Today’s News Clips Feb. 17, 2017

Chicago Tribune

'Hockey is for Everyone' night important for LGBTQ groups in Chicago

Chris Hine Feb. 16, 2017

As president of the Chicago Gay Hockey Association, Andrew Sobotka often has to explain that his group is not just for gay hockey players but for "everyone."

"We don't limit the ability to participate in our organization based on sexual orientation, based on skill level or any other barriers," Sobotka said.

Sobotka will have a good chance to communicate that message to hockey fans on Saturday night when the Blackhawks, in conjunction with an NHL campaign, host "Hockey is for Everyone" night at the United Center during the Hawks' game against the Oilers.

The design of the campaign is to highlight and encourage diversity across hockey and as part of the campaign, the Hawks will wear "pride tape" on their sticks during warmups in support of the LGBTQ community. The Hawks also will have tables on the concourse of the United Center from various LGBTQ organizations such as the Project, the Center on Halsted and the CGHA, which has 70 players, Sobotka said. It's an important night for someone like Sobotka, who can communicate his group's purpose to fans who might not understand its mission.

"Everyone is welcome to play with us and once we explain that to people it makes a little more sense to them," Sobotka said. "We're a safe place for gay athletes and it is gay athletes and allies that play in our organization. … We're here to let anyone who's gay or gay friendly play in a space that's … safe for people who want to learn the sport."

Having nights like Saturday's is the NHL's attempt to shed the stereotype that you have to fit a certain mold of person to play hockey — namely that you have to be a white straight man.

Along those lines, the Hawks also will be host to a screening of "Soul on Ice: Past, Present and Future" at the Harper Theater in Hyde Park on March 2. Former Hawk Jamal Mayers and the film's director and writer Kwame Damon Mason will have a discussion for students. The film tells the story of the contributions of black players throughout hockey's history.

And each NHL team also has had one player step up to be its LGBTQ ambassador, who acts as "a leader in the locker room and in the community on diversity, equality and inclusion," according to an NHL release.

"We want anyone to have that opportunity and not feel nervous or whatever it may be to join the team or be in that locker room," Hawks ambassador Trevor van Riemsdyk said. "You want them to feel they can be part of the team no matter what. You want to stress that inclusion that anyone is welcome here. We'll take anyone as a teammate and it's important that we stress that."

Van Riemsdyk said he had a similar role in college at New Hampshire and said LGBTQ rights mean a lot to him and his brother James, who is the ambassador for the Maple Leafs.

"It's an important cause to a lot of guys who want to have that atmosphere around here that's very welcoming," van Riemsdyk said. "It's something I'm aware of but I think a lot of the guys are too. They don't want to let anything like that slip by us. … It's just important to take little steps and I think it goes a long way."

That's the hope for Brian Hull, the vice president of the CGHA, who said nights like Saturday can go a long way toward making the NHL a more inclusive sport.

"I think the biggest misconception people have about gay hockey players is that we don't exist," Hull said. "… I can't wait for the day that we have a handful of out and proud gay hockey players in the NHL."

Coming back up: The Blackhawks recalled two of the four players they sent down to Rockford before the team's extended — centers and Tanner Kero. Defenseman Gustav Forsling and winger Vincent Hinostroza will remain with the IceHogs for now.

Chicago Sun-Times

Mailbag: Who’s an ideal trade-deadline target for Blackhawks?

Mark Lazerus Feb. 16, 2017

@MattWPokorny: Who do you think the Hawks should/need to acquire in order to become legitimate contenders? #HeyLaz #Blackhawks

Let’s preface this by pointing out that even now, as currently constituted, the Blackhawks are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. At the very least, they’re contenders to reach the Stanley Cup Final because the Western Conference is so underwhelming.

That said, the Hawks are hardly a flawless team. They’re still in need of a top-six winger (Nick Schmaltz has looked good next to Jonathan Toews of late, but it’s a very small sample size). They still could use one more bottom-pairing defenseman to either push or supplant Gustav Forsling, Michal Kempny and Trevor van Riemsdyk. And they still need Corey Crawford to return to his pre-appendectomy form.

After hitting a home run with Antoine Vermette in 2015 and swinging and missing with Andrew Ladd, Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann in 2016, general manager Stan Bowman has said repeatedly that he doesn’t expect to make any big trades before the March 1 deadline. As Joel Quenneville always says, we’ll see. But while Hawks fans dream of a Patrick Sharp reunion, the best option is Dallas’ Patrick Eaves. The 32-year-old veteran winger is having a career season with 21 goals and 14 assists. And he’s on a one-year, $1 million deal, which even the Hawks could afford.

Eaves might not be a splashy pick-up, but the Hawks probably wouldn’t have to give up a first-round pick or a super- high-end prospect for him, and he could be the kind of sneaky, low-risk addition that puts them over the top, like Michal Handzus was in 2013.

@GregBeebs: #HeyLaz How does Hossa feel about playing more of a shutdown role? I think 70-16-81 is as good a shutdown line as they’ve had.

Marian Hossa made it pretty clear in the preseason (and at the World Cup in Toronto) that he prefers to play in his usual spot on the top line, alongside Toews. And chances are, he’ll end up there by the time the games really start to count. But that third line of Rasmussen, Kruger and Hossa has been very effective in the short term.

@letsgohawks8819: @MarkLazerus #HeyLaz what’s the deal with Pokka? What could the return be if he was traded?

Ville Pokka simply doesn’t have a path to the NHL right now. Ahead of him are eight defensemen on the NHL roster, and Erik Gustafsson and Viktor Svedberg in Rockford, with other prospects on the way up. Pokka may have an NHL future somewhere, but it’s not in Chicago. But he’s only 22, and there’s still plenty to like about his potential. That makes him an ideal trading chip leading up to the deadline.

@DerekBundy: #HeyLaz, if you could pinpoint 3 keys to a stronger #Blackhawks playoff showing this season, what would they be? #strong

1. Crawford being brilliant, because great goaltending is always the best recipe for winning in the postseason.

2. Having a true four-line rotation. In 2010, 2013, and 2015, it was the Hawks’ bottom-six that separated them, not their top six. Every team that makes it far in the playoffs has a bunch of high-end skill guys. But when you can ice a fourth line like Marcus Kruger-Dave Bolland-Michael Frolik or a third line like Patrick Sharp-Antoine Vermette-Teuvo Teravainen, that’s how you win championships.

3. Getting lucky. If Brent Seabrook’s shot that rang off both posts late in the third period of Game 7 last year was a quarter-inch to the left, who knows how far the Hawks go? If Alec Martinez’s shot in overtime of Game 7 in the 2014 Western Conference final didn’t tick off ’s jersey, maybe the Hawks would have won three straight Cups. It’s a cruel game, and a bounce here or a bounce there can make all the difference.

NOTE: The Hawks recalled forwards Tanner Kero and Schmaltz from Rockford on Thursday, leaving and Forsling with the IceHogs for the time being.

Daily Herald

One more way can honor Mikita

John Dietz Feb. 16, 2017

In the history of the NHL, few players have thought outside the box better than Stan Mikita.

As one of the first to use a curved stick and to permanently don a helmet, Mikita was truly a hockey trailblazer, and he had to be one of the easiest selections when the league unveiled its impressive top-100 list last month.

A Chicago Blackhawks organization that once alienated its past stars, and almost all of its fans, has done an incredible spin-o-rama over the past 10 years and -- like Mikita -- also has done an incredible job of thinking outside the box.

The impressive list of team promotions includes:

• Bringing back alumni for numerous Heritage Night celebrations.

• Having players design holiday cards with proceeds going to charity.

• Producing engaging videos at home games.

• The recent internet hit Soup and a Sandwich.

• The One More Shift initiative.

With this last idea in mind, the Blackhawks should find a way to honor Mikita in the near future.

One More Shift, a collaborative effort by Hawks insiders, was designed to bring back some of the team's heroes by allowing them to skate onto the United Center ice in front of an adoring crowd.

Thus far, Denis Savard, Steve Larmer and Jeremy Roenick have taken part.

Mikita, who has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, obviously wouldn't be able to participate in such an event. But with what many consider to be the most beloved and respected player in franchise history in so many fans' thoughts and prayers, why not get a little creative and show fans how much this icon still means to the franchise?

So here's my idea: With Stan's image and/or a highlight reel playing on the UC scoreboard, have his three grandsons skate out wearing No. 21 jerseys. They're the perfect age for such a ceremony -- 10, 12 and 14 -- and they all are hockey players.

Considering how the Hawks produce videos and tug at their fans' heartstrings, one has to believe it would be a moving tribute.

• • •

Stan's wife, Jill, his daughter Jane and one of Jane's sons all went to Los Angeles over all-star weekend for the Friday ceremony at Staples Center honoring the top players in NHL history.

Stan was unveiled as one of the top 100 by way of a video tribute. He was one of eight centers selected from the 1970s, the others being Phil Esposito, Jacques Lemaire, Gilbert Perreault, Bobby Clarke, Marcel Dionne, Jean Ratelle and Darryl Sittler.

Even though Stan could not attend, Jill said it was still a proud moment for the family.

"It was emotional just to see my dad and Bobby (Hull), Tony (Esposito), Guy LeFleur, Yvan Cournoyer," Jane said. "Clearly big names in the NHL, but also long-standing family friends. Those guys all had a great friendship and camaraderie off the ice that it made it that much more special."

In addition to attending the ceremony and the All-Star Game itself, the Mikitas also visited Stan Mikita's All Star Cafe, erected as a tribute to Stan Mikita's Donuts from "Wayne's World." The hit comedy film is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Fans were offered coffee and doughnuts for free, and the movie was shown Friday night.

"They did a great job," Jane said.

For those who missed it, Sports Illustrated just did a huge piece on Stan in January, and it is well worth your time.

As for Stan, he still lives in a full-time care facility in the Western suburbs, and Jill, Jane or son Chris continue to visit every day.

"He's doing the same," Jill said. "We're not doctors; we can't diagnose him. He's still walking around. He's just moving a little slower."

• The Blackhawks on Thursday called up Tanner Kero and Nick Schmaltz from Rockford. Vinnie Hinostroza and defenseman Gustav Forsling, however, remain with the IceHogs.

The Athletic

Charting Hockey: Whom should the Blackhawks expose in the expansion draft?

Sean Tierney Feb. 16, 2017

We’re less than two weeks away from trade deadline day in the NHL.

For some teams, that means beginning to maneuver to add pieces for a long playoff run (think, or Minnesota Wild). For others, efforts are centered on creating a bidding war for their rentals (Jarome Iginla in Colorado or Thomas Vanek in Detroit, for example).

But these trades have been slow to develop so far this year.

In his recent piece for The Athletic Toronto, James Mirtle suggested the looming expansion draft has stalled trade talks. Mirtle added an intriguing thought on the way that the might acquire assets in exchange for not picking certain players:

That discussion begs an interesting question for the Chicago Blackhawks: Are they in a similar situation? Who are the Blackhawks likely to lose? If it’s a quality player like Ducks defenseman Josh Manson, should general manager Stan Bowman be set to offer compensation to avoid losing a player the team wishes to keep?

To answer these questions, let’s turn to the data.

On useful youngsters and the real value of late round picks

First, let’s lay the groundwork. Brian Hedger outlined the players that the Blackhawks were most likely to leave unprotected.

Basically, the Blackhawks’ roster is loaded with No Movement Clause contracts, meaning that most of the eligible protected player slots are already spoken for. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Artem Anisimov, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Corey Crawford would have been protected anyway, but their contract clauses ensure that’s the case.

Using CapFriendly’s expansion draft tool, we can look in on the two most likely scenarios:

*screencap courtesy of CapFriendly.

In the first option, the team protects four forwards (all forwards with NMCs), four defensemen (three NMCs and AHL defenseman prospect Ville Pokka), and Crawford. Notables exposed here include Marcus Kruger, , Dennis Rasmussen and Trevor van Riemsdyk.

It’s possible.

*screencap courtesy of CapFriendly.

In the second option, seven forwards are protected (four NMCs and Panik, Hartman and Kruger), and the remaining protection spots are used for NMCs.

This option seems more likely as the team is able to protect additional depth at forward without exposing much at defense.

The UFA (2017) skaters are not likely to be protected. After all, why would Vegas draft a player when they could simply wait and sign them directly during free agency?

The names that pop off the page as potential playing poaching interests include Ville Pokka, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Dennis Rasmussen. Should the loss of any of these worry the Blackhawks?

Ville Pokka is an unknown quantity to an extent, having yet to suit up in the NHL. The young blue liner has impressed with good counting stats in the AHL. However, using Matt Pfeffer’s new total value “WAR” stat, we see that Pokka is only the Rockford IceHogs’ fourth most impactful defender, lagging behind Carl Dahlstrom, Gustav Forsling and Robin Norell. Pokka has upside but wouldn’t be a crippling loss if Vegas were to nab him.

Trevor van Riemsdyk

When he’s played this season, van Riemsdyk has been a break-even, league average defenseman in terms of shot rates, plotting in the middle of the group.

In terms of overall offensive and defensive impact, which incorporates multi-year data on each player’s ability to influence -scoring for and prevent goal-scoring against. By this measure, van Riemsdyk is a negative contributor, providing average defense and subpar offense.

While the Blackhawks enjoy their depth on defense, the loss of either Pokka or van Riemsdyk would not cripple the organization’s defensemen depth chart unduly.

What about Rasmussen?

Based on shot-share alone, Rasmussen has enjoyed a productive season. He owns a positive Corsi differential and his shot rates plot him in the dull category. That’s a great spot for him because…

Rasmussen has been a key part of the Blackhawks’ shutdown forward line. Defensive zone starts make up far less of a player’s shifts than we used to believe, but the combination of Rasmussen’s solid shot share and coach Joel Quenneville’s clear expression of faith in Rasmussen’s shutdown ability speaks volumes.

Impressively, Rasmussen’s expected impact plots him in the upper quarter of NHL forwards in defensive influence, not far behind Toews’ defensive impact. Rasmussen’s offensive contribution is essentially nil but he’s a noted shot suppressor who handles heavy deployment and boasts a strong, positive impact on defense.

He’s a keeper.

But is he worth enough that the Blackhawks should consider offering the Golden Knights some compensation in exchange for leaving him unselected at the expansion draft?

If the cost is a mid- or low-round draft pick, then yes.

Here’s why:

*f*

*for details on how the expected pick values are generated, read Schuckers’ great work here.

After the first 24 picks in the entry draft, each draft pick is worth less and less relative to the other picks. In practical terms, that means that a fourth-round pick isn’t expected to pick a player much better than a pick in the sixth round.

We also know that any draft pick has about a 25 percent chance of turning into an NHL regular:

In this graph, we see that the average NHL draft pick between 2000 and 2013 had about a 26 percent chance of developing into a 100-game player in the NHL. In an average draft with seven picks, the average team should expect one or two selections to develop into 100-gamers in the NHL.

For Rasmussen, this suggests a mid-round or late draft pick would make sense if it protected him from Vegas’ clutches. There’s little difference between one mid-round pick and another in expected value and it takes, on average, four selections to even hit on a prospect.

With Rasmussen established as a clear NHL-er with a defined role and the ability to fulfill a need for shutdown, defensive forwards, a later-round pick to ensure protection might be prudent.

Some concluding thoughts…

The Blackhawks have painted themselves into a corner with their slew of NMCs. These NMCs loom large in the expansion draft as the Blackhawks are compelled to protect so many of their core players.

This situation seems to expose Pokka, van Riemsdyk and Rasmussen as the clearest targets for the NHL’s 31st team. While the Blackhawks may be content to simply allow Vegas to make their choice, the actual value of draft picks makes the case for offering small compensation in order to ensure that Rasmussen remains in town.

ChicagoBlackhawks.com

Blackhawks recall Kero and Schmaltz

Chicago Blackhawks Media Relations Feb. 16, 2017

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have recalled forwards Tanner Kero and Nick Schmaltz from the 's Rockford IceHogs.

Kero, 24, has four markers and four helpers in 22 games with the Blackhawks this season. He also shares fifth on the IceHogs with 20 points (7G, 13A) this year.

Schmaltz, 20, has four goals and six assists in 38 games with Chicago this season. He netted his first career NHL goal Oct. 15 against Nashville. The Verona, Wisconsin, native has also recorded nine points (6G, 3A) in 12 games with the IceHogs this season.

The Blackhawks return to action Saturday, Feb. 18 when they face off against the Edmonton Oilers at 6:00 p.m. at the United Center. The game can be seen on WGN-TV, and heard on WGN Radio.

CSNChicago.com

Tanner Kero, Nick Schmaltz Recalled By Blackhawks As Bye Week Concludes

Charlie Roumeliotis Feb. 16, 2017

With their bye week coming to an end, the Blackhawks recalled Tanner Kero and Nick Schmaltz from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Gustav Forsling and Vinnie Hinostroza remain in Rockford.

The Blackhawks opened up $477,360 in cap space by assigning those four players to the AHL during their five days off, and as of Thursday have a projected $4.19 million to spend at the trade deadline, according to CapFriendly.com.

Schmaltz, who's been playing well on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik, has four goals and six assists in 38 games this season.

Kero has four goals and four assists in 22 games, and has done a solid job contributing in all areas on the bottom six.

The Blackhawks will return to practice on Friday before hosting the Edmonton Oilers at the United Center on Saturday at 6 p.m.

ESPN Insider

Eight NHL trades that make sense

Craig Custance Feb. 16, 2017

Clearly the league’s general managers need a little assistance. Here it is, mid-February, and we still don’t have a trade to sink our teeth into. They’ve got the coach-firing thing down pat. No help needed there.

But trades? That is apparently asking too much.

“It’s the hardest market to read,” said one Eastern Conference GM this week.

So I'm here to help. Maybe spark an idea.

Here are eight trades that I think work well for both sides in some form. But let’s be clear, these are just suggestions. These aren’t rumors. These aren’t necessarily conversations being held. But there’s also an effort to make them realistic.

Let’s dive in:

1. Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene to the for defenseman Mattias Ekholm, goalie Juuse Saros and a 2017 first-round pick.

This is a lot to give up for Duchene, but here’s the thought process if you’re Nashville: Trade for Duchene and you now have Ryan Johansen and Duchene down the middle; you have P.K. Subban and Roman Josi on defense; you have Pekka Rinne in goal and scoring wingers in James Neal and Filip Forsberg. That’s a great foundation. The Predators could backfill from there with depth.

I pitched this theory to one team executive and he shot it down.

“I don’t think Nashville does it, that’s a lot,” he said. “Is Duchene enough to get you to win the Cup?”

There’s also the expansion draft to consider for teams trading for Duchene. If you’re dealing a defenseman, especially a young one, now you’re adding another forward to protect in June. So if that means a good forward from your roster is going to be exposed, this trade now becomes whatever package you gave up for Duchene, plus the player who Vegas grabs.

But in the case of Nashville, I think it’s worth the risk if they can pull it off.

2. center Martin Hanzal to the Chicago Blackhawks for prospect Nick Schmaltz and a draft pick.

GM Stan Bowman has been consistent in his stance that he’s not going to do anything crazy at the trade deadline. The Blackhawks want to keep their first-round pick as draft hosts. They want to keep their young forwards because that’s exactly what they need to surround expensive talent. I get all that.

I also see a Western Conference that is wide open. I see a window in Chicago to win a Stanley Cup that won’t be open forever. The addition of Hanzal would give the Blackhawks the deepest center group they’ve had in years to go with the deepest defense they’ve had in years. Factor in the long summer they enjoyed after a first-round exit at the hands of the Blues, and they’d be primed to go this spring.

A Hanzal deal would also prevent one of the Blackhawks' Western Conference rivals from adding him and having a big two-way center to send on the ice against Jonathan Toews’ line all series long.

3. center Valtteri Filppula to the Minnesota Wild for defenseman Mike Reilly

OK, I’ll admit. I don’t have a great sense of what Filppula’s trade value is right now because of his contract. He’s expensive. He has another year remaining at $5 million.

He’s also available.

“He’s not a first-line center, but he can be on your power play and your kill,” one NHL player evaluator said. “He’s never going to make a positional error.”

He has loads of playoff experience and would further strengthen the Wild at center to a point where it would be a strength after years of being a question mark.

Now, there would have to be salary cap gymnastics needed to pull a Filppula trade-off. Maybe Steve Yzerman and Chuck Fletcher would have to bring in a third team to retain salary to make it work. But this sure would make sense for the Wild in some form.

4. Detroit Red Wings send winger Thomas Vanek to the for a second-round pick

The Blue Jackets are an interesting team at the trade deadline. They’re not really at the point where they’re going to win a Stanley Cup. They’re going to have to trade one of their young goalies before the expansion draft but that may be an offseason trade.

The best move might be to sit tight at the trade deadline, but on some level you want to reward the team for their strong season so far. Vanek would do that.

The dropoff between the Blue Jackets' first power play unit and their second is pretty dramatic. They need a boost there. Even with his defensive shortcomings, Vanek has elite offensive skill. He’d give the Blue Jackets an element of skill they don’t currently have on that roster.

The Red Wings would like to extend Vanek, but a deal with Columbus would just mean that would have to wait until July 1.

5. winger Patrick Sharp to the for a second-round pick and a prospect.

You’re not hearing much from San Jose right now. The Sharks are in a good place with depth and skill up and down their lineup. But we know GM Doug Wilson is a dealer. He’s got a team that can win a Stanley Cup, with a window that’s closing, and it would be surprising if he sat on his hands over the next two weeks.

The belief from his colleagues is that he’d like to add both a defenseman and a winger, despite the silence right now in San Jose. Maybe there’s a bigger deal to be made with the Stars that accomplishes both, since Dallas also has a deep pool of defensemen GM Jim Nill could make available.

There’s a deal to be done between these two teams.

6. Arizona Coyotes send Radim Vrbata and defenseman Michael Stone to the Calgary Flames for goalie prospect Jon Gillies and a draft pick(s).

The Flames would like to add a winger who can add offense along with defensive depth. This trade accomplishes both.

Not only is Flames GM Brad Treliving familiar with the Coyotes' organization and these players as a former assistant GM in Arizona, the Flames also employ former Coyotes GM Don Maloney as a pro scout.

Maloney knows Vrbata well, and the veteran winger has been productive for the Coyotes with 38 points in 55 games.

The Flames would move one of their young goalies in the system for the right deal. Maybe this isn’t the one, but it’s an option for Treliving right now considering their depth at that position.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins send goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to Calgary Flames for goalie Brian Elliott

Perhaps Fleury gets more back in a trade, maybe not. It’s hard to say, since there aren’t too many teams that have a need in goal and can take on his salary.

This deal is less about the return for the Penguins -- although Elliott provides nice short-term insurance -- and more about the cap space it would free up, since Elliott is earning only $2.5 million this season. It would give the Penguins all kinds of salary-cap flexibility moving forward.

The Flames could then go with a tandem of Chad Johnson and Fleury moving forward while waiting for American hero Tyler Parsons to develop.

Fleury hasn’t been great this season, but this situation has been a lot to handle.

“He still has lots to give,” said one NHL source. “The big thing for him is getting a fresh start.”

8. Colorado Avalanche send Gabriel Landeskog to the for defenseman Jake Bean, another strong prospect and a protected first-round pick.

There’s been a lot of smoke around the Bruins making a deal with the Avalanche, and Boston definitely has the ammunition to acquire either Duchene or Landeskog. But it’s so hard to find good, young defensemen that it would be hard for me to recommend that Boston deals either Brando Carlo or Charlie McAvoy in a deal with the Avs. The better move would be to build their defense around those two rather than trade them.

Carolina, however, is loaded on defense. The Hurricanes have more organizational depth on defense than the Bruins and could get away with trading a guy like Bean without creating a hole moving forward.

I’ve been banging this drum for a long time, but the Hurricanes make the most sense and are the best fit for a blockbuster deal with the Avalanche. The question is whether the front office in Carolina has the appetite to make it happen.