SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 9/24/2020 1178964 New Coyotes GM Armstrong: ‘I’m a big culture guy. Do 1178990 SNAPSHOTS: Anders Nilsson's future is still up in the air your job’ 1178991 WARREN: Managing the jackpot of top draft picks among 1178965 Coyotes president Xavier Gutierrez addresses team’s pivotal tasks awaiting Senators economic challenges 1178992 GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators are ready and waiting 1178966 Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong wants to bring gritty, for one of the biggest moments in franchise history collaborative change 1178993 GARRIOCH: After a decade in net, Craig Anderson's run 1178967 Arizona Coyotes fire assistant GM Lindsay Hofford with the Ottawa Senators has ended 1178994 Senators draft trends: Analyzing 12 years of Pierre Dorion picks 1178968 Sabres top prospect Dylan Cozens ready to learn from Eric Staal 1178995 Flyers RFA projections: Breaking down Philippe Myers contract scenarios 1178969 For the Blackhawks scouting department, strange draft follows strange summer 1178996 talk surrounding Penguins’ Patric Hornqvist Stars intensifies 1178970 Stars Game 3 notebook: explains pulling 1178997 Are the Penguins close to trading Patric Hornqvist? Anton Khudobin; Dallas' struggles continue 1178998 Yohe mailbag: 40 answers to questions about the 1178971 In the biggest game this postseason, the Stars' best were Penguins and what’s next outshined by Lightning’s big guns 1178972 After seven-month injury absence, Lightning’s Steven Stamkos makes the Stars pay in Final debut 1178999 Goalie assist: How guided both Anton 1178973 Stars coach Rick Bowness on Denis Gurianov’s quiet start Khudobin, Andrei Vasilevskiy to the Stanley Cup Final 1179000 on the hiring; more Sharks 1178974 Reunions in Edmonton: Wife of Corey Perry joins the big-picture takeaways Stars forward in the NHL bubble 1178975 Nick Caamano replaces Blake Comeau for Stars; St Louis Blues Lightning Steven Stamkos makes postseason 1179001 Blues forward David Perron says you can call it a debut comeback ‘or three’ 1178976 Stars 20/20: Big names silent for Dallas, while top players show out for Tampa 1178977 As Plano’s Blake Coleman faces Stars in Stanley Cup, 1179002 The Lightning’s stars make the difference in Game 3 win either way, Texas wins over Dallas 1179003 Lightning-Stars Game 3 report card: Core four plus a bonus 1178978 Michael Rasmussen joins list of Detroit Red Wings loaned 1179004 Lightning’s Victor Hedman notches 10th postseason overseas 1179005 Lightning’s Steven Stamkos returns, scores, still managing 1178979 Red Wings loan forward Michael Rasmussen to Austrian injury in Game 3 team 1179006 The return of Steven Stamkos was the magic we’ve been 1178980 Red Wings loan Michael Rasmussen to Austrian club waiting to see 1178981 Ranking Detroit Red Wings prospects: Nos. 11-15 1179007 Lightning manage without Steven Stamkos for two periods 1178982 Could a hot start by Lucas Raymond affect the Red Wings’ 1179008 How Steven Stamkos’ return was ‘inspirational’ in No. 4 pick? Lightning’s Game 3 win 1179009 Bubble Dispatch: Why Steven Stamkos’ goal, injury defines the Stanley Cup Final 1178983 Could it make sense for the Oilers to trade Oscar 1179010 As Plano’s Blake Coleman faces Stars in Stanley Cup, Klefbom? either way, Texas wins Maple Leafs 1178984 What we’re hearing about the Kings’ offseason so far 1179011 Frederik Andersen isn’t the Maple Leafs’ problem, but they’ll have options in a deep goalie market 1179012 Steven Stamkos returns to Lightning lineup for Game 3 1178985 Local teams, media outlets launch Home Teams vs. against Stars Hunger 1179013 The Lightning and Stars are a bit snarly. Life in the NHL 1178986 How four key Wild prospects are dealing with the bubble hasn’t been all fun and games offseason in a challenging year 1179014 Who says no? Maple Leafs trade hypotheticals for a defenceman 1178987 Happy 'to prove people wrong,' Evans signs extension with Canadiens 1179017 Canucks Top 10 Prospects: No offence, but Toni Utunen clearly a defender 1179018 Canucks Top 10 Prospects: Aidan McDonough has a big 1178988 Reshaping the Rangers: Assessing the team’s options on , needs more speed defense in ’20-21 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 1179015 Grading the Golden Knights in the postseason 1178989 The Lightning Gain Stamkos, and the Lead 1179016 Golden Knights, American Red Cross partner for blood drive Websites 1179019 The Athletic / With lots of competition, TV ratings for the Stanley Cup Final struggle 1179020 The Athletic / World Cup 2020: Projecting imaginary rosters for , USA — and North America 1179021 .ca / Lightning's Stamkos secures place in Cup lore with Game 3 goal vs. Stars 1179022 Sportsnet.ca / Six Flames could consider adding this off-season 1179023 Sportsnet.ca / Stars lose defensive identity in Game 3 shellacking by Lightning 1179024 Sportsnet.ca / Senators part ways with cherished veterans Anderson, Borowiecki 1179025 Sportsnet.ca / Q&A: Harnarayan Singh on new book, importance of representation in hockey 1179026 TSN.CA / Craig Anderson’s time in Ottawa comes to an end 1179027 TSN.CA / Contract structure to be a major factor in NHL Free Agent Frenzy SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1178964 Arizona Coyotes

New Coyotes GM Armstrong: ‘I’m a big culture guy. Do your job’

BY CHRISTOPHER BOAN | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 AT 11:30 AM

Recently-hired Arizona Coyotes’ GM Bill Armstrong wants the Coyotes to unleash their inner Michael Jordan and succeed in everything they do.

“I’m a big culture guy. Do your job,” Armstrong told Arizona Sports’ Doug & Wolf. “You go into your farm field and you farm your field like you’re the best Michael Jordan at growing that and don’t get out of that.”

Armstrong was officially introduced as the team’s newest GM on Tuesday. He replaces John Chayka, who resigned prior to the team’s Stanley Cup playoff run in July.

Armstrong, who previously served as the assistant general manager and director of scouting for the St. Louis Blues, told Doug & Wolf that he sees a lot of similarities between the two clubs.

“I was with the Blues and we had empty seats, a change of ownership and everybody said, ‘don’t go there, you’ll never win.’ And I kind of believed in the people that were there at the time,” Armstrong said.

“…And I’ve always kind of followed the great people because I believe that they have your back and the best interest.”

Armstrong believes his new front office and ownership has a chance to install a winning culture, turning the Coyotes into a championship contender.

Armstrong is confident that his staff can recreate the level of success that he had in St. Louis, with the first step toward success being the ability to hire quality personnel.

“But if you just stick to hiring people to find the right players, it’s a very simple equation,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong remained measured when asked whether he tips the scales toward analytical-based scouting over more traditional evaluations.

He vouched for incorporating traditional scouting but also believes in using analytics to get a full portrait of a player.

“Let’s say that we gather as a staff and all of the scouts come in and they’re halfway done with their season,” he said. “They put this list on the board and your analytics people come in and they say, ‘listen, this guy’s in the wrong order.’ This guy’s a way better player and analytically he’s way up top, up here.

“You’re making your scout see that player through different eyes.”

Armstrong plans on using that hybrid approach to scouting to bring the Coyotes to the level of success that the Blues have reached.

That’ll probably be music to ‘Yotes fans given the Blues’ Stanley Cup championship in 2019 and their appearance in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.

For now, Armstrong remains focused on getting his staff organized so they can compile a blueprint for future success in the Valley.

He’s confident that the team’s leadership, under owner Alex Meruelo and team president and CEO Xavier Gutierrez, is where it needs to be to succeed on the ice.

“When I took the job I put together a five-year plan to understand where we’re moving to,” Armstrong said. “And the big thing is, I have to get to know a little bit of the staff. So they’re putting together some presentations on their thoughts on the players and where we’re moving and what’s available and all the things. So, we’ve got two good days of meetings lined up to kind of understand where we are and what assets you can create and all of those things.

“So, it’s really good. I’m looking forward to it and understanding a little bit more about the people working around me.”

Arizona Sports LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178965 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes president Xavier Gutierrez addresses team’s economic challenges

BY ARIZONA SPORTS | SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 AT 8:02 PM

The Arizona Coyotes haven’t had the smoothest last few months both on and off the ice.

After a summer that saw former general manager John Chayka cut ties and the team lose draft picks due to scouting violations, the Coyotes are now behind on payments for Gila River Arena, which is operated and managed by ASM Global.

Last Thursday, the City of Glendale confirmed to Arizona Sports that there “is an outstanding balance owed to ASM by the Coyotes” and that ASM Global is “working closely with the team to get the situation resolved.”

“We are all facing an unprecedented health crisis and economic crisis. If you just go across the plaza, you’ll see empty hotels, empty restaurants and empty stores,” Coyotes president and CEO Xavier Gutierrez told reporters via Zoom on Tuesday.

“You have businesses throughout the country that are facing economic challenges… that have had had to make very, very difficult decisions. We will and we must course-correct some of the business arrangements that have historically undermined the financial prosperity of this franchise. We don’t take it lightly whenever we have to make decisions that are very difficult that impact our team members.”

The annual yearly payment the Coyotes make to ASM Global is over $3 million and Glendale gets $1.6 million of that payment, according to Craig Morgan of azcoyotesinsider.com.

Having already furloughed some employees in mid-April through to June 30, the Coyotes made additional layoffs and furloughs in mid-August at the end of the season, citing an impact made by the pandemic.

“As Alex Meruelo has said, you don’t work for him, you work with him and we don’t take a cavalier attitude whenever we make an impact that really has a negative result to our team members,” Gutierrez said. “But we will be doing what’s right for this organization today, tomorrow and into the future.

“We are experienced business people and we know that when you put in new people and new processes, sometimes things don’t always go very smoothly. But I can assure you we will continue to improve, we will continue to iterate, we will continue until we are a model sports franchise and a model business franchise.”

Morgan also reported in early September that multiple players were not paid their signing bonuses on time.

Multiple sources have confirmed that the Coyotes were late on multiple player signing bonuses: OEL ($4M due Sept. 1), Antti Raanta ($2M due Sept. 1), Jason Demers ($1M due Sept. 1), Tyler Steenbergen ($43,750 due on July 15). All have since been paid.

— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) September 4, 2020

The 2020-21 NHL season will have training camp begin in mid- November, according to ESPN.

“I really want to be very clear to this community, to our partners, to our fans: they should have extreme confidence in this ownership and its strength and its stability,” Gutierrez said.

“Last year was the first time that this team spent to the max of the salary cap and Alex Meruelo — I can assure you — is fully committed to continue to make investments not only through this pandemic, but going forward.”

Arizona Sports LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178966 Arizona Coyotes can break down analytics, background reports and film to evaluate prospects and NHL players.

He called himself a “hybrid” type of GM who likes numbers, video and Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong wants to bring gritty, collaborative change more to scout players. He replaces Chayka, who was known for his strong reliance on analytics.

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN | SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 AT 3:04 PM The new Coyotes leader admits there will be culture shock.

“But at the same time, that has to happen,” Armstrong said. “We have to have a culture of collaboration.” Coyotes president and CEO Xavier Gutierrez introduces new GM Bill Armstrong on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, via a Zoom press conference. Arizona Sports confirmed the team fired assistant GM Lindsay Hofford (Screenshot) and has opted to retain Sullivan, according to AZ Coyotes Insider Craig Morgan. However, Armstrong is only in the beginning stages of New Arizona Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong is not shy about determining what his front office structure will look like. how he worked his way from scout to top executive. He just knows he wants a blue-collar mentality in order to produce a He isn’t sheepish about his three championships at various points in his perennial winning team. career, the last of which came in 2018-19, when as assistant GM of the St. Louis Blues his team won the Stanley Cup Final. “I didn’t realize, and I’m only going to say this once … how beautiful it is here,” he said. “I didn’t know until I stepped off the plane and I was like, During his introductory Zoom press conference Tuesday, he spoke ‘Woof, oh my God, this is incredible.’ But we’re never telling the players confidently about his path here but also in Arizona’s ownership that had that. What we’re going to tell the players is it’s not a nice place to live. It’s to sell him on taking the Coyotes’ GM vacancy as much as he needed to a place to win a championship. sell himself. “You’re investing in this team with everything you have. Weather has “For those of you who don’t know me, I would say this: I have won three nothing to do with it. I told them in the interview process, ‘I will see my different championships at three different levels in three different roles, house, the car and the office and not much of Arizona.'” and I didn’t come all the way to the desert to get a tan,” Armstrong said. “I came to win a championship. This is complex, complicated job. Armstrong said meetings have yet to be conducted about how the Coyotes roster will reshape around his vision. He did say he wants “But it’s also simple. You hire the right people, you find good players, you players who will make first, second and third efforts. He wants genuine stack good player on good player on good player.” investment in the organization from the players.

Armstrong commanded a his conference call Tuesday like he apparently “There’s some good core young players here that are difference-makers, commands a room and an NHL front office, said Coyotes president and impact players, that I’m a big fan of,” Armstrong said. “There’s also some CEO Xavier Gutierrez. older guys who are good players too.

“This guy is a hockey guy’s hockey guy,” Gutierrez said, adding that “I like challenges … I was extremely excited about getting into an Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo texted him during their interview with organization and putting (my) thumbprint in there.” Armstrong. Arizona Sports LOADED: 09.24.2020 It was the moment, Gutierrez said, he knew the team had the perfect fit to lead the hockey operations department.

“‘I’d run through a wall for this guy,'” Meruelo texted to Gutierrez after 15 minutes of speaking to Armstrong.

Last Thursday, the Coyotes, who went 33-29-8 in 2019-20 before losing in the first round of the coronavirus-altered playoffs, made it official. Armstrong was hired to replace interim GM Steve Sullivan, who filled in for John Chayka after Chayka quit in July.

He hopes to turn the Coyotes into consistent winners. This past season, due to a qualifying postseason round created because of the pandemic — Arizona defeated the — the Coyotes made the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12. They fell in five games to the .

On Tuesday, Armstrong admitted that he had voices from the NHL community texting him, worried about how he could build a winning hockey team in Arizona.

The GM said he was sold after meeting Meruelo.

“He convinced me the day that I met him that he was committed to winning in the desert. I would not have not taken this job if it were not for him or Xavier,” Armstrong said.

Why does he feel like the fit for the Coyotes? They believe Armstrong has a rounded out resume and the drive to work with others on staff to create a winning team.

Armstrong was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1990 and spent his career in the and International Hockey League before retiring as a player in 1999. He joined the Blues as an amateur scout in 2004 and in six seasons was promoted to director of amateur scouting.

Armstrong was named assistant GM of St. Louis in 2018.

At his roots, he remembers driving through the wilderness, dodging logging trucks in the middle of the night to do his job. He will remember those moments when reshuffling the Coyotes staff and hiring scouts who 1178967 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes fire assistant GM Lindsay Hofford

BY CHRISTOPHER BOAN | SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 AT 12:46 PM

The Arizona Coyotes have fired assistant GM and director of scouting Lindsay Hofford.

The move was first reported by TSN Sports’ Darren Dreger on Tuesday and confirmed by the team to Arizona Sports.

Hofford joined the Coyotes in 2018 after spending a quarter-century in coaching and professional scouting.

Hofford also worked with the as a scout before coming over to the Coyotes.

He founded the Pro Hockey Development Group in 1992 and served as the director of hockey at the Hill Academy in before coming to the Valley.

Armstrong alluded to the team’s personnel changes during Tuesday’s Zoom call with members of the media, asking for patience as the front office moves occur.

“You saw some of those changes and the culture change that we’re going to make,” Armstrong said. “We’ve got people in place, we’ve got talented hockey people behind the scenes and some new people coming in. So, just give us our chance to get through our meetings, get some things set up and some things will snap into place here.”

Craig Morgan reported Tuesday that Former interim GM Steve Sullivan will remain with the team.

Armstrong told the media that he won’t be involved in the upcoming NHL Draft, because of an agreement with the St. Louis Blues, who he worked with before coming to the Valley.

“I cannot be involved in the draft. So, I’m stepping aside,” Armstrong said. “That was an agreement that was in place between the St. Louis Blues and us.”

Arizona Sports LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178968 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres top prospect Dylan Cozens ready to learn from Eric Staal

By Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News

When new Sabres center Eric Staal arrives in Buffalo for the start of training camp, the six-time all-star will have at least one prominent prospect bending his ear for advice on how to succeed in the .

During a recent interview with TSN, Dylan Cozens, the 19-year-old center whom the Sabres drafted seventh overall in June 2019, expressed excitement for the opportunity to learn from Staal, who was acquired last week by general manager Kevyn Adams in exchange for Marcus Johansson.

Staal, 35, won a Stanley Cup with Adams in Carolina in 2006 and his resume includes 436 goals in 1,240 games across 16 seasons in the NHL.

"That's huge,” Cozens said of Staal. “You look at his resume and he's won a Stanley Cup and he's been around for a while. He's a veteran in the league so to be able to hopefully go in and learn from him and look up to him as a role model and a guy to show me what it takes to play in the NHL, that'll be huge.”

Cozens has been working out at his family's home in Whitehorse, Yukon, in preparation for his second NHL camp, the start date of which remains uncertain. However, he’ll soon travel to Buffalo, where he plans to train until NHL training camps open or he leaves for the IIHF World Junior Championship, which will be played without fans in Edmonton from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5.

Cozens won a gold medal at the tournament in January, totaling two goals with seven assists for nine points in seven games. Though Cozens would be among the top players on Canada's roster, it’s uncertain if he’ll participate this winter.

The Sabres’ training camp is tentatively scheduled to begin Nov. 17 with the first NHL regular-season game set for Dec. 1, but Commissioner Gary Bettman recently told reporters that the start date may be pushed back to as late as January.

The latter scenario would have the Sabres’ camp opening in December, which would conflict with Canada’s pre-tournament camp. Adams and coach Ralph Krueger likely would prefer to have Cozens compete for a roster spot in Buffalo than to participate in the tournament for a second consecutive year.

With Staal filling the void at center behind Jack Eichel, Cozens will have the opportunity to show he can play down the middle on the third line or potentially at right wing. While Cozens' speed and play-making ability impressed Krueger last September, he was assigned to Lethbridge because he was not physically ready for the grind of an 82-game NHL season.

Cozens showed he’s ready to graduate from junior hockey, though, as he totaled 38 goals with 47 assists for 85 points in 51 games during the pandemic-shortened season for the Hurricanes.

Adams, who told reporters last week that he doesn’t want to rush the top prospect, has delivered some advice to Cozens.

“Just to work as hard as I can to make sure I'm there next season and do whatever it takes to give myself the best chance to be a part of the Sabres team,” Cozens said.

Buffalo News LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178969 Chicago Blackhawks The kind of draft prep the Blackhawks did on Kirby Dach just isn’t going to be possible this year. (Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today)

In the past, the Blackhawks have used strength and conditioning coach For the Blackhawks scouting department, strange draft follows strange Paul Goodman in that manner. Goodman tries to avoid reading or summer watching anything about the top prospects during the season, then shows up to Buffalo for the scouting combine at the end of May and goes in completely blind — free to evaluate a prospect solely on his body, his By Mark Lazerus Sep 23, 2020 4 strength, his mechanics and his potential for growth in those areas. If you know a player is going to be taken first or second overall, it can affect

those evaluations. Kirby Dach didn’t exactly light up the playoffs in With no combine, Goodman also was pressed into video duty to try to the spring of 2019 — at least, not by the gaudy standards of junior make his evaluations. Meanwhile, several player agencies did their best hockey. Dach scored five goals and handed out three assists in 10 to mimic the combine workouts and sent video and statistics to all 31 playoff games with the Saskatoon Blades, which is pretty darn good, but NHL scouting departments. Of course, anything that comes from an still well below his 1.18 points-per-game regular-season pace. agent has to be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism. But it was those 10 games that really cemented Dach as the right guy in “Absolutely,” Kelley said. “But when it comes right down to it, I’m not so the minds of the Blackhawks, who were holding the No. 3 pick in the sure if we’re necessarily looking at the numbers at the combine. We’re 2019 draft and trying to decide between a half-dozen possibilities. In trying to assess where they are. Are they engaged when they’re working those 10 games, Dach showed he could handle the intensity of playoff out? Where do we think Paul can get them? One of the things you’re hockey. He showed he could thrive in grueling back-to-back games. He watching in seeing these kids work out is where they’re at. Some of them showed a defensive prowess that could translate to the NHL. He showed rip off these really impressive numbers, then you have to wonder where he could still succeed despite having a target on his back as the Blades’ they are physically on the curve, and if they’ve already maxed out.” best player. Like fans, players and writers alike, the uncertainty of the pause made “He not only took it, he gave it back,” Blackhawks general manager Stan things difficult mentally for scouting departments. In April and May, there Bowman said after drafting Dach. “It was impressive to see him raise his was a strong belief around the league that the draft would be held at its game at a time of year when it matters most, which is playoff hockey. usual time in June, to take advantage of a barren sports TV landscape, You watch the NHL playoffs and you see how intense it can be. And then even before the season concluded. you look at the way he plays and you can see that his game translates.” So in May, Kelley and his staff were working long hours on their laptops Well, there were no WHL playoffs this past spring. No QMJHL or OHL every day, either watching games or attending Zoom meetings. Then the playoffs, either. No USHL playoffs. No NCAA Tournament. No World NHL wisely decided to push the draft back until after the season, and Championship or U18 World Championship. The European leagues were suddenly the scouts had months of time to kill. shut down. Only two rounds of the KHL Gagarin Cup were completed. “There was a bit of a letdown for us when they said the draft was going to The COVID-19 pandemic upended just about every profession in some be after the playoffs,” Kelley said. “It was a little bit of a challenge to keep way, and amateur scouting was no different. Blackhawks vice president everyone engaged in parts of June and July. But once they set the date, of amateur scouting Mark Kelley has never had more time to prepare for it got our attention.” a draft than he’s had for the upcoming Oct. 6-7 virtual draft. He’s also never had as little to go on. Now they’re ready. They’ve watched their videos, they’ve made their assessments, they’ve digested all the numbers and they’ve hashed out No live playoffs. No international tournaments against their fellow top their internal arguments. They have their targets. They have their prospects. No scouting combine. No face-to-face interviews over long, predictions. They have their plans for the later rounds (Kelley called it a drawn-out meals in Buffalo. particularly deep draft, and suggested the difference between the 17th No big deal, though, according to Kelley. pick and the 46th pick isn’t as big as the difference between the second and the 17th). “There are definitely obstacles in the evaluation of this class,” he said. “But it was the same across the board. We just did things differently this So they’re ready for Oct. 6 and 7. year.” But what about Oct. 8 through next June? They’d usually be knee-deep At this stage of the process, less than two weeks away from the draft, the in 2021 evaluations by now. Blackhawks are pretty comfortable with their big board. They’re still “This is when the season is starting to get going,” Kelley said. “Europe holding two or three staff Zoom calls a week, but they’re spending much would have been going for about two and a half weeks, the CHL would of that time simply trying to forecast what the teams ahead of them will be starting, the USHL would be starting. We’d have had the Hlinka do, and gaming out contingency plans if a player is unexpectedly taken Tournament in the summer, World Junior camps. We’d be further along early, or if a player unexpectedly drops. in the viewing stage. It’ll catch up eventually, but if they condense the “It really is no different,” Kelley said. “It’s the same mindset as any other schedule, that could work against us because you can’t be in two places draft. We just pushed it back a little bit. If anything, it gave us a little at once. But we’ll be all right. Everyone’s in the same situation.” time.“ Oh, there was one another unique aspect to Kelley’s summer. For about Naturally, video has supplanted live viewing as the primary source of intel six weeks, the very real possibility of owning the No. 1 pick — and the on players. Nearly every CHL, NCAA, KHL and European game is right to draft star winger Alexis Lafreniere — hung over the Blackhawks archived online these days, so the scouting staff — which remained scouting staff. The losers of the eight qualifying series would each have a intact, albeit with lower pay, following the Blackhawks’ pandemic-related 12.5 percent chance of landing the top pick. And sure, the thought had to cutbacks over the summer — had no trouble watching every player it creep into Kelley’s brain at some that losing to the Edmonton Oilers needed to watch. would be preferable to beating them.

Kelley tried to spread the video around a little bit more, too, giving scouts But only briefly. Kelley always wants to pick high, and he always wants in Western Canada a chance to review some European players, and vice Bowman to trade up in the draft. Just never at the expense of the team. versa. Anything to break up the monotony of staring at a little screen “You play things out in your mind,” Kelley said. “It’s a little bit like buying instead of gallivanting around the continent and the globe watching live a lottery ticket. But as soon as we dropped the puck against Edmonton, games. we’re all in.” Fresh eyes offer a fresh perspective, after all. The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 “It’s funny, because when you talk to people who don’t normally watch certain players, they don’t have preconceived conceptions of those players,” Kelley said. “The feedback is different. It’s really influenced by what they saw during the game, not what they already know.” 1178970 Blake Coleman. Bowness said he did not have an update on Radulov after the game.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.24.2020 Stars Game 3 notebook: Rick Bowness explains pulling Anton Khudobin; Dallas' penalty struggles continue

By Matthew DeFranks

Stars interim coach Rick Bowness pulled Anton Khudobin after the second period of Wednesday night’s 5-2 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, inserting Jake Oettinger in his place.

Khudobin allowed five goals on 29 shots in the first 40 minutes, and Oettinger stopped all three shots he faced in the third period. It was Oettinger’s second career NHL game.

Bowness was asked after the game whether the goalie pull had to do with the upcoming back to back, with Games 4 and 5 on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

“A little bit of everything,” Bowness said. “[Khudobin] battled so hard the whole playoffs. Just give him a breather. Back to back coming up, we know that. Give the kid some more experience, but more just to give Dobby a break. Listen, he’s been a rock back there for us. We don’t get here without him.”

Wednesday was the first time Khudobin allowed five goals since Game 3 of the second round against Colorado on Aug. 26. It was the first time since the first round against Calgary the Stars lost consecutive Khudobin starts (Games 1 and 3 against the Flames).

“I think coach made a decision to shake it up, or to change something,” Khudobin said. “I didn’t feel like I need to get rest or whatever. If he decide to play me in the third, I would be ready.”

More penalty trouble: The Stars put the Lightning on the power play four times on Wednesday night, one game after the Lightning scored twice on the power play. Tampa Bay scored once on the man advantage in Game 3. Dallas went 0 for 4 on the power play Wednesday night.

“Unacceptable by us to take some penalties that we’re taking, and the turnovers, obviously, we’ve got to limit those because it fuels their offensive game,” Jason Dickinson said. “We can correct some areas, but also they’re a good team, they’re here for a reason. We give them those chances and they’re going to capitalize.”

“We don’t need to take four penalties against that team,” Bowness said. “But that wasn’t, to me, the determining factor tonight.”

Bowness said the Stars penalty kill should have been perfect, given that they won the faceoff that led to Victor Hedman’s goal. But Dallas couldn’t clear the puck as they should have, and it ended in their net.

Miro’s off night: It was a rare subpar performance for Miro Heiskanen, who was directly involved in Tampa Bay’s first goal of the night. When Heiskanen was on the ice at 5 on 5, the Stars trailed in shot attempts (18-10), shots on goal (11-6), scoring chances (9-2) and expected goals (0.82-0.31).

“When I see guys making some of the mental mistakes that we made tonight that we normally don’t make, that you don’t see from those guys, OK it’s just one of those nights that the grind has caught up to them a little bit,” Bowness said. “The ice time, we know he’s a target on the other team. It’s a grind.”

Heiskanen did score in the third period, his sixth goal of the postseason. He leads the Stars with 24 points.

Caamano in: The Stars inserted forward Nick Caamano on the fourth line in place of the injured Blake Comeau. Caamano finished the game with five hits and one shot attempt in 11:31. He also drew two penalties.

“I thought Nick played a great game for us,” Bowness said. “He did what we needed him to do. He gave us a spark. We needed some speed on that right side taking Blake out, taking Faksy out. We’re missing some key penalty killers and defensive players.”

Caamano had not played in an NHL game since November.

— Stars forward Alexander Radulov missed the final 9:55 of the third period after an awkward fall into the boards following an attempted hit on 1178971 Dallas Stars simple as that. They’re our top-end guys. You’ve got to give them the ice time to get going. They’re getting that. They’re got to figure it out.”

John Klingberg was caught up ice on Point’s goal in the second period, In the biggest game this postseason, the Stars' best were outshined by as the rest of his teammates behind him changed. That left Lindell to Lightning’s big guns fend off a 3 on 1. He couldn’t.

Other poster boys? Roope Hintz was scoreless for the 11th straight By Matthew DeFranks game. Ben Bishop was hurt for the 10th game in a row, as Anton Khudobin made 24 saves on 29 shots in two periods of work.

In the regular season, these errors would not be terribly worrisome. The Even six months removed from the most recent Stars home game, with odds that all those players would play as poorly again? They would be the team playing 2,000 miles north in Edmonton, the lightposts outside low. The Stars could move past Wednesday night. are adorned with the faces of the team’s most recognizable figures. But not now.

The pictures represent players on whom the franchise pinned its hopes The Stars' season could be over Saturday night. Games 4 and 5 of the for another championship, an idea that was diminished by a 5-2 loss to Cup Final will arrive quickly, first Friday and again Saturday. Dallas is two Tampa Bay in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night, games away from spending two months in an Edmonton bubble — sans giving the Lightning a 2-1 series lead. family and friends, filled with concrete and boredom — and coming up empty. The portraits have hung since the beginning of the season a year ago, and during Wednesday’s blowout loss, many of their subjects were at Game 3 is a low point, for now. But the Stars can make it forgettable with fault as the Lightning’s poster boys ripped through the Stars. a win Friday night. If the series is evened at 2 entering the final weekend of the NHL season, Dallas' performance Wednesday night will be Tampa Bay received goals from Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Victor overlooked. Hedman, Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat. Among that group is the entire Lightning top line, their captain, a Hart Trophy winner and a Norris “We’ve got a lot veteran guys that have been through a lot,” Dickinson Trophy winner. said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys that haven’t. Those experiences go a long way in maturing as a player and as a group. If we can draw from The Stars received their first goal from Jason Dickinson, the fourth-line those experiences and those situations and reflect on it and say ‘Hey, we penalty killer who scored nine goals this season. Their solid second-year can respond. We’ve got the guys in here that can do it,’ we’ll be fine.” defenseman, Miro Heiskanen, added Dallas' second goal in the third period. Dallas has experience flipping a 2-1 deficit. The Stars did so last year in the first round against Nashville. They did so this year in the first round “We lost our team play,” Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said. “We lost against Calgary. our intensity, and we lost our focus. When you do that, a team like that is going to make you look real bad, which they did. It’s self-inflicted. We The top line of Benn, Seguin and Radulov led the Stars past the gave them the first four goals.” Predators. It was Heiskanen and Joe Pavelski who shined brightest against the Flames. To come back against the Lightning, the Stars need In the biggest game of the postseason — thus far — the Stars' best their best players to check back in. players were swallowed by the Lightning’s. And all the mistakes were magnified given the scale of the game. “Tonight we made some errors,” Klingberg said. “That’s hockey. That’s sports. It’s 2-1, they’re up one. We’re going to even the series on Friday.” “If you’re going to win, your best players have to be your best players,” Lightning coach said. “That’s the bottom line. You can get Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.24.2020 contributions from everybody in different ways, but if you’re going to go the distance, the big boys have to be there for you, and in every aspect, they were.”

Heiskanen was guilty of an egregious turnover in the first period, falling to the ice and whirling an ill-advised cross-ice pass directly onto Kucherov’s stick. Rid of obstacles, Kucherov made easy work of Anton Khudobin.

Esa Lindell was burned by Stamkos racing up the right wing, attempting a hit but instead missing entirely. Stamkos picked the far corner on Khudobin to make sure that Lindell’s error counted on the scoreboard. In the game’s opening seven minutes, both of the Stars' best defensive defensemen were torched.

“They made two good shots early,” captain said. “I thought our first period was good after that. They capitalized on their chances, and we didn’t.”

Tyler Seguin whiffed on a rebound chance in the first period, extending his goal drought to 12 games, a career high in the postseason. Tampa Bay received a goal from its electric No. 91, Stamkos, in just one period of action. Dallas is still waiting for its No. 91 to snap out of a slump at the worst time of the playoffs.

Benn missed a golden opportunity in the second period, with the game still in reach, by nailing Point with a shot as Andrei Vasilevskiy scrambled to recover from his own turnover. Benn was a force for the Stars in the Western Conference Final but is pointless through three games in the Cup Final and spent most of the third period in the penalty box after a tussle with Jan Rutta resulted in a 10-minute misconduct.

Alexander Radulov was called for two hooking penalties, one ironclad and one questionable. The Lightning scored on one of them, as Hedman’s goal gave Tampa Bay a three-goal lead early in the second period.

“Giving them the ice time, we’re getting them out there as much as we can,” Bowness said of the top line. “They’ve got to figure it out, it’s as 1178972 Dallas Stars

After seven-month injury absence, Lightning’s Steven Stamkos makes the Stars pay in Stanley Cup Final debut

By Callie Caplan

The Lightning received a boost just before starting Game 3 against the Stars in the Stanley Cup Final.

Their captain, forward Steven Stamkos, was ready for his 2020 playoff debut.

It turned out Tampa Bay didn’t need extra help Wednesday against the Stars, as it dominated shooting and possession to hand Dallas a 5-2 loss and take a 2-1 series lead.

But Stamkos' presence added another element the Stars had to consider against the Lightning’s ferocious offense.

Stamkos, who played 2:47 and scored in the first period before sitting out the last two frames, said “it’s still too early” to determine his availability for the remainder of the series. But he relished the chance to contribute after almost two months of watching in the NHL’s Edmonton bubble.

“At this time of year, you want to do anything you can to help your team win,” Stamkos said. “I’ve watched these guys be so committed to what our end goal is, and to be part of it tonight, it was a dream come true.”

The 30-year-old Stamkos hadn’t played since Feb. 25.

He had core muscle surgery in early March, about a week before the NHL suspended the season amid the coronavirus pandemic, and then suffered a lower-body injury during training before the season resumed this summer.

Stamkos said he won’t reveal details about his health until after the season, but Lightning coach Jon Cooper said his captain’s early exit was “unexpected.”

“Obviously, there’s an issue I’ve been working through,” Stamkos said, “so we’ll see what happens from here.”

Cooper had said Stamkos wouldn’t return to the lineup until he was at full strength, and he appeared so early in Game 3.

#TBLightning's Stamkos is on the board for his first goal of the postseason against #GoStars. Maroon finds him first for the celly hug and #GoBolts have a 2-0 lead. #TBLvsDAL pic.twitter.com/fmQ3uKHiI4

— 홼횊횛횒 홵횊횒횎횕횕횘 (wears a mask) (@faiello_mari) September 24, 2020

Stamkos skated on the Lightning’s fourth line with Cedric Paquette and Pat Maroon and needed just three shifts before scoring — on his first shot — by slipping past the Stars' defense and beating Anton Khudobin with a wrist shot to open a 2-0 lead about seven minutes into the game.

“Here we are watching a player come back and then do what he did [on] the biggest stage and the biggest time of year,” Cooper said. “You have to marvel at it. I don’t know. It was pretty damn cool.”

Stamkos, however, didn’t appear on Tampa Bay’s power play late in the first period, and he missed the last seven minutes of the frame.

After the first intermission, Stamkos returned to the bench about eight minutes into the second period and skated during a couple of media timeouts.

In 16 career games against Dallas, Stamkos has tallied 24 points on 16 goals and eight assists. He was the Lightning’s second-leading scorer in the regular season (66 points), including two goals in two games against the Stars.

Tampa Bay didn’t need Stamkos full-time Wednesday.

Eight Lightning players recorded at least one point in the game — led by defensemen Victor Hedman’s three.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178973 Dallas Stars

Stars coach Rick Bowness on Denis Gurianov’s quiet start to the Stanley Cup Final

By Matthew DeFranks

Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said he knows what to look for when Denis Gurianov is having an off night — and he knows what he may find, particularly in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night.

“Nervous,” Bowness said. “He was nervous. There are certain things I look for now when I know he’s not going. Then I know he’s nervous. For a kid playing in his first Stanley Cup Final, he’s going to be nervous.”

Gurianov had one of his quietest games of the postseason Monday night, finishing with just one shot attempt. At 5 on 5, Gurianov did not have a shot attempt for the first time since Game 2 against Colorado in the second round, a span of almost a month and 11 games.

Entering Wednesday night’s Game 3 against the Lightning, Gurianov had not registered a shot on goal at 5 on 5 in the Stanley Cup Final. Gurianov sent the Stars to the Cup Final by blasting a 110-mph one-timer in overtime in Game 5 against Vegas. It was his ninth goal of the playoffs.

Gurianov’s nerves were something Bowness pointed to after Game 2 against Calgary in the first round, after the rookie Russian winger played just 10:42 against the Flames. On Monday, Gurianov was ninth among Dallas forwards in 5 on 5 ice time.

“You’ve just got to give him a little rope, got to give him a little leash and you’ve got to keep pushing him and help him get through it,” Bowness said. “There’s no other way to do it. You’ve got to get the experience, and you get the experience by playing. Just going to have to bear with him and keep pushing him.”

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178974 Dallas Stars

Reunions in Edmonton: Wife of Corey Perry joins the Stars forward in the NHL bubble

By Matthew DeFranks

Stars forward Corey Perry said his wife, Blakeny, was in the Edmonton bubble, set to get out of the league’s mandatory four-day quarantine Wednesday.

“It wasn’t easy, had to isolate, do all the testing, do whatever she had to do,” Perry said. “But she’s here, happy she’s here. Hopefully, we can enjoy this together.”

Few Stars have been able to have their families join them in the bubble because of Canada’s coronavirus-induced closed border. Non- are not allowed into the country for nonessential purposes, and families of NHL players did not receive an exemption from the Canadian government.

Stars forward Justin Dowling’s wife, Meg, and daughter, Perri, are in the bubble, the first family to be reunited in Edmonton.

The game within the game: During Game 2, Perry went back and forth with Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, including before and after the whistles. Hedman tripped Perry before a faceoff, and during play Perry skated at Hedman and screamed in his face. Their coming together in the second period led to four roughing penalties.

#GoStars Corey Perry tonight.

Juice had me in tears pic.twitter.com/4NUIiJq8Ys

— Here's Your Replay (@TheReplayGuy) September 22, 2020

This is nothing new for Perry, who built a career on scoring goals around the net while antagonizing opposing players.

“I think everybody knows how I play, what makes me successful,” Perry said. “Those are little battles that happen during a game.”

Stars staffers honored: Stars television analyst Daryl “Razor” Reaugh and senior producer Jeff Toates won Lone Star Emmys on Tuesday, Reaugh for best sports analyst and Toates for best video journalist.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178975 Dallas Stars “When I see him walking out to the ice surface in full gear, I know where he’s going and he can’t be that far away,” Bowness said. “We’re prepared when he plays.”

Nick Caamano replaces Blake Comeau for Stars; Lightning captain Stars lineup for Game 3: Steven Stamkos makes postseason debut Forwards

Jamie Benn – – Alexander Radulov By Matthew DeFranks Mattias Janmark – Joe Pavelski – Denis Gurianov

Joel Kiviranta – Roope Hintz – Corey Perry Both the Stars and Lightning had a forward make their 2020 postseason debut on Wednesday night. – Jason Dickinson – Nick Caamano

Tampa Bay added captain Steven Stamkos for the first time since Defensemen February. Dallas added Nick Caamano to replace the injured Blake Comeau. –

#GoStars Blake Comeau to the room after this hit by #GoBolts Ryan Jamie Oleksiak – Miro Heiskanen McDonagh pic.twitter.com/lCjD10uMFW Joel Hanley – Andrej Sekera

— Here's Your Replay (@TheReplayGuy) September 22, 2020 Goaltenders

Comeau did not play the third period against Tampa Bay of Game 2 on Anton Khudobin Monday night after he absorbed a hit from Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh in the second period. Comeau did not participate in Dallas' Jake Oettinger morning skate Wednesday, according to video released by the NHL. Lightning lineup for Game 3: Caamano took Comeau’s place on the right of the team’s checking line, Forwards with Andrew Cogliano on the left and Jason Dickinson at center. Caamano is a bottom-six winger who provides energy and physicality, Ondrej Palat – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov and was used briefly on the penalty kill when the Stars recalled him from AHL affiliate Texas in November. Alex Killorn – Anthony Cirelli – Tyler Johnson

It was Caamano’s playoff debut. Barclay Goodrow – Yanni Gourde – Blake Coleman

Caamano has not played an NHL game since Nov. 19. He joins Joel Pat Maroon – Cedric Paquette – Steven Stamkos Hanley (Nov. 13), Taylor Fedun (Jan. 11) and Joel Kiviranta (Feb. 13) as Defensemen Stars with a lengthy NHL layoff before playing games in the postseason. Victor Hedman – Jan Rutta During morning skate, Justin Dowling was also on the ice for the Stars. Ty Dellandrea and Jason Robertson also practiced, but were wearing Ryan McDonagh – Ryan McDonagh grey jerseys (typically reserved for extras) instead of the customary green like Caamano and Dowling. Mikhail Sergachev – Erik Cernak

Dowling served as the Stars' 13th forward throughout the regular season, Luke Schenn but has yet to play a game in Edmonton (outside the exhibition against Goaltenders Nashville on July 30). Instead, injuries to speedy, defensive wingers Mattias Janmark and Andrew Cogliano opened the door for Kiviranta to Andrei Vasilevskiy enter the lineup. When Radek Faksa got hurt, Cogliano slid back into the Curtis McElhinney lineup. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 09.24.2020 Dowling played all 13 playoff games for the Stars last season. Bowness was asked whether playoff experience factored into who would replace Comeau.

“We’re going to put in the right person that we think can play that position and give us the best chance to win, regardless,” Bowness said.

According to video released by the NHL, Janmark, Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell also were not on the ice at morning skate. Bowness said Hintz (who blocked a shot in Game 1) was healthy enough to play Game 3, and Lindell spoke to reporters Wednesday morning.

Bowness said Faksa, goaltender Ben Bishop and defenseman Stephen Johns were still unfit to play. Faksa and Bishop were on the ice at the end of morning skate, according to TVA reporter Renaud Lavoie, who was at Rogers Place.

Meanwhile, Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Wednesday morning Stamkos was “inching closer” to a return but did not say whether the Lightning captain would take warmup or play in Game 3. Stamkos emerged for warmup and then was officially ruled in.

He began the game on the fourth line with Pat Maroon and Cedric Paquette.

Bowness said the Stars would be ready for whenever Stamkos returns.

STAMMER #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/pjVJFC1cld

— Here's Your Replay (@TheReplayGuy) September 23, 2020 1178976 Dallas Stars “You watch the kid, what he’s done for the last how many months and for him to be able to do that,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “I think, however Stammer was feeling in that moment, all the players expressed Stars 20/20: Big names silent for Dallas, while top players show out for it on the bench.” Tampa Whether Stamkos is truly healthy remains a different question. He didn’t play the final 6:21 of the first period or the remainder of the game but stayed on the bench and would fulfill the captain’s duty of talking to the By Sean Shapiro Sep 23, 2020 14 officials during stoppages.

6. Someday, Miro Heiskanen will be the NHL’s best defenseman. Until then, he’s going to have to chase down Hedman and Nashville’s Roman The Dallas Stars lost Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final 5-2 and now trail Josi for that title. 2-1 in their series with the Tampa Bay Lightning. And in Game 3, the Lightning defenseman was the best player on the ice 1. Early on, it looked like the Stars’ top line had come to play. in the first period, setting the stage for both Tampa Bay goals. Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov were quite good in the First, when the game was scoreless, Hedman disrupted what Denis first half of the first period. They looked energized. They were getting to Gurianov thought was a breakaway with a slight stick lift at the last the net. It seemed like a sign of good things for Dallas. moment. Soon after, Heiskanen lost an edge, making a rare mistake and But then, as soon as Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead on a bad break, Dallas’ teed up Nikita Kucherov for a breakaway that he finished. top line began to shrink. By the end of the night, the lasting memories of Hedman then had the primary assist to spring Stamkos for his goal that the trio were Seguin whiffing on a golden opportunity, Radulov made it 2-0. consistently going to the penalty box and Benn watching the third period from the penalty box, serving an admittedly questionable 10-minute 7. And then, for good measure, Hedman scored on the power play early misconduct. in the second period.

The Stars have won in the past without that line scoring — it’s one of the It was Hedman’s 10th goal of the playoffs; the NHL record for goals by a storylines of their postseason — but it’s still hard for Dallas to do much of defenseman in a postseason is 12. anything when Benn-Seguin-Radulov hardly impacts the game. VICTOR HEDMAN PP 2. That stings even more when the other team’s top players show up in a big way. 3-1 #GOBOLTS PIC.TWITTER.COM/GUWCHWYRB3

Tampa Bay’s top line of Ondrej Palat, Braydon Point and Nikita Kucherov — HERE'S YOUR REPLAY (@THEREPLAYGUY) SEPTEMBER 24, combined for three goals. Top defenseman Victor Hedman had three 2020 points while returning Lightning captain Steven Stamkos seized a moment with a goal. Hedman’s goal was set up by a hooking penalty against Alexander Radulov near the end of the first period. It was a questionable penalty — 3. Anton Khudobin was one of the NHL’s best stories heading into the Blake Coleman sold it — but Radulov’s stick work and hooking was a Stanley Cup Final. constant theme, and soon after Hedman had freed him from the box with the power-play goal, Radulov took another hooking penalty in the second The goalie was superhuman in the Western Conference final and in period. Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. In the past two games, the goaltender has looked human, letting in eight goals on 60 shots. 8. Kucherov and Stamkos struck, but the Stars woke up and were the better team in the first period after the 2-0 hole. It wasn’t his fault the Stars lost Game 3; they deserved to lose as a group. But the timely saves and overall sharpness that had defined They outshot the Lightning 16-8 in the period, had a 21-10 in shot Khudobin in prior rounds hasn’t been there. attempts and a 6-2 edge in high-danger chances, according to Natural Stat Trick. There have been some scrambly, wonderful moments that make for highlights, but the Lightning have figured out the book on Khudobin and Dallas’ goal came shorthanded when Roope Hintz did the work and have fired blocker side throughout the past two games to great success. Jason Dickinson provided the finish, sneaking a one-timer past Andrei Vasilevskiy’s blocker. 4. This was a classic “burn the tape” game for the Stars. JASON DICKINSON SH The good news is that this was only Game 3 of the series, and the Stars are down only 2-1. 2-1 #GOBOLTS PIC.TWITTER.COM/AWELLVN8OA

Win Game 4 on Friday, and this doesn’t matter. The Stars have also — HERE'S YOUR REPLAY (@THEREPLAYGUY) SEPTEMBER 24, been in this position before, down in a series or a game, and they are still 2020 marching on and playing in the Stanley Cup Final. 9. Unfortunately for Dallas, any momentum accrued from being the better “Tonight we made some errors. That’s hockey. That’s sports,” John team in the first period died in the second. Klingberg said. “It’s 2-1, they’re up one. We’re going to even the series on Friday.” The Stars looked overwhelmed and disinterested.

5. Stamkos arrived, at least for a little bit. It resulted in Tampa Bay finishing the second period with a 21-4 edge in shots, a 27-9 edge in shot attempts and a 6-1 edge in high-danger Throughout the playoffs, it had been a question of if the Lightning captain chances. might make his return. After 211 days on the shelf, he was back for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. It wasn’t too much of a surprise for Most importantly the Lightning outscored the Stars 3-0, pushing the lead Stars interim coach Rick Bowness, who coached Stamkos for five years to 5-1. in Tampa and was among those who maintained that he expected the Lightning captain to make an appearance sooner than later. 10. Jake Oettinger got the net for the third period.

And despite all that time off, Stamkos’ shot hasn’t gone anywhere. Bowness said it was a decision based on a of factors, and he was going to give Khudobin a rest in the final 20 minutes. STEVEN STAMKOS “No, I wasn’t thinking about (the upcoming back-to-back),” Khudobin 2-0 #GOBOLTS PIC.TWITTER.COM/9FKME2FLYD said. “I think Coach made the decision to shake it up or to change something. I didn’t feel like I need to get rest or whatever. If he would — HERE'S YOUR REPLAY (@THEREPLAYGUY) SEPTEMBER 24, have decided to play me in the third, I would have been ready.” 2020 Oettinger stopped all three shots he faced. It gave Tampa’s bench life. 11. Dallas outscored Tampa Bay in the third period when a bounce went Victor Hedman – Jan Rutta the Stars’ way on Heiskanen’s sixth goal of the playoffs. Ryan McDonagh – Kevin Shattenkirk It was a minor silver lining during the roughest game of Heiskenan’s bubble experience. Besides his turnover that set up Tampa Bay’s Mikhail Sergachev – Erik Cernak opening goal, the Lightning continuously landed hits on the 21-year-old, 16. Ben Bishop joined the morning skate late on Wednesday and, something Dallas’ three prior playoff opponents had frequently tried to according to The Athletic’s Apron Basu, who is bubble adjacent in do. Edmonton, he looked fine.

“We know he’s a target on the other team,” Bowness said. “It’s a grind, Why is this important? and mentally, some nights, you think you’re ready and everything else and you’re all set to go, and some nights, it just doesn’t happen.” Well, Games 4 and 5 are back to back. If there was ever a time the Stars would try to get Bishop back in the lineup, it would be for one of those 12. This game got nasty in the third period, which falls on all parties games. involved. And though Khudobin has been stellar, particularly in the last two rounds, There’s the Stars’ and Lightning’s mutual hatred, and the officials didn’t it wouldn’t surprise me if we see Bishop in Game 4 or 5, especially since do a great job of controlling the chaos or making consistent calls. the goalie is probably eyeing a chance to win a Stanley Cup Final game In the third period, the officials tried the classic desperation move to get against the team that elected to stick with Vasilevskiy over him following control by giving Benn and Jan Rutta 10-minute misconducts after a a cap crunch three years ago. confrontation, but that didn’t stop the chippiness from continuing to 17. If Bishop is healthy enough for the back-to-back — a big if — I would devolve in a game that was already settled on the scoreboard. start him in Game 4 with the full understanding that no matter the result, 13. Adding injury to insult, the Stars also watched as Radulov ran into the Khudobin gets the start the next night in Game 5. boards and went back to the locker room. Denis Gurianov was also hit in In my view, that’s the best asset management. Bishop’s return can light a the head with a puck on the bench. spark in Game 4 like Tampa got from Stamkos in Game 3, while There were no injury updates after the game on any of the players. Khudobin actually gets a couple of days to recover from a heavy workload. 14. Nick Caamano doesn’t bring the name brand that Stamkos does, but he made his postseason debut for the Stars after being part of the Stars’ Once again, this only works if Bishop is actually healthy and fit to play. If taxi squad during the first seven weeks in the bubble. he’s not, the Stars must go back to Khudobin and let him play both games. Caamano also last played an NHL game on Nov. 19, having spent the remainder of the regular season in the AHL with the . 18. The Stanley Cup Final’s attendance increased for Game 3.

Caamano took Blake Comeau’s role on the Stars’ fourth line with Jason Perry’s wife, Blakeny, completed her four-day quarantine on Wednesday Dickinson and Andrew Cogliano after the veteran was injured in Game 2 and was able to connect with Corey for the first time in more than three and didn’t partake in morning skate or warmups for Game 3. months after the game.

Caamano’s inclusion is a role-based decision, which is how Bowness “It wasn’t easy; she had to isolate, do all the testing,” Perry said. “But prefers to adjust his lineup as opposed to a pure depth chart, which Jim she’s here, I’m happy she’s here and hopefully we can enjoy this Montgomery used to handle substitutions based on injury. together.”

In Montgomery’s system, Justin Dowling would have played by now — 19. The Stars’ message after the game is that there is no panic. and Dowling has consistently taken warmups. But with the Stars needing I believe that with this group. There will be frustration, particularly for the more of a defensive-minded winger, Caamano got the nod. coaching staff, but panic has never been something the Stars have had He ended up being one of the few Stars players who performed quite to worry about — even during the regular season. well in this game, including drawing a pair of penalties. 20. What can the Stars do to get more from their top line in the next 15. Comeau being unavailable to play is pretty indicative of how injured game? he is following a hit from Ryan McDonnaugh in Game 2. “It’s a good question,” Bowness said. “Giving them the ice time, we’re “If Comeau is able to play at all, he’ll play. He’s waited his entire life to getting them out there as much as we can and they’ve got to figure it out. play in the Stanley Cup Final,” a source said via text on Tuesday. You Simple as that. They’re our top-end guys. You’ve got to give them the ice could apply a similar sentiment to Radek Faksa, who has now missed time to get it going. They’re getting that. They’ve got to figure it out. They five games after injuring his hand or wrist in Game 3 of the Western need some help from other guys, but they’ve got to figure it out.” Conference final. The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 This was the Stars lineup.

Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Alexander Radulov

Joel Kiviranta – Joe Pavelski – Denis Gurianov

Mattias Janmark – Roope Hintz – Corey Perry

Andrew Cogliano – Jason Dickinson – Nick Caamano

Esa Lindell – John Klingberg

Jamie Oleksiak – Miro Heiskanen

Joel Hanley – Andrej Sekera

Dowling and Taylor Fedun also took warmups.

Tampa, with Stamkos back, went with this lineup to start.

Ondrej Palat – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov

Alex Killorn – Anthony Cirelli – Tyler Johnson

Barclay Goodrow – Yanni Gourde – Blake Coleman

Patrick Maroon – Cedric Paquette – Steven Stamkos 1178977 Dallas Stars “Blake was a kid who would have made the NHL no matter where he was from,” Severyn said. “That’s how hard he worked. He listened and worked and wanted to be the best. He got that reputation, it was never As Plano’s Blake Coleman faces Stars in Stanley Cup, either way, Texas like, ‘He’ll make the NHL for sure,’ but it was always, ‘This kid is going to wins go far because he’ll always do the right thing and will make himself better any way possible.’”

Coleman said he got around 150 messages from people in the Dallas By Sean Shapiro and Joe Smith Sep 23, 2020 14 area after the Lightning clinched the Eastern Conference last Thursday, sealing their matchup with his hometown Stars. They were wishing him

good luck, amazed by the coincidence. “I heard from people I hadn’t No matter what happens in the remainder of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final talked to in years,” he said. “It’s crazy.” between the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning, hockey in Texas Sandy and Rusty have taken part in similar conversations. They are wins. currently in Tampa, as they’ve been quarantining with Blake’s wife, The Stars are trying to win their second championship in franchise Jordan, and their 6-month-old granddaughter, Charlie, hoping they’d be history, their first since 1999. During Game 1 of the Final, Blake Coleman able to fly to Edmonton for the Stanley Cup Final. That won’t happen, as stood across from them, starting for the Lightning. the NHL’s application with the Canadian government for families to enter the bubble remains pending. Coleman is from Plano, a Dallas suburb. He can become the first born- and-raised Texan to win the Stanley Cup. For that to happen, he’ll have “You wouldn’t believe the script if it was given to you,” Rusty said. “And to beat the franchise that inspired him to lace up his skates in the first then you add all the details, like the fact we can’t watch him in person place. and this would be the Stanley Cup Final setup where he’d be playing in front of his friends as the enemy with the Lightning (in Dallas). No one “He was inspired to play hockey because of the Stars. That’s the irony would believe that, not as a hockey story involving Texas and Florida.” here,” Blake’s mother, Sandy Coleman, said. “He was at their first Cup run in ’99 as a Stars-obsessed kid. Now for their second (potential) Greenberg and his friends acknowledge they’re torn. Whom should they championship run, he’s playing against them.” root for?

When the relocated to Dallas in 1993, Coleman’s “It’s extremely hard,” said Greenberg, who works in operations at J.P grandmother Marie Hoffman purchased season tickets. The Hoffmans Morgan Securities outside of Plano. “My family and I were talking about it were already a hockey family; originally from upstate New York, Sandy the other night; if the Lightning would lose, we’d still want Blake to have a played growing up. An NHL team arriving in Texas allowed her son to bunch of goals. I think it is the worst but best situation for him, playing the embrace the sport. Stars. If he did have to lose to somebody, at least it was the hometown team. But obviously, we want him to win as well. It’s torn allegiances. But Blake attended his first game as a 3-year-old with his grandmother. I want Blake to do well, no matter what.” Sandy wasn’t sure whether he’d show any interest, but she was happy to sign off on an outing with grandma while she already had four other kids Playing the Stars was, ironically, how Coleman connected with his wife. It at home. was in Coleman’s 17th NHL game, March 26, 2017, at the Prudential Center when he scored his first NHL goal. He stripped a Stars “I remember when I went to my first game, my grandmother told me that I defenseman, cruised in and beat Kari Lehtonen. was following the puck the whole time with my baby head,” Coleman said. Jordan Daigle, a former Cowboys cheerleader, had been more into football than hockey at the time. But she was Facebook friends with “He was hooked,” Sandy said. “He watched the puck the entire time, he Coleman, and a social media post with a photo from his first goal gained was so focused on the game. From that moment on, he knew exactly a lot of traction among their Plano friend group. They both grew up what he wanted to do.” together in a neighborhood called Wyndham (it’s now the name of their dog) but had lost touch. Blake started skating as a 5-year-old and took it upon himself to wake up his parents at 5 a.m. so he could get to early practices. “I remember thinking, that’s so cool he made it,” Jordan said. “That’s awesome.” Blake’s father, Rusty Coleman, said the drive to play hockey was probably always there for Blake, but he just needed something to ignite Coleman started to like her photos on social media and then they traded that passion. That’s where the Stars came into play. The glory days of direct messages in their whirlwind courtship. the franchise, the late 1990s, fit right into Coleman’s formative years. He rode the wave of hockey momentum that was sweeping the market. “My memories of him were spiked blond tips, Affliction T-shirt,” Jordan said, laughing. “But he really won me over. He was charming. When he Brent Severyn was a member of the Stars 1999 championship team and came home to Plano for the offseason we were pretty much inseparable.” has resided in Texas after retirement, working with local rinks and youth programs. From their first date (Top Golf) to his proposal at her family’s house at Cedar Creek Lake and the birth of their daughter, Charlie, a little over “With that run, we saw a lot of kids starting to jump into the sport. It was three years have passed. “This is the longest we’ve ever been apart,” cool to play hockey and the Stars were good,” Severyn said. “It’s one she said. thing to want to play hockey, but it’s just something that’s this weird thing that Canadians do. When you see it up close, like kids Blake’s age did, The Stars are about more than just childhood nostalgia for Coleman. it’s more real, I think.” They also represent his second home. In the offseason, Coleman still lives in Texas and trains at the Stars practice facility with several Dallas “The hockey community is pretty small in Texas,” said Jordan Greenberg, players, including Stars captain Jamie Benn. a longtime friend of Coleman’s who played middle school hockey with him. “Or at least it was back then. Luckily for us, the Stars were pretty In the past, Stars strength coach Brad Jellis has been an expert voice for good. They had Modano, Nieuwendyk, so it was a big thing to watch Coleman when it came to injuries, while former Stars executive Les them. Then a rink went up pretty close to our house and we started from Jackson has been a confidant for the family on hockey matters since there.” Blake was a teenager.

Though there’s not a rich history of players coming out of Texas to make As a product of hockey’s Sunbelt expansion, it’s fitting that Coleman is the NHL, Greenberg felt there was something different about Coleman. playing in the first Sunbelt final, even if the teams are bubbled up in “He was always one of the hardest workers,” Greenberg said. “He had Alberta. that desire. He always believed he could make it, whether everyone else While 2020 has been a mess in many ways, this has been a big year for did or not. He put everything he had into hockey to make it so.” hockey in Texas. On Jan. 1, more than 85,000 people jammed into the Severyn heard similar things about Coleman as he was working his way Cotton Bowl for the Winter Classic. It was more than a blip on the radar up through the Dallas Stars Elite program. as local youth hockey programs noticed an uptick in participation before the pandemic. The fact the Stars are in the Stanley Cup Final and facing a native Texan? That only adds to the momentum.

“There are kids right now that are getting into hockey because of what’s happened in 2020,” Severyn said. “My own kid, for example, he’s 14, and he’s gotten more into it and has been skating with me since the Winter Classic. The Stars being where they are now, that only makes kids more excited about it. It’s just a bummer they can’t see it in person.”

Rusty and Sandy said they haven’t been able to spend much time thinking about what Blake’s success means for future hockey players in Texas. But they did acknowledge that Blake wants to be part of a growing class of hockey players from Texas. Maybe the fact “Plano, Texas” is listed as his hometown when the starting lineup pops off the screen motivates a young DFW resident.

Twenty-one years ago, Blake was a 7-year-old taking in that motivation. When Brett Hull scored in overtime of Game 6 in Buffalo, he was elated (even though he was supposed to be sleeping).

“I’ll always remember when they won the Cup,” Coleman. “I was still young. I was past my bedtime. But I listened to the end on the radio.”

And now, in a script that Rusty repeatedly said was unbelievable, he’ll be trying to make sure that the 1999 championship remains the Stars’ only title. Either way, hockey in Texas has taken a major step.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178978 Detroit Red Wings

Michael Rasmussen joins list of Detroit Red Wings loaned overseas

Helene St. James

The list of Detroit Red Wings loaned overseas has grown to eight.

With the coronavirus pandemic forcing the NHL and AHL to delay the start of the 2020-21 season till at least December, the Wings have loaned center Michael Rasmussen to the Graz (Austria) 99ers.

Earlier this week, the Wings loaned defenseman Jared McIsaac to Finnish team HPK. The Wings have loaned multiple players to teams in Europe: Defenseman Moritz Seider, Mannheim (DEL); defenseman Filip Hronek, Mountfield HK (Czech); forward Filip Zadina, HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech); defenseman Gustav Lindstrom and goaltender Filip Larsson, both Almtuna (Swe-2) and forward Mathias Brome, Orebro (SHL).

Everyone on loan can be recalled at the Wings’ discretion.

For subscribers:As Red Wings prepare for next season, the AHL wonders if playing is even feasible

The NHL is targeting Dec. 1 as the start to next season, but commissioner Gary Bettman has said the league will go as far as January if forced to by the pandemic. The AHL will not start its season before the NHL.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178979 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings loan forward Michael Rasmussen to Austrian team

The Detroit News

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound center, who suffered a back injury with the Grand Rapids Griffins this year, finished with seven goals and 22 points in 35 games in the American Hockey League.

Drafted ninth overall in the 2017 draft from the Tri-City Americans in the Western Hockey League, Rasmussen played 62 games with the Red Wings in his rookie season with eight goals and 18 points in 62 games.

The Wings have now placed a league-leading eight young players in European leagues, as the NHL and AHL seasons have been delayed because of the pandemic.

Filip Hronek (Czech Republic), Filip Zadina (Czech Republic), Moritz Seider (Germany), Gustav Lindstrom (Sweden), Filip Larsson (Sweden), Jared McIsaac (Finland) and Mathias Brome (Sweden) have all been loaned to teams, but will return once NHL training camps start.

Detroit News LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178980 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings loan Michael Rasmussen to Austrian club

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

The Detroit Red Wings are searching far and wide for places for their prospects to play before the 2020-21 NHL and AHL seasons begin.

They have loaned center Michael Rasmussen to the Graz 99ers of the Austrian Hockey League.

Rasmussen, the team’s top pick in 2017 (No. 9) spent last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where the Red Wings had him play center full- time after playing mostly on the wing as a rookie in Detroit in 2018-19. He had seven goals and 15 assists in 35 games. He missed time due to a back injury.

The Red Wings hope Rasmussen (6-6, 221) can fill their third-line center spot in 2020-21, which might not start until January. It remains to be seen if there will even be an AHL season, which is in doubt if fans aren’t allowed to attend games due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rasmussen is the eighth Red Wings player/prospect to be loaned to a European club, joining forwards Filip Zadina (HC Ocelari Trinec, Czech Republic) and Mathias Brome (Orebro HK, Sweden); defensemen Moritz Seider (Mannheim, Germany), Filip Hronek (Mountfield HK, Czech Republic), Gustav Lindstrom (Almtuna, Sweden) and Jared McIsaac (HPK, Finland) and goaltender Filip Larsson (Almtuna).

All can return once NHL training camps begin, though the Red Wings' plan is for McIsaac to remain in Finland until that league’s season is complete.

Michigan Live LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178981 Detroit Red Wings Height/weight: 6-2/195

Drafted: Sixth round 2016 (No. 167)

Ranking Detroit Red Wings prospects: Nos. 11-15 2019-20 club: Grand Rapids (AHL)/Toledo (ECHL)

2019-20 stats: Grand Rapids 7 GP, 2-5-0, 4.01 GAA, .843 save percentage; Toledo 10 GP, 4-6-0, 2.72 GAA, .910 save percentage. By Ansar Khan | [email protected] Touted as the franchise’s potential goalie of the future following outstanding seasons in the USHL (Tri-City) and college (Denver), The Detroit Red Wings have drafted in the top 10 the past three seasons Larsson’s pro initiation was rough. He struggled with the Griffins before and have had a slew of extra second- and third-round selections over the being demoted to Toledo. He fared better in the ECHL, but the season past four years. showed how difficult a transition goalies can have from juniors/college to the pros. It will take some time to develop him, which is not unexpected. That has enabled them to accumulate their best stockpile of prospects in He is on loan to Swedish club Almtuna due to the pandemic. many years. 11. Robert Mastrosimone, left wing They will add to that group in this year’s draft (Oct. 6-7) with their highest pick in 30 years (No. 4) as well as three second-rounders and two Height/weight: 5-10/170 selections in the third round. Drafted: Second round 2015 (No. 54)

This week, MLive ranks the organization’s top 20 prospects. 2019-20 club: ()

To be considered a prospect, a player must meet one or more of these 2019-20 stats: 34 GP, 7 G, 10 A, 17 PT, 10 PM criteria: not assured of an NHL roster spot in 2020-21, exempt from , 20 or fewer NHL games, under age 25.

Today, a look at Nos. 11 through 15. The Red Wings weren’t deterred by his size when drafting him, raving about his work ethic and competitiveness. They like his skill level, his 15. Taro Hirose, left wing hands and his hockey sense. He needs to improve his skating and fill out Height/weight: 5-10/162 physically. He had a good freshman season in college and was one of the final cuts from the U.S. World Junior team. Drafted: Free agent signed in 2019. Thursday: Ranking prospects 6-10. 2019-20 club: Detroit (NHL)/Grand Rapids (AHL) Michigan Live LOADED: 09.24.2020 2019-20 stats: Detroit 26 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 PT, 6 PM; Grand Rapids 35 GP, 5 G, 22 A, 27 PT, 12 PM

This skilled playmaker with good vision had an impressive 10-game stint with the Red Wings at the end of the 2018-19 season after signing as a free agent out of Michigan State. He struggled, however, for the first two months of 2019-20 and was sent to Grand Rapids. He needs to add strength and show he can be a more consistent offensive threat to get another opportunity in Detroit.

14. Gustav Lindstrom, defenseman

Height/weight: 6-2/187

Drafted: Second round 2017 (No. 38)

2019-20 club: Grand Rapids (AHL)/Detroit (NHL)

2019-20 stats: Grand Rapids 45 GP, 0 G, 5 A, 5 PT, 26 PM; Detroit 16 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PT, 14 PM

A stay-at-home defender who plays a simple game, he defends, moves the puck out of his zone efficiently and competes. He will provide little offense, focusing more on keeping the puck out of his team’s net. Injuries afforded him an opportunity at the end of 2019-20 but he must earn a roster spot in training camp. He has been loaned to Almtuna, his former Swedish club, until camps open.

13. Jonatan Berggren, center/right wing

Height/weight: 5-11/183

Drafted: Second round 2018 (No. 33)

2019-20 club: Skelleftea AIK (Sweden)

2019-20 stats: 24 GP, 2 G, 10 A, 12 PT, 6 PM

He is a good skater and slick stick-handler who hasn’t stayed healthy, suffering a major back injury in 2018-19 and undergoing shoulder surgery last season. He showed well at the World Juniors, with five points in seven games. He is healthy now and has started the season once again in Sweden’s top league.

12. Filip Larsson, goaltender 1178982 Detroit Red Wings As it stands, if the top three of the draft goes as expected, there could be up to six or even seven players worth serious consideration for the Red Wings there. Raymond’s skill set and potential star power, though, could Could a hot start by Lucas Raymond affect the Red Wings’ No. 4 pick? certainly make him one of this draft’s very best players some day.

“The strong suit with him I think is the skills in combination with the (intelligence), the decision-making on the ice,” Rönnberg said. “That’s By Max Bultman Sep 23, 2020 58 what stands out with this guy.”

The coach also mentioned that he doesn’t need to push Raymond — only guide him — because the young winger has already demonstrated a The possibility has been there for months now. sense of responsibility over his career. That character aspect may not be In June, was asked about the likelihood European as important to fans as Raymond’s skill set or the points he puts up, but it hockey could restart before the rescheduled NHL Draft, allowing for extra is significant for any franchise with a valuable top-five or top-10 pick. looks at some prospects but not others. He had clearly already “I think the best players in the game, they will affect other players in considered the ramifications. setting a norm and changing a culture in an organization,” Rönnberg “That could just confuse the situation even more,” Yzerman said that said. “He’s one of those guys. When he matures and (is grown up), I night. “We thought about that. In all likelihood, you’ll have some of these think he can be one of those guys, changing a culture for a club.” top kids playing, the way it looks right now, and potentially some of the Those intangibles truly do matter in the top five, just as long as they’re North American kids not playing. So depending on who’s playing, who’s attached to a player with the abilities to match. So every goal, assist or not playing, who plays well, who doesn’t, it can just complicate your important play Raymond makes right now will give teams like Detroit only decision-making process even more.” more reason to believe his game will someday translate at a high level to Well, welcome to that world. Swedish winger Lucas Raymond is a likely the NHL. top-10 pick. And even though it’s still very early in the SHL season, he’s But this is where it’s important to remember Yzerman’s June lottery-night already showing signs of the kind of start that always had the potential to comment. Raymond’s hot start certainly gives teams a clearer look at his throw a wrench in the best-laid plans of teams picking near the top of the summer progress. But while he’s been out putting up highlights, other board. top-10 favorites like Cole Perfetti, Marco Rossi, Jake Sanderson and Granted, most of those signs have come in the preseason. Let’s get that Jamie Drysdale haven’t been on any new tape. That’s where the out of the way. Raymond has played only one regular season game, and confusion comes in. he’ll only play three more by the Oct. 6 draft. A sufficient sample size, it is Who’s to say that quartet wouldn’t be showing similar progress, or not. answering their own questions, if they were playing? But one of the key questions hovering over Raymond’s draft stock has Yzerman just can’t know. No one can. been his lack of significant playing time for Frölunda last season. Even as one of the consensus top prospects in the draft, he was simply too green And in that spirit, while the strong likelihood is that the draft’s top three to garner major minutes for the SHL powerhouse. His stats suffered will include Alexis Lafrenière, Quinton Byfield and Tim Stützle in some accordingly, and as a result it’s been hard to know exactly where in that order, we would be remiss if we didn’t at least mention that a continued top 10 he should fit. hot start by Raymond might not just affect teams picking fourth through 10th. Teams like Ottawa, picking third, might have to take note, too. A few months later, though, the Raymond many believed in all along has been putting up numbers. He still logged only 12:48 in his season opener The Senators, who are also slated to pick fifth, could always take over the weekend, but especially when including the preseason, the whichever of Stützle and Byfield falls to them at No. 3, then just cross indicators have been positive. That includes an impressive goal in their fingers Raymond makes it back to them at 5. But imagine if, on the Frölunda’s regular-season debut. morning of Oct. 6, Raymond has kept up his preseason pace and suddenly has five or six points in four regular-season SHL games. Do the “He has had a good summer,” Roger Rönnberg, Frölunda’s coach, said Senators then have to consider the Swede ahead of someone like by phone this week. “He has really prepared this summer to be stronger, Stützle, who still will not have played a DEL game since March? It’s a faster and also worked a lot with the skill part.” possibility worth mentioning, even if the German forward would still have Raymond breezed through the preseason with four goals and two assists to be considered the much more likely selection. in five exhibitions, including three goals and an assist in his final two Ultimately, letting a small handful of games (even very good ones) friendlies. That’s an impressive showing after he posted four goals and influence your draft board too much runs the risk of overthinking. And six assists in 33 games at the SHL level last season. While still strong that risk looms large here for the Red Wings, with the franchise’s highest historically for a then-17-year-old, it did leave a bit to be desired relative pick in 30 years. to his fellow top 2020 prospect Alexander Holtz. But that scenario, and the shred of possibility around it, nonetheless Some of that production was inevitable once Raymond increased his underscores what a strange situation teams are in with this October draft. strength and got more playing time. But the fact it’s already begun, at the very beginning of the season and just weeks before the draft, is The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 particularly good timing for the young Swede.

“I think (he) was a little bit too much on the outside last year and the years before that, he was leaning to his strength as a passer — and he is skilled with the puck, and he can really put his linemates in prime positionings too,” Rönnberg said. “But I want him to attack more and be more greedy, to find scoring opportunities by himself. So I think that’s the big improvement this year, that he’s more focused on attacking the net when he’s over the puck.”

That could make things interesting for Detroit, in a couple of potential ways.

First, in the simplest sense: Raymond, who has always had a case to be picked by the Red Wings at No. 4, will only get more appealing at that draft slot if he keeps this up over the next two weeks. He already had serious pedigree — especially considering his hat trick in the 2019 World U18 gold-medal game — and every data point that suggests his game will translate to the professional level has to be reassuring to teams like Detroit. 1178983 Edmonton Oilers The main factor here would seem to be that Klefbom is cheaper, but that works both for and against him at the same time. It certainly gives the Oilers an incentive to keep him over Nurse, but it also gives other teams Could it make sense for the Oilers to trade Oscar Klefbom? good reason to pay more for him in trade.

That’s part of the problem with answering a firm “yes” or “no” to the question posed in the headline here. We’re looking at the question By Jonathan Willis Sep 23, 2020 41 without knowing which player might be stepping in on the top pair, and without knowing what the hypothetical return for either Klefbom or Nurse

would be. If it’s significantly higher for Klefbom, that’s a pretty good It’s been an interesting offseason for Oilers trade rumours, with argument to trade him over Nurse. speculation touching on an unlikely name: Oscar Klefbom. Now 27 years What we can look at now is the difference in the Oilers’ performance with old and just past the halfway mark of a team-friendly seven-season Klefbom and Nurse on the ice. contract, Klefbom has generally been seen as an important part of the team’s core. The raw 5-on-5 data can be interpreted in favour of either player. The Oilers have slightly better shot and expected goal metrics with Klefbom Given the influx of young defensive talent in the system, especially on the on the ice over the past two seasons, while their actual goal numbers are left side, that may be changing. Could it actually make sense for better with Nurse. That’s not terribly helpful, though, because each lined Edmonton to trade Klefbom? up with different partners and mixes of forwards. Let’s start with an important precondition of any deal: The Oilers would To better understand the data, I decided to create a simple model. I need to be bringing in some kind of immediate upgrade on the blue line, looked at how Nurse and Klefbom had performed with three common not merely making room for prospects. They have lots of good young partners (Larsson, Russell and Bear) in minutes with and without defencemen on the way, but it’s a bad idea to act in anticipation of a McDavid. I then averaged out how often each player was in those situation that has not yet come to pass. situations to create a template, and projected their results in each It’s what Peter Chiarelli did in the summer of 2017, when the pressure situation into that template. wasn’t young prospects but rather cap room. He made at least two This accounts for linemates, and the assumption I’ve made is that it’s decisions that summer that could have waited another year: buying out also largely going to account for opposition and zone deployment as well, Benoit Pouliot and trading Jordan Eberle, primarily to clear salary in both since the combination of forward and defence partner will likely dictate cases. assignment. The Oilers ultimately played 2017-18 with a bunch of unused cap space, The results were practically identical. In an average hour, the Oilers took with Chiarelli commenting on the difficulty of making use of cap space 52.5 shot attempts and allowed 57.2 (for a total of minus-4.7) when available for a single season only. They were weakened by the Nurse’s results were put into the template. For Klefbom, the numbers subtraction of a pair of NHL wingers, ended up carrying Pouliot’s cap hit were 53.5 shot attempts for and 57.0 against, for a total of minus-3.5. (they’d have $1.33 million more to play with right now had Chiarelli That’s 30 shot attempts total, over the course of an entire season. Given waited for the cap crunch to actually arrive) for an extra season, and that it takes 22-23 shot attempts to create one goal at 5-on-5, we’re were then tight to the cap in 2018-19 anyway. Waiting a year carried talking about a total difference of roughly 1.3 goals per season, a number almost no downside and might have improved the team’s in-season so small that it surely falls into the margin of error for an exercise like results, to say nothing of Edmonton’s current cap situation. this. If forces his way up the depth chart and/or Philip Broberg Nor is it clear that special teams make up the difference. shows up ready to play a major role and/or William Lagesson is too good to be kept in the pressbox and/or Dmitri Samorukov is pushing for NHL Klefbom has been celebrated for his role on Edmonton’s record-setting minutes, the Oilers will certainly be able to make a profitable trade or power play this year, and certainly his minimalist approach to the man trades at that point. They’ll also be covered in the meantime if some or all advantage worked splendidly. I’m deeply skeptical that the Oilers would of those situations develop in a less positive fashion. be well-served by embracing the consensus wisdom of 15 years ago, finding some guy with a massive slap shot to fire the puck all the time In any event, there’s no harm in easing the workload of the top instead. Klefbom’s willingness to pass has meant that shots primarily defencemen if the young defencemen develop quickly. It’s easy to forget originate where they should, with the skilled forwards. that Darnell Nurse was averaging 17:25 per night as a third-pair defenceman the last time Edmonton had any playoff success. Not only I’m less convinced that Klefbom is irreplaceable. Over the past two years, did those Oilers have an above-average third pair but Nurse’s presence McDavid-anchored 5-on-4 units have actually been more effective with allowed Todd McLellan and company to manage the minutes of Klefbom Nurse on the blue line (145 minutes, 11.1 goals/hour) than they have and Andrej Sekera more than they otherwise could have done. been with Klefbom (334 minutes, 10.8 goals/hour).

Trading Klefbom or his compatriot Nurse only makes sense if Edmonton The power play works so splendidly with Klefbom that the team hasn’t plans to bring in a top-end left-shot defenceman, whoever that might be. had much reason to look at a change. That’s a good thing, but it might If we accept that condition, it then becomes a matter of which of Klefbom work equally well with Nurse or Ethan Bear or, someday soon, Evan or Nurse the Oilers should keep. If we momentarily assume that the two Bouchard on the point. are equally capable of anchoring a second pair – we’ll get into that in greater depth shortly – there are arguments for and against both. It’s also unclear that there’s any real gap between Nurse and Klefbom on the penalty kill, and if there is I’d suggest it favours Nurse. Klefbom’s contract is better. It’s $1.43 million lighter than Nurse’s pact and runs for three more years instead of just two. That represents nearly The on-ice numbers over the past two years are virtually identical, with two percent of Edmonton’s cap space and is an advantage not to be the Oilers getting outscored by a very respectable 6.14 goals per hour lightly given up. with Klefbom on the ice and 6.05 goals per hour with Nurse out there. Both guys see their numbers deteriorate when paired with Russell; Nurse is almost two years younger, though with both contracts slated to Klefbom’s totals were better with his common partner Larsson while expire before the respective players turn 30 that probably doesn’t matter Nurse improved when with his common partner Bear. For Nurse to fare much. More significant is his durability: He hasn’t missed a regular so well with a rookie partner is a mark in his favour. season game in three seasons, while Klefbom has averaged 16 per 82 games in the same span. On balance, Klefbom is still probably the superior player today based on recent results, but it’s close. I’m not sure either Nurse’s durability or the length of Klefbom’s contract should be a major factor for the Oilers. In the context of a full season, What might be missing from this conversation is a simple Jones (or, for that matter, Kris Russell) stepping up to the second pair for acknowledgment of the value of both players, something anyone who 16 games isn’t a big deal, and two years from now presumably either a has watched the Oilers over the past decade should quickly recognize. 25-year-old Jones or a 21-year-old Broberg will be ready to move into a Edmonton spent a lot of time and money going after veteran lefties like second pairing role full-time anyway. Russell, Andrej Sekera, Andrew Ference, Nikita Nikitin and Nick Schultz to try to find players who could handle top-four work. Anyone tempted to brush-off the value of Nurse or Klefbom should be reminded what the blue line looked like before they came of age, how much time and money the Oilers spent on inferior players, and how much it hurt the careers of guys like Jeff Petry and Justin Schultz.

If the opportunity to land a first-pair difference-maker arises, the Oilers would be silly not to investigate, but that doesn’t mean underrating what they have.

Yet there are undoubtedly situations where it makes sense for Edmonton to consider trading Klefbom. They’d be wise not to underrate a very good defenceman. It would also be foolish to deal him in any situation where a replacement is not on the immediate radar. Beyond that, if the Oilers were to trade him rather than Nurse, they would need to get full value for his lower cap hit and the longer term on his team-friendly contract.

There are a lot of boxes to check there. Cross them all off and a trade could make sense.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178984 Los Angeles Kings we knew as much as about those players as the ones in the first three rounds.”

In several cases, the Kings have managed to come away with What we’re hearing about the Kings’ offseason so far meaningful selections in the final four rounds. In 2015, they took defenseman Matt Roy (No. 194) in the seventh round and selected defenseman Mikey Anderson (No. 103) in the fourth round in 2017. By Lisa Dillman Sep 23, 2020 18 Thirteen years ago, defenseman Alec Martinez went in the fourth round (No. 95) as did forward Dwight King (No. 109).

“I give them credit because they were ready,” Robitaille said. “We treated The buyout period everything like the draft would be in June. I give credit to Mark Yannetti, An NHL buyout window will swing open Friday but don’t look for the he said, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’” Kings to take advantage of that opportunity. The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 There are some years where it’s a no-brainer — 15 months ago, in fact — when the Kings bought out declining defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

This isn’t one of those times.

Kings general manager Rob Blake said on Wednesday that he doesn’t anticipate a buyout in the first period, which ends Oct. 8. There is lesser- known second buyout window later this fall following free agency, which is tied to arbitration.

(The Phaneuf buyout cost was originally spread over four seasons. There are three more to go — and remember, the Ottawa Senators are responsible for a quarter of the cost.)

Blake has presided over two buyouts in his tenure as Kings GM. Defenseman Matt Greene was the first and his buyout came off the books last year.

It really doesn’t make sense for a team just coming out of the first phase of a rebuild like the Kings to buy out yet another player unless it becomes a clear-cut call. There isn’t an obvious candidate like there was in the cases of Greene and Phaneuf, who was a healthy scratch at times in his final NHL season. There are two years remaining on the contracts of forwards Jeff Carter and Dustin Brown. But we’ve pointed out before that the Kings should be mindful of going too young too soon.

“You look around the league and sometimes you see young guys and they’re taking two, three, four years,” Kings president Luc Robitaille said. “We want to make sure we give time to our kids. That’s what we’re looking at.”

Time and some assistance.

The kids will need plenty of veteran leadership from the likes of Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, Brown and Carter.

Carter, who was injured in February shortly before the trade deadline, had hip surgery in June and his rehabilitation is said to be on track. The long pause could end up benefitting him more than almost anyone else and a move from center to wing could enhance his productivity.

“Carter is healing well,” Blake said. “Just recently started skating on his own — we will continue to monitor him.”

The draft

For the upcoming draft, it would have been far more interesting to have a camera aimed at the home office of Kings chief scout Mark Yannetti in Topsfield, Mass.

Alas, Yannetti, their longtime director of amateur scouting, will be at the Kings’ headquarters in El Segundo with the hockey operations department for the draft on Oct. 6-7. The rest of the scouting staff — which is spread out through North America and Europe — will communicate via video conference.

The Kings have the No. 2 pick and 11 selections in all. They’ve had long interviews with the likes of Quinton Byfield and Tim Stutzle, in addition to other projected first-round picks. Byfield and Stutzle are ranked second and third, respectively, by The Athletic’s draft guru Corey Pronman.

“We were ready in May,” Robitaille said. “As soon as we knew there was no hockey, our guys were ready. You have a certain preparation and you know every player that could be in the first round and then you know the second and third rounds.

“The only thing different our guys did is they treated Rounds 4 through 7 — you are talking hundreds of players — like they would for Round 1. We went from June until now to make sure in Rounds 4, 5, 6 and 7 that 1178985 Minnesota Wild

Local teams, media outlets launch Home Teams vs. Hunger

By Michael Rand Star Tribune SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 — 9:49PM

Growing up in suburban Atlanta, Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie saw the effects of hunger firsthand when accompanying his father Pius, a pastor, on trips to parts of the city serving those in need.

Those lessons have resonated in recent months as Okogie, while in Minneapolis for an extended period without playing basketball, has been a steady presence in the community during a time of increased need brought on by both the COVID-19 pandemic and unrest related to the fight for social justice.

"The number one thing on my mind and what I see in the community is people need help," Okogie said. "I feel like with the resources that we have not only as players, but infrastructure and teams, I feel like we should be able to help these people. Obviously we can't fix the problem on our own. We're going to need more help. But we should start somewhere. We have enough resources to be able to make a difference and I feel like that's what we should do."

That perspective made Okogie a natural participant in an ambitious venture launched Wednesday involving all the major local professional sports teams in town, Gophers athletics and multiple media outlets.

The initiative, called "Home Teams vs. Hunger" is a weeklong campaign designed to raise awareness of and money to combat the increasing problem of hunger. Proceeds from fundraising mechanisms, including a live auction, will benefit Second Harvest Heartland and five other Feeding America food banks serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Fox Sports North, which is spearheading much of the collaborative effort, is debuting a 30-minute show about the ongoing effort immediately after Friday night's Twins game.

Okogie is one of 21 athletes, coaches or executives from the Wolves, Lynx, Vikings, Twins, Wild, United and Gophers participating as official team spokespeople.

As Okogie said, a weeklong campaign won't wipe out hunger on its own. But it comes at a particularly important time, said Allison O'Toole, the CEO of Second Harvest Heartland.

Data is showing a surge in hunger and food needs not seen since the Great Depression, she said. Second Harvest Heartland is distributing 50% more food than it did at this time last year and even 25% more than it did in July, the month during which $600 in additional weekly federal unemployment benefits expired.

And about 40% of families asking for assistance are doing so for the first time, she added, showing the scope of the economic damage and food need.

"We are so humbled by the gesture. I always say there's so much we can't control right now during this pandemic, but what we can control is how we show up for one another and how we show up for this community," O'Toole said. "And all of these teams … are showing up for this community unlike anybody ever before."

One in eight Minnesotans doesn't know where their next meal is coming from, including one in five kids. Those are sobering numbers at any moment, let alone in the midst of a pandemic.

"That's a big number if you think about all those people that need help," Okogie said "I'm appreciative that they're doing something to help and I'm all open arms if they need my help. We have to get that number down by all means necessary."

Star Tribune LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178986 Minnesota Wild If all goes according to plan, the playoffs would begin May 2 and end by June 12.

What’s complicating matters is the Ontario and Western Leagues have How four key Wild prospects are dealing with the offseason in a teams in the United States and Canada. The leagues are trying to challenging year convince provincial and state governments to let the American teams cross the border, but the Canadian government is still worried about the COVID-19 numbers in the U.S. So the leagues are scrambling on what to By Michael Russo Sep 23, 2020 24 do if they don’t get dispensations.

This is big for the Wild because Beckman, one of the Wild’s top prospects and the reigning WHL Player of the Year after leading the A couple Wild players have noted over recent weeks how difficult it is to league in goals and points, plays his junior hockey in Spokane, train for next season when nobody knows a start date to strive for. Washington. After all, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman even insinuated during last Another prospect in a state of flux is Jones. weekend’s state-of-the-league availability that the scheduled mid- November opening of training camp and Dec. 1 start date to the regular Peterborough of the OHL is and was not expecting him back for his season was always just a placeholder and now may be a pipe dream. overage year. Jones, too, is and was not expecting to go back because he’s set to turn pro with Minnesota in the minors. It sure feels like the start to next season could push into January, but like everything else in this uncertain world, it’s impossible to know for sure. But in about a week, we’re probably going to learn that the tentative Dec. 4 start date for both the AHL and ECHL is going to be pushed back to at If Wild players are having a hard time wrapping their heads around how least January. The AHL and ECHL are intertwined, and the AHL will and when to train, imagine how weird life is for screeched-to-a-halt Wild almost surely start a few weeks after the NHL. prospects right now during what should be a critical time for their development. So if Jones can’t play with either Minnesota affiliate in Iowa of the AHL or Allen, Texas, of the ECHL until at least 2021, the Wild could opt to return The Wild look to be coming off a couple really good drafts and want — him to junior so he at least has somewhere to play. This is why the Wild and need — these players to continue to progress as they work their way were willing to loan Khovanov and Lodnia to Ak Bars Kazan and Dinamo toward becoming professionals. Minsk, respectively. Over the past week, The Athletic checked in with four top and currently- Back in the U.S., college hockey has been delayed. Each conference will on-hiatus Wild prospects from four different shutdown leagues — Adam announce their plans individually, and the scuttlebutt is that schools hope Beckman, Matt Boldy, Hunter Jones and Louie Belpedio — to see how to start play by Thanksgiving. they’re handling the time off. The Wild surely hope so because nine of their prospects are student- “Just training away,” said Jones, the goalie who finished fourth in the athletes — Boldy, Jack McBain, Marshall Warren and Nikita Nesterenko OHL last season with 31 wins, before adding with a hearty laugh, “It’s at Boston College, Sam Hentges at St. Cloud State, Nick Swaney at been such a long offseason for me — and a much more expensive University of Minnesota-Duluth, Vladislav Firstov at UConn, Bryce Misley offseason because I’ve had to spend so much more money with the at Vermont and Filip Lindberg at UMass. elongated training. But it’s all good. You get time to rest up after the season, for sure, and now that we’re getting closer and closer to the As of now, the Wild are going to stand pat and not try to place any of tentative date of going back to hockey, I’m just trying to ramp up training their other prospects in other leagues. They’d never ask a collegiate on the ice.” athlete to leave school anyway in order to play junior hockey in the QMJHL. This is why director of player development Brad Bombardir and colleague Matt Hendricks spend a lot of their time right now checking in with the “To me, for us, I think it’s important for these young guys to consider it organization’s prospects in an attempt to keep them motivated and make this way: What an unbelievable opportunity for them to train,” said sure they’re not vegging on their couches watching Netflix. Bombardir, a former NHL and Wild defenseman. “None of us ever had that opportunity. For me, that’s the positive out of this. You have to take “It’s unfortunate that these guys aren’t playing their games right now or the positive out of it. If they do the work, they’re going to know that they getting their usual reps in games, or getting their usual reps in practices,” did the work and they’re going to reap the benefits of that. Bombardir said. “It definitely is an outlier season for them. But I look at it honestly as a positive. I know maybe that sounds a little odd, but we’ve “At least most of these guys from every team are in the same boat tried to tell these guys that they will probably, and hopefully, not ever together. They’re young guys. They’ll adapt quickly, we believe, and have another offseason opportunity that they’ve had this year. they’ll get back to where they were and continue to grow from there. We’re constantly calling and texting and just checking in and making sure “They’ve got everything in front of them to become better players, more they’re continuing to progress, and moving in the right direction. It’s nice refined players, as far as their off-ice habits. If they’ve been detailed, if for them to hear a voice from Minnesota.” they’ve been focused, if they’ve been disciplined in their approach, then for us, they’ve been able to make some incredible gains in all the off-ice Here’s an update on Beckman, Belpedio, Boldy and Jones. areas. Adam Beckman, 19 years old “The areas of strengths, power, speed, fitness level, and body composition, what an awesome opportunity that these guys had to 2019-20 stats for Spokane: 48 goals, 107 points in 63 games. transform their bodies in the offseason.” The winger and what the Wild hope ends up being a third-round steal The reality is most prospects leaguewide are in the same boat. from 2019 won the Bob Clarke Trophy as the Western Hockey League’s scoring champion. He ranked second with 16 power-play goals and nine Now, most major European leagues are underway with the exception of game-winning goals, tied for third with 59 assists and finished fifth with a Switzerland hoping to start Oct. 1 and Germany at some point in plus-44 rating. He recorded 33 multi-point games and had at least a point November. The KHL started on time, although multiple players have in 33 of his last 36 games (35 goals, 69 points). tested positive for COVID-19 leaguewide and an outbreak has been reported inside Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. So it’ll be worth keeping an eye on He had three five-point games, recorded an 18-game point streak and this situation because of the six Wild prospects currently playing in tied Spokane’s franchise record with a 10-game goal streak. Europe, four — Brennan Menell, Alex Khovanov, Ivan Lodnia and Andrei Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, he never got to finish what he Svetlakov — play for other teams in the KHL. started and now can’t wait to start once more how he finished.

In the , the QMJHL is wrapping up the RECORDING 107 POINTS, @MNWILD PROSPECT preseason and will start the regular season next week. The Wild, @ADAMBECKMAN9 OF THE @SPOKANECHIEFS IS THE 2019-20 however, have no prospects playing in the Quebec League. WHL SCORING CHAMPION! The OHL and WHL hope to open training camps Nov. 15, have two weekends of exhibition games and then start the regular season Dec. 1. DETAILS | HTTPS://T.CO/2CHDHRCEWM “I think once you do that, you kind of get in your own head and you’re PIC.TWITTER.COM/KXIKXMIDLN like, ‘Well, why am I not there? Why isn’t this happening for me?’” Belpedio said. “I just try to take it day by day and try to get better every — THE WHL (@THEWHL) MARCH 20, 2020 single day, and when that opportunity comes, great. I hope it’s this year. I know I’m ready for it.” The Wild tried to instill some motivation by awarding him with his entry- level contract back in March. Belpedio lives north of Chicago in Skokie, Ill., and has a large group of pros, college and junior players he trains with during the offseason. While “This is definitely tough because you want to be back on the ice and be he’d love to be in the midst of Wild training camp right now, he’s enjoying playing games,” Beckman said from his home in Saskatoon, living at home with his family. . “But this time allows me the chance to focus on some of the stuff you might not be able to focus on in a normal offseason. I’ve “I love my training setup in the summer, so I feel like I’m in a good spent a little extra time in the gym and on the ice working on my skills. position to just be ready for whenever that phone call comes that we’re I’m probably skating three, four times a week and just can’t wait to get starting up,” he said. “In a normal summer, usually it’s like Monday, started. Wednesday, Friday at the gym. Tuesday, Thursday, we’re at the track or football field just doing conditioning and speed and agility stuff. Then I “I want to prove that last season was no fluke. I think I had a pretty good usually do boxing on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and then I skate season last year, but that’s last season. I want to prove I can do that whenever. consistently.” “In the beginning of the summer I box more, and then toward the end of Beckman isn’t worried about his development being hindered. the summer I kind of swap out boxing with more skates just to get ready “Obviously, if we don’t get to play at all, that would definitely be a for training camp. What’s tough now is not knowing for sure when training problem for a bunch of us,” Beckman said. “But I think this can really help camp is. We have a good group here and I love training, but it does get me if I take advantage of all this extra time to get stronger and get ready. old when you wish you could be playing. I want to keep getting better. I’ve put last season behind me. “We were having a great year in Iowa and had big aspirations. When we “I really hope I can turn pro after the year. I guess it really depends on got sent home originally, they were like, ‘It’ll be two weeks, maybe.’ Then what the season is gonna look like. But my goal is to turn pro as soon as it was a month and it just kept going. I love being at home. I love I possibly can. I have to keep proving myself to put myself in a position to spending time with my family, so I don’t mind that at all, but you definitely do that.” wish you could be playing and fulfilling your dream to play in the NHL.”

Bombardir on Beckman: “He had an incredible year last year, and he put That’s why Belpedio, a pending restricted free agent like Menell, rejected the work in. We’re really happy. Really happy with him, and the way he any thought of signing elsewhere like Menell did. performed last year and worked, he is one of those special guys. We “It was in my head the whole time that I wanted to stay,” Belpedio said. really think he should benefit and will benefit from this extended “Obviously, growing up, you want to play in the NHL, right? The offseason because he is a guy that you look at, the way he plays, and the uncertainty aspect just with this season made it a little different. But way he is, he works his butt off. But he’s the one guy we really think can signing somewhere else is for some people, but it’s not for me. I wanted benefit from making those strengths and power gains that can get him to to stay. I want to play in the NHL. That’s my goal. That’s my dream. I’ve the next level. done it before and I know I can hopefully do it for a long time, so I’m just “I know it’s frustrating for him. He had an incredible year, and we’re using the summer and now, I guess, the fall to get ready for that.” certainly proud of him for doing that. And I know he wants to play. But Bombardir on Belpedio: “Louie’s got a lot of fans in this organization, and this is a good time for him to work hard in the gym and get stronger. his game’s continued to progress down there in Iowa. When he came out When the season starts again, then hopefully he can take off where he of Miami, he was playing a lot of minutes in those games — 35, 40 left off last year, and then have another great season. But we’re really minutes some nights. Some areas of his game would leak a little bit, but looking forward to his future.” he’s been able to shore that up, and then we’ve seen him continually get Louie Belpedio, 24 better.

2019-20 stats for Iowa: 5 goals, 20 points, 102 penalty minutes in 62 “I’m a big fan of Louie Belpedio, and this is an incredible opportunity for games. him. He’s got opportunity staring him right in the eyes right now, and we all know that he recognizes that, and he’s a real character guy. He’ll be Belpedio is champing at the bit to begin his third full season as a pro. He ready for that opportunity when it does come.” knows this could be his best opportunity to be an NHLer. Matt Boldy, 19 He’s coming off a good year in Iowa. Menell, who he was neck-and-neck with on the Wild depth chart, decided to sign in the KHL much to the 2019-20 stats for Boston College: 9 goals, 26 points in 34 games. chagrin of the organization. Right-shot defenseman Matt Dumba is After a slow start last year with the Eagles, Boldy, drafted 12th overall in potentially on the trading block. Right-shot defenseman Greg Pateryn’s 2019, finished his freshman year on a tear, especially after he was health is up in the air. And for the first time, Belpedio requires waivers to moved from center to wing. get to the minors. Right now, even though the Eagles’ season continues to be paused since “I don’t really try to think about that,” Belpedio said. “I was extremely mid-March, Boldy is living in a dorm with seven other hockey players and happy with my training camp last year and how my year went personally has some in-person classes and some only online. He’s practicing in one in Iowa. I think I got a lot better. Obviously, I would’ve liked to have done of two groups of 12 players apiece twice a week. He also works out with that with the big club. I think that anyone would say that. But I think it that same group three times a week. helped me a ton, and I think going into this year I’m going to be helped by that experience. There’s no more not knowing what to expect, no more He’s hearing that Boston College is aiming for a November start and excuses. I know what I have to do to be able to compete at the NHL would play a 30-game regular-season schedule. level, and I think I’m ready for that opportunity when it comes.” “But you never really know, it’s been changing every day,” Boldy said. It has got to be difficult to be a blue-line prospect on the Wild because “Always hear something new.” the core of the Wild — Ryan Suter, Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin and Dumba — have been locked and loaded for years. That leaves little Boldy can’t wait to start playing again, but he says it’s nice to be doing opportunity to really make the team as a prospect, although Carson things together as a team again. Soucy pushed his way onto the team last fall because Pateryn sustained All players must wear masks while they’re in the gym working out and as a sports hernia. they skate. Belpedio, a third-round pick in 2014, signed with the Wild in 2018 after “I know we all have to wear the fishbowls this year, or bubbles,” Boldy his senior year at . He has played three NHL games but said. “Then recently we just got these splash guards that cover the none in 2019-20. bottom of the fishbowl where the holes are. So we just switched out of That, too, Belpedio tries not to worry about. the masks and we’re using those, but both of them are pretty tough to Jones, drafted in the second round in 2019, is excited to turn pro. breathe.” Well, maybe, because it really might depend where he can play first. “So we’re going to have to see how that goes,” Boldy said, chuckling. “I think the American (Hockey) League is an option,” he said. “I think the Matthew Boldy plan is to not return to the OHL. That’s what I’ve heard from the Peterborough Petes is that they’re not expecting to have me back. There Boldy said the most disappointing part of the pandemic was right after was a possibility that if they were going to be starting earlier than the the pause and the reality that his first college season ended abruptly. American League that I could be there for a couple months and then “We had 11 seniors that graduated, so it was their last shot, so we felt for move on to pro after that. But as of right now, I think the plan was to them a lot,” he said. “I think we were ranked fourth in the country going move on to pro, whether that’s with Iowa, the big club, or even with Allen into hockey’s playoffs. We were playing our best hockey of the year, in the East Coast League. everything was clicking. So, for that news to come, it sucked, to be quite “So, they’ll have to see what happens when I get to camp and they’re honest. Cause you’re looking around the locker room knowing that you going to put me where I deserve to play. So I’ve got to work hard and just have the team, and the capability to win it all, and then it just ends so prove I’m good enough to play.” quickly. It definitely hurt.” Jones was so good at Minnesota’s training camp a year ago, he even But Boldy really felt he adjusted well toward the end and hopes to caught the eyes of Wild goalie . Stalock told The Athletic, continue that growth during what’s bound to be a very unusual year. “There’s not a huge gap in between the NHL and these kids that are just “I’m trying to approach it the same, same as with any other year,” Boldy drafted. They’re technical, they’re sound. They just have to learn the said. “Obviously it’s different, and there’s different struggles, but I don’t game. Happens at different speeds. You’ve got to play with traffic now. think that personally should affect how anyone plays or anything like that. But these kids, their skill level is unbelievable. That Hunter Jones draft I think it’s almost going to make the competition better, cause you’re pick of ours, I’m like, ‘God, if I played like you when I was 21, holy cow, playing less games. You need to win those games to get ranked high for I’d be a star.’ I would watch him in the intrasquads and I was like, ‘How the NCAA tournament … that hopefully will happen. old are you, again?’”

“So personally, it’s kind of just the same old going into the season. I have Hunter Jones my expectations and goals that I want to achieve, and try to set those That quote actually made its way back to Jones in Canada. pretty high. But at the end, it’s hockey, and you’re going out there, and it’s what you love to do. I can’t wait to play, honestly.” “It really was motivating when a veteran goalie in the NHL is saying that he wished he could move like me when he was 19 or 20,” Jones said. Boldy isn’t worried, but since nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, he “To get a shoutout like that, it gives me a little bit of a light at the end of said it would be devastating for all prospects if suddenly they couldn’t the tunnel that I’m not that far away from achieving my goals of playing in play. the NHL. That’s part of why I’m working so hard right now.

“It’s big development years for everyone, so not having these years of “I spent three or four months in Peterborough this summer sticking with being able to play at that high level, and hopefully get ready to make that the strength coach we have on the Petes and I think I really got much next jump, it’s tough,” Boldy said. “But I think at the same time, stronger in the gym. Now I’m trying to get more on-ice training, start to everyone’s in the same boat. And regardless if we had a season or not, feel the puck more and just trying to excel in that department now. It’s it’s up to you to figure that out and make those shots in development, been challenging with the long offseason, but I think it depends how you rather than just kind of hoping for it. It never really just happens. So yeah, use this time to move forward and progress your game because you it stinks that with COVID it makes it harder. But in my opinion, it’s up to almost have two offseasons jammed into one. It’s been a long time since all of us individually to make the best out of it and continue to grow. I’ve actually been in a scrimmage, let alone a game, so it’ll be interesting “Like, I want to be an NHLer, and I’m not going to let a shortened season to see.” last year and this year spoil that.” Because the border is closed, Jones will continue training at home in Asked if he hopes to sign after his sophomore year, Boldy said, “I think Canada even though he’d love to come to Minnesota and work out with it’s definitely still up in the air. I think you’ve got to see how the year goes. Wild strength coach Sean Skahan and new goalie coach Frederic Obviously that’s a huge goal of mine to be there, but it’s all in good time. I Chabot. want to go there at the right time, and obviously they have the staff there “Like, I can’t even renew my passport right now,” Jones said. “My and the people that know that very well. So talking to them, in my passport has been expired for months now and the service in Ontario’s opinion, it’s up to them. They know best, and we’ll see how the season not even open and available to get your passport renewed. So I’m goes, and what happens.” struggling to even get my passport renewal and I’ve been communicating Bombardir on Boldy: “Matt’s young, and he’s a student-athlete. We’re not with the Wild about what to do. Because I think that would be pretty cool going to ask him to play junior and he wouldn’t sign him and take him out to go down there a bit early and get on the ice and start being familiar of school because of the pandemic. He can benefit on the ice and in the and being around the town and settling in early. I think that would be a gym. We’re comfortable with where he is right now, and feel that he’ll still good idea. But we’ll take it one day at a time and there’s still obviously a continue to grow, and get better, and he’ll be a good player for us in the lot of time until we’re expected to start up again. I’m just anxious to get future. There’s no doubt about that. on the ice because I was saying to a couple of my buddies that it might be a bit challenging at first coming back and not being on the ice for so “He was really, really coming on when their season stopped, and we’ll long. see where he’ll play eventually. Ideally, he is a winger at the National Hockey League level. He just fits that. I just like him. He’s really effective “Not only that, but just being in the game scenario, just getting back into down below the top of the circles, and the offensive zone, and being able that gameday mindset and just all the routines that you were doing. So to make plays, and lean on guys, and protect pucks on the wall, and be it’s really important right now to just get back into the swing of things. I able to come off the wall, and then create plays, and create offense. I think it’s challenging, too, for the draft picks coming up this year. One of think he’d prefer to do his work down there in the offensive zone, and the best experiences of your life is going to the drafts in person and expend his energy down there at this point. That’s where he fits best. hearing your name called and going through the whole media. And those guys have been waiting for a long time to hear their name and it’s going “Now, I know last year they put him at center, and they can put him at to be challenging for them. So it’s the first-year pros and the draftees that center as much as they want there. I think it’s great. I think it’s a great are going to have a tough time, I think.” growth opportunity for those players, and they learn the game from a different viewpoint, too, whenever they do play center. We’re perfectly Bombardir on Jones: “He’s still the one guy we’re walking the fence on comfortable with him playing center and wing there, but ultimately we because he is an over-ager, so if we can’t put him in the minors view him as a winger.” somewhere, he has that opportunity to return to the OHL. We would be leaning towards him being a pro, but we just don’t know what the horizon Hunter Jones, 20 is for the pro leagues moving forward right now. We all believe goalies are the ones that it’s really important for them to play and get their reps, 2019-20 stats for Peterborough: 31-14-3, 2.75 goals-against average, and their timing down. Wherever that opportunity is for him to do that this .913 save percentage, four in 49 games. year would be really important for us to take a really good look at before we make any decisions.

“So we’ll put him where he can play. He’s just too good of a prospect. We think he has quite the future, so he’s the one guy we really want to make sure is playing somewhere.”

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178987 Montreal Canadiens Rocket this past season before the league was shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 09.24.2020 Happy 'to prove people wrong,' Evans signs extension with Canadiens

Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette

Flyers' Philippe Myers was called for a double-minor high-sticking penalty after whacking Canadiens' Jake Evans during the second period in Game 5 Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Jake Evans says being selected in the seventh and final round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft was “almost a blessing.”

“It took the pressure off me and helped me (set) my own pace,” Evans said during a video conference Wednesday after he agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2021-22 season with the Canadiens.

“Going to school, I was able to focus on getting better every year. When I signed my first contract, I kept the same mentality. I wanted to improve every year and keep going. Being a seventh-round draft pick (No. 207 overall), no one was expecting much from me and it’s a big surprise if I do well. That’s been my mentality, just keep working, and it’s also nice to prove people wrong.”

Evans’ new contract could be worth US$1.5 million for the next two seasons. He’s on a two-way deal that will pay him US$750,000 with the Canadiens and US$225,000 if he’s in the AHL. The second season is a one-way deal that guarantees him US$800,000.

Evans, who turned pro in 2018 after a stellar four-year collegiate career at Notre Dame, had a breakthrough this year. He was the leading scorer with the Laval Rocket when he was called up in early February. He played on the wing to start, but assumed greater responsibilities as the fourth-line centre after Nate Thompson was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers at the deadline.

Evans was frequently called on to take key draws in the defensive zone and won 51.8 per cent of his faceoffs.

In his senior year at Notre Dame, Evans had the best faceoff record in the NCAA. He said strength and hard work were instrumental in winning draws and credited Thompson and Phil Danault for tutoring him in practice with the Canadiens.

Evans didn’t attend the 2014 draft, which was held in Philadelphia, but monitored the activity from his home in Toronto.

“The draft day was a bit of a roller coaster,” he recalled. “I thought I was going to get picked but, by the seventh round, I left my house and tried to forget about it. When I got back home and learned I was picked, it was a great feeling. That’s why Montreal is so special for me because they were the only team that took a chance on me. It was a frustrating day that turned into a great day.”

Evans said Notre Dame played a huge role in his development.

“When I went in there, I was only focused on scoring,” said Evans. “I was this tiny kid who wasn’t mature at all but, as the years went by, I was pushed into some circumstances, scenarios, where I didn’t think I’d be. I started taking faceoffs, penalty-killing a lot more and then … being in the gym and maturing off the ice, living on my own. It was a huge part of my development.”

Evans served as captain of the Fighting Irish in his senior year and helped the team win the Big 10 conference championship.

Evans, 24, played 13 regular-season games with Montreal and had two goals and added one assist while posting a plus-1 differential. He registered one assist in six appearances in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs in Toronto.

Evans played two seasons with the Laval Rocket in the AHL. In 118 games under Joël Bouchard, he collected 83 points (27 goals, 56 assists) and served 52 penalty minutes. He ranked second on the team in points (45) in his first year with Laval and was leading the 1178988 New York Rangers The cavalry will arrive over time. In addition to Hajek – if he earns a spot in the top six – K’Andre Miller is signed and sealed. His delivery date is up to him, though the Rangers would love to have the luxury of giving Reshaping the Rangers: Assessing the team’s options on defense in ’20- him some AHL time. Young defensemen normally need that, especially a 21 young defenseman who has only made the switch from forward a few years ago.

Miller could force the issue with a great training camp, similar to the one By Rick Carpiniello Sep 23, 2020 88 he had before the re-start. If he had been eligible for the postseason (he wasn’t) he probably would have played at some point against Carolina

after popping many eyes during the camp leading up to it. His size and There were actually some bright spots in the Rangers’ really quick three- skating tantalize many in the team’s front office. Still, patience must be and-out in the Stanley Cup play-ins. Not many, but some. exercised if he looks like he needs a little more time.

One of those was the assertive play of first-pair defenseman Jacob After Miller, Nils Lundkvist, Matthew Robertson and Zac Jones will arrive Trouba. in coming seasons. All except Lundkvist are left-handed.

We’re not going to get all gushy about Trouba’s play in a small sample Because of the depth of southpaws, the Rangers should feel comfortable size over four days. knowing that they have a 1-2 punch in Trouba and Fox on the right. And when Lundkvist arrives, it would be a 1-2-3 punch. But what we saw is what the Rangers had hoped for when they went into last offseason with zero first-pair D and acquired Trouba, arguably giving That’s why signing DeAngelo long-term is probably not an option. them one. DeAngelo would be comfortable sliding over to the left, but that’s where all the coming prospects play. Also, DeAngelo is going to be due a big Well, they still have just one heading into the offseason of 2020-21, and raise based on his offensive play and power-play role (the Rangers see Trouba only qualifies if he plays as he did against Carolina – displaying Fox and Lundkvist playing such roles too), and if he has another big year, an aggressive, physical, involved style that makes use of his size, an even bigger raise in 2021-22. strength and shot. DeAngelo, by the way, played hurt in the postseason. While plus/minus is We rarely saw the real Trouba, or at least that Trouba, during his first a terrible stat, his minus-6 in three games looks awful. How much of that season in New York, partly because he had a tough time acclimating, but was the injury? I’m gonna guess most of it. mostly because he never had a legit first-pair partner. So decisions are going to be tough ones when it comes to the Rangers’ The Rangers tried to force-feed Trouba’s buddy Brady Skjei into a first- top six (or seven) defensemen on opening night ’20-21. pair partner and that failed. The other options were worse. Perhaps Jeff Gorton will make some deals – either trading for a young- It was interesting, too, that Trouba’s best hockey before the play-ins ish left defenseman, one that can pair with Trouba, or signing a more came immediately after Skjei departed in a salary-dump trade that veteran stop-gapper for one season. brought the Rangers another first-round pick. Recall the game in the week following the trade, on Long Island against the Islanders, when It’s even possible, as a best-case for the future, that the Rangers start Trouba was a wrecking ball against a team that prefers to initiate than their next season looking on defense very much as they did when they receive. left the bubble in early August.

But in that game and all of the others after Skjei’s departure, Trouba’s The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 partner was Brendan Smith.

Yes, Brendan Smith, who spent most of 2018-19 and almost all of ’19-20 as a fourth-line winger who played defense only during the penalty kill because there also were no other options there.

Smith did fine on Trouba’s left, admirably well, even, under the circumstances. But Smith cannot be your first-pair left defenseman. The Rangers know this, and don’t want to start ’20-21 with him there.

But at the moment, the choices are limited at best.

The Rangers currently have seven NHL-level defensemen. One of those is Libor Hajek, who remains a prospect in the franchise’s eyes. Can he be a legit NHL defenseman? Probably. Is he an answer on the first pair? Highly questionable. Is he better than Smith there? That’s an interesting one.

Of the Rangers’ seven ready defensemen, Smith and Marc Staal are both potential buyout candidates, although the Rangers would be far better served in the future if each simply plays out the final year of his contract and then comes off the books.

Tony DeAngelo continued to make big strides, but is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights that make him a strong candidate for a one- year contract. After that? It will be a tough call, or at least the Rangers hope he makes it a tough call.

Rookies Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox paired together beautifully, even if there were some severe bumps in their first postseason together. It would be easy to argue they were the Rangers’ best pair, and just as easy to argue that they shouldn’t be separated. Putting that aside, Lindgren would be the best option to play on Trouba’s left. This will be a sticky decision for coach David Quinn, himself a top former defenseman, and his new defensive assistant Jacques Martin.

To get the best from Trouba, he needs the best partner they can provide.

Staal and DeAngelo is a third pair with which the Rangers can live. They seem to work as a tandem, though before Trouba arrived they were terribly miscast as the shutdown/matchup first pair. 1178989 NHL “I thought the first period, we made some mistakes from key guys who normally don’t make mistakes. And we paid we for that,” Dallas Coach Rick Bowness said. “Then we just started scrambling.”

The Lightning Gain Stamkos, and the Lead The Stars have made a habit of pushing back when they fall behind in games. On Wednesday, they did their best to complete their ninth comeback of the playoffs, but they fell short. They outshot the Lightning By Carol Schram 16-8 in the first period and narrowed the score to 2-1 with Dickinson’s shorthanded goal, but couldn’t get any closer.

Alexander Radulov took a hooking penalty late in the first period, then EDMONTON, Alberta — Steven Stamkos didn’t need much time to make Hedman extended the Lightning lead just 54 seconds into the second, his mark on the . In his first game since February, the scoring his 10th of the postseason on the power play with a quick wrist Tampa Bay captain helped put his team within two games of winning a shot from the high slot. title when he scored on his only shot of the game, a 5-2 win for the Lightning over the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night. Tampa Bay dominated the middle frame, outshooting Dallas 21-4 and adding two more goals. Brayden Point picked up his playoff-high 11th “It was just an amazing experience to share with my teammates,” goal of the postseason at 12:02, then helped set up linemate Ondrej Stamkos said. “It was amazing to be part of a huge win for us and I was Palat for his 10th at 18:55. just really happy to contribute in a game that I didn’t play too much.” “I think the energy on our bench and the confidence in one another, the Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat also trust in one another was something incredible,” Lightning defenseman scored for Tampa Bay, while Dallas got a shorthanded goal from Jason Ryan McDonagh said. “We were just rallying so hard for one another and Dickinson and one at even strength from Miro Heiskanen. trying to pick each other up that whole game.” Andrei Vasilevskiy picked up his playoff-leading 16th win with a 22-save Heiskanen scored the only goal of the third period, a sharp-angle shot for effort. Anton Khudobin made 24 saves through 40 minutes for his his 24th postseason point, tying him with Brett Hull for a Dallas Stars second-straight loss. The backup goaltender Jake Oettinger took over in team record. the third period, making three stops. Both teams also continued to use physical play to try to set the tone for The Lightning now lead the series two games to one, with back-to-back upcoming games. The final hit count was 59-54 in favor of the Stars — games coming up on Friday and Saturday. the third-straight game with more than 100 hits. ImageVictor Hedman, right, had a goal and two assists for the Lightning. After crashing into the end boards following a missed hit midway through Stamkos played just two minutes and 47 seconds over five first-period the third, Radulov did not return. The Stars were also without forward shifts, while becoming the second player in N.H.L. history — and the first Blake Comeau, who was injured on a hit from McDonagh midway in more than 80 years — to score while playing his first postseason game through Game 2. Nick Caamano drew in as his replacement, for his first- of the year in the finals. career playoff game.

“He only had five shifts, but probably as efficient of five shifts you’re ever New York Times LOADED: 09.24.2020 going to see in a National Hockey League playoff game,” said Lightning Coach Jon Cooper, who admitted that he didn’t expect Stamkos to have any ice-time limitations when he put him into Wednesday’s lineup.

Stamkos said that he was cleared to play on Tuesday, but he declined to further explain what kept him sidelined, or why he didn’t take a shift after the first period. He did stay on the bench for the final 40 minutes and go through the congratulatory line with his teammates at the end of the game.

“There’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes things that I’ll be glad to share with you guys after the season,” he said. “We’re focused on winning right now, and tonight was a step in the right direction.”

A core-muscle injury ended Stamkos’s regular season on Feb. 25 and caused him to have surgery in March. Before he was sidelined, he had been on a 15-game point streak in which he had 12 goals and 10 assists.

Originally expected to play much earlier in the postseason, Stamkos had been with his teammates ever since the Lightning entered the N.H.L. bubble in Toronto in late July.

In addition to Stamkos’s goal, the Lightning’s other stars delivered offensively. Five minutes and 33 seconds into the first period, Nikita Kucherov tallied his playoff-leading 29th point when he streaked down the slot and beat Khudobin after an uncharacteristic giveaway by Heiskanen at Dallas’s blue line. Kucherov added his 30th point on an assist in the second period.

Barely a minute after Kucherov opened the scoring, Stamkos’s goal came when he cut in off the boards and surprised Khudobin with a quick snap shot from just above the right-wing face-off dot, eliciting a raucous cheer from the Lightning bench.

“You watch the kid, what he’s done for the last however-many months,” Cooper said. “For him to be able to do that — I think however Stammer was feeling at that moment, all the players expressed it on the bench.”

Defenseman Jan Rutta also scored his first postseason point on Stamkos’s goal. Injured in round-robin play back in August, he didn’t get back into the lineup until Game 2 of the finals.

“They made two good shots early,” the Stars captain Jamie Benn said. “They capitalized on their chances and we didn’t.” 1178990 Ottawa Senators “We’ve seen that Mark is going to test the free agent waters,” said Dorion. “Mark has been a great member of this team for a number of years. If he’s going to go to the free agent market, we thank him for everything that he’s done. SNAPSHOTS: Anders Nilsson's future is still up in the air “I don’t think you’ll ever meet a better person than Mark Borowiecki, someone who has great values, and he’s a great human being. At the same time, we have to respect a player’s wishes. If he wants to go free Bruce Garrioch agency, we have to look at it through the negotiations with his agent Steve Bartlett. We probably saw that we didn’t want to see the same things and we’ve got a lot of good defencemen coming up.” Anders Nilsson is feeling better, but it’s not known if he’ll be ready for the regular season. Dorion said talks continue with UFAs Matthew Peca, Scott Sabourin and defenceman Ron Hainsey. Slotted in to be the Ottawa Senators’ top goalie with the organization not renewing the contract of veteran goaltender Craig Anderson, Nilsson, THE LAST WORDS who hasn’t suited up since Dec. 16 last season because of a concussion, Last year at this time, the Senators signed defenceman Thomas Chabot has made improvements, but he hasn’t skated yet near his home in to an eight-year, $64-million extension. If the timetable was normal, the Sweden. club likely already would have started those talks with winger Brady Speaking on a Zoom call with the local media Wednesday, Senators Tkachuk. “The landscape is changing, and is going to be changing. We general manager Pierre Dorion remains hopeful Nilsson will be ready to have to conduct our business in a very responsible manner but we know start the season and he has been in regular contact with goalie coach the world has changed,” Dorion said. “We understand that Brady is a Pierre Groulx. very important piece in our future and run to the Stanley Cup. We know he’s under contract for a year, but at the same time we know we have “We’ve talked and Pierre Groulx has been in weekly contact with that year to negotiate a contract with him.” … Dorion on whether he’ll Anders,” Dorion said. “I’ve talked with his agent. We think Anders will be bring in veterans to help bolster the lineup this season: “We need to add ready when the season starts. He hasn’t been on the ice, but he feels the right veterans to work with our younger players,” Dorion said. “We’re better and once we get him to Ottawa here we’ll have a better indication going to go with a team of all young players. We’re going to look at on his recovery and his path. adding key veterans that will make sure to solidify the progress of our young players.” … Talks are taking place with the club’s restricted free

agents which include Connor Brown, Anthony Duclair, Chris Tierney, “Right now, I’d still put him as possibly injured.” Jayce Hawrluk, Rudolfs Balcers, Nick Paul, Filip Chlapik, Christian Jaros and J.C. Beaudin. It wouldn’t be surprising if the club didn’t give With plenty of picks in this draft and lots of prospects in the system, there defenceman Andreas Englund a qualifying offer when they’re due on Oct. has been no shortage of speculation about what the Senators might do 7. The reality is most of them will be signed. this season. The belief is Ottawa has dipped its toe into the NHL’s goaltending trade market which will be active around the draft. It includes Ottawa Sun LOADED: 09.24.2020 Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray, Arizona’s Darcy Kuemper, Carolina’s Petr Mrazak and Toronto’s Frederik Andersen.

If the Senators do a deal for a goalie, they wouldn’t want one with a lot of term, so they could see if they could get someone on the free agent market when it opens Oct. 9 as well.

GOALIES IN THE SYSTEM

It may make sense for the Senators to bring in a veteran for a couple of seasons so the organization can determine where the likes of prospects Joey Daccord, Filip Gustavsson, Kevin Mandolese and Mads Sogaard are going to fit in down the road. All have shown promise, however, they need time.

“We feel that we have depth and quality at the goaltending position,” Dorion said.

“First, and foremost, we had a plan for (Daccord), we wanted him to spend a year in the ECHL and then come to the American league. We went from a worst-place team to a first place team with Joey Daccord in our net and we feel he’s very talented.

“Gustavsson was a highly-touted prospect, and he’s had ups and downs in the minors, but we feel he’s a goalie that has a high upside. Mandolese was the goaltender of the year in QMJHL and I would argue there wasn’t a better goalie in the second half of the season.”

Sogaard, selected last season, is expected to play another year of junior.

“When you’re 6-foot-7 and you have the skating ability or lateral ability of a Sogaard, he’s a bit raw but we feel we have four good goaltending prospects coming through our ranks,” Dorion added.

THANKS TO BOROWIECKI

This was the first time Dorion has spoken publicly since defenceman Mark Borowiecki announced he’s headed to unrestricted free agency next month.

Choosing his words carefully on what happened with talks, Dorion indicated the two sides weren’t on the same page when it came to discussions. 1178991 Ottawa Senators In Wednesday’s media session, Dorion said players within the system will be given every opportunity to fill the holes. That shouldn’t be surprising.

WARREN: Managing the jackpot of top draft picks among pivotal tasks With Tkachuk due to become a restricted free agent following the 2020- awaiting Senators 21 season and in position to potentially secure one of the largest contracts in franchise history, the Senators aren’t going to fork out big dollars in a long-term deal to someone currently outside the organization.

Ken Warren All of that could change down the road, of course, should the incoming group of talent help bring more enthusiasm, optimism and fans back to

the arena. After months upon months of preparation, the grand payday from the Which also brings us back to the excitement leading up to the draft. colossal and painful Ottawa Senators rebuild is almost at hand. Dorion and chief amateur scout Trent Mann have played out every At the same time, the first round of the NHL’s makeshift 2020 entry draft scenario thousands of times. Depending on what the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 6 comes loaded with pressure for Senators general manager do with the second selection, either Tim Stuetzle or Quinton Byfield Pierre Dorion. looms as the most likely choice at No. 3. It’s a golden opportunity for the It’s the time to make a bold statement to a fan base and business Senators to secure a vital ingredient: Acquiring the legitimate No. 1 community that had lost interest well before the seven months of centre the team hasn’t had since Jason Spezza was traded away six pandemic-induced idleness from the Canadian Tire Centre arrived. years ago.

What Dorion does with the third and fifth overall selections (and to a lesser degree, what happens with the club’s 28th choice) will be the If Dorion and Mann want another forward at No. 5, Cole Perfetti or defining moment of his time in the hotseat. Ottawa 67’s stars Marco Rossi and Jack Quinn could enter the picture. Whatever the names, they’ll immediately carry the potential of being Should the Senators look to the blue line — remember that the defence cornerstone players for the future of the franchise. pipeline is deep with Brannstrom, Lassi Thomson and Jacob Bernard- Docker all poised to become full-time NHL players within the next two or We’ll get to the limited NHL history of teams who have been blessed with three seasons — Jamie Drysdale or Jake Sanderson are the top options. the opportunity to draft twice in the top five in a moment, but there are also other pivotal questions that will determine whether the grand plan is The wild card is goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, but given the number of ultimately a success. netminders already in the Senators system, they’ll likely steer clear of the in-the-crease option.

Whichever way they go, the Senators are in a dream situation. It comes Can D.J. Smith, Dorion’s second head-coaching hire, prove he is the thanks to the collapse of the San Jose Sharks last season. The third pick proper bench boss to guide the club’s young talent to the playoffs and arrived from the Sharks in the trade that sent Erik Karlsson west, a deal into legitimate Stanley Cup contention? We can measure only so much that has also netted Ottawa Josh Norris and Rudolfs Balcers. from Smith’s first season in 2019-20, when there were Band-Aids all over, countless bodies serving as placeholders while awaiting the arrival The opportunity for an NHL team to draft twice in the top five is so rare of the prospects. than none of the top draft prospects were born the previous time it happened. As Dorion mentioned in a Wednesday Zoom call with the media, it’s vital the Senators exercise patience, not giving into the heat of rushing the Be warned. It doesn’t always work out. talent into spots they’re not yet ready for. In 2000, the dealt away as part of They should also have learned some lessons from last season. the process before choosing goaltender Rick DiPietro first and left winger fifth. Colin White, a first-round pick from 2015, took a step back when pressed into a front-line centre role playing alongside Brady Tkachuk, losing DiPietro was handed a 15-year contract by the Islanders, but ended up confidence as he slid down the lineup. playing only 319 games while suffering a steady stream of concussion, knee, hip and hernia injuries. Torres, meanwhile, played 635 NHL Defenceman Erik Brannstrom, the key return in the Mark Stone trade to games, primarily as a second- and third-line winger. Dany Heatley, the Vegas Golden Knights in 2019, was also pushed into the lineup after Marian Gaborik and Rostislav Klesla went Nos. 2, 3 and 4 in the same Christian Wolanin’s training camp shoulder injury. Brannstrom struggled draft. through the first quarter of the season before being assigned to Belleville of the American Hockey League.

Will owner Eugene Melnyk be committed to eventually putting the And then there’s the jackpot scenario. necessary finishing touches on the plan? It takes more than oodles of top In 1999, Vancouver Canucks GM Brian Burke made a series of pre-draft selections to become a top-flight organization. Just ask the Edmonton trades to secure the second and third oveall choices. In turn, he drafted Oilers. star twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin, who made magic together with the Prospects need to be insulated with veterans who have a calming Canucks for a generation. The forgettable Patrik Stefan went first to the presence; the experience to show the way before games and losing Atlanta Thrashers and Pavel Brendl went fourth to the Islanders. streaks get out of control. Teams shouldn’t miss when given top five picks, especially in a 2020 In that regard, the loss of former alternate captains Jean-Gabriel Pageau draft which is generally considered to be one of the deepest in recent (traded to the New York Islanders in February) and Mark Borowiecki memory. (who was left unsigned and will test unrestricted free agency) have left a Since taking over as GM in 2016, Dorion has previously had only one huge vacuum to fill. In addition to their on-ice and dressing room top-10 pick and his selection of Tkachuk at No. 4 in 2019 was a shrewd presence, those two helped sell the team to the city for the better part of one. a decade. It’s too early to pass judgement on his mid- to late-first rounders as a

GM, including Thomson, Bernard-Docker, Shane Bowers (dealt to Dorion could attempt to fill a vacancy or two by trading away of some of Colorado in the trade for Matt Duchene) and Logan Brown. the stockpile of picks at his disposal. Ironically, the 28th pick secured in When Dorion effectively ran the draft under previous GM Bryan Murray, the trade of Pageau could come into play here. the first-round results were a mixed bag. The highlights included the As for the prospect of obtaining free agents, Ottawa is anything but the Senators taking Karlsson 15th in 2008 and Thomas Chabot with the18th first choice for established NHL players who have seen so many others choice in 2015. Mika Zibanejad went sixth in 2011, but his greatest leave town after drawn-out squabbles with management and ownership. success has come since being traded away to the New York Rangers. Jared Cowen (ninth in 2009) Cody Ceci (15th in 2012) and Curtis Lazar (17th in 2013) didn’t develop into the impact players the organization hoped for after encouraging results early in their careers.

With the Senators also holding four picks in the second round, two in the third round and 13 overall, Dorion’s history of helping draft talent beyond the first round is also notable.

That group includes Drake Batherson (121st) and Alex Formenton (47th) in 2017, Wolanin (107th) in 2015, Pageau (96th) in 2011, Mark Stone (178th) in 2010 and Borowiecki (139th) in 2008.

Never before, though, has the draft spotlight shone as brightly on Dorion as it will in the next two weeks.

It’s full of intrigue, with a potentially huge windfall. But again, success isn’t just about making the proper picks.

It’s also about the short and long-term management of the players who will be soon be sold as the future.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178992 Ottawa Senators a nutshell, you’re getting a cornerstone of our franchise that our fans can identify as early as Dec. 1 and before that.

“That’s such an opportunity and how we got that player through a GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators are ready and waiting for one of the massive trade of seven pieces and that says a lot about where we’re biggest moments in franchise history headed with the future of our franchise.”

Yes, the Senators may use some of those second round picks to get roster players for next season, but at this point Dorion hasn’t been made Bruce Garrioch an offer he’s willing to move on. He said most teams are engaged in trade talks.

“We got calls as soon as teams left the bubble,” Dorion said. “There were Most eyes in Ottawa Wednesday were on Parliament Hill and the speech certain teams that lost, and you could tell they weren’t happy about from the throne. losing, so there’s been lots of chatter. There’s been nothing done so far But, down the street at the Canadian Tire Centre, there were no shortage so there’s been nothing that’s been worth it but as we go on we’re always of ears listening to the Zoom conference call Ottawa Senators’ general look at our options. manager Pierre Dorion held with the local media to discuss the “We want to make sure we follow the plan and don’t take any shortcuts. preparations for one of the biggest NHL drafts in franchise history that We have to make sure we have long-term success and, at the same will be held virtually Oct. 6-7. time, make sure we bring our young players into the lineup and make And, while there’s a lot of balls in the air with the club holding three first sure they’re well-surrounded. Whether that’s a trade or free agency, we’ll round picks, including the No. 3 and No. 5 selections along with the No. make sure to do that once the season starts.” 28 they acquired from the New York Islanders for Jean-Gabriel Pageau, At this point, Dorion is keeping his options open, and judging by his Dorion has been busy working the phones because Ottawa has nine answers Wednesday he has a lot on the table. selections in first three rounds and 13 overall. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 09.24.2020 Dorion noted this is the busiest he’s been taking calls since he took over the club’s GM role and he’s been “popular among” his counterparts because of all the picks the organization has in a strong draft.

“We’re going to look at every possible scenario,” Dorion said Wednesday morning. “There’s a lot of chatter going on amongst the GM’s. A lot of teams are building competitive teams for next year, as we’re trying to do, and we’ll look at possible trades for picks if it makes sense for us.

“But, it has to make sense for us. It has to make sense as to what we’re trying to do with our rebuild, our plan and not trying to jump steps that will make us a better team in the long-term.”

Of course, there’s no shortage of focus on those No. 3 and No. 5 selections. It doesn’t sound like they’ll be moved, but it does make sense for Dorion to at least listen if somebody’s wiling to give him an offer he can’t refuse for the No. 5 selection to move back, although, its highly unlikely.

Dorion is playing his cards close to his vest because he’s not sure wha will happen in front of him with the Los Angeles Kings at No. 2, but he made it clear the Senators would be happy to get either Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves or Tim Stuetzle of Mannheim in the Deutsch Elite League at No. 3.

Yes, the organization would have liked to get the No. 1 overall pick to take Alexis Lafreniere, however, the New York Rangers won the modified lottery and they’ll have that honour. That hasn’t hurt the excitement owner Eugene Melnyk and Dorion have about the prospects the Senators are going to obtain in this draft.

“I don’t think the Ottawa Senators have ever had two picks in the top five and with it being such a great draft we’re looking forward to picking No. 3 and No. 5,” Dorion said. “I don’t think we’d be misleading our fans, everyone knows what we’re going to do at No. 3, depending on what L.A. does at No. 2.

“At No. 5, we’re still having great discussions because there’s so many players that are going to be impact players and those two players are going to be cornerstones of our franchise with the likes of Thomas Chabot and Brady Tkachuk. We feel Colin White is going to get back on tract to the player he was a few years ago.

“That’s what we’re really excited about. I can’t wait for Oct. 6th to come along.”

Dorion said Lafreniere, Byfield and Stuetzle are all high-end talent. The club’s third selection was the one it acquired as part of the trade that sent Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks in Sept., 2018.

“There are three top forwards at the top of the draft. It’s no secret here and we feel that we’re going to get one of those guys and that player can play for us as soon as the 2020-21 season starts,” Dorion said. “That, in 1178993 Ottawa Senators the East final and it was a playoff run that won’t soon be forgotten by the people in this city.

“When we made that conference run final a few years ago everybody GARRIOCH: After a decade in net, Craig Anderson's run with the Ottawa knows that Craig was probably our MVP and then unfortunately there Senators has ended was that Kunitz goal,” Dorion said. “It’s unfortunate we were never able to win a Cup with Craig, but Craig did many wonderful things for this organization.”

Bruce Garrioch And, on that point, Dorion is right and it’s why Anderson will be fondly remembered by this fan base. This is a guy who has had to battle for

everything he’s gotten throughout his career and there’s no reason to Craig Anderson has pulled on the No. 41 jersey for the Ottawa Senators believe that he won’t be able to get a one-year deal elsewhere as a for the final time. backup.

With the start of free agency set for Oct. 9 at noon, general manager Pierre Dorion confirmed in a conference call with reporters Wednesday The belief is the will show interest because they’re morning that the club won’t be offering the 39-year-old an extension. looking for a veteran to play behind Sergei Boborovsky, There was also After nearly a decade with the Senators, Anderson will test the speculation Wednesday that, perhaps, the Buffalo Sabres could be a fit. unrestricted free agent market after the Stanley Cup is awarded in Justin Duberman, Anderson’s Chicago-based agent, was traveling so he Edmonton. It’s a difficult decision for the organization, but with several was unavailable to comment but both sides have known for awhile this goaltending prospects already aboard and Ottawa doing a full rebuild, was going to be the case. The fact it’s now public won’t be catching management feels the time is right for Anderson to move on. anybody off guard and the Senators wanted to make sure Anderson Anderson was informed of the decision during his exit meeting with knows they appreciate everything he’s done for the organization. Dorion in June because the plan this season is to go with Anders Nilsson Unfortunately, in hockey, all good things must end and, as a result, and Marcus Hogberg. As suggested in this space Tuesday, the Senators Anderson will be able to kick up his feet someday when he’s in retirement appreciate how Anderson helped take this organization to another level. and look back at his career with the Senators fondly.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 09.24.2020 “I don’t really want to get into specifics of players in our organization but we’ve let Craig know that we won’t be offering him a contract,” said Dorion.

Acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in 2011 by the late Bryan Murray in exchange for Brian Elliott, Anderson quickly established himself as the No. 1 goalie here and had a tremendous amount of success in 435 appearances in the club’s net.

He’s the most-winning netminder in franchise history with 202 victories and, undoubtedly, his legacy in Ottawa will be fondly remembered.

“Craig should be given so much credit. It’s one of the best trades Bryan Murray ever made,” Dorion added. “He’s the winningest goalie in this organization, I’ll go on the record and say he’s the most performing goalie in this organization, the best goalie we’ve ever had.

“It’s time for us to take another direction and we thank him for everything he did.”

The reality is there is no shortage of highlights for Anderson in his career with the Senators. He picked up his 200th career win on Feb. 18th with 23 saves in a 7-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. That was the same night blueliner Chris Phillips had his No. 4 raised to the rafters.

Of course, down the road the Senators will honour Anderson for his lengthy and successful career here. He’ll definitely be a candidate to either have his No. 41 retired to join Daniel Alfredsson and Phillips, or placed in the Ring of Honour with Murray, who was the first recipient of that honour from the organization.

Nobody will ever forget Anderson’s 37-save effort and the tears in his eyes after an emotional 3-0 on Oct. 31, 2016 against the Edmonton Oilers on the road, just days after learning his wife Nicholle had been diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer.

Even Edmonton goalie Cam Talbot, his opponent in the net that night, stayed on the Oilers’ bench to give Anderson a round of applause as he was introduced as the game’s first star. He did take time away to be his family during her treatments at a hospital in New York, but returned to the lineup in late-January.

That spring Anderson helped the club go on a long playoff run and the club came up just short of advancing to the Stanley Cup final. A overtime goal by Chris Kunitz of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7 of the East final eliminated the Senators from the post-season.

That was the same day doctors told Nicholle she was cancer free, and he won the Masterton Trophy that spring. The Senators knocked off the and the New York Rangers in the first two series to get to 1178994 Ottawa Senators George Fargher — Western Canada Don Boyd — Ontario/Quebec

Dan Boeser — U.S. Midwest region Senators draft trends: Analyzing 12 years of Pierre Dorion picks The Senators confirmed on Wednesday that two additional North

American scouts, Kyle Flanagan and Christian De Blois, are employed by By Hailey Salvian Sep 23, 2020 23 the team but aren’t listed on the website.

All scouts report to Mann, who also oversees a lot of the team’s Eastern Canada scouting. When the Ottawa Senators make their highly anticipated third and fifth overall picks on Day 1 of the draft less than two weeks from now, the For the most part, this year’s scouting staff is similar to years past in occasion will mark the 13th year in which Pierre Dorion has played a key terms of what regions they scout, so there shouldn’t be too many role in the Sens’ draft. changes in strategy or preferred locales. The exception this year could be Tim Stutzle, who plays in the top German league. If he’s available at Dorion is in something of a unique position among NHL GMs, having No. 3, I don’t see the Senators passing just because they don’t have a spent well over a decade as a scout. From the 2008 draft until 2015, full-time scout in Germany. They’ve certainly done their homework on Dorion was the primary draft-day decision maker for the Senators. Trent one of the top-ranked players in this draft. Mann took those reins in 2016 after Dorion was promoted to general manager, but the GM still obviously looms large over draft proceedings. Let’s break down these regions more and take a detailed look at the major leagues the Senators turn to the most. This year is setting up to be Dorion’s biggest, and most important, draft yet with three first-round picks and 13 selections in total. This isn’t the The Canadian Hockey League first time Dorion has had three first-rounders, but this year’s picks are the The Canadian Hockey League has been the Senators’ biggest pipeline highest he’s had (Nos. 3, 5 and 28). Those 13 total picks are also the over the last decade-plus of drafts with recent draft selections such as most Dorion has ever had heading into the draft. Drake Batherson, Alex Formenton and Logan Brown. With some big questions in mind, we looked at all 80 selections the In the last 12 drafts (2008-2019), Ottawa chose 33 players out of the Senators have made since Dorion held a seat near the head of the draft CHL. That’s approaching half of their 80 selections (41 percent). Most table. notably, the Senators have taken more than half of their first-round picks Which leagues do most future Sens play in? Does Dorion have a since 2008 from the CHL (eight of 14 picks). preference for certain positions in different rounds? How successful have The Senators go to the CHL for draft picks around the same amount as the Senators selections been compared to picks made by the rest of the the league as a whole. Leaguewide, 44 percent of all players drafted league? since 2008 have been out of the CHL. Some interesting trends emerged. Here’s what we found — and what Of course, the CHL consists of three leagues: the Ontario Hockey Dorion’s draft history might tell us about the Senators’ immediate draft League, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western future. Hockey League. The 33 picks break down as follows: What leagues are the Senators drafting from? OHL players, 2008-19: 9 (11 percent) Generally, the Senators are drafting out of three major regions — QMJHL players, 2008-19: 12 (15 percent) Canada, the U.S. and Sweden — with only one of 80 selections coming outside of that trio (Finland). WHL players, 2008-19: 12 (15 percent)

Sens drafting regions It’s interesting to note that the share of OHL players drafted by NHL teams as a whole (19 percent) is quite a bit higher than the Senators’ The organization hasn’t drafted out of Russia, the Czech Republic, share. Denmark or any other European country in the last decade. The last Russian draft pick was in 2007. Dorion and company, instead, opt to draft out of the QMJHL and WHL at a slightly higher rate. In 2017, Dorion was asked, on TSN 1200, why he didn’t look to Russia more often. The Senators’ proximity to Gatineau, home of the Olympiques could be one explanation of the Senators’ penchant for drafting out of the QMJHL. “We’ve looked at it. We haven’t done that, I think, since my first year as And it appears that they have more scouts assigned to regions that chief scout and moving to director of player personnel and assistant GM would cover off the WHL than those strictly dedicated to the OHL. On the where I ran the drafts,” he said. “At times, it’s easier with Russians in other hand, the Senators are just as close, if not closer, to Lansdowne, North America because you know more about them than the Russians where the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s are based. Interesting sidenote — the who play in Russia, but we would never not take a Russian just because Senators have taken three Ottawa 67’s products since 2008: Cody Ceci, he’s Russian.” Corey Cowick and Shane Prince. In short, the Senators are drafting players that they have more eyes on. If What does that mean for this year’s draft? you take what we see in the chart above about what regions the Senators draft out of, there is a clear correlation between where scouts Given the Senators’ track record over the last 13 years, it’s highly likely are assigned and from where Senators picks are coming. the organization continues to look toward the CHL when thinking of who to add to their prospect pipeline, especially in the first round. According to the team’s website, Ottawa has a scouting staff of 13, with nine dedicated to the draft. Only two of those scouts are based in There will be plenty of options this year too. Europe: chief European scout Mikko Ruutu is based in Finland; Anders Ostberg is based in Sweden. Six amateur scouts are scattered around Of the 217 North American Skaters ranked on NHL Central Scouting list, the U.S. and Canada to cover the major North American leagues. Dorion 121 of those players are from the CHL, including the top three ranked and his assistant general manager Peter McTavish also do scouting trips North Americans — Alexis Lafrenière, Quinton Byfield and Jamie on their own, time pending. Drysdale. In fact, nine of the top 10 ranked players are CHL products, with the one outlier being Jake Sanderson of the U.S. National Team These are the Senators’ scouts and their key regions: Development Program.

Bob Strumm Jr — WHL With three picks in the first round, the Senators are bound to draft at least one CHL product on Day 1 of the draft. At third overall, Ottawa is likely to Todd Stirling — U.S. Northeast draft either Tim Stutzle (Germany) or Byfield (OHL). Bob Janecyk — U.S. scout, covering off NCAA, USHL, high school and At No. 5, there are plenty of options within the CHL in Cole Perfetti, more Marco Rossi and Drysdale. And lower down in the first round, players such as Justin Barron The average NHL team chose a USHL player 9 percent of the time over (QMJHL), Ridly Greig (WHL), Mavrik Bourque (QMJHL), Jacob Perreault the last 12 drafts, with the Senators choosing one almost twice as often (OHL) and Hendrix Lapierre (QMJHL) are all potential options in the No. (15 percent). 28 slot. Five of the 12 players drafted out of the USHL have played NHL games Swedish leagues in Ottawa.

Next to the CHL, the Senators have gone to various Swedish leagues White and Christian Wolanin (taken in Round 4 in 2015), are currently the more than any others. only former USHL players on the Senators’ active roster. There should be at least one more to come in Shane Pinto, who projects to be a solid The Senators have used 16 draft picks on players out of Sweden (either third-line centre in the NHL. However, Pinto decided he wanted to go junior or professional leagues) since 2008. That’s 20 percent of their back to the University of North Dakota for another year. picks. What does that mean for this year’s draft? Looking leaguewide, the Senators go to Sweden with their draft picks more than most teams, as the NHL total percentage out of Sweden is Drafting out of the USHL isn’t a sure thing in the same way drafting out of only 12 percent. the CHL has been for the Senators. But there are going to be plenty of options out of the USHL to think about selecting this year. Ottawa has taken a player out of Sweden twice in the first round, which is tied for second most behind the CHL. The majority of the picks have Thirty-seven of Central Scouting’s 217 North American ranked players been in Round 4 (5) and Round 2 (4). are from the USHL, including arguably the league’s top player, Branden Brisson. Only twice in the last 12 drafts have the Senators not taken a player out of Sweden. That was in 2017 and 2016, both years that were led by Brisson is highly skilled, a creative playmaker and a great goal scorer. He Mann at the draft table, not Dorion. The latter took at least one player out was ranked No. 14 overall by The Athletic’s Corey Pronman and ranked of Sweden every year from 2008 until 2015. We have more on 20th out of North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. differences between Mann and Dorion later. Sam Colangelo, a right winger from the Chicago Steel, is another top The payoff of going to Sweden was evident in earlier years. Erik Karlsson USHL player. Colangelo, who is 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, was one of the (2008) was a two-time Norris Trophy winner and was one of the best leading goal and point producers in the USHL. He’s been ranked in the players in the league in 2017 when he took the Senators to the Eastern low twenties, which means he could be an option for the Senators’ third Conference final. first-round pick at No. 28.

Other draftees have been hit or miss. For example, Christian Jaros and Other promising USHL options could come in the later rounds, like Andreas Englund have yet to grab hold of full-time NHL jobs. Meanwhile, Wolanin did for example. Mika Zibanejad and Robin Lehner have become top tier players in the league, albeit with other organizations after being traded out of Ottawa. Defenceman Mitchell Miller had a breakout season with the Tri-City Storm this season and was named a USHL first-team all-star. He also Exactly half (8 of 16) of the players drafted have played at least 10 NHL scored two goals and six points with Team USA at the World Junior A games for the Senators. And only three of those players are still with the Hockey Challenge. Miller is ranked 48th by NHL Central Scouting on the organization (Marcus Hogberg, Jaros and Englund). The latter two are NA list and 94th by Pronman, which could make him one of the Senators’ scheduled RFAs this summer. third- or fourth-round picks.

What does that mean for this year’s draft? Lower-tiered Leagues

Given that Dorion and the Senators have shown a liking to drafting The Senators go to top U.S. high schools and the NCAA about as much players out of Sweden, you can assume that they continue that trend. as the rest of the league does (6 percent and 4 percent, respectively). However, Mann also hasn’t dipped into Sweden quite as much as Dorion But, notably, the organization has gone to lower-tiered leagues more did in the past. So perhaps they won’t take as many players as in than the rest of the NHL. previous years. Since 2008, the Senators have used nine of their 80 picks on players in With that in mind here’s a look at some of the top players out of Sweden the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the North American Hockey at this year’s draft: League or the Eastern Junior Hockey League, which are tier II and tier III leagues in Canada and the U.S. Lucas Raymond — The right-shot winger could be available to the Senators with the fifth overall pick. The Athletic’s Corey Pronman has Six of the Senators picks have come out of the CJHL, including one pick said Raymond’s skill level is comparable to No. 1 pick Alexis Lafrenière. in the first round used on Jacob-Bernard Docker out of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Another was used in the second round and the rest in Alexander Holtz — Another top-10 ranked winger. He may not be in the later rounds (4, 5 and 7), including one pick used on Mark Borowiecki. Senators’ range but has become known for his elite hands and shooting ability. Within the CJHL, they’ve only drafted from the Alberta, B.C. and Central leagues. Noel Gunler — A high-end passer and shooter with good patience with the puck and vision to make plays. He’s a right winger who could bring Two players have been taken out of the NAHL and one out of the EJHL. elite offence. And he could realistically be available in the 28 range for All three have been taken on Day 2 of the draft (Jakob Novak, Todd Ottawa. Burgess and Chris LeBlanc). None of them have played NHL games or even signed entry-level deals. Zion Nybeck — He’s put up big numbers in the Swedish SuperElit league and is brimming with skill. He is quite small at 5-foot-7 without high-end Compared to the league, the Senators take more players out of these speed, which makes him somewhat divisive in the scouting world, leagues by a fairly small margin. according to Pronman. He was ranked at No. 41 in Pronman’s rankings, so could be a second-round option for the Senators, who have four Ottawa goes to the CJHL with 8 percent of its picks, while the league second-rounders. goes around 5 percent. Meanwhile, the Senators have gone to the NAHL 3 percent of the time compared to 1 percent leaguewide. The Senators USHL and the league are close to the same at around 1 percent of picks out of the EJHL. Rounding out the Senators’ top-three draft spots is the USHL, the top junior league in the U.S. What does this mean for this year’s draft?

Ottawa has drafted players from the USHL 12 times since 2008, Looking through the Central Scouting list, this trend may not mean all including two players in the first round (Shane Bowers and Colin White) that much in 2020. and two players in the second round. The remaining USHL selections (8) have come later in Rounds 4-7. There are no NAHL or EJHL players ranked in the 217 North American rankings. And only a handful of AJHL and BCHL players — 10 combined on the final rankings. The top-ranked AJHL player on Pronman’s rankings is Carter Savoie, 2016-current: Mann (23 draft selections) who has been a dominant offensive player in the league over the last two years. According to Pronman’s rankings, he was the first U18 player in Dorion ran the table much longer than Mann has, and therefore sways 20 years to score 50 goals. He’s ranked 106th. most of the trends we went through above. So let’s break them apart to see what each of them has done differently over the years. Below Savoie, at No. 108, is defenceman Michael Benning. Benning led the league in scoring for defencemen at 16 and 17 years old. Mann still has a pretty small sample size with only 23 selections in the last five drafts, and the percentages in the graph below can appear If the Senators continue to look to Tier II and Tier III leagues this year, inflated as a result. For example, both Mann and Dorion have taken just they have at least two solid options in the later rounds from the AJHL. three players out of the CJHL, but Mann’s percentage is much higher (13 percent) than Dorion’s (5 percent). But there are still some small What positions are they drafting — and when? differences in how they like to draft.

Moving on from where the Senators are drafting, it’s time to take a look at Like Dorion (and most of the league), Mann goes to the CHL more than what positions they take and in what round. any other league with almost half of his draft selections coming from the Since 2008, Ottawa has used 24 draft selections on defencemen (30 top Canadian junior leagues (10 picks). They also go to the NCAA at a percent), 48 selections on forwards (60 percent) and eight selections on similar rate, with Mann taking who projects to be the organization’s most goaltenders (10 percent). The forwards are broken down further into 24 successful college product in Brady Tkachuk in 2018. centres, 14 left wingers and 10 right wingers. While Dorion has opted for Sweden with a quarter of his draft picks (14 This gets more interesting when you break down the rounds in which the players), Mann has only taken two players, or 9 percent of his picks, from Senators are drafting each position. Especially when you consider the big various Swedish leagues. He also looks to the USHL (10 picks versus question heading into the 2020 draft: should Ottawa draft two forwards or two) and U.S. high schools (four picks versus one) less often than Dorion one forward and one defenceman with their third and fifth overall picks? did during his time leading the draft.

Ottawa has had 14 first-round picks in the since 2008. Over half (8) of Instead, Mann has shown that he is OK going to the CJHL and lower tier those picks have been forwards and mostly centres (5). The rest have U.S. junior teams (NAHL or EJHL) for depth picks over the more well- been defenders, as Ottawa has not taken a goalie in the first round in the known feeder leagues. last 12 drafts. For example in 2018, the OHL was the biggest pool of talent with 35 When it comes to the question of taking defenders in the first round, players drafted. The Senators took zero players from the OHL that year. Ottawa has taken the most blueliners per round in the first round and the Meanwhile, seven players in total were taken from the BCHL; Ottawa seventh round (6). Every defenceman they’ve taken in the first round has accounted for two of them. Only two players in total were taken from the played NHL games, with the exception of Bernard-Docker, who has AJHL or NAHL; the Senators took both, which included Bernard-Docker. returned to UND, and Lassi Thomson, who is currently playing in . Mann has also broadened the leagues in which he drafts from compared But both players project to be top-four blueliners in Ottawa. That’s a to Dorion. The latter mainly drafted from the CHL, Sweden, USHL, projected 100 percent success rating at the position in the first round. NCAA, U.S. high schools and the tier II and III Canadian and U.S. junior Their first-round picks at forward have also all played NHL games except programs. Mann has taken players from those seven spots, while also Bowers, whose rights were traded to Colorado. looking to Finland and the U.S. National Team Development Program It seems whichever position they chose, Ottawa has done a pretty good (one player from each). It’s a small sample size, of course. job in the first round. It wouldn’t be fair to compare the success of the draft between the two, What does that mean for this year’s draft? as most of Mann’s picks are not finished products yet. Some of Dorion’s picks have played full careers in Ottawa or been traded elsewhere. We can look to years where they’ve had multiple first-round picks for guidance: But we can say that what Mann has done, especially on Day 2 of the draft, projects to work out quite well for Ottawa. Look at some of the 2018 — Brady Tkachuk (4th) and Bernard-Docker (26th) depth picks Mann has taken over the few years.

2015 — Thomas Chabot (18th) and Colin White (21st) 2019: Shane Pinto (32), Mark Kastelic (125)

2011 — Mika Zibanejad (6th), (21st) and Matt Puempel 2018: Kevin Mandolese (157) and Jakov Novak (188) (25th) 2017: Alex Formenton (47) and Drake Batherson (121) In 2018 and 2015, the Senators split their two first-rounders between a top forward and top defensemen. In 2011, they opted for three forwards. 2015: Christian Wolanin (107) and Joey Daccord (199) In all three cases, the Senators approached the first round with the With the assistance of his scouting staff, Mann has stocked the mentality of taking the best players available, not drafting for positional organizational depth chart with players that have gone on to defy need. expectations and become legitimate NHL prospects. Daccord, for It’s notable that they’ve never taken a goalie in the first round with Dorion example, came out of the seventh round, and is now making a case to at the helm. This year would be the year to potentially change that with a become the Senators’ goalie of the future. Pinto, while drafted much top prospect in Yaroslav Askarov who’s been making headlines in the higher, was not a highly celebrated pick. Until this year that is, when he KHL for his impressive start to the season. had a breakout season at UND.

And there are plenty of defencemen for the Senators to consider in the To be fair, Dorion has done well on Day 2 as well, with some of the first round too, with Jamie Drysdale and Jake Sanderson in the running Senators’ best players coming after the third round: Mark Stone (Round to be the top blueliner taken in this year’s draft. 6), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (Round 4), Borowiecki (Round 5) and Ryan Dzingel (Round 7), to name a few. Dorion vs. Mann Since 2008, Dorion, Mann and their staff have shown an ability to see For the purpose of this story, we combined the draft selections of Pierre things in players that others don’t. They pick and fight for their guys. And Dorion and Trent Mann so there is a more full sample size. And while so far, that seems to be working. And that is particularly important when Dorion is still the GM with plenty of influence, he hasn’t been the primary you recall that the Senators have 10 draft picks to use on Day 2 of the decision maker at the draft table since 2015. 2020 Draft.

Mann, who started as a part-time scout in 2010, was eventually promoted Success rate to chief amateur scout in 2016. That’s when he started running the draft and that’s where we can draw a line within the last decade-plus of drafts Drafting is important, but it’s not the only thing when it comes to building for Ottawa. an NHL contender. A team needs to turn their draft picks into NHL players first, and then you need to retain those players and fill your 2008-2015: Dorion, with Bob Lowes as his right hand (57 draft remaining roster through trades and free agency. For the sake of keeping selections) this about the draft, we aren’t going to get into the latter two. We’ll focus solely on how many Senators drafts picks make it to the NHL, and how many are still on the roster.

Below is a look at the percentage of draftees leaguewide who have played NHL games, compared to Senators draftees. It’s organized by draft year.

As you can see, the Senators’ draft picks have mostly been around or above league average with the exception of a few draft years.

Of course, 2019 is not a finished product, and that will increase as players like Pinto develop and reach the NHL. The 2014 draft also stands out.

The Senators drafted five players that year, and only one has played NHL games (Andreas Englund). The remaining players have either been unsigned, traded or both.

IN MEMORY OF THE SENS' 2014 DRAFT CLASS…

#40: ANDREAS ENGLUND: 33 GP, -1.5 SPAR, UNQUALIFIED RFA

#70: MILES GENDRON: AHL DEAL, TRADED FOR NICHOLAS BAPTISTE

#100: SHANE EISERMAN: UNSIGNED

#189: KELLY SUMMERS: UNSIGNED

#190: FRANCIS PERRON: ELC, TRADED TO SJ IN KARLSSON DEAL

— COLIN CUDMORE (@CUDMORECOLIN) SEPTEMBER 20, 2020

2012 is also below the league average, with only two of the Senators’ seven picks cracking the NHL (Cody Ceci and Chris Driedger).

It’s also notable how many above-average draft classes the Senators have had. Both 2011 and 2008 are well above league average. In 2011, eight of 10 picks made the NHL, a draft class that included Zibanejad, Pageau and Dzingel. While 2008 only two players drafted (of seven) didn’t make the NHL. That year included Karlsson, Zack Smith and Borowiecki.

In total, the Senators have had 35 of their 80 picks since 2008 play at least 10 NHL games. That’s 44 percent and compares favourably to the league average over that span of around 40 percent.

I’d be remiss if we didn’t include how many of these players remain in Ottawa.

Only three players since the 2014 draft are left in Ottawa: Borowiecki, Hogberg and Englund. And that number will soon go down with Borowiecki heading to free agency and Englund signing in Sweden as he is scheduled to be an RFA next month. Englund does appear to have an out-clause should the Senators extend a qualifying offer.

There are always multiple factors involved in players leaving. And it’s unrealistic to think every player spends their whole career with one organization.

In Ottawa, it’s well known that the organization has been rebuilding. The teardown and sale of players has been lengthy and difficult for fans.

Still, most of the players from Dorion’s time running the draft are gone. And now Mann and his staff have been working to usher in a new crop of talent through the rebuilding years.

Most of the players selected post-2015 remain in the organization. A lot of them have been drafted using the returns from the players who are now gone. And there are many more to come this year. If history tells us one thing, it’s that the Senators are in relatively good hands heading into the draft.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178995 Philadelphia Flyers spit out a reasonable estimate of what his next deal might look like. It’s not perfect, of course, but it does provide a helpful framework as to what an acceptable range might be for a player’s new deal based on the prevailing market forces. Flyers RFA projections: Breaking down Philippe Myers contract scenarios So what does the model say about Myers’ next deal?

To reiterate: The model isn’t perfect. Generally speaking, the cap hit on a contract goes up the longer the term lasts, so the fact that Myers is By Charlie O'Connor Sep 23, 2020 32 projected to receive a higher cap hit on a one-year deal than a two-year deal (and more via a six-year term than seven) is an inherent flaw —

likely because so few comparable players signed one-year and seven- After an especially consequential series of restricted free agent (RFA) year terms. (More on this later.) So don’t look at these projections and negotiations in 2019 for general manager Chuck Fletcher and the argue the Flyers would be smart to sign Myers to two years rather than Philadelphia Flyers, 2020 has to feel like something of a welcome, well- one because they’ll get a bargain. That’s not the way the real-life earned reprieve. negotiations will go.

Last summer, Fletcher was faced with resolving three especially That said, I suspect the immediate reaction to these projections isn’t to important RFA situations: those of Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny and point out the cap hit discrepancies. It’s likely that these numbers look way Travis Sanheim. All three players had finished their entry-level contracts too low. After all, Sanheim got a $3.25 million cap hit on a two-year deal and were in line for significant raises. The result: Provorov didn’t sign his last summer. Myers isn’t “less than half the player” of Sanheim, right? six-year, $40.5 million deal until the eve of training camp and Konecny There’s no way the Flyers have a chance of getting Myers on a sub-$2 inked his six-year, $33 million extension after a brief camp holdout. million contract … right?

This fall shouldn’t be nearly as drama-filled. Maybe they do. The Flyers have quite a few factors working in their favor for this negotiation: a low qualifying offer number ($730,000) due to With Oskar Lindblom re-signed to a three-year deal before the Flyers Myers’ low 2019-20 salary, and the fact that Myers is not yet arbitration- departed for the Toronto playoff bubble in July, Fletcher had four NHL- eligible, so he can’t appeal to a judge to award him a raise. But most relevant RFA situations to resolve: Nicolas Aubé-Kubel (signed to a two- importantly, Myers’ NHL track record simply doesn’t set him up for a year contract with a $1.075 million cap hit Thursday), Robert Hägg, massive payday. Take a look at Myers alongside these two comparables Nolan Patrick and Philippe Myers. and where they stood when they were in the same situation: 23-year-olds coming off their first entry-level contract and looking to sign their second As a depth defenseman, Hägg’s negotiation — assuming the Flyers do NHL deal. qualify him to retain his rights, which seems likely — should be relatively straightforward. Patrick’s situation is unique considering his migraine Player B’s cap hit adjusted for cap ceiling inflation. disorder and the uncertainty about his future, but in terms of the deal itself, both sides should be incentivized to agree to a short-term, “prove- Player A, you might have guessed, is Sanheim, who played in 60 more it” deal for different reasons: The Flyers because they won’t want to games, scored at a significantly higher rate and received nearly 90 more commit long term to a player whose future is in question, and Patrick seconds per game entering his negotiation than Myers. Player B looks because he won’t want to lock himself into a below-market, extended like a much closer comparable, even if Myers’ edge in points puts him in contract given his upside, if he believes he will eventually overcome his a slightly higher price bracket. And who is Player B? None other than migraine disorder. Hägg.

That leaves only the Myers negotiation as a truly intriguing one from a Most fans would blanch at the thought of Hägg being a comparable for roster building standpoint. Myers. But simply put, Myers didn’t put together a significantly more impressive résumé than Hägg by the stats that usually get defensemen A top prospect in the organization for years, Myers finally broke down the paid: Myers didn’t play in a ton of NHL games during his entry-level NHL door in 2019-20, appearing in 50 games during the regular season contract; he didn’t score a ton of points; and he didn’t get a ton of and finishing with four goals and 12 assists (16 points). His role grew minutes. The Flyers and their fans have every right to be extremely high throughout the season; by January, he was on a pairing with Sanheim on Myers’ upside. But at this point, he just doesn’t grade out well in the that quickly turned into a set-it-and-forget-it second pair for head coach metrics that tend to inflate a blueliner’s second contract. , a deployment that lasted throughout the 16-game postseason. Now, Myers stands as the clear No. 2 right-handed Short-term possibilities defenseman on the depth chart for 2020-21, and a core piece on the If Myers isn’t destined to break the bank on his upcoming deal, what defense for years to come. should fans expect for the contract? Let’s start with Evolving-Hockey’s But what might his new contract look like when it’s eventually signed? preferred structure: the short-term deal. What should it look like? Based on the numbers, it should be easy to accept that Myers doesn’t What does the model say? have the leverage to fairly argue he deserves a short-term deal with a cap hit in the Sanheim range. So with that team-specific comparable off RFA contract negotiations, at their core, are largely about two things: the table, what are some reasonable league-wide ones? leverage and comparables. Agents can use tactics like holdouts, a looming arbitration hearing or, in theory, the threat of an offer sheet from Cap hits adjusted for salary-cap ceiling inflation. another club to tip the scales in a client’s direction and increase leverage; There’s a clear distinction here between the high-end comparables that on the other side of the table, teams can qualify an RFA at a low one- Myers’ camp will prefer (Esa Lindell, Troy Stecher) and the low-end year rate to retain the player’s rights and give him little choice but to re- comps that the Flyers can be expected to like (Matt Grzelcyk, Steven up (especially if he doesn’t yet have arbitration rights), unless he’s willing Santini). And looking at the whole picture, Grzelcyk sure looks like the to sit for an extended period and jeopardize his place on the depth chart. cleanest comparable — just eight fewer games, with a nearly identical So how are these impasses usually resolved? Comparable players and points-per-game rate and nightly usage. Myers might be in line for a tick contractual situations. Teams pick the most favorable statistical more money, but it’s easy to see why the Evolving-Hockey model would comparables for their interests (i.e., saving as much money as possible), spit out $1.51 million on a two-year deal as its projection after looking at while agents go with the most favorable (read: most lucrative) for their these contracts. clients. After days, weeks and sometimes months of banging their So what’s Myers’ best argument for why the Lindell and Stecher deals respective heads against the wall, a middle ground is typically found and are more accurate frameworks? The playoffs. During the 16-game the player returns to the ice. postseason, Myers’ usage skyrocketed, jumping to 20:01 per game while But there are hundreds of players in the NHL — that means quite a lot of he maintained his usual point-per-game rate (three goals, one assist). In potential comparables. This is where a contract predictor model such as the postseason, when the games mattered most, the Flyers deployed the one that Evolving-Hockey makes available to the public proves Myers more like a Lindell or a Stecher than a Grzelcyk or Santini. invaluable. The model sorts through all of the contracts signed across the Therefore, the argument might go, he should be paid like them. league, accounts for a player’s situation and production, and uses it all to The Flyers, of course, can argue that if Myers’ playoff numbers were Here’s the big question for the Flyers when it comes to Myers and the added to his overall stat line, he still falls short of the high-end best way to approach his contract: How much money is being saved by comparables (87 games, 0.253 points per game, 17:14 per game). But going long term? Myers’ playoff usage and solid work during the second season do open the door for his camp to push for more money. In his career, Myers has scored at about a 20-point-per-82-games pace. Presumably, he’ll score more as he enters his prime and receives more Long-term scenarios minutes. But how much more? Is he ever going to be a power-play staple, for example, with Provorov and Sanheim on the team and The Evolving-Hockey model doesn’t see a four-years-or-more contract talented blueliners such as Cam York and Egor Zamula on the way? It’s for Myers as an especially likely outcome: It estimates just a 16 percent fairly easy to envision Myers breaking the 30-point threshold, but beyond chance of such a deal. that is a bit of a stretch without regular power-play time. In other words, That might strike some fans as odd. After all, Myers is an exciting young he’s likely not going to see his future salary inflated due to a massive defenseman with high plausible upside — isn’t he the kind of blueliner offensive breakout. teams might look to extend long term with the hope of saving money later Therefore, the real question is just how good the Flyers think Myers can in the deal? Couldn’t the Flyers really benefit from spending a bit more up become at even strength. If they believe he’s destined to turn into Colton front to have Myers locked up at a reasonable cap hit deep into the Parayko — a 35-point per season, play-driving, minutes-eating beast of a 2020s? right-handed defenseman — then a long-term deal makes perfect sense. Well, maybe. But that doesn’t change the fact there isn’t a lot of If they think he’s just as likely to top out as a good second-pair blueliner precedent for defensemen with fewer than 100 regular-season games rather than the top-pair, do-it-all monster his biggest fans envision, then a played during their entry-level contracts and a point-per-game rate under bridge deal is the logical choice. 0.30 getting a second contract of significant length. At this stage in the process, I don’t believe the Flyers have a preference That said, Myers is an interesting case within this group because the one way or the other on the structure of Myers’ deal — much will depend Flyers have been publicly high on him for years, and he appears locked on the demands the player and his camp bring to the table. But because into the team’s top four on defense for the foreseeable future. So if the a short-term deal is the simpler of the two options, the smart bet is on the organization and Myers’ camp choose to go long term given those parties eventually settling on that structure. Based on comparables, two factors, what might such a deal, absent close comparables, look like? years is the most likely term, though a three-year term would provide the added benefit of stretching through the entire time the cap ceiling could Cap hits adjusted for salary cap inflation. be stagnant because of the pandemic. Perhaps such a structure might be attractive to Myers’ camp as well; when the cap does go up, there will be Before we start: The Michael Matheson contract really shouldn’t be more money in the marketplace and contracts should become more viewed as a model for anything; it stands apart from the rest of the lucrative. marketplace in terms of sheer ridiculousness by both years and dollars. No deal has truly copied it since, and as the end result proved, none It’s difficult to envision Myers reaching the heights of Lindell’s inflation- should. (Matheson was a healthy scratch in the playoffs for the Panthers adjusted $2.43 million cap hit on a two-year deal, unless his agent, Doug and presumably is on the trade block, assuming any GM would even Shepherd, really works his magic. But given Myers’ increased consider taking on that monstrosity of a contract.) responsibilities in the playoffs, the Grzelcyk comp ($1.52 million) and Evolving-Hockey projection ($1.51 million) seem a bit low as well. Now, on to the reasonable deals. All three sit in the $4.4 million to $4.8- Perhaps somewhere in the middle — leaning more toward the low end — ish million cap-hit range over six years, which passes the smell test as a could be where the two sides end up? semi-acceptable range for a Myers extension. Rasmus Andersson in Calgary stands as the best apples-to-apples comparison — yes, The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 Andersson had played many more games than Myers when he signed his new deal in January, but he was less efficient as a scorer and received about the same usage. Yet the Flames still viewed him as a top young player and a burgeoning core piece of their defense, and paid him accordingly.

My guess is Myers would receive a lower cap hit than Andersson on a similar framework. Evolving-Hockey, for example, projects a $3.92 million cap hit for Myers with a six-year term, which doesn’t seem outlandish, though it might be a bit optimistic on the Flyers’ part. If they go long term, somewhere in the $4 million to $4.5 million range for a cap hit feels reasonable because of Myers’ relative lack of NHL experience compared to his closest contractual peers.

Myers and Mathew Barzal vie for the puck in February. (Brad Penner / USA Today)

What direction should the Flyers take with Myers?

There’s a reason Evolving-Hockey’s model leans toward a short-term deal as the most likely extension for Myers — it’s an easier deal to construct. Defensemen with Myers’ light NHL experience and lack of scoring punch at this stage of their careers tend to fall into that bucket.

And there’s reason for the Flyers to prefer a short-term structure, as well. They would benefit from a manageable cap hit for a key player over the next few seasons, especially in 2021-22, when they will have to accommodate big raises for Carter Hart, Sanheim and potentially Scott Laughton. A two-year contract — the most likely outcome, according to the model — would essentially allow the Flyers to bet that by 2022-23, the NHL’s cap ceiling will be rising again, which would open up much needed space to give Myers a likely raise and retain the services of Sean Couturier, who can test free agency in the summer of 2022.

Going long term, while not impossible, is a bit more difficult; there just aren’t as many comparables. But the two camps could still attempt to forge a new path using deals such as the recent Andersson contract as general guides, and negotiate from there. 1178996 Pittsburgh Penguins Jonathan Bombulie Tribune Review LOADED: 09.24.2020

Trade talk surrounding Penguins’ Patric Hornqvist intensifies

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Wednesday, September 23, 2020 12:44 p.m.

Trade winds are swirling around popular Pittsburgh Penguins winger Patric Hornqvist.

Kevin Weekes of the NHL Network reported Wednesday afternoon that the Penguins were trading Hornqvist to the Florida Panthers for defenseman Mike Matheson.

Later in the day, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the deal was “falling apart” thanks to potential snags involving Hornqvist’s no-trade clause and insurance coverage.

Hornqvist, 33, is a relentless net-front presence whose arrival in Pittsburgh in 2014 paved the way for the franchise’s back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016-17. After his goal production peaked with 29 in 2017-18, he scored 17 for the Penguins this season and 18 the year before that.

He has three years left on a deal that pays him $5.3 annually. According to reports, Hornqvist has a full no-trade clause that converts to an eight- team no-trade list after the 2020-21 season.

Given Jim Rutherford’s connection to Hornqvist — the trade to acquire him was the first major move the GM made after joining the Penguins — saying goodbye would not be easy.

“The culture needed to be changed, and getting a guy like Hornqvist was a big step to do that,” Rutherford said last year.

Trading Hornqvist would, however, make good on Rutherford’s promise of shaking up the team’s roster after a disappointing four-game playoff ouster against Montreal last month. Hornqvist is a respected presence in the locker room, and sending him packing would certainly not qualify as business as usual.

Matheson, 26, is a 2012 first-round draft pick out of Boston College who has had an up-and-down four-year stay in Florida.

He’s known as a good skater, and he has produced some offensive numbers for the Panthers, once scoring 10 goals and twice recording 27 points, but his defensive-zone work has been criticized, especially in 2018-19. That year, he was a minus-25 and led the league with 135 giveaways. Those numbers improved to minus-1 and 54 giveaways this season.

Matheson has an extraordinarily lengthy contract — six years remaining with an average annual salary of $4.85 million. He has an eight-team no- trade list that kicks in at the start of the 2021-22 season.

Adding Matheson would create a logjam of left-handed defensemen on the Penguins roster.

Brian Dumoulin is a 29-year-old on a relatively team-friendly contract that pays him $4.1 million annually who has been cemented as a top-pair player alongside Kris Letang.

Marcus Pettersson is promising 24-year-old with five years left on a deal paying him a little over $4 million per year. Pettersson looked this season like he found a long-term home on the second defense pair with John Marino.

Jack Johnson, despite his ineffectiveness, has received multiple votes of confidence from management, and it would be difficult to move his contract, which has three years left with an average annual salary of $3.25 million.

Juuso Riikola, who signed a two-year contract extension earlier this month, provides depth. Pierre Olivier-Joseph, acquired in last summer’s Phil Kessel deal, is one of the organization’s top prospects.

If the deal goes through, another trade would be likely, or, at the very least, a left-handed defenseman would have to be moved to the right side, where the expected departure of free agent Justin Schultz has created an opening in the top six. 1178997 Pittsburgh Penguins

Are the Penguins close to trading Patric Hornqvist?

By Mike DeFabo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Penguins reportedly engaged in trade discussions on Wednesday that could have sent Patric Hornqvist to the Florida Panthers in exchange for left-shot defenseman Mike Matheson. However, several outlets reported the deal hit a few critical snags related to injury insurance and, possibly, Hornqvist's no-trade clause.

The purported deal was first reported by of NHL Network. As of Wednesday evening, it remains in limbo.

Hornqvist joined the Penguins in 2014 as a part of Jim Rutherford’s first- ever trade as Pittsburgh’s general manager. At the time, he was a 27- year-old grinder who brought physicality to the front of the net, an ever- present optimism to the dressing room and two more Stanley Cup banners to rafters at PPG Paints Arena.

But after six seasons in Pittsburgh, which included five stints on the injured reserve and several head injuries, Hornqvist is not 27 anymore.

At 33, his body is showing signs of the sacrifices and punishment he’s taken for his team. His contract is aging less gracefully. With right winger in the fold, the Penguins are set to pay Hornqvist $5.3 million to play a bottom-six role. If that’s an overpayment, what will the contract look like in 2022-23 when Hornqvist is 36 years old?

While it makes sense that the Penguins would want to get Hornqvist’s contract off the books, it would mean taking on a long and questionable deal. Matheson, 26, is signed through 2025-26 on a contract that carries a $4.875 million average annual value. The deal has appeared on several lists of the worst contracts in the NHL. It is unclear if Florida would retain any of that salary. The contract also comes with a modified no-trade clause in which he can submit a list of eight no-trade teams.

A first-round pick (23rd overall) in 2012, Matheson signed an eight-year contract extension in Florida ahead of the 2018-19 season after he posted 17 points in his rookie campaign. The idea was that he’d grow into the deal over time.

However, in 2018-19, Matheson was a minus-24. During the 2019-20 pandemic-shortened season, he tallied eight goals and 12 assists in 59 games and was a healthy scratch in the final two games of the Panthers’ qualifying-round series against the New York Islanders.

If the hurdles holding up the deal can be cleared and the Penguins do in fact acquire Matheson, it would create even more of a logjam on the left side of the Penguins blue line. This year, the top three lefties were Brian Dumoulin, Marcus Pettersson and Jack Johnson. The Penguins recently signed Juuso Riikola to a two-year deal that will keep him in Pittsburgh through 2021-22. And the club’s most NHL-ready defensive prospect, Pierre-Olivier Joseph, also shoots left-handed.

With the top-four pretty much solidified, chances are Matheson would slot in on the third pairing, either replacing Johnson or skating next to him with one of those two lefties playing their off side. Or maybe there was a bigger vision that would create a more direct path to the ice for Matheson.

That question can be answered at the appropriate time. For now, the biggest question isn't where Matheson will play, but if a trade in limbo will eventually get done.

Mike DeFabo

Post Gazette LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178998 Pittsburgh Penguins If Matt Murray is the goaltender moved this offseason by GMJR, what could a possible return look like, especially considered he’s an RFA with a pay raise undoubtably coming?

Yohe mailbag: 40 answers to questions about the Penguins and what’s @ByJoshCarney next Everyone keeps asking this question, and it’s a good one. We know Rutherford asked the Oilers for a first-round pick, and they said no. I believe the Penguins could get a second-round pick and a prospect, and By Josh Yohe Sep 23, 2020 92 that’s what I’m guessing the return will be. We shall see.

If you want to depress yourself, think about what Murray’s value would have been a couple of years ago. But we try to be positive here, so let’s Greetings from the great white north. I’m quarantining for the next eight not do that. days in Kingston, Ontario — I’ve been here since last Thursday — so that I may visit my children. So, what better time than now to compose a How likely is it that PO Joseph starts next season with the Penguins and monstrous mailbag? Truth is, I have some time on my hands these days. what is his ceiling?

If you ever wanted to engage in conversation with me on social media or @BrunoPittsburgh anything, now’s the time! I’ll most assuredly get back to you. Anyway, hope all is well back home, or wherever you may be. Lots of questions. I doubt he starts the season with the Penguins simply because of the And away we go … logjam on the left side of the Penguins blue line.

What is GMJR’s job security like? Would another great regular Dumoulin. Pettersson. Johnson. Riikola. Unless anything changes season/early playoff exit spur ownership to go in another direction? between now and then, I think that’s the group that starts the season on the left side. However, I expect Joseph to make his NHL debut at some @gggiants point during the season.

I think it’s very good. I’ve had conversations with David Morehouse about His ceiling is difficult to project, but I like what I’ve seen a great deal. Jim Rutherford and it’s clear Morehouse absolutely thinks the world of Doesn’t seem like he’ll ever be an overly productive offensive player, but Rutherford, and his tone has never changed over the years. I’ve also I like how he moves the puck. I think a reasonable ceiling for him would been told by many people that Mario Lemieux thinks Rutherford is the be that of a second pairing defenseman. He’s a good skater and handles perfect man to be the Penguins general manager. the puck nicely. He just seems to have a high hockey IQ and is a good defender. He really needs to get stronger, but he’s still young. I’ve been You know how it is. There are no safe jobs in hockey. impressed. Definitely has the look of a solid NHL defenseman. was even traded, as the saying goes. So, if the Penguins happen to implode next season, I suppose anything is possible. However, my sense I love GMJR. But what is his love affair with Jack Johnson? Is it because is Rutherford’s job is completely safe and that he’ll never be shown the he is Sid’s pal? door. And you know what? I think this is fair. In his six seasons as Penguins general manager, Rutherford’s team has won the Stanley Cup @GraigFravel twice and has never missed the postseason. Along the way, he was I don’t think Sid has anything to do with it. Obviously the idea many inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. people have is that, because Crosby and Johnson were great friends as Yes, he’s made some puzzling moves. No one is questioning that. But on teenagers, Rutherford and the Penguins gave the defenseman a five- the whole, it’s difficult to dispute the job he’s done in Pittsburgh. The year deal to keep Sid happy. Penguins are on a run of great general managers. You know how the I don’t buy it. Not for a second. Steelers have employed only three head coaches since 1969? Well, that statistic stands alone. But the Penguins have employed only three Remember, Rutherford drafted Johnson in Raleigh in 2005. Even though general managers since 1989. Craig Patrick (1989-2006), Ray Shero Johnson never played for the Hurricanes, he developed a relationship (2006-2014) and Rutherford (2014-present). Those are three great with Rutherford, who really has an affection for him on a personal level. (I general managers, and they’ve accounted for five championships in know you don’t want to hear this and that most of you probably don’t Pittsburgh. That’s a heck of a run. care, but everyone likes Johnson on a personal level. It’s hard not to.) So, really, I believe Rutherford’s relationship with Johnson played a much Who had the best wrist shot in Penguins history? My vote would be Petr bigger role in his decision to overpay for him than did Crosby’s Nedved or Alex Kovalev. relationship with him. @RobKirtz Max Domi is on the opening night roster, isn’t he? There have been many. But yeah, those two are probably the best. @LetangCult Kovalev was a marvel, probably one of the 10 most physically gifted hockey players in history. But I’ll give the edge to Nedved. It wasn’t I don’t think so, but it’s possible. Domi’s name is always out there in trade human. talks, probably because he’s a good player but not one who has reached his potential. Then there’s the fact that Domi’s old man and Lemieux are By the way, quick Nedved story! I’ve told it before, but I’ll tell the short very close friends. Thus, many like to connect the dots. I get it. And sure, version again. It was Dec. 1, 1996. I was 16 and in a bad mood because it’s possible. He’s a talented player and wouldn’t be the worst fit with the the Steelers had just taken one on the chin in Baltimore. Making matters Penguins. Still, I think it’s unlikely, just from what I’ve heard. worse, I had to have dinner with my dad and his wife that night and I so wasn’t in the mood. Then, I see Nedved at the restaurant with his For somebody that probably won’t go back to their job for a long time girlfriend. My dad follows him into the bathroom. I start to get nervous. because of Covid but always loved writing and sports, do you have any Then they walk out of the bathroom together, and my dad says loud suggestions on how to get started in your industry? enough for the whole restaurant to hear, “Now I know why he spells his name P-E-T-R.” I mumble an expletive and look down, totally @csweggy embarrassed. Much to my shock, Nedved then pulls up a chair and talks Well, I always give the same pieces of advice. hockey with me for the next 30 minutes. Nicest guy ever. His girlfriend, who ranks as the second most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen (You’re • Write. As often as you can, just write. Whether it’s for publication or if still No. 1, sweetheart) was totally annoyed and wanted to leave. But you’re just practicing, just keep writing. No one is born a great writer, Nedved just kept chatting about hockey, playing with Mario and Jagr, just although some (hi, Nesbitt) are born with more gifts than others. everything. Unreal memory for me. Seriously, anyone can become a better writer if they have a passion for it and if they keep working to enhance their skills. Should I divorce my wife? • Be good at everything. Set up your cell phone and take videos of @Pitt_Shower yourself doing your best Dan Potash impression before a game. I have some experience in this department. And I have so many Seriously, work on it. You have to be able to do everything in this era. questions. Just make sure you have a good lawyer, pal. Even if writing is the end game for you, try to perfect your on-camera work. Call radio shows and ask questions. Get used to being on the air. How long do your rain checks for having a beer with a fan last? Whatever it takes. @elinadoff • Don’t be a jerk on social media. Be careful. If you think you shouldn’t post it, don’t do it. If you want to tell off a famous person (Rossi not That’s a lifelong offer, buddy. I’ll meet any fan on the road for a drink so withstanding), don’t do it. You might need that person to help you out long as you aren’t crazy. Or, at least, hide the crazy when you’re with me. someday and, trust me, when people get told off on social media, they If so, we’ve got a deal. My treat. never forget. With Dom Simon out due to a long term injury, is there finally room for a If Sullivan gets fired at some point in the middle of next season, do they certain other Czech winger to rejoin the Penguins? go in house for the next head coach or hire one of the experienced @Jedidiah412 coaches? Marty Straka? Petr Sykora? Robert Dome? @yy67045767 Oh, you mean someone else. Ol’ No. 68. He hasn’t officially retired yet, I don’t think he’s going to get fired next season but I’ll play along. I so frankly, I’m all for it. suspect Todd Reirden would be the guy to replace him, at least in an interim situation. Reirden has NHL coaching experience and would Josh, we keep hearing that the NHL plans for a December/January start simply make the most sense. to next season, but the economics to the sport are highly tied to ticket sales more than the other three major sports in North America. Assuming Again, I don’t see it happening unless the Penguins completely fall apart. there isn’t a solution to the virus by then, how do they make it work? And, to repeat myself, I don’t see that happening either. @Expittriate With the Riikola re-signing, which defensemen do you think is gonna be on the move? Especially with POJ about ready. They aren’t going to cancel the season. The money they make on TV revenue still makes it worth it to play, even if they aren’t making the @Huntario money they could be making with fans in the seats. That said, as we all It’s a valid question, Hunter. My first thought was that someone had to know, ticket revenue is an enormous thing for the NHL. Gary Bettman go. Let’s break it down: made an interesting point Saturday. While it’s assumed that starting the season on Dec. 1 is a little ridiculous — and that still may not happen — • Dumoulin isn’t going anywhere Bettman’s suggestion was that the league could intend start play in December and just play in empty arenas at first. Then, at some point in • Johnson’s contract is only movable if he’s included with someone else, the season, a portion of fans would be allowed in buildings. And maybe, in my opinion by the postseason, it’s a full house of fans.

• Riikola? Does anyone really want him? That way, you can theoretically get all 82 games in. Not the worst idea, • Joseph is the one, young defensive prospect on the team, so why trade actually, and worth considering. I still think the season will begin in him? January, just from what I’m hearing. But we’ll know a lot more in the next few weeks. • Pettersson? Eh, maybe? They do like him but he’s not untouchable Who would win a starting contest? Shenderovich or Shenderovich? I suppose the most likely move is to include Johnson with Murray or something of that nature and ship him out that way. Otherwise, nothing @AKAFloyd makes a ton of sense, though Pettersson wouldn’t be shocking. I have partied with the Shenderovich brothers on a couple of occasions. Surprising, though. They do like him. Funny, funny human beings. You’d like them. Trust me.

If you put Sid and Geno on the Lemieux-era Penguins, who would be What is the top brass’ view of Hornqvist? Is he essential to another run or their ideal wingers? Vice versa for Lemieux. Who would be his ideal do they really want to get younger and faster? Or his his contract wingers from this Penguins era? unmovable?

@DougGulasy @neildbrown

Great question. Sid loves straight line players who go to the net. He also I think the Penguins would love to keep him for another year or two. He’s has a lot of success over the years playing with right-handed right wings, not young and he isn’t fast, but there’s only one Hornqvist. There’s just namely Colby Armstrong and Bill Guerin. So, what I’m saying is, Rick no one else like him. Whatever problems they’ve had in the past couple Tocchet on his right wing would have been perfect. Same with Kevin of years, Hornqvist hasn’t been part of them. No one plays harder or with Stevens on the left wing. What a perfect line. more passion. And he still produces.

I’ve long believed that Geno Malkin and Jagr would have been That said, the salary cap is a huge concern for the Penguins. And he magnificent together. So, I’m going: makes a lot of money at $5.3 million. My guess is that he’ll play one more Stevens-Crosby-Tocchet season with the Penguins.

Bourque-Malkin-Jagr Whether or not the Penguins trade Letang (they won’t) do you think Marino is ready to run the power play? Someone would need to play defense for Geno and Jagr, so the ol’ 29’er gets the call. As for Mario playing with the current players? He could play @theblatt with anyone, a lot like Malkin in that regard. But he would have been That’s a good question. He probably would handle it just fine. I watched spectacular with Guentzel because of Jake’s hockey IQ. Guentzel him in this role pretty thoroughly during that brief collection of practices actually is a lot like Robbie Brown, only a way better skater. that we called “training camp” in July. And you know what? He looked If you were a wrestler and needed a tag team partner, who would it be? good. Really good. I just don’t think there’s anything the kid can’t do. Rossi or Kaboly? That said, let’s be careful with expectations. Personally, I find Letang @penguins8766 pretty maddening at times on the power play, but he should still be the guy at the point for now. Lots of pros and cons here. Plus whoever I don’t pick will get irritated. I saw nothing from Malkin the last two postseasons, so what’s the I’d probably go with Kaboly for durability reasons. Rossi is always hurt. obsession with Pens fans saying we can’t trade him? Always. He just fell in the shower and is still dealing with a concussion, and this is the norm for him. I think he had surgery every year from 2012- @witty10 15. Literally. Guy is a walking disaster. Now, he would be a great partner. Well, how about all of those other postseasons? It’s easy to get down on He’d be really scrappy. He’d fight dirty. You’d want him on your side. him, and I do think there is an evident physical drop in his game. I still But I’ll still go with the big man. Doesn’t get hurt, plays through pain. think he’s one of the 10 best forwards in the league. He had a great regular season and that shouldn’t be ignored. And he cares. He really, @Bottegal9 really cares. He’s not dogging it out there, I assure you. Absolutely. Teams like the Penguins don’t have high position in the first In the days of rumors, what are some of the craziest rumors you’ve ever round very often and, specifically in their case, don’t keep their first round heard professionally or otherwise? picks very often. Thus, taking advantage of available college players absolutely should and will be part of their plans. @RyanPawloski Josh, how good is John Marino? What is his ceiling? I try to ignore them. I know that’s a lame answer and you’re looking for a radical story. But I trust my sources when I receive bits of information, @Jason_reejer trade talk, whatever. Some of the rumors I hear about, I just shake my head. Impossible to say, but he’s very good. I think he certainly projects, worst case, as a long time, top-four defenseman. Especially as a right-handed OK, there is this. Pierre Maguire really was in the running to become guy, that’s a big, big deal. However, I think he’ll be something more than Penguins general manager in 2014. How might that have altered history? that. I think he’s a top-pairing player who will play in All-Star Games. Is I haven’t a clue. But it would have been something else. he a No. 1 defenseman in the making? Maybe. But I need to see a little bit more. Wouldn’t surprise me, though, and I know the Penguins believe Who was your favorite Penguins player who never panned out? Or who that to be his destiny. We shall see. He’s pretty special. at least was never a star? What are the top three most exciting things about the Penguins next @_Feraco season? I need some positive energy.

As a reporter? As a fan when I was a kid? I could take this in so many @KatieTalksPens different directions. In terns of guys who never panned out, I’m a huge Beau Bennett fan. Nicest guy in the world. Funny. Easy to root for. One You’re asking the guy trapped in a hotel room for optimism? Wow, it’s of the good guys. come to this. Ha ha. OK, we can do this.

As a reporter, my favorite players to deal with were probably Ben • On paper, the Penguins are still really good. Seriously. Top six of Lovejoy, Arron Asham, Mike Rupp, MAF, Ian Cole, Matt Cullen … I could Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Zucker, Rust and Kapanen. How mnay teams go on and on. in the league are better than that? Top-four of Letang, Dumoulin, Marino and Pettersson. That’s really good, too. That’s a ton of talent. As a kid? Always was intrigued by Aleksey Morozov. Never really panned out though. • Tristan Jarry for a entire season as the guy will be fun. I think he’s legit.

Who would do a better job of coaching the other sport? Tomlin with the • Crosby and Malkin will be incredibly fresh and they are embarrassed Penguins or Sullivan with the Steelers? right now. That means they’re going to be hungry.

@JamesCucinelli I hope this helped a little bit.

I’ll give Sullivan the edge. He grew up a big Patriots fan and has a Assuming Murray is traded, are the Pens prepared to run with Jarry and relationship with the Hoodie himself, Bill Belichick. I have to think DeSmith next year or will they look for a more experienced backup? Belichick would give him some tips and that Sullivan’s overall personality would be good, at least at first. @pensyeg

That said, Tomlin is a smart man and comes to hockey games a lot, so Yes, I believe that is their plan. They’ll consider their options, but the he’s got an understanding of the sport. Could go either way, but for the salary cap is not their friend right now, and I believe Jarry and DeSmith sake of not angering the wrong people, I’ll go with the guy I cover. Ha. will be the top two goalies to begin the season.

Favorite vacation spot? If you could replace Crosby with one NHL player, who would it be?

@ScottRamboPens @JNocine

Funny you should ask. I have many favorite places to travel. When I was I mean, Conor McDavid is the best player in the league, I think. That a kid, the Outer Banks in North Carolina were my favorite. Haven’t been said, I think Nate MacKinnon is right on his tail. I’d still rank Sid No. 3 there in more than a decade, and I’ll be making my return there soon. right now. And all three of those slots are subject to change. Can’t wait. There’s just something so peaceful about it there. I love the Did the Pens’ fall from grace begin with the decision to trade Ian Cole lack of commercialization. and then to sign Jack Johnson?

I’ve been to Hawaii twice and it was easily the most magnificent place @vincelaboon I’ve ever experienced. A truly special place. Yes, I believe that it did. There’s more to it than that, of course. But you You can’t beat Montreal for a weekend of trouble, er, I mean, fun. can point a finger at that particular moment in time. Cole isn’t a great Also, I enjoy Florida because it’s so lawless and wild. player, but he’s a good one. And the Penguins miss him dearly.

You think the Pens are considering bringing Flower back if Vegas buys Any chance of a trade for Laine for Letang and McCann? I’ve heard the him out? Jets want a top-four D and a top-six center.

@LENNY9577 @AndyFowler27

If Vegas buys him out? Sure, maybe. I suspect he will be traded and the No way do the Jets go for that because of Letang’s age. Let me ask you Penguins really couldn’t entertain his $7 million salary, so that wouldn’t a question, though: Would you go Marino and McCann to the Jets for happen. If he’s a free agent? I mean, it’s conceivable. But more of a fun Laine? Would the Penguins do it? Would the Jets do it? Power play dream than anything that’s actually rooted in reality, I’d say. would be immediately fixed. You’d add a true star to the lineup. And he’s young. One a scale of 1 to I Need A New Job, how tired are you of writing superstar X had a bad year, TRADE RUMORS ARE SWIRLING? Of course, you’d be without your No. 1 defenseman for the next decade.

@Kirschke15 Just throwing it out there to keep you all entertained. I don’t really think it’s going to happen. But I think it’s kind of an interesting thought. Doesn’t really bother me that much. Fans are just obsessed with trades, free agency, things of that nature. So we really focus a ton of our What happened in the restart? They seemed lifeless. Did everyone just coverage on those items because it’s what readers are most interested want to be back with their families? in. It helps that the general manager is so outspoken and honest about @rbishop007 his team’s plans. I think some players simply didn’t want to be there. And as time goes on, Do you see teams picking more from the college ranks in the future? I think many in the organization believe that as well, which is why they Seem to be a lot of solid finds out there. aren’t blowing this team up but rather trying to ramp up for another 5. June 12, 2009, Max Talbot — We could pick either one, but let’s go championship run. with the game-winner in Detroit. Doesn’t get much bigger:

Should the NHL prohibit the neutral zone trap? 4. June 11, 2017, Patric Hornqvist — We’ll give Hornqvist the nod over Talbot simply because it was so late in the third period when he scored @jradone and the game was tied:

Yes, obviously. But how would you propose the NHL pulls this off? 3. May 25, 2017, Chris Kunitz — I rank this one higher than the two Do you still see the Pens being contenders for the Cup? If so, for how previous goals because the Penguins never get to play in the Stanley much longer? Cup Final in 2017 if not for this Kunitz goal. The most important goal in PPG Paints Arena history by a mile: @jgravityp 2. May 2, 1999, Jaromir Jagr — This one saved the franchise. Literally. I do, actually. Doesn’t mean they’ll win it again, of course. But people Jagr, who had missed the previous four games with a groin injury, suited were so quick to bury them in August and, admittedly, this was a second up and played in Game 6 with the Penguins down 3-2 to the Presidents’ straight season when they bombed in the postseason. Can’t deny it. But Trophy winning Devils. He shouldn’t have been playing. He then tied the still, we’re talking about four hockey games in August here. I can’t take it game in the final minutes and won it in overtime. The Penguins won all that seriously, the more I think about it. Sure, they have issues that Game 7 in New Jersey, which ultimately gave them three more home need to be resolved, and some clear changes are required. playoff games that spring. With that money, they stayed financially afloat until Lemieux bought them. Without those home games, they probably But I’m not ready to tell you this team is dead and buried. They’re still so wouldn’t exist: good on paper and I suspect GMJR is about to add a piece or two, which could make them even better on paper. Problem is, the Eastern 1. Oct. 11, 1984, Mario Lemieux — But without this guy, they most Conference is good and will be for a long time. I wouldn’t put it past this certainly wouldn’t exist. Pittsburgh wasn’t really a hockey town in 1984. group to make another run, though. In fact, I think they do have one more The Penguins had their loyal fans, but they were few. Then came his first run in them. This is a prideful group and there’s still a lot of star power shift, and a city was forever changed: there. I’d be hesitant to count them out just yet. Are there any players on the Pens that have obsessive hobbies? Like, From your experience, what is every NHL player’s favorite food? are there any players known for their interest in music/cars/roleplaying/etc…as much as for their hockey skills? If so, do @mattrophy you ask said player about this hobby to get them talking? Pasta. By far. With some steak. Those are the two answers you always @BioshockLGP hear. Gotta be honest, it’s kind of a dull group right now. And it’s been so long What is the most important goal in Pens history? since I’ve seen any of them that I’m starting to forget things about them. @YinzerMelvin But some of them have their outside interest. ZAR loves music. Plays the Oh boy. Now that’s a question. No way everyone will agree with me, but guitar. Has really good taste in music, too. You can have a fun let’s have some fun with this one. Just because I’m really bored and have conversation with him about it. He looks like he should be playing guitar a lot of times on my hands, I’m going with a top 10 list. In descending in a coffee shop. He probably will be someday. order. And yes, you’re getting explanations. Sid is a big history buff. I enjoy talking history with him and hearing his How about this? Crosby and Malkin didn’t make the list! Wild, I know. But observations about certain events. the Penguins have scored a lot of important goals. I’m really looking forward to getting to know Jason Zucker better. You’d 10. May 11, 1992, Jaromir Jagr — This was the greatest series in all like him. Big personality, very likable guy. You can see that people are Penguins history. Penguins/Rangers, 1992. Adam Graves broke Mario’s just drawn to him, and for good reason. Great guy. hand with a dirty slash. The Penguins fell down in the series, 2-1. Ron Bonus: Boy did Phil Kessel like the casino. Francis’ iconic hat trick in Game 4 tied it. Back to the Garden for Game 5. The Penguins went up 2-0 early but the Rangers evened things in the What is your best reporter for reporter trade proposal? Who you bringing third period. Then, with the game on the line, Jagr danced around Jeff to The Athletic Pittsburgh and who are you sending out? Don’t trade a Beukeboom and scored one of the great goals of his career for the first-round pick for them though. We have to start retooling. game-winner (You’ll note Jagr sticking up his middle finger at the Rangers bench while celebrating. You just don’t see good celebrations @skiminer36 like that anymore): I’d have to suggest Rossi to Colorado for Ryan Clark. And I’ll tell you 9. March 17, 1991, Kevin Stevens — Had to throw a regular season goal why. in there. Before there were the Cups, the Penguins won the first Patrick Oh, there’s no issue here. Rob is one of my closest friends and always Division title in team history. Stevens beat the Rangers in overtime in the will be. This is strictly for humor’s sake. See, Ryan is a great writer and a biggest game of the regular season. Kind of a funny goal, too. Unless very positive guy. You’d all like him a lot. Thing is, everything is going a you’re the Rangers: little too smoothly in Denver, you know? Great young team. Fun to watch. 8. May 10, 2016, Nick Bonino —Bonino! Bonino! Bonino! You know the Going to win a Cup soon. No real drama. one. I’m not sure if they beat the Capitals in Washington in Game 7 if Enter Rob Rossi. He’ll take care of that in a hurry and keep Joe Sakic they blow Game 6, a game in which the Penguins led 3-0 only to let it go and Co. on their toes. So that’s what I would do. to overtime. Additionally, I love Denver, so it would give me an excuse to visit a But we’ll never know because of Bonino’s herocis: couple of times per year.

7. May 11, 1991, Mark Recchi — Amazing this one wasn’t higher. The Do you floss before or after you brush your teeth? Penguins and Bruins were tied at 3 in the third period of Game 6 at the Civic Arena, with the Penguins ahead in the Wales Conference Final, 3- @jmarshfof 2. You’ll note three Bruins skate toward Lemieux’s side of the ice, leaving Recchi alone. A famous, famous goal in franchise history, the one that Hi Jesse. Thanks for the question as I believe good dental hygiene is an sent the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup Final: important thing. I’m a member of the no cavity club, I might add.

6. May 26, 1992, Mario Lemieux — If you know your Penguins’ history, For me, it goes like this: you know how big this one was. The Penguins had trailed the • Brush teeth Blackhawks, 4-1, in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Then Lemieux brought down the house (I can’t believe I left Jagr’s game-tying goal from • Floss that game off the list, but this was hard): • Mouthwash Admittedly, I often just brush. But if I’m, shall we say, in the company of another, I like to go for the trifecta. I have always found this to be an effective way to augment one’s dental health and breath.

Which member of the media did Tom Barrasso dislike the most and why?

@TudickSynsider

He did swing his stick at Mark Madden once, so that has to count for something. But rest assured, Tom didn’t like anyone from what I’ve been told. Long before my time.

Well, it’s been fun. Thanks for occupying my time with all of the great questions. Be well. I’ll try to stay sane. And, by God, don’t hesitate to say hello.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1178999 San Jose Sharks Nabokov, now 45, said Vasilevskiy already had all of the tools to be a star.

“I got to know him really well and his work ethic is unbelievable,” Goalie assist: How Evgeni Nabokov guided both Anton Khudobin, Andrei Nabokov said. “The way he works off ice is unreal. He’s so professional, Vasilevskiy so mature, back in the day even, five years ago. A lot of kids are talented, but not a lot of kids have talent, the body, and the flexibility and the reaction (time) and the athleticism.

By CURTIS PASHELKA | [email protected] | Bay “Usually you have one or two things, but when you have four or five, Area News Group that’s what makes you special. He’s a special goalie.”

So special that Nabokov would soon be unemployed.

Evgeni Nabokov had just finished one of his first seasons in North On Feb. 9, 2015 with Vasilevskiy taking off, Nabokov was traded to the America as a San Jose Sharks goalie prospect in the late 1990s and was Sharks for future considerations. Nabokov was 3-6-2 record with a 3.15 back in his hometown in Kazakhstan for the summer. goals against average with the Lightning that year, but had only appeared in two games since Christmas. There, a friend of his, a coach, asked Nabokov to speak to a group of young goalies who were gathering for a couple of days to hone their “He’d seen and done everything,” Cooper said about Nabokov the week skills. One of them was a teenager named Anton Khudobin, who is also before the trade. “He’s seen things I haven’t seen yet. He was helping from Ust-Kamenogorsk. not only our players, he helped me in areas.”

“You know, when you’re meeting a 13-year-old kid, you don’t know that Nabokov wouldn’t go so far as to say he played a small role in the this is Anton Khudobin,” said Nabokov, the Sharks’ goalie coach and success of Khudobin and Vasilevskiy. Rather, he feels he was just doing their all-time leader in several statistical categories. what a lot of other people would do in the same situation.

“It was funny enough where Anton, after he came over to North America, “Do I feel like I helped them? No, probably not,” Nabokov said. “Do I feel he has been talking about that all the time. I’m like, “You were there?’ It’s like I’ve been good to them? Probably, yeah. But nothing more than that. kind of a funny story that I don’t remember a ton and he remembers It’s not like I’ve been coaching them over and over. It’s nothing like that.” everything.” San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 09.24.2020 Nabokov is definitely paying attention these days as Khudobin, now 34, attempts to lead the Dallas Stars to their second-ever Stanley Cup. They’ll have to get past the Tampa Bay Lightning and Andrei Vasilevskiy, the 2019 Vezina Trophy winner that Nabokov knows well and has influenced off the ice.

The series is tied 1-1. Game 3 from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta is tonight.

Nabokov stays in touch with both Vasilevskiy and Khudobin, who have shined in the postseason and are legitimate candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP

Vasilevskiy, 26, had a sparkling 1.82 goals against average and a ,931 save percentage in his first 19 postseason games before the Cup final began. Khudobin’s numbers were about has good with a .920 save percentage and a 2.62 goals against average, although he has had to stop more high danger scoring chances.

In Game 1, Khudobin stopped 35 of 36 shots — including 22 in the third period — as the Stars went on to a 4-1 win.

“He’s playing the game, he’s not robotic, he’s reading the plays really well,” Nabokov said. “I hear on TV that, ‘Well, he’s unconventional’ or some other words. With him, he’s just going to play the way he thinks the situation needs to be played, where a lot of goalies these days are really robotic and they play different situations the same way.

“He’s just a little bit different. He wants to be aggressive.”

Perhaps the pupil was just taking cues from his instructor. After all, Khudobin has a similar style as Nabokov and even wears his equipment the same way, down to the neck guard.

“He showed us what to do on the ice, agility, lateral movement,” Khudobin said in an interview with InGoal Magazine. “He gave us drills and I still do exact same ones for warm-up before the games and practices now.”

In 2014 after three solid seasons with the New York Islanders, Nabokov, then 39, signed a one-year contract with the Lightning.

Ben Bishop was entering his second season as the No. 1 goalie, and Tampa Bay needed an experienced backup as a bridge to when Vasilevskiy — selected 19th overall by the Lightning in 2012 — would he ready for print time.

Nabokov’s biggest message to Vasilevskiy was to stay humble and take advantage of his opportunities when they came.

“Nabby was great for Vasy,” said Stars coach Rick Bowness, who was an assistant on Lightning coach Jon Cooper’s staff that year. “They spent a lot time together. He was the perfect backup at that time. Nabby was a great teammate. Obviously a good goalie as well. Had a great career.” 1179000 San Jose Sharks Couture expects that to be a major plus, too, after witnessing the abrupt transition last December when Boughner replaced DeBoer.

“I think it will help a lot,” Couture said. “They were really thrown into the Logan Couture on the Bob Boughner hiring; more Sharks big-picture fire, and I think a lot of the time Boogie spent was really trying to work on takeaways everything. He was trying to do all the special teams and it was a lot. There was a lot going on.

“I think a fresh season, a new slate for everyone, players and coaching By Kevin Kurz Sep 23, 2020 14 staff included, is going to be big for us.”

3. Let’s talk big picture now.

Earlier this summer, Sharks coach Bob Boughner made the Since the season abruptly ended, Wilson has been saying for some time approximately two-hour drive from his home in Windsor, Ont., to Logan that he fully expected the Sharks to compete for a playoff spot next Couture’s hometown of London, Ont. He had a tee time with the Sharks season. Therefore, the thinking went, the general manager would have to captain, and Joe Thornton and Mario Ferraro joined, too. make a few bold moves to alter the roster.

Boughner has always had a fan in Couture. In fact, after getting fired as But when I asked him on Tuesday if that philosophy remains the same the Florida Panthers head coach at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season six months into this pandemic, Wilson seemed to walk it back a bit. And, after two years on the job, Couture openly lobbied on Twitter for really, that shouldn’t be much of a surprise, if I’m reading the tea leaves Boughner to return to the Sharks, where the coach had previously run correctly. No one truly knows when next season will even begin or if the defense under Pete DeBoer for two seasons. A reunion quickly there will be any fans allowed in buildings. And if SAP Center is only followed when Boughner rejoined the Sharks staff before last season. going to be permitted to operate at a limited capacity anyway, perhaps it Boughner took over as interim coach after DeBoer was fired last Dec. 11. makes more sense to look toward the 2021-22 season, instead. The Sharks could have more flexibility in the 2021 offseason, which also Suffice it to say, Couture is pleased that Boughner will return as the includes the Seattle expansion draft (assuming Wilson would continue to Sharks’ full-time head coach. The Sharks officially removed the interim be employed through what might be a second straight subpar season). tag from Boughner’s title on Tuesday. “This is the most unique time in our game. We don’t know when we’re “He drove up and we had some good discussions about the way we want going to start,” Wilson said. “The complexities going forward, the amount to play, the (assistant) coaches that he was looking for to bring in, what of time between games — it could be eight months, nine months, 10 they’re going to bring. And then, just really getting back to playing as a months. Who knows? We’re all in the same boat. The cap is flat, team,” Couture recalled in a phone interview on Wednesday. obviously. … It’s just a unique time. I can’t really compare it to any other LOL YA TOTALLY HIS FAULT. BRING HIM BACK year that we’ve had. (In the only two seasons in the last 18) we didn’t @SANJOSESHARKS HTTPS://T.CO/UUCCPFXJTR make the playoffs, we returned the next year and it was the core of our team that really got us back on track and led the way. — LOGAN COUTURE (@LOGANCOUTURE) APRIL 7, 2019 “Make no mistake, our best players have to be our best players. What we Couture doesn’t personally know Rocky Thompson or John Madden, do around the edges … I do believe that you have to have young players both of whom were added to Boughner’s staff this week. Madden, who flourish and evolve and grow and be a part of it. I think we saw a group of will be in charge of the forwards, won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best them last year in the second half get those opportunities and that has to defensive forward in 2001. He had a productive 13-year NHL career, continue. But it’s just such a unique year.” winning the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2000 and 2003, and again with Chicago in 2010, when he was part of the team that knocked the Fortunately, we don’t have to wait much longer to see how the Sharks Sharks out in the Western Conference final in Couture’s rookie season. plan to approach the 2020-21 season, as the draft is set for Oct. 6-7 and free agency opens Oct. 9. Wilson’s actions will speak louder than his Madden spent the last three seasons as the head coach of the AHL Zoom calls. Cleveland Monsters (the ’ affiliate) and prior to that was an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers for three seasons 4. On a related note, and something that could influence Wilson’s from 2013-2016. decision on how to proceed, is that the Sharks are one of seven teams that did not return to play in August, and there’s been talk that those “A guy like that who played many, many years, won the Selke. That’s a teams might be permitted to hold some sort of minicamp before main guy I can learn from, and I’m excited to work with him,” Couture said. training camp opens. (Right now, training camp is scheduled to start Nov. 17, but that’s tentative, for obvious reasons.) There was much to digest after Tuesday’s Zoom conference call with Boughner, Thompson, Madden and general manager . Wilson would welcome the opportunity to get some extra evaluation time in for the organization’s young players, in particular. Here are five more takeaways from the day: “We’re sitting here, we should be in training camp or having had a 1. There’s been plenty of talk about the Sharks’ dressing room since the development camp, and the 24 other teams were able to enter and (had) season ended, and Boughner again admitted that a big part of fixing the the right to be in the bubble, have a training camp (and) have their team will be getting all of the different personalities on the same page. younger players experience some playing games and playoff games. The “They realize what slipped through the cracks last year and what we seven teams were not. We didn’t earn that right. need to work on, what we need to improve,” Boughner said. “Not from a “(The) question is exactly right — when and how do we get to grow our hockey standpoint, from a dressing-room standpoint.” players? We’ve got a group of players that we’ve assigned over to Couture weighed in on that notion, too. Europe, we’ve got to make some decisions on some other guys. Will we get some extra time prior to camp? Those negotiations haven’t taken “I think when we started to lose last year, no one was used to it. place. We don’t have a final answer on that. It would be nice to have Everyone handled it different ways, and it wasn’t the right way,” he said. some lead time before we we start up next season. We don’t know yet, “Everyone’s got to work together. You need four lines, six (defensemen) but it’s a it’s a factor into some of our decisions. and both goalies. (Boughner) tried to instill that message at the end of the year when he took over as head coach, and I said this before, I think “We’ve never gone (this) length of time. When you do come back, which we started to play better hockey, we just had a few too many injuries. players can step up and play? Is it a compressed schedule? What are the concerns on that? It’s just a unique time that we have to deal with. It’s “For me, personally, I’ve very excited about the staff and Boogie being so unfortunate what society is dealing with, so ours is a small problem back. And he adds two guys that played in the NHL and have a history of compared to that, but it is an issue. I know the league and I think the winning, and guys that have done a good job in the American League. (NHLPA) are open to exploring giving us the chance to get ramped up a I’m excited to get started, hopefully soon.” little bit.” 2. Perhaps the biggest benefit Boughner will enjoy is that he’ll get to start fresh from Day 1 with a staff of his choosing. 5. We figured that the Sharks would be permitted to spend to the salary cap based on their history under owner , and Wilson confirmed that on Tuesday.

“Hasso gives us the ability to do that,” Wilson said. “He’s one of the best owners in sports because he wants us to have everything we need. He wants the players to feel part of the organization, part of the community. So, yes, we have the ability to spend to the cap.”

So if the multi-multibillionaire Plattner’s Costanza-sized wallet is still open, what about a buyout? That window opens on Friday, and while I believe it’s a long shot, the Sharks probably have to at least consider whether they want to keep Martin Jones and the four remaining seasons of his contract on the books or if they might be better off cutting ties with the much-maligned goalie.

The Sharks have bought out three players in their history: Paul Martin, Adam Burish and Marty Havlat. In all of those cases, though, they were only buying out the final season of their respective deals.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179001 St Louis Blues The symptoms — headaches, blurred vision, sensitivity to light — would last for months. He was disappointed because it was only 10 games into the Blues’ season, and as a 20-goal scorer the year before, he was on the cusp of earning a bigger role. Blues forward David Perron says you can call it a comeback ‘or three’ But Perron could only sit and wait. He couldn’t even walk his dogs without getting a headache. He even stopped going to the rink when the team was in town because he was constantly forced to answer friendly By Jeremy Rutherford Sep 23, 2020 13 questions about how he was feeling.

“I was going crazy having to answer that,” he said. “Maybe I was Before David Perron hoisted the Stanley Cup, he had to hold his head depressed, I’m not sure.” up. Before the joy, there was depression. Before the comeback, there There were times when even playing again seemed unlikely. was “the hit.” “Yeah, yeah, there were a couple moments,” he said. On Nov. 4, 2010, in his fourth NHL season, the 22-year-old St. Louis Blues forward was blindsided by San Jose’s Joe Thornton. And though What held Perron together, he said, was seeing Pittsburgh superstar Perron would return to that game, he’d miss the next 97 games with go through a similar situation. About two months after concussion-like symptoms. Thornton laid out Perron, Crosby was concussed on a hit by Washington’s Dave Steckel in the 2011 Winter Classic. Not that Perron It was the earliest days of “Rule 48,” the NHL’s new initiative to ban hits wanted to see Crosby suffer, but it limited the loneliness. to the head. Thornton received a five-minute major and was suspended for two games. “To know that the best player in the game was going through the exact same thing, that was the only thing I could mentally hang on to,” he said. If you’re thinking life isn’t fair, you’re right, but for whom? Sure, it was a “Like, I’m not the only guy that can’t recover from this.” setback, but some people are blessed with boundless talent and perseverance, and Perron is one of those. Then, following the end of the 2010-11 season, Perron went on the ice in July for the first time in eight months. A decade later, he’s back in St. Louis for the third time in his career, and he’s got a championship ring. How did he recover from what could have It was only 15 minutes, but “it was like a switch flipped in my head and I been a career-ending injury? He gave us behind-the-scenes details of missed it so much,” he said. “It felt great just to put my skates on, feel the what it took to get back on the ice and how appreciative he is to still be puck and shoot.” skating on that same sheet. Perron didn’t open the 2011-12 season with the Blues, but he returned The Blues were beating the Sharks, 1-0, on a first-period goal by Matt on Dec. 3, and what a return it was; he scored on his third shift in front of D’Agostini. It was early in the second period when Thornton was sent to his parents, his agent and 19,150 fans. the penalty box for a boarding penalty. “I was just hoping to miss a week and it ended up being 13 months,” he The time on that two-minute minor was about to expire when Blues said. “But it was great.” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was exiting the Blues’ zone and preparing to pass the puck. Perron played two more seasons before his first of two departures from St. Louis. In 2013, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers and spent time “We were at the end of a power play, close to it, and I wanted to get one in Pittsburgh and Anaheim before re-signing with the Blues. In 2017, he more breakout going,” Perron said. “Petro has the puck, and he’s getting was claimed by Vegas in the NHL expansion draft, and a year later re- speed up the ice and, very quickly, I look up the ice and there was no signed with the Blues. one in my sight. I scanned all four (San Jose) players. Here’s something that’s hard to comprehend: Perron has played 942 “I knew where they were on the ice, and if I got the pass, I would have games in the NHL (including playoffs) for five teams, and the only time collect it. I look back and Petro is making a pass and it’s a little on contracts he has ever signed were with the Blues — five of them. edge, so I’m going to need an extra half-second. In my head, I’m thinking there’s no one around. I wasn’t ready for any hit, and then Thornton That’s why Perron was so thrilled when he finally won a Stanley Cup that steps out of the box.” it was in the city that drafted him in 2008.

Here’s what happened next … “This team gave me an opportunity to play in this league,” he said. “When I came in, I was a teenager. I had to experience a lot of things to become Perron did not have possession of the puck when Thornton’s right an adult, and this city has made me grow in so many ways that I’m shoulder makes contact with his head. always going to be thankful. I wanted to see it through with St. Louis, like we did last year, and boy did it feel good because of that.” “I think when you look at the hit,” he said, “it’s not a hit that he’s proud of, I’m sure.” As he raised the Stanley Cup in front of an estimated one million fans at the Blues’ championship parade last summer, Perron couldn’t help but Perron lay motionless on the ice before heading to the Blues’ locker think about how things could have ended differently for him. room, while Thornton received a major and a 10-minute game misconduct. “That was one of those moments,” he said. “We talked about having this parade on Market Street from my first year until we won it. I’m glad that I But this was before there were concussion spotters inside arenas and a was in the group that did it. You can call it a comeback, or it could be protocol for a player to return to the ice, so Perron was back just 10 three comebacks.” minutes later in real time. The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 “I can’t say that I was feeling good, but I did pretty good the rest of the game,” he said. “Remember, in those years, you had to pull yourself off the ice, and you were just trying to play through anything.”

Perron, in fact, did score the Blues’ second goal in their 2-0 win just 8:43 in clock time after the hit.

“I finished the game, and I was hoping to be fine,” he said.

The next day, the Blues flew to Boston, and two days later, he skated the morning of the Blues’ game against the Bruins. He was experiencing some dizziness, though, and couldn’t play.

“We knew it was going to be a concussion once I told them that I wasn’t feeling well,” Perron said. 1179002 Tampa Bay Lightning Penalties—Cernak, TB (Tripping), 8:13; Kiviranta, Dal (Interference), 9:34; Radulov, Dal (Hooking), 19:37.

Second Period—4, Tampa Bay, Hedman 10 (Palat, Cirelli), 0:54 (pp). 5, The Lightning’s stars make the difference in Game 3 win over Dallas Tampa Bay, Point 11 (Hedman, Kucherov), 12:02. 6, Tampa Bay, Palat 10 (Point, Shattenkirk), 18:55. Penalties—Radulov, Dal (Hooking), 4:31; Gourde, TB (Interference), 12:43.

By Diana C. Nearhos Third Period—7, Dallas, Heiskanen 6 (Cogliano, Pavelski), 6:49. Penalties—Janmark, Dal (Roughing), 2:58; Palat, TB (Roughing), 2:58;

Benn, Dal (Roughing), 3:38; Rutta, TB (Roughing), 3:38; Benn, Dal Depth is important in the playoffs, but as Jon Cooper is fond of saying: (Misconduct), 3:38; Rutta, TB (Misconduct), 3:38; Shattenkirk, TB Sometimes you need your best players to be your best players. (Slashing), 9:30; Sergachev, TB (Tripping), 12:41; Pavelski, Dal (Roughing), 18:05; Dickinson, Dal (Roughing), 18:05; Paquette, TB Well, the Lightning’s stars outshone the Dallas Stars in a 5-2 win in (Roughing), 18:05; Goodrow, TB (Roughing), 18:05; Pavelski, Dal (Cross Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final Wednesday in Edmonton. Checking), 18:05; Maroon, TB (Misconduct), 18:05.

“If you’re going to go the distance, the big boys have to be there for you,” Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 8-21-3_32. Dallas 16-4-4_24. Power-play the Lightning coach said. “And in every aspect, they were.” opportunities—Tampa Bay 1 of 4; Dallas 0 of 4. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Vasilevskiy 15-5-1 (24 shots-22 saves). Dallas, Khudobin 13-7-0 (29-24), Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos — in his first game since Feb. 25 — Dallas, Oettinger 0-0-0 (3-3). T—2:34. Referees—Wes McCauley, Dan Victor Hedman, Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat scored as the Lightning O’Rourke. Linesmen—Scott Cherrey, Matt MacPherson. took a 2-1 series lead. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 09.24.2020 Point leads the playoffs with 11 goals. Hedman and Palat each have 10, making the Lightning the third team in the last 20 years to have three players reach double-digit goals in the playoffs, joining the 2008 Red Wings and 2010 Blackhawks.

The Lightning take a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup final against the Dallas Stars. Game 4 will be played on Friday.

This was the third game of the playoffs in which each player on the top line — Palat, Point and Kucherov — scored and the second that they and Hedman all had a goal.

“These whole playoffs, we’ve had contributions from everyone,” Point said. “Some guys are asked to score goals, so it’s nice to see those guys put the puck in the net.”

The players who are asked to score — and some who have stepped into that role in the playoffs, namely Palat and Hedman — put on a clinic, but it started with a defensive play.

The Stars had a chance to get on the board first, which could have changed the flow of the game. Right wing Denis Gurianov took off with the puck, and Hedman raced to catch up with him from deep in the Lightning’s offensive zone. He got there, crossed behind Gurianov and used his long reach to get his stick on the puck.

A minute later, Kucherov picked up a turnover in the neutral zone and sprung loose on a breakaway. He made a wrist shot look simple, and the Lightning were off to the races.

Stamkos, who had been out injured, gave the Lightning a 2-0 lead shortly thereafter, scoring on his first, and only, shot. Hedman set him up with a pass as Stamkos entered the zone, and Stamkos placed a wrist shot in the far top corner. He played only 2:47, all in the first period, but provided the most exciting moment of the game.

Stamkos said after the game he had an “issue” and it was “too early” to say whether he’d play in Game 4 on Friday.

Hedman took advantage of being left all alone in the high slot for a power-play goal 54 seconds into the second period.

Next up was Point, who demonstrated why he and Kucherov are the only constants in the lineup over two years. He finished on a nice pass from Kucherov to put the Lightning up 4-1 midway through the second.

Palat was the final first-liner to score. Point jumped on a bouncing rebound and fed the puck to Palat, who put it on net to round out the Lightning’s scoring.

After that, it didn’t matter that the Stars got the only goal of the third period. The Lighting’s stars had already proven brighter for the night.

Contact Diana C. Nearhos at [email protected]. Follow @dianacnearhos.

Lightning 2-3-0—5

Stars 1-0-1—2

First Period—1, Tampa Bay, Kucherov 7, 5:33. 2, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 1 (Rutta, Hedman), 6:58. 3, Dallas, Dickinson 2 (Hintz), 11:19 (sh). 1179003 Tampa Bay Lightning bench, shouting instructions, cheering and congratulating teammates, who clearly were happy to have him back.

Goal: A-plus Lightning-Stars Game 3 report card: Core four plus a bonus Slight slip-up

The Lightning got a wakeup call just over four minutes after Stamkos' By Frank Pastor goal when they allowed their first short-handed goal of the playoffs. A turnover started the trouble, then Point and Kucherov lost a puck battle to Roope Hintz in the left corner of the Tampa Bay zone. Hintz fed Jason Dickinson, who beat Andrei Vasilevskiy with a shot from the left circle. The usual suspects showed up on the scoresheet again for the Lightning Vasilevskiy appeared to be off his angle and seemed surprised by the on Wednesday night. one-timer that got past him on the short side. The goal came during a Nikita Kucherov. Brayden Point. Victor Hedman. Ondrej Palat. stretch when the Stars were significantly outshooting and out-chancing the Lightning, and Vasilevskiy came back with four or five big saves And one that was unexpected: Steven Stamkos. following the goal to largely limit the damage.

While Stamkos' night was abbreviated, there’s no question he helped Grade: C shape the outcome of a game that gave Tampa Bay its first series lead in the Stanley Cup final. Turning the tide

The captain’s presence in the lineup for Game 3 after a near seven- Hedman’s goal 54 seconds into the second period might have been the month absence gave the Lightning a visible lift, and his goal on his first turning point. The Lightning led by a goal after the first period but were shot handed Tampa Bay a quick two-goal lead. outshot in the frame, 16-8. Radulov opened the door for Tampa Bay when he was penalized for hooking Blake Coleman with 22.4 seconds That Stamkos' night was cut short after the first period was disappointing, left in the period. The Lightning carried 1:38 of power-play time into the but not disconcerting. second period and needed less than a minute to restore their two-goal lead. After some good work down low by Anthony Cirelli, Palat and Point, His teammates picked him up, as they have throughout the postseason. Cirelli dove to beat Hintz to the puck in the right circle. He passed to And as has been the case for most of the past two months, it was the Hedman, who beat Khudobin over the blocker from the high slot for his team’s best players who did the heaviest lifting. 10th goal of the postseason. Among defensemen, only Paul Coffey and have more in a playoff year. Hedman also made the Kucherov opened the scoring and set up Point for Tampa Bay’s fourth defensive play of the game, catching up to Denis Gurianov from behind goal. Hedman potted maybe the most important goal of the game and and pulling his stick away from the puck before he could get off a shot on sprung Stamkos for his goal, one of his two assists. And Point and Palat a first-period breakaway. each contributed a goal and an assist. Grade: A Look at the Lightning’s playoff points leaders, and you’ll see those four names at the top of the list. Making them pay

Grade: A-plus Like Kucherov, Point will make an opponent pay for even the smallest mistake. And the two of them did just that 12 minutes into the second Here is how we graded the rest of the Lightning’s performance in their 5- period. A bad shift change by the Stars and a turnover in the neutral zone 2 win: created an opportunity off the rush, and Point beat Khudobin stick side Forcible on the forecheck from the left circle after a cross-ice pass from Kucherov. Hedman, who hit Kucherov in stride with a cross-ice pass through the neutral zone from The Lightning forwards were relentless on the forecheck early, forcing the Lightning blue line, picked up the secondary assist. Earlier in the Dallas' defensemen to move the puck quicker than they might have liked. game, Point blocked a Jamie Benn shot in front of the Lightning net after It paid off just over five minutes into the game, when pressure from Palat an errant pass from Vasilevskiy deflected off Point’s stick into the slot. caused Miro Heiskanen to lose his edge as he tried to spin away from a The block was crucial, as Vasilevskiy had become entangled with check just outside the Stars blue line. The defenseman inadvertently Radulov’s stick as he skated out from behind the net. passed to Kucherov, creating a breakaway that ended with the puck in the back of the Dallas net. The forecheck was even more ferocious in the Grade: A second period, swarming the Stars and creating problems getting the Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 09.24.2020 puck out of their zone. All five Lightning players were involved, generating turnovers in multiple zones, and getting shots to the net. The Lightning outshot the Stars 21-4 in the period.

Grade: A

Can’t contain Kuch

The Stars continued to try to get Kucherov off his game with physical play, but they were no more successful than in Game 2. Alexander Radulov hit him up high as Kucherov came out of the corner after playing the puck along the sideboards early in the first period. Shortly afterward, Heiskanen turned the puck over in the neutral zone, Kucherov found the puck on his stick, and he was off to the races, beating Anton Khudobin high on the stick side. Kucherov doesn’t miss often in those situations, and he didn’t this time.

Grade: A

One happy return

Stamkos' return gave the Lightning some early jump. Jon Cooper got him involved quickly, playing him on the fourth line with Patrick Maroon and Cedric Paquette, and Stamkos repaid his coach by scoring on his first shot (on his third shift). Taking a diagonal pass through the neutral zone from Hedman, Stamkos beat defenseman Esa Lindell down the wall, then scored top corner on a snap shot from the right circle. Though he played only 2:47 over five shifts, Stamkos stayed involved from the 1179004 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning’s Victor Hedman notches 10th postseason goal

By Mari Faiello

Victor Hedman may not have had the regular season he needed to win the Norris Trophy this year, but he’s having a postseason that has him in the conversation for playoff MVP.

The defenseman got the Lightning’s third goal in a 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final Wednesday night in Edmonton. The Lightning lead the series 2-1.

#TBLightning's Hedman gets on the board to make it a 3-1 lead in the second period with an unassisted power play goal against #GoStars. #TBLvsDAL pic.twitter.com/XSdmRr2Am3

— 홼횊횛횒 홵횊횒횎횕횕횘 (wears a mask) (@faiello_mari) September 24, 2020

Hedman’s power-play score was his 10th goal of the postseason. He trails Paul Coffey (12 goals in 1985) and Brian Leetch (11 in 1994) for most goals by a defenseman in a postseason.

Hedman also tied Marty St. Louis for the third-most postseason power- play points (20) in franchise history.

“He’s a pretty determined player,” coach Jon Cooper said. “He’s pretty damn good. Your best players have to be your best players, and he’s clearly one of those.”

The Tampa Bay Lightning take a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup final against the Dallas Stars. Game 4 will be played on Friday.

Hedman joined Dallas' Miro Heiskanen as the only defensemen in the playoffs with at least 20 points. Hedman has 20, Heiskanen 24 (six goals).

“I like to contribute offensively,” Hedman said. "But … we’re not here for personal stats. We’re here for one thing, and that’s winning the Stanley Cup.

“So, you know, when I get the puck on my stick, I make a pass or shoot for a goal. Obviously, (I’m) happy with the way things have been going, but at the end of the day, it’s about helping our team win, and even if it’s by a goal or blocked shot, it doesn’t really matter to us. So the end goal is still the same.”

Victor Hedman for Conn Smythe. Book it! ♂

— Eddie Lack (@eddielack) September 24, 2020

Other notables

Nikita Kucherov extended his postseason total to 30 points with a goal and an assist, the most points in franchise history for a postseason. Kucherov now has 26 multi-point games in his postseason career.

Brayden Point extended his postseason total to 28 points with a one goal and an assist, which broke a tie with Brad Richards for the franchise’s second-most points in a postseason.

#TBLightning's Point gets on the board from Kucherov just more than halfway through the second period to get the 4-1 lead against #GoStars. #TBLvsDAL pic.twitter.com/EXR6srj6SO

— 홼횊횛횒 홵횊횒횎횕횕횘 (wears a mask) (@faiello_mari) September 24, 2020

Kucherov’s assist on Point’s second-period goal gave him 23 in this postseason and moved him into second place for assists by a wing in a postseason, breaking a tie with Boston’s Rick Middleton from 1983 and trailing Mark Recchi’s 24 from 1991.

Ondrej Palat’s third-period goal made him the third Lightning player with 10 goals in the postseason, joining Hedman and Point. Since 2000, only two other teams have had that many players reach that mark (2010 Blackhawks, 2008 Red Wings).

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179005 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning’s Steven Stamkos returns, scores, still managing injury in Game 3

By Diana C. Nearhos

Steven Stamkos finally made his first appearance of the playoffs — and scored on his first shot in 210 games — but he’s clearly still managing an injury.

Stamkos led the Lightning onto the ice for warmups Wednesday, before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final. Traditionally, that role goes to the starting goalie, but when your captain returns to the lineup after seven months, he gets that honor.

He made an immediate impact with a goal, but Stamkos only played 2:47 before he was forced to spend the rest of the game on the bench, as lead cheerleader.

Stamkos carried the puck into the zone, then perfectly placed a wrist shot on net. It’s a move the Lightning captain has made so many times, but this one carried a lot of emotion.

Winger Pat Maroon jumped on Stamkos, with center Cedric Paquette and defensemen Victor Hedman and Jan Rutta close behind. The bench erupted with a reaction similar to the team’s celebration of its overtime wins this postseason.

Stamkos only played two more shifts after that goal.

He had multiple conversations with both of the Lightning’s athletic trainers on the bench and sat out the final 6:18 of the first period. Stamkos did not come out of intermission with the team to start the second.

He returned to the bench about eight minutes into the period, but stayed there. Stamkos did the same thing back in November. He got hurt early in a win over Chicago, but remained on the bench in case the team really needed him.

Stamkos had surgery to repair a core muscle on March 2 and was supposed to miss six to eight weeks, but incurred multiple setbacks in his recovery.

“He’s a threat,” coach Jon Cooper said before the game. “So he’s just another thing for a team to think about when he’s out there. Whether that’s on the power play or five-on-five, you get another player that when the puck gets on his stick in the offensive zone, it might get in the net.”

Cooper also said there were a lot of pieces that needed to go into the decision to play Stamkos, including getting his timing back after going without any games and barely any practices.

Previously, he said he didn’t like the idea of having Stamkos as a power- play specialist because it would essentially take a player out of the lineup for most of the game. With a team banged up, as every team is by this point, you don’t want to put that on everyone else.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179006 Tampa Bay Lightning speculation. He showed up on the ice in street clothes, with a jersey on top, for the trophy presentation after the Lightning won the Eastern Conference title, and his teammates talked about how much he had contributed behind the scenes. The return of Steven Stamkos was the magic we’ve been waiting to see “I’ve tried to do my best in that regard,” Stamkos said Wednesday night. “But it’s so painful to just sit and watch and feel like you have no part of the game, because you’re way more nervous watching the games. You By John Romano want to have a say and you want to contribute so tonight was, like I said before, an amazing experience.”

We don’t know where he’s been, and we don’t know if he’ll be back. He He barely played another minute after scoring his goal, remaining in the disappeared late in the last winter and has been seen only briefly —and locker room for part of the second period before spending the rest of the usually from a distance — ever since. night on the bench.

And as the days and victories began to stack up for the Tampa Bay In a way, maybe that was best. Maybe we only needed to see Stamkos Lightning, Steven Stamkos had to face the cruel possibility that the taking a pass from Victor Hedman in the neutral zone, slipping past a hockey grail he had spent a lifetime chasing was being earned by his slower defender and rifling a shot past a goaltender in the only spot a teammates without him. puck would fit. Maybe we don’t need to see him struggle to play significant minutes going forward. That’s what made Wednesday night one of those rare moments that are hard to imagine and harder still to forget. You know, for once, the pandemic may have done us a favor. There’s no need to ask where anyone was on this memorable night. For just a handful of seconds, Steven Stamkos was back where he belonged: We were all home, watching Steven Stamkos.

On the ice and in our hearts. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 09.24.2020

And, remarkably, on the scoresheet.

The Lightning captain returned to the lineup for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final against Dallas, and scored a goal on the first shot he had taken in nearly seven months. He raised his stick briefly in the air, then leapt into the arms of teammate Pat Maroon.

I don’t know if it was an answer to his prayers or ours, but it was the sight we sorely needed in a year that already has felt like a century. And now, with Wednesday’s 5-2 victory, the Lightning are just two wins from hoisting the Stanley Cup.

“It’s been such a long time,” Stamkos said. “At this time of the year, you want to do anything you can to help your team win. I’ve watched these guys be so committed to what our end goal is. To be part of it tonight, it was a dream come true.”

Will the dream continue for Stamkos in this series?

No one was willing to say Wednesday night, although it seems unlikely. The details of the core muscle injury that required surgery nearly seven months ago — and whatever setbacks Stamkos apparently suffered in June or July — are still being closely guarded by the Lightning.

Stamkos played fewer than three minutes in Game 3, and did not say whether he would be healthy enough to play in the rest of the series.

But that’s tomorrow’s worry.

For now, the story of Stamkos in Tampa Bay has an uplifting new chapter. Around here, he has been a savior and a savant. A scoring champ, and a community hero. And, increasingly, an object of whispers and innuendos.

One injury after another has robbed his career of time and luster. It’s wrong to call him brittle and it’s foolish to suggest he is soft.

His injuries have never been repetitive or suspect. They are the unfortunate results of playing a brutal game. He has broken a leg, torn up a knee, suffered blood clots and now the surgery for something akin to a sports hernia.

“It’s tough because he’s had some unfortunate things happen to him at inopportune times,” said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. "He’s missed playoff games for us, but he’s a competitor and I don’t think you become the player he is without having that drive. You can’t do it. That’s what separates the good from the great.

“To be able to come back and do what he did in this limited time he had is pretty remarkable.”

Without going into detail, Stamkos, 30, said the odds of this happening a month ago did not seem possible. Even at the start of the Stanley Cup final, the Lightning were noncommittal about his chances of getting on the ice.

There were rumors that he left the bubble in Toronto for a short return to Tampa Bay, and his lack of public appearances made for wild 1179007 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning manage without Steven Stamkos for two periods

By Mari Faiello

The Lightning weren’t expecting Steven Stamkos to only post 2:47 minutes over five shifts in his first outing of the 2020 postseason.

Nonetheless, the team managed without their captain for the last 50:26 minutes in Wednesday night’s 5-2 win in Edmonton.

On the NBCSN broadcast, Patrick Sharp was complimentary of the team’s ability to cope with 10 forwards and six defensemen without Stamkos playing the full stretch.

“It was the depth of Tampa Bay in this one," Sharp said. "They looked like a complete team with their captain back, all four lines contributed … tough team to beat right now.”

The Tampa Bay Lightning take a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup final against the Dallas Stars. Game 4 will be played on Friday.

For fellow analyst , how the team reacted once it knew Stamkos wouldn’t return to action.

“He obviously was a big factor in the first period, scored the goal, but that can deflate a team when a guy’s unavailable when the second period rolls around … their depth really came to the forefront and their star players were outstanding," Jones said.

The Lightning are used to pulling extra shifts and rolling their lines differently. The team used an adjusted 11 forward, seven defensemen lineup for 11 straight games, ranging from Game 2 against Boston in Round 2 to Game 2 against Dallas in the Stanley Cup final.

Eight players combined for 13 points in Wednesday’s win (Victor Hedman notching a three-point game himself). Contributions were spread throughout all four lines, even if they weren’t solely on offense.

Tyler Johnson, a 5-foot-8 forward, logged a team-high nine hits, continuing on his physical play from Monday. Kevin Shattenkirk, Blake Coleman and Anthony Cirelli recorded the next-highest hit count at five each. And Alex Killorn, Shattenkirk and Mikhail Sergachev all notched two blocked shots a piece.

“It wasn’t anything that these guys were panicked about,” coach Jon Cooper said about playing down a man. “It takes a team effort.”

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179008 Tampa Bay Lightning “We’ve got work left to do,” Stamkos said. Stamkos has been like a flicker in a Lightning fire that has been burning

for months, with Wednesday’s win symbolic. The other top players on the How Steven Stamkos’ return was ‘inspirational’ in Lightning’s Game 3 team stepped up, with Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Brayden win Point, all Conn Smythe-worthy candidates, each scoring a goal. So did Ondrej Palat. They’ve all been instrumental as leaders and play drivers, a reason Tampa Bay could beat Columbus, Boston and the Islanders without the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer. By Joe Smith 4h ago 2 “You want to help your team win and you have to find ways when you’re

not on the ice,” Stamkos said. “I tried to do my best in that regard. It’s so Martin St. Louis said he traded texts with good friend and former painful to just sit and watch and feel like you had no part in the game. teammate Steven Stamkos several times the past few months, when the You’re way more nervous watching the games. You want to have a say, Lightning captain remained sidelined. They talked on the phone for a you want to contribute.” while too. Teammates have maintained that Stamkos did have a say in their Stamkos admitted Wednesday there was a time last month when he remarkable run. They talked about the positivity Stamkos brought to the thought a return in these Stanley Cup playoffs might not happen. But St. group, even when he was at his lowest moments. He was the first to Louis, the Hall of Famer, had seen Stamkos overcome several major cheer them on, including pouring water on teammates in the room after injuries — from a broken leg to a torn meniscus to a blood clot — and their five-overtime victory over Columbus in Game 1. Stamkos was a come back even better. St. Louis sensed in their chats that we hadn’t calming influence, offering perspective and advice between games. seen the last of Stamkos. And that’s exactly what Stamkos did for the other 57 minutes he wasn’t “I know he wants the big (trophy),” St. Louis said the other day. “And he’s playing Wednesday. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh said what he’ll going to do everything to get them there.” remember the most about Wednesday’s game was the “incredible” energy, confidence and chatter on the bench, something Stamkos led the On Wednesday night, we saw that, with Stamkos delivering an iconic way in. moment in what could end up in a Hall of Fame career. He returned to the Lightning lineup for the first time in 210 days — dating back to Feb. “He’s a veteran player, he knows the game, he knows the momentum 25 — leading his team on the ice with his long locks, shaggy playoff swings and he can really read when we need a boost here or there,” beard and a beaming smile. It looked like Stamkos was shot out of a McDonagh said. “It was no different tonight. I’ll remember the most is the cannon, with the All-Star blowing past an attempted hip check at the blue constant talking and communicating, guys just totally engaged on the line on his third shift and beating Anton Khudobin far side with a world- bench there whether we had a good shift in the O-zone or a defensive class wrist shot. We’ve seen that kind of play before in his path to 400- zone shift where we got hemmed in. He was the leader in that, keeping plus career goals. the talk up. He was the strongest voice on the bench keeping us calm and focusing on the main goal.” But a goal on his first shot to spark a 5-2 win? You couldn’t have written a better script. When the Lightning gave up a short-handed goal in the first period, cutting their lead to 2-1, it was Hedman who once again scored a timely “A dream come true,” Stamkos said. goal, his 10th of the playoffs. The 6-foot-6 Swede was a dominant two- way force again, making a key play to thwart a breakaway in the first, Stamkos jumped into the arms of veteran Pat Maroon to start a mega pile then setting up Stamkos’ goal with a perfect stretch pass before scoring behind the net. The Lightning bench exploded in a celebration that his power-play goal. There are only two defensemen in NHL history who rivaled some of their overtime victories in this playoff run. Nikita Kucherov scored more goals in playoffs, Paul Coffey (12) and Brian Leetch (11). raised both hands in the air and pumped his fist. Anthony Cirelli excitedly “The timing of a lot of the things he’s done has been remarkable,” Cooper nudged the shoulder of Kucherov and Alex Killorn like, ‘You believe this?’ said. “I guess if you do great things all game, your timing will always be Head athletic trainer Tommy Mulligan, who has spent countless hours good.” trying to navigate Stamkos’ comeback from an undisclosed injury, yelled through his mask and hugged assistant equipment manager Rob Kucherov, last year’s Hart Trophy winner, continued his engaged and Kennedy. matured play with a breakaway goal in the first period.

“You can see the reaction on the ice and on the bench when he scored “These two guys have been unbelievable leaders,” Stamkos said. “What that goal — that’s how much he means to us a teammate, as a leader, Heddy has taken on as a leadership role. Kucherov has just been the and as a friend,” Victor Hedman said. best player in the world. It’s been so fun to be part of it.”

“However Stammer was feeling at the moment, all the players expressed Cooper said they put Stamkos in the lineup with the thought he could it on the bench,” coach Jon Cooper said. play regular minutes, so when he couldn’t go, it was “unexpected.” It’s hard to tell what exactly happened, with NHL.com not listing Stamkos as “It was inspirational,” Brayden Point said. getting hit in the game. The “issue” Stamkos is dealing with might have Stamkos’ night, like his on-ice presence in the playoffs, was short, just 2 come as a result of avoiding a check by Esa Lindell. But Cooper said the minutes, 47 seconds. Five shifts. He said he was dealing with an “issue,” lift that Stamkos had already given carried over. “I don’t think the guys and believes it’s “too early” to tell if he’ll be available the rest of this were going to be denied.” Stanley Cup Final, which Tampa Bay leads 2-1. But Stamkos will never “You marvel at players,” Cooper said. “He only had five shifts, but they forget this night. He remained on the bench after having a setback, were as efficient five shifts as you’re ever going to see in a National cheering on and rallying his teammates. He was soaking it in. After Hockey League game. We’re with these players day in, day out, all year. waiting seven months to put his jersey back on, the captain probably This is the season that never seems to end. To do what he did on the didn’t want to take it off. biggest stage at the biggest time of the year, you had to marvel at it. It “It was just an amazing experience to share with my teammates,” was pretty damn cool.” Stamkos said. “There’s been a lot of hard work on different things going The Lightning were dominant for a good portion of this game, especially on behind the scenes. To be able to get out into a game and have an the second period, with the Stars once again hurting themselves by impact on the game, which a month ago may not have been possible, it taking too many penalties. While Tampa Bay’s stars have been shining, was amazing to be a part of a huge win for us.” Dallas coach Rick Bowness is challenging his to get more from them. The last time we had spoken with Stamkos, it was late July, and he had Khudobin, who had been spectacular all playoffs, got pulled after the finished his first full practice with the Lightning since a leg injury during second period, with speculation that former Lightning goalie Ben Bishop Phase 2 interrupted his recovery from March core surgery. Stamkos was could play in the back-to-back Games 4 or 5 this weekend. optimistic then he’d be ready for Game 1 of the first round. Three playoff Cooper made it clear — “We haven’t won anything yet.” But they are two rounds later, his availability was still in question. What happened? wins away from capping off an incredible redemption story, which started Stamkos said that’s a story he’ll be happy to share after the season is 17 months ago with a humbling sweep by the Blue Jackets in the first over. round. Those scars, and lessons learned, fueled the Lightning, both in how GM Julien BriseBois tweaked his team, and how the players resiliently responded.

Teams take the cue from their leaders, and Stamkos is the Lightning’s biggest one. You could sense how emotional Stamkos was when his fellow captains brought him in for the presentation of the Prince of Wales Trophy after they clinched the Eastern Conference. It was Stamkos who brought the trophy into the room.

St. Louis watched the clips of Stamkos in that celebration and was thrilled. And proud. He believes Stamkos could be hoisting “the big one” in the next week, too. If Stamkos doesn’t play the rest of the series, they’ll always have this moment.

“I care about ‘Stammer’ like an older brother,” St. Louis said. “He was 18 years old when he came in and I was 33, five years removed from winning the Cup. He’s been injury-tested. You don’t have the career he’s had without his character, based on the injuries he’s had. It shows you what kind of person he is, why he can lead. I’m proud of him like I’m proud of my kids almost. What he’s been through and how he’s handled it, it’s not easy to go through and nobody wants to go through that.

“Nobody wants to see anyone they care about go through that. The way he’s handled it, how he’s come back from anything and how he’s performed on the other side, it’s amazing.”

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179009 Tampa Bay Lightning And so the unfit-to-play era was ushered in, as the cleanest way to protect player medical privacy during this surreal Stanley Cup playoff tournament.

Bubble Dispatch: Why Steven Stamkos’ goal, injury defines the Stanley What really began with Stamkos’ injury announcement in July will now Cup Final reach its climax in the Stanley Cup Final with his apparent re-injury, a grim symmetry that underlines the unprecedented weirdness of this never-ending season.

By Thomas Drance and Arpon Basu 4h ago 1 Why the Lightning bench went nuts

We’ve seen a lot of games in the Western Bubble.

It was vintage Steven Stamkos. Without the fans in attendance, these games feel different. It’s often quiet in the building. The NHL’s premiere marksman was skating downhill, moving just deceptively enough to throw an excellent defensive defender in Esa There’s no roar of a crowd when a goal is celebrated. Instead, there’s the Lindell off his line. On his edges, with next to no windup, Stamkos’ sound of a team’s goal song, pumped in over the loudspeakers. outside knee bent suddenly, his stick torqued and he unleashed a hard, accurate snap shot — the shot itself a whisper from perfect — that beat Every now and then you get a goal big enough that the team on the ice Anton Khudobin far-side high. makes enough noise that it almost reminds you, a phantom pain, of what it sounds when an arena is sent into a rowdy paroxysm by a big moment Stamkos’ shot is like a time machine. In a league where goalies stop 91.5 or a beautiful play. Usually, those goals are scored in overtime. percent of all shots they face, when it’s Stamkos squaring them up, they have a save percentage straight out of the 1980s. Stamkos’ goal, however, had the Lightning as loud as any bench has been on any goal in the Western Bubble that wasn’t an overtime winner. His finishing talent is entirely unique and after missing months with a lower-body injury — over 200 days between NHL appearances — “I think the cheer was just a little bit louder,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper Stamkos had scored an absolute beauty on just his third shift of Game 3 said of how the bench reacted. “However Stammer was feeling at that of the Stanley Cup Final. moment, all the players expressed it on the bench.”

Unfortunately, this is 2020. This isn’t the year for straightforward narrative If you watch that GIF closely, you’ll notice Cooper’s reaction is a bit more pyrotechnics, like the heroic sporting comeback. This year the bad stuff subdued. He seems to laugh to himself as he turns his back to the lingers and the good stuff never seems to last. camera. You can see him shake his head.

Stamkos would take just two more shifts in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 5- “We’re with these players day in and day out all year, and this is the 2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Wednesday. He didn’t return to the season that never seems to end,” Cooper said. “Here we are watching a Lightning bench for the start of the second period and when he finally player come back and then do what he did, on the biggest stage, biggest returned from the locker room, he sat on the bench in the best seat in the time of the year, you have to marvel at it. I don’t know. It was pretty damn house, an audience of one, contributing verbally and occasionally taking cool.” a twirl to test out his lower-body injury during stoppages. He didn’t get The Stars’ stars are fading any more ice time. At first, Stars coach Rick Bowness didn’t understand the question, but After the game, Stamkos stick-handled questions about his status. He once he did, he acknowledged it was a good one. What was preventing wouldn’t say whether he tweaked something. He wouldn’t comment on his top line from clicking in the final? his status for future games in this series. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper similarly refused to elaborate, deferring to what Stamkos had “We’re giving them the ice time, we’re getting them out there as much as said previously. we can,” Bowness said. “They’ve got to figure it out, it’s as simple as that. They’re our top-end guys. You’ve got to give them the ice time to get “I wanted to play as much as I could,” Stamkos said. “Obviously, there going, they’re getting that. They’ve got to figure it out. They need some was an issue that I’ve been working through. We’ll see what happens help from other guys, but they’ve got to figure it out.” from here, but I was just extremely happy to be out there with these guys and have the chance to just be on the bench and contribute to a win.” In case you lost count, that was three times Bowness said Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov need to figure it out. Seguin has Stamkos’ injury has been a source of near-constant speculation since he one assist in 12 games. Radulov had a five-game point streak snapped, arrived in the Western Bubble ahead of the conference final. It will but took two awful penalties. Benn has had an objectively great series, continue to be, overshadowing everything but the ultimate outcome of but he’s pointless in all three games. this series. Contrast that to what happened for the Lightning in Game 3, getting Hopefully, he returns. Hopefully, his first-period goal will be viewed in goals from all their best players, and you have an idea as to why the retrospect as a false start and not as just the best 2-minute, 47-second Stars are down 2-1 in the series. cameo in Stanley Cup playoff history. “Well, if you’re going to win, your best players have to be your best Regardless of whether Stamkos returns again in this series, however, players,” Cooper said. “That’s the bottom line. You can get contributions he’s now authored a Stanley Cup Final moment that will be remembered from everybody in different ways, but if you’re going to go the distance, for years. And his game-by-game status going forward, on the biggest your big boys have to be there for you.” stage the sport has to offer, will come to define the unfit-to-play era. Bowness couldn’t agree with you more. Which brings us full circle, really. After all, Stamkos’ lower-body injury was the last disclosed injury in the NHL. Conn Smythe watch

It was in the morning before the NHL held a general manager’s Victor Hedman’s goal was his 10th of the postseason, two shy of the conference call to walk its member clubs through Phase 3 protocols NHL playoff record for a defenseman. If he manages to beat Paul when the Lightning announced Stamkos would miss Phase 3 with a Coffey’s record while playing the final two rounds in Edmonton and the lower-body injury. On that call, NHL teams were explicitly told that any Lightning win the Cup, it’s hard to argue against Hedman being named questions about the status of players absent for reasons related to a the MVP of the playoffs. positive COVID-19 test should be referred to the league. And in case you’re wondering, Hedman has scored all his goals in the According to multiple team sources, it was pointed out on that call in the official playoffs, with none coming in the round-robin. wake of a discussion about the Lightning announcement that if a team’s coach were to confirm to the media that this player has a lower-body “He’s a pretty determined player,” Cooper said. “I think he’s been injury, and that player is day to day, but that other guy, well, you’ll have to nominated for four straight Norris Trophies. So he’s pretty damn good.” check with the league, then the media would pretty easily put two-and- But wait a minute, Kucherov reached the 30-point mark with a goal and two together. an assist in Game 3. If he manages to get to 35 points before the series ends, he will reach the top 10 among all-time playoff performances. Pretty hard to argue with that as well, especially when you get an endorsement like this from the captain.

On the Stars’ side, Miro Heiskanen’s sixth goal of the playoffs gave him 24 postseason points, which is quietly tied for the sixth-most by a defenseman all time. If Heiskanen gets two more points, he’ll be in the top 4. He turned 21 in July.

Khudobin remains an interesting option if the Stars win despite being pulled in Game 3, but the goalie winning the Conn Smythe often happens because either a goalie stole a series or two or no other viable option seems to present itself. This would seemingly be the latter of the two, even though Khudobin’s been great. His candidacy goes back to that “good question” on the Stars’ top line.

“He’s been a rock back there for us,” Bowness said. “We don’t get here without him. No one gets to the finals without great goaltending.”

Kucherov’s dominance

Obviously the Lightning are getting some terrific performances. Kucherov’s stands out above the rest for Stamkos, and it’s easy to see why.

His opening goal was tremendous, a finish that can only be described as butter:

However, there was a shift in the second that really served to underscore why he’s so special. It didn’t result in a goal, but Kucherov’s play was ruthless, clever and included a ton of things that you just don’t see from anyone else in the league.

One of the hardest things to do, especially when NHL-level defenders are taking away your space and time, is to take pucks off the wall on your backhand. Kucherov does so here, and does so in such a way that it actually sets up a forehand deke that shakes Jamie Oleksiak in the same motion. It’s actually gross.

Later on in the shift, when a puck is loose in the slot, Kucherov sees Palat in his peripheral vision and channels Mesut Ozil with a soccer-pass attempt that nearly results in a Lightning goal.

Who else would even see that possibility? Who else would have the stones to try it?

It’s those sorts of plays that don’t just result in the production Kucherov has managed in the Cup Final — four points, so far — but the sort of dominance of play that wears down an opponent over the course of a series. At five-on-five, for example, Kucherov has played nearly 41-and- a-half minutes so far. In those minutes, Tampa Bay is outshooting Dallas 26 to 6.

‘The Shift’

It lasted 40 seconds. In total, between puck recoveries and passes and shot attempts, Tampa Bay attacking players managed 16 consecutive touches.

The pressure was withering. The Lightning first line essentially put the Stars in a spin cycle and by the time they were done, Palat shoveled a backhand rebound past Khudobin and the Stars were bone dry and down by four goals.

And it all started to unravel for Dallas, really, when Ryan McDonagh bobbled a pass in the high slot and made a surprising decision to hit his defensive partner Kevin Shattenkirk with a drop pass.

“I think Pally was trying to hit Kuch there in the middle, and Kuch made a great play to kind of let the pass go. I wasn’t expecting it on my tape, I kind of bubbled it. Shatty was screaming because their guy was changing and coming behind me. I just tried to protect it and knew he was back there. It was great communication.”

This is pure magic. It’s the potential of chemistry unlocked, skilled hockey executed at its relentless best:

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179010 Tampa Bay Lightning “Blake was a kid who would have made the NHL no matter where he was from,” Severyn said. “That’s how hard he worked. He listened and worked and wanted to be the best. He got that reputation, it was never like, ‘He’ll make the NHL for sure,’ but it was always, ‘This kid is going to As Plano’s Blake Coleman faces Stars in Stanley Cup, either way, Texas go far because he’ll always do the right thing and will make himself better wins any way possible.’”

Coleman said he got around 150 messages from people in the Dallas area after the Lightning clinched the Eastern Conference last Thursday, By Sean Shapiro and Joe Smith Sep 23, 2020 14 sealing their matchup with his hometown Stars. They were wishing him good luck, amazed by the coincidence. “I heard from people I hadn’t talked to in years,” he said. “It’s crazy.” No matter what happens in the remainder of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final between the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning, hockey in Texas Sandy and Rusty have taken part in similar conversations. They are wins. currently in Tampa, as they’ve been quarantining with Blake’s wife, Jordan, and their 6-month-old granddaughter, Charlie, hoping they’d be The Stars are trying to win their second championship in franchise able to fly to Edmonton for the Stanley Cup Final. That won’t happen, as history, their first since 1999. During Game 1 of the Final, Blake Coleman the NHL’s application with the Canadian government for families to enter stood across from them, starting for the Lightning. the bubble remains pending.

Coleman is from Plano, a Dallas suburb. He can become the first born- “You wouldn’t believe the script if it was given to you,” Rusty said. “And and-raised Texan to win the Stanley Cup. For that to happen, he’ll have then you add all the details, like the fact we can’t watch him in person to beat the franchise that inspired him to lace up his skates in the first and this would be the Stanley Cup Final setup where he’d be playing in place. front of his friends as the enemy with the Lightning (in Dallas). No one would believe that, not as a hockey story involving Texas and Florida.” “He was inspired to play hockey because of the Stars. That’s the irony here,” Blake’s mother, Sandy Coleman, said. “He was at their first Cup Greenberg and his friends acknowledge they’re torn. Whom should they run in ’99 as a Stars-obsessed kid. Now for their second (potential) root for? championship run, he’s playing against them.” “It’s extremely hard,” said Greenberg, who works in operations at J.P When the Minnesota North Stars relocated to Dallas in 1993, Coleman’s Morgan Securities outside of Plano. “My family and I were talking about it grandmother Marie Hoffman purchased season tickets. The Hoffmans the other night; if the Lightning would lose, we’d still want Blake to have a were already a hockey family; originally from upstate New York, Sandy bunch of goals. I think it is the worst but best situation for him, playing the played growing up. An NHL team arriving in Texas allowed her son to Stars. If he did have to lose to somebody, at least it was the hometown embrace the sport. team. But obviously, we want him to win as well. It’s torn allegiances. But I want Blake to do well, no matter what.” Blake attended his first game as a 3-year-old with his grandmother. Sandy wasn’t sure whether he’d show any interest, but she was happy to Playing the Stars was, ironically, how Coleman connected with his wife. It sign off on an outing with grandma while she already had four other kids was in Coleman’s 17th NHL game, March 26, 2017, at the Prudential at home. Center when he scored his first NHL goal. He stripped a Stars defenseman, cruised in and beat Kari Lehtonen. “I remember when I went to my first game, my grandmother told me that I was following the puck the whole time with my baby head,” Coleman Jordan Daigle, a former Cowboys cheerleader, had been more into said. football than hockey at the time. But she was Facebook friends with Coleman, and a social media post with a photo from his first goal gained “He was hooked,” Sandy said. “He watched the puck the entire time, he a lot of traction among their Plano friend group. They both grew up was so focused on the game. From that moment on, he knew exactly together in a neighborhood called Wyndham (it’s now the name of their what he wanted to do.” dog) but had lost touch. Blake started skating as a 5-year-old and took it upon himself to wake up “I remember thinking, that’s so cool he made it,” Jordan said. “That’s his parents at 5 a.m. so he could get to early practices. awesome.” Blake’s father, Rusty Coleman, said the drive to play hockey was Coleman started to like her photos on social media and then they traded probably always there for Blake, but he just needed something to ignite direct messages in their whirlwind courtship. that passion. That’s where the Stars came into play. The glory days of the franchise, the late 1990s, fit right into Coleman’s formative years. He “My memories of him were spiked blond tips, Affliction T-shirt,” Jordan rode the wave of hockey momentum that was sweeping the market. said, laughing. “But he really won me over. He was charming. When he came home to Plano for the offseason we were pretty much inseparable.” Brent Severyn was a member of the Stars 1999 championship team and has resided in Texas after retirement, working with local rinks and youth From their first date (Top Golf) to his proposal at her family’s house at programs. Cedar Creek Lake and the birth of their daughter, Charlie, a little over three years have passed. “This is the longest we’ve ever been apart,” “With that run, we saw a lot of kids starting to jump into the sport. It was she said. cool to play hockey and the Stars were good,” Severyn said. “It’s one thing to want to play hockey, but it’s just something that’s this weird thing The Stars are about more than just childhood nostalgia for Coleman. that Canadians do. When you see it up close, like kids Blake’s age did, They also represent his second home. In the offseason, Coleman still it’s more real, I think.” lives in Texas and trains at the Stars practice facility with several Dallas players, including Stars captain Jamie Benn. “The hockey community is pretty small in Texas,” said Jordan Greenberg, a longtime friend of Coleman’s who played middle school hockey with In the past, Stars strength coach Brad Jellis has been an expert voice for him. “Or at least it was back then. Luckily for us, the Stars were pretty Coleman when it came to injuries, while former Stars executive Les good. They had Modano, Nieuwendyk, so it was a big thing to watch Jackson has been a confidant for the family on hockey matters since them. Then a rink went up pretty close to our house and we started from Blake was a teenager. there.” As a product of hockey’s Sunbelt expansion, it’s fitting that Coleman is Though there’s not a rich history of players coming out of Texas to make playing in the first Sunbelt final, even if the teams are bubbled up in the NHL, Greenberg felt there was something different about Coleman. Alberta. “He was always one of the hardest workers,” Greenberg said. “He had that desire. He always believed he could make it, whether everyone else While 2020 has been a mess in many ways, this has been a big year for did or not. He put everything he had into hockey to make it so.” hockey in Texas. On Jan. 1, more than 85,000 people jammed into the Cotton Bowl for the Winter Classic. It was more than a blip on the radar Severyn heard similar things about Coleman as he was working his way as local youth hockey programs noticed an uptick in participation before up through the Dallas Stars Elite program. the pandemic. The fact the Stars are in the Stanley Cup Final and facing a native Texan? That only adds to the momentum.

“There are kids right now that are getting into hockey because of what’s happened in 2020,” Severyn said. “My own kid, for example, he’s 14, and he’s gotten more into it and has been skating with me since the Winter Classic. The Stars being where they are now, that only makes kids more excited about it. It’s just a bummer they can’t see it in person.”

Rusty and Sandy said they haven’t been able to spend much time thinking about what Blake’s success means for future hockey players in Texas. But they did acknowledge that Blake wants to be part of a growing class of hockey players from Texas. Maybe the fact “Plano, Texas” is listed as his hometown when the starting lineup pops off the screen motivates a young DFW resident.

Twenty-one years ago, Blake was a 7-year-old taking in that motivation. When Brett Hull scored in overtime of Game 6 in Buffalo, he was elated (even though he was supposed to be sleeping).

“I’ll always remember when they won the Cup,” Coleman. “I was still young. I was past my bedtime. But I listened to the end on the radio.”

And now, in a script that Rusty repeatedly said was unbelievable, he’ll be trying to make sure that the 1999 championship remains the Stars’ only title. Either way, hockey in Texas has taken a major step.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179011 Toronto Maple Leafs

Frederik Andersen isn’t the Maple Leafs’ problem, but they’ll have options in a deep goalie market

By Mark ZwolinskiSports Reporter

Frederik Andersen’s greatest challenge as a Maple Leaf may not come on the ice.

It could arrive in the off-season, in the form of one of the deepest markets for goaltenders — via trade or free agency — in recent memory.

The 30-year-old Andersen, who has one season remaining at $5 million (U.S.) on a five-year deal, is considered likely to remain in Toronto and lead a revamped roster into next season. But the Leafs will have options.

A dozen or more experienced goalies are expected to switch teams via free agency (starting at noon on Oct. 9), trades or because their clubs are feeling the financial squeeze during the pandemic, with the NHL salary cap frozen at $81.5 million.

The list of names in play is impressive, including the Capitals’ Braden Holtby, the Coyotes’ Darcy Kuemper, the Golden Knights’ Robin Lehner and Marc-André Fleury, and the Rangers’ trio of Alexandar Georgiev, and Igor Shesterkin.

Teams expected to make a change include Washington, Edmonton, Arizona and Carolina, while Pittsburgh (Matt Murray/Tristan Jarry), Boston (Tuukka Rask/Jaroslav Halak) and Columbus (Elvis Merzlikins/Joonas Korpisalo) might look to deal from a position of strength.

Andersen’s performance this past season, and the fact that the Leafs have bowed out after the first round of the playoffs in each of his four years, has been the catalyst for speculation about his future.

While his core numbers — .909 save percentage, 2.85 goals-against average — were the worst of his Toronto tenure, measuring his success is complicated by the high number of quality chances he faces because of defensive breakdowns. He’s been among the league leaders in shots faced every season since he arrived in a trade with the in 2016.

Another constant has been talk of the need to give him more rest. After averaging 64 starts through his first three seasons as a Leaf, he banked 52 in this pandemic-shortened season, in which Toronto played 70 games.

Andersen’s performance this past season, however, contradicted that argument.

In 17 starts on one day of rest, his save percentage was above .920.

With two or three days’ rest, it was just over .900.

With four or more days’ rest, it dipped below .900.

The bigger issue seems to be the Leafs’ need to improve their beleaguered defence, and how they do it.

Will they shed enough cap space to acquire a top-shelf free-agent defenceman, such as Alex Pietrangelo?

Or will they fix the problem with an impact trade, which could include Andersen?

At age 30, in a league where the advanced state of analytics makes it easier to project a player’s future performance, the Leafs may be leaning toward the notion that Andersen has already had his best chance to lead the team on a deep playoff run.

The numbers also suggest Andersen hasn’t been part of the problem in Toronto. If cap space or playoff record dictate his departure, he’ll have plenty of other suitors for his services around the league.

Toronto Star LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179012 Toronto Maple Leafs

Steven Stamkos returns to Lightning lineup for Game 3 against Stars

By Kevin McGranStaff Reporter

Steve Stamkos is back, making a dramatic return from injury in the Stanley Cup final.

The Tampa Bay Lightning captain, who hadn’t played since Feb. 25 and had core muscle surgery in March, returned to the ice Wednesday night in Game 3 against the Dallas Stars in Edmonton.

And he didn’t waste any time getting back on the scoresheet, burying the Lightning’s second goal of the night less than seven minutes in.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper had been cagey about a possible return by Stamkos, who had 66 points in 57 games in the regular season. But Cooper said he had expected Stamkos to return at some point in the series.

“He is a threat, so he’s another thing for a team to think about when he’s out there,” Cooper said prior to the game. “Whether that’s on the power play or five-on-five. You get another player that if the puck gets on his stick in the offensive zone, it might go in the net.

“That’s (big) especially in a series where goals are at a premium.”

It was 210 days between games for Stamkos, who was expected to miss about two months after surgery on March 2, but had a setback before the playoffs.

He has returned in dramatic fashion before. On April 2, 2016, the Lightning announced Stamkos was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, requiring surgery that cost him most of the playoffs. He returned for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final, a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Toronto Star LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179013 Toronto Maple Leafs 4 days ago They were also angry that the NHL didn’t fulfil its promise to bring

players’ families into the bubble for the final month — Canadian The Lightning and Stars are a bit snarly. Life in the NHL bubble hasn’t government quarantining policies cited as the reason. They looked been all fun and games enviously at the NBA, operating at the Disney resort in Florida, which not only brought families in but provided schooling.

With the best-of-seven series tied 1-1 heading into Wednesday night’s By Kevin McGranStaff Reporter Game 3, it’s dawning on both finalists that if they should win the Cup, their families won’t be with them.

“I know a lot of people are disappointed,” said Johnson. “This is a big When asked about the worst part of NHL bubble life and what he misses moment in our life, and not being able to share it with family and loved the most, the answer from Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper is ones is pretty tough. But we also know they’re supporting us right now, basically: How much time do you have? and we’re trying to get our job done.” “I missed an anniversary, birthday, another one is coming up,” said the At the same time, the finalists consider themselves the lucky ones. 53-year-old Cooper, who has twin daughters and a son with wife Jesse. “First day of school. Hockey tournaments. My daughter making the “This is tough living,” said Bowness, “but there’s no place we’d rather be. swimming team. My other daughter going to her first dance class ... We’re in the Stanley Cup final.”

“You don’t get to see some of these milestones in your kids’ life and your Toronto Star LOADED: 09.24.2020 wife’s life. Those are the tough parts.”

Dallas Stars counterpart Rick Bowness referenced the movie “Groundhog Day” while discussing the repetitive nature of days at Edmonton’s JW Marriott Hotel and Rogers Place, the only places he’s seen since the NHL season restarted.

“I haven’t walked on grass for eight weeks,” said Bowness. “You need distractions. You come to the rink, you’re all wired up, we’re all tense. You need to have that little break, like going for dinner with your wife, going for a walk outside, going for a run. I love to run outside, and I can’t do that.

“All the things you want to do that you normally do, it’s not there. You find other ways.”

There has been a lot to like about how the NHL has pulled off its Stanley Cup playoffs during the coronavirus pandemic, hiving off the league from the rest of the world. After eight weeks in Edmonton and — until the conference finals — Toronto, the NHL has conducted 32,374 tests without a single positive for COVID-19.

“The league has done a phenomenal job of keeping everyone safe,” said Bowness. “I’m 65. I had big concerns coming in; I have no concerns now, being tested and masked. It’s a very safe environment. Give the league credit. But that being said, the grind, that’s tough.”

There are signs of frayed nerves among those who remain in the bubble.

“Everyone is getting cooped up a little bit, so you let out your anger on the ice,” said Tampa forward Tyler Johnson. “Going into this, people were wondering what playoff hockey would be like. The questions have been answered. It’s been physical. Guys are doing everything they can to win.”

Indeed, it’s been a physical final with more than 100 hits delivered in each of the first two games, and penalties piling up.

Usually it takes a couple of games for the emotional intensity of a Stanley Cup final to ramp up. It always features a team from the Eastern Conference against one from the West, so there’s typically no historic rivalry. No bad blood left over from the regular season. No bones to be picked. No scores to settle.

But it seems the Lightning and Stars were in a surly mood. Right off the hop, these teams didn’t like each together.

“When there’s no change in your routine — other than a couple of days — for eight weeks, you get a little edgy,” said Bowness.

This week, ESPN got nine players to speak anonymously about life in the bubble and, while none regretted participating, they each had a laundry list of things they didn’t like. Some teams treated players better than others — with Montreal’s meals considered notably better than Florida’s, for example.

At times they felt like victims of a bait-and-switch holiday resort package, with outings for golf and fly-fishing either next to impossible to organize or non-existent.

Stars coach Rick Bowness, the NHL’s Mr. Nice Guy, can almost taste his first Stanley Cup at 65 1179014 Toronto Maple Leafs Anonymous scout’s take: Even if all things were equal, you might give the edge at the moment to Severson, but you’re giving up two years for a comparable type of player.

Who says no? Maple Leafs trade hypotheticals for a defenceman The trade:

Leafs acquire defenceman Adam Larsson

By Joshua Kloke Sep 23, 2020 120 Edmonton Oilers acquire forward Andreas Johnsson

Why I think the Leafs would do it: Sometimes deals just make sense. Given the Leafs scoring depth up front, Johnsson and Alex Kerfoot Earlier this month our Jonas Siegel asked the question: “If you were in remain candidates to be moved both for cap space and/or help on the the Maple Leafs front office and your team was hunting — still hunting — blue line. The Leafs managed to clear cap space by moving Kasperi for a top-four defenceman, likely to join Morgan Rielly, where would you Kapanen to Pittsburgh, but moving Johnsson for a defenceman is a start?” move that could provide them with some roster depth where they need it.

In his two-part series, Jonas looked at NHL defencemen who the Leafs In return, the Leafs would get a 27-year-old, top-four, right-shot might be able to attain in a trade. defenceman who can contribute on the penalty kill and help defensively. Larsson only has one year left on his six-year, $25 million deal, so it With Jonas having done all the heavy lifting, I wanted to have some fun doesn’t help them in the long-term. It’s the same type of gamble the with trade possibilities for those aforementioned defencemen. I reached Leafs made on Tyson Barrie, though Larsson is probably a better fit. out to beat writers across The Athletic, and once I settled on a handful of Maybe if it works the Leafs could re-sign him, but for this deal, the Leafs trades, I looked at why the deals might work for both teams. I then sought might ask for a pick or a prospect as well, given the lack of term on input from colleagues at The Athletic, as well as the opinions of a few Larsson’s deal. NHL scouts. Why I think the Oilers would do it: The Oilers continue to need scoring Some deals feel ready for the making. Others look close but would help on the wings. You can imagine Johnsson’s speed and ability to probably require some tweaking around the margins. Others are just pure make plays out of the corners would warrant at least a look alongside big swings. Again, this exercise is about understanding just how difficult a Connor McDavid. task lies before Leafs GM Kyle Dubas as he attempts to improve his blue line. On paper, the deal works for the Oilers as they get a younger player with more term and less AAV. There are injury concerns, and if you’re looking Do you like any of these deals? Hate them? That’s what the comments at either Larsson or Kris Russell, it’s probably not the defenceman the are for. Oilers would rather deal. But it’s a hockey trade that makes sense for The trade: both teams.

Leafs acquire defenceman Damon Severson Daniel Nugent-Bowman’s take (Oilers beat writer): I’d be shocked if both Larsson and Russell remain with the Oilers by the start of camp. I think acquire defenceman Travis Dermott, 2020 2nd round they’d probably rather move Russell (age, left shot), but I’m sure they’ll pick, 2021 fourth-round pick move the player who fetches the best return. Larsson’s season was all over the map. He missed 20-25 games after getting injured in the opener Why I think the Leafs would do it: The Leafs immediately improve with a and struggled upon his return in late November. It wasn’t until the new 26-year-old right shot who defends well, and at 6-foot-2 and over 200 year that he started playing better. Even still, there were nights when he pounds, provides a physical presence some believe is sorely needed. was their fifth PK option behind Klefbom, Nurse, Bear and Russell. He Severson owns decent possession numbers considering he’s played on was essentially their No. 4 defenceman. He was probably their worst largely bad Devils teams throughout his six-year career. He could blueliner vs. CHI but played only two games before suffering a back potentially be a top pair defenceman for the Leafs. And perhaps most injury that was said to not be serious. The Oilers were hopeful he’d play crucially, Severson is locked up for the next three seasons at a Game 5. reasonable $4.1 million cap hit. All that to say — the Oilers are a motivated seller. Holland wants draft Why I think the Devils would do it: It’s all about the future for the Devils. picks. The Oilers also need help on the wing, depth centre, and on Severson might not be the same type of player when the Devils are defence. They’d love to open more cap room — doesn’t every team? — ready to contend. They don’t currently have a second-round pick in this but I doubt the Leafs are in a position to help with that. So, from a cap year’s draft but could add to their impressive stockpile of picks. In and positional standpoint, Johnsson or Kerfoot seem to make sense — Dermott, they get a bonafide, puck-moving NHL defenceman who can although I don’t know what the Oilers think of them. Of course, Larsson is play higher up in the lineup than he has in Toronto, while allowing Reilly older, has a higher cap hit, and has less term on his deal than those two Walsh, Ty Smith and Kevin Bahl to develop. Intangible as it might be, Leafs. Dermott is a good locker room presence, and could provide a jolt of positivity to a team that might be in for another hard season or two. Anonymous scout’s take: I would want more. Why in the world would Edmonton — they’ve always been in need of back end help — (trade) the Corey Masisak’s take (Devils beat writer): Severson was the Devils’ best guy you acquired in the deal and you’re going to get another defenceman this past season, has three years left on a reasonable skilled guy up front? contract and is young enough to still be good when New Jersey is ready to be a contender again. Put all of that together and the Devils are going The trade: to need a substantial return to move him. Dermott is three years younger, so he would fit a timeline centered around Nico Hischier and Jack Leafs acquire defenceman Josh Manson, forward Danton Heinen Hughes better, and has been played pretty well as a young defenceman Anaheim Ducks acquire forward Alex Kerfoot, Leafs first-round pick in on a strong team. And the Devils don’t have a 2020 second-round pick, 2020 so that could be enticing. Why I think the Leafs would do it: The 28-year-old, 6-foot-3, 224-pound, Two concerns I could see the Devils having: 1) Dermott is the same size right-shot defenceman adds some much-need muscle, even if he hasn’t as fellow lefties Will Butcher and Ty Smith, though his style of game exactly been consistent of late. Manson is also a likely top-pair might be different enough for that to not matter. 2) Do they believe in defenceman on a reasonable $4.1M AAV cap hit for the next two Dermott’s upside? He’s played 17 minutes per game for the Leafs, with seasons. some instances of getting more responsibility because of injuries. If the Devils’ primary goal is to add more young, good players to build around Both Siegel and James Mirtle agree that the Leafs should flip their 15th Hischier and Hughes, then this offer could be tempting. Though I could overall pick for a defenceman if it helps them win now. Is Manson that also see the Devils feeling like it is an “almost there, but not quite defenceman? He certainly becomes a very good shutdown option to enough” kind of offer as well, especially because Severson could put up balance their offensively-inclined defencemen. better numbers playing for and increase his value. Why I think the Ducks would do it: The Ducks don’t have to make this deal as they don’t have any other right-shot defencemen who could slot right in for Manson, nor do they have young defencemen on the Weegar certainly has value, which is why getting Johnsson, who has doorstep. more high-end skill than say, Kerfoot, makes the deal appealing. At 25, Johnsson would become the youngest of the Panthers forwards locked But the Ducks need scoring, and in Kerfoot, they get a versatile forward up for next season. who could reasonably bounce back and provide more than what he showed in Toronto. Scott Burnside’s take (NHL national writer): The key in this potential deal lies with the thought process for new Florida GM Bill Zito, who faces an It’s the 15th overall pick that would provide them with options. That would uphill battle in repopulating a prospects cupboard that is thin in South give the Ducks three picks in the first round, which could be parlayed into Florida and simultaneously changing the culture of the moribund something more to their liking. Panthers locker room. That’s what makes giving up MacKenzie Weegar I suppose you could swap Johnsson for Kerfoot, as you could with other difficult from the Panther perspective as he’s just 26 and the kind of hard- deals, and the Ducks would get more of the goal-scoring they seek. That nosed player that will be important to changing the team’s identity as a tips the scales in Anaheim’s favour though and another piece coming soft, porous team defensively. back would probably be required. Weegar is a restricted free agent who won’t break the bank; another But overall, with Manson being the type of player Dubas covets, and with reason that Zito may not be interested in moving the right-hand shot very few players of his ilk available, Ducks GM Bob Murray can try to defender. But the ability to get younger with Timothy Liljegren, 21, the drive his price up. That’s why he might continue the conversation, as my 17th overall pick in 2017 who is a right-shot defender who is two years colleague Eric Stephens outlines here… away from being a restricted free agent, along with Andreas Johnsson, 25, and under contract through 2022-23, would or should definitely get Eric Stephens’ take (Ducks beat writer): It is an interesting proposal. Zito’s attention. The Leafs would also collect Cliff Pu who was famously Even if Manson has had a couple down years, I’m thinking that (Murray) (relatively speaking) part of the Jeff Skinner trade from Carolina to is going to put a real premium on a tough, right-shot defender that has Buffalo. That’s a lot to give up for the Leafs but it does give them two years of cost certainly at a decent rate. The two pieces of real value something critical to navigating their flat cap future, an economical right- are Manson and the No. 15 selection; Kerfoot and Heinen are basically a shot, NHL-ready defender who addresses a number of needs that were wash, with Kerfoot having a smidge more value as a center that can also painfully illustrated (again) in the team’s five-game play-in round loss to play left wing. It would give Anaheim three first-round picks and four Columbus. In other words, book it. within the first 36 selections. That’s some valuable currency and they would also clear $3.4 million of cap space, which they can stand to gain Anonymous scout’s take: MacKenzie Weegar made some positive some more flexibility. Maybe the picks and extra space allows them to strides. He ended up playing bigger minutes, but I thought that there add a young, cost-controlled NHL talent. were long stretches of this year when even though he played big minutes, he didn’t play that great. My thinking, however, is that the Ducks feel they’re in more of a retool than a full-on rebuild and they’ve got no young RHD pushing to get in the I’d have a hard time doing Weegar for Johnsson straight up. I think lineup. I’m not Murray obviously, but I’d think he would come back with they’re still trying to figure out what kind of player or what kind of a role an ask for Timothy Liljegren to be put into the proposed deal. If Toronto (Weegar) can be on a team. were to balk, maybe you sweeten the offer by swapping the No. 36 pick The trade: for the Leafs’ second-rounder at 44. Or you think about No. 27 for the No. 44 pick, which would still give Anaheim two firsts and two seconds while Florida Panthers acquire forward William Nylander Toronto gets the veteran right shot it needs and a low first-rounder. Leafs acquire defenceman Aaron Ekblad Anonymous scout’s take: I would do it for sure because that’s that right defenceman who is a good player for you on the back end and who’s Why I think the Leafs would do it: Let’s finish with a stretch. Lots of hard to play against. people I spoke to questioned whether there was any realistic chance of this deal happening, even if, hypothetically, it makes some sense. The trade: The Leafs wouldn’t just get an upgrade on the right side, they’d get a Leafs acquire defenceman MacKenzie Weegar, forward Cliff Pu bonafide top pair right-shot defenceman and two-time All-Star who immediately becomes part of your core for the foreseeable future. Their Florida Panthers acquire forward Andreas Johnsson, defenceman blue line questions would be silenced. Timothy Liljegren Why I think the Panthers would do it: I’ve had multiple people tell me it Why I think the Leafs would do it: This deal featured a lot of back-and- would take more than Nylander to pry away Ekblad, and they may be forth with Siegel, who described Weegar as the kind of “up-and-comer” right. the Leafs could covet. Weegar is RFA and could easily fit under the Leafs cap after earning $1.6 million last season. At 26, the right-shot While the core of the deal would involve these two players, there would defenceman undoubtedly has more than a few good years ahead of him probably need to be more around the edges of the deal from Toronto and he’s continued to trend upwards in his four full NHL seasons. While going to Florida. But perhaps new Panthers GM Bill Zito feels the need to his name doesn’t have the recognition of others on this list, he’s valuable shake things up and Dubas sweetens the deal enough. The core piece is and still very much the type of player the Leafs need. still an incredibly talented winger who immediately makes the Panthers forward group far better. It feels like there’s a better chance of Nylander He has experience with high-end players, having been paired with Aaron outperforming his contract long-term than there is for Ekblad to do the Ekblad this season. He could be a fit on the Leafs top pair. His five-on- same. five xG% was 54.73% this past season, highest among Panthers regulars. Scott Burnside’s take (NHL national writer): And then there’s this. Given Florida’s embarrassing turn in a five-game play-in round loss to the New While it seems like a lot to give up for Weegar, the deal does allow them York Islanders there has to be some thought on Bill Zito’s part to a to get better for far less of a cap hit than they might otherwise. Assuming dramatic shape-up of his new team and the obvious area of concern is Weegar doesn’t get too hefty a raise they would also have the kind of cap on the back end. The Panthers are a mess defensively. Mike Matheson, space to make another addition. signed to an eight-year deal in 2018, was a healthy scratch late in the Why I think the Panthers would do it: Yes, Liljegren struggled to make his Isles series. But if Zito wanted to toss an incendiary device into the mark through his first 11 NHL games this season. But I’m convinced he’s country club that is the Panthers what about moving former rookie of the going to be an NHL defenceman. A change of scenery might serve him year Aaron Ekblad? The first overall pick in the 2014 draft signed a and his development well. He could play bottom-pair minutes for the whopper eight-year deal in 2017 that carries a $7.5 million annual cap hit. Panthers next season, grow into his role and move higher up the lineup. To be fair it was probably too much, too soon for the young man and while there are moments that Ekblad looks like the cornerstone The Panthers aren’t exactly up against the cap, but they do already have defenseman he’s being paid to be there are plenty of moments where $24.225 million in cap space tied up among four defenceman for the next he’s not. two seasons, so they might be open to moving a player who will command a raise. He has no trade protection until 2021-22 so Zito can do what he wants and given Toronto’s desire for a high end, right-hand shot defender maybe the move works. And maybe playing in a vibrant hockey market works for Ekblad, too. Getting a player like William Nylander back in the process is helpful to the Panthers who enter the off-season with their two highest-scoring forwards, Mike Hoffman and Evgeni Dadonov, pending unrestricted free agents. Nylander is under contract for $6.9 million per year through 2023-24 so maybe you could get either Hoffman or Dadonov for that much and there are some who would no doubt suggest that’s a better way to go for the Panthers, but if you think Nylander has 30-goal potential and can grow into a top-six role under then this looks like a doable deal.

If I’m Zito – and I rarely pretend to be – I’m more interested in this deal if the Leafs threw in a defensive sweetener like a Timothy Liljegren. But either way I’m giving this plenty of thought.

Anonymous scouts’ take: Multiple scouts I asked echoed the same sentiment: Why give up your top defenceman?

It’s a question Dubas has probably run into a few times already this offseason.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179015 Vegas Golden Knights Grade: 2.5 out of five sticks. This group stopped scoring, and that’s the main reason the Knights aren’t

in the Stanley Cup Final. Stastny (six) was the only forward who had Grading the Golden Knights in the postseason more than three points in the final eight games. That’s simply not good enough. The forwards still receive a decent grade because the Knights were tied for the second-best offense through 12 playoff games.

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal Defensemen

(Listed in order of points)

Shea Theodore used an “F” word last week when describing the Golden Shea Theodore — Most Stanley Cup winners have an elite No. 1 Knights’ season: failure. defenseman on their roster. Theodore showed he could be that guy with a 19-point performance. The Knights aren’t playing for the Stanley Cup. That isn’t acceptable to a franchise that has shot expectations sky high in its three NHL seasons. Nate Schmidt — He had turnovers and miscues, but he still led the Knights in ice time, got tough matchups and scored nine points. “Anything that falls short of that is a failure,” Theodore said. “Our expectation was to win the Cup. It’s tough to just fall short the way we Alec Martinez — He’s been an impressive acquisition. Along with playing did, but that’s the reality.” in all situations, he’s helped Theodore flourish.

The Knights finished 12-8 in the postseason and were seven wins short Brayden McNabb — He wants some plays and penalties back. That of their goal. Their run was ended by the Dallas Stars five games into the comes with the territory because he often defends the opposition’s top Western Conference Final. players.

Here’s a look at the team’s performance during that stretch, broken down Zach Whitecloud — The rookie scored his first two goals and led the by position group and player: team in penalty-kill minutes. His toughness was commendable.

Forwards Nick Holden — He continued to provide steady minutes in his third-pair role next to Whitecloud. (Listed in order of points) Jon Merrill — He played one game and got an assist. Next up? Right wing Mark Stone — The Knights’ emotional leader was one of the Unrestricted free agency. few forwards who increased his shooting percentage in the postseason. He also played through pain in the final two games after blocking a shot Grade: Four out of five pucks. with his foot. Did the blue line have some sloppy giveaways and mistakes late in the Right wing Reilly Smith — He was one of the NHL’s best all-around postseason? Sure. But that happens against good teams. They were hurt players through two rounds. He slumped in the conference final with one by the Knights’ scoring slump against Dallas. Overall, this well-rounded goal. group was effective at both ends and showed it can handle itself during a deep playoff run. Right wing Alex Tuch — He scored as many goals in the playoffs (eight) as he did in the regular season. A healthier and slimmer Tuch made a Goaltenders huge impact. Robin Lehner — He has two more shutouts in the postseason than any Center William Karlsson — He played more than any other forward other goaltender. His 1.99 goals-against average in the playoffs was the because of how valuable he is in all situations. But he had two points in lowest in team history. his final eight games. Marc-Andre Fleury — One clunker against St. Louis aside, he was Left wing Jonathan Marchessault — The franchise’s all-time leader in outstanding. Fleury had a .940 save percentage in his final three starts points had two — and no goals — in the final 11 games. His shooting and won two of them. percentage in the playoffs (5.3) was half his career mark (10.6). Grade: Four out of five nets. Center Paul Stastny — His offensive production (nine points) wasn’t huge, but the savvy veteran still did a lot of subtle things. The goaltending situation received a lot of attention in the postseason. Ultimately, it didn’t determine the team’s fate. Both goalies played well Left wing Max Pacioretty — The Knights’ leading scorer in the regular enough to win almost every night. The Knights allowed more than three season suffered an early setback with a training camp injury. He never goals just three times in 20 games. returned to top form and finished on an eight-game goal drought. Special teams Center/right wing Nicolas Roy — He acquitted himself well in his first postseason. Eight points is more than respectable for a bottom-six Power play — At 18.2 percent, the Knights scored slightly less on the rookie. power play in the postseason than the regular season (22 percent). They struggled more as the postseason went on, scoring on four of their final Left wing/center Chandler Stephenson — He bounced around the lineup, 32 opportunities. playing everything from first-line left wing to fourth-line center. That versatility is why the pending restricted free agent probably will be back. Penalty kill — The penalty kill experienced a remarkable turnaround before crashing at the finish line. The Knights, 27th on the PK in the Left wing/center Nick Cousins — He was noticeable early but scratched regular season, ranked sixth in the playoffs at 85.5 percent. That three times in the final six games. progress was soured after they allowed three power-play goals in their final five kills. Right wing Ryan Reaves — The bruiser was again a lightning rod for the opposition with his physical play and constant chirping. He also played a Grade: Three out of five penalty boxes. key role in the NHL players’ decision to not play for two days to bring awareness to racial injustice. The power play was fine, and the Knights made subtle adjustments to throw different looks at opponents. The penalty killing was far more Left wing William Carrier — He set the tone almost every game with the remarkable. Despite the grim finish, the improvement could prove rest of the fourth line. Reaves (32.05) and Carrier (29.51) finished third massive next season. and sixth in hits per 60 minutes in the postseason. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 09.24.2020 Left wing/center Tomas Nosek — He played only eight games, but had two goals and an assist. He’s an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Center Patrick Brown — One goal in two games isn’t bad for a taxi-squad call-up. 1179016 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights, American Red Cross partner for blood drive

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Golden Knights and American Red Cross will host a blood drive to honor those affected by the Route 91 Harvest festival shooting.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at T-Mobile Arena. To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and search for sponsor code VEGASGOLDENKNIGHTS.

Donors are asked to wear a face covering or mask.

“Three years ago, Vegas faced an unimaginable tragedy. Our community stepped up in every way, including waiting in long lines to donate blood to those in need,” team president Kerry Bubolz said. “Today, our organization and our colleagues at the American Red Cross are encouraging Southern Nevadans to donate blood for trauma patients, such as those who were in need due to the events of 1 October.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179017 Vancouver Canucks “But he is trying to focus on the upcoming season, which starts next week. He wants to develop into a better player in the future, so he could one day play in the NHL, which is his dream.”

Canucks Top 10 Prospects: No offence, but Toni Utunen clearly a Dobber Prospects’ Cam Robinson has watched a lot of Utunen over the defender past two years and called the young Finn the “consummate defensive defender.”

“The role he employs now is one of the steady, stay-at-home type. He Patrick Johnston does this by effectively using his stick and gap control to thwart oncoming threats. Despite not being the largest player out there, he manoeuvres

and angles well down low and can handle the front of the net as well,” We’re two weeks away from the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. said Robinson. “You will occasionally see him jump into the play and flash some of those former (offensive) traits, but don’t ever expect it. He The Vancouver Canucks don’t have a pick until the third round. As they plays a safe and efficient style that should lend itself well to North prepare for the draft, we’re evaluating the top 10 prospects in the system, American pro hockey. But it will also prohibit him from playing too high up starting today at No. 10 with Toni Utunen. any lineups.”

The Canucks have hit home runs in the first round in recent years, but a Finnish prospects writer Miika Arponen concurred about what works in top 10 list means checking out more than the players who must make it, Utunen’s game. as the best teams find players in the edges of the draft. “Same elements are still there that were his strengths when he was Is Toni Utunen one of those guys? With the Canucks’ current blue-line drafted: his effortless skating, defensive awareness and the no-risk puck corps filled with veterans, there are likely spaces to come open in the handling, but he hasn’t really gone forward in any aspect recently,” said next few seasons. Let’s take a look at this smooth-skating Finn. Arponen.

NO. 10: TONI UTUNEN

Age: 20 That said, Utunen’s growing reputation as a Mr. Reliable could represent a plateau, he warned. Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 175 pounds “He has been given an opportunity to take a permanent spot on Draft year: 2018, fifth round Tappara’s defence, but so far he hasn’t been able to hold onto it. And Current team: Tappara Tampere (Finland) unfortunately based on preseason games it looks to be the case again this year as he is projected to be the seventh defenceman for Tappara Outlook: Depth defensive defenceman again.”

As a 14-year-old, playing against players two years older, Toni Utunen Utunen seems set to play out the year in the Liiga and then could make a was nearly a point-per-game player. jump to the American Hockey League for 2021-22. He would need to sign a contract first, of course.

He has not scored at that rate since. There’s a big caveat there, though: Add it all up and in a hypothetical future where he’s able to turn things up Utunen kept moving up the age brackets, always playing with the older a notch, win the trust of the coaches at Tappara this season, then soar kids. At age 15, he skated for Tappara’s Under-18 team. higher again once he’s joined Utica next year, putting himself on course for NHL consideration, it still seems Utunen’s top end at the NHL level Aged 16, he was on Tappara’s top junior squad. Some of his teammates would be as a sixth or seventh defenceman. were set to turn 20. The next year he turned professional, skating 11 times for the senior Tappara squad in the Liiga (Finland’s elite league) Vancouver Province: LOADED: 09.24.2020 and also being loaned out to LeKi in the second-tier league for 28 games.

Utunen showed enough to draw the eyes of the Canucks. He’s never scored like he did when he first hit his teens, but it’s clear the talent that drove him towards the net in those days has helped him refine his defensive game.

If you’re not going to score against older players, you’re going to have to be very good at stopping them if you’re going to stick around.

Especially if you’re not the biggest guy. Like so many modern defencemen, it’s not size that drives Utunen’s game — he’s listed at five- foot-11 — it’s his skating that makes it all work.

At the 2019 World Juniors, he played on Finland’s first defensive pairing, alongside Henri Jokiharju, helping lead the Finns to gold. (The flashy Jokiharju just finished up his second NHL season.)

That same season, Utunen became a regular in the Tappara lineup, even if he didn’t play a whole lot.

At the 2020 World Juniors, he wore an ‘A’ for the Finnish world junior squad but once again struggled to get much ice time for Tappara. In fact, his playing time diminished after he returned from the worlds — ironically, the defenceman Tappara picked up mid-season and who pushed Utunen down to eighth on the depth chart was former Canucks defenceman Adam Polasek.

“Of course, that would have been an interesting option,” his agent Jarmo Kork said via text message about whether he’d have looked to play for the Utica Comets in 2020-21, rather than another season with Tappara, in a timeline where the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t happen. 1179018 Vancouver Canucks season. “His play defensively, his battle, his positioning, all those improved.”

Burke said some of the data he’s seen backs up what the eyes see: Canucks Top 10 Prospects: Aidan McDonough has a big shot, needs McDonough is also an adept forechecker. more speed “He’s a really strong forechecker too, and some of the underlying data I’ve seen places him among the elite NCAA skaters in puck retrievals,” Burke said. Patrick Johnston Madigan wants to see McDonough’s forechecking game grow even more.

The 2020 NHL Entry Draft is less than two weeks away. “We’d like to get him to be that much more dominant,” he said of the winger’s efforts in the corners and behind the net. “He made some The Vancouver Canucks don’t have a pick until the third round. As they strides about being dominant on the puck.” prepare for the draft, we’re evaluating the top 10 prospects in the system, today at No. 9 with Aidan McDonough. McDonough said he enjoys getting in down low.

The Canucks have hit home runs in the first round in recent years, but a “It’s something that I’ve always loved to do,” he said. “I like scoring but I top 10 list means checking out more than the players who must make it, also like being the guy who gets in on the pucks and makes the play.” as the best teams find players in the edges of the draft. His success in that area will depend on how he improves his skating. Is McDonough one of those guys? He’s still a few years away from making the leap to pro hockey, but he’s got some interesting wrinkles in “It’s a long, long way from where it needs to be. He’s your typical heavy- his game already that could lead to success in the NHL. booted player, dragging his feet along the ice and lacking the flexibility through his knees and ankles for full extension on crossovers for NO. 9: AIDAN McDONOUGH accelerations,” Burke said. “Players that skate like McDonough does now don’t usually carve out NHL careers.” Age: 20

Height: 6-2 Weight: 201 pounds But if McDonough gets it right, he could be a useful third- or fourth-line Draft year: 2019, seventh round winger, Burke said. Current team: Northeastern University (NCAA) McDonough, who is studying business administration and prides himself Outlook: Energy winger on putting in the work in the classroom, said he admires the playing styles of Mikko Rantanen and Jamie Benn, big forwards who have a McDonough is ready for his second campaign with the Northeastern nose for the net and create scoring chances in tight spaces. University Huskies this coming season, whenever it starts. Originally from the swanky Boston suburb of Milton, he’s back on the central Boston “A big, strong guy who gets to the net, has finesse and is good down campus already, taking classes online from his dorm room. low,” he said.

Madigan believes his young charge can become that kind of player.

Public health authorities have authorized collegiate athletes to return to “There’s high expectations for him. He places them on himself but we training in small groups, which means he’s on the ice four hours per have them, too,” he said. “He should be a 20-goal scorer in our league.” week with about 11 other teammates and then allowed time in the weight The Canucks kept in close contact with McDonough. room and to run as well. “I saw those guys and heard form them pretty frequently during the It’s far from ideal for a player’s development, but that hasn’t fazed season,” he said. The team’s senior director of development, Ryan McDonough, who turns 21 this November. Johnson, visited often, and Johnson’s second-in-command, Chris “At first it definitely felt different, but now it’s getting a little bit back to Higgins, would send along video analysis every few games, with tips on normal,” he said this week. how to improve his play.

His focus during the long off-season — once ice rinks reopened in “Hats off to the Canucks, they follow their prospects,” Madigan said. Massachusetts, he skated three times per week — was all about adding “They’ve been very good.” strength and improving foot speed. McDonough’s pedigree is also notable, his coach said. Like current “Getting quicker off the blocks, getting stronger, comes hand in hand with Canuck Adam Gaudette, McDonough played prep hockey at Thayer getting in the weight room,” he said. “When you’re competing against Academy under head coach Tony Amonte, the former NHLer known for a older players, you realize quickly you need that. I’m working on holding slick skating style and sweet scoring touch. my power as long as I can. And keeping possession below the dots, it all Both forwards then played for the Rapid City Roughriders of the USHL ties in to lower-body strength.” under head coach Mark Carlson, who long ago was one of Madigan’s He also quickly recognized the higher energy requirements that truly elite assistants. hockey demands. As the 2019-20 season progressed, the Huskies started dealing with injuries, which meant more ice time for McDonough. That Canucks-Northeastern-Cedar Rapids pathway also featured former “My conditioning definitely got better,” he said. amateur scouting director Judd Brackett, Madigan pointed out. Brackett’s Elite Prospects’ J.D. Burke said the first thing scouts notice about first season of collegiate hockey saw him play five games in the McDonough is his shot. Northeastern net, before transferring to Connecticut College.

“It’s already an NHL-level weapon. His wrist shot is so potent, more “We see their scouts a lot. I was very close with Judd. We go back a long overpowering than it is deceptive, but effective all the same,” he said. way,” he said.

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Northeastern coach Jim Madigan said McDonough’s size and his hands twitter.com/risingaction stand out, but there’s a lot more to the lanky Massachusetts born-and- 2020 TOP 10 CANUCKS PROSPECTS raised forward. No. 10: Toni Utunen “He became more well-rounded with his play away from the puck. He’s a smart player, a cerebral player,” he said of McDonough’s freshman No. 9: Aidan McDonough No. 8: Tomorrow

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179019 Websites Not only is all of this unfolding against the backdrop of a pandemic that has impacted advertising revenue across the industry, it is happening as the cost of doing business with the NHL keeps growing steeper. Rogers signed a 12-year deal worth $5.232 billion with the league in 2013 — said The Athletic / With lots of competition, TV ratings for the Stanley Cup to be the biggest Canadian rights deal in history — that included an Final struggle escalating annual fee.

The company had a payment of $150 million right away, followed by another payment of more than $300 million the following year. In the final By Sean Fitz-Gerald Sep 23, 2020 78 year of the deal, which runs through 2025-26, Rogers is scheduled to pay more than $500 million for the rights.

After millions of Canadian viewers opted to stay inside and watch the Having the Leafs or Oilers play for more than a week per playoff NHL playoffs instead of basking in the early August sunshine, Sportsnet appearance would help make that number seem less daunting. The fact president Bart Yabsley conceded it was no secret “that when the no Canadian team has won a Stanley Cup since 1993 has been repeated Canadian teams play well and advance in the playoffs, that our numbers often, and was even referenced during the 72nd Primetime Emmy reflect that.” Awards on Sunday.

Six of Canada’s seven NHL teams were in the qualifying round, and with SORRY CANADA, YOU STILL DON’T HAVE THIS…. #STANLEYCUP the Raptors resuming their NBA title defence, Sportsnet announced its @SCHITTSCREEK #EMMYS PIC.TWITTER.COM/0N1RJN9EIX programming reached 10.7 million viewers over just one weekend. — JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (@JIMMYKIMMELLIVE) SEPTEMBER 21, Audiences for games featuring the Flames, Jets, Maple Leafs and 2020 Canadiens each swelled to more than one million. “Would I love every single one of the Canadian teams to be in the What would happen, Yabsley was asked, if Canadian teams stumbled playoffs, and the final four being four Canadian teams, and the Stanley out of contention early? Cup champion being Canadian? Absolutely,” Yabsley told The Athletic in “The pent-up demand, and the actual interest and the realities — you’re an interview last fall. “Would that be a positive impact on us financially? It not going (outside your home) like you used to go out — we hope we would be.” don’t see that drop-off to the same extent,” he said. “If we are in that Sportsnet drew an average audience of 1.78 million for Toronto’s first circumstance.” qualifying-round game against Columbus last month. It drew 1.66 million The network has indeed found itself back in that familiar circumstance, for its first game between the Flames and the Jets. Another 1.6 million and audiences have not been as resilient as hoped. Sportsnet has watched the Canadiens and the Penguins. confirmed Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Stars and the All of those audiences, in the middle of the summer, in a round that does Lightning drew an average audience of only 1.081 million on Saturday not even qualify as an official postseason event, were larger than the first night. two games of the Stanley Cup Final. In Game 2, on Monday night, the audience shrank to 841,000. There are signs that, even if Canadians are not fully invested in the Fans who stream the games online are not included in the traditional outcome, many are curious enough to sneak a glance. According to measurement. One broadcast insider suggested those watching online Sportsnet, at least 3.8 million Canadians tuned in for at least part of its could account for another five percent of actual viewership. (In that first coverage of Game 1 on Saturday night, and that number grew to 4.3 weekend in August, Sportsnet reported fans started two million streams million for Game 2. of its programming.) In August, the network also reached its largest-ever share, at 10.4 The audiences have also been small in the United States, with Game 1 percent of the total Canadian TV audience. That included help from its reportedly drawing its weakest rating in almost a decade. NBA and MLB coverage, where the Raptors and Blue Jays offered a bit more help than some of the Canadian NHL teams. RATINGS: #STANLEYCUP FINAL OPENS WITH LOWEST RATED GAME 1 SINCE 2007 (SENS-DUCKS), LOWEST RATED GAME The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 OVERALL SINCE 2012 (DEVILS-KINGS).

GAME 1 TIES SENS-DUCKS GAME 3 AS LOWEST RATED SCF GAME ON BROADCAST TV. HTTPS://T.CO/UMTHBJX2CZ

— SPORTS MEDIA WATCH (@PAULSEN_SMW) SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

For Game 2, hockey was up against Monday Night Football as well as baseball.

Broadcast insiders laid out a handful of potential reasons for the weak numbers. The Stanley Cup is not usually awarded in the fall, and it is not typically contested in the middle of a pandemic. (It was called off during the third wave of an influenza pandemic in 1919.)

Ultimately, though, sources suggest the blame for low ratings in Canada falls on the teams themselves.

The Canucks were the only Canadian team to win a single round in the official section of the NHL’s modified playoffs this summer. The Leafs did not even make it that far, losing their qualifying round series, alongside the Jets and Oilers.

Calgary and Montreal both lost in the first round.

Canadian teams are lucrative for Canadian broadcasters. Having a major market engaged deep into the postseason could have reshaped the narrative for Sportsnet. Instead, the network has been without any Canadian representation since Sept. 4, the night the Canucks lost Game 7 of their second-round series to the Golden Knights.

Yabsley was not available for comment on Wednesday. 1179020 Websites Drew Doughty Ryan Getzlaf

Alex Pietrangelo The Athletic / World Cup 2020: Projecting imaginary rosters for Canada, USA — and North America Brad Marchand

Marc-Edouard Vlasic

By Eric Duhatschek, Craig Custance and more Sep 23, 2020 172 Ryan O'Reilly

Brent Burns

Incredibly, it’s been four years since hockey conducted its last best-on- Steven Stamkos best international tournament. Jonathan Toews A lot has happened in the interim when it comes to international hockey, including the decision in 2018 to bypass the Olympics for the first time in John Tavares two decades, in part because the NHL was unable to come to terms with Joe Thornton the IOC on a number of divisive issues, ranging from media rights to expenses. Corey Perry

Arguably, the most positive news to emerge from the NHL’s pandemic Claude Giroux pause and subsequent restart was the fact that the league and the players’ association came to terms on a collective bargaining extension From 2016 to 2020, we’re projecting only six returnees among the 23 that will restore best-on-best competition. roster spots. Three up front (Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand and Ryan O’Reilly), two on defence (Drew Doughty and Alex Pietrangelo) and It will start with the Olympics in 2022, scheduled to be held in Beijing, and Carey Price in goal. will eventually also include further iterations of the World Cup, which has been conducted irregularly since 1976 and began as the Canada Cup. Let’s take a look back at that underachieving 2016 Team USA to see how many holdovers would exist four years later. Players selected for the Over the years, that event has produced some of the most memorable 2020 team are highlighted in blue. hockey in history, which is why the return of best-on-best competition is so universally applauded across the greater hockey landscape. Justin Abdelkader

Question: If there had been a World Cup this month — on that standard Dustin Byfuglien once-every-four-years-progression that hopefully will now return — what Jonathan Quick might some of those rosters have looked like? And how would they differ from the teams that competed in the 2016 World Cup?

For Canada and the United States, the short answer is: They would be John Carlson demonstrably younger and far more entertaining to watch. Ben Bishop For the purposes of this exercise, we will project what the Canada and U.S. rosters would look like if they had access to the full player pool. Brandon Dubinsky We’re fairly certain the 2016 gimmick teams of North America (made up Erik Johnson of players 23 and younger) and Team Europe were a one-off and if there were a 2020 World Cup it would be played with eight real nations. Cory Schneider

But just for fun, we’re also going pick a hypothetical Team North America Patrick Kane roster that would strip away some of the top young talent from both the Jack Johnson Canada and U.S. teams. Hard to believe, but both Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews would be eligible for Team North America once again. Ryan Kesler

As a whole, the NHL has gravitated incrementally younger ever since the Ryan McDonagh introduction of the salary cap, which financially incentivized teams to push younger players onto their major-league rosters. For the most TJ Oshie precocious talents, it’s given them a chance to race to the top of their Matt Niskanen professions very quickly. Max Pacioretty For Canada, the turnover would begin with the Canadian mainstays of Team North America: McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Mark Scheifele Ryan Suter all graduating to become central figures on Canada’s varsity roster. Kyle Palmieri Let’s take a brief comparative look at who played for Canada in 2016 and who would make the team today. Players selected for the 2020 team are Zach Parise highlighted in red. Joe Pavelski

Patrice Bergeron Derek Stepan

Jay Bouwmeester James van Riemsdyk

Carey Price Blake Wheeler

Logan Couture It’s only been four years but the turnover is pretty dramatic as Team USA Shea Weber gets younger and more skilled. The GM in 2016, Dean Lombardi, wanted a team that was physical, tough to play against and full of character. It Braden Holtby didn’t pay off in a short tournament and the look for the Americans now would be much, much different with only three holdovers up front and two Sidney Crosby on defence. Jake Muzzin Now let’s delve deeper into the imaginary 2020 World Cup squads. Corey Crawford How did we arrive at these names? Matt Duchene Philosophically, we started with a basic premise: If you were undecided between a player on the way up and a player on In compiling this team, we tended to favour youth. We want the next the way down, you erred on the side of the former, on the grounds that a generation of American best-on-best teams to be built around youth, World Cup would act as a kind of dress rehearsal for the next Olympics speed and creativity. But with just the right mix of veteran presence and and what better way to give someone the experience of the international experience. This group has it all. High-end goal scorers. Size. Tkachuk pressure cooker than by playing in the World Cup. sandpaper. And the kind of goaltending Team USA always seems to have. As always with Team Canada, there are too many natural centres and too many right-shot defencemen, meaning some players will have to play As for a coach? We’re handing the keys to two-time Stanley Cup out of position. champion Mike Sullivan. And you know he’d add John Tortorella as an assistant. There really aren’t a lot of weaknesses here. Leaving off Patrice Bergeron this time — and breaking up the Marchand- Crosby-Bergeron line — was the toughest decision overall, but it was Officially, there was no word coming out of the CBA negotiations as to hard to resist the lure of assembling a line made up strictly of players how the next World Cup will look. from the Halifax area. Beyond the Olympics, discussions regarding other international events There’s always a recency bias in these exercises, but that’s defensible such as the World Cup won’t take place until this offseason, according to and also grounded in the reality of the actual selection process. an NHLPA official.

Whenever Canadian Olympics GMs pulled their teams together, they Even when the 2016 format was announced, however, it was always focused on pedigree to begin but also gave some weight to which players understood that the hybrid teams — Team Europe and Team North had it going — and which didn’t — in any given season. When the player America — might just be a one-off. pool is so deep to begin with, Canada’s GMs determined they couldn’t put a player in the midst of an off year on the roster, not when there were The primary reason why Team North America was placed in Group B for so many other good available options. the 2016 tournament round robin was so that the young Canadian and U.S. players on the team wouldn’t have to play against their older Finding a proper fit is also a practical consideration. Curiously, the last brethren, at least in the first round. two generational talents coming out of Canada — Crosby and McDavid — have not always been the easiest players for which to find wingers. As it turned out, when Team North America didn’t qualify for semifinal play, they didn’t have to address the issue that was percolating below the In 2014, one of the reasons Chris Kunitz made the squad was his surface throughout the tournament — that the young players from familiarity and success playing with Crosby. It’s a similar quandary with Canada and the U.S. didn’t want to play against their own countries. McDavid. It just felt wrong to them. Everyone would want to play with him because of his off-the-charts speed. But who actually can develop instant chemistry on the ice? McDavid said so publicly in the midst of the tournament — that while he was OK doing it once, he hoped that he could “definitely represent my For McDavid’s linemates, I opted to go with Ryan O’Reilly and Mathew country” the next time around. If that statement needed any further Barzal. There is a part of me that would like to test the crafty Mitch clarification, McDavid said it flat out: “I don’t think I’d want to represent Marner on the right side, but Marner and Brayden Point had success Team North America twice.” playing together previously in a world championship and so that’s chemistry I wouldn’t tamper with. It’s fair to speculate that the next World Cup will have a reworked format, on the more traditional national-team lines. Barzal is a right-hand shot and natural centre, but someone whose speed could complement McDavid. O’Reilly is one of a handful of players with But just as a purely theoretical exercise, here’s Scott Wheeler with his the versatility to adapt to any role. choices for a 2020 Team North America, based on the players that meet the eligibility requirement (23 or under as of Oct. 1, 2020). Then we’ll look The vast majority of Canada’s elite defenders are right-hand shots and at how the Canadian and American rosters would need to be altered to I’m leaving one of the best left-hand options, Mark Giordano, off the accommodate his changes. team. That’s another spot where I wavered and made the decision mostly because of Shea Theodore’s progression over the past 12 months. Cale Team North America 2.0 almost feels like it’s cheating both countries out Makar has risen quickly and Josh Morrissey figures to be his generation’s of their best players — or a significant portion of them at least. answer to Marc-Edouard Vlasic, the sort of steady reliable defender that And though the demographics remain the same (there were 13 coaches turn to at critical defensive moments in the game. Canadians and 10 Americans named to the original 2016 roster and So, then we turn to goaltenders. Long term, Carter Hart looks to be the those numbers are the same here), it feels like it does the Americans the goalie with the greatest upside. Price would be almost a default choice bigger disservice. here, coaches love a steady veteran presence between the pipes. There are a number of Canadians on this new roster who wouldn’t sniff We opted for Darcy Kuemper as the third member of the team, just Canada’s team in a best-on-best setting (including two of the goalies, because he has consistently demonstrated a high level of goaltending. Sam Girard and maybe a couple of pieces of that fourth line). But you’d He is 30 now and is the latest in a long line of NHL goaltenders who likely be removing all 10 of those Americans – or close – from Team found themselves in the back-half of their careers. USA.

So that’s it, a snapshot of Canada’s hockey elite at a time, September This team also takes what was a fun potential story and turns 2020, when we could have reasonably expected the return of best-on- them into a tournament favourite. best hockey. We’re giving the head coaching reins to . You’ve got the best player. You’ve got arguably the best even strength Now let’s turn it over to Craig Custance for a look at his Team USA goal scorer. You’ve got the highest-paid winger. You’ve got so much projection. depth at centre that you have to move Barzal to the wing. You’ve got a fourth line with two of the best two-way forwards in the game and one of Look at this squad. its best agitators.

This would be the long-awaited unleashing of Team USA’s next You’ve got three defencemen who should’ve been up for the Calder generation of centres in Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel, finally closing Trophy last season, a second pairing with two legitimate Norris Trophy the gap on the Crosby-led Canadians. We’re putting the Tkachuks contenders in any given season, and Thomas Chabot, who can skate for together for fun and also to completely terrorize other countries. days (literally). You’ve got perfect righty-lefty balance on D.

And this would be one of the most dynamic defences ever fielded by an The emergence of Carter Hart lessens the competitive disadvantage American team. Zach Werenski and Seth Jones show up immediately you’d typically expect in net. with chemistry. The Quinn Hughes-Charlie McAvoy pair could be together for the next decade of international competition. And for those And none of those descriptors consider that you also have Jack Eichel. games you really feel like you need a veteran presence, Ryan Suter is I think there’s more depth this time around, too. In 2016, when Sean there, rested and ready to play half the game. I love this defence. Monahan had to be replaced due to injury, Vincent Trochek stepped in. I would argue that a number of my cuts here (Alex DeBrincat, Robert Thomas, Nick Suzuki, Anthony Beauvillier, John Marino, Noah Hanifin) are better or equal players to Trochek at the time.

This team is scary.

Six members of Scott’s 23-player roster made the final cut for our Team Canada above team, which is both good news and bad news.

Bad news: Losing your de facto No. 1 centre and starting goalie. Good news: The Canadian player pool is so deep that finding six high-quality replacements isn’t very difficult.

Here’s how a revised Team Canada would look (additions in bold):

Team USA had to make the following changes:

This is where it gets a little less rosy for the Americans. While this roster is solid, it’s also an indication of just how much of Team USA’s best talent is still very young and emerging. Team North America robs the Americans of centre depth and, as much as you like players like Dylan Larkin and J.T. Miller, they’re not quite in the same conversation as the elite centres in other countries. That said, the top line would be loaded with speed and creativity.

This exercise is also an indication of how many good American defencemen there are right now. You can remove Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski and have Torey Krug waiting to go. Even without the young defencemen, this is a top-four that stacks up with anyone. As is often the case during international competition, the strength would be goaltending. Any one of the three mentioned — Gibson, Hellebuyck or Bishop — could make the case as a starter for either American team.

So now we’ve got five rosters to look at and debate but the question remains — which team is strongest?

We had Dom Luszczyszyn crunch some numbers to see what the game probabilities would look like. This is what he came up with.

A heavyweight matchup between Canada and USA is probably as close as it has been in a long time with the way the two teams have been assembled here. As usual, Canada would be the favourite thanks to the team’s immense depth at every position, but the Americans are catching up over the last few years and this roster is the deepest it’s ever been.

In total, Canada has 45.3 wins of value located on its roster while Team USA has 41.9. Relative to an average NHL team, Canada’s expected win percentage would be around 0.812 while the U.S. would be around 0.772 – these teams aren’t losing very often unless it’s against each other. With that estimate, a matchup between the two clubs would see Canada win 55.9 percent of the time. That’s a big improvement over the last time we did this where the Americans’ chances against Canada were closer to 39 percent.

But Team North America would obviously throw a wrench into all of that. Taking McDavid, Matthews and Eichel among others would be a sizeable blow to each country and if that were indeed the case, the best team would be Team North America. The youth movement would take 3.3 wins off Canada’s roster and 3.6 off USA’s leaving them at 42 and 38.3 respectively. Team North America’s roster would be at 43, giving them the edge overall.

The Athletic LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179021 Websites that hard to get back into the lineup. And then to score one? It’s pretty inspirational for everyone.”

Added Victor Hedman: “This is how much he means to us as a teammate Sportsnet.ca / Lightning's Stamkos secures place in Cup lore with Game and as a leader and as a friend. We were just super happy for him.” 3 goal vs. Stars Stamkos played six games against the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 Final and didn’t manage to score. In this situation, the Lightning put him on the fourth line alongside Cedric Paquette (zero goals this playoffs) Chris Johnston | @reporterchris September 24, 2020, 2:02 AM and Pat Maroon (one goal this playoffs) and he produced one in limited minutes before his injury forced him to become a spectator.

What happens next will determine what this means historically. EDMONTON — Seven seconds. But what it meant to Stamkos and the Lightning won’t change no matter That’s how much time the puck spent on Steven Stamkos’s stick blade what. He’s only going to get so many chances like this one. on this night, and perhaps that’s all it will spend there throughout the entirety of this Tampa Bay Lightning playoff run. “It was amazing to be a part of a huge win for us,” he said. “I was just really happy to obviously contribute in a game that I didn’t play too That’s all the hard-luck captain needed to secure his place in Stanley much.” Cup lore. Seven freaking seconds. This was a kid who used to go to shooting school twice per week and fire Somehow, after spending 60 days as a practice-only player inside the 500 pucks per session. That’s a skill that endured the injuries, the layoff, NHL bubble and going 210 days between games, Stamkos scored the everything. biggest goal of a career overflowing with them. It made this moment possible. He was in full stride down the right boards when Victor Hedman hit him in the neutral zone. He blew past Esa Lindell, who defended the play poorly Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 09.24.2020 and managed to settle a bouncing puck in time to tuck it up under the crossbar behind Anton Khudobin.

The Lightning bench exploded. Jon Cooper said the reaction was “just a little bit louder” than any of the others during a playoff run that has included five overtime goals. The coach saw it as a sign his team wouldn’t be denied, and they weren’t while grabbing a 2-1 series lead over the Dallas Stars with a 5-2 victory Wednesday.

“It was pretty damn cool,” said Cooper.

Stamkos called it a dream come true.

Forget the unfortunate timing of the injuries that have cost him big playoff games and a chance at playing for Team Canada at the Olympics in recent years. Just being trapped inside the bubble with no guarantee of playing would be agony for someone who has given as much to the Lightning as Stamkos.

And then to get in for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, and only be able to play five shifts and score on one of them after not playing for seven months?

Hollywood might not accept that script.

“At this time of the year, you want to do anything you can to help your team win,” said Stamkos. “I’ve watched these guys be so committed to what our end goal is, and to be part of it tonight, it was a dream come true and I’m so proud of these guys. And to be able to share that moment with them and just even be on the bench and watch how well we played tonight, I have told these guys before: It’s inspiring.

“It was great to be part of.”

Quickly, the backstory: Stamkos underwent core muscle surgery on March 2 and was supposed to be recovered in time for the second round of a normal playoffs. Then we had the COVID-19 pause, he had some kind of setback while preparing for the NHL’s return to play and the Lightning have gone on a run without him.

But he’s remained a large figure in the shadows.

You could see him dousing Brayden Point with water after he scored a quintuple overtime goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Round 1 and he was summoned to the ice to help the Lightning accept the Prince of Wales Trophy after they eliminated the New York Islanders.

Everything he had to endure in order to even play for two minutes 41 seconds of Wednesday’s game has happened behind the walls. And based on the fact he sat on the bench while not taking a shift for the final 46 minutes here suggests we might not see him in uniform again for the rest of this series.

So that goal? That was something.

“He’s worked extremely hard to get back to a spot where he could play,” said Brayden Point. “Just seeing him day in and day out — the positivity that he brings, and the leadership that he brings. It’s nice to see him work 1179022 Websites Age: 28 Cap hit last year: $5 million

Stats: 19-10-1, 2.89 GAA, .920 SV% Sportsnet.ca / Six goaltenders Flames could consider adding this off- season Problem: Vegas will almost certainly lock him up.

His playoff brilliance reportedly has him on the verge of a long-term deal in Vegas at a shockingly low $5 million annually, which would be Eric Francis | @EricFrancis September 23, 2020, 9:40 AM considerably less than Markstrom is seeking. It would open the door for a Marc-Andre Fleury trade (see below) and sets the bar a lot lower for UFAs with stars in their eyes. It has been seven years since the had the type of goaltending star the team could hang its hat on. Since Miikka Kiprusoff Anton Khudobin left for the Finnish hinterlands in 2013 the club has been piecemealing its Age: 34 goalie tandems together, year after year. Cap hit last year: $2.5 million Heck, one year they famously carried a trio of twine-minders, with disastrous results. Stats: 16-8-0, 2.22 GAA, .930 SV%

Is this the off-season in which Brad Treliving decides to finally land his Problem: Costly 1B option and unproven as a starter. club a legitimate superstar in net? This year there are several significant adds available, via trade or free agency, but the question is whether he What a time to carry a franchise on his back and into the Cup final. sees upgrading his netminding as his priority. Despite his age and status as a career backup, his run as potential Conn Smythe Trophy winner will garner him some interest from teams that may With a flat cap and tight budget, Treliving will likely have limit his consider paying him more than just backup money. There’s no better spending in goal in order to acquire a significant defenceman or two on backup in the league, but it’s hard to believe the Stars won’t do the open market. everything within reason to keep him, given Ben Bishop’s ongoing fragility. To answer the question above, he must decide if he’s content taking the easiest and most sensible route, by simply re-signing Cam Talbot to join Cam Talbot David Rittich once again. Age: 32 Rittich played in the All-Star game and Talbot carried the Flames in the second half as part of a dependable tandem that saw the club finish 13th Cap hit last year: $2.75 million in save percentage and 16th in goals against per game. Stats: 12-10-2, 2.64 GAA, .919 SV%

Goaltending was not an issue in Calgary, especially in the playoffs when Problem: He’ll want a significant raise and assurances he’s the starter. Talbot shone. Both are minor issues.

The Big Show Khudobin is the only UFA who posted a lower goals-against average Daily Flames Roundtable: Jacob Markström's fit in Calgary and goalie than Talbot’s this year and only two goalies (Khudobin and Lehner) had a market for the Flames better save percentage. Talbot wasn’t getting the credit he deserved for his steady regular season play last year, but his playoff performance has September 21 2020 him right near the top of the UFA rankings.

Your browser does not support the audio element. His comfort with the Flames and desire to return (if given higher billing than his backup) set the table for what may just be the most obvious fit Rittich is under contract for one more year at $2.75 million, so Treliving out there. He’s a fitness freak who no one should be afraid to sign long- must make a decision on Talbot, an unrestricted free agent who has term. expressed an interest in re-upping with the club that helped him re- establish himself as a dependable everyday NHLer. TRADE POSSIBILITIES

The team approached the 32-year-old during the pandemic pause with a Darcy Kuemper desire to have him return but his stellar playoff play confirmed such a return would require a bump in pay from his “show-me” contract. With Age: 30 both sides comfortable with a return engagement, it seems pretty Cap hit: $4.5 million for next two years tempting to maintain such stability between the pipes. Stats: 16-11-2, 2.22 GAA, .928 SV% However, with so many intriguing options out there, and potential heir apparent Dustin Wolf still tabbed to toil in junior where he is the reigning Problem: The acquisition cost and injury issues. goalie of the year, is this the year Treliving sticks his neck out for a goalie who could be here long term? For two seasons in a row the Saskatoon native has posted Vezina-type numbers, making him desirable league-wide if indeed Coyotes ownership A quick look at the six candidates: has instructed management to cut costs. He’d come at a significant cost, which would likely include a first-rounder. FREE AGENTS Marc-Andre Fleury Jacob Markstrom Age: 35 Age: 30 Cap hit: $7 million for two more years Cap hit last season: $3.666 million Stats: 27-16-5, 2.77 GAA, .905 SV% Stats: 23-16-2, 2.75 GAA, .918 SV% Problem: Acquisition cost. Problem: His price tag. In 2017 Fleury told Sportsnet he would have waived his no-trade clause The Vancouver Canucks revelation tops the list of unrestricted free to come to Calgary, meaning it’s unlikely the Flames would be on his 10- agents and suddenly became very much in play after Thatcher Demko team no trade list. A trade like this isn’t possible unless the Knights agree mopped up playoff duty with an all-world performance against Vegas. to pay roughly half of Fleury’s $6.5 million salary this year and $6 million The six-foot-six, 206-pound wall will be the most expensive add possible, the following year. as he’s looking for a long-term deal. It’s not out of the realm of possibility he sees Calgary as a good fit. Universally loved, he’d be a heck of a mentor for Rittich, although there’s the potential Rittich would go the other way in a deal like this. Robin Lehner Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179023 Websites “They’re our top-end guys. You’ve got to give ‘em the ice time to get going, and they’re getting that. They need some help from other guys, but they’ve got to figure it out.”

Sportsnet.ca / Stars lose defensive identity in Game 3 shellacking by There will be, it seems, lots of “figuring out” going on in Dallas’ camp Lightning between the end of Game 3 and the beginning of back-to-back games set for Friday and Saturday. Figuring out, and “moving forward.”

“It’s one game, at the end of the day,” said depth forward Jason Mark Spector | @sportsnetspec September 23, 2020, 10:55 PM Dickinson. “We win the next one and we’re tied 2-2, it’s a new series. So, shake this one off. Get over it quickly and respond in the next one.

“We’ll be fine,” he added. “We’re not going to panic yet.” EDMONTON — You find a style that works for you, and you ply that trade all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. You play the first two games Yet. against the powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning and do pretty well, earning a split and giving the Bolts all they could handle in the loss. They’re not going to panic — yet.

Then Game 3 comes along, and there’s… nothing. Stay tuned.

None of the responsible, stifling defensive play the Dallas Stars have Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 09.24.2020 trademarked, with their best players making some of the biggest gaffes.

After being that good for this long, where on earth does it go? Rick Bowness could only chuckle.

“That’s exactly what we were just talking about with the players,” the Dallas head coach said post-game, his Stars stinging from a 5-2 shellacking that leaves them in arrears in this Stanley Cup Final, two games to one.

Dallas’s game began with a heinous giveaway by wunderkind Miro Heiskanen, who tossed a puck across the ice at his own blue line that was intercepted by, of all people, Nikita Kucherov. The silky shooter walked in alone and predictably delivered a puck past Anton Khudobin for a game-opening goal that the Bolts simply did not have to earn.

“Self-inflicted wound,” is how Bowness described that goal and many of the other gaffes that had his Dallas Stars looking, well, like someone else.

“We lost our team play, we lost our intensity, and we lost our focus,” he said. “When you do that, a team like (Tampa) is going to make you look real bad, which they did.”

This is exactly what you fear when you line up against the Lightning, a team that got a major boost when returning captain Steven Stamkos scored a highlight-reel goal that made it 2-0 just 6:58 into the game. They have a top line of Kucherov, Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat that is as dangerous as any in the National Hockey League.

They have a horse in Victor Hedman who quarterbacks a power play that Dallas gave four chances Wednesday, and a goalie in Andrei Vasilevskiy who isn’t going to give up six if you allow five.

Dallas opened the vault with giveaways, took needless, unforced penalties and didn’t generate nearly enough offence of their own to suggest that they can beat Tampa in any game played this way.

What happened?

“I don’t know,” said Khudobin, who watched the third period from the safety of the Dallas bench. “I don’t know what happened. We’re going to figure it out … tomorrow.”

Heiskanen has been outplayed by teammate John Klingberg in Rounds 3 and 4, but Wednesday was the first time he truly struggled.

“Listen, it’s been a grind here,” Bowness said, defending his prodigal young rearguard. “When I see some of the guys making mental mistakes that we don’t usually make, it’s just one of those nights where the grind has caught up to them a little bit.

“Mentally, some nights you think you’re ready and you’re all set to go, and some nights it just doesn’t happen.”

Speaking of not happening, while each member of the Bolts top line had a goal and an assist Wednesday, Dallas’ top unit of Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alex Radulov went pointless. Benn and Seguin have yet to collect a point in this Final, and Bowness was asked what he’s going to do to squeeze some offence out of his No. 1 line.

“That’s a good question,” he offered. “We’re giving them the ice time, getting them out there as much as we can. They’ve got to figure it out. It’s as simple as that. 1179024 Websites With picks at Nos. 3, 5 and 28 plus four more in the second round and 13 selections overall, Dorion and chief amateur scout Trent Mann will be overlooking one of the Senators’ most important drafts in just two weeks time. Sportsnet.ca / Senators part ways with cherished veterans Anderson, Borowiecki While it’s expected Ottawa will take either Quinton Byfield or Tim Stutzle with their first pick, Dorion wasn’t going to tip his hand on the pick at five. There is a group of excellent forwards available, but also defenceman Jake Sanderson, who could be playing alongside Senators prospect Wayne Scanlan September 23, 2020, 3:40 PM Jacob Bernard-Docker at the University of North Dakota this season.

“We are going to draft the best player who is going to help us win as we As the Ottawa Senators prepare to welcome young additions from the move forward with this plan,” Dorion said, quite generically, although his 2020 NHL Draft, they say goodbye to two cherished veterans. eyes twinkled a little when he considered the question about Senators prospects playing together in college. In a Zoom call with reporters, general manager Pierre Dorion confirmed what has long been suspected: the Senators are moving on from “We have a lot of needs, we’ve finished in 30th, 31st and 30th place over venerable goaltender Craig Anderson and the team’s hard-nosed the last three years… we have a lot of prospects coming at multiple defenceman, Mark Borowiecki. Both are expected to pursue free agency positions but we are going to draft who we feel are going to help us win in on Oct. 9. the near future and in the long term.”

Anderson, 39, was not offered a contract. Borowiecki, 31, a player Dorion Dorion said that general managers are doing a lot of talking before the once said he wanted to make a “Senator for life,” is leaving on his own draft, and admits he is open to swapping some of his picks to move up or terms. Dorion saluted them both on the way out the door. acquire a player, but won’t “jump the steps required to make us a better team in the long term.” “Craig should be given so much credit — it was one of the best trades (the late GM) Bryan Murray made,” Dorion said. “He’s the winningest From the Stanley Cup Qualifiers to the Stanley Cup Final, livestream goalie in this organization’s history, and I will go on the record as saying every game of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, blackout-free, on he’s the best performing goalie in this organization. The best goalie Sportsnet NOW. we’ve ever had. Canadian scouts only “But it’s time for us to take another direction. And we thank him for Just another 2020 oddity: the Senators won’t have their full complement everything he did.” of scouts together for the draft as COVID-19 travel restrictions make it Sign up for NHL newsletters too difficult for European and U.S. scouts to be in Ottawa. They will follow and contribute online. Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! Tkachuk deal has to wait: red flag or TBA?

Anderson, who came to Ottawa in 2011 in a trade with Colorado for Brian In response to a question in French, Dorion said that it will take some Elliott, quite likely saved Murray from getting fired — so well did he play time to sort out a long term deal with young forward star Brady Tkachuk down the stretch that year, for a team headed to a rebuild. His Senators because “the landscape of the NHL has changed and is going to be record: 202-168-46 with a .914 save percentage and 2.84 goals-against. changing,” due to the pandemic and its impact on the NHL. Anderson is the franchise leader in games played by a goaltender (435), The Senators were able to sign Thomas Chabot last fall before the last starts (422), wins (202) and save percentage. He’s second all-time in year of his entry-level deal. Tkachuk’s ELC ends in 2021 when he shutouts with 28, two behind Patrick Lalime. becomes a restricted free agent. Ottawa’s rebuild will lose credibility if the Dorion called Anderson the “MVP” of the 2017 run to the Eastern club can’t extend Tkachuk long term. Conference Final. Nilsson ‘should’ be ready “It’s unfortunate we were unable to win a Cup with Craig but he did many Dorion tried to sound optimistic about the health of goaltender Anders wonderful things for this organization,” Dorion said. Nilsson, who suffered a concussion in mid-December, but admitted he Look for Anderson to be honoured in some way by the Senators next won’t really know until teams are able to report to training camp. season. He’s a good fit for the Ring of Honour. “We think Anders will be ready when the season starts,” Dorion said. Borowiecki was that rarest of 30-year-olds in Ottawa, a Senators player “He’s not been on the ice but he feels better. When he gets to Ottawa we who was drafted and stayed here for more than a decade. The Kanata should get a better indication of his recovery, his path.” native has been Boro-Cop on the ice and on the streets — breaking up a Pierre Groulx, the Senators’ goalie coach, has been in touch with Nilsson robbery in Vancouver this season — and a community role model off it, weekly. with deep ties to several charitable organizations. The club’s level of confidence concerning Nilsson, pencilled in as the Along with Anderson, Borowiecki has been a veteran leader for the team’s starter, might dictate whether they seek help through trade or free Senators as the team got younger in recent years and the likes of Mark agency to secure a veteran for the upcoming season, whenever it might Stone, Kyle Turris, Erik Karlsson, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Matt begin. Marcus Hogberg is the other returning veteran, and he doesn’t Duchene left via trade. have a lot of NHL experience. “Mark has been a great member of this team for many years,” Dorion In the pipeline, Dorion likes the “depth and quality at the goaltending said. “If he’s going to go to the free agent market, we thank him for position.” everything he has done. I don’t think you will ever meet a better person… someone who has great values. He’s a great human being. In particular, Dorion said he was pleased with the progress of Joey Daccord in the ECHL and AHL last season, as well as Filip Gustavsson “But at the same time we have to respect a player’s wishes.” in Belleville, who has had “ups and downs” but whom Dorion sees as They leave a big void. Bobby Ryan, 33, is the only long-standing veteran having a lot of upside. remaining. He joined the Senators in 2013 via trade from Anaheim. Kevin Mandolese of the Cape Breton Eagles, signed to an entry-level Look to Dorion to shore up his veteran depth either through trades at the deal in April, was the QMJHL goalie of the year. draft or free agency. “I would say there wasn’t a better goalie in junior in the second half of the “We are not going with a team of all young players,” Dorion assured fans. season,” Dorion said. “We will add key veterans to solidify the progress of our young players.” At the last draft, Ottawa selected goalie Mads Sogaard in the second Draft: Best player or match needs? round and while he experienced some growing pains last season, Dorion and Groulx like his size (six-foot-seven) and lateral ability. Sogaard will likely remain in Medicine Hat (WHL) this season, according to Dorion.

“We feel we have four quality prospects,” Dorion said.

Three of them will be at the pro level this season.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179025 Websites just brilliant. Can’t believe you did that.’ He was just laughing. Those were some cool moments.

You’ve long been an advocate and an example of how much the game Sportsnet.ca / Q&A: Harnarayan Singh on new book, importance of benefits from having more diverse voices. What has it been like to be a representation in hockey leader in that conversation – particularly during such a powerful time and in such a unique setting?

I got to talk to Ron MacLean one on one on The Conversation during the Emily Sadler | @EmmySadler September 23, 2020, 10:50 AM postponement. It was cool, because the players in the [Western Conference bubble] were all standing together with Ryan Reaves at the

forefront and other members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance. As that Harnarayan Singh sits in his home office, the shelves behind him show was going on, the players were continuing to stand there and they displaying a collection of items that have helped shape his hockey watched the rest of the program. After that, some of the players, when I journey up until this point. would talk to them after that for an interview, were like, ‘Hey, Harnarayan, how’s it going?’ and it was kind of touching. Above his right shoulder, a framed photo of Singh with Wayne Gretzky, the man responsible for instilling a deep love of hockey in the heart of a I think that interview also showed the players, feeling the way they were, kid from Brooks, Alta. Below that is a crest for HEROS, the charitable that they’ve got a lot of support even in the media world, too. It was a organization with which the Sportsnet broadcaster volunteers, dedicated neat experience to be a part of that and I was glad I was able to speak as to helping marginalized youth through hockey. To Singh’s left is a black well. T-shirt adorned with the word “Bonino!” on repeat, harkening back to the It’s really important for us to have this conversation, to continue this now-famous goal call that made him a Pittsburgh legend during the conversation, because there’s a lot of people out there saying, ‘Why do Penguins’ 2016 Stanley Cup run. you marry politics into sports?’ but this is just talking about respecting But the focal point of this virtual conversation, held (like everything one another. nowadays) via Zoom, is the newest addition to that memory wall. Sitting It’s mind-boggling why there’s so much hatred in the world. My kids are on a shelf just above his left shoulder, is a copy of One Game At A Time five and three, and I don’t want them to have to go through racism. It’s — Singh’s debut book, released Tuesday by Penguin Random House also so important for them to see representation when they’re watching Canada. hockey, and I’m glad to see we’ve made so much progress. There’s a “Hockey’s been such a big part of my life, and I feel like I owe a lot to the long way to go still, too. game and I want to give back,” said Singh, whose NHL broadcast career That moment when the NHL decided to have women participate in the began in 2008 when he started calling play-by-play for the then-newly fastest skater competition [at the 2019 All-Star Skills Competition], I’ll formed Hockey Night in Punjabi. “So to be able to talk about all of that never forget that — we were watching it as a family, and my daughter, has been huge. Bringing it all together, a book is what allows you to do the look on her face, she lit up and her jaw dropped and her eyes that.” widened: “There’s girls playing.” It’s just proof, right there, how much this In a conversation with Sportsnet on Monday, Singh discussed his career, really has an impact. his new book, hosting games in the Edmonton bubble, and the We’re speaking Punjabi at home, [the kids] speak English at school … importance of representation and diversity in the sport he loves most. and for them to feel comfortable as they’re playing with their mini hockey SPORTSNET: You’re coming off covering such a unique time in hockey sticks, to talk about hockey or call a goal in Punjabi and then also do the in the NHL’s Edmonton bubble. What was that like? intermission interview in English, it’s cool to see that because I never had that growing up, and that was one of the barriers that was brought up in HARNARAYAN SINGH: That was such a thrill being in Edmonton for front of me — that “No one looks like you,” and that “This is a long shot.” that. It’s such a made-for-TV event. It’s remarkable, how they’ve pulled this off with so few people. In your book and in interviews, you’re open about talking about the obstacles you’ve faced — including hearing a lot of doubts from people The qualifying round is when I got [to Edmonton] and it was really, really with whom you shared your aspirations. How has that shaped your busy. With COVID [protocols], they only allow one host in per day in the journey? arena – so if you were the host assigned that day, you’re on all three games. Those days in the qualifying round, I would get there at nine in Well, I was lucky to have parents who were willing to give me the the morning and I would not leave the arena until 12:30 or 1:00 at night. encouragement to at least give it a shot. There are significant moments in my life where I’ve totally reconsidered this journey, but I would say — I was in a bubble that was just outside the actual [players’] bubble, so we and I write about this in the book, too — in the small town of Brooks, had a separate entrance for media, separate elevator, and only certain Alta., the one local radio station, they opened their doors and allowed me areas of the arena we could actually go to. I would say it was almost to come on air. That’s what planted the seed – “Hey, if these guys can eerie in the sense that there was literally nobody there, but it was also give me a chance and we’re in Brooks, Alta., maybe someone else will, really cool – I developed a cool, close bond with [colour analyst] Louie too.” And that’s what gave me the encouragement to go. DeBrusk and [play-by-play announcer] Chris Cuthbert. Those guys were just so great to work with and so supportive and encouraging. When I was discouraged, I was lucky enough to have moments of encouragement that kept me going. We’re so lucky to be in a country I was coming up between Calgary and Edmonton a lot because I was where these opportunities are available to us and there has been an calling Hockey Night in Punjabi from Calgary play-by-play on the awakening recently that this is important. I’m very thrilled to be along for weekends. It was quite busy. I got a lot of miles between the cities. Chris the ride and if I’ve been able to help open the doors for others in the and Louie and and all those guys are stuck there for so long, broadcast world, I’m hoping the book will do the same for other diverse and I’m getting to come home and they’re not, so a couple of times [my voices in the mainstream book world, too, because these are stories that wife and my mom] sent some home-cooked East Indian meals and care need to be told. kits for them. It was just so unique, because what other situation would we have been able to bond on that level? @GurleenK23 Thx so much for your kind words! I shared them with my family. It's especially rewarding for me to read that you're from the Do you have a personal highlight from your time covering the games – an @CityofBrooks & despite you being there so many years after my family in-game moment, or a conversation with a player? had moved, we were still able to have a positive impact! Stay blessed! pic.twitter.com/aTmboqhJi6 I was really lucky to get some really good games. I would say the one that sticks out has to be talking to [Vancouver Canucks goaltender] — Harnarayan | IceSingh (@IceSinghHNIC) September 14, 2020 Thatcher Demko after his unbelievable performance and to get to ask him just how significant a moment this was for his career. It’s something Writing a memoir must be such a massive undertaking…. Where did you that these players strive for for so long and then to be able to come in even begin in this process? and play that well … it was unbelievable. My producers at the time were One of the things I would say I’m the most proud of about the book is that even chiming in, saying just, ‘This isn’t normal, but Thatcher, that was I was able to tell the story of my family and the previous generations who had to endure so much more in terms of struggles and hardships and racism. For someone like myself to be able to have the opportunities that I have today, it’s because of my parents…. My great grandfather came here in 1907 – people of colour were not welcome in Cananda. He didn’t have the right to vote or buy land, yet here he was.

To be able to tell that story … to be able to share that, and to talk about how much my sister, Gurdeep, had an influence in my life in terms of helping me in my career, helping fuel the passion for hockey.

What a powerful process to go through, particularly at this point in your life and career. Was there a particular chapter that made you reflect a little more on your journey to this point?

The chapters from early on in Brooks, I’m talking about how the passion for hockey grew, but within that I also talked about some difficult moments that my own family hadn’t even heard about until I wrote the book, where I experienced some bullying. Having to reflect on those moments.

But then, there’s so much fun stuff, too – the obsession with Gretzky. [laughs] So, it’s got a mix of reflecting back, and some moments where I’m laughing at myself, too.

As we have this conversation [on Monday], we’re one day away from your book being officially released [on Tuesday, Sept. 22]. What’s going through your mind?

I think one of the biggest moments was just a week ago, when we received advanced copies. I didn’t open the box right away – we took it into our prayer room and we did a prayer to say thanks, and my parents and my wife and my kids and my sister were all a part of that. Just to be able to reflect on that moment, I was emotional. It was tears of joy. I never imagined that this would happen, ever. I’m just so grateful, so thankful. That was a moment where I was able to share – my parents didn’t know I dedicated the book to them, so we opened the first copy and I showed them.

For [my kids] to see a book with me, associated with hockey, was so cool. I really hope that the book can inspire other people to go for whatever their goals are and not hold back.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 09.24.2020 1179026 Websites he boasted a .928 save percentage – a metric that should have earned him more than just one trip to the conference final.

He held his own in playoff series against the likes of Carey Price and TSN.CA / Craig Anderson’s time in Ottawa comes to an end Henrik Lundqvist – goalies with Hall of Fame resumes who made nearly double what Anderson was being paid.

Even when his team would lose a playoff series with Anderson in net – Ian Mendes and they did on four different occasions – nobody pointed a finger at the goaltending position. It was a stark departure from the previous playoff

meltdowns in Ottawa, where the No. 1 goalie was often the prime culprit. A few minutes into Wednesday’s video conference call with reporters, But when Ottawa fans think of Anderson’s signature performance with Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion mentioned the club the club, their minds don’t immediately jump to a high-stakes playoff would not be offering a contract extension to veteran goalie Craig game. Anderson. Instead, most Ottawa fans remember the night of Oct. 30, 2016, when It was a low-key, modest announcement – almost a throwaway nugget of Anderson posted a 37-save shutout against the Edmonton Oilers. With information in a session dominated by talk of the upcoming NHL Draft the hockey world aware that his wife, Nicholle, was battling cancer, and the opening of free agency. Anderson turned aside every Edmonton shot during the game – then had But in a strange twist, it was the perfect exit for the netminder who never to turn aside tears as he was feted by the Edmonton crowd afterwards. sought the limelight of the No. 1 goalie job in a Canadian market. The 39- The image of his Oilers counterpart Cam Talbot cheering him on the year-old would not have wanted a splashy farewell press conference or bench remains one of the most powerful moments in Senators history. an emotional goodbye with fans and media. Anderson authored so many memorable moments in the blue paint in At some point, Anderson should get an opportunity to re-connect with the Ottawa, but none come close to having the impact of that singular start in Ottawa fan base for an emotional evening. His Senators resume, which Edmonton four years ago. boasts more than 400 games and 200 wins, has certainly etched his name as a future addition to the club’s Ring of Honour inside Canadian In the months that followed, Anderson cemented his status as a fan Tire Centre. favourite – ultimately taking the Senators to double-overtime in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final against Pittsburgh that spring. But beyond the dominating statistical profile – which includes virtually every meaningful goalie record in franchise history – Anderson You would be hard-pressed to find a Senators fan who put any blame on singlehandedly transformed the way Ottawa fans viewed the position in Anderson for the Chris Kunitz game-winning goal, which serves as a firm their own market reminder of how far the pendulum has swung when it comes to goaltending in Ottawa. Prior to Anderson’s arrival, Senators fans often felt nervous about their situation in the crease. Ottawa had earned the reputation of being a Before Anderson came along, it would have been unfathomable for the goalie graveyard – a place where netminders melted under the pressure Senators to suffer a crippling Game 7 loss without a significant share of of playing in a hockey-mad market. the blame landing on the goaltender’s shoulders.

There was Patrick Lalime’s infamous Game 7 meltdown against Toronto. But over the course of a decade Anderson managed to change the narrative on goaltending in Ottawa – a feat that is more impressive than The ill-advised, splashy free agent signing of Martin Gerber. anything on his goaltending resume. The tumultuous tenure of Ray Emery. TSN.CA LOADED: 09.24.2020 The injury-plagued career of Pascal Leclaire.

Even Stanley Cup-winning goalies such as Tom Barrasso and Dominik Hasek couldn’t seem to shake the curse.

Ottawa was a place that offered job security for public service workers, not goaltenders.

But when Bryan Murray pulled off a trade in February of 2011, sending Brian Elliott – himself a victim of Ottawa’s haunted crease – to Colorado for Anderson, all of that changed.

In many ways, Anderson’s departure from Ottawa was as understated as his arrival.

Murray brought in Anderson for a test drive – hoping that he could convince the pending free agent to sign with the Senators before hitting the market in the summer of 2011.

Anderson immediately endeared himself to Ottawa fans, posting a 47- save shutout in Toronto on a Saturday night in his first start in a Senators jersey.

Anderson sparkled in his first stint with the Senators down the stretch of the 2010-11 campaign, with an 11-5-1 record and a .939 save percentage. Some fans grumbled that Anderson’s stellar play in that run cost the club the first-overall draft pick – ultimately dropping them down to the sixth spot.

But in hindsight, that was a small price to pay to land a franchise goalie.

For almost a decade, Anderson was the epitome of cool and calm in a tumultuous environment that would have tested the mental resolve of any netminder. While the roster was overhauled around him multiple times, Anderson never once publicly demanded a trade to a better situation, even as veteran teammates were being jettisoned all around him.

Anderson was at his best in the playoffs, establishing himself as a reliable postseason netminder. In 41 career playoff games with Ottawa, 1179027 Websites Edmundson’s initially negotiated contract actually had to be amended to comply with the variance rules before it could be officially filed.

The lesson remains true: Expect longer-term deals, those in the six, TSN.CA / Contract structure to be a major factor in NHL Free Agent seven or eight-year range, to have a pronounced ‘hump’ in earning years Frenzy in the middle. The key for agents will be to protect later-year earnings with signing bonus in order to lessen the blow of a potential buyout.

All of those factors will be in play behind the scenes during the Free Frank Seravalli Agent Frenzy.

“I’ve told my players to expect a crunch,” the agent continued. “Expect teams to be capped out. There will be very few UFA dollars. The goal Commissioner Gary Bettman reiterated the NHL’s desire for a full 82- should be to stay in the league as opposed to getting dollars or term.” game regular season last weekend, but the possibility of a shortened 2020-21 season has free agents bracing for impact ahead of a most Stars backstop Anton Khudobin has launched himself into the Top 10 on unusual Free Agent Frenzy. the latest Top 75 with his incredible run to the Stanley Cup final. Teammate Corey Perry has also reminded teams why he is vital to team The uncertainty surrounding next season will also likely give way to a success. new trend in structuring free agent contracts. Former Norris Trophy winner Zdeno Chara checks in at No. 19 after That lack of input in structure is reportedly one of the reasons why the St. Bruins GM Don Sweeney left some uncertainty in the air. Louis Blues have been unable to reach an agreement with captain Alex Pietrangelo, who remains the No. 1 player on TSN’s Top 75 Free Agents There will be changes to the list ahead of Oct. 9, with qualifying offers list. due – potentially making players like Edmonton’s Andreas Athanasiou and Vancouver’s Troy Stecher unrestricted free agents – and the buyout Because there is a real chance players take home significantly less next period (Henrik Lundqvist, Olli Maatta?) opening before then. year in the event of a shortened season. But here is TSN Hockey’s first full Top 75 Free Agents list of the off- That remains up for debate, depending on who you ask. The NHL season: : maintains that it has the right to pro-rate player salaries for 2020-21, by invoking Paragraph 17 of a standard player’s contract. (Paragraph 17 RK Player Team Pos Age GP G states that in the case of “any condition arising from a state of war or PTS 19-20 other cause beyond League control” the NHL has the power to cease or reduce operations, which would give them the ability to pro-rate or cancel 1 Alex Pietrangelo STL RD 30 70 salaries altogether.) 16 52 $6.5M

The NHL Players’ Association sought changes to Paragraph 17 language 2 Taylor Hall ARI LW 28 65 in negotiating the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, but that only 16 52 $6M restricted teams from individually invoking that clause. 3 Torey Krug BOS LD 29 61 Pro-rating salaries in a shortened season would be a double whammy for 9 49 $5.25M players who are already guaranteed to lose 20 per cent in escrow plus a 4 Jacob Markstrom VAN G 30 43 10 per cent deferral to owners. 2.75 .918 $3.67M Let’s use recently signed Canadiens defenceman Joel Edmundson for 5 Robin Lehner VGK G 28 36 illustration purposes. 2.89 .920 $5M On Edmundson’s four-year, $14 million deal, he is scheduled to earn 6 Mike Hoffman FLA LW 30 69 $2.75 million in 2020-21. In the best-case scenario, Edmundson will earn 29 59 $5.19M $1.925 million of that, lopping off 30 per cent of that for escrow and deferral. 7 Tyler Toffoli VAN RW 27 68 24 44 $4.6M But if the season is shortened to 48 games – generally the minimum required by the NHL historically for legitimacy – then Edmundson would 8 Anton Khudobin DAL G 33 30 stand to earn just 41 per cent ($1.1 million) of his scheduled $2.75 million 2.22 .930 $2.5M next season when factoring in the pro-rated schedule. 9 Evgenii Dadonov FLA RW 31 69 So how will agents attempt to minimize that risk in 2020-21 for free 25 47 $4M agents? 10 Erik Haula FLA C 29 48 There are two ways. One would be to ask for the bulk of next season’s 12 24 $2.75M salary in signing bonus. That will be difficult, because most teams are cash poor at the moment. 11 Tyson Barrie TOR RD 28 70 5 39 $5.5M In Pietrangelo’s case, the Blues have never given a signing bonus to a non-entry level signee. 12 Kevin Shattenkirk TBL RD 31 70 8 34 $1.75M The other avenue is backloading the contract, a likely trend that was exactly the opposite of what most players and agents wanted in Free 13 Braden Holtby WSH G 30 48 Agent Frenzies of the past. 3.11 .897 $6.1M

“I would advise players to take as little as possible up front, then get as 14 Mikael Granlund NSH LW 28 63 much as possible in years four, five and six,” one prominent agent said. 17 30 $5.75M

Limiting exposure in 2020-21 not only cuts down on the risk of pro-rated 15 T.J. Brodie CGY RD 29 64 salaries, but would also shift the bulk of earnings to later years when the 4 19 $4.65M escrow percentage is scheduled to drop to six per cent, down from the 20 16 Sami Vatanen CAR RD 28 47 guaranteed next season. 5 23 $4.88M

The lower 2020-21 earnings should also be appreciated by owners, who 17 Brenden Dillon WSH LD 29 69 will have to lay out less cash in a season when revenue will be down with 1 14 $3.27M the likelihood of empty or reduced-capacity arenas. 18 Chris Tanev VAN RD 30 69 Edmundson’s contract can again be used as a model. After $2.75 million 2 20 $4.45M in Year 1, it climbs to $3.5 million, $4.56 million and finally $3.19 million. 19 Zdeno Chara BOS LD 43 68 49 Tyler Ennis EDM LW 30 70 5 14 $2M 16 37 $800K

20 Corey Perry DAL RW 35 57 50 PIT LW 40 66 5 21 $3.1M 11 22 $700K

21 Justin Braun PHI RD 33 62 51 Jason Spezza TOR C 37 58 3 19 $3.8M 9 25 $700K

22 Travis Hamonic CGY RD 29 50 52 Colin Wilson COL LW 30 9 3 12 $3.86M 0 4 $2.6M

23 Corey Crawford CHI G 35 40 53 Radko Gudas WSH RD 30 62 2.77 .917 $6M 2 15 $3.35M

24 Wayne Simmonds BUF RW 31 68 54 Andy Greene NYI LD 37 63 8 25 $5M 2 14 $5M

25 Dustin Byfuglien WPG RD 35 0 55 Mikko Koivu MIN C 37 55 0 0 $7.6M 4 21 $5.5M

26 Ilya Kovalchuk WSH LW 36 46 56 Alex Galchenyuk MIN C 26 59 10 26 $700K 8 24 $4.9M

27 Cody Ceci TOR RD 26 56 57 Tyler Pitlick PHI RW 28 63 1 8 $4.5M 8 20 $1M

28 Erik Gustafsson CGY RD 28 66 58 Cody Eakin WPG C 28 49 6 29 $1.2M 5 15 $3.85M

29 Thomas Greiss NYI G 34 31 59 Ryan Miller ANA G 39 23 2.74 .913 $3.33M 3.10 .907 $1.13M

30 Carl Soderberg ARI C 34 70 60 Carson Soucy MIN LD 25 55 17 35 $4.75M 7 14 $750K

31 Pat Maroon TBL LW 32 64 61 Ben Hutton LAK LD 27 65 9 23 $900K 4 16 $1.5M

32 Matt Martin NYI LW 31 55 62 Brian Elliott PHI G 35 31 5 8 $2.5M 2.87 .900 $2M

33 Kyle Clifford TOR LW 29 69 63 Luke Schenn TBL RD 30 25 7 17 $1.6M 1 3 $700K

34 Vladislav Namestnikov COL LW 27 64 Zemgus Girgensons BUF LW 26 69 63 17 31 $4M 12 19 $1.6M

35 Justin Schultz PIT RD 29 46 65 Mark Pysyk FLA RD/RW 28 58 3 12 $5.5M 9 18 $2.73M

36 Craig Smith NSH RW 30 69 66 Ron Hainsey OTT RD 39 64 18 31 $4.25M 1 12 $3.5M

37 Jesper Fast NYR RW 28 69 67 Jimmy Vesey BUF LW 27 64 12 29 $1.85M 9 20 $2.28M

38 Derick Brassard NYI C 32 66 68 Melker Karlsson SJS RW 29 61 10 32 $1.2M 6 12 $2M

39 Conor Sheary PIT LW 28 63 69 Tomas Nosek VGK C 28 68 10 23 $3M 8 15 $1M

40 Cam Talbot CGY G 32 26 70 Johan Larsson BUF C 27 62 2.63 .919 $2.75M 6 18 $1.55M

41 Andrej Sekera DAL LD 34 57 71 Michael Del Zotto ANA LD 30 49 2 8 $1.89M 2 15 $750K

42 Mattias Janmark DAL LW 27 62 72 Jan Rutta TBL RD 30 33 1 6 21 $2.3M 7 $1.3M

43 Michael Frolik BUF RW 32 57 73 Josh Leivo VAN RW 27 36 6 14 $4.3M 7 19 $1.5M

44 Mike Smith EDM G 38 39 74 Brad Richardson ARI C 35 59 2.95 .902 $2M 6 11 $1.25M

45 Dylan DeMelo WPG RD 27 59 75 Craig Anderson OTT G 39 34 0 10 $900K 3.25 .902 $4.75M

46 Mark Borowiecki OTT LD 30 53 TSN.CA LOADED: 09.24.2020 7 18 $1.2M

47 Derek Grant PHI C 29 56 15 25 $700K

48 Trevor van Riemsdyk CAR RD 28 49 1 8 $2.3M