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SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 8/14/2021 1219364 Adam McQuaid rejoins Bruins as player development 1219391 State of the Devils: Two franchise cornerstones, one big coordinator; Chris Kelly named assistant coach void to fill at center 1219365 Bruins announce front office, coaching staff updates 1219366 Bruins Now Have Start Times For 2021-22 Regular Season Games 1219392 Bridgeport City Council Approves Deal to Keep Islanders, 1219367 Boston Bruins Hire McQuaid To Player Development Staff Renovate Arena 1219393 Return of Will Pay Major Dividends for Islanders This Season 1219368 Sabres sign defenseman Casey Fitzgerald to two-year, two-way deal 1219369 Sabres' 2021-22 game times list seven matinees in 1219394 Rangers hire Ryan Martin as new assistant general KeyBank Center manager 1219370 Jets to rename street, erect statue in honor of ex-Sabre Dale Hawerchuk 1219395 Former Daily News hockey writer Jay Greenberg dies at 71 1219371 How do Hurricanes’ additions on defense fit in with the 1219396 Ironman Yandle sees a 'stud' in Hart, a win-now chance mainstays? with Flyers 1219372 Blue Jackets sign to one-year, two-way 1219397 may have left the building, but his legacy lives contract on 1219373 End of an era: Foligno bids farewell to Blue Jackets, says 1219398 Penguins One-Timers: Finances, Prospects and Winning; Columbus is still 'home' the Present & Future 1219374 Blue Jackets’ Zac Rinaldo has been forced to change his game, but the fire still burns San Jose Sharks 1219399 Former Sharks C Joe Thornton signs with another new team — no, not HC Davos 1219375 Dallas Stars announce start times for full 2021-22 1219400 Sharks lock up goalie tandem, sign Hill to two-year deal schedule 1219401 Observations About Sharks’ 2021 Development Camp Roster 1219376 Red Wings high on draft pick Red Savage's potential: 'He Seattle Kraken knows how to play' 1219402 Kraken signs expansion draft picks Cale Fleury and 1219377 Ryan Martin leaving Red Wings for Rangers front office Carsen Twarynski job 1219378 Jakub Vrana looks forward to showing Red Wings his potential 1219403 Sonya Bryson-Kirksey released from hospital following COVID battle Edmonton Oilers 1219404 Lightning’s travels with the : Ryan McDonagh, 1219379 Lowetide: What are reasonable expectations for the Jon Cooper and ... ? 2021-22 Oilers? 1219405 ‘You’re going to see vintage Corey Perry’: What Lightning are getting in the ‘Worm’ 1219380 Veteran star Joe Thornton signs with Florida Panthers with Maple Leafs Stanley Cup in mind 1219406 Leafs star out six weeks after off-season 1219381 Joe Thornton has a future at 42 — and the Panthers can wrist surgery use it | Commentary 1219407 At 42, Jumbo Joe good for another year in Florida 1219382 Panthers go big, sign NHL active points leader Joe 1219408 Auston Matthews could miss camp time after wrist surgery Thornton at 42 1219409 Jay Greenberg delighted Sun readers and the hockey 1219383 Florida Panthers sign Joe Thornton to one-year deal world 1219384 Jaromir Jagr has ‘no choice’ but to keep playing Canucks Kings 1219415 Canucks’ Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes deals ‘take 1219385 Kings sign second-round pick Samuel Helenius to 3-year time’: agent deal 1219416 Canucks keep adding to Abbotsford D-corps, re-signing 1219386 LA Kings re-sign defenseman Jacob Moverare to one- Ashton Sautner year, two-way contract, $750,000 AAV 1219417 New Abbotsford Canuck Tristen Nielsen has built-in fan 1219387 NHL, Kings announce start times for 2021-22 schedule base, making jump from 1219388 Forward Samuel Helenius signs three-year, entry-level contract with Kings 1219410 Golden Knights get start times for 2021-22 season Wild 1219411 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTSGolden Knights Need Nolan 1219389 Wild release 2021-22 start times Patrick Revival; What to Expect Canadiens 1219390 Alex Killorn returns home to Beaconsfield with the Stanley Cup 1219412 Capitals re-sign Ilya Samsonov to a one-year, $2 million deal Websites 1219418 TSN.CA / Despite missing star goalie, Finns aim to chase gold at 2021 women’s worlds 1219419 TSN.CA / Team Canada player profile: Victoria Bach 1219420 TSN.CA / Team Canada player profile: Jocelyne Larocque 1219413 Jets owner unveils plans for Hawerchuk statue, street- naming honour :: 1219414 Jets to honour Hawerchuk in series of tributes

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1219364 Boston Bruins

Adam McQuaid rejoins Bruins as player development coordinator; Chris Kelly named assistant coach

By Kevin Paul Dupont

Globe Staff

Updated August 13, 2021, 9:53 a.m.

Adam McQuaid formally retired in January, a couple of years after playing his final NHL game, and on Friday, he officially returned to the Bruins as the club’s player development coordinator.

The move was one of three announced by general manager Don Sweeney, who also named ex-forward Chris Kelly as one of Bruce Cassidy’s assistant coaches and promoted Ryan Mougenel to bench boss in AHL Providence.

McQuaid, 34, and Kelly, 40, both were members of the Bruins team that won the Stanley Cup in 2011. Kelly rejoined the club two years ago in the same player development role that McQuaid now will fill.

All three moves were related to the recent departures of as head coach in Providence and Jay Pandolfo, one of Cassidy’s assistants behind the Boston bench the last five seasons.

Leach, 41, left to become an assistant coach with the Kraken, the Seattle expansion franchise that will begin NHL play in October. Pandolfo, 46, returned to be an assistant coach at Boston University, where he played four seasons prior to turning pro in 1996.

Mougenel, 45, joined Leach as an assistant last season in Providence and now will have full control of the bench, aided by Trent Whitfield, a member of the coaching staff since the fall of 2016. Sweeney is likely to name a second assistant coach, filling the role vacated by Mougenel.

McQuaid was on the ice in an informal role earlier this month, helping to instruct Bruins prospects at the club’s development camp in Brighton. The 6-foot-4-inch ex-defenseman, who has lived in the North End during his post-playing days, said upon retirement that he wanted some time to decide his next move, and felt that a role in development could be a possibility.

McQuaid was an imposing presence on the Boston blue line, particularly in the years when he filled out a towering cast that included big, heavy hitters Zdeno Chara, Dennis Seidenberg, and Johnny Boychuk.

Originally a Columbus draft pick who came here via trade, he spent nearly three full seasons developing his game in Providence, going from raw prospect to accomplished NHLer, an inspirational climb that could prove to benefit the prospects he’ll deal with now.

In January, upon McQuaid announcing his retirement, Cassidy noted that he had recently spoken to current Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo about modeling his development around McQuaid’s career arc.

“He could make a good first pass, you could rely on him to make plays that were there, see the ice,” said Cassidy. “Some of that stuff we are trying to do with Brandon. They’re not the same player, but similar in their roles: shutdown guy, killing.

“I really enjoyed Adam McQuaid, one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.”

Mougenel, 45, grew up in Scarborough, Ontario, and played six seasons of minor league hockey prior to launching his coaching career in 2005. A right in his junior days, he coached for eight seasons in the ECHL, prior to six more seasons in the AHL, his longest tour a three-year stay with the .

Boston Globe LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219365 Boston Bruins

Bruins announce front office, coaching staff updates

By BOSTON HERALD STAFF

August 13, 2021 at 5:03 p.m.

The Bruins on Friday announced a few coaching staff changes.

Chris Kelly was named the Bruins’ assistant coach, Adam McQuaid the player development coordinator and Ryan Mougenel the head coach of the .

Kelly, 40, who played 14 seasons as a center and left wing, including six seasons with the B’s, served as the Bruins’ player development coordinator for the past two seasons after spending the 2018-19 campaign as the development coach for the .

McQuaid, 34, who helped the B’s win the 2011 Stanley Cup, played nine seasons with the Bruins from 2009-18, appearing in 462 games and totaling 13 goals and 53 assists for 67 points.

Mougenel, 45, spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach for the Providence Bruins. He also spent five seasons as an assistant coach in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda (2015-18), Worcester Sharks (2014-15) and (2013-14). Mougenel last held a head coaching role with the of the ECHL from 2009-13.

Boston Herald LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219366 Boston Bruins Saturday, November 20 @ Philadelphia – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 21 vs. Calgary – 7:00 p.m.

Bruins Now Have Start Times For 2021-22 Regular Season Games Wednesday, November 24 @ Buffalo – 7:00 p.m.

Friday, November 26 vs. N.Y. Rangers – 3:30 p.m.

By Jimmy Murphy Sunday, November 28 vs. Vancouver – 7:00 p.m.

Published 10 hours ago on August 13, 2021 Tuesday, November 30 vs. Detroit – 7:00 p.m.

DECEMBER:

The NHL announced start times for the games in the 2021-22 regular Thursday, December 2 @ Nashville – 7:00 p.m. season games on Friday and the Boston Bruins will their season against the Dallas Stars at 7 PM ET on Saturday, October 16. Saturday, December 4 vs. Tampa Bay – 7:00 p.m.

The NHL announced the 2021-22 regular season schedule back on July Wednesday, December 8 @ Vancouver – 6:00 p.m. 22 but there were no times for the games. Due to a variety of reasons Thursday, December 9 @ Edmonton – 7:00 p.m. that include the NHL leaving NBC and signing a new seven-year deal with ESPN and , as well as the uncertainty on NHLers Saturday, December 11 @ Calgary – 8:00 p.m. playing at the 2022 Winter Olympics, the 2021-22 schedule remains in Tuesday, December 14 vs. Vegas – 7:00 p.m. flux. When the NHL announced the regular season schedule last month, they agreed to pause play from Feb. 7 to Feb. 22 for the Olympics. Thursday, December 16 @ N.Y. Islanders – 7:30 p.m. However, nothing has been finalized about whether or not NHL players will be permitted to compete in Beijing. On Thursday, Larry Brooks of the Saturday, December 18 @ Montreal – 7:00 p.m. New York Post, reported that NHL players were informed via the NHLPA Sunday, December 19 @ Ottawa – 5:00 p.m. that the NHL will not cover the players’ COVID insurance for the Olympics and that they will lose money for every game they miss should Tuesday, December 21 vs. Carolina – 7:00 p.m. they contract COVID in Beijing. Thursday, December 23 vs. Colorado – 7:00 p.m. As for the rest of the 2021-22 regular season schedule for the Boston Bruins (below), their first away game of the season, that kicks off a two- Monday, December 27 vs. Pittsburgh – 7:00 p.m. game roadie against the Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres will be Wednesday, December 29 @ Ottawa – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 20 at 7:30 PM ET at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. They will then have a Sunday home matinee at 1 PM ET JANUARY: against the San Jose Sharks before another two-game road trip against the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes. The Bruins have ten Saturday, January 1 vs. Buffalo – 1:00 p.m. matinees with six of those on TD Garden ice, including a 1 PM ET game Sunday, January 2 @ Detroit – 1:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day, and four on the road. Tuesday, January 4 vs. New Jersey – 7:00 p.m. For the first time since February 12, 2020, the Boston Bruins and will renew their rivalry at TD Garden on Sunday, Thursday, January 6 vs. Minnesota – 7:00 p.m. November 14 at 7 PM ET. The Bruins’ first game at the Bell in Montreal since November 26, 2019, will be a week before Christmas on Saturday, January 8 @ Tampa Bay – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 18 at 7 PM ET. Monday, January 10 @ Washington – 7:00 p.m.

The Boston Bruins will play the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup Wednesday, January 12 @ Montreal – 7:00 p.m. Champions for the first time in the 2021-22 season at 7 PM ET on December, 4 at TD Garden. Thursday, January 13 vs. Philadelphia – 7:00 p.m.

The last game of the 2021-22 regular season for the Boston Bruins will Saturday, January 15 vs. Nashville – 1:00 p.m. be on Friday, April 29 against the at the Scotiabank Tuesday, January 18 vs. Carolina – 7:00 p.m. Arena in Toronto. Thursday, January 20 vs. Washington – 7:00 p.m. Here’s the full 2021-22 regular season schedule with times for the Boston Bruins: Saturday, January 22 vs. Winnipeg – 7:00 p.m.

OCTOBER: Monday, January 24 vs. Anaheim – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 16 vs. Dallas – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 26 @ Colorado – 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 20 @ Philadelphia – 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 28 @ – 7:00 p.m.

Friday, October 22 @ Buffalo – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 30 @ Dallas – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 24 vs. San Jose – 1:00 p.m. FEBRUARY:

Wednesday, October 27 @ Florida – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 1 vs. Seattle – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 28 @ Carolina – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 24 @ Seattle – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 30 vs. Florida – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, February 26 @ San Jose – 7:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER: Monday, February 28 @ Los Angeles – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 4 vs. Detroit – 7:00 p.m. MARCH:

Saturday, November 6 @ Toronto – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 @ Anaheim – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 9 vs. Ottawa – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 3 @ Vegas – 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 11 vs. Edmonton – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 5 @ Columbus – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 13 @ New Jersey – 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 7 vs. Los Angeles – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 14 vs. Montreal – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 10 vs. Chicago – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12 vs. Arizona – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 15 @ Chicago – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 16 @ Minnesota – 6:30 p.m.

Friday, March 18 @ Winnipeg – 7:00 p.m.

Monday, March 21 vs. Montreal – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 22 @ N.Y. Islanders – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 24 vs. Tampa Bay – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 26 vs. N.Y. Islanders – 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 29 vs. Toronto – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 31 vs. New Jersey – 7:00 p.m.

APRIL:

Saturday, April 2 vs. Columbus – 7:00 p.m.

Monday, April 4 @ Columbus – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 5 @ Detroit – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 8 @ Tampa Bay – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 10 @ Washington – 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 12 vs. St. Louis – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 14 vs. Ottawa – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 16 vs. Pittsburgh – 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 19 @ St. Louis – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 21 @ Pittsburgh – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 23 vs. N.Y. Rangers – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 24 @ N.Y. Rangers – 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 26 vs. Florida – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 28 vs. Buffalo – 7:00 p.m.

Friday, April 29 @ Toronto – 7:00 p.m.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219367 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins Hire McQuaid To Player Development Staff

By Joe Haggerty

Published 16 hours ago on August 13, 2021

The Boston Bruins have long held simply being a quality person as a priority in staffing vacant spots within their organization, so some employment announcements in the front office and coaching staff this week should come as no surprise.

They also include some very familiar faces from past Boston Bruins glory.

Chris Kelly was always the natural fit to replace the departed Jay Pandolfo on Bruce Cassidy’s coaching staff and he’ll do exactly that this season as an assistant coach while working with ex-teammates Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. Kelly’s voice, his hockey intelligence, his experience and the respect factor from inside the Boston Bruins dressing room should make it a very easy transition for the affable, longtime two-way center and 2011 Stanley Cup winner.

As Pandolfo did, one would suspect Kelly will work closely with the Perfection Line, coach the forward group as a whole and lend a hand in the penalty kill work as well.

Kelly played 14 seasons and over 800 career NHL games as a center and left wing in the NHL, including six seasons with the Boston Bruins. Kelly appeared in 288 contests with the Bruins, scoring 43 goals and notching 58 assists for 101 points after joining them as a trade deadline acquisition in the 2011 Stanley Cup season.

Former defenseman and fellow 2011 Cup winner Adam McQuaid was also added to the Boston Bruins front office as Player Development Coordinator, replacing Kelly in that post as he joins the NHL coaching staff. The humble, kind McQuaid was a “true Bruin” during his career in Black and Gold as a tough, tenacious stay-at-home defenseman that fiercely defended his teammates, and brought the thunder when he dropped the gloves with the toughest customers across the NHL.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound McQuaid got the most of his hockey abilities during a long NHL career, and played nine seasons with the Bruins from 2009-18, appearing in 462 games with the club and totaling 13 goals and 53 assists for 67 points with a plus-62 rating and 694 penalty minutes. McQuaid helped out the Bruins coaching staff on ice at last week’s Bruins Development Camp as a dry run of sorts prior to joining the organization, but there’s no doubt the hardnosed player brings a ton to the table in a player development role.

“As of now, [McQuaid] doesn’t have a formal role,” said Boston Bruins Director of Player Development and Personnel Advisor Jamie Langenbrunner last week of McQuaid’s presence during development camp. “I think Adam’s been around a little bit last year and is continuing to try to figure out what makes sense for Adam, and we were lucky enough to have him available for this week and come down and get a chance to be around some of our guys. We’ll see where it goes, both for Adam and for us.”

54⃣ ⃣ & 2⃣3⃣ in the #NHLBruins | #BruinsDevCamp pic.twitter.com/A8tkQDYqDg

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) August 2, 2021

Ryan Mougenel also replaces Jay Leach as head coach for the Providence Bruins after spending the past three seasons (2018-21) serving as an assistant coach for the P-Bruins. The Scarborough, Ontario native served an additional five seasons as an assistant coach in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda (2015-18), Worcester Sharks (2014- 15) and Hershey Bears (2013-14).

There are rumors that other external candidates, like Providence College coach Nate Leaman, were being wooed for the head gig with the P- Bruins, but ultimately the Bruins stayed in-house with the hire as they routinely do when key positions open up.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219368 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres sign defenseman Casey Fitzgerald to two-year, two-way deal

Mike Harrington

Aug 13, 2021 Updated 8 hrs ago

The Buffalo Sabres signed defenseman Casey Fitzgerald to a two-year, two-way contract on Friday. The team said Fitzgerald, 24, will make $750,000 at the NHL level while Capfriendly.com reports the AHL portions of the deal pay Fitzgerald $125,000 this season and $300,000 in 2022-23.

The 5-foot-11 Fitzgerald was a restricted free agent who is hoping to move up the organizational depth chart on the thin right side of the Buffalo defense. A third-round pick in 2016 out of Boston College, he had two goals and nine assists in 22 games for the Amerks last season while earning the team's Unsung Hero award. Fitzgerald also spent time on the Sabres' taxi squad. He has five goals and 17 assists in 51 games for Rochester over parts of the last three seasons.

After signing Fitzgerald, the Sabres are down to three unsigned RFAs in Rasmus Dahlin, Casey Mittelstadt and Henri Jokiharju.

Fitzgerald is the son of New Jersey general manager and longtime NHL player Tom Fitzgerald. Casey Fitzgerald was a two-time at BC and won gold medals with the and the 2015 World Under- 18 Championships and 2017 World Junior Championships.

Buffalo News LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219369 Buffalo Sabres 4, at Carolina, 7

7, Anaheim, 7

Sabres' 2021-22 game times list seven matinees in KeyBank Center 10, New York Rangers, 7

11, Washington, 7

Mike Harrington 14, at Winnipeg, 10

Aug 13, 2021 Updated 4 hrs ago 16, at Minnesota, 8

17, at Pittsburgh, 7

The NHL announced start times for its 2021-22 schedule on Friday, and 20, Columbus, 7 the Buffalo Sabres will have seven home matinees in KeyBank Center. 22, Colorado, 7 The Sabres will host 1 p.m. starts on Oct. 16 (Arizona), Jan. 17 (Detroit), Jan. 22 (Philadelphia), March 6 (Los Angeles) and April 3 (Florida). They 23, at Columbus, 7 will have a 3 p.m. start on March 13 against Toronto and a 12:30 game 27, New York Islanders, 7 on April 23 against the New York Islanders. 29, New Jersey, 7 Sabres open season Oct. 14 vs. Habs as part of four-game homestand 30, at New York Islanders, 7:30 A season-opening four-game homestand, no home games in February due to the Olympic break and the first meetings with the expansion January Seattle Kraken are among the notable items of the Buffalo Sabres' 2021- 1, at Boston, 1 22 schedule. 6, San Jose, 7 Three are 33 home games that will start at 7 p.m., including the Oct. 14 season opener against defending Stanley Cup finalist Montreal, and 8, at Montreal, 7 there will be a 7:30 faceoff on Dec. 7 against Anaheim. 11, Tampa Bay, 7 The Sabres are currently scheduled for four matinees on the road, and three other road games will begin at 5 p.m. EST. 13, at Nashville, 8

All times are subject to change based on television commitments, and 15, at Detroit, 7 the entire schedule remains open to revision based on the NHL's 17, Detroit, 1 decision about attending the 2022 Beijing Olympics. 18, at Ottawa, 7 All times EST 20, Dallas, 7 October 22, Philadelphia, 1 14, Montreal, 7 25, at Ottawa, 1 16, Arizona, 1 29, at Arizona, 10 19, Vancouver, 7 30, at Colorado, 8 22, Boston, 7 February 23, at New Jersey, 7 1, at Vegas, 10 25, Tampa Bay, 7 4-5, All-Star Weekend in Vegas 28, at Anaheim, 10 7-23, Olympic break 31, at Los Angeles, 4 25, at St. Louis, 8 November 27, at Dallas, 2 2, at San Jose, 10 March 4, at Seattle, 10 2, at Toronto, 7:30 6, Detroit, 7 4, Minnesota, 7 8, at Washington, 7 6, Los Angeles, 1 12, Edmonton, 7 7, Florida, 7 13, Toronto, 7 10, Vegas, 7 16, at Pittsburgh, 7 13, Toronto, 3 18, Calgary, 7 17, at Edmonton, 10 21, at New York Rangers, 6 18, at Calgary, 10 22, Columbus, 7 20, at Vancouver, 10 24, Boston, 7 23, Pittsburgh, 7:30 26, Montreal, 7 25, Washington, 7 27, at Detroit, 7 27, at New York Rangers, 5 29, Seattle, 7 28, at Chicago, 8:30 December 30, Winnipeg, 7 2, at Florida, 7 April

1, Nashville, 7

3, Florida, 1

5, Carolina, 7

7, at Carolina, 7:30

8, at Florida, 7

10, at Tampa Bay, 5

12, at Toronto, 7

14, St. Louis, 7

16, Philadelphia, 7

17, at Philadelphia, 5

20, Ottawa, 7

21, at New Jersey, 7

23, New York Islanders, 12:30

26, at Montreal, 7

28, at Boston, 7

29, Chicago, 7

Buffalo News LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219370 Buffalo Sabres

Winnipeg Jets to rename street, erect statue in honor of ex-Sabre Dale Hawerchuk

Mike Harrington

Aug 13, 2021 Updated 9 hrs ago

Center Dale Hawerchuk is a member of the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame and his death on Aug. 18, 2020, was deeply felt by the club's alumni and throughout the organization. But Hawerchuk is most connected to Winnipeg, the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 1981, and the Jets announced some legacy initiatives in honor of his memory Friday as the anniversary of his death approaches.

The team has made an application to name a two-block stretch of Graham Avenue in as "Dale Hawerchuk Way," and will be erecting a statue in his likeness in the plaza of , a four-tower complex. Both are located directly behind the Jets' home arena, the newly named .

The statue is expected to be unveiled in August 2022. It is being done by sculptor Erik Blome, whose work includes the Wayne Gretzky Statue at the in Los Angeles, the 75th anniversary commemoration at the and the Toronto Maple Leafs' "Legends Row" outside .

Hawerchuk, who was coaching the OHL's , died at 57 after multiple battles with stomach cancer. He was acquired by the Sabres in 1990 in a blockbuster trade that sent star defenseman and future Hall of Famer/Buffalo coach to Winnipeg.

He had 75 assists for the Sabres in 1991-92 and set a career high with 80 in 1992-93, figures that rank Nos. 2-3 in franchise history. Hawerchuk finished his Buffalo career with 385 points, tied with Pat LaFontaine for 15th place on the club's all-time list. He scored 1,409 points for four NHL teams in a career that spanned from 1981-1997.

Hawerchuk's 1,000th career came in Memorial Auditorium on March 8, 1991 – with a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks and a rookie goalie named Dominik Hasek. Hawerchuk was elected to the in 2001 and to the Sabres Hall of Fame in 2011.

Buffalo News LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219371 Carolina Hurricanes last season with a career average of 17:32 and a career 50.5 percent Corsi-For. Clearly, he’s not afraid to show up exactly when needed when you consider the TOI to blocked ratio from 2020-21.

How do Hurricanes’ additions on defense fit in with the mainstays? He can obviously eat minutes on the penalty kill, which will matter with your Brock McGinns of the world gone.

By Sara Civian Brendan Smith: The Rangers, one-year signings and veteran defensemen (or, I guess, forwards), you say? Smith, 32, could add gritty Aug 13, 2021 depth the Canes have lacked at some points in the playoffs.

“I think I play a tough-nosed game, being physical and hard,” he said via video call, “I think when you watch the playoffs, those are the kind of There are a few weeks left in the NHL offseason — which is good for the teams that go deep.” Canes in their pursuit of another top-six forward. As we all know, this style of play can be a double-edged sword. Smith But after a busy July 28 and some moves that trickled in over the drew 25 penalties last season — good for fifth in the NHL and first among following days, it’s relatively safe to say that the defense is locked down. all defensemen. He also Uno reverse carded himself and took 25 We already took a closer look at Carolina’s new goalie tandem, so let’s penalties — including five majors. But let’s remember the turn of events dive into the new — and the old — faces on defense while we wait for the that accounts for some of that … offense to round out. Smith definitely doesn’t fall under the dirty player category, though. While What’s new? 25 total penalties is never ideal, most of them were either silly or the Ethan Bear: In one of their strongest moves of the offseason, the result of him sticking up for teammates. Interestingly enough, he’s Hurricanes were able to snag a 24-year-old right-side defenseman with dabbled in playing forward when needed — in 2018-19, the Rangers had intriguing potential in a trade for Warren Foegele, who had been seeking him playing forward at even strength and defense on the penalty kill. Sort more minutes and a bigger opportunity elsewhere for a while. Bear of a bizarre move, but hey, the Canes know he can slot in if needed, played top-four minutes with the Oilers last season and logged 257:53 especially since they haven’t shied away from the 11-7 scheme in the top-pairing minutes in 43 games alongside Darnell Nurse at even past. He moved back to full-time defenseman in 2019-20 and played strength. According to Natural Stat Trick, the pairing owned a 54 percent alongside a combination of Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox and DeAngelo at Corsi-For and a 59.23 Expected Goals-For percentage at five-on-five. times. Last year, he primarily played with Libor Hajek and occasionally Bear had an overall 50.53 percent Corsi-For, a 55.36 Expected Goals- K’Andre Miller. For percentage and two goals, two primary assists and four secondary Who is returning? assists at five-on-five. Slavin, Pesce, Gardiner and Brady Skjei are all still with the Canes for Last season was a down year for Bear in scoring (gestures toward a now. There’s talk of potentially moving Gardiner, and according to shortened season — duh), but in a new environment, I like his odds to colleague Arthur Staple, the Islanders could be interested. bounce past his 2019-20 career high of five goals, 16 assists and 21 points in 71 games. His shooting percentage hovered around 5 percent “He fits the ‘played for Lou’ vein of pretty much every other acquisition in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and it was 3.77 in 2020-21 despite taking fewer has made for the Islanders, he’s fallen out of favor in shots. Carolina and he knows his way around the point on a power play,” wrote Staple. “Here’s the catch with Gardiner: He’s awaiting surgery and likely And what about special teams? won’t be ready for the start of the season, possibly weeks beyond that. He averaged 1:48 short-handed time on ice per game and 53 seconds of And the Isles don’t really have a safety net on defense.” power-play time on ice per game in 2020-21. He can definitely play in He’s seemed to have fallen out of favor with the Canes no matter how both situations and has a chance to improve on his numbers and/or grow you spin it, so I’ll leave him out of the depth chart I’m about to project. into a bigger role on Carolina’s roster. Now, what should the Canes do with Pesce? He’s excellent with Slavin, If Jake Gardiner is out to start the season and Rod Brind’Amour doesn’t but he’s excellent anywhere. Brind’Amour has shown an appreciation for feel like going with Jaccob Slavin or Brett Pesce to quarterback the spreading the reliability down the lineup before, and I was liking Skjei and second power-play unit, Bear could fight for the gig, being a right shot Pesce as a pairing. But will they put DeAngelo alongside a familiar face with decent scoring potential and all. that vouched for him in Skjei or immediately go for the Hamilton replacement project? Tony DeAngelo: DeAngelo kicks off the slew of one-year signings. The 25-year-old right-shot had one assist and was minus-6 in six games with I say dive right in at this point — or else why did you even make the the Rangers last season, but if he can bounce back, he probably has the move in the first place? The Canes have proved that they have and will best chance to replace Dougie Hamilton on both the top pairing and the move things around if necessary. I love Bear’s potential but he isn’t quite top power-play unit. there yet compared to DeAngelo and Pesce for right-side depth, and I’d like to see how he adjusts to his second-ever NHL team before tossing He has 106 points (24 goals, 82 assists) in 206 NHL games between the him to the wolves. If you’re starting out the 2021-22 Hurricanes season Rangers and Coyotes, including a career-high 15 goals, 38 assists and trying to optimize what you have based on what you know, the defense 53 points in 68 games during the shortened 2019-20 regular season. His pairings look like this: game can be spotty defensively, but pairing him with Slavin could give him an opportunity to focus on his strengths: scoring and moving the Slavin-DeAngelo puck. Skjei-Pesce TONY DEANGELO, REPORTEDLY SIGNING WITH CAR, IS A TOP Cole-Bear FOUR ONE-WAY OFFENSIVE AND POWERPLAY SPECIALIST. PRETTY SURE THAT'S THE ONLY NOTABLE The Athletic LOADED: 08.14.2021 INFORMATION ABOUT HIM, RIGHT? #LETSGOCANES PIC.TWITTER.COM/EJKKAZO8M9

— JFRESH (@JFRESHHOCKEY) JULY 27, 2021

Ian Cole: Yet another one-year signing, the 32-year-old appeared in 54 games split between the Avalanche and the Wild last season, posting eight points and 94 blocked shots. He’s one of the best third-pairing guys you could ask for, especially when it comes to some much-needed veteran leadership and toughness on this Hurricanes team. You might remember those back-to-back Cups with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

According to Natural Stat Trick, Cole tied for No. 7 among all players in shots blocked at five-on-five last season with 84. He averaged 15:53 TOI 1219372 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets sign Zac Rinaldo to one-year, two-way contract

Bailey Johnson

The Columbus Dispatch

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed veteran center Zac Rinaldo to a one-year, two-way contract that will pay him $750,000 at the NHL level and $275,000 at the AHL level.

Rinaldo, 31, has spent the last two seasons in the organization. He played 19 games for the Flames and 14 for their AHL affiliate, the , in 2019-20, and played four games for the Flames in the abbreviated 2020-21 season.

After being drafted in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2008, Rinaldo spent five seasons in the Flyers organization, followed by two seasons in the Bruins' organization, a year with the and a year in the ' organization before joining the Flames.

In 374 career NHL games, Rinaldo has scored 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 total points and has racked up 758 penalty minutes. He's had more than 100 penalty minutes in an NHL season three times in his career .

At the AHL level, Rinaldo has played an additional 143 games, collecting 11 goals, 20 assists and 492 penalty minutes. In the 2010-11 AHL season with the , he finished second in the league in penalty minutes after racking up 331 in 60 games.

Blue Jackets sign draft pick Svozil to entry level deal

The Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Stanislav Svozil to a three- year entry level contract. Svozil was the No. 69 pick in the 2021 NHL draft with the Blue Jackets taking the 18-year-old in the third round.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219373 Columbus Blue Jackets anything should ever go wrong, Milana’s going to have the care like she had a Nationwide Children’s.”

That includes the surgical team that saved her life, which Foligno’s wife, End of an era: Foligno bids farewell to Blue Jackets, says Columbus is Janelle, feels is a touch of serendipity. Their daughter was diagnosed still 'home' with a congenital heart defect at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Former captain eager to chase the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins, Columbus. That defect was twice repaired in Boston. but leaves open the possibility of a return to the area after his playing Both hospitals split a $1 million donation made by the Folignos in 2016 to days are over. aid heart research.

“We got texts and e-mails saying how excited they were to have us in Brian Hedger town," Foligno said of their Boston medical contacts. “We’d joked around about it all those years ago, when they said, ‘It would be really nice if you The Columbus Dispatch played for the Bruins, so we can really cheer for you.’ So, now they’ve got to make good on their word.”

It wasn’t a two-horse race. The were also interested, The clincher for was an odd text message from Cam which would’ve given them a second Foligno to go with the one they Atkinson. already have — Nick's younger brother, Marcus. It was sent July 24, a day after the Blue Jackets had traded “It was close,” Foligno said. “Minnesota is a good team, and they're to the Chicago Blackhawks and four days before Foligno, the team’s poised to win, but I just felt like at this moment, Boston was a team that beloved former captain, could officially delve into options as a free agent. checked more boxes for me. But it was hard. I've always said that dream Atkinson’s message: “I just got traded.” of playing with Marcus has always been there, and hopefully it'll still be there … maybe in a couple years.” It was something Foligno wasn’t prepared to read. In fact, he thought it was a joke – Atkinson’s attempt at humor while the Blue Jackets front Columbus is ‘home’ office continued to demolish its ‘core group’ of veterans who forged the The Folignos are selling their home in Upper Arlington, but plan to rent in most successful stint in franchise history, including four straight playoff the Boston area. Summers will still be spent at their offseason home in appearances and a memorable 2019 upset of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sudbury, Ontario, which leaves open the possibility of a return to the “I thought he was kidding,” said Foligno, who signed a two-year contract Columbus area at some point down the road. on July 28 with the Boston Bruins. “He texted me and I just thought he Will Foligno finish his career with the Blue Jackets? Will he return in a was messing around because the whole team was leaving. I was like, coaching or development capacity? Will the Foligno family simply return ‘Good one. Good luck, man.’ And then he's like, ‘No, seriously, I got here at some point with no connection to the team and figure out what’s traded.’” next? Atkinson, a franchise pillar like Foligno, was dealt to the Philadelphia All are possibilities. Flyers in a stunning swap for Jakub Voracek. It was termed a “hockey trade” by general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, who cited Voracek’s “I think this is home,” Foligno said. “We’ve said that before. Our ties to passing ability as something he wanted to add, but it was also a clear Columbus go way deeper than just me playing on a team. It’s become message about the Blue Jackets’ intentions. home. We have great friends outside of the game there and we just love the way of life. We love the people. So, there’s a lot of reasons why Atkinson had just been at the night before, signing Columbus feels like home and is home for us, so there’s a big pull to autographs at a draft party. And when the move was announced, his come back eventually, when I’m done, and raise our kids there, because oldest son, Declan, was celebrating his third birthday surrounded by Blue it’s their home, essentially, too.” Jackets decorations. Despite selling their home, the Folignos still own a parcel of land in the “I was dying laughing,” Foligno said. “Of course, that happens in those area where a new “forever” home could one day be built. If so, it would moments, right? But I think that's kind of what showed me the direction mirror what Foligno’s father, Mike Foligno, did following his playing they're going, just in the sense that, ‘OK we're trying to get a new core career. The Foligno family lived in Buffalo, New York, where Mike had here. We're trying to build something for the future.’” played 10 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres and ascended to the role of Something that no longer will prominently feature Foligno, Atkinson, team captain. Jones, Pierre-Luc Dubois, David Savard, Josh Anderson, Ryan Murray, “All four of us kids were born at Buffalo, New York and we settled in Markus Nutivaara or Riley Nash – not to mention Artemi Panarin and Buffalo after he retired,” said Foligno, whose first return to Nationwide Sergei Bobrovsky, the first two dominoes to fall by leaving in 2019 as free Arena with the Bruins is scheduled for Mar. 5. “It made a lot of sense until agents. he had his coaching career take off. So Columbus is where we want to “I always said that my biggest regret is not being able to win, but we had raise the kids. This is home and we'll figure out all the other stuff as it something building there and unforeseen circumstances with guys goes. But hopefully Columbus is in our future down the road.” wanting to leave … Sometimes you’ve just got to deal with the cards that Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 08.14.2021 were dealt to you,” Foligno said. “So, we did our best. We just couldn’t overcome that hurdle towards the end. But, man, I was so proud of the direction we were heading. I’m just disappointed we couldn't keep us together for a little longer to see where it could have led.”

Shipping up to Boston

The Blue Jackets traded Foligno to the Toronto Maple Leafs in April, and this offseason asked him about returning as a free agent. The role they envisioned for him wasn’t a fit.

They wanted a mentor, whose impact would mostly be off the ice. The Bruins, hoping to chase the Stanley Cup in the waning years of the Patrice Bergeron era, wanted a veteran forward with some bite. It didn’t exactly hurt that Foligno’s daughter, Milana, underwent two life-saving heart surgeries at Boston Children’s Hospital.

“I never base my decisions on only those things, but when you add the family element, which I’m a dad first, it makes you feel good knowing that your kids are well taken care of,” Foligno said. “You're in a place that, if 1219374 Columbus Blue Jackets He also played with Blue Jackets broadcaster . The two were linemates in Philadelphia for a few seasons when Shelley was an NHL veteran and Rinaldo was just getting started in the league.

Blue Jackets’ Zac Rinaldo has been forced to change his game, but the “Shelley wasn’t crazy hard on me,” Rinaldo said. “But he was straight to fire still burns the point, and he taught me a lot.”

There’s another reason he signed in Columbus, too.

By Aaron Portzline “There has always been this energy in Columbus to me,” Rinaldo said. Aug 13, 2021 “Every time I’m in that building (Nationwide Arena), every time I’m in that city, there’s always high energy.

“When that cannon goes off, man, I get amped up as an opponent. I can COLUMBUS, Ohio — There was a time — not long ago — when the only imagine how I’m going to feel being on the team with those fans in NHL’s Department of Player Safety had Zac Rinaldo on dial. He the building.” was one of the league’s frequent offenders, a baby-faced buzzsaw who had always played with one skate over the line. The Blue Jackets have a lot to sort out in training camp. It’s hard to see a clear spot in the lineup for Rinaldo as of today. Oliver Bjorkstrand, Patrik Rinaldo has changed, mostly because he’s had to adapt to a changing Laine, Gustav Nyquist and Voracek appear set as the wingers (in some league. The 31-year-old winger signed a one-year, two-way contract with combination) for the top two lines, at least until Domi returns from the Blue Jackets on Friday, and he’s coming to training camp next month shoulder surgery. trying to earn a fourth-line job. After that, it can go a bunch of different ways. Emil Bemstrom, Yegor “It was very hard for me to come to terms with what I had to do to stay in Chinakhov, , Liam Foudy, Nathan Gerbe, Grégory the league and not be suspended,” Rinaldo said. “I come from a culture Hofmann, Eric Robinson and Kevin Stenlund are all looking for work. … I was raised to go hard every single shift, hit to hurt, go through Now add Rinaldo to the mix. people. It’s easy to envision Rinaldo being spotted into the lineup on certain “The way the league is going, I have to be very cautious in how I go nights when the Blue Jackets need an energy boost, or against certain through people now. It’s not just running around like a chicken with its clubs. head cut off. There’s a system to be played, a position to be played, and I have to be able to make a difference within that.” “I get asked all the time which team I hate playing against the most,” Rinaldo said. “To me, I hate everybody. I hate everybody I play against. Rinaldo has been suspended five times by the NHL. At one point in 2015-16, when he played for the Boston Bruins, Rinaldo was “To say I hate Pittsburgh worse than, say, Washington, I’d be lying to simultaneously suspended by the NHL and the American Hockey you. I hate all other teams with all my heart. If I hated Pittsburgh worse League, a rather infamous distinction. than Washington, I’d navigate those games differently. So I just hate everybody. That’s the way I roll. But his last NHL suspension occurred in January 2018, by far the “cleanest” stretch of his career. If he was disciplined by the NHL this “But, hey, if the fans here want me to hit a little more against the coming season, he would not be considered a repeat offender because Penguins, then that’s what I’m here for.” it’s been longer than 18 months. The Athletic LOADED: 08.14.2021 “Finally!” Rinaldo laughed.

“Listen, that style of play … it’ll never leave me. It’s deep inside of me. When there’s no energy there, I always find a way to find it. But my intent on the ice is pretty clear. I don’t want to get suspended or hit somebody in a vulnerable position. The game is really fast now, and it’s hard to do certain things at the speed of the game.

“So I don’t look at it like ‘Whew, I’m off the list now.’ But it is nice to be off that whatever-you-want-to-call-it list.”

Rinaldo was a lineup regular in Philadelphia from 2011-12 to 2014-15, but has bounced around a bit since he was traded from the Flyers to Boston at the 2015 draft. He played for Boston, Arizona, Nashville and Calgary, splitting most of those seasons between the NHL and AHL.

Last season, he was played in only four games with Calgary. He was called up and sent down 10 times from the taxi squads that were permitted by the NHL as a one-off to help clubs get through the COVID- 19 crisis.

“I was heartbroken,” Rinaldo said. “For me, last year was the hardest year I’ve ever had. It was the hardest I’ve ever worked and it was the hardest year mentally.

“I’m always ready, and the team is telling me ‘Hey, Zac. Stay ready, stay ready.’ Every single day I was staying ready so I wouldn’t have to get ready. I was disappointed in the way things went, but everything happens for a reason.”

The Blue Jackets were one of a few teams to show interest. Rinaldo will make $750,000 when he plays for the Blue Jackets and $275,000 if he plays for minor-league Cleveland. The contract carries a minimum guarantee of $300,000.

He was drawn to Columbus for myriad reasons, Rinaldo said. He knows director of player personnel Basil McRae from their days together with the of the . He played with Jake Voracek in Philadelphia and Max Domi in Arizona. 1219375 Dallas Stars Wed., Sept. 29 vs. Florida 7:00 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 1 @ Florida 6:00 p.m.

Dallas Stars announce start times for full 2021-22 schedule Tue., Oct. 5 vs. St. Louis 7:00 p.m.

Thu., Oct. 7 vs. Colorado 7:00 p.m.

By Matthew DeFranks Sat., Oct. 9 @ Colorado 6:00 p.m.

5:48 PM on Jul 22, 2021 CDT — Updated at 2:54 PM on Aug 13, 2021 ` CDT Regular season

Date Opponent Time Editor’s note: This post has been updated with the start times for all 2021-22 games. The Dallas Stars announced the official puck drops for Thu., Oct. 14 @ NY Rangers 6:00 p.m. their full slate on Friday. The schedule can be found at the bottom of this Sat., Oct. 16 @ Boston 6:00 p.m. page. Sun., Oct. 17 @ Ottawa 4:00 p.m. One thing is certain: The 2021-22 schedule is much kinder to the Stars than the 2020-21 schedule. Tue., Oct. 19 @ Pittsburgh 6:00 p.m.

After a season that featured the league’s most condensed schedule, the Fri., Oct. 22 Los Angeles 7:30 p.m. Stars return to a normal 82-game schedule, as released by the NHL on Mon., Oct. 25 @ Columbus 6:00 p.m. Thursday night. Wed., Oct. 27 Vegas 7:30 p.m. The schedule includes an All-Star/Olympic break from Feb. 2-22, though the NHL’s involvement in the 2022 Winter Games has not been finalized. Fri., Oct. 29 Ottawa 7:30 p.m. Teams also received a second schedule in case the league does not go to the Games. Tue., Nov. 2 @ Winnipeg 7:00 p.m.

The Stars played 11 sets of back-to-backs last season, and will do so 15 Thu., Nov. 4 @ Calgary 8:00 p.m. times in 2021-22 with a schedule that features 26 more games. Dallas Sun., Nov. 7 @ Vancouver 9:00 p.m. played the final two months of last year without a two-day break between games, and April will not supply the Stars a respite with 16 games in the Wed., Nov. 10 Nashville 7:30 p.m. final month of the season. Sat., Nov. 13 Philadelphia 7:00 p.m. From March 4-April 3, the Stars play 12 of 15 games on the road. Similarly, from April 5-29, the Stars have 10 of 14 games at home. Tue., Nov. 16 Detroit 7:30 p.m.

Here are other highlights of the Stars schedule. Thu., Nov. 18 @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 14, at NY Rangers: The season opens with the Stars visiting Sat., Nov. 20 St. Louis 7:00 p.m. , where a (possibly) fully heathy Stars team will Tue., Nov. 23 Edmonton 7:30 p.m. take the ice after Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov and Roope Hintz have each fully recovered from surgeries. Fri., Nov. 26 Colorado 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 22, vs. Los Angeles: After a season-opening four-game road trip, the Sat., Nov. 27 @ Arizona 7:00 p.m. Stars will host the Kings in the home opener at the . Tue., Nov. 30 Carolina 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 20, vs. St. Louis: Former Stars coach Jim Montgomery returns to Thu., Dec. 2 Columbus 7:30 p.m. the American Airlines Center in the regular season for the first time since Mon., Dec. 6 Arizona 7:30 p.m. the team fired him in Dec. 2019 due to “unprofessional conduct.” Montgomery is now an assistant coach with the Blues, who also play a Wed., Dec. 8 @ Vegas 9:00 p.m. preseason game in Dallas on Oct. 5. Thu., Dec. 9 @ Los Angeles 9:30 p.m. Nov. 26, vs. Colorado: For the first time since Joel Kiviranta’s hat trick in Game 7 of the 2020 second round, the Stars will take on the Avalanche, Sat., Dec. 11 @ San Jose 9:30 p.m. the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners. After a season away from Tue., Dec. 14 St. Louis 7:30 p.m. Colorado, the Stars and Avs are once again division rivals in 2021-22. Fri., Dec. 17 @ St. Louis 7:00 p.m. Jan. 12, vs. Seattle: Jamie Oleksiak makes his return to Dallas after signing a five-year contract with the Kraken this week. It will be Sat., Dec. 18 Chicago 7:00 p.m. Oleksiak’s second visit to the American Airlines Center as an opponent, having played in Dallas as a Penguin in Feb. 2018. Mon., Dec. 20 Minnesota 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15, at Tampa Bay: The Stars only face the two-time defending Wed., Dec. 22 Winnipeg 7:00 p.m. Stanley Cup champions twice next season after playing them 16 times in Thu., Dec. 23 @ Chicago 7:30 p.m. the previous two seasons. This is the first one at while the second is April 12 in Dallas. Mon., Dec. 27 Nashville 7:30 p.m.

April 3, at Seattle: The Stars visit for the first time Wed., Dec. 29 @ Colorado 9:00 p.m. to take on the Kraken and get an up-close look at the Emerald City. Fri., Dec. 31 Colorado 7:30 p.m. April 20, at Edmonton: will welcome the Stars back to Sun., Jan. 2 @ Arizona 7:00 p.m. Edmonton late in the season, 17 months after Dallas claimed it as its second home during its 2020 run to the Stanley Cup Final. Thu., Jan. 6 Florida 7:30 p.m.

Full 2021-22 schedule Sat., Jan. 8 Pittsburgh 1:00 p.m.

Preseason Sun., Jan. 9 @ St. Louis 1:00 p.m.

Date Opponent Time Wed., Jan. 12 Seattle 7:30 p.m.

Mon., Sept. 27 @ St. Louis 7:00 p.m. Fri., Jan. 14 @ Florida 6:00 p.m. Sat., Jan. 15 @ Tampa Bay 6:00 p.m.

Tue., Jan. 18 Montreal 7:30 p.m.

Thu., Jan. 20 @ Buffalo 6:00 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 21 @ Detroit 6:30 p.m.

Mon., Jan. 24 @ Philadelphia 6:00 p.m.

Tue., Jan. 25 @ New Jersey 6:00 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 28 Washington 8:00 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 30 Boston 6:00 p.m.

Tue., Feb. 1 Calgary 7:30 p.m.

*Feb. 3 – 6 All-Star Break All-Star Break

**Feb. 7 – 22 Olympic Break Olympic Break

Wed., Feb. 23 Winnipeg 6:30 p.m.

Thu., Feb. 24 @ Nashville 7:00 p.m.

Sun., Feb. 27 Buffalo 1:00 p.m.

Wed., Mar. 2 Los Angeles 7:30 p.m.

Fri., Mar. 4 @ Winnipeg 7:00 p.m.

Sun., Mar. 6 @ Minnesota 3:00 p.m.

Tue., Mar. 8 @ Nashville 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Mar. 12 NY Rangers 7:00 p.m.

Tue., Mar. 15 @ Toronto 6:00 p.m.

Thu., Mar. 17 @ Montreal 6:00 p.m.

Sat., Mar. 19 @ NY Islanders 1:00 p.m.

Sun., Mar. 20 @ Washington 4:00 p.m.

Tue., Mar. 22 Edmonton 7:30 p.m.

Thu., Mar. 24 @ Carolina 6:00 p.m.

Sat., Mar. 26 Vancouver 12:30 p.m.

Tue., Mar. 29 @ Anaheim 9:00 p.m.

Thu., Mar. 31 @ Anaheim 9:00 p.m.

Sat., Apr. 2 @ San Jose 9:30 p.m.

Sun., Apr. 3 @ Seattle 8:00 p.m.

Tue., Apr. 5 NY Islanders 7:30 p.m.

Thu., Apr. 7 Toronto 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Apr. 9 New Jersey 1:00 p.m.

Sun., Apr. 10 @ Chicago 6:00 p.m.

Tue., Apr. 12 Tampa Bay 8:30 p.m.

Thu., Apr. 14 Minnesota 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Apr. 16 San Jose 7:00 p.m.

Mon., Apr. 18 @ Vancouver 8:00 p.m.

Wed., Apr. 20 @ Edmonton 7:30 p.m.

Thu., Apr. 21 @ Calgary 8:00 p.m.

Sat., Apr. 23 Seattle 7:00 p.m.

Tue., Apr. 26 Vegas 7:30 p.m.

Wed., Apr. 27 Arizona 7:30 p.m.

Fri., Apr. 29 Anaheim 7:30 p.m.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219376 Detroit Red Wings on the scoresheet. I can win faceoffs and kill penalties and provide offense.

“The biggest things he’s taught me about becoming a good hockey Red Wings high on draft pick Red Savage's potential: 'He knows how to player are the things you do away from the rink. It’s the preparations and play' putting yourself in the best spot to thrive. He’s really taught me a lot of great lessons about getting there.”

TED KULFAN Draper feels Savage will benefit from having seen his dad's dedication to the game. The Detroit News "Red grew up in NHL dressing rooms and in hockey environments and Red knows what a pro is," Draper said. "He has insight and has seen the sacrifices his dad made throughout his career, and that's how Red is Detroit — Red Savage, the Red Wings' fourth-round draft pick this wired as well." summer, has a good knowledge of the organization's front office. Red Savage file His dad, Brian, was a longtime NHL player and built relationships with many former Wings players. Being part of the Plymouth Township-based ► Pick: No. 114 overall (Round 4) U.S. National Team Development Program, Wings scouts have been around the rink monitoring Savage quite a bit the last couple years. ► Position: Left wing/center

Savage also played for Belle Tire and Compuware coming up the junior ► Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 181 pounds ranks and he remembers some epic battles with Little Caesars teams ► Last season: USNTDP, 46 games, 18 goals, 24 assists coached by Kris Draper, with son Kienan (a good friend of Savage's) on the roster. Detroit News LOADED: 08.14.2021

Savage couldn't help but smile a bit thinking back to those games.

“My team always had a lot of really good battles against their team," Savage said after being drafted by the Wings last month. "It got pretty heated quite often — a lot of fights, a lot of chirping back and forth between our coaches and Mr. Draper.

“We’re good friends with the Drapers and a lot of people connected to the Red Wings. Just having my dad play and be recognizable, it’s something that kind of benefits you throughout your whole life.”

It's that familiarity with pro hockey, and Draper's knowledge of how far Savage has come along as young player, that made the Wings eager to draft the Miami of Ohio-bound center.

Savage was the 114th player selected overall, which surprised many evaluators who felt he would go a round or two earlier.

The 5-foot-11, 181-pound two-way center has been captain of Team USA national squads, has leadership skills, and plays the type of responsible game that is so vital in today's NHL.

Given Savage's progress in recent years, and his expected development playing NCAA hockey, the Wings are excited about his potential.

“He just knows how to play," said Draper, the Wings' director of amateur scouting. "He’s in good spots for his (defense). He’s actually really good in the circle to take faceoffs.

"He kind of plays a fearless type game, and he showed throughout this year when he got a little bit of an opportunity that he could produce some offense."

Draper mentioned how Savage played a sound and smart game even as a 14- or 15-year old. He didn't concentrate on offense but rather did what was necessary for the team to win.

How much offense Savage can produce has always been a question for scouts. In 46 games with NTDP last season, Savage was nearly a point- per-game player (18 goals and 24 assists).

Still, it's an area the Wings want Savage to focus on at Miami.

“He knows how to play without the puck. He’s obviously very intelligent in his own end. He knows how to play in the defensive zone," Draper said. "The one thing that we’re going to want him to work on is obviously his offensive side of the game, to score goals, challenge himself to put up numbers."

Savage, whose brother Ryan also plays at Miami (Ohio), kept his eyes open watching his dad, who played 12 years in the NHL despite being an eighth-round draft pick.

There were certain qualities Brian Savage passed on to Red that were "nonnegotiable," such as work ethic on the ice.

“It’s something I go into every game (thinking about),” Savage said. “The biggest thing I focus on is trying to affect the game, whether or not I get 1219377 Detroit Red Wings

Ryan Martin leaving Red Wings for Rangers front office job

TED KULFAN

The Detroit News

Detroit — Ryan Martin is leaving the Red Wings for the New York Rangers.

Martin spent the last 14 years in the Wings’ organization, including the last nine as the team’s assistant general manager and general manager of the AHL affiliate .

Under Martin, the Griffins won the in 2013 and 2017.

Martin, a native of , will be assistant GM of the Rangers — the GM is Chris Drury, a fellow Connecticut native — and be GM of the Rangers’ AHL team in Hartford. The New York Post first reported the move.

This past year, Martin was part of Team USA’s management group that led it to the world junior championship. Drury was GM of the Team USA men’s team at the recent world championships.

With the Wings, Martin was primarily responsible for collective bargaining agreement administration and compliance, salary cap management, player contract research and analysis, and salary arbitration preparation.

Martin was also involved extensively in all facets of player contract negotiations, strategic planning and player evaluations at both the professional and amateur levels.

Martin oversaw all aspects of hockey operations for the Griffins including player personnel decisions, player development, contract negotiations and player movement.

Martin had been sharing the title of assistant GM since 2019 with Pat Verbeek, after the hiring of general manager Steve Yzerman.

Detroit News LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219378 Detroit Red Wings As he prepares for his first full season in Detroit, Vrana is pleased with the length of the deal that takes him to unrestricted free agency in 2024.

“It was kind of a process, but I’m happy it works for both sides,” he said. Jakub Vrana looks forward to showing Red Wings his potential “I’m happy that it’s over with and I can look forward to preparing for the season. I’m really excited to join this group in upcoming years.

By Ansar Khan | [email protected] “I’m looking forward to building something.”

Michigan Live LOADED: 08.14.2021

Jakub Vrana provided a brief glimpse of his enticing skills after joining the Detroit Red Wings late last season and looks forward to showing more in the coming years.

“The opportunity to play for the Red Wings is a lot different than in Washington -- I get more ice time, my role has changed a little bit,” Vrana said. “I’m looking forward to proving what I can do and show my potential.”

The Red Wings signed the 25-year-old left wing to a three-year contract valued at $5.25 million a season on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration and checking off one of their most important offseason tasks.

Vrana’s transition was smooth following the April 12 trade that sent Anthony Mantha to the Capitals and also returned first- and second- round picks to Detroit.

Vrana showed his speed by scoring on a breakaway after exiting the penalty box in his Red Wings debut April 15 vs. Chicago. He demonstrated his quick hands with a slick backhand goal from close range at Carolina on April 29. Five days earlier, he recorded his first career four-goal against Dallas.

He received more ice time with the Red Wings (averaged 17:16) than on the more talented Capitals (14:22) and capitalized with eight goals and 11 points in 11 games, after producing 11 goals and 25 points in 39 games with Washington.

“When you go through something like that (trade) you don’t really know what to expect,” Vrana said. “Everything went kind of quick. Since Day 1 everyone was really kind and helped me fit in. I just tried to show what I could do. This team has great potential and a bright future. I’m really happy to join this group.”

Vrana during his four-plus seasons with the Capitals was criticized for his defensive game and consistency. General manager Brian MacLellan revealed after the trade that there was friction between Vrana and coach .

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, who stresses offensive players also be responsible defensively, liked the commitment to back-checking he saw from Vrana during the small sample size.

“That’s the work ethic of somebody who wants to become that complete player and hopefully complete winner you need,” Blashill said after the season. “He’s going to continue to grow in those areas. It shows what his care level is. He recognizes what he needs to improve at and if he does that, he’s going to end up being the type of player you can win with.”

We have been honest with each other. I’m trying to get better as a player, work on little things out there I can do better. We had a lot of meetings. We have been sitting down together, talking about stuff. I felt confident to be open myself and talk about stuff. We had a good talk and I’m looking forward to working with him in the future.

The Czech native spoke with the media Wednesday from Sweden, where he is training with coaches from his former team, Linkoping. He praised the line of communication he has had with Blashill.

“We have been honest with each other,” Vrana said. “I’m trying to get better as a player, work on little things I can do better. We had a lot of meetings. We have been sitting down together talking about stuff. I felt confident to be open myself and talk about stuff. We had a good talk and I’m looking forward to working with him in the future.”

Incoming assistant coach Alex Tanguay will try to boost a power play that has struggled for several seasons. Vrana will play a more prominent role than he had in Washington, where he notched only six power-play goals in 284 games.

“From his experience, from his hockey career, I’m looking forward to working with him,” Vrana said. 1219379 Edmonton Oilers GOALS-PER-60 EVEN STRENGTH POWER PLAY OVERALL

2015-16 Lowetide: What are reasonable expectations for the 2021-22 Oilers? 2.2

6.15 By Allan Mitchell 2.4 Aug 13, 2021 2016-17

2.6 There will be goals. Lots of goals, for and against, for the 2021-22 Edmonton Oilers. Including all game states, the 2020-21 club scored 8.21 3.26 goals per game (No. 7 in the NHL) and allowed 2.74 (12th best in the NHL). 2.92

Expect more goals at both ends of the ice. Many more goals. 2017-18

Shots and goals, by year 2.67

In the two seasons since general manager Ken Holland and head coach 6.74 Dave Tippett arrived in Edmonton, the team has made the postseason 2.76 twice. In the previous 13 seasons, the Oilers made the playoffs only one time, in 2016-17. 2018-19

Special teams have been a key to success for the current Oilers, but 2.45 overall the club has been under 30 shots per 60 minutes for several 7.85 years. 2.77 SHOTS-PER-60 EVEN STRENGTH POWER PLAY OVERALL 2019-20

2015-16 2.66

28.95 10.6

49.76 3.11

28.75 2020-21

2016-17 2.82

30.28 10.7

55.72 3.26

30.65 Tippett’s Oilers are scoring more goals on about the same of shots, meaning the quality of chances have increased and/or accuracy 2017-18 has improved. Draisaitl gets mentioned a lot, many observers have been 32.92 waiting for his shooting percentage (currently 17.1 for his career) to level off. Like those great Oilers teams of the 1980s, Draisaitl and McDavid (a 56.92 career 15.2 percent shooter) appear to be expert marksmen.

33.05 Shots against and goals against, by year

2018-19 Entering the 2020-21 season, the Oilers were clearly established as a 28.65 team that would surrender over 31 shots per 60 minutes. Since Holland and Tippett arrived, winning the goal differential over opponents on 52.6 special teams has been a big part of team success. Here are shots against progressions over the past seasons, a reminder that last season 28.89 with the Canadian division is an outlier in terms of competition.

2019-20 SHOTS AGAINST-60 EVEN STRENGTH PENALTY KILL 29.15 OVERALL

52.46 2015-16

29.3 30.33

2020-21 54.81

28.72 30.7

60.36 2016-17

29.85 28.88

Teams get clocked by Edmonton when the team is on the power play, 58.18 but at even strength and overall the shots per 60 totals are outside the 29.08 elite teams. Edmonton’s overall shots per 60 in 2020-21 (as an example) ranked No. 19 overall, according to Natural Stat Trick. It’s also true the 2017-18 2020-21 numbers are the Canadian division and quality of competition isn’t identical for last season’s numbers. 31.82

The goal-scoring numbers tell a different story, suggesting the team’s 49.45 accuracy in shooting (hello, Leon Draisaitl) is making a difference. 31.78 2018-19 Offseason changes

31.15 Holland added several forwards (Zach Hyman, Warren Foegele, Derek Ryan) to the established group in hopes of finding two scoring lines and a 53.19 No. 3 line that could get closer to outscoring opponents at five-on-five.

31.39 He also brought in several top-nine forwards who can penalty kill. Four of 2019-20 last season’s top five penalty-killing forwards (Josh Archibald, Jujhar Khaira, Gaetan Haas, Devin Shore) came from the depth lines, with only 31.28 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins chipping in over one minute per game among the skill forwards. 54.84 Edmonton added Hyman (1:58 per game), Ryan (1:45) and Foegele 31.73 (1:01) who will help kill penalties while being deployed on skill lines at 2020-21 even strength. That should allow Tippett to bring in more skill on those support lines and it should be less tempting to strip the fourth line for 30.27 parts midgame.

55.67 Edmonton’s forwards are going to give the team a more dynamic even- strength presence. Expect more than last season’s 2.82 goals per 60 at 30.58 even strength, and combined with the stunning power play that has been The Oilers remain a team that gives up more than 30 shots in 60 in place for two seasons now, Edmonton should pass the team’s overall minutes, this year’s total ranks the team No. 21 overall. However, total last season (3.26 goals per 60) by some margin. Edmonton is a better than average team overall in goals against, owing The led the league with 3.50 goals per 60 last year, to suppressing shot quality for opponents. The proof comes in goals- it isn’t impossible for the new high torque Oilers to approach that number. against progress in the last two seasons. Now, the downbeat. In putting together his roster, Holland traded Ethan GOALS AGAINST-60 EVEN STRENGTH PENALTY KILL Bear (to Carolina for Foegele), Caleb Jones (to Chicago in the Duncan OVERALL Keith trade) and lost Larsson to the Seattle Kraken through the 2015-16 expansion process.

2.73 That’s going to leave a mark.

6.58 Edmonton’s replacements (Keith, Cody Ceci, return of Tyson Barrie) are all more effective in an offensive role, leaving the Oilers with no obvious 2.91 shutdown type like Larsson.

2016-17 What’s more, the top pairing (Darnell Nurse with Barrie) works often with the McDavid line, while Nurse would check down to a more effective 2.27 defensive partner like Larsson or Bear. 6.76 There is no obvious replacement for those tense moments, so Tippett will 2.49 need to audition the available candidates. Those last minute sellout defensive sequences are important, Edmonton needs someone to step 2017-18 up in the coming season.

2.84 Edmonton’s defencemen are good puck movers and passers, and with 8.39 Evan Bouchard (a sublime passer) added to the mix, the Oilers should have a strong offensive group on the ice for most of the night. 3.16 Defending will be the issue and that will include all three pairings. 2018-19 In goal, Smith had a strong season one year ago (.923 save percentage), 2.87 and had struggles early and late but ran well when he was on enough rest. An example: In his 10 games between Feb. 9 and 9.21 April 28, Koskinen posted a 6-4-0 record with a 2.25 goals-against 3.27 average and a .929 save percentage.

2019-20 year over year are unpredictable, so Koskinen could land the starter’s job after being relegated one year ago. It’s also possible we 2.88 see the Oilers make a move during the season to improve the position. Last year’s save percentage, in all game states, was just over .910, good 5.15 enough for No. 7 across the NHL.

3 The Oilers will need at least that level of goaltending to keep competitive 2020-21 with the defence in front of Smith or Koskinen.

2.61 What does it all mean?

6.16 The good news: If the Oilers play all 82 games scheduled in 2021-22, the club could score as many as 285 goals. That would be the highest total 2.74 since 1991-92, a hockey lifetime ago.

The Oilers in 2020-21 had the best goals-against since 2016-17, the The bad news: The defence will be more chaotic and the goaltending season most fans would pick as the best of the McDavid era. In that remains the same. Edmonton gave up 274 goals in 2018-19, the year season, goalie Cam Talbot and a veteran group of top-four defencemen before Tippett arrived. If things break wrong, Tippett’s Oilers could (Andrej Sekera, Adam Larsson, Oscar Klefbom, Kris Russell) led the threaten 250 or more. team to strong results at even strength. All four men had goal differentials of over 60 percent against elites according to Puck IQ. Are fans ready for 5-4 wins and 4-3 losses?

The 2020-21 season delivered the best results since 2016-17, owing to How many points will McDavid deliver in 2021-22? A 150-point season strong outscoring numbers by the team’s best players, along with Mike seems probable. If the goal is a deep playoff run, a deadline tweak for a Smith in goal and fine work by Larsson (1.90 goals-against per 60 at five- goaltender may be necessary. It’s tough to win in the playoffs with chaos on-five) in a workhorse shutdown role. defence, no matter how many goals the Oilers score. The Athletic LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219380 Florida Panthers

Veteran star Joe Thornton signs with Florida Panthers with Stanley Cup goal in mind

BY JASON DILL

Joe Thornton has done practically everything in the NHL.

But there’s one thing missing from his illustrious career: a Stanley Cup.

That was the primary reason for why Thornton, who turned 42 last month, decided to sign a one-year contract with the Florida Panthers.

“Everything,” Thornton said in a Zoom news conference on chasing a Stanley Cup for the Panthers. “It’s purely hockey. I see their team on paper, I watched their team last year, I love their team. And that’s it. I love what they’re building and I’m excited to be part of it. But everything is about, ultimately winning the Stanley Cup and the Panthers are right there in my opinion.”

When the Panthers fell in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning, who captured their second straight Stanley Cup, in last year’s playoffs, Thornton was watching.

“It was a great series and I loved their team, and it left a big impression on me,” Thornton said.

Thornton said he talked with Panthers general manager Bill Zito, Panthers head coach Joel Queeneville and Panthers executive Roberto Luongo, who was a previous teammate of Thornton’s, and the three were excited for the team they’re building.

“I just thought I’d be a great fit with this group,” Thornton said.

Zito said in a press release that, “With more than 1,600 games played in the NHL, Joe will bring a wealth of experience to our locker room and lineup. His drive to succeed is unmistakable and we are thrilled that he chose to sign with our club and that he believes in what we are building here in South Florida.”

Thornton, who began his career with the Boston Bruins, played last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs after spending the bulk of his 1,680 career games with the San Jose Sharks. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound center is San Jose’s all-time franchise leader in assists (804), power-play points (402) and plus-minus rating at plus-161, while ranking second in total points with 1,055. He was an , which is given to the league’s points leader and Hart Trophy winner, awarded to the league’s MVP, in 2005-06 and reached the Stanley Cup finals in 2016, where the Sharks lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.

This summer, Thornton has been in Switzerland training twice a day in preparation for where he could have gone to play.

That turned out to be the Panthers, who he said he was in discussions with and had a contract with for a while.

“I’ve been busy with the kids and training and things like that, but I got around to it and here we are today,” Thornton said.

ESPN reported the one-year deal is worth $750,000 with no incentives or bonuses.

Miami Herald LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219381 Florida Panthers “They’re close,’’ Thornton said of his new team. “They really are. It doesn’t matter what happened in years past. They’re a great team. They got to put in the work every day and hopefully at the end of the year you’ll Joe Thornton has a future at 42 — and the Panthers can use it | see results.” Commentary Thornton had five goals and 15 assists last year with Toronto. He isn’t the player of a decade ago. Nor is he being asked to be for this to work.

By DAVE HYDE Hockey is the only sport every player contributes every night. Haslem might never contribute to the Heat beyond good words. Thornton will play SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL | each game — and the question is if his game can make his good words and full career still matter. AUG 13, 2021 AT 1:05 PM Well, there’s another question about his beard. Will it stay in the Florida

heat? He has a beard like Ryan Fitzpatrick. He has a career like Jaromir Jagr. “I don’t know,’’ he said. “We’ll see where it ends up shortly.” He works like Ichiro Suzuki. He brings counsel like Udonis Haslem. Can he win like Jack McKeon? One thing he’s sure of — one thing all us old guys are: Patience is overrated. The Panthers’ training camp is in a month. For years, South Florida has taken in your poor, tired, huddled old sports guys yearning for something more just like Joe Thornton now does in “It can’t get here soon enough,’’ Thornton said. signing Friday with the Florida Panthers. Sun Sentinel LOADED: 08.14.2021 Thornton is 42. He’s played 23 years in the NHL. He’s been captain of two teams, led the league in scoring, is hockey’s active points leader, won an Olympic gold medal — he has a full Hall of Fame career already behind him.

He just wants something more that makes this a symbiotic relationship with the Panthers in a manner that says it can work. The Panthers, for instance, know what Thornton offers them.

“His drive to succeed is unmistakeable,’' Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said.

Thornton knows what the Panthers offer him.

“I love what they’re building, and I’m excited to be part of it,’' he said. “But everything is about ultimately winning the Stanley Cup, and the Panthers are right there in my opinion.”

It seems a leap of faith, right? A very-veteran player without a Stanley Cup to his career coming to the franchise with the longest drought of winning a playoff series.

It was 1996 when the Panthers last advanced in the playoffs. Nine current Panthers weren’t even born. Thornton, now the OG, didn’t play the first of his more than 1,600 NHL games until 1997. But he’s right. The Panthers’ tough series with eventual champion Tampa Bay last season suggested that.

There’s a place for this kind of player assuming he can still play. We’ve seen that plenty. As Marlins manager Jim Leyland said in 1997 when the Marlins signed Darren Daulton at the end of his career, “We got him because he’s good on the field. Anything he does in the clubhouse is a bonus.”

Two days after arriving Daulton threw a fit in a team meeting, calling it a “country-club atmosphere,” and promising, “we’ll be going home early if this keeps up.”

It fits the pat storyline that the Marlins won the World Series that year. It doesn’t always work that way — even if it still works. Jagr got his own key to the ice rink to work out at midnight if he wanted, which he often did.

He showed a young team how to work harder — just as Igor Larionov did a decade earlier. Neither resulted in great team success. Nor did it for the Marlins when Ichiro, 42, arrived with a trailer of equipment and cases for his bats to show a young outfield of Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton how to work.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was Tua Tagovailoa’s first role model as a NFL quarterback. Could there be a more helpful mentor? Fitzpatrick, in fact, was better than the rookie Tagovailoa in way that only had to push him.

Thornton doesn’t arrive on a Panthers team on training wheels. Aaron Ekblad enters his fifth year, Aleksander Barkov his sixth and Jonathan Huberdeau his seventh. There are young components, such as 20-year- old goalie Spencer Knight.

But what the Panthers lack is playoff experience. Thornton has gone to the playoffs in 18 seasons. He has 186 playoff games – more than two regular seasons’ worth. 1219382 Florida Panthers

Panthers go big, sign NHL active points leader Joe Thornton at 42

By STAFF REPORTS

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL |

AUG 13, 2021 AT 10:23 AM

The Florida Panthers’ offseason makeover now includes something big in terms of stature and experience.

General Manager Bill Zito announced Friday the signing of Joe Thornton, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound veteran of more than 1,600 career NHL games.

Thornton was signed to a one-year contract.

“His drive to succeed is unmistakable,” Zito said, “and we are thrilled that he chose to sign with our club and that he believes in what we are building here in South Florida.”

Thornton, 42, continues a tour of the league that has included time with the Boston Bruins (1997-98 to 2005-06), San Jose Sharks (2005-06 to 2019-20) and Toronto Maple Leafs (2020-21).

His 1,680 games stand as the second most among active players and sixth most all time.

Thornton has 1,529 career point, tops among active players. His 1,104 career assists lead all active players and rank seventh all time.

He also arrives with an impressive playoff pedigree. Over 186 career postseason games, he has 134 points.

The London, Ontario, native is a six-time NHL All-Star and was recipient of both the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy in 2005-06 after leading the league with 96 assists and 125 points. He led the NHL in assists in 2005-06 (96), 2006-07 (92) and 2007-08 (67).

Thornton also has an international pedigree, having played for HC Davos of the Swiss National League in 2004-05, 2012-13 and 2020-21. He led Davos to a National League title in 2004-05. He has earned Gold Medals representing Canada at the IIHF U20 World Junior Championship (1997), the World Cup of Hockey (2004, 2016) and the Winter Olympic Games (2010). He also earned a Silver Medal at the 2005 IIHF World Championship and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after recording 16 points (6-10-16) over nine games.

Thornton originally was selected by the Boston Bruins with the first overall pick of the 1997 NHL Draft.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219383 Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers sign Joe Thornton to one-year deal

By George Richards

Published 18 hours ago on August 13, 2021

The Florida Panthers added a wealth of experience on Friday as they signed former Boston and San Jose captain Joe Thornton to a one-year deal.

The 42-year-old scored five goals with 20 points in 44 games with the Maple Leafs last season.

Thornton, who has yet to win the Stanley Cup, signed on for the league- minimum of $750,000 for next season.

He said Friday that there is no doubt he is still chasing that elusive championship — and the Panthers are close to it.

“I watched their team last year, I love their team,” Thornton said from his offseason home in Switzerland.

“I love what they’re building and I’m excited to be part of it. But everything is about ultimately winning the Stanley Cup and the Panthers are right there in my opinion.”

Thornton credited GM Bill Zito, coach Joel Quenneville and advisor Roberto Luongo for making him feel comfortable. Thornton said he had the contract with Florida for weeks and finally got around to signing it Friday.

“With more than 1,600 games played in the NHL, Joe will bring a wealth of experience to our locker room and lineup,” Florida GM Bill Zito said in a statement released by the team.

“His drive to succeed is unmistakable and we are thrilled that he chose to sign with our club and that he believes in what we are building here in South Florida.”

Thornton has appeared in 1,680 games with the Boston Bruins (1997- 06), San Jose Sharks (2005-20) and Toronto (2020-21), which stands as the second-most games played of any active NHL player.

It is the sixth-most games played all time.

Get a subscription to Florida Hockey Now today for all the latest Panthers news from the offseason to the postseason

Thornton has scored 1,529 points (425-1,104-1,529) over his career, which leads all active NHL skaters.

A native of London, Ontario, Thornton is a six-time All-Star and won both the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy in 2005-06 after leading the league with 96 assists and 125 points.

Thornton led the NHL in assists for three consecutive seasons, in 2005- 06 (96), 2006-07 (92) and 2007-08 (67).

Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219384 Florida Panthers — D’Eriq King joins the Territory Talk crew to talk about joining the team. (Panthers)

AROUND THE NHL Jaromir Jagr has ‘no choice’ but to keep playing Mark Pysyk is back in Buffalo and excited to get back to Buffalo after leaving there in 2016 when the Panthers traded Dmitry Kulikov for him.

By George Richards ‘The Prius’ is also going back to being a full-time defenseman. (NHL)

Published 20 hours ago on August 13, 2021 — The Chicago Blackhawks’ sexual assault story has more Florida Panthers links than just Joel Quenneville: Paul Vincent, who has worked as a skills coach with the Panthers over the years, speaks to While playing for the Florida Panthers in 2016, Jaromir Jagr said he investigators and former Florida defenseman Nick Boynton is part of it as wanted to play until he was 50 and he is nearing that accomplishment. well. (TSN)

It does not sound like he is enjoying it all that much, however. — The Ryan Ellis deal with Nashville is looking pretty good for the Flyers. (PHN) Jagr told the Hockey News that he will continue playing for the Kladno Knights of the Czech Extraliga with the Kladno Knights — the team he — What to do — and not to do — if you get the chance to skate with owns — mainly because if he didn’t, the team may not be around NHLers during the summer. (SN) anymore. — Ryan S. Clark takes us deep into what went down in the Seattle “Do you know why I’m still playing? I have a responsibility to the club,’’ expansion draft. (The Athletic) Jagr told the Hockey News. “Otherwise I wouldn’t fly here and I wouldn’t be making a fool of myself. But if I quit, the partners and sponsors would — If you want to go to a Winnipeg Jets game, you better have been leave and the club may be done. vaccinated. (SN)

“I have no choice. People don’t understand it, but I don’t care. Only God — The Capitals have signed Jordan Subban. (WHN) will judge me. I expect much more from myself, and I also believe that I — Lucas Raymond is one of the betting favorites to win the Calder this have it in me.” season. (DHN)

Get a subscription to Florida Hockey Now today for all the latest Panthers Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 08.14.2021 news from the offseason to the postseason

As he showed with the Panthers in what was the sunset of his NHL career (he briefly played in Calgary after Florida didn’t sign him in 2017), Jagr can still bring it when needed.

Last season, after the Knights had been relegated to the Czech League’s second division, Jagr continued to battle injury but pretty much willed the Knights back into the top level as they won the championship and were promoted.

In 19 regular season games last year, Jagr scored two goals with 12 points. He had two more goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games.

Jagr will turn 50 in February. It sounds like he will indeed celebrate the milestone birthday on the ice.

“It’s not easy anymore, believe me,” Jagr told the Hockey News. “Because mostly during my career, I felt that if I wanted to score a goal, I would score. But suddenly, this doesn’t work. I have to practise, pay more attention to it and not gain 120 kilograms again.

“At the same time, people still expect it from me, and that’s probably the worst feeling, when people think I can, but I know I can’t. Plus, I can’t even tell them. I just know that I will do my best to help the club. I don’t know if anyone can understand my role. I don’t even want to be in such a position, but I have no choice. As long as my father breathes, I take the club as my responsibility. He held it for 20 years. As a son, I would be embarrassed if I left.”

FLORIDA PANTHERS LINKS

Sam Reinhart got a new three-year deal from the Panthers on Wednesday but says he and the team are “confident” this will be a long- term relationship.

GM Bill Zito tells FHN that the Reinhart deal gives the Panthers some cap flexibility as the team navigates trying to keep everything together. (FHN)

— Buffalo’s take on Reinhart signing with the Panthers. (Buffalo News)

— Geordie Kinnear will have Dan Bylsma and Leo Luongo on his 2021- 22 coaching staff. (Checkers)

— That staff will make their Carolina debut in the home opener at Oct. 22 against the visiting Hersey Bears. (Checkers)

— Tickets for the 2021-22 season go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. with the Panthers planning to open up to full capacity at BB&T Center this season. (FHN) 1219385

Kings sign second-round pick Samuel Helenius to 3-year deal

The Finnish center, drafted 59th overall in July, agrees to a contract worth up to $850,833 per season

By ANDREW KNOLL |

PUBLISHED: August 13, 2021 at 12:59 p.m. | UPDATED: August 13, 2021 at 2:42 p.m.

The Kings signed center Samuel Helenius to a three-year, entry-level contract worth up to $850,833 per season, the team said in a news release Friday.

Helenius was selected in the second round of this year’s draft, No. 59 overall. He is the second 2021 Kings draft pick to sign an entry-level deal after defenseman Brandt Clarke, the eighth overall pick, signed a three- year pact worth up to $925,000 per year on Tuesday.

At 6-feet-6-inches and over 200 pounds, Helenius has imposing size and plays an aggressive game. He competed for the Finnish national team at the Under-18 level two seasons ago and at the Under-20 level this past year. His physical play, defensive acumen and receptiveness to instruction have made him stand out among his peers, and he has also played against established professionals with his Finnish club.

While it is unlikely that either 18-year-old draft pick suits up for the Kings this season, Helenius’s signing means the Kings will have a say in where he competes in 2022-23. He will almost certainly spend the coming season in the top pro league of his native Finland, but could then potentially join the Kings’ top minor-league affiliate, the .

Helenius projects as a straight-line player who can add physicality to the forecheck, excel in his own zone and make his presence felt either with the long reach of his stick or the crushing force of a body check. Over time, the Kings have drifted toward a smaller, less physical roster, and players like Helenius and top prospect Quinton Byfield could reverse that trend.

Clarke competed at the Under-18 level for Canada. He and Helenius project as surefire Under-20 selections for the next tournament.

Clarke furthered his development last year playing professionally in Slovakia last season after the Ontario Hockey League season was canceled. He will most likely be much closer to home playing for the OHL’s Barrie Colts this upcoming season. Ambitious, adventurous and possessive of hockey sense beyond his years, the Kings feel Clarke could offer the dynamism that has largely eluded their defense corps in recent years.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219386 Los Angeles Kings

LA Kings re-sign defenseman Jacob Moverare to one-year, two-way contract, $750,000 AAV

By Zach Dooley

9 hours ago

The LA Kings have signed defenseman Jacob Moverare to a one-year, two-way contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $750,000 at the NHL level.

Moverare, 22, played in his first season with the Ontario Reign (AHL) last season, ranked second among club defensemen in assists (14) and points (15) in 26 regular-season games. The 6-3, 200-pound defenseman started the season playing for SaiPa (), totaling five assists in 11 games.

During his end-of-season awards, LA Kings Insider contributor John Hoven named Moverare as his “most outstanding defenseman” for the Reign.

Moverare is a smart, steady defenseman, who showcased those exact qualities, along with some offensive touch, during his first professional season playing in North America. It’s challenging to measure qualities such as hockey sense, but Kings Director of Scouting Mark Yannetti has frequently referenced Moverare’s hockey sense as being the best in his draft, resulting in his selection by the Kings in the fourth round. As he’s played professionally in Sweden, Moverare has rounded out other areas of his game since, resulting in an impressive debut campaign with Ontario.

Prior to his first season with the Reign, the 2016 draftee spent five years between the (SHL), Liiga and Ontario Hockey League (OHL). From 2018-20, he compiled 26 points (11-15-26) in 93 regular-season appearances for Frolunda, capped by winning the 2019 Swedish Championship after contributing six points (3-3-6) over 16 playoff games. In two seasons with the (OHL), Moverare notched 53 points (5-48-53) in 95 games and served as an assistant captain his second season (2017-18). Before Mississauga, he spent two seasons with the HV71 organization, capped by his SHL debut in 2015-16.

Moverare also won the in 2019 and 2020 with Frolunda, playing alongside Samuel Fagemo on both of those squads. He ranked tied for sixth in the 2019-20 tournament in assists by a defenseman (5), helping the team to back-to-back titles.

The Ostersund, Sweden native has represented his country in several international tournaments, winning two silver medals at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship (served as assistant captain) and the 2016 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. Across international play, Moverare has posted five points (1-4=5) in 14 contests.

The Kings have now signed all of their qualified restricted free agents for the 2021-22 season, and officially have 50 players under NHL contracts.

John Wroblewski on Jacob Moverare

Maybe somebody who surprised [us] the most was maybe Jacob Moverare. Just as you weren’t sure how a first-year North American pro would fare coming in, then a little bit of an injury to start off a season, so then you really don’t know what you have and then, you’re sort of underwhelmed initially because he’s not the most fluid skater but then, all of a sudden, you notice he does a good beat and then he’s facilitating all kinds of offense and making such heady plays with the puck on a consistent basis.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219387 Los Angeles Kings The league also included the following note regarding the 2022 Olympics, which are currently accounted for in the schedule, but not official for NHL players at this time.

NHL, Kings announce start times for 2021-22 schedule Olympic Break: As a reminder, no final agreement or decision has been made to this point regarding the possible participation of NHL Players in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Talks remain ongoing. Subject to By Zach Dooley reaching agreement with the NHL Players’ Association and the International Federation on all outstanding issues, including 12 hours ago appropriate COVID-19 insurance for NHL Players, the League has agreed, per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, to pause from Feb. 7- 22, 2022 to accommodate NHL Player participation in the Olympic The NHL announced start times for the 2021-22 season, including all 82 Games. The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association will retain full LA Kings games. The Kings are slated to begin their 2021-22 campaign authority to decide not to participate should COVID-19 conditions worsen on Thursday, October 14 at 7:30 PM against the Vegas Golden Knights or otherwise pose a threat to the health and safety of NHL Players, or for at STAPLES Center. any other reason that may warrant such decision. In the event NHL Players participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics, the NHL regular season The Kings will play 29 of their 41 home games beginning at 7:30 PM, the will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 23. If, for whatever reason, there is no most common start time on the schedule. The Kings also have seven, NHL Player participation in the Olympics, a revised Regular Season 7:00 PM start times, three 1:00 PM start times, one 6:30 PM start time schedule will be released which, to the greatest extent possible, will and one 4:00 PM start time. adopt the dates and games reflected in the schedule contemplating The full schedule, now including start times, is shown below – Olympic participation.

The Kings also announced yesterday that single-game tickets are on- LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 08.14.2021 sale now for all 41 regular-season home games. Fans can purchase tickets HERE for all regular-season home games.

Additionally, the Kings play twice at STAPLES Center as part of the club’s seven-game preseason schedule, hosting the Arizona Coyotes on October 5 at 7:30 p.m. and the on October 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The Kings will play (approximately) nine matinee games this season, depending on how you view a matinee game. For the purposes of this article, we’ll say any time before 3 PM Local. All times listed below are in Pacific time.

Saturday, October 30 vs. Montreal – 1 PM

Sunday, October 31 vs. Buffalo – 1 PM

Saturday, November 20 vs. Carolina – 1 PM

Monday, January 17 @ San Jose – 1 PM

Saturday, January 29 @ Philadelphia – 10 AM

Sunday, January 30 @ Pittsburgh – 10 AM

Sunday, March 6 @ Buffalo – 10 AM

Saturday, March 19 @ Vegas – 1 PM

Sunday, April 10 @ Minnesota – 2 PM

*Note that the game on Sunday, April 10 was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 9 in Minnnesota, the only date-change on the schedule released today.

As always, all times are subject to change. Still to be released are the 2021-22 Promotional Schedule, and the 2021-22 Broadcast schedule. The broadcast schedule will include both local ( West) and national (ESPN, Turner Sports, and TVA Sports) television coverage. All games will be available on the LA Kings Audio Network (iHeartRadio) along with select home games aired in Spanish on KWKW 1330 AM TU LIGA.

Both will be released by the club at a later date. 1219388 Los Angeles Kings

Forward Samuel Helenius signs three-year, entry-level contract with Kings

By Zach Dooley

15 hours ago

The LA Kings announced earlier today that forward Samuel Helenius has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the organization, carrying an AAV of $925,000.

Helenius, 18, was selected by the Kings in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft back in July. The 6-6 center was the team’s second, second- round draft choice, and the third of four players the Kings drafted during the event. LA traded up from third round into the second to ensure they selected Helenius, who the team views as a potential option down the middle as he develops.

The Finnish centerman spent last season playing in the top professional division in Finland, SM-Liiga, and collected 14 points (7-7-14) from 54 games played, skating in a respectable role for a 17-year-old player facing off against men. Helenius also represented his nation at the 2021 World Junior Championships as an underaged player and tallied four points (2-2-4) from seven games played, winning a bronze medal.

Helenius is on track to skate for Finland again in this season’s tournament, after appearing in all six games during the recent summer showcase in Michigan. Helenius scored a slick goal against Team USA Blue and should once again be a main contributor for Team Finland as a returning player.

As a six-foot-six centerman, Helenius already has a leg up, vertically, on most every he plays with. He skates well for his size, and is thought of as a competitor, a battler, and a player with the size and physicality to carve out a role for himself one day at the NHL level.

Because he played in Finland, Helenius is eligible to play in the NHL, the AHL or return to Europe, where he is currently a member of the JYP senior team.

Following Brandt Clarke earlier this week, Helenius is now the second member of the Kings 2021 Draft Class to sign his entry-level contract. The Kings currently have 49 of their 50 contract slots taken, though players such as Helenius, Clarke and Helge Grans have the option to slide their contracts back another season if they do not play at the NHL level, meaning the Kings have more room than meets the eye.

Kings Director of Scouting Mark Yannetti on Helenius

This kid is already an NHL skater, and he hasn’t even come close to growing into his body. When his body catches up to his feet, we look at him being an above-average NHL skater and he’s six-foot-six. He plays a hard, heavy game. He leads with compete and physicality to go along with his skating. If you watched at the World Juniors, while offense is certainly not the primary aspect of his game, he possesses a really good shot. When you start looking at the third line, in terms of creating offense, you usually see a little bit more individualistic…you see more direct plays going in the net. A kid like this, who can get to those areas and use his size and his shot to provide secondary offense, that kind of fills in the way we view a middle-six in terms of trying to find offense there.

Finland Head Coach Antti Pennanen on Helenius

I think Helenius is a big center and I like him a lot. He’s so good, he’s coachable and his attitude is good. He’s humble and he’s tough. I think someday, if everything goes well, he’s going to be an NHL player because of his attitude, size and his mental makeup.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 08.14.2021

1219389 Minnesota Wild Dec. 4: TORONTO, 6 p.m. Dec. 7: at Edmonton, 8 p.m.

Dec. 9: at San Jose, 9:30 p.m. Wild release 2021-22 start times Dec. 11: at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.

Dec. 12: at Vegas, 8 p.m. By PIONEER PRESS | [email protected] Dec. 14: CAROLINA, 7 p.m. PUBLISHED: August 13, 2021 at 3:14 p.m. | UPDATED: August 13, 2021 at 3:19 p.m. Dec. 16: BUFFALO, 7 p.m.

Dec. 18: FLORIDA, 1 p.m.

The NHL on Friday released start times for the 2021-22 season. The Dec. 20: at Dallas, 7:30 p.m. Wild will begin their regular season with a 9 p.m. puck drop at Anaheim on Oct. 15 and play their home opener Oct. 19, a 7 p.m. start against Dec. 23: DETROIT, 7 p.m. Winnipeg at . Dec. 27: at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.

There is an Olympics break scheduled for Feb. 7-22, although the NHL Jan. 1: ST. LOUIS at , TBA has yet to reach an agreement to make its players available for the Feb. 4-20 Winter Games in Beijing. Jan. 3: at Ottawa, 6:30 p.m.

There is no start time yet for the Winter Classic against St. Louis on New Jan. 6: at Boston, 6 p.m. Year’s Day at Target Field. Jan. 8: WASHINGTON, 7 p.m. 2021-22 WILD SCHEDULE Jan. 10: at Winnipeg, 7 p.m. All times Central, home games in ALL CAPS. Dates and times are subject to change: Jan. 12: at Edmonton, 8:30 p.m.

PRESEASON Jan. 14: ANAHEIM, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25: at St. Louis, 7 p.m.* Jan. 17: at Colorado, 2 p.m.

Sept. 30: at Colorado, 8 p.m.* Jan. 21: at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: COLORADO, 7 p.m.* Jan. 22: CHICAGO, 8 p.m.

Oct. 6: WINNIPEG 7 p.m.* Jan. 24: MONTREAL, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7: CHICAGO, 7 p.m.* Jan. 28: at N.Y. Rangers, 6 p.m.

Oct. 9: at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.* Jan. 30: at N.Y. Islanders, 6:30 p.m.

REGULAR SEASON Feb. 2: at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 15: at Anaheim, 9 p.m. Feb. 5: NHL All-Star Game, Las Vegas

Oct. 16: at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m. Feb. 7-22: Olympic Break

Oct. 19: WINNIPEG, 7 p.m. Feb. 24: at Toronto, 6 p.m.

Oct. 23: ANAHEIM, 5 p.m. Feb. 26: at Calgary, 9 p.m.

Oct. 24: NASHVILLE, 5 p.m. March 1: CALGARY, 7 p.m.

Oct. 26: at Vancouver, 9 p.m. March 3: at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Oct. 28: at Seattle, 9 p.m. March 4: at Buffalo, 6 p.m.

Oct. 30: at Colorado, 8 p.m. March 6: DALLAS, 3 p.m.

Nov. 2: OTTAWA, 7 p.m. March 8: N.Y. RANGERS, 7 p.m.

Nov. 6: at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m. March 10: at Detroit, 6 p.m.

Nov. 7: N.Y. ISLANDERS, 7 p.m. March 11: at Columbus, 6 p.m.

Nov. 10: at Arizona, 9 p.m. March 13: NASHVILLE, 5 p.m.

Nov. 11: at Vegas, 9 p.m. March 16: BOSTON, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 13: at Seattle, 9 p.m. March 19: CHICAGO, 1 p.m.

Nov. 16: SAN JOSE, 7 p.m. March 21: VEGAS, 7 p.m.

Nov. 18: DALLAS, 7 p.m. March 24: VANCOUVER, 7 p.m.

Nov. 20: at Florida, 5 p.m. March 26: COLUMBUS, 7 p.m.

Nov. 21: at Tampa Bay, 4 p.m. March 27: COLORADO, 5 p.m.

Nov. 24: at New Jersey, 6 p.m. March 29: PHILADELPHIA, 7 p.m.

Nov. 26: WINNIPEG, 2:30 p.m. March 31:PITTSBURGH, 7 p.m.

Nov. 28: TAMPA BAY, 1 p.m. April 2: at Carolina, 6 p.m.

Nov. 30: ARIZONA, 7 p.m. April 3: at Washington, 6 p.m.

Dec. 2: NEW JERSEY, 7 p.m. April 5: at Nashville, 7 p.m. April 8: at St. Louis, 7 p.m.

April 10: LOS ANGELES, 4 p.m.

April 11: EDMONTON, 8 p.m.

April 14: at Dallas, 7 p.m.

April 16: at St. Louis, 2 p.m.

April 17: SAN JOSE, 5 p.m.

April 19: at Montreal, 6 p.m.

April 21: VANCOUVER, 7 p.m.

April 22: SEATTLE, 7 p.m.

April 24: at Nashville, 7 p.m.

April 26: ARIZONA, 7 p.m.

April 28: CALGARY, 7 p.m.

April 29: COLORADO, 7 p.m.

Star Tribune LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219390 Montreal Canadiens playing hockey, I thought he may play in the AHL. I never, ever expected this to go on and on. So it’s kind of an out-of-body experience. I’m standing here, but I’m in shock. I’m really proud of him and I just hope he can find all sorts of ways to give back.” Alex Killorn returns home to Beaconsfield with the Stanley Cup Montreal Gazette LOADED: 08.14.2021 One of Tampa Bay Lightning's top scorers, Killorn didn't get a hometown celebration after last year's win, because of COVID restrictions.

Jason Magder • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date:Aug 13, 2021 • 10 hours ago • 3 minute read •

They were celebrating in Beaconsfield on Friday, as hometown hero and two-time Stanley Cup winner Alex Killorn returned with the prized trophy.

Killorn, 31, who plays left wing on the Tampa Bay Lightning, was given the keys to the city, signed the Livre d’or and his parents received a painting, as hundreds cheered at Beaconfield’s Centennial Park on Friday.

“I’m just happy everyone showed up,” Killorn told the crowd. “I see a lot of boys and girls, and I was one of you guys. I skated in these rinks all through the West Island. I’m just really happy I could share this moment with you. It’s not often that you get to bring the Stanley Cup to the place you grew up. Maybe one day, one person in the crowd might win it, and if you do, make sure you bring it back to your community and share it with all the people who helped you get there.”

The celebration was doubly sweet for Killorn. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, he was denied the chance for a big celebration in his hometown after winning the Cup last year.

A prolific scorer for the Lightning in both the regular season and playoffs, Killorn was injured for the last four games of the Stanley Cup final against the Montreal Canadiens.

While he didn’t get a chance to lace up his skates in a Stanley Cup final game in his hometown, it wasn’t for a lack of trying. He had a post put in his fractured fibula and tried to put on his skates for a game, but the swelling was too great. The hockey world only became aware of Killorn’s injury after the series was over, but his mom, Cindy Killorn, knew about it and dreaded the thought of her son going back on the ice too soon.

“I prayed that he wasn’t going to go back on the ice, but he said, ‘if the team needs me, I gotta be there.’ He tried, and I knew he was heartbroken, but at least he did everything he could to help the team,” she said.

Cindy Killorn said she knew from early on that hockey would play an important role in her son’s life.

“I remember when he was about two years old, we had no furniture in our living room, but we had two nets, and he would just spend hours and hours and hours shooting into the net,” she said. “I kept thinking, ‘he’s got to do something else.’ But you realize when they’re young they have an affinity. It starts young.”

She said she’s proud of her son’s accomplishments, but said she would have been equally proud if he had not made it to the NHL.

“When people used to ask me if he would make it to the NHL, I told people, ‘I don’t care. I want him to get into a good school, and everything after that is gravy.'”

Killorn checked off both those boxes. He graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor’s degree after playing varsity hockey during his time there.

Before attending Harvard, Killorn, a former member of the midget Triple- A Lac St-Louis Lions, attended Loyola High School in N.D.G. and Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. He was drafted in the third round of the 2007 draft by Tampa Bay, and completed his university degree before turning pro. He has now played 641 regular season games with the Lightning, and 111 career playoff games, appearing in the Stanley Cup final three times, and winning the prized trophy twice.

Cindy Killorn said the fact her son is now a two-time Stanley Cup winner is hard to digest.

“I’m speechless,” she said. “We’re just normal people, a mom and dad living in Beaconsfield, taking their kid to the hockey rink. When he started 1219391 New Jersey Devils Nico Hischier 21

6 State of the Devils: Two franchise cornerstones, one big void to fill at center 11

44

By Corey Masisak Aug 13, 2021 22 18:31

Pavel Zacha

This is the second in a series of stories, State of the Devils, that will take 50 a short- and long-term view at where the franchise stands after a second weird, pandemic-shortened season and where it is going in the years to 17 come. 35

The Devils made significant renovations to the roster this offseason, and 103 they hope this year will be the first step away from being an also-ran and towards being a playoff and Stanley Cup contender in the seasons to 17:09 come. We started this series Tuesday with an overview of where New Jersey’s rebuilding project stands, and forecasted a reasonable timeline Michael McLeod for when it could end. 52

Next up is a position-by-position breakdown, at all levels of the 9 organization. First up is the centers — the one position where there was no significant turnover, but the group is still the key to unlocking future 15 successful campaigns. 60 State of the Devils: The Timeline 13:49 State of the Devils: Centers Jesper Boqvist State of the Devils: Wingers 28 State of the Devils: Defensemen 4 State of the Devils: Goalies 7 2021 in review 34 Nothing sums up the progress and the pain from New Jersey’s 2021 season like the club’s two franchise centers. Jack Hughes surged during 11:09 his sophomore campaign, establishing himself as the club’s No. 1 center Advanced stats (five-on-five) and prime offensive engine. While he did not rack up points like a typical 1C, his line dictated play and generated shot attempts and scoring PLAYER CF% SCF% XGF% GSVA GAR chances at a high level regardless of which two players were flanking Jack Hughes him. 55.1 Nico Hischier became the captain, but his season was derailed by a series of maladies. It started with a broken bone in his leg during a pre- 56.45 training camp skate in Switzerland. Then a deflected P.K. Subban slap shot left him with a sinus fracture. And his second return was delayed 54.21 because he contracted COVID-19. 1.17 Michael McLeod was one of the club’s top success stories. The 2016 9.6 first-round pick found a regular place in new coach ’s lineup in the middle of the “energy line.” He quickly earned Ruff’s trust and Nico Hischier became a fixture on the penalty kill and the team’s top faceoff guy. 47.01 Travis Zajac played his 1,000th game with the franchise, but also possibly his last. He was traded to the Islanders, and while he remains 47.39 unsigned, Zajac is expected to remain with New York in 2021-22. 46.66 McLeod’s emergence was part of the reason Pavel Zacha finished 2021 0.16 on the wing. Mikhail Maltsev spent some time as the fourth center but was traded to Colorado in the Ryan Graves deal. Jesper Boqvist had a 1.1 mostly disappointing season but earned some positive reviews once he had an extended look in the middle after spending most of his NHL Pavel Zacha career to date on the wing. 48.31

Traditional stats 47.05

PLAYER GAMES GOALS POINTS SOG TOI/G 48.91

Jack Hughes 0.4

56 1.5

11 Michael McLeod

31 46.49

142 49.25

19:04 49.27 -0.11 70

0.1 N/A

Jesper Boqvist

45.19 CHI

44.12 64

41.57 24

-0.14 54

-1.1 19

CF% = corsi for percentage; SCF% = scoring chances for percentage; Nicklas Backstrom xGF% = expected goals for percentage; GSVA = game score value added; GAR = goals above replacement WAS

Those numbers, particularly the advanced ones, really hammer home 82 how different the game looked when Hughes was on the ice versus when 14 he was not — particularly after Zajac left for Long Island. The Devils don’t need all four lines to be puck possession monsters, but they are going to 69 need the two lines not centered by Hughes or McLeod to be better. 26 McLeod’s profile — not great in shot attempts, but close to 50 percent in Kyle Turris the other categories — can work if his line is handling tough defensive assignments and not playing too much (more on that shortly). A full ARZ season of a healthy Hischier alone should help his line in this department, though a Bratt-Hischier-Zacha trio might always be reliant on 66 trying to outscore its underlying metrics. 8 Offseason in review 21 Maltsev was the only significant offseason subtraction. The Devils did -1 add Chase De Leo on a two-way contract, and he looks like a potential replacement for Ben Street, who has been the organization’s No. 1 Steven Stamkos center at the AHL level in recent seasons. Street remains unsigned. TBL If the Devils do add another veteran before now and the start of the regular season, someone who could bolster the center depth might not 161 be the worst idea. 74 Three big questions for 2021-22 141 1. Will Hughes take another leap forward in Year 3? 20.9 The Devils made some significant offseason moves and the collection of players who could be supporting stars in the years to come looks promising. But any path to the playoffs and Stanley Cup contention still NYI revolves around Hughes and Hischier converting their promise into production and becoming one of the top 1-2 punches at center in the 161 NHL. 53

While Hughes made significant strides in 2021, traditional production 121 lagged behind. Having an established scorer like Tomas Tatar playing next to him could help. Better finishing, both from himself and his 8.6 teammates, could help. An improved power play would definitely help. Better luck with shots deflecting off crossbars and posts and going in would help. COL

There was a similar question about Hischier two summers ago, so we 161 can borrow from that with an update to show some recent historical evidence of similar high-end young centers. Here is how every center 51 drafted in the top five in the salary cap performed in the NHL in their first two post-draft seasons: 122

PLAYER TEAM GAMES GOALS POINTS GAR 27.7

Sidney Crosby Tyler Seguin BOS PIT 155 160

75 40

222 89

N/A 19.4 Ryan Johansen Jordan Staal

PIT CBJ

163 67

41 9 21 48

3.1 11.3

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Nico Hischier

EDM NJD

102 151

22 37

76 99

14.4 31.4

Nathan MacKinnon Nolan Patrick

COL PHI

150 145

38 25

101 61

18.7 5.9

Aleksander Barkov Jesperi Kotkaniemi

FLA MTL

125 115

24 17

60 42

10.5 -1.5

Leon Draisaitl Barrett Hayton

EDM ARZ

109 20

21 1

60 4

7.2 -0.3

Connor McDavid Jack Hughes

EDM NJD

127 117

46 18

148 52

49.8 9.3

Jack Eichel Kirby Dach

BUF CHI

142 82

48 10

113 33

15.7 4.9

Auston Mattews Hughes’ first two years don’t measure up to many of the top-five picks from 2005-16, but he’s not alone in not reaching stardom immediately TOR from the recent few draft classes. If we just sort that group of players by 144 just their age-19 season, Hughes’ GAR of 9.6 is actually right in the middle — 11th out of 21 (excluding and Eric Staal), ahead 74 of Jack Eichel, Leon Draisaitl, Aleksander Barkov, John Tavares and Nathan MacKinnon. 132 Here’s what that group of centers looked like in Year 3: 29.4 PLAYER TEAM GAMES GOALS POINTS GAR Pierre Luc-Dubois Sidney Crosby CBJ PIT 82 53 20 24 27

72 54

22 12.9

Jordan Staal Ryan Johansen**

PIT CBJ

82 68

22 9

49 20

-1.8 -0.6

Jonathan Toews Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

CHI EDM

82 80

34 19

69 56

13.2 5.8

Nicklas Backstrom Nathan MacKinnon

WAS COL

82 72

22 21

88 52

12.9 11.9

Kyle Turris* Aleksander Barkov

ARZ FLA

0 66

0 28

0 59

0 13.6

Steven Stamkos Leon Draisaitl

TBL EDM

82 82

45 29

91 77

23.7 17

John Tavares Connor McDavid

NYI EDM

82 82

31 41

81 108

18.8 23

Matt Duchene Jack Eichel

COL BUF

58 67

14 25

28 64

4 12

Tyler Seguin** Auston Mattews

BOS TOR

82 68 37 Looking at stats on the back of a hockey card and picking out a “breakout” season neglects circumstances like linemates, health and 73 shooting luck, but here’s a best guess at when “the leap” came for each 9.2 of the players.

Pierre Luc-Dubois PLAYER TEAM LEAP

CBJ Sidney Crosby

82 PIT

27 Year 1

61 Jordan Staal

15.8 PIT

Nico Hischier Eh, Year 5?

NJD Jonathan Toews

58 CHI

14 Year 3

36 Nicklas Backstrom

4.8 WAS

Nolan Patrick*** Year 3

PHI Kyle Turris*

0 ARZ

0 Year 6

0 Steven Stamkos

0 TBL

Jesperi Kotkaniemi Year 2

MTL John Tavares

56 NYI

5 Year 3

20 Matt Duchene

2.5 COL

Barrett Hayton Year 4

ARZ Tyler Seguin**

14 BOS

2 Year 2

3 Ryan Johansen**

-0.6 CBJ

Jack Hughes Year 4

NJD Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

??? EDM

??? Eh, Year 8?

??? Nathan MacKinnon

??? COL

Kirby Dach Year 5

CHI Aleksander Barkov

??? FLA

??? Year 3

??? Leon Draisaitl

??? EDM

Players like Crosby, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews were already Year 3 superstars by age 20. Other top-five picks took longer to become elite Connor McDavid offensive players, and a few never reached that level. EDM Year 1 Zacha could be the answer. Adding Tatar means the Devils now have “seven” top-six forwards, if you count the top six at the end of last season Jack Eichel plus the free-agent addition. Slide Tatar into Zacha’s place on the wing, BUF shift him to center, problem solved … right? Well, Zacha has looked better on the wing at various points over the past couple seasons, and Year 2, or 4 the team’s desire to see him use his shooting ability more seems to manifest better out there. Auston Mattews If not Zacha, then Boqvist could be the answer. He should be the favorite TOR if Lindy Ruff says Zacha is starting the year on the wing at media day. Year 1 The overall numbers from Boqvist’s 2021 season don’t look encouraging. He did score in the first two games after Zajac was traded, but even Pierre Luc-Dubois when the club snapped out of the late-season funk and finished with a decent final nine games, Boqvist’s underlying numbers continued to sink. CBJ If Boqvist does start the season at center, that could mean whichever Year 2, maybe? top-six guy gets nudged out by Tatar plus Johnsson as his linemates, Nico Hischier unless a rookie surprises in camp. This is going to be an important role, even more so if McLeod ultimately settles in as a No. 4C. NJD Are there any potential dark horses for the spot? Well, the Devils aren’t Not yet exactly bubbling over with center prospects. Dawson Mercer might be the long-term answer. If he does make the team out of training camp, it feels Nolan Patrick*** likely he’d start on the wing. Maybe the Devils could just roll with a PHI Zacha-Boqvist-Mercer trio and we can call it the “one of these guys needs to eventually be the 3C line.” That’s not very catchy, though. Not yet 3. Who is going to replace Zajac? Jesperi Kotkaniemi This might look like the same question as the last one, but it’s not. One of MTL Zacha, Boqvist, Mercer or a still-to-come veteran addition is likely to be Not yet the other center in the lineup for the Devils. But who actually replaces Zajac as the go-to defensive guy? Barrett Hayton The answer is probably a combination of Hischier and McLeod. It’s ARZ unlikely that either of them is really ready to just go shift-for-shift with guys like Crosby, McDavid and MacKinnon the way Zajac could. Hischier Not yet has been hailed as a future Selke Trophy candidate, which would mean a Jack Hughes future matching up with the best centers while also providing a lot of offense. NJD It’s possible that Ruff will want McLeod to handle a little more of that so Not yet Hischier can try to focus a little more on expanding his offensive game. But Ruff has also made it pretty clear that he believes his best players Kirby Dach have to line up against and beat the other team’s best. That probably CHI means a healthy dose of Hischier’s line and maybe a little of Hughes sprinkled in as well. Not yet Late in games, Ruff could just go with Hischier or McLeod based on * Turris spent the year in the which side of the ice the faceoff is going to be on.

** These are prorated stats because of the lockout-shortened 2013 Depth chart analysis season 2021 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 *** Patrick missed the entire season with an injury First line Five of the 16 guys drafted between 2005-15 took a big step forward in the third season after they were drafted. This is also another reminder Jack Hughes that Hughes is not alone among recent top-five picks who haven’t Jack Hughes popped early quite like their predecessors did. Even Pierre Luc-Dubois had a down year in 2021 and now it’s harder to put his first three seasons Jack Hughes into context. Jack Hughes Hughes benefitted from the extended offseason a year ago to build up his body. He won’t have as much time to work on that this summer, but Second line improving his finishing ability might be as important as the work he does Nico Hischier on his physique moving forward — he’s already proven he plays at a high level despite needing more maturity and development in that department. Nico Hischier

2. Who is the fourth center? Nico Hischier

We know who three of the club’s four centers are going to be, barring Nico Hischier injury, on opening night — Hughes, Hischier and McLeod. The fourth one (or, ideally the third one depending on whether or not McLeod can Third line improve further) might be the biggest lineup question for the Devils at the Travis Zajac start of training camp. Michael McLeod New Jersey had three consistent lines at the end of last season, but the fourth was often a bit of a mess. Jesper Boqvist spent the most time at Jesper Boqvist center there, particularly after Zajac was traded, but the wings were often Dawson Mercer “who are the other two guys in the lineup tonight?” — and that often meant inexperience or a snakebitten Andreas Johnsson, or a Fourth line combination of both. Michael McLeod Jesper Boqvist cost more to lock up long-term next summer than he would right now. Might is the key word, though, because, given Hughes’ pedigree and Michael McLeod what he showed last season, he and his representatives at CAA are not Michael McLeod likely to accept something that obviously looks like a pre-breakout discount. Extra With Zajac gone, there are no other long-term commitments at the Jesper Boqvist position. Zacha and Boqvist will also need a new contract after this season. Both are pending restricted free agents (RFAs), though Zacha is Pavel Zacha close to unrestricted free agency and any sort of term on his next Nathan Schnarr contract will likely be pricey. McLeod signed a two-year deal for his second contract this offseason, and Boqvist could sign something similar Aarne Talvitie this summer unless he breaks out in a big way.

The Devils really haven’t seen Hughes and Hischier at full power/strength In the pipeline together yet. Hischier showed flashes of it near the end of the season, but several of those final games were against a Flyers team that looked The Devils drafted a center in the first half of the first round four times like a club that was already checked out for the offseason. New Jersey’s between 2016 and 2019, including three in the top six. That said, the brass would be quite happy to watch them compete/push each other for Devils are a little light at the position beyond Hughes and Hischier, and the “No. 1” role over the next decade, but both becoming consistent No. not just because Zacha might not play there in the long term. 1-caliber centers is where the path to being a consistent contender lies. Mercer is the club’s top center prospect … if he stays at the position. De Finding a high-end No. 3 option would be another way to forge an Leo could be the No. 1 center for Utica in the AHL. Nate Schnarr, who advantage over other potential contenders. Few clubs are able to roll out was part of the haul for Taylor Hall from Arizona, finished well last three dangerous lines. The Devils might have enough wing talent in the season, could be the No. 2 center, unless that’s where Mercer ends up. pipeline to make it work, but figuring out that center spot would certainly Aarne Talvitie should play center in his first full pro season. help. Samu Salminen, the Devils’ third-round pick in 2021, was projected to go McLeod’s underlying numbers definitely tailed off a bit at the end of the higher by plenty of draft pundits and could be an option if he sticks at the season, but that was a club-wide issue for everyone except the top line. position. Listed at 6 feet, 2 inches, he might end up as a goal-scoring He doesn’t have to “settle” as the fourth center. The Devils would be wing, but he could also add a little size down the middle. New Jersey has happy to see his game grow a little more to where he could be a 15-goal, selected a few centers with picks in the later rounds in recent drafts, but 35-40-point third-line center who handles tough assignments. If not that, none of them is certain to even play in the NHL, let alone stick at center. maybe Ruff’s “energy” line does continue to get a little more ice time than Final assessment a traditional fourth unit would. Hughes and Hischier are likely to eat up a lot of five-on-five minutes in their primes, but being able to win one or If Hughes and Hischier reach their potential, center is going to be a both of the bottom-six matchups would be a huge help. strength for the Devils for a long time. Add in one more guy who can play 16-17 minutes a night and drive a third line, and the Devils could be one One of Zacha or Boqvist seems like the natural fit as the “fifth” center to of the best teams in the league at the position. start the season. There is a little less depth with Mikhail Maltsev gone. He was the type of guy who could step in and hold his own for a handful It’s not ideal that both franchise cornerstones are relatively small players, of games when needed. Depending on where Mercer is at, Chase De and guys like Boqvist, Mercer and McLeod aren’t going to be “big” either. Leo might be the top recall option from Utica. It’s almost certain that some people will try to make that a big deal the minute the Devils lose a playoff series to a team with taller centers. Yegor Sharangovich hasn’t been mentioned at all to this point because Maybe Salminen or another addition down the road will be able to he blossomed on the wing in 2021 and his goal-scoring ability seems like provide size as the third center. a natural fit to keep him out there, but he’s been a center at both the AHL and KHL levels. He could certainly be a “break glass in case of Worry about whether the team has enough size at one position to win emergency” option, at a minimum. four playoff rounds is a problem the Devils will be happy to have and try to sort out someday. Developing the centers they have right now is going Special teams to be one of the biggest keys to getting to that point. Hughes will be a fixture on the power play for years to come. The Devils The Athletic LOADED: 08.14.2021 could still use at least one more shooter, but adding Dougie Hamilton at the top of the zone should draw some attention away from Hughes and give him a little more time to make plays.

Hischier will probably fit on PP1 as well, though maybe he plays in the same spot as Hughes as the conductor for PP2. The idea of him playing as the “net-front” guy but really operating as a second facilitator below the goal line is pretty intriguing, but Hischier hasn’t had a big impact in either the bumper or net-front roles to date. The Devils may also not want to put him back in the line of fire right away after the injury last year.

Losing Blake Coleman and Kevin Rooney from the penalty kill, and then Zajac as well, left a lot of room for some forwards to earn more playing time. McLeod is likely to be a fixture on the PK. Hischier could be as well. He certainly has the skill, agility and processing power to be a problem for opposing power plays.

Whether Zacha plays at center or the wing, he’ll likely be on one of the two power-play units. Boqvist could help himself by nudging his way into the PK group or onto PP2 or both during training camp.

Salary cap watch

Hischier is locked in for six more seasons at a $7.25 million cap hit. The past two seasons haven’t been what he wanted, but he was a $7 million player in his first two NHL campaigns. He could be that, and maybe even a little more, moving forward.

Hughes will be a restricted free agent after the 2021-22 season. He’s likely to sign a lucrative deal as well, but when could factor into how expensive. If Hughes does have a breakout offensive season, he might 1219392 New York Islanders

Bridgeport City Council Approves Deal to Keep Islanders, Renovate Arena

Published 18 hours ago on August 13, 2021By Christian Arnold

The longstanding feud between the City of Bridgeport and the AHL Islanders appeared to be coming to an end.

The City Council approved a settlement with the that would keep the team in Connecticut’s largest city for the next 10 years and renovate . The city will spend $28 million to return the arena to “like-new condition,” according to the Connecticut Post.

The settlement passed with a 13-4 vote by the City Council earlier this week. As part of the deal, the city will add an additional $1.50 surcharge on all event tickets at the arena, except for Bridgeport Islanders games which will have a $2 surcharge.

The deal ends a long-running dispute between the city and Bridgeport Islanders. who have been squabbling over the now 20-year-old venue for the past five years. Issues became public in 2016 when Mayor Joe Ganim said that the Islanders owed $750,000 in back rent and the team pushed back saying that the city owed them $837,596 for maintenance and repairs made to Webster Bank Arena.

The matter was taken to court.

Tensions flared up again in 2017 when the City of Bridgeport and Howard Saffen began working on a project to turn the Ballpark at Harbor Yards into an outdoor concert venue. The team said that the venue violated the non-compete clause it has with the city.

“I’m grateful for those members supporting this,” Councilman Jorge Cruz told the Connecticut Post. “I support this 100 percent.”

The Bridgeport Islanders, who rebranded from the Sound Tigers name which they had carried since the team’s inception in 2001, play their first home game of the 2021-22 AHL season on October 23 against the . This year is Bridgeport’s 20th anniversary season and the AHL is expecting to play a full schedule this year.

Last year, the Bridgeport Islanders played a modified 24 game schedule against just two teams, playing each club 12 times.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219393 New York Islanders NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 08.14.2021

Return of Anders Lee Will Pay Major Dividends for Islanders This Season

Published 20 hours ago on August 13, 2021By Stefen Rosner

Comment

All the hype this offseason around the New York Islanders has been around the fact that they were “in” on elite wingers to play alongside the talented . The concern is that if the Islanders do not bring in a weapon, then the roster for this upcoming season is worse than it was a year ago.

But many have forgotten that Anders Lee, the Islanders top-line left winger and captain, will be back in the lineup. His return will not just impact Barzal for the better, but it will improve the lineup as a whole.

Last season, the Islanders saw Lee go down midway through the year with a torn ACL, forcing him to miss the remainder of the regular season as well as postseason play. At the time of his injury, his 12 goals in 27 games led the team and in his absence, the Islanders struggled to create offense. It put pressure on Barzal, who at 24-years old had to do more than ever for the Islanders to succeed, with far less by his side.

While there were a handful of reasons the Islanders saw their playoff run end just shy of a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, the absence of Lee may have been the biggest factor. What he brought to New York, through his leadership and offensive skill, was irreplaceable. Head coach opted to use bottom-six veteran Leo Komarov in Lee’s spot more often than not.

Although that top line did not allow many goals, scoring became a challenge.

Barzal is a playmaker, and in Lee’s absence, he found ways to make plays in the offensive zone, yet he rarely saw his wingers finish those plays off. More often than not, Barzal was double-teamed by opposing defensemen in an effort to shut him down.

Was it a coincidence that Barzal posted a career-high 48 penalty minutes in a career-low 55 games played in the shortened season? It very well could have been a combination of frustration and trying to do too much.

Having Anders Lee back on the ice should help settle Barzal down, as there is chemistry between the two that has been building for a few years. The way Lee plays, a big-body presence in front of the opposing netminder, who wins puck battles in corners is great for a player of Barzal’s skillset. The missing piece is the pure goal scorer, who has not been brought in yet to play along with these two players.

One would think that Kyle Palmieri, who has been rumored to be signed, will slot into the right of Barzal now that Jordan Eberle is a member of the Seattle Kraken.

Barzal needs weapons around him to succeed and Lee’s return will only allow Barzal to play to his strengths.

Anders Lee returning does not just affect that top line for the Islanders. It affects the power play as well. The Islanders’ power play was subpar this past season, finishing 20th during the regular season, coming through 18.8% of the time. That number climbed a few ticks in the postseason, just north of 20%, in a much smaller sample size. Once Lee went down, the Islanders struggled to find a suitable replacement in front of the net. Adding him back in the mix should help the power play become more of a threat this upcoming season.

As for the lineup, five on five, Lee returning makes the club deeper, offensively.

It goes without saying how important it is for a captain to be on the ice with his team game in and game out. The presence that Anders Lee has on and off the ice has been crucial over the years and it was evident this year while he was hurt.

While he tried to play a role during the injury, it’s not quite the same as having him out there on a nightly basis.

Actions speak louder than words, and Lee back on the ice, leading by example, is an immeasurable asset for any team, especially for an Islanders team that is very much in a win-now mode. 1219394 New York Rangers

Rangers hire Ryan Martin as new assistant general manager

By Mollie Walker

August 13, 2021 12:48pm Updated

The rest of the Rangers’ front office is beginning to take shape.

President and general manager Chris Drury is bringing on Ryan Martin as his assistant GM. In addition, Drury appointed the Connecticut native as head honcho of the team’s AHL affiliate, the , The Post’s Larry Brooks reported on Friday.

Martin comes to after 16 years in the Red Wings’ front office, 12 of which he served as assistant general manager. Joining Detroit in 2005, Martin started off as director of hockey administration before moving up to handle collective bargaining agreement administration and compliance, salary cap management, player contract research and analysis, and salary arbitration preparation. He was also general manager of the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, who, under his lead, captured two Calder Cup championships over a five-year span.

Ryan Martin

Additionally, Martin is coming off his ninth world junior tournament working in player personnel for the United States. He helped the U.S. world junior team to the country’s first gold medal at the event since 2017 in January, while balancing his obligations back in Detroit and the Grand Rapids.

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Former Daily News hockey writer Jay Greenberg dies at 71

Gary Miles

Jay Greenberg, 71, a Hockey Hall of Fame journalist and former NHL writer for the Daily News, died Thursday, reportedly of complications from West Nile virus.

Mr. Greenberg was an author, columnist, and beat writer for numerous publications, including the Philadelphia Bulletin, over his long career. He wrote for, among others, the Kansas City Star, Sports Illustrated, the New York Post, the Hockey News, and the Toronto Sun.

The native of Johnstown, Pa., and product of the University of Missouri wrote two books about the Flyers, and won the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Elmer Ferguson Award for excellence in writing in 2013. He covered the Flyers for the Bulletin from 1975 to 1978 and for the Daily News from 1978 to 1989.

In a statement, the Flyers said Mr. Greenberg “had a truly special ability to tell a story in a way that not many could.”

Former Flyer Dave Poulin tweeted, “The entire hockey community lost a special friend in Jay Greenberg. Players, coaches, managers, owners, fans — he had a great relationship with everyone.”

Paul Domowitch, who worked at the Daily News with Mr. Greenberg, tweeted, “Jay was one of the best hockey writers in my lifetime.”

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219396 Philadelphia Flyers If Yandle appears in 43 straight games to begin the upcoming season, he'll pass Doug Jarvis' NHL record of 964 played in a row. Yandle's focus, though, is winning and playing well in front of Hart.

Ironman Yandle sees a 'stud' in Hart, a win-now chance with Flyers "I haven't talked to Chuck about that stuff," Yandle said about coming to the Flyers with the record at stake. "It's one of those things where I'm a team player, it's all about the team. I don't really think too far ahead. It was just getting the best fit for me and a chance to win. Ultimately, that's BY JORDAN HALL why I went with the Flyers."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.14.2021 FLYERS

Keith Yandle has played in 1,032 career NHL games and in 922 straight, the league's longest active streak.

He has seen a lot of goalies.

He played with Henrik Lundqvist in New York, Roberto Luongo and Sergei Bobrovsky in Florida and Mike Smith in Arizona.

When Yandle had the final two years of his contract bought out by the Panthers last month, Kevin Hayes put on his recruiting hat.

An obvious part of Hayes' sales pitch: Carter Hart.

Two weeks ago, Yandle signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Flyers, joining his close friend Hayes.

What does he think about Hart?

"He's a stud," Yandle said July 28. "He's a guy when you think of young goalies in the league, you think of him. A guy that I'm definitely excited to play in front of. Just from talking to guys on the team, especially Kevin and the guys, you hear that he carries himself like he's a 10-year vet. I'm excited to work with him and to play in front of him. Definitely one of those guys that when you look at signing with the Flyers, you see how good of a goalie they have — that's a big thing."

Hayes and Yandle are from Boston and train together in the summer. Hayes has always spoken highly of Hart ever since the center signed with the Flyers in June 2019. Hart, who just inked a new three-year, $11.937 million deal and turns 23 years old on Friday, is excited about the Flyers' revamped look on the back end.

The Flyers could have three new defensive pairs when they open the 2021-22 season. Yandle's chance to reunite with Hayes and head coach was important, but general manager Chuck Fletcher's active offseason also caught his eye.

"I think seeing what Chuck's done even before free agency and making moves, making big moves, just helping the team get better — I thought it was a no-brainer for me," Yandle said. "It just seems like it's a win-now situation and that's something that I'm all about. I thought it was the best fit."

With the Panthers last season, Yandle played 17:15 minutes per game. At this point of his career, he'll have a lesser role. Possessing a high IQ offensively, Yandle projects to be a third-pair guy with the Flyers while contributing on the man advantage. Defensive depth is crucial at the NHL level, an area in which the Flyers struggled last season. Yandle gives them an experienced guy who knows how to prepare day in, day out.

"I see myself as a power play guy, a guy that can help out getting pucks to the forwards," Yandle said. "Obviously, seeing how good the forwards are in Philly, it's an exciting thing to see that and hopefully be able to pass to those guys. ... Obviously, you can't score every power play, but it's getting momentum for your team, staying positive. I definitely take pride in that."

Yandle turns 35 years old in September and hasn't been on a team that has won a playoff series since 2015, when Vigneault's Rangers lost in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. Yandle was a March trade deadline acquisition of the Rangers and Hayes was a rookie.

At the time, Yandle was building his current streak of consecutive games played.

"Obviously a lot of luck, great trainers, good doctors, everything that the NHL provides us," Yandle said of his run. "I think it's just my love for the game, as well, I love coming to the rink, I love going to practice, games, being at the rink. It's the best job in the world, so for me, it's one of those things, I call it a little bit of FOMO (fear of missing out). I hate missing out on anything, especially when it's with your teammates. For me, it's just wanting to be there and to be able to help out." 1219397 Pittsburgh Penguins Studying for a broadcast major at Sacramento State in 1969, Lange will be the first to admit he didn’t know a blue line from a red line when a friend, Len Shapiro, asked if he wanted to work the penalty box at the Sacramento Ice Hockey Association. Mike Lange may have left the building, but his legacy lives on “You never know,” were the now-infamous words Shapiro said to a skeptical Lange.

Mike DeFabo14-18 minutes 8/13/2021 Lange tagged along and kept time of each infraction. Meanwhile, during the game, a PA announcer called the play-by-play live for the fans inside

the arena. When I was a kid growing up in Latrobe, my parents had a rule. That brief introduction to the game turned into an invitation into the booth My brother, Vince, and I were allowed to watch the first period of the the following season. The play-by-play broadcaster at the time requested Penguins game on TV. Then, we had to go to bed. Begrudgingly, we’d $10 a game. So the cash-strapped club turned to Lange. trudge upstairs to our room. I’d climb the ladder to the top bunk as my Want to do it for $5? brother flipped on my grandfather’s 1960s-style Zenith tabletop radio. “That's enough money for a Shakey's pizza, a pitcher of beer, and I've It was there that Mike Lange’s voice transformed our room into the Civic got some money left over,” Lange said. Arena. He agreed. Like that, the puck dropped for the first time on Lange’s With his uncanny ability to anticipate plays, his quick wit, vivid imagery hockey life. and — of course — signature phrases, Lange made us fall in love with the game of hockey and sports storytelling, while at the same time ‘A hockey night in Phoenix’ strengthening the bonds of our brotherhood. Upon graduation, Lange began applying to jobs — and he did so with a “Well, first of all, you know I’m smiling like a butcher’s dog right now,” distinct Mike Lange flair. Lange said a few months back when I relayed my fond childhood memory to him. If he sent a resume for a gig, he wrapped it around a bat. A job in hoops? A . Anything to be different and stand out. And so Then, he paused ... when it came time to apply for the ’s Phoenix Roadrunners, Lange found a stuffed roadrunner and shipped it on its “Now, I’ll tell you a little story,” Lange continued. “My brother and I were way. in bunk beds, too, when I was 9 years old. I had the transistor radio under my pillow, and I would listen to games. That’s when I decided what Al McCoy, who was at the time the Roadrunners’ play-by-play man, did I wanted to do.” his best to get the kid on his feet.

This week, the California native who once drifted off to sleep while “I kind of took a liking to him because he was such an energetic, positive listening to the Sacramento Solons and later the San Francisco Giants guy,” McCoy said over the phone this week. “I just had never been announced he’s retiring from play-by-play duties after living the Hall of around anybody who had the love for the game of hockey like Mike.” Fame broadcasting career of his dreams. McCoy, who became a mentor and then a lifelong friend, shared his Lange, 73, is hanging up his headset after half a century in a broadcast contact book. Weeks passed as Lange scoured the country hoping to booth. In his 46 seasons as the play-by-play voice of the Pittsburgh catch on with a hockey team. Nothing. Penguins, Lange has provided the soundtrack to virtually every defining moment in the franchise’s storied history, including all five Stanley Cup- “He called me and said, ‘I’d like to talk to you some more. I just can’t find clinching calls. anything. No one wants to hire me,’” McCoy remembers.

He’s seen Mario Lemieux do things you’d have to be there to believe, The best McCoy could do for Lange was a part-time job crunching smoked a bad cigar with Jaromir Jagr, made Evgeni Malkin a milkshake numbers in the stats department on an hourly basis. If the now-88-year- and been slapped silly by Sidney Crosby. Now, ladies and gentlemen — old McCoy’s memory serves him right, the gig paid $1 an hour. after smiling like a butcher’s dog through it all — Elvis has just left the “He said, ‘I’ll take it! I’ll take it!’” building. Lange’s willingness to work for little more than a foot in the door “There are certain rare broadcasters who become part of the legacy of eventually turned into a job in public relations, and then later that season the team,” said Tom McMillan, the Penguins’ longtime vice president of a chance to do some color commentary. McCoy taught Lange the communications. “He is one of those rare broadcasters.” nuances of the game; emphasized the importance of building a Lange has handed the headset to Josh Getzoff, a talented 32-year-old relationship with a fanbase; and gave him some pointers that Lange has broadcaster whom Lange has embraced, mentored and publicly passed onto his own mentees like Getzoff, current Penguins TV play-by- endorsed. But even as Father Time’s forecheck caught up with Lange play broadcaster Steve Mears, and many others. and he dialed back his duties to prepare for his inevitable retirement, he “A lot of play-by-play broadcasters protect themselves by staying behind admits it’s never easy to say goodbye. the play,” McCoy said. “I think you lose your sense of enthusiasm when “I miss it. I don’t deny it,” Lange told the Post-Gazette this week. “I miss it you do that. I said, ‘Be on top of the play.’ I think that was one of his early dearly. It’s been a part of me for all these many years. I just found that strengths. He had a lot of excitement because he loved the game. He put this was the time to make a move and give a fresh start. We’ve got a that enthusiasm into his broadcast.” younger guy in there who has all the vigor and passion to succeed.” The following season, McCoy took a job with the Phoenix Suns, where Lange likens his career to a “storybook” — and it’s true that it would take he’s become a Hall of Famer like Lange and is set to enter his 50th many volumes to tell his complete story. But before the next chapter season in the booth. begins in the booth, let’s remember just some of the reasons Lange’s McCoy passed along his job — and something more. legacy will continue to reverberate through Western Pennsylvania long after his voice fades from the airwaves. “When I left the Roadrunners and Mike took over, he said, ‘Can I use some of those phrases?” McCoy recalled. “I told him, ‘Sure, use ‘You never know’ whatever you want and then get some good ones for yourself.’” Lange’s passion may have been broadcasting. But his sport? Baseball. “Great balls of fire” was one of those early slogans with the Roadrunners See, the man who would eventually earn his enshrinement in the Hockey and then the Penguins. Lange also took from McCoy a phrase that might Hall of Fame in 2001 actually never saw a hockey game in person until sound familiar: “It’s a hockey night in Phoenix.” he was 20 years old. ‘Fate’ and a perfect fit in Pittsburgh “Nobody in their mind would think I would be involved in hockey at that point, really,” Lange said. A bleary-eyed Lange arrived in Pittsburgh in 1974 after an all-night flight won a national championship. For me to be able to say that for the city of from California. As he walked down the ramp and onto the tarmac, he Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, that was my feeling at the time. was smacked in the face by the distinct sulfur smell of the steel mills. “It just came from my heart.” “What have you gotten yourself into?” Lange remembers saying to himself. ‘That’s a good story. ... Write it’

Lange’s first game as the play-by-play voice of the Penguins was This week, after the ongoing pandemic postponed long-delayed plans, I broadcast on KDKA radio. The then-27-year-old kid carried his finally visited my brother and his young family for the first time at his new equipment into the booth at the Metropolitan Sports Center in Minnesota home in San Antonio. I walked through the front door. for Game 1 on Oct. 9, 1974, against the North Stars. And there it was, proudly displayed in his entryway: the old wooden “I was scared shitless the first game,” Lange said. “You have to radio. understand how big KDKA radio was.” So, of course, it had to happen this way. With the brother Lange helped Heavyweight Bob “Battleship” Kelly gave the Penguins a 1-0 first period me grow closer to by my side, my god-daughter under my arm and the lead, the first Penguins goal Lange ever called. And then Pierre radio where we first heard Lange’s voice nearby, the Penguins Larouche, playing in his first NHL game, netted a breakaway goal in the announced Monday that the broadcaster who believes fate puts you second period as the Penguins captured a 4-2 victory. From there, Lange places at the right time for a reason had retired. was off and running. “That’s a good story,” Lange said. “I’d put that story in there. Write it. I “Quite honestly, my aspirations were still first of all on baseball,” Lange think you should.” admits. “I thought I would be here maybe a year or two. What happened Well, as reporters, we’re taught to never make the story about ourselves. was the city itself and the way of life and the people sucked me in. But when Mike Lange tells you to do something, you listen.

“I honestly believe and am a firm believer in the man upstairs. You’re Now, I won’t pretend that Lange and I have become best friends, even if going to end up where you are meant to be, and he’s going to be a big the legendary broadcaster began calling me “The Real Motorcycle” when influence on that. I just think it’s by fate that I ended up here.” I told him about my Penguins-obsessed uncle’s nickname for me While the Steelers and Pirates turned Pittsburgh into the City of (Michael, Michael Motorcycle). Champions in the ‘70s — Lange himself attended the Super Bowl parade Bourque said Lange is the kind of caring friend who you can call at 3 in 1974 — the Penguins sometimes struggled to earn their place in a a.m., ask for $3,000 and his car, and he’ll be out of bed in a heartbeat. crowded sports market. But maybe that was a blessing, in its own way. (I’m pretty sure it was a metaphor, but a part of me also wonders why Lange had the opportunity to experiment with different styles, different Bourque needed three grand). I never sat next to Lange on the team bus calls. the way Jagr did for half a decade. We don’t have an unspoken During times when the team had few — if any — stars, Mike Lange was connection through a fist bump the way Lange has with Crosby. the star. “He’s a friend and will always be part of the team,” Crosby said. “Whether “The players, they came and they went, but Mike Lange stayed,” said it’s the fist bumps, hanging out chatting around the rink or hearing his Bob Grove, a team historian who eventually worked on the Penguins calls, I’m going to miss having him around.” Radio Network alongside Lange. “He grew the game so much. I know he But I do feel fortunate that my first two seasons covering the Penguins for increased my appreciation for it, without a question.” the Post-Gazette coincided with his last two seasons in the booth. Really, Lange might be a fun-loving personality who enjoys a cold Miller Lite on though, you don’t have to ever dial Lange’s number or shake his hand to ice and a good live blues band. But behind that affable nature, he’s a count him as a friend. man with a hard-working attitude and perfectionist standards. A good broadcaster forges this symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship He rarely missed a morning skate. He conducted his own interviews in with listeners. We welcome the broadcaster into our homes. They keep the dressing room. And on the rare instance Lange mispronounced a us company while we make dinner. They ride shotgun during long car player’s name or guessed wrong when he couldn’t see a number, he’d rides. And, yes, they even tell us bedtime stories as we drift off to sleep. pound the desk in front of him in frustration. Over time and shared sports experiences, a person who we never met “He loved the preparation,” said longtime Penguins color commentator and who doesn’t know our name feels like a friend. Phil Bourque. “He loved all the work he had to put in. When the lights With Lange, it goes well beyond that thanks to those famous sayings. came on and it was go time for, ‘It’s a hockey night in Pittsburgh,’ he was The man who bought Sam a drink and got his dog one, too, resonated in at his very best.” a profound way in this shot-and-a-beer-town. We call them Lange-isms, With Lange well-established and on his way to a Hall of Fame career, the right? Penguins finally turned the corner in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Mario But they’re not exactly all his own creation. He encouraged fans to write Lemieux came to town. Meanwhile, back home in Montreal, Lemieux’s him suggestions. Then he’d store them in a shoebox and pull out the very mother, Pierrette, knew almost no English. She tuned into the games best ones in the biggest moments. knowing she had the right frequency when she heard those patented catch phrases. In that way, they’re not just his sayings — they’re ours.

“When I said, ‘Elvis has just left the building,’ she would go crazy,” Lange They’re from 8-year-old Dylan in the junior reporter program, who first said. “That was passed along to me. When we were in the playoffs, made Malkin a milkshake. They’re from the stock broker who was beaten Mario’s mother came in. I knew that Elvis was in the building. It created a like a rented mule during a market nosedive. They’re from the car bond between us. She’d give me a big hug, and I would return the favor salesman with the Texas drawl in Dormont who thought Michael would every time I’d see her.” look good on a motorcycle.

Finally, in 1991, the hockey club that Lange helped popularize in There are great stories behind all those great sayings. But as Elvis finally Pittsburgh reached the pinnacle. Fittingly, Lange was back in the leaves the building, we have time for just one more. Metropolitan Sports Center in Minnesota where his Penguins “If I’m truthful? I was stopped in the South Hills somewhere,” Lange said. broadcasting career began, this time for the Stanley Cup Final’s sixth “There was a baseball game on the radio. When the ball was hit out of game to call the Penguins’ 8-0 victory over the North Stars. the park, the broadcaster said, ‘Elvis has just left the building.’ I said, Lange had earned his notoriety for those phrases. But this time, he chose ‘Wow. That would work with hockey.’ to go simple and sentimental as the final horn sounded: “The Stanley “I don’t know who the broadcaster was. I don’t know if I misheard him. He Cup has come to the city of Pittsburgh.” may have used it only once. I don’t know.” “It just was the moment for the city of Pittsburgh to finally — finally — get But here in Pittsburgh, what might have been a fleeting moment on a car there,” Lange said “You have to realize, the Steelers won four Super radio will live on long after the final goal horn sounds, the radio fades and Bowls at that point. The Pirates had won two championships. Pitt had we drift off to sleep with the voice of Mike Lange in our ears and the memories resonating in our hearts.

Post Gazette LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219398 Pittsburgh Penguins percentage. The Penguins won the division with help from, not despite, Jarry.

Jarry laid an egg in the playoffs, but he will be one of the lower-cost Penguins One-Timers: Finances, Prospects and Winning; the Present & goalies in the Metro Division next season. He will also begin the season Future with more career wins and All-Star appearances than most of the other Metro goalies.

He laid an egg in the playoffs. There’s no getting around that. But I don’t Published 18 hours ago on August 13, 2021 understand the persistent drumbeat to dump him.

By Dan Kingerski This season is his make, or possibly break season. It will be his third year in the NHL. For all of the historical and comparative research we did

during the Matt Murray, Marc-Andre Fleury era, there is a significant line It came as a little bit of a surprise on Thursday when Bookies.com sent to cross at 100 games. Jarry has played 101 games, but those are their “wealth rankings” for NHL and NFL teams. The Pittsburgh Penguins spaced over several years and different points of his development. were projected to be among the revenue elites. Pittsburgh is a small Now that NHL shooters have had a good look at the finished product let’s town. The Steelers projected at only 17th. see what they found and how he responds. The worldwide beloved Steelers franchise that may have more fans in And THAT is why the Penguins wanted a veteran backup with starting Mexico City than Pittsburgh (though Mexico City is larger by a factor of experience. 10) only ranked 17th, but the Penguins were projected to be near the top five in the NHL. 5. I do think John Marino takes a step forward this season.

Every year, Forbes releases franchise values, and teams scoff and “You look at guys like (Pettersson) and John Marino. We think there’s dismiss. And when those teams sell, Forbes is usually pretty close. But there’s more there. They’re both young players,” said Hextall. “There’s the Bookies folks made some bold predictions based on those more there than they gave us last year and both–talked to them (last) valuations, revenue streams, and maybe factored a bit of luck. year–and feel like there’s more there. So we feel in some ways like there’s upside in those two players, which could really help solidify our If they’re right, the NHL is in a very healthy position and will gross over defense.” $6 billion. Marcus Pettersson is the bigger question. He’s skinny. He’s not quick. Pittsburgh Penguins One-Timers The problem areas in his game are born of those physical traits. His 1. If the Penguins are one of the wealthiest teams in the NHL, good for battle area success and his problems dealing with a good forecheck Mario Lemieux. I won’t ever forget the night he pummeled a Florida won’t improve unless he adds a little weight and gets a bit quicker going Panthers defenseman after city and state leaders again rebuffed a new back to pucks. arena. He was furious, and some kid named Brad Ference gave him a P.O. Joseph was great in a short burst last season, but at 160-pounds, or whack, and Mario charged him like a bull. thereabouts, it’s hard to imagine him being physically prepared for an 82- Last summer, there were loud whispers that cash flow was an issue for game schedule, but he’s young, and the clock has plenty of time for him the Penguins. The pandemic was choking sponsors and business to develop. associates alike. 6. I want to see a full barn this season, want to be able to go into the Mario has hung in there. He spent to the cap even as those whispers locker room and bring you great personal stories and get their insights. I insisted it wasn’t possible. It’s not often those of us on the “other” end of want this pandemic to be behind us. the economic spectrum cheer a sports franchise owner making money, However, we are careening back to unsafe territory. Orlando hospitals but in Lemieux’s case, it’s well earned…if the calculations are correct. are erecting outdoor tents for COVID patients and asking for emergency 2. Jaromir Jagr always had a flair for the dramatic, verbally and on the help. Pittsburgh hospitals report other states are begging to send patients ice. From “dying alive” to his recent comments to The Hockey News here because we’re not yet overrun. about embarrassing himself, he makes a splash. Sometimes he comes But it’s coming. off as self-defeating. I know enough people who know Jagr. Unfortunately, his Penguins tenure ended a few months before my sports Those things don’t happen if more people are vaccinated. Since most of media career began (I was a lowly music jock prior). Still, I know when us don’t want to kill people, PHN will give you a free yearly subscription if Jagr starts making fatalistic comments, he’s either going to be swallowed you begin the vaccination process after reading this. Send me a pic of up by them or do everything humanly possible to break free. I’ll bet on your vax card that shows you got a shot today or this weekend. Twitter, Jagr having a ridiculous year in the top Czech league. Facebook, or email are fine. I know it’s not much, but that’s money straight out of my pocket. Our overall health is more important. I can’t go At 49-years-old. Do it for everyone one of us who rejects being over 40, through another nightmare that was 2020. Just can’t. We’ve lost a few Jags. Steer into the sun, you crazy bastard. subscribers to the virus. No more. 3. I keep analyzing the current Pittsburgh Penguins roster. Backward Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 08.14.2021 and forwards. Even with a healthy and motivated Evgeni Malkin, I don’t see the Penguins challenging for anything. I expect an RHD to show up and for Mark Friedman to push him. I expect Jeff Carter will be good, but not the world-beater he was last season.

It’s not the defense that is the biggest worry. It’s scoring depth. After the Penguins’ top line, there’s a lot of weight that will fall on Kasperi Kapanen. A LOT. And on Jeff Carter. And…on Teddy Bleuger and Zach Aston-Reese.

A team with a soft defense needs goals. The steps backward won’t be surprising. How management and GM Ron Hextall deal with them will be the stuff that is hotly debated.

4. Look at the money the other goalies in the Metro Division will be paid this season. Vitek Vanecek is on the low end at $2 million. Carter Hart had a nightmarish 2020-21 and got paid $3 million. Igor Shesterkin landed a hefty netminder salary of over $5 million.

Tristan Jarry had a rough start last season, and those first few weeks crushed his season statistics, but he still finished with a .909 save 1219399 San Jose Sharks

Former Sharks C Joe Thornton signs with another new team — no, not HC Davos

By MICHAEL NOWELS | PUBLISHED: August 13, 2021 at 8:21 a.m. | UPDATED: August 13, 2021 at 4:11 p.m.

Joe Thornton headed home to Toronto last offseason, leaving behind 15 years of Sharks history in San Jose.

Now, after a year with the Maple Leafs, Thornton is going back to a warmer climate. He’s joining the Florida Panthers, the team announced Friday morning.

Thornton, the Sharks’ No. 2 scorer of all time behind former running mate , reportedly signed for the veteran’s minimum to join a Panthers team that finished second in the reconfigured Central Division last year before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs.

“I see their team on paper, I watched their team last year, I love their team and that’s it,” Thornton said. “I love what they’re building and I’m excited to be part of it. But everything is about ultimately winning the Stanley Cup and the Panthers are right there in my opinion.”

“With more than 1,600 games played in the NHL, Joe will bring a wealth of experience to our locker room and lineup,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said in a press release. “His drive to succeed is unmistakable and we are thrilled that he chose to sign with our club and that he believes in what we are building here in South Florida.”

At age 42, the NHL’s active points leader joins a Panthers team that was the eighth-youngest in the NHL last season with an average age of just under 26.5.

“The energy these guys bring every day, they want to work every day, they want to get better every day,” Thornton said. “I’m just really looking forward to joining them on the journey.”

In 44 games with the Leafs last season, Thornton had five goals, 15 assists, and a +6 plus/minus rating.

In June, Thornton was noncommittal about playing another NHL season after Toronto was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Montreal.

“We’ll see,” Thornton said at the time.

But Thornton’s been going through two-a-day workouts for much of the summer and is convinced he can still contribute at the NHL level.

“The body feels good, the mind feels good and I knew pretty much after the season, I started training right away and I felt good,” Thornton said. “Here we go again.”

As for another active Sharks legend, the 41-year-old Marleau is an unrestricted free agent after returning to San Jose for the last two seasons and passing Hall of Famer Gordie Howe for the NHL record for games played.

After coming to the Sharks in a 2005 trade from Boston, Thornton paired with Marleau as the top two picks from the 1997 draft and led San Jose to the playoffs in 13 of his 15 seasons in teal. He is the team’s all-time leader in assists, with 804.

The Sharks play at Florida on Jan. 29 and face the Panthers at home on March 15.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219400 San Jose Sharks

Sharks lock up goalie tandem, sign Hill to two-year deal

BY BRIAN WITT

The Sharks' goaltending situation has been settled.

San Jose announced Thursday it had signed Adin Hill to a two-year contract. Hill, whom the Sharks acquired from the Arizona Coyotes last month, had filed for salary arbitration as a restricted free agent, but was able to come to an agreement with his new team beforehand.

"We're pleased to get Adin under contract solidifying our goaltending position for the coming season," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said in a team statement. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hill, 25, appeared in 19 games last season for Arizona, earning a 9-9-1 record with a .913 save percentage (SV%) and 2.74 goals-against average (GAA) along with two shutouts. Over the course of his NHL career, he has appeared in 49 games, earning a 19-21-4 record with a 2.79 GAA and .909 SV%.

With Hill's deal done, the Sharks have their goalie tandem locked up for the next two seasons. San Jose also signed James Reimer to a two-year contract on the first day of free agency.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219401 San Jose Sharks

Observations About Sharks’ 2021 Development Camp Roster

Published 11 hours ago on August 13, 2021By Sheng Peng

San Jose Sharks fans are about to get their first look at William Eklund and Thomas Bordeleau skating in teal next week.

The Sharks have just announced both their development camp roster, and the date and time of the development camp scrimmage.

San Jose was unable to host a development camp last year because of COVID-19 restrictions.

This year’s prospects scrimmage will take place this Thursday, August 19 at 7 PM at SAP Center. Fans will not be allowed to attend because of COVID-19 restrictions, but you can register on Monday to watch the free livestream.

2021 first-round pick Eklund and 2020 second-round pick Bordeleau highlight the development camp roster, which also includes NHL’ers Sasha Chmelevski, John Leonard, Alexei Melnichuk, and Brinson Pasichnuk, along with 2020 first-round pick Ozzy Wiesblatt and 2018 first-round pick Ryan Merkley. 2020 third-round Danil Gushchin will also be making his playing debut in teal.

San Jose Hockey Now originally reported Eklund’s attendance two weeks ago:

CONFIRMED: Eklund Will Attend Sharks Development Camp

In total, 26 of the 32 San Jose Sharks draft picks since 2017 still with the organization are scheduled to attend development camp. Only Artem Guryev, Yevgeni Kashnikov, Tristen Robins, Yegor Spiridonov, Santeri Hatakka, and Ivan Chekhovich will be missing.

A source indicated to San Jose Hockey Now that 2020 second-rounder Robins won’t be coming because of an immigration issue. Another source indicated that 2019 sixth-rounder Hatakka would also miss development camp for the same reason. Both are expected to have these issues cleared up by training camp.

In a testament to how much the Sharks have fortified their young forward corps in recent years — they drafted all forwards in the 2020 NHL Draft — only two of the 27 forwards coming to development camp are tryouts. Compare that to eight tryouts on defense.

MacAuley Carson and Tyr Thompson are the development camp invitees up front; Jeremie Biakabutuka, Nick Cicek, Ranvir Gill-Shane, David Gucciardi, Cole Moberg, Montana Onyebuchi, Keaton Pehrson, and Gavin White are the invitees on the back-end; Pierce Charleson is the lone invitee between the pipes.

Don’t discount these names — Nikolai Knyzhov was a tryout to San Jose’s 2019 Development Camp. Knyzhov was named Sharks Rookie of the Year last season.

Knyzhov Talks Surgery Recovery, Junk Food Diet, Learning from Karlsson | SJHN+

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219402 Seattle Kraken

Kraken signs expansion draft picks Cale Fleury and Carsen Twarynski

Aug. 13, 2021 at 4:54 pm Updated Aug. 13, 2021 at 5:31 pm

By Geoff Baker

Some additional Kraken housekeeping done Friday has all but one of the team’s remaining expansion draft selections under contract.

The Kraken signed defenseman Cale Fleury, 22, and winger Carsen Twarynski, 23, to a pair of $750,000, two-way contracts, meaning both will likely begin the season in the minors. The $750,000 amount would be earned only for time in the NHL, and both would make several times less than that in the American Hockey League.

The Kraken has an estimated $9 million in salary-cap space remaining for the coming season.

“Cale is a smooth skater that has shown even at his young age to be a responsible defender that can play reliable minutes,” Kraken general manager said in a team statement. “We like his mix of physicality and puck-moving skills and are excited to see him develop with our organization.”

On Twarynski: “Carsen plays a physical, high-energy game and we like his tenacity and willingness to compete. He plays a responsible game and we like his motor.”

The Kraken made qualifying offers last month to all seven restricted free agents taken in the draft and — with Fleury and Twarynski reaching deals — only defenseman Dennis Cholowski, 23, remains unsigned. Restricted free agents are severely limited in movement under NHL rules and rarely leave their teams once a qualifying offer has been made.

Of 30 players taken by the Kraken in the draft, 24 are signed and Cholowski is the only one still with the team that isn’t under contract. Goalie Vitek Vanecek and forward Tyler Pitlick were traded to the Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames, respectively, for second-round draft picks, and defenseman Kurtis McDermid went to Colorado for a fourth-round selection. Unrestricted free agent (UFA) defenseman Gavin Bayreuther re-signed with Columbus, and forward John Quenneville took a tryout deal with a team in Switzerland.

NHL rules stated the Kraken had to take a player from all 30 teams subject to the draft — Vegas was exempt — but nothing obligated them to keep everyone. The Kraken did not make offers to Bayreuther or Quenneville, meaning Francis effectively “punted” the picks to fulfill the draft-rule requirement and nothing else. Other UFAs taken in the draft — goalie Chris Driedger and defensemen Adam Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak — agreed to deals with the Kraken ahead of being selected.

Seattle Times LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219403 Tampa Bay Lightning

Sonya Bryson-Kirksey released from hospital following COVID battle

By Mari Faiello

Published Yesterday

Updated Yesterday

TAMPA — It has been nearly a month since Sonya Bryson-Kirksey got to see life outside James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital.

But Friday, the Lightning’s U.S. national anthem singer walked out under her own power after being released following a 29-day stay with COVID- 19 pneumonia.

Wearing a blue Stanley Cup boat parade T-shirt, Bryson-Kirksey, 54, of Riverview stepped out of an elevator to the lobby as family, friends and staff applauded.

At one point, she let go of her walker and hugged her husband, Jimmie Kirksey Jr. It was the first embrace the two had since Bryson-Kirksey was admitted to the hospital July 16 with a 103-degree fever.

After arriving home, Bryson-Kirksey reached out on social media to Lightning fans and others who supported her during her time in the hospital.

“Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for every prayer, cards, food, letters, positive thoughts, well wishes and donations,” she wrote. “My husband & I are grateful for every gift of love and for checking on he and I, while I was in the hospital.

Shortly after being admitted to the hospital, Bryson-Kirksey said she was fighting for her life during the sickest period of her life. She has multiple sclerosis, which made the coronavirus’ delta variant more dangerous to her, though she was vaccinated in March.

She spent a week in the intensive care unit late last month after her fever spiked. When the finally broke, she returned to her regular room Aug. 4 to work on her breathing and getting her lungs back to normal.

A GoFundMe page to help the family with expenses raised more than $20,000, and a local T-shirt apparel designer created a shirt inspired by her, with proceeds going toward the fundraiser and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219404 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning’s travels with the Stanley Cup: Ryan McDonagh, Jon Cooper and ... Wayne Gretzky?

By Mari Faiello

Published Yesterday

Updated Yesterday

TAMPA — There’s not much free time when you travel with the Stanley Cup.

For the first time since 2019, the NHL’s championship trophy is on the move, visiting hometowns of players, coaches and scouts from the 2020- 21 Lightning squad. In addition, Tampa Bay is including former coaches and players from the ‘19-’20 Cup team who didn’t their day with the Cup last summer on this year’s tour.

The Cup has more than 60 events planned, across six countries, 12 states and seven provinces. So far, it’s made for a special summer for Phil Pritchard, one of the Cup’s keepers.

“Every guy we’ve done has wanted to do something with the community,” Pritchard said. “And I think that’s always important, and that’s why the Stanley Cup celebration tour is so amazing, because of the power it has with the community. It’s pretty special.”

Since completing a trip to New York, the Cup has visited recently departed center Tyler Johnson, head coach Jon Cooper, former assistant Todd Richards, defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Luke Schenn (who left via free agency), center Brayden Point and former defenseman Braydon Coburn.

Pritchard said one of the most memorable moments was when Cooper and Johnson took the Cup to Wayne Gretzky’s hockey camp in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in late July.

Some of the children at the camp did not expect the two to walk in with the trophy, Pritchard said. Cooper and Johnson also posed for photos, creating a “pretty special” experience for the campers, in Pritchard’s words.

Another memorable moment came when McDonagh took the Cup for a flight from Minnesota to Wisconsin in late July and participated in a (second) boat parade with his family on Balsam Lake in Wisconsin.

When McDonagh took the Cup to a private party at Shamrocks Irish Nook in St. Paul, Minn., a group of Irish bagpipers ushered him into the restaurant.

“It was pretty neat for Mr. Hockey,” Pritchard said, nodding to McDonagh’s honorary title after he was named Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey in 2007. “It was pretty unique.”

Pritchard said he’s seen the Cup at bagpipe-related events before, but not in a private event setting like McDonagh’s.

The party did stop there, as McDonagh was surprised later by longtime friends and current teammates Pat Maroon and Zach Bogosian.

“It’s cool when the teammates, they go beyond the teammates in the dressing room,” Pritchard said, “and they actually become friends, too, it’s pretty special for the guys, I think.”

The Cup started its Canadian tour on Aug. 1, visiting former Lightning forward Cedric Paquette, Schenn, Point and Coburn. It has more than 30 events scheduled over 31 days.

The Cup is currently in Quebec, where it will visit at least 10 people, including general manager Julien BrieBois. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is expected to have his days with the Cup at the end of August.

The Cup is typically engraved before the start of the next season, but the timetable was pushed back this summer so the Lightning can maximize their time with the Cup during the shortened offseason. It is scheduled to be engraved in Montreal at some point after the Oct. 12 home opener.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219405 Tampa Bay Lightning of attention. He’s the kind of guy you hate to play against, but love on your team. He’ll stand up for teammates, get under opponents’ skin.

“I’ve gotten in more fights in my career because of Corey than ones I’ve ‘You’re going to see vintage Corey Perry’: What Lightning are getting in started,” said Ryan Getzlaf, Perry’s good friend and former Ducks the ‘Worm’ teammate. “You can always count on him to stir things up when things need to be.”

“He’s one of the best in the league at falling on goaltenders,” said former By Joe Smith Aug 13, 2021 Ducks assistant Trent Yawney. The Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy indeed took a swing at Perry in the Cup final after such an instance.

“He always has to get the last whack,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said. It didn’t take long after the Lightning’s Stanley Cup celebration, from the boozy boat parade to the rained-out rally, for Pat Maroon and his Former Ducks and Stars teammate Andrew Cogliano remembered when teammates to get their group text fired up on an important topic. Perry agitated Ryan Garbutt enough to spear him during a first-round series, which led to a five-minute power play for the Ducks and a turning Who did they want to add for their three-peat quest? point in the game. They knew they’d lose several core pieces, with Yanni Gourde getting “He plays on the edge,” Cogliano said. “He walks the line and gets guys taken by the expansion Seattle Kraken, both Blake Coleman and Barclay to do stupid shit.” Goodrow cashing in during free agency, and Tyler Johnson traded. Mark Hunter first noticed Perry’s toughness at an early age. Perry was So as Maroon, Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman & Co. chimed in on the just a teenager, playing for a minor midget team in Peterborough, Ont., group text in mid-July about free-agent targets, the name Corey Perry when the long-time hockey executive saw something special. Hunter, the came up. A lot. Maroon, a close friend of Perry who played with him in former Maple Leafs assistant GM, was the owner of the OHL London Anaheim, said he brought up his name in his exit meetings with GM Knights, which drafted Perry in 2001. Julien BriseBois after the season. “He won a championship that year (in Peterborough) with a team that The truth is, the Lightning were very much interested in Perry the last two shouldn’t have won,” Hunter said. “He beat out a team with Anthony offseasons, ever since the former Hart Trophy winner was bought out by Stewart, Brent Burns. They had a really good team, but Corey wins. Anaheim. They didn’t have the cap space to match the Stars’ bonus- laden offer in 2019, and had no space at all last offseason when RFAs “Even at 16, he scored 30 goals. He never backed down from anybody. Mikhail Sergachev, Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak needed new deals. You get tested playing against 19-year-olds, but there was a lot of pushback from him. They weren’t going to push him around or scare him But with a lot of turnover this summer, BriseBois was determined to give off the ice. When he wants to get it done, he gets it done.” it another shot. Perry isn’t as prolific a scorer as when he racked up 50 goals in 2010, nor does he play a top-line role. But Perry is a beast below Hunter said that on the loaded 2005 world junior team — that included the circles, earning the nickname “Worm” for his ability to grease his way Sidney Crosby, Patrice Bergeron, Shea Weber, Getzlaf — Perry started through traffic in front. He’s a difference-maker on the ice and in the as the 13th forward and moved into a top-line role. dressing room, where he’s been beloved at each stop in his career. He’s a consummate winner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Canada, a “One thing (Perry) will always be is a gamer,” Getzlaf said. “When the Stanley Cup winner in 2007, along with , World Junior and game is on the line, and you need something come playoff time, that’s World Championship titles. when he plays his best hockey.”

Perry came close to winning another Cup the past two seasons, losing Getzlaf said he and Perry have always been lumped together, and for with Dallas and Montreal in the final against the Lightning. Following good reason. Tampa Bay’s Cup-clincher last month, coach Jon Cooper stopped the People called them “the twins.” 36-year-old in the handshake line and told him, “You’re the best player everywhere you fucking go. It’s unreal, man.” They were taken in the 2003 NHL Draft by the Ducks, with Getzlaf 18th and Perry 28th. They broke into the league together in 2005-06, joining Maroon said he joked with Perry the past few years to join him in Tampa. an Anaheim team led by Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer. And after Perry signed a two-year, $2 million deal July 29, taking less money to be part of a “winning culture,” the Cup champs were pumped. Getzlaf said Perry had a different personality than him — quieter, laid back — and that helped them fit well together. While Getzlaf handled “I think he can push us over the edge again,” Maroon said. “He’s still got more of the media attention, Perry let his game do the talking. By the it and he’s getting better as he got older. The last two years, he’s been time Boudreau took over for in 2011, Perry was coming off arguably Dallas and Montreal’s best player. We were talking between the a 50-goal season and Hart Trophy. guys that this is the guy we wanted and I’m glad Julien got it done. “Back in those days, he was a star,” Boudreau said. “He was on the “He’s going to be a huge part and the city of Tampa should be excited.” Canadian Olympic team winning a gold medal. He was a go-to guy, Bruce Boudreau will never forget the time Patrick Roy wanted to fight tremendous around the net. He’s a heck of a shit disturber, always him. wanting to get the last whack.

And it was all because of Perry. “The last couple years, when people were saying he was done in Anaheim, that’s why they bought him out, you could see come playoff It was opening night of the 2013-14 season, and the Ducks were playing time in those years, he had so much character and so much will to be the in Colorado, where Roy had taken over as head coach. best.”

The Avalanche whipped Anaheim that night, but it’s not what everyone Cogliano said teammates marveled at how poised and strong Perry was will remember. After the Ducks scored a late goal to make it 6-1, Perry in the playoffs, with 108 career points (45 goals) in 167 playoff games. went over to his bench, grabbed a water bottle and tried to squirt Roy. Though Perry has just 14 combined goals the past two seasons, he’s Roy was incensed, yelling over at the Ducks bench. scored nine in his last 49 playoff games.

“(Roy) jumped into the glass between the benches and knocked it over,” “He feels comfortable in games that are high pressure,” Cogliano said. Boudreau recalled, laughing. “I’m like, ‘I hope my assistants are ready to “He does a lot of good things around the net and, usually in the playoffs, jump in.’ But that was Perry, a little shit disturber. that’s where all the goals are scored. He’s one of those guys you want on your team.” “The next time we played in Colorado, we were skating around warmups and Corey goes over to the glass and tests it to see if it was strong Perry thought he’d finish his career in Anaheim, where he signed an enough.” eight-year, $69 million deal in 2013.

Perry has scored 386 goals in his NHL career, including six 30-plus goal “I remember he wanted a 12 or 13 year deal,” Boudreau said. “(GM) Bob seasons. But it’s some of his whacks after the whistle that also get plenty Murray asked him, ‘You’ll be in your 40s, though?’ He said, ‘I want to play until I’m 50.’ He loves the game, and when people love the game like seen that before. He’s not going there not to win. You’re going to see that, they can do some amazing things.” vintage fucking Corey Perry.”

While many Ducks fans were shocked when they bought out Perry in the The Athletic LOADED: 08.14.2021 summer of 2019, the veteran and his teammates saw the writing on the wall.

Anaheim was trying to go younger and was hoping to shed some of the $8.625 million cap hit for the final two seasons.

“I don’t think it gave him a chip on the shoulder, it enabled him,” Getzlaf said. “It freed him up a bit too. It allowed him to reset and refocus on what he wanted to do. I don’t think he ever wanted to leave Anaheim but when you have him as a $9 million player as opposed to a million and a half player, there’s a lot different expectations. It allows a player to go and just be himself and not be judged on everything else, like his cap number.”

When Stars management asked Cogliano about signing Perry in the 2019 offseason, he told them Perry was one of the best teammates he’s ever had. He thought Perry could help put Dallas over the top, and he nearly did.

Those who were around Perry in Dallas and Montreal the last two seasons talked about how universally beloved he was in the dressing room, how he’d have such a positive impact on young players. That includes Canadiens rookie Nick Suzuki. You can imagine what kind of influence Perry will have on Lightning prospects like Taylor Raddysh, Alex Barre-Boulet, Boris Katchouk and others.

“(The Lightning) are getting a consummate pro, a wonderful teammate,” said Stars coach Rick Bowness. “He says all the right things at the right time. From the top of the circles down in the offensive zone, he’s as good as he ever was. He’s tough to defend, he hangs onto pucks around the net and he still has a nasty side to him. That nastiness has not left.”

Agent Pat Morris said there were several teams interested in Perry this offseason, including the Canadiens. The Lightning checked in on the first day, but there was another unidentified club that Perry was seriously considering. Perry circled back to Morris the second day of free agency and said he wanted to go to Tampa.

“Get it done,” Perry told Morris.

Perry asked the Lightning about getting a two-year term and said that was important for his family (he and his wife Blakeny, married in 2015, have a three-year-old son Griffin). Perry said Tampa Bay’s “winning culture” made them a destination spot, and he’s hoping to win a second Cup.

As for where Perry fits into the lineup, that’ll be decided in camp. But there’s a good chance you could see Perry reunited with Maroon, with the two known for their play down low and on the cycle game. Perry can slide into the net-front or circle on the second power-play unit, which lost Gourde and Johnson.

“Corey has exceptional hockey sense, and that’s what afforded him to be productive,” said former NHL GM Craig Button. “You’re not asking him to play top-line minutes. You’re asking him to help on the power play, and he might get games off, which is okay. But when the playoffs start and it’s hand-to-hand combat, the space is tighter, Corey is going to thrive on that. I remember Bob Gainey saying it many times years ago. We had Guy Carbonneau late in his career, and some said, ‘He can’t skate, he can’t do this.’ Bob said, ‘He knows where to stand.’ Corey knows. He knows what he is, and adapted his game.”

Boudreau said the Lightning are going to appreciate how Perry sticks up for teammates and ticks off opponents off. Cogliano believes Perry will be great for some of the young Tampa Bay players in a lead by example role. Getzlaf thinks people will learn more about Perry off the ice, including his sneaky ability at the shooting range (Perry’s father, Geoff, and brother, A.J., are both in law enforcement).

“The only problem will be him and Maroon on the road together,” Yawney joked.

But Maroon wanted Perry here in Tampa for a reason. And there’s a chance that next summer, when there’s a handshake line in the Cup final, Perry will be on the other side of it.

“He’s fucking won everything there is to win,” Yawney said. “When people bring up certain players, that’s sometimes lost in translation. He’s got that competitiveness and passion that I admire. Tampa fans are going to love him. Some of the shit that he brings, they maybe haven’t 1219406 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs star Auston Matthews out six weeks after off-season wrist surgery

By The Canadian Press

Fri., Aug. 13, 2021 updated 7 hrs ago

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews has undergone wrist surgery and is expected to need a “minimum” of six weeks to recover.

The club made the announcement Friday, the same day the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner went under the knife following “consultations with specialists and Maple Leafs medical staff.”

The Leafs say Matthews encountered discomfort after increasing his on- ice training earlier this week.

The 23-year-old Arizona native led all NHL players in goals this past season with 41 in 52 games — despite missing four games beginning in February with a lingering wrist issue. Toronto did not specify which wrist needed the operation, or if the injuries were related.

The three-time All-Star was also a finalist for the Hart Trophy and Award in 2020-21.

The regular-season opener for the Maple Leafs is Oct. 13 at home against the Montreal Canadiens, who eliminated Matthews and Toronto in the playoffs with a seven-game, first-round series upset on their way to the Stanley Cup Final.

Toronto Star LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219407 Toronto Maple Leafs

At 42, Jumbo Joe good for another year in Florida

Lance Hornby

Publishing date:Aug 13, 2021 • 6 hours ago

At 42, Joe Thornton still sees himself as a Stanley Cup ingredient.

That just won’t happen as a Maple Leaf. After coming to Toronto a year ago in hopes of ending its 54-year championship drought, ‘Jumbo Joe’ has joined the Florida Panthers on a one-year deal at the NHL minimum $750,000 US.

“I see their team on paper, I watched their team last year, I love their team, and that’s it,” Thornton told reporters on Friday as the deal was announced for him to play a 24th season. “I love what they’re building and I’m excited to be part of it. But everything is about ultimately winning the Cup and the Panthers are right there in my opinion.”

Thornton ranks sixth in NHL games played with 1,680 in his days with Boston, San Jose and in 2021, with Toronto. He also remains among the elite in career points with 1,529, putting him 14th in league history.

It was thought Thornton might conclude his career with Davos in Switzerland, the club team where he’s had a few stints through the years and has been practising with during the summer, but the Panthers contacted him this month. As a Leaf, he played 44 games with 20 points and though Toronto was a first-round playoff casualty, Panthers’ general manager Bill Zito liked that Thornton could play with a top six line or in a checking role.

“The body feels good, the mind feels good and I knew pretty much after the season, I started training right away and I felt good,” Thornton said. “Here we go again.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219408 Toronto Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews could miss camp time after wrist surgery

Lance Hornby

Publishing date:Aug 13, 2021 • 7 hours ago •

Leading scorer Auston Matthews could miss the early part of Maple Leafs’ training camp after undergoing successful wrist surgery on Friday.

According to a release from the team, the 2021 Rocket Richard Trophy winner and second team NHL all-star reporteddiscomfort upon increasing his on-ice training schedule earlier this week. After consultations with specialists and team medical staff, an operation was deemed necessary with a recovery time a minimum of six weeks.

The Leafs are set to open camp on or about Sept. 22. It’s believed the injury was detected while Matthews was working out in his off-season home in Arizona.

The club did not specify if was his left or right wrist that was operated on. Matthews missed a few games early and late in the NHL’s 56-game schedule of last season with issues on both hands and admitted it was a lingering issue as he went 10 if 13 mid-season matches in all without scoring.

The left wrist dogged him through the early part of the season, before he jammed his right sliding into the boards in late February. But the club did not opt for surgery at the time, believing the injury would heal itself.

Matthews had 20 goals on the final 22 games to end the regular schedule, but counting the seven-game playoff loss to Montreal, he had just two in his last 10 overall. He eventually led the league with 41 goals and has 199 goals in 334 NHL regular season games.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219409 Toronto Maple Leafs

Jay Greenberg delighted Sun readers and the hockey world

Lance Hornby

Publishing date:Aug 13, 2021 • 9 hours ago

Columnist and author Jay Greenberg, who delighted Toronto Sun readers with his blend of humour, history and hockey in the early 1990s as part of five ’ work at many prestigious publications, received a host of tributes following his passing on Thursday.

Greenberg, 71, died at his New Jersey home of year-long complications from West Nile Virus.

His byline also appeared in the Kansas City Star, Philadelphia Bulletin and Philly Daily News, Sports Illustrated, New York Post, The Hockey News, Hockeybuzz.com and princetontigersfootball.com.

Between 1992-94, he navigated the unique course of an American covering the Leafs, CFL and the Blue Jays for the Sun before returning home. In 2013, he was named winner of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Elmer Ferguson Award by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Much of the Johnstown, Pa., native’s career was chronicling the Philadelphia Flyers, including four books that were called “a new standard for contemporary sports history.” They numbered the NHL, the World of Professional Hockey; Full Spectrum: the Complete History of The Flyers; Mark Howe’s bio Gordie Howe’s Son: A Hall of Fame Life in the Shadow of Mr. Hockey; and the Flyers’ 50th anniversary coffee table book.

“Jay dedicated his life to writing and had a truly special ability to tell a story,” the Flyers said in a tweet.

Greenberg’s final book, a biography of former head coach , will be released next year, co-authored with former Sun sports editor Scott Morrison. Greenberg was married for 44 years to Mona and was the proud father of daughters Elizabeth and Stephanie.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219410 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights get start times for 2021-22 season

By Ben Gotz

August 13, 2021 - 12:23 PM

Updated August 13, 2021 - 12:50 PM

The Golden Knights got a crucial piece to their 2021-22 schedule Friday: start times.

The NHL released times for each of its regular-season games, starting with its opening-night doubleheader Oct. 12 featuring the Knights playing the expansion Seattle Kraken at 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena. The Tampa Bay Lightning will play the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier that night.

Thirty-one of the Knights’ 41 home games will start at 7 p.m. Notable exceptions include a 5 p.m. start for a Nevada Day game against the Anaheim Ducks, a noon game on New Year’s Eve with the Ducks and a 1 p.m. start Jan. 2 against Winnipeg.

Broadcast information will be released at a later date. The majority of the Knights’ games will be shown locally on AT&T Sportsnet, while others will air through the league’s new national broadcast partners ESPN and Turner Sports.

The schedule could still be altered because it contains an Olympic break in February. Talks remain ongoing between the players association and the International Ice Hockey Federation on whether the NHL will participate in the 2022 Beijing Games.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219411 Vegas Golden Knights Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 08.14.2021

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTSGolden Knights Need Nolan Patrick Revival; What to Expect

Published 8 hours ago on August 13, 2021By Owen Krepps

Acquired in the third leg of a trade that sent Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Vegas Golden Knights snagged Nolan Patrick from Philadelphia by way of Nashville for fading prospect Cody Glass. Technically the trade was a separate exchange of the two prospects on July 17 but it doesn’t change that Philadelphia had soured on Patrick.

Glass was, of course, the first-ever draft pick by the Golden Knights in the NHL entry draft. He made his NHL debut in 2019-20 and played only 66 NHL games by 22 years old. Glass was drafted no. 6 overall, just four picks behind Patrick.

Before the 2017 NHL Draft, Nolan Patrick was the consensus first-overall pick but his stock dropped throughout the year leading up to the draft. With hindsight, players such Elias Pettersson, Miro Heiskanen, and Cale Makar have emerged as steals behind Patrick.

In 2015-16 Patrick scored a solid 102 points in 72 games played with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. At the draft, it was between the Canadian Patrick and the Swiss Nico Hischier. The New Jersey Devils picked their future captain Hischier and Patrick fell to the Flyers at no. 2.

Our colleagues in Philadelphia profiled Patrick’s struggles.

However, injuries damaged Patrick’s development. One of the reasons Patrick was not taken first by the Devils was due to his injures in his final year of juniors. He suffered a shoulder injury, an upper-body injury, and a sports hernia which he played through en route to winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup with the Wheat Kings.

Patric played only 33 games in his final year of juniors and it affected his play. Patrick’s injuries only got worse when he ventured to the NHL.

Patrick played north of 70 games in both his first two seasons in the NHL. He scored around 30 points both years with the Flyers. The star potential came along slowly for the young forward.

But in 2019-20 things took a turn for the worse as Patrick missed the entire season because of a migraine disorder. Head injuries are one of the most drastic and difficult injuries any athlete can go through, and for Patrick, they significantly limited effectiveness.

In 2020-21, he scored only nine points in 52 games with a nightmarish - 30 rating.

His numbers went significantly down, despite never really being anything special in the first place. But this begs the question; can Patrick put it all together with a fresh start in a Golden Knights sweater? Right now to the 22-year-old is an RFA. He received a qualifying offer from the team and will not go to arbitration. You gotta think that both Patrick and the Golden Knights want to see Patrick prove himself on a short-term deal.

Right now the bar is set low for Patrick. If he plays this upcoming season and has a 10-15 point year that is eons better than his atrocious past two seasons. But the potential to be a top scorer is still there with Patrick as he is only 22. It is hard to predict if the forward will spend time in the top six, play as the team’s fourth-line center, or not play at all.

General manager Kelly McCrimmon gambled on Patrick. The Vegas Golden Knights GM is also the franchise owner of the Brandon Wheat Kings. He saw Patrick’s development up close in Brandon.

The trade that acquired Patrick was not another salary-cap move. It was one-for-one trade swapping two fading prospects from the same draft class.

Patrick has yet to put pen to Golden Knights paper for the upcoming season. He and Dylan Coghlan are the team’s remaining RFAs, but with the team up against the cap once more, they will need cheap and effective young players if they want to take another shot at Lord Stanley. Nolan Patrick will have to be one of those players. 1219412 Washington Capitals

Capitals re-sign goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a one-year, $2 million deal

Samantha Pell

Today at 4:03 p.m. EDT

The Washington Capitals re-signed goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a one- year, $2 million contract Monday. The Russian netminder, who was a restricted free agent but did not opt for arbitration, is the projected No. 1 starter this season for a veteran Capitals group.

This deal is seen as a very short “bridge” deal mainly based on Samsonov’s past performance and his risk-vs.-reward potential rather than purely a salary cap crunch situation. Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan said before free agency opened that Samsonov had a “little inconsistency” last season and a shorter deal probably would work best for both parties.

The 24-year-old was 13-4-1 with a 2.69 goals against average and a .902 save percentage in 19 games (18 starts) last season. He was 0-3 with a 2.99 goals against average and an .899 save percentage in three playoff games.

He spent time on the NHL’s coronavirus list twice, including a six-week stint early in the season and a two-week period that bled into the first round of the playoffs. He suffered multiple covid-19 symptoms when he first tested positive in January, which slowed his return midseason.

With Samsonov out, then-rookie goaltender Vitek Vanecek was thrust into the starting role after entering the year as the team’s No. 3 option on the depth chart. He was a key piece in the Capitals’ campaign and surpassed expectations. He was the starting goalie for the postseason before suffering an injury in the opening game.

He was briefly no longer part of the Capitals’ organization after he was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft July 21. Each team was allowed to protect only one goaltender in the draft, and Vanecek wasn’t the clear No. 1 moving forward. Washington chose to protect Samsonov.

However, after Vanecek was selected by Seattle, it left a gaping hole in the Capitals’ projected goalie tandem, and it turned out the best replacement for Vanecek as the team’s backup goalie was Vanecek himself. The Capitals dealt a 2023 second-round draft pick to reacquire Vanecek from Seattle on July 28 — the first day of free agency.

The draft pick Washington sent to Seattle was a second-rounder the Capitals acquired from Winnipeg when it traded defenseman Brenden Dillon.

The deal bringing Vanecek back to Washington was made the same day Seattle signed goaltender Philipp Grubauer to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5.9 million.

Grubauer’s signing put him atop the goalie depth chart in Seattle, with Chris Driedger presumed to fill the No. 2 role. The Kraken selected Driedger, who was an unrestricted free agent, in the expansion draft from Florida and signed him to a three-year deal. That would have left Vanecek as the Kraken’s No. 3, the same spot he found himself in last season in Washington before he ascended to No. 1.

Vanecek and Samsonov are slated to be the Capitals’ goalie tandem heading into next season — barring any additional moves. The Capitals’ season opener is Oct. 13 against the New York Rangers at .

Washington Post LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219413 Winnipeg Jets

Jets owner unveils plans for Hawerchuk statue, street-naming honour ::

STAFF

A series of tributes were unveiled Friday on the 40th anniversary of Hawerchuk rolling up to the corner of Portage and Main in a Brink's armoured truck to sign his first-ever NHL contract. It also comes five days before the one-year anniversary of his death from stomach cancer at the age of 57.

First up will be a statue of Hawerchuk erected at True North Square by next August. It was one of the promises Jets owner made to Hawerchuk as they spoke in his final days.

"Dale was the greatest Jet that ever played in this city," an emotional Chipman said during an outdoor news conference at the site Friday.

"Over the years, Dale became a wonderful friend to our organization, and a wonderful friend to me personally. I felt especially blessed to have the privilege of telling him before he passed that his likeness would be cemented in the history of our city."

The sculptor commissioned for the project has done a number of sports- related ones, including the Wayne Gretzky statue that sits outside Staples Center in Los Angeles, the Chicago Blackhawks 75th anniversary commemorative sculpture outside the United Center and the Toronto Maple Leafs "Legends Row" which includes 14 life-sized pieces outside Scotiabank Arena.

Hawerchuk was drafted first-overall by the Jets in 1981, spending nine seasons here before moving on to Buffalo, St. Louis and Philadelphia to finish his career. His ties to Winnipeg remained strong, and he was the mentor and junior coach of Mark Scheifele, the first-ever draft pick of Jets 2.0 in 2011.

"It is so heartwarming to know that he will always be remembered, and his loyalty has come full circle, and we as a family, as a city and people far and wide are showing their love and loyalty to Dale so that his legacy will live on forever," said former Jets teammate .

"He had a special relationship here. He grew into a hockey Hall of Fame player, but more than anything he grew into a Hall of Fame person, a Hall of Fame husband and father and friend to many."

In addition to the statue, Graham Avenue between Donald and Carlton streets, which runs between True North Square and Canada Life Centre, will be given an honorary renaming of "Dale Hawerchuk Way."

New Heritage-themed licence plates — which come out Sept. 13 — an annual pond-hockey tournament to be held every January at Camp Manitou and a move to the Heritage jerseys as the full-time third jersey instead of the old Aviator ones were also announced.

"They were immediately embraced by our team," Chipman said of the sweaters first worn at the Heritage Classic game in Regina in October 2019. "I remember vividly Blake (Wheeler) and Mark (Scheifele)'s reaction to them when we first showed them to them. And they've been embraced by our fans. So we're proud to honour the past with them. They're going to be seen far more often. They'll be worn 14 times at home games coming up this season."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 08.14.2021 1219414 Winnipeg Jets

Jets to honour Hawerchuk in series of tributes

Paul Friesen

Publishing date:Aug 13, 2021 • 8 hours ago

Winnipeg Jets owner Mark Chipman talks about True North Sports + Entertainment (TNSE) and the Jets plan to honour Jets alumnus and Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk through a number of initiatives over the coming year.

On the 40th anniversary of the day they first signed Dale Hawerchuk at Portage and Main, the Winnipeg Jets took to the streets to honour the late hockey legend again on Friday.

True North Sports and Entertainment chair Mark Chipman announced details of a statue commemorating No. 10, a renamed section of a downtown street and an annual pond-hockey tournament.

The statue, announced previously, will be situated at True North Square, with an unveiling planned for August of next year.

It will be designed by the same sculptor who created the Wayne Gretzky statue outside the home of the Los Angeles Kings and the “Legends Row” of 14 sculptures outside the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Dale, quite simply, is part of the fabric of this city and of the Winnipeg Jets organization,” Chipman said in a statement. “Beyond that, he has contributed so much to the sport of hockey. We are so proud to give Dale these much-deserved honours to showcase his extraordinary career and the remarkable person he was, and ensure his legacy lives well beyond the fans who followed his career and who were lucky enough to see him play.”

Honourary Dale Hawerchuk Way, if approved by the city, will rename a two-block section of Graham Avenue, between Donald and Carlton Streets, in time for the Jets home opener next season.

The first Ducky Pond Hockey Classic will take place in January on a new custom-made lake at Camp Manitou.

The event will be affiliated with the World Pond Hockey Classic, with the local winner earning a spot in the Canadian championship in New Brunswick.

“Dale has always been proud to be a part of the community in Winnipeg and felt very much at home in ,” Hawerchuk’s son, Eric, said in the statement. “It meant so much to him during his battle with cancer to see all the love and support from his fans. The Ducky Pond Hockey Classic is a perfect way to remember Dale. Some of our most cherished memories with him are playing pond hockey on Lake Winnipeg during the holidays with friends and family. There is something truly special about being on skates outside in Canada.”

The Jets drafted Hawerchuk first overall in 1981, and over the next nine seasons in Winnipeg he was one of the top players in the NHL.

The Toronto product played seven more years in Buffalo, St. Louis and Philadelphia, finishing his career with 1,409 points in 1,188 regular- season games. He added 99 points in 97 playoff games.

Hawerchuk died a year ago this month after a long battle with cancer.

The Jets also announced a new heritage license plate and heritage blue jerseys, to be used as a third jersey 14 times next season.

Blueliner on board

The Jets have re-signed defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic to a one-year contract. It’s a two-way deal that would see the 24-year-old earn $750,000 in the NHL.

Kovacevic is pegged for another season with the AHL’s , where he recorded 14 points in 29 games last season.

The Ontario product was a third-round draft pick of the Jets in 2017.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 08.14.2021 1219415 And so while everyone waits for the deals, Brisson’s clients are working away to improve themselves.

“Both players are focused hard during the off-season,” he said. “They Canucks’ Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes deals ‘take time’: agent both know that they’ve got to get stronger.”

The comparables

Patrick Johnston Cale Makar: The Avalanche defenceman broke into the NHL at the same time as Hughes. He edged out the Canucks’ blueliner for the Calder Publishing date:Aug 13, 2021 • 8 hours ago Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2019-20, then took big steps forward in 2020-21, garnering votes for the Norris Trophy as best blueliner,

period, while Hughes’ season can best be described as a struggle. ‘We know how important to the Canucks they are,’ agent Pat Brisson Makar signed a six-year deal last month that will pay him US $9 million says of budding Vancouver superstars Elias Pettersson (left) and Quinn per season, buying out one year of free agency. If Hughes were to sign a Hughes (right). six-year deal, he wouldn’t get the same average annual value, but he still The agent for Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes would sign a contract would be well paid. today. Dallas Stars defenceman Miro Heiskanen. Pat Brisson, the super agent who has long represented Hughes and who Miro Heiskanen: The Stars’ stud is the same age as Hughes, a year added Pettersson as a client earlier this year, told Postmedia this week. younger than Makar. But he’s played one more season in the NHL than “But sometimes these things take time,” he said. Makar and Hughes. He’s gotten better every year he’s been in the NHL and if he were playing on a team with a bigger profile would have even Why it’s taking so long, he wouldn’t say. Now would he say what he more devotees than he already does. thought might be the tipping point. Heiskanen signed an eight-year contract this summer with an average Simply: “We know how important they are to the Canucks.” annual value of US $8.45 million. With Hughes coming off a down year, would he be more in favour of a bridge deal that might win him an even “There’s no holdup,” he said of why his two star clients and the bigger contract in two or three years’ time? Vancouver Canucks have yet to reach a deal on new contracts. Charlie McAvoy: The Bruins’ blueliner is in the final year of a three-year “It’s a process. It’s Aug. 12. If there were a deadline tomorrow I’m sure bridge deal he signed in 2019, one that has paid him US $4.9 million per we would be talking 10 hours a day,” he said. “So I don’t get too season. The Bruins have got tremendous value out of McAvoy, who is emotional with it. I go with the process. their out-and-out No. 1 defenceman. “You look around, a lot of these deals are done during camp,” Brisson His agent got the Bruins to back-load the contract, meaning his qualifying added. (Brock Boeser’s contract in 2019 wasn’t signed until the end of offer next season will be a solid US $7.3 million. (The rules have training camp). “But this isn’t our goal, our goal is to get it done. There’s changed, so qualifying offers are now calculated off average annual no animosity.” value, not the salary of the last season, so this kind of structure has little And while the Canucks’ salary cap space has been narrowed down to a bearing on Hughes or Pettersson.) final total in which Pettersson and Hughes’ new deals will have to fit into Elias Pettersson is a restricted free agent this summer, but it’s expected — once Jason Dickinson’s deal is done, be it in arbitration or through the star centre will be back with the Canucks on a new deal this fall. ‘I simple negotiation, which is the Canucks’ preference — Brisson said the want to stay there now, but I also want to play for a team that’s winning door remained open to both short- and long-term deals. and has a chance to go far into the playoffs every year,’ he said this “We’re open to both,” he insisted, even if the likely cap window that will week. be there after Dickinson’s signing will likely be too narrow to truly allow Ashton Sautner, who has 23 NHL games under his belt, stands a strong for a long-term deal for either player. chance of being the Abby Canucks' captain for the 2021-22 season. “The longer you go, the bigger the AAV (average annual value),” he Canucks keep adding to Abbotsford D-corps, re-signing Ashton Sautner noted. Then-Colorado Avalanche defenceman leads the rush Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes both took part in NHL All-Star during a game last May against the San Jose Sharks in Denver, Colo. Weekend in St. Louis in January 2020. Burroughs dressed in five games for the Avs during the most recent, The Canucks will have somewhere between US $15 million and $16 shortened season, averaging 10:05 of ice time per game and picking up million to sign their two young stars. one assist.

The key numbers to understand are four and five, the years to go for Joining Canucks ‘too exciting to pass up’ for Langley’s Kyle Burroughs Pettersson and Hughes, respectively, until they hit unrestricted free Tristen Nielsen, in action for the Vancouver Giants, has the speed and agency. Buying up a year or two of unrestricted free agency will bump up feistiness to be slotted into an energy-line role in Abbotsford. the price. New Abbotsford Canuck Tristen Nielsen has built-in fan base, making So maybe one play lands a longer-term deal, but certainly both can’t. jump from Vancouver Giants “It’s all part of the discussion,” said Brisson. Mathew Barzal: The Islanders’ thrilling young centre signed a three-year He compared any contract negotiation to being like playing in a sandbox. bridge deal last summer, which averages US $7 million per season. Most And yes, you have to first build the sandbox. have pointed to his contract as the best comparable for Pettersson.

“You look at players within the same age group and experience,” he said It will all come down to how the Canucks, and Brisson and Pettersson, of what the allegorical construction involves. “It’s hard to compare guys think Pettersson stacks up against Barzal, both in performance over the who are coming off their entry-level contracts vs. guys heading towards course of their three-year entry level deals, and in terms of how they free agency.” compare tracking forward. Barzal had a sensational season last year. Pettersson’s had some down spots but was mostly up. So Darnell Nurse isn’t a comparable for Quinn Hughes, but Cale Makar and Miro Heiskanen are. Mathew Barzal is a strong comparable for Elias New York Islanders centre Mathew Barzal. Pettersson. Brayden Point: In 2019, the 23-year-old Point signed a three-year deal “Then you’ve got to look at the team’s current cap space,” he explained. that averaged US $6.75 million per season. Point, of course, has gone on to be one of the league’s most exciting players, his contract proving to be “Once we get into our sandbox, so to speak, we talk about details. We’re a relative bargain for the Lightning. adding a year or two or less and then there’s a structure conversation that has to take place.” He’ll get a big raise next summer. With Pettersson likely looking to make a bet on himself, it seems likely he’ll be more interested in a shorter contract, hoping to have his long-term earnings play out like Point’s.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219416 Vancouver Canucks Re-signing Guillaume Brisebois on Thursday was for a similar purpose, but also a chance for the 24-year-old Quebecer to get another opportunity to show what he can do.

Canucks keep adding to Abbotsford D-corps, re-signing Ashton Sautner “He hasn’t played a lot of hockey in the last few years, there’s going to be growth there,” Johnson stated. Brisebois suffered a hip injury at the end of the 2019-20 season which required surgery. And then in 2019-20, he was slow to get going and the pandemic halted his season in its tracks. Patrick Johnston He struggled in the summer training camp ahead of the playoffs and then Publishing date:Aug 13, 2021 • 8 hours ago • bounced around in 2020-21, spending time on the Canucks’ taxi squad, then skating in the AHL for both the and the .

Ashton Sautner, who has 23 NHL games under his belt, stands a strong “He’s going to need to play and play a lot of games,” Johnson said of chance of being the Abby Canucks' captain for the 2021-22 season. what was in store for the 2015 third rounder this coming season in Abbotsford. The Abbotsford Canucks could have the highest-paid defence corps in the American Hockey League when things get rolling in October. The Canucks also signed a trio of forwards to AHL deals this week, with former Vancouver Giants star Tristen Nielsen signing on Friday, following So suggests Ashton Sautner’s agent Jeff Halperl. another former WHL forward in Chase Wouters and former University of Denver forward Jarid Lukosevicius, who played parts of the last three Sautner re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks organization Friday, seasons with Grand Rapids of the AHL. inking a one-year AHL contract to play for the NHL team’s primary minor league affiliate in 2020-21. “We think there’s something there,” Johnson said of all three, further suggesting there might be more signings to come of players of a similar The 2021-22 season will be the seventh for Sautner with the Canucks. nature. “There’s going to be a learning curve but I’d rather give some of Even though his new contract is a notch below the NHL deals he’d these kids a chance, to develop them rather than fill those spots with five- played under for his first six years as a pro, it’s a case of a player making or six-year journeymen.” a bet on himself while also feeling comfortable with an organization in a slew of areas and also ticking off the most important box: family. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 08.14.2021 “He loves the coaches (in Abbotsford), he wants to play for them again. And Travis (Green) knows him well and (Nolan) Baumgartner knows him well too,” Helperl said.

In his exit meeting with the defenceman after the 2020-21 season, Canucks general manager indicated he thought Sautner was captain material in Abbotsford.

“In Jim’s eyes, they know him,” Helperl added.

From a personal perspective, the most recent season for Sautner was tough. He spent most of the season on the Canucks’ taxi squad, didn’t dress for a single NHL game and only played two games for the Manitoba Moose, where he started the season on loan before being recalled to Vancouver.

And in the middle of all this, his wife Kelly gave birth to the couple’s first child, a boy named Miles on Feb. 2.

Kelly travelled with her husband to Winnipeg, where she gave birth — and then 16 days later Sautner was on his way back to Vancouver.

His little family travelled back west with him, moving into a hotel to ride out the rest of the season.

The Canucks moving their AHL affiliate north of the border will provide some certainty for Sautner, Halperl said. Travelling across the border is less onerous than it was last season, but to not even have to think about it was a big factor, the veteran agent indicated.

“No. 1 is family,” he said. “Who knows what is going to happen with the border. Is there going to be a fifth wave? It was a lot to deal with last season.”

Halperl also said that signing an AHL deal meant that if an NHL opportunity arose, either in Vancouver or elsewhere, Autner would be in a position to sign immediately.

Sautner has shown the Canucks plenty in his 23 career NHL games. But for bad luck — a concussion in his lone NHL game in 2018-19, or the pandemic turning everything upside down are two glaring cases of this — he might have played more.

Abbotsford general manager Ryan Johnson said he was pleased to get such a strong veteran presence back in the fold.

“He knows the culture, he knows how we operate, he knows the coaching staff,” Johnson said Friday from his off-season home in Nashville, where he’s just returned after spending much of the last two months getting the Canucks’ Abbotsford operation launched.

“He obviously has enjoyed his time. It’s a mutual win for us. He is our culture, he is the professional that we want in our group. He’ll be a big part of our leadership group that’s for certain. It was important that we find a way to keep him in the mix,” Johnson said. 1219417 Vancouver Canucks

New Abbotsford Canuck Tristen Nielsen has built-in fan base, making jump from Vancouver Giants

Steve Ewen

Publishing date:Aug 13, 2021 • 11 hours ago •

Tristen Nielsen, in action for the Vancouver Giants, has the speed and feistiness to be slotted into an energy-line role in Abbotsford.

Tristen Nielsen’s jump from junior hockey to pro will see his home rink move 32 kilometres down the highway.

Nielsen, 21, who wrapped up his Western Hockey League eligibility with the Vancouver Giants last spring, was announced Friday as a signing by the Abbotsford Canucks, the new American Hockey League farm club of the Vancouver Canucks. It’s a two-year deal.

The winger said he’s already hearing on his social media channels from fans who watched him play with the Giants at the Langley Events Centre about how happy they are he’ll be based out of the now.

“It’s kind of cool that there will be people there who already know who you are,” said Nielsen.

Who Nielsen is as a player is someone who plays bigger than his 5-foot- 10, 192-pound frame and someone with the speed and feistiness to be slotted into an energy-line role. He’s also someone who hammers the puck well enough that the Giants drew up plays for the power play to get him one-timers.

At the very least, Nielsen has the makings of a bottom-six forward who could chip in offence for Abbotsford off the top.

He came to Vancouver from the Calgary Hitmen in a trade early on in the 2018-19 season and helped the Giants make the WHL championship final that season. He had 14 goals and 35 points in 52 regular season games and then jumped to 30 goals and 65 points in 61 games with Vancouver in 2019-20. He had 15 goals and 32 points in 22 games with the Giants in the truncated hub season last spring.

Jamie Heward was Vancouver’s associate coach in Nielsen’s first two years with the club before moving on last season to an assistant’s role with the , the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights. Heward has told that Nielsen that he’s capable of playing regularly in the AHL.

“It gives you a boost of confidence,” Nielsen said of his talks with Heward, “but I know that you still have to earn it. Nothing is going to be given to you.”

Nielsen should be able to win the trust of Abbotsford coach Trent Cull. The Giants’ coaching staff, and in particular bench boss Michael Dyck, preached a two-way game to Nielsen.

Nielsen’s five goals and nine points through three games in the hub were getting him some buzz as a possible free agent signing back in March. Hockey Night in Canada insider Elliotte Friedman even mentioned him in a 31 Thoughts column. In that third game, Nielsen was benched for half of the second period by Dyck because he was leaving the Vancouver zone early and not taking care of his defensive responsibilities.

“That is as perfect a three guys as I could get,” Nielsen said in regards to the coaching triumvirate of Dyck, Heward and Keith McCambridge, who took over from Heward as Dyck’s second in command last season.

Nielsen admits he was getting worried with how long it was taking to get a pro contract completed.

“I was stressing out, seeing everyone else signing,” he said.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219418 Websites “It’s hard to say if it will give any advantage for us, but obviously it has been really good for our girls that we have had the chance to play the whole season,” said Hiirikoski.

TSN.CA / Despite missing star goalie, Finns aim to chase gold at 2021 The Highs and Lows of 2019 women’s worlds Fifteen players were part of the team that shocked everyone at the 2019 world championship. With the tournament taking place in Espoo, Finland, the hosts had the crowd on their side as they prepared for their semifinal By Meaghen Johnson showdown against Canada, a team that had beaten them 6-1 during the preliminary round.

Canada jumped out to 1-0 lead just over two minutes into the game, but When Finland’s women’s hockey team hits the ice in Calgary for this this time, Finland fought back to tie things up before the end of the month’s IIHF Women’s World Championship, they’ll do so for the first period. Hiirikoski gave her team the lead on the power play in the second time as the reigning silver medallists. period, and although the Canadians would draw level again, Susanna The Finns are coming off their best-ever result at a world championship, Tapani notched another for Finland to put them ahead, 3-2. finishing as runners-up after losing to the American in the gold-medal "You have the thought process, ‘Jeez, are we gonna be able to do it? Or game in 2019. Now, the third-ranked team in the world believes they can are they, again, gonna come back and score the couple goals that they challenge for gold. usually do?’” Räty told TSN in March. “We have always believed that when we work hard, we can reach that But there was no comeback from Canada, thanks in large part to Räty’s level where the U.S. and Canada are,” captain told TSN. 43-save performance. Finland added an empty netter to seal the biggest The Finnish team kicks off the tournament on Aug. 20 against Canada, win in the team’s history. which can be seen live on TSN. At the 2019 women’s worlds, the Finns After the whistle blew, Hiirikoski remembers being in almost a state of upset the Canadians in the semifinal by a score of 4-2. shock. If the Finnish are to shock the Americans or Canadians this time around, “I remember that I said, ‘Oh my God, what happened?’” she said. “We they’ll need to do it without their star player from 2019, goaltender Noora were just so focused on what was going on on the ice, so it was kind of a Räty. huge moment.” Räty, who made a combined 93 saves in Finland’s final two games Finland would go on to face the United States, which had won four against Canada and the United States in the 2019 world championship, straight world championship gold medals, in the final. told Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat that she had to decline participation in this year’s tournament because of her work commitments. “We didn't have anything to lose,” said Hiirikoski. “We knew that we have all of Finland behind us and the home crowd and they came there to Räty runs a goaltending school in Minnesota where she lives, and told cheer for us. We just wanted to give everything that we still had.” the Finnish outlet that she couldn’t afford to take the time away. “It was surreal. I grew up five minutes from that rink and it was sold out,” Earlier this year, when the tournament was set to take place in Halifax said Räty. and Truro, N.S., in May, Räty told TSN that she was unlikely to participate due to border and travel restrictions that would have affected The championship game was deadlocked through 60 minutes by a score her. The tournament was cancelled by the Nova Scotia government on of 1-1. On paper, it looked like a tightly fought match, but the Americans April 21 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but later rescheduled dominated much of the play, outshooting the Finns 37-18 after three for Calgary. periods. Räty once again stood tall for her country against a heavily favoured opponent. “We were in that situation earlier in the spring,” Hiirikoski said about the team missing Räty. “Obviously Räty has always been the big factor for “We knew that the fact that we were even in – all the pressure is us. But now it's time for new girls to step up.” on USA,” Räty said. “We could just go out there and have fun. Of course we wanted to win. You want to win that game; you want to bring home Although losing Räty is a blow, Finland’s blue line will still be bolstered by the gold. But again, I felt like we could play a lot more relaxed than USA.” Hiirikoski, who is widely considered to be one of the top defenders in the world. She was the tournament MVP in the 2019 world championship, “We had a good mindset and we knew that it's only one goal,” Hiirikoski and has been named the best defender at the women’s worlds seven said about her team preparing for overtime. “One goal will give our dream times (2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019). result.”

“It's not my most wanted question to talk about myself,” said Hiirikoski. Just over 10 minutes into OT, it looked like that dream result came true. “It’s obviously an honour to hear those kind of things about you. I think in these tournaments, in women's worlds, there is a lot of really good Hiirikoski made a rush up the ice and took a shot on American goalie defenders so it's nice to be on that list.” Alex Rigsby, who couldn’t control the rebound. Rigsby ended up sliding out of her crease as Hiirikoski skated by, and Petra Nieminen potted the Eight players on Finland’s roster will be making their world championship puck in the open net. debuts. Goaltenders Anni Keisala and Meeri Räisänen haven’t played at a women’s worlds since 2016, although Keisala was on the roster in She immediately threw off her gloves and helmet as her teammates 2017, and Räisänen was named to the 2018 Olympic team but did not surrounded her to celebrate what appeared to be Finland’s first-ever gold play. medal.

“We have a couple rookies, so it will be a different team, said Hiirikoski. But as the Finnish players rejoiced, Räty noticed that something was “When we put the lion jersey on, we're ready to fight for the medals.” wrong.

One advantage that Finland may have over Canada and the United “I see [American captain] Kendall Coyne [Schofield] hop on the ice and States is meaningful game action. North American players have had go to the ref. So it's like, ‘Girls, girls! No, they're going to video [review], limited ice time since last year due to COVID restrictions affecting the we can't celebrate yet. They're reviewing it,’” she said. PWHPA and international competitions. “I think it took a couple minutes to realize that the Team U.S. captain was But Finland’s Naisten Liiga was the first women’s hockey league in talking with the referees still,” said Hiirikoski. “So then I knew that, okay, Europe to return to play, starting its 2020-21 season last September. something is going on. So I just wanted to go and ask, ‘Is there Hiirikoski captains Luleå HF in the Sweden’s Women’s Hockey League, something that we need to know?’” and she led her team to both the regular season and playoff The IIHF video judge reviewed the goal for apparent goaltender championship. interference. Hiirikoski did make contact with Rigsby, but the goalie was already out of her crease from her own momentum while trying to make the initial save. The Finnish players waited anxiously for more than 10 minutes while the play was being reviewed.

“It just takes forever. That 12 minutes felt like two hours because we're about to do something special. We're about to make history,” said Räty. “So you’re just waiting and waiting and you really have no clue which way it's going to go.”

After the length delay, the referee stepped out of the box and signalled no goal. The IIHF later released a statement saying that the judge disallowed the goal due to “non-incidental goaltender interference.”

IIHF Playing Rule 186 v. states:

An attacking skater who makes contact other than incidental with a goaltender who is out of his goal crease during game action will be assessed a minor penalty for interference. If a goal is scored at this time, it will not count.

While IIHF Playing Rule 183 ii says:

Incidental contact is allowed when the goaltender is in the act of playing the puck outside his goal crease, provided the attacking skater makes a reasonable effort to minimize or avoid such contact.

The IIHF stated that both of these rules were taken into consideration for the goal judge’s decision.

Adding to the confusion: the referee then assessed Rigsby a two-minute penalty for tripping Hiirikoski (on-ice penalties are not reviewable).

“As much as you want to think about it, you can’t change it,” said Räty. “So just deal with it and then control what you can control. I just don’t want to spend my energy on speculating on what happened or what didn't happen.”

Finland would go on to lose to the U.S. in a shootout, and while the players take immense pride in their silver medal, there still remains some mixed feelings over the result.

“I probably would have rather lost like 6-0 than the way that we lost,” said Räty. “Personally, I don't like that you decide such a big game in a shootout… If you go out and you lose 6-0, you say, ‘Okay, the better team won.’ But I'm not sure if the better team won this time.

“It sucked, the way the game went, but at the same time, you were just so proud of what we accomplished. We still made history. We made it on home ice. And we almost took down the best team in the world. So I was very proud of what we did, even if I was, at the same time, so sad because we were so close.”

Support for the Finnish women poured in from around the world, including on social media from former players like Canadian great Hayley Wickenheiser. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association later announced that it would pay the Finnish team the bonus allotted for winning a gold medal.

“I think everyone was really proud of the team, especially how we played,” said Hiirikoski. “That's the biggest thing that I'm proud of – that we played really good hockey and we gave everything and we were ready to fight when it mattered.”

“I feel like it was really cool to see how the whole Finland and the whole hockey world came together to support our team,” said Räty. “It’s not always been the case where women's hockey is being taken seriously in Finland. So I think we really made our mark in history and now people actually know us and know that we are a real deal.”

TSN.CA LOADED: 08.14.2021 1219419 Websites Bach was one of three Canadian players who was set to make her women’s worlds debut, along with Claire Thompson and Sarah Fillier.

When the CWHL ceased operations in 2019, Bach joined her Canadian TSN.CA / Team Canada player profile: Victoria Bach teammates in the PWHPA, which was formed in an effort to create a viable professional women’s hockey league in North America. Bach appeared in four Dream Gap Tour showcases, including both Toronto stops. By Meaghen Johnson She currently plays for Team Sonnet in the Toronto region. At this year’s

Dream Gap Tour in Calgary, Bach recorded two goals and four assists in Victoria Bach five games.

Position: Forward TSN.CA LOADED: 08.14.2021

Hometown: Milton, Ont.

Age: 25

A year after being denied the opportunity to make her women’s worlds debut because of COVID-19, Victoria Bach is ready to introduce herself at this year’s IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Hockey wasn’t always Bach’s choice of sports. She started out as an avid soccer player, but the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City changed her mind and her focus.

“They really inspired me,” she told The Athletic. “I wanted to be just like them.”

Bach played for two seasons with the Oakville Jr. Hornets before joining the Mississauga Jr Chiefs. In the 2013-14 season, she led the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in goals and points and helped Mississauga earn gold at the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) provincials She and the Chiefs also won silver at the PWHL Final Four.

Bach also found success with provincial teams, winning gold with Ontario Blue at the 2012 National Women’s Under-18 Championship and again the following year with Ontario Red. In her senior year of high school, Bach won gold at the 2014 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship and finished second in team scoring with four goals and seven points.

Bach played for four years at Boston University, where she became a standout in the NCAA. She holds several school records, including all- time goals (104), all-time points (198), most goals in a single season (39), and most points in a season (67). She is the first woman in program history to reach the 100-goal mark (Marie-Philip Poulin scored 81 during her tenure with the Terriers), and she was a top-three finalist for the 2018 Patty Kazmaier Award, given to the top collegiate player in women’s hockey.

Bach, who is listed as 5-foot-4 and 124 pounds, told The Athletic that she had plenty of incentive during her NCAA career.

“Growing up a lot of people told me, ‘I don’t think you’re going to make it anywhere in hockey. You’re too small. You’re not going to adjust to the NCAA level,’” she said. “I always used that as motivation to prove people wrong.”

While Bach was playing for Boston, she also spent time with Canada’s development team, winning consecutive gold medals with the squad in 2015 and 2016 at the Nations Cup. She made her debut with the senior team at the 2018 Four Nations Cup, winning silver. She was initially cut from the roster before being called up due to an injury.

That same year, Bach was also selected third overall by the Markham Thunder in the CWHL draft. In her rookie season, she led the team in scoring, played in the CWHL All-Star Game and was named CWHL Rookie of the Year. This would be her lone season with the team, as the CWHL folded in 2019.

Bach was not named to the roster for the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship, and with the 2019 Four Nations Cup cancelled, she was left with limited international experience. She did feature in seven games against the Americans from late 2019 to 2020, scoring her first two goals for the senior team in a 4-1 win against the United States on Nov. 9, 2019. She followed that up with two more goals and an assist in the Rivalry Series, including the overtime winner in Canada’s lone victory of the series on Feb. 4, 2020.

Bach was named to the roster for the 2020 IIHF Women’s World Championship, but the tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19. 1219420 Websites "It's one of those things that in moment, you're getting a silver medal — not gold — and you're training so hard with your teammates for that gold medal, your perspective is really, really narrow," Larocque told the Winnipeg Free Press earlier this year. TSN.CA / Team Canada player profile: Jocelyne Larocque "Honestly, looking back, and this is no disrespect to the 2014 team, but that 2018 team was literally the best team I've been a part of. I'm not saying we were all best friends, but we were so close. We had gone By Meaghen Johnson through so much together and I'm insanely proud of that silver medal, I really am.”

Jocelyne Larocque Before the Sochi Games, Larocque was selected sixth overall by Alberta in the 2012 CWHL Draft before being traded the following season to the Position: Defence Brampton Thunder. In her first season with the team, she was second in scoring among Brampton defencemen and played in the inaugural CWHL Hometown: Ste. Anne, Man. All-Star Game, the first of four all-star nods in her career. Age: 33 She was named captain for the 2015-16 season, and in 2018, a year Jocelyne Larocque has been patrolling Canada’s blue line for more than after the team had relocated to Markham, she led the Thunder to the a decade. The two-time Olympic medallist is preparing for her eighth Clarkson Cup, the team’s first championship in 10 years. It would also be world championship and was part of the Canadian team that last won the last, as the CWHL ceased operations in 2019. gold at the women’s worlds in 2012. After the CWHL folded, Larocque, alongside many of her fellow Larocque is of Métis descent. Earlier this year, she was named the Canadian and American national team players, joined the PWHPA with Manitoba Indigenous Female Athlete of the Decade, given to her by the the goal of setting up a viable professional women’s league in North Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council. In 2018, she won the America. Tom Longboat Award, which is given annually to recognize Indigenous Larocque currently plays with Team Sonnet in Toronto. At this year’s athletes “for their outstanding contributions to sport in Canada.” Dream Gap Tour in Calgary, she picked up an assist in the championship Larocque grew up playing on boys’ teams in Ste. Anne, Man., and was game, although her team lost 4-2 to Team Bauer. the first female to play in the Winnipeg High School Boys League. She Last year, Larocque took part in the Hockey Canada Skills Coach played for Manitoba at the 2003 Esso Women’s Nationals and at the Seminar, earning a certificate as a skills coach with the national 2005 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, where she was named organization. top defenceman. “I feel lucky that I can do this while I'm playing,” Larocque told When she was 16, she moved away from home to join the Calgary Oval hockeycanada.ca. “It can be challenging to fit everything in, but I love it X-Treme in the Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL). She played and it's something that I want to continue even once I'm done playing.” for three seasons with the club, winning the WWHL championship each year, and also took home gold at the 2007 Esso Women’s Nationals. TSN.CA LOADED: 08.14.2021 Larocque enjoyed a tremendous collegiate career at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, winning the NCAA championship twice, including in her rookie year, where she was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team and All-Tournament Team. The following season, she became the first Bulldog defenceman to earn NCAA First Team All-American honours.

Larocque spent most of the 2009-10 season in centralization with Canada for the 2010 Olympics. After she was cut from the team, Larocque decided to return to the Bulldogs for the second half of the season, even though it meant forfeiting an entire year of NCAA eligibility. The defenceman posted a plus-22 rating and helped lead the team to a second NCAA championship in three years.

As the team captain in 2010-11, Larocque was once again a First Team All-American and was also named WCHA Defensive Player of the Year. She was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, given annually to the best collegiate player in women’s hockey. She finished as the highest scoring defenceman in UMD’s history with 105 points in 127 games.

Larocque spent several years with Canada’s under-22 development team. She won gold with the squad twice at the Air in 2006 and 2007 and competed in three MLP Cups, taking home two more golds and a silver.

She made her debut with the senior team at the 2008 Four Nations Cup, where the team won silver. She scored her first international goal in a 6-0 win over Finland.

After being cut from the 2010 Olympic team, Larocque made her women’s worlds debut at the 2011 IIHF Women’s World Championship, helping Canada take home silver. A year later, Larocque and her teammates won gold. Since then, she has won four additional world championship silver medals and one bronze.

In 2014, she made her Olympic debut at the Sochi Games, helping Canada to a fourth consecutive gold medal and recording an assist in the gold-medal match against the United States.

Four years later at the PyeongChang Games, Larocque and her teammates would fall 3-2 in a shootout to the Americans in the gold- medal match. Larocque received some criticism from social media when she removed her silver medal during the postgame ceremony. She apologized the next day, saying her emotions got the better of her.