SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 5/24/2020 Flyers 1185168 Quite a power play as Ali Downey represents Ducks and 1185192 NHL players’ union takes step toward returning; Flyers critical care nurses with class may face Pens-Habs winner 1185193 2020 NHL draft profile: Daniel Torgersson has 'unique size,' ability to 'dominate' 1185169 Arizona Coyotes to host blood drive at Gila River Arena 1185170 NHLPA agree on 24-team playoff framework to resume Penguins season 1185194 Penguins A to Z: John Marino shows he’s ready 1185195 Analysis: Why the Penguins shouldn't overlook in Bruins play-in round 1185171 Jillian Dempsey and teachers everywhere have given an A-plus performance 1185172 a hockey hero the world over 1185196 Sharks top prospect Ryan Merkley modeling his game 1185173 When should 2020 NHL Draft happen? Mark Recchi gives after Erik Karlsson honest take St Louis Blues Blackhawks 1185197 BenFred: NHL proposal might not guarantee Blues a top 1185174 NHL’s 24-team pit the seed, but that might not be so bad against Oilers, creating an incredible turn of 1185198 Players' association votes to move forward with NHL's even 24-team postseason plan 1185175 Coronavirus pandemic has provided a quiet pause for live 1185199 Lightning reportedly one of two to vote against NHL’s sports — and it isn’t all that bad 24-team playoff format 1185176 Why Jason Dickinson and the Stars voted ‘yes’ on NHL’s 1185200 Why the Lightning were one of two teams to vote ‘no’ on return-to-play proposal 24-team format Red Wings Maple Leafs 1185177 How Robby Fabbri reignited career after Detroit Red 1185201 ’s NHL teams offer varying refund options to Wings stole him from Blues season-ticket holders 1185178 Even with empty stadiums, television a big driver in the 1185202 Doug McKay played one NHL game. And made history push to bring back pro sports amid coronavirus Canucks 1185208 Ed Willes: Benning marks six years as Canucks' GM. Are 1185179 TYCHKOWSKI: NHL's return to play strategy could cost finest days still to come? fans in the long run 1185180 JONES: Edmonton Oilers only looking ahead in NHL's possible return to play 1185203 Several details remain unresolved in NHL’s return-to-play 1185181 Lowetide: Why Kailer Yamamoto represents ‘Money Puck’ plan value for NHL teams Capitals 1185204 T.J. Oshie doesn't believe shootouts should dictate results 1185182 NHL players approve format for return; Panthers would in the Playoffs qualify for playoffs 1185205 T.J. Oshie had no nerves entering shootout with Russia in 2014 Sochi Olympics 1185206 Making sense of the NHLPA's statement: What it means 1185183 Fans should enjoy any Wild playoff run even if sportstuff and what it doesn't will be missing 1185207 Remembering the 2018 Eastern Conference Final and the best two-game stretch in Capitals history 1185184 Hickey on hockey: Canadiens part of NHL playoff plans Websites 1185209 .ca / Quick Shifts: 24-team playoff injects hope, Devils raises questions 1185185 NHL better not cheat the teams bound for draft lottery 1185210 Sportsnet.ca / : Halak vs. Price added spark to improbable final 1185211 TSN.CA / Ducks' Miller on racism in hockey: "I hope the 1185186 Newsday photographer David Pokress was in the right conversation moves forward" place at the right time for Bobby Nystrom's Stanley Cup-wi 1185187 Top 10 Islanders goals of all time World Leagues News 1185212 Baseball: Coronavirus puts global spotlight on Taiwanese league 1185188 NHL better not cheat the teams bound for draft lottery 1185213 Basketball put on pause for Native Americans amid 1185189 Top 10 Rangers goals of all time coronavirus outbreak 1185214 No sporting event in India in near future, have to live with Senators new normal of sports behind closed doors: Rijiju 1185190 The next step for the is a decision on the 1185215 Germany’s Bundesliga soccer has a model for how sports lottery and the draft by the NHL can return amid coronavirus. The world is watching. 1185191 GARRIOCH: Ottawa Senators' 2019-20 season quietly comes to an official end SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1185168 Anaheim Ducks dedication into caring for their patients and building that rapport with people was something that really drew me to it.”

She got her license in 2014 and worked in home health nursing before Quite a power play as Ali Downey represents Ducks and critical care she was hired at MemorialCare Orange Coast. The hospital has treated nurses with class some COVID-19 patients during the pandemic, an eye-opening experience for Downey.

By HELENE ELLIOTT SPORTS COLUMNIST “I think a lot of us in the medical field would say we would be more prepared for something like a natural disaster. I know for myself, that’s MAY 23, 20207 AM how I felt,” she said. “I never really expected a pandemic to come about that was going to be this serious where things were shutting down. I

would have been prepared more for an earthquake here in California or a The two halves of Ali Downey’s life couldn’t be more different. mass accident, something of that nature. It’s definitely been something that I wasn’t prepared for. However, you’re trained for everything.” Three days a week, for shifts that can carry past 12½ hours “if somebody’s a little bit more sick or you get somebody from the She’s grateful for the respect being shown to healthcare workers but emergency room or if they’re crashing,” she’s a critical care nurse at initially was uncomfortable with being labeled a hero. To her, being a MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley. It’s a nurse is simply what she was meant to do. “You think of servicemen and calling she recognized as a child, when she’d comfort other kids or bring women for their service, and police officers and firemen and people like wounded animals to her Huntington Beach home to nurture them back to that and tell them they’re a hero,” she said. “I understand it now. The health. “It’s just been in me, this feeling, my entire life,” she said. recognition that nurses and medical staff are getting has been absolutely amazing and I’m always at a loss for words when people say things like During hockey season, when her work schedule permits, she’s a member that to me. of the Ducks’ Power Players squad, a 16-woman group that brings energy to Honda Center on game nights and represents the team at “I don’t consider myself a hero but it is nice to hear, all the same, and I promotional events. Some Power Players are part of the crew that clears appreciate anyone that feels that way about me.” debris and snow and maintains the ice during stoppages in play, a role She’s also eager to resume the hockey half of her life and return to the Downey hopes to add next season. Given that she basically relearned Ducks, though that probably won’t happen until next season. “I would how to skate two weeks before she aced her audition last summer, absolutely love it. It’s been an amazing experience and I’m so proud to there’s every reason to believe she will succeed there too. be part of the organization,” she said. Her two dramatically different jobs form a satisfying whole for Downey, They’re lucky to have her. So are her patients. Not everyone can bring whose rookie year on the ice was cut short when the NHL paused the such grace and care while successfully balancing two such different season March 12 because of the coronavirus outbreak. Interacting with worlds. fans and leading cheers for the Ducks was a release valve for the stress of nursing, creating a perfect equilibrium that enhances her appreciation of each role. LA Times: LOADED: 05.24.2020 “In nursing, it’s definitely a very serious atmosphere, especially in critical care. So I don’t get to express as much of my goofy self there,” she said in a phone interview. “There’s times when there’s a little bit of down time when I can be a little bit more of myself, but when I’m there I am a lot more serious. Whereas at the Ducks, it’s just been such a great fit and an outlet to really use my outgoing personality. We’re on the Jumbotron and doing dance cams and dealing with fans and little kids and everything so it’s different, but I love that I have both of those.”

Downey, 29, is a few years older than most Power Players, but her life experience was a plus when she tried out on the recommendation of a friend who was on the squad. She hadn’t skated since she was a kid, but she pushed herself to regain her old skills. “I did not fall at all, which I was shocked about,” she said, laughing.

Ali Downey is a member of the Anaheim Ducks’ Power Players ice crew and also a critical care nurse at a hospital in Fountain Valley.

The Ducks didn’t see an inexperienced skater. They saw an accomplished young woman who was naturally at ease with people and with herself, someone who was an asset to her community and who would be an asset to their team.

“We liked her immediately. She had great composure and she handled herself very well,” said Rich Cooley, the Ducks’ director of production and entertainment. “When she told us about herself, that she had this career, we thought this was kind of interesting. Why would somebody like her be interested in this?

“And the more she talked, the more it made a lot of sense. She loved the Ducks growing up. She went to hockey games. She was a cheerleader and involved in athletics her whole life and as she was working on her career she realized, ‘I miss the sports environment.’ She’s terrific. We were hoping her schedule would allow her to do the job and it has, and we’ve been happy with her ever since.”

Downey originally planned to become a doctor but switched tracks after she witnessed nurses’ compassion toward some of her relatives when they required hospital treatment. “The nurses actually were the ones that were really there at the bedside, and I’ve always loved interacting with people. I’m just more of a people person,” she said. “Being at their bedside and seeing how much they really care and put such heart and 1185169 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes to host blood drive at Gila River Arena

BY JAKE ANDERSON

MAY 23, 2020 AT 10:39 AM

The Arizona Coyotes will be hosting a blood drive at Gila River Arena, the team announced in a press release on Saturday.

The event will take place on Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In order to preserve social distancing, donors are advised to make an appointment online before the event date and will be required to both bring and wear a mask.

Parking will be available in lot G on the east side of Gila River Arena, where donors can enter the arena at the far east door of gate 4.

Coyotes GM John Chayka, head coach , forward Brad Richardson and defenseman Jason Demers will be making their donations from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Hundreds of blood drives have been canceled across Arizona over the last two months due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“Patient blood needs have substantially increased now that elective surgeries are resuming across our state,” Sr. Director of donor recruitment for Vitalant’s southwest division said in the release.

“Every day, patients continue to depend on blood transfusions for surgery, transplants, cancer treatment and ongoing medical needs.”

Those that do choose to donate blood will also receive thank you gifts such as a voucher for a slice of cheese pizza and a drink from Streets of New York, one ticket to a 2020-21 home game and entry into a raffle for a 2019-20 team signed stick.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 05.24.2020 1185170 Arizona Coyotes

NHLPA agree on 24-team playoff framework to resume season

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

MAY 22, 2020 AT 8:18 PM

UPDATED: MAY 22, 2020 AT 8:24 PM

The Players’ Association has collectively agreed on a return-to-play format that calls for a 24-team playoff.

The NHL presented the framework to the NHLPA, which voted on the measures starting on Thursday.

The NHLPA released a statement on Friday saying they have agreed to extend talks.

“The Executive Board of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup. Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play,” the union said in a statement.

This approval doesn’t yet seal the deal for the NHL season resuming. The league and players union still need to negotiate other details, including health and safety protocols, to bring teams back on the ice after the season paused on March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the expectation is for an announcement to come from the league within a few days.

Under the plan, the top 12 teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs. Of those 12, the top four play each other for seeding while the remaining eight play each other in a standard seeding format, as Sportsnet’s reported.

Commissioner this week said the league was looking at eight or nine locations to serve as hub cities for the resumption of the season.

It’s unclear when the league and players will agree to begin the second phase of preparations for return, which would be the reopening of team practice facilities and voluntary workouts. The following step would then likely be a three-week training camp before games resume.

Coyotes defenseman Jordan Oesterle recently said a good amount of time to be on the ice to prepare for a season resuming is four to six weeks. GM John Chayka said in March that the ice at Gila River Arena had been removed, since the NHL’s “phase one” didn’t allow for players to use team facilities for training.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 05.24.2020 1185171 expectations, fear, health concerns, distractions, younger siblings. But we’re all trying to find a balance and trying to provide what we can.”

It might not be exactly what Dempsey envisioned back in her Jillian Dempsey and teachers everywhere have given an A-plus undergraduate days at Harvard, when she was studying the classics, performance playing hockey, aiming toward an Olympic tryout, and imagining her pro career. But after watching her sister Meaghan, who was three years ahead in school (and also graduated from Harvard), set the academic bar By Tara Sullivan Globe Columnist high enough for Jillian and their two younger brothers, Connor and Hunter, she knew what she wanted to do. Updated May 23, 2020, 11:50 a.m. Like Meg, Jillian entered the Teach for America program. After spending

a postgraduate year earning her master’s of education in curriculum and The faces pop up in their miniature screens, small bundles of fifth-grade teaching, doing the intensive required training in the program and all energy ready for math class, and their eager smiles and ready pencils while playing hockey, she taught two years of second grade in Lawrence are just the tonic their teacher Ms. Dempsey needs. Virtual online before returning to her hometown district. meetings might not be perfect, but as the most viable replacement for the “We help each other all the time,” said Meg, who teaches first grade in trail of empty classrooms this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has left Revere. “We constantly tell each other stories about students in our behind, the sight of those precious students is welcome as a reminder of classes, things happening in our schools. We also help each other a lot more normal times. with classroom space and layout. Jill’s come to my school many times, It’s just the sound that isn’t quite right. she knows the other people in the school and they know her.”

“It’s so quiet in the Zoom,” Dempsey laughs, knowing her colleagues at With similarly organized brains that like to cover details in advance and Winthrop’s Arthur T. Cummings Elementary School know exactly what carry plans through to conclusion, the sisters are leaning on each other she means. now more than ever. But support has always been a huge part of their family conversation. That was Meg in the stands for all those Pride “You guys,” she announces to the kids, “this is not what it’s like in the games last year, and that was Jillian dressed as The Cat in the Hat over classroom!” in Meg’s classroom for Read Across America day. The hope now is just that they get to do it again soon. These days, nothing is. Classrooms have gone online, restaurants have all become take-out specialists. Grocery stores have to limit shoppers For the Pride, that means Jillian returning as the team’s top scorer and and social gatherings must be limited in size. And sports? Well, they had as its , getting back to balancing the two careers she loves so to stop altogether. much, knowing how each makes the other better.

For Ms. Dempsey, better known as professional star and “Jill is as pure of a leader as they come,” Pride GM Karilyn Pilch said. captain Jillian Dempsey, that has meant double upheaval to “She is intense and driven, but finds a way to lead with compassion, a life she had so carefully ordered. No more days in the classroom and while consistently motivating and encouraging her teammates. no more evenings on the ice, no more daily interactions with her math or social studies students, and no more Pride games with her teammates. “Jill’s ability to balance teaching and hockey are directly tied to her qualities as a leader. She knows and executes what she needs to do to She could handle finding answers for herself, the quick purchase of an be prepared in both settings, and to be the best version of herself for her assault bike and setting up a home gym allowing for an upkeep of cardio students, and her teammates. and weights, enough physical activity to make sure she’ll be in shape to resume her hockey career once the NWHL gets going again. “Jill keeps a regimented schedule, and a positive mind-set that allows her to accomplish what most people would balk at. Though I haven’t And after falling one agonizing game short of adding a second witnessed Jill teaching, several of her students have attended games, championship in five years to her résumé, after learning only one day and one of them has sung the national anthem for us a few times over before the scheduled championship game that the pandemic the past few seasons. This year, he surprised her, and both he and his would postpone it indefinitely (it was later canceled), after finally family were elated to support Jill, which I am sure speaks volumes of the accepting this glorious season in which her team lost only one regular- way they appreciated her as a teacher.” season game would not reach its appointed conclusion, the 29-year-old Dempsey has no shortage of motivation to get back on the ice. And these days, teachers should be appreciated more than ever.

Yet as much as she would welcome the sound of the roars that fill the rink and as much as Pride fans would welcome the chance to applaud Boston Globe LOADED: 05.24.2020 her again, Dempsey’s true heroism is found in her daytime career. For all the frontline workers who have so deservedly earned our gratitude during the pandemic, the work of educators cannot and should not be overlooked.

As the nation grappled with rapid changes and policies to every sector of our lives, teachers answered the immediate call. On a dime, they went from in-person classrooms to online teaching, reformatting curriculum virtually overnight, resetting expectations and realigning priorities, all of it aimed at providing our children a much-needed dose of normalcy in such unsettling, unusual times.

“There’s nothing that can replace being in the classroom. I miss it terribly,” Dempsey said. “I have a whole new appreciation for the work in the classroom and engaging with students in that way. They feel the same way. They probably wouldn’t have imagined saying, ‘I miss being at school,’ but it’s definitely difficult for them to not engage with their peers, and not be working so intensely in the classroom every day.

“I’ve never considered myself much of a tech savvy person, and there was quite a learning curve engaging with technology, but once we realized it, everybody collaborated and supported each other so we could provide students with what they need.

“At times it feels helpless, I would love to be doing more, engage with them more. Some families are overwhelmed, their job status, school 1185172 Boston Bruins Reminiscing over the phone about his Bruins days, Esposito recalled he often logged around 35 minutes a game, nearly twice the ice time current Boston coach typically feeds top line members Patrice Phil Esposito a hockey hero the world over Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak. Different game a half- century later. Much shorter shifts for everyone, fourth-liners and superstars alike.

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff Some of those 35:00 TOI, your faithful puck chronicler reminded Esposito, came because he often turned a deaf ear to calls from the Updated May 23, 2020, 9:37 a.m. bench to change up on the power play and stayed out there sometimes for the full two minutes.

Ex-Bruins great Phil Esposito, 78, has been a regular visitor to Russia in “Well . . . hey . . . ,” said Esposito, crafting a faux innocence. ”I had great recent years, traveling there for speaking gigs and sometimes consulting cardiovascular. I looked like [expletive] on the beach, but I had great with the Kontinental Hockey League, the country’s top pro league. cardiovascular. Big defensemen with those sticks, they had to go through 2 inches of fat to get to the muscle.” “I was supposed to go back over in March,” said Espo, reached at his home in Tampa, “but obviously . . . that got changed.” Esposito was in Russia some eight years ago for the 40th celebration of the Summit Series. The adulation there for the proud son of Sault Ste Now, provided the world can achieve a post-pandemic norm, the prolific Marie, , was of nearly Putinesque levels. Esposito will head to Moscow in September at the behest, he said, of Russian president Vladimir Putin. “One time, my wife looked at me and said, ‘I didn’t know I was traveling with Brad Pitt,’ ” Esposito, then 70, was quoted in the Toronto Star. “Because I was awarded this highest award they can give a non-Russian “Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed by the admiration, the adulation, civilian,” noted Esposito. “We’re going to do it now in September, and my whatever it is. It’s overwhelming. I’m 70 years old and, man, it’s buddy Rootin’ Tootin’ Putin is going to present it to me.” wonderful to still be recognized and known. I think I’m more famous [in Russia] than I am [in Canada and the United States]. Does that make The honor, which Esposito did not identify by name, is likely the Hero of any sense?” the Russian Federation, given for service to Russia. It’s usually associated with a heroic feat of valor. Russian citizenship or acts Maybe. If so, sounds like there oughta be a medal for it. performed specifically for Russia are not necessary to win the medal, which is a gold star suspended from a red, white, and blue ribbon. Brian Murphy, earlier this month named ’s supervisor of officials for the men’s games, was one of four NHL officials to work their “I go over there and actually skate with some of the old guys, and have last regular-season games in 2019-20. some fun,” said Esposito. “I make a couple of speeches, sign some autographs, go to dinner . . . and they pay me for it. I love it.” Provided none of them gets called back to duty for an NHL return-to-play fling this summer, a whole lot of experience has left the barn with the The “Hero” medal has been awarded more than 1,000 times, often to retirements of referee Dan O’Halloran, and linesmen Murphy, Darren cosmonauts, and at least twice to athletes — including Alexander Gibbs, and Scott Driscoll. Karelin, the great Greco-Roman wrestler, and Larisa Lazutina, who won five medals, including three golds, in cross-country skiing at the 1998 Total games worked by those guys in stripes: 6,910. Olympic Games in Nagano. “I was privileged to work in the NHL for 32 years,” said Murphy, 55 Putin, an ardent hockey devotee who still plays in pickup games, would reached this past week at his home in Dover, N.H. “And now I’m ready have been only 19 years old in September 1972 when Esposito and his for this next phase of my life.” Team Canada brethren pulled into Moscow for the completion of the Due to the league’s abrupt halt March 12, none of the four was able to historic Summit Series between the nations. work their final scheduled games. For Murphy, a UNH business grad Russia held a 2-1-1 series lead after the first four games in Canada and (1985), his last laps were to be Saturday, March 28 at TD Garden, Bruins stood but 20 minutes from clinching the series when they carried a 5-3 vs. Panthers. Instead, he was part of the crew that worked the Sunday, lead into the third period of Game 8 (series deadlocked, 3-3-1). March 8 game in Chicago, Blackhawks vs. Blues.

Esposito, then age 30 and the most dynamic scorer the NHL had “What I’ll miss is the people,” said Murphy, who became only the eighth ever seen (back-to-back seasons of 76 and 66 goals), put on a third- official in NHL history to reach the 2,000-game plateau when he worked period tour de force that led Canada to a stunning 6-5 win. a game in Boston March 17 last season. “The security guys . . . off-ice officials . . . you can go up and down the ladder. But I think that’s the part Less than three minutes into the third, he connected for his seventh goal you miss . . . whether it’s the guy who opens our door, or the security of the series. Some 10 minutes later, he set up Yvon Cournoyer for the 5- guy, or the off-ice guy who stops by and says hello before the game. 5 equalizer. And with only 34 seconds remaining in regulation, Paul There are so many people that work around the game that it’s their Henderson knocked home a puck that Espo first landed on legendary passion to be involved. They really care about it. They are part of the netminder . production and the game doesn’t go on without them, and sometimes I think we all take them for granted.” . Rebound. Score. Take that, Mother Russia. Henderson forever will be remembered for the GWG, but Canada goes home a loser if not for In his new gig, Murphy will oversee a crew of some 45 refs and linesmen, Espo’s broad shoulders. including Jamie Koharski, the son of ex-veteran ref . The junior Koharski also has worked games in Germany, and many Hockey Tretiak, by the way, was the starting goalie when the Russians faced East officials work across other college leagues and in the American Team USA at the 1980 Games at Lake Placid. Russian bench boss Hockey League, too. Viktor Tikhonov, displeased with what he saw of Tretiak in the early going, pulled him in favor of Vladimir Myshkin, setting the stage for the Since landing the job, Murphy has been busy in the virtual space, Yanks’ historic win. recently holding a Zoom session that included all 11 Hockey East coaches. “All I can say is,” Esposito recalled decades later about Game 8 in Russia to NHL.com’s Dave Stubbs, “that when they called my name, I “I’m in the listening phase of the job,” said Murphy, who also holds an was there. And I wasn’t coming off.” MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. “I’m trying to find out what they think of the league. What issues they see with the league, Esposito had a penchant for, shall we say, extending his shifts. In the maybe not even officiating. It can be hockey operation-type things — Summit Series, his protracted flights of fancy took ice time away from a what they think about how the game is presented, or whatever. Just an pair of other decent centers, and , both of opportunity for them to express whatever concerns they have about how whom, like Esposito, also went on to become enshrined in the Hockey the game’s played, the rules, whatever. It was a wide range of Hall of Fame. When Espo had the hot hand, he knew it. Generally, when discussions, really. I thought each call would be about 30 minutes and he was on a roll, teammates were happy to have him keep throwing the some of them lasted upward of an hour. They care about the game. They dice. care about how the game is officiated, and what rang through to me is to sign. "Bobby goes, ‘I’m not signing that! Hold on a second,’ ” said that they really take an interest in it.” Murphy, noting that Orr then ducked out to the adjacent room, reserved for Leafs ownership and execs. “So Bobby goes in there and grabs 10 of Murphy, who worked nine Cup Finals over his 32 seasons, was among those old Goal magazines, and his picture that night was on the cover. the most proficient, accurate, and respected linesmen in the game. No He brings the 10 magazines in our room and signed every single of them. surprise that he leaned forward in his new venture with an emphasis on I know [the media] tells those stories about him all the time, but it’s all communication. As he noted here last year, talking and building true. That’s him.” . . . The league has to decide whether to hold it annual relationships over time was central to his on-ice success. entry draft in June. The annual start of free agency on July 1 is another “I think that’s what’s missing in the game sometimes,” Murphy said soon sticking , along with signing bonuses that are typically paid in July. after working his 2,000th game. “It’s one thing to be out there making One report this past week suggested such bonuses across the league decisions, but you’ve got to be out there thinking as an official. It’s not all will approach a half-billion dollars. Per capfriendly.com, the Bruins are black and white out there. I try to tell that to our younger officials. And it’s only on the hook for $4.2 million in signing bonuses this summer: Patrice also about the relationships. You’ve got to have a relationship with these Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Charlie McAvoy all at $1 guys, because they have to trust that you’re doing the right thing.” million apiece, and defensemen Jeremy Lauzon and Connor Clifton at $100,000 each . . . Per Recchi, the 2011 Cup-winning Bruins in their If the NHL can pull all the pieces together, get back on the ice, and recent Zoom sessions identified a time for an upcoming reunion. “I can’t ultimately crown a 2020 Stanley Cup champion, ex-Bruin Mark Recchi believe it’s been nearly 10 years already,” he said. “Now we just have to isn’t one to think it should be dinged with an asterisk. find a spot.” . . . Jarome Iginla and Alexander Mogilny both have good shots at being named to the next month. Provided Unusual circumstances, no doubt, but a win is a win in Rex’s eyes. the party goes on as usual, induction weekend in Toronto will be Nov. 13- “We’ll view it as unique,” said the ex-Bruin winger, chatting this past week 16 . . . Next month also will be five years since , then just in a Zoom session with three Boston beat reporters. “You can view it two weeks on the job as Boston GM, made the moves that positioned the ways: You can put an asterisk beside it and say it shouldn’t have been Bruins with pick Nos. 13, 14, 15 in the 2015 draft. Jake DeBrusk (14) has done, or you can think, you know what, you are Stanley Cup champions. been proven to be a keeper. Jakub Zboril (13) and Zack Senyshyn (15) When it comes down to it and you’re playing for that Stanley Cup, it’s thus far have combined for eight games. Both Zboril and Senyshyn, their going to be the same intensity.” contracts expired, could be let go as free agents this summer.

No one saw the pandemic-forced interruption in play coming, noted Recchi, and he gives the league and players credit for trying to make the Boston Globe LOADED: 05.24.2020 best of being dealt a difficult hand.

“I think it would be pretty fun to have that asterisk,” added Recchi, “and say, ‘You know what, this is what happened.’ You can tell your kids, it was a pandemic and this what we had to do and we found a way to be the best team in the world.”

Recchi, now an assistant coach in Pittsburgh under Mike Sullivan, was in player development with the Penguins for a few years before moving to bench duty. He’s grown to like it and has been encouraged by GM Jim Rutherford to stick with it.

“So I think I’ll see where this takes me,” said Recchi, noting how much he has learned under the tutelage of Sullivan, the ex-Bruins coach, and Jacques Martin.

The Penguins’ coaching staff , said Recchi, has been consulting with an MLB team during the pause — he opted not to identify the club — and he has found the input invaluable. The Penguins’ staff did similar with the Steelers last year.

“We’ve been working on how they handle things, how they do things,” said Recchi, referring to the MLB team. “It’s been tremendous. We’ve had some great dialogue about how they handle superstars, and how they handle keeping people together. It’s been really neat.

“We’ve really tried to dive into some things as a coaching staff, and that’s what Coach Sullivan is great at — he just wants us to get better and keep working on things.”

Loose pucks

If all goes as the NHL hopes, players as early as this coming week will start skating in small groups at their home practice facilities or arenas. If local governments restrict such gatherings, noted Bruins president , the league stands ready to help them find suitable sites. “They wouldn’t want teams unable to start for, say, a week later than the other teams,” said Neely. “They’re hoping everyone is on even ground from the start.” . . . Plans were still not made public as the weekend approached, but all but seven NHL teams will report back to duty for what would be a 24-team playoff tournament. Players from Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Ottawa, Buffalo, Detroit, and New Jersey won’t be back in action until training camps open for the 2020-21 season . . . Retiring NHL referee Brian Murphy was only 5 years old in May 1970, and therefore too young to remember the famous “Flying Bobby” goal that scored to clinch the Cup for the Bruins. But nearly 30 years later, he was thrilled to get Orr’s autograph in an impromptu meeting at the old Maple Leaf Gardens during the 1998-99 season. It was Boston’s last game at the old barn and Orr, recalled Murphy, was there to drop the puck for the opening faceoff. “Ray Scapinello [veteran linesman] gets Orr in our locker room, and we’re chit-chattin’ with him, and Ray wants an autograph,” recalled Murphy. Scapinello handed over a piece of scrap paper for Orr 1185173 Boston Bruins

When should 2020 NHL Draft happen? Mark Recchi gives honest take

By Joe Haggerty

May 22, 2020 10:07 PM

Just a few weeks ago it seemed that the 2020 NHL Draft was on the fast track to taking place in June as a way to fill the void left by the absence of games with the NHL regular season on pause. The draft was originally supposed to take place during a late June weekend in Montreal, but there was even talk of moving it up to early June after the NFL Draft went off so successfully in April.

It wasn’t going to be without complications, of course, as the NHL was going to need to figure out a draft order without a finalized regular season, and executing trades involving anything but draft picks would have been impossible prior to the league executing the Stanley Cup playoffs.

An NHL Board of Governors meeting in early May slowed the momentum toward holding the draft ahead of the season resumption, but it remains up in the air as to when exactly the 2020 NHL Draft will take place.

Mark Recchi is a Hall-of-Fame hockey player and three-time Stanley Cup champ, somebody that’s worked in player development for the and a current assistant coach with the Pens as well. Needless to say, Recchi has plenty of experience in all areas of NHL operations and thinks that holding the draft would be a difficult proposition given how much talk goes on around the time of the actual draft weekend.

Bergeron picks this goal as most important of his Bruins career

Certainly there wouldn’t be anything much more awkward than trade rumors surrounding NHL players just as they’re readying for an unprecedented 24-team playoff format while playing hockey through a global pandemic.

“They’ve got to do what’s best. Personally, I thought it was going to be tough to have the draft in June. You could still make deals. But the unfortunate part would be if a deal was made while we’re still playing and then the deal gets out [into the public]. You can make a deal and say ‘Hey, we can stuff it in a drawer until we’re done here.’ But that always seems to find a way to get out,” said Recchi. “That’s never a good thing to happen. You’re in the middle of a playoff series and then the rumors come up that [a player] has been traded to wherever for a first-rounder coming up.

“Say with Pittsburgh they wanted to make a trade for a pick with a player that deal could be done, but I think it’s a pretty risky way to go. There is too much there that could happen to hurt players in the long run.”

Perhaps there’s a way to find a middle road, like the NHL prohibiting all trades at the draft aside from anything but draft picks. But the sentiment across the NHL was that there was very little team support for holding the draft in June, and it was instead something being pushed hardest by the league and league rights holders looking for quality content.

The NHL Draft still may happen as the perfect event television that could bridge the hockey content gap until the NHL playoffs presumably re-start during the month of July. But it’s not something that has the unbridled support of a hockey community used to sticking to the routines that have already been set in the NHL world.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2020 1185174 Chicago Blackhawks Based on Tierney’s game-by-game breakdown, in a five-game series the Hawks would win in four. Meanwhile, Sportsnet’s Mark Spector wrote that he expects the Oilers to take advantage of the Hawks’ weak defense NHL’s 24-team playoffs pit the Chicago Blackhawks against Edmonton and win the series in four games. The Hawks earned their first win of the Oilers, creating an incredible turn of events for a team that faced long season against the Oilers and were 2-1 against them, though both wins postseason odds were at home.

In another scenario, the Hawks would’ve played the Stars, who have 82 points to the Oilers’ 83, which is the traditional way of determining the By PHIL THOMPSON seeds. But the Stars have a stronger record (.594) than the Oilers (.585) and have played two fewer games. CHICAGO TRIBUNE Under the format the NHL Players Association approved late Friday, the MAY 23, 2020 | 3:56 PM seeds will be based on standings by points percentage, which is what knocked the Oilers down to the No. 5 slot in a play-in bracket against the No. 12 Blackhawks. The NHL’s players union approved a playoff format that will send 24 teams to the postseason when the league lifts its coronavirus lockdown. If the Hawks were to make it into the round of 16, it gets tricky from there. The Blackhawks would face the Oilers in a five-game playoff series in As the seeds stand now, the Hawks would face the No. 4 Stars. The their return to play. bracket is based on the presumption that the fifth seed would advance to Though it was rumored as a likely scenario when NHL play resumed, it face the fourth seed, and the winner of the eight-nine pairing would take still represents an incredible turn of events for a Hawks team that faced on the No. 1 seed, and so forth. long odds of reaching the postseason. But each conference’s top four teams likely will play against each other in The Blackhawks had a 2.5% chance of making the playoffs, and one- a round-robin tournament that could either re-seed the top four seeds or tenth of a percentage point of winning the Stanley Cup, according to simply serve as a tune-up with no playoff consequences. The former is Hockey-Reference.com’s playoff probability report, based on 1,000 more likely, according to multiple reports. simulations of the remaining regular season schedule. In that case, the Hawks could end up facing the Blues, Avalanche or The Hawks talked about the playoffs as a goal leading up to March 12, Golden Knights just as easily, depending on where the teams settle after when the NHL suspended play because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the round robin. There also are proponents for re-seeding the field after at February’s trade deadline the team shipped out Robin each round, which would pit the Hawks, if they beat the Oilers, against Lehner, who had been splitting games with Corey Crawford, and the Blues, who currently are the top seed. The Blues swept the Hawks in defenseman Erik Gustafsson, at a time when injuries had hurt the all four games this season. defensive end. First, however, the NHL has a lot of hurdles to traverse to get the season But fate (or perhaps TV ratings) worked in the Hawks’ favor. back up and running. They have to determine the location and of “hub” cities where the playoffs will take place, establish COVID-19 safety Players and team executives debated whether to stick to a strict 16-team protocols and navigate international border and visa challenges — not to playoff structure — based on the traditional points standings — or mention setting up training camp and playoff schedules. expand the field to as many as 24 teams. Not all 31 teams played the same number of games before the shutdown, so some teams in the hunt But by most accounts, there will be playoff hockey by late summer and, for a wild card would’ve been shortchanged. yes, the Hawks will be a part of it.

Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane center Jonathan Toews argue with the referees in a game against the Bruins on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 Chicago Tribune LOADED: 05.24.2020 at the United Center in Chicago.

But Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who first reported the current 24-team proposal on Thursday, speculated that the Hawks’ and Canadiens’ devoted fan bases factored heavily into the groundswell of support to broaden the playoff field.

“Oh, it has everything to do with it,” Friedman told the hosts of the “Lead Off With Ziggy and Scotty Mac” radio show. “I got a text yesterday from a GM, ‘This is all your fault.’ And I laughed and I go, ’What do you mean?’ (He replied,) ‘You TV guys, you’re perverting this playoffs.’ ”

Friedman said there wasn’t “unanimous happiness” with the format, which some players and executives told him weren’t fair to teams with strong regular-season records.

Hurricanes player representative Jordan Martinook said Wednesday, “I feel like if you’re doing the 24-team thing, it basically gives a team a chance that had no chance of making it, which if you play 82 there’s maybe 6, 8% chance that the team in 12th place (in the conference) makes it.”

Friedman said on the radio show, “If you do the odds, OK, you take a look at the teams and what their percentages were of making the 16- team playoff. Montreal was at zero, Chicago I think was at 3%, if you put rounding in it. And now their odds are significantly higher, and teams like Carolina and Toronto, their odds are significantly lower.”

In fact, at least one analyst favors the Hawks in a playoff matchup against the Oilers.

The Edmonton Journal’s David Staples cited Charting Hockey’s Sean Tierney, who ran a seven-game playoff simulation. “I ran these matchups through a playoff simulator to save the NHL some time,” Tierney told the Journal. 1185175 Dallas Stars They sit on the deck. The rest of us dine on the patio. We all take the lockdown seriously, but Dr. Fauci would take special pride in Jake and his bride. When Emily picked up dinner recently at a local restaurant, a Coronavirus pandemic has provided a quiet pause for live sports — and couple of braying young customers laughed at her mask. I vote with it isn’t all that bad Emily.

Now that the Y is shut down, the lovely wife and I go for long walks. Olivia runs through the neighborhood. Ford and Bri pump iron in the By Kevin Sherrington driveway. The neighbors haven’t complained about their workout music. Not yet, anyway. 7:18 PM on May 23, 2020 Besides grocery stores or Lowe’s or a restaurant pick-up, we don’t get

out much. Tried to eat at Keller’s Drive-In on Northwest Highway, but the The last game I covered for this newspaper was Nov. 24, in blustery place was so packed, we couldn’t get any service. Foxborough, Mass., a 13-9 Cowboys loss to the Patriots made notable at Or maybe it was because I couldn’t figure out how to flash the lights on the time because it seemed to seal Jason Garrett’s fate with Jerry Jones. the wife’s car. At least that’s what you read in this space. Had I had any clue about what was yet to come, I’d have rendered something more wistful, probably. We drove slowly past a friend’s house to honor his birthday. Drove slowly past another’s to honor his memory. Six months without writing from a game sets a personal record spanning 43 years in the business, surpassing any challenges at least one heart Celebrated the birthday of our oldest daughter, Madeleine, locked down attack, a bypass and four teenagers could muster. in New York, on FaceTime.

Come Memorial Day, had it not been for the pandemic and subsequent Celebrated Easter on the screen porch. lockdown, I’d have covered a week of spring training and the literal lid- lifter in Arlington. The last Nelson at Trinity Forest. Maybe a Mavs playoff One of these days, life will go back to normal, and for many of us, game or two. Maybe even a Stars playoff game. especially those on the front lines of this pandemic, it will be a blessing. Most aren’t as fortunate as I am. So it makes a recovering Baptist a little Come to think of it, maybe not. guilty to say I’ve actually enjoyed the fact that life all but came to a stop.

Instead, no doubt like you, I’ve spent most of the last two months Once it restarts, I’ll carry lessons from it. Writing about games will be hunkered down at home. Frankly, there are worse places to be shut in, good when the time comes again. The pursuit of them has taken me all and for that, I’m truly grateful. Not only for the modest dwelling itself but over the world. But for a couple of months, anyway, I’ve enjoyed the view for the company the lovely wife and I keep these days. out back.

First, the quarters of our confinement: a three-bedroom ‘50s ranch typical of our North Dallas neighborhood when we bought it in 1992 but practically extinct these days. Architectural wonders loom all around us Dallas Morning News LOADED: 05.24.2020 now. Funny thing is, no matter how grand they build them, they still live across the street from me.

Other than the old, red F-150 parked out back, the only distinguishing feature of our humble abode is the screen porch. Frankly, we haven’t made much use of it over the years. Too cold in the winter; too hot otherwise. Or that was always the excuse. Maybe we were just too busy to enjoy the pastoral pleasures a screen porch evokes.

A fountain gurgles in a nearby bed of ferns under the canopy of a Japanese maple. A cocky blue jay primps in the basin. Across the alley, the breeze rippling the leaves in a three-story cottonwood sighs like a wave dying on a beach.

And then there’s the sound a screen door makes after you let it go: one bark, then two. Reminds me of my grandmother’s house, a two-bedroom cottage where she raised 11 children on the corner of two dirt roads in Henrietta. No, not Troy Aikman’s Henryetta. The town down the road from Wichita Falls. Larry McMurtry country.

Every Thanksgiving and a week every summer, grandma’s progeny filled up that little house with love and laughter. Everyone was fun, funny, larger than life. A favorite cousin lived next door. On nights after his basketball games, he’d run across the side yard and knock on our grandmother’s bedroom window to tell her how they’d done. Cousins used to tell us how fortunate we were to live in a big city like Houston. I never felt as lucky as when I walked through that screen door.

Most evenings these days, the lovely wife and I have the back porch to ourselves. Social distancing. The game room has been taken over by the two youngest and a girlfriend. Ford’s senior season was cut in half by the pandemic. His graduation was supposed to be last weekend. Came and went like most days, without notice. His baseball coach was trying to find him a gig in an independent league to give him something to do while he figured out the rest of his life. Now he’s figuring it out at home.

His girlfriend, Bri, sleeps in the girls’ bedroom. Also a Hendrix College graduate, she’s taking graduate courses online at UNT, preparing for medical school and embracing life’s challenges. A couple of weeks ago, she and Ford planted a garden. The strawberries are already showing.

Olivia, our youngest, is back home after her junior year at University of Arkansas. She provides most of the entertainment. I serve as her foil.

On Sunday nights or for no reason at all, our oldest, Jake, and his wife, Emily, visit for dinner. Most of the time, at their request, we eat outside. 1185176 Dallas Stars hard. But with something being on the line, guys have to play harder and think about that and consider that we want home ice or whatever advantage of some sort. It’s one of those things that St. Louis and Why Jason Dickinson and the Stars voted ‘yes’ on NHL’s return-to-play Colorado might sit there and say, ‘Dallas and Vegas are 10 points behind proposal us and they get just as much a chance of landing first? C’mon.’ But I think they also respected that you have to do something.”

Dickinson is the Stars’ representative on the NHLPA Executive board. As By Sean Shapiro such, he was the one casting the vote. But it was important to best represent his team. May 23, 2020 “I had an idea — in general — going in, of where our team would sit,”

Dickinson said. “We’re pretty understanding of the situation.” Jason Dickinson voted ‘yes’ on Friday when the NHL Players Association Throughout the stoppage, Dickinson has been communicating with authorized further negotiations with the league on a 24-team return-to- teammates as much as possible to make sure all voices are heard. play format. Dickinson has sent out ideas and sought feedback over group text many Final details have to be hammered out, but under the proposed plan 24 times. There have also been group and individual calls when players teams would return to play, with the top four teams in each conference have larger concerns. getting a playoff berth. The teams seeded fifth through 12th in each Dickinson has also relied on Stars goalie Ben Bishop, the team’s conference would have a play-in round to fill out the playoff bracket. alternate representative, who has taken part in the conference calls. “I felt it was fair as possible,” Dickinson said. “We tried to cover “He’s an older veteran guy on the team and he can sometimes have everybody’s bases and make sure nobody is being left out that’s more of a conversation with some of the older guys in different life deserving of it. I went in (to the call) with an open mind.” situations, with kids and stuff,” Dickinson said. “With Bish it’s easy to use “If I felt the setup was overwhelmingly unfair — even not to us, overall him to really make sure we have the best representation for the team. So unfair for another team — I would have voted ‘no’ or suggested we we can put together a really good picture of the guys’ wants and needs.” needed time to really talk this over more,” Dickinson added. “It just felt like in my eyes there was really no other option.” The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2020 The measure passed by a 29-2 count. There was an initial report — later refuted — that Pittsburgh representative Kris Letang voted ‘no’ because it wouldn’t be fair for the fifth-seeded Penguins to play the 12th-seeded Montreal Canadiens in a short series. Letang shot that report down on Friday night, telling SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman that “At the end of the day, nobody gets exactly what they want … But, we all want what is best for hockey and to continue to grow the game.”

“I couldn’t think in my own head of a more fair way to make sure that everyone had a fair chance of making it into the playoffs,” Dickinson said. “It’s not fair to say that everybody as of today that’s in a playoff spot is deserving of playing in the playoffs. You saw the New York (Rangers). They were hot, and if they they had another 10 games, I would say 100- percent they would be in the playoffs. Lots of people would have said the same thing, but the break comes right in the middle of this and there not deserving of a playoff spot? I think you have to consider them.”

The proposal still has to be finalized, but Dickinson agreed that a best-of- five series for the play-in was better than a best-of-three when it comes to fairness.

“You can’t play a full season and then just let two flops (in a best of three) end a team’s season,” Dickinson said.

Under the proposed plan, the Stars would be one of four Western Conference teams to get a bye. But they would also play in round-robin tournament with the St. Louis Blues, and Vegas Golden Knights to determine playoff seeding on the top of the bracket.

It was important for Dickinson to have a system like that in place as opposed to seeing those top teams playing their first real game as Game 1 of the first round against a team that had already played at least three games.

“I can’t remember which player brought that up first, but the person that recognized that could be an issue, they are speaking for everybody,” Dickinson said. “Because there is no way we can step in after months and be expected to go into playoff mode without at least a couple games. Even though we aren’t really skating, not doing anything, we are still in a kind of summer hockey mode and the intensity is not there.”

With seeding on the line for the round-robin, the plan could be advantageous for Dallas. The Stars were 12 points behind the Blues when the season was suspended, but with success in the round-robin they could steal the top seed.

Dickinson said having actual meaning to the round-robin games was important.

“It’s not 100 percent fair and representative or fair of how the season went, but it creates a way for us to play and get more movement in our legs and feeling while also giving us something to play for,” Dickinson said. “If we were just playing useless games then guys wouldn’t try that 1185177 Helene's mock: With No. 3 pick, Red Wings won't resist appeal of Quinton Byfield

Jordie Benn of the fights Robby Fabbri of the St. How Robby Fabbri reignited career after Detroit Red Wings stole him Louis Blues for the puck Oct. 17, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. from Blues Just how much Fabbri fits into the Wings’ plans remains to be seen. He’ll be a restricted free agent this offseason. Fabbri was originally signed to a Dana Gauruder, Special to the Detroit Free Press three-year, entry-level contract. He has played on one year contracts over the past two years. He inked a one-year, $900K deal in restricted Published 2:05 p.m. ET May 23, 2020 | Updated 2:13 p.m. ET May 23, free agency last summer. 2020 Fabbri is hoping for more stability with his next contract.

“I am definitely hoping and excited to get off the back-to-back one-year Robby Fabbri has become quite familiar with long layoffs. contracts but that part of the game is for my agent to talk to Yzerman about,” he said. “I’ll leave that up to them and just control what I can The Detroit Red Wings forward endured a pair of ACL tears to his left control. At this point, I’m staying ready in case we go back and if not, knee which cut short his second NHL season, wiped out the next and staying ready to start my summer training for next season.” delayed the following one. Just days after the stoppage of play, Fabbri returned to Toronto for what The 2½ months off due to the coronavirus pandemic has placed Fabbri in he anticipated would be a short stay. It didn’t work out that way. another holding pattern, minus the pain and difficulty of rehabbing an injury. “Three days later, the borders got shut down,” he said.

“It’s tough,” Fabbri said Friday from his Toronto condo. “If you ask any He has spent the vast majority of his time holed up in his condo with his player, they wish they could be playing and hoped the season could have girlfriend Kassandra and their two French bulldogs. been finished out. But there’s nothing we can do about what’s going on right now. I’ve been through long periods of time without playing, so I “We always say we’re lucky to have two dogs to keep us entertained, know how to keep myself ready. It’s not something I’m proud of but I’ve being inside most of the day,” he said. missed a bunch of months put together before.” Without access to a rink, Fabbri has stayed in shape by converting a Fabbri and the rest of the Wings may have to wait until December to play spare bedroom into a makeshift gym. He has kept in touch with the a meaningful game again. This week, the NHL Players’ Association Wings' trainers on a weekly basis and caught up with his teammates via board approved a 24-team playoff format to resume the season. The Facetime and texts. Wings, who were eliminated from playoff contention in February, would “My body feels great,” he said. “It’s been pretty much 2½ years with the not be one of those teams. Next season could be delayed until the surgeries and everything is starting to get back to normal, going through beginning of winter. the season with the travel and the games and everything like that. My Fabbri, 24, was one of the few bright spots in the blight of the Red Wings’ body stayed in one piece, which was nice.” woeful season. Acquired in a trade with defending champion St. Louis in In terms of his career, he’d like to stay in one place for awhile with the early November, Fabbri racked up 14 goals and 17 assists in 52 games team that gave him a second chance. playing mostly on the Wings’ top two lines. “I’ve stated multiple times I want to be in Detroit for as long as possible,” GM took a flyer on Fabbri, who was a healthy scratch in he said. “I don’t control that but I loved it there from the minute I came. eight of the Blues’ previous nine games prior to the trade. The player Everything was great for myself, for my girlfriend and the dogs. They dealt for Fabbri, , scored one goal in 34 games with St. loved it there. I’m looking to stay there as long as I can.” Louis before the season was halted.

For Fabbri, it was a much needed fresh start. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 05.24.2020 “I felt good, I felt comfortable,” he said. “As the season went on, I started to get things back (physically) that you can only get back through reps, through games. I was really happy how my season went personally. Just playing again was refreshing. It felt great, and I did it with a great group of guys.”

Before the knee injuries sidetracked his career, Fabbri was expected to be a building block for the Blues. They selected him with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2014 draft and he made a splash in his rookie season, scoring 18 goals in 72 games.

He had 11 goals in 52 games before suffering his first major knee injury in February 2017. He re-injured the knee in training camp that fall and sat out the entire season.

Fabbri’s run of injuries continued into the 2018-19 season as he suffered a separated shoulder that cost him 11 games. When he returned, he only saw spot duty, as he appeared in 32 regular season games. During the Blues’ run to the Stanley Cup, Fabbri played in 10 of 26 postseason games and scored one goal.

When this season started, Fabbri was essentially lost in the shuffle.

“If you look back at my first year and a half before the first injury, everything was great there in St. Louis. … A lot of good memories from there,” he said. “There’s nothing I can control about the injuries and new guys coming in and new coaches coming in. All that stuff is out of my control.

“At the end of the day, I’m happy to land in Detroit and be with this group. Hopefully, I’ll be part of this rebuild and be here for the upcoming years.”

Fans speak: Steve Yzerman 'eases the pain' of being a Red Wings ticket holder 1185178 Detroit Red Wings disappear, then the economic impact on the sports industries is a tiny component of what is going to happen to society.”

“The effect on sports is an undetectably small part of this," he continued. Even with empty stadiums, television a big driver in the push to bring "Straining at a gnat while swallowing an elephant.” back pro sports amid coronavirus Indeed, there are many unknowns in play. It's worth noting the differences between the current coronavirus pandemic and past hiatuses. Updated May 22, 2:11 PM; Posted May 22, 7:02 AM Baseball resumed less than a week after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Many sports paused during the World Wars. Lockouts and strikes -- like those By Andrew Kahn | [email protected] that canceled the 1994 MLB season and 2004-05 NHL season, to name two -- were, relative to other stoppages, preventable.

Another infectious disease, the Spanish Flu, which hit in 1918 and lasted The COVID-19 pandemic has been described as unprecedented, and in for more than two years, affected sports. Hockey’s 1919 championship many ways that is accurate. As it relates to sports, though, it's worth series was stopped short of completion, among the many alterations to remembering two things: external factors have stopped sports before and the sports calendar. Attendance shot up after that pandemic, though it’s those sports did return, sometimes stronger than before. impossible to separate that from the conclusion of World War I. "Fans have had something that is a big part of their lives taken away," The present situation is different. said David Berri, an economics professor at Southern Utah University. When sports resume, "I think you're going to see a rather huge uptick in "This is a worldwide catastrophe," Berke said. "It puts a totally different interest and revenue." light on the negotiations."

The NBA season was suspended on March 11, the same day NHL The contracts between pro sports leagues and media distributors, season came to a halt. The MLB season, scheduled for a late March according to Berke, typically address events such as pandemics. Known opening, hasn't begun. The NFL season could be played without fans in as force majeure clauses, they allow for compensation in the result of the stands. games not being played.

Leagues would take a financial hit if games were staged in empty "There are clauses," Berke said, "and there are relationships. If you're a stadiums: money from tickets, concessions, parking, and in-venue network partnered up with a league and/or you want to do business when sponsorships would be lost. Smith College economics professor Andrew the next deal comes up, then you don't want to win the battle and lose Zimbalist noted that the average MLB team would lose about half its the war." normal revenue in such a scenario. Berke points to the HORSE competition that ESPN aired in mid-April as There is big money, however, especially for the NFL, in the television an example of a league -- in this case the NBA -- and network working deals. They generate billions for the leagues. together to create original content.

Those contracts "provide a substantial incentive for pro and college When real games do return, ratings are expected to soar. "There is a leagues and conferences to attempt to start as quickly as possible," said pent-up demand and interest in watching sports on television," Berke Lee Berke, a sports media industry consultant for the past two decades. said. The NFL, already the king in this department, could be the biggest beneficiary if sports remain on hold through the summer but return in the "That's why you're seeing (the leagues) examining a range of scenarios fall, just in time for the regularly scheduled start of football season. for how they restart in a healthy environment." Regardless, at least one expert doesn't expect any long-term NBA teams have recently started re-opening their training facilities. Major coronavirus-related effects on sports. Berri, who was born in Detroit and League Baseball is working on a proposal to play a shortened season, roots for the Lions, anticipates a short-term boost when games resume with player safety and compensation reportedly key issues in the and, if fans aren't admitted initially, another boost when stadiums open. negotiations. "I'm not somebody who studies diseases but we do have some sense of Whether games are limited to certain regions of the country and/or history," Berri said. "Diseases do stop at some point and people go back played without fans, experts expect the TV ratings to be enormous. to their normal lives. The long hiatus coupled with stay-at-home orders makes for a captive “Sports will come back. And the Lions will go back to disappointing us” crowd. Berke mentioned the high ratings for sports documentaries like ESPN's "The Last Dance," e-sports, and the NFL draft as indicators of the eager audience. Michigan Live LOADED: 05.24.2020 The first round of the NFL draft set a viewership record for the event. The first live sports event on network TV in months, Sunday’s NASCAR race, garnered large ratings.

Berri made a similar point, and extended the theory to when stadiums re- open. When fans are allowed to attend games and feel safe doing so, Berri said, "I'd expect record attendance."

But with so many unknowns about coronavirus and the lack of a vaccine, some experts, when asked in late April, said it was too soon to gauge the impact of any return by pro sports.

“I can spin one scenario where everything is just fine. I can spin another scenario that is disaster,” said Rodney Fort, a sports management professor at the University of Michigan.

Fort, however, declined to elaborate on potential scenarios, citing his lack of medical expertise.

“It is irresponsible to spin either as ‘expert opinion.’ Especially since I am no expert on the underlying source of uncertainty -- that is for public health experts.”

When Roger Noll, an economics professor at Stanford, declined to be interviewed, he was asked if his reasoning was similar to Fort's.

“A bit different,” he wrote. “If the effect of coronavirus is to cause games to be played without audiences and sports with less TV revenue to 1185179 Edmonton Oilers If this was a homework assignment, the teacher would send it back and say ‘Come up with another option that includes a Battle of .’

FIRM BUT FAIR TYCHKOWSKI: NHL's return to play strategy could cost fans in the long run The Oilers situation in the return to play format isn’t great. Playing the Blackhawks in a short series after a makeshift training camp and no pre- season games is legitimately scary. But if the NHL and NHLPA agree Robert Tychkowski that a play-in is better than seeing those desperately close wildcard races determined by winning percentage, then they have to live with it. May 23, 2020 4:45 PM MDT Too bad they didn’t know on March 11 that if they beat in the final game before the shutdown, their winning percentage jumps from 58.5 to 59.8 and they leapfrog Dallas into a top-four spot. The next step for the Ottawa Senators is a decision on the lottery and the ... FAST STARTERS

The NHL and the NHL Players Association have given us plenty to digest With players sitting idle for three or four months, unable to train properly — some of it sweet, some of it a little hard to swallow — with a 24-team or skate at all, it’s impossible to predict what might happen in the early return to play concept that both sides have agreed to in principle. rounds of the NHL plan.

A lot of details still need to be worked out, and COVID-19 still has the Even after a full camp and six or seven pre-season games, teams usually final say on whether or not a skate blade ever touches the ice, but there take a month to hit their stride. Look at the standings after the first three is at least a framework in place that can be fine-tuned to create a weeks of this season: Dallas was tied for 11th in the West, while the workable playoff format. Anaheim Ducks were fourth, just three points out of first. The were first in the East while the were 12th. First of all, let’s not call this anything other than what it is: A cash grab. Or, rather, a cash save. With the NHL and NHLPA standing to lose over It’s going to be a crap shoot. $1 billion if the season is washed away, they’ll do anything to plug that financial hole. The good news for the Oilers is they were 7-2-1 out of the gate. What might be concerning is they were 5-4-3 prior to the shutdown and went 1- Even run a Stanley Cup tournament into September and October before 2 against the Blackhawks this year. taking a short break and starting next season in December.

It makes sense from their perspective, a billion bucks is a billion bucks, but it’s starting to straddle the line between what’s good for the game and Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.24.2020 the fans and what’s good for them.

The tournament, itself, would be interesting, but it’s still just a quirky, made-for-TV series that ends with giant asterisks being etched on championship rings.

And it doesn’t serve fans well in the long run.

As much as everyone loves hockey and had been searching for live sports to watch on television, the NHL playoff window is normally closing right now. We missed it. Fans don’t clamour for hockey in July and August. That’s when they’re outside enjoying the summer.

And let’s say Edmonton doesn’t make it past the play-in series against Chicago, or loses in the first round, which is entirely possible with everyone coming in cold. As a fan, are you cool with spending September and October watching other teams play out the bracket in quiet, empty buildings, knowing the Oilers aren’t back until December?

If Chicago pulls a first-round upset, the Oilers (and seven other teams bounced in the play-in round) will end up playing five or fewer games in almost nine months. The seven teams that aren’t invited to the tournament will play zero games between March and December.

By the end of the first round, 23 teams will be out until December.

Not sure if that’s great for anyone.

We all understand how important it is for owners and players to keep from losing all that money, but from a fan’s perspective, you almost have to wonder if the COVID-19 cure is worse than the disease.

FORMAT WOES

The playoff format is unnecessarily weird, we all know that. There are lot of very good questions that remain unanswered.

Why 24 teams? Why did they steer away from divisional rivalries? Why, if winning percentage can be used to fairly determine seedings, can it not be used to determine 16 playoff teams?

How does it make a lick of sense that a team finishing 15 points ahead of Montreal has to beat them in a short series to make the playoffs?

Since the play-in series isn’t officially the playoffs, does it count as the regular season, meaning two goals from James Neal against Chicago triggers a trade clause that sends a third-round pick?

Even though there aren’t any fans, will owners still jack up playoff ticket prices out of habit? 1185180 Edmonton Oilers “It hasn’t felt like an off-season at all. You’re still thinking about stuff and preparing for stuff. It feels like you are on call all the time, waiting for the call to get going again.”

JONES: Edmonton Oilers only looking ahead in NHL's possible return to Many observers view the Oilers, who ended the coronavirus-shortened play season sitting second in the Pacific Division and fourth in the Western Conference in points, as having been hosed.

Terry Jones By including the Blackhawks as the 12th seed in the Western Conference, despite being well out of contention, an Edmonton franchise May 23, 2020 10:07 AM MDT that has only one year in the playoffs since losing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final in 2006, is faced with the prospects of playing a team featuring

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews that won Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 When the NHL was forced to pause the season on March 12 due to the and 2015. COVID-19 pandemic, the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers knew And when it comes to Tippett, there’s also a revenge factor involved with dealing with what lay ahead was going to be unprecedented. the Blackhawks veterans. But now, having perhaps 45 days to prepare to play the Chicago In 2012, Tippett coached the Phoenix Coyotes into the playoffs and beat Blackhawks in a best-of-five play-in series? the Blackhawks in six games in a first-round series that would be “If you have 45 days, you might want to take 40 of those days to make remembered as only the second in NHL history where the first five sure your own team is prepared,” said following a games all went to , as well as for the spectacular goaltending of conference call with his coaching staff, as NHL players approved the current Oilers goaltender Mike Smith in the Phoenix nets. concept of a 24-team Stanley Cup playoffs, subject to agreement on Again, Tippett isn’t contemplating any of that. dozens of other details. “Obviously, you’ll have a defined opponent coming up. But from the way that things ended and how long its been, The challenge won’t likely involve anything from the past. our focus is going to be on our team — preparing to get our team ready to go again.” “The challenge will be in dealing with the unprecedented,” he said. “There are going to be a lot of unique things — things that haven’t While it’s not a done deal until both the NHL and the NHL Players happened before. What they are, we’re not sure yet.” Association sign off on all the complicated aspects of the return to play plan, the projected matchup is Edmonton-Chicago. Normally, you might have 45 hours after the matchups are made on the final weekend of the Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.24.2020 regular season to prepare for your playoff opponent, not 45 days.

And in the coming days, some of the details will be announced that may even outline when to expect the players to report for their 14-day quarantines and five-player-per-pod skating at team complexes prior to proceeding to a three-week training camp and then heading directly to the hub city and into the playoffs. But it looks like mid-July.

As for the Blackhawks, until the official announcement of all details is made, Tippett isn’t going to comment on that. But, obviously, to go directly from training camp into the Stanley Cup playoffs is unprecedented. That one isn’t in the coaching manual.

“The coaches have been in constant communication, kind of throwing ideas around so we’ll be prepared for it. But the main thing is that you have to get your own team mentally and physically prepared to play,” said Tippett of his conversations involving Jim Playfair, Glen Gulutzan and Brian Wiseman.

“That will be the focus early on. As you become more engaged, getting your body and mind back into competing, then you can get into the ins and outs of how hard it’s going to be to start that first game.”

One thing’s for sure, Tippett will be reminding his team about how hungry and motivated they were coming into the regular season and to attempt to replicate most of what got them off to a 5-0 start before they lost their first game of the year … to the, uh, Chicago Blackhawks.

“Those are things we’ll look at — the kind of training camp we had and the motivation we had,” he said. “I think our team will be very hungry and very motivated to come back. From talking to our players, they want to see where we stack up against the rest of the league in the playoffs.”

Not only has Tippett had regular conference calls with his coaching staff, he’s kept in communication with his players throughout.

“Every couple of weeks, we’ve had a regular conference call with all the players and all the staff. So we’ve stayed in touch pretty much all the way through it.

“We’ve been trying to figure out our best way to manage our way through. There have been a few of them I’ve had individual conversations with but for the most part, we’ve talked in groups all the time,” he said on the phone from his off-season home in Phoenix. “The guys are anxious to come back and play. I know the coaches are, too. Hopefully, we all get a chance.”

The days since the Oilers played their last game have been very strange. 1185181 Edmonton Oilers more than four months on their respective draft days. I wrote about Jarvis for The Athletic in early May. He is an exceptional prospect.

Despite his clear talent, Jarvis isn’t a lock to go in the top 15 overall. Lowetide: Why Kailer Yamamoto represents ‘Money Puck’ value for NHL Craig Button’s latest prospect list for TSN ranks the skill winger at No. 23 teams overall. Button is a former , scout and scouting director, making his list a valuable public tool. You might call it the prevailing wisdom of the hockey industry, but I see it as real insight into scouts’ By Allan Mitchell opinions. As an aside, Button had Yamamoto No. 16 on his final list in 2017. May 23, 2020 Compare and contrast

John Williams, who is a full-time scout for Kailer Yamamoto’s impact on the Oilers this season was real and Central Scouting, told me Jarvis and Yamamoto have differences in their spectacular. Although best described as a complementary player on a games but share top-level skill as their strength. “Both are dynamic line featuring Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, it’s also true the players, both create offence,” Williams said. “Seth is a little bit bigger, he young AHL recall helped ignite the line and send it to new heights. plays a little heavier. Kailer is more of a slasher, he darts into places. I The three men had an enormous impact on the Oilers’ success, as think they could actually complement each other.” reflected by their five-on-five numbers, which span Yamamoto’s arrival Williams’ description of Yamamoto offers insight into why he works so through the end of the regular season: well with Draisaitl, who prefers to transport the puck into the opposition’s Nugent-Hopkins 30 games, 12 goals, 14 assists, 26 points end.

Draisaitl 30 games, 9-16-25 Oilers: No need for stealth

Yamamoto 27 games, 7-15-22 Yamamoto’s name was linked to the Oilers coming out of the 2017 NHL combine, and his selection by the team at No. 22 was no surprise. A redo Yamamoto has a sixth sense for finding quiet areas and anticipating of the 2017 draft would likely have him inside the top 15 overall. rebounds, something on display during this sequence in February against the Chicago Blackhawks. He is fearless pursuing the puck, relentless on A quick glance at this year’s best offensive prospects uncovers several the forecheck and willing to take a hit to make a play. He agitates worthwhile targets. Some of these youngsters will be selected at a opponents with his quickness and aggressive play, often beating much number commensurate with their actual value, but at least one or two will larger players by using his quickness. slide. Those players will be candidates for a future list of money-puck acquisitions. Here is my list of the top 10 undersized skill players (5-foot- Yamamato has good speed but uses it more on the forecheck and 10 or shorter) in the 2020 draft: backcheck than on breakaways. Draisaitl loves playing with him because Yamamoto has the skill and the intelligence to play a creative offensive Marco Rossi, 5-9: 2.14 points per game (OHL) game at a very high level. Cole Perfetti 5-10: 1.82 points per game (OHL) ‘Money puck’ Seth Jarvis 5-10: 1.69 points per game (WHL) I define ‘money puck’ as taking advantage of any inefficiency the Zion Nybeck 5-6: 1.57 points per game (SuperElite) establishment holds as true. The Athletic’s Jonathan Willis recently identified a great example of money puck pertaining to defencemen and Mavrik Bourque 5-10: 1.45 points per game (QMJHL) their value later in the draft. Brett Berard 5-9: 1.38 points per game (USHL) Yamamoto fell victim to the establishment’s size bias in his draft year despite his ability to win puck battles in high-traffic areas. It’s a Catch-22 Kasper Simontaival 5-9: 1.19 points per game (Jr. ) for small forwards: If you don’t go into the difficult areas, you’re “soft” or a Danil Gushcin 5-8: 1.19 points per game (USHL) “perimeter” player. Yamamoto, who is currently listed at 5-foot-8 and 153 pounds, was the opposite player type, and scouts passed on him Ryan Francis 5-9: 1.18 points per game (QMJHL) because of injury concerns. Jan Mysak 5-10: 1.14 points per game (OHL) Yamamoto was still available when Edmonton was on the clock at pick No. 22 in 2017, despite being one of the best offensive players in the Carter Savoie (5-9) posted 1.83 points per game in the AJHL. I excluded draft (I ranked him No. 11 in 2017). In addition to questions about his him because he played Tier 2. There’s no doubt about his talent, and he durability, there were worries about how his style would translate to the is a candidate to go lower than he should in this year’s draft. NHL. What does it all mean?

Three years later, injury worries remain, but there’s no doubt about When I wrote the piece on Jarvis, readers pushed back on my Yamamoto’s ability to flourish in the NHL. suggestion that he might be available when Edmonton is on the clock. Major value My response is that the Oilers should double down on their willingness to draft smaller skilled players until other teams figure it out. Yamamoto slipping to No. 22 in 2017 was another reminder of NHL teams’ hesitancy to pick undersized skill players commensurate with their History teaches us that NHL teams undervalue skill, especially when it talent. comes in a smaller package. Hammer that option until all the draft picks are gone. In 2015, Conor Garland (chosen No. 123 in 2015) and Kirill Kaprizov (chosen No. 135) warranted earlier selections. In 2016, Alex DeBrincat One of the names on the list above is going to fall in the draft, leaving fell to No. 39 despite being one of the best offensive prospects in the fans upset when a more astute team grabs him in the second or third draft. Yamamoto fell about six to 10 spots where he should have been round. It happens every year. considered. It wasn’t surprising that Yamamoto fell to No. 22 in 2017, but it was eye- Money puck in 2020 opening that Edmonton was the team that chose him. Whether it’s Jarvis or Bourque or Mysak or another small skill player, the money-puck We will likely see this play out again in 2020, with Seth Jarvis probably lesson remains the same. becoming the latest example. He is another WHL forward whose skills and production should see him come off the board during the first 15 The NHL’s bias against small forwards with skill is the gift that keeps on picks of this year’s draft. Jarvis is a similar player to Yamamoto — his giving for the NHL’s smartest teams. numbers in his draft year are outstanding, and there’s a buzz around him.

Jarvis, who is 5-10 and 172 pounds, is a little bigger than Yamamoto and The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2020 was born in February 2002, making him younger than Yamamoto by 1185182 Florida Panthers

NHL players approve format for return; Panthers would qualify for playoffs

By MAX MARCOVITCH

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL

MAY 23, 2020 | 1:03 PM

The Florida Panthers might just be headed to the playoffs. Kind of.

The NHL Players Association approved a format to resume play that would feature a 24-team playoff tournament, 12 teams in each conference. Under that format — which still awaits a series of additional hurdles before becoming reality — the Panthers would slot into the tenth seed in the Eastern Conference and to square off in a five-game series against the New York Islanders. The Islanders have won each of the past four matchups between the teams.

"The Executive Board of the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup,” the NHLPA said in a statement. “Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play.”

This qualifies as merely one step, with several yet to occur before the NHL can actually return to the ice. The Players Association and the league must still hash out timing, location, health and safety protocols, and more. This agreement simply authorizes further negotiation between the NHL and NHLPA. and is the framework of a plan on which to build off since the regular season was placed on pause on March 12 amid the coronavius pandemic.

But for the Panthers, it offers the possibility of postseason hockey in a season that otherwise offered little hope of making it to the playoffs. When the season was suspended, the Panthers sat in fourth in the Atlantic Division with 78 points. For a franchise that has made the postseason just twice in the past 19 years — and has won just three playoff series’ in its history — this was hardly out of the ordinary.

Now, under truly unprecedented circumstances, the Panthers might have their shot.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 05.24.2020 1185183 Minnesota Wild They would have finished just out of the playoffs if the season resumed with a traditional 16-game bracket.

Instead, a hot team with a rising star in forward Kevin Fiala may well be Fans should enjoy any Wild playoff run even if sportstuff will be missing good enough to make a playoff run.

But that will be a possibility only if Fiala can and will fly back from MAY 23, 2020 — 11:14PM Sweden to the United States, and veteran players with young children such as Devan Dubnyk and Eric Staal choose to play, and the entire JIM SOUHAN league doesn’t have to shut down again because of an outbreak of coronavirus two weeks into the playoffs. JIM SOUHAN @SOUHANSTRIB My advice to quarantined fans:

Take what you can get. The Wild might have surged into the playoffs after all. Appreciate that professional athletes, even if they are well-compensated, On Friday, the NHL Players Association executive board approved a 24- are risking their health for your amusement. team format for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Pray that the leagues are reopening because they believe their players The Wild, seeded 10th in the Western Conference, would face seventh- will be safe, not because owners are desperate to reduce financial seeded Vancouver in a five-game opening series. losses. Win the series, and the Wild would advance to the traditional 16-team And if the Wild wins the Stanley Cup this year, enjoy watching one of the bracket and something vaguely resembling the usual Stanley Cup greatest traditions in sports — the post-series elbow-bump line. playoffs would begin.

Now for the Covid disclaimers and accompanying questions: Star Tribune LOADED: 05.24.2020 The NHL hasn’t reached a final agreement with the players on the exact logistics of a return, or compensation, and we don’t know how many players are worried about playing during a pandemic.

A player could wind up quarantined in a hotel for weeks without their families, or could risk carrying the virus to their families.

The NHL doesn’t yet know where the games would be played, although Minnesota — with the Xcel Energy Center featuring six locker rooms and the Tria Rink walking distance away — would be one of the more logical sites.

International travel remains problematic. The U.S.-Canada border is not completely open yet. Will an NHL player be willing to fly on a commercial flight from Europe to the United States, given the difficulty of practicing social distancing on planes and at airports?

A Finn could fly back to the United States, test positive, undergo a quarantine and have his team eliminated from the playoffs before he gets a chance to play.

If a slew of key players test positive and are unable to participate, will fans view their absences as equivalent to injury games lost, or will their absences taint the playoffs?

What happens if the virus overruns an entire team?

Can hockey, a game of heavy sweating and hard hitting, control the spread of the virus?

Will the NHL develop face masks that pair with current helmets and eyeshields?

Are fans prepared to watch playoff hockey without fans in the stands or handshake lines on the ice?

The NHL is trying to thread a needle with nautical rope. And the rest of the major sports will do the same.

This is less a return to normalcy than a grand and perhaps dangerous experiment that will repeatedly prompt this question:

It’s high-fives, dog piles, flying body bumps and silly handshakes.

It’s autograph-seeking, player meet-and-greets, fan selfies, tailgating and public pregaming, concession lines and the communal thrill of cheering a team in person with like-minded persons.

It’s sports reporting that takes you inside the locker room, teammates crowded together on a bench.

Imagine, if you will, a Stanley Cup Final Game 7 with pumped-in crowd noise, or none at all, and with one team decimated by a virus.

Will that be good enough for the usually discriminating American sports fan?

Will Wild players feel fortunate or cursed to have had their season extended into midsummer? 1185184 Montreal Canadiens

Hickey on hockey: Canadiens part of NHL playoff plans

Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date:18 hours ago

The Montreal Canadiens are in the playoffs.

Now that we have that improbable bit of news out of the way, the only questions are if, when and where the National Hockey League will proceed with its plans for a 24-team tournament to determine the Stanley Cup winner.

The plan was given the green light Friday evening when the National Hockey League Players Association issued the following statement:

“The executive board of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup. Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play.”

The NHL Board of Governors approved the 24-team format earlier in the week, but there have been few details about the format or the location for the games, which will be played in empty arenas to be determined later.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said eight or nine sites are under consideration. Edmonton and Buffalo are probably near the top of the list because they offer hotels connected to the rinks. Buffalo has the added advantage of a practice rink located in the hotel complex. Both cities have been relatively untouched by the coronavirus.

What we do know about the format is the top four teams in each conference will get a bye and the other eight teams will meet in the first rounds. Boston, Tampa, Washington and Philadelphia get the passes in the East and the Canadiens, the last team to qualify for the expanded format, would face the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On paper, this a mismatch. The Penguins overcame a series of injuries to key personnel to post the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference while the Canadiens were dead in the water when the NHL suspended play on March 12. The team was on a three-game losing streak and was 10 points out of a wild-card spot.

But the series between the teams suggest this could be a competitive matchup and, if the first round is a best-of-three series, a hot Carey Price could tip the scales in Montreal’s favour. Pittsburgh won two of the three games in the regular season, but one of those Penguins’ wins came in overtime.

The timing of the playoffs will benefit both teams. The NHL must wait for travel restrictions to ease and, after going through a quarantine period and a three-week training camp, the earliest starting date for the playoffs would be late July or early August.

The season was halted with Victor Mete and Tomas Tatar on the injured reserve list and both should be available. But there are other players who will benefit from the four-month break. Phillip Danault, Jonathan Drouin, Brendan Gallagher and were all nursing aches and pains, while Price was no doubt dealing with fatigue after starting an NHL-high 58 games.

Still to be determined is the availability of Alexander Romanov, who signed at the conclusion of the KHL season.

The Penguins should benefit from the return of Jake Guentzel, who had 20 goals and 23 assists in 39 games before suffering a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Other first-round matchups in the East will be the Rangers against Carolina, the Islanders against Florida and Toronto against Columbus.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 05.24.2020 1185185 The issue of whether teams will be able to sign players from their reserve lists and add them to the 2020 tournament roster — for example, the Rangers’ Morgan Barron — is unresolved.

NHL better not cheat the teams bound for draft lottery So, too, is whether the 24 teams would be able to extend 2020 training camp invites to players whose entry-level contracts begin next season — such as the Rangers’ K’Andre Miller and the Maple Leafs’ Mikko By Larry Brooks Lehtonen.

May 23, 2020 | 6:23PM There are, according to Cap Friendly, 68 players on the 24 tournament- bound teams who have signed entry-level deals since March.

The likelihood on this latter item would be no, given that, A) these players So what now of the Stigmatized Seven, those clubs who couldn’t play up would be ineligible for the tournament; B) teams would have to provide to an NHL .500 level before the league entered its pause phase on COVID-19 testing for these additional individuals; and, C) the March 12 and have thus been deemed unworthy of an invite to the Stigmatized Seven would be prevented from getting similar close-up league’s imagined 24-team Stanley Cup tournament? looks at their kids. What about the fate, primarily as applies to the draft lottery, of the Devils, Keep this in mind: If and when the Rangers face off against the Sabres, Ducks, Kings, Sharks, Senators and Red Wings, whose teams Hurricanes in Game 1 of their best-of-five, Brendan Lemieux will be and players will be on ice — as opposed to on the ice — for perhaps as unavailable. long as eight months if the 2020-21 season commences in December? That is because the winger will be serving the first game of his still yet The NHL has still not announced its plan for the draft, though the almost unannounced sentence for the suspension he received for his senseless universal pushback from general managers against holding it next month drive-by elbow to Joonas Donskoi’s head in the final minutes of the third before competition resumes, likely means that it won’t take place until period of the Blueshirts’ final pre-pause match in Colorado on March 11. after the tournament. Lemieux, considered a repeat offender under NHL guidelines, will likely That, among other things, would eliminate the possibility of the lottery be out for two games, perhaps three, if the Department of Player Safety winner also winning the Cup a couple of months later. If that is the case, applies its rule-of-thumb, one playoff game equals two regular season there is no reason at all for the league to design the lottery so that the matches in determining sentences. 31st-overall Red Wings are guaranteed either the first or second pick overall and the 30th-overall Senators are assured of picking in the top Congratulations to Artemi Panarin and Alisa Znarok, who announced three. their engagement on Friday.

Moreover, there is no reason at all to deny any of the Stigmatized Seven Finally, these best-of-fives. a shot at the No. 1 selection. Playoffs or play-ins? Indeed, the league should design a weighted lottery in which these seven all have an opportunity to move up into any slot. Not only that, those Mr. Miyagi wants to know. seven teams should be guaranteed the top seven picks.

We have heard some talk that the league is kicking around the concept New York Post LOADED: 05.24.2020 of including the eight losers of the preliminary round of the tournament in a 15-team weighted lottery similar to the preceding four years in which separate drawings were held for the top three picks.

This might offer some protection to teams like seventh-overall Pittsburgh and 12th-overall Edmonton if they were to fall to 24th-overall Montreal and 23rd-overall Chicago, respectively, and it would offer a win-win scenario for clubs like the Rangers and Arizona — but surely the draft isn’t meant to reward a Penguins team playing at a .623 percentage (102-point pace) if they suffer a defeat under unprecedented circumstances. There is no reason to turn the lottery into a safety net.

And though we have pointed out repeatedly that nothing is fair about the pandemic, the league would be going out of its way to be unfair to the Stigmatized Seven by denying these teams the exclusive right to the top seven picks.

Edmonton and Vancouver are vying to become a hub city for the NHL’s imagined return, but Slap Shots has been told that the league will not select a Canadian city unless the Canadian government grants the NHL an exception to its 14-day quarantine requirement for folks crossing the border.

It would essentially be impossible to have teams train in their U.S. home cities for up to five weeks (two weeks of informal skates followed by a three-week training camp) then go into quarantine for two weeks prior to the tournament.

NHL teams are facing a quandary about what to do about scouts and hockey department personnel whose contracts expire on June 30 and had not been expected to be re-upped.

It is unclear whether the league will issue a decree under which contracts would be extended through, say, the calendar year or the date of the draft, or whether these decisions would be left to each club.

There is, safe to say, a fair amount of proprietary information at stake as specifically pertains to the draft with personnel people who might become free agents (or unemployed) as of July 1. 1185186 New York Islanders Nystrom took the last photo in his pile and signed it for Pokress: “To Dave, thanks for making me famous.”

Pokress’ star also was soon to ascend, between his Nystrom shot and Newsday photographer David Pokress was in the right place at the right his well-received coverage of the Mariel boatlift, which began in mid- time for Bobby Nystrom's Stanley Cup-winning goal April. By the time it ended in October, as many as 125,000 Cuban refugees had come by boat to the U.S.

By Andrew Gross Pokress said, at one point, he purchased a boat for $10,000 on the company’s account to cover the refugees coming to Florida. [email protected] @AGrossNewsday “We hired two guys to pilot the boat but I had a bad feeling [about them], May 23, 2020 5:06 PM so we ditched the boat,” said Pokress, who left Newsday as a Staff Photographer in 2008. “I was worried for our safety. We were renting

helicopters on a daily basis. That’s how I ended up on the beach [in Photographer David Pokress spent most of the Islanders’ playoff run in Cuba]. We flew with the same pilot. We came in wave height, not on the 1980 covering the early weeks of the Mariel boatlift for Newsday, either in radar. We spent a fortune on helicopters.” Miami or Key West, Florida, or, very often, in a newspaper-rented Pokress said everything wound up being worth it. helicopter flying low enough to evade radar as it illegally approached Cuba. “Nineteen-eighty was a very magical year for me career-wise,” he said. “I took two of my best photos. The boatlift and Nystrom, which defined my Recalled the day before from a refugee camp in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to career at Newsday. This five-week period had so much to do with how shoot Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on May 24, 1980, Pokress arrived my life went for the next 25 years.” at a half-hour before the opening faceoff, straight from John F. Kennedy Airport after a multi-flight trip.

He was without a press credential — he managed to enter the building Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.24.2020 thanks to a friendly security guard who slipped him one — and without an assigned position near the ice to shoot, as none of his Newsday colleagues knew he’d be there.

Yet 40 years ago today, Pokress managed to find the perfect spot — standing in an aisle in the lower bowl — to take his iconic photo of Bobby Nystrom celebrating his overtime winner as the Islanders earned the first of four straight Cups with a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

“There were two or three other Newsday photographers,” Pokress recalled last month. “I said, ‘Where’s my position?’ They said, ‘We didn’t know you were coming. We don’t have a position to assign to you. Do the best you can.’

“I wandered around, over to the portal where the team comes out,” the Farmingdale resident added. “I said to the security guard, ‘Can I stand here?’ I borrowed film from the other photographers and I stood in the aisleway the whole game. I see [Lorne] Henning to [John] Tonelli to Nystrom. Boom. It happened right in front of me. It couldn’t have happened better. Everything a photographer could have wished for happened in that one magical moment.”

The black-and-white image perfectly illustrates the story: A jubilant Nystrom is skating away from the net with both arms raised while beaten Flyers goalie Pete Peeters is on his backside, his right pad lifted in the air. The puck, on its return trip out of the crease after ricocheting off the netting, has just re-crossed the goal line and is still airborne by an inch or so.

Of course, 40 years ago was well before the advent of digital photography. There was no instant confirmation that Pokress had the shot.

That would not come until the film was developed back at the Newsday office and he could look at the negatives.

“You don’t know until you see the film,” Pokress said. “I had every finger, every toe crossed. Is it in focus? I knew my exposure was right, that didn’t change for years. But is it in focus?”

The whole sequence was there, on one roll of 36 frames.

Peering through his magnifier, Pokress knew he had what he wanted.

“When you know you’ve got it? It’s the biggest fist pump you’ve ever seen,” Pokress said.

The photo lived on long after Newsday’s edition the next day.

The Islanders blew up the picture to a life-sized version and had it placed in the team office.

Nystrom wound up calling Pokress to ask for copies of the picture. That came with an invitation for Pokress and his wife to deliver them to Nystrom at a team party that also was attended by the Stanley Cup.

“I sat at the kitchen table and handed him a stack of photos,” Pokress said. “He autographed a bunch.” 1185187 New York Islanders playoff series win since 1993. Tavares had tied the game at 19:06 of the third period.

7. Feb. 20, 1982: Top 10 Islanders goals of all time Tonelli’s shot from the left at 19:13 of the third period beat Colorado Rockies goalie , his former teammate, for a 3-2 victory at the By Andrew Gross Coliseum as the Islanders established an NHL record with their 15th straight win. [email protected] @AGrossNewsday 8. Jan. 24, 1981: Updated May 23, 2020 4:57 PM Mike Bossy follows through on the shot that Mike Bossy follows through on the shot that

There will always be that outlier, that contrarian who sees it differently. Mike Bossy follows through on the shot that produced goal No. 50 on Jan. 24, 1981 at Nassau Coliseum. Credit: Sports/Dixie D. Vereen But in formulating the list of the top 10 goals over 46 seasons of Islanders history, the top two certainly seem to be slam-dunk, no- Mike Bossy became the second player in NHL history to notch 50 goals brainers. in 50 games – the Canadiens’ had done it in 1944-45 – in a 7-4 win over the at the Coliseum. Bossy got No. 1. May 24, 1980: Bobby Nystrom 49 on the power play at 15:50 of the third period and No. 50 at 18:31. Bobby Nystrom of the Islanders celebrates after he Bobby Nystrom of the 9. May 14, 1993: David Volek Islanders celebrates after he David Volek took ’s feed on a two-on-one at 5:16 of overtime Bobby Nystrom of the Islanders celebrates after he scores the winning for a 4-3 win as the visiting Islanders eliminated the two-time defending goal against Philadelphia Flyers goalie Pete Peeters in overtime to win Cup champion Penguins in Game 7 to advance to the NHL semifinals for the Stanley Cup on May 24, 1980. Credit: NEWSDAY/David L. Pokress the first time since 1984. The first, of course, is the most iconic moment in franchise history. Bobby 10. April 24, 2002: Shawn Bates Nystrom sealed the Islanders’ first Stanley Cup – the first of four straight – in overtime of Game 6 against the Philadelphia Flyers on May 24, Shawn Bates’ -shot goal against goalie 1980, at Nassau Coliseum. earned the Islanders a 4-3 win in Game 4 at the Coliseum as they evened the first-round series at two games apiece. The Maple , who, like Nystrom, played for the Islanders in their Leafs won in seven. expansion season of 1972-73, took control of a loose puck at the red line, circled and found John Tonelli in the neutral zone. Tonelli carried the puck over the blue line toward the top of the right circle before feeding Nystrom cutting to the crease for a backhander past goalie Pete Peeters Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.24.2020 at 7:11 of the first overtime for a 5-4 win. Much bedlam ensued.

2. April 11, 1975: J.P. Parise

The second goal on this list was a coming-of-age moment for the Islanders and the start of a bitter rivalry with the Rangers. J.P. Parise’s goal 11 seconds into overtime in Game 3 of the first-round series on April 11, 1975 at eliminated the perennial Cup- contending Rangers. At the time, it was the fastest overtime goal in NHL history.

Jude Drouin, like Parise a key midseason acquisition from the , collected a loose puck near the right corner and found Parise at the far post, where he beat for the 4-3 win. The goal sent the two franchises’ fortunes in opposite directions.

3. April 18, 1987: Pat LaFontaine

Pat LaFontaine’s slap shot from just inside the blue line finally ends the as the visiting Islanders eliminate the , 3-2, at 8:47 of the fourth overtime of Game 7 of their first-round series. The game began on Saturday evening, yet it was 1:58 a.m. on Easter when LaFontaine beat goalie .

4. April 11, 1980: Ken Morrow

Ken Morrow’s slap shot from inside the blue line beat goalie at 6:55 of overtime in Game 3 of their best-of-five first-round series. It gave the Islanders a 2-1 series lead after they entered the third period trailing, 3-1, and was a crucial moment on their run to their first Cup.

5. April 13, 1982: John Tonelli

Tonelli’s extraordinary effort at 6:19 of overtime in Game 5 of the Islanders’ best-of-five first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins lifted them to a 4-3 win at the Coliseum to keep alive their drive for a third straight Cup. Tonelli, who had tied the score at 17:39 of the third period, brought the puck into the zone, retrieved it behind the net, found Nystrom at the crease and banged the rebound past goalie Michel Dion.

6. April 24, 2016:

John Tavares’ wraparound backhander past Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo at 10:41 of the second overtime in the decisive Game 6 of their first-round series at gave the Islanders their first 1185188 New York Rangers The issue of whether teams will be able to sign players from their reserve lists and add them to the 2020 tournament roster — for example, the Rangers’ Morgan Barron — is unresolved.

NHL better not cheat the teams bound for draft lottery So, too, is whether the 24 teams would be able to extend 2020 training camp invites to players whose entry-level contracts begin next season — such as the Rangers’ K’Andre Miller and the Maple Leafs’ Mikko By Larry Brooks Lehtonen.

May 23, 2020 | 6:23PM There are, according to Cap Friendly, 68 players on the 24 tournament- bound teams who have signed entry-level deals since March.

The likelihood on this latter item would be no, given that, A) these players So what now of the Stigmatized Seven, those clubs who couldn’t play up would be ineligible for the tournament; B) teams would have to provide to an NHL .500 level before the league entered its pause phase on COVID-19 testing for these additional individuals; and, C) the March 12 and have thus been deemed unworthy of an invite to the Stigmatized Seven would be prevented from getting similar close-up league’s imagined 24-team Stanley Cup tournament? looks at their kids. What about the fate, primarily as applies to the draft lottery, of the Devils, Keep this in mind: If and when the Rangers face off against the Sabres, Ducks, Kings, Sharks, Senators and Red Wings, whose teams Hurricanes in Game 1 of their best-of-five, Brendan Lemieux will be and players will be on ice — as opposed to on the ice — for perhaps as unavailable. long as eight months if the 2020-21 season commences in December? That is because the winger will be serving the first game of his still yet The NHL has still not announced its plan for the draft, though the almost unannounced sentence for the suspension he received for his senseless universal pushback from general managers against holding it next month drive-by elbow to Joonas Donskoi’s head in the final minutes of the third before competition resumes, likely means that it won’t take place until period of the Blueshirts’ final pre-pause match in Colorado on March 11. after the tournament. Lemieux, considered a repeat offender under NHL guidelines, will likely That, among other things, would eliminate the possibility of the lottery be out for two games, perhaps three, if the Department of Player Safety winner also winning the Cup a couple of months later. If that is the case, applies its rule-of-thumb, one playoff game equals two regular season there is no reason at all for the league to design the lottery so that the matches in determining sentences. 31st-overall Red Wings are guaranteed either the first or second pick overall and the 30th-overall Senators are assured of picking in the top Congratulations to Artemi Panarin and Alisa Znarok, who announced three. their engagement on Friday.

Moreover, there is no reason at all to deny any of the Stigmatized Seven Finally, these best-of-fives. a shot at the No. 1 selection. Playoffs or play-ins? Indeed, the league should design a weighted lottery in which these seven all have an opportunity to move up into any slot. Not only that, those Mr. Miyagi wants to know. seven teams should be guaranteed the top seven picks.

We have heard some talk that the league is kicking around the concept New York Post LOADED: 05.24.2020 of including the eight losers of the preliminary round of the tournament in a 15-team weighted lottery similar to the preceding four years in which separate drawings were held for the top three picks.

This might offer some protection to teams like seventh-overall Pittsburgh and 12th-overall Edmonton if they were to fall to 24th-overall Montreal and 23rd-overall Chicago, respectively, and it would offer a win-win scenario for clubs like the Rangers and Arizona — but surely the draft isn’t meant to reward a Penguins team playing at a .623 percentage (102-point pace) if they suffer a defeat under unprecedented circumstances. There is no reason to turn the lottery into a safety net.

And though we have pointed out repeatedly that nothing is fair about the pandemic, the league would be going out of its way to be unfair to the Stigmatized Seven by denying these teams the exclusive right to the top seven picks.

Edmonton and Vancouver are vying to become a hub city for the NHL’s imagined return, but Slap Shots has been told that the league will not select a Canadian city unless the Canadian government grants the NHL an exception to its 14-day quarantine requirement for folks crossing the border.

It would essentially be impossible to have teams train in their U.S. home cities for up to five weeks (two weeks of informal skates followed by a three-week training camp) then go into quarantine for two weeks prior to the tournament.

NHL teams are facing a quandary about what to do about scouts and hockey department personnel whose contracts expire on June 30 and had not been expected to be re-upped.

It is unclear whether the league will issue a decree under which contracts would be extended through, say, the calendar year or the date of the draft, or whether these decisions would be left to each club.

There is, safe to say, a fair amount of proprietary information at stake as specifically pertains to the draft with personnel people who might become free agents (or unemployed) as of July 1. 1185189 New York Rangers Anders Hedberg of the Rangers reacts after he scored the winning goal to beat the Islanders 4-3 in the third period of the NHL Stanley Cup semifinals at the Nassau Coliseum on May 5, 1979. Credit: Top 10 Rangers goals of all time AP/Anonymous

Anders Hedberg’s game-winner with 2:13 left in Game 5 at Nassau Coliseum turned the tide in the 1979 semifinals against the Islanders. By Colin Stephenson The Isles had the best record in the league in 1978-79, but Hedberg’s goal gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead in the series, and they won at home in [email protected] @ColinSNewsday Game 6 to advance to the Stanley Cup Final against Montreal. May 23, 2020 4:55 PM 7. April 15, 1971: Bob Nevin

Bob Nevin’s OT goal against Toronto gave the Rangers their first playoff Stephane Matteau’s Game 7 double-overtime wraparound that pushed series win in 21 years, since their appearance in the 1950 Stanley Cup the Rangers past the Devils in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals and Final. on to the Stanley Cup Final, is no doubt the most memorable goal in the 8. May 11, 2014: Martin St. Louis Blueshirts’ history. On Mother’s Day, days after his mother died suddenly of a heart attack, But Matteau’s goal (on May 27, 1994) didn’t actually win the Cup for the Martin St. Louis scored the first goal of Game 6 of the Rangers’ second- Rangers, of course. They still had to survive another seven-game series, round series against Pittsburgh at the Garden. The Rangers, who had against the Vancouver Canucks, to raise the Cup for the first time in 54 trailed, 3-1 in the series, won the game, 3-1, then won Game 7 in years. Pittsburgh, with St. Louis assisting on Brad Richards’ series-winning On the other hand, Bryan Hextall’s overtime goal on April 13, 1940, gave goal. The Rangers went on to beat Montreal in the next round to advance the Rangers their third Stanley Cup – and their last before that ’94 title. to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years. And Hextall’s goal had come on the road, in Toronto, after the Rangers 9. April 29, 1971: erased a 2-0 deficit on third-period goals by Neil Colville and Alf Pike. Though they ultimately lost the series in seven games, Pete “Nothing beats a Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime, if you’re really Stemkowski’s triple-overtime goal in Game 6 of the 1971 semifinals going to break it down,’’ said broadcaster , who called the against the Chicago Blackhawks served notice that, after decades as a winning goal (“Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!’’). league also-ran, the Rangers were now a force to be reckoned with. But Hextall’s goal was 80 years ago. How many people alive today They would reach the Stanley Cup Final the next year, the first time in 22 remember where they were when it happened? Plus winning the Stanley seasons. Cup wasn’t a foreign thing to Rangers fans then; the 1940 title was the 10. April 2, 1972: Vic Hadfield team’s third in its 14 years of existence. On the final day of the season, the second of Vic Hadfield’s two goals “So [winning the Cup] was not a novelty,’’ Rose said. made him the first Rangers player to score 50 in a single season. A half-century later, winning a Stanley Cup meant everything to Honorable mention: Marek Malik’s between-the-legs, 15th round, Blueshirts fans, which is why Matteau’s iconic series-winner in 1994 is shootout winner against Washington on Nov. 26, 2005, was in our our pick for the Rangers’ No. 1 goal of all time. Hextall’s was No. 2. original Top 10. But Rose hates the shootout, and lobbied for its removal. Here are the rest of the Top 10 Rangers goals.

3. May 25, 1994: Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.24.2020 Rangers' Mark Messier puts the puck in the Rangers' Mark Messier puts the puck in the

Rangers' Mark Messier puts the puck in the net past New Jersey Devils' goaltender Martin Brodeur (30) during the third period on Thursday, May 25, 1994 at in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: AP/Ron Frehm

Mark Messier’s second goal in the 4-2 win over the Devils in Game 6 of that ’94 series. The Devils had won Games 1 and 5 in Madison Square Garden, and led the series, three games to two, with a chance to close out their rivals at home in the Meadowlands.

Messier, the Rangers’ captain, had guaranteed victory in Game 6, but the Blueshirts trailed 2-0, before Alex Kovalev’s goal late in the second period got them on the board. Messier scored three goals in the third, the second of which, at 12:12 of the period, was the eventual game-winner.

4. June 14, 1994: Mark Messier

Messier was credited with what would be the game- and series-winning goal on a power play at 13:29 of the second period. It put the Rangers up, 3-1, and while ’s second goal in the game pulled the Canucks within 3-2, the Rangers held on to win their first Cup in 54 years.

5. April 14, 1928: Frank Boucher

The second of Frank Boucher’s two goals, at 15:16 of the third period, was the winner in the 2-1, Game 5 triumph over the Montreal Maroons that gave the Rangers their first Stanley Cup, in only their second year of existence.

6. May 5, 1979: Anders Hedberg

Anders Hedberg of the Rangers reacts after he Anders Hedberg of the Rangers reacts after he 1185190 Ottawa Senators

The next step for the Ottawa Senators is a decision on the lottery and the draft by the NHL

Bruce Garrioch

May 23, 2020 4:07 PM EDT

Now the focus can turn squarely to the NHL draft for the Ottawa Senators.

Yes, general manager , assistant GM Peter MacTavish, chief scout Trent Mann and the rest of the staff have done a boatload of preparations, but with the NHL closing in on a final plan to Return to Play with a 24-team tournament in the summer, the league is also expected to finalize what route it’s going to take with the 2020 lottery and draft sometime in the future.

The decision by the NHL Players’ Association on Friday night to accept the league’s proposal to return with 24 teams in the summer to award the Stanley Cup was one of the elements commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly were waiting on before finalizing plans for the draft.

The NHL has decided it will use the winning percentage in the games they played before the league paused to determine the odds in the draft. That means the Detroit Red Wings will have an 18.5 per cent chance of winning the lottery while the Senators are going to have a 13.5 per cent chance with their own pick and an 11.5 per cent opportunity with selection they have from the San Jose Sharks in the Erik Karlsson deal.

The Senators also own a third pick in the first round, which they acquired from the New York Islanders in a deal for Jean-Gabriel Pageau at the deadline.

Daly indicated in an email Wednesday there are a lot of moving parts involved with making a decision on the lottery and the draft, but was hopeful there’d be something in place this week. There’s been a lot of opposition from some GMs about holding the draft before the regular season is technically completed, which is why the league has studied several different formats for the lottery.

The NHL would like to hold the lottery next month and the draft later in the summer.

“For our scouts, they’re really well-prepared for this draft,” Dorion said in a conference call last month. “We knew heading into the trade deadline that this would be a draft where we have a lot of picks. We were ready. We’re even more ready and we’re looking forward to the draft.”

The Senators have seven picks in the first two rounds, nine in the first three rounds and 13 in total in what’s considered to be a strong draft.

“We did our homework and in this plan, with the rebuild, we always felt that this 2020 draft would be one of the deepest that’s coming along in many years,” Dorion said. “For us, having the chance to have two picks in the top five is something that we’re fortunate (to have) and we’ll be ready for.

“At the same time, we feel it’s a good draft class for the first 20, where you’re going to get really good NHL players. From then on, for the first three rounds, we feel there will be a lot of regular NHL players in the first three rounds that will be no-brainers. We’re really excited about this draft pick, and, when it happens, we’re looking forward to making all these selections.”

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 05.24.2020 1185191 Ottawa Senators Dorion has already stated he plans to speak with UFA defenceman Mark Borowiecki about a contract to make him a “Senator for life”. After the trade deadline in February, the club planned to speak with veteran blueliner Ron Hainsey about a new deal, but you have to wonder if the GARRIOCH: Ottawa Senators' 2019-20 season quietly comes to an Senators aren’t going to resume camp until November if they’ll still want official end to go down that road.

The Senators have already signed free agent Artyom Zub from the Kontinental Hockey League to replace the role left vacant by Dylan Bruce Garrioch DeMelo’s departure while Erik Brannstrom and Christian Wolaniin should May 23, 2020 2:56 PM EDT push for spots next year.

Up front, there are decisions to be made as well. Forwards Anthony Duclair and Connor Brown, both restricted free agents with rights to That’s all she wrote for this edition of the Ottawa Senators. arbitration, have to be signed to deals. The club has to make a decision on Chris Tierney, another RFA, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see And, now the off-season work can begin for Ottawa owner Eugene him get dealt because the organization needs to make room for some of Melnyk, general manager Pierre Dorion, coach D.J. Smith, chief scout its young forwards in the system. Trent Mann and the rest of the hockey operations staff as they start looking towards a long off-season and next year, whenever that gets Though the NHL’s board of governors still needs to approve the plan in under way. the next couple of days, the Senators can now go ahead with the exit meetings they’ve been postponing while waiting to see what happens. A decision by the NHL Players’ Association Friday night to accept the Those can go ahead virtually and the club can start setting the path league’s proposal to go ahead with a 24-team Return to Play proposal towards next year. means the Senators are the only Canadian team that won’t continue their season if the pause is ended next month and the playoffs are held “I will touch base (with the players) once we get a little more information through the summer to award the Stanley Cup sometime in September or here,” Smith said in an interview Thursday. “My big thing is the speak early October. with the younger guys just to make sure they’re going in the right direction.” The union’s executive committee overwhelmingly agreed to forge ahead with negotiations for the summer tournament after the league went on pause because of the threat of the novel coronavirus on March 12. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 05.24.2020 “The executive board of the (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup,” the union said in a statement late Friday night. “Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play.”

The Senators, who had 11 games left when the pause took place, will finish with a 25-34-12 record and 62 points in the 71 they played, and are ranked No. 30 overall.

This outcome wasn’t unexpected after weeks of speculation, but it does mean the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Senators have also suited up for the last time this season. Dorion had remained hopeful the club would be able to come back to finish out the year, but the reality is, it doesn’t make a lot of sense.

It just so happens the Senators played in the last sporting event to be held before all the leagues went on break, a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on March 11. With so many questions about what the roster will look like next season the strong possibility exists that hat may have been goaltender Craig Anderson’s final game in an Ottawa uniform after a decade with the club.

A unrestricted free agent on July 1, Anderson, who celebrated his 39th birthday Thursday, has suited up for 435 games with the Senators. He has a 202-168-46 record and is the franchise leader in victories while also playing 40 playoff games with the club, compiling a 21-18 record.

Anderson has expressed an interest in playing next season, however, there may not be room for him with the Senators. Not only does the club have Anders Nilsson and Marcus Hogberg on one-way deals next year, the club also has four solid prospects in the organization.

In a conference call from his home in Florida with reporters last month, Anderson was asked if that game in Los Angeles was indeed his last in Ottawa uniform, would he feel like he’s leaving on his own terms.

“It’s hard to say. We’re at that point where we’re in an unprecedented area,” Anderson said. “We’re in a time where we never expected. I’m just rolling with it right now and let the chips fall where they may. As an individual, I’m hopeful that we are able to get back to play and kind of finish off the rest of the year.

“But it’s out of my control. If it was something I did that kind of screwed things up for myself, I’d be in a different boat. Right now I’m not too concerned about it. I don’t want to put too much energy into that kind of stuff.” 1185192 Philadelphia Flyers

NHL players’ union takes step toward returning; Flyers may face Pens- Habs winner

by Sam Carchidi

A few obstacles need to be cleared, but the NHL players’ union paved the way for the season to restart by overwhelmingly approving a 24-team return-to-play format Friday.

The vote by the NHLPA’s executive board was 29-2, and each team had its player representative cast a ballot. James van Riemsdyk represented the Flyers, who were the NHL’s hottest team -- wining nine of their last 10 games -- when the season was paused March 12 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The players’ union said several details remain to be negotiated, but those hurdles could be cleared as early as Tuesday.

Negotiations are expected to revolve around health and safety issues, whether teams will be reseeded after a play-in round, and the length of the first playoff series after the play-in round.

Under the 24-team format, the top four teams in each conference would probably play each in a round robin setup to determine seedings. The Flyers are currently seeded fourth in the East with a .645 points percentage, behind Boston (.714), Tampa Bay (.657), and Washington (.652).

Based on the format the NHL has floated, if the Flyers remained fourth in the seedings, they would face the winner of the Montreal-Pittsburgh play- in series in the Stanley Cup playoffs. If they moved to a No. 3 seeding, they would meet the Rangers-Carolina winner.

After the play-in-round, 16 teams would compete in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Except for two seasons, the league has crowned a Stanley Cup champion every year since 1883. The exceptions: 1919 because of the Spanish flu pandemic, and 2005 because of a lockout.

Once the league and the NHLPA sign an agreement, players will soon be permitted to report to their training facilities in small groups. The NHL would then hold a three-week training camp before the season resumes, probably in early July.

About 17% of NHL players are not from North America. The United States said Friday it would exempt some foreign athletes who compete in pro sports in the U.S. from entry bans because of the virus.

“In today’s environment, Americans need their sports,” Chad Wolf, acting secretary of homeland security, said in a statement to Reuters. “It’s time to reopen the economy and it’s time we get our professional athletes back to work.”

The NHL was among the leagues covered by the exemption.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 05.24.2020 1185193 Philadelphia Flyers him. Eventually he’s going to hopefully dominate using his size and ability to get to the net and shoot the puck. On the national teams and certainly on the junior teams, he complements skilled centers pretty well and obviously he has unique size.” 2020 NHL draft profile: Daniel Torgersson has 'unique size,' ability to 'dominate' Fit with Flyers

The draft stock for Torgersson has fluctuated as he's the 13th-ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting and considered the 27th-best By Jordan Hall player in the draft by TSN's Craig Button. However, ESPN's Chris Peters rated Torgersson at No. 61 among the class and many view him as a May 23, 2020 2:45 PM second-round pick.

The Flyers, who have some nice wingers in the system but are not The entire picture for the 2020 NHL draft remains cloudy with the exceptionally deep at the position, could get two cracks at Torgersson ongoing suspension of the 2019-20 regular season because of the with their first- or second-round pick. The Flyers may not see Torgersson coronavirus outbreak. as the best player available during the first round if they end up picking at No. 26 overall and they do not have a third-round selection after the Where will the Flyers be picking? When and how will the draft be held? Justin Braun trade. Those questions are currently unanswered. But when a winger can score with that type of size, the Flyers will The Flyers hold seven total selections and, as of right now, are slotted certainly be interested, especially if Torgersson is available in the second with the 26th overall pick. round.

“I think it’s a decent draft — I don’t know if it’s top end," Flyers assistant “Everybody has seen him," Flahr said of his staff. "He plays on a fairly general manager Brent Flahr said April 25 in a phone interview with NBC prominent team over there with a number of prospects, he’s been on all Sports Philadelphia. "The top 10, 12 guys look like pretty high end. the national teams.” There’s a bit of a drop-off, but there’s some depth to the draft for a couple of rounds. We don’t know totally where we’re picking, but we have an idea. We have some guys targeted we feel we would be very happy with SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2020 in the top couple of rounds and then we still have some work to do to clean up the mid-to-later-round picks.

"Obviously you’d want the big, scoring, playmaking center, anybody does. We’re in a position where we’ll likely be taking the best player available.

"Realistically the players you draft now are two or three years down the road, best-case scenario. Some cases you get surprised. But by then, your team needs are different. We’ll do the best we can, we have an idea of where our holes are going forward and places where we certainly want to add depth to, whether it’s center or scoring winger or defense, we’ll see what happens. We’ll prepare, we weigh guys against each other, the pros and cons and we’ll do the best we can there.”

This month and into June, we'll continue to break down options for the Flyers at No. 26.

Daniel Torgersson

Position: Winger

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 199

Shoots: Left

Team: Frolunda HC

Scouting report

Playing in Sweden's top junior league SuperElit, Torgersson finished tied for fourth with 26 goals and third with a plus-38 rating. The 18-year-old was over a point-per-game scorer for Frolunda, putting up 44 points in 39 games. He got a taste of the Swedish Elite League, going scoreless in six games, and showed a well-rounded makeup at the Five Nations tournament.

A rangy winger who is proficient around the net, Torgersson can also move well and understands how to augment talented centers. There will be a good amount of projection with Torgersson, who has the tools to develop into an NHL winger.

There's some Isaac Ratcliffe in the Swede. Ratcliffe, the Flyers' 2017 second-round pick, is a 6-foot-6, 203-pound, lefty-shot winger with impressive mobility. Ratcliffe's hands and touch are considerably better than Torgersson's, but both players are big wingers with scoring ability. In 2019-20, Ratcliffe experienced his first season at the pro level, learning how important it is to use his size with the puck just as much as his skill.

Torgersson will need to prove he can utilize his frame and score in harder ways against men.

“Big body, strong down low on the walls, can shoot it," Flahr said last week. "He is a winger, for sure, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg with 1185194 Pittsburgh Penguins Additionally, he is a key component to each special teams unit, particularly the penalty kill as he has averaged a robust 2:02 of short- handed ice time per game this season.

Penguins A to Z: John Marino shows he’s ready Long-term, general manager Jim Rutherford has suggested Marino and Pettersson could be a duo with the Penguins for a decade.

There’s little evidence Marino isn’t ready for that. SETH RORABAUGH

Saturday, May 23, 2020 3:58 p.m. Tribune Review LOADED: 05.24.2020

While the NHL is on hold due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 55 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid-level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Zucker.

John Marino

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Right

Age: 23

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 181 pounds

2019-20 NHL statistics: 56 games, 26 points (six goals, 20 assists)

Contract: First year of a two-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $925,000. Pending restricted free agent in 2021.

Acquired: Trade, July 26, 2019

This season: John Marino wasn’t ready for the NHL when he first stepped on the ice for the Penguins.

No, he needed about 2 1/2 periods.

A few minutes into his first professional game, a 5-4 preseason overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 16 in State College, Marino tried to skate the puck up ice from his zone through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone, an act he likely performed with ease on countless occasions at Harvard.

Sabres defenseman Colin Miller provided an abrasive introduction to Marino on how much more difficult that task was in the NHL by slamming Marino to the ice with a meaty hip check at the center red line.

Early in the third period, Marino showed he was undeterred and made another daring dash up ice, this time up the right wing. From the corner boards, he fed a slick pass to the crease that rookie forward Sam Lafferty converted into a goal.

From that moment on, Marino showed few signs NHL hockey was too overwhelming.

A healthy scratch early in the regular season, Marino eventually earned playing time in favor of veteran defensemen, prompting management to deal away Erik Gudbranson (and his $4 million salary cap hit) to the Anaheim Ducks in mid-October.

Injuries forced Marino to graduate to the second pairing and, even for a little while, the top pairing with fellow right-handed shooter Kris Letang. Additionally, with Justin Schultz hobbled with various ailments, Marino began to see minutes with the second power-play unit. Overall, Marino’s 20 minutes, 15 seconds of average ice time is fifth-most on the team.

Given injuries to the likes of Brian Dumoulin, Letang and Schultz, the Penguins have frankly needed Marino to provide a stabilizing presence.

Seemingly, the only hiccup in Marino’s fine rookie campaign came Feb. 6 when he was struck in the face by a deflected puck. He missed the next 11 games with bone fractures in his face.

He returned to the lineup March 3, and by the time the NHL halted play March 12, Marino was firmly entrenched on the team’s second pairing with Marcus Pettersson and was working with Letang on the second power-play unit.

The future: Marino will be bolted onto Pettersson assuming the NHL season resumes. His steady play and Schultz’s struggles have earned Marino that deployment. 1185195 Pittsburgh Penguins Despite that lack of elite talent, the Canadiens could pose some problems.

They have four solid lines to roll through, and they are a pretty fast Analysis: Why the Penguins shouldn't overlook Montreal in play-in round squad. Their wheels had the Penguins on their heels last season, though general manager Jim Rutherford did well in the offseason to restore some team speed.

For the Penguins, the path toward another Stanley Cup will be one round Under Julien, the Canadiens try to create odd-man chances by flustering longer this summer (or perhaps fall) should the NHL and the NHL their opponents with the forecheck and mucking up the neutral zone. Players’ Association find a way to play out the rest of the season safely When defending inside their blue line, they pack it in around Price. Pretty and responsibly. standard stuff.

But their play-in opponent, based on what we saw before the COVID-19 The New York Islanders, another team with a bunch of relative no- pandemic halted play, is one of the weakest teams of the 24 in an names, swept the Penguins out of last year’s playoffs with a similar style. expanded field. These Canadiens have not consistently been as structurally sound as that Islanders club was last April. They are giving up 3.1 goals per game, The Montreal Canadiens certainly didn’t expect to be in the playoffs three which ranks 19th in the NHL. months ago, when they were sellers before the NHL’s Feb. 24 trade deadline. But more advanced statistics suggest the Canadiens might be the victims of unfavorable puck luck and are a bit better than their record indicates. Their general manager, former Penguins prankster , was gearing up for a critical offseason for a franchise with aging and This season, they generated 54.6% of the high-danger scoring chances expensive cornerstones in Carey Price and Shea Weber and one the at 5-on-5, per Natural Stat Trick. That percentage, three points higher league’s top farm systems. than the Penguins, is third in the NHL. Their shooting percentage was just 7.5%, though. After getting rid of five players, including Ilya Kovalchuk, the Canadiens had lost three in a row when the season stopped March 12. They were Combine that lack of finishing at 5-on-5 with subpar special-teams 12th in the Eastern Conference at 31-31-9. Statistical projections gave performance and inconsistent goaltending from Price, and you get a 31- the Canadiens, who with 11 games left were 10 points out of a playoff 31-9 team. spot, less than a 1% chance of getting in. The Penguins shouldn’t fear the Canadiens. They shouldn’t look past A recent column from The Athletic in Montreal actually argued that the them either. Canadiens being included in the expanded field would be the “worst thing imaginable” for the franchise because they had no chance of winning the Much is left to be determined before we actually see the Penguins face Cup and could only hurt their chances of scoring presumed No. 1 pick off against the Canadiens. Friday’s vote was simply to select a return-to- Alexis Lafreniere. play format.

Finances were no doubt a major factor in the NHL and NHLPA picking a ICYMI, the NHLPA’s executive board, made up of a player rep from each 24-team playoff format that made sure to include heavyweight hockey of the league’s 31 teams, voted to move forward with a framework of a markets in Chicago, New York and Montreal. It’s impossible to argue the 24-team playoff that begins with 16 teams playing a five-game play-in Canadiens, whose minus-9 goal differential would be last in the playoff round. field, deserved to get in on merit. Reportedly, 29 of the 31 teams approved the plan. The Penguins, whose But guess what? They’re in anyway. And the Penguins have to beat player rep is All-Star blue liner Kris Letang, were among those saying them. yes.

They should. On paper, the Penguins have the brightest stars, a deeper We don’t know when or where the puck would drop on these playoffs and lineup and more playoff experience. Plus, with Mike Sullivan, they what it will take for the players, coaches, officials and every other probably have the edge behind the bench, though Claude Julien has a essential person in the league’s orbit to feel safe enough for games to go Cup on his resume, too. on. There remains a chance the global health crisis could still wipe out the rest of the season. Still, no one around Pittsburgh should assume the Canadiens will be playoff pushovers, especially in a five-game series that would slice the At least we know what the playoffs will look like if hockey starts back up. Penguins’ margin for error.

Much has been made on talk radio and on the blogosphere about Carey Matt Vensel Price, the Hart Trophy winner between the pipes. He remains a popular pick for top goalie in NHL player polls and is hockey’s highest-paid Post Gazette LOADED: 05.24.2020 netminder. The Canadiens pay him nearly $2 million more than makes in a season.

But the 32-year-old goalie has not played at an elite level since 2016-17, when he was a finalist for the for the second time in his career.

Over the last three seasons, Price has posted a save percentage of .910 that ranks 26th among qualifying goalies. , who is expected to start in goal for the Penguins in Game 1 of the playoffs, is right behind him at .909.

This season, Price posted a save percentage above .900 in just 56.9% of his starts. That was 35th among qualifying goalies. Murray ranked 44th at 52.6%.

Of course Price still has the ability to steal a series, especially a shortened one. So do another dozen goalies who will strap on the pads for playoff teams.

There are few household names, at least in homes south of the border, skating in front of Price. At 34, Weber is still a strong defender but is three years removed from his last Norris Trophy vote. Jonathan Drouin is a highlight-reel playmaker. Fellow forward Tomas Tatar leads the Canadiens with 61 points. 1185196 San Jose Sharks Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2020

Sharks top prospect Ryan Merkley modeling his game after Erik Karlsson

By Brian Witt

May 23, 2020 5:44 PM

When it comes to the Sharks' top prospects, 19-year-old defenseman Ryan Merkley is in a tier unto himself.

San Jose selected Merkley with the No. 21 overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft after he slipped due to character concerns. His talent, however, has never been in question and was too good to pass up.

Merkley impressed during his participation in the Sharks' rookie camp last September, and just completed what is likely to be his final season in junior hockey with the OHL's London Knights. With 15 goals and 76 points, he was the OHL's second-highest scoring defenseman, and his 61 assists ranked fourth-most in the entire league. London's season was brought to a premature conclusion due to the coronavirus pandemic, at which time the Knights sat in first place in their conference with a 45-15-2 record. San Jose's top prospect played a key role in their success.

"Ryan had a very good year," Sharks scouting director Jr. said last week on a conference call (H/T The Athletic's Kevin Kurz). "In his career, every single season he scored more goals, he had more assists, he had more points and his plus-minus got better all four years in the OHL. I’m very excited about Ryan."

Always an offensive standout, Merkley is a great skater with advanced vision and tremendous passing ability. Though he has added more than 10 pounds in weight since the rookie camp, he's never going to be an imposing physical specimen, and his defense definitely is the area where he'll need to improve most. The Sharks, however, have someone specific in mind for him to learn from and model his game after.

"The biggest thing with [Merkley] was he’s never going to hit guys like Brent Burns or Radim Simek, he’s going to play defense more like Erik Karlsson," Wilson Jr. added. "If we can get him to use his stick to angle guys off in the neutral zone and then get the puck going north faster, that’s how he’s going to play defense. I think that’s what you saw this year with him."

Karlsson has long been regarded as one of the top defensemen in the NHL, and deservedly so. He signed an eight-year contract extension prior to the currently-paused season, so he should be around for quite a while. Merkley has a long way to go to get on Karlsson's level, but he already has been studying the former Norris Trophy winner for some time now.

"Yeah. He’s not the biggest of bodies, but he’s a great skater and closes up the gap well, makes that great first pass," Merkley told Kurz about Karlsson. "I do think there are some similarities and things I can look up to. Obviously, he’s one of the best in the world. So [Wilson Jr.] and [the Sharks staff] were big on me watching him and watching the way he defends. It’s just (about) growing, getting better and getting more reps."

In addition to Karlsson, Merkley has another Sharks' defenseman to learn from in Mario Ferraro. They roomed together during the rookie camp, and Merkley made sure to follow Ferraro's extremely successful rookie season.

"For sure, it was awesome for him. I was excited for Mario," Merkley said. "He got a good chunk of NHL games. He’s a workhorse. I’ve never seen anybody (take care of) the body and (do) what he does off the ice. It’s incredible. He never stops moving out there, his work ethic is incredible. He’ll play a long time in the league because there’s not many that take care of their body like that or work as hard as he does. It’s awesome, something I can look up to and follow."

Ferraro projects as a future top-pair defenseman and it wouldn't be surprising if he eventually was involved in the captaincy. The Sharks are hoping Merkley turns out just as well.

And, if they end up with another Karlsson ... that's the dream.

1185197 St Louis Blues Colorado (2-2) and have matched Las Vegas in goals scored and allowed (13) in three games that included one regulation win and two overtime losses.

BenFred: NHL proposal might not guarantee Blues a top seed, but that Personally, I like the idea of goalie Jordan Binnington getting a feel for might not be so bad each opponent he could meet later. Specifically Colorado. The Avalanche rocked Binnington in his last two starts at Colorado, both Blues losses. This format would guarantee Binnington one series against the Avalanche with playoff-like pressure on the line. That’s good, even if Ben Frederickson it affects the Blues’ seed.

One look at last season’s bracket reminds us how fast top seeds – Dear Blues fans, don’t be those fans. Tampa and Nashville, anyone? – can disappear. No playoff road is easy, and sometimes the harder one becomes easier. Here’s an example. You know the ones. If the Blues hold their top seed, they would face either Calgary or They are out there, grumbling about the chance their team could be Winnipeg in their first seven-game elimination series. They’ve beaten shorted by the plan the NHL finalizes to salvage the 2020 season. Calgary three times in three games, but they’ve split their four meetings with Winnipeg, losing each of the most recent two. If Blues fans are doing this, they’re wrong. Compare that to the seven-game series the Blues would get if they And not just because any hockey is good hockey on the other side of this dropped — gasp — all the way to the No. 4 seed. The Blues would face coronavirus shutdown. either Edmonton or Chicago if that happened. They’re 2-1 against the They are wrong because the potential format that irks them could help Oilers and 4-0 against the rival Blackhawks. Not so bad. the Blues as much as it might hurt them. Chaos will occur. It always does. Even more reason to hope the Blues The NHL Players’ Association began discussing a rather important part get a jolt of competition from the jump. Berube’s Blues find another gear of a return-to-action proposal Thursday night, and on Friday night when it matters most, and they get better the longer they keep the pedal announced those discussions will continue after the approval of a 24- down. team postseason structure. “Several details remain to be negotiated,” That characteristic led to a No. 3 seed losing back-to-back games just read an important line in the press release. One of those is seeding. twice — and not once in their final 15 games — during their 26-game More on that in a moment. march to last season’s championship. We still don’t know if the league will launch. That will require coronavirus So, don’t sweat the seed. Just hope we get a chance to enjoy the chaos. not spoiling things. Important specifics – like testing protocols – will still have to be approved by the players before training camps begin. And before games start, it has to be decided where these games will be played. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.24.2020

But for just a moment, we can focus on the games, and why the Blues and their fans should feel pretty good about this structure, even if it doesn’t secure the Blues’ No. 1 seed. Especially if it doesn’t, actually.

If the entire proposal is accepted eventually, the regular season would be over because only 24 teams would return to action. But the Stanley Cup playoffs would not start right away. Not really.

While the four teams with the highest points percentage in each conference would secure the top-four seeds and play one another in round-robin fashion, the other teams would play series that determined who would break through to meet the top four seeds in the traditional 16- team, seven-game playoff structure.

It’s the NCAA basketball tournament on ice, more or less.

Call it July Madness.

Just don’t get mad if that round-robin between the top teams is turned up a notch by having them compete for seeds.

The Blues would start a round-robin seeding showdown in sole possession of the No. 1 seed. It would be theirs to lose. And lose it, they could, potentially. There’s a chance they could fall as far as the No. 4 seed, if the proposal includes no insurance for the higher-ranked teams.

This notion upsets some. I get it. The Blues earned that No. 1 seed during the 71 games they played over the regular season. One round- robin could rob it? Critics can argue it would be better if the Blues entered the 16-team, best-of-seven series grind toward the Cup with the top seed guaranteed.

But consider what that would mean. This approach would leave the Blues sitting around waiting, or playing games that counted for nothing, while the teams beneath them used the play-in rounds to build up a full head of steam toward the postseason. No thanks. Rust is real. Especially after a layoff this long.

Fighting for their seed would give the Blues a chance to gear up in a competitive setting against the teams they have a good chance of meeting again when elimination, not seeding, is on the line.

The Blues are a combined 7-2-3 against the three teams they would be jostling with for the most desirable seeds: Colorado, Las Vegas and Dallas. They have thumped Dallas (4-0-1) this season, split with 1185198 St Louis Blues which had a 3.4 percent chance of making the playoffs at moneypuck.com, and Montreal, which was at 0.2 percent, got in, and now have substantially better probabilities of possibly winning the Stanley Cup. Players' association votes to move forward with NHL's 24-team postseason plan If the Blues were to remain the No. 1 seed when the 16-team portion of the playoffs began, they would get either the No. 8 or 9 team, either Winnipeg or Calgary.

Tom Timmermann Bettman has said eight or nine cities have put in bids to be the hosts, and the Blues have said they have expressed interest. The leading candidate

for the west is Las Vegas, but the league is going to hold off on naming a The first blip of movement toward restarting the NHL season which has location until they know when they’ll start, in case the conditions in that been on pause since March 12 came on Friday night, when the NHL city don’t accommodate the league at that time. Players Association announced that its executive board had authorized In the Western Conference, the play-in series, with seeds, would be: further negotiations with the league on a 24-team format that would lead, Edmonton (5) vs. Chicago (12), Nashville (6) vs. Arizona (11), Vancouver they hope, to the Stanley Cup. (7) vs. Minnesota (10) and Calgary (8) vs. Winnipeg (9). “Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format In the East, Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington and Philadelphia would be would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues the top seeds. The play-in series would be Pittsburgh (5) vs. Montreal relevant to resuming play,” the NHLPA said. (12), Carolina (6) vs. New York Rangers (11), New York Islanders (7) vs. Precisely what that format will look like is not known for sure – an Florida (10) and Toronto (8) vs. Columbus (9). announcement on that could come next week — but with 24 teams, the obvious, and most widely reported, system is that the top four teams in each conference, including the Blues, would get a first-round bye, while St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.24.2020 teams five through 12 in each conference would meet in a best-of-five play-in round to winnow the field down to the now-standard 16-team playoff, which would be a best-of-seven series from then on. It would also mean the regular season was over and the seven teams that didn’t make the expanded postseason would begin their offseasons.

The plan still needs to be approved by the league, but the Return to Play committee, which worked on the plan, was made up of league executives and players, so support from the league seems likely.

There are many issues not related to 24-team format that still need to be determined, such as whether or not the players will be held in quarantine for the entirety of the postseason and the prevalence of testing for the coronavirus. Some players have expressed reluctance to go potentially three months away from their families, as well as the possibility of contacting the illness. According to a report from TVA sports network in Canada, the vote of each team’s player representative was 29-2 in favor of the 24-team format.

But the format is also a calendar without numbers. There is still no clear idea of when games would resume and with the players wanting at least a three-week training camp, it is still at best more than a month away. Commissioner Gary Bettman said last week that the league would need ample testing for the coronavirus and didn’t want to jump in line and take it away from needs in the medical community.

Ultimately, of course, the Blues were going to be in good shape regardless of what format was settled on because they had the best record in the West. If the most-discussed format is adopted, the top four seeds in the West, Blues, Colorado, Vegas and Dallas, would take part in a round-robin tournament so they could get in games during their bye period, and those games would be used to determine the teams’ seeding for the next round. But how that will work, and whether the top teams will get some bonus for their play in the regular season, is not known.

One issue that could be of interest to the Blues is whether or not the league sticks to a fixed bracket. There could be a big difference in playoff opponents this season, and with the top teams such as the Blues losing home-ice advantage, it’s been argued that it would be fairer to avoid a situation where the No. 4 seed faces the 12th-seeded Blackhawks in the second round if they win their play-in series, while the No. 1 seed faces the No. 8 seed. The league, however, seems inclined to have a fixed bracket.

The first physical step in the road back to hockey will be opening up club training sites for individual, then small group, work. That will eventually lead to a three-week training camp and only then to games, which now appear likely to be held at two hubs, one east and one west. Though the Blues have put in a bid for games to be played in St. Louis, Las Vegas stands as the most likely candidate in the West. All of the games would be played without any fans.

The size of the field still caused some concern. While some teams were just points out of a playoff spot when the season stopped, others were further out and had little or no chance of advancing. But numerically, 24 teams works better for this kind of thing than 22 teams, so Chicago, 1185199 Tampa Bay Lightning The proposal now goes to the league’s board of governors, which is expected to approve it in the next few days.

Under the 24-team format, the traditional four rounds of seven-game Lightning reportedly one of two to vote against NHL’s 24-team playoff series would be played after the play-in round. format If the board of governors approves the 24-team plan, the who of returning would be set. The where, when and how still would have to be determined, including how many cities would host games and the Staff Report guidelines for quarantine regulations and coronavirus testing.

Commissioner Gary Bettman said this past week that the league was looking at eight or nine locations to serve as hub cities for the resumption Earlier in the week, Tampa Bay player representative Alex Killorn had of the season. expressed concerns about four teams starting with a bye and how competitive games would be. It’s unclear when the league and players would agree to begin the second phase of preparations for return, which would be the reopening of The Lightning reportedly were one of two teams to vote against a team practice facilities and voluntary workouts. The following step would proposed 24-team return-to-play plan in balloting by NHL Players then likely be a three-week training camp before games resume. Association representatives. Canada’s teams have offered season-ticket holders rebate or refund The union announced late Friday that it had authorized moving forward in options in acknowledgment that no more 2019-20 regular-season games talks with the league on returning to play from the coronavirus will be played in front of fans in their buildings. suspension with 24 teams in a playoff tournament. The union did not provide a breakdown of the vote of its 31 player representatives. Canada’s TVA Sports network reported that the vote was 29-2. , a former NHL player and former analyst for Canada’s Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 05.24.2020 Sportsnet, said on Twitter that the Lightning and Hurricanes voted no.

Under the plan proposed by the joint NHL/union Return to Play Committee, the season would resume with 24 teams in a playoff tournament. The other seven teams’ seasons would be over.

Of the 24 advancing, the top four teams in each of the Eastern and Western conferences based on points percentage would start with a bye and play each other for playoff seeding while the other 16 would face off in a best-of-five play-in round to set the final 16 to compete for the Stanley Cup.

The top four teams in the East would be Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington and Philadelphia; the top four in the West would be defending champion St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas and Dallas. Pittsburgh, Carolina, the New York Islanders and Rangers, Toronto, Columbus, Florida and Montreal would also make it in the East. Edmonton, Nashville, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Minnesota, Arizona and Chicago would also make it in the West.

On a media video call Thursday, Lightning player representative Alex Killorn shared concerns about the setup of having the top four teams in each conference start by playing against each other in essentially exhibition games.

“The only problem I have with that format is that the top teams that have a bye, I don’t know how competitive their games will be,” he said. “Where the teams that are in the bottom will be playing playoff games straight away and potentially will be more prepared for once the real playoffs start after the play-in happens.”

It’s an interesting point for a Lightning player to make coming off what happened to Tampa Bay in last season’s playoffs. After the Lightning were swept by the Blue Jackets in the first round, Killorn was one of many players and coaches to point to the lack of adversity the team had faced leading up to the playoffs.

The Lightning strolled into the playoffs without having played a meaningful game in the final month of the regular season. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, secured their spot in the final games and carried momentum into the postseason.

“There’s not going to be any way to (resume the season this year) that satisfies everyone,” Killorn said Thursday. “We’re just going to be as fair as possible. Whatever it is, we’re going to have to find a way to play with it.”

Several details are still to be negotiated before games can begin after the season was shut down because of the coronavirus March 12.

Kris Letang, the Penguins’ player representative, echoed Killorn’s thoughts on no team getting exactly what it wanted in the 24-team plan. He told Sportsnet on Friday that he voted in favor of the proposal. Some players shared strong opinions on a Thursday conference call, he said, “but we have a union for everyone to express our views. Whatever the format is, some agree, some don’t. As a union, we want to make the best decisions over time, the greater good for everyone.” 1185200 Tampa Bay Lightning run, away from families, which is likely something that would be challenging for some of the younger dads in the group.

“It’s going to be tough to be away, and we don’t know how long we’ll be Why the Lightning were one of two teams to vote ‘no’ on 24-team format away,” Killorn said. “We’ll be somewhere that’s foreign, but, like I said, no one is going to be in a comfortable situation. You don’t know how many chances you’re going to get at winning this (Stanley Cup), especially when you have a team that you think can compete for it. So you’re willing By Joe Smith to make whatever sacrifices you need to do that.” May 23, 2020 Killorn isn’t married, nor does he have kids, but there are other players with families who have weighed in on the subject of having to be separated for an extended period. TAMPA, Fla. — Lightning wing Alex Killorn hopes to make one thing clear. “Being away from my wife and (2-year-old daughter) Emma would be hard,” forward Yanni Gourde said. “But considering what scenarios we’re His team wants to have a chance at a playoff run this summer. in right now, I’m all for playing hockey. And if it means being away from my family, for sure it’s going to suck a little bit, but I would definitely play “Everyone on our team wants to play,” he said. hockey right now.” That’s not surprising considering Tampa Bay is a serious Stanley Cup Killorn said he’s been on a call with the players association weekly and contender hoping for a long playoff push and a chance at redemption remains in contact with teammates who have had plenty of questions from last year’s stunning first-round sweep. But while the NHLPA throughout the process. executive board authorized further negotiations on a 24-team return-to- play format on Friday, the vote wasn’t unanimous. Killorn, the Lightning’s “It’s tough when there’s so many unknowns and a lot of guys, especially long-time NHLPA rep, confirmed to The Athletic Saturday that Tampa guys that are maybe not in Florida and are trying to figure out when Bay was one of the two teams that voted “no,” on the proposal. The other you’re going to come back,” Killorn said. “I don’t know what to tell them. was Carolina, according to the initial report by former Sportsnet insider There’s a little bit of pressure and anxiety, but I can’t control any of it.” Nick Kypreos. Coach Jon Cooper pointed out this week on Sirius NHL Network Radio Killorn said the vote was a result of a cumulative opinion from his entire that not “everybody is going to be happy in this scenario. You have to team — not just his feelings. He said they are ready to move forward with look at the bigger picture and say, ‘Are we going to compete for the the plan. But it doesn’t mean there weren’t some concerns the team had. Stanley Cup?’ And if the answer is yes, does it really matter how this plays out? Because you have to win your hockey games anyway.” “I brought the format to my team,” Killorn said via text Saturday night. “They didn’t feel it was fair that certain teams that probably wouldn’t have Asked whether or not he’s in favor of having a bye and facing a “warm” made the playoffs would have a chance to make the playoffs in a best-of- team, Cooper said you could make the argument either way. five series. My team also felt it was unfair that the teams with a bye would not be as well prepared for a playoff series as the teams that had “Is it better to dip your toes in the water or jump right in?” Cooper said. already basically played a playoff series to get into the playoffs. “It’d be akin to saying one team goes through a seven-game series and the other team sweeps. So the team that sweeps is sitting there waiting “This was not my opinion alone. As the PA rep I have a duty to represent for a week to 10 days for the other team that’s coming right out of a the voice of my entire team. I don’t want people to think that we don’t playoff series. Who has the advantage? want to play. Everyone on our team wants to play. In saying that, we are fine with the vote the PA took and we are ready with it going forward.” “It’s a different type of mindset thing. For me, it’d just be exciting to be back in the playoff picture. It’s what everyone in the beginning of the Killorn had brought up some of these concerns with the format in a Zoom season wants. If you’re going to be fortunate enough to get in, I think call with local media on Thursday, ahead of the vote. Under this scenario, nobody will care if they play play-in games or however it goes.” the top four teams in each conference would have a bye — playing in round-robin games against each other to help determine seeding — while the “bubble” playoff teams would be involved in a shorter play-in The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2020 series to determine the 16-team playoff field.

“The only problem I have with that format is that the top teams that have a bye, I don’t know how competitive their games will be going forward where the teams at the bottom will be playing playoff games right away and (would be) potentially more prepared for, I guess, the real playoffs,” Killorn said. “But there’s not going to be any way to do this that satisfies everyone. We’re just going to try to be as fair as possible. Whatever it is, we’re going to have to find a way to play with it.”

The Lightning (43-21-6) entered the pause with the second-most points (92) in the Eastern Conference behind Boston.

You can understand Killorn and the Lightning’s perspective, especially considering what they learned (painfully) last spring. Tampa Bay, which racked up a historic 62 wins last season, hadn’t played a meaningful game for a long time, having sealed up the Eastern Conference by early March. They were in a “comfort zone,” as goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy put it, and then ran into the red-hot and desperate , who had been playing for their playoff lives the final month of the year.

Multiple Tampa Bay players and coaches brought that up as one of the challenges in the “perfect storm” of their stunning first-round sweep. So, imagine the Lightning this summer, having not played a game in four months due to the pandemic, going through a round-robin slate of games before hosting a Panthers or Islanders team that had just won a hard- fought win-or-go-home series.

“It could be some sort of disadvantage,” Killorn said.

Now, there are many other issues that have to be sorted out with this 24- team plan and other concerns Tampa Bay players might have had with it. You’d have to be quarantined in one of the two “hub” cities for the playoff 1185201 Toronto Maple Leafs The Sens are expected to launch their renewal campaign Monday, but offered a season-ticker holder 25 per cent off next season’s package back in March. In a May 16 email, owner Eugene Melnyk wrote “you will not lose the value of the tickets you have purchased. We have received Canada’s NHL teams offer varying refund options to season-ticket your request for a refund, and are working to process your request as holders quickly as we can.”

Winnipeg Jets (4 games)

Donna Spencer The Jets will discount next season’s renewal by three per cent of the credit balance, accrued from March 12 until the first “home pre- or

regular-season game at Bell MTS Place.” Canada’s NHL teams have offered season-ticket holders rebate or refund options in acknowledgment that no more 2019-20 regular-season games will be played in front of fans in their respective buildings. Globe And Mail LOADED: 05.24.2020 In a four-day span May 13-16, all seven teams contacted their season- ticket bases with options and, in some cases, deadlines to make a decision.

“It has become increasingly apparent, that any possibility will not include any further games being played this season in front of fans at Bell MTS Place,” the said in an email.

That admission may seem anticlimactic given leagues and teams around the world are either playing in empty stadiums, or trying to figure out a way to do that during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But season-ticket money is foundational to an NHL team’s business. Clubs are loathe to part with it.

It’s often paid, or partially paid, in advance.

Canadian teams are offering refunds, but are also pushing a number of incentives to let them keep the money.

Toronto Maple Leafs season-ticket holders had to declare they wanted their money back by Victoria Day or a credit would be applied to their accounts.

Their Montreal Canadiens counterparts had to make a decision by Friday, while the Vancouver Canucks’ deadline is on June 3.

The Edmonton Oilers and Leafs had seven left, the Canucks six, the Ottawa Senators, Habs and Jets four.

A look at what Canada’s NHL teams are offering based on emails sent to season-ticket holders.

Calgary Flames (8 games)

The two credit options are: receive a food and beverage voucher worth five per cent of the credit, or get three per cent interest on the value of the credit starting April 1 “until the date the 2020-21 regular season schedule is announced.”

Edmonton Oilers (7 games)

If a credit is applied to next season by June 1, there’s a five per cent rebate on that money calculated from April 1 to Oct. 1. If clients top up their accounts or pay for next season in full by June 1, the five per cent is applied to that amount too.

Toronto Maple Leafs (7 games)

Those who didn’t request a refund by May 18 had their credit applied to next season. The first instalment on 2020-21 season tickets was delayed from April 8 to June 8, with the option of applying the credit to it.

Vancouver Canucks (6 games)

Incentives to not ask for your money back are doubling your food and beverage allowance to $400, no increase in price on 2020-21 season tickets, the credit serving as a down payment on next season, payment flexibility and no payment plan fees. A decision on credit or refund is open until June 3, after which a credit will be applied to next season.

Montreal Canadiens (4 games)

Taking the credit increases it by half its value — $400 owed makes it $600 for example — and freezes the price on renewing at 2019-20 levels. Habs season-seat owners were also offered flexible payment options, but had to decide on credit or refund by Friday.

Ottawa Senators (4 games) 1185202 Toronto Maple Leafs any thought to reaching out and seeing if that oversight could be rectified. Dad wouldn’t have felt comfortable with that.

The irony is, Doug Jr. might have been able to pull some strings. Doug McKay played one NHL game. And made history A member of the Stoney Creek Little League team that went to the final of the 1965 World Series, he became a pretty good hockey player who won a Turner Cup championship (playing for his dad who was coaching) By Scott Radley Spectator Columnist with the International Hockey League’s before venturing into his own coaching career. Sat., May 23, 2020 He became the Toronto Maple Leafs’ assistant coach at 27 under Mike

Nykoluk (working in the same rink in which his dad had played his one We know it was Game 3 of the 1950 Stanley Cup final between the New game), spent time as an assistant to in New Jersey York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings. We know it was played at Maple (where he found himself literally in the middle of the famed “Have another Leaf Gardens because Madison Square Garden was booked for the doughnut you fat pig” argument, holding back referee Don Koharski) and circus as it was every spring, showing a perpetual lack of faith in the Big later went on to a long run in Europe, coaching squads such as the Apple’s ability to win. And we know the Wings won 4-0. Gunco Pandas, the Boretti Tigers and even some outfit actually called the Al Capone Flames. After that, the details get pretty sparse, which is a shame because there was history on the ice that night in the form of Detroit winger Doug In the midst of all that, he found himself at the ’ training McKay. The only man to have played his lone NHL game in the final. camp. Sitting in the stands one morning, came and plopped himself beside him. They got talking and McKay introduced himself. How did he do? Who were his linemates? What impact did he have on the contest? Good questions. “Wait, are you related to Doug McKay who was with us in Detroit?” Howe asked. Or words to that effect. “He was very humble,” his son Doug McKay Jr. says. “I don’t think he really spoke about it very often.” Hearing he was, Mr. Hockey jumped up, grabbed a piece of paper and a thick marker, and quickly jotted something down. Then he beckoned a The man who could have fleshed out the story passed away earlier this photographer and held up the sign he’d made. month in Burlington, a couple weeks before his 91st birthday. But even if he was still here, it would’ve been a challenge to pry grandiose tales out HI DAD. of him. Howe figured his old teammate would get a kick out of it. Which he did. There are some people who get their 15 minutes of fame and spend the As for McKay Jr.? That became a treasured moment. Having him and rest of their life squeezing every drop of juice out of the experience. one of his heroes tied together by a connection to his father was McKay was the opposite. Had you visited him at his home, you wouldn’t priceless. Still is. have found any evidence of his moment of glory. No memorabilia lying around. No hockey photos on the walls. “I have (that photo) to this day.”

“He was never one to talk about himself,” his younger son Gary says.

He could have. He had the resume. Toronto Star LOADED: 05.24.2020 After growing up in Westdale, he left home to play junior hockey in Windsor. On off days, he and some other players would cross the border to watch Gordie Howe, Sid Abel, Ted Lindsay and the other Red Wings. Which made it feel a bit surreal when he signed with Detroit and turned pro two years later.

That first season, he captained the farm team in Indianapolis to the Calder Cup. His work done, he came home to Hamilton where, two days after sipping champagne, he was summoned to Toronto to join the Wings with Hamilton’s Leo Reise Jr. and the legends he’d watched so many times.

McKay apparently played a regular shift in that contest, then returned to Hamilton while his new teammates headed to Detroit for the rest of the series, which they won in double overtime of Game 7.

That was it. He returned to the AHL the following year, then a number of other leagues, including senior hockey, before retiring in 1957 and moving to a coaching career that saw him help many players do what he couldn’t and make the NHL full-time. Gary says his dad was promised the job as head coach of the Red Wings for the 1982 season, but the team was sold prior to that and the new GM went in a different direction.

He worked behind various benches until 1986 or so and then stepped away from the game.

Now with him no longer around to pooh-pooh people talking glowingly about him, his story finally gets told. And the ownership of his Stanley Cup ring becomes a big deal.

“I don’t think he ever got a ring,” McKay Jr. says.

He didn’t? OK, at least the family can go to the Hall of Fame and see dad’s name forever etched on the Cup.

“His name never went on the Cup,” he continues.

Today, that honour is standard. Play in the final and you’re on there, plus you have some nice new jewelry to wear. Back then it was at the discretion of the general manager or owner. And for whatever reason, the rookie didn’t make the cut. Over the years, his sons never really gave 1185203 Vegas Golden Knights Columbus (Ohio), Edmonton (Alberta), Dallas, Nashville, St. Paul (Minnesota), Toronto, Vancouver (British Columbia) are all reportedly in the mix, as the league continues to weigh whether it needs two hubs or four. Several details remain unresolved in NHL’s return-to-play plan 5. What’s happening with the draft?

There was a push from the league office to hold a virtual draft in June, By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal but that lost steam.

May 23, 2020 - 4:30 PM Now it appears the event, which was originally scheduled for June 26 and 27 in Montreal, will take place after the season is completed.

The seven teams that are not included in the 24-team postseason format The plan for an expanded 24-team postseason that was approved by the will participate in some form of lottery to determine the No. 1 pick, which NHL Players’ Association executive committee Friday means the end of is expected to be used on Canadian winger Alexis Lafreniere. the 2019-20 regular season. The league must determine the rules for the lottery, and it remains to be Any way you look at the standings, whether it’s points or points seen how the outcome of the 24-team tournament will affect the selection percentage, the Golden Knights unofficially are the Pacific Division order. champions.

Twice in the last three years. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.24.2020 The NHL has more pressing matters now that the framework for a return to play is in place, not the least of which is establishing coronavirus testing procedures and health protocols.

An announcement could come early next week, but before that can happen, here are some of the other details the NHL still must sort through:

1. What format will be used for the 24-team tournament?

According to a report from TSN, the NHL is trying to decide whether it will go with a traditional bracket or reseed the playoffs.

Why does this matter? Let’s say No. 12 seed Chicago takes out fifth- seeded Edmonton during the best-of-five play-in round.

In a bracket format, the Blackhawks would advance to play the fourth seed, while the top seed draws the winner of the No. 8-9 matchup between Calgary and Winnipeg. That doesn’t seem fair.

If the league reseeds after the play-in round, the top seed (likely St. Louis) would be rewarded by facing the lowest remaining seed in the field, which would be the Blackhawks, a team that was a seller at the trade deadline.

The NHL also reportedly has to work out whether the conference quarterfinals will feature best-of-five or best-of-seven series.

2. How will the round robin affect seeding?

The top four teams from each conference will receive a bye to the quarterfinals. That much is clear.

The Knights will start as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference behind St. Louis and Colorado, but the NHL must establish how all this is going to work.

Will teams play three games? Six games?

And what would it take for the Knights to jump from the third seed to No. 1, or is that not possible?

3. When will the NHL resume playing?

The league has yet to announce when Phase Two of its restart plan, which would unlock team practice facilities and allow for small, group skates, begins. That’s the first step.

In the meantime, there’s issues to sort through with the U.S.-Canadian border, which is closed to nonessential travel through June 21.

But a best-case scenario could see training camps in July with the first set of games two to three weeks after that if everything with the coronavirus continues to trend in a positive direction.

4. Where will all this take place?

The NHL is in no rush to announce its hub sites, as it closely monitors the pandemic and spread of the coronavirus.

The NBA released a statement Saturday confirming discussions to use Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, as the location for its restart in late July. That seemingly clears the way for Las Vegas to be used as one of the NHL’s hubs. 1185204 Washington Capitals

T.J. Oshie doesn't believe shootouts should dictate results in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

By Ryan Homler

May 23, 2020 8:36 PM

T.J. Oshie is no stranger to success in shootouts, especially in big games. Namely, his performance in the 2014 Sochi Olympics against Russia earned him that reputation.

If the shootout style was ever brought to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the NHL, there's a chance that Oshie's name would once again be called upon. However, the Capital isn't set on that scenario becoming a reality.

As of now, playoff matchups head into as many overtimes as needed rather than a shootout. While that can be draining for players, Oshie believes it is a more genuine way to determine results in the postseason. Hockey is a sport that forces a team to come together as a whole, and he feels that shootouts take that away.

“Selfishly I’d love to see it. But I just look back and see some of the games that went to five overtimes and played past midnight," Oshie told NHL on NBC during a re-airing of his performance in the 2014 Olympics. “In the playoffs you need everyone on the ice, everyone doing their job. The shootout just feels a little bit more one-on-one.”

"So I don’t think it has a place in playoffs," he added.

As Oshie noted, he could see the fun and excitement in having shootouts in the playoffs due to his personal success experiences in those moments. Yet, his time in postseason runs, including Washington's 2018 championship has given him a larger perspective on the grind that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Capitals' Stanley Cup run was filled with grueling moments, but the success came from the team's effort altogether. Individual performances sparked big moments, but the Capitals were only as good as the sum of all their parts. To take that away in the biggest of moments is something that Oshie sees as wrong for the sport and the players who worked hard to get there.

“It’s just, after winning, I think you realize how much you need everybody playing well and so I think everyone deserves to play in those big moments," Oshie said.

So, while Oshie loves participating in late-game heroics, he'll take his chance at an overtime goal rather than a shootout. He does, however, understand that the continuation of the golden goal format could lead to more games with multiple extra periods. Though he is okay with those happening in place of a shootout, he also knows that he probably just talked himself into a lot more of those situations in the future.

“Watch I’ll go to like a five-overtime game and be dying an need an IV," Oshie joked. "And maybe change my tune.”

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T.J. Oshie had no nerves entering shootout with Russia in 2014 Sochi Olympics

By Ryan Homler

May 23, 2020 7:36 PM

As the United States and Russia entered the shootout period of the 2014 Olympic Games preliminary matchup tied 2-2, there was plenty of tension and nerves in Sochi.

T.J. Oshie, who was sent out for the first attempt, had the right to be as nervous as anyone. Skating on to the ice, he had the weight of a nation on his shoulders in a game that carried a history stemming from the . Yet, Oshie was as cool as the ground he was on. Rather than thinking about any outside noise, his only focus was on what he was going to do with the puck.

“Just my move. There probably wasn’t a time I was more confident than my first shot. I knew off the hop that I wanted to go five hole and that’s really all I had my mind made up for," Oshie told NHL on NBC during the re-airing of the infamous game on Saturday. "The first shot I was ready to go. I was excited to go out there and shoot first and put us up one.”

Oshie did just that on his first shot, giving the United States early momentum in the shootout. He would once again have his name called upon for the fourth attempt of the period. Though he was no longer setting the tone for the entire period, this is where Oshie more pressure.

It wasn't solely because of the situation, but rather because he didn't want to lose the opportunity to shoot again down the line.

“I was most nervous for my second one because I felt if I missed I wouldn’t be going anymore," Oshie said.

He did miss the shot, but it was not the end for him. Rules allowed the U.S. to send the same player out there for each of the following rounds if they wanted, and head coach Dan Bylsma opted to stick with Oshie.

The rest is history, as in the eighth round Oshie's ability to find the back of the net ended up being the game-winner for the United States.

Despite the circumstances, Oshie never felt too nervous throughout the shootout period. Remaining calm and focusing on what he needed to do with his stick, he helped etch a spot for himself in the most memorable moments the sport of hockey has had to offer.

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Making sense of the NHLPA's statement: What it means and what it doesn't

By J.J. Regan

May 23, 2020 10:48 AM

On Friday, hockey took a step towards returning, albeit a small one.

The NHLPA released a statement on Friday night saying the executive board "has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup. Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play."

You may be confused by this statement and that is certainly understandable. Here's a breakdown of what this statement actually means.

Don't take Friday's announcement to mean that the league is back and that it's time to bust out your jerseys and gear up for the playoffs. We are still a long way off from that. All the major questions about safety protocols, testing and how isolated the teams will be throughout the postseason are just some of the myriad of issues yet to be decided on. Plus, there are also still a number of issues with the playoff format that will still need to be determined as well such as whether teams will advance as a bracket or if they will be reseeded each round.

Also, the format itself is still subject to change. The NHLPA couched their approval by saying it still could be tweaked once all those other issues are discussed.

So what does this all really mean?

The NHLPA's very carefully worded statement makes it clear that essentially nothing is set in stone just yet, but there are a few things we can take away from this as fairly reasonable conclusions. First, the season for the bottom seven teams in the NHL -- the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres -- is over and so then is the regular season. There is also a chance that this could reignite the league's desire for an early draft.

One of the main obstacles to a June draft was the fact that the season had not yet concluded and it was unknown how many teams would be in the playoffs. That made it difficult to determine how to conduct a draft lottery. The 24-team plan will now go to the NHL Board of Governors for approval and, assuming they sign off on this format as agreed to by the NHLPA, we will know the seven teams who will definitely not be in the playoffs which would eliminate any possibility of the lottery winner also being the eventual Stanley Cup champion.

In terms of bringing us closer to the return of hockey, this is a step in the right direction, but just a small one. The other issues such as safety protocols and players' access to their families during the postseason are the much more difficult issues to figure out and still need to be determined before the league can resume play.

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Remembering the 2018 Eastern Conference Final and the best two- game stretch in Capitals history

By J.J. Regan

May 23, 2020 8:00 AM

The epic 2018 playoff run that saw the Capitals hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history is certainly full of great moments and games. There's Lars Eller's double-overtime goal against Columbus that saved the season, Eller's Cup-clinching goal, Evgeny Kuznetsov defeating Pittsburgh in overtime, the list goes on and on. But when you are thinking about the top moments from the 2018 Cup run, don't sleep on Games 6 and 7 of the Eastern Conference Final as that was the best two-game stretch the Caps have played in the history of the franchise.

Sure, you could probably find games where they scored more goals, you could find games that were bigger nailbiters, you could find better individual performances from star players, but you will not find a more complete effort against great competition over the course of 120 minutes.

The conference final was new territory for Washington as the team had not made it that far since 1998. Sure, the Caps had just gotten past the Penguins, but they were playing a Tampa Bay Lightning team that, on paper, look far superior. Outside of Washington, not many believed the Caps would be able to stack up. The momentum from the previous round buoyed the Caps to a 2-0 series lead, but the Lightning quickly recovered to win three straight. Suddenly, Washington's magic run was one game away from ending. Somehow the Caps had to find a way to beat Tampa Bay not only once, but twice with Game 7 coming on the road.

With everything to lose in Game 6, Washington played one of the most brilliant games of hockey I have ever seen. They didn't run up the score, they didn't get a hat trick from Alex Ovechkin, it wasn't an overtime thriller, the Caps simply took one of the best teams in the NHL and dominated them in every facet of the game. While Tampa Bay may have had more skill, Washington was the more physical team and they let the Lightning know it in Game 6, hitting them at every conceivable opportunity to wear them down. The Caps out-hit the Lighting 39-19. Ovechkin led the way and was the best player on the ice that night despite not recording a single point. He led his team with his body and they responded.

Despite the incredible performance, for half of the game it looked like that might not be enough. Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy was unbeatable through 30 minutes and the score sat 0-0 midway through the second. In hockey, sometimes a team can do everything right and still lose because of a hot goalie and it began to look like Washington was in danger of that happening until T.J. Oshie struck on the power play late in the second. Devante Smith-Pelly would score one of his seven goals of the postseason in the third and Oshie added an empty netter to force a Game 7. When the Caps needed him to be perfect, Braden Holtby was as he outlasted Vasilevskiy with a sterling performance.

Washington may have taken the first two games in Tampa Bay, but Game 5 was a win for the Lightning as Cedric Paquette scored just 19 seconds in. In Game 7, it was the Caps who struck early with Ovechkin firing a one-timer past Vasilevskity just 62 seconds in. Andre Burakovsky scored twice in the second period and it was over. The Caps would win Game 7 4-0 to punch their tickets to the Stanley Cup Final.

A power play that featured both and Nikita Kucherov was shut down. One of the best offenses in the league was held off the scoresheet. One of the top goalies in the world was pierced again and again. Washington had to win two games against one of the best teams in the league, arguably the most talented. The Caps won both by a combined score of 7-0. It does not get more complete than that.

Winning the as the conference champs obviously pales in comparison to the Stanley Cup, but the way in which the Caps won the conference should not be forgotten. That was the best 120- minute stretch of hockey from the Capitals we have ever seen.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2020 1185208 Vancouver Canucks Maybe that tells us something about patience and persistence but, for the GM, the game has now changed and the real challenge lies ahead.

Benning has proven to be an adept assessor of talent and his draft Ed Willes: Benning marks six years as Canucks' GM. Are finest days still record remains the single-most impressive entry on his resume. But to come? that’s just one part of the GM’s job description and Benning’s performance in other areas has been lacking.

We don’t have the time or the space for a detailed analysis of the payroll ED WILLES and, in the COVID-19 NHL era, some of those mistakes are going to pose significant problems for the Canucks. May 23, 2020 1:39 PM PDT There are also questions about Benning’s ability to build and maintain an

efficient, well-run organization. His split with amateur scouting director OPINION: Jim Benning has proven to be an adept assessor of talent and Judd Brackett is now a matter of public record. True, the Canucks have his draft record remains the single-most impressive entry on his resume. added assistant GM Chris Gear but most of the decision-making power is But that’s just one part of the GM’s job description and Benning’s held by Benning and his chief lieutenant John Weisbrod. performance in other areas has been lacking The front office is not deep nor does it possess much of a track record. When measured by longevity in their current position, Jim Benning is the Maybe Benning and Weisbrod can change that. Maybe they’ve taken the 11th-most senior NHL general manager. If the would Canucks as far as they can go. have waited 24 days to hire , Jimbo would have cracked That said, the variable in this equation — as in all things with the the top 10. Canucks — concerns ownership and the unpredictable world of the This may also surprise you: In his six years as the Canucks’ GM, 18 Aquilinis. managers have been fired and six others left on their own volition. Peter Two years ago Benning survived the firing of team president Trevor Chiarelli has been fired twice over that span. has held Linden, largely because his assessment of the Canucks was more three different positions. The Florida Panthers fired , then aligned with the Aquilinis than Linden’s. Loosely stated, Benning felt the rehired him. Canucks were close to winning. Linden thought they were still four years Men who won Stanley Cups — Chiarelli in Boston, Ray Shero in away. Pittsburgh, Dean Lombardi in Los Angeles — have been let go. But Benning might have been right. It’s helped he was able to trade for Miller Benning has kept his job, resolute and determined to turn the Vancouver and Toffoli and sign Myers and others and those moves were made with Canucks into a winner. ownership’s blessings. Has he succeeded? Well, the team’s overall record during the Benning But can Benning do the detailed work necessary to take the Canucks to era — and we can now start calling the past six years the Benning era — the next level? Is what he’s built sustainable? is 211-213-54 and the Canucks have made the playoffs once. Before this season was paused by the novel coronavirus crisis, the Canucks had From Benning’s perspective, the good news is he’s still around to answer finished 23rd overall in the NHL, followed by 26th, 29th and 28th. those questions.

They sat 20th overall when the NHL stopped play on March 12. That was Canucks’ fans just hope that’s good news. regarded as a great leap forward for the franchise.

Benning has also had his contract extended twice by the Canucks and, as you might have guessed by the wordy lead-in, it’s fair to ask why? Vancouver Province: LOADED: 05.24.2020 Why has he kept his job when so many other GMs have lost theirs? Why has he kept his job when the Canucks have been an abject failure on the ice?

They seem to be fair and reasonable questions. As for the answers, well, that’s where things get complicated.

Benning celebrated his six-year anniversary with the Canucks earlier this week and any assessment of his job performance resists a quick and easy summation. The won-loss record speaks for itself, but if Benning was fired tomorrow he’d leave with the best draft record of any GM in Canucks’ history.

He’s made egregious miscalculations in free agency and his trade record isn’t exactly stellar but this year’s deal to land J.T. Miller was a game- changer for the Canucks.

Payroll you ask? That’s another problem area but, for one of the few times in franchise history, the Canucks have younger, cheaper, in-house answers to their needs.

So where does that leave us?

Benning, at the very least, has set the franchise up for success and his moves during the last couple of years have delivered a series of wins for the Canucks. The lineup is deeper. It’s more dangerous. On the current roster there are four players — , Alex Edler, Chris Tanev and Jacob Markstrom — who weren’t drafted, traded for or signed by Benning.

The three top scorers — Miller, Elias Pettersson and — have all been added in the last two years, along with Tanner Pearson, Tyler Myers, Tyler Toffoli and Adam Gaudette, sort of.

This is now Benning’s team and, after six years, the Canucks finally seem pointed in the right direction. You can argue he didn’t deserve a six-year runway to build this team but the Canucks are in the process of arriving and that’s taken place under Benning’s watch. 1185209 Websites “If that’s the situation, I think there could be somewhat of a disadvantage. I know when you’re playing a team that’s been battling and actually went through a playoff series, it’s a lot different than playing a couple exhibition games,” Killorn concedes. Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: 24-team playoff injects hope, raises questions “The top teams that have a bye, I don’t know how competitive their games will be going forward, whereas the teams that are in the bottom will be playing playoff games right away, and potentially they will be more prepared for the real playoffs.” Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox Something I’m curious about: Since the best-of-five play-in round and the May 23, 2020, 8:30 AM round-robin games will not technically be part of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, are they a continuation of the regular season? Can they impact individual stats, the Rocket Richard Trophy race, Alex Ovechkin’s bid for A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious 50, James Neal’s strive for 21, my fantasy league? and less so, and rolling four lines deep. I ate the pizza. All by myself. Nobody else ate the pizza. 3. A Mike Babcock sighting!

1. For the first time in two and a half months, I feel genuinely optimistic Seldom seen or heard from publicly since his firing from the Maple Leafs we’re going to see a 2020 Stanley Cup champion. six months ago, Babcock donated a few hours after his morning waterski Wednesday to be a guest on a coaching and leadership seminar for Maybe you do too. McGill University.

Maybe we’re delusional. Babcock asked questions of his own to presenters Peter Smith, coach of the McGill Martlets, and Jamie Kompon, associate coach of the Winnipeg But hope feels nice, my first tee time is booked, the glass is half full, and Jets, then fielded a few from participants. I’m guzzling like a kid who just discovered free refills. Gotta say, I kinda missed the Babtalk. As the players voted in favour of the proposed 24-team tournament Friday, the transition from “We’re considering all options!” to “We’re • On the value of team-building activities: “I’ve been to every kind of taking steps to execute this specific plan!” has given us something professional thing you can think of, from ropes courses to camping to tangible to look forward to — or bicker about. curing with gold-medal skips to canoe racing. Often the group of players you have determines the success of a team-building event. It isn’t the “As much as there is always debate,” Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving event; it’s the people. said Friday, “if the worst thing in our day right now is determining if there are 24 or 20 or 18 or 16 teams in a playoff, we’re having a pretty good “Team building to me: When you pay the price. A 250-pound D-man is day.” coming down the wall to run you over and you get it out? That’s team building. When you lay down in the last second and block a shot? That’s Yes, it’s imperfect, but have you looked outside? team building. When you get into the room, you make each other better. At the pause, the Montreal Canadiens had a zero per cent chance of You make each other accountable. And people love you for doing it. making the traditional playoffs, per SportsClubStats.com. The Chicago Sometimes we get confused with what team building actually is.” Blackhawks had a 2.6 per cent chance. The Arizona Coyotes had a 16.6 • On managing superstars: “What I found over the years is, this isn’t as per cent shot. And the resurgent New York Rangers’ odds were at 21.8 big a deal as you might think. The best players want to be the best per cent. players. They want to be great. They want a partnership with you. Now, the chances are great that at least one of them will upset their play- [Patrick] Kane’s rules are different than someone else’s rules. [Pavel] in opponent, who proved better over 70 or so games (that would be Datsyuk’s rules are different. [Auston] Matthews’ rules, [Mitch] Marner’s Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Nashville and Carolina, respectively). The shorter rules are different because they have a different skill-set. They don’t the series, the more it favours the wild card. need you every time something goes wrong for you to be reminding them. But what they need is parameters. Three of those life-raft clubs represent massive TV markets. Hockey is entertainment. It’s a business. And this format satisfies on both counts. “The best players have a skill-set and a feel. They don’t turn the puck over that much anyway because they have that skill-set to handle the Pittsburgh’s NHLPA rep, Kris Letang, told Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman situation. I think understanding the parameters for them and having a Friday night that the Penguins voted yes to the setup, and beat reporter partnership with you is what it’s all about.” Rob Rossi reported the vote wasn’t even close. • On how to tell your team has curated the right culture: “You play the last “There’s no perfect way to do this, because it’s not like we’ve ever been game in pro hockey and you know you’re never going to be together through this before and there’s a script to follow,” Blues captain Alex again — the guys don’t want to take their equipment off. They don’t want Pietrangelo told Good Show Friday. to leave; they want to be together. They create a family culture where “There’s not going to be any way to do this that satisfies everyone,” everyone can be important. Everyone’s accountable. Everyone’s echoes Tampa’s Alex Killorn. “We’re just going to try to make it as fair as committed. In the end, those are the pictures that go on your wall, possible.” because the ones that you didn’t create that in, they didn’t win.”

Did Montreal earn their way into equal footing as Pittsburgh? Nope. But if • On turning practice into internal competition: “The harder they compete the Canadiens can reel off 19 wins in two months against five teams against one another, the better they’re going to become. … As soon as supposedly better than them, arguing they didn’t deserve that shiny prize you keep score, the energy level goes through the roof. And that’s what at the end will make you look foolish and cranky. they want to do — they want to compete. It doesn’t matter if it’s a one-on- one, small-ice game, a two-on-one, a forward versus a D, a line 2. So, I’m not complaining, but… competition, it doesn’t matter. But they want to compete. That’s where the fun is.” I do wonder about the intensity of the three round-robin games each of the top four seeds in the conferences will play. Not only are these not do- 4. Kompon’s presentation was fantastic, as he detailed the vast or-die contests, but “winning” the top seed doesn’t guarantee the easiest differences head coaches Joel Quenneville and have in Round 1 opponent. their approach to winning the Stanley Cup (Kompon served on both the Blackhawks and Kings staffs). Different styles, same champagne (hint: The top seed in the East, for example, will definitely play Toronto (7) or One was more of a players’ coach than the other). Columbus (8). So even if Montreal (12) upsets, the No. 1 seed could face a superior first-round opponent than the No. 4 seed. Kompon recalled the defensive-minded Quenneville’s reluctance to put a young Kane out in the final two minutes with the lead because he was Also, there is a bit of magic that happens when a squad survives the worried Kane might cheat for offence. Kompon encouraged a danger of elimination and enters the next stage of their bracket hardened conversation, a trust. and confident. “Kaner knew if he took this responsibility, that was another minute, two “But what we can do is promote diversity. I believe that the NHL should minutes on the ice. Another 10 points a season. Easy for him. He can put adopt something like the Rooney Rule, which requires NFL teams to the puck in the [empty] net from the other end with his eyes closed,” interview minorities for head coaching and senior football operation Kompon said. “We never had a problem with him waiting out in the positions,” Aliu writes. neutral zone or anything. He was right where he needed to be defensively.” “We should be showing off the diversity our game is capable of having. This has an immediate impact on youth involvement. Because I know Kompon broke it down plainly: Players crave touches with the puck. That there are kids like me out there who have a hard time seeing themselves leads to confidence. In turn, that leads to more ice time and, likely, more in the NHL. Or there’s a little black boy or girl who wants to be an NHL points. coach, but he or she doesn’t see anyone in the league who looks like them.” “Then, ultimately, what do you do? You get paid,” Kompon said. 8. Alex Killorn has himself a smash hit among Lightning fans with his “We got Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. They take 50 to 100 pucks Dock Talk Jetski-based mobile interview series. off the boards every day, before or after practice. They know they need that, so it’s second nature.” Killorn is campaigning hard for his dream guest.

5. Ottawa 67’s centre Marco Rossi was rewarded for a video-game- “Easy, man. Tom Brady,” says the talk show host, who doubles as a 26- esque OHL season by winning the circuit’s MVP award, the Red Tilson goal scorer. “Write that in all your articles.” Trophy. Killorn, 30, has sold approximately 45,000 Dock Talk T-shirts, directing Rossi’s 120 points (39 goals, 81 assists) in 53 games topped all juniors in the proceeds to the Hillsborough Education Foundation, which helps the Canadian Hockey League, and his two-way, all-situations excellence children who don’t have food or educational resources. has made him a plus-120 player over his two OHL seasons (he’s also a 58.5-per-cent face-off man). “We’ve far exceeded our expectations,” says Killorn, a Harvard grad. “When I heard about it, it was a no-brainer to me. I think it’s really No wonder why the top-10 2020 draft prospect has no interest in a third important to give back, especially to kids who don’t have the means to junior year. keep up with school.

“In my opinion, I’m not focusing on playing in the junior hockey league “I just hope that with this money, a lot of these younger students that anymore. I try to focus on pro hockey,” the confident 18-year-old said don’t have Wi-Fi or don’t have iPads can keep up with school and finish Thursday. the school year the right way.”

“Ask about me in practice, or like anywhere where I have to compete, I’m As much fun as Killorn has had with Dock Talk, media isn’t the only route probably one of the hardest-competing guys that they know. And I just he’s considering when it comes time for a second career. hate to lose. I try to win every situation I can… I hate to just practice easy.” “If I’m gonna stay in the game of hockey, I would see myself more on the management side,” he says. “But if I didn’t go that route, it would be As he buries his disappointment of being denied another run at the probably TV or something, because I don’t want to coach.” Memorial Cup with a strong squad and awaits the draft, Rossi is training twice daily back home in Austria. 9. Way back during the first training camp of 2019-20, Evgeni Malkin described new teammate Brandon Tanev as “probably the fastest guy in He doesn’t hide the fact that he used all the positive press for the NHL.” contemporaries Alexis Lafreniere and Quinton Byfield as fuel for his tear through Ontario. Tanev is doing what he can to preserve his greatest asset during the pause. He ordered a set of Rollerblades online to work those intricate “Of course,” Rossi said. “I could hear they were talking so much about skating muscles. For sessions of 30 to 40 minutes, he’ll sprint up hills, them, and it just motivated me, and I just wanted to be better than them.” take advantage of fresh air on a long-distance rip, or find an open parking lot to hone his stickhandling at speed. Love it. “Obviously, it’s not the same as being on ice, but in a sense, it’s pretty Rossi’s 2.14 points-per-game pace not only led the OHL, but it’s the darn close to what we’re used to. I think it’s just the joy of getting on a highest such figure by a Red Tilson Trophy recipient since Erie’s Connor pair of skates. Whether they’re ice hockey skates or Rollerblades or feel McDavid (2.55) in 2014-15. the puck, it’s something we all cherish,” Tanev said on a Zoom Prior to joining the 67’s in 2018, Rossi was playing pro in Switzerland — conference. a 15-year-old weaving around some men more than double his age. He “It kind of mimics the stride of being on the ice, as close as you can really figured it took him all of six to eight games to acclimatize to the angles get, so I’ve been trying to Rollerblade as much as I can, especially when and speed of the smaller North American ice. the weather is nice.”

Ineligible for the AHL in 2020-21, Rossi concedes that whichever team Keeping his mind sharp? Puzzles. And he’s graduated from a 500-piece he’s drafted to will have a say where he skates next season. But in his to a 1,000-piece monster. mind, if he’s not an NHLer, he’d prefer to set up goals professionally in Europe. “It’s great to keep the mental aspect of yourself strong during these times,” Tanev explained. “To get your mind thinking and put it in 6. Cool touch by the QMJHL. situations like it is on the ice, when you’re trying to think through a certain The league convinced Sidney Crosby to temporarily ditch quarantine situation, I think you’re able to do that when you’re looking for a piece. dress code and don on a crisp shirt and jacket to announce its MVP, “Maybe you’re getting frustrated and you don’t want to do it anymore — fellow Rimouski Océanic alum Lafreniere. your mind is telling you to give up — but at the same time, that puzzle 7. Heck of a column by Akim Aliu for The Players’ Tribune. needs to be finished. And without that piece you’re looking for, the puzzle can’t be finished. It’s a mental grind at times, especially with the puzzles Right from the piece’s title, “Hockey Is Not for Everyone,” a reality check that have a ton of pieces.” for the NHL’s Hockey Is for Everyone initiative, you know you’re in for some required reading. Which is why my own puzzle game never extended beyond this bad boy.

To think, Aliu’s brave article arrives during the same pause that has seen 10. One relatively easy but necessary task for returning to play will Rangers prospect K’Andre Miller subjected to racial slurs during a video involve the free agents agreeing to push back the end date of their chat, Bill Peters land a head-coaching job overseas and the NFL explore current contracts from June 30 to whenever the playoffs conclude (since hiring incentives to hire non-white coaches and general managers. they don’t get paid during the postseason anyway and everyone understands the financial benefits of salvaging a Cup champ, this Aliu doesn’t stop at detailing his own attacks by racists in hockey; he tries shouldn’t be a big concern). to look at solutions. With the Coyotes given a second life under the 24-team proposal — why couldn’t they upset Nashville in a best-of-five with a healthy Darcy Kuemper? — this presents one last chance for Arizona to audition for pending UFA .

Hall, 28, has been forthright about his desire to commit with a contender after playing just five playoff games in (gulp) 10 seasons.

“I’m not saying he is going to sign here, but I definitely think we’re a team he’s very interested in staying with,” Rick Tocchet told Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski on the ESPN On Ice podcast this week.

“You’re talking about a guy who, before this, was going to make a ton of money,” Tocchet said. “With this whole pandemic, like he told me, he doesn’t want to go through another year trying to play on a one-year contract. He wants to get settled somewhere. So, he’s got a lot of different options that [he has to] weigh.

Surely, a deep Cinderella run or, conversely, a swift exit could factor into Hall’s decision.

11. The slick commemorative Terry Fox edition of the Adidas Orion shoes (modelled something lovely below by Ron MacLean) sold out fast.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Fox’s Marathon of Hope, 100 per cent of the net proceeds were donated to The Terry Fox Foundation to support cancer research. Brilliant.

But that hasn’t stopped some people from reselling them for as much as 10 times their $130 retail price on eBay. Ugh.

Crossing my fingers Adidas does another, um, run.

12. The Tooth Fairy has been declared an essential worker.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.24.2020 1185210 Websites goaltender in the world, helping Canada earn a gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Games and sweeping the NHL awards in 2015 after a remarkable season with the Canadiens.

Sportsnet.ca / World Cup of Hockey: Halak vs. Price added spark to He was no pedestrian on Canada’s route to the World Cup final, either. improbable final The Anahim Lake, B.C., native may have started off slow with a 4-2 loss to Team USA in exhibition play, but he was unflappable from the minute he regained the net in a 3-2 overtime win over the Russians to the minute Canada lifted the World Cup trophy. Eric Engels | @EricEngels Prior to that, Price sized up his competition. May 23, 2020, 8:10 AM "Obviously, he’s a pretty quiet guy with a calm demeanor," said Price of

his former teammate. "He lets the puck and the play come towards him. It was barely 10 minutes into what would be Team Europe’s second Those are a couple of the things he does really well." exhibition-round loss in as many games against Team North America Canada’s general manager, , who, as GM of the Blues, that I had it all but confirmed in my mind that a conglomeration of players had traded Lars Eller and Ian Schultz to acquire Halak in 2010, framed it from eight different countries probably wasn’t going to find the necessary perfectly when he said: "I think there’s going to be, I don’t want to say a chemistry to make an unexpected run at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. rivalry, but both guys know who’s at the other end." From my seat, suspended over 80 feet above the ice at the , I The came into the series as the tournament leaders in save was willing to bet this team, coached by Ralph Krueger and anchored on percentage — Price was at .948 and Halak at .947 — and the the blue line by aging veterans Mark Streit and Zdeno Chara, would be expectation was that Halak would be tested far more than Price. the first one eliminated from the competition. But, much like in the early stages of exhibition, things didn’t turn out as By the time made it 5-1 for Team N.A. at 15:54 of the expected. first period, I was preparing Europe’s obit. The games were tight, the action furious at both ends, and the final shot But something happened a few minutes earlier in that game that changed count in both games — much like the scores — only slightly favoured their team’s trajectory and I probably should’ve known better as soon as Canada. it did. I had seen Jaroslav Halak come off the bench and perform miracles before — I had seen it in that very building and from that very There was no doubt Price was under more pressure, with no one seat in the press box back in 2010, when he took over from Carey Price expecting Halak and the Europeans to topple this great Canadian team. and helped the Montreal Canadiens pull off incredible playoff upsets He rose to the occasion, stopping 32 of 33 shots he faced in each game. against the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins — and I And he saved his best for last — making several highlight-reel saves in should’ve held myself back from writing the European team off after he the lead-up to Brad Marchand’s winning goal with 44 seconds left in the took Thomas Greiss’s spot in their crease. third period of Game 2.

Catch the best games from the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, including the Price finished the tournament with a .957 save percentage and a 1.40 semifinals and both finals games between Team Canada and Team goals-against average, and if not for Halak posting a .941 and 2.15, the Europe, on Sportsnet from May 18-23. Europeans never would have made it as far.

It was just 14 days later that Tomas Tatar scored the overtime winner in a 3-2 win over Sweden to vault this group into the final. This, of course, was largely due to Halak stopping 29 shots in the game. That outing Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.24.2020 followed a pattern of stellar World Cup performances from the Slovakian netminder, who recorded 34 saves against the Swedes in a 6-2 win in Europe’s final exhibition game, a 35-save shutout in a tournament- opening victory against Team USA, a 3-2 overtime win over the Czech Republic in which he stopped 28 shots and a 42-save effort in a 4-1 loss to Canada.

The Europeans had pulled off the improbable, but to say anyone was interested in seeing them advance as far — especially after Team North America had displayed unprecedented skill and speed, and with the Russians, Finns, Swedes and Americans all having long-standing rivalries with the — would be overstating it. This team, with its trap system and random blend of Slovakian, Swiss, Norwegian, Austrian, German, French, Slovenian and Danish players, offered anything but a sexy matchup with Canada for the final.

They were well aware of it, too, and they had fully embraced their role as heels.

"I don’t think anyone wants us here in the tournament and now we’re in the final," said Mats Zuccarello following the semifinal win over Sweden. "I think it’s something we’re really proud of and it’s fun to be here."

But there was little to latch onto as a storyline outside of Halak facing off against Price.

It was barely a month after Halak’s 2010 spring heroics inspired Canadiens fans to paint his name onto stop signs that he was traded to the St. Louis Blues and Price was re-anointed Montreal’s top goaltender. It was a situation that inspired much debate — not only amongst Canadiens fans, but also around the hockey world. And when you consider that both goaltenders hadn’t faced each other in any significant competition over the six years that followed, the opportunity to see them play for all the marbles in a best-of-three final at this tournament added some much-needed flavour to the matchup.

Of course, in the time between Halak’s trade out of Montreal and these pivotal games, Price had established himself as the consensus best 1185211 Websites There is everything from pads, skates, pants, bags, sticks available in this auction. Hockey fans enjoy talking about gear, right?

"A good way to start a conversation is to do something a little bit different, TSN.CA / Ducks' Miller on racism in hockey: "I hope the conversation a little bit interesting and I was thinking, well, I got a lot of equipment that moves forward" is going to see a storage room or be stuck in a bag for a number of years and maybe someone would appreciate it. So, it can go to something better and help with this conversation about the people who need help."

Mark Masters Was there any piece of equipment that was hard to give up?

"It's hard to let go of those old Buffalo pads with the CCM, Reebok style. They can't make them anymore. I actually had to stop wearing them. Akim Aliu published a piece about his experience with racism in hockey They discontinued that pad completely because they sold all the earlier this week in the Players' Tribune. It struck a chord with Ryan machines used to make them. So, I had to switch at some point, but I Miller. really loved that pad and I still have a set that I wore at the Olympics in "I hope that we can all listen and be active participants in the change that 2010 and I'll hang onto that version. But I had a few sitting around and so is needed," the Anaheim Ducks goalie tweeted. we put one of those up. I have never made a mask available, but we did a private sale to a collector. I will talk a little more about that when What sort of change is needed? everything is finalized, but we were able to raise $10,000 for the food banks. So, we're moving a lot of gear out the door." "Well, I don't think I can speak on any of [that] other than to say I value learning and a way to learn is to listen," Miller told TSN. "I think that this What mask are you parting with? whole issue revolves a lot around education. That's what I really wanted to get across. Akim said something, we should be listening. That's the "It was one of the Vancouver masks. I have a hard time parting with most important thing to do in the moment. Right now, it's about support masks, because they're very personal. I've given a few away to some of and listening." the trainers in Buffalo and ownership in Buffalo, but everything else I've kind of held on to. I have a nice little collection and they’re important to Miller followed Aliu's story back in November when the former National me." Hockey League player went public with accusations about how Bill Peters used racial slurs when he coached him in 2009 with the Rockford What's your favourite mask? IceHogs of the . Miller knew the broad strokes, "I always liked my Buffalo mask. I thought it was nice. I had a design that but after reading the details he started to think about his own life. we came up with when I entered the league and let that evolve and it "In the piece, Akim talked more about his family and your perspective became who I was on the ice. I always liked that about wearing that definitely changes when you have kids," Miller said. "I picture my own mask. The Olympic masks were also fun, people responded to those and son going through something similar. My wife is Indian American and...I I enjoyed wearing them." just pictured my son going through a moment where he felt terrible and You've been promoting the auction on a new Instagram account. Have not even necessarily based on race, but I just pictured him living with that you been using Instagram more during the pandemic? and then having the feeling that I don't want people to feel that way. So, that's why I said we should listen to what he has to say and be "Not as much as Twitter, but I'm getting caught up. My wife [actress supportive." Noureen DeWulf] told me that you have to get into this. I've had Instagram for a while, but it was just personal stuff for family. I'm trying to In his piece, Aliu noted that conversations about "the racism, misogyny, focus more on participating in the world we have right now, because bullying and homophobia that permeates the culture of hockey" aren't we're all sort of stuck indoors for the most part. It seemed like another enjoyable to hear and only seem to be sparked after specific incidents thing I could be doing to help with the auction or even connect with come up. hockey fans, because it's been tough not going to the rink or playing "I want to encourage true, open and honest discussion about what is games, but we still like to have that connection and feel like we're part of happening in and around our game," Aliu wrote this week. the game so that’s something I want to do."

Miller wants to help keep the dialogue going. The Ducks season is likely over. What do you make of the proposed 24- team format being considered to finish the year and award the Stanley Considering his experience and perspective, Miller's voice is an important Cup? one in the league. But a couple months shy of his 40th birthday, Miller isn't sure if he's played his last game in the NHL. He spoke to TSN via I know you've said you still have the desire to play, but how much will the Zoom and outlined concerns about returning to game action in the age of coronavirus factor into whether you return next season or retire? COVID-19. The Michigan native also spoke about what he's doing to help "We're in a new world so it's going to factor in. Everyone's going to be those in need. affected by this no matter how they think. Think it could get better The following is an edited transcript of the interview. overnight? It's not going to happen. We have to be realistic, it is going to change the landscape and the way we do things so I'm going to have to Through the Steadfast Foundation, you've launched an auction featuring weigh in when I can actually see what the landscape looks like. We don't some of your game-worn gear to raise funds for COVID-19 relief. How even know what next year can look like, because we haven't gotten did this come together? through this year so that's why it's important and I'm hopeful they can put a cap on this season so that they can start looking ahead." "When everything kind of broke open with the pandemic and hockey went on pause, the Anaheim Ducks did a great job of helping in the You have a young family, what factors will you consider when you weigh community. Actually our team, within the first week, we had the decision about returning for the next NHL season? conversations about how to help in different areas and the Samuelis, ownership, stepped up and helped in a big way with all the employees. "That's a hard one. Testing makes you feel a little bit better, but doesn't Everyone put up money to pay for meals for doctors, nurses, people who really tell you the whole picture. I mean, you can be exposed at any are on the front lines, so that’s been going on for a little while. Guys did a moment and with so few defences against this unique form of the virus, great job with that and it led me to think, you know, what else should we it's hard to imagine that it's going to be completely safe. I'm optimistic that be focusing on? My thoughts went to the people who are going to they will put everything in place that they can and I'm hopeful that they become more vulnerable because of the economic impact that is can do something, but I don't think anything is 100 per cent. So, I hope undoubtedly coming. Vulnerable people will be searching for help for everyone's going to be stepping into this cautiously because people are their families and food for their families so we're raising money for food truly being affected by this. I'm fortunate that my family hasn't been banks, two in Buffalo and one in Anaheim, communities that are close to directly affected, but it is kind of a scary thing to think about." my heart. I always think that the best way to do something is to start a What have you learned being around John Gibson the last few seasons? conversation, because it goes beyond just putting money in that direction. It puts more of a focus on what other people in the community "It’s been great to get to know John. I’m kind of sad, because during this can do to help." whole time he became a new father and it would've been nice to participate a little bit more in that. Getting to know him and sitting beside him for so long, you know, telling stories about my experience as a father it would’ve been great to get to know his experience as a father more than just little text messages. He's sent me some of the pictures and I wanted to see the cheeks on the baby...I'm sorry I’m missing out on that moment with him."

What's fatherhood like in the age of COVID-19 for you?

"It's not very different. You're just searching for things to do and I think mom and dad at that age are always a kid's close friend, but I really feel bad because kids are missing out on their social experiences and missing out on their other friends. Bodhi’s been great about it. He's actually shown great maturity with it. We talk to him about things and he understands, but you can tell there are moments where he really wants to play with another kid. We go for walks or we go down to do other things that are open and you can see him looking and thinking, 'I know I’m not supposed to, but I would really like to.' So, it's about coming up with things to do and trying to stay positive. We're not trying to hide anything from him. We're telling him how serious everything is so he has that resolve and he's aware of what's happening."

TSN.CA LOADED: 05.24.2020 1185212 World Leagues News "If you're enjoying Taiwanese baseball, whether for the players or the cheerleaders, I hope you'll go see it live once the situation gets back to normal," she said.

Baseball: Coronavirus puts global spotlight on Taiwanese league KYODO NEWS -LOADED: 05.24.2020

KYODO NEWS By Taro Tokunaga, KYODO NEWS - 5 hours ago - 11:20 | Sports, All, Coronavirus, World

With the coronavirus pandemic interrupting professional baseball in Japan, the United States and elsewhere around the world, some diehard fans of the sport are getting their fix from an unlikely source.

Thanks to successful local efforts to combat the spread of the pneumonia-causing virus, 's Chinese Professional Baseball League was able to make a late start to its season in April and has since attracted an unusual amount of attention from abroad.

Initially playing this season to empty stadiums, the four-team league has been allowing a limited number of fans to attend games since May 8.

Among the clubs aiming to claim this year's title are the Japanese-owned Monkeys. Formerly the Lamigo Monkeys, the reigning champions started the current campaign with the new moniker after the Japanese e-commerce giant completed its acquisition of the club during the offseason.

Online network Eleven Sports, which also distributes Nippon Professional Baseball games overseas, has begun internet broadcasts of the Monkeys' home games.

Despite being shown with English commentary, the games have attracted decent traffic from Japan. A free screening of the Monkeys' 9-8 victory over the Uni-President Lions on April 15 drew around 20,000 viewers from Japan.

Eleven Sports said it has received as many as 1 million viewers from around the world on a single day.

"The reception has been great," said Kenji Takahashi, a Japanese spokesman for the broadcaster.

Ryokan Kobayashi, a Japanese pitcher formerly with the Taichung-based CTBC Brothers Elephants, said the CPBL was a dynamic league unrivaled for on-field drama.

"There are a lot of agile players who can adapt to different situations. You see dramatic comebacks which you'd never imagine in Japan, which makes it really interesting," the former Lotte Marines right-hander said.

Kobayashi said his playing days in Taiwan featured hours-long bus trips and practice sessions on riverside lots without dedicated facilities.

The 41-year-old, who now directs a baseball academy in Fukuoka, shares these battle stories with his students who are currently unable to take the field due to the coronavirus.

"This situation is a good learning opportunity. I want them to gain survival skills as baseball players," Kobayashi said.

In addition to the action on the diamond, the Monkeys' cheer squad, the Rakuten Girls, have proven a hit online.

While the games were still taking place in empty stadiums, the cheer squad became a focal point for broadcasts in the absence of fans.

On a typical game day, home team fans take the first and third base side, and chant to electronic music and performances by the cheerleaders.

One member of the Rakuten Girls, Sayaka Imai, also works as a beer seller at the home of the 's Marines, Zozo Marine Stadium in Chiba, near Tokyo.

The 30-year-old has been involved with the Taiwanese cheer squad since 2018, when Rakuten first took a stake in the Monkeys, and has worked several games a month.

With travel restrictions preventing her from attending so far this season, she has been keeping tabs on the squad via the online broadcasts. 1185213 World Leagues News Navajo fans used to bus hours from the reservation to Tempe to watch Ryneldi Becenti play at Arizona State in the before she went on to become the first Native American to play in the WNBA.

Basketball put on pause for Native Americans amid coronavirus outbreak “Basketball has always been an important part of the Native American community because it’s been there since the beginning of the game,” said Brent Cahwee, co-founder of NDNsports, an online resource for BY ASSOCIATED PRESS Native American sports news.

MAY 23, 2020 AT 4:07 PM The cancellation of the Native American Basketball Invitational tournament hit particularly hard.

The tournament, originally scheduled for June 21-27 in Phoenix, typically PHOENIX (AP) — Basketball is woven into the fabric of Native American attracts 128 teams from roughly 300 Native American nations. life. The annual tournament is a chance for Native Americans to experience Kids dribble balls on dirt courts and shoot at makeshift rims on some other cultures and connect with other tribes through basketball. reservations while tournaments are held in state-of-the-art buildings on others. Players and fans may travel hundreds of miles to play and watch For players, it’s one of the biggest recruiting weeks of the year, a rare games of “Rez ball,” the fast-paced, no-shot-is-a-bad-one version of chance to play in front of coaches from junior colleges and NAIA schools. hoops played by Native Americans. The game also brings already tight The NABI Foundation also has awarded nearly $300,000 in scholarships communities even closer. through the years.

Now, during the pandemic, the balls have all but stopped bouncing. “It’s been a recruiting bed for college coaches to show up,” said Cahwee of the Pawnee/Euchee nation. “I’ve seen kids get scholarships on the Already hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, Native Americans are faced spot and that’s not going to happen this year.” with life without basketball — or any other sport — for the foreseeable future. Sports across the country have slowly started up again. NASCAR began racing without fans, PGA Tour players hit the links last weekend and “If anyone knows Native Americans, we love our sports and having to professional teams have begun opening facilities for players to work out. pause sports activity now is difficult,” said Indian Country Today executive producer Patty Talahongva, a member of the Hopi nation who Sports may take longer to get rolling on the reservations, even as stay-at- moderated a recent Zoom call on COVID-19′s impact on Native American home orders expire and people try to resume normal life across the rest sports. “When we talk about social distancing, it goes against the fabric of the country. of our culture.” On reservations across the Southwest, the focus is on staying safe, not The close-knit nature of Native American life has led to some devastating returning to the court. consequences on reservations, particularly in the Southwest. Rec centers and Boys and Girls clubs, typically go-to places for Native Native Americans often live in crowded houses with extended families American basketball players, have shuttered or are being used as and have higher rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease than the isolation centers for people who have tested positive and recovered from general U.S. population, issues that make the coronavirus even more COVID-19. dangerous. Basketball has become an afterthought in communities locked down The effects have been pronounced on the Navajo reservation, which during the pandemic. sprawls across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah and is roughly three times the size of Massachusetts. The tribe with 175,000 members “These are all our family and it’s different. It hits harder,” Tom said. has the highest per capita rates of confirmed coronavirus cases at about “We’ve already given too many lives. My ancestors gave too many lives 18 per 1,000 people. More than 4,400 people have tested positive and to expand, to get money to get more resources. How is this any different? 147 have died on the Navajo Nation. We should stay close.”

The tribe has been aggressive in trying to fight the virus, including LOADED: 05.24.2020 instituting curfews and continuing to educate people about the dangers.

“When you’re on a team, it’s knowing your role,” said Dr. Michelle Tom, a former Arizona State basketball player who returned home to serve the Navajo people in Winslow, Arizona, after earning her medical degree. “You’re not going to succeed by yourself.”

Native Americans’ connection to basketball dates to the origins of the sport.

James Naismith, who is credited with inventing the game of basketball in 1891, founded the University of Kansas basketball program and often had the Jayhawks scrimmage against Haskell Indian Nations University a few miles down the road in Lawrence.

Haskell has been credited with inventing the zone defense while trying to keep up with the quicker Jayhawks and the sport has been entrenched in Native American culture since.

On reservations without many resources, kids play in the dirt while shooting at rings attached to poles with balls of fabric wrapped in tape, if no real ball is available.

Bigger tribes have been able to build arenas like the 6,500-seat Bee Holdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Window Rock, Arizona, which hosted a Division I women’s basketball game between Arizona State and Baylor in 2018.

High school gyms often become the hoops hubs of the community, hosting classes by day, pickup games by night.

Native American fans also are known for traveling long distances to watch basketball, whether it’s a regional or national Native American tournament or a showdown between top high school teams. Hundreds of 1185214 World Leagues News “As far as India’s preparation goes, we are at the best stage of our preparation of any Olympics so far in history. This is going to be India’s biggest contingent so far and have medal-winning prospects. But I am No sporting event in India in near future, have to live with new normal of not saying we are so prepared to finish in the top 10 or 5 but our long- sports behind closed doors: Rijiju term target is that India will be in the top 10 in 2028.”

thehindu.com LOADED: 05.24.2020

PTINEW DELHI, MAY 23, 2020 17:02 IST

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said India will not host any international event in the immediate future and fans will have to learn to live with the new normal of sporting activities happening behind closed doors in the post COVID-19 world.

Mr. Rijiju’s statement gains greater significance in the context of the suspended IPL, which the BCCI wants to host in October-November in case the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia is postponed.

“We have been working for quite some time now to resume sporting activities but before that we have to think about practice and training. We are not going to have a tournament kind of situation immediately,” Mr. Rijiju was quoted as saying by India Today.

“We have to learn to live with the situation where sporting events will have to be carried forward without spectators in stadiums and sports venues,” he added.

Talking specifically about the 13th edition of IPL, which has been put on hold for an indefinite period due to the pandemic, Mr. Rijiju said it is the government’s prerogative to take a call on conducting any tournament in the country.

“In India, the government has to take a call and it will take a call depending on the situation. We cannot put health at risk just because we want to have a sporting event.

“Our focus is fighting Covid-19 and at the same time we will have to work a mechanism to get back to normalcy. It is difficult to confirm dates but I am sure we will have some kind of sporting events this year,” he said.

Mr. Rijiju’s statement came close on the heels of Sports Authority of India (SAI) laying out a detailed Standard Operating Procedure for resumption of sporting activities across the country in a phased manner.

“In the background their (athletes) fitness and everything have been tracked. They are in touch with the coaches, the fitness experts, the high performance directors. We are monitoring each and every athlete who are of the higher stature, who played for India and higher clubs,” he said.

“Now it has been laid out. SAI has prepared a detailed SOP. These are prepared by experts from different fields. This SOP has already been issued to all sports federations and other sports bodies including government stakeholders. So, based on this SOP training will start.”

States to decide

The Sports Minister, however, reiterated that resumption of sporting activities will entirely depend on guidelines of respective States and local administrations.

“We have been clearly advising that health and safety are top priorities. Besides that we have to keep in mind two other things, one is the guidelines issued by the Home Ministry, second, is the guidelines issued by the administrations of the respective localities or States. So, these are to be taken into account,” he said.

“But we have clearly stated that sports complexes and stadiums are open, other than that there should not be any activities till the lockdown is there or we come up with a renewed kind of advice.”

Olympics

Asked about the prospect of the Tokyo Games that were scheduled for this year but were postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic, the Sports Minister said he is hopeful of the quadrennial event taking place on the revised dates.

“Olympics is still far away and we have full confidence in the Japanese government and IOC and every country will support that the conduct of Tokyo 2021 will not be postponed. There are too many stakes in Olympics, so it is difficult to even foresee that Olympics can be postponed,” he said. 1185215 World Leagues News stayed away due to fears about the virus he said, but Sassoli said most were happy to have some semblance of normality back.

“It’s better than nothing,” he said. “The fans are excited, the fans are Germany’s Bundesliga soccer has a model for how sports can return here.” amid coronavirus. The world is watching. Before the onset of coronavirus, the Hertha-Union rivalry was already shaping up to be one of the Bundesliga’s most intense. Their November By Loveday Morris and Rick Noack match was the first time in more than 40 years that the two top tier Berlin teams had played each other.

While Union comes from the former east, Hertha hails from what was the BERLIN — When the Berlin soccer clubs Hertha and Union met on the city’s west, adding an extra edge to the competition. pitch six months ago, sparks literally flew. The scrappy game was buoyed by a raucous, impassioned crowd that lit flares and shot fireworks For many fans, the absence of sports feels like a loss. Psychologists say onto the field. that’s normal.

The scene was far different when the rival teams went head-to-head Robby Hunke, a sports commentator who has been among the few once more on Friday night, and the starting whistle echoed across Hertha reporters allowed into the stadium, said logistics have been smooth so Berlin’s empty 75,000 seat stadium. far.

“It’s awful, it’s just awful,” said Hertha fan Chris Chwalisz, 56, as he had a AD halftime cigarette and complained about the lack of atmosphere and “Everything was perfect, everything was clear, everything worked,” he lackluster first-half play. said of the two matches last weekend. And while many have complained Since it kicked off its first post-coronavirus match last week, Germany’s about the “ghost games” devoid of atmosphere, Hunke sees some Bundesliga has been cheered by fans at home here and closely watched positives. from abroad. It has offered sports-hungry spectators a chance to enjoy “I’m a freak, I’m a sports reporter, and I think it’s cool to see these some professional competition while other leagues are still out of action, matches,” said the journalist, who has otherwise been commenting on and it could become a model for how to resume sports around the world. the happenings on the street outside his window and the contents of his AD fridge. “It was pure football. Only football. Nothing more.”

But soccer at its core remains a team sport in which close body contact is He said he wouldn’t be surprised if other leagues “copy and paste” the often unavoidable. There remain questions about whether the German model. Bundesliga’s rules for testing, quarantines and limiting contact will be But not all have been so happy to see the Bundesliga return. enough to ensure a full and fair rest of the season. And some of Germany’s most hardcore soccer fans say teams are putting financial Players’ union responds to MLB health and safety proposal for delayed interests ahead of what’s best for players, supporters and the game. 2020 baseball season

German soccer officials have expressed confidence that their pandemic In a poll conducted by Infratest dimap for Germany’s public broadcaster safety protocols will ensure the season can proceed. ARD, 56 percent of respondents said the resumption of soccer matches was the wrong decision. Even respondents who were generally “The whole world is watching Germany to see how we do it,” Bayern supportive of fewer coronavirus restrictions remained skeptical of the Munich director Hansi Flick said earlier this month. “It can set an example resumption of matches — 45 percent of respondents in that group for all leagues.” opposed the competitions.

Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All AD stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. Perhaps surprisingly, both Hertha and Union’s most hardcore fans, In a 50-page strategy paper, the German soccer league (DFL) laid out known as “ultras,” have kicked back strongly against games resuming the painstakingly detailed rules covering a wide range of situations, from without fans. TV production arrangements to team training to the personal hygiene of players. Under the new rules, competing teams have to arrive at different “We see football as a social meeting place and the clubs as a democratic times at the stadiums. In changing rooms, face masks are mandatory. framework for participation and commitment,” Hertha’s Harlekins said in And on the pitch, team photos, handshakes or mascots are prohibited. a statement. “We cannot and do not want to be in the same boat with those who only see a business and product in football and are keen to AD maximize their profits.”

The Bundesliga is back. Here are five things to watch as top-level soccer The Hammer Hearts, a Union fan club, took a similar stance: “It is out of returns. the question for the Bundesliga to play,” it wrote.

Before the resumption of the season, all teams were asked to spend one Several Bundesliga clubs had warned that they would go bankrupt if the week in communal quarantine, and coronavirus tests are being season did not begin again. conducted regularly. Although those precautions may minimize the risks, practices and matches still involve large groups of people coming into “It’s all about TV money,” said Arne Richter, who covers soccer for close contact. German news agency DPA. “That’s the only reason they are playing now. It’s not for any romantic idea of sport or football. They need money After hugging and kissing between Hertha players celebrating goals last from the TV stations.” weekend, the Bundesliga had to remind teams about the rules restricting contact. AD

And as Hertha scored their first two goals within two minutes on Friday As NHL players vote on 24-team playoff proposal, many other hurdles night, contact restrictions were far from everyone’s minds in Fränky bar in remain southern Berlin, decked out with Hertha scarves and memorabilia, where fans watching the match on four television screens erupted in cheers. But still, he said he finds the resistance from fans hard to understand. “What’s the sense of being in the Hertha ultras if there’s no Hertha Owner Frank Sassoli, 62, had arranged tables the required 1.5 meters anymore?” he said. apart and occasionally urged patrons to follow mask rules, which require a face covering when walking through the bar, but not while seated. In a country where public gatherings are still limited to no more than two households, the exceptions granted to the country’s top soccer league AD have raised some eyebrows.

While many bars in Berlin are still closed, nonsmoking establishments “It’s perverse,” German Javelin throwing world champion Johannes that serve food are allowed to open. Some of his older regulars had Vetter told German media. “Everyone is suffering through the same. To me, special favors are out of question.” And doubts of the fairness of the system have mounted.

One entire soccer club in the second league, Dynamo Dresden, was forced into two weeks of quarantine on May 9, after three players tested positive for the coronavirus. Another Dresden player and a coach were confirmed to have the virus this past week. Training was still set to resume this weekend. But two weeks of quarantine, the club’s supporters argue, have put its players at a disadvantage that will be hard to overcome.

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Hunke, the commentator, said he thinks there could be future complications, as clubs appeal being forced to stay on the sidelines. But he said the league should go on.

At the end of the night Friday in Fränky bar, there was little disagreement among fans. Hertha finished the match 4-0, the team’s second win since the season resumed with the new restrictions.

Chwalisz, who attended his first match at Hertha’s home ground at age 7, said he no longer felt so down on the ghost matches. He said he’d be content for all games to go ahead without spectators if it meant his team continued to play so well.

“Does it matter when the results are like this?” he said. “I’m just happy.”

Washington Post LOADED: 05.24.2020