SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 8/3/2021 Arizona Coyotes Montreal Canadiens 1219011 Coyotes bring back AHL prospects Speers, Dineen, Mayo 1219039 Canadiens sign Lehkonen to one-year extension on one-year contracts 1219040 Devils delete questionable Dougie Hamilton Instagram 1219012 John Beecher joins Bruins development camp after a post: ‘Who edited this’ trying sophomore campaign at Michigan 1219041 What we learned from spending a week watching Devils 1219013 Bruins Notebook: Prospect Johnny Beecher bouncing prospect Luke Hughes back 1219014 Boston Bruins Prospect Beecher Bouncing Back From Shoulder Surgery 1219042 Islanders going to arbitration with Adam Pelech as two 1219015 BHN Puck Links: A Smear Job On Eichel’s Agents; NHL stars opt against it Trade Rumors 1219043 Casey Cizikas Deal Done? One NHL Insider Thinks So 1219044 NYHN Daily: Islanders See One Player File for Arbitration Buffalo Sabres & More 1219016 Makeover of Sabres' defense headlined by additions of 1219045 Adam Pelech Filing for Arbitration is Par for Course as , Mark Pysyk Contract Talks Continue Carolina Hurricanes 1219017 Hurricanes drafted a defenseman they’d barely seen play. 1219046 Igor Shesterkin, Rangers seemingly progressing toward His story speaks for itself new deal 1219018 Chicago Blackhawks say they will release the findings of 1219047 Former Flyers winger Carsen Twarynski, reunited with an independent investigation into a 2010 sexual assau Dave Hakstol, ‘ecstatic’ to have chance with Seattle’s ex 1219019 Credit Jonathan Toews with an assist for Marc-André 1219048 Flyers looking more like Fletcher’s team after multiple Fleury’s decision to join the Chicago Blackhawks moves 1219020 Stan Bowman envisions reconstructed Blackhawks 1219049 Flyers reportedly file for arbitration with RFA Sanheim ‘pushing for playoffs’ 1219050 Former Flyers captain hired as club announces staffing 1219021 Blackhawks will publicly release findings of sexual-assault changes investigation 1219051 Flyers make new hires for Phantoms and front office 1219022 Bowman thrilled about Fleury, knows younger players must keep improving 1219023 Blackhawks pledge to release findings of abuse 1219052 Penguins forward Brock McGinn is ready for tough investigation expectations 1219024 Blackhawks to make findings of independent investigation 1219053 Madden Monday: If Penguins don't improve goaltending 'it public will be an error of monumental proportions' 1219025 Bowman explains process of acquiring Marc-Andre Fleury 1219054 Brock McGinn is eager to prove that the Penguins signing 1219026 Blackhawks to release findings of 2010 investigation him was 'a smart choice' 1219055 McGinn Wants to Bring More Offense, Doesn’t Want to Let Penguins Down 1219027 Avalanche adds defenseman Ryan Murray in free agency 1219056 Dan’s Daily: Kane Saga Gets Messy, Fleury Says, ‘Hey 1219028 A pick and an extension: Inside a momentous day for Chicago, I’m In…’ Taylor and Cale Makar 1219029 Ryan Murray signs one-year deal with the Avalanche 1219030 Deen: Analyzing the Avalanche’s and the 1219057 NHL: Probe into Evander Kane’s alleged gambling won’t moves they could still make drag on 1219058 Column: NHL quickly responds to Kane betting allegations Dallas Stars 1219059 The story of the No. 2 NHL Draft pick who chose the 1219031 Stars sign defenseman Jerad Rosburg to a two-year, simplicity of his Manitoba farm two-way contract 1219060 SAN JOSE SHARKSREPORT: Friedman Squashes Meier 1219032 How Wyatt Johnston became a Stars first-round pick Trade Rumor, Says Sharks “Like” Dvorak without a draft year Seattle Kraken Detroit Red Wings 1219061 After proving doubters wrong, surprise draft pick Ryker 1219033 Ex-Michigan hockey players cash in during NHL free Evans wants to prove the Kraken right agency Tampa Bay Lightning 1219062 Lightning sign defenseman Sean Day to one-year deal 1219034 Rating the Oilers’ offseason: From signing Zach Hyman to retaining Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Tyson Barrie Vegas Golden Knights 1219035 Lowetide: What are Oilers’ ideal defence pairings for 1219063 Golden Knights roster update: Sorting out a week of 2021-22? moves 1219064 Projecting the Golden Knights’ 2021-22 lineup after a series of trades and signings 1219036 FHN Today: Sam Montembeault signs with Florida Panthers Minnesota Wild 1219037 Wild files for salary arbitration with Kevin Fiala 1219038 What’s left on Wild GM Bill Guerin’s offseason checklist? Websites 1219066 The Athletic / futures odds: Colorado remains favorite while Vegas and Montreal drop after draft a 1219067 The Athletic / A draft pick and an extension: Inside a momentous day for Taylor and Cale Makar 1219068 The Athletic / World Junior showcase: Jake Sanderson looks NHL ready, Aatu Raty gets buzz; plus USA’s projecte 1219069 The Athletic / The story of the No. 2 NHL Draft pick who chose the simplicity of his Manitoba farm 1219070 .ca / NHL’s Top 10 UFAs remaining: Latest rumours, reports 1219071 TSN.CA / Three-time Olympic medallist Johnston looks to bounce back 1219072 TSN.CA / Jets need much more from Dubois in second season Winnipeg Jets 1219065 How are the Jets going to fit Andrew Copp, Neal Pionk and Logan Stanley’s new contracts under the salary cap?

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1219011 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes bring back AHL prospects Speers, Dineen, Mayo on one-year contracts

José M. Romero

Arizona Republic

Coyotes' Cam Dineen (54) skates down the ice against Dennis Busby (62) during a scrimmage at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on June 28, 2019.

The roster of the Arizona Coyotes' affiliate will have a new look this coming season — just like the parent team.

But three players who saw action with the Tucson Roadrunners in 2021 will be back, if they don't make the NHL roster, after the Coyotes announced the signings of forward Blake Speers and defensemen Cam Dineen and Dysin Mayo to one-year, two-way contracts on Monday.

All three had been tendered qualifying offers as restricted free agents last week.

Speers, 24, played in four games with the Roadrunners. He has totaled 19-18-37 and 76 minutes (PIM) in 151 career AHL games.

Mayo, also 24, registered four points and 22 penalty minutes in 35 games and has appeared in 256 career AHL games. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL entry draft.

Dineen, 23, had 10 points in 22 games for Tucson last season. He's appeared in 136 career AHL games with the Roadrunners after being drafted by the Coyotes in the third round in 2016.

The Coyotes lost several players in free agency that affected the depth on both the Coyotes' and Roadrunners' rosters, so getting back experienced yet still young players helps in case the Coyotes need them as call-ups during the coming season

Arizona Republic LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219012 Boston Bruins “He doesn’t have a formal role,” said Langenbrunner. “I think Adam was 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 John Beecher joins Bruins development camp after a trying sophomore this week and have him come down and be around some of our guys. campaign at Michigan “We’ll see where it goes both for Adam and for us. I think he’d be a welcome addition to any role. He has a lot of experience in a lot of different areas, and he’s a great human begin, to boot.” By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff McQuaid, 34, wore a smile that rivaled the expanse of the Zakim Bridge Updated August 2, 2021, 5:43 p.m. his entire time on the ice. He has been home in Prince Edward Island most of the summer.

Also on the ice with Langenbrunner and McQuaid: Mike Dunham, Chris John Beecher will head back to Michigan later this month, ready to play Kelly, Kim Brandvold, Trent Whitfield, and Ryan Mougenel. his junior season and eager to put behind a sophomore campaign cut short in February by shoulder surgery. Krejci signs with old club

Beecher, the Bruins’ first-round pick (No. 30) in 2019, explained Monday Some 72 hours after announcing Friday that he was returning home in that he tore his shoulder labrum during a practice last August as the Big part to continue his playing career in front of family, Krejci signed Monday Blue tuned up following a 2019-20 season truncated by the pandemic. with HC Olomouc, the same Czech club he played for in his mid-teens.

“I’d just gotten back to school last August and we were doing a battle Krejci, 35, said he wanted to return home for his two children to drill,” recalled Beecher, among the first on the ice at Warrior Ice Arena for experience a childhood similar to his and to be able to play in front of the opening sessions of the Bruins’ five-day development camp in family members. Brighton. “A freak accident — my arm got stuck in one of the guys, and he kind of pulled one way and I pulled the other.” Olomouc is in eastern Czechia, approximately 125 miles east of Prague, and only some 60 miles from the Slovakia border. Olomouc this past Beecher, 20, is a speedy, 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pound center with only 47 season finished 12th in the 14-team Extraliga, collecting only 24 NCAA Division 1 games on his development arc. A solid season back in regulation wins. Ann Arbor could set him up to turn pro in the spring, but he’d also be facing the option of returning to school for his senior season, after which Krejci was born in Sternberk, Czechia, roughly 15 miles north of he’d have his choice of signing with the Bruins or becoming an Olomouc, and was drafted by the Bruins in 2004 after playing a season in unrestricted free agent in August 2023. Kladno.

The Bruins in 2019 were drawn to Beecher because of his combination of fluid stride and speed rare for such a big body. Charlie Coyle, the same Boston Globe LOADED: 08.03.2021 size and weight, is the only pivot on their varsity roster with the same heft, and he might line up this season as the No. 2 center now that David Krejci has returned to the Czech Republic.

Just how Beecher projects with the Bruins remains a mystery, in part because the challenges he has faced getting on the ice the last two seasons.

“Skating well, like usual,” said Jamie Langenbrunner, the club’s director of player development, sizing up Beecher’s game to date. “Had a bit of a broken-up season, and a tough one.

“I think his team next year will have a bit of a target on its back and it will be a great opportunity for him to play under that scrutiny and pressure of a team that should contend for a national title. He’ll be a big part of that and we’ll see where we go from there.”

A camper with pro experience

Defenseman Brady Lyle, who spent last season with AHL Providence, is among the few kids in development camp who can boast pro experience. Lyle, 22, signed as a free agent with the WannaBs this past April (25 games: 7-7—14) after playing five OHL seasons with North Bay and Owen Sound.

Because he was never drafted, Lyle over the years was free to accept invites to any of the NHL development camps, though Boston never offered.

“No, never had the opportunity,” said Lyle, “but I went to three dev camps before, with Ottawa, Arizona, and Anaheim.”

The three camps, said Lyle, provided him with valuable experience that he’ll try to build on this week.

“I was a lot younger, kind of wide-eyed walking into them all, had never seen an NHL facility or anything like that,” he said. “Just being around some high-end prospects, and taking the advice from some of the best strength coaches, athletic therapists, hockey coaches … being at those camps I learned a lot every time.”

McQuaid a welcome resource

The first surprise in camp was the new kid, Adam McQuaid, among the seven on-ice instructors. The ex-Bruins defenseman, who last played in the NHL in 2018-19 with the Blue Jackets, joined the group as a consultant. 1219013 Boston Bruins “Time will tell with him still,” said Langenbrunner. “His skating is obviously high-end. We were actually laughing about it today. It almost looks like he’s not skating at times and, when you’re standing there, he’s actually Bruins Notebook: Prospect Johnny Beecher bouncing back going really, really fast. It’s so effortless. I think for him, whether he ends up as a second-line guy or third-line guy or a fourth-line guy will depend how quickly he gets those details in, how his consistency is night in and night out. That’ll make his coach happy and give him opportunity. His By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald skating and his size are always going to be there and he’s learning how PUBLISHED: August 2, 2021 at 4:40 p.m. | UPDATED: August 2, 2021 to do those pro habits. And we’ll continue to work with him. He’s going to at 6:28 p.m. take a little bit of time, and good on Johnny and how he’s bought into that.”

McQuaid in the house Johnny Beecher knew something was wrong right away. Former Bruin Adam McQuaid was among the on-ice instructors, though The Bruins’ 2019 first-round pick (30th overall) was taking part in he does not have a formal role with the club, at least not yet. preseason drills last August at the University of Michigan and when he zigged, a teammate he was locked up with zagged. “He was around a little bit last year and I think he’s continuing to try to figure out what makes sense for Adam,” said Langenbrunner. “We’re The centerman suffered labrum damage in the mishap. He tried to play lucky enough to have him available and be around some of our guys. through the injury but, after 16 games, Beecher’s season with the We’ll see where it goes for Adam and for us. He’d be a welcome addition Wolverines was done. He underwent surgery to repair the torn labrum in any role. He brings a lot of experience in different areas and great last February. human being to boot.”

“It was just a freak accident,” said Beecher at the start of Bruins’ Czech club makes it official Development Camp on Monday. “My arm got stuck with one of the guys. He pulled one way and I pulled the other and my shoulder just subluxed. Czech Extraliga club HC Olomouc officially announced the signing of It was kind of a freak accident and it happens in this sport. I played Krejci to a one-year contract on Monday. Krejci had played for the through the year with it and dealt with it as it came and it just got to the Olomouc program as a junior player. … point where we had to get it done before there was further damage.” The B’s top pick Fabian Lysell as well as fellow Swedish picks Oskar Beecher, who also had his World Junior Championships hopes dashed Jellvik and Philip Svedeback are not able to attend the camp because of when a positive COVID test forced his removal from Team USA in vaccine/quarantine issues. December, was still showing the remnants of the shoulder injury on

Monday, wearing a red non-contact jersey as the club’s prospects and camp invitees went through their paces. But he hopes to get full Boston Herald LOADED: 08.03.2021 clearance when he returns to Ann Arbor and sees his doctor in a couple of weeks. Being ready for the start of the school season was part of his thinking when he decided to go under the knife when he did.

He said the injury didn’t really affect his timeline about when he hoped to turn pro but, after playing just 16 games in his shortened season last year (4-4-8 totals), it makes all the sense for him to return the the Wolverines for his junior season.

Another good reason is that Michigan is expected to be absolutely stacked if all their underclassmen return to campus. Four of the top five players taken in the NHL draft are Michigan men. Defenseman Owen Power went first overall to Buffalo, followed by center and Hingham native Matty Beniers at No. 2 to Seattle. Incoming freshman Luke Hughes, a defenseman, went fourth to New Jersey and center Kent Johnson went fifth to Columbus.

“It’s an exciting year coming up, for sure. We have so much skill on the front end and we have a lot of depth with our D. I’m looking forward to it. I’m coming back as a junior. I don’t know how that’s happened but the time’s flying by. I want to be a huge leader on this team, especially for the younger guys that are just getting to campus and just getting their footing,” said Beecher.

“That’s my role on the team and it’ll play out throughout the year. Hopefully it’ll be playing a shutdown role and playing top minutes with the PK and PP and just whatever I can to help the team win.”

Big things are expected of the Wolverines, and Jamie Langenbrunner, the B’s director of player development, hopes it brings out the best in Beecher.

“His team next year is going to have a bit of a target on its back and it’ll be good for him to play under that scrutiny and pressure on a team that should contend for a national title. He’ll be a big part of that,” said Langenbrunner.

The first thing you notice about Beecher is his size — 6-foot-3, 210 pounds — until he steps on the ice. He can fly, especially for a big man. Whether he can play in the Bruins’ top six — an obvious need in the near future with David Krejci gone back to the Czech Republic and Patrice Bergeron having just turned 36 — or whether he’ll play further down the lineup remains to be seen. So far he hasn’t proven to be a prolific scorer. Prior to his injury-shortened sophomore campaign, he had 9-7-16 totals in 31 games as a freshman. 1219014 Boston Bruins chance to show the player development staff how he can work through the adversity. All eyes will be on how the 2019 first round pick bounces back from a tough year and a difficult injury, and that response could Boston Bruins Prospect Beecher Bouncing Back From Shoulder Surgery speak volumes about Beecher’s future with the Black and Gold at the NHL level.

Published 6 hours ago on August 2, 2021 Boston Hockey NowLOADED: 08.03.2021 By Joe Haggerty

While the sight of former first round pick Johnny Beecher in a maroon no- contact sweater made him stand out from everybody else at the first day of Boston Bruins development camp, the 6-foot-3, 209-pound center is coming along from shoulder surgery. The 20-year-old had his sophomore college season end prematurely due to a nagging labrum injury after he was also held off Team USA at the World Juniors last December for what was thought to be a false positive COVID-19 test result right before the tournament.

It all amounted to a hockey season that Beecher would like to forget as he suits up at this week’s development camp and looks forward to a big junior season with the Wolverines. Beecher still managed four goals and eight points along with a plus-4 in 16 games for Michigan before deciding to pull the plug, but it was a struggle trying to gut it out while figuring out the best plan moving forward.

“My arm got stuck in one of the guys and he kind of pulled one way, I pulled the other and my shoulder just sublexed. I played throughout the year with it and dealt with it as it came. It got to the point where we had to get it done before there was further damage so I could be back earlier,” said Beecher after the first day of Boston Bruins development camp. “Our biggest thought with that was if we did [the surgery] when we did, I’d be back to 100 percent by mid-August. That’s basically the time we get back to school. I wanted to hit the ground running as soon as we got on campus. I wanted to have a couple months there to get re-acclimated to the contact and just get ready for the season.”

The Elmira, New York native had actually only skated a handful of times while recovering from surgery, so he wasn’t close to peak form, whatever that actually would be anyway at a summer development camp. Even at his best, there’s still plenty in his game to work on and refine beyond the fast skating, physical play and big body that make him a top tier prospect.

The traditional strengths to Beecher’s game were on full display on Monday to Chris Kelly, Adam McQuaid, Bruins Director of Player Development Jamie Langenbrunner and Boston Bruins skills coach Kim Brandvold as they put the Baby B’s through drills.

“Skating well like usual,” said Langenbrunner, who said it’s still to be determined whether Beecher will be a second, third or fourth line center at the NHL level based on how he develops. “Had definitely a bit of a broken-up season…a tough one – I’m sure he said that as well. I think his team next year is going to have a bit of a target on its back and it will be a great opportunity for him to play under that scrutiny, under that pressure, for a team that should contend for a national title. He’ll be a big part of that.

“His skating is obviously high-end. We were actually laughing about it out there today, [skating and skills coach Kim Brandvold] and I. It almost looks like he’s not skating at times, but when you’re standing there, he’s actually going really, really fast because it’s so effortless. His skating and his size are always going to be there. He’s learning how to [get into] those pro habits and we’re going to continue to work with him. It’s going take a little bit of time. Good on Johnny and how he’s bought in to that.”

That’s something Beecher is keenly aware of as he begins ramping things up for what could end up being his final season of college hockey.

“The biggest thing still is the off-ice part of the game, building my hockey IQ, knowing when to put pucks where and being better away from the puck, better finishing – just little things like that, that will make a big difference down the road,” said Beecher. “I feel like I’m gaining more and more confidence every year. Obviously with the surgery it limited me a little bit this past season in what I could do and what I was comfortable with on the ice. But this upcoming season, I’m sure when we get back in the swing of things and I get comfortable out there again it will be a lot of fun.”

Nobody likes to struggle with injuries or tough years, obviously, but there’s also an element of a Bruins prospect like Beecher now getting a 1219015 Boston Bruins What will the Pittsburgh Penguins lines look like next month? Dan Kingerski laid them out. Pens GM Ron Hextall Hextall has some work to do because here’s what Mike Sullivan has to work with. (Pittsburgh BHN Puck Links: A Smear Job On Eichel’s Agents; NHL Trade Rumors Hockey Now)

The Washington Capitals found themselves in a similar situation as the Pittsburgh Penguins. Blow it up, start the rebuild, or hold on tight. Like Published 13 hours ago on August 2, 2021 the Penguins, the Capitals are going to hold on tight. Sammi Silber writes, thinks that’s the right call. (Washington Hockey Now) By Jimmy Murphy Both former Flyers goalies quickly found new homes in free agency, and

both landed squarely in the Eastern Conference. (Philly Hockey Now) During the course of a season, and even more so in the offseason, Florida Panthers forward was a steal in free agency reporters will call on agents to get a scoop off the NHL trade and free last year. Florida pushed Tampa Bay all season and in the playoffs. Now agent markets. Agents will use reporters in a similar fashion as they try to it’s time for the next step and part of that was signing Verhaeghe to a influence the NHL trade and free agent markets. Sometimes though, for new contract. (Florida Hockey Now) a myriad of reasons, agents won’t want to play the game and will even ghost a reporter. It happens to the best of us. Our colleague at CHN, Adrian Dater, is doing a cool thing. Subscribers are getting to write their opinions about the state of the Colorado Based on his recent column on the Jack Eichel NHL trade market, and Avalanche. How do fans think the Avs did on the NHL trade and free how ugly things are getting between the Sabres captain and the team, it’s agent markets recently? (Colorado Hockey Now) pretty clear that Eichel’s agents weren’t willing to play the game with Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. There’s no knowing what was said The Detroit Red Wings were bad last season. And the year before that. between the two parties but clearly, Harrington had an ax to grind with Really, really bad. But Steve Yzerman hit the NHL trade market, signed a Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli. few free agents, and voila! The Red Wings will not be as easy an out as the last two seasons. (Detroit Hockey Now) In case you missed it, Fish and Donatelli released a statement on Friday night that called out Sabres GM Kevyn Adams’ handling of Eichel on the NHL trade market and the team’s handling of Eichel’s neck injury. Boston Hockey NowLOADED: 08.03.2021 Whether he felt slighted by Fish and Donatelli and/or is in the back- pocket of the Sabres, Harrington crossed the line and repeatedly insulted Eichel’s agents. He started by referencing a classic John Tortorella rant from back when he coached the Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup.

“Park your ego. Shove it in your pocket,” Tortorella said before delivering his infamous punchline: “Shut your yap.” That would be my message to Eichel’s representatives, Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli. Just zip it.”

He then went on to accuse well-respected Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of being in the pockets of Fish and Donatelli. Friedman recorded a podcast with a doctor who sides with Eichel and his reps on what neck surgery he should have. That was released less than 12 hours after Fish and Donatelli released their statement.

“Maybe the agents were involved, maybe they weren’t. But the optics of it all were so poor that podcast host Elliotte Friedman, one of the most respected media insiders in the game, took to Twitter shortly after the interview was released to clarify that it was done Friday night before the statement was issued and that he had no knowledge the statement was coming.”

I can tell you that Fish and Donatelli have been lukewarm when it comes to providing information on Eichel to Boston Hockey Now but that’s their choice and right. That doesn’t mean that my BHN colleague Joe Haggerty or me are going to write a complete smear job of them or any other agents we couldn’t pry info from. Harrington is a well-respected veteran reporter that I think does a pretty good job of covering the disaster that is Buffalo Sabres. However, in this instance, he acted anything but professionally.

Boston Bruins

I know it’s hard to swallow for Boston Bruins fans that longtime Bruins center David Krejci isn’t returning to the Bruins for a 15th NHL season in Black and Gold, but this is pretty cool! I, for one, am so happy for Krejci and wish him nothing but the best.

Speaking of Krejci, the Bruins put together a cool video montage tribute for him. (Boston Bruins)

In the past, some Bruins fans and media that cover the team have clamored for the Bruins to sign or poach Evander Kane on the NHL trade market. I get that feeling that the latest hot water Kane finds himself in, will cool that desire to see him become a Bruin. (BHN)

The Evander Kane situation is getting worse. He responded to the allegations that his soon-to-be ex-wife posted on Instagram, alleging he bet on San Jose Sharks games. THEN his wife responded again with some intensely personal stuff. Sheng Peng has more. (San Jose Hockey Now) 1219016 Buffalo Sabres But no one in the Sabres’ new group has the same bruising style of play as Ristolainen or McCabe. The two trade acquisitions, Butcher and Hagg, will be counted on to provide some of what Buffalo lost.

Makeover of Sabres' defense headlined by additions of Will Butcher, Butcher, who won the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Award following his Mark Pysyk remarkable senior season at the University of Denver, was named an all- rookie selection for his 44-point season with the Devils in 2017-18. But Butcher had a disappointing first year under coach Lindy Ruff in 2020-21. Lance Lysowski While Butcher continued to make an impact on the power play, his performance in 5-on-5 situations deteriorated and led to decreased ice Aug 2, 2021 Updated 11 hrs ago time. When the Devils signed defenseman Dougie Hamilton, the top free agent on the market, to a seven-year, $63 million contract Wednesday, Adams was prepared to offer New Jersey a way to escape the final year When another Buffalo Sabres season ended without playoff hockey, and of Butcher’s contract. The Devils are retaining $1 million of Butcher’s with no clear path to a breakthrough in sight, Rasmus Ristolainen $3.822 million cap hit, a source told The Buffalo News. delivered another expression of frustration that made a makeover of the club’s defense seem inevitable. “I think the position we're in is we could look around the league and identify potential situations where we really like a player,” explained “I'm frustrated,” Ristolainen lamented to reporters after failing to reach the Adams. “Maybe they've become expendable on another team. They're postseason through his eight years in the NHL. “I’m (upset) and it looking to move on. You saw what New Jersey did with their signings. So (stinks). So, I told (general manager Kevyn Adams) I'm open to all the that provided an opportunity for us to bring in a player we really had scenarios, staying or if he trades me, I'm fine with that.” targeted.

Ristolainen made similar comments in the past, most notably in 2019 “We think he's had a good career in a short time. We think there's upside when he demanded more accountability inside the Sabres’ dressing to his game. Donny Granato's coached him before. A high-character guy. room. This was different, though. Buffalo had just finished last in the NHL Last year of his contract, so there's incentive to see where we're at. … for the fourth time in eight years and Adams was pondering significant We’re really excited about acquiring him. I think he's going to really help change following a season in which he fired his coach, Ralph Krueger, us.” after only 28 games and amid a franchise-record 18-game winless streak. Listed at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, Butcher can secure a spot in the Sabres’ top-four and his skills could be useful on their second-power play unit. In Jake McCabe, who developed into a stalwart defenseman during his nine 238 games over four seasons with New Jersey, Butcher totaled 14 goals years with the organization, was headed toward unrestricted free agency and 106 points. Since the start of 2017-18, he ranks second among all and signed a four-year, $16 million pact with Chicago on Wednesday. He Devils defensemen in power-play ice time and fourth in blocked shots. and Ristolainen endured plenty of losing in a Sabres uniform, and both wanted to experience playoff hockey. Asplund, 23, posted career highs in games played (28), goals (7), assists (4) and points (11) for the Sabres during the 2020-21 season while In a matter of six days this month, Adams spearheaded a facelift of the getting regular minutes under coach Don Granato. defense, beginning with the stunning trade that sent Ristolainen to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for left-shot defenseman Robert Hagg, a The Sabres are betting that Granato’s approach and system can help 2021 first-round draft choice that Buffalo used to select Swedish winger Butcher return to the way he played from 2017-19, when he had a Isak Rosen and a 2023 second-round selection. combined 25.3 goals above replacement, a metric by Evolving-Hockey that measures a player’s overall contributions. Butcher has a history with For the last five seasons, the Buffalo Sabres have been pushing to the Granato, dating back to their time at the USA Hockey National Team brink of the NHL's salary cap. It's gotten them nowhere. So they're going Development Program, and fits well with the Sabres’ preferred style of with a different approach. play.

The Sabres also reunited with Mark Pysyk, a defenseman selected in the Butcher will be able to handle more difficult 5-on-5 assignments at home, first round by Buffalo in 2010, and used their bountiful salary-cap space allowing the Sabres to deploy Dahlin against weaker lines and pairings. to acquire 26-year-old Will Butcher and a 2022 fifth-round draft choice Granato also has options with tandems, as Buffalo could use the from New Jersey in exchange for future considerations. Brandon following top six: Dahlin-Jokiharju; Butcher-Miller; Hagg-Pysyk. Davidson, Jimmy Schuldt and were signed to two-way contracts. While Butcher is the most intriguing addition, Hagg will arrive with an opportunity to earn himself a better contract in free agency next summer. This adds to an already promising young core in Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Hagg, 26, experienced a decrease in ice time under coach Alain Jokiharju, Mattias Samuelsson, Jacob Bryson, Oskari Laaksonen and Vigneault last season, totaling two goals and five assists while skating an Casey Fitzgerald. Colin Miller, a 28-year-old who helped Vegas reach the average of 15:40 in 34 games. Stanley Cup Final in 2018, is under contract for one more season at a $3.85 million cap hit. That doesn't include Owen Power, who has Since the start of 2017-18, Hagg ranks first among all Flyers defensemen expressed an interest in returning to Michigan for his sophomore year. in hits, second in blocked shots and fourth in penalty-kill ice time. He had However, since 2000, the No. 1 overall pick has not jumped directly to some encouraging offensive metrics last season, ranking first among the NHL only once. Philadelphia blue liners in generating on-ice shot quality at 5-on-5, according to Evolving-Hockey. But like most of his teammates, he Each member of the revamped group has different but complementary struggled to protect his own net. Hagg posted a negative goals above skill sets and, at least on paper, the defense appears to be the strength replacement in two of the past three seasons and is entering the final of the Sabres’ roster. However, the departures of Ristolainen and year of a contract that counts $1.6 million against the salary cap. McCabe created significant holes on the back end. Hagg is likely insurance in the event Samuelsson and Bryson need more “I would say I'm a player that the other team hates to play against and I time in Rochester. This also will allow the Sabres to be patient with try to be pain in the (butt),” Ristolainen said when asked by the Power. Philadelphia media to describe his style of play. “I can do everything, penalty kill, power play. I can pass the puck, I can shoot the puck, so I When Linus Ullmark rejected the Buffalo Sabres’ contract offer late can play any type of role. I'm a hard worker. I like to hit. Just do anything, Wednesday afternoon in f… what it takes to win.” Samuelsson, a second-round draft choice in 2018, appeared in 12 Among Sabres defensemen since 2014-15, Ristolainen and McCabe games with Buffalo last season, while Bryson averaged 19:03 of ice time rank first and second, respectively, in penalty-kill ice time, total ice time, during his 38 NHL games. Both will compete for a roster spot. Fitzgerald hits and blocked shots. With the veteran tandem gone, Dahlin likely will and Laaksonen, both right-shot defensemen with no NHL experience, ascend to a top-pairing role, possibly alongside Jokiharju. might have a chance to break camp with the team. If Granato chooses to go with an older corps in Buffalo, the group in Rochester could be What did – and didn't happen – for the Sabres on Day 1 of free agency. Samuelsson-Fitzgerald; Schuldt-Laaksonen; Bryson-Prow. And who's in ? Sabres fans with an appreciation for analytics were upset in 2016 when Buffalo traded Pysyk to move up in the second round to draft Rasmus Asplund. Pysyk had three solid seasons in Florida before he fell out of favor under coach Joel Quenneville and even spent time playing on the wing. Last season, Pysyk moved on to Dallas, where he excelled in a sheltered role, ranking first on the Stars in generating and limiting on-ice shot quality at 5-on-5. He had four points while averaging 11:43 of ice time across 36 games.

Pysyk strengthens a right side that likely will lose Miller to a trade sometime before the deadline in February. Miller is playing on an expiring contract and was a healthy scratch in six of the final 10 games last season. His right shot and playoff experience will be valuable to a contender looking for depth.

Adams’ plan will produce grim results if Dahlin and Jokiharju don’t take another significant step under Granato.

Dahlin, 21, finished with a league-worst minus-36 rating, but most of his struggles came during the first half of the season with Krueger as coach. Under Granato, Dahlin led Sabres defensemen in on-ice shot quality at 5-on-5 and totaled four goals with 12 points while averaging 22:10 of ice time in 28 games. He played a top-pairing role, albeit with fewer defensive-zone starts, and reminded everyone why he was drafted first overall in 2018.

Though Jokiharju hasn’t put up points at the rate of Dahlin – the 22-year- old has 23 points in 115 games with Buffalo – he’s a reliable right-shot defenseman who relieves pressure on the breakout and shows remarkable on-ice vision in the offensive zone by distributing the puck through tight pockets of space. Both are restricted free agents, though Adams told reporters Thursday that he’s discussed different contract structures, including a long-term pact, with Dahlin’s representatives at Newport Sports.

A contract extension for Dahlin could resemble the eight-year, $67.6 million contract signed by Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen. While Hagg, Pysyk and Butcher might amount to Band-Aids during a transition season, their presence should help the Sabres’ two top defensemen and provide more time for prospects to develop in Rochester.

“I think Henri and Ras both are just gonna be phenomenal players,” McCabe told reporters in May. “They've got a great head on their shoulders, so I think the future is definitely bright on the back end.”

Buffalo News LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219017 Carolina Hurricanes well, grew up in Bowie, Maryland, with a father who was a loving, supportive parent but also a demanding hockey coach, pushing them to be better.

Hurricanes drafted a defenseman they’d barely seen play. His story Matthew hired power-skating coaches. Bryce and Blake never lacked for speaks for itself equipment or instruction, Matthew said, despite the expense.

Asked why more Blacks aren’t involved in hockey, Matthew Montgomery BY CHIP ALEXANDER quickly replied, “One word: money.”

AUGUST 02, 2021 05:00 AM “You don’t have African-Americans playing because it’s so ... expensive,” he said. “You have these programs, like in the NHL ‘Hockey is for Everyone,’ but it’s so expensive. Equipment, ice time, playing in leagues. For Bryce playing for Team Maryland it was like $6,000 tuition, and that Bryce Montgomery found himself in an uncomfortable position, facing doesn’t include travel. Blake got new skates not long ago and it was down what has to be one of a hockey player’s greatest fears: He was 18 $1,200 for new skates. When I played, the price of a stick was $30. years old, in his NHL draft year, with basically nowhere to play. Bryce’s were like, $300. The defenseman was preparing for his second year with the London “And we can say African-Americans, but there are white families who Knights, eager for a bigger role with the Hockey League team can’t afford it, Asian families. You have teams in Arizona and LA flying to coached by Dale Hunter, when the OHL canceled the 2020-21 season the East Coast to play. Some families can afford to do that. Many can’t.” because of the pandemic. Bryce Montgomery played for the Washington Little Caps 14U AAA team, That left everyone scrambling, including Montgomery. Finding available then the Maryland U16 AAA team. After a year at Cushing Academy ice time in rinks was problematic. But game competition? That was a prep, he bypassed college hockey at Providence to sign with the Knights huge problem. in the OHL. “Really a bummer,” Montgomery said last week. Montgomery got in 33 games as an OHL rookie in 2019-20, playing While limited to a handful of games in showcase invitationals, the 6-foot- behind such D-men as Ryan Merkley, Alec Regula and Hunter Skinner. 5, 220-pound D-man was still drafted last week — in the sixth round by Then, the pandemic wiped out 2020-21. the Carolina Hurricanes. Montgomery is happy it all worked out. Montgomery found a few games in the Pandemic Hockey League in “I didn’t know where I was going to go mainly because I didn’t have a Massachusetts. More importantly, he went to the PBHH Invitational. A season,” Montgomery said in an interview with the News & Observer. showcase event in Erie, Pennsylvania, it offered 10 games and had other “Honestly, I was just hoping to hear my name called by the end of the OHL players. NHL scouts were at that one. day because it was such a dream.” “It was like a sprint, with 10 games to make up for an entire season,” he It took almost all of the second day of the draft. Montgomery said he had said. gathered with his family in a hotel room, watching, waiting. Matthew Montgomery had some concerns Bryce might press, saying, “We were getting very nervous by the end of the fifth round,” he admitted. “He was worried about impressing the scouts.” No problem, though. Montgomery played well. The Canes liked him enough to draft him. Finally, there it was on the screen: Carolina, sixth round, No. 170 overall, Bryce Montgomery. “This was the first player we selected that really didn’t play,” Canes assistant general manager Darren Yorke said. “He’s a big right-handed “We all went wild,” he said. “It was definitely a moment I’ll never forget.” defenseman that can skate. It’s going to be great for us to see him next year in the OHL and get another full year, but we were impressed by how Nor will his father. he basically had to go a year off and got into the Erie showcase Matthew Montgomery grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of the first tournament and show the raw talent he is.” female officer in the St. Paul police department and later the first female Matthew Montgomery said Bryce interviewed with 20 teams before the African-American to be elected to the St. Paul city council. draft, laughing and saying the New York Islanders had 18 people on their Debbie Montgomery was a civil rights activist who at 17 became the call. The Canes were not one of the 20, he said. youngest member to serve on the national board of the NAACP. She was Bryce’s pitch: “I think I’m a big defenseman who can cover a lot of ice in the March on Washington in 1963. As a freshman at the University of and really break up plays and play good defense down low and make Minnesota, she went to Alabama in 1965 to march from Selma to quick ups and quick plays on the breakout. I think I can also add offense Montgomery in supporting voting rights. to my game.” She joined the St. Paul police department in 1975 and served 28 years Matthew has since done his intel. He said he has heard good things — “I was a bad mama jama,” she told the Minnesota Spokesman- about Tim Gleason, the former Canes defenseman who works for the Recorder in 2017 — before her work on the city council. She also was a team developing young D-men in the Carolina system. founder of the Mariucci Inner City Hockey Starter Association. “And Rod Brind’Amour. Come on, who doesn’t want to play for Rod Matthew Montgomery always loved hockey, even if the sport, and some Brind’Amour?” Montgomery said of the Canes coach. of those around it, weren’t always good to him. “Bryce could not have gone to a better organization where he can Montgomery had racial slurs and other forms of hate speech aimed at develop and evolve into the player he’s going to be three, four years from him in high school. In games, he was called “watermelon man,” and now. Another thing I’m happy about is being in Raleigh. Bryce, as an worse. Cruel stuff. African-American, oh my God he is so charismatic. He’s going to be “I never let it bother me. Why waste the energy?” he said in an interview great in the community. with the N&O last week, echoing the words he used 30 years ago. “Bryce is a beast on the ice and will be great for the organization off the Matthew Montgomery played college hockey for St. Mary’s University, a ice and in the community.” Division III school in Winona, Minnesota. A two-time All-American, he set For now, Bryce Montgomery is gearing up for the 2021-22 season with the school’s single-season record for most goals by a defenseman (20) London in the OHL. He said he would attend a rookie camp and rookie that he said still stands. tournament with the Canes in Tampa, Florida, in September. After college, Montgomery said he was recruited by the CIA, working out “What Bryce needs is to play games,” Matthew Montgomery said. “Think of the Langley, Virginia, headquarters. He later joined the Prince about it. The OHL kids lost a whole year. He just needs to play games.” George’s County, Maryland, police department, retiring after more than 20 years and taking a job in sales.

A USA Hockey Certified Coach, Matthew began teaching others the News Observer LOADED: 08.03.2021 game. Bryce and brother Blake, 16 and recently drafted by London, as 1219018 Chicago Blackhawks we’ll just monitor it and stay in communication with the Blackhawks and the NHL on it as it progresses.”

Chicago Blackhawks say they will release the findings of an independent investigation into a 2010 sexual assault allegation Chicago Tribune LOADED: 08.03.2021

By STEPHEN WHYNO

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

AUG 02, 2021 AT 7:17 PM

The Chicago Blackhawks are pledging to release the findings of an independent investigation into allegations that a former assistant coach sexually assaulted two players in 2010.

President of hockey operations and general manager Stan Bowman confirmed Monday that CEO Danny Wirtz informed Hawks employees in a memo that the team will share the results of former federal prosecutor Reid Schar’s investigation and implement changes to address any shortcomings.

“Danny was very clear on the direction the organization’s taking,” Bowman said during a video call with reporters. “Danny said it pretty clearly there that this independent review is going to be something that we’ll share results with our employees, our partners, our fans and whatnot. I intend to cooperate fully with the investigation like I said last time we met.”

According to TSN, Bowman and other team executives were in a meeting about the allegations against video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010, but nothing was reported at the time to the NHL or the police. Bowman and coach Joel Quenneville, who was reportedly not at that meeting, have said they will cooperate.

The investigation came after the filing of two lawsuits against the team. The first alleges sexual assault by Aldrich during the team’s run to the 2010 Stanley Cup title, and the second was filed by a former student whom Aldrich was convicted of assaulting in Michigan in 2013.

A former Hawks player said Aldrich assaulted him and the team did nothing after he informed an employee. The lawsuit, filed May 7 in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges Aldrich also assaulted another unidentified Hawks player. The former player who sued and is seeking more than $150,000 in damages is referred to in the document as “John Doe.”

The eight-page lawsuit says Aldrich “turned on porn and began to masturbate in front of” the player without his consent. It says Aldrich also threatened to “physically, financially and emotionally” hurt the player if he “did not engage in sexual activity” with him.

According to TSN, two Hawks players told then-skills coach Paul Vincent in May 2010 of inappropriate behavior by Aldrich. Vincent said he asked mental skills coach James Gary to follow up with the players and management.

Vincent was called into a meeting with Bowman, Gary, then-President John McDonough and hockey executive Al MacIsaac the next day, TSN reported, and said he asked the team to report the allegations to Chicago police, and the request was denied.

In addition to running the hockey operations department for the Hawks, Bowman is USA Hockey’s men’s general manager for for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, which could include NHL players. Asked Monday about the possibility of going on leave from that post until he’s cleared of any involvement in not reporting the sexual abuse 11 years ago, Bowman said it wasn’t a matter he could comment on.

“USA Hockey has been in close contact with the Blackhawks on a variety of topics,” he said. “I’m not really involved in those conversations.”

When asked last week about Bowman recusing himself from that job of picking the 2022 U.S. men’s Olympic roster, USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher referred to the ongoing investigation by the Blackhawks.

“We’ve had discussions with both the and the Blackhawks to stay up to speed on their end,” he said. “Really what we’ve looked at is there (is) an investigation that is ongoing and with that underway, we’ll allow that investigation to take place and happen and 1219019 Chicago Blackhawks And if 2022-23 is their last hurrah, the Hawks should be even more motivated to accommodate the two men most responsible for their three Stanley Cups between 2010 and ‘15.

Credit Jonathan Toews with an assist for Marc-André Fleury’s decision to “I look at where we are today,” Bowman said. “I love the energy Marc- join the Chicago Blackhawks André brings to the team. You’ll get to know him over the coming months. I think you’ll have a good time talking to him. He’s a fantastic person.”

By PAUL SULLIVAN Bowman also reiterated he would cooperate with the independent investigation into the Hawks’ handling of a 2010 sexual assault allegation CHICAGO TRIBUNE against former video coach Brad Aldrich, and he confirmed The Athletic’s report that CEO Danny Wirtz said in a memo the Hawks would make the AUG 02, 2021 AT 6:29 PM findings public.

“Danny said it pretty clearly there — that this independent review is going With Marc-André Fleury accepting the Chicago Blackhawks’ proposal to to be something (where we) share results with our employees, our play hockey for them instead of retiring or forcing a trade, there’s partners and fans,” he said. “I intend to cooperate fully with the suddenly reason to be optimistic about the 2021-22 season. investigation, and Danny is very clear on the direction the organization is taking.” Fleury, who has three Stanley Cup titles and won the Vezina Trophy this past season as the NHL’s top goaltender, might have needed a little convincing to accept the trade from the Vegas Golden Knights and join Chicago Tribune LOADED: 08.03.2021 the Hawks. And while president of hockey operations Stan Bowman wouldn’t reveal exactly how Fleury came to his decision, Bowman did admit Hawks captain Jonathan Toews could be credited with an assist.

“Once we traded for him, I think in particular Jonathan had some experience with Marc-André from the Olympics in 2010,” Bowman said Monday on a teleconference. “I think it was really just sort of a reach-out to say, ‘Hey, we’d love to have you here.’ ”

The arrival of Fleury, along with the trade for defenseman Seth Jones and the signing of free-agent defenseman Jake McCabe, has put Bowman’s rebuilding plan in mothballs and signaled a new urgency to win on the West Side.

It took Fleury a few days after the trade to accept it, but Bowman had no problem being patient, knowing the value Fleury adds to his team. Bowman called Fleury the “most beloved teammate on every team he’s played on” in Pittsburgh and Las Vegas.

“I understood what he was going through,” Bowman said of the shock value of being dealt after Fleury’s best season. “It would be difficult for any of us to jump right into this new world. You need a little time to let it breathe.

“I put myself in his shoes and totally understood it. ... We were comfortable that when he was given the right time, he would be excited to join our group.”

Fleury is expected to meet with the media Wednesday.

Despite adding more experienced players, Bowman insisted the rebuilding plan has not changed but simply has entered a new phase.

“This is an extension of our plan from before,” he said. “We’re not really changing course. What we’re trying to do is surround these young players who are here, give them a good foundation and have a strong team.”

Much of the speculation about the roster changes this summer has centered on the need to pacify Toews, who is expected to return after missing the 2021 season with chronic immune response syndrome, and Patrick Kane.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-André Fleury blocks a shot by Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews on Dec. 6, 2018, in Las Vegas.

Both Hawks superstars have two years remaining on their contracts, and wasting those years while waiting on the incremental growth of many young players would be shortsighted. But Bowman said “all players” want to win and the flurry of moves was “not a reaction” to his two stars’ desire to compete for another Stanley Cup.

The Hawks missed the playoffs three of the last four seasons and qualified in 2020 only because of a restructured postseason format after the COVID-19-related shutdown.

With emerging stars Alex DeBrincat, Kirby Dach and Dominik Kubalik mixed in with experienced defensemen Jones and McCabe and Cup- winning veterans Fleury and center Tyler Johnson, Toews and Kane at least should be happy about their chances in the upcoming season. 1219020 Chicago Blackhawks “We’re going to have strong goaltending each night, and our defense is going to be much-improved,” he said. “When you add that up, it bodes well for our team.”

Stan Bowman envisions reconstructed Blackhawks ‘pushing for playoffs’

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 08.03.2021 By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Aug 2, 2021, 6:21pm CDT

General manager Stan Bowman’s quadruple espresso somehow wore off just in time.

After a frenzied offseason of transforming the Blackhawks’ roster, he appeared just as calm and stoic as usual Monday, discussing the many trades and signings as the action begins to subside.

“What we’re hoping for is a competitive team that’s pushing for the playoffs,” Bowman said. “That’s why we all do this. Certainly, some years it’s more likely than others . . . [and] this year, we’re looking to take a step forward. There’s a lot of reason for excitement and optimism.”

Less than a year ago, Bowman spent a busy week waving the white flag on the team’s aimless maneuvering from 2017 to 2019 and committing to a more cohesive, targeted rebuild.

He insists that rebuild is still happening, still building, still the plan. But there’s no denying it drastically changed tone this summer, flipping from the cautious, prospect-oriented method coach Jeremy Colliton led last season to an aggressive, acquisition-oriented, all-hands-on-deck approach.

Bowman admitted this summer’s spending spree — which has brought in Marc-Andre Fleury, Seth Jones, Caleb Jones, Jake McCabe, Tyler Johnson, Jujhar Khaira and counting — wasn’t exactly “mapped out back in October.” But the Hawks’ offloading then was apparently intended to “set up an environment” to make this possible now.

“We’ve been trying to position ourselves to have flexibility to be nimble enough to make strategic additions at the right time,” he said. “But it doesn’t really change the path we’re on. We still want to continue to see our young players grow. If anything, we’re trying to surround those players with stronger players to give our team more confidence that we can grow as a group.”

Indeed, most of those young players are still around — with the notable exception of Pius Suter, for whom Bowman said there “wasn’t really a match” in financial negotiations. But they won’t be the focal points, at least externally, of the expected roster.

In one interesting response, Bowman described Jonathan Toews, Kirby Dach and Johnson as providing a “real solid foundation” of centers to build the forward lines around.

That raised a few follow-up questions. Has Toews’ status changed? It hasn’t, Bowman said, because “things are looking good,” but he and the Hawks “don’t know where it’s going to be” in September.

And why wasn’t Dylan Strome, who ended last season disgruntled about his playing time and has spent much of the summer in trade rumors, listed among that group? Bowman admitted Strome has “played probably his best hockey at center,” but the Hawks have “a lot of centers — some are going to be playing on the wing, and that’s OK.”

Bowman shot down the theory that the Hawks will need to make a trade to clear salary-cap space now that Fleury’s $7 million hit officially sits on the books.

“We won’t have to make any moves,” he said. “We might make a move if we think it makes sense for the future of the team, but we’re in a good situation relative to the salary cap. We have some flexibility there with how we compose our roster for the opening night.”

He implied that Andrew Shaw’s contract will be put on long-term injured reserve, and his comments also lent credence to the idea that Brett Connolly’s contract could be buried in the AHL — a transaction that would free up an additional $1.075 million.

The Hawks still need to (and will) re-sign and fit in restricted free agents Brandon Hagel and Alex Nylander. Another move or two can’t be ruled out, either, even as the Hawks’ offseason switches to decaf. But Bowman clearly feels confident about the current state of the team. 1219021 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks will publicly release findings of sexual-assault investigation

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Aug 2, 2021, 4:52pm CDT

The Blackhawks said Monday they will disclose the findings of an investigation currently being conducted by a Chicago law firm.

The Blackhawks finally committed Monday to publicly releasing the findings of an ongoing sexual-assault investigation.

CEO Danny Wirtz wrote in an internal memo that the results of the investigation — which began June 28 and is being conducted by the Chicago law firm Jenner & Block — will be shared with employees, partners and fans.

“[We] will promptly implement changes to address the findings and any shortcomings of our organization,” Wirtz added. “We are using this process to engage in the self-reflection necessary to better our organization and ensure that our workplace is safe and inclusive. And while we await the results, we will continue a process of self-evaluation and take important steps to better our organization.”

The investigation stems from two lawsuits claiming the Hawks grossly mishandled an alleged May 2010 sexual assault of a player by former video coach Bradley Aldrich.

The lawsuits claim Hawks management -— including then-president John McDonough and current general manager Stan Bowman — was informed of Aldrich’s alleged assault but refused to report the incident to police. They also claim the Hawks later recommended Aldrich for a job at a Michigan high school in which he assaulted a 16-year-old student.

The Hawks have filed pending motions to dismiss both lawsuits.

Several key witnesses, including the anonymous assault victim as well as outspoken 2010 defenseman Brent Sopel, had said they wouldn’t participate in the investigation unless its findings were made public.

Bowman reiterated that he will “cooperate fully,” saying Wirtz was “very clear on the direction the organization is taking.”

Bowman also addressed his role as general manager of the 2022 U.S. Olympic hockey team: “USA Hockey has been in close contact with the Blackhawks on a variety of topics, [but] I’m not really involved in those conversations.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219022 Chicago Blackhawks Make no mistake, the Hawks are so much better now with the additions of Fleury, Jones, Johnson, defenseman Jake McCabe and Toews -- assuming Toews is 100%. But Bowman left no doubt he expects the Bowman thrilled about Fleury, knows younger players must keep young core -- led by Kirby Dach, Dominik Kubalik, Henrik Borgstrom, improving Brandon Hagel, Wyatt Kalynuk, Nicolas Beaudin and Ian Mitchell -- to continue making meaningful strides.

"(These moves don't) really change the path that we were on," Bowman John Dietz said. "We still want to build this as we go forward and show progress this year and continue to see young players grow. If anything, we're trying to Follow @johndietzdh surround those players with some stronger players to give our team a Updated 8/2/2021 8:44 PM little bit more confidence that we can grow as a group.

"So for sure when you bring in experienced players that have won Stanley Cups and have had success individually, I think there's reason A little time. for optimism."

That's all Marc-Andre Fleury asked for during a phone conversation with general manager Stan Bowman after receiving the shocking news he'd been traded to the Blackhawks last week. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 08.03.2021

Bowman was happy to oblige.

He knew Fleury's family had become embedded in the Vegas community over the last four years. Leaving wouldn't be easy -- especially for two of his daughters, ages 8 and 6.

But this is the life of a professional athlete. Uncertainty -- even for a Hall of Fame goalie -- is part of the gig.

Trades happen. Adversity hits.

So what do you do?

In Fleury's case, he took a few days. He flew to Chicago and was contacted by former Team Canada teammate Jonathan Toews, who said something along the lines of: "Hey. We'd love to have you here."

Here he will be, in Chicago backstopping what could be a playoff contender in the Central Division next season.

And Bowman -- whose job is likely on the line after four mediocre seasons and due to a sexual-abuse scandal that gets hotter by the day -- is downright ecstatic.

"A lot of smiles going around," Bowman said Monday, not long after spending time with Fleury at Fifth Third Arena. "Certainly it's a huge addition to our team."

Bowman didn't want to get into what his conversations with Vegas were like. He just said "it was well known they had a lot of money in goaltending and they were trying to make other moves."

Bowman reached out and agreed to take on Fleury's $7 million cap hit. At that point, he basically took the Hawks out of the running for any other goalies when free agency began Wednesday.

It was boom or bust. But Bowman figured Fleury loves the sport, loves to play, loves to compete and -- most of all -- loves to win.

So why not roll the dice?

"He loves the game," Bowman said. "He just came off (his) best season. He won the Vezina Trophy. We were comfortable when he was given the right time that he'd be excited to join our group."

Excited is almost certainly how Toews and Patrick Kane feel after the Hawks added Fleury, defenseman Seth Jones and forward Tyler Johnson over the last two weeks.

All of this just a year after Bowman let Corey Crawford walk and declared a rebuild was under way.

Is it possible Toews and Kane said, "Enough is enough. Win now or we're leaving in two years after our contracts expire."

Totally. But Bowman wouldn't divulge if that was the case.

"I talk to them often and, of course, hockey players want to win," Bowman said. "If you ask any player ... 'What do you think about trying to win this year or three years from now?' I think everybody wants to win (now). That's why they're athletes and that's why they're competitive.

"Of course you know they want to win, but it was not a reaction to those type of conversations." 1219023 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks pledge to release findings of abuse investigation

By STEPHEN WHYNO

Associated Press

Updated 8/2/2021 7:07 PM

The Chicago Blackhawks pledged to release the findings of an independent investigation into allegations that a then-assistant coach sexually assaulted two players in 2010.

President and general manager Stan Bowman said on a video call with reporters, 'œI think Danny was very clear on the direction the organization's taking.'•

'œDanny said it pretty clearly there that this independent review is going to be something that we'll share results with our employees, our partners, our fans and whatnot,'• Bowman said. "I intend to cooperate fully with the investigation like I said last time we met.'•

According to TSN, Bowman and other team executives were in a meeting about the allegations against Brad Aldrich in 2010 but nothing was reported at the time to the NHL or the police. He and coach Joel Quenneville, who was reportedly not at that meeting, have each said they will cooperate.

The investigation came after the filing of two lawsuits against the team. The first alleges sexual assault by Aldrich during the team's run to the 2010 Stanley Cup title, and the second was filed by a former student whom Aldrich was convicted of assaulting in Michigan.

The eight-page lawsuit says Aldrich, then a video coach for the Blackhawks, 'œturned on porn and began to masturbate in front of'• the player without his consent. It says Aldrich also threatened to 'œphysically, financially and emotionally' hurt the player if he 'œdid not engage in sexual activity'• with him.

According to TSN, two Blackhawks players told then-skills coach Paul Vincent in May 2010 of inappropriate behavior by Aldrich. Vincent said he asked mental skills coach James Gary to follow up with the players and management.

Vincent was called into a meeting with Bowman, then-team President John McDonough, hockey executive Al MacIsaac and Gary the next day, TSN reported, and said he asked the team to report the allegations to Chicago police, and the request was denied.

In addition to running Chicago's hockey operations department, Bowman is USA Hockey's men's GM for for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, which could include NHL players. Asked Monday about the possibility of going on leave from that post unless or until he's cleared of any involvement in not reporting the sexual abuse 11 years ago, Bowman said it wasn't a matter he could comment on.

When asked last week about Bowman recusing himself from the job of picking the 2022 U.S. men's Olympic roster, USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher referred to the ongoing investigation by the Blackhawks.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219024 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks to make findings of independent investigation public

John Dietz

Follow @johndietzdh

Updated 8/2/2021 2:27 PM

The Blackhawks have pledged to make public the findings of law firm Jenner & Block, which is conducting an investigation into sexual abuse charges filed by a former Hawks player against former video coach Bradley Aldrich.

The suit is seeking more than $150,000 in damages.

In a memo released to team employees Monday, CEO Danny Wirtz pledged to let the public know what Jenner & Block find out while conducting interviews with past players, GM Stan Bowman, former coach Joel Quenneville and others.

"Upon conclusion of the Jenner investigation, we will share results with you, our partners and our fans and will promptly implement changes to address the findings and any shortcomings of our organization," Wirtz wrote to employees. "I can assure you that we are using this process to engage in the self-reflection necessary to better our organization and ensure that our workplace is safe and inclusive. And while we await the results, we will continue a process of self-evaluation and take important steps to better our organization.

"Thank you for your trust in us to handle this appropriately, and as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me."

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219025 Chicago Blackhawks "It’s a huge addition to our team," Bowman said. "We’re thrilled with what he brings to the table. It’s not too often that you get a chance to add the Vezina Trophy-winning goalie to our team in the offseason, but that’s the Bowman explains process of acquiring Marc-Andre Fleury situation we were in. I couldn’t be more excited to have him here with us in Chicago. In talking to him, he was really excited for the year to come."

BY CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.03.2021

When the Blackhawks were on the verge of acquiring Marc-Andre Fleury, reports quickly surfaced that the reigning Vezina Trophy winner might consider retiring after making it known he didn't want to uproot his family and leave Vegas. It became home for him and he expected to finish his NHL career with the Golden Knights.

Fleury's agent Allan Walsh confirmed those reports as the trade was going down when he tweeted: "Marc-Andre will be taking time to discuss his situation with his family and seriously evaluate his hockey future at this time."

Later on in the day, Fleury released a statement thanking the fans in Vegas and his teammates for a memorable last four years. There was no mention of his potential next chapter in Chicago.

The Blackhawks, however, were optimistic that Fleury would eventually come around and want to play for the team. And he did, announcing on Sunday in a video message to fans: "Hey Chicago, it's Marc. Just wanted to let you know: I'm in. Let's get to work."

Blackhawks President/GM Stan Bowman spoke to the media on Monday for the first time since the trade and addressed the whole situation.

"I can identify with that: He has young children, I have kids as well, and it’s a tough life to be a player," Bowman said. "It’s probably obvious it was a surprise to him when the trade went down. From my first conversation with him, it was very consistent. He said, 'Look, thanks so much for the call.' He just talked about how, 'I just need a little bit of time to get through these things. So if you can have a little patience, that'd be great.' And I said, 'Not a problem at all.'

"I put myself in his shoes. It’s hard when you have young children like that. I got a call the other day from him. [He was] really excited about coming here to visit Chicago, looking at where he could live. He’s been here a number of times, obviously, but it’s different coming in as a player on a road trip versus where you’re going to actually be spending your time. Once we had that conversation, we were willing to give him the time to process through everything."

Bowman said he never felt nervous about whether or not Fleury would actually report to Chicago. He wanted to give the 36-year-old goaltender who has a wife and three kids as much time and space as he needed before making a final decision.

"I just looked at it more from a human being perspective," Bowman said. "I really understood what he was going through. I mean, you’re not expecting to be traded, and all of a sudden you get a phone call that says your life is changing and your family's life is changing. It’d be difficult for any of us to just jump right into this new world. You need a little time to let it breathe. So I put myself in his shoes and I totally understood it.

"From everything I knew about Marc-Andre, he loves to play the game of hockey. Just loves it. He loves to be on the ice. He loves to stay late after practice ends and continue to do extra work with the guys. Not everyone is the same way. Some players, as they get older, they want maybe less on-ice work and they want to conserve energy. But that’s not the feedback we got. He loves the game. He just came off the best season; he won the Vezina Trophy. We were comfortable when he was given the right time that he’d be excited to join our group."

Fleury has been in Chicago the last few days trying to get acclimated to his new team and city. He and Bowman spent an hour together on Monday at Fifth Third Arena, where Fleury put on a Blackhawks jersey for the first time and also met some of his teammates.

"It was great to spend some time speaking with him, showing him around, talking about our team," Bowman said. "A couple of our players were there and he got a chance to say hello to them. There were a lot of smiles going around."

Fleury's presence alone makes the Blackhawks an intriguing team to watch in the Central Division this upcoming season. 1219026 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks to release findings of 2010 investigation

BY CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS

The Blackhawks revealed Monday that they will publicly release the findings of the sexual assault investigation regarding the allegations against former video coach Brad Aldrich from the 2010 Stanley Cup run.

The Chicago firm Jenner & Block, led by former federal prosecutor Reid Schar, is conducting the independent review. The team launched the investigation in June and the process is underway.

"Upon conclusion of the Jenner investigation, we will share results with you, our partners and our fans and will promptly implement changes to address the findings and any shortcomings of our organization," CEO Danny Wirtz wrote in an internal memo. "I can assure you that we are using this process to engage in the self-reflection necessary to better our organization and ensure that our workplace is safe and inclusive. And while we await the results, we will continue a process of self-evaluation and take important steps to better our organization."

Blackhawks President/GM Stan Bowman said in July that he plans to "participate in [the investigation] and I'm going to give it my full cooperation." He was asked about the situation on Monday after news came out that the findings would be made public.

"Danny said it pretty clearly there: This independent review is going to be something to share results with employees, partners, fans and whatnot," Bowman said. "I intend to cooperate fully with the investigation like I said last time, and Danny was very clear on the direction the organization is taking."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219027 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche adds defenseman Ryan Murray in free agency

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

PUBLISHED: August 2, 2021 at 6:39 p.m. | UPDATED: August 2, 2021 at 7:46 p.m.

The Avalanche on Monday agreed to a one-year contract with Ryan Murray, the first defenseman selected in the 2012 NHL draft (second overall). Murray, 27, will make $2 million, per a league source.

Murray, 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, played last season with the New Jersey Devils, after playing his first seven with the . He was traded from Columbus to New Jersey for a fifth-round draft choice on Oct. 8, 2020. Murray had 14 points in 48 games for the Devils.

“Ryan is an effective two-way defenseman who can provide minutes and added puck movement to our back line,” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said in a statement. “We like the experience he brings to our locker room, and we’re excited to see him fit in with our group.”

The Avs’ signed defensemen include Cale Makar ($9 million cap hit), Erik Johnson ($6.3 million), Sam Girard ($5 million), ($4.1 million), Bo Byram ($894,167), Kurtis MacDermid ($875,000) and Jacob MacDonald ($725,000). Sakic said the recently acquired MacDermid will also play forward.

The addition of Murray further puts Colorado up against the $81.5 million salary cap. Based on a 22-player roster (maximum is 23 players), the Avs only have approximately $2 million to spare.

Denver Post: LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219028 Colorado Avalanche “He definitely got a bit more of the humorous side and the charismatic side in our family, that’s for sure,” said Cale, who compares his brother’s game to Montreal’s Josh Anderson, Dallas’ Roope Hintz and ’s A draft pick and an extension: Inside a momentous day for Taylor and Matthew Tkachuk. “A little bit more chirpy.” Cale Makar There are plenty of similarities, too. Both are creative playmakers, according to Taylor, and Cale said he and his brother are strong skaters with good hockey sense. By Peter Baugh Obviously, Taylor isn’t the same can’t-miss talent as Cale, who went No. Aug 2, 2021 4 in the 2017 draft and won the Calder Trophy in 2020. But he’s got potential and, if he develops well, both his family and the Avalanche

believe he can be a quality player. As the final round of the NHL Draft wound down on July 24, Cale Makar In the past few years, Taylor has sprouted up to 6-foot-3 — around three lowered himself into the Calgary Winter Club hot tub, joining a few inches taller than Cale — and at only 190 pounds, he should be able to cousins and friends. He brought his iPhone with him into the warm water add weight to his frame. Colorado general manager Joe Sakic told — just in case. reporters after the draft that the younger Makar has “a lot of time to The Avalanche’s star defenseman had been refreshing the draft tracker develop” at UMass, where Cale also went to school. every few minutes throughout the day, hoping to see a team select his “It took him a little bit of time to grow into his body,” Cale said. “Now he younger brother Taylor. But it was a text from Avalanche player relations can work out in college and fully get the grasp of it. I think he can be a staffer Brendan McNicholas, not the internet, that broke the news to him. pretty good sleeper pick.” “We got another Makar,” the message read. “There’s still so much work to put in,” adds Taylor. Moments later, the NHL announced the pick. Colorado had selected Though determined to establish himself as his own hockey player, Taylor Taylor, a 20-year-old freshman at UMass, late in the seventh and final has followed his brother’s footsteps almost to a T throughout their hockey round, with pick No. 220. careers. Both played AAA hockey for the U15 and U18 “It was just a weird moment for me,” Cale said. “You think maybe it could teams, then junior for the Brooks Bandits. Like Cale, Taylor is set to happen but when it actually does, it’s just like ‘wow, I don’t really know attend UMass, and the Avalanche have his draft rights. what to say.’” But because of their two year age gap, the brothers have never been So he texted his dad, who was watching draft picks come in on TV at the teammates. Now, thanks to a late-round pick and a long-term extension, family’s Calgary home, and then called his brother. Taylor, despite being the coming years could see that change. the family member most impacted by the draft, was the one giving it the least attention. He’s in Amherst, Mass., two time zones and a national border separated from his family, doing UMass summer hockey training The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 and coursework. He and a few hockey teammates were walking into a campus dining hall, ready to order some stir fry, when a UMass staffer texted Taylor with the news.

He turned to his friends. “Boys,” he told them, “I just got drafted.”

“The guys got really excited, started patting me on the back, (going) crazy,” he said.

When Cale called Taylor, he could hear his brother’s teammates celebrating in the background. And he could feel Taylor’s excitement.

“I could tell in his voice he was just super happy,” Cale said. “Ecstatic.”

“Just buzzing,” added their dad, Gary, who also got in touch with Taylor shortly after the pick. “Like a bumblebee.”

The draft capped off a wild, emotional few hours for the Makar family. That morning, the 22-year-old Cale signed a six-year, $54 million contract extension with the Avalanche. He’s coming off a season where he averaged a point per game and finished second in Norris Trophy voting, and now he will be in Colorado at least for a good portion of his prime.

“It was already a really special day for my brother — and myself, to be honest, because I’m super proud of Cale,” Taylor said. “But for me to get drafted, I think (the family was) just super excited. To be drafted to the same place (as Cale), I don’t think they could ask for more than that.”

Leading up to the draft, multiple NHL teams got in touch with Taylor, including the Flames, Canadiens and Predators. The Avalanche did not reach out, but they already knew the Makar family through Cale, and head scout Wade Klippenstein had seen Taylor play junior hockey for the AJHL Brooks Bandits. With only five picks remaining in the draft, there was no downside on taking a developing power forward with good hockey DNA.

Along with their positional differences, Cale and Taylor have contrasting demeanors on the ice. Cale is reserved and, though he’s capable of laying big hits, doesn’t seek them out. Taylor, on the other hand, describes himself as the grittier brother.

“Taylor is a mean mugger,” his dad said. “He goes to the hard spots. He loves getting pucks. He’s the first guy that’s going to hammer you, the first guy who is going to step up for a teammate.” 1219029 Colorado Avalanche

Ryan Murray signs one-year deal with the Avalanche

By Aarif Deen

August 2, 2021

The Avalanche announced Monday the signing of defenseman Ryan Murray to a one-year deal for the 2021-22 season. Murray, 27, is set to earn $2 million according to Mike Chambers of The Denver Post.

Murray recorded 14 assists in 48 games with the New Jersey Devils in 2021, logging 18:46 per game. He also played a prominent role on the penalty kill — something that will likely happen with the Avalanche as well.

Listen to “Darcy Kuemper Is the Man” on Spreaker.

Drafted No. 2 overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012, Murray spent seven of his eight seasons with Columbus before being traded to New Jersey last year.

“Ryan is an effective two-way defenseman who can provide minutes and added puck movement to our back line,” Avs general manager Joe Sakic said in a statement. “We like the experience he brings to our locker room, and we’re excited to see him fit in with our group.”

Murray has 15 goals and 124 points in 395 games. He also has three points in 20 playoff games.

The 6-foot-1, 206-pound defenseman set career highs in 2018-19 in points (29), assists (28) and was a plus-20. He appeared in all 82 games that season.

milehighsports.com LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219030 Colorado Avalanche Perhaps a deal like the one Nick Ritchie signed with (two years, $2.5 million AAV) would be ideal.

This would only be possible if Tatar isn’t offered a more lucrative deal Deen: Analyzing the Avalanche’s salary cap and the moves they could elsewhere. Or if he decides to sacrifice a couple of dollars to join a still make Stanley Cup contending team.

Tyler Bozak: Signing Bozak would mean the Avs are content with By Aarif Deen Newhook playing in the top six. Bozak could slot into a center position on the fourth line or the wing on either the third or fourth lines if that were the August 2, 2021 case.

Bozak was a DU Pioneer and spends time in Colorado during the offseason. Signing with the Avs would certainly be welcomed by his UPDATE FROM THE EDITOR: The Avalanche announced the signing of family. The Avs could likely get the 2019 Stanley Cup champion for a defenseman Ryan Murray two hours after this story was published. bargain deal. Like, say, one year at $1.75 million for a player that had 17 Murray signed a one-year deal worth $2 million to round out the points in 31 games in 2021. Avalanche’s defense. With Murray, the Avs have roughly $3 million in cap space with a hole to fill on the second line left-wing position. Please Listen to “Darcy Kuemper Is the Man” on Spreaker. take this into account when reading the below story. Ryan Donato: Certainly not the best choice, but he’s young and has Things around the NHL have started to calm down. But there are still potential. Donato did not receive a qualifying offer from the San Jose several issues that need to be rectified. Sharks and at this point is just looking for an opportunity. The Avs could likely get him for at or close to league minimum to use in a pinch-hitting Superstars like Jack Eichel and Vladimir Tarasenko have yet to be role. traded, arbitration hearings have yet to be heard and here in Denver, the Avalanche still have some cap space wiggle room to add another piece Again, this would mean Newhook or even Compher are playing regularly or two to a roster primed for another run at hockey’s holy grail. in the top six.

Listen to “Darcy Kuemper Is the Man” on Spreaker. Alex Galchenyuk: Galchenyuk has more upside than Bozak or Donato. But he’s also inconsistent. His NHL career was headed towards a But what options does general manager Joe Sakic have with the allotted screeching halt before his stint with the late last cap space remaining? The Avs are on the hook for $1.74 million in bonus season. overages from the 2020-21 season. So their cap ceiling is already less than the $81.5 million league limit. Galchenyuk is another piece Sakic could add to shore up his depth and play in the top six when needed. With this projected roster, the Avs clearly have some holes to fill. The second-line left-wing is the most prominent, but the third-pair right Marcus Johansson: Johansson had a rocky season with the Minnesota defense spot is also up for grabs. Wild after getting traded a season ago. He was once a consistent 40-50 point scorer and is a year removed from recording 30 points in 60 games Since the American Hockey League affiliate was moved to Loveland, the with the lowly Buffalo Sabres. Avs have not shied away from carrying less than 23 players. And I suspect that will be the case all season. I have Colorado holding 22 Johansson has expressed interest in playing hockey in Russia but said players in my projection, but I could see them carrying just 21 or even 20 he’d sign another NHL deal if the team and fit were right. The Avs could during homestands to accrue daily salary cap space. offer him an opportunity to start in the top six or play a depth role if he doesn’t cut it on the second line. So if you’re wondering why Jacob MacDonald is not on here, that’s why. MacDermid is the easy choice for a seventh defenseman role. The type Trade market options: Rickard Rakell, Phil Kessel, of game he plays won’t be affected by him sitting in the press box most nights. If he’s not the sixth defenseman, MacDonald will instead be the Defensemen first callup when injuries arise. Ryan Murray: Even though he’s listed as a left defenseman, Murray is Keyword: When. perhaps the best option on the market. He’s been mired by injuries in the past but is coming off a decent season in New Jersey where he recorded There’s also Dennis Gilbert, who has filed for arbitration. He, like 14 assists in 48 games while logging 18:36 per game. MacDonald, is a good depth piece to use in a pinch. Murray also played a prominent role on the Devils’ penalty kill and would This projected roster above carries a salary cap of $74,761,667. When likely get big minutes shorthanded with the Avalanche. If he was willing to you add the overages, it comes out to just over $76.5 million. That means sign a one-year deal at or around $1.25 million, the Avs could use him to Sakic has roughly $5 million to play with. Or, he could choose to begin fill in that last spot in the top six. the season with 21 roster players, send down one of Maltsev or MacDermid, and have closer to $6 million instead. Trade market options: Marcus Pettersson (with salary retained)

There’s also the potential of trading Compher — a scenario that seems to Simply put, adding Tatar, Bozak and Murray would be ideal with be on everyone’s mind. Carrying a $3.5 million bottom-six forward when Compher on the team. But if the Avs manage to trade him, it opens up you’re tight against the cap is not ideal. Sakic could look into trading him. the potential for far greater options. And if he finds any takers, a more cost-effective replacement like Maltsev Sakic is patient with everything he does. So only time will tell. could slot into the fourth line center role, freeing up another $3.5 million to acquire a noteworthy top-six forward.

In all likelihood, the Avs would be better suited to clear Compher. But for milehighsports.com LOADED: 08.03.2021 this scenario, we’re going to assume that Compher will remain. What can Sakic do with $5 million on the unrestricted free agent market?

Here are the options:

Forwards

Tomas Tatar: The obvious choice remaining on the market, Tatar is the ideal candidate to slot onto the Avalanche’s second line. Despite being scratched in the playoffs, Tatar ranks 22nd in the NHL over the past four years in even-strength scoring. So there’s still value in what he brings offensively.

Tatar is coming off a contract that was paying him $5.3 million per year. If he chooses to sign in Colorado, he’d have to take a massive pay cut. 1219031 Dallas Stars

Stars sign defenseman Jerad Rosburg to a two-year, two-way contract

By SportsDay Staff

12:14 PM on Aug 2, 2021 CDT

The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Jerad Rosburg to a two-year, two-way contract, the organization announced Monday.

Rosburg, 25, recorded seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 36 regular season games with the Texas Stars last season, his first full season of professional hockey. Among team defensemen, his six assists were tied for third and his seven points were good for fourth, while he ranked third with 43 shots on goal.

Rosburg, the 6-1, 205-pound native of Clarksville, Md. was originally undrafted and signed with Dallas as a free agent on March 9, 2020. He racked up 55 points (12 goals, 43 assists) in 141 career NCAA games in four seasons with Michigan State.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219032 Dallas Stars Eventually, though, he forced Letowski and his staff’s hand with his play. In the second two-thirds of his rookie season, Johnston took on a more prominent role and never played under 10 minutes again. And the results How Wyatt Johnston became a Stars first-round pick without a draft year followed as he racked up 28 points in Windsor’s final 36 games to somehow finish eighth among all under-17 OHL players in scoring.

“As a 16-year-old coming in, the expectations from a coaching standpoint By Scott Wheeler Aug 2, 2021 are often not very high,” said Windsor associate coach Jerrod Smith. “But once he did get an opportunity Trevor and I often looked at each other

and were like ‘jeez, what were we thinking not giving this guy more of an CALGARY — Nobody in the 2021 NHL Draft class had a draft year opportunity right away?'” anything quite like Wyatt Johnston’s. When the OHL suddenly shut down, though, neither Johnston nor his When the Dallas Stars moved back eight spots from 15th to 23rd on draft agent, Andy Scott of Octagon Hockey, expected that those would be the night, and general manager Jim Nill announced that they were “proud to last games he played until the following April. select from Windsor of the ,” Wyatt’s father, He was able to get into the gym and onto the ice with S.P.E.E.D. Hockey Chuck, was already halfway out of his seat, his fist raised to the sky from Development, where he trains in Etobicoke, just west of Toronto, early on a crouched position and ready to jump before Johnston’s name was even in the summer but tight restrictions in the city put an end to that by said aloud. November. He was forced into his makeshift gym at home, rollerblading The excitement was the same thrill for the Johnston family that it is for to keep himself active and eventually skating by himself in his backyard every hockey family when those words are spoken for their kid. But it rink or the outdoor rink nearby when it was cold enough. meant something more to Wyatt and his family, because his name was “Being in Toronto, I think the restrictions were among the worst for the the first called in the draft for a player who didn’t play a single game in a most time in Canada,” Johnston said. league during the COVID-stricken 2020-21 season. Still, though, he held out hope that the OHL would get going. From the OHL’s original pause on March 12, 2020, to Johnston’s draft day on July 23, 2021, he had played just eight games (all for Team “It didn’t seem like the OHL wasn’t going to go and there was a lot of Canada at the under-18 worlds in Frisco, Texas, at the same Stars positive news at different points in talks with my agent, my GM, my practice facility Nill made his announcement from) over 503 days coach, and everyone else around me waiting for the OHL,” Johnston spanning those 16 and a half months. said. “It was definitely pretty frustrating.”

A few days later, the whirlwind of that moment carried him to Hockey When timelines eventually began to push back, Scott started to look into Canada’s under-20 summer showcase event at the Seven Chiefs Plan Bs and Plan Cs for his client in Europe into Christmas. But by then, Sportsplex in the Tsuut’ina Nation at the edge of Calgary. continued hints that the OHL might return combined with worsening COVID-19 rates and stops-and-starts in many European leagues pushed And on the third day of camp, on a phone call from Calgary’s Sheraton Scott and Johnston off the idea. hotel shortly before his first Red-White game of the weeklong event, he still couldn’t quite wrap his head around the two-year journey that had led “We looked at the risk-reward of it all and is it really worth travelling to to the opportunity that now lies in front of him. Europe for a couple weeks of games when you could just continue your training back here in Ontario and hope for the best with the OHL? “It’s exciting just to have a chance to play another game,” he said, Ultimately we put our faith in the league and they didn’t get the season laughing to himself. “It has been a crazy ride.” underway, unfortunately. That was just the reality,” Scott said. Athletics have always run in the Johnston family DNA. From November on, Johnston didn’t get back onto the ice in a formal His father, Chuck, and mother, Margot, run every day and have both training session in Oakville, Ont., a little further west, until February, completed marathons and triathlons. Chuck is also an avid cross-country when restrictions were looser there than they were in Toronto. And he skier from a family of hockey players. Wyatt’s sister, Quinn, was a never got back in the gym, requiring he train alone right up until his competitive soccer player, hockey player and pole vaulter growing up under-18 worlds invite in April. and is today the captain of the Queen’s University women’s hockey team. That time off didn’t go to waste, though. When Johnston was a kid, he and Quinn hated riding the bus to school, After Johnston went through a growth spurt in his OHL draft year, so they would pull their knapsacks over their shoulders and run from their Spencer Wight, who oversees his training with S.P.E.E.D. Hockey Toronto home to class, often making themselves late in the process. Development, sent him home programs he could do five or six days a Whenever the Johnston family took a vacation, Wyatt joked that it wasn’t week to get stronger. to sit on a beach but to run, hike and climb wherever they were. Johnston also ran on the cross-country at school and was a member of a local “When he came back from his first OHL year in the summer of 2020, he running club. came back with a bit of new frame and his shoulders were a little bit wider. But he was still pretty skinny and underdeveloped in terms of his “We’re a family that doesn’t like to sit around,” Johnston said. muscle mass. So the year off became an interesting opportunity for him Eventually, though, as hockey became more of a focus — and a time because usually you train for three months and then he’d go back to commitment — into high school, everything else took a backseat for Windsor and he’s living with billets and it’s kind of hard to keep up an Johnston. intense training regime. Now he got to put some extra time in in the gym. And he took full advantage,” Wight said. By 15, he’d become a star of the Toronto Marlboros AAA program, registering a team-leading 48 goals and 94 points in 73 games in his At the under-18 worlds, he was then asked by the team’s brass to play OHL draft year, good for fifth and seventh in the GTHL in goals and more of a defensive game than he was used to, tasked with centring the points, respectively. After adding 13 points in five games at the year-end team’s checking line and taking tough faceoffs, ratcheting up the OHL Cup, the Spitfires selected him sixth in the 2019 OHL Priority pressure to perform in his lone showcase before the draft. Selection. When he did, helping Canada to gold with four points in seven games in Early on in his rookie season in the OHL as a 16-year-old, though, a first- what became an important role, some of the anxiety that had come with round selection in the NHL Draft felt a long way off. On a deep, his long season was relieved when scouts were impressed by his competitive Windsor team that would finish the COVID-shortened season versatility and he was able to feel comfortable with where he was at. 34-20-8, Johnston found himself playing under 10 minutes a night during He described himself in confident terms, believing in where’s he’s at both the Spitfires’ hot start, registering just two points in his first 17 games in physically and talent-wise. the OHL. “I’m a two-way player who is really versatile. I think I can play anywhere. I “I just couldn’t find him ice time because of the makeup of our team. It can play, wing, up and down the lineup. I’m not more of a passer or more was nothing against him,” said Trevor Letowski, who was Windsor’s head of a shooter, I just like to read the situation and decide based off of what I coach until he was recently hired as an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens. read. I like to use my hockey sense and my hockey IQ to play the game,” Bowler credits Johnston as a “zero maintenance high-performer whose he said. consistency and character shows every day.”

His tournament also relieved some of the worries staff in Windsor had “He’s a leader,” Bowler said. “He has traits that only certain individuals about where he would be at. have.”

“We were worried for a while because he literally couldn’t find a rink. I By the time draft day arrived, all of Letowski, Smith, Wight, Scott and know he went through lots of frustrations. (And) we were concerned and Bowler expected Johnston to go in the first round. bothered by the fact that we couldn’t play. I feel he’s a player that would have benefitted from playing. So that bugged me. I was worried about “I’m not surprised that a team stepped up to take him earlier than where Johnny going to U18s because he hasn’t played for so long and you he might have been projected on most of the rankings that came out. I almost worry he’ll fall flat. But he held his own and it helped him,” thought he was a first-round pick. To me, they made a great pick. He’s Letowski said. “There was a ton of momentum for him after the just a good hockey player. His puck skills, his hand-eye, all of it,” Smith tournament I felt and there was a few teams that were really, really trying said. “His skating was a bit of a knock on him as a 16-year-old but he’s to dig in more.” one of those guys who is just so smart and he gets himself into the right spots and his skating has got better and will continue to. He gets into That momentum also gave him the motivation he needed to grind those situations and places on the ice because of his brain and through the final stretch before the draft. In the 10 weeks that followed, sometimes that’s more important than your feet. He’s a special player.” Johnston spent the first six continuing his training at home before he could finally get into the gym with Wight for the first time in 2021. Johnston, through tips from Scott, had a good feeling about the Stars, too. When they traded back, he knew it might be for him, guessing that When he arrived back, he’d added 13 pounds of muscle in the month and he was more likely to go in the 20s than the teens. a half after the world championships, wowing Wight with his progress (after leaving Windsor at 6-feet and 164 pounds, he’s now 6-foot-1 and “Andy told me that they were really high on me. So I had a suspicion,” 179 pounds). Johnston said.

“He was very, very focused on improving and trying to accomplish his A little more than a week later, he’s at peace with his winding road to goals. He was able to do really well considering he was training at home Calgary, believing his lost season was as much a blessing as it was a because it’s not as easy when you don’t have the environment to go see curse. somebody. To have his own discipline at home, I thought that was “I was pretty undersized, especially strength and weight wise in my 16- impressive,” said Wight, who has trained Johnston since the seventh year-old year. So having all of the time off was particularly big for me grade. because I was able to get bigger and stronger, which I think will really “His mindset is very much elite, whether it’s being on time every single benefit me in the future,” Johnston said. “Who knows if the time off will day or the first kid in line for every single drill or knowing that he has really affect me. With the amount of work that I’ve done over the past weaknesses in his game and really not shying away from them. It has year and a half months without any games, I think I was able to really been a really cool experience to watch him.” improve maybe better than I would have with games.”

Wight wasn’t the only person who was impressed by the way he handled Bowler says that Johnston will play in “every situation and often” with the a challenging year, either. Spitfires in the fall.

“I’ve got to hand it to him. It’s hard to remain motivated for that period of “He does everything really, really well and I think he’ll become an elite time. He was making gains in a lot of areas of his game without having to player in our league. That’s the beauty of him,” Bowler said. “Wyatt’s play games,” Scott said. “And that obviously showed at U18s. We knew development and his trajectory is still unknown but what is known is that that he had prepared properly for that tournament. And we knew from his his ceiling is real high. It’s no surprise he’s a first-rounder. He’s a highly underage year that he was trending way up. He was getting exponentially competitive young man with a great hockey IQ.” better down the stretch.” After Team Canada’s first Red-White game of the week, he’d officially After spending much of the winter doing video calls with his players until begun his next pursuit: a spot at the world juniors. he felt like they were becoming redundant, Letowski eventually bumped And when the OHL returns, Canada’s head coach Dave Cameron, who into Johnston shortly before the draft and saw a big difference in his was recently hired as the bench boss of the Ottawa 67’s, will be able to player. track him closely.

“He looks different. Normally we get to see that development right in front “He didn’t look out of place,” Cameron said of Johnston after the first of us because we’re never away from them for more than a couple of Red-White game. “It’s tough for those guys that haven’t played. That’s months but when you don’t see him for that long, especially as a 16-year- why the next three months of this evaluation when they get back in the old, he had a big transition. He grew up a lot. He just looks more mature,” league and get going will be important.” Letowski said. And though Letowski won’t be there to oversee his next chapter, he said After watching him at the under-18s and getting on the ice with him a he expects Johnston to take over the OHL next year — and play in the couple of times when restrictions allowed, Smith was struck in particular NHL beyond that. by how good Johnston’s shot looked when he finally got back into a game setting. “He’s going to be a front line, star player in the league. I think he would have already been that last year. He has a little bit of a quiet kind of swag “It looked like a pro-level shot and release that he has quickly developed and confidence to him where you can see he’s not afraid to be creative or and added to his game,” Smith said. make plays,” Letowski said. “You talk about a player that’s versatile, Smith described Johnston as a quiet kid who has slowly come out of his usually you’re not too sure how that will translate as an NHL player but shell off the ice and can do everything a coach asks of him on it. with (Johnston) there’s so much to like about him and there are so many things that he can do that he’s going to be an NHL player and I think the “He makes his teammates better around him, that’s for sure. He just goes ceiling is high. I could see him almost anywhere in an NHL lineup. He’s a about his business and loves the game, loves being at the rink, and is pretty special kid.” dedicated to his craft,” Smith said. “He’s a player as a coach who you trust. You feel good putting him on the ice no matter what the situation is. He’s responsible defensively but he’s very skilled and he gets himself The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 into the right areas to contribute.”

Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler, who saw Johnston numerous times throughout the offseason, felt like he’d transformed in their first run- in.

“He looks like he has become a young man. It looks good on him,” Bowler said. 1219033 Detroit Red Wings Werenski, the eighth overall pick in 2015, has one year left on his current deal with a cap hit of $5 million. The 24-year-old has been one of the top offensive defenseman in the game since entering the NHL in 2016. He Ex-Michigan hockey players cash in during NHL free agency has 65 goals and 189 points in 335 career games.

Werenski isn’t the only Michigan defenseman likely to sign a monster deal this offseason. Quinn Hughes is a restricted free agent with the Updated Aug 02, 2021; Posted Aug 02, 2021 Vancouver Canucks and is in line for a big payday.

By Ryan Zuke | [email protected] The seventh overall pick in 2018 finished second in the rookie of the year voting in 2019-20 after registering 53 points in 68 games and followed

with a 41-point season in 56 games last year. NHL teams have splurged in free agency this offseason, and several former University of Michigan players have cashed in. Michigan Live LOADED: 08.03.2021 After the free agent mark opened Wednesday, NHL clubs signed 163 players to contracts worth $785 million, according to Capfriendly.com. On the second day, they spent another $133 million.

Zach Hyman, a 29-year-old forward who spent the first six years of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, signed the biggest free agent deal among ex-Wolverines, inking a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

Hyman, a 2010 fifth-round pick, scored just 13 goals in 114 games over his first three seasons in Ann Arbor before a breakout season as a senior in 2014-15, when he tallied 22 goals and 32 assists in 37 games.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound winger’s offensive numbers also have improved since entering the NHL. He has scored at a 30-goal pace in the past two shortened NHL seasons, totaling 36 goals and 70 points in 94 games. The Toronto native has 86 goals and 99 assists in 345 career games.

“Going to Michigan, it changed my career,” Hyman told media after signing. “When you’re a kid, all you care about is scoring points and trying to get to the next level. A lot of times, how you get noticed is through your statistics. There aren’t many scouts who are watching you at lower levels. I always thought in order to make the NHL, you have to have great statistics. When I went to Michigan, that was kind of what my focus was on. I played on the fourth line my first two years and I really learned how to play on the defensive side of the puck, how to penalty kill. I remember (former Michigan coach) Red Berenson calling me in his office and telling me, ‘You aren’t going to make the NHL scoring goals and putting up points. You are going to make it to the NHL with this kind of foundation that I am going to help you build.”

"Going to Michigan changed my career, changed my life."

Hyman could have the opportunity to play with star centers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

“He’s a guy that can play up and down the lineup; play right wing and left wing,” Oilers general manager Ken Holland said. “He had 33 points in 43 games, so he can play with skill players but he can also play a grinding game. I think one of his greatest traits is his compete and work ethic.”

Other notable free agent deals include forward Luke Glendening, forward Andrew Cogliano, forward Phillip Di Giuseppe, defenseman Jon Merrill and defenseman Greg Pateryn.

Glendening, who graduated from Michigan in 2012, inked a two-year, $3 million deal with the Dallas Stars after the first eight years of his career was spent with the Detroit Red Wings. The 32-year-old checking-line center has just 126 points in 554 career games but brings strong defense, penalty-killing, shot-blocking and physicality to the lineup.

Cogliano, 34, will spend his 15th NHL season with the San Jose Sharks after signing a one-year, $1 million contract. The 29-year-old Merrill is joining his fifth NHL team after inking a one-year, $850,000 deal with the Minnesota Wild.

Meanwhile, Di Giuseppe and Pateryn each signed one-year, two-way deals with the Vancouver Canucks and , respectively.

The 32-year-old Pateryn has appeared in 280 career NHL games, while 27-yeard-old Di Giuseppe has played in 201.

However, the biggest new contract for a former Wolverines wasn’t even a free agent. Zach Werenski inked a seven-year, $57.5 million extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets. His $9.583 million salary cap hit is the third largest among NHL defenseman behind Erik Karlsson and Drew Doughty. 1219034 Edmonton Oilers Result: Yes and no

Bad offseason move — Bringing back Nugent-Hopkins at all costs

Rating the Oilers’ offseason: From signing Zach Hyman to retaining Ryan Result: Maybe Nugent-Hopkins and Tyson Barrie It makes sense to combine these two.

The Oilers couldn’t convince Adam Larsson, their ace defensive By Daniel Nugent-Bowman defenceman, to re-sign. It was a surprising outcome after it seemed like all signs were pointing to a contract extension. Aug 2, 2021 Larsson’s departure resulted in Tyson Barrie being retained when that wasn’t previously in the cards, Bear being dealt when he was preparing The NHL offseason has several weeks remaining, but for all intents and to slide back with Darnell Nurse and Ceci being given a four-year purposes, it’s largely over already. contract.

Though trades are still an option, there are fewer and fewer avenues for At least Nugent-Hopkins came back — and at a reduced rate. The GMs to improve their teams now since the top free agents are off the franchise’s longest-serving player signed a $5.125 million deal, which is board. Most teams are close to or at the salary cap, so their architects $875,000 cheaper than his previous cap hit. are left to pick through the scrap heap in the hopes of nabbing a diamond The only quibble is the eight-year term. Nugent-Hopkins projects to have in the rough. an average value of his new cap hit for the first five years of the deal. The That’s where Oilers GM Ken Holland is at. final three years could create some headaches for the Oilers.

After signing newly acquired left winger Warren Foegele to a three-year, But as with Hyman, the Oilers should get strong play from RNH within the $2.75 million AAV deal on Saturday, the Oilers have roughly $3.75 million McDavid window. That’s what truly matters. in cap space, per PuckPedia. That’s with forward Kyle Turris in the Good offseason move — Koskinen is bought out, and Ullmark or minors and a $1.125 million cap savings and defenceman Oscar Klefbom Driedger signs as a 1B on LTIR. That leaves them with enough money to re-sign RFA Kailer Yamamoto, likely to a two-year contract, and add a player in the $1-1.25 Result: No million range. Linus Ullmark and Chris Driedger weren’t the only good options as Save for a depth signing, the Oilers roster is essentially set unless potential replacements to Koskinen. They were highlighted because they Holland can move out Turris, goaltender Mikko Koskinen or right winger were free agents. Zack Kassian. Seattle picked Driedger in the expansion draft and then signed him. So, how did he do over the last few weeks culminating with the opening Boston gave Ullmark a four-year, $5 million AAV deal that he wasn’t day of free agency last Wednesday? going to get with the Oilers.

Let’s take a look using our 10 criteria for a perfect offseason and our five The point is there were lots of solid goaltending options available as Mike scenarios for a disastrous one. Smith’s new partner but the Oilers appear likely to run with the same duo for the third consecutive season. Good offseason move — An impact winger like Landeskog comes aboard Granted, it wouldn’t have been easy to move on from Koskinen and the last year of his $4.5 million AAV deal. Result: Yes The Oilers have two buyouts on the books, Andrej Sekera and James The gold standard in terms of pending unrestricted free agent wingers Neal, and retained money when they traded Milan Lucic’s contract. would have been , but he never hit the open market. Shredding Koskinen’s contract would have added more dead money. He That’s too bad because he perhaps could have been the perfect match also has a 15-team no-trade clause. for the Oilers. That said, going with Smith and Koskinen for another year seems far Instead, they got arguably the next best player to suit their needs. from ideal.

Zach Hyman should be a wonderful fit for the Oilers. He’s expected to Bad offseason move — Losing another game of goaltending musical start on Connor McDavid’s left wing and fill a hole no one other than chairs Leon Draisaitl’s been able to fill of late. Result: Sort of The contract might be a couple years longer than the ideal length. However, Hyman is expected to be an impactful player for the first five The Oilers made a hard push for a legitimate starting goalie last years of the deal, which covers the remaining term on McDavid’s offseason, highlighted by trying to sign Jacob Markstrom. contract. It doesn’t appear as if they were as determined when free agency Bad offseason move — Selling low on Bear opened last Wednesday, but they did try to trade for Darcy Kuemper. Colorado had the higher bid. Result: Quite possibly Back to Smith and Koskinen again. By no means did the Oilers give away Ethan Bear. They got a very useful player back from Carolina in Foegele, someone with speed, who penalty Good offseason result — Klefbom returns fully healthy kills and might play up the lineup. Result: Almost certainly no The Oilers also got him signed at a good rate on a three-year contract, the same term they had control over Bear’s rights. Bad offseason result — Leaving Klefbom unprotected in the expansion draft — and then watching him excel in Seattle The concern here is they dealt Bear — someone who’s played top-four minutes and who projected to do so again — for an older (slightly), more Result: No expensive (even if just for now) third-line winger. They then replaced It’s all moot here. The chances of Klefbom’s career resuming next Bear on the right side with Cody Ceci, another older and more expensive season are somewhere between slim and nil. option. Good offseason result — There’s a backup plan in case Klefbom’s health The trade and the subsequent roster moves might turn out fine, but there fails are some major red flags. Result: They’re hoping so Good offseason move — Nugent-Hopkins and Larsson re-sign at lower cap hits It was clear the Oilers were going to have to find a fixture at No. 2 left Ryan shoots right, which makes him unique for an Oilers centre. He won defence after five different players got the assignment next to Larsson 52 percent of his faceoffs last season and played 27 percent of his ice this past season. time against elite competition. (He managed a 58.7 Corsi for percentage in that situation, too, per PuckIQ.) An option fell right into their lap as it became clear Klefbom’s shoulder wasn’t going to be ready for game action. That option became a reality in Though the former University of Alberta Golden Bear is 34, he signed the form of Duncan Keith. only a two-year, $1.25 million AAV deal. He didn’t break the bank and surely will support the up-and-comer McLeod rather than impede him. Put aside the baffling outcome of Chicago not having to retain any money in the trade, Keith could be a solid solution for the Oilers. He won’t play Good offseason move — Goodrow or Armia signs to round out the as much behind Nurse and the Oilers are hoping that will do him forward group wonders. Result: No, but they found an alternative However, Keith’s underlying numbers haven’t been good for years and his offensive production has fallen off, too. He’s also 38. Barclay Goodrow and Joel Armia might have been two of the best bottom-six options set to hit the open market, but they’re both 28 and The Oilers should have a constant replacement for Klefbom, but how signed long-term deals for well more than $3 million annually. That’s rich. effective Keith will be is far from certain. Instead, the Oilers went the trade route and got Foegele, who’s three Bad offseason move — Re-signing Barrie to a long-term deal years younger and comes in at $2.75 million per season.

Result: Yes Of course, bringing in Foegele did cost the Oilers a good, young defenceman in Bear. Well, we’re not talking about Nugent-Hopkins or Hyman length here, but a three-year marriage between Barrie and the Oilers is longer than anyone thought was possible until almost the 11th hour. The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 And that’s probably not a good thing.

Though Barrie led all NHL defencemen in points, it sure helped he was able to rack up secondary assists and quarterback the league’s best power play.

Barrie played predominantly with McDavid, yet the captain was less effective when he shared the ice with the veteran defenceman at five-on- five and on the power play.

Of course, Evan Bouchard is waiting in the wings, too.

Barrie is an excellent offensive blueliner and might have been the best Plan B at the Oilers’ disposal after Larsson walked. It’s just that he might not be the best fit for their needs.

Good offseason move — Nurse signs a long-term extension

Result: Not yet

This is supposedly Edmonton’s top priority. Nurse has one more year on his $5.6 million AAV contract, but the Oilers want to get him locked in on his next deal by training camp.

Leon Draisaitl’s $8.5 million cap hit seemed to be the ceiling before a couple comparable blueliners signed for $9.5 million a year last week. It would appear Nurse has some leverage now.

Good offseason move — Kassian gets offloaded

Result: No

Things can change, but right now the Oilers have a $3.2 million AAV player for three more years who was 14th in ice time among forwards this past season and doesn’t play special teams.

That’ll remain a problem until Kassian can be more effective or unless he’s dealt.

Good offseason move — Young players show they’re ready to make an impact

Result: TBD

In addition to getting more from established players like Yamamoto and Jesse Puljujarvi, the Oilers are counting on Bouchard and Ryan McLeod to take a step next season.

The shakeup on defence means Bouchard finally has a regular spot as he heads into his fourth season after being drafted in the first round.

McLeod is expected to grab one of the last two centre spots. Only free agent signee Derek Ryan and returnee Devin Shore are in contention for them unless Nugent-Hopkins takes some shifts as the third pivot.

Good offseason move — A reliable third-line centre signs, ideally a righty

Result: Probably

Ryan might be better further down the lineup, but he’s an excellent bet to be a solid addition. 1219035 Edmonton Oilers In his fine piece for The Athletic in mid-July, Jonathan Willis made several astute points, including that Keith still shows signs of offensive ability and the last time he had a reliable high-end partner was 2016-17 Lowetide: What are Oilers’ ideal defence pairings for 2021-22? (Niklas Hjalmarsson). Also included in Jon’s article is the risk defensively and the importance of a quality partner, a player not yet obvious among the current options in Edmonton.

By Allan Mitchell Darcy McLeod at Because Oilers also digs in on the Keith addition and draws some fascinating conclusions, the most stark being that playing Aug 2, 2021 tough minutes in Edmonton without McDavid on the ice (Nurse-Barrie will get those minutes) would have been aided greatly by the presence of Larsson. The Edmonton Oilers are going to have a much different look on defence in the coming season, and not all of it was planned by general manager Cody Ceci Ken Holland. His trade for Duncan Keith was part of the plan, but losing Ceci is first option for Keith’s partner and he played well last season with Keith’s assumed partner (Adam Larsson) is a gigantic problem for the the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was paired most often with Mike Matheson, organization. who is a big strong defender with some offence and chaos in his game. Holland returns coach Dave Tippett’s top pairing (Darnell Nurse and Against elites/mid-level talent, the pairing played 261 minutes together, Tyson Barrie) and the rest of the group is a major jigsaw puzzle that will posting a DFF percentage of 52 percent and a goal differential of 16-7, sort itself out over the long season. How do you replace Larsson when via Puck IQ. If Ceci can work with Keith and deliver those kinds of there is no one on the roster with those shutdown abilities? What does possession and scoring numbers, Holland will look like a genius this time the trade of Ethan Bear mean across the depth chart? next year. Let’s have a look. Ceci is a key player for the organization. His size and overall skill set The top pair should make him an effective shutdown defender but he has always struggled in that role (specifically with Ottawa). Here are his numbers via Nurse is key to Edmonton’s defence and he will miss Bear when playing Puck IQ going back to 2014-15. tough minutes. How much will Bear be missed? Using Puck IQ’s binning model to identify high-to-elite competition, we can drill down on results for Over these many years, we get a strong view about Ceci as a player. His Nurse with each of his main partners one year ago. DFF percentage is minutes have been cut back since the Ottawa days, but he remains a smart Corsi, a possession metric that gives extra value to close and possession drag and has been under 50 percent goals most every year dangerous shots. Its aim is truer than Corsi or shot differential, all save his rookie campaign and last season. numbers five-on-five. What does that tell us? I think Ceci is going to have the same possession Nurse-Barrie had scoring success (much of their five-on-five time came numbers at the end of the 2021-22 season, somewhere between 44 and with the Connor McDavid line) but bled more than they should have 48 percent DFF percentage likely. He could outscore opponents at five- based on the quality of teammates on the ice. It’s difficult to argue on-five; Russell has done it with similar numbers (and did it a year ago). against this kind of outscoring, but considering the extreme quality of Is it a good bet, to run Keith-Ceci without the McDavid line and expect 50 McDavid’s line expectations could be higher. percent of the goals at five-on-five against elites/mid-level opposition? Nurse-Bear dominated the possession numbers but didn’t have the same No. The absence of alternatives locks Edmonton in until something better outscoring impact. Several reasons could come into play, including the comes along but it’s going to be a wild ride. I expect more chances at tandem running late in games with a lead (more time spent defending both ends with Keith-Ceci as a second pairing. and running out the clock), and luck. The 207 minutes together is The third pair significant but sample size could also be a factor. As things currently stand, the third pair will be any of Russell, Evan Nurse with McDavid outscored opponents 50-35 (58.8 percent goal Bouchard, William Lagesson and at least one free agent Holland is share) at five-on-five in 2020-21; Nurse posted 21-21 (50 percent) currently pursuing. The rumour mill ranges from Ryan Murray at the without the captain. Barrie went 38-31 (55 percent) with McDavid and 16- expensive end to Slater Koekkoek at the less expensive end. Either man 18 without him. would be a welcome addition but the key player in all of this is Bouchard. Edmonton had success running the top pairing with the top line as a five- Holland has been unwavering in his belief that the gifted puck-mover man unit, and it may well be the plan to do it again next season. Adding Bouchard has to play this coming season, and the ideal fit would be a Barrie gives the defence some consistency as the team enters a vital player like Murray. season. The situation remains in flux until Holland adds another veteran (I believe The makeshift second pair he will). Assuming the addition is shy of Murray, a good guess for the Edmonton management has been forced to scramble over two starting six opening night would be: offseasons due to the injury to Oscar Klefbom and Larsson signing with Nurse-Barrie playing as a five-man unit with McDavid’s line. the Kraken. It’s a major hurdle to overcome, with Holland acquiring Keith in the Klefbom role and then working quickly to bring in Cody Ceci in free Keith-Ceci playing as much with the McDavid and Draisaitl lines as agency to play second pair right side (Larsson’s old spot). Using Puck IQ, possible. here are the numbers for each man vs. the tough minutes (combining elite and mid-level opposition). Russell-Bouchard getting offensive zone starts and the softest minutes available. I included Kris Russell as an option for the second pair, as it’s quite possible he will spend significant time playing there. Russell can play If Murray is added, and it’s possible, he would be an ideal partner for either side and Tippett has used him all over the depth chart. Bouchard and it’s possible the Murray-Bouchard pairing could handle enough five-on-five minutes to emerge as the de facto second pairing by Keith averaged over 12 minutes a night against elite or mid-level talent, season’s end. Using Natural Stat Trick (Bouchard didn’t play enough for one minute more per game than Larsson. Larsson’s numbers (DFF the Puck IQ numbers to be trustworthy), Edmonton’s opening night top percentage of 50.1 and a 19-17 goal differential) compare well to the new six might look like this (all numbers five-on-five): group and Russell, showing just how much he’ll be missed. The Oilers made a bet on Keith, assuming he would have a veteran I think Keith is going to surprise with the puck on his stick, sending shutdown partner. When that scenario evaporated, management signed effective outlet passes and making smart pinches along the wall. Where Ceci and are in pursuit of an upgrade on Russell-Bouchard. Murray he could get exposed is quick turnovers or stretch passes that expose his would be a strong addition. The final piece of the puzzle on defence foot speed, and that’s going to be an area of concern. It should be remains a mystery. mentioned that was also a concern with Larsson, and it’s my belief Bear may have been the best potential partner on the roster for Keith before From here it looks like Bouchard is going to have to grow up in a hurry. he was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219036 Florida Panthers

FHN Today: Sam Montembeault signs with Florida Panthers

Published 20 hours ago on August 2, 2021

By George Richards

The Florida Panthers got another piece of unfinished offseason business check off Sunday as goalie Sam Montembeault signed a one-year, two- way deal.

Montembeault was a restricted free agent this summer — and will be again next year — and will come to camp looking to battle for a roster spot.

While it is assumed Spencer Knight will join Sergei Bobrovsky on the NHL roster, perhaps the Panthers decide to let Knight go to AHL Charlotte and play a majority of the games there instead of backing up in the NHL.

Don’t bet on it. We’re thinking it will be Bobrovsky and Knight in Florida with Montembeault and newly-signed Chris Gibson fighting for the No. 3 spot.

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

Montembeault, 24, played in 13 games with AHL Syracuse this past season, going 8-4-1 with a .898 save percentage and 2.86 GAA.

Although he dressed for a few games and served as the backup, Montembeault did not appear in a game for the Panthers in 2021.

Now, the Panthers only have a few more things to do on their summetime checklist — and they’re big ones.

The first move should be the signing of Sam Reinhart to a new contract. That should come this week.

After that will be the long-term contract extension for captain Sasha Barkov.

AROUND THE NHL

So, on Saturday, the estranged wife of Evander Kane made accusations on Instagram that he bet on his own games while with the San Jose Sharks.

Kane, obviously, denied it.

Now there’s more. This is not a pretty situation. (SJHN)

— The Pittsburgh Penguins have more coming, right? (PHN)

— The Capitals aren’t blowing things up and are trying to make another run.(WHN)

— The Red Wings have been bad for some time — but things are looking up in Detroit.(DHN)

Florida Hockey NowLOADED: 08.03.2021 1219037 Minnesota Wild

Wild files for salary arbitration with Kevin Fiala

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune

AUGUST 2, 2021 — 7:18PM

At least one of the Wild's two unsigned forwards is guaranteed to receive a new contract this month.

The Wild filed for salary arbitration with Kevin Fiala on Monday, a move that ensures the two sides will reach an agreement before next season starts.

Fiala, a restricted free agent, is coming off a two-year, $6 million deal, and talks with the Wild had been ongoing since the beginning of July. The 25-year-old winger also could have elected for arbitration but did not choose that option before Sunday's deadline.

Hearings will be held from Aug. 11-26, but most cases are resolved before then as negotiations can continue in the meantime. Last year, 26 players filed for arbitration and all but one finalized a new contract before his scheduled hearing.

In the event the Wild and Fiala need a ruling from an arbitrator, Fiala gets to decide whether to accept a one or two-year deal. He is two years away from becoming an unrestricted free agent.

During a potential hearing, each side presents a case that can include statistics and comparable player information.

Last season, Fiala finished second in goals (20) and points (40) on the Wild after leading the team in scoring (54 points) in 2019-20. His last contract didn't get done until the day before training camp opened in 2019, and Fiala was a late arrival.

But Fiala isn't the only key player still without a deal.

Reigning NHL Rookie of the Year Kirill Kaprizov also needs a contract after an impressive debut in which he paced the Wild in points (51) and scored the eighth-most goals in the NHL (27).

Unlike Fiala, Kaprizov didn't have arbitration rights and is unable to accept an from another team. He is only allowed to sign with the Wild.

Re-signing Kaprizov and Fiala could be the last items on the Wild's offseason to-do list.

After buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter and losing the likes of Carson Soucy (Seattle expansion draft), Ian Cole and Nick Bonino (free agency), the Wild replenished its roster last week by signing defensemen Alex Goligoski, Dmitry Kulikov and Jon Merrill and forward Frederick Gaudreau in addition to adding a handful of depth players.

Earlier this summer, the Wild signed Joel Eriksson Ek to an eight-year, $42 million contract and brought back Nick Bjugstad on a one-year deal. The team still has almost $20 million in salary cap space for next season, which starts Oct.15.

Star Tribune LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219038 Minnesota Wild If the Wild don’t make a trade, they could dive back into the free-agent market to find some depth pieces up front. The original plan last week was to sign veteran winger Nick Foligno before he chose the Boston What’s left on Wild GM Bill Guerin’s offseason checklist? Bruins in free agency. There aren’t a ton of notable names left, but some available veterans include James Neal, Tomas Tatar, Tyler Bozak and Kyle Palmieri.

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: August 2, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. | UPDATED: August 2, 2021 Pioneer Press LOADED: 08.03.2021 at 3:31 p.m.

The workflow of the NHL offseason is pretty unique. Unlike most other professional sports leagues, in the NHL, almost everyone takes the final month and a half of the summer off before reconvening for training camp in the fall.

There’s rarely a drawn-out process when it comes filling out the roster. Most of the time, teams sign free agents in the immediate hours after the market opens, then everyone goes their separate ways for the rest of the offseason.

Wild general manager Bill Guerin doesn’t have that luxury this year. There’s still much to do over the next month and a half.

“You always want to be done,” Guerin said last week, pausing for a couple of seconds, then taking a deep breath before delivering the punchline. “But done doesn’t make it right. That doesn’t mean we’re in the best spot. It means you can go to your beach house.”

While the Wild managed to fill some holes last week — they did sign veteran defenseman Alex Goligoski and center Frederick Gaudreau early in free agency, then filled out the rest of their blue line with the addition of depth players like Dmitry Kulikov and Jon Merrill — they missed out on a number of players.

“Listen, there are a lot of good players that went today,” Guerin said on July 28, when NHL free agency began. “We have to be conscious enough to have the right term and the right dollars. And for the right player. That’s not easy to do. But we can’t just try to make up for it with $500,000 here or by adding a year there to get a guy. We just have move methodically.”

Considering that, here is what’s left on Guerin’s offseason check list:

SIGN KIRILL KAPRIZOV

This was the No. 1 priority at the start of this offseason, and it will be the No. 1 priority until the flashy Russian forward signs a new contract to stay with the Wild. There’s reason for optimism as Guerin has continued to have conversations with Kaprizov’s agent Paul Theofanous over the past couple of weeks. It seems the biggest sticking point in negotiations is that the Wild want a long-term deal and Kaprizov wants a short-term deal. There also have been reports that Kaprizov could sign back on with the KHL in his native Russia, though that seems like nothing more than a leverage at this point. It seems like this will get done sooner or later, and once it does, Guerin will finally be able to take a deep breath.

SIGN KEVIN FIALA

Much like he does with Kaprizov’s agent, Guerin said he continues to have conversations with Fiala’s representation. Still, it seems rather significant that both sides haven’t found a way to come to an agreement yet. Remember, a couple of years ago Fiala waited until late in training camp to sign. That timeline could be in the works once again. In the end, though, the Wild are almost certainly going to find a way to sign Fiala. He has proven to be a dynamic goal scorer on a team that doesn’t have many of them. As Guerin has said often this offseason: “These things take time.”

MONITOR TRADE MARKET

If a trade for Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel was going to happen, it probably would have already. Still, the Wild have been right in the middle of the sweepstakes this offseason, and if the asking price comes down, Guerin might throw his hat in the ring. In addition to keeping tabs on Eichel, the Wild will continue to monitor the trade market as a whole. They still need to fill some holes up front, and that could be done through a trade if the right move presents itself.

ADD DEPTH UP FRONT 1219039 MontrealCanadiens

Canadiens sign Lehkonen to one-year extension

Montreal Gazette

Publishing date:Aug 01, 2021

Artturi Lehkonen tips the puck past Winnipeg Jets defenceman Derek Forbert and goalie Connor Hellebuyck for a goal during first period action in Montreal on Monday, June 7, 2021.

The Montreal Canadiens signed Artturi Lehkonen to a one-year extension on Saturday.

The 26-year-old forward was a restricted free agent and the deal is worth $2.3 million, according to the club.

The Canadiens selected Lehkonen, of Piikkio, Finland, in the second round of the 2013 NHL draft and he had 18 goals in his rookie season — a career high.

Last season, Lehkonen recorded seven goals and six assists in 47 games. He added another three goals and an assist in the playoffs as the Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup final. He has 61 goals and 59 assists in 338 regular-season games, plus six goals and six assists in 33 playoff games.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219040 New Jersey Devils

Devils delete questionable Dougie Hamilton Instagram post: ‘Who edited this’

By David Lazar

August 2, 2021 | 3:28pm | Updated

The Devils’ social media team – lauded as one of the most creative unit in the NHL – has been very excited over the signing of Dougie Hamilton, stirring up Hamilton puns and even pretending to launch a new cryptocurrency coin called #DOUGIECOIN.

A Dougie Hamilton jersey swap posted on the Devils’ official Instagram that has since been deleted.

But it may have gotten a little ahead of itself Monday morning, posting and then deleting a doctored photo of the 28-year-old star in a Devils uniform that drew criticism from some fans for how it looked.

Dougie Hamilton

Of course the Devils are pumped for good reason. Hamilton, who signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with New Jersey when free agency opened last week, is considered one of the best defenseman in hockey.

Hamilton, who has played for the Bruins, Flames and Hurricanes, has 106 goals, 235 assists, 341 career points and a plus-72 rating in 607 career games.

New York Post LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219041 New Jersey Devils “It’s definitely not July hockey. It’s not shinny,” Hughes said. “Guys are trying to make teams and trying to win games. It’s really fast paced.

“I hadn’t played a game in almost 20 weeks. I feel good. I’m trying to be What we learned from spending a week watching Devils prospect Luke Hughes defensively sound and making some good outlets. I feel pretty good out there.”

Leaman mentioned some rust, but probably the first important thing to By Corey Masisak note is Hughes played five games in seven days and appeared to have no issues with the prior injury. He played on the first pairing in nearly Aug 2, 2021 every game. He played a lot on the penalty kill and saw some second power-play unit time as well.

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — When you spend a week focusing mostly on one Two scouts said Hughes looked like he was focusing on playing a simple prospect during a flurry of hockey games, you are trying to learn about game early in the week, which seems like a natural choice when coming the strengths and weaknesses of the player’s game, but you also tend to back from a serious injury. Another said he played really well in the first pick up on smaller details as well. game of the week, which surprised him, and had been solid in the other games. Do they talk a lot to teammates before a faceoff? Is there anything interesting or unique about their routine during warmups? Sometimes it As The Athletic’s Corey Pronman noted, Hughes didn’t pop consistently can be something as inconsequential as a personal habit — like how throughout the week. There weren’t a bunch of highlight-reel plays. then-Spokane defenseman Ty Smith adjusted his shin pads and/or socks He did show a bunch of tantalizing tools that are going to need more several times per game. refinement over the next two seasons. While Senators prospect Jake There was a different kind of observation watching Luke Hughes play Sanderson was clearly the top defenseman at this event, Hughes is four games this past week at the World Junior summer showcase in comfortably in the top three for the Americans and should be a key player Plymouth, Mich. At one point during a game against Finland, an opposing for them at each of the next two World Junior tournaments. player flipped the puck over Hughes’ head and into the United States Hughes looks great in open space with the puck, but that wasn’t the only zone before heading to his bench along with his linemates for a change. area he excelled in during the week. He handled several situations where I shifted forward in my seat. There was a stoppage of play shortly after, he had the puck and was under duress from a forechecker well. He and it struck me — that was happening every time Hughes had the showed the ability to skate the puck out of danger, stickhandling through chance to go back to get the puck, turn behind his net and transition his a couple of players before making a crisp outlet pass on a couple of team to another offensive attack. occasions.

Hughes was the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He’s an exceptionally There were a couple of wayward outlet passes, but the ability to find talented hockey player, but he’s also a self-described “late bloomer” and teammates in the neutral zone or make the right read to start an there is still a lot of work for him ahead before he joins his two older offensive possession is there. His most impressive offensive plays did brothers in the NHL. He is one of the youngest players in the 2021 draft not involve a slick pass or a shot on net. There were a few occasions, class and spent his first week in game action since a 2020-21 season- particularly earlier in the week, when Hughes had the puck at the left or ending injury playing against some guys who were nearly two years older right point and a defender trying to harass him. than him. He used that aggression to his advantage and found a couple of different No conversation about Hughes with anyone — a coach, a teammate, a ways to shake free. On one play, he skated toward the middle of the scout, a parent — goes by without talking about his ability to skate. He zone and turned past the defender. Another was a fake one way, cut in was dubbed the best skater in his draft class. The phrase “he’s definitely the other direction deke. Getting past his defender at the point was kind a Hughes” is a reference to his ability to move on the ice. of like an NBA player beating a half-court trap. The other team was left scrambling and it led to scoring chances from an otherwise routine While his older brothers are known for their ability to change directions offensive zone cycle. and how quickly they can toggle between gears to fool opponents, the first word that comes to mind about Luke Hughes’ skating ability is While he’s still got a lot of work to do in the weight room, the youngest smooth. His first couple of steps do not look as naturally quick as his Hughes looked quite strong on his skates against mostly older brothers’, but his size and longer strides allow him to cover so much competition. He showed the ability to ward off an opposing player while ground. It makes watching him go back to recover a puck and then ignite keeping possession of the puck. He won a couple of battles for the puck an offensive possession with a sweeping maneuver through the neutral by absorbing contact while still collecting and moving it to a teammate. zone a can’t-miss moment. “He’s just an elite skater and a freak athlete at 17 years old with a There are other areas of his game that need more work — even his ceiling that is higher than most,” said Brandon Naurato, a skills and skating prowess is not a finished product — but it’s abundantly clear this development coach who worked with all three Hughes brothers last will be a strength at the NHL level and the foundation of whatever path offseason and will continue to work with Luke in the future. “That is his development unlocks. what’s exciting about him. Obviously he’s got some offensive gifts, but just the way he closes with his skating defensively without the puck, “His feet are obviously outstanding,” said Providence coach Nate defending the rush, corner containment — he’s going to play in that Leaman, who led both American teams at the summer showcase and league for a long, long time if he keeps progressing forward. His skating would be Hughes’ coach at the World Junior Championship in December and how he kills plays to me are his biggest attribute. should he make the team. “I think he can recover from a lot of situations. I think he needs to get the rust knocked off a little bit. I think it’s good that “People see the Hughes brothers as these super offensive players, and he’s going to college this year, seeing that type of hockey on a nightly I think Luke is really good offensively — I mean, he’s almost a point a basis is going to be really good. He definitely has high end potential.” game as a defenseman — but I think he holds even more value because of how he defends. It will be exciting to continue working with him on that Hughes hadn’t played in a game since March 7, when a skate cut on his aspect. It’s exciting to see where his ceiling is as an NHL player and how foot ended his season and his chance to play for the United States at the he can have an impact at Michigan with all the other talent that is going U18 World Championship. For a lot of the players at this summer to be there.” showcase, it was a chance to make an early case for a roster spot for the 2022 world juniors. Another observation that stood out from the week in Plymouth came when the youngest Hughes wasn’t on the ice. The games were played at a high pace. They were intense and often chippy. Emotions boiled over at times, particularly in the final minute of There are two sheets of ice at USA Hockey Arena — a game rink where the last game of the week between Finland and one of the U.S. teams. Hughes played home games for the U.S. National Team Development Program the past two years and a practice rink. That’s where Jack and It was a different kind of environment for Hughes to return to competitive Quinn were getting in a few morning on-ice workouts before fans arrived action instead of, say, the first scrimmage or exhibition game at the for the summer showcase games. University of Michigan next season. Their father Jim organizes the skates and orchestrates the drills, moving There’s another interesting wrinkle to watch out for with Hughes this various barriers and contraptions around the ice to present obstacles for coming season — name, image and likeness rights. The NCAA has the players to stickhandle through and skate past. Flyers prospect Cam finally relented, and college athletes will have the ability to make money York, another elite young defenseman who spent two seasons at off their name, image and likeness. While NIL deals are already making Michigan like Quinn did before him, joined the Hughes brothers on splashy headlines with college football and basketball players, Hughes Friday. Two goalies (Alex Nedeljkovic and the Devils’ Scott Wedgewood) might be better positioned to take advantage of this than any other were on the ice as well, working with Manny Legace at one end and college hockey player. joining the drills to give the other players a goalie to shoot at. Hughes does not have a massive social media following like some Earlier in the week, there were more participants. Josh Norris, Kyle quarterbacks, women’s basketball players or Olympic athletes do, but Connor, Tyler Motte and Andrew Copp were among the players who he’s going to be one of the most recognizable names in college hockey joined the Hughes family workouts. Luke will return to the group before over the next season or two. And if a company (like, say, Bauer) wanted it’s time to move in at Michigan and start his freshman year. to put all three Hughes brothers in a television ad, Luke can participate and profit without jeopardizing his college eligibility. “It’s awesome watching those guys,” Luke said. “Watching them in line drills, trying to see what they’re looking at when they’re trying to score.” “I’d love to do a few endorsements or something like that,” Luke said. “We haven’t talked about it too much yet. We’ll see down the road. I’m Luke Hughes has forged his own path as an elite prospect. NTDP coach focused on this right now and I’ve got a lot of work to do.” Dan Muse made it clear he earned his role as a top player for the U18 team this past season. But these summer skates with his brothers and other NHL players and the off-ice workouts downstairs at this complex are part of that path and the development process. The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021

There is a support system here for Luke, and given what everyone around him says about his drive and his work ethic, it’s hard to see how he won’t maximize his potential as he grows into an NHL defenseman.

“First and foremost, he’s really matured as a person,” Michigan coach Mel Pearson said. “Obviously we know the family well. Quinn played at Michigan. We actually tried to recruit Jack for a while. We got to know Luke at a young age, and just to see the growth as a person has been tremendous. A few years ago, I wasn’t sure he was going to be a great Division I hockey player, but now we’ve seen him grow and mature. His game with his size has come into its own. His skating has made great strides. His poise with the puck, his decisions with the puck — he’s also playing harder defensively and has some bite to his game.”

Naurato added, “A lot of people thought Luke wasn’t the top defenseman on that Little Caesars team (from 2017 to 2019) and maybe not in the top two. It’s a compliment to him and how far he has come since then. Part of that is the environment his family has created. Having brothers that love the game and work really hard and are great players, Luke has grown up in that environment and he’s thrived in it.”

Hughes has fielded questions about how long he will stay at Michigan throughout the draft process. While it’s possible a great freshman season and some coaxing by the Devils could change the plan, he’ll likely spend two seasons in Ann Arbor. Quinn spent two years there. So did York. Owen Power went No. 1 in this draft and is still leaning toward going back for a second year.

He’s joining one of the most talented college hockey rosters the sport has ever seen. If everyone comes back, four of the top five picks in the 2021 draft will play for Michigan in 2021-22. Three other first-round picks (John Beecher in 2019, Brendan Brisson in 2020 and Mackie Samoskevich in 2021) will be on the roster. Three other NHL draft picks were at this summer showcase, including Hughes’ future roommate Dylan Duke.

“We have high expectations for Luke,” Pearson said. “You know there is going to be an adjustment period. We saw that with Owen Power. It was a lot, but we saw it with Quinn too. I expect Luke to come in and play a prominent role and play big minutes for our team. He’s got to earn those minutes, but knowing him as a person and as a player, he’s going to earn those minutes in a hurry.

“We are going to have a good team, so that should take some pressure off not only him but all of our incoming freshmen. We have a lot of returning players who know what it takes to win. He doesn’t have to come in and try to be the best player on our team. He just needs to come in and complement those players and continue to grow as the season goes on.”

It’s an incredible amount of future NHL talent on one team, but that’s something Hughes is already accustomed to at the NTDP. The players at “the program” always speak of how practices can be harder than games given the talent on the rosters in Plymouth.

“The type of players he’s going to be going up against in practice every day should be the best form of development for all of those guys moving forward,” Naurato said. “Getting to go against guys like Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson in one-on-one drills and trying to stop them should make his life easier on the weekends (in games).” 1219042 New York Islanders

Islanders going to arbitration with Adam Pelech as two stars opt against it

By Mollie Walker

August 2, 2021 | 11:13pm | Updated

Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech was one of 17 NHL players to file for arbitration Sunday, while goalie Ilya Sorokin and winger Anthony Beauvillier did not despite being arbitration eligible.

As one of the Islanders’ three restricted free agents, it makes sense that Pelech would elect arbitration considering he is expected to come out of this offseason with the most lucrative deal. General manager Lou Lamoriello likely wants to avoid going into arbitration with one of the Islanders’ top defensemen, which is why negotiations should wrap up before hearings take place Aug. 11-26.

Filing for arbitration is just part of the process, as there is now a deadline for negotiations to wrap up before the two parties have to sit in front of an arbitrator. Last year, 25 of the 26 players who filed for arbitration reached a deal with their respective team before having a hearing, including Pelech’s defensive partner, Ryan Pulock.

The Islanders currently have around $17.6 million in cap space, per CapFriendly, but that’s without the slew of deals Lamoriello reportedly has in place that have yet to be announced. While Pelech is due for a substantial raise from his previous $1.6 million cap hit, Lamoriello has to be financially aware in order to sign Sorokin, Beauvillier and also somehow fit in key free agents Casey Cizikas, Kyle Palmieri and maybe Travis Zajac.

Adam Pelech (r.) and the Islanders will go to arbitration.

Beauvillier might become a trade piece; Cizikas might take a team- friendly deal. Veteran defenseman Andy Greene is also believed to be in on another one-year contract and Sorokin expressed confidence in a deal getting done soon in a recent interview with the Russian outlet Sport Express. Plus, the Islanders have been linked to free agents Zach Parise and Vladimir Tarasenko.

But by not announcing any moves, Lamoriello is seemingly playing his cards close to his chest in order to make it all work. Pelech, however, is likely the top priority of the reigning two-time GM of the Year.

“We’ve lost two players. We have, hopefully, no intention of losing any more.” Lamoriello said, referring to trading Nick Leddy to Detroit and losing Jordan Eberle to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. “Right now, we’re focused on the signings. If we need more cap room, then we’ll have to make other decisions.”

As one-half of the team’s top defensive pair, Pelech is a major part of the Islanders’ core that reached the Stanley Cup semifinals the past two seasons. He is a pure shutdown defenseman who dictates the pace of play and draws a bulk of the matchups with opponents’ top lines alongside Pulock.

Pelech, who is set to turn 27 later this month, is expected to earn around $6 million per year on his next deal, depending on the term. Some of the other deals signed by top defensemen this offseason, however, indicate Pelech could earn more than that.

The Blackhawks acquired Seth Jones, who will turn 27 in October, from the Blue Jackets and subsequently signed him to an eight-year, $76 million deal. The 28-year-old Dougie Hamilton inked a seven-year, $63 million deal with the Devils. On the younger side of the league, Cale Makar, 22, got a six-year, $54 million extension from the Avalanche, while Zach Werenski, 24, signed a six-year, $57.5 million extension to remain in Columbus.

The four aforementioned defensemen certainly bring more offensively, but their value to their respective teams equates to how the Islanders view Pelech.

New York Post LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219043 New York Islanders

Casey Cizikas Deal Done? One NHL Insider Thinks So

Published 16 hours ago on August 2, 2021

By Christian Arnold

Is a deal for Casey Cizikas already Done with the New York Islanders? Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman appeared to think it was on the latest edition of his 31 Thoughts podcast.

The NHL insider speculated that a deal had been completed by the two sides and that it was a long-term contract with a low average annual value. The rumored deal is that Cizikas has been locked up to a six-year contract with a 2.5 million AAV, according to Friedman.

“My theory is that Lou Lamoriello is trying to trade for someone, and he doesn’t want anyone to know how much cap room he does or doesn’t have,” Friedman said on the podcast.

That would fit with what others have speculated since free agency opened last week and the Islanders have remained radio silent since. It is believed that deals have been completed with Zach Parise, Kyle Palmieri, and since Anthony Beauvillier and Ilya Sorokin didn’t file for arbitration, those two may have also signed new contracts.

Andy Greene was re-signed prior to the NHL Expansion Draft and even that contract has not been officially announced.

“I do think he’s got a deal he’s working on,” Friedman added. “I don’t know if it’s Tarasenko or someone else. That’s my theory, he’s working on a trade and doesn’t want anyone to know how much cap room he’s got.”

Getting Cizikas to take a deal with a lower AAV, but longer-term was going to be the trade-off the Islanders were going to have to make to get things done. Cizikas was reportedly asking for around $5 million on the open market when teams like Seattle approached the bottom-six forward.

The Islanders’ offseason priority has been to keep their core intact and it appears Casey Cizikas is focused on remaining an Islander. And that may already have been accomplished.

Cizikas has become a crucial part of the Islanders’ core and keeping him in the fold is important for New York. Signing him for six years is longer than what most fourth-liners would be inked to, but it helps keep Cizikas off the market and the cap hit remains low, which is crucial if the Islanders are indeed trying to make another deal.

The Islanders are out of their cap crunch after dealing away Nick Leddy and Andrew Ladd earlier this month before the expansion draft and free agency.

Whether the rumored deal is true, we’ll find out eventually.

NYI Hockey NowLOADED: 08.03.2021 1219044 New York Islanders Blackhawks on Tuesday. But Sunday there was a much more emotional farewell. (NHL)

NYHN Daily: Islanders See One Player File for Arbitration & More NYI Hockey NowLOADED: 08.03.2021

Published 20 hours ago on August 2, 2021

By Stefen Rosner

The New York Islanders have yet to announce any free agent moves. But one thing that was announced by the NHL was players who elected for arbitration. The Islanders had one player in Adam Pelech, their top priority.

This story and more in today’s daily links!

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise on Sunday to see Adam Pelech among the 17 players that filed for arbitration on Sunday. Pelech is among three key restricted free agents that need a new contract from the New York Islanders, and is due for a significant raise. (NYI Hockey Now)

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Zach Aston-Reese is one of 17 NHL players who have filed for salary arbitration after the team earlier extended the restricted free agent a qualifying offer. He is the only Penguins player to file for arbitration. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Philadelphia Flyers were in the market for a backup goalie in free agency and signed Martin Jones to a one-year, $2 million contract. With a new tandem of Carter Hart and Jones in the crease, former Flyers goalies Brian Elliott and Alex Lyon were forced to find new teams. Where did they end up? (Philly Hockey Now)

For the Washington Capitals, the to-do list heading into the offseason presented a bit of a challenge. Ultimately, though, the summer’s been relatively quiet — albeit a couple of moves here and there. So, looking at the roster now, it looks like it’ll be almost the same group as last year — with a few exceptions. (Washington Hockey Now)

Detroit Red Wings wingers Jakub Vrana and Adam Erne are two of 17 NHL players who filed for salary arbitration Sunday. Historically, the vast majority of players who file for arbitration negotiate a new deal before the arbitration begins. Salary Arbitration hearings are scheduled from Aug. 11 to Aug. 26. (Detroit Hockey Now)

After being unexpectedly traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Chicago Blackhawks on July 27, the agent for Marc-Andre Fleury announced that Fleury would need some time to evaluate his career. That time is over and it ended as you may have expected. Fleury will report to Chicago and play the 2021-22 season. (Vegas Hockey Now)

What to make of the Grubauer-Kuemper situation? I’ve tossed and turned a lot on this one. To be honest, I was a little bit shocked when I saw this trade as well. Why on earth would you trade that for Darcy Kuemper? Couldn’t you have found another goaltender that is younger with upside? Timmins was going to be a stud for the Avalanche, this move is ridiculous! (Colorado Hockey Now)

I have NEVER gambled/bet on hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on a Sharks game, NEVER gambled/bet on any of my games and NEVER thrown a hockey game.”That’s what Evander Kane fired back with on Twitter this morning, in response to his wife Anna Kane’s allegations that he had gambled on San Jose Sharks games. (San Jose Hockey Now)

Smile if you’ve won the Stanley Cup multiple times. Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper was with hockey royalty this weekend, hanging out with the Stanley Cup and Wayne Gretzky. (NHL)

Juuse Saros of the is one of 17 restricted free agents who filed for salary arbitration Sunday, according to the NHL Players’ Association. (NHL)

The National Hockey League on Saturday released the following statement: “The League was made aware this evening of a post on social media alleging that San Jose Sharks Player Evander Kane bet on NHL games. The integrity of our game is paramount and the League takes these allegations very seriously. We intend to conduct a full investigation and will have no further comment at this time.” (NHL)

The Vegas Golden Knights officially said goodbye to 2021 Vezina Trophy winner Marc-Andre Fleury when they traded him to the Chicago 1219045 New York Islanders

Adam Pelech Filing for Arbitration is Par for Course as Contract Talks Continue

Published 22 hours ago on August 2, 2021

By Christian Arnold

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise on Sunday to see Adam Pelech among the 17 players that filed for arbitration on Sunday.

Pelech is among three key restricted free agents that need a new contract from the New York Islanders, along with Anthony Beauvillier and Ilya Sorokin. All three are due for raises with Pelech set to receive the most significant one.

However, there shouldn’t be any worry that negotiations are not going well with Adam Pelech because of his decision to file for arbitration. The Islanders and Pelech have been working on a new contract and it is believed he is asking for more than $6 million in a new long-term deal.

The decision to file for arbitration puts a deadline of sorts on talks for a new deal to get done before the two parties have to sit in front of an arbitrator. Neither side wants to do that and it is very rare that it would get to that point.

Contracts awarded through arbitration can only be one or two years and the team can reject the arbitrated contract, which would make the player an unrestricted free agent. It’s not a position either the player or team wants to be in.

In the case of Pelech, the odds of the Islanders’ top defenseman getting to that point is not likely. Ryan Pulock filed for arbitration last season and the two sides agreed to a new deal five days before they were scheduled to go in front of an arbitrator.

No date has been set for an arbitration hearing for Adam Pelech, but the situation will likely play out the same way if not getting a new deal done sooner.

Adam Pelech has been a cornerstone of the Islanders’ defense and is, as previously mentioned, looking at a long-term deal of around $6 million dollars. Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello has stated several times that his main priority this offseason was to bring everyone back that he can.

That starts with Pelech and his restricted free agents.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219046 New York Rangers

Igor Shesterkin, Rangers seemingly progressing toward new deal

By Mollie Walker

August 2, 2021 | 6:34pm | Updated

Igor Shesterkin opted not to exercise his arbitration rights by Sunday’s deadline, an indication that the Russian goaltender’s camp and the Rangers are making progress toward a new deal on their own.

The situation is straightforward for the Blueshirts, who have upwards of $13.6 million in salary cap space at the moment, per CapFriendly. Shesterkin is just two years away from becoming an unrestricted free agent and as a result, has immense leverage during negotiations. New general manager Chris Drury, therefore, likely will be looking to lock up the team’s young No. 1 goalie to a cost-effective four-to-six-year deal.

While his 47-game résumé over the past two seasons is just a sample size, Shesterkin has had more than enough flashes of brilliance between the pipes to prove his potential. That is going to cost the Rangers. It’s projected that Shesterkin could come in between $5 million and $6 million per season, but don’t be surprised if it leans closer to the latter at around $5.75 million.

Though he suffered a groin injury in March that sidelined him for 10 games, the 25-year-old still started 31 of 56 contests last season. During his first NHL call-up in 2019-20, Shesterkin missed three games with an ankle injury and then missed the first two games of the qualifying round in the bubble playoffs with a groin issue.

Still, Shesterkin has posted a 26-16-3 record with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage since entering the league. His 10 wins in the first 12 NHL games of his career in 2019-20 set high expectations.

But in facing the reality of not having Henrik Lundqvist as a safety net any more, Shesterkin — and backup Alexandar Georgiev — stumbled through the beginning of last season. The Rangers had effectively strengthened their overall defense, but both netminders struggled to track the puck and failed to register a few key saves that cost the Rangers some early wins.

Shesterkin did finish relatively strong, backstopping 10 of the Rangers’ last 13 wins of the season. He ultimately finished with a 16-14-3 record with a 2.62 GAA and a .916 save percentage in 35 appearances.

With a significant raise from his $925,000 entry-level cap hit on the horizon, Shesterkin will need to fully step into the starting job and disprove any durability concerns. It wasn’t until the final two months of last season, after Shesterkin healed from his groin injury, that the Rangers began deploying him three to four games in a row.

Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, who inked a five-year, $25 million deal in March, has been used as a close comparison for Shesterkin considering the two are the same age and have put up similar numbers. It’s possible Shesterkin could get a deal similar to the one the Avalanche gave Philipp Grubauer in 2018, which was a six-year contract with a $6.167 average annual value.

The path to Lundqvist’s vacated throne is within reach, it’s just up to Shesterkin to take it.

New York Post LOADED: 08.03.2021

1219047 Philadelphia Flyers the National Hockey League and establish myself. Having a chance to do that on an expansion team is extremely humbling and exciting. I’m excited because everyone on that team has something to prove, and it just looks like a whole team of physical, hardworking guys that have good Former Flyers winger Carsen Twarynski, reunited with Dave Hakstol, character. ‘ecstatic’ to have chance with Seattle’s expansion team “Everyone is going to be hungry and want to prove something.”

Breakaways by Sam Carchidi Jason Smith, a former Flyers defenseman, and Riley Armstrong, who guided the ECHL’s Maine Mariners for two years, were named Phantoms assistants. Jacob Rogers was chosen as an assistant equipment Carsen Twarynski, saying he will forever be grateful to the Flyers, is manager with the AHL team. ... The Flyers named Mike O’Connell as excited for his opportunity with Seattle’s new NHL team. senior adviser to the general manager/player development. Others “I’m hoping to get to Seattle as soon as possible and soak it all in,” he appointed by the Flyers: Nick Beverly, pro scout; Joakim Grundberg, said the other day. director of European scouting; Matt Bardsley, amateur scout; Jacob Hurlbut, assistant director of hockey analytics; Dan Warnke, head Twarynski, a 23-year-old winger who plays with an edge, was selected strength and conditioning coach; and DeRick O’Connell, assistant by the Kraken in the July 21 expansion draft, and he will battle for a strength and conditioning coach. roster spot in training camp next month. Until late last week, he was still working out at the Flyers’ practice facility in Voorhees. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 08.03.2021

He admitted to having some mixed emotions when told he was chosen by Seattle.

“I think a big part of that was that I’ve spent a great deal of time over the last four years training here in the summer and trying to establish myself as a player and person and make the team,” he said. “I told Chuck [Fletcher, the general manager] that Philadelphia is a place I would have loved to have spent my career, but obviously business things happen. The thing that’s most difficult to leave behind is the relationships I’ve built here and the people I’ve met.

“That being said, going forward, I think we drafted a great team in Seattle, and I know the staff is excited, the city is excited,” he said, adding when he played in juniors against the , he learned “the fans there are nuts. I’m glad to be on their side. I’m ecstatic for the start of this new journey. It’s going to be a fun road ahead.”

Seattle will be coached by Dave Hakstol. He was the Flyers’ coach when Twarynski went to a few of their training camps. Twarynski said his familiarity with Hakstol “will definitely” make him feel more comfortable. Ditto the fact that Seattle selected the Canucks’ Cole Lind, who was one of his linemates with Kelowna in the .

Carsen Twarynski (middle) and his dad, Rob, and mom, Kim, who surprised him by attending his NHL debut with the Flyers in Prague in 2019.

Early in the day of the expansion draft, Twarynski learned he was Seattle-bound. He had just finished working out in Voorhees when Fletcher said he wanted to talk. Fletcher told him the news about 15 minutes before it was leaked that he was headed to Seattle.

“And I talked to Jason [Botterill], the assistant general manager in Seattle, shortly after that,” Twarynski said. “I was thankful Chuck was able to tell me and I was able to tell my parents before it was on the internet. It was obviously a cool moment, and I think it was unfortunate that someone decided to leak it because it takes away a lot of that experience for everyone involved.”

On Friday, Twarynski returned home to Calgary to spend time with his family and friends, but he will soon travel to Seattle and begin working out there and getting ready for the team’s inaugural season.

“I obviously want to get there as soon as possible to start meeting the guys, meeting the staff, and get more familiar with the city,” he said.

Twarynski was selected by the Flyers in the third round of the 2016 draft. After a productive career in the Western Hockey League, he spent the last three seasons with either the AHL’s Phantoms (17 goals in 102 games) or the Flyers (one goal in 22 games).

This past year, he was on the Flyers’ taxi squad for most of the season.

“I can’t say enough about the guys on the team,” he said, mentioning Kevin Hayes, Claude Giroux, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Travis Konecny. “Everyone on the team made me feel like a real part of the team for the last four years, even though I didn’t play many games.”

This coming season, he hopes to win a spot in Seattle’s lineup.

“Everyone knows, when it’s an expansion team, there’s a fresh slate for everyone,” he said. “My goal obviously is to be on the team and play in 1219048 Philadelphia Flyers the raw talent, but it didn’t have experienced personnel to execute the plan.

Consider this: The six players Fletcher has brought in via postseason Flyers looking more like Fletcher’s team after multiple moves moves (Ellis, Ristolainen, Keith Yandle, Atkinson, Thompson, Jones) average over 31 years of age. What you see on the ice this time around probably will be a smarter, more confident squad capable of making good decisions. Wayne Fishflying There’s a sense the Flyers want to get things moving back in the right

direction in a hurry. How much of a role team owner Comcast in this When Chuck Fletcher took over as general manager of the Flyers back in recent dust-stirring is uncertain but it’s clear the future is now. Fletcher November 2018, he inherited players who came to Philadelphia as far has installed a number of key components with his name attached to back as 2006. them.

That included three regimes headed by Ron Hextall, Paul Holmgren and And so there can be no more excuses. It’s Fletcher’s team at this Bob Clarke, the gentleman who drafted Claude Giroux some 15 years moment and he will bear responsibility for its future. ago. Burlington County Times LOADED: 08.03.2021 Any GM will tell you it takes time to put his mark on a franchise, and so it’s been with Fletcher. Over the past two and a half years, he’s been almost painstaking in gathering new players through trades, drafts and signings.

But it wasn’t until these past two weeks that Fletcher really started to remake the Flyers in his image, so to speak.

By adding three veteran defensemen — Ryan Ellis, Rasmus Ristolainen and Keith Yandle; a goalie — Martin Jones; and a pair of forwards — Cam Atkinson and Nate Thompson (who’s back for a second tenure in Philly), Fletcher has brought in a number of “his” players.

Going back a couple years, Fletcher’s first significant move was to hire a proven winner, Alain Vigneault, as head coach and adding veteran assistants Michel Therrien and Mike Yeo, who were former head coaches.

He signed center Kevin Hayes to a big free-agent contract, showed faith in young goaltender Carter Hart (a Hextall draftee) by promoting him to the NHL at 20 and more recently re-signed Scott Laughton to a multi- year deal when the talented center could have walked away through free agency. It also should be noted Fletcher deserves credit for signing veteran defensemen Justin Braun and Matt Niskanen, although as we all know “Nisky” decided to retire after one season, much to many people’s chagrin.

All that said, the Flyers keep looking more and more like a Fletcher team each day. You have a Fletcher No. 1 draft pick, Cam York, knocking on the NHL door, and several more prospects progressing nicely.

So, in October, when Philadelphia takes the ice for the 2021-22 season, these really aren’t going to just be your Clarke-Holmgren-Hextall Flyers anymore.

Let’s face it, it was time for a change. A veteran such as Jake Voracek had been here for the better part of a decade. There hadn’t been much postseason success over that span, so a change of scenery probably did both him and the Flyers some good.

Same with Shayne Gostisbehere. No doubt he has great talent but it just wasn’t a good fit anymore on the Flyers. Time to move on.

A guy like Atkinson is someone Fletcher can get fully emotionally invested in. Like Hayes, Atkinson was someone handpicked by Fletcher to be an integral part of this team. That’s not to say Giroux, Sean Couturier, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Konecny and Ivan Provorov aren’t fully connected to this team — it just means new blood brings a certain inherent energy with it.

“I think we needed to add more people to it and get some different people in that hadn't been here for a while,” Fletcher said. “Niskanen did a lot of that. Kevin Hayes has brought some different dynamic to the team and obviously Justin Braun, Brian Elliott and different guys over the years. I thought we were young in places last year. We let some veteran players go and lost some veteran players. We replaced them with kids. Frankly, I think it was too much to ask of certain players and of the group as a whole. It was less a reflection of the inability of the leadership group and more reflection on the fact that I didn't provide enough leaders for the group. That's what I mean that we needed to change that. We needed to bring in a different dynamic, bring in more voices, some different voices to complement what we have here.”

The key words there are “different dynamic.” Longtime Flyers fans who sit in the Wells Fargo Center night after night will tell you the team has 1219049 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers reportedly file for arbitration with RFA Sanheim

BY JORDAN HALL

FLYERS he Flyers filed for salary arbitration in negotiations with restricted free- agent defenseman Travis Sanheim, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Monday night.T

The deadline for club-elected arbitration was 5 p.m. ET Monday, while the deadline for player-elected arbitration was 5 p.m. ET Sunday. Sanheim, Carter Hart and Connor Bunnaman are the Flyers' notable restricted free agents this offseason. As expected, all three were extended their qualifying offers last Monday. Only Sanheim was eligible for arbitration.

With the Flyers filing for arbitration, the club and Sanheim's representation can go to a hearing overseen by an independent arbitrator to settle on a salary. Arbitration hearings are set to begin Aug. 11. General manager Chuck Fletcher and Sanheim's side can still negotiate and strike a deal before then. That oftentimes happens, but every case is different and a club-elected filing is much less common than player- elected arbitration.

Despite a challenging 2020-21 season, Sanheim is an important piece to the Flyers' present and future on the back end. The 25-year-old was a first-round pick in 2014 and has the ability to play in all situations. Before last season, Sanheim had made positives strides in consecutive years as more was put on his plate.

Sanheim's previous deal was a two-year, $6.5 million bridge contract. The Flyers have revamped their defense this offseason with the acquisitions of Ryan Ellis, Rasmus Ristolainen and Keith Yandle.

"We feel it's important to make our team more competitive. To get more competitive, we felt we needed to add some right-shot defensemen to our club this year to complement [Ivan] Provorov and Sanheim and to kind of slot everybody in the right spot," Fletcher last month after the club traded for Ristolainen. "We feel if that group can improve, then our team will improve."

Operating in the NHL's flat-cap world, much of the Flyers' busy offseason has had to revolve around salary flexibility. Projecting around RFAs is required every offseason. The Shayne Gostisbehere trade was a move made solely about cap relief in return. In adding players this summer, the club has had to subtract.

"The environment’s tough," Fletcher said July 22 about the stagnant cap. "Shayne played really well for us, not just last year, but for many years. He was a model citizen, he was at Skate Zone today working out on his own and training — he’s a true professional, he was a very good Flyer, so I really want to thank him for that.

"But our reality was pretty simple: when you factor in the expected raises that Sanheim and Carter Hart will receive, and we very much want to sign those two players, we didn't have a lot of space left to fill the holes we needed to fill."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219050 Philadelphia Flyers

Former Flyers captain hired as club announces staffing changes

BY JORDAN HALL

Among various organizational staff announcements Monday, the Flyers named Jason Smith and Riley Armstrong the two new assistant coaches at AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. Laperriere, who was named head coach of the Phantoms in June, said he was eyeing a younger staff with hands-on ability and pro experience.

"We spent an awful lot of time this summer looking at our staff, our structure and I think we've made some really meaningful changes and improvements to how we do things, not just from a coaching standpoint, but from a development standpoint, a scouting standpoint and a data standpoint," Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said last month. "We put a lot of time and effort this summer into fixing some things off the ice that we think will lead to better on-ice results.

"We've looked at everything. Last year was unacceptable. It's been a busy offseason behind the scenes and I'm really happy with some of the moves we've made. Now we have to find a way to get better on the ice and that'll be the focus from here on out."

Smith was the captain of the Flyers in 2007-08 and had the nickname "Gator." The 46-year-old former defenseman played 1,008 games in his NHL career and 27 at the AHL level. He has been an NHL assistant coach with the Senators and was most recently at the junior level in the WHL as an associate coach with the Prince George Cougars after serving the as their head coach.

Armstrong, a 36-year-old who was a forward during his playing days, compiled 404 career AHL games. He played a pair of games for the Sharks during 2008-09 and also had pro stints in Finland, Sweden, Russia and Germany. Armstrong has coaching experience at the ECHL level, where he's been an assistant coach, head coach and assistant general manager. He was with the Maine Mariners over the last three seasons under Danny Briere, who works in the club's front office.

In other organizational staffing matters, the big club added Mike O’Connell as senior advisor to the general manager and player development, Nick Beverley to its pro scouting staff, Matt Bardsley to its amateur scouting staff and DeRick O’Connell as its assistant strength and conditioning coach.

The club made in-house promotions by elevating amateur scout Joakim Grundberg to director of European scouting, assistant strength and conditioning coach Dan Warnke to the head role and lead developer in the analytics department Jacob Hurlbut to assistant director of analytics.

Chris Osmond, the club's previous head of strength and conditioning, has remained on staff in strength and conditioning.

The Flyers recently lost amateur scout Nick Pryor and player development coach Brett Hextall to the Penguins. Pryor was hired as Pittsburgh's director of amateur scouting and Hextall is in his same role with the Penguins.

On the Phantoms' staff, Jacob Rogers was hired as the team's new assistant equipment manager.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219051 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers make new hires for Phantoms and front office

Staff and wire report

The Flyers announced Monday they made changes to their hockey operations staff, topped by the hiring of Mike O’Connell as senior advisor to the general manager/player development.

O'Connell comes over from the , where he acted as pro scout and consultant and advisor to the GM for the past 15 years (2006-21).

O'Connell was also a vice president and GM of the Bruins from 2000-06, overseeing a team that won two division titles with a record of 179-130- 78 with 39 ties.

The Flyers also brought in veteran pro scout Nick Beverly, who worked the last 16 years for the Nashville Predators.

Prior to joining the Predators, he served as the assistant general manger of the Chicago Blackhawks from 2000-03. He worked in the front office for Toronto Maple Leafs from 1994-2000, including roles as director of pro scouting.

Beverley played 11 seasons as a defenseman in the NHL where he appeared in 502 games and recorded 112 points (18 goals, 94 assists) with the Bruins, Penguins, Rangers, North Stars, Kings and Colorado Rockies.

In other moves, Joakim Grundberg was hired on as director of European scouting, Matt Bardsley was hired as a scout and Jacob Hurlbut was promoted to assistant director of hockey analytics.

Other additions included head strength and conditioning coach Dan Warnke and his assistant, Derick O'Connell.

For the Phantoms, who will be coached by former Flyers player and assistant coach Ian Laperriere, ex-Flyers captain Jason Smith, 47, will serve as an assistant coach, along with fellow assistant coach Riley Armstrong, 36, who last served as head coach of the ECHL's Maine Mariners.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219052 Pittsburgh Penguins and play a physical game. … It might frustrate the other team where they’re going to take penalties and give our team a power play and more chances to score.”

Penguins forward Brock McGinn is ready for tough expectations As far as scoring goes, McGinn’s base numbers weren’t all that impressive. In 37 games last season, he had 13 points (eight goals, five assists). That said, his goals-per-game rate of 0.22 was a career-high.

SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 1:54 p.m. “A lot of the time in Carolina, I felt like I never fully got that opportunity to show how offensive I can be, and it was more the defensive side of my

game that was focused on,” McGinn said. “Last year, I really went into it Toughness can be defined a lot of ways in hockey. trying to prove how offensive I can be in the NHL. Last year was a true testament of how I can play and how offensive I can be as long as my A generation or two ago, it could have been tabulated by penalty minutes defensive (game), my full 200-foot style game doesn’t (stray) from that.” or fighting majors. Signed to the longest contract he’s ever signed in his professional career Today, the sport has a far less pugilistic bent. But being tough is still an (and will likely ever sign), McGinn now has a really tough job ahead of attribute that is as vital to the sport as frozen water and fake incisors. him: meeting the inflated demands of such an investment.

So is new Penguins forward Brock McGinn “tough?” “I’m at the best stage of my career here,” McGinn said. “The first couple of years, you’re really just trying to gain your confidence and see where Well, if “tough” is defined as “playing with a partially separated shoulder you fit in in the league and on a team. The last couple of years, I really and not telling your coaches about it because you didn’t want to be pulled established myself in the part of the lineup where I feel I can play.” out of the lineup,” then, yeah, Brock McGinn is tough. “Going forward, I want to put higher expectations on myself and that’s That’s what McGinn, who joined the Penguins as an unrestricted free how I’m going to play.” agent last week, did during the 2016-17 season with his previous employer, the Carolina Hurricanes. Follow the Penguins all season long.

Having spent parts of three seasons in the American Hockey League, Tribune Review LOADED: 08.03.2021 McGinn broke through as a regular NHLer in 2016-17. And he wasn’t going to let something like a wonky shoulder ruin that for him.

“It’s going to take a lot to take me out of the lineup,” McGinn said via video conference Monday. “That is just the way I like to play the game, and that’s the way I was brought up.”

Something approaching the bounds of “a lot” apparently happened to McGinn last season. Hhe missed the final 19 games of the regular season because of an undisclosed injury he suffered April 4.

“If he comes out of a game, he’s hurt,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said that night. “There’s no one I’ve been around since I’ve been done playing that’s tougher than that kid.”

That moxie prompted Penguins management to extend a four-year contract with a salary cap hit of $2.75 million to the 27-year-old from Fergus, Ontario, as the free agency signing period opened Wednesday.

“There was definitely other offers,” McGinn said. “But I think when it comes down to it, I didn’t want to go anywhere where I wasn’t going to have a chance to win a Stanley Cup (championship). Looking at Pittsburgh, everything is bright about this organization. There’s nothing bad you can say about it. Every single year, they have a chance. When I looked at Pittsburgh, that was one of the top choices.”

McGinn (6-foot, 187 pounds) will be expected to serve as a replacement of sorts for former forward Brandon Tanev, who was lost to the Seattle Kraken through the expansion draft last month.

While not an exact carbon copy of what the tenacious Tanev offered, McGinn shares a lot of common attributes.

“I’m a 200-foot player who’s going to bring energy, who’s going to play that physical style and who can also contribute offensively,” McGinn said. “I’ve shown that over the last couple of years. My mindset is not going to change how I’m going to play.”

“I’m not going to … hope to come in and score 40 goals. I know my expectations. I’m going come out, bring energy for the guys and, hopefull,y help Pittsburgh win as many games as we can and, hopefully, bring a (Stanley Cup title) to the city of Pittsburgh.”

One area where McGinn figures to offer a tangible contribution is penalties and his ability to draw them.

According to Natural Stat Trick, McGinn drew 0.92 penalties per 60 minutes of ice time during five-on-five situations. Among members of the Penguins who played in at least half of their games last season, only forwards Sam Lafferty (1.3), Jared McCann (1.2), Jake Guentzel (1.07) and Evgeni Malkin (0.94) drew penalties at a higher rate.

“My style of play might frustrate some players on the other teams where they’re going to take some penalties after the play or something like that,” McGinn said. “I’m going to go out there and hit them between the lines 1219053 Pittsburgh Penguins

Madden Monday: If Penguins don't improve goaltending 'it will be an error of monumental proportions'

TIM BENZ | Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 5:56 a.m.

So much for my hope that the Penguins might find a way to get Marc- Andre Fleury back to Pittsburgh.

And so much for Mark Madden’s advice to Fleury that he shouldn’t report to Chicago as part of that trade between the Blackhawks and the Vegas Golden Knights.

Fleury put all of that discussion to bed when he announced on Sunday that he’d report to the Blackhawks after all.

He’s in #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/2RTjG7UGLe

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 1, 2021

So, no Fleury. Darcy Kuemper went to the Colorado Avalanche. Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta are both going to Carolina. Braden Holtby is on his way to Dallas. So, what does that mean for the Penguins in goal?

After all, they can’t go back to Tristan Jarry as the top option in net with Casey DeSmith as the lone backup. Not after Jarry’s hideous playoff series against the New York Islanders.

Can they?

“(Jarry and DeSmith) did a good job for us last year,” Penguins general manager Ron Hextall said last week. “And we anticipate them both being back.”

Oh. Well, then, maybe they can.

During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Madden suggested that was a poor idea.

“I think they are going nowhere with Jarry and DeSmith as the goalies,” Madden said. “People are panicking about losing Jared McCann and Brandon Tanev. They are small potatoes. They are bottom-six guys. … That’s still a team that won the division last year. But unless they solve the goaltending, they aren’t going to win a playoff series. And let’s not forget they are in a tougher division this year. It won’t be as easy to make the playoffs, let alone win it.”

That said, Madden isn’t ruling out an attempt to get a goalie before training camp begins.

“You hear Jonathan Quick may be available in a trade (with the Los Angeles Kings). Hextall has some history with Quick, having worked with the Kings organization. But I don’t know. The more I look at what’s going on, the more it seems like they are going to stick with Jarry and DeSmith. Which would be an error of monumental proportions,” Madden concluded.

Meanwhile, on the Fleury front, Madden says that the notion of Chicago immediately shipping Fleury to Pittsburgh for future assets was probably a fantasy all along.

“Chicago didn’t acquire Fleury to flip him to Pittsburgh. They got him to play. They think they can get in the playoffs. They have to keep what remains of their core happy with (Jonathan) Toews and (Patrick) Kane. They got Fleury to play and make the playoffs,” Madden said.

So, are the Blackhawks of the belief that their championship window is still open, as the Penguins seem to think is the case in Pittsburgh?

“If they do, they are even more foolish than the Penguins,” Madden said.

Also on the podcast, Mark and I talk about the Simone Biles controversy. We also dive into Steelers training camp, all the Pirates trades and the passing of ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill.

Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden talk about Marc-Andre Fleury not coming to the Penguins, along with Simone Biles, Steelers camp and Pirates trades

Tribune Review LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219054 Pittsburgh Penguins But he said it is “incredible” to join “such a high-class organization” in Pittsburgh. The Ontario native says he can’t wait to get down here and get to work.

Brock McGinn is eager to prove that the Penguins signing him was 'a “There was definitely other offers. But when it comes down to it, I didn’t smart choice' want to go anywhere I couldn’t win the Stanley Cup,” he said. “This organization, there’s nothing bad you can say about it. Every single year they have a chance.”

MATT VENSEL Post Gazette LOADED: 08.03.2021

When it was time for Brock McGinn to move on from Carolina after nine years with the organization, one thing he sought in his next city was the ability to chase the Stanley Cup. Another was the stability to do it year after year after year.

The 27-year-old winger believes he checked both boxes here in Pittsburgh when he signed a four-year contract with an average annual value of $2.75 million.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always had these short deals. So in the back of your mind you’re trying to fight for this deal and get that stability,” McGinn said Monday on a conference call with reporters. “But you’re still fighting for your spot every single day in the NHL. You still have the drive to prove yourself.”

The Penguins hope the 6-foot, 187-pound winger will replace some of what was lost when Brandon Tanev was claimed by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft — and maybe that he will also give them a little bit more in other areas.

Penguins' forward mix gets more crowded with Danton Heinen, Michael Chaput deals

We’ll let the new guy give you the lowdown on what he plans to provide.

“I think I’m a 200-foot player who’s going to bring energy, who’s going to play that physical style and also contribute offensively,” he said. “My mindset is not going to change. … I’m going to come out, bring energy for the guys and try to win as many games as we can and hopefully bring a Cup to the city of Pittsburgh.”

McGinn was a second-round pick of the Hurricanes in 2012 and made his NHL debut in 2015-16. He became a regular two years later and a popular player in Raleigh for a Hurricanes team that blossomed into one of the NHL’s best in 2021.

While young guns such as Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov had a lot to do with that, the Hurricanes valued McGinn’s two-way play and intangibles.

McGinn is considered a solid defensive winger. He threw 274 total hits between the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, which ranked 45 among NHL forwards. He draws a good amount of penalties. In the past he has been credited with an above-average rate of takeaways. And he was a plus penalty-killer with Carolina.

“My style of play might frustrate some players on the other team,” he noted.

Last season, McGinn added eight goals and 13 points in 37 games. Both those totals would have challenged previous career highs had he played a full season.

NHL free agency: Penguins add forward Brock McGinn

“Last year was a true testament of how I can play and how offensive I can be as long as my defense and my full 200-foot game doesn’t [suffer],” he said.

Now, his 13.8 shooting percentage might regress back toward his career average in 2021-22. But the Penguins believe he’ll chip offensively here and there while giving coach Mike Sullivan a responsible winger to slot into his bottom six.

“I just want to go prove that they picked me for a reason and that it was a smart choice to do so,” McGinn said of the faith the Penguins are showing in him.

McGinn, who spent parts of six NHL seasons with the Hurricanes, said it was “tough leaving Raleigh” after he grew there into the player and man he is today. 1219055 Pittsburgh Penguins defensive side of my game that was focused on, where I think last year, I really went into it trying to prove how offensive I can actually be in the NHL. And I think last year was a true testament of how I can play and how offensive I can be as long as my defensive, full 200-foot style game McGinn Wants to Bring More Offense, Doesn’t Want to Let Penguins doesn’t (become) hindered from that. Down Question 6: Hey, Brock, welcome to Pittsburgh. Mike Vellucci was in the Hurricanes organization for a while. What’s your relationship like with him? What have your conversations been like so far? And then it also By PHN Staff looks like you enjoy pulling a good prank or two. Will your new teammates need to be on high alert or what?

The Pittsburgh Penguins lost Brandon Tanev, the man they called McGinn: First of all, with Mike, I think I got to know him and Carolina, and “Turbo” to the Seattle Kraken in last month’s expansion draft. The speed, he’s a great guy. He gave me a call right after I signed the deal. He just tenacity, and energy that Tanev brought figured to leave a hole in the talks so highly about Pittsburgh and he just talked about how much I’m Penguins lineup, which is why GM Ron Hextall signed UFA winger Brock going to like it there, how high class it is. And I don’t think people need to McGinn to a contract minutes after free agency began on July 28. be aware or anything like that. But I like to keep it light. I think when it comes down to it, you’ve got to be light in the dressing room. And then McGinn, like Tanev, had an offensive outburst last season. McGinn but when it’s time to go, it’s a serious time. scored more goals per game than his previous five seasons when he popped eight goals in 37 games. Tanev scored seven in 32 games, but Question 7: You mentioned you feel like your game as far as your Penguins President of Hockey Operations recently said on SiriusXM offensive side of the game took a step forward last year. Just the last Radio, the Penguins upgraded. handful of years, being a consistent NHL’er, and where this contract lines up, do you feel like you’re entering the prime stage of your career? “We think we’re getting an upgrade on (Tanev). We think he can do more,” Burke said. McGinn: Yeah, I do. I think I’m at the best stage of my career here, I think in the first couple of years, you’re really trying to gain your confidence McGinn met the media for the first time on Monday–well, he did a Zoom and see where you fit in the league and on teams. So I think the last chat. That’s as close to meeting as things get in 2021. couple of years, I really established myself in the part of lineups where I feel I can play. And I think going forward I want to put higher expectations You can watch the video here or read the transcription below. on myself, and that’s how I’m going to play. Question 1: Good morning, Brock. Welcome to Pittsburgh and thanks for Speaker 8: Brian Burke, already set the bar for you pretty high when he speaking with us today. Did you have any other offers that you said you’re going to bring more to your role than the Pittsburgh Penguins considered seriously? And if so, what made you choose the one from the have gotten in the past. Is that one of the reasons you signed here, the Penguins? chance to bring more offense or the fact that the president believes in Brock McGinn: Yeah, there were definitely other offers, but I think when it you that much? comes down to it, I didn’t want to go anywhere where I didn’t have a McGinn: Yeah, I think when an organization believes in you, it’s a good chance to win the Stanley Cup. And I think coming down to looking at feeling, but you never want to let them down. So I think that’s not my Pittsburgh, I think everything is great about this organization. There’s mindset to let them down. I just want to go prove that they picked me for nothing bad you can say about it. And I think every single year they have a reason and it was a smart choice to do so. a chance. So when I looked at Pittsburgh, that was one of the top choices. Question 9: You signed a four year contract. Why was getting that kind of term important to you than maybe a shorter deal? Question 2: I read a story in the Raleigh newspaper today about you from a couple of years ago, It said you played a lot of the 2016-17 season with McGinn: I think just through my career, I’ve always had these short deals, a partially separated shoulder. And you kept that from the medical staff so it’s kind of on the back of your mind you’re trying to fight for your next so you wouldn’t get pulled out of the lineup. How accurate is that story? deal, your next deal, and getting that stability that you’re still fighting for And if it is accurate, just how much does that maybe represent how you your spot every single day in the NHL you’re not given that opportunity. carry yourself as an NHL’er? It’s still the drive to prove yourself every single day. But having that stability, it’s just a little more comfortable for me. And I think I’m recently McGinn: I don’t think I ever want to miss a game, so this year is the first engaged. I think it’s just a big step for me and my fiance. And that’s just time that happened to me, but it’s pretty accurate. They they knew about it’s a good feeling. it and stuff like that. But it’s going to take a lot to take me out of the lineup. So it’s pretty accurate. It did happen. But I think that is just the Question 10: A lot has been written about your career, but how would way I like to play the game and it’s the way I was brought up. you describe yourself as a player?

Question 3: What does it mean for you to be a part of the Pittsburgh McGinn: I think I’m a 200-foot player that is going to bring energy, is Penguins? going to play that physical style, and he can also contribute offensively. And I think I’ve shown that over the last couple of years. I don’t think my McGinn: It’s incredible. It’s such a high class organization, and I’m really mindset is going to change how I’m going to play. I’m not going to come looking forward to getting down to Pittsburgh and getting things started. I in and try to score 40 goals. I know my expectations and I’m going to think ever since I’ve grown up, you have looked at an organization like come out, bring energy for the guys and hopefully help Pittsburgh win as Pittsburgh, and it’s just incredible how they run it, the people that they many games as we can and hopefully bring a Cup to the city of have inside the organization. So I’m just really looking forward to it. Pittsburgh. Question 4: I just wanted to ask you, how does it feel to start this next Question 11: A big part of your game is drawing penalties. You had one phase of your career? of the highest rates on the Hurricanes in terms of drawing penalties. Just McGinn: It’s exciting, I think it’s tough leaving Raleigh, I think that’s how I how conscious are you of that as being an attribute? And is there a became the player I am today. They gave me that opportunity to play in science or a technique or method of being able to do that effectively? the NHL and that’s every kid’s dream playing hockey. And I think I’m just McGinn: I don’t know if there’s a science or anything, but I think my style coming here to Pittsburgh, it’s a new step and it’s very exciting. And I’m of play might frustrate some players on the other teams where they’re looking forward to getting it started. going to take some penalties after the play or something like that. But I Speaker 5: I don’t know if scoring would be like one of the primary parts go out there and hit in between the lines and I play a physical game, but of your game, but you did have the highest goals per game last season not take as many penalties. It might frustrate the other team where that you’ve had in your career. Is that something you focused on heading they’re going to take penalties and give our team a power play and more into last year? Is that something that you will continue to focus on just to chances to score. help chip in here and there? Question 12: What is your impression of Mike Sullivan before you found McGinn: Yeah, I think. A lot of time in Carolina, I felt like I never fully got out you were coming here? And do you see any similarities to what it will that opportunity to show how offensive I can be; it was more the be like playing under him compared to what it was like playing under Rod (Brind’Amour)?

McGinn: I think in Carolina everybody respected Rudy so much, and I think looking at Mike, I see that in Pittsburgh; Every time you look, it looks like the bench respects him so much and he has everybody’s ear. I think everybody is going to play hard for him. So there’s definitely some similarities. And I’m excited to play for him.

Pittsburgh Hockey NowLOADED: 08.03.2021 1219056 Pittsburgh Penguins

Dan’s Daily: Kane Saga Gets Messy, Fleury Says, ‘Hey Chicago, I’m In…’

By Dan Kingerski

It was a hazy, lazy Sunday except in the hockey universe. Evander Kane denied serious gambling allegations that his soon-to-be ex-wife posted on social media. Pittsburgh Penguins winger Zach Aston-Reese filed for arbitration along with 16 other players. But Marc-Andre Fleury stole the show, as he always does, with a quick four-second video announcing the news that sent Chicago Blackhawks fans soaring over the Willis (Sears) Tower.

I wonder how soon Fleury will sing at Wrigley?

This was how it was always going to play out. The Pittsburgh Penguins weren’t interested in overhauling their team to accommodate him (some of you weren’t so nice when we tried to tell you). Vegas couldn’t keep two goalies, and McCrimmon clearly preferred Robin Lehner. Fleury landed in a good spot. He makes Chicago a playoff team. Chicago is a great city…except for deep dish pizzas.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Is this it? What will the Penguins lines look like next month? We laid them out–Hextall probably has some work to do because here’s what Mike Sullivan has to work with.

Zach Aston-Reese filed for arbitration on Sunday, one of 17 players, but sources with knowledge of the situation tell us talks are progressing.

NHL Trade Chatter, Free Agency, and National Hockey Now network:

San Jose: The Evander Kane situation is getting MESSY. He responded to the allegations that his soon-to-be ex-wife posted on Instagram, alleging he bet on San Jose Sharks games. THEN his wife responded again with some intensely personal stuff. Here’s the full story.

Life was better before social media. Period.

NY Post: Yep, Jack Eichel is STILL a Buffalo Sabres commodity and the reigning king of the NHL trade rumors. Larry Brooks believes the Vegas Golden Knights are still in and thinks the Rangers could be in–if Buffalo eats some salary.

Sportsnet: In addition to Aston-Reese, 16 others filed for arbitration. Arb hearings can get UGLY–not as ugly as the Kane divorce–but ugly. Vince Dunn and Jakub Vrana are among those who filed.

Philly: Both former Flyers goalies quickly found new homes in free agency, and both landed squarely in the Eastern Conference. Brian Elliott’s new contract was the most surprising.

Washington: The Capitals found themselves in a similar situation as the Pittsburgh Penguins. Blow it up, start the rebuild, or hold on tight. Like the Penguins, the Capitals are going to hold on tight. As Sammi Silber writes, that’s the correct call.

Florida: Carter Verhaeghe was a steal in free agency last year. Florida pushed Tampa Bay all season and in the playoffs. Now it’s time for the next step. Verhaeghe got a new contract and is juiced.

Colorado: Adrian Dater is doing a cool thing. Subscribers are getting to write their opinions about the state of the Colorado Avalanche.

Detroit: The Red Wings were bad last season. And the year before that. Really, really bad. But Steve Yzerman hit the NHL trade market, signed a few free agents, and–take a look at what the Red Wings lines look like now.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219057 San Jose Sharks

NHL: Probe into Evander Kane’s alleged gambling won’t drag on

NHL exec indicates investigation into San Jose Sharks star Evander Kane will be done by the start of training camp

By CURTIS PASHELKA | PUBLISHED: August 2, 2021 at 2:14 p.m. | UPDATED: August 2, 2021 at 8:37 p.m.

The NHL expects to conclude its investigation into Sharks forward Evander Kane by the start of training camp next month, league deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Monday in an email to this news organization.

Anna Kane, the player’s estranged wife, alleged in a series of social media posts Saturday that Kane had bet on NHL games and was “throwing games to win money.”

Kane strenuously denied the allegations Sunday in two posts on his Twitter account. He said he would cooperate with the NHL investigation.

Daly said Monday that Kane has not been suspended by NHL.

Per the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players’ Association, gambling by players on any NHL game is prohibited. League by-laws also contain a provision that says any player betting on any NHL game — whether it is his team’s game or not — may be expelled or suspended by the commissioner.

Sharks training camp is expected to begin in the second half of September, likely the week of Sept. 20.

In her Instagram posts Saturday, Anna Kane asked: “How does the NHL let a compulsive gambling addict still play when he’s obviously throwing games to win money? Hmm maybe someone needs to address this,” she wrote.

“Can someone ask (Commissioner) how they can let a player gamble on his own games? Bet and win with bookies on his own games?” Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, so the messages are no longer on her page.

“I have NEVER gambled/bet on Hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on a Sharks game, NEVER gambled/bet on any of my games and NEVER thrown a hockey game,” Evander Kane wrote on Twitter on Sunday. “The facts are I personally had my best season of my career last year and was the most consistent I’ve been throughout any season, I’m proud of that. I love the game of Hockey and would never do any of what was alleged.

“I look forward to cooperating fully with the league’s investigation, having my name cleared and looking forward to this upcoming season.”

Anna Kane was moving out of the former couple’s white farmhouse-style house in Willow Glen on Monday. As a mattress and box spring were being loaded into a moving truck, she came briefly to the door but said she didn’t want to talk. Her 1-year-old daughter was in the background in the arms of a babysitter.

In January, Kane filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy listing assets totaling just over $10.2 million and his liabilities at over $26.8 million. According to the petition, he lost $1.5 million due to gambling “at casino and via bookie (sports betting).”

Kane, who turned 30 Monday, has four seasons remaining on the seven- year, $49 million deal he signed with the Sharks in May 2018.

Per figures on CapFriendly.com, Kane has earned just under $56 million over a 12-year NHL career. Over the next four years, Kane is owed $26 million in salary.

This past year was among Kane’s best in the NHL, as he led the Sharks in goals (22), assists (27), and points (49).

Staff writer Julia Prodis Sulek contributed to this story.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219058 San Jose Sharks Still, it would be awfully hard for an individual player to successfully throw a game. Betting lines are constantly analyzed on both sides of the counter, and the amount of money needed to fix a game would be easily spotted long before a puck is dropped or a football is kicked. Column: NHL quickly responds to Kane betting allegations That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, just awfully hard. And that’s why leagues have rules about players betting on their own sports and their own teams, even if there are sports books in the stadiums and arenas TIM DAHLBERG where they play.

So, yes, the NHL should be alarmed about Anna Kane’s claims. The One thing seems clear by glancing at social media surrounding San Jose league should investigate them and do it quickly. Sharks forward Evander Kane. He has some issues, and his wife says A lot of things have changed in the last few years as sports betting betting on his own team is one of them. becomes a part of the accepted sports fabric. Leagues are delicately Anna Kane said some other things, too, in an Instagram post over the balancing added income from sports betting deals against the possibility weekend that also accused the hockey player of partying in Europe while something nefarious could happen because of them. the bank was going after their house and she was struggling to buy One thing that hasn’t changed is the bedrock rule that players don’t bet formula for their baby. on their own sport, much less their own games. Awful, of course, if true. But there are two sides to every story, and Kane San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 08.03.2021 responded by saying he and his wife are going through a contentious divorce and denied he had ever bet on any game he played in — or any NHL games at all, for that matter.

“I love the game of hockey and would never do any of what was alleged,’’ Kane posted online.

Where the truth lies remains to be seen. But the NHL was so alarmed by the allegations that the league immediately launched an investigation into them.

With good reason. Any inkling that games are being thrown or somehow compromised because players are betting on the game is the worst nightmare of a commissioner of any major sport.

But when you’re suddenly all in on sports betting like the NHL and other major leagues are, it’s hard to find the proper moral high ground to occupy. What was once a sin is now a profit center embraced by sports leagues eager to make a few dollars any way they can.

Still, throwing games is throwing games. And that’s also on the list of allegations Anna Kane delivered on Instagram.

“The integrity of our game is paramount and the League takes these allegations very seriously,’’ the NHL said in a statement.

That Kane was involved in gambling, if not sports betting itself, was common knowledge before Anna Kane made her allegations on Instagram. Kane was sued by a Las Vegas casino for unpaid gambling debts of $500,000 run up while the Sharks were playing in Las Vegas in 2019, and a California bankruptcy filing earlier this year obtained by The Athletic indicated he lost $1.5 million gambling over the previous year.

But there’s gambling and then there’s sports betting. For years, the major sports leagues treated them the same — but now that they have skin in the game they are careful to point out the differences.

Losing money at a craps table isn’t especially concerning. Losing while betting on your own games is another matter indeed.

In another time, Paul Hornung and Alex Karros lost a year in the NFL because they wagered a few hundred dollars on football games. Their 1963 suspension came complete with a warning about the curse of gambling from commissioner Pete Rozelle.

“This sport has grown so quickly and gained so much of the approval of the American public that the only way it can be hurt is through gambling,” Rozelle said.

Meanwhile, Pete Rose recently turned 80 and the man who will likely hold the major league hits record forever remains ineligible for the Hall of Fame. Though Major League Baseball and its teams now have lucrative deals with various betting sites, Rose remains a pariah for doing what the league tries to entice millions of sports fans to do now — bet on its games.

Rose’s ban should have been rescinded years ago, but that’s a topic for another time. Rose has long since paid his penalty and baseball has long since made its point.

If gamblers don’t think a game is on the up and up, they’ll stop betting. If fans don’t think games are on the up and up, they’ll stop watching. 1219059 San Jose Sharks Falloon was part of a controversially famous draft that saw go first to the Quebec Nordiques. Lindros, a Hall of Famer, was the consensus No. 1 prospect. So it was a matter of who would go second to the Sharks. In consideration along with Falloon were Alexei Kovalev and The story of the No. 2 NHL Draft pick who chose the simplicity of his Markus Naslund, plus two future Hall of Famers in and Manitoba farm .

Grillo has heard it before. How could they not take Forsberg? How could they not take Niedermayer? Or why not go after Kovalev and Naslund, By Ryan S. Clark Aug 2, 2021 who had strong careers? Grillo said the Sharks knew about Forsberg and Niedermayer. They liked what they saw. They just felt stronger about taking Falloon as part of a larger plan that would see them use their two At any given time, there could be more people reading this story than second-round picks to take Whitney and defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh. actually live in Foxwarren, Manitoba. That is where you will find a 1,200- acre grain farm that grows canola and hard red spring wheat. While “You can always second guess yourself, but I am not going to do that,” some locals joke it is a hobby farm compared to the 8,000-acre combines Grillo said. “I am not giving up on that kid because things did not go as in the area, the fourth-generation farmer who runs it loves his land. He well as they did for Kovalev or Forsberg. I see these articles that come loves the process of farming and he speaks at great lengths about these out where people say, ‘I would have taken this guy but our staff took that crops. He does it in a manner that conveys he is a fourth-generation guy.’ What the guy who says that forgets is that he had a chance to open farmer who did indeed grow up in small-town Manitoba. his mouth, but he didn’t.”

It’s Canada Day, and the farmer has taken a break. A week earlier, he Getting drafted should have been the highlight. But what made that day was stunned to learn a reporter wanted to talk to him about what he did even more memorable was when he was joined in the Sharks before farming. It isn’t like that experience has come up often in daily organization by someone he already knew. conversations over the past 30 years. “Pat was already down at the Sharks draft table after doing interviews When he was once a highly touted prospect who 30 years ago became and photos and such when he looked up into the stands and smiled at the No. 2 pick in the NHL Draft and it is not like that experience comes up me,” Whitney recalled. in daily conversations. It did not hit Falloon until later that he was going to a non-traditional He uses the next two hours to discuss everything. His rise as a junior market and one of the largest markets in the United States. Both Falloon star. The day he was drafted by the expansion San Jose Sharks in 1991. and Whitney described going to the Bay Area as an educational The shoulder injury that changed his career and still limits him today. experience. They got the treatment that comes with being top prospects Why he chose to be a farmer instead of a coach, executive or scout, like but it was intensified because they were the top prospects for a new NHL several of his contemporaries. team.

He offered advice to Matthew Beniers, the first player drafted by the Sharks public relations ushered them around all the local television Seattle Kraken, repeating what Brian Lawton and Doug Wilson told him stations. ABC. CBS. NBC. They did them all. One of the highlights was as a rookie. when they went to the Oakland Coliseum to watch George Brett when the Kansas City Royals played the Oakland A’s. Clearly, this was “The first thing I would do is look around, find a good veteran who has different from life in Spokane. But both Falloon and Whitney said they been around the league and latch onto them,” the farmer said. “Just take were the furthest thing from stars who got stopped on the street. in all the information from someone on that team.” “Nobody knew much about hockey,” Falloon said. “We went on the sports Pat Falloon grew up in Foxwarren, the tiny rural western Manitoba hamlet channels and we are trying to explain this game in five minutes to a that is more than three hours from Winnipeg. Asked how many people sports broadcaster who does not know what offside is. He could not live there, he remarks that it could be around 75 or so people. His is pronounce our names or who the coach was. Right away, you’re like, something of a familiar tale in the NHL. He was drawn to the local rink at ‘Holy shit. This is going to be an education.’ We were playing at the Cow an early age and played the game for countless hours over the next Palace. It smells like rodeo in there and they are cheering for offside and several years. Getting to the NHL became a serious goal around 11 or icing. Then, there was the crew of fans that remembers the (California) 12. Golden Seals from when they were in Oakland. The fans came out of the woodwork and it was a pretty good crowd.” When he was 16, GM Bob Strumm and coach Butch Goring showed up on the farm. Falloon was somewhat on his own that first season with the Sharks as Whitney was playing in Germany. Falloon was the youngest player on “They said we want you to play junior hockey for us,” Falloon said. “The the team. He was actually the ninth-youngest player in the league that other choice was to play junior B, go to high school, get drafted or go to season, according to Hockey-Reference. But Falloon made an instant university. For me, the quickest route to the NHL was going to the WHL impression by leading the Sharks with 25 goals, 34 assists and 59 points. … and our family decided I was going to Spokane.” He finished fourth in Calder Trophy voting behind Pavel Bure, Nicklas In Spokane, Falloon quickly drew the attention of NHL organizations. He Lidstrom and Tony Amonte. scored 22 goals and 78 points as a rookie, a team record that still stands. It was only one year, but it appeared the Sharks had a building block with His second season saw him explode for 60 goals and 124 points. Falloon. He was young. He had promise. He was proof that the Sharks’ Everything was aligning for Falloon as a top prospect. He won gold with draft strategy was potentially heading in the right direction. Falloon said Canada’s world junior team even after suffering a knee injury playing he was confident and went about his business but acknowledges that he baseball and guided the Chiefs to their first WHL and Memorial Cup might not have handled what came with being the young face of a titles. franchise to the best of his ability. Scouts were taking notice. Falloon speaks of it today with a certain level What Falloon wishes he had done differently was how he approached the of humility, giving all the credit to the opportunity he was given and the game with his preparation. He wishes he would have been better with his teammates he had in Spokane —which included the “best center in the diet and training regimen. Falloon said the NHL was different back then. league” , who scored 1,064 points in 1,330 NHL games. Guys would have beers and pizza after a game. They would use camp to “Pat showed you pretty much everything,” said Chuck Grillo, the Sharks’ get in shape whereas today’s players are in a perpetual cycle of director of player personnel when the club drafted Falloon. “All you had to monitoring their food intake and creating specific workout routines to know was the inner workings. He was a farm boy who seemed to be very maximize every inch of their bodies. humble. His parents were very humble. We thought we were getting a “If I look back on that, just those two things in itself, how much better great kid who excelled at everything. I don’t know if he was a great skater could a guy have been?” Falloon said. “I was not the only one. We had as much as it was his release was phenomenal. He and Whitney ran some guys who were working out hard. I found that out when I went to crazy numbers that year. They were ridiculous. Everybody we brought in Philly. I watched Roddy Brind’Amour in the weight room for a couple from the GM on down, they all left saying there are some good players days. I was like, ‘Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. What the hell?'” (in Spokane). I think we took three or four players out of the franchise.” Going into his second season, Falloon was on pace for a 56-point The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 campaign. Perhaps he would have liked a bigger jump in production. But at least there was consistency. Or that was the case until Jan. 10, 1993, when a game against the changed his life. Falloon was in front of the net when he was hipchecked and landed on his shoulder.

Falloon said it took three doctors to reset his dislocated right shoulder while he laid in a hospital bed. He was given a choice to let it heal, go straight into rehab or get surgery. He sought a second opinion and elected to receive surgery to repair the damaged cartilage.

Falloon was never the same. Even to this day, the shoulder still ails him.

“I never got full range of motion back,” Falloon said. “If you threw a ball like we were just playing softball. If there is a ball that is five feet over my head and coming with pace, I am scared to jump up and catch it. So that started a whole series of rehab and the game was never the same. I was good enough to play. Certainly, I am not blaming anything on that. As the years have gone by, I have realized that more.”

Whitney said the shoulder injury changed a lot for Falloon. After all, he was their leading scorer. He was earning heavy power-play minutes and was trying to build from a strong rookie campaign.

“If he does not have that surgery, his stats would have a different look,” Whitney said.

Falloon bounced back to score 22 goals and 51 points in his third season, but the shoulder limited him. He was someone who wanted to play hard but was smart enough to know to stay out of a scrum with a heavyweight enforcer. But he was forced to change his game, which he felt did not mesh with what was demanded.

A coaching change marked a sign of change for Falloon. He went from thinking he would spend his whole career in San Jose to being a healthy scratch. He spoke with his agent who then spoke with Sharks GM Dean Lombardi. They decided to find Falloon a new home. He was moved to the Philadelphia Flyers in his fifth NHL season. His final three seasons saw him traded to the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins. Falloon’s NHL career ended with 575 games, 143 goals and 322 points in nine seasons.

He played the next season for Davos HC in Switzerland, then he returned to North America awaiting his next step.

“I went home to the farm and guessed that was the end of my career,” Falloon said. “I headed home and started farming and thought if nothing comes in the summertime, I would not think much about it. Then, I started the business of farming and that was the end of my hockey career.”

Falloon played senior league hockey for a team in Foxwarren for several years. He said it was nice to be around the game and enjoy the camaraderie he built with his teammates. That much reminded him of the NHL. He coached his now-teenage daughter a couple of seasons starting when she was 6 years old, but he prefers supporting her from the stands. “I thought I knew more than I did,” Falloon quipped.

Living in Manitoba means he watches nearly every Winnipeg Jets game. And he can be a bit of an armchair coach. Those brief moments are when he thinks he would like to work in hockey as a scout. But that is as far as it goes. He enjoys being back on the farm. He was never comfortable in big cities, and large gatherings were never his thing.

“Patty is a farmer first,” said Whitney, who now works in the NHL’s department of player safety and hasn’t talked to Falloon in some time. “… I don’t think he had any aspirations to go further in the game of hockey as an executive. He had always intended to go back and farm. He is doing what he loves.”

Falloon’s name might not come up often. But he hears the conversations about how he was a bust. How the Sharks would have been better going in another direction.

“I am not going to lie to you. There were times in my life when that has crossed my mind,” Falloon said. “Was I a bust? Were there things I should have done differently? You can’t change anything. … Nobody comes up to me and says, ‘Let’s go through your career and what the fuck happened?’ I have not had that conversation with anyone.

“Overall? I wake up in the morning and I am happy and I go on. … I did not play 1,000 games and I wish I would have. I didn’t win a Cup and that hurts. But what do I have to really complain about?” 1219060 San Jose Sharks

SAN JOSE SHARKSREPORT: Friedman Squashes Meier Trade Rumor, Says Sharks “Like” Dvorak

By Sheng Peng

Elliotte Friedman squashed one San Jose Sharks trade rumor and started another in today’s 31 Thoughts podcast.

“I heard some rumblings about Timo Meier and New Jersey,” Friedman shared. “Those were flatly denied to me. Someone said you’re way off, don’t go down that road.”

Per San Jose Hockey Now’s sources, other NHL teams aren’t generally enamored with Meier’s contract. The 24-year-old winger has two years left at a $6 million dollar AAV and is coming off consecutive disappointing campaigns.

What would a potential Meier trade look like? What are #SJSharks looking for in a 3C? Will we see Eklund in teal sooner rather than later? @Sheng_Peng joins the @lockedonsharks guys to talk about all this & free agency: https://t.co/XTrusfCByn

— San Jose Hockey Now (@sjhockeynow) July 27, 2021

Instead, Friedman connected the San Jose Sharks with another young forward.

25-year-old Christian Dvorak is two years into a six-year, $26.7 million contract. That’s a $4.45 million cap hit.

The Arizona Coyotes are rebuilding: In just the last two weeks, they’ve sent out stars Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Conor Garland, and Darcy Kuemper for mostly expiring contracts and draft picks.

“I’ve heard Dvorak [talked about] a ton,” Friedman said. “He’s a physical, banging center who can get points. Those guys are hard to find. There’s a lot of teams out there that really like him.”

Friedman named San Jose, Calgary, Minnesota, Montreal, and the Rangers as among those teams.

That said, Friedman did not indicate that the Sharks were engaged in active trade discussions with the Coyotes regarding Dvorak. At the moment, the San Jose Sharks are three deep in top-nine pivots with Tomas Hertl, Logan Couture, and recently-signed Nick Bonino. Acquiring Dvorak would probably mean shifting one of those centers to wing.

Maybe acquiring Dvorak made more sense for San Jose — in terms of roster construction and salary cap allocation — before free agency? I wonder if the Sharks checked in on Dvorak in lieu of Bonino?

On the other hand, Dvorak is a young, accomplished forward on a reasonable contract. He’s the kind of player, if he’s available, that you’re always interested in. Young centermen who consistently average a point every two games, win more than half their faceoffs, and can be used in all situations aren’t a dime a dozen.

Either way, Dvorak isn’t coming cheap. But good news for the resetting San Jose Sharks, or whichever club nabs him — based on Arizona’s M.O. so far this off-season, they’re motivated to move him, and a combination of picks or prospects should do the trick.

San Jose Hockey NowLOADED: 08.03.2021 1219061 Seattle Kraken And though the weight and height would still lag for years, Evans began dominating games with skill and hockey sense typically seen in players much older. Evans became so dominant by his early teens that Campbell Elynuik, a former junior player, couldn’t believe what he After proving doubters wrong, surprise draft pick Ryker Evans wants to was watching from the stands. prove the Kraken right Elynuik had just started a job scouting Bantam-level Under-15 prospects in Calgary for the Pats when he spotted a defenseman, 5 feet 2 and barely 100 pounds, skating circles around opponents. By Geoff Baker “The skill level he had was next-level skill,” Elynuik said. “And his

courage. He was like, 100 pounds and he would go into corners with Surprise Kraken second-round draft pick Ryker Evans hadn’t needed guys that were 180 or 190 and come away with the puck. He was never motivation to hit the ice daily by 7 a.m. last winter after the COVID-19 afraid of anyone.” pandemic delayed the start of what for him would be a defining junior- Knowing some prospects take longer to grow, Elynuik did some hockey season. homework. He met with Evans’ family and found his mother, Lisa, was 5- Being passed over all seven rounds of last year’s NHL entry draft 8 and her father had been 6-3. provided enough internal burn to keep Evans warm, as he and his father, “So I had that in my back pocket,” he said. “But when I was selling him to Mike, a well-known power-skating coach, made the pre-sunrise trek from our head scout and everything, it was definitely like pulling teeth.” their Calgary, Alberta, home to a nearby outdoor rink. The newbie scout nevertheless “put my neck on the line” arguing the Indoor rinks in Alberta were closed due to COVID-19 precautions, and Pats should select the undersized player in that year’s Bantam draft. His the outdoor ice was smoothest that time of day, yet to be chipped by pleas resonated with Pats GM John Paddock, who, with the draft winding other users and better for high-speed, lateral skating drills. down, took Evans — by then listed at 5-3 and 110 pounds — 209th And the last thing Evans needed was to deal with more chips — on ice or overall in the 10th round, ahead of only 22 other players. otherwise. He has long toted proverbial ones from youth to adulthood, as Evans grew to a still-undersized 5-6 the following year. He’d added hockey’s talent evaluators repeatedly overlooked him due to size, with another couple of inches upon reaching Regina a season later. last year’s NHL draft snub the latest and biggest offense. He’s yet to play a full campaign for the Pats — eased into his first as a “It definitely puts a chip on your shoulder,” said Evans, 19, a left-handed rookie after he broke his leg and the past two shortened by COVID-19. shooting defenseman for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey But the two-dozen games played in the WHL’s “bubble” format in Regina League. “It definitely makes you work harder. It definitely makes you this year saw a bigger, faster defenseman contribute at both ends of the want to prove everybody wrong.” rink like never before. And that’s what Evans and his dad channeled for two hours every Having finally surpassed 6-0 in height, with a bulkier 191-pound frame, morning, working to improve his speed and mobility. From there, Evans Evans was named the Pats’ top player, scoring three goals and adding hit the home gymnasium for two more hours, padding his slender 25 assists — tying for the team lead with Connor Bedard, a potential No. physique with 15 pounds of extra muscle ahead of a COVID-19- 1 overall NHL draft pick in 2023. shortened 24-game WHL season that made the Kraken join him at foiling naysayers. And his more advanced analytics were off the charts.

In a stunning call at last month’s NHL draft, the Kraken made Evans its Mitch Brown, director of North American scouting for the Elite Prospects second-round selection (35th overall), a move even the Pats blue-liner website — who sells proprietary data to teams — compiled an all-in-one hadn’t expected. Evans, who ranked only 192nd among North American data set evaluating 300 defensemen and 450 forwards over 382 games skaters by NHL Central Scouting, slept in that Saturday morning — only last season in the major junior and United States Hockey League ranks. to have his stunned parents see his name called on the TV broadcast And in 12 primary categories that included exiting the puck from his zone, and hurriedly awaken him in time for a call from Kraken general manager entering the opposing zone and creating scoring chances for teammates, Ron Francis. Brown said Evans ranked No. 1 among all defenders “by a considerable margin” — including those taken higher in the draft. Later that day, Kraken amateur scouting director Robert Kron, who had met multiple times with the older prospect his scouts couldn’t stop raving He was significantly better in every category measured by Brown than about, summed up Evans this way: “He’s been battling through adversity Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman Braden Schneider, 19, drafted 19th all his life.” overall by the New York Rangers a year ago. Brown said the “deceptive transition” from defense to offense by Evans makes him most dangerous. It began as a toddler, with Evans experiencing stomach pains that worsened over time. By fourth grade, he often felt lethargic and wasn’t “He skates towards pressure instead of away from it, and that creates developing the same physically as others. space in other parts of the ice,” Brown said. “And then he looks off his passing target so that no one knows who he’s passing to. And when he Finally, Evans was diagnosed with Celiac disease, an immune-system hits the target he doesn’t break stride, he tries to get back up into the reaction to gluten that causes internal inflammation and prevents the play in the offensive zone.” body from absorbing key nutrients. For Evans, who had laced on skates at age 2 and tried to emulate boyhood idol Joe Sakic of the Colorado His data has Evans in the 96th percentile among defensemen in Avalanche, the discovery catapulted his game. expected goals per 60 minutes when he shoots the puck and the 99th percentile at drawing the primary assist on goals when he passes to His father had played college and low-level pro hockey, teaching him the teammates. basics. Through his power-skating business, Core Power, he had gotten Evans on the ice for drills alongside his older students — future NHL “That’s a really undervalued thing in NHL circles,” Brown said. “The mainstays such as Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point, ability to make the first pass and then get up in to the play and be Avalanche forward Cale Makar, Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh deceptive about it. I think players like Ryker Evans are market Morrissey and Calgary Flames winger Dillon Dube. inefficiencies right now in the draft and in a couple of years’ time we’re going to see players like him become increasingly valuable.” “He could skate, he had a real high hockey IQ,” his father said. “He knew how to position himself. But once we found out he had Celiac, everything Evans’ dad is just glad some NHL team took a chance on his son. changed drastically. He started to grow, and he was happier. It wasn’t tough to get going every morning.” “There were a lot of times when he was a better player and they said ‘Oh, he was just too small,’ ” he said. “Even though it was blatantly obvious he The family managed his condition by altering his diet. And Evans was a better player, they said he was too small. Now, they don’t say deployed his newfound energy level and strength. that.” “My whole life changed,” Evans said. “I started feeling better. I started getting the right nutrients, which allowed me to grow. I had better sleep. Once we figured that out, it changed my life.” Evans isn’t saying much either, just awaiting word on an invite to Kraken training camp next month. He’ll play for Regina again next season, then likely head to the Kraken’s American Hockey League affiliate in 2022-23.

And he will employ a mindset slightly different from one he’s operated under most of his hockey life.

“I always wanted to prove everybody wrong,” Evans said. “But now, since Seattle drafted me, I kind of have to prove them right.”

Seattle Times LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219062 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning sign defenseman Sean Day to one-year deal

Meanwhile, restricted free agent Ross Colton files for salary arbitration.

Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has said the Lightning will have to rely on some of their younger players to step into larger roles this season.

By Mari Faiello

TAMPA — The Lightning announced the signing of defenseman Sean Day Sunday, leaving only forward and restricted free agent Ross Colton left to sign from the list of players who received qualifying offers Monday.

Colton was one of 17 NHL players who filed for salary arbitration Sunday, according to the player’ association. The deadline for club-elected salary arbitration notification is Monday at 5 p.m. Salary arbitration hearings will be held from Aug. 11-26. A player can sign a contract with his current team any time before an arbitrator’s ruling.

Day, 23, signed a one-year, two-way contract. In 29 games for the Lightning’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse this past season, Day led Crunch defensemen in points (15) and assists (12). He has yet to make his NHL debut.

The Lightning signed forwards Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk on Saturday. Earlier in the week, they agreed to terms with defenseman Cal Foote and forwards Alex Barre-Boulet and Otto Somppi.

With the departures of defensemen David Savard (Montreal) and Luke Schenn (Vancouver), along with forward Tyler Johnson (Chicago) and the entire third line of Blake Coleman (Calgary), Yanni Gourde (Seattle expansion draft) and Barclay Goodrow (Rangers), general manager Julien BriseBois said the Lightning will have to rely on some of their younger players to step into larger roles this season.

“I’m comfortable that we have young players that are ready to assume a bigger role,” BriseBois said after the 2021 NHL amateur draft. “Cal Foote can play a bigger role, even thought he played a significant number of games this year. ... Mathieu Joseph can play a bigger role, Boris Katchouk, Alex Barre-Boulet, Taylor Raddysh are all knocking at the door.

“They’re ready to be presented with an opportunity to put their best foot forward and show that they belong in the show, as well.”

The Lightning are set to open the 2021-22 season against the Penguins on Oct. 12.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219063 Vegas Golden Knights Martinez came back on a three-year, $15.75 million contract, meaning the top seven defensemen in terms of total ice time will return. The 34- year-old bypassed the market to try to win his third Stanley Cup.

Golden Knights roster update: Sorting out a week of moves “Obviously the past couple years we’ve been really, really close, “Martinez said. “I’m excited to get going again and take another crack at this thing.”

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal The one subtraction was Holden, who played for the Knights for three seasons. The 34-year-old appeared in only 17 regular-season games last

season, and McCrimmon said Holden was looking for more playing time The Golden Knights always make a splash. The only question is when it in the final year of his contract. happens. His departure means the Knights will be relying on younger defensemen Max Pacioretty. Mark Stone. Robin Lehner. Alex Pietrangelo. Hardly an for depth. McCrimmon said he would like to see Dylan Coghlan, who NHL transaction window goes by without the Knights shaking up their appeared in 29 games as a rookie, get more playing time. roster in a major way. Goaltender The team might have topped itself again last week. No decision will Addition: Laurent Brossoit. resonate with the fan base for years to come like trading face of the franchise Marc-Andre Fleury to Chicago. The move cleared cap space, Departure: Marc-Andre Fleury. which was the first part of the three-pronged offseason plan, along with re-signing defenseman Alec Martinez and adding to the forward group. Gone is Fleury, who has started 191 of the Knights’ 281 regular-season games and 47 of their 66 playoff games. The 2021 Vezina Trophy winner The Knights accomplished all those goals, so their work on the roster is was traded to the Blackhawks for minor league forward Mikael almost complete. They still must get under the salary cap — they are Hakkarainen, who will not play for his new organization. about $37,000 over the upper limit, with restricted free agent Nolan Patrick unsigned. The Knights will make 2019 Vezina Trophy finalist Robin Lehner their primary starter and Brossoit their primary backup. Lehner is one of the As things stand, here’s how each Knights position group has changed NHL’s top goaltenders and more than worthy of the No. 1 job. He ranks this offseason: third in goals saved above average in all situations the past three seasons (42.03), behind Tampa Bay’s Andre Vasilevskiy (58.82) and Forward Dallas’ Ben Bishop (46.64). Additions/re-signings: Right wing Evgenii Dadonov, center Brett Howden, Lehner, 30, has four years left on a contract that costs $5 million annually left wing Mattias Janmark and center Nolan Patrick. against the salary cap. Fleury, 36, has one year left on his contract that Departures: Centers Cody Glass and Tomas Nosek and right wing Ryan costs $7 million. Reaves. Brossoit gives the Knights a far less flashy but cheaper second option The Knights experienced their most turnover up front. after signing a two-year deal as a free agent. He started 45 games in the past three seasons for the Winnipeg Jets, and McCrimmon said the 28- They swapped the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft (Patrick) for the No. 6 pick year-old was looking for more of an opportunity. Brossoit sandwiched two (Glass). They let Nosek walk in free agency and acquired a younger, good years around a disappointing one in Winnipeg, as he posted save cheaper fourth-line center in Howden. They traded Reaves in the hopes percentages of .925, .895 and .918. that younger players such as right wing Keegan Kolesar can fill his shoes. The Knights will gladly take a performance like his first and third seasons with the Jets for his $2.325 million cap hit, which represents $4.675 In free agency, they brought back a key playoff performer in Janmark. million in savings over Fleury’s. That money gave them space for That was after making their most intriguing forward addition in Dadonov. Dadonov’s $5 million salary.

The 32-year-old isn’t considered the most well-rounded player but he A Lehner-Brossoit tandem might not have the security or Jennings- immediately becomes one of the best finishers on a team that has winning upside that the Fleury-Lehner partnership did. But the Knights struggled to score late in the playoffs. Dadonov has not had a shooting think they will be better overall by spreading their money out. percentage lower than 14.4 percent in the past four seasons. Only right wing Mark Stone and center Chandler Stephenson topped that on the “My job is to try to make our team better, and to do that you need cap Knights last season. space to improve,” McCrimmon said. “Those things all tie into the decision.” “For sure a speedy, skilled guy,” Janmark said of Dadonov. “For sure would be fun to play with and a good fit on our team and a really good LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 08.03.2021 player.”

Dadonov also could be a useful addition on the power play, a major reason for the Knights’ playoff demise. He has experience in the bumper role and could provide more of a threat for the team in the middle of its setup. General manager Kelly McCrimmon said Dadonov “makes his living in the hard ice,” and he also will be a threat with tips and rebounds.

The addition has McCrimmon excited about the potential of the forward group, though the Knights will have to overcome the loss of Alex Tuch, who had offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to miss six months. They hope they now have enough firepower to score when it matters most.

“I think this is the best top-nine forwards that our organization has had,” McCrimmon said. “And I think this is the best group of forwards collectively that our team has had.”

Defensemen

Re-signing: Alec Martinez.

Departure: Nick Holden.

The blue line stayed largely intact. 1219064 Vegas Golden Knights Dadonov and Janmark are probably the safest picks to land on the third line. Both are proven depth scorers and have much more experience playing up the lineup than the others. Janmark is capable of playing both center and wing, but based on his usage this past season under DeBoer, Projecting the Golden Knights’ 2021-22 lineup after a series of trades I think he projects as a winger. The question is, who might play between and signings the two veteran wingers?

There is no shortage of options. Roy played on the third line most of 2020-21, and both Patrick and Howden should compete for that spot as By Jesse Granger Aug 2, 2021 well. Last season in New York, Howden bounced back and forth between the third- and fourth-line center spots, usually filling in on the third when Filip Chytil was injured. He didn’t play particularly well, with only one It’s been an eventful couple of weeks at the Golden Knights’ offices goal, six assists and a minus-3.94 expected goal share in relation to his inside City National Arena, with the team signing six players and Rangers teammates. completing five trades. The moves ranged in predictability and impact, but collectively they’ve changed the look of the roster. Patrick struggled in 2020-21 as well but had back-to-back seasons with double-digit goals and 30 points in the two seasons prior – something Obviously, the decision to move on from franchise cornerstone Marc- Howden has never done. It will most likely be a competition between Andre Fleury will give the 2021-22 Golden Knights an entirely different Patrick and Roy for the third-line center position unless Krebs forces his feel. The team will also be without Ryan Reaves’ intimidating presence way in. I’ll give Roy the slight edge considering he’s familiar with and Nick Holden’s reliability at the blue line, and there are plenty of DeBoer’s system and had a strong finish to last season, with nine points additions, especially to what has quickly become a crowded bottom-six in 19 playoff games. Then if Patrick suddenly starts to look like the forward group. offensive playmaker that made him the No. 2 overall pick in 2017, he gets bumped up to that line and helps drive offense. That would slot Roy Another major change to the potential lineup in Vegas came to light on into what I think is his best position, which is being a top-end fourth-line Friday when the team announced winger Alex Tuch is expected to miss center. six months after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. He could be out until February, which leaves a big hole in the lineup, but Vegas is better A third line of Roy, Janmark and Dadonov lacks the explosive equipped to fill it than in years past. playmaking that Tuch usually brings to that unit, but considering his absence it’s probably the best Vegas can do. Roy and Janmark are both General manager Kelly McCrimmon sounds like he’s done making reliable in their own zone and have shown the ability to create chances moves, but given the aggressive nature this front office has worked with for teammates, while Dadonov should give them a scoring punch that over the last three years, that’s never a guarantee. For now, the dust has most teams would have a hard time matching on the third line. settled. With all of these changes in such a short timeframe, now is a good time to examine exactly where the Golden Knights’ roster stands. If that is indeed what Vegas’ third line looks like to open the season, it would leave Patrick, Howden, Carrier and Kolesar to compete for the The trades to bring in Evgenii Dadonov, Nolan Patrick and Brett Howden final three spots on the fourth line. Carrier has been a mainstay on are certain to shake up the bottom two forward lines, and Reaves’ exit Vegas’ fourth line for the last four seasons, but with Reaves’ departure, could signal a changing of philosophy for the fourth line in particular. could DeBoer be looking for more offense out of his last line? Carrier has Replacing his physicality with smaller but more offensive players could only 43 points in 177 games over the last three seasons, which is less lead to an entirely different feel to Vegas’ depth. than Vegas’ incoming forward talent. As things currently stand – with Tuch placed on long-term injured reserve Production over last three seasons and out for the foreseeable future – the Golden Knights have eight forwards vying for six spots on the third and fourth lines. PLAYER GP GOALS ASSISTS POINTS

BOTTOM-SIX FORWARD OPTIONS William Carrier

Evgenii Dadonov 177

Mattias Janmark 21

Nicolas Roy 22

Nolan Patrick 43

Keegan Kolesar Brett Howden

William Carrier 178

Brett Howden 16

Peyton Krebs 33

There’s a chance Pete DeBoer opts to mix up his top two lines, which 49 could result in Dadonov or Janmark – or perhaps even Krebs – jumping into one of the top two lines. That would obviously bump one of the Nolan Patrick current top-six forwards down into this group, but for the sake of this 197 exercise let’s assume DeBoer will maintain his top line of Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and Chandler Stephenson, and his steady second line of 30 William Karlsson, Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault. 40 If no further moves are made, the competition for the final six forward spots should be intense. Of that group, seven of the players have been 70 full-time NHL forwards, so there’s no obvious option to leave off the It’s worth noting that for Carrier and Howden, these numbers are from the lineup sheet. Krebs is the only one who is waiver exempt, which could last three seasons, while Patrick’s numbers are based on his last three make it nearly impossible for him to crack the opening night lineup. seasons of play, dating back to 2017-18. That’s because he missed the There’s a chance he impresses the coaching staff in camp and forces entire 2019-20 season with migraine issues. While these comparisons their hand, but the most likely scenario with this crowded group is for may not be perfect, they show an obvious point, which is that Carrier is Krebs to start the season with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL. not as offensively skilled as Patrick, and arguably Howden. That’s not because he’s doesn’t deserve to play, but because Vegas can send him down without the risk of losing him on – unlike the That doesn’t mean he’s not a better player, or that he’s not a better fit for other seven forwards. the fourth line. That will be determined by what DeBoer wants from that line. If he wants energy and physicality – much like the last two seasons – Carrier will be a lock for the left wing spot that he’s had since joining the Golden Knights in 2017. But if DeBoer is looking for offense, we could see a major change in that line from the last three seasons.

And then there’s Kolesar, who surprised many with the amount of ice time he got in 2020-21. The 24-year-old had three goals and 10 assists as a rookie but generated more offense than those numbers suggest. He improved as the year went along, and he plays with an interesting blend of the physicality that Carrier and Reaves bring to the lineup, but with slightly more offensive upside. He could be an option regardless of which direction DeBoer chooses to go.

With all of that said, here’s what the Golden Knights’ lineup could look like on Oct. 12 when they welcome the Seattle Kraken into the NHL for the season opener at T-Mobile Arena.

“I think this is the best top-nine forwards (group) that our organization has had,” McCrimmon said. “I think this is the best group of forwards, collectively, that our team has had.”

And when Tuch eventually returns, it will make Vegas even deeper. Assuming the top two lines are healthy, Tuch would slot back into the third, and give the Golden Knights one of the most talented third lines in all of the NHL. That would also likely bump either Janmark or Dadonov down to the fourth, giving Vegas a legitimate scoring threat on the bottom line for the first time in quite a while.

The defensive depth chart has a lot fewer moving pieces and is therefore much easier to project. By re-signing Alec Martinez to a three-year deal, McCrimmon essentially guaranteed that Vegas will return the same defensive core, sans Holden.

McCrimmon did say Vegas expects more out of 23-year-old Dylan Coghlan, who played 29 games last season but many as a forward fill-in out of necessity due to the salary cap.

“It’s really important for me that we get Dylan Coghlan into more games,” he said, “so he’ll be a guy that we need to help continue to develop.”

Coghlan provides another smooth-skating option with a howitzer of a shot from the point. And while Coghlan plays on a jam-packed right side with Alex Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore and Zach Whitelcoud, McCrimmon hinted that Theodore’s ability to play the left side could make room for Coghlan when needed.

The only thing easier to project than the blue line is what will happen in the crease. After two years of fans waiting with anticipation to see which goalie left the ice first at every morning skate, the goalie room is finally settled with concrete roles. Robin Lehner will be the undisputed No. 1 goalie for the first time in Vegas, and he’ll be backed up by Laurent Brossoit, whom the Golden Knights signed as an unrestricted free agent out of Winnipeg.

“We really like what he’s done in Winnipeg,” McCrimmon said of Brossoit. “He’s played behind Connor Hellebuyck, who’s a real workhorse. He was looking for a little more opportunity and he’s a really good fit for our team behind Robin.”

Brossoit played 21 games behind Hellebuyck in 2018-19, but that dropped to 19 in 2019-20 and only 13 in last year’s shortened season. Based on McCrimmon’s comments, it’s likely Brossoit will see upward of 25 to 30 games in Vegas, while Lehner starts somewhere between 50 to 60. Lehner has only started more than 50 games once in his career, five years ago in Buffalo when he started a career-high 58 games.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219065 Winnipeg Jets Adam Lowry Kristian Vesalainen

Jansen Harkins How are the Jets going to fit Andrew Copp, Neal Pionk and Logan Stanley’s new contracts under the salary cap? Riley Nash

Dominic Toninato

By Murat Ates Aug 2, 2021 Luke Johnson

LD

The problems we are about to discuss are good ones to have. RD

By signing Paul Stastny, trading two second-round picks for Brenden Josh Morrissey Dillon and trading a third-round pick for Nate Schmidt, Winnipeg has made its intentions clear: The Jets are a “win now” team, doing their best Nate Schmidt to push into the playoffs and beyond. Brenden Dillon

Whether Winnipeg’s off-ice improvement leads to a lot of winning in Neal Pionk* 2021-22 remains to be seen but there are immediate consequences to adding Stastny, Dillon and Schmidt. The Jets have pushed themselves Logan Stanley* right up against the $81.5 million salary cap. And they will stay tight to that cap, even if they move Bryan Little’s $5.291 million AAV contract to Dylan DeMelo long-term injured reserve. Nathan Beaulieu

At the end of the roster, cap space will determine decisions. Riley Nash, G Dominic Toninato, and Jansen Harkins are NHL players in their own right but their $750,000, $750,000 and $725,000 cap hits will create job Connor Hellebuyck security at camp. Eric Comrie But it’s the top of the roster where the squeeze will be felt most. Let me answer as many questions as I can anticipate. Andrew Copp and Neal Pionk are the Jets’ two big-ticket restricted free agents — and along with Logan Stanley are Winnipeg’s last summer These are the lines as I believe Paul Maurice will run them. The top six signings to make. may not play out in exactly this fashion but we have a long history of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler to draw from. Adam Lowry Copp and Pionk have each filed for arbitration, which if you’re unfamiliar will absolutely centre line No. 3. Kristian Vesalainen is first in line for the with it, is a process where team and player make their case for a player’s third-line right wing job, not because I say so but because this is how I’ve salary to an independent third party. That independent third party hears interpreted communications with the team. I don’t hate Cole Perfetti, out each side and then decides on a salary figure that usually ends up David Gustafsson, Ville Heinola or Dylan Samberg — I just don’t think somewhere between the numbers the player and team are arguing for. there’s any world in which they take NHL jobs when none of them needs waivers and the AHL is so readily available to them. The same applies to It’s true that arbitration can be a contentious process — Copp detailed Mikhail Berdin and Arvid Holm. Luke Johnson is my 13th forward as his full range of emotions to The Athletic after his 2019 hearing — but much because of his $750,000 league minimum salary as because of his that’s beside the point just yet. NHL experience with the Minnesota Wild.

Winnipeg can keep negotiating a long-term contract with Copp and Pionk Remember that this roster leaves just $10.7 million to sign Stanley, Copp right up until the moment their arbitration hearings start. and Pionk.

And while the exact dates of those hearings are to be determined, we Yes, that’s with Little’s full $5.291 million assumed to be moved to LTIR. know the range of dates will fall between Aug. 11-26. And that $10.7 million figure shrinks every time you promote a player So instead of creating an emergency for emergency’s sake, what Copp such as Gustafsson ($817,500) or Perfetti ($894,167) over Harkins and Pionk have done by filing for arbitration is they’ve created a deadline. ($725,00), Toninato ($750,000), Nash ($750,000) or Johnson ($750,000). There will be no delay and no training camp holdout. This brings us back to the men of the hour: Stanley, Pionk and Copp. Instead, Winnipeg will have cost certainty, one way or another, by the end of August. Stanley doesn’t have arbitration rights and he’s only just become a full- time NHL player. Whatever his future looks like, it is easy to imagine a This is a good thing because there is a very real chance that the Jets one- or two-year bridge deal at a figure close to $1 million. (Evolving don’t have enough cap space to sign both players. Hockey projects $845,000 while I’ve heard other sources discuss a figure Let’s build Winnipeg’s cap picture step by step to explain why cap room closer to $1.5 million.) Stanley should be the easiest contract negotiation is so tight, what it means for Copp and Pionk, and how cap space will of the three — even if player and club would love to sign a long-term make key roster decisions clear at training camp. There is still a world in extension that projects his development and pays him a little bit more as which both players can stay with the Jets but it’s going to take a lot of a result, there’s simply no room. work. This brings the cap space down to $9.7 million.

The following roster leaves $10.7 million to sign Stanley, Copp and If I’m Pionk’s agents, I point straight to Josh Morrissey’s $6.25 million Pionk. AAV. Pionk has outscored Morrissey 77-52 in the past two seasons and LW C RW outplayed him defensively as well, whether measured more accurately via flow of play metrics or in terms of plus-minus, where Pionk is plus-16 Kyle Connor and Morrissey is even. I may concede that Morrissey wears a letter and defer, in part, to his first-round draft pedigree and his time put in with the Mark Scheifele team; still, there’s no way in my mind that a long-term contract falls below Blake Wheeler $6 million. (Evolving Hockey projects $6 million as well.)

Pierre-Luc Dubois This brings the cap space down to $3.7 million.

Paul Stastny And this is why I spent so much time harping on about $750,000 contracts. Promote Gustafsson and Perfetti while leaving room for their Nikolaj Ehlers bonuses and an already unworkable $3.7 million figure shrinks even further. Andrew Copp* Moving on.

Copp’s contract projects to be the most difficult to negotiate on a lot of fronts.

Stanley doesn’t have arbitration rights. Pionk has arbitration rights, but even if the hearing is held, Winnipeg can choose a one-year award and take a second swing at signing him long term in 2022. Copp, on the other hand, is eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. A one-year arbitration award would walk him straight to that.

The Jets need to sign him to a long-term deal before his hearing or risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season.

But $3.7 million is nowhere near enough cap space to pay Copp on a long-term deal.

Where are they going to find the money?

The only place on the roster I’ve listed to save even $500,000 would be to waive or trade Nathan Beaulieu ($1.25 million) and replace him with Sami Niku ($725,000) but that’s an on-ice decision contrary to Winnipeg’s own history. It seems far more likely that the club moves on from Niku, who got into just six games last season.

Even in that maximum cap space scenario, it may be tough for Copp to stomach a $4.2 million long-term contract after producing at a 58-point pace.

Consider the stakeholders:

If I’m Copp’s agents, I point at Stastny’s $3.75 million and the gap in point production between Copp and those players. Outside of Winnipeg, I might try pointing at Zach Hyman’s seven-year, $5.5 million AAV contract but Copp’s production hasn’t been consistently anywhere near Hyman’s.

If I’m Winnipeg, I point at the Jets’ top six heading into 2021-22 and wonder how Copp will get to 58 points in 82 games on such a deep team. If there has ever been a top six plus checking line plus fourth line group of forwards for Maurice to use the way he likes, it’s this one.

And if I’m Copp, I point out the absurdity of relegating me to my long- established checking line role after a breakout year like the one I’ve just had.

Evolving Hockey projects $5 million on a four-year contract while my own list of comparables put Copp at $4.2 million on something closer to one or two years.

What does this all mean?

If Winnipeg is to sign Copp to a long-term deal, it will likely need to make roster surgery that I can’t find. Moving Beaulieu isn’t enough. Moving a more expensive player such as Dylan DeMelo depletes the team of the quality it worked so hard to build. Moving a more expensive forward will simply not be in the cards for a team looking to win right away.

If Winnipeg is to sign Copp to a short-term deal — via arbitration or otherwise — a lesser cap-savings move like waiving or trading Beaulieu should be enough to make room. Copp would become something of a playoff rental for the Jets, who would run the risk of losing him for nothing next summer.

Finally, there remains the risk that Copp is traded for more affordable help before the season even starts.

The most important voice in all of this belongs to Copp himself. He’s worked hard to make it to a point in his career where unrestricted free agency is just one year away. And only he knows the price he’s willing to pay to give that up.

Could he be willing to bet that he’ll perform well enough on a one-year deal to ensure a bigger payday next summer?

Only he knows how excited he is by the Jets’ big additions on defence. Only he knows how disappointed he would be if the Jets put him back on the third line, taking away some of the minutes that led to such a breakout year. There’s still room on the second power-play unit but there’s a world of difference in what a forward gets paid when he’s posted two consecutive big years versus a one-year spike.

The only certainty is that cap space is so tight in Winnipeg that it will make all of this extremely difficult.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219066 Websites 20-1 Minnesota Wild

20-1 The Athletic / Stanley Cup futures odds: Colorado remains favorite while Vegas and Montreal drop after draft and start of free agency 22-1

Montreal Canadiens

By Dan Santaromita Aug 2, 2021 18-1

25-1

The NHL had a crazy start to free agency last week. A lot of teams were New York Rangers busy and shifted their outlook for the upcoming season. However, the betting favorites at the top remain the same. 25-1

The Colorado Avalanche remain the favorite for the 2022 Stanley Cup, 25-1 but their odds have dropped. The Avalanche opened at 5-1, but are now Washington Capitals +625. 25-1 The two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning have passed the Vegas Golden Knights as the second favorite. The Lightning are now 7-1 25-1 after opening at 15-2 while Vegas has dropped to 8-1 from 13-2. Edmonton Oilers Vegas dealt goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to Chicagoe. Robin Lehner is expected to take over and has an established pedigree, but it still throws 28-1 some upheaval between the pipes for the Golden Knights. 28-1

After the top three, the next three remain the same. The Boston Bruins Philadelphia Flyers are 12-1 while the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs are 14- 1. None of those odds have changed since the opening odds. 30-1

All odds via BetMGM. Place a $1 bet at BetMGM to get a free year 30-1 subscription to The Athletic, plus $100 in bonus bets. Dallas Stars NHL futures odds 28-1 TEAM OPENING ODDS CURRENT ODDS 35-1 Colorado Avalanche St. Louis Blues 5-1 30-1 +625 35-1 Tampa Bay Lightning Nashville Predators 15-2 28-1 7-1 40-1 Vegas Golden Knights Winnipeg Jets 13-2 35-1 8-1 40-1 Boston Bruins Calgary Flames 12-1 40-1 12-1 40-1 Carolina Hurricanes Chicago Blackhawks 14-1 50-1 14-1 50-1 Toronto Maple Leafs Vancouver Canucks 14-1 50-1 14-1 50-1 Pittsburgh Penguins Seattle Kraken 18-1 50-1 18-1 50-1 New York Islanders Los Angeles Kings 18-1 50-1 20-1 66-1 Florida Panthers San Jose Sharks 25-1 66-1 66-1

New Jersey Devils

66-1

66-1

Arizona Coyotes

80-1

100-1

Columbus Blue Jackets

66-1

100-1

Anaheim Ducks

80-1

100-1

Ottawa Senators

100-1

100-1

Buffalo Sabres

200-1

200-1

Detroit Red Wings

200-1

200-1

Among teams in the top half, the Florida Panthers were the biggest movers. The Panthers opened 25-1, but are now 20-1, putting them among the top 10 favorites. Florida traded for Sam Reinhart from Buffalo during the draft.

On the other end, the Montreal Canadiens took a dip after a busy start to the offseason. The Habs opened at 18-1 after making the Stanley Cup Final, but are now 25-1. Montreal signed David Savard in an attempt to replace the injured and added Cedric Paquette to replace Phillip Danault, who signed with the Los Angeles Kings. The losses are bigger than the additions so it’s no surprise to see Montreal’s stock drop a bit, even if the Canadiens’ offseason remains incomplete. Goalie Carey Price is expected to have surgery and miss several weeks.

Despite building a roster, the Seattle Kraken haven’t seen their odds change. Seattle opened 50-1 before it had players. Nothing drastic enough happened to alter the team’s odds in the eyes of oddsmakers. Even with the makings of a depth chart, Seattle is still 50-1.

In the longshot department, the Los Angeles Kings dropped from 50-1 to 66-1 and the Columbus Blue Jackets dropped from 66-1 to 100-1. The Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings maintain the longest odds in the league at 200-1.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 1219067 Websites game to Montreal’s Josh Anderson, Dallas’ Roope Hintz and Calgary’s Matthew Tkachuk. “A little bit more chirpy.”

There are plenty of similarities, too. Both are creative playmakers, The Athletic / A draft pick and an extension: Inside a momentous day for according to Taylor, and Cale said he and his brother are strong skaters Taylor and Cale Makar with good hockey sense.

Obviously, Taylor isn’t the same can’t-miss talent as Cale, who went No. 4 in the 2017 draft and won the Calder Trophy in 2020. But he’s got By Peter Baugh Aug 2, 2021 potential and, if he develops well, both his family and the Avalanche believe he can be a quality player.

In the past few years, Taylor has sprouted up to 6-foot-3 — around three As the final round of the NHL Draft wound down on July 24, Cale Makar inches taller than Cale — and at only 190 pounds, he should be able to lowered himself into the Calgary Winter Club hot tub, joining a few add weight to his frame. Colorado general manager Joe Sakic told cousins and friends. He brought his iPhone with him into the warm water reporters after the draft that the younger Makar has “a lot of time to — just in case. develop” at UMass, where Cale also went to school. The Avalanche’s star defenseman had been refreshing the draft tracker “It took him a little bit of time to grow into his body,” Cale said. “Now he every few minutes throughout the day, hoping to see a team select his can work out in college and fully get the grasp of it. I think he can be a younger brother Taylor. But it was a text from Avalanche player relations pretty good sleeper pick.” staffer Brendan McNicholas, not the internet, that broke the news to him. “There’s still so much work to put in,” adds Taylor. “We got another Makar,” the message read. Though determined to establish himself as his own hockey player, Taylor Moments later, the NHL announced the pick. Colorado had selected has followed his brother’s footsteps almost to a T throughout their hockey Taylor, a 20-year-old freshman at UMass, late in the seventh and final careers. Both played AAA hockey for the Calgary Flames U15 and U18 round, with pick No. 220. teams, then junior for the Brooks Bandits. Like Cale, Taylor is set to “It was just a weird moment for me,” Cale said. “You think maybe it could attend UMass, and the Avalanche have his draft rights. happen but when it actually does, it’s just like ‘wow, I don’t really know But because of their two year age gap, the brothers have never been what to say.’” teammates. Now, thanks to a late-round pick and a long-term extension, So he texted his dad, who was watching draft picks come in on TV at the the coming years could see that change. family’s Calgary home, and then called his brother. Taylor, despite being The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 the family member most impacted by the draft, was the one giving it the least attention. He’s in Amherst, Mass., two time zones and a national border separated from his family, doing UMass summer hockey training and coursework. He and a few hockey teammates were walking into a campus dining hall, ready to order some stir fry, when a UMass staffer texted Taylor with the news.

He turned to his friends. “Boys,” he told them, “I just got drafted.”

“The guys got really excited, started patting me on the back, (going) crazy,” he said.

When Cale called Taylor, he could hear his brother’s teammates celebrating in the background. And he could feel Taylor’s excitement.

“I could tell in his voice he was just super happy,” Cale said. “Ecstatic.”

“Just buzzing,” added their dad, Gary, who also got in touch with Taylor shortly after the pick. “Like a bumblebee.”

The draft capped off a wild, emotional few hours for the Makar family. That morning, the 22-year-old Cale signed a six-year, $54 million contract extension with the Avalanche. He’s coming off a season where he averaged a point per game and finished second in Norris Trophy voting, and now he will be in Colorado at least for a good portion of his prime.

“It was already a really special day for my brother — and myself, to be honest, because I’m super proud of Cale,” Taylor said. “But for me to get drafted, I think (the family was) just super excited. To be drafted to the same place (as Cale), I don’t think they could ask for more than that.”

Leading up to the draft, multiple NHL teams got in touch with Taylor, including the Flames, Canadiens and Predators. The Avalanche did not reach out, but they already knew the Makar family through Cale, and head scout Wade Klippenstein had seen Taylor play junior hockey for the AJHL Brooks Bandits. With only five picks remaining in the draft, there was no downside on taking a developing power forward with good hockey DNA.

Along with their positional differences, Cale and Taylor have contrasting demeanors on the ice. Cale is reserved and, though he’s capable of laying big hits, doesn’t seek them out. Taylor, on the other hand, describes himself as the grittier brother.

“Taylor is a mean mugger,” his dad said. “He goes to the hard spots. He loves getting pucks. He’s the first guy that’s going to hammer you, the first guy who is going to step up for a teammate.”

“He definitely got a bit more of the humorous side and the charismatic side in our family, that’s for sure,” said Cale, who compares his brother’s 1219068 Websites Aatu Raty, C, New York Islanders (Finland) The Aatu Raty revenge tour was in full swing at the showcase as he was

a consistently impressive player and a leading scorer in the tournament. The Athletic / World Junior showcase: Jake Sanderson looks NHL ready, This event doesn’t mean he’s back to where he was a year ago and we Aatu Raty gets buzz; plus USA’s projected roster will want to see how he does in Liiga versus men, but it was nice to see consistent displays of puck skills, playmaking and finishing from Raty. He was competing hard and showing his skill, which helped him stand out and keep the puck. His skating isn’t great and it will limit him at higher By Corey Pronman Aug 2, 2021 levels, but there was a lot of buzz among NHL scouts at the event for Raty, the most I’ve seen for him since two seasons ago.

I spent a week at the World Junior Summer Showcase between Finland, Jake Sanderson, LHD, Ottawa (United States) Sweden and the USA. Here are my top standouts from the tournament, Sanderson was the best defenseman in the tournament and it wasn’t as well a projected Team USA based on this camp for the tournament even that close between any of the other participants. His skating is a this winter. differentiator both defensively and offensively in how well he walked the Thomas Bordeleau, C, San Jose (United States) line. He showed offensive touch, as much creativity with the puck as I’ve seen from him over the years to go, to go with his great skating and Bordeleau stood out consistently with the puck on his stick with his great defending. He looks like a true upper echelon NHL prospect and honestly puck skills and his even better playmaking ability. He showed NHL ability looked NHL ready as he enters his sophomore season at North Dakota. to man a power play from the flank, and was a dual-threat with his passes and shot. What’s impressed me about Bordeleau’s development Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Florida (United States) is the improved pace in his game from his draft season with more of a Samoskevich was very up and down over the course of last season in jump in his step that will help his game translate to the higher levels. the USHL, but this week was a more consistent display of the best of Logan Cooley, C, 2022 draft-eligible (United States) him. He has NHL quality speed, skill and finishing ability, and showed at the camp he has the individual ability to create chances out of nothing. Cooley is the top draft-eligible prospect in the USA and, as the Getting him to be more consistent will be an important long-term priority, tournament went along, he went from a guy who might have a chance to but his skill set isn’t common in this forward group, which should help him make the World Junior team to a player with a strong chance to play a lock in a top-nine skater role. role for them depending on how his first half goes. He has elite skill and playmaking ability, but it was the great pace and two-way ability he Projected Team USA for world juniors showed that makes me think he could make the final team. He showed a Forwards great compete level to go with his offense. Logan Cooley Tanner Dickinson, C, St. Louis (United States) Matthew Beniers I didn’t know what to expect from Dickinson, a fourth-round pick by the Blues in 2020. He missed his OHL season this past year and I wasn’t Matthew Coronato overly enamored by his play in the OHL the previous season. He was certainly a surprise in the camp in terms of his play. Dickinson showed a Matthew Knies strong skill and compete level, making plays and winning puck battles. Thomas Bordeleau His game didn’t have a ton of pace, but I still think he made a strong enough case to keep him on the radar for the final team. Chaz Lucius

Roni Hirvonen, C, Toronto (Finland) Tristan Broz

Hirvonen had a strong event as one of Finland’s leading players. He’s not Tanner Dickinson the biggest or quickest player, but his skill, and in particular his vision and work ethic, were highlighted in the showcase. He makes a lot of quick, Mackie Samoskevich creative plays with the puck and plays in the hard areas despite his size. Brett Berard You’d like to see his game have more speed, but he looks like a strong prospect for Toronto given he’s shown well versus men. Landon Slaggert

Matthew Knies, LW, Toronto (United States) Charlie Stramel

Knies didn’t have some of the flashier plays in the camp like Bordeleau or Carter Mazur Scott Morrow, but he was consistently effective for the USA. He’s a very skilled player who plays hard, and wins a lot of battles along the walls Defensemen and net, while also creating with his skill. He’s not the most natural Jake Sanderson playmaker or most fluid skater, but he adds to a line with his size and compete, and he has enough offense to make a difference. Luke Hughes

Leevi Merilainen, G, Ottawa (Finland) Tyler Kleven

Merilainen had a great U20 camp between the summer showcase and Brock Faber his previous U20 games versus the Czechs and Swiss. Joel Blomqvist a year ago seemed like the clear favorite to be Finland’s starter, but Wyatt Kaiser Merilainen’s play at the camp has at least made it a coin flip. He has Scott Morrow good size and good not great quickness, but he gets a lot of value from his great hockey sense and technique. He’s very efficient in the net, Ian Moore reacting quickly to the play and squaring up difficult plays consistently. Goaltenders He tracks pucks well and has good technique in net, rarely letting in bad goals. Drew Commesso

Scott Morrow, RHD, Carolina (United States) Aidan Campbell

Morrow’s play at the tournament was a surprise as he had little high-level Kaidan Mbereko hockey experience in how often he was involved in the offense. He made plays with his skating and skill, but also made good passes on outlets The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 and in the offensive zone. He can be a little risky with the puck and his defensive zone work still needs cleaning up, but the talent stood out clearly at this camp. 1219069 Websites Falloon was part of a controversially famous draft that saw Eric Lindros go first to the Quebec Nordiques. Lindros, a Hall of Famer, was the consensus No. 1 prospect. So it was a matter of who would go second to the Sharks. In consideration along with Falloon were Alexei Kovalev and The Athletic / The story of the No. 2 NHL Draft pick who chose the Markus Naslund, plus two future Hall of Famers in Peter Forsberg and simplicity of his Manitoba farm Scott Niedermayer.

Grillo has heard it before. How could they not take Forsberg? How could they not take Niedermayer? Or why not go after Kovalev and Naslund, By Ryan S. Clark Aug 2, 2021 who had strong careers? Grillo said the Sharks knew about Forsberg and Niedermayer. They liked what they saw. They just felt stronger about taking Falloon as part of a larger plan that would see them use their two At any given time, there could be more people reading this story than second-round picks to take Whitney and defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh. actually live in Foxwarren, Manitoba. That is where you will find a 1,200- acre grain farm that grows canola and hard red spring wheat. While “You can always second guess yourself, but I am not going to do that,” some locals joke it is a hobby farm compared to the 8,000-acre combines Grillo said. “I am not giving up on that kid because things did not go as in the area, the fourth-generation farmer who runs it loves his land. He well as they did for Kovalev or Forsberg. I see these articles that come loves the process of farming and he speaks at great lengths about these out where people say, ‘I would have taken this guy but our staff took that crops. He does it in a manner that conveys he is a fourth-generation guy.’ What the guy who says that forgets is that he had a chance to open farmer who did indeed grow up in small-town Manitoba. his mouth, but he didn’t.”

It’s Canada Day, and the farmer has taken a break. A week earlier, he Getting drafted should have been the highlight. But what made that day was stunned to learn a reporter wanted to talk to him about what he did even more memorable was when he was joined in the Sharks before farming. It isn’t like that experience has come up often in daily organization by someone he already knew. conversations over the past 30 years. “Pat was already down at the Sharks draft table after doing interviews When he was once a highly touted prospect who 30 years ago became and photos and such when he looked up into the stands and smiled at the No. 2 pick in the NHL Draft and it is not like that experience comes up me,” Whitney recalled. in daily conversations. It did not hit Falloon until later that he was going to a non-traditional He uses the next two hours to discuss everything. His rise as a junior market and one of the largest markets in the United States. Both Falloon star. The day he was drafted by the expansion San Jose Sharks in 1991. and Whitney described going to the Bay Area as an educational The shoulder injury that changed his career and still limits him today. experience. They got the treatment that comes with being top prospects Why he chose to be a farmer instead of a coach, executive or scout, like but it was intensified because they were the top prospects for a new NHL several of his contemporaries. team.

He offered advice to Matthew Beniers, the first player drafted by the Sharks public relations ushered them around all the local television Seattle Kraken, repeating what Brian Lawton and Doug Wilson told him stations. ABC. CBS. NBC. They did them all. One of the highlights was as a rookie. when they went to the Oakland Coliseum to watch George Brett when the Kansas City Royals played the Oakland A’s. Clearly, this was “The first thing I would do is look around, find a good veteran who has different from life in Spokane. But both Falloon and Whitney said they been around the league and latch onto them,” the farmer said. “Just take were the furthest thing from stars who got stopped on the street. in all the information from someone on that team.” “Nobody knew much about hockey,” Falloon said. “We went on the sports Pat Falloon grew up in Foxwarren, the tiny rural western Manitoba hamlet channels and we are trying to explain this game in five minutes to a that is more than three hours from Winnipeg. Asked how many people sports broadcaster who does not know what offside is. He could not live there, he remarks that it could be around 75 or so people. His is pronounce our names or who the coach was. Right away, you’re like, something of a familiar tale in the NHL. He was drawn to the local rink at ‘Holy shit. This is going to be an education.’ We were playing at the Cow an early age and played the game for countless hours over the next Palace. It smells like rodeo in there and they are cheering for offside and several years. Getting to the NHL became a serious goal around 11 or icing. Then, there was the crew of fans that remembers the (California) 12. Golden Seals from when they were in Oakland. The fans came out of the woodwork and it was a pretty good crowd.” When he was 16, Spokane Chiefs GM Bob Strumm and coach Butch Goring showed up on the farm. Falloon was somewhat on his own that first season with the Sharks as Whitney was playing in Germany. Falloon was the youngest player on “They said we want you to play junior hockey for us,” Falloon said. “The the team. He was actually the ninth-youngest player in the league that other choice was to play junior B, go to high school, get drafted or go to season, according to Hockey-Reference. But Falloon made an instant university. For me, the quickest route to the NHL was going to the WHL impression by leading the Sharks with 25 goals, 34 assists and 59 points. … and our family decided I was going to Spokane.” He finished fourth in Calder Trophy voting behind Pavel Bure, Nicklas In Spokane, Falloon quickly drew the attention of NHL organizations. He Lidstrom and Tony Amonte. scored 22 goals and 78 points as a rookie, a team record that still stands. It was only one year, but it appeared the Sharks had a building block with His second season saw him explode for 60 goals and 124 points. Falloon. He was young. He had promise. He was proof that the Sharks’ Everything was aligning for Falloon as a top prospect. He won gold with draft strategy was potentially heading in the right direction. Falloon said Canada’s world junior team even after suffering a knee injury playing he was confident and went about his business but acknowledges that he baseball and guided the Chiefs to their first WHL and Memorial Cup might not have handled what came with being the young face of a titles. franchise to the best of his ability. Scouts were taking notice. Falloon speaks of it today with a certain level What Falloon wishes he had done differently was how he approached the of humility, giving all the credit to the opportunity he was given and the game with his preparation. He wishes he would have been better with his teammates he had in Spokane —which included the “best center in the diet and training regimen. Falloon said the NHL was different back then. league” Ray Whitney, who scored 1,064 points in 1,330 NHL games. Guys would have beers and pizza after a game. They would use camp to “Pat showed you pretty much everything,” said Chuck Grillo, the Sharks’ get in shape whereas today’s players are in a perpetual cycle of director of player personnel when the club drafted Falloon. “All you had to monitoring their food intake and creating specific workout routines to know was the inner workings. He was a farm boy who seemed to be very maximize every inch of their bodies. humble. His parents were very humble. We thought we were getting a “If I look back on that, just those two things in itself, how much better great kid who excelled at everything. I don’t know if he was a great skater could a guy have been?” Falloon said. “I was not the only one. We had as much as it was his release was phenomenal. He and Whitney ran some guys who were working out hard. I found that out when I went to crazy numbers that year. They were ridiculous. Everybody we brought in Philly. I watched Roddy Brind’Amour in the weight room for a couple from the GM on down, they all left saying there are some good players days. I was like, ‘Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. What the hell?'” (in Spokane). I think we took three or four players out of the franchise.” Going into his second season, Falloon was on pace for a 56-point The Athletic LOADED: 08.03.2021 campaign. Perhaps he would have liked a bigger jump in production. But at least there was consistency. Or that was the case until Jan. 10, 1993, when a game against the Ottawa Senators changed his life. Falloon was in front of the net when he was hipchecked and landed on his shoulder.

Falloon said it took three doctors to reset his dislocated right shoulder while he laid in a hospital bed. He was given a choice to let it heal, go straight into rehab or get surgery. He sought a second opinion and elected to receive surgery to repair the damaged cartilage.

Falloon was never the same. Even to this day, the shoulder still ails him.

“I never got full range of motion back,” Falloon said. “If you threw a ball like we were just playing softball. If there is a ball that is five feet over my head and coming with pace, I am scared to jump up and catch it. So that started a whole series of rehab and the game was never the same. I was good enough to play. Certainly, I am not blaming anything on that. As the years have gone by, I have realized that more.”

Whitney said the shoulder injury changed a lot for Falloon. After all, he was their leading scorer. He was earning heavy power-play minutes and was trying to build from a strong rookie campaign.

“If he does not have that surgery, his stats would have a different look,” Whitney said.

Falloon bounced back to score 22 goals and 51 points in his third season, but the shoulder limited him. He was someone who wanted to play hard but was smart enough to know to stay out of a scrum with a heavyweight enforcer. But he was forced to change his game, which he felt did not mesh with what was demanded.

A coaching change marked a sign of change for Falloon. He went from thinking he would spend his whole career in San Jose to being a healthy scratch. He spoke with his agent who then spoke with Sharks GM Dean Lombardi. They decided to find Falloon a new home. He was moved to the Philadelphia Flyers in his fifth NHL season. His final three seasons saw him traded to the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins. Falloon’s NHL career ended with 575 games, 143 goals and 322 points in nine seasons.

He played the next season for Davos HC in Switzerland, then he returned to North America awaiting his next step.

“I went home to the farm and guessed that was the end of my career,” Falloon said. “I headed home and started farming and thought if nothing comes in the summertime, I would not think much about it. Then, I started the business of farming and that was the end of my hockey career.”

Falloon played senior league hockey for a team in Foxwarren for several years. He said it was nice to be around the game and enjoy the camaraderie he built with his teammates. That much reminded him of the NHL. He coached his now-teenage daughter a couple of seasons starting when she was 6 years old, but he prefers supporting her from the stands. “I thought I knew more than I did,” Falloon quipped.

Living in Manitoba means he watches nearly every Winnipeg Jets game. And he can be a bit of an armchair coach. Those brief moments are when he thinks he would like to work in hockey as a scout. But that is as far as it goes. He enjoys being back on the farm. He was never comfortable in big cities, and large gatherings were never his thing.

“Patty is a farmer first,” said Whitney, who now works in the NHL’s department of player safety and hasn’t talked to Falloon in some time. “… I don’t think he had any aspirations to go further in the game of hockey as an executive. He had always intended to go back and farm. He is doing what he loves.”

Falloon’s name might not come up often. But he hears the conversations about how he was a bust. How the Sharks would have been better going in another direction.

“I am not going to lie to you. There were times in my life when that has crossed my mind,” Falloon said. “Was I a bust? Were there things I should have done differently? You can’t change anything. … Nobody comes up to me and says, ‘Let’s go through your career and what the fuck happened?’ I have not had that conversation with anyone.

“Overall? I wake up in the morning and I am happy and I go on. … I did not play 1,000 games and I wish I would have. I didn’t win a Cup and that hurts. But what do I have to really complain about?” 1219070 Websites Age: 30 Position: Right wing / Left wing

2020-21 salary cap hit: $4.65 million Sportsnet.ca / NHL’s Top 10 UFAs remaining: Latest rumours, reports Rental piece Palmieri’s two goals in 17 regular-season games for the

Islanders underwhelmed, but he exploded for seven more in the post- Luke Fox August 2, 2021, 12:12 PM season.

All reports point to Palmieri staying put on the Island. The belief is that a long-term deal has already been agreed to… but GM Lou Lamoriello A whopping 243 players have scribbled their autograph on contracts hasn’t announced a thing. (Mike Hoffman, Blake Coleman, Jaden worth a silly $988,121,625 through the first five days of the NHL’s open Schwartz and Boone Jenner could serve as comparables.) season on free agents. Lamoriello must also compensate key RFAs Anthony Beauvillier and And yet, more than few notable athletes remain without employment for Adam Pelech this summer, and he may be exploring a Vladimir the 2021-22 season. Tarasenko trade as well. Perhaps he doesn’t want agents to know how much cap space he has left. General managers will need to bargain harder, and jobless players may need to lower their asking prices, but there are still gems — or at least With Jordan Eberle now a Kraken, New York needs some dependability worthy gambles and depth additions — to be unearthed from 2021’s UFA on its wing. class after the July 28’s frenzy. 3. Tomas Tatar We round up the rumours and assess the value of the free agents who are taking a more patient approach this summer (in some cases, that’s Age: 30 even by choice) and are still up for grabs in August. Position: Left wing / Right wing 31-thoughts-podcast 2018-19 salary cap hit: $5.3 million 31 Thoughts Podcast: Recapping free agency with a thought on all 32 Of all the UFAs still on the board, none produced more points per game teams in 2021 than Tatar (0.60), who was the Montreal Canadiens’ leading NHL's Top 10 RFAs of 2021: Latest rumours and reports scorer as recently as 2019-20. A proven offensive weapon and power- play threat with positive underlying metrics (58.9 CF%), Tatar already Luke Fox has six 20-goal campaigns on his résumé. So why was he healthy scratched by two teams in two Stanley Cup Finals? 1. Tuukka Rask After losing Brandon Saad to the market, the Colorado Avalanche are Age: 34 one team that should consider adding a scoring punch to its second line. Position: Goaltender Montreal never made Tatar an extension offer. The Seattle Kraken reportedly kicked tires here. 2020-21 salary cap hit: $7 million Tatar is believed to be looking for term. Worst case, he may need to The question isn’t whether Rask — a Vezina-winning, Cup-winning, settle for a one-year, bet-on-himself deal. Jennings-winning stud — is deserving of a rich, new short-term contract. The question is whether his body is up for one. 4. Ryan Murray

Rask openly pondered 2021 retirement this past season and drew Age: 27 criticism in some (unkind) circles for departing the playoff bubble early to Position: Defence attend to a family matter. 2020-21 salary cap hit: $4.6 million He underwent surgery on a torn hip labrum in late July and won’t be ready to play until January or February. If and/or when he straps on the A spotty injury history appears to the be the only barrier between Murray pads again, Rask only sees it being in Boston. and his signature on a job offer. The left-shot defenceman is an excellent skater with strong play-driving metrics who could improve the bottom half "I'm not going to play for anyone else than the Bruins. This is our home," of many a D corps — when healthy. Rask said on June 11. The second-overall draft pick in 2012 was groomed in Columbus before “At this point of my life and my career, I don't see any reason to go registering 14 assists in 48 games for the Devils last season. anywhere else, especially with the health I'm looking at now and a recovery time of five or six months. Hopefully it works out that I recover The Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers are two teams that should take well, and we can talk about contracts when the time is right for that.” a look, but Murray may have to settle for a modest pay cut.

The Bruins’ crease is already in overhaul mode, with Jaroslav Halak 5. Casey Cizikas (Vancouver) and Dan Vladar (Calgary) moving on. Age: 30 Expect Rask’s situation to simmer on the back burner, as the B’s roll into 2021-22 with a young, fresh tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Position: Centre Swayman. 2020-21 salary cap hit: $3.35 million “We needed to be prepared and allow Tuukka all the time he needs to The pivot of the New York Islanders’ crash-and-bang identity line drew a get healthy. He just had surgery, spoke to him this morning, doing very healthy amount of interest from the competition, with the Toronto Maple well,” GM Don Sweeney said after signing Ullmark in free agency. Leafs, Seattle Kraken, Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks all reportedly “We’ve always left the door open for Tuukka to return. And I think it just exploring a signing. allows Jeremy to continue to progress at a natural rate but also give him A career-long Islander, Cizikas has apparently shook hands on a multi- the opportunity to be at the NHL level. year deal to remain on the Islander. Like Palmieri, we’re still awaiting an “When you’re trying to be a competitive team, you have to have depth. announcement. We felt that the last two playoffs, and we came up short. Now we’re trying There is also speculation that Lamoriello will sign sudden UFA Zach to make sure that we’ve got the most competitive team we can, and Parise, whose price should be more modest. identify if we have some needs going forward that we may have to have some changes as well.” 6. Jason Demers

2. Kyle Palmieri Age: 33 Position: Defence Righties are tough to come by.

2020-21 salary cap hit: $4.5 million More notable UFAs still on the market: Eric Staal, Zach Parise, Alex Galchenyuk, Bobby Ryan, Tyler Bozak, Jordie Benn, Joe Thornton, Right-shot defencemen were scooped up fast and furious on July 28, but Devan Dubnyk, Jake Virtanen, James Neal, Zdeno Chara, Erik this former Coyotes blueliner and steady, stay-at-home veteran is still Gudbranson, Erik Gustafsson, Valtteri Filppula, Christina Djoos, Derick available. Brassard, Dominik Kahun, , Ryan Donato, Brian Boyle, Demers only registered four assists in 2021, but he’s still logging more Henrik Lundqvist, Alex Chiasson, Tyler Ennis, Tobias Rieder, Artem than 17 minutes a night and driving play north despite starting the Anisimov, Mark Jankowski, Colton Sceviour, Lucas Wallmark, Marcus majority of his shifts in the D-zone. Hogberg, Curtis McElhinney, Riley Sheahan, Ben Hutton

Another $4.5-million payday is unlikely, but some team will scoop him up. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 08.03.2021

7. Marcus Johansson

Age: 30

Position: Centre / Wing

2020-21 salary cap hit: $4.5 million

A 20-goal, 50-point asset for Washington before concussions and a slew of sweater changes derailed his career, the versatile Swede is the type of gamble that should be worth a short-term gamble.

Fans in Boston, New Jersey and Pittsburgh are among those suggesting their GM take a flyer on this useful utility forward.

Johansson scored just six goals and eight assists for the Wild in 2021, but he was primarily used in defensive situations.

8. Nikita Gusev

Age: 29

Position: Right wing / Left wing

2020-21 salary cap hit: $1 million

A right shot capable of playing either wing, Gusev made some noise in 2019-20 when he finally left the KHL, scoring 13 goals and 44 points in 66 games for a bad Devils squad.

The Russian's '21 campaign was split between New Jersey and Florida. His shooting percentage dropped, and he failed to find his groove in either lineup.

Gusev is only 29. He should have some game left, and he's garnered some interest on the market. Does he give the NHL another shot, or return to the KHL?

9. Travis Zajac

Age: 36

Position: Centre

2020-21 salary cap hit: $5.75 million

Like so many other veteran Islanders who are technically unrestricted free agents, there is a quiet assumption that bottom-six centreman Zajac may have a deal in principle to return to the Eastern Conference finalists.

At this stage in a career, Zajac should be signing a one-year contract near the league minimum.

Despite seeing his 1,000th game drift in the rear-view mirror, the durable Zajac can still play.

He’ll kill penalties, chip in a bit of offence (20 points in 46 games in 2021), and remains an excellent faceoff asset, with a career 53.8 per cent success rate in the dot.

10. Sami Vatanen

Age: 30

Position: Defence

2020-21 salary cap hit: $2 million

My how Vatanen’s stock has fallen since his days as an emerging Anaheim Duck. The right-shot D-man still has some offensive upside and could thrive in third-pairing minutes.

Bouncing from Anaheim to New Jersey to Carolina to New Jersey to Dallas over the past four seasons, there is still belief that if Vatanen finds the proper fit, he could resurrect his career and celebrate his 500th game this upcoming season. 1219071 Websites way, plays with speed. We’re pretty happy with where she’s at right now given all that she’s dealt with.”

Johnston credits a mindset approach for her reversal of fortunes. TSN.CA / Three-time Olympic medallist Johnston looks to bounce back “I just try to take the positive approach and try to grow as a person and It’s been a challenging 18 months for Canadian forward Rebecca player,” Johnston said. Johnston. Last spring, the Sudbury, Ont., native was a surprise omission “Going through last worlds and then then my injury, I really took a step from Canada’s roster ahead of the 2020 Women's World Hockey back and took a large picture of my life and how I wanted to play this out. Championship, which was ultimately cancelled because of the pandemic. I really love hockey and have a great passion for it. I love playing for my country and I think that work ethic, that passion, that motivation is there.”

By Salim Valji TSN.CA LOADED: 08.03.2021

It’s been a challenging 18 months for Canadian forward Rebecca Johnston.

Last spring, the Sudbury, Ont., native was a surprise omission from Canada’s roster ahead of the 2020 Women's World Hockey Championship, which was ultimately cancelled because of the pandemic. A few months later, she injured her Achilles while training. She also had to manage the uncertainty of the women’s hockey calendar.

Now, Johnston is back in Calgary with Canada’s centralization roster for a development camp ahead of the rescheduled worlds. There are a handful of roster spots up for grabs. Cuts are expected on Thursday, with the tournament running later this month in Calgary.

“I’ve taken it and tried to make it a positive and I’ve come back stronger,” Johnston said last week. “I’ve tried to learn from areas I think I can improve and get better.”

Johnston, 31, has enjoyed a decorated international career. The former Cornell Big Red star made her debut with the Canadian national team in 2007 as a teenager. She’s since been a part of several medal-winning Canadian teams, including two golds at the Olympics and one trip to the top of the podium at worlds. At the last World Championship in 2019, Johnston had three goals in seven games in helping Canada to a bronze medal.

Many fans were stunned to see Johnston not named to the 2020 team.

“Those conversations are always so tough to have,” said Gina Kingsbury, the director of Canada’s women’s national team, in May.

“We have to name 23 players for certain rosters and at that moment in time, we felt that we wanted to name 23 other players. Obviously very disappointing for her. We had a good conversation and continued those conversations.”

Whenever a player is cut, Kingsbury and the coaching staff try to give them feedback.

“There’s definitely a rationale and things that are being discussed with the athlete,” Kingsbury said. “We try not to leave them in the dark and be as transparent as possible on areas we think they can improve in, where we need them to be, and what we expect.”

Johnston took initiative and had several conversations with head coach Troy Ryan about areas for growth.

“She took full advantage of that open-door policy,” Kingsbury said. “It’s definitely a great sign of ownership and certainly a commitment to making some adjustments that were needed so she gets back on track. We’re really proud of how she’s responded for sure.”

Kingsbury is impressed with Johnston’s performance since the injury and has noticed other changes.

“From a performance standpoint, she hasn’t missed a beat,” she said. “She’s come back definitely on a mission to raise her game to a whole new level. There’s just a different approach with her, I feel. She’s really focused on making our group better and we’re really happy with how she’s responded.”

Ryan, about to coach his first major tournament as Canada’s bench boss, feels the same way.

“Often times, it doesn’t matter what happens to you, it’s how you react to it,” he said last week. “Rebecca has come back to the program and dealt with it to the best of her ability and came back and been a great addition to the program for sure. She’s highly skilled, plays the game the right 1219072 Websites Last year saw a reversal of that trend. (via HockeyViz) If anything has ailed the Jets over the years, it has been breakdowns in

the defensive zone – an inability to protect the net, and frequent TSN.CA / Jets need much more from Dubois in second season turnovers of the puck against pressure. To that end, a player like Dubois should be a blessing. He is big enough to check most forwards, intuitive enough to read passing angles as they materialize, and agile enough to skate the puck out of pressure. By Travis Yost It’s tempting to write off the defensive numbers as a Winnipeg issue more

than a Dubois one; even writing off the rest of the Jets roster, neither With the Seattle Kraken expansion draft and the opening of unrestricted Connor nor Ehlers are strong off the puck, which makes Dubois’ job even free agency in the rear-view mirror, we begin a seven-part series more challenging. But if Dubois was brought in to add defensive exploring the most critical questions concerning the Canadian NHL clubs. competency (and I have every reason to believe that was part of the basis of this trade), we didn’t see it in year one. Up first are the Winnipeg Jets, a team that finished 14th in goal differential (+18) last season. The organization is by and large running it That is what makes the Dubois gambit so fascinating for Winnipeg. This back next season – the team did acquire defencemen Nate Schmidt and is an ultra-talented player who had a mystifyingly weak season in Brenden Dillon to shore up holes on the blueline, and will need to find Manitoba. Under contract for one more season, the Jets do have a bit of another goaltender in lieu of Laurent Brossoit’s departure. time to evaluate the player and the organizational fit before making a long-term commitment. With little roster overhaul, much of the attention will shift towards the team’s core to step up next season. At the top of that list is 23-year-old For that commitment to happen, I suspect the Jets are going to need to centre Pierre-Luc Dubois, a restricted-free-agent-to-be whose 2021-22 see a lot more from the team’s second-line centre next season. season could have a dramatic effect on how the Jets and general TSN.CA LOADED: 08.03.2021 manager Kevin Cheveldayoff build the roster for the long term.

Dubois was acquired in the middle of January from Columbus in exchange for forwards Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic. It’s rare we see a deal with that much talent in it, but all three – to varying degrees – were clamouring for a change of scenery.

Dubois, if nothing else, gave the Jets a second threat behind the Mark Scheifele line. A gifted two-way player, Dubois figured to fit into Winnipeg’s system seamlessly.

But that wasn’t the case. Dubois posted career lows in rate shooting and rate scoring, totaling just 20 points (eight goals and 12 assists) in 41 games with Winnipeg. It wasn’t for the lack of talent around him in this case, with promising wing attackers in Nikolaj Ehlers (46 points) and Kyle Connor (50 points) attached to his hip for the majority of even-strength play.

This would be of lesser concern if Dubois’ playmaking was opening up added scoring opportunities for his teammates. But Dubois’ offensive struggles were Winnipeg’s offensive struggles, and the team couldn’t generate much offence with Dubois on the ice for most of the year:

That’s a disconcerting downward trend, but the most important part is last season – a season where the opposition was three goals better than Dubois’ line, and a considerable shift from his days in Columbus.

It’s less clear that Dubois was a true passenger on his own line. The reality is players like Ehlers and Connor also struggled in various combinations. If we look at 2020-21 shot and expected goal differentials for this trio and partial out players accordingly, we see middling to subpar team-level performance across the board.

In fact, the only situation in which a player beat break-even in expected goals was when Ehlers was away from both Connor and Dubois. Or, said another way: when Ehlers was with Scheifele:

These are hardly poor numbers, but Dubois – who has the look and feel of a top-six centre in this league – carries much higher expectations. Breaking even against your competition, or worse yet, being outscored by your competition, is not a great sign when you are a front office considering an expensive long-term contract.

And it’s not just all about defence. Though the true talent levels in Columbus and Winnipeg may be comparable, the teams are polar opposites.

In Winnipeg, Dubois did have access to a number of ultra-skilled offensive forwards and perhaps the best goaltender in the league, offset by a very young blueline and a bottom-six forward group that routinely made defensive-zone miscues. Columbus has trouble scoring most every night, but the Blue Jackets' defensive structure – in good years and bad years alike – has generally held up.

For a while, we suspected Dubois was one of the forwards driving that defensive goodness, aided by strong pairings (like Seth Jones and Zach Werenski). The Blue Jackets routinely had fantastic defensive numbers, and Dubois – a strong backchecker with high off-puck IQ – was excellent at checking forwards in dangerous scoring areas.