SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 1/31/2019 Red Wings 1103936 Why it’s time for the Ducks to ‘be real’ about their team 1103968 assign Michael Rasmussen to minors and plan for next season (conditioning) 1103969 Inside the rebuild: A check on Detroit Red Wings' top five Coyotes prospects 1103937 Tocchet: Coyotes expect to get healthier in second part of 1103970 Many questions about Red Wings will be answered soon season 1103971 Red Wings prospect report: Filip Larsson and Vili 1103938 Tickets for Doan jersey retirement game set to go on sale Saarijarvi Jan. 31 1103939 Coyotes monthly mailbag: You asked, we tried to answer 1103972 Oilers in 60: Is it Saturday yet? Where's Connor McDavid? Bruins 1103973 JONES: Hitch says expect changes in personnel, style, 1103940 Tuukka Rask rejoins Bruins and might play Thursday mindset of Oilers 1103941 Bruins notebook: Joakim Nordstrom, John Moore return to 1103974 Kyle Brodziak looks to expand role with Edmonton Oilers lineup after break 1103942 Tuukka Rask hopeful to return Thursday for Bruins 1103975 Lowetide: Finding a path to the playoffs may involve 1103943 "Good chance" Tuukka Rask returns vs. Flyers after fully reckless use of future assets by the Oilers practicing Wednesday 1103944 Bruins' Trent Frederic shows plenty of fight in NHL debut 1103945 "Re-energized" Bruins top line leads the way in shootout 1103976 Jake Muzzin’s jersey number offers a glimpse into his loss personality Wild 1103946 Slow start, no set stage for Sabres' shutout loss in 1103977 Wild trades Ryan Murphy to Devils for Michael Kapla Dallas 1103978 Yeo over Boudreau? Thawing out with some of your 1103947 The Wraparound: Stars 1, Sabres 0 hottest sports takes 1103948 Sabres' Jason Pominville, scratched vs. 1103979 What do streaky Wild do with deadline and playoffs Dallas approaching? 1103949 Sabres goalie Carter Hutton takes important 'step forward' 1103980 ‘Mentally, it’s hard’: Eric Staal opens up about his in win against Columbus uncertain future in Minnesota 1103950 Catching up with former Sabres 1103981 Stu Cowan: Canadiens GM deserves much credit for his 1103951 Team success translates to 'non-stop' chirping in Flames' Mr. Fix-It job locker-room 1103982 Analyze This: Tomas Tatar in rare form for Canadiens 1103952 Midseason update of the Flames top 20 prospects 1103983 Former Hab praised as hero after rescuing women from apartment fire 1103984 can change the narrative by deftly 1103953 The Hurricanes extended two very different hockey navigating the increasingly complicated trade deadline players who happen to share the same vision waters 1103985 Find out what the Canadiens think of each other in this super scientific player survey 1103954 The last 6 months have brought Blackhawks prospect Nicolas Beaudin a lot of good fortune — with 1 exception 1103955 Blackhawks' best chance for big winning streak starts 1103986 Opinion: Predators forward's alcohol relapse is a matter of Friday at Sabres life and death 1103956 As NHL trade deadline looms, sellers could come from the 1103987 Brad Schmitt on Austin Watson: Getting fired for drunk East driving saved my life 1103957 After whirlwind 2017-18 season, Victor Ejdsell trying to 1103988 Four ways Austin Watson's suspension could affect the adapt to life in pro hockey Predators on the ice 1103989 The biggest questions for the Predators: From Austin Watson to the trade deadline 1103958 Fly like an Eagle? Why the Avalanche’s new AHL affiliate is doing that and more 1103990 NJ Devils and Wild swap minor league defensemen 1103991 How the NJ Devils will fill Sami Vatanen's void 1103959 kill has been killing it 1103992 Who do NJ Devils have to trade? NHL trade deadline 1103960 Coach irked by loss to Sabres primer 1103961 Sabres 5, Blue Jackets 4: Five takeaways 1103993 NJ Devils have not discussed shutting down Taylor Hall 1103962 Ben Bishop's impressive run against the Buffalo Sabres 1103994 Blake Coleman has become an offensive force for the continues thanks to Wednesday night's shutout Devils at age 27, but can he sustain it? 1103963 Stars notebook: After three games back on the ice, Jason Dickinson leaves win over Buffalo with injury Rangers 1103964 Jamie Benn provides lone goal in Stars' first win after the 1103995 Rangers hoping offense gets double boost versus Devils All-Star break 1103996 Knee sprain could idle Rangers’ Brett Howden ‘a little while’ 1103997 Pavel Buchnevich trying to get back in David Quinn's good 1103965 Who are Jim Montgomery’s Stars? Team’s return from graces All-Star break provides answers 1103966 Dallas Stars owner on state of franchise: ‘Am I frustrated? NHL Yes. Am I pissed off? No.’ 1103998 KeyArena renovation group seeks to defer at least $80 1103967 Stars 20/20: A strong start and Ben Bishop’s dominance million in state sales tax payments helps Stars beat Sabres in first game after break Senators Maple Leafs 1103999 Senators want a strong finish, Jean-Gabriel Pageau says 1104035 The Leafs are playoff locks with a lot of work to do 1104000 GARRIOCH: It will be a busy time for as 1104036 Tulloch: The Maple Leafs’ formidable power play is they return to work struggling. Here are the keys to fixing it 1104001 There are multiple reasons why the Senators should trade 1104037 Jake Muzzin’s jersey number offers a glimpse into his Cody Ceci and the earlier the better personality 1104002 Flyers' younger players thriving under interim coach Scott 1104050 Patrick Johnston: Three decisions the Canucks have to Gordon tackle before NHL’s trade deadline 1104003 Flyers-Rangers observations: On short-term goals and Ivan Provorov’s skin peeling off 1104004 Carter Hart’s ‘intensity’ has Flyers finally playing like a 1104038 Golden Knights recall Maxime Lagace, Jake Bischoff from band of brothers | Sam Donnellon AHL 1104005 Flyers prospect Morgan Frost answering every question 1104039 Golden Knights prospect Cody Glass continues along path to NHL development with NHL in mind 1104006 Which of these 5 Flyers could be dealt before the NHL 1104040 Ranking the 10 most important players on the Golden trade deadline? Knights' roster 1104007 With inspiration from his father, Flyers' Anthony Stolarz 1104041 Golden Knights tag Valentin Zykov as the answer to two keeps getting back up rising problems 1104008 How the World Junior Championships helped propel Joel Farabee’s freshman season 1104009 Flyers 5 takeaways: Anthony Stolarz passes first test with 1104042 Capitals midseason grades: The Caps' defense is not flying colors living up to expectations 1104010 Flyers 1, Rangers 0: 10 things we learned from a Stolarz 1104043 Explaining the unwritten rules and etiquette of a hockey steal of a game fight Websites 1104011 Penguins rebound from ugly loss, stop 1st-place Lightning 1104051 The Athletic / The women stole the show at All-Star 1104012 Penguins' out with upper-body injury, weekend — now how does it lead to something bigger for team says wom 1104013 Penguins notebook: Derick Brassard out with upper-body 1104052 The Athletic / LeBrun Notebook: NHL trade landscape injury after Muzzin deal, preparing for a Panarin exit and a Matt 1104014 Playing to level of opponent would help, not hinder, 1104053 Sportsnet.ca / 31 Thoughts: Three key decisions holding Penguins against potent Lightning up NHL trade deadline dominos 1104015 Penguins call-up Teddy Blueger 'deserving of an 1104054 Sportsnet.ca / NHL Power Rankings: Your Team's Best opportunity,' coach Mike Sullivan says Deadline Trade Chip Edition 1104016 As they prepare for Penguins, a look at what makes 1104055 Sportsnet.ca / Jets notebook: How will Patrik Lightning so dominant Laine break out of his slump? 1104017 Tim Benz: Penguins have to fix current players before 1104056 Sportsnet.ca / Oilers shouldn't be afraid to shop first-round acquiring new ones pick for long-term help 1104018 Matt Murray takes matters into his own hands 1104057 Sportsnet.ca / Leafs' Muzzin trade hints at what's to come 1104019 Evgeni Malkin drops gloves, hits milestone in 'best game in buyer's market in a while' 1104058 Sportsnet.ca / A deep-dive look at how Jake Muzzin fits in 1104020 Dave Molinari’s Penguins Report Card: Penguins 4, with the Maple Leafs Tampa Bay 2 1104059 Sportsnet.ca / What the Maple Leafs gave up to acquire 1104021 Joe Starkey: Team meeting helped Penguins regain Jake Muzzin from Kings ‘swagger’ 1104060 Sportsnet.ca / 3 things we learned in the NHL: Don't sleep 1104022 Mike Sullivan raves about his team after Penguins' on the Buffalo Sabres emotional, bounce-back win 1104061 Sportsnet.ca / What they're saying about Maple Leafs 1104023 ready to 'enjoy the moment' on acquisition Jake Muzzin in L.A. Penguins-Lightning broadcast 1104062 Sportsnet.ca / Kings assistant GM happy with return in 1104024 With Derick Brassard out with an injury, Teddy Blueger Jake Muzzin trade makes NHL debut 1104063 USA TODAY / Pierre McGuire induces cringe-worthy 1104025 Evgeni Malkin drops the gloves while the Penguins drop moments during Kendall Coyne Schofield's NBC TV debut the NHL’s best team 1104026 Discussion – Lightning at Penguins 1104027 Yohe: With trade deadline approaching, a look at 10 1104044 Under-powered Jets: Ehlers is missed issues plaguing Penguins 1104045 Maurice needs to get Laine going 1104046 Embracing life to its fullest and at its coldest 1104047 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Former Jets forward Randy 1104028 Sharks’ first coach receives honor in native country Gilhen started and ended one career in Winnipeg and then 1104029 Sharks' offense has been good, but things could change started at trade deadline 1104048 JETS GAMEDAY: After finding legs in Boston, Jets look to put speed to use against Blue Jackets 1104049 WYMAN: Laine’s performance an all-time low and Jets’ 1104030 Kendall Coyne Schofield joins NBC’s broadcast of sniper needs a wakeup call Lightning-Penguins game SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1104031 Lightning players participate in mental health initiative 1104032 Lightning pregame: Will special teams again be difference against Penguins? 1104033 Who are the Tampa Bay Lightning’s ‘best six’ on the blueline? 1104034 Are the Lightning the most complete team in the era? 1103936 Anaheim Ducks possible 32, maybe there is still a need to make the real shakeup before the team starts back up Saturday in Winnipeg and salvage something redeeming. Hope a change jolts a beaten-down team, squeeze in with an Why it’s time for the Ducks to ‘be real’ about their team and plan for next inspired push and wish for Calgary in the opening round to put a chill into season the Flames (Here’s looking at you 2006, 2015 and 2017).

“There’s not much time left in the year and you don’t have the bodies and everything else, but listen … Ken Hitchcock went in there and gave By Eric Stephens and Josh Cooper Jan 30, 2019 Edmonton a bump for 12 games and a 12-game bump like that probably gets Anaheim in the playoffs,” Johnson said. “Now I’m not saying they

should do that, but we’ve seen coaches step in on rosters that are flawed Ducks general manager Bob Murray basically indicated where he thought and you do get a reaction.” his team’s season was going when he announced forward Ondrej Kase Besides, shouldn’t there be a price paid for that wretched home effort would be out 5-6 months with a torn labrum. against the St. Louis Blues in their last game before their break when Murray said the preference was for Kase to get his shoulder fixed now they fired 13 shots on goal and lost 5-1? The only definitive message rather than play with it and opt for surgery later — like sent heading into this time off was that these Ducks don’t have it in them and Sami Vatanen did with similar injuries in 2016-17. to mount their annual second-half charge.

The reason why they waited, and played at a diminished capacity, was But it is plain to see that Murray won’t fire his coach. And the GM is because that Ducks team had a legitimate at the – and already on record in saying his team isn’t good enough. If the plan is to made it to the Western Conference final. This team clearly does not. ride out the season and let Carlyle finish out the final guaranteed year of his contract before he moves into a scouting or consultant role, then send “No sense in (Kase) playing though that, because remember when Sami out a clear signal that the shop will be open before the Feb. 25 trade and Hampus did that? I’d rather have him ready for next year,” Murray deadline because there is no sense in trying to scratch and claw into the said of his injured sniper. postseason.

Not all injuries are the same and we don’t have all the details on That was done last season and look how that turned out. This team – immediate surgical vs. non-surgical options for Kase. But the is that through rampant injury and ineffectiveness – is worse than the flawed it seems like if this team really, truly had a chance, then all the focus 2017-18 group that rarely looked the part of a contender. Transition has would be on getting its players ready for the playoffs, not next season. been the buzzword for 2018-19 and that is accurate. What the Ducks will evolve into is the big question for Murray when it comes to the future of However, that is where the gaze should be. All the talk about how this his team and his own with it. group is just one point out of the playoffs should cease, unless owners Henry and Susan Samueli desperately want the (minimum) two games of “Your plans are really building towards next year,” Johnson said. “So if extra home gate. In reality, the Ducks have been overmatched to a level you want to make a coaching change it’s the guy you want to be there that goes beyond their laundry list of injuries. next year, and maybe that’s Randy still, but whatever it is, that’s kind of where your focus should be. The rest of this year is kind of building for Anaheim has been outshot on average by a total of seven (on goal) per next year.” game, the second-worst in the NHL behind the last place Ottawa Senators at 7.7. Their 2.29 goals per game is the second-lowest total in In that case, start fresh with Dallas Eakins or someone else if the plan is the league behind the Los Angeles Kings, the worst team in the Western to look elsewhere with several others available. (Although previous Conference, and their minus-33 goal differential is the third-worst in the coaching search finalist won’t be, with Vancouver now NHL. They also have the third-worst 5-on-5 CF% in the NHL at 46.70 and pointed in the right direction). It is certainly lined up for the 51-year-old the worst 5-on-5 high danger CF% at 42.28, according to Natural Stat Eakins to get his second shot as an NHL head man. He’ll have a better Trick. base to work from than what he had in an ill-fated, partially self-inflicted turn in Edmonton. “I think (their season) has been a bit surprising. Even with the injuries, which I know there have been a ton,” NHL Network analyst Mike Continue the transition with someone already signed to a multiyear deal Johnson said. “When you see them struggle and get outshot, they don’t with the organization last spring who has coached several current roster play as fast. Flat out. They don’t play as fast both in the bodies that skate players and those that are coming. The atmosphere will be better, with around the ice and in the systems that allow them to move to maybe the vets having put a difficult season in the rearview mirror and being mitigate the lack of individual foot speed. You don’t have to be the fastest open to hearing a fresh voice. skating team to play with the puck and play quickly. And they’re kind of 0- for-2 in that regard that they’re not the fastest skating and they don’t play The decision was made to not bring Eakins into a situation where the with it that quickly.” Ducks were already heading off the rails. And would it have been right to believe that he could turn the train around and engineer a miracle? Go Added former Ducks defenseman Ryan Whitney, who also works on NHL the distance with the message. Maybe not to the extent that the New Network and co-hosts the popular Spittin’ Chiclets podcast: “These York Rangers did a year ago with a detailed public wave of the white flag, advanced stats kind of exist for a reason. It almost can’t last. … I could but there is a sense that parts of Ducks Nation are already on board with see them missing the playoffs by like 20 points and right now they’re one taking a sizable step back if it might mean securing a better position to point out. So what do you do? That is the question I think.” make a real leap forward.

It’s time for the Ducks to be real about who they are, their chances this Then again, maybe there’s an argument to be made that Carlyle has season and their plan to contend in the future. done more than the public credits him for? That idea was noted by someone we spoke with. What are their issues? Would a coaching change this year matter? Is the team so poorly constructed that any coach wouldn’t be able to help? Is “I don’t know if it’s so much Randy. It’s easy to blame the coach. It’s the this the start of an era of futility for the team or just a transition season — easiest thing to do if you just say, ‘Well, the team is (bad) and the coach a bridge to next year when their youngsters tearing up the AHL can come is to fault.’ In any sport, it’s the easiest thing to do,” an Eastern up and make an impact? Conference scout said. “When you have those injuries, coaches have to coach and deal with it. And there’s other teams in the league that don’t Eric Stephens and Josh Cooper of The Athletic took the All-Star break have these injuries and you can’t have the same excuse for. I’d say and part of the bye week to examine Anaheim’s struggles this year and Randy’s done a fine job with all of that. Keeping their head above water.” its options moving forward. That’s an understandable take, but it just feels like Carlyle has hit an Is it Dallas Eakins time at long last? expiration point with the team and its fanbase. Truth be told, he has If this was a season worth really saving, Murray would have cut Randy always worked best when having high-performing veterans augmented Carlyle loose as his coach during the Ducks’ embarrassing winless by up-and-coming young stars who are ripe and ready to be consistent homestand that was the pathway to their franchise-worst losing streak. contributors. He may not be the root of the problem, but he’s certainly not And with them incredibly within striking range of a playoff spot despite the answer. two wins in their last 16 outings and just eight points gained out of a coach Dallas Eakins surveys the ice. (San Diego Gulls) On Ryan Kesler and the aging core contract. Considering some of Anaheim’s other aging players have already signed long-term, Silfverberg may have to be a casualty of those Ryan Kesler should be done – a least for this season. Pride and the mistakes. prospect of 1,000 NHL games played will drive the center to push as he always does, and good on him for giving this year a shot. However, the In a perfect world, Silfverberg is a guy you keep over some of the other fact he’s a shadow of what he once was can’t be hidden on the ice as his wingers who are making big money. But in the NHL with the salary cap, six points in 44 games and minus-15 rating have shown. So shut him this happens sometimes — even to the best of teams — and hard down. There are three more years to pay after this one. Talk him into decisions have to be made and bitter pills need to be swallowed because getting an early start on rest and rehab next season. At 34 and saddled of past slip-ups that didn’t feel like blunders at the time. with an arthritic hip, Kesler may never again be the high-level demon who’s a force at both ends of the ice. But maybe there is enough left in “I don’t think they’re buying this year per se,” Johnson said, “but I don’t his body to be a productive third-line pivot that can be effective if think they’re really selling, though unless you figure you can’t re-sign employed in advantageous situations? Silfverberg and you’re going to trade him for other young assets that you think can help you in the future.” It’s that, or he really needs to figure out his situation as an NHL player moving forward. If he retires, he’d be giving up over $20 million of salary Then again, maybe keeping him makes some sense if the Ducks can ($6.675 million in real dollars per season the next three years), so it’s manage their cap to somehow make room for him. And as valuable as hard to see that happening unless his hip is so bad that he has no choice Silfverberg is now, they must take a hard look at projecting what he’ll be but to call it quits. That is not chump change by any stretch. three or four years from now and be wary of the term that he may want and seek to get. The Ducks may have to make that decision for him. “He’s become a pretty useful player,” a Western Conference scout said. According to Cap Friendly, buying out Kesler would give the Ducks $4.45 “He’s not exactly a ‘wow’ player, but he’s worked himself into a pretty million in savings ($2.425 million salary cap hit) on his contract over the useful player. I would think they would try to re-sign him. You can’t have next three seasons – until his deal would be over and they’d be on the all kids in your lineup. I would think that they would have interest in trying hook for a $2.25 million cap hit for three more years. to get him re-signed for sure.”

There’s also the option of Kesler going on LTIR and the Ducks still pay In conclusion him, but they wouldn’t have to pay his cap hit. Either way, it’s become obvious that this situation probably won’t get better. While Murray, who recently got a contract extension, has often been rightfully praised for thinking a few steps ahead with each of his moves – “Any time you talk about Ryan Kesler, you have to be very respectful of and getting his young core locked into long-term common-sense deals – the career he’s had up to this point and how good of a player he has his contracts given to older players have led to this season being what it been,” Johnson said. “And when your body doesn’t let you continue to do has turned into. what your heart and your mind want you to do, that’s tough. Not that I feel bad for him, but it’s tough to be overly critical when you’re like, ‘It’s “The big, hard to fix, problems with the Ducks are not Carlyle problems. not like he doesn’t work hard to be as good as he can be, his body They’re management problems,” a former NHL executive said. doesn’t let him skate anymore.’ “Complaining about defensive deployment pales in relevance to losing ’s career production because you wouldn’t buy out an “He’s in and out of the lineup. He’s had multiple surgeries. I’m sure end-of-career Kevin Bieksa. there’s degenerative damage there. And that’s for Ryan Kesler and his family to decide. … Paying a guy (near) $7 million at a decreased “The complaints about sub-optimal systems are insignificant in physical state is tough for a team that’s going to be right near the cap.” comparison to trading another productive defenseman (Vatanen) in a deal that involved plans to sign Adam Henrique through his Age 34 Said Whitney, who saw his own hockey playing days cut short at 481 season at a first-line center cap hit ($5.825 million). Three more years of NHL games by an ankle injury: “What a career he’s had and that kind of Kesler at near $7 million is three more years of having what going career is kind of defined by being so difficult to play against, so what do forward will be one of the worst contracts in hockey. the guys that play like that run into? It’s the injuries and the grind on your body and being physical and being a prick on the ice and just always “When your roster only has two forwards on pace for 20 goals and 50 being in the middle of physicality and I think that’s been his career in kind points, that’s a talent problem. Not a coaching problem. This is a team of a nutshell while also being able to produce offensively. that blew past its window to win and didn’t make the necessary moves to stay competitive.” “So when you just can’t get to the areas on the ice that you’re used to getting to and then that forces you to just be a step behind or even a half (Editor’s note: We may not totally agree with the take on the 28-year-old step behind … to no fault of his, but injuries happen and when you lose a Henrique, but his numbers of 27 points in 51 games this season don’t half step in this league nowadays it’s over pretty quick.” look particularly good).

Corey Perry and Patrick Eaves are signed through next season (Perry Call this season for what it is. A wash. Just three playoff-less springs through 2021). The Ducks must determine over the final two-plus months since the 2004 lockout is still impressive. Give scouting chief Martin if the two returning veterans are able enough to be contributors for 2019- Madden (one of the best in the business) and his staff a rare top-10 20 or if injuries have robbed enough of their abilities to the point where a selection – or desirably higher – to add a critical piece to the newer core buyout for either needs to at least be discussed in the offseason. for the future as Anaheim eventually moves beyond the Getzlaf-Perry- Kesler triumvirate. The trade of Andrew Cogliano is a sign that the core The season is toast, so it shouldn’t be looked as if they’re blocking the that drove six straight pushes (the last four with Kesler) for the Cup is kids. Let Troy Terry and Max Jones (and even sometimes overwhelmed already starting to be broken up. Give the new coach a clean slate, or at Jacob Larsson) stay down in San Diego with , Sam Steel least a cleaner one. and Co. Let them continue to flourish under Eakins. Maybe make a run at a and bring them up only if truly necessary. It’s not all doom and gloom with this team. The Ducks have a lot of players in their system who will probably make the NHL next season and The Jakob Silfverberg question have good careers in this league. Terry, Jones, Max Comtois, Sam Steel and Isac Lundestrom all have top-six forward potential. If pending UFA Jakob Silfverberg is not signed to a contract extension by the trade deadline, deal him. He’s a wonderful two-way winger who could “They have a lot in the minor league system,” the Eastern Conference be a nice addition for any team looking to add second-line depth — scout said. “I know they have guys that are up and down. But they have maybe even first line in the right situation. If Anaheim doesn’t see itself Terry, Steel, Jones, Lundestrom, Comtois, (Antoine) Morand. They have making the playoffs this year — and if the Ducks have to go through a bit good players coming up. It’s not like they’re dead in the water and in of a refresh in the next year or two — at least get something for the 28- rebuild mode. These players are coming in droves.” year-old Swede. Said the Western conference scout: “Steel is a skilled guy. Terry has If the Kings got a first-round pick for Jake Muzzin, then Silfverberg should shown a high skill level there. Max Jones is a bigger, stronger maybe command the same type of return. more of a third-line guy but perhaps a good one. … Comtois, I think, has some good upside” Murray has said he wants to take a run at keeping Silfverberg, but the player is definitely going to get a raise off his $3.375 million per year Currently on the NHL roster, defensemen , Cam Fowler, and Hampus Lindholm are all 27 or younger. Forward is just 25. John Gibson is also just 25.

“I think they would have to make a plan, chart their course because I don’t think they’re quite yet ready to go full rebuild, right?” Johnson said. “John Gibson’s 25. That core defense, they’re all young — great ages and good contracts. So there’s no reason to strip that down.

“Basically, they have to figure out their forwards and how to get their forwards to pair up with their defense and goaltending, which I think are really quite good. Like good, NHL top-10 goalie and defense core, playoff-worthy easily. They just have to figure out their forwards.”

Competing every year is admirable. Bottoming out is not. Our guess is Murray has more respect for teams that can build without resorting to dumping a season for a shot at a top-three or a top-five pick. And sinking the ship doesn’t play well in fickle Southern , where sellouts are not a given. But whether you name it a transition or a reload/reset/retrench/rebuild, you want to be up front and straight with your most devoted and educated followers.

Because they don’t want to be cheering a team without much hope. Three straight games where the NHL’s worst team at putting shots on goal managed fewer than 20 in each was enough evidence there is little left for this season. Hope only becomes tougher to find for the team that remains stuck in neutral.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103937

Tocchet: Coyotes expect to get healthier in second part of season

BY DANNY SHAPIRO JANUARY 30, 2019 AT 6:35 PM

Injuries have been a key part of the Arizona Coyotes’ season, but the team has received good news regarding the potential return of several key players.

Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet joined Burns and Gambo on Wednesday and said some of his team’s injured players have progressed well and could return to the lineup quickly following the All-Star break.

Tocchet added others who were expected out for the remainder of the season, like Jason Demers and , could return this season.

The Coyotes have seven regulars who are on injured reserve but are just two points out of a playoff spot with 32 regular season games left.

“Brad Richardson is on the horizon. Jason Demers is actually ahead of schedule. Christian Dvorak is actually going to start practicing with us regularly,” Tocchet told 98.7 Arizona’s Sports Station. “It’s week to week now, not month to month, and we definitely want our healthy guys back.”

Richardson has been on injured reserve with an upper body injury since early January and seems the most likely IR player to return first.

The continued progression of Dvorak and Demers is promising, even if neither is able to return this season.

Dvorak underwent surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle in October and Coyotes GM John Chayka said at the time it was possible it could cost him the season.

The 22-year-old scored 15 goals and added 22 assists in 2017, his second in the NHL.

Demers has been one of the Coyotes’ best defensemen since joining the team last season and would help solidify a back line that hasn’t had much consistency because of injuries.

98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro reported in November, though, that Demers would miss the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury in a game against the Nashville Predators.

Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson is still listed as day-to-day with a knee injury he suffered last week but would skate with the team out of the All-Star break.

The Coyotes, 6-2-2 in their past 10 games, return to action Saturday against the San Jose Sharks.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103938 Arizona Coyotes

Tickets for Doan jersey retirement game set to go on sale Jan. 31

BY CHRIS HOWLEY | JANUARY 30, 2019

The Arizona Coyotes announced Wednesday that a limited number of tickets will go on sale Thursday, Jan. 31 for the Shane Doan jersey retirement game.

The tickets will become avaliable at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster.com and at the Gila River Arena box office.

The Coyotes will retire Doan’s 19 on Sunday, Feb. 24 when they host the Winnipeg Jets.

Doan retired following the 2016-17 season after playing all of his 21 seasons in the NHL for the Coyotes/Jets franchise. He served as the team’s captain from 2003-17.

Doan is the franchise leader in a number of statistical categories including games played (1540), points (972), assists (570) and goals (402).

Doan will become the first player to have his number retired by the Coyotes organization.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103939 Arizona Coyotes The Coyotes are a cap-floor team in actual spending for a reason. They don’t have the resources to do otherwise and it has colored everything they have done for nearly two decades. There is no guarantee that a Coyotes monthly mailbag: You asked, we tried to answer deep-pocketed owner would invest more in the team, but that owner would at least have the wherewithal to do so.

DO YOU THINK THE YOTES WILL KEEP OSTERLE OR LYUBUSHKIN By Craig Morgan Jan 30, 2019 AT THE END OF THE SEASON? I’M IMPRESSED WITH BOTH AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM STAY, BUT THERE MAY BE OPTIONS

ON THE FREE AGENT MARKET OR THE MINORS. It’s time for the monthly Coyotes mailbag. Without further ado: — TODD IN PHOENIX (@TODDINPHX) JANUARY 30, 2019 OF THE 7 REGULARS THAT THE YOTES HAVE ON THE IR, WHICH Lyubushkin will be a restricted free agent so I would expect the Coyotes DO YOU THINK WE CAN COUNT OUT FOR THE REST OF THE to retain him. They like his development curve. Oesterle will be an SEASON AND WHICH CAN WE PLAN ON SEEING BACK IN THE unrestricted free agent. He has shown promise and I think the LINEUP BEFORE THE OFFSEASON? management and coaching staffs have liked what he has provided as a — JACK JOHNSON (@GOJACKJOHNSON) JANUARY 29, 2019 mobile, puck-mover. His future may depend on what he and his representation are thinking. It’s rarely a bad idea to test the open market. Center Nick Schmaltz (knee) has already been ruled out for the season and I do not expect goalie Antti Raanta (knee) to return. Forwards I'VE SPENT THIS ALL STAR BREAK GETTING SUPER OPTIMISTIC Michael Grabner (eye) and Christian Dvorak (pectoral muscle) could start ABOUT THE COYOTES CHANCES DOWN THE STRETCH. CRYSTAL skating with the team soon, center Brad Richardson (hand) should be BALL TIME: WHAT WOULD BE A REALISTIC EXPECTATION DOWN back sometime in February and defenseman Jason Demers (knee) THE STRETCH? started skating on his own over the break, leaving open the possibility — MICHAEL KINKOR (@MKINKOR) JANUARY 30, 2019 that he could return late in the season. Coyotes president of hockey operations John Chayka said Wednesday that defenseman Oliver A realistic goal would be the same one outlined at the start of the season: Ekman-Larsson (knee), who suffered his injury in the second-to-last To be playing meaningful games in February and March. They have game before the break, would skate with the team out of the break. He is already assured they will play meaningful games in February. Can they still listed as day-to-day, but it appears the Coyotes have avoided any stay in the race until the end? That will depend on a variety of factors sort of procedure on the knee to date. including which injured players return and whether any of the wild-card wannabes separate themselves from the pack. As I stated earlier, I think From: @robert_coyotes (protected account) the playoffs are a long shot for the Coyotes, but they have hung around Is there a luxury tax threshold in the NHL and what teams are close to it? this long…

Like the NFL, the NHL has a hard salary cap, which makes a luxury tax AND THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE: IS THERE A CONSENSUS unnecessary. Major League Baseball, the NBA, the CFL and other pro FAVORITE HOT DOG BRAND AMONGST THE TEAM? leagues use a luxury tax, but it is still not that common an approach. — MICHAEL KINKOR (@MKINKOR) JANUARY 30, 2019 FEBRUARY BRINGS A LOT OF IMPORTANT GAMES FOR THE TEAM I have not asked the team. After touring many areas, however, I have to AGAINST OTHERS FIGURING FOR A PLAYOFF SPOT LIKE ST. give props to the dogs at Montreal’s Centre Bell, and to LOUIS, EDMONTON, VANCOUVER ETC. WILL WE BE ABLE TO KEEP arizonacoyotes.com writer Dave Vest for insisting I try one… and then UP OUR MOMENTUM AFTER THE LONG BREAK? another. — TOMMY? (@TCAPRISE) JANUARY 29, 2019 WHAT IS YOUR THINKING AROUND THE FUTURES OF It’s impossible to answer that question, but it still seems like a long shot KEMPER/PICKARD/HILL AFTER THIS AND NEXT SEASON (I.E. WILL to expect the Coyotes to make the playoffs with all the injuries they have THEY KEEP KEMPER FOR HIS LAST YEAR OR TRADE)? WHEN DO sustained. Then again, the Western Conference wild-card race is a battle YOU THINK HILL WILL BE AT A GOOD DEVELOPMENTAL POINT TO of flawed teams. The Coyotes have hung around the playoff cutoff line BE A FULL TIME BACKUP/STARTER IF INJURIES? without a glut of key regulars. They should get a few back soon to help — BRETT STACHLER (@BRETTMSTACHLER) JANUARY 30, 2019 their cause. Darcy Kuemper still has a year left on his contract and has proved to be @CRAIGSMORGAN , WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS SUNS DEAL a good backup. Assuming Antti Raanta returns to health, I would expect (ARENA REPAIRS)?! IS IT COULD BE GOOD (OR BAD) FOR the same combination next season. Calvin Pickard will be an unrestricted @ARIZONACOYOTES FUTURE? OR WHATEVER? free agent. I would be surprised if the Coyotes re-signed him. Adin Hill — LEONARDO MONTEIRO (@LEOCOYOTES) JANUARY 24, 2019 could play another season in Tucson. There’s nothing wrong with overcooking and overpreparing prospects a bit, especially goalies. After Pending a referendum to challenge the city council’s decision — one that next season, Hill might be ready for the jump. could face roadblocks from the City of Phoenix — I think this closes the door on the Coyotes partnering with the Suns at Talking Stick Resort WHICH OF MISKA/MADSEN/PROSVETOV/TENDECK DO YOU THINK Arena. Suns owner Robert Sarver never had the appetite for such a WILL BE PLAYING IN TUCSON NEXT SEASON? MISKA EXPIRES partnership anyway, so I always viewed it as a long shot. I would imagine THIS YEAR, AND MADSEN IS SIGNED THROUGH 19/20. ARE all of the Coyotes’ arena efforts are being focused on the east side of PROSVETOV/TENDECK READY TO MAKE THE JUMP TO PRO? town. — LEE OLSON (@LOLSON77) JANUARY 30, 2019 @CRAIGSMORGAN ANY COYOTES NEWS IN BETTMAN’S ASG If I had to guess, the goalie tandem would be Adin Hill and Merrick PRESS CONFERENCE YET? Madsen. Like Hill, Hunter Miska will be a restricted free agent after the — JOSH PEARLMAN (@JPEARLAZ) JANUARY 25, 2019 season. The Coyotes would have control over his future, but I’m not sure if he is a big part of theirs. They really like Prosvetov and he will be AHL- Unless I missed it, I do not believe the commissioner mentioned the eligible (he’ll turn 20 on March 5), but he’d have to really prove to them Coyotes in his news conference. he is ready for the jump after just one season of hockey in North America. Tendeck has played four seasons in the WHL, but I get the AT $50M, THE COYOTES' OWNER IS THE ONLY NHL OWNER sense he is a little lower in the pecking order right now. WHO'S NET WORTH IS LISTED AS BEING UNDER $1B. IS THIS A BIG DEAL? ANY NEWS ON NEW ARENA. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY INJURY UPDATES FOR THE 63638264 GUYS WE HAVE ON IR. LOVE YOUR — LARRY FEINER (@LARRYWHOMESMART) JANUARY 30, 2019 WORK CRAIG Of course. Ownership has been the Coyotes franchise’s greatest — DAVID THOMPSON (@DTHOMPSON4356) JANUARY 30, 2019 challenge since Richard Burke sold the team to Steve Ellman in 2001, with location of the arena (and a need for a new one) now a close rival. and HAS ANY PROGRESS BEEN MADE ON A NEW LOCAL ARENA? WITH SCORING BEING A GENERAL WEAKNESS OF THIS TEAM, DO YOU SEE JEFF CARTER AS A POSSIBLE TARGET? — RAY BYKE (@RABYKE1) JANUARY 29, 2019 — TIM BOGDANSKY (@TBOG23) JANUARY 29, 2019 As I noted above, I suspect all of the Coyotes’ arena efforts are being focused on the east side, but they face the additional challenge of I would not expect the Coyotes to pursue a 34-year-old center with three needing a new ownership group to come in and help broker the deal. I more seasons at a significant cap hit ($5.27 million). That doesn’t make would think the ownership change would be the first domino to fall, and much sense for this team. that is still a fluid situation with multiple groups expressing varying levels of interest. WHY DOESN’T KELLER TIGHTEN HIS HELMET AND STOP PUTTING HIS HOCKEY SOCKS AROUND THE HEELS OF HIS SKATES? TRADE DEADLINE APPROACHING. DO YOU THINK THE COYOTES SERIOUS QUESTION. DOESN’T THE EQUIPMENT MANAGERS SEE ARE GOING TO BE BUYERS, SELLERS, OR DO NOTHING GIVEN THIS? HIS HELMET ALWAYS COMES LOOSE AND HE FALLS WAY THEIR POSITION & PLAYERS ON IR FOR THE YEAR? TOO MUCH, I THINK DUE TO NOT ENOUGH KNEE BEND FROM HIS SOCKS. — JEFF INWOOD (@NEWFIEJEFF) JANUARY 29, 2019 — AO (@ORIGINALAO) JANUARY 29, 2019 & I’m glad to see somebody fixated on another piece of equipment besides ÓRALE, DO YOU SEE THE COYOTES AS BUYER THIS YEAR OR dangling mouth guards. I also haven’t seen any stats on his falls. WHAT? CAUSE THE LAST TIME THE YOTES WE'RE BUYERS AT THE DEADLINE. THEY PICKED UP MARTIN ERAT. I HOPING THEY I’M INTERESTED IN THE COYOTES D SITUATION ONCE DEMERS CAN DO BETTER THEN THAT THIS TIME. COMES BACK. HOW DO CONNAUTON AND LYUBUSHKIN FIT IN? DO POJ OR CAPOBIANCO MAKE THE JUMP ANYTIME SOON? DOES — BIGTORTILLA (@TORTILLABIG) JANUARY 29, 2019 SOMEONE GET TRADED TO MAKE ROOM FOR THEM? ANY & THOUGHTS OF YOURS ON THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED!

IF THE COYOTES DECIDE TO PUSH FOR THE PLAYOFFS, WHO — JUSTIN AUNGST (@JTAUNGST) JANUARY 29, 2019 ARE THE COYOTES MOST LIKELY TO PURSUE ON THE TRADE It’s an interesting question. I’ll take it player by player. Kevin Connauton MARKET? is signed for another season beyond this one and could still provide — BRANDON SPARKS (@BRANDON__SPARKS) JANUARY 29, 2019 valuable depth on the blue line. That doesn’t mean the Coyotes wouldn’t look to trade him if they felt other players were ready for a permanent Things could change if the Coyotes do find themselves in the playoff race NHL roster spot. Kyle Capobianco will get a look sometime soon. The at the Feb. 25 deadline, but president of hockey operations John Chayka staff is impressed with his development in Tucson. I suspect P.O. Joseph has made it abundantly clear that the deadline has never made much will spend next season in Tucson to adjust to the pro game. Ilya economic sense to him. A lot of rash, emotional or bad decisions have Lyubushkin will be a restricted free agent. I expect the Coyotes to re-sign been made on that date. My gut tells me the Coyotes won’t be major him. He gives them a physical presence they otherwise lack and his players as buyers or sellers at the deadline. game with the puck has improved. So has his pace of play.

ANYTHING ABOUT @GRABS40 RETURN? The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 WHAT DOES KELLER NEED TO DO TO REALIZE HIS POTENTIAL?

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST PLEASANT SURPRISES THIS SEASON ASIDE FROM GARLAND?

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS (NOT HAVING TO DO WITH INJURY)?

— CHRIS CARDINAL (@CHRISCARDINAL) JANUARY 29, 2019

I touched on Grabner above. Keller just needs to keep developing his game away from the puck (which will help create offense) and I think he needs to be more assertive in going to the net and shooting more. In a nutshell, he needs more experience. Aside from Garland, defensemen Ilya Lyubushkin and Jordan Oesterle have surprised me with how well they have adapted to the structure the Coyotes play. And how can you not be surprised by the season Brad Richardson put together before his injury?

DO YOU EXPECT KELLER AND/OR FISCHER TO SIGN EXTENSIONS ANYTIME SOON? ANY GUESS AS TO WHAT THOSE CONTRACTS MAY LOOK LIKE?

— PAUL MORRISON (@NONWAIVERABLE) JANUARY 29, 2019

I don’t see the need to rush either of those. Both have another year on their contracts before they become restricted free agents. The Coyotes will have cost certainty on both players for a while. I think it’s too soon to speculate on the nature of those deals with ownership and the collective bargaining agreement both in flux.

WHAT IS THE LIKELY RETURN FOR OUR PENDING UFA PANNIK IN YOUR OPINION? A MID ROUND PICK OR B LEVEL PROSPECT? WHERE DO YOU SEE HIM HEADING? (BOSTON IS MY GUESS FOR A PROSPECT)

— AZHOCKEYNUT (@AZHOCKEYNUT) JANUARY 29, 2019

I don’t know what teams might offer in return for Panik, who has played his best hockey of the season recently. I don’t like to speculate because there are so many factors involved, including potential package deals. There’s also this to consider: If the Coyotes don’t get a decent offer and they are still in the hunt for the playoffs, should they trade him at all? 1103940 Moore will get a chance to make up for it Thursday, replacing third-pair lefty Matt Grzelcyk next to Kevan Miller. He won’t be thinking about the St. Louis game.

Tuukka Rask rejoins Bruins and might play Thursday “I’m going to chalk it up to one of those nights,” Moore said. “I know I can Tuukka Rask is escorted off the ice Jan. 19 after being injured in a game be better.” vs. the Rangers. Nordstrom in the clear

Winger Joakim Nordstrom, cleared this week from a broken leg, will GLOBE STAFF By Matt Porter return against the Flyers, skating to the left side of center Sean Kuraly and right wing Chris Wagner. Noel Acciari will sit.

A puck on the outside of the shinpad cracked Nordstrom’s fibula late in No doctor, he, but Tuukka Rask figures he took the right steps to cure the third period of the Jan. 1 Winter Classic against the Blackhawks. He what ailed him. knew it was more than a bruise when he skated back to the bench, but he finished the game. He brought his concussion to the Caribbean. “You don’t want to sit and think about that,” he said. “You’re thinking “The good thing about it is we had the break,” the Bruins goaltender said. about your next shift.” “Laying under the sun for five days, I felt a whole lot of nothing. That was probably the best thing for it.” Fine tuning

ADVERTISING Fresh off his fist-pumping debut, rookie pivot Trent Frederic was working extra on his skating after Wednesday’s practice. A sharper first step and Shaking the sand from his feet before putting on his skates, Rask increased acceleration, the Bruins feel, would make him more effective. practiced with the Bruins Wednesday for the first time since Jan. 19, Cassidy liked what he saw Tuesday in 8:29 of ice time, calling Frederic when full-steam Rangers forward Filip Chytil knocked him dizzy. Rask is “annoying” for the Jets to play against. likely to play Thursday against the Flyers at TD Garden, coach Bruce Cassidy said, and if not, “it’ll certainly be Sunday” at Washington. “I think he could have been more physical on the forecheck,” Cassidy said. “He’s going to have to figure out the guys he’s playing with.” Rask was in high spirits and reported feeling “very good” since his symptoms had abated. Cassidy said Frederic could find a role on either the power play or penalty kill down the road. He said he felt a whiplash effect when Chytil hit him, rear-end first, in the side of the neck. He felt his neck crack as he fell to the ice. He didn’t Brighton detour think he hit his head hard. He was conscious the whole time. With AHL Providence on break, Ryan Donato and Jakob Forsbacka Rask gets clobbered by the Rangers’ Filip Chytil Jan. 19. Karlsson were skating on their own in Brighton this week. They traveled to meet the P-Bruins in Charlotte on Thursday, with games ahead Friday Rask reported feeling motion sickness and nausea, but the headaches and Saturday . . . Moore, a Chicagoland native, was checking in on weren’t that bad. family and friends battling a polar vortex that brought dangerous sub-zero “The biggest thing I noticed is you don’t want to fight it in your own head temperatures to the Upper Midwest. “They’re cold, but they’re good,” too much,” he said. “If you feel off, you feel off. Don’t make anything of it, Moore said. “I feel bad for homeless people and people stuck on the just rest.” streets.” . . . Dana-Farber Cancer Institute doctors, nurses, researchers, and staff will scrimmage Bruins alumni to benefit cancer research from 2- The game speed, Rask said, made it worse than a similar play in an 4 p.m. Saturday at Warrior Ice Arena. Admission for the fifth annual Rink October 2017 practice. Rask missed a week when winger Anders Bjork Rats game is $20 for adults, $10 for kids 10 and under. More info at collided with him during a drill. jimmyfund.org/rinkrats.

He said his only other known concussion — he feels he may have had Boston Globe LOADED: 01.31.2019 more undiagnosed ones — came during his youth in Finland, “jumping on slides and stuff.”

He referred to the knock he took against the Rangers as both a “hockey play” and a “perfect storm.”

Rask was woozy after getting nailed.

Chytil, shorthanded, broke clean through the neutral zone. He suffered no resistance from a forward (David Pastrnak) playing defense on the power play. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy tried to cut off the hard- charging Ranger but bumped him into the netminder, and Chytil scored anyway.

“Originally I thought he just tried to jump and avoid contact,” Rask said. “But then you know, Chucky, trying to make a play, coming across, I saw that after. It was one of those things where the guy was obviously trying to not hit you, and the D-man was trying to make a play. Just timing was a split second off, and you get the worst part of it.

“I didn’t see [the hit] coming at all. A lot of times you can see it coming and brace yourself, but that was so surprising that there’s nothing you can do.

“In a perfect world, I think I should have held my edges longer and made that save. That’s probably what my goalie coach would have told me.”

Moore back in

John Moore sat five of the last six games. The game he played in that stretch, Jan. 17 against St. Louis, was a rough one. His drop pass to an empty corner preceded one of the Blues’ goals in a 5-2 Bruins win, and he was on the wrong end of a couple more scoring chances. 1103941 Boston Bruins The Bruins alumni will be playing the Dana Farber Rink Rats – a team made up of Dana Farber doctors, nurses and staff – in a charity hockey game Saturday at 2 p.m. at Warrior Ice Arena. Proceeds will benefit adult Bruins notebook: Joakim Nordstrom, John Moore return to lineup and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana Farber. Among the B’s alumni playing will be Rick Middleton, Terry O’Reilly, Bob Sweeney and Reggie Lemelin. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 10. Tickets are available online and at the door. For more info, go to By STEVE CONROY www.jimmyfund.org/rinkrats.

Boston Herald LOADED: 01.31.2019 With 32 games remaining in the regular season, the Bruins experienced something in practice Wednesday for the first time this season: 100 percent participation.

Addled by injuries for much of the season, the B’s finally are at full strength, with Tuukka Rask returning from his concussion and forward Joakim Nordstrom ready to go after missing a month because of a broken fibula he suffered in the Winter Classic.

In fact, coach Bruce Cassidy said definitively Nordstrom will make his return Thursday when the B’s play the Flyers at the Garden.

Nordstrom broke the bone blocking a shot midway through the third period of the B’s win against the Blackhawks at Notre Dame Stadium but was able to finish the game. It was a surprise to everyone outside the organization when it was announced Nordstrom would be out for a while.

“I tried to not think about it. You’re in the middle of a game. Maybe right when I got hit it may have popped in my mind briefly (that it might have been broken). But then you don’t want to think about that. You just want to focus on the next shift,” Nordstrom said. “Walking up to the locker room it was a little painful, but then it felt fine. It wasn’t until later that night or the morning after that it kind of blew up.”

Nordstrom could take some solace in the fact the injury did not go for naught. At the time, it was a big shot block as the B’s were trying to preserve a one-goal lead.

“That’s what every guy in this locker room is doing. We’re putting our bodies on the line night in and night out. That’s what’s expected of us,” Nordstrom said.

Nordstrom skated on the left wing with center Sean Kuraly and right winger Chris Wagner (Noel Acciari will sit out). Nordstrom should also bolster the penalty kill…

MOORE IN MIX

Also returning to the lineup will be defenseman John Moore, who’ll take Matt Grzelcyk‘s spot with Kevan Miller. Moore, who signed a five-year contract with an average annual value of $2.75 million, has been scratched in four of the past five games, and the one he played was memorable for the wrong reasons. Paired with Miller in the B’s victory against St. Louis on Jan. 17, Moore struggled through a mistake-filled, minus-2 night.

“I’m going to chalk it up to one of those nights,” Moore said. “(Miller) is a good player, and I don’t think I was doing my part to help him. I know I can be better, and to be completely honest, there really is only one way it could go after that one. I’m excited and optimistic to see what we can do if we’re in there.”

Moore believes the last time he was scratched so often was when he was playing for the Rangers in his second year and he was in a rotation with Matt Hunwick. He’s handled this latest stretch with the utmost professionalism but said that wasn’t the case back then.

“It’s everyone else’s fault when you’re a 22-, 23-year-old and you have everything figured out,” Moore said with a smile. “I’d like to think I’ve handled it with a bit more maturity now. Less about me, more about the team.”

Cassidy on Moore’s last outing and the back end in general: “(Tuesday) we had a few issues below the goal line on breakouts, and that was Johnny a little bit the previous game against St. Louis, where some better decisions or handling of the puck or execution (needs to be better). So that’s an ongoing process for us. I think we’re dong a better job. It shows in our chances against, it shows in our shots against, not necessarily our goals against. Pucks are finding their way in. But at the end of the day, that’s an area we’re going to keep focusing on. The quicker we can get out of our end, the overall production of our team becomes better. That’s what we talked about with Johnny in the last game.”

WORTHY CAUSE 1103942 Boston Bruins Rask isn’t one to turn down protection, but he doesn’t believe that idea is feasible.

“If you just want to protect goalies, sure, but I don’t think people would Tuukka Rask hopeful to return Thursday for Bruins like to watch that,” said Rask. “It’d be like ‘What the hell happened? A guy just skated through the crease and they blow the whistle.’ It probably wouldn’t work. But I’m for it, yeah. protect the goalies. Don’t let anyone By STEVE CONROY come near. But I don’t think that increases the entertainment value and that’s what everything is all about.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 01.31.2019 Bruce Cassidy usually names his goalie the day before a game but, given the unpredictable nature of concussions, the Bruins’ coach held off officially anointing Tuukka Rask as the starter for Thursday’s game against the Flyers.

But Cassidy did say on Wednesday that there’s a “good chance” that Rask will get the nod, and that’s the best news for which the B’s could have hoped. For when Rask’s head met the Rangers’ Filip Chytil’s backside back on Jan. 19, it certainly didn’t look good as he needed assistance to get off the ice that night.

Rask, however, said he recovered relatively quickly from the head injury and it didn’t hurt that he was able to recover while in the Caribbean during the team’s bye week. Rask returned to the ice on Tuesday prior to the team’s morning skate. He got some extra work in again before practice on Wednesday before participating in the full team session.

“I didn’t have too bad of a headache, it was mostly motion sickness and I was nauseous a little bit,” said Rask, who was 6-0-1 in his previous seven before being knocked out of the Ranger game. “The good thing about it is that’s we had the break. If you’re laying under the sun for five days, you’re going to feel a whole lot of nothing. I think that was the best thing for it.”

This is the second concussion Rask has suffered in his career (he believes he also suffered one as a child). Last year, he was blown up on a similar play in practice by an onrushing Anders Bjork early in the season.

“This was pretty similar, maybe a little worse. It was almost identical situation, but obviously game speed is a little higher than practice speed, but it was pretty similar,” said Rask. “You never know what’s going to happen when you have a concussion. I think the biggest thing I noticed is you don’t want to fight it in your own head too much. If you feel off, then don’t make anything out of it. Just rest. A lot of times if you start overthinking it and trying see if I’m feeling bad or not, the next thing you know you screw yourself. You feel bad, even if you don’t. The good thing is we had the break and I got to take off for a few days and really wind down. It helped a lot.”

Rask didn’t have a big problem with the collision, which exacerbated by a hit from Charlie McAvoy.

“Originally I thought he just tried to jump and avoid contact. Then I saw Chuckie tried to make a play coming across,” said Rask. “That’s just one of those things where a guy is obviously not trying hit you, then the D- man is trying to make a play. Then the timing’s a split second off and you get the worst part of it. It’s just a hockey play. I think unfortunately the way the game’s played these days, it’s so fast, a lot of that speed’s built up through the neutral zone. So if a couple of guys are in the wrong positions, the next thing you know guys are trying to make up for that other guy and it’s a perfect storm. That’s kind of what happened.”

A possible remedy?

“Bring hooking back, that’ll slow it down,” he said with a smile. “You can’t just tell guys not to go in the crease. It’s going to look stupid. The only thing you could do is go back to the ’80s where you could hook and interfere more, and bring the red line back. Those are the only options you would consider to be helpful. But like I said, the game’s so much different now with guys coming in with speed through the wing. It’s just the nature of the game, unfortunately. Sometimes goalies take the worst of it.”

Last week, Ottawa Senators’ goalie Craig Anderson, himself concussed multiple times, sounded the alarm about all the contact that are taking these day and cited the Chytil collision with Rask as an example of these dangerous times for netminders. Anderson proposed that the league shrink the creases by six inches, but if a skater ventures into the blue paint then the play is blown dead. 1103943 Boston Bruins

"Good chance" Tuukka Rask returns vs. Flyers after fully practicing Wednesday

By Joe Haggerty January 30, 2019 3:56 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass. – After getting through a full team practice on Wednesday, it looks like Tuukka Rask will have missed only a grand total of one game with his concussion.

The Bruins top goaltender is expected to start on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers provided he gets through Thursday morning’s skate without any issues related to the head injury.

“There’s a good chance [Rask will play vs. Flyers],” said Cassidy of Rask, who is 5-0-1 with a 1.75 goals against average and a .941 save percentage during the month of January. “We’re going to wait and see how he does in the morning after his first full practice, and that there’s no fatigue or whatnot after missing time. Assuming he’s ready to go and feels (good) about everything, there’s a good chance that he’ll get in.”

Rask has been out since a violent collision during a Jan. 19 loss to the , but missed just Tuesday’s loss to Winnipeg with the bye week and NHL All-Star Weekend coinciding with the injury.

In fact the biggest inconvenience appears to be that Rask had to push back his bye week vacation to the Caribbean by a single day while dealing with the motion sickness and nausea associated with the concussion. He’s been symptom-free for an extended period of time now and is looking forward to jumping back in between the pipes against the Flyers.

“I feel very good. I didn’t have too bad of a headache, but there was motion sickness and feeling nauseous. The good thing about it is that we had the break for five days, so you’re lying under the sun and feeling a whole lot of nothing. I think that was probably the best thing for it,” said Rask. “Originally I thought he just jumped to avoid contact, but then [Charlie McAvoy] came across and tried to make a play when I watched it afterward. It’s just one of those things.”

Clearly the Bruins would like to get Rask back in as soon as possible given how well he’s played between the pipes, and how much backup Jaroslav Halak has struggled as of late with losses in five of his last six games played. In addition to Rask likely getting back in between the pipes, Cassidy indicated that Joakim Nordstrom and John Moore would both return to the B’s lineup vs. the Flyers with Matt Grzelcyk and Noel Acciari as the healthy scratches.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103944 Boston Bruins doing a good job on the faceoff dot, and then obviously he drops the mitts and holds his own and shows his presence there. That’s a great sign. That’s like the old days when you got into the lineup and you Bruins' Trent Frederic shows plenty of fight in NHL debut wanted to make your mark and show that you’ll do anything to stay there. I don’t know if [fighting's] a regular [thing] for him, but he did a heck of a job.

By Joe Haggerty January 30, 2019 11:22 AM "I’m proud of him, and he got his feet wet tonight. I think a few plays, maybe, we get more pucks to the net and we get a little bit more action

there. Overall, I think he was doing the things he needed to do and [we’ll] BOSTON -- There were a couple of schools of thought about 20-year-old keep building our chemistry and hopefully pot a couple next game.” Bruins prospect Trent Frederick going into his NHL debut last night. The bottom line? One was that Frederic was getting a well-deserved shot at the third-line Frederic showed some very good potential and brings something to the center spot that Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson never really seized during his table with the size and strength that so many of his fellow B’s prospects multiple auditions in the first half of the season. The other was that don’t really have as qualities. It's clearly something this Bruins team has Frederic was merely here for a short-term showcase ahead of next needed more of this season. month's trade deadline and that he’d be back in Providence rather quickly. It will take time for the 20-year-old to show he’s actually the answer for a third line center spot that’s bedeviled Boston all season. But his debut As is often the case, the player plays a big part in deciding which school was a crowd-rousing hit with a style Bruins fans have come to expect of thought becomes accepted knowledge. This morning, we know which from their players, and that's a damn good place to start. one everyone believes. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.31.2019 Frederic burst onto the scene with an impressive fight and a great big helping of physicality in Boston’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets. It was as lively and truculent as the Bruins have been all season, with both Kevan Miller and Frederic dropped the gloves during the second period, but it was Frederic’s fight that brought the energy and life into a TD Garden crowd that’s been yearning for the slowly disappearing rough stuff all season.

After Miller drilled Brandon Tanev with a massive hit that led to a fight with Adam Lowry, Tanev decided to get into it with the 6-foot-2, 210- pound Frederic on the very next shift during a scrum around the Bruins net. Frederic hammered Tanev with a flurry of punches before dropping him to the ice, demonstrating the type of snarl most of Boston’s young players have lacked throughout the bulk of this season.

MORE BRUINS

Reenergized first line helps Bruins salvage a point against Jets

"[Great] scrap, good for him. We need some of that,” said coach Bruce Cassidy. “There are a lot of younger players in the league now, so it can’t be Zee [Zdeno Chara] and [David] Backes policing 20-year-olds every night . . . you need a little bit of the younger guys to stiffen up. And Freddy brought that tonight.

"Hopefully it rubs off . . . He’s a big body. He’s got some of that in him where he’s willing to do that. So if those are your strengths, or the intangibles I guess, that you bring, then you need to bring them. He did. I think he knows that there’s a window here to show what he can do, and that’s part of it.”

It was also more than just a fight for Frederic. The big rookie finished with a couple of shots on net, a couple of hits and a 4-for-7 performance in the faceoff circle where he was hard to play against.

“I thought he played very well," said Cassidy. "He’s as advertised, played between the dots, strong on pucks, played behind their ‘D’, made a few plays. If he had a chance to shoot it, he did."

Still, it was the fight that everyone was talking about . . . especially after the television cameras caught the celebration from his proud parents. Frederic’s mother and father were so excited that they missed connections when his dad fist-pumped and his mom went for the high five. It soon became a thing on social media and Frederic saw it while riding the bike after his rousing debut.

“My parents probably showed a lot of emotion," he said. "[A] fight isn’t as cool as a goal or something. I can only imagine what they would do then,. But, yeah, it’s a lot of emotion.

"I’m just pumped and I’m pumped to have them in my corner so you know, a high-five, missed or not, they’re in sync and they’ve been great.”

Frederic also had good initial chemistry with the 34-year-old Backes, who he grew up idolizing as a St. Louis Blues fan. He may turn a similar kind of hard-nosed player, and if they both continue that north/south, hard-to- play-against mentality, the third line that may just have found its identity.

“I thought he was good,” said Backes. “[He’s a] big body, good support as a center, and created some havoc on the forecheck. I think he was 1103945 Boston Bruins

"Re-energized" Bruins top line leads the way in shootout loss

By Joe Haggerty January 30, 2019

BOSTON – There’s no doubting that the nine days off did wonders for Boston’s Perfection Line.

Of course, it didn’t lead to a two-point victory when it was all said and done on Tuesday night, but the good news in the Bruins 4-3 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets is that , Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak are once again looking like they’re at the top of their game.

All three looked heavy-legged and lacked some of the usual energy to their game right ahead of the five day bye week and NHL All-Star weekend. All three essentially looked like they could have used the midseason break that was coming their way.

Fast-forward to this week and Bergeron and Pastrnak powered the Bruins offense in the shootout loss that earned them a point, and basically once again the Perfection Line powered a B’s offense that was pretty one-dimensional.

“Anytime you have that much time off it’s going to be good for the body and you’re going to feel re-energized,” said Bergeron, who finished with the two goals, six shots on net and was 20-for-31 in the face-off circle. “The other side is you got to make sure your feelings back on the ice and making sure you just get your rhythm back and what not, I thought that was a strong game from that side of things. We kept things simple, we played a good hockey club and I thought it was a good game.”

Things looked incredibly good for the Bruins after one period as both Bergeron and Pastrnak had scored goals after sweet setups from Marchand, and the Bruins as a team had outshot the Jets by a 20-8 margin over the opening 20 minutes. The Bruins actually faded a bit in the second period even as the B’s top line kept the positive shifts coming, but it was Bergeron and Co. again in the third with the game-tying strike where Marchand-and-Bergeron teamed for a scoring play at the Winnipeg net. Clearly there was no rust on any of them against a warmed up Winnipeg hockey club that had also played the previous night.

“There wasn’t much rust. Against a team like that, they played last night so they kind of had their legs on them a bit. We had a great first. We put a goal there early and kind of kept rolling from there. We outshot them a lot, and had some really good opportunities,” said Marchand. “I thought we had a really good game for the first game back.

“[It was] just unfortunate the way it kind of played out in the third. We have to do a lot better closing out games but we got points. We got to continue to build and get ready for the next one.”

Clearly it would have been better for the Bruins if they’d come out of the game with the win, and banked another two points in a division where they’re going to need as many as they can get. But as consolation prizes go, the rejuvenated and refreshed top line for the Bruins was a pretty good one with the knowledge that they’re going to need to be that good night in, night out in the season’s second half over the next three months.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103946 Buffalo Sabres Dallas, which scored only seven goals in its previous five games, had not played in 11 days because of the All-Star break and bye week.

"That’s their first game off their break; they kind of did to us what we did Slow start, no goal set stage for Sabres' shutout loss in Dallas to Columbus last night," Sabres forward Evan Rodrigues said. "They seemed to have fresh legs. We were a little too cute early on. Instead of making the simple plays we tried to go through the middle, not get it By Lance Lysowski| deep. We weren’t ready to play the right way."

That is a lesson the Sabres continue to struggle with. Starting fast in a game is often followed by a second-period lull, and most slow starts have DALLAS -- Sam Reinhart and Marco Scandella skated slowly through the been followed by better finishes. That consistency has resulted in only neutral zone, both hunched over and gasping for air while the Dallas eight wins in their past 25 games. Stars congratulated one another near their bench in American Airlines Center. Additionally, Buffalo has not won back-to-back games since Dec. 11-13.

The Buffalo Sabres had just fired two shots on goal in the final one On one hand, its secondary scoring has started to flourish. The Sabres minute, 33 seconds of regulation, only to have both stopped by Stars had 14 different players score at least once in their previous seven goalie Ben Bishop. They also had the possible tying goal called off games entering Wednesday. Additionally, both goalies performed well because of goaltender interference earlier in the third period. during this brief two-game road trip. They even played better defensively against Columbus. In the end, the Sabres spent too much time and energy trying to keep the puck out of their own net, resulting in a 1-0 shutout loss to the Stars on This team is still "learning," Housley repeated following the shut out. His Wednesday night. It was the first time Buffalo was held scoreless since a power play failed to score on its only opportunity and is 1-for-25 over the season-opening 4-0 loss to Boston nearly four months earlier. past 10 games. Dahlin also looked like a rookie, and Casey Mittelstadt's line was on the ice for roughly one minute, 40 seconds late in the third The stakes are far greater now, though. The Sabres (25-19-6) fell to period because it was pinned in its own zone, preventing Housley from three points back of Columbus for the second wild-card playoff spot, and pulling Ullmark earlier. playing two strong periods was little consolation. More important, the Sabres are adjusting to life as a playoff contender. "I think we were just on our heels early," Beaulieu, who was called for Only two penalties were called against the Stars, despite Eichel being interference on the no goal, said. "That’s a big, physical team that skates driven face-first into the boards by Benn in the third period. And the really well. I thought they got in our face early, and I liked our team’s margin for error is thin, even against inferior offenses such as Dallas'. push back. I thought we dominated the second 40 [minutes]. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get one." "There's no moral victories at this point in the season," Eichel said. "It's either you get two points or you don't." The Sabres outshot the Stars, 30-27, including 14-7 in the third period, and controlled play for much of the final 20 minutes. Buffalo goalie Linus Buffalo News LOADED: 01.31.2019 Ullmark made 26 saves, two of which came in the final three minutes to allow coach Phil Housley to empty the net for an extra attacker.

The Sabres' final rush began with Jeff Skinner blocking Roman Polak's shot, however, Bishop stopped shots from Rasmus Ristolainen and Jack Eichel to secure Dallas' third win in eight games.

Sabres goalie Carter Hutton takes important 'step forward' in win against Columbus

It appeared Scandella tied the score with 15:32 remaining in regulation with a shot from the left point, but it was ruled a no goal because Bishop was knocked over by Beaulieu, who said afterward he may have been pushed by Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak. The call stood after a review.

"On the play it felt like I got pushed in," Beaulieu said. "It can go either way. It’s tough to say. It’s not going to get overturned now, so I can’t really worry about it.”

The 60 minutes played Wednesday were in stark contrast to the Sabres' performance in a 5-4 win over Columbus one night earlier. This was more of a physical, old-school hockey game, as opposed to more of a track meet against the Blue Jackets.

The Stars (25-21-4) tried to intimidate the Sabres from the opening faceoff. Rasmus Dahlin was checked seemingly every time he touched the puck. Buffalo's forwards were slow to respond and its defensemen accounted for seven of the team's 10 shots on goal in the first period.

"We just have to feel comfortable," Housley said. "This is the way it’s going to be. It was like a playoff atmosphere out there. … I think we got comfortable with the situation. We stayed the course. We managed the game from that point. We had some good looks."

Not as good as looks gifted to the Stars. Following a season-long trend, the Sabres made mistakes in their own zone. Defenseman Zach Bogosian turned the puck over at his own blue line with an errant pass to the Stars' Taylor Fedun. Fedun, who was traded by Buffalo to Dallas in November, passed to Jamie Benn, who shot between Ullmark's legs for a goal at 8:39 into the first period.

Tyler Seguin hit the post after Ristolainen committed a similar turnover later in the period, and Ullmark had to stop Mattias Janmark's breakaway only 1:21 into the game. 1103947 Buffalo Sabres

The Wraparound: Stars 1, Sabres 0

By Lance Lysowski|

DALLAS -- Marco Scandella's celebration was cut short by the sight of referee Kelly Sutherland waving both arms out to signal a no goal.

Sutherland, and the official review that followed, ruled Dallas Stars goalie Ben Bishop was interfered with by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, negating what would have been the tying goal with 15:32 left in the third period Tuesday night in American Airlines Center.

That was as close as the Sabres would get to their first winning streak in six weeks, as they lost to the Stars, 1-0, on the second night of a back-to- back.

Buffalo, now 25-19-6, fell to three points back of Columbus for the second wild-card playoff spot and failed to win back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 11-13.

The Stars (25-21-4) scored 8:39 into the first period when Jamie Benn capitalized on a turnover at the Sabres' defensive blue line. Linus Ullmark, making his fourth start in five games, made 26 saves.

Opening salvo: The Stars took a 1-0 lead when Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian's backhanded pass through the middle of the defensive zone was intercepted by Taylor Fedun at the blue line. Fedun then passed to Benn, who beat Ullmark five-hole.

Slow start: That would be an understatement. Sure, the Sabres outshot the Stars, 10-9, in the first period, but Buffalo was lucky to be trailing by only one goal. Ullmark stopped Mattias Janmark's breakaway less than two minutes into the game, and Tyler Seguin hit the post after Rasmus Ristolainen's turnover.

Perimeter shooting: Scandella accounted for five of the Sabres' shots on goal in the first period. Their forwards combined for only three. The team's first line missed the net on five of its six shot attempts.

Power(less) play: The Sabres had one shot on goal during a first-period power play and twice iced the puck. They are 1-for-25 on the power play over the past 10 games.

Sloppy second period: Buffalo did not appear as disjointed in the second period. It began to match the Stars' physical play and defensemen stopped being passive. That did not translate to much offense. The Sabres struggled to maintain possession in the offensive zone.

Their best scoring opportuniity came when Nathan Beaulieu surprised Dallas goalie Ben Bishop with a high shot from the right-wing boards, but the puck was knocked down and cleared.

Lone star slump: The Sabres were 0-6 in their previous six road games against the Stars and were outscored 23-9 in those games. They had not won in Dallas since Jan. 15, 2009.

Lineup: Winger Jason Pominville and defensemen Matt Hunwick were healthy scratches. Remi Elie and Nathan Beaulieu replaced them in the lineup, respectively. Defenseman Lawrence Pilut was also a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game, and Casey Nelson did not make the trip as he is still on injured reserve.

Tyler Pitlick, Martin Hanzal, Stephen Johns and Marc Methont were out of the Stars' lineup because of injury.

Next: The Sabres will await word if they can fly back to Buffalo late Wednesday night and are currently scheduled to practice Thursday in KeyBank Center.

Buffalo News LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103948 Buffalo Sabres five of his six professional seasons in Rochester from 1974-79, helping the Amerks to four playoff appearances.

Buffalo News LOADED: 01.31.2019 Sabres' Jason Pominville, Matt Hunwick scratched vs. Dallas

By Lance Lysowski|

DALLAS – Buffalo Sabres coach Phil Housley debunked the theory that he gives preferential treatment to all veteran players, scratching Jason Pominville and Matt Hunwick for Wednesday night's game against the Dallas Stars in American Airlines Center.

Neither Pominville nor Hunwick were scratched because of injury, Housley said. Instead, the change was made to get "fresh" players in the lineup. They were replaced by winger Remi Elie and defenseman Nathan Beaulieu. Additionally, Linus Ullmark started in goal for the fifth time in six games.

Hunwick, 33, played 13 minutes, 30 seconds in a 5-4 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, his first start after 13 consecutive games as a healthy scratch. Pominville, 36, played 11 minutes, five seconds and has played in 44 of 50 games this season.

"It's always difficult," Housley said. "It doesn't matter who it is. As a coach, you don't want to tell a player he's not going to be playing. These guys have done a terrific job of handling these situations well, and I know it's not easy, particularly the guys who have been sitting out long periods and stretches."

Elie, a second-round draft pick of the Stars in 2013, had been a healthy scratch for seven consecutive games and 15 of the past 21 games. He had no goals and one assist with a minus-2 rating in 14 games since being claimed off waivers from Dallas in October.

The move may have been partially driven by Elie facing some of his former teammates. He appeared in 90 games for the Stars, scoring seven goals among 48 points.

Pominville, meanwhile, has 10 goals among 20 points with a plus-4 rating in 44 games. But he has only two goals with a minus-5 rating in his last 30 games.. He skated on the third line with Vladimir Sobotka and Tage Thompson against the Blue Jackets, registering a plus-1 rating.

Pominville appeared in his 1,000th career NHL game in November and reached 700 career points in October, ranking 11th in goals and ninth in assists in franchise history. He has appeared in at least 73 games in all but two non-lockout-shortened seasons since making his debut with Buffalo on Dec. 27, 2003.

Though Hunwick showed rust when carrying the puck against Columbus, he played well defensively despite having appeared in only two other games all season. Beaulieu has been a healthy scratch in 13 of the past 16 games and reportedly requested to be traded if his ice time does not increase.

The 26-year-old has three goals among seven points in 26 games this season. He is a restricted free agent at season's end. Lawrence Pilut, 23, was a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game despite having five points and a plus-4 rating in 16 games with the Sabres.

"It's a difficult situation, sitting out a lot of games," Housley said. "I thought Matt Hunwick did a terrific job coming off the break and contributing in that win last night. Remi is going to get an opportunity tonight. I know he's played here, and he's going to have a lot to prove. We're just looking to get some fresh bodies into the lineup coming off the break and a back-to-back situation."

The will induct defenseman Doug Janik and forward Steve Langdon into their Hall of Fame prior to a game against the Springfield Thunderbirds on Feb. 8 in .

Langdon will sign autographs during the first intermission, while a limited number of autographed items will also be available. Additionally, the Amerks will wear throwback jerseys inspired by the 1996 Calder Cup- winning team, featuring red and white stripes and navy-blue shoulders.

The jerseys will be available through a silent auction during the game. Janik spent five seasons with the Amerks from 2001-06, recording 91 points. He is currently an assistant coach for Springfield. Langdon spent 1103949 Buffalo Sabres Scoring is up across the NHL. Even the best goalies are struggling with consistency, including Columbus’ Sergei Bobrovsky. That trend is exacerbated with a young team such as the Sabres. Through it all, Sabres goalie Carter Hutton takes important 'step forward' in win against Hutton has remained the same passionate leader who helped the Sabres Columbus rise to first place in the Atlantic Division two months ago.

“Truthfully, I think there’s a lot more outside noise than there is for me internally,” he said. “I know what I bring to the table every night. I’d gladly By Lance Lysowski sit down and break down every goal with you. I try to be honest with myself and everybody with ones I should have. I still think Linus and I do

a really good job of making high-quality saves, and I think we’ve been a After stowing his skates into an overstuffed equipment bag, Carter Hutton difference-maker this year in having this team in a playoff battle.” smirked and summarized another Buffalo Sabres high-wire act in a way Buffalo News LOADED: 01.31.2019 only a goalie could.

“That’s a new-age NHL hockey game, right?” he joked after making 33 saves in a 5-4 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Nationwide Arena Tuesday night. “It’s a lot of scoring, a lot of chances.”

Hutton, making his second start in five games, again was subjected to a few dangerous scoring chances because of lapses by his teammates. But it was one of their finer defensive performances in weeks. It also was Hutton’s best game in some time.

The 33-year-old goalie said his confidence was not shaken by losing 10 of his previous 12 starts, however, he ackowledged his latest start was worth more than two points in the standings.

“I think it’s a big step forward for me to regain and get back to that competitive edge,” Hutton said inside an empty visitors’ dressing room.

Hutton did not think he was at his best against the Blue Jackets. He wished he could have the third goal back when he was unable to prevent Brandon Dubinsky’s awkward shot attempt from rolling slowly over the goal line.

This wasn’t Hutton’s stiffest test to date, either. Though Columbus’ offense can be dynamic, the Sabres limited the Blue Jackets' chances to the perimeter, particularly in the final three minutes of regulation.

Still, Hutton made big saves in key moments, including his stop on Pierre-Luc Dubois’ point-blank, backhanded shot in the third period. There was also his save on Cam Atkinson with 15 seconds remaining.

It was an important night for a veteran who was a catalyst for Buffalo’s 10-game winning streak.

Hutton went 8-0 with a .936 save percentage during that span, despite the Sabres allowing a number of odd-man rushes. The struggles that followed – both for him and his teammates – led coach Phil Housley to turn to Linus Ullmark more often in the final weeks before the All-Star break.

In his final start before the All-Star break, Hutton was pulled after allowing five goals on 12 shots in a 7-2 loss in Edmonton. Through all the losing, Hutton was open with reporters about what shots he should have stopped.

"I thought I got back to the game I need to play," Hutton said. "It’s such a grind. I thought early on, last few games things weren’t going my way, but I don’t think I was helping myself. I was being too passive. I’m not a great goalie when I’m a passenger. I need to be aggressive and on top of things. I thought tonight I did a better job of getting on top of pucks and competing better."

The All-Star break was an opportunity for Hutton to “refresh.” After all, it was the first time he played so many games during a season’s first half. On this date last season, Hutton had gone 13-4-1 in 22 appearances with St. Louis.

He already has appeared in 32 games this season, posting a 15-14-3 record. Despite playing behind a young team, Hutton’s save percentage (.911) ranks ninth among 20 goalies with at least 30 games played -- tied with Las Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury, albeit in 13 fewer games, and better than the New York Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist.

“He’s been the backbone all year,” Sabres rookie center Casey Mittelstadt said of Hutton. “Starting from the beginning, he’s been one of our best players, if not our best player.”

Hutton, who signed a three-year contract with the Sabres in July, has allowed 13 goals in his last three games. He is 3-8-2 with a .898 save percentage since the 10-game winning streak ended, though his defense is also responsible for that regression. 1103950 Buffalo Sabres You’ve been part-owner of the WHL Tri-City Americans since 2004 — what’s that side of hockey like for you given you’re still a coach?

It’s different, it’s a different level in junior hockey, but it’s good. I think it’s Catching up with former Sabres captain Stu Barnes been a great experience and we’ve been involved for quite a while now. I think myself, Olie Kolzig and our general manager there are all partners and we’re lucky that we had a great experience there. We wanted to By Joe Yerdon Jan 30, 2019 keep the team in the area and make it available for other players to have great experiences. Players have come through and we’ve had it long

enough now that where players have graduated, go on to university, Stu Barnes has always held a special place in the heart of the Buffalo some of them pro careers and they’re having families and they’re coming Sabres’ faithful. After all, when you’re the guy who scored big goals in the back and sending family pics now instead of these young guys that came team’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999 and the source of one of Rick in years ago. So it’s been a really great experience, really rewarding, and Jeanneret’s best calls ever, fans aren’t going to forget you any time soon. we’ve had a really great bunch of people.

By now you know his career path: He started in Winnipeg with the The NHL has become more of a young league in recent years —how original Jets then moved to Florida and Pittsburgh before becoming a cult much of that blows you away because it was an older league while you hero in his four and a half seasons in Buffalo prior to ending his career were playing? with the Stars. But his love for Buffalo has never waned. It’s amazing to me how good these players are at such young ages. I Barnes is, once again, an assistant coach with Dallas. While he’s in the mean, I was a young player in this league years and years and years ago second season of his second go-round with the Stars (his first run was but just to see how prepared and how refined…I don’t know if that’s the from 2008-2011), the 48-year-old Barnes says his goal one day is to be a right word, but they show up and they’ve got the right handle on training. NHL head coach. Ahead of the Sabres’ matchup in Dallas on They’ve got a really good handle on nutrition and they’ve got a really Wednesday, Barnes spoke with The Athletic about coaching, adjusting to good handle on how to play the game. I think once they get here it’s a the younger players of the NHL and looking back on the 20th anniversary whole new learning experience. This league has continued to get better of that fateful Stanley Cup Final. and better each year and they’ve got a lot to learn when they get here, but I think they’ve come a long ways to get here in the first place. You spent six years away from the Stars before rejoining them as an assistant coach— how has it been getting back into coaching? It’s been 20 years since the last Sabres Cup final…

It’s been really good, it’s been enjoyable. It’s been two staffs since I’ve Oh yeah, tell me about it… been here in a year – a different staff last year and a new one this year – How does that hit you when you think about it, especially working for the but learning has been tremendous from both groups. For me to come Stars? back here to a place I’ve been for years and years, there’s certainly a comfort factor there and it’s nice to be back here and part of the group. First of all, I didn’t even think about it being 2019 and it being 20 years. That’s incredible; I can’t believe it’s gone by that fast. Going from Ken Hitchcock to Jim Montgomery, what’s that like to go from a Stanley Cup-winning veteran coach to a guy in his first NHL job? I’m sorry to have blown your mind there…

I always look at it, for me, as a learning experience. You get to learn from No, no, I keep getting reminded of that daily, believe me, with how old I a guy like Hitch that’s a very, very smart hockey man. He’s very on the am (laughs). But, you know what, it was an unbelievable experience to game and he’s seen everything that’s good and bad about the game as be involved in a Cup run. I’ve always said I can’t imagine winning one far as experiences. He brought so much to this group last year. And then because as much fun as we had getting to the Final and getting that Monty comes in, he’s younger and he’s obviously excited and he’s done close, obviously we were incredibly disappointed when it ended the way a great job of bringing his aspect and his thoughts to the game as well. I it did especially. Once you get away from it for a couple months and you think the mixture of our guys has been really, really good. They’ve look back and you think how fun it was and what a challenge it was, you learned a lot, they’ve grown a lot, they’ve continued to improve, and want to do it again. And then years later being here, I was traded here (in hopefully we can get into the second half and get something going here. March 2003 for Mike Ryan and a 2003 second-round pick), you move on. It was the first question I got asked when I was traded here. But you What is it you’re trying to stress to the players the most in your position? know what, it’s years ago, 20 years ago, and you’ve got to move on. It I think the game has changed so much over the years. We’ve all seen it would’ve been nice to win it though, for sure. change and some of it’s really good and some of it’s harder to coach or There are pictures everywhere here in Dallas of that Cup win, does that more difficult. To me, and it comes right down to it, it’s about playing the get to you? game the right way. As a player I tried to do that. I tried to play the game the right way every night and be consistent. I think for a lot of these guys, I think it did at first, now it’s kind of…it’s been so long, I’ve been here especially the young guys, they don’t understand it’s a hard league and basically since ’03 now. It’s been so long, certainly if I see the Cup by there’s a lot of great players in this league and there’s no shortcuts as an itself then I think, “Yeah, I want to get that.” But there’s the odd picture individual or as a team. You’ve got to play the game the right way and it’s around where that’s… I tend not to look at them any longer than I have not easy. It’s hard but that’s what makes it fun, too. to, yeah.

What’s the difference being an assistant now compared to the last time? (During the 1999 , Barnes had seven goals and three assists. All but one assist came in the Eastern Conference Final I think jumping in right away was a great opportunity and I was very against Toronto and the Stanley Cup Final against Dallas. He scored the fortunate to work with Dave Tippett in my first year, who I played for for Sabres’ only goal in the controversial 2-1 Game 6 loss to the Stars). four or five years and really enjoyed. I think he’s a great coach, so that was a great learning experience. I worked with Marc Crawford as well, Your time with the Sabres and that Cup final run may have been a while who was another veteran guy that is a very smart guy as well. The ago now, but you’re still much-beloved by the fans – what does that experience of going through it with those guys and learning that side of mean for you after all this time? the game and then getting away from it for a bit and being a dad for a few years was tremendous as well. It gives you perspective so when you It means a lot, it really does. Like I said, I tried to play the game the right come back you’re older and hopefully a little bit wiser. Maybe put some way. My time in Buffalo I enjoyed deeply. I really, really, really enjoyed asterisks by that, but you never know. But it’s been good. Buffalo. I was devastated when I got traded. In the end, that’s part of business and that’s what it is and you end up moving on and trying to go Tippett being involved with the Seattle franchise that’s coming in 2021- forward, but I really enjoyed my time in Buffalo. I thought the people were 2022 had to be the logical progression for him, right? wonderful. I was proud to be a part of the Sabres organization. I was proud to be a captain of the Sabres organization. I felt like there was a lot He’s such a smart guy. He’s coached for a long time. He spent a lot of of history there and a lot of tradition and I wanted to do my part to try and time in Phoenix, a lot of time here, was a good player for a long time as move that forward so yeah, I really enjoyed my time there. well so he’s kind of seen it from all aspects of the game. For him to be involved in the capacity that he is, it’s obviously pretty exciting for him The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 and pretty exciting for the region, for sure. 1103951 Calgary Flames Behind the scenes, apparently, the attack is even more balanced.

So which of the Flames is armed with the best zingers?

Team success translates to 'non-stop' chirping in Flames' locker-room Who would you be better off not dragging into the war of words?

Word is, the captain likes to dish it out the one-liners.

Wes Gilbertson Soon to be celebrating his 30th birthday, shutdown centre has also been known to beak on behalf of the more experienced and established guard, noting “the young guys are trying to It’s an unofficial measure of success. take over, so I have to make sure they’re not.”

As victories pile up, the volume is ratcheted up. From his corner stall, breakout goaltender David Rittich — with a splendid 19-4-4 record this season — hurls good-natured insults in “There’s a lot more chirping going on this year than in past years,” broken English. revealed Calgary Flames forward . “But it’s all in good fun. It only makes it that much more fun to come to work every day.” And Hamonic admitted with a smile that he is often involved. That is, indeed, the consensus. Bennett and the boys return to work Thursday after their all-star break/bye, rendezvousing in Calgary for a flight and then hitting the ice “I wouldn’t want to go toe-to-toe with (Hamonic), so I always buddy him,” for practice once they arrive in Washington. Giordano said.

As they prepare for Friday’s showdown against the reigning Stanley Cup- “Hammer, I don’t think he’s the best, but he doesn’t let it go. So it’s hard champion Capitals (5 p.m. MT, Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), to win against him,” Backlund countered teasingly. “I don’t think anyone you can bet the Flames will talk about the importance of maintaining their is better than me so, but there are some guys that won’t let it go and momentum after scorching to a nine-game point streak before their Hammer is one of those. Nealer is pretty good, too. He’s a sneaky beach vacations. chirper.”

They will talk about not underestimating how dangerous the Capitals can Neal has plenty of practice. be, even though Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy frontrunner Alex There are still some guffaws in losing locker-rooms, but success will Ovechkin — with a league-best 37 goals so far — will be serving his one- always lighten the mood and sharpen the wits. game sit-out after skipping the 2019 NHL All-Star Game in San Jose. While Neal’s offensive totals — just five goals and a dozen points so far They will talk about the details that were so crucial to their climb to the — leave something to be desired for a guy who signed a five-year, top of the standings in both the Pacific Division and Western Conference. US$28.75-million contract as an unrestricted free-agent this past And in between business, they will talk a little trash. summer, the Flames are hoping his experience from back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup final will be invaluable as winter turns to spring. Or a lot of it. “The way everybody gets along, the way we hang out and enjoy each “The banter, the chirping back and forth, it’s just non-stop,” reported other and have fun with each other every day, I think that’s a big thing,” Flames winger James Neal prior to the bye. “It’s hilarious. You don’t get Neal said. “We’re like a family in here. And I know you hear that a lot and an inch around here, that’s for sure.” it sounds so cliché, but you really have to be that close because you’re with each other every day. With the amount of hours that you’re logging “At any given time, you have to be on your game,” echoed together on planes, buses, hotel rooms, dinners … You really have to Travis Hamonic. “If you miss a couple passes in practice or something take a liking to each other. happens out there, you’d better be ready to hear about it a little bit. “Whether you’re in the workplace or you’re in a dressing room, if you “And I think that’s a good thing. I think it pulls guys together. It makes don’t enjoy being around your boss or you don’t enjoy being around your teams close. It gets everybody involved. I think we have an extremely co-workers, you’re not going to have fun everyday and that makes things tight-knit group, which is pretty special. Everybody gets along with tough. So for us to have a close-knit group and guys that love hanging everybody and when you can give it to guys, jokingly, it drives a team out together, it means a lot and I think it goes a long way.” together. Led by one of the NHL’s best forward lines, with a Norris Trophy favourite “The more familiar you can be with each other and be on each other’s anchoring the blue-line and with third-period stats that back their can’t- backs and things like that, it makes a difference, I think, in a good way.” be-counted-out reputation, there is a growing belief this group could go a It’s been almost all good for the Flames, who have rolled to a 33-13-5 long way. record so far. As long as the winning continues, the wisecracks will too. With an triumph against the Carolina Hurricanes in their final “We’re all feeling pretty good about ourselves right now,” Tkachuk said outing before the bye, they soared past the 70-point plateau in just 51 before the Flames split for the break. “And I think that’s what makes a dates on the calendar, the second-fastest ascent in franchise lore. (The good team is the guys being able to give each other the gears but still be 1988-89 Flames needed only 50 games to achieve that feat, and you best friends after.” probably don’t need Wikipedia to remind you how that season ended.) Added Monahan: “When you’re winning and you’re winning consistently, Along the way, there have been a lot of barbs, a lot of laughs, a lot of you want to have fun with it. … This is a fun team. If you have to give it to friendly fire. a guy, you do. And you know you’re probably going to get it back.” “I think with winning, you can dig a little deeper and guys don’t take it as Ice chips: The Flames have recalled left-winger Andrew Mangiapane serious,” reasoned captain Mark Giordano. “They’re not as sensitive, from the minors. The 22-year-old Mangiapane was assigned the right? We have a fun group. The forwards will go at the ‘D’ a little bit, the ’s before the all-star break and ‘D’ go at the forwards. But I think everyone is open game. Even between notched two goals and an assist in a pair of appearances for the farm partners, we chirp each other. Brodes (TJ Brodie) and I, we’ll give it to club during his brief demotion. each other a little bit. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.31.2019 “It’s a lot more fun when it’s loud, especially on the ice, and guys are chirping and involved than when it’s quiet and things aren’t going well. We’ll take it this way.”

Much has been made about the Flames’ wealth of offensive wallop, with all-star left-winger Johnny Gaudreau currently tied for third in the NHL’s scoring race and four other guys — his Gatorade-guzzling buddies and , plus Giordano and Matthew Tkachuk — already north of 50 points. 1103952 Calgary Flames considered the heir apparent to Mark Giordano to play the left side of that top pairing.

2. C/LW Dillon Dube (previously 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 11th) Midseason update of the Flames top 20 prospects Age | 20

Size | 5-foot-11, 185 lbs By Darren Haynes Jan 30, 2019 Shoots | Left

Acquired | Drafted in 2nd round (56th overall) in 2016 Pull up a bar stool, order that nacho platter and get that pint of beer at the ready, time to get the debating started with the latest release of This Season | Calgary (23 gm, 1-4-5), Stockton AHL (17 gm, 4-12-16) Calgary’s top 20 prospect rankings. ETA | 2019-20 For those who have been reading my Flames coverage for years, you will know that it’s at this time of year that I take advantage of the drowsiness Stood out in rookie camp and kept it going in main camp where he won a of the NHL All-Star break, to re-examine and adjust my running list of the job and opened the season on the fourth line. Played a little third line also organization’s top prospects and honourable mentions over the first two months of the season, before being sent down to get more playing time. Now, after averaging less than 10 minutes per night in Since beginning this pet project with edition 1 of the rankings in August the NHL, Dube is playing all situations in the AHL and is figuring out how 2015, the pattern has been two updates per year — once in late to do so while playing with the same intensity he showed in Calgary. “His July/early August, after the NHL Draft, then again in late January/early speed is second to none. His ability to win puck races, drive pucks wide. February, at or around the NHL All-Star break. Really effective when he’s moving his feet,” says Stockton coach Cail MacLean. From when I last published my rankings last August, there has been significant movement: 3. D Oliver Kylington (previously 6th, 9th, 9th, 4th, 4th, 6th, 7th)

There have been some graduates with goaltender David Rittich and Age | 21 defenceman Rasmus Andersson among those punching their tickets to Calgary’s big league roster for good (and Juuso Valimaki being oh-so- Size | 6-foot, 185 lbs close.) Shoots | Left

Morgan Klimchuk has moved on to the Ottawa Senators organization, via Acquired | Drafted in 2nd round (60th overall) in 2015 a short stopover with the . This Season | Calgary (26 gm, 3-2-5), Stockton AHL (18 gm, 7-7-14) There has also been lots of other movement up and down as guys have had a few months to showcase themselves, or not, in 2018-19. ETA | 2019-20

If this is your first time reading my rankings, here are a few things to note. Was called up when Valimaki got hurt and on the all-rookie third pairing with Rasmus Andersson, he has stepped right in. In September, he First, there tends to be a bit of a power ranking-like feel to my rankings. I acknowledged his own biggest area of growth was understanding that like having movement from update to update as it helps indicate who is less is more sometimes, meaning don’t get caught trying to make risky trending and in what direction. My rankings will probably be more volatile plays. To his credit, he has greatly cut down the number of mistakes. His than the organization’s rankings, but that’s OK, it makes for more skating has always been elite and having sniped three goals, his discussion and debate. offensive game has started to show through. As Valimaki’s return looms, Second, I have my own definition of prospect and as a warning, it may the Swede could land back in Stockton soon, but he’s shown that he has not be the same as yours or other publications. Some have age an NHL-calibre game. restrictions, some exclude players once they’re no longer considered an 4. LW Andrew Mangiapane (previously 5th, 6th, 8th, 8th, 9th, 20th) NHL rookie. My criteria is simple and comes down to two things: Age | 22 Age 25 or under for skaters (age 26 or under for goalies); Size | 5-foot-10, 180 lbs Has not yet fully established himself as an NHL regular. Shoots | Left Lastly, for my rankings, note also that this is not a chronological list. It’s not the order in which I expect players to ascend to the NHL. The Acquired | Drafted in 6th round (166th overall) in 2015 estimated time of arrival (ETA) is a minimal factor only. A bigger This Season | Calgary (13 gm, 0-1-1), Stockton AHL (15 gm, 9-8-17) consideration are likeliness to make the NHL and projected impact/role if they do make it. ETA | 2019-20

Alright, here we go. A lights-out start to his third pro season in the AHL earned Mangiapane a call-up in December, but like his 10-game stint last year, the offence just Top 20 Calgary Flames prospects hasn’t come at the NHL level, despite getting some looks on the third 1. D Juuso Valimaki (previously 1st, 5th, 5th) line. After an injury, he’s back playing limited minutes on the fourth line. There’s a possibility he ends up a career tweener or quad-A player — too Age | 21 good for the minors, but can’t impact the NHL game, but it also could just Size | 6-foot-2, 210 pounds be a young man still finding his way. Should he find some confidence and eventually see some PP time, he could solidify his NHL spot. Shoots | Left 5. G Tyler Parsons (previously 4th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 9th) Acquired | Drafted in 1st round (16th overall) in 2017 Age | 21 This Season | Calgary (22 gm, 1-1-2), Stockton AHL (2 gm, 0-1-1) Size | 6-foot-1, 190 lbs ETA | 2018-19 Catches | Left Highly regarded Finn came into Flames training camp and grabbed a job on the third pairing. Playing modest minutes and mostly at 5-on-5, Acquired | Drafted in 2nd round (54th overall) in 2016 Valimaki was having a solid rookie season when he was fallen by a high This Season | Stockton AHL (12 gm, 6-4-1, 4.09 GAA, .886 SV%) ankle sprain. After over two months on the sidelines, he has been assigned to Stockton to work his way back to the main team. Poised, ETA | 2021-22 solidly built, he will eventually be a fixture in the top four and can be In September, the Detroit native made his mental health struggles public in this terrific piece. After impressing at rookie camp, Parsons again ran into injury issues that derailed the start of his second pro season. He’s Acquired | Signed as FA in Nov 2017 (originally St. Louis 4th rounder in played much better of late and the organization hopes he can stay 2015) healthy and can re-establish himself as the high-end prospect he was when they excitedly drafted him in 2016. He’s got the best shot of the This Season | Stockton AHL (39 gm, 10-11-21) goaltenders in the system of eventually graduating to the NHL. His ETA | 2021-22 athleticism and battle level and doing anything to keep the puck out of the net makes him fun to watch. After a prolific season a year ago in the WHL as an overager (56-69-125 in 67 games), Gawdin’s first year of pro has taken some adjusting, but it’s 6. C/LW Martin Pospisil (previously 18th) coming along. After beginning the season on the fourth line, the former Age | 19 St. Louis Blue fourth-rounder has bumped up to be the No. 3 centre behind veterans Curtis Lazar and Tyler Graovac. “Not real flashy, but Size | 6-foot-2, 180 lbs makes good plays,” says MacLean. “Has done a good job of raising his game to this level.” Solidly built with good hockey sense, Gawdin is Shoots | Left seeing time on both sides of special teams and lately has been finding a Acquired | Drafted in 4th round (105th overall) in 2018 way to finish plays.

This Season | Sioux City USHL (30 gm, 12-28-40) 10. RW Eetu Tuulola (previously 14th, 16th, HM, 18th, 18th)

ETA | 2022-23 Age | 21 in March

With a ledge after the top five prospects, Pospisil, a fiery competitor, Size | 6-foot-2, 230 lbs jumps way up the rankings as the best of the rest. He’s normally a Shoots | Right centre, but at the WJC, he played left wing on a line with Adam Ruzicka. Described as “dominant” in the USHL, the big question is where does he Acquired | Drafted in 6th round (156th overall) in 2016 play next season? The three most likely options are NCAA, the AHL or he could be loaned to a European club. “He’s big and strong and has This Season | HPK Finland (45 gm, 9-18-27) really good skill and hands for a big guy,” effuses Ray Edwards, ETA | 2021-22 Calgary’s director of player development. “Brings a physical dimension you don’t see in players a lot these days.” His goal total is down, but his overall points are up in his second season with HPK in which the big-bodied Finn is playing in the top six, on the 7. RW Spencer Foo (previously 7th, 8th, 7th) power play and is getting lots of offensive opportunities in a Finnish Age | 24 league where there aren’t a lot of goals scored. Calgary sees him as a power forward who can produce. He can play physical, is hard on pucks Size | 6-foot, 185 lbs and that makes him a different type of player from many of Calgary’s other prospects. The challenge is preserving that edge and playing style Shoots | Right when he’s cast in the role he’s in. “You can get away from your game Acquired | Signed as a free agent in July 2017 and get a little cute and he will admit he’s been guilty of that,” says Edwards. This Season | Stockton AHL (43 gm, 11-9-20) 11. RW Matthew Phillips (previously 15th, 14th, 15th, 15th) ETA | 2019-20 Age | 20 In his second pro season, Foo’s offensive totals are down across the board, which is concerning for an older prospect, who turns 25 in May. Size | 5-foot-7, 155 lbs The former NCAA star limped into the AHL All-Star break with 1-1-2 in Shoots | Right his last 10 games. His shots are down too, just 14 over that span compared to 32 over the season’s first 10 games. “The work ethic is Acquired | Drafted in 6th round (166th overall) in 2016 there, he’s getting looks. It’s just a matter of some puck luck and converting on some opportunities,” says MacLean. Last year, Foo scored This Season | Stockton AHL (40 gm, 10-16-26) twice in four games with the Flames, but he will need to pick it up to earn ETA | 2022-23 a recall this season. It’s been an up and down season for the Calgary kid. No points in his first 8. C Adam Ruzicka (previously 12th, 11th, 20th) eight games, just three assists in his last nine, yet in-between, he had 23 Age | 19 points in 23 games. After taking time to adjust to the size and speed of players at this level, Phillips is getting better at leveraging his quickness Size | 6-foot-4, 205 lbs and hockey sense. “You can be there, but the bodies are a bit stronger, the sticks are a bit heavier,” MacLean said. “It’s taking that next step. OK, Shoots | Left I’m in the right spot, but now I’ve got to get here at exactly the right time Acquired | Drafted in 4th round (109th overall) in 2017 because I’m not going to win a battle of force against some of these men.” This Season | Sarnia/Sudbury OHL (44 gm, 18-29-47) 12. C Linus Lindstrom (previously 11th, 13th, 19th) ETA | 2022-23 Age | 21 After three seasons with Sarnia, Ruzicka was dealt to Sudbury at the trade deadline where he will have the chance to contribute to a terrific Size | 6-foot, 170 lbs team that could go a long way in the OHL playoffs. He’s gotten off to a Shoots | Left great start, too, with seven goals in his first nine games with the Wolves, where he’s now coached by former Flame, . “He will be Acquired | Drafted in 4th round (96th overall) in 2016 excellent for Adam. Cory will demand competitiveness and work ethic every night, every practice,” says Edwards. Consistency is the knock on This Season | Skelleftea Sweden (32 gm, 1-3-4) the thick Slovakian, who otherwise has the size, strength and skill to be a ETA | 2022-23 dominating player. Another high-character, defensively responsible coach’s dream, who last 9. C Glenn Gawdin (previously 10th, 12th) year at the WJC centred and played the gold medal Age | 22 in March game with a separated shoulder. However, the offence hasn’t come and it is difficult when in a checking role like he’s playing in Sweden. To get Size | 6-foot-1, 190 lbs him more minutes and more offensive touches as the Flames believe he has the ability to put up points, all parties have agreed to temporarily loan Shoots | Right him to BIK Karlskoga in the second division. That just happened and his situation will be re-evaluated in a couple weeks, after he’s gotten in five a fourth line checking role with limited minutes. They just didn’t feel that or six games. usage would cater to his skill set that is all about skating, skill and hockey sense. “He’s getting the opportunity to play in the role that we see him 13. LW Emilio Pettersen (debut) in,” says Edwards. “An offensive role, getting power play time, playing Age | 18 top-six with good players.” He’s put up solid numbers, too, and already has offers to return to the Swedish Hockey League next season. Size | 5-foot-10, 175 lbs 17. RW Dmitry Zavgorodniy (previously HM) Shoots | Left Age | 18 Acquired | Drafted in 6th round (167th overall) in 2018 Size | 5-foot-9, 170 lbs This Season | Denver NCAA (23 gm, 6-16-22) Shoots | Right ETA | 2023-24 Acquired | Drafted in 7th round (198th overall) in 2018 How good is a point-per-game pace as a college freshman? Well, consider that was Johnny Gaudreau during his first year at Boston This Season | Rimouski QMJHL (48 gm, 20-28-48) College. Pettersen is just off that pace in a tremendous first season at ETA | 2022-23 DU. “Explosiveness” is the buzz word you hear repeatedly when Edwards talks about the smaller in stature, yet ultra competitive While Dube earned most of the accolades in rookie camp, Zavgorodniy Norwegian. “Gets on people quick and he’s not afraid to get in on the had an impactful showing, too, to put himself on people’s radars. Not a forecheck, create loose pucks and get pucks back,” says Edwards. big guy, he’s quick, skilled and exciting to watch. “Every time I see this Pettersen, a YouTube sensation as a kid, is a real mature 18 after guy play, he’s one of their best players,” says Edwards. “He can do so leaving home to move to North America at age 14. many things. Power play, penalty kill, 4-on-4, 3-on-3, last minute of the game, up a goal, down a goal. He’s involved in all that as the coach 14. C Milos Roman (previously HM) really trusts him.” Needs to get stronger so he can hold off players and Age | 19 create separation, but he’s driven to do so. Spent all of last summer in Calgary training. Size | 6-foot, 195 lbs 18. LW Demetrios Koumontzis (previously 19th) Shoots | Left Age | 19 in March Acquired | Drafted in 4th round (122nd overall) in 2018 Size | 5-foot-11, 185 lbs This Season | Vancouver WHL (40 gm, 18-19-37) Shoots | Left ETA | 2023-24 Acquired | Drafted in 4th round (108th overall) in 2018 The third Slovakian on the list, Roman just appeared in his third world juniors where he tied for the team lead with three goals. A competitive This Season | Arizona State NCAA (28 gm, 1-11-12) and intelligent player, he plays with a lot of energy, quickness and pace. ETA | 2023-24 He’s having a solid season in junior with 18 goals. Last year, in one fewer game, he had 10. “High character, leadership, he does all the right Drafted out of high school, he started off his NCAA career with a bang things. He’s a coach’s dream,” says Edwards. “Plays the right away, he’s with seven points in his first eight games. But typical for an 18-year-old, on the right side of the puck. He’s on the puck. He works. Whatever you ice time and opportunity has come down lately as the games have gotten ask him to do, he does for you.” Skating and strength are areas he needs tougher. “He’s a true freshman playing against a lot of 21, 22, 23, 24- to work at. year-olds,” says Edwards. “So it’s gotten a little heavy for him recently and he’s figuring that out.” A worker with excellent skill, he’s only got one 15. G Jon Gillies (previously 9th, 10th, 8th, 6th, 2nd, 1st, 5th) goal, but has chipped in 11 assists. Has also seen time in a checking Age | 25 role. ASU has a shot at making the tournament, which would be great experience. Size | 6-foot-6, 220 lbs 19. C D’Artagnan Joly (previously 16th, 19th) Catches | Left Age | 19 Acquired | Drafted in 3rd round (75th overall) in 2012 Size | 6-foot-3, 180 lbs This Season | Stockton AHL (27 gm, 6-12-0, 4.05 GAA, .868 SV%) Shoots | Right ETA | 2019-20 Acquired | Drafted in 6th round (171st overall) in 2017 In his fourth pro season and third full season, he is having his worst year statistically and by a significant amount. As David Rittich has taken over This Season | Baie-Comeau/Rimouski QMJHL (44 gm, 14-19-33) as the Flames next-in-line, Gillies has drifted the other direction. ETA | 2023-24 Fourteen times he has allowed four-or-more goals in a game, which is over half of his appearances. Sure, Stockton’s defence has been hurt by A tall, lanky kid who battled back issues last season, this year didn’t start so many guys being in Calgary, but one wonders if Gillies’ time in the off very well and Joly ended up being traded to Rimouski, where coach organization has nearly run out. You never know with goalies, but it Serge Beausoleil has familiarity with his family. D’Artagnan’s older seems unlikely his one-way deal next season will be spent in the NHL. brother, Michael, scored the -winning OT goal in 2015. In 13 games, Joly (3-4-7) is still finding his way with the Oceanic. The work 16. LW Filip Sveningsson (previously 20th) in progress is learning how he needs to play with his body size. “Has to Age | 19 find that consistency in terms of overall working, skating, playing with pace, competing on pucks, driving the net and getting into traffic,” says Size | 6-foot, 180 lbs Edwards.

Shoots | Left 20. D Rinat Valiev (debut)

Acquired | Drafted in 7th round (202nd overall) in 2017 Age | 23

This Season | IK Oskarshamn Sweden, 2nd division (31 gm, 11-10-21) Size | 6-foot-3, 215 lbs

ETA | 2023-24 Shoots | Left

He is playing in the second division Allsvenskan league and that’s by Acquired | Trade with Montreal in Oct. 2018 (originally Toronto 3rd design. The Flames didn’t want him playing in the top Swedish league in rounder in 2014) This Season | Stockton AHL (35 gm, 1-10-11)

ETA | 2020-21

Now in his third organization after being acquired by Montreal in the Brett Kulak trade, the 23-year-old Russian is logging a ton of minutes in the AHL, seeing time on both the PP and the PK, in addition to his plentiful 5- on-5 minutes. Solidly put together at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he can get around pretty good. “Good puck mover, can skate. He has an all-around game,” says MacLean. With the club’s best D prospects all up with Calgary right now, it could be argued Valiev is the best of the rest. He did get called up to the NHL earlier in the season, but he did not play.

Honourable mentions

D Josh Healey (age 24) — Second-year pro (and app developer) has evolved his game and has earned more playing time, but he is still limited to a 5/6 role.

C/RW Curtis Lazar (turns 24 in February) — Has found his game as a top-six centre in the minors, but remains to be seen if he can make it back to the NHL.

D Adam Ollas-Mattsson (age 22) — On an AHL-only deal, lots to like about the big Swede, who is a relied-upon minute muncher, but footspeed remains the knock.

D Andrew Nielsen (age 22) — Acquired for Morgan Klimchuk, he’s a giant at 6-foot-4 and can play mean, but his offensive prowess from junior has disappeared.

LW Kerby Rychel (age 24) — Highly touted as a first-round pick in 2013, his best AHL season (19-16-35 in 41 games) is coming with his fourth organization.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103953 Carolina Hurricanes time,” Brind’Amour said Nov. 25. “Marty’s really taken (Svechnikov) under his wing. We’re fortunate to have that kind of person surrounding him.” The Hurricanes extended two very different hockey players who happen • “He’s a great guy,” Svechnikov lit up about Martinook after their 5-2 win to share the same vision over the Leafs. “He’s important to me. I like playing with him. He supports me every game.” By Sara Civian Jan 30, 2019 VIEW THIS POST ON INSTAGRAM BEST BUDS  It was a typical late-December Hurricanes practice at the typically A POST SHARED BY CAROLINA HURRICANES (@NHLCANES) ON freezing Raleigh Center Ice, except the man typically buzzing around JAN 13, 2019 AT 9:39AM PST firing up his teammates was missing. JORDAN MARTINOOK: “SVECHNIKOV IS SUCH A GOOD KID. I LOVE He was supposed to skate that day, and you tend to notice the absence THAT KID.” (MAMBO NO. 5 ABSOLUTELY BLARING IN THE of a 6-foot, 196-pound winger with a personality even larger than his BACKGROUND) frame. — SARA CIV (@SARACIVIAN) JANUARY 1, 2019 “Everything good with Jordan Martinook?” THANKS BROTHER. MOTHER RUSSIA AND MARTY FOR 2 MORE The soundbite is buried in a Voice Memo graveyard somewhere with all YEARS. #FORUS #FORWALLYTOO the other expired practice updates, but the look on head coach Rod — JORDAN MARTINOOK (@MARTYMAN17) JANUARY 29, 2019 Brind’Amour’s face lives on. Do you want to keep going? Because we could keep going. “He just needed a day,” Brind’Amour said out loud. “He’s given us everything he can, so we’re giving him a day.” Point is, the future of the franchise has two worthy mentors in Brind’Amour and Martinook, and of course that’s most clear through the “Of course he needed a day,” is what his face said. hard times. I asked Brind’Amour how one guides an 18-year-old rookie It happened again on Jan. 7. through a slump after Svechnikov broke his nine-game scoring drought in his first career three-point game against Edmonton. “He plays hard,” Brind’Amour said. “We’d much rather him play hard than practice hard.” “Andrei puts a lot of pressure on himself,” he said. “So you’ve got to keep it positive with him. You’ve got to show him all the good things he’s Again on Jan. 22, this time with special guest Brock McGinn. doing, then show him the little things he needs to improve on. He wants to learn. I love the kid. He’ll get there.” “There was nothing to be won this morning.” Svechnikov is usually early to practice and one of the last ones off the When there is something to be won, a team like this needs a guy like ice. Now he gets at least two more years of learning the ropes from that. Martinook, who works so hard he sometimes isn’t even allowed to show That’s why the two-year, $4 million extension Martinook signed Tuesday up. was such a no brainer for the Canes. His consistency, attitude and “I feel like I’ve fit in well from Day 1,” Martinook told Mike Maniscalco relationship with Andrei Svechnikov are all part of the reason the after signing his contract (and becoming a father). “I love all the guys Hurricanes didn’t give the multiple teams interested in Martinook a here. The coaches, the trainers, everybody. The way that this team’s chance, for sure. trending, it’s exciting to be a part of. I’m excited to see where this team But they’ve known exactly how important he’ll be in this on- and off-ice can go, and to have my son be able to watch it.” culture rebuild since Game 10. That’s when he sealed the identity of the • Greg McKegg, of all people, shared a similar sentiment after his two- 2018-19 Hurricanes in a fraction of a shift of a non-conference shootout point effort in the first Canes win at Vancouver since 1999. He’s already win. matched his career-high six points in less than half of the games played. The Team Grit and Team Grind plan had already been established as the He’s shooting at 30 percent right now — it obviously helps that he’s only era of Brind’Amour ushered in, but this was its most compelling taken 10 shots, but impressive nonetheless. Having covered the execution. And kids, that’s how a bottom-six acquisition set the standard Penguins when he was in their system, I just got the vibe that things Brind’Amour expects out of his team. seem different here for him than Pittsburgh (or Toronto. Or Florida. Or Tampa Bay …). The first-year head coach knows he’s asking a lot, here, but what other choice does he have? These Canes aren’t brimming with superstars and “Yeah, I think so for sure,” he said. “In the past, I’ve been in more of a the ones he does have at his disposal are still growing. It’s not like they sheltered role and it just so happens there’s been some injuries here and can bank on any puck luck. things worked out where I’m getting minutes. I’m playing with good guys who made me feel comfortable right away” So the Hurricanes game plan is what it has to be. Simple, not easy. Back-check like you mean it or lose. Clearly, the good culture isn’t everything nor is it built in a day, as the Canes currently sit six points out of a playoff spot. But it’s a necessary “I’ve seen us win our way before,” Brind’Amour will say during the tough step in a series of steps. stretches. “… but everyone needs to buy in.” • So is a damn good deal for Teuvo Teravainen. Here’s the breakdown of Martinook buys in so hard that sometimes practicing the next day isn’t an the five-year, $27 million contract extension: 2019-20: $6.25m. 2020-21: option. $4.25m. 2021-22: $5.875m. 2022-23: $4.75m. 2023-24: $5.875m. All salary, no signing bonuses. The last two years have a 10-team NTC. No one’s expecting him to rack up the points, but with 10 goals this season he’s already one goal shy of his career-high. He leads a team Martinook and Teravainen probably couldn’t be more opposite on the ice, with Micheal Ferland and Calvin de Haan on its roster in hits (125), leads but in getting them both signed the Canes proved they’re not letting who all Canes forwards in blocked shots (28) and has logged 86:27 they perceive as winners walk — within reason. shorthanded TOI — second among forwards. Teravainen has scored five points (one goal, four assists) in three games “Can’t say enough about him,” Brind’Amour said for the thousandth time since signing Jan. 20. One of those assists was some particularly filthy last week. “He’s one of those character guys that can do whatever you sauce on a give-and-go to Sebastian Aho that tied it up for the Canes in need him to do.” the last minute of the game at Calgary. It showcased the chemistry between the two Finns, who have a collective high-end skill a gritty team His offensive numbers have increased with the help of Lucas Wallmark simply couldn’t afford to lose. and Svechnikov, but there’s no denying the impact he has on them. “I’m happy for him,” Aho said after the tough overtime loss. “He’s a great There’s basically an unexpected buddy cop movie in the making between player, and he deserved that deal.” Svechnikov and Martinook that has only flourished since Brind’Amour brought it up back in November. They will take care of Aho, too. There’s no incentive to get that done right now, as they own his pending RFA rights. Nothing to worry about. • “You guys don’t get to see that stuff behind the scenes but when a young kid comes over, especially from a different culture, it takes some • How about the fever dream that is Nino Niederreiter’s goal per game average start as a Hurricane? After the worst game the Canes played all season against Ottawa, Brind’Amour personally apologized to Nierredeter for “whatever that was.” Then, the Canes stepped up for the “new guy” and he’s stepped up right back. From Day 1, Brind’Amour’s been very vocal about the fact that Niederreiter will have good minutes and good linemates here. “(That) definitely helps a lot,” Niederreiter told me in Vancouver. “When the coach stands behind you and believes in you it’s obviously a good feeling. It gives you confidence on the ice.” “He can score, right?,” Brind’Amour laughed about it. “Like, we’ve been looking for goals for a while. We play a great style of play but we need some finishers. … It’s easy to (put faith in him) he’s been there, he’s a good player, he’s proven that. Every time I put him out there, something good happens. Really, I should put him out there more based on what’s going on.” • A solid trade, two solid extensions, a successful goalie call-up, five of six possible road points and a ton of good vibes. Sometimes you’re allowed to just enjoy things for what they are. The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103954 Chicago Blackhawks

The last 6 months have brought Blackhawks prospect Nicolas Beaudin a lot of good fortune — with 1 exception

Jimmy Greenfield

The last six months have brought Nicolas Beaudin a sizable amount of good fortune. With one notable exception. The 19-year-old Canadian defenseman was drafted in the first round by the Blackhawks last June, signed his entry-level contract a few months later and this season has starred for the Major Junior Hockey League's . Now, about that exception. Beaudin was the final player cut from the Team squad that participated in the World Junior Championships and, even though Canada failed to medal, getting left behind has had a big impact on him. “When I got cut it was really hard for me at the start,” Beaudin said. “I really wanted to be there and it was my last year to make the team. When I came back I talked with my coach and he just told me to use that as motivation. We know you’re good, just practice hard, play hard and show everyone what you can do in the second half.” Beaudin took the advice to heart. Over the Voltigeurs' last 11 games, he has two goals and 15 assists and even though he has missed a dozen games, Beaudin is third among all defensemen in the QMJHL with 43 points (7 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games. When the Hawks made Beaudin the No. 27 pick last year he was not their first pick of the draft nor their first defenseman chosen. That honor went to , who was taken eighth overall and is considered ahead of Beaudin developmentally. They had not met each other before attending the Hawks' development camp in July and then were frequently paired together at the Traverse City Prospect Tournament in September. “When we both arrived in (development) camp in Chicago we started talking about everything,” Beaudin said. “He’s a really cool guy, he’s a good guy too. It really just clicked.” There’s a possibility they could play against each other in the Memorial Cup later this year, and an outside chance they could make the Hawks next fall. Hawks’ vice president of amateur scouting Mark Kelley has seen progress in Beaudin but he says it’s hard to know how defensemen will respond when they get to the next level. “With all defenseman you’re really just getting a tip into where they are and what they can be,” Kelley said. “Defensemen are hard. Historically, if you go back and look at defensemen there’s been a lot of good defensemen who have been taken later first round, second round and I think with defensemen it takes a little longer to develop. There’s a little more responsibility necessary in their game.” The Hawks have told Beaudin they want him to get stronger, and when he returns to his hometown of Châteauguay, Quebec this summer that will be his focus. Until then, his goal is for the Voltigeurs to keep winning. “At the start of the season we were a good team,” Beaudin said. “But now we want to be a great team.” No exceptions. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103955 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 01.31.2019

Blackhawks' best chance for big winning streak starts Friday at Sabres

By Jason Lieseremail

About that big run the Blackhawks keep saying they need: It’s now or never. Since steering out of their spiral in mid-December, players have talked openly about the team trying to string together wins and get back in the playoff chase. Patrick Kane’s rough estimate is that it’ll take “a couple 10- game win streaks or something,” which illustrates that they’re still too far away to bother with the actual math. But if they’re going to do it, this is the time. The Hawks start the second half of the season Friday at Buffalo, kicking off a month loaded with opportunity. They embark on a 14-game stretch in which nine of the opponents are outside the playoff field, and the other five are seeded sixth or worse. Not that there’s any easy game for the Hawks, who sit 14th in the Western Conference, but they won’t get a better chance than this to make up the seven-point gap between them and the second wildcard spot. Once they get past the Sabres on Friday and Wild on Saturday, 10 of their next 12 opponents are in the bottom half of the NHL. That includes two against the Red Wings (28th in the league), plus matchups with the Kings (30th) and Senators (31st). They’ll also get their shot against the teams they need to pass, including home games against current wildcards the Stars and Avalanche. Reeling off 10 straight wins sounds overly ambitious, but the Hawks will have to play better than they have at any point this season. Their most productive 14-game stretch was 7-4-3 starting with the Dec. 12 win against the Penguins. That pace probably won’t get the job done in February. Before beating Pittsburgh, they were a wreck. The Hawks opened 9-18-5 and were the last team to reach 10 wins. That dreadful start included two eight-game losing streaks. Their play since then has been better, but not good enough to catapult them into the mix. The Hawks’ defense and goaltending have struggled even during their improved play, and those problems will linger unless coach Jeremy Colliton suddenly discovered a solution over the eight-day break between the win over the Islanders and Thursday’s practice in Buffalo. The Hawks are banking on offense to carry them. Kane, and Alex DeBrincat are on track for the highest-scoring seasons of their careers, and the power play has been the best in the league at 35.7 percent over the last 19 games. Colliton also went all-in on offense by putting Kane and Toews on the same line, and they were overwhelming together in wins over the Islanders and Capitals to close the first half. The terrible start to the season and the blow of Joel Quenneville getting fired would make a playoff berth an impressive accomplishment, and the chance to pull off that stunning turnaround is legitimate motivation to the veterans. It’s an adjustment for players who won Stanley Cups, but getting swept out of the playoffs in 2017 and missing them altogether last year adjusted the Hawks’ expectations. They also have nine players 25 and under who haven’t tasted the playoffs, so there is plenty of hunger within that group. The flipside for the Hawks is that this might also be the last chance for their losses to pay off. MoneyPuck gives them a league-best 10.4 percent chance to win the lottery, versus a 2.91 percent likelihood of making the playoffs. The worst-case scenario would be a strong push that comes up just shy, leaving them with no playoffs and a middling draft selection. The Hawks are adamant that tanking isn’t an option as long they still have a chance, and if they want to avoid going that route in March, they need to start now by proving they’re better than a bunch of bad teams. 1103956 Chicago Blackhawks Q: Where do you see Drake Caggiula eventually fitting in the lineup? While I like his game, I don't think he has the hands to play with Patrick Kane every night. As NHL trade deadline looms, sellers could come from the East -- @BeachandBHawks A: I agree. He's very Andrew Shaw-like, though. A guy who can bounce John Dietz around. As much junk as I gave Jeremy Colliton for his recent lines, they've been very effective. There's a purpose behind each one, and the bottom six played their best game against the Islanders Jan. 22. With the Blackhawks nearing the end of their bye week, this is a good I can see Caggiula, who was acquired from the Oilers for defenseman time for another Q&A session. Brandon Manning, hanging around the top line for a while. On a true playoff team, though, he's a great third-line player who can move up to Q: Which teams do you think will be sellers the next four weeks? the second when needed; a 10- to 15-goals guy. -- Sandy Stavropoulos A fabulous trade by Stan Bowman. Bewildering move by Edmonton. A: The Western Conference standings are so tight most of the sellers Daily Herald Times LOADED: 01.31.2019 might come from the East -- the Rangers, Panthers, Flyers, Devils, Red Wings and Senators. Here's the big question: What will Columbus do with unrestricted free agents and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky? Do the Blue Jackets -- firmly ensconced in a playoff spot -- go full steam ahead and attempt to win the Stanley Cup while risking losing both players in the offseason? Or do they trade one or both for assets down the road? It's a difficult decision with no easy answer. Columbus Blue Jackets' Artemi Panarin is an unrestricted free after the season and could be dealt by the Feb. 25 trade deadline. As for other big names who could be on the move, TSN lists Ottawa's Matt Duchene, Philadelphia's Wayne Simmonds, Carolina's Micheal Ferland and the Rangers' Mats Zuccarello as the top four trade targets. TSN also has St. Louis center Brayden Schenn and defenseman Colton Parayko in the top 16. Q: The Hawks have moved Henri Jokiharju to the left side and he has made some uncharacteristic misplays. How often are defensemen moved to the other side and how successful are the moves? Or is a right defenseman usually always a right defenseman throughout his career? -- Scott Nease on FB A: These moves aren't made very often, but when a player proves he can pull it off, it gives coaches so many more options. A right-shot defenseman is raised to play the right side because when he accepts a pass in his own zone, his stick isn't exposed to the center of the ice. He can then turn and advance the puck up the boards to a winger. Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy said there are advantages to playing the opposite side from one's natural forehand position, and that's a better angle when shooting in the offensive zone. "It's always harder to make a strong play or make a direct pass with your backhand, versus having the stick on the wall to be able to make an easy forehand pass," said Hawks D-man Connor Murphy. Now, there are positives to playing your off side, and they come when a player is attacking the offensive zone. "When you get pucks on the offensive blue line or in the neutral zone, you tend to carry it on your forehand facing the whole ice," said Murphy, who shoots righty and was asked to play his off side for the first time last season. "So you've got the middle of the ice in front of you. You're able to survey the ice more and make a good play. "And once you get it over the offensive blue line, you have a better angle to shoot on net versus if your stick side's on the wall. When it's on the wall, it's a sharper angle and less chance to get it through." Murphy added it would be easier to flip back and forth if kids were taught both sides at a young age. Q: When the roster limits are lifted after the trade deadline, who do you see the Hawks recalling from Rockford, if anybody? -- Colin Nicholson A: The Hawks want their young players getting as much seasoning as possible, so I wouldn't expect a huge number of call-ups. They may, however, want to give players like forwards Anthony Louis and , and D-man Darren Raddysh a brief look. They could also opt to sign a collegiate player like Evan Barratt (15 goals in 23 games for Penn) to an entry-level deal once his season is over. 1103957 Chicago Blackhawks being at the spots I should be and everything has been feeling easier now. So that's real nice."

There are obviously still certain aspects Ejdsell wants to work on, such After whirlwind 2017-18 season, Victor Ejdsell trying to adapt to life in pro as his "intensity" and acceleration. He's content with his top speed. But hockey moving his feet is something he's striving to get better at. Anything that will round out his game to make him as effective a hockey By Charlie Roumeliotis January 30, 2019 player as he can be at the pro level, which includes going to the greasy areas and using his 6-foot-5, 214-pound frame to his advantage.

"I think that's just something that I need to take part of my game to be," It's hard to find a prospect in hockey that had a busier 2017-18 campaign Ejdsell said. "I got more tools in my toolbox right now than I had before I than Victor Ejdsell. Let's run it down for you. got here, so I just got to adapt to it and realize that I need to have those things too in order to be a better goal scorer." On Sept. 16, 2017, he started his regular season with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League that ran through March 10, 2018. Two weeks Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.31.2019 before the season ended, Ejdsell was part of a package that sent him to Chicago and Ryan Hartman to Nashville. So he discovered he had a new home in the NHL. His team was swept in the first round of a best-of-3 series the following week, ending their run on March 14. One week later, Ejdsell flew from Sweden to North America and joined the Rockford IceHogs. He appeared in his first two games on March 23- 24 for a back-to-back home stint. On March 25, he was recalled by the Blackhawks. The next day, he made his NHL debut and remained with the big club until their season ended on April 7. At the conclusion of the NHL's regular season, Ejdsell was sent back to Rockford to join the IceHogs for their playoff run. He played in three more regular season games before the postseason started on April 21. Ejdsell became a huge reason why the IceHogs went as far as they did. He compiled 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 13 contests, and scored four game-winning goals over that stretch. The IceHogs swept the in a best-of-5 series, did the same to the Moose in a best-of-7 series in the next round and lost in six games to the in the Western Conference Final that featured four overtime games. Ejdsell's individual season ended on May 28. That's nearly eight and a half straight months of hockey in three different leagues and two playoff runs. Granted, the SHL isn't as jam-packed as the NHL schedule, but it's still a mental grind when you combine it all together. Ejdsell has found out it doesn't get any easier in the pros. The AHL is a 76-game season while the NHL’s regular season consists of 82 games, plus playoffs for each. Ejdsell is trying to find that balance of pacing yourself over the course of a long year, but also trying to make an impact every night with the IceHogs. "That's probably one of the toughest things for me, actually," Ejdsell told NBC Sports Chicago. "I'm still used to that 52 games, two games a week, and now all of a sudden you play three games in three days and I was like, 'Wow, this is actually tough.' So you just got to adapt to that. And you got to try to find a balance between not being tired all the time and still do the things you're supposed to be doing and be good at on the ice." This season, he’s learning that. Ejdsell started the year with the IceHogs after the Blackhawks felt he wasn’t quite ready to be a full-time NHL player. And that was the first time he had to go through that type of process. "That's tough,” he admitted. “I haven't really dealt with that type of "send down" or whatever you want to call it before, so it's definitely been tough for the confidence. But I mean lately I've been learning that you've got to try to stay calm and everything takes time. It's a different situation this time. Now I live here full-time, it's just different. I've learned that you've got to stay calm and let everything come to you. You just got to work hard and you'll get back to where you're supposed to be." Ejdsell went through a tough stretch earlier this season. He scored only one goal in 20 games before getting sidelined with a hip injury that kept him out of action for nearly a month. But that may have been a blessing in disguise as it allowed him to regroup mentally. Upon returning from injury, he registered a point in four of his first five games and scored two goals over that span. "I felt like in the beginning I got frustrated," Ejdsell said. "I'm used to scoring more often than I've been doing now, so I just tried to figure out what I'm doing wrong here. And then all of a sudden I started to calm down and realize that it's just not bouncing my way right now, so I just got to let it come towards me and take the chance whenever I got it. After I had an injury now, I really had a time to refocus and getting ready to play again and all of a sudden everything is starting to bounce my way. I'm 1103958 Colorado Avalanche Having a nearby AHL affiliate also makes it easier for the Avalanche’s front office to evaluate what players are capable of making the jump to the NHL. From there, it provides a landscape the Avs can use going Fly like an Eagle? Why the Avalanche’s new AHL affiliate is doing that forward. and more “Certainly just having them up the road is a blessing,” Bednar said. “I think No. 1: You get to see (prospects) more. I think Joe’s staff, even our coaches getting up there. Getting different eyes on them and By Ryan S. Clark Jan 30, 2019 communicating about those players, I think, is very important so you’re in tune with what’s going on.

“No. 2: I think it speaks to the depth of the organization. Some of the Hockey culture can be weird and here is another example. guys we have here now … just trying to flip over every rock and find the best players we can.” Craig Billington was recently explaining how he feels a greater connection to the Avalanche’s first-year AHL affiliate, the Colorado Dries is showing he can be trusted in either a third- or fourth-line role Eagles, because he can frequently make the 52-mile drive. Previously, while also getting time on the penalty kill. Francouz has looked strong that connection was a cross-country flight. enough in relief that Bednar said he would consider giving the 28-year- old Czech goaltender a start if needed. Graves and his 6-foot-5, 226- This is happening during the middle of an Eagles practice at the pound frame provides the Avs with a sizable defenseman waiting in the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland. Billington, who is the Avalanche’s wings. assistant general manager, was standing in a hallway behind the visitor’s bench that allowed him to talk while observing practice with an And what’s the one thing Dries, Francouz and Graves have in common? unobstructed view. They’ve been with the organization for less than a calendar year yet they Suddenly a puck comes out of what seemingly feels like nowhere toward have already carved a spot in the back of Bednar’s mind when it comes Billington. The puck was nowhere close to harming Billington, who also to potential options. Dries signed as a free agent last summer and serves as the Eagles’ general manager. Still, the former NHL goaltender managed to make the team out of preseason camp. felt the need to grab a reporter’s arm so they could get out of the firing range and into safety. Graves came over in a trade for Chris Bigras last February with the Rangers while Francouz also inked a one-year, free-agent contract with “That’s good! You’re good! You’re really good! That’s talent!” Billington the team last May. yells at Eagles defenseman David Warsofsky, the culprit responsible for shooting the puck. “See, it’s stuff like that! You just saw that live and in “Both teams are very detailed. You gotta be at this level,” Dries said. color but it’s great!” “Especially in the AHL because it’s a developmental league for a reason. You take a little extra time on certain things but that’s part of the process. Firing any sort of projectile at your boss might warrant a suspension, You gotta trust it and stick to it.” firing or something worse if this were a normal workplace. The Avs are hoping playing in Loveland will help promising forward Hockey is clearly different. There would be concern if Warsofsky didn’t Tyson Jost. The team’s 2016 first-round draft pick has struggled for shoot a puck toward Billington if he had the chance. consistency this season and that’s why the 20-year-old was sent to the AHL for a six-game cameo. Such an anecdote further illustrates how the relationship between the Avalanche and Eagles continues to grow. The two teams had a pre- He is getting a chance to play significant, first-line minutes while also existing partnership that started in 2016 when the Eagles became the logging time on the team’s top power-play unit. Furthermore, it allows him club’s ECHL affiliate. an opportunity to gain confidence while furthering his development at the same time. Years of internal discussion along with an opening for a 31st AHL franchise finally culminated in the Avalanche having their top farm club Jost only recorded three shots and went without a point in his first three an hour’s drive away from Pepsi Center. games with the Eagles. He has gone on to record a point in three consecutive games. Overall, he has four points, scoring two goals in his “I think as we expected, there has been a lot of connectability and face most recent contest, and has taken 11 shots on goal. time and that’s not on the phone but actually in presence and that’s been great,” said Billington, who on this particular day grabbed lunch for the Compare that to how Jost performed with the Avalanche earlier this Eagles’ coaching staff. “Certainly, you look at (general manager Joe month. He had two goals and four points over seven games with a total Sakic), (assistant general manager Chris MacFarland) and myself, the of 13 shots on goal. ability to see your minor-league team play. … It’s the players seeing the Avalanche play right down the road. “I just kind of looked at the bigger picture and it’s not fun when you’re not able to contribute and I just felt like I wasn’t kind of playing,” Jost told The “They feel connected to the organization. Clearly you see what the Athletic earlier this month. “So it’s not fun when you’re sitting on the competitive product is, which makes for almost playoff-like hockey every bench and, obviously, you want to be there up with the team. But I have night in a full building in a tremendous environment they created.” an opportunity to come down here and play a lot of minutes and play on the power play and it will be an opportunity where I can succeed and just A number of traits have connected the Eagles to their parent NHL club kinda play my game. that goes well beyond having the Avalanche’s emblem on the front of their arena or on the shoulders of the team’s sweaters. “That is exciting because I went through a stretch where I wasn’t able to play and I wasn’t there with my game, I guess you can say. So I can Player development is the most critical function of the relationship and it kinda come back here to find it.” starts with a specific approach. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar has repeatedly discussed his philosophy of not letting players sit idle in the Bednar had stints with three different AHL teams — Lake Erie, Peoria stands when they could be logging minutes elsewhere to foster their and Springfield — before he was hired by Colorado before the 2016-17 growth as professionals. season. Bednar, Sakic and the rest of the front office followed through on this His time in the AHL gives him a well-rounded perspective on the ideal before the NHL All-Star break. Sheldon Dries, Ryan Graves and importance of taking advantage of what that league has to offer an Dominic Toninato were on the Avalanche’s roster when they played the organization in terms of developing players. Bednar spoke about the Wild before going on a nine-day hiatus. The organization, once the game challenges of being an AHL coach. He said when the NHL club calls up ended, sent all three players to the AHL so they could feature in the their best players, it makes winning more difficult. Eagles’ two road games against the Reign. “Part of the reason why I have the philosophy that I have is, if guys are “It’s an opportunity to keep playing games for sure,” Dries said earlier this going to sit here, I think they should go there,” Bednar said. “I just think month. “If you crack the lineup and then, if the stars align, you can play a it’s better for players to continue to play and develop instead of sitting game in Loveland. It’s just an hour or so away, not even. It makes it real around and watching. That’s one of the reasons why we send guys down easy to stay sharp and on our game and you keep playing hockey that when there’s breaks. When they’re not playing a lot of minutes here, they way so you don’t sit and sulk.” get back and get some confidence there and get some puck touches. The Avalanche have called up nine players — Dries, Graves, Toninato, “I think it’s best for our players. I think it’s best for our organization and Mark Alt, Pavel Francouz, A.J. Greer, Vladislav Kamenev, Anton both teams can try and develop and win.” Lindholm and Logan O’Connor — throughout various points over the team’s first 52 games of the season. Development is the main priority for every AHL team. But generating some commercial appeal does not hurt either. Loveland has had a long-standing association with hockey going back to when the Eagles played in the defunct Central Hockey League for eight seasons and won two championships. They spent the last seven years in the ECHL and won consecutive Kelly Cups in their final two campaigns in that league. It’s another reason why the Eagles had an average attendance capacity of 95 percent. The Eagles have gone all in when it comes to being the Avalanche’s farm team. Starting with the team’s website. Yes, the Eagles’ emblem is there but so is the Avalanche’s logo with the words, “PROUD AFFILIATE” written underneath. Budweiser Events Center features a large blue mural on the outside of the arena with the Eagles’ insignia. There is an Avalanche logo below that but the at the top of the sign reads the mantra, “THE FUTURE IS HERE” in big, bold white letters to further emphasize the relationship with the Eagles and the two-time Stanley Cup champions. Practically anyone who has driven up and down Interstate 25 has likely crossed paths with the fleet of Green Ride shuttles driving between the Denver International Airport and the Loveland-Fort Collins corridor. Three sides of those vans all feature the Eagles’ logo with the phrase, “THE EAGLES WAY TO DIA” plastered on different sides of the vehicle. At the Scheels in nearby Johnstown, the sporting goods merchant sells Eagles apparel in adult and youth sizes. One store clerk said they were running low on adult clothing but still have a good supply of children’s clothing. Go to a game at the Budweiser Events Center. The AHL does not release daily attendance figures but league game reports reveal the Eagles have sold out their last four home games. When Jost made his debut, there were several fans sporting Avalanche sweaters throughout the arena. There were even a couple patrons who wore Quebec Nordiques jerseys. The connection also goes beyond fashion. The Avalanche’s Twitter account, which has 463,000 followers, has gone from being a news feed to providing personal touches that have become a staple. For example, take the team’s “#AvsTwitterPsychic” which is followed by a fist pound emoji. It features a player that the account and its fans hope has a big night for the Avalanche. Don’t be shocked to learn the Eagles have done the same thing but with the hashtag of – pause – “#EaglesTwitterPsychic.” “In terms of the levels they’ve gone through in advancing to the American Hockey League, it’s another level where they actually see the players that play on one night then potentially playing for the Avalanche like the players we talked about,” said Billington, who was able to focus without worrying about a puck flying at him. “That’s new to this market, so that’s exciting as well. It’s been well-received. They’ve done a tremendous job from a fan-base standpoint over the years and they continue to do that. “And it’s something the players feel when they go out on the ice and you’re playing in front of a full house.” The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103959 Columbus Blue Jackets

Penalty kill has been killing it

Brian Hedger

It has happened quietly, without fanfare or much attention until recently. The Blue Jackets have climbed from the low 20s in the NHL’s penalty-kill rankings in early November, when they allowed power-play goals in 10 of their first 16 games, to seventh with 33 games left. They haven’t allowed a power-play goal in their past 11 games, a franchise record in terms of games, and they have snuffed out 25 short- handed situations in a row after going 2 of 2 against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. “We have momentum going right now with it,” said defenseman Seth Jones, second on the team with 104:07 of penalty-kill time. “We feel like every time we go out there, we can kill it off and even create off of it.” They have created off it, too, netting four short-handed goals. Cam Atkinson has two of them, among his 28 goals overall, to lead the team. The other two were scored by Josh Anderson and Alexander Wennberg — Wennberg’s only goal this season. “That’s an important job that we have to do every night on the penalty kill,” Jones said. “You can win a game based off your penalty kill and how it does that specific night. It’s a mindset, and you can’t get lackadaisical and you can’t get complacent on it.” You also need a goaltender who is in tune with the players in front of him. During the past two months, the Blue Jackets’ goalies — Sergei Bobrovsky and backup Joonas Korpisalo — have meshed with the penalty-kill units. They’re making key stops, allowing teammates to clear rebounds, and they’re seeing shots clearly. During the current streak, for instance, Bobrovsky has stopped all 19 shots he has faced — including 4 of 4 against Buffalo — and Korpisalo has gone 10 of 10. Bobrovsky’s 2.56 goals-saved above average during the streak is tops among all NHL goalies in that span, according to NaturalStatTrick.com, and Korpisalo’s 1.34 is fifth. “I don't think it was that good (Tuesday) night, but I thought our goaltender made some key saves,” coach John Tortorella said. “Any time your penalty kill is becoming consistent and doing the job, your goaltender has a lot to do with it also.” Skaters who are willing to put their bodies in front of pucks moving at ridiculously high speeds are part of it, too. The Jackets’ penalty-killers — which include Jones, , David Savard, Ryan Murray, Atkinson, Wennberg, Anderson and Lukas Sedlak — are now adept at working in unison to challenge shots with their sticks and bodies. Murray leads the team with 17 blocked shots during penalty kills, and center Boone Jenner — who currently is injured — is second with 11. “There has been cohesion with it, as far as when to be aggressive, when not to be,” Tortorella said. “A key thing with penalty kill is working together, and I think all four guys have done a real good job of that, as far as when to pressure and when not to.” It has been a work in progress. The Tampa Bay Lightning scored four power-play goals against the Blue Jackets (4 of 7) during an 8-0 victory on Oct. 13 at , and the Jackets were ranked just 23rd in the NHL on Nov. 10 with a 75.5 percent success rate. The Jackets also allowed three power-play goals in a 9-6 loss to the Calgary Flames on Dec. 4 at Nationwide Arena, but ever since have been outstanding — killing off 46 of 49 short-handed situations in the last 22 games. Despite a current three-game losing streak, they have gone 13-8-1 in that span, racking up 27 points to stay in the thick of a tight race atop the Metropolitan Division. “There are a whole bunch of systems you can play on the penalty kill and work ethic, outworking the power play, is definitely the main thing,” Jones said. “We talk about that every day.” Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103960 Columbus Blue Jackets

Coach John Tortorella irked by loss to Sabres

Jacob Myers

John Tortorella still can’t believe how badly the Blue Jackets played Tuesday night. Forget the 10-day break, forget the power play continuing to find a way to score this month — there is no explanation Tortorella will accept for how the Jackets played in a 5-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena. “I haven’t seen a team play as bad as we played last night. I haven’t seen this team play as bad as we did,” he said Wednesday before the team left for its game Thursday at the Winnipeg Jets. “Everything needs to improve. “I don’t want to hear it’s because of the break. You can’t be as sloppy as we were. I get it, that there’s gonna be some rust. Not as bad as that was last night.” Most of the issues were on the defensive end, excluding goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who kept the Jackets in the game from the beginning. Defenseman Ryan Murray said being slow out of the gate disrupted everything, and the instinctual awareness the defense normally has just wasn’t there. “We just weren’t good enough in our own zone,” Murray said. “Our structure was a little down. I think we could’ve competed harder.” This wasn’t the first loss the Jackets have had this season that frustrated Tortorella or the players, but it gave the team its first three-game losing streak this season. To their credit, the Blue Jackets have mostly been able to respond after such games, which is a big reason they remain just four points back of the for first place in the Metropolitan Division. Tortorella gave the team the option to practice or do a workout Wednesday before it left the arena, having had three days of practice before Tuesday’s game. But he is making it apparent that there has to be work done on the ice before the Jets game because of the breakdown against the Sabres. “We need to get back to work tomorrow,” Tortorella said. “It’s unacceptable what happened last night.” Jenner out again Tortorella said that injured forward Boone Jenner will not make the trip to Winnipeg. The Blue Jackets did not specify the injury or say how it happened. Tortorella said “something flared up” during or after practice on Monday. Jenner missed Tuesday’s morning skate and the Sabres game. Letestu ready to contribute Mark Letestu was at soccer practice for his 3-year-old, Blake, on Tuesday when he learned he would make the short trip Downtown instead of driving to Cleveland. Letestu has been commuting from Powell every day this season while playing for the Monsters. The forward was a healthy scratch against Buffalo but could draw into the lineup at Winnipeg. “This was my goal all along, was to be here,” he said. “It was my expectation at some point to be back here. The time frame for when wasn’t really important to me, it was just a matter of getting my game right.” Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103961 Columbus Blue Jackets 3) Power up cashed in a power-play goal 21 seconds into the second period to cut Buffalo’s lead to 3-2. Sabres 5, Blue Jackets 4: Five takeaways It was the second straight game the Blue Jackets have scored with a man-advantage and the fifth time in the past seven games they’ve tallied Brian Hedger on the power play. They’re 6 for 21 in the past seven games, since ending a drought of 0- for-25, and Martin St. Louis - hired last week as a special-teams They were sloppy, out of sorts, but the Blue Jackets had enough consultant - watched in person from the press box. resilience to stay close. 4) Full house They were saved by Sergei Bobrovsky’s acrobatics, a lot, but also hung their goalie out to dry, to the tune of five goals. In the end, the Jackets Speaking of the press box, it was jam-packed with scouts on the same were a period late and a goal short in a 5-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on day general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said his phone was “ringing off Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena – in the first game back from an the hook.” extended break for both teams. More likely than not, the vast majority of them were just there to take in “I thought it was sloppy on both sides,” Columbus coach John Tortorella an NHL game, since there were only three scheduled Tuesday – a day said. “We certainly ‘out-sloppied’ them. But how can I put all the blame after a three-game Monday that included one in Pittsburgh, a quick trip on that? There were some major struggles around our net.” from Columbus. Join the conversation at Facebook.com/columbusdispatch and connect That said, the number of scouts was alarming. There were 29 who’d with us on Twitter @DispatchAlerts reserved a seat, from 23 separate teams, and it looked like most showed up. Earlier in the day, Kekalainen answered questions about a statement After falling behind 3-1 in the first period, a forgettable 20 minutes for the released Monday by Artemi Panarin’s agent, Dan Milstein – which said Blue Jackets (28-18-3), they chipped away in the second – scoring three the Russian star will not discuss his future plans until the offseason. goals finally tying 4-4 with 32.8 seconds left on Cam Atkinson’s 28th of the season. It was likely coincidence, but don’t entirely discount the massive scout presence. Kekalainen is gauging the trade market, for Panarin and It felt like a big push to take the lead was minutes away in the third, but it Bobrovsky, so stay tuned for possible movement on either of them. never happened. The Sabres (25-18-6) regained the lead on a rebound goal by just 2:12 into the third and that was the difference 5) All about ‘Bread’ – handing Columbus its first three-game losing streak. Panarin had two more assists and played another strong game, upping “Pretty unacceptable game from us all the way through,” said Brandon his point total to 55 in 47 games. He’s on pace to finish with 94 points, Dubinsky, whose goal pulled the Jackets within 4-3 late in the second. which would top his franchise-record total of 82 last season by 12. “We had a big push there in the second, obviously, and get the The guy has simply become one of the NHL’s elite players, which is momentum and come back in the third, and find a way to give one up. It’s remarkable considering his contract situation and the hubbub about it disappointing.” from outside the locker room. Not only has it not affected his play, but Here are five takeaways from the Blue Jackets’ loss: he’s actually better than last season – which makes the sting of his reluctance to negotiate all the more painful for Columbus. 1) It could’ve been worse Panarin doesn’t say a whole lot, rarely granting interviews with English- Bobrovsky said he allowed a couple “unfortunate” goals, but this loss speaking reporters, but his jovial nature and hockey skill won over Blue cannot be pinned on him. He was tagged with another high-goal start, but Jackets fans quickly. Kekalainen put it best, though, when asked about the defense in front of him provided few favors. the letdown of learning Panarin has again delayed talk of his future ... until the future. The Sabres literally skated circles around the Blue Jackets at times in the first and kept Bobrovsky shuffling around his crease for most of the “It’s disappointing, but all we can do is do our best, and I think we’ve opening 20 minutes. done our part and we’ve done everything we can to make him feel at home,” Kekalainen said. “We have a good team here around him. I think That might’ve helped him regain his puck-tracking and timing after the that’s basically all we can do.” extended down time, but also resulted in a 3-1 lead for Buffalo. It could’ve easily been 5-1 or 6-1, were it not for some dynamic saves by It feels like Panarin’s time in Columbus is short, whether he’s moved Bobrovsky. before the Feb. 25 trade deadline or hits free agency in July, and if that’s the case he will be missed quite a bit. “I felt good,” he said. “I was looking forward to that break, that week. I used that time smart. I’m ready to go, so I think it’s good personally, for “He’s been great for me learning,” said Dubois, who has spent the me, the break ... and I’m ready to go.” majority of his young career as Panarin’s center. “He’s one of the best players in the NHL, so I’ve been able to learn from him a lot. He’s fun to 2) Dubois was back have around in the room and in practices, stuff like that, so yeah, I’d be extremely disappointed. But it’s his decision and he’ll make the decision Prior to the break, Tortorella said Pierre-Luc Dubois was slumping. He of what he thinks is right for him.” looked refreshed against the Sabres and even a little salty – a telltale sign the 20-year old center is on his game. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 01.31.2019 Dubois contributed a goal and assist to continue a long tradition of scoring when his father, Eric, watches in person – and he got into some of the Sabres’ kitchens too. Two instances that stood out early happened before and after Sam Reinhart put Buffalo up 2-1. Seconds before the goal, Dubois plastered Jeff Skinner with a big hit in the defensive zone. A second after the goal, he gave Reinhart a late two-hand shove in front of the net – which sparked a bevy of tangled bodies, face-washes and likely a few obscenities. It was a sequence that has become a signature of Dubois’ best play, which includes some rough stuff. He dishes it out plenty, but proved later in the game he can take it too. Sabresdefenseman Jake McCabe launched him with a big hit, dropping him to the ice, but Dubois didn’t retaliate. It was a huge hit, but a clean play. Dubois just kept playing and finished a solid night by logging 21:57, putting three shots on goal and winning 54 percent of his face-offs. 1103962 Columbus Blue Jackets

Ben Bishop's impressive run against the Buffalo Sabres continues thanks to Wednesday night's shutout

Matthew DeFranks

Stars goalie Ben Bishop improved to 11-0-1 against the Sabres on Wednesday after his second-career shutout of Buffalo. He now holds a .945 save percentage and 1.48 goals against average against them in his career. "I've got to keep it going, I don't want to talk about it," Bishop joked after the game. "So far, so good. Knock on some wood. I don't know what it is about them, but hopefully we can keep it going." Top rookies face off: Rookie defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Rasmus Dahlin played each other for the first time in their NHL careers on Wednesday night. Dahlin was the No. 1 pick in last year's draft by Buffalo, while Heiskanen was the No. 3 pick in 2017 by Dallas. Heiskanen's shot on goal about midway through the second period was the first shot on goal by either Heiskanen or Dahlin. Both are Calder Trophy candidates this season, the award given to the league's best rookie. Vancouver's Elias Pettersson remains the front- runner. Big Rig re-debuts: Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak played his first game since the Stars re-acquired him in a trade from Pittsburgh on Monday afternoon. The 2011 Dallas first-round pick had a scoring chance in the first period when he drove to the net. The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103963 Columbus Blue Jackets

Stars notebook: After three games back on the ice, Jason Dickinson leaves win over Buffalo with injury

By Sports Reporter Contact Matthew DeFranks

Forward Jason Dickinson left the game Wednesday night, disappearing down the tunnel to the Stars dressing room with about eight minutes left in the third period. Dickinson got on the ice during a media timeout to test an injury, but then went directly to the Dallas room. "He tweaked something," Montgomery said. "Right now, we think it's something minor. We'll see if he's sore tomorrow." In the last six weeks, Dickinson missed 11 games with back spasms. Wednesday was just his third game back in the lineup. Tyler Seguin appeared to suffer a shoulder injury in the second period, but never left the bench and finished the game by playing 19:24. "Last three games, people didn't know that he was playing with some real pain," Montgomery said. "But that's healed up now, so he's in good health." Speedy Gurianov back up: The Stars recalled forward Denis Gurianov on Wednesday morning, two days after he appeared in the AHL All-Star Game. He arrived in Dallas for the last part of morning skate before slotting in beside Roope Hintz and Brett Ritchie against the Sabres. Gurianov and Hintz's inclusions on the fourth line gave the Stars speed throughout their forward lines, a recipe that worked well in a win over Winnipeg on Jan. 26, Dallas' last game before the 10-day hiatus caused by the bye week and All-Star break. "The game has become so much about speed," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "If you can't create scoring chances because of your skillset, you got to be able to create turnovers and chances because of speed. Speed kills." Montgomery said he thought Gurianov started the game strong, but faded in the final two periods. "I thought he was great in the first period," Montgomery said. "That one shift, him and Roope Hintz, the speed and skill alone, you could see Buffalo was like 'Who are these guys?'" Montgomery kept the forward lines the same from the win over the Jets, hoping the Stars could find the consistency that's been missing this season. "We were physical," Montgomery said. "We were on top of people. We were coming together through the neutral zone, which allowed our forecheck to really get on top of them. I think it started in the [third] period against L.A. We've had spells like that before. We just got to change our attitude and become an attitude of we know we're relentless and we're playing to that. "I agree that there's more potential for speed and to put people on their heels. Talk to me in 10 games." The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103964 Columbus Blue Jackets

Jamie Benn provides lone goal in Stars' first win after the All-Star break

By , Sports Reporter Contact Matthew DeFranks

In the Western Conference, the margin for error is small. Prior to the Stars' 1-0 win over Buffalo on Wednesday night, eight teams were packed within six points of each other, jostling for three available playoff berths. The season offers fewer attempts to hide mistakes after the All-Star break, and Wednesday night gave the Stars an opportunity to gain two points on every team in the Western Conference. Turns out the margin of error Wednesday night was pretty small, too. Jamie Benn scored the game's only goal in the first period, burying a feed from Taylor Fedun after a Sabres giveaway in the Buffalo zone. It was Benn's 19th goal of the season, and the assist for Fedun came against the team that traded him earlier this season. Stars goaltender Ben Bishop made 30 saves to post his third shutout of the season. It was Dallas' second win in a row after a four-game losing streak. Benn's goal came after a nifty play by Fedun to keep the puck in the Sabres zone and the play onside. Fedun rushed in from the neutral zone to save the puck from crossing the blue line, fed it to Benn, who swept the puck between Linus Ullmark's legs. "Just tried to make a good move, and found a way to score a goal," Benn said. The Stars struggled to generate quality chances on Wednesday, and had Fedun not held the puck at the blue line, Dallas would have been held scoreless all night. And as Fedun and the Stars capitalized on the inches between success and failure, Buffalo did not. With 15:32 left in the third period, Buffalo appeared to tie the game at 1 when Marco Scandella's shot found the back of the net. But officials immediately signaled no goal because Nathan Beaulieu interfered with Bishop. Buffalo challenged the play, and could have made the argument that Jamie Oleksiak pushed Beaulieau into Bishop, but the call on the ice was upheld. "Just skated through the crease and took my left leg out there," Bishop said. Montgomery added: "I thought it was a real good call, and obviously they saw it right away. I never notice goalie interference when it's live. I'm just watching the play. That's pretty impressive how they call that live." Not another game: Fedun began the season with Buffalo, but was wallowing as a scratch with AHL affiliate Rochester when the Stars traded a seventh-round pick to the Sabres in mid-November. Fedun has become an important part of the Stars blue line, pushing Connor Carrick and Julius Honka out of the lineup. "You try and treat it like any other game, but it's really not," Fedun said. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't have that one circled on the calendar for a little while. It's a little weird seeing a lot of familiar faces out there, but once you get out there and start playing, you kind of forget about it. It's definite;y nice to come out on top of that one." In 27 games this season, Fedun has two goals and five assists. "I loved him," Montgomery said. "I thought he played a real good game. His size, his speed, he was physical. He moved pucks efficiently, and I thought he made us a lot better." The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103965 Dallas Stars

Who are Jim Montgomery’s Stars? Team’s return from All-Star break provides answers

BY PETER DAWSON

DALLAS-What are the Dallas Stars? Since the end of last December, upper management, the head coach and the team’s star players have all produced unique, strong and sometimes contradictory answers. While some fans and media members have called this “saga”’ dysfunctional, there is at least one common thread. The status quo is not acceptable. The front office has made a few minor trades so far. And it’s possible a couple smaller deals could be on the way before the Feb. 25 trade deadline. But unless general manager Jim Nill really decides to break from his pattern of more conservative roster moves, then the lineup you see is the lineup you’re going to get for the remaining 32 games this season. The more important question might be this: who are head coach Jim Montgomery’s Stars? On paper, this team, by the admission of the fans, media, players and head coach, has been the poster child for inconsistency. Their place in the standings is proof. Entering the first contest after Saturday’s All-Star game, the Stars were tied for fourth place in the Central Division with the Avalanche. Before Wednesday night’s action, Colorado, Dallas and the Vancouver Canucks also shared seventh place overall in the Western Conference. The home team’s 1-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center is unlikely to make or break this group’s playoff chances. But it is a clear window into their identity. This team can hang with any opponent on any given night. At least when the players are executing Montgomery’s vision and plan in all three zones. The upstart Sabres’ entry into the playoff field has been a bit of a surprise up to this point. Buffalo is still at least a year away from being a real threat in the playoffs, but the Stars were able to grind their way to another victory. The overall shot total (27) doesn’t necessarily herald the consistent, high- octane offensive pressure Montgomery craves. But it was the combined fore-checking effort of Jamie Benn, Blame Comeau and Taylor Fedun, that led to the captain putting his team up 1-0 in the first period. The sequence is reflective of what Montgomery wants, but really has not gotten for most of this season. And the numbers reflect that. Entering Wednesday’s contest, the Stars had the third-worst in goals-per-game average of any team in the NHL (2.6). Ben Bishop, much as he has all season, once again proved that the backbone of this team is its goaltending. Prior to Wednesday night’s game, his goals-against average (2.37) ranks third among all goalies. And while the Sabres put forth a consistent effort you might expect from a young, talented offense coming off a break, Bishop’s teammates didn’t give up much room for error. But he still stopped every shot that came his way, including a flurry of high-quality chances with just under five minutes to go in the third period. Well, except for the time he got run over in front of the net. That puck found the twine, but it was ruled no-goal on account of a textbook goaltender interference call. The Stars will return to action on Friday night for a massive home game against the . After the win over the Sabres, Dallas trails Minnesota by one point for third place in the Central Division. Star-Telegram LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103966 Dallas Stars It would be nice if forward Val Nichushkin did ... anything. The former highly regarded first round pick returned this season from a “sabbatical” in Russia and has seven points, and zero goals. Center Dallas Stars owner on state of franchise: ‘Am I frustrated? Yes. Am I simply looks like an older player who has lost it. pissed off? No.’ The scariest part for the Stars isn’t a specific lack of scoring, it is that both the players and the fan base are accustomed to all of this. BY MAC ENGEL That is the culture. “It’s consistency,” Seguin said. “It’s very hard. The trick is when you have those flashes, to build on them. That’s myself. That’s the team. That’s the DALLAS-The owner of the Dallas Stars anticipates that his team will be organization. We have had a lot of flashes over the years. We have been active in the NHL’s trade market in search of a scorer, but he does not in this pretty-good-season spot before. And we have seen it go sideways. agree with his head coach that his franchise exists in a culture of We know how to get here and be in the race, but we have not mediocrity. consistently been third to first. A lot of attention was paid to Stars’ president Jim Lites’ four-letter “I’m hoping experience does it.” description of two of the team’s top players, but it was the head coach’s comments that should have generated more news; Stars coach Jim As a man who loves hockey, and owned a junior team before buying the Montgomery said three weeks ago he was frustrated that he was not able Stars, Gaglardi has invested deeply into this franchise. He has spent the to change the team’s “culture of mediocrity.” money, and approved bold moves. That is a high stick of truth. He has been patient with Nill, and Lites, and everyone involved in realizing the desired results are difficult. “It’s not a word we deal with,” owner Tom Gaglardi said in a recent phone interview. “It does not exist in our DNA, mediocrity.” “Every owner says, ‘We’re going to win.’ Yeah-yeah. It is super hard to win,” Gaglardi said. “Am I frustrated? Yes. Am I pissed off? No. I’ve Maybe not in their DNA, but the stats say mediocrity has a place at the gained a real respect for how hard it is to win. And lucky too, I don’t think Stars’ table. Since Gaglardi bought the team in the fall of 2011, the team we’ve have had that yet. One of these days it’s going to come together is 295-232-62 with two playoff appearances, and four head coaches. and we’re going to go on a run. That’s the sport.” According to my good friends at the Elias Sports Bureau, the Stars’ The Stars’ entire culture depends on it. record ranks 16th in the NHL in that period. If you don’t like the word mediocre, here are some synonyms: Average, middling, ordinary, Star-Telegram LOADED: 01.31.2019 common, tolerable, or ... the Dallas Cowboys. The NHL All-Star break is over, and the Stars have the remainder of the season to prove Gaglardi right, and their head coach wrong. By the narrowest of margins, they are currently in the playoffs, and exactly one loss from falling out. The proof is irrefutable: The Stars are mediocre, and Lites can call out forwards Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin all he wants, but he may want to look at himself, and at the GM he personally escorted from Detroit to Texas, Jim Nill, to rebuild this team. It’s not as if management has been killing it with the Stars in this magical run of adequacy (a synonym for mediocre). “Jim has done a super job in a lot of facets. In others, there is an opportunity to do better,” Gaglardi said. “I don’t know if you can answer it beyond the results. A lot of this is out of Jim’s hands. We have had players who have not played. Last year, we had a goalie who had a fluke knee injury and then we collapsed. And sometimes our best players have not been our best players.” When Gaglardi bought the team, he envisioned his young roster was good enough to morph into a Chicago lite, and go on multiple deep playoff runs. The theory was plausible, and not a delusion of a neophyte NHL owner. The presence of Benn and Seguin were akin to the Blackhawks’ young forwards, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. There were no comparisons, however, between the two rosters after those duos. “And when I said that it was the end of the era of teams being able to assemble a lot of great players and you could expect to make the playoffs several years in a row,” Gaglardi said. “The salary cap has changed that.” Even if you buy that, every time the Stars have a strength, their weakness undermines them. When they have scoring, they don’t have defense. Their goalie would let them down. They collapse in a prolonged stretch. There is always something. Now, for the first time since Gaglardi bought the team, they have competent and skilled defensemen. That means, of course, the team can’t score. The Stars currently rank a putrid 29th in the NHL in goals per game. The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 25, and Gaglardi expects the Stars to do something. They are too close not to try. “If we can improve the team we are going to do that,” he said. “If we are going to change the mix, we are going to score some goals.” The Stars have three players who score, and the rest have not provided. 1103967 Dallas Stars 4. Aside from that goal, this was a pretty slow game overall. The second period was especially tame, and even with the margin at a single goal and Buffalo emptying its net, there was no real threat in the final minute. Stars 20/20: A strong start and Ben Bishop’s dominance helps Stars beat However, there was a moment in the third period that made for an Sabres in first game after break entertaining picture afterwards. Benn and Jeff Skinner were going at it for a bit on the ice and carried the conversation over when both went to the bench. While they were airing their grievances, enjoyed By Sean Shapiro and Saad Yousuf Jan 30, 2019 a front-row seat to it all, captured perfectly in this picture. WHEN YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS  PIC.TWITTER.COM/WYNPPHAYOI After 11 days off, the Dallas Stars returned to the ice and beat the Buffalo Sabres 1-0. — DALLAS STARS (@DALLASSTARS) JANUARY 31, 2019 Jamie Benn scored the lone goal in the opening period on an assist from 5. Jason Dickinson was visibly upset in the third period as he headed to Taylor Fedun. the locker room, slamming his stick in the tunnel. After the game, Montgomery said Dickinson suffered a lower-body injury that the team 1. Ben Bishop was phenomenal, which is obvious in more ways than believes to be minor, but they will see how he feels tomorrow. one. When the opposing team doesn’t score, that’s a pretty good indication the goalie had a good night. Historically speaking, we should 6. While the Stars got the win and two points, this was the fifth time in the have seen it coming. Bishop moved to 11-0-1 all-time against Buffalo and last six games that they scored just one goal or less. Regardless, Bishop got his second career shutout against the Sabres. and Montgomery remain confident that the offense will improve. There was a span of 10 seconds in the third period when the Sabres had “We got a lot of guys in here that can score a lot of goals,” Bishop said. a couple of great looks, but Bishop used his stick to poke the puck away “I’m not too worried about the goal production. Any given night, these and then gathered himself and caught a shot in the middle just a few guys can break out. They’ve done it before, we’ve seen it this year. You seconds later. That pretty much sealed the game. got to find different ways to win each night and if we can get a 1-0 win, we’ll take it because there are going to be some other nights where we Buffalo did sneak one past him early in the final period but it was need some more and these guys will be there for us.” immediately waived off for goaltender interference and remained that way despite a Buffalo challenge. “In the third period, I thought we sat back a little bit which I thought kept us from gaining opportunities,” Montgomery said. “We keep playing good “The D did a good job in front of me, a lot of big blocked shots there at defense, we’re going to get offense. That’s got to be our identity going the end of the game,” Bishop said. forward.” “As the game progressed, I thought he got better and better,” head coach 7. The two players who will likely finish second and third in the Calder Jim Montgomery said. “In the third, he was our best player and he had to Trophy voting for rookie of the year went head-to-head. be. He really broke pucks out really well in the third period.” Miro Heiskanen, the third overall pick in 2017 and the only rookie As far as what it is about the Sabres that brings out the best in Bishop, defenseman at the NHL All-Star game, shared the ice with 2018 No. 1 he just provided a smile, said he’d knock on wood, and that he didn’t overall pick and fellow teenager Rasmus Dahlin. Heiskanen made some want to talk about it so he can keep it going. great plays. 2. There was some curiosity about who had the scheduling advantage, 8. Because of travel complications, Denis Gurianov was a bit late in given the Stars were playing their first hockey game in 11 days while the arriving to Dallas and missed the formal part of the Stars’ morning skate. Sabres played their second in 24 hours. Gurianov was putting on his pads to join the voluntary part of the skate “I think they have the advantage the first 30 [minutes] and we have the when Montgomery walked in and welcomed him back to Dallas after a advantage in the second 30 [minutes],” Montgomery said after morning busy week that included playing in four AHL games and competing in the skate. AHL All-Star Classic on Monday night. It didn’t quite work out like that. Rust didn’t seem to be much of a “Denis, welcome back man,” Montgomery said. “All-Star. It’s good to hindrance for the Stars, as they collectively played their best in the first have an all-star in our lineup.” period. Gurianov began the game with Roope Hintz and Brett Ritchie and looked “You always expect after a long layoff that you’re not at game speed, but good early. I give our players credit,” Montgomery said after the win. “We had three “I thought he was great in the first period,” Montgomery said. “That one great practices and it was at a high pace so we felt that we were shift, him and Roope Hintz, the speed and the skill alone, you could see prepared and that we’d be confident. The players played confidently right Buffalo was like, who are these guys? They were on their heels. I thought from the start, which was great to see.” he got tired because he hasn’t had a lot of time off and been a little bit of “We played a real solid hockey game for 10 days off. We didn’t look a whirlwind, I thought he got tired at the end.” sloppy out there. Could we have made more plays? Yeah, you can make 9. The Stars started with this lineup: more plays every night but we played together and we played well as a team. It’s a really good start here after that 10 days off.” Jamie Benn – Radek Faksa – Blake Comeau 3. The “game-winning” goal came in the first half of the first period. Jamie Mattias Janmark – Tyler Seguin – Alexander Radulov Benn did the nifty work to get the puck in, but Taylor Fedun deserves a lot of credit for a great job keeping it inside the zone. Andrew Cogliano – Jason Dickinson – Jason Spezza CAPITALIZING OFF OF MISTAKES. FEDUN MAKES A HEADS-UP Denis Gurianov – Roope Hintz – Brett Ritchie PLAY AND BENN BEATS ULLMARK FOR HIS 19TH GOAL OF THE Esa Lindell – SEASON. #GOSTARS PIC.TWITTER.COM/MGJSPM2WJW Miro Heiskanen – Roman Polak — DALLAS STARS (@DALLASSTARS) JANUARY 31, 2019 Jamie Oleksiak – Taylor Fedun “Looking for those kinds of plays from everybody,” Montgomery said. “That’s smart. Up in the ice, that’s what we want. We want five guys 10. Oleksiak returned to Dallas after getting re-acquired by the Stars on together so he keeps the puck alive, makes a nice play to Jamie and Monday in exchange for a fourth-round pick, which was essentially a re- Jamie did the rest.” do button on a trade the teams made in December of 2017. The goal gave Benn consecutive games with a point for the first time Oleksiak had fallen out of favor in Pittsburgh as the Penguins had nine since before Christmas. He had an assist in the final game before the healthy NHL defensemen, and when Penguins general manager Jim break against Winnipeg. Rutherford looked at his team Oleksiak didn’t fit into the long-term picture, despite signing an extension last summer. “His last game against Winnipeg was really good, and tonight he was really good again,” Montgomery said. “He’s physical, he looked like a Oleksiak said he had a feeling a trade was coming and had somewhat beast out there tonight. With [Radek] Faksa and [Blake] Comeau, that’s a accepted a move would happen sooner rather than later. It also wasn’t hard line to play against.” going to be difficult to move, since Oleksiak was still on a month-to- month lease on his apartment in Pittsburgh. But Oleksiak never imagined he would be dealt back to Dallas. So when 16. While Oleksiak was returning to play with Dallas, Remi Elie also he got the call from Rutherford that he had been traded, the biggest returned to Dallas for the first time since leaving the organization back in shock came when he was informed of his destination. October. Oleksiak was it was a whirlwind a “kind of crazy” when he thinks about Elie was claimed on waivers by the Sabres on Oct. 2 and has served the entire situation, but also said that he was hopeful for a fresh start with primarily as the 13th forward for Buffalo. Wednesday’s game was his the franchise that had originally drafted him with the 14th overall pick in 15th of the season, and Elie entered the meeting with Dallas with an 2011. assist and a minus-2 rating. 11. Oleksiak was on the ice for 13:03 in his Stars debut this season and After taking part in a highly-optional morning skate, Elie said that he’s looked solid. He laid a couple of hits and established a presence that is been adjusting well to Buffalo and it’s been a good experience for his different than the rest of Dallas’ defensemen. family, which lives five hours away in Cornwall, Ontario. “I loved him,” Montgomery said. “I thought he played a really good game. When Elie was playing in Dallas, his parents rarely made it down to His size, his speed, he was physical [and] moved pucks efficiently. I watch him play because of travel logistics. Now that he’s in Buffalo, his thought he made us a lot better.” parents will sometimes leave work early and make it to Western New York in time for the game. 12. Fedun, Oleksiak’s defensive partner on Wednesday, had this game circled when he looked at the upcoming schedule. 17. The Stars started working on marketing materials for the 2020 Winter Classic this week and had a group of six players — Bishop, Klingberg, Fedun was traded from Buffalo to Dallas on Nov. 10 in exchange for a Heiskanen, Seguin, Benn, and Radulov — take part in a photo shoot at conditional seventh-round pick. Fedun was struggling to stay in the lineup the historic Cotton Bowl stadium. for the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, because of the AHL veteran rule. If it were based on merit, Fedun would have been “It’s pretty neat when you are by yourself in a huge stadium like that and playing every night for Rochester, but AHL rules only allow six players you imagine what it’s going to look like,” Bishop said. “It was a beautiful with 260 career games or more in the lineup. day to begin with and then it was just neat to be out there in the hockey gear in the middle of a football stadium.” “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have this one circled on the calendar for a little while,” Fedun said. “There are no hard feelings or anything like that, The photo shoot was done in the Stars’ home green jerseys, so there but it was a situation where they had a lot of bodies there. So to move weren’t any clues to glean about the specialty jersey Dallas will actually me somewhere like here where I have an opportunity, I’m just excited to wear in the New Year’s Day game against the Nashville Predators. see some familiar faces.” 18. Four-year-old Renley Tunell and her family were guests in the Stars The trade originally looked like an insurance policy to help the AHL- locker room after morning skate. affiliated Texas Stars, and Fedun did play three games with Texas, but the 30-year-old has been a lineup fixture for Dallas since Nov. 23, only Renley was a guest of John Klingberg through the Klinger’s Kids program missing one game due to illness. and has a congenital heart defect. She was born without the organ’s left ventricle. The four-year-old was accompanied by her parents, Eric and It’s a move that has also worked out well for both teams. Under the Stephanie, and her older sister, 10-year-old Vivian. conditions of the deal, Fedun needed to play 25 NHL games for Buffalo to receive a pick. When Fedun hit that mark right before the Stars bye Renley was particularly curious about Ben Bishop’s height and the size of week the Sabres picked up a draft pick while the Fedun’s production has the pads belonging to the 6-foot-7 goalie. been well worth a seventh-round selection. At one point, Renley stood next to Bishop’s pads and took a picture with 13. Fedun was actually back in Rochester during the bye week, spending the piece of equipment that was taller than than her. time with his wife, who is a nursing student back at the University of 19. It was one the Stars’ most heavily-scouted games of the season; 19 Rochester. teams had at least one scout in attendance on Wednesday. “I was back and shoveled the sidewalk every day,” Fedun said. “We’ve SCOUT LIST FOR STARS-SABRES THIS EVENING: VANCOUVER, been there for two and a half years and with my wife in school in VEGAS, NJ, NASHVILLE, MONTREAL, PITTSBURGH (X2), CHICAGO, Rochester, that part has been tough. But from the hockey side, the TAMPA, LA, WINNIPEG, ANAHEIM, NY ISLANDERS, MINNESOTA, professional side, it’s been incredible.” DETROIT, TORONTO, EDMONTON, PHILLY, SAN JOSE, OTTAWA Fedun knows that his trade to Dallas likely saved his NHL career. It’s — SEAN SHAPIRO (@SEANSHAPIRO) JANUARY 31, 2019 something players never like to admit, but there comes a point where a 30-year-old in the AHL starts to realize he may never get back to the This is going to be the norm for the next month or so, especially with the NHL. Stars’ willingness to be a rather active participant in the trade market. Teams are going to be watching for potential additions, while others will “You kind of sit back in that situation and you wonder how much longer keep a close eye on what the Stars are up to. At this point, intel is the you are able to make a career of this,” Fedun said. “I’d be lying if I said I most valuable currency. thought I for sure was going to get back to this level. Then to get traded and have this opportunity and be around like this thus far, it’s crazy. To 20. Here is how the Stars did in the various elements of Montgomery’s get the opportunity and keep the mental confidence to play at this level Process: still, it’s wild.” Win 56 percent of faceoffs: Failed, they won 43.1% of faceoffs. 14. While Fedun was in the lineup, Connor Carrick and Julius Honka were watching from the press box against Buffalo as healthy scratches. Zero undisciplined penalties: Failed. Before the Oleksiak trade, Carrick and Honka had yo-yoed back and Three or fewer odd-man rushes: Passed. forth for that spot on the third pair next to Fedun. With Oleksiak’s Win net-front battle: Passed addition, the seventh and eighth defenders are facing a difficult slope to playing time. Win special teams: Passed, didn’t score on the power play but did a good job on the penalty kill. Montgomery said as much on Tuesday when he confirmed that Oleksiak would be playing every game, and his top five defenders aren’t really in The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 any danger of coming out. If you read the tea leaves of the Carrick-Honka pecking order, Carrick seems to have the leg up after he played the final two games before the break and volunteered to spend the Stars’ bye week playing in the AHL on a conditioning stint. That’s a team-first type move by Carrick, and when the coaches are picking between two players they really don’t want to play, every little bit can help nudge their minds in your direction. 15. Either way, it certainly feels like the Stars will make another trade involving a defender before the Feb. 25 deadline. 1103968 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings assign Michael Rasmussen to minors (conditioning)

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

Published 4:51 p.m. ET Jan. 30, 2019

As the Detroit Red Wings come out of break, Michael Rasmussen is headed to the minors.

He was assigned to Grand Rapids Wednesday for a conditioning stint. He hasn’t played since being sidelined by a nagging hamstring injury Jan. 4.

More: A check on Red Wings' top five prospects

Rasmussen, 19, has six goals and seven assists in 41 games with the Wings. He is tied for second on the team with three power play goals. Rasmussen, the ninth overall pick in 2017, is not eligible to play in Grand Rapids this season except on a conditioning stint because he has junior eligibility left.

The Wings have been on break since Jan. 23. They resume practice Thursday afternoon, and host the Toronto Maple Leafs Friday at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103969 Detroit Red Wings “He’s for sure a better defensive player than he was,” Horcoff said. “On top of that, he’s having his best year offensively. There’s good signs on both sides of the puck.”

Inside the rebuild: A check on Detroit Red Wings' top five prospects That's a reminder of Larkin — since entering the NHL in 2015, a year after the Wings drafted him at 15th overall, he has worked hard on his game to become a complete player, using his speed to be effective on Helene St. James, Detroit Free both sides of the puck. Is that a realistic expectation for Veleno?

Press Published 1:04 p.m. ET Jan. 30, 2019 | Updated 5:11 p.m. ET Jan. “It’d be fantastic if he can turn out to be someone like Larkin,” Horcoff 30, 2019 said. “If we have two guys like that, we’d be in good shape. Now, Dylan got here by work ethic. You see how long it takes, and he has great

focus. There’s only so much growth at the junior hockey level — once The Detroit Red Wings brought in 21 players for the rebuild over the last you come to the pros, even the minors, then you get exposed and you two drafts, including several high-end forwards. have to adjust and fine-tune your game even more.”

As the 2018-19 season heads into the stretch drive — be it at the junior Veleno, 19, is eligible to play in Grand Rapids next season. level or in Sweden — a handful of those players look like promising D Gustav Lindstrom pieces for the Wings’ future. Pieces that down the road will join the core already in Detroit, a group headlined by Dylan Larkin and including Drafted: 38th, 2017. Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou, Tyler Bertuzzi. 2018-19 stats: 3 goals, 3 assists in 36 games with Frolunda (SHL). While Filip Zadina’s scoring potential makes him the team’s top prospect, Joe Veleno’s buzz is almost as loud. He and Larkin, the Wings’ first- Buzz: He’s the top defensive prospect in the organization, just edging out round pick from 2014, could be a knockout 1-2 punch at center Jared McIsaac because Lindstrom, 20, has more experience. He’s eventually. already playing among older men in the Swedish Hockey League, where he averages 18:17 of ice time per game. Lindstrom, who shoots right, Here are the top five prospects in the Wings organization. The list does plays on both special teams with the Indians, with a bigger power-play not include young players who already have made inroads with the team role. He has the skill set to do both at the NHL level, maybe more so as a (Michael Rasmussen, , Filip Hronek, Evgeny second-unit power-play guy and primary penalty killer. Svechnikov). D Jared McIsaac F Filip Zadina Drafted: 36th, 2018. Drafted: Sixth, 2018. 2018-19 stats: 9 goals, 24 assists in 32 games with Halifax (QMJHL). 2018-19 stats: 11 goals, 10 assists in 36 games with Grand Rapids (AHL). Buzz: Played for Canada at 2019 World Junior Championships (one assist in four games). He’s a good all-around defenseman who skates Buzz: Returned from Junior World Championships (one assist in five well, plays physical and is hard to play against. He’s a penalty killer, but games) and produced two goals and one assist in his second game could forge a role as a power-play point man if his shot improves and he back. He had no points the next six games, then scored his 11th goal of learns to get pucks through from the blue line and if he displays the the season. He’s had four two-goal performances. vision to read penalty kills.

Overall, Zadina looks better than he did in his first few months adjusting F Jonatan Berggren to pro hockey. He needs to continue to improve at winning puck battles, and once that part of his game matures, he’ll have more offensive Drafted: 33rd, 2018. opportunities. It’s worth remembering Zadina just turned 19 on Nov. 27. 2018-19 stats: Three assists in 16 games with Skelleftea (Swedish The Griffins are home for much of February, and team personnel, led by Hockey League). director of player development Shawn Horcoff, plan to take advantage of Buzz: Has been sidelined by back surgery since December, but is having more access to Zadina. expected to start skating soon. Even though his season largely has been “It gives us development guys the time to go down there and do some defined by injury, he makes the top-five cut because of his top-six work with him, focus on his game and get some good reps in,” Horcoff potential on the wing. Berggren has it all — he’s skilled, fast and a terrific said. “We want him to get better at bringing the puck into scoring areas. playmaker with excellent hands. For a shooter like him, he’s trying to find the open ice. We also want him to defer more, not try to do everything by himself — have more of a give- and-go as he tries to find open spots.” Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.31.2019

F Joe Veleno

Drafted: 30th, 2018.

2018-19 stats: 31 goals, 42 assists in 39 games with Drummondville (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League).

Buzz: Played for Canada at 2019 World Junior Championships (two assists in five games). Returned to juniors and just had a seven-game point streak (eight goals, seven assists) snapped. He’s having a career year offensively, already blowing by the 22 goals he scored and closing in on the 79 points he produced in 2017-18. But it’s the defensive side of his game that the Wings want to see improve.

“He’s all ears for what it will take,” Horcoff said. “He’s not there yet, but he’s getting good NHL habits into his system.”

Veleno is a swift skater who can get into good scoring spots. That’s another area he needs to work on — similarly to Mantha, Veleno has a tendency to look for the perfect play rather than go to his shot — so improving his release is another area of improvement o.

The Wings want Veleno to be a complete center at both ends. 1103970 Detroit Red Wings But there is the likelihood Steve Yzerman will become available July 1 after his contract with Tampa expires. Nearly every NHL analyst believes Yzerman will return to the organization he starred for as a player, to Many questions about Red Wings will be answered soon become a valuable member of the front office.

What role would there be for Yzerman? And what it does it mean for Holland? Stay tuned. Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Q. What is coach Jeff Blashill’s future? Published 5:33 p.m. ET Jan. 30, 2019 | Updated 5:10 a.m. ET Jan. 31, 2019 A. Blashill is in the final year of his contract. Blashill and Holland are expected to discuss the future soon.

Though the Wings’ record is poor, the development of the young players, Detroit — For the Red Wings, it’s time to get back to work. and the team’s work ethic and competitiveness, are major factors on Blashill’s side. They’ll hold practice Thursday, working to get eight days of rust knocked off, and quickly turn around to play Friday against Toronto. But the final two months will offer a final determination.

With the conclusion of this “bye” week, it’s full speed ahead to the finish Q. Will Filip Zadina make his NHL debut? line. A. Zadina has shown glimpses of his potential in Grand Rapids, after The Wings have 31 games remaining and with 45 points sit 28th in the being drafted No. 6 overall by the Wings last summer, but the adjustment league overall standings — only two points off the league cellar-dweller period from junior to pro hockey is hardly complete. Ottawa (43 points). The Wings could bring Zadina up for up to nine games — any more and Many fans will want to see the Wings collapse further, finish with the his entry-level contract kicks in — but whether he’s done enough to earn worst record, and have the best odds to select forward Jack Hughes that promotion is debatable. (USA National Development Team) in the Entry Draft. If the Wings are suddenly hit with injuries, it would be an easy call. But, Other fans … well, no, judging by social media, most all want to see the otherwise, it will be interesting to see whether Zadina gets that Wings lose and get the best odds. promotion.

But there are many other items that will be worth watching in these final Q. Can Dylan Larkin finish the season a point-per-game player? two months and a week. A. The point-per-game statistic is always a good indication of an Here are 10 things to keep an eye on with the Red Wings: outstanding offensive season.

Question: Who will remain here after the trade deadline? Larkin has 48 points in 51 games, and certainly has played well enough, and consistently enough, to give himself a chance for that type of Answer: That’ll get here quick, on Feb. 25, and judging by general season. manager Ken Holland’s comments last week, maybe the Wings aren’t going to be as active as most analysts anticipated. Larkin seems to be gaining chemistry with linemates Gustav Nyquist and Tyler Bertuzzi, which would only increase his chances of offensive Holland envisions this roster contending for a playoff spot next season, success. with the young players on this team being one year older and more productive. Q. Can Andreas Athanasiou reach 30 goals?

With that in mind, unrestricted free agents such as goaltender Jimmy A. Thirty goals seemed almost like a lock, but going without a goal in Howard, forward Gustav Nyquist and defenseman could be seven of his last eight games has made the milestone a little more re-signed to solidify the lineup. difficult to achieve.

There likely will be more teams selling, rather than buying, which could Athanasiou has a tendency to go through these types of slumps, and make the potential returns in trades rather meager. But, particularly for maybe there is an upturn coming. players like Nyquist and Jensen — goaltenders like Howard don’t have much of a market unless there’s an injury on a contending team — there Considering the consistency he’s shown this season, getting to 30 goals could be growing interest right before the deadline. would be a worthy accomplishment for Athanasiou.

Q. How will players like Dennis Cholowski, Filip Hronek and Michael Q. Is this the end for Niklas Kronwall? Rasmussen finish this season? A. An unrestricted free agent on July 1, Kronwall, 38, has all but A. Cholowski was a healthy scratch the last two games before the break, confirmed this is his final season. losing his spot in the lineup to Hronek. But, while preparing for the exit, Kronwall has put together one of his Incidentally, it was Hronek who was sent back to Grand Rapids during better seasons from a defensive and physical standpoint, in recent years. the break to play and remain sharp. Is that enough to convince Kronwall to play one more season?

Will Hronek be recalled once the NHL schedule resumes? And will it Q. Can Anthony Mantha finish strongly? mean a trip to Grand Rapids for Cholowski? A. A hand injury knocked Mantha out of the lineup for six weeks, and The grind of the NHL appeared to catch up to Cholowski, whose wounded his opportunity for 30 goals. effectiveness and confidence waned in recent weeks. At this point, a 20-25 goal season, with the continued overall Rasmussen has been nursing a hamstring injury before the break, and development Mantha showed in many games before the break — his hadn’t played since Jan. 4. passing has been noteworthy — would be a positive step forward.

A good, positive finish by all three young players would give them, and Q. Will the Red Wings finish with the NHL’s worst record? the Wings, a lift heading into the summer. A. Much depends on what Ottawa does with forwards Mark Stone and Dennis Cholowski Matt Duchene, both potential unrestricted free agents.

Q. What does general manager Kenny Holland’s future look like? If the Senators trade both before Feb. 25, the Senators become, A. With one year left on his contract, it surely doesn’t appear Holland is basically, a minor-league team and will easily finish with the worst record. going anywhere, especially the way he’s planning for next season. Los Angeles, too, will lose quite a bit.

Ownership certainly appears comfortable with the path the Wings are on. I see the Red Wings finishing about where they are now, overall, about five spots from the bottom. Michael Rasmussen was assigned to Grand Rapids Wednesday for a conditioning stint.

Rasmussen last played on Jan. 4 due to a nagging hamstring injury. In 41 games this season the rookie forward had six goals and seven assists with 19 penalty minutes.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, a conditioning period cannot last for more than two weeks.

Detroit News LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103971 Detroit Red Wings “It’ll be Matt Shaw. And not necessarily — like, Filip’s not weak — but Matt’s so good at getting guys to be in tune with their body, something Filip’s already good at, but I think he’ll be able to help Filip even more Red Wings prospect report: Filip Larsson and Vili Saarijarvi self-correct, auto-correct things and get his body ready for pro hockey.”

In addition to the all-around improvement that will be required as he grows, Carle and Larsson both highlighted puck play and stickhandling By Max Bultman as an area for the goaltender to improve.

Jan 30, 2019 As he prepared to depart from Lawson last weekend, Larsson remained generally level-headed despite the tough outing. He talked about how he

enjoyed the taunts from the Western Michigan student section (“I like it KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Filip Larsson had had some time to think about when they cheer my name and say that I suck. That gets me going, it, after being pulled halfway through his worst statistical start of the actually”) and said he’s hoping to bounce back quick enough to earn a season. But for a freshman goaltender on the heels of a rough night, the Friday start against North Dakota this weekend. That’s the same way he response was nonetheless surprising. tries to play, staying calm and maintaining his position.

Larsson had just allowed five goals on 24 shots in less than two periods He was mindful that it’s been a short season, all told, and with that he against Western Michigan when he was asked, outside the Lawson Ice understands the need to eliminate games like the one Saturday. He Arena visitor’s locker room Saturday night, what he had seen out there. wants to take the next step.

“Apparently not the puck,” he said, laughing. But to hear Carle tell it, his goalie’s patience should still be expected to persist. Some cursory analysis followed, but really, Larsson’s quick joke told a lot in itself. This was a goalie playing in just his 10th collegiate game for “I think one of the cool things about Filip is he’s not in a rush,” Carle said. Denver, and while you could tell he was not happy with the performance, “He’s a 20-year-old freshman, and he’s a highly touted prospect, but he he also wasn’t going to dwell on it. waited to come to college. He’s on a little bit of a longer path. And so I think that bodes well for his future. He’s patient. It’s about the long game “These nights come,” he said. “It happens, time to time, so it’s just for him. It’s not necessarily about getting there tomorrow, it’s about bounce back next weekend. Nothing more I could do, really. Maybe a getting there at the right time so that he can stay there for how long he puck or so that I could save, but overall I felt good. My body felt good.” wants.”

In a postgame radio interview, Denver coach David Carle said he pulled Vili Saarijarvi, D, Grand Rapids (AHL) Larsson because the team’s defense wasn’t supporting him enough. “I don’t think he deserved to be in there when we’re not going to defend the Just up US-131 from where Larsson was playing over the weekend, the net front,” Carle said. were busy with a two-game series against one of the AHL’s best teams, the San Jose Barracuda. But really, Larsson’s lighthearted reaction to a clearly unpleasant night may have been more fitting for one of the Red Wings’ top goalie Grand Rapids has seen more than its fair share of transactions this prospects. season, with the Red Wings’ injury woes necessitating a steady stream of call-ups — especially on the blueline. Larsson, who led the USHL in save percentage last year at .941, has a reputation for being a composed player. Tri-City Storm coach Anthony But one of Detroit’s highest-rated prospects (no, not that one) who hasn’t Noreen praised Larsson when we spoke last year for not putting himself yet made the leap is Vili Saarijarvi, the speedy defenseman Detroit in bad situations, and as the goalie has taken the step up to the NCAA, it drafted in the third round in 2015. sure sounds like that’s carried over. It’s been an interesting year for Saarijarvi, who, production-wise, has thus “He’s been really good,” Carle said before the game. “After he got injured far managed just the same 11 points he had through four fewer AHL last year, not played a game in almost 10 months, (I) thought he has games a year ago. And yet, at least when I’ve been there to watch, he adjusted to college hockey really well. His brain and hockey sense, I can look like one of the most dynamic players on the ice when he’s on think, has allowed him to do that. Really (an) aware goaltender, knows his game. That clause, though, has been an important caveat. the position at an elite level, understands his game at a really high level. “Vili’s been a little bit inconsistent,” Griffins coach Ben Simon said. “I He can make adjustments game-to-game, practice-to-practice, and just mean, there are games where he’s been tremendous with the puck, he’s really is a calm and composed goaltender.” been moving his feet, he’s been dynamic going back and getting pucks. Larsson’s numbers no longer look as impressive as they did before And there have been other games where he’s been a little bit slow in Saturday, with the barrage of goals lowering his save percentage to .907. making decisions, handling it too much and not making the quick But don’t be too deceived by that, either — he was at .919 entering the decision.” night, and for a Red Wings system in dire need of a goalie prospect to The biggest thing, Simon said, is confidence. When it’s there, Saarijarvi make the proverbial leap, Larsson is among the best, if not the best, plays well, and when it’s not, “he tends to let it snowball in the wrong positioned to do so. direction.” The injury Carle referenced, of course, would count as one of the main This naturally leads to the age-old sports cliché about not letting the obstacles to that. highs get too high or the lows too low, but ultimately, in this case, they Last year, Larsson suffered a groin injury that cost him much of the probably hold. season, and upon arriving at Denver, discovered via MRI that built-up In terms of technical specifics, Simon is looking for Saarijarvi to utilize his scar tissue would force him to have surgery to clear it out in September. skating more in the defensive zone, getting back to pucks to avoid having He said he worked hard for five to six weeks with the team’s strength to actually battle for them. With his speed, if he can retrieve a loose puck coach and that while it’s been a bit sore (going from not playing for nine quickly enough, his size (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) won’t have to come into months to getting back-to-back weekend starts of late will do that), it play as much. hasn’t affected his game. “A lot of times, with bigger, stronger guys, once it gets to a 50-50 battle, UMass Lowell coach Norm Bazin, whose team faced Larsson earlier this it’s not truly a 50-50 battle just based on the size,” Simon said. “So he’s season, said of him: “He was very good. … He’s a good goalie who’s gotta focus on getting in there first, quick feet to be able to pivot, go back going to be very good, very fast, I think.” and get pucks so he can get on that puck first to be able to use his Still, for an injury like the groin, it’s something to be mindful of going biggest asset, which is his deception and his skating.” forward. Larsson’s track record suggests he has the tools to be a big- It would be one thing if, for a small defenseman, the d-zone was the only time prospect for the Red Wings, but it won’t matter if injuries derail that area with needed improvement. You can usually forgive some of that for opportunity. a smaller player if he adds enough offense. That’s where the production “I do think him getting to where he wants to get to, his biggest supporter comes into play, though. in getting there will be our strength and conditioning coach,” Carle said. From watching Saarijarvi, I do think there’s more in there, and the numbers never tell the whole story. But you also can’t take for granted that it will just materialize. Simon would like to see Saarijarvi make good, quick decisions, not second-guessing himself so much and being willing to live with mistakes as they come. That goes back to the confidence factor. He has been improving at walking the blueline, though, and when it comes to shooting, Saarijarvi is learning he doesn’t need to force pucks at the net at the expense of accuracy or possession.

“You just try to find the lane, and if it’s not there then maybe not try to force them,” he said. “Just take a shot to the back board and it bounces in front of the net, or just to get behind the goal line and we can — like, we have a lot of good, hard-working forwards, so every time we get behind the goal line they can grind out and make some plays from there. We get the puck there and they can always get it back to us at the point. It’s our job to not get the shot blocked and get it through or at least back behind the net.”

They’re small things, but that can be the difference between maintaining possession and not.

For what it’s worth, I still watch him and think it’s going to all come together at some point. The skating ability just offers so many options. When we spoke last week, Saarijarvi felt good about his improvements in recognizing plays defensively and being able to shut them down earlier. That’s a good place to work from. He’s been doing video work with Dan Cleary via email.

But ultimately, Saarijarvi’s first step has to be getting the absolute most out of arguably his best trait. It certainly sounds odd for a small, speedy defenseman to be needing to move his feet more, but at the same time, if that’s what’s holding him back, it could be a fairly simple fix.

“I have to keep moving my feet, that’s a big thing we’ve been talking (about),” Saarijarvi said. “When I keep doing that, all my offensive abilities become more effective and I can be more at my best, I think.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103972 Edmonton Oilers

Oilers in 60: Is it Saturday yet? Where's Connor McDavid?

TREVOR ROBB

Updated: January 30, 2019

It’s been more than a week since the Oilers last played a hockey game and fans are either enjoying the time away or are going completely insane waiting.

All work and no hockey makes Oilers fans, something something…

What to do? What to do?

The Oilers will eventually play the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday at 11 a.m. but that’s still three whole days away — three whole days.

This break is ridiculously long.

In the meantime, we thought it would be fun to share our rejected intro for Oilers in 60 — it did not go over well with the powers that be. It’s not good, but it’s not supposed to be.

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103973 Edmonton Oilers the offensive zone. It’s how fast can we get into that zone and keep it in that zone. That’s the whole focus of everything we’re trying to do.

“It’s based on my 30 games of observation. I’m trying to change the belief JONES: Hitch says expect changes in personnel, style, mindset of Oilers system. I’m trying to elevate the belief system.

“This was all done with careful consideration of the rest of the team — Terry Jones veteran players, leaders, everything. It was done with a lot of work put forward by a lot of people. We just didn’t take a holiday. January 30, 2019 9:59 PM MST “To me, when you hesitate you lose. I’m trying to get rid of all the hesitation.”

Congratulations, Hitch. Well deserved. To me, it’s about winning the little battles and the little races to the puck. When these Oilers do that, they win. When they don’t, they lose. Now … What have you done for us lately? “You’re 100 per cent right,” said Hitchcock. “At the end of the day what Ken Hitchcock, it was announced in Edmonton Wednesday morning, had you can write is the next 32 games are going to tell you how dug in the been selected as a recipient of the Order of Hockey in Canada. Edmonton Oilers are.” Ever since the Edmonton native and former skate sharpener at United I asked the new member of the Order of Hockey in Canada how he Cycle came out of retirement to take over as coach of the Oilers it’s been would compare what he’s putting into this hockey club at the moment a celebration of the man almost everybody in town simply refers to as compared to what he’s put in to it at any point throughout his career. ‘Hitch.’ “I am dug in deeper than I’ve ever been in any situation because this And there will be more celebrations to come following his induction here means everything to me. You know how I feel about this city and you this summer. know how I feel about this team. This means everything to me.” Hitchcock, with the third most wins in NHL coaching history, is a lock for the , the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame and other major recognition. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.31.2019 But Thursday is Jan. 31, the day the Oilers return from their 10-day break and it really is about ‘What have you done for us lately?’

“I agree with that,” said Hitchcock later in the afternoon as he completed a significant set of plans to remodel his 23-24-3 Oilers significantly in terms of concepts and approach to head down the stretch, knowing with the sorry salary cap situation left by fired general manager Peter Chiarelli that the cavalry isn’t coming on the trade deadline.

“I didn’t want to wear a suit today. I wanted to be in my office doing my work. So they said ‘Come out for 10 minutes. Put a suit on. And go right back to work. And that’s what I did,” he said of the press conference at .

“My whole focus right now is the Edmonton Oilers. I know I haven’t been here a long time but I’m feeling everybody’s angst over the last 12 or 13 years and that’s my sole focus.”

Hitchcock isn’t going to pass around a blueprint of the plans to fix what clearly has been broken with the last three losses before the break and most nights dating back to Christmas.

After a 9-2-2 start returning from retirement to make himself a sensational story around the NHL, Hitchcock goes into the final 32 games with a 14-14-2 record.

There are 32 games to go and where the Oilers are now positioned, they might need another 9-2-2 stretch somewhere in there to come from off the pace to catch the final wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“One of the things you can say is ‘He didn’t spend the holiday on a holiday. He spent the holiday on reflecting and expect changes in personnel, expect changes in style and expect a more aggressive mindset moving forward.’

“I think that’s real.”

The whole rethink of how he’s going to coach this team coming back from the break will be presented to the players when they return from their time off for a 6 p.m. practice Thursday and a 9 a.m. practice Friday before flying to Philadelphia and Montreal for afternoon games Saturday and Sunday.

“You could also say ‘He asked for other opinions outside the organization and that he turned over every rock he could.’

“I’m not thinking I’m the smartest guy. I wanted people I trust to give me their opinion and they did,” added Hitchcock.

I asked, again without revealing the blueprint, what could the fan expect to see that he hasn’t been witnessing to this point?

“I think the only way you win in the today is by occupying the offensive zone. So we have to find more ways to occupy 1103974 Edmonton Oilers way out of that and I feel like my last few games is starting to go a little better.”

Unfortunately for Brodziak, playing better isn’t always rewarded with Kyle Brodziak looks to expand role with Edmonton Oilers after break more ice time. When the Oilers fall behind, the tendency is to keep putting the Oilers top two lines on the ice.

Derek Van Diest Connor McDavid leads the Oilers in scoring with 29 goals and 73 points in 49 games this season. has 27 goals and 61 points, January 30, 2019 7:33 AM MST while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has 16 goals and 46 points.

“That’s understanding your role and understanding your job and what’s being asked of you,” Brodziak said. “You can’t really complain about it, Coming back from their NHL-mandated five-day break, Edmonton Oilers that’s your job. Sometimes it would be nice to play more, but we have centre Kyle Brodziak hopes to be a bigger contributor to the team’s such high-end guys offensively, that’s their job to score the goals and our playoff aspirations. job is to be good in other parts of the game. I think the more everyone Signed as a free agent this summer to a two-year, $2.3-million contact, has an understanding of what their job is and what their role is, then the Brodziak is in his second stint with the Oilers and has provided the club better off the group is.” with the intangibles they desired. Notes … The Oilers signed defenceman Joel Persson to a one-year The hope is to be able to wring a little more offence out of the 34-year-old contract extension for next season. Persson, 24, who was signed this St. Paul, Alta., product. past off season, has four goals and 22 points in 35 games with the Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League this season. “I definitely think this season has had its ups and downs and it’s probably not been as smooth a transition as I would have liked,” Brodziak said prior to the break. “Saying that, I still think there are some good things to Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 01.31.2019 keep pushing for and hope for things to turn around.”

The Oilers went into the break seventh in the Pacific Division standings, but just three points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

The Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche occupy the two wild card spots with 52 points, with the Vancouver Canucks, (52), Anaheim Ducks (51), Arizona Coyotes (50), St. Louis Blues (49) and Oilers (49) all giving chase.

The Oilers went into the break on a three-game losing streak and fired general manager Peter Chiarelli in the second intermission of a 3-2 loss against the Detroit Red Wings last Tuesday.

Returning from the break, on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday (11 a.m.), the Oilers are looking for more offensive production from their bottom two lines.

Brodziak has four goals and seven points in 48 games for the Oilers this season.

“Points are always kind of a bonus, but it’s not just me, it’s whoever I play with on a line,” Brodziak said. “We’re trying to do a job and that a lot of times starts with a faceoff in the D-zone. So primary, job No. 1 is to win the draw and find a way to get the puck out and the more we do that — the more times we start in our zone and end up in the offensive zone, it’s better for our team. That’s kind of our mindset, we’re trying to get the puck in the offensive zone and push the game in the other direction.”

Originally selected by the Oilers in the seventh round — 214 overall — of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Brodziak spent five seasons in the organization before being traded to the Minnesota Wild.

Once they let him go, the Oilers spent years trying to find a player like Brodziak to help anchor their bottom two lines, win faceoffs and kill penalties.

The team brought him back this summer after six season of performing those roles for Minnesota and the previous three seasons with the St. Louis Blues.

“That’s something I’ve done for a long time, I’m totally comfortable doing that and I know that it’s not always going to be pretty, but it’s part of the job that needs to get done,” Brodziak said. “I felt like we went through a stretch where we were playing really well and probably weren’t getting rewarded as much as we should have been, and then after that kind of fell through a bit of a tough stretch.”

Heading into the break, Brodziak may have been playing his best hockey in his second term with Edmonton. The six-foot-two, 205-pound centre has been more engaged, a bigger threat offensively and an effective penalty killer.

“I’ve definitely felt that way. It hasn’t been all that easy, but I feel like the last few games have slowly been getting better and better and that’s the way I want to trend right now,” Brodziak said. “I want to trend my game in the right direction. It’s all how you handle it and I’m just trying to work my 1103975 Edmonton Oilers Outscoring the other team’s best with 97 and 29 works well: They need a . In 2017-18, with Maroon, the line outscored top opposition 19-11 and held 57 percent of the possession. If Keith Gretzky Lowetide: Finding a path to the playoffs may involve reckless use of wants to help the Oilers make the playoffs, finding the next Maroon is a future assets by the Oilers fine place to start. More in a minute.

The No. 2 line

By Allan Mitchell Rieder-Draisaitl-Chiasson:

Jan 30, 2019 112 minutes, 48.0 Corsi for, 5-1 goals for

Khaira-Nuge-Puljujarvi:

The NHL All-Star break is over and the Edmonton Oilers are chasing a 67 minutes, 48.5 Corsi for, 4-4 goals for playoff spot. The club posted a 4-6-0 record leading up to All-Star Lucic-Nuge-Puljujarvi: weekend, including three losses in a row to wrap up the pre-break schedule. Edmonton is currently 13th in the Western Conference, with a 53 minutes, 44.9 Corsi for, 2-0 goals for goal differential of minus-21 (via hockey-reference). After 50 games, the team had scored 11 goals fewer than NHL average while allowing 11 Nuge-McDavid-Yamamoto: more goals than average. The Oilers scored 30 power-play goals and 72 minutes, 50.3 Corsi for, 1-3 goals for allowed 35 while on the penalty kill (31 was the average total for both after 50 games). There’s chemistry on this line, you can see it when the trio has possession. What’s more, with Nuge playing the Horcoff role (between The break sees the team at a natural crossroads. Although being No. 13 two kids finding their way) the group usually has one forward high when in the conference is a poor position to be in, the Oilers are just three danger strikes. The group hasn’t played together much, and we might points from a playoff spot. Even in the Bettman league (where teams are see Rieder or Chiasson playing with 97, but the two kids have been getting extra points nightly for losing in overtime) that isn’t an impossible making things happen with RNH in just over one hour. hurdle with 32 games to go. Climbing over five other teams is the bigger challenge. The rest

Making the playoffs a priority Edmonton has two centres (Kyle Brodziak, Colby Cave) on the roster and Ryan Spooner in Bakersfield. Hitchcock doesn’t like Spooner in the Bob Nicholson’s words from last week indicated the organization has no middle, and that means the bottom portion of the forward group needs a plans to be a seller at the deadline. Edmonton’s CEO said, “I know replacement for Khaira (who moves up to the second line). Based on the there’s people out there who believe this team can’t make the playoffs, available pieces, I’d suggest the club would be wise to run we believe in the organization, we believe in the dressing room that we and Alex Chiasson with an outside acquisition on a makeshift third line. can.” The fourth line candidates include Brodziak, Cave, , Milan If that’s the backdrop, then coach Ken Hitchcock will be focused on Lucic and Ty Rattie. Based on Hitchcock’s preferences, Brodziak winning and that will impact his decision making in terms of roster and between Lucic and Kassian might be the preferred option. That trio has lineup deployment. If we look at the most successful lines available to the struggled, so Cave and Rattie should be considered based on coach, the priority becomes winning over development. That might mean performance. younger players being sent to (or staying in) Bakersfield for the rest of the season and veterans getting a push. Defence

It may also mean a couple of trades to get the team into a better position We don’t know what we don’t know about the Oilers injury situation as it to make a playoff run. Nicholson mentioned the first-round pick being off pertains to Oscar Klefbom and Andrej Sekera. For our purposes, I’m limits, but there are ways around that hurdle. What does this team need? going to assume Klefbom is healthy during the early part of February and What would the trades look like? that Sekera doesn’t play a regular season game this year. Based on available names, that should mean the top four defence looks like this: Let’s start by looking at the lines this season for Edmonton based on possession and goal differential (using Corsica.Hockey) in an effort to Klefbom-Larsson: find the needs of the team. 510 minutes, 52.8 Corsi for, 15-17 goals for The McDavid line Nurse-Russell: Draisaitl-McDavid-Chiasson: 541 minutes, 46.32 Corsi for, 19-16 goals for 220 minutes, 46.8 Corsi for, 12-9 goals for The Klefbom-Larsson decision is easy, the Oilers have missed that Nuge-McDavid-Rattie: pairing starting the moment of Klefbom’s injury. The second pairing is likely Nurse-Russell despite the wobbly possession number and the lack 92 minutes, 50.0 Corsi for, 4-2 goals for of successful tape-to-tape outlet passes. Ideally, Evan Bouchard steps Nuge-McDavid-Caggiula: into an NHL role next season and helps alleviate the issue, but with prices for defencemen so high at the deadline, the most prudent move 77 minutes, 58.3 Corsi for, 6-4 goals for might be to run with the current group.

Nuge-McDavid-Yamamoto: Trades at the deadline

72 minutes, 50.3 Corsi for, 1-3 goals for The inspiration for this article was an attempt to marry two ideas from one Bob Nicholson sentence from last week into something that would Draisaitl-McDavid-Rattie: resemble an organizational direction:

43 minutes, 50.6 Corsi for, 3-3 goals for “We know we have to bring in some other pieces. We will look to bolster Draisaitl-McDavid-Kassian: our offence and our defence, but we’re not looking to trade our first-round pick.” 35 minutes, 60.4 Corsi for, 4-1 goals for The chief issues, as I see them, are finding a new Maroon, a third-line Obscured in all of these numbers: The McDavid-Draisaitl freeway is right-handed centre to give some kind of structure to the bottom six easily the best option for Edmonton’s top line, but management and forwards and a right-handed defenceman who can pass the puck. Given coaching staff can’t find a third who can contribute. What the duo needs the limits placed on the future by Nicholson’s statement last week, I think is a capable winger, and the numbers suggest Chiasson isn’t that player we have to assume the defensive work is done for the year (the (the possession number for that trio is officially a concern and the line acquisitions of Brandon Manning and Alex Petrovic, plus the return of has been together enough to make the call). Klefbom from IR). I do think the Oilers will be successful in the trade market over the next four weeks, but they’ll need to be shortsighted and aggressive. Some single solution or combination of Kailer Yamamoto, the 2019 second- round pick or perhaps next year’s first-round pick would represent everything from full value to overpay in exchange for Micheal Ferland out of Carolina. He would represent a reasonable facsimile of Patrick Maroon and might be a better player. His cap hit ($1.75 million) can be absorbed by Edmonton, who may be riding Sekera’s LTIR through the entire season. The organization could also cash for a less expensive backup goalie as a possible relief valve, or deal Zack Kassian to make room.

The righty centre issue can be solved any number of ways. Edmonton might be able to acquire another asset (draft pick) by focusing on a player like Riley Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has struggled this season, but in previous campaigns has shown to be an effective checking centre. His possession numbers and shot share are solid, while his goal differential is poor. That may mean a market correction and a solid buy low option. If the Oilers can trade an extra defenceman (say, Matt Benning or Alex Petrovic) for Nash, the club might be able to recover an extra pick in the exchange. Nash has two more years on his contract while Petrovic is a pending UFA. That might be enough (with the Blue Jackets getting out from under the Nash deal) to make the trade palatable for Columbus.

Projected forward lines

Micheal Ferland—Connor McDavid—Leon Draisaitl

Jujhar Khaira—Ryan Nugent-Hopkins—Jesse Puljujarvi

Tobias Rieder—Riley Nash—Alex Chiasson

Milan Lucic—Kyle Brodziak—Zack Kassian

Colby Cave, Ty Rattie

Oscar Klefbom—Adam Larsson

Darnell Nurse—Kris Russell

Caleb Jones—Matt Benning

Brandon Manning

Mikko Koskinen (Cam Talbot)

What does it all mean?

There is a way to marry the two thoughts in the Bob Nicholson statement from last week. I would argue it is reckless, in keeping with Peter Chiarelli’s vision and would leave the new general manager in a very difficult spot come summer. There is a path to competing for the playoffs without trading the first-round pick. If the Oilers are going to make that bold, ill-advised and dangerous move, it will be soon. We wait.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103976 Los Angeles Kings

Jake Muzzin’s jersey number offers a glimpse into his personality

By Lisa Dillman

Jan 30, 2019

LOS ANGELES – One of my most recent conversations with defenseman Jake Muzzin was typical of how many of our chats unfolded at the Kings’ practice facility in El Segundo.

It would start somewhere, veer away to something else, end up in a different spot altogether and lead to a possible story idea.

This was no exception.

But let’s get back to the beginning of our chat. Several of us at The Athletic have done, or are working on, stories about jersey numbers and the reason(s) for selecting a particular number.

Muzzin wore No. 6 with the Kings. Fifteen players wore that number with the Kings before Muzzin, including Dean Kennedy, Sean O’Donnell and Brad Stuart.

Indeed, a number truly suited for a defenseman.

Now that Muzzin has been traded (on Monday) to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two prospects and a 2019 first-round draft pick, the good news is that he wasn’t wedded to the number. It wouldn’t matter if he loved it – the Maple Leafs retired Ace Bailey’s No. 6 on Feb. 14, 1934.

“I’m not emotionally involved,” said Muzzin, of No. 6, in our recent chat.

“I was 6 in junior. That was the number I was given and then I just stuck with it, really. My favorite number is actually 7.”

Of course, No. 7 was not an option either in Toronto, with it being retired from belonging to King Clancy and Tim Horton.

In an interesting twist, the Muzzin will be wearing No. 8 with the Maple Leafs, the number of his close friend, and now former teammate, Kings defenseman . Muzzin’s first game with the Maple Leafs will be in Detroit on Friday.

When Muzzin played his first games for the Kings, briefly in the 2010-11 season, defenseman Rob Scuderi wore No. 7.

Long before that, Muzzin once tried to get No. 7.

“When I went to junior, it wasn’t available, so they gave me 6,” he said. “I just rolled with 6. I think 7 was my dad’s favorite number. I was always 7 growing up and then it just switched when I went away.”

I told him the story about spotting a fan wearing a David Steckel jersey on the pathway along the river to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit during a playoff series between the Ducks and the Red Wings in 2013.

Steckel, the faceoff guru then with the Ducks, seemed surprised when I told him about it and joked it must have been a family member.

Muzzin is similarly self-effacing.

“It’s nice people like you that much to buy your jersey,” Muzzin said. “It’s cool. There’s not as many Muzzin fans as other people. It’s nice.”

He smiled, and added, “I thank you for being a Jake Muzzin fan.”

The fan club, I suspect, is about to become much much bigger.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103977 Minnesota Wild

Wild trades Ryan Murphy to Devils for Michael Kapla

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune JANUARY 30, 2019 — 7:10PM

After recently adding a pair of NHL options on defense, the Wild tweaked its minor league blue line Wednesday by acquiring Michael Kapla from the Devils in exchange for Ryan Murphy. Kapla has appeared in 45 games with New Jersey's American Hockey League affiliate this season, tallying a goal and 16 points to rank third in team scoring among defensemen. Last season with Binghamton, he racked up five goals and 21 points in 63 games. A native of Eau Claire, Wis., the 6-foot, 200-pound Kapla signed as a free agent with the Devils on March 28, 2017, making his NHL debut three days later against the New York Islanders. Overall, the 24-year-old has skated in five NHL games after spending four seasons at UMass Lowell. Murphy exits the organization after logging 23 games with the Wild as a depth call-up the past two seasons, chipping in two goals and five points in that span. He originally signed as a free agent in 2017, totaling seven goals and 43 points in 83 games with Iowa. This move comes on the heels of the Wild claiming defenseman Anthony Bitetto off waivers from the Nashville Predators last week and landing defenseman Brad Hunt in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. The team will reconvene Thursday for practice after seven days off before it travels to Dallas to face the Stars Friday.

Star Tribune LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103978 Minnesota Wild

Yeo over Boudreau? Thawing out with some of your hottest sports takes

By Michael Rand JANUARY 30, 2019 — 11:08AM

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of The Cooler, which has never been more appropriately named than it is today. Let’s get to it: *You might have heard that it is cold outside. Almost everyone with a weather app has taken a screen shot of the current conditions and posted it on social media (hand raised), as if this was the DEFINITIVE PROOF that it is ridiculously cold. If that didn’t do it for you, step outside for three seconds. It’s awful. By Saturday, though, it will be 40 degrees — which is almost as ridiculous as the “feels like” readings of 50-below we’re seeing now. And to send Minnesota in the proper direction for a thaw, I’ve asked you to post on Twitter your hottest sports takes (instead of your coldest weather app screen shots). It seems as though quite a few of you cooped up and ready for a distraction, seeing as how there were quite a few responses. Here are some of the best, with my comments (image is one I apparently used in 2015): Interesting. Overall I’m going to give this one a “no” rating, but this fact remains: The Wild has advanced past the first round of the playoffs three times in its existence. Two of those times came under Mike Yeo, and zero of those times came under Bruce Boudreau. That said, Boudreau has produced better regular seasons and arguably could have achieved similar results had he arrived earlier in the Wild’s window of contention. Radical. Scorching hot. But if you’re going to make a bold move, do it from a position of depth instead of one that is very thin beyond Thielen and Stefon Diggs. I’m more intrigued with the idea of trading Xavier Rhodes, even if it might send Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer into a rage. Well, Mauer delivered negative value on his $184 million contract, but he delivered massive over-value before that. FanGraphs says his production was worth $307 million over the life of his career — way more than he earned. If we take the long view, he was absolutely worth the money. Ouch. That’s probably taking things too far, but average attendance at Gophers home games is down to 8,477 this season — less than 85 percent of capacity. Just a decade ago, they were at 100 percent capacity and drawing 10,000 a game. In 2012-13, the last year before Big Ten Hockey, the Gophers were over 99 percent capacity for home games. Whether you want to blame the new conference or some down years — it’s probably a combination of both and some other factors as well — Gophers men’s hockey isn’t what it once was. Come on, man. I know this is mostly in jest and speaks more to Wiggins’ recent uptick in production than serious HOF credentials. Even being an All-Star at some point in his career would be an accomplishment given his overall arc. Oddly specific, though I’m told this Chiken Fingerz guy is in cahoots with former blog commenter and guest post enthusiast Clarence Swamptown, who in 2011 correctly predicted the relocation of the NHL’s Atlanta franchise to Winnipeg. Maybe he knows something? Usually the expression is “on,” not “in,” though I suppose the latter is even more uncomfortable. Nevertheless, no, Whalen is not on the hot seat after half a season (one that started with an undefeated nonconference run, by the way). Ruining is harsh. But I think there is a discussion to be had about whether analytics in all sports hurt the on-field/court/ice experience for fans. In baseball, it’s resulted in more walks and strikeouts, which aren’t much fun to watch. In basketball, three-pointers are king. I’m not saying it’s definitively worse to watch, but the more we know about what drives production certainly has an impact not just on results but what we see.

Star Tribune LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103979 Minnesota Wild Depending how the Wild fare over the next month, there could be more tweaks or momentum for a Fenton teardown.

They are nothing if not intriguing. What do streaky Wild do with trade deadline and playoffs approaching? Here are the Wild players who could be in play as Fenton works the phones and trade talks intensify throughout the league over the next four By Brian Murphy | [email protected] | Pioneer Press weeks: PUBLISHED: January 30, 2019 at 1:06 pm | UPDATED: January 30, C Eric Staal — An impending unrestricted free agent with a Stanley Cup 2019 at 8:23 PM pedigree, the 34-year-old would be an ideal rental for a team looking to fortify down the middle. He has been streaky this season but is a proven two-way player with a penchant for scoring big goals. The Minnesota Wild are nothing if not an enigma, shape-shifting from C Eric Fehr — Another expiring contract, another valuable center and one confounding homestand and productive road trip to the next — another Stanley Cup champion. This 33-year-old faceoff and penalty- earning hard points against quality teams while leaving easy ones on the killing specialist could be nice fit for a team with a specific need. table against also-rans. RW Mikael Granlund — Will become an unrestricted free agent in 2020, One week they are among the NHL’s best teams, the next they play so Fenton will have to decide whether to sign the enigmatic playmaker to down to their competition and tumble out of the Western Conference top a lucrative contract extension or potentially cut bait sooner rather than eight. later. He is a supremely skilled facilitator whose 41 points are second on the team. But the diminutive winger also disappears for long stretches. Streaky enough to win 10 out of 12 games before promptly losing 13 of 19. They can play brilliantly on the road and mail it in at home. LW Jason Zucker — The speedy winger is underachieving with just 25 points after signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract — a hefty deal for They are stingy in their own zone. They can hog the puck, create Grade- any potential suitor to absorb. But his trade window is narrow with a A scoring chances and keep opposing goaltenders spinning like a top, limited no-trade clause that reportedly takes effect July 1. but struggle to finish around the net. C/RW Charlie Coyle — The subject of trade whispers for years, this The Wild rank 24th in the NHL in scoring and ninth in goals-against. peripatetic power forward has been surging since Christmas. He has been productive and a force around the net. His value has never been Their penalty killing is staunch, third-best in the league. Their power play higher. Will the rumors finally become fact? is above average but unreliable for stretches. The Wild and Devils swapped minor league defenseman, with the Wild Resilience and league-wide parity have kept Minnesota afloat through 50 acquiring Michael Kapla and sending Ryan Murphy to New Jersey. games. The Wild (26-21-3) emerge from the all-star break and their annual bye with 55 points, having won three straight and four out of five. Kapla, 24, scored 16 points in 45 games with the Binghamton Devils of the AHL this season. He’s a native of Eau Claire, Wis., who has played in Coach Bruce Boudreau has them sitting tenuously in third place in the five NHL games. Central Division, but only three points clear of wild-card hunters Dallas, Colorado and Vancouver. Murphy, 25, is in his seventh NHL season and second with the Wild. He’s played two games for the Wild this season. His best season was 2013-14 True to form, keeping fans on pins and needles since 2013. with Carolina when he scored 12 points in 48 games. All-star goaltender has been wildly inconsistent, yet his 20 victories are among the top five in the NHL. Over his past four games, he has posted a sterling 2.57 goals-against average and .944 save Pioneer Press LOADED: 01.31.2019 percentage. Winger Zach Parise is having a huge rebound season after battling a debilitating back injury the past two years. He leads the team with 20 goals among 44 points while never cheating on a shift. Veteran Eric Staal slumped badly at the midpoint but rebounded with several key goals before the break. Defensively, the Wild have thrived despite the loss of Matt Dumba, who is nowhere near returning from surgery to repair a torn right pectoralis muscle. He led NHL defensemen with 12 goals when he was injured Dec. 15. Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon are as rock solid as ever, and Jonas Brodin has upped his defensive game. Those are the facts. Here is the nuance. After patiently watching his new team bobble during the first half of the season, rookie general manager Paul Fenton this month made three trades in one week, acquiring Pontus Aberg, Victor Rask and Brad Hunt. Jettisoning long-time winger Nino Niederreiter to Carolina for Rask during a stretch in which the Wild played horrific in losses to rebuilding Detroit, downtrodden Philadelphia and free-falling Anaheim put the dressing room on notice that Fenton is not going to sit still on the continuous roller coaster. With the Feb. 25 trade deadline looming, the Wild control their destiny to a point. Staying within the postseason bubble will make it politically difficult for Fenton to carve off more pieces for prospects and draft picks. Will he try to improve a team destined for another difficult first-round challenge or rebuild for the future? Executing player-for-player trades can be difficult when squeezed by prohibitive contracts and the salary cap. Suter, Parise and captain Mikko Koivu have expensive contracts with no-trade clauses that make it nearly impossible to move them. But there are plenty of players whose value might entice other contending teams to make a deadline deal and plug various roster holes. 1103980 Minnesota Wild “You try not to think about it, but when you’re not putting as many wins in the column as you want to, it enters your head,” said Staal, who has four goals and nine points in the past six games after one goal and four ‘Mentally, it’s hard’: Eric Staal opens up about his uncertain future in assists in the previous 13 games. “At the end of the day, I realized I’ve Minnesota got to just control what I can control and that’s playing the game hard and being a part of this group. It’s been fun here lately. We’ve got some good wins and hopefully we can keep this going the right way. Michael Russo “But I’ll admit, it’s probably gotten a little hard mentally at certain times. You try not to let it be ups and downs with wins and losses, but Jan 30, 2019 sometimes it can be difficult. When you’re not winning as many games, it can get to you a little bit, especially when you’re in my situation (with my

contract). But you’ve got to do your best to be a pro and come to work Eric Staal hopes to remain in Minnesota, and he is well aware the way and compete and play and not worry about it. I’ve done a better job of the Wild play this next month will very likely determine that. that lately. Playing with Greeny and Chucky has been really good. Big bodies that can make plays, that can control the puck in the offensive “The next several games will probably decide everything,” Staal told The zone, which I like to do, and get a lot of touches. Athletic after posting his 66th career multi-goal game, his 77th career game with at least three points and 63rd career game-winning goal last “It’s been a good mix right now. Hopefully it continues.” Wednesday night against the Colorado Avalanche. Since joining the Wild in 2016-17, Staal ranks tied for 15th in the NHL “We’ll see what happens.” with 87 goals. Sixty-five of those have come at even-strength, which is tied for ninth during that span. He is tied for 30th with 177 points, tied for Fittingly as the Wild headed into the All-Star break and bye week, Staal, 12th with 16 game-winning goals and 28th with 599 shots. who has rediscovered his hands and legs the past half-dozen or so games after a monthlong rut, executed a perfectly-timed reminder of just His 87 goals already rank 11th in franchise history. He’s on pace for 28 how vital he is to the Wild’s success. goals this season, which would put him two more than Brian Rolston’s 96 in three years. Rolston is considered one of the most productive free He is one of the team’s most clutch goal scorers and in big wins in Las agents in Wild history with three straight 30-goal seasons. Vegas and Denver, Staal combined for three goals and two assists by doing what he does best — forechecking hard, pressuring defensemen Staal, frankly, has been one of the most productive NHL free-agent into turnovers, playing with the puck behind the net, finding soft spots pickups in history and, from a team perspective, signed to one of the near the back door and creating chemistry with and supporting his biggest bargain free-agent contracts in the history of the league. linemates, normally Jordan Greenway and Charlie Coyle. His $3.5 million cap hit is the lowest of all 35-point scorers who signed After a long dry spell that accompanied his overall game taking a turn for free-agent deals. the worse, Staal is back to playing solid hockey and intent on doing As for his contract, it’s the lowest cap hit by $2.6 million of any 40-goal everything in his power to help the team win this second half so he goes scorer signed to an unrestricted free-agent deal. Daniel Sedin, in 2010- nowhere this next month. 11, scored 41 goals after re-signing with his own Vancouver Canucks for Staal believes one reason for his struggles is he started to “think too $6.1 million a season the year before. much” and “worry” about his own future. Staal scored 42 goals last season. The only other “true unrestricted free Staal is such a pro, you’d think it would be easy for somebody with his agent” (meaning, one that changed teams) to score 40 goals was Marian experience to ignore outside noise, negative thoughts and distractions. Gaborik, who coincidentally left the Wild in 2009 and topped 40 goals twice for the New York Rangers. “That sometimes can be hard,” Staal said. Since 2012-13, among the 25 “true UFA’s” who have played more than a He’s human. year for their current team (so, excluding so far guys like John Tavares) and averaged half a point per game under their contracts, Staal ranks He has a wife and three children. They all love living in Minnesota, and second behind Dallas’ Alex Radulov, who makes $6.25 million. he loves playing for the Wild. So even at 34 years of age and exactly 1,200 combined NHL regular-season and playoff contests under his belt, Staal’s 0.41 goals per game is the highest among true UFA’s. the Wild’s No. 1 center still has to sometimes get out of his own head. Interestingly, Zach Parise’s 0.38 goals per game ranks second in the NHL among true UFA’s ($7.538 million cap hit). Of the top 30 true UFA’s Staal understood going into this season that it was general manager Paul in goals per game, only five players are signed to $3.5 million or less Fenton’s preference to put off any conversations about a possible contracts. contract extension so he could first observe how both Staal and the team performed before deciding if he’d commit to re-signing the veteran During training camp, The Athletic analyzed what signing or not signing beyond this season. Staal would mean for the Wild, in a piece from contributor Tony Abbott. Staal was OK with that, although he joked to The Athletic back in Eric Staal and Charlie Coyle November, “I mean, I’m OK with it if it turns the other way, too.” “Playing with Greeny and Chucky has been really good,” Staal says of In the final year — now, months — of an inexpensive three-year, $10.5 playing on a line with Charlie Coyle (pictured) and Jordan Greenway. million contract, Staal knew from the start this would make him, for lack “Big bodies that can make plays.” (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA of a better term, a trade risk before the Feb. 25 trade deadline. Today) Beginning Friday in Dallas, there are 13 games until that deadline. If the Back in November, Staal insinuated to The Athletic that he’d be willing to Wild fall outside the playoff threshold or if Fenton feels the Wild aren’t work with the Wild on a new, cap-friendly contract. He’s not looking to viable playoff contenders, Staal could conceivably be the classic playoff chase every dollar, so to speak, at this stage in his career. rental — a cheap one at that — because of his soon-to-be-expiring contract. “It’s been a great fit,” he said at the time. “Honestly, at the end of the day, from where I was at even mentally with the game with everything (back in According to Staal, there still have been no contract talks all season long. Carolina) to coming here, it’s just been a total resurgence and excitement So, when the Wild started to struggle in December, Staal admits he for being at the rink and playing. I mean, it’s just been a great fit I think started to worry about what this would mean for his future. both ways. I don’t think there’s a reason why I would want to go anywhere else. That has to go both ways at the same time. But … if they It finally affected his game, he feels. want to make it work, we’ll make it work. But Staal had an epiphany recently. “So, we’ll see.” He realized if he wanted to ensure he goes nowhere, he better pick up Staal was asked last Wednesday if he could see this being a trade or no- his own game and help the Wild climb out of the hole they dug for trade scenario come Feb. 25 and not necessarily a re-signing from themselves. Fenton … yet. With Staal back on top of his game, the Wild entered the break with wins “Honestly, I don’t know,” Staal said. “There hasn’t been any talks.” in three consecutive games and four of five to move into third in the Central Division with a three-point cushion. Staal’s agent, Rick Curran, said this is not dissimilar to what his client, John Carlson, went through with the Washington Capitals last season. Caps GM Brian MacLellan didn’t re-sign the defenseman but didn’t trade him by the deadline, either. The two sides waited, the Capitals won the Cup and Carlson re-signed for eight years, $64 million days before free agency. “John decided that the only thing he could control is how he plays and hopefully contribute toward team success,” Curran told The Athletic recently. “And that’s where Eric’s thoughts are. The only thing he can control is how hard he plays and how well he plays and hopefully the result is team success, which is good for everybody.” Staal’s a realist though and also understands Carlson, at age 29 and coming off a Cup, is in a very different position than him. “I’ve been around long enough to understand how everything works and I’m not 25 anymore. I’m not 26,” Staal said. “I’m 34, so I think I feel it’s a little bit different of a situation (than Carlson). But at the same time, I still feel like I can be a player for the next number of years yet. So, still decisions to be made and that will all kind of happen in due process.” If things do turn in the next little bit and Fenton decides the trade route is his best option with Staal, one would think he’ll at least try to lasso in a first-round pick. Heck, Patrick Eaves went to Anaheim for a first-round pick from Dallas a few years ago. The problem is especially since the Wild that same year traded a first- and second-round pick as part of a package to get Martin Hanzal in 2017, teams loathe to give up firsts for rentals. Two seasons ago, the Wild went from being the best team in the West at the time of the trade to seeing their chemistry derail during a very difficult four-win March. They ended up winning one playoff game during a first-round defeat to St. Louis. They paid quite the hefty price for six weeks of Martin Hanzal. Around the league, The Athletic queried a handful of NHL executives and experts what type of return the Wild could expect. All felt the Wild couldn’t get a first, especially since Toronto just gave up a first and two prospects for defenseman Jake Muzzin, who has term left on his contract. That trade may have set the asking price for non-rentals, one executive opined. Still, Carolina’s asking price, it’s believed, right now for Micheal Ferland, who is eight years younger than Staal, is at least a first. So unless the Wild can find a desperate contender (Winnipeg gave up a first for last season) that feels they’re a Staal away from a Stanley Cup, it may be difficult and Fenton may have to go the route of trying to get second-round pick(s), prospects or younger players with term left on their contracts. Remember, even if Staal is traded, the Wild could try to reacquire him July 1 in free agency. During a Q&A with The Athletic last week, Fenton said, “I’ve talked to his agent and let him know that we’re going to look at things and then we’ll make decisions. They’ve been very good about it. I have to give them true professionalism. They’re letting this thing play out and he has to go down to the wire.” But the reality is if the Wild get to the point where they’re contemplating trading Staal, this season is likely over. “Mentally, it’s hard, but I’ve hit a point where this is the least of what I need to be worried about,” Staal said. “Again, it’s tough, but I have a lot of better things to be worried about and at the end of the day, I’m thankful to just be playing and having fun and when we win, that helps.”

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103981 Montreal Canadiens should get Canadiens fans more excited: sportsclubstats.com has the Leafs listed as the Canadiens’ most likely opponent in the first round of the playoffs at 30.6 per cent. The last time Montreal and Toronto met in Stu Cowan: Canadiens GM deserves much credit for his Mr. Fix-It job the playoffs was 1979, when the Canadiens swept the Leafs en route to winning the Stanley Cup.

There’s still a long way to go, but … STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE “I’ve never seen myself … never seen the Montreal Canadiens play the Updated: January 30, 2019 Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs,” Molson said. “So that would be pretty cool.”

Yes, it would. “I think I’ve been clear when I say it’s on my shoulders to fix … to address the issues. Yeah, the coaching staff is involved, the players are involved, but at the end of the day it’s my responsibility to fix it — and I will fix it.” Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.31.2019 Those were the words of GM Marc Bergevin last April after the Canadiens finished 28th in the overall NHL standings with a 29-40-13 record, missing the playoffs for the second time in three years. The Canadiens’ problems were created by Bergevin since he was the man who built the team during his first six seasons on the job. But you have to give Bergevin credit now for the impressive Mr. Fix-It job he did during the off-season, which has the Canadiens holding a playoff spot and sitting in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 28-18-5 record. They sit one point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs, who hold two games in hand. After enjoying a weeklong break, the Canadiens will be back on the ice for practice at 2 p.m. Thursday in Brossard as they prepare for back-to- back Super Bowl weekend games against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday (2 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio) and the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday (2 p.m., SN, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). Not many people — including me — gave the Canadiens much hope of making the playoffs when the season started and it was easy to scoff after last season when Bergevin said the team’s biggest problem was a bad attitude. Now, it’s looking like he was right. It’s too easy to make former captain and Alex Galchenyuk — the two key players Bergevin traded away during the off-season — the scapegoats for everything that went wrong last season, but there’s no doubt the attitude has been much better in the locker room since they left. While Pacioretty and Galchenyuk both allowed things happening outside the room — like media and fan reaction — bother them, new captain Shea Weber seems to not care one bit what anyone writes or says about him, carrying himself with a ton of self-confidence that must rub off in the room. This is his team now and there’s no doubt about it. After the Canadiens got off to a 1-5-1 start last season, Pacioretty said: “That is the challenge … how am I going to go tell my teammates that we got to be better when I’m the worst one on the ice. That’s what keeps you up at night … that’s what keeps me up at night. Trust me, if you guys think I don’t care you got it all wrong. If anything, I think too much and I care too much.” While Pacioretty deserves credit for being so honest, it’s hard to imagine Weber ever saying anything like that. One of the biggest reasons for the Canadiens’ problems last season was the play of Carey Price, who finished with a 16-26-7 record, a 3.11 goals- against average and a .900 save percentage. The goalie is also a big reason why the Canadiens are where they are now, posting a 13-7-0 record with a 2.04 GAA, a .933 save percentage and two shutouts since Dec. 1. Price has also won his last four games while allowing only four goals and already has four more wins than last season with a 20-13-4 record. On Wednesday afternoon, the sportsclubstats.com website had the Canadiens’ chances of making the playoffs listed at 78.8 per cent and predicted it would take 95 points to qualify for the postseason, meaning the Canadiens would need a record the equivalent of 15-12-4 the rest of the way to hit that mark. “Even on the streets and in the rinks when I’m watching my kids play I can feel the passion starting to come back out,” Canadiens owner/president said last week during an interview on TSN 690 Radio. “I would say last year people would walk by me and put their head down a little bit more. This year, they’re grateful for a team that’s exciting every night. At the Bell Centre, almost every game’s been a good game. Whether we win or lose, it’s been a great effort, they’ve had fun out there and they’re working as a team. It’s nice to see.” While the Canadiens have given their fans reason to be excited again, not everyone is back on the bandwagon at the Bell Centre. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were still plenty of tickets available on the team’s website for both games this weekend. Here’s something that 1103982 Montreal Canadiens It also helps that he was given a perfect opportunity to change the narrative surrounding his play. The Canadiens needed help offensively. Tatar took his chance and ran with it. Analyze This: Tomas Tatar in rare form for Canadiens Originally, Tatar was seen as a castoff, but in reality he was forced to walk the plank. MARC DUMONT, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE Fortunately for the Canadiens and for Bergevin, the GM threw him a lifesaver. Updated: January 30, 2019

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.31.2019 When Tomas Tatar was included as a throw-in to the Max Pacioretty trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, the main focus was on his salary- cap hit rather than his potential impact with the Canadiens. Many, including myself, thought that absorbing a US$4.8-million contract for three seasons was a worthy gamble, especially since the Canadiens have ample cap space, and also because the return involved top prospect and a second-round draft pick. Anything Tatar could provide in addition to being a slightly above replacement-level player was a bonus. That bonus, however, has turned out to be a veritable gold mine for Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, head coach Claude Julien and the rest of the organization His 16 goals and 38 points place him second (behind Max Domi) among Canadiens players in scoring, and he’s on pace to match his best single- season mark, 56 points, which he achieved in 2014-15 with the Detroit Red Wings. Once we dig a little further into his numbers, his impact on the Canadiens this season becomes quite clear. He’s by far their most dominant forward in several key categories. He leads the team in shot share (59.2 per cent), scoring-chance share (58.9 per cent) and high-danger shot share (58.5 per cent). Consequently, while Tatar has been on the ice, the Canadiens have controlled 61 per cent of the goals, as well as over 65 per cent of the high-danger goals. Those are elite underlying statistics, as well as high-end results. Not only was Tatar’s contract a worthy gamble, he is underpaid relative to the current market. There are several factors that have led to Tatar’s resurgence, notably his usage, which has mostly consisted of playing on a line with Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher. Both are good players in their own right, but together, the trio tends to check all the boxes, including smart play, hard work, determination and, most importantly, talent. No other line that has played 200 or more minutes in the NHL this season has controlled a higher share of the shots (62.3 per cent) and only two lines have controlled a higher percentage of goals (65.9 per cent). The two lines ahead of them in terms of goals-for are Nikolaj Ehlers, and Blake Wheeler of the Winnipeg Jets, and Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alex Radulov of the Dallas Stars. Simply put, the Tatar-Danault-Gallagher trio has performed as well as some of the best lines in hockey that are loaded with all-stars. And though they were recently broken up to spread talent throughout the lineup, given their fantastic results Julien would be wise to keep that line combination in his back pocket in case of emergency. As for Tatar’s individual performance, it’s safe to say he’s enjoying one of the best years of his career, although it’s not the first time he’s produced rather impressive underlying numbers in the NHL. As the chart above shows, his numbers this season are very similar to those from his first few seasons in the league. And though he was playing rather well in Detroit, it’s understandable why the Red Wings jumped at the chance to trade him to the Golden Knights in exchange for a first-, second- and third-round pick. His play had been in a steady decline since head coach left the team. While his play in Vegas was clearly underwhelming, he wasn’t given much of a chance to shine. Sometimes it takes the right coach to properly motivate and communicate with certain players — which seems to be the case in Montreal — in addition to the right linemates. A player’s career can often crumble due to being stuck in the wrong situation. Once a coach throws a player in the doghouse, it’s tough to escape. Not only has Tatar escaped but he’s redefining his value to the rest of the NHL. 1103983 Montreal Canadiens

Former Hab praised as hero after rescuing women from apartment fire

PRESSE CANADIENNE Updated: January 30, 2019

The owner of a Quebec City apartment block destroyed last week by fire says that two of its occupants are alive today thanks to former Montreal Canadiens player Mario Roberge. On Jan. 22 at 6 a.m., a fire broke out in the building on 113th St. in the borough of Beauport. Roberge, who lives across the street, was on his way to work when he noticed the smell of smoke. No one was in the area when the 55-year-old ex-Hab climbed the stairs of the building on fire and found thick smoke in an apartment occupied by an 80-year-old woman and her 60-year-old daughter. Roberge took the two women — dressed only in their pyjamas and slippers — out of the building and brought them to his home. Dozens of firefighters battled the blaze in intense cold but eventually the building, which also contained a hair-dressing salon, was destroyed by the flames. Building owner Marcel Leduc is convinced that without Roberge’s rescue, the two women would have been asphyxiated by smoke. Roberge, who played left wing, was a professional hockey player from 1988 to 1996. He played 112 games with the Canadiens between 1990 and 1994 and was part of the squad that won the Stanley Cup in 1993.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103984 Montreal Canadiens Replacing the coaching staff in Laval, hiring new assistant coaches in Montreal, the Brett Kulak trade, drafting or acquiring nine of the Canadiens’ top 15 prospects as ranked by our Mitch Brown (a list that Marc Bergevin can change the narrative by deftly navigating the does not include No. 3 overall pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi because he is increasingly complicated trade deadline waters already playing in the NHL as the youngest player in the league), creatively using his cap space to add a top-nine forward in Joel Armia, these are all on the long list of things Bergevin has done since last season ended, and they have all contributed to the Canadiens exceeding By Arpon Basu expectations this season. Jan 30, 2019 How badly have they exceeded expectations? Well, let’s take a look back at some of those expectations, shall we? Right here at The Athletic, in

our preseason predictions spectacular that polled every hockey writer we The Professional Hockey Writers Association revealed its midseason have, all 47 of us, Bergevin came in first place by a very wide margin in awards last week, and though there is no actual hardware given out, the the category of which GM would be the first to be fired this season. So exercise serves as a decent barometer for league-wide impressions, or in the bar was quite low. some cases perceptions. And it wasn’t just us. Sportsnet had a panel of 16 experts pick this That is, I believe, the case for Marc Bergevin, a man whose work is being season’s likeliest team to exceed expectations and one – Montreal-based evaluated through a prism shaped by the perception that the stellar Eric Engels – picked the Canadiens. Over at NHL.com, they polled 18 of offseason he just had was only necessary because of the terrible moves their writers to pick the playoff teams in the East and West, and not a that preceded it. single one took the Canadiens to get in. ESPN had the Canadiens 28th in their preseason power rankings. USA Today predicted the Canadiens Bergevin was not among the top three in the vote for the general would finish fifth in the Atlantic Division with 69 points. They entered the manager of the year, which is fine. The PHWA doesn’t vote on the break with 61 points. I could go on, but you get the idea. postseason general manager of the year award anyway. But he wasn’t even close – Bergevin came seventh in the voting. I gave Bergevin a So again, looked at in a vacuum, what Bergevin did over the offseason is second place vote, so I found him finishing so far back in the running to a very nice body of work. But Bergevin is not working in a vacuum, and it be interesting. could easily be argued he shouldn’t be. His work prior to making these moves has also had an impact on the Canadiens, and that can’t be If people around the league don’t see Bergevin’s work this season as discounted. being all that special, or at least not top-three special, am I suffering from some sort of bias? Is it not reasonable to see all the moves he made in This is why the coming month is so important for Bergevin, because he the offseason as being the driving force behind the Canadiens jumping could cement his solid work thus far by thriving in a situation he has from 28th overall in the NHL last season to ninth overall at the All-Star never really seen before. Unless the Canadiens continue climbing up the break? standings, this is likely to be Bergevin’s first trade deadline as the GM of a bubble team. Plus, I don’t know if I can exactly be accused of having a bias in favour of Bergevin. I mean, I’ve been pretty hard on the guy. Such as here. And In his six trade deadlines running the Canadiens, they have been first or here. And here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Oh second in their division on the day of the deadline four times. On the yeah, here too. And here. So I don’t think that’s an issue. other two occasions, they were 13th and 14th in the conference on deadline day. So in all six of those cases, Bergevin was clearly either a But after looking at it carefully, I believe it is perfectly reasonable to give buyer or a seller. He’s not clearly anything now. a good chunk of credit to Bergevin for the Canadiens turnaround. But looking at it carefully also makes it easier to see why that perception The likeliest scenario would see the Canadiens make the playoffs this exists, because Bergevin’s body of work prior to last summer was season in a wild-card spot, something they have never done under questionable, to be kind. Bergevin – they have won the division three times and finished third once in the four times they’ve made the playoffs. There are various ways you can look at each of these moves individually, but collectively they didn’t look very good, and we are dealing with On each of those four occasions, Bergevin made a move to bolster the perception. In reality Bergevin might not have been that awful, depending club, and three of them were pretty significant. In 2013, he added on how you view some of his biggest moves, but the public perception Michael Ryder while shipping out Erik Cole’s problematic contract a had definitely sunk to the point of awful. month before the deadline. In 2014, he added Thomas Vanek minutes before the deadline. In 2015 it was Jeff Petry coming from Edmonton on Trading for Andrew Shaw and signing him to a contract worth $3.9 million deadline day. In 2017 he added Benn two days before the deadline, and a year, trading P.K. Subban for Shea Weber, acquiring Dwight King, then added Ott, King and Martinsen on deadline day. We won’t talk about Steve Ott and Andreas Martinsen at the 2017 trade deadline (which that last part. overshadowed the shrewd acquisition of Jordie Benn two days earlier), trading Mikhail Sergachev for Jonathan Drouin and, finally, signing Karl The two times Bergevin was a seller he was also active and took full Alzner to a five-year, $23.125 million contract all happened in a little over advantage of the negative circumstances of a disastrous season, stealing a calendar year, from late June of 2016 to July 1, 2017. Phillip Danault from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2016 and flipping Tomas Plekanec for a second round pick and Joe Morrow for a fourth-round pick So coming off that murderer’s row of iffy moves, what Bergevin has done last year while also adding Mike Reilly – currently playing a top-four role since the end of last season could easily be seen as an effort to break – for a fifth-round pick. even. And that’s fair. How much credit does a general manager deserve for correcting his own mistakes, for digging out of a hole he dug himself? This time, Bergevin appears to be caught in no man’s land. But when looked at in a vacuum, it’s hard to look at Bergevin’s work If the Canadiens manage to stay hot in February and challenge for since the end of last season as anything but exemplary. second in the division, maybe Bergevin’s thinking changes. But barring that, he seemed pretty clear on how he would approach the deadline in The Max Pacioretty trade worked out wonderfully for Bergevin, especially his Jan. 7 press conference. after the highly public falling out with his captain that preceded it. He seemingly had no leverage whatsoever because the entire league knew “I’m not going to give up a first-round pick for a rental. It’s just not going having Pacioretty show up at Canadiens training camp would have to happen, so I want to be clear, today, it’s not happening. If it’s resulted in a total circus. But Bergevin still wound up with a very something that makes sense short term and long term, I will do it. But favourable deal, acquiring a viable short-term replacement for Pacioretty giving up assets for short term, it’s not going to happen,” Bergevin said. “I in Tomas Tatar, a high-end prospect in Nick Suzuki and a second-round can’t mention names, but there’s names I’m hearing out there and the draft pick, a trade he pulled off in the middle of the night just hours before cost is a first-round pick and that player will not make a difference the Canadiens’ season-opening golf tournament. Anyone who expected between winning a Stanley Cup or barely getting in. So that’s not going to a bigger return in light of the circumstances was delusional. happen.” The Max Domi for Alex Galchenyuk trade was widely panned for a team Later that night, the Canadiens lost 1-0 to the Minnesota Wild, dropping that struggles to score goals – I called it a “master class in asset their record to 22-16-5, fifth in the Atlantic Division and, briefly, out of a mismanagement” – but it has worked out famously. Domi has been a playoff spot. very effective centre for the Canadiens and Galchenyuk, whose season They have won six of their eight games since and are third in the division has been derailed by injuries, is already back on the wing in Arizona. with a five-point cushion for a playoff spot. Circumstances change. Will Bergevin’s outlook change along with them? It’s difficult to say because we have never seen Bergevin in this situation before. Can he straddle the line between buyer and seller by, for example, trading Benn, an impending unrestricted free agent, for a nice draft pick while at the same time acquiring some help by using either that draft pick or the extra picks he already has in the second, fourth and fifth rounds of the 2019 draft? It is a delicate balancing act, because while Bergevin wants to keep his eyes on the future of this team – and trading away Benn would definitely fall in line with that – he also can’t ignore the present and the effort of his players and coaches in creating this sticky situation for their general manager. If they had performed to expectations, Bergevin’s job would be relatively cut and dry – sell assets, gather draft picks, draft well and continue building. But his players and coaches have made this a complicated deadline for Bergevin, and if it continues, the temptation may grow to reward just how complicated they have made it by changing course and shifting into buyer mode. Which might be the correct play because with Carey Price playing as well as he is and a team that has dominated play at 5-on-5 all season the Canadiens, with a little added scoring help or maybe an extra defenceman, could suddenly be a very tough out in the playoffs. But it could just as easily be a terrible decision to allow a few months of better than expected play to derail what was a sound plan to build around youth and speed and drafting and development. There is no obvious answer, but it is Bergevin’s job to find one. His ability to do so may go a long way in determining whether his missteps of the past continue defining his time as GM of the Canadiens, or if he is finally allowed to work off a clean slate.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103985 Montreal Canadiens Honourable mention here to Tatar, who one teammate called “deadly,” and to Hudon, whose shot was described as “hard, accurate, deceptive. He can put it where he wants, and quick.” Find out what the Canadiens think of each other in this super scientific Who’s the best straight line skater? player survey Winner: Paul Byron (88.3 per cent of votes)

Runner-up: Jeff Petry (11.7 per cent) By Sean Gordon Honourable mention: Max Domi, Victor Mete Jan 30, 2019 Wait, what? Byron didn’t win this unanimously? Lest anyone think there was any hacking or suspicious activity from Russian troll farms involved To watch the Canadiens is to develop an opinion on subjects great and in this exercise, let’s hear out one of the dissenters (there were two). small. Everyone can stake out a carefully argued, or at least loud and “Petey has these really long, powerful strides, he covers a ton of ground profane, position on the power play, the fourth line, the left side of the in a hurry,” said a Petry voter. Another called it a draw between Byron defence. and Domi, and still another said the 20-year-old Mete is close enough to make it a contest. “To me, Meat, it seems like with every stride he’s But what do the players themselves think of their teammates? We mean picking up more and more speed. Like, if the ice was twice as long I feel really believe, not the stuff they’re willing to say publicly. like he would be the fastest. He has to slow down because he runs out of ice.” The Athletic Montreal set out to cajole, coerce and otherwise enjoin as many members of the Canadiens as we could to play along with a short, Who’s the best skater in turns? decidedly unscientific survey. In the end, 17 of them played along. We reckon that’s within hailing distance of a representative sample. Winner: Jonathan Drouin (29.4 per cent of votes) Respondents exchanged frankness for anonymity, which is a pretty fair Runner-up: Paul Byron (23.5 per cent) trade-off in our view. It’s entirely possible a few scores were settled in the process. Also receiving votes: Victor Mete, Max Domi, Jeff Petry and Brendan Gallagher The topics range from the technical, to off-ice qualities, to the potentially murderously divisive (i.e., who’s the best card player). Which players are This was a close vote, the room is more or less evenly split among viewed as the most skilful? Who’s fussy about their gear? Which Drouin, who won the most support, and of course Byron. Canadien would you trust to handle the wine order in a fancy eatery? Who sucks at social media? After answering that portion of the survey, one respondent cut in to say “Any other skating question – it’s Paulie.” Let’s find out. Mete and Domi also received multiple votes, Petry got one. Who’s the best stickhandler on the team? Each of those players displays exemplary edge work, and could plausibly Winner: Jonathan Drouin (65 per cent of votes) lay claim to the title. Gallagher earned one vote plus an honourable mention, and he really shouldn’t be such an under-the-radar choice given Runner-up: Max Domi (12 per cent) his leg strength and low centre of gravity. Also receiving votes: Tomas Tatar, Victor Mete, Paul Byron, Kenny “He finds a way to tight turn on guys all the time and stay underneath Agostino them, so they go to hit him and he’s just ducking underneath. He goes Drouin is the overwhelming choice here, more than one teammate down a few times every now and then, but he keeps it pretty tight.” enthused about his silken mitts. “For my money he’s got the best hands Who’s the best seam passer? in the league,” said a voter. If there’s a surprise in this category it was the ballot for Agostino, which was not intended as ironic. “Did you see him at Winner: Jonathan Drouin (71 per cent of votes) the (Canadiens) skills competition (on Jan. 20)? Quick stick, he can really dangle,” said the teammate. Runner-up: Max Domi and Tomas Tatar (tie, with 11.7 per cent each) Who’s the best shooter not named Weber? Also receiving votes: Mike Reilly Winner: Jeff Petry (47 per cent of votes) It occurred to us to ask who the best passer is, but the answer can be contingent on circumstance. Besides, that question’s no fun. Here’s a Runner-up: Joel Armia (30 per cent) better one: which passing skill requires the best vision and the hands to thread a needle? That would be the cross-ice seam pass. That’s the Also receiving votes: Tomas Tatar, Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi and Mike metric. Reilly “Pretty filthy,” was how one player described Drouin. Enough said. This tracks with the results from the skills contest, where Petry dialed up a 102 mile-per-hour slapper. Nobody gives defenders and would-be shot Who is the most anal-retentive about their gear? blockers the flop sweats like Weber, but Petry has a bomb back there at the point and he’s not afraid to use it. Winner: Jonathan Drouin (29.4 per cent of votes) What’s more interesting is how many players (5) put Armia’s name Runner-up: Carey Price and Max Domi (tie, with 17.6 per cent each) forward. Also receiving votes: Jordie Benn, Tomas Tatar, Brendan Gallagher, Said a voter of Armia: “He has such a long reach that he can pull it in and Charles Hudon release it from just about anywhere. It’s just a huge window where he can This is the question that may have been greeted with the most snorts, release it and it’s so long and quick and silent that it just shoots up.” quizzical looks and/or pregnant pauses. Conventional wisdom holds that Who has the best wrist shot? goalies would be the most popular response, and while Price got several votes he’s not so quirky as far as goalies go (or as borderline psychotic Winner: Joel Armia (29.4 per cent of votes) as a former Canadiens netminder, who shall go nameless, used to be about people even looking at his equipment). Two players declined to Runner-up: Max Domi (23.5 per cent) answer, which methodological experts might say affects the sample Also receiving votes: Tomas Tatar, Jonathan Drouin, Charles Hudon and irretrievably. Whatever. It’s Drouin. Somebody hand him the Fussbudget Jeff Petry Cup. Again, we wouldn’t have guessed Armia would win this category – Who takes the most care taping up and otherwise babying their sticks? although in fairness it was by a narrow margin over Domi and Tatar. Winner: Tomas Tatar (23.5 per cent of votes) “You might not see it as much in games, but in practice we all see how Runner-up: Charles Hudon and Jonathan Drouin (tie, with 17.6 per cent hard Army can shoot. Just a really, heavy, heavy shot,” said a teammate. each) “Army’s got a phenomenal wrist shot. His wrist shot is ridiculous. Ask the Also receiving votes: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Brett Kulak, Jordie Benn, goalies that question,” added another. Brendan Gallagher, Max Domi Tatar won, but this one elicited lots of comments. On Kotkaniemi: “He Alzner in a cakewalk. Again, this might be a function of having travelled spends a lot of time on his sticks, he changes them all the time.” On through the league a bunch of times and getting a feel for the good Kulak: “He does the candy cane, that’s kind of different.” On Benn: “For a places to eat, although Mete and Kotkaniemi, in particular, appear to be guy who doesn’t use much tape he really works on his sticks a lot, he’s outliers. “(Kotkaniemi) loves fine dining.” It’s worth pointing out that had a even got the spray-paint going.” On Drouin: “Dru’s thrown on some weird certain former captain not been traded before the season began, we may things.” have had a different winner. “I probably would have said Patch before…” Who goes through the most pairs of skates in a season? Who has the best social media presence? Winner: Jordie Benn (65 per cent of votes) Winner: Max Domi (76.4 per cent of votes) Runner-up: Jeff Petry (11.7 per cent) Runner-up: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Tomas Tatar, and Victor Mete (tie, with 6 per cent each) Also receiving votes: Karl Alzner Domi is hands-down the most active Canadien when it comes to social Scoop alert: Jordie Benn changes his skates a lot. As in, a fresh pair media. “He just seems to get it,” one respondent said. every couple of weeks. This is one of the most lop-sided answers outside of Byron’s straightaway speed, his teammates plainly think it is hilarious. Who has the worst social media presence? Next time we’ll have to poll the equipment staff to see how about their opinion. Petry also likes that new boot feel, a teammate suggested he Winner: Jesperi Kotkaniemi (23.5 per cent of votes) swaps out his skates as often as every three weeks. At the other end of Runner-up: Brendan Gallagher, Paul Byron and Joel Armia (tie, with 18.1 the spectrum you have Mete, who apparently hasn’t gotten used to the per cent each) idea that he no longer has to pay for his own blades. “Meat would have the same pair for two years if they let him. They made him change to (his Also receiving votes: Jordie Benn, Andrew Shaw, Matthew Peca, Shea current pair) at the beginning of this year.” Weber, Phillip Danault and Mike Reilly Who’s most likely to visit a museum on the road? Maybe it’s the language barrier, or an inability to grasp the Finnish sense of humour. Though Kotkaniemi wins this one by a whisker, there is no Winner: Matthew Peca, Artturi Lehkonen and Karl Alzner (tie, with 17.6 shortage of private disdain within the Montreal room of their friends’ and per cent of votes each) teammates’ social media accounts. A potential source of future discord? Runner-up: Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jeff Petry (tie, 11.7 per cent) Watch this space. Also receiving votes: Paul Byron, Victor Mete, Brett Kulak One player was particularly withering about Gallagher: “Just terrible. I don’t know why he even bothers.” Ah yes, the Memorial Poll Question. In fairness, this is a category destined to go to the quieter people on the team. As one player said of choosing the mild-mannered Peca: “Easy.” Petry was picked by a The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 teammate because “he seems to know something about everything. Smart guy.” Another, on Kotkaniemi: “He’s too young to go into a bar, what else is he going to do?” Who’s the best card player? Winner: Brendan Gallagher (41.2 per cent of votes) Runner-up: Tomas Tatar (29.4 per cent) Also receiving votes: Andrew Shaw, Phillip Danault, Max Domi, Paul Byron Oh man, this is going to go to someone’s head. As one teammate groaned “God, I don’t want to give Gallagher any credit, but I think he’s pretty good.” Perhaps the funniest remark came from one of the players who picked Shaw. “I don’t know, I guess I have to pick Shawzie. I mean, he’s always hooting and hollering about winning all the time. So he must be right, I guess?” Lest anyone think hockey players aren’t cynics, here are two more answers: “depends who you ask” and “they’re all going to sit there and say they’re the best…” Fine. So who’s the worst card player? Winner: Brendan Gallagher (35.2 per cent of votes) Runner-up: Andrew Shaw (29.4 per cent) Also receiving votes: Mike Reilly, Max Domi, Tomas Tatar That sound you hear is faith being restored. Who’s the most serious wine aficionado? Winner: Jeff Petry (64.7 per cent of votes) Runner-up: Karl Alzner (29.4 per cent) Also receiving votes: Shea Weber, Carey Price, Andrew Shaw Give this category to the veterans, and more specifically to those with enough term on their contracts to develop a nose for the grape. Petry is the most popular choice (“he knows his stuff, I always get him to order”) and Alzner was competitive in this category. But not as strong as he was in…. Who’s the biggest foodie? Winner: Karl Alzner (59 per cent of votes) Runner-up: Jeff Petry, Tomas Tatar and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (tie, with 11.7 per cent each) Also receiving votes: Victor Mete, Joel Armia 1103986 Nashville Predators

Opinion: Predators forward's alcohol relapse is a matter of life and death

Joe Rexrode, Nashville Tennessean Published 7:34 a.m. CT Jan. 30, 2019 | Updated 12:07 p.m. CT Jan. 30, 2019

There’s no rooting in this job, but that rule is suspended in matters of life and death. And make no mistake, the Austin Watson saga has reached that stage. Alcoholism is a disease that kills. And when you consider what Watson risked while lapsing over the summer and getting into an argument with his girlfriend that got him charged with domestic violence, and when you consider the opportunity the Nashville Predators gave him after he pleaded no contest, then you must realize the obvious with this news that he has blown it: The guy is in danger. So root with me. Root for Watson. Root for his girlfriend, Jenn Guardino, who is battling the same disease. Root for their baby daughter, who already was going to have to read about the incident her parents got into on June 16, 2018, and wonder — like the rest of the world — what exactly happened. Root for truth in Guardino’s public vows that Watson did not and does not abuse her. There are only two people in the world who will ever know for certain. Predators left wing Austin Watson (51) warms up before the game against the Capitals at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Root for this family to stick together and help each other through this. They no longer have the long-term security of financial support from professional hockey as an absolute. Watson’s suspension related to “ongoing issues with alcohol abuse” per a league statement means he is out indefinitely, and I’m assuming it means he won’t play for the Predators again. There’s no word from the organization on that yet and things will have to play out, but I’ll be surprised if he returns to this roster. I don’t see any way he could be back this season. So yes, this is a big blow to the Predators’ Stanley Cup hopes. Make no mistake about that. Watson was the best player on this team, period, in the first round a year ago against Colorado. He’s a tremendously versatile player and penalty killer who brings physicality that this team sorely lacks otherwise. The Nashville Predators held a press conference following the NHL's 27- game suspension give to Austin Watson. Nashville Tennessean I believed GM David Poile and President/CEO Sean Henry when they said this fall that the organization cared about Watson and his family and wanted to help them through this. I also don’t believe for a second that they would have stood by just any player under the same circumstances.I thought, and wrote, that they should have moved on from Watson because ending domestic violence is a central quest of this organization — and because, again, two people know for sure what happened that night. Guardino told police that Watson “sometimes gets handsy” with her, and those words never left me and have never been directly addressed. By sticking with Watson and counting on him, the Predators are now left in need of at least one move to add a physical forward by the trading deadline. That was a likely Poile move even with Watson on the roster. But this is not the appropriate time to worry about that. This is the time to hope those Guardino words weren’t true, to pray that her words in support of Watson were, and to root hard for this family to overcome a disease that kills tens of thousands every year in this country alone.

Tennessean LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103987 Nashville Predators And I pray he receives the same kindness, help and hope I found in recovery.

Brad Schmitt on Austin Watson: Getting fired for drunk driving saved my life Tennessean LOADED: 01.31.2019

Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean Published 1:59 p.m. CT Jan. 30, 2019 | Updated 4:27 p.m. CT Jan. 30, 2019

Google “Brad Schmitt” and you’ll see the entry “Brad About You Sacked from WKRN.” The headline still makes my stomach jump nine years after news broke that I’d gotten a second DUI in three years and got fired. I thought of it when I saw another headline yesterday: “Predators’ Austin Watson suspended indefinitely after alcohol-related relapse.” Like Watson, my struggles with addiction became media fodder, admittedly to a much smaller degree. Like Watson, I suddenly lost the ability to make a living doing what I love. For me, that was a dark, lonely time, full of shame and hopelessness. My mind generated nonstop, terrifying questions. How am I going to make money? Can I show my face in public? Will anyone in media ever talk to me again, let alone give me a job? Will family gatherings be awkward? How do I stop drinking and snorting cocaine? What is this rehab the judge is making me do? Do I have to talk about my mommy and daddy issues? Will I be labeled a criminal for the rest of my life? How am I going to get around without a driver’s license? Are they really making fun of me on the radio? How do I stop obsessing about every bad decision and every person I’ve ever hurt in my life? Whew. After years of ignoring my drunk driving, bad behavior and self- centeredness — and the awful feelings they generated — I became willing to do something about it. But in order to do that, I needed the consequences. I had to get fired. I had to be publicly called out. I had to lose my driver’s license. I had to be thrown in jail (twice) to start doing something different. Turns out, though, I wasn’t alone in recovery like I thought I would be. My brothers and sister offered any help I wanted, no strings attached. I got dozens of supportive messages on social media and in my inbox. A handful of old media colleagues from the Tennessean and Channel 2 reached out. MusiCares — the charity arm of the Grammys organization — paid for my rehab. And all the new friends I met in recovery took me to 12-step meetings, drove me to the grocery store, pointed out what I was doing right and encouraged me to take care of myself. With that village, I began treatment and therapy, doing the hard work required for dropping drugs and alcohol and picking up a sense of self- worth. Over the years, I’ve found calm, spirituality and a renewed passion to serve others, in small ways and big. Six months ago, I became a foster dad. I know Austin Watson is in a tough spot. Sports columnist Joe Rexrode is right to point out that this is way beyond a challenge for the Predators; it’s a matter of life and death for one of the players. Addiction is powerful. It’s enough to keep you drinking alcoholically even after you plead no contest to a domestic assault charge. Even after you’re told you can lose your career and your income if you keep drinking. The horrific cycle is that drinking numbs all the feelings of shame that drinking brought on in the first place. Sometimes we get that lucky break — getting arrested, getting fired — that gives us a moment to shake loose and try something different. I pray Watson and all who struggle with addiction take advantage of those breaks. 1103988 Nashville Predators

Four ways Austin Watson's suspension could affect the Predators on the ice

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean Published 6:28 a.m. CT Jan. 30, 2019 | Updated 6:30 a.m. CT Jan. 30, 2019

Austin Watson's first suspension, after he pleaded no contest to domestic violence against his girlfriend last summer, came with a number attached. First it was 27 games, which was reduced to 18 by an independent arbiter. His latest suspension, which was announced Tuesday, has no number attached. Watson was placed in Stage 2 of the NHL/NHLPA's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health program for what the league and players association said in a joint statement is "related exclusively to his ongoing issues with alcohol abuse." Watson was suspended indefinitely without pay and must be cleared by the program's administrators before he would be allowed to play again. A player voluntarily enters Stage 1 of the program on an outpatient basis and is paid his full salary as long as he doesn't violate terms of the treatment and the care program that follows. A couple of weeks ago, Watson opened up about his struggles with depression and alcohol in an Instagram post. Here are four ways his suspension could affect the Predators on the ice, assuming he doesn't return this season. The trade deadline is Feb. 25. The Predators no doubt were going to try to be buyers before the Watson news surfaced. It wouldn't be surprising if general manager David Poile becomes even more aggressive. Watson was versatile and useful all over the lineup and on special teams, especially the penalty kill, which improved when he returned from his first suspension. He spent some time on the top line while Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson were out. He contributed seven goals and six assists in 34 games, including a hat trick. Filling those voids will be essential. Watson, who is 6-foot-4, 204 pounds, is a big body the Predators sorely lack. He leads the team with 99 hits, 17 more than Miikka Salomaki. His presence is especially useful when the Predators face bigger teams with equal speed such as the Jets, who knocked them out in the second round of the playoffs last season. Watson's eight points (five goals, three assists) during the postseason last year were tied for the fourth-most on the team. He came up especially big during the first round against the Avalanche, when he tied for the team lead in both points (seven) and goals (four). Want to stay informed on the latest Nashville Predators news? A Tennessean subscription gets you unlimited access to the best inside information and updates on the Preds, the Catfish Corner podcast, newsletters and the ability to tap into sports news from throughout the USA TODAY Network's 109 local sites.

Tennessean LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103989 Nashville Predators This, after all, is a team that’s still very much in the race for the Central Division title — and a team just two seasons removed from a run to the Stanley Cup Final. The biggest questions for the Predators: From Austin Watson to the trade But Watson’s absence, in my opinion, makes it even more necessary to deadline pick up some size and toughness via the trade market. The Predators currently have nine players — eight healthy and one on injured reserve — under 6-feet tall. The size difference is especially noticeable against By John Glennon big, physical teams like Winnipeg, which featured just two players under 6-feet tall when the Jets visited Nashville a couple of weeks ago. Jan 30, 2019 The name Wayne Simmonds has been tossed about plenty of times in trade speculation regarding the Predators, and he continues to make a lot of sense. It’s been a trying couple of months for the Predators as they prepare for their return Friday from the NHL All-Star break. Philadelphia’s 6-2, 185-pound forward is a rugged player, especially when he’s around the opposing team’s net. The 30-year-old “Wayne In late November, the Preds had won three consecutive games and Train” is also an alternate captain in his 11th NHL season, meaning he’d climbed to the top of the league standings with a 16-5-1 record. bring a nice dose of leadership to this team as well. Since then, however, injuries and inconsistency have taken their toll, with Heading into this season, Simmonds had totaled more than 10 power- the Preds posting a record of just 14-13-3 over their past 30 contests. play goals in five straight years. So what lies ahead in the final 30 games of the regular season? He has only four this season (15 goals overall), but that figure would still Will the Predators regain enough health and chemistry to march into the be tied for first on the Predators. playoffs on a strong note, or will they continue their puzzling up-and- Simmonds will surely fetch plenty of interest and a nice price on the down play? market, so the Preds will have to decide — should they choose to pursue Here are five key questions for the Preds looking ahead: him — just how much they can afford to give up. What does Austin Watson’s suspension mean moving forward? How high can the big three fly? The news Tuesday that Preds forward Austin Watson had been placed in Health-wise, it’s been a challenging year for two of three members of the Stage Two of the NHL/NHLPA’s Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Predators’ top line. Filip Forsberg has missed 17 of 52 games due to Program was troubling. injury and Viktor Arvidsson has missed 24 of 52 games due to injury. Watson is one of the team’s most popular players, both because of his Still, all three are on pace to top (or tie) career marks in various gregarious personality and because of his self-sacrificing style on the ice. categories: He’d seemingly turned his life around earlier this season, following an 18- Arvidsson (19 goals in 28 games) is on pace for 39 goals this season, game suspension for domestic violence. Watson had voluntarily entered which would top his career best of 31. Forsberg (18 goals in 35 games) is the NHL’s substance abuse program (Stage One) after the domestic averaging .51 goals per game, which is better than his previous career violence incident in June of 2018. best of 2015-16 (.40 goals per game). (43 points in 50 games) is averaging .86 points per game, which would tie his career best Earlier this month, Watson said in an Instagram post that, “I am currently of 2014-15. sober and committed to living a healthy lifestyle so that I can be the father, partner, teammate and person I want to be.” When the big three have played together, they’ve dominated five-on-five puck possession, with a Corsi figure of 62.15 percent, per Natural Stat But the fact that Watson suffered a setback meant he was placed in Trick. They’ve outshot opponents 153-108 and outchanced them 143-87. Stage Two, suspended without pay until cleared for on-ice competition by the program’s administrators. Oddly enough, however, they’ve only outscored opponents 18-14. The primary concern, of course, is that Watson finds the help he needs to Point production beyond the first line has been inconsistent this season, return to health and sobriety. That issue towers above all the others, so the Predators will need the big three to continue to put up big especially in light of the fact that Watson and his partner, Jennifer, are numbers. raising a young daughter, Olivia. Can they start when the puck is dropped? But hockey-related questions rise as well: Will Watson, for instance, ever One thing Predators fans have seen too often through 52 games is play for the Predators again? inconsistency in the early going. And if so, when? In half of the Preds’ games, they’ve surrendered the contest’s first goal, a No one can say for sure. Had Watson been involved in another domestic surprising figure given the team’s overall success. They’ve scored just 39 abuse situation, I’m sure the team would have cut ties with him. This is first-period goals this season, which ranks 26th out of the league’s 31 different, but even if Watson is able to return to hockey readiness, it teams. It’s a noticeably different total than the team’s goal production in might be best for both sides to find a fresh start. second periods (61) and third periods (56). In a situation with some similarities, forward Zack Kassian was placed in To make matters worse, they’ve not been effective at winning after Stage Two of the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program in allowing the first goal. In the 26 games in which opponents have scored October of 2015, only a few months after he’d been traded from first, the Preds are 7-16-3, a .269 winning percentage that ranks 24th in Vancouver to Montreal. Kassian completed his treatment in late the league. December, but was immediately put on waivers by the Canadiens, who An example of those first-goal issues? During the Preds’ season-high, soon traded him to Edmonton. six-game losing streak in December, they surrendered the first goal five Watson’s absence from the Predators’ lineup — whether temporary or times. forever — will be a big blow to a team that benefited from his size, On the flip side, however, the Preds are difficult to beat when they get off physical play and penalty-killing ability. Despite missing the team’s first to a good start. 18 games of this season, the 6-4, 204-pound Watson led the Preds in hits (99) and fighting majors (five). The Predators are 23-2-1 when scoring the game’s first goal this season, an .885 winning percentage that ranks first in the league. He averaged 1:51 short-handed time per game, third among Preds forwards. Will they find life on the power play? Austin Watson’s toughness will be missed, but he has bigger things to In their past seven games before the all-star break, the Predators went 0- deal with now than hockey. (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today) for-25 on the power play, a stretch that typified the team’s lack of success through this season. Will the Preds make a move before the trade deadline? The Predators are scoring on just 13.1 percent of their power plays, a Even before the news regarding Watson, I figured the Predators would success rate that ranks 29th in the league. make some type of move before the Feb. 25 deadline. That’s very much in contrast to the 2017-18 season, when the Predators posted a 21.2 percent success rate on the power play, good for 12th in the league. So what’s changed since last season? One issue is all the injuries, which at various points have sidelined key parts of the power play like Forsberg, Arvidsson, Kyle Turris and P.K. Subban. Subban led the Preds with 25 power-play points last season, Forsberg was next with 21 and Turris was fourth at 17 — a total of 63 points. This season, Subban has four power-play points, Forsberg six and Turris five — a total of 15 points. The bottom line is that the Predators aren’t creating many high-danger chances on the power play, and they aren’t converting those they do create. Per Natural Stat Trick, the Preds rank last in the league in rate of high- danger, power-play scoring chances per 60 minutes of play, and they rank 29th in the league in rate of power-play goals off high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes of play.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103990 New Jersey Devils

NJ Devils and Wild swap minor league defensemen

Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 10:35 p.m. ET Jan. 30, 2019

NEWARK -- The Devils made a minor transaction Wednesday night trading one minor league defenseman for another with the Minnesota Wild. Michael Kapla was sent to Minnesota in exchange for Ryan Murphy, a 25-year-old Ontario native with 174 NHL games under his belt. Kapla, who the Devils signed out of UMass-Lowell as an undrafted free agent in 2016, reported to the Iowa Wild while Murphy reported to Binghamton of the American Hockey League. Murphy was the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. His best season came in 2013-14 when he had 12 points in 48 NHL games with Carolina. He bounced back and forth between Carolina and Charlotte of the AHL until being traded to the Calgary Flames, along with current Binghamton goalie Eddie Lack, and being placed on unconditional waivers. One day after the Flames bought out the remainder of his contract, he signed a two-way deal with Minnesota before the 2017-18 season. Murphy has suited up in two NHL games this season. The move gives the Devils some blue line depth in the minor leagues. Currently, New Jersey is down two defensemen with Ben Lovejoy on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and Sami Vatanen out indefinitely with a concussion. Egor Yakovlev, Mirco Mueller and Steven Santini have all been healthy scratches at different points in the season but all three will be pressed into service this week with two defensemen unable to play. The Devils also have Eric Gryba in Binghamton with NHL experience. The 30-year-old veteran has played in two games for New Jersey this season.

Bergen Record LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103991 New Jersey Devils

How the NJ Devils will fill Sami Vatanen's void

Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 3:16 p.m. ET Jan. 30, 2019

NEWARK -- As it turns out, Sami Vatanen’s facial lacerations stemming from a hit against the glass by Pittsburgh’s Derick Brassard on Monday night left him with more than just a few stitches. It left the Devils’ best defenseman with a concussion. It also leaves the team with a whole lot of minutes to fill and a void on the power play. With Ben Lovejoy on injured reserve, the Devils will look to a trio of defensemen, Mirco Mueller, Steven Santini and Egor Yakovlev, to make up those minutes until one proves capable of playing the same amount of time as Vatanen, who leads the team in average ice time playing 21:44 per game. “Someone is going to have to play those minutes,” coach John Hynes said Wednesday after the Devils practiced at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House. “It’s by committee right now. I think (Will) Butcher has taken a step to show he can play some top-four minutes but I think between Steven, Mueller and Yakovlev, we’re going to have to see where they are. But we do need to see one of those players to take a step and be able to handle those minutes.” For a team already thin on the blue line, losing a player like Vatanen who plays in all situations and against the other team’s top line every night is a huge blow. To try and fill the role with three bottom-pairing defensemen will be tough. Mueller began the season as a top-pairing defenseman with Vatanen, but has found himself in the pressbox as a healthy scratch more often than not in recent games. Santini has played well as of late, showcasing the growth the Devils wanted to see. Yakovlev has only played 23 games between the American Hockey League and the NHL this season with the team citing the need for the KHL veteran to better adjust to North American ice. “No one is going to be able to take those minutes but someone is going to have to play in those situations,” Hynes said. “Penalty kill and we have to adjust the power play a little bit and then playing against the top two lines someone is going to have to be out there. No one has taken hold of that role yet so it will kind of be a little bit of an audition.” Deadline: Who do NJ Devils have to trade? NHL trade deadline primer Yakovlev was able to play a few games with Binghamton of the AHL over the bye week and with the time spent practicing with the NHL team, Hynes seems hopeful the 27-year-old can finally make the leap. “For him, the more games he gets the better so it was important for him to play in Binghamton,” Hynes said. “We play the same system, especially defensively. It’s also been nice that we’ve had three good hockey practices which is good for a player like that.” The problem is that none of those defensemen play with the man- advantage. The power play has already been dismal and Butcher was briefly taken off the top unit on Monday, replaced by Vatanen. Damon Severson plays on the second unit and may have to quarterback that unit. However, there are still questions regarding his decision- making. More: Why Devils' Damon Severson is headed 'in right direction' Brassard received a five-minute elbowing major and was subsequently ejected from the game. He did not have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety. Hynes seems torn on whether or not there should have been supplemental discipline for the Penguins’ forward. “I think if there was an elbow extended or a longer path to a hit,” Hynes said. “It’s tough to see Sami like that. He was in a vulnerable position and sometimes it’s on the hitter. It was not an elbow. Blasting a guy in a vulnerable position is a tough spot.”

Bergen Record LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103992 New Jersey Devils is in the final year of his contract and has been good, but not great, so it’s tough to know whether he factors into the club’s future plans. The 29- year-old is 14-14-6 with a 3.10 GAA and a .900 save percentage and Who do NJ Devils have to trade? NHL trade deadline primer doesn’t have a long resume for another team to go off of, but what he does have working for him is his 2018 spring campaign. Kinkaid rose to the occasion when the pressure was at its highest. He’s an unflappable goalie with a calm demeanor when the play is anything but calm. Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Pavel Zacha Published 6:00 a.m. ET Jan. 30, 2019 | Updated 9:35 a.m. ET Jan. 30, 2019 New Jersey Devils center Pavel Zacha (37) is defended by Detroit Red Wings right wing Martin Frk (42) in the first period at Little Caesars Arena. Thanks to the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Zacha, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, would be Penguins and Dallas Stars, trade season has officially commenced. someone the Devils could package with another player to net a bigger return. Zacha, New Jersey’s first-round pick in 2015, is still young at 21 Although the NHL Trade Deadline isn’t until Feb. 25, a pair of fairly years old but he’s not looking to be the dynamic, top-line center the significant deals were made Monday when the Kings shipped Devils predicted he would be. He has good two-way abilities but the defenseman Jake Muzzin to Toronto for a first-round pick and a few offensive side of his game is still developing. The Devils want him to use prospects, and Jamie Oleksiak left Pittsburgh to go back to the Stars, his shot more to create plays and he’s become more confident with his who traded him to the Penguins last summer. shot, developing a quicker trigger. He’s playing in all situations and there It’s tough to know whether the Devils will be buyers or sellers given the are flashes of that great player, but the consistency still isn’t there. current stage of the rebuild and where they are in the standings. They Johansson is coming up on free agency but he does have a modified no- don’t have a ton of pieces that would net a lot of value, and it doesn’t trade clause in his contract so he may be sticking around New Jersey a make sense for them to add any rentals given the fact that they will most little longer. But two-way abilities and his ability to boost the power play likely miss the playoffs. boost the 28-year-old’s stock. The seven goals and 17 points are However, what they do have working in their favor is cap space. The misleading. Johansson has been far more productive than they would Devils are in position to add for the future, bringing in a player with a suggest. long-term contract a team might want to rid itself of. It’s worth noting, Kyle Palmieri also has a modified no-trade clause. New Jersey has all seven picks in the next three drafts. A team like the Palmieri and his linemate Taylor Hall would obviously bring in a huge Devils on the brink of success but still building toward the future could haul but I don't expect the Devils to trade their two star wingers. possibly take on a contract like that of Cam Fowler, the Anaheim Ducks’ defenseman who carries a $6.5 million cap hit through 2025. The Ducks are staring down the barrel of a teardown, and shedding a contract like Bergen Record LOADED: 01.31.2019 that might be advantageous as the team tries to get younger and faster. It’s all hypothetical and there’s nothing to make of anything right now. But here are a few names on the NHL roster to keep an eye on as the market heats up. Ben Lovejoy Jan 14, 2019; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Ben Lovejoy (12) skates with the puck while being defended by Chicago Blackhawks left wing Alex DeBrincat (12) during the first period at Prudential Center. The veteran stay-at-home defenseman gets a lot of heat from fans who fail to see the little things he does well and that are important. He’s a gritty, competitive veteran who works well with young, up-and-coming defensemen because of the way he lets them be themselves. He kills penalties, he’s mobile and he’s positionally smart. The 34-year-old knows what it takes to win, having played deep into the postseason with the Anaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins, helping them to a Stanley Cup win in 2016. The Muzzin trade set the market value high, and Lovejoy wouldn’t necessarily bring in a big haul to begin with, but if there is a possibility to get a low-round draft pick it may be something the Devils would want to get for a defenseman on an expiring contract. Brian Boyle Dec 31, 2018; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils center Brian Boyle (11) points to the stands after a scoring a goal during the first period of their game against the Vancouver Canucks at Prudential Center. Boyle has been through a lot with the Devils and has become an emotional leader on the team, but hockey is a business and no one understands that more than a 12-year veteran. He’s made an impact on the back end with 13 goals and five assists this season, he plays in all situations and he’s one of the Devils’ most physical players on a team that lacks a physical presence. Boyle has long had a reputation for being a guy you want to have in the locker room with an exceptionally high character and work ethic. The 34-year-old center-turned-winger is in a walk year and would undoubtedly help a contender while bringing in a prospect in the process. Keith Kinkaid Nov 3, 2018; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid (1) makes a save against the New York Islanders during the second period at Barclays Center. The Devils came into the season thinking they had two No. 1 goalies in Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid but that hasn’t been the case. Kinkaid 1103993 New Jersey Devils

NJ Devils have not discussed shutting down Taylor Hall

Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 4:57 p.m. ET Jan. 29, 2019

NEWARK -- Taylor Hall missed his 14th game of the season Monday night, staying in New Jersey while the Devils defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 in their first game after their bye week and All-Star Break. He’ll miss the next one Thursday against the Rangers too. And probably the one after that. Hall is still rehabbing from an unknown lower-body injury and the club is still not releasing any specific injury information on their star left wing. He’s not yet skating every day, which leads one to believe that he’s not close to making a return. And the fans are understandably frustrated, considering the reigning Hart Trophy winner’s injury was initially considered day-to-day. New Jersey had hoped he could return for the NHL All-Star Game, but it was his linemate Kyle Palmieri who replaced him on the roster. It’s now clear the nagging injury is much worse than what the team thought when the injury first occurred. With the Devils currently down near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, it begs the question of whether or not it’s worth bringing Hall back this season. According to head coach John Hynes, they aren’t yet ready to tell Hall to pack it up for the season. “At this time, we have had no discussions of that,” Hynes said Tuesday after the Devils’ practiced at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House. Oct 18, 2018; Newark, NJ, USA;New Jersey Devils left wing Taylor Hall (9) shoots the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at Prudential Center. Hall continues to progress toward a return with a set rehab plan that has him skating on some days and working out off of the ice on other days. He did not skate Tuesday, but Hynes warned against reading something more into that. “He’s not on this skating every day type of “plan,” he’s on a specific plan with our trainers,” Hynes said. “He skated the other day, he didn’t skate today. I don’t know what he’s doing tomorrow, I haven’t checked yet.” There’s no doubt Hall’s presence has been missed. The top-line left wing, who has 11 goals and 26 assists to his name this season, is an influential playmaker who can play in all situations. He has been especially missed on the power play, where the Devils have struggled to generate offensive chances. “When he’s out there he looks to attack every time,” power play quarterback said. “When he does that, it creates so much offense for us because guys can’t tell whether he’s going to shoot or he’s going to pass and it opens up lanes. When other guys like Palms or () or (Brian Boyle) are out there, they know where he’s going to go with the puck.” However, the Devils know they can’t use Hall’s absence as an excuse. “That just means other guys have to step up,” Butcher said. “Hopefully we can fill that void.” Injury updates Sami Vatanen did not practice with the Devils on Tuesday, getting a day off for facial lacerations. Vatanen took an elbow from Derick Brassard in the third period of Monday’s win, smashing his face into the glass. He left to receive stitches and was held out of practice for precautionary reasons and evaluations. Brassard was ejected from the game and given a five-minute elbowing major, but did not have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Ben Lovejoy (lower-body), Stefan Noesen (lower-body) and Joey Anderson (ankle surgery) all skated on Tuesday. Lovejoy and Noesen are still considered day-to-day.

Bergen Record LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103994 New Jersey Devils By the time most players are 27 years old, their lot in the NHL is typically established. Coleman has only played 151 games at this level, and while he’s been pegged as a speedy, tenacious bottom-six role player, it’s still Blake Coleman has become an offensive force for the Devils at age 27, possible that he can carve out a bigger role. but can he sustain it? He’s become a second-line forward on this Devils team, but no one is mistaking it for a Cup contender. His line was supposed to be the third, but again this season an established second unit behind Taylor Hall, Nico By Corey Masisak Hischier and Kyle Palmieri hasn’t materialized and coach John Hynes has promoted Coleman’s line. Jan 30, 2019 Coleman found a home with Travis Zajac and Stefan Noesen on the “third” line near the end of last season, but by the playoffs they were essentially the second unit in ice time and production. Blake Coleman is on pace to become a 30-goal scorer in the NHL. Since Hall has been injured, the trio of Coleman, Zajac and Miles Wood That’s not something that many people outside his inner circle of friends has been New Jersey’s most productive at even strength. and family might have thought was possible, but Coleman’s breakout season has been one of the most pleasant surprises for the Devils in Coleman leads the Devils with 15 even-strength goals this season. Four 2018-19. He has 18 goals in 49 games, good for second on the team, in of his goals have been into an empty net, in part because his skill set his second full season in the league. makes him one of the first players Hynes deploys to defend leads in those situations. He has scored nine times in 14 games since Christmas, and leads New Jersey in goals since Taylor Hall went on injured reserve Dec. 23. Coleman actually started this season as the fourth-line center, but that only lasted four games (and one more a couple of games later). After “I didn’t set specific goals for numbers,” Coleman said. “Obviously I that, he was the left or right wing on the third line until the recent wanted to be better than I was a year ago, but that’s more about the all- promotion. He had a short stint with Brett Seney and Joey Anderson as around game. I didn’t have like a set number, per se, in mind. the third line, when Zajac moved up and Hischier was hurt. That trio was “Good offseason training, staying on top of it. Working on things that pretty successful, but Coleman was ultimately reunited with Zajac and need to be better. I thought I had a ton of scoring chances last year and Wood has settled in as the third guy. didn’t convert on enough of them. It was kind of understanding and Would Coleman like another shot at playing center? Being a learning to have a little more poise with the puck, make some different championship-caliber third-line center would be a step up the NHL decisions on breakaways. Little things that you work on that you hope hierarchy from third-line wing. translate into games.” “It doesn’t really matter,” he said. “I’m comfortable now at all three Coleman’s evolution as a late bloomer by typical NHL standards makes forward positions. Right wing was new for me. I’d never played there in him a curious case study. He turned 27 years old in November, and his my career, but I’ve gotten comfortable there this year. I think that’s good. path from Plano, Texas, to Prudential Center was a winding one. I think it’s good to have guys who can play kind of up and down and east He became a full-time NHL player at 26, after being passed over in his and west in the lineup and feel comfortable. Obviously the game is a lot first eligible draft year, then playing four years of college and two mostly easier when you have a center like Trav. It makes my game a lot easier.” in the minors. Coleman scored 13 times in 79 games last season, but he As Coleman’s production has improved, his lack of chances with the man has found a new level of offensive production. advantage has recently been a source of consternation among the fan So how high is Coleman’s NHL ceiling, and where does his career go base. from here? New Jersey’s power play has struggled for long stretches this season “I’m certainly not a guy that’s going to be satisfied at any point in my after a hot start. The Devils are 18th in the league in efficiency at 18.4 career,” Coleman said. “I’ll always think I can do better. That’s kind of percent. With Hall out, others have gotten new chances on the power how I’ve treated my whole career. In college I got consistently better. play. Save for one shift in the last game when Pavel Zacha was shaken Minors was the same thing. All the way up it’s been like that. I’ve learned up, the only times Coleman has seen time on the power play are in the how to work smarter in the league that I’m in. I think originally I come in final minutes when the other team has pulled the goalie (one of his four and it is just go, go, go and work to get noticed. Then I settle in and work empty-netters also doubles as his lone PPG). smarter, conserve energy where I can. So what does Coleman need to do to earn a chance? “I’m always going to think there’s more upside to my game, because I’m “Here’s what I would say,” Hynes said. “Blake’s in his second full-time always learning and trying to learn new things. I’m not a spring chicken, year in the NHL. His minutes have gone from 14 (per game) to around but I’m not an old fart yet, either. I think I can contribute and I think I’ve 17, 17:30, particularly in the past 10 games. If you look at his identity and got a lot of good years ahead of me. If I can keep learning and keep how he plays, he’s playing on one of our top lines in hard minutes. He’s building on the season before, then I think the sky’s the limit.” playing some of his best hockey. Right now we feel with developing a Let’s start with a simple premise: Coleman has established himself as a guy like him, he’s playing his best hockey and the role he’s playing he’s championship-caliber third-line winger. Drop Coleman onto the roster of thriving in. HIs minutes have increased. His responsibilities have any of the top Stanley Cup contenders right now, and he would increased. Right now he’s playing some really strong hockey. absolutely fit in as a third-line wing and penalty-killing leader. Replace “I think it’s part of just continuing to bring him along as a player. If some Connor Brown in Toronto, in Tampa Bay or Mathieu things like that continue and all of a sudden you put him on the power Perreault in Winnipeg with Coleman and those teams wouldn’t skip a play, the minutes go up even more. We don’t want to take away from his beat. strengths as a player. We are cognizant that he’s scoring and playing If Coleman spends the next several years as exactly that — an above- some really good hockey. But why? Why is that? And you want to make average third-line player and elite penalty killer — then he will have a sure that continues first. If it does and he continues to grow as a player, prosperous NHL career and the Devils will be ecstatic with the player you can add some responsibilities. But right now he’s thriving in the role they landed in the third round of the 2011 draft. that he’s in.” But can Coleman be more than that? Coleman is the type of player who gives maximum effort on every shift. Hynes has trusted him and Zajac to anchor a line that plays against other Coleman needs two more goals to join an interesting crop of late- teams’ top players, and they are the go-to forward duo on the penalty kill. blooming NHL players. With a nod to hockey-reference.com, here are the eight players since 2000 who have scored 20-plus goals in one of their The Devils don’t want to take away from his ability to be a max-effort guy first three NHL seasons while being 27 or older. Coleman counts as a in those situations if playing him 20 minutes a night risks that possibility. third-year player by Hockey Reference’s measure because of the 23 The only guys that are regulars on both special teams units are Brian games he played in 2016-17. Boyle, who sees reduced even-strength minutes, and Zajac. Coleman’s numbers shown here are what he is on pace for this season. That said, Coleman is a fitness freak, the type of gym rat that impresses Devils fans know the player at the top quite well. Chris Kunitz and Johan even other professional athletes. His body, particularly his lungs and his Franzen quickly became impact scorers, but were also boosted by lots of legs, could probably handle the extra workload without sacrificing energy time on the power play. in his other roles. “Yeah, who doesn’t want to play on the power play? Of course,” Coleman “We had options. Hockey is a crazy game,” Coleman said. “It’s physical. said. “But I respect the process, and certainly understand why the guys It could be one hit and miss the whole season. Security is nice to have. In who are on the power play are. If it comes, I’ll be ready and I’ll just have hindsight … look, nobody has a crystal ball to tell you this is how it was to make the most of it.” going to go. I certainly thought I could build on what I did last year, but you never know in this game. It was certainly good to get (the security). OK, so what about at even strength? What would Coleman need to do to prove he could be a top-six forward for an elite team? “You always want to maximize your value, but I’d always rather be outproducing my contract than underproducing. It is a good problem to That’s not an easy answer, but he does need to prove this year is not a have. That’s how I look at it. If it leaves space for us to have a good random spike. He doesn’t necessarily need to keep up the 30-goal pace team, and hopefully we can get the right guys signed, then it’s OK. If you — something in the mid-20s or better for multiple seasons could do it. have a lot of guys outperforming their contracts, you’re probably going to Also, the Devils evolving into a Cup contender would make that have a really good team.” evaluation a lot easier, because then we’d get to see what his role on that team would be. “He’s been very consistent with the way he’s grown as a pro,” Hynes The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 said. “It’s similar to the power play question. Sometimes you look at it and say, ‘Well geez, he’s scoring a lot of goals so put him in this role.’ You could say, ‘He’s scoring lots of goals, so put him with Nico.’ But he plays well with Travis. They play a certain style of game and he does certain things. He plays to his identity. He gets himself into the Grade A areas. He does play the game the right way. He doesn’t force offense, and he puts himself in situations where he can score, but it doesn’t detract from the rest of the game. He’s one of our best checking players. He’s one of our top penalty killers. When the game’s on the line, he’s a guy that we need out there. “That’s why he’s been able to produce. He hasn’t changed his game just because he has more production. When a player has some production, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to change his role. If they continue to do that and grow as a player over the course of time, then of course a player can grow into some different roles on the team. But you don’t want it to be too quick or take away from what he’s really doing well.” Here’s how the guys from our list of late bloomers did the rest of their careers, after that first 20-plus goal season. Madden won the Selke Trophy in 2001, but the criteria for that award and how it’s voted on has changed. While Coleman might receive some down-ballot votes this season because of his work on the penalty kill, contender requirements for the Selke have shifted more toward No. 1 centers who drive play at even strength. A couple of those guys went back to Europe to continue their careers. Franzen dealt with a lot of injuries, but was an impact player when healthy. Kunitz is about to play in his 1,000th game and Madden ended up just shy of 900. Given Coleman’s work ethic off the ice, he could still craft that type of career despite the late start. Where Coleman’s offensive production goes from here remains to be seen, but this is not your typical “shooting percentage bender,” a term for when a player scores a bunch of goals but his shooting percentage is unsustainably high. Coleman scored 13 times on 146 shots last year and has 18 on 145 so far this year. Shooting percentages can fluctuate from year to year, but generating shots on goal and scoring chances are more consistent. He might not shoot 12 percent every year, but if Coleman can manufacture this many shots on goal per game, even without power-play time, and can stay healthy, he’s going to score 20-plus goals more than once. “I’m sure some of it is playing more. A little more ice time is going to mean more shots,” Coleman said. “I’ve always been a shoot-first guy. I’ll pass if it’s there, but I don’t like to waste opportunities if I’m in or around the scoring areas. I like to get it to the net. I’ve certainly thought that way this year and put a lot of rubber at the net. It’s also been smarter shot selection, better poise with the puck that leads to more production.” If Coleman continues to play this well, he could earn more opportunities and responsibilities. It’s possible that once the Devils make some roster alterations as the trade deadline approaches, there could be an opening on one of the power-play units. For now, Coleman is getting second-line minutes and all the penalty killing ice time he can handle. Given his role, his all-around play and his production, Coleman has been one of the most valuable players on the team this season. He’s also been one of the most valuable players in the league from a financial standpoint. Coleman signed a three-year, $5.4 million contract this past summer during his Coleman Combine summer camp. That’s a tricky thing to ask a player: What’s it like to have one of the most valuable contracts in the league? It’s not a list every player necessarily wants to be on. Coleman could have signed a shorter deal, but the security was important to him after it took a little longer for him to reach this level than it did others. 1103995 New York Rangers New York Post LOADED: 01.31.2019 Rangers hoping offense gets double boost versus Devils

By Brett Cyrgalis January 30, 2019 | 6:55PM

There isn’t exactly an overabundance of skill on the current Rangers roster, so when two of the most offensively gifted players were watching from afar, it’s not a coincidence the Blueshirts could never beat Flyers goalie Anthony Stolarz in Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss at the Garden. But there is a good chance they could be getting one, if not both, of those pieces back as the post-break schedule continues with Thursday night’s match against the Devils in Newark. Winger Mats Zuccarello practiced fully on Wednesday with his top line of Chris Kreider and as he battles back from a foot infection. He has been taking antibiotics, and said the heel of his foot still hurts, so it’s just a matter of being able to play through the pain. “I feel good. It’s just hurting a little bit,” Zuccarello said. “But it’s going to hurt for a little bit. So we’ll see if I can deal with the pain. We’ll see how it feels.” The other talented winger is Pavel Buchnevich, who was a healthy scratch against Philadelphia, with coach David Quinn trying to make a point by putting him in street clothes and dressing seven defensemen — a lineup he repeatedly said he “doesn’t love.” Buchnevich practiced Wednesday back on the fourth line with Boo Nieves and Cody McLeod, and it’s more than likely he’s going to be there come Thursday night — or moved up in the lineup if Zuccarello can’t go. This was the third time this season (fourth game) Quinn has felt the need to scratch the 23-year-old Russian, and he even evaluated his demeanor in Wednesday’s practice. “It was pretty good, pretty good effort,” Quinn said. “I liked his attitude today, too.” The hope is that Buchnevich can respond and begin to add on to the nine goals and 15 points he has in 32 games (having missed 13 games with a broken thumb). Quinn planned to talk to him later on Wednesday afternoon, and was looking for a positive outlook. “Good news is he usually responds in circumstances like this,” Quinn said. “Hopefully that’s the case again. We need him.” The organization has to make a decision on Buchnevich, who is going to be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the end of the season. This is the second coach, along with Alain Vigneault, who has struggled to get consistency out of him, and has moved him up and down the lineup in hopes of finding a spark. Meanwhile, Zuccarello’s game was just starting to get better before the break. He had four goals and five assists in the five previous games, but thinks blocking a shot against the Blackhawks on Jan. 17 is what could have started the infection. “I blocked a shot against Chicago, so my heel was kind of swollen,” Zuccarello said. “I think it just came from that. I honestly don’t know. I don’t think [the doctors] know either. It’s just an infection.” What is clear is the Rangers would like to score quite a bit more, their 2.73 goals per game ranking them 27th in the league going into Wednesday night’s action. Zuccarello is tied for fourth on the team with 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in just 35 games. He missed close to a month with a nagging groin injury, returning Dec. 14. But since then, he has been one of the team’s better players, and when he’s not there to produce offensively it’s hard for someone else to pick up the slack. “Obviously that line was doing a great job, been very productive offensively,” Quinn said. “I thought he was the guy kind of making the difference. To lose him certainly didn’t help our cause.” Zuccarello is also acutely aware of his situation leading up to the Feb. 25 trade deadline, when he is more than likely to be moved. But for now, he is just trying to play well for the Rangers and move past this infection. “It always sucks to get hurt, it doesn’t matter how it’s going or not,” he said. “Obviously you want to be out there and playing. For sure it sucks.” 1103996 New York Rangers

Knee sprain could idle Rangers’ Brett Howden ‘a little while’

By Brett Cyrgalis January 30, 2019 | 6:22PM

The 10-day break that encompassed the bye week and the All-Star Game came at a perfect time for Rangers rookie center Brett Howden. But his refreshed game lasted just over four minutes of ice time on Tuesday night before he suffered a sprained knee and did not return to what would be a 1-0 loss to the Flyers. Howden, 20, was set to get a MRI late Wednesday afternoon, but the club is still expecting to deal with his absence for some time. “It could be a little while,” coach David Quinn said. The season had started really well for Howden, making the team out of training camp and showing a two-way, responsible game. But he hit a rookie wall at some point, and was very much looking forward to the break and then coming back recharged. But now there’s this, and it’s unknown just how long he’s going to be out. “It’s going to be hard for him,” Quinn said. “I thought he got off to a good start [Tuesday] night as well. I thought the break was going to do him a lot of good, and it certainly did early on. I thought he had a lot of jump in his game, I thought he had his legs. He looked like the guy he was early in the season. “So I feel bad for him, I feel bad for us. Because when he’s playing like that, he certainly does a lot of good things for us.” Henrik Lundqvist is set to get the start in nets against the Devils at Prudential Center on Thursday, having come back from All-Star weekend in San Jose and backed up Alexandar Georgiev on Tuesday. Quinn spent a good portion of the end of Wednesday’s practice drilling into his team the importance of faceoffs, especially the wingers winning the battles for loose pucks. “Too many 50-50 pucks and we’re not quick off the line — I call it the line of scrimmage,” he said. “You’ve got to be a little quicker than the guy that you’re lined up against. Too often we’re beat to loose pucks.” As a team, the Rangers were ranked 30th in the league with a 47.3 percent faceoff win percentage. The only regular center over 50 percent is Howden (50.3), followed by Ryan Strome (49.5), Mika Zibanejad (49.4), (48.6) and Boo Nieves (36.7). “Obviously if you’re a centerman, you get frustrated because you want your stats better,” Quinn said. “But we also want possession. It’s something that I’ll take responsibility for. It’s something we’ve talked about, but we need to spend a little more time on, for sure.” It looks like is going to go back to being paired with Marc Staal after Pionk returned from missing four of the previous five games before the break with a lower-body injury. On Tuesday, Quinn dressed seven defensemen, so the pairs rotated quite a bit. Winger Jesper Fast had a maintenance day on Wednesday but Quinn said “he’ll be able to play” Thursday.

New York Post LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103997 New York Rangers

Pavel Buchnevich trying to get back in David Quinn's good graces

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinASteph Updated January 30, 2019 8:09 PM

GREENBURGH, N.Y. – Pavel Buchnevich had no explanations Wednesday as to why he had been scratched from the lineup Tuesday night when the Rangers dressed only 11 forwards for their 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at the Garden. “I heard what [Rangers coach David Quinn] said was the reason I didn’t play,’’ Buchnevich said after practice at the Rangers’ training facility. “I can’t tell you anything more.’’ At Tuesday’s morning skate, Quinn said Buchnevich has “got to play better.” The 23-year-old right wing, who has been scratched for four games this season, has nine goals and six assists in 32 games with a minus-3 rating. He missed 13 games earlier this season with a broken thumb. So far, Quinn has not come right out and said what exactly it is that Buchnevich isn’t doing well enough, but presumably it has to do with either being more responsible defensively, being tougher, or working harder. Buchnevich said he didn’t know exactly what it was he needs to do better, but he expected to find out when he met with Quinn after practice. “Probably we’ll Watch video today and I’ll see what’s my problem and we’ll figure it out,’’ he said. “And I’ll try to be better.’’ Veteran Chris Kreider, one of Buchnevich’s closest friends in the locker room, said Buchnevich is going through a tough period that most NHL players will experience at some point in their careers. “It’s just a matter of him working hard and trying to digest all the stuff the coaches are telling him and apply that night in and night out,’’ said Kreider. “It sounds a lot simpler than it is. The game’s fast, and when you’ve got to play hockey, you’ve got to make reads, so sometimes taking all that information in, and maybe you’re overthinking it, maybe you’re kind of second-guessing your own game. Players go through that, young and old.’’ Quinn has made a point about demanding accountability from players and hasn’t been shy about benching veterans and scratching players to get his point across. The coach said he was pleased with Buchnevich’s effort in practice Wednesday, and with his attitude. Given the fact that Brett Howden was scheduled to have an MRI on the knee he sprained in Tuesday’s game (“it will be a little while,’’ Quinn said of how long Howden will be out) and that Mats Zuccarello is not certain to return from the foot infection that kept him out Tuesday, Buchnevich should presumably be back in the lineup against the Devils in New Jersey Thursday. “The good news is, he usually responds under circumstances like this, so I’m hoping that’s the case again,’’ Quinn said of Buchnevich. “We need him.’’ Notes & quotes: Zuccarello skated Wednesday for the first time since the bye week/All-Star break. He said he suffered his injury blocking a shot in the Jan. 17 game against Chicago and his heel swelled up. He said the foot has felt better every day and he hopes to play Thursday. “We’ll see how I feel,’’ he said . . . Henrik Lundqvist will play in goal, Quinn said.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 01.31.2019 1103998 NHL parted ways with the Skanska Hunt construction consortium and replaced it with Mortenson as the project’s general contractor.

While OVG is estimating its sales tax payments will be at least $80 KeyArena renovation group seeks to defer at least $80 million in million, Leiweke said the total amount due “could be closer to $90 million” Washington state sales tax payments once all the bills come in. OVG on Feb. 15 is to deposit the total amount of the KeyArena and Geoff Baker garage remodel less the estimated tax amount — meaning roughly $765 million — into an escrow account as per its deal with the city. Leiweke Seattle Times staff reporter said the tax deferral request is merely the final stage of getting his group’s financing set before heavy construction begins.

That mid-February date is when the bigger monthly tax costs on With costs climbing on the KeyArena renovation, members of the Los construction would start hitting the group. Angeles-based Oak View Group were in Olympia on Wednesday seeking to defer at least $80 million in sales tax payments related to that project Leiweke said about $50 million of the project’s increase is related to “the and an NHL training facility. cost of doing construction in Seattle’’ and that his company, its partners and NHL Seattle managing partner David Bonderman have agreed to OVG co-founder Tim Leiweke, company executive vice-president cover it without taking on additional investors. Francesca Bodie and others were meeting with state representatives ahead of the putting forth of a bill later this week to delay the start of “To those ultimately that say we are getting some sort of break, this is those tax repayments until January 2022. The bill, sponsored by House without a doubt the most secure, the best and — from a taxpayer Majority Leader Pat Sullivan (D), is similar to tax deferrals previously perspective — the most unencumbered arena deal ever done.’’ given for the public-subsidized construction of T-Mobile Park and CenturyLink Field and Leiweke was quick to insist he isn’t asking for any debt relief for his all-private venture. Seattle Times LOADED: 01.31.2019 “We want everybody at the legislature to hear from us that we are not asking for any special consideration,’’ Leiweke said of the Olympia visit. “We’re not asking for a tax break. We’re not asking for a waiver. We’re not asking for a rebate. We’re simply working through the payment structure and we’re going to pay 100 percent of our taxes.’’ Sullivan’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. If approved later this spring, the proposal would allow OVG to put off its current monthly sales tax repayment obligations until Jan. 1, 2022 — when the first of what would then become eight annual installments would be due. Those installments would include interest at a rate yet to be determined. By that point, the arena will have already had its spring 2021 reopening, a full Seattle Storm WNBA season and be partway through an inaugural NHL season set to begin in October 2021. “It’s not a subsidy,’’ Leiweke said. “The fact is, if you look at this project, it’s an even greater win-win. So, all of those that would ultimately claim that this is a break, or this is some sort of a deal, they’re wrong. “We are 100 percent privately paying to build a new arena. We are then donating that arena back to the city and the taxpayers. We take all the risk on it and we pay all the taxes on it. So, it’s better than the football stadium or the baseball stadium because this is the private sector paying for everything.’’ Deferring the tax payments also allows OVG to reposition its financial books, removing the sales tax as a capital expenditure and including it as an operating expense once arena revenue starts rolling in. Nationally renowned sports economist Victor Matheson from College of the Holy Cross — a harsh critic of subsidies for stadium projects — mostly agreed the OVG move isn’t a typical sports subsidy. Matheson did say OVG should see a slight federal tax benefit by not including the state sales tax upfront as a capital expense. Capital expenses can only be deducted from OVG’s federal tax burden at a depreciated rate over several decades. By deferring the state sales taxes so it effectively becomes part of a future annual operating expense, Matheson said OVG will be able to claim bigger federal deductions much sooner. “In effect, it’s a tax scheme that is designed to make sure you get your money back quicker,’’ Matheson said. “That all being said, it’s a small subsidy and it is not a subsidy from the taxpayers of Seattle and Washington, but a subsidy from federal taxpayers. And it isn’t a huge one. Even a stadium critic like me would have a hard time getting too worked up over it.’’ Originally estimated at $564 million two years ago in a winning renovation bid submitted to the City of Seattle by OVG, the cost of the arena remodel is now pegged at $800 million, along with an additional $50 million for a parking garage not originally in the group’s 2017 proposal. The estimated cost of a planned NHL training center at Northgate Mall has also now jumped to $80 million — up from $70 million when it was first announced last October. That leaves OVG on the hook for at least $930 million in infrastructure obligations. Last month, in an effort to contain escalating costs, OVG 1103999 Ottawa Senators

Senators want a strong finish, Jean-Gabriel Pageau says

Bruce Garrioch January 30, 2019 6:21 PM EST

PITTSBURGH — Refreshed and ready. The Ottawa Senators will return from their eight-day break with a practice Thursday afternoon in Pittsburgh, and as they prepare to face the Penguins on Friday night at the PPG Paints Arena the players are determined to have a strong finish in the final 32 games. The club will have centre Colin White back from a shoulder injury and that should help with the depth. “When I look around the room, everybody is taking pride playing for the Sens and everybody wants to end on a good note,” centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau told TSN 1200 on Wednesday afternoon. “I expect a push from our team. “For the first time, we’re going to have a healthy team and it’s going to be good to have Colin back. All the pieces are going to be back. The players are never 100 per cent through the year, but everybody’s going to be in top shape after the little break. Everybody will be rested up and I think everybody is motivated to finish strong.” Pageau added he felt the Senators were playing better hockey before the break took place. “We were playing some really good hockey so we’ll try to get back at it right away in Pittsburgh,” Pageau said.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104000 Ottawa Senators The Senators aren’t shopping Ceci, but teams have been calling since before the holiday freeze in December and Dorion has been listening to get a feel for the marketplace. All it takes is one phone call, and the GARRIOCH: It will be a busy time for Ottawa Senators as they return to Senators believe one area they have good depth is on defence. work It’s believed a few teams have shown an interest in veteran winger Mikkel Boedker. Acquired in the Mike Hoffman trade with the San Jose Sharks last spring, the 29-year-old has a year left with a cap hit of $4 Bruce Garrioch million, but Boedker was a strong performer in the playoffs last spring and that has teams sniffing around. January 30, 2019 6:04 PM EST The quiet time is over for the Senators and there could be plenty of action off the ice as well. PITTSBURGH — Break time is over for the Ottawa Senators. And now the clock is ticking. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 01.31.2019 It’s been more than a week since the Senators dropped a 3-2 decision to the Arizona Coyotes at the on Jan. 22, and Thursday afternoon they’ll gather here at the PPG Paints Arena to prepare to face , Evgeni Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night at 7 p.m. Since we last saw the Senators, not a lot has changed, but that doesn’t mean changes aren’t on the horizon with general manager Pierre Dorion getting ready to bear down on his list of priorities before the NHL trade deadline Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. Back from a trip to the top prospects game in Red Deer, Alta., and a trek to Europe to see some players, Dorion will re- ignite discussions with unrestricted free agents Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel in the coming days to try to see if he can get contracts in place to keep the trio. If not, then the wheeling and dealing will begin. Naturally, the first priority is to keep all three players, but the two sides in all three cases are about to get down to business to see if they can get deals in place and, if not, then Dorion will start fielding offers to see what kind of return he can get for three forwards that are highly regarded by playoff contenders. The top priority for the Senators is to keep Stone in the fold, and it’s believed both sides are optimistic that will be the case. The 26-year-old agreed to a one-year, $7.35 million contract last August to avoid arbitration and the talks have been centred around an eight-year agreement upwards of $8 million per season. The Senators and Stone weren’t really that far apart on a contract when they agreed to avoid arbitration. The sense then was that when the two sides sat down in January they would be able to bridge the gap between them. Stone has performed up to expectations and has done a good job leading the way for the young players. Of course, this leads us to Duchene. You can’t question his commitment to the decision by the organization to go young and he’s done his part with this group. But he came to Ottawa because he wanted to be part of a contender and nobody could have predicted that, three months after the deal in November 2017, the organization would rebuild. The Senators have been forthcoming with Duchene — and Stone, for that matter — about the plan. The Senators want their top two forwards to be the centre pieces for this rebuild and then they hope to get the right young players around them so this team gets back to being a contender. Does Duchene want to be part of this long-term? The Senators have told Duchene and his agent they want to keep him, but he also has to decide if this is the right fit. The thinking is Dorion will want an answer from Duchene and Stone by Feb. 10 to Feb. 15 so that if one or both of them decide to move on the organization has time to weigh offers. As for Dzingel, he’s an interesting case. He has 20 goals in 48 games, has been solid around the net and has been attracting plenty of interest on the trade market. There haven’t been a whole lot of contract talks with his camp, but he may just have to be patient. Unless somebody makes the Senators an offer they can’t refuse on Dzingel in the coming days, his future may depend on Stone and Duchene. If either of those players moves on, it may keep Dzingel in the fold. You can’t argue with his numbers, but it’s also going to depend on his demands. There’s been no shortage of speculation about the future of veteran defenceman Cody Ceci in the last 48 hours. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Tuesday that if the Senators can get a first-round pick along with a couple of prospects then there’s a good chance Ceci will be moved. 1104001 Ottawa Senators Over the years, Ceci’s name has been linked in trade offers for players like Matt Duchene, Jonathan Drouin and perhaps most infamously, Taylor Hall. There are multiple reasons why the Senators should trade Cody Ceci The Senators’ unwillingness or inability to move Ceci when his value was and the earlier the better higher has obviously helped foster resentment, but from the sounds of it, the Senators are trying to trade him now. By Graeme Nichols In TSN’s Insider Trading segment during Tuesday night’s broadcast, Darren Dreger discussed the impact of the Toronto’s Jake Muzzin trade Jan 30, 2019 and how it might influence the Senators’ approach with Ceci. “Now the Ottawa Senators are still in a rebuild mode, so the return absolutely is attractive. There’s been much speculation around Cody It’s really easy to feel sorry for Cody Ceci. Ceci – whether he’s in play or whether he’s not in play. For that (Muzzin) return, 100-percent Ceci is in play. Why wouldn’t Ottawa look for a first For the past number of years, the defenceman has been a lightning rod round pick and a couple of prospects or a first round pick and an NHL for criticism. Ceci, in the minds of many fans, is emblematic of the roster player for a 25-year old right-shot D-man? He’s got to get Stone ineffectual player valuation model that the Senators are employing. signed, he’s trying to sign Duchene and he might sign Ryan Dzingel, so Despite overwhelming statistical evidence that has characterized Ceci as he’s got to move out some pieces and get (a) great return.” a defenceman who is ill-equipped to handle the minutes and defensive It’s laughable to believe that the Senators could fetch anything responsibilities that the organization has given to him, Ceci has only seen resembling what the Kings received in return for Muzzin, but no one his workload and responsibilities grow. would blame Pierre Dorion for trying. Senators brass has a longstanding The following visuals from HockeyViz.com help underscore how history for leaking information to the media in an effort to spur the market overwhelmed the Senators are when Ceci is on and off the ice while the and drive up the price. team is playing 5-on-5 hockey: As a restricted free agent earning $4.3 million this season, the Senators According to Corsica.Hockey’s data, of the players who have logged would have to qualify him at that full amount in order to retain his rights. more than 2,000 5-on-5 minutes over the last four seasons, no However, at that price the Senators could reallocate that money more defenceman has compiled a worse shot differential than Ceci’s negative efficiently – whether it’s spending some of that money to retain their 1,119 (C+/-). To put things in perspective, the second-worst differential impending UFAs or to bring in a defenceman who can do what Ceci does belongs to Rasmus Ristolainen (-800) and he’s played 243 more minutes at a lesser cost, freeing up cash for the organization to spend addressing at 5-on-5 than Ceci. other weaknesses. During this same span, the Senators have generated only 44.22 percent Understandably, some are inevitably going to be disappointed that the of the total shots (CF%) when Ceci has been on the ice – again, that’s Senators never capitalized on Ceci’s value earlier in his career, but at the league’s worst mark. least in this instance, there’s still an opportunity to salvage some value in a trade. The return will not be Taylor Hall, but in a world where there Throughout Ceci’s career, it’s often been argued that he has not were fears not that long ago that the Senators could double-down on benefited from great defensive partners. Whether it was Patrick their mistake by locking up Ceci to a long-term extension, moving him for Wiercioch, Mark Borowiecki or even a Dion Phaneuf when he was at the some young assets now could still be considered a win. tail end of his career, it’s true, they have all failed to buoy Ceci.

In fact, the only person he’s looked comfortable playing with was CTV’s Terry Marcotte. The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 At some point, however, the organization has to take ownership of Ceci’s shortcomings because irrespective of who he has played with and the responsibilities he has been given, more often than not, the Senators have been caved in whenever Ceci has graced the ice. So why has Ceci’s usage continued for so long? It’s a great question. It probably helps that he’s a local hockey product who grew up in Orleans and spent most of his junior career playing for the Ottawa 67’s. He has the homegrown backstory that fans tend to rally around and as a product of the Senators’ development system, the organization may have suffered from being too loyal to a player they believed would eventually fulfill the projections placed upon him when the Senators selected him 15th overall in the 2012 Draft. There is no questioning Ceci’s physical tools or effort level. He skates well and listed at 6’2” and 209 lbs, there is a willingness to go into the corners and engage in puck battles. The problem for Ceci is that he rarely wins those battles and he suffers from his ability to process the game at this level. He often fails to anticipate where the play is developing and by the time he reacts, it’s too late. He has a tendency to get caught watching the puck and because of it, he often misses or loses his defensive assignment. Conversely, the organization deserves criticism for their failure to construct a competent blueline. The departures of Wade Redden and Zdeno Chara signalled the blueline’s downturn and since the team’s appearance in the Stanley Cup final, the organization has failed to construct a competent group. Poor player valuation and an anachronistic notion of what makes a competent defenceman have contributed to Ceci’s place being entrenched in the lineup, but as Ceci has matured, his track record has grown. Now that he is 25 years of age, it’s safe to assume that this is what Ceci is. The problem therein is that Ottawa is not the only organization that should have a clearer idea for what Ceci is at this stage of his career. 1104002 Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Flyers, 3-0 (with an empty-netter), in October. ... Goalie Mike McKenna was sent to the Phantoms for conditioning. He played in one game for the Flyers, a 5-3 loss to the Capitals, who clinched the Jan. Flyers' younger players thriving under interim coach Scott Gordon 8 win with an empty-net goal. ... The Flyers have scored a power-play goal in just two of their last nine games.

by Sam Carchidi, Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.31.2019

NEW YORK -- Late in games, Flyers public-relations whiz Zack Hill asks media members which players are needed for interviews, and as the final minutes disappeared in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over the New York Rangers, he was given these names: Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Oskar Lindblom, and Anthony Stolarz. Their respective ages: 22, 22, 22, and 25. Lately, requesting younger players hasn’t been unusual. That’s because younger players have played a more-active role since interim coach Scott Gordon replaced Dave Hakstol on Dec. 17. The prime example is Carter Hart, the 20-year-old goalie who has thrived since being promoted from Lehigh Valley, where Gordon was his coach. Lindblom and Sanheim, who have played for Gordon’s AHL Phantoms, are two other examples. Both have taken advantage of expanded roles under Gordon. Lindblom, in his last 10 games under Hakstol, was demoted to the fourth line or was a healthy scratch. Now, he is playing on the second line with Sean Couturier and Jake Voracek and is being used on the power play and penalty kill. “I get more confidence when I play more,” Lindblom said after scoring the game’s only goal, his sixth of the season, in Tuesday’s win in Madison Square Garden. “I feel good now. I can’t complain.” Lindblom said he has “more to give” and that he is “getting better every game now. I just have to keep building on it.” Sanheim has also had a larger role under Gordon. He has been placed on the No. 1 defensive pairing, alongside Ivan Provorov. “Obviously, he’s a special player, and there are things he does on the ice that not many players do,” Sanheim said about Provorov. “I try to pick up on little things he does, and I think we’ve definitely grown, and we continue to get better.” Under Hakstol, Sanheim played 20-plus minutes in just two of 31 games this season, frequently getting just 15 or 16 minutes a night. But he has averaged 21:44 of ice time in 19 games under Gordon. “I think with more minutes comes more responsibility, and I’m just trying to thrive on that and get better each day,” Sanheim said. “I play better when I play more. I’m getting more confident.” Stolarz also has a comfort level with Gordon, having spent parts of four seasons with him at Lehigh Valley. Coming off an injury that sidelined him for more than six weeks, Stolarz was flawless Tuesday, making 38 saves in the first game he played with Gordon as the Flyers coach. Gordon was impressed but not surprised by Stolarz' performance. He saw similar efforts in the AHL and called Stolarz an “athletic goaltender” and a “workhorse.” “There were games when we played three in three, and his third game in three nights would be his best,” Gordon said. “Those are the nights where sometimes you play a team that’s been sitting there waiting for you, and he would steal games for us. And he certainly did that” Tuesday. Provorov’s strides The defenseman, who has struggled throughout the season, has looked like his old self in the last two games. “They were his best two games since I’ve been here,” Gordon said. “There’s no comparison. He’s carrying the puck with confidence. He’s moving his feet. He’s getting up in the rush. His gaps have been great.” So why has Provorov turned things around? “I think he went to Turks and Caicos and got sunburned,” Gordon deadpanned about Provorov’s whereabouts during the bye week. “Peeled off a layer of skin.” Breakaways Hart will face Boston on Thursday, He made 39 saves and Couturier had a hat trick in a 4-3 win over visiting Boston on Jan. 16. The host Bruins 1104003 Philadelphia Flyers Defenseman Ivan Provorov, who has struggled throughout the season, has looked like his old self in the last two games since the bye week.

“I think they were his best two games since I’ve been here,” Gordon said. Flyers-Rangers observations: On short-term goals and Ivan Provorov’s “There’s no comparison. He’s carrying the puck with confidence. He’s skin peeling off moving his feet. He’s getting up in the rush. His gaps have been great.” Gordon put Provorov on the team’s top power-play unit late in the game, by Sam Carchidi, but that was primarily because the Flyers were protecting a 1-0 lead and he wanted his best defenseman out there.

So why has Provorov turned things around? NEW YORK — The Flyers continued to roll, defeating the New York Rangers, 1-0, Tuesday night to win their fifth straight game. Here are “I think he went to Turks and Caicos and got sunburned,” Gordon some observations: deadpanned about Provorov’s whereabouts during the bye week. “Peeled off a layer of skin.” Short-term goals Hey, whatever works. Playoffs?

Scott Gordon, the interim coach whose Flyers are the NHL’s hottest team, would prefer short-term goals. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.31.2019 That’s what he told his players after Anthony Stolarz made 38 saves to steal a victory from a Rangers team that had controlled most of the action. “We don’t have to worry about eighth place right now,” Gordon said, referring to the Eastern Conference’s last playoff spot. “We have to worry about what’s in front of us, the closest team that’s in front of us.” With 32 games left, the Flyers are 10 points behind Pittsburgh for the last wild-card spot. But the Flyers (48 points) also must hop over Florida (48 points, two games in hand), the Rangers (49 points), Carolina (54), and Buffalo (56) in the wild-card hunt. “If we are looking at smaller goals — we’ve got a couple teams that are maybe two, three, four points ahead of us — and if we get to a point where we can leapfrog them, and then we worry about the next grouping of teams in front of us,” Gordon said. “When it’s all said and done, you can’t look too far into the future. You have to worry about the game that’s in front of you.” That would be a matchup against the Bruins (27-17-6) on Thursday in Boston. The Flyers (21-23-6) are 1-1 against the Bruins this season, dropping a 3-0 decision (with an empty-netter) in Boston on Oct. 25, and winning the Jan. 16 rematch, 4-3, behind Sean Couturier’s hat trick and Carter Hart’s 39 saves. Strange stat During each victory in their five-game winning streak, the Flyers have been outshot. In fact, in the Flyers’ last eight games, the team with the fewer number of shots has been the winner. Here are the five wins: · Beat Minnesota, 7-4, but outshot, 38-27. · Beat Boston, 4-3, but outshot, 42-19. · Beat Montreal, 5-2, but outshot, 35-24. · Beat Winnipeg, 3-1, but outshot 32-31. · Beat Rangers, 1-0, but outshot, 38-19. Gordon said most of the opposing teams’ shots have been from the perimeter during the streak, and he didn’t seem concerned. And when teams have gotten Grade A chances — and there have been too many of them — Hart and Stolarz have bailed them out. Gordon wasn’t happy with the Flyers attack Tuesday, but noted that playing games on consecutive nights might have contributed to the lack of offensive crispness. “When we had opportunities off the rush, we didn’t even get shots,” he said. “And those opportunities, most of them went back the other way. They didn’t necessarily lead to great opportunities [for the Rangers], but it took away from us being able to establish some momentum.” The Flyers' power-play problems continued, as they were 0-for-2 Tuesday and had zero shots. They have scored a power-play goal in just two of their last nine games. That has to change dramatically if this team has any shot at climbing back into the playoff race. Hey, the penalty kill has turned things around, so it’s not impossible. 1104004 Philadelphia Flyers But the names each night, win or lose, aren’t Giroux, Couturier, Voracek, or Simmonds. And crazy as this sounds, the Flyers' talk about making a playoff push doesn’t sound nearly as crazy as it did five games ago. Carter Hart’s ‘intensity’ has Flyers finally playing like a band of brothers | “One goal, two points,” said Lindblom. “A perfect game.” Sam Donnellon

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 01.31.2019 by Sam Donnellon Sam Donnellon | @samdonnellon | [email protected]

NEW YORK -- The last time the Flyers put Anthony Stolarz in net, they broke him. This was in Vancouver about six weeks ago, when Stolarz and his twice rebuilt knee represented their last goalie standing. Until he wasn’t. He played three games in four nights, in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. All ended as losses, one of them epic. None of the losses were on him, really, not even an eye-popping collapse in Calgary when the Flames erased a two-goal deficit in the last 68 seconds of the game, before Johnny Gaudreau won it 35 seconds into overtime. No, not his fault, for the opportunities tended to be uncontested second and third shots, juicy ones. But he was also human over that stretch, especially in his final two games, unable to offset or overcome the breakdowns of technique, ultimately succumbing to the lack of confidence that had infested his team. He was set to be the No. 1 star in Calgary that night, before those fateful last 68 seconds of regulation. He made 35 saves that night. He made 38 Tuesday in his return from his latest injury, described as lower body, believed to be groin related. “He was a monster back there,” said Oskar Lindblom, whose greasy goal early in the first period goal held up in a 1-0 Flyers victory over the Rangers -- their season-high fifth victory in a row. Stolarz’s injury, which may or may not have been from leaning on him so heavily over those four days, was the tipping point to several changes over the six weeks he’s been out: a new assistant coach, new head coach, trades, demotions and promotions -- and the long-awaited promotion of Carter Hart. Hart has breathed new life into this paradoxical team, creating a faith in one another that the players often professed to have off the ice, while playing like distrusting thieves on it. Even Stolarz has been affected. “I think a lot of it has to do with Hartsy,” he said after Tuesday’s game. "I kind of want to match his intensity out there. It’s fun to watch him: He’s so poised, so calm in net. I’m just trying to take things from him and incorporate it into my game. "If I want to get in there, I’m going to have to match him." He did that and more. He split, he dove, he flopped, using every inch of his 6-foot-6 frame to blanket his net. Chris Kreider was a preferred victim, twice set up in front via pass or an initial shot, eyeing the heavens when Stolarz somehow covered the opening he saw, eyeing them again when he hit iron. Not counting that, the Rangers centerman had five shots. "He mentioned something about me being a big guy," Stolarz said with a smile. But this wasn’t just about him. Playing for second night in a row, the Flyers blocked an additional 19 shots. The Rangers had seven. This was a statistic that was habitually lopsided the other way for the front part of this season, but some tweaks in positioning and perhaps philosophy have created a buy-in. “If you listen to what the other coaches say after the game,” said interim coach Scott Gordon, "and they talk about how they didn’t get a lot of traffic, we didn’t make it hard on their goalie, we turned the puck over. That was the same thing we heard about Winnipeg … "Shots can generate multiple opportunities. But when you defend, when you protect the middle of the ice, which I actually thought we did a really good job of tonight, that is more important than giving up a shot that isn’t more than a perimeter shot." For the second night in a row, Ivan Provorov was Ivan Provorov again. Playing with Sean Couturier and Jake Voracek, playing on the penalty kill, Lindblom has been a revelation. That’s just the start of a big list. It would be a shame if sacrificing GM was the catalyst to the emergence of the team he envisioned. 1104005 Philadelphia Flyers pressure of those situations and, quite honestly, he thrives in those critical minutes of the game."

Frost will be shooting for the Flyers when 2019 training camp rolls around Flyers prospect Morgan Frost answering every question along path to in the fall. He's set to turn pro in 2019-20 and you can bet his eyes will be NHL on Philadelphia, not Lehigh Valley. He has proven enough for that to be his goal. By Jordan Hall January 30, 2019 7:20 PM Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.31.2019

What more can Morgan Frost do? It was a question many probably asked for him ahead of his final season at the junior level. Frost toyed with the competition in 2017-18, creating offense that looked unfair at times. The 2017 first-round pick finished with 112 points (42 goals, 70 assists) and a plus-70 rating in 67 regular- season games, as his Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds dominated the OHL with a 55-7-6 record and 116 points. Somehow, though, Frost found a way to get better, to improve the all- around makeup everyone has preached to him since he was drafted 27th overall by the Flyers. This season, in his final year of junior hockey, everything is elite again from a production perspective. The next-level component is Frost molding the intangibles. He hasn't settled, when he easily could have with more eye-popping numbers. "There's not a lot for me to say to Morgan at this point," first-year Sault Ste. Marie head coach John Dean said last Friday in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. "He's done everything we could possibly ask of him." He's looking and sounding more and more like an NHL-ready player. The dexterous 19-year-old center put up eight points (four goals, four assists) in five games for Team Canada during the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship. With the Greyhounds, he has 78 points (31 goals, 47 points) through 40 games. But here's what has impressed Dean most: Over the course of the year, I think the greatest thing that has been really fun to watch is to see what kind of a leader he keeps growing into. He leads by example, he puts the young guys under his wing and he's really growing into a 200-foot player. When you have a player of Morgan Frost's talent and obviously being a first-round pick, when he welcomes you with open arms, it makes life easy on our young guys. But he also leads by example on the ice, he manages the puck properly, he makes sure that he knows when he should be making plays and when he shouldn't be. … He's smart in his own zone, he works really hard on the way back and he does it at appropriate times in the game. Obviously everyone knows him as an offensive player, but I think he has really evolved away from the puck. It's real easy to point to a guy like that to the rest of his teammates when he's doing the right things with the puck and without the puck. A specific example of that came Jan. 20 during a game in which Frost scored five goals and "could have scored seven or eight with the opportunities that he got," according to Dean. "But we were also down by two and he really, really maintained the composure of the bench, he continued to play the 200-foot game even when we were up by two or three goals," Dean said. "The example he set away from the puck, it's starting to get rewarded with the puck." Over that weekend, Frost scored seven goals and nine points in two games. And he didn't lose focus of playing the right way. "I think the intangibles that he provided over the course of the weekend were arguably more important than the goals he scored," Dean said. So Frost is again scoring at a prolific clip, he has gotten stronger, he plays on Sault Ste. Marie's first-unit power play and penalty kill, he's blossomed into a leader and is working both ends of the ice. He's making the what-more-can-he-do question unanswerable. "He's just too smart to not be put in all situations," Dean said. "He's a dependable guy, he knows how to play in those situations, he enjoys the 1104006 Philadelphia Flyers Gudas and the toughness he brings having tailored his game to the style of play we see now in the league. His contract is manageable at $3.35 million through next season. I expect Fletcher to hold onto Gudas as the Which of these 5 Flyers could be dealt before the NHL trade deadline? Flyers make a push into February. If they can't close the gap, then Gudas could be on the move.

"We'll have to see what our health is," Fletcher said. "I don't anticipate By John Boruk moving players out just to play young players." January 30, 2019 2:30 PM Possible Teams: Montreal, Minnesota The Canadiens and Wild are two teams that could benefit from Gudas' rugged style of play and could use one more right-handed shot on their The trade dominoes are starting to topple around the NHL and the Flyers respective blue lines. are expected to be in on the action as well. What happens if Gudas isn't traded? "I could see us buying and selling, I guess to use those terms," Chuck Fletcher said. "But the bigger focus is, we'd like to get some pieces in Could still be packaged in a deal over the summer or sticks around for here that will be a part of this for a few years." one more season. However, Fletcher is also looking to add a top-four defenseman over the summer and Gudas doesn't seem to fit that mold. Here are the five likely candidates Fletcher could move in order to get that accomplished. Wayne Simmonds Personally, I don't see Ghost going anywhere before Feb. 25, but there have been quite a few rumblings in regards to the Flyers' 25-year-old Simmonds is arguably one of the most highly-coveted players on the defenseman. Hockey analyst Bob McKenzie mentioned Gostisbehere on trade market. Cup contending teams would love to add a 25-goal scorer TSN radio in Montreal: who works the trenches while providing a net-front presence on the power play. Fletcher mentioned that Simmonds isn't the only priority "Gostisbehere is a name that's been out there, but I don't know that it's at moving forward with several key RFAs that all need new contracts. the top of the list of things that Chuck Fletcher wants to move out of town. That's not to say that he wouldn't for the right price." "We have lots of holes and a certain amount of money in which to do it with the salary cap," Fletcher said Monday. "We're just trying to balance Possible Teams: Anaheim, Vancouver everything and make the right decision, but certainly in a few weeks I think it will be resolved one way or the other." The Ducks and Canucks are two teams that could use Ghost's big shot on a sluggish power play. Anaheim would love to add a veteran Possible Teams: Nashville, Winnipeg, Calgary, Toronto defenseman as they recently acquired Michael Del Zotto through a trade with the Canucks for Luke Schenn. (The above-mentioned teams are in win-now mode and have all been linked to Simmonds) What happens if Gostisbehere isn't traded? What happens if Simmonds isn't traded? If he's not a part of the Flyers' top power-play unit moving forward, it will be interesting to see how and where Gostisbehere fits into Fletcher's He'll be signed to an extension. However, I just don't see a scenario plans after this season. where Simmonds is unsigned or not dealt prior to the deadline, and I fully expect the latter to happen. His value will never be higher than what it is between now and Feb. 25. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.31.2019 Dale Weise Weise reported to the Phantoms this week, where he will be buried until further notice. It's an unfortunate situation for both sides, but a mistake that was made the moment the ink was dried on a four-year contract. Weise never brought that energy and physicality the Flyers were hoping for. "Dale's not going to be a part of this going forward, so we'll try to find him another team to go to," Fletcher said. "He's obviously hungry to get playing, and to find a situation that's better for himself." Possible Teams: Any willing trade partner What happens if Weise isn't traded? He'll be leveraged as part of an offseason trade. If that doesn't pan out, then Fletcher will buy out the remaining year on his contract with a reasonable cap hit spread out over two years ($1.18 million in 2019-2020 and just $583,000 in 2020-21). Michael Raffl Raffl's in the final year of his contract that pays him $2.35 million. Now relegated to the fourth line, he has become expendable. Trading Raffl would also open up a roster spot for someone like Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who was called up in November. If Fletcher was able to squeeze a sixth- round pick from Arizona for Jordan Weal, then certainly Raffl can command a mid-round pick. Possible Teams: San Jose, Vegas, Colorado The Sharks have an extra fifth-rounder in 2020 and Vegas has three fifth- round picks in 2019 at its disposal. To get out of the Western Conference can be punishing and Raffl's size and strength may be an asset worth taking a chance on. What happens if Raffl isn't traded? He'll simply become a free agent on July 1. Radko Gudas The Flyers are staring at a logjam on the blue line next season with Sam Morin and Phil Myers also NHL ready. I believe the organization values 1104007 Philadelphia Flyers

With inspiration from his father, Flyers' Anthony Stolarz keeps getting back up

By John Boruk January 30, 2019 7:00 AM

NEW YORK — When Anthony Stolarz thinks his situation can’t get any more adverse than it’s been over the past 18 months, he just reminds himself of his father’s job to help gain some perspective. “My worst days are still not close to his best day,” Stolarz said. “When you put things [in perspective] like that, you just kind of enjoy every day, enjoy being around the guys and enjoy playing in buildings like this.” John Stolarz's profession is that of a shipping clerk in a chemical plant back in Anthony’s hometown. It doesn't get much more blue collar than dealing with hazardous waste shipments and waste disposal, so if Stolarz has to get his pads dirty for 60 minutes at the World’s Most Famous Arena, consider it a rather easy task. “Sometimes games like this are a little stressful, but it comes with the job,” Stolarz said of his 38-save masterpiece Tuesday in a 1-0 win over the Rangers (see observations). There’s a certain level of amazement to how Stolarz even got here. Two surgeries to repair a torn meniscus in each knee along with three rehab assignments with the of the ECHL, and at one point, the odd man out when the Phantoms had three goalies. He’s nearly seven years removed from his draft year, yet in terms of games played in the NHL, the 25-year-old Stolarz is not that much different than 20-year-old Carter Hart. “The thing that’s most impressive is what he’s had to go through this year and last year,” Flyers interim head coach Scott Gordon said. “That’s not easy.” In all likelihood, Stolarz solidified his spot in Philadelphia. At least for the remainder of this season. Whereas Hart can be conveniently shuttled between the big club and the Phantoms, the same luxury no longer applies for Stolarz, who would have to clear waivers to play with Lehigh Valley. Back in October, then-general manager Ron Hextall was able to successfully do it prior to the start of the season, but there’s very little chance of sneaking Stolarz past 30 other teams now, especially with injuries across the league. If Stolarz’s injury history scared teams off before, his resiliency alone is worth taking a shot at. The question moving forward is where does Stolarz fit in the Flyers' grand scheme of goaltending? He’s a restricted free agent at the end of this season. “I can’t even think about that with the way things have gone,” Gordon said. “We obviously have Brian Elliott coming back. Realistically, we could wind up playing with three goalies here with the uncertainty of where Brian’s going to be.” Ideally, a Hart-Stolarz tandem seems like the way to go, but there’s a lot of risk and inexperience that comes with that. Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said Monday that he’ll be looking outside the organization for more goaltending as he plans ahead for the 2019-20 season and beyond. “We’re certainly going to need one, if not two, veteran goalies at some capacity,” Fletcher said. “So that’ll all play out, but you can never have enough goalies. That’s not only the Flyers. You look around the league, so many goalies get banged up.” But very few can get banged up and get back up as Stolarz has. Perhaps, it’s just part of his chemical makeup.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104008 Philadelphia Flyers be playing in Philly next year. Maybe with Lehigh, but I could still have college to come back to and have a good second year.”

Monday Farabee plans to meet with Flyers general manager Chuck How the World Junior Championships helped propel Joel Farabee’s Fletcher for the first time in person. There surely wouldn’t be a decision freshman season made on next year, more of just an introductory meeting. Fletcher, the Harvard alumnus, is expected to watch the Dave Isaac, NHL writer tournament where his Crimson will take on and Farabee’s Terriers will face defending Beanpot champion Northeastern. Published 3:41 p.m. ET Jan. 30, 2019 “I think it would be a huge jump, just watching the guys over the years, if he left and tried to play (in the NHL) next year, personally,” O’Connell said. “I think his head could do it. I think his stick could do it. At times I BOSTON — In the basement of Agganis Arena is a state-of-the-art think maturity for him, maturing as a player and a teammate, that will strength and conditioning center that was gifted to by come with one more year. I think the strength and conditioning piece for alumni Chris Drury and . him is vital for his success to be able to handle 82 games and take the wear and tear of what that schedule will do to your body and have your Through large glass windows are a several yards of green turf where body hold up after taking a beating from men.” players can run sprints, stretch or do some free-weight training. Equipment machines line the walls and painted on the support pillars are That makes time in the arena’s basement, lifting weights and gaining some notable alumni like Tkachuk and Rick DiPietro among others. muscle, pretty important for Farabee. This might be the most important room in the building to getting freshman Terriers winger Joel Farabee to the NHL. Courier-Post LOADED: 01.31.2019 “Sky’s the limit for him,” Terriers coach Albie O’Connell said. “Physically he needs some work, some time. I think his mind is there. His skillset is there. His game is evolving. He’s not quite to that level yet, but he’s that talented. He’s not totally seasoned but he’s gonna be good in time.” The Flyers selected the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Farabee in the first round of last year’s draft. They saw the same thing O’Connell does, that his body has to grow into his game. He’s already a solid player at both ends of the ice and finds mistakes in opponents’ games that he can quickly exploit. His talents were especially evident a month ago when he was on USA Hockey’s roster for the World Junior Championship. He had a hat trick in the first period of an 8-2 win over Kazakhstan and was one of the leading players for a U.S. team that ultimately lost the gold medal game to Finland. “It was totally different than playing college hockey and stuff,” Farabee said. “It was nice to go over there and represent your country. That’s always a cool experience. It was really eye-opening just playing with new guys and learning that stuff. It was a great experience.” Since his return, he has four goals in seven games for the Terriers, which O’Connell said is more or less karma for all the opportunities that Farabee had early on in the season but couldn’t capitalize on. “There’s no one that gets more breakaways than Joel. He knows how to anticipate and jump to the offensive side and find a seam. If he was able to finish on some of the breakaways he’s had this year, he might have 20 goals,” O’Connell said. “He knows how to create offense for sure.” “Playing over there (in the World Juniors), it helped me gain my confidence back a little bit,” Farabee added. “College hockey is kind of a grind. You need all the confidence you can get and I think that tournament kind of gave it to me. I came back with a jump in my step.” He feels his game has improved below the opposing goal line, that he can protect the puck a lot better than he could in July’s development camp with the Flyers. He’s also been working to get a faster release on his shot, something he’ll certainly need at the next level and a tool that would be useful before he turns pro in making him a dominant force in one of the biggest college hockey spotlights. “I think if you asked any youth hockey player what college they want to go to, probably in their top three is BU,” Farabee said. “To be able to come here and play in a good role is really special and I’m thankful for that and being in Boston, a college town, it’s really awesome. Playing against (Boston College), Northeastern and Harvard, all those teams, it’s really fun and it’s a good atmosphere here.” He can only imagine what an NHL atmosphere would be like. Farabee has done his best to follow the Flyers’ season, with special interest in Carter Hart, his buddy from development camp, making the jump so quickly. He would love it if he could join Hart after only one season in college. “Right now I think I’m just focusing on the season and what I need to do but I wouldn’t be opposed to, after this year, turning pro,” Farabee said. “We kind of have to see what happens. It’s kind of more on them than me, when they want me and what I have to do to get there. I want to say that after this year I want to sign, but at the end of the day I don’t think I’ll 1104009 Philadelphia Flyers different player now. He played 26:02 Tuesday and 28:03 the night before, all against the opposing top players as usual.

“No, the last two games I think have been his best two games since I’ve Flyers 5 takeaways: Anthony Stolarz passes first test with flying colors been here,” Gordon said. “There’s no comparison. He’s carrying the puck with confidence. He’s moving his feet. He’s getting up in the rush. His gaps have been great. Defending the rush has been great. His net- Dave Isaac, NHL writer front…everything. There isn’t one thing that when I look at these two games I say, ‘Jeez, what’s he doing out there?’ He looks like the guy that Published 11:32 p.m. ET Jan. 29, 2019 I didn’t see first-hand but certainly heard a lot about over the last two years.”

How’d he pull it off? NEW YORK — Whether it’s the remainder of this season or beyond, the Flyers have some decisions to make in goal and Anthony Stolarz will be “I think he went to Turks and Caicos and got sunburned,” Gordon affected in some way. cracked. “Peeled off a layer of skin.” The pending free agent hadn’t played an NHL game since Dec. 15 after a The Flyers could certainly have helped out Stolarz a little bit more. Or as “lower-body injury” caused him to miss several weeks and the 6-foot-6 Gordon put it, “They’re not all Picassos.” goalie who usually casts a literal shadow was living in the figurative one of Carter Hart. With 38 saves in a 1-0 win over the New York Rangers, They did block 19 shots, which Stolarz said he appreciated postgame, Stolarz made a bid for a Hart-Stolarz tandem going forward. but there wasn’t a ton of action at Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev’s net and the Flyers struggled at times to get out of their zone with “I think a lot has to do with Hartsy and I want to match his game play and possession. Still they seemed way more confident in closing games out his intensity out there,” Stolarz said. “It’s nice watching him because he’s than they were the first two months of the season. so poised, so calm in net that I’m just trying to take things from him and incorporate them in my game. When the goalies are going, I think the “I mean, everyone’s got to contribute to win games,” Provorov said. “it guys have confidence and we’re gonna look to keep that going. starts with the goalie and ends with the forwards and the coaches and everything like that. We’re all playing our games, fully committed and “Only one guy gets to get in the crease and you look at the way he’s that’s why we’re winning games. played, he’s played pretty well. If I’m gonna get in there I’m gonna have to match him and it’s always good to have some healthy competition.” “We kept it to the outside, didn’t have any breakdowns and that’s why we didn’t give up a goal at the end.” Stolarz, 25, was a second-round pick under ’s administration but didn’t get much of a shot under Ron Hextall. It didn’t take two minutes for the Flyers to score a goal and all three forwards on Sean Couturier’s line could have had a tally before Oskar Now he’s got new life and is hoping it turns into a contract for next Lindblom put in his sixth of the season. season. “Everyone, me, Coots and Jake (Voracek) were trying to find a rebound “Obviously I love it here and it’s somewhere I want to be, close to home,” and the puck got to me,” Lindblom said. the native of Jackson said the other day. “I love what the organization is doing with the youth movement. You kind of grow up and develop It was laying there and I had an open net. It was an important goal to get relationships. Some of my best friends are on this team. It would be great early and good for our team.” to stay, but we’ll worry about that in the summer. I’m excited just to be back and get on the ice and play in some games here.” The unit has been very good recently while also typically facing the opponent’s first line. That’s the matchup Gordon tends to like at home, Tuesday marked Stolarz’s second NHL shutout and first since Dec. 11, but in this case the Flyers were the visitors and rookie coach David 2016. Quinn had Ryan Strome, Boo Nieves and Jimmy Vesey against them. He hasn’t spent a ton of time in the NHL — this was his 17th game — but Lindblom led all forwards with four shots on goal and between the three perhaps he can be part of the plan in the NHL for at least the rest of this forwards they had six of the Flyers’ 19 shots on Georgiev. season. “Those guys I play with are really good players and are heavy on the “I can’t even think about that just with the way things have gone,” interim puck,” Lindblom said. “They can hold the puck for a long time. I feel like coach Scott Gordon said. “We obviously have Brian Elliott coming back we’re connecting good right now. We just have to keep it going. We can’t and realistically we could end up playing the rest of the year with three relax anything. We have to take this game and just focus on the next goalies here because of the uncertainty of where Brian’s gonna be. one.” Everything’s been encouraging and he’s gonna take some shots (Wednesday) but once he starts to get into some games and get in a rhythm, how Stolie is tomorrow, we’ve got to see on all that.” Courier-Post LOADED: 01.31.2019 Here are four more takeaways from Tuesday’s game… In the second period alone, Rangers forward Chris Kreider had three shots. So did everyone in orange and black combined. It was four for Kreider if you count the goal post that he hit. Tuesday night might’ve been a rough sleep for the Ranger who entered the game with seven goals and seven assists in his previous 15 games. “He mentioned something about me just being a big guy. Let’s just put it at that. I’ve just got to thank my long limbs there and never say never and just try to stick out a leg or an arm and get a piece of it.” “I’m sure it was obviously frustrating for him,” Travis Sanheim added. “I was out there against him quite a bit. He’s a tough player to play against. He’s a big body and uses it well and definitely creates a lot of challenges.” All season long Ivan Provorov has claimed he thinks he’s been playing well but that doesn’t pass the eye test. He was making ill-advised passes, turning pucks over that are usually easy plays and making poor reads in his defensive zone. Some have speculated that being in a contract year got in his head, but he’s denied it. The last two nights he’s been a monster and a lot like the near-perfect player he was for most of his first two seasons. Gordon was fielding a lot of Provorov questions when he first game to Philadelphia but sees a 1104010 Philadelphia Flyers likely would have forced overtime. Stolarz had no margin for error, and he avoided any such mistakes over 60 minutes.

Brett Howden initially appeared to be the player whom Stolarz would Flyers 1, Rangers 0: 10 things we learned from a Stolarz steal of a game frustrate most on the evening, as he was robbed twice within the first 12 minutes of the contest. But after Howden dropped out due to a lower- body injury, Stolarz seemingly shifted his focus to Chris Kreider, who By Charlie O'Connor produced five high-danger chances (0.99 worth of xG) but couldn’t put any by the Philadelphia netminder. Stolarz chuckled after the game Jan 30, 2019 regarding Kreider’s frustration, noting that the power forward had mentioned something on the ice about Stolarz being a “big guy,” likely

with some expletives filtered into that description as well. Stolie the NEW YORK — The playoffs remain a serious longshot for the 2018-19 Goalie couldn’t be beaten. Philadelphia Flyers, but at the very least, the team isn’t going gently into Stolarz obviously isn’t unaware of the Flyers’ current netminding the late winter and early spring night. And in a positively unlikely situation, however, even in the wake of a stellar return to the NHL. Hart is development, it’s goaltending that is allowing them to rage against the locked-in as the team’s goalie of the future, Elliott is apparently closing in dying of the light. on a return (Scott Gordon noted after the game that Elliott would take live Anthony Stolarz was the hero on Tuesday night, stopping all 38 New shots in a special practice session on Wednesday in Boston as part of York Rangers shots to earn his second career shutout and lead the his recovery process) and Mike McKenna is still around, even if he’s not Flyers to an improbable 1-0 victory over their division rivals. Oskar dressing for games. “I’m just trying to make the most of an opportunity,” Lindblom potted the only goal of the evening just 100 seconds into the Stolarz explained on Tuesday. “I’m not looking two months, even a week game, and Stolarz did the rest. Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev was down the road. I’m just focused on the next day in hand, and just trying to sharp as well under a relatively light workload, but 18 saves on 19 shots do my best to make an impression on management.” proved insufficient on this particular night considering the stellar all- He’s not just playing for his job this season, however. Hart is a near- around work of Stolarz, who made his first appearance in net for the guarantee to be one of the Flyers’ two NHL goalies in 2019-20, of course, Flyers since Dec. 15 — the final game of Dave Hakstol’s tenure as but who will share the load with him? Conventional wisdom holds that the coach. Flyers would be best served getting a reliable, established netminder to Note: This article will reference advanced hockey stats. If you’re looking function as the 1B to Hart’s 1A, but what about Stolarz as a possibility? to better understand any of the referenced metrics, please read this He’s got the talent and size, and at 25, he’s not exactly a young prospect primer, which explains the concepts behind them. anymore, even if he may feel like one. Would the Flyers risk a Hart/Stolarz tandem without either possessing much NHL experience, 1: Suddenly, goaltending is the strength for the Flyers especially with injury concerns accompanying Stolarz? Right now, the likely answer is no. But if Stolarz can turn out games like the one he The story of Carter Hart is well known throughout the hockey world. The delivered last night on the regular over the season’s final two months, 20-year-old phenom, making his mark at the NHL level earlier than most maybe the equation changes a bit for general manager Chuck Fletcher. assumed he would, has arrived to finally, at long last, solve Philadelphia’s goaltending woes. But the tale of Anthony Stolarz, he of 3: A show of the Flyers’ weaknesses, or a schedule loss in all but score? the two knee surgeries and 17 career appearances at hockey’s highest level by age 25, is far from common knowledge. The Flyers may have secured the win, but this wasn’t exactly a game with the soundest underlying process. While they largely controlled play After Tuesday night, however, it suddenly seems possible that the on Monday against the Jets, Philadelphia couldn’t do the same against unlikely duo of Hart and Stolarz might just be able to solidify the Flyers’ the Rangers, trailing by wide margins in both shots on goal (38-19) and goaltending situation, during a year where the position seemed destined advanced metrics (3.57 to 1.96 by xG). As Gordon himself cracked after to remain in a state of perpetual turmoil. the game, “They’re not all Picassos.” Don’t forget that Philadelphia has used seven goalies this year, and even But what drove the relatively underwhelming showing by the skaters, after last night, still holds a team-wide save percentage of 0.889 — the which required Stolarz’s heroics to produce a win? It’s easy to point to second-worst mark in hockey. Yet since the club’s Jan. 10 victory over weaknesses with the Flyers’ roster, especially after Fletcher’s comments the Dallas Stars, Flyers netminders have combined for a stellar 0.944 on Monday made it clear that the general manager isn’t satisfied with his save percentage, and it’s no coincidence the team has won six of its team’s work this season. “Right now we’re not good enough. We have to seven games during that span. Suddenly, the goalies are carrying the get better,” he said. “We have good players, we haven’t been a good team. team.” So when that club goes out and can’t establish much against a 0.500 opponent that played the bulk of the contest with only nine Is this just part of the natural ebb and flow of a season? After all, it was forwards — the Rangers started with 11, Howden’s injury made 10 and unlikely the Flyers’ goal prevention metrics were going to remain in the Cody McLeod received just 5:01 of ice time — a logical inference is that it 87 percent range all year, regardless of who was between the pipes. But was an example of exactly what Fletcher meant. Hart sure looks like he’s for real, and truthfully, Stolarz looked like the best of the non-Brian Elliott options before he went down with an injury in Yet both the players and Gordon pointed to the schedule as the biggest December. In fact, after Tuesday’s shutout, Stolarz actually has stopped reason why the skaters were outplayed. The Flyers, of course, played more goals this season than expected (per Corsica’s GSAA metric) at 5- Monday night and then traveled up to New York to face a Rangers club on-5. On the whole, he’s been a perfectly serviceable backup. that had yet to play a game following their bye week. “We at times didn’t have our legs, and with it being a back-to-back, I’m sure that didn’t help,” Still, Stolarz had never looked quite this good before, and in his first NHL Travis Sanheim said after Tuesday’s game. “A back-to-back, with a team game coming off an extended absence to boot. Asked to explain his sitting here waiting that’s had two days of practice to get their legs under stellar showing versus the Rangers, Stolarz interestingly credited the them,” Gordon noted. “We come back, practice on Sunday, play Monday, golden boy himself for inspiring him to deliver an A+ effort. travel here, so it was a tough challenge for our team.” “I think a lot has to do with Hartsy,” Stolarz acknowledged. “I think I kind How does that kind of schedule disadvantage manifest itself in play? of want to match his gameplay, and his intensity out there. It’s nice Gordon pointed to two specific areas: an inability to take advantage of watching him, because he’s so poised, so calm in net, that I’m just trying chances on the attack, and poor breakout work. “The biggest thing that to take things from him, and incorporate (them) in my game. I think when had an impact on the game was when we had opportunities offensively the goalies are going, the guys have confidence, and we’re going to look off the rush — we didn’t even get shots,” he noted. “They didn’t lead to to keep that going as a tandem here.” necessarily great opportunities (for New York), but it took away from us Apparently, all roads do lead back to Carter Hart — he’s having such an being able to establish momentum, and I think sometimes when you’re impact on the team that even his supposed competition are claiming to coming off the break, and having the situation we had, having played last benefit from his presence. night and then being here, maybe trying to be too fine and not simplifying.” Gordon also believed the Flyers got trapped in their own 2: How does Stolarz fit with this organization? zone too often. “I think tonight was more a case of our inability to get out of (our) zone with possession, not winning battles on the walls, that led to Don’t give Hart too much credit, however. Stolarz was the one holding his us getting outshot,” he continued. “I don’t think it was what they were ground Tuesday against a consistently dangerous Rangers barrage, doing offensively in our zone, as much as our inability to execute in those which included 38 shots on goal, 18 high-danger chances and 3.57 worth two areas.” of all-situations Expected Goals. This was a game that could have easily swung the other way, especially because even a single goal allowed 4: Couturier line picks up right where it left off On Monday night, the trio of Lindblom, Sean Couturier and Jakub Lindblom seems to be taking strides toward that outcome. He appears to Voracek basically did everything but score against the Winnipeg Jets. be building a real rapport with Couturier and Voracek, and now has four Matched up primarily against the high-powered Mark Scheifele line, points in his last four games. And he’s just seemed more active all- Couturier and company forced the Jets’ top trio to spend the bulk of its around in recent weeks, particularly in the offensive zone. Watch how even-strength time in the defensive zone, far away from Hart. Yet they often he plays a direct role in keeping the puck moving during the shift could not light the lamp, even as the Flyers controlled upwards of 90 that ended in his first-period tally. percent of the Expected Goals with Couturier specifically on the ice. Lindblom wins a puck battle, pounces on a loose puck to creating a Twenty-four hours later, they were rewarded on their very first shift. dangerous chance, retrieves his own rebound behind the net, attempts to center it to his teammates in the low slot, and then creeps back around to After an offensive zone barrage that resulted in at least four high-quality again grab a loose puck and flip it past Georgiev. Those aren’t the chances, Lindblom finally flipped a loose puck over a prone Georgiev to actions of a player content to let others carry the load. They’re the give the Flyers a lead that they would never relinquish. And even though actions of one who believes he can make an impact, and then goes out the team as a whole failed to follow up the goal with sustained, strong there and does it. play, the Couturier line can’t be blamed for that. At the end of the second period, all three forwards held xG For Percentages over 87%, and would That’s not to say Lindblom has been perfect. His passes occasionally remain above 85% by the game’s conclusion; the Flyers were allowing were off-target Tuesday, ending up on the sticks of Rangers players very little and creating quite a lot with the “second” line on the ice. when more accurate ones could have resulted in dangerous Flyers shots. But even on those shifts, he’d usually make a play that proved he retains Couturier has been rolling with his usual quality of play since around the the ability to create. And just ask Kevin Shattenkirk about Lindblom’s middle of November, so the fact that he’s back to his Selke Trophy-level assertiveness; the Swedish forward blew up the American defender in isn’t a surprise. Voracek, on the other hand, went through stretches this the third period on a simple puck retrieval in the corner, knocking the season where he looked like a outright liability at 5-on-5, but now he’s Rangers’ blueliner into the boards awkwardly due to a textbook collision. back to protecting the puck in the offensive zone with his size and It was the kind of play missing from Lindblom’s arsenal just a month ago. strength, a hallmark of Voracek’s game when it’s clicking. As for Lindblom, he’s functioned as something like the glue guy for the group, As for Lindblom himself, he recognizes that his game is on an upward which might always end up being his ideal NHL role in a top-9 forward trajectory at the moment, but also that he has more room for corps — the do-the-little-things guy who is at his best when placed with a improvement in order to reach his perceived ceiling. “I feel like I have duo that exceeds him in raw offensive ability. Right now, the trio is the more to give, and I feel like I’m getting better every game now,” he said. best thing the Flyers have going, aside from the men between the pipes. “I just have to keep building on it. I can’t relax, I just have to keep going, and be better every day, and we’ll see how far I can go.” 5: Neutral zone adjustment starting to become more noticeable 7: Provorov figuring things out? During Monday’s practice in Voorhees, the Flyers apparently practiced a tweak to their regular neutral zone forechecking structures, and in New Coaches don’t often publicly criticize their players when asked York on Tuesday they did not shy away from showcasing its exact specifically about an individual’s performance in recent games. But by nature. For over a year, Philadelphia ran a relatively traditional 1-2-2 the same token, effusive praise is far from a given in those situations, neutral zone forecheck, with one forward putting pressure on a team’s either. That’s why Gordon’s comments on Tuesday regarding the play of breakout, the two other forwards in a line across the middle of the ice Ivan Provorov stood out so much. functioning as the second layer, and the two defensemen forming the third and final layer in the back. Now, however, it appears Gordon is “The last two games, I think have been his best games since I’ve been finally getting the chance to make his preferred system adjustments, and here,” Gordon said. “There’s no comparison. He’s carrying the puck with the neutral zone is part of it. confidence, he’s moving his feet, he’s getting up in the rush, his gaps have been great, his defending the rush has been great, his netfront … Bill Meltzer reported that the NBC broadcast called the Flyers’ new everything. There hasn’t been one (time) when I look at these two forecheck a “layered 1-2-2,” but to my eyes, it looked closer to a 1-3-1 games, I say, ‘Jesus, what’s he doing out there?’ He looks like the guy than anything else. While they didn’t exclusively use the new formation that I didn’t see firsthand but certainly heard about a lot over the last two — at times the skaters reverted back to the normal 1-2-2, though whether years.” that was a directive or more the players just occasionally falling into old habits is unclear — more often than not, the Flyers had three skaters Provorov’s relative struggles in 2018-19 have been well-documented. stretched across the middle of the neutral zone in a line, and one He’s often looked to be fighting the puck, and despite spending extensive defenseman behind the line itself. That’s a telltale sign of a 1-3-1, with time with high-end puck moving defensemen like Gostisbehere and the right defenseman locking down the far right side of the line at center Sanheim, Provorov’s play-driving metrics have remained subpar. In past ice, and the left defenseman serving as the “safety” in the center of the years, Provorov’s underwhelming advanced metrics could (fairly) be rink behind the line itself. chalked up to his regular partners. This year, however, the problem has more been Provorov himself. The results were mixed. Radko Gudas specifically seemed to thrive in the adjusted structure, breaking up two Rangers moves up ice and Is he turning the corner, finally? Gordon seems to think so. Yet the quickly turning both into extended offensive zone time via quick underlying numbers over the past two games haven’t been stellar for transitions into the New York zone. But there were hiccups as well, Provorov; last night, he finished with a 39.86% score-adjusted Corsi and including one mistake on the part of Sanheim late in the game that saw 45.45% xG. Yet it’s best not to ignore the feedback of Gordon, and the him overcommit on his side and fall down trying to recover as the fact that Provorov simply looks more poised and in control since his Rangers blasted into the Flyers’ zone with speed and control of the puck. return from the bye. Hopefully, the metrics soon start to match the perception of Provorov’s play. To be clear, there isn’t really a right or wrong “system” when it comes to a neutral zone forecheck. It’s all about comfort level of the players and 8: With Gostisbehere out, defense pairs getting shuffled regularly coaches, and building structures that play to the strengths of the team’s Gostisbehere missed his second straight game on Tuesday, and Gordon personnel. This variation of the 1-3-1 could certainly work for the Flyers reiterated before the contest that the defenseman would return either — most of the defensemen who play the right side for them (Gudas, Thursday or Saturday. Still, the likely brief absence forced the Sanheim, Shayne Gostisbehere) are naturally aggressive in the middle of Philadelphia coaching staff to rethink their deployment of their defense, the ice, and giving them more freedom to “step up” on plays seems to fit to account for the loss of Ghost. the players’ general mentalities. Still, it’s an adjustment for everyone. “Yeah, it’s a little bit different,” Sanheim acknowledged after the game. The duo of Provorov and Sanheim remains the clear top pair, and largely “Obviously you’re holding the red (line), so you’re going the opposite way avoided the shuffling that showed up throughout the rest of the group. of where you’re used to be going. It’s a big challenge, and I think we’ve But the bottom two pairs were in something of a state of flux. While the gotten better throughout the last couple games, and I’m sure there’s still Flyers opened the game with MacDonald-Folin and Hagg-Gudas areas for us to work on.” pairings, assistant coach Rick Wilson and Gordon chose to deploy a MacDonald-Gudas pairing fairly often as well. Both MacDonald and 6: Lindblom’s play continuing to trend upward Gudas spent around eight minutes with their expected partners, and then It’s not fair to say that Lindblom is having a “bad” sophomore season. a whopping 5:22 together. It almost felt like the Flyers were actually He’s on a more efficient scoring pace this year as compared to last, and running four pairs rather than just three, simply due to their efforts when it his underlying numbers — 51.75% Corsi For, 56.70% xG For at 5-on-5 came to getting Gudas and MacDonald — seemingly their No. 3 & 4 — are somewhere between good and downright stellar. Yet this is the defensemen on the depth chart at the moment — out on the ice a fair winger who was one of the top scorers in the SHL prior to coming over to amount together. North America. The organization (and Lindblom himself) surely hopes he 9: Patrick quietly effective as 3C eventually develops into an offensive threat capable of top-six forward usage at the NHL level. The Couturier line might have been Philadelphia’s most dominant group, but there was one other forward trio that held its own — the third line, centered by Nolan Patrick. The 20-year-old may not have scored during this just-concluded back-to-back, but that doesn’t mean that Patrick’s play has dipped back down to pre-January levels. He’s noticeable again, in all of the right ways. Most of Patrick’s best work came in the defensive zone, as he proved to be one of the few Philadelphia forwards capable of regularly winning puck battles and forcing changes of possession, a team-wide issue that Gordon himself pointed out after the game. But he had his moments on the attack, as well, including a beautiful early third period setup of Scott Laughton in the slot via a below-the-goal-line pass, which required a tough save on the part of Georgiev. It wasn’t random variance that resulted in Patrick finishing above 50 percent in both key 5-on-5 on-ice metrics (Corsi and xG) despite the team as a whole trailing in both. It’s because Patrick was playing engaged hockey throughout, and his linemates (Laughton and Wayne Simmonds) benefited greatly from his work. 10: Final power play brings ‘conservative’ approach Early in the third period, the Flyers earned their second and final power play of the evening, nursing a one-goal advantage. But if you thought the team’s approach to the man advantage would be to try and put the game out of reach, you’d have come away disappointed. Instead of sticking with the usual five-forward approach, Gordon and assistant coach Kris Knoblauch chose to swap James van Riemsdyk out for Provorov on the top unit, and then rolled with MacDonald replacing Provorov (and JvR standing in for Lindblom) on PP2. Considering Provorov’s historical power play weakness and MacDonald’s lack of offensive upside, it was a case of the coaches intentionally weakening their power play. Why did they choose to go that route? Gordon explained after the game that it was a situational-driven decision, both a result of the score and the recent sharpness of the power play units. “It’s one thing if your power play is going well, (but) I didn’t like it last night, I didn’t like it tonight,” he explained. “We just didn’t seem to make any plays, protect the puck very well, get possession time, so (I was) just being a little more conservative.” My preference would have been to try and extend the lead; it was a tight contest, and while the Philadelphia PP hasn’t been great recently (obviously), the units did generate quite a few high-danger chances on Monday when they were able to get set up in the offensive zone. I understand the thought process behind “playing it safe” in this case, and the Flyers did come up with the win in the end. But I still would have made a more obvious attempt to extend the lead to two goals last night during that two-minute stretch rather than use it as a mere opportunity to tread water.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104011 Pittsburgh Penguins “Anytime you lose a game, you always want to come back and get a win,” Murray said. “My focus stays the same. It’s just trying to stop the puck, no matter what happened last game or whatever’s going on.” Penguins rebound from ugly loss, stop 1st-place Lightning Tribune Review LOADED: 01.31.2019 JONATHAN BOMBULIE Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, 10:51 p.m.

No team in the NHL goes from zero to 60 faster than the Pittsburgh Penguins. Two days after being manhandled by the worst team in their division, the Penguins responded with a convincing victory over the best team in the league Wednesday night. Phil Kessel and Kris Letang had a goal and an assist apiece, and the Penguins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-2. Two days ago, the Penguins were rightfully worried about being caught for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. After Wednesday’s victory, they are tied with Washington for second place in the Metropolitan Division, three points out of first. “I think as a team, we all showed up,” Letang said. “We were all really invested, right from the get go.” The Penguins did some soul searching after an ugly 6-3 loss to last-place New Jersey on Monday night. The team got together for a players- meeting before Tuesday’s practice, making it clear that such performances weren’t acceptable. “Tonight was important, especially with the two points that slipped (Monday),” Letang said. “It was a good effort, and I thought it brought the best out of us.” Coach Mike Sullivan finds the inconsistency maddening, but he also has deep admiration for performances like the one the Penguins turned in against the Lightning. “I love this group of players that we have,” Sullivan said. “This core group of players is the best core I’ve ever been around in 30-plus years in the league. No. 1, they’re talented, but they’re also character people. When they set their minds to it, there isn’t anything they can’t accomplish. I believe in them. “Our expectations are high. Because of that, sometimes when we don’t execute or we don’t play the game that we know we’re capable of playing, it can be frustrating. Certainly our coaching staff, I think, sometimes tries to squeeze them a little bit. I may not be their favorite guy on certain days, but it’s only because I think so highly of them and we think they’re capable of so much.” The Penguins demonstrated improvement in a number of ways. First, they showed a level of emotional engagement and physical response that was absent against the Devils. For instance, Evgeni Malkin, who had two assists, dropped the gloves and traded punches with fellow superstar in a third- period fight. “That’s Geno’s best game in a while, I think,” Sullivan said. “When he’s engaged like that emotionally, I think that’s when he’s at his best.” Second, they finished relentlessly. Riley Sheahan, Kessel and Sidney Crosby scored in the first nine minutes of the game as three of the Penguins’ first five shots got past goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. Kessel put on a stickhandling exhibition to set up Letang for a goal that made it 4-0 in the second period. Malkin recorded his 600th assist and Letang scored his 108th goal, tying ’s team record for defensemen. “I thought we were really good tonight,” goalie Matt Murray said. “A step in the right direction, for sure.” Goaltending was another area where the Penguins showed improvement. After a lackluster showing against the Devils, Murray turned in a strong, 33-save effort. He held the Lightning at bay as they outshot the Penguins, 16-5, in the first period. He wasn’t beaten until J.T. Miller and Stamkos scored goals that did nothing but break up a shutout bid in the final five minutes. 1104012 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins' Derick Brassard out with upper-body injury, team says

JONATHAN BOMBULIE Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, 8:54 p.m.

Penguins center Derick Brassard, left, is checked by Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy during the third period Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018, in Chicago. The Blackhawks won 6-3. When Derick Brassard didn’t take the ice for pregame warm-ups before the Pittsburgh Penguins faced the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night, the team took the unusual step of announcing the reason for his absence – a day-to-day upper-body injury – via Twitter. It’s not hard to understand why the extra step was taken. According to multiple reports, general manager Jim Rutherford is scouring the trade market for an upgrade on Brassard in the third-line center spot. An unexplained scratch would have aroused suspicion – even more than the explained one did. “He’s been dealing with just a nagging upper-body injury the last few days,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “The reason I didn’t divulge it this morning is because there was a chance he was going to play. If he did play, then we would rather keep that type of information to ourselves. But we chose to hold him out. He’s been dealing with this for a couple of days. Right now, his status is day to day.” Regardless, Rutherford was at least somewhat complimentary of Brassard on his bi-weekly radio show Wednesday night on 105.9 FM. “He hasn’t played as well as we expected and he’s capable, but at the same time, he doesn’t get much power-play time. He’s on the third line playing with different guys at different times,” Rutherford said. “He does have nine goals. He’s on pace for 15, 16 goals. That’s not all bad for a third-line center. Anytime he can score and get a little more confidence, you would think his game would get going a little bit more.” started the game in Brassard’s third-line spot between Tanner Pearson and Patric Hornqvist. Blueger centered Riley Sheahan and Garrett Wilson. Defenseman , meanwhile, who has been out since Oct. 13, took one of the most important steps on the road to recovery from a broken leg earlier Wednesday, joining his teammates for morning skate, albeit in a red, no-contact jersey. “The next step, obviously, will be the contact part of the practices,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’re going to have some practices coming up over the next week and we’re hopeful that we can eventually get him to graduate into that step, and that’s the last step before he’s in the lineup.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104013 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins notebook: Derick Brassard out with upper-body injury

JONATHAN BOMBULIE Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, 8:51 p.m.

Penguins center Derick Brassard (left) missed Wednesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning with an upper-body injury. He is listed as day-to-day. When Derick Brassard didn’t take the ice for pregame warm-ups on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team took the unusual step of announcing the reason for his absence — a day-to-day upper- body injury — via Twitter. It’s easy to understand why. According to multiple reports, general manager Jim Rutherford is scouring the trade market for an upgrade on Brassard in the third-line center spot. Rutherford was at least somewhat complimentary of Brassard on his bi- weekly radio show Wednesday night on 105.9 FM. “He hasn’t played as well as we expected and he’s capable, but at the same time, he doesn’t get much power-play time. He’s on the third line playing with different guys at different times,” Rutherford said. “He does have nine goals. He’s on pace for 15, 16 goals. That’s not all bad for a third-line center. Anytime he can score and get a little more confidence, you would think his game would get going a little bit more.” Matt Cullen started the game in Brassard’s third-line spot between Tanner Pearson and Patric Hornqvist. Blueger centered Riley Sheahan and Garrett Wilson. Schultz getting closer Defenseman Justin Schultz, who has been out since Oct. 13, took one of the most important steps on the road to recovery from a broken leg, joining his teammates for morning skate, albeit in a red, no-contact jersey. “The next step, obviously, will be the contact part of the practices,” Sullivan said. “We’re going to have some practices coming up over the next week and we’re hopeful that we can eventually get him to graduate into that step, and that’s the last step before he’s in the lineup.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104014 Pittsburgh Penguins Tribune Review LOADED: 01.31.2019 Playing to level of opponent would help, not hinder, Penguins against potent Lightning

JONATHAN BOMBULIE Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, 12:51 p.m.

Penguins goaltender Matt Murray snatches the puck out of the air against Lightning in the second period Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 at After suffering a decisive 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins lamented their abysmal 1-7-1 record against last-place teams this season. There’s another side to that coin, though, and it’s one they hope will sustain them through some of the tougher dates on their upcoming schedule. Coming into Wednesday night’s game against Tampa Bay, the Penguins were 5-2-1 against the four teams currently in first place in the NHL’s four divisions: the Islanders, Lightning, Winnipeg and Calgary. Widening the scope beyond first-place and last-place teams, the Penguins are 15-8-3 against the 15 teams that came into Wednesday night in playoff positions and 11-9-3 against the 15 teams on the outside looking in. The way the Penguins seem to play to the level of their competition, either up or down, has been a source of consternation for coach Mike Sullivan for most of the year. “When we play the game the right way, we can compete against any team in the league. We have shown that time and time again,” Sullivan said. “We just have to make sure we bring it night in and night out regardless of who our opponent is.” A partial explanation for those records lies in the theory that styles make fights. The Penguins will struggle against certain teams and thrive against others regardless of where they are in the standings because of the way they play the game. New Jersey, for instance, is a team that clogs up the neutral zone effectively and has energetic forwards who backcheck religiously. This makes it difficult for the Penguins to score off the rush, which is a core element of their offense. Thus, they’re 0-3-0. Winnipeg, conversely, is a big, physical team that can be susceptible to the kind of quick counter-attack that the Penguins like to terrorize opponents with. Therefore, the Penguins are 2-0-0 against the Jets this season, including a 4-0 home victory Jan. 4 that ranks among the team’s most impressive performances of the season. A better explanation, though, probably lies in between the ears of the Penguins. That’s what Sullivan thinks, anyway. “A lot of games are won and lost before the puck’s dropped,” Sullivan said. “It’s about a mindset going in and a readiness and a certain level of urgency and a certain level of purpose to your game that is required to win in this league regardless of who your opponent is.” NHL players, as a rule, are loath to admit that they’re more motivated to play against some opponents than others. It requires an admission they don’t always give 100 percent effort. But faced with the overwhelming evidence so far this season, Penguins players have little choice but to admit they’re not treating all opponents with the same pregame respect. “These are games that are a little easier … I don’t want to say easier to get up for, but I think you get amped up to play these guys,” forward Riley Sheahan said. “I think it’s an important time of the year, so these games are crucial. We have to figure that out and bring our best to every opponent. I think if we do that, we can have some success.” The topic was something the team discussed in a players-only meeting before Tuesday’s practice, Evgeni Malkin said. “We understand every night, it doesn’t matter the team, each team wants to beat us,” Malkin said. “We’re a great team, and everyone plays like 200 percent against us. It’s not just skill. We need everything. It’s small things too, like blocking shots. Work. Only work is important right now.” 1104015 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins call-up Teddy Blueger 'deserving of an opportunity,' coach Mike Sullivan says

JONATHAN BOMBULIE Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, 12:42 p.m.

As he’s developed into one of the top two-way forwards in the AHL over the past year or so, the thought of making his NHL debut frequently has crossed Teddy Blueger’s mind. Just when he made a concerted effort to stop thinking about it, the call to Pittsburgh came. Blueger was visiting his girlfriend in Minnesota during the AHL’s all-star break when he received word he had been promoted Tuesday afternoon. He cut short the visit by a day to fly to Pittsburgh and was on the ice for morning skate as the Penguins prepared to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena. “She wasn’t mad, no,” Blueger said with a laugh. The Penguins held an optional morning skate, so it wasn’t immediately clear whether Blueger would slot right into the lineup against the Lightning. Derick Brassard and Olli Maatta, players who have seen their names pop up in trade rumors this season, were among the players electing not to skate, but coach Mike Sullivan said both were available for the game. He wouldn’t commit to a lineup spot for Blueger just yet. “Teddy’s a guy that’s played extremely well in Wilkes-Barre this year on both sides of the puck,” Sullivan said. “He’s a real good two-way center iceman, he’s a real good penalty killer and I know he’s hungry to play as well. “He’s deserving of an opportunity. The coaching staff will sit on a game- by-game basis and we’ll decide what the best lineup is on a given night and whether or not Teddy’s a part of it, but he’s certainly deserving of being here.” Blueger put himself in position to earn an NHL job by steadily improving over two-plus seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. A 24-year-old second-round pick from the 2012 draft, the 6-foot Blueger was considered a defensive centerman when he came out of Minnesota- Mankato. This season, he has 21 goals in 45 games, matching his total from last season and ranking fourth in the AHL. “I think when I first got there, I was kind of put in a defensive role and kind of told that defense was my primary responsibility,” Blueger said. “As time went on, I think I showed I could produce a little bit more and was given more and more freedom on offense and stuff. I think a lot of it had to do with confidence and my mindset, I guess believing in myself and realizing that I had more to give and expecting more out of myself.” Blueger isn’t necessarily known for his straight-line speed, but he’s quick, smart, responsible and competitive. “There’s always a lot of things you can improve,” Blueger said. “I think defensively, I’ve been good and that’s kind of the base of my game (since) I got to Wilkes. Offensively, it’s coming. My shot’s coming. It’s gotten a lot better over the last couple years. Skating is another thing that’s kind of a work in progress, but it’s coming along.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104016 Pittsburgh Penguins

As they prepare for Penguins, a look at what makes Lightning so dominant

TIM BENZ Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, 7:35 a.m.

The Penguins' Phil Kessel takes a hit from the Lightning Erik Cernak in the third period Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. The Tampa Bay Lightning come to Pittsburgh on Wednesday night with the best record in the Eastern Conference. By far. They are the easy choice as Stanley Cup front-runners at this point. The Bolts have 76 points. That's 13 better than anyone else in the conference. The have the best home record, most goals, best power play, and best goal differential in all of hockey. Aside from that, nothing to worry about for the Penguins tonight. Pittsburgh native Greg Linnelli is now the game-day host for the Tampa Bay Lightning Radio Network, and host of "Lightning Power Play Live." He joins me for our Sided.co podcast to tell us why everything has come together so well for Tampa Bay this year and whether they'll add a big- time target at the trade deadline.

Tribune Review LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104017 Pittsburgh Penguins How about extended healthy stretches from Schultz and Hornqvist? Maybe Brassard can prove he should've been acquired in the first place and is worthy of keeping. Tim Benz: Penguins have to fix current players before acquiring new Or perhaps the team can get a third goal from Riley Sheahan since Dec. ones 6. Tanner Pearson has one point in five games. Phil Kessel is a minus-12 in January. Sidney Crosby has one power-play point since the calendar flipped to 2019. Matt Murray is allowing four goals against over his last TIM BENZ four starts. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, 6:18 a.m. "It's everyone playing the same way consistently. We've got to bring the same effort every night," Crosby said after the loss Monday. "We've got enough skill in here. We'll score enough goals. We just have to play hard." In recent years, the path to Penguins improvement during the season has been clear. Crosby is right for the most part there. But it's not just about playing harder. It's about playing better. The roster is good enough. The guys on In 2016, it was to fire the coach and improve speed throughout the the ice need to start living up to the backs of their hockey cards. lineup. So the team swapped out Mike Johnston for Mike Sullivan and traded for the likes of Carl Hagelin, Justin Schultz and . And their contracts. In 2017, it was to increase depth on the blue line after Kris Letang got The 2019 Penguins are a team that needs to clean up its own backyard hurt in late February. So the team acquired , Mark Streit and before it starts buying new patio furniture. on defense over the next few days before the trade deadline. And last year, the glaring need to be filled was at third-line center. So Tribune Review LOADED: 01.31.2019 general manager Jim Rutherford traded for Derick Brassard. Some of those moves were home runs. Others were swings and misses. But they were obvious attempts at making the team better. This year, things seem hazy. As the puck was dropping to begin NHL action Tuesday night, the Penguins occupied the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot with 58 points in 49 games. At the start of play Tuesday, every Eastern Conference team had played between 48 and 51 contests. The Penguins were 26-17-6. Through 49 games last year, the team was in a worse spot with only 53 points and in an eighth-place tie with the Rangers. But from Game 50 on, the Penguins went on a filthy run. They beat the Hurricanes, 3-1, on Jan. 23. That began a stretch where they won 11 of 13, with just one regulation loss in a span of 34 calendar days. Brassard wasn't acquired until three days after that stretch ended. So, the Penguins largely rediscovered their elite form of the previous two seasons from within. That's what needs to happen in 2019, as well. It's not in Jim Rutherford's nature to sit idle at the trade deadline. He likely will make a deal or two. He almost always does. As we outlined above, though, what's the gaping hole for these Penguins? What's the trade blueprint the fan base and media have been clamoring for? With so many players locked up as perceived contributors for years into the future, who gets subtracted from that equation? "I'm not concerned about that," Sullivan said Monday night after the club's 6-3 loss to New Jersey. "Our responsibility is to play the game with the guys that we have. We have very capable guys. We're a good team when we play the game the right way." Sure, another scoring winger would be nice. Yes, someone with some net-front grit and scoring touch to offset Patric Hornqvist's injury concerns would help. Another defenseman with offensive skills to buffer any potential injury to Kris Letang or a slow return from Justin Schultz would be marvelous. However, those commodities cost significant return. And the Penguins' farm system isn't exactly deep anymore. Every word I've heard coming from inside the Penguins is that Jim Rutherford would really like to hold on to his first-round pick this year for a change. The team has had only one () since 2012. That's not to say Rutherford won't use this year's first-rounder as collateral if he feels the right move is out there. But is it? If it is, who? To me, it feels like the big "trade tracker" story of the season is who will the Penguins send Brassard to, as opposed to what big fish can they land. The Penguins shouldn't be focused on getting someone new. Instead, how about reacquiring the Evgeni Malkin we all know and love? You know, the guy who is often an MVP candidate as opposed to one who scores just three goals in 16 games. The guy who is plus-16 as he was last year, as opposed to his minus-20 this year. 1104018 Pittsburgh Penguins After learning Wednesday morning that he’d be in the lineup for Derick Brassard, who’s nursing a nagging upper-body injury, Teddy Blueger said he started picking Wilson’s brain. Matt Murray takes matters into his own hands The two played together with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, and Blueger started peppering his linemate — there and here — with questions. JASON MACKEY “That helped a lot,” Blueger said. “Knowing him pretty well, as a player Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and as a person, it helps just like talking on the bench and asking some questions. That was great.” [email protected] It showed. JAN 31, 2019 1:07 AM With Tampa Bay off to a strong start, the Penguins’ fourth line scored their first goal and turned the momentum around in a big way. Matt Murray doesn’t fashion himself as a physical player. Just a couple seconds into his NHL career, Blueger was already a plus-1 after Riley Sheahan buried the rebound from a Wilson shot. After all, he is, you know, a goaltender. But he’s also not a pushover. “It was kind of a whirlwind,” Blueger said of his first shift at this level. “It So when the Tampa Bay Lightning decided to cause some chaos around happened so fast. I just got out there, we break it out, end up scoring. It Murray’s crease and get physical with the 6-foot-4 netminder on was fun. It was a good feeling.” Wednesday night, Murray decided to take matters into his own hands. Blueger wound up playing 6:22 and registering one hit. He did not He got a little physical, stood his ground and reached the spots he attempt a shot. Sullivan said he was hesitant to use Blueger on the needed to reach in order to do his job. penalty kill — where Blueger has thrived in the AHL — because there are Evgeni Malkin drops gloves, hits milestone in 'best game in a while' some subtle differences in the concepts. After the Penguins’ 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at PPG “That’s an area where he can help us as well,” Sullivan said, “but I Paints Arena, Murray also expressed frustration that this was allowed to thought he had a real strong game for his first game.” happen in the first place. Kris Letang’s goal was the 108th of his career, tying him with Paul Coffey “My priority is to stop the puck, so I have to focus on that first,” Murray for the Penguins franchise lead in goals by a defenseman. said. “If I’m able to recognize that a guy’s going to hit me, if I can brace Letang, who also has 12 on the season, one off the NHL lead, called myself, that’s what I have to do. tying Coffey, one of the best offensive defensemen in the history of the “They’re obviously not calling anything. If I have to, I guess that’s what I league, “surreal.” have to do.” “Growing up, watching him, never thought I would have my name next to That last comment is obviously an attention-grabber, though Murray his,” Letang said. “It’s pretty surreal.” caught himself when asked whether he thought it was “open season” on him. Post Gazette LOADED: 01.31.2019 “I don’t know,” Murray said. “I’m not going to say anything more than that.” Murray said enough. With his words, for one, but also his actions. Dave Molinari’s Penguins Report Card: Penguins 4, Tampa Bay 2 After allowing six goals on Monday night in a 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils, Murray was markedly better against the Lightning on Wednesday, stopping 33 of 35 to earn the win. “Any time you lose a game, you always want to come back and try to get a win,” Murray said. “Again, my focus stays the same, and that’s trying to stop the puck no matter what happened last game or whatever’s going on.” Although Murray was never actively looking for contact against the Lightning, he did find quite a bit of it on his doorstep. And he said he’s not afraid to engage physically when that happens. “If I have to, I guess,” Murray said. “I’m not used to throwing hits. They just kind of came in and weren’t going to stop. If I’m able to see them coming, I have to try and protect myself. That’s what I tried to do.” Physicality was a theme in this game whether it involved Murray or not. The Lightning, who rank seventh in the league in hits, registered 59 of them, 44 after two periods. The Penguins countered with 39, including a team-high eight from Jack Johnson and six from Garrett Wilson. Although he was only credited with one hit, Evgeni Malkin fought Steven Stamkos and was engaged in such a way that has been missing from his game for weeks. Despite the physical nature, the Penguins were smart about taking penalties and only put the Lightning on the power play twice, although they did surrender a goal on one of those. “I thought our guys did a real good job,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “They didn’t get caught up in it. It could have turned into a special teams contest real fast. We didn’t want to get in that. I thought we did a real good job with our discipline.” 1104019 Pittsburgh Penguins There were a few other times when Malkin didn’t over-do it and instead got the puck to the right player, letting them generate quality chances.

And on a couple of occasions, Malkin picked up the puck with a head of Evgeni Malkin drops gloves, hits milestone in 'best game in a while' steam and took advantage of a little space, like one play during the second period when he cruised around the net, quickly pivoted and fired a low-angle shot just wide. MATT VENSEL “He was a monster out there. He can play physically. He can play with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the puck. He’s just a great player. And when he’s going, he’s tough to handle. You know he cares so much and wants to contribute to our [email protected] team,” Dumoulin said. “It was fun watching him and seeing the passion out of him.” JAN 31, 2019 1:02 AM Added Sullivan, who liked Malkin’s work on defense: “When he’s

engaged like that emotionally, I think that’s when he’s at his best.” Evgeni Malkin made his presence felt in this game long before he There have been a few times these last two months when it looked as if dropped the gloves in a Wednesday night fight between two All-Stars Malkin was turning a corner, only to see the 32-year-old keep spinning who have combined for 759 goals and more than $150 million in career his tires. Given how good he was in October, one has reason to believe earnings. he will get going eventually. Maybe this will be the night it started. The big Russian center, after a scorching October, has been stuck waist “He was on his toes, bringing lots of energy and doing what he does deep in one of the biggest ruts of his career. Sure, one can point to his best,” goalie Matt Murray said. “I thought he looked great out there 55 points in 50 games and say he is still putting them up like the Geno of tonight.” old. But some other numbers reinforce the notion that he hasn’t resembled himself. For starters, he entered the night with a minus-20 rating. Plus-minus can Post Gazette LOADED: 01.31.2019 be misleading at times. But when you have one of the three worst ratings in the league, that’s a pretty good indicator that something ain’t right. Malkin’s lack of even-strength goals – he has just three since Nov. 1 – and his presence on the ice for many, if not all, of the team’s league-high 11 short-handed goals against have been buoyed by the many good things the Penguins have done on their power play, where he has 18 points. Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray makes save against the Lightning Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena. Malkin has no doubt been pressing these past couple of months, often trying to stick-handle his way out of his slump instead of putting pucks on net from promising positions or barreling straight ahead with the puck. But Wednesday, in a 4-2 victory at PPG Paints Arena against a Tampa Bay Lightning squad with a few fellow Russians and ranks among the most stacked in the league, Malkin played a simpler, more straight-ahead game. “That’s Geno’s best game in a while, I think,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He was on the puck. You noticed him. He was a presence every shift.” First things first, though, let’s talk about that expensive, unlikely fight. It was a chippy night in Pittsburgh, with a bunch of scrums, a late hit by Lightning forward Cedric Paquette that irked the Penguins and a few times when Matt Murray got bumped by a Lightning player or vice versa. Then in the third period, after a few whacks with their sticks and a couple of crosschecks, Malkin and Lightning captain Steven Stamkos squared off. It was a brief, awkward fight, with Malkin putting Stamkos in a one-armed headlock while Stamkos threw some rights at the back of Malkin’s helmet. After about five seconds, Malkin wrestled Stamkos to the ice. Pittsburgh Penguins center Riley Sheahan battles for loose puck against Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena. One can assume Malkin will not get signed by Dana White or Oscar De La Hoya any time soon. But the thought got his teammates fired up. “It’s great to see,” said defenseman Brian Dumoulin, who was on the ice for that. “When G’s dropping the gloves, it gets everyone going.” Malkin’s stat line: one fighting major, two assists and a plus-2 rating. Malkin picked up a secondary assist on the team’s second of three goals in the opening period when he made a smart pass at the Tampa Bay blue line instead of trying to slip through defenseman Victor Hedman. That set up a give-and-go between Bryan Rust and Phil Kessel that Kessel finished. In the second, Malkin didn’t do much to get his second assist. During 4- on-4 play, he flipped the puck to Kessel, who found Kris Letang. When Kris Letang snapped a shot past the blocker of Andrei Vasilevskiy, it made Malkin the fourth Russian player in NHL history with 600 career assists. 1104020 Pittsburgh Penguins man was prudent. (Especially when the Lightning got a goal on the second of those.)

COACHING Dave Molinari’s Penguins Report Card: Penguins 4, Tampa Bay 2 Grade: B.

Mike Sullivan shouldn’t have had to do much to motivate his players, DAVE MOLINARI considering their miserable performance against New Jersey two nights Pittsburgh Post-Gazette earlier, but for whatever reason, they got the kind of start that allowed them to take advantage of Tampa Bay playing for the first time since Jan. [email protected] 19. He also presumably played a role in helping the Penguins rediscover their work ethic during the first intermission, after they had been outshot, JAN 30, 2019 11:11 PM 16-5, during the opening period. Bumping Matt Cullen from the fourth line to Brassard’s spot on the No. 3 unit, then plugging Blueger into Cullen’s

usual place, was a sound move. (After every Penguins home game, the Post-Gazette will assess how each unit performed and what it means during the playoff push.) Post Gazette LOADED: 01.31.2019 FORWARDS Grade: B-. The Penguins were opportunistic early in the game, when they scored on three of their first five shots, as Riley Sheahan, Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby beat Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy during the first 8:21 of play. One of the most intriguing questions before the game was whether Evgeni Malkin’s plus-minus rating for the season would be lower than the wind-chill factor by the time the evening ended. He picked up a couple of assists (pushing his career total to 601) and was a plus-2 for the game, leaving him minus-18 for 2018-19. Derick Brassard didn’t play because of an unspecified injury, but Teddy Blueger made his NHL debut and acquitted himself well in the middle of the fourth line. While this is a bottom-line business and victories ultimately are all that matters, being held without a shot on goal for a span of nearly 17 minutes during the first and second periods is far from ideal and something the Penguins won’t want to repeat anytime soon. Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin takes down Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena. DEFENSEMEN Grade: B. Kris Letang made a little history and got a goal that might have been more significant than it seemed at first blush, because Tampa Bay had been pushing hard to get back into the game before he scored, then appeared to lose some of its edge after Letang made it 4-0 during the second period. That was his 108th career goal, tying Paul Coffey’s franchise record. Letang also blocked a team-high four shots and contributed five shots and three hits. The defensemen did a reasonably good job of minimizing the number of second-chance opportunities Tampa Bay’s lethal offense generated and Jack Johnson was a physical presence, accounting for eight of the Penguins’ 39 hits. GOALIE Grade: B. Matt Murray rebounded from a disappointing showing during the Penguins’ 6-3 loss to New Jersey Monday with a solid effort, keeping the Lightning off the scoreboard until the final five minutes of play. He lost his shutout bid on a J.T. Miller wrist shot that looked to be stoppable, then was beaten by a Steven Stamkos shot from inside the left circle that glanced off Murray before going under his right arm during a Lightning power play. It helped that Murray’s teammates were more interested and involved than they had been against the Devils, but Murray was sharp from the start and looked increasingly confident until the waning minutes of regulation. It will be interesting to see whether his next start looks more like the first 55 minutes or the final five of the Tampa Bay game. SPECIAL TEAMS Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray makes save against the Lightning Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena. Grade: C-. The Penguins’ No. 1 power-play unit could be dominant if it ever comes close to equaling the sum of its parts, but that seems about as likely as a grove of palm trees sprouting in Point State Park before the weekend. They failed to score a man-advantage goal for the sixth time in the past nine games, and didn’t manage a shot on goal during a five-on-three that lasted 94 seconds. Then again, progress tends to be incremental and they didn’t yield a shorthanded goal, so perhaps that constitutes a tiny step forward. The Lightning had scored on a league-best 29.5 percent of its opportunities during the previous 49 games, so playing a fairly disciplined game that limited Tampa Bay to two chances with the extra 1104021 Pittsburgh Penguins How about tying Coffey? “I mean, it’s pretty surreal,” Letang said. “Growing up watching him, I never thought I would have my name next to his. I can’t believe it.” Joe Starkey: Team meeting helped Penguins regain ‘swagger’ Malkin helped sparked the win, as well, notching a couple of assists (including his 600th) and responding well to an early hit from Dan Girardi. JOE STARKEY Sullivan called it his best game in a while. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette This win, and the way it happened, should serve the Lightning a reminder that the Penguins aren’t going anywhere — and would be a bear of a [email protected] first-round matchup. That would have been the matchup, in fact, had the season ended Wednesday. Which, of course, it did not. We still have two JAN 30, 2019 10:51 PM months and 32 games ahead. I would expect the Penguins to rise several spots in the standings, but that will depend largely on their mindset. Like Sullivan said after the The NHL’s best team hit town Wednesday, amid an Arctic blast, and Jersey loss, games can be won long before the puck drops. storylines were flying like toilet paper off the Giant Eagle shelves. From all appearances, this one was. Tops among them: How would the Penguins, after a pretty crappy performance Monday night against New Jersey, react to a visit from the high-powered Tampa Bay Lightning? Post Gazette LOADED: 01.31.2019 Quite well, as it turned out — and the seeds were planted in a rare players-only meeting the day before the 4-2 victory. “We obviously weren’t real happy with the way we played coming out of the break,” said center Matt Cullen. “And to be honest, going into the break we weren’t very good, either. I think at certain points you have to make sure everything is in check and you have a little conversation and make sure everyone’s on board.” Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin takes down Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena. Evgeni Malkin drops gloves, hits milestone in 'best game in a while' Kris Letang, who played a marvelous game, said the Jersey loss was alarming to the point of bringing the players together for a sit-down. “On a normal loss, I don’t think we have a meeting,” Letang said. “But on a loss that’s important, against a team lower in the standings … we needed an answer, and it’s to make sure everybody’s ready to go.” Cullen could sense just that early in the game. “There was a hunger on the bench and enthusiasm on the bench,” he said. “And you know that maybe has been lacking a little bit here lately. That was big for us. We played with a lot more urgency.” It’s not as if the Penguins were territorially dominant from the drop of the puck. But they were incredibly opportunistic in taking a 3-0 lead in the first 8 minutes, 21 seconds. And from that point on, they responded to every physical challenge the Lightning threw at them. Look no further than Evgeni Malkin dropping the gloves with Steven Stamkos early in the third period — “Geno is always good for one fight a year, so I guess that was it,” Letang said — or Brian Dumoulin aggressively defending his goaltender. Or Patric Hornqvist very aggressively defending Letang. Coach Mike Sullivan, like Letang, sensed the excitement on the bench early in the game. He knows it when he hears it — and it often comes in the form of extra chatter. Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray makes save against the Lightning Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena. Sullivan spoke of his club’s “personality” and “swagger”afterward, and how it begins with an attitude. “When we have some personality on the bench,” Sullivan said, “we usually take it to the ice.” The shots were 19-5 in Tampa Bay’s favor at one point. But as the Penguins proved in winning their second straight Stanley Cup two years ago, goal totals beat shot totals any day, and as Letang said, many of Tampa’s shots were not of the grade-A variety. It is the Penguins’ opportunism that makes them so bloody dangerous to a team like the Lightning. Take Letang’s second-period goal, for example (the 108th of his career, tying Paul Coffey for the franchise lead among defensemen). Phil Kessel made the play, during 4-on-4 time, with a skating exhibition that would have earned him a perfect “10” in the Olympic freestyle. Kessel dangled the puck backward through the neutral zone, revved the engines and raced into the Tampa zone, then delivered a quick pass to Letang, who buried it from the right circle. 1104022 Pittsburgh Penguins Malkin had a pair of assists in the first period, giving him 601 for his career. In the process, Malkin became the 89th player in NHL history to reach 600 helpers. He’s also the fourth Penguin and fourth Russian-born Mike Sullivan raves about his team after Penguins' emotional, bounce- NHL player to do it. back win Meanwhile, Malkin also fought Steven Stamkos and threw a mean haymaker after Cedric Paquette cracked Letang way late behind the play. Jason Mackey “Geno had a hell of a game,” Brian Dumoulin said. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “I thought he looked great out there tonight,” Matt Murray added. [email protected] “Geno responded the right way,” Letang said. “Everybody followed.” Jan 30, 2019 10:45 PM The Penguins did not win the shot clock on Wednesday night.

Didn’t come close, actually. Mike Sullivan walked into the media room at PPG Paints Arena Wednesday morning with a purpose, the no-nonsense approach of Nor they did turn this particular showdown into a referendum on puck someone preparing his team for a showdown with the NHL’s best. possession. Twelve hours later, Sullivan was back in the same spot, his track suit and Instead, the Penguins were opportunistic and capitalized on the chances hat exchanged for a shirt and tie, his admiration for his players — and the they did get, knowing points will be at a premium. statement they made about themselves on this night — seeping out of “We knew this was a big game for us, especially with such a quality team every syllable. in Tampa,” Dumoulin said. “We can’t let these games slip now. “I love this group of players that we have,” Sullivan said. “This core group “Our division is really tight. We know every point counts. Getting this win of players is the best core I’ve ever been around, in 30-plus years in the [Wednesday] was big.” league. And a little bit strange, considering that Tampa held a 35-22 edge in “I just think, number one, they’re talented, but they’re also character shots on goal (all situations) and a 55-36 advantage in attempts (five-on- people. When they set their minds to it, there isn’t anything they can’t five). accomplish.” The Penguins actually frittered away a 5-on-3 power play in the first Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin takes down Tampa Bay period and endured a stretch of 16:41 between the first and second Lightning center Steven Stamkos Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG periods without a shot on goal. Paints Arena. But the Penguins held strong and didn’t allow the Lightning anything until Evgeni Malkin drops gloves, hits milestone in 'best game in a while' late in the third period. That proved true during a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at “That’s the resilience we need to show as a team here when they’re PPG Paints Arena, as the Penguins bounced back in a big way from that pushing really hard and getting a lot of shots,” Matt Cullen said. “We awful loss against the last-place Devils 48 hours earlier. have to hold the fort down a little bit and respond. I thought we did a Against a powerhouse opponent, no less. good job of that [Wednesday].” Their coach had plenty to do with that, as Sullivan never lets them off The Penguins (27-17-6) are now tied with Washington for second place easy and certainly didn’t during a fast-paced practice Tuesday at UPMC in the Metropolitan Division with 60 points. Columbus is one back with Lemieux Sports Complex. 59, although the Blue Jackets do have a game in hand. Sullivan quasi-joked that “our coaching staff I think sometimes tries to The turning point in this one might’ve come early. As Tampa started squeeze them a little bit” and “I might not be their favorite guy on certain strong and put together a couple solid shifts, the Penguins found days,” but there’s a reason, the coach explained. themselves on their heels. Two of them, really. Then the fourth line hopped over the boards. With Teddy Blueger making his NHL debut because Derick Brassard has been dealing with a “It’s only because I think so highly of them, and we think they’re capable lingering upper-body injury, Blueger, Garrett Wilson and Riley Sheahan of so much.” combined for the first goal. Sullivan thinks about the Penguins pretty much like one of his kids: Letang’s pass up the wall led to Sheahan’s seventh marker of the They’re really smart and can do well in school, but they’re often prone to season, with the Penguins’ first goal coming at 3:25. staring out the window if the day’s lesson doesn’t interest them. After Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi stripped Sheahan of the puck, it Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray makes save against the wound up on Garrett Wilson’s blade. Wilson shot, gathered his own Lightning Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena. rebound and tried a wraparound attempt. Fortunately for Sullivan, though, when the stakes are high, generally the Sheahan was able to bang home the rebound for his first goal since Jan. Penguins test well. 8. Yes, there are 32 games left before the postseason, but Wednesday’s “It was huge,” said Murray, who stopped 33 of 35 to bounce back from game was a chance to make a significant statement. his own subpar start against the Devils. “A goal early like that obviously gets us going, we get a couple more. That was probably the turning Tampa arrived here the best team in the NHL by a wide margin, the point.” league leader in goals (196) and points (76). The Lighting had won 24 of 28 games against the Eastern Conference. A tremendous effort from Bryan Rust put the Penguins ahead, 2-0, at 8:05 of the first. Phil Kessel got the goal, but Rust did the heavy lifting by The last time these guys were here, they scored four power-play goals cutting hard to the net and going forehand to backhand, the puck rolling and embarrassed the Penguins in their first game without Carl Hagelin. off his stick right to Kessel. But the Penguins had seemingly grasped why Monday’s loss was so Kessel got some much-needed elevation on the shot to beat Lightning bad. Kris Letang said they had a players-only meeting Tuesday. One, the goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. defenseman admitted, that probably wouldn’t have happened following other losses. Some fine puck pressure upped the Penguins’ lead to 3-0 just 16 seconds later. Jake Guentzel pestered Tampa Bay center “We all know Tampa Bay is at the top of the league,” Letang said. behind his own net, and Point coughed the puck up to Dominik Simon. “They’re a really good measuring stick for any team. Tonight was important, especially with the two points that slipped the night before. It Sidney Crosby converted the cross-crease pass from Simon at 8:21 of was a good effort, and I think it brought the best out of us.” the first period. It certainly brought the best in Evgeni Malkin, who had one of his best games in some time. Letang got his 12th goal of the season at 6:02 of the second, taking advantage of some serious puck possession from Kessel, to tie Paul Coffey for the career goals mark by a Penguins defenseman. Tampa would score twice in the third period, although the Penguins were able to close out a win that served as a huge response. It was yet another drastic, emotional swing for this team, one that never seems to make it easy but refuses to quit, qualities that have endeared it to Sullivan. “Our expectations are high,” Sullivan said. “Because of that, sometimes when we don’t execute or we don’t play the game the way we know we’re capable of playing, it can be frustrating. “I think our challenge moving forward is to make sure that we bring some consistency to our game night in and night out.”

Post Gazette LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104023 Pittsburgh Penguins “It’s been extremely exciting, overwhelming but so positive and so positive for the future of the game,” Coyne Schofield said. “Friday night opened a lot of doors and opened a lot of eyes to people who might not Kendall Coyne Schofield ready to 'enjoy the moment' on Penguins- have ever seen women’s hockey before.” Lightning broadcast The outpouring of support has surpassed Coyne Schofield’s wildest expectations. She’s received hundreds of messages of support, the majority of them from young girls and fathers of young girls, ecstatic that Jason Mackey Coyne Schofield did what she did. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Coyne Schofield said one of her favorite stories involved a young girl who never really wanted to play hockey and only wanted to watch her [email protected] brother’s games. Jan 30, 2019 1:24 PM After the Skills Competition, Coyne Schofield said this girl changed her mind and decided to give hockey a chance, and her parents immediately

went out and purchased a pair of hockey skates. Hours after arriving home from the NHL All-Star Game, an event where “To hear those stories and know that you played a part in them, it’s just she generated considerable buzz with her performance in the fastest- been amazing,” Coyne Schofield said. skater portion of the Skills Competition, Kendall Coyne Schofield attended a birthday dinner for her mother-in-law in suburban Chicago. There have also been the videos. Whether it’s been via text message, email or on social media, Coyne Schofield has had young girls sending In the middle of her meal at Capri Ristorante — and knowing if she got her pictures of them skating a lap around the rink. caught it might be borderline rude — Coyne Schofield secretly pulled out her cell phone, opened up her email and tugged down with her thumb. With an accompanying time, of course. There, once the page refreshed, was a whopper. “The impact has definitely been felt,” Coyne Schofield said. “I think it’s NBC wanted her to work as an analyst for Wednesday’s NHL game also set a standard for the future. The NHL has an amazing platform. By between the Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning at PPG Paints Arena. doing so, they’ve opened a lot of doors.” Coyne Schofield, a communications major at Northeastern, almost couldn’t believe it. At the same time, Coyne Schofield knows better than anyone the reach the NHL can have. She said she’s actually received more attention for “I had to interrupt the dinner and say, ‘Guys, listen to this!’ … I was so this than she did winning gold, although she’s not about to complain excited,” Coyne Schofield told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on about either one. Wednesday morning. “Broadcasting has always been something I’ve been interested in. Coyne Schofield knows a slew of people will be watching Wednesday night. And although she’s nervous, she’s also excited. Pittsburgh Penguins center Riley Sheahan battles for loose puck against Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG “Everyone gets a little nervous. If you don’t, I don’t think you care,” Coyne Paints Arena. Schofield said. “You just don’t want the nerves to take over the moment. I’m excited to enjoy the moment. I’ll be a little bit nervous, but in the end, “Obviously to be put on the highest platform like this is unbelievable. To I’m just so excited.” be able to learn from people like John [Forslund], Eddie [Olczyk] and Pierre [McGuire] is going to be awesome. I’m just so excited for the opportunity.” Post Gazette LOADED: 01.31.2019 Coyne Schofield attended Tuesday’s production meeting, learning how the broadcast was going to go and what she would be counted upon to add pregame, in-game and during intermissions. Same as they do for every home and visiting broadcast, the Penguins had a white folder sitting out for Coyne Schofield with a copy of game notes, league stats and their infographic. Coyne Schofield said she’s been doing a bunch of research, trying to cement her talking points and how to do as much as she can to enhance the broadcast. It’s actually what Coyne Schofield wanted to do in college, when she would serve as a sideline reporter for the Northeastern men’s hockey team’s broadcasts whenever her own hockey schedule would allow. “I knew I wanted to stay in sports,” Coyne Schofield said. “That was always my goal. When you’re a senior in high school, you don’t know what you want to do. But I felt through my communications degree, I would have the best chances of staying in sports. “When I was at Northeastern, I did sideline reporting. I was able to get a little taste of it. I would jump on the men’s broadcasts whenever I could, when we weren’t playing. It’s definitely always something I’ve been interested in. It’s just been tough with me still playing.” Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel celebrates after scoring against Tampa Bay Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena. Joe Starkey: Team meeting helped Penguins regain ‘swagger’ Although she won a gold medal with Team USA women’s hockey last winter, Coyne Schofield gained additional notoriety for herself last weekend in San Jose, when she subbed for Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon in the fastest skater competition and wound up flying around the SAP Center ice in 14.346 seconds. Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the event, but Coyne Schofield — along with teammate — became an incredible story because of the statement it made for women’s hockey and equality within the sport. The subsequent reaction has been amazing, Coyne Schofield said. 1104024 Pittsburgh Penguins there was a chance he was going to play. If he did play, we would rather keep that type of information to ourselves.”

The coach added: “Right now, his status is day to day. We’ll see how he With Derick Brassard out with an injury, Teddy Blueger makes NHL is [Thursday] and we’ll go from there.” debut As for Maatta, whom Sullivan also in the morning said would be “available” to play, the defenseman was in the lineup against the Matt Vensel Lightning. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Schultz takes a ‘real big step’ [email protected] Blueger was not the only noteworthy participant in the morning skate. Jan 30, 2019 12:41 PM Justin Schultz skated with his teammates Wednesday morning for the first time since fracturing his ankle in October, four games into the season. The defenseman wore a red non-contact during the optional workout. Teddy Blueger was in frigid Minneapolis, spending a couple more days with his girlfriend during the American Hockey League’s All-Star break, Sullivan said that “real big step” suggests Schultz is “a whole lot closer.” when he got a Tuesday phone call that forced him to cut his stay short. “The next step will obviously be the contact part of the practices,” The 24-year-old center was getting promoted to the NHL. Sullivan said. “We’re going to have some practices coming up here over the next week and we’re hopeful that we can eventually get him to “She wasn’t mad, no,” Blueger said Wednesday with a laugh. graduate into that step. And that's the last step before he is in the lineup.” Instead of flying to Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, Blueger was rerouted to Sullivan turned back to Matt Murray on Wednesday despite the starting Pittsburgh, arriving in town late Tuesday night. He battled traffic on the goalie allowing six goals on 32 shots in Monday’s loss to the Devils. way into PPG Paints Arena in the morning. But he had made it. Murray and backup Casey DeSmith, who has started just four games Evgeni Malkin drops gloves, hits milestone in 'best game in a while' since Dec. 20, figure to split the team’s back-to-back games this weekend. “Obviously, I’m really happy to be here,” Blueger said after Wednesday’s morning skate. “It was pretty unexpected, to be honest, to get the call. I was on break so I was trying not to think about hockey too much.” Post Gazette LOADED: 01.31.2019 With Derick Brassard out of the lineup with an upper-body injury, Blueger finally made his NHL debut Wednesday when the Penguins hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning at PPG Paints Arena. Before the game, coach Mike Sullivan said Blueger was “certainly deserving of the opportunity.” “Teddy’s a guy that’s played extremely well in Wilkes-Barre this year on both sides of the puck. … He’s a real good two-way centericeman. He's a good penalty killer,” he said. “I know he's hungry to play, as well.” That might be an understatement. Over the past three years in Wilkes- Barre, Blueger has watched similarly aged teammates such as Jake Guentzel, Zach Aston-Reese and Dominik Simon get the call to Pittsburgh and earn roles. He admits waiting for his chance has been frustrating. “It’s kind of been a long time coming. It’s been tough at times but I just tried to focus on controlling what I can control and doing my best,” he said. Blueger certainly did that, evolving from a responsible role player as an AHL rookie into an all-around impact player who leads Wilkes- Barre/Scranton in scoring this season with 21 goals and 39 points in 45 games. “When I first got there, I was kind of put in a defensive role. … But as time went on, I kind of showed I could produce a little bit more,” Blueger said, adding, “I think a lot of it had to do with confidence and my mindset, believing in myself and realizing I had more to give.” Pittsburgh Penguins center Riley Sheahan battles for loose puck against Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena. Blueger, who centered the fourth line Wednesday with Matt Cullen jumping up to Brassard’s spot on the third line, says he still has plenty to work on. In the short term, Blueger has a plan for sticking around now that he has finally made it to the show. “Just go out and play hard, play my game, be tough to play against,” Blueger said. “Obviously, it’s a faster game up here, so try to think as fast as I can and make quick decisions and be responsible.” Brassard and Olli Maatta are regulars in morning skates, but on Wednesday neither player took the ice for the optional workout. Brassard’s absence a day after practicing with the team in Cranberry, coupled with Blueger’s surprise call-up, was certainly curious. Sullivan said after the morning skate that Brassard, a third-line center who has been the subject of trade chatter, would be “available” for Wednesday’s game. But Brassard did not join the team for pregame warmups. The team then announced that he was out with an upper-body injury. “He’s been dealing with a nagging upper-body injury the last few days,” Sullivan said after the game. “The reason I didn’t divulge it this morning is 1104025 Pittsburgh Penguins they want to qualify for the postseason, let alone contend for the Stanley Cup.

“Every time you have a performance like that, you want to make sure Evgeni Malkin drops the gloves while the Penguins drop the NHL’s best your team responds the right way,” Letang said. “After a normal loss, I team don’t think we would have had that meeting.” The Penguins only found themselves short-handed twice, and one of By Josh Yohe those penalties came when the game was out of reach in the third period. They also were uncharacteristically careful with the puck, the odd-man Jan 30, 2019 rushes that were commonplace in recent losses to the Devils and Golden Knights nowhere to be found.

“We stayed disciplined,” Dumoulin said. “You saw Geno get hit (by The lack of passion they displayed on Monday against the Devils Girardi). But he stayed in the game, kept playing hard.” perhaps still fresh in their minds, the Penguins — many of their best players, in particular — were challenged physically on Wednesday at When enough was enough, Malkin took care of business. So do PPG Paints Arena by a Tampa Bay team that was sluggish but nasty. everyone else wearing a home sweater. Mike Sullivan’s team responded with the perfect mix of passion and “We played with more urgency,” Matt Cullen said. “And when Geno plays prudence. like that, leads by example like that, it’s big for us. He’s a huge part of this team.” Evgeni Malkin dropped the gloves, the Penguins stood up for themselves but largely stayed out of the penalty box against one of the NHL’s most Ultimately, the biggest takeaway from this game may have revolved dangerous power plays, and some quick-strike offense in the first period around Malkin. He has struggled mightily during the past three months. paid off handsomely in a 4-2 victory. Malkin played angrily but intelligently against the Lightning. “We knew it was going to be a spirited game,” Brian Dumoulin said. “We Sullivan was pleased. had a great start. They tried to answer back physically. But it was good to see a lot of emotion from our team.” “Really liked his game tonight,” Sullivan said. “That’s (Malkin’s) best game in a while. He was on the puck. You noticed him. He was a The Penguins scored three early goals. Riley Sheahan, Phil Kessel and presence every shift. He did a really good job of cutting his skating down Sidney Crosby gave the Penguins a 3-0 advantage before fans had an in the defensive zone and stopping on pucks.” opportunity to remove their winter jackets. It was only one game, and this team has been wildly unpredictable. This The Lightning then opted for some brute force in an attempt to strike performance, though, was an indication of how good these Penguins can back. Cedric Paquette, who is no stranger to aggravating the Penguins, be. slammed Kris Letang with a late, dangerous hit in the corner later in the first period. Letang appeared in distress for a moment but managed to Sullivan knows his team has fluctuated to extremes this season. He also stay in the game. believes that, when his Penguins have their minds functioning properly, they remain capable of being a force. Paquette’s hit was one of many signs of aggression from the Lightning, who were credited with an astronomical 59 hits. “I love this group of players that we have,” he said. “This core group of players is the best core I’ve ever been around in 30-plus years in the Tempers nearly boiled over on a few occasions throughout the night. league. Number one, they’re talented, but they’re also character people. Matt Murray, who stopped 33 of 35 shots in a solid performance, dealt When they set their minds to it, there isn’t anything that they can’t with a number of Tampa Bay forwards crashing into his crease accomplish. I believe in them.” throughout the evening. Malkin was drilled by Dan Girardi in the first period. Letang was a target throughout the night. Ten postgame observations Malkin finally dropped the gloves in the third period with among the • I loved Malkin’s game tonight. It wasn’t perfect, as he took a penalty — unlikely of players. Steven Stamkos and Malkin took part in a brief but albeit not a bad one — and still doesn’t have his goal-scoring touch. But intense fight, which appeared to be initiated by Stamkos. there was an intensity and a precision to his game against the Lightning, one that’s been missing for most of this season. Sullivan’s words were His head coach liked that Malkin responded. spot-on. We’ve seen Malkin look himself at times during his recent funk, notably in a four-point outburst in Anaheim a few weeks back. But this “When he’s engaged like that emotionally,” Sullivan said, “I think that’s was a really fine performance. He registered two points and was a force. when he’s at his best.” That’s the Penguins the Penguins needs down the stretch and into the postseason and, while it was merely one game, it was an encouraging Perhaps Sullivan could say that for his entire team. When he took over one. Also, while Sullivan obviously doesn’t want Malkin fighting on a as head coach 37 months ago, the Penguins often displayed plenty of regular basis — “Those are expensive hands,” Cullen joked after the passion but also an utter inability to turn the other cheek. Sullivan has game — I don’t sense that the coach had a problem with Malkin losing long ago instilled that philosophy. That said, he doesn’t expect his team his temper. In fact, I think he rather liked it. to play soft or to look disinterested. • If you’re of the belief that the Penguins play up or down to their They did no such thing against the NHL’s best team. Tampa Bay became opponent, this game was for you. There is considerable evidence to more and more physical as the game elapsed, and Sullivan loved the suggest this is the case. It’s impossible to have an entirely accurate feel response from the Penguins. for these Penguins right now. When you think you’ve got them figured “We didn’t get deterred by it,” he said. “That’s the most important thing. out, they’ll fool you. But there is no question that their ability to score (If) teams are going to try to play aggressive against us, then we have to goals in bunches remains. Were I the Lightning, I’d want nothing to do try to use their aggression against them. But the most important thing is with the Penguins in the postseason. It’s hard to out-Penguin the that we don’t get caught playing their game. We’ve got to play our ours. Penguins. The Lightning is a great team and will rightfully enter the That’s an important aspect of our game moving forward. Our guys did a postseason as the Stanley Cup favorite. Still, styles make a fight, and the real good job, they didn’t get caught up in it. It could have turned into a Penguins have long been comfortable playing against the Bolts. Were I’d special teams contest real fast, and we didn’t want to get in that. I Tampa, I’d want to avoid that postseason matchup. thought we did a real good job with our discipline, we played between the • What a wonderful performance from Letang. I feel like he’s been a little whistles, we pushed back when we had opportunities. But I thought our off the past couple of weeks. He hasn’t been horrible by any stretch, but I guys stayed focused.” believe his play dipped slightly on the western road trip, and he had a The Penguins looked far more focused and together during this game, rough outing against the Devils. This was vintage Letang. He now has 12 which was perhaps no coincidence. A players-only meeting before goals and tied Paul Coffey for the most career goals by a defenseman in Tuesday’s practice appears to have paid off. team history. “We had a good meeting yesterday,” Letang said. “We assessed some Letang displayed a wonderful burst of speed to get open moments before issues. We had a good response. All of our guys came to play tonight. his goal, and he was tremendous in the defensive zone throughout, We all showed up.” despite receiving some over-the-line physical abuse from the Lightning. Outstanding performance. The 6-3 setback against the Devils on Monday clearly didn’t sit well with the Penguins. There were too many similar performances during the first • Teddy Blueger played perfectly solid hockey in his NHL debut. He was half of the season, and the Penguins realize such play is unacceptable if also sheltered pretty heavily and only played 6:22, so it’s difficult to develop an accurate read on anything he did or didn’t do. A couple of things stood out, though. He’s a good defensive player and, as Sullivan would say, he’s always “on the right side of the puck.” That was pretty evident in his 10 shifts. He also wasn’t afraid to get his nose dirty. By today’s NHL standards, that was a pretty nasty game, and Blueger didn’t shy away from the nastiness. I’ve been quite impressed with him during each of the past two training camps and am eager to see more. • Sometimes numbers are deceiving. Cullen finished as a minus-1, lost nine of 13 draws and was charged with three giveaways. He didn’t record a shot on goal and took a penalty. So, you’d assume he played a poor game. I’d argue quite to the contrary. Despite what those numbers say, I thought Cullen was really good while centering the third line. Given his age, you certainly don’t want him on the third line for a long period of time. However, when it comes to filling in here and there, he pulls it off quite nicely. • I asked Sullivan to address why Brassard wasn’t in the lineup. He gave something of a rambling answer about Brassard’s upper-body injury, which isn’t believed to be serious. I don’t sense that Sullivan was dodging the truth. But I do sense that he realizes that it got everyone’s attention when Brassard was out of the lineup. It’s no secret that Brassard has struggled with the Penguins and, from what I’ve been told, they certainly are willing to move him for the right piece in return. So, when a player is in that situation and held out of the lineup, interest is generated. Sullivan knows this, which explains why he provided far more detail than usual in regards to the injury. He suggested Brassard could have played against the Lightning, which is why more information wasn’t given following the morning skate. Here was Sullivan’s entire answer: “He’s been dealing with just a nagging upper-body injury the last few days. The reason I didn’t divulge it this morning (was) because there was a chance he was going to play and if he did play, we would rather keep that type of information to ourselves. But we chose to hold him out. He’s been dealing with this for a couple of days. Right now, his status is day to day. We’ll see how he is tomorrow then we’ll go from there.” • Patric Hornqvist hasn’t looked himself in his three games back in the lineup following a concussion. He hasn’t been bad. Just not himself. His timing still looks a little bit off. Hornqvist has always been a streaky scorer so, when he gets one, the goals may come in bunches. He isn’t really doing anything wrong but hasn’t been quite as noticeable lately. (Also, Hornqvist has two penalty minutes all season. Two. Given how he plays, this is extraordinary.) • As the season unfolds, I’m slowly becoming more and more impressed with Juuso Riikola. He hasn’t been great, but he’s methodically improving. Riikola owns the tools to become a good NHL defenseman. While he’s not especially big, his mobility is top notch, and he’s a more physical defender than his size would ordinarily allow. It will be interesting to see how much playing time he gets down the stretch. I don’t know that he will challenge Jack Johnson or Marcus Pettersson for playing time, but it’s conceivable. He’s an interesting player and bounced back from a poor outing against the Devils, looking sharp in this contest. • This was a very poor performance from the Lightning. The NHL’s best team hadn’t played in a week, and it absolutely showed. Tampa Bay was sluggish throughout the entire evening. , the NHL’s leading scorer, earned an assist late in the third period, but he was quite quiet throughout the evening. I’d expect a far better performance from Kucherov and the Lightning when the Penguins visit Tampa Bay next week. • One must appreciate Kessel’s hockey instincts. He made a wonderful play in the first period, finishing Bryan Rust’s rush with a goal that was trickier than it appeared. Then, there was his second-period shift, the one that resulted in him setting up Letang for the 4-on-4 goal. The hockey instincts were off the chart on that one. Kessel painted a beautiful picture on that shift, holding the puck for stretches. Kessel’s performance was very strong, and he wasn’t alone.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104026 Pittsburgh Penguins exclusively played center at the professional level. To throw him on the wing at the NHL level right off the hop would be a detriment to his development. Discussion – Lightning at Penguins A second-round pick in 2012, Blueger could become the 23rd Latvian- born player in NHL history. He would join defenseman Victor Ignatiev and goaltender Peter Skudra and the only Latvians to play for the Penguins. By Seth Rorabaugh The only other Latvian on an active NHL roster is Sabres center Zemgus Jan 30, 2019 Girgensons. If you recall, Girgensons led all players with 1,574,896 votes for the 2015 All-Star Game thanks to an initiative by his fellow Latvians to stuff the online ballot box. Additionally, left winger Rudolfs Balcers made his NHL debut earlier this month and played eight games before being A preview of the Lightning: returned to the AHL on Jan. 23. When and where: 8 p.m., EST, Consol Energy Center PPG Paints Arena A potential debut for Blueger would big a significant occurrence to those TV: OLN Versus NBC Sports Network in Riga. Record: 37-10-2, 76 points. The Lightning are in first place in the Norris “There’s not many (Latvians in the NHL),” said Blueger. “I know Balcers Southeast Atlantic Division played his first game recently and he did well, had a goal. Everyone follows us, even down in the (AHL). I see (social media) posts and stuff Leading Scorer: Right winger Nikita Kucherov, 78 points (22 goals, 56 about it all the time. It’s probably a pretty big deal. Hockey is probably the assists) most popular sport back home, and everyone follows it.” Last Game: 6-3 home win against the Sharks, Jan. 19. Center Steven • Brassard was one of the players who did not participate in today’s Stamkos had two goals and an assist for the Lightning. morning skate. Given his largely ineffective play this season, his absence from a morning skate is curious, especially since he is generally a regular Last Game against the Penguins: 4-3 road win, Nov. 15. Center Brayden at optional skates. Point had three goals for the Lightning. Sullivan was asked about Brassard’s status and simply said “everybody The last time the Penguins played the Lightning, this happened: is available” for tonight’s lineup. Probable goaltenders: Matt Murray (14-7-1, 3.00 GAA, .908 SV%, 3 SO) • Schultz participated in the morning skate while wearing a non-contact for the Penguins. Andrei Vasilevskiy (20-6-2, 2.50 GAA, .925 SV%, 3 jersey. Sullivan labeled that as a significant step n his return from his SO) for the Lightning. injury. Injuries: For the Penguins, Zach Aston-Reese (suspected left hand) and • The Penguins will be wearing their yellow jerseys. They are 5-1-0 in Justin Schultz (left leg) are on injured reserve. For the Lightning, it is games while wearing them this season. reporting no injuries. • The Penguins lead the NHL with 11 short-handed goals allowed. Potential lines and pairs: The Penguins had an optional morning skate. Their lines and pairs in practice Tuesday were: • Evgeni Malkin has 599 career assists. The Lightning’s expected lines and pairs are: • The Lightning has topped the six-goal mark in 12 games this season, most in the NHL. Pregame notes • Due to a bye week and the All-Star break, the Lightning has had a 10- • The Penguins recalled Teddy Blueger from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He day layoff. could make his NHL debut. Blueger is the AHL Penguins’ leading scorers with 39 points (21 goals, 18 assists) in 45 games this season. • Stamkos has a six-game scoring streak. The fashion Blueger is used tonight – presuming he plays at all – • Point has played in 199 career games. remains to be seen. He was recalled after Tuesday’s practice, and the Penguins did not have a full crew at today’s optional morning skate. • The referees are Brad Meier and Graham Skilliter. The linesmen are Furthermore, Blueger was one of the final players off the ice this Shandor Alphonso and Greg Devorski. morning, and that typically signals who will be a healthy scratch. Garrett Postgame notes Wilson – for example – was off the ice quite a bit before Blueger. If you recall, Blueger was briefly recalled to the NHL level last February but Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Lightning center Steven Stamkos never played. fight during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today) Mike Sullivan was evasive when asked how Blueger might be used tonight. Observations from the Penguins’ 4-2 win. “We’ll decide what the best lineup is on a given night and whether or not Randomly speaking Teddy is a part of it,” Sullivan said. “But he’s certainly deserving of being here.” • Brassard did not play tonight due to an undisclosed injury. Sullivan explained his status: Blueger’s play since Christmas would certainly validate his presence on the NHL roster. He has 17 points (11 goals, six assists) in his past 13 “He’s been dealing with just a nagging upper-body injury the last few AHL games. And he’s produced without with the benefit of much offense days. The reason I didn’t divulge it this morning (was) because there was on special teams. Here are his game-by-game numbers since Dec. 26: a chance he was going to play and if he did play, we would rather keep that type of information to ourselves. But we chose to hold him out. He’s While he is the AHL Penguins’ top scorer, Blueger’s ticket to the NHL is been dealing with this for a couple of days. Right now, his status is day to his two-way game. He takes faceoffs, pesters the opposition’s top center day. We’ll see how he is tomorrow then we’ll go from there.” and is a “first over the boards” penalty killer. • With Brassard sidelined, Blueger made his NHL debut. He logged 6:22 But clearly, he’s been scoring at a higher pace this season. of ice time on 10 shifts, one blocked shot and was 1 for 5 on faceoffs (20 percent). “When I first got there, I was kind of put in a defensive role and told defense is my primary responsibility,” Blueger said. “But as time went on, Blueger was involved on a scoring sequence during his first shift. I think I kind of showed I could produce a little bit more and was given more and more freedom on offense. A lot of it had to do with confidence Garrett Wilson, his occasional linemate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, drove in my mindset, for me, I guess believing in myself and realizing I had the puck up the left wing and whipped a wrister on net. Vasilevsky kicked more to give and kind of expecting more out of myself. The more you the puck out and put out a rebound, as Blueger drove the crease and tied score, the more confident you get, the better you feel about yourself, the up Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh, Wilson claimed the rebound, more belief you have.” swooped around the cage and attempte to tuck in a wraparound. He didn’t quite have a clean handle on the puck and basically pushed it Presumably, Blueger would slot in at center if he plays. While Sullivan through the slot as Vasilevskiy scrambled in the blue paint. As Lightning and staff have repeatedly said they are comfortable using centers at wing defenseman Dan Girardi reacted to the puck late, Riley Sheahan darted – as has been the case with veterans Derick Brassard, Matt Cullen, in from the left circle and whipped it past Vasilevskiy’s right skate for the Derek Grant and Riley Sheahan this season – Blueger has almost contest’s opening goal at 3:25 of the first period. Blueger also got into a bit of a tussle and ended up wrestling on the ice with Lightning left winger Adam Erne. Both palyers drew roughing minors at 6:36 of the third for their skirmish. • Malkin fought Stamkos at 1:40 of the third period: That bout featured the 10th (Malkin – $9.5 million) and the 15th (Stamkos ($8.5 million) largest salary cap hits in the NHL. • The Penguins’ power play was 0 for 3, including a two-man advantage furing the first period which lasted 1:34. Over the past three games, the Penguins are 0 for 10 on the power play. • The Penguins have allowed opposing power-play goals in four consecutive games. Statistically speaking • The Lightning led in shots, 35-22. • Jake Guentzel led the game with six shots. • Defenseman Victor Hedman and center Alex Killorn each led the Lightning with four shots. • Kris Letang led the game with 27:28 of ice time on 29 shifts. • Hedman led the Lightning with 24:57 of ice time on 26 shifts. • The Lightning led the game in faceoffs, 31-26 (54 percent). • Sidney Crosby was 15 for 25 (60 percent). • Lightning center Anthony Cirelli was 8 for 10 (80 percent). • Letang led the game with four blocked shots. • Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev led the Lightning with three blocked shots. Historically speaking • Blueger became the first player in franchise history to wear No. 53. The only numbers they have yet to issue for a regular or postseason game are: 60, 64, 69, 70, 78, 79, 80, 83, 84, 86, 90, 91, 94, 96, 97, 98 and 99 • Blueger became the second alumni of Minnesota State Mankato to play for the Penguins. The first was left winger Kael Mouillierat. He played in one game with the Penguins, the season finale of the 2015-16 campaign. Blueger also became the 13th differnt Maverick to appear in an NHL game. • Malkin recorded his 600th career assist on a goal by Phil Kessel at 8:05 of the first period: • Letang tied Paul Coffey’s franchise record for goals by a defenseman (108) at 6:02 of the second period:

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104027 Pittsburgh Penguins Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz has not played since October due to a left leg injury. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today)

Schultz will return to the lineup, barring any setbacks, in February. This is Yohe: With trade deadline approaching, a look at 10 issues plaguing a big deal. The Penguins have badly missed his puck-moving ability, the Penguins fact that he’s right-handed and his ability to help the power play. Still, he did sustain a gruesome injury in October and has only played in a handful of games since last May. What kind of form will Schultz be in? By Josh Yohe This is a good hockey player who has done nothing but excel in a Penguins’ uniform. They need him now more than ever. Jan 30, 2019 6. The Derick Brassard situation

I don’t know what else to call it. He’s been a disappointment in Jim Rutherford, rest assured, isn’t done making trades before next Pittsburgh, at best the wrong fit, at worst a mighty bust. He doesn’t seem month’s deadline. It wouldn’t be his style to stand pat and, frankly, his fully engaged as the Penguins’ third-line center and has looked his best team isn’t looking like a Stanley Cup contender these days. while playing on Crosby’s left wing. So, what does Rutherford do? He could trade him and look for another third-line center. He could trade him Of course, Rutherford’s future wheeling and dealing won’t be enough to and use a player from within as his third-line center. He could stick with solve the Penguins’ problems. Many of those problems must be solved Brassard and hope it works. My guess is that Brassard will be traded from within in. before the deadline, but it’s far from certain at this point. If the Penguins Here’s a look at the 10 biggest issues facing the struggling Penguins. are going to contend for a championship this season, one of two things needs to happen: Brassard needs to start playing more effectively, or the 10. Mindset Penguins need to orchestrate a trade — or a series of trades — that augments their situation on the third line. In 48 games this season, Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists). (Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today) 5. Working down low must become a priority The Penguins play like a team that is inexperienced or immature. On Penguins right winger Patric Hornqvist has 26 points (15 goals, 11 some nights, you’d never know most of these guys sport multiple Stanley assists) in 36 games this season. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today) Cup rings. Some games, they are magnificent. Other games, they don’t show up. They even admit this. Olli Maatta acknowledged on Tuesday Are the Penguins willing to make a change? This isn’t 2016 anymore. following practice that overconfidence is an issue for these Penguins They can’t skate circles around the league. They’ve slowed down a hair, when they’re playing teams with inferior talent. and the rest of the league is considerably faster. On many nights, though, the Penguins seem consumed with scoring on the rush and dazzling the “It shouldn’t matter who we are playing,” Maatta said. “It’s a tough opposition with their skill. It’s not working. Oh, they’re still faster than league. Maybe we don’t have enough respect for some teams. We can’t most teams and more talented than most teams. But that’s not enough. do that anymore. It doesn’t matter where other teams are in the This is a team that needs to take advantage of its offensive prowess by standings.” playing down low in the opposition’s territory more often. Sullivan has been discussing this at great length lately. Dumoulin admitted it on Well, he’s not wrong. But it’s still a disturbing realization. That 1-7-1 Monday night. Crosby is the best player in the world down low. Evgeni record against last-place teams is staggering. If the Penguins think they Malkin isn’t far behind when he is properly focused. Patric Hornqvist. have enough talent to waltz through the regular season and clinch a Jake Guentzel. Bryan Rust. These aren’t necessarily the biggest guys, playoff spot, they’re wrong. They barely made the playoffs last season, but they’re all good down low. Aston-Reese has the potential to join making the postseason only because of a historically good power play them. Matt Cullen can play this game. Tanner Pearson, too. This needs and some serious three on three dominance. This season, things are a to be the Penguins’ new identity. little different in those departments. This team is just dripping with arrogance on some nights, as they clearly aren’t always interested in out- 4. The power play is a mess working the opposition. Mike Sullivan holds this group in the absolute highest of regard, but even he admits this on a regular basis. The Right winger Phil Kessel leads the Penguins with 23 power-play points mindset needs to change. In a hurry. (eight goals, 15 assists) in 49 games this season. (Brace Hemmelgarn/USA Today) 9. Psychology 101 Sustaining last season’s success rate would have been nearly Let’s give the Penguins the benefit of the doubt and assume they make impossible. But this has been ridiculous. The Penguins have allowed a the playoffs. Also, let’s assume they run into the Capitals in one of the league-leading 11 shorthanded goals, almost all of them horrific displays first two rounds because, well, history says they will. Do they still have of poor puck management, awful decision making or flat out laziness. that psychological edge on the Capitals? Once upon a time, you just Malkin has been the biggest offender, but he’s not alone. Sullivan is in an knew the Penguins would find a way. Nick Bonino in Game 6 in 2016. impossible situation here. What’s he to do? Bench a future Hall of Marc-Andre Fleury robbing Alex Ovechkin in a couple of Games 7s in Famer? Well, maybe. But there’s nothing easy about that decision. It’s Washington separated by eight years. You know the ones. But things are not like Malkin, Crosby, Phil Kessel, Kris Letang and Hornqvist aren’t different now. The ghosts of past springs were extinguished by Evgeny trying. It’s not like they don’t care. Trust me, they do. But the magic from Kuznetsov at precisely 10 p.m. on May 7, 2018. Does that matter? I don’t the previous few seasons with this group is gone. This group needs to be know. But it’s fair to wonder if the psychological mastery the Penguins so, so much better. There is nothing Rutherford can do at the trade have enjoyed against the Capitals has disappeared. deadline. Maybe Sullivan will change things up, move Crosby up high to keep things safer, move Malkin down low. Maybe Kessel will shoot every 8. Are they too soft? now and then on the power play. Maybe Schultz will help. These guys The Penguins traded defenseman Jamie Oleksiak to the Stars on need to figure it out, and in a hurry. Monday. (Tom Szczerbowski/USA Today) 3. Who’s on the third pairing? I’m not suggesting the Penguins need to acquire a heavyweight. The Since joining the Penguins in December, defenseman Marcus Pettersson game isn’t like that anymore and, in general, Sullivan’s turn-the-other- has nine assists in 24 games. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today) cheek approach has worked well. But still, the Capitals absolutely beat them up in the postseason last year. So, let me pose a question: Do you We know Letang and Dumoulin will represent the Penguins’ top pairing think is afraid to take a run at Sidney Crosby this spring? I’m and play huge minutes, as they should. We know Schultz will be on the guessing he’s not. The Capitals and Blue Jackets, two very likely second pairing. Who will join him? I’d have to think Maatta is the most opponents should the Penguins make the postseason, play with a violent likely candidate. That likely leaves Marcus Pettersson and Jack Johnson edge. This doesn’t make them better than the Penguins, but it does as the third pairing, with Juuso Riikola and Chad Ruhwedel as the extra mean the Penguins could be quite vulnerable to injuries in such defensemen. Is Pettersson good enough? He’s been terrific most of his matchups. Brian Dumoulin got hurt last year. Same with Zach Aston- time in Pittsburgh, but his play did drop off during the recent road trip. Reese. took out Crosby the year before. It’s a concern. Johnson has been a very strong penalty killer for the Penguins, but his I’ve seen Matt Murray absorb hits this season and Crosby get punched, five on five play has been disappointing. Blue lines are deeper than ever and no one on the ice retaliated. That’s fine to a point. But this is a very in this era of the NHL, and the Penguins need to locate their third pairing passive team, and that can leave you vulnerable. And Jamie Oleksiak no and hope it isn’t a weakness. longer plays in Pittsburgh. The Penguins have too many players who don’t play as big as they are. 2. Goal prevention…or lack thereof 7. Will Justin Schultz be all the way back? In 23 games this season, Penguins goaltender Matt Murray has a 14-7-1 record, a 2.68 goals against average, a .908 save percentage and three shutouts. (Candice Ward/USA Today) It’s just not something the Penguins are always that interested in. The Penguins’ forwards were abysmal defensively during the season’s first two months. They’ve gotten better, but I wouldn’t give them too much credit just yet. The blue line, pretty good most of the season, has displayed signs of regression lately. Murray has been horribly streaky though, in general, has been very good since returning to the lineup from an injury in December. Casey DeSmith has been very good, though his past couple of starts haven’t been so hot. As a team, the Penguins often aren’t committed to playing defense. They just aren’t. If you watch them play, you know this to be true. It needs to change. You don’t win Stanley Cups that way. 1. Finding the real Geno Malkin Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has 53 points (14 goals, 39 assists) in 49 games this season. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today) Please spare me the talk about Malkin being on pace for close to 90 points. Yes, I’m aware. And that’s a testament to his talent. But in reality, he’s been a power-play specialist and an even-strength disaster this season. The numbers don’t lie. He’s a minus-24 in his past 39 games. I’m not a big fan of the plus/minus statistic, but when it’s that dramatic, you have to pay attention. He has three even-strength goals since October. It’s almost February, and he hasn’t missed a game. Maybe he’s in a slump like Crosby was during the final days of the Mike Johnston era. Maybe he just needs the right linemates. Maybe, at 32, he’s lost a step and isn’t adapting so well. No one seems to have the answers. I’ve never seen Malkin angrier at himself. He is doing everything in his power to snap out of this horrible funk. Soon, something better work. Without Malkin returning to form, there will be no Stanley Cup celebration in Pittsburgh this spring. There won’t even be a series win. These Penguins have many problems. They also remain uniquely gifted and capable of making a Stanley Cup run, but the issues mentioned above must be resolved to some extent. None is bigger than the plight of Malkin. The Penguins are only truly the Penguins when Malkin is blitzing the opposition with his patented array of talent and tenacity. Right now, he appears to be broken. A Malkin resurgence is the single most important detail to a potential Penguins’ resurgence when winter turns into spring. Practice tidbits Penguins defenceman Jack Johnson has 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in 49 games this season. (Dan Hamilton/USA Today) • Johnson left Monday’s game against the Devils but was a full participant in practice on Tuesday and will play on Wednesday against the Lightning. • Brassard, much like Malkin, is having fits finding skates that are comfortable for him. • Hornqvist was might accountable when asked about his own performance, saying, “I’m not playing my best hockey. I need to be better.” • Hornqvist said he was OK with the game misconduct penalty assessed to Brassard against the Devils. No, Hornqvist didn’t believe it was a violent play, but he said if such penalties stop the opposition from taking runs at Crosby and Malkin, he’s perfectly fine with referees taking such action. Brassard will not receive any further discipline for the hit. “And he shouldn’t,” Hornqvist said. “But it’s OK that he called it. Hopefully, stuff like that will help protect our big guys.” • The Penguins did not work on the power play at Tuesday’s practice. One would assume they will during Wednesday’s morning skate.

The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104028 San Jose Sharks

Sharks’ first coach receives honor in native country

By Curtis Pashelka | PUBLISHED: January 30, 2019

George Kingston, the first head coach in Sharks history, was selected Wednesday to receive the Order of Hockey in Canada for his contributions to the game in his native country. Kingston, 79, coached at the University of Calgary for parts of two decades and was involved with Canadian hockey at the international level in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1994, he was Team Canada’s general manager for the Winter Olympics. The Canadians won silver. For complete Sharks coverage Kingston, who was born in Biggar, Saskatchewan, coached the Sharks from 1991-93 and had a record of 28-129-7 as the organization stumbled to gain relevance in the NHL. But several players from those teams went on to coaching careers of their own, including Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, Minnesota Wild assistant Dean Evason and current Sharks assistant Rob Zettler. Sharks general manager Doug Wilson played his two seasons in San Jose under Kingston before he retired in 1993. Kingston went on to be an assistant with the from 1999-2001 and from 2001-2003 and the 2006-07 season. “I have nothing but respect for (Kingston),” Wilson told the Mercury News in April 1993, days after Kingston was fired by the Sharks. “He’s one of the classiest people I’ve ever met, and I think our players will be able to look back and say they learned a lot from him about hockey and life in general. He’s a first-class individual.” Also part of the Class of 2019 are Jayna Hefford, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and a four-time Olympic gold medalist with the Canadian women’s team, and Edmonton Oilers bench boss Ken Hitchcock, who is the third-winningest coach in NHL history. Kingston, Hefford and Hitchcock will be honored at the Hockey Canada Foundation Gala & Golf in Edmonton, June 17-18. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104029 San Jose Sharks

Sharks' offense has been good, but things could change at trade deadline

By Chelena Goldman January 30, 2019 4:55 PM

Editor's note: The Sharks are currently enjoying their bye week before the kicking off the last 30 games of the season against the Coyotes on Saturday evening. There are a few questions facing all three position groups as San Jose heads down the stretch run. This week, we'll pose key questions facing the goaltenders, the defense, and the offense. Today's edition covers the offense. Team Teal’s forward attack has gotten a couple makeovers since the start of the 2018-19 campaign, especially with the depth at the center position an ongoing focal point. A couple recalls here, a few reassignments there, and a healthy handful of mid-game line-shuffling has resulted in more combinations than we can keep track of. San Jose has found some successful combinations that give the team the best chance to win on many nights. So now we ask: Is this the forward lineup that’s going to carry the team down a long playoff stretch? It’s a difficult question to answer. San Jose has a lot of pieces that fit well, but there are still questions as to if there could be more. You have to admit, the Sharks problems at the center position slowly began to dissipate when head coach Peter DeBoer put Joe Thornton at third-line center earlier this season and No. 19 found instant chemistry with Marcus Sorensen. This has given DeBoer wiggle room to move the duo throughout the lineup and match them with different wingers, whether it’s with Kevin Labanc on the third line or with team-leading goal- scorer – and recent All-Star – Joe Pavelski on the top line. In similar fashion, Logan Couture and Timo Meier found chemistry early in the season. Now with Meier finally broken out of his scoring slump and Couture tallying eight points in the 11 contests leading up to the All-Star break, the duo appears primed to go on another roll as they did at the start of the season with Tomas Hertl as the line’s other wing. Speaking of which, perhaps the only move that has been better has been Hertl’s move to the center position in December. The Czech’s evolution this season has been remarkable, and his work at centering Evander Kane and Joonas Donskoi have made all three players a force to be reckoned with. Heck, and that’s before we get into the scoring defensemen on San Jose’s squad. All of that makes for a confident-looking lineup. But there are still parts of the forward assault that don’t feel complete. San Jose’s fourth line has helped generate offense on a few occasions, but is it enough? There are a couple different wingers who have auditioned for spots alongside Thornton and Couture, but who’s the perfect fit for a late-season push and a deep playoff run? Here’s where our latest question becomes a bit open-ended. The Sharks could recall one of the couple Barracuda players who has bounced between the AHL and NHL this season. They could also potentially go after a forward ahead of the upcoming trade deadline like they did in 2016 before making a playoff run all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. Getting help from another team seems fairly likely at this point in the season. It is fair to point out, had this discussion taken place a couple months ago, it would’ve been fair to wonder if San Jose would part ways with one of their defensemen to make room for another forward. Now, given how much the d-corps’ depth came into play with key player’s injured, that seems less likely. At the moment, it isn’t readily clear who the Sharks would ultimately part ways with to make room for more help up front. (That is, quite frankly, a discussion worthy of its own article.) There’s no denying San Jose has a solid forward attack that the team is confident in, with weapons throughout the lineup that can produce on any given night. Whether these are the same faces we see in April and beyond, however, remains a bit of a mystery. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104030 Tampa Bay Lightning

Kendall Coyne Schofield joins NBC’s broadcast of Lightning-Penguins game

By Diana C. Nearhos

PITTSBURGH — Five days after she broke a barrier, Kendall Coyne Schofield is breaking into a new world: NHL broadcasting. The U.S. National Hockey Team Member and professional women’s hockey player joins NBC’s broadcast of the Lightning-Penguins game tonight. She will be between the benches to add color commentary. On Friday, Coyne Schofield was the first woman to compete in the NHL All Star skills competition, finishing seventh in the fastest skater competition. She was out to dinner for her mother-in-law’s birthday Sunday night when she saw an email asking if she’d like to join the broadcast. Coyne Schofield, who plays for Minnesota in the NWHL, is excited about the opportunity. It’s not entirely new to her, only at this level. She studied communications at Northeastern, where she did some sideline reporting and joined the men’s hockey broadcasts when she could around her own schedule on the women’s team. Cooper started his pregame media availability with a nod to Coyne Schofield, as she walked up behind the group. “We have to do this fast,” he said, “because the fastest woman skater is right behind us.” Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104031 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning players participate in mental health initiative

By Diana C. Nearhos

PITTSBURGH — There’s a hashtag on hockey Twitter that shows up once a year: #BellLetsTalk. It’s an initiative to promote conversations about mental health, and the Lightning is playing a small role. “I think everyone knows someone with mental health issues,” F Tyler Johnson said Wednesday. “It’s a pretty broad spectrum, so I think everyone goes through it at some point. I think it’s important that we learn as much as we can about it and people are there for each other. A conversation can go a long way for someone.”

BELL LET’S TALK DAY 2019 OFFICIAL Video: Today, every view of this video makes a difference. All you need to do is watch it and Bell will donate 5¢ to mental health initiatives. Share to help spread the word! #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/zVdFiEafYl — Bell Let's Talk (@Bell_LetsTalk) January 30, 2019 Bell, a Canadian communications company that owns sports TV network TSN and a cellphone service, started the initiative in 2010. Among other things, Bell declares one day a year Let’s Talk Day. Wednesday was this year’s day. On the designated day, the company donates 5 cents to mental health initiatives for each Twitter post using the hashtag, including retweets; view of the official campaign video; and use of the Facebook frame or Snapchat filter. Five cents doesn’t sound like a lot, but the company said it had 54,541,890 total interactions and has donated more than $93 million overall before Wednesday. Lightning players have accounted for some of those interactions. Johnson, Steven Stamkos, Ondrej Palat, Mathieu Joseph, Adam Erne and Cedric Paquette are among the players who have used the hashtag. The social media accounts for the Lightning and AHL Syracuse also have participated. “There are people with everyone’s family who has issues,” Erne said. “It’s important to get them out there, not keep them to yourself and get them taken care of.” #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/8TEbpGRqFD — Adam Erne (@Adamerne73) January 30, 2019 The campaign has a wide reach in the hockey world in part because of the toll mental health issues have taken on players. Several former players talk openly about their issues, including former Lightning D Paul Ranger. “You see some guys end their life because they didn’t talk,” Paquette said. “That’s why I think everybody should spread the world.” Enforcer Derek Boogaard, who battled addiction and depression, died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol in 2011. Jets forward Rick Rypien, who suffered from depressed, died by suicide also in 2011. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104032 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning pregame: Will special teams again be difference against Penguins? The power play featured prominently in the last win over Pittsburgh and could very well be needed again.

By Diana C. Nearhos

PITTSBURGH — The Lightning is finally back at it. Ten days since its last game (a win over San Jose on Jan. 19), Tampa Bay takes on Pittsburgh tonight. The Lightning and Penguins have met only once so far this season. In that game (back on Nov. 15), special teams powered Tampa Bay to a 4-3 win. In total, the game featured 11 power plays, which created six of the game’s seven goals. Thus, the plan for Wednesday is a simple one: win the special-teams game. “Tampa and Pittsburgh in this building usually means someone is getting a five-on-three,” coach said. “It feels like it’s happened the last few times we’ve played them.” The effort to stay on the five side of that equation doesn’t change: check with your legs and play smart. “It’s inevitable that you’re going to take penalties at some point,” Cooper said. “You just can’t take those careless ones.” The four power plays the Lightning gave the Penguins last time around isn’t the highest of the season (six, multiple times), but Tampa Bay would like a lower number on Wednesday. And the Lightning would like similar success to its 4-for-7 power play in that November game. Lineup: Based on the morning skate, it looks like Andrei Vasilevskiy will start in net. He did not play in that November game; he fractured his foot the day before. D Braydon Coburn and F Ryan Callahan and Danick Martel look to be the healthy scratches. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104033 Tampa Bay Lightning “It’s hard to put the same type of player with the same type of player,” Cooper said. “And Victor, he’s got the more free rein, he can really skate. He can deliver the puck up the ice himself, can take those offensive Who are the Tampa Bay Lightning’s ‘best six’ on the blueline? chances. Dan, on the other hand, he’s more of a stay-at-home guy, he can break out pucks. They complement each other. The longer they play with each other, the more (they) trust where they’re going on the ice, what they can and can’t do. They just seem to mesh together.” By Joe Smith Jan 30, 2019 Signing Girardi as a free agent in the summer of 2017 was much maligned in the analytics world after the former Rangers mainstay was bought out. But Girardi’s two-year, $6 million deal with Tampa Bay hasn’t PITTSBURGH — Defenseman Erik Cernak didn’t have many exotic been criticized much since, not with Tampa Bay utilizing him the right plans for the Lightning’s time off this last week, but he did have one way and playing to his strengths. important task. Girardi, who once averaged 26 minutes per game in New York on the top Moving. pair, has averaged 17 and a half minutes in each of his two seasons with Cernak, 21, was told earlier this month by Lightning brass to go find an the Lightning. He’s been utilized on the penalty kill, where Girardi is apartment in Tampa. It’s a rite of passage for any rookie, receiving that effective and a top shot-blocker. And Girardi’s Corsi for Percentage has special vote of confidence that he’s sticking around for good. Instead of gone up from 41.3 percent and 44 percent in his last two years with the living out of a hotel, you get a place of your own. Rangers to 48.8 percent and now 50.3 percent this season. It has its positives and — well — negatives. Obviously playing with one of the league’s top defensemen is part of that success. But not every defenseman has the type of style or chemistry “I don’t like to clean,” Cernak said, smiling. that matches with Hedman. The key this season will be keeping Girardi well rested, as he appeared to wear down a bit during the playoffs last While the decision to keep Cernak on the roster is a no-brainer, keeping spring. the 6-foot-3 Slovak in the lineup should be almost as easy a decision. The Lightning, who have the luxury of carrying seven NHL defensemen, “He just keeps it simple,” Fox Sports Sun analyst Brian Engblom said of have used a playing rotation in recent months with Cernak, Braydon Girardi. “They’re a good match. If you keep his legs fresh, that’s a must Coburn and Dan Girardi among those who have taken turns sitting out. for him. But it’s chemistry. You can draw it up any way you like, but if you get two guys on the ice and it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.” But with the playoffs a few months away, assistant Derek Lalonde said it’s important for the Lightning to determine their “best six.” They’ve Ryan McDonagh-Erik Cernak thought and debated about this issue long and hard, including over the All-Star break, going over analytics, the eye test and more. Talk about chemistry. These two meshed from the start, with Cernak quickly making his way into the team’s shutdown pairing with McDonagh. “It’s a compliment to the seven that I don’t know if we have an answer yet,” Lalonde said. This pair gets a lot of the matchups with players like Taylor Hall, and — on Wednesday — Sidney Crosby. And Cernak has So we decided to take a deep dive into the Lightning blueline. If the more than held his own. Take this monster shift Cernak had against playoffs started today, who should be in the lineup? I asked Lalonde how Matthews in their last matchup on Jan. 17. they evaluate the defensemen and make the decision on who pairs with whom, and it sounds like there are a variety of factors. Cernak is used to playing bigger, older players, having played on a Slovakian men’s league team at age 15. They don’t call him “Drago” for “Guys have special teams as part of their role and identity,” Lalonde said. nothing. “It’s a little chemistry, what’s been our best analytics compared to the other six, there’s a lot that goes into that. Every player has a different But with every matchup, Cernak grows more confident in his ability to role, different identity. But all seven help us.” handle the stars. “They’re very good players. You have to give them respect,” Cernak said, “but I know I can defend them.” The numbers What’s the key? First, let’s start with who has played together the most so far with their Corsi for Percentage, measuring the team’s percentage of the shot share “They’re skill guys, so be physical. They don’t like that,” Cernak said. at 5-on-5 while they’re on the ice. “You’ve got to skate with them, too. You need to be patient.” Then we can go by Game Score, which aims to give a rough measure for McDonagh has been impressed with Cernak’s quick ability to transition to a player’s productivity for a single game by combining statistics including the NHL game. goals, primary and secondary assists, penalty differential, blocks and 5- “I just think it’s adjusting to the speed,” McDonagh said. “That’s the on-5 Corsi differential. Not surprisingly, Victor Hedman and Ryan biggest thing when I was first coming into the league: how fast the game McDonagh are two of the top three Lightning defensemen. (Stats via goes, especially as a defenseman. You have to be on your toes. One or www.hockeystatcards.com.) two seconds, and the guy is behind you. But you might be surprised by just how good Cernak has been, “It doesn’t seem like (Cernak) is fazed by any kind of speed out there, the especially considering that he’s a rookie and he typically faces the other pace of the game. It’s a great sign early on. Now he can get more team’s top lines with McDonagh in the shutdown pair. Case in point: comfortable making plays with the puck and without the puck. He’s Cernak is leading the Lightning blueline in several other advanced stats comfortable in our structure, and you can see him making more high- through the games of Jan. 28. impact plays.” What has surprised the staff the most about Cernak? Cernak has been grateful for McDonagh’s help, but the veteran “If there is a surprise, it’s that he’s getting better,” coach Jon Cooper said. defensemen said it goes both ways. They help bring out the best in each “You can sit here and say, ‘OK, this kid is going to play in the NHL, it’s a other. matter of when.’ There’s still some development to do. But he’s stepped “You know what he’s going through in his first few games,” McDonagh right up, played with (McDonagh). said. “Maybe as his partner you play a little bit more simple with him, and “The one thing (Cernak) has done is he can handle and skate with the sometimes simple is more efficient for us defensemen. To keep the game big boys — that’s the one thing that maybe we didn’t give him enough easy for one another, work hard for him, keep giving him an easy way out credit for until (we saw) him do it. There’s nobody in the league we’ve and keep communicating. It helps us not spend time in our zone.” seen yet that he hasn’t been able to handle physically.” With McDonagh both in a shutdown role and playing penalty kill, it’s The pairs lessened the load on Hedman, who is averaging 22 minutes a game, three minutes fewer than last season. As Cooper has said, by the end of Victor Hedman-Dan Girardi the season, those minutes add up to a few games, which will help as Hedman will no doubt see a bigger load in the playoffs. It might seem like an unlikely marriage, the Norris Trophy-winning, free- flying, smooth-skating Swede in Hedman with the stay-at-home veteran Mikhail Sergachev-Anton Stralman Girardi. But there’s a reason the Lightning have paired these two together for most of the season. The key in deciding the Lightning’s top six, to me, is the third pair. Opposites attract. If you decide that McDonagh and Cernak are best together — and their numbers are even better than McDonagh with Stralman this season — that’s one locked up. Hedman and Girardi have been a go-to pair so far, with Girardi complementing the Norris winner better than Braydon Coburn would. The Lightning are not ready to pair Hedman and Sergachev, at least not yet, as tantalizing at it sounds. So, unless you put Stralman up with Hedman — and the two Swedes have been a great pair in previous seasons — you need to find the right match for Sergachev. That’s why putting Sergachev back on the left side to open this week, alongside Stralman, could be an interesting development. Sergachev has played well on the right side with Coburn. But Stralman was Sergachev’s main partner last year and proved to be a calming influence on the youngster. There was probably no better first partner for Sergachev, whose free-flowing game was boosted by the stabilizing, one-man breakout in Stralman. They haven’t played together much this year, but they played the most minutes among Lightning defensive pairs last season (536 minutes). Their Corsi For Percentage was 53.14, which is very strong. Even with Sergachev sheltered a bit last season, his matchups managed, you wonder how an improved Sergachev with Stralman will look. That might help the Lightning coaching staff determine the final piece of the puzzle. Would it be better to have Hedman with Stralman and Coburn with Sergachev, or should they stick with Sergachev-Stralman? Cooper said that with 15 games in 28 days in February, the staff will likely continue the rotation to keep guys fresh. Coburn, a healthy scratch Wednesday, doesn’t deserve to sit as he’s having his best season with the Lightning (a 55 Corsi for percentage, which is fourth best on the team and second on defense only to Sergachev). But Coburn is a pro and understands the rotation, even if it means he doesn’t like being the odd man out. Sitting might impact the younger Sergachev a bit more mentally. They’ll both get their share of games over the final two months before a final decision on a best six is made. Still, Stralman and Sergachev together will be one to watch as coaches continue to evaluate. “They have a little chemistry,” Lalonde said. “You can see them in small regroups, in our neutral-zone play. Even with puck support in our zone, they’re both heady players.” The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104034 Tampa Bay Lightning Canucks’ bottom line and pair were especially abhorrent for a Cup contender.

Every team has flaws, even the best of them. The best teams find a way Are the Lightning the most complete team in the salary cap era? to manage in spite of them on their way to victory, whether that’s leaning on other strengths to mitigate the damage or simply having fewer flaws than the rest of the pack. No team is perfect. Tampa Bay though? They By Dom Luszczyszyn Jan 30, 2019 might be the closest I’ve seen. To attempt to measure that, I compared the Lightning’s roster construction using Game Score to that of the 38 other teams since 2007- Coming out of the All-Star break, one team stands alone above the rest. 08 that finished their season with an era-adjusted goal differential above This year, the Stanley Cup is Tampa Bay’s to lose. plus-50. Tampa Bay has torched the league over its first 49 games, cruising to a Here, it’s not enough to average out each team’s lineup, because that will 37-10-2 record, a 127-point pace. Only four other teams in NHL history just be a proxy for the overall strength, lacking consideration for how have played a full season (the 2012-13 Blackhawks played at a 132-point balanced that collection of strength is. It’s skewed by a team’s strongest pace in 48 games) of 125-point hockey or higher making this a potential and weakest links. In that sense, The Lightning rank fifth behind the historic season in the making for Tampa Bay. 2007-08 and 2008-09 Red Wings, the 2009-10 Capitals and the 2011-12 Penguins (a team that earned an unfair boost using this method from By goal difference, the Lightning are just as impressive, currently on pace Sidney Crosby’s injury-shortened season). Instead, I measured each for a ridiculous plus-99 on the season. Putting past great seasons into lineup by the harmonic mean of all the average Game Scores on the the same context using an era-adjustment, only six teams in history team, which punishes teams that have significant holes in their roster and would likely manage anything higher than what Tampa Bay has mustered nullifies the advantage of an otherworldly season from a superstar or two so far this season. When all is said and done, the Lightning might have a shouldering a heavy burden. top-10 or even top-five regular season to show for their immense efforts this season. Through that lens, the Lightning rank first ahead of the 2013-14 Sharks, the 2017-18 Jets (after acquiring Paul Stastny), the 2012-13 Blackhawks Because it’s such a rare occurrence however, it’s difficult to imagine the and the 2011-12 Red Wings. If we’re talking about the deepest starting Lightning keeping up this ridiculous pace (their current chances are one- lineups of the salary cap era, those are arguably the strongest in-five to hit 125 points or higher). It’s not that they can’t, it’s that it just candidates and the Lightning are at the top of the list. doesn’t happen often. It took a lot of things going their way for the team to get here, and that will have to continue for another 33 games. Since They’re the only team that’s top five on both lists and that’s because it’s 2005-06, five other teams were also at a 125-point pace or higher going difficult to build a roster that has the necessary star power to put a team into February – just one even reached 120 points. over the edge and into that upper echelon, while still managing a strong supporting cast around that elite core. Comparing them to average elite Washington, 2015-16: 129-point pace, finished with 120 points teams shows just how deep this team is. By Game Score, Tampa Bay Anaheim, 2013-14: 125-point pace, finished with 116 points has 17 top of the lineup players (top-six forward, top-four defender, top- 20 goalie), while the average team only has 13 (only five other teams had San Jose, 2008-09: 134-point pace, finished with 117 points 15). Boston, 2008-09: 127-point pace, finished with 116 points When you’re looking at holes to fill on this roster, it’s basically just Cedric Paquette, the team’s fourth-line centre, and even that is far from a Detroit, 2007-08: 125-point pace, finished with 115 points pressing concern. Every other roster spot is filled adequately, even in The Lightning are the league’s best team, but 125 points is a truly special comparison to other elite teams. It’s those previous holes that have since mark that will be very difficult to reach. What goes up must come down in been filled – mainly the addition of Ryan McDonagh at the end of last this league and Tampa Bay will likely slow down over the final two season on the back end – that separates this year’s team from past months finishing somewhere around 120 points. Even that would be versions. impressive as only nine other teams have accomplished such a feat If we’re nitpicking, there may be a dearth of first-line forwards after (though 16 played at that pace). Tampa Bay’s big three, but that’s largely a product of usage and Regardless of where they finish, whether it’s 115 or 130 points, the mitigated by the sheer depth of second-line calibre players. Lightning have looked downright unstoppable this season in their bid to It’s that ice-time usage that likely plays a big role in how balanced the chase history. The league-leading Bolts are heavy Stanley Cup team appears this season, with the Lightning refusing to overwork their favourites as a result, by a wide margin. Deservedly so too. best players. Nikita Kucherov leads all forwards in ice time at 19:22 and If it seems like the team can’t be beat, it’s because that’s pretty close to he’s the only one above 19 minutes. The team’s two elite centremen, reality. The Lightning would be extreme favourites over whichever Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos, both play just over 18 minutes per minnow floats to shore in an opening-round matchup (around 80 percent game. Victor Hedman, a player who by all means can be a workhorse, is against Montreal) and would be heavy favourites against even the best only seeing 22:11 minutes a night, which ranks 46th in the league among the rest of the league has to offer (over 60 percent against every team defencemen and is 3.5 minutes fewer than last season. With an almost except Toronto). Tampa Bay currently sits at a 50-50 shot to make it to insurmountable lead on the next best team, it’s a very smart strategy that the conference finals, an insane level of certainty in a team going that could pay big dividends come playoff time. deep in a sport as random as hockey, in a league with as much parity as The elite players on the team aren’t getting the same heavy usage that the NHL and in a division with the team’s fiercest competition – especially other star players get. In Tampa Bay, they don’t need to. Not yet anyway. this early in the season. With the top dogs unleashed, the Lightning might somehow find another That’s how good Tampa Bay is this season, a team that’s powered by extra gear come playoff time. Just what the other 15 teams needed… superstar talent at every position, an enviable supporting cast across the There’s a reason Tampa Bay is at the top of the league by a sizeable board and depth to match. Throughout the roster, the Lightning have it margin and it shows in their lineup. On top of being one of the most all. There are very few holes to pick apart here and that’s the biggest talented teams the salary cap era has seen, the Lightning may just be the reason the team has been so extraordinary this season. Suffice to say, most complete team too, one without much of any flaw. It’s why they’re this might just be the most complete roster in the salary cap era, on the way to a historic regular season and it’s why this year, more than balanced from top to bottom with talent sprinkled all over in a way no ever before, the Stanley Cup really is theirs to lose. team has been capable of. The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 A cursory look at the best teams from the past suggests something similar. The Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Lidstrom era Red Wings teams had poor goaltending (and weak fourth lines, though that was common during those seasons). The early Capitals were dependent on their superstar talent and had an average defence corps. The Penguins during the peak years of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin either had little forward depth, a struggling starting goalie, or both. Every contending team Chicago has ever crafted viewed centre depth behind Jonathan Toews as optional. The best team San Jose had in the Double Joe era featured the goaltending stylings of Antti Niemi. And with The Window wide open, the 1104035 Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs are playoff locks with a lot of work to do

By MARK ZWOLINSKI

The Maple Leafs will end an eight-day layoff and restart their push for the playoffs with a game against the Red Wings in Detroit on Friday night. From here on out, every game will be amplified in intensity. With the Leafs in a dogfight in the Atlantic Division with the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, every point matters. With that in mind, and 33 games remaining, here are some of the storylines to WATCH: Are they done trading? Monday night’s deal with the Los Angeles Kings to acquire Jake Muzzin dealt with the one perceived shortcoming on the roster: a top-two defenceman with toughness. The Leafs could open the playoffs tomorrow with this roster and fully expect a deep run. But if GM is still looking to trade for depth, experience and more grit by the Feb. 25 deadline, there are a host of potential rental options. The Leafs gave up this year’s first-round draft pick in the Muzzin deal, but Dubas still has assets to offer, at the NHL and AHL level, that wouldn’t disrupt the core of the roster. The list of potential game changers thought to be available includes forwards Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, Wayne Simmonds and Kevin Hayes, and defenceman Colton Parayko. Other solid depth forwards out there: Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello, Jakob Silfverberg and Micheal Ferland. The Leafs have just over $4 million U.S. in cap space available, so there should be room — if the right deal is available. The playoffs If the playoffs were to start today, the Leafs would face off against the Montreal Canadiens — a fantasy matchup for the fan base. With 33 games to go, however, the race is far from settled. The Leafs could also face playoff nemesis Boston in the opening round — the one team they have yet to consistently match up well against. At the moment, the Leafs sit second in the Atlantic Division with 62 points. Montreal is a point behind, while the Bruins trail by two. Toronto has a game in hand on Boston, two on Montreal. The rest of the way, the Leafs have 15 home dates and 18 away. The Canadiens play 16 of their 31 remaining games on the road. Both teams will play 22 times against Eastern Conference foes. The Leafs play 18 times against teams currently in a playoff position, the Canadiens 17. And they face each other three more times: Feb. 9 in Montreal, Feb. 23 in Toronto and on the final day of the regular season: April 6 in Montreal. The goaltending Frederik Andersen’s workload is bound to be a hot topic once again down the stretch and into the playoffs. Andersen started 66 games in each of the past two seasons and played more minutes than any other goalie in that span. He’s coming off a groin injury that led to a four-game absence and enjoyed the benefits of an eight-day break, like the rest of his non-all-star teammates. The physical and mental break could pay off in the end. Andersen has started 34 of the first 49 games this season, and coach Mike Babcock has been giving him a day off when the Leafs play on back-to-back nights. Toronto has six back-to-backs to go, so if the pattern continues and Andersen starts every game but those six, he will end up with 61 games — roughly the target they were aiming for this season. The performance of backup Garret Sparks, however, will play a role in that decision making the rest of the way. What does Vegas say? Right now, the Tampa Bay Lightning — runaway leaders in the Atlantic — are the favourites to win the Stanley Cup, according to Sports Club Stats. The Leafs are considered a lock to make the playoffs at 99 per cent with the fourth-best shot at the Cup: 8.6 per cent, with the Calgary Flames rated second and Winnipeg Jets third. Also … Will Dubas sign star centre Auston Matthews to a contract extension by the end of the season? … Will reach 100 points, and if so what does that mean for his contract situation (as well as Matthews’), with his camp unwilling to negotiate during the season? … John Tavares, whose leadership has been crucial to the club’s success in his first season as a Leaf, has a huge road game coming up on Feb. 28 against his old club, the New York Islanders … Will win the Norris Trophy? … Will , in the final year of his contract, survive the trade deadline? Toronto Star LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104036 Toronto Maple Leafs This was Matthews’ second game back from injury and he picked up right where he left off, with the Leafs going back to their favourite set-play with the man advantage. As you heard Joe Bowen say on the call, they ran Tulloch: The Maple Leafs’ formidable power play is struggling. Here are this identical play the night before (it’s the same one they’d been running the keys to fixing it in October with a high degree of success). I think it’s clear that opposing teams have since taken notice of where the Leafs want to get the puck on the power play, forcing Marner to look By Ian Tulloch Jan 30, 2019 elsewhere. As you can see, Arizona’s penalty kill is committed to taking away the seam pass to Matthews. This forces Marner to look for less dangerous The Maple Leafs have been an up-and-down team since the return of options on the ice, like Morgan Rielly, who the Coyotes essentially Auston Matthews and William Nylander, going 10-9-2 with both players in abandon at the point (knowing that he’s not a threat to score from the the lineup. When you look at Toronto’s results at 5-on-5, though, they blueline). When the puck is worked back to Marner and he’s put in a don’t seem like a team that’s been struggling. position where the defence is daring him to shoot, it’s not an ideal scoring chance for the power play. Much like Serge Ibaka shooting three pointers They’ve been outshooting, out-chancing, and even outscoring their for the Toronto Raptors, Marner has to take those shots when he’s wide opponents over the past two months — so why haven’t they been racking open, but he’s probably the last guy on the ice you want shooting from up that many wins lately? Some of it comes down to losing a few one- that spot. goal games (which have proven to be mostly random) and a bit of natural PDO regression, but I’d argue that the biggest difference in Toronto’s Now, taking away passing lanes through the middle of the ice isn’t play lately has been its lack of power-play success. exactly a secret recipe for success on the penalty kill (every PK in the league is trying to prevent seam passes), but against Toronto, it’s This is obviously a trend in the wrong direction, especially for a team as becoming more and more noticeable that teams have been putting an talented as the Maple Leafs. My goal today is to dive into these troubles. emphasis on taking away the east-west pass from Marner to Matthews. Let’s see what we can do to break down why this is happening and what Toronto can do to address some of the concerns with the man Let’s say you’re Marner here – how exactly do you plan on getting the advantage. puck to Matthews? Why has the power play been struggling? What’s crazy is that Matthews was still able to score later on this power play, but Washington did an excellent job of making sure he didn’t get the What’s interesting about the Leafs’ power play is that when you look at puck off of a seam pass through the middle of the ice. their ability to generate scoring chances (shots from the slot), they’ve led the league in this category every month this season. Despite consistently Sometimes when a player is that talented, they’re going to find ways to getting off shots from dangerous areas, though, their shooting score even when they’re well defended (much like an elite scorer in the percentage has dipped well below league average over the past three NBA), but as a defence, you have to play the percentages. You’d much months. rather give up the contested shot in the video above than a cross-seam pass to an open shooter, which is clearly the way teams have been Let’s break this down month-by-month. (successfully) defending Toronto’s power play lately. “Don’t let Marner In October, Toronto’s power play was obviously riding a hot shooting make That Pass™ to Matthews!” percentage. Matthews is a pretty good example, scoring on four of his six The Leafs haven’t done the greatest job adapting to this tactical choice shots that month. I don’t think anyone expected the team to keep scoring by opposing penalty kills, but if they want to improve their shooting at that absurd rate with the man advantage, but part of the reason they percentage, they’ll need to find ways of generating high-quality chances were able to shoot at such a high percentage was because of their ability other than the seam pass to Matthews. to generate so many cross-seam passes. What can they do to improve? The analytics community likes to call these “Royal Road” passes because they cross the imaginary line down the middle of the ice in the When you think about it, this really comes down to basic game theory. If slot, which we like to call the Royal Road. you keep trying the same thing, you’re going to be much easier to defend. What the Leafs need to do is make their power play more Any time you can get the puck from one side of the ice to the other, unpredictable; have multiple options that they can go to if the defence you’re forcing the goaltender to move in the crease. By the time he’s takes away the cross-ice pass to Matthews. pushed off from one side and ready to drop into the butterfly on the other side, the shooter has typically already let the shot go. That’s what makes Let’s go through some of those. these types of shots so tough to save — the goaltender has a ton of ground to cover and barely has any time to react. Get the puck down low to John Tavares The numbers back this up as well. Prashanth Iyer’s power-play research One of the benefits of opposing penalty kills over-committing to the seam indicates that teams will score on over 24 percent of shots that are pass is that it opens up the passing lane down low. To help explain what preceded by a cross-seam pass (across the Royal Road), whereas every I mean, check out where the Washington defenders have their sticks other shot on the power play has a shooting percentage below 10 placed in this frame: percent. There’s a very low chance of that puck getting through the seam to Chart by Prashanth Iyer Matthews, especially with No. 34 on Washington (Jonas Siegenthaler) helping to clog up the passing lane. By putting his stick in the middle of When you consider the fact that Matthews’ release is significantly better the ice, though, Siegenthaler is essentially giving Marner the passing than league average, it makes sense that he was scoring on such a high lane down low to Tavares. My coaches always used to tell me “take what percentage of his shots earlier this season. Now, was the Leafs’ power the defence gives you,” which is exactly what Marner does on this play. play shooting percentage in October sustainable? Obviously not (no team stays above 20 percent), but even after accounting for puck luck, I’m not sure how that puck stayed out of the net, but those are exactly the they were generating lots of quality shots with their pre-shot movement. types of chances you want to be generating when the opposition commits to taking away the middle of the ice. November was a different story, with Matthews missing almost the entire month with a shoulder injury. Naturally, we would expect Toronto’s power What’s funny is that this was the Marner unit’s bread-and-butter last play to score fewer goals without its leading goal scorer, so I’m not too season, which I’ve written about in the past. The objective was to get the shocked at the shooting percentage dip that month. What I find much puck down low to James van Riemsdyk and create havoc in the low slot. more concerning is the fact that the power play still wasn’t converting on many of its shots after Matthews (and Nylander) returned to the lineup. With Tavares taking van Riemsdyk’s spot on the power play this season, I thought we were going to see a similar emphasis on getting the puck to When we see a talented team go through a stretch with a low shooting him on the goalline, but we haven’t seen much of it this season (with the percentage, we tend to assume it’s simply a product of poor shooting power play focusing on getting the puck to Matthews in space). I luck, insisting that things should regress to the mean over time. While I completely understand why the Leafs want to take advantage of definitely think there’s an element of randomness in play due to the small Matthews’ unique release, but if the defence is over-committing to the samples, I’d argue there’s more going on here than just rough puck luck. cross-seam pass, get the puck down low to Tavares — it might even result in the Matthews shot you’re looking for anyways. For example, take a look at how much space Mitch Marner had to make the cross-seam pass on this goal. Good things happen when you take what the defence gives you. Use the slap-pass to Nazem Kadri they can help improve the quality of those shots by incorporating some of the tactics we discussed. Speaking of which, if the penalty killers have taken away the passing lane to both Matthews and Tavares, there’s a good chance Kadri is wide At the end of the day, I don’t think Leafs fans should be too worried about open in the high slot for Marner’s patented slap pass. the power play. The shooting percentage should climb back to its usual heights over time (they’ve shot over 14 percent since 2016), but it’s This was last year’s Plan B if the pass down low to van Riemsdyk wasn’t important to realize that regression doesn’t happen with the flick of a available, and it’s quite brilliant when you think about it. The redirection in magic wand — it’s often a result of tactically adapting to what is (and the high slot leads to a high number of rebounds, since the goaltender isn’t) working. If Toronto’s coaching staff can make some of those has less time to react and is often forced to “block” the puck at the last adjustments, I’m sure the power play will catch fire soon again. minute instead. This leads to a ton of chaos in front of the net (which is exactly what Toronto wants), where the Leafs can outnumber the Combine that with the way the Leafs have been controlling play at 5-on- opposition down low and score a greasy goal. 5, and the wins should pile up in no time. When you look at the numbers, you start to understand how smart this The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 play is. Redirections and rebounds are the two most efficient shots you can take on the power play (highest shooting percentage), so when you think about it, this type of shot is one of the best ways to “game” your shooting percentage with the man advantage. Chart by Prashanth Iyer Obviously, these aren’t the only factors that impact shot quality (as we’ve established the importance of pre-shot movement), but if the cross-seam pass isn’t available, this is one of the better ways to consistently generate high percentage scoring opportunities. Get some behind-the-net action going One of the cool wrinkles we saw in the Leafs power play earlier this season was the way Matthews and Marner were taking advantage of the space behind the net. When the cross-seam pass wasn’t available and they ran out of room (skating themselves from the top of the circle to the bottom of the circle), there were times where they’d keep skating to take themselves below the goal line. From there, they were able to get some behind-the-net action going, which really throws off opposing penalty kills. As you can see, it’s really tough for penalty killers to defend a power play that’s set up below the goal line. They’re forced to turn their backs to the opposing players in the slot, which allows Tavares and Kadri to slide into open space. It also forces the goaltender to stay on his goal line and hug the post, giving shooters tons of net to shoot at. Even when it looks sloppy, it can still be extremely effective. This is another strategy that’s backed up by the numbers. Ryan Stimson has been begging teams to run their power plays from behind-the-net for a while now, since his groundbreaking research has proven that shots originating from a pass below the goal line have a much higher chance of going in. It’s a strategy we’re seeing more and more teams employ at 5- on-5, but we’re not seeing as much creativity in power play structure (at least at the NHL level). The analytics revolution in the NBA resulted in teams attempting more three pointers because they learned it would improve their offensive efficiency and result in them scoring more often. It might take us a while to get there in hockey (a significantly less progressive sport), but I have a feeling that the behind-the-net power play strategy is one we’ll see more often in the future; it’s just too effective to not catch on eventually. SHIPACHYOV AND GUSEV ROUTINELY RUN THEIR POWER PLAY FROM BEHIND NET. DEFENDERS BLIND TO MUCH OF THE ICE, AND GOALIE'S STUCK ON THE GOAL LINE PIC.TWITTER.COM/S6WTW7ZO1P — BOB ROBERTS (@BOBRBRTS) MARCH 25, 2017 If you’re looking for more clips breaking this down, make sure you go through that entire thread on Twitter (there are a lot more great examples in the replies to this tweet). Now, these recommendations were made with the first unit power play in mind (since PP1 tends to get the bulk of the ice time — or at least they should), but similar logic can be used to help improve Toronto’s second unit. All you need to do is replace the following words: Mitch Marner –>William Nylander (the quarterback on the right wall) Auston Matthews –>Kasperi Kapanen (shooter on the left wall) Nazem Kadri –> Andreas Johnsson (the bumper in the middle) John Tavares –>Patrick Marleau (the net-front presence) The concept remains the same — maximizing your efficiency on the power play by taking as many high-percentage shots as you can. It’s worth noting the Leafs have been generating a high volume of shots from the slot (leading the NHL in 5-on-4 scoring chances per 60), but I think 1104037 Toronto Maple Leafs

Jake Muzzin’s jersey number offers a glimpse into his personality

By Lisa Dillman Jan 30, 2019

LOS ANGELES – One of my most recent conversations with defenseman Jake Muzzin was typical of how many of our chats unfolded at the Kings’ practice facility in El Segundo. It would start somewhere, veer away to something else, end up in a different spot altogether and lead to a possible story idea. This was no exception. But let’s get back to the beginning of our chat. Several of us at The Athletic have done, or are working on, stories about jersey numbers and the reason(s) for selecting a particular number. Muzzin wore No. 6 with the Kings. Fifteen players wore that number with the Kings before Muzzin, including Dean Kennedy, Sean O’Donnell and Brad Stuart. Indeed, a number truly suited for a defenseman. Now that Muzzin has been traded (on Monday) to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two prospects and a 2019 first-round draft pick, the good news is that he wasn’t wedded to the number. It wouldn’t matter if he loved it – the Maple Leafs retired Ace Bailey’s No. 6 on Feb. 14, 1934. “I’m not emotionally involved,” said Muzzin, of No. 6, in our recent chat. “I was 6 in junior. That was the number I was given and then I just stuck with it, really. My favorite number is actually 7.” Of course, No. 7 was not an option either in Toronto, with it being retired from belonging to King Clancy and Tim Horton. In an interesting twist, the Muzzin will be wearing No. 8 with the Maple Leafs, the number of his close friend, and now former teammate, Kings defenseman Drew Doughty. Muzzin’s first game with the Maple Leafs will be in Detroit on Friday. When Muzzin played his first games for the Kings, briefly in the 2010-11 season, defenseman Rob Scuderi wore No. 7. Long before that, Muzzin once tried to get No. 7. “When I went to junior, it wasn’t available, so they gave me 6,” he said. “I just rolled with 6. I think 7 was my dad’s favorite number. I was always 7 growing up and then it just switched when I went away.” I told him the story about spotting a fan wearing a David Steckel jersey on the pathway along the river to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit during a playoff series between the Ducks and the Red Wings in 2013. Steckel, the faceoff guru then with the Ducks, seemed surprised when I told him about it and joked it must have been a family member. Muzzin is similarly self-effacing. “It’s nice people like you that much to buy your jersey,” Muzzin said. “It’s cool. There’s not as many Muzzin fans as other people. It’s nice.” He smiled, and added, “I thank you for being a Jake Muzzin fan.” The fan club, I suspect, is about to become much much bigger. The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104038 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights recall Maxime Lagace, Jake Bischoff from AHL

By David Schoen / Las Vegas Review-Journal

Knights recall Lagace, D-man Bischoff The Golden Knights recalled goaltender Maxime Lagace and defenseman Jake Bischoff from the American Hockey League on Wednesday. Goaltender Oscar Dansk was reassigned to Chicago of the AHL. Lagace, who was assigned to Chicago on Jan. 23, was Marc-Andre Fleury’s backup for the past six games. He has yet to appear for the Knights this season. He had 39 saves in a 4-3 overtime loss to Cleveland on Saturday and is 9-6-3 with a 2.79 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in the AHL. Bischoff made the Knights’ roster to start the season but did not appear in a game; he was sent to Chicago on Oct. 12. In 39 AHL games, Bischoff has two goals, nine assists and 16 penalty minutes. The Knights had an open roster spot after trading defenseman Brad Hunt to Minnesota on Jan. 21. Defenseman was scratched from the game against Nashville on Jan. 23. Adding Bischoff ensures the Knights have seven healthy defensemen if Holden is not ready for Friday’s game at Carolina following an eight-day break. Forwards Reilly Smith and William Carrier and goaltender Malcolm Subban remain on injured reserve, according to the NHL media website. Dansk, who was recalled Jan. 23, is 14-6-3 with a 2.80 goals-against average and .898 save percentage in 23 games with Chicago (AHL). LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104039 Vegas Golden Knights after they’ve been drafted, I think they really are learning to manage a more adult schedule.”

Glass, who turns 20 on April 1, signed an entry-level contract with the Golden Knights prospect Cody Glass continues development with NHL in Knights and received a signing bonus but does not get paid by the mind Winterhawks or WHL. He said players are reimbursed up to $250 for monthly expenses. By David Schoen / Las Vegas Review-Journal Unlike fellow Knights 2017 draft picks Erik Brannstrom and Nicolas Hague, who make a $70,000 salary in the American Hockey League, Glass rides a bus to all his games. PORTLAND, Ore. — Cody Glass positioned the crutch in front of his “For me, I feel like I wanted to play pro this year just because I wanted a body and leaned forward, waiting for the rest of his taste of it, even if that was in the AHL, just to play against men for a teammates to exit the locker room at venerable Veterans Memorial year,” Glass said. “Obviously, that would prepare me for the NHL level. Coliseum. But, the situation how it is, I just have to come back here, and obviously I wanted to dominate. That’s just what I’ve been focusing on.” An unidentified teammate walked past and asked whether Glass was going to the Travis Scott concert that was about to begin next door at the By returning to Portland, Glass lines up against players that range in age Moda Center. from 15 to 20, or in some cases 21. In the Winterhawks’ 3-0 victory that Glass missed Sunday, visiting Lethbridge gave regular ice time to 15- “Nah,” Glass responded. year-old winger Zack Stringer. The previous night, the Golden Knights prospect was involved in a scary But the extra season in junior also allows Glass to serve as captain for play during Portland’s game against rival the Winterhawks and play on all special teams, which he might not do if Seattle. he was playing pro. Glass slid on his right knee in an effort to control a pass through the slot The Knights’ meticulous development plan contrasts with a team such as and ended up with Seattle forward Tyler Carpendale riding on his back. Edmonton, which tried to develop 2016 No. 4 overall pick Jesse Puljujarvi at the NHL level with mixed results. The additional weight caused Glass’ left leg to collapse into a pretzel underneath his body, and his left knee catapulted forward when The Islanders’ Mathew Barzal, the most recent recipient of the Calder Carpendale freed himself from the tangle of bodies. Trophy as rookie of the year, is an example of a player who benefited from an additional season in junior. Glass writhed in pain and was helped off the ice, but an MRI later showed no major damage to Glass’ knee, according to Knights general “I personally believe leaving them in junior to play as a 19-year-old is manager George McPhee. He is officially listed on the WHL weekly positive,” said Winterhawks coach Mike Johnston, who coached the report as day to day with a lower-body injury. Pittsburgh Penguins for 110 games from 2014 to 2015. “If Cody gets to the NHL and he turns into a checker and loses his offensive ability, he’s The crutch, along with the knee brace under his slacks, help explain why not going to be as effective a player. You want him to be the 200-foot Glass stayed behind while several of the Winterhawks went to hear Scott player that he is here, that can do a little bit of everything for you. perform “Sicko Mode.” “I felt (Ryan) Johansen was that same type of player for us when he was He probably would have skipped the show regardless. here. But when he went to the NHL at 19, he struggled. (Nino) “He’s a pretty mature kid for 19 years old,” said Brian Facchini, one of Niederreiter had one point in his first year in the NHL. They just lose their Glass’ host parents. “Handles himself really well, and you can tell that confidence and the swagger that they need because it’s a tough, tough he’s taking this seriously as a profession, even at the major-junior level.” league at the NHL level because there’s so much scrutiny. You’re under the gun to perform every night, and everybody analyzes your game. And In this era of instant gratification, and as the NHL grows increasingly I think for young kids that’s hard.” younger — nine of the league’s top 10 scorers are age 25 or under — Glass remains in the same place he’s been for most of the past four Shot to make Knights roster years. Glass’ experience playing at the World Junior Championship in The Knights avoided the temptation to rush the No. 6 overall pick from December was another key step in his development, according to the 2017 NHL draft, and he continues to develop at his own rate here in McPhee. the Pacific Northwest. The 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pounder showed his improved strength and “The one thing we’ve learned over the years is it never hurts a player to skating as the No. 1 center for Canada and finished with two goals and spend more time at the amateur level or the American league level,” four assists in five games. McPhee said. “Overcooking the player never hurts that player. What “Cody as a young guy was very light as a player, got knocked off pucks. does hurt a player, what can stunt development and maybe preclude a The pace of his game was slower,” Johnston said. “But you could always player from getting to the highest level he should be at is playing them see the hockey IQ there, and I think over time he’s really worked on his too young.” physical development.” Age issue In 34 games with Portland, Glass is second in the WHL with 51 assists The Knights didn’t have a choice in Glass’ destination this season after and has 13 goals. His 1.88 points per game leads the league, ahead of he was cut from training camp. 20-year-old linemate Joachim Blichfeld (1.81). The NHL and Canadian Hockey League, which oversees the three Glass had 102 points (37 goals, 65 points) in 64 games with the major-junior leagues, have an agreement that prohibits 18- and 19-year- Winterhawks last season. olds from playing in the AHL, forcing Glass back to Portland. That consistency is one of the indicators McPhee is looking for to The major-junior route, which also includes the determine whether Glass is ready for the next level. and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, differs from college or Once the Winterhawks’ season ends, Glass is eligible to play up to nine professional hockey in several aspects. NHL games without burning the first year of his entry-level contract. For instance, Glass attended Sunset High School in Beaverton, Oregon, Otherwise, McPhee expects he will challenge for a roster spot in training for two years starting at age 16 until graduation. And rather than being on camp next season. his own, he lives with a host family, as do all his Winterhawks “Obviously, we’ll monitor everything he’s done to date and with any teammates. player say, ‘OK what is the best place for this player?’ ” McPhee said. Glass stayed with the same family for three years before moving in with “You want to have the flexibility to be able to bring people up when Facchini his wife, Summer, and their two children. He is joined in the they’re ready to come up.” house by Sharks prospect Joachim Blichfeld and Hurricanes draft pick The danger at this stage is to compare Glass to his draft peers. Brendan De Jong. Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson, who went one pick before Glass, is the “I don’t know other programs, but they don’t have the luxury of sleeping favorite for rookie of the year. in late and just go to practice and then, you know, go hit some golf balls He’s also five months older than Glass and further along in his and come home and put their feet up,” Facchini said. “In their last year development. Glass understands he is on a different path, one that brought him back to Portland for another year. “Obviously being a top-10 pick, you want to be in the NHL,” Glass said. “That’s something I really wanted going into this year, but I think you’ve just got to take your time with it. Everybody has their timetable. It’s just when it starts and when you get that opportunity, you just need to run with it.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104040 Vegas Golden Knights

Ranking the 10 most important players on the Golden Knights' roster

By Case Keefer

Golden Knights Fall to Sharks 2-3 Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) passes the puck as San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, in Las Vegas. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019 | 2 a.m. Vegas Golden Podcast Top 10 most important Golden Knights going forward Justin Emerson and Case Keefer cap the All-Star break by presenting their individual lists of the the top 10 Golden Knights that will determine the fate of the season. Well, at least one of them actually got to a top 10. Listen to find out who inadvertently capped their list at nine players, and take in arguments on the second-half outlook for Alex Tuch and which player deserves to be at the top of the list. On the third episode of Vegas Golden Podcast, Justin Emerson and Case Keefer each present their top 10 list of most-important Golden Knights’ players for the second half of the season. There’s a lot of overlap in terms of which players they choose, but none in terms of their positioning. Not even at the top, where they make divergent choices for the No. 1 most valuable player on the roster. There’s a spirited debate on the second-half expectations for current points leader Alex Tuch, which results in a lunch wager, and a friendlier showdown regarding the 22-year-old’s two linemates. Vegas’ four-game road trip out of their eight-game break is also previewed. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104041 Vegas Golden Knights If he can fulfill the potential that McPhee sees in him it would be a huge win for the Golden Knights.

“It would obviously be very good for the club. It’s why we made the Golden Knights tag Valentin Zykov as the answer to two rising problems move,” McPhee said. “We saw something in him. It’s not easy to score that many goals at the AHL level. He gets around the ice just fine. He’s strong enough. He’s got really great hands and can fire a puck. So it’s By Jesse Granger Jan 30, 2019 worth a try.” In the short term, the Golden Knights hope Zykov can provide a spark to a third line that has struggled offensively. According to Corsica’s player There aren’t many cracks in the Vegas Golden Knights’ organizational rankings, Vegas’ third line ranks 20th in the NHL amongst third lines. armor, but they do currently have two quandaries. Oscar Lindberg, Cody Eakin and Ryan Carpenter have an average One short term problem, and one long term. ranking of 89th and have created very little scoring chances while they’re on the ice together. The vast majority of Eakin’s 26 points this season The immediate issue is the Golden Knights have an offensively inept came when he was filling in for Paul Stastny on the second line, and was third line that puts extra stress on the top six forwards to produce at a able to play with Tuch and Pacioretty. high rate while still having to defend the opposition’s top players. When Reilly Smith eventually returns from the injured reserve, it will likely The issue that won’t raise its head until further down the road is an bump Brandon Pirri down to the third line. Add another offensively- organizational age gap, with only three NHL players under the age of 26. minded player like Zykov, and Vegas could have a drastically improved Valentin Zykov could be an answer to both. trio. The 23-year-old Russian forward was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings “I think he’s a big, strong guy with soft hands. He can move pretty good with the 37th overall pick in 2013, but has yet to find a home in the NHL. and has nice hands. He sees the ice pretty well,” Eakin said. “He sends He was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes before ever stepping on NHL some nice passes down low and he has some good skill to him.” ice. After leading the AHL with 33 goals last season, he was In Zykov’s only appearance with the Golden Knights, he recorded two subsequently waived by the Hurricanes and then the Oilers before shots in 9:26 of ice time. eventually being claimed by Vegas on Dec. 29. “In that game I know he created a couple of chances, and in practice you “We saw a young man who can score goals,” general manager George watch him and can tell he’s definitely an NHL player,” Carpenter said. McPhee said. “He’s a real powerful kid, real strong hands and really good “He’s got a lot of skill. He’s got a good shot and really good hands around around the net. We wanted to have the opportunity to work with him. We the net.” actually talked to Carolina earlier in the year.” The Golden Knights have been intentionally holding him out of games Zykov has proven to be a dynamic scorer at every level to this point in his since then, only using him in practice until they believe he is ready. career. He scored 32 goals and 28 assists for CSKA Moskva in Russia’s under-16 league in 2010-11 before coming to North America. “We’re trying to give him time to assimilate with the proper integration so that when he’s ready to play, he plays his best,” McPhee said. “Not unlike In his first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season, Zykov racked up what we did with Carpenter last season. We got him in the right place, 40 goals and 35 assists to be named the QMJHL Rookie of the Year. and then when we put him in he was a pretty effective player for us.” Next, his breakout season in the AHL came with the Charlotte Checkers The Golden Knights claimed Carpenter from the San Jose Sharks last in 2016-17, where he put up 16 goals and 18 assists. Then he topped season, but he didn’t crack the lineup until after a month of practice with that last season with a league-leading campaign of 33 goals and 21 his new team. He then went on to score six goals in his first month of assists. play. “He obviously has a lot of skill offensively that you can’t really see in “I was in his shoes last year a little bit, just waiting around,” Carpenter practice because we don’t do a lot of drills where you can dangle guys,” said. “This team does a good job that even if you’re not in the lineup said Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, who has skated with Zykov in practice you’re working on skills and getting better while you get comfortable and since he joined the team. “He has a good shot, good skills and he’s fast.” learn the system. It helped me a lot.” In limited action, Zykov tallied three goals and four assists in 10 games Zykov spent a short period of time away from the rink before he was with the Hurricanes last season, but he was a casualty to a roster crunch claimed by Vegas, so first and foremost he must get his stamina on par. on Nov. 29. He was immediately claimed by Edmonton, where he had no points in five games before he was waived again. “I’m just taking it day by day and taking it closer to that,” Zykov told The Athletic. “Right now I’m just thinking about getting my conditioning better “We just saw a player that we thought there was some real upside there, every day, and when that day comes then I’ll be excited about (the and he’s at the right age,” McPhee said. “We don’t have a lot of players possibility of playing).” at that age. We’re working with him and we’ll see where it goes.” Moving from Carolina to Edmonton and then to Las Vegas in a matter of The Golden Knights have a core group of players that are currently in the weeks was stressful on the young player, so this adjustment period is prime of their careers. William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly equally as useful off the rink as it is on it. Smith, Max Pacioretty, Nate Schmidt, Brayden McNabb and Colin Miller all fall between the ages of 26 and 30. “I think it helps a lot,” Zykov said. “It’s much better to settle down a little bit and get to know people around you and get comfortable with them.” But when they all eventually creep over the 30-year-old mark, Vegas is left with a group consisting of only Alex Tuch (22), Shea Theodore (23) Vegas is taking its time with Zykov, but there is a ticking clock on finding and William Carrier (24). out what they have in the Russian forward. When the Golden Knights return from their bye week they will have exactly 11 games before the The next wave behind them — Cody Glass (19), Erik Brannstrom (19) Feb. 25 trade deadline. and Nic Hague (20) — should be coming into their own as NHL players, but that is a frighteningly low number of players who will be in their prime. It would behoove them to know by that date whether or not Zykov is the answer to the third line’s offensive struggles, so they can look elsewhere It’s not through any fault of McPhee or the organization, but more a if he isn’t. circumstance of the expansion draft. Vegas received extremely favorable rules for expansion but still wasn’t eligible to select any players with As coach Gerard Gallant said, “He’s going to get an opportunity sooner fewer than two years of professional experience. The only way to acquire or later, so we’ll see what happens.” young players was through trades during the draft — which is how Vegas got Tuch and Theodore. The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 “Age-wise (Zykov) fits into a group where we don’t have a lot of players,” assistant general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “It’s good business by us to give this a chance and take the opportunity to evaluate him.” Zykov is under contract for a cap hit of only $675,000 through the 2019- 20 season and he is a restricted free agent after that, meaning the Golden Knights have control for at least the next four seasons. 1104042 Washington Capitals

Capitals midseason grades: The Caps' defense is not living up to expectations

By J.J. Regan January 30, 2019 11:12 AM

It’s the bye week which means no Capitals hockey until Friday. To help get you through the week, JJ Regan and Brian McNally will be looking back at the first half of the season and handing out their midseason grades for the offense, defense, goaltending, and special teams. Today’s grade: Defense JJ: It is hard to give the Caps a fair grade coming off the seven-game losing streak in which the defense has looked atrocious. The last five games have been particularly bad with Washington giving up 7, 2, 8, 7 and 6 goals. Both Dmitry Orlov and Matt Niskanen have struggled this season leading to head coach Todd Reirden shaking up the defensive pairs. Michal Kempny, meanwhile, can’t stay out of the penalty box and ranks second on the team in PIM (40 in 47 games played) behind only Tom Wilson. If you take a step back and view the team’s defensive performance on the season as a whole, the outlook is better…slightly. John Carlson is proving the team’s faith in him is well-founded and is living up to his new contract as an elite defenseman. Jonas Siegenthaler is ahead of schedule in his development and is now a regular on the third pairing. Plus, you also have to factor in how the team was able to overcome lengthy injuries to both Brooks Orpik and Christian Djoos. But the fact is that Washington ranks 22nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.22) and the arrow is currently trending down. Three of the team’s top four defensemen are struggling and so is Madison Bowey who has not been able to take advantage of the opportunity the team’s injuries have allowed him. Grade: C Brian: The Caps will have to decide what they want to do here. Does this require another systemic overhaul like we saw last March? That’s never easy to pull off. John Carlson has played like the All-Star he finally is. He’s used in all situations and is a productive player. Michal Kempny is the only other defenseman on the roster who is above water, but he’s also spent much of the year with Carlson until recently. Jonas Siegenthaler has shown nice development as a rookie. Madison Bowey has not taken the same step forward in his second season. It will be interesting to see what happens on the third pair next to veteran Brooks Orpik when Christian Djoos returns from his nasty thigh injury. He is back on the ice. The key really seems to be with that second pair – Dmitry Orlov and Matt Niskanen until the recent pairing changes. Track record says those two will figure it out, but if they don’t there’s really nowhere else to go. A trade for a top-four defenseman is unlikely given the cap situation and the deadline date (Feb. 25). There are no reasonable internal options. A trade for a depth defenseman wouldn't seem to help much, either. Grade: C Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104043 Washington Capitals As seen from Elle some grudges can carry over from a prior game. Wilson was suspended in the preseason for a hit he delivered to St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist. When the Capitals played St. Explaining the unwritten rules and etiquette of a hockey fight Louis in January for the first time since that hit, Wilson dropped the gloves with Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo in a fight that felt a lot more motivated by the Sundqvist hit than anything that was happening during the game. Wilson was engaged with another Blues player when By J.J. Regan January 30, 2019 6:00 AM Bortuzzo injected himself into the conversation and sparked a fight. “In the St. Louis case, [Bortuzzo] wants to defend his teammate and you give him the opportunity to do so and if your teammate was ever hit, Lars Eller saw his target. He quickly skated over to Boston Bruins you'd expect him to be willing,” Wilson said. forward Brad Marchand at the blue line and the two exchanged a shove. Eller immediately dropped a glove and grabbed Marchand’s collar. While most fights may start with players standing up for teammates, Marchand tried to skate away, but Eller held tight, dropped his other hockey has not completely lost the old enforcer mentality. It has simply glove and continued tugging at Marchand’s collar even as a linesman evolved. stepped in between the two players. That’s where players like Wilson come in. Clearly Eller wanted to fight, but Marchand wanted no part it and the fight was broken up by a linesman. The entire incident left the Washington The typical fourth line enforces of the past are gone as everyone is Capitals upset as they expressed after the game. expected to produce in the current era of the sport, but teams also cannot be without someone willing to drop the gloves to defend his “I would rather fight him, but can't fight a guy that doesn't want to fight,” teammates. Eller said. “Everybody saw what he is. … I don’t think there’s a lot of integrity in his game.” And those players know who each other are. But why? Marchand did what most parents tell their children to do when “Before the game, you can look at a lineup and I know who on the other presented with a fight. He walked away. In so doing, he drew a minor team would probably be willing to fight, who if something happened they penalty from Eller and gave his team a power play. would be ready,” Wilson said. “And then there's probably 11 other forwards that wouldn't. So when something happens, you go into Ottawa, According to the fighting etiquette, however, Marchand was in the wrong. you look at their lineup, it's a guy like [Mark Borowiecki], he's probably the guy that would fight if something happened. There's that Marchand forced a fight the last time these two players met on the Caps’ understanding. I'm not going to go grab someone else on their team like Opening Night and Eller felt jumped. Rather than stepping up to fight the young [] kid. There's just that understanding.” Eller and allowing them to settle their differences, Marchand refused thus breaking one of the many unwritten rules of fighting in hockey. But even if you know someone would be willing to fight, it doesn’t always mean that you should. Hockey is the only professional sport in which fighting is allowed. Though technically against the rules, two players fighting on the ice will only net Wilson, for example, is typically on Washington’s top line and plays a those players five minutes in the penalty box rather than a lengthy major role on the team. Because of his growing role, Wilson cannot suspension. simply drop the gloves against anyone just because they ask. But if fighting were just about raw emotion and trying to inflict physical “I try and really make sure the guys nowadays that I'm fighting have a damage on an opponent, it would quickly become distasteful. Hockey role on the other team, that they're out there playing minutes,” Wilson fighting is much more nuanced with a number of unwritten rules that said. “There's still guys like that around the league that are big parts of govern the players’ actions. Those rules are constantly evolving over their teams that are willing to fight. If you get a five-minute major, you time. could be in the box for 10 minutes because you have to wait for a whistle. It can be a huge chunk of time so you've got to be really smart about it.” “There's a million different ways that it can happen,” Tom Wilson said. “It's the No. 1 question that everyone always asks. How does a fight That mentality reflects another modern change to fighting in that no one start? Why does a fight start? You just kind of have to be out there, feel it has to fight if they don’t want to. out and make a decision.” In 1992, the NHL adjusted its rule on instigating a fight to make the Fighting used to be much more prevalent in the sport. It was valued to punishment a game misconduct. In 1996, the league further changed the such a degree that players who could barely produce offensively and got rule giving an instigator a two-minute minor, five-minute major and a 10- very little playing time were felt to be a necessity in the lineup. minute misconduct penalty. The days of the traditional enforcer, however, are over. The harsher punishment for a player deemed to be the aggressor has greatly changed the players’ mentality when it comes to fighting. “The staged fights between guys that play under five minutes, that’s gone obviously,” Wilson said. “Probably a decade ago you would know before “It's just kind of the way it is now with the instigator,” Wilson said. “I can't the game started that the two guys were going to fight. That's just the go out and hold him accountable, he has to agree to it.” way it was, their tough guy vs. the other team's tough guy. That's gone now.” But saying no to a fight is not without its risks. Refusing a fight when a player wants to stand up for a teammate or spark his team has its In today’s NHL, the most common reason for fighting is to stand up for a consequences. teammate. Hockey is a contact sport so it is impossible to react after every hit, but if it is believed a player has crossed the line between Wilson said there have been players who told him after he refused a fight physical and dirty, then he will have to answer for it. that they would continue targeting his teammates with big hits until he agreed. He then has to determine how much he will allow before he “Probably all my fights are with a hit that I don't agree with at the time,” ultimately acquiesces. Devante Smith-Pelly said. “There's a line,” Wilson said. “If he's playing physical and the game's A very recent example came on Jan. 8 when Smith-Pelly dropped the going well then [no], if he's hurting your guys then you've got to probably gloves with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas. Gudas stand up for them. There's guys that take that approach.” delivered a shoulder check right to the chest of Nic Dowd that knocked Dowd to the ice. Even with the instigator penalty, you also still risk getting hit if you refuse a fight. Smith-Pelly’s reaction to the hit was immediate. If you see a teammate take a dirty play, then you are expected to respond. As much as the Caps hated how Marchand “jumped” Eller, they did acknowledge that Eller ultimately chose to drop the gloves rather than “If you're right there and you're the first guy and you feel like that's what take the penalty. The problem wasn’t the fight, it was how Marchand you should do, then you've got to do it,” Smith-Pelly said. started it. From the other end, if you deliver a big hit, you are not going to be “I chose to drop the gloves too because there sometimes comes a point caught off guard when the other team comes after you. It is expected and where you just have to defend yourself,” Eller said. “I chose to do that in often respected even if it doesn’t happen right away. that moment.” “Sometimes you're almost doing the guy a favor,” Wilson said. “He asks “For me, unless I really, really am mad, I don't think I would ever just pop [to fight] and you'd expect the same in return.” a guy if he says no,” Smith-Pelly said. “At the same time, if someone's trying to fight me and I say no and he pops me, I can't really be mad.” It can be difficult to understand at first why there are so many rules the players hold themselves to when it comes to fighting. In any other sport, there are no such understandings. Tensions rise, punches get thrown and an argument devolves into a fight and further into a brawl. When things get heated to a point in which emotions take over, things get very ugly very quickly. But fighting in hockey is different because the underlying foundation in which all these unwritten rules are based on is respect. In most cases when players want to fight they talk about it on the ice, drop the gloves so that no one gets the jump on the other, fight, then stop when one goes down or a referee gets in between them. There are even some instances where you see players give a sign of mutual respect after the fight. And that’s why the Eller-Marchand situation felt so wrong. In the home opener, Marchand was angered by Eller’s celebrating a goal in a 7-0 game and decided to fight him. Eller may not have wanted to fight, but he ultimately dropped the gloves. Having an issue with how Marchand started the fight, Eller wanted a chance to fight him in the rematch, but Marchand wouldn’t give him that opportunity. That’s the issue. Eller didn’t want to fight, but he did. Marchand didn’t want to fight even when a player felt wronged, so he refused. “When you get jumped like that, I was expecting [Marchand] to drop the gloves as well the next time so that was disappointing that he did not do that,” Eller said. “You would expect him to do that, that's kind of the code or the norm. The unwritten rule that he doesn't have to, but I think he should have and that would have been what most guys would have done.” “That's usually how things are handled,” he added, “And both players acknowledge that this is how it's going to be handled and you're going to owe up to what you did. That was disappointing and not usually the way things go.” According to the rule book, Eller was in the wrong and went to the penalty box as a result. According to the unwritten rules of the game, however, Marchand was wrong for not accepting the fight. Fighting may not be as prevalent in hockey as it once was, but the rules that govern it are alive and well and ever-changing. Though it may not be as big a part of the game as in past years, fighting still remains deeply ingrained in the sport. “It takes a certain breed,” Wilson said, “A certain guy to go out there on any given night and drop the gloves and fight so I think there's a respect level that, after that's done, you respect the guy.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104044 Winnipeg Jets Andrew Berkshire is a hockey writer specializing in data driven analysis of the game.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.31.2019 Under-powered Jets: Ehlers is missed

By: Andrew Berkshire

I’ve been praising Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers at length for what may be his most impressive season to date, according to the underlying numbers. Since he was injured in the Jan. 4 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, his absence has been noticeable. Prior to Ehlers being sidelined, linemates Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele were combining for about 0.47 goals at 5-on-5 every 20 minutes; since he’s been gone, that number has dropped to 0.27. Winnipeg Jet Nikolaj Ehlers blasts his way around the ice Wednesday to win the speed event starting off the annual Skills Competition. An 11-game sample isn’t much when we’re talking about goal scoring, which can vary wildly over time, but it’s worthwhile to look at how things have changed for the Jets’ top two forwards. Let’s first examine the differentials the Jets have while Wheeler and Scheifele are on the ice. I want to note the numbers on the graph are not a WOWY calculation; meaning the numbers from before Jan. 4 are season-long and include all games Ehlers was in the lineup, no matter the line combinations. Keeping that in mind, and knowing the top line struggled a bit offensively at the start of the NHL season, the differentials have all dropped considerably since Ehlers was hurt (except for high-danger chances). Gone is the top line’s ability to control puck possession, but the dominance over puck movement into the slot remains, even after a considerable three-percentage point drop from the earlier heights. Differentials are a measure of both offensive and defensive results, so while we know the overall play has been less than stellar without Ehlers in the lineup, the differentials don’t tell us where the problem is, or why. Because we’re talking about a lack of 5-on-5 goals, let’s break down what they are doing individually on offence with Ehlers on the shelf. Both Scheifele and Wheeler have drastically increased their shot volume from the slot, with big increases specifically in high-danger chances. Both are also connecting less frequently on passes from the slot, so it appears the focus to compensate for the loss of Ehlers is to crash the net more often, forcing more dangerous chances by shot location, while sacrificing passing plays. Trading off puck movement for shot location is something that can work, but Winnipeg’s greatest strength as a team is mastery of puck movement in the offensive zone, and preventing that same puck movement in its own zone. Fortunately, the drop in slot passes for hasn’t hurt the Jets so far, because they’ve coupled it with a bit more focus on their defensive game. It’s notable the volume of both high-danger chances and passes to the slot have dropped for and against since Ehlers has been out — despite Wheeler and Scheifele specifically increasing their shot volume. For example, while Scheifele was on the ice before Jan. 4, there were 5.11 passes to the slot for the Jets per 20 minutes at 5-on-5, and 3.68 against. Those numbers drop to 3.48 and 2.83, respectively, in the time since (with Wheeler posting similar results). That is a drop of almost two slot passes in total per 20 minutes, or a 28 per cent drop in dangerous passes while he’s on the ice. When the volume of scoring plays goes down, even while maintaining positive percentages, the possibility of a cold streak increases — and that’s what we’re seeing more of (rather than Wheeler and Scheifele not contributing). In order to get to the peak of how the pair played last season, I think a clamp down on defence is probably a necessary thing for the Jets. Last season, they were a team that played a low volume game in scoring chances, giving up very little but making their own low scoring chance totals much more dangerous with passing plays. If the Jets can get back to the low volume of chances against they allowed last season while Ehlers is out, and maintain that, while increasing their offensive production with him back in the lineup, they could be the team we all expected to see coming into 2018-19. A scary thought for the rest of the Western Conference. 1104045 Winnipeg Jets Laine hasn’t lost his touch. He’s just lost his way. This is no time for tough love from Maurice and the rest of the Jets’ decision-makers. Limiting his minutes Tuesday was a proportional Maurice needs to get Laine going response, and similar actions by the bench boss in the past provoked the right-handed shooter to perform at a higher standard. By: Jason Bell Perhaps it’s time to reunite him with Winnipeg’s resident construction crew, Adam Lowry and Brandon Tanev. Feed off their energy and work ethic. Simplify the game. Clear the head. BOSTON — Dazed and confused was all I could come up with when I It worked in Helsinki. Eighteen goals in a month was a pretty nice result. was asked Tuesday night to try to interpret, as best I could, the current state of mind of Winnipeg Jets winger . Maurice has shown no hesitation in the past to toss Laine into the line blender, and he shouldn’t stand pat now. He needs to help get the prized As Winnipeg prepares for Game 51 of the 2018-19 NHL season, a home piece going. date Thursday at 7 p.m. against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Laine is mired in the worst scoring slump of his budding NHL career. He has Assign him to the right side, with spark-plug up the scored just one goal in his last 12 games and a measly four since that middle and raging bull on the left. magical month of November wrapped up seven weeks ago. Sure, it’s radical. But inside-the-box thinking isn’t effecting a change for At first blush, Laine’s numbers are still pretty terrific. He’s a 25-goal the better to the talented but enigmatic Laine’s unexceptional game. No scorer with another 10 weeks to significantly inflate that total. In 205 line shakeups should be discounted when it comes to lighting the fuse of games since he debuted in October 2016, Laine has put 105 pucks past the Jets’ — and one of the NHL’s — most dynamic and lethal offensive the globe’s premier goaltenders. weapons. Mathematicians will note the probability the talented Finn scores is once Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.31.2019 every two games. Dumb guys like me with old, tired eyes will counter Laine only scores in bunches. There’s no way to predict when he’ll pump home his 26th. Well before the next total solar eclipse, one would hope. In Boston, Laine hit rock bottom, failing to even generate a shot attempt against the Bruins. Not one single release from a guy who’s been earmarked as a generational sniper. Making matters worse is the fact he was a minus-1 while using his 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame to administer exactly no hits in a 4-3 shootout victory. Digging deeper, the Finnish-born player posted a 31.25 per cent possession rating during 5-on-5 situations, according to Corsi stats. Translation? Patrice Bergeron, Jake DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy and a whack of other Bruins absolutely owned the puck every time Laine, as part of a woefully unproductive second line centred by Bryan Little with accompaniment by winger Jack Roslovic, was on the ice. Which, by the way, wasn’t particularly often — by design. Jets head coach gave Laine just 16 shifts, the same as fourth-liner Mason Appleton. He also had a career-low 10:55 minutes of ice time, including a 10-minute block of time in the middle period when he watched his teammates start to push back and wasn't asked to join the fray. In recent games, Laine's decision-making has lacked conviction. Each move from the remarkably talented Finn has seemed ponderous, like he’s suddenly sloshing in quicksand. To me, Laine even looked apprehensive in the shootout, busting a late move that Bruins goalie Jaroslav Halak saw coming. He might have been better off striding into the high slot, dropping his head and brazenly unleashing a long, blistering slapper — just to get the feel of one while maybe handcuffing Halak on shock factor alone. I firmly believe the affable young man with the rarest of skill sets and a mix of poise, playfulness and just a dash of pomposity that captivated Winnipeg even before the moment he was drafted in 2016, will, undoubtedly, do monster things in the NHL. Maybe even Hall-of-Fame worthy things, the bulk accomplished in a Jets jersey. Winding down his entry-level deal, Laine could sign a lucrative, long-term contract this summer, although he’s no longer in a position of strength to demand the moon and stars. In Seinfeld vernacular, the Jets have ‘hand’ on this one. Or, the two sides could agree on a bridge deal that would still pay Laine handsomely in the short term, with the opportunity to earn more as his production goes into overdrive down the line. But at this moment in time, he’s a kid whose confidence is shredded. It’s like he’s only now finally experiencing all the usual foibles of a raw rookie, two years after the fact. Some in Twitter-land say he’s due for a visit to the press box. Others have even made the outlandish assertion that a stint with the AHL’s might not be such a bad idea. Please… let’s stay down here on planet Earth. 1104046 Winnipeg Jets There were multiple suicide attempts, including one night where he placed a loaded gun in his mouth while drunk and high on painkillers. His wife disarmed him before he could pull the trigger. Embracing life to its fullest and at its coldest Hatch was admitted to a naval treatment centre for mental health American war vet's journey through physical and mental struggles leads treatment. He's documented his long road of recovery in his new book, to Winnipeg and a newfound love of hockey Touching the Dragon and Other Techniques for Surviving Life's Wars, and now speaks candidly about what he went through in the hopes of helping others. By: Mike McIntyre Hatch has tried to give back by helping police and military dogs through a charity, Spike's K9 Fund. It provides working canines with the necessary gear needed for them to stay safe on the job, including ballistic vests. The non-profit was set up in honour of another dog, Spike, who died in James Hatch, a former U.S. Navy SEAL from Virginia, takes to the ice Iraq after Hatch shot and killed an insurgent, only to have the bullet go near The Forks after accepting a bet he couldn't win. through his body and kill the animal. At first glance, it would appear to be a perfectly ordinary scene to any Hatch still has Spike's harness at home and carries his ashes with him in observer. A man, bundled up in winter gear and sporting a Winnipeg Jets an amulet. His work with Spike's K9 Fund set in motion the chain of jersey, skating down the Red River on a frigid winter day. events that brought him to Winnipeg. But there was nothing ordinary about what happened Wednesday Enter Jim Slater, a retired Winnipeg police officer who knows a few morning at The Forks. things about the dangers of front-line work. As a rookie cop in 1987, Lacing up the blades was James Hatch, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, Slater was struck with a pellet in his left eye while responding to a whose exemplary military career, which is the stuff of movies, came to domestic incident. A distraught woman had fired a shotgun blast before tragic end. being arrested. Hatch, who is from Virginia, arrived in the city Tuesday to make good on Despite being partially blinded, Slater went on to have a distinguished a bizarre bet with some Winnipeg friends that boiled down to one 20-year police career, doing his finest work in the K9 unit along with his question: would the Winnipeg Jets or Carolina Hurricanes have more four-legged partner, Olaf. They made 285 documented arrests together. points at the end of the 2017-18 NHL regular season? Slater also started a side business, K9 Storm, which began You can guess who Hatch hitched his wagon to. manufacturing specialized gear for military dogs. The idea was born after Slater and Olaf responded to the infamous Headingley Jail riot in "I'm an idiot. I made a stupid bet. I do that a little too often. Now at the Manitoba in 1996. age of 51, I've learned I should probably stop doing that," Hatch said. The company really took off once Slater could devote all of his time to it. The Jets had a franchise-record 114 points. The Hurricanes missed the They help outfit special forces teams, police agencies, and search-and- playoffs by a mile with 83 points. rescue groups in more than 30 countries. "Stupid bet on three!" said Hatch, as he posed for pictures with more Slater got to know Hatch because of K9 Storm. than a dozen supporters who joined him on the ice, including several retired and current military members who flew in from the U.S. with him. "It was shared interest, a love of dogs, the love and respect of the jobs they're capable of doing. It was just a good fit personality-wise, I've got Hatch pulled on a jersey, then bit a hockey stick for nothing but respect for him," Slater told the Free Press. good measure. His attempt to sneakily put a Hurricanes tuque on his head was met with loud jeers. Naturally, they talked about hockey. "That's humiliating," Hatch said, when someone in the group suggested Hatch had only seen a handful of hockey games on TV before he was he use one of the walker-type devices that novice skaters use. He invited to a Carolina game a couple of years ago to be honoured during managed to stay upright during the 20-minute twirl. the intermission for his years of military service. "My stick helped keep me up," he said. It was while standing near the glass, with the minutes ticking down in the second period, that he had a revelation. This story would be unique if it was just about the circumstances that brought Hatch to Winnipeg to skate outdoors on the coldest day in 12 "I'd seen hockey in the past but never got that close. I got near the ice years, in which the overnight temperature dipped down to -39.8 C. and saw how big those guys were and how fast they were moving. I was absolutely blown away. I mean really, it rattled me," said Hatch. "It's beautiful out there," he joked. Following the game, he got to meet several players. One of them was But there's more to it, just like there's so much more to Hatch. Bryan Bickell, a scratch that night as he continued to undergo treatment for multiple sclerosis. He's not just a decorated war hero, but also a PTSD survivor turned author who is trying to make the world a better place. Even if he admits "His attitude, I was really surprised how positive he was. It was a good there were many times he no longer wanted to be a part of it. example. After I got hurt I didn't want to be around my crew at all, I felt like I didn't belong there anymore," Hatch recalled. Hatch fell into a deep depression after the attempt to rescue army deserter Bowe Bergdahl in Afghanistan in 2009. "I really admired him. I talked to him for maybe 10 minutes, but he had quite an impact on me. It was a really good experience for me James Hatch practised at a few indoor rinks in the U.S. before flying to personally." Winnipeg to make good on a bet he lost. He says he has new appreciation for hockey players after strapping on skates and blading on Hatch was hoping to win the Hurricanes vs Jets bet, as it would have the river trail at The Forks. brought Slater and his sons, Jeff and Riley, to Virginia to face their fears from the air. The longtime member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, known more commonly as SEAL Team 6, Hatch was shot in the right leg "He kind of picked his thing of choice which was skydiving, which is during the mission, which would be about the 150th and final of his something that's not a big deal for him. For us it's obviously quite scary," career. Riley told the Free Press. Bergdahl pleaded guilty to deserting and endangering fellow service "I try not to bet unless I know I have a good chance of winning, and for members. He received a dishonourable discharge, but no prison time. this one I felt quite confident. We were trying to think of something that was inherent in Winnipeg, that obviously we'd be well equipped to handle Hatch underwent 18 surgeries. There were times he pleaded with doctors and deal with. Cold for one, skating for two. (Hatch) was shot in the leg, just to amputate his leg to spare him the daily agony. for him it's very scary for him to be coming to do this." Hatch had to learn how to walk again. He was also racked with guilt, Hatch had never strapped on skates until a few weeks ago but wanted to believing his own injury put other troops in danger. He also mourned the be prepared, getting a couple brief skating lessons from friends at indoor loss of a military dog named Remco, who was shot and killed. rinks, "I had a friend give me some skates, so I practised a few times. It was difficult. It made me appreciate hockey players even more. They're something else," said Hatch. His visit to Winnipeg includes a talk Wednesday evening at the King's Head pub before an invitation-only audience. It worked out perfectly that it occurs on Bell Let's Talk Day, which is meant to bring discussion about mental illness into the open, "I've realized there are things that I've experienced that aren't all that original, which at first was a bit disheartening because I thought I was a special guy," said Hatch. "The truth is you don't have to have been in combat like I was to experience traumas in your life that are difficult to deal with. Especially in this day and age where we think 'hey I'm a tough guy, I can do everything on my own.' It's unfortunate, I think it leads to a lot of problems similar to what I had. I'm not afraid to talk about the crazy things I thought about, the failures." Slater can relate because he experienced dark moments after getting shot. "It just goes back to beating down the stigma. If something's on your mind, it's better to share it, unload. It goes across the whole spectrum of people. whether you're 15 or 90, it doesn't matter. You need to unload it," he said. Hatch was also happy to hear about Project 11, created by True North in honour of former player Rick Rypien, who died by suicide in 2011. Founder Craig Heisinger is among the guests expected to attend Hatch's talk Wednesday evening. "I'm glad there's organizations out there like Project 11 that attack it at the beginning, where it can start to develop. Once you're already there you're depressed, you're abusing, you're using drugs or whatever," said Hatch. "That's an amazing thing. That should be an international thing." And while he may not be applauding the idea of skating down the river with a -50 wind chill, Hatch is definitely now a fan of Winnipeg. And, somewhat grudgingly, even the Jets. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 01.31.2019 1104047 Winnipeg Jets That year Gilhen’s teammates included , Paul Coffey, Bryan Trottier and Mark Recchi — all in the Hockey Hall of Fame now — along with future Hall member Jaromir Jagr. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Former Jets forward started He went on to play the start of the next season with and and ended one career in Winnipeg and then started another the Los Angeles Kings and was later traded to a New York Rangers team that included Mark Messier. Ted Wyman “I went from Lemieux to Gretzky, two of the greatest players ever to play the game, and they were just really good guys, special people and just amazing to watch every night,” Gilhen says. “To go on further, I went from there to New York with Mark Messier. Three of the top players right Randy Gilhen was traded five times during his time in the NHL and was there and it was just an amazing experience.” taken in two expansion drafts and he wouldn’t trade that experience for the world, even though all he ever really wanted was to settle in his Some of the other Hall of Famers he played with include , hometown. Teemu Selanne, Dale Hawerchuk, Luc Robitaille, Jari Kurri, Larry Robinson and Rob Blake. Now 55 years old and 22 years removed from his last pro game, Gilhen is back where it all began for him in the hockey world. “I was really, really lucky to play on some great teams, with some great players,” Gilhen says. “I can’t believe how many Hall-of-Famers I got to He was born in Germany but raised in Winnipeg, where he played junior play with. It’s incredible, when I look back on it right now. They were all hockey for the Warriors of the WHL, played two different stints with the such special guys too. When you look back at your career and you have Jets 1.0, played and coached with the Manitoba Moose and has worked all those friendships you’ve made, it’s pretty special.” for two decades as a medical device sales rep. His last season with the Jets was 1995-96 and the team left for Phoenix “I get asked a lot why I came back here and why I stayed,” Gilhen says. at the end of the year. Gilhen wanted to keep playing and he joined the “For me I just love Winnipeg. I love everything about it.” Chipman-owned Moose of the International Hockey League the next year. “You go through a day when it’s minus-25 and you wonder what you’re doing here but it’s just a great place to live, a great place to bring your He played one season and a month-and-half of another before deciding kids up and I think the lost thing is cottage country. The cottage is the No. to retire and join Randy Carlyle’s coaching staff. 1 drawing point and selling point for me. I just love it.” It didn’t take him long to realize that a career in coaching wasn’t for him. Gilhen and his wife now split their time between Winnipeg and the Whiteshell. They have two adult children and three grandchildren, with a “I would say I loved coaching, but those guys have an incredibly tough fourth on the way. job,” Gilhen says. “I just made a decision that I had played enough and moved enough as a player, and if I was gonna pursue coaching as a He loves being a grandpa, loves playing golf and has a busy career in profession I was going to have to do more of it. the medical device business, a job he started shortly after his last season with the Moose in 1997-98. “I was talking to (agent) Don Baizley about this and he said ‘If you’re any good at (coaching) you’re gonna have to move again. And if you’re bad Once upon a time he was a kid from Winnipeg who forged an unlikely at this you’re gonna get fired.’ NHL career that started and ended in his home city but made stops in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, New York and Florida along the way. “I look at Randy (Carlyle, who is head coach of the Anaheim Ducks). He’s obviously very good at this but I look at the number of times he’s “I bounced around and I went to different places, but I wouldn’t trade it for moved and he’s been fired. I just decided I had moved too much during anything,” Gilhen says. my playing career and I just wanted to put down roots once and for all.” “I know some guys get to play their whole career in one place and I think Gilhen still plays rec hockey a couple of times a week with the Winnipeg that’s great, but I got to live in a lot of great places. From L.A., New York, Steelers and pays close attention to what’s going on around the NHL, Miami, Pittsburgh, I was really lucky to live in great places and play with a where players are making considerably more money than they did in his lot of different guys. I got to play and see a lot of great places and meet a day. lot of good people.” Does he wish he had a chance to play in a different era? Still, when it came time to put roots down, Gilhen wanted it to be in Winnipeg. “I think we all do but it doesn’t bother me, not one bit,” Gilhen said. “I’m sure the WHA guys looked at me and thought ‘What’s he doing making He’s a proud member of the Jets Alumni Association, which he says has that?’ I’m happy for them, I think it’s great. I love the way they get treated. been thriving since the Heritage Classic was held in Winnipeg in 2016. I love the rest they get now. He has always been in touch with some of his former Jets teammates “I don’t begrudge them one bit. The thing people don’t realize is the and is good friends with Jets assistant general manager Craig Heisinger, career can be over tomorrow and it’s a really competitive, dog-eat-dog but now the connection is much stronger. business. I’m really happy for what they make and all the power to them.” “(Owner) Mark Chipman and the rest of the Jets organization have really When Gilhen was playing in Pittsburgh, Coffey signed a $1 million per done a great job to promote the alumni,” says Gilhen, who pays close year contract and the players were blown away. He said it was the same attention to the Jets today, attending games fairly regularly. “They’ve just when Keith Tkachuk signed a deal with the Jets in 1995 that paid him $6 done a great job to raise the profile, have treated the alumni great. The million in the first season and $17 million over five years. Wall of Honour is just an amazing thing to recognize the players from the past. “That was over the top and we were saying ‘That’s incredible what Keith got,’ Gilhen says. “The money was just starting to climb up there when I “One of the hard things I think for them was the franchise moving from finished.” Atlanta when a lot of people would have said Phoenix was the Jets organization, but I think they’ve done a good job recently to bridge that Nowadays, Gilhen spends most of his working time at hospitals and gap and bring those WHA guys and Jets 1.0 guys back and have them places like the Pan Am Clinic. He travels a fair bit for work, with a Jets recognized. I can’t say enough about what they’ve done for us lately.” alumni tag on his backpack. Gilhen wasn’t a star player by any means in his day. He scored 55 goals He loves the job, which he’s now been doing longer than the 16 years he and had 115 points in 457 NHL games, mostly in a checking role. His spent playing pro hockey in the NHL, AHL and IHL. career-high for goals was 15 in 1990-91 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, which was the most memorable year of his career. All in all, it’s a pretty good life. It ended with him holding the Stanley Cup over his head. “I can’t stress this enough,” he said. “I was really lucky. I think I overachieved in this profession and I’m just lucky to have played as long “The 1990-91 season, even if we wouldn’t have won, that was the most as I did. fun I ever had playing hockey,” says Gilhen. “We clicked as a group, the chemistry was there. We really had a special group there and I still keep “I don’t think I was a great player but I was a player I hoped my in contact with a lot of the guys on that team. We text back and forth and teammates respected and I think they did. I showed up and played hard we have reunions. There wasn’t a bad guy in the room. We all enjoyed every night.” each other’s company and we had a great time and, obviously, to win a Trade for Barnes didn’t sit well with Jets’ fans but Gilhen loved it Cup was a dream come true.” To a certain segment of Winnipeg Jets fans, the name Randy Gilhen is synonymous with a bad trade. Gilhen was a 30-year-old journeyman when the Jets re-acquired him from the Florida Panthers in 1993. Going the other way in the trade was 1989 fourth-overall draft pick Stu Barnes, 22, who went on to play an additional 15 NHL seasons (1,136 games with Florida, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Dallas) and score 261 goals and 597 points. Gilhen played just three more years with the Jets and had 10 goals and 22 points in 106 games. “I never heard anything from people,” Gilhen says. “My thinking on that was ‘Good for him.’ Obviously he hadn’t been playing in Winnipeg and this gave him an opportunity. My feeling on those things, to be brutally honest with you, is I don’t worry about things that I couldn’t control.” Gilhen, who had been traded away from the Jets in June of 1989 along with and Andrew McBain for , Dave McLlwain and , was shocked when he found out he was heading back to Winnipeg. “I think the one that really came out of the blue was the Florida one back to Winnipeg,” Gilhen says. “I wasn’t expecting that at all but as it turns out, it was just great to come home, and out of all the experiences to be able to start my career with the Jets and finish with the Jets, that one was special for me.” MAN ON THE MOVE A look at the transactions involving Winnipegger Randy Gilhen over his 10 NHL seasons June 17, 1989 — Traded from Winnipeg Jets to Pittsburgh Penguins, along with D Jim Kyte, F Andrew McBain for F Randy Cunneyworth, F Dave McLlwain and G Rick Tabaracci. May 30, 1991 — Claimed in expansion draft by from Pittsburgh Penguins June 22, 1991 — Traded from Minnesota North Stars to Los Angeles Kings with D Charlie Huddy, F Jim Thomson and a fourth-round pick in the 1991 draft (Alexei Zhitnik) for C Dec. 23, 1991 — Traded from Los Angeles Kings to New York Rangers for C Corey Millen March 22, 1993 — Traded from New York Rangers to Tampa Bay Lightning for F June 24, 1993 — Claimed in expansion draft by Florida Panthers Tampa Bay Lightning Nov. 25, 1993 — Traded from Florida Panthers to Winnipeg Jets for Stu Barnes and an exchange of conditional draft picks Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.31.2019 1104048 Winnipeg Jets Mathieu Perreault-Adam Lowry-Brandon Tanev Brendan Lemieux-Andrew Copp-Mason Appleton JETS GAMEDAY: After finding legs in Boston, Jets look to put speed to Defence use against Blue Jackets -

Ben Chiarot-Tyler Myers Ted Wyman Joe Morrow-Dmitry Kulikov

Goalies COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (28-18-3) at WINNIPEG JETS (32-16-2) Thursday, 7 p.m. CT, Bell MTS Place. Laurent Brossoit TV: TSN3, Radio: TSN 1290 Columbus Blue Jackets THE BIG MATCHUP Forwards Connor Hellebuyck vs. Sergei Bobrovsky Artemi Panarin-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Cam Atkinson Hellebuyck was spectacular Tuesday in the Jets’ win over Boston, making 36 saves in regulation and overtime and three more in the Nick Foligno-Alexander Wennberg-Josh Anderson shootout. He has been very strong in his last three outings and has a 2-1 -Lukas Sedlak-Oliver Bjorkstrand record to show for it. The Blue Jackets have been getting average goaltending all season. In fact, Bobrovsky might not even get the start as Markus Hannikainen-Brandon Dubinsky-Riley Nash Joonas Korpisalo has been playing a lot lately. Bobrovsky is one of the best goalies in the league but his future with Columbus is clouded and Defence there’s a chance he could be dealt before the Feb. 25 trade deadline. His Zach Werenski-Seth Jones 2.97 goals against average and .902 save percentage are poor and Korpisalo’s numbers are not much better (2.95, .901). Ryan Murray-Markus Nutivaara FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME Scott Harrington-David Savard RIDE THE HORSES Goalies The Jets have been getting very strong performances from blue-liners Sergei Bobrovsky Jacob Trouba (23:49 of ice time Tuesday), Josh Morrissey (24:28) and Tyler Myers (24:49) in the absence of workhorse Dustin Byfuglien, and Joonas Korpisalo they’ll need that to continue against a strong Columbus lineup that includes dangerous forwards Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson. Injuries Containing those two will be key to the Jets’ fortunes as the rest of the Jets: D Dustin Byfuglien, F Nikolaj Ehlers Columbus forwards are far less productive. Blue Jackets: C Boone Jenner KEEP UP THE SPEED Special Teams The Jets’ top line of Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and finally started to look like itself again Tuesday after three straight POWER PLAY unproductive games, combining for two goals and five points against the Bruins. The Jets have scraped by with some good production from their Winnipeg: 26.6% (4th) bottom-6 forwards of late, but they need consistent scoring from the top Columbus: 15.1% (27th) line. PENALTY KILLING SECOND-LINE SLUMP Winnipeg 81.2% (11th) The line of Bryan Little, Patrik Laine, and Jack Roslovic has struggled and had one of its worst games of the season on Tuesday. Roslovic Columbus: 83.2% (7th) played less than 10 minutes and Laine played only 10:55, a career low. Some sort of shakeup seems necessary with a line that should be much Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.31.2019 more productive at 5-on-5 and it will be interesting to see if Jets coach Paul Maurice has anything in store. POWERING UP The Jets scored a power-play goal for the second straight game on Tuesday after going 0-for-11 in their previous three games. Morrissey blasted one in from the point with Connor providing the screen in front. Wheeler said after the Jets’ loss in Philadelphia on Monday that they needed to get more traffic in front of the opposition net. They did just that and it resulted in an important goal. The Blue Jackets have one of the worst penalty killing percentages in the league, so the Jets will look to put their fourth-ranked power play to good use on home ice. KEEP IT FRESH The Jets cancelled their practice on Wednesday after a pair of gritty road games Monday and Tuesday. They still have two more games this week and four more next week as they make up games in hand on other teams in the Central Division. There no doubt will be some battered and bruised players after a game in Boston that featured plenty of big hits and a couple of fights. GAME DAY LINEUPS Winnipeg Jets Forwards Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler Patrik Laine-Bryan Little-Jack Roslovic 1104049 Winnipeg Jets One night in the press box and an opportunity to see the game from above could be the ticket. The Jets power play could suffer, but it’s not like they’ve been getting Laine many looks lately anyway. WYMAN: Laine’s performance an all-time low and Jets’ sniper needs a The Jets need to try something to get him going. wakeup call Jets find their skating legs and reap the rewards

It took a little longer than they would have liked but the Winnipeg Jets Ted Wyman finally seemed to get their skating legs back midway through Tuesday’s game against the Boston Bruins. The numbers from Tuesday’s game tell the whole story for slumping That was a huge factor in their 4-3 shootout win, which they earned sniper Patrik Laine. despite getting badly outshot (39-27) and despite a wide possession advantage (76-49 shot attempts) for the Bruins. Zero goals, zero assists, zero shots, zero shot attempts, zero hits, minus- 1 and 31.25% possession in a career-low 10:55 of ice time. The Jets avoided losing three straight regular-season games for the first time since March of 2017 and will look to keep the energy level up when Those are the kinds of stats that usually lead to a healthy scratch. the Columbus Blue Jackets pay a visit to Bell MTS Place on Thursday night. While it once seemed laughable that the Winnipeg Jets might consider giving their 20-year-old star a seat in the press box — when he was In their last game before the eight-day bye and all-star break, the Jets scoring 18 goals in the month of November — it now looks like the kind looked sluggish and the result was a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. It was of wakeup call the young Finn needs. much the same Monday when they lost 3-1 to the Flyers in Philadelphia. Jets coach Paul Maurice already sent a message Tuesday with Laine’s Led by winger Kyle Connor, who was flying in the second and third ice time. He had only three shifts, totalling 2:17 in the second period. periods on Tuesday and scored two goals, the Jets erased a third-period deficit to improve to 32-16-2 on the season, good for first place in the If not a healthy scratch, maybe Laine should spend some time on the Central Division. Jets fourth line and let someone like hard-working winger Mathieu Perreault have a crack at playing up in the lineup. They won’t win many games with those kinds of shot and shot attempt totals, but if they move like they did in the latter stages of the game, The Jets second line, consisting of left-winger Laine, centre Bryan Little they’ll continue to be a team near the top. and right-winger Jack Roslovic, had an awful night in Boston, despite the Jets pulling out a 4-3 shootout win. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 01.31.2019 The entire line managed exactly three shot attempts in the game and didn’t register a single hit. They were on the ice when the Bruins scored their first goal of the game. The line is not working, and it’s time for Jets coach Paul Maurice to give it a different look. The return of winger Nikolaj Ehlers from a shoulder injury, sometime in the next week or two, should help, but the line needs an infusion of life before then. Maurice and the Jets are being as patient as possible with Laine, who is still young and is still trying to figure the NHL game out in his third season. His game is simply not where it should be at this point. He has one goal in January after scoring only three in December. He had 21 goals at the end of November and was on pace for 70-plus on the season and is still on pace for 41, which is an impressive number, but the other parts of his game are poor. He continues to struggle with the puck in his own zone, is turning it over in all zones, and looks less confident than he ever has as an NHL player. This is not to suggest Laine doesn’t still have a bright future with the Jets. He is still an incredible scorer, who has 105 goals in his first three NHL seasons. There are few players in the history of the game who have done that in their first three seasons. But Laine needs a jolt. The Jets are a good enough team that they can win even when Laine and the second line are not producing, but at some point they need things to change. A trade before the Feb. 25 deadline could bring an infusion of talent into the lineup. The Jets would love to replicate the deal they made last season to bring in a veteran, play-making centre to play with Laine. Paul Stastny was a perfect fit to play with Laine and Ehlers, but he’s not available any more, having signed with the Vegas Golden Knights as a free agent in the off-season. There are a few centres reportedly on the trade block around the league now and surely Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is looking to find one who can help make the second line more productive at five on five. Giving Laine different linemates could help, but he also needs to help himself. He needs to get his feet moving faster, make quicker decisions and stop trying to stickhandle through the defence, which rarely, if ever, works. A player of his talent should be the driver on a line and right now that is absolutely not the case. 1104050 Vancouver Canucks He played mostly as a fourth-line centre, with wingers like and Tyler Motte much of the time. They weren’t looked to supply offence and they didn’t create much. Patrick Johnston: Three decisions the Canucks have to tackle before That said, Gaudette showed enough when he was placed with more NHL’s trade deadline dynamic wingers like and . You can see him pressing for a full-time role as soon as next season. Patrick Johnston But there’s one problem with that: and Jay Beagle are blocking the way as third- and fourth-line centres.

Neither player has much offensive upside and while Sutter has struggled There are just 25 days until the NHL trade deadline. Things will start with injury, Beagle has had some strong defensive moments. moving quickly before anyone realizes it. If Gaudette is going to stay and play, he’s going to have to find a way to There are 25 days left until the NHL trade deadline. leapfrog one of those two. The Canucks, who return to action this weekend, are in a playoff race. And since the Canucks have a long-term vision for Gaudette, one They also have some big-picture decisions to make. assumes they have a long-term plan for what they’ll do with the other two defensive centres. There’s a team in the recent past that has a story to tell: the 2013 San Jose Sharks. In the lockout-shortened season, they stood 17-11-6 as It seems unlikely, but they must consider the idea of trading one at this March came to a close. The trade deadline that year was April 3. year’s deadline. Surely a team out there would be interested in either Beagle or Sutter’s penalty killing prowess. The Sharks were in a much stronger position than the Canucks and they still made moves that kept the future in mind. In the days before the And the Canucks are in a strong salary cap position for the time being, so deadline, they traded Douglas Murray, Ryane Clowe and Michal they could handle retaining half of one of the salaries. Handzus and picked up six draft picks in return. Granted they could wait until summer to deal, but the prices are better at • White Towel Podcast: Columnist Ed Willes and Paul Chapman talk the trade deadline. about what the NHL All-Star Game meant to rookie Elias Pettersson and how the experience of a young player being included with the game’s 3. How can they solve the scoring winger issue? greats is often overlooked, the Canucks’ trade market, and last week’s It’s clear the Canucks want to find another scoring winger, one to play “Pricklygate:” with either Elias Pettersson or Bo Horvat. They then made two trades on deadline day, shedding two draft picks for They don’t have to solve this issue before the trade deadline, and indeed Scott Hannan and Raffi Torres. At the end of the day they shed some it probably would be wise to wait until summer, but what the team clearly veterans and came out of it with four draft picks and were still in the lacks in the prospect department is a high-end scoring winger. playoff hunt. Sure, there are hopes for current ’ wingers Jonathan Now, the Canucks aren’t like those Sharks, but the point is you can make Dahlen or Kole Lind, but Dahlen has been so-so in his first season in trades with an eye to the future and still be creative in maintaining the North America while Lind has only just started landing a regular spot in competitiveness of your club. the Comets’ AHL lineup. The Canucks have three big decisions to consider in the days ahead. It seems like the Canucks will look elsewhere for such a player. They had Let’s dive in: hoped Loui Eriksson was going to be such a winger, but he’s fizzled into 1. What do they do with Alex Edler? his 30s and is now basically a solid, though pricey, checking winger. If you’re serious about your playoff hopes for this season, it seems Vancouver Province: LOADED: 01.31.2019 foolish to trade your top defenceman. Alex Edler is doing just about everything for the Canucks, who as we know don’t have a terribly deep or good defence corps. They’re better than they were last year but, Ben Hutton aside, much of that is about an improved defensive system and not so much about some mutation of their defence corps. Edler is playing the best defensive hockey of his career. He’s killing penalties well and, for now, is the leading option for the point on the power play. On the other hand, a player playing that well should draw plenty of trade interest. If the focus in Vancouver is to build for the future, moving Edler out and bringing in draft picks, or perhaps a prospect — and you can never have too many of either — seems prudent. Edler turns 33 in April and he’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Both are challenges: the first, because defencemen usually hit a wall by the time they’re 35, the second because you know his agent knows the first and is going to be angling for a solid deal, covering more than just a year or two. That’s a danger for a team like the Canucks. Yes, they need quality players like Edler, but how long will he stay that good? And, is it worth passing up a chance to bring in younger talent who could help for years beyond the sunset of Edler’s career? 2. How will they get in next year’s lineup? This is a good question, but it does have short-term importance. Adam Gaudette has played plenty in the NHL this year. The coaches say they’ve been fine with his progress. A dive into the numbers reveals he needs to improve in the offensive end — the eye test suggests his shot could be better — but also that he’s been pretty solid defensively. 1104051 Websites “I feel like it’s only a matter of time women’s hockey really starts to take off. And obviously, that first step is having one league,” she said.

While one league is the goal, right now, women’s hockey is divided. The Athletic / The women stole the show at All-Star weekend — now how There are two leagues in North America, the Canadian Women’s Hockey does it lead to something bigger for women’s hockey? League, in its 12th season, and the National Women’s Hockey League, in its fourth. Both league commissioners have said having one league is best for the game, but a merger is easier said than done as both leagues By Hailey Salvian Jan 30, 2019 have different business models. After seeing the response to her performance, Coyne Schofield said she thinks “the sky is the limit,” for the women’s game. The moment Kendall Coyne Schofield was told she would be the first woman to compete in an NHL All-Star skills competition, she knew she “I am so excited for what comes next, whether it’s more women was being given the opportunity to do something special for women’s competing in the skills competitions, whether it’s a women’s team in the hockey. All-Star Game, or seeing one league come together for the future of our game professionally,” she said. “It really resonated with me that this is going to be huge, this is going to break a lot of barriers, this is going to open a lot of doors, and this is The future of the game that Coyne Schofield is looking forward to going to change the way people perceive women’s and girls’ hockey,” depends on the forces of both leagues combining – it’s as simple as that. Coyne Schofield said. Right now, with two leagues, the talent is diluted across 11 teams. But, if a league could replicate Olympic intensity with the best players playing She was right. In a blazing 14.346 second lap around the rink in the night in and night out, eyeballs could follow. fastest skater competition, the U.S. Olympian changed the conversation around women’s hockey. Decker, who plays for the Calgary Inferno in the CWHL, said she hopes by next fall there is only one league to play in. HISTORY WAS MADE AND BARRIERS WERE BROKE. IT WAS SUCH AN HONOR TO BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO COMPETE IN THE @NHL “Who knows if that is going to happen,” she said. “But I do know that us ALL STAR SKILLS COMPETITION LAST NIGHT. I CAN’T WAIT TO national team players on the Canadian side and the U.S. side, that is our SEE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS! #NHLALLSTAR goal is to get one league that is going to be sustainable for us to play in.” PIC.TWITTER.COM/SC125OBGCX One of the key pieces in creating one league is Dani Rylan the founder — KENDALL COYNE SCHOFIELD (@KENDALLCOYNE) JANUARY 26, and commissioner of the NWHL. 2019 Rylan said the NHL’s inclusion of the four women was a “landmark Then, late Friday and into Saturday social media lit up over Brianna moment for hockey” and she “loved it.” When asked if it could lead to Decker, who demonstrated the accuracy passing event and was believed something bigger she said “it should,” and hinted at what needs to to have recorded a time better than Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, who won happen for the two leagues to become one. the event and a $25,000 prize. A #PayDecker campaign was ignited online, and eventually hockey equipment company CCM announced it “Every moment like this fundamentally changes the conversation would pay Decker $25,000 for her performance in the drill. surrounding women’s hockey,” Rylan said. “Now it’s up to the stakeholders in the game, and anyone who wants to join us and get The NHL’s inclusion of Coyne Schofield, Decker and Canadian players behind pro women’s hockey with real investment, to figure it out.” Renata Fast and Rebecca Johnston in the All-Star festivities stole the spotlight from the league’s own stars, and put it on the women’s game. NHL needs to invest in a women’s league Even after the skills competition was over, the spotlight remained on the In the aftermath of this weekend, if women’s hockey ultimately gets to women, as adidas announced a partnership with all four players, and the one league, the next step in growing the game would be to combine with NHL announced it would give them each $25,000 to donate to a charity the NHL to create a WNHL, if you will. of their choice. The NHL carries a marketing power and viewership that the CWHL and While the events of the weekend are still making waves, including NWHL combined aren’t anywhere close to. If the skills contest was any women in the All-Star festivities is not entirely new for the NHL. Last year indication of the power of the partnership, women’s hockey could grow the league invited Hilary Knight, and to exponentially if it ends up under the NHL umbrella. demonstrate skills too. Similar to Decker’s demonstration, a fan took “If we could work with (the NHL) in the future to take a further step to video of Knight’s demonstration of the accuracy shooting and clocked her create one league and have the NHL behind our back that would be in at 11.640 seconds, ranking third among players and beating Penguins awesome,” Decker said. star Sidney Crosby. The video got some traction online, but once the weekend was over, nobody really talked about it anymore. Commissioner Gary Bettman has publicly expressed support of one women’s league, so it is no surprise that when players talk about one THE REAL RANKING NHL SKILLS ACCURACY COMPETITION : league, the idea of the NHL being involved quickly follows. 1- BROCK BOESER : 11,136 SEC The NHL commissioner has made it clear he is not interested in 2- BRIAN BOYLE : 11,626 SEC competing with either of the two leagues and that the league would not get involved until there is a single women’s league. But still, Fast is 3- HILARY KNIGHT : 11,640 SEC optimistic the NHL will eventually get involved. 4- SIDNEY CROSBY : 15,851SEC “I think they made it clear with the message that they sent and the attention that they gave us that they want to work with us, and that they GOOD JOB @HILARYKNIGHT 👏🏻👊🏻👊🏻#NHLALLSTAR want to be more inclusive to the women’s game,” she said. “I think it was #WOMENSMOVEMENTNEVERSTOPS @TVASPORTS @RDSCA kind of a statement that they are with us and they want to help out.” @TSN_SPORTS HTTPS://T.CO/CY7KCQ4DLN She said while in San Jose she and the other three players met with the — LORE BAUDRIT (@LOREBAUDRIT) JANUARY 28, 2018 NHLPA and Bettman and had discussions about the future and Bettman’s desire to help grow the game. So, after the tremendous events of this weekend, the question remains: How does women’s hockey keep the momentum going and not let this be “Obviously, things can’t happen overnight, but I think we had positive another quickly-forgotten moment? Here are five strategies to consider. communication while we were there,” Fast said. Create one unified league “To have the support that the NHL gave women’s hockey this past weekend is such a positive statement and I think it just goes to show it’s Once All-Star weekend wrapped up, The Athletic asked almost a dozen bound to happen, that the relationship is bound to flourish with the NHL stakeholders in women’s hockey if the events in San Jose could lead to and that’s going to really bring women’s hockey and the entire game of something bigger for the game. The majority of the answers came back hockey, both men’s and women’s, to new heights.” with a mention of creating one league. Fans need to step up Fast, who plays for the in the CWHL, said what happened over the weekend was “a huge step in the right direction,” but women’s The NHL should be congratulated for showcasing women’s hockey over hockey can’t reach its full potential until there is a single league with all the weekend, but now it’s up to the fans to truly make a difference, said the best players. Brenda Andress former commissioner of the CWHL and the founder of “Women’s hockey is growing fast,” said Bannon. “So if I could give advice SheIs, an organization that seeks to grow women’s sport. to (a company that isn’t sponsoring women’s hockey) I would say to them ‘do it, and do it now.'” “(The NHL) showcased wonderful, talented women and showed everybody out there who says ‘girls aren’t as good as the boys,’ that they Players need to promote themselves are just as good,” she said. Finally, the easiest way for women’s hockey to continue the momentum “And now it’s up to us as individuals to not say somebody else should fix from NHL All-Star weekend is to use social media. It may seem unfair it, but to go and fix it by going and watching Brianna Decker when she is considering the marketing power of the NHL, but the reality of the in Calgary, when she comes to Montreal, when she comes to Toronto. To women’s game is that players need to market themselves. They need to watch Kendall in the NW, to just go to the games!” tweet about their games, post videos of their highlights and sell themselves to fans and doubters alike. Andress said everyone who tweeted #PayDecker should now get off their computers and pay her with their actions. “The power of social media cannot be overstated,” said AJ Mleczko, a two-time Olympic medallist with Team USA turned NBC broadcaster. “If fans really want to make a difference, if they really want to stand up and say those women should be paid, or those women deserve this, then “Without social media, we wouldn’t even have known Brianna’s time. So, go to a game and support them in their own rink,” she said. “Because if when you look at things like Twitter that is something that has really you show up there and the attendance grows, sponsorship grows, helped increase the speed at which these athletes are recognized.” broadcasting grows then the women get paid.” Andress agreed that to keep the momentum going, social media from the Andress said its time to stop asking the NHL and other stakeholders to four players and two leagues needs to be massive. pay tens of thousands of dollars. It’s time for people to step up on their own. “They have to highlight those players; their names are everywhere right now,” she said. “We just had an All-Star Game here in Toronto with the best women across North America, and it wasn’t sold out. It was an opportunity to “Those four players have done more in a short time this calendar year stand up and support women, and they didn’t,” she said. than anybody can pay for. It’s about utilizing what happened, and utilizing what the NHL has done.” “You can’t blame sponsors because they can’t take the jump until fans do.” Decker, who said she saw an uptick of 4,000 Instagram followers this weekend, said players don’t promote themselves on social media Sponsorships with big brands enough. While it is important for fans to step up, there is still a need for sponsors “I don’t think it’s a disappointment though, I just think we get wrapped up to support the game too. Over the weekend, adidas and CCM made in performance stuff and how we are doing and making sure that we are massive moves to support women’s hockey, and it’s sponsors like them winning games,” she said. that will ultimately help grow the game by giving players an extra platform to tell their stories. “It’s not a bad thing that we aren’t as active on social media, but I definitely think we can do a bit more of that.” CWHL commissioner and Hockey Hall of Famer Jayna Hefford said it’s important that brands like adidas and CCM partner with the players to If players can continue the positive conversation around women’s hockey help grow their profile. that was sparked this weekend, realistically, they could be able to carry the momentum from the All-Star Game into the Canada-USA rivalry “It always comes back to the idea of visibility and having people know the series in February, then to respective league’s playoffs, and then players and getting invested in them as stars and stars in our league,” hopefully into the World Championships in April. she said. The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 “This is how we sell the game, is through these great athletes that we have and we need more people (sponsors) to help tell those stories.” Dan Near, the senior director of adidas Hockey, said the company is “thrilled” to be partnering with the four players who participated in the skills competitions. He would not disclose specific details of the partnerships, but said framework is consistent with what their NHL athletes – the likes of Crosby, Connor McDavid and PK Subban – receive. “Female participation and access to sport is important to adidas,” he said. “Hopefully with global brands taking an interest, the scale and frequency of women’s hockey initiatives enhance the everyday conversation and ultimately provide sports fans with more exposure to the sport.” CCM is on the same page as adidas and Hefford. Senior brand marketing manager for the company, Eric Bannon, said CCM is wholly committed to growing the women’s game. “Specifically to the women’s game, we want to help elevate the profile of these athletes,” he said. Bannon said CCM has a women’s task force, comprised of a number of female employees with a passion for the women’s game, who’s job is to identify opportunities where CCM can help elevate the profile of the women’s game. For example, paying Decker, and signing Furies stand- out rookie to their roster of players. OUR ALL-STAR LINEUP JUST GOT A NEW TEAMMATE.⁣ ⁣ EXCITED TO WELCOME @NURSEY16 TO THE CCM HOCKEY FAMILY! SARAH WILL BE TAKING OVER OUR ACCOUNT SUNDAY DURING THE CWHL ALL-STAR GAME! PIC.TWITTER.COM/NAISEZFIED — CCM HOCKEY (@CCMHOCKEY) JANUARY 18, 2019 Andress said sponsors won’t jump until fans do, but brands like CCM and adidas that take the jump to support women’s hockey are going to be a key player in the growth of the game, and continue that momentum. But, there needs to be more than just a handful of them. 1104052 Websites Kekalainen knew since last summer this day would potentially come. The decision from Panarin and agent Dan Milstein to wait until after the season to talk contract with anyone was the final nail in it. The Athletic / LeBrun Notebook: NHL trade landscape after Muzzin deal, And by the way, it also removes any possibility it would seem of Panarin preparing for a Panarin exit and a Matthews extension signing an extension through the trade process. Milstein seems adamant his client isn’t signing with anyone, period, ahead of being UFA. By Pierre LeBrun Jan 30, 2019 So here’s what Kekalainen now faces: getting the best possible haul for Panarin, a deal that will most certainly be based on futures since contenders don’t want to take away from their rosters for this year; then turn around in a separate trade and shore up the Jackets’ roster up front Will the dominoes start to fall now? with another deal. It’s do-able but it means the Jackets will be both a buyer and a seller at the same time over the next four weeks. Or is the Jake Muzzin deal a one-off and we still have to wait closer to Feb. 25 for the other major parts to fly? By the way, is there a rental player that can impact your roster more than Panarin this season? I don’t think so. Matt Duchene (if he doesn’t re-sign There could potentially be one player moved soon enough. My sense is in Ottawa and hits the market) is a centre and he’s a special player. But that the Carolina Hurricanes don’t want to wait until too close to Feb. 25 the offence Panarin can provide on the wing? Wow. Panarin’s presence to move Micheal Ferland. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got dealt on the trade market is a complete game-changer. within the next two weeks, according to sources. The last thing you want if you are Carolina is Ferland getting hurt closer to Feb. 25 and damage Matthews extension his trade value. I mean, that’s the same for any team selling any rental player, but especially true of a bruising, power forward like Ferland. My sense is that progress continues on the Auston Matthews contract front and if all goes well, there could be a deal done within the next That depends of course on whether or not teams step up and meet their month. price. The question is whether it will be a five-year deal or six-year deal as I As discussed before, the ‘Canes want at least a first-round pick as part of think it’s less and less likely going to be the max eight-year deal. a Ferland deal or at least a young player that resembles equal worth to a first-round pick. The lower the term, the lower the AAV which means the Leafs can better manage their salary cap moving forward and maximize their chances to Teams that I believe have shown interest in Ferland include Nashville, win over the next few years. Pittsburgh and Boston among others. I think Calgary internally has discussed the merits of trying to re-acquire him but not sure they’ve The obvious appeal for Matthews would be to get to his third contract reached out yet. quicker and still be at an age where he can cash in. It’s what Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane all did in Leafs fallout signing five-year deals out of entry-level followed by terrific third contracts after that. Makes total sense. The Leafs had their AGMs Brandon Pridham and Laurence Gilman scouting a Carolina game last week and two AHL Charlotte games — for This is pure speculation on my part but I wonder if the number isn’t in and obvious reasons. around $11 million on a five-year deal and in and around $12 million on six years? But in the end I don’t believe Toronto ever stepped up with an offer for any of the Hurricanes’ D up for auction. One thing’s for sure, just like the John Tavares contract, expect massive signing bonus money to be part of the Matthews deal if/when it gets The Muzzin deal started to move fast and the Leafs focused their efforts done. And just figuring out that structure alone will require crafty work by there instead. The strong appeal to the Kings deal is that not only are the both the Leafs front office and agents Judd Moldover/Jeff Jackson. Leafs high on Muzzin but it’s a futures deal only in terms of the price paid whereas there’s no question Carolina would have tried its best to land Duchene situation Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson as part of a deal with Toronto. But again, I don’t get the sense it ever came close in terms of those The focus in both camps is to explore a way to get Matt Duchene re- conversations between Carolina and Toronto. signed in Ottawa but should that not come to pass over the next few weeks, what then? Had the Leafs stepped up their efforts with Carolina, my guess is it would have been on Brett Pesce because his contract is very appealing. Of course the pending UFA centre would get traded under that scenario, but would it be as a pure rental? Or as a signed player? It’s not the end of the world for the ‘Canes, some team is going to want a top-four D one would think between now and Feb. 25 and if not that’s In preparation for covering off all options, I think Duchene’s camp led by fine, too; none of those guys are rentals. They’re all signed. The agent Pat Brisson is examining the merits of whether a sign-and-trade offseason is also a good time to make that move. (eight years) or a trade-and-sign (seven years) would make sense depending on which teams show interest in Duchene. It would allow And while much of the media focus this season has been on Pesce and Duchene essentially to fast forward July 1 to the trade deadline instead. Dougie Hamilton, the fact is more and more teams recently have also been asking about Justin Faulk. There’s also the scenario where Ottawa simply trades him as a rental but with conditions attached so that if Duchene re-signed with his new team What now for the Leafs? In a perfect world, GM Kyle Dubas adds some before July 1, the Senators get an improved asset in return. Think of muscle up front. Head coach Mike Babcock would love that especially if Evander Kane last season being dealt as a rental to San Jose but once Boston awaits again in the first round. But I’m not sure the Leafs can the UFA winger re-signed with the Sharks, that second-round pick really get into a bidding war for Wayne Simmonds. First of all, they just became a first-round pick for Buffalo. traded their first-round pick, which one assumes would be part of the ask from Philadelphia. Secondly, Dubas is on record saying he’s not keen, Again, the priority for the Senators is to re-sign Duchene. So let’s not generally speaking, at the idea of two-month rentals. discount that possibility. But if they can’t get that done, Ottawa’s priority is to get as much as possible for Duchene. And there’s no question But if there’s a way to add muscle up front between now and Feb. 25, Duchene as a signed player is worth a whole lot more than Duchene as a ideally that’s something the Leafs would look at. It would have to be rental. So it would behoove the Senators, one assumes, to examine the dollar in, dollar out given Toronto’s cap situation now. Duchene signing options, which means involving Brisson in the process. Panarin gone? The sign-and-trade, which I’ve speculated about as a concept the last few years and yet still hasn’t happened in this CBA, would mean the max I would say yes. eight years for Duchene as a benefit; it means he signs with Ottawa and This was the comment from Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen to local then gets flipped. Tampa Bay had examined it with Steven Stamkos back media on Tuesday that I feel tipped his hand: “We’ve said all along we’re in late June 2015 had the UFA centre decided to leave but of course he going to make hard decisions if we have to…’’ decided to stay put. It would have at least got the Lightning an asset in return while netting the player the max eight years somewhere else (San Now, one can interpret that two different ways. That keeping the pending Jose was my guess at the time). UFA star as an own rental in order to make a deep playoff run is also a hard decision. But I think what he really meant is that he’s ready to move But, it could also just be Brisson negotiating a seven-year extension with him even though he’s got a good playoff team. the new team as part of the trade instead. That’s the more traditional route. Whatever the case, it should be fascinating. There are some teams, let’s take Winnipeg as a potential example, that would probably prefer Duchene as a rental given their cap issues this summer. Other teams, let’s use Columbus as a potential example, might be quite motivated to get Duchene long-term making the price paid worth it. The Athletic LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104053 Websites 2. I think the full market for Wayne Simmonds will be known once some of the Duchene/Panarin/Stone decisions are revealed. There are teams like Boston who are probably in for him no matter what, but others who Sportsnet.ca / 31 Thoughts: Three key decisions holding up NHL trade will wait to see the entire picture. deadline dominos 3. Carolina is skittish about the minor injury that prematurely ended Micheal Ferland’s West Coast trip. They don’t want that happening again, and are trying to hurry the timetable. The Penguins are among those who Elliotte Friedman January 30, 2019, 12:41 PM continue to pursue. 4. Toronto will continue to survey right-handed defensive options, but are likely looking at a dollar-in, dollar-out scenario. While they do have room • Duchene, Stone, Panarin decisions in spotlight below the ceiling, they want to protect against potential Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews bonus money leaking into next year’s cap figure. (They • Leafs still looking at right-shot D-men need to save approximately $3.75 million.) Muzzin was attractive • NHL All-Star skills comp needs new life because a) he’s having a great season, and b) he didn’t cost anything from the NHL roster. That was not going to be the case for Brett Pesce or There’s always hope one big trade creates aftershocks — that other Alex Pietrangelo. It is believed St. Louis’s ask included William Nylander, teams look at Toronto acquiring Jake Muzzin and say, “Time for the which was rejected. GM Kyle Dubas wants to give this group a run. counter-move!” 5. Los Angeles and Toronto sparred over 2019 first-rounder Rasmus There are some teams who appear ready to manoeuvre. Pittsburgh is Sandin. The Maple Leafs told anyone who asked they did not want to one, with Jim Rutherford creating more cap room by trading Jamie include him, and held firm. They did, however, remain Muzzin’s most Oleksiak back to Dallas for a draft pick. Tampa Bay, looking at right-shot consistent and aggressive pursuer. Montreal and Tampa Bay were in the defenders, could add one at any time if it chooses to do so. picture at times, with the Canadiens trying to get him in the aborted Max Pacioretty deal. I was initially surprised that Timothy Liljegren wasn’t But three key decisions must be made before things really shake loose. included. But, after looking deeper, teams are down on him right now. Two are in Ottawa. The other is in Columbus, where Artemi Panarin is He’s not yet 20 — way too soon to give up — but several scouts were not thrust into the spotlight. surprised the Kings chose OHL Guelph’s Sean Durzi over Liljegren. While we await the choices from Matt Duchene and Mark Stone, we A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts know through agent Dan Milstein that Panarin is only willing to discuss Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday. his Ohio future after the season. 6. During All-Star Weekend, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the It’s like repeatedly asking someone on a date. If they keep saying no, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Jason Mackey the Penguins are on a list of they’re not interested. (This, of course, has never happened to me.) clubs being considered to play overseas. My Spidey Sense screams Panarin’s been up front for months. It doesn’t matter if he won’t say it Russia. Just don’t know how possible that is. himself, leaving his agent’s statement as the current word on the matter. You can hope someone will change their mind, but the odds are against 7. Andrej Sekera is getting close to a conditioning stint. Edmonton is you. going to have to clear some cap room. You can sense the frustration in Columbus. It grew Tuesday night after 8. Meanwhile, CEO Bob Nicholson is making it very clear he will take his the Blue Jackets came back from 3–1 and 4–2 deficits, only to lose 5–4 time on a GM search. Four years ago, he hired Peter Chiarelli nine days at home to Buffalo. It’s understandable to be emotional, but letting those after Chiarelli’d been fired in Boston. At the time, it was a sensible play, feelings influence any decision is the worst thing the organization can do but what eventually occurred changes things in 2019. Plus, it is unlikely at this time. The worst. Vegas would give assistant GM Kelly McCrimmon permission to leave at this point of the season, and he’s high on the list of candidates to be Other contenders are in vulture mode, hoping to take advantage of a interviewed. franchise that can’t think straight. How much would they love to strengthen themselves and weaken Columbus — a good team — 9. What a time to be a solid backup goalie with an excellent, team-first through trade? attitude. Pittsburgh’s Casey DeSmith and Minnesota’s Alex Stalock got three-year extensions so their current clubs would be protected for the I don’t know if GM Jarmo Kekalainen is a Scotch drinker, but if I were Seattle expansion draft. DeSmith had an interesting decision to make him, I’d pour myself a glass, put my feet up on the desk and tell because he was unrestricted and there would have been interest. (A everyone, “48-hour timeout. We’re not considering anything for two couple of analytically inclined teams indicated his underlying numbers days.” That buys you clarity. Who knows, it might also make someone are good.) But Pittsburgh is a great place to play and you don’t fool present a ridiculous offer. around with happy. From the moment Sergei Bobrovsky and Panarin declined to commit to 10. Hallelujah at the AHL’s decision to make available ice-time data for Columbus beyond June, my position was the Blue Jackets should go for its players. One consideration for Seattle’s affiliate? Palm Springs, Calif. it. Their playoff history is limited and the post-season is unpredictable, There is no building now, so it will take some work. But it fits the AHL but when were the Blue Jackets ever going to look better? Sometimes, geographically. you just have to push all your chips into the middle and say, “If I lose, I’m losing to a great hand.” 11. I’m usually all over the NCAA free agents, but there are three 23- year-olds from Canadian universities to watch this winter. Primary among I concede that Bobrovsky’s mystifying season makes it a bigger gamble. I them is Luke Philp, a 23-year-old centre for the Alberta Golden Bears. don’t know what Kekalainen truly thinks of his team. And I don’t know Philp played five WHL seasons for Kootenay and Red Deer. Both what offers are out there. Maybe there’s something bigger than your Calgary and Edmonton have taken a look. Only negative: He attends Bob average rental move. Stauffer’s favourite school. But one thing I would not do is trade Panarin because “conventional Two others who might get an AHL shot are Jason Fram and Mark wisdom” says you can’t lose someone for nothing. Conventional wisdom Simpson. Fram, a defenceman who plays with Philp, has brief minor-pro is generally terrible. And Kekalainen’s history is not that. He held Matt experience — eight games with AHL San Jose and ECHL Allen. He Calvert and Jack Johnson last season — in the latter’s case because he played five years with WHL Spokane. Simpson, a centre, is in his second wanted a first-round pick in return. season at the University of New Brunswick. He spent four years in the Plus, the Blue Jackets will gain something: serious cap flexibility. It is one QMJHL with Moncton and Acadie-Bathurst. of the most important commodities in hockey. Stream over 500 NHL games blackout-free, including the Flames, Oilers, If the GM believes the Blue Jackets cannot make an earnest run for the Leafs and Canucks. Plus Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Stanley Cup, then wave the white flag and cut your best deal. But if he Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey and more. thinks they can, why not go for it? 12. Funniest All-Star moment: Steven Stamkos and John Tavares walked I’d rather know how the movie ends than wonder if I gave up on the best into Sportsnet’s interview room as Brent Burns/ finished. ending since The Sopranos. Stamkos was the only one wearing short sleeves (golf shirt), and Burns immediately yelled, “Look at those pipes!” Burns got on Stamkos for 31 THOUGHTS showing them off, then decided he’d wear short sleeves if his arms were that big, too. 1. One out-of-the box team that could try to snare both Bobrovsky and Panarin this summer: Florida. 13. Second-funniest: Connor McDavid revealing he had to go back to the 21. Brown, asked if there is a player who thinks he’s good at video stylist for a second haircut last week because he wasn’t happy with the games but really isn’t, thought for a bit and said Carolina’s Justin Faulk. first one. “I know he can handle me saying that,” Brown laughed. “It was cut to a really awkward length,” he laughed. Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and 14. I like McDavid’s approach. Leadership by example. Show up with fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the your best every day. Do your job. He made it very clear last week that if country’s most beloved game. you’re not willing to be part of the solution in Edmonton, you should leave. But that kind of commentary will be rare for him. 22. Watching the Islanders, I remember one of Lou Lamoriello’s tenets: “You only add at the deadline when you think you can win,” he said when “I’ve never tried to fake being this big personality. I’ve never tried to be he added Marek Zidlicky for the Devils in 2012. New Jersey went to the the leader that is the loudmouth, the guy that’s calling everyone out…. Cup Final. Now the question is: How good does he think the Islanders I’ve always said, ‘I’m the guy that tries to lead by example, doing things are? right each and every day and being a true pro.’” 23. Bill Peters, who is as intense as it gets, looked as relaxed as I’ve ever 15. When you are interviewing Brent Burns, make sure you know how seen him at All-Star. You could see the appreciation from Johnny many games the Sharks have played. I said they were coming up on 50, Gaudreau that his coach asked the league for permission to put father, and he replied, “Fifty? No, we are at 52.” When I tried to re-start, Burns Guy, on the Pacific bench for the competition. NHL clubs looking for a interjected, “No, we’ve got to keep that (bleep) in there. Let it roll.” He head coach should check out the record of teams Flames assistant Geoff won that argument, too. Ward has worked with. 16. Burns and Karlsson were very good about learning to play together. 24. Tip that checked out: Arizona’s took a lot from reading Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality book. The Coyotes forward said two “I think we just overthought it a little bit in the beginning,” Karlsson said. particular stories stood out. The first involved a player newly traded to “We were both passing to each other, trying to do that a lot,” Burns Los Angeles. When he got to the hotel at 3:00 a.m., Bryant was waiting added, to which Karlsson replied, “Yeah, I’m not going to pass to you for him. The second was Bryant going to a high school gym “for 24 hours, anymore. It’s over.” or something crazy like that,” after missing a chance to win a game. He continued: “I think we’re both perfectionists in a way, which I like “He worked on that same exact shot over and over again,” Keller said. about Burnsie. We want everything to be as good as it possibly can be. “That mindset you can translate to anything in life.” Even though it is already good, it can always be better. That is one of the 25. One of the players NHL execs watched at the CJHL All-Star game: qualities in him that I appreciate a lot. Not everybody is like that.” Harrison Blaisdell from the BCHL Chilliwack Chiefs. His father, Mike, You can see his comfort level growing. Serious extension conversations played 341 NHL games for Detroit, the Rangers, Pittsburgh and Toronto are about to get under way. before embarking on a lengthy European tour. Mike continued to coach the Sheffield Steelers in Britain after Harrison was born in 2001. 17. Asked if they were surprised to discover anything they had in common, they settled on red wine. Never a bad choice. 26. Vancouver fans cannot get enough Elias Pettersson footage. His highlights are consumed more than the rest of his teammates’ combined. 18. Hours before the All-Star Game itself, I went to Palo Alto (about 30 Even his media scrums outdraw other Canucks’ great plays. What an minutes from San Jose) to visit the home of Scott McNealy, a member of impact. the Sharks’ advisory board. McNealy moved into his guest home for the weekend, allowing the NHL to take over the main property. The result 27. Henrik Lundqvist’s Godfather jacket lining was a huge hit in San was “The House of Chel” — the league’s first-ever gaming-house Jose: activation. But Rick Tocchet’s from the day he recorded the 31 Thoughts podcast “‘Chel’ is short for NHL,” NHL director of communications Julie Young was pretty good, too: explained. “That’s what the gamers call the league.” 28. I’m not one to complain about All-Star Games, but, aside from Apparently, they refer to the Stanley Cup as the “Chel Cup.” This is Kendall Coyne-Schofield and Brianna Decker, the skills competition was totally foreign to me, but I’m very curious about it. flat. Kevin Bieksa had a good suggestion for the passing accuracy competition that has now tortured Drew Doughty and Erik Karlsson: Give 19. Registration begins soon for this year’s NHL Gaming World them a set number of pucks, and if they can’t hit those small nets in the Championship, following last year’s debut. There will be three regionals: neutral zone, add a timed penalty instead of having the misses go on at Sportsnet’s studios, at NBC’s studios and in Sweden. In 2018, forever. Sportsnet taped the final. This year will be live. With the possibility that next year is the last conventional All-Star Game 19. McNealy has an ice rink on the property, and the players used it to until 2023, I’d love to see them continue to add more motivated film special content for the event and their YouTube channel. (They also competitors. You have to think female players will be official entrants in used a T-shirt gun to play cornhole from the roof of the house to a target 2020. I’d like to see alumni such as (hardest shot) and Adam on the lawn.) Oates (passing). Since St. Louis is the host, Al MacInnis is a must if he feels up to it. What has been discussed — but not yet accepted — is At the far left of the above picture is Minnesota’s JT Brown, an avid active specialists. Bring out the fastest skaters, even if not All-Stars. Give gamer who was invited to participate. Zdeno Chara and Shea Weber one last rodeo. This event needs new life. “[The NHL] is really trying with this,” he said. “A lot of people on my 29. As part of the international calendar being discussed in CBA stream became fans by building relationships with myself or other negotiations, the NHLPA has suggested a World Cup instead of All-Star players. You bring together a bunch of different people with different in 2021. The NHL isn’t thrilled with the idea. But both sides have backgrounds. I met a guy at a signing in Tampa Bay. He introduced considered a Ryder Cup format in the past — North America vs. the himself with his real name, then told me his screen name. I told him, ‘You World. London was one suggested city. I could see the potential for should have just led with that. I know you. You’re in my chat every single something like that. day.’” 30. Being on Twitter means laughing off the craziness. But I wanted to Brown smiled and added fans tweet photos of him in the penalty box address the aftermath of the Brianna Decker situation, because it led to during online play to his Twitter account. the most unhinged responses I’ve ever received. Checking her time with the NHL was not an attempt to discredit her performance. Like the other 20. McNealy’s rink has a Zamboni with a fin on it, an homage to his reporters who saw the #paydecker hashtag, I asked because, if she won, favourite team: she should be paid. And, the NHL agreed. There was so much good that When I was there, the gamer known as GlitterXplosion had lost a came from Coyne-Schofield, it made zero sense to insult Decker. They challenge, so she was forced to dress in goalie gear for the first time ever went back to the video and timed her at 1:12. Independently, the and try to make saves. Having a female player was very important to the producers in our truck looked at our video, and timed her at 1:13. It is league. nothing but an outstanding performance. “This is something we have to embrace,” said Chris Golier, the NHL’s 31. As Ron MacLean mentioned last Saturday, the All-Star Game Vice President of Mobile Marketing & Strategy. “It is about understanding coincided with Wayne Gretzky’s 58th birthday. Remember when he the rules and the game through your thumbs. We want to create a scored 50 goals in 39 games in the 1981–82 season? Check how many connection for a new generation of fans. You can be the player and see of those nights he actually went goalless. The answer is 11. He had 31 the player.” goals in 26 games heading into December 1981, then got nothing the first four matches of that month. He was up to 35 goals in 34 games after getting one at Calgary on the 17th. To smash the 50-in-50 mark, he scored 15 times over 11 days, culminating with four against Los Angeles and five versus Philadelphia to finish the job. Those 50 goals were actually scored in 28 games. Unreal. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104054 Websites Toronto’s acquisition of Muzzin should inspire Boston to stock up on artillery heading into the playoffs. In need of secondary scoring to complement the best line in the East, the Bruins could dangle a prized Sportsnet.ca / NHL Power Rankings: Your Team's Best Deadline Trade prospect like Urho Vaakanainen, Peter Cehlarik or Trent Frederic if they Chip Edition opt to sacrifice the future for the present. 9. Vegas Golden Knights Luke Fox | January 30, 2019, 11:32 AM When Vegas is healthy, it looks as deep and inspired as any team. GM George McPhee has three picks in the third and fifth rounds of the 2019 draft he could use to tinker with the fringes of his lineup (another established goalie, perhaps?), but we believe he’s content with his core. Kyle Dubas and Rob Blake cracked the seal. 10. Columbus Blue Jackets With Monday’s Jake Muzzin deal going down four weeks ahead of the National Hockey League’s trade deadline, the market price between To trade or not to trade? Jarmo Kekalainen finds himself facing a double- buyers and sellers has been set, and our endless appetite for player headed conundrum with stars Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin, movement has been whetted. when it appears clear neither will remain in Columbus beyond June. We thinks he holds his cards, but the blockbuster potential here is high. In our annual NHL Power Rankings: Your Team’s Best Deadline Trade Chip Edition, we single out a player, prospect or pick from each Statement about Artemi Panarin’s future “We have informed the team organization who could realistically be dangled to advance their cause — that we are willing to discuss Artemi’s future after the season. Our priority be that “Plan the parade!” or “Lose for Hughes!” now is to focus on the rest of the season, trying to win a Stanley Cup for the CBJ & their fans”. No additional comments will be made.. As always, the clubs are ranked according to their current strength, but the write-ups focus on a valuable but realistic card each GM could play — Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) January 28, 2019 between now and Feb. 25. 11. Montreal Canadiens With 6 grams of delicious, crunchy, energy-giving protein, there’s nothing you and almonds can’t do. Visit Almonds.com for more ways to slay your Prudence has won the day in Montreal, with GM Marc Bergevin publicly day. stating that he’s not spending a first on a rental. More likely: He uses one or more of his extra 2019 second-, fourth- and fifth-round picks to reward 1. Tampa Bay Lightning a room that has exceeded expectations. We’re betting the league leaders sit pat this year (as a result of the Ryan 12. Washington Capitals McDonagh deal, the Rangers get the Bolts’ 2019 first-rounder if they win the Cup), but if Julien BriseBois wants to dig deep, there would be no The defending champs have hit a swoon, but the Metro is jump ball. They shortage of interest in prospect Cal Foote. are considering dealing the inconsistent Andre Burakovsky, but there’s a chance the skilled 23-year-old’s best days may still lie ahead. ALSO: Will 2. Calgary Flames they spend a first-rounder in their effort to go back-to-back? Hardworking Brad Treliving’s big moves occurred over the summer, but 13. Minnesota Wild he will be in the market for another goaltender and a depth defenceman. Having already spent his 2019 second-rounder, we’d be shocked if he I’m very curious to see what happens with Eric Staal, just months away used his first as well. Mikael Frolik appears not entirely satisfied, but the from hitting UFA. The veteran centre is precisely the type of player who aggressive play would be to dip into the prospect pool. Emilio Pettersen could push a true contender over the edge, and Minnesota is, as always, is all the rage. on the bubble. Will the Wild rent him for futures? 3. Winnipeg Jets 14. Pittsburgh Penguins Due to an unavoidable cap crunch coming this summer — Patrik Laine, Jim Rutherford’s curious dealing of Jamie Oleksiak back to Dallas has us Kyle Connor, Jack Roslovic, Tyler Myers, Jacob Trouba, Andrew Copp, wondering if he’s clearing cap room for something bigger. Middle-six Laurent Brossoit, Brandon Tanev and Brendan Lemieux will all want centre Derick Brassard is in play, and with Justin Schultz nearing a raises — the Jets’ window may be tighter than you think. Now is go-for-it return, don’t count out the slumping Pens. time. Dip into the prospect pool or spend what should be a late first-round 15. Carolina Hurricanes pick to get your Paul Stastny 2.0. Anyone not named Sebastian Aho or Teuvo Teravainen should be fair 4. New York Islanders game, and under its new ownership, Carolina is no longer shy about Are the surging Islanders buyers now? Well, they’ve already spent their shaking things up and hunting for scoring. Despite another round of trade 2019 third- and fourth-round picks, so it would be surprising to see them rumours for Dougie Hamilton, we see Micheal Ferlund as the Hurricanes’ spend a first or second as well. But Brock Nelson (UFA) may be in play most valuable chip right now. The left wing carries a cap hit ($1.75 considering Anders Lee, Jordan Eberle and Valtteri Filppula will also be million) that can slide under anyone’s cap, he’s producing points at a hunting for new contracts on July 1. career-best rate, and brings an element of nasty everyone covets in the second season. 5. San Jose Sharks 16. Buffalo Sabres San Jose would like to add a proven centre (Doug Wilson swung hard but missed on John Tavares, as you’ll recall) or a scoring wing, but with GM has already shown an appetite for player movement no first-round pick to spend, the club will have to get creative to add early in his Sabres tenure. How tempted will he be to pull the trigger and anything significant. Young forwards Kevin Labanc (RFA) and Dylan improve for the now, trying to rally a bubble team into the dance and Gambrell would fetch interest. snuff out the NHL’s second-longest playoff drought? With three first- round picks at their disposal, Botterill has options. 6. Nashville Predators 17. Dallas Stars David Poile was already poking around to boost his power play with net- front presence, and now that Austin Watson is suspended indefinitely, Jim Nill already tried to improve the dressing room culture by bringing in the pressure to add a forward has ramped up. With Nashville all-in, you Andrew Cogliano and re-acquired defenceman Jamie Oleksiak from have to believe Poile’s first-rounder is in play. Pittsburgh as Marc Methot’s season ended due to surgery, but there is a sense the GM’s job could be on the line if the Stars fail to make the 7. Toronto Maple Leafs playoffs. He may not be done. Winning now could mean digging into the prospect pool or spending a first-round pick if they want to make a Kyle Dubas is going for it, and we’re not convinced he’s done. There is splash. no longer a first-rounder to spend, but if he wants to add one more defenceman or a gritty forward (Wayne Simmonds, Micheal Ferland), he 18. Colorado Avalanche could pull from the roster. Rival GMs have reportedly been told no go on Kasperi Kapanen, but what about RFA Andreas Johnsson? The big play, We’re not certain Semyon Varlamov would command much interest, however, would be to sell defence prospect Timothy Liljegren and bank especially if Sergei Bobrovsky does end up on the market, but we do on Rasmus Sandin. think it’s time for the Avalanche to move on from the inconsistent goaltender. If someone wants him, deal him. Best bet: the Avs horde all 8. Boston Bruins those No. 1 picks and resist getting into bidding wars. 19. Vancouver Canucks The Muzzin trade signals that Rob Blake is ready to rebuild. Can he flip Carl Hagelin? Probably, but not for much. Jeff Carter loves L.A., but the With buzz of an Alex Edler extension ramping up, Chris Tanev versatile power forward has no trade protection on a deal that lasts until represents Jim Benning’s best bet to secure another first-rounder ahead 2022. Carter’s trade value leaps because his actual salary dives to $3 of the draft the Canucks are hosting in June. A heck of a trade chip million next season and just $2 million after that. considering he has a year beyond this one on his deal. Jake Virtanen and Nikolay Goldobin could be in play but wouldn’t fetch as much. 31. Ottawa Senators 20. Arizona Coyotes Diamond-in-the-rough Mark Stone would fetch the most in return, but considering Ottawa has a better chance of re-signing him than Matt Low on desirable assets aside from the building blocks they need to keep Duchene, the Sens’ No. 1 centre could become an fantastic No. 2 or No. (Clayton Keller, Jakob Chychrun), we wonder if the Coyotes’ recent 3 pivot on a legit Cup threat (Winnipeg, Nashville, Boston, Columbus, flirtation with a wild-card spot and the buyers’ market might encourage Pittsburgh). Are the Islanders buying? If so, that’s another intriguing John Chayka to use this month as an opportunity to add, especially if destination. he’s willing to lottery-protect his first-round pick. (The ‘Yotes also have an extra third-rounder in 2019.) The smarter play would be to sell. True Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.31.2019 contenders would be interested in D-man Jordan Oesterle. 21. New York Rangers The Rangers have a collection of forwards that could garner interest, Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarrello (foot infection) among them. But Kevin Hayes is a two-way centreman enjoying a fantastic season. His stock has never been higher, and it will go up even more if Ottawa can keep Matt Duchene. 22. St. Louis Blues St. Louis hasn’t tumbled so far out of the picture to make the call just yet, but Doug Armstrong has options if he determines a reset is in order. Patrick Maroon and Jay Bouwmeester sould be flipped for futures, but a Colton Parayko, Alex Pietrangleo or Vladimir Tarasenko trade would register as a blockbuster and send ripples through the Blues’ room. 23. Florida Panthers We envision the under-performing Panthers sitting out deadline season and taking a harder look at moves in the summer — they’re not a player away from contending in a top-heavy division. That said, right-shot, stay- at-home defenceman Mark Pysyk might be of interest for those in need of depth. 24. Edmonton Oilers Part of the foul taste in Edmonton’s water can be attributed to the lack of trade chips and prospects with value. If, as they say, the No. 1 pick is off limits, would Keith Gretzky & Co. bite on a juicy offer for the impatiently developed Jesse Puljujarvi? 25. Philadelphia Flyers Renting out Wayne Simmonds — a playoff impact player destined to stir a bidding war — feels like a no-brainer for new GM Chuck Fletcher, who should be willing to at least listen on anybody not named Carter Hart. Defencemen with term like Radko Gudas and Shayne Gostisbehere make compelling targets, although we think Fletcher would be wise holding off on moving the Ghost Bear and hope his stock goes up. 26. Anaheim Ducks Always in the mix for straight-up hockey trades, as much as he may be loathe to give away offence, Bob Murray should sell off Jakob Silfverberg if the winger won’t agree to a middle-class extension in the coming days. 27. New Jersey Devils If there’s any interest in Marcus Johansson, move him. But there should be significant interest in Brian Boyle among contenders. The veteran bottom-six centre has been through this before, and he brings all those little things — penalty killing, face-off prowess, experience, character, secondary scoring, modest cap hit — that playoff-bound GMs can’t get enough of. 28. Detroit Red Wings Lots of veteran rental options in Motown — all-star goalie Jimmy Howard, Niklas Kronwall, Nick Jensen, gun-for-hire Thomas Vanek — but the most valuable among them is Gustav Nyquist. The 29-year-old forward is having his most productive campaign in five years and provides a scoring punch to your top nine as well as your power play. 29. Chicago Blackhawks Pending UFAs Chris Kunitz (who holds the old man no-move clause) and Marcus Kruger should be available as depth options, but imagine what Duncan Keith might fetch. Stan Bowman has resisted breaking up his triple-championship core, but Keith still has some tread on the tires at 35, and his cap hit ($5.5 million) is low enough that he’d have a market. Chicago needs more than a couple small tweaks. 30. Los Angeles Kings 1104055 Websites formula to spark the young Finn’s goal scoring. If Laine’s going to find his way out of this slump, he’s going to have to do it himself.

2015 Draft Bumper Crop Sportsnet.ca / Winnipeg Jets notebook: How will Patrik Laine break out of his slump? The Boston Bruins got a very good look at what they passed over in the 2015 Draft on Tuesday as Connor not only scored those two third period goals, but the shootout winner as well. If you’ll recall, Boston had three Sean Reynolds January 30, 2019, 10:55 AM first-round picks in a row in 2015 and used them to select Jakub Zboril (13th), Jake DeBrusk (14th) and Zachary Senyshyn (15th).

DeBrusk is already a major contributor in the Bruins line up, as is 2015 With a strong third period that erased a somewhat sluggish first two second-round pick Brandon Carlo whose next game will be his 200th in periods, the Winnipeg Jets were able to avoid their first three-game the NHL. losing streak of the season on Tuesday with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Boston Bruins. But it’s clear the Jets are ahead of the Bruins when it comes to early results. Winnipeg had four players they selected in 2015 in their lineup on Had the Jets not mounted the comeback the storyline would have gone Tuesday: Connor, Mason Appleton, Sami Niku and Jack Roslovic. The like this: Winnipeg slipped into vacation mode early, losing against the Jets may have hit pay dirt in 2016 when lottery luck put them in a position Dallas Stars before the all-star break, and returned a little sleepy. It to draft Laine, but their homework in 2015 earned them the kind of young would have been a convenient narrative, but it ignores the reality that depth that not only helps on the ice, but allows for salary flexibility as Winnipeg has been doing this all season. their next wave of stars sign big contracts. Rope-a-dope Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.31.2019 Although the Jets are in the upper echelon of teams when it comes to shots on net, they sit near the bottom of the league (26th) in shots allowed per game. The five teams below them — Ottawa, Chicago, Detroit, Anaheim and the NY Rangers — all sit below the playoff line. Most of those teams sit near the bottom of the league in goals against per game as well. That’s where the Jets differ. Winnipeg is actually one of the stingiest teams in the league, with the sixth-best goals-against per game rate (2.78). It shows in their results. So far the Jets have allowed 40 shots or more eight times and have an 8-0-0 record in those games. That tells you a few things about this team: 1. The Jets have great goalies. Connor Hellebuyck has rounded back into the form that saw him challenge for the Vezina Trophy last season and Laurent Brossoit has pushed him at every turn with a 10-1-1 record in the 12 games he’s started. 2. While the Jets do allow a lot of shots, their coaches are usually OK with the lack of quality in those opportunities. Registering a shot against the Jets is one thing, but getting inside for higher quality chances is another. That’s the benefit of a tough, throwback defence core that makes you earn every inch gained in front of Hellebuyck and Brossoit. 3. There’s no NHL team better at the rope-a-dope. Like a boxer biding his time, the Jets don’t panic in the defensive zone and instead wait for their chance to pounce. Nothing is more frustrating than spending long stretches of a game carrying the play only to have your opponent strike quickly when they do get the puck. Boston got a taste of that Tuesday night as Kyle Connor scored two quick goals that turned a 2-1 third period lead for Boston into a 3-2 deficit in a 34-second span. That’s not to say the strategy hasn’t cost the Jets. Their recent game against the Dallas Stars was a lacking performance in the first two periods before a furious comeback fell short in the third. More often than not the Jets are able to erase sleepy performances with timely scoring in short, frenetic stretches of play. To go back to boxing references, you don’t need many openings when you have knock out power. Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the country’s most beloved game. Laine’s struggles Patrik Laine’s struggles continued in Boston as he played a season-low 10:55 and spent the vast majority of the second period stapled to the Jets’ bench. Outside his near-historic 18-goal November, Laine has struggled coming off a 44-goal performance in 2017-18. Were Laine playing for another team in the NHL, there’s no doubt the urgency to get him going would be a lot stronger. For the most part, head coach Paul Maurice’s attempts at kick starting Laine have been restricted to limiting ice time and moving him down the line up. So how about moving him up the lineup? So far, Laine’s yet to spend any significant time alongside Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler outside of the power play. And that makes sense. You don’t mess with a good thing and the Jets’ top line (with Connor) has consistently performed as one of the best in the NHL. Here’s the thing. The Jets have been able to thrive without Laine’s top- end production this season and they’re not going to mess with a winning 1104056 Websites Gretzky has to be careful here. Nurse is a key part of the core in Edmonton, and by that I mean a guy who has grown up in the game with his old World Junior teammate McDavid. He’ll wear a letter here one day, Sportsnet.ca / Oilers shouldn't be afraid to shop first-round pick for long- he’s really tight with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and if management term help keeps dealing away guys who actually like it in Edmonton — like Taylor Hall and Ryan Strome — eventually the wrong guys might decide they want to leave too. I keep Nurse. Mark Spector | January 30, 2019, 11:53 AM So, this is the conundrum for the Oilers: There aren’t enough good players on this roster — that’s why they’re having trouble making the playoffs. But dealing the few good ones you EDMONTON — When Bob Nicholson stepped behind the podium and have, like a Nurse or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, just robs Peter to pay Paul. declared, “we believe in the organization, we believe in the dressing room, that we can (make the playoffs),” what did it really mean? So the only way to get better is to deal picks or prospects. But now the cap becomes a problem. Of course, the players in the dressing room think they have what it takes to make the post-season. Honestly, 99.9 per cent of NHL players will say Players coming in will affect the cap more than the picks and prospects that until their team is mathematically eliminated. And in Edmonton, going the other way, so in order to afford them you have toss in a bad captain Connor McDavid said this only a few days before: contract (Ryan Spooner, Brandon Manning, Zack Kassian) and then include more picks and prospects to even out the deal. “If you don’t believe in this group, and you’re in the locker room? Then you need to leave.” Even if you can pull that off and make the playoffs, you’ll face a Divisional winner and likely get blasted out in five or six games. And you just lost a When McDavid speaks, Oilers listen. prospect and a couple of picks for those two, or three playoff dates. The owner? We don’t confer with Daryl Katz often, but if the question is, So we would conclude that the Oilers put their No. 1 pick in play just in “Does an NHL owner prefer to have a few playoff dates in a sold out case they can strike gold and find the right, top-pairing defenseman, arena where he doesn’t have to pay any players and can charge even while actively trying to dump salary so the new GM — whoever he may more for tickets?” be — can be in a better position to make deals leading up to the draft. The answer is “of course.” Play the long game. How Edmonton handles the trade deadline — more specifically what Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.31.2019 assets they are willing to part with — will reveal just how important 2019 playoff dates are. When the Oilers return from their break with day games at Philadelphia Saturday and Montreal on Sunday, they’ll find that the level of competition rises as the final run to the playoffs begin. So, a club that could barely keep its head above water before the break needs improvement if it harbours any realistic playoff goals. With assistant general manager Keith Gretzky working the phones, let’s talk about how he’s going to make this team better. Especially considering the Oilers are absolutely capped out, thanks to the fired Peter Chiarelli, and may soon need to have space for the return of Andrej Sekera — even if he’ll likely spend the rest of his season in the AHL — assuming he can return to action at all. Oh, and don’t forget Nicholson’s promise: “We’re not trading away our first (round) pick.” Sportsnet NOW gives you access to over 500 NHL games this season, blackout-free, including Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Hockey, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the entire 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and more. So, if you were the Oilers, would you trade… Evan Bouchard? Not a chance. The Oilers do not currently have a legit, no-doubt top pairing defenseman in their organization. Oscar Klefbom is the only reasonable facsimile. Bouchard could be one in a few seasons, assuming the next GM does a better job in development than the last one did. He must be retained. Kailer Yamamoto and/or Jesse Puljujarvi? Sure, if you can bring a player back with some term who can help today. Back to development, these two players should be almost ready to leave the AHL after having spent the entire season there and tearing up the minors. Instead, both have yo-yo’ed up and down from the NHL, where neither have proven to belong. Now, we’re not sure how great a prospect either one is. A 2019 first-round pick? We’re pretty sure this deal doesn’t exist, but if the Oilers could find a legit top pairing defenceman, someone who can really pass the puck at an elite level — and someone with a couple years left on his deal — then, yes, deal the pick. McDavid and his mates are being held back by the lack of skill on the Oilers’ blue-line. I wouldn’t trade a first-round pick for a forward, but for the right defenseman — in a package including more from Edmonton? For sure. And, yes, and we realize how valuable a first-round pick is these days. ? 1104057 Websites For the most part, the buyers are happy to get down to business early, too.

Only those who need to save every last day of cap space are likely in Sportsnet.ca / Leafs' Muzzin trade hints at what's to come in buyer's favour of taking things down to the wire. The Leafs, for example, will get market Muzzin for the last 33 regular-season games this season rather than just 20 had they waited until Feb. 25. Chris Johnston | @reporterchris January 29, 2019 “When we’re talking about trades of this nature I think the longer that you can have the player for, the better,” Toronto GM Kyle Dubas told reporters. “And I think especially coming back from the [all-star and bye week] break it makes it a little bit easier than if we were just immersed There had been rumours and speculation bubbling around the Los into a full schedule. Angeles Kings since the opening weeks of the season. There was certainly enough in the air for Jake Muzzin to know he was a prime “It gives Jake a couple days with his family to kind of get a little bit candidate to be moved before the Feb. 25 trade deadline. organized. This is kind of a life-changing thing, of course.” But Monday’s news still came as a major shock to the system. Dubas went on to call it “serendipitous” that everything fell in place right now. Given the certainty it guarantees both buyer and seller, and the Four weeks out from the deadline, and in the middle of the Kings’ CBA- extra time it provides the player to get used to his new surroundings, we mandated bye period, Muzzin was blindsided by the deal that sent him to may be seeing more serendipity soon. the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.31.2019 It was a shrewd bit of business on both sides that may offer a hint of what’s to come in a distinct buyer’s market. Typically, we’d expect a team with an asset as appealing as Muzzin to hold on as long as possible, hoping to conduct an 11th Hour auction with competing bids. Kings GM Rob Blake instead chose to set a price and pull the trigger once it was met, understanding that there’s no guarantee the return would improve at a time when so many other appealing names are floating around the market. “I think once we understood the parameters of the deal, at least from our side we were comfortable doing it here today,” Blake told reporters on Monday night. Now, he had a little extra impetus to act boldly. The Kings are unexpectedly hovering in “Lose for Hughes” territory, and prepared to endure the emotional exercise of shedding the final vestiges of their Stanley Cup teams. Blake has other business to conduct before this year’s deadline — with , and Jeff Carter among his pieces still potentially in play — and couldn’t count on leaving everything to the final hour. Hence the appeal of trading Muzzin for Toronto’s 2019 first-round draft pick, plus prospects Carl Grundstrom and Sean Durzi, right now. That’s a fair haul for a retooling organization. What Blake’s colleagues with assets to sell have to be asking themselves today is whether they would be wise to adopt a similar position. No one has a crystal ball that can say exactly how the market will play out, but there are only so many teams that can be labelled buyers this season, and of those teams there are even less that own a first-round pick in 2019 and might be willing to part with one. First-rounders tend to be standard fare in deals that include a big fish, and we can now strike Toronto off the list of teams with one to dangle. The one thing that’s become apparent in conversations with NHL executives in recent weeks is that many are bracing for a busy trade period. By sheer name value alone there’s a lot of possibility, with Wayne Simmonds, Artemi Panarin, Derick Brassard, Matt Duchene, Kevin Hayes, Sergei Bobrovsky, Mats Zuccarello, Jakob Silfverberg, Micheal Ferland and possibly Mark Stone among those available on the rental market, plus Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Colton Parayko and a long list of other attractive players with term still on their deals. Viewed from 10,000 feet, it looks like supply will wind up outstripping demand. As attitudes towards asset management evolve and with the perceived value of late-season trades coming under more scrutiny, there are fewer teams than ever sitting on the fence and making these decisions based on what happens on the ice in the two weeks before the deadline. We’ve already heard Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin, for example, rule himself out of the rental market altogether — something that never would have happened five years ago from someone in charge of a team likely to remain on the playoff bubble into early April. The prevailing winds would seem to incentivize making deals well before the 3 p.m. ET deadline on Feb. 25, lest you risk seeing the market disappear and get left holding an asset you’d rather have turned into futures. (Side note: I’m acutely aware that continued activity in the weeks ahead will make for an uncomfortable 10 hours of live TV on Sportsnet’s Trade Deadline show). 1104058 Websites It was announced pretty much immediately that Muzzin would be playing with Morgan Rielly on the top pairing. That makes sense, if only to give some relief to Rielly, who has been struggling defensively in tough Sportsnet.ca / A deep-dive look at how Jake Muzzin fits in with the Maple minutes with Ron Hainsey. Leafs Ideally the left-handed Muzzin would be on his natural side, but he’s played most of this season with Alec Martinez, who is also a leftie, so it’s reasonable to think Muzzin can work effectively with Rielly. Andrew Berkshire January 29, 2019 There’s nothing in the data that tells me he’s more suited to play with either Rielly or Gardiner, but when he’s not paired with Doughty, Muzzin is usually playing with defencemen of questionable caliber. Neither Ever since the Maple Leafs rebuilt on the fly and started making the Gardiner nor Rielly are questionable talents, so as with Doughty, there playoffs, the speculation has been that they needed to add at least one should be no fear of him playing tough minutes with Rielly. top-four defenceman to the roster. HOW IS HE TRENDING? Two and a half seasons into the Auston Matthews era, GM Kyle Dubas finally made good on that need by sending Sean Durzi, Carl Grundstrom, Muzzin is not on an expiring contract this season; he has another one left and their 2019 first-round draft pick to Los Angeles to acquire Jake at a very reasonable $4 million AAV. This is not a pure rental for the Muzzin. Maple Leafs, so it’s important to consider the direction Muzzin’s career his headed. Muzzin has been a top-pair defenceman for the past five years with the Kings, winning two Stanley Cups in the process, so it’s obvious he Turning 30 years old in less than a month, there’s some level of risk to represents a massive upgrade for the Leafs. that second year if you really want to split hairs and be overly conservative. But looking at Muzzin’s play relative to his teammates over One issue with Muzzin’s reputation over the years is the question of how the past several years, there are no signs that would encourage much of his performance that made him a darling of the stats-loving concerns. crowd had to do with riding Drew Doughty’s cottails, and how much was of his own doing. Muzzin clearly had a down season two years ago, but since then has been back to his typical level of performance, despite things sort of Today we explore some of the facets around Muzzin’s game. crashing down around him in Los Angeles. TRUTH OR FICTION: MADE BY DOUGHTY? We only have four years worth of data for accurate high danger chances, but it seems like Muzzin has been a more and more positive influencer There are many cases across the NHL where players are bolstered by on those as time has gone by. He has the highest differential relative to the presence of a linemate and made to look like a true game breaker his teammates this season, which along with passing the eye test nightly, when they’re really not. Anyone who plays with a player like Sidney is probably why so many people have spoken so highly of him in 2018- Crosby or Connor McDavid is going to see their statistics take an 19. incredible jump, and the same is true for defencemen who play with an elite partner. Filip Kuba wasn’t great with the Ottawa Senators, he just Muzzin is a player still performing at peak levels. If he were right handed played with Erik Karlsson. you’d say he’s the perfect fit in Toronto. Is the same true for Muzzin? Let’s take a quick look at Natural Stat Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.31.2019 Trick’s Line Tool to get an approximation on how they impact each other’s performance using Corsi. One thing I wanted to include on the graph was how much of Muzzin’s ice time is actually spent with Doughty, because opinions in sports have a habit of being very slow to change, and that holds true here with Muzzin. It’s true that at one point in his career, Muzzin played the vast majority of his minutes at 5-on-5 with Doughty, but that hasn’t been the case for a very long time, now — four years in fact. Meanwhile, Muzzin is still having about the same level of success as he had with Doughty. When the two players were apart from each other, they were both worse off statistically than when they were together. In no season has that been more apparent than this one, where the Kings have been a horror show with both players off the ice. In the little time they have been together this season, Muzzin and Doughty have remained a dynamite duo even though the Kings aren’t a great team anymore. When they’re apart they’ve struggled to keep Los Angeles above middling. Doughty plays tougher minutes than Muzzin, but there isn’t much difference in performance between them when they’re apart over a five- year sample, which is very strong evidence that Muzzin is a great player in his own right. NO. 1 BENEFIT OF ADDING MUZZIN I recently included Muzzin in an article outlining four defencemen the Montreal Canadiens should target in trade and while he showed well in the specific areas the Canadiens have needs in, isolating his top trait or traits is slightly different. When I looked at Muzzin for the top-40 defencemen in the NHL over the past three seasons in September, he ranked 35th between Oscar Klefbom and Chris Tanev, but there wasn’t one single thing that stood out about Muzzin — he was such a versatile player. Muzzin ranked within the 75th percentile and 80th percentile among defencemen in offence, defence, and transition play, making him a whole package player. He does clearly excel in puck battles, though it’s going to be a combination of an ability to move the puck effectively, jump in on plays, and maintain solid positioning that truly benefits the Leafs. He’s not a one tool or one zone player — he helps everywhere. WHERE DOES HE FIT? 1104059 Websites In Grundstrom’s last season with MODO in Sweden, he was the highest- scoring under-20 player in the league and his 14 goals were five better than any other junior-aged player. He is a goal scorer first and if his Sportsnet.ca / What the Maple Leafs gave up to acquire Jake Muzzin output in the AHL this season (13 goals, 16 assists) persists, it would be from Kings the first time in two years he finished with more helpers than goals. He leaves the Marlies as the third-highest goal scorer on the team this season after finishing second to Andreas Johnsson in last spring’s Calder Rory Boylen | @RoryBoylen January 28, 2019, 10:28 PM Cup run. Grundstrom doesn’t just win puck battles, he creates chances and goals afterwards, which slots in well with a Kings team that likes to play heavy, but desperately needs to find players who can play with pace and find the back of the net. The Maple Leafs got their defenceman. Sean Durzi, Guelph Storm, OHL On Monday night the Toronto Maple Leafs opened the stretch drive to the trade deadline by acquiring Jake Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings A second-rounder, 52nd overall, in 2018, Durzi is a six-foot, 187-pound for Carl Grundstrom, Sean Durzi and a 2019 first-round pick. The Maple offensive defenceman who brings the exact kind of skill-set that generally Leafs had a primary need for another blueliner or two and though Muzzin plays well in today’s NHL. He’s 20 years old and travelled to the 2017 isn’t a right-handed shot that would more naturally complement left shots draft in Chicago, but never heard his name called. Jake Gardiner and Morgan Rielly, he is undoubtedly a top-four stalwart who has been Los Angeles’ best defender this season. “It didn’t go my way,” Durzi said after he did get picked last summer. “I took it as a learning curve and I think if you take anything like that, you On top of being a solid player, the benefit of adding Muzzin is that he can grow from it and be better. I definitely took that as a learning curve, comes with a $4-million-AAV contract that runs through next season as went through that off-season, went to a few camps and I learned a lot. well, so Toronto paid the price of a first-round pick and two prospects for The Leafs taught me a lot last year.” a couple years of control. If Gardiner walks as a free agent this summer, the Leafs will be more prepared for it than before. Despite missing a month and a half to injury, Durzi has put up strong point totals in his overage OHL season with 28 in 26 games. In fact, he Just a reminder: the value of the first round pick the Leafs dealt away was nearly a point-per-game player with Owen Sound and his place as a will be essentially no different than the value of an average second difference maker in the league was confirmed when the Guelph Storm rounder. pic.twitter.com/z5jmbHlhD9 traded for him in early January as they beefed up for a run at the league title. Since arriving with the Storm, Durzi has been even more productive. — Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) January 29, 2019 Last season Durzi was also limited to just 40 games played, but the 21 And they didn’t have to give up any of their top prospects, such as power-play points he put up in that time was a similar per-game rate to Timothy Liljegren or Rasmus Sandin, or a player off the NHL roster like some of the top players at the position. This year, his five power-play Kasperi Kapanen, in order to make such a big addition. But this wasn’t a goals are just two off the OHL league lead among defencemen, and his cheap acquisition. Nothing is guaranteed in the package the Leafs 1.08 overall points-per-game rate is fifth-best among blueliners. moved, but the Kings saw others behind the big names on Toronto’s depth chart that made them feel good about jumping at an early offer. “The type of player I am is someone who runs my game off my hockey IQ,” Durzi told NHL.com last summer. “It’s something I’ve had for a long “I think the consternation regarding our prospect pool is just a little bit ill- time and as my skills develop, I think I’m only going to get better. I’m informed,” Leafs GM Kyle Dubas told the media just before the all-star more of an offensive guy, a guy who can run the power play.” break. “I can tell you that based on the calls we get from other teams asking about a litany of players within that system. I feel we have the Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.31.2019 prospect capital both to develop very good NHL players to help us out and to make trades if we need to. We also have all of our draft picks and then some. I think we are very well suited to do whatever we need to do when it comes to moving out various elements of our club to better our club now.” So just what did the Leafs give up for Muzzin? Here’s a look at the newest Kings, Carl Grundstrom and Sean Durzi. Carl Grundstrom, , AHL Picked in the second round, 57th overall, in 2016, the 21-year-old is playing through his first full season in North America. He has, however, experienced two playoffs with the Marlies, including 2018’s title run. In total he played 26 post-season AHL games with Toronto, scoring 11 goals and 18 points. When you look at the kind of game Grundstrom plays, you see why the Kings were interested. At six-feet, 194 pounds, his size isn’t overwhelming, but he overcomes that with a ferocity on the forecheck that plays bigger. Grundstrom will bring physical play into the corners and be a pain for the defenders in puck battles. These elements are what starts to put him on the NHL radar as a third-liner. “I was impressed, though I can’t say I was surprised,” Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe said about Grundstrom’s mean streak before this season. “He really showed that in the short time he was with us the previous year and then going to Leaf camp. “We’ve come to expect that from him, that competitive side. He’s a strong guy who plays with a chip on his shoulder, with a skill-set and finish around the net.” Carl Grundstrom, the 21-year-old forward acquired in the trade, is a former second round draft pick who came up the MODO ranks with Adrian Kempe. 42 GP; 13-16=29 in his first full AHL season. 17 G in 35 SHL GP last season as well. — Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) January 29, 2019 While that competitive baseline makes him a good bet to be an NHLer before long, it’s the last part of what Keefe said that makes him even more intriguing and possibly able to one day fulfill a need for the Kings. 1104060 Websites his sixth full NHL season. The next leading scorer on the Jets is Kyle Connor with 40 points.

The original Winnipeg Jets franchise only managed this feat two times: In Sportsnet.ca / 3 things we learned in the NHL: Don't sleep on the Buffalo 1983-84 with Lucien DeBlois and Dale Hawerchuk and in 1984-85 with Sabres Hawerchuk and Paul Maclean. The original Winnipeg Jets boasted multiple players each with 60+ Michael Singh | January 29, 2019 points within the first 50 team games of a season on two occasions: 1983-84 (Lucien DeBlois and Dale Hawerchuk) and 1984-85 (Hawerchuk and Paul MacLean). #NHLStats #WPGvsBOS pic.twitter.com/C3tHtOHZEw The Buffalo Sabres are legitimately in the playoff hunt, Rasmus Dahlin is entering territory, and the Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele and — NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 30, 2019 Blake Wheeler are rewriting history. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.31.2019 Here are three things we learned in the NHL Tuesday night. Don’t sleep on the Buffalo Sabres Led by Jeff Skinner‘s 31st goal of the season, Buffalo started off the post- all-star break stretch on the right note, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 Tuesday night. The Blue Jackets, who currently sit third in the Metropolitan division, exchanged chances with the Sabres all night, but ultimately couldn’t solve Carter Hutton when it mattered most. Our #NHLAllStar is right back at it. #Sabres pic.twitter.com/5koXhVOODK — Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 30, 2019 With the win, the Sabres now move into a tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The team’s off-season decisions to aggressively acquire Skinner and Conor Sheary — who also chipped in with a goal and an assist — have paid off, and we’ll see if it’ll be enough to carry the Sabres to their first playoff berth in eight years. Rasmus Dahlin in Bobby Orr territory Rasmus Dahlin has been quietly impressive on the Sabres blue line in his first NHL season, a token to his stability as a rookie defenceman. The teenager added two assists in the team’s win over Columbus, bringing his point total to 28 (five goals, 23 assists) — the sixth-most points in NHL history by an 18-year-old defenceman. Rasmus Dahlin collected two assists to move past for the sixth-most points in NHL history by an 18-year-old defenseman – a list topped by @BuffaloSabres head coach Phil Housley. #NHLStats #BUFvsCBJ pic.twitter.com/PvYc0oBPE9 — NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 30, 2019 The Swedish defenceman is on pace to surpass Bobby Orr’s 38 points for second all-time on that list before he turns 19 on April 13, though he probably won’t come close to his current head coach Phil Housley’s 57. Dahlin also recorded his sixth multi-point game tonight, joining Orr (eight) and Housley (13) as the only defencemen in NHL history to have at least six before their 19th birthday. Rasmus Dahlin recorded his sixth career multi-point game tonight (0G, 2A). According to @PR_NHL, only two other defensemen in NHL history have had at least six before their 19th birthdays: Phil Housley (13) and Bobby Orr (8). #NHLStats — Sabres PR (@SabresPR) January 30, 2019 Winnipeg Jets duo rewriting history Since its Atlanta Thrashers days, the Winnipeg Jets have not had two players score 60 or more points in the team’s first 50 games — until now. With two assists in the Jets’ shootout win over the Boston Bruins in a playoff-like atmosphere at TD Garden, centre Mark Scheifele joined Blake Wheeler as the first Jets teammates to notch at least 60 points in the team’s first 50 games since Ilya Kovalchuk, , and Marian Hossa accomplished the feat as members of the Thrashers back in 2005- 06. Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler are the second set of teammates in @NHLJets / Thrashers franchise history each with 60+ points within the team’s first 50 games of a season and first since 2005-06 (Ilya Kovalchuk, Marc Savard and Marian Hossa). #NHLStats #WPGvsBOS pic.twitter.com/vN9LBxQtXc — NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 30, 2019 The duo has been the focal point of the Jets offence this year. In his 11th season, Wheeler has scored nine times and added an astounding 53 assists, while Scheifele has scored 25 times and chipped in 36 assists in 1104061 Websites “He’s a nasty player to play against. He’ll play you heavy, he’ll play you hard, but he’ll play you clean. He doesn’t take a lot of penalties. He’s got the team in the back of his mind in everything he does. He’s not a selfish Sportsnet.ca / What they're saying about Maple Leafs acquisition Jake player. Muzzin in L.A. “When he’s on the penalty kill you can count on him to get pucks out on the first attempt and those battles around the net, he’s going to win a lot of those battles.” Rory Boylen | January 29, 2019 JIM FOX, L.A. KINGS ANALYST FOR FOX SPORTS WEST

“I think it’s a great acquisition … I think the Toronto fans are in for a Jake Muzzin was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday evening, and pleasant surprise. I would just guess they don’t know a lot about Jake in the wake of the trade there’s been a lot of talk about the team hitting a Muzzin. That they don’t know how well-rounded he is. How good of a home run in picking up a solid top-four blue-liner who is excelling even as skater he is. How strong he is. He’s a great defender. the Los Angeles Kings disappoint. “He moves the puck, he can join the play. He’s a true No. 2. He’s behind But still, playing on the West Coast means many Leafs fans probably Drew Doughty so he doesn’t get a lot of the news, but at the same time don’t know Muzzin the player inside and out. Over the past 12-plus he’s a solid No. 2. hours, various guests from Los Angeles have appeared on Sportsnet 590 The FAN to talk about what the Kings gave up, and what the Maple Leafs “He’s a great skater. He’s so powerful the way he can move around the are getting, in Muzzin. ice. And for a relatively big guy he’s mobile and agile. I would just make the assumption the move to the other side is not going to be a big issue Here is some of what the people who know Muzzin best are saying about for him. him: “How would he play with Rielly? Well I don’t know if there’s many better ALEX FAUST, L.A. KINGS PLAY-BY-PLAY FOR FOX SPORTS skaters in the game than (Rielly) so I think Jake will provide a little bit more of that power, a little bit more of that aggressiveness. When he “He’s been the most consistent defenceman from the L.A. Kings this finishes a check you feel it. It is hard. He closes the gap so well the year, that much has been probably apparent from Day 1 this season. In a timing is there, but when it gets to the point of contact he finishes hard. year where the Kings are struggling, everybody knows it, Jake’s probably So I think that’s what it’s going to be – he’s going to be that physical guy been in stretches their best player overall this year. Certainly the plus- and then you have the dancer on the other side.” minus reflects that from him. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.31.2019 “I think where his game has really sharpened, especially in the last month or so, is the physical side of his game. There have been a couple of thundering hip checks, Rob Blake-esque checks for an L.A. Kings legend in the last couple of weeks that have made his personal highlight reel.” Sportsnet Tonight Is the Muzzin deal the beginning of an LA Kings fire sale? January 28 2019 Audio Player Your browser does not support the audio element. DARYL EVANS, L.A. KINGS RADIO COLOUR COMMENTATOR “You go back to the early part of the year, there was a point maybe five or seven games into the season his game took off and he’s been very consistent since then. On a team that has had a lot of difficulty this year, he’s been a really good, consistent player at both ends of the rink. Maybe not put up the offensive numbers, but the team as a whole has struggled. “He’s played a complete game, he’s matured nicely, he’s become a leader on this team and I think will be a great addition for the Toronto Maple Leafs. “There is a little bit more upside to his offensive game. Because of the way the Maple Leafs play, I think you’ll see his numbers trend in that direction. “The defensive part of the game gets overlooked a little bit. He can be a real difficult player to play against. He’s got an edge to his game, he can come up with the big hit, he’s got mobility back there. I wouldn’t look at him as a big, slow type of guy. I think he’s got good mobility for a man who can turn both ways. The Jeff Blair Show A Los Angeles POV on the Jake Muzzin deal between Kings & Maple Leafs January 29 2019 Audio Player Your browser does not support the audio element. “He’s got versatility. He can play both sides. He can also play in all situations. Power play, penalty kill, you can use him as a shutdown guy against the other team’s top players. “You get a big body that can compete in the corners and win those one- on-one battles. He makes good selection as to clearing pucks out. He’s not a guy who panics. I think he understands the league very well. It’s going to be a transition definitely playing in the East, you’re not as familiar with as many of the players, but I think he’s got the hockey IQ to be able to make those adjustments. 1104062 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Kings assistant GM happy with return in Jake Muzzin trade

Mike Johnston | January 29, 2019, 11:30 PM

Mike Futa knows what the Los Angeles Kings are losing in Jake Muzzin. The team’s assistant general manager first met the defenceman more than a decade ago when Muzzin was a member of the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Muzzin eventually developed into a quality top-four NHL defenceman who was a “black ace” during the Kings’ 2012 Stanley Cup run then played a vital role on the blue line beside Drew Doughty when they won again in 2014. Muzzin was also among the first defencemen to be rewarded with a lucrative, long-term contract thanks in large part to his strong possession and shot attempt metrics. The 29-year-old was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday for forward Carl Grundstrom, the rights to unsigned defenceman Sean Durzi, plus a 2019 first-round draft pick. The Kings, currently in last place in the Western Conference, are about to undergo somewhat of a rebuild so Muzzin getting dealt doesn’t come as a surprise. Still, Futa will miss him. “I was very fortunate to run into Jake when he was a free agent [in junior] and we hit it off and I just fell in love with him as a player and, our development team, we ended up signing him as a free agent and brought him in,” Futa explained during a Tuesday appearance on Prime Time Sports. “He did a wonderful job on our development team, did an incredible job, and he turned out to be an incredible part of the success we had.” The trade occurred one month prior to the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline, which should benefit the Maple Leafs down the stretch run as they look to secure home-ice advantage in the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Muzzin’s current contract runs through the 2019-20 campaign, so this isn’t a rental player situation either. In fact, Futa described Monday’s trade as “an exceptional deal for both teams” and is happy with the three pieces the Kings got in return. “Obviously, you look at the standings, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be a high first-round pick but it’s a first-round pick and we feel that we’ve done really well with the two prospects we acquired and Toronto gets an incredible kid that’s a champion,” Futa said. “He’s another piece for them to achieve the goals that Jake achieved here as a Los Angeles King.” Grundstrom is not quite NHL-ready but he’s close. “He’ll start in Ontario with our American League team,” Futa said when giving his assessment of the 21-year-old Umea native. “The Swedish players are such honest, honest players and he’s a guy we see as a bottom-six, honest hockey player that’s going to play in the National Hockey League. He’s going to produce. He plays a hard, heavy game but he’s got some speed, he’s got some character, he’s got some familiarity with [countryman] Adrian Kempe. “We had done our homework on him. We liked him in his draft year.” Futa added that Kings management is happy with Grundstrom’s progression and gave credit to Toronto Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe and his staff. Grundstrom, a 2016 second-round pick, had eight goals and 14 points in 20 playoff games en route to winning a Calder Cup with the Marlies one season ago. There is some familiarity with Durzi within the Kings organization, too, as Kings amateur scout Bryan Denney was the director of player personnel with the Owen Sound Attack when Durzi was drafted into the OHL. “We really know that we’ve got two really high-character young guys that we knew personally and felt comfortable with, and we think that they’re going to be big fits for our future,” Futa added. “There’s still plenty of work to do but we’re comfortable with our development team and stuff that we’re going to be able to have a real good swing – particularly with Durzi. “He’s got some big-time offensive power-play upside, but it’s a work in progress. He’s had some injury problems and durability’s been a bit of an issue, but a high, high calibre kid. Now it’s up to us to make sure the first- round pick, whether it’s 20 or 30, is somebody that we make work for our future as well.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 01.31.2019 1104063 Websites

USA TODAY / Pierre McGuire induces cringe-worthy moments during Kendall Coyne Schofield's NBC TV debut

Jim Reineking, Jan. 30, 2019

Olympic gold medalist Kendall Coyne Schofield made her broadcasting debut less than a week after a memorable performance as the first woman to compete in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition. Coyne worked as an analyst as part of NBC's coverage of the Wednesday Night Hockey game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins. It didn't take long for her male counterpart on the show, Pierre McGuire, to make it awkward. "Tampa's gonna be on your left. Pittsburgh's gonna be on your right," McGuire explained to her during the pregame portion of the broadcast. "What are you expecting out of this game? We're paying you to be an analyst, not to be a fan tonight!" pic.twitter.com/QDblo0yWYw — CJ Fogler (@cjzero) January 31, 2019 Later, as action during the big Eastern Conference showdown got intense, a comparison was made to the oftentimes physical nature of U.S.-Canada hockey games. "Except I have a cage on for that one," Coyne quipped. To which McGuire responded, "I'll be your cage tonight, how's that?" "I'll be your cage tonight, how's that? Pierre, please just stop. pic.twitter.com/trmTyYLKob — Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) January 31, 2019 Yikes. A strong case could be made that Coyne is more qualified to analyze hockey than McGuire. Coyne was a member of the 2018 Olympic gold medal-winning team, scoring two goals during the competition in PyeongChang, South Korea. In 2016, while playing at , Coyne earned the , which is presented to the top female college hockey player. She currently plays for the Minnesota Whitecaps of the National Women's Hockey League. McGuire, meanwhile, never played in the NHL. He spent one season as an NHL coach, leading the 1993-94 to a 23-37-7 record and sixth-place finish in the seven-team Northeast Division. Kendall Coyne Schofield takes part in the fastest-skater event during NHL All-Star weekend. At Friday night's NHL All-Star Skills Competition, Coyne competed in the fastest-skater competition and finished with a better time than that posted by the Arizona Coyotes' Clayton Keller. Sam Flood, who oversees sports production at NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network, said Coyne's "spectacular moment" at the skills competition had "people talking about hockey." "We saw the enormous reaction the players and fans had when she blazed that amazing speed, and want to celebrate her accomplishment," Flood said. “We think viewers will be very interested to hear her lean in and talk about hockey during a regular-season game." USA TODAY LOADED: 01.31.2019