focusing on the little things.”

The Bruins certainly saw his all-around game improve, too, as evidenced by the number of ways they used him on different lines last season. When David Pastrnak went down with an injury during the second half of the year, the B’s trusted Heinen enough to put him on the top line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand for extended time, and he held his own.

Where Heinen factors in on next year’s roster remains to be seen, but playing with Bergeron and Marchand certainly can point to him belonging as a top-six forward.

“Maybe a bit,” Heinen said about whether he stated a case a top-six guy last season. “I think playing with those guys, it’s an honor, for sure. It feels good to be a guy they tried up there and gave the opportunity to me, and I didn’t take it lightly at all. But at the same point, it’s whatever’s best for the team, again, but if that’s where they need me, that’s where I’ll play.”

Whatever the case, Heinen seems to be happy in any role he’s given.

“I see myself as an offensive guy and I think at the end of the day, it’s kind of what’s best for the team,” Heinen said. “I trust the coaching staff and what they think is best. But I see myself as an offensive guy and 1149562 Boston Bruins

Danton Heinen "wanted to be an offensive guy," now Bruins need him to be more of that guy

By Joe Haggerty July 11, 2019 7:47 PM

Danton Heinen knows that his numbers dipped from his rookie season to this past year’s sophomore campaign where he posted 11 goals and 34 points in 77 games. Still, the 24-year-old earned a big pay raise with his two-year, $5.6 million contract signed earlier in the week to avoid salary arbitration, so he knows he’ll be sticking around in Boston for the next couple of season.

Heinen will also be looking to regain some of the offensive mojo that he lost from the first half of his first NHL season when he scored 11 goals and 33 points in his first 43 games. Since then Heinen has just 16 goals and 48 points in his last 111 games, and he finished with a very quiet two goals in 24 games during Boston’s Stanley Cup playoff run.

So the young winger knows he’s going to need to start gaining a little ground back offensively headed into his third NHL campaign and regain some of that hungry swagger that he seemed to have coming right out of the game in his rookie campaign. The Bruins will need it after watching Marcus Johansson leave in unrestricted free agency with some pretty big job openings on the right wing side on two of Boston’s top three lines.

Bruins still have cap questions after Heinen deal

Certainly, there are young players that will get cracks at top-6 winger positions headed into next season, but Heinen is a guy that has the potential to clinch one of those gigs if he can find his offensive confidence. The responsible two-way play is definitely there and he’ll play no lower than third line wing on next season’s Bruins team, but the feeling is that there is certainly a higher ceiling for a player that left college hockey after two dominant seasons at the University of Denver.

“I’m going to continue to work on [the little details] because I think if you’re good at the little details good things happen, and you’re put in better spots on the ice. I’m going to continue to work on those details and then when you get chances, grade-A looks or [chances to] be an offensive guy that’s kind of… do your follow up there. That’s the kind of player I see myself being,” said the 6-foot-1, 188-pound Heinen. “Coming into the league, I wanted to be an offensive guy. I wanted to, you know, create more, and I’m going to keep on working at doing that, trying to produce more for the team.

“I think I also need to, you know, kind of get in a mindset where I’m shooting more and am more confident in my shot because, you know, different opportunities I might pass up or whatever. I believe in my shot, and I believe I can score. I think it’s just continuing believing in that and working on it.”

To Heinen’s point, his shots on goal dropped from 135 in his rookie season to 114 shots in the very same 77 games played last season. Some of it is about firing more pucks on the net and seizing the good scoring chances when the puck is on his stick. Some of it is about getting stronger in the battles areas of the ice and simply going there more often than he does right now.

The Bruins have certainly placed the investment in Heinen that they believe he’s going to take the next step offensively after carving out a nice, little third line winger niche for himself over the last couple of seasons. Now it’s up to the 24-year-old nice kid from British Columbia to seize the opportunity he’s been given and unlock some of the hidden parts of his two-way game that never fully emerged in a sophomore season where he was invisible on the ice a little too often.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149563 Buffalo Sabres

What's next for the Sabres after trading for another defenseman?

By Lance Lysowski|nPublished Thu, Jul 11, 2019|Updated Thu, Jul 11, 2019

The Buffalo Sabres' has been among the busiest general managers this offseason.

In a matter of two months, Botterill has hired coach Ralph Krueger, signed leading goal scorer Jeff Skinner, drafted center Dylan Cozens seventh overall, acquired defenseman Colin Miller, signed left winger Marcus Johansson and traded winger Alexander Nylander to Chicago for defenseman .

The last move indicated the Sabres aren't finished, and their next transaction could be significant. They have a surplus of right-shot defensemen and are likely in the market for a second-line center.

Buffalo News LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149564 Buffalo Sabres tools, but I have not seen any kind of direction with the tools. I can see some of the flashes, but I also see the other side of it — getting beat one on one, getting lost in the D zone. I’m trying to decipher what that is.

Roundtable: Is Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen worth a look for If Risto starts the season with the Sabres, it will be his fifth head coach in the Lightning? seven seasons. That’s really hard to sort out — the systems and defensive zone coverage, the instincts, especially for a young man in a game where speed is getting better every year. If he had been 31 and By Joe Smith Jul 11, 2019 had the maturity and experiment to be able to just go back to the basics, you can go through that amount of head coaches and be OK.

For me, Risto has been used as a No. 1 defenseman for the last year, When the Lightning signed Luke Schenn on July 1, GM Julien BriseBois and I don’t think he’s a No. 1 defenseman. I think he has a lot of good suggested the team’s reshaping of its blue line may be over for the skills and tools but has not been given an opportunity to put all the tools summer. together. They’ve been just thrown in there and shuffled. The unit has lost outgoing UFAs Anton Stralman (Florida) and Dan Tierney: It’s not that he’s necessarily bad — it’s just that his value is Girardi (undecided), retained Braydon Coburn and Jan Rutta and brought vastly overblown. in Schenn. But there has yet to be a major move. He was Buffalo’s third-best defender by WAR last year, but that was “I think the likeliest scenario is those are our guys,” BriseBois said. propped up almost entirely by his power-play usage. He’s very poor at “We’re always looking for opportunities to improve our team. But I would zone exits and preventing entries against. His shots differential was expect this is the D core we’re going into the season with.” weak, even relative to other Buffalo defenders, and his five-on-five While the Lightning very well may be done shopping, some wonder scoring was fine but wasn’t notably better than (Jake) McCabe, (Marco) whether they may circle back on Buffalo, where there’s suddenly a glut of Scandella or (Rasmus) Dahlin if you look at things per minute. right-shot defensemen and Rasmus Ristolainen is likely on the trade It’s almost a prime example of a team inflating a player’s trade value: block. Ristolainen, 24, is a 6-foot-4, top-four-caliber defenseman who has Give a poor-ish player with some offensive ability a ton of PP time to had an up-and-down run with a struggling Sabres franchise and could inflate counting stats, then trade him for a profit. use a fresh start. The Lightning have shown interest in Ristolainen both at the trade deadline and earlier this summer. They’d have to make it Smith: The Lightning have been interested in a right-shot defenseman work under the cap, of course, with Bradyen Point still needing a deal. since the deadline, and even though they signed Schenn to a one-year, $700,000 deal, there could use another one, but only if it’s an upgrade Tampa Bay already has seven defensemen on the roster, five of whom from what they already have. If the guy is a difference-maker. are expected to return in 2020-21 (when Rutta’s and Schenn’s contracts expire). Cal Foote, the 2017 first-round draft pick, likely will be ready by They have Erik Cernak, who was impressive as a rookie on the right side then. Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak will be due raises next summer of the shutdown pair with Ryan McDonagh. And I think Mikhail as RFAs, so the smart play may be to expand roles for younger guys Sergachev — who believes is ready to step into the top instead of trying to squeeze in another contract. pair — is actually better on his right side.

The question is, will the Lightning be among the teams in the mix for There’s also the question of cap space. The Lightning have only $5.5 Ristolainen in the coming weeks? Should they be? What would it cost, million of cap space left (with RFAs Adam Erne and Point still left to and what would the Finnish defenseman bring in return? sign), though they’ll get some relief when Ryan Callahan is put on LTIR. So with Ristolainen’s $5.4 million cap hit each of the next three years, I decided to ask those questions to colleague John Vogl, The Athletic’s there would likely need to be salary moved out to make a deal work. Sabres beat writer, and former NHL goalie Martin Biron, a Sabres TV color analyst. Both have seen Ristolainen day in and day out for years. I What would the Sabres be looking for in return? also got some insight from @ChartingHockey‘s Sean Tierney on Ristolainen’s beneath-the-surface numbers. Vogl: The Sabres’ two biggest holes — and they’re huge — are at center and right wing. Smith: So, John, if Ristolainen is indeed a top-four caliber guy, why is his name consistently in trade rumors? Is he the odd man out now? Jack Eichel needs help down the middle. He’s a game-changing center, but there’s no one to take the pressure off him. Buffalo hopes Casey Vogl: Hello, Joe. Risto is certainly a top-four guy. The problem is he’s not Mittelstadt will be that guy someday, but the 20-year-old isn’t yet ready to a No. 1 defenseman, and that’s the role he’s been forced into on bad anchor a second line. Right now, the Sabres’ choices to be the No. 2 teams in Buffalo for the past six seasons. His stats and perception have center are Mittelstadt (25 points in 77 games last year), Vladimir Sobotka taken a beating as he digs puck after puck out of his net. In case 2,000 (13 points) and unsigned restricted free agents Evan Rodrigues (29 people haven’t mentioned it yet, his plus/minus since 2013 is an NHL- points) and Johan Larsson (14 points). That simply won’t cut it in any worst minus-143; the second worst (Oliver Ekman-Larsson) is just minus- division, much less one that includes , Brayden Point, 97. , Auston Matthews and a host of others.

But when you average 24 minutes a night on a team that habitually The problem is equally as big on the right wing. Sam Reinhart is legit. But finishes last, that’s going to happen. And as bad as that plus/minus he’s followed by aging Kyle Okposo and youngsters Tage Thompson and sounds, Ristolainen has legitimate skills. Since he became a full-time Curtis Lazar, who both finished last season in the AHL. The Sabres want NHLer in 2014, he’s 19th among all defensemen in assists (156), 24th in to split up Eichel, Reinhart and left wing Jeff Skinner to improve their points (190) and 44th in goals (34). So while he has been miscast as a balance, but they need someone who can keep up with Eichel or a player top defenseman, there’s no doubt he is better than most. who’s good enough on the second line to push Reinhart back with his buddy Jack. So why trade a guy like that? One of the reasons the Sabres are always at the bottom is they can’t score. They desperately need help up front. Smith: This is where it could get challenging. If Buffalo truly needs help at Basically, the only player with enough trade value to get them a center or on the wing, the Lightning don’t really have much flexibility in legitimate top-six forward is Ristolainen. So he comes up in trade talks terms of potential targets. Tyler Johnson (carrying a $5 million AAV the time and again. The Sabres recently added fellow right-handers Brandon next five seasons) is probably the ideal fit for Buffalo. He’s an option at Montour, Colin Miller and Henri Jokiharju to a group that includes center and right wing, but he has a no-trade clause and, to my Ristolainen and Zach Bogosian, so the “move Risto” chatter is at an all- knowledge, hasn’t been approached about it. Yanni Gourde’s no-trade time high. The Sabres simply have too many right-handed defensemen kicked in July 1. Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat have no-trade clauses. I and not enough forwards. really don’t see Anthony Cirelli getting moved by Tampa Bay as he’s becoming a core piece. Rasmus Ristolainen is definitely a top-four defenseman, but is he a No. 1? Perhaps not. (Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today) There’s winger Mathieu Joseph, who had an impressive rookie season, and a number of prospects that are coming up (like Alex Barre-Boulet, Biron: (Ristolainen) has got all the tools. He’s big, he’s strong. He’s got a Taylor Raddysh, Carter Verhaeghe and Alex Volkov), but I’m assuming great shot. He’s a good skater. He’s got a ton of skills. He can be Buffalo would want more immediate help than guys for the future, right? physical. Right now, in his sixth season with the Sabres, I’ve seen the Tampa Bay does have an extra conditional first-round pick for 2020 (via say, “It’s my fault what happened on this coverage. I need to read, need the J.T. Miller trade to Vancouver) they can play with. to get to the guy quicker.” He’s honest — he just wants to get better. It’s just been tough for him to put it all together. Vogl: Yup, whatever the Sabres get for Ristolainen, that piece needs to help immediately. In addition to Mittelstadt, the Sabres just drafted center You know he’s got all the tools. He can be a very physical-type player, he Dylan Cozens at No. 7 overall. Swedish center had a can play in your face. I’ve seen some of Risto’s best games he’s played nice second half during his first year in North America. So they’re against (Alex) Ovechkin; he played Toronto where the stakes were really confident in the future down the middle, but the present is a mess. high and emotions were really high. He can be a pest in those games, at the highest of levels. But maybe a change of scenery would give him a There might be flexibility at right wing. The pipeline is as thin as the NHL chance to play at that level with those emotions. roster. The Sabres might be happy getting an OK center to go with a top wing prospect, which would let them build for the future and improve a Vogl: He’s … interesting. His hockey skills are great. His hockey IQ is little bit now. not. Ristolainen walks a weird line between being the ultimate competitor and not caring. When he practices, he loves the battle drills. He’ll blast a And, yeah, looking at the Lightning’s contracts, what’s up with all the no- teammate into the boards and skate away with a shit-eating grin that trade clauses? says, “I’m better than you.” But then he’s the first one off the ice and Smith: Yes, the Lightning have a lot (seven no-trade or no-move clauses, gone from the arena while teammates are still skating. He probably takes not counting Ryan Callahan, who is going on LTIR). Part of it, I’d more “maintenance days” than every other player combined (though imagine, is the compromise in getting lower AAV due to the no state some are definitely needed since he plays so much). income tax advantage (players likely want protection in case they get It’s similar during games. He loves — and thrives in — one-on-one moved to another market, where their net take-home could be impacted). matchups against guys like Alexander Ovechkin. Then he’ll let a fourth- BriseBois said earlier this summer that he likes the players they have and line winger walk around him for a goal. I think he’d be better on a good the contracts they have. But it does make it more challenging for the team. trade market. I don’t blame guys for not wanting to wave their no-trade So, if Cirelli is off the table, who is the best prospect of the guys you clauses; Tampa is a great place to live and play, a Cup contender with a mentioned? Barre-Boulet seems intriguing but is small. Verhaeghe had a first-class owner. The Sabres have exciting young pieces, but what would great season, but that’s his only one. Volkov and Raddysh seem good, it take for someone to want to jump ship? but are they ready to be in the NHL?

A deal of future prospects on the Lightning side doesn’t solve the cap Smith: Of those prospects, I think Volkov may be the most intriguing. problem if they were to take on Ristolainen’s money. It would help if He’s the kind of player who can play with skilled guys in the top six. He’ll Buffalo was willing to take on the final year of Callahan’s contract ($5.8 be knocking at the door in training camp (he was among the final cuts the million AAV), which I believe Tampa Bay is still thinking of moving even if past two seasons) but may need a little more time. the veteran wing won’t be playing again. I’m not sure if that’s on the table for the Sabres as far as a package deal. Verhaeghe, who tied for the AHL lead (with Barre-Boulet) with 34 goals last season, should compete for a bottom-six spot in camp this year. Vogl: The Sabres have room to take on a contract. They’re about $7 Raddysh and Boris Katchouk are probably one year away, though that million under the cap with four RFAs to sign, none of whom will break the was considering Tampa Bay’s depth/needs. Mitchell Stephens is a bank. Owner Terry Pegula has no problem throwing money away if he bottom-six center who can make a case in camp, too. thinks it will improve the team. Prospect guru Corey Pronman suggested the best trade-bait prospects The name you mentioned that keeps reverberating through my head is would be Barre-Boulet and Sammy Walker, whom we profiled a few Cirelli. I know Tampa would prefer to keep him. What team wouldn’t? But weeks ago after his stellar freshman season at the University of the Sabres are building their team around Eichel (22 years old), Reinhart Minnesota. I think Volkov is right up there, too. (23) and Dahlin (19). To add a 21-year-old center to that would be more than ideal. Cirelli would get a much bigger role in Buffalo than he’ll get in Vogl: OK, that gives me a nice base. If I’m the Sabres, my order of Tampa behind Stamkos and Point. preference would be Cirelli, followed by Johnson or Gourde (if the teams could get one to waive his no-trade clause), then Volkov and finally a If the Sabres were willing to give the Lightning two things they could use package highlighted by Barre-Boulet. The first two would-be options — a top-four, right-shot defenseman and the flexibility of Callahan being would be accepted in a minute. The others might require a little more gone — would that be enough for them to let go of Cirelli? haggling — which is why we’ve been dissecting a Risto-to-Tampa deal Smith: That’s a tough sell for me. I think Cirelli is a terrific young player, for months. But those are the only deals I see. and he’s coming off a World Championship where he shined. There’s a If the Sabres and Tampa can’t work it out, Winnipeg also has some reason, though, I had him moving into the “untouchable” category in my serious need for a right-handed defenseman and the assets to make it “Who’s in, who’s out?” piece earlier this summer. The former third-round happen. pick is trusted tremendously by the coaching staff and was used in many tight, late-game situations when protecting a lead. He scored 19 goals The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 without any power-play time. So there’s value and a higher ceiling there.

There’s also the cap crunch the next few years, with Cirelli, Sergachev, Cernak and Andrei Vasilevskiy all RFAs next summer. Moving Callahan’s contract would help, though it’s something they can work around (especially for just one more year, using LTIR). It’d be hard for me to move such a talented young player who is still on an entry-level contract like Cirelli.

So I don’t see it, unless something too-good-to-be-true comes up. The key to me is unlocking Ristolainen’s potential, if there’s indeed a next level there, since right-shot D-men with that size and shot are hard to find.

How is Ristolainen in the room? Is he coachable?

Biron: He’s a great kid, very honest, very open to talking to his team, to the media. I look at him on the ice in a league where you have to read and react quickly … and by the time he tries to recover, it’s too late. It’s not that he’s not able to play at that speed. It’s that you’ve had so many different systems that you have to decipher which system you’re playing in.

This year he took more of a leadership role. Many times after games, he’d be the one facing the cameras. We burned him at times and he’d 1149565 Calgary Flames

Nazem Kadri explains why he refused trade to Flames

Wes Gilbertson

Nazem Kadri did, indeed, quash a potential trade to the Calgary Flames.

Kadri, ex of the , confirmed on Sportsnet’s 31 Thoughts: The Podcast that he was approached about being swapped to the Saddledome but refused to waive his 10-team no-trade clause.

The 28-year-old has since been shipped to the .

“What happened is they had a deal in place and they wanted me to move my no-trade clause,” Kadri explained on the podcast. “Obviously, for me, it was no disrespect to Calgary or the Flames organization — I love their team and I love the direction they’re headed. I just figured that had I declined, I would have had a better opportunity of being a Maple Leaf next year, and that’s really what it came down to.

“I wanted to play for the Leafs next year. I wanted to be a part of that. In declining that trade, I had aspirations of being a Leaf, and we know clearly that didn’t happen.”

Kadri, who hails from London, Ont., registered 16 goals and 22 assists in 73 regular-season showings for the Buds last winter but was an easy target for criticism after a vicious cross-checking major that resulted in a remainder-of-the-series suspension during their first-round ouster against the Boston Bruins.

It is believed that TJ Brodie was the key piece in the Flames’ offer for Kadri.

The Leafs eventually acquired blue-liner Tyson Barrie, winger Alex Kerfoot and a sixth-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft from the Avalanche in exchange for Kadri, defence prospect Calle Rosen and a third-rounder. (The Avs will also cover half of Barrie’s salary next season.)

“I understand it’s a business,” Kadri said on his podcast appearance. “For me, it’s about going into next season with a chip on my shoulder. I know what I’m capable of and I want to just prove a point more than anything. So I’ll be looking to have a big year next year.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149566 Calgary Flames led the NHL with 42 wins and 4,294 minutes played, and had a thoroughly respectable 2.39 goals-against average. Talbot just turned 32 in early June, and only made it to the NHL as a regular in the 2013-14 As Battle of Alberta cools off, more joining Grant Fuhr on short list of season, so doesn’t necessarily have a lot of wear on the tires. players to play for Oilers and Flames Moreover, Fuhr believes Talbot’s new teammates in Calgary will embrace him the same way his former Oilers’ teammates did.

By Eric Duhatschek Jul 11, 2019 Some goalies have quirks and ticks that make them unapproachable on game day, but Talbot is not that guy, according to Fuhr.

“I like the fact that he’s a perfect teammate – and he battles,” said Fuhr. Even though he mostly hangs his hat in Palm Springs, California these “The positive side is, when he gets on a roll and gets comfortable and days, Grant Fuhr – the Hall of Fame , scratch golfer and star gets his confidence, it gives everybody confidence. If you have faith and of “Making Coco,” his documentary life story — retains a keen interest in trust in your goaltender, it frees up everyone else to play too – so the the Battle of Alberta. team plays differently. If you’re playing to defend your goalie because you’re not sure about him, you play differently. If everybody has trust in Why not? Fuhr is one of only a handful of who’ve the goalie, then guys aren’t worrying about making mistakes – and they participated in the fight on both sides, having begun his career with the play better. 1981-82 and then completing it by playing 23 games for the 1999-00 Calgary Flames. “If you look at the way Mike Smith played in the playoffs last season, if you’re getting that version of him, you’re getting a good goalie and an Once a very select club, two additional names were added to the list on elite puck handler. I wouldn’t put Cam in the elite category, but he’s very the opening day of NHL free agency last week. good at it.” Mike Smith, the former Flames’ netminder, signed a one-year contract The fact that Vernon and Fuhr could so easily wrap their heads around with the Oilers on the same day Cam Talbot, the former Oilers’ goalie, the Edmonton-Calgary goalie switch is a strong indictment of where the signed with the Flames. rivalry actually stands. Curiously, the fact that the two teams would sign each other’s opening- It has simmered at a lukewarm level for a long time now. Maybe the night starters from just a season ago didn’t surprise Fuhr at all. goalie switch will help ramp it up again. “In the ’80s, it would have never happened,” said Fuhr. “In the ’90s, “Rivalries were just so much bigger back then than they are now,” said possibly. But in the 2000s and up, it definitely could.” Vernon. “You just don’t play each other enough. Back then, we played “It would have just been taboo before,” added former Flames’ goaltender each other eight times a year during the regular season – more if we met Mike Vernon, who had a decades-long professional rivalry with Fuhr. in the playoffs. We played each other a lot – and that tends to get “ and (Flames and Oilers’ GMs respectively) rivalries going because you get more of a hate on for each other. would have never traded with each other. I mean, they rarely traded “Remember when beat up Dave Brown in a fight and Dave within their own division. That’s the way it was back then. That’s why Cliff Brown was stewing about and so when we played them next, a few days was always trading with St. Louis. later, Stu’s on the ice and Brownie taps his guy on the shoulder and “With me being from Calgary and Grant being from Edmonton, that would sends him off and then turns around and grabs Stu and beats the shit out have been even weirder. We couldn’t have fathomed doing that.” of him – and that’s the way it was. was a pain in the ass to play against – and it was no different on the other side, with Kevin Smith and Talbot join a small fraternity that also includes Dwayne McClelland and Marty McSorley. It was constant. Do you remember Roloson, who played 70 games for Calgary but had his greatest when Gary Roberts hit Gretzky? They just went bananas. You couldn’t hit professional moment when he led the 2006 Oilers to an unexpected Gretzky. Back then, we monitored the game ourselves. We didn’t have to Stanley Cup finals berth. In all, Roloson played 193 regular-season rely on the referees.” games for the Oilers. According to Vernon, the two-referee system has helped calm the waters Curtis Joseph made Edmonton the second stop on his six-team NHL tour because it eliminated “all the chippy stuff that happened behind the play. and got into 177 games for the Oilers before winding his career down In the old days, one referee couldn’t catch it all, so you’d see guys with a nine-game cameo for Calgary at the end of the 2007-08 season slashing each other, coming up the ice. They’d look to see where the and then once last season in Toronto. Fred Brathwaite, who played 40 referee was, and if he wasn’t looking, you could just jab a guy with your games over three years for Edmonton and then following a two-year stick. There was a lot of dirty play on a regular basis. Now, with two hiatus in Manitoba, got into 138 games for the Flames. In addition, the referees they’ve cleaned that up.” Flames drafted Laurent Brossoit in the 2011 entry draft, but traded him to Edmonton in November of 2013, before he ever played a regular-season Vernon paused. game for them. “But it was sure fun playing.” Fuhr, for one, is bullish on the Smith and Talbot additions, noting that As a goalie, Vernon had the same vantage point that the back referee both represent good fits on their new teams. Even though both signings has now – and thus had a birds-eye view of all the mayhem that were positioned as players who joined their new teams as part of a happened behind the play. tandem, or possibly even in a secondary role, Fuhr believes Smith and Talbot are capable of seizing the No. 1 jobs for their respective teams “We saw everything,” he said. “It was like, ‘holy shit! Are you kidding next season. me?’ I remember one time, Mark Messier elbowed Ric Nattress at the blue line and Nat went down like a little Bambi on the ice – and he “Cam’s got talent — I think Calgary made a good signing there,” said couldn’t get back up on his feet and he had to crawl to the bench. That’s Fuhr. “I know it was only for one year, but I have a strange feeling he is just the way the game was played. Not saying if it was better or worse, going to be there a lot longer than one year. He’s a better goalie than just that’s how it was. It was a tougher game. You had to be physically anyone’s giving him credit for. If you look at how good he was the year and mentally tough – especially mentally tough. The players are a lot (2017) the Oilers made the playoffs, he was one of the main reasons different now.” they actually made it to the playoffs. If they’d had him down the stretch run last year, they might have been able to sneak in also. Whenever a brawl broke out, Vernon said he was sure to seek out Fuhr, his old buddy. “It wouldn’t shock me at all if he took over in Calgary, just as it wouldn’t shock me if Mike Smith took over in Edmonton. Experience means “We stood there and laughed,” said Vernon. “We’d say, ‘look at those something – and Smitty’s still a good goalie.” ding dongs fighting.’”

Fuhr still holds the single-season record for most games played in a Fuhr got his name on the Stanley Cup five times between 1984 and single NHL season – 79, established in 1995-96 when he was with the 1990, four times as the Oilers’ starter. Then in 1991, after a 17-game Blues. But Fuhr also noted that Talbot is only two years removed from playoff run, he was traded for Toronto along with Glenn Anderson and that 2016-17 season, in which he made 73 appearances for the Oilers, in a package that netted the Oilers Vincent Damphousse, Luke Richardson and others.

By then, Wayne Gretzky had already been traded away from Edmonton and everything had started to change – including the intensity of the rivalry.

“Once Wayne goes, you know we’re all going somewhere,” said Fuhr. “You knew that you’d eventually get caught up in the numbers. That’s the unfortunate side of hockey – the business side. I was pretty fortunate. I got 11 years out of Edmonton. So … the fact that you know you’re moving at some point, I was lucky enough to go to a team that I cheered for as a kid. Going to Toronto made it a lot easier. I was lucky Cliff was in Toronto at the time. From playing against Calgary all those years, you knew what Cliff was all about. So, I got a chance to go to a perfect situation – other than it wasn’t a very good team at that time.”

Like Vernon, Fuhr misses the good old days.

“There was a genuine dislike,” said Fuhr, “but at the same time, you also really respected them. It was kind of a love-hate relationship. At that time, we were the two best teams in the league. It just happened that we were a couple of hundred miles apart.

“I think as both teams get better the rivalry will improve too. In a perfect world, they’d get to play each other in the playoffs. That would really ignite it.

“Even I’d be coming up to watch those games.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149567 Carolina Hurricanes

Kron, Dawson promoted as Canes make changes to scouting staff

BY CHIP ALEXANDER JULY 11, 2019 10:57 AM

The Carolina Hurricanes continue to reshape the organization, announcing changes to their scouting staff on Thursday.

Robert Kron has been promoted to director of European scouting while Mike Dawson has been promoted to head North American scout. In addition, Cody Nickolet, Eric Fink and Oleg Smirnov were hired as amateur scouts.

The changes come after the retirement of Tony MacDonald, the Canes’ longtime director of amateur scouting; Sheldon Ferguson, the head North American scout, and amateur scout Bert Marshall.

Kron has spent 11 seasons as a scout with Carolina, the last two as head European scout. A native of the Czech Republic, he played 509 games as a forward for the and Hurricanes from 1993-2000.

Dawson has spent the last seven seasons as an amateur scout for the Canes. Following his junior hockey career, he played four seasons of college hockey college in Canada with Acadia and one season with Saint Mary’s, then professionally in the Netherlands and with Lubbock in .

Nickolet spent four seasons as a scout and director of analytics for the ’s Saskatoon Blades and worked a season as a prospect analyst for the . Fink spent the last six seasons as a scout for the WHL’s after four seasons in the United States Hockey League as Assistant Coach of the Tri-City Storm.

Smirnov was a player agent representing players in Russia from 2016-19 after working for the KHL Players’ Trade Union from 2009-16.

News Observer LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149568 Carolina Hurricanes • Cotton is returning to Boston College for his senior year in an attempt to get the Eagles back up to their standards after a few disappointing years.

“It’s an adjustment, I think it’s good for my growth and development just A stream of consciousness from Hurricanes development camp because it’s a different role,” he said. “But I don’t think it will be that different. … I kinda took a step back (from signing an NHL contract) with the Checkers going deep and the Canes doing so well. I just kind of By Sara Civian Jul 11, 2019 weighed my options, talked to my family and my advisor. A lot of it was ‘Am I ready for this?’ and it was a difficult decision. But I feel like we’ve

had three mediocre years at BC when it’s an institution built on success. The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. Going in my freshman year I want to add to that. Having this opportunity, especially as , is a big part of my decision.” The first rule of prospect development camp is: Take it with a grain of salt. He also mentioned that the Hurricanes respect his decision and agree it will be good for him. It’s not like any of you elite commenters need a condescending disclaimer, but a friendly reminder: “I still need to develop physically — college is a great place for that. They’re not in any rush to get me into the system and it’s really These camps exist to give NHL prospects an idea of what’s expected of welcoming for me. I don’t feel pressure. They’ve really been supportive, them, remind them that this is the beginning — not the end — of the and it’s a good sign.” journey and to shake hands with those that might be part of their future. Cotton could’ve darted for the exit when things were going south in “The guys are in different scenarios,” said Sergei Samsonov, who is now Chestnut Hill (some of his teammates did). Not a knock on others, but director of Hurricanes forward development. “Some haven’t skated in a staying and becoming captain speaks volumes about his character. while. So this camp is just basically an opportunity to get to know each other. I think guys are going to walk away with a plan for the summer — There should be no rush on either side for a 2015 sixth-round pick, to get stronger, faster whatever they need to be. It’s a new beginning for especially one who admits he needs to fine-tune before he goes pro. a lot of these young kids.” All things considered, the center had a killer year on a not-so-killer BC The Hurricanes held their camp the last week of June, many of you team last season with 23 goals and 36 points in 39 games played. showed up and showed out. Knowing what we know about the purpose Another strong season to build some confidence and potentially turn of these things, here is a lingering stream of consciousness: things around as a leader on Jerry York’s squad could do wonders mentally. Suzuki watch • Filipe projects as a middle-to-bottom six power forward, so his 2018-19 If you think we’re going to talk about how Ryan Suzuki is either the future stats (8-11—19 in 37 games) aren’t terribly concerning. But with Adam of the franchise or a bust because of his development camp scrimmage Gaudette, Dylan Sikura and Nolan Stevens leaving Northeastern for the performance, you’ve come to the wrong place. pros, you would’ve liked to have seen some more scoring consistency. His skating stood out at camp almost enough to break our “take camp The Canes took Suzuki 28th overall in a move the experts generally with a grain of salt” rule, though, and Samsonov’s endorsement matters. consider a steal (with some reservation). He’s skilled, he can make plays also mentioned he was impressed. and his upside, albeit a gamble, would be tremendous if achieved. Keep Filipe on your radar when the college hockey season begins. Cool. What to make of all the goalies What stands out to me about him is his confidence. I enjoy asking prospects to scout themselves because they usually start out shy then There were seven goalies on the Hurricanes’ development camp roster. painfully try to avoid bragging (polite hockey guys and all that). That’s 26.9 percent of the roster. The math doesn’t check out.

Suzuki described himself as “electric” right out of the gate in Vancouver. The most intriguing was Pyotr Kochetkov, the KHL/VHL goalie the Hurricanes took at No. 36 last month. The Athletic’s Corey Pronman “I’m a playmaking centerman,” he said. “I like to be electric and make wrote at the time “he has all the tools to be an NHL goalie.” plays all around the ice. I think I’m a super smart player.” A lot of that has to do with his ability to hold his own against older players How refreshing? in the lower-tier Russian league. You saw the benefits of that via his He’d mentioned at the draft that he and Andrei Svechnikov are still lights out, “best goaltender” award-winning performance when Russia friends from their days playing on the Barrie Colts, and that Svechnikov medaled bronze at the 2019 WJC. motivated him to work harder by example with all his extra hours in the Condescending development disclaimers aside, he stood out at camp. gym. Something about his post-to-post competence really did it for me. He elaborated when he got to Raleigh, joking that Svechnikov helped him Of all the goalies at camp, I’d bet on him to make the NHL roster at some “pad his stats.” point. His first impressions of Raleigh? Other standouts “Hot.” • Domenick Fensore: The Boston University-bound 2019 third-round pick Not exactly sure how the Hurricanes staff does their off-ice testing, but gives off serious Torey Krug vibes. It’s not just that he’s 5-foot-8, but he’s Suzuki gets 12/10 in personality. a breakout artist and strikes you as a power play quarterback of the future. Skating stood out at camp, but of course it did — he’s a product of He knows himself, and he’s a pass-first kind of guy with solid vision. the Golden State-esque USNTDP that saw 17 draftees last month. More than a few young skilled wingers he could one day feed to come to mind, maybe even one he already knows. • Kevin Wall: In one sense, almost nothing matters less than a development camp stat line. In another sense, leading the game with a Would you enjoy 13 (!) minutes of highlights? goal and an assist will turn heads.

Cotton and Filipe are right on track He’s about to spend four years with a great development staff at Penn State. It’ll be worth checking in on. “David Cotton (169th overall, 2015) and Matt Filipe (67th overall, 2016) are making huge strides in their college careers,” Samsonov offered • Your favorite prospect: He did great! when I asked him for under-the-radar prospects catching his eye. “For me, those are the guys that have made improvements. We see that not The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 only in their off-the-ice development but on the ice. That’s the exciting part.” 1149569 Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and top pick Kirby Dach among the attendees at this month’s Blackhawks Convention

By JIMMY GREENFIELD| CHICAGO TRIBUNE |JUL 11, 2019 | 12:30 PM

Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Steve Larmer and this year’s first-round pick, Kirby Dach, are among the old and new favorites expected at this year’s Blackhawks Convention, the team announced via social media Thursday.

The full schedule of panels and events will be revealed closer to the start of the 12th annual convention, which takes place July 26-28 at the Hilton Chicago.

In addition to Toews and Kane, current players expected to attend include Alex DeBrincat, the recently reacquired Andrew Shaw and newcomers Calvin de Haan, Olli Maatta and Robin Lehner.

The Hawks will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their 2010 Stanley Cup title this season. Members of the championship team expected to be at the convention include Patrick Sharp, , Dave Bolland, Brian Campbell and .

Hall of Famers Bobby Hull, Tony Esposito, Denis Savard and Chris Chelios, who work for the Hawks as team ambassadors, also are expected to be at the convention.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149570 Chicago Blackhawks Bernie Nicholls

Eddie Olczyk

Blackhawks announce star-studded attendees list for 12th annual fan Jeremy Roenick convention Phil Russell

Denis Savard By Charlie Roumeliotis July 11, 2019 1:00 PM John Scott

Patrick Sharp The 12th annual Blackhawks Convention will take place from July 26-28 at the Hilton Chicago, and the team announced a star-studded attendees Pat Stapleton list on Thursday: Kris Versteeg — signed AHL contract with Rockford IceHogs

PLAYERS PROSPECTS

Artem Anisimov Nicolas Beaudin

Drake Caggiula

Carl Dahlstrom Kirby Dach

Alex DeBrincat Collin Delia

Calvin de Haan Mackenzie Entwistle

David Kampf Alexandre Fortin

Patrick Kane Dennis Gilbert

Slater Koekkoek Brandon Hagel

Robin Lehner Mikael Hakkarainen

Olli Maatta Reese Johnson

Connor Murphy Chad Krys

Brendan Perlini Philipp Kurashev

Brandon Saad John Quenneville

Brent Seabrook Aleksi Saarela

Andrew Shaw Tim Soderlund

Dylan Strome COACHES

Jonathan Toews Sheldon Brookbank

ALUMNI

Murray Bannerman Marc Crawford

Ed Belfour Tomas Mitell

Bryan Bickell Jimmy Waite

Dave Bolland BROADCASTERS

Brandon Bollig Chris Boden

Ted Bulley Steve Konroyd (note: also included in alumni above)

Adam Burish Troy Murray (note: also included in alumni above)

Brian Campbell Eddie Olczyk (note: also included in alumni above)

Chris Chelios John Wiedeman

Eric Daze Among the notable players not attending: Erik Gustafsson and Duncan Tony Esposito Keith, respectively. Newly-signed forward Ryan Carpenter and prospect Alex Nylander also will not be in attendance. Doug Gilmour New additions Calvin de Haan, Robin Lehner, Olli Maatta and fan favorite Stu Grimson Andrew Shaw will be in attendance, as will No. 3 overall pick Kirby Dach.

Bobby Hull SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.12.2019

Dennis Hull

Steve Konroyd

Cliff Koroll

Steve Larmer

Jamal Mayers

Troy Murray 1149571 Chicago Blackhawks 2. The Blackhawks and Brendan Perlini are supposed to continue negotiations next week, according to a source. The two sides haven’t talked much so far.

Powers Points: Ian Mitchell, Blackhawks to discuss future next week Evolving-Hockey’s signing projections, which have been pretty accurate this offseason, estimate for Perlini to get a two-year contract with a $2,056,016 cap hit based on what he’s already done in his career. That’s By Scott Powers Jul 11, 2019 probably more than the Blackhawks will want to pay, but we’ll see. Neither side may be in a rush to get a contract done.

3. With or without Perlini, the Blackhawks will have a lot of forward Ian Mitchell had his reasons for deciding to remain at the University of options in training camp. You figure there are 10 forwards with NHL Denver for another season instead of signing with the Blackhawks. roster spots now: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Alex DeBrincat, One of them was his individual play. Brandon Saad, Dylan Strome, Andrew Shaw, Artem Anisimov, David Kampf, Drake Caggiula and Ryan Carpenter. “It was definitely I’d say one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in a long time just because my dream is to play in the NHL,” Mitchell said in That leaves two to four spots for Perlini, Dominik Kubalik, Alexander April, “but also I don’t want to be leaving too soon where I’m not putting Nylander, John Quenneville, Dylan Sikura and . You might myself in the position to succeed with the Blackhawks. I wasn’t at a place even include Alexandre Fortin, Matthew Highmore, and where I was ready for my game to leave yet, and that’s ultimately what Aleksi Saarela as possibilities. made me decide to stay. 4. Strome has remained in Chicago this offseason and has been “I just felt that in some games I was a dominant player, and I thought in participating in the Blackhawks’ strength and conditioning program and too many others I was just kind of existent. I want to be the best player working on the ice with Prodigy Hockey’s Brian Keane. DeBrincat is in on the ice every time and some games I was too conservative. I didn’t Chicago again this offseason as well. think I was a difference-maker in every single game. I wanted to make “It was a combination of things,” Strome’s agent Mark Guy said of the sure I was dominant at every game at this level before I was going to decision to remain in Chicago. “It was something the team recommended move on to the next level.” just based on the success that DeBrincat had the year before, and it was All of that may true, but Mitchell also likely mapped out his road to the also Dylan feels very comfortable there. He likes the setup there, he likes NHL next season. The Blackhawks had a number of defensemen already the people he was going to be working with, and the fact that Alex is signed — specifically Henri Jokiharju, who is very much like Mitchell. The going to be there doing it again and a few of the other players made two players were taken one round apart in 2017, and both are right- sense for him to stay.” handed shots, have similar puck-moving skills and are somewhat 5. A number of Blackhawks are skating with Keane again this summer. I undersized. There might have come a time when Jokiharju and Mitchell wrote about him a few years ago and his list of clients has grown since both fit in the Blackhawks’ NHL lineup, but that wasn’t likely next season. then. His clients this summer include Toews, Kane, Strome, DeBrincat, Mitchell had to see that. Saad and Murphy. Now that the Blackhawks have traded Jokiharju, Mitchell should benefit Toews mentioned last season how much working with Keane helped his — though whether that’s in the present or the future is yet to be game. determined. According to a source, Mitchell and the Blackhawks will talk next week at development camp about where he fits into their defensive “I’ve very appreciative that they believe that and that they see some of landscape and whether he might reconsider turning pro for the upcoming the things we worked on,” Keane said recently. “They’re the ones season. executing it and they’re amazing athletes. I’m just lucky to have the opportunity. Jonathan really took the stuff and ran with it. We’ve had Mitchell may stick to his initial decision, but the Blackhawks have a some nice dialogues throughout the year. I’m really happy for him and potentially strong case for why he should sign now instead of waiting proud of how he stepped up his offensive game and off the ice with his another year. Mitchell probably doesn’t begin this season in the NHL if he strength and conditioning.” does sign, but he sure is a lot closer with Jokiharju out of the picture. The only right-handed defensemen the Blackhawks have signed throughout 6. Getting back to Strome, I was going to write about his and DeBrincat’s the organization for this season are Connor Murphy, Brent Seabrook and future contracts this week, but it got pushed back after the Jokiharju Adam Boqvist. It’s easy to see how Mitchell could earn an NHL call-up. trade. The Blackhawks are able to begin negotiating now with both players, but it doesn’t sound like that has started. I wouldn’t expect either The Blackhawks trading Jokiharju is also telling of how they view player to agree on something early either. Mitchell. Bowman mentioned Mitchell and Boqvist after the trade. “At this stage most of the guys who are in the RFA position, even if there “I guess maybe the progression of a lot of our other young defensemen are some discussions in the summer, very rarely does it end in a to where we feel we’ve built up a good stable of young players and now contractual situation,” Guy said of Strome. “Most cases you continue to we have the ability to make a move like this,” Bowman said when asked follow through the year and see where it goes.” why he felt comfortable trading Jokiharju. “It’s not easy to acquire talented players like Alex (Nylander). He’s somebody we scouted, More on him and DeBrincat in the next few weeks. remember back in the draft year, we didn’t have a first-round pick that year. But we were very impressed with him. He’s a guy we had a lot of 7. Brian Campbell now has an title on the Blackhawks’ website: time for, and we knew we weren’t going to be able to draft him, drafting in player development coach. He was listed in the media guide last season the second round. But he’s such a high-skilled, talented player. So when as hockey/business operations liaison. We’ll see how many titles he ends those are the situations you’re looking at, trying to acquire someone like up with over the years. that, trying to acquire someone like that, you have to deal from a position 8. One interesting Blackhawks development camp invitee is winger Kyle of strength. Olson. He was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round in 2017, “Certainly with the progression of Mitchell and Boqvist, it’s nice to see and his NHL rights expired with them on June 1. He had 21 goals and 49 how they’ve taken strides this year, much like Henri has. So it’s really assists in 62 games in the WHL this past season. The Blackhawks don’t more the depth of our defense prospects made this a move we were able have many contracts to give out, but you never know. They have signed to make. I guess that’s probably the simple answer to why we were able players from prospect camps in the past. to do this now as opposed to a year ago at this time.” 9. Former Blackhawks defenseman prospect Jake Massie signed with Now for some other notes. the Florida Panthers on an entry-level contract recently. The Blackhawks were going to keep his rights for another year, but he decided to leave 1. As for Boqvist, it’s sounding more likely he starts next season in the Vermont after his junior season and because he had played in the USHL AHL rather than returning to the OHL. The recently a year after being drafted, he was able to turn pro. The Blackhawks had announced two defensemen signings, and some believe it’s an indication a short window to sign him once he declared he was turning pro, but that Boqvist isn’t returning. did not happen and he became an unrestricted free agent.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149572 Dallas Stars Stars coach Jim Montgomery alluded to potentially using Sekera as a top-four defenseman behind his main three of Klingberg, Heiskanen and Lindell, so perhaps that's the most likely option and would allow Polak to Stars defensemen outlook: What's going on with and will he play third-pairing minutes against more favorable matchups. be on the Stars' roster this season? Lindell-Klingberg

Heiskanen-Sekera

By Matthew DeFranks Oleksiak-Polak

Plus, Sekera's profile as a shot limiting defenseman could pair nicely with has said it before and he'll say it again: You can never have too Heiskanen on the second pairing if he's healthy. The Oilers allowed 7.32 many defensemen. fewer shot attempts per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 and 5.17 fewer shots on goal per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 with Sekera on the ice last year, both top The Stars general manager went through that ordeal last year, when 15 figures in the league. Dallas played 14 defensemen during the regular season, and nine in the playoffs. The Stars made four trades to acquire defensemen, and are No matter what the final decision ends up being, Stars training camp has now preparing their depth in the offseason. another battle if Johns can't play.

Dallas signed defenseman Andrej Sekera (one year, $1.5 million with Where does Jamie Oleksiak fit in? $500,000 in possible bonuses) after he was bought out by Edmonton Before this week, Oleksiak seemed destined to reclaim his spot on the when NHL free agency opened last week, a move that came after re- third pairing. He was a healthy scratch towards the end of the regular signing Roman Polak (one year, $1.75 million) and Taylor Fedun (two season last year and provided a jolt when he entered the lineup for years, $737,500 cap hit). Fedun in Game 3 against Nashville. But he hurt his knee in Game 6 The Stars now have a glut of defensemen to sort through, and a few against the Predators and could only watch as the Stars lost in seven questions to determine how all the pieces fit together. games to the Blues.

Let's break the group of defensemen into tiers, based on where they'll 07.12.2019 likely play: Perhaps the series goes differently with Oleksiak paired with Ben Lovejoy NHL roster (6): , Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Andrej on the third pairing instead of a rotation of Fedun, Hanley and Sekera, Roman Polak, Jamie Oleksiak Heatherington. The Blues were a big, heavy team and played a style that seemed to suit Oleksiak's. Now, he'll be locked in a battle for playing time Training camp bubble (4): Taylor Fedun, Gavin Bayreuther, , on the left-side with Sekera. Joel Hanley What's going on with Julius Honka? AHL roster (4): Ben Gleason, Dillon Heatherington, Joseph Cecconi, Reece Scarlett The Stars are trying to trade Julius Honka, their 2014 first-round pick who was a healthy scratch for the final 35 games of the regular season and all Unknown (2): Stephen Johns, Julius Honka 13 postseason games. But as a young, talented and cheap defenseman, perhaps Honka's value rises as teams get closer and closer to the salary Gone from last season (2): Marc Methot, Ben Lovejoy cap and need a small contract to fit. That leaves one, maybe two spots open on defense, and questions to Honka could have been a solution on the right side if Johns is not figure out. healthy, but he never earned the trust of the Stars coaching staff last Is Stephen Johns healthy season when he was given an opportunity to play top-pair minutes. The Stars traded for Jamie Oleksiak and Ben Lovejoy so that they wouldn't enough to contribute? have to play Honka. Joel Hanley, Gavin Bayreuther, Dillon Heatherington and Taylor Fedun all passed him on the depth chart. Johns missed all of last season with post-traumatic headaches, and did not play in any preseason, regular season or postseason games. Should So if Honka is still on the NHL roster at the start of the season (he Johns return to the lineup, he would be an ideal defensive partner for requires waivers to be sent to the AHL), the Stars might carry eight Miro Heiskanen. He's right-handed, physical, mobile and offensively defensemen to both retain and shield Honka. It's what they did in every capable, which would complement Heiskanen's speed and awareness all game after the All-Star break last season, when Honka was scratched for over the ice. every game.

He skated for two of the four days during development camp last week, a Among seven defenseman candidates, Fedun, Hanley and sign of optimism for the upcoming season but certainly not an ironclad Heatherington all require waivers to be sent to the AHL. Bayreuther, development in his recovery. Johns is in the second year of a contract Gleason, Djuse and Joseph Cecconi do not, making it easier to maintain that carries a $2.35 million cap hit and represents the Stars' best right- inventory by sending them to Cedar Park. handed option on defense not named John Klingberg. Honka's presence doesn't necessarily open up another spot for a If Johns is ready to play again at the start of the season, Roman Polak defenseman, but probably takes one away from the forward group. likely gets bumped from the second pair with Heiskanen to the third pair Instead of carrying two extra forwards (14 total), the Stars may only have with Andrej Sekera or Jamie Oleksiak and an extra spot in the lineup for space for one extra forward (13 total). But perhaps the Stars carry eight young defensemen disappears. It could look like this: defensemen anyway.

Lindell-Klingberg What is the trickle-down effect

Heiskanen-Johns for AHL affiliate Texas?

Sekera/Oleksiak-Polak If the Stars choose to carry only seven defensemen in the NHL, it sets up a roster crunch in the AHL, both with the number of defensemen and with If Johns is not ready, the Stars are left with decisions. the league's veteran rule that only allows a team to play five players with They could look into the trade market for a defenseman after Martin more than 320 professional games played and one with more than 260. Hanzal is placed on long-term injured reserve, freeing up cap space to If Johns is healthy and Honka is traded, the Stars could opt to carry add a player during the season. They could bump Sekera up to play on Klingberg, Lindell, Heiskanen, Johns, Sekera, Polak and Oleksiak. That his off side. They could do what they did last season, with Polak on the leaves Fedun, Hanley, Heatherington, Scarlett, Djuse, Bayreuther, second pair and Taylor Fedun on the third. They could try one of their Gleason and Cecconi AHL-bound. That already means Texas is carrying many young left-handed defensemen (Gavin Bayreuther, Joel Hanley, two extra defensemen, and the veteran rule squeezes them tighter. Dillon Heatherington, Emil Djuse and Ben Gleason) on the right side. Fedun (449 NHL and AHL games), Hanley (357), Scarlett (274) and Heatherington (265) all qualify as veterans in the AHL. Add them to Justin Dowling (455), Michael Mersch (333) and Tanner Kero (269), at least one player will have to sit in the press box to make space for younger players.

While playing time for the 13th or 14th best defensemen in your system certainly isn't a main concern when you're assembling an NHL roster, it is a side effect of that decision. Last year, Fedun was a healthy scratch due to the veteran rule in Rochester before the Stars traded for him and he played in 54 NHL games.

Projected pairs:

Lindell-Klingberg

Heiskanen-Johns

Sekera-Polak

Oleksiak, Fedun

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149573 Dallas Stars It is also very possible that Montgomery reunites the top line of Benn- Seguin-Radulov -- especially at big points in the game with offensive zone draws -- like he did throughout last season, even when they didn't Stars forward outlook: How will Montgomery align Dallas' news threats start a game playing on the same line. That still leaves Hintz-Pavelski- alongside Benn, Seguin, and Radulov Perry available, which is a decent second option.

The bottom line is Montgomery will have many chances to tinker with the top six with a versatile group of forwards. By Matthew DeFranks Will the Stars give Ty Dellandrea an NHL tryout?

Ty Dellandrea, Dallas' first-round pick in 2018, is in a tough situation. His Stars general manager Jim Nill headed into the offseason looking to add team in the Hockey League, the Flint Firebirds, has finished in scoring to a team that finished tied for the third-worst offense in the NHL last place in the OHL's Western Conference in each of the last two last season. seasons, most recently when Dellandrea was the captain in 2018-19. The NHL's agreement with the CHL means that Dellandrea cannot play The Stars hope the mission was accomplished by signing Joe Pavelski in the AHL until Flint's season is over, but the team can give him a nine- (three years, $7 million average annual value) and (one game stint in the NHL without burning a year of his entry-level contract. year, $1.5 million). With the bottom six cleaned out from last year (guys like Ritchie, Pavelski, buoyed by a 20.2% shooting percentage, scored 38 goals last Nichuhskin and Pitlick), there is potential for Dellandrea to squeeze into season in San Jose, the fourth time in the last six seasons he's reached the lineup, but he could also be scratched to extend his time in the NHL at least 37 goals. Perry, meanwhile, is a one-time 50-goal scorer whose and learn its rhythm, travel, practice and preparation habits. production has dipped in recent years, including an injury-shortened season in Anaheim last season. It could make sense for Dellandrea to make the team out of training camp since Dowling, Mersch and Kero are the only (likely AHL-bound) So how do Pavelski and Perry fit into the Stars lineup and what training forwards that require waivers to be sent to the minors. By keeping camp battles remain when Dallas opens camp in mid-September? Dellandrea, they give him a taste of the NHL before presumably going Let's break the group of forwards into tiers, based on where they'll likely back to Flint and can still keep guys like L'Esperance, Robertson and play. Felhaber available for later.

NHL roster (11): Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, Joe Does crack the top six? Pavelski, , Corey Perry, Radek Faksa, Andrew Cogliano, At this point in his development, it can be argued that Gurianov is the Blake Comeau, Jason Dickinson, player that he is. He is an offensive forward with elite, top-end, start-and- Training camp bubble (7): Denis Gurianov, Ty Dellandrea, Justin stop speed that can be used both going wide on defensemen and Dowling, Joel L'Esperance, Joel Kiviranta, Jason Robertson, Tye backchecking through the neutral zone. He proved what he can in the Felhaber AHL last season, but couldn't adjust in the NHL when he wasn't scoring goals, although he seems like an ideal fit for Montgomery's puck AHL roster (7): Adam Mascherin, Riley Tufte, Michael Mersch, Nick pressure system. Caamano, Tanner Kero, Rhett Garnder, Josh Melnick With five forwards gone off last year's roster, there is a big window of Injured (1): Martin Hanzal opportunity for Gurianov to make the team out of training camp, which he was threatening to do last season with a strong camp. Gone from last season (5): , Jason Spezza, , Tyler Pitlick, Brett Ritchie If he does, he could start out in the bottom six (what speed a line of Gurianov, Jason Dickinson and Mattias Janmark would bring), with a That leaves one spot in the lineup and potentially two or three spots on chance to move up with some line juggling. Matching Gurianov with the roster up for grabs in training camp. Hintz's speed seems logical, plus they have played together with AHL How does Jim Montgomery want to use affiliate Texas.

Pavelski and Perry's skills? Projected lines:

Pavelski and Perry should both start the season in top-six roles, joining Benn-Seguin-Perry Seguin, Benn, Radulov and Hintz among the Stars' best offensive Hintz-Pavelski-Radulov threats. Both are right-handed, and Pavelski can play both center or wing while Perry has been a right wing most of his career. On July 1, Cogliano-Faksa-Comeau Montgomery mentioned how much he liked having another right-handed center in Pavelski to allow the Stars to have two righties (Seguin and Janmark-Dickinson-Gurianov Pavelski) and two lefties (Benn and Hintz) to take draws on either side of Dellandrea the ice in any zone. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.12.2019 Finding a spot for Perry will be interesting. Montgomery likes to change lines a fair amount, and doing so throughout the season made it feel normal when it happened during the playoffs, so it's possible Perry slips onto the third line at points in the season.

Right off the bat, Benn feels like an obvious complement opposite Perry. They played well together during the 2014 Olympics, can both bring a physical style of hockey and can pester opposing teams. There could be some concern pairing forwards coming off subpar seasons, but an injection of Seguin could boost that line.

That leaves Hintz, Pavelski and Radulov for the second line. It's a line with a little bit of everything if you look at Hintz's speed, Pavelski's net- front presence and goal-scoring and Radulov's shot and puck possession, all while Hintz and Pavelski are both capable defensively. So, the lines could look like this:

Benn-Seguin-Perry

Hintz-Pavelski-Radulov 1149574 Dallas Stars

Stars agree to 2-year, $3 million deal with former first-round pick Jason Dickinson

By Matthew DeFranks

The Stars are almost done.

By signing center Jason Dickinson to a two-year contract averaging $1.5 million on Thursday morning, the Stars secured another one of their restricted free agents and whittled their list of to-dos. Dickinson was the most expensive remaining RFA Dallas had left to sign, and his $1.5 million cap hit puts the team $970,001 away from the salary cap, according to Cap Friendly.

Dickinson served mostly as the Stars' fourth-line center last season before elevating to a top-six wing during the playoffs. Dickinson, 24, scored six goals and assisted on 16 more during 67 games last season, when he morphed from a bubble lineup player to key cog in balancing the Stars lineup.

Next season, Dickinson can be a versatile player for coach Jim Montgomery, moving him to the wing in order to spread scoring through other parts of the lineup or keeping him at center to serve as a secondary shutdown center behind Radek Faksa.

Dickinson will again be a RFA when his contract expires after the 2020- 21 season. Had the two sides not reached an agreement, Dickinson and the Stars would have had an arbitration hearing July 20 in Toronto.

Dickinson was the sixth RFA the Stars signed. They previously inked Esa Lindell (six years, $5.8 million cap hit), Mattias Janmark (one year, $2.3 million), Gavin Bayreuther (one year, $700,000 in the NHL), Dillon Heatherington (one year, $700,000 in the NHL) and Landon Bow (one year, $700,000 in the NHL).

Now, defenseman Julius Honka remains the team's only unsigned RFA. (Technically, is also unsigned, but he's already signed to play in next season.) The Stars have been trying to trade Honka after he was a healthy scratch for the last 35 games of the regular season, but his contract will still provide value. He's a 23-year-old former first-round pick that should be making around $1 million, and could provide a cheap alternative for cap-strapped teams.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149575 Detroit Red Wings

Steve Yzerman's Detroit Red Wings staff shakeup: 2 scouts leave for Oilers

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 12:28 p.m. ET July 11, 2019 | Updated 4:31 p.m. ET July 11, 2019

GM Steve Yzerman made 11 picks in his first draft since taking control of the Red Wings. Filmed June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Red Wings' scouting staff has undergone change under new general manager Steve Yzerman, and it involves former GM .

Tyler Wright, the Wings' director of amateur scouting since July 2013, along with fellow amateur scouts Jeff Findlay and Andrew Dickson are gone. Those were the three men primarily in charge of running the amateur draft under Holland. They were at the draft table when the Wings shook up the first round of the 2019 draft in June by selecting German defenseman at sixth overall. The final call, of course, belonged to Yzerman.

Wright and pro scout Archie Henderson have joined Holland, who was named GM of the Edmonton Oilers on May 7. Yzerman had offered Henderson a contract to stay.

"We are currently working through changes," Yzerman told the Free Press on Thursday afternoon.

Red Wings front office executives, including GM Steve Yzerman, center left, with draft pick Moritz Seider, center, at the NHL draft June 21 in Vancouver.

Yzerman was named GM of the Wings on April 19. One of his moves was to bring in Pat Verbeek, Yzerman's right-hand man while he was GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Yzerman also hired his brother, Chris, and booted Glenn Merkosky, who'd been scouting for the Wings since 1999.

Yzerman said during a June 13 meeting with reporters more changes could be coming to his staff.

Hakan Andersson remains chief of European scouting, and Mark Howe remains director of pro scouting. Other pro scouts under contract include Kirk Maltby and Bruce Haralson.

Verbeek and Ryan Martin both carry the title of assistant general manager, while 's title is assistant to the general manager.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149576 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings release top scouts Wright, Finley

Detroit News staff Published 6:22 p.m. ET July 11, 2019 | Updated 9:22 p.m. ET July 11, 2019

Steve Yzerman shook up the team's amateur scouting department by not renewing the contracts of top scouts Tyler Wright and Jeff Finley.

The Red Wings released amateur scouting director Tyler Wright and chief amateur scout Jeff Finley on Thursday, three weeks after the NHL Draft in Vancouver and three months after Steve Yzerman was named general manager on April 19.

"Our contracts were not renewed," said Finley, who scouted for 10 years with the Wings. "Steve (Yzerman) said basically they had different plans. It's the nature of the business, putting your own people in place. We've had a few high draft picks lately in Detroit and we feel we've made good picks."

Finley, a former NHL defenseman whose three-year contract with the Wings expired this year, said he's already had job discussions with a few other NHL teams and is "looking forward to other opportunities."

Finley said Wright and former Detroit pro scout Archie Henderson were hired on Thursday by former Wings GM Ken Holland in Edmonton.

Finley also said amateur scout Andrew Dickson was let go by the Wings.

The Wings didn't announce any additions to the scouting staff.

Assistant GM Kris Draper is among the candidates to replace Wright as the team's director of amateur scouting.

Detroit News LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149577 Detroit Red Wings

Steve Yzerman’s Tampa condo on the market for $1.695 million

The Detroit News Published 5:37 p.m. ET July 11, 2019 | Updated 7:17 p.m. ET July 11, 2019

A 3,316-square-foot condominium owned by Steve Yzerman in Tampa, Florida, is on the market for $1,695,000.

Yzerman was general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning for nine years before replacing Ken Holland as Detroit Red Wings GM in April.

The address of Yzerman’s condo is 4201 Bayshore Blvd., overlooking Hillsborough Bay and about five miles from Amalie Arena, home of the lightning. The listing agent is Jennifer Zales of Coldwell Banker.

The condo, which went on the market in June, has three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a study and two covered terraces. Taxes on the unit in 2018 were $25,554.

The listing describes the condo as “coastal contemporary elegance boasting endless views of Tampa Bay, Bayshore Blvd and the city of Tampa skyline. … Appointments include wide plank wood flooring throughout, Restoration Hardware lighting, new plumbing fixtures, and modern ceiling detail. The large great room flows into a dining area that can be casual or formal.”

Detroit News LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149578 Detroit Red Wings For a draft that is now four years old, there should probably be a lot more clarity than the 2015 class can currently offer.

Detroit’s first-rounder, Evgeny Svechnikov, has played just 16 NHL What kind of impact did Tyler Wright’s drafts have on the Red Wings’ games after tearing his ACL last preseason. He has a pair of divergent rebuild? AHL season under his belt — one quite promising, the other a step back — and is nearing “show-me” time in Detroit. The jury’s still out, but he should be given time to fully stabilize after his injury. By Max Bultman Jul 11, 2019 The Red Wings again had no second-rounder, and in Round 3 took Vili Saarijarvi, a smooth-skating defenseman who hasn’t yet hit his stride in Grand Rapids with one year left on his ELC. Goaltender Joren van In hindsight, the final public comments of Tyler Wright’s tenure as the Pottelberghe just turned in a solid season in Switzerland but isn’t at the Detroit Red Wings’ amateur scouting director were fitting. top of the goalie pipeline for Detroit. Chase Pearson turned pro late last With the 2019 draft over and Wright speaking along the back wall of the season and could factor into the fourth-line center picture of the future. draft floor in Vancouver, he was asked about the team’s development Patrick Holway sat out last season in the NCAA after transferring, and camp that would begin in a matter of days. He spoke about its value for Adam Marsh is in the ECHL. the team’s new draftees in terms of learning and testing, but he That’s a whole lot of question marks. eventually ended on a thought that sums up both the draft process and what comes next. If Svechnikov can be a middle-six player, you ultimately probably take that from a 19th overall pick. Same with Pearson as a possible fourth-line “You’ve gotta be able to draft right,” he said, “you’ve gotta be able to center chosen in the fifth-round — although there’s only room for so develop (and) you’ve gotta sit there and cross your fingers and hope the many defense-first forwards in the NHL. Getting Saarijarvi to be a third- players turn out.” pair regular would boost the class’s output, but that would also seem Wright’s job, of course, was the first step. Drafting is the lifeblood of a unlikely based on what he’s produced so far. healthy NHL organization, and for the last six years, he has overseen it So, the class likely comes down to what Svechnikov can be. It was a for the Red Wings. When Wright selected Michael Rasmussen ninth small, six-man class — the kind you can’t necessarily expect huge overall in 2017, it was Detroit’s first top-10 pick since 1991. Then the Red results from — but if the first-round pick can’t stick, it becomes really hard Wings picked sixth overall each of the last two years. to see it as a substantial class. It would be no exaggeration, then, to say Wright was at the helm for three 2016 of the most important Red Wings draft picks of this generation. The members of this class are just starting their pro careers, though two But with Wright — as well as former chief scout Jeff Finley and fellow have already begun looking like regulars. The draft itself will be amateur scout Andrew Dickson — now out in Detroit, as The Athletic has remembered for the trade back in the first round to move Pavel Datsyuk’s confirmed, the Red Wings will be left to develop those players in his contract to Arizona, resulting in the Coyotes nabbing Jakob Chychrun, absence. Without a doubt, there will be plenty of finger crossing going on. but the players Detroit did draft are making their names, too. In that sense, the legacy of the Wright Era in Detroit is not yet First-round pick Dennis Cholowski had a strong start to his pro career crystallized. It will take years to know what becomes of the players the before tailing off around midseason and finishing in the AHL. He still Red Wings selected under his leadership. But, already, some major projects as a big part of Detroit’s future on the blue line, though, possibly tenets of that legacy are taking shape. So, as he moves on (The as soon as this season. Athletic’s Craig Custance confirmed Wright is bound for Edmonton, where he will join former Detroit GM Ken Holland), here’s what’s most Second-rounder Filip Hronek, meanwhile, has a chance to be Detroit’s notable about his time with the Red Wings. most impactful defenseman by the end of the upcoming season. He put up 23 points in 46 NHL games last season, which tied for the third-most 2014 points of any Red Wings defenseman. And if his promising defensive While the three most recent first-round selections represent the highest- metrics hold up, he could be in for a big year after an extremely value draft slots of the Red Wings’ last 25 years, the most important productive World Championship. selection of the Wright Era has to be Dylan Larkin at No. 15 overall in Sixth-round pick Filip Larsson, meanwhile, dominated as a freshman at 2014. Denver and is projected to play in the AHL this season at age 21. He’s Now the unquestioned star of the franchise, Larkin has established the Red Wings’ top goalie prospect. himself as one of the top players from that draft class and also as The rest of the class, though, leaves a bit to be desired. Givani Smith Detroit’s likely next captain. started to make more of an impact in the AHL toward the end of his He was the kind of pick that can make a draft class by himself, and, in rookie pro season but still notched just 13 points in 64 games. Alfons the end, he may have to. Third-rounder Dominic Turgeon had a cup of Malmström and Mattias Elfström are still in a lower-division Swedish coffee but has yet to separate himself from a cluster of defense-first league; their rights formally expire next June. Defenseman Jordan centers around his same age. Goaltender Chase Perry hasn’t turned Sambrook is no longer in the organization. many heads in college. Once-promising late-rounder Axel Holmström is Smith could certainly take another step forward in Grand Rapids, but all returning to after never making the NHL. Late-round forwards told, it would be enough if just Cholowski and Hronek can both become Alexander Kadeykin and Julius Vähätalo never came over to begin with top-four defenders. Larsson being a starting NHL goalie would be and averaged around 0.35 points per game in the KHL and Finnish , massive for the franchise, too. If all three happen, then this could be respectively. remembered as a strong class. But there’s still a lot of uncertainty with If anyone is going to join Larkin as a mainstay from that class, the last, such young players, and it’s too soon to make those declarations firm. best hope is fourth-round pick , a promising defensive Dennis Cholowski poses with Tyler Wright (second from left) and other center who played 60 NHL games last season. Ehn does appear to have members of the Detroit front office after being selected with the 20th the ability to play regularly down a lineup, although he only chipped in overall pick in the 2016 draft. (Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today) nine points as a rookie. 2017 In a class with seven players and no second-round pick, Larkin alone provides more than enough value to bear the load. If Ehn can stick This class took a pretty substantial blow earlier this summer when Detroit around a while, Wright’s first draft should hold its own. opted not to sign five of the 11 players they took in this draft, just two years later. Two of those players, Lane Zablocki and Zach Gallant, were Dylan Larkin had 32 goals and 41 assists for the Wings this past season third-round picks. It could be tough to salvage a class that size with that and led the team in goals, assists, points and minutes. (Steve many assets already gone. Roberts / USA Today) The aforementioned Rasmussen was the top pick, a 6-foot-6 center at 2015 the time of his draft who may end up on the wing. If he can be a center, that might help his value, but more important than his position is a Moritz Seider was a risky, but potentially rewarding pick out of Germany. smoother acclimation to the NHL than he experienced last season. Antti Tuomisto, said to be a personal favorite of Wright’s, plans to take There’s clearly a toolkit there, starting with his exceptional play around the long route and play another year in before going to college. the net. His power-play value alone still projects to be solid because of that skill. But he’ll need to improve his skating and overall play to get the And then there’s a glut of interesting, but raw players. Robert most out of his potential. (And that’s certainly possible. Rasmussen is too Mastrosimone has lots of skill but needs to improve his skating. Albert young to be written off.) Johansson shows flashes of strong skating and hockey sense, but how much better can he get — and will he grow? is the most Detroit has also been high on Gustav Lindström, the Swedish projectable as a physical but skilled player. Ethan Phillips is thin but defenseman who played for Frölunda’s SHL champions in 2018-19. He’s displayed an impressive motor and toolkit. Cooper Moore is the high expected to begin his North American pro career this season. school mystery man who Wright admitted he hadn’t seen that year (the U.S. scouts pounded the table). Elmer Söderblom and Gustav Berglund Two other defensemen from the class still have hopes of making it, too: are longer-view prospects out of Sweden in a draft that Håkan Kasper Kotkansalo had a tough season at Boston University, but a strong Andersson’s input was clear. Kirill Tyutyayev fits a similar profile to development camp should give him a boost going into his junior year. Kivenmäki. And Carter Gylander was a goalie Detroit was willing to take Malte Setkov is a bit of a project as a tall, lanky defender, but he’s filling a late-round flier on. out and should continue to develop in Sweden. He might have a chance. In a year, we’ll know a lot more about this group’s trajectory — as we will Finally, forward prospect Jack Adams tore his ACL and MCL at every other group on the list. Perhaps, by then, Wright’s exact impact will development camp after standout showings in the scrimmages, and be more measurable. Each draft is different, and there’s no easy way to goalie Keith Petruzzelli should play more this season after getting stuck capture a scouting director’s specific influence. on the bench often last season. But at such a critical juncture for the franchise, which direction the fruits So there are still some irons in the fire. of his drafts lean will have dramatic effects on the future.

It would help if Lindström could be an NHLer, but just like 2015, so much Wright’s legacy can’t start and end with Larkin to be a success. Detroit of the class is going to come down to the first-round pick. And as a top- needs Rasmussen or Svechnikov to bloom and Zadina and Seider to 10 pick, Rasmussen will need to do more than Svechnikov to truly become impact players. It needs Cholowski and Hronek to cement deliver. If he can become a 20-goal, power-play specialist, that might be themselves in the lineup for years to come; it needs Berggren and enough. If he can do so as a center, all the better. Veleno and McIsaac, that cluster of picks from a year ago, to not just play That is far from certain at this point, though. There will likely be players but contribute. And, to make up for a tough couple of years in the middle, drafted after him who have more success. But for Detroit to salvage it needs some fliers from the last two years to stick. something from a draft in which had 11 picks, it needs Rasmussen to be Rebuilding is awfully hard otherwise. a genuine contributor and at least one other player mentioned above to be a regular. So, on the day Wright’s departure was confirmed, it’s hard not to think back to his own final public comments: “You’ve gotta sit there and cross 2018 your fingers and hope the players turn out.”

If 2017 is the darkest-looking year of Wright’s tenure, 2018 is the crown The Red Wings staff will be developing the prospects, not just sitting on jewel. their hands. And Wright will be on the job in Edmonton. But make no The Red Wings got some help when Filip Zadina and fell mistake, his time in Detroit could define the franchise’s next generation past their projected draft slots to Detroit on Day 1 — and, of course, — one way or the other. having two first-round picks is in itself an advantage. But Day 2 is where In the meantime, a city will cross its fingers and hope for the best. the Red Wings could really see this class go over the top. The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 Detroit had two early picks in Round 2, and they used them on high- upside forward and all-around defenseman Jared McIsaac, both of whom have real chances to be NHLers. Berggren could even become an impact player if he’s able to round out his game physically. His skill is evident, and while a back injury sidelined him for the vast majority of last season, he has the chance to break out this year if he can stay healthy.

Third-round defensemen Alec Regula and Seth Barton are both at least interesting prospects. Goalie is worth watching, and seventh-rounder Otto Kivenmäki, just 5-foot-8 and 137 pounds, who Detroit drafted out of Finland, has shown some promising flashes while also adding nearly 18 pounds over the last year.

Fourth-rounder Ryan O’Reilly and sixth-round goalie had perhaps less splashy first seasons in the system, but this class has the potential for not just multiple NHL players, but potentially multiple true contributors.

Detroit needs Zadina to be one, as it has no other prospect of his overall talent level in the system. But between Veleno, Berggren and McIsaac, there’s depth to this class, too, with multiple high-upside fliers rounding it out. A lot can change for young hockey players, but this class reaching its potential would play a large role in helping the Red Wings to rebuild.

Winger Filip Zadina scored just three points in nine games with the Wings last year, but he is expected to be a big part of the team’s future. (Tim Fuller / USA Today)

2019

And finally, the newest crop.

Nothing has changed with these players since development camp, and, more realistically, nothing’s changed since the draft. These are the prospects Detroit has to develop and then cross its fingers for. 1149579 Detroit Red Wings “Obviously, being new to the organization, I want to proceed somewhat slowly and kind of get to know really what we have within the organization. I think I have a good handle on the NHL team, but the 2020 vision: How the Red Wings are positioned for a potentially intriguing prospects we have coming, the players we have in Grand Rapids, I free-agent class next summer wanted to give us flexibility of providing opportunity for our young players but also trying to help the Detroit Red Wings immediately as much as possible.

By Max Bultman Jul 11, 2019 “So I thought the shorter-term deals made the most sense for us at this stage, hence we signed three players on two-year contracts and they are

all designed to help us immediately, but our hands aren’t necessarily tied It’s still a year away, and countless things are going to change between into long-term contracts.” now and July 1, 2020. And second, on whether he would generally prefer to stay away from the Just this week, a trade between Buffalo and Chicago altered two teams’ splashier, longer-term deals going forward (after a reporter asserted that long-term depth charts. More such moves will happen in the next 350 free agency winners tended not to be cup winners): days. Players will develop. Others will age. But now that the dust is “Time will tell. Again, I really don’t know. I can’t comment on what other settling on the bulk of the 2019 offseason — and with it a first look at how teams do, on players that have signed long-term deals, there’s very good Steve Yzerman will approach his new post as Red Wings GM — there’s players out there. The reality is, if you want to get those guys on July 1, value in looking ahead a year. It’s not just about who could be available you’ve gotta give them term and you’ve gotta give them a lot of money. in the 2020 free-agent class, but also how the next year might shape That’s just the way it goes. I don’t know if it’s the right way to go or the what Detroit will need when that time comes. wrong way. We’ve all done it, you can look back on the history of July 1 Every year, looking out on the horizon, there’s a new, seemingly large signings and I guess judge for yourself whether you think they’re good or crop of high-profile free agents looming. It can be a beacon for teams like bad, but they’re all done with the intention of making your team better. the Red Wings, who, in the face of a summer that didn’t meaningfully “I think you have to really look at it beyond the first year of the contract change their outlook, can at least see a cluster of potential difference- and go back maybe over a 10- or 15-year period of this process and makers only one year away. assess it that way. Because the first year of the deals, obviously you pay In all likelihood, of course, some of those difference-makers will sign a premium to get the player, sometimes it’s difficult to look at it after one extensions in the next 12 months, never even making it to the open year and judge that it’s worthwhile. I think you have to look at them over market. But big moves do happen. Artemi Panarin just changed teams in the term of the deal.” his prime. Last year, John Tavares did it. And in a matter of 12 months, By now, fans in Detroit have likely begun to notice that Yzerman’s pretty stars like Taylor Hall and could have the chance to do the adept at not showing his cards. same. But while these answers certainly don’t lay out a road map for how he’ll But not every team is going to be in on those players, and the vast operate, I don’t think their ambiguity, in this case, is about secrecy so majority of moves will be of a much simpler variety because of each much as it is about nuance. It’d be great to know every single one of team’s individual situation. So what could Detroit’s picture look like in a Yzerman’s thoughts on substantial UFA contracts, but the simple truth is year — and what factors could change things? Let’s take an early look. no blanket answer is likely to capture them. Each player is different. Each The Red Wings’ birds-eye outlook contract is different. And as a result, exact outcomes are different, too.

The most striking thing about the Red Wings’ cap sheet a year out is the Our Dom Luszczyszyn wrote recently about the low odds a free agent mass exodus coming on defense. Three veteran defensemen (Mike lives up to his contract, and certainly, that’s the overall, blanket tendency. Green, Trevor Daley and ) are entering their final But swearing off free agency also isn’t the takeaway from that — you can season under contract, so money and space will be freed up. Contrast look at the charts within that story and see where teams may even be that with the forward group, where not a single player under contract as able to expect some surplus value out of some free-agent deals. They of now will be an unrestricted free agent next July. just needed to be the right ones.

Detroit will have three high-profile restricted free agents in Anthony The big commonality, though, between players who project to offer Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Bertuzzi, but all three are core surplus value is that they’re usually on contracts of four years or less. In pieces in the team’s rebuild, so none is likely to be going anywhere the case of the seven-year-plus mega-deals (which have to account for (barring an unexpected trade, or, *gasp* an offer sheet). Their situation substantial aging) — the more palatable contracts are mostly for true could, however, affect the Red Wings’ plans significantly depending on superstars, who should still deliver within a million dollars annually of the team’s comfort level with going into an open market with so much their (very high) average expected value, with multiple surplus-value talent up in the air. Maybe they’re all signed before July, or maybe, like seasons expected earlier in the deal. so many RFAs right now, they’re not. But as of now, all three would It’s worth noting, here, that the two players Detroit signed to its NHL team figure to have at least some incentive to back up their breakout seasons this summer grade out among the lowest probabilities of expected in 2018 in order to bolster their RFA positions in 2020. How long the surplus value among those displayed by Luszczyszyn’s model. So it’s not negotiations take after that remains to be seen. as though the Red Wings have things clearly locked in with free agency. Detroit won’t, however, be crunched in a way even remotely resembling But you can at least square some of Yzerman’s comments with a couple some of the notable RFA-heavy teams this offseason. of key takeaways from those projections.

Between Green, Daley and Ericsson, the Red Wings will have nearly $13 First, the point about preferring shorter-term deals right now obviously fits million in new money coming available, which should be more than with the profile of a player with positive expected value. And second, the enough to cover the raises for all three forwards with some left to spare point about judging contracts over the whole life of a deal fits with the — that in addition to Jimmy Howard’s contract coming up for renewal and individual-season surplus values measured by Dom’s model. The Johan Franzen’s contract expiring (long-term IR). Combine all that with simplest, best interpretation of that phenomenon is that if a player you a cap raise of some degree (though this year taught not to get too far sign helps you win a Cup, or makes you that much better in his prime, ahead projecting that) and Detroit will some room to operate. then a couple of late seasons with less expected value are probably still OK. But you won’t know until the contract is over, and that’s a risk. A What Yzerman has said so far reasonable person could take that message away from Yzerman’s comments, too — though I’m certainly not going to put words in his Before going much further, let’s break down a couple of things Yzerman mouth. said on July 1, and what those remarks could say (or not say) about next offseason and the ones beyond it. The bottom line from his message last week was that he wanted to give himself some time to fully assess his new situation, preserving flexibility First, on why the team was looking for shorter-term deals in its where possible, before entertaining the idea of a long-term deal. It negotiations with free agents this summer: doesn’t swear one off categorically, and it also doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll go for one for next year. But between everything he has said and the lessons from Luszczyszyn’s making $4 million a year in Nashville, and as one of the very best model, here are a few higher-profile options that would fit the team’s blueliners in the league is due for a massive payday. And that payday longer-run needs, and what might have to do if they can’t sign them. may well come in Nashville, possibly before next summer. But if he does make it to July, he’s the player with the best case for a big-money, big- Defensemen term deal — even though he’ll be 30. Josi isn’t but he’s not If the Red Wings are going to make a bigger foray into the free-agent that far off, and Karlsson just got $11.5 million annually for eight years at market next summer, the blueline has to be considered far and away the the same age Josi will be next summer. Getting Josi for less money and most likely position for which to do so. one fewer year (an automatic, since only Nashville would be able to give him eight) would certainly be something to think about. and Danny DeKeyser will be the only veterans under contract, and Nemeth will be going into the final season of his. While Josi probably still won’t have a Stanley Cup ring and is likely to want to Dennis Cholowski and Filip Hronek should by this point be Sharpied into make a run at getting one. Detroit, which is likely to miss the playoffs for the nightly lineup, that still leaves a lot of question marks. Will Moritz the fourth straight year, would have to make one hell of a sales pitch to Seider be ready to step into the league at age 19? How about Gustav even get a meeting. And would it be able to capitalize on Josi’s best Lindstrom, after what’s expected to be an AHL stint this season? What years for its contention window? It’s very hard to think so. are Madison Bowey and Oliwer Kaski’s respective statuses by that point? Along with , though, those are probably the most But virtually regardless of any those answers, Detroit is probably going to interesting names on the blueline entering the final seasons of their need to sign a veteran anyway. By now, there’s enough interesting young contracts. So what happens if none make it to free agency, or even have talent in the pipeline to fill out a hypothetical lineup farther into the future, interest in the Red Wings? Detroit could look at a pair of Toronto Maple but as the franchise prepares to seriously turn the corner of its rebuild Leafs in Jake Muzzin or Tyson Barrie. Carolina’s Justin Faulk is, as of within the next couple of seasons, an all 23-and-younger blueline (plus yet, unsigned beyond this year. Same for Justin Schultz in Pittsburgh. DeKeyser) could be a dangerous way to live. T.J. Brodie has a veteran pedigree and, while he, too, will be 30, a middle-term contract could fit. The good news for the Red Wings is that there could be some interesting names on the market — including a couple of hometown kids who fans The issue, though, is that when some of those players inevitably sign have been coveting for a long while now. The problem is many of them early, the others will be left to command substantial term or money. And are entirely liable to extend in the next 12 months. for a Red Wings team that will finally be getting out from under its deals with mid-30s players, getting less than the top end of defensemen might Detroit-area native Jacob Trouba has long been connected with the Red not be so appealing. Wings, but after being traded to the Rangers this offseason, he may be one of the tougher bets to actually make it to free agency. It’s worth That’s where the bad deals in free agency can get made: not so much on noting that his shot- and scoring-chance-suppression numbers weren’t as the true stars or the short-term fliers, but the perfectly good players impressive as his point totals this season and that 26 of his 42 assists whose abilities just aren’t able to hold up to the big salaries desperate were of the secondary variety (per Natural Stat Trick). teams throw at them.

But even still, he’ll be just 26, and, coming off a 50-point season, the Could a more under-the-radar player, such as San Jose’s Brenden appeal is clear for why Trouba makes sense for Detroit — he would play Dillon, be an alternative on a short-term pact? He has suppressed shots on the top pair immediately and could easily mentor the young right- well but has done so on a stacked defense that makes it hard to assign handers Hronek and Seider as they grow into their games. him credit with confidence.

But for a player who is likely to command high (albeit likely not top) It stands to reason, however, that the best bargain won’t necessarily be dollars on the unrestricted market, it’s worth asking how much term and predictable — someone who appears in line for a big raise and ends up how high a number Detroit would be wise to dole out at a position (right- getting less, or someone overlooked entirely. shot D) Trouba shares with arguably the team’s two top defensive But what does look certain is that while the Red Wings are going to have prospects. Maybe the slower development timeline for young defenders both cap space and an obvious need on defense, being shrewd about and the premium nature of the position make that point moot, but it’s at how they fill that need is a priority. The continued advancement of least worth a mention. prospects should account for the bottom of Detroit’s defense into the If Trouba gets to free agency, he would without question merit a long look near future. It’s the top that leaves something to be desired. from the Red Wings. Anything from there, though, might depend on how Sure, there could be some stars available. But if the Red Wings strike long he could be expected to maintain his value. out, they can’t get caught overpaying for the middle of a deep class.

Another local-bred blueliner who could certainly be extended between Forwards now and next July 1 provides a bit of a different look. Whereas Trouba is the 6-foot-3 former top-10 pick, Torey Krug is a 5-foot-9 lefty who went This section won’t be as long. I promise. undrafted — and, since then, has made that look downright silly. He and Detroit coach have deep, intertwined roots that extend back A year from now, there will be a lot more certainty about which of the Red to when Krug was a teenager, making the possibility of a reunion a Wings’ recent first-round picks — Filip Zadina, Michael Rasmussen, Joe tantalizing story. But it actually could fit on a hockey level, too. Veleno and Evgeny Svechnikov — as well as college signee Taro Hirose, fit into the immediate lineup. But in the meantime, how all five perform Krug will be 29 in a year, so he carries a bit more risk in a long-term this year will go a long way in deciding how much Detroit needs to add up contract, but he just put up the best points-per-game season of his career front. and his third-best Corsi season. He has topped 50 points in each of the past three years. And, it just so happens, he probably fits the opening the If the rebuild is going to succeed, the Red Wings are going to need Red Wings will have better than anyone on the market. Zadina in a top-six — and likely top-line — role reasonably soon. It doesn’t have to be this year, or the one after that, but at least trending in As a left-handed, offense-first defenseman who can quarterback a that direction seems like a fair expectation. Rasmussen, as a bigger power-play, Krug would fill a substantial need on a blueline that, so far forward, probably has a longer-term development track to follow. Hirose under Yzerman, has mainly added size. and Svechnikov are older, but both need to show what they can do this year before figuring prominently into any long-term plans. The questions, then, become about how he’ll age. If he can keep up the production and maintain his mobility, it’s easy to see the advantage he Projecting the Red Wings’ needs up front is dicey. Detroit should be could provide. But none of that is a guarantee. A more moderate-term cramped for space, and while it’s anyone’s guess exactly what happens deal would help mitigate that, but such a deal would be asking a lot from with each prospect, it’s hard to think there will be a glaring need. Maybe Krug. Why would he leave the Bruins for a rebuilder without the most a veteran for the middle six to balance out young lines. possible security? And will Yzerman feel comfortable doling out a big contract by then? They’re real questions, but Krug has faced a lot of The superstar candidate worthy of throwing all that out the window would those in his day. be Taylor Hall. But New Jersey is already trying to show it has what it takes to win in order to keep him there. And the Devils just got Jack It feels a little dangerous to bring up the mega-star at the position, but Hughes. It’s hard to see the Red Wings competing seriously for his you probably can’t write this article without mentioning Josi. He has been services. If there is a clear need, it could be at second-line center, where Detroit currently has either or Valtteri Filppula slated to play. But good luck finding a promising long-term investment on the open market. Whether it’s because of age, performance, or something else, none of the centers in next year’s UFA class look like ideal options for a rebuilder at this stage. And Veleno may be ready to step into the lineup by then (though who knows in what role).

Instead, if there’s a bet to be made, it might be on a player whose stock seems to slide in the upcoming campaign, allowing a team like Detroit to bet on a lower-risk bounce back. The best probabilities for achieving surplus value in Luszczyszyn’s model features names like Richard Panik, Joonas Donskoi and Jordie Benn.

That type of deal is not the most exciting to look forward to one year out, and it’s impossible to guess who it might apply to in a year. But it’s the most reasonable way a forward addition could make sense, barring a Hall- or Panarin-level star.

Conclusion

Detroit will have the cap space and the legitimate need to make a splash on defense next summer. They do have some complications with three key RFA forwards to consider, but the prospect of going into 2021 with only one veteran defenseman and the overall caliber of blue-liners potentially available make an addition well worth some exploration.

The problem this far out is that so much can still happen — with Detroit’s own players, with contract extensions elsewhere, and more.

But the free-agent period that’s just now settled down does provide some insight into how the Red Wings could, and should, approach the lead-up to next July 1.

They can’t predict which players will get there, and they can’t predict how their own prospects will blossom in the meantime. But starting these considerations now is the best way to avoid playing catch-up.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149580 Edmonton Oilers Henderson, who coached junior in Victoria and in the pros in the IHL and ECHL for two years, has been a staple in the Rogers Place press box as Detroit’s Western scout so he knows the Oilers players inside and out. Matheson: Oilers bringing Tyler Wright and Archie Henderson in to Part of his territory was also scouting the AHL Bakersfield Condors so scouting he’s looked at their prospects.

He was seen around the Oilers offices around July 1 when free-agency opened so the hire was expected. He may have been here during the Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal team’s development camp after the draft but stayed out of sight. He’s been a sounding board for Holland for a long while.

ON THE BENCH: Mike Chiarelli, Peter Chiarelli’s brother, who’s been on It’s only a sidebar in the big story but Tyler Wright, who’s coming from the Oiler amateur scouting staff for several years, could be moving to Detroit to be director of the Edmonton Oilers amateur scouting group, to work with P.J. Fenton, GM Paul’s son. PJ was on the was their first pick 28 years ago, 12th overall, at the NHL draft at the old Oilers amateur side until this past season. Auditorium in Buffalo — the June 1991 day Eric Lindros was taken first by even though he had no interest in playing for the Nordiques. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.12.2019 We mention this draft tidbit because the Oilers also hired Jim Playfair to be ’s associate coach, turning back the clock after he was their first pick in 1982. So there is some historical currency to being an Oiler first-round selection with Wright playing 41 NHL games here before he was traded to Pittsburgh Penguins with later stops in Columbus and Anaheim. His greatest claim to fame: he is one of 75 players to get a hat- trick with an even-strength, power play and shorthanded goal, and he did it twice over his 613 games.

Wright’s hire was no surprise since he was brought in by current Oilers GM Ken Holland in Detroit in 2013 after being a jack of all trades player development/scout for the Blue Jackets. He was always in the picture as somebody who would be following Holland to Edmonton. He was responsible for the Wings drafting Dylan Larkin at No. 15 in 2014, a homerun; defenceman Dennis Cholowski at No. 20 in 2016, a top 4 puck- mover; Euro defenceman Filip Hronek, a possible top pairing guy, at No. 53 in 2016; centre Michael Rasmussen, who could be either a second or third-line big body after being ninth overall in 2017; and fourth-round forward Christoffer Ehn in 2014. There’s a possible swing and a miss in forward Evgeni Svechnikov at No. 19 in 2015 because he’s been hurt a lot and some others along the way but on the whole he’s drafted well.

He’s being replaced by Kris Draper in Detroit, again no shock with Draper’s ties with new Wings’ GM Steve Yzerman.

The hiring of Wright here leaves Bob Green’s job description up in the air because he was the Oilers point-man for last month’s draft in Vancouver with Keith Gretzky assisting him. What happens to Green now? The Oilers drafting since 2017 has been very good well after the first round: Dmitry Samorukov, Kirill Maksimov, Ostap Safin, Phil Kemp from the third to the seventh rounds. They also hit on Caleb Jones and Ethan Bear in the fourth and fifth rounds in 2015 and in the fourth in 2014. But anytime a new GM comes in, there is change.

There was a feeling that Wright’s right-hand man in Detroit Jeff Finley might be coming here too as a tag-team but he’s reportedly talking to St. Louis Blues, maybe as director of amateur scouting for the Stanley Cup champions.

Holland is also bringing in Archie Henderson to replace Duane Sutter as director of pro scouting after Henderson was a Western area pro scout for the Wings for four years. It’s expected Henderson will keep the status quo which means pro scouts Paul Messier and Chris Cichocki will stay on.

The colourful Henderson was a legendary tough guy who fought Dave Semenko one night at Rexall Place. He sidled up to Semenko at a face- off and said “long-time no-see Sammy.”

Semenko, one of the great wits, fired off a “guess so, Arch, you’ve been in the minors the last five years.”

Then they dropped the mitts.

“I loved Dave … a great man. He was the king of the castle (as fighters go),” said Henderson.

Henderson also played for the Oilers farm team when it was in Cape Breton in ’84-85.

So there’s a back-story with them, too.

Steve Smith was on that team, Patty Conacher, Raimo Summanen, Marc Habscheid, Mike Zanier in goal. And one Jim Playfair on defence. So small world. 1149581 Edmonton Oilers led the NHL with 42 wins and 4,294 minutes played, and had a thoroughly respectable 2.39 goals-against average. Talbot just turned 32 in early June, and only made it to the NHL as a regular in the 2013-14 As Battle of Alberta cools off, more joining Grant Fuhr on short list of season, so doesn’t necessarily have a lot of wear on the tires. players to play for Oilers and Flames Moreover, Fuhr believes Talbot’s new teammates in Calgary will embrace him the same way his former Oilers’ teammates did.

By Eric Duhatschek Jul 11, 2019 Some goalies have quirks and ticks that make them unapproachable on game day, but Talbot is not that guy, according to Fuhr.

“I like the fact that he’s a perfect teammate – and he battles,” said Fuhr. Even though he mostly hangs his hat in Palm Springs, California these “The positive side is, when he gets on a roll and gets comfortable and days, Grant Fuhr – the Hall of Fame goaltender, scratch golfer and star gets his confidence, it gives everybody confidence. If you have faith and of “Making Coco,” his documentary life story — retains a keen interest in trust in your goaltender, it frees up everyone else to play too – so the the Battle of Alberta. team plays differently. If you’re playing to defend your goalie because you’re not sure about him, you play differently. If everybody has trust in Why not? Fuhr is one of only a handful of goaltenders who’ve the goalie, then guys aren’t worrying about making mistakes – and they participated in the fight on both sides, having begun his career with the play better. 1981-82 Edmonton Oilers and then completing it by playing 23 games for the 1999-00 Calgary Flames. “If you look at the way Mike Smith played in the playoffs last season, if you’re getting that version of him, you’re getting a good goalie and an Once a very select club, two additional names were added to the list on elite puck handler. I wouldn’t put Cam in the elite category, but he’s very the opening day of NHL free agency last week. good at it.” Mike Smith, the former Flames’ netminder, signed a one-year contract The fact that Vernon and Fuhr could so easily wrap their heads around with the Oilers on the same day Cam Talbot, the former Oilers’ goalie, the Edmonton-Calgary goalie switch is a strong indictment of where the signed with the Flames. rivalry actually stands. Curiously, the fact that the two teams would sign each other’s opening- It has simmered at a lukewarm level for a long time now. Maybe the night starters from just a season ago didn’t surprise Fuhr at all. goalie switch will help ramp it up again. “In the ’80s, it would have never happened,” said Fuhr. “In the ’90s, “Rivalries were just so much bigger back then than they are now,” said possibly. But in the 2000s and up, it definitely could.” Vernon. “You just don’t play each other enough. Back then, we played “It would have just been taboo before,” added former Flames’ goaltender each other eight times a year during the regular season – more if we met Mike Vernon, who had a decades-long professional rivalry with Fuhr. in the playoffs. We played each other a lot – and that tends to get “Cliff Fletcher and Glen Sather (Flames and Oilers’ GMs respectively) rivalries going because you get more of a hate on for each other. would have never traded with each other. I mean, they rarely traded “Remember when Stu Grimson beat up Dave Brown in a fight and Dave within their own division. That’s the way it was back then. That’s why Cliff Brown was stewing about and so when we played them next, a few days was always trading with St. Louis. later, Stu’s on the ice and Brownie taps his guy on the shoulder and “With me being from Calgary and Grant being from Edmonton, that would sends him off and then turns around and grabs Stu and beats the shit out have been even weirder. We couldn’t have fathomed doing that.” of him – and that’s the way it was. Doug Risebrough was a pain in the ass to play against – and it was no different on the other side, with Kevin Smith and Talbot join a small fraternity that also includes Dwayne McClelland and Marty McSorley. It was constant. Do you remember Roloson, who played 70 games for Calgary but had his greatest when Gary Roberts hit Gretzky? They just went bananas. You couldn’t hit professional moment when he led the 2006 Oilers to an unexpected Gretzky. Back then, we monitored the game ourselves. We didn’t have to Stanley Cup finals berth. In all, Roloson played 193 regular-season rely on the referees.” games for the Oilers. According to Vernon, the two-referee system has helped calm the waters Curtis Joseph made Edmonton the second stop on his six-team NHL tour because it eliminated “all the chippy stuff that happened behind the play. and got into 177 games for the Oilers before winding his career down In the old days, one referee couldn’t catch it all, so you’d see guys with a nine-game cameo for Calgary at the end of the 2007-08 season slashing each other, coming up the ice. They’d look to see where the and then once last season in Toronto. Fred Brathwaite, who played 40 referee was, and if he wasn’t looking, you could just jab a guy with your games over three years for Edmonton and then following a two-year stick. There was a lot of dirty play on a regular basis. Now, with two hiatus in Manitoba, got into 138 games for the Flames. In addition, the referees they’ve cleaned that up.” Flames drafted Laurent Brossoit in the 2011 entry draft, but traded him to Edmonton in November of 2013, before he ever played a regular-season Vernon paused. game for them. “But it was sure fun playing.” Fuhr, for one, is bullish on the Smith and Talbot additions, noting that As a goalie, Vernon had the same vantage point that the back referee both represent good fits on their new teams. Even though both signings has now – and thus had a birds-eye view of all the mayhem that were positioned as players who joined their new teams as part of a happened behind the play. tandem, or possibly even in a secondary role, Fuhr believes Smith and Talbot are capable of seizing the No. 1 jobs for their respective teams “We saw everything,” he said. “It was like, ‘holy shit! Are you kidding next season. me?’ I remember one time, Mark Messier elbowed Ric Nattress at the blue line and Nat went down like a little Bambi on the ice – and he “Cam’s got talent — I think Calgary made a good signing there,” said couldn’t get back up on his feet and he had to crawl to the bench. That’s Fuhr. “I know it was only for one year, but I have a strange feeling he is just the way the game was played. Not saying if it was better or worse, going to be there a lot longer than one year. He’s a better goalie than just that’s how it was. It was a tougher game. You had to be physically anyone’s giving him credit for. If you look at how good he was the year and mentally tough – especially mentally tough. The players are a lot (2017) the Oilers made the playoffs, he was one of the main reasons different now.” they actually made it to the playoffs. If they’d had him down the stretch run last year, they might have been able to sneak in also. Whenever a brawl broke out, Vernon said he was sure to seek out Fuhr, his old buddy. “It wouldn’t shock me at all if he took over in Calgary, just as it wouldn’t shock me if Mike Smith took over in Edmonton. Experience means “We stood there and laughed,” said Vernon. “We’d say, ‘look at those something – and Smitty’s still a good goalie.” ding dongs fighting.’”

Fuhr still holds the single-season record for most games played in a Fuhr got his name on the Stanley Cup five times between 1984 and single NHL season – 79, established in 1995-96 when he was with the 1990, four times as the Oilers’ starter. Then in 1991, after a 17-game Blues. But Fuhr also noted that Talbot is only two years removed from playoff run, he was traded for Toronto along with Glenn Anderson and that 2016-17 season, in which he made 73 appearances for the Oilers, Craig Berube in a package that netted the Oilers Vincent Damphousse, Luke Richardson and others.

By then, Wayne Gretzky had already been traded away from Edmonton and everything had started to change – including the intensity of the rivalry.

“Once Wayne goes, you know we’re all going somewhere,” said Fuhr. “You knew that you’d eventually get caught up in the numbers. That’s the unfortunate side of hockey – the business side. I was pretty fortunate. I got 11 years out of Edmonton. So … the fact that you know you’re moving at some point, I was lucky enough to go to a team that I cheered for as a kid. Going to Toronto made it a lot easier. I was lucky Cliff was in Toronto at the time. From playing against Calgary all those years, you knew what Cliff was all about. So, I got a chance to go to a perfect situation – other than it wasn’t a very good team at that time.”

Like Vernon, Fuhr misses the good old days.

“There was a genuine dislike,” said Fuhr, “but at the same time, you also really respected them. It was kind of a love-hate relationship. At that time, we were the two best teams in the league. It just happened that we were a couple of hundred miles apart.

“I think as both teams get better the rivalry will improve too. In a perfect world, they’d get to play each other in the playoffs. That would really ignite it.

“Even I’d be coming up to watch those games.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149582 Los Angeles Kings

Kings sign forward Samuel Fagemo to entry-level deal

The 19-year-old Swedish forward, drafted 50th overall in the second round, agrees to a three-year contract

By Robert Morales

Forward Samuel Fagemo has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings, the club announced Thursday.

Fagemo, out of Sweden, was taken 50th overall in the second round by the Kings in the recent NHL draft.

Fagemo, 19, this past season played 42 games with Frolunda HC of the . He had 25 points on 14 goals and 11 assists with a plus-5 rating.

Fagemo was one of nine Kings draft choices.

The Kings on Wednesday announced they signed restricted free-agent forward Alex Iafallo to a two-year contract extension.

That leaves the Kings with six restricted free agents – forwards , Michael Amadio and Sheldon Rempal; defensemen Daniel Brickley and Matt Roy; and goaltender Cal Petersen.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149583 Los Angeles Kings referring to the high-compete forward as “pace-based and speed-based, which for me is the better ‘compete.'”

It evolved into a typically entertaining Yannetti interview in which he FAGEMO SIGNS THREE-YEAR ELC; NORTH AMERICA-BOUND IN described the nuances of Fagemo’s battle element. 2020-21 “You get the puck back quick. I’m starting to go into the ‘compete’ side where ‘pursuit, pressure’ rather than ‘hard-nosed,’ ‘physical.’ When Mike JON ROSENJULY 11, 2019 [Futa] and I did [the draft], Mike’s more ‘physical-compete’ and I’m more ‘speed-compete’ when we were together and we’d balance each other out. Now, there’s no one to keep me in check, so we can do it our way. I’m just kidding.” The LA Kings signed 2019 second round draft pick Samuel Fagemo to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced Thursday. Fagemo, This is why the importance of “compete” was shown on these here pages who has one season remaining on his current contract with Frölunda HC in the lead-up to the draft. There have been changes to the type of player of the Swedish Hockey League, is expected to make the jump to North the Kings may favor over another type of player, but a player’s work ethic America in 2020-21, hockey operations confirmed. and tenacity remains the ultimate prerequisite.

Chosen 50th overall at last month’s NHL Draft one year after going Juan Ocampo/NHLI unselected and attending Arizona’s camp on a tryout, Fagemo experienced a breakthrough as an 18-year-old with the SHL and CHL The Kings, who traded the 64th and 126th overall picks to the Canadiens champions, posting 14 goals and 25 points in 42 games before adding to jump up to 50th and nab Fagemo, had targeted him on the night six more goals in 16 playoff games, where he won the Le Mat between the first and second rounds of the draft. “When we were getting alongside fellow L.A. prospect and noted Tottenham Hotspur fan Jacob into the draft here, we were looking at who was coming off the board, and Moverare, pictured below. that was a guy who we had targeted [on day two], yes,” Blake said before sharing how the trade came to be. “It was set a little bit before the draft Fagemo has shown that he’s got a good mix of skill and tenacity, and today, and then as some guys came off, we revisited it with Montreal.” over the past year has demonstrated some creativity in his hands to go along with more direct and effective routes. From the Kings’ Head A right-handed native, Fagemo led all rookies with six goals European Scout, on June 24: and tied for the rookie lead with 10 points in the SHL playoffs. He recorded an assist and a plus-three rating in five games during Sweden’s , on Samuel Fagemo: fifth-place World Junior Champsionship performance and will again be eligible for this year’s tournament in the Czech Republic. His father, Samuel was our guy in the seventh round last year. We wanted him in Linus, represented Sweden at the 1997 tournament, while his brother, the seventh round, but we didn’t have a seventh round pick. He went William, of the aptly named HK Kings youth program (per Elite back [after not getting drafted], I talked to him early in the year, and I Prospects), is a goaltender who turns 15 next month. said, ‘how did you feel about not getting drafted?’ He was shocked, he was really disappointed, and I think he said ‘I had my head down over Fagemo becomes the 10th player of 23 drafted by and the one day and then I started to work really hard.’ He got his chance with first player of the 2019 draft class to sign an entry-level contract. As a 19- the Frolunda team early in the year, and he took the chance and he ran year-old, he’s eligible for an entry-level slide, which would grant him with it, and he turned out to be one of the key players in the restricted free agency in the distant 2023 off-season. Until then, he’ll Championship Hockey League that Frolunda won, and also in the SHL. carry a $925,000 cap hit once he matriculates in North America. He’s full of energy and he’s fearless, and he scores goals. [Reporter: He seems charismatic, too. Just chatting with him, he’s a very engaging LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 07.12.2019 young man.] Yeah, I watched him coming down the stairs and he was fist-pumping. That’s how he plays. [Reporter: Did you end up telling him, ‘hey, we would’ve taken you if we had the seventh?] I think I did when I met him early this season, because I know he was so frustrated. ‘Just keep working, good things happen to good people.’ … I think he went back to work. He flew to Phoenix camp right away, the development camp right away the next day, and that was the key – that he noticed ‘these guys aren’t much better than me, or they’re on the same level,’ and he changed his game a little bit. He’s not making the big turns and more stops and starts in his game than he has to be.

He showed off good hands with a memorable development camp assist when he remained cool under pressure against three defenders and maintained control of a puck for an extra beat near the attacking blue line before snapping it towards the net and placing it in a prime spot for Rasmus Kupari to deflect it into the back of the net. He’s also known for a willingness to drive to the net, as many observers shared.

By now, if you’re reading a story on July 11 about a 19-year-old who won’t play in Southern California for another year, you’re probably also well read on his draft day profile and the evaluations shared within. There’s some promise in his ability to play in a productive, top-six role, and at the draft used as a player he tries to model his game after. “He likes to shoot the puck and take the puck to the net,” Fagemo said in Vancouver. “Ovechkin too. He shoots the puck every time and takes the puck to the net as soon as possible and wants to score and help the team to win. I want to do that too.”

This was a great selection by the Kings. Fagemo was one of the most improved skaters in SWE this yr; his 14 gls were most by a U19 player in the SHL since (21 in '99). https://t.co/rcXtiOxB40

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) July 11, 2019

I hope you’re all ready for some klubmusik:

Shortly after the draft, Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti dug in to the nuances of “compete” while answering a question about “culture,” 1149584 MontrealCanadiens

Canadiens sign Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Armia to two-year contracts

Lehkonen's new deal is worth $4.8 million and Armia's is worth $5.2 million, leaving Habs with $4.844 million in salary-cap space.

STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE

Canadiens general manager was busy on Thursday, signing restricted free-agent forwards Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Armia to two-year contracts.

Lehkonen’s deal is worth $4.8 million with a $2.4 million annual salary- cap hit, while Armia’s deal is worth $5.2 million, with a $2.6 million cap hit. The Canadiens now have 24 players under contract with $4.844 million remaining in salary-cap space for next season, according to CapFriendly.com.

Lehkonen, 24, posted 11-20-31 totals last season with the Canadiens in the final year of a three-year, US$2.775 million contract with an $839,166 salary-cap hit. The Canadiens selected the 6-foot, 177-pound left-winger in the second round (55th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. In 221 career regular-season games with the Canadiens, the Finnish forward has 41- 39-80 totals.

Armia, 26, posted 13-10-23 totals in 57 games last season with the Canadiens while playing on a one-year contract worth US$1.85 million. His 13 goals were a career high.

After re-signing Artturi Lehkonen to a 2 year contract at a $2.4M AAV, the #Habs now have $4,844,524 in projected cap space, with a roster of 24 (14F/8D/2G)

Unsigned RFA's:

Charles Hudon

Michael McCarronhttps://t.co/lffSdAZeWP pic.twitter.com/E2Ae1GtVWb— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 11, 2019

The Canadiens acquired Armia from the Winnipeg Jets last summer — along with goalie Steve Mason and a seventh-round pick at this year’s NHL Draft (defenceman Kieran Ruscheinski) — in exchange for defenceman Simon Bourque and a fourth-round pick at next year’s draft.

The Buffalo Sabres selected Armia in the first round (16th overall) at the 2011 NHL Draft. In 237 career regular-season games, the 6-foot-4, 210- pound right-winger from Finland has 39-42-81 totals.

The Canadiens still have two restricted free agents they have yet to sign: forwards Charles Hudon and Mike McCarron.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149585 Nashville Predators Tennessean LOADED: 07.12.2019

Junior Predators alumni move up to development camp

Clevis Murray, July 11, 2019

Ben Schultheis remembers the first time he stepped onto the ice in 2009 as part of the inaugural Predators' youth program.

"Growing up as a kid I’ve been watching the Preds since I could walk," Schultheis said.

"It was huge for me. I was just a young kid in Nashville when that opportunity came up," he continued. "They really built my fundamental skills and my game and that's where I really fell in love with the game playing for them, and realized I want to do this for the rest of my life."

With the Predators camp developing his skills. Schultheis has his sights set on making it to the NHL and getting a college scholarship.

"The NHL is my ultimate goal," Schultheis said. "As every kid coming up, that's the main goal - is to make it to the NHL. I also want to get a college scholarship on the way hopefully."

Schultheis, now 19, is one of three graduates of the junior program who were invited to this year's Predators development camp. Dylan Moulton and Josh Wilkens also joined other prospects working their way up through the pro hockey team's system.

For Moulton, the camp experience helped him compare his skills to Dante Fabbro and NHL rookies.

“I felt like I wasn’t far off,” Moulton said. “I felt like I was fitting in and it wasn’t like I don’t belong out there. It was good to just learn from those guys and how they carry themselves.”

Homegrown talent

Tennessee is one of only 11 states without a professional hockey player born in the state.

Preds CEO Sean Henry hopes to change that.

Henry remembers arriving in Tampa in 1999 and listening to Hall of Famer and Lightning founder Phil Esposito talk about hockey. Esposito told him, "I’ll know we’ve made it as a market ... when a kid is drafted in the NHL that was born here, that learned to play here and got to stay here his entire youth career."

Now, a talented local player doesn't have to leave the area to "pursue the next level," said Henry.

The Nashville Jr. Predators program has teams for Tier l AAA, which is one the highest level of amateur hockey. It's the only AAA program of it's kind in the state. The program also includes AA teams.

More ice for local players

In addition to developing current talent in the junior program, the Predators aim to make the game accessible for others around the state.

The team has two sheets of ice in Nashville, both at Ford Center Antioch. Two ice rinks are expected to open in October at Ford Ice Center Bellevue. The team also expects to have a sheet available for public use at , according to Kevin Wilson, the Predators' director of communications.

Outside Nashville, the team has agreements in place to have two more sheets in Clarksville.

The Predators are in discussions with other local governments about adding ice rinks to their communities, Wilson said.

Schultheis is one of those players from the development pipeline who has used the local opportunities to grow as a hockey player. The Mt. Juliet resident had no offers to attend a development camp until the Predators contacted his adviser just a week before the start of camp in June.

“I just jumped at the opportunity,” Schultheis said. “You know, my hometown, it’s really awesome to learn the organization and see everything behind the scenes." 1149586 Nashville Predators Most of the Titans’ key contributors are in the 23-29 age range. Some of the offensive players of note are Marcus Mariota (25), Taylor Lewan (27), Derrick Henry (25), Corey Davis (24) and Adam Humphries (26). Which Nashville team wins a championship first: Titans or Predators? Defensively, Jurrell Casey is 29, while Kevin Byard is 25, Jayon Brown 24, Adoree Jackson 23 and Rashaan Evans 24. But there are a few outliers for the Titans as well — Delanie Walker is 34, Cameron Wake is 37 and Wesley Woodyard is 32. By John Glennon Jul 11, 2019 Predators: 8

Titans: 7 Since arriving on the scene more than two decades ago, the Predators and Titans have provided their fans with scintillating sports moments, The Titans have finished 9-7 in each of the past three seasons. ranging from the Music City Miracle to a Stanley Cup Final run. (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today)

One thing that’s eluded both teams so far: a championship. 4. How well do they stack up against their division?

The Titans reached the brink following the 1999 season, falling just short The Predators won their second consecutive Central Division title, but I of the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV. The Predators came oh-so- wouldn’t call them the division’s best team. They lost to division rival close in 2017, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Dallas in the first round of last season’s playoffs and to division rival Pittsburgh. Winnipeg in the second round in 2018. In addition, the Preds finished 1-3 against the Jets last year during the regular season and 1-4 against the So which of the major pro sports teams will be the first to claim Blues, who are now the Stanley Cup champions. Nashville’s title? Which will be the first to parade down Broadway, holding a trophy high as thousands cheer? Divisional play is even more important for the Titans than the Predators, as the six division games account for 38 percent of the schedule. That’s We’re taking a semi-educated guess here, in a Predators-Titans not necessarily good news for the Titans, though they have finished comparison I’ve divided into three parts: second in the AFC South in two of the past three seasons. Tennessee In the first section, I’ve graded each team on 10 categories that could has never beaten Indy quarterback Andrew Luck (0-11), and the Titans impact a championship in the near future. have lost 10 of their past 14 meetings with Houston.

In the second section, The Athletic’s Titans beat writer (Travis Haney) Predators: 6 and Predators beat writer (Adam Vingan) paint the current picture of the Titans: 4 respective teams they cover. 5. Are league dynasties a problem? In the third section, we present three veteran opinions — mine, The Associated Press’ Teresa Walker and the Nashville Post’s David Boclair The NHL has featured a few dynasty-like teams in years gone by, as — as to which team first hoists the hardware. teams like Pittsburgh, Chicago and — going back further — Detroit have won multiple titles in short timespans. But there are really no such teams 10 Key Questions at present, with and the Penguins starting to fade with Answers graded on a scale of 1-10, with higher scores the better: age.

1. How close are they to a title right now? The NFL still has a monster — New England — that has to be accounted for every year, and the Patriots just happen to be in the Titans’ Though they lost in the first round of the playoffs last season, the conference, offering a serious roadblock to a potential championship. Predators are in the middle of a pretty good run, coming within two The good news for the Titans is that they whipped New England in the games of the Stanley Cup in 2017 and then recording back-to-back 100- regular season last year, but the Patriots — winners of three of the past point seasons. The addition of , even at the expense of five Super Bowls — always look like a different team late in the year. losing P.K. Subban, should pay dividends as well. Predators: 7 On the other side of the Cumberland, the Titans have produced three consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the franchise moved Titans: 5 to Tennessee. But the three-peat of 9-7 marks hasn’t produced much in 6. Does the team have a difference-making player who can lift it to the the way of national respect, as Vegas still sees the Titans as 100-to-1 next level? odds to win the coming season’s Super Bowl. Despite his age, Rinne probably best fits the bill for the Predators. Predators: 8 Playing what is arguably the most important position in sports, Rinne has Titans: 6 gone through stretches of weeks where he seems nearly unbeatable in goal. Forsberg and Arvidsson are two other players who’ve carried the 2. Are they trending up or down? Predators with torrid goal-scoring stretches.

The Predators set a high bar by reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2017. Mariota would be the obvious candidate, but it’s hard to recall a stretch in So they’ve slipped, comparatively, since then, falling in the second round which he made the Titans all but unbeatable. It will be interesting to see of the playoffs in 2018 and in the first round last season. The Preds have, what Henry brings to the table in his fourth year. Toward the end of last to their credit, won back-to-back Central Division titles. season, the monstrous running back showed signs of becoming a force that could single-handedly change games on a regular basis. Byard is an The Titans won four of their final five games last year and went 6-3 over uber-talented safety, but it’s hard to dominate a game from that position. their last nine contests, falling one victory short of the playoffs. Tennessee should be better this year, with the return of Delanie Walker Predators: 6 and the addition of receivers A.J. Brown and Adam Humphries. Titans: 4 Predators: 6 7. What’s the contract status of team’s key players? Titans: 6 The Predators have only one pressing matter at the moment, as the team 3. Are their key players in the prime of their careers? wants to sign Josi to an extension this offseason. He would become a free agent in 2020 if unsigned. Most of the Predators’ remaining core Just about every Predators player the team will count heavily on this year players — like Johansen, Duchene, Forsberg, Arvidsson, Ellis and is currently between 24-29 years old, generally a very good window for Ekholm — are under contract for multiple years. A potential downside is production. That group includes Ryan Johansen (26), Matt Duchene (28), the long-term for some of those players. Filip Forsberg (24), (26), Ryan Ellis (28), Roman Josi (29) and (29). Goalie Pekka Rinne is an obvious The Titans have a nice collection of players under contract for multiple exception at 36, but he has held up well and has a strong backup in years — such as Lewan, Casey, Humphries, Davis, Walker, Wake, Juuse Saros. Rodger Saffold, Evans, Brown, Kenny Vaccaro and Malcolm Butler. But there are contract questions going forward as well: Can the Titans extend Speaking of the Chiefs, that’s part of the hope, too; teams like the Rams Byard before he goes into the final year of his contract? Will Mariota, and Chiefs have morphed into title contenders in relatively short order. heading into his final season under contract, get another deal? Will Jack The keys? Coaching and quarterback play. The Titans are hopeful they Conklin get another contract after this season? have the coaching thing figured out, with Mike Vrabel settling in, but the quarterback verdict is most certainly out. Predators: 7 Might an upgrade over Marcus Mariota be what the franchise needs to go Titans: 6 “from good to great,” as Vrabel has taken to saying? It’s distinctly 8. How many glaring needs does the team have to fill? possible. Mariota’s ceiling just might be someone who can get the team to the divisional round and no further. The Predators did a good job filling last year’s most significant weakness, the absence of a productive second-line center, when they acquired Hey, Brady retiring can’t hurt, either? (He will eventually retire. Right?) Duchene. We’ll see if Duchene’s presence will boost his second-line I have a hard time believing the Titans notch a championship before the teammates as well. If the Predators need anything in particular now, it’s Predators, just because they’ve recently been to the doorstep, but this is more of a physical presence, as Austin Watson is one of the few who an improving team and crazier things have certainly happened in sports. excel in that department. The Cubs winning a World Series forever shifted the balance of things The Titans’ most glaring need remains the absence of a bona fide No. 1 that seem impossible. receiver, though Corey Davis made big strides during his second season. But pray for Brady retiring sooner rather than later. Rookie A.J. Brown might fill that role in time as well. It’s also fair to wonder about Mariota as he heads into his fourth season. If he’s not the Adam Vingan on the Predators man of the future, that position becomes a huge need. Despite some recent setbacks, the Predators are still positioned to Predators: 8 challenge for the Stanley Cup. , never one to shy from big moves, traded star defenseman P.K. Subban and signed long-coveted Titans: 7 center Matt Duchene this offseason in an attempt to give the team’s 9. What is the team’s home advantage like these days? offense a jolt. Pekka Rinne, who turns 37 in November, remains steady in goal, but with potentially two years left in his career, the Predators The Predators will take a 153-game home sellout streak into the 2019-20 need to take advantage and win a championship. season. Nashville recorded 52 home points last season (ninth-most in the NHL) and 60 home points in 2017-18 (fifth). But the Preds haven’t As I look ahead to next season, I wouldn’t place the Predators among the seen much of a home-ice advantage during the past two year’s playoffs, clear favorites in the NHL, but I also don’t believe anybody would be posting a combined record of just 3-7 at Bridgestone Arena during that shocked if they were to win it all. The Predators have their flaws, but it’s stretch. clear to me that they are closer to winning a title than the Titans, who have too many questions at key positions. It’s hard to see them being The Titans have only sold out five of 16 home games over the past two much better than the 9-7 record they’ve had in each of the past three seasons, and there is still an issue with the large number of opposing seasons. fans at Nissan Stadium for many games. But give credit to the Titans for winning at home nonetheless. Tennessee has gone 6-2 in home games Who gets there first? in each of the past two seasons. John Glennon, The Athletic

Predators: 7 In my 10-question grading above, the Predators wound up faring better in Titans: 6 nine of the 10 categories. So based on that data, I’ll say the Predators capture a crown first, figuring all that knocking on the door in recent years 10. What kind of recent playoff experience does the team have? has to pay off in the near future.

The core of the Predators’ team has plenty of postseason experience, as At the same time, I don’t think the difference between the teams is as Nashville has made the playoffs five consecutive seasons and great as I thought it might be when I began this comparison. I like the participated in 10 playoff series, including four during the Cup run of way the Titans are trending on a personnel front, and if they can get it 2016-17. right at a few positions — quarterback, wide receiver, edge rusher — they could make a big jump. Postseason trips have been hard to come by for the Titans. They did reach the playoffs in 2017, beating Kansas City before eventually falling The Predators have a talented core that’s helped produce three to New England. But that’s the lone postseason trip for Tennessee since consecutive very good seasons. But is that group’s effectiveness starting 2008. to wane or does it still have years to go? I say there’s still a championship to be claimed by this bunch. Predators: 8 Teresa Walker, Associated Press (Nashville) Titans: 3 Titans. Not only are the Titans coming off the first three-season winning Totals streak since moving to Tennessee, but general manager Jon Robinson Predators: 71 addressed key problem areas this offseason. Yes, questions about Marcus Mariota’s durability remain, but the quarterback arguably has his Titans: 54 best collection of pass catchers since coming to the NFL.

Where they stand now The return of coordinator Dean Pees puts the defense in position to improve a unit that was the NFL’s third stingiest in points allowed. Haney and Vingan on how close the respective teams they cover are to capturing a championship: Tennessee must prove it can beat Andrew Luck once and for all at least once. But the Titans also have plenty of players in the final year of their Travis Haney on the Titans contracts providing plenty of motivation. And in the NFL, getting in the The Titans are currently 100-1 to win Super Bowl LIV in February, playoffs puts a team three wins away from playing for the Lombardi according to VegasInsider.com. Only Arizona and Miami have worse Trophy. odds. While that’s pretty bleak, listen, Mary Swanson gave Lloyd David Boclair, Nashville Post Christmas “one in a million odds” and he still optimistically felt as if he had a chance. Neither franchise is miles away but neither is exactly knocking on the door either. via Gfycat I’ll take the Titans, for two reasons. The good news is the franchise is undoubtedly trending up, going from the doldrums of the five total wins in two seasons in 2014-15 to three First, the NFL is more conducive to a team making a big jump. The consecutive nine-win years — including the 2017 team that won a playoff Titans reached the Super Bowl in 1999 after three straight 8-8 seasons. game in Kansas City. Now they’ve gone 9-7 in three straight so maybe they’re closer than we think.

Second — and more importantly — the Predators never have been bad enough to be great. This year the St. Louis Blues ended a run of 10 straight Stanley Cup champions whose lineups featured at least one player drafted first or second overall by that franchise. After its first draft (1998), Nashville never has picked earlier than fourth overall and the last nine years have included just three top 20 overall picks, only one of who is still with the franchise (Dante Fabbro, 17th overall in 2016).

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149587 New Jersey Devils

Why Devils’ John Hynes expects an ‘invested’ Taylor Hall in 2019-20

By Chris Ryan

Devils coach John Hynes is well aware of Taylor Hall’s contract situation.

He knows the star forward is entering the final year of his contract in 2019-20, and if Hall doesn’t sign an extension this summer, those talks are going to carry over into the season before he potentially enters unrestricted free agency next summer.

Jack Hughes gives scouting report on new Devils (and former teammates) Case McCarthy, Patrick Moynihan

New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes, the No. 1 pick of the 2019 NHL Draft, played with Case McCarthy, Patrick Moynihan in the U.S. Development Program.

Hynes isn’t worried about any of that. The coach understands the business aspect of the sport, and he has no concerns about Hall’s ability to put that aside when it comes to actually playing hockey next season.

“Taylor’s invested here. The contract thing is a contract thing. When you look at player-coach relationships and the way he wants to play, the way I look at is as a coach, he’s all-in,” Hynes said. “If he’s going to be on this team this year, he’s all-in to play. And it winds up where his contract isn’t done, it’s not going to affect who he is as a person and what he believes in.”

Hynes remains in regular contact with Hall, like he has in past offseasons, and the coach will likely make his annual visit to Hall in Toronto at some point before the end of July.

Buy Taylor Hall gear: Fanatics, NHL.com, Lids, Dick's Sporting Goods

As for Hall’s health, Hynes said everything is going as planned so far this summer. After a knee injury forced Hall to undergo surgery and to miss 49 games last season, the 2018 NHL MVP resumed skating and his usual offseason training in June.

Prior to the Devils’ trade for defenseman P.K. Subban and the signing of forward Wayne Simmonds, Hynes got the chance to talk to Hall, and the coach got good vibe from Hall’s reaction to the additions.

“I think he’s excited. He’s excited about the additions that we have on our team,” Hynes said. “And it’s nice to see him in a good frame of mind, and he’s moving along and training the right way.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149588 New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes gives scouting report on new Devils (and former teammates) Case McCarthy, Patrick Moynihan

By Chris Ryan

During his first week at Devils development camp, No. 1 overall pick Jack Hughes is getting to know some of his newest teammates and fellow prospects.

Fortunately, because of his time with the United States National Team Development Program over the past two years, he already knows two of them pretty well.

Defenseman and fourth-round pick Case McCarthy, plus forward and sixth-round pick Patrick Moynihan, joined Hughes in the Devils’ 2019 draft class, and the top overall selection had nothing but good things to say about both.

Jack Hughes and Reilly Walsh were part of the winning team at the New Jersey Devils' 3-on-3 tournament during development camp on Wednesday.

“Great, great late-round picks. With Moynihan, that’s a guy that’s going to be a third, fourth-year captain at Providence,” Hughes said. “Can play up and down the lineup. Really skilled, can play a checking role, PK, PP.”

On a loaded USNTDP roster last season, where all but one skater was drafted, Moynihan competed for his ice time, and he finished with 19 goals and 27 assists in 46 games. He’ll attend Providence next season.

During the scouting combine in Buffalo in early June, Hughes mentioned Moynihan twice: once in his meeting with the Devils, and again in an interview with reporters.

“He did (pump my tires pretty good). I don’t know if he helped me out or anything, but it was pretty funny," Moynihan said. “But it’s also special. A lot of people showed that to me, and it meant a lot, what he said.”

McCarthy will head to Boston University for his freshman season, and by being drafted the Devils, McCarthy joined an organization not too far from home. He grew up in Clarence, N.Y., just outside Buffalo.

“McCarthy is just a heavy, heavy, (defender). Really physical," Hughes said. "He can move the puck. He’s a good first-pass player. He’s a good PK guy and can really defend well.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149589 New Jersey Devils Back in New Jersey, competing is what Smith will do come training camp. He’ll fight for a roster spot with the Devils once more, rekindling the fire he felt from how last year’s ended and using what he learned in Devils’ Ty Smith brings lessons from WHL, offseason growth into 2nd his season away from where he wants to be. development camp "I was pretty fortunate to make it as far as I did with cuts with the Devils," Smith said. "I got to play a couple pre-season games, I got to experience that. When you come in to tryouts, you're coming in to make a team so By Brian Fonseca obviously it was unfortunate when I didn't make it but it motivated me, I guess, to improve my game in all the area's I possibly can and come

back this year and try and make the team." NEWARK, N.J. — Ty Smith made lemonade out of the lemons he was Star Ledger LOADED: 07.12.2019 handed last season.

The No. 17 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft by the Devils, Smith impressed in his first training camp with the team, but not quite enough. He was one of the final cuts of the camp, sent to the club’s Western Hockey League affiliate in Spokane while the rest of his teammates were headed to Sweden for a preseason exhibition.

Even worse, the decision and his live reaction were featured on a documentary about the Devils’ training camp, his raw emotion on full display.

He took it in stride.

"It was tough to get cut, but at the same time it was kind of motivating,” Smith said. “(It’s) not what you want, but at the end of the day, I got to go back to Spokane and play lots of minutes and kind of be in all situations and relied upon pretty heavily as a leader on the team. I think that definitely helped my development.”

Takeaways from the opening day of New Jersey Devils development camp, where prospects participated in two practices.

About 10 months had passed between then and now, when Smith joins a number of other prospects in the organization for a development camp at the Prudential Center practice rink in Newark, and his growth is evident.

Physically, Smith said he gained eight pounds in the time since. On the ice, he developed his defensive skills and thrived as a leader on his junior team.

Smith factored a nice total of 69 points — 7 goals, 62 assists — in 57 games in Spokane en route to being named the Defenseman of the Year in the WHL last season. In the end, the tradeoff for the cut was leaps and bounds in his personal development.

“One more year of maturity and another year of growing and developing physically and strength wise,” Smith said of what he got out of his experience in Spokane. “I’m stronger, heavier and then I put a lot of emphasis on my end this year, my defensive zone. That’s an area I need to improve at to play in New Jersey. We’ll see (how it looks) once training camp comes around but that’s something I’ve been working on.”

The improvement Smith made in the past year was noticeable to the coaching staff on the first day of the development camp.

“(He’s) an elite skater. You watch him on the ice and it’s like he’s dancing,” said Binghamton Devils coach Mark Dennehy, who is running the camp alongside with the rest of the AHL club’s coaching staff. “Also, very humble. Whether it’s World Juniors (with Canada) or Defenseman of the Year in the WHL, he’s got so many things for a young player, and yet he’s out there wanting to get better, wanting to learn. You see a jump from last year … the fact he wants to get better all the time, I think that’s the sign of a true good player.”

Along with his year with the Spokane Chiefs, Smith grew from time spent at Delta Hockey Academy in Vancouver. It’s owned by Ian Gallagher, father of ’ winger Brendan Gallagher. The arrangement came to be from a previous relationship with the Gallaghers.

The family took him in for the summer when Smith’s roommate moved, and it’s been beneficial to both his relationship with the Gallagher’s and his personal growth.

“We’re at his dad’s place pretty often for dinner because we’re not very good cooks. Now that he’s pretty close with me, he’s really keying on me in the gym and making me work that much harder,” Smith said. “I think that part of things is good for me. As far as living with (Brendan), he’s probably the most competitive human I know, so that’s good to be around … to see what a pro is like away from the rink and over the summer.” 1149590 New Jersey Devils “I’ll come back here in September and see,” he said. “We’ll take it from there.”

Bergen Record LOADED: 07.12.2019 Is New Jersey the next stop for NJ Devils' prospect ?

Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 4:54 p.m. ET July 11, 2019 | Updated 5:23 p.m. ET July 11, 2019

NEWARK — You may not have heard of the Devils’ best forward prospect not named Jack Hughes, but chances are you will soon. At least that’s the plan.

Jesper Boqvist, a 20-year-old out of Falun, Sweden, is a dynamic, speedy left winger who could bring significant firepower to the Devils’ lineup. The Devils’ second-round pick in the 2017 draft and the brother of Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect Adam Boqvist, he scored 13 goals and assisted on 22 in Sweden’s highest league last season

No longer is the team reliant on a top line of Taylor Hall, and Kyle Palmieri, the additions of Hughes and Wayne Simmonds have added balance and depth to the lineup. They have another young speedster in Jesper Bratt, another smooth-skating Swede, and the third line looks solid with Miles Wood, Travis Zajac and Blake Coleman.

Finland's Eatu Luostarinen and Sweden's Jesper Boqvist vie for the puck during the Beijer Hockey Games match between Sweden and Finland at arena in , Sweden on February 10, 2019..

The bottom six is still a question and there are players with good NHL experience, like Kevin Rooney, Joey Anderson, Brett Seeney, Nathan Bastian and Michael McLeod fighting for those spots.

But Boqvist plans to be one of those players as well, with his expectations for himself firmly in line with the club’s expectations for him.

“I’m an offensive guy,” he said Thursday at Prudential Center. “My game is to make my teammates better and put some pucks in too.”

So, where does he go next?

“Right here,” said Paul Castron, New Jersey’s director of amateur scouting. “We want to keep him right here. He should challenge for a spot, that’s the goal.”

Boqvist is in Newark this week at the Devils’ development camp with the goal of adjusting to the smaller ice surface and getting to know the area in case he’s able to stay right where he is and make the Devils’ main roster out of training camp. If he doesn’t, he’ll have to go back to Sweden and play another season for Brynäs IF where the hope is that he’ll develop into a leader.

But should he stay in New Jersey, he’ll need to get better on North American ice, which is what he’s working toward this summer.

“I have to try to get inside the dots more, it’s closer,” he said. “The game around the corners and inside the dots. I think I improved that last year and hopefully I can keep going on that and build on that.”

One person he hopes can help him with that transition is Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom. Another Brynäs alum, the veteran was Boqvist’s childhood hero. He still trains in the offseason in Gävle, where Boqvist trains, and though they’ve met in passing they’ve never trained together.

But Boqvist will have a chance to train with him this summer and he’s hoping that gives him an edge come September.

“Nobody can play like him,” Boqvist said. “But I will skate with him this summer and hopefully I can ask him some things for when I come back here.”

Boqvist grew up a fan of the team he plays for in Gävle, so having the chance to play for that team has been meaningful for him. He signed another one-year contract with Brynäs IF in February, before inking an entry-level contract with the Devils in June, so he has a fallback plan in case he fails to crack the Devils’ opening night roster.

There is plenty for Boqvist to gain this week at development camp as he prepares to return stateside in September for the real camp where he’s hoping to take the next step in his hockey career by playing in the NHL. 1149591 New York Islanders

Where does Jakub Skarek fit into Islanders' goalie picture?

By Andrew Gross

The goalie position is the most scrutinized for the Islanders, as it is for almost all NHL teams.

It’s why fan-favorite Robin Lehner signing a one-year, $5-million contract with the Blackhawks was such a seismic shock to the team’s partisans. And why bringing in Semyon Varlamov on a four-year, $20-million deal to be ’ partner as Lehner’s replacement was dissected so thoroughly.

It’s why anticipation that Ilya Sorokin – called by Varlamov the best goalie in the KHL – finally will join the Islanders’ organization after one more season in Russia runs high. And why prospect Linus Soderstrom being able to participate in the Islanders’ summer development camp in late June after missing last season to injury was big news.

And then there’s Jakub Skarek and where the Czech prospect fits into the Islanders’ goalie hierarchy.

Right now, the NHL spots are set with Greiss and Varlamov and Christopher Gibson again third on the depth chart, returning to Bridgeport. Soderstrom said he will play in North America this season so he could win the other AHL spot or start in the ECHL with Worcester.

Minor-league veteran Jared Coreau also is under contract and a possible candidate for the AHL.

The Islanders selected the 6-3, 196-pound Skarek, 19, who plays a classic butterfly style, in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft. He moved from the Czech Republic to play in Finland last season, including 22 games in the Finnish Elite League as he compiled a 6-8-7 record with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage.

“It was a big difference compared to the Czech league,” Skarek said at the Islanders’ development camp in East Meadow. “Everything is much faster. We’re playing in smaller rinks than we’re used to in Czech so it was a little bit different. I had to play much more with the stick. I think it’s a great preparation for a step here.”

Living in a foreign country was understandably a big adjustment for Skarek off the ice as well.

He learned to care for his own apartment and to cook his own meals. He got used to the Finnish winter, when the sun can rise after 9 a.m. and set shortly after 3 p.m.

And he learned to speak another language, adding a bit of Finnish to a stable that already included Czech, English, some Russian and a little bit of Swedish. He’s also learning Spanish.

“I had a lot of professors in school, great teachers helping me,” Skarek said. “I also like to listen to music. English music. I also like English movies. I think a person can learn it very easily when he hears it everywhere and is trying to speak.”

Skarek just isn’t sure when the move to North America will come.

“I have a contract here and I also have a contract in Finland,” Skarek said. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter to me where I’m going to play. I just want to play as many games as possible because I know those games will help me.”

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What start of Kaapo Kakko era will cost the Rangers

By Greg Joyce

Kaapo Kakko is locked in.

The Rangers agreed to terms on an entry-level contract for the No. 2- overall pick in June’s NHL draft, the team announced Thursday. The three-year deal carries a cap hit of $925,000 per year, the maximum allowable, in addition to entry-level bonuses. Kakko’s average annual salary, including bonuses, could be worth up to $3.575 million, per CapFriendly.com.

The 18-year-old Kakko is expected to join the Rangers’ lineup right away, coming off a year in which he led Finland to a gold medal in the World Juniors and also recorded 22 goals and 16 assists in 45 games with TPS of the Finnish Elite League. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound winger was a strong consolation prize at No. 2 after Jack Hughes went first overall to the Devils.

“My next goal is to play in the NHL next season,” Kakko said last month at the Rangers’ prospect development camp.

Kakko was expected to return home to Finland after the camp to train and rest before returning to New York for training camp in September.

New York Post LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149593 New York Rangers

Nesconset native Rob O'Gara is a free agent and will be looking for a place to play

By Colin Stephenson

Rob O’Gara is having the craziest summer of his life.

The Nesconset native got married Saturday in — the same day he turned 26 years old — and, you know how people sometimes joke that life is short, and you should have dessert first? Well, O’Gara and his wife, Isabel, actually went on their honeymoon last month, weeks before the wedding. For a free agent hockey player, you kind of don’t want to be traipsing all over Europe in early July, when your agent is trying to negotiate a contract for you.

“Basically, everything happens on July 1st [when the free agent signing period begins],’’ O’Gara said in a telephone interview from his in-laws’ house in Wayland, Mass. “It is such a crazy day – hundreds of guys are signing — and it almost seems like everything goes silent after that.’’

O’Gara, a 6-4, 207-pound defenseman who spent last season with the Rangers’ Hartford Wolfpack farm team, finds himself in the unenviable position of being an unrestricted free agent who is coming off back surgery. He had first hurt his back in college, at Yale, but had been able to play without any problems until one day in early February, when his back started bothering him at a morning skate prior to a game against the Islanders’ Bridgeport Sound Tigers farm team. With pain shooting down his leg, O’Gara was shut down and underwent rehab for seven weeks. He returned for two games in late March, but quickly had a recurrence of his symptoms and ultimately had surgery April 12. He is still undergoing rehab, though he said that is going well and he’ll be ready for training camp.

The only thing is, he doesn’t know where he’ll be attending training camp.

He concedes it seems unlikely it will be with the Rangers, who have spent the last 18 months collecting as many young defensemen as they could as part of the organization’s rebuild strategy. This summer, the Rangers have brought in even more young defense prospects, including 21-year-old Jericho native Adam Fox, Russian Yegor Rykov, 22, and Finn Tarmo Reunanen, 21, who all will be in training camp, along with 21-year-old, second-year pros Libor Hajek and Ryan Lindgren. Seeing the handwriting on the wall, O’Gara has resigned himself to trying to find a better opportunity somewhere else.

“My goal is still to play in the NHL,’’ he said. “It’s not going to be money, or term [that decides the next stop]; it’s going to be trying to find a place where I’ve got the best opportunity to do that."

O’Gara, a stay-at-home defenseman with no goals, three assists in 33 career NHL games, has certainly pondered his hockey mortality as he enters his fourth professional season. The weekend before he got hurt, his parents had come to Hartford and they had happened to talk about how long he intended to play, and what is next after hockey. Days later, after his back tightened up at that morning skate, O’Gara found himself looking in the mirror and asking himself those questions again. He has an economics degree from Yale, after all. He should be able to find a job after his hockey career is over.

But he decided he doesn’t want that career to be over just yet.

“If I wasn’t enjoying it anymore, money or not, then I think I would look for something else,’’ he said. “But the thing is, there’s nothing better. Even over the summer, I just get into the gym and get on the ice. I love it. I can’t even picture something else.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149594 New York Rangers

Kaapo Kakko, Rangers agree to entry-level contract

By Colin Stephenson

Jeff Gorton has a long list of things to do this summer, so the Rangers general manager crossed off the easiest thing on that list Thursday when the Rangers announced they reached an agreement with first-round pick Kaapo Kakko on an entry-level contract.

Kakko, a 6-3, 195-pound winger from , Finland, agreed to a standard three-year entry-level contract that carries a $925,000 salary cap hit.

The 18-year-old Kakko was the second pick overall in last month’s NHL draft. He was taken by the Rangers right after the Devils chose American Jack Hughes No. 1 overall. Kakko dazzled everyone at the World Championships in May, leading tournament champion Finland with six goals. He also scored the winning goal in Finland’s win over Hughes and the U.S. in the gold-medal game of the World Junior Championships in January, and in a 13-month span won gold medals in the U18 Worlds, the U20 Worlds and the World Championships. He became the youngest to do so at 18 years, 103 days. Connor McDavid, at 19, held the previous record.

Kakko scored 22 goals in 45 games in his league season with TPS of Finland’s top pro league, breaking the record for goals by an NHL draft- eligible player.

With Kakko in the fold, Gorton still has to sign restricted free agents Jacob Trouba, Pavel Buchnevich, Tony DeAngelo, Brendan Lemieux and Vinni Lettieri, and he’ll have to find a way to free up some room under the salary cap in order to do that.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149595 New York Rangers Kreider doesn’t shy away from using the body and making hits and those who often possess the puck like he does usually absorb hits as well. He spends much of his time as a net-front presence, where he faces Goldman: Evaluating whether the Rangers should trade or extend Chris physical play from the opponents trying to clear the area in front of the Kreider crease. That could slow down his game, as it has to others who play similar roles.

Panarin also doesn’t play Kreider’s net-front style, which can lead to By Shayna Goldman Jul 11, 2019 more wear and tear, and he also has been able to avoid hits. In his first NHL season, the playmaker had 46 all situation hits, half the next year,

and a combined 29 in his next two seasons. He’s also taken fewer hits The New York Rangers have a decision to make on Chris Kreider. since his first year, decreasing from 121 in his rookie season to 43 in 2018-19. Panarin is crafty in how he maneuvers to evade defenders, Regardless of whether the Rangers had signed Artemi Panarin, there making it risky for players to try to step up and hit the elusive winger were going to be questions about whether to trade or extend Kreider, as because it can take them out of position, which can lead to the Panarin he’s set to reach unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career burning them. next summer. There’s also a difference in these two players’ NHL experience — The Rangers technically could wait to make their decision on Kreider until Kreider’s skated in 460 regular season and 77 postseason games since the 2020 deadline, but the team may want to avoid shuffling the roster in 2012, while Panarin has played in 188 fewer between his 322 regular February again. By trading him before the season begins, it should season and 27 playoff games. Before the NHL, Panarin played on a increase the return since he would be a piece for a full season and not larger ice surface in the KHL with more space and less contact. just a deadline rental. With a Kreider extension, there’s also a question of how it would fit into If the Rangers were to become playoff contenders, this could be a the team’s future. Right now, the Rangers have about $8 million in cap different story because Kreider could be their own playoff rental in a space to sign restricted free agents Jacob Trouba, Tony DeAngelo, Pavel sense, like Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky were for the Columbus Blue Buchnevich and Brendan Lemieux, which means they’re likely to make a Jackets. But since they aren’t expected to be at the point of contention at trade to clear space for 2019-20. But Kreider’s contract wouldn’t kick in this stage of their rebuild – even if they’re a team that can slip into a until 2020. playoffs – it makes sense to have this figured out this summer. They’ll owe less money in buyouts in 2020 and gain some cap relief in With all of this in mind, what should the next steps should be between the the 2021 offseason as contracts expire, but they’ll have to both fill roster Rangers and Kreider? Should they find a way to extend him or should spots as contracts expire and extend a number of RFAs starting in 2022. they trade him this summer? Down the line, they’ll also have extensions for players like to juggle, as well as those for their top prospects, including The case for trading Kreider Kaapo Kakko. The most influential factor on the decision of whether or not to trade In the above chart, the @EvolvingWild projections are filled in for this Kreider is his next contract. Coming off a four-year, $18.5 million contract offseason’s RFAs. While their highest probability leans towards a with an average annual value of $4.625 million, he’s in for a raise. Just DeAngelo long-term extension, with his progression, the acquisition of how much that raise will be and how much the term will increase is what Adam Fox and current cap situation in mind, a two-year bridge was may concern the Rangers. entered here. The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn currently projects a seven year, $51.4 The rebuilding Rangers have made a conscious effort to keep their future million contract extension for Kreider, which comes in at about $7.3 cap space as flexible as possible — with a Kreider extension, would they million a year. We can look at comparable contracts around the league want almost $19 million in cap space dedicated to their top-two left using that projection, keeping in mind he will be 29 before the contract wingers starting in 2020? Almost $20 million in cap space would be starts and that the cap hit percentage shown in the below chart compares invested in that position alone in 2024 to players in their mid-30s. it to the 2019-20 cap, not 2020-21 when this deal would start. The case for extending Kreider Some of these deals have proven to be more than cost-effective, like those belonging to Brad Marchand and Cam Atkinson. But others would Trading Kreider may be a last resort for the Rangers because of the make any team hesitant, like the Bobby Ryan, Ryan Callahan and Milan value he brings to the lineup. Lucic deals. Kreider drives the offensive output of a line, which has helped Mika For a top line winger, $7.3 million doesn’t necessarily have to be Zibanejad transition to the Rangers’ first-line center and may contribute problematic. On any team, it should be the good players that have the to a player like Filip Chytil solidifying himself as the team’s second-line more significant contracts; those only seem to be the problem when the center. cap is clogged with more expensive deals for lesser players. Whether it’s the right value for a player that has yet to hit 30-goals or 60-points is a The biggest criticism of Kreider has been his consistency over the years fair question though. And whether it’s right for a player who will be 29 and the fact that he’s fallen short of milestones like the 30-goal mark. when he signs the contract is the biggest question of all. Over the years this team hasn’t had the most inspiring offense, so when a player like Kreider isn’t on, it can be amplified. With Panarin in the A player is typically past their prime at 29 years old, according to many lineup, it takes some pressure off of him. With Kreider and Panarin, it aging curves such as the @EvolvingWild model. Into their 30s, a player’s may help Kakko and Vitali Kravtsov transition to the NHL. In case those decline may become much steeper. Could Kreider be an outlier? With his prospects need more time to develop, having Kreider in the top-six also fitness in mind, certainly. But he could also go along with the curve or helps them from becoming too top-heavy of a team. decline at a more rapid pace. To get a better look at the lineup with and without Kreider, we can use The Rangers just invested more than $11.6 million in cap space for the Sean Tierney’s lineup creator that employs Evolving-Hockey’s Wins next seven years in Panarin, but as The Athletic’s Alison Lukan pointed Above Replacement (WAR) and Manny Perry’s data for players that have out, Panarin is an elite talent in terms of scoring, playmaking, and driving yet to see a game in the NHL. play. For the sake of lineup balance, Kakko is on the first line, while Chart by Dom Luszczyszyn Buchnevich and Kreider are on the second line with Chytil between them. Whether Kakko and Buchnevich are flipped, the line values remain the Kreider drives offense, is solid defensively and ranks higher in shot and same. In this iteration, Namestnikov is still with the team over Strome goal creation. But unlike Panarin, he ranks in the ‘top line tier’ below elite. since at least one of them is more than likely to be traded for cap space if Along with talent level, one of the most important factors for a team to Kreider is still with the team to start the year. With Strome there’s a -0.8 consider is the longevity of that talent. As Luszczyszyn’s charts show, projected full season WAR (ProjFSW) for the third line and a 5.14 total Panarin’s expected to end his contract as a top line talent while Kreider WAR for the forwards. shifts to a top-six player. Taking Kreider out of the mix and leaving both Strome and Namestnikov in gives the lineup a much lower value. It drops from 5.41 combined WAR for forwards to 2.72. Keep in mind, Kreider’s 14.2 Goals Above Replacement (GAR) ranked 34th in the league among forwards, and first on the Rangers with the next best, DeAngelo, coming in at 7.7.

Is there a way for the Rangers to replace that at a reasonable cost?

There may be other options and one player that stands out is Nikita Gusev, who the Vegas Golden Knights may be looking to move. The Athletic’s Jesse Granger reported that preliminary trade talks for the winger include a second-round pick along with a later pick or lower-tier prospect. That’s a price that the Rangers should be considering, even though he hasn’t proven himself on NHL ice yet.

Here’s how the Rangers’ lineup would look with Gusev on the second line instead of Kreider, as well as Namestnikov still in over Strome since it still seems likely that the team flips one of them to clear space.

Losing Kreider clearly makes a major impact on the lineup now and in the near future. It creates another task of trying to find a cost-effective replacement. The route the organization may prefer is extending the forward.

To understand why, we can again look at Kreider’s value in terms of other players that may be available to add to the Rangers’ roster. Luszczyszyn’s production projection for Kreider is reasonable and most comparable to Anders Lee. Since the two play a similar style and are around the same age, the comparison makes sense.

Chart by Dom Luszczyszyn

Investing in Kreider may be more cost-effective than the Islanders’ investment in Lee. While Lee is more effective in front of the net, Kreider’s playmaking and play in his own zone adds to his value. In the last year of his contract, Kreider projects to still be a top-six player while Lee drops to the top-nine.

The biggest difference though, is where the teams currently are. The Islanders, who are trying to contend and lost other free agents, needed Lee, so he got term and a high value. The Rangers are still building, added Panarin, and have prospect wingers that may be in the lineup this year — so an investment right now may not be the best fit.

Since the teams are in different places, is it possible Kreider signs a more team-friendly contract? It’s possible, although the chances may be slimmer after it was reported how close the team was to trading him.

If term is the priority, then maybe Cam Atkinson’s seven year contract with a $5.875 million cap hit is a model deal the Rangers can try to follow. If a higher salary is of the utmost importance, maybe they can look to Max Pacioretty’s four-year, $28 million contract that carries a $7 million cap hit; the actual salary of that deal ranges from $10.5 million to $5.25 million. Or the Rangers and Kreider could meet somewhere in the middle with a contract similar to Jordan Eberle’s, which carries a five year term, $5.5 million cap hit and actual salary ranges from $7.25 million to $3.75 million. That is reasonable even if he slots closer to the middle-six over the top-six towards the end of the deal.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019

1149596 Chuck – you were, too, Paul – what can we do to make the team better? I think he’s proved that he’s able to do that.”

Actually, Fletcher hasn’t proved that. Carter Hart’s presence alone was Paul Holmgren’s departure from the Flyers doesn’t mean what you might enough to stop the Flyers’ free fall last season, but Fletcher’s decision to think it means | Mike Sielski call up Hart was hardly a stroke of genius. At first, he didn’t want to do it – an injury to Anthony Stolarz forced his hand – and Hextall, despite all the complaints about his being too patient, wasn’t going to keep Hart in by Mike Sielski the AHL forever.

It’s certainly possible, even likely, that Fletcher’s acquisitions of , Matt Niskanen, and Justin Braun will help the Flyers become a There may be an impulse to think that – because Paul Holmgren has playoff team again. But there’s no guarantee of it yet, and it remains to stepped down as the Flyers’ president, because he will no longer have a be seen how deeply Fletcher and Scott will dip into that pipeline of picks, hands-on role with the franchise after 40 years tethered to it as a player, prospects, and young players to satisfy a franchise and a fan base that coach, and executive – the Flyers are headed in a new direction. This is are hungry to be relevant immediately. exactly wrong. Hextall was often a man on an island in his belief in protecting the Flyers’ Yes, Holmgren was an institution here, and for a while, it will feel strange future, and Scott left no doubt Thursday that he and Holmgren prefer that a man so loyal to the franchise for so long won’t be a direct part of it. Fletcher’s willingness to put their vision into practice. “It’s a family to me,” Holmgren said Thursday. “It always has been, and I “He’s a collaborative guy,” Scott said. “He’s smart. He’s got a very open still see it today as a family. … That’s why I stayed. I love the Flyers.” style. So I came over, spent a day with Paul, and I was so impressed The fact that the two men at the top of the hierarchy, CEO and governor with the group of people we have there. We have Chuck’s staff there. We Dave Scott and president/general manager Chuck Fletcher, don’t have have the new coaching staff there. We had the analytics people together. lengthy professional and personal ties to the Flyers would seem, at first, It was something I hadn’t seen in the six years I’d been here: full a sign that the organization is bound to blaze a new trail, but that’s the collaboration and everybody agreeing on what moves we were going to opposite of what’s happening. make.”

Fletcher will assume Holmgren’s duties, reporting directly to Scott. As a That collaboration – that lockstep thinking that long characterized the conference call Thursday with Holmgren and Scott made clear, Fletcher franchise – will extend beyond the offices in Voorhees. It already has. had earned this ascension by putting into action a plan familiar to anyone Bob Clarke advises Fletcher. Bill Barber advises Scott. Holmgren isn’t who has observed the Flyers over the last four decades. leaving the area.

The Flyers had missed the playoffs three times during ’s five “I’ll be available for Dave whenever he needs me or wants to talk about seasons as their GM, their Stanley Cup drought had stretched on and on, anything,” he said. “Same with Chuck.” and it didn’t matter that Hextall was carrying out the hard process of The Flyers are back to the way they used to do things. Maybe it will work replenishing a hollowed-out farm system and reshaping a roster stuffed again, more than 44 years since the last time. with too many bad contracts and marginal NHL players. The Flyers weren’t improving fast enough, and Hextall was alienating too many Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.12.2019 friends and colleagues. Everything needed to change. They needed to get better, and they needed to get better now.

That’s what they had done in the past, and in the minds of Scott and Holmgren, it was what they needed to do again.

Holmgren said he had first talked to Scott in June 2018 about his possible departure. It wasn’t, however, until Hextall was gone, Fletcher was here and the Flyers started falling back on strategies they’d used before – trading for the exclusive right to negotiate with a free agent, trading draft picks for veterans – that Holmgren felt comfortable enough with the franchise’s direction to step away, and that Scott felt comfortable enough to let him.

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“It certainly became apparent to me that Chuck’s got a really good grasp of things,” Holmgren said. “He loves the Flyers. He knows the iconic brand of the Flyers. He knows how important the Flyers are to the city of Philadelphia, and he wants to get us back where we should be. Once I recognized that – and I believe Dave did, too – I thought, ‘This is a good time for me to let Chuck do his thing.’ He’s a good guy. He’s good at what he does.”

“When we were recruiting Chuck, the one specific question I had was, what can we really do to make the team better now?” Scott said. “We had a really good core of vets and a huge pipeline. I was really challenging 1149597 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers president Paul Holmgren says he decided to ‘step aside,’ is now senior adviser

by Marc Narducci, Updated: July 11, 2019- 2:43 PM

Flyers president Paul Holmgren will take on a new role as senior adviser to Dave Scott, chairman and Flyers CEO, and general manager Chuck Fletcher.

The rumor of the move started circulating a few months ago, but the team denied back then that it was going to happen.

This past season was Holmgren’s 40th with the organization, where he began as a player, and fifth as president.

Under the new leadership structure, Fletcher takes on the new title of president of hockey operations and general manager and will report directly to Scott.

Both Scott and Holmgren emphasized conference call Thursday that the move was Holmgren’s idea. (Fletcher was unavailable because he was traveling.)

“I first approached Dave about this back in June 2018. I talked about where I was in life and how I really wanted to spend more time with my grandchildren and family,” Holmgren said. “It kind of started there. As we went through the year we kind of nailed down the details as we went along.”

Holmgren, 63, said he has a simple reason for wanting to reduce his role.

“I have eight grandchildren that I like and want to get to know and want to be around,” Holmgren said. “I spent a long time in the hockey world and long with the Flyers. I felt as I went through the year this year that it was time to step aside and move on to a different phase in my life.”

Holmgren joined the Flyers as a player in 1975, when they lost to Montreal in the Stanley Cup Final. He stayed with the Flyers until being traded in February 1984 to Minnesota, where he played until retiring in 1985.

He returned to the Flyers as an assistant coach from 1985 to 1988 and then served as head from 1988 to 1992.

After that he spent time as coach and general manager of the Hartford Whalers. He returned to the Flyers as the director of pro scouting from 1995 to 1999 and assistant general manager from 1999 to 2006.

Holmgren served as general manger from 2006 to 2014 before taking on the role of team president.

With Holmgren taking a step back, Scott acknowledged that his own role will increase.

“The three of us -- Paul, Chuck, and I -- have worked together,” Scott said. “Paul and I recruited Chuck together and it was a thorough process and I have gotten to know Chuck well. Yes, I will be spending more time with him directly.”

Fletcher was named the Flyers’ general manager on Dec. 3, replacing Ron Hextall.

Holmgren said he still expects to contribute to the Flyers.

“I am not going to go away totally,” he said. “I will be at games. I love the Flyers and want the Flyers to do well. Anything I can help Dave with or Chuck with in the future, I will be around.”

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149598 Philadelphia Flyers biggest pluses is he's a collaborative guy, he's smart and he has a very open style.

I came over to spend a day with Paul and was so impressed with the Chuck Fletcher a key to Paul Holmgren's decision on new role with group of people we had. You got Chuck's staff in there, the new coaching Flyers staff in there, the data analytics people together. It's something I hadn't seen in the six years I've been here — full collaboration. And everyone agreeing on what moves we were going to make. By Jordan Hall July 11, 2019 7:40 PM Many, many moves have been made. It's what the Flyers wanted — some action to drive this team forward, back to where it used to be.

The timing felt right for Paul Holmgren. Remember, though, things are often rosy for every club in an NHL offseason — just look at last summer when the Flyers signed James van A lot of it had to do with Chuck Fletcher and the general manager's Riemsdyk, which raised expectations for a mix of veterans and aggressiveness, savvy and that "bias for action" the Flyers yearned for youngsters to simultaneously take the next step. back in November. The results still have to come, but the Flyers see Fletcher making it Holmgren on Thursday moved into a senior advisory role with the Flyers happen. and will no longer serve as team president (see story). The decision had been in the making for over a year now, going back to June 2018, when The true test will be when the puck drops and everyone is watching — Holmgren approached Comcast Spectacor chairman and CEO Dave including Holmgren, a little more off in the distance, trusting his Flyers Scott about the idea. are OK.

Then 2018-19 didn't exactly go as planned. With the club in last place of Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.12.2019 the at Thanksgiving for a second straight season, Scott and Holmgren realized the Flyers needed a new philosophy gracing the GM chair.

Enter Fletcher, who has delivered on the Flyers' wishes and breathed confidence into upper management. This was not Fletcher's first rodeo, either; the Flyers were attracted by his track record — a front office guy since 1993, with a Harvard degree and experience in player representation.

Since Fletcher's arrival, the Flyers have gotten what they wanted.

It all made the timing right for Holmgren, a Flyers lifer who needed to see his beloved team back on the rails — or least feel like it was moving forward.

"When we were recruiting Chuck, the one specific question I had is what could we really do to make the team better now?" Scott said Thursday via a conference call. "We have a really good core of vets and a huge pipeline that I was really challenging Chuck — you were too, Paul — with what could we do now to make the team better and I think he has proven that he was able to do that."

Time will certainly tell.

But credit to Fletcher for taking action. He wasted no time reshaping the Flyers, well before NHL free agency commenced July 1. While the Flyers haven't actually moved forward yet (the offseason needs to give way to the season), they're in position to do so.

They have three new coaches — , and — with a combined 2,512 games of head coaching experience. Vigneault has taken two teams to the Stanley Cup Final, Therrien has taken one and Yeo won a ring as an assistant.

Fletcher then added Kevin Hayes, Matt Niskanen, Justin Braun and Tyler Pitlick to the roster, while parting ways with Radko Gudas, Andrew MacDonald, Ryan Hartman and David Schlemko.

These are impressive support beams that could produce immediate results with a roster that never looked far away or short on talent, especially after Fletcher brought up Carter Hart.

"I thought this is a good time for me to let Chuck do his thing," Holmgren said. "He is a good guy. He's good at what he does. I love what he's done with the coaching staff. I love what he did prior to the draft and going out and making a trade to get the rights to a player that we ended up signing. The two trades for veteran defensemen will help our young kids get better more quickly.

"I really love all the things he has done. There is no question in my mind that this is the right time and no question in my mind that the leadership Chuck has with Dave's help is going to be great for the Flyers moving forward."

Scott echoed Holmgren's sentiment.

I couldn't be more pleased with Chuck’s performance and what he has done coming on in December of last year to now. Probably one of the 1149599 Philadelphia Flyers "Chuck's got a really good grasp of things," Holmgren said. "He loves the Flyers, he knows the iconic brand, he knows how important the Flyers are to the city of Philadelphia and he wants to get us back to where we Paul Holmgren no longer Flyers president, taking on new role with team should be." as senior advisor Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.12.2019

By Jordan Hall July 11, 2019

Paul Holmgren is taking on a new role with the Flyers.

He will no longer serve as team president and instead be a senior advisor to Comcast Spectacor chairman and CEO Dave Scott.

General manager Chuck Fletcher will now take on a new title as president of hockey operations, as well, and will report directly to Scott. Fletcher, working in hockey since 1993, has been in the Flyers' GM chair since early December and has done plenty in his first offseason (see story).

For Holmgren, the role change was his idea and one he consulted with Scott, going back to June 2018. Holmgren, who has eight grandchildren, said the timing felt right to focus on family and the next phase of his life. He also made it clear he's not going away and will be available to Scott and Fletcher in his new role.

"I love the Flyers and I want the Flyers to do well," Holmgren said via a conference call Thursday.

Holmgren has served the organization for 40-plus years in a variety of roles. The 63-year-old has played for the club, been the president, general manager, assistant general manager, head coach and director of pro scouting.

"It's been an honor to serve this franchise in many different roles throughout my life and I look forward to this next chapter," Holmgren said in a release by the team. "I approached Dave about my idea to step aside to spend more time with my family. I have complete confidence in Chuck in his new role, leading the Flyers to great things. The Flyers have given so much to me and my family over the years, and I have forged life-long friendships with the many players, coaches, employees and fans who have helped me make Philadelphia home for over 40 years. I would like to thank Dave and Chuck for their efforts to lead this franchise into a bright future and for their continued confidence in me as I take on this new role."

Scott commended Holmgren for what he's meant to the organization and how he'll be in a role similar to franchise icons Bob Clarke and Bill Barber as a highly valued sounding board and consultant.

Paul has been an invaluable leader within the Flyers family for more than 40 years, and instrumental in placing the organization in a strong position for future success. Paul has earned a place among the organization's all- time greats and certainly fits the role exemplified by our late chairman, : 'A Flyer Forever.'

- Scott

Scott said his relationship with Holmgren grew during the difficult time of Snider's illness and death in April 2016.

"Paul and I have been around six years plus now, we've watched a lot of hockey games together. I think the one thing Paul has really taught me is patience," Scott said via the conference call. "The game, it's line by line, period by period, game by game — it's a long season and you've really got to have that perspective because things can shift on a dime.

"We're colleagues and now we're good friends. We really had to navigate through a difficult time there and got through it. We have all new leadership in place now on the hockey side, so I think we're really poised for success."

(Zack Hill/Philadelphia Flyers)

Scott will work more closely with Fletcher.

"Paul and I recruited Chuck together," Scott said. "I've gotten to know Chuck and I will spend more time with him directly."

Both Scott and Holmgren raved about Fletcher's performance thus far, especially in his first offseason with the ability to collaborate (see story). 1149600 Philadelphia Flyers Flyers organization because of how I feel about them, how I feel about the city, how I feel about the people that I’ve worked with in the organization over the number of years I’ve been here. It’s a family to me. Paul Holmgren steps aside, taking senior advisor role with Flyers It always has been and I still see it today as a family that Ed Snider and Bob Clarke and Billy Barber and Bernie Parent and all those guys back in the early 70s…that’s when it really blossomed into that thing and to me, it’s still that. I feel a big part of that. That’s why I stayed. I love the Flyers.” Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 2:37 p.m. ET July 11, 2019 | Updated 3:01 p.m. ET July 11, 2019 While Holmgren stressed that he’d still be in the area, he’ll join two other notable alumni that hold advisor roles also. Hall of Famers Bob Clarke

and Bill Barber and both reporting to Scott as advisors too. Comcast Spectacor chairman Dave Scott, right, is also the team's CEO Scott said that Clarke, the ex-general manager, “provides a great 50,000- and governor. Paul Holmgren, left, went from team president to a senior foot view” and he talks with Clarke “periodically.” He also said he’s gotten advisor. very close with Barber, whom he called a “sounding board.” It’s been a fear for a segment of Flyers fans and maybe even some of the Thursday’s change leaves Fletcher and Scott as the two faces of the team’s alumni ever since founder Ed Snider passed away in 2016: what franchise and Scott said he’ll be working closer and more directly with becomes of the franchise’s legacy with a corporate backing in Comcast Fletcher. and no notable alumni left to carry the torch? “I couldn’t be more pleased with Chuck’s performance and what he’s We’re likely about to find out. done coming out of December of last year to now,” Scott said. “Probably Thursday the team announced that longtime executive Paul Holmgren, one of his biggest plusses is that he’s a collaborative guy. He’s smart. who had been the team president for five seasons and previously served He’s got a very open style. I came over and spent a day with Paul and as general manager, assistant general manager, director of player was so impressed with the group of people we have. You’ve got Chuck’s development and scouting, head coach, scout and player, would be staff in there and the new coaching staff in there. You’ve got the data stepping aside into a new role as senior advisor. analytics in there. It’s something I hadn’t seen in the six years I’ve been here, just full collaboration and everyone kind of agreeing on what moves Before Snider lost his battle with cancer, he wanted Holmgren and then- we were gonna make.” general manager Ron Hextall to lead the charge moving forward. Holmgren was part of firing Hextall on Nov. 26 of last year and Thursday Courier-Post LOADED: 07.12.2019 took a lesser role himself.

Chuck Fletcher, whom Holmgren hired to replace Hextall as GM, now carries the extra title of president of hockey operations. Fletcher will report directly to Dave Scott, the chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor and governor of the Flyers.

“We had some tough decisions to make back in the fall, but once Chuck was in place we started to get a handle on it,” Holmgren said on a conference call with reporters. “I’m just speaking for myself; I’m not gonna speak for Dave, but my perception at the time was that we’re going in the right direction. Everything Chuck’s trying to do, everything he’s talking about doing and culminating with the things he did prior to the draft, again I’m excited about it and I just thought it was the right time.”

“I’ve been around six years plus now,” Scott added. “We’ve watched a lot of hockey games together. I think the one thing Paul really has taught me is patience. We both worked with Ed Snider. He probably had less patience than Paul, but I really learned the game. It’s line by line, period by period, game by game. It’s a long season. You really gotta have that perspective because things can shift on a dime.”

Despite rumblings that a corporate ownership was taking over more and more, both Holmgren and Scott said that the decision to take the advisor role was Holmgren’s.

Scott said that Holmgren would still be team president if he hadn’t started planting the bug to move into semi-retirement in June of 2018.

“This was Paul. We met when we were out in Las Vegas at the Board of Governors meeting in June (last summer),” Scott said. “We really never had any set time table. I recognized after 40 years Paul had held just about every job in our organization from player to president and everything in between. He’s very close with his family and I kind of got it, but we didn’t talk about any specific timetable. We said, ‘Let’s get through the season.’”

Holmgren said that he wants to take more time to spend with his eight grandchildren. The 63-year-old native of St. Paul, Minnesota was drafted by the Flyers in 1975 and played 527 NHL games. All were played for Philadelphia except for the last 27 which he spent with the .

He became an assistant coach with the Flyers the season after he retired from playing and has been with them ever since, sans four years in the early 1990s that he spent with the Hartford Whalers.

“I feel like I was raised as a Flyer,” Holmgren said. “I came here as a 20- year-old kid, right when the Flyers had won two Stanley Cups. I was around when they lost in the finals my first year with the team. I was raised a Flyer. I’d like to believe I’ll always have some kind of ties to the 1149601 Philadelphia Flyers Last season the Flyers were on the unlucky end of something like that when Sean Couturier injured his knee in a charity game a few weeks before the team opened training camp. Then-GM Ron Hextall wasn’t Some Flyers already easing back to work in Minnesota pleased that one of his players was hurt in a non-team activity, saying at the time, “when something like this happens, you pause to think about it, but we’ve never held a guy out of a charity game and I guess at this point I certainly don’t anticipate it.” Dave Isaac, July 11, 2019 His successor, Fletcher, certainly won’t hold anyone out either.

“There’s risk in everything,” Fletcher said. “You hear of guys getting Flyers left winger James van Riemsdyk is among the returning players to injured in the weight room. You could get injured playing basketball or Da Beauty League in Minnesota, which kicks off this week. tennis, any sort of summer activity you could tweak a knee or hurt your It began innocently enough as a local project intended for local athletes elbow or shoulder. It’s a risk of the game. We ask these guys to come or at least clients of Ben Hankinson, a player agent for Octagon Hockey into camp in great shape and I think skating in a competitive environment who is based in suburban Minneapolis. is a positive thing. Particularly for a lot of the young guys, a young kid like Noah Cates is playing in this and it’s great exposure and a great Four years later, Hankinson finds himself as a co-founder of what has opportunity for him to play with high-end players and get that experience. become a popular summer league with mostly NHL players where it’s not It’s a competitive environment, but yet I think the players recognize guys just Octagon clients or Minnesota natives. Da Beauty League, which aren’t running each other over in the middle of the ice. I think they’re kicks off play this week, has gotten so big that some college or minor- respectful of each other’s careers. I think it’s a good balance of that great league players have been turned away. competitiveness and getting good conditioning work in, but yet being respectful of where everybody is.” The non-checking, 4-on-4 format includes games every Wednesday in July and every Monday and Wednesday in August at a Braemar Arena in “The teams like it,” Hankinson added. “I honestly think they’d like their Edina, Minnesota, a suburb 10 miles southwest of Minneapolis. The guys competing and practicing at a high level and whether they’re doing teams are sponsored and fans come watch with proceeds benefiting the it on their own or in this environment, obviously safety is our number one United Heroes League, Shine A Ligh7 and the Herb Brooks Foundation. concern and, knock on wood, we haven’t had any problems. Honestly, I think the teams like their guys coming into camp more ready, especially “I think just the amount of quality players in the Twin Cities area — the younger guys playing against the older pros.” Minneapolis, St. Paul — in the summers got us thinking how we can get these guys playing,” Hankinson said. “The next component was bringing Courier-Post LOADED: 07.12.2019 in the fans to possibly come watch and then getting refs and a scoreboard and the charity component, too. It was more, ‘Hey, how can we get these guys together?’

“We have a pro camp where we have a bunch of NHL guys that skate together, a lot of these guys. They have a practice and a small scrimmage, but then we thought, ‘Let’s do it at night and get the fans and raise some money for charity.’”

The league’s fourth season kicked off Wednesday and this year there are five members of the Flyers organization involved. Newcomers Tyler Pitlick, Justin Braun and Nate Prosser are all clients of Hankinson. James van Riemsdyk, a returning member, is not represented by Octagon and Minnesota native Noah Cates, a rising sophomore at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, is a first-timer.

Early on there were talks with Chuck Fletcher, then of the Minnesota Wild and now the Flyers’ general manager, but there was never an official affiliation with the NHL team. It was just perceived as a good idea and a nice venue for players to get extra work in a somewhat competitive environment. Fletcher’s son, Keith, will be helping out with the league this summer behind the scenes.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Fletcher said, “and they did this probably as a service for a lot of their clients initially and a way for the players here to stay competitive. We had a lot of conversations with them, but this was something they felt would be a lot of fun. It just continues to grow.”

The idea of summer hockey is fairly new for the pros. There are some tournaments, like Checking For Charity, which will come to South Jersey in August, but as far as a league goes it’s essentially Da Beauty League or the Foxboro Pro League in New England, which includes new Flyer and Boston native Kevin Hayes.

Such things didn’t exist when Hankinson was in his playing days. Back in 1987, Hankinson was a right winger and a sixth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils. He played 43 NHL games for the Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning.

“That’s kind of fun to see how fortunately or unfortunately it’s kind of 24/7 (now),” Hankinson said. “These guys don’t get much of an off-season and I think that’s just the nature of the beast. You see it with kids sports and the specializing. You can argue all you want, but the level of talent just keeps going up and up and up. It’s a really competitive environment, so every year it gets more participation, the guys compete a little harder and they start sooner. It’s kind of fun to have some time off, but these guys, once they see someone skating and competing they jump right in and they’re feeling left out if they’re not competing.”

Competition can breed injury, but Hankinson said he hasn’t gotten any pushback from NHL general managers. 1149602 Philadelphia Flyers “I think once Chuck got into the role, it certainly became apparent to me, I can’t speak for Dave, but Chuck has a really good grasp of things,” Holmgren said. “He loves the Flyers, he knows the iconic brand that’s out As Paul Holmgren steps into lesser role, final piece of Flyers’ 2018-19 there for the Flyers. He knows how important the Flyers are to the city of organizational shakeup locks into place Philadelphia and wants to get us back to where we should be. I think once I recognized that — and I believe Dave did, too — that’s when I thought this is a good time for me to just let Chuck do his thing.

By Charlie O'Connor Jul 11, 2019 “He’s a good guy. He’s good at what he does. I just love what he’s done with the coaching staff. I love what he did prior to the draft, going out and

making a trade to get the rights to a player that we end up signing (Kevin It may have been made official today, but the process of Paul Holmgren Hayes). The two trades for veteran defensemen (Matt Niskanen and transitioning out of the role of Philadelphia Flyers president actually Justin Braun) that will help our young kids get better more quickly. I really began more than 13 months ago at the Board of Governors meeting in love all the things that he has done.” Las Vegas. Yet it went beyond player personnel maneuvers. Yes, Holmgren and “I first approached (Comcast Spectacor Chairman and CEO) Dave Scott wanted a more aggressive GM, a position Scott reiterated on (Scott) about this back in June of 2018. I talked about where I was in life, Thursday. But in praising Fletcher, Scott indirectly offered a pointed and how I really wanted to start spending more time with my critique of Hextall’s regime. grandchildren and my family,” Holmgren said in a conference call on “Probably one of the biggest pluses is (Fletcher is) a collaborative guy, Thursday. “It started there.” he’s smart and he’s got a very open style,” Scott said. “I came over to Holmgren, unsurprisingly, isn’t leaving the organization entirely; he’ll slide spend a day with Paul (this offseason) and was so impressed with the into a new role as senior advisor to Scott. But make no mistake: This is group of people we had. You got Chuck’s staff in there, the new coaching Holmgren taking a major step back in terms of his day-to-day duties with staff in there, the data analytics people together. It’s something I hadn’t the club. No longer does the brain trust consist of a three-man triumvirate seen in the six years I’ve been here. Just full collaboration. And everyone of Scott, Holmgren and general manager Chuck Fletcher, who now also agreeing on what moves we were going to make.” owns the title of president of hockey operations. Holmgren’s days of Flyers culture matters to people like Holmgren, which consists of primacy have come to an end — by his suggestion, according to everything from team-building approach to the idea of the entire Holmgren. organization being a large family. Holmgren’s decisions over the past “I have eight grandchildren that I like and want to get to know and I want year — agree with them or not — were almost certainly informed by a to be around,” he explained. “I’ve spent a long time in the hockey world, desire to feel personally comfortable with where he left the franchise from it’s been a long time with the Flyers and I felt as I went through the year that perspective. particularly, I thought it’s time to step aside and move on to a different “I’d like to believe I’ll always have some kind of ties to the Flyers phase in my life.” organization because of how I feel about them, how I feel about the city, In many ways, Thursday’s announcement serves as the end of an era, how I feel about the people that I’ve worked with in the organization, over even if Holmgren isn’t totally exiting the scene. He’s been an active the number of years I’ve been here,” he said. “It’s a family to me. It member of the organization for an incredible 40 years, and after the always has been. And I still see it today as a family. Ed Snider, Bob passing of Ed Snider, served as the connector between the general Clarke, Billy Barber and Bernie Parent and all those guys back in the manager and Scott, who was still familiarizing himself with the ins and early ’70s, that’s really when it blossomed into that thing. To me, it’s still outs of running a hockey team. that. And I feel a big part of that. That’s why I stayed. I love the Flyers. I don’t know how I can get into it any deeper without getting emotional.” In its own way, the news helps to put into final perspective the organizational shakeup that occurred during the 2018-19 season. As with all Flyers lifers, Holmgren won’t truly leave. Stop by the Voorhees Skate Zone on any given day, and there’s a decent chance, if you keep Holmgren’s loyalty to the Flyers is unquestioned. As he said on your eyes open, you’ll spy at least one former player who has stopped by Thursday, “I feel like I was raised a Flyer.” Few, if any, feel the kind of to check in. You might see Holmgren himself. But this is now Fletcher bond with the organization that Paul Holmgren does. and Scott’s show. The former will directly report to the latter, who expects to spend far more time than before talking to Fletcher now that Holmgren That’s why the constant complaining by those who hated Holmgren’s is no longer the liaison. The duo will shape the team for the foreseeable work as general manager, and railed against his continued presence, future. always missed the point. Holmgren wasn’t still around as some sort of reward for a job well done. Nor was he around to micromanage his On Thursday, Holmgren expressed total confidence that he’s leaving the successors. He stayed to try to ensure that “the Flyers remained the organization in good hands, even if the road to get to that point may have Flyers,” a job that took on a new degree of importance after Snider’s been a bit tumultuous. passing. “There is no question in my mind that this is the right time (to step down), The missing piece of Ron Hextall’s ouster in late November was always and no question in my mind that the leadership Chuck has, with Dave’s one of timing. The question then was: Why now? Reacting to a help, is going to be great for the Flyers moving forward,” he said. disappointing first two months on the ice — struggles largely driven by goaltending issues more than anything else — with a complete Time will tell if he’s right. organizational overhaul always felt, if not an overreaction, at least a The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 strangely drastic response to a situation that could’ve been addressed through far-less monumental actions.

Now, the urgency makes more sense.

As far back as June of last year, Holmgren had it in his head that he was soon going to leave his beloved Flyers in the hands of others. He wanted to be sure that he was leaving it with people who he felt would stay true to the culture that he had been entrusted with preserving. Clearly, he didn’t feel comfortable enough that Hextall would do so (at least according to Holmgren’s view of said culture).

Fletcher, apparently, is a different story. Holmgren said he wouldn’t have left if he didn’t have confidence that Fletcher — the GM he and Scott chose — would lead in the way he felt a Flyers general manager should lead. With his work so far, Holmgren apparently decided Fletcher passed the test in a way he couldn’t trust that Hextall would. 1149603 Philadelphia Flyers shock of all, the Flyers started winning again around mid-January, under interim head coach Scott Gordon.

Of course, the late surge wasn’t enough to salvage the season, and a Jakub Voracek’s next act: Longtime Flyer still dangerous but likely March swoon finally buried the team. Voracek’s March was rough entering a new phase of his career individually as well — he missed two games due to injury, and then two more after a hit on the Islanders’ Johnny Boychuk led to a suspension. But overall, Voracek’s production was largely stable. Aside from By Charlie O'Connor Jul 11, 2019 November, when Voracek posted just six points in 12 games, the winger remained around the point-per-game mark on a monthly basis, or only

slightly below it. And then, there were two. It might have been a wild season, but Voracek undeniably remained one The earthshaking trades of June 23, 2011, fundamentally reshaped the of Philadelphia’s key players throughout. future of the Philadelphia Flyers organization. Out were captain Mike Point production still strong Richards and top scorer Jeff Carter; in were Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, Jakub Voracek and a top-10 pick that would soon become Sean More than anything else, Voracek is paid to be a point-producing, Couturier. Just months later, all four new players — in addition to goalie offensively oriented, top-six right winger. It’s tough to argue he still Ilya Bryzgalov, whose signing followed the trades — had become key doesn’t qualify in that regard. pieces on the roster, not only in the moment but presumably for years to come. His 66 points in 2018-19 represented the third-best full-season total of his career, and even though that conveniently leaves out the lockout- Bryzgalov was the first to go; his two mediocre seasons in Philadelphia shortened 2012-13, when he scored at nearly a point-per-game pace, it’s and polarizing antics, along with his massive contract, made him a logical difficult to refer to a year that ranks in the top half of an 11-season career choice for a compliance buyout. Next, Schenn departed in a surprise in raw production as a “down” one. 2017 draft day trade for two first-round picks. Finally, Simmonds made a heart-wrenching exit from the city that embraced him — first in a trade Voracek essentially replicated his production at 5-on-5 after his career deadline swap and then a free-agent deal with the rival Devils — after the year in 2017-18, racking up 36 points in the situation and posting a 1.94 Flyers showed little interest in bringing back the seemingly in-decline points/60 rate to follow up 39 points and 1.94 points/60 the previous winger. season.

Only two players remain from that fateful date in franchise history: top- In addition, Voracek remains a microstat god. Corey Sznajder has only line center Couturier and, of course, Voracek. tracked 46 of the Flyers’ 82 games in 2018-19, but those games show Voracek retains his usual place at, or near the top of, the offensive metric Since his arrival, Voracek has progressed from solid depth scorer into charts. His 62.63 percent controlled entry rate ranks second on the team, first-line stalwart, earning a lucrative contract extension in the 2015 and no Flyers player drove more entries (26.68 entries/60) or directly offseason in the process. However, the team did not take a similar leap helped to create more scoring chances at 5-on-5 (9.97 scoring chance during his tenure; the club has not made it past the first round of the contributions/60). playoffs since Voracek’s first year in Philadelphia. The only real dropoff in Voracek’s scoring came on the power play — not Slowly but surely, patience has worn thin with the team’s consistent a surprise considering the top unit was a complete mess for most of mediocrity — from ownership to the fan base, all the way down to the 2018-19. After ranking in the top 20 with 6.93 points/60 on the power play players themselves. But while the increasingly impatient Flyers in 2017-18, he dropped to middle-of-the-pack levels this past season management has chipped away that early 2010s core, Voracek is still (4.25, 121st). To put things in more basic terms, he scored 35 power play here, and he’s still in a key role. He’s survived through it all. Now, with his points in 2017-18 but only 18 this past season. Does Voracek deserve 30s rapidly approaching, it’s worth asking: What kind of player will some blame for the poorly performing power play? Sure. But the other Voracek be as the team tries to enter a new era? players on the top unit shouldn’t be absolved, nor should the coaching staff, for fruitlessly juggling both personnel and structure throughout the The 2018-19 season started about as normally as possible for Voracek, season in a desperate (and failed) attempt to fix things. but that wouldn’t last. He entered Game 1 on the same line that had excelled at the end of the previous regular season — playing right wing Voracek has become something of a whipping boy in corners of the fan with Nolan Patrick at center and on the left. Even after base in recent years, for a number of reasons — some don’t like his style the Flyers shook up the top six after a slow start by the team, Voracek of play, they feel he turns the puck over too much, or maybe they don’t simply jumped back up to play with old pals Couturier and , like that he answers questions honestly despite professing to love that reforming another frequent trio from 2017-18. theoretical quality in athletes.

Things quickly got weird, though. But Voracek’s point totals are always there.

Voracek’s line combinations began to rapidly change, a byproduct of the A great Voracek year — 2012-13, 2014-15, 2017-18 — sees him around reunited Giroux-Couturier-Voracek trio not recapturing its old magic and a point-per-game pace. A “down” year still finds him around a 60- to 65- Patrick struggling to replicate his breakout second half of 2017-18. The point pace. And considering that only 54 forwards finished last season coaching staff tried to unlock Patrick’s potential by cycling through with more points than Voracek, he seems to still be doing a pretty darn multiple players to complement the Patrick-Voracek duo: Lindblom, Scott good job of creating offense. Laughton, Michael Raffl, even . All received auditions as the third player on the line but none could successfully help the 2C version of Probably no longer a play-driver Patrick to re-emerge. When it comes to point production, Voracek is the same player he’s been The weirdness, of course, wasn’t strictly of the on-ice variety. No player since breaking out in 2012-13. He tends to alternate between elite in the Flyers’ locker room was more open with the media than Voracek in scoring seasons and ones that still qualify as “first-line caliber” but fall discussing the unexpected nature of Ron Hextall’s exit as general more on the low end of that . manager and the subsequent organization-wide shakeup that followed. Yet there is statistical backing for the idea that Voracek’s play in recent On the day of Hextall’s ouster, Voracek famously acknowledged that years hasn’t been at peak levels, and it boils down to his underlying such a move meant “nobody’s safe,” even as he confirmed his desire to metrics: Voracek’s teammates no longer perform dramatically better from stay in Philadelphia and help right the ship. It was a wild few weeks. a shot and chance standpoint at 5-on-5 when they play alongside him.

The situation ultimately stabilized for Voracek, both on and off the ice. Some background: At one time, Voracek wasn’t just a play-driver; he was For most of the second half, he settled back in on Couturier’s line, first an elite play-driving wing. In 2012-13, he somehow found a way to post a with Simmonds, then Lindblom on the opposite side. The core- 53.25 percent Corsi share and 55.61 percent xG share on a team with a decimating trades that many fans assumed were inevitable never defense consisting of a 37-year-old , Braydon Coburn, materialized, as new general manager Chuck Fletcher instead focused Luke Schenn, , Bruno Gervais and Erik Gustafsson. on making changes around the edges of the roster. And, in the biggest Without Voracek on the ice, the Flyers posted 45.90 percent and 45.78 percent rates, respectively. That’s play driving — making sure the team wins the shot and chance battles even when receiving almost no help Mark Stone or Marián Hossa type on the ice. Voracek’s way of “playing (aside from then-partner-in-crime Giroux). defense” was more to ensure that the other team simply never held the puck: Defense by puck possession, a keep-away game. If Voracek’s So when Voracek’s underlying numbers started to dip in 2015-16, it was ability to dominate puck possession has dropped off and his defensive justifiable to look for excuses. After all, when a player with a track record game was always more “fine” than “truly great,” then it’s only logical his of dominance in something has a down year, the fair response is to cut defensive results would follow suit. But that’s just a theory. him a little slack. Weird things happen in small sample sizes. Ultimately, I believe there are three kinds of useful NHL forwards: ones Season Corsi Relative xG Relative Explanation who drive play but can’t create offense at high-end rates; ones who can 2012-13 +7.27% +9.83% Undeniably elite create offense and score but don’t really drive play; and ones who can do both. The last group, of course, are the true superstars. 2013-14 +6.43% +5.97% Undeniably elite Jakub Voracek used to be one of those “both” forwards. Now, he can still 2014-15 +5.26% +7.52% Undeniably elite fill up the net but the play-driving ability has been missing for at least three seasons. He’s more of an offensive zone scorer than a possession- 2015-16 +2.21% +3.94% Underlying numbers dipped post-ankle dominant scorer these days. injury, fine before that Where does that leave Voracek? 2016-17 -0.37% -4.32% Entire top six struggled, something of a Murphy’s Law year To be clear, none of this is to say that Voracek is now a bad player or even a mediocre one. But aside from brief periods — such as his time 2017-18 +1.35% +1.90% 292 minutes with Valtteri Filppula with Patrick and Lindblom in the second half of 2017-18 — Voracek dragged his numbers down hasn’t really been driving his line at 5-on-5, even as he’s continued to 2018-19 +0.02% +1.79% ?????? produce points at a clear first-line level.

Now, classic relative metrics aren’t the best way to evaluate play-driving Years ago, Voracek could be placed with two youngsters or tasked with (RelTM and Evolving-Wild’s new RAPM metric are far superior tools as propping up an aging vet, and it was reasonable to expect him to push they better account for outside effects), but they do provide a general, his line to success despite the added weight. Now, it appears that he easy-to-comprehend look at whether a team does better with a specific needs some help to truly flourish. player on the ice versus off. And starting in 2015-16, the Flyers stopped With the active portion of the offseason now in the rearview mirror, it performing dramatically better in shot and chance differential when appears that Fletcher and the new regime see Voracek as part of the Voracek played. solution in Philadelphia. That wasn’t always a given after Hextall’s firing One down year isn’t too concerning, especially when it’s preceded by — Voracek himself acknowledged that his lack of no-trade protection left stellar results and the player remains in his prime. Even two years isn’t open the possibility of a surprise exit. But it was always going to be the end of the world, if there’s a logical explanation. But it’s now been five difficult to move a player with five years remaining on a contract and an seasons since Voracek truly pushed the needle in a dramatically positive $8.25 million cap hit for anything remotely resembling fair value, even direction. At some point, it makes sense to trust the results of the past one who can still play at the top of the lineup. Assuming that Voracek four seasons are a better way to judge a player than pointing to prowess remains a long-term building block for the organization, the Flyers’ focus from a half-decade ago. should be on putting him in situations most conducive for long-term success — just as they did with Giroux by shifting him over to wing. Now, it’s important to note that, despite the decline, Voracek is far from a play-driving liability. He still usually grades out as slightly positive by To the Flyers’ credit, they did just that in the second half of 2018-19, relative metrics, and only slightly negative by more advanced stats such placing Voracek on a line with Couturier and Lindblom — probably the as RelTM and RAPM. But Voracek used to be fantastic in this area — at team’s two best play-driving forwards at this point. The result? They top-of-the-league levels. It’s why paying him the big bucks made all the formed the only trio that kept its head above water during Gordon’s short- sense in the world, even if Voracek wasn’t likely to score like a Patrick lived reign. Kane. It didn’t matter that Voracek often alternated between great and The impact of coaching remains a wild card for Voracek, and it provides good point totals because regardless, the Flyers were utterly crushing the the best hope for a return to two-way dominance. After all, Voracek’s opposition territorially when he played. “decline” lines up perfectly with the hiring of as head coach. That’s not really the case anymore. Perhaps Hakstol’s philosophies and systems didn’t match up well with Voracek’s strengths and weaknesses as a player. Maybe new coach Why have his underlying metrics dipped? What does it mean? Alain Vigneault — a more offense-oriented mind — can help Voracek push his metrics back to previous heights. Voracek might be past his A brief look at the “better” advanced metrics tells the tale of where his age-related prime (he turns 30 in August), but he should be far from results have dipped the most: defense. finished. Season xG Offense Impact (RAPM) xG Defense Impact (RAPM) Still, it’s likely safer to assume Voracek has entered a new phase of his 2012-13 +0.140 -0.090 career, where the high-end point production won’t necessarily be accompanied by sterling underlying metrics. That’s still the resume of a 2013-14 +0.148 -0.168 very good forward, as Travis Konecny has proved over the past two years, even if Voracek is now almost certainly a cut behind teammates 2014-15 +0.171 -0.017 such as Giroux and Couturier. 2015-16 +0.227 -0.046 > Flyers Review and Preview series 2016-17 +0.014 +0.081 — All statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey, Natural Stat Trick, Evolving- 2017-18 +0.073 +0.083 Hockey and The Energy Line.

2018-19 +0.054 +0.119 The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019

Note: Offense impact is ideally positive; defense impact is ideally negative.

Voracek still successfully helps his teammates create more quality shots and chances than they would otherwise; this makes sense, considering that Voracek grades out well by microstats. But he’s no longer helping them suppress shots and chances as well.

That said, his impact on offense — while still positive — has dipped, which could help explain why his defensive results have declined. Despite the fact, by the numbers, Voracek graded out as a strong defensive winger from 2012 through 2016, he never looked the part of a 1149604 Pittsburgh Penguins game that we are going to focus on moving forward. And Geno is a big part of that.”

Now that Phil Kessel is gone, maybe he’s the biggest part of that. Tim Benz: Mike Sullivan nails Evgeni Malkin’s biggest problem. Now fix it. Oh, and Kris Letang. And, yes, even Sidney Crosby, too.

Maybe now that Phil Kessel is permanently removed as an option from Malkin’s line, Malkin will be less inclined to force give-and-go, East-West, Tim Benz fancy passes. And maybe the presence of a younger, more straight- ahead winger will force Malkin to simplify his game.

We do a lot of “Take 5’s” around here. Maybe.

Five takes on the Steelers’ loss to the Broncos. Yeah. I struggled to get through that without laughing, too.

Five takes on the Steelers’ loss to the Raiders. We’ll look at the angle of subtracting Kessel more in depth later. Because Sullivan had some interesting things to say on that front, too. Five takes on the Steelers tying the Browns. Tribune Review LOADED: 07.12.2019 Five takes on why the Steelers can never get a win against a lousy team on the road so long as Mike Tomlin is the head coa …

Sorry. Got off track for a second there.

Anyway, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was recently on 105.9 the X with Trib columnist Mark Madden. And he had a lot of quotes with meat on the bone.

So instead of cramming five takes into one story, I thought maybe we’d space things out a bit and do five takes over five days on five important things Sullivan said during that interview.

And we start with his comments about Evgeni Malkin.

Sullivan spoke of his offseason meeting with Malkin and said both sides were happy with how it went. He heaped praise on Malkin and called him “one of the great players of his generation.” And he claimed Malkin doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his accomplishment or skill outside of Pittsburgh.

Sullivan even went so far as to defend his center’s lackluster 2018-19 season and suggested some on the outside of the organization have been too hard on him.

We haven’t.

His 21 goals were his fewest in a season where he played at least 50 games. His 11.2% shooting percentage was his lowest since 2013. His minus-25 was, by far, the worst of his career. His 89 penalty minutes were his most since 2010.

So maybe a lot of that gloss from Sullivan was a build-up to this quote.

“The aspect of his game where we would really like to see him improve is in his own puck management,” Sullivan said. “And that helps us be more difficult to play against.”

That whole “more difficult to play against” refrain from Sullivan gets oversimplified. He pounds that drum often. Like John Bonham playing “The Song Remains the Same.”

We tend to take that to mean the Penguins need to be peskier, like when they had and Tyler Kennedy. Or that they need to hit more often, like when they had Chris Kunitz. Or that they need more fighters like Georges Laraque. Or that they need defensemen who drape themselves all over people like Hal Gill did.

But the more I hear Sullivan talk about that absent aspect of the Penguins’ game, the more I think he means his skaters need to make it harder for the other team to take the puck away. He wants the Penguins to make the other club earn possession back when his guys are in control.

Because the Penguins far too often made dumb decisions with the puck that allowed easy takeaways.

“Where we struggled this past season is that we weren’t difficult enough to play against. A lot of that starts with our puck management,” Sullivan reiterated.

Sullivan pointed out that his team was the worst in the league when it came to allowing odd-man rushes.

“One of the big reasons is the decisions we make with the puck in the critical areas of the rink,” Sullivan continued. “That’s one aspect of the 1149605 Pittsburgh Penguins “Just the guy he was, how long he’s been in the league, for a guy like me to come up and for him to kind of take me under his wing, I was pretty fortunate to have a guy like him,” Guentzel said. “He didn’t need to, but Retiring Matt Cullen: Penguins Stanley Cup runs were ‘the best years’ he went out of his way to help me out. I was pretty lucky.”

Following the back-to-back championships, Cullen played a year in his home state with the Minnesota Wild before returning to the Penguins last JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Wednesday, July 10, 2019 12:19 p.m. season to wrap up a 21-year NHL career.

He finished his career 19th on the NHL’s all-time games played list with 1,516. His final goal came March 31 against Carolina when he was 42 DETAILS years, 149 days old. Cullen by the numbers “I felt like it was only right to retire in Pittsburgh with everything that the 11 — pro teams played for (8 NHL, 2 AHL, 1 Italy) organization had given me and done for me,” Cullen wrote. “I’m so happy I came back and finished my last year in Pittsburgh. I wouldn’t trade that 18 — NHL head coaches played for last year for anything.”

22 — pro seasons Tribune Review LOADED: 07.12.2019 266 — NHL goals (256th all time, tied with Dan Quinn, Keith Primeau and Murray Craven)

731 — NHL points (214th all time)

1,516 — NHL games played (19th all time)

Matt Cullen, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the oldest player to appear in a game for the team, announced his retirement Wednesday at the age of 42.

Cullen made the announcement in a video and essay posted on the team’s website.

“I will spend the rest of my life in awe of how blessed I’ve been,” Cullen said in the video. “It’s hard to believe that this is the end, but here I am.”

Cullen already had played 18 NHL seasons and won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 by the time he signed with the Penguins in 2015, but his time with the team was instrumental in creating his legacy.

The Penguins had gone six years without a championship. General manager Jim Rutherford, about a year into his tenure, was trying to reconfigure the roster into a title contender after a disappointing five- game first-round playoff exit against the New York Rangers.

The marquee move was a trade for Phil Kessel on July 1. The signing of Cullen on Aug. 6 was decidedly under the radar.

Cullen was mulling retirement when Rutherford called.

“I just pinch myself and think about how close it was to not happening,” Cullen wrote. “Those were probably the best years of my whole career and life with the Penguins. Going through all that with (sons Brooks, Wyatt and Joey and wife Bridget) and that group of players, the whole organization, everything was perfect. It was beyond anything I could have ever imagined.”

On the ice, Cullen was a reliable bottom-six center and ace penalty killer who chipped in 29 goals during the championship seasons. Off the ice, he was a respected veteran presence in the locker room.

“Matt was invaluable to us winning championships,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “I think his play speaks for itself in what he was able to do for us on the ice. We used him in so many situations. I moved him up and down the lineup depending on what the needs were for our team, and he embraced every challenge we gave him.

“As far as what he meant to our team off the ice, I can’t say enough about it. He’s just a great teammate. He’s a great person. We looked at Matt as an extension of our coaching staff, and he helped us in so many ways just keep our finger on the pulse of the team so that we could make the best decisions to try to help this team be successful. I have so much respect for Matt as a player and as a person.”

Even in retirement, Cullen’s legacy will continue to grow as the young forwards he guided with the Penguins see their careers play out.

“He helped us along so much,” winger Bryan Rust said. “He’s such a good guy on and off the ice plus the ability to play so long and have such a long career, it kind of shows you what type of pro he is.”

In his retirement announcement, Cullen wrote he remembered seeing play in the Minnesota state high school tournament. With the Penguins, he was a mentor to Guentzel. 1149606 Pittsburgh Penguins There’s no panic in this play. Galchenyuk has his head up and is smooth and deliberate in his decision-making process. As we’ll continue to see in the video, that’s a theme throughout his game.

Alex Galchenyuk’s shot will be a difference-maker for the Penguins I mentioned that Galchenyuk has a lot of power and accuracy behind his shot. Consider those elements and how they tie into patience by looking at the next clip. By Jesse Marshall Jul 11, 2019 Perhaps the biggest element to this goal isn’t the pinpoint accuracy or the sheer strength of the release; it’s Galchneyuk’s initial inaction when he receives this puck. Again, that touch of patience makes all the difference Let’s start with the obvious yet absolutely necessary disclaimer that Alex here. He is waiting for the screen here. Watch how it plays out from over Galchenyuk is not Phil Kessel. his shoulder. He doesn’t shoot the puck until the screen is fully in place. That should be clear whether you look at point per game totals or the From the moment the puck hits his blade, Galchenyuk is heads up, outright lack of hot dog related memes unleashed upon the internet with staring at the net, waiting for his next move. That’s not even to speak of Galchenyuk’s arrival in Pittsburgh via trade from Arizona. the sheer amount of force he puts behind this thing, leaving no doubt as But Galenchyuk is bringing one Kessel-like element to Pittsburgh with to where this puck is going. him: a dangerous and versatile shot that will be more potent when paired Perhaps the biggest element to his shot is his one-timer. It’s the secret next to a generational talent like Evgeni Malkin. sauce to the Galchenyuk goal-scoring hamburger. One-timers are a big Before we take a closer look at Galchenyuk’s shot, let’s talk about the element to his game overall, whether that be threading cross-ice passes potential symbiosis that might exist in a potential Galchenyuk/Malkin to set up teammates, or taking them himself. partnership. For a frame of reference, we’re going to head to Corey A big part of Galchenyuk’s success with one-timers comes from his quick Snzajder’s project All Three Zones, as visualized by CJ Turturo, to approach. We’ve all seen NHL forwards squander one-time opportunities compare the playing styles of Malkin and Galchenyuk and see how they by taking that extra second or two before shooting, settling the puck could seemingly benefit one another. down to make themselves more comfortable while simultaneously giving A few things stand out here. Both Galchenyuk and Malkin are among the the goaltender that extra moment to get over and make a save. NHL’s elite with regards to their ability to cross the offensive blue line Galchenyuk releases the puck quickly and with a whipping shot motion with possession of the puck. This is a critical element to generating that lets the stick do the majority of the work. What makes this a lethal scoring chances and shots off of the rush. Mike Sullivan has routinely one-timer is the quick-strike motion Galchenyuk uses as he makes called for the Penguins star players to take initiative and avoid deferring, contact with the puck. something Malkin was accused of in his partnership with Kessel. While Galchenyuk and Malkin excel at carrying the puck across the blue line, It’s almost as if Galchenyuk just sweeps the puck into the net. The Galchenyuk is less likely to carry the puck out of the defensive zone primary focus above all is making sure the puck spends the least amount himself, putting Malkin in the driver’s seat of the breakout and giving him of time on his stick as possible. I know this seems contradictory to the opportunity to lead the rush. That is exactly what the Penguins boasting about his patient approach moments ago, but the last thing you management team has been yearning for. want to be patient with is a one-timer. If Galchenyuk is taking a wrist shot, he’ll wait for an entire season to change if necessary. With one- Ultimately, Malkin’s ability to contribute to shots, either by taking them timers, it’s a strictly business approach that pays off more often than not. himself or setting up a shot directly with a pass, is in the 100th percentile of the NHL (listed as “shot contributions” in the above visualization), The next clip is another perfect example of that approach in action. making Malkin one of the standard-bearers of the league in that category. There’s a balance here with Galchenyuk on the wing, as he comes in the Take a look at Galchenyuk’s motion on this. He takes a quick whip at this 80th percentile of forwards in his ability to contribute to shots in his own puck, and it launches to the top corner from an off-kilter shot. right. Galchenyuk’s left knee is the key piece to all of this. He bends it in advance of the shot, giving himself a low base, making it easier to get The idea of Galchenyuk and Malkin playing give-and-go and creating flex off of his stick by striking the surface of the ice in the process of shot opportunities for each other doesn’t seem that far-fetched, based on taking his shot. the data. While Galchenyuk’s game is described as milquetoast by some, I think that largely ignores some of the things he can do when he has the That bends the stick, turning it into a slingshot as it releases the puck. All puck on his stick. of that pent up flex is released as the puck comes off the blade, allowing the stick to do the majority of Galchenyuk’s work for him. Galchenyuk’s shot is versatile and boasts a lot of critical components that make it dangerous. It’s a multi-faceted attack bolstered by patience and a The critical component to all of this is Galchenyuk’s ability to create at heads-up style of play. In watching his performance last year, his wrist even strength. It simply has to be there in order to play meaningful shot was scoring goals in a variety of fashions that are worth taking a minutes on the Malkin line. Glachenyuk has not scored more than nine closer look at. goals at even strength at any point of the last three years and has accumulated only 65 even strength points during that time. Let’s start with the patience piece before we dive into mechanics. I mentioned earlier Galchenyuk was formerly a center. He still exhibits a His prior experiences with elite players have mostly come from his time in lot of these tendencies in the defensive zone, perhaps something that will Montreal. Galchenyuk spent 509 career minutes playing alongside benefit him playing alongside Malkin, who has a tendency to freelance Jonathan Drouin, his best run of ice time with a talented center. In the and take chances. case of Drouin, Galchenyuk acted as a bit of an anchor. The chemistry wasn’t there, and Drouin’s ability to control shots and scoring chances In this clip, Galchenyuk is engaged in a puck battle on his off-wing, and dropped more than 5 percent when aligned with Galchenyuk. he follows the play to his natural side of the ice to put himself in a prime position to grab a loose puck. He’s thinking like a center here. He covers Noting where Galchenyuk’s strengths are and how Malkin prefers to the gap, is rewarded for his decision making, and heads in on Capitals distribute the puck in the offensive zone makes this a partnership that goaltender Philipp Grubauer in a one-on-one situation. Notice how could produce some great results. Galchenyuk has the tools. Those tools Galchenyuk out-waits Grubauer in this situation. enabled him to produce 19 even strength goals in the 2015-16 season with the Canadiens. Galchenyuk doesn’t shoot on his way in here despite keeping a low base and a bit of a shooters posture. Because he has his head up the entire If there’s anyone who can get him back to that number as a left wing, it’s way in, he can see that Grubauer is on top of the crease. There’s not a Malkin. That might be a requisite for the Penguins to continue to boast lot of room for a shot here. Galchenyuk’s speed and drive to the goal two elite level lines moving forward. push Grubauer deeper into the crease, allowing Galchenyuk to cut The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 across it and go backhand. 1149607 San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks re-sign two restricted free agents

Forwards Dylan Gambrell and Antti Suomela both re-sign with Sharks

By Jon Becker | Bay Area News Group

SAN JOSE — The Sharks signed two more of their restricted free-agent forwards Thursday, giving Dylan Gambrell a two-year contract extension and Antti Suomela a one-year deal.

Gambrell, San Jose’s second-round draft pick in 2016, played just eight games with the Sharks this past season. He became just the second Sharks player ever to score his first NHL goal in the playoffs when he scored in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final against the St. Louis Blues. Marcel Goc — in 2004 — was the first Shark to tally his first goal in the postseason.

Suomela, signed in 2018 as a free agent out of Finland, made the Sharks’ roster out of training camp last October and had three goals and five assists in 27 NHL games before he was reassigned to the Barracuda. The 25-year-old led the Liiga in scoring two years ago with 60 points in 59 games and, along with Gambrell, could be a source of offense.

Thursday’s signings leave the Sharks with three remaining restricted free agents: defensemen Nick DeSimone and Kyle Wood and forward Maxim Letunov.

The Sharks also have Joe Thornton’s deal still to be completed, but the 40-year-old unrestricted free agent’s contract is just a formality.

In addition, San Jose could still work out a deal with Patrick Marleau. The franchise’s all-time leading scorer has expressed interest in returning to the Sharks after being bought out by the Carolina Hurricanes last month.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149608 San Jose Sharks “I lost three (teeth), a fourth was sawed off at the gum, one cracked and one was loose. There were a good six affected,” Pavelski said.

Did he save those teeth? Joe Pavelski on Sharks exit: ‘Our heart definitely was with San Jose’ “I did for a day or two,” he responed. “Some people said, ‘You should Dallas Stars-bound forward first will compete for celebrity golf have saved them.’ ” championship at Lake Tahoe If anything, they would have made for a heck of a ball marker on the Edgewood greens this weekend.

By Cam Inman San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 07.12.2019

STATELINE, Nev. – Joe Pavelski is still missing a couple lower teeth. A couple others are damaged. The replacement process is still at least a few months out to repair the damage from using his mouth to score the San Jose Sharks’ first goal in the final playoff push of his 13-year tenure.

“It’s just part of it,” Pavelski said nonchalantly about the price he’s paid trying to bring San Jose its first Stanley Cup.

With free agency recently vaulting him to the Dallas Stars, Pavelski does have one more chance to experience relatively local love this weekend and vie for a championship – at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.

He tied for third last year as Tony Romo dethroned three-time reigning champion Mark Mulder.

“At 15-to-1 (odds), I like my chances, if I can hit the ball the way I did last year,” Pavelski said.

He and the Sharks liked each other so much for so many years that they had an amicable parting. The Sharks recently took out a full-page ad in this newspaper to thank Pavelski, and he’s relayed his appreciation, too.

“What I’m going to miss the most is probably the bond I have with the fans there,” Pavelski said. “You don’t go somewhere for 13 years and not have strong relationships around the community. We’ve got life-long friends now outside of hockey.

“I’m also going to miss obviously skating out of that Sharks’ head (in pregame introductions) and the playoff games in The Tank.”

Pavelski, a Wisconsin native, fondly reflected on all the various homes he had while calling San Jose, well, home.

“The first year was in a hotel, the second year in an apartment, then we figured, ‘Let’s try buying a house,’ ” Pavelski said. “We lived in the first house on Hicks Avenue for five years, then the kid came and we just moved a mile down the street. The house was awesome, and so were the neighbors.”

His 4,400-square-foot home in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood is on the market for $3.6 million. He’s leaving it in his wake after signing a three-year, $21 million to relocate to Dallas.

“It was a decision that was extremely difficult, for all of us, myself and our family,” Pavelski said.

“Our heart definitely was with San Jose. But when certain things didn’t match up, we started the process, and what an interesting process it was for me going through (free agency) the first time.”

Pavelski’s final postseason in San Jose produced compelling drama. Yes, there was that teeth-rattling first goal against the Vegas Golden Knights. Then came the scary, Game 7 concussion and his teammates’ improbable comeback.

Pavelski produced a goal and an assist in his return to spark a series- opening win over Colorado. “I still look at that goal, and coming back, it was emotionally,” he recalled. “The adrenaline I had skating out in warmups was real, and scoring that goal is one I will cherish. It was special.”

The Sharks’ championship hopes eventually were extinguished in the Western Conference finals, and so was Pavelski’s tenure.

“It’s tough to leave a team when you believe they have a chance to win as well, but we found a great home in Dallas,” Pavelski said.

His mangled mouth from that playoff-opening goal serves as a reminder of his grit as the Sharks’ captain. 1149609 San Jose Sharks DeSimone, 24, is yet to make his NHL debut but scored 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists) in 65 AHL games last season. The right-shooting defenseman, whom the Sharks signed as an undrafted free agent in Sharks re-sign young centers Dylan Gambrell, Antti Suomela to contracts 2017, tied for sixth among AHL blue liners in points and seventh in goals, and was recalled in a couple of instances when the Sharks needed an extra defenseman due to injuries. The Sharks re-signed and signed Dalton Prout to one-year deals, so the right side of defense By Marcus White July 11, 2019 5:17 PM appears set behind Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson. But, DeSimone could be in the mix for an in-season call-up.

The Sharks continued to fill out their roster for next season Thursday, re- Wood and Letunov, 23, both are coming off of their first seasons with the signing a pair of restricted free-agent forwards who could be in the mix Barracuda. Both players were acquired in separate trades with the for more playing time next season and reportedly locking up their Arizona Coyotes, and Wood scored 35 points (six goals, 29 assists) from remainder of their restricted free agents as well. the Barracuda's blue line last season. Letunov, who played three seasons at the University of Connecticut, scored 28 points (12 goals, 16 San Jose re-signed forwards Dylan Gambrell and Antti Suomela to two- assists) in his first pro season last year. and one-year contracts, respectively, Sharks general manager announced Thursday. They reportedly also signed blue liners With all players reportedly locked in for the league-minimum salary, the Nick DeSimone and Kyle Wood, as well as forward Maxim Letunov, Sharks mantain salary-cap flexibility no matter how their training-camp according to Cap Friendly. competitions shake out. With each of his restricted free agents now under contract, Wilson can shift his attention to re-signing Joe Thornton. The #Sharks have also re-signed defenseman Nick DeSimone to a two- year contract worth a total of 1.4M (two-way).https://t.co/m5Wi8hwA2o San Jose currently has just under $4.7 million remaining in cap space, according to Cap Friendly. Thornton's contract was worth $5 million last — CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 11, 2019 season, but Wilson said the 39-year-old was willing to take less than he ultimately signed for in each of the last two years if it meant the Sharks The #Sharks have also signed defenseman Kyle Wood and forward retained Patrick Marleau in 2017 and signed John Tavares in 2018. Maxim Letunov. Both players are signed to a one-year contract with an Marleau is now a free agent after the Carolina Hurricanes bought out the AAV of $700,000 (two-way). final year of his contract following a trade from the cap-crunched Toronto The #Sharks have now signed all of their RFAs to Maple Leafs, and the Sharks would appear to have enough room to contracts.https://t.co/k3NfSyfH6M reunite Marleau and Thornton.

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 11, 2019 Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.12.2019

The Sharks did not disclose contract terms for Gambrell and Suomela, per club policy, but each deal reportedly is worth $700,000 annually, Bay Area News Group's Curtis Pashelka reported.

AAV for both the Gambrell and Suomela deals are $700k (new NHL minimum). Should be an interesting camp for both. #SJSharks

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) July 11, 2019

Gambrell's contract reportedly is a two-way deal -- meaning he will be played less if sent down to the minors -- in the first year and a one-way in the second, according to Fear the Fin's Sheng Peng.

Full details of Gambrell's contract: Can confirm @CurtisPashelka's tweet, AAV is indeed $700K in each of next 2 years. Lower than Gambrell's QO ($874K), so it's even more cap savings for #SJSharks. It's a 2-way contract in the first year, a 1-way in the second year

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) July 11, 2019

Gambrell, 22, played eight regular-season games with the Sharks in 2018-19 and two more in the playoffs. He scored his first NHL goal in Game 6 of the Western Conference final against the St. Louis Blues, and should be in the mix for a regular role on the fourth line following San Jose's offseason departures up front. A second-round pick in 2016, Gambrell also scored 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists) in 40 games with the AHL's .

"Dylan had success at the AHL level with the Barracuda this past season, helping to lead the league's youngest team to another Calder Cup playoff berth," Wilson said in a statement. "He has continued to show us growth in all areas of his game, and, with his goal in Game 6 of the Western Conference final, has proven he can handle the pressure of the NHL. We look forward to his continued development, and the impact he will have on the Sharks."

Suomela, 25, ended training camp last season as the Sharks' presumptive third-line center, flanked by Joonas Donskoi and Evander Kane. The Finnish forward played in 27 of the Sharks' first 30 games and scored eight points (three goals, five assists), but was sent down to the Barracuda on Dec. 11 and did not return to the NHL. He scored 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 34 AHL games.

"Antti will be looking to build off of his first year in North America and we are excited to see where he takes his game this coming season," Wilson said in a statement. "He has shown that he can adjust his game to the smaller rink and we are looking forward to him competing for a spot on our NHL roster this season." 1149610 San Jose Sharks

NHL free-agency review: How LA Kings stack up in Pacific Division

By Chelena Goldman July 11, 2019 10:26 AM

Editor’s note: NHL free agency was fast and furious, and the moves that teams did (and did not) make set the tone for next season. All week, we’ll examine the Sharks’ Pacific Division rivals, and whether their free- agency approach put them in better, worse or the same position. Today, we dive into the LA Kings.

There's no way to sugarcoat it: The Kings took a serious nosedive last season into the cellar of the Western Conference.

With a dismal record both at home and on the road --and only winning month in the entire season -- it's no wonder their rivalry with the Sharks lacked so much oomph last season.

But LA is moving on from that, tapping San Jose's former coach Todd McLellan to stand behind their bench and making steps towards a rebuild. But have they done enough so far this offseason to signal a turnaround?

Here's a look at what the Kings have done since free agency opened up on July 1.

Players who signed

The Kings have added some pieces so far this offseason, although nothing that will fully change the look of the team.

LA got its biggest boost a week after the market opened when they re- signed RFA Alex Iafallo to a two-year deal. The 25-year-old was a rare player on the Kings' roster that improved his game last season and is expected to take on an even bigger role in the 2019-20 season.

The Kings also tried adding depth to their lineup by signing former Red Wings' forward Martin Frk and former Sharks d-man to one- year contracts. Neither player posted many points with their respective clubs last season, so it isn't entirely clear if they'll thrive on a new team.

Players who left

The Kings bought out the rest of Dion Phaneuf's contract in June, and the 34-year-old defenseman reportedly has received offers from other teams since the market opened. The loss shouldn't affect LA a ton , considering Phaneuf didn't produce much during his two campaigns there.

They did lose some depth, however, with winger Brendan Leipsic going to the Capitals on a one-year deal. How the team plans to fill in pieces of their lineup still remains to be seen.

There's a possibility there will be more moves on the horizon, since the Kings only have $9,440,606 in cap space and a couple of players due to hit free agency after next season. They could move Kings staple Tyler Toffoli, who often is mentioned in trade rumors and is coming off of a down season.

Better, worse, or the same?

So far, the Kings haven't done much since the market opened to signal any major change to the team. Even with the few tweaks, the core of the team is still very much intact.

While there's still plenty of time for LA to make more adjustments to its roster, the lack of flexibility under the cap could make that difficult. And if the bulk of the team is staying together, it doesn't appear that there will be any significant changes to how they perform in the Pacific Division next season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149611 San Jose Sharks

Former Shark Joe Pavelski selling San Jose mansion for $3.6 million

By Jessica Kleinschmidt July 11, 2019 7:00 AM

Joe Pavelski said goodbye to the Sharks after a 13-year stint with the team and is heading to the Dallas Stars on a three-year deal.

With Pavs' relocation, it means out with the old and in with the new. The old being his 4,400-square-foot mansion in San Jose's affluent Willow Glen neighborhood, of course.

After originally purchasing the house in 2013 for $2.7 million, Pavelski is hoping to sell the five bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom home located in a quiet cul-de-sac.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149612 San Jose Sharks The most logical move here might be to see how the defense pairs play out this season. Keep in mind that when Karlsson was playing his best hockey of the season, it was with Dillon at his side. Throughout An early look at the Sharks’ 2020 unrestricted free agents Karlsson’s run of at least one point in 17 of 20 games from Dec. 2 to Jan. 16, he started each and every one of them with Dillon as his partner. If those two can recreate the chemistry they had this season and for a longer period of time, then it would be really tough to see Dillon walk next By Kevin Kurz Jul 11, 2019 summer.

On the other hand, if Vlasic slots in alongside Karlsson, and Burns and In addition to it being a crazy-friendly team deal, Kevin Labanc’s one- Simek are reunited, that makes Dillon a third pair defenseman — and $4 year, $1 million extension signed on Monday was also a reminder that million for that role is just too much. the Sharks should have an ample amount of salary-cap space in less Tim Heed ($960,000 cap hit) than one year’s time. Surely part of the reason that Labanc is betting on himself to have a strong 2019-20 is that he knows the Sharks will be able After the Justin Braun trade to Philadelphia, it looked like Heed would get to give him a much bigger multi-year deal than they could have this a real chance to play in a top-six role on a regular basis. Then the Sharks summer. signed Dalton Prout to a one-way contract shortly after re-upping Heed, and considering that DeBoer has never seemed to be a huge fan of The Sharks currently have seven players on their potential 2019-20 Heed, my guess is he starts the season in the press box as the seventh roster with expiring contracts who are pending unrestricted free agents: defenseman. , Lukas Radil, Brenden Dillon, Tim Heed, Dalton Prout, Radim Simek and Aaron Dell. Combined, they take up approximately Still, considering the Sharks have just their big three defensemen signed $10.3 million of the 2019-20 salary cap. past this season, perhaps Heed can finally establish himself as an NHL regular and parlay it into a better contract next summer. If he doesn’t, it Even if all that money were to come off of the books, though, there will probably makes sense for him to move on. still be some very long and very expensive deals past this season. According to CapFriendly, the Sharks have committed a sizable $61.3 Dalton Prout ($800,000 cap hit) million to just 10 players in 2020-21. That includes eight players carrying at least a $5.625 million salary-cap hit, not including Labanc, of course, We’ll see what the Sharks have in the 29-year-old Prout, a big and tough who will again be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and could depth defenseman who doesn’t have all that much skill. His future with be in line for a nice raise himself if he keeps improving. the Sharks will obviously depend on his performance primarily, but if Dillon ends up moving on, the Sharks might want to keep him around to Depending on what transpires over the next 11 months, and what the help replace Dillon’s size and toughness. Still, Prout only played 20 2020-21 salary cap will be, it could be tricky for general manager Doug games in the NHL last season with Calgary, so we first need to find out if Wilson to fill out the roster. We won’t pretend to know what his plan is for he’s an NHL regular at this stage of his career. a season that’s 16 months away, but we can still take a look at those expiring contracts/pending unrestricted free agents the Sharks have on Radim Simek ($675,000 cap hit) the books for the upcoming 2019-20 season. Of all the pending UFAs, Simek, in my mind, is the most likely to be here Some of them will probably be back. Some of them surely will not. beyond this season. Even though he’s coming off of a significant right knee injury that cut short his rookie season, Simek is considered a big Melker Karlsson ($2 million cap hit) part of the Sharks’ future with his ability to play smart, tough and physical hockey. He and Burns developed a palpable chemistry since he made Many Sharks fans look at Karlsson’s salary for the upcoming season and his NHL debut on Dec. 2, and his absence was felt in the weeks after his would love to be able to clear that money now to try and ink a more injury, too. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if the Sharks productive scoring winger instead, and I get it, but I would be mildly extended Simek at some point before training camp begins in surprised if that happened. Pete DeBoer likes the energetic, hard- September. It might be best to do it sooner than later before he working 28-year-old, due to Karlsson’s generally responsible play and potentially becomes much more expensive. versatility. Aaron Dell ($1.9 million cap hit) But if Melker is looking for another contract similar to the previous one he signed in San Jose — three years and $6 million — I have a hard time This is a vitally important season for Dell. If he plays like he did in the first seeing him stay with the Sharks. If he’s willing to take less then perhaps two years of his NHL career, there will probably be a place for him on an there’s a deal to be made, but as things stand right now my guess is it’s NHL roster past this season. If he puts up the numbers he did in 2018- more likely than not that this is his last season in teal. 19, he’ll likely be out of a job or somewhere in the minors.

Lukas Radil ($700,000 cap hit) Regardless, it’s difficult to see Dell in teal past this season. The Sharks have several goalies in the pipeline in Josef Korenar, Andrew Shortridge Wilson knew that if he was going to sign top priorities Erik Karlsson and and Zach Emond, and Korenar is signed through 2020-21 — he could Timo Meier over the summer that it was going to take up a significant even be penciled in as the backup two seasons from now as long as he chunk of cap space. That’s why inking guys like Radil to cheap deals for continues to improve with the AHL Barracuda this season. As for Dell, he the 2019-20 season was important, because the Sharks would need might even have to fight for his current job in training camp, as Antoine some forwards to fill out the roster. Radil signed his one-year, one-way Bibeau also remains in the organization. deal on Jan. 6, and he’s all but assured to be on the team for the season- opener in Vegas on Oct. 2. The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 It will be interesting to see how he’s utilized. While Radil had some nice moments his rookie year, he wasn’t able to do much when DeBoer played him up in the lineup. We’ll see how he does this season, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the same sort of situation arises where Radil signs another inexpensive one-year deal at some point just because the Sharks might need guys of his ilk for depth.

Brenden Dillon ($3.27 million cap hit)

Dillon is probably the most interesting case among this group. In a perfect world (aka one with no salary cap) the Sharks would almost certainly love to extend the 28-year-old who seems to keep improving every season. But that salary is a problem for a team that already has Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic as part of the most expensive blue line in the NHL, and a Dillon extension could very well cost them at least $4 million annually. 1149613 St Louis Blues

Blues win 'best comeback' ESPY; O'Reilly pulls out tooth during acceptance speech

By Dan Caesar St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Blues pulled off a miraculous rally this season, soaring from the fewest points in the National Hockey League in early January to winning the Stanley Cup last month.

The feat was commemorated Wednesday night at the ESPY ceremony in Los Angeles, televised on ABC, as the team was the recipient of the “best comeback” award. (ESPY is short for “Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly.”)

Ryan O’Reilly, the MVP of the Stanley Cup Final, accepted the honor while accompanied on the stage by several teammates. And he had a rousing start to his speech.

“Before I speak I gotta take my tooth out so I don’t spit on any of the celebs in the front row,” he said before yanking out one of his front teeth —presumably a false tooth. “OK, I think we’re good now,” he added and displayed a wide gap-toothed grin.

He thanked the team’s supporters.

Ahead of the ESPYS, Cabbie caught up with numerous athletes on the red carpet, including members of the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues a…

“Big thanks to the fans of St. Louis,” he said. “There was some dark times this year and they stuck with us. They kept buying tickets and supporting us and eventually we got things going and turned it around.”

He also saluted Laila Anderson, the 11-year-old Blues fan who is battling a rare, life-threatening disease and whose resolve became a rallying point for the team.

“Someone who I really want to mention here, which is kind of our story — I think I can speak for all of us — she’s a true inspiration and that’s Laila Anderson,” O’Reilly said. “She’s been through so much these last few years and her spirit and the way she … just keeps fighting, she’s an example for us. And she taught us so much.

“We got a chance to share the Stanley Cup with her. But we just want to say this is another thing we get to add to it and share with her. Thank you all. It’s been a heck of a ride. On behalf of the St. Louis Blues, thanks everyone. Thank you.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149614 St Louis Blues me like, ‘I couldn’t do it, man. I was watching him move and watching you tattoo, and I don’t know how you did that.'”

Karraker went with the Blue Note, along with the Stanley Cup and the Champ stamp: Blues fans keep their word by getting Stanley Cup tattoos Arch, because of his love for the community.

“It is the Blues, but it’s the St. Louis Blues, especially with the ownership By Jeremy Rutherford Jul 11, 2019 now, and especially when you got to that parade and saw how St. Louis was so galvanized,” he said. “It was really important for me to get the Arch and obviously the Stanley Cup, so that’s my homage to St. Louis. It’s exactly what I would’ve wanted. Even if I go back eight years and When Zach Sanford scored the Blues’ fourth goal in Game 7 of the envision the tattoo that I talked about, this would be it.” Stanley Cup final, the goal light at TD Garden in Boston and the phone at Iron Age Tattoo in University City, Mo., both lit up. Canoy called it an “awesome story,” particularly because it was Karraker’s first tattoo. “Even before the series started, everybody in the shop was saying, ‘If we win, those tattoos, there’s going to be a lot,'” said Iron Age manager “I really had no idea how big of a deal it was until he was in there, and Haley Fields, whose crew was watching the game on an iPad. “Honestly, then it became apparent,” Canoy said. “For me, I have to separate the I was getting calls with like five minutes left (in the game), people asking story from the tattoo most of the time. Everybody has a story about their if we were taking walk-ins the next day or if we had any appointments tattoo and it’s my job to create a good piece of artwork, so I have to available. Then when we won, I had phone calls like off the hook around separate the meaning. But him getting that tattoo and it being his first 10 (p.m.) as we were trying to close.” one, it was a great story. I didn’t realize how much he had been talking about it, and it became very clear how big it really was.” The next day, Iron Age did 20 tattoos and about 15 of them commemorated the Blues’ first championship in their 52-year history. The moment other Blues fans got their tattoos, such as Steve Davis, 34, Now a month later, the parlor has done an estimated 150 team-related were also years in the making. tattoos. He became a diehard fan in the mid-1990s, later listening to games on “We’re still doing a ton,” Fields said. “We have a corkboard in the back the internet then attending dozens more. In 2006, at age 21, he got his that we use for reminders and drawings, and that whole board has been first tattoo, which featured the World Series-champion St. Louis overtaken by Blues tattoos. Some people are getting the Stanley Cup, Cardinals, then held out for the Blues. the Arch, the St. Louis skyline … a lot of them have been repeats, but it’s just a good, traditional design that will forever be classic.” “I’m not doing anything with the Blues until they win a Stanley Cup,” he told himself. “To be honest, there’s been so much heartache. I felt like There has been a similar uptick at other tattoo parlors in the St. Louis Charlie Brown, just waiting for them to pull the football out from me at the area, particularly among patrons who have been promising they’d get a end. It’s hard to pinpoint a moment when I actually thought the Blues tattoo whenever the Blues won the Stanley Cup. Recently, we found a were going to freaking do it.” few who stuck to their word, got the story behind their fandom and asked what went into their artwork. Davis felt different about this year, but didn’t want to jinx it by picking out a design before the Blues won the Cup. The Athletic’s coverage of the Blues’ Stanley Cup win “I think everybody has had some ideas in their head of what they’re Randy Karraker, 56, has been a St. Louis sports talk-show host for thinking about, but I refused to do anything serious about the design until decades and a self-proclaimed Blues fan even longer. He currently co- after Game 7,” he said. hosts The Fast Lane on 101 ESPN, where his allegiance is obvious when discussing the club. With the Blues in Boston for Game 7, Davis attended the team’s watch party at Enterprise Center, and after celebrating in the streets afterward, “I am essentially a fan with access, and I express my emotions on the he couldn’t sleep when he got home. He had two thoughts: go to the air,” he said. airport and meet the team, or get some sleep, wake up early and get a tattoo. He went to bed. That’s actually how Karraker’s tattoo came about, with him bemoaning the fact back in 2011 that the Blues would not make the playoffs. “But I woke up thinking to myself, there’s no way that I’m going to find somebody to get a tattoo, because if you know anything about getting “It was typical Randy, ‘Woe is me,'” he said. “I said, ‘If the Blues ever win tattoos, you can’t just call somebody and they slap a tattoo on your a Stanley Cup, I’ll get a tattoo,’ and it became a thing. Michelle Smallmon back,” Davis said. “Usually you make an appointment and come back, was our producer at the time, and every year we would get toward the and it’s a week-long process. But I picked up the phone, and I called playoffs and she would say, ‘This is the year, this is the year,’ and that Saint Charles Tattoo because it was the first one that opened. I called got the listeners excited. five minutes before they opened because I’m going to be that guy, and I “I honestly did not ever think that I would have to get this tattoo. I kid you not, like a scene out of a movie, a guy by the name of ‘Wolfman’ honestly never thought that in my lifetime the Blues would win the picks up the phone and says, ‘Thanks for calling Saint Charles Tattoo,’ Stanley Cup. But a radio show is a community, and especially when and when he stops talking, all I hear in the background is ‘Gloria.’ I’m you’re asking them to buy things on the air, you have to pay up, you have like, ‘Oh wow!’ to be honest. So, I have the tattoo.” “I said, ‘I know this is like a shot in the dark, but is there any possible way On June 24, as Karraker prepared to go on the air at 3 p.m. CT, Dave that you’d be interested in tattooing a Blues tattoo on me for the Stanley Canoy at InkSpot in St. Peters prepped him for a tattoo on live radio. Cup?’ And he says, ‘Brother, as long as I’m sure you’ve been waiting for Karraker started with a stick microphone, but quickly had to change to a this tattoo, I’ve been waiting to give this tattoo to somebody.'” headset. If Davis could come up with a design, Wolfman would create an opening “I move when I talk, and I realized that, ‘OK, he’s putting a thing that’s at 2 p.m. He liked the Washington Capitals’ concept from 2018 with the going to last my entire life on my back and I’m moving around, so this U.S. Capitol building, but obviously wanted the Arch and the St. Louis isn’t a very smart deal,'” Karraker said. “So I got a headset and tried to skyline. stay as still and as calm as I could while I was talking during the course “But I didn’t want to get greedy,” Davis said. “Blues tattoos are not easy, of the show.” and the more complicated it is, the harder it is for somebody to do, so I Canoy, who has tatted up broadcaster Joe Buck and former St. Louis just asked him for the Arch. But when I showed up, he showed me the Cardinal David Freese, worked on Karraker from 3 to 6:45 p.m., giving design that had the whole skyline, and before he could even tell me how himself 15 minutes to spare before the end of the show. much it cost, I was like, ‘Let’s do it!'”

“It was challenging,” Canoy said. “Normally there’s talking, however Davis’ tattoo took five hours, and while Wolfman was drawing the Stanley Randy is pretty animated when he’s talking, so his body was moving Cup on his new customer’s back, the real Cup was at OB Clark’s sports quite a bit. That was definitely difficult because there are no erasers in bar. tattooing. I have a young artist here who’s new, and he was looking at “That’s why I missed the OB Clark’s party,” he said. “So I missed the “Throughout the season, O’Reilly was the backbone of the team,” he airport because I was sleeping, and I missed the OB Clark’s party said. “Before (Jordan) Binnington came in, who was our main guy? He because I was getting my tattoo. All my buddies were blowing me up, played outstanding and played every single game. He’s got great asking where the hell I was, but I told them I had something better to do.” character … great leader.”

Davis’ wife approved of the tattoo, though not necessarily of the $500 Bonnie O’Reilly, Ryan’s mother, loved it, too, when the picture was sent cost. But after planning to attend Game 6 against the Bruins, which could to her. have cost upward of $2,500, he told her “it cost $2,000 less than tickets, and she said, ‘That’s fair!'” “That’s awesome,” she emailed.

Cody Filben, 26, started following the Blues prior to the 2004-05 lockout, “She’s probably dumbfounded,” Fuegner laughed. “That’s great.” and instead of turning him off, the season-long stoppage actually led to Guys aren’t the only getting Blues Stanley Cup tattoos. A pair of Brittanys him getting hooked. — Brittany Dennis and Brittany Creech — are also sporting new tats.

“I missed it,” he said. Dennis, 22, whose phone case says “Hockey Queen,” says her dad, Filben has been watching ever since and told himself that when the Mitchell, got her involved in the sport at a young age, taking her to Blues won the Cup, he’d add the art to his shoulder. Like the others, games. when attending games earlier this season, he didn’t think this would be “My brother (Brandon) used to win those contests where you get to fist- the year. bump the players,” she said. “The first time I did it, I was like three or four “We went to the game against Toronto, the 11th game of the 11-game and had to stand up on a chair.” winning streak, and we thought, ‘Well, this will be the highlight of the Dennis got her first Blues tattoo when she was 18, but says she’s “been season,'” Filben said. “But it was one of those things where it started saving my right arm for the Cup.” She wanted to get the tattoo the day looking like they were going to be good, and you’re like, ‘Well, maybe I’ll after they beat the Bruins, but Iron Age was booked, so she got it last start entertaining the idea of the tattoo.’ But I never expected it to be so Monday. The Cup design with the Arch and skyline was done on her right soon. The worst-to-first story, you’re like, ‘OK, it was meant to be, you shoulder by Jason James. have to get the tattoo now.'” “I’ve always been known as the ‘Crazy girl Blues fan,’ but to have This was going to be Filben’s first tattoo, and he wanted it to be special. something forever is pretty neat,” Dennis said. He went to Steel and Ink Tattoo Studio in St. Louis, where the artist was Derrick Wagner. The permanent tattoo isn’t as difficult to comprehend as the Blues actually winning the Cup. “I always thought about getting something that would reflect the city you grew up in, so I got the Arch in there,” Filben said. “But it’s kind of nice to “I don’t think it actually hit until the 4th of July,” Dennis said. “I was driving have the words ‘Stanley Cup champions’ in there. The Blue Note was the down Highway 30 and listening to Gloria, and I just started crying. I’m like roughest part. That’s where you start thinking, ‘Oh, how long is this going ‘Oh my gosh, it’s real.’ So now every time I watch a highlight video, I just to take?’ Your body parts start falling asleep and you have to stand up.” started tearing up.”

Cody Philben is one of several St. Louisans to receive a Blues Stanley Creech, 21, also grew up going to games with her dad and has done Cup tattoo. (The Athletic) some modeling for the Blues’ team store, but the idea for her tattoo developed only in the last few months. In April, she posted a tweet to her Filben’s tattoo also took about 3-4 hours and he dropped $400-500, but Twitter followers, which are now up to about 118,000, that she would get he’s glad he got it, especially when people notice it in public. a specific tattoo if the Blues won the Cup.

“A lot of parents, they’ll point it out to their kids,” he said. “People ask if “I felt so good about the team, and I was like, ‘If the Blues win, I’m going it’s real. I’m like, ‘Yes, it’s very real.’ They think it’s like a sticker, and I’m to get that tattoo’ … just kind of like as a joke,” Creech said. “But not ready to peel it off yet. It’s kind of nice, if I went to another city, immediately when I sent it out, people were replying, ‘We’re going to hold people would know where I came from. It’s nice paying homage to St. you to this.’ Obviously once we got to the Cup, they were like, ‘You have Louis.” to do it now.’ During Game 7, whenever I would check my phone, I would Andrew Fuegner, 30, remembers being carried into the old Arena on his have five new tweets that said that.” father Kurt’s shoulders. In 2007, the family bought season tickets and Creech immediately sent Fields, the manger at Iron Age and a close has had them ever since. friend, a message asking if she could get the tattoo the next day.

“I fell in love with hockey,” he said. “I ended up playing some high school “When she tweeted (in April), I replied to her right away and said, ‘Well, hockey and then went on to play a little bit of college hockey at Missouri you better come see me at my work if you’re going to do it,” Fields said. State.” “But I kind of forgot about it, and then as soon as we won, she texted me, Fuegner remembers that he was about 13 or 14 — “that rebel age,” he and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, you’re actually going to do it?’ I honestly didn’t said — when the idea of a Blues tattoo first entered his mind. believe she was going to do it.”

“I always told myself, if they ever win, I’m going to get something,” he Creech had the tattoo done by Iron Age’s Morgan Griffin. said. “I didn’t know what I was going to get. I knew I wanted the Blues’ “I have a large following who holds me to what I say, so I was like, ‘Well I logo, and I knew I wanted the Cup.” have to do it now,'” Creech said.

After the Blues beat Boston, Fuegner knew that he would be following She insists that the tattoo has nothing to do with Binnington, per se, and through on that, but he was even more committed after seeing his dad’s more to do with the Blues. reaction at the parade. “Once Binnington really started hitting that streak and pretty much turning “That was something I was waiting to see,” Fuegner said. “We were right things around for everyone, I feel like the most common phrase I heard up against the rail, right on Market Street, and (Ryan) O’Reilly was during each game was, ‘And a save by Binnington,'” she said. “It could coming by with the Cup. I just remember turning around at one point and have been anyone. Like if the phrase was ‘And a save by (Jake) Allen,’ I just seeing my dad bawling his eyes out. That was the moment where it would have done the same thing.” hit you — at the parade — like, ‘They finally did it.'” “It’s less about (Binnington) and his name. I wasn’t like, ‘Yeah, let me go The next day was Father’s Day, and before going to a family gathering, get a tramp stamp with someone’s name. It’s just so exciting and, to me, Fuegner went to get his tattoo from Jason Rainbolt at Deaf Dog Ink in St. kind of sums up the season. I mean it’s permanent, but it’s monumental Charles. Fuegner basically gave Rainbolt free rein to ink what he wanted for the city and something I’m going to look back on and be like, ‘That’s to on his left thigh, and Rainbolt came up with the idea of O’Reilly coming when the Blues won the Cup.'” out of the Blue Note hoisting the Cup. Top row (left to right): Steve Davis, Andrew Fuegner and Randy Fuegner loved it. Karraker. Bottom row: Brittany Dennis and Cody Filben. After posing for a group photo this week, Karraker said the response from Blues fans has been amazing.

“There must be thousands (of new tattoos), and I’m thrilled by it,” he said. “I’m thrilled that sports can have that much of an impact on a community, because I’ve always believed that. When people are making a lifetime decision, that tells you how much of an impact that sports can have, and what the Blues have done is amazing. I hope — I mean I know — the players and the front office appreciate the fact that people are actually doing something that’s going to last the rest of their lives because of what they did in winning the Stanley Cup.”

And it’s more than just extra business for Fields.

“It’s especially touching for me,” she said. “(Former Blues general manager) Ron Caron was my grandpa (John Frisella’s) absolute best friend before Ron passed away. He was a big part of my family and why my brother plays hockey. So to see all these Blues supporters coming in and getting these tattoos, it’s super cool for me to see because I know that it’s something that Ron would have loved.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149615 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning owner Jeff Vinik hopes the Rays stay in Tampa Bay — but would he buy the team?

By Joe Smith Jul 11, 2019

TAMPA, Fla. — When the Rays announced their controversial plan to try to split home games in future seasons between Tampa Bay and Montreal, Lightning owner Jeff Vinik had the same initial reaction as everyone else.

How the heck would that work?

But as Vinik, 60, thought more about the idea, he became more intrigued. During our one-on-one conversation this week, Vinik covered many topics ranging from his team’s stunning playoff loss to GM Julien BriseBois and coach . But the Rays also came up, and Vinik was clear on how important it is to keep the Major League Baseball franchise in the market.

“I give the Rays tremendous credit for being innovative on the field and off the field,” Vinik, an innovative businessman himself, said. “I think the opener concept, which a lot of teams are using, is very creative, and it’s worked for them — and (the Montreal time-share idea) is creative also. Everybody’s knee-jerk reaction is ‘How is this possibly going to work?’ — which was mine, too. But it’ll be fun and interesting to see how it evolves and if they can pull it off. It would be interesting.”

Vinik has been called a “model owner” by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, rejuvenating the Lightning franchise since he bought the team for an estimated $110 million in 2010. The Lightning have sold out 201 consecutive home games at Amalie Arena on the Tampa waterfront.

While Rays owner Stuart Sternberg has said it’s highly unlikely the baseball club has a full-time future in the Tampa Bay area beyond 2027, when the Tropicana Field lease ends, Vinik believes there’s major value to the area in keeping the team here.

“I think professional sports are really important to the identity and the brand of a region,” Vinik said. “It’s really good for the region to have as many pro sports as possible. I’ve said this from the day I bought the Lightning: I think it’s good for this region the Rays are here. I hope they can stay here, at least in some manner.”

“Everybody’s knee-jerk reaction (to the time-share with Montreal) is ‘How is this possibly going to work?’ — which was mine, too,” Vinik said. “But it’ll be fun and interesting to see how it evolves and if they can pull it off.” (Kim Klement / USA Today)

The assumption, or hope, for many Rays fans is that Vinik might someday swoop in and save the Rays, buying them and keeping them here (he did once hold a minority stake in the Red Sox). But — beyond the fact Sternberg has said he doesn’t plan to sell the team — don’t expect Vinik to immerse himself in owning a second pro sports franchise in the area.

“No plans to do that,” Vinik said. “I don’t think about it. I’ve got so many great things going on. I love the sport of hockey. My plate is overflowing, so I don’t see it.”

How about investing in the potential redevelopment of the 80-plus acre Tropicana Field lot … if it comes to that?

“Our real estate company has higher aspirations to perhaps at times be able to do other things in this area, around the country,” Vinik said. “But that’s the real estate company.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149616 Tampa Bay Lightning tools, but I have not seen any kind of direction with the tools. I can see some of the flashes, but I also see the other side of it — getting beat one on one, getting lost in the D zone. I’m trying to decipher what that is.

Roundtable: Is Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen worth a look for If Risto starts the season with the Sabres, it will be his fifth head coach in the Lightning? seven seasons. That’s really hard to sort out — the systems and defensive zone coverage, the instincts, especially for a young man in a game where speed is getting better every year. If he had been 31 and By Joe Smith Jul 11, 2019 had the maturity and experiment to be able to just go back to the basics, you can go through that amount of head coaches and be OK.

For me, Risto has been used as a No. 1 defenseman for the last year, When the Lightning signed Luke Schenn on July 1, GM Julien BriseBois and I don’t think he’s a No. 1 defenseman. I think he has a lot of good suggested the team’s reshaping of its blue line may be over for the skills and tools but has not been given an opportunity to put all the tools summer. together. They’ve been just thrown in there and shuffled. The unit has lost outgoing UFAs Anton Stralman (Florida) and Dan Tierney: It’s not that he’s necessarily bad — it’s just that his value is Girardi (undecided), retained Braydon Coburn and Jan Rutta and brought vastly overblown. in Schenn. But there has yet to be a major move. He was Buffalo’s third-best defender by WAR last year, but that was “I think the likeliest scenario is those are our guys,” BriseBois said. propped up almost entirely by his power-play usage. He’s very poor at “We’re always looking for opportunities to improve our team. But I would zone exits and preventing entries against. His shots differential was expect this is the D core we’re going into the season with.” weak, even relative to other Buffalo defenders, and his five-on-five While the Lightning very well may be done shopping, some wonder scoring was fine but wasn’t notably better than (Jake) McCabe, (Marco) whether they may circle back on Buffalo, where there’s suddenly a glut of Scandella or (Rasmus) Dahlin if you look at things per minute. right-shot defensemen and Rasmus Ristolainen is likely on the trade It’s almost a prime example of a team inflating a player’s trade value: block. Ristolainen, 24, is a 6-foot-4, top-four-caliber defenseman who has Give a poor-ish player with some offensive ability a ton of PP time to had an up-and-down run with a struggling Sabres franchise and could inflate counting stats, then trade him for a profit. use a fresh start. The Lightning have shown interest in Ristolainen both at the trade deadline and earlier this summer. They’d have to make it Smith: The Lightning have been interested in a right-shot defenseman work under the cap, of course, with Bradyen Point still needing a deal. since the deadline, and even though they signed Schenn to a one-year, $700,000 deal, there could use another one, but only if it’s an upgrade Tampa Bay already has seven defensemen on the roster, five of whom from what they already have. If the guy is a difference-maker. are expected to return in 2020-21 (when Rutta’s and Schenn’s contracts expire). Cal Foote, the 2017 first-round draft pick, likely will be ready by They have Erik Cernak, who was impressive as a rookie on the right side then. Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak will be due raises next summer of the shutdown pair with Ryan McDonagh. And I think Mikhail as RFAs, so the smart play may be to expand roles for younger guys Sergachev — who Victor Hedman believes is ready to step into the top instead of trying to squeeze in another contract. pair — is actually better on his right side.

The question is, will the Lightning be among the teams in the mix for There’s also the question of cap space. The Lightning have only $5.5 Ristolainen in the coming weeks? Should they be? What would it cost, million of cap space left (with RFAs Adam Erne and Point still left to and what would the Finnish defenseman bring in return? sign), though they’ll get some relief when Ryan Callahan is put on LTIR. So with Ristolainen’s $5.4 million cap hit each of the next three years, I decided to ask those questions to colleague John Vogl, The Athletic’s there would likely need to be salary moved out to make a deal work. Sabres beat writer, and former NHL goalie Martin Biron, a Sabres TV color analyst. Both have seen Ristolainen day in and day out for years. I What would the Sabres be looking for in return? also got some insight from @ChartingHockey‘s Sean Tierney on Ristolainen’s beneath-the-surface numbers. Vogl: The Sabres’ two biggest holes — and they’re huge — are at center and right wing. Smith: So, John, if Ristolainen is indeed a top-four caliber guy, why is his name consistently in trade rumors? Is he the odd man out now? Jack Eichel needs help down the middle. He’s a game-changing center, but there’s no one to take the pressure off him. Buffalo hopes Casey Vogl: Hello, Joe. Risto is certainly a top-four guy. The problem is he’s not Mittelstadt will be that guy someday, but the 20-year-old isn’t yet ready to a No. 1 defenseman, and that’s the role he’s been forced into on bad anchor a second line. Right now, the Sabres’ choices to be the No. 2 teams in Buffalo for the past six seasons. His stats and perception have center are Mittelstadt (25 points in 77 games last year), Vladimir Sobotka taken a beating as he digs puck after puck out of his net. In case 2,000 (13 points) and unsigned restricted free agents Evan Rodrigues (29 people haven’t mentioned it yet, his plus/minus since 2013 is an NHL- points) and Johan Larsson (14 points). That simply won’t cut it in any worst minus-143; the second worst (Oliver Ekman-Larsson) is just minus- division, much less one that includes Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, 97. John Tavares, Auston Matthews and a host of others.

But when you average 24 minutes a night on a team that habitually The problem is equally as big on the right wing. Sam Reinhart is legit. But finishes last, that’s going to happen. And as bad as that plus/minus he’s followed by aging Kyle Okposo and youngsters Tage Thompson and sounds, Ristolainen has legitimate skills. Since he became a full-time Curtis Lazar, who both finished last season in the AHL. The Sabres want NHLer in 2014, he’s 19th among all defensemen in assists (156), 24th in to split up Eichel, Reinhart and left wing Jeff Skinner to improve their points (190) and 44th in goals (34). So while he has been miscast as a balance, but they need someone who can keep up with Eichel or a player top defenseman, there’s no doubt he is better than most. who’s good enough on the second line to push Reinhart back with his buddy Jack. So why trade a guy like that? One of the reasons the Sabres are always at the bottom is they can’t score. They desperately need help up front. Smith: This is where it could get challenging. If Buffalo truly needs help at Basically, the only player with enough trade value to get them a center or on the wing, the Lightning don’t really have much flexibility in legitimate top-six forward is Ristolainen. So he comes up in trade talks terms of potential targets. Tyler Johnson (carrying a $5 million AAV the time and again. The Sabres recently added fellow right-handers Brandon next five seasons) is probably the ideal fit for Buffalo. He’s an option at Montour, Colin Miller and Henri Jokiharju to a group that includes center and right wing, but he has a no-trade clause and, to my Ristolainen and Zach Bogosian, so the “move Risto” chatter is at an all- knowledge, hasn’t been approached about it. Yanni Gourde’s no-trade time high. The Sabres simply have too many right-handed defensemen kicked in July 1. Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat have no-trade clauses. I and not enough forwards. really don’t see Anthony Cirelli getting moved by Tampa Bay as he’s becoming a core piece. Rasmus Ristolainen is definitely a top-four defenseman, but is he a No. 1? Perhaps not. (Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today) There’s winger Mathieu Joseph, who had an impressive rookie season, and a number of prospects that are coming up (like Alex Barre-Boulet, Biron: (Ristolainen) has got all the tools. He’s big, he’s strong. He’s got a Taylor Raddysh, Carter Verhaeghe and Alex Volkov), but I’m assuming great shot. He’s a good skater. He’s got a ton of skills. He can be Buffalo would want more immediate help than guys for the future, right? physical. Right now, in his sixth season with the Sabres, I’ve seen the Tampa Bay does have an extra conditional first-round pick for 2020 (via This year he took more of a leadership role. Many times after games, the J.T. Miller trade to Vancouver) they can play with. he’d be the one facing the cameras. We burned him at times and he’d say, “It’s my fault what happened on this coverage. I need to read, need Vogl: Yup, whatever the Sabres get for Ristolainen, that piece needs to to get to the guy quicker.” He’s honest — he just wants to get better. It’s help immediately. In addition to Mittelstadt, the Sabres just drafted center just been tough for him to put it all together. Dylan Cozens at No. 7 overall. Swedish center Rasmus Asplund had a nice second half during his first year in North America. So they’re You know he’s got all the tools. He can be a very physical-type player, he confident in the future down the middle, but the present is a mess. can play in your face. I’ve seen some of Risto’s best games he’s played against (Alex) Ovechkin; he played Toronto where the stakes were really There might be flexibility at right wing. The pipeline is as thin as the NHL high and emotions were really high. He can be a pest in those games, at roster. The Sabres might be happy getting an OK center to go with a top the highest of levels. But maybe a change of scenery would give him a wing prospect, which would let them build for the future and improve a chance to play at that level with those emotions. little bit now. Vogl: He’s … interesting. His hockey skills are great. His hockey IQ is And, yeah, looking at the Lightning’s contracts, what’s up with all the no- not. Ristolainen walks a weird line between being the ultimate competitor trade clauses? and not caring. When he practices, he loves the battle drills. He’ll blast a Smith: Yes, the Lightning have a lot (seven no-trade or no-move clauses, teammate into the boards and skate away with a shit-eating grin that not counting Ryan Callahan, who is going on LTIR). Part of it, I’d says, “I’m better than you.” But then he’s the first one off the ice and imagine, is the compromise in getting lower AAV due to the no state gone from the arena while teammates are still skating. He probably takes income tax advantage (players likely want protection in case they get more “maintenance days” than every other player combined (though moved to another market, where their net take-home could be impacted). some are definitely needed since he plays so much).

BriseBois said earlier this summer that he likes the players they have and It’s similar during games. He loves — and thrives in — one-on-one the contracts they have. But it does make it more challenging for the matchups against guys like Alexander Ovechkin. Then he’ll let a fourth- trade market. I don’t blame guys for not wanting to wave their no-trade line winger walk around him for a goal. I think he’d be better on a good clauses; Tampa is a great place to live and play, a Cup contender with a team. first-class owner. The Sabres have exciting young pieces, but what would So, if Cirelli is off the table, who is the best prospect of the guys you it take for someone to want to jump ship? mentioned? Barre-Boulet seems intriguing but is small. Verhaeghe had a A deal of future prospects on the Lightning side doesn’t solve the cap great season, but that’s his only one. Volkov and Raddysh seem good, problem if they were to take on Ristolainen’s money. It would help if but are they ready to be in the NHL? Buffalo was willing to take on the final year of Callahan’s contract ($5.8 Smith: Of those prospects, I think Volkov may be the most intriguing. million AAV), which I believe Tampa Bay is still thinking of moving even if He’s the kind of player who can play with skilled guys in the top six. He’ll the veteran wing won’t be playing again. I’m not sure if that’s on the table be knocking at the door in training camp (he was among the final cuts the for the Sabres as far as a package deal. past two seasons) but may need a little more time.

Vogl: The Sabres have room to take on a contract. They’re about $7 Verhaeghe, who tied for the AHL lead (with Barre-Boulet) with 34 goals million under the cap with four RFAs to sign, none of whom will break the last season, should compete for a bottom-six spot in camp this year. bank. Owner Terry Pegula has no problem throwing money away if he Raddysh and Boris Katchouk are probably one year away, though that thinks it will improve the team. was considering Tampa Bay’s depth/needs. Mitchell Stephens is a The name you mentioned that keeps reverberating through my head is bottom-six center who can make a case in camp, too. Cirelli. I know Tampa would prefer to keep him. What team wouldn’t? But Prospect guru Corey Pronman suggested the best trade-bait prospects the Sabres are building their team around Eichel (22 years old), Reinhart would be Barre-Boulet and Sammy Walker, whom we profiled a few (23) and Dahlin (19). To add a 21-year-old center to that would be more weeks ago after his stellar freshman season at the University of than ideal. Cirelli would get a much bigger role in Buffalo than he’ll get in Minnesota. I think Volkov is right up there, too. Tampa behind Stamkos and Point. Vogl: OK, that gives me a nice base. If I’m the Sabres, my order of If the Sabres were willing to give the Lightning two things they could use preference would be Cirelli, followed by Johnson or Gourde (if the teams — a top-four, right-shot defenseman and the flexibility of Callahan being could get one to waive his no-trade clause), then Volkov and finally a gone — would that be enough for them to let go of Cirelli? package highlighted by Barre-Boulet. The first two would-be options Smith: That’s a tough sell for me. I think Cirelli is a terrific young player, would be accepted in a minute. The others might require a little more and he’s coming off a World Championship where he shined. There’s a haggling — which is why we’ve been dissecting a Risto-to-Tampa deal reason, though, I had him moving into the “untouchable” category in my for months. But those are the only deals I see. “Who’s in, who’s out?” piece earlier this summer. The former third-round If the Sabres and Tampa can’t work it out, Winnipeg also has some pick is trusted tremendously by the coaching staff and was used in many serious need for a right-handed defenseman and the assets to make it tight, late-game situations when protecting a lead. He scored 19 goals happen. without any power-play time. So there’s value and a higher ceiling there. The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 There’s also the cap crunch the next few years, with Cirelli, Sergachev, Cernak and Andrei Vasilevskiy all RFAs next summer. Moving Callahan’s contract would help, though it’s something they can work around (especially for just one more year, using LTIR). It’d be hard for me to move such a talented young player who is still on an entry-level contract like Cirelli.

So I don’t see it, unless something too-good-to-be-true comes up. The key to me is unlocking Ristolainen’s potential, if there’s indeed a next level there, since right-shot D-men with that size and shot are hard to find.

Would the Lightning be willing to include Anthony Cirelli in a potential deal for Rasmus Ristolainen? (Kim Klement / USA Today)

How is Ristolainen in the room? Is he coachable?

Biron: He’s a great kid, very honest, very open to talking to his team, to the media. I look at him on the ice in a league where you have to read and react quickly … and by the time he tries to recover, it’s too late. It’s not that he’s not able to play at that speed. It’s that you’ve had so many different systems that you have to decipher which system you’re playing in. 1149617 Toronto Maple Leafs “We have worked with our app host to resolve today’s issue of unauthorized notifications coming from the AHL app,” it read. “We apologize for any inconvenience.”

AHL app’s bizarre alerts pull minor league hockey fans into workplace Bowman said HockeyTech’s human resources department had since drama | The Star contacted him and agreed to promptly pay the invoice.

Bowman said he regretted that the messages went out to so many By Derrick Bryson TaylorThe New York TimesThu., July 11, 2019 people.

“If I knew it was going to be public, it probably would have been something a lot more clever,” Bowman said. “And also the spelling. So When minor league hockey fans began receiving a flurry of push it’s really embarrassing.” notifications from the app Wednesday, they may have been expecting off-season news about the Cleveland Toronto Star LOADED: 07.12.2019 Monsters, or Rockford IceHogs. Instead, for roughly 20 minutes, users were bombarded with bizarre alerts that demanded a $6,000 payment from a man named Stewart Zimmel.

“Stewart Zimmel. Since I have no way to contact you are you owe me nearly $6,000 I would ask you to contact me about payment,” one of the notifications read. “Also, I’m filing a workplace report against you for threatening to punch me in the throat nemours times.”

That message was sent to users in at least three separate alerts and quickly became a talking point among hockey fans on social media.

Other push notifications from the app read, “Stewart Zimmel threatened to punch Ian Bowman in the throat” and “Stewart Zimmel please pay the outstanding monies owed.”

Another message simply said there was an error with the application and urged users to uninstall it.

When users opened the app Wednesday, they saw a March 2017 conversation between Zimmel and Bowman, who said in an interview Thursday that he was a contractor for HockeyTech. In that exchange, Zimmel told Bowman he would “punch you in the throat,” putting the threat in quotation marks and following it up with a smiley face.

According to LinkedIn, Zimmel is the chief operating officer at HockeyTech, which houses the world’s largest private repository of data on hockey players, teams and leagues.

In the interview, Bowman confirmed that he sent the messages, but he said he meant to send them only to his and Zimmel’s devices — not to all app users.

Bowman said he gave notice this month that he planned to leave. But his June invoice was never paid, he said.

“He basically the next morning cut off all access to not only work email, chats, but also to my own system that I had been programming for four years, almost five years,” Bowman said. He also tried to email Zimmel, he said, but it bounced back.

“At this point I tried to send a test message as a last resort that would go to my device and only his device,” Bowman said. “Something we used to test an application to make sure it’s push functional.”

Bowman, who lives in Alberta, said he sent the messages a few times because he did not receive any of the notifications on his own device.

He estimated that the messages went out to roughly 30,000 app users.

Zimmel did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent through HockeyTech.

Users received the 10 to 12 messages over the course of 15 to 20 minutes, Jason Chaimovitch, the American Hockey League’s vice- president for communications, said Thursday.

“I think we scrambled a little bit, and we figured out what the problem was, and they were receptive in getting it fixed,” Chaimovitch said. “Our users weren’t compromised. There was no real security issue. It probably looked a whole lot worse than it was.”

Chaimovitch said that the app had never been misused before and that the league was working with HockeyTech to ensure it would never happen again.

By the end of the drama, the league had sent out an apology for the embarrassing moment. 1149618 Toronto Maple Leafs point to get stronger and faster and subsequently had a breakout year that started to get attention from NHL scouts.

“Going through two drafts, I tried not to think about it too much. And Small and skilled: Leafs see potential in fourth round pick Nick Abruzzese coming into this year I just tried to, on the ice, improve myself the best I could and become the best player I could be,” Abruzzese said. “Obviously people took notice, which is nice, being recognized for that By Hailey Salvian Jul 11, 2019 level of play.”

Moore said there was heightened interest in Abruzzese as scouts were starting to see his upside. On the second day of the 2019 NHL Draft, Nick Abruzzese was in the living room of his Slate Hill, N.Y., home with his family watching the “He is a 99 birth year, so his body is just maturing at a later time than broadcast on television. After being passed over two years in a row, most players born in 99. So, he was just physically behind the rest of his Abruzzese didn’t travel to Vancouver for the draft, opting to stay home peers for a bunch of years and now he is slowly starting to catch up,” he instead. said. “He has always had the brain, always had the skill set that he had, it’s just he couldn’t play physically at a certain level based off how far This year, as the Toronto Maple Leafs stepped up with the 124th pick in behind he was. the fourth round, Abruzzese finally had his moment. “People’s eyes are starting to open up to what he really is as an athlete “I was pretty pumped up hearing my name called and watching it come now that his body is catching up.” on the screen,” he said. “It was a really cool moment and I was able to enjoy it with my family.” And Abruzzese is not alone.

Abruzzese, a left-shot centre, cruised to the USHL’s scoring title this With their six selections at this year’s draft, the Leafs added skill and season with the , more than doubling his point total from speed, but not size with none of their prospects coming in over 5-foot-11. the 2017-18 season (he finished with 29 goals and 80 points in 62 regular season games this year). He is committed to Harvard for the fall John Lilley, the Leafs’ director of amateur scouting, said after the draft 2019-20 season where he will play under former NHLer Ted Donato. the team certainly had bigger players in mind, but “it’s just how the list falls.” It’s not an easy path to the NHL, and for Abruzzese, an undersized forward listed as 5-foot-9 and 163-pounds, it’s going to be a battle. But in “Certain years, you get a certain country or nationality that falls to your the Toronto development system, which has a growing list of small, but picks. This year it was smaller picks,” he said. “We feel every player that skilled prospects, Abruzzese has a shot. we did pick is highly skilled. We felt like they’re intelligent players. I think they fit with what our management group is trying to acquire.” “I think he will thrive under the development model that the Leafs have at every level of their organization,” said Greg Moore, who coached The theme of drafting skill over size is nothing new. In 2018, just two of Abruzzese in Chicago. “He likes that kind of model and values that kind the eight skaters the Leafs drafted were over 6-feet tall. The team came of development. I think it’s a really good fit for him.” away with speedy prospects like , Semyon Der- Arguchintsev and Mac Hollowell. The Leafs, under general manager , have taken a page out of Major League Baseball’s book with tiered development systems, filling The skill-first philosophy is clear in the line up, out the AHL Toronto Marlies and ECHL with particularly on the blue line. During this year’s Calder Cup playoffs, the talented players who could one day climb the ranks. Trevor Moore for Marlies’ top-six had an average height of only 5-foot-11.5. And what they example, is a player who went undrafted, was invited to the Leafs lacked in height, they made up for in productivity and possession, taking development camp and progressed from the NCAA to the Marlies to the down teams with much older and bigger defence corps until they lost to Leafs. Or who was drafted in the seventh round in the Charlotte Checkers, the eventual Calder Cup Champions, in the 2013 and became a surprising full-time Maple Leaf this season. Eastern Conference Finals.

This is the path that the Leafs hope their prospects can successfully Many of the Leafs’ taller, less talented draft-picks from earlier years, like follow, and Moore believes Abruzzese has the potential to do just that. Fedor Gordeev or Nicholas Mattinen, are no longer in the system, having never signed entry-level contracts. “There is a lot of time between where he is at now and getting to that level that will dictate what impact he has at that level,” he said. “But I do Still, Abruzzese is a long-shot, and won’t be NHL-ready for another few think he makes it just because of the type of person he is, and how he years, but Lilley said the Leafs see potential in him. approaches his own development, his responsibility and his work ethic.” To get to that level though, Abruzzese will need to work in the gym, put Abruzzese, while small, is undoubtedly skilled, as he proved while on some weight, get bigger and get a heavier shot. And if he can develop leading the USHL in points and assists this year. While at Leafs into the player Moore thinks he can, the Leafs will have found another development camp last week, he started to make an impression on the pleasant surprise late in the draft. first day of on-ice drills. He had a fluid stride, and a good shot and looked The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 confident making plays. And he wasn’t afraid to dig into corners to get the puck. Moore, who was a guest coach for the week-long camp, said he was impressed with how Abruzzese performed, and noted that he looked “comfortable” and “poised.”

A lot of that comfort stems from doing similar drills during the year, as both the Leafs and Chicago Steel have Darryl Belfry on their player development staff. Belfry joined the Steel last year as a player development coach, along with skating coach Adam Nicholas.

Belfry and Nicholas created individual development plans and on-ice skills sessions for the Steel players that ranged from stride mechanics to how to create space against an opponent. For a smaller player like Abruzzese, those skills were vital.

“Getting to work with (Belfry) and Adam Nicholas, two of best skills coaches in the world and having them there was definitely a unique opportunity for a junior hockey player,” he said. “I definitely took full advantage of just picking their brains and seeing the way they see the game, and for the type of player I am, it definitely helped my game.”

From a physical standpoint, Abruzzese is a late bloomer, but his high hockey IQ and skill set have always been there. Last summer he made a 1149619 Toronto Maple Leafs Defencemen

First pair: The debate with the Leafs’ new-look blueline is thus: Do you load up on all-skill on a top unit, with Rielly-Barrie, and give them tough Mirtle: Projecting the Maple Leafs opening night lineup for 2019-20 minutes, hoping that they spend a lot of those shifts in the offensive zone? Or do you balance out your pairs by having Muzzin with Barrie (giving them the tougher minutes) and allow Rielly-Ceci to take on By James Mirtle Jul 11, 2019 secondary competition? I lean toward Muzzin-Barrie, simply because I think if you have Rielly and Barrie playing together, you’re wasting your

two best puck transporters. And while there are concerns with Barrie Whether they take a step forward or not, you can say this much about the facing tough competition, those are even greater with Ceci given his 2019-20 Maple Leafs: They’re going to be different. results in Ottawa in that role.

Four different forward lines – with as many as three different centres (if Second pair: It feels odd penciling Rielly in on a second pair given the you include the extra skaters) – and likely at least three new season he had and his importance to this team, but looking at the Leafs defencemen. lineup, it also appears Rielly will have a really big role on both special teams and gain a lot of his minutes there. The Leafs also seem to have By my count, as many as 12 players could be on Toronto’s opening-night two pairs that can shoulder more of the load this season, meaning the roster who weren’t regulars (more than 25 regular-season games played) third pair could theoretically be dialed way back to the 12- to 14-minute last season. Incredibly, that’s 55 percent of their lineup, at least until range while the top two eat 23-plus minutes a game. When Toronto is Zach Hyman and Travis Dermott return from their significant offseason trailing, they could always load up with Rielly-Barrie and one of their top surgeries. two scoring lines and do some real damage.

Mr. Dubas has been busy, reimagining this team and getting them under Third pair: With Dermott likely out until sometime in November, the Leafs the cap. third pair could be fairly limited. Martin Marincin is back again and could factor in solely in order to help the PK, as could fellow big man Ben What follows is an in-depth look at the Leafs projected lineup come Oct. Harpur. And perhaps Justin Holl gets a bit more of an opportunity. But 2 against the , who will have an awful lot of familiar there’s not a lot there to get excited about. faces in their lineup after adding Ron Hainsey, Nikita Zaitsev, Connor Brown and Tyler Ennis. I’m assuming that Mitch Marner re-signs, and Vying for a spot: The Leafs have other options, but given the top four is there’s minimal other movement between now and the fall. so set, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to put developing prospects like Rasmus Sandin and into minimal minutes on the third Forwards pair. Kevin Gravel, Teemu Kivihalme and may draw First line: The Leafs are really a team with two “first” lines, so we’ll call spot duty, however, if injuries hit the blueline. It’s hard to see any of those them 1A and 1B rather than one and two. I expect Matthews will have three as more than six or seven options. back on his right wing in order to get both to their form Goalies in their first two years in the league, so that’s one combination that makes sense there. Johnsson, meanwhile, showed some strong Starter: No drama here: Andersen is the guy. The Leafs were able to dial chemistry on Matthews’ left wing at times last season and makes sense him back to 60 starts last season after he received a cumbersome 66 in in that role again. The wild card here is where Mikheyev – the undrafted each of his first two seasons in Toronto. Given the current backup 24-year-old KHL product – slots in, as you can envision any of the top situation, it’s hard to envision Babcock being able to curtail his starts any three left wingers on any line. The top-three centres and right wingers, more than that. And a serious injury would be very problematic. however, feel fairly set. Backup / vying for a spot: Hutchinson closed out the year as the backup Second line: With Hyman expected out the first month of the season, under weird circumstances, with Garret Sparks sent packing in order to Tavares and Marner are going to get a new third amigo for at least 10-15 work on his game. Word filtered out in the spring that Toronto was trying games to open the year. Their chemistry is such that it probably doesn’t to trade him, but those efforts have proven fruitless so far. Don’t rule out matter who slots in on the left side, although Mike Babcock’s penchant the Leafs looking for more help here either via waivers or trade early in for playing them against other team’s top lines probably means it needs the year if there are concerns in camp that they don’t have enough to be someone defensively responsible. Johnsson or Mikheyev are the behind Andersen. The problem with getting a more established backup, two most likely options, although I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the however, is a cap situation that won’t allow them to spend much at the Russian newcomer, as they want him in a position to succeed. He has position. Joseph Woll and Ian Scott represent the future, but they’ll need some strong backers in the front office, and his highlight reel is pretty at least a couple years battling it out in the minors for starts. intriguing. We’ve seen European signings flameout in Toronto in the past (hello Petri Kontiola), but Mikheyev will get ample opportunity at least Power play early on. Special teams are going to be very interesting for the Leafs this coming Third line: The only familiar face here is likely to be Kapanen, with Patrick season. Marleau and Nazem Kadri moving on. On paper, that may look like a bit They finished last year eighth on the power play and 17th on the penalty of a step back given the name recognition factor, but Kerfoot is an kill leaguewide, but even those marks were flattering. From Dec. 1 underrated player and Moore was really impressive despite only getting onward, they were 15th and 18th in efficiency – effectively NHL average nine minutes a game last season. It’s also possible that Spezza could despite their strong personnel. jump up to 3C and push Kerfoot to the wing, if Babcock opts for more of a defensive look on the… They’ve added some offensive depth that should really help the second power-play unit in particular, as it badly struggled in basically every Fourth line: What a change from Lindholm-Gauthier-Brown of six-ish formation, with and without Nylander, a year ago. months ago. The Leafs will be able to really lean into skill on all four lines given the additions of Spezza, Petan, Agostino and Moore in a full-time After playing around with various formations, I essentially kept the heart role. When Hyman is healthy, it’ll push one of the top-three left wingers of Jim Hiller’s old PP1 intact here: Matthews and Marner on each flank, down and give Toronto the best fourth-line depth they’ve had in Tavares at the net front and a defenceman at the lone point position. (probably) decades. With Kadri out and the third line taking a hit, plus Who knows if new assistant coach Paul McFarland has something new Spezza in to bolster Line 4, I could see this trio playing a lot more than it up his sleeve, however. did last season. I do think introducing Barrie to PP1 should help freshen up that unit on its Vying for a spot: The additions of Nick Shore and Agostino probably own, as his big point shot is a new threat that Rielly simply doesn’t offer. mean that no new Marlies push for roster spots, leaving Jeremy Bracco, They need to keep opposition PKs guessing more than they did last Mason Marchment, and others down in the A to continue season, and he specializes in that level of unpredictability. developing. Which is probably where they belong, at least for another half season. Gauthier remains an option as an injury fill-in, too, down the Having Rielly on PP2 is a big upgrade over previous incarnations of that middle, so we don’t have to fully retire the emoji yet . unit, too, especially given he’ll be playing catch with strong man- advantage players like Nylander, Spezza and Kerfoot, among others. Even though McFarland tended to not use PP2 much in Florida, that could change here if they find some early chemistry.

Penalty kill

The Leafs most frequent PKers last season were Hainsey, Zaitsev, Hyman and Brown. Three of ’em are now Senators. The fourth (Hyman) will start the season on injured reserve.

Few of the Leafs newcomers have much history on the PK, either. That will likely mean a more prominent role for Marner and Kapanen when shorthanded, which could be a nightmare for power-play units prone to giving up goals. Muzzin and Ceci seem to make the most sense on the back end, given their skill set and lack of PP duties, although it seems inevitable Rielly will assume more 4-on-5 minutes than he had last season.

Babcock could also look to employ some specialists on the PK, giving someone like Shore up front and Harpur or Marincin on D an opportunity. But he won’t have nearly as many “stay-at-home” options as he had in the past.

Even shorthanded, he’ll need to rely on skilled players more than ever.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019

1149620 Vegas Golden Knights “It makes it easier for me, and it makes it easier for (director of college free agents Mike Levine),” said Wil Nichol, the Golden Knights’ director of player development. “It’s still tough, there are options, but I think that Golden Knights use development camp as recruiting tool for college free what we have speaks for itself and kids want to come. We’re actually agents turning kids away.”

Last summer the Golden Knights lured Jimmy Schuldt to development camp. Schuldt captained one of college hockey’s best programs, St. By Jesse Granger Jul 11, 2019 Cloud State, for three straight seasons and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the NCAA’s most outstanding player.

Schuldt attended multiple development camps from all around the NHL Golden Knights rookie prospects have quite the view from their rooms (Montreal, Chicago and New York), and had offers to sign with nearly high-atop the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Summerlin, Nevada. every team in the league. He eventually signed with Vegas this past Directly below lies the three-acre sandbar pool, brimming with palm April, and his week at development camp played a large role in that. trees, cabanas and tropical frozen beverages, flanked by the Red Rock “It was really cool,” Schuldt said back in April when he signed with Mountain Range and Summerlin Peaks. Vegas. “To see what they have going on there. Obviously it worked for “It’s just Vegas. It’s such an unbelievable spot and there’s so much them right away, with the best expansion team ever. It was really excitement around it and everyone wants to be in Vegas,” Golden intriguing to be a part of their camp and see everything. See the area and Knights’ fourth-round pick Ryder Donovan said. “We’re right over the pool the practice facility, which is obviously incredible. with the whole pool view and the mountains. I keep sending Snapchats to “I think that’s a huge part of Las Vegas’ culture. “People like George my boys back home. It’s so much fun.” McPhee, and Kelly McCrimmon that I was lucky enough Downstairs the casino is filled with dining options, and next door the to meet during development camp this summer. The people you’re going Downtown Summerlin mall and entertainment district has dozens more. to be around are definitely an exciting factor.” It’s not a bad setup for the group of 17-21-year-olds to spend a week in Schuldt is the third major player signed by the Golden Knights as an June. undrafted free agent. “It’s awesome,” camp invitee Wyatt Bongiovanni said. “You can’t ask for Dylan Coghlan attended Vegas’ first development camp in 2017, which much better. Maybe a little cooler days, but that’s about it.” was held at the Las Vegas Ice Center because construction of City The average daily high during the camp was a scorching 101 degrees, National Arena wasn’t completed yet. He later signed with the Golden but luckily for the prospects, the Golden Knights’ practice facility is a Knights and is vying for a spot on the roster this fall. short stroll across the street from the resort. Zach Whitecloud signed with Vegas in March of 2018, and will also Vegas wrapped up its third-annual rookie development camp at the end compete for a spot on the Golden Knights’ blue line in September. of June. The five-day camp is designed to cultivate the organization’s “Mike Levine does an outstanding job of identifying the college free prospects, teach new draftees valuable lessons and continue to develop agents, and he should get the credit,” Nichol said. “Last year it was past years’ draft classes. But there’s another benefit to the camp that the Jimmy Schuldt, the year before was Dylan Coghlan. (Coghlan) is just one Golden Knights have utilized as a direct pipeline for near NHL-ready heck of a defenseman who we got for free, so we value it a lot at this talent. camp.” Vegas’ practice facility, City National Arena, is one of the newest in all of Levine, who spends the vast majority of his year in the Northeast, is the the NHL. It’s state-of-the-art amenities and location have served as a Golden Knights’ director of college free agents. Prior to that, he was an recruitment tool for the Golden Knights to invite some of the best assistant coach at Brown University. He scours the country for undrafted unsigned rookie free agents on a try-out basis. college talent, hoping to find a gem or two every season. This is obviously not groundbreaking. Teams have been using “We always believe, if you like a guy, why wait? Mike is really good at development camps as a means to discover unsigned talent for years. identifying, and he’s not afraid to stick his neck out there and take a risk,” But Vegas’ unique setup allows them to attract more talent than most. Nichol said. “It’s a big tool,” president of hockey operations George McPhee said. Levine initiates the process by getting to know the players, then “The main rink is 15 minutes from here. The airport is three minutes past eventually Vegas will invite them to camp to see them on the ice that. We’re six minutes away from where most of us live, and it’s just alongside other prospects. easy. The weather is great. Ownership has been fantastic.” “We don’t have a lot of trouble finding players to come here for a camp,” McPhee was an undrafted college free agent himself once upon a time. McPhee said. “The college free agents and junior kids who haven’t been After four years at Bowling Green, including a Hobey Baker Award- drafted love coming here. I think we run an exceptional camp. We try to winning senior season, McPhee signed with the New York Rangers in do a lot of teaching. It’s not a boot camp or a conditioning camp. It’s 1982. about educating and letting them play some hockey.” Things have changed a bit since then. Most players have multiple camp invites and must choose which they’ll “(Our camp in Vegas) has all of the things you want,” McPhee continued. attend. “It’s what (GM Kelly McCrimmon) and I discussed when we first came “It’s a process of narrowing down the best opportunities,” Bongiovanni here and saw what we had. An owner with resources and a desire to said. “Places where you can see yourself playing the next couple years. build a great franchise. A great rink. Great practice rink. The airport is Vegas is obviously new but has a great staff, great facilities and close. It’s easy to get around. No state income tax. The cost of living is amenities to offer, it’s hard to pass up on. I had a few others to decide great. Fantastic fans. Players can play golf during the winter. It’s from but this was clear cut.” nirvana.” The Golden Knights run three days of on-ice drills, then hold three Vegas tries to allow the teens to sample that lifestyle throughout the intrasquad scrimmages that are treated like real games. They have week of camp. The prospects tour the world famous Las Vegas Strip, referees, a proper game clock and a packed house full of fans cheering including T-Mobile Arena, and spend a night together watching “O” by them on. Cirque du Soleil at the Bellagio. In those scrimmages, Bongiovanni was one of the invitees who stood out “The arena is unbelievable. Top notch everything,” Bongiovanni said. the most, showcasing his smooth skating, fluid stick handling and the “The Strip reminds me of Time Square a little bit. It’s kind of ridiculous but ability to finish plays. it was cool.” “I think I opened some eyes,” Bongiovanni said. “I don’t think people The first step toward recruiting and signing an undrafted free agent is knew exactly what kind of player I was coming into it, and I think that I convincing them to attend your development camp. proved myself in a sense. Hopefully that will maybe make them look at my name more next year.”

He could be the next Coghlan, Whitecloud or Schuldt, if Vegas decides to offer him a contract down the road. Or it could be one of the other camp standouts like Tim Theocharidis, Mitchell Chaffee or 6-foot-8 center Keenan Suthers.

If and when any of those players receive an offer, they already know what they’re signing up for. It’s just one more avenue the Golden Knights have created for acquiring talent.

“Getting the experience and the full feel of what it’s like to play here, and what the city is like,” Bongiovanni said. “It’s my first time in Vegas too, so there was definitely a lot to take in. Experiencing it all makes the decision-making process easier for sure.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149621 Washington Capitals

For second straight year, Alex Ovechkin takes home ESPY award

By Julia Karron July 11, 2019 2:37 PM

Alex Ovechkin has gone back-to-back like TJ Oshie predicted, just not in the way everyone thought.

ESPN awarded Ovechkin the award for Best NHL Player on Wednesday night. Ovechkin also won last year's ESPY award for the Best NHL Player, on top of Best Male Athlete.

The last NHL player to go back-to-back as the Best NHL Player was Sidney Crosby when the Penguins won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.

Ovechkin won consecutive Rocket Richard as well after scoring 49 and 51 goals, respectively.

The Capitals captain wasn't the only NHL winner. The St. Louis Blues won Best Comeback after going from worst in the league in January to Stanley Cup champions.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149622 Vancouver Canucks Trading Sutter would create the needed cap space, but given Sutter’s injury struggles and lack of production the last two seasons, it seems likely Benning would have to include another forward, perhaps Jake Patrick Johnston: Benning says Canucks have a plan in place for any Virtanen, in such a deal. salary cap scenario Walking the LTIR line

Finally, about the LTIR scenario that can be worked out at the end of the Patrick Johnston Canucks’ training camp.

It would be a complicated sequence played out at the end of camp, involving waiving Tim Schaller, demoting Quinn Hughes or Elias Think the Canucks have buyers' remorse on 's contract? Pettersson to Utica for a day in a so-called paper transaction and then placing Antoine Roussel on LTIR, freeing up another $2.8 million or so in Ready to dive back into the world of long-term injury reserve? cap space to fit in Boeser’s new deal. Because if all else fails, the Vancouver Canucks may be looking to The Hughes/Pettersson move would likely have salary cap impacts on maximize their cap space on the eve of the NHL season if veteran the following season, assuming they have as good a year as everyone forward Loui Eriksson remains in blue and green. hopes they will. Another roster move would have to happen when “The off-season is not over yet,” stressed Thursday morning Roussel is healthy enough to play again, which could come as soon as when asked about the roster manoeuvring he’ll have to do before the November. 2019-20 season starts. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.12.2019 After Wednesday’s signing of Micheal Ferland, the Canucks now have 14 forwards, eight defencemen and two goalies under contract — two more than you can start the season with. And that’s before you dive into the salary-cap complications.

“Still having lots of conversations with teams,” Benning said about the possibility of him still finding a trade partner who would take on a player with a big-number contract like Eriksson or Brandon Sutter. The GM also implied his staff is ready to walk along a salary cap tightrope if a trade can’t be worked out.

“Whether we move money or not, we have a plan in place,” he said.

Benning didn’t say it directly, but long-term injury reserve presents a possible avenue the Canucks could find themselves working around. The reason differs, but the procedure would be the same as the one used on the eve of the 2010-11 season by the Canucks’ then-capologist Laurence Gilman, when ’s Achilles injury allowed them to keep Kevin Bieksa.

The roster issue

To get to the 21 skaters they’re likely to start the season with, the Canucks will have to trade, waive or demote at least two players before the seasons starts, assuming Brock Boeser is signed by them.

As the Canucks have about $5 million in cap space right now, those two moves will have to open up enough cap space to fit in a new deal for Boeser. The Canucks have talked about a six-year, $6 million per deal, while Boeser’s camp is believed to be interested in a shorter deal, worth about $1 million more per season.

The Utica question

While Benning insisted Eriksson still has NHL utility to the Canucks, his preferred solution to the roster crunch would be to trade Eriksson — not an easy task given the player’s salary and sub-par offensive stats.

Eriksson’s agent has made it clear that the veteran isn’t opposed to finding a new NHL home. He also doesn’t expect his client to be waived or reassigned to Utica, N.Y.

“Loui’s an NHL player. There’s a lot of teams that would like to have him if his cap number weren’t what it is,” he told TSN Radio in Vancouver this week.

Asked about the Utica question Thursday, Benning paused before answering.

“I don’t have a direct answer for that right now,” he admitted. But he said he has finally spoken with Eriksson about comments the Swedish forward made in May about his relationship with head coach .

“We had a real good conversation,” Benning said. “I don’t think his comments were as egregious as people think.”

Sutter versus Gaudette

The Canucks’ third-line centre will be either Adam Gaudette or Sutter. Gaudette’s cap hit is roughly $3.4 million cheaper that Sutter’s, but he’s also exempt from waivers and could easily be reassigned to the Comets. 1149623 Vancouver Canucks

Alex Burrows joins Vancouver Canucks’ ring of honour Dec. 3

Scott Brown

He was a clutch performer and fan favourite during his 12 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks

Alex Burrows, a clutch performer and fan favourite during his 12 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, will have his name and No. 14 added to the team’s ring of honour on Dec. 3 when the team hosts the Ottawa Senators.

“Alex’s story of being undrafted, battling in the minors and earning a spot on one of the most productive lines in team history is remarkable,” said Canucks general manager Jim Benning, who announced at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver that Burrows would receive the honour.

“He was the type of guy you loved on your team, but despised if you were his opponent. He did whatever was needed to help his teammates win and his passion was infectious. His level of excellence, character, community giving and impact on the franchise makes this a very deserving honour for Alex and his family.”

He played 913 NHL games over the course of 13 seasons with the Canucks and Senators, accumulating 409 points (205-204-409).

Burrows, whose name will be added to the ring alongside Orland Kurtenbach, Kirk McLean, Harold Snepsts, , Pat Quinn and Mattias Ohlund, spent much of his career with the Canucks riding shotgun with the Sedin twins.

He tallied 203 goals for the Canucks, including a memorable Game 7 goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL playoffs. Burrows retired in 2018 after being traded to the Ottawa Senators midway through the 2016-17 season.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149624 Vancouver Canucks

Patrick Johnston: Ferland the player Canucks hoped Virtanen might have been in NHL

Patrick Johnston

There are qualities to Micheal Ferland's game that GM Jim Benning would like to see Jake Virtanen take on. At 23, is the Canucks forward too old to learn?

Micheal Ferland’s reputation is as a physical, wild-card player — the kind of guy some imagine is essential for a team’s playoff success.

Compare him with Jake Virtanen and you can see a player Virtanen might have been.

While Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini may have neglected to mention the most important element of the Ferland signing when he took to Twitter Wednesday to praise the acquisition — Ferland is straight up a good offensive hockey player — the terms he used were ones that have been applied in the past, dripping with hope, to Virtanen.

Very happy to add Micheal Ferland to our team. Our hockey ops guys love him. Tough, , hard to play against. https://t.co/2ASdC47T2J

— Francesco Aquilini (@fr_aquilini) July 10, 2019

Micheal Ferland,right, is rugged and hard to play against as well as a go- get-’em scorer, qualities Canucks GM Jim Benning hopes will rub off on young forward Jake Virtanen. Karl B DeBlaker / The Associated Press

On top of being a physical presence and a willingness to find ugly scoring chances, Ferland scores and creates goals.

Virtanen, the 2014 first-round draft pick — the first pick of the Jim Benning era in Vancouver — was hyped in terms that now define Ferland, a guy who scores goals and dominates with a pounding physical presence.

Except that’s not who Virtanen really was in junior. He was a good scorer, but his goals didn’t come from grinding work in front of the net. He found the net by being a far better skater than his peers. Bursting past defenders is the dominant, repetitive move seen in his teenage highlight reels.

In the NHL he’s rarely seen mucking near the net. His powerful skating stride still stands out but he generally uses his speed to find space on the outside. There are no weak defencemen to leave in his wake.

Benning said Thursday he hoped that adding Ferland would serve as a teaching point for the 23-year-old Virtanen.

“Getting Ferland will be good for Jake,” he said, answering a question from Global News’ Squire Barnes over whether the acquisition of Ferland was an indictment of Virtanen. “Watching Micheal and how physical he plays will be beneficial for Jake.”

Ferland is what Virtanen isn’t, the player you wish he was.

ICE CHIPS — The Canucks confirmed Thursday Alex Burrows’ Ring of Honour ceremony will take place Dec. 3, when Vancouver hosts the Ottawa Senators.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149625 Vancouver Canucks The 6-foot-1, 216 pounder is a true power forward who dominates below the hash marks and along the walls. He fights through traffic to find tips and deflections, is a puck recovery machine near the goalmouth on Micheal Ferland is a great add for Canucks at a fair cost but the signing’s rebounds and has the sense and wherewithal to read off of skilled not without cap questions players and find soft spots in the opposition’s coverage.

Viz from The Point Hockey

By Harman Dayal Jul 11, 2019 Sportlogiq’s data affirms the eye test with Ferland grading as one of the league’s better forwards at receiving and firing pucks from within the slot and generating second-chance scoring opportunities. This stylistic profile also helps rationalize why Ferland isn’t as effective when asked to The deeper you trek past the landmines of July 1, the more value you’re shoulder more of the load on a third line — he’s not much of a puck typically able to add through free agency. carrier in transition or offensive creator on his own and thus needs to In inking skilled Micheal Ferland ten days after the UFA market function as a secondary threat for linemates who draw most of the opened to a four year, $14-million deal ($3.5 million annually) the attention. Vancouver Canucks hope to have made a sound bet in that exact vein. The fit should be excellent for a Canucks team that struggled for most of It’s the classic case of buying low on a player who’s stock fell by a fair the year to get to the front of the net and battle for chances in the not so margin after the 27-year-old cooled off with just four goals in his final 34 glamorous ways. games with the Hurricanes. I collected scoring chance data for parts of last season and in January I In a vacuum, there’s a lot to like about Ferland as a player, but whether presented the chart above in an article that explored the Canucks’ he makes sense for the Canucks within the context of their situation is success at creating offence off the rush. On the other hand, it was another question. There are debates over whether he’s a legitimate top- evident that they were well below average at creating turnovers and six option for a team with a glut of middle-six forwards, how his subsequent chances on the forecheck as well as rebound opportunities. production might fare as he advances through his late 20s with health It was evident that the Canucks needed to add skilled forwards who concerns and whether the Canucks are handcuffing their cap flexibility to could also crash the net and cause some havoc and in since adding a dangerous degree. Tanner Pearson, JT Miller and now Ferland, Vancouver’s accomplished They’re all valid queries to ponder and ones we’ll thoroughly explore in exactly that. this piece. Adding these players could prove to be vital as far as diversifying the way What are the Canucks getting in Ferland? the Canucks create chances and goals. They seemed overly reliant on the counterattack for rush opportunities last season and that, of course, Lacking an extensive track record with top-six level production, many are requires space to be available in the neutral zone. Disciplined teams that unsure what to expect from Ferland despite the fact that he’s registered could protect the middle of the ice and stifle the Canucks’ room to setup back-to-back 40 point seasons. Much of that skepticism draws from the rush chances were able to largely shut down Vancouver’s scoring. fact that he had just 25 and 18 points respectively in the two seasons prior to his breakout 2017-18 campaign, but the truth is that production is To be a potent offensive team (especially in the playoffs where time and the product of opportunity just as much as it is ability. space becomes even harder to find), you need to be well-rounded in how you generate your offence and there’s no doubt the Canucks have taken Ferland’s case drives this point home as his point production has steps forward in accomplishing this goal in the past few months. fluctuated heavily depending on who’s been on his line. If there’s one concern with how Ferland’s production might translate, it’s In Calgary, Ferland was able to click on the Johnny Gaudreau line and if Vancouver’s play style will result in enough offence down low for him to this past season with the Hurricanes, he solidified the notion he could flourish. score at a prolific pace alongside elite talent with an impressive showing on Sebastian Aho’s wing. On the flipside, there’s definitely merit behind Rebound data courtesy MoneyPuck the thought that Ferland doesn’t thrive when having to drive his own line Carolina was able to dominate teams with their cycle and puck — his offensive production dries up in the bottom-six and his two-way possession predicated game and it resulted in them being far and away profile leaves a lot to be desired. the best team in the league at generating rebounds. Ferland goes from a Theoretically, Ferland could fit anywhere in your top-9, but you’ll situation that catered to his bread and butter to a team Vancouver that definitely want to surround him with high-end talent so he can sit back generated just 144 rebounds compared to the Hurricanes’ 289 (Calgary and be more of a complementary piece to create space and convert had similarly strong rebound generation numbers the year prior). chances in-tight. Top-six deployment is essential to getting the most out Part of this massive discrepancy is, of course, due in part to the fact the of Ferland, but it’s fair to wonder if that’s what’s also best for the team’s team didn’t have the right personnel to actually reach second-chance success. Does Ferland legitimately elevate his linemates’ play? opportunities, but you do have to wonder if the Canucks have the play This one is a little more difficult to answer. style and overall identity to attack in ways conducive to Ferland’s skillset. Loui Eriksson is an example of a player who had a track record for doing The Aho and Monahan lines each posted very similar results as far as excellent things down low that failed catastrophically when making the controlling well north of 50 percent of the shots and scoring chances move to Vancouver and while there are a ton of reasons why he hasn’t regardless of whether Ferland was on their line or not — he didn’t have produced here, the team’s inability to create shots that lead to rebounds an overwhelmingly positive or negative effect relative to alternative and control play behind the net could be a cause. options. Where the fit inspires more confidence is in the actual goal metrics. Nonetheless, I’m still optimistic that Ferland can provide value to Vancouver’s top-six. During Ferland’s final two seasons for the Flames, the Monahan line outscored the opposition by 22 goals (59-37) in over 1,000 minutes with Another area the Canucks might turn to Ferland for help is in the bumper Ferland while getting outscored by five goals when he wasn’t on it. The role on the first-unit power play. Last season, the Canucks’ power play caveat is that much of that difference was luck driven — Monahan’s line rotated through forwards like Sven Baertschi, Josh Leivo, Brock Boeser benefited from an unsustainably high 9.9 percent on-ice shooting clip to and Nikolay Goldobin in that position and was just never quite able to find go along with incredible .936 goaltending with Ferland on their line and the right fit. were rather unlucky with the same percentages when he wasn’t on their Enter Ferland who showed flashes of brilliance playing the bumper on line. Given that this isn’t a huge sample of minutes, there’s no doubt that Carolina’s man advantage. luck normalization would bridge the gap. The 2010 fifth-round pick can jam pucks in off rebounds but shows great At the same time, there’s definitely an argument to be made that Ferland offensive instincts in how he prepares himself for passes through the is the type of clinical finisher that outperforms his shot metrics and I have middle of the ice. Ferland constantly scans the ice and adjusts his body a lot of time for that line of reasoning (even if it’s not to the drastic extent positioning to create the right passing angle, but most importantly almost that we’ve seen the last couple years). always keeps his stick on the ice knowing that he could be used as a You can see that in the two seasons leading up their age-27 season, the quick outlet for a deflection or pass at any moment. cohort (blue line) averaged around 40 points — right around what Ferland’s registered. We can see that in the three subsequent seasons, He also has surprisingly decent hands — an example of what he can do the comparables were able to hold steady in around the mid-30s point as the bumper when at his best available in the clip below. totals wise before a pretty significant collapse in the fourth year where On this play, Ferland pounces to recover the puck as he consistently they averaged just 24 points. does, but is then able to send a no-look backhand feed across the slot to Those averages don’t even account for the three players who found Aho for an excellent setup. I wouldn’t count on him routinely making themselves out of the NHL by 30. A way to account for this and to plays like that, but the tools are there and through his career Ferland’s introduce another lens through which to look at the situation is by looking maintained a very positive effect on shots, scoring chances and at the percentage of the comparables that hit certain point totals. ultimately goals. The first two years look to represent good value with just shy of half of 2016-19 viz courtesy Evolving Hockey Ferland’s comparables managing to crack 40 points through year two. I’d also be doing a grave injustice if I didn’t mention the value Ferland Things take a bit of a decline by age 29, although 61.5 percent still hit the brings as someone who can lay the body, bring a competitive edge and 30 point threshold. It’s the age 30 season and thus the fourth year of the add meanness. contract that represents risks. Just a quarter of the cohort was able to score 35 points and just 37.5 percent nailing at least 30. These attributes should be seen as a secondary priority when building your team, but it’s awesome to get them from players who contribute The final year or two of most bigger UFA contracts are a worry, however, tangible value in other departments such as with Ferland and Antoine and even when considering the risk attached with the fourth year, the Roussel. Canucks appeared to have paid a very reasonable price.

How will Ferland age and is he worth the contract? Dom Luszczyszyn’s model believes the Canucks paid right around what Ferland should be worth on the open market based on his ability and on- There’s lots to like about what Ferland brings to the table as a player, but ice impact. The $3.5 million cap hit is also a bargain compared to the given how we’ve seen that power forwards who’re physically involved $4.1 million that Evolving Wild projected on a four-year term. break down quicker, it’s necessary to ponder the risk that comes with this signing. All in all, even with the fourth year carrying more risk than you’d like, the Canucks are making a pretty fair bet on Ferland. Ferland has a concussion history which is always a concern for a player who battles as hard as he does and while he’s on the younger side Canucks’ cap situation becomes murkier relative to most UFAs at 27, the four-year term takes him through his Many have already acknowledged the fact that the Canucks need to age-30 season. make a trade or two to shed salary to re-sign Brock Boeser after the Reports suggest no other team was willing to offer more than three years Ferland signing, but what’s been undersold is the number of salary and when looking at how his scoring and stature based comparables commitments Vancouver is adding three years from now when Elias aged, it’s easy to understand the concerns in doing that. Before diving Pettersson and Quinn Hughes will be on their second contracts. Loui into the results, I’d like to explain the criteria used to derive his matches. Eriksson’s $6-million sticks out like a sore thumb, but Jay Beagle and Roussel’s $3-million each for another three seasons might be inefficient Produced at a clip between 37 and 53 points per 82 games cumulatively cap usage. during their age 25 and 26 seasons (Ferland averaged 45) Then there’s also the fact the Canucks overpaid for Tyler Myers. The Both at least 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds (this serves as a proxy for bigger contract could have been a lot worse, but at the end of the day, forwards who’re more physically involved) Vancouver’s paying $6-million annually for a number four or five quality defenceman who in three or four years will likely have regressed to Played in a minimum of 135 NHL games between 25 and 26 as we’re bottom-pairing ability. looking for players who’ve mostly stayed in the lineup like Ferland has I have no qualms with the Ferland signing on its own, but it is important I’ve used raw point totals instead of prorating for games played (with the to recognize that between those players the Canucks will owe $21.5 exception of lockout-shortened years) because if these players start million. Three of those five will likely either be fourth line or bottom pair breaking down and getting injured it should be reflected in the data in material (Beagle, Eriksson, Myers) with Roussel and Ferland better bets, some way. Below is the list of players that came up thanks to Hockey- although each has a concerning injury history. Collectively, the group will Reference and the production they maintained from their age 27 to 30 probably be replacement level — that’s a lot of inefficient cap seasons (the years where Ferland signed for here). management for an organization that likely wants it’s Cup window to Jamie Langenbrunner open in three years.

Bates Battaglia Let’s be very clear — the Canucks shouldn’t have issues with signing either Pettersson or Hughes, but there’s definitely opportunity cost Chris Gratton involved. One can only imagine what could be done with that much free cap space in three years when Vancouver might want to push all their Dave Scatchard chips in. Last summer, we saw teams who’ve managed the cap well in Matt Pettinger San Jose and St. Louis land stars Erik Karlsson and Ryan O’Reilly respectively for cents on the dollar because they were one of the few Mark Bell teams that had the space to take on their entire contracts. This offseason we saw the New Jersey Devils land PK Subban — who’s just a year Alexei Ponikarovsky removed from being a Norris Trophy finalist — for just two second-round Taylor Pyatt picks and a mid-level prospect just because they were one of the few clubs willing to take on his entire salary. Paul Gaustad I’m not going to harp on the Ferland signing specifically because I believe Jarrett Stoll that in a vacuum it’s a decent roll of the dice for a player who will bring a RJ Umberger lot to the table, but it’s certainly not ideal that the Canucks have so much money tied up long-term when they’ll want to compete for a Cup on risky Dustin Penner bets or otherwise bad contracts.

Scott Hartnell Conclusion

Brandon Dubinsky Looking at the Ferland signing independent of the other contracts on the team, there’s quite a lot to like. He doesn’t drive play or create much on Pat Maroon his own, but pair him with elite talent and he’s proven to be very capable of shining below the hash marks as a complementary power forward. Based on past scoring and size based comparables, the fourth year of Ferland’s deal could look a little rough with his cohort averaging just 24 points in their age 30 seasons, but such is the bet you make when shopping on the open market. Injuries will be the major key because if he can manage to stay away from head trauma and remain durable, there’s a good chance the Canucks don’t actually wind up regretting the contract.

Having said that, the context of the other contracts on the team does raise questions as to how the Canucks plan to take bigger strides forward three to four years out when Pettersson and Hughes will have their paydays. How will they be able to make serious trade and free-agent additions to make the leap to Cup contender status when they’ll have $21.5 million three years from now spent on probable bottom-of-the- lineup players? You could absolutely handle $3.5 million in inefficient spending three to four years from now, but the Canucks are adding these potential risks up. At the very least, some of these contracts will restrict their movement when they’ll desire flexibility the most.

Leaving that behind though, Ferland bolsters the scoring winger depth and brings a highly desired physical edge that’ll be sure to make him a fan favourite. That the contract is fair value for a player of Ferland’s calibre is a sweet bonus when considering the premium teams are often forced to pay in unrestricted free agency.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149626 Websites Bowman says eventually he couldn’t tolerate the work environment and on July 2, he put in notice that he would no longer be working with the company. Bowman said he also reached out to the Royal Canadian The Athletic / How an AHL push notification made a private work dispute Mounted Police about his predicament via email last week. public According to Bowman, he was being paid close to $6,000 a month for his services; the $6,000 mentioned in the public push notification is a reference to the money owed for work for the month of June, he said. By Sean Shapiro Jul 11, 2019 According to Bowman, his contract with HockeyTech states the company has 30 days to pay out on invoices. On July 9, he had a discussion with the human resources department at HockeyTech requesting payment You likely don’t know Ian Bowman or Stewart Zimmel. immediately, according to Bowman. Bowman said he didn’t feel But if you have the AHL application and had push notifications turned on comfortable transferring over information without final payment and didn’t Wednesday morning, you learned around 9:51 a.m. ET that one man want to end up in a situation where he’d be forced to later work to get allegedly threatened to punch the other in the throat. money he was already owed.

Roughly 13 minutes later there was a follow-up notification sent three On the morning of July 10, Bowman said he no longer had access to his times reading, “Stewart. Since I have no way to contact you are you owe work email or HockeyTech’s internal chat. He sent an email through his me nearly $6,000 I would ask you contact me about payment. Also, I’m Gmail account, but he said it bounced back and he believes they blocked filing a workplace report against you for threatening me punch me in the him from sending external messages to the company. throat nemours (sic) times.” Zimmel confirmed in an email that HockeyTech shutdown Bowman’s That was followed up by, “Stewart Zimmel please pay the outstanding company email per company policy after he resigned. Zimmel also said monies owed.” via email that, “Mr. Bowman had Mr. Zimmel’s personal phone and email, along with his business phone and email, so we are not sure why he Users who opened the application that morning were also greeted by a couldn’t make contact that way.” screenshot of a conversation where someone identified as Zimmel said: “We talked yesterday and you said you were clear and would follow Bowman still had access to the Ionic account that the AHL application direction given less than 18 hours later you are doing what interests you was built on. According to Bowman, the Ionic account, which essentially again smarten up – or I will come out there and ‘punch you in the throat.'” hosts the foundation for the app, is connected to his personal email.

That message is followed by a smiley face emoji and was received on Growing frustrated, Bowman said he decided to use the AHL application March 7, 2017. as a “final attempt” to contact Zimmel.

How a private workplace dispute became a very public one is a bit Bowman said this wasn’t a normal form of communication, but he complicated. considered it a last resort. He also said he hadn’t worked on the AHL application in roughly two months, so when he sent the push notifications Bowman is a developer who worked on a contract basis for HockeyTech, he assumed it would only send to two phones – Bowman and Zimmel. which manages the AHL’s application. With the exception of a short stint as a full-time employee at HockeyTech, he’s been doing contract labor “Sometimes we’d test messages internally through the app,” Bowman for Zimmel since 2015, first at a company called Buzzer Apps and then at said. “You could send a message to only five people, pick them out of a HockeyTech. list. Usually, there is a Stewart and Ian list, just me and him, and that would be a test list to see if the application worked. But on this day, I was Buzzer Apps was sold to HockeyTech in March of 2018. As part of the sending, ‘You backed away, where’s my $6,000 dollars?’ Then shortly sale, Zimmel joined HockeyTech in a full-time role as the chief operating after I got a message from somebody on LinkedIn who is saying they got officer. the message. So it obviously went to all users and not just me and him.

The sale also included a full-time role for Bowman at HockeyTech’s “They’ve modified the code, normally that would have worked. But I don’t Waterloo, Ontario, offices. Bowman moved from Nova Scotia to Ontario know what they’ve changed.” for the job but left the full-time role in November of 2018. He moved to Alberta and continued to work with HockeyTech on a contract basis. Bowman made sure to clarify multiple times he wasn’t trying to send out a mass push notification. “I had some issues in the office, Stewart was pretty blunt with me. He’d say I was slow, there was other people in the office that could do it, why “I didn’t want to do it that way, I just wanted Stewart to see it and maybe couldn’t I do it? … He’d point to the person sitting beside me and say, get his attention and then he would call me and I’d get paid,” Bowman ‘Devin, can do that, why can’t you?'” Bowman said on Wednesday. “I said. found it like old school management, it wasn’t for me, so I was willing to In an email, Zimmel wrote, “Mr. Bowman has always been paid in a take some of the threats online if I were a couple of thousand kilometers timely manner. The only money owed to him was from an invoice he just away, but I wasn’t going to be humiliated in an office in front of people.” submitted on July 08, 2019.” Bowman said he had no business experience when he first started Both Bowman and Zimmel confirmed that the problem was being working with Zimmel, and he often felt short-changed and mistreated resolved on Thursday, and Bowman was working directly with the human while working at Buzzer Apps, which pre-dates the AHL’s involvement relations department. with the company. The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 According to Bowman, he was threatened multiple times of getting throat punched, with the threat delivered both in person and over digital communication. Like the screen grab that ended up inside the AHL application, the tone was often confusing in the delivery.

“It was on serious matters. He would put the smiley face and he would pay me, eventually, so how serious is the threat?” Bowman said. “Because they were tied to real issues, like ‘We lost a $1,000 because of you, I’m gonna come punch you in the throat.’ That sounds real.”

Zimmel via email said: “The ‘throat’ comment was from two years ago, and was in jest and taken out of context.”

When reached for a statement on Wednesday, AHL vice president of communication Jason Chaimovitch said there was nothing to comment on from the AHL and that, “Unauthorized push notifications were sent out through our app this morning, and we’ve worked with our app provider to get the issue corrected.” 1149627 Websites was a safe bet to age gracefully based on his standing as an elite defenseman. It’s a deal a majority of people would’ve signed. Maybe a little rich, maybe a little long – but probably worth it in the end.

The Athletic / By the numbers: A look at the 10 worst contracts in hockey No one expected the Doughty that showed up in 2018-19. That’s bad luck. He was just average defensively and a complete shell of himself offensively in terms of play-driving. For the first time in his career, By Dom Luszczyszyn Jul 11, 2019 Doughty carried a negative expected goal rate and had one of the worst relative rates of his career. By actual goals, it was the worst of his career

and he dropped back down to a pedestrian 45 points. By GSVA he was The best and worst contracts share one thing in common: When you look worth just 0.4 wins last season compared to 3.0 and 2.4 the two seasons them up, your immediate reaction is “I’m sorry, he makes how much for prior. WAR didn’t like him much either, putting him just below how long? That’s insane.” It works both ways. replacement level. You can argue that Doughty struggled because his team did, but part of the team’s struggles are simply on Doughty not After doing a lot of work on this year’s free agency crop and estimating playing like the elite defenseman he should be. their worth, it’s time to look back on past deals and figure out which ones are the best and which ones are the worst, using the same methodology Obviously, no one expects Doughty to be as bad next season, but how that I’ve been using to analyze this year’s crop. much of a bounce-back is reasonable to expect? Can he still be considered an elite defenseman? My model puts a lot of weight for play- This exercise is obviously a popular one, but I’m not sure it’s been ever driving metrics on the most recent season based on historic done in a strictly empirical manner. That’s the goal here, so no hard predictiveness and Doughty doesn’t come out so hot as a result with an feelings for any players who show up (or don’t) on either list – it’s just average projection of just 1.1 wins. Still a top pair rate, but nowhere near math. (The comments are always open to respectful discussion, debate the 2.75 expected of a defender getting paid $11 million. and questions for any particular disagreement, of which there are usually many when it comes to making any list whatsoever). And there are eight years left.

The way I’ll be judging contracts is two-fold: Surplus value over the Doughty is without a doubt the best player on this bad contracts list, but entirety of a contract and probability of yielding positive expected value. he’s also much higher paid and that means a lot of negative surplus Both come from comparing GSVA and the expected salary that comes value if he can’t live up to his contract. P.K. Subban was just traded as a with it to the current contract a player possesses. The former looks at cap dump despite similar pedigree, makes $2 million less for five years excess value so if a player is making $10 million over three years, but my fewer and was better than Doughty last season. model believes that should be closer to $12 million, then the surplus Maybe last season was a blip. Maybe he’ll return completely to form, and value is $2 million. The latter is explained more in depth in a recent post, given his talent, I wouldn’t be at all surprised by that. But given his most and looks at the likelihood of a player surpassing the expected win rate recent season and the amount he’s getting paid, it’s difficult to view attached to his salary based on the uncertainty of his win projection. Both Doughty’s contract, which pays him until he’s 37-years-old, as anything are weighted equally and what players have already done holds no merit: but an albatross right now. And it’s hard to really fault the team for giving This is about the future value of the contract. Contract clauses and bonus it to him either. structure are important, but not considered with this assessment. 3. Kyle Okposo, BUF So here we go: After yesterday’s look at the 10 best contracts in the NHL, today we focus on the 10 worst. Contract: $6M x four years

Note: Players on LTIR weren’t considered. Surplus Value: -$21.4M

1. Brent Seabrook, CHI Positive Value Probability: 2.7%

Contract: $6.875M x five years The year of 2016 was a great year for RFA contracts, with three deals signed then in the top 10 best contracts. For UFA contracts though… Surplus Value: -$33.2M yikes. Okposo’s deal is one of four from that summer on this list. It’s safe Positive Value Probability: 0.1% to say Okposo hasn’t come close to living up to the hype that came with his seven-year deal and his days of being a player worth $6 million are The biggest shock to me was not that Seabrook ended up number one long over. (anybody could’ve guessed that) it’s that there are still five years left on his deal. Five! At $6.875 million. For a replacement-level defenseman. There was always risk involved with Okposo as a player who may have Who is 34-years-old. I’m not sure how any of that is possible, and I’m not been carried by teammate John Tavares, but at the time it seemed like even sure how probable it is that Seabrook actually finishes the the most sensible of the deals signed as he was coming off a 64-point remainder of the deal in the NHL. season. In his first year he did fine, scoring at a 57-point pace, but the past two years have been rough, with 2017-18, in particular, being For that price, a team should be getting a capable number two derailed by injury. defenseman, and I’m struggling to remember the last year Seabrook actually offered that kind of value. Very few players carry a worse Without that fact, maybe Okposo would’ve lived up to his promise, but for defensive impact than Seabrook and he doesn’t provide much more in now he’s being paid like a second-line forward while providing fourth line the way of offence either. The probability of Seabrook providing positive value or worse over the remainder of the deal. Any chance at a bounce- value on this deal says it all: 999 times out of 1,000, he doesn’t. back feels relatively slim.

2. Drew Doughty, LAK 4. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJS

Contract: $11M x eight years Contract: $7M x seven years

Surplus Value: -$55.7M Surplus Value: -$44.7M

Positive Value Probability: 6.1% Positive Value Probability: 7.6%

I can imagine this is a very spicy take, so let me explain before you fire While the new Marc-Edouard Vlasic winds up on the best contracts list, off that 300-word tirade in the comments. Doughty signed his deal a full the old one winds up on the opposite end. Vlasic was still a reasonably year before free agency, for the full eight years. That deal won’t actually strong defender just two-or-three seasons ago, but 2018-19 was kick off until next season, but a lot has changed since Doughty put pen to extremely unkind to him. It was like he fell off a statistical cliff. paper. Last year, Vlasic was the only Sharks defender with a negative expected At the time of signing, there was every reason to believe Doughty would goals differential, he was second last defensively, and by actual goals be worth it, as he was coming off a Norris trophy win. He was driving play only his partner, Justin Braun, was worse. The argument for Vlasic is that at an elite rate against tough competition and under new coaching put up he plays difficult minutes, but those were dialled back last season when a career-high in points. He was a bonafide top-five defenseman and he struggled. His underlying numbers were fine early on in the season deserved to be paid like one. Based on my research on term, Doughty with Karlsson and in the playoffs with Burns, so it’s possible that a new partner (read: not Braun) can rejuvenate his career, but with seven years Contract: $6M x three years left there are now legitimate concerns about how well Vlasic will age. You probably also don’t want to be paying that much for a player whose play Surplus Value: -$17.4M is dependent on his partner. Positive Value Probability: 3.6%

A bounce-back should be expected next year, but going up to the level From day one, Eriksson has been a complete bust as a Canuck. He’s commensurate of his paycheck is a tall order. He’s paid like a number contract No. 3 from the wondrous summer of 2016. The worries of his two defender, one who should provide 1.6 wins of value next season and age and that he was a product of his environment in Boston next to 8.2 in the six seasons after. That’s close to where he was at in 2016-17 Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand were realized to an extent few and 2017-18, but his age and performance last season makes me could’ve really predicted. It speaks to the limitations of current data too skeptical he can reach that point again. as I recall most analysts being largely okay with the Eriksson deal at the 5. Milan Lucic, EDM time (though not that the Canucks were the team that signed it) as a contributor to that elite line in Boston, rather than a passenger. Contract: $6M x four years What’s clear from his time in Vancouver is that he couldn’t do much by Surplus Value: -$23.0M himself and he’s now a replacement-level player, one whose scoring dried up three years ago and whose play-driving went in the tank last Positive Value Probability: 6.2% season. In the latter case, he was at least passable in that department for Contract No. 2 from the hellscape summer of 2016. Many would put the first few seasons. Lucic as worse than Okposo, and that’s mighty fair given he’s a worse What makes his deal a little more appealing than Okposo’s and Lucic’s is player with a larger negative surplus value. What’s working in Lucic’s that it’s over three years from now rather than four. Still, that’s three favour is a wider range of uncertainty than Okposo, giving him a slightly years with a replacement-level player at a cap hit of $6 million – far from better chance to bounce back. His individual offensive numbers are much ideal. weaker, but his play-driving numbers are a little stronger, albeit still weak overall. 9. Bobby Ryan, OTT

Honestly, there’s no sense splitting hairs with those two – neither are Contract: $7.25M x three years worth their compensation. At their price, the expectation is 5.9 wins over the next four years. My model has both at less than zero. Surplus Value: -$16.7M

6. Mike Matheson, FLA Positive Value Probability: 2.6%

Contract: $4.875 x seven years There was a time when Ryan looked like a promising player, but ever since signing a monster extension with Ottawa, he hasn’t shown much of Surplus Value: -$21.5M that. He isn’t completely abhorrent like some other players on this list – he can still chip in 40 points – but his poor defensive play undermines Positive Value Probability: 8.3% that. There’s still somehow three years left of that deal and in those years Relative to the rest of the players here, Matheson isn’t paid that much, my model sees Ryan producing just 0.6 wins of value, looking like a but it still seems mostly non-sensical that he does and for seven years. fourth liner or worse. He’s 32 now, so things will only get worse for him It’s the type of deal that’s panned out extremely well for other teams like too. At least in Ottawa’s case, Ryan’s bloated contract is an asset toward Nashville’s Roman Josi and Carolina’s Brett Pesce, but Matheson didn’t reaching the cap floor and it’s not like the team will be competitive while really showcase the same level of excellence before signing. he’s on the books either.

Based on the salary structure, it’s clearly a deal the team expects him to 10. Andrew Ladd, NYI grow into, going from $3.5 million in the first year to $6.5 million in the Contract: $5.5M x four years final year, but that’s difficult to imagine given what he’s shown so far. He’s 25 now, what you see is what you get and from this vantage point Surplus Value: -$19.2M that seems to be a run of the mill bottom pairing guy that’s fed far too many minutes. He doesn’t drive play, is frequently out-scored as a result, Positive Value Probability: 8.6% doesn’t put up points, and he doesn’t play tough minutes. Finally, there’s the Ladd deal, completing the quartet of terrible deals Based on his salary, his expectations aren’t that high at just 5.8 wins over from the summer of 2016, a year that should serve as a constant the next seven seasons, but even that low bar doesn’t seem like one reminder of the dangers that come with unrestricted free agency. Matheson can clear. At the time, the Ladd deal carried a lot of risk as he was already in his 7. Cam Fowler, ANA 30s and showing signs of decline. Aside from providing good defensive value in Year 2 of the deal, Ladd hasn’t done much for the Islanders and Contract: $6.5M x seven years looks to be a huge cap liability going forward. He provides as much on- ice value as Okposo, Lucic and Eriksson – very little, if any, over the life Surplus Value: -$35.4M of the deal – but costs $500,000 less, has higher variance in his Positive Value Probability: 11.7% projection, and is a slightly better bet to return some value as a result. The odds are still pitiful though, and it’s why Ladd rounds out the top 10 The Ducks signed Fowler just two seasons ago after a career year where here. he scored just 39 points taking up loads of power-play time. That he was being paid $6.5 million for his services felt like a stretch then and looks Honorable mention: Bryan Little (WPG), James Neal (CGY), Justin even worse now coming off one of the worst seasons of his career. The Abdelkader (DET), Kyle Turris (NSH), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (ARI) Ducks were one of the league’s worst teams by expected goals and The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 Fowler contributed heavily to that as the defensemen with the worst impact on chances. That was a problem at both ends of the ice where he was the worst regular at generating expected goals and suppressing them. He wasn’t scoring points either, putting up just 23 in 59 games.

Fowler still has seven years left on his deal and it doesn’t feel like the rest of the deal is going to be very pretty. He was a sub-replacement level defender last season, but is being paid like a top pairing option. That’s always been a bit of a reach, but looks even more so now. My model expects a bounce-back campaign above replacement level, but doesn’t expect Fowler to stay above that threshold for even half of the remaining years of his contract.

8. Loui Eriksson, VAN 1149628 Websites Three separate deals of this type went forward last season, with each ending a longstanding question.

Ottawa’s ability to extend Karlsson had long been in doubt, and rather The Athletic / Could a big late-summer trade improve the fortunes of your than hold off on a deal they gave the Sharks a full year with the player in NHL team? exchange for a grab bag of futures and cheaper players. The picks deserve a bit of explanation: Ottawa was guaranteed a first (with the year conditional) and a second, and would get an additional second if San By Jonathan Willis Jul 11, 2019 Jose signed Karlsson to an extension (which they did) and an additional first if the Sharks were to trade him to an Eastern team. The last

condition is the most Ottawa condition imaginable, and something the Typically this is the time of year where the hockey world takes a break, Sens added after watching the Sharks flip Mike Hoffman to Florida the insiders make their respective ways to well-deserved offseason immediately after a trade. holidays and the only news hockey obsessives and writers still chained to Like Karlsson, Pacioretty’s future was open to question. The Canadiens their desks can hope for is an injudiciously candid and uncertainly made out like bandits in large part because Tatar proved remarkably translated interview between some European player and a member of his capable of filling the same slot. hometown press. Carolina got what it could for Skinner, an underappreciated player That may be changing. The NHL seems to be becoming more active in coming off a bad season. It’s almost always a good idea to trade for its summer months. those guys, and the Sabres got 40 goals in the last year of a bargain Over the past five seasons, teams have made a total of eight trades contract. between the end of the first week of free agency and the end of August. At one point New Jersey’s Taylor Hall looked like a great candidate for Four of those eight trades came last summer. Expand the window to the this sort of deal. It’s possible he still is. Yet between winning the Jack end of September, and the number over five years is 15 trades; seven of Hughes lottery and trading for P.K. Subban the Devils have a far more them last year. compelling story to tell this summer than could have been expected as One busy summer does not a trend make, but we’ve already seen a deal recently as March. in this window this year: Tuesday’s trade of Henri Jokiharju from Chicago In June, Hall was taking the patient approach, because the Devils had to Buffalo in exchange for Alex Nylander. That’s significant because in “bigger things to worry about.” That’s no longer true, and the team and both 2015-16 and 2017-18 there wasn’t a single deal between July 8 and player can now focus on what will surely be an expensive contract the end of August. negotiation. (Blackhawks fans may find themselves wishing for the old days of A more likely candidate from the same area is Chris Kreider, who doesn’t inactivity. The logic behind trading a 20-year-old defenceman averaging have quite the same cachet but had 28 goals and 52 points last year and 19 minutes per game for a 21-year-old forward with six career NHL possesses the kind of size/speed package that’s hard to find. The arrival points is open to question, though Corey Pronman offers at least a partial of Artemi Panarin was a major coup for the Rangers but will have rationale.) consequences elsewhere (though New York will also have a second Trades in this window tend to be big. Just four of the 15 deals were of the buyout window and has some players to consider for that process as minor-league variety, and two of those three came from the absurdly well). busy Coyotes, who also account for three larger deals. John Chayka So, you’re in the last year of your contract (low stakes edition) apparently doesn’t get to spend his summers out at the cottage. For teams with more modest ambitions – a useful middle-six winger, a It’s useful to look at what kind of deals happen before the late-October 1A/1B goalie, a depth defenceman – there are still options. flurry as the last few cap-strapped teams try to get compliant. We’ll skip over the minor-league deals and look at how NHL teams have typically A combination of factors leads to these trades. Generally, the player addressed their needs in the summer. being in the last year of his deal makes for an easier sale, and the team doing the selling doesn’t see a place for the player in its long-term plans Arizona adds contracts! anyway. Often it’s combined with wanting to free up money to pay for an Chayka doesn’t get the summers off, and if trade returns are anything to expensive RFA, since the other thing that goes on during the dead go by he’s getting increasingly grumpy about it. summer months is the arbitration process.

At the 2016 draft, he took on a year of Pavel Datsyuk’s contract in This is a harder deal to pin down in advance because a lot of different exchange for moving up just four spots – and sent a second-rounder teams might look at a lot of different players. Boston, Calgary and Vegas (and Joe Vitale’s equally dead contract) back to Detroit for good seem like the most obvious candidates, given that all have veterans on measure. In 2017, he sent second- and third-round picks back to Florida expiring deals and either a present need for cap space or some high- and took on Bolland’s dead cap hit, all to get Crouse. profile young players in need of new deals. Vancouver’s Chris Tanev could be a fit for this kind of deal, too. By 2018, the cost had gone up. The Hossa trade required Chicago to swap two real NHL players for a pair of AHLers, trade a fifth-rounder for a Special bonus category: Ottawa saves money! third-rounder, and take back Kruger’s pricey contract. The only other At first glance, this appears to be a trade of hockey players; a bad trade, consideration the Blackhawks got in the deal was Entwistle, a second-tier to be sure, but a trade all the same. Don’t be deceived. prospect. Zibanejad, a restricted free agent coming off a bridge deal, was due for Sadly for GMs in cap hell, a trade now will be even trickier than it was for what by NHL standards was a modest payday. He got it from the last year. The Coyotes still aren’t a big spender by NHL Rangers: $5.35 million per year on a five-year deal. It’s actually a great standards – CapFriendly estimates their payroll at just under $69 million contract for a 26-year-old, 6-foot-2, right-shot centre who last year scored – but they have almost no cap space left. 30 goals and 74 points and has outperformed his team’s shot metrics That still leaves the option of real trades, like Pittsburgh’s recent Phil every season of his career. Kessel exchange or Florida’s 2017 move of a good second-pairing Brassard, who was smaller, older, coming off a less impressive season defenceman for a bottom-six left winger, but most fans won’t find that by the underlying numbers and a comparable season by point totals, had kind of talent exchange appealing. one important element in his favour: a back-diving contract. Despite his So, you’re in the last year of your contract (high stakes edition) superficially similar $5.0-million cap hit, he was owed a salary of just $3.5 million per year over two seasons on the deal the Sens took back from We’ve already seen one of these deals, albeit from July 1 rather than the New York. late-summer period: the trade of Tyson Barrie to Toronto. Rather than ride uncertainty all the way to the trade deadline, it’s common for teams It might be a good year for that kind of trade, especially with Arizona to try and get ahead of the game. When T.J. Brodie and Justin Faulk pop probably out of the empty calories cap space business. Ottawa didn’t buy in trade rumours, some of the reason is this dynamic. out Mike Condon, who carries a $2.4-million cap hit and $3.0 million in actual salary. For the really ambitious, there’s also Bobby Ryan, whose $7.5-million salary exceeds his slightly more modest $7.25-million cap hit.

There are enough difficult situations around the NHL to think that the summer of 2019 is going to take after the active 2018 offseason, rather than its sleepier predecessors.

As has become increasingly the case in recent years, deals at this point will be driven on the selling end by salary and cap space considerations. For teams that missed out in free agency or still have pressing needs and a little bit of money to play with, there should still be some opportunities to add talent.

This will be especially appealing to clubs that for one reason or other did not wish to commit term to the 2019 class of NHL free agents. History suggests most of the players probably now available will be on expiring contracts.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149629 Websites double. He’s one of six players projected to provide over four wins next season.

His deal goes to his age 37 season, but based on typical ageing he The Athletic / By the numbers: A look at the 10 best contracts in hockey should still be a top-line threat at that point and still well above his pay grade. Quite the competitive advantage for Boston to have players in the first and second spot on this list and the final member of the best line in By Dom Luszczyszyn Jul 10, 2019 hockey wasn’t far off either.

3. Sean Couturier, PHI

The best and worst contracts share one thing in common: When you look Contract: $4.33M x three years them up, your immediate reaction is “I’m sorry, he makes how much for how long? That’s insane.” It works both ways. Surplus Value: +$21.9M

After doing a lot of work on this year’s free agency crop and estimating Positive Value Probability: 97.5% their worth, it’s time to look back on past deals and figure out which ones When Couturier signed his deal in 2015 – a full season before it actually are the best and which ones are the worst, using the same methodology kicked in – he looked like one of the game’s premier defensive centers that I’ve been using to analyze this year’s crop. with some offensive upside. His contract seemed fair for his role. One This exercise is obviously a popular one, but I’m not sure it’s been ever year into the deal, he exploded, realizing his potential as one of the done in a strictly empirical manner. That’s the goal here, so no hard game’s best two-way centers and a perennial Selke threat. With three feelings for any players who show up (or don’t) on either list – it’s just seasons left, $4.33 million is now a pittance for what Couturier provides math. (The comments are always open to respectful discussion, debate as Philadelphia’s top center; an elite play-driver who has put up 76 points and questions for any particular disagreement, of which there are usually in back-to-back seasons playing some of the league’s toughest forward many when it comes to making any list whatsoever). minutes. He’s being paid to put up three wins over the next three seasons – he’s projected to do more than that next season alone. The way I’ll be judging contracts is two-fold: Surplus value over the entirety of a contract and probability of yielding positive expected value. 4. Nathan MacKinnon, COL Both come from comparing GSVA and the expected salary that comes Contract: $6.3M x four years with it to the current contract a player possesses. The former looks at excess value so if a player is making $10 million over three years, but my Surplus Value: +$30.6M model believes that should be closer to $12 million, then the surplus value is $2 million. The latter is explained more in depth in a recent post, Positive Value Probability: 93.5% and looks at the likelihood of a player surpassing the expected win rate It’s amazing to think that for four more seasons, the Avalanche will get attached to his salary based on the uncertainty of his win projection. Both MacKinnon for under $6.5 million per season. When he signed the deal are weighted equally and what players have already done holds no merit: that was close to fair value as he had struggled to elevate his game to This is about the future value of the contract. Contract clauses and bonus the elite level many expected. He looked like a borderline top-line center. structure are important, but not considered with this assessment. Now, he’s one of the five best in hockey and doesn’t look like he’s So here we go: A look at the 10 best contracts in the league, along with slowing down any time soon. The expectation for $6.3 million per season some honourable mentions. And here are the 10 worst contracts in the is just over six wins over the next four years. I expect MacKinnon to NHL. provide closer to 15, maybe more.

1. David Pastrnak, BOS 5. Aleksander Barkov, FLA

Contract: $6.67M x four years Contract: $5.9M x three years

Surplus Value: +$35.3M Surplus Value: +$20.1M

Positive Value Probability: 98.4% Positive Value Probability: 98.1%

Who else but Pastrnak, who has emerged as one of the game’s premier Everything that was said about MacKinnon applies to Barkov, who was scoring wingers over the last few seasons, scoring at a 47-goal and 101- drafted one spot after him back in 2013. Barkov comes in $400,000 point pace last season. Pastrnak was the only player to rank top 10 in cheaper than MacKinnon, but is projected to be slightly less valuable and both surplus value (fourth) and positive value probability (10th) as he has a shorter contract leading to less surplus value. That’s why he ranks should be making substantially more than he currently does, and is a one spot lower, though the variance in his projection is tighter which near-lock to provide more value than expected. For his price, the makes him a stronger bet to provide positive value over the duration of expectation is a borderline first-line winger worth 6.7 wins total over the his deal. next four seasons. Because of his place on the age curve, Pastrnak 6. Timo Meier, SJS should maintain his elite play through the entirety of his contract and stands to provide nearly three times as many wins. Even a worst-case Contract: $6M x four years scenario where he performs one standard deviation below expected in Surplus Value: +$21.9M each season has him providing nearly twice as many wins as expected. This contract is an absolute steal and an easy choice as the league’s Positive Value Probability: 95.0% best. The ink on the Meier contract is barely dry and it’s already pretty safe to 2. Brad Marchand, BOS say he belongs on this list. The contract expectation is a second line player who will provide 1.5 wins on average per season. Meier is already Contract: $6.125M x six years much stronger than that as not only a legitimate first liner, but one on the Surplus Value: +$38.8M cusp of being an elite player. At his age, he’s only getting better too, especially with more opportunity. Meier broke out with 66 points in 78 Positive Value Probability: 94.7% games last season, but just 10 of those were on the power play. His 2.58 Of the 10 best deals (and five honourable mentions), just one was a UFA points-per-60 were second on the Sharks and 20th league wide. With deal and it happens to be the second-best one. That’s Marchand’s, Joe Pavelski gone, Meier might see a boost in ice-time and especially where for the next six seasons he’ll be making just a shade over $6 power play time and could threaten 70 or 80 points as a result. million per. Boston was extremely lucky to sign him when it did, a year What makes Meier worth significantly more money though is not just his prior to him hitting unrestricted free agency, as he exploded that season newfound scoring, it’s his ability to drive play to an elite degree, influence with 85 points. The following two years he put up 185 points in 147 penalty rates, and especially his nose for the net. Few players create games, a 103-point pace that ranks third behind only Nikita Kucherov more dangerous chances than he does. That he’s locked up for the next and Connor McDavid. At his price, the expectation is a strong second- four seasons at an extremely team-friendly cap hit is a gift. His deal is line forward worth nearly nine wins – a figure Marchand should at least even better than a typical RFA pact. 7. John Klingberg, DAL

Contract: $4.25M x three years

Surplus Value: +$21.3M

Positive Value Probability: 93.4%

The Stars took a small risk when initially signing Klingberg, locking him in for seven years at 6.2 percent of the cap after playing just 65 games. Those games were good enough to expect big things from Klingberg, but he’s surpassed those significantly. You can tell the Stars expected some upward progression as his salary in year one of $2.25 million will jump all the way up to $6 million in the final year, but even that is a fraction of what Klingberg offers as a borderline top-five defenseman. A $4.25 million cap hit suggests a solid number three, while $6 million would be the price for a decent number two. Klingberg is elite, well above that level as a perennial Norris trophy threat.

8. Johnny Gaudreau, CGY

Contract: $6.75M x three years

Surplus Value: +$16.7M

Positive Value Probability: 97.0%

The year of 2016 was a great year for teams in terms of finding big value for RFAs. First MacKinnon, then Barkov, now Gaudreau. All three have established themselves as elite players near the top of the league, players worthy of a much higher salary as a result.

The difference with Gaudreau is that he was coming off a season where he scored 78 points in 79 games, making even his 9.25 percent cap hit at the time of signing a huge bargain. At that price, the expectation is for a low-end first liner and he was already well above that. Now, he’s a superstar and is even higher above what’s needed of him to provide value on this deal. Lack of leverage plays a role in every RFA deal, meaning the best contracts will be littered with them once they hit their prime. But even knowing that doesn’t make Gaudreau’s deal at the time of signing make any more sense.

9. Brett Pesce, CAR

Contract: $4.025M x five years

Surplus Value: +$21.4M

Positive Value Probability: 89.5%

For my money, Pesce is one of the game’s strongest defensive defensemen, an elite play-driver at both ends of the ice in a shutdown role. That’s incredibly hard to find and worth paying for, a lot more than what he’s receiving. Pesce got the typical contract for a young, top four defenseman, but has blossomed from that into a legitimate top pairing option. His point totals may not be great, but his value goes way beyond that. Consider him the new Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

10. Sebastian Aho, CAR

Contract: $8.454M x five years

Surplus Value: +$21.6M

Positive Value Probability: 89.0%

It’s kind of embarrassing for the team that tendered it that a deal signed via offer sheet ends up on a best contracts list, but so it goes for Aho who will be well worth $8.45 million per season over the next five years. He arguably would’ve been worth it all the way up to the top of the next compensation tier.

He’s already an elite force after a breakout campaign and at his age should only improve as he enters his prime. Over the next five seasons, Aho is projected to be worth around 17.1 wins, the 11th most in the league and higher than both John Tavares (16.6) and Artemi Panarin (15.4) who signed contracts of $11 million or more over the past two offseasons. That’s a baseline for his worth on the open market and why his current deal is a great one, despite the leverage of signing it via offer sheet. At his price, the expectation is to provide 10.8 wins, a figure Aho should surpass nine times out of 10.

Honorable mention: Auston Matthews (TOR), Connor McDavid (EDM), Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA), Nikita Kucherov (TBL), Victor Hedman (TBL)

The Athletic LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149630 Websites Brazeau drove south in mid-May and is dedicating this summer to his stride, hitting the ice for sessions with Underhill, the Leafs dedicated skating coach, three or four times a week and training daily at the Leafs Sportsnet.ca / Why the Maple Leafs are investing in Justin Brazeau practice facility.

Underhill is dismantling Brazeau’s stride right down to the basics in order to rebuild it properly, like a golfer learning a new swing starting with the Luke Fox | July 11, 2019, 5:08 PM grip and stance.

No other team was offering the late-blooming prospect this level of investment and attention, so he’s banking on hard work and improvement TORONTO – Justin Brazeau was grateful the New Liskeard beach to pay the Leafs back. volleyball tournament always coincided with Day 2 of the NHL Draft. “They gave me the best chance of taking my pro career forward,” That way he would have an outlet to busy himself, a ball to spike with all Brazeau says. “I know I have to earn my spot on the team.” that nervous energy. That way he wouldn’t be tempted to flick on the TV or wear a trough in the carpet or obsessively check his phone for a call Brazeau is finally undergoing the type of intense skills and skating that never came. training the majority of his drafted peers received as kids, but you won’t catch him regretful. “I went through that three times,” says the undrafted Brazeau, for whom stuffing away hope became an annual ritual. “I wouldn’t change how I got here. Growing up, I was able to play any sport I wanted,” Brazeau reasons. “Last year I knew it was a bit of stretch, having gone through it twice, but I thought I had a good year and had a chance, and… I obviously didn’t. Golf with buddies. Basketball and volleyball at high school. Squash with It’s disappointing, but you build on that and use it as motivation.” Dad.

Not all paths to the National Hockey League are identical, and the big- “My parents never pushed me too hard to do any one thing, and that bodied, velvet-handed Brazeau is striving to make all those teams who kinda helped my love for the game. When I turned 14, that’s when I deemed him too slow regret not calling his name. thought hockey is what I wanted to do.”

Squeaking into the OHL as a 13th-round pick, and only then deciding to Brazeau began his minor midget season at five-foot-10 and 140 pounds. dedicate his attention to hockey, Brazeau scored just six times and put By season’s end, he was six-foot-two and 180 pounds. up seven assists as a junior rookie in 2015-16, but he doubled his production the following season and again the year after. “I’ve been growing like that ever since,” he smiles. “I think I’m done growing — hopefully.” Undrafted after his 39-goal, 75-point tear for the North Bay Battalion in 2017-18, he tried in vain to secure a pro contract somewhere and was Brazeau says it took time to get used to his body, to maximize his reach left with no choice but return for a fourth OHL season. Then he set the and positioning, to find out just how dangerous he could be on the cycle league ablaze, crushing the Battalion franchise record with 61 goals and and in the slot. Finishing plays has become more natural. 113 points in 68 games. The Brazeau Project is yet another example of Kyle Dubas’s Leafs He was awarded the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as the top overage betting on skill and flexing their financial and development muscle. player in the league. If Underhill can get him up to speed, Brazeau has the size and hands to “It was more about proving to everybody that I belong and I can play at become a legitimate power forward. the next level. I don’t think there was a sense of [OHLers] being beneath If not? Well, it won’t be for lack of effort. me,” says Brazeau, 21. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.12.2019 “It was more, I’ve been in the league for four years now. My job was to go back and dominate.”

That domination led to phone calls from a group of clubs that thrice denied him on the draft floor.

A free agent, Brazeau chose the Toronto Maple Leafs, inking a two-year contract to try and stick with the Marlies.

“Any time a kid comes in as a 13th-round pick and works as hard as he did and accomplishes as much as he did, it’s a sign to the other players what happens when you work hard and develop,” Stan Butler, the Battalion’s director of hockey operations and coach, said.

Growing up five and half hours north of Toronto, Brazeau wasn’t always a Leafs diehard. He watched them, of course. But he was enamoured with Alex Ovechkin’s one-timer “and the excitement he brought when he scored goals.” He studied Sidney Crosby because “he’s the hardest- working superstar in the world.” And he appreciated how power forwards like Ryan Getzlaf and Joe Thornton made up for their lack of footspeed with their hockey sense and playmaking.

That’s Brazeau’s objective. That’s why he chose the Leafs.

The knock on the six-foot-six, 61-goal man, the reason he was never drafted, is that he’s too slow. Can’t skate.

“It’s always been that through my junior career. I know that,” he says. “I’m from the North. I’ve never had too much power skating or anything like that.”

Enter Barb Underhill, the blade whisperer.

“She’s definitely one of the best in the business,” Brazeau says.

A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday. 1149631 Websites Vancouver will be $2-3 million over the upper limit when an anticipated extension for Boeser, a restricted free agent whose salary projects in the $7-8-million range, gets negotiated sometime later this summer. And Sportsnet.ca / Canucks face crucial challenges as playoffs appear that’s before management tries to build a buffer to accommodate attainable bonuses for Pettersson and rookie defenceman Quinn Hughes so that that the Canucks’ cap space isn’t further reduced next season.

Benning has accomplished more than most GMs this off-season. But Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet July 11, 2019, 3:34 PM there’s a lot of fiddly work needed before the Canucks open their season in Edmonton on Oct. 2.

“I know that everybody looks at our cap situation as of today, but we VANCOUVER – The two 20-goal scorers the Vancouver Canucks added have three months until the season starts,” Benning said. “I’m having lots to their lineup the last couple of weeks come with bonuses: size and of conversations with other teams. Whether we move money… we have power. a plan in place to get Brock in and be part of our group. He’s a building Free-agent acquisition Micheal Ferland is 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds, and block for us, a core player, so we’re doing to get that figured out. J.T. Miller, obtained in a trade with Tampa Bay, is 6-foot-1 and 218 “If we can move players, it makes it easier. But if we can’t move pounds. Both can skate. Ferland is expected to play next season with players… we’ve got a bunch of different plans in place to make sure we Calder Trophy winner , while Miller probably lines up have a enough (cap) room.” alongside two-way centre Bo Horvat. The best salary-cap solution for the Canucks is also the most difficult: Horvat’s other winger is likely to be power forward Tanner Pearson, finding another team willing to take on Loui Eriksson’s $6-million cap hit acquired last February from Pittsburgh. The third line could include 6- for the next three seasons. foot-2 Josh Leivo, who arrived in December from Toronto, and combative 2018 free-agent find Antoine Roussel. Benning finally spoke this week to Eriksson about comments the winger made in Swedish at the world championships that he and Green “don’t The big addition to the defence, physically and figuratively, is six-foot- really get on 100 per cent.” Benning said it was a positive conversation eight Tyler Myers. and he doesn’t think Eriksson’s remarks were as egregious as some There is an unmistakable pattern here. The Canucks are being people think. rebranded. “We’ll continue to talk and work things out,” Benning said. “We’ll continue General manager Jim Benning has not only built a team capable of to look at our options and see if something makes sense for us, and talk returning to the NHL playoffs next season, he has added enough to Loui and see where he’s at and kind of just go from there.” physical heft and grit to make his team a handful if it gets into the Stanley Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.12.2019 Cup tournament.

Few incidents sparked more fiery debate on the West Coast the last two seasons than defenceman Mike Matheson’s body-slam of Pettersson and Trevor Lewis’ hit-from-behind on Brock Boeser, a runnerup for the Calder Trophy in 2018 before he became Pettersson’s linemate last season.

But the question whether the Canucks were tough enough wasn’t as refined as it needed to be.

Tough enough for what?

The Canucks weren’t good enough that opponents needed to attack Vancouver’s best players. Superior teams just had to show up, be professional and, well, allow their superiority to win games.

Then Vancouver became competitive. And now the Canucks are trying to be more. They’ve certainly spent enough money on players this off- season to be more.

It’s not only the names on the roster that have changed dramatically from two years ago, but the size and nature of the team. Its identity. Yes, Pettersson, Boeser and Horvat drive the attack with their skill, but the Canucks will be physically harder to play against.

Benning targeted Ferland this summer for the same reason he targeted Roussel last year: because his tool kit contains a hammer.

“One of the things we wanted to do was bring in bigger, stronger players. And I think we were able to accomplish that this summer,” Benning said in a conference call with reporters Thursday, one day after signing Ferland away from Carolina with a four-year, $14-million contract. “The way (coach) Travis (Green) wants to play, he wants to play fast and he wants to get pucks behind the other team’s defencemen and get in on the forecheck, recover pucks and get to the net.

“The last couple of years, I think that’s been a bit of a problem.”

The Canucks aren’t going to intimidate anyone. The scariest thing for opponents will still be Pettersson on the puck with time and space. But this is a different Vancouver team than we’ve seen in many years.

Of course, it still has to win. And before that, Benning still has to make his payroll work within the $81.5-million salary cap.

Also for the first time in a long time, the Canucks’ hockey operations staff is going to be tested administratively. 1149632 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Report: Coyotes ticket sales soar after Phil Kessel trade

Mike Johnston | @MikeyJ_MMA July 11, 2019, 1:20 PM

Hockey fans are well aware of the impact Phil Kessel can have on the ice and the Arizona Coyotes are quickly learning of the financial impact Phil the Thrill can have on a team off the ice.

According to statistics obtained by The Arizona Republic, Coyotes tickets sales have skyrocketed since the team acquired the talented winger from the Pittsburgh Penguins less than two weeks ago.

Total ticket sales are up 550 per cent, while season-ticket sales have increased 600 per cent compared to the same time one year ago. The team’s website and app traffic plus its social media engagement have also increased, per the report.

“It’s certainly satisfying and exciting to see us doing something as a franchise that we feel makes us a much more competitive team and puts us in a better position to win,” Coyotes president and CEO Ahron Cohen told reporter Richard Morin. “The fact that other people in this market are seeing that, fans are seeing that, and they’re jumping on board. It’s good, positive momentum for this organization.”

John Chayka has completely reshaped the Coyotes roster since being named general manager in May of 2016. In fact, only two players from the 2015-16 edition of Yotes – Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brad Richardson – remain on the active roster.

The Coyotes haven’t qualified for the playoffs since that improbable run to the Western Conference Final in 2012 but are coming off their best regular season in five years and have momentum heading into 2019-20.

Chayka, who remains the youngest GM in the NHL, has been active on the trade front from the get-go but his acquisition of Kessel is his biggest move to date.

The New Jersey Devils are the only team that has scored fewer goals than the Coyotes in the salary cap era (excluding the Vegas Golden Knights who joined the league in 2017-18), so it’s no surprise the fan base seems delighted about finally having an offensive weapon like Kessel.

A Coyotes player has registered more than 70 points in a season just thrice (Shane Doan twice, Ray Whitney once) since the 2004 lockout. Kessel did so in each of his three seasons with the Penguins.

Only three Coyotes skaters have hit the 30-goal plateau during this time (Doan twice, Mike Comrie and once each). Kessel has scored at least 30 goals on six separate occasions during his 13-year NHL career and has registered at least 20 goals in 11 consecutive seasons.

Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane are the only players with more goals than Kessel’s 327 since the start of the 2008-09 campaign.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.12.2019 1149633 Websites It always has been and I still see it today as a family that Ed Snider and Bob Clarke and Billy Barber and Bernie Parent and all those guys back in the early 70s…that’s when it really blossomed into that thing and to me, USA TODAY / Paul Holmgren steps aside, taking senior advisor role with it’s still that. I feel a big part of that. That’s why I stayed. I love the Flyers.” Flyers While Holmgren stressed that he’d still be in the area, he’ll join two other notable alumni that hold advisor roles also. Hall of Famers Bob Clarke and Bill Barber and both reporting to Scott as advisors too. Dave Isaac, NHL writer Published 2:37 p.m. ET July 11, 2019 | Updated 3:01 p.m. ET July 11, 2019 Scott said that Clarke, the ex-general manager, “provides a great 50,000- foot view” and he talks with Clarke “periodically.” He also said he’s gotten very close with Barber, whom he called a “sounding board.”

It’s been a fear for a segment of Flyers fans and maybe even some of the Thursday’s change leaves Fletcher and Scott as the two faces of the team’s alumni ever since founder Ed Snider passed away in 2016: what franchise and Scott said he’ll be working closer and more directly with becomes of the franchise’s legacy with a corporate backing in Comcast Fletcher. and no notable alumni left to carry the torch? “I couldn’t be more pleased with Chuck’s performance and what he’s We’re likely about to find out. done coming out of December of last year to now,” Scott said. “Probably one of his biggest plusses is that he’s a collaborative guy. He’s smart. Thursday the team announced that longtime executive Paul Holmgren, He’s got a very open style. I came over and spent a day with Paul and who had been the team president for five seasons and previously served was so impressed with the group of people we have. You’ve got Chuck’s as general manager, assistant general manager, director of player staff in there and the new coaching staff in there. You’ve got the data development and scouting, head coach, scout and player, would be analytics in there. It’s something I hadn’t seen in the six years I’ve been stepping aside into a new role as senior advisor. here, just full collaboration and everyone kind of agreeing on what moves Before Snider lost his battle with cancer, he wanted Holmgren and then- we were gonna make.” general manager Ron Hextall to lead the charge moving forward. USA TODAY LOADED: 07.12.2019 Holmgren was part of firing Hextall on Nov. 26 of last year and Thursday took a lesser role himself.

Chuck Fletcher, whom Holmgren hired to replace Hextall as GM, now carries the extra title of president of hockey operations. Fletcher will report directly to Dave Scott, the chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor and governor of the Flyers.

“We had some tough decisions to make back in the fall, but once Chuck was in place we started to get a handle on it,” Holmgren said on a conference call with reporters. “I’m just speaking for myself; I’m not gonna speak for Dave, but my perception at the time was that we’re going in the right direction. Everything Chuck’s trying to do, everything he’s talking about doing and culminating with the things he did prior to the draft, again I’m excited about it and I just thought it was the right time.”

“I’ve been around six years plus now,” Scott added. “We’ve watched a lot of hockey games together. I think the one thing Paul really has taught me is patience. We both worked with Ed Snider. He probably had less patience than Paul, but I really learned the game. It’s line by line, period by period, game by game. It’s a long season. You really gotta have that perspective because things can shift on a dime.”

Despite rumblings that a corporate ownership was taking over more and more, both Holmgren and Scott said that the decision to take the advisor role was Holmgren’s.

Scott said that Holmgren would still be team president if he hadn’t started planting the bug to move into semi-retirement in June of 2018.

“This was Paul. We met when we were out in Las Vegas at the Board of Governors meeting in June (last summer),” Scott said. “We really never had any set time table. I recognized after 40 years Paul had held just about every job in our organization from player to president and everything in between. He’s very close with his family and I kind of got it, but we didn’t talk about any specific timetable. We said, ‘Let’s get through the season.’”

Holmgren said that he wants to take more time to spend with his eight grandchildren. The 63-year-old native of St. Paul, Minnesota was drafted by the Flyers in 1975 and played 527 NHL games. All were played for Philadelphia except for the last 27 which he spent with the Minnesota North Stars.

He became an assistant coach with the Flyers the season after he retired from playing and has been with them ever since, sans four years in the early 1990s that he spent with the Hartford Whalers.

“I feel like I was raised as a Flyer,” Holmgren said. “I came here as a 20- year-old kid, right when the Flyers had won two Stanley Cups. I was around when they lost in the finals my first year with the team. I was raised a Flyer. I’d like to believe I’ll always have some kind of ties to the Flyers organization because of how I feel about them, how I feel about the city, how I feel about the people that I’ve worked with in the organization over the number of years I’ve been here. It’s a family to me. 1149634 Websites

USA TODAY / New York Rangers ink No. 2 overall NHL draft pick Kaapo Kakko to entry-level contract

Vincent Z. Mercogliano, NHL writer Published 2:51 p.m. ET July 11, 2019 | Updated 4:53 p.m. ET July 11, 2019

Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 overall selection in last month's NHL Draft, has officially agreed to contract terms with the New York Rangers, the team announced Thursday.

According the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, the length of an entry-level contract for a player between the ages of 18-21 is three years. Kakko is 18.

Capfriendly.com reported that the three-year deal is worth an average annual value of $3,575,000. The total salary per year is $925,000, which is the number that counts against the salary cap, plus Kakko can receive an additional $2,650,000 in bonuses each season.

The highly-touted Finnish forward is expected to step right into the Rangers' lineup for the 2019-20 season.

"My next goal is playing in the NHL next season," Kakko said during Rangers' development camp in Stamford, Conn.

While playing for TPS in Finland's top professional league last season, Kakko scored more goals (22 in 45 games) than any 17-year-old in the history of Liiga. He's also had success in international play, becoming the youngest player in hockey history to win gold medals at the IIHF U-18 World Championships, the IIHF World Junior Championships and the IIHF World Championships.

Most recently, Kakko helped Finland win a gold medal at the IIHF Worlds in May, tallying seven points (six goals, one assist) and a plus-10 rating in 10 games.

"The sky’s the limit for this fella," team president John Davidson said at the NHL Draft in June. "His testing has been really good to this point. He’s a very exciting young man — and remember, he’s already played in men’s leagues. He’s got a good feel for what it’s all about. The NHL is a different animal, of course. It’s the biggest and best there is, so we’ll see. I just don’t want to get ahead of ourselves — but I’m very excited."

The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder was selected by the Rangers with the second overall pick on June 21 in Vancouver, right after the rival New Jersey Devils chose American forward Jack Hughes at No. 1.

Kakko returned to train in Finland for the summer following Rangers' development camp at the end of June.

OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with forward Kaapo Kakko on an entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/gX1JkpWk8k

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 11, 2019

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