SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 6/24/2021 Canadiens Continued 1189870 wins NHL Leadership Award 1189896 About Last Night: Habs set up St-Jean clincher with Game 1189871 Patrice Bergeron named Leadership Award 5 win recipient 1189897 Canadiens playoff notebook: Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s 1189872 Boston Bruins Bergeron Wins Messier Leadership Award continued maturation, the original chase for Erik Gustafsson Sabres 1189898 The Canadiens’ ability to manipulate doubt leaves them 1 1189873 Memories of Rene Robert: Reactions to the death of the win shy of the Final 'Connection' right winger 1189874 Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame introduces 2021 Islanders inductees, after two year's absence 1189899 Islanders storm back at Coliseum to force Game 7 with 1189875 Gilbert Perreault on the death of Rene Robert: 'This is a Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov banged up big, big loss' 1189900 Islanders’ Anthony Beauvillier snaps scoring skid at 1189876 Which UFA could the sign this perfect time upcoming offseason? 1189901 This Islanders team will live on forever no matter what 1189902 Islanders and their fans still can dream after this classic 1189903 Islanders fans throw beer on ice after OT win: ‘This is 1189877 Calgary's Logan Thompson soaking up experience as dangerous’ Golden Knights' third-string goalie 1189904 Islanders stay alive with thrilling Game 6 OT win over Lightning Blackhawks 1189905 Islanders’ Noah Dobson continuing to make strides 1189878 Next season will be the last for announcer , who 1189906 ’s Islanders vision paying off has been ‘synonymous with hockey 1189907 Islanders get shower of suds in Coliseum night to 1189879 From Carl Nassib coming out to Becky Hammon being a remember with Game 6 victory finalist for an NBA head coaching vacancy, our sports worl 1189908 Islanders-Lightning Game 6 recap: Turning , key stat 1189880 Blackhawks broadcaster Pat Foley will step down after and more upcoming season 1189909 Islanders force Game 7 vs. Lightning on Anthony 1189881 Jim O'Donnell: Departing Pat Foley flew over the blue Beauvillier's OT winner at raucous lines to scale Mount Pettit 1189910 Islanders' last game at Coliseum? If it was, they sent it out 1189882 Blackhawks' Pat Foley to conclude broadcasting career with a bang. next season 1189911 Islanders are historically survivors in Coliseum do-or-die games 1189912 What did learn from Game 5 that he can 1189883 How Gabe Landeskog could be exposed in the Seattle use in Game 6? expansion draft, and how that could be a good thing for 1189913 A rally, an OT winner and a beer can shower — the the Islanders force Game 7 1189914 Islanders Rally Gives Nassau Coliseum Another Signature Moment in Final Season 1189884 Marc Staal open to return to Detroit, where there appears 1189915 Rapid Reaction: Gutsy Islanders Force Game 7 with to be a fit Dramatic Win 1189916 Nassau Coliseum Legacy Endures for Islanders Legends Oilers Tonelli and Potvin 1189885 OILERS NOTES: Should Edmonton be looking at Nolan 1189917 Islanders Face Toughest Challenge Yet as They Fight to Patrick? Keep Coli Doors Open, Season Alive 1189886 How the Oilers should value pending UFAs Ryan 1189918 DO OR DIE! Islanders Game 6 Lines, Matchups and Nugent-Hopkins, Adam Larsson and Tyson Barrie Game Notes vs. Tampa 1189887 Kings Seasons In Review – Tobias Bjornfot 1189919 Senators Community Foundation undergoes change with departure of Chris Phillips 1189920 Belleville Senators coach Troy Mann is looking forward to 1189888 Da Beauty League brings summer hockey back with continue helping the club's prospects dozens of NHL players 1189921 ‘So, do we have a deal?’ The story behind the Senators’ heist of Zdeno Chara and for Alexei Yashi 1189889 No more excuses: Montreal’s postseason success is no accident 1189922 Fill-in coach Luke Richardson, a former Flyer, has 1189890 Canadiens upset the odds to get within touching distance Montreal one win away from reaching the Stanley Cup of Stanley Cup glory Final 1189891 Canadiens Notebook: Contract extension coming for Habs 1189923 Breaking down Travis Sanheim’s contract situation: What GM ? might his next deal look like? 1189892 Special blend: Canadiens' mix of youth, veterans a recipe for success Penguins 1189893 Stu Cowan: GM Bergevin's retooled Canadiens proving 1189924 Mark Madden: Playoff hockey is tense but needs more doubters wrong excitement to draw casual fans 1189894 Golden Knights at Canadiens: Five things you should 1189925 Penguins A to Z: Frederick Gaudreau made the most of know about Game 6 his opportunity 1189895 What the Puck: Canadiens' magical run unites a divided 1189926 Rene Robert, longtime NHL winger who spent 1 season province with Penguins, dies at 72 1189927 Wait, Tkachuk Wants Out of Calgary? Make that Call 1189928 Are Sharks Looking to ?Published 9 hours ago on June 23, 2021 St Louis Blues 1189929 Berube's expiration date? A lot depends on the quality of the Blues roster 1189930 Blues defenseman Gunnarsson announces his retirement 1189931 Lightning will have to close out Islanders back home in Game 7 1189932 Lightning fans bond during Game 6 watch party at Amalie Arena 1189933 Stanley Cup semifinal: Lightning-Islanders Game 6 live updates 1189934 Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov leaves Game 6 with apparent injury 1189935 Lightning’s Jan Rutta back for Game 6; Erik Cernak remains out 1189936 After rout of Islanders, Lightning expect a fight in Game 6 1189937 Lightning lose Nikita Kucherov — and Game 6 in OT — and now face possible elimination 1189938 ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’: Putting Lightning star Nikita Kucherov’s playoff performance in perspectiv Canucks 1189947 New Canucks special advisers Sedins embrace ‘old rookies’ role 1189948 Drance: Suspend all cynicism — Henrik and are the people the Canucks need right now 1189939 Golden Knights try to save season in Game 6 against Canadiens 1189940 Pete DeBoer makes decision on Game 6 goalie … but it’s his secret 1189941 Nick Suzuki haunts Golden Knights with Game 5 performance 1189942 Golden Knights stay calm and collected facing elimination, but should they be? 1189943 The Canadiens’ ability to manipulate doubt leaves them 1 win shy of the Stanley Cup Final 1189944 Golden Knights Hope To Replicate Islanders’ Game 6 Result and Force Game 7 Against Montreal 1189945 Robin Lehner or Marc-Andre Fleury: Who Starts Game Six? 1189946 What will Ilya Samsonov’s next contract look like? Websites 1189949 The Athletic / LeBrun: Which defencemen could change addresses, or stay put, this upcoming offseason? 1189950 The Athletic / Wheeler: 10 NHL Draft prospects who missed the cut for my 2021 ranking 1189951 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: We’re not mad, just disappointed with the 2021 playoff underperformer team 1189952 .ca / Islanders give ‘The Coli’ one to remember with comeback OT thriller 1189953 Sportsnet.ca / With plenty reason for frustration, Lightning remain calm ahead of next test 1189954 Sportsnet.ca / What Montreal has taught us about the North Division, playoff success 1189955 Sportsnet.ca / Henrik, Daniel Sedin on new advisor roles: ‘We’re 100 per cent committed’ 1189956 TSN.CA / Luke Hughes ready to follow in footsteps of his brothers at NHL draft 1189957 TSN.CA / Alleged assaults of Blackhawks players ‘an open secret’: source 1189958 USA TODAY / What will Ilya Samsonov’s next contract look like? SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1189870 Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron wins NHL Leadership Award

By Christopher Price Globe Staff

Updated June 23, 2021, 8:40 p.m.

Patrice Bergeron was named the winner of the 2021 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, it was announced Wednesday.

The award, given to the player who best exemplifies great leadership qualities on and off the ice and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game, was presented to Bergeron via video.

Bergeron, who was named the 20th in franchise history in January, ranks third in Bruins history in games (1,143) and game-winning goals (70), fourth in points (917), and fifth in goals (375) and assists (542).

The 6-foot-1-inch, 195-pound center also has been a key leader for the Bruins off the ice since entering the league in 2003 as an 18-year-old. He founded the “Patrice’s Pal’s” program in 2006 to fund and provide the opportunity for young hockey fans from hospitals and children’s organizations in Boston to attend Bruins games. He has also been a driving force when it comes to the Bruins’ annual “Cuts for a Cause” and “Pucks and Paddles” events, as well as several other charitable causes in and around the Boston area.

Boston Globe LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189871 Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron named Mark Messier Leadership Award recipient

By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: June 23, 2021 at 8:03 p.m. | UPDATED: June 23, 2021 at 8:25 p.m.

The Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron was the recipient of the Mark Messier Leadership Award, given to the player that best exemplifies leadership both on and off the ice.

Bergeron, who was named the 20th captain of the B’s last January, was named a finalist for the Selke Award for a record 10th time this year.

Among his many off-ice endeavors, Bergeron spearheaded the initiative “Patrice’s Pals,” a program that brings in young hockey fans from local hospitals and children’s organizations to see games in a suite at TD Garden. He also took over the Holiday Toy Shopping event, has led the Holiday Hospital visits and the Cuts for A Cause program.

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189872 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins Bergeron Wins Messier Leadership Award

Published 4 hours ago on June 23, 2021

By Joe Haggerty

Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron had a disappointing end in this season’s Selke Trophy race with a second-place finish, but the B’s center ended up landing some NHL Awards hardware this season after all. Bergeron was named the Mark Messier Leadership Award winner on Wednesday night, which is presented “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey.”

Clearly there aren’t many players around the NHL that better embody leadership on and off the ice than No. 37 as one of the most well- respected individuals in the history of the league. The award is selected by Messier himself, which certainly adds to the honor for Bergeron given the Hall of Fame player involved.

“There’s more than just X’s and O’s and playing the game of hockey. It’s about the community and what impact you can bring to people.”

Bergeron was named the 20th captain of the Boston Bruins franchise prior to the season after the departure of longtime captain Zdeno Chara and led the B’s to their 13th playoff appearance in his 17 NHL seasons with the Black and Gold.

“There’s more than just X’s and O’s and playing the game of hockey. It’s about the community and what impact you can bring to people, and obviously to your team,” said Bergeron, who finished with 23 goals and 48 points in 54 games with a plus-27 rating in another dominant two-way season for the Black and Gold. “It’s a huge honor. I’m accepting this award on behalf of our entire team and organization. Personally, I’ve always believed in leading by committee and letting others grow into leaders of their own.

“So, I want to especially thank Brad [Marchand] and David [Krejci] and the rest of our leadership group for all that they’ve done to make the Bruins such a special team to play for.”

Aside from the undeniably large amounts of winning that Bergeron is renowned for his in his hockey career, the 35-year-old L’Ancienne- Lorette, Quebec native has won the Selke Trophy four times, NHL Foundation Player Award in 2014 and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2013.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189873 Buffalo Sabres "At 72 years old, he didn't miss a stroke," Robitaille said of Robert, using a golf analogy. "I mean, he got 72 years. Believe me, he got a full life in. How many people even make it to the NHL and all the gratification and Memories of Rene Robert: Reactions to the death of the 'Connection' glory he's received and the few extra bucks that helped him live right winger comfortably? That's the whole ball of wax, man. That's what we all dream about hoping we have that.

Also attending that press conference was 2021 inductee Ron Moscati, a Mike Harrington longtime former employee of The Buffalo News whose 1973 photo was the basis for the French Connection statue outside First Niagara Center Jun 23, 2021 Updated 5 hrs ago that was unveiled in 2012.

"Rene Robert was always sort of on the side at times in my opinion," Rene Robert, Sabres 'French Connection' right winger, dies at 72 Moscati said. "Not that I thought he was, but he didn't seem to get as much attention at times from other people. I thought he was a helluva Robert played eight of his 12 NHL seasons in Buffalo, collecting 222 good player. Every time he was around, he was just great. Everything he goals, 330 assists and 552 points. did.

So the center of the famed "French Connection" and the Sabres' all-time "I really, really liked him as a player, but the truth is there was three of scoring leader was still processing Robert's death Tuesday night in the them on that line. How could you not like any of them? They were wake of a heart attack suffered last week. absolutely the best thing that ever happened to Buffalo."

"Rene was in good shape," Perreault told The News Wednesday by Hall archivist and board member John Boutet attended the gathering phone. "Every time I talked to him, he was doing the bicycle two-three wearing a classic white Robert No. 14 jersey. times a week and playing golf three times a week and was enjoying life. He was doing very well, so it was shocking news. Very shocking. "He was funny. He was a dry, funny guy," Boutet said. "He wasn't boisterous funny like 'Rico' was, but he was dry funny, and I just think he "Rene really enjoyed life. He was a joker. Him and 'Rico' (Connection left was just a really nice guy. And I had some really good experiences with winger Rick Martin) loved to get everybody going. But after that, they had him playing golf and things like that." a good laugh. They were good friends and a lot of fun to be around." Boutet, one of the preeminent experts of Buffalo sports history, marveled Perreault said Robert's illness took fellow Sabres alumni by surprise. at the underrated trade made by to acquire Robert, then an unknown, from Pittsburgh for wildly popular veteran Eddie Shack in 1972 "I talked to him the last time June 6 and then last week we got the sad news he had a major heart attack," Perreault said. "You were hoping he "It's amazing how it works out, isn't it? I mean, the French Connection could get better, but it's a sad day. What can I say? This is a big, big would have never been born without that trade," Boutet said. "How things loss." might have been different. It's amazing. Everybody loved 'The Entertainer' (Shack's nickname). People are like, 'Are you kidding me? Danny Gare, whose is also retired in the rafters of KeyBank What's with this Robert guy? He's a fourth-liner in Pittsburgh, what are Center, concurred with Perreault's assessment of Robert as a straight we doing?' Sure enough, he comes here and the line is born." shooter. Robert's two adult children, Micheal and Melanie, had flown to Florida "He was a personality. He was strong in his own skin, if you want to call it from and were by his side in his final hours. He's also survived that," said Gare. "He knew what he was about. If he ticked people off, he by nine brothers and sisters and four grandchildren. Robert also doted on didn't care. Seriously, he was that individual which attracted a person like his dogs, Coco and Chloe, who are a bichon and a shih tzu poodle mix. me and our teammates. And the fans loved him because he was flamboyant. He had that ability. He scored three overtime goals in the Among many poignant tributes on Twitter was one by former Sabres playoffs for us, big goals when we needed it. Just a great player." defenseman Jay McKee, whose career with the team was well after Robert's. McKee posted a picture of his late mother in the locker room Perreault said he had enjoyed spending time with Robert in their later between Robert and Perreault at an alumni event during the 2019-20 years attending various Sabres alumni events and seeing his late friend season. interact with fans. Wrote McKee: "I lost my mom this past December. She's waiting for you "We had a big thing in Buffalo," he said. "In the '70s, we were among the my friend. Keep playing the game up there until the rest of us arrive. early players of the franchise. And then later on the Pegulas gave us the Goodbye and thank you for everything Rene." great present with the statue in front of the arena (in 2012) so the younger fans got to learn and see us again.

"Rico and Rene and I had a big career in Buffalo and we were together Buffalo News LOADED: 06.24.2021 for those seven years (1972-79). We had great years together and people remember us, plus all the things they show on TV or show on the Jumbotron during games. You show what we did in the '70s and it keeps the fans in touch with us."

Robert was the Sabres' first 100-point scorer, in 1974-75, and Perreault remembered how well Robert would play the right point on the power play.

"Rene had a great vision of the game. He knew when to make the right pass or make a good fake to shoot the puck," Perreault said. "When he was making a pass, the vision he had made him very successful on the point.

"I was lucky to be with two great scorers. Rick and Rene were scoring 40-50 goals a year and it was an easy game for the middle guy. We were practicing all kinds of plays, criss-cross, whatever, European style. Rico had such a great and Rene, too. They were they always scoring a big goal at the right time."

Robert got 'the whole ball of wax'

Former Sabres defenseman and longtime broadcaster Mike Robitaille paid tribute to his former teammate Wednesday at RiverWorks prior to the press conference to unveil the 2021 class of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Robert was inducted into that group in 1994. 1189874 Buffalo Sabres The GBSHOF did not have an in-person induction in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and its 2020 class was made up of historic figures in Western New York sports who had died.

Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame introduces 2021 inductees, after two This year’s class was the first live induction since 2019, and several 2019 year's absence inductees were in attendance for Wednesday’s announcement, including former Lancaster football coach and athletic director Len Jankiewicz, and Barb Wachowiak, an All-American in field hockey at Ithaca College who Rachel Lenzi taught in Western New York schools for more than 30 years.

Jun 23, 2021 Updated 4 hrs ago “You guys were ahead of your time,” he told several of them.

“I don’t think we thought it was historic, at the time,” said Joe Oliverio, who was a quarterback of the 1958 UB football team. “Years later, we During an energetic afternoon inside Buffalo RiverWorks, Mike Robitaille began to realize what it meant, what we did, standing up for what was paused to take inventory of this year’s class of inductees into the Greater right. It’s not hard to do.” Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.

Robitaille, a former Buffalo Sabres defenseman, is easily the most identifiable name among the group. But he’s part of a class that is well- Buffalo News LOADED: 06.24.2021 known in local sports, particularly at the high school and college levels.

The GBSHOF introduced this year’s class Wednesday afternoon at RiverWorks. Among the group of 12 individuals and one team are a local pioneer in women’s sports from Amherst High School, an All-American sprinter at the University of Alabama, and a group of players from the , who turned down an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl when the bowl’s committee did not allow Willie Evans and , who were Black, to compete in the game in Orlando, Fla.

Robitaille considered the sweat equity that each of the inductees had invested in local sports, whether it was as an athlete, as a coach or as an administrator.

“It’s so overdue, especially for the amateur people,” Robitaille said of this year’s inductees. “The pros get enough coverage and gratification, but I think of all the kids that these people have supported and helped and raised, and made better people, because of their work.

“It’s not much fun working eight hours a day, then going out another three to four hours, and to have two or three parents have something to say about how you’re coaching, what you should do and what you’re not doing right. Over the years that has to add up. But I’m really proud to be part of this group, especially the group with the (football program). Were they way ahead of their time, or what?”

This year’s class will be officially inducted at the annual GBSHOF dinner and awards ceremony Oct. 14 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

“It’s pretty incredible to be part of this group,” said Julie Gentner Murphy, a Division III All-American in field hockey and softball at SUNY Cortland and the Williamsville South softball coach, who will be inducted with her father, Gerry Gentner. “I feel very humbled, and, to be honest, a little emotional about it, going in with my father. This is something I’ll always have, with him, but it’s an incredible experience. The inductees, you have to congratulate them on a great honor and an achievement.”

In addition to Robitaille, Murphy, Gentner and the 1958 UB football team, the GBSHOF will induct John Beilein, a Burt native who has more than 800 wins as a college coach and currently is a senior adviser for player development with the Detroit Pistons; Deborah Dourlain, the Hutch-Tech swimming coach who was a champion swimmer at Orchard Park and at Bowling Green and Rochester Institute of Technology; and Ron Moscati, a longtime photojournalist at The Buffalo News, Buffalo Courier Express and Niagara Gazette who took some of the most iconic Buffalo sports photos, including pictures from the “Fog Game” between the Sabres and the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1975 Stanley Cup Final.

The 2021 class also includes Lamar Smith, a Bennett High graduate who was an All-American in track and field at Alabama and at Buffalo State; Peter Tonsoline, a longtime Iroquois field hockey, softball and coach; and Kyle Williams, who was a six-time Pro Bowl selection during his 13-year career with the .

The GBSHOF will make four posthumous inductions: John Butler, a former Bills vice president and ; Angela Coniglio, a four- sport athlete at Amherst High School who played goalie on Amherst’s boys club hockey team; Gerry Gentner, who won three state high school softball championships at Williamsville South; and William Russell, a youth hockey founder and coach who was an administrator at Bennett High.

The GBSHOF will now have 364 members since its inception in 1991. 1189875 Buffalo Sabres we didn't have any. He tried to get everybody going and at the same time, we were having fun, too, just to make sure we had good temperament. We knew each other very well."

Gilbert Perreault on the death of Rene Robert: 'This is a big, big loss'

Buffalo News LOADED: 06.24.2021 Mike Harrington

Jun 23, 2021 Updated 5 hrs ago

Gilbert Perreault was somber today when talking about his late friend and linemate Rene Robert, but the Hockey Hall of Famer was also able to have some laughs while sharing memories of his longtime French Connection right winger who died Tuesday night in Port Charlotte, Fla., after suffering a heart attack last week.

Rene Robert, Sabres 'French Connection' right winger, dies at 72

Robert played eight of his 12 NHL seasons in Buffalo, collecting 222 goals, 330 assists and 552 points.

"It took everybody by surprise, I talked to him the last time June 6 and then last week we got the sad news he had a major heart attack," Perreault, the Sabres' all-time scoring leader, said when reached by The News at his home in Victoriaville, Quebec. "You were hoping he could get better, but it's a sad day. What can I say? This is a big, big loss."

Because he lives in Canada, the pandemic prevented Perreault from seeing Robert in person since the 2019 Sabres alumni golf tournament at Park Country Club. But Perreault said they regularly spoke via text and phone.

"Rene was in good shape," Perreault said. "Every time I talked to him, he was doing bicycle 2-3 times a week and playing golf three times a week and was enjoying life. He was doing very well, so it was shocking news. Very shocking.

"But Rene really enjoyed life. He was a joker. Him and 'Rico' (Connection left winger Rick Martin) loved to get everybody going. But after that, they had a good laugh. They were good friends and a lot of fun to be around."

Perreault said he had enjoyed spending time with Robert in their later years attending various Sabres alumni events and seeing his late friend interact with fans.

"We had a big thing in Buffalo," he said. "In the '70s, we were among the early players of the franchise. And then later on the Pegulas gave us the great present with the statue in front of the arena (in 2012) so the younger fans got to learn and see us again.

Rico and Rene and I had a big career in Buffalo and we were together for those seven years (1972-79). We had great years together and people remember us, plus all the things they show on TV or show on the Jumbotron during games. You show what we did in the '70s and it keeps the fans in touch with us."

General Manager Punch Imlach acquired Robert from Pittsburgh in a 1972 trade and Joe Crozier was the coach who put the line together.

"Rene was with the Leafs when he was 18-19 years old, so Punch Imlach and Joe knew him very well," Perreault said. "That was a big trade from Pittsburgh to get him for Eddie Shack when he was only 23. I guess they were trying to get another French guy with Rick and I and that's why we became the French Connection."

Robert became the Sabres' first 100-point scorer, tallied three memorable playoff overtime goals and became a key on the vaunted Buffalo power play while moving back off the wing to play the right point.

"Rene had a great vision of the game. He knew when to make the right pass or make a good fake to shoot the puck," Perreault said. "When he was making a pass, the vision he had made him very successful on the point."

During an appearance earlier Wednesday on MSG's "The Instigators," Perreault said he vividly recalled needling Robert after a 13-3 win in Cleveland in 1978 in which Perreault had four points and Danny Gare had five – but Robert was the only Buffalo forward with none.

"Oh, he was mad after that game. We said to Rene, 'How come you didn't have any points?' " Perreault said. "We were on each other like that, but the next game all of a sudden Rene Robert had five points and 1189876 Buffalo Sabres Jaroslav Halak

36

Which UFA goaltenders could the Buffalo Sabres sign this upcoming $2.25 offseason? Laurent Brossoit

28 By John Vogl $1.50 Jun 23, 2021 Brian Elliott

36 The Sabres have no goalies, but they do have options. $1.50 It’s a decent time to be in the market for a . Unrestricted free agency is set to feature 15 netminders. Another eight are trade Curtis McElhinney possibilities because of the expansion draft. 38

Plus, while there’ll be no shortage of clubs looking to upgrade their $1.30 tandem, Buffalo is one of just five ready to entice goalies with a No. 1 job. Chris Driedger The goal will be to find the right one(s). 27 For the third straight offseason, the Sabres need to improve their goaltending. This time, they can’t stand pat. After three subpar years $0.85 featuring Linus Ullmark and Carter Hutton, both goalies are UFAs. Craig Anderson Hutton’s career in Buffalo is over. Ullmark is a contender to return, but the Sabres need to acquire two goalies no matter what. 40

Here are the candidates from the free agent market. The list is sortable $0.70 by age and their 2020-21 cap hit in millions by clicking at the top of the column. A few names jump out immediately. Philipp Grubauer was a Vezina Trophy finalist this year with Colorado. Frederik Andersen has been a UFA goaltenders starter for seven seasons, including the last five with . Antti Raanta has a nice track record as a time-share candidate with the PLAYER AGE CAP HIT Rangers and Coyotes. Chris Driedger has steadily progressed in Florida. Frederik Andersen When healthy, Petr Mrazek has shown flashes of brilliance. So has Ullmark. 31 Here are their numbers during the past three seasons, featuring wins- $5.00 losses-overtime losses and save percentages.

Devan Dubnyk Last three seasons

35 PLAYER RECORD SAVE %

$4.33 Chris Driedger

Antti Raanta 21-8-4

32 0.931

$4.25 Philipp Grubauer

James Reimer 66-30-10

33 0.918

$3.40 Jaroslav Halak

Philipp Grubauer 49-23-14

29 0.918

$3.33 Antti Raanta

Petr Mrazek 25-25-5

29 0.914

$3.13 Laurent Brossoit

Jonathan Bernier 25-19-3

32 0.913

$3.00 Frederik Andersen

David Rittich 78-37-17

28 0.911

$2.75 Petr Mrazek

Linus Ullmark 50-32-8

27 0.911

$2.60 Linus Ullmark 41-34-11 0.917

0.911 Craig Anderson

Jonathan Bernier 2-1-0

33-51-9 0.915

0.908 Jonathan Bernier

David Rittich 9-11-1

56-34-13 0.914

0.908 James Reimer

James Reimer 15-5-2

42-23-9 0.906

0.906 Jaroslav Halak

Devan Dubnyk 9-6-4

49-54-10 0.905

0.904 Antti Raanta

Curtis McElhinney 5-5-2

32-24-7 0.905

0.904 David Rittich

Craig Anderson 5-8-2

30-45-6 0.901

0.903 Frederik Andersen

Brian Elliott 13-8-3

42-27-7 0.895

0.898 Devan Dubnyk

No goalie in the NHL — free agent or otherwise — can match Driedger in 6-11-2 save percentage since 2018. He has a smaller sample size than most after bouncing between the Panthers and minors in 2019-20 and sharing 0.895 the crease with this season, but Dallas’ Ben Bishop is Brian Elliott the only one in Driedger’s neighborhood. Driedger leads with his .931, followed by Bishop at .927 and Vegas’ Robin Lehner at .923. 15-9-2

Jaroslav Halak has been one of the league’s steadiest backups in 0.889 Boston. James Reimer simply wins when he heads to the crease in Curtis McElhinney Carolina, going 29-11-4 during the past two seasons. Laurent Brossoit is waiting for his shot after serving as Connor Hellebuyck’s understudy in 4-6-2 Winnipeg. 0.875 Here’s what he and the others did this season. It’s easy to see how Grubauer entered the Vezina mix. Ullmark’s showing 2020-21 season is nice on its own, but that 9-6-3 and .917 are phenomenal considering the Sabres’ other five goalies went 6-28-4 with an .896 save percentage. PLAYER RECORD SAVE % A lower-body injury stole almost two months of Andersen’s season and Chris Driedger resulted in the worst stats of his career. There are signs that time is catching up to the 35-year-old Devan Dubnyk and 36-year-old Brian 14-6-3 Elliott.

0.927 One of the best seasons for a pending UFA came from 39-year-old Mike Petr Mrazek Smith. He went 21-6-2 with Edmonton while posting a .923 save percentage. He’s been excluded from this list because the Oilers are 6-2-3 intent on re-signing him and, considering Smith signed with a full no- trade clause last offseason, the interest in Edmonton is mutual. 0.923 The Sabres will be gauging some of these goalies’ interest when free Philipp Grubauer agency opens on July 28. They could also make a move before then.

30-9-1 Teams can protect just one goalie for the Seattle expansion draft on July 0.922 21. Based on recent mock drafts done by The Athletic, there could be eight netminders exposed who may be considerations for Buffalo. Laurent Brossoit Expansion draft extras 6-6-0 PLAYER AGE CAP HIT 0.918 Matt Murray Linus Ullmark 27 9-6-3 $6.25 Mikko Koskinen 59-38-12

32 0.907

$4.50 Collin Delia

Anton Khudobin 7-7-4

35 0.907

$3.33 Alex Stalock

Jake Allen 26-19-7

30 0.907

$2.88 Malcolm Subban

Collin Delia 23-25-6

27 0.897

$1.00 Hutton was 31-49-10 with a .902 save percentage the past three years, so nearly everyone on the list should be at least a minor upgrade. Mikko Malcolm Subban Koskinen lost his starting job in Edmonton to Smith. Neither Collin Delia 27 nor Malcolm Subban could claim the No. 1 role in Chicago.

$0.85 Here’s how they played this year.

Alex Stalock 2020-21 season

33 PLAYER RECORD SAVE %

$0.79 Vitek Vanecek

Vitek Vanecek 21-10-4

25 0.908

$0.75 Jake Allen

Matt Murray has three seasons remaining on his inflated contract, so 11-12-5 Buffalo probably would have little interest. But new associate general 0.907 manager Jason Karmanos watched Murray win two Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh, so the 27-year-old can’t be ruled out. Anton Khudobin

Vitek Vanecek sits at the other end of the salary scale and is a bargain 12-11-7 for another season before becoming a restricted free agent. The Capitals need to protect Ilya Samsonov, so Vanecek should be available. 0.905

Montreal will obviously protect Carey Price. Because netminder Michael Collin Delia McNiven meets the exposure requirements for the expansion draft, the 1-3-1 Canadiens can move Jake Allen and still be OK for the selection show. 0.902 Anton Khudobin is just one season removed from helping Dallas advance to the Stanley Cup Final, but the Bishop needs to be protected through a Malcolm Subban no-movement clause while Jake Oettinger excelled as a rookie to push 6-8-1 Khudobin down the depth chart. 0.900 Here’s how Khudobin and the others have performed the last three seasons. Mikko Koskinen

Last three seasons 13-13-0

PLAYER RECORD SAVE % 0.899

Anton Khudobin Matt Murray

44-36-16 10-13-1

0.920 0.893

Jake Allen Alex Stalock

42-35-16 0-0-0

0.911 0.000

Mikko Koskinen Vanecek had the benefit of backstopping the No. 4 offense in the league, but the Sabres saw firsthand what he could do. Vanecek was 5-1-1 with 56-47-9 a .927 save percentage against Buffalo. 0.908 Allen dipped a bit from his career save percentage of .912. Khudobin was Vitek Vanecek well below his career average of .917. Murray’s first season with the Senators, who acquired him from the Penguins and signed him to a four- 21-10-4 year, $25 million deal, was not good.

0.908 Alex Stalock didn’t play at all. After testing positive for COVID-19 in Matt Murray November with Minnesota, Stalock was further diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. The Wild tried to send him to the minors on March 1 for playing time, but the Oilers claimed him on waivers as insurance. He never went to the crease for Edmonton.

Stalock started 36 games for the Wild in 2019-20, going 20-11-4 with a .910 save percentage.

In addition to the Sabres, the Avalanche, Blackhawks, Bruins and Penguins need a starter. Colorado, Pittsburgh and Boston could appeal to the top goalies because of the solid teams playing in front of them.

Regardless, there are only so many starting jobs in the NHL. The Sabres’ position is available.

At age 27, Ullmark and Driedger are just entering their prime. Grubauer, Raanta, Andersen, Khudobin, Allen, Reimer and Halak have proved themselves repeatedly. Brossoit has nice numbers but hasn’t played more than 21 games. Mrazek, like Ullmark, has injury issues. Is Vanecek just getting started after five years in the minors or did he benefit from starting for the Caps?

The Sabres have until late July to find the answer and their two goalies.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189877 Calgary Flames For the AHL’s goaltender-of-the-year, every game, practice or video session is another opportunity to glimpse why Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner — the 1 and 1A for the Golden Knights — are among the Calgary's Logan Thompson soaking up experience as Golden Knights' best in the biz. third-string goalie “Skating every day with Lehner and Fleury, it’s a privilege. Those are two very, very skilled goalies that you can learn from,” said Thompson, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 201 lb. “You look at Flower, and that’s kind of how Wes Gilbertson I’ve always played — that aggressive, athletic style. He makes that big save, never gives up on a puck, and that’s something I’ve always had in Publishing date:Jun 23, 2021 • 3 hours ago • 4 minute read • my game. And when I look at Lenny and watch him practice, he’s a very Join the conversation well-positioned goalie and he reads the puck so well. He’s smart. Everyone always looks at his size but the way he does video and watches puck and the way he reads the puck off the stick, it’s incredible. It’s fitting, when you think about it, that Logan Thompson landed in Las That’s something I’m trying to learn and steal from him is the way he Vegas. reads plays and uses his body, because I’m a fairly big goalie. Obviously, I’m not as thick as him, but I have some good height and I’m trying to It was just two-plus years ago that the Calgary-raised backstop bet on incorporate just relaxing a bit, using my size to my advantage and be a himself, deciding that he’d skip out of school after only one season with little less sporadic. the Brock University Badgers and try instead to prove his puck-stopping prowess in the minor-pro ranks. “So you can steal something from both these guys, and that’s really what I’m trying to do.” Now? This is the type of learning opportunity he wasn’t going to get at Thompson, 24, is the latest winner of the Aldege ‘Baz’ Bastien Memorial university. He’s now closer than ever to securing his dream job. Award as the ’s goaltender-of-the-year and is currently along for the ride as third-stringer as the Vegas Golden Knights “I just want to keep proving people wrong,” Thompson said. “I’m not try to stave off elimination in the Stanley Cup semifinals. done. I’m going to keep going until I hopefully get that chance to stay in the NHL and I’ll keep pushing myself. But if it doesn’t happen, you know “I still had people saying to me, ‘Don’t leave school. What are you doing? what? I’m happy that I’m still trying and trying to get better every day. You’re stupid. You’re an idiot. You’re not going to make it,’ ” Thompson That’s all I can ask from myself.” said, reminiscing about his jump from USports to the ECHL at the tail-end of the 2018-19 campaign. “But I just wanted to take a chance and at least say I tried. I didn’t want to just sit back and listen to everyone saying that I wasn’t good enough. At least I could say I tried and if I didn’t get that Calgary Sun: LOADED: 06.24.2021 contract I wanted, I could look myself in the mirror and say, ‘Well, I did everything I could.’ ”

He scored that contract — a two-year, entry-level pact with the Golden Knights — last summer and has since served notice that he could be the next Calgary kid to do big things on the big stage.

Not every Aldege ‘Baz’ Bastien Memorial Award winner blossoms into an NHL star, but it proved to be a springboard for the likes of Jonathan Bernier, Jake Allen, Matt Murray and most recently, Alex Nedeljkovic.

Thompson posted a sparkling stat-line this winter on behalf of the — a 16-6-1 record, a stingy 1.96 goals-against average and a league-best .943 save percentage.

He was twice named the AHL’s goalie of the month, the first to double up on that nod since Nedeljkovic in 2018-19. ‘Ned’ is now a Calder Trophy finalist.

Not many had Thompson — a graduate of the Blackfoot minor-hockey association and the Midget-AAA Buffaloes — on that type of trajectory during his stint with the ’s Brandon Wheat Kings. The undrafted netminder didn’t have any pro offers after aging out as a junior, which is why he enrolled as a social sciences student at Brock.

“There are still a lot of people who doubt me, and I don’t care,” said Thompson, who carries a hefty chip on his shoulder. “I think when I was in junior, I cared too much about what other people think or scouts think or coaches think, and I realized I just have to relax and ultimately focus and work on myself. That’s what I’ve been doing.

“I remember when I was in Brandon and even CIS for a bit, it was always like, ‘Who is in the stands? Are there scouts? Is it going to be a bad game or a good game?’ I wanted to go pro so bad that I was always worrying about who was in the stands or getting in my own head. This year, it was nice to get a two-year deal and I could just relax and say, ‘I don’t really care what other people think’ and just go out there and do me. I trust my abilities. There’s a certain level of almost cockiness without being cocky, but you have to believe in yourself a little bit.”

The Golden Knights’ belief will now be tested.

They’re trailing 3-2 in a best-of-seven semifinal series against the Montreal Canadiens, and the Habs are on their home-sheet for Thursday’s could-be clincher (6 p.m. MT, CBC/Sportsnet).

Thompson, whose only big-league crease-call so far is an eight-minute relief appearance in mid-March, isn’t ready for summer vacation just yet. 1189878 Chicago Blackhawks Like most fans, Foley not only would get wrapped up in the excitement when things were going well, he could be candid when things weren’t.

“Pat can be brutally honest,” Olczyk told Sherman. “I can’t speak for Next season will be the last for announcer Pat Foley, who has been (other former Hawks teammates), but as long as it was fair, I had no ‘synonymous with Chicago Blackhawks hockey for well over a problem with it. It was something I appreciated as a player. He would generation’ say, ‘That was a bad by Olczyk.’ You say it and move on.”

Added Wirtz at the time: “If you’re having a lousy game, there’s nothing By PHIL ROSENTHAL wrong with saying it. He’ll say what the fan is saying. If all you have is yes people, you don’t have much of an organization.” While at Michigan State, Foley called and hockey games, JUN 23, 2021 AT 4:35 PM segueing to his pro debut with the International Hockey League’s Grand Rapids (Mich.) Owls in 1977 en route to the Blackhawks in 1980.

It helped that Michael Wirtz, brother of then-Chairman and The final horn is poised to sound on Pat Foley’s Chicago Blackhawks Rocky’s uncle, was friendly with Foley’s father, spending a bit of time at play-by-play career after next season. the dealership in Wilmette. The Hawks said Wednesday that Foley will work a reduced schedule of What ultimately sold the Wirtzes on Foley, however, was his work. He games in 2021-22, his 39th season with the team and his last on NBC sounded far more polished and mature than a 26-year-old. Sports Chicago. For Foley, this was a dream come true. Foley, who is in his 60s, said in the announcement he spoke with the Hawks about his future “because I cannot guarantee that I would like to “Any kid who eats, sleeps and breathes sports, grows up wanting to play continue beyond the length of my contract that ends after next season” for their hometown team,” Foley said in his statement Wednesday. and it was time to look for his successor. “Thankfully for me, I realized early on that my playing career wouldn’t last beyond intramurals and that broadcasting was the next best thing to Hawks Chairman said in a statement the team is “excited to staying around the game.” begin this search,” noting the franchise was “thankful for the memories Pat has created for our fans through the years and he will continue to be Olczyk, his broadcast partner the last 15 seasons, added in the a part of the Blackhawks family.” announcement: “Pat Foley is not just a legendary broadcaster and great partner in the booth, but I’m proud to say he is an even better friend. … It was not announced who will fill in on the games Foley doesn’t work I’m so happy for him to be able to go out on his own terms and so proud next season. of what he has accomplished. Pat Foley will always be the voice of This isn’t the first time the Hawks have said farewell to Foley, the 2014 Blackhawks hockey.” winner of the Memorial Award — a high honor for announcers in hockey’s Hall of Fame in Toronto. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.24.2021 But unlike their divorce in 2006, when the team abruptly withdrew its contract offer and Foley wound up announcing AHL games for two seasons, the team said it plans a seasonlong celebration.

“Pat Foley has been synonymous with Chicago Blackhawks hockey for well over a generation,” Wirtz said in the announcement.

The news comes a month after the conclusion of an unimpressive Hawks season that was remarkable only in the conditions under which it was played. COVID-19 precautions meant players, coaches and other team staff were regulated in many respects, including strict restrictions in their movements on the road.

Foley, who announced away games alongside analyst Ed Olczyk off monitors in Chicago, made a flip remark during the season finale, “Had I been traveling with the team this year, I might have put a bullet in my head.”

After some viewers expressed shock and dismay at the suicide imagery, Foley said he wished he hadn’t said it.

“I’m sorry if I offended some folks,” Foley said on air. “Apparently I did, so I apologize.”

The team came down hard on Foley the next day, issuing a strongly worded statement that it was “incredibly disappointed” in Foley’s comments, called it “an absolutely unacceptable choice of words that trivialized mental health and suicide” and said it planned on “speaking to Pat further about his insensitivity.”

It was not the only time he said something that got him into trouble, but his talent and popularity with Chicago hockey fans carried him through.

Just as the rancorous 2006 split between Foley and the Hawks upset team supporters, they seemed delighted when John McDonough, who was brought in as Blackhawks president in 2007, patched things up and re-signed Foley in 2008.

Foley’s relationship with fans might be rooted in the fact he grew up among them, the son of suburban Buick dealer. He graduated from Loyola Academy in Wilmette, then Michigan State.

“I was that kid who had the transistor radio under the pillow just loud enough to hear Lloyd (Pettit)” call Hawks games, Foley told the Tribune’s Ed Sherman in 2014. 1189879 Chicago Blackhawks Some wondered if Judge Ross was showing favoritism by not benching Anthony Rizzo for two baserunning gaffes Sunday or Joc Pederson for admiring his would-be home runs that don’t leave the park. Fair From Carl Nassib coming out to Becky Hammon being a finalist for an questions. NBA head coaching vacancy, our sports world is ever-changing. And After the game, Ross said he felt it in his “stomach” for benching his that’s a good thing. friend, which makes him human. He said Báez hustles “99.9%” of the time, which might be true, though Báez also neglected to run on a popup against the earlier this season and wound up with a By PAUL SULLIVAN single. He was allowed to remain in that game and later admitted he was in the wrong for not running hard. CHICAGO TRIBUNE On Monday he immediately admitted his mistake and said Ross was in JUN 23, 2021 AT 6:00 AM the right. It doesn’t explain the lapses in focus, but at least he is accountable, which is laudable.

New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom was legally searched without cause While Báez lost focus in one inning, Cubs fans have had a difficult time Monday, while shortstop Javier Báez was unilaterally concentrating since Wrigley reopened to 100% capacity. The return of penalized for a midgame brain freeze. the wave Monday night and the nightly obsession with creating beer snakes in the bleachers might be a residual effect of the Cubs’ snooze- Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib became the first active button lineup that wakes up sporadically. It’s no wonder no one can pay openly gay NFL player, pride flags flew over Wrigley Field and San attention. Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon became the first woman finalist for an NBA head coaching vacancy. Monday’s more important stories concerned Nassib, Hammon and the Supreme Court, which ruled 9-0 that the NCAA and its schools and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and umpire Ángel Hernández conferences were in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act by limiting both trended on Twitter. athletes’ compensation for academic expenses. Kavanagh, the Ángel Hernández of Supreme Court justices, wrote in a concurring opinion of The only thing these stories have in common is they all took place on one the ruling: “The NCAA is not above the law.” day in a sports world in which change comes at you at dizzying speeds. It was a great day for college athletes, who one day might even get a If you can’t keep up, find another diversion. percentage of the revenue for team jerseys with their names on the back Let’s start with ’s version of stop-and-frisk — that schools sell in university bookstores. It’s getting closer by the day. searching pitchers as they enter and leave the field for possible use of We always can dream, as Hammon did when she became Gregg illegal sticky substances that enhance their grip. The new “old” edict, Popovich’s assistant in San Antonio six years ago. Who would’ve thought which began being enforced Monday, has dominated baseball discussion we would soon see a woman general manager — the Miami Marlins’ Kim over the last few weeks, pitting pitchers versus hitters in a classic Ng — and a woman coaching an NBA team? As experienced and struggle for dominance while putting umpires in the middle. respected as Hammon is, it’s only a matter of time before her turn “Un-American,” one veteran pitcher recently told me while discussing the arrives, though to be a trailblazer with the Portland Trail Blazers would crackdown. truly be serendipitous.

Un-American? Another political statement from an athlete? Sharing the national headlines with Hammon was Nassib, who came out Monday and was widely accepted by his NFL peers and coaches. “Umpires are the judge and jury, and we’re now all suspects without Perhaps the best response came from Raiders coach Jon Gruden, who cause,” he continued. said: “I learned a long time ago what makes a man different is what makes him great.” The pitcher, who asked not to be named, suggested it would be open season on players who umpires didn’t like. I agreed that umpires had As the real world changes, the sports world follows, sometimes at a unchecked authority and asked what he and the players union planned to slower pace than we’d like to see. do about it. But at least we’re getting there, step by step. After criticizing the players union, he joked he might make a statement by bringing out handcuffs during his next start, asking to be cuffed while being searched. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.24.2021 A perfect idea, I told him, and a moment that would go viral. I doubt he’ll do it. Commissioner Rob Manfred and the players union aren’t know for their sense of humor. But baseball could use a few viral videos from someone other than Fernando Tatís Jr., so hopefully he pulls it off.

Day One produced no real news, though Hernández, the Brett Kavanaugh of umpires, was witnessed checking out a Baltimore Orioles pitcher for illegal sticky stuff in the pouring rain. And by mere coincidence of the schedule, the first player stopped under the new edict was deGrom, who might be having the greatest season ever for a pitcher, carrying a 0.50 ERA into late June.

It’s all laughable. And that’s what many umpires and pitchers seemed to be doing when the searches for PEST took place. (“PEST” is not an official baseball acronym like “PEDs,” and in fact, “Performance Enhancing Spider Tack” is terminology I just made up).

If baseball is intent on growing the game, umpires should be seen less, not more often. At least conduct the searches off-camera in dugout tunnels.

Another law-and-order episode occurred Monday night at Wrigley when Cubs manager David Ross removed Báez for being doubled off first base after forgetting how many outs there were. In this case, Ross was unquestionably judge and jury and made the correct call to pull Báez for violating the sacred rule taught in Little League — always know how many outs there are. 1189880 Chicago Blackhawks Nylander has been under NHL contract for three years. Only players in their first two years are generally exempt, but an exception was made because Nylander missed all of his third season with an injury.

Blackhawks broadcaster Pat Foley will step down after upcoming season —- The IceHogs re-signed goaltender Cale Morris, a rookie out of Notre Dame last season, to another AHL contract Wednesday.

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Jun 23, 2021, 9:57am CDT Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.24.2021

The 2021-22 season will be the last for Blackhawks broadcaster Pat Foley, the team announced Wednesday morning.

The Hall of Fame play-by-play man’s contract expires at the end of next season, his 39th with the team.

“Listening to the great Lloyd Pettit fostered a love for the Chicago Blackhawks and broadcasting at an early age,” Foley said in a statement. “To follow in his footsteps and broadcast for the team for nearly 40 years is a dream come true for a Chicago native.”

The Hawks said they are searching for a new play-by-play broadcaster. Foley will call part of the 2021-22 season on NBC Sports Chicago while grooming his chosen successor.

“I have had conversations with the Blackhawks about my future, and because I cannot guarantee that I would like to continue beyond the length of my contract that ends after next season, they must look ahead,” Foley added. “I support and respect their plan to transition the broadcast booth.”

“Pat Foley has been synonymous with Chicago Blackhawks hockey for well over a generation,” Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said in a statement. “We are thankful for the memories Pat has created for our fans through the years and he will continue to be a part of the Blackhawks family. We are excited to begin this search for a new television play-by-play broadcaster who will create Blackhawks memories for the next generation of fans.”

Foley’s return to the Hawks’ broadcast booth in 2008 — after his initial run from 1980 to 2006 ended due to a strained relationship with management at the time — helped rejuvenate fan interest and support right before the Stanley Cup dynasty era.

Accompanied by color commentator throughout his second tenure, Foley’s raspy voice, quick delivery, lighthearted style and banter with Olczyk have been signature sounds in Chicago households.

“Pat Foley is not just a legendary broadcaster and great partner in the booth, but I’m proud to say he is an even better friend,” Olczyk said in a statement. “Two Chicago guys calling Blackhawks hockey for the past 15 years has been a dream come true for me.”

Foley received Emmy awards for achievements in sports broadcasting in 1991, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and the ’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a broadcaster in 2014.

But two missteps in recent seasons — a racially insensitive comment about Eisbaren Berlin forward Austin Ortega in September 2019 and a joke about suicide during the Hawks’ final game in May — landed Foley in hot water and required apologies on air.

The list of possible successors for Foley is lengthy but lacks a clear frontrunner.

The Hawks have rotated many people — including player development coach , studio analyst Patrick Sharp, radio color commentator and former Flyers analyst Colby Cohen — into the color commentator role recently (during Olczyk’s absences for national broadcasts), but none into the play-by-play role.

John Wiedeman, the Hawks’ radio play-by-play man on WGN since 2006, and Joseph Zakrzewski, the Rockford IceHogs’ radio play-by-play commentator, are two possible internal candidates. Judd Sirott, the Bruins’ radio play-by-play commentator and a former Hawks’ pre- and post-game radio host, also was mentioned frequently Wednesday.

NOTES: Alex Nylander has been unexpectedly ruled exempt from the NHL expansion draft, per CapFriendly, guaranteeing the Hawks will retain control of the restricted free agent and be able to protect another player in his place. 1189881 Chicago Blackhawks As evidence the dramatic movements between the Bears and affiliates of Churchill Downs Inc. in the past week, Hayes and associates are now playing in a big league of billionaires hard to imagine six months ago.

Jim O'Donnell: Departing Pat Foley flew over the blue lines to scale Also, as was suggested in this insouciant space last winter, the greater Mount Pettit good of the village, the county and the state is more certain to be served if Mayor Hayes and shipmates engage comprehensive outside expertise to supplement their earnest in-house resources. Jim O'Donnell In the weeks ahead, a much wider world will be watching. Updated 6/23/2021 4:20 PM STREET-BEATIN': Phil Rosenthal -- the superior infotainer who took a buyout from the profoundly diminished Chicago Tribune this week -- is the sort of columnist who sharp editors could build a sports section BEFORE PAT FOLEY, all Blackhawks broadcasters could be broken around. (It has to do with intellect, range, touch and refusal to settle.) ... down into two distinct categories: Jud Sirott, currently of Boston Bruins broadcasting, would be a 1) Lloyd Pettit; and, 2) everyone else. homegrown natural to pop up in the revamping Blackhawks radio-TV Through sheer will, talent and perseverance, Foley expanded that scheme. But is his seasoning a blessing or a curse? ... abbreviated shift change. That West suburban tornado Sunday night missed the home of longtime When the Blackhawks announced Wednesday that Foley, 66, will be WBBM Channel 2 cameraman Chuck Davidson by less than two blocks. departing the team's broadcast roost after the 2021-22 NHL season, The revered Davidson was one of the few to gently traverse the Johnny none could question that he alone had successfully scaled the imposing Morris-Tim Weigel eras at the CBS o-and-o. ... Mount Pettit. Perennial free agent Dan McNeil told a Joliet radio station he was "told to Pettit was one of the grand sports sound checks of many Chicago punch below the belt" while working in Chicago sports talk. (Obviously, wonder years. The classic segment of his 15-year run with the Hawks so far away from his genteel Calumet River fishin' pole.) ... came on WGN Channel 9 (1961-70). Longtime team chaplain Rev. Scott Bradley has released his new book, With Channel 9 owning winter sports Saturday nights on four-choice "The Bible, Basketball and the Bulls." ($22.50; available at Chicago TV, Pettit's "A shot ... AND A GOAL!!!" came to fill out a scottbradleyministries.vpweb.com.) ... supersonic trifecta box that would include 's "Hey! Hey!" And fireproofing Larry Andres, on Javy Baez's glazed baserunning vs. and later Harry Caray's transplanted "Holy Cow!" Cleveland: "Maybe someone's been messing with the gummy bowl in the Four years after Pettit departed WMAQ 670-AM in 1976, Foley -- all of Cubs clubhouse." age 26 -- followed forgettables like Ron Oakes and Andy MacWilliams and Bud Kelly into the icy gap. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.24.2021 He carried on Pettit's crack excellence in a hyper-energized manner few could have projected.

Some would say the Glenview native took it even higher: He frequently reflected a hard-core fan's frustration and impatience with the franchise's many bumbling years.

That candor even led to an unconscionable two-year separation in 2006- 08 when foggy silver spooner Bill Wirtz set Foley free to call Chicago Wolves games.

New team president John McDonough righted that doltish wrong. He paired Foley with matinee idol Eddie Olczyk and all of a sudden, the organization had a national-caliber TV duo.

Team historian Bob Verdi minced no laurels in 2014 when Foley was given The Foster Hewitt Memorial Award -- NHL broadcasting's highest accolade:

"In the worst of times, Foley never insulted audiences by saying things were going swell when they weren't, and although he always wished that audiences enjoy the outcomes as much as the telecasts, he refused to apply perfume when the picture didn't deserve it."

Now for classic Blackhawks broadcast perfumists, the only question is:

Who wears "1" and who wears "1A" atop the microphone mount -- Lloyd Pettit or Pat Foley?

MOST DISAPPOINTING TV VIEWING of the week came for the wee people who tuned in to watch the weekly meeting of the Arlington Heights village board online Monday night.

Some were hoping Mayor Tom Hayes would swoop into the opening frame in Errol Flynn pirate's garb, land atop his seat, rope swaying, saber rattling and declare, "No one will take our racetrack and the are ours!"

Instead, Hayes and Sominexing mateys spent roughly 20 minutes on a low-level zoning matter related to the redevelopment of Arlington Park. They then browbeat a local chiropractor for close to double that time over the aesthetics of a two-bin "trash enclosure" at the bone cracker's new office building on South Arlington Heights Road. 1189882 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks' Pat Foley to conclude broadcasting career next season

John Dietz

Follow @johndietzdh

Updated 6/23/2021 2:32 PM

The Blackhawks announced Wednesday Hall of Fame play-by-play broadcaster Pat Foley will call his final season of Hawks hockey during the 2021-22 campaign, the last year of his contract.

Foley's 39th season in the booth will include a yearlong celebration with details to follow in the fall.

"Listening to the great Lloyd Pettit fostered a love for the Chicago Blackhawks and broadcasting at an early age. To follow in his footsteps and broadcast for the team for nearly 40 years is a dream come true for a Chicago native," Foley said in a news release. "Any kid who eats, sleeps and breathes sports, grows up wanting to play for their hometown team.

"Thankfully for me, I realized early on that my playing career wouldn't last beyond intramurals and that broadcasting was the next best thing to staying around the game. I have had conversations with the Blackhawks about my future, and because I cannot guarantee that I would like to continue beyond the length of my contract that ends after next season, they must look ahead.

"I support and respect their plan to transition the broadcast booth and I'm thankful to the Wirtz family and the Blackhawks for this opportunity."

The 2002 Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame inductee and multi Emmy- award winner will call a portion of the upcoming schedule and use the year to pass the torch to his successor. The search for the next Blackhawks' play-by-play broadcaster is currently underway.

"Pat Foley has been synonymous with Chicago Blackhawks hockey for well over a generation," said Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz. "We are thankful for the memories Pat has created for our fans through the years and he will continue to be a part of the Blackhawks family. We are excited to begin this search for a new television play-by-play broadcaster who will create Blackhawks memories for the next generation of fans."

Foley called Blackhawks games from 1980 to 2006 before returning to the Blackhawks booth for the 2008-09 season. Foley partners with U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Eddie Olczyk to broadcast Blackhawks games on NBC Sports Chicago. The organization honored Foley for his 30th season as the team's play-by-play voice in a pregame ceremony April 19, 2013, at the .

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189883 Colorado Avalanche

How Gabe Landeskog could be exposed in the Seattle expansion draft, and how that could be a good thing for the Avalanche

Published 15 hours ago on June 23, 2021

By Adrian Dater

The Colorado Avalanche have to submit their “protected” list to the NHL and expansion Seattle Kraken by July 17. Sources tell me, that’s about three and a half weeks from now. It won’t be a shock if Gabe Landeskog is NOT on the protected list, and here’s why:

Landeskog can become an unrestricted free agent July 28. The Kraken will pick their team on July 21st.

It’s been an assumption all along that Landeskog would be one of the skaters protected by the Avs (they can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie OR eight skaters and one goalie. Teams usually only go the “eight skaters” route when they have four really good D-men they don’t want to lose).

But what if the Avs and Landeskog came to this kind of informal agreement., which would go something like this:

“Hey, Landy, let’s formally agree to a deal between July 21-28. That way, we can protect another guy we don’t want to lose, you still get a fat new deal with us and we’re a better team moving forward because you left yourself unprotected so we could keep that guy. Win-win!”

If you’re looking at most projected, protected lists right now, they have a 7-3-1 split. The conventional wisdom is that the protected skaters would be: Landeskog, Rantanen, MacKinnon, Burakovsky, Kadri, Nichushkin and Jost, with Toews, Makar and Girard the protected D-men and Grubauer the protected goalie.

That list leaves some good players exposed, guys such as Ryan Graves, J.T. Compher and Joonas Donskoi. But what if one of them could be protected, with no worry of losing Landeskog? Well, technically, that could be done – and it would be perfectly legal under the existing rules.

The risk for the Avs would be: Seattle would have exclusive rights to negotiate any deal it wanted with Landy, from July 18-21, and if they came to terms, he would be their selection on July 21. Do you really want to let Landy be wined and dined by someone like Kraken co-owner Jerry Bruckheimer, the famous Hollywood producer? Maybe Bruckheimer offers him a fat contract, plus a movie deal? What if Seattle were to offer a couple million more per year over what the Avs are prepared to pay Landy?

But if the Kraken already know that they have no shot at signing Landy, they wouldn’t take him. Sure, they could take him on July 21. But, if they couldn’t come to a contract agreement by the 28th, he would go unrestricted to the open market just like any other UFA. So, Seattle wouldn’t waste that Avs pick of theirs, in that case.

It’s up for debate as to who the Avs would/should protect, if they were to expose Landeskog. I would hate to lose Graves for nothing, but if you protect him, then you have to do the eight skaters route, thereby exposing another good forward(s). If you do the 7-3-1 split and Landy is exposed (but you know you won’t lose him), now you can protect a Donskoi or a Compher or even a Logan O’Connor.

Bottom line: the Avs need to get Landy signed by July 28, no matter what. You don’t want 31 other teams suddenly able to wine and dine him. You can maybe live with the risk of Seattle doing that for three days, especially if you already have a wink-wink agreement with him to sign between the expansion draft and UFA day.

Colorado hockey now LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189884 Detroit Red Wings Staal became a sort of spokesperson for the Wings' defense, and a player whose opinion and voice carried importance around the locker room.

Marc Staal open to return to Detroit, where there appears to be a fit Staal was glad to pass along any sort of experience or motivation a younger roster needed.

TED KULFAN | The Detroit News “There’s times during the season or during a game where things can start getting away from you,” Staal said. “I’ve been on teams where maybe it doesn’t go well for you the first 20 (games) and that’s that, you kind of fold up and start to think about the next season. I was just trying to make Detroit — Marc Staal never has watched Moritz Seider play. He doesn't sure we stayed consistent and working hard no matter what the know Seider, and has never talked to him. circumstance was. But, Staal has heard the conversations surrounding the Red Wings’ top "I’ve been around a while, so any hope or positivity I can bring throughout prospect, the expectations, and the excitement around Seider’s potential. a game I was willing to do that.” Seider, a defenseman like Staal, will be a young player with a lot of eyes on him next season. The defense, Staal said, was a good group with which to work.

So, if, as expected, Seider makes the Wings’ lineup, who’ll be Seider’s "It’s a fun (defense) corps to play with, a lot of great guys," Staal said. defensive partner? It'll be an intriguing question, and an important one, "It's not a lot of big, selfish personalities. Everyone is just wanting to play as Seider hasn't played even a second of NHL hockey at the tender age well and help the team win.” of 20. Staal didn't leave any doubt talking to reporters he'd be open to returning There is a line of thinking that Staal, an unrestricted free agent, would be to the Wings, if a contract could be worked out. a good fit. General manager said the Wings will be looking for left- And in his season-ending interview with reporters, Staal seemed to like shot defenseman (such as Staal), and Staal's intangibles and familiarity the idea of being a sort of mentor to the young defenseman. with the Wings are added benefits.

“I don’t know him at all,” Staal said during the Zoom call. “I’ve heard a But Staal was equally intrigued about the idea of playing with his older bunch of good things over the last year. My best fit is playing with a brother Eric, who is also a prospective unrestricted free agent and skilled, right-hand shot defenseman (which Seider is, as Staal is a lefty) currently starring for Montreal in the playoffs. Or, even with his brother where I can make them feel as comfortable as possible, making plays, Jordan, in Carolina. and be there in position for them. Marc and Eric played 20 games together with the Rangers in 2016 after “Communication is huge on the ice, talking, and I try to do that as much Eric was acquired by New York. The possibility to do so again would be as possible with whoever I’m playing with. It helps some more with a another career highlight. young defenseman finding his way.” "That was fun,” Marc Staal said of his short time as Eric's teammate. The Wings acquired Staal, 34, from the in September “When you have two brothers in the league, it’s always a possibility to try in what mainly appeared to be a salary dump by the Rangers, who to play with one of them because it’s a pretty unique opportunity.” passed along a 2021 second-round draft pick to the Wings. Staal also says he believes the Wings are close to being a playoff team, Staal had spent 13 years with the Rangers, but after a couple of uneven which makes returning to Detroit exciting. seasons and the organization entering a rebuild, it was good time for both sides to part ways. "I honestly don't think we were far off from sniffing around the playoffs this year," Staal said. "COVID kind of crushed us early and then we had As it turned out, the move to Detroit invigorated Staal, who showed he some injuries along the way, and we were still able to put out a pretty still very much can help a hockey team. solid effort.

Staal was one of only two Wings (Filip Hronek was the other) who played "The future is bright for this organization. I can tell just being around the in all 56 games during the condensed, rugged season, and never missed rink, the way things are being run, I think it's all going in the right a practice. direction."

“He’s a great pro in a lot of different ways,” coach Jeff Blashill said of Staal late in the regular season. “He’s a warrior. He plays through injuries and is out there on days where as an older player, potentially, could ask Detroit News LOADED: 06.24.2021 for maybe a practice off.

“He demands that he goes out there.”

Blashill also appreciated what Staal brought both on and off the ice, with Staal’s veteran savvy playing a big role.

“He’s very calm on the ice,” Blashill said. “He’s been through a lot of different things, so he calms our group down back there (on defense). He’s a really smart hockey player, so he can handle the chaos of hockey.

“We talk about structure, but there’s going to be chaos and you have to be able to handle it with your hockey smarts and he’s able to do that.

“He’s a good leader in the locker room. He’s demanding of guys doing it right, so he’s been somebody I’ve really been impressed with.”

Staal started his NHL career playing with veterans such as Michal Rozsival and Paul Mara, and felt playing with those older defensemen helped his own development.

"We had some guys that played a long time, and it's just a comfort level being a young guy, being out there with a guy who has been through it," Staal said. "It gets you through the ups and downs of the season and I believe it's very helpful.

"And then just watching and learning and how you practice and prepare, all those things." 1189885 he would be a No. 1 centre with where he was drafted … number two overall. But he’s not.

“People can talk about the medical part (migraines), but he still has to OILERS NOTES: Should Edmonton be looking at Nolan Patrick? figure it out.”

The Flyers might feel they have to put Patrick in a package rather than a Jim Matheson • Edmonton Journal one-for-one to take a shot at Seth Jones in Columbus.

Publishing date: Jun 23, 2021 “With Nolan, the Flyers may be thinking they won’t get anything back (one-for-one trade) remotely close to where he was picked in the draft,” said Button.

The Edmonton Oilers clearly need a right-shot, third-line centre after the This ‘n that:The negotiation with UFA defenceman Adam Larsson experiment with Kyle Turris fizzled last season. seemed fairly cut ‘n dried off the hop; a three or four-year deal for around $4 million, which is what he’s making now, but maybe Larsson is using Every centre they have is a lefty—Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Calgary’s Chris Tanev ($4.5 million for four years, signed in 2020) as a Nugent-Hopkins if resigned, Jujhar Khaira, Ryan McLeod, Devin Shore. template. Same right-shot, defensive D but Tanev is three years (31-28) For face-offs alone, they need a right-shot in their bottom six. older. Tanev has 130 points in 570 NHL games. Larsson has 137 points Penalty-killer Gaetan Haas signed back in Switzerland and Turris, while in 603 … Another first-round draft possibility for the Oilers; Swedish he has another year at a base salary of $2.2 million, had five points in 27 winger Oskar Olausson, who played in the SHL (HV 71) and lower league games and didn’t dress for any of the playoff games against Allvenskan (Sodertalje) this past season at 18. He’ll be on the Swedish Winnipeg, a large tell where he stands with the coach Dave Tippett. world junior team this upcoming Christmas. “Excellent puck skills, very agile, he’s got flair to his game,” said Button. He could stay in for There are right-shot UFAs of course. Ryan Getzlaf, Tyler Bozak, Derek another couple of seasons…According to CapFriendly.com Oilers 2019 Ryan, Derek Stepan, Nick Bjugstad, Riley Nash and Brandon Sutter. fourth-round draft forward Matej Blumel, 21, who had 32 points in 49 Hard to see Getzlaf leaving Anaheim. Sutter, Nash and Ryan may be games this season in Pardubice in the Czech top league, is now a free- more suited as fourth-line centres off their stats. Bjugstad (Minnesota) is agent. The Oilers had until June 1 to decide whether to sign him but only 29 but he’s left a lot of teams wanting more. Bozak (St. Louis) is a didn’t. He’s Czech-born but played in the USHL when drafted so he’s third-line C for sure but he’s 35. Stepan, 31, is coming off shoulder classified as playing in North America. That started the two-year clock surgery. ticking.

Or, if you are , you’re all-in on Montreal’s left-shot, shutdown centre supreme Phil Danault, and you don’t care about the right-shot hole because Danault, if the price is right, is high-character and outstanding at Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 06.24.2021 his job?

Or, you’re going another route. Maybe he’s made a call to Philadelphia to see about a trade for Nolan Patrick, the second overall pick in 2017 ahead of Miro Heiskanen, Cale Makar and . Is he worth the gamble or do they need a sure thing like Bozak, if the free-agent price makes sense?

He’s got big-time skill but he’s been a bit player in Philly. Partly because of migraine problems which KO’d him for an entire season, also because he was rushed to the NHL as an 18-year-old. Maybe, because he has to look in the mirror and forget he was the second player chosen in his draft year. The Flyers may still protect him as one of their seven forwards in the expansion draft because of who he is and he’s only 22, plus they don’t want to lose him for nothing.

But, they have Scott Laughton, who can be a 3C. and it’s probably time Patrick, who had 30 and 31 points as an 18 and 19-year-old his first two seasons, before the migraines and only a lamentable nine points in 52 games last year (also -30), moved on. He’s not a top-six C, but he might develop into a right-shot 3C. In his three seasons, he’s been 50.6, 51.2 and 52.6 per cent in the face-off circle, so that’s a plus.

There are red flags here, though. While he showed obvious talent in junior in Brandon, some scouts question his passion for hockey, whether he has the drive to be hard to play against.

Like many first-rounders, Patrick needs a change of scenery. It’s a matter of what you would have to give up to get him. The Flyers would be talking up how he was the second player picked in the draft, so they need a first- rounder for him or a top young player, who maybe plays a different position. The team willing to give him a chance would be saying “yeah, but what’s he done at the NHL level?”

He only made $874,000 this past year with the Flyers. His contract is up. He’s a restricted free-agent. He would be a cheap contract buy like with Jesse Puljujarvi.

So, that’s a plus. He’s spinning his wheels like Puljujarvi did after being fourth pick in 2016.

The Oilers aren’t trading their 2021 first-round pick for him. While Philly needs right-shot D, Ethan Bear is a non-starter. The Oilers need Bear, who factors as a top 4 defenceman next season. Zack Kassian? Maybe. He’s Philly’s type of player.

“I don’t know if Nolan will ever be a top six player but he can be a third- line centre. Sure, that’s fair. You have to lower your expectations with Nolan,” said , TSN’s draft expert. “The projection on him was 1189886 Edmonton Oilers Nugent-Hopkins started this past season on McDavid’s left wing and the results were far from great. He had seven goals and seven assists — just two primary — at five-on-five in 52 games this season. McDavid and How the Oilers should value pending UFAs Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Adam resurgent winger Jesse Puljujarvi were his most common linemates, and Larsson and Tyson Barrie Yamamoto and Draisaitl were next in line. The drop-off in production, especially considering with whom he was playing, was startling. Nugent- Hopkins’s ability to drive play remained, but, given the lack of production, it was difficult to argue he was the primary reason for it. Both McDavid By Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Dom Luszczyszyn and Draisaitl produced significantly more even-strength offence without Jun 23, 2021 Nugent-Hopkins.

McDavid with: 3.05 GF/60

This offseason is Ken Holland’s first big chance to put his mark on the McDavid without: 4.79 GF/60 Oilers, to start building them the way he envisions. Draisaitl with: 2.94 GF/60 But before he gets the ball rolling on any trades or begins drafting any Draisaitl without: 3.73 GF/60 offers on potential free agents, he has to make final determinations on players in-house. To be specific, he must decide what to do with his three That might be plain bad luck, but considering his struggles anchoring his high-profile pending UFAs: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Adam Larsson and own line the year prior, it’s difficult to see Nugent-Hopkins as a driver — Tyson Barrie. a player who makes those around him better.

(The Oilers’ other big pending UFA is Mike Smith, a player Holland is on Sportsnet’s reported last week that the Oilers and record saying he wants to bring back. Smith isn’t expected to sign a long- Nugent-Hopkins are “grinding to find common ground.” This isn’t term contract at age 39, though.) surprising. The Oilers value Nugent-Hopkins because of his ability to play centre and wing and his prowess on both special teams. You won’t hear Think of the Oilers as a luxury summer property. Connor McDavid, Leon Tippett utter a disparaging word about him either. Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse make up the expensive, desirable land. The dwelling, however, has some cracks. The plumbing needs work. The The understanding here, as Friedman hints, is that negotiations haven’t windows could use replacing. It’s a little too small. Really, it would be been easy. The Oilers shouldn’t be ceding to every contract demand ideal to tear it down and construct something more commensurate with while attempting to bring him back, especially with a flat salary cap. the beautiful landscape. Nugent-Hopkins is an alternate captain, but McDavid, Draisaitl and Nurse It’s not an insignificant job. And it’ll take more than one summer to represent the present and future of the organization. Nugent-Hopkins complete the job. But there’s finally money available to commence the might be able to centre a second line for a bit longer, but he’s been process in a meaningful way. getting more time on the wing — a trend that’ll probably continue to intensify in the years ahead. Before getting out the bulldozer, there’s a question to ask: Are there things from the cottage worth saving? Maybe it’s Nugent-Hopkins, the At 28, offering too many years on a contract should be worrisome. He’s longest-serving Oiler — akin to a prized and still useful family antique. been a $6 million player for the last six seasons. Hitting that threshold Maybe it’s Larsson, a sturdy blueliner — like a reliable fireplace. Then again on a mid-length deal seems like it would be a big win for him. there’s Barrie, a power-play quarterback — a just-bought gently used couch assumed to be temporary but one that worked well enough to The 2019-20 season really felt like the peak of his value at 26 years old. consider keeping. That’s the age many players start exiting their prime and the same may be true for Nugent-Hopkins. He’s still relatively young from a UFA It might be worth letting them go, offering them to other interested perspective, but he likely only declines further the closer he gets to 30. parties. It might be worth making them — or some of them — a big part Right now, he’s a solid top-six player, but the question is how long he of the new digs. remains at that level and whether that level is good enough for a team with championship aspirations. Contenders usually have stronger players It should come down to a cost-benefit analysis, which is what we’re here playing Nugent-Hopkins’ role. to do. Let’s take a look. As it stands now, his current value is around 1.6 wins, with a potential to What are reasonable expectations for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? bounce back above two wins (a first-line rate) still a possibility. In that Deciding what to do with Nugent-Hopkins is tricky — especially since the case, there are two schools of thought when it comes to Nugent-Hopkins Oilers need more top-six players, not fewer of them. There are a lot of that should decide his future: his past season was an unlucky blip, or it reasons to want to hang on to the fan-favourite forward. But there are was a sign of things to come. In any sense, Edmonton probably shouldn’t some red flags, too. pay for misfortune. Prepare for the worst rather than expect the best- case scenario. The past two seasons, in particular, have seen inconsistent results. A two-win player is worth roughly $7.5 million on the open market under Dating back to the start of the 2019-20 campaign, he was asked to centre the current cap climate. If Nugent-Hopkins can bounce back to that level the second line — and it didn’t go particularly well. RNH had four goals for even a year or two, a deal at his current salary wouldn’t be too difficult and five assists — four primary — at five-on-five in 36 games before the to stomach. The issue is that his current value is roughly that price. Given new year, albeit with James Neal and Alex Chiasson predominantly on his age, it’s likely only going to go down further. Over five years, he likely his wings. The lower production was a byproduct of poor overall play at drops down to a $4 million player based on a typical age curve, with an five-on-five where the Oilers were out-chanced and outscored heavily average value at around $5.2 million. with Nugent-Hopkins on the ice, earning a 47 percent expected goals rate that was one of the lowest marks on the team. He also played Aging needs to be considered here as paying for what a player is at 27 or through a wrist injury that eventually forced him to miss six games. 28 means paying for his decline. Think Matt Duchene a couple of years back. Though he was one year older when signing the contract, his Things went much, much better in the second half of that season. recent trajectory offers up a clue with regards to what a possible decline might look like. At the time of signing, he was worth just over two wins of Oilers coach Dave Tippett moved him to left wing alongside Draisaitl and value and worth close to his $8 million salary. But that was only the Kailer Yamamoto, forming one of the league’s most productive trios for projection for Year 1, without factoring in an inevitable decline. A $6 two months. They were separated for spurts just before the league shut million deal likely does the same for Nugent-Hopkins and Edmonton down in March 2020, but, over the last 29 games of the season, Nugent- likely can’t afford to make that mistake. Hopkins scored 11 times at five-on-five — the most of any Oiler. His 25 points in that situation equalled Draisaitl for the club lead. (McDavid Betting on last year being a blip isn’t a bad thought given Nugent- missed seven games due to injury and illness.) The line was incredible at Hopkins’ underlying numbers. But the team can’t pay for that in case a both ends of the ice at five-on-five with Nugent-Hopkins’ 54 percent real decline is coming. expected goals rate being among the team’s best. The 68 percent goal rate was second to only linemate Yamamoto. How should the Oilers prioritize their two main UFA defencemen? Larsson and Barrie couldn’t be more different as NHL blueliners. downgrade, but likely not enough of one to justify a likely high price tag. Given his age, there’s also a reasonable chance Bouchard isn’t a One is the epitome of a defence-first rearguard. The other’s best skills downgrade at all. are on the offensive side of the game. GSVA does adjust for teammate strength, but perhaps not enough when One has been with the Oilers since 2016, arriving via the infamous Taylor it comes to giving too much credit to defencemen for points. It’s worth Hall trade but providing a steady, veteran presence and leadership when noting that at five-on-five, McDavid was on for just as many goals per 60 healthy (as he was this past season). The other signed a show-me, one- with or without Barrie and his expected goals for rate actually increased year deal last October to fill in for the injured Oscar Klefbom and wound without Barrie. The defender’s ability to drive offence likely has a lot to do up leading all blueliners in scoring. with getting big minutes with McDavid.

Both are right-handed, and the Oilers value them differently. Part of that Most of a defenceman’s value is still from driving play at five-on-five and is roster composition. Barrie’s defensive struggles stick out like a sore thumb on the chart The other righties are Ethan Bear and Evan Bouchard, two younger above. Last season only seven defenders conceded more scoring players. chances than Barrie in that situation. That’s been a dire trend for a few years now and while playing on a top pair for stretches didn’t help, Bear will turn 24 on Saturday and is coming off an up-and-down season spending a lot of money on a defender that needs sheltering doesn’t that also saw him miss a month with a concussion. He’s the most well- seem wise. It doesn’t matter how gifted Barrie is offensively if he gives all rounded right-shot blueliner on the roster; he has the ability to play tough of it back the other way. He was Edmonton’s best puck-mover last minutes alongside Nurse, he’s capable of taking second power-play time season and was very gifted at exiting the zone with control. That’s an and he can kill penalties. Bear has one more season on his contract at a asset when playing with skilled players, but it didn’t lead to strong five-on- reasonable $2 million cap hit and is still three seasons away from five results meaning there were a lot of other areas he was ineffective in, unrestricted free agency. Though it’s possible Bear is traded because of such as defending his own blue line. all those reasons, it’s unlikely Holland will sell low. Barrie’s value above is likely overstated. He probably got too much Bouchard doesn’t turn 22 until October and has similar offensive skill sets criticism in Toronto and too much praise in Edmonton. to Barrie. Bouchard was limited to 14 games this season — playing all but three of them when Bear was injured — because he was blocked by If it’s between one or the other, Larsson likely won’t cost as much as the righty veterans ahead of him. As mentioned in several articles, the Barrie and that’s a big point in his favour. Salaries are often driven by ice Oilers’ plan is to create an avenue for Bouchard to play regularly on the time and point totals for defenders and on the open market, so it’s likely right side next season. That means one of Larsson, Barrie or Bear Barrie fetches a higher price tag. probably won’t be back. According to Evolving-Hockey’s contract projections, the most likely The obvious and most likely departure appears to be Barrie because of contract for a defender with Barrie’s numbers is $6.7 million while playing-style redundancies to Bouchard. In addition to their offensive Larsson comes in at $4.1 million. Both are overpays, but one is a bit similarities, neither is considered a reliable penalty killer. Having them in more manageable, especially if you agree a model is more likely to the same lineup seems doubtful because coaches like having five overrate Barrie and underrate Larsson. defencemen capable of killing penalties. Barrie spent just 7:36 on the PK While a lower salary does play in Larsson’s favour, the same issues that in 56 games. Bouchard had more than half of that time, 3:46, in 42 fewer apply to Barrie also apply to Larsson — just as the other end of the ice. contests. Larsson is a black hole on offence; nothing happens. Over the last three Another short pact might be feasible for the Oilers, but Barrie is also on seasons, McDavid’s on-ice goals rate dropped from 4.04 to 2.43 with record saying he wants a longer-term deal. He turns 30 in July. There Larsson on the ice, a seriously difficult thing to do to the game’s most doesn’t seem to be a fit, barring something unforeseen like trading Bear, dynamic offensive force. That’s a consistent trend from year to year that not re-signing Larsson or moving someone over to the left side. likely stems from Larsson’s poor puck-moving ability and lack of offensive awareness. Ideally, a team shouldn’t pay $4 million for a defenceman By all accounts, Larsson wants to stay in Edmonton and was closing in who effectively neuters its best player offensively. on a contract just before the end of the regular season. The understanding here is that’s all true. The Oilers value Larsson because What Larsson has going for him is his legitimate defensive ability. His plays a unique style compared to his blue line teammates. one dimension looks very real, and his current projection underrates his overall ability due to poorer priors. He played at a 0.6-win pace last He’s coming off a six-year deal, signed with New Jersey, which carried a season due to his defensive presence, a top-four rate that’s well worth $4 cap hit of just under $4.2 million. A three- or four-year contract, for the million. Last season he was fourth in the league in relative expected same annual rate or slightly less, appears to be the probable outcome if goals against per 60, suppressing 0.4 expected goals per 60. As a pure Larsson re-signs. shutdown player, he’s worth the price tag if he can repeat that.

He had four goals and 10 points while playing in all 56 games this past The issue with defensive value is that it’s a lot more difficult to repeat. season. He has 25-112-137 in 603 NHL games. Paying too much a Injuries played a role in Larsson’s previous poor numbers and that defence-only player who’s set to turn 29 in November could be means a healthy Larsson is a safer bet, but betting on health for a problematic. shutdown defenceman should never feel safe. There’s more variance in their value and it’s why the current projection, while harsh, serves as a In terms of total value, the two players are very far apart. While the potential warning to proceed with caution here as well. choice may seem obvious, the answer isn’t as cut and dry as a model makes it out to be. Barrie comes in at 1.2 projected wins of value, while If the Oilers must choose one, Larsson is likely the stronger choice, but Larsson barely registers above replacement level at 0.1. Both defenders he comes with plenty of risk of his own and is still fairly one-dimensional. rank at the extremes of one-dimensionality and that poses a problem for On a thin blue line, Edmonton needs a more complete player and while a model that does tend to value offence more. It’s an interesting Larsson can be a solid backup plan if that doesn’t pan out, he shouldn’t philosophical question in general and it’s what makes Edmonton’s be the top priority. In an ideal world, it would probably be best for the decision such a conundrum. Oilers to find an all-around top pair defender who carries both Barrie’s offensive upside and Larsson’s shutdown ability, effectively replacing Barrie’s season appeared redemptive on the surface after a trying both players. That’s obviously easier said than done, though. campaign in Toronto but looking at point totals alone lacks proper context. It’s a lot easier to lead the league in defenceman points when over half of those are secondary assists and a large portion come on a power play that features McDavid and Draisaitl. They’re easy, empty- The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 calorie points that are unlikely to be because of Barrie, but rather the situations he’s put into.

That’s not to say any defenceman would do the same — Barrie has legitimate puck-moving ability and is strong at manning the line to maintain offensive zone pressure — it’s that much of his value is driven by opportunity. Put Bouchard in the same role and it’s probably a 1189887 Los Angeles Kings Trending Down – In a similar blueprint to Anderson, you’d like to see continued growth and evolution from Bjornfot in the areas of strength and offense.

Kings Seasons In Review – Tobias Bjornfot There were times when Bjornfot was outmuscled defensively, and times when he took unnecessary minor penalties, looking specifically at a five- game stretch where he had one in each game. Overall, general traits that By Zach Dooley come with the growth and evolution of most younger defensemen, but areas where continued evolution will be important moving forward.

Looking at chances conceded, unlike the chances for as mentioned Monday, we took a look back at one rookie defenseman’s first season at above, Bjornfot was below the team average. The good sign was that it the NHL level, and today we dive into another. didn’t always result in goals against, as no Kings defenseman saw a When the Kings were at full force on the blueline, their top two slots on higher save percentage while he was on the ice than Bjornfot did, the the left side were taken up by a pair of first-year blueliners in Mikey opposite of what we saw with shooting percentage. Bjornfot’s on-ice save Anderson and Tobias Bjornfot. Similar to Anderson, Bjornfot surpassed percentage was more than two full points above the Kings team average his season-opening expectations. On opening night, Bjornfot wasn’t a at 5-on-5, meaning we could see a regression to the mean, similar to part of the Kings lineup, and didn’t enter in until mid-February. Once he shooting percentage, just in the opposite direction. did though, he was there to stay. There were no glaring flaws in Bjornfot’s game, but rather areas where Bjornfot’s play impressed those in management to the extent of triggering you want to see natural progression from season to season, and he the first season of his entry-level contract, which the Kings could have continues to grown towards his overall potential. chosen to push back another year if Bjornfot played fewer than seven 2021-22 Status – Bjornfot enters the second season of his entry-level NHL games. His strong performances early, however, earned himself a contract, his third professional season in North America. 2020-21 was spot on the second pairing for the majority of the season, joining extremely scattered for Bjornfot, who began the season playing in Anderson as a regular in the lineup. Sweden throughout the fall, as the NHL and AHL waited, before heading Similar in some ways to Anderson, Bjornfot’s rookie campaign can’t be to the World Juniors, followed by the Reign and eventually the Kings. judged solely off of his raw production, as a budding, two-way A much more consistent 2021-22 season figures to await, with Bjornfot defensemen. We saw some ups and downs, as you’d see with any 19- likely penciled in for a spot on the Kings blueline after a rookie season year-old cutting his teeth as an NHL player. Bjornfot was generally a solid that left positive impressions. As he continues to grow and develop, the defender, but plays like Nazem Kadri’s goal in Colorado served as expectation is that Bjornfot will continue on his way towards cementing learning experiences. his status as a Top 4 NHL defenseman, with the experience he continues In his season-ending interview, McLellan talked about the role that to gain along the way aiding in that process. Bjornfot assumed as a younger player, noting that he not only took on significant minutes, but he was ready to do so. That bodes well as he takes a full year of NHL experience with him into the summer. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 06.24.2021

Trending Up – Bjornfot was the third-youngest defenseman to play NHL games this season, and the youngest to play in more than half of his team’s games. He was one of seven players drafted in either 2019 or 2020, at any position, to play in more than 50% of his team’s games across the NHL. Seeing that type of role thrust upon a young defenseman is no easy task.

In being that player, Bjornfot demonstrated substantial growth from the three games he played at the beginning of last season to where he wound up this season. Kings Head Coach Todd McLellan pointed to strength, quickness and confidence as specific areas of improvement, with Bjornfot swimming comfortably at the NHL level, rather than just treading water.

“I think he’s physically stronger than he was last year at this time, he’s able to read and react a lot quicker, he’s got way more confidence,” McLellan added. “The players believe in him a lot, and he just fits, he looks like he belongs now, whereas maybe in the past, he was just trying to survive.”

Looking strictly at opportunities for, Bjornfot was at or above the team’s average in shot attempts, scoring chances and high-danger chances. While his raw offensive production didn’t necessarily match that, no Kings defenseman had a lower on-ice shooting percentage than Bjornfot, suggesting that you’d have expected to see more goals with him on the ice than actually were scored. Kings Assistant Coach Trent Yawney believes he has some of the tools to become a productive player offensively.

“I think he has some offensive upside too. He’s a pretty good shooter, his shot is a lot better than even I probably gave him credit for. There’s an offensive side to him that I think as he gets more and more confident that we’ll start to see.”

It was also nice to see Bjornfot get more and more comfortable, as a person and as a teammate, as the season progressed. Known as a quiet individual, teammates and coaches began to talk about Bjornfot opening up as the season went on, as he became more relaxed and more comfortable with the group. As a player lauded at a young age for his character and leadership abilities, that’s a good sign to see. 1189888 Minnesota Wild

Da Beauty League brings summer hockey back with dozens of NHL players

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: June 23, 2021 at 3:15 p.m. | UPDATED: June 23, 2021 at 3:43 p.m.

After a year off because of the pandemic, Da Beauty League will make its long-awaited return to the Twin Cities this summer. The local hockey summer league has developed a cult following over the past few years with dozens of NHL players competing in the 4-on-4 action.

The season opener will take place on July 14 at Braemar Arena in Edina. Games will be played every Wednesday in July, then every Monday and Wednesday in August. The playoffs start on August 23 with the championship game set for August 25.

The winner of Da Beauty League will take home the prestigious John Scott Cup, named after the former NHL enforcer who was the MVP of the 2016 NHL All-Star Game.

Six teams will compete this season under the following sponsors: BIC Corporation, Nor-Son Inc., Tradition Companies, TRIA Orthopedic Center, Jimmy John’s and Walser Automotive.

Among notable NHL players who have agreed to play are Wild winger Nick Bjugstad, Vancouver star Brock Boeser, Arizona defenseman Alex Goligoski. Pittsburgh sniper Jake Guentzel, star Brock Nelson, Ottawa veteran Derek Stepan, and Philadelphia winger James van Riemsdyk.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189889 Montreal Canadiens head coach, is in isolation after a positive test for COVID-19. “He really believes in this team and wears his heart on his sleeve and the guys see that.

No more excuses: Montreal’s postseason success is no accident ”There is nothing more the players want to do than play for this organization and especially for him. I think that shows on the ice.”

The Canadiens, of course, are not quite where they want to be yet. But Marty Klinkenberg they are darn close. Nobody gave them much of a chance but they looked designed for this. They have all of that, and Carey Price, too. 6/24/2021 Vegas is unlikely to go away with a whimper. The Golden Knights are

grumpy. In January, when the Canadiens opened training camp, their general “Sometimes things don’t go the way you plan,” Pietrangelo said Tuesday manager Marc Bergevin maintained that the club he assembled was built night. “You play seven games for a reason.” to win during the playoffs. Perhaps it will go seven, and the momentum will turn in the Golden Such a proclamation is not unusual in the , but it Knights’ favour. Don’t expect the Canadiens to be intimidated. is for it to be true. In any given year there are only a handful of such teams. Montreal did not figure to be among them. “It has been a good run so far, but we are still a long way from what we want to achieve,” Joel Armia, a Montreal winger, said. A little less than six months later, the Canadiens are one victory away from advancing to the Stanley Cup final for the first time in 28 years. They overcame a 3-1 series deficit to beat Toronto, rode roughshod over Winnipeg and now hold a 3-2 lead over Vegas in the best-of-seven semi- Globe And Mail LOADED: 06.24.2021 finals.

They can advance to hockey’s biggest stage with a win before 3,500 spectators at the Bell Centre on Thursday, which is St.-Jean-Baptiste Day in Quebec. Talk about a victory party.

“If we could get more fans in, we could have a really good celebration,” Luke Richardson, Montreal’s acting head coach, said Wednesday before the team’s five-hour flight home from Las Vegas. “That’s what this feels like right now.”

The Canadiens throttled the Golden Knights 4-1 in Game 5 on Tuesday. Max Pacioretty had the lone goal for Vegas, and it was his first of the series. Mark Stone, the team’s captain, has none and broke his stick in frustration during the defeat. Its best player has been Alex Pietrangelo, but he has become so obsessed with the Habs’ irritating Brendan Gallagher that he seems to be losing focus.

As a group, the Golden Knights forwards have been held to four goals in five games. The power-play units are 0 for 13. At the same time, the Canadiens’ centres and wingers have scored a dozen times. Montreal has struck twice with the man advantage.

“I don’t have any clear answers for you,” Peter DeBoer, the Golden Knights head coach, said Tuesday night.

To this point, few people have given the Canadiens and especially Bergevin their due. Excuses are being offered instead of respect. Yes, they beat Toronto, but the Maple Leafs are soft. Yes, they did away with the Jets, but their best player was suspended. Yes, they are leading the Golden Knights, but perhaps it’s a mirage in the desert.

What has transpired so far is not an accident.

In the off-season, Bergevin added Tyler Toffoli, Joel Edmundson and to the roster. All have won Stanley Cups. At the trade deadline, he acquired another Cup winner in .

Staal scored on Tuesday, Toffoli had two assists and Perry had another. The other goals were scored by 21-year-old Nick Suzuki and two 20- year-olds, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Between them they have raked Vegas for five goals and 12 points.

Imagine the furor in Toronto if the Maple Leafs had youngsters this productive at playoff time. would be the toast of Bay Street.

Montreal has a big, rugged defence led by veterans Shea Weber and Jeff Petry. Its third-best defenceman, Ben Chiarot, had seven hits in Game 5. The Canadiens have been faster and more opportunistic than their opponents. They have outworked them, too. Against Vegas, they have not lost their cool, even when Perry got poked in the nose and Suzuki got punched in the face.

Before a victory in Game 3, Bergevin gave his team a fire-and-brimstone speech in the dressing room. Not many general managers would feel comfortable enough to do that. Bergevin is a former NHL defenceman and is unafraid. He doesn’t come across as a guy who has doubts.

“[Marc] is a passionate guy,” Richardson said Wednesday. He has taken over the Canadiens bench because Dominique Ducharme, their interim 1189890 Montreal Canadiens General manager Bergevin was regularly criticized over the season for moves made and moves not made, but the coaches and players believed in what he saw. Bergevin, Richardson said, was “a passionate guy, a passionate player – and he’s still passionate as a GM. He wears his Canadiens upset the odds to get within touching distance of Stanley Cup heart on his sleeve and the players see that. They want to play for him.” glory Richardson marvels at the role team elders have played. He talks about how vocal 36-year-old Eric Staal is on the bench and viewers are only too familiar with how vocal 36-year-old Corey Perry can be on the ice. Roy MacGregor There are times, the coach said, where he and his assistants just stand

back and marvel – “Not that we’re trying to be lazy.” Brayden McNabb of the Vegas Golden Knights blocks a shot by Artturi The players are acutely aware that they were given precious little chance Lehkonen of the Montreal Canadiens during the 2021 Stanley Cup at the outset, no chance against the Leafs, little hope against the Jets Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 22, 2021 in Las Vegas. and none again against the Golden Knights. On Wednesday, there were two scores that profoundly affected “I don’t think we really care too much about what everyone thinks about . our team,” forward Joel Armia said Wednesday. “We can win games.” One was 4-1. “We’re in a great spot right now,” added defenceman Erik Gustafsson. The other was 57-20. They are indeed, as the Canadiens prepare for Thursday’s Game 6 back The first was in a packed hockey rink in Las Vegas, where the visiting in Montreal. Should they lose that, however, they would just be in a spot Montreal Canadiens dominated the game and won handily 4-1. The – with a one-game showdown Saturday night back in Las Vegas to victory gave the last-standing Canadian team a three-games-to-two lead decide who goes to the final. in the semi-finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. First, however, there is Thursday’s match which has the Montreal That left the Canadiens one win away from reaching the Cup final, advantage of being back home, where the team’s success has set the something no Canadian team has done since 2011. No Canadian team city afire with excitement. Some 3,500 fans will be allowed into the Bell has won the trophy dedicated to the “champion hockey team in the Centre, a far cry from the 18,000 or so packed into T-Mobile Arena for Dominion” since 1993, when an earlier version of the Canadiens was Golden Knights’ games, but they may well be as loud. triumphant. After all, Thursday is June 24, St. Jean Baptiste Day, Quebec’s most- Pretty impressive for a team that was a 50-to-1 longshot when the 2021 celebrated holiday. playoffs began. “What a festival that would be,” Richardson said. The other score was on a Zoom call held far to the north and east, when Bet on it. the Canadian Senate approved Bill C-218, a private member’s bill that makes betting on single games of hockey, football, baseball and other sports legal. The legislation will become law once royal assent is given, which is a mere formality. Globe And Mail LOADED: 06.24.2021

Perhaps it was no coincidence that practically every second ad on the broadcast of the hockey game was for jackpotcity.ca, an online casino where visitors can play slots and poker and other games for free. Training wheels, it might be said, for the many who will move on to betting real money once Bill C-218 becomes law.

Had it all been legal back on May 25, when the whipped the Canadiens 4-0 to take a three-games-to-one stranglehold on their opening round series, one can only wonder how many, if any, would have bet on Montreal to continue on?

That the Canadiens would then sweep the and now be one win away from defeating the Vegas Golden Knights might suggest the fix was in … yet we all know it couldn’t have been, not from what those watching have witnessed for themselves.

Despite being the lowest seed in what was said to be the weakest division, the Canadian division, these Canadiens have regularly shut down the stars of the other side – none so dramatically as Golden Knights captain Mark Stone, who has zero goals and zero assists so far in this series.

Despite losing interim head coach Dominique Ducharme to a positive COVID-19 test, the Canadiens have played even better under interim- interim head coach Luke Richardson.

Despite having a so-so regular season – perhaps in pandemic 2021 it should be referred to as “irregular season” – goaltender Carey Price has returned to the playoff form that has often had him described as the best goaltender on the planet.

Despite injuries to key players such as Brendan Gallagher and Jeff Petry, the Canadiens have evolved into a four-line team in which each unit has complete trust in the other.

As Richardson said Wednesday in his Zoom presser, he wants his players to “become a machine.” And they have.

“It goes back to training camp,” Richardson said, “when Marc Bergevin said this team was built for the playoffs.” 1189891 Montreal Canadiens tracking even harder. It’s not one or two lines, it’s not one or two players, it’s everybody right now. So that’s basically team success and we’re really proud of how they’re doing it.”

Canadiens Notebook: Contract extension coming for Habs GM Marc Erik Gustafsson has earned a regular spot among the Canadiens’ six Bergevin? defencemen but hasn’t been getting a lot of ice time.

After being a healthy scratch for the first four games of the playoffs, Gustafsson has played in 12 straight. Richardson said Gustafsson got Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette into the lineup because of his power-play abilities, but has played well enough overall since then to stay in the lineup. Publishing date: Jun 23, 2021 Gustafsson had a team-low 7:33 of ice time in Game 5 and is averaging

only 9:51 in the playoffs, but he has 1-2-3 totals in 12 games and is plus- The Canadiens announced Wednesday that John Sedgwick, the team’s 5. vice-president of hockey operations and legal affairs, has been given a “I’m just trying to do my part,” said Gustafsson, who was acquired from three-year contract extension. the Philadelphia Flyers before the NHL trade deadline in exchange for a You have to think that means a contract extension is also coming soon seventh-round pick at next year’s NHL Draft. “I’m just trying to play hard for general manager Marc Bergevin, who has one year remaining on his in front of my net and just try as simple as I can in my own zone and deal. The NHL announced Tuesday that Bergevin had finished second in follow up the rush. We’re an attacking team, so just trying to play simple voting for the Jim Gregory Award as the top GM in the league this in my own zone and follow up the rush and see what’s happening. Have season. The New York Islanders’ Lou Lamoriello won the award for the good gaps, good sticks. I’m just ready whenever they call my name out second straight season. It marked the third time Bergevin has been a and trying to do my best out there. finalist for the Jim Gregory Award since taking over as GM of the “It’s been a lot of talk that I can’t play the defensive part, but I think I’ve Canadiens in 2012. shown that I can do that, too,” he added. “I obviously play on the power Sedgwick joined the Canadiens in 2013 as director of legal affairs and is play a bit, but I want to show the team that I can play the defensive part a specialist in contracts and legal matters. He was promoted to his well, too. I’m just trying to do my job when I’m out there. I’m not playing a current position in 2017 and has become a key member in the day-to-day lot, but every time they call me out I’m just trying to be ready to go and I management of the Canadiens, working along with Bergevin and helping think I’m doing a good job right now. I just got to keep going here.” him deal with the NHL salary cap among other things. Gustafsson said he’s enjoying his time with the Canadiens, who are his The Canadiens can advance to the Stanley Cup final for the first time fourth NHL team after stints with the Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary since 1993 — the year they won their last championship — with a win Flames and the Flyers. The 29-year-old Swede is playing on a one-year, over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of their Stanley Cup semifinal US$3-million contract and can become an unrestricted free agent during series Thursday at the Bell Centre (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN the off-season. 690 Radio, 98.5 FM). If Game 7 is necessary, it will be an 8 p.m. start “Passion. Great city,” he said about Montreal. “I’ve been playing here Saturday in Las Vegas. when the arena is packed and the fans are crazy here. I was really “I think Berg is a passionate guy,” assistant coach Luke Richardson said looking forward to playing in front of the fans when I got traded here. We Wednesday morning before the Canadiens flew home from Las Vegas, know the COVID stuff, but it’s fun to see at least a small amount get into where they won Game 5 by a 4-1 score Tuesday night. “He was a the arena. I think it’s 3,500, but if feels like it’s more than that. It feels like passionate player and he’s still passionate as GM. I think the players it’s 10,000 when we play at home. Just the passion about the hockey in understand his feeling and really get what he takes because he comes this town is crazy and it’s a lot of fun to play where we’re at right now.” from a player’s angle. He really believes in this team. He wears his heart The Canadiens have been able to frustrate the Golden Knights in this on his sleeve and the guys see that. series and it was really starting to show at the end of Game 5. “There’s nothing more that the players want to do is play for this Mark Stone, who led Vegas in scoring during the regular season with 21- organization and especially Berg the way he entrusts the players that are 40-61 totals, doesn’t have a point in this series. Former Canadiens here and encourages them that he believes in them,” Richardson added. captain Max Pacioretty, who finished second on the Golden Knights in “I think that’s really showing. It’s transforming right into our play on the scoring during the regular season with 24-27-51 totals, scored his first ice.” goal of the series in Game 5 and has two assists. Jonathan Richardson now has a 2-1 record as head coach since filling in for Marchessault, who was third on the Golden Knights in scoring during the Dominique Ducharme following his positive COVID-19 test last Friday. regular season with 18-26-44 totals, has one assist in this series.

“We’ve I think done a good job with the staff and Dom’s obviously still The Vegas power play is 0-for-13 against the Canadiens. quite involved,” Richardson said. “He can’t be here face-to-face other “I think we’re on them all the time,” Gustafsson said when asked about than the Zoom meetings that we do have with the players at time-to-time. frustrating the Golden Knights. “We were kind of going into this series as But we have a good game plan for the players and we keep it simple. underdogs and they probably thought that they’re going to have more The guys are playing great, they’ve bought in and really skating hard and puck possession and do more stuff on the power play and stuff like that. playing the system to a T for us defensively, which is very frustrating for But I think we’ve been on them since Game 1. Just like yesterday, we the other team or teams that we have played. So right now we try and forecheck them hard, we play hard in front of our net and we make the keep it bullet points, keep it playing the same way. Emphasize a few easy play from our own zone. Our forwards are doing a great job. I think things, maybe make a few alterations here or there. But the guys are the whole team is doing a great job, too. It’s fun to see how we played great. We have a good veteran core that are leading the way inside the yesterday. We knew they were going to have a little push at the end, but dressing room internally, so that really helps as well. Right now the guys we solved that pretty well and it’s going to be fun to play in front of our are confident. We want to keep them confident, not give them too much fans in Game 6 here. information but just bring up a few of the main points that they’re doing well and just encourage them to keep doing that. “I think the most thing that you have to do right now is stay together as a team,” Gustafsson added. “We know we’re up 3-2 and we know that “I know this time of the year when you get this far in the playoffs, Vegas is going to come back to Montreal and got to win a game. obviously you’re doing something well and you’re feeling good about your Everyone’s got to do the job out there for 60 minutes. We know that game and you have to just get out there and get the blood flowing early we’ve been in this position before, too, to close out games and we’re in a in the game,” Richardson added. “Get yourself into the game and you great spot right now. But we know that Vegas is going to come and they become like a machine. You’re just doing it shift-after-shift and the more got to win one game and they’re going to do all they can to do it. But you play the better you feel and good things happen. I think the guys are what I can see in our team, the leadership, how tight we are and it’s fun just doing that. They’re playing together, they’re really following the to see and that’s what you want in a winning team, too. I think we’ve system well. They’re frustrating the other team. We’re back-checking showed that before and everyone is ready for Game 6 here.” harder than we’re probably attacking right now, so that’s a good example. We’re trying to attack hard and when we don’t have the puck we’re Another DeBrincat? Gustafsson had Alex DeBrincat as a teammate for three years in Chicago.

The 5-foot-7, 175-pound DeBrincat was selected by the Blackhawks in the second round (39th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft and had 32-24-56 totals in 52 games this season. In 286 career games with the Blackhawks, DeBrincat has 119-110-229 totals.

Gustafsson said the Canadiens’ Cole Caufield, who is 5-foot-7 and 162 pounds, reminds him of DeBrincat.

“Actually, the first time I came here and I saw (Caufield) in practice I actually thought it was DeBrincat out there,” Gustafsson said. “They’re both really great goal-scorers. Every time they touch the puck something happens. They’re so skilled, they see the ice so well. Even on the power plays, always a threat. So it’s fun to see Cole right now in the playoffs doing what he’s doing. It’s got to be tough for a 20-year-old to come in like this and do what he’s doing. But I think he’s showed the NHL right now what he’s able to. I see for sure the same player. It’s fun to see him out there.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189892 Montreal Canadiens them — have really guided this team both on the ice and on the bench and in the dressing room.”

Special blend: Canadiens' mix of youth, veterans a recipe for success Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.24.2021

Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date: Jun 23, 2021

Nick Suzuki is 21, while Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Cole Caufield are both 20.

All three scored goals in the Canadiens’ 4-1 win over the Golden Knights Tuesday night in Game 5 of their Stanley Cup semifinal series in Las Vegas. The fourth Canadiens goal came from Eric Staal, who is 36.

The four goal-scorers showed how a mix of youth and veterans has been working so well for the Canadiens in the playoffs. They can advance to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 1993 with a win over the Golden Knights in Game 6 Thursday at the Bell Centre (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

“I think with KK and Suzy they both had a chance to play in last year’s playoff bubble, so that was huge experience for them and they performed really well,” assistant coach Luke Richardson said Wednesday morning before the Canadiens flew home from Las Vegas. “So that’s kind of transforming into this year. Great for them and even one more step further in the maturity as a player and as a person.

“I think a good example of that is KK yesterday when the high-sticking penalty was reviewed and reversed,” Richardson added about the referees ruling the high-stick Kotkaniemi took from the Golden Knights’ Alex Pietrangelo that left him with a bloody mouth was the result of a follow-through on a shot. “Obviously, it was a good blow to the face and he manages his emotions well for a young guy. He stayed disciplined.

“But if you watched his next shift, or if you go back and watch the tape of his next shift, he had two great skating backchecks and finishes hard on their players because he was a little pissed off. But he presented it in a disciplined way in hard playoff hockey. It’s great that they both scored because the way they’ve been playing they deserved to get some credit on the scoresheet.”

Kotkaniemi has 5-2-7 totals in 15 playoff games and has already matched his goal total from 56 regular-season games when he posted 5- 15-20 totals. Suzuki has 5-8-13 totals in 16 playoff games — including a three-game point streak — after posting 15-26-41 totals in 56 regular- season games.

Caufield has 3-5-8 totals in 14 playoff games with all three of his goals coming in this series against Vegas. He also has points in six of the last seven games.

Richardson noted that veterans like Shea Weber, Corey Perry and Staal are making things easier for the coaching staff, especially with head coach Dominique Ducharme sidelined after testing positive for COVID- 19.

“I think the coaching staff’s relying on the veteran core leadership and it’s actually fun to sit back behind that bench,” Richardson said. “Not that we’re trying to be lazy or not do our jobs. But I think the younger players (and) the team react and respect when the experienced guys that have been through these situations stand up and say something. Sure, () and I and Sean (Burke) have gone through lots on the ice as a player, but that’s past. Our time’s done. We’re here to just help and encourage and try and guide and direct this group. …

“(Ducharme) is still the head coach,” Richardson added. “So he has lots of say in the Zoom meetings. I think the veteran guys hear that message and carry it through right from the dressing room onto the bench onto the ice. It’s pretty much invaluable to us as a coaching staff and the organization.”

As for Staal, who has 2-6-8 totals in 15 playoff games, Richardson said: “Even if he makes a mistake in a big game, he knows right away. You don’t have to say anything to him. They’re picking each other up on the bench and he’s such a vocal guy. Encouraging all the time the guys to keep playing. Every time we scored a goal last night: ’Same way, guys. Keep it going.’ The veteran core leadership — and he’s definitely one of 1189893 Montreal Canadiens way and I think it’s very exciting. The guys love playing for each other. We’re starting to get fans back in the Bell Centre and hopefully that keeps growing because they’re feeding off it.

Stu Cowan: GM Bergevin's retooled Canadiens proving doubters wrong “I know it’s a big week coming up in Quebec, with St-Jean-Baptiste Day,” Richardson added. “So what a festival that would be if we can get more fans in and excite the players and have a really good celebration because that’s just what it feels like right now. It feels like a celebration Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette and we’re not satisfied. We’re just enjoying the ride and the run because Publishing date: Jun 23, 2021 the players deserve it. They’re earning it and we, as a coaching staff, are really enjoying watching them have the success that they deserve because they’ve really earned it on the ice.”

“I believe in you guys, OK? We’re gonna win and we’re gonna move on. I now believe in this Canadiens team. Adversity? We went through all year. And if you look at the poster child for adversity it’s you guys. And you overcame every one of them. And My new prediction: Canadiens in six. tonight, another step to show these people wrong. We believe in each other, we’re gonna play the right way and you’re gonna play for the guy next to you. That’s who you do it for. Let’s go!” Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.24.2021 That was Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin’s speech — with a few F-bombs edited out — before Game 3 of their Stanley Cup semifinal series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Bell Centre.

The Canadiens won that game 3-2 in overtime before losing Game 4 at the Bell Centre 2-1 in OT. Facing adversity yet again in Game 5 Tuesday night in Las Vegas after losing home-ice advantage, the Canadiens played what was probably their best game of the year, beating the Golden Knights 4-1.

The Canadiens can advance to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 1993 — also the last time they won the Cup — with a victory over the Golden Knights in Game 6 Thursday at the Bell Centre (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

I’m one of those people the Canadiens are proving wrong. I picked them to lose in five games to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. Their seven-game win over Toronto convinced me the Canadiens could beat the Winnipeg Jets in the second round and I picked them to win that series in six games. The Canadiens swept the Jets in four.

But that still didn’t convince me they could beat Vegas and I picked the Golden Knights to win this series in six games. That’s obviously not going to happen.

“I don’t think we really care that much about what everyone says and thinks about our team,” forward Joel Armia said Wednesday morning before the Canadiens flew home from Las Vegas. “I think we have a big trust in each other in the locker room and that’s all that matters. All the guys in the locker room know that we’re a good team and we can win games. So that’s the biggest thing.

“I think everybody on the bench can trust the five guys on the ice to do their job,” Armia added. “I think that’s a big, key part that we can play all four lines and everybody knows that the guys on the ice are going to do their job.”

Everyone on the Canadiens is doing their job. There are no weak links on this team and they’re frustrating the heck out of the Golden Knights.

This is the team Bergevin envisioned when he made all of the off-season moves. He was building a team he believed could win in the playoffs, adding Jake Allen, Joel Edmundson, Tyler Toffoli and Corey Perry, who all have Stanley Cup rings, along with power-forward Josh Anderson. He added Eric Staal, another player with a Stanley Cup ring, and veteran defencemen Jon Merrill and Erik Gustafsson before the NHL trade deadline.

Bergevin probably didn’t envision firing head coach Claude Julien, associate coach Kirk Muller and goalie coach Stéphane Waite during the season, which couldn’t have been easy for him. Being GM of the Canadiens can be a very lonely job with few friends, especially when the team isn’t playing well. But Bergevin made some tough decisions he felt he had to make.

Now, everything has come together for the Canadiens and they are one win away from the Stanley Cup final.

“I think it goes back to training camp, when Marc Bergevin said that he built this team to win in the playoffs,” assistant coach Luke Richardson said. “We had our ups and downs and struggles, as every team does. Obviously, a little concerning when it was that close to the playoffs. But we were lucky with some health coming back and we’ve just kind of clicked halfway through that Toronto series and we just started to find our 1189894 Montreal Canadiens

Golden Knights at Canadiens: Five things you should know about Game 6

Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date: Jun 23, 2021

Here are five things you should know about Game 6 of the Canadiens- Golden Knights Stanley Cup semifinal at the Bell Centre Thursday (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM):

A chance to advance: The Canadiens return home with a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series after a 4-1 win over the Golden Knights Tuesday in Las Vegas. A win would move the Canadiens into the Stanley Cup final for the first time since they last won the Cup in 1993. While the Canadiens will be on home ice and acting head coach Luke Richardson will have an opportunity to match lines, there are no guarantees. The teams split their first two games at the Bell Centre and the Canadiens have a slight 4-3 edge in playoff games at the Bell Centre this season.

DeBoer faces a decision: Vegas head coach Peter DeBoer faces a tough decision regarding his starting goaltender. Does he stick with No. 1 Marc- André Fleury, who has a 1-3 record in this series and a career 4-7 playoff record against the Canadiens? Or does he go back to Robin Lehner, who made 27 saves Sunday to lead the Golden Knights to a 2-1 overtime win at the Bell Centre? There’s no decision required from Richardson, who will continue to ride Carey Price, who has a 2.02 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage.

Youth movement paying off: Nick Suzuki is coming off a three-point game Tuesday in Vegas and the 21-year-old is second in team scoring with 13 points, one behind regular-season scoring leader Tyler Toffoli. He scored an empty-netter for his fifth goal, tying him with Toffoli, Joel Armia and 20-year-old Jesperi Kotkaniemi for the team lead. Kotkaniemi also scored Tuesday, while 20-year-old Cole Caufield showed why he’s destined for stardom when he beat Fleury on a one-timer after receiving a drop pass from veteran Corey Perry. Kotkaniemi and Caufield were healthy scratches when the playoffs began, but have become integral parts of the team’s playoff success.

Danault plays key role: Phillip Danault didn’t earn an assist on Eric Staal’s goal Tuesday, but the goal doesn’t get scored if Danault doesn’t make a clearing pass a split second before absorbing a punishing hit from Mark Stone. Danault has only two assists in the playoffs, but you can’t underestimate the job Danault and linemates Brendan Gallagher and Artturi Lehkonen have done in limiting Vegas’ top scorers, Stone and former Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty, who have produced only one goal in the series. Danault was on the ice prior to the Staal goal because he was taking a defensive faceoff. Nineteen of his 24 draws Tuesday were in the Canadiens zone.

PK is something special: Danault is also part of the Canadiens’ record- setting penalty-kill. The Golden Knights are 0-for-12 on the power play and the Canadiens have killed off 27 consecutive power plays. That’s one shy of the NHL playoff record, but Montreal has set a record by not allowing a power-play goal in 12 consecutive games. The Canadiens, who ranked 23rd on the penalty kill during the regular season, have allowed only three goals on 44 power plays in the playoffs and they have added insult to injury by scoring a league-high four shorthanded goals, including two in one game by Armia.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189895 Montreal Canadiens 36-year-old Eric Staal for a goal. Then 36-year-old warrior Corey Perry drops the puck to 20-year-old Cole Caufield and the lad with the greatest smile in town ripped it past Vegas netminder Marc-André Fleury. Teamwork breaking through the generation gap, the old leading the What the Puck: Canadiens' magical run unites a divided province young, the young rejuvenating the old. This team is showing the whole society what we can do if we work together in harmony.

Brendan Kelly • Montreal Gazette Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.24.2021 Publishing date: Jun 23, 2021

Notice how Montreal has a new spring in its step this week? That’s what happens when our hockey team goes on its most exciting playoff run in 28 years.

In case you’ve been living under a large rock, you should know that the Canadiens are one game away from making it to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 1993. With that dominating game against the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday, the Habs are up 3-2 in this best-of-seven series and the good guys could close it out Thursday (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN 690 radio, 98.5 FM) in Montreal, which just happens to be the Fête nationale.

Roll that one around in your head for a second. The team could clinch a berth in the finals on June 24 and it’s a St-Jean-Baptiste Day with no parade and no big concert in front of fans. In other words, there could be a mega Fête nationale bash, but one built around the one thing that unites everyone in Quebec, the bleu-blanc-rouge. How cool is that?

Let’s just hope things don’t get too out of control. Word on the street is that the Montreal police will be on high alert and you can’t blame them, given what happened in ’93 when the CH last won the Cup.

The timing of this inspirational Habs run couldn’t be better. For most of us, it’s been a tough year in confinement and, worse, tensions between the anglophone and francophone communities are heating up with more intensity than at any time since the 1995 referendum. So it’s great to see that all of us can still agree on one thing — we want the Canadiens to win the Cup.

There’s a poignant section in Ken Dryden’s The Game where he talks about playing at the Forum on Nov. 15, 1976, the province-changing night when the nationalist Parti Québécois was first elected to govern Quebec. He talks about how they announce the PQ win and thousands stood up and cheered.

“At that moment, people who had sat together for many years in the tight community of season-ticket holders learned something about each other that they had not known before,” wrote Dryden.

These were people who shared a belief in the religion that is the Canadiens, but had diametrically opposed views as to the future of Canada and Quebec. And we remain united by the CH. I was reminded of that late Tuesday night walking on Laurier Ave. East after watching the game in a Plateau tavern. There was a young man decked out in a red Habs jersey on the sidewalk excitedly talking about the Canadiens victory on the phone — with a full-on Parisian accent.

That’s precisely it. When you come to Montreal from elsewhere, the first thing you do is embrace Les Boys because that’s the quickest way to access the culture ici. And at this point, even those who don’t even know who Eric Staal is are jumping on the bandwagon.

Like Alexandra Stréliski, the pianist who just might be Quebec’s hottest musical export. She has more than 150 million streams worldwide of her latest album Inscape and her music has been played at the Academy Awards. She’s not normally a hockey fan, but she sees the power of what’s going on.

“I’m finding this beautiful,” said Stréliski, on the phone from her Mile End home Wednesday morning. “We’re always polarized, anglo/franco, races, there’s a lot of that around these days. But with the Habs, suddenly everything disappears and we’re all rooting for the Habs. Also in the deconfinement, the post pandemic, this is going to be very beneficial to our society. There’s going to be something unifying and it’s going to help us heal a bit faster from this weird year that was full of anxiety and trauma.”

The most inspirational thing is that this underdog team is doing it as a group, with everyone pitching in. It’s a strange mix of very young and very old. We see 21-year-old Nick Suzuki feeding a seeing-eye pass to 1189896 Montreal Canadiens over his stick, but the second went top shelf blocker side on Price. Vegas showed signs of life, now down 3-1.

But that’s all the scoring Vegas could muster. Brendan Gallagher single- About Last Night: Habs set up St-Jean clincher with Game 5 win handedly cleared the puck while tangling with multiple Golden Knights, then chirped at them from the bench after they called for a penalty. Pacioretty set up Smith on the doorstep, but the shooter didn’t get all of it and Price was able to shut the door. Erik Leijon • Special to Montreal Gazette With the net empty, Tyler Toffoli chipped the puck off the glass, sending Publishing date: Jun 23, 2021 Suzuki off to the races, where he slipped the puck in the empty net to deliver the 4-1 dagger.

The Montreal Canadiens are a win away from the 2021 Stanley Cup Suzuki marque en filet désert! Finals. On Tuesday, the Habs delivered a complete performance in their Suzuki adds the empty netter! thorough 4-1 takedown of the Vegas Golden Knights to pull ahead 3-2 in their third-round playoff series. Nick Suzuki had three points in the Price was once again in top form. His exploits on the road are officially victory, while Carey Price made 26 saves. record breaking.

Were the Canadiens motivated by a certain high-profile defection? Tuesday’s confident win in Vegas now sets up a potential Game 6 Maybe… clincher in Montreal on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day this Thursday. Fête Nationale will need a little red to go along with the usual blue and white. The Golden Knights changed things up before puck drop. Marc-André The Habs still need to close it out, so don’t pop the champagne just yet, Fleury, who sat in favour of Robin Lehner in Game 4, was back in goal, but the Liveblog commenters loved the effort Tuesday: while centre Chandler Stephenson returned from injury to play alongside slumping stars Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone. Early in the first, referees 3. “Fact is, Montreal is having FUN! Vegas? Anything but. Just look at Eric Furlatt and Kelly Sutherland made it clear the missed calls that their benches – a telling tale. Habs take it in 6.” -Brian Bailey occurred Games 3 and 4 under Chris Lee and Dan O’Rourke would not be repeated here. Two minutes in, they made an example of Paul Byron, 2. “3 Goals from our kids … KK, CC and Sukuki. One from Staal. My sending him to the box for cross-checking. The 0-11 Vegas power play favorite recent quote from MB. “We’re going with the kids and we’re was again shut out. At 8:45 in the period, Josh Anderson raced to the net keeping some Vets to help them along”. My 2nd favorite quote is my own and slipped the puck under Fleury. After the initial save, the puck spilled quote … We’re going to do this WITH Price and Weber! Love this team of out into the crease, where Jesperi Kotkaniemi was the first man there. ours! GO GABS GO!” -Carin Latzel Kotkaniemi roofed it to give the Habs a 1-0 lead. In these playoffs, the 1. “I don’t think I’ve been this happy in 28 years.” -Ian D Habs have been tough to break when they score first.

The snake-bitten Stone, still seeking his first point of the series, thought he had one when he jumped out in front from behind the net, beating Jon Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.24.2021 Merrill, but Price stretched out enough to force Stone to send the puck wide. He returned to the bench staring skyward. Besides linesman Jonny Murray taking a errant puck in the ear and some Fleury stickhandling adventures, the first period ended without incident. The Habs used their sticks to keep the Vegas offence stifled, although they were tied in shots 6-6.

Kotkaniemi entered exclusive company with his ninth career playoff goal before turning 21:

Vegas tinkered with their lines to start the second, putting Pacioretty with Reilly Smith and William Karlsson, and moving Jonathan Marchessault alongside Stone. Alex Pietrangelo thought he had a prime scoring chance when he was called for high-sticking on Kotkaniemi. The initial four-minute double minor was erased when the officials determined upon review the high-stick occurred during the player’s follow through, which is considered accidental and not a penalty. At 6:32, Eric Staal gave the Canadiens a 2-0 advantage. Staal jumped off the bench following a line change, allowing him to get into scoring position undisturbed. Suzuki made a precise pass from the boards and Staal beat Fleury high for his second goal of the playoffs.

Following the Staal goal, the Golden Knights started to unravel. Game 4 hero Nicolas Roy took a retaliatory high-sticking penalty on Lehkonen that sent the Canadiens to the power play. On the ensuing man- advantage, Suzuki picked Stone’s pocket at Montreal’s blueline, sending Corey Perry on a break. His lack of footspeed allowed two Golden Knights to catch up, but the veteran also found Cole Caufield on his wing. Perry passed back and Caufield one-timered it past a sliding Fleury to give the Habs a 3-0 lead. Soon after, Vegas took another penalty from frustration, this time Shea Theodore cross-checking Lehkonen.

With his team stunned, Fleury gave the Golden Knights a lift, stretching out his pad to stone Joel Armia in tight.

With under three minutes remaining in the second period, Stephenson drew a penalty with his speed, sending his team to the power play. Not only did the Golden Knights not score, their failure on special teams drew boos from the typically supportive Vegas faithful. The period ended with a 3-0 commanding lead for the Habs.

The Golden Knights needed offence in the third period, and they got it at 4:09 when former Habs captain Max Pacioretty scored his first of the series. On a set play off an offensive zone draw, Pacioretty got the puck behind the faceoff man. His first shot attempt through a screen skipped 1189897 Montreal Canadiens “I think a good example of that is KK yesterday when the high-sticking penalty was reviewed and reversed,” Richardson said Wednesday. “Obviously, it was a good blow to the face, but he manages his emotions well for a young guy. He stayed disciplined, but if you go back and watch Canadiens playoff notebook: Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s continued maturation, the tape of his next shift, he had two great skating backchecks and the original chase for Erik Gustafsson and more finishes hard on their player, because he was a little pissed off, but he presented it in a disciplined way and hard, playoff hockey.”

If Richardson tells us to go back to the tape, that’s what we will do. Here By Arpon Basu is the first half of Kotkaniemi’s first shift after the penalty call was Jun 23, 2021 reversed. It should be clear what Richardson is talking about.

Early on in the shift, Kotkaniemi skates to eliminate Nicolas Roy along the boards, though he does manage to get the pass off. What was most Nick Suzuki was coming off a magical playoff run with the interesting to me, however, was what came later once the Canadiens in September 2019 when he arrived at Canadiens training camp regained possession. As Kotkaniemi curls back into his zone and sees prepared to force his way onto the team. One of the people in the stands that Jeff Petry — the best passing defenceman on the team — is gaining to watch Suzuki play in the OHL final was Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who drove control of the puck, Kotkaniemi kicks it into gear and starts heading north. from Montreal to Ottawa with his father Mikael to support his future teammate, with Suzuki hooking them up with the tickets. He gets his feet moving.

So when training camp came around, Kotkaniemi was the veteran, even The scoring chance he created for Byron on the play never happens if though he was a year younger than Suzuki. So he did what veterans do. Kotkaniemi doesn’t start motoring from his own end, and then after that He took Suzuki and some of the other rookies out to dinner. chance is stopped, Kotkaniemi tries to lay a huge hit on Mattias Janmark but misses. That’s where you could tell he was pissed off. “I thought it would be good to offer dinner to those schoolboys,” Kotkaniemi said at the time with a laugh. The sequence does encapsulate what is going well for Kotkaniemi, how he has confidence in his ability to play physically, how his speed can That season went great for Suzuki, but not so much for Kotkaniemi, who sometimes be an asset but is no longer really a detriment and how all began the season injured and basically never stopped being injured all those tools can be applied properly because of how well he thinks the the way through and never getting a rhythm in his second NHL season. It game, an attribute he has always had. all culminated with Kotkaniemi being sent to the in early February. It has been well documented that in the spring of 2015, the Canadiens were hot on the heels of Artemi Panarin, believed to be the other finalist On that day, Joel Armia — a fellow native of Pori, Finland — talked about for the right to sign him. They lost out to the Chicago Blackhawks. how he had tried to get Kotkaniemi to join him for summer skating lessons in Helsinki and how Kotkaniemi didn’t want to go, preferring to What might not be quite as well known is that the Canadiens lost out to train at home in Pori. the Blackhawks on signing two European free agents that offseason. The other was an offensive defenceman with Frölunda in Sweden, a player “He’s still learning things, it’s part of the learning curve just to know what the Canadiens hoped at the time could add some depth to their blue line it takes to earn a spot on an NHL roster and keep that spot on an NHL and perhaps work his way into a power-play rotation behind P.K. Subban roster,” Armia said that day. “I think he’s going to be a good player. He and Andrei Markov. just needs to learn those things.” Yes, that defenceman was Erik Gustafsson, who went on to shine for the What we are seeing now not only from Kotkaniemi, but also from Suzuki, Blackhawks in 2018-19 before eventually finding his way to Montreal and is them taking steps in maturity before our very eyes. Both of them have the team that wanted him back then. taken their games to another level in this Stanley Cup semifinal series against the Vegas Golden Knights, each in their own way. Gustafsson, in his own way, is having a major impact on this Canadiens’ playoff run, far bigger than the actual minutes he is receiving. Richardson Suzuki is doing it on the scoresheet, putting up three points in Tuesday’s said the other day that the power play might be the reason why 4-1 win in Las Vegas to give him five points in his last three games. Gustafsson entered the lineup, but the way he has played overall is what Kotkaniemi opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the playoffs and his is keeping him in the lineup. ninth in 25 career playoff games at age 20. He now has three points in his last four games, but that’s not all there is. Kotkaniemi is also showing “It’s been a lot of talk that I can’t play the defensive part, but I think I’ve an ability to play a role, to fit in on a line that has a clear mandate to shown that I can do that too,” Gustafsson said Wednesday. “Obviously, I dump pucks in deep and be physically punishing on the forecheck. play on the power play a bit, but I want to show the team that I can play the defensive part well, too. I’m just trying to do my job when I’m out “I think the biggest thing is we’re moving our feet,” Kotkaniemi said there. I’m not playing a lot, but every time they call me out, I’m just trying Tuesday on the play of his line with Paul Byron and Josh Anderson. “I’ve to be ready to go. I think I’m doing a good job right now and I’ve just got got two really quick wingers on my line, so I’m just trying to feed them to keep going here.” and we’re trying to get the forecheck going. We’re getting some pretty good looks from there.” Trying to be ready to go is not necessarily easy when you play as infrequently as Gustafsson. In Game 5, for instance, he played primarily That Kotkaniemi can keep up with his two speedy wingers brings us back with Shea Weber, though he got some shifts with Joel Edmundson and to what Armia said in February 2020. Since then, Kotkaniemi has been Petry as well. In Game 4, his primary partner was Petry. working on his skating with the same trainers Armia works with in Helsinki, the ones Kotkaniemi did not want to work with after his rookie The minutes Gustafsson plays, as limited as they are, are important, and season. his impact on the power play has been undeniable.

“All good players, they improve every year,” Armia said of Kotkaniemi’s It took six years, but the Canadiens are getting what they wanted from development Wednesday. “I think overall just everything has improved, Gustafsson. but I think his skating has been a lot better and he’s obviously stronger.” The Canadiens have not accomplished anything yet, but on back to back That, however, is not all there is to maturity. days, general manager Marc Bergevin’s management team got some props for a job well done. Early in the second period of Game 5, Kotkaniemi took a stick to the face from Golden Knights defenceman Alex Pietrangelo, and it cut him. The First, just prior to Game 5, it was revealed Bergevin came second in the officials called a double-minor, which made the play reviewable, and voting for the Jim Gregory Award as general manager of the year. He upon review the officials correctly determined Pietrangelo’s stick came up actually finished with the most first-place votes with 13 but was well as a result of a follow through on a pass. Therefore, no penalty. behind New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello, who won for the second year in a row. I’ve always found it ridiculous that this award is voted on Let’s let Canadiens assistant/interim-to-the-interim coach Luke after the second round of the playoffs because there’s an inherent bias to Richardson tell the rest. the teams still playing. But Bergevin’s case somewhat explains why that is. He built the Canadiens to perform in the playoffs, and that is what they are now doing. Had his work been judged in the regular season, it would not be judged on the time of year he built his team to perform.

“It goes back to training camp when Marc Bergevin said that he built this team to win in the playoffs,” Richardson said Wednesday. “We had our ups and downs and struggles, as every team does. It was obviously a little concerning when it was that close to the playoffs, but we were lucky with some health coming back and we just kind of clicked halfway through that Toronto series. We just started to find our way. It’s very exciting. The guys love playing for each other.”

Then on Wednesday, the Canadiens announced they had signed VP of hockey operations and legal affairs John Sedgwick to a three-year contract extension. Sedgwick is a crucial piece of Bergevin’s management team as he deals with all matter related to the CBA and the salary cap, but this year showed just how valuable Sedgwick really is. The daily cap calculations the Canadiens had to make, shuffling players back and forth to the taxi squad on a daily basis, accruing cap space as they went in order to be able to add at the deadline, that was all Sedgwick.

Bergevin literally does nothing without checking with Sedgwick first. It was only appropriate that he be rewarded for how well the team is performing at the time of year Bergevin hoped it would perform.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189898 Montreal Canadiens types of things. As the series goes on, that’s when it gets fun in the pressure time.”

The Canadiens carried the play for almost the entirety of Game 4 but The Canadiens’ ability to manipulate doubt leaves them 1 win shy of the were unable to score a second goal when they needed it and wound up Stanley Cup Final losing 2-1 in overtime. It gave the Golden Knights life, but it gave the Canadiens added confidence, even more belief in their ability to play their game and keep one of the best teams in the NHL on their heels despite the Golden Knights fighting to avoid a 3-1 deficit in the series. By Arpon Basu The Canadiens lost the game, but they were able to carry that same level Jun 23, 2021 of play into Game 5, and their ability to manipulate doubt has given them this opportunity to clinch the series on home ice.

Doubt can be a powerful weapon. If the external doubt in them allowed the Canadiens to be in this position, it was their ability to create doubt in their opponent that manifested itself It can be just as debilitating as it is empowering, and the Canadiens are the most in Game 5 in Sin City. using both extremes to great effect. They are playing in such a way that it is having a debilitating effect on the Vegas Golden Knights while using The Canadiens scored the opening goal when Jesperi Kotkaniemi sent the doubt most of the hockey world has of their abilities to empower their Josh Anderson in on a rush on goal and followed it up while Nick Holden own confidence. could only watch his man put it into an empty net.

Dominique Ducharme said, earlier in the playoffs, that he liked proving That gave the Canadiens the lead, and as good as Vegas has been in people wrong. Who doesn’t? It is a powerful motivator. the playoffs in this situation (they entered the game with a 6-5 record when allowing the first goal), that alone created some doubt because of Think back to the start of this Stanley Cup semifinal series when how well the Canadiens have played when leading. Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin — who finished second in general manager of the year voting Wednesday — came out and stated But more importantly, the goal was the fourth in three games for the line his team was clearly the underdog in facing one of, if not the best team in of Kotkaniemi, Anderson and Paul Byron, and every one of those goals the NHL, and how his team didn’t care. was important. It was a line that was not exactly playing great prior to Game 3 of the series, but it is rolling now and that makes the Canadiens But maybe that was a bit deceitful. Maybe they did care, but in the complete, the four-line team they are meant to be. empowering way of caring. “All the four lines were running nicely,” Kotkaniemi said. “It’s a lot easier The Canadiens were written off against the Toronto Maple Leafs, for our team when we can run all the lines and get success from all the especially when down 3-1 in their first-round series. They weren’t given lines, too.” much of a chance against the Winnipeg Jets and swept that second- round series. And they were given the slimmest chances yet against this The Canadiens have not changed their line combinations once in the powerhouse Vegas team that became a sexy Stanley Cup favourite after series. Contrast that with the Golden Knights, who started the second they eliminated the Colorado Avalanche in Round 2 by beating them four period with a change in their top six, swapping Jonathan Marchessault straight times after falling behind 2-0. and Max Pacioretty on their top two lines, and switched it up again to start the third period with Pacioretty dropping to the third line, This is not supposed to be happening, but it is. And doubt is one of the Marchessault going back to the second line and Mattias Janmark playing reasons why. with Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone on the top line.

It is not necessarily the Canadiens’ ability to embrace doubt as a It was, in stark contrast to how the Canadiens feel about their forward motivator that is most important, but their ability to create doubt in their lines right now, a sign of doubt from Vegas coach Peter DeBoer. opponent and get them to stop believing in the things that got them there. It’s to take their best players and make them non-factors as they have “I think with the way the game was going and the lack of success some done to the Maple Leafs and Jets and are now doing to the Golden of our lines have had so far in the series, we tried to jump-start some Knights. guys and look at some different combinations,” DeBoer said. “It didn’t have much of an effect, but that’s one of the things we tried to do.” The Canadiens beat the Golden Knights 4-1 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup semifinals and are returning to Montreal to play a home game on On Wednesday morning, Cole Caufield was asked about Vegas goalie Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Quebec’s national holiday that is a source of Robin Lehner saying after Game 4 that their pre-scout informed him that pride for a population that views itself as a minority in North America, a Caufield would either go high or go five-hole on a breakaway opportunity. day when the people of Quebec can show that their language and culture Caufield went five-hole with a chance to give the Canadiens a 2-0 lead, and way of life are something worth celebrating. and Lehner shut the door.

It couldn’t be more appropriate for this team to be playing this game on Caufield’s response was to thank Lehner for letting him know what they this day. Because the Canadiens want to show how their unheralded were thinking, and how he would use that in the game later that evening team that only a minority of people felt was worthy of this stage is also to find new ways to create a goal. worth celebrating. Midway through the second period, Caufield took an excellent pass from This is not Brendan Gallagher’s first rodeo, and he knows the power of Corey Perry and fired a one-timer off the post and in behind Marc-André doubt better than almost anyone. He basically used it to fuel his entire Fleury. The puck basically hit the post halfway up, not high, and definitely hockey career, to show everyone who didn’t believe in him that they were not five-hole. wrong, but even more than that, to prove to the people who did believe in When Nick Suzuki was asked about the swagger Caufield’s comment him that they were right. showed earlier in the day, he and Kotkaniemi sitting next to him started So when he says this prior to leaving Montreal for Las Vegas on laughing. Tuesday, Gallagher knows what he is doing. “Kid’s got a ton of swagger,” Suzuki said. “He knows he’s a scorer.” “I think you come into this series, and obviously there’s a certain rhetoric Meanwhile, what is the opposite of swagger? That is what Stone about how this series is supposed to go,” he said. “And I’m not saying exhibited on that goal. The Canadiens were on a power play when Stone they bought into it or believed it. We definitely didn’t, but there’s certain had the puck and approached the Canadiens’ blue line. Rather than get it expectations on their side. The longer this series goes, the more the deep and go for a change, Stone tried to make a play, was stripped of pressure just falls on them. the puck by Suzuki, and then lazily got back to his zone and had a front- “Since that Game 5 against Toronto, we’ve just come in and played the row seat to watch Caufield finish the goal scored off his turnover. Upon same way, nothing to lose, leave it all on the line and game after game, his return to the Vegas bench, Stone slammed his stick against the come with the same effort and energy. Hopefully, you put some doubt in boards and slammed the door closed. the opponent’s mind. See how they handle it. See how they handle those If Stone had not gone pointless in the first four games of the series, if he were not pointless at that point in Game 5, does anyone think Stone would have tried to make an offensive play while killing a penalty? That sense of doubt forced him to make a decision he otherwise would not have made. And it cost him.

Prior to Game 5, Marchessault said the Vegas big guns had to get going and even though they were facing a great goaltender in Carey Price, that was no excuse. Late in the second period, down 3-0, Marchessault found himself all alone in the slot off a faceoff win in the offensive zone. The only thing standing between him and a goal was Price, the factor that he had said shouldn’t have mattered.

Marchessault shot the puck at least 2 feet high. It mattered.

“I think they stuck to their game plan,” Fleury said. “They’re patient, they kill plays. I’d say our players get frustrated sometimes not having the space to make their plays. They wait, and when they get their chance, they go to the net and are opportunistic when they can. It cost us the game.”

The Canadiens’ ability to get off to a third straight strong start on the road took Vegas’ sellout, normally raucous crowd right out of the game. They were basically silent. By the time the Canadiens killed off a hooking penalty to Shea Weber late in the second period, the 13th straight penalty they had killed in the series, the Golden Knights were being booed on home ice.

This is unheard of in Vegas. These fans have lived a charmed life, never experiencing anything but a highly competitive team that dictated play. When the Golden Knights left for the second intermission down 3-0, the booing continued. And when the game ended, all that could really be heard in T-Mobile Arena were the “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants of the Canadiens’ faithful in the stands.

“We weren’t playing well so maybe we deserved it,” Vegas defenceman Brayden McNabb said. “We got outworked from puck drop, so, I mean, it is what it is. Our fans are great, we love our fans, but I’m sure they were frustrated, as were we.”

Those boos were the sound of doubt.

Prior to Game 5 against the Maple Leafs in the first round, Tyler Toffoli was asked about his experience with the Los Angeles Kings in erasing a 3-0 deficit against the San Jose Sharks in 2014 on their way to a Stanley Cup championship.

“Going into it, it was Game 4, the night before we kind of just said, ‘It’s one game at a time, we’ve got to try and put some doubt in their heads,’” Toffoli said.

He followed that up by saying what seems much more impactful today than it did back then.

“We’ve just got to stick together and come together as a team,” he said, “and just perform and play to our abilities.”

That is what the Canadiens have done ever since, and now they find themselves with two opportunities to get one win for a chance to play for the Stanley Cup.

Right now, there doesn’t appear to be any internal doubt in their own ability to do so.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189899 New York Islanders Head coach Barry Trotz knew what Wednesday meant not only to his team but to the Islander fans and the franchise’s history.

“[One reason this win will be so memorable] I would say is this building Islanders storm back at Coliseum to force Game 7 with Lightning’s Nikita and what it’s meant to a number of players but probably more than Kucherov banged up anything our fans,” Trotz said. “These are great moments. Going off the ice and everybody’s hugging each other. There’s beer cans flying all over. It’s quite a sight, and it’s a moment you’ll remember. These are moments and great memories to have. But we’ve got to get another one.” By PAT LEONARD If Kucherov can’t go in Game 7, it could be a series-defining absence. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Kucherov is the NHL’s top scorer in these playoffs with 27 points, but he JUN 23, 2021 AT 11:54 PM left Wednesday’s game for good 2:22 into the first period after only one 46-second shift.

The Islanders’ first Stanley Cup Final berth since 1984 is just one win He took a nasty cross-check in the back from Mayfield, then was in clear away. discomfort after putting his right shoulder into Barzal on a routine check.

A thrilling Game 6 comeback culminated with Anthony Beauvillier’s Lightning forward Ross Colton also joined Kucherov in the locker room in game-winner 1:08 into overtime Wednesday night at Nassau Coliseum the middle of the second period, and Tampa played about seven minutes for a 3-2 victory to force a winner-take-all Game 7 Friday night at with only 10 forwards on their bench. Tampa’s Amalie Arena. Tampa still had a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Brayden Point at 16:02 of Fans threw dozens of full, tall-boy beer cans onto the ice in a chaotic and the first and Anthony Cirelli at 12:36 of the second. Point now has goals delirious celebration as the Islander players mobbed Beauvillier and in nine straight games this postseason, just one away from tying Reggie dodged the aluminum shower. Leach’s NHL postseason record of 10 straight for the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers. “It feels amazing,” Beauvillier said. “That building coming into overtime was smelling like cigarettes, and now it smells like beer.” Point also became the second player ever to score a goal in each of the first six games of a Stanley Cup playoff series. The only other player to Mathew Barzal couldn’t believe how many drinks flew over the boards do it was Buffalo’s Pat LaFontaine in 1992, who scored in all seven onto the ice. games, although his Sabres lost in seven to the Boston Bruins.

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” the Isles’ top center said with a laugh. Still, the Isles’ Lou Lamoriello won the 2021 Jim Gregory Award as the “A little dangerous. But that’s the Islander faithful. We embraced it. They NHL’s GM of the year this week for a reason: Lamoriello, the first two- get excited, and it’s good stuff.” time recipient of the award, has assembled a team with grit, skill and resilience that appears to have the tangibles and intangibles to go all the Add the fact that top Lightning scorer Nikita Kucherov is injured, leaving way here in 2021. after just one shift on Wednesday, and the Isles have a real chance to take Game 7 on the road. The Lightning are a much bigger team physically, which has made it difficult for the Isles to get inside in the offensive zone and score Every cheer and celebration was a bit louder at home on Wednesday, consistently in this series. though, because every fan knew it might have been the final Islanders game in this storied building. But they’re still standing, even after the Lightning scored 12 unanswered goals in a span of 114 minutes and 21 seconds from the When the Lightning led 2-0 midway through the second period, it felt for start of Game 4′s first period up to Eberle’s backhand in Wednesday’s sure like this would be it, with the Isles’ upcoming move to brand new second period. UBS Arena at Belmont Park this fall. “We were just fighting to keep ourselves alive,” Eberle said. But scored on a backhand through a screen 14:22 into the second period to halve the deficit. Defenseman Scott Mayfield roofed a Mission accomplished. Next up: knocking off the defending champs for wrist shot at 11:16 of the third to tie it off a terrific feed from Barzal. good and coming one step closer to a Cup of their own.

Semyon Varlamov (22 saves) backstopped a late third period penalty kill to force OT. New York Daily News LOADED: 06.24.2021 And then a defensive zone giveaway by Tampa forward Blake Coleman found its way to Beauvillier’s stick in the slot, and the Isles forward left no doubt, roofing a wrister over Andrei Vasilevskiy’s glove hand to send the Coliseum into absolute mayhem.

It was bedlam. The “Yes! Yes! Yes!” chants shook the building’s old bones. “Let’s Go Islanders!” rained down on repeat.

Beauvillier slid on two knees toward the side boards and leapt into the glass as his teammates mobbed him. One father in the first row on the other side lifted his son into the air. Fans covered the ice with beer.

“I kinda blacked out a little bit,” Beauvillier said. “I was just screaming and everyone kinda jumped on me. I couldn’t be [happier]. A really big game from everybody. We really wanted to go back to Tampa for Game 7. We earned the opportunity to do that. Everybody’s excited.”

Beauvillier’s goal was his first in 11 games. It was also the biggest of his career.

“Glad I could get the monkey off my back,” the 24-year-old French Canadian said humbly.

The Lightning eliminated the Isles in overtime of Game 6 last season on their way to winning the Cup. But this time, the Isles staved off the end, bouncing back from an 8-0 blowout loss in Game 5 to force Friday’s do- or-die. 1189900 New York Islanders

Islanders’ Anthony Beauvillier snaps scoring skid at perfect time

By Mollie Walker

June 24, 2021 | 2:11am

Facing elimination in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup semifinal series against the Lightning on Wednesday night, Anthony Beauvillier hadn’t scored in the previous 10 games, dating back to the Islanders’ second-round series-opener against Boston.

But the second-line winger chose an opportune time to end his scoring drought and record the most important goal of his team’s playoff run so far to secure a 3-2 victory in overtime at Nassau Coliseum, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7, set for 8 p.m. Friday night at Tampa Bay.

“Honestly, I kind of blacked out a little bit,” Beauvillier said after the Nassau Coliseum crowd gave the ice a beer shower following No. 18’s game-winner. “[The Lightning] turned the puck over I think and then saw it go in — like I said, I kind of blacked out. I was just so happy, was screaming and everyone kind of jumped on me. Obviously, amazing feeling and couldn’t be more happy.

Anthony Beauvillier celebrates after scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the Islanders’ 3-2 Game 6 win over the Lightning.

“A really big game from everyone and everyone wants to go back to Tampa for Game 7 and we earned the opportunity to do that.”

Beauvillier’s goal from the slot just over a minute into the extra period was his fifth of the postseason, to go along with eight assists through 18 games. The Islanders’ second unit of Beauvillier, Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey have now combined for 18 goals this postseason, the most out of all four lines.

Earlier in the series, Barry Trotz said he believed Beauvillier had another level he could go to. The Lightning has done a tremendous job of stifling the aforementioned trio, which Trotz acknowledged, but the Islanders coach pointed out that the team would need more from them in order to combat Tampa Bay’s offensive prowess.

“It doesn’t matter if you score every night, you just have to do the right things,” Beauvillier said. “I definitely got the monkey off my back there, though.”

Center Mathew Barzal assisted on both the Islanders’ goals to complete the comeback in regulation and force overtime, with the first coming on Jordan Eberle’s tally at 14:22 of the second and the other on Scott Mayfield’s equalizer at 11:16 of the third.

“I thought that was Mat’s best game of the season,” Trotz said. “He was using his skill set, he was making good decisions and he was playing all 200 feet of the ice, which is big. He was a factor.”

The Islanders went to overtime for the fifth time this postseason and the second time on home ice. Improving to 1-1 in OT at the Coliseum, the Isles are now 4-1 after playing into extra periods.

“I said stick to the process, stick to what we’re doing,” Trotz said of his message to the team before overtime. “These are the great moments. Manage the puck. Do all the things we did the first three periods. And just make sure we’re on our toes.”

New York Post LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189901 New York Islanders Mat Barzal had a tantalizing, captivating game. Semyon Varlamov locked the door. And the Islanders kept coming, kept battling, kept scratching for the right to play one more game. One more game against the champs, who have gone 12-0 following defeats over the last two playoff seasons This Islanders team will live on forever no matter what but have not once faced elimination.

But the Lightning will on Friday just like the Islanders. Eight-nothing seems like it happened when Bill Stewart or Scott Gordon was behind By Larry Brooks the bench, doesn’t it? June 24, 2021 | 1:02am | Updated “You have a vision of how a series will go but it never plays out like you think it will,” head coach Barry Trotz said. “It’s the weirdest thing, but that’s the magic of playoff hockey and the magic of being in the moment. Blackhawks enter the Jack Eichel trade sweepstakes “The moment is right in front of you all the time. You just have to Five minutes later, 10 minutes later, the throng was still in force, recognize the moments.” celebrating, chanting, still soaking up yet another spectacular victory at the Coliseum for the Islanders, who, just like their fans are not at all The Islanders recognized the moment and then the seized it. If this ready for their historic Barn to become history. represented The Last Dance at the Barn, the moment will live forever.

“Let’s Go Islanders!” they chanted deep into the night and long after But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s stay in the moment. Anthony Beauvillier’s goal at 1:08 of overtime propelled his team to a 3-2 Because there is still one game to go. Game 6 victory and into Game 7 of the semifinals Friday night in Tampa. At least one game to go. “Honestly, I kind of blacked out a little bit,” said Beauvillier, who hopped on a Blake Coleman turnover and whistled one by Andrei Vasilevskiy The Stanley Cup final beckons. from the slot. “I was just so happy, everybody jumped on me and was screaming.

“It was obviously an amazing feeling. I was so happy.” New York Post LOADED: 06.24.2021

Beer cans came flying out onto the ice in celebration as the Islanders made their way to the room. Under other circumstances that would be frowned upon. Under these circumstances, the players luxuriated in the peculiar and particular toasts from the crowd.

The banners that hang over the ice surface evoke memories of great feats and great games in the beloved building that opened for the inaugural 1972-73 season. But just about all of the great moments were produced by the people whose names and numbers hang in honor over the ice surface.

But this group and these players, they are not only intent on making memories of their own that will last a lifetime, they are doing it. When the final chapter of the good book is written, it will feature Ryan Pulock and Beauvillier just as surely as Bobby Nystrom and John Tonelli.

The Islanders celebrate their Game 6 win.

This is not to equate this group with the Dynasty. Not at all. But there is context to be considered and the context of this stirring victory is that the Islanders rallied to overcome a 2-0 second-period deficit by getting one back before the end of the period and then another midway through the third period to send it to overtime.

The Dynasty was born with a Game 6 overtime victory, Nystrom at 7:11 of the 1980 finals against Philadelphia. It was enabled and perpetuated by one overtime triumph after another, the two in Boston to open the 1980 quarters, the one in Game 5 against Pittsburgh.

And now this … now this four days after Ryan Pulock’s save to deny Ryan McDonagh put a lid on Game 4. It is no wonder that no one wants to let go of this magical hockey place.

The goal that brought the Islanders back into it came off the stick of Jordan Eberle, the sharpshooter who hadn’t scored in the last six games and hadn’t added much of value through this series. But now, down 2-0, having failed on a power play that included 1:18 of five-on-three, Eberle drove to the slot and whipped a backhand past Andrei Vasilevskiy to make it 2-1 and bring a mournful audience back to life.

Anthony Beauvillier celebrates his game-winning goal for the Islanders.

Still 2-1, it was Scott Mayfield — whose unpenalized cross-check to Nikita Kucherov’s ribs on the game’s second shift ended No. 86’s night — who picked the top short-side corner at 11:16 of the third period to tie the score and create delirium.

The Islanders never quit. They never give up. They had allowed 12 straight goals since the start of the third period of Game 4 by the time it became 2-0, and that did not take a bite out of them. They kept coming, pounding away, taking pieces of flesh on every hit, remaining in their structure and keeping their cool when just about everyone in the stands was losing his or her head. Hey, maybe one was even heaved onto the ice when it was over. 1189902 New York Islanders That one rattled the walls. And it seemed to rattle the Lightning. The Islanders killed off a late

penalty. They stormed into their dressing room knowing they were a goal Islanders and their fans still can dream after this classic away from Game 7. And stormed out and simply fulfilled all the hopes of the faithful begging for one more memory at the Barn. And before anyone could believe it, the puck was in the net, Beauvillier was blacking out, and the fans were on their feet, roaring, bellowing, desperate to find other By Mike Vaccaro ways to express their euphoria. June 24, 2021 | 1:01am | Updated “Going into OT the building smelled like cigarettes,” Beauvillier said with a smile. “Now it smells like beer.”

In the moment, you are never sure what to do as a fan. You are never They left their seats screaming, left the Barn screeching, got into their quite certain how to act, and react, how to express the joy bursting inside cars and hit the Northern State Parkway and the Meadowbrook and the of you. You are filled with something beyond bliss. In a flash, a wonderful L.I.E. flush with the kind of high only a game like this can provide. The hockey flash, there is a puck slipping behind a stubborn and stingy Islanders were getting another game. The fans were getting another few Tampa Bay Lightning goalie named Andrei Vasilevskiy. days to dream. It’s been a good partnership so far.

In a flash, rhapsody becomes rapture. And it isn’t over yet. See you Friday night.

Who was happier, the man who scored the goal — a 24-year-old forward from Sorel-Tracey, Quebec, named Anthony Beauvillier, who until this New York Post LOADED: 06.24.2021 very moment was mired in a 10-game goal-less skid — or the 12,000 people who’d finagled a ticket for this game, all of them hoping they weren’t attending a funeral for a building?

And a season.

“I blacked out a little bit,” Beauvillier said of the instant his shot beat Vasilevskiy 68 seconds into overtime, giving the Islanders a thrilling 3-2 win, evening these Stanley Cup semifinals at three games each, securing at least two more days of hockey season, and maybe keeping the moving vans away from The Old Barn a bit longer, too.

The Islanders and their fans celebrate after the team’s 3-2 overtime Game 6 victory over the Lightning.

The fans, they didn’t black out. They blew the roof off, tried to rattle the foundation, tried to let the roar spill out onto Hempstead Turnpike where maybe it could be heard 10 miles west, in their future home next to Belmont Racetrack. But yelling wasn’t enough. Hugging wouldn’t do. High-fives and foot stomps and primal screams wouldn’t satisfy what they were feeling, so they did what came naturally.

They started tossing stuff on the ice. Mostly it was beer cans. Mostly it looked like a whole lot of half-finished Bud Lite Tall Boys. Maybe it wasn’t the best look. Eddie Olczyk, for one, mentioned on television that the whole scene looked rather dangerous. He wasn’t alone.

“A little dangerous,” Mat Barzal would say.

“But we’ll go with it,” he was quick to add.

They’ll go with it because it was the fans who helped carry them back from the brink Wednesday night. It was the fans who showed up ready to shout themselves hoarse despite the fact that the last time they’d seen the Isles play, on TV Monday night, they were slaughtered by this very same Lightning club. The final was 8-0. Tampa could have named the score.

The fans showed in force anyway Wednesday night. They started chanting and cheering and booing the officials and really letting the Lightning have it.

They sang the national anthem, of course, because what began as a spur-of-the-moment assist a few games back for anthem singer Nicole Raviv when her microphone malfunctioned has now become a phenomenon, and one last tradition to add to the Coliseum archive before they pack up the boxes. And Raviv is now an all-in participant, somehow singing a duet with 12,000 backup singers.

Maybe most vital, despite getting punched twice in the solar plexus early, despite seeing the Lightning race to a 2-0 lead — 12 unanswered goals for Tampa across three games, if you’re keeping score at home — they implored, pleaded, beseeched the Islanders to scratch their way back.

The Islanders scratched their way back.

Jordan Eberle scored on a backhand at 14:22 of the second, at a time when it began to seem Vasilevskiy was going to turn in a Jacob deGrom night in goal. That brought the crowd back to its feet. Then Scott Mayfield snuck one by Vasilevskiy 11:16 into the third, a few beats before desperation was fixing to set in. 1189903 New York Islanders

Islanders fans throw beer on ice after OT win: ‘This is dangerous’

By Mark Fischer

June 23, 2021 | 11:30pm | Updated

The Islanders nearly got knocked out — by their own fans.

After Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier scored in overtime Wednesday to force a Game 7 in the semifinal against Tampa Bay, fans threw beer cans, water bottles and rally towels onto the Nassau Coliseum ice as their favorite players celebrated.

At one point, hard-nosed Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck had to knock a can out of the air — and did not seem happy about it.

“I can’t understand this,” longtime NBC hockey analyst and former Rangers Stanley Cup champion Eddie Olczyk said as the scene unfolded on live television. “This is dangerous for the players. This is your team.”

Islanders fans throw beer on ice in bizarre scene.

Perhaps Islanders fans were saying their goodbyes to Nassau Coliseum, for there won’t be another game at the so-called Barn if the Islanders don’t advance to the Stanley Cup final on Friday.

Either way, Beauvillier, the hero of the 3-2 win, was all for it.

“Going into OT the building smelled like cigarettes, and now it smells like beers,” the 24-year-old said.

Though fans throwing objects onto the ice is nothing new, especially after a loss, it’s unusual for them to do so in celebration — more so when they may be putting their favorite players at risk.

“Never seen anything like that,” Islanders star forward Mat Barzal said. “A little dangerous, but… that’s the Islanders faithful. They’re passionate, they get excited.”

The Islanders, who have called the 13,000-seat Coliseum home for almost every season since 1972, are expected to move to the newly constructed UBS Arena at Belmont Park next season.

New York Post LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189904 New York Islanders

Islanders stay alive with thrilling Game 6 OT win over Lightning

By Mollie Walker

June 23, 2021 | 11:03pm | Updated

For the Islanders, there’s still a tomorrow.

Intercepting a Lightning turnover just over a minute into overtime Wednesday night, Anthony Beauvillier blasted the puck from the slot, immediately dropped to his knees and slid into a dog pile of a celebration as the Islanders stole a 3-2 win in Game 6 of their Stanley Cup semifinal at Nassau Coliseum — the historic arena that can still hang on to its hopes of hosting its first Cup final series since 1984.

Game 7 is set for Friday in Tampa at 8 p.m., when the defending champions will face elimination for the first time in the past two seasons.

“One of four teams still playing, it’s a privilege to still be playing this time of year,” Beauvillier said moments after beer cans rained down on the ice.

“As a kid, you imagine going to Game 7 and having good moments with your teammates. I think we earned the right to go play a Game 7.”

Anthony Beauvillier celebrates his game-winning goal for the Islanders.

Trailing 2-1 at the start of the third, not even Mathew Barzal’s wizardry with the puck or a power-play opportunity at 8:15 that brought the entire Coliseum crowd to its feet resulted in a goal for the Islanders.

But a Scott Mayfield snipe to the top corner on Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy blew the roof off of the Old Barn and knotted the game 2-2 with 8:44 left in regulation.

The Islanders then had to fend off the Lightning’s thunderous power play, which was without the NHL’s leading point scorer in the playoffs Nikita Kucherov — who went to the locker room after one shift following a cross-check from Mayfield — shortly after the game-tying tally. Goaltender Semyon Varlamov came up with three big stops on the way to a 22-save finish, including one on a one-timer from Tampa Bay captain , to allow the Isles to ultimately force overtime.

Improving to 17-5 in elimination games at the Coliseum, the Islanders are also now 3-2 when their season is on the line under head coach Barry Trotz.

“It’ll be up there with one of the best because of the situation,” he said when asked where Wednesday’s win would rank in his 23-year tenure as an NHL coach. “The group that is playing right now, I love this group, this building and what it’s meant to a number of players. But probably more than anything, our fans. These are great moments.

“Going off the ice and everyone’s hugging each other, there’s beer cans all over, it’s quite a sight. These are moments you’ll remember and great memories to have. But we have to get another one.”

Prior to Game 6, the team that scored first had won each game this series. The Lightning ensured they were the ones to strike first Wednesday, with Brayden Point — because, who else? — putting Tampa Bay on the board at 16:02 of the first for his ninth-straight playoff game with a goal. The Lightning were also 11-1 this postseason in contests in which they scored first.

After Anthony Cirelli’s score at 12:36 of the second counted as the 12th unanswered goal for the Lightning at the time, Jordan Eberle finally ended the Isles’ scoring drought at 116:25, backhanding one past Vasilevskiy to cut the deficit to 2-1.

“We knew we were gonna get one and go from there,” Beauvillier said. “We got one, felt the energy, got another one in the third. We played really well, a lot of character in this room.”

New York Post LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189905 New York Islanders

Islanders’ Noah Dobson continuing to make strides

By David Lazar

June 23, 2021 | 6:40pm | Updated

Noah Dobson is still learning.

The second-year defenseman was a mainstay on the Islanders back end this season. As the postseason has progressed, Dobson’s role has changed each game, but his confidence has not faltered.

“The biggest thing for me watching him is his confidence and growth as a player,” fellow Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy said Wednesday morning. “On and off the ice, he has some moments where he really shines.”

Prior to Game 6, Dobson’s seven playoff points led all Islanders defensemen and were seventh-best amongst all D-men. He has excelled on the power play too — he was sixth in the NHL with four postseason power-play assists as of Wednesday.

The 2018 first-round pick is showcasing strong skating, excellent poise for a young player and an efficient two-way game.

While his game has improved since he played 34 games in his rookie season in 2019-20, his ice-time is fluctuating. In the 2021 postseason, he had averaged 13:52 a night up until Game 6. However, in Game 4, Dobson only played 7:36 against a difficult Lightning team.

The playing time is down. Nonetheless, the trust is still there.

“I think what you’re seeing is players grow the most in the toughest times. We’ve had two tough series and [Dobson] is getting used to it,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said prior to the Eastern semifinal series. “He’s feeling comfortable with it.

“When you feel comfortable with it, usually you feel confident with it and that’s what you’re seeing. A good young player feeling confident about where his lot is against top people, against top teams and in the most demanding situation in the game today.”

And one quiet night won’t stop him. Dobson has perseverance in his blood.

On March 14, he took the ice in Newark to battle the Devils, when he was quickly pulled from the lineup due to a positive COVID-19 test. He missed eight games.

“It was definitely tough, especially mentally, just being by yourself, isolating and being away from the team,” Dobson said later that month after returning to the team. “I’m just grateful to be back healthy and back with the guys.”

It certainly has been a long journey for Dobson, but in the playoffs this year, he has become one of the guys Trotz counts on every night.

New York Post LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189906 New York Islanders

Lou Lamoriello’s Islanders vision paying off

By Mollie Walker

June 23, 2021 | 3:41pm | Updated

Lou Lamoriello has spent all 33 of his years as an NHL general manager preaching team success over individual success.

That continued Tuesday night when the Islanders boss made NHL history as the first two-time winner of the Jim Gregory GM of the Year award, and the 78-year-old opted to dedicate his acceptance speech to all the people within his organization.

“Winning an award such as this is very humbling,” Lamoriello said in a video posted by the NHL. “It’s very difficult because it shouldn’t be one person being recognized. It’s an award that really embraces what the organization has accomplished throughout the year.

“I accept humbly on behalf of our owner, Scott Malkin, and his partners, who have given us over the past three years, every tool necessary to have success; our coaching staff, led by Barry Trotz; our players, led by our captain, Anders Lee; our entire hockey operations, led by Chris Lamoriello and Steve Pellegrini, my very capable assistants; and who really is the backbone of all of us, Joanne Holewa (manager, hockey operations).”

Lou Lamoriello thanked the rest of the Islanders for his historic NHL award.

Lamoriello has built his Islanders from the same mold he has tried to use throughout his entire career as a general manager: With coaches, players and executives who value the team logo on the front of the jersey rather than the name on the back.

That sort of identity worked wonders during his more than 18-year run as president and general manager of the Devils, when he won three Stanley Cups in 1995, 2000 and 2003. Aside from the three titles, the Devils made the playoffs 21 times, finished with 100 or more points in 13 seasons, won nine division titles and made five trips to the Cup final.

The Devils were built on defense and goaltending during Lamoriello’s tenure, similar to the Islanders now. Lamoriello also served as general manager of the Maple Leafs for three seasons from 2015-2018, reaching the postseason in the final two seasons despite losing in the first round each year.

Considering how much emphasis the Hockey Hall of Famer has put on the Isles being a defense-first club, plus establishing a one-of-a-kind team culture, Lamoriello has seemingly taken bits from all his experiences as general manager and poured it into this third franchise.

It’s clear that Lamoriello came into his role with the Islanders with a specific vision of what he wanted to do.

“His vision was what you’re probably seeing right now,” Trotz said Wednesday ahead of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup semifinal series against the Lightning at Nassau Coliseum. “We’re gonna go into a fantastic new building, we wanted to build a competitive team, year in and year out. We thought probably it would take some time, been fortunate we’ve got some really good people who bought into our vision, or Lou’s vision. And we’ve been fairly competitive since Day 1.

“That’s been probably a little bit of a blessing and it’s not a total surprise but the turnaround that we had, obviously with the loss of John [Tavares] and some of the other things that were going on, that we’ve been able to sort of stabilize it and be competitive. We’ve got a fantastic facility to practice in, our ownership is rock solid and behind everything that we do, from staffing to a player standpoint I don’t know if you’re going to be treated any better.”

New York Post LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189907 New York Islanders So, this unlikely trip might be far from over. Or perhaps it has only 60 minutes left in it. Either way, what went down at the Coli on Wednesday night will endure.

Islanders get shower of suds in Coliseum night to remember with Game Trotz recalled the hugs and the beer cans and general chaos and said, 6 victory "It’s quite a sight, and it was a moment that you’ll remember.

"These are big moments and great memories to have, but you know, we’ve got to get another one." Updated June 24, 2021 12:53 AM Nikita Kucherov, arguably the Lightning’s best player, left Game 6 early and did not return, and his status for the finale is uncertain.

Anthony Beauvillier said the place smelled like cigarettes when overtime So is status of the Lightning’s psyche. They might be the defending Cup began, and like beer when it ended, a weirdly appropriate, time-warping champions, but they must be wondering how the heck they got narrative arc for the occasion. themselves into this position.

Cigarettes? What is this, 1972? The Islanders looked like they were toast. Then they were showered with a toast of celebratory suds. Well, yeah, kind of, in the sense that if this was the last game the Islanders will play at Nassau Coliseum, it tied a neat bow on a half- Five wins to go. century of history with a finale that never will be forgotten.

Of course, that is not the Islanders’ plan. By Neil Best After a thrilling, come-from-behind, 3-2 overtime victory over the Lightning in Game 6 of a Stanley Cup semifinal on Wednesday night, Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.24.2021 their aim is to win Game 7 in Tampa on Friday and reach their first Cup Final since 1984.

They have not been this close since that long-ago loss to the Oilers that ended their four-Cup dynasty.

But regardless of where they go from here, they and their fans always will have this: Beauvillier beating perhaps the best goaltender in the world, Andrei Vasilevskiy, 1:08 into overtime off a turnover by Blake Coleman.

"This will be one that you remember as a player, as a coach, as a fan," coach Barry Trotz said, then added with grand understatement, "It was a good hockey game."

When it was over, fans showered the ice with beer cans and other debris, which technically is a no-no, but which the Islanders chose to enjoy in the spirit of the evening.

The guys are joined by NHL.com's Dan Rosen to discuss the thrilling Game 6 win for the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in the Stanley Cup semifinals

"I’ve never seen anything like that," Mathew Barzal said. "A little dangerous, but you don’t see that too often, so we embraced it . . . It was good stuff."

The Islanders had lost Game 5 in Tampa, 8-0, on Monday, and when the Lightning took a 2-0 lead in Game 6 it extended their streak to 12 consecutive goals over three games. Not ideal.

The Lightning had succeeded in taking the crowd out of the game at that point, and the Islanders appeared to be finished against a team that is famous for not giving up late leads.

Then Jordan Eberle scored at 14:22 of the second, reviving the crowd, and the Islanders poured it on in the third before tying it on Scott Mayfield’s shot over Vasilevskiy’s left shoulder at 11:16 of the third.

"The message the whole day was just to give ourselves a chance," Eberle said.

Semyon Varlamov was excellent in goal, particularly during a power play late in the third period after a high-sticking penalty against Matt Martin.

Then came Beauvillier’s stunner. He had not scored a goal in the Islanders’ previous 10 games.

"Honestly, I kind of blacked out a little bit," he said of the experience, recalling a blur of screaming and jumping and, eventually, beer cans. Good thing hockey players wear helmets.

"I think we’ve earned the right to go back and play a Game 7," Beauvillier said. "Obviously, it’s going to be a lot of fun, and a big opportunity for us."

One more victory will earn the Coliseum at least another couple of games — perhaps even home ice advantage for the Final, if the Canadiens eliminate the Golden Knights. 1189908 New York Islanders

Islanders-Lightning Game 6 recap: Turning point, key stat and more

By Andrew Gross [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated June 24, 2021 12:38 AM

Final score: Islanders 3, Lightning 2 OT

Winning goal: Anthony Beauvillier created a turnover and connected on a wrist shot at 1:08 of overtime

Turning point: Matt Martin was called for a questionable high-stick on Pat Maroon at 14:03 of the third period and the potent Lightning power play generated five shots. But Semyon Varlamov stopped them all, including Steven Stamkos from the left circle and Alex Killorn at the left post.

Key statistics: The Islanders have not held the lead after the first period in any of their 18 playoff games…The Lightning are now 11-2 when scoring first this postseason, including 3-1 against the Islanders. The Islanders are 6-6 when allowing the first goal, including 1-3 in this series.

Did you notice? The Nassau Coliseum crowd continued its newfound tradition of singing the national anthem as singer Nicole Raviv continued her practice of singing the first few lines before letting the crowd take over…The walkout music for Mets closer Edwin Diaz was played before the game…Lightning RW Pat Maroon taunting Cal Clutterbuck by making the talking sign with his hand following a scrum to end the second period.

Injury news: Lightning RW Nikita Kucherov exited at 2:24 of the first period, appearing to favor his right shoulder or arm, after trying to check Mathew Barzal along the wall. Kucherov was also knocked down on the shift by an unpenalized cross check from Islanders D Scott Mayfield…Islanders LW Matt Martin went to the dressing room for repairs after being hit in the face with the puck at 14:42 of the first period but returned to start the second period…Lightning D Erik Cernak missed his second straight game after sustaining an upper-body injury on a heavy check from Martin in Game 4.

Other news: Rookie RW Oliver Wahlstrom skated with the extras both before and after the main group at the Islanders’ optional morning skate as coach Barry Trotz kept his lineup intact. It’s been that way since Wahlstrom suffered a lower-body injury in Game 5 of the first round against the Penguins and Travis Zajac was inserted for Game 6.

Three stars

1. Anthony Beauvillier (Islanders) – Created a turnover to score the overtime winner, snapping a 10-game drought without a goal

Island Ice Ep. 103: Isles-Lightning Game 6 analysis

The guys are joined by NHL.com's Dan Rosen to discuss the thrilling Game 6 win for the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in the Stanley Cup semifinals

2. Semyon Varlamov (Islanders) – Twenty-two saves and was the team’s best penalty killer when it mattered in the third period

3. Scott Mayfield (Islanders) – The defenseman’s rising third-period was the equalizer and he also played a strong 2:49 on the penalty kill

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189909 New York Islanders The Lightning have won six straight playoff series since being swept in the first round in 2019 by the Blue Jackets but this is the first time in their playoff win streak they’ve been pushed to seven games.

Islanders force Game 7 vs. Lightning on Anthony Beauvillier's OT winner The Lightning took a 1-0 lead at 16:02 as Brayden Point, from off the left at raucous Nassau Coliseum post, extended his goal streak to nine games, leaving him one game shy of tying the NHL playoff record, set by the Flyers’ Reggie Leach in 1976.

By Andrew Gross Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.24.2021 [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated June 24, 2021 12:49 AM

Nassau Coliseum has hosted numerous memorable playoff games, before and since the four Stanley Cups from 1980-83, where its foundation literally shook and the Islanders’ fans rose to deafening decibel levels.

Put this 3-2, come-from-behind overtime win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning on Wednesday night in Game 6 of their NHL semifinal series on Anthony Beauvillier’s steal and tally at 1:08 of the extra period high on that list. The delirious crowd of 12,978 celebrated by showering the ice with tall boy beer cans.

As a result, there may yet be more Cup Final games at the beloved barn before the team moves to UBS Arena at Belmont Park next season.

"I’ve had a few moments," said Barry Trotz, who has coached in the NHL since 1998 and won a Cup with the Capitals in 2018. "It’ll be up there with one of the best because of the situation. The group that is playing. I love this group, the character of this group. And I would say this building and what it’s meant to a number of players but probably, more than anything, our fans. These are great moments.

"Coming off the ice and everybody’s hugging each other. There’s beer cans flying all over. It was quite a sight and it was a moment you’ll remember. But we’ve got to get another one."

Game 7 is Friday night at Amalie Arena, where the Lightning won Game 5, 8-0, on Monday night. The Lightning may be without top-line right wing Nikita Kucherov, who exited after his first shift in the first period appearing to favor his right shoulder or arm but who also took an unpenalized cross-check from defenseman Scott Mayfield that shook him up.

The Lightning beat the Islanders in last season’s Eastern Conference finals in the Edmonton bubble, winning the decisive Game 6, 2-1, in overtime.

This time, the Islanders rallied after falling behind 2-0 when Anthony Cirelli was sprung past defensemen Nick Leddy and Ryan Pulock to beat Semyon Varlamov through his pads at 12:36 of the second period.

"It was 2-1 going into the third period so we knew we had a chance to win this game or tie the game in the third period," said Varlamov, who made 22 saves, including five on the Lightning’s second power play after Matt Martin was called for a questionable high-sticking against Pat Maroon at 14:03 of the third period. "We came out very hard and we had a really strong third period. We created a lot of scoring chances in the third and it paid off in the end."

"He’s been solid all year and when you get saves on a kill like that and you get some momentum," said Jordan Eberle, who cut the lead to 2-1 on a backhander from the slot at 14:22 of the second period after the Islanders managed just one shot on a five-on-three power play that lasted one minute, two seconds earlier in the period. "Hockey is a funny game, it usually shifts the other way. That seemed to be the difference. We’re just fighting to keep ourselves alive here."

Mayfield tied the game at 2 at 11:16 of the third period, taking a feed from Mathew Barzal and beating Andrei Vasilevskiy (25 saves) over his left shoulder.

The Islanders carried the momentum into overtime and Beauvillier ended it quickly, creating a turnover deep in the zone and wristing a shot past Vasilevskiy to snap a 10-game goal drought.

"It feels amazing," Beauvillier said. "That building came into overtime smelling like cigarettes, now it smells like beer. That place was going crazy. Everyone’s happy we’re going back to Tampa and a huge effort from our team today." 1189910 New York Islanders

Islanders' last game at Coliseum? If it was, they sent it out with a bang.

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

Updated June 24, 2021 12:43 AM

The Islanders may very well have played their last playoff game at Nassau Coliseum. That won’t be known for another couple of days. If it turns out they have, at least they will know they sent the old building out with a bang, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-2, in overtime Wednesday night.

Anthony Beauvillier scored the goal that tied the NHL semifinal series at three games apiece and forced Game 7 Friday night.

That game will be in Tampa, and the Islanders will need to beat the defending Stanley Cup champions on their home ice to win the series and advance to the Stanley Cup final, in order for there to be more games at their beloved Old Barn.

If they don’t, then the 2021 playoff run will be done. But at least the Coliseum would have been given a proper sendoff.

The building rocked on Wednesday. The fans were into it from the first notes of the National Anthem, when they sang along with singer Nicole Raviv. They positively exploded with noise when Matt Martin threw his first heavy bodycheck of the game, then they got quiet when Brayden Point scored the game’s first goal for the Lightning at 16:02 of the first period. They got quiet again when Anthony Cirelli made it 2-0 at 12:36 of the second period.

But they got loud when Jordan Eberle scored the first Islanders goal less than two minutes later, at 14:22 of the second. They got louder when Scott Mayfield tied it, 2-2, at 11:16 in the third period, and they roared as the Islanders killed a late Lightning power play in the third period. Ultimately, the building got what it deserved in its potential swan song: Overtime.

It was one more night to remember from a building that has had many great nights since the building opened in 1972. Julius Erving and the New York Nets won two ABA championships there, including the final one in 1976, before the league merged with the NBA. The New York Arrows, with Steve Zungul and goalkeeper Shep Messing, won the first four Major Indoor Soccer League championships in the Coliseum.

There was professional wrestling and World Team Tennis, and of course, the of NLL, not to be confused with Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy referring to the Islanders as "The New York Saints’’ during the Isles’ six-game victory over the Bruins in the last playoff round.

Whatever happens on Friday, there will be games at the Coliseum in the fall. The , of the NBA’s G League, play there, as do the , the box team that plays in the . And there’s also the very real possibility that the Islanders themselves may play some more games in the Barn at the start of next season, as their new home, the UBS Arena, in Elmont, likely won’t be ready in time for the start of the 2021-22 season.

The guys are joined by NHL.com's Dan Rosen to discuss the thrilling Game 6 win for the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in the Stanley Cup semifinals

"The Coliseum is historic and loved,’’ said Nick Mastroianni II, Chairman & CEO of Nassau Live Center, LLC, which operates the Coliseum. "We suspect the cheers of Islanders fans will echo inside for many years to come with the championship banners hanging. But it is also a space that is going to be reinvented as a 21st Century venue that attracts a new generation of Long Islanders with programming that is exciting, compelling, and successful.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189911 New York Islanders Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.24.2021

Islanders are historically survivors in Coliseum do-or-die games

By Andrew Gross [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

June 23, 2021 2:35 PM

Players and coaches recite the usual talking points of one shift, one period at a time and not looking ahead to the big picture. But even if there’s the same mentality, there’s a different feel in elimination games. How can there not be? Another loss and the season and everything a team has worked for since Day 1 of training camp is suddenly over.

"We’ve gone to this point and we’ve got to earn the right to continue to play," Matt Martin said.

The Islanders faced elimination on Wednesday night in Game 6 of their NHL semifinal series against the Lightning at Nassau Coliseum after an 8-0 loss on Monday night at Amalie Arena. It was potentially the final NHL playoff game at the venerable barn with UBS Arena at Belmont Park targeted to open in November.

But the Islanders have historically been a tough out at the Coliseum, entering Wednesday with a 16-5 record in elimination games played in the arena.

Prior to Game 6 against the Lightning, the last one came in 2015, as the Islanders extended their season with a 3-1 win over Barry Trotz’s Capitals in Game 6 of that first-round series before the Capitals won Game 7 in Washington. The Islanders were playing for the Coliseum’s NHL life in that game, too, as the team made what turned out to be a temporary move to Barclays Center the next season.

"I think you draw from all your previous experiences in the postseason and the regular season," Martin said. "Most importantly, it’s about playing our game, getting to our game early and making it hard on them. Leaving our best game out there. As long as we go out there and play our game, you can live with the result either way."

But another loss to the Lightning in the NHL final four would certainly be a frustrating finish.

The Lightning eliminated the Islanders in six games in last season’s Eastern Conference final in the Edmonton bubble before going on to win the franchise’s second Stanley Cup. The Lightning took a 3-1 series lead last year and then won Game 6, 2-1, in overtime after the Islanders staved off elimination with a 2-1 double-overtime win in Game 5.

Wednesday marked the first elimination game the Islanders faced in this playoff run after rallying from 2-1 series deficits for six-game victories over the Penguins in the first round and then the Bruins.

The Islanders entered Wednesday 2-2 in elimination games under Trotz.

But Trotz had success against the Lightning while leading the Capitals to the Cup in 2018. The Capitals won the first two games in the Eastern Conference finals before the Lightning won three straight. But the Capitals rallied to win Game 6, 3-0, and then went to Tampa for a 4-0 win in Game 7.

All those experiences came into play for Trotz and the Islanders in Game 6.

"The playoffs are so pressure packed," Trotz said. "The players feel the pressure. The coaches feel the pressure. Once you’ve won it, those experiences of those pressures and knowing when to demand more, knowing when to back off, knowing how to handle an 8-0 loss and how you respond the next day and how do you act, I think there’s something to be said of it.

"What you have in your head in how this is going to play out, it never really plays out that way. The moment is playing out in front of you and if you don’t recognize it, you miss that moment and then you miss your opportunity to maybe go on."

1189912 New York Islanders

What did Mathew Barzal learn from Game 5 that he can use in Game 6?

By Andrew Gross [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated June 23, 2021 1:34 PM

Mathew Barzal is in the Islanders’ lineup for Wednesday night’s must-win Game 6 of their NHL semifinal series against the Lightning at Nassau Coliseum, $5,000 poorer but not suspended after letting his frustration take over in Monday night’s 8-0 loss at Amalie Arena.

Now, coach Barry Trotz wants to see what lesson his star center learned after receiving a five-minute cross-checking major and a game misconduct — plus NHL supplemental discipline — for his hit on Lightning defenseman Jan Rutta at the end of the second period in Game 5.

"I can’t tell you what he’s learned because I don’t know that yet," said Trotz, who expressed his "disappointment" in Barzal immediately after Game 5. "It’s in his hands to show you what he’s learned. Mathew is a good young player and good young players, you’ve got to fight for your space, you’ve got to fight for your inches. You’re going to have to take some abuse to be a top player.

"Understanding the situation, understanding the player that you can be and what we want you to be, this is just another thing you learn from to be that complete star player that you covet in this league. He has the tools. The non-skill stuff is where you see young players grow the most. Everyone’s gone through that."

Island Ice Ep. 103: Isles-Lightning Game 6 analysis

The guys are joined by NHL.com's Dan Rosen to discuss the thrilling Game 6 win for the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in the Stanley Cup semifinals

Barzal was seemingly at risk for his first NHL suspension, especially with Rutta not returning for the third period of Game 5. But the league’s Department of Player Safety did not conduct a hearing on the play and instead just fined Barzal.

"Having Barzy in the lineup is huge," defenseman Nick Leddy said. "He’s a guy on our team that drives us. We all know how talented he is as a player. Everyone knows how much we need him as well."

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189913 New York Islanders The one on Stamkos was also a penalty that went uncalled. Mayfield has played a bruising brand of hockey all playoff long, and it’s been by far his best stretch as an Islander. We’ll see where the next 36 hours of chatter goes. A rally, an OT winner and a beer can shower — the Islanders force Game 7 Beau breaks through, blacks out

Beauvillier’s first goal since Game 1 of the Bruins series was well timed. He had a more forceful Game 6 than in any of the previous games of this By Arthur Staple series, and his line was able to mostly contain Tampa’s top line, which obviously shifted around a bit after Kucherov went out. Beauvillier’s play Jun 24, 2021 on the OT winner was a familiar move from him, a good stick in a disruptive spot and good anticipation to pick off Blake Coleman’s attempted outlet and a quick shot that caught Vasilevskiy before he could Now here’s something you don’t see every day: The winning home team get set. gets showered by beer cans. “Honestly I kind of blacked out a bit,” he said of his celebration. Not the best look for Nassau Coliseum in what could have been the final playoff game ever played here, but this place has never been about Of the beer shower, Beauvillier had a line for the Coliseum ages. looks. It was pandemonium Wednesday after Anthony Beauvillier’s steal “That building coming into OT smelled like cigarettes. Now it smells like and score 1:08 into overtime to complete yet another Islanders beers.” postseason comeback and send them back to Tampa for Game 7 against the Lightning on Friday. How to prepare for Game 7

“I love this group, the character of this group,” Barry Trotz said. “And the The Islanders haven’t been in such a spot since 1975, in a conference building, these fans. Going off the ice, everybody’s hugging each other, final/semifinal Game 7. Not much to draw on there (they lost 4-1 to the there’s beer cans all over the ice. These are great memories to have. But Flyers after rallying from 3-0 down in the series). we’ve got to get another one.” Monday’s shelling could still feel fresh once they are on the ice in Tampa, Thoughts on a special night in a building that’s seen far too few over the and the Lightning should feel confident about their chances, though past 35 years: Kucherov’s availability may temper that.

Barzal’s best For the Islanders, it’s about managing the moments. Staving off the inevitable opening push from Tampa in its own building. Making smart Mathew Barzal had his best playoff game this season, possibly of any plays and not trying to be anything the Isles are not. They have somehow season, and it came at just the right time. To think he was waiting with gotten within a game of the Stanley Cup Final without having led after a the rest of Islanders nation Tuesday to see whether he might be period even once; Game 6 marked the third time this postseason the suspended for Game 6 for his cross-check to the face of Tampa’s Jan Isles won a game they trailed entering the third. Rutta in Monday’s 8-0 blowout Game 5 loss. The $5,000 fine was worth it. They’ve seen almost every situation so far and gotten to this point. How the Islanders handle yet another wrinkle will be the key to either making Barzal set up both regulation Islanders goals, the first after a zone entry that first final since 1984 or falling just short for a second year in a row. that backed off Ryan McDonagh and David Savard about halfway into the Coliseum parking lot before he dropped the puck to Jordan Eberle. Barzal made a quick little swipe at Alex Killorn’s stick to give Eberle a bigger lane to the net — illegal, yes, but truly never called — and Eberle The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 flung a backhand through Savard’s legs and past Andrei Vasilevskiy to cut the Lightning’s lead to one.

Barzal’s best shift of the game might have been the opening minute of the third, when the teams were playing four-on-four. He controlled the puck for about 25 seconds, stopping and starting behind the Lightning net before trying to thread a pass to Noah Dobson, whose stick broke on a high-danger chance from just outside the hashmarks.

And he threw a puck across the slot later in the third, circled high in the zone to retrieve it from Adam Pelech and fed Scott Mayfield off the bench for the tying score.

“I thought that was Mat’s best game of the series,” Trotz said. “He was using his skill set, making good decisions and playing all 200 feet of the ice. He was a factor.”

Mayfield’s dangerous — in a few ways

The debate will rage up until the start of Game 7 about Mayfield’s cross- check that sent Nikita Kucherov to the ice, then (possibly) to the dressing room for the remainder of Game 6. We say possibly because that may have been the play that ended Kucherov’s night. He stayed on for the rest of his one and only shift, attempting to throw a body on Barzal later before heading off and not returning.

Mayfield also cross-checked Steven Stamkos face-first into the wall just before the second-period horn, inciting a scrum. It had to be Mayfield to tie the score with a remarkable goal. It was a perfect shot, not the sort of snipe you expect from a player with 19 career goals (three in the playoffs).

If Kucherov can’t play Friday, there may be calls for Mayfield to be suspended. The cross-check on Kucherov certainly could have been called a minor, though referee Chris Lee was right there and called nothing. Kucherov has had a few moments when he’s drawn penalties this series with some embellishment, so perhaps that played a role despite the hard shove by Mayfield. 1189914 New York Islanders “Going off the ice and everyone’s hugging each other, there’s beer cans all over, it’s quite a sight,” Trotz added. “These are moments you’ll remember and great memories to have. But we have to get another one.”

Islanders Rally Gives Nassau Coliseum Another Signature Moment in Final Season NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 06.24.2021

Published 3 hours ago on June 24, 2021

By Andrew Battifarano

We’ve heard “the final game at Nassau Coliseum” more than a few times the last six years.

There were the final games in 2015 when it looked like the building was closing for good. But the Islanders returned part-time in 2018 and have called it their home full-time for one last go-around in 2021.

Heading into Wednesday’s Game 6 after a blowout loss in Tampa Bay, there was plenty of talk that this once again could be the final contest at Nassau Coliseum.

And through a period and a half, it looked like that was the case. The Tampa Bay Lightning held a 2-0 after Anthony Cirelli — he of last Game 6 fame — doubled the road team’s advantage. The Coliseum was unusually quiet. It looked ready to go out with a whimper.

But with 5:38 left in the middle period, the script was flipped in what turned into a 3-2 overtime win.

Mathew Barzal seemed to put his game to another level and fed Jordan Eberle into the slot, and the winger backhanded one past Andrei Vasilevskiy. And from there, it was all Islanders.

“You’re down 2-0 in Game 6. It doesn’t take much to mentally stay in it and be excited,” Barzal said. “Game 6 at home, in a tough spot, but we’re a resilient group and knew there was a lot of time left.

“We stuck with it.”

The crowd seemed rejuvenated and so did the team. In the third period the Islanders out-attempted Tampa Bay 13-8 at 5-on-5 play, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Barzal again was flying around the offensive zone when he spotted Scott Mayfield, who pinched in a roofed a game-tying goal late in the third period.

“The group that is playing right now, I love this group,” Barry Trotz said. “This building and what it’s meant to a number of players but probably more than anything, our fans. These are great moments.”

Momentum can be a fickle thing, and it was swinging all toward the Islanders. Until Matt Martin took a penalty with under six minutes to go in regulation. But even then, the Islanders killed it off. And looked poised to have a chance in overtime.

And a little over a minute in, they did take their chance and bury it when Anthony Beauvillier had a chance. The high-flying forward had not scored over his last 10 games. scored off a turnover. In fact, he had just one point in the semifinal heading into this game. But he took advantage of a giveaway in the slot and beat Vasilevskiy glove high.

Beauvillier succinctly summed up the raucous atmosphere.

“It feels amazing, to be honest,” he said. “That building coming into overtime was smelling like cigarettes and now it smells like beers.”

The Coliseum erupted. Beer cans and water bottles flew onto the ice. It was pure pandemonium.

It was pure Long Island.

It was the Islanders’ fourth overtime winner this postseason, and first at Nassau Coliseum. It was the first OT winner in Uniondale since Josh Bailey’s winner in the first round two years ago. And per statistician Eric Hornick, it’s the fourth-quickest overtime game in team history.

For a team filled with many postseason moments, forcing a Game 7 on home ice is another one to add to this building’s lore.

The Coliseum added one more bang. 1189915 New York Islanders NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 06.24.2021

Rapid Reaction: Gutsy Islanders Force Game 7 with Dramatic Overtime Win

Published 3 hours ago on June 23, 2021

By Christian Arnold

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The New York Islanders defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in overtime to force a Game 7. The best-of-seven series

How it Happened: Anthony Beauvillier won the game in overtime after he stole the puck from Blake Coleman in the offensive zone and then fired the puck by Andrei Vasilevskiy just inside the slot. The goal was Beauvillier’s first since Game 1 against the Boston Bruins and completed a comeback for the Islanders who found themselves down two goals by the middle of the second.

Jordan Eberle backhanded a shot from the slot to cut New York’s deficit to 2-1 at 14:22 of the second period. Scott Mayfield tied the game in the third period with a tough angle shot with 8:44 left to play in the game. The Islanders defenseman took a shot from the side of the net, beating Andrei Vasilevskiy over his left shoulder and tucking the puck into the top shelf of the net. The goal was Mayfield’s second of the postseason and helped force the game to overtime.

Tampa Bay found the back of the net first on Wednesday night. Naturally, it was Brayden Point who put Tampa up by one at the 16:02 mark of the first period. Point scored in his ninth consecutive playoff goal when was able to slide the puck past the extended leg of Semyon Varlamov. Tampa extended their lead in the second period after killing off a five-on-3 Islanders power play. Anthony Cirelli took a lead pass from Ondrej Palat and got behind the Islanders’ defense to bury the goal through Varlamov’s five-hole to make it 2-0 at 12:36 of the second.

Varlamov made 22 stops in the OT win, while Vasilevskiy stopped 25 shots for Tampa.

Big Game Beau: Anthony Beauvillier has had a habit of scoring a big goal or two on Nassau Coliseum ice when the New York Islanders first moved back to the Long Island venue. Wednesday was now the biggest of his career. Beauvillier had struggled for most of the series and hadn’t scored since the opening game of the Islanders Second-Round series with Boston, which meant it had been 11 games since he scored. But when the Islanders need him most he found a way to contribute, He forced the turnover in the Tampa Bay end and then buried the shot past Vailevskiy, who is not easily beat.

Never say Die-Landers: New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz emphatically talked about the Islanders character ahead of Game 6 on Wednesday. They backed it up Wednesday night with as gutsy a performance as they could have mustered this season. The Islanders had not played a poor game in Game 6, but for the first 40 minutes, they struggled to make the most of their best chances. Instead of getting down on themselves, the Islanders dug deep as they had done before and rallied in the final 20 minutes. First Mayfield buried a shot from a tough angle to tie the game and then when they found themselves having to kill off a late-game penalty, the Islanders remained calm as they have always been.

The Coliseum Doors Stay Open: While it’s not guaranteed that the Nassau Coliseum will get another two games on its historic ice before the Islanders move to UBS Arena, the Islanders gave their fans plenty of hope. Similar to what occured in 2015, the Islanders gutted out a win and sent their fans home happy with one more Coliseum win. Now they’ll need to pull out a win in Tampa to guarantee some more time at the old barn on Hempstead Turnpike.

Straight to the Point: There is no denying the dominance of Brayden Point in the series. He had the Islanders’ number just about every time he was on the ice and found a way to put the puck in the net in every way possible. On Wednesday night it was a strong effort behind the Islanders net to force Pelech to turn the puck over and then he worked his way back

1189916 New York Islanders

Nassau Coliseum Legacy Endures for Islanders Legends Tonelli and Potvin

Published 7 hours ago on June 23, 2021

By Christian Arnold

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Regardless of the outcome on Wednesday night, the Nassau Coliseum was already on borrowed time during the New York Islanders run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Coliseum has provided plenty of memories for those who have played and watched games at the Nassau County-owned facility on 1255 Hempstead Turnpike. The 2020-21 version of the Islanders has only added to those memories, with the latest being a Game 4 last-second save by Ryan Pulock to preserve a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

And it’s what’s given the alumni that still visit the Coliseum so much pride.

“I’m really proud of this hockey team,” Islanders Hall-of-Famer John Tonelli said. “First of all the organization, the ownership, Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin. Right from the top, Lou Lamoriello, Barry (Trotz) and the coaching staff and the players. They are creating their own legacy and they’re putting their own signature on this building. I’m just a happy, big-time fan watching it.”

While the current New York Islanders carve out a place of their own in the history of the Nassau Coliseum, the legacy of the dynasty days is still felt around the building and the organization. The Islanders’ four Stanley Cup Championship banners still hang distinctly above the end where the Islanders shoot twice.

On the other end, the legendary names of all eight players who have had their numbers retired hang proudly above the ice. Among those names is that of , who still hears from the new generation of fans what his team means to them.

“I meet 12, 14-year-olds who say ‘we idolize you guys,'” Potvin explained. “So obviously the great moments of the 80s and the 70s were basically passed down by the parents or the grandparents.”

Wednesday marks the potential last game at the Nassau Coliseum before the Islanders move to UBS Arena at Belmont Park. If the Islanders win Game 6 and force a Game 7, it could give the building another chance at one more Stanley Cup.

The New York Islanders haven’t been back to the Cup Final since the likes of Potvin and Tonelli patrolled the ice.

“I first walked in as a 19-year-old and most of my teammates same thing,” Potvin said. “And we just grew up here. It’s a bitter-sweet situation to watch it go away. It’s not going to be torn down, that’s good, but the hockey part, the Barn, Fort Neverlose, all of those things will move on and hopefully be reestablished at UBS.”

For Tonelli, what has made the whole experience unique has been how the fans have continued to embrace him. Asked for one word to describe the fanbase, he replied “family.”

“They call it Islander Nation. It’s family,” Tonelli said. “Islanders Nation/Family to me.”

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189917 New York Islanders The Islanders have managed to shock the hockey world throughout the playoffs, what is one more time? However, this will be the toughest test yet of the team’s turn the page mentality.

Islanders Face Toughest Challenge Yet as They Fight to Keep Coli Doors Open, Season Alive NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 06.24.2021

Published 11 hours ago on June 23, 2021

By Christian Arnold

The New York Islanders have been able to turn the page without being every time they’ve faced adversity in the playoffs. They’ve overcome bad performances to steal wins and they’ve quickly moved on from losses throughout the postseason, but Game 6 will put that ability to its toughest test yet.

The Islanders trail their best-of-seven series with the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 after an ugly loss in Game 5, which saw New York surrender eight goals and play an uncharacteristically undisciplined game. Now the Islanders have to stave off elimination not only to keep their season alive but to keep the Nassau Coliseum doors open.

It isn’t too far off from what Matt Martin and his longtime Islanders cohorts experienced six years ago when they faced the Washington Capitals — then led by Barry Trotz — in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Islanders dropped Game 5 in rough fashion to return to the Coliseum on the brink of elimination with the barn doors potentially closing if they lost the game.

The Islanders would go on to win that game 3-1 to give the Coliseum one more win before they departed for Brooklyn the following year.

That was the last time the Islanders found themselves in this spot getting ready for an elimination game on Coliseum ice.

“I think you draw from all your previous experiences in the postseason and in the regular season,” Matt Martin responded when asked if the team can look back at that moment for guidance this time around. “You over and over again in this league, it’s kind of the same. We’re in this position last year as well and we got it to OT and unfortunately, we came up short. You definitely draw from your past experiences, but most importantly it’s about playing our game, getting to our game early and making it hard on them.”

There’s no question that there has been no counting out the New York Islanders during this season’s run through the playoffs. They have been a team that has found just about any way to win, even when the odds have been stacked against them. And that’s the case even more so in Game 6 at the Coliseum.

It will test the Islanders’ ability to shake off a bad game on the biggest stage they’ve played on since the dynasty years. Their ability to do so has spoken volumes to the character in the Islanders’ dressing, and if anyone is questioning the team’s resolve at this point, head coach Barry Trotz will be sure to have a strong rebuttal to that.

“This team has a lot of character. This team has gone through lots of stuff over the last three years,” Trotz said. “This is game 96 that we’ll play in 10 and a half months. There’s not too many times over 96 games I can say we really didn’t have much. They bring everything they have night in and night out. This is not a question of character. Their character will never be an issue with me, and it shouldn’t be with anybody if you watch us play.

“This is a team you never say doesn’t have character.”

The Islanders will need to have their best effort following their Game 5 loss. Tampa Bay will be set right from the jump to keep New York from establishing their game and putting them back on their heels as they did on Monday.

New York has history on their side for Game 6, holding a 16-5 record in elimination games at the Nassau Coliseum. Not to mention a very vocal group that knows just reaching the semifinals isn’t acceptable anymore.

“Our expectation and what we want to do is win a Stanley Cup,” Martin said. “We’re not just satisfied with the fact that we’re here right now. Tonight is big and we need to find a way to win, and give ourselves a chance in a Game 7.” 1189918 New York Islanders

DO OR DIE! Islanders Game 6 Lines, Matchups and Game Notes vs. Tampa

Published 13 hours ago on June 23, 2021

By Christian Arnold

The New York Islanders are trying to keep their season alive and the doors open at the Nassau coliseum in a must-win Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Islanders trail Tampa Bay 3-2 in the best-of-seven series after a clunker in Game 5 at Amalie Arena. New York played its most uncharacteristic game of the year, falling 8-0 and taking 57 penalty minutes. Now the Islanders have to rebound to keep their season alive.

“We just have to bring our best effort,” Matt Martin said this morning. “We’ve earned everything we’ve gotten to this point and we have to go out there and earn the right to continue to play. In front of our home crowd, we need to use the energy in the building and momentum to our favor. Got to get off to a good start. Obviously last game was pretty disappointing. Credit to them they jumped all over us right away and we never really had a chance to find our game and then climb back in.

“The start has been critical and we’ll use our crowd to our advantage tonight.”

The New York Islanders fell behind early in the Game 5 loss, giving up a goal 45 seconds into the first period. The team that has scored first in the first five games of the series has gone on to win each game.

“It would be nice,” Trotz said about being able to score the first goal of the game. “I think if we’re even after the first period our record is pretty good. It’s amazing we haven’t scored first in many of our wins. We have not been the team that has scored first. It’s amazing where we are based on some of the starts. I think just playing well at the start and not falling behind three pucks as quickly as we did last game will benefit us.”

It doesn’t appear that the New York Islanders will be making any changes to their lineup for Game 6 and Semyon Varlamov is expected to be back in the net for New York as well in the crucial game.

That could mean that Kyle Palmieri and Leo Komarov may be back in their new spots on the first and third lines, respectively.

“To make a change just for the sake of change to evaluate on that game (Game 5) would be pretty hard,” Trotz said. “I think you have to go with your gut instinct. The guys have risen their game when it’s most important. The guys that have got that equity in the bank and shown what they can do when their backs are against the wall and you need a big win. That’s the lineup we will go with and they’ve done.

“You just have to trust that they’ll do it again.”

Jan Rutta did not appear at Tampa Bay’s morning skate at the Nassau Coliseum, according to Joe Smith of The Athletic. Erik Cernak appeared to skate before the main group of Tampa Players. Rutta left Monday’s game after Mathew Barzal crosschecked him in the face and was booted from the game.

The puck drops tonight at 8:15 p.m.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189919 Ottawa Senators

Senators Community Foundation undergoes change with departure of Chris Phillips

Bruce Garrioch

Publishing date: Jun 23, 2021

The Senators Community Foundation will have a new look next season.

Former defenceman Chris Phillips, the franchise record-holder in games played with 1,179 in his career, has handed in his resignation after being the named the face of the charitable organization last August.

The Senators had no comment on the decision by 43-year-old Phillips to leave the executive director position. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Wednesday that Phillips left after the organization let senior director Brad Weir go last week.

The Senators Community Foundation was formed last season after the Ottawa Senators Foundation decided to end its relationship with the organization.

Anthony LeBlanc, the club’s president of business operations, said the board of directors of the old foundation wanted an automatic one-year extension, but the Senators didn’t want to go that route without a business plan in place. The club offered to extend the agreement for four months, but the board opted to go in another direction without the club’s brand.

It’s been a difficult year because raising money for the charitable arm hasn’t been easy with no fans in the Canadian Tire Centre and having to rely on online sales for the 50/50 draws held on a nightly basis.

The Senators are waiting for word from the province on what next season will look like and what the capacity will be. In the past, the foundation has focused its efforts on having a strong relationship with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern , House and the Boys and Girls Club.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189920 Ottawa Senators Sure, Mann hopes to be an NHL coach some day but he’s not in any hurry to make the next step.

“Coaching is no different than players, right?,” Mann said. “It’s success Belleville Senators coach Troy Mann is looking forward to continue and everybody’s timeframe is different. Some players get there a lot helping the club's prospects quicker than others and the coaching fraternity is similar. You need to work to get to the NHL a little bit quicker, but I think I’m in a great place, I love being a head coach and I believe that’s what I’m meant to be.

Bruce Garrioch “That’s not saying that being an assistant in the NHL isn’t something I wouldn’t entertain, but I’m certainly hoping that somewhere along the Publishing date: Jun 23, 2021 way (being a head coach in the NHL) happens. But, it’s a process and you need patience. I’m very happy with where I’m at. My family truly loves this area. My daughter just graduated from Grade 8 (Tuesday) Troy Mann had no intention of moving anywhere else. night and when the right opportunity is there for Troy Mann we’ll definitely look at it. The coach of the Belleville Senators actually had discussions with Ottawa general manager during training camp in January “My focus is on the Belleville Senators, winning here and getting as many about staying in the organization with his contract set to expire June 30 players up for D.J. as quick as possible.” and the two-year extension reached between the two sides wasn’t really that difficult.

The 51-year-old Mann has helped to graduate prospects like Josh Norris, Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.24.2021 Drake Batherson and Alex Formenton to the next level and he’s determined to help those in the mix make the same achievement.

“There was never a question for me about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be,” said Mann on a Zoom call Wednesday. “This has been a fantastic three years, there’s been a lot of great people in the organization. We spoke in January and I certainly believed there was mutual interest all along.

“It was just a matter of getting something down that was fair both sides. We accomplished that. I’m glad it’s over with, I’m looking forward to training camp and getting back to work.”

Dorion and assistant GM Peter MacTavish have worked closely with Mann on making sure the organization’s strategy in Belleville is on the same page as what coach D.J. Smith and his staff are using in Ottawa. When the Senators decided to do this rebuild, the club felt it had to take steps back to move forward.

Not only did the Senators finish strong down the stretch after a difficult start, Belleville followed the same path.

“Both teams, the starts were very slow, but in the defence of both when you go with such a youthful roster on both teams it takes time,” Mann said. “Once D.J. was able to get his players, specifically the Norris’ and Batherson’s improved, and on the same page with the systematic play and getting used to the NHL, you could see what the potential was as the season progressed.

“I would say that our season was identical to that (in Belleville) in terms of the improvement on a week-to-week basis. That’s encouraging, it doesn’t guarantee you wins in terms of October or November, but I’m sure both teams are set up to make progress once October rolls around.”

Before the AHL went on pause because of COVID-19 in March 2020, Belleville was on the verge of winning its division and making the playoffs for the first time since the organization moved its club there. In three seasons, Mann has a 93-67-14 record, but the key is his ability to work with prospects and help them make the next step to the Senators.

“That’s the job at this level. You feel fantastic that you’ve accomplished that because ultimately everybody wants to be in the NHL and when you’re coaching in the AHL you have to make winning a priority,” Mann said. “Just because of the team concept and what drives everybody and when it comes to the prospects, winning is no different than the individual skill set improving or the mental aspects of the game. To me, it all (works) together.

“So when a guy graduates, it’s not only a fantastic feeling for me, it’s great for the whole staff. Everybody’s development is different. Josh Norris needed a year in the AHL, Drake Batherson needed parts of two seasons, Erik Brannstrom parts of three seasons and Brady Tkachuk didn’t need any time. Every player carves their own path and when it does happen on a full-time basis it certainly makes you proud. We’re in a unique situation here where getting the prospects to Ottawa is vital for the success of the Ottawa Senators and that makes it even more imperative.

“I know our staff loves the pressure of getting guys to Ottawa and will continue to do that.” 1189921 Ottawa Senators “The first thing I remember was, ‘I can’t believe how well he speaks English,'” said Johnston of the Islanders pre-draft interview with Chara in St. Louis.

‘So, do we have a deal?’ The story behind the Senators’ heist of Zdeno The conversation included the usual gamut of questions that a scouting Chara and Jason Spezza for staff asks to potential NHL prospects. But Johnston distinctly recalls asking the teenaged Chara, “So, you’re 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds. You’re probably going to have to fight if you come over here. Are you OK with that?” By Ian Mendes According to Johnston, Chara cooly responded by saying, “My dad was Jun 23, 2021 an Olympic wrestler, so I’ve got no problems with that stuff. And you’ve always got to look after your teammates.”

The night before the 2001 NHL Draft, was feeling Johnston came away from that meeting thoroughly impressed with the anxious inside his hotel room in Sunrise, Fla. maturity and composure Chara displayed during their face-to-face interview session. The Islanders eventually selected Chara with their The Ottawa Senators general manager was trying to move a disgruntled third-round selection — No. 56 — in the 1996 NHL Draft. franchise centre, but he was running out of suitors. That evening, Johnston learned the had formally withdrawn from the Alexei A few weeks later, Johnston signed a contract to become the director of Yashin sweepstakes. player personnel with the Ottawa Senators. But he kept that conversation with Chara in the back of his mind, knowing that if he ever had the That meant the New York Islanders were the only candidate left to opportunity to acquire the hulking defenceman, he would do so with little acquire the Senators superstar. And if Johnston couldn’t swing a deal hesitation. with his counterpart, with the Islanders, he would be stuck in a precarious position. Heading into the 2001 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders were at a crossroads. The once-proud franchise had missed the playoffs in seven Johnston knew his club could not afford to sign Yashin to a lucrative consecutive seasons and had gone through a revolving door of owners, contract extension. The Senators were bursting at the seams financially head coaches and players during that tumultuous window. and would not be able to satisfy the contract demands from their 27-year- old star. And considering there was already existing animosity — But instead of opting for a patient rebuilding process, and including a lost season for Yashin in 1999-2000 — it was in everyone’s Sanjay Kumar — who had purchased the team 14 months earlier — gave interest for a change of scenery. management the green light for an aggressive push to become a playoff team in the summer of 2001. But now that the field for Yashin had narrowed to a single potential destination, Johnston had a restless night leading into the NHL Draft the “We went into that draft and the owners basically said to us, ‘We want a next morning. If the Islanders pulled out of sweepstakes as the Stars contender now,'” former Islanders assistant general manager Mike did, there was no contingency plan. Santos told The Athletic. “It was like going from 20 miles per hour to 70 miles per hour overnight.” “I think it took about 20 years off my life, just waiting to get that deal done,” Johnston recently told The Athletic. This was a refreshing change for Islanders general manager Mike Milbury, who had spent a good portion of the previous two seasons Speaking from his home in Minnesota, the now 80-year-old Johnston can slashing the club’s payroll. Santos recalls one meeting in particular with easily recall the series of events leading up to the blockbuster trade with previous owners Howard Milstein and Steven Gluckstern at World Trade the Islanders, which is often viewed as the greatest single trade in Center when he and Milbury were instructed to reduce the club’s Ottawa Senators history. spending on players to roughly $13 million. In a three-month span in the spring and summer of 1999, the Islanders jettisoned their four top scorers And he vividly remembers receiving an early morning phone call around from the previous season — Zigmund Palffy, Robert Reichel, Trevor 7 a.m. on the morning of June 23, 2001. Linden and Bryan Smolinski. Milbury was on the other end of the line with a simple question for the So when Wang and Kumar gave Milbury clearance to acquire big-ticket Senators general manager. assets — rather than trade them — the Islanders general manager was “So, do we have a deal?” elated at the prospects of improving his team. The Islanders quickly identified three main targets in the summer of 2001: Jason Allison from The initial seeds for this blockbuster trade were actually planted exactly the Boston Bruins, Michael Peca from the Buffalo Sabres and Alexei five years earlier, when Johnston — ironically enough — spent one Yashin from Ottawa. season working as a scout for the Islanders. Johnston had completed a successful tenure as the director of player personnel with the New Jersey All three were talented centres that appeared to be on the market due to Devils, where he helped draft and develop such players as Kirk Muller, contractual impasses with their respective teams. The Islanders felt they and Martin Brodeur. could quickly acquire an elite centre and dramatically improve their roster overnight. They were willing to use the No. 2 pick in the 2001 draft as the But for the 1995-96 season, Johnston was brought into the Islanders main anchor to any blockbuster deal. Islanders officials even made sure family by their director of amateur scouting Bert Marshall. The two men to temper any expectations around a potential draft party involving their had previously worked together with the Colorado Rockies franchise and fans back on Long Island, knowing there was a high probability their pick were reunited for one season in the Islanders amateur scouting would be traded. department. Once word leaked out the Islanders were shopping the second selection, The Islanders brass was intrigued by a raw, gangly prospect playing in more teams entered the fray. The Chicago Blackhawks briefly appeared Slovakia, but they simply didn’t have enough intel on the young with an offer that involved Eric Daze, who was just coming off his third defenceman leading into the 1996 NHL Draft. They were able to procure 30-goal season at the age of 25. But the Islanders were adamant about a few game highlights, but the video they received wasn’t the best landing an elite centre in a proposed trade, so having a winger like Daze quality. as the central piece did not appeal to them.

“We had to get those tapes transferred to VHS. They weren’t compatible After discussing the potential deals on the table at length with their with our machines in North America,” Johnston recalled. Another scouting staff, the Islanders simply felt the Chicago deal didn’t have any Islanders staffer recalled scouts watching footage of this mysterious legs. It came down to Boston and Ottawa for the No. 2 pick, but the teenager on reel-to-reel film inside the club’s front office. Bruins deal was getting bigger and more complicated. It became obvious So with only a limited sample size of game footage to analyze, a face-to- that if the Islanders landed Allison, they wouldn’t have enough assets to face meeting with 19-year-old Zdeno Chara would prove to be crucial in swing another major deal. swaying the Islanders toward drafting him. But as they studied their potential proposals, they realized if they gave up what Ottawa was asking for Yashin, they might be also able to land Peca (the 1997 Selke Trophy winner) from Buffalo. The Sabres were not looking for the No. 2 pick as part of the return package for Peca, which club’s first day of camp at Mirror Lake and as a result, Milbury offered up opened up some new avenues for the Islanders. one of his signature verbal tongue-lashings to reporters.

“This way, we could get two stars,” said Santos. “He will not play for the Islanders this year,” Milbury said of Chara’s situation on Sept. 9, 2000. “He will not play in the National Hockey So they simply had to ask themselves: “Would they rather have Jason League this year. We will not offer him in any trade under any Allison on his own or would they prefer to have both Alexei Yashin and circumstances and we will seek to renegotiate his contract in the summer Mike Peca?” of 2001. And I dare say the offers will look quite a lot like they look today. And the Islanders quickly became giddy at the prospect of landing both I think he’s making a mistake as big as he is.” Yashin and Peca to play down the middle. Club officials had watched the Milbury’s harsh comments came on the heels of Chara reportedly turning Stanley Cup playoffs from the outside and noted that a lot of Yashin’s down a three-year, $2.45 million contract on the eve of training camp. postseason struggles were the result of being blanketed by Peca. When Wang was adamant about enforcing his new policy, but ultimately the Sabres swept the Senators in the first round of the 1999 playoffs, relented after Islanders goaltender personally Yashin was held pointless in the series — thanks largely to the intense intervened into the situation to act as a peacemaker. Chara eventually and relentless checking from Peca. signed a one-year contract a couple of weeks later and appeared in all “We knew the Sabres had beaten Ottawa a couple of times in the 82 games for the Islanders in 2000-01. playoffs. And we knew that Peca was a major factor in shutting down But tensions between his camp and the Islanders had escalated. Chara’s Yashin,” explained Santos. “We thought, if we could put the one guy agent at the time — Ritch Winter — firmly believed his client was a behind him in the lineup who was his kryptonite, this was perfect.” budding superstar. He made lofty comparisons to Scott Stevens and And so the Islanders set out on a mission to land both star centres in a Larry Robinson, predicting Chara was on the verge of breaking out as an 24-hour window. elite defenceman. Some Islanders staff even recall a detailed binder that Winter put together, which suggested Chara would soon become the Johnston had no interest in trying to re-sign Yashin to a contract most dominant defenceman in the league. And Winter wanted Chara to extension in the summer of 2001. Relations between the player and club be paid accordingly. were strained, after the superstar had tried to renegotiate his contract on multiple occasions during the course of his tenure in Ottawa. The most Contacted by The Athletic for this story, Winter — who no longer notable contractual flare-up occurred two years earlier when Yashin was represents Chara — simply said too much time has elapsed for him to the runner-up for the Hart Trophy. remember the exact details surrounding Chara’s contract negotiations with the Islanders. As for the existence of his binder that outlined Chara Believing he was deserving of a more lucrative contract, Yashin held out being on the precipice of greatness, Winter says his office usually gets at the start of the 1999-2000 season until his contract demands were rid of research materials after five years. met. Johnston — a first-time general manager in the NHL — was not interested in capitulating in his first major challenge on the job. Yashin It was clear there was a disconnect between Chara and the Islanders. believed if he sat out the entire season, he would become a free agent in While the purse strings had been loosened for Milbury in the summer of the summer of 2000. Johnston and the Senators were adamant that 2001, he wasn’t about to spend that money on a stay-at-home Yashin owed them another year on his contract and the standoff required defenceman who might project into a dominant player. The Islanders legal intervention. were zeroed in on landing big, talented centres who could help them win right away. And because they knew Chara’s camp was willing to play An NHL arbitrator ruled in favour of the Senators in this dispute, forcing hardball with contracts, they were OK to include him in the deal for Yashin to return to the club for the 2000-01 season. His captaincy had Yashin. been stripped and Yashin lost a lot of currency with teammates, but he was the Senators’ most dominant regular-season player in 2000-01, “Nobody likes to give up players they like and respect,” Santos said of leading the club with 40 goals and 88 points. But after his club was swept Chara. “And we really liked Zdeno as a person. But that’s just the cost of out of the first round of the playoffs again, it was clear Yashin’s time with doing business. And that’s what the new owners wanted.” the organization was officially finished. The final straw came when Johnston was insistent on the inclusion of Chara in the proposed deal, as Yashin showed up one hour late to the club’s season-ending meeting in he fondly recalled his interaction with him at the St. Louis draft in the April 2001. Yashin chalked up the lateness to a misunderstanding, but it summer of 1996. Twenty years later, Johnston said Chara was always a was clear his teammates were not buying the excuse. main target in his negotiations with the Islanders.

“I guess it shows how much he cares about this team,” new captain “To get Zdeno Chara, in my view, I would have probably taken the Daniel Alfredsson told reporters of Yashin’s tardiness. “I don’t care where second pick in the second round,” Johnston said. he is.” On the evening before the 2001 draft, Johnston and Milbury had The waters were too poisoned for Yashin to return for another season in hammered out the majority of components for the blockbuster trade. The Ottawa. And even if relations between Yashin and his teammates had two sides agreed on the main parts of the deal: The second pick in the miraculously improved, the Senators simply didn’t have the financial draft and Zdeno Chara in exchange for Alexei Yashin. The last piece of resources to retain his services. Yashin was coming off a contract that the deal was a minor sticking point, as the Senators wanted Dave paid him $3.6 million in 2000-01 and the feeling was he wanted to double Scatchard to be included in the trade while the Islanders countered by that value with his next deal. offering Bill Muckalt.

As Johnston recalled, negotiations on a new contract never occurred While this was unfolding, Dallas general manager Bob Gainey contacted because the general manager knew the club could not make that type of Johnston to inform him the Stars were dropping out. financial commitment. Twenty years later, Johnston could not recall the specifics of the Dallas “That wasn’t going to happen. We simply didn’t have the money to pay deal on the table, but he simply said, “It wasn’t anything close to what the him,” explained Johnston. “I think we owed about $12 million to the banks Islanders were offering.” on interest alone. No way we could sign him to a new deal. We’d never get it approved.” With Dallas out of the picture, Johnston had all of his eggs in the Islanders basket. Eighteen months later — in January 2003 — the Senators would file for bankruptcy and the court documents revealed the club owed a combined If Milbury hesitated with the deal, the Senators would likely have been $60 million to the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and FleetBank. facing a dead-end with Yashin. There would be no suitors for his services and they wouldn’t have enough money to bring him back. At the same time Yashin returned to the Senators for the start of the 2000-01 season, Chara was embroiled in a public and bitter contract So when the phone rang in his hotel room on draft day, Johnston was dispute of his own with the Islanders. elated to hear Milbury on the line agreeing to a trade.

Wang had implemented a new policy that stated if a player was not Johnston quickly agreed to the amendment that replaced Scatchard with signed to a contract by the first day of training camp, he would not be Muckalt in the deal. And given the Senators’ precarious situation, welcomed back to the club at any point that season. Chara missed the Johnston had one final ask of Milbury before the deal was finalized. “Do you think you guys can pick up half the salary on Muckalt? We’re a of the playoffs on all three occasions. In 2003, they were eliminated by little strapped here financially,” Johnston recalled. “And Mike said, ‘Sure, the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Senators and in 2004, they lost to the no problem.'” eventual Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

Around 9 a.m., the clubs dispatched their assistant general managers — If the mission was to give the Islanders instant credibility, the front office Santos with the Islanders and Peter Chiarelli with the Senators — to the accomplished that goal. draft floor at the arena in Sunrise to register the trade with league officials. And a couple of hours later — after the “People forget this, but this trade ended up working out for both teams,” selected Ilya Kovalchuk with the first pick — went to the insisted Santos. “We went from a laughingstock to a playoff team podium and announced, “The Ottawa Senators trade Alexei Yashin to the overnight.” New York Islanders in exchange for Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt and the Chara ended up leaving Ottawa after only four seasons with the club, second overall pick in this year’s draft. The next pick.” opting to sign a lucrative free-agent contract in 2006 with the Boston To underscore how little-known Chara was in broader NHL circles at the Bruins. But Johnston says he still keeps in contact with Chara after all time, Bettman pronounced his first name as “Zden-neo” at the podium. these years, usually via email. “I appreciate his friendship,” Johnston There were audible gasps and cheers from the crowd, a reminder of said. natural and surprised reactions from fans in a time before social media. Johnston only spent one season as Chara’s general manager, as he Moments later, Jarmo Kekalainen — who was the Senators director of abruptly left his post less than a year after orchestrating his signature player personnel at the time — announced that the Senators had trade. In May 2002, Johnston informed the club he would not seek a selected Jason Spezza from the Windsor Spitfires. contract extension in the role of general manager, instead opting to leave for a position with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Islanders were elated to land Yashin in the trade, firmly believing his reputation had been sullied by playing in a Canadian market. In his first He still looks back with great pride at the trade that is often viewed as the public comments after the trade, Milbury famously quipped, “Mother greatest transaction in Senators franchise history. Theresa would have a bad reputation in Ottawa.” “I can’t believe 20 years has gone by. It goes by quick at my age,” But in that initial media availability after acquiring Yashin, Milbury did not laughed Johnston. “Timing is everything. And a lot of luck has to be reveal that he had one more major deal in his back pocket. Roughly 24 involved.” hours later, the Islanders would announce they had also acquired Peca — who missed the entire previous season in a contract dispute in Buffalo — in exchange for young forwards and . The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021

The Islanders were able to pull off the double-blockbuster on draft weekend. And for them, they viewed Yashin and Peca as a package deal.

“If we were unable to get Mike Peca, who knows if we do the Ottawa deal for Yashin,” said Santos.

History has not been kind to Milbury and the New York Islanders for this trade. It’s often listed as one of the most lopsided deals in NHL history.

As his former agent once predicted, Chara did evolve into one of the most dominant defencemen in league history. He will undoubtedly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer with credentials that will rival any defenceman of the 21st century. Spezza emerged as one of the most productive centres of his era and is closing in on the 1,000-point plateau. The fact both players are still active NHLers speaks to their durability and consistency.

As for Yashin, he’s been out of the NHL for 14 years. Less than 10 weeks after orchestrating the trade for Yashin, Milbury inked the centre to a 10-year, $87.5 million contract — the richest in league history at the time. But six years later — in the summer of 2007 — the Islanders bought out the remainder of Yashin’s contract as he was largely underwhelming on Long Island with 290 points in 346 games and 12 points in 22 playoff games.

But Islanders officials are adamant that the deal accomplished the main goal of resuscitating a moribund franchise and turning it into a playoff contender overnight.

The 2001-02 New York Islanders had one of the greatest single-season improvements in NHL history, going from 52 points the previous season to 96 points and a playoff spot. The 44-point improvement was fuelled by Yashin, who led the team in scoring with 32 goals and 75 points in 78 games. Peca finished second in scoring with 25 goals and 60 points. Just prior to the regular season starting, they claimed Stanley Cup-winning goalie Chris Osgood off waivers from Detroit. And rookie head coach — then just 37 — helped put all the pieces together in his first season behind the bench.

The club got off to a scorching start, losing just once in their first 11 games of the regular season. They never dropped out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and finished two points ahead of Ottawa in the standings that season. They missed out on winning the division title by a single point to the Philadelphia Flyers. New York eventually lost a hard- fought, seven-game series against the Maple Leafs in the opening round, with many pointing to Peca’s devastating knee injury in Game 5 as a crucial turning point.

The Islanders would make the playoffs in each of the first three seasons in the Yashin era — although they would be eliminated in the first round 1189922 Philadelphia Flyers

Fill-in coach Luke Richardson, a former Flyer, has Montreal one win away from reaching the Stanley Cup Final

Sam Carchidi

Montreal finished with eight more losses than wins in the regular season and was the last NHL team to earn a playoff berth.

Now, the Canadiens, directed by a fill-in coach, Luke Richardson, who used to play defense for the Flyers, are one win away from stunning Vegas and reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993.

The Habs took a lead of three games to two in the semifinals Tuesday night with a 4-1 win in Vegas. They can wrap up the series Thursday in Montreal.

Richardson, 52, a Montreal assistant coach the last three seasons, is 2-1 since replacing interim head coach Dominique Ducharme after Ducharme tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Ducharme replaced the fired Claude Julien in late February, when the Canadiens were 9-5-4.

Montreal (24-21-11 in the regular season) has been the hungrier, faster team in a series that Vegas (40-14-2), which tied Colorado for the most points in the regular season, was expected to dominate. Vegas had 82 points in the regular season — 23 more than the Canadiens (59), who had just one more point than the sad-sack Flyers.

“Everybody’s feeling confident. Everybody knows their role, and we’re playing exceptionally well,” Richardson, whose team upset Toronto and Winnipeg in the first two rounds, told reporters in Vegas. “That’s going to continue whether we’re in the lead, whether we’re behind, tied, in overtime, start of game. That’s what we want, to keep that same mindset.”

After a 21-year career as a physical, stay-at-home defender, including five seasons with the Flyers from 1997 to 2002, Richardson spent three years as an Ottawa assistant. He later was the head coach of the AHL’s Binghamton Senators for four seasons before returning to the NHL as an Islanders assistant.

He has been a Montreal assistant since 2018-19.

“I think coaching in the minors helps,” Richardson said. “I had four years there of running a bench, and for me that has really given me a lot of help. ... All those experiences, you boil them together, and it gives you insight on different parts of the game, preparation for the game.”

The goaltending of Carey Price; the experience and strong play of Shea Weber, Tyler Toffoli, Eric Staal, Corey Perry, and Joel Armia; and the pestering play of Brendan Gallagher have been critical in the Canadiens’ run. Ditto a stellar penalty kill and the blossoming of youngsters Cole Caufield — Montreal selected him 15th overall in the 2019 draft, one pick after the Flyers took defenseman Cam York — Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Nick Suzuki.

Caufield, 20, has three goals in the series against Vegas. He and his teammates do not want to return to the Strip for a Game 7. If they don’t, it will be an emotional series win for the Canadiens, especially for Richardson, whose daughter, Daron, 14, committed suicide in 2010.

After a 3-2 overtime win over Vegas in Game 3, Richardson tapped the DIFD heart pin on his lapel. The initials stand for the “Do It For Daron” youth mental health program that Richardson and his wife, Stephanie, started in their daughter’s memory.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189923 Philadelphia Flyers But Sanheim’s actual contract could take on many forms. With the help of Evolving-Hockey’s Contract Projections model — which accounts for every relevant contract signed and uses that data to determine the most likely outcome for a player’s new deal — and a healthy dose of our own Breaking down Travis Sanheim’s contract situation: What might his next research on comparable players and the deals they signed, let’s take a deal look like? look at the three most likely scenarios for Sanheim’s looming extension.

Option 1: Take him to unrestricted free agency

By Charlie O'Connor This framework would come with obvious positives and just as many apparent risks. Jun 23, 2021 Interestingly enough, Evolving-Hockey’s model sees this (barely) as

Sanheim’s most likely contractual scenario, giving a two-year deal a 23 The Philadelphia Flyers are expected to be in for a very busy summer, by percent chance of being the final framework. being aggressive in the hopes of adding pieces from outside the The obvious benefit for the Flyers going short term with Sanheim for a organization. But that doesn’t mean they can neglect internal business in second straight time is the price — Evolving-Hockey’s model pegs a two- the process. year deal as likely requiring a $4.303 million cap hit, which would count In fact, re-signing their own key restricted free agents will be an important as barely a $1 million raise over Sanheim’s current $3.25 million average aspect of setting up the rest of their offseason. Especially in the post- annual value (AAV). That’s an extremely manageable number and one pandemic world, cap issues loom large for almost every team because of that would not hinder the Flyers much in their pursuit of additions this the stagnant nature of the $81.5 million ceiling. If the Flyers want to make summer, as long as they can find a way to move at least one big moves externally, they need to have a full understanding of what it will contract. likely cost to retain their key pieces, both this summer and into the future. There’s also a recent precedent from a Sanheim’s comparables in going Two such key pieces are up for extensions right now — goaltender this route: Darnell Nurse. In the wake of his entry-level contract, Nurse Carter Hart and defenseman Travis Sanheim. signed a two-year, $6.4 million contract ($3.2 million AAV) — nearly identical to Sanheim’s soon-to-expire bridge deal. But rather than going Now, it’s theoretically possible that during this sure-to-be-active long term afterward, Nurse and the Edmonton Oilers ended up offseason, one or both of Hart and Sanheim are moved in trades. But it structuring his third contract (signed in February 2020) to bridge him right doesn’t seem likely. Hart — bad season and all — remains one of to UFA status, giving him another two-year term, this time worth $5.6 Philadelphia’s most valued young players, and while Sanheim might not million yearly. be untouchable, he’s still seen by the front office as a long-term piece on defense. These are players that the Flyers are likely to re-sign rather If Sanheim goes this route, he can’t realistically ask for Nurse’s AAV — than ship out this summer, and because of their RFA status, the team Nurse had far more NHL experience when he signed his deal (79 more essentially has exclusive negotiating rights to do so, barring a surprise regular-season games) than Sanheim does now, had a career point-per- offer sheet from another club. game rate higher than Sanheim, and was in the midst of a season in which he was saddled with 23:27 minutes per game (Sanheim averaged But how much might they cost? And what will that do to the Flyers’ cap 21:53 last season). Those are some of the key metrics that get flexibility? Today, let’s take a deep dive into Sanheim’s contract situation. defensemen paid in the NHL, and Nurse has the edge in all of them. In Two summers ago, he signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal and now is in other words, given a two-year framework, the conversation between the line for a raise on his third NHL contract. Flyers and Sanheim’s camp will likely center on how much less per year he’ll receive than Nurse, not whether he deserves to be in his pay range. Sanheim’s status entering negotiations He doesn’t, especially given that Nurse’s contract was signed pre- When Sanheim signed his last contract (two years, $6.5 million), there pandemic before the possibility of a stagnant cap even entered the minds was a real risk on the part of the Flyers for ultimately going short term of NHL general managers. Sanheim is getting less than $5.6 million per with the defenseman. After all, Sanheim had just concluded a season in season in this scenario, like somewhere in the low-to-mid $4 million-$5 which he finished on the top pairing (with Ivan Provorov) and racked up million range. 29 points in his final 58 games. If Sanheim had quickly established So what’s the risk? Well, it puts the Flyers in the same situation they himself as a first-pair, 40-plus-point blueliner over the two-season length were just in with Scott Laughton — the possibility of losing him to another of his next deal, he’d be in line for a massive raise come 2021. team on the open market in just two seasons. When Sanheim’s That’s not what happened, though. theoretical two-year term expires, he’ll be able to apply for unrestricted free agency. Now, for Sanheim detractors, this might not be a terribly Sanheim’s minutes per game increased in 2019-20 and 2020-21 — undesirable outcome, but for the Flyers — who do seem to value jumping from 19:34 to 20:09 and then 21:53 — but he never truly Sanheim highly — it would be a case of trading short-term gain (in the regained the top-pair spot with Provorov. Instead, he settled in as the form of extra cap space) for long-term risk (losing Sanheim in two years team’s anchor on their second pairing. Yet his scoring pace didn’t for nothing or having to pay him significantly more every year if his improve to match the extra ice time. After finishing with 35 points in 82 production improves). Also, there’s the added, common-sense factor of a games back in 2018-19 (his performance right before signing his last player’s intentions when signing a deal that takes him right to UFA status: contract), Sanheim dipped to 25 in 69 (a 30-point pace over 82 games) it hints that he might be counting the days until he can leave. That’s and then 15 over 55 (22-point pace) in 2020-21. perhaps not a sword the Flyers want hanging over their heads.

That said, entering negotiations in 2019, Sanheim had played just half a Option 2: A mid-length deal season as a top-four Flyers defenceman. Now he’s an established part of their top two pairs, and actually finished second in overall ice time this Even though Evolving-Hockey’s model sees a two-year term as year to Provorov. Sanheim may not have had the full-fledged statistical Sanheim’s most likely contract outcome, it’s not a runaway winner. Three breakout over the past two seasons that seemed possible back then, but years checks in at 20 percent, a four-year term is given a 19 percent he’s firmly locked in as one of the team’s workhorse defensemen and likelihood, and a five-year length gets an 8 percent chance. In other has earned the trust of Philadelphia’s coaching staff. That’s the recipe for words, the model sees it as a 47 percent chance — basically a coin flip a raise. — that Sanheim’s contract ends up being in the three- to five-year range.

Sanheim’s contract situation matters as well. He’s 25 years old, with four What might the price be on a deal in that range? That’s where things get NHL seasons to his credit. That means he’ll first be eligible to file for a little tougher. unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2023. In other words, any There just aren’t many direct recent comparables to Sanheim’s situation contract he signs this summer lasting longer than two seasons will “buy who took deals in the three- to five-year range. In fact, since 2018, just out” UFA years. If he signs a one-year deal, he’ll again be an RFA next two relatively comparable players with two seasons remaining before summer; a two-year deal would take him right into UFA status and the hitting UFA status — Colin Miller and Matt Dumba — signed deals with a open market. mid-length term, and both contracts were finalized way back in 2018 (in other words, long before the pandemic). Plus, Sanheim isn’t a clean In other words: just because an eight-year deal at a little over $6 million match for either, at least statistically. per year is the “fair market value” for Sanheim based on comparables (Evolving-Hockey gives him a $6.15 million cap hit on an eight-year term, Sanheim certainly doesn’t appear to be in the Dumba range — he’s right behind Morrissey), that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the prudent played in fewer games than Dumba had when he negotiated his deal, move for the Flyers. scored half the goals and had a lesser role. But he’s likely in line for more than Miller received, given the 70 additional games of NHL experience How might the Flyers proceed with Sanheim? and larger role on his club. So he’s looking at an AAV closer to $4 million than $6 million. Based on comparables and Evolving-Hockey’s model, there are three likely paths for Sanheim’s next contract. They could give him another That’s where Evolving-Hockey’s model sees him landing on a three- to short-term bridge in the low-to-mid $4 million cap hit range that takes him five-year term, as well. The specifics are a bit off — likely because of the to unrestricted free agency. Sanheim could take a mid-length deal that lack of comparables — but it predicts that a mid-range deal for Sanheim extends into his UFA years, jumping his likely yearly compensation up to would fall in the $4.57 million to $5.14 million range in terms of cap hit. the high $4 million/low $5 million cap hit range. Or, the two sides could Almost certainly, to be clear, Sanheim would get a higher AAV on a four- hammer out a long-term extension that moves him into Lindell and year deal than a three-year deal, but the overall range across the three Morrissey territory, setting up Sanheim to play for the Flyers into his 30s feels right. and remain a key price while doing so.

There was a run of four-year terms given to RFA defensemen last The short-term deal is possible, especially if the Flyers are looking to offseason — Devon Toews and Matt Grzelcyk — that came in on the conserve cap space at all costs, or if they deem the demands of lower end of the spectrum; Toews received a $4.1 million cap hit, and Sanheim’s camp on a larger deal to be too ambitious, especially given Grzelcyk got $3.687 million. But their situations were a bit different, as the stagnant cap. But my guess is that the Flyers, who do still like both played in significantly fewer NHL games than Sanheim when they Sanheim, would prefer not to put a timer on his tenure in Philadelphia, hit the negotiating table, and both had just one year of RFA status and that’s what a two-year term would do since it would take him directly remaining. It likely helps to explain why the Evolving-Hockey model to UFA status. That kind of term sends a clear message that Sanheim comes in lower for the four-year term, as the most recent RFA shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as a long-term piece for the defensemen contracts likely dragged down the projection, and could be a organization. sign of things to come given the stagnant cap environment. A six- or eight-year term comes with the opposite issue. Sanheim has In any case, somewhere in that $4.5 million to $5.0 million range makes been a fine player for the Flyers, and slots into their defensive rotation as sense — more than a bridge-to-UFA contract, but not truly breaking the the clear No. 3, the superior blueliner on the second pair. But is that type bank, either. of player worthy of a $30 million-plus commitment? In essence, it would be a bet on two things: that Sanheim’s on-ice goal-based results will Option 3: Go long term ultimately start matching his underlying ones, and that his scoring returns Two obvious, recent comparables stand out for the Flyers and Sanheim’s as well, at least to the 35-point level of 2018-19. Otherwise, Sanheim — camp if they decide to blast past the five-year-term mark and look to lock good player that he is — wouldn’t be worth the $5.75 million-$6 million up Sanheim into his 30s: Dallas’ Esa Lindell and Winnipeg’s Josh cap hit such a deal would probably require. Morrissey. That leaves the mid-length deals — the three-, four-, five-year terms. If the two sides discuss a six-year term, Lindell’s name is definitely going Sanheim would receive a sizable raise annually and receive the security to come up. Sanheim and Lindell’s offensive numbers are close to that comes with a longer term, but the Flyers keep him in a cap hit range identical, with Sanheim holding the slight edge — but Lindell has a big ($4.5 million-$5.25 million) that accurately fits his actual, current on-ice advantage in usage, as he had just concluded a season (2018-19) during value and role. Unfortunately for the Flyers (and Sanheim’s camp), there which he had established himself as the clear No. 2 on the Stars, the aren’t many clean recent contract comparables in this range, which could regular partner for John Klingberg. Lindell had real momentum entering complicate negotiations and ultimately lead the two sides to explore other negotiations, and he parlayed that into a big contract with no-movement options. But given Sanheim’s age, current role and contractual situation, protection in its final four years. Sanheim maybe doesn’t quite reach the the mid-range looms as a logical outcome for Sanheim’s next deal. high $5 million cap hit range on such a term, but Evolving-Hockey’s In the coming weeks and months, we’ll find out if the two sides agree. model has him coming in at $5.52 million, so he likely wouldn’t be far behind.

Then, there’s Morrissey, who is likely the cleanest statistical comparable The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 of them all. Like Sanheim, Morrissey took a two-year bridge deal coming off his entry-level contract, and that $3.15 million cap hit that he received stood as an obvious comp for Sanheim’s $3.25 million cap hit over two seasons that he received a year later. Why not just follow the Morrissey example once again?

Well, one cautionary tale against doing so comes from Morrissey himself.

When Morrissey signed his deal, he was riding the wave of a long- standing, successful partnership with Jacob Trouba. And with Trouba not long for Winnipeg, the Morrissey extension felt like a statement from the Jets that this was the defenseman that was going to be the core piece of their defense moving forward. The problem is that Morrissey’s five-on- five results have dropped off dramatically since Trouba left for New York, to the point where this year, Morrissey was among the worst play-driving defensemen in hockey.

Now, Sanheim does seem less likely to be a product of another blueliner — after all, his results with teammates like Justin Braun have long been strong, and few would argue that Braun is the one carrying that pair. That said, Sanheim has consistently struggled to turn his stellar shot and chance differentials at even strength into significant goal advantages. Also, it’s not like Sanheim is riding the kind of momentum into negotiations that Morrissey and Lindell were. Big seasons inspire organizations to take big swings on players, and while there can be a fair debate on whether Sanheim’s 2020-21 was actually bad or just ruined by bad puck luck and poor goaltending, it certainly wasn’t a “slam the table” type of campaign. 1189924 Pittsburgh fans expect an entertaining brand of hockey, having witnessed it nearly non-stop since arrived in 1984. But they expect to win, too.

Mark Madden: Playoff hockey is tense but needs more excitement to GM and president of hockey operations Brian Burke are draw casual fans adept at assembling any type of team. Burke has always leaned toward big and tough, but has made it clear since arriving in Pittsburgh that management doesn’t intend to tamper with the Penguins’ DNA.

MARK MADDEN When I was a kid, lesser teams didn’t trap it up. They just played hockey. Tactics weren’t as prevalent. Wednesday, June 23, 2021 9:18 a.m. The Penguins were one of those lesser teams in the ‘70s. An unscientific

approach led to some lopsided beatings by the likes of Boston and Vegas Golden Knights’ Max Pacioretty is taken out by Montreal Montreal when those franchises had dynasties. Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot as goaltender Carey Price snags But occasionally, you’d get that glimmer of hope. the puck during the first period of Game 4 in an NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey semifinal in Montreal, Sunday, June 20, 2021. I vaguely remembered an inspirational tie at Montreal and looked it up: The Penguins knotted the Canadiens 1-1 at the Forum on Oct. 31, 1973. Forgive the melodrama, but the ongoing Stanley Cup semifinals are a battle for hockey’s soul. “Penguins Flying High After Tie With Canadiens.” That was the headline in the Pittsburgh Press. The deadlock left the Penguins three points out Two of the teams have major talent. They play the game the right way, of first in the West Division. as I’ve heard it said. The Penguins missed the playoffs. So, maybe it wasn’t better then. Their opponents are of lesser (but still considerable) talent. They do everything possible to slow the game down, especially when they lead. But it sure seemed like it. Teams didn’t admit their inferiority nearly as readily. It’s system vs. skill. It’s efficiency vs. entertainment.

The officials are laissez-faire, and feel the rules are merely suggestions that fluctuate according to clock, score and situation. Tribune Review LOADED: 06.24.2021 It all adds up to hockey that is undeniably tense but unfortunately boring. Play this way during the regular season, and even fewer people watch.

It’s part of hockey’s never-ending battle to make grit equal with ability, to make tenacity equivalent to talent. That fight is aided and abetted by thinking that playoff hockey should be contested differently. The referees shouldn’t decide it.

Of course, by calling so little, that’s exactly what the referees do.

The New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens can’t be blamed for forcing games to be contested in quicksand. The Islanders’ Barry Trotz might be the NHL’s best coach, not least because his players are straitjacketed automatons. #FreeMathewBarzal

Perhaps the goal isn’t to interest and draw spectators. Maybe the NHL just wants to forever maintain its traditional, antiquated approach.

But the NHL’s regular-season TV ratings were the worst in the history of its 15-year tenure with NBC and its affiliates. That may explain why it’s the NHL’s last year with NBC.

The playoff numbers have yet to play out. But here’s a sample from June 15: The NBA playoff game between Brooklyn and drew 4.58 million TV viewers. The NHL playoff game between Tampa Bay and the Islanders got 1.32 million viewers.

That’s understandable, even considering the big margin: The NBA is more popular than the NHL.

But the soccer game between France and Germany in the European Championships drew 1.39 million sets of eyes, and it was played in the afternoon.

The NHL refuses to understand that sports need to be tempered to the casual fan. (The NFL seems the only league that gets that. It always errs on the side of excitement.)

No matter what hockey is, hardcore hockey fans will watch. But the casual fans want more goals and excitement. Not clogging lanes, blocking shots and skating backwards. Casual fans don’t care about nuances or traditions. They want shots, goals, red lights and sirens.

Perhaps that battle has already been fought and lost. Maybe the American public has already made up its mind about hockey. The NHL definitely doesn’t care.

The NHL is a copycat league. Reducing games to sludge is the most affordable and immediate way to compete, so things figure to go further in that direction. The Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and ’17 got the league trending toward speed, but those days are over.

So, where does that leave the Penguins? 1189925 Pittsburgh Penguins The chemistry between Gaudreau and Carter was evident during an 8-4 home win against the Sabres. Carter’s career-best four goals in that game were buttressed by a career-best three assists from Gaudreau.

Penguins A to Z: Frederick Gaudreau made the most of his opportunity With Malkin absent for the first two games of the playoffs, Carter was promoted to the second line while Gaudreau slid into the center role of the third line. By the third contest, Malkin was back in the lineup allowing Carter and Gaudreau to be reunited on the third line along with Jared SETH RORABAUGH McCann. Wednesday, June 23, 2021 8:37 a.m. In a six-game loss to the New York Islanders during the first round, Gaudreau was one of the team’s better producers with three points (one goal, two assists) in six games. In 19 games with the Penguins this past season, Penguins forward Frederick Gaudreau had 10 points (two goals, eight assists). The future: As an unrestricted free agent, Gaudreau isn’t the Penguins’ top priority this offseason. Given some of their other issues with With the Penguins in the midst of their offseason, the Tribune-Review is potentially adding a goaltender and pending restricted free agents such looking at all 48 players currently under NHL contracts to the as Blueger and Aston-Reese, Gaudreau is a secondary concern, at best. organization in alphabetical order, from mid-level prospect Niclas Almari And considering the success he showed in a limited role this season, he to top-six winger Jason Zucker. could very well merit a one-way contract offer from another team this offseason. Frederick Gaudreau That said, Gaudreau spoke of great reverence for the Penguins’ culture Position: Center this season, even before he was afforded a chance to play. He seems to Shoots: Right genuinely appreciate the chance he had in Pittsburgh and the organization appears to legitimately value him, on and off the ice. Age: 28 Regardless, Gaudreau made the most of the opportunity he was granted Height: 6-foot by the Penguins and put himself in position for a better contract this Weight: 179 pounds offseason.

2020-21 NHL statistics: 19 games, 10 points (two goals, eight assists)

2020-21 AHL statistics: Six games, four points (one goal, three assists) Tribune Review LOADED: 06.24.2021

Contract: One-year, two-way contract with a salary cap hit of $700,000. Pending unrestricted free agent this offseason

Acquired: Unrestricted free agent signing, Oct. 10, 2020

2020-21 season: Frederick Gaudreau didn’t necessarily have any expectations for his time with the Penguins.

Just gratitude.

Having not played an NHL game since March of 2019 as a member of the , Gaudreau did not take any moment he spent on the Penguins’ NHL roster — or even their taxi squad — for granted.

Opening the season on the taxi squad, Gaudreau was shuffled between that unit, the NHL roster and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League six different times before playing his first game of the season for the AHL Penguins on Feb. 20.

Primarily serving as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s top center in his brief time with that team, Gaudreau produced much like the top-six forward he was in his previous AHL experience with the . His only goal with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was an overtime score in a 5-4 road win against the on Feb. 27.

All the while, Gaudreau was moved up and down the organizational depth chart several times throughout the season — 18 times to be precise — for salary cap purposes.

By March 18, injuries to centers Teddy Blueger and Evgeni Malkin prompted coaches to dress Gaudreau as the fourth-line center with Anthony Angello and Colton Sceviour on his wings.

He dressed for 12 consecutive games and inhabited a third-line role as well as more time on the penalty kill — a role he had never been deployed at much throughout his brief NHL existence — thanks Blueger as well as Brandon Tanev each being sidelined by maladies.

Gaudreau established his prowess on the penalty kill during a 5-2 home win against the Buffalo Sabres on March 24 by forcing a turnover in the defensive zone, creating his own breakaway and setting up forward Zach Aston-Reese for a short-handed goal.

An undisclosed injury suffered April 11 forced Gaudreau to miss eight consecutive games. Once healthy, Gaudreau found himself as a regular in a mostly healthy lineup and by the end of the season, he was assigned to the right wing on the third line that was centered by trade deadline acquisition Jeff Carter. 1189926 Pittsburgh Penguins He was an avid golfer, and remained active in numerous charitable functions in Buffalo.

Rene Robert, longtime NHL winger who spent 1 season with Penguins, Post Gazette LOADED: 06.24.2021 dies at 72

John Wawrow Associated Press

Jun 23, 2021 9:25 PM4-4 minutes 6/23/2021

Rene Robert, a member of the Buffalo Sabres’ famed “French Connection Line,” died Tuesday at a Florida hospital less than a week after suffering a heart attack. He was 72.

The Sabres confirmed Mr. Robert’s death in a statement released by the team. Robert had been on life support since being hospitalized in Port Charlotte, Florida, in the middle of last week.

“Rene was a tremendous player, teammate and person and truly loved this organization,” the Sabres said. “His accomplishments on the ice as a member of the French Connection speak for themselves, but his impact in the community continued long past his playing career.”

Mr. Robert played for the Penguins during the 1971-72 season. He scored seven goals and 11 assists in 49 games before he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in a deal that sent Eddie Shack to the Penguins.

Mr. Robert went on to round out one of the most productive lines in NHL history. Robert played right wing alongside left wing Rick Martin and Hockey Hall of Fame center Gilbert Perreault on a line that earned its nickname because all three players were from Quebec.

Mr. Robert was from Trois-Rivieres, about a 90-minute drive east of Montreal.

Sabres owner Terry Pegula grew up in Pennsylvania, but became a Buffalo fan because of the “French Connection Line.” Upon purchasing the Sabres in February 2011, Mr. Pegula became emotional during his inaugural news conference at the sight of Mr. Perreault, Mr. Robert and Martin among those in attendance.

The trio then joined Mr. Pegula on the ice before his first game as owner in what marked one of the last times the linemates were together. Martin died a month later.

“Kim and I were saddened to hear the devastating news,” Mr. Pegula said, mentioning his wife, in a statement released by the team.

“During our time with the team, Rene has been one of the most active alumni and we’ve grown to know him well over the past 10 years,” Mr. Pegula said. “He was a friend to us and to the entire organization and will be missed dearly.”

The Sabres have memorialized the line by erecting a statue of the three players that stands in a plaza outside their arena. Their numbers also have been retired, and their names hang together from the rafters in the arena.

Mr. Robert scored a career-high 40 goals twice during his seven-plus seasons in Buffalo. He was traded to the then-Colorado Rockies in 1979 and closed his career with Toronto in 1981-82.

In 524 games with Buffalo, Mr. Robert had 222 goals and 552 points. Overall, he finished with 284 goals and 702 points in 744 NHL games.

He also was known for his playoff production, collecting 22 goals and 39 points in 47 postseason games with the Sabres. Four of his goals were game-winners, including three in overtime.

Robert’s most memorable goal, scored 18:29 into overtime, sealed Buffalo’s 5-4 win over Philadelphia in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in 1975.

It finished what became known as “The Fog Game,” with a heavy mist shrouding the ice because of poor air-conditioning at Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium. The Flyers went on to win the series in six games.

Mr. Robert maintained a home in Buffalo after he retired and eventually had his driveway built out of pieces of the auditorium after it was demolished in 2009. 1189927 Pittsburgh Penguins For Calgary to move Tkachuk at that price, they probably need to accept significant salary in return. Since O’Brien is no rumor-monger, we’ll assume this has some legs.

Wait, Tkachuk Wants Out of Calgary? Make that Call But why would a team want Tarasenko, who has two more years at $7.5 million, in return for a blue-chip trade prospect? A surgically repaired winger who hasn’t proven he’s healthy is a gamble worthy of the craps table in Las Vegas. Published 15 hours ago on June 23, 2021 A team could take damaged goods, or the Pittsburgh Penguins have two By Dan Kingerski left-wings with 30-goal resumes, including one with a 40-goal campaign, and both make significant salary.

The Pittsburgh Penguins want size and toughness. The NHL rumor mill There’s no word the Penguins have engaged in talks. No word the churned, and we’ve been scouring the league looking for a trace of the Penguins have an interest. Penguins trade activity to achieve that goal. But if the Penguins want size and physicality…that Penguins trade The best we’ve come up with so far is that Evgeni Malkin and Tristan inquiry would make 100% sense. Make the call. Jarry will not be exposed to the Seattle Kraken via expansion draft, and the Penguins management is considering a veteran backup for Jarry. Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 06.24.2021 On Tuesday, one name popped up in NHL trade rumors that should pique the curiosity of the Pittsburgh Penguins trade board. Mathew Tkachuk.

According to former NHL defenseman and current Calgary 650 hockey analyst Shane O’Brien, Tkachuk would not mind a change of scenery from Stampede City.

Tkachuk is 23-years-old, 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, and knows how to play the physical game. He can also score. This season Tkachuk popped 43 points, including 16 goals in 56 games.

A physical LW in a top-six role would immediately fill a need for the Penguins, who will have to face the heavy Washington Capitals and New York Islanders next season while still dealing with speedy teams like the and New York Rangers. However, the Rangers may look a bit different next season. Put a pin in them with new GM and new coach .

On SiriusXM’s NHL channel’s “The Power Play with Steve Kouleas,” and first reported by Yahoo! Sports, O’Brien sparked the NHL trade rumor mill.

“I got a little rumor here…I got Tarasenko going to Calgary for Tkachuk,” O’Brien said. “I heard Tkachuk wants out of Calgary. Tarasenko’s time is up (in St. Louis). I think that’s a trade that could happen.”

Tarasenko is 29-years-old and has played just 34 games over the past two seasons because of serious shoulder surgery. He was an elite winger. Missing most of two seasons at 29 is tough. A bum shoulder for a sniper is even tougher.

O’Brien noted Tkachuk would like to play in his hometown, St. Louis, where his father, , stared for nine years and is currently the Director of Player Recruitment.

It seems apropos in this case, doesn’t it?

“I just think the time is it for a change in Calgary. Is it going to happen,” O’Brien asked rhetorically. “I don’t know, but I just heard some rumblings that it could be a Tkachuk for Tarasenko thing.”

In case, selective hearing is a good thing. Tkachuk may want St. Louis, but I heard “he wants out of Calgary.”

If that is the case, Ron Hextall has to make the call. Brian Burke should still have the receptionist’s number from his time running the Flames organization. Guess the Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations in 2016 when Calgary drafted Tkachuk?

Yep, Brian Burke.

Tkachuk hit his stride in 2018-19 when he scored 34 goals and 77 points in 80 games. He slipped to 61 points in 69 games last season (23-38-61) and the 43-point total this season as Calgary struggled.

At 23-years-old, there’s little worry that Tkachuk is on the downside of his career or will be anytime soon. The worry is that Tkachuk makes $7 million for one more year and then has RFA with arbitration rights through 2023.

Is he a $7 million player? Ummm, well…kind of? That’s a lot of coin. 1189928 San Jose Sharks

Are Sharks Looking to Trade Evander Kane?Published 9 hours ago on June 23, 2021

By Sheng Peng

“Good luck.” That’s what one NHL executive thinks about the San Jose Sharks’ chances of winning an Evander Kane trade. “Sources indicate significant friction built up between Kane and a number of his teammates last season,” Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff wrote, “frustration that was expressed clearly to management in exit interviews.” For that reason, Kane was No. 5 in Seravalli’s “Trade Targets” column today. Seravalli did not expand on the nature of the friction or if the San Jose Sharks are actively looking to deal the winger. On one hand, Kane enjoyed a career campaign, potting a team-leading 22 goals and winning the media-voted Team MVP. On the other hand? Considering the 29-year-old’s locker room history — he’s worn out welcomes in previous NHL stops Atlanta/Winnipeg and Buffalo — this isn’t shocking. “He’s been known to bring turmoil into a team and not bring a team together,” said another NHL source familiar with Kane, “and that seems to have continued.” This is another bump in a rough year for the San Jose Sharks. Because of the pandemic, San Jose was unable to truly celebrate their 30th anniversary season at home, spending the first month-and-a-half of the season entirely on the road and the rest of the year in a mostly-empty SAP Center. Their expensive roster missed the playoffs once again, just the third time in franchise history that the Sharks have missed the post- season in back-to-back campaigns. And now, it’s fair to wonder about the team’s locker room culture and whether or not that’s actually in a good place. So what would a Sharks trade involving Kane look like? As the executive indicated to San Jose Hockey Now, don’t expect a lot. Yes, Kane’s production has been unimpeachable — he’s enjoyed six- straight 20-goal seasons, doubly impressive considering the last two years were shortened. That’s not the only good: Kane was one of the founders of the Hockey Diversity Alliance and the San Jose Sharks’ nominee for the 2020 King Clancy Trophy. But there’s also the threat of locker room drama, the outside noise from his bankruptcy proceedings, and four seasons left on a massive seven- year contract. A $7 million dollar cap hit is fair for a consistent scorer of Kane’s ilk. It’s the baggage that begs the question: Is it worth it? It sounds like the answer will be no if Kane indeed hits the trade block. San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 06.24.2021 St Louis Blues rehab. Seems like he just got to the point where he realized the time had 1189929 come. He wasn't going to be ready to play until late November, he thought, which would make it really unlikely anyone would sign him as a free agent. And it seemed clear the Blues weren't going to re-sign him. Berube's expiration date? A lot depends on the quality of the Blues roster The road to another season was going to be a tough one. Q: Could Colton Parayko be trade bait this offseason? He is a big body that plays like Vince Dunn when everyone thinks he can be a Chris Tom Timmermann Pronger. He seems to be a nice guy without killer instinct. A: I don't think he'll be trade bait, though he would bring a pretty good Here are the highlights of our weekly chat with Post-Dispatch readers. return if he did. The last two seasons haven't been as good, but in his first four he was a lights-out defender. His best offensive season was his Q: What is the average life span of an NHL coach? And what is your first, which kind of makes him like Dmitrij Jaskin, who has a great rookie over-and-under on how many games remain in the tenure of Craig season on offense and never lived up to it, but people thought he would Berube? repeat it. That kept people from seeing what an excellent defensive player he was. A: Craig Berube is now 11th in the NHL in longevity. Jon Cooper is the current long-timer at eight seasons. The average coach goes about 3 1/2 Parayko could and should be a good offensive player, with the shot he years; the median is lower. The league grinds through coaches faster has, and a lot will come with usage. If he's not on the power play, he's than any other in North America. (European soccer coaches have not going to have big numbers. Al MacInnis was reluctant to let his slap ridiculously short terms.) shot loose most of the time because he was afraid he would hurt someone. Parayko seems in a similar situation. He's scored just enough I don't have an over-under on Berube, but history says we're not too far goals from distance to show he can do something. from the point where if the Blues aren't doing well that makes a move, though the Stanley Cup adds some time. A lot will He's also a good guy to have around. You will not have problems with depend on how good a team the Blues put on the ice next season. If Colton Parayko. they're a team that looks like a Stanley Cup contender, that will up the stakes for Berube. If it's another season like this one, with lots of injuries Q: Realizing Vladimir Tarasenko would be a risky trade piece, aren’t to key players, that can extend matters. Berube will need some longer there package moves into which he could be placed to mitigate the risk postseason runs to get the longevity some coaches have. and provide him a change of scenery that might help him with a second wind? Q: It’s been suggested Jake Walman can replace Vince Dunn, but he’s never scored at Dunn’s rate and is a year older. Can a team that used to A: The most attractive package for a team acquiring Tarasenko would be have one of the top scoring defensive cores lose Alex Pietrangelo and for the Blues to pay part of his salary. I don't know that Tarasenko needs then Dunn over two years and replace them with Torey Krug, Walman a change of scenery. Robby Fabbri needed a change of scenery. Joel and Niko Mikkola? Edmundson seems to have benefitted from a change of scenery. Mike Hoffman likely will, too. The questions about Tarasenko will be about his A: Walman has yet to get the power play time Dunn has, and given that, health, which he insists isn't an issue (and for all I know, it isn't, though it could even things up a bit. Eleven of Dunn's 32 career goals have been since they don't show me X-rays and I'm not a shoulder specialist, I have on the power play. Walman is a late bloomer … He skates well and has a no idea). I don't know if there's a team willing to pay Tarasenko $7.5 big shot. So he could be a goal scorer like Dunn. million right now. Any team's defense is going to drop off when you lose Alex Pietrangelo. I'm not really sure what trade would be appealing to Tarasenko. I'm sure He's one of the better defensemen in the league. His absence will be there are some cities that he would accept, but I don't really know what tougher to replace than Dunn's. Offensively, Walman had a better five- they might be. And Doug Armstrong has said that once you tell a guy you on-five season than Dunn did this year. really want to trade him, he eventually accepts the idea. Q: What are your thoughts on the Vladimir Tarasenko for Matthew Q: Is Robert Thomas' ceiling a good player or an elite player? Tkachuk trade rumors? A: His ceiling is an elite player. He's shown hints of that, which is why I A: What would Calgary gain from that trade? In two years, Tarasenko is think it's possible, but he has not been near it on anything approaching a an unrestricted free agent. If he walks, Calgary potentially has nothing to consistent basis. Some extended stretches of good health would help. show for that trade. There would have to be a lot more pieces involved, involving younger players who Calgary would control for some time. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.24.2021 Trading Tarasenko right now would be a very, very hard thing to do. Plus, he has a no-trade clause, so he gets a say in any move. Q: When do you see the Doug Armstrong era ending in St. Louis? Hard to imagine someone else running this team. A: Armstrong's contract runs, if the Blues pick up his option, through 2022-23. I see no reason he won't be there then, and I see no reason the team wouldn't try to extend him after that. He and Tom Stillman get along well, and the team has had success. There's no good reason to break it up. Q: Since the 2019 season, it seems like Doug Armstrong has made some questionable decisions. While this offseason is incomplete, what grade would you give him since then, and what does he need to do this year to raise it? A: B. He couldn't keep Alex Pietrangelo, but he got two solid defensemen in Justin Faulk and Torey Krug. He took a gamble that didn't pay off on Mike Hoffman, but it was a move at the time that everyone thought was a master stroke. He was willing to take a risk, and one that cost the team money. Sometimes those things don't pan out. What he needs to do this summer is make the right decision on Jaden Schwartz, whether to re-sign him or let him go, and if they do let him go, to make the appropriate change to the forward unit. A key will be to adequately assess what the Blues have and what they need. Q: Was there an advantage for Carl Gunnarsson choosing to retire before the end of his contract, i.e. continuing medical care? A: Not that I know of. He played long enough that he's qualified for any union benefits as far as medical care. If anything, his retiring means the Blues wouldn't have to let him use their practice facility, I would think, for St Louis Blues Bortuzzo are the only ones left, and Dunn could move on this summer, 1189930 either in a trade or in the expansion draft.

“It moves quickly in this business, right?” Gunnarsson said. “That’s how it Blues defenseman Gunnarsson announces his retirement is. It’s too bad, but that’s going to happen. It’s not easy, keeping a group like that together. But some good memories from that group.”

Gunnarsson plans to spend the summer in St. Louis before he and his Tom Timmermann family move back to his native Sweden. After a lifetime of playing hockey, he doesn’t expect to be done with it.

“I’m not going to drop hockey totally,” he said. “Right now, I don’t see In today’s 10 a.m. video, columnist Ben Hochman recalls the now-iconic myself getting back into the game any time soon. I want to take a little goal by Carl Gunnarsson in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. And, as always, time off for a bit and just hang back for a bit and see how that feels. It Hochman chooses a random St. Louis Cards card from the hat. Ten might be different too when the season starts, I might get that itch back Hochman is presented Monday-Friday by The Milliken Hand and want to get back into it. But one way or another, I’ll be connected to Rehabilitation Center. hockey, but if it’s going to be coaching or something else, I have no idea. Carl Gunnarsson’s overtime goal in Game 2 of the 2019 Stanley Cup We’ll see.” Final is an indelible moment for the Blues franchise, an integral step on Gunnarsson’s time in North America was spent in two very different the road to the team’s first Stanley Cup. It took on even more charm with cities, the hockey fishbowl that is Toronto and then St. Louis, a city where the back story that Gunnarsson, who had hit the crossbar with a shot in he said when people saw him, they usually left him alone. St. Louis will the third period, had told coach Craig Berube in the locker room always stand out, in part because it’s here that his two children, Elise and bathroom before the overtime that he would score if he got another Otis, were born. chance. “It’s a very generous city in a way of taking people in, welcoming To Gunnarsson, the memories of the goal are a bit hazy, and it’s tough to everyone and helping out in a community that I haven’t seen anywhere separate what he saw in the moment from what he’s seen over the years else,” he said. “I’m going to miss that, coming down to the rink, the watching replays. hockey part for sure, the fans. Being here for seven years, this is our “I saw (the referee) had his hand up and it was a delayed penalty and I home. We’re going to miss a ton here.” don’t get too many chances to stick around for that,” he said Wednesday, St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.24.2021 the day he announced his retirement after 12 seasons in the NHL, the past seven with the Blues. “And then it all mixes in with the videos and the pictures I’ve seen of it afterward. It’s kind of a blur, then coming into the locker room and the whole story with Berube. It’s kind of a blur. But when you see it on video, it’s just a good feeling.” If not for that goal, Gunnarsson would be remembered for being a low- key, stay-at-home defenseman with a jovial spirit for the Blues. But thanks to that goal, one of just 16 he scored with the Blues, he helped the team win a Stanley Cup and he moved into cult hero status. He became an unlikely fixture with the team, with only Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko having more longevity with the team this season. “I just never saw myself really getting into the league,” he said. “But when I finally did, it’s just been crazy to stick around for 12 years. It’s something to be proud of and something that no one can take away from me. To top it off with winning the Cup too, it feels pretty darn good.” His retirement was not surprising. Gunnarsson suffered a serious knee injury in a collision into the boards with Gabriel Vilardi of the Kings on Feb. 22 which kept him out the rest of the season. With his contract ending after the season and his 35th birthday looming, the injury looked like it could be career-ending, as well as season-ending. “(Retirement) has been growing in my mind for a little bit,” he said, “and I felt like this was the right time. I’m proud and happy of my career and what I’ve done and I just felt like, this is a good time right now. My body has been taking a beating a little bit, too. (He appeared in just 73 games over the past three seasons.) So I feel I feel pretty confident and happy about the decision. It might be different when the season starts again. But right now I feel pretty confident about it, like it was the right move to do.” Gunnarsson said he is still rehabbing the injury and likely wouldn’t be ready until maybe late November, almost two months into the season, which would further complicate signing with a team. Still, he felt he could have played a couple more seasons. “I just decided that this was the time,” he said. The Blues acquired Gunnarsson, along with a draft pick that became Ville Husso, in a trade with Toronto on June 28, 2014 for Roman Polak. In his seven seasons here, Gunnarsson appeared in 325 games (22nd most among defensemen in team history), with 15 goals and 37 assists. In 61 postseason games, he had one goal – the Game 2 winner – and five assists. He is one of 10 Blues defensemen to play over 300 games and have a plus-minus of plus-40 or better, a list that includes Al MacInnis, , Barret Jackman and Barclay Plager. “One of the best teammates ever!” tweeted forward David Perron. “You made us believe with that OT goal in Game 2! Will never forget that moment & more together!” Gunnarsson’s departure reflects the changing of the guard for the Blues’ defense. He joins Alex Pietrangelo, and Joel Edmundson as members of the Stanley Cup defensive unit to have either retired or gone to another team. Colton Parayko, Vince Dunn and Robert Tampa Bay Lightning Islanders coach Barry Trotz. The Lightning led that series 3-2 before 1189931 dropping the final two games.

Even though they haven’t played an elimination game in three years, Lightning will have to close out Islanders back home in Game 7 Cooper said his team has been here before. They had the chance to beat the Stars in five games in last year’s Cup final, and rebounded following Tampa Bay takes a two-goal lead but loses Nikita Kucherov early, then an overtime Game 5 loss to lift the Cup after the following game. In last the game in overtime. year’s Eastern Conference semifinals, they needed an extra game to eliminate the Islanders in six. And they are 12-0 when coming off a loss over the last two postseasons. By Eduardo A. Encina “We lost games last year where we could have knocked the team out and we didn’t and we had to do it the next game,” Cooper said. “So we kind of treat it like that. We had put ourselves in an opportunity to knock them UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Of all the situations this Lightning team has out tonight and we didn’t, and fortunately we have another opportunity, emerged victorious from over the past two postseasons, they’ve never so we just have take advantage of that.” been faced with a decisive Game 7. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.24.2021 Now, after a 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup semifinals on Wednesday night, they look do-or-die in the face for the first time in some three years. By the time Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier intercepted a Blake Coleman pass in the Lightning zone and rifled a wrister past Andrei Vasilevskiy gloveside 68 seconds into overtime, prompting a drunken Nassau Coliseum party full of fans throwing beer and water bottles onto the ice, the momentum the Lightning had built heading into the night seems like an eternity ago. That 8-0 rout in Game 5? Seemed like it was last week. Their 2-0 second-period lead on Wednesday? Seemed like days ago. But the Lightning were less than 10 minutes away from sending the Islanders into the offseason and turning the lights out on the Coliseum. Instead, the Lightning head home for Game 7 on Friday night at Amalie Arena with their season and their dream of becoming back-to-back Cup champions on the line. “It’s the best-of-one,” Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said. “It’s two really good teams going at it, and you know we’re here for a reason. We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task to go the full distance. That’s why you play to get the home ice, to play this Game 7 in front of our fans. And that doesn’t mean we’re going to take things lightly. We’re going to go out there and battle and have our best game of the year.” The Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the New York Islanders in overtime forcing a Game 7 in Friday in Tampa. The Lightning lost their best player, right wing Nikita Kucherov, after just one shift. And after watching the playoff’s leading scorer skate into the locker room hunched over in pain, they played one man down for the entire night. That seemed to catch up with them in the third, as the Islanders spent most of the period pushing the Lightning back into their zone. When Scott Mayfield, the light-scoring defenseman who put the questionable check on Kucherov that ended his night, scored with 9:44 left in the third, New York seemingly had taken control of the game. “I think just maybe they seemed to have a little more speed in the third than we did, they were a little quicker to pucks,” Lightning center Brayden Point said. “They capitalized on their chances.” Point’s first-period goal gave the Lightning a 1-0 lead and gave Point goals in nine straight playoff games, one shy of Reggie Leach’s NHL record set in 1976. Anthony Cirelli’s breakaway goal with 7:24 left in the second gave the Lightning a 2-0 lead. The Lightning didn’t have as much punch offensively without Kucherov, and the Islanders were determined to prevent Tampa Bay from having all the odd-man rushes that made Game 5 a lopsided Lightning win. The Tampa Bay power play was 0-for-3 without Kucherov. “I mean, there’s no replacing Kuch,” said Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who had his nose bloodied when he took a check into the boards from Mayfield at the end of the second period. “He’s had an unbelievable playoff for us. He’s so lethal out there offensively. On the power play, we had a couple looks. I thought (Ondrej Palat) filled in great. We had some good chances on that last power play. But yeah, it sucks to lose Kuch like that early in the game. Guys battled. We played short the rest of the game and gave ourselves a chance to win. It didn’t work out tonight, but it wasn’t for lack of effort.” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper had no update on Kucherov following the game. Over the past two postseasons, the Lightning have won each playoff series in six games or fewer. They haven’t played a Game 7 since May 23, 2018, a 4-0 loss to a Washington Capitals team coached by current 1189932 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning fans bond during Game 6 watch party at Amalie Arena With the home team on the road, nothing beats a watch party for your favorite team with a few thousand friends.

By Mari Faiello

TAMPA — A Lightning loss in a potential series-clinching game is a little easier to swallow when you have 5,000-plus fans to commiserate with you. With the exception of players competing on the ice and coaches standing behind the benches, you would have thought a game was going on at Amalie Arena on Wednesday night. National anthem singer Sonya Bryson-Kirksey was there. Vo Williams delivered a live performance, finishing down under the video board at center ice. P.A. announcer Paul Porter read off the starting lineups. In- arena host Greg Wolf led the 5,850 fans in attendance through games for prizes. And cheers and groans echoed throughout the arena in keeping with the action of Game 6. It was the perfect atmosphere for watching a Lightning game ... on the big screen. And it’s why longtime fans Emily Newman and Lissie Zimmerman came out to Wednesday’s watch party while the home team was on the road at the Islanders’ Nassau Coliseum. The Tampa friends remembered the distance they felt during last year’s Stanley Cup run — held without fans in two Canadian bubbles — and wanted to play a bigger part in another hopeful run this year. “It’s so exciting,” Newman said. “It means so much more (this year in- person). Honestly, that was one of the biggest things I missed (last year).” Newman, 29, was at Monday’s 8-0 win and loved the atmosphere she felt during a fun game. She texted Zimmerman afterward and convinced her to tag along to the Game 6 watch party with a chance for the Lightning to clinch another spot in the Stanley Cup Final. “Let’s Go Bolts!” chants follow the celebration here from the #GoBolts crowd at the Amalie Arena watch party pic.twitter.com/w21flV84Xh

— ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 It didn’t take much for Zimmerman to agree that Amalie Arena would be the best place to watch the game. “Being able to be here and be a part of it is really awesome,” said Zimmerman, 32. Being with other fans is also why Justin Skelton, 28 of Land O’Lakes, wanted to come out for his first watch party of the postseason. Skelton, a Lightning fan of five years, has enjoyed the energy the postseason has brought to the Tampa Bay community with fans back in the stands. And he hopes that they get to see another Stanley Cup run in-person this go-around. Game 7 of the semifinals is Friday night. “It’s been fantastic,” Skelton said. “Definitely feels like home.” Logan Kearns and his 27-year-old brother, Ryan, also wanted to be around fellow Lightning fans. They equated the watch party to an upscale version of spending an evening out at a bar. The younger Kearns brother was attending his third watch party. He went 2-0 to start and wanted his streak to continue for the most important game of the postseason to date. The $10 tickets are hard to beat, allowing them to experience the playoffs in-person without breaking the bank. If the Lightning pull out a series win — they fell 3-2 in overtime Wednesday in New York — the brothers plan to dig deeper into their pockets so they can come to a Cup final game in-person. “It’s just the fact that you’re able to celebrate with the other people in the arena,” said Logan, 24. “When you’re at home, you’re with one other person you can high-five, but in the arena everyone’s hyped up and you can share the experience with everybody.” Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.24.2021 Tampa Bay Lightning PENALTY: #GoBolts' Killorn called for holding. #Isles on the power- 1189933 play trailing 2-1 with 11:45 remaining in regulation. pic.twitter.com/qaq3x5FJQV Stanley Cup semifinal: Lightning-Islanders Game 6 live updates — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Anthony Beauvillier scores in overtime and New York wins to force Game Lightning win the faceoff and Sergachev clears the puck out of the zone 7 Friday in Tampa. Goodrow clears the puck

Gourde forces a turnover at center ice and sends the puck back into the By Frank Pastor Islanders zone Vasilevskiy stops Nelson backhand shot and Gourde blocks Josh Bailey’s follow-up chance Anthony Beauvillier scored just over a minute into overtime and the Islanders beat the Lightning 3-2 in Game 6 of their Stanley Cup semifinal ‼CLOSE: #Isles' best look on the power-play is stopped by #GoBolts' series Wednesday at Nassau Coliseum to force Game 7 Friday in Vasilevskiy pic.twitter.com/ucpgogt7Il Tampa. — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 The winner will advance to the Stanley Cup final. Cirelli clears the puck down the ice The Lightning appeared to be well on their way to returning to the final Lightning kill the penalty. Isles get one shot on goal when they jumped out to a 2-0, second-period lead on goals by Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli. ISLANDERS GOAL: Mayfield scores from low in the right circle over Savard’s stick and Vasilevskiy’s glove off the crossbar and into the right But the Islanders’ Jordan Eberle scored in the second period and Scott corner of the net. Lightning 2, Islanders 2 Mayfield in the third to force overtime. GOAL: #Isles' Mayfield evens up the score with less than nine minutes Beauvillier scored the winner on the first shot of the extra period after remaining in regulation. #GoBolts and NYI tied for the first time tonight. Blake Coleman turned the puck over in the Lightning zone trying to pass pic.twitter.com/kpBV2Ruanf to Jan Rutta. — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Nikita Kucherov, the NHL’s top playoff scorer (27 points), went to the locker room with an injury early in the first period after hitting the Matt Martin penalized for high-sticking Pat Maroon with just under six Islanders’ Mathew Barzal. Kucherov was hit from behind by Mayfield minutes remaining and the Lightning go on the power play earlier in the shift. PENALTY: #Isles Martin heads off for hi-sticking on #GoBolts' Here’s how it happened: Maroon. #TBLightning on the power-play with 5:57 to go in regulation... pic.twitter.com/6eL3RxoKyq Overtime — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Anthony Beauvillier scores off a turnover in the Lightning zone and the Islanders win 3-2. Palat fans on a shot from the right circle GOAL FOR THE OT WIN: #Isles' Beauvillier scores quickly in OT for Varlamov stops Stamkos shot from the left circle through Mayfield’s legs the Game 7 win, forcing a Game 7 back in Tampa on Friday. #GoBolts now 0-3 in OT this postseason pic.twitter.com/3AsxQ7JJ29 Varlamov stops Palat wrist shot

— ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Pulock clears the puck out from in front of an empty net and the Isles clear the puck out of the zone Third period Islanders kill the penalty Mayfield and Coleman start the period in the penalty box after receiving coincidental roughing minors at the end of the second period, so we’ll be Pulock fans on a shot from the right point and Cirelli gets it out of the at 4-on-4 for the first two minutes Lightning zone Sergachev blocks Barzal shot Cizikas misses high from just above the goal line Vasilevskiy saves Barzal wrist shot from low on the left side Gourde fans on a shot from the right circle Back at full strength Zajac loses his footing after skating with the puck into the slot Point shot blocked by Nelson Vasilevskiy covers the puck after fighting off an Eberle shot from the right circle Komarov called for a hand pass in the Lightning zone (Lightning and Islanders tied at 2 after regulation) Palmieri unable to tuck the puck in around Vasilevskiy after stealing it from Rutta in the Tampa Bay zone Second period ‼WHOA: #GoBolts' Vasilevskiy comes out of the crease for the save on Matt Martin is back for the Islanders. Nikita Kucherov has not returned to #Isles and Gourde steps in to cover the open space the Lightning bench pic.twitter.com/X5xSYdDOip Scott Mayfield shot is blocked out of play — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Ryan McDonagh shot from the slot deflected up over the net Vasilevskiy turns aside Clutterbuck shot from the right point through a screen Andy Greene shot from the right point high of the net McDonagh shot from just inside the blue line wide of the net Andrei Vasilevskiy gets his glove on a Mathew Barzal shot from the left circle. The chance started with a Jan Rutta turnover in the Lightning Vasilevskiy with a save on Eberle at the side of the net after a crazy defensive zone after he was hit by Leo Komarov bounce off the boards Blake Coleman shot from low in the right circle goes off Varlamov’s right SAVE: #GoBolts' Vasilevskiy with another major save on #Isles with pad just under 13 minutes remaining in regulation Greene blocks Tyler Johnson shot pic.twitter.com/9apQCJPCUa Ross Colton leaves for the locker room after taking a hard hit into the end — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 boards from Martin Mayfield fires wide from the right point OUCH: #GoBolts' Colton heads to the dressing room after this hit to Killorn penalized for holding Eberle, and the Islanders go on the power the glass from #Isles' Martin. #TBLightning keeping 1-0 lead with 10 play. They are 1-for-15 in the series forwards... pic.twitter.com/o61VLzE8g5 — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Ross Colton returns to the ice Scott Mayfield ties up Yanni Gourde’s stick in front of the net, preventing Martin tip of Greene shot from the left point through a screen nearly gets a tap-in after a feed from Steven Stamkos past Vasilevskiy. Cizikas just misses getting a stick on the puck at the right side of the net Cal Clutterbuck penalized for roughing Tyler Johnson, and the Lightning get the first power play of the game ‼CLOSE: #Isles almost tie it up, but #GoBolts Savard keeps Martin's stick away from the puck pic.twitter.com/5OOoUMmMNF PENALTY: #Isles' Clutterbuck heads off for roughing on #GoBolts' Johnson. First penalty of the game comes 6:23 into the second period. — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 pic.twitter.com/hUeAPOw4Em Varlamov catches Gourde shot from the slot after a nice feed from Killorn — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 from the right circle off the rush Ondrej Palat takes Kucherov’s spot in the right circle on the power play SAVE: #Isles' Varlamov with a big save on #GoBolts' Gourde pic.twitter.com/GpLW1Mn134 Mayfield clears the puck after Stamos was unable to complete backhand pass for Victor Hedman — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Islanders clear the puck after a nice play from Komarov Stamkos and Mayfield mix it up as the second period comes to a close. Travis Zajac sends the puck down the ice CAPTAIN COMING IN: #Isles' Mayfield and #GoBolts' Stamkos exchange some pleasantries. Stamkos comes up with a cut on his nose. Hedman penalized for tripping Casey Cizikas. We’ll have 4-on-4 for 58 pic.twitter.com/TU2FCjqhzu seconds before the Islanders go on the power play — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 PENALTY: #GoBolts' Hedman sits for tripping. 4v4 for the next 58 seconds before #Isles go on the power-play. pic.twitter.com/W964sv1xzd Stamkos was upset after a hit from Mayfield sent him face-first into the boards — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Here's why Stammer is pissed. #GoBolts Adam Pelech shot from the point does not get through @NHLonNBCSports pic.twitter.com/sfWgJexPvu Blake Coleman fails to get the puck in deep, losing the puck at the offensive blue line — BobbyLotsOfNumbers (@TheReplayGuy) June 24, 2021 Sergachev penalized for tripping Barzal, so the Lightning will have two (Lightning lead 2-1 after two periods) penalty-killing defensemen in the box First period PENALTY: #GoBolts' Sergachev heads off for interference on #Isles' Barzal. Sergachev clearly unpleased with the call. 4v3 for 16 seconds... Lightning right wing Barclay Goodrow (19) stretches on the ice during pic.twitter.com/fvWmJVzo1z pregame warmups. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

— ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 PUCK DROP: #GoBolts-#Isles, #StanleyCup semifinals Game 6 pic.twitter.com/zvwGskds0K Islanders call timeout — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 We’ll have 4-on-3 for 16 seconds Scott Mayfield hit Kucherov from behind earlier in the shift. Palmieri shot blocked by Rutta Chris Lee didn't see this either. #GoBolts Palmieri misses the net @NHLonNBCSports pic.twitter.com/i1QNWOFXJx Vasilevskiy gets a piece of Palmieri shot from the left circle — BobbyLotsOfNumbers (@TheReplayGuy) June 24, 2021 Vasilevskiy gloves Ryan Pulock shot Casey Cizikas shot deflected into the corner Pulock shot blocked Kyle Palmieri shot misses the net Hedman returns. Isles had one shot during the 5-on-3 Adam Pelech shot from the left point deflects wide Palmieri misses wide from the left circle Nick Leddy shot from the right point doesn’t get through to the net Hedman clears the puck Nikita Kucherov leaves the ice. He appeared to be favoring an arm after McDonagh closing off all the shooting lanes on his side of the ice checking Mathew Barzal. Lightning kill off both penalties ‼OFF THE ICE: #GoBolts' Kucherov heads off the ice after this hit to #Isles' Barzal along the boards pic.twitter.com/QaKESG73iP “Let’s Go Bolts!” chants follow the celebration here from the #GoBolts crowd at the Amalie Arena watch party pic.twitter.com/w21flV84Xh — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Mikhail Sergachev blocks Noah Dobson shot LIGHTNING GOAL! Anthony Cirelli scores between the legs from low in Alex Killorn narrowly misses setting up Anthony Cirelli in front of the New the left circle on a breakaway after being sprung by Ondrej Palat. York net Lightning 2, Islanders 0. Ross Colton shot misses the net GOAL: #GoBolts' Cirelli makes it a 2-0 lead over #Isles. #TBLightning taking control in a potential series-clinching game. Sergachev shot misses high and wide pic.twitter.com/AqCcVnpSZ5 Luke Schenn shot blocked by Cizikas — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Andrei Vasilevskiy gets a piece of Josh Bailey spin-around spot from the ISLANDERS GOAL: Jordan Eberle scores on a backhand shot from slot between the circles, beating Andrei Vasilevskiy shortside through a Tyler Johnson takes Kucherov’s spot alongside Brayden Point and screen after a drop pass from Mathew Barzal. Lightning 2, Islanders 1. Ondrej Palat

GOAL: #Isles' Eberle cuts the difference with 5:38 remaining in the SWITCHING IT UP: #GoBolts' Johnson filling in for Kucherov on the second period. #GoBolts lead 2-1 now. pic.twitter.com/EJzpNi7smj #TBLightning's top line with Point and Palat — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 pic.twitter.com/JWJMpmPubo Sergachev hurting as he skates back to the bench — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Stamkos shot from the left circle stopped by Varlamov Semyon Varlamov absorbs Blake Coleman shot from the right circle off McDonagh-Savard the rush Sergachev-Schenn Nick Leddy slapshot from the left point saved by Vasilevskiy Vasilevskiy in net. #GoBolts #Isles Leddy shot from the center point blocked by Jan Rutta — Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) June 23, 2021 Sergachev blocks Brock Nelson shot, breaking Nelson’s stick in the process Andrei Vasilevskiy leads the #TBlightning onto the ice for pregame warmups before Game 6 of the #StanleyCup semifinals at Nassau Yanni Gourde now out on the ice with Point and Palat Coliseum. #GoBolts #isles pic.twitter.com/0JMx8iDR8q Matt Martin shot wide right of the net — Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) June 23, 2021 Adam Pelech pass in front just misses Barzal’s stick #TBLightning coach Jon Cooper said team will have same lineup in tonight's #StanleyCup semifinals Game 6 as Game 5. So Rutta in, no Pelech drive doesn’t get through to the net Cernak. #GoBolts #Isles Vasilevskiy makes a blocker save on Andy Greene shot — Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) June 23, 2021 Scott Mayfield blocks Point shot Stick to the plan. ⚡ pic.twitter.com/O7WJWOV4h9 Matt Martin goes to the locker room after being hit in the face by a dump- — Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 23, 2021 in from Luke Schenn Pat Maroon, Ross Colton and Mitchell Stephen’s working on moves in OUCH: #Isles' Martin catches a dump-in below the lips from #GoBolts' front of the net at today’s optional #TBLightning morning skate at Nassau Schenn pic.twitter.com/YfxRUvKJCI Coliseum.#gobolts #isles pic.twitter.com/3KXPrDRNYI — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 — Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) June 23, 2021 David Savard knocks Palmieri to the ice Locked in. pic.twitter.com/56S2wUIkk6 LIGHTNING GOAL! Brayden Point scores for the ninth consecutive — Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 23, 2021 game. Point seals the boards, keeps the play alive for Anthony Cirelli and then backhands the puck into the net. Lightning 1, Islanders 0. Back to the island pic.twitter.com/2wbBRZI7vE GOAL: #GoBolts' Point opens the scoring in Game 6. Ninth — Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 22, 2021 consecutive game with a goal. Wow. #TBLightning leads #Isles 1-0 with less than 4 minutes remaining in the first. Team that's scored first has Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.24.2021 won every game in this series... pic.twitter.com/7pvhN6IP05

— ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Pelech shot from the right point wide of the net (Lightning lead 1-0 after one period) Pregame scouting report All of the numbers work in the Lightning’s favor. They lead the Stanley Cup semifinal series against the Islanders three games to two entering Game 6 tonight at Nassau Coliseum. They are 7-2 all-time when holding a 3-2 lead in a best-of-seven playoff series, clinching in six games on five of those occasions. Conversely, the Islanders are 3-9 in postseason series when trailing 3-2. Look deeper into the stats themselves, and there’s more to like. The Lightning outrank the Islanders in every meaningful statistical category, except faceoff percentage. They have scored the past 10 goals of the series going back to the third period of Game 4. They have outshot the Islanders 217-151. They hold a 5-1 advantage in first-period goals (17-8 overall) in a series in which the team that scored first has won every game (two games were scoreless in the first period). Obviously, the Islanders aren’t going to hand them anything, facing elimination in what could be the final game ever played at Nassau Coliseum before they move into a new arena next season. And they’re still sore about getting knocked out by the Lightning in the same round a year ago. But you’ve got to like the trend lines. If they continue to hold, the Lightning will clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup final for the second consecutive season either tonight in Uniondale, N.Y., or Friday in Tampa at the latest. Will it be tonight? Follow our live updates, starting at 8 p.m., and we’ll find out together. Setting the scene #TBLightning Game 6 forward lines and D-pairings Palat-Point-Kucherov Killorn-Cirelli-Stamkos Goodrow-Gourde-Coleman Colton-Johnson-Maroon Hedman-Rutta 1189934 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov leaves Game 6 with apparent injury The postseason’s top scorer skates off the ice in pain early in the first period.

By Eduardo A. Encina

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The postseason’s leading scorer, Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, left Wednesday night’s Stanley Cup semifinal after just one shift with an apparent injury. In the Lightning zone, Kucherov skated toward the corner on the forecheck to put a hit on Islanders forward Mathew Barzal. He hit Barzal awkwardly and played through obvious pain before skating off the ice, then disappearing down the tunnel toward the Lightning locker room. Kucherov appeared to absorb the worst of the hit — he went into Barzal with his right side — and after making contact, he shook his right shoulder, then skated around while hunched over before leaving the game.

The hit pic.twitter.com/qUoMxCX7CW — ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Earlier in game, Kucherov took a crosscheck to his back from Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield. Kucherov missed the entire regular season recovering from hip surgery, returning to play in the first game of the postseason. He has been the postseason’s top player. He entered the game with a league-best 27 points in the playoffs and was coming off a three-assist Game 5. How an official doesn't call this idk... pic.twitter.com/uX1dO6yLeU

— ���� ������� (@faiello_mari) June 24, 2021 Over the past two postseasons, Kucherov has 49 assists. The only player to have more in back-to-back postseasons was . With Kucherov out of the game, both Yanni Gourde and Tyler Johnson have been filling out the Lightning’s top line along with Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189935 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning’s Jan Rutta back for Game 6; Erik Cernak remains out Tampa Bay will have the same semifinal lineup tonight as in Game 5, when they routed the Islanders.

By Eduardo A. Encina

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Lightning defenseman Jan Rutta will return to the lineup for tonight’s Game 6 of the Stanley Cup semifinals, but the team will be without defenseman Erik Cernak for a second straight game. Lightning coach Jon Cooper said his team will have the same lineup for Game 6 as it did for their Game 5 win over the Islanders, which means defenseman Luke Schenn will draw in for Cernak. The status of Cernak and Rutta was uncertain at the start of the day. The Lightning lead the series 3-2 and can advance to their second straight Cup final with a win. Cernak, who did not play Monday due to an upper-body injury, will be re- evaluated after tonight’s game. Cernak skated a few laps on the ice at Nassau Coliseum during morning skate, but left before the organized part of the session began. Rutta left the game after taking a cross check from Islanders forward Mathew Barzal at the end of the second period and did not return. Barzal was fined $5,000, the largest amount allowed under the collective bargaining agreement, but will play tonight. Schenn logged 15:36 of ice time last time out, his most during the postseason. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.24.2021 Tampa Bay Lightning uncertain. Cooper said he would provide an update following 1189936 Wednesday’s morning skate.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.24.2021 After rout of Islanders, Lightning expect a fight in Game 6 Tampa Bay is one win from a return to the Stanley Cup Final, but the battle-tested group isn’t looking ahead.

By Eduardo A. Encina

TAMPA — The Lightning are a team that stays even-keeled. They never get too high or too low, regardless of the outcome of games. They’re lodged in the process, and they trust their game plans and ability to execute them. Coming off a remarkable Game 5 performance in which they dismantled the Islanders 8-0 to move within one win of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final again, this group is confident it won’t be looking ahead Wednesday night at Nassau Coliseum. They know the fourth win of a playoff series can be the toughest to earn. “That’s the only thing we’re really worried about,” defenseman Victor Hedman said Tuesday. “(Monday’s) game, it’s a big win for us obviously and 8-0, 2-1, 3-1, it’s still one game. We’re going into a building where we’ve won one, lost one. ... We’re sure we’re going to get their best, so we’ve got to raise our game to another level once again, and we’re super excited to be in this situation.” The Lightning split their first two games of the series at Nassau Coliseum, and the crowd will certainly be booming for potentially the final Islanders game in the 49-year-old venue. “This is an extremely tough building to play in and they play great there,” defenseman Luke Schenn said. “They’re going to look to rebound and we’ve got to look to match that play. They had a great game there against us last time in Game 4 (a 3-2 New York win), but it’s gonna be a tough atmosphere. It’s always tough to try to close out a series and it’s going to be hard-fought (Wednesday night) for sure.” These semifinals have been about making game-to-game adjustments. In Game 5, the Lightning pushed the pace from the start, veering away from the methodical chess match the Islanders prefer to play. They pressured the puck in the neutral zone, created turnovers and utilized their speed to play a quick north-south game for which the Islanders were clearly unprepared. “When you have guys skating, wingers flooding across the ice, breaking out of the zone, their forwards have to go with you,” said Lightning forward Alex Killorn, who scored two goals in Game 5. “They know you’re going and they have to come with you so it just makes it a more full game for them. And I think that’s when we’re playing our best. ... “In our defensive zone when we could chip blocks and win those battles, win those foot races, we’re usually in a good spot.” Playing an up-tempo game, the Lightning were quicker to pucks — winning most of the battles — dominated zone play and created odd-man rushes from Islanders turnovers. The Lightning also constantly created chaos in front of the net. They took advantage of six power-play opportunities, scoring on three, after netting just two power-play goals in the first four games of the series. “We earned everything we got (Monday) because we played the right way,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. “We had a game plan and we stuck to it. We didn’t do that in Game 4 for stretches so that’s how the game works, and now we expect their push just like we had our push. It’s going to be a great game.” One advantage of being on the right side of a lopsided win is giving players rest down the stretch, and even without defensemen Erik Cernak and Jan Rutta in the third period, the Lightning’s biggest minute eaters received light work. Hedman played just 4:27 in the third, and a majority of his ice time came on the power play. “You never sit here and say a team’s out of a game but when there’s 10 minutes left in the third period, I think everybody knew that with the way the game was going,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.” So anytime this time of the year when you can give the guys a little bit of a break, you have to. And it doesn’t come around that often. I don’t anticipate there being a game like last night but you get a break.” The status of Cernak, who missed the game with an upper-body injury, and Rutta, who left the game after getting hit in the head by Islanders forward Mathew Barzal at the end of the second period, for Game 6 are Tampa Bay Lightning But the Islanders eventually grabbed hold of the game, controlling play 1189937 for most of the third period. Tampa Bay appeared to sit back, with the Islanders playing a part in their not being able to move as freely up the ice. Still, it took an unreal and surprising shot by Mayfield, beating Lightning lose Nikita Kucherov — and Game 6 in OT — and now face Vasilevskiy top shelf, to tie the score midway through the third. possible elimination “They were just quick in their structure,” Point said. “When we would create a turnover, they were back, and I think sometimes we get too flip happy. They’re able to turn pucks over and get back at us when we’re not By Joe Smith Jun 24, 2021 ready.” The Lightning were playing a forward short up front, and perhaps the The Lightning won 36 games this season without Nikita Kucherov. extra minutes took a toll on some of the players. But it wasn’t the kind of close-out third period we’ve seen from Tampa Bay, especially in previous Now they might have to play their biggest game of the season — while games in this playoffs and last year. And the Islanders’ winner came off a facing elimination for the first time in two years — without the NHL’s rare turnover by Coleman, who tried to pass the puck up the middle to leading playoff scorer. Jan Rutta and saw it picked off by a streaking Beauvillier. There were two indelible Images from Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss in ANOTHER LOOK AT BEAUVILLIER'S SERIES-TYING GOAL SCORED Game 6 at the raucous Nassau Coliseum. One was Kucherov crumpling JUST 1:08 INTO OVERTIME. PIC.TWITTER.COM/KF18TPRMOY to the ice on his first shift after taking a cross-check to his right side by the Islanders’ Scott Mayfield, with the superstar Lightning wing leaving — SHAYNA (@HAYYYSHAYYY) JUNE 24, 2021 the game for good just two minutes in. (No penalty was called, nor was “I didn’t mind our game,” Cooper said. “We had a couple mistakes and there an update on Kucherov after the game.) they ended up in our net. It wasn’t like we were under siege at all, not like And the other was Anthony Beauvillier sliding into a mega pile into the they were getting big scoring chances. When we made a mistake, it boards after his OT winner — which he cashed in on a Blake Coleman ended up in the net. It was unfortunate. The minute after you lose a turnover — and the Islanders fans tossing $17 Bud Light tallboys and game, it stings. But there was a lot of good things. We’re one win away seltzers onto the ice to celebrate. (They must be made of money on Long from going to the Cup Final. If you were to tell me that (any time), I’d say, Island.) ‘Damn, I’ll take that.'” The Lightning had a chance to close out the Stanley Cup semifinal, and I wouldn’t expect an update on Kucherov on Thursday either, with the this historic barn, in one fell swoop. But after blowing a 2-0 lead, the team flying back to Tampa. Unfortunately, it’s gotten to the point where defending Cup champs are heading for one of the defining games of their the league’s leading playoff scorer — making a remarkable run after core, with their chances for a historic repeat on the line. returning from hip surgery — is injured on a non-called cross-check. It’s a bad look for the league. But the playoffs, as we know, are often a battle They are 13-0 in the past two playoffs after a loss, a stretch that includes of attrition, which is why winning back-to-back Cups is such a significant three Andrei Vasilevskiy , so is there another group you’d trust challenge. more Friday at Amalie Arena? “I mean, there’s no replacing Kuch,” Stamkos said. “He’s had an “There’s a pedigree with this group the last two playoffs, and these guys unbelievable playoff for us. He’s so lethal out there offensively. On the have not disappointed,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “You can’t power play, we had a couple looks. I thought (Ondrej Palat) filled in great. predict what the result is going to be, both of the teams are going to show We had some good chances on that last power play. But yeah, it sucks to up and play. But this group, as we have all watched, is a pretty resilient lose Kuch like that early in the game. Guys battled. We played short the group, and I expect nothing less two nights from now.” rest of the game and gave ourselves a chance to win. It didn’t work out tonight, but it wasn’t for lack of effort.” It’s hard to know whether Kucherov can be expected to play Friday. The fact that he didn’t return indicated some seriousness to the undisclosed Cooper said the main area where he sees his team’s championship injury, given the kind of competitor the 2019 Hart Trophy winner is. pedigree showing is in its handling of the tough moments, how the Shortly after Mayfield’s cross-check, Kucherov went up the ice and tried Lightning manage their emotions and trust in the process-over-outcome to lay a hit on Mathew Barzal in the corner. But he eventually doubled approach that got their names on hockey’s holy grail. They’ll need every over in pain and left for the dressing room after just 46 seconds of ice bit of that against the Islanders, who we all rightfully thought would be a time. tough out for Tampa Bay. The nearly 13,000 Islanders fans at Nassau were still dancing in their seats 15 minutes after the game as the cleanup Referee Chris Lee was right by the Mayfield cross-check, but no penalty crew tried to pick up all the beer cans. was called. It was at that moment when the Lightning leaders sat at their postgame IT'S POSSIBLE KUCHEROV'S INJURY ACTUALLY CAME FROM THIS news conference, believing they can give their fans a similar moment in a CROSS-CHECK JUST BEFORE. PIC.TWITTER.COM/V0YTUAGPPB few days. — SHAYNA (@HAYYYSHAYYY) JUNE 24, 2021 “We’ve been down this road before,” Victor Hedman said. “We’ve got to “They said they didn’t think it was malicious or anything. So it is what it turn around and get the job done. We’re going to go out there and have is,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. “They don’t have the chance our best game of the year.” to look at it on replay like we do. We’re not going to complain about the With or without Kucherov. officiating. Nothing we can do about it now.” The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 Cooper couldn’t confirm whether that was the explanation Tampa Bay got for the no-call, though it wouldn’t have made things right. “It would be weird to say it wasn’t malicious,” Cooper said. “I don’t think that’s in the rulebook, that cross-checks have to be malicious. I just know it happened really close to one of the officials, and he didn’t see it. You move on.” Said former NHL GM Craig Button: “This is on the NHL. That’s cross- checking, an absolutely blown call … not acceptable for that to go by on any player.” Despite losing Kucherov, the Lightning still had control of the game. Brayden Point put them up 1-0 in the first on an incredible individual effort that gave him nine consecutive games with a goal, one shy of an NHL record. Anthony Cirelli, who did a fine job of filling in for Kucherov on the top line, scored yet another big goal in his career, a breakaway score to make it 2-0 midway through the game. The Lightning’s penalty kill was perfect: They killed off a five-on-three and another penalty in the third. Deadline acquisition David Savard saved a goal when it was 2-1 by disrupting Casey Cizikas’ stick when there was an open net. 1189938 Tampa Bay Lightning Still, Kucherov missed having his hands in the action. “It was tough,” Kucherov said last week. “You get home from the game

and guys are feeling good and I’m like, ‘Tomorrow is the same thing.’ I ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’: Putting Lightning star Nikita Kucherov’s didn’t get excited.” playoff performance in perspective Kucherov said being around his family, watching his 3-year-old son Max grow, helped him get away from the game. “I think I got a lot stronger mentally,” he said. By Joe Smith Jun 23, 2021 “Hockey players, their shelf life is their 20s, and if you’re lucky you get to play into your early 30s now, and if you lose a whole year, that’s got to be tough,” Cooper said. “I understand players are getting paid, but there’s so Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour marveled as he watched Nikita Kucherov in much more to it. It had to be a grueling time to sit out and rehab not Monday’s Game 5 from his Toronto-area home. having any control if your team is going to make the playoffs, because Gilmour, 57, has played with or against some of the best who have ever that’s the only way you get to play.” played in the NHL. But as Kucherov, 28, racked up his eighth career Point, who had labrum surgery on both hips in the summer of 2019, didn’t three-assist playoff game — a total that trails only Wayne Gretzky, Mark see the full benefits until he got a chance to work out during the four- Messier, Paul Coffey and Gilmour — the Maple Leafs legend tried to put month pandemic-sparked pause. it all in perspective. “I just think, coming off hip surgery, not being able to lift weights and “First and foremost, (Kucherov) missed the whole year,” Gilmour said, skate as much as you want to in the summer, you’re not coming in as laughing. “He’s so good, I’m choking laughing. Are you kidding me? To fresh or as strong as you usually are,” Point said. “The time off gave me miss the whole year, come back and dominate like that, it’s crazy. a chance to work out and train and get back to feeling good.” “I’ve never seen anything like it.” “If you think about it, if someone is cleared to play, that’s actually like Kucherov didn’t play for the Lightning during the entire 56-game regular they’re starting training camp, right?” said Brian Schulz, an orthopedic season following late-December hip surgery, but he returned for Game 1 surgeon and team physician. “And if you look at a player of the first round and leads the playoffs in scoring. It’s not even close. on Day 1 of training camps versus the player peaking in the playoffs, Kucherov’s 27 points are nine more than the next best, fellow Conn certainly there’s a big difference there in their ability. So getting the Smythe Trophy candidate Brayden Point. The 2019 Hart Trophy winner cleared player, they’re not going to be exactly 100 percent game-ready, is a major reason why the defending champions are one win away from full speed. They’re going to have to work up to that.” another Stanley Cup Final heading into Wednesday’s Game 6 against Well, most players have to work up to it. the Islanders. Kucherov isn’t a normal player, however. NHL Network analyst wonders why no one is talking more about him (well, other than dispelling the LTIR controversy). In one “He’s a different human,” Lightning color analyst said. segment on Kucherov, Weekes brought up Kevin Durant and Michael Jordan, noting the NBA’s greatest player didn’t lead the league in playoff Kucherov said he gained confidence with his work on the team’s potent scoring after returning from baseball. The only comparable is Hall of power play, scoring twice with the man advantage in Game 1 against the Famer leading the playoffs in scoring in 2002 for the Panthers. Seventeen of Kucherov’s 27 points have come on the power Avalanche after taking the season off as a leave of absence following play, including four of his five goals. spleen surgery. Forsberg, who had 27 points, and Colorado lost in the “From having missed a chunk of a season, it’s hard to come back, and semifinals against Detroit. you’re not talking regular season, it’s the playoffs — a different level. To “What Kucherov is doing is unheard of,” Weekes said. “It’s absolutely have three points in his first game back, I watched and was like, ‘Are you mind-boggling.” kidding me right now?’ Zero rust on this guy at all. He didn’t look tired. He didn’t look out of shape,” Wild veteran winger Zach Parise said. “Of Kucherov is just the fifth winger to have multiple 25-point playoff years, course, he’s an unbelievable player, we all know that, but to step in and joining Jaromir Jagr, Mike Bossy, Jarri Kurri, and Kevin do that right away is incredible. I love watching the guy play.” Stevens, and he’s the first player to do that back-to-back since in 2008-09. Lightning teammate Blake Coleman has seen it firsthand when he played against Kucherov in the playoffs in 2018 while with the Devils. “Guys with skill and talent like that — wow,” Gilmour said. “I wasn’t a shooter — I was a passer — and he does both. I don’t think there’s “Kuch has a ‘wow moment’ every game,” Coleman said. “I remember anyone I can compare him to.” playing against them, and we had a top-five PK in the league that year and felt really good about our PK. I remember Kuch tearing us apart. “He’s got special vision where he’s aware of others on the ice,” Hall of (Four) power-play goals in the first two games. That just speaks to the Fame coach said. “Gretzky, (Mario) Lemieux, Crosby talent he has. And the way he sees the game. Obviously, when he has types of recent times, along with others, have that sixth sense about the puck on the half wall, something good is going to happen more often them that allow passes to be made that others that cannot do.” than not.” How has Kucherov done it? There are many reasons, from his relentless Kucherov grew up watching the “Russian Five” dazzle with the Red rehab and remarkable cast of teammates to three attributes that weren’t Wings, and said the Lightning winger would fit right in with impacted by his hip surgery: his hands, his head and his heart. his hockey sense and creativity. Meanwhile, Cooper compared Kucherov to an artist. The NHLers who had similar hip surgery talked about how the rehab tested their patience, how they didn’t feel like themselves for at least a “You don’t want to watch robots play hockey,” Larionov said. “You want year, sometimes two. hockey players to play hockey, and that’s what Kucherov is all about. You can’t put a lid on him and tell him there’s only one way: ‘You’ve got Kucherov, who said a groin injury suffered in Game 1 of the first round to go this way.’ It’s not a train track going (in) a straight line. Kucherov is last year eventually led to his hip problem, felt the near five months away doing things you can’t really stop. You try to shadow this guy, try to put a from playing took a toll on him physically and mentally. guy against him, but when you have players around him like Point or “It was every day I had to go to the gym and I hated it,” Kucherov said. (Steven) Stamkos or (Victor) Hedman, they can do some amazing stuff “Do the same stuff every day. It’s really annoying, and you get down on moving the puck and making decisions split-second when nobody yourself sometimes, you want to go out there and play. And instead, you expects (it). go to the gym and do the rehab stuff.” “It’s like (Kucherov) is in a band, who is playing their own music. Every By the time Kucherov was off crutches, he’d take hundreds of shots a guy in the band works to create a masterpiece.” day in the garage of his Tampa home, where he has a synthetic ice Kucherov is often the lead singer. You watch plays he makes, like when surface and NHL-sized goal. He’d watch Lightning home games from the Kucherov took over Game 4 in the Carolina series to score two goals in arena, taking mental notes as he saw the game from a different their comeback from a two-goal deficit. There was Kucherov’s quick snap perspective, up top in the press box. He’d go back in the dressing room shot off the rush, thinking he’d fool goalie Peter Mrazek by getting a shot afterward and talk with teammates or have a long conversation with off with a high rate of speed. coach Jon Cooper. Assistant coach Jeff Halpern said Kucherov would chime in during power-play meetings. Then there was Kucherov’s no-look pass from behind the net to Point in Game 3 against the Islanders. Later in the game, Kucherov darted into the Islanders zone on a one-on-three rush, then waited back and bought “He’s got really good vision, skill set, hockey IQ. He’s learned through the time with his skating to thread a pass to Ondrej Palat for another goal. years about becoming a more complete player and being able to play in the playoffs in different styles. It’s allowed him to keep growing.” Weekes compared Kucherov to his former star Russian teammate . Gilmour, who scored 450 goals and had 1,414 points in 1,474 games, said Kucherov leading the playoffs in scoring after missing the regular “You can never read what he’s going to do,” Weekes said.”I think season shows how good he is. Asked who he’d compare Kucherov to, (Mogilny) is a Hall of Famer. Go watch YouTube and how he scored 76 Gilmour said there was “nobody” he could name. (goals) in Buffalo — he was automatic five-hole. Go back to Kucherov when he scored (128 points in 2018-19), you saw the breakaway moves, “I’ve played against and played with guys that were very skilled,” Gilmour his ability to manipulate defenses. I remember Patrick Kane saying he said. “But not like this.” loves watching Kucherov play. And Kane is going down as the best American-born hockey player. When he says that, you know.” The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 Cooper could sense Kucherov’s unique creativity from the beginning when he made the jump from AHL Syracuse to the NHL in the 2013-14 season. Kucherov scored a goal on his first shot, beating future Hall of Fame goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. “He wasn’t afraid to try new things, that was the big thing for me,” Cooper said. “This kid is young and skilled and he’s got a bravado about him that he’s not afraid to lose. His maturation since then to now has been from, ‘I can try to make a play anytime I want to’ to now ‘I know the right time to make a play and the time not to.’ “That took time for him. But his playmaking, vision, all the attributes that make him a superstar, you could see they were there. It’s just, could he channel it the right way? We watched especially over the last couple years what a remarkable player he’s turned into.” Tampa Bay center Yanni Gourde said his first “wow moment” with Kucherov was watching him do the infamous fake shot on the breakaway against Braden Holtby several years ago. “Just a sick play, I mean, not many guys can do that,” Gourde said. “He never fumbles the puck,” Parise said. “His vision and setting guys up, it’s tops in the league. He can make a good play out of anything, the way he can get the puck off the wall, the way he can get passes — even bad ones. His puckhandling is one of the best. Him and Kane are very similar. Not huge guys, and we’re accustomed to playoffs being tough and heavy, but they get better in the playoffs. The bigger the game, the better they play.” Fellow Russian Mikhail Sergachev had watched Kucherov’s highlight clips before the two became teammates. What struck him was not the skill but the will. “I was thinking, ‘This guy is special,” Sergachev said. “Then I go watch him practice, and he’s just on a different level the way he practices. The way he plays, it’s so flawless. He’s a really good hockey player and it’s not as much his talent, but his work ethic that got him to this point.” Ryan McDonagh faced Kucherov as an opponent while with the Rangers, especially during Tampa Bay’s run to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. But McDonagh’s “wow moment” was seeing how Kucherov has handled opposing teams trying to take him out of his game by being physical. “I knew about his skill and passing ability — seems like he never made a bad pass, it was always on your stick,” McDonagh said. “But what I noticed is the physical game he can play, too, which I think doesn’t go unnoticed. He knows he’s a target for any team he plays against. But he can dish it, too, protect the puck. The top-end skill guys like him, he can be physical, too, he’s not afraid to go into the corners, get the puck back for his linemates and make a hit to make a play in his own zone.” Larionov has noticed the maturation in Kucherov, showing what he learned in the Cup run in how to grind through. There’s a fine line in knowing when to slow it down or when to speed it up. And Larionov said he feels Kucherov’s at a prime age where he can do these kinds of special things for years to come, saying he “doesn’t show any weaknesses.” “He’s a new generation of Russian players,” Larionov said. “He’s got the identity to be a free-minded player who is learning the game on the fly. He’s delivering every night and pulling the skill out of his pocket and using it. That’s a gift. I don’t think there’s anyone, in my mind, I can compare him to. You talk about Crosby, maybe he’s close to him in his prime. And Crosby is an all-around player.” Kucherov has a chance to join Crosby as a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion. He’s got to get through the Islanders first, and coach Barry Trotz — who watched Alex Ovechkin evolve into a champion — knows Kucherov is one of his team’s biggest obstacles. “It’s his mind — he sees things in slow motion,” Trotz said. “He sees the game differently than most guys. An example is the play he made with seconds remaining in Game 4 — not too many guys think of banking (the puck) the way he did and he knew there was someone (McDonagh) there. 1189939 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights try to save season in Game 6 against Canadiens

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

There will be a celebration Thursday in Quebec and throughout Canada for Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, the summertime holiday that honors French- Canadian culture. With the Canadiens one victory from their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since 1993, there could be another reason to party in Montreal. It’s up to the Golden Knights to extend the best-of-seven semifinal series and avoid falling short of expectations for the second postseason in a row when they meet Montreal in Game 6 at Bell Centre. “I think we have a lot of confidence,” Knights alternate captain Reilly Smith said Wednesday. “It’s a do-or-die game, and we’re excited about the challenge and the opportunity to win this one and go back home for Game 7.” The Knights, who entered as the biggest series favorites in a Stanley Cup semifinal in 31 years, had plenty of soul-searching to do after falling flat Tuesday in a 4-1 loss in Game 5 that pushed their season to the edge. Despite spending big in the offseason and tying Colorado for the most points in the NHL during the regular season, the Knights are on the verge of exiting the playoffs at this stage for the second straight year because the offense went dry. Unlike last season in the Western Conference Final when the Knights outshot Dallas by a plus-48 margin but scored eight goals in the five games, they’re barely getting through the 1-1-3 neutral-zone blockade set up by the Canadiens. Montreal goalie Carey Price has saved 2.01 goals above average in all situations during the series while facing an average shot distance of 39.82 feet, according to NaturalStatTrick.com. For comparison, Dallas’ Anton Khudobin had 4.57 goals saved above average while dashing the Knights’ hopes last season. Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko stopped a staggering 7.87 goals above average in Games 5 through 7 of the Western Conference semifinal in 2020. “We know we can play better than we did (Tuesday) night, and it’s on us to come out and roll out our best game,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “We’ve got a group that’s been here before. I don’t think we’re overwhelmed by the position we’re in. We just have to come out and play a good hockey game.” The Knights haven’t been able to get away with a struggling power play that has failed to score in seven straight games and is 4-for-41 overall. The top scorers also continue to slump, with defensemen producing almost twice as many goals as forwards (7-4) against the Canadiens. Max Pacioretty’s goal in the third period of Tuesday’s 4-1 loss was the first for the Knights by a top-six forward in the series. Mark Stone doesn’t have a point in five games and let his frustration affect his defense when he coasted on the backcheck while short-handed and failed to pick up Cole Caufield before the Canadiens’ third goal in Game 5. Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson, who missed three games, have one point apiece. The Game 4 victory was accomplished despite failing to produce a high- danger chance until Nicolas Roy’s overtime goal. “They’re always around the puck,” Stephenson said. “We had little spurts last game kind of breaking it down, but it’s a tough series. They’ve played really well.” The Knights appeared to let down emotionally after overcoming Colorado in the West Division final and rolling past the Canadiens in Game 1. Now, all the pressure is squarely on their shoulders to win two straight games or massive changes could occur this offseason. “We’ve only won once since Game 1. That’ll frustrate anybody,” DeBoer said. “I’m not sure we’re a victim to anything other than we haven’t won enough and we’re not used to not winning.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189940 Vegas Golden Knights

Pete DeBoer makes decision on Game 6 goalie … but it’s his secret

By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal

Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer said Wednesday he has decided on his starting goaltender for the team’s must-win Game 6 on Thursday in Montreal. And, like any good poker player, he’s not going to show his cards before he has to. DeBoer declined to reveal his choice before the most consequential game of the Knights’ season. Much of the team’s success this season came from the strength of its Jennings Trophy-winning goalie tandem of Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner. The fact that both have had success during the postseason makes things easier on DeBoer. “To be honest with you, it’s not a tough decision because I think either guy could come out and give us a win,” DeBoer said. “Both guys have played really well all year, but we’ve got to pick one.” Fleury has received the bulk of the workload in the playoffs. The Vezina Trophy finalist is 9-7 with a .918 save percentage and 2.04 goals-against average this postseason. He is 1-3 against the Canadiens, the team he grew up cheering for, with a .904 save percentage. He misplayed a puck late in Game 3 that led to right wing Josh Anderson’s game-tying goal with 1:55 remaining in the third period. Fleury was given Game 4 off because DeBoer thought he was fatigued, and Lehner was excellent filling in. The 2019 Vezina Trophy finalist made 27 saves in the Knights’ 2-1 overtime win. It was his second appearance of the playoffs after he was the team’s primary starter last postseason. He allowed seven goals on 37 shots in his first start May 30 against the Colorado Avalanche. There are reasons the Knights could go with either goalie. Regardless of who starts, the team knows it needs to fix plenty of things to tie the series and force Game 7 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. The Knights have seven goals their past four games and are 4-for-41 on the power play in the playoffs. “The reason why we’ve lost games in this series isn’t because of goaltending,” right wing Reilly Smith said. “We have all the confidence in the world in those guys, and we’ll move forward with whichever one plays next game.” Stephenson returns Knights center Chandler Stephenson returned for Game 5 after missing three consecutive games with an upper-body injury. DeBoer said he doesn’t think Stephenson is 100 percent, but having him back is still a boost for the team. He played 19:01 Tuesday, second-most among Knights’ forwards. The team had a 6-5 edge in scoring chances and 3-2 advantage in high-danger scoring chances with him on the ice at five-on-five. “Good to get my legs under me,” Stephenson said. “Get a few bumps back and you’re into the game. I felt good as the game went on. I’ll be better tomorrow.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.24.2021 Vegas Golden Knights Montreal has gone 12 games without allowing a power-play goal, its 1189941 longest streak since 1933-34. The Canadiens have killed 28 straight penalties. Nick Suzuki haunts Golden Knights with Game 5 performance 2. Faceoff success One of the things the Knights are doing well offensively is executing off faceoffs. By Ben Gotz Las Vegas Review-Journal Five of the team’s 11 goals in the series have come off offensive-zone draws. One of those came Tuesday. Center Nicolas Roy won the faceoff to Pacioretty, who fanned on his initial shot before firing a wrister past The Golden Knights had visions of what Nick Suzuki could do at T-Mobile goaltender Carey Price. Arena when he stood onstage wearing the team’s white jersey and black hat June 23, 2017, at Chicago’s United Center. 3. Getting behind Those dreams turned into nightmares Tuesday. The Knights gave up the first goal for the 12th time in 18 playoff games. Suzuki, whom the Knights selected 13th overall in the 2017 NHL draft, They’re 4-3 when that happens but 1-2 against Montreal. The Canadiens haunted his former franchise with a three-point performance in Montreal’s are 10-2 when scoring first in the postseason. 4-1 win in Game 5 of its semifinal series. The Canadiens lead the series 3-2, with Game 6 Thursday at Bell Centre. “Obviously falling behind that team early is tough,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “That’s not a formula for success we’ve shown.” The center blossomed quickly after leaving Las Vegas in a 2018 trade and is making the Knights pay for it. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.24.2021 “Nick is definitely a great young player and a really important center for us,” Montreal assistant coach Luke Richardson said. “Everybody thinks he’s kind of a sly and smart playmaker, which he is, but if you really watch a game live, he competes and he’s sneaky physical as well. … It’s great for him to add that to his game, being able to take hits and play physical, along with his great vision and hands out there. It’s a good skill set to add together.” Suzuki was traded with Tomas Tatar and a second-round pick in the Max Pacioretty deal before the Knights’ second season. The deal has worked out for both sides. Pacioretty ranks 10th in the NHL in goals over the last two seasons. But once the Knights and Canadiens were matched in the playoffs, the trade came into focus once more. And it has held up better for Montreal under scrutiny. Suzuki, 21, leads all players in the series with five points. He matched Pacioretty’s goal and point total for the series with his one-goal, two- assist performance Tuesday. Suzuki did an excellent job of escaping pressure and buying time to set up the Canadiens’ second goal by center Eric Staal. Then he backchecked hard on the power play to swipe the puck from Knights captain Mark Stone and set up a Montreal rush on its third goal by right wing Cole Caufield. He scored his first goal of the series into an empty net as a reward for getting his team a big lead. “He’s super competitive,” Staal said. “Like a lot of the guys on our team, the compete level is really, really high. Obviously the skill set and intelligence are there, but you need to have that extra level of competitiveness in order to make a difference like he has.” Suzuki has 20 points in 26 playoff games in his two NHL seasons, including 13 this year. Only one player in Canadiens’ history — which is rather storied — has recorded more in a postseason before age 22. Former Knights forward Nick Cousins, who played for Montreal last season, tweeted Tuesday night saying Suzuki is “Just getting started…” Sneaky skill, responsible , hockey iq. Just getting started… https://t.co/LEBeMiOsUl — Nick Cousins (@Cous27) June 23, 2021 The Canadiens hope that’s the case. The Knights hope it isn’t, at least for the rest of this series. “The team has done a great job of getting great young players,” Suzuki said. “The future looks pretty bright, but we’re not really focused on what’s going on for the next 10 years. We’re just worried about the next game.” Here are three more takeaways from the loss: 1. Special teams struggles The Knights continue to lose the special teams battle. The Canadiens scored their second power-play goal of the series in the second period to improve to 2-for-8 on the man advantage. The Knights are 0-for-13. Vegas Golden Knights efforts. It was an off night by everybody, everybody is in that boat, not 1189942 just Mark Stone. This is about our response.”

And the Golden Knights’ responses have typically been strong. It may not Golden Knights stay calm and collected facing elimination, but should feel like it, but their current spot isn’t more daunting than where they sat they be? after losing the first two games to the Avalanche by any metric. It’s worse than the position the Golden Knights were in after the Wild forced a Game 7 analytically, but not anecdotally. With the troubles By Case Keefer Minnesota had inflicted on Vegas all year, many were pessimistic about the Golden Knights’ chances in a winner-take-all showdown.

Vegas had one of its best games in response, backing up words about The Golden Knights have already survived blowing a 3-1 series lead and staying the course and trusting its abilities. The Golden Knights have then falling into a 2-0 hole against the NHL’s best team in their first two fought back before; it's time to see if they can do it again. series of this postseason. “We didn’t play good at all today,” defenseman Brayden McNabb said. It’s only fitting that they’ve now lined up another unique hurdle in front of “We played right into their game. We didn’t play our game at all. We themselves and their goal of reaching the Stanley Cup Final after losing know what we need to fix, and we can win in their building so we’re going to the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 Wednesday night at T-Mobile Arena. to do that.” Vegas must now win back-to-back games, including Thursday night in Montreal, to overcome a 3-2 series deficit and prevail in the Stanley Cup LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 06.24.2021 playoff semifinals. Perhaps informed by those earlier experiences, they appeared to be oddly comfortable in the precarious position after the Game 5 loss. “Oftentimes things don’t go the way you planned, but I’ve said it all series long: You play seven games for a reason,” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. “You guys can sit there and pick it apart all you want, but we’re going to go Montreal and we’ve got a job to do. We’ll refocus tomorrow, get on the plane and get the job done in a couple of days.” The Golden Knights came off as nonchalant in Wednesday night’s postgame as they did on the ice against a Canadiens’ team they should dominate on paper. They pretty much just repeated the same platitudes they’ve used after every playoff loss: They’re not panicked, they know they can play better and they’re confident they’re going to play better. The fact that they’re running out of time barely seems to have dawned on them. It’s up to interpretation whether such cool is a cause for concern or a positive that shows championship-caliber conviction. It would probably be easier to commit to the former idea if this were the first time the Golden Knights were facing imminent danger. But they’ve already proven their composure is one of their strengths, so maybe give them the benefit of the doubt. As good as the Golden Knights have been all season, nothing has come easy for them in the playoffs so it may have been wrong to suggest that this series would be any different. “We’ve been in this type of spot, we’ve had adversity before and we’ve responded the right way every time with this group,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “So I’m confident we’ll be ready to go in Game 6.” Again, the attitude has worked before so it might be premature to criticize or continue with the boos the Golden Knights received starting in the second period of Game 5. But some signs of urgency sure could be reassuring too. There were few in the game where Vegas, much like in its Game 2 loss, got off to yet another slow start and failed to really attack until staring into a significant third-period deficit when Montreal was laying back. Max Pacioretty kind-of, sort-of broke the top-forward scoring slump with a wrister out of a faceoff in a final frame when Vegas generated way more chances than Montreal, but they were far too late. It was the kind of performance where the aftermath could have merited something like Jonathan Marchessault’s famous guarantee after a playoff loss in 2018 or the type of resolute message Mark Stone has provided throughout tough parts of the season. But there was none of that, and neither of those two players were even made available to media. The absence of Stone, who still hasn’t registered a point in the series, was conspicuous. These were the types of moments DeBoer referenced at the beginning of the season when he spoke about the importance of a captain and why Stone was being named the first one in franchise history. The Golden Knights go as Stone goes, and the quickest way they can flip their fate in the series is if he can find his form in games 6 and 7. It’s just hard to sink much faith in that happening after he’s picked an inopportune time to go missing. “This isn’t a night we’re going to pile on people,” DeBoer said. “We’ve been on a long playoff road here and we’ve gotten a lot of unbelievable Vegas Golden Knights game and keep one of the best teams in the NHL on their heels despite 1189943 the Golden Knights fighting to avoid a 3-1 deficit in the series.

The Canadiens lost the game, but they were able to carry that same level The Canadiens’ ability to manipulate doubt leaves them 1 win shy of the of play into Game 5, and their ability to manipulate doubt has given them Stanley Cup Final this opportunity to clinch the series on home ice. If the external doubt in them allowed the Canadiens to be in this position, it was their ability to create doubt in their opponent that manifested itself By Arpon Basu Jun 23, 2021 the most in Game 5 in Sin City. The Canadiens scored the opening goal when Jesperi Kotkaniemi sent Josh Anderson in on a rush on goal and followed it up while Nick Holden Doubt can be a powerful weapon. could only watch his man put it into an empty net. It can be just as debilitating as it is empowering, and the Canadiens are That gave the Canadiens the lead, and as good as Vegas has been in using both extremes to great effect. They are playing in such a way that it the playoffs in this situation (they entered the game with a 6-5 record is having a debilitating effect on the Vegas Golden Knights while using when allowing the first goal), that alone created some doubt because of the doubt most of the hockey world has of their abilities to empower their how well the Canadiens have played when leading. own confidence. But more importantly, the goal was the fourth in three games for the line Dominique Ducharme said, earlier in the playoffs, that he liked proving of Kotkaniemi, Anderson and Paul Byron, and every one of those goals people wrong. Who doesn’t? It is a powerful motivator. was important. It was a line that was not exactly playing great prior to Think back to the start of this Stanley Cup semifinal series when Game 3 of the series, but it is rolling now and that makes the Canadiens Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin — who finished second in complete, the four-line team they are meant to be. general manager of the year voting Wednesday — came out and stated “All the four lines were running nicely,” Kotkaniemi said. “It’s a lot easier his team was clearly the underdog in facing one of, if not the best team in for our team when we can run all the lines and get success from all the the NHL, and how his team didn’t care. lines, too.” But maybe that was a bit deceitful. Maybe they did care, but in the The Canadiens have not changed their line combinations once in the empowering way of caring. series. Contrast that with the Golden Knights, who started the second The Canadiens were written off against the Toronto Maple Leafs, period with a change in their top six, swapping Jonathan Marchessault especially when down 3-1 in their first-round series. They weren’t given and Max Pacioretty on their top two lines, and switched it up again to much of a chance against the Winnipeg Jets and swept that second- start the third period with Pacioretty dropping to the third line, round series. And they were given the slimmest chances yet against this Marchessault going back to the second line and Mattias Janmark playing powerhouse Vegas team that became a sexy Stanley Cup favourite after with Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone on the top line. they eliminated the Colorado Avalanche in Round 2 by beating them four It was, in stark contrast to how the Canadiens feel about their forward straight times after falling behind 2-0. lines right now, a sign of doubt from Vegas coach Peter DeBoer. This is not supposed to be happening, but it is. And doubt is one of the “I think with the way the game was going and the lack of success some reasons why. of our lines have had so far in the series, we tried to jump-start some It is not necessarily the Canadiens’ ability to embrace doubt as a guys and look at some different combinations,” DeBoer said. “It didn’t motivator that is most important, but their ability to create doubt in their have much of an effect, but that’s one of the things we tried to do.” opponent and get them to stop believing in the things that got them there. On Wednesday morning, Cole Caufield was asked about Vegas goalie It’s to take their best players and make them non-factors as they have Robin Lehner saying after Game 4 that their pre-scout informed him that done to the Maple Leafs and Jets and are now doing to the Golden Caufield would either go high or go five-hole on a breakaway opportunity. Knights. Caufield went five-hole with a chance to give the Canadiens a 2-0 lead, The Canadiens beat the Golden Knights 4-1 in Game 5 of the Stanley and Lehner shut the door. Cup semifinals and are returning to Montreal to play a home game on Caufield’s response was to thank Lehner for letting him know what they Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Quebec’s national holiday that is a source of were thinking, and how he would use that in the game later that evening pride for a population that views itself as a minority in North America, a to find new ways to create a goal. day when the people of Quebec can show that their language and culture and way of life are something worth celebrating. Midway through the second period, Caufield took an excellent pass from Corey Perry and fired a one-timer off the post and in behind Marc-André It couldn’t be more appropriate for this team to be playing this game on Fleury. The puck basically hit the post halfway up, not high, and definitely this day. Because the Canadiens want to show how their unheralded not five-hole. team that only a minority of people felt was worthy of this stage is also worth celebrating. When Nick Suzuki was asked about the swagger Caufield’s comment showed earlier in the day, he and Kotkaniemi sitting next to him started This is not Brendan Gallagher’s first rodeo, and he knows the power of laughing. doubt better than almost anyone. He basically used it to fuel his entire hockey career, to show everyone who didn’t believe in him that they were “Kid’s got a ton of swagger,” Suzuki said. “He knows he’s a scorer.” wrong, but even more than that, to prove to the people who did believe in him that they were right. Meanwhile, what is the opposite of swagger? That is what Stone exhibited on that goal. The Canadiens were on a power play when Stone So when he says this prior to leaving Montreal for Las Vegas on had the puck and approached the Canadiens’ blue line. Rather than get it Tuesday, Gallagher knows what he is doing. deep and go for a change, Stone tried to make a play, was stripped of the puck by Suzuki, and then lazily got back to his zone and had a front- “I think you come into this series, and obviously there’s a certain rhetoric row seat to watch Caufield finish the goal scored off his turnover. Upon about how this series is supposed to go,” he said. “And I’m not saying his return to the Vegas bench, Stone slammed his stick against the they bought into it or believed it. We definitely didn’t, but there’s certain boards and slammed the door closed. expectations on their side. The longer this series goes, the more the pressure just falls on them. If Stone had not gone pointless in the first four games of the series, if he were not pointless at that point in Game 5, does anyone think Stone “Since that Game 5 against Toronto, we’ve just come in and played the would have tried to make an offensive play while killing a penalty? That same way, nothing to lose, leave it all on the line and game after game, sense of doubt forced him to make a decision he otherwise would not come with the same effort and energy. Hopefully, you put some doubt in have made. And it cost him. the opponent’s mind. See how they handle it. See how they handle those types of things. As the series goes on, that’s when it gets fun in the Prior to Game 5, Marchessault said the Vegas big guns had to get going pressure time.” and even though they were facing a great goaltender in Carey Price, that was no excuse. Late in the second period, down 3-0, Marchessault found The Canadiens carried the play for almost the entirety of Game 4 but himself all alone in the slot off a faceoff win in the offensive zone. The were unable to score a second goal when they needed it and wound up only thing standing between him and a goal was Price, the factor that he losing 2-1 in overtime. It gave the Golden Knights life, but it gave the had said shouldn’t have mattered. Canadiens added confidence, even more belief in their ability to play their Marchessault shot the puck at least 2 feet high. It mattered. “I think they stuck to their game plan,” Fleury said. “They’re patient, they kill plays. I’d say our players get frustrated sometimes not having the space to make their plays. They wait, and when they get their chance, they go to the net and are opportunistic when they can. It cost us the game.” The Canadiens’ ability to get off to a third straight strong start on the road took Vegas’ sellout, normally raucous crowd right out of the game. They were basically silent. By the time the Canadiens killed off a hooking penalty to Shea Weber late in the second period, the 13th straight penalty they had killed in the series, the Golden Knights were being booed on home ice. This is unheard of in Vegas. These fans have lived a charmed life, never experiencing anything but a highly competitive team that dictated play. When the Golden Knights left for the second intermission down 3-0, the booing continued. And when the game ended, all that could really be heard in T-Mobile Arena were the “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants of the Canadiens’ faithful in the stands. “We weren’t playing well so maybe we deserved it,” Vegas defenceman Brayden McNabb said. “We got outworked from puck drop, so, I mean, it is what it is. Our fans are great, we love our fans, but I’m sure they were frustrated, as were we.” Those boos were the sound of doubt. Prior to Game 5 against the Maple Leafs in the first round, Tyler Toffoli was asked about his experience with the Los Angeles Kings in erasing a 3-0 deficit against the San Jose Sharks in 2014 on their way to a Stanley Cup championship. “Going into it, it was Game 4, the night before we kind of just said, ‘It’s one game at a time, we’ve got to try and put some doubt in their heads,’” Toffoli said. He followed that up by saying what seems much more impactful today than it did back then. “We’ve just got to stick together and come together as a team,” he said, “and just perform and play to our abilities.” That is what the Canadiens have done ever since, and now they find themselves with two opportunities to get one win for a chance to play for the Stanley Cup. Right now, there doesn’t appear to be any internal doubt in their own ability to do so. The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189944 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Hope To Replicate Islanders’ Game 6 Result and Force Game 7 Against Montreal

By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

The big screens at the Red Rock hotel-casino sportsbook showed the Dodgers-Padres game and next-door in the poker room a guy is the navy blue Tampa Bay Lightning hockey jersey was leaving and tapping his cell phone. The jersey actually had “BOLTS” running diagonally on the front with the name “Stamkos” on the upper back of the jersey back and the number 91 on the sleeves. “They blew it,” said the guy, standing about six-foot, three inches and in a dour mood. The Lightning, indeed, were about 10 minutes from closing out the New York Islanders in the NHL semifinals and heading to the Stanley Cup Final. The Bolts, as they are sometimes called in Tampa, led 2-1 in the third and final period when the Islanders’ Scott Mayfield shot a puck from a severe angle past Lightning goaltender Andrei Vaslevskiy and tied the score at two with 8:44 left in the third period. And then in overtime, Anthony Beauvillier stole a pass in front of the Lightning goal and snapped a wrist shot that zipped by Vasilevskiy and the Islanders had themselves a 3-2 OT win at the rowdy 13,000-seat Coliseum on Long Island after getting annihilated, 8-0, by the Lightning two days earlier in Tampa. The Islanders and Lightning will play Game 7 at Amalie Arena in Tampa’s Channelside district in downtown on Friday. One night earlier in an arena just off the Strip in Las Vegas, the favored Golden Knights were clearly outplayed by the upstart Montreal Canadiens, which defeated the VGK, 4-1, before a crowd of just under 18,000 at T-Mobile Arena. The Knights’ feeble performance means Vegas will play for season survival Thursday in Montreal, where the team with the lowest number of wins in the 56-game pandemic season can be the first team to clinch a spot in the Cup Final after Tampa failed to do so tonight. The Knights won the first game of the Final 4 semifinal series, 4-1, but have lost three of the last four games to Montreal. The Golden Knights won 40 out of 56 games during the regular season compared to the Canadiens’ 24. But Montreal has been the superior team in the semis after VGK defeated Minnesota in seven games and Colorado in six. The Knights are 10-8 in the playoffs, while Montreal is 11-5. A 12th Canadiens win tomorrow knocks the Knights out of the playoffs. * The Golden Knights will hold the VGK vs MTL Game 6 watch party very close to their headquarters Thursday. It’s the building just a few feet away from City National Arena — the ’ ballpark right next-door to the VGK training center and headquarters in Summerlin off Pavilion Center Drive. The game will be broadcast on the giant scoreboard and fans can sit in seats or on the grass. It’s $5 to get in. LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189945 Vegas Golden Knights

Robin Lehner or Marc-Andre Fleury: Who Starts Game Six?

By Tom Callahan

As the Vegas Golden Knights head to Montreal facing elimination in Game Six against the Canadiens, the spotlight is shining brightly on the road team. Lose and you’re done for the summer. Win and you push the series to a seventh and deciding game back on your home ice. Which goalie is the one to start – Robin Lehner or Marc-Andre Fleury? Each goaltender has won a game in this series, but Fleury has also lost three. Lehner won a critical Game Four and only allowed one goal, looking much sharper than his time away from the net might suggest. It’s not that Fleury has played poorly, in fact that’s seldom been the case. Run support has been lacking in the losses. It really poses a quandry for head coach Pete DeBoer, who seemed genuinely puzzled after his team’s Game Five loss on Tuesday night. Do you play the goalie who won his last start on the road in Montreal? Or do you come back with the workhorse who has carried you this far? There’s no right answer. Lehner came out with one of the best goaltending performances of the playoffs at a critical time. He made big saves at key times and gave his team a chance to take the lead and win. Without that Game Four victory, Vegas would already be golfing. But then there’s Fleury, who has carried this team at times in the previous two series. At age 36 he’s turning in one of his best playoff performances ever. Fleury helped the Golden Knights shut down one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league in the Colorado Avalanche last series. And to be honest, the goals being scored by the Canadiens are often the result of turnovers and mistakes that result in odd-man situations. It’s a big ask of any goaltender. The Game Six starter is a huge decision and a big weight on DeBoer. If he starts Lehner and wins, he almost has to come back with him in Game Seven. If you go with Lehner and lose, it pretty much says that’s that for Marc-Andre Fleury looking ahead to next season. If Fleury starts and wins, that’s the closest thing to status quo we have. If Fleury starts and loses, it opens things up to more questioning as well and throws next season’s goaltending setup into an even muddier pool. What has been hard to remember about the Vegas Golden Knights in this series is that it’s not goaltending killing the team. It’s the lack of scoring. When the season does end for the VGK, the post-mortem will look well upon the efforts of the pad-men, but question the disappearance of the offense and power play. No matter which goaltender gets the nod for Game Six, the weight of the entire city of Las Vegas will be strapped firmly to his back. Win or go home. Who would you start? Robin Lehner or Marc-Andre Fleury? Let us know in the comments. Vegas Hockey Now LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189946 Washington Capitals

What will Ilya Samsonov’s next contract look like?

BY J.J. REGAN & ANDREW GILLIS

* With a flat salary cap, some expiring contracts and the Seattle expansion draft, this is going to be a busy offseason for the Capitals. To get you ready, Capitals writers Andrew Gillis and JJ Regan are breaking down the biggest offseason questions with their thoughts. Today's question: What will Ilya Samsonov’s next contract look like? Andrew: There’s been much scuttlebutt about how Ilya Samsonov has the ceiling of 26-year-old Andre Vasilevskiy. Well, if that’s the case, the Capitals are in for a mighty fun future. But after Vasilevskiy’s entry-level deal expired, he signed a three-year, $3.5 million deal with the Lightning. In the three years before his bridge deal, he posted save percentages of .918, .910 and .917. Obviously, Samsonov doesn’t have that pedigree and was a .902 goalie in 2020-21 and is a career .908 goalie. I think it’s clear a bridge deal is coming, especially considering the Capitals need to wait for the salary cap to begin to rise once again. Right now, even if the bridge deal means you have to pay Samsonov out the wazoo down the line, it’s a move the Capitals have to make. I would expect his deal comes in around $2-2.5 million, but I think the Capitals get him for a multi-year deal under that and let him prove he’s the goalie they think, and hope, he can be. JJ: It took a while, but in the playoffs, Ilya Samsonov finally looked like the goalie the Caps expected him to be last season. But even if Samsonov took a step towards cementing himself as the team's No. 1 goalie going forward, there are two sides to every contract negotiation. Regardless of what Samsonov's ceiling may be, he is a 24-year-old goalie with two years of NHL experience, a career .908 save percentage and a few cases of disciplinary lapses already. A bridge deal seems all but certain. From the Caps' perspective, they don't have the cap space to give out a big deal and pay extra for UFA years. Samsonov, meanwhile, has not done enough to warrant a multi- year extension or high cap number as of yet and a bridge deal will better set up him for a major contract in a few years, assuming he earns one. My guess would be two years at $2 million, perhaps a touch more on the cap hit to entice him to sign in order to avoid arbitration. With the tight cap situation, the last thing the Caps want is the uncertainty of arbitration. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.24.2021 It took years to assemble a roster that won the Presidents’ Trophy in 1189947 2011 because of icing the top offence and power play, best defence and third-ranked penalty kill. Daniel finished first in league scoring with 104 points (41-63) and Henrik was fourth with 94 (19-75). New Canucks special advisers Sedins embrace ‘old rookies’ role The draw to help get the Canucks back to a place of prominence — and Daniel and don’t need money or adulation. But they do also be a sounding board for countrymen Elias Pettersson and Nils have a sense of purpose to give something back to an organization and Höglander — was enticing to the Sedins. So is working with prospects in city that means so much to them and their families the system. Are they paying if forward? Absolutely. “We care about this team,” said Henrik. “This is a side of the game where we can help. We took our time and this is a great feeling. We’re not Ben Kuzma looking for fame again, and let’s be clear with that. We’re hoping to do a good job and stay in the background as much as possible.” What’s in a name? Added Daniel: “The only reason we came in is to do a good job and that’s been on our minds from the first days we came here 20 years ago. We’ll There are advisers and senior advisers in professional sports. And there do the same in this role. It’s going to take a lot of learning and we’re are also special advisers. aware of that, but we’re 100 per cent committed. That’s where a curiosity arises with Henrik and Daniel Sedin accepting “The core group here is fantastic, so much skill and fun to watch. And that ‘special’ title as advisers to general manager Jim Benning, in wide- with any young group, you need to take steps every year — just like we ranging roles with the Vancouver Canucks, as they transition into another need to. That’s the only way to get better, never be satisfied.” phase of remarkable National Hockey League careers. The Sedins have concrete beliefs on the foundation that builds any They don’t need money or adulation. But they do have a sense of organization — especially the right culture and top players leading by purpose to give something back to an organization and city that means example to create a trickle-down effect — but they sometimes differ. so much to them and their families. Daniel will tell you Henrik is a slow runner, and even though he had to It’s why that on the surface, the appointments sound intriguing and carry a different deportment as captain, he’s really funny and great to be somewhat intimidating. A job description that includes player evaluation, around. Henrik will say his brother is more social while he appreciates his development, draft and free-agency preparation and working with staff of alone time. the American Hockey League affiliate in Abbotsford could be daunting for any hockey operations newbie. However, on hockey matters there could be some great debates. However, with the Sedins’ wealth of playing experience and expertise — “We saw hockey the same way when we played and have a good combined with legendary diligence and even-keeled demeanours to deal understanding to be successful in this league,” said Henrik. “We’ve been with demands as elite athletes — they were always voices of reason on on very good teams and know what they had, and so we have the same the bench and in the room. Everything they have endured and witnessed opinions on a lot of things. is invaluable. “There are aspects where we might not agree and you need that in an The question is will they be heard? Or is this just a look, listen and learn organization, a lot of discussion and feedback from a lot of people. So exercise and a nice public-relations push for the franchise to welcome that’s a good thing.” back the 40-year-old Swedes? Added Daniel: “We would go back and forth quite a bit on the bench and “I’m going to be real open-minded,” Benning said Wednesday. “Even with we demand a lot from each other. Sometimes, you’re going to have the conversations we’ve had so far, they’re humble guys but have disagreements. You need that to happen to get the best results.” followed the league the last couple of years and our team. They’re The Sedins won’t be putting their skates on to help guide prospects and excited about the young pieces we have in place and getting them to the prominent players. But with the proximity of the AHL affiliate relocating next step. from Utica, N.Y., to Abbotsford, they’re going to provide pointers while “They want to be part of that and are not that far removed. They know working in conjunction with club GM Ryan Johnson and head coach players in the league and what winning teams look like, so they’re going Trent Cull. to be a big part of our decision-making process.” “Practice is a big part of becoming a successful player and team,” If that plays out, it’s going to benefit everybody, but is there something stressed Henrik. “Habits transfer.” bigger in the future for the Sedins? So does the manner in which today’s game is played and analyzed. Roberto Luongo was named special adviser to GM Dale Terms like expected goals are as common as old-school measurements. Tallon in November of 2019. He was also GM of Canada’s gold-medal “Analytics are very important, but in the end we never cared about how performance at the recent world championship and will serve as an many points we produced,” said Henrik. “What was most important to us assistant GM for this country at the 2022 Winter Olympics. was that we won our matchup, that was always the key. Other former star players like and Steve Yzerman learned the “You have to at least be even in games. And even though plus-minus managerial ropes and blossomed as NHL general managers. Markus isn’t a stat everyone loves, if you’re good in that department you’re going Naslund did the same with Modo of the and to win a lot of games. took on the tough task as president of hockey operations with the Canucks. “And that has nothing to do with systems, it’s about your individual play and staying away from turnovers and having a good stick in the Run all this by the Sedins and you get some slick Sedinery. defensive end. The little things matter.” They deftly stick-handled around the future because they’re very much in Vancouver Province: LOADED: 06.24.2021 the moment. And as team-first players, they will carry that mantra into their new positions. “We have no (future) game plan,” said Henrik. “We’ll do the best we can and see where it takes us, and right now we’re happy with this role. We don’t take this lightly. We talked to a lot of people. Trevor (Linden) was one of them and (Canucks senior adviser and director of player development) was another. And there were others, too.” “We’re coming in as rookies — old rookies — and in this role you need to know what it’s all about,” added Daniel. “The timing is perfect for us. When we were done playing we were able to wind down with our families, and we’re ready to come back and work hard.” The Canucks are far removed from the 2011 edition. That club succumbed to injury and fatigue and squandered 2-0 and 3-2 series leads to the Boston Bruins before falling in seven games of the Stanley Cup Final. Vancouver Canucks They weren’t going to take on jobs they weren’t prepared for. They’re the 1189948 best of us — which means they know what they know and are confident in that, but they also know what they don’t know — and what they don’t know about hockey operations minutiae is legion. Drance: Suspend all cynicism — Henrik and Daniel Sedin are the people the Canucks need right now “We’re excited to work with the hockey side, players and coaches, and building a team,” Henrik said Wednesday. “The business side, how things are run to make trades and before the draft and scouting — how amateur and pro scouting are working — those are sides of the business By Thomas Drance Jun 23, 2021 that we’ve never been around. That’s going to be the toughest and maybe the most exciting part.” The Vancouver Canucks have provided their fans with ample cause for Even in this, suspend all cynicism, because it takes a good deal of cynicism over the past nine months. emotional maturity and restraint to admit one’s shortcomings and come up with a plan to gradually address them. Which is precisely what the It’s not just that the hockey has been hard to watch since the club Sedins have done. departed the bubble in Edmonton last September following a hopeful, scintillating run to within seven minutes of the conference finals. The Their roles with the club will be general, they’ll have a foothold on every Canucks’ year has been marked — or perhaps we might say marred — rock. And you can expect them to approach the job the way they by cut costs, backroom staff layoffs, key unrestricted free agent approached a witheringly, persistent cycle shift or these very departures, a harsh workplace COVID-19 outbreak cluster that infected negotiations, with thoughtful, deliberative patience that’s characteristic of players, coaches and their loved ones and sexual misconduct allegations them. against a player. If there’s a big impact they’ll be able to make right off the bat, it won’t be Throw in the unnecessary in-house drama surrounding the contract pounding the table in a scouting meeting or navigating organizational status of the coaching staff, a last place finish in the all-Canadian division backrooms with ruthless political savvy or suggesting big picture salary and a capped out team ahead of an offseason in which cap space is the cap reallocation strategy. It’ll be in adding to the very surface area of the most valuable market commodity, and you’ve got a full-blown consumer club’s management structure. confidence crisis. The twins are uniquely positioned to have some of those additional, On Tuesday, the club announced that Henrik and Daniel Sedin — easily frank, human conversations with players, coaches, ownership and the greatest players in franchise history, and perhaps more importantly, management that have fallen through the cracks far too often for this club the greatest people in franchise history — stepped into this Sturm und since Trevor Linden’s departure. It wasn’t a coincidence that the press Drang, joining the club in a hockey operations capacity as special release announcing their new roles specifically cited “communication” advisers to general manager Jim Benning. after all. If it’s easy to be cynical when it comes to the Canucks organization at the There have also been rumblings — rumblings that will surely amplify after moment, it’s impossible to be cynical about the Sedins. They are Henrik confirmed the twins reached out to Linden to solicit his opinion on cerebral, well-rounded people of the highest order. Charitable, generous, the organization — that the twins have language in their contracts to wall driven, focused, family-oriented and possessing a refreshingly holistic them off or insulate them from Canucks ownership. view of what matters in life; the twins are the best of us. That’s not the case, sources close to the negotiations on both sides In grappling with and interpreting the actions and decisions of such insist. These are standard deals, in line with those of any other hockey people, it’s necessary to suspend our usual cynicism. operations staffer. On Wednesday, the Sedins met with the media for the first time since Of course, they are. The twins may be approaching this with uncanny returning to the Canucks organization as hockey operations executives. maturity and patience, but don’t confuse that for a lack of ambition. They They were asked point-blank “why?” an understandable question, really, are as driven, competitive and focused as it comes and if they’ve decided considering that they don’t need the fame or the glory or the money. to take on a project — whether it’s becoming great NHL players or marathon running or ping pong or pregame two-touch — you can bet In answering the question, Henrik explicitly cited a sense of responsibility they’ve taken it on with their eyes on being the best. to an organization that he gave two decades of his life to as a player — and by extension, to a city that he’s adopted as his full-time home. “We have no game plan,” Henrik said when asked about their long-term ambitions in hockey management. “We’re going to come in and find a “Our only answer is that we care about this team,” Henrik said. “We said role where we can do the best job we can. We’ll see where it takes us. after we were done playing that this is a side of the game where I think Right now we’re happy with this role and being able to help the team in we can help. We’ve taken our time, we care a lot about this team. To be this way, and we’ll see where it goes.” able to come back and help is a great feeling … We’re hoping to come in and do a good job and stay in the background as much as possible.” How does one square that comment with suspending cynicism? Because it’s true. They genuinely don’t know what they don’t know about the jobs If it sounds like a good public relations angle, you’re right. yet, and they may find on entering Canucks hockey operations that they’re more interested in player development or pro scouting or amateur Here’s the thing about public relations, though, from a person who has scouting or contract negotiations than they are in pursuing a general specialized in it professionally at the NHL level, public relations is manager’s role or a club presidency. everything. And I don’t mean that it’s everything as in it’s the whole package or even the most important thing. I mean that it’s everything an They’ll see and we’ll see, but make no mistake, whatever course they organization and its individuals do. decide to pursue, they’ll pursue it with the goal of being the best they can be in that role. Every decision made, every cause supported on social media, every process implemented and adhered to (or abandoned). It’s how every For the twins and their closest advisers, the models to watch for here are player and staff member is treated. It’s every dollar spent. the Chris Drury model in New York and the Steve Yzerman model in Tampa Bay and Detroit, specifically. Joe Sakic is often cited alongside It’s holistic, which is why the best public relations in sports is when you Drury and Yzerman as an ex-player who’s had tremendous success as a have legitimately good people and those legitimately good people win. top executive, but he took on a top decision maker’s role in Colorado The twins have been cast in some corners as a public relations shield right off the hop, whereas Drury and Yzerman apprenticed for years in that the organization sought out in the wake of the calamity that was the their respective front offices and ultimately ascended to the top jobs half 2021 season. But that’s not it. They’re too smart to be used that way. a decade or more into their hockey operations careers. Which is partly why they took their time and were deliberate in choosing Perhaps the twins will decide they want to be the top guys. Perhaps they how to re-enter the organization. They weren’t explicitly offered a co- won’t. We’ll see as the years progress, following their start date with the presidency or a top decision makers job at any point in this process, organization which is set for July 1— the start of the club’s fiscal calendar — even though the announcement occurred this week, multiple sources sources close to both sides of the negotiation confirmed to The Athletic confirmed to The Athletic. this week. We don’t know the future, but we know that whatever it brings, the twins If that’s what it would’ve taken to bring them home, if they’d really pushed will do it together. As they always have, even splitting all of their bonuses for it, it might’ve happened. 50/50 as players during their playing careers. That’s not the twins, though — remember, suspend all cynicism. That’s one of their two superpowers. The other, however, is perhaps more important. It’s said sometimes that the twins made the careers of lesser players, but that’s not really true. Mikael Samuelsson and Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen may have scored more with the twins than they would’ve otherwise, but they were successful NHL players in their own right. What the twins really do is bring out the best in everyone they encounter. That includes the Canucks organization as a whole, historically. Perhaps the twins are the right people in the right place at the right time. Certainly their superpower is one that a reeling organization could use, and use in spades, right now. The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 Websites Here’s what I do know. Ekholm’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, told me that his 1189949 client is interested in signing an extension. The feeling is mutual, according to a Preds source. The Athletic / LeBrun: Which defencemen could change addresses, or Ekholm has got one more year left at his bargain $3.75-million AAV deal. stay put, this upcoming offseason? It’s nice that there’s mutual interest in getting an extension done, but both sides have to agree on what that deal looks like. Negotiations have not begun yet. By Pierre LeBrun Jun 23, 2021 And, of course, in all this looms the expansion draft and how that influences Nashville’s decisions given that they clearly like their top-four defence core. This is shaping up to be the offseason of the defenceman. There are big decisions coming for a number of them. Some may re-sign, some may hit Do they once again go the eight-skater route and protect Ekholm, Roman the market, some may be traded. In any case, the market for blueliners Josi, Ryan Ellis and Dante Fabbro. Or is there a trade involving a Preds promises to be active. defenceman a few days before the expansion lists are due? The list is long: Seth Jones, Dougie Hamilton, Morgan Rielly, Oliver Both options are on the table at this point. Ekman-Larsson, Matt Dumba, Mattias Ekholm, Rasmus Ristolainen, Adam Larsson, Tyson Barrie, Alec Martinez, Josh Manson, Brandon Oliver Ekman-Larsson Montour and David Savard among others. Wait, didn’t we see this movie before? Defenceman after defenceman after defenseman. Last offseason, the Coyotes approached their captain about waiving his Some are pending UFAs like Hamilton, Barrie, Larsson, Martinez, Savard full no-move for a trade. Ekman-Larsson’s camp, led by agent Kevin Epp, and Montour. gave the Coyotes two teams where they’d be willing to negotiate a trade with: Vancouver and Boston. Some have a year left on their deals forcing potential decisions such as Jones, Rielly, Ekholm, Manson and Ristolainen. There were trade discussions with the Canucks but, to be honest, there wasn’t a lot of traction with the Bruins. The expansion draft looms large on so many fronts and it potentially could have an impact on what happens with a lot of these guys before So, now what? July 21. Which stands to reason. There hasn’t been a conversation in a while between the Coyotes and Many teams looking to upgrade on defence might already have three OEL’s camp. But based off their last conversation: GM Bill Armstrong blueliners they had planned to protect in the Seattle expansion draft so it was free to go out and see if there were any trade fits this offseason and would behoove them to wait until after July 21 to make their move. then bring something back to the player and his camp to see if it’s a team Although maybe there’s risk in that too as far as missing out. they would waive for. Poker face time. A slightly different approach in that Epp isn’t limiting Armstrong to just two teams. However, there’s the same bottom line. OEL has to sign off Let’s take a look at a few of these D-men. with his full no-move. Seth Jones The Bruins would remain a team of interest for Ekman-Larsson, no doubt. And it just so happens Boston is looking for a top-four, left-handed Make no mistake, teams are already calling the Blue Jackets. defenceman “The level of interest is off the charts,’’ one league source said this week. But it’s the part where OEL still has six years on his contract at an $8.25- Again, no surprise. million AAV that may or may not still be an issue for the Bruins. It’s not every day a 26-year-old, stud right-handed defenceman finds Given how many high-end D could be available this offseason, and given himself on the trade market. what’s left on OEL’s contact even though he’s a special player, it may prove difficult to move him and get a decent return in this flat-cap The question remains whether Jones moves as a one-year rental or environment. whether it’s part of a trade where he signs an extension with his new team to garner Columbus the bigger return. Dougie Hamilton I think the Jones camp, led by Pat Brisson, can live with either scenario The news that Carolina gave the pending UFA permission to talk to depending on which teams are involved. Not every trade suitor will make teams ahead of July 28 seems intriguing at first, the Canes thinking if the the shortlist in terms of potentially signing an extension. player finds a taker on an eight-year deal (can’t sign eight-year deals once free agency opens July 28) there’s a potential sign-and-trade giving The Flyers, as I suggested might be the case back in May, are interested Carolina an asset instead of losing the player for nothing. in Jones, sources confirmed this week. But, like many things in life, it’s not that simple. The sense is teams who I mean, it’s a perfect fit in so many ways. Not just because of the hole on have talked to Hamilton’s camp, led by J.P. Barry, (hearing they’ve talked the right side of Philly’s blue line but because the Flyers have some to eight-to-10 teams) while showing strong interest would rather wait until young players in their 20s they can entice the Jackets with. Not every closer to late July after the expansion draft to figure things out, which Jones trade suitor can say that. seems to be true generally around the league on many players. Again, the expansion draft looms large in all that. I mean, who knows, the But, as one might imagine, there’s indeed a long list of teams that want to Kraken could even approach Hamilton during that July 18-21 unique free- get in on this. agent window they have and actually try to sign him (allowed to do a max eight-year deal if they want), although I’ve not heard any evidence of that One thing I wonder about: What if nothing lines up between the Jackets being of interest to Seattle. and a team that Jones wants to extend? Would Columbus just wait and dangle him at next season’s trade deadline instead? As one rival front- But the bottom line is the idea of a sign-and-trade involving Carolina and office source suggested to me this week, his rental value might be higher a suitor is a long shot at this point. There’s a reason we’ve never seen a at the deadline when teams often overpay when they think they can win. sign-and-trade in the cap era despite the fact teams have talked about it Given that Jones has made it clear he’s not signing in Columbus, the in the Steven Stamkos, and Alex Pietrangelo situations the best-case scenario for the Jackets is that he’s dealt this offseason and past few years. It just seems simpler for the acquiring team to just sign signs a long-term deal with his new team, helping Columbus get the the player to a seven-year deal and not give up an asset. biggest return possible. So in the end, I think this will have a rather traditional end: Balance Mattias Ekholm Carolina’s best offer at the 11th hour with what may be available on the open market. Hamilton has finally found a home in Carolina, but how The veteran top-four rearguard just turned 31 last month but remains an much less would he be willing to settle for? impactful player. If these playoffs have reinforced anything it’s that big blueliners make a difference at this time of year. Canes head coach Rod Brind’Amour joined Scott Burnside and me on our podcast Wednesday and put it simply: Carolina wants Hamilton back, and really hopes that happens, but at the same time can’t afford to overspend on him and take away the ability to fill other holes. Morgan Rielly The Leafs and Rielly’s camp, led by Barry, had a nice season-exit chat, I hear, but the real conversation is going to wait. My sense is while the Leafs absolutely want to try and extend Rielly this offseason — he’s got one year left on his deal — that negotiation is going to wait until August after the July fireworks are done. Which will give Leafs management a better idea after they’ve made other moves, and seen the NHL landscape, to know what they can do with Rielly. But it’s always going to come down to one thing: Yes, Rielly loves being a Maple Leaf and would take a bit less to remain one. But the dollar figures have to make sense. He’s earning $5 million a year. He’s worth at least the $6.5 million AAV Torey Krug got in St. Louis last fall, if not more, depending on term. Kyle Dubas seemed much more at ease discussing Zach Hyman and Frederik Andersen play out their deals before free agency when I asked him about it on a season-ending media call. It was clear, however, Dubas wasn’t that comfortable doing that this time with Rielly. Either he’s signed this summer, or there’s probably a trade. Personally, I think the Leafs find a way to extend Rielly. Tyson Barrie The Oilers have interest in bringing Barrie back but I also think the 29- year-old pending UFA (turns 30 July 26) would have to settle for what fits under Edmonton’s cap given pending UFAs Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mike Smith and Adam Larsson and whatever else the Oilers are trying to get done this offseason (secondary scoring up front). Barrie bet on himself last fall in free agency, signing for one year and $3.75 million, choosing the Oilers over a better offer from the Canucks, the idea being he could fit in well on that power play and high-octane attack and in the process repatriate his brand. He did just that, leading all NHL blueliners with 48 points (eight goals and 40 assists) in 56 games. But the flat-cap environment and consistent concerns over his defensive game probably don’t result in a financial bonanza. If the Oilers are willing to do a three-year deal worth between $4.5 million and $5 million a season, and I’m not saying they are, but let’s say they offer that: if I’m Barrie, I sign it. Sure, there could be another million a year elsewhere, and that’s something, but the “fit’’ is best in Edmonton. Just my two cents. Josh Manson The 29-year-old mainstay on the Ducks blue line has one more year on his deal at a $4.1-million AAV. There’s mutual interest from both sides to get an extension done this offseason if at all possible. If a deal can’t get done, I believe the Ducks are comfortable keeping hold of him until next season’s trade deadline and making a call then. The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 Websites junior), and then put together a really nice draft year as a first-year 1189950 player, registering 32 points in 41 games to lead all QMJHL rookies in points. There’s nothing about his game that’s particularly dynamic but he’s a jack-of-all-trades who makes something happen on most shifts. The Athletic / Wheeler: 10 NHL Draft prospects who missed the cut for my 2021 ranking Arvid Eljas — C, Leksands IF/Köping HC, 5-foot-10 Every year at U18 worlds, I start my viewings expecting to be impressed by the big names I’ve already spent a lot of time digging in on and there’s By Scott Wheeler Jun 23, 2021 some player I’ve paid no mind to who grabs my attention, sending me down a rabbit hole of research and old tape review. This year, as the Swedes sputtered and their best players left me largely uninspired, Eljas If there’s one thing I’ve learned about our readers at The Athletic, it’s that grabbed my attention with his movement, his play-tracking, his transition they’re always craving more. There’s no better example of that than game, and his shot, which he leverages so quickly that it pops off his when my final draft board comes out and among the first messages in blade without the need for a drawback: the comment section are questions about the names listed in the When I went back and reviewed some of his games more closely this honourable mentions who didn’t make the list. year, I was left similarly impressed by his work rate with and without the To respond to those demands, I’ve annually released this column to look puck (he’s always moving and he empties the tank on the backcheck and at some of the near misses who’d fit into the final tier on that list. forecheck to apply pressure). This year, that final tier ran from 82-100 and, as mentioned in my draft It’s on shifts like this, where he (No. 94 in white) makes a quick play in ranking, beyond that point. Here are 10 scouting reports (as well as the the neutral zone, drives the middle lane, makes a pass into a dangerous usual quotes from industry sources and video) on prospects who were area, and then goes to the front of the net to nearly redirect another: given consideration for the 80s and 90s on my board. I’d listen to Or shifts like this, where he races off the bench and across the ice to arguments for these prospects over the names who did sneak onto the close off the wall in the neutral zone, tracks the play low in his own zone, tail end of my list and won’t balk if your favourite team selects them works hard from that low point to join the rush when it goes the other ahead of some of those players. way, makes a play to the left point, and then tracks once more to the right Jake Martin — RHD, U.S. NTDP, six-feet corner to apply pressure and force the opposing defender into a flip: Martin is a right-handed shot who has spent a lot of time playing the left His numbers aren’t yet there to reflect all of the ways he makes himself side and does so very well. Martin’s greatest asset is his rush defence. useful, but whether or not he gets picked I don’t think this is the last we’re He gaps extremely tightly, opposing players know he’ll step up and rub going to hear of him. them out if they allow him (though he doesn’t chase them to do it, which Charlie Desroches — RHD, Saint John Sea Dogs, 5-foot-10 is another bonus), and he forces a ton of chips as a result through the way he funnels players into tough spots. And while his raw counting stats Desroches ranked 100th on my draft board a year ago before he was may not leap out at you (in large part because he’s not particularly gifted passed over in his first year of eligibility. Now, as an overager (he’s got a inside the offensive zone), Martin does a good job transitioning play and late April 2002 birthday in a mid-September 2002 cutoff, so he’s a little reacts quickly to take dead pucks into space with his feet to look for an less than five months older than the oldest first-year eligibles in this outlet. Inside his own zone, he’s also a sound positional player who draft), he’s actually not among the 228 North American skaters ranked by rarely gets beat off the wall, takes back a lot of pucks with a disruptive NHL Central Scouting. On the one hand, that’s a pretty solid indicator stick, stays active when he needs to take away time and space, and that he’s not likely to be picked as a re-entry. On the other, it also means always has his head on a swivel to avoid losing his mark. He’s also an an interested team can likely have him as a seventh-round pick or above-average skater who will transition off pressure once (rarely tries to development-camp invitee. And I like that value. Sea Dogs coaches and twice in a row) with his edges to turn up ice and move the puck. Martin managers raved about him in his rookie season, when he scored 10 was kept off my board due to some of his limitations with the puck (a little goals as a 16-year-old. Then they raved about him last year when they too much off the glass, a little too reluctant to skate with it). He’s not believed he was overshadowed on a defence that also included would-be going to finish a ton of plays with an attack to the high slot or a creative 2020 picks Jeremie Poirier and William Villeneuve. Then he came back seam pass that sets up a goal, but the strengths of his defensive game for a third season, under a new coach, took over some of the offensive may still be enough for him to develop into a competent, complementary minutes that had previously been assigned to Villeneuve (alongside the pro defenceman penalty-killing responsibilities he already held), and excelled, posting 0.81 points per game (26 in 33, or fourth among all under-20 QMJHL D), Here’s his former coach at Gentry Academy, Billy Hengen: “Jake can 0.44 primary points per game (fifth among all under-20 QMJHL D), and skate, he’s strong as an ox, he’s rough around the edges. He’s a horse.” positive relative even-strength goals for/against results. Desroches, who Victor Sjöholm — RHD, HV71/Tranås AIF, 5-foot-9 was once committed to Northeastern University before going the junior hockey route, plays a calculating, well-rounded three-zone game with a Tracking Sjöholm’s progression has been a roller coaster. A year ago, he track record in line with that of an NHL prospect. Had he been the guy posted 125 penalty minutes across 45 games at Sweden’s various junior with a different QMJHL team since early on in his career, or had he gone levels. At the start of the season, when I asked HV71 J20 assistant the USHL-to-college route, I’m confident he would have been picked the coach Tom Jankovic about him, this was how he described him: “He has first time around. a pretty big temper. He likes to bang bodies. He needs to cool down the physical play. But he wins so many battles because of it so it’s one of his Matvey Petrov — RW/LW, MHK Krylia Sovetov Moskva, 6-foot-2 strengths in his game, he just needs to do it the right way.” Then, this Were it not for concerns I have with Petrov’s skating, which bends too year, there was a complete 180 and Sjöholm continued to play his game much from the knees and can break down, he would have made my list. but was toned down. The result was 12 penalty minutes across 41 The No. 1 pick in last year’s CHL Import Draft to the Battalion, Petrov games. He’s a small but aggressive player who plays bigger than he is. wasn’t able to come over (or even consider it) when the OHL never got Defensively, he’s also a sturdy defender for his size who gaps tightly and up and running. Instead, he spent the year playing in the MHL, where he always seems to just get in the way of his opponents to force them into finished third among all U18 skaters in goals (22) and points (42) to 2023 rushed decisions. His numbers don’t pop for a smaller defender and he draft-eligible sensation Matvei Michkov and fellow 2021 prospect Prokhor can move the puck a little too quickly when there’s room available for him Poltapov. to attack with his feet, but there are some translatable tools to his game and he’s a great skater who has logged advanced minutes at lower levels His shot is his best attribute, with an ability to play the point and power to push himself into the pro ranks early. through one-timers on the power play … Robert Orr — C, Halifax Mooseheads, 5-foot-11 … as well as turn on his wrist shot to get it off both quickly and with decent velocity: Orr is one of those players who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Sequences like this (he’s No. 88 in white) are pretty He’s comfortable on the attack with the puck on his stick, hanging onto it common in his game, where the puck lands on his stick around the net to create from the perimeter or knife through traffic to the home-plate and then he finds a way to get it back at some point after he has made area. His size/skill package will make him a mid-round pick but he’s his initial play. In this case, his first shot gets blocked, he tracks the going to have to firm up his skating mechanics and acceleration to defender and intercepts it to get it back, and then he tracks across the warrant that kind of range. zone to set up a goal: Andre Gasseau — LW, U.S. NTDP, 6-foot-4 Orr was a fifth-round pick in the 2019 QMJHL draft, played midget AAA hockey last season (while most of his to-be-drafted peers were playing Gasseau’s profile doesn’t look at all like the kind of player I tend to believe the game is trending towards. He plays a give-and-go, power- forward, straight-line style within a game that is increasingly about east- west play. But he’s also a July birthday who had a solid year considering he was the only player on the U18 team who wasn’t on the U17 team a year ago, so he was acclimatizing himself to the new level of competition in real-time. He’s got a big believer in Team USA’s U18 head coach Dan Muse, who said multiple times this season that Gasseau has “a lot of potential.” He’s not a crafty player per se but he’s got a few moves he’s comfortable making to attack into high-percentage locations on the ice. He’s a lot to handle on the cycle, he can be trusted without the puck, and he plays off his linemates effectively to get open and get them pucks. There may be a role player there if he can take strides in college. Oscar Plandowski — RHD, Charlottetown Islanders, six-feet I nearly included Plandowski’s D partner William Trudeau here. Both will be drafted (probably around the same range in the middle rounds). But I always found Plandowski’s impact on the game to be the greater of the two, even when his production wasn’t (though I think that will really come next year and it was always more a part of his game than Trudeau’s at lower levels). Plandowski is a plus-level skater whose four-way mobility allows him to escape pressure, start and lead rushes, and force opposing players to the outside. He’s not going to ever break ankles or really take over a game with the puck on his stick but I’m fond of his ability to lead his teammates, identify targets, and make the right play much more consistently than the wrong one. Confidence should help breed some of the rest. It doesn’t hurt that he’s an athletic righty, either. Justin Janicke — LW, U.S. NTDP, 5-foot-11 Janicke’s a strong skater who pushes tempo with a solid base to his stride, works hard to get pucks back, and has enough skill to make plays in the middle third of the ice. He’s not going to dangle in and out of trouble with his hands or surprise defenders with a pass through several layers to the backdoor, but he’s a capable handler who plays a driven, versatile game that covers the full sheet and moulds to his linemates. He’s the one player from this year’s U18 team who I think could have produced a fair amount more than he did had he been deployed a little differently. I love his mentality. Watch how quickly and aggressively he takes this puck into an attacking stance to look to make something happen from the slot. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what Janicke does by Year 3 or 4 at Notre Dame, because he’s got pro skating tools and I’m fonder of his skill package than I ever was with his older brother Trevor, who the Ducks drafted in the fifth round in 2019. Viljami Marjala — LW, Québec Remparts, six-feet After the Remparts selected Marjala No. 14 in the CHL Import Draft, the Finnish winger made the jump from Kärpät’s program to North America and had an immediate impact, often looking like the best player on the ice for his new team. He’s a bit of a unicorn, though, with a points spread of 26 assists to just six goals for a total of 32 points in 36 combined regular season and playoff games. But the six goals are more about shot selection than his ability to actually shoot the puck, in that they came on just 60 shots for a 10 percent shooting percentage (it is a little concerning that three of those goals came on the power play rather than five-on- five). When he looked to score this year, he actually showcased an adjustable shot that comes off his stick pretty hard: But Marjala just doesn’t like to shoot the puck. He wants to create off the flank with his passing, hence the above role at the top of the umbrella on his strong side on the power play. He’s an entertaining player to watch with the puck because he’s so proficient at hanging onto it, finding space inside the offensive zone, pulling in defenders, and then placing pucks into spots for his linemates to capitalize. But he’s not a small player anymore (he’s now listed at 178 pounds) and everyone who has watched him would like to see him go to the inside a little more. If he can learn to do this (which may also require an extra gear to his skating to get there), there’s another level for him to find. The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 Websites the spot instead, so let’s consider this a group effort. The Golden Knights 1189951 had a pair of go-ahead goals including the eventual winner in the second period of Game 7, and the pairing was on for both, with Spurgeon maybe even tipping one of the goals into his own net. It was a disappointing The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: We’re not mad, just disappointed with showing by one of the league’s more underrated blueliners. the 2021 playoff underperformer team Roman Josi, Predators

I’ll be honest, it’s weirdly difficult to come up with a Predators pick this By Sean McIndoe Jun 23, 2021 year, and I’m not sure this is the right one. I could go with the usual Matt Duchene pick, since he only had one goal, although that one was in overtime. Ryan Ellis was just OK. Filip Forsberg certainly has a case. But The NHL playoffs are an endless grind of grief and disappointment, a I need another defenseman so I’ll go with Josi, who spent the series as joyless slog filled with underperforming stars and unfair outcomes that the reigning Norris winner but managed no goals and just four assists serve no purpose beyond sapping whatever remaining traces of while being on the ice for four goals against in the opener. happiness might still exist in the deep crevices of our exhausted brains. Third pair Nobody enjoys any of it and there is growing consensus that postseason hockey should be banned. The maddening spiral of pointless cruelty and Samuel Girard, Avalanche abject misery serves only to foster a sense of deep foreboding as we crawl toward our inevitable … On some level, it feels unfair to pick on a kid who’d just turned 23 when the playoffs started. But Girard was so good during the regular season (Checks earpiece.) that it really felt like we were watching a star have his breakout. Then he regressed in the playoffs, especially against Vegas. As Peter Baugh put Huh. I’m being told that all of that might only apply to Leafs fans. it, there’s still room for growth. Apparently more than Avs fans had Apparently other teams occasionally win in the postseason? Some fans hoped, as Girard’s 14 goals against at five-on-five still led the entire get to be … happy? That sounds weird to me but I guess I’ll take your postseason until a pair of Islanders finally passed him during Monday’s word for it. blowout, making him the only player in the top 10 who hasn’t played But yeah … disappointment. Let’s celebrate it. As we close in on the end three rounds. of the third round of this year’s postseason, it’s time to build out our Adam Larsson, Oilers annual team of playoff underperformers. We’ll go with a full 20-man roster, with at least one rep from each of the eliminated teams. Keep in The Oilers don’t have as many candidates as you might think, although mind that this won’t necessarily be the postseason’s worst performers, there’s one more we’ll meet very soon. I’ll round out my blue line with since that would include a bunch of fourth-liners who nobody expects to Larsson, who had an up-and-down season but was looking strong down contribute. Instead, we’re going for disappointment, which factors in the the stretch, then had a rough go against the Jets. In four games playing higher expectations that some stars carry. second-pair minutes, he was on the ice for six goals against. The good news is that he didn’t exactly play himself out of the Oilers budget as a Have you practiced your weary sighs and sad head-shaking? Good, let’s pending UFA, but it would have been nice to have a more dependable get started … option available during the handful of minutes a night that Darnell Nurse Goaltenders wasn’t playing. Tristan Jarry, Penguins First line Every Penguins fan knew he’d be here, and they probably would have Connor McDavid, Oilers shown up at my house in protest if he wasn’t. We could mention the .888 Let’s be crystal clear: McDavid isn’t to blame for the Oilers’ loss. No team save percentage or the 3.18 goals-against average. We could focus on loses four straight because of one guy, and while it’s a very hockey the 16 goals against in the last four games of the series. Or we could just mindset to blame the best player in the world for not doing enough, remember this moment, which was probably the turning point of the Edmonton’s problems were elsewhere in the lineup. Still … one primary Penguins’ postseason. point in four games? Back-to-back pointless games on home ice to open Sergei Bobrovsky, Panthers the series, as his team dug a hole they wouldn’t be able to climb out of? A tough giveaway on the OT series-winner? McDavid wasn’t to blame, I feel like Jarry would be the consensus pick for the starter on this team, but he certainly wasn’t great in the series, or even all that good. Given but his numbers were actually significantly better than Bobrosvky’s .841 what we know he can do, he has to be on this team. save percentage and 5.33 goals-against average, which would be enough to get you benched in the mid-80s Norris Division. It was enough Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs in 2021 too, as the league’s second-highest-paid goaltender lost his job Maybe the most obvious pick on the roster, Marner makes an not once but twice, and to two different guys. That’s generally a sign that appearance for the second straight year after running his postseason a series isn’t going well. goal-scoring drought to 18 games and counting. It’s generally not great First pair when you’re an $11 million offensive weapon who’s more likely to shoot the puck into the stands than the net. He did have four assists, which tied John Carlson, Capitals for second on the team, but his playoff struggles have become a dominant story on a Leafs team with lots of them. Like a lot of players on this roster (and pretty much everyone who takes the ice in the playoffs), Carlson was playing through injury, in his case a Fun fact: Marner is the only player to repeat from last year’s team. Wait, bad knee. Still, a guy with a reputation as one of the league’s top that wasn’t fun at all. offensive blueliners managed just a pair of assists against Boston, both on the power play, and his underlying numbers were awful. You could Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs make a strong case that Dmitry Orlov was even worse, but Orlov wasn’t Matthews isn’t taking quite as much heat in Toronto as Marner, because the Norris runner-up last year, so Carlson takes the disappointment Leafs fans have always preferred to focus on one villain at a time. Still, crown. when you run away with the league goal-scoring title, fans are going to Colton Parayko, Blues expect more than one goal in a seven-game playoff round. Like Marner, Matthews seemed to fade as the series went on, and while some of that It’s oddly tough to pick on too many players when a team gets swept in is a credit to Montreal, at some point the big stars are expected to the first round, since you’ve only got four games to work with and plenty produce. of candidates to spread the disappointment around. Still, we have to recognize Parayko, whose reputation has been on the rise for a few Second line years but who had a rough week against the Avs. He had just one point, Sidney Crosby, Penguins a secondary assist, and was on for seven goals and 49 scoring chances against, according to Natural Stat Trick’s count. Much like McDavid, Crosby isn’t to blame for a disappointing first-round exit. But he had just two points in six games, and didn’t score a goal after Second pair the opener. Also, can we just point out that Crosby has just six points in Jared Spurgeon, Wild 14 games over the entirety of Pittsburgh’s last three postseasons? Maybe it’s time to ask some tough questions about whether (gets tackled The numbers were ugly, with just three points and minus-6 if you still use and dragged away by the narrative police before he can finish this dumb that stat. You could make the case that partner Ryan Suter should have thought). Jake Guentzel, Penguins We’ll give Crosby his usual winger, since they’re so unstoppable together. Like Crosby, Guentzel finished the first round with just one goal and one assist, and he didn’t have so much as a primary point at even strength. You guys, I think the Islanders might be OK at shutting down the other team’s top line. Taylor Hall, Bruins Wait, what? This one surprised me, because I’d been under the impression that the Hall acquisition had worked out great in Boston. He’d had a few highlight-reel plays, had finally won an actual playoff round for the first time in his career, and the redemption narratives were in full swing. Then I checked the numbers, and realized he had five points in 11 games, including just two in the six-game Islanders series (and none in the three straight losses that ended the Bruins’ season). Is that disappointing? Maybe only based on the standards I made up in my own head, but he’s on the team. Third line Nazem Kadri, Avalanche “Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Kadri’s heat-of-the-moment playoff brain cramp led to a long suspension.” That’s what I wrote when putting Kadri on the 2019 all-disappointment team. It happened again this year, and his eight-game suspension left the Avalanche shorthanded in a disappointing second-round collapse against the Golden Knights. It’s hard to keep making this roster when you’re rarely even playing, but here we are. Mark Scheifele, Jets Another suspension story, this time one that ended what was shaping up as a strong postseason. He had five points through almost five full games when he decided to teach us all what charging looked like against Jake Evans in Game 1. The Jets scored just three goals in three games without him. You can’t blame one guy for a series his team loses in four straight, especially when he’s not even around for three of them. But the Scheifele hit really did feel like the series turning point. Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jets Hey, at least he didn’t get suspended, which makes him unique on this line. But remember when he was traded for early in the season and we all rejoiced that hockey trades weren’t dead, and both players could be stars in their new homes? Yeah, about that. Laine’s troubles in Columbus have been well documented, but Dubois didn’t do much in Winnipeg, especially in a postseason that saw him manage just three assists in total while being on the ice for just two five-on-five goals for. Fourth line Kevin Fiala, Wild He had his share of chances, and his two points in the third period of Game 6 were the key to forcing a deciding game. Unfortunately, those were his only points of the postseason, and he was held off the board the rest of the way despite some decent chances. Charlie Coyle, Bruins He was banged up, but Coyle had a rough postseason, with just one goal and three points in 11 games. That’s not great, but it’s not all that far off his regular-season pace and isn’t why he makes the list. Instead, he cracks the roster thanks to being on the ice for 12 goals against at five- on-five. It was a bit of a PDO nightmare for a usually reliable player. Andrei Svechnikov, Hurricanes I’ve got one spot left and still need a Hurricanes player, so I’ll put Svechnikov on the fourth line as an acknowledgement that he barely makes the cut. He only had two goals — one into an empty net, and one late in the third to cut a deficit in a game his team still lost. He did end up with eight points in 11 games to make him our all-disappointment team’s leading scorer, so he’s got that going for him. The Athletic LOADED: 06.24.2021 Websites “You know, you have a vision of how this series will go,” Trotz, the New 1189952 York coach who has been-there-done-that, said late Wednesday. “It never plays out the way you think it will. It just doesn’t. It’s the weirdest thing, but that’s the magic of playoff hockey and the magic of being in the Sportsnet.ca / Islanders give ‘The Coli’ one to remember with comeback moment. The moment is right in front of you all the time. You’ve just got OT thriller to recognize those moments. This will be one that, you know, you’ll remember as a player, as a coach, as a fan.”

Trotz recognized the moment after Beauvillier scored as special — at Iain MacIntyre June 24, 2021, 1:09 AM least when he wasn’t covering his head to guard against the next incoming barrage of beer. Only at Nassau Coliseum could the home team’s biggest goal since the “I’ve had a few moments; I’ve been at this a long time,” Trotz said. “It will New York Islanders last played for the Stanley Cup in 1984 be greeted be up there as one of the best because of the situation. No. 1, the group with a golden shower. At least it was beer. that is playing right now — I love this group, the character of this group — and I would say this building, what it’s meant to a number of players, In any other National Hockey League arena, bombing your own players but probably more than anything, our fans. These are great moments: with beer cans is a dangerous sign of anger and unhappiness. At “The going off the ice and everybody’s hugging each other, there’s beer cans Coli,” it was a sign Wednesday of pure, unbridled euphoria. flying all over. It’s quite a sight. Anthony Beauvillier, who hadn’t scored in 10 playoff games, intercepted “It was a moment that you’ll remember. These are big moments and Blake Coleman’s pass across his own slot and wristed a puck past great memories to have. But we’ve got to get another one.” Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy at 1:08 of overtime to give the Islanders a 3-2 win and extend the Stanley Cup semi-final series Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.24.2021 to Game 7 and, perhaps, extend the lifespan of the quirkiest, most antiquated, beer-soaked arena in the NHL. Told a few days ago by coach Barry Trotz to fight for his inches, Beauvillier took a mile by completing the Islanders’ comeback from a 2-0 deficit in Game 6 against the Stanley Cup champions. And then it was Miller time. “It feels amazing, to be honest,” Beauvillier, the fifth-year Islander, told reporters. “That building coming into overtime was smelling like cigarettes and now it smells like beers. I mean, that place was going crazy. Everyone’s happy we’re going back to Tampa.” “That was amazing,” Islanders centre Mat Barzal said after setting up the first two New York goals. “We got that first one and (the fans) just got riled up. And obviously in overtime, I’ve never seen anything like that. A little dangerous. You don’t see that too often, so we embrace it and that’s the Islander faithful. They’re passionate and they get excited. It was good stuff.” Barzal was the best player on either team. Beauvillier was the hero. But the real star was the 49-year-old arena and the 12,978 fans who crowded in for happy hour and what may have been the final NHL game in the old barn before the Islanders move next season slightly closer to civilization at Belmont Park. For 34 minutes Wednesday, it looked like it would be a funeral – or at least a raucous Irish wake where family members end up fighting each other before collapsing into tears and hugs and more pints of Guinness. Remaining Time -1:48 Beauvillier talks scoring overtime winner and forcing Game 7 But after another hyper-speed rush by Barzal backed up Lightning defenders, Jordan Eberle snatched a goal back for the Islanders at 14:22 of the second period to make it 2-1. Nearly a full period later, Barzal saw defenceman Scott Mayfield skate off the New York bench like a young Denis Potvin, then dished the puck to his teammate who stunned Vasilevskiy with a bar-down, short-side shot from a sharp angle to tie the game at 11:16 of the third. Beauvillier couldn’t recall much about the first overtime goal of his career, but the 24-year-old anticipated Coleman’s little dump pass as the Lightning were trying to break out of its zone, and gave Vasilevskiy no time to really set himself before scoring from the slot. “Saw it go in and… just kind of blacked out,” Beauvillier said. “I was just so happy, I was screaming and everyone kind of jumped on me. I couldn’t be more happy. “As a kid, you kind of try to imagine yourself going to Game 7 and having a good game and having good moments with your teammates. I think we’ve earned the right to go back and play Game 7.” The Islanders, who lost Game 6 in overtime to the Lightning at this stage of the playoffs last year, have dragged Tampa into Game 7 on Friday after, incredibly, surrendering 12 straight goals over parts of three games. That included an 8-0 humiliation by the Lightning in Game 5 on Monday. Remaining Time -5:32 Why Islanders could edge Lightning in Game 7 with Kucherov out Websites “I think just maybe they had it seemed like more speed in the third 1189953 [period] than we did,” said Point. “A little quicker to pucks. They capitalized on their chances.” Sportsnet.ca / With plenty reason for frustration, Lightning remain calm “It was an entertaining game and we’ve got to go get the job done at ahead of next test home,” said Stamkos. Remaining Time -0:48 Chris Johnston June 24, 2021, 1:34 AM Gotta See It: Brayden Point scores in his 9th straight playoff game This will be their first Game 7 since 2018 against Washington, when they missed out on a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. They For all we know, they were breaking chairs and airing frustrations at a suffered a similar defeat against Pittsburgh in 2016, too. safe distance from the Zoom camera. But they’ve also since gotten over the hump — winning a championship And if not? inside the Edmonton bubble in September and showing an unmatched pedigree in the process. Maybe that’s why they seemed so calm in the Well, these Tampa Bay Lightning possess more cool and composure wake of a stinging defeat to the Islanders which left them with bumps, than the vast majority of us would show under similar duress. They had bruises and something worse. every reason to walk out of Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday night screaming mad — at referee Chris Lee, who watched playoff scoring “I think with two quality teams like this you kind of expect something like leader Nikita Kucherov injured with a hard cross-check and decided not this, you expect a series like this,” said Cooper. “And you sit here right to call a penalty; and also at themselves for squandering a 2-0 lead with now, minutes after you lose a game in overtime, it stings. But in the end a a spot in the Stanley Cup Final on the line. lot of good things come from tonight. The only faint whiff of frustration came from captain Steven Stamkos, “Hey, we’re one win away from going to the Stanley Cup Final so if you referencing the Scott Mayfield cross-check that ended Kucherov’s night were going to tell me that I would be like, ‘Damn, I’ll take that.’ after one shift and 46 seconds: “It’s probably a guy looking for a little cheapshot there.” “So, here we are.” But even amid a playoffs where the standard of officiating has slipped to Keeping calm and carrying on, despite all the reasons they might not. uncomfortably low levels, Stamkos found empathy for Lee and partner Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.24.2021 Gord Dwyer. “Yeah I think they said that they didn’t think it was malicious or anything. So it is what it is,” said Stamkos. “I mean they don’t have the chance to look at it on replay like we do. We’re not going to complain about the officiating — nothing we can do about it now. “We’ll focus on next game.” Remaining Time -1:00 Kucherov gets crosschecked, then misses check on Barzal to leave with injury The next game is the kind that will help define how history remembers this Lightning group: A Game 7 with a chance to win a seventh straight playoff series. And more importantly the opportunity to continue chasing a back-to-back Stanley Cup victory against either Montreal or Vegas. You have to believe it will be played without Kucherov, the most dangerous offensive weapon in these playoffs with an astounding 27 points already. There was no update on his condition, but it’s hard to imagine a player missing 58-plus minutes of a game with this magnitude and somehow being OK to rejoin the lineup 48 hours later. Were they so inclined, the Lightning could even have found a bitter taste from the fact it was Mayfield who tied the score with 8:44 left in regulation after ending Kucherov’s night. He got the superstar forward with a cross- check that appeared to impact his right ribcage and lower back. But, again, there was no apparent frustration with that cruel twist or Stamkos’s assertion that the referees chose not to penalize Mayfield because they didn’t think his infraction was malicious enough to warrant a minor. “I don’t know if that was said,” said Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, a former lawyer. “It would be weird, though, because to say it wasn’t malicious then I guess you’re determining … because I don’t think that’s in the rule book. That a cross-check has to be malicious, I don’t think that word’s in that, but I can’t confirm that was said. “I just know it happened really close to one of the officials but he didn’t see it. “Move on.” They actually did that initially in Game 6, building a 2-0 lead on goals from Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli. Point’s backhander at the end of a determined shift stretched his streak to an incredible nine straight games with a goal — one back of Reggie Leach’s all-time record. But the Islanders didn’t go quietly, clawing their way back with Jordan Eberle’s knifing backhander and Mayfield’s bar-down beauty and finally Anthony Beauvillier’s thrilling winner off a Blake Coleman turnover at 1:04 of overtime. Websites Yet there seems to be a type of team from the league’s mid-tier — as I 1189954 still believe the Habs to be — that can go on a deep run (and it doesn’t seem to be the young “skilly” teams.) It’s possible that even without elite talent you can better set yourself up for the possibility of an upset. Sportsnet.ca / What Montreal has taught us about the North Division, playoff success You need goaltending, first and foremost. The Dallas Stars got it last year from Anton Khudobin. You need responsible players, which usually Canadiens doing great job of frustrating Golden Knights' forwards means veterans. You need a physical element, and you need some defencemen who defend. Montreal checks all those boxes, and other The panel breaks down how the Canadiens are being led teams without superstars should aim to do the same. When you don’t by their young stars, uncharacteristic defensive mistakes by the Vegas have many game breakers the goal is to keep things close, which is Golden Knights, and what Montreal has to do to close the series out. where hockey offers some coin toss moments and hope you to win a bunch in a row. Justin Bourne June 23, 2021, 12:55 PM The Habs are just patient, and reliable, and seem to be enjoying the benefit of a lack of pressure. You know how coaches always jockey for “underdog” status pre-series? The Habs are a great example why. For their opponents, not having early success as they expected has made I want answers. them press and open up holes, and allowed the Habs to be opportunistic. When it comes to sports, which inevitably reflect life, I’m fascinated by It’s not like they’ve been holding court in the offensive zone. But Montreal which concepts are most effective when put to the real-world test, has been great in transition, using short passes on their breakouts to beyond the computers and bar stools where theories are presented as create speed and get looks the other way when the door is left open. conclusions. Will a defence-first veteran team beat a young offence-first team when the pressure is on? What themes run through the previous Montreal has a few other elements that are well-suited for playoffs (which Cup-winning rosters? I underestimated) The Stanley Cup Playoffs are a more complicated version of early UFC When a team I keep picking against keeps winning, I recognize it’s events — before all the styles blended into mixed martial arts — where healthy to try to figure out what I’ve missed. Here are two things I got they’d pit a kickboxer versus a sumo wrestler, or a taekwondo expert wrong about Montreal: against a shootfighter (remember Ken Shamrock?). It was only after we saw the real-world results that certain things revealed themselves as Both Joel Edmundson and Ben Chiarot are better defenders than I unimpeachable truths in practice, not just in theory. (For example, maybe thought. I’m counting that as one thing. These are not new players in the being a huge immobile sumo wrestler wasn’t the ideal fighting build?) league, and I’ve seen them both play plenty over their careers, it’s just that neither naturally attracts your eyeballs when you’re watching a So the Montreal Canadiens are one win away from making the Stanley hockey game. But they’ve been reliable and smart, and eminently Cup Final, and the debates are in full effect. If they complete a series win useable in big minutes without any major breakdowns. That’s no easy over the Vegas Golden Knights and make it through to the final here, feat. what will we have learned? What’s a conclusion and what’s a blip? The other is that what Phillip Danault is doing is pretty remarkable, and I Below are three varied conclusions (or near conclusions) of mine, musing didn’t think it was possible to shut down great players in today’s NHL a la on what to take away from this Habs post-season run so far. Esa Tikkanen. Mark Stone is the type of guy built for these sorts of competitive environments, and he’s totally disappeared. His frustration Maybe the North Division wasn’t so bad (but let’s pump the brakes on boiled over after the Cole Caufield goal in Game 5, but it showed most in calling it good) the in-game decisions he made (pushing for a chance down a guy against traffic) leading up to that goal. The Jets’ top guys disappeared, There was a great piece written on Pension Plan Puppets today about and the Leafs’ top guys disappeared, and he’s the common denominator. the Toronto Maple Leafs by @atfulemin, which explained why the Leafs At some point a team may have to turn their attention to Danault and are, quite obviously, the bad guy in the movie. The crux of the idea was making his life difficult out there, as he just continues to fly under the that they always get more than they earn, which immediately establishes radar. them as the villain, and is 100 per cent fair. (Heck, I’m talking about them here in a Habs article.) As a smaller note, I’ve been impressed with Artturi Lehkonen, too. Nice With that status, though, most outside the Greater Toronto Area were player. eager to discredit their regular season success as a product of an The Canadiens have a lot going for them at the right time. For a couple exceedingly soft division. Seeing the fourth-best regular season team in seasons now they’ve been a team that controls possession well, and that division mute the Vegas Golden Knights entirely, it’s possible that paired with their stout defending and elite goaltending, they’re making life “the North is garbage” narrative was a bit overdone. I think it’s more likely difficult on their opposition. that the North was packed with middling teams, none of which were overly good or bad. The ceiling was low, but the floor was fairly high, and I may not be sold that if you re-racked the Stanley Cup Playoffs and not many points were handed out for free. It wasn’t a grouping of teams played it all out a hundred different times with the same teams that from the league’s bottom-third, but more likely the mid-tier. Montreal would be doing what they’ve done here so far with much consistency. But that doesn’t mean I can’t recognize they’re built in a way I realize we’ve only seen five inter-division games from this Montreal- that allows them a chance every night, and that along with some good Vegas series, so I don’t want to draw too many conclusions on it alone, fortune they’ve executed exactly as they’ve needed to put them on the but I’m growing more curious about that West Division than I am cusp of an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. becoming willing to big-up the North. It’s possible that group really just allowed the better teams (namely Colorado and Vegas) to feast on an You can only control what’s in front of you, and they’ve controlled what’s unthreatening diet of Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose and Arizona. in front of them like a puppet on strings. For that, they deserve every bit of credit they get. Instead of any real conclusion about the North, I find myself wondering about a team like Minnesota. It sure looked like they took a big step this Mid-tier teams can go on good runs. Mid-tier teams with responsible year. But maybe Vegas isn’t that great, and the division was soft, and so veterans and great goaltending are more likely to go on good runs. The their step forward was more like a shuffle than a leap? North Division still wasn’t very good, but it wasn’t a joke, and this Habs team isn’t one of the five or even 10 best in the NHL. But they’re better Anyway, the point is the North was fine. than I thought. Mid-tier teams can go on runs in hockey (provided they’re built a certain Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.24.2021 way) I know there’s some truth to the expression “If ifs and buts were candies and nuts every day would be Christmas,” but allow me one. If the Habs got a bad bounce or two in Game 5 or 6 of Round 1, their team and model is likely written off as unsuccessful. I only mention that because I think there are a number of teams in NHL history who suffered that unfortunately fate and likely could’ve gone on to great things, even a Stanley Cup. Hockey can be a cruel game and no team construction is foolproof. Websites They certainly don’t need any more money or fame. And by taking these 1189955 jobs, the twins risk denting their crowns the way Trevor Linden, a former teammate and mentor to the Sedins, did when he was Canucks president for four years before being forced out three summers ago over an Sportsnet.ca / Henrik, Daniel Sedin on new advisor roles: ‘We’re 100 per ideological clash with ownership. cent committed’ “We care about this team, care about the people that work here,” Daniel Canucks needed to find positions for Sedins to be impactful and to learn explained. “And that’s the No. 1 reason, the only reason, we came in. We want to do a good job, and that’s been our mindset from the first day we Dan Murphy and Iain MacIntyre discuss why the Canucks hiring of the came here 20-something years ago. We’ll do the same in this role. We’re Sedin twins was more than just a PR ploy, and why it was so important to looking forward to seeing this side of the business. It’s going to take a lot find roles for them to not only be impactful, but also learn the business of learning, and we’re aware of that but we’re 100 per cent committed. side of things. “The core group here is fantastic — so much skill, fun to watch. I think with any young core group, they need to take steps every year like we Iain MacIntyre June 23, 2021, 6:54 PM needed to when we were young. That’s kind of the only way your team will get better is if they take those steps. Never be satisfied. I think that was the main thing for us when we played. We always wanted to take steps every year. If they can do that, I think this will be an exciting group VANCOUVER – There is a heap that Henrik and Daniel Sedin don’t know to be a part of.” about National Hockey League management. What they don’t yet know exponentially outweighs what they do. Remaining Time -2:10 But the wonder twins know about winning, which hasn’t happened Henrik & Daniel Sedin see culture as biggest factor to address enough for the Vancouver Canucks since before the Sedins retired in 2018. They know that winning is predicated on culture, and in this regard Henrik said there is no “game plan” for an ascent through management. the brothers are oracles. The Sedins are here to learn and offer advice and perspective. But it’s not ceremonial. As when they played, they’re all-in. On Wednesday, the first day of the Sedins’ new jobs as special advisors to general manager Jim Benning, it was clear that the Canucks’ culture “We’re going to find a role where we can do the best job we can and we’ll just got a significant upgrade even if Daniel and Henrik are “rookies” to see where it takes us,” Henrik said. “We said after we were done playing hockey operations. that this is a side of the game where I think we can help, and we’ve taken our time. We care a lot about this team, so to be able to come back and “We’ve had some really good teams in this organization,” Henrik said at help is a great feeling. We’re not looking for fame again; let’s be clear an introductory virtual press conference. “We know what those teams with that. We’re hoping to come in and do a good job and try to stay in had. Culture, what you bring to the practice every day, what you bring to the background as much as possible.” games every day, how you come into training camp, those things all come into play to be a successful team. We’ve seen that firsthand with a Henrik said he and his brother can use their experiences to help players, lot of our teams. I think it will be fun to be a part of this group, this team, both on the Canucks and their new farm team in Abbotsford. But it’s the and see that they have the same things. hockey-operations aspect of their job that is most exciting to them, he said. “I think No. 1 to create a winning organization, you create the right culture. And that’s something that we truly believed in when we played “We wouldn’t come back if we weren’t able to put 100 per cent into this and we had on good teams.” job,” Daniel reiterated. “So that’s been kind of our mindset these last (three) years that we’ve been retired. We want to come back and be able With the Sedins as the team’s best players and culture-setters, the to put time into this job. We don’t take it lightly, that’s for sure.” Canucks built the franchise’s most successful period from 2008 until 2013, when Vancouver won more NHL games than everyone except the No one should. Pittsburgh Penguins. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.24.2021 But it took 10 years from Henrik’s arrival from Sweden for him to develop into an NHL scoring champion and Hart Trophy winner. Daniel Sedin needed 11 years. Excellence takes time. The 40-year-olds probably don’t have the luxury of a decade to make a managerial impact with the Canucks – not under the current regime, anyway. But their influence should be felt in an organization that is coming off its most disappointing season this century and has missed the Stanley Cup playoffs in five of general manager Jim Benning’s seven years in charge. Benning, however, has to make himself open to that influence. The extra voices the Canucks have added – and needed – in senior management are no good if the experienced hockey men are unwilling to listen. “I’m going to be real open-minded,” Benning insisted Wednesday. “You know, they’re not that far removed from the league. They still know a lot of the players in the league. They know what winning teams look like. So I’m going to be listening to them, and they’re going to be a big part of our decision-making process moving forward. “They’re going to be involved in all the different aspects of what we do. And that’s from team-building, talking about the types of players we want, what we want the team to look like. They’ll be part of our pro scouting meetings heading into the expansion draft here, be part of our free-agent meetings when we talk about free agents or adding players to our group. They’re going to have a big voice in what we do here.” Remaining Time -0:59 What impact does Benning see Sedin twins having on Canucks? Benning and the Sedins spoke for months about what their roles might look like after the greatest players in Canucks history decided this past winter they were ready to re-devote themselves to the organization after taking three years away for themselves and their families in Vancouver. Websites National Hockey League. I can play both sides, left and the right, so I 1189956 think I grew a lot with that this year. It's a really good skill for me because there's different aspects and benefits to both sides, so I think that helped me grow my mind and creativeness." TSN.CA / Luke Hughes ready to follow in footsteps of his brothers at NHL draft How did that come about? "Coach Dan [Muse] put me in some great situations. We talked about it at the start of the year. He asked if I could play the right side and I said, By Mark Masters 'Yeah, I'd love to, love to learn and try it,' and I think it kind of clicked at the start of the year. It's a great skill. I grew through it this year. He does a great job mentoring me and teaching. It was his idea and I really loved Luke Hughes is set to follow in the footsteps of his brothers – Jack and playing it." Quinn – and be picked in the first round of the National Hockey League Vegas' Shea Theodore is a lefty playing on the right in the NHL, have you draft. And with the Vancouver Canucks and owning studied his game? top-10 picks, there's a chance the defenceman may join the same organization as one of his siblings. "I watch him a lot. He's someone I play like a little bit. Him and Miro Heiskanen. One thing that stands out is his deceptiveness on the blueline "It would be unbelievable," said the USA Hockey National Team and how deceptive he is on that right side. Watching Quinn's team Development Program product. "I'd be really happy to play with my playing against him last year in the playoffs is the first time I really brothers, but I'd also be really happy to go to whatever team wants me watched him closely and saw how creative he is and how deceptive he is the most." at that point. He's a really good player and someone I really like to The youngest Hughes brother finished No. 4 in NHL Central Scouting's watch." final ranking of North American skaters and the Devils happen to be What are you focused on this off-season? picking at No. 4. New Jersey took Jack Hughes first overall in 2019. "I want to improve on all aspects of my game and try to get better and try "I played with Jack once in high school hockey and middle school to dominate next year. I want to get bigger, stronger, faster. I just want to hockey," Hughes recalled. "We were on the same line at that time and improve on everything and not just one simple thing ... I'm excited to play we had a lot of chemistry, so I think it'd be really fun." at Michigan next year with some great players." TSN director of scouting Craig Button has Los Angeles taking Hughes at You're listed at 6-foot-2, 182 pounds, where are you at with your strength No. 8 in his latest mock draft. The Canucks, who picked and physical maturity? seventh overall in 2018, will be picking one spot later at No. 9. So, perhaps we will see an all-Hughes pairing in Vancouver one day. "I got a lot of room to grow. I've gained a lot of weight these past two years. I can gain a lot more. I'm one of the youngest players in the draft "We'd probably be really offensive and be in the offensive zone a lot, but [born Sept. 9, 2003] and it's something you can use as an advantage." also I think we could be a shutdown pairing too," the 17-year-old Luke said. "It'd be really cool, but it's theoretical and there's 32 great spots." What are you going to study at Michigan? Hughes, who will be heading to the this fall, spoke "Sports management." to TSN about how his game has grown and also shared details about the "freak accident" that ended his season prematurely. The following is an What interests you about that field? edited transcript of the interview. "When I'm done playing hockey I'd love to be working in hockey. Being What happened on the play when you got hurt back on March 7? an assistant general manager or general manager or something like that would be super cool, so getting a sports management degree would "We were playing in Chicago and I came across the ice to try and hit help." someone and his skate kind of came right across my boot. It's kind of a freak accident. I got stitches in the third period and then came back for What is your favourite memory growing up as the younger brother in the overtime." Hughes household? When did you realize it was more serious and required surgery to repair "That's a really good question. You have so many memories of being on a tendon? the outdoor rink and playing on basically any street corner in Toronto or coming home from a game and playing mini sticks all night in the "We were quarantined for a few days [due to COVID-19 protocols] and it basement. So, those memories always stick out to me. I loved my time was like day five or six when I realized I couldn't lift my toe and I was like, growing up in Toronto [when dad Jim Hughes worked for the Maple 'We should probably get this checked out.' So, I got an ultrasound and Leafs] and it really developed me and my brothers and grew our passion. realized it was cut and needed surgery. It was a tough couple days, but I So, those memories kind of stand out." had a lot of support from my family and friends. It was something I had to do." TSN.CA LOADED: 06.24.2021 It's a big season for you and you were playing well. How did you process the emotions associated with the injury? "You just got to realize it's part of the game and guys get hurt all the time. It sucks because you grind for two years with your teammates at the U.S. National Team and you grind to try and win a gold medal at [under-18] Worlds so it was certainly tough to be out of that tournament, but like I said, it's part of the game and I had a lot of support from my coaches and my teammates." Where are you at when it comes to the recovery? "I'm completely back and skating. I've been skating for four weeks, training really hard, and I'm ready to go. I should be fully 100 per cent by World Junior [summer] camp. I'm really excited and I've been skating really hard." Where do you feel like your game grew the most this year? "I grew my game throughout the year with my confidence level and my mind ... one area I really grew was my offensive blueline instincts and trying to be more creative and create more offence." You generated significant offence, posting 34 points in 38 games. How did you become a more creative player? "Watching hockey a lot is one way. [You] grow your mind by watching what works and what doesn't work in the next levels and especially the Websites Vincent alleges that after the players approached him on May 16, 2010, 1189957 in San Jose, he asked Blackhawks sports psychologist James Gary to follow up with the players and management. TSN.CA / Alleged assaults of Blackhawks players ‘an open secret’: The following day, Vincent says he was called into a meeting with team source president John McDonough, general manager , vice- president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac, and Gary. Vincent said that he asked the team to report the alleged abuse to Chicago police. That request was refused, Vincent said. By Rick Westhead Following the meeting, Vincent said he told assistant coaches John Torchetti and Mike Haviland about his request to go to police and about Content Warning: The following article contains references to sexual the team's response. Neither Torchetti nor Haviland could be reached for assault. comment. Neither coach is still with the franchise. The alleged sexual assault of two former Chicago Blackhawks players Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, who was was “an open secret” among staff both within and outside the team’s Blackhawks director of player personnel during the 2009-10 season, was hockey department, a former team marketing official said in an interview not aware at the time that players had made complaints against Aldrich with TSN. and was not involved in a meeting to discuss them, Canadiens vice- president of public affairs and communications Paul Wilson wrote in an The official said he was told by Blackhawks assistant trainer Jeff Thomas email to TSN. during the summer of 2010 that then-team video coach Brad Aldrich had allegedly sexually assaulted two players. The official asked for anonymity It's not known whether then-Blackhawks assistant general manager because he still works in the pro hockey industry and fears repercussions or then-coach Joel Quenneville knew about the from the National Hockey League. meeting. “Brad would routinely befriend young interns and invite them to his Cheveldayoff is now the Winnipeg Jets general manager. A Jets apartment in Chicago to watch March Madness basketball and other spokesman declined to comment and referred questions to the sports,” the marketing official said. “I was told to steer clear of him Blackhawks. Quenneville is now the head coach of the Florida Panthers. because he had tried something at his apartment on a few players. This A Panthers spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment. was not something that only a few people knew about. The entire training The NHL also has not responded to multiple requests for comment. staff, a lot of people knew...This was an open secret.” News of the purported May 2010 meeting has ricocheted through the The allegations against the Blackhawks went public in May after a former hockey world and attracted the attention of groups who advocate on player filed a lawsuit in Chicago against the franchise. That unnamed behalf of sexual abuse survivors. player, identified as “John Doe (1)” in court documents, alleges that he reported the abuse to the team and that it was covered up. The player Former NHL player and sexual abuse survivor Sheldon Kennedy said the also alleges that Aldrich threatened him via text messages and other NHL’s refusal to comment publicly on the case and commit to an communications against making a complaint. independent investigation of the Blackhawks management was “cowardly.” A second lawsuit filed in May by a former Michigan high school hockey player, identified in court documents as “John Doe (2)” alleges the “It’s cowardly to not address this publicly and hide in your office,” Blackhawks covered up the abuse of two players and gave Aldrich a Kennedy in an interview. “This is about being a leader. The NHL should letter of reference when he left the team in the summer of 2010. That stand up and address this. Do everything they can to find out the truth letter gave him the opportunity to go on and find other victims, the lawsuit and right the wrongs. …There must be accountability for people who alleges. know and do nothing. Where is the accountability from the Blackhawks for what happened to that high school boy in Michigan?” Aldrich was convicted of abusing a then-17-year-old hockey player in Houghton, Mich., in 2013. A year earlier, Aldrich resigned from his During the , Kennedy, then an NHL player with the Boston Bruins, position as director of hockey operations at on Nov. 27, shared publicly that he had been abused by his former junior coach, 2012, “under suspicion of unwanted touching of a male adult,” the Graham James, who was among the most successful junior coaches in university’s attorney told police, according to police records obtained by Western Canada. Kennedy said at the time that other coaches and TSN. officials must have understood what James was doing and did nothing to stop him. Miami University has hired the law firm Barnes & Thornburg LLP to conduct an independent investigation into Aldrich’s tenure there, Chicago Kennedy’s courage led to other public disclosures of sexual abuse cases radio station WBEZ reported on Tuesday. in junior hockey and prompted a public reckoning about the sport. Houghton police records indicate an officer contacted the Blackhawks in Kennedy said he empathizes with both players who came forward to 2013 to inquire about his time with the NHL team, but the team's director Vincent. of human resources, Marie Sutera, would only confirm Aldrich had been an employee. Sutera requested a search warrant or subpoena to give out “I can imagine how difficult it was for them,” he said. “The fear and stress any information regarding Aldrich's departure from the team, police and anxiety that they were sitting with for who knows how long. The records say. worry. What if we come forward and nothing happens? Well, they do come forward. They have the courage and strength to tell their stories TSN reported last week that two former Blackhawks reported to then- and then their worst nightmare happens. The door gets slammed in their skills coach Paul Vincent in May 2010 during the Western Conference face. Their abuse is dismissed.” finals that they had been abused by Aldrich. Peter Donnelly, a professor of sport policy and politics at the University of More on This Story from Rick Westhead Toronto, said the NHL should contact the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, an independent, government-funded agency that investigates abuse claims. Blackhawks refused to report alleged sex abuse of players to police: If the NHL hired a firm recommended by the Center to conduct a probe, source that would eliminate even the appearance of a conflict of interest, Lawsuit alleges Blackhawks gave sexual abuser positive reference Donnelly said. letter “The NHL needs to commission an independent arms-length Former Blackhawks player alleges he was sexually assaulted by investigation and commit to making the results of that investigation coach public,” Donnelly said in an interview. Vincent says he asked the team’s management to report the allegations Before working for the Blackhawks, Aldrich was a video coach for the to Chicago police but that his plea was rejected. Vincent said he is willing University of Notre Dame. After he left the NHL, he worked with Miami to testify on behalf of the plaintiffs in the lawsuits against the Blackhawks. University. “I feel a weight has been lifted off of me,” Vincent said in an interview on Based on the NHL allegations and his sex abuse conviction, both of Monday with TSN. “I will stand up in court and say what happened. I those universities should conduct investigations, Donnelly said. know what the team did to cover this up and coming forward was the “It’s not that hard for schools to contact the players who Aldrich had right thing to do." contact with,” Donnelly said. “The alumni office and athletic departments all keep great records. They should be explaining what’s happened with [Aldrich] and asking if there’s any players who were assaulted by him who needs counselling now and to tell their story. That’s the most ethical thing that they could do.” Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown wouldn’t say whether the school has a policy of reaching out to former students after past coaches or teachers are convicted of a sex crime. “When made aware of such incidents, we review files and speak to anyone who might have information, then investigate if warranted,” Brown wrote in an email. Miami University officials did not respond to multiple email requests for comment. After Aldrich left the Blackhawks, he joined the coaching staff of a high school team in Houghton, Mich. “I remember asking 'Why is he here after being with the Blackhawks?'” Houghton hockey coach Corey Markham said in an interview. “Brad’s uncle was an assistant coach on our team and said Brad was just tired of the NHL travel. I was like, ‘Cripes, we have a chance to have a Stanley Cup-winning coach who’s great doing video? Terrific.’ He was family, so we didn’t do any background checks or anything.” (Markham concedes a background check would not have necessarily raised any red flags with Aldrich because he didn’t have a criminal conviction for his alleged assaults in Chicago.) Aldrich spent a season with Houghton High School's team before leaving for a job with Miami University, where he was named director of hockey operations in July 2012. Aldrich left that position before Christmas 2012, former Miami head coach Enrico Blasi said in an interview. “I don’t know why he left, Blasi said. "You'd have to talk to the school's legal department." Aldrich rejoined the Houghton high school team in January 2013, Markham said. “No one felt uncomfortable around him,” he said. “I look back and everyone liked him a lot.” One morning in mid-2013, Markham was summoned to Houghton’s police station and told about Aldrich’s assault of a 17-year-old high school hockey player. Aldrich was later convicted in connection with the incident. “I felt sick,” Markham said. “My biggest advice to other coaches is to ask questions. The biggest thing for me was why he left the Blackhawks. Find out the reason why someone leaves a job like that before you take them on. Don’t be naïve and accept what you hear.” TSN.CA LOADED: 06.24.2021 1189958 Websites

USA TODAY / What will Ilya Samsonov’s next contract look like?

BY J.J. REGAN & ANDREW GILLIS

* With a flat salary cap, some expiring contracts and the Seattle expansion draft, this is going to be a busy offseason for the Capitals. To get you ready, Capitals writers Andrew Gillis and JJ Regan are breaking down the biggest offseason questions with their thoughts. Today's question: What will Ilya Samsonov’s next contract look like? Andrew: There’s been much scuttlebutt about how Ilya Samsonov has the ceiling of 26-year-old Andre Vasilevskiy. Well, if that’s the case, the Capitals are in for a mighty fun future. But after Vasilevskiy’s entry-level deal expired, he signed a three-year, $3.5 million deal with the Lightning. In the three years before his bridge deal, he posted save percentages of .918, .910 and .917. Obviously, Samsonov doesn’t have that pedigree and was a .902 goalie in 2020-21 and is a career .908 goalie. I think it’s clear a bridge deal is coming, especially considering the Capitals need to wait for the salary cap to begin to rise once again. Right now, even if the bridge deal means you have to pay Samsonov out the wazoo down the line, it’s a move the Capitals have to make. I would expect his deal comes in around $2-2.5 million, but I think the Capitals get him for a multi-year deal under that and let him prove he’s the goalie they think, and hope, he can be. JJ: It took a while, but in the playoffs, Ilya Samsonov finally looked like the goalie the Caps expected him to be last season. But even if Samsonov took a step towards cementing himself as the team's No. 1 goalie going forward, there are two sides to every contract negotiation. Regardless of what Samsonov's ceiling may be, he is a 24-year-old goalie with two years of NHL experience, a career .908 save percentage and a few cases of disciplinary lapses already. A bridge deal seems all but certain. From the Caps' perspective, they don't have the cap space to give out a big deal and pay extra for UFA years. Samsonov, meanwhile, has not done enough to warrant a multi- year extension or high cap number as of yet and a bridge deal will better set up him for a major contract in a few years, assuming he earns one. My guess would be two years at $2 million, perhaps a touch more on the cap hit to entice him to sign in order to avoid arbitration. With the tight cap situation, the last thing the Caps want is the uncertainty of arbitration. USA TODAY LOADED: 06.24.2021