SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 8/29/2020 Red Wings 1192330 Who stays? Who goes? Ducks who could be on the move 1192356 ' Filip Hronek now the fifth prospect this offseason loaned out to European team 1192331 2020 NHL organizational rankings: No. 21 Anaheim Ducks 1192357 Defenseman Filip Hronek fifth Red Wing loaned to European team 1192358 Luke Hughes leads top-rated NTDP defensemen into 1192332 Bruins, NHL put playoffs on back-burner, and racial Plymouth camp injustice front and center 1192359 Filip Hronek fifth Red Wing to start season in Europe 1192333 Bruins-Lightning series to resume with Game 4 on 1192360 Bruce Martyn, longtime Red Wings voice, wife Donna Saturday celebrate 70th anniversary 1192334 Bruins, fellow NHLers entering a different fray 1192335 Bruins speak up on social justice: 'It's bigger than hockey' 1192336 NHL players take action to show support for social justice 1192361 Adaptability the name of the game in evolution of 2020 movement NHL playoffs 1192337 Bruins vs. Lightning schedule: Updated dates, times for 1192362 Paul Coffey loves seeing some young, standout NHL playoff series defencemen in NHL playoffs 1192338 The next in line: Charlie Coyle’s path to center succession 1192363 Reaves and fellow NHL players take stand on racial injustice 1192364 Lowetide: How close are the Oilers to deploying two 1192339 Sabres reportedly loan forward Rasmus Asplund to team formidable scoring lines? in Sweden 1192340 Nine players who could help the Sabres fill the void at second-line center 1192365 The NHL is investigating former Panthers GM Dale Tallon 1192341 NHL postpones playoff games through Friday to protest for allegedly using racial slur racial inequality 1192366 NHL investigating ex-Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon for 1192342 Drought decoy: Why the Sabres’ drafting hasn’t been as alleged racial comments shoddy as it might seem 1192367 NHL investigating former Panthers GM Dale Tallon for alleged racist comments 1192368 2020 NHL organizational rankings: No. 22 Florida 1192343 Andrei Svechnikov feeling good after ankle injury — and Panthers also very lucky 1192344 Jaccob Slavin’s adopted daughter opened his eyes to a diverse world the NHL is discovering 1192369 The identity Claude Julien wants for the Canadiens is working in these playoffs 1192345 When sports and racial injustice collide, white athletes must choose if they’re allies or foes 1192370 Jacob Blake shooting: Devils’ P.K. Subban applauds 1192346 Blackhawks’ rookies set offseason training plans heading NHL’s actions, adds ‘there’s a lot of work to be done’ into second seasons 1192371 Here’s a column about the most amazing team I’ve ever 1192347 Blackhawks call off media availability; NHL to resume known games Saturday 1192372 Devils dealing for Flames’ Johnny Gaudreau might be long 1192348 NHL investigating ex-Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon for , but ’he’d fit in Jersey!’ alleged racist comments 1192349 Why Jeremy Colliton’s tweets should matter to the Blackhawks, NHL 1192373 Islanders to turn NHL’s social justice stance into community action 1192374 Barry Trotz: Listening is key to making change in this 1192350 NHL’s protest “pause” will undoubtedly aid banged up world Avalanche 1192375 Islanders-Flyers to resume playoff series with Game 3 on 1192351 NHL announces updated schedule for Avalanche-Dallas Saturday night Stars playoff series 1192376 The conflicted passions of Islanders fans of color and changes they want to see 1192352 The Tortorella rap sheet: Blue Jackets coach has been sanctioned 15 times by NHL 1192377 Flyers’ James van Riemsdyk consults with Chris Stewart on issues involving the Jacob Blake shooting | On the F 1192378 Flyers-Islanders Game 3 moved to Saturday night, Game 1192353 CEO Brad Alberts says Stars have lost season-ticket 4 to Sunday night holders over the team’s support of Black Lives Matter 1192379 With back-to-back games, how will Flyers coach Alain 1192354 NHL releases updated playoff schedule; Stars-Avalanche Vigneault use his goalies? to resume series Sunday 1192380 Flyers-Islanders series resumes Saturday, but players 1192355 One of the most disappointing draftees’ in Dallas history keep the focus on protest against racial injustice has a home in Colorado 1192381 Flyers say they're ready to reshuffle back into action 1192382 Claude Giroux: Flyers, NHL 'wanted to stand with' NBA, NHL's Black players 1192383 Fish: Flyers decide to stand together for a righteous cause 1192384 During two-day postponement, Flyers players explain why they took a stand 1192385 Penguins sign defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to contract extension 1192386 Penguins add a year onto Chad Ruhwedel's contract, extending him through 2021-22 1192387 Sharks reach agreement with depth centerman on two-year deal 1192388 Matt Barnes, Bay Area athletes react to actor Chadwick Boseman's death 1192389 Evander Kane details Hockey Diversity Alliance's role in NHL boycott 1192390 Which idle teams could be logical trading partners for the Sharks? St Louis Blues 1192391 For Blues, 'JayBo' was out of sight, but never out of mind 1192392 Lightning players are talking about race, some for the first time 1192393 Will Lightning play an 11-7 lineup again, even without back-to-back games? 1192394 Why the Lightning’s Amalie Arena probably won’t be a polling place 1192395 When will the Lightning play next? Sooner than you might think 1192396 Lightning’s support of BLM and Mathieu Joseph ‘means more than people think’ Maple Leafs 1192397 Mirtle and Siegel: Kasperi Kapanen is gone. What should be next for the Leafs? 1192405 Dr. Diane McIntosh: Loneliness and the NHL bubble 1192406 Ed Willes: Players park hockey cliches, speak from the heart about changing world 1192407 Canucks: Revised playoff schedule puts extra pressure on Markstrom Vegas Golden Knights 1192399 Where does the NHL and its players go from here? 1192400 Golden Knights resume Canucks series with back-to-back games 1192401 NHL players empowered to speak out like never before 1192402 Golden Knights-Canucks revised series schedule announced 1192403 NHL releases updated schedule for Golden Knights-Canucks playoff series Websites 1192408 The Athletic / LeBrun: Behind the scenes of the NHL’s player-led movement to postpone games 1192409 .ca / How players pushed the game aside to take a stand against systemic racism 1192410 Sportsnet.ca / Postponement of NHL games an opportunity for overdue reflection, conversation 1192411 Sportsnet.ca / Player-driven postponement an awakening for historically conformist NHL 1192412 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks proving themselves as leaders in NHL's call for racial justice 1192413 Sportsnet.ca / Joel Ward: Player-led postponement a good opportunity for hockey to step up 1192414 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Danault's pride, self-belief shouldn't be construed as selfishness 1192415 TSN.CA / Hockey needs much more than a moment Winnipeg Jets 1192404 Jets GM has to get team heading in right direction, or consequences could be dire SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1192330 Anaheim Ducks Nicolas Deslauriers – One of the best moments in Anaheim’s season was an improbable hat trick by the junior defenseman-turned-NHL in the next-to-last game against Ottawa. Before that, the Ducks Who stays? Who goes? Ducks who could be on the move this offseason were impressed enough with his energy and willingness to protect teammates that they re-upped him for two seasons at $1 million per. Murray still likes to have some level of on-ice protection.

Eric Stephens Jani Hakanpää – After some initial struggles re-adapting to the NHL game, the big Finn showed that he could contend for the No. 6 job. The Aug 28, 2020 28-year-old is one of their few right-handed defenders, is cheap and could fill the role Korbinian Holzer had as a fill-in with a little more upside.

August is usually a pretty dead month on the NHL calendar. But this is Max Comtois – Unless he is part of a package to upgrade the club either 2020 and we know how this year has gone so far. There have been at forward or defense, the 21-year-old winger prospect will get another playoff games played and playoff games not played out of choice. And chance to force his way onto the roster. there will be more playoff games when the eight remaining are ready to You can’t see him leaving town … but? resume their chase for the . Hampus Lindholm – I’m not advocating a move of the team’s best And there’s a concurrent offseason now in full swing with 23 other teams defenseman. Not at all. Not even after a year that was his worst since open to do business. Trades have been made. Well, one . But it coming in as a rookie back in 2013-14. But if they were to initiate a major was a fairly notable one. Any trade in a league hesitant to make them as shakeup and take a huge, dramatic swing in the trade market, it’s not out a whole is a big deal. of the realm of possibility that he’d be at the center of discussions. One of Coming off their second straight season near the bottom of the Western the few Ducks that carries serious value. Conference, the Ducks theoretically should be a team looking to be Adam Henrique – Henrique led the Ducks with 26 goals last season. The active if longtime general manager Bob Murray backs up his words about 30-year-old can obviously still play some hockey. The low-scoring Ducks expecting much more from his squad with actions that can propel it back need someone that can put pucks in the net. A pricey contract with a into being a real threat in the conference and, in particular, Pacific limited no-trade clause that runs through 2024 figures to keep him in Division. town for a bit. But the veteran is also one that has some value around the Murray has remained busy this summer in agreeing on new contracts league. with pending free agents and importing some defensive help from Christian Djoos – I don’t know if he’s a long-term answer and the one- overseas for a second straight year. But it’s been all quiet on the trade year deal he inked in May might be a sign that Murray doesn’t know front. either but the early reviews on his audition after coming over from Will it stay that way? Teams could be waiting until the Cup is awarded Washington were glowing. He can play his way further into the mix or and then a market with all 31 participants (it’ll be 32 when Seattle takes play his way out of it. shape) is available to shop. The downtime didn’t stop Toronto from You might not want to rule out him changing addresses trading a young winger the Ducks had their eyes on but balked at the high asking price. But this is an opportunity to comb through the roster Rickard Rakell – You may ask why in the world would you move a two- and see which Ducks will stay and who could go. time 30- scorer that’s on a terrific contract for another two seasons? Because the 27-year-old winger has 33 goals in his last 134 games Comb away, one and all. since. And there seems to be a quiet vibe that he could be the sacrificial Yeah, he isn’t going anywhere lamb if Murray seeks substantial change and wants to break off a piece from the core. John Gibson – This past season didn’t meet the high standards that he set over the five prior but he’s an All-Star-level netminder under contract Josh Manson – The last two years haven’t been too kind for the physical at a good price ($6.4 million AAV) for a top-flight No. 1 until 2027. He’s blueliner. And it seems as if there are weekly rumors having Manson the man for a while. destined for Toronto, which is desperate for defense help after Tyson Barrie bombed and Cody Ceci isn’t a top-four answer. And we know Ryan Getzlaf – The record-setting might be showing some signs Murray has done his fair share of business with the Leafs. But he still of slowing and he’s coming to the end of an eight-year contract. But there likes Manson. Loves him. I think. is one year left on it and he’s still the franchise face with a full no- movement clause. And he has shown no sign of wanting to move. Thinking he’ll be heading somewhere is not that crazy

Trevor Zegras – The 19-year-old center is their top prospect. As of now, – Now I’m not seeing where Heinen would be someone the native New Yorker might be their best shot at becoming a big-time they would deal right away. And if he plays his way into added ice time player for them. and makes a push back toward his rookie season in Boston where he had 16 goals and 47 points, you can make a case for extending him. But Kodie Curran – You don’t recruit him from Europe and plunk down $2 he’s already at a $2.8-million cap hit. His production needs to bubble up million over two years to trade him before he’s played a single game. for the money he’s making. Right? Jacob Larsson – Larsson is one I did wonder about as to whether Murray You can’t see him leaving town was still keen on seeing if he’d fulfill the potential they saw in him as their top draft pick in 2015. Ultimately, he locked him in with a two-year Jakob Silfverberg – As much as the no-fuss Swede is the type of two- contract for $2.4 million. But I think he’s going to be in a battle for one of way forward that would fit snugly on a Stanley Cup contender, Murray’s the third-pairing spots. It’s a moveable contract if he doesn’t take a step opportunity to deal him for some high-quality assets was there a year forward. ago. Murray signed him to a five-year extension instead, viewing him as the kind of professional he wants his crop of youngsters to emulate. Brendan Guhle – The GM was able to retain Guhle for a two-year deal that’s cheaper than the one they gave Larsson. The 23-year-old posted Cam Fowler – If the Ducks ever wanted to really trade the 10-year career highs in goals (four) and points (eight) in 30 games with them. But defender, they would have done it when he was really coveted before while the tools remain enticing, he has yet to put it all together in his two signing him to an eight-year deal worth $52 million. With a four-team NHL stops. trade clause that gives him plenty of control over where he’d want to be, which remains Anaheim. It is on him to keep up a standard of play he Josh Mahura – The Ducks have yet to really give the 22-year-old an showed as one of the few bright spots in a glum 2019-20 season. extended look at the NHL level. Maybe it’s a case of them not wanting to rush him. They’ve still got him under a rookie deal. But if they are crazy Troy Terry – Murray just inked him to a three-year bridge contract. It’s a over him, I want to see it. I could be wrong, but I get the feel that his longer commitment than he has made for the winger than other younger place in the hierarchy isn’t super secure and maybe he’s a prospect that restricted free agents that were up for contracts. There’s a real desire to could be used to make a deal. see if the promise morphs into production. Maybe he isn’t leaving now but possibly later Erik Gudbranson – Gudbranson was solid and much better than his detractors expected after coming over from Pittsburgh. But if the Ducks aren’t in playoff position at the trade deadline, you’d have to figure that Murray will look to get something if the veteran defender is healthy and playing regularly.

Carter Rowney – The 31-year-old Rowney has been a good fourth-line addition after signing as a free agent in 2018. His underlying numbers aren’t good but he’s useful, versatile and might be a deadline add for a contender seeking forward depth. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ducks were to retain him after next season unless they don’t want him blocking a youngster.

David Backes – The Ducks took on a pricey contract that has another year on it so they’d get an extra first-round pick in the Ondrej Kase deal. Buying him out doesn’t appear to be an option so they could have him be the fourth-line center if they so wish. This isn’t going to be a long marriage, though.

It’s too soon to see them packing their bags

Sam Steel – No, the 22-year-old center didn’t take a huge step forward in 2019-20. But given that he’s on the final year of his rookie contract and should again occupy a middle-six spot with a role on the power play, it’s possible that he becomes more of an impact player in Year 3. Cheap and productive works in a hard cap system.

Max Jones – Jones has needed some polishing at the NHL level but he began to carve out a role as a third-line energy left wing and killer. And he’s also on his rookie deal. Let him fight it out with other candidates for ice time on left wing.

Sonny Milano – Nine games with the team is an awfully small sample size to judge where Milano fits in the Ducks’ scheme of things and a two- year contract extension is proof that the team wants to see where things go with the talented, erratic winger. If things go south, they can leave him exposed for Seattle.

Isac Lundestrom – Even though his meager offensive numbers in the AHL last season raise concern, I don’t think the team has soured on its 2018 first-round pick. He’s entering his age-21 season and plays a smart game. It’s possible he could ultimately settle in as a fourth-line pivot. Hey, Todd Marchant had a nice, long career as a middle-to-bottom six player. (I do realize Marchant was a seventh-round selection).

The signs have pointed toward him heading elsewhere

Michael Del Zotto – I’m very much on board with the 30-year-old still being a capable NHL defenseman that can be effective in the right situation. And I thought he had a solid season for a blue line that underwhelmed, solid enough to where he deserved to play more. But with all the left-handed shooters they have and that there hasn’t been talk of an extension, it looks likes MDZ is on the move.

Matt Irwin – The 32-year-old enjoyed getting some playing time with Anaheim after being relegated to a part-time role in Nashville, but he also doesn’t seem to fit the direction the Ducks are headed. Imagine that he would have liked to have those final 11 games to showcase more of himself to other teams. My understanding is the door isn’t totally closed, though.

He’s gone … but he might be back?

Ryan Miller – Miller recently tweeted out of photo of his goaltending gear and skates. He also showed off some new pads. The Ducks are awaiting a decision on whether he wants to play a 17th NHL season. And that is an indication they’ll make a home for him if he does. The optics look good on him returning but it appears to be his call.

He’s gone … but he’s going nowhere

Ryan Kesler – The once-indomitable center is making the best of an unofficial retirement as two major hip surgeries took their toll. But there are two years left on a contract that’ll have a residence on long-term injured reserve. And with it being easier for teams to reach a cap floor with it remaining stagnant, the Ducks probably couldn’t move his contract if they wanted to.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192331 Anaheim Ducks speed which isn’t ideal for his size. He competes fine and earned regular minutes. If his skating never takes a step he’ll need to find ways to use his skill more consistently at the NHL pace if he can’t get around NHL 2020 NHL organizational rankings: No. 21 Anaheim Ducks defensemen.

3. Maxime Comtois, LW, San Diego-AHL

Corey Pronman Jan. 8, 1999 | 6-foot-2 | 207 pounds

Aug 28, 2020 Tier: Very good NHL player

Skating: 50

Corey Pronman’s annual deep dive into the farm system of every NHL Puck Skills: 55 organization will be slightly different this year. First, it is occurring before Physical Game: 60 the draft because of the change in schedule this season. But this allows you to see where teams stand going into the draft, and Pronman will Hockey Sense: 60 update the rankings after the draft. Second, it will include all skaters in the organization who are 22 or younger as of Sept. 15, 2020 Comtois was a quality AHL player and was fine in his NHL time up with the Ducks. After a very impressive 19-year-old season versus pros, he , regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played. This allowed us to didn’t continue on that same trajectory but remains a very good prospect. incorporate a lot of great young players who were on the fringe of He’s a big, strong winger who can play a physical or a skill game. His graduating based on our old definition. Check out the full explanation of skill won’t dazzle, but he’s a creative playmaker who finds teammates Pronman’s eligibility and the full ranking of all 31 systems here. very well and can set up chances at the top levels. He shoots the puck well, too, with a very hard wrist shot that can beat NHL goalies. Comtois’ The Ducks are in an interesting position where the age of their core biggest flaw is his lack of NHL quickness, which will be his biggest group of players isn’t old, but isn’t young either. The team struggled, and challenge at the pace of that level. His brain works quick enough that they lack a lot of premium young assets other than top-10 pick Trevor combined with his compete I think he’ll be a good player without great Zegras. This organization has some good pieces after Zegras — high speed, but it will be a hurdle for him. picks like Sam Steel and Max Jones. Plus Maxime Comtois looks like an excellent second-round pick. They’re going to have to get a lot of value 4. Max Jones, LW, Anaheim-NHL out of this group with most of these players exceeding their draft slots or else they are probably heading for a significant rebuild. Feb. 17, 1998 | 6-foot-3 | 220 pounds

Key graduates: Brendan Guhle, Jacob Larsson, Troy Terry Tier: Very good NHL player

2019 ranking: No. 14 Skating: 55

Player Ranking Puck Skills: 55

1. Trevor Zegras, C, Boston University-Hockey East Physical Game: 60

March 20, 2001 | six-foot | 174 pounds Hockey Sense: 55

Tier: Elite/high-end NHL player bubble Jones played his first full season up with the Ducks. He didn’t excel, but he held his own and looked like a big leaguer. Jones is a big, strong Skating: 50 forward who can be quick and hard on pucks. He’s good in front of the net and can win battles versus NHL’ers. He’s big, but quick and has the Puck Skills: 60 skating required to win foot races in the NHL and make drives to the Physical Game: 45 middle of the ice. The question on Jones is how much offense he has. He has skill, but he’s not a true play-driver or playmaker I think at the top Hockey Sense: 75 level, but someone you hope is a nice up-and-down winger who plays in the middle of your lineup. Zegras had a very good freshman season, although for a prospect rated this high he didn’t blow people away with his production. He was fantastic 5. Josh Mahura, D, San Diego-AHL at the world juniors, and gets a high rating mostly due to his incredible skill set. Zegras can dazzle with his puck skills and offensive creativity, May 5, 1998 | six-foot | 192 pounds he has the potential to be one of the best passers in the NHL. He makes Tier: Legit NHL player some of the most creative offensive plays I’ve seen with regularity. He can shoot the puck well, but he is a pass-first type who could run a power Skating: 60 play off the flank in the NHL. Zegras needs an extra step in his skating, and while he doesn’t shy away from physical play, he will need to be Puck Skills: 55 better off the puck, improve his discipline and consistency. He has a lot Physical Game: 45 of work to do when he turns pro next season, but there is no doubting the elite talent. Hockey Sense: 60

2. Sam Steel, C, Anaheim-NHL Mahura took steps as a second-year pro, logging big minutes for San Diego in all situations. I’ve always like the great skating he has, but been Feb. 3, 1998 | 5-foot-11 | 185 pounds skeptical of the offense. I still don’t see top-end offense and a true NHL Tier: Very good NHL player power-play type, but I thought his puck-moving popped more at the AHL level this season than I’ve seen in the past. He makes creative outlets Skating: 50 and showed some blue line creativity that makes me think he can make an NHL pass. You combine that with very good feet to lead an attack and Puck Skills: 60 shut down rushes and I think the Ducks will get an NHL player from their Physical Game: 40 85th overall pick in 2016.

Hockey Sense: 65 6. Lukas Dostal, G, -

Steel had a fine first full season in the NHL. You can see the skill and June 22, 2000 | 6-foot-1 | 168 pounds especially his hockey sense. When he gets the puck with some time in Tier: Legit NHL player the offensive zone he can find seams, wait out options and set up a lot of plays. Watching him with some of the Ducks’ highly-skilled players like Athleticism: 55 Ryan Getzlaf on the power play together, it was clear he can create some very high-end plays. For the NHL level he does lack pull-away Hockey Sense: 65 Dostal was the top goaltender in Finland’s top league as a 19 year old. Blake McLaughlin, LW, Minnesota-Big Ten: McLaughlin is a highly skilled He was a major reason why Ilves was a top team in the league. Dostal and intelligent playmaker who was leaned on at Minnesota but didn’t has fantastic situational awareness and puck-tracking ability. He stays score that much. He could use an extra step in his skating. with pucks even in tough traffic situations and is rarely out of position. He can make the high-level save, but mostly due to how creative he is with Jackson LaCombe, D, Minnesota-Big Ten: Lacombe is a mobile improvising and reading the play quickly. He does show good quickness defenseman with a high level of offensive skill. His first collegiate season in net, with the odd flash of top-end athleticism but his movements are went fine. Scouts note he still has work to do defensively and his more efficient than quick. He was great versus men this past season, but offensive touch isn’t so elite that it makes up for that. as a 6-foot-1 goaltender his height will be a question as he progresses Antoine Morand, C, San Diego-AHL: He had a so-so pro season, and towards the NHL and if he can play at that same level versus better was on both special teams in the AHL. He has the speed and skill to be shooters. relevant for the NHL but he may not be high-end enough for his size.

7. Benoit-Olivier Groulx, C, Moncton-QMJHL Trevor Janicke, C, Notre Dame-Big Ten: Janike is a very intelligent Feb. 6, 2000 | 6-foot-2 | 194 pounds player who can shoot the puck and competes hard, but he’s not that big or quick. Tier: Legit NHL player Player Eligibility: Skating: 50 All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2020 Puck Skills: 55 , regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are included. Physical Game: 50 Skaters older than 22 as of that date are not included if they have played 25 NHL games in a season or 50 career games. Goalies no longer Hockey Sense: 60 qualify to the list if they have played 10 games in a season or 25 in a Shot: 60 career. No player age 26 or older as of Sept. 15, 2020, are included.

Groulx was a very good player at the Q level and a late cut from Previous ranking: Canada’s U20 team. He’s not a player who is going to “wow” you with There is more fluctuation from last year’s ranking to this year’s because skill and flashy offensive plays. He’s been a productive scorer in the now all skaters in the organization under age 22 are factored into the QMJHL because he’s a very smart offensive player with a very good ranking to account for the entire picture of the organization’s young shot. I don’t know if the vision is high-end enough to make a lot of the players, not just those outside of the NHL. same kind of plays he made in junior in the pros when the speed will quicken, but it’s good enough to play in the league. He competes well, Tool grades: and could be a reliable two-way center versus men. His skill and speed don’t stand up, and ideally he gets another step but his work ethic could Tool grades are based on the 20-80 scale. In this scale, 50 projects as compensate. pro average, 55 as above-average, 60 top third, 70 as elite and 80 as among the very best; 45 is below-average and 40 is fringe pro quality. 8. Brayden Tracey, LW, Victoria-WHL The shot is only graded if it is notably good.

May 28, 2001 | six-foot | 176 pounds Tier Definitions:

Tier: Legit NHL player Special NHL prospect: Projects as a true NHL star, someone who is among the best players in the league. Skating: 50 Elite NHL prospect: Projects as an impact player, someone who is top Puck Skills: 60 10-15 percent in the NHL at his position.

Physical Game: 45 High-end NHL prospect: Projects as a first-line forward or a top-pair Hockey Sense: 65 defenseman.

Tracey’s season was up and down. I really liked his first half between Very good NHL prospect: Projects as a top-six forward, top-four Moose Jaw and at the Canada-Russia series, but he cooled off following defenseman or starting goaltender in the NHL. a trade to Victoria. He has the skill and vision to create offense in the Legit NHL prospect: Projects to be a full-time NHL player in the bottom NHL. He has quick-twitch hands and the creativity to try unique plays. half of a roster. Tracey also has a good shot and can be a decent mid-distance shooter. His skating looked a little cleaner than last season, although he lacks a NHL potential: The prospect has a chance to make it as a full-time player separation gear. Last season I saw a guy who lived in the crease areas if some improvements are made. and competed very well, whereas when I watched him this season I thought he worked fine but I didn’t see that same level as in his draft The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 season.

NHL potential

Isac Lundestrom, C, San Diego-AHL: Lundestrom played most of the season down in the AHL with a midseason call-up to the Ducks. He was leaned on for heavy minutes in San Diego, but didn’t put up a ton of points. I still like the tools and the hockey sense a lot with Lundestrom. He makes plays in the AHL, showing the patience and vision to find seams and set up chances. He skates well, and has NHL-level quickness but doesn’t pull away from guys at that level. He’s not very physical, but he works hard and can be a two-way center. His lack of goal-scoring is a concern, with eight goals in 102 games the last two seasons between the SHL, AHL and NHL levels.

Henry Thrun, D, Harvard-ECAC: Thrun was a top player for Harvard as a freshman, showing excellent puck-moving ability and played tough minutes. He has an NHL brain, but still lacks NHL skating — even if I saw improvement in the latter area last season.

Axel Andersson, D, Moncton-QMJHL: Andersson is a mobile two-way defenseman who was part of the Ondrej Kase trade. He has some offensive instincts but there is a bit of an upside question with him for the NHL level. 1192332 Boston Bruins They are determined to get their house in order first. The cost of gear prices out many families. The sport’s past includes several ugly racial incidents. Overall, its diversity does not mirror society. Making the sport Bruins, NHL put playoffs on back-burner, and racial injustice front and affordable, accessible and open to everyone has long been a concern of center those in charge.

To see the game grow, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy hopes that “any player gets treated with respect from a coach, a trainer, a manager, Matt Porter whatever,” he said. “You just get away from what would happen years ago about how certain players were treated. And even on the ice with the August 28, 2020 players themselves, that they show a little more respect for one another … and from the fans for that matter.”

For those who woke up Friday hoping their favorite hockey players would Hockey’s discussion was more muted than other sports. They didn’t dive go back to discussing the fine art of getting pucks in deep: sorry, not in as deep as the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, whose specific list of action sorry. points shared on social media included calling for the arrest of the police officers responsible for the shooting of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman NHL players don’t have all the right answers to the issues that plague killed in Louisville, and Jacob Blake, who was shot and paralyzed by communities of color. They shouldn’t be expected to have all the right officers in Wisconsin; and the end of qualified immunity for police. words. But they pledged en masse, a day after boldly pushing back two days of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs to keep their fans’ attention on Still, the messages broadcast from the NHL’s bubble were one of positive racism and other social issues, to trod a more difficult path than that change. which leads to the Cup. “It’s about human rights,” Bergeron said. “People [in here] are affected, “It’s very evident and clear this is bigger than sports,” Brad Marchand and as well they should be. And if you’re not, you’re not caring.” said. “It’s a luxury to watch this game, to play this game. We have bigger Vegas forward Ryan Reaves said that once the NBA and other leagues things that we care about.” decided to boycott Wednesday because of the Blake shooting, he Marchand dismissed the “stick to sports” crowd with his comments, and struggled with what to say and how to say it. He feared the spotlight confused a great number of non-Bruins fans — those who enjoy loathing would be hot. His peers refused to let him bear the burden alone. him for on-ice transgressions but are very much into his message. It is When Reaves was asked by the NHL Network what message he had for common for Marchand to be a trending topic during the playoffs. people who think none of this matters, he reminded all of his humanity. This was a new and refreshing reason. “Try and put yourself in somebody’s shoes,” Reaves said. “I know for A demographic of athletes that is, admittedly, overwhelmingly white, well- those people, that’s a difficult thing. They’re hard-headed and they’re set paid and privileged kept talking about racial injustice, however perfectly in their ways. Think about how it feels to walk down the street and be or imperfectly. They could have easily stuck to hockey, but that would not terrified to be pulled over by a cop. Or have somebody look at you the be meeting this moment as people, and as role models. They know that wrong way because of the color of your skin. in society, athletes set an example that millions follow. “I always go to a story: I was walking down the street and there was this “We all need to learn a lot about what’s happening outside of our own old lady walking toward me. White person after white person after white lives,” Marchand said. “A lot of us, we don’t truly understand what it’s like person passed her. I got close to her — and you know, I’m a big guy (6 in other people’s shoes, and we need to. It’s the only way things are feet 4 inches, 225 pounds), I’m tatted up — I got close to her and she going to change.” saw me, she grabbed her purse tight and she moved to the other side of They are being empathetic. the street and kept walking.

“We’re not being political,” he said. “It’s about people being equal.” “It broke my heart because, she doesn’t know that if she fell in the middle of the street, I would be the first person to go and pick her up. But the Was the NHL late to this discussion? Of course. According to a TSN things that have been instilled in her, and probably taught at a young age report, it has been slow to respond to the specific goals outlined by the … it’s just heartbreaking. Hockey Diversity Alliance. That group is asking for commitments on a pledge, funding, hiring practices, and visibility. The league has frustrated “I tell those people, grow up a little bit. Try and understand where other them with its lack of action. people are coming from. Not everybody has the privileges you do. Not everybody can walk around and feel safe and like they can do anything The players have the power, the interest, the juice. If they are committed because of who they are.” to creating inclusion and change in the sport, it will come. The hockey world is listening. Those who want more diversity, inclusion “I think right now, it’s about any type of social injustice and racism,” and respect are encouraged. Will this be more than a 48-hour moment? Patrice Bergeron said. “Obviously hockey is closest to our hearts. It’s about supporting our fellow players, and being there for them. “The ball is rolling,” Reaves said. “Once we get out of this bubble, you best believe a lot of players are going to be out in these communities “Within the hockey world, we definitely want to accomplish some things. trying to make a change, especially in these Black communities.” That also means to go broader than that, to help in society and bring change.” Boston Globe LOADED: 08.29.2020

On Friday, Tampa defenseman Braydon Coburn respectfully declined to answer a question about the fatigue of playing back-to-back games, saying he’d prefer to keep the focus on social issues. He and his Lightning teammates will again slug it out with the Bruins on Saturday. Until then, they are united. Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said he didn’t even discuss his team’s 7-1 win over Boston. His players’ attention was elsewhere.

A Thursday morning meeting with Bruins and Lightning players produced “super open and honest conversations” about how the sport should address racial justice, Lightning defenseman Luke Schenn said. “Personally I forgot we played [the Bruins] the night before, and were about to play them again.” The Flyers and Islanders, the other East teams in Toronto, were soon involved. The same thing happened in the West bubble in Edmonton.

Aside from team practices, those talks continued “nonstop” on Friday, Schenn said. 1192333 Boston Bruins

Bruins-Lightning series to resume with Game 4 on Saturday

Gary Dzen

August 28, 2020

Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second-round playoff series between the Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning is now scheduled to take place Saturday at noon, the NHL announced Friday.

The Bruins-Lightning game will be part of an NHL tripleheader, with Game 3 between the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers scheduled to start at 7 p.m., and Game 3 between the Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights facing off at 9:45 p.m.

The NHL postponed all games Thursday and Friday as a response to the racial injustice protests taking place in the aftermath of the Jacob Blake shooting.

Game 5 of Bruins-Lightning will be Monday at 7 p.m. If needed, Game 6 will be next Wednesday and Game 7 next Thursday.

The Lightning have a 2-1 series lead on the Bruins after an embarrassing 7-1 loss for Boston in Game 3.

Boston Globe LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192334 Boston Bruins Pleasing everybody in our current landscape will not be possible.

“Listen, everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but it’s very evident and clear that this is bigger than sports and people need to put that aside,” Bruins, fellow NHLers entering a different fray said Marchand of the stick-to-sports mentality. “Sports is a luxury. It’s a B’s-Bolts today at noon as playoffs resume luxury to watch this game and to play this game. But when it becomes about people’s safety and people’s lives, people feeling uncomfortable to be in their own skin. It’s much more important than that. I understand people want to watch the games and I understand people want to see STEVE CONROY (the games). But it’s too bad. We have bigger things that we care about August 28, 2020 at 7:57 p.m. and what we want to improve upon and the people we want to support and that’s what matters.”

Bergeron said the wheels were set in motion for the work stoppage If you’re wondering if Sean Kuraly is ready to play for Saturday’s Game 4 almost immediately after the team’s loss to Tampa Bay on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, sorry Bruins’ fans, you’ll just have to night. Both Bergeron and Marchand were impressed with how heated wait till Saturday morning. Same goes for any other hockey-related rivals in the midst of a playoff series dropped everything and came matter. together.

The Bruins and other NHL players in the Toronto and Edmonton bubbles “We had some discussions then, went to bed and we already had some kept their focus, respectfully but pointedly, on the social issues for which meetings planned with Tampa Bay early in the morning and it snowballed they have decided to essentially strike for two days, pushing back the from there,” said Bergeron. “We met with the Islanders and then Philly B’s-Lightning Game 4 from Friday night to Saturday at noon, Game 5 joined (on Thursday). … We had had some good organic conversations from Sunday to Monday at 7 p.m. and the potential Games 6 and 7 to about making the right decision and supporting what’s right. At the end of Wednesday and Thursday. the day it’s to realize that it was great and powerful to see what happened (Thursday), to see all those four teams, obviously battling on And while they were less than 24 hours away from a pivotal game in a the ice for one thing, but then we all realized that it’s beyond sports right series that will have a big say in whether their Stanley Cup hopes can be now and it’s about human rights and supporting our fellow players in this fulfilled, the minds of Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, two of the league. It was great to hear from them as well, (Vegas right wing) Ryan most passionate competitors you’ll find, were elsewhere on Friday. Reaves and everyone else in Edmonton, but also the guys from the After speaking with other players from within their living confines in Hockey Diversity Alliance. To hear from everyone, everyone coming Toronto as well as representatives from the recently created Hockey together, I thought it was a very powerful day.” Diversity Alliance, their focus was bringing attention racial issues within Where the players take it from here – beyond the symbolism and their sport and in society in general. gestures – is up to them. But they should know that the work space they “I think right now it’s about any type of social injustice and racism, but plan to inhabit is a hard-hat area. obviously hockey is close to our hearts and right now it’s about Boston Herald LOADED: 08.29.2020 supporting our fellow players and be there for them and supporting them,” said Bergeron, who earlier in the summer donated $25,000 to both the Boston NAACP and The Multiethnic Center of Quebec in his native province. “So obviously within the hockey world, we definitely want to accomplish some things. But then also we want to go broader than that and help in society as well and try to bring change.”

The social justice sphere is a new one for most NHL players. There are exceptions to every rule, but hockey players tend to be deeply appreciative of the life that the game they love has afforded them. Rocking the boat has not usually been in the group DNA.

And Marchand said that this action is not about politics.

“I think that’s one thing that people continually mix up. They bring politics into these situations,” said Marchand. “This is not what this is about. We’re not being political. That’s not the goal and it’s not what we’re here for. There needs to be changes made throughout society and it’s bigger than hockey right now and it’s bigger than sports. It’s about people being equal and being the same and being treated the same. It’s just about making changes. People want to in different directions and make it about something that it’s not. That’s what we want to avoid. We don’t want to make it about a political statement. We want to make it about people being better and making changes, getting to the point where we all see each other as being equals and that’s what it’s about.”

Wanting to remain apolitical is an understandable aspiration, but it’s probably not a realistic one. Good people who detest racism can have wildly different views on how to address it, especially when it comes to policing. It was Marchand who last month stepped forward to defend teammate from online criticism for wearing a Boston Police hat during a televised interview, something that would not have drawn an ounce of attention a couple of months ago.

And while many have applauded the players for what they’re doing, they’ll soon discover – if they haven’t already – that, no matter what they do in the social justice realm, it won’t be enough for some. The players have already been widely castigated for not falling immediately in line with the wildcat strike started by the Milwaukee Bucks.

On the flip side, there are other people who’ve been eagerly waiting all summer for sports to return to help bring back a sense of calm and normalcy in this summer of street violence and upheaval. And, of course, there is the shut-up-and-skate sentiment held by many fans, some who probably have season tickets at the Garden. 1192335 Boston Bruins

Bruins speak up on social justice: 'It's bigger than hockey'

Joe Haggerty

August 28, 2020 at 6:23 PM

A day after Zdeno Chara represented the Bruins in speaking about stepping away from the Stanley Cup Playoffs for two days to shine a light on social injustice and racial inequality across the United States, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand took the podium and answered questions about race, equality and the path ahead rather than hockey.

“We all realize that it’s beyond sports right now,” said Bergeron. “It’s about human rights and supporting our fellow players in this league. It was great to hear from them.”

The decision by NHL players to step away from the playoff games for a couple of days to point attention toward the racial injustices and social inequality taking place daily was time well spent by those players across the league.

It gave a couple of good men in Marchand and Bergeron a chance to speak their minds, address some tough subjects and talk about ways that hockey players can make a difference in their sport, and in the world, while acknowledging that none of the questions or answers are easy.

“One thing that people continually mix up is bringing politics into these situations. That’s not what this is about. We’re not being political,” said Marchand. “That’s not the goal and that’s not what we’re here for. There need to be changes made through society. It’s bigger than hockey right now and it’s bigger than sports. It’s about people being equal, being the same and being treated the same.

“It’s just about making changes. People want to point in different directions and make it about something that it’s not. We don’t want to make it about a political statement. We want to make it about people being better and making changes. [We want to] get to the point where we see each other as equals and that’s what it’s all about.”

Bergeron talked about the $50,000 he donated to the Boston Chapter of the NAACP and the Centre Multiethnique de Quebec in his native Quebec City, and the eye-opening conversations about the difficulties that immigrants and minorities face in his home city when just trying to establish themselves.

Marchand once again had some piercing, truthful words when confronted with the “stick to sports” mantra that so many sad detractors throw in anybody’s face that has a connection to the sporting world, and speaks up when it comes to issues like racial injustices.

New dates, times announced for B's-Lightning series

“It comes back to people having opinions. Everybody is entitled to their opinion. But it’s very evident and clear that this is bigger than sports. People need to put that aside. Sports is a luxury. It’s a luxury to watch this game, to play this game,” said Marchand.

“But when it becomes about people’s safety and people’s lives and people feeling comfortable to be in their own skin, it’s much more important than that. I understand people want to watch the games, but it’s too bad. We have bigger things that we care about and that we want to do, and improve upon, and people that we want to support. That’s what really matters.”

Sometimes Marchand goes the funny route in clapping back at the haters on Twitter, but it was plain to see with his words just how smart, empathic and understanding he can be when discussing matters of social importance far, far outside of the realm of hockey.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192336 Boston Bruins involve the impressive Hockey Diversity Alliance and come up with a plan of action that shines a spotlight on inequality issues while giving the hockey world time to think about the next steps.

NHL players take action to show support for social justice movement Everybody wants instant reaction and immediacy in this short attention span social media world that we live in, but the NHL and their players have time and time again shown the patience to gather facts, discuss it Joe Haggerty openly amongst everyone and come up with a sensible, effective game plan that everybody is on board with. It’s a very similar kind of deliberate, August 28, 2020 at 12:53 PM open-minded approach that has made the NHL’s bubble play so successful with the Stanley Cup Playoffs currently midway through crowning a champion. After some thought, conversation and contemplation, the NHL players took action and sat out Thursday and Friday’s Stanley Cup Playoff Clearly the very real racial inequality and social injustice that’s spurring games in the Toronto and Edmonton bubbles. protests, boycotts and untold amounts of pain and anguish across the United States isn’t going to be solved in a couple of days as the sports Vegas Golden Knights tough guy Ryan Reaves led a big group of world — including the NHL — takes a pause to think about what’s next. Western Conference players who spoke from Edmonton, and Bruins captain Zdeno Chara was a representative among Eastern Conference That much is painfully and disturbingly obvious. players doing the same in Toronto. But professional athletes hitting the pause button has once again shown Chara added his thoughts to sitting out Friday night’s game against their power to push an important, uncomfortable conversation to the Tampa Bay, which has basically pushed everything on the NHL schedule forefront, and for that alone everybody across the NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, back a day, with the Bruins and Lightning now playing Game 4 on MLS and others deserves credit for putting real action to their words. Saturday at noon. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.29.2020 The message was very clear: These days are about shining a light on the racial injustices in American society right now and ways to fix it rather than shuffling it all in with the distraction that pro sports provides for everybody.

“We’re battling on the ice to move on and competing for the Stanley Cup,” said Chara. “But off the ice, we all recognize that we are in the same boat, we are united and we support the stand that other major leagues did. We thought it was the right thing to do for us to take a stand. I think it’s a conversation.

“We need to step back, reflect a little bit and take a moment to realize what is going on. Obviously, there is a problem in the [United] States and there’s a right reason that all of the major sports are doing what they are doing right now. We all realize there needs to be a change. It starts with conversations and acts will be very important to follow.”

The Western Conference press availability was truly inspiring with white players like Kevin Shattenkirk and the Vancouver Canucks leadership group reaching out to Reaves, who is also currently playing the Canucks in a spirited playoff series, on how to proceed when things started to happen around the sports world on Wednesday.

It all culminated with a group of 40-plus players on the dais standing behind Reaves, Nazem Kadri, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Jason Dickinson and Bo Horvat to show their full support for the player-driven boycott.

“Last night I struggled with what I wanted to do. I woke up with a text from [Kevin] Shattenkirk and he had a bunch of guys that wanted to talk,” said Reaves. “I got a text that Vancouver wanted to talk. The conversation started with white players wanting to talk. I couldn’t be prouder of these guys. The statement we’ve made today is something that’s going to last.

These two days aren’t going to fix anything, but the conversations and the statement that has been made are very powerful especially coming from this league.

The NHL and their players were criticized in the immediate hours Wednesday as NBA players boycotted in the aftermath of the disturbing shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Some MLB players opted to sit out their scheduled games, and MLS and WNBA players did the same while some NFL practices were cancelled. There was an immediate reaction to the unrest in Wisconsin, the subsequent killings of protesters by a white gunman and the inadequate reaction by authorities in Kenosha as yet another example of the systemic racism and unequal treatment that people unjustly endure in day-to-day American life.

Bruins players like Chara and Patrice Bergeron said they were preparing to play in Game 3 and didn’t realize what was happening until they were already in pregame playoff game mode, a moment in their minds that was too late to stop the games.

But give all NHL players credit for this: Rather than blindly following the lead of other leagues in a move that could be questioned as pandering or out of obligation, they took the time to discuss it with other players, 1192337 Boston Bruins

Bruins vs. Lightning schedule: Updated dates, times for NHL playoff series

Dave Green

August 28, 2020 at 10:30 AM

After a two-day break in the NHL schedule, the Stanley Cup Playoffs will resume Saturday.

The NHL postponed all playoff games Thursday and Friday after getting criticism from players for playing its entire slate of games Wednesday when there were a spate of postponements and boycotts across leagues such as the NBA, MLB, WNBA and MLS as players protested systemic racism in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting.

"You know, these days need to be used in the right manner," Bruins captain Zdeno Chara said. "Obviously, we need to step back, reflect a little bit, just to take a little moment to realize what's going on. Obviously, there is a problem in the States and there is obviously the right reason to kind of why all the major sports are doing what they're doing right now, to kind of make sure that we all realize that there needs to be change. And obviously it starts with the conversations and acts, that are going to be very important to follow."

All eight remaining NHL teams had their schedules affected by the two days of postponements, but now the league has announced new schedules for all four series, including the Bruins vs. Lightning matchup. Here's the new schedule for the rest of the series:

Game 4: Saturday, Aug. 29, 12 p.m. — TB at BOS (NBC)

Game 5: Monday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m. — BOS at TB (NBCSN)

Game 6*: Wednesday, Sept. 2, TBD — TB at BOS

Game 7*: Thursday, Sept. 3, TBD — BOS at TB

Several days off to make adjustments and regroup might do the Bruins some good after an embarrassing 7-1 loss to the Lightning in Game 3, but the extra time off could also help Tampa Bay get healthier, as top defenseman Ryan McDonagh had missed each of the last two games of the series.

And even though the two teams are getting a little bit of time off to rest and recover in the middle of the series, the NHL has kept the original back-to-back scenario for Games 6 and 7 if the series goes the distance.

All of the games of the series can be seen on the NBC family of networks, and NBC Sports Boston will air Hockey Postgame Live hosted by Michael Felger with analysis from Tony Amonte, A.J. Mlezcko and Joe Haggerty after Games 5, 6, and 7.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192338 Boston Bruins minutes of five-on-five play, off the 2.04 P/60 career standard he set in 2016-17.

Trade chatter accelerated between the Bruins and Wild. General The next in line: Charlie Coyle’s path to center succession manager Don Sweeney asked coach Bruce Cassidy for his input. Because Minnesota was a Western Conference opponent, Cassidy didn’t have a book on the player other than his impressions of the right shot Fluto Shinzawa Coyle as a strong puck-possession forward. But based on talk around the league, Cassidy surmised that playing multiple positions was holding Aug 28, 2020 Coyle back from fully expressing his capabilities.

“What I thought in Minnesota was they had him on the wing and center, Charlie Coyle first met Patrice Bergeron in 2004. Their encounter took and maybe that affected his play,” Cassidy said. “I can’t tell that just from place at Bridgewater Ice Arena, where Bergeron, on the Providence watching video. That’s kind of what you hear — that they couldn’t roster during the NHL lockout, was playing an exhibition game. pinpoint a position for him.”

Coyle was 12 years old. It would not be that way in Boston. There would be occasions when Coyle could fill the perpetual vacancy on Krejci’s right side. But the “He was already the most talked-about guy,” Coyle recalled. “Everybody Bruins targeted Coyle to slot in behind Bergeron and Krejci, and perhaps knew who he was then.” even be sheltered in that way.

Sixteen years later, it is with equal measures of pride, accomplishment “We needed a glue guy in our third-line center,” Cassidy said. “But we and even wonder that Coyle speaks of Bergeron as a teammate. As a wanted to give him that opportunity to drive that line and put junior player with the South Shore Kings, then as a Boston University responsibility on his shoulders.” underclassman, a minor leaguer in the Minnesota system and as a full- time NHLer, Coyle studied clips of Bergeron. No. 37, formerly a detached On Feb. 20, 2019, the Bruins traded Ryan Donato for Coyle. Eventually, and two-dimensional model of aspirational excellence, is now an in-the- Coyle settled in between Marcus Johansson and Danton Heinen. flesh friend, as is No. 2 center David Krejci, for that matter. During the Stanley Cup run, that No. 3 line was on ice for seven goals for “To see him every day, getting to learn from him in practice firsthand, and four against in 134:01 of five-on-five play. In comparison, the No. 1 that’s the best right there,” the Weymouth native said. “Him and Krech, trio of Bergeron between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak was on for being from Boston, that’s all everyone talks about, my buddies talk about. six goals for and seven against in 186:40 of ice time. ‘Hey, I love those two guys.’ I constantly hear about those guys. I’d see This postseason, Coyle has three goals and one assist through two highlights back home, how well they do, how skilled and how hard they rounds. Two of his goals have been of the airborne variety — an on-the- work. I saw a lot of that growing up.” run bunt against Carolina, a side-of-the-net deflection against Tampa. Coyle is the Bruins’ No. 3 center. The Bruins expect him to pull the chain Coyle’s line, however, has not been as settled. Nick Ritchie and Sean behind Bergeron and Krejci in Game 4 as they aim to tie the second- Kuraly have shared shifts at left wing. Anders Bjork, Jack Studnicka and round series against Tampa Bay. Chris Wagner have taken rides on his right. In 2020-21, Coyle will be in the first season of a six-year, $31.5 million Cassidy is expecting more from Coyle and his linemates in Game 4, contract. A $5.25 million annual payday is generous for a third-line scheduled for noon Saturday. Coyle has more to give. center. Fueling up The Bruins are paying Coyle to be more than that. Coyle misses his girlfriend, Danielle Hooper, his family and his dog, Falling short Bodie. Otherwise, bubble life is treating him well. Coyle is a breakfast Coyle was always a can’t-miss player. BU wanted the big right-shot man, which gives him a reason to anticipate every morning at the Hotel center. San Jose drafted him 28th overall in 2010. A year later, San Jose X. made a push for do-it-all defenseman Brent Burns. The Wild insisted on “I always get eggs. I need that,” Coyle said. “If I don’t have eggs, I’m, like, Coyle as part of the return. lost. I need my eggs. There’s an omelet station, so I usually get an Everybody in Minnesota liked Coyle, from his teammates to Mike Yeo, omelet with ham and some veggies. Depending on the day and how John Torchetti and Bruce Boudreau, his coaches from 2012 to 2019. He hungry I am, I’ll have oatmeal with bananas in it. Some turkey sausage. did everything he was asked to do. And pancakes, waffles, French toast — one of those three. And some fruit in there. Yeah, a light breakfast. I love breakfast.” That might have been part of the problem. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Coyle requires every calorie to keep his Whenever his bosses had a vacancy at right wing, left wing, high in the shoulders broad and his backside brick-like. He is a workout animal, one lineup or in the bottom-six cluster, they always turned to Coyle. He is a of trainer Brian McDonough’s ace offseason pupils at Foxboro’s Edge natural center. But the good-natured Coyle always raised his hand for Performance Systems. whatever assignment required completion. Overwhelming third-pairing defensemen with his speed, brawn and puck- It affected his play. protection skill is the heart of Coyle’s game. In comparison, Krejci employs guile and misdirection. Bergeron relies on awareness and “If you want to be really great at something, you’ve got to be 100 percent relentlessness, the traits he used to strip Ryan McDonagh in Game 1 and into it,” Coyle said. “If you’re doing two different things, it’s hard to get set up Marchand for the winner. They continue to seize Coyle’s attention. really great at both. To be thrown around like that, it can be tough. It can be tough. Sometimes you come to the rink and you don’t even know “We’ve seen Krech lead the team a few times in playoff runs,” Coyle said. where you’re going to be. You play out all the scenarios in your head: “When big moments come up in big games, he rises to the occasion and first-line right wing, third-line center, second-line left wing. I played all of finds a way to get the job done. He sets guys up or scores a big goal. them in Minnesota. I was a rover, filling in here and there. That’s what That’s what you need from those types of guys. With Bergy, everyone they wanted from me. That’s what I did. I take pride in that. But would I knows what he brings. It’s the little stuff, not just from the outside where have liked a solidified role? Of course I would. My game would have he gets lucky. That (Game 1) goal was a pure example of that. He been more consistent.” chases him down, lifts the stick, puts the puck right to Pasta, who’s in good position and knows exactly where Marsh is and puts it right on his In 2015-16, when he scored 21 goals and 21 assists, Coyle averaged a stick. Seeing those three guys do that stuff, you sit back on the bench career-high 17:16 of ice time per game. In comparison, the only time and you’re saying, ‘Wow.’ You almost feel like a fan watching the stuff he Bergeron averaged less playing time than Coyle’s high-water mark was does.” in 2003-04, his rookie season. There will come a time, however, when Coyle will no longer watch By 2018-19, Coyle’s workload was at 17:03 per game. He was No. 3 on Bergeron and Krejci do their thing. Bergeron, 35, is signed through 2022. the center depth chart behind Mikko Koivu (18:18) and Eric Staal (18:08). According to Natural Stat Trick, Coyle was averaging 1.65 points per 60 Krejci, 34, has one year left on his deal. Krejci, in particular, dismisses the pending changing of the guard.

But one reason the Bruins acquired Coyle and signed him to a six-year extension is their projection of his future as a top-two center. It’s been a designation Coyle has occasionally assumed as needed.

Sooner rather than later, it will become his full-time title. Whether he can fulfill it remains to be seen.

“I think about it,” Coyle acknowledged of replacing Bergeron and Krejci. “Everyone thinks about the future, down the road, and how to prepare for things like that. Hopefully they’re here for another good chunk of time. To keep this train rolling would be ideal. But I think about that. I try to prepare the best I can to become a better player, to be a great player at that position. There’s not many. Those are two guys that are great to learn from and try to get to where they are. Not many people think they can do that. But it’s great to strive for that. Those two guys are great guys to look up to. Every day, you see in practice and games how they prepare, how they treat their bodies, how they treat their teammates and the people they are. All around, they’re world-class athletes and people. You couldn’t ask for two better people to learn from. I’ll take it all in from them while I can and use it to help get better.”

Coyle is satisfied with his performance as No. 3 center. But he thinks he can improve. The future may be closer than he thinks.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192339 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres reportedly loan forward Rasmus Asplund to team in Sweden

Lance Lysowski

Aug 28, 2020

With the facing a potential December start for next season, the Buffalo Sabres have loaned another prospect to a team in Europe.

HockeyNews.Se, a website based in Sweden, reported Friday that the Sabres have loaned forward Rasmus Asplund to Vasteras of HockeyAllsvenskan, the country’s second-tier professional league. Asplund, 22, totaled one goal with two assists and a minus-4 rating in 29 games with Buffalo this season. He will be allowed to return to Buffalo when NHL training camps are tentatively scheduled to open in November.

The former second-round draft pick spent most of the year in Rochester, where he recorded 19 points, including three goals, in 33 games. He’s expected to compete for an NHL roster spot this season and can play at center or wing.

The Sabres previously loaned goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to HC TPS and forward Arttu Ruotsalainen to Ilves, both of whom will compete in Finland’s Liiga. Winger Dominik Kahun, a pending restricted free agent, has been practicing with his former team in Germany, EHC Munchen, although the Sabres have not announced a loan agreement for Kahun.

Goalie Jonas Johansson and defensemen Henri Jokiharju and Oskari Laaksonen are among the other Sabres who could be loaned elsewhere in the coming weeks. It’s unclear if Buffalo will hold a development camp this fall and the NHL announced next season won’t begin until Dec. 1, at the earliest.

Buffalo News LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192340 Buffalo Sabres games. The 24-year-old also won 55% of his faceoffs, a significant weakness for the Sabres, and is strong enough defensively to play in the top six.

Nine players who could help the Sabres fill the void at second-line center Nick Bonino, : This isn’t a flashy name, but Bonino has scored at least 17 goals in three of the past four seasons. His 12.5 goals above replacement ranked first among all Predators forwards, and Lance Lysowski he had the team’s third-highest shot quality rate, despite having to regularly face the opponent’s top line. Aug 28, 2020 Bonino is excellent on the penalty kill, a significant weakness for the

Sabres, and would provide Buffalo with additional Stanley Cup Kevyn Adams did not sound like a general manager preparing for a experience. The 32-year-old is owed $4.1 million next season before he rebuild when he spoke to reporters via Zoom conference call last week. becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Though Adams said the Buffalo Sabres have “a lot of really good Andrew Copp, Winnipeg Jets: Copp, 27, has never scored more than 11 players,” he acknowledged that “we need to put a better team on the ice.” goals in a season and has spent most of his career as a bottom-six According to CapFriendly.com, Adams will have approximately $34.4 player, but he earned a top-line role during the playoffs. Copp is million in salary-cap space to build around a core that includes Jack outstanding defensively – again, the Sabres need that trait in a second- Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin, Sam Reinhart, Jeff Skinner and Victor Olofsson, line center, given the matchups and the likelihood the person will skate among others. with Skinner – and is owed only $2.916 million next season.

One glaring hole remains: a center to play on the second line and The Sabres are also a natural trade partner for the Jets, given support a second power-play unit that struggled last season. Dylan Winnipeg’s significant hole on defense. Cozens, the team’s top draft choice last June, might be able to make the The long shots jump to the NHL this season, but it’s unclear if he’ll need time on the wing before shifting to center. Casey Mittelstadt doesn’t appear to be ready for Sean Monahan, : The Sabres aren’t an ideal trade the assignment, either. partner for Calgary, and the Flames would likely need a center in any trade involving Monahan. However, the Flames have only three Adams will need to look outside for help. Barring an unexpected defensemen under contract next season and big changes are probably blockbuster, there don’t appear to be any elite centers available – most coming after their first-round exit. teams choose to hold onto talented players at that position – but several options could fit the Sabres’ needs. Monahan is only 25 and is owed $6.375 million in each of the next three seasons. He has scored at least 22 goals in each of his seven years in Bargain bin the NHL. The Sabres likely don’t have the assets to pull this one off. Erik Haula, Florida Panthers: Haula is two years removed from scoring Yanni Gourde, Tampa Bay Lightning: The Lightning would likely rather 29 goals with the Vegas Golden Knights and totaled 12 goals in 48 trade Tyler Johnson to clear cap space to sign Anthony Cirelli and regular-season games in 2019-20. There are red flags about his play Mikhail Sergachev, both of whom are pending restricted free agents. without the puck, which might not make this is a fit for Buffalo. However, the Sabres should try to land Gourde, a 29-year-old who Before Haula’s trade to the Panthers in February, the 29-year-old ranked scored 57 goals from 2017-19. last on the Carolina Hurricanes in limiting shot quality and, according to Gourde didn’t produce as much offensively this season – only 10 goals Evolving Hockey, he also registered a disappointing negative-1.5 goals with 20 assists in 70 games – but he did a nice job creating chances at 5 above replacement, a metric that measures a player’s overall impact. on 5 and is the type of shutdown defensive forward the Sabres need. Haula, though, can create scoring chances at 5 on 5 and would provide He’s also excellent in the playoffs. the Sabres with a reliable center for their second power-play unit until Gourde, though, has a no-trade clause and is owed $5.16 million in each Cozens is ready for that assignment. Haula, a pending unrestricted free of the next five seasons. agent, could come at a bargain price after he made only $2.75 million this past season. Dylan Strome, Chicago Blackhawks: Strome could be on his way out after developing into a reliable player with Chicago. The 23-year-old is a Carl Soderberg, : This is another potential low-risk pending restricted free agent – the Blackhawks are low on cap space – signing. Soderberg would make sense on a short-term contract with a after scoring 29 goals in 116 regular-season games since joining them in lower average annual value than the $4.75 million he made in 2019-20. a trade from Arizona. The 34-year-old ranked fourth among all Coyotes forwards in generating shot quality, but he struggled defensively this season. Strome has the qualities the Sabres will look for in a center, but they don’t appear to be a good trade partner for the Blackhawks, who plan to Soderberg totaled 17 goals with 18 assists and a plus-6 rating in 70 go younger next season. games, but he is one year removed from scoring 23 goals with the Colorado Avalanche. Buffalo News LOADED: 08.29.2020 Nick Bjugstad, Pittsburgh Penguins: Bjugstad has had trouble staying healthy recently and never quite fit with the Penguins, but he scored 19 goals in 2017-18 and totaled 15 in 77 games over the past two seasons. Bjugstad could be a solid stopgap.

The Penguins need to dump salary in what will be an offseason overhaul and Bjugstad is owed $4.1 million next season. The Sabres would likely only need to send a low-round draft choice to Pittsburgh. Remember, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has a relationship with Adams from their time in Carolina.

So, you’re saying there’s a chance …

Christian Dvorak, Arizona Coyotes: The Sabres would need to put together a significant trade package to land Dvorak, who is under contract for five more years with a $4.45 million cap hit. It’s possible the Coyotes would have no interest in trading Dvorak, but they’re going to have a new general manager and will need to clear cap space to sign Taylor Hall.

Dvorak ranked second among all Coyotes forwards in shot quality and he was their best defensively while totaling 18 goals with 20 assists in 70 1192341 Buffalo Sabres The HDA has asked the NHL to sign a pledge that includes commitments to fund grassroots programs for Black, Indigenous and People of Color; impactful social justice initiatives; and anti-racism education. It also urged NHL postpones playoff games through Friday to protest racial inequality the league to create targets for hiring and promoting Black individuals and businesses.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that more than 100 players inside the Lance Lysowski bubble cities participated in a call Thursday with San Jose Sharks winger Evander Kane, formerly of the Sabres, and defenseman Aug 27, 2020 Matt Dumba, both of whom are on the Hockey Diversity Alliance’s executive committee.

In response to civil unrest ignited by the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a The latest call for change in hockey intensified in November when former 29-year-old Black man, in Kenosha, Wis., the eight teams remaining in NHL player Akim Aliu, now part of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, alleged the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Playoffs decided to postpone that then-Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters used a racial slur when the all scheduled games through Friday. two were together with the Rockford Ice Hogs a decade earlier. Peters was fired following an investigation by the Flames. The NHL and NHLPa formalized the postponements Thursday evening, following a rash of criticism stemming from their decision to hold three NHL players began to speak out against racial injustice following the games Wednesday. In a joint statement with the players association, the killings of Floyd on May 26 and Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman fatally NHL expressed support for the players’ decision and announced the shot in March while three plain-clothed police officers executed a no- playoff schedule will resume Saturday. knock search warrant at her Louisville apartment.

“Black and Brown communities continue to face real, painful Dumba knelt during the American national anthem on the first day of experiences,” the statement read. “The NHL and NHLPA recognize that qualifying round games in Edmonton on Aug. 1, and former Buffalo much work remains to be done before we can play an appropriate role in Sabres goalie Robin Lehner, now with the Vegas Golden Knights, along a discussion centered on diversity, inclusion and social justice. with his Vegas teammate Ryan Reaves and two players from the Dallas Stars, Tyler Seguin and Jason Dickinson, did the same two nights later. “We understand that the tragedies involving Jacob Blake, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others require us to recognize this moment. We Reaves, who is Black, told reporters on a Zoom conference call Thursday pledge to work to use our sport to influence positive change in society.” night that he was considering sitting out the Golden Knights’ game against Vancouver before he received several text messages from white Other active professional sports league in North America – the WNBA, players around the league, including one of his opponents, Canucks NBA, MLB and MLS – made history Wednesday by postponing captain Bo Horvat. The players then gathered to discuss their options competition in protest of social injustice and police brutality. and concluded they wanted the games to be postponed.

While the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers were playing a “I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” said Reaves. “The statement Stanley Cup Playoff game in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon, the we’ve made today is something that’s going to last. These two days NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic refused to compete in their aren’t going to fix anything, but the conversations and the statement that playoff game at the bubble in Orlando. has been made are very powerful, especially coming from this league.

The NBA postponed the rest of its scheduled games, three of 16 MLB Buffalo News LOADED: 08.29.2020 games were postponed and the WNBA decided Thursday to not hold competition for a second consecutive night.

Rather than following suit Wednesday, the NHL held a 27-second moment of silence at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena ahead of a game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins to acknowledge Blake, who is paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot seven times by a white police officer. The shooting, which was captured on video, sparked violent protests and a white teenager has been charged with killing two protesters and injuring another in Kenosha.

“The NHL would like to take this moment to wish Jacob Blake and his family well and call out to our fans and communities to stand up for social justice and the effort to end racism,” the public address announcer said while the phrase “End Racism” was shown on the scoreboard above center ice.

No other details were mentioned. Buffalo Sabres winger Wayne Simmonds, an executive committee member on the non-NHL affiliated Hockey Diversity Alliance, called the league’s attempt “futile.”

“First and foremost, I think we were disappointed with how the NHL responded,” Simmonds said during an interview with TSN Radio in Toronto on Thursday. “We were the only league to not postpone or cancel games yesterday, which I think is a shame. I think as a Black man playing in the NHL it’s a little bit of a slap in the face, especially with what we’ve gone through over the last little while here. Coming from George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and obviously Jacob Blake, the most recent tragedy that’s happened.

"I think for the NHL to actually play that game and to I guess show a futile attempt at trying to say you’re with the Black Lives Matter movement by having a moment of silence, I don’t think that’s enough.”

The Hockey Diversity Alliance, which pledged to “eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey” when it was formed in June following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, called on the NHL to cancel its two games Thursday night: the Philadelphia Flyers vs. the New York Islanders in Toronto and the Vegas Golden Knights vs. the Vancouver Canucks in Edmonton. 1192342 Buffalo Sabres New Jersey

31

Drought decoy: Why the Sabres’ drafting hasn’t been as shoddy as it 57 might seem 54.4

Calgary John Vogl 32 Aug 28, 2020 59

54.2 Why is Buffalo stuck in a playoff drought? The list is long and dreary. It includes poor players, ineffective coaches, lopsided trades, meaningless Carolina signings and flawed ownership. Shoddy drafting is also high on the list. 34

Or is it? 63

It turns out the Sabres haven’t been awful at picking NHL-caliber 54.0 prospects. They’re actually fairly good. New York Islanders They have been bad at keeping or developing the players. 36 To find out what role drafting has played in the Sabres’ nine-year drought, we looked at the nine drafts most responsible for those misses. 68 Working with the theory that players need two years of development and 52.9 one year in the minors before making the NHL, we researched every team’s drafts from 2008 to 2016 (corresponding with the playoff drought Washington from 2011-2012 to 2019-2020). 29 Former general manager Darcy Regier led the scouting staff for 2008 through 2013, while ex-GM Tim Murray and his crew handled 2014 57 through 2016. They combined to put the Sabres at No. 18 among the 30 50.9 teams in terms of picking NHL players. Philadelphia The Sabres drafted 73 prospects during those nine years and 33 have appeared in the NHL. While that success rate of 45.2 percent is in the 31 lower half of the league, it’s only three spots away from the middle. 61 NHL players drafted 50.8 Boston Toronto 38 33 58 68 65.5 48.5 Los Angeles Arizona 39 31 63 64 61.9 48.4 Columbus Pittsburgh 39 25 64 52 60.9 48.1 Anaheim Tampa Bay 37 33 63 69 58.7 47.8 Ottawa Detroit 36 29 62 63 58.1 46.0 Florida Buffalo 38 33 69 73 55.1 45.2 Nashville The top two teams, Boston and Los Angeles, have won Stanley Cups this decade. So have No. 11 Washington and No. 15 Pittsburgh, so 32 drafting players who make the NHL goes a long way.

71 However, there’s a big difference between appearing in The Show and 45.1 making an impact.

Winnipeg For instance, the Sabres’ list of drafted NHL players includes Sean Malone and Brandon Hagel (one game), Connor Knapp (two), Brady 31 Austin (five), Nathan Lieuwen (seven) and Daniel Catenacci (12). Those games are everlasting memories for the players, but they didn’t move the 69 needle for the franchise. 44.9 So, we also looked at how many players are “above average” in their Edmonton draft class. HockeyDB lists the average number of NHL games, goals and points for players from each draft. The Sabres have done well finding 31 above average players – unexpectedly well.

70 They rank seventh with 23.3 percent of their picks performing above their draft class average in games, goals or points. Buffalo is second in total 44.3 number of above average players with 17, which corresponds with Minnesota making the second-most picks from 2008 to 2016.

25 Here is the number of drafted players who rank “above average” for each team, with each column sortable from largest to smallest by clicking at 57 the top.

43.9 Above average players drafted

Colorado Anaheim

26 22

60 63

43.3 34.9

Dallas Boston

25 14

59 58

42.4 24.1

New York Rangers Los Angeles

23 15

55 63

41.8 23.8

St. Louis Calgary

28 14

67 59

41.8 23.7

Chicago New York Islanders

32 16

77 68

41.6 23.5

Vancouver Columbus

22 15

57 64

38.6 23.4

San Jose Buffalo

23 17

61 73

37.7 23.3

Montreal Florida

21 16

57 69

36.8 23.2 Tampa Bay Nashville

16 13

69 71

23.2 18.3

Washington Chicago

13 14

57 77

22.8 18.2

Ottawa San Jose

14 11

62 61

22.6 18.0

Carolina New Jersey

14 10

63 57

22.2 17.5

Detroit

14 9

63 55

22.2 16.4

Dallas Toronto

13 11

59 68

22.0 16.2

Arizona Pittsburgh

14 8

64 52

21.9 15.4

Minnesota Montreal

12 8

57 57

21.1 14.0

Winnipeg Vancouver

14 8

69 57

20.3 14.0

Edmonton Colorado

14 8

70 60

20.0 13.3

Philadelphia Once again, being at the top has contributed to success. The Ducks have reached two conference finals this decade. Cup-winning Boston and L.A. 12 remain in the top three.

61 Who would have guessed Buffalo would be No. 7?

19.7 The Sabres’ list of players who are above average in games, goals or St. Louis points is Tyler Myers, Tyler Ennis, Zack Kassian, Brayden McNabb, Marcus Foligno, Mark Pysyk, Joel Armia, Mikhail Grigorenko, Zemgus 13 Girgensons, Jake McCabe, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nikita Zadorov, J.T. Compher, Sam Reinhart, Brendan Lemieux, Jack Eichel and Alex 67 Nylander. 19.4 If you notice a trend in those names, you’re not alone. More than half O’Reilly and McGinn in Buffalo: 287 games, 79 goals, 203 points have performed above average somewhere else. Kassian, McNabb, Pysyk, Armia, Grigorenko, Zadorov, Compher, Lemieux and Nylander Colorado is a legitimate Cup contender with Zadorov skating on the have spent most or all of their NHL careers with other teams. second defense pair and Compher centering the third line. Compher, 25, has scored double-digit goals for the past three seasons. Trade No. 1 Grigorenko’s two seasons in Colorado mirrored his three seasons in Feb. 27, 2012: Kassian to Vancouver for Cody Hodgson Buffalo – underwhelming – but he recently signed with Columbus after three productive seasons in the KHL. Kassian’s post-Buffalo stats: 498 games, 79 goals, 170 points McGinn failed to last a full season with the Sabres, getting traded for a Hodgson in Buffalo: 218 games, 44 goals, 99 points third-round pick that was never used (sent to Nashville in 2016 for the Hodgson had two good seasons with the Sabres, signing a six-year, rights to Jimmy Vesey, who declined to sign). $25.5 million extension along the way. Things fell off the rails in 2014-15 O’Reilly, of course, remains the best player in the trade. A 20-goal, 60- with just six goals and seven assists in 78 games. The Sabres bought point player during his three seasons with Buffalo, he was traded to St. him out that offseason and he’s on the books for $791,667 for three more Louis in 2018. years. (For the record, O’Reilly has 30 goals and 138 points with the Blues while Hodgson joined Nashville for one year and then was diagnosed with a Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka and Tage Thompson have 15 goals career-ending ailment. and 32 points with Buffalo.)

It took Kassian a while to get his life together after public fights with drugs Trade No. 5 and alcohol, but the 29-year-old is now Connor McDavid’s wingman in Edmonton. After back-to-back 15-goal seasons, he has signed a four- June 25, 2016: Pysyk and second- and third-round picks in 2016 to year extension worth $12.8 million. Florida for Dmitry Kulikov and a second-round pick (Rasmus Asplund).

Trade No. 2 Pysyk’s post-Buffalo stats: 292 games, 17 goals, 62 points

March 5, 2014: McNabb, Jonathan Parker and second-round picks in Kulikov and Asplund in Buffalo: 76 games, three goals, eight points 2014 and 2015 to L.A. for Hudson Fasching and Nicolas Deslauriers Fans weren’t fond of this deal on the draft floor, and it doesn’t look any McNabb’s post-Buffalo stats: 429 games, 17 goals, 82 points better now.

Fasching and Deslauriers in Buffalo: 233 games, 13 goals, 33 points Pysyk has been a steady performer during four seasons in Florida, including nine goals this season as the Panthers used him at forward. McNabb has topped the two forwards in longevity and production, the latter of which is notable because he’s a defenseman. He spent three A freak preseason back injury doomed Kulikov’s only season in Buffalo, years with the Kings before becoming a three-year regular with Vegas, limiting him to 47 games, two goals and three assists. The 22-year-old which selected him in the expansion draft. Asplund played 29 games as a rookie this year but wasn’t ready, recording one goal and two assists. Fasching played 22 games with the Sabres, recording one goal and three points. Deslauriers was a fourth-line staple for four seasons before being Asplund may one day be more vital to Buffalo than Pysyk would have traded to Montreal in 2017. been, but that’s small consolation during the drought.

Trade No. 3 Trade No. 6

Feb. 11, 2015: Myers, Armia, Lemieux, Drew Stafford and a 2015 first- July 9, 2019: Nylander to Chicago for Henrik Jokiharju round pick to Winnipeg for Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian and Jason Kasdorf Nylander’s post-Buffalo stats: 65 games, 10 goals, 26 points

Post-Buffalo stats for Myers, Armia and Lemieux: 763 games, 109 goals, Jokiharju in Buffalo: 82 games, four goals, 15 points 282 points The Sabres would be in much better shape if all their trades worked out Kane and Bogosian in Buffalo: 439 games, 81 goals, 185 points like this.

Even without counting Stafford and the first-round pick (which became Nylander’s standing in the organization had plummeted after three rough Jack Roslovic), the stats aren’t in Buffalo’s favor. years in Rochester. Jokiharju was one of only two Buffalo defensemen to play in every game this season, joining Ristolainen. Myers has remained the same player throughout his career, recording 365 games, 45 goals and 151 points in Buffalo and 338 games, 35 goals Now comes the big question: Would the Sabres have made the playoffs and 135 points with Winnipeg and Vancouver. during the past nine years by standing pat rather than dealing their prospects? Armia, the Sabres’ first-round pick in 2011, played one game in Buffalo and has matured into a double-digit goal scorer with the Jets and It’s too big of a rabbit hole to ponder. If they had McNabb or Zadorov, Canadiens. would they have traded for Montour or Jokiharju? Would Armia have developed in Buffalo the same way he did with Winnipeg and Montreal? Lemieux, now a second-year pro with the Rangers, had six goals, 18 Would Compher’s contributions this season have been more meaningful points and 111 penalty minutes in 59 games this season. than O’Reilly’s game in 2017-18?

Kane had three 20-goal seasons in Buffalo before being traded to San Those questions don’t have a concrete answer. But, surprisingly, the Jose. The Sabres received Danny O’Regan (no points in three games), a question of why the Sabres are in a nine-year drought can’t be answered 2019 first-round pick (traded to Anaheim with Brendan Guhle for Brandon by poor drafting. Buffalo actually did better than most NHL teams from Montour) and a 2019 fourth-round pick (traded to Vancouver along with a 2008 to 2016. sixth-round pick for the right to move up and draft Aaron Huglen earlier in the fourth round). The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020

Bogosian spent six seasons on the Buffalo blue line before being waived and having his contract terminated this year. The oft-injured defenseman played in 243 games and didn’t play in 170.

Trade No. 4

June 26, 2015: Zadorov, Grigorenko, Compher and a 2015 second-round pick to Colorado for Ryan O’Reilly and Jamie McGinn

Post-Buffalo stats for Zadorov, Grigorenko and Compher: 662 games, 77 goals, 200 points 1192343 Carolina Hurricanes

Andrei Svechnikov feeling good after ankle injury — and also very lucky

LUKE DECOCK

AUGUST 28, 2020

If the Carolina Hurricanes were still playing, Andrei Svechnikov says he’d be playing, too. Now almost two weeks removed from the high-ankle sprain he suffered when Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara knocked him backward in front of the net, Svechnikov says he’s ready to go again. Or would be.

“I would say so, I would play, you know,” Svechnikov said Friday. “I feel almost 100 percent.”

It’s a little hard to believe given how bad the injury looked at the time, Svechnikov’s right ankle buckling grotesquely as Chara pushed him back over his own skates late in the Hurricanes’ Game 3 loss. Svechnikov grabbed at his right knee as he lay on the ice, and the Hurricanes expected the worst, a broken leg or torn ligaments, with a long rehab to follow.

It became clear almost immediately that Svechnikov had escaped disaster, which was confirmed by an MRI exam. Svechnikov never exited the NHL’s Toronto bubble, hoping to play again, but the Hurricanes dropped the next two games to lose to the Bruins in five. Unlike a year ago, when Svechnikov bounced back from a concussion suffered in the first round to play in the conference finals, there would be no second chance.

But that doesn’t mean the high-scoring Russian winger who scored 24 goals in 68 games in his sophomore season is not feeling fortunate.

“Yeah, It was pretty scary,” Svechnikov said. “I kind of saw that moment on the video and I was like, ‘No way.’ That’s hard. But I did an MRI there and everything shows fine. I think I got very lucky there.”

Svechnikov attempted, before his injury, to try his now-signature lacrosse move from behind the net against the Bruins, a move that worked twice to score goals during the regular season but was quickly snuffed out by alert defenseman Matt Carlo. That internet-breaking move was actually incorporated into the new NHL 21 video game, and Svechnikov said he bought a PlayStation so he could try the move virtually as well.

That may be the only time he tries it. Acknowledging that other teams have caught on, Svechnikov said he’s working on some new viral content for next season, whenever that is.

“It’s so hard to do right now because the (defensemen) know,” Svechnikov said. “I think I’ve got a couple more tricks. It’s going to be really hard to make them but I’m going to try to keep working on it. Maybe one day I show some other tricks.”

News Observer LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192344 Carolina Hurricanes postponing one game, right? Or postponing a couple games. There’s a lot of change that needs to happen and a lot of action that needs to happen outside the game of hockey, but it is awesome to bring more Jaccob Slavin’s adopted daughter opened his eyes to a diverse world the awareness to it and continue that conversation.” NHL is discovering Slavin should not have to bear the responsibility of sharing his experience with his teammates, but just as he has an obligation to keep listening and keep learning, he has the same obligation as a father to LUKE DECOCK spread that knowledge within a sport that doesn’t have its eyes open, whether he asked for it or not. AUGUST 28, 2020 News Observer LOADED: 08.29.2020

The awakening came for Jaccob Slavin in the form of a baby girl. As other white NHL players on Thursday — for the first time, really — started to acknowledge the feelings and experiences of their Black peers and teammates, Slavin was more than a year into his own new understanding.

The Carolina Hurricanes defenseman and his wife Kylie last April adopted an infant and named her Emersyn Ruth. Emersyn is Black. The Slavins are white. Immediately, whatever Slavin thought he knew about racism and race relations in America he quickly realized he did not.

So what happened in Toronto and Edmonton on Thursday, as white NHL players reached out to their peers in the Hockey Diversity Alliance to try to understand the pain they felt when the NHL played on Wednesday night while many players in other professional leagues did not — in the NBA, WNBA, MLS and MLB, to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake — evoked emotions that were all too familiar to Slavin.

“Over the course of this year, over the course of my daughter’s life, I’ve been trying to educate myself on these matters,” Slavin said. “I’m still learning. I definitely do not know everything. I’m just trying to learn and to educate right now, that’s super important. Listening to Black people, to the people who are experiencing what’s going on right now, is really big.

“Then taking what you learn from those conversations and yeah, you definitely want to have those hard conversations with people on the team, with the people that you’re closest to outside of hockey, whoever it is. Those conversations aren’t easy but they’re important to bring awareness and hopefully start that change.”

Would Slavin, without Emersyn, have fully understood what it meant to play Wednesday night, if he and the Hurricanes had been sitting in Toronto ready for a playoff game? Almost certainly not. But he does now. The contrast between his answer Friday and Jordan Staal’s answer on Thursday was all too apparent, but so is their personal experience now.

Slavin, by virtue of his daughter’s skin, has been forced to educate himself about what her life might be like as a person of color in America. Very few NHL players grew up with that knowledge. Fewer still have taken the time to understand it.

“I get a different viewpoint from it now,” Slavin said. “It’s different now that I’m living it and experiencing it. Before, I wasn’t fully aware of everything that was going on around the world. I realized that racism existed. I didn’t see how deeply rooted it was. It’s hard to see what’s happening in our country right now. It’s hard to live with the fact that Emersyn is going to grow up in this world. Obviously we want to see change happen. There’s a long way to go.”

Until Thursday, the few Black players who had the courage to show any demonstration of dissent generally did it alone, from J.T. Brown’s raised fist on the bench in 2017 to Matt Dumba’s kneeling during the anthem last month. The first step forward was taken when three white players joined Ryan Reaves in kneeling before a playoff game — two Canadians and a Swede joining a Canadian-American dual citizen. Thursday’s player-led decision not to play may have been a day late, but it was not too late.

“I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision for those guys to make, to say, ‘Hey let’s postpone this game,’” Slavin said. “But I think what they did is awesome. It showed great support for the black community, for a black community that’s suffering right now.”

But hockey, where the players are 95 percent white, still has a long way to go. Even NASCAR has taken a stronger stand against racial inequality during this summer of upheaval.

“There needs to be change,” Slavin said. “What the NHL did with postponing the games is a sign of solidarity, it’s awesome to see that. At the same time, there’s still a lot more that needs to be done than 1192345 Chicago Blackhawks According to Heyward, though, certain teammates were conflicted about playing. Heyward himself encouraged the team to play.

“I personally didn’t know how to handle it,” he said Friday, “so I didn’t When sports and racial injustice collide, white athletes must choose if expect anybody else to.” they’re allies or foes Allies? Sure, Heyward’s white teammates can still be allies, even great The bar, in terms of what constitutes true allyship, keeps getting higher, ones. But some might wish they’d been on the same side of history as and the choices — in a country whose president calls Black Lives Matter the Brewers, Reds, Mariners, Padres, Dodgers and Giants. It would’ve a “symbol of hate” — keep becoming more starkly defined. taken a hard choice but, in hindsight, an unmistakable one.

White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito, threw a no-hitter Tuesday. Two days Steve Greenberg later, the subject had completely changed. Giolito, who is white, admitted he’d had “blinders” on at times regarding racial injustice in America, too Aug 28, 2020 focused on his career to truly engage.

“I had a solid amount of privilege, opportunity, you name it, thrown my way, in life and in this game, and part of that is because of the color of Meyers Leonard was betwixt and between, and stressed out about it for my skin,” he said. “I want to be able to stand alongside my Latin brothers, days. Stand for the national anthem or take a knee? my Black brothers, on this team and in this league. I think that unity is Ultimately, when the Heat’s opening game in the NBA bubble arrived and very important.” the rest of his team knelt in a solemn protest against racism, the 28-year- With them or against them. old center, who is white — and whose U.S. Marine brother did two tours in Afghanistan — chose to stand. In or out.

“I can’t fully comprehend how our world, literally and figuratively, has Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 08.29.2020 turned into Black and white,” Leonard, who played at Illinois, said that night. “There’s a line in the sand, so to speak: ‘If you’re not kneeling, you’re not with us.’ And that’s not true.”

Maybe not. Meyers wore a “Black Lives Matter” T-shirt and vocalized his support of the movement, which is, one supposes, in the same broad vein as taking a knee.

But Black people keep suffering in this country. Black people keep dying. Black people keep being victimized disproportionately by police and in the criminal justice system.

Because of this, for white people, the bar, in terms of what constitutes true allyship, keeps getting higher, and the choices — in a country whose president calls Black Lives Matter a “symbol of hate” — keep becoming more starkly defined.

Either an ally, or not.

Either with them, or against them.

It’s really that simple, isn’t it?

We saw this play out over a turbulent week in the sports world as current and former athletes and others reacted in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Basketball was at the heart of it. As protests roiled — and after deadly violence struck — in Kenosha, the Bucks refused to take the court Wednesday for their playoff game against the Magic; soon, all NBA games that day, and for two more days to come, were postponed. WNBA players likewise chose not to play Wednesday and Thursday.

Let’s just say not every white person was impressed.

“I think people are a little tired of the NBA, frankly,” President Donald Trump said.

OK, so we can cross him off the ally list. Same, clearly, for former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz, who spoke, rather like a caveman, at the Republican National Convention. Holtz went after protesters, saying they “like to blame others” and “don’t have pride in themselves.” Finally, after decades of empty shtick, the real Holtz came out.

The real Brian Urlacher also stood up, belittling NBA players in an Instagram post for boycotting games all because of one little seven- bullets-in-the-back incident. Does the ex-Bears linebacker really fail to understand that protests in Kenosha are the result of a revolting roll call of police shootings of Black people? Urlacher restored his hair, and now he’ll have to restore some friendships after publicly taking a position that was, in the words of former teammate Matt Forte, “void of empathy, compassion, wisdom and coherence.”

Then there’s the far more nuanced case of the Cubs. Jason Heyward, who is Black, chose not to play Wednesday in Detroit. His team took the field without him. That led to almost instant, stinging criticism of Heyward’s teammates on social media on a night when three major- league games were postponed because entire teams chose to follow the Bucks’ lead. 1192346 Chicago Blackhawks “I’ll get the same routine I had going -during COVID. [I’ll] still work on my body and make sure my body’s always flowing and in a good state where I’m not too rigid or gaining too much muscle. I want to add weight the Blackhawks’ rookies set offseason training plans heading into second right way.” seasons Boqvist said he has similar goals to strengthen his body in a productive fashion.

Ben Pope “I want to be stronger in my upper body and legs,” he said. “My biggest thing is to be able to handle guys in the corner. I’m really going to work Aug 28, 2020 on that.”

His top priority, though, is improving his conditioning.

Dominik Kubalik is skating with HC Plzen in his The young defenseman played 54 regular-season games in juniors in hometown this autumn. 2018-19, then 56 regular-season games in the NHL and AHL in 2019-20. He hopes to play the NHL’s whole slate in 2020-21. Plzen, Czech Republic, is best known in North America as the originator of Pilsner beer. “[I want] to be able to play 20 minutes per game, play a big role,” Boqvist said. “[And] to be able to play 82 games, as well. Last year, I got tired But for the Blackhawks’ Dominik Kubalik, Plzen is simply home. during the year and didn’t play my best hockey. But I have a good few Back in Europe after a brilliantly successful first season in the NHL, months here before the season starts to work on that.” Kubalik will temporarily return to his roots this autumn with HC Plzen, the Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 08.29.2020 city’s team.

“Right now, I’m going to take a couple of weeks rest to recover, get the mind away from hockey,” Kubalik said Thursday. “And then . . . same like I usually do, I’ll start practicing off the ice. Today, I talked to [HC Plzen general manager] Martin Straka so I can skate with them, so that’s great and I’ll be with the team on the ice.”

Kubalik’s pro career basically launched with HC Plzen. He debuted with the club in 2011-12, at age 16, before playing two years in the Canadian junior leagues. He then returned to play four full seasons in Plzen from 2014 to 2018.

His stature in the hockey world has grown immensely since then — he remains an outstanding finalist for the Calder Trophy, with the winner not to be announced until October — but his connection to Plzen hasn’t changed.

And conveniently, the Czech Extraliga will start its 2020-21 season on time on Sept. 17. That puts it on a substantially different calendar than the NHL, which plans to start its next season in December, and the Hawks have taken advantage.

Recently signed Czech prospect Matej Chalupa was temporarily loaned back to the Extraliga team Mountfield HK so he can play hockey this fall.

Kubalik won’t play official games for HC Plzen, but he will informally practice and work out with them while simultaneously negotiating a new contract with the Hawks. He’s a pending restricted free agent.

That hopefully should keep the momentum rolling steadily forward from his 30-goal breakout NHL regular season and solid follow-up postseason performance.

“When the year went on, when you start feeling more and more confident [and] reaching your goals, you still want more and more,” Kubalik said. “That’s what I want right now for the next year. I want to get better. I need to get better, that’s for sure. I hope I will be better. All I can say is I’ll do anything for that.”

Fellow Hawks rookies Kirby Dach and Adam Boqvist — despite being six and five years, respectively, younger than Kubalik — also will try to keep their momentum rolling from their rookie to sophomore years.

Dach said Tuesday he’s set ambitious goals for adding muscle and weight to his body this offseason.

“If I could add that size and protect pucks the way I want to protect them, make those plays, it’ll only help my game,” he said.

Dach plans to take a few weeks off to get his body fully healed and rested, then continue his rigorous offseason-like workouts from the coronavirus pause this spring and summer.

One of the changes he made then was to start working out virtually with ’s famed Chicago trainer, Ian Mack. One of the changes he’ll make is to incorporate the lessons he learned from the playoff series against the Oilers and Golden Knights.

“You can never be fast enough, your shot can never be hard enough,” Dach said. “I’ll have some people look over my game and look at areas I can improve. 1192347 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks call off media availability; NHL to resume games Saturday

John Dietz

8/28/2020 7:03 PM

In response to the NHL canceling playoff games Thursday and Friday, the Blackhawks canceled their Friday media availability with Dylan Strome, Drake Caggiula and Matthew Highmore.

The NBA and WNBA first called off their games Wednesday in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha.

The Hawks released a statement that said "discussing hockey today would take away from this very important moment of reflection. We appreciate your understanding."

The NBA and Stanley Cup playoffs will resume Saturday.

The NHL, which did have two games Wednesday, will have three contests: Tampa Bay vs. Boston at 11 a.m.; Philadelphia vs. the Islanders at 6 p.m. and Vegas vs. Vancouver at 8:45 p.m.

Vegas forward Ryan Reaves, flanked by dozens of fellow NHLers, spoke Thursday about his league's decision to halt play.

"For all these athletes in here to take a stand and say we see the problem too and we stand behind you, I'd go to war with these guys," Reaves said. "I hate their guts on the ice, but I couldn't be more proud of these guys.

"The statement that they've made today is something that's going to last. These two days isn't going to fix anything, but the conversation and the statement that's been made is very powerful."

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192348 Chicago Blackhawks

NHL investigating ex-Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon for alleged racist comments

Scott King

August 28, 2020

On Friday, it was first reported by FloridaHockeyNow.com that former Chicago Blackhawks and former Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon was under investigation by the NHL for using racially insensitive language while representing the Panthers in the Toronto bubble during the team's two-week stay in conjunction with this summer's NHL postseason tournament.

Florida was eliminated from the postseason after losing to the New York Islanders in four games during the qualifying round.

Click to download the MyTeams App for the latest Blackhawks news and analysis.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the investigation to The Associated Press on Friday.

Tallon was let go three days after Florida's exit on Aug. 10 after 10 years with the organization. His contract was set to expire after this season. The agreement for him to leave the organization was a mutual decision according to the Panthers.

Tallon was with the Blackhawks organization for 33 years as a player, broadcaster and executive. He was an assistant GM with the Hawks from 2003-05, GM from 2005-09, and senior adviser of hockey operations in 2009-10.

The former Hawks GM hired Joel Quenneville as head coach of the Blackhawks on October 16, 2008. Impact Hawks players like and Patrick Kane were drafted during Tallon's Chicago GM tenure as well.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192349 Chicago Blackhawks Philadelphia Flyers coach Alain Vigneault was much less open on Thursday.

VIGNEAULT WAS ASKED IF HE HAD ANY THOUGHTS ON THE Why Jeremy Colliton’s tweets should matter to the Blackhawks, NHL DECISIONS OF MULTIPLE LEAGUES TO SIT OUT LAST NIGHT, AND IF WE SHOULD EXPECT ANY KIND OF RESPONSE FROM THE FLYERS FOR TODAY'S GAME. HIS RESPONSE (FOR CLARITY'S Scott Powers SAKE, HE WAS ASKED A SIMILAR QUESTION LAST NIGHT AND DEFERRED): PIC.TWITTER.COM/BYTQX5IGWH Aug 28, 2020 — CHARLIE O'CONNOR (@CHARLIEO_CONN) AUGUST 27, 2020

Vigneault is being singled out, but he’s not alone. As our Ryan S. Clark Put aside whatever you think of Jeremy Colliton as Blackhawks coach. wrote, “But hockey and the NHL? It felt like (Jacob) Blake’s shooting was Whether you support or oppose him, check your opinion at the door. This another world event that didn’t penetrate the Edmonton and Toronto isn’t about his system, development philosophies or how many wins or bubbles. Until it did when other leagues began protesting with the NHL losses he’s accumulated. My colleague Mark Lazerus wrote about him soon coming under question about why it did not follow suit.” recently in that context. Wednesday’s tweet wasn’t the first time Colliton expressed his views on This is about Colliton as a person and how he might just be the type of Twitter and elsewhere. If you look hard enough, you can deduce what he head coach the NHL needs right now. believes in. He retweeted Barack Obama about it being a moment of At 11:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Colliton tweeted this: change in June, quote-tweeted on how to flatten the Coronavirus curve in March, quote-tweeted a link on climate change in 2018, retweeted an WE CAN'T PRETEND THIS IS RIGHT BUT CHANGE WILL TAKE ALL article about how children were being treated in immigrant detention OF US. REGISTER. VOTE. AND CONSIDER SUPPORTING THIS centers and retweeted Steve Kerr’s emotional reaction to a mass WORTHY CAUSE WITH YOUR TIME, YOUR MONEY, OR YOUR shooting. What he’s liked on Twitter is similar. PLATFORM. @MORETHANAVOTE HTTPS://T.CO/MDWI0AI5WA I also came across this tweet that included photos of Colliton and — JEREMY COLLITON (@BLACKIEHUBCAP) AUGUST 27, 2020 Blackhawks assistant coach Sheldon Brookbank assisting a cleanup effort in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood in June. One, you may not have realized Colliton has a Twitter account. He doesn’t have a huge following. He had 2,132 followers as of Friday ⁦@DORIANROBINSON_⁩ ⁦@HOPE_ACA_BBALL⁩ morning. ⁦@CMSVMBB⁩ ⁦@HAWKEYCHITOWN⁩ [EMAIL PROTECTED] DAY SERVING THE NORTH LAWNDALE COMMUNITY. Two, you may have missed the tweet even if you are following him. I did. It wasn’t the ideal time to engage a large audience. I only came across it #GIVINGBACK #DIVERSITY #NEIGHBOURS the next day. It had a few retweets at that point, and it accumulated a PIC.TWITTER.COM/KHZQQTJ9WT handful more after Lazerus and Scott Burnside put it in their timelines. — @CLEARLYCLAUDE (@CLEARLYCLAUDE) JUNE 7, 2020 The Blackhawks didn’t retweet it. I had asked Colliton in June about the social media statements players For all those reasons, the tweet sailed through the social media world were putting out regarding racism and police brutality following George with little acknowledgment. The traction was minimal. Floyd’s killing by a Minneapolis police officer and whether he believed he had a role in assisting in that effort. I hadn’t asked him or any other NHL It’s unfortunate because the tweet was significant. His message was promoting something positive, but, more notably, this was an NHL head coach about it before. That’s on me. I should have been asking those coach putting himself out there and sharing his beliefs without being types of questions. It’s on us as hockey media to be better, too. prompted. Colliton’s response exceeded my expectations.

Sure, if Colliton were coaching in the NBA, his tweet would have fit right “First of all, it’s been great to see so many letting their opinions being in. Steve Kerr tweeted/retweeted 11 posts Thursday that revolved around known,” Colliton said. “They’re speaking from the heart, I think. That’s social issues. Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers and other NBA coaches don’t how things are going to improve. As a Canadian here, sometimes you’re hold back their thoughts on race, politics, humanity and much more. hesitant to speak out. We’re guests. But at the same time, my daughter’s NHL coaches? Well, they take a more passive approach. They usually American, we plan on living here for a while and our kids are going to school. If you can help in any way to make things better, probably that’s don’t express their opinions outside of hockey unless asked. Anaheim Ducks coach Dallas Eakins, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper and our responsibility. Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe are three other NHL coaches “Around the world too, there’s inequality. There’s inequality in Canada. with public Twitter accounts. Eakins is more active on Twitter, but he has But we’re talking about America, you’re asking me about America. My stayed away from recent social issues. Cooper hasn’t tweeted since May values are we want everyone to have the same opportunity regardless of 2019. Keefe has retweeted posts that infer he supports fighting social their background or their race or whatever it may be. Obviously, we’re not and racial inequalities, but his last original tweet came in November there. These events come up and obviously George Floyd is one 2019. tragedy, but there’s been multiple. There’s been many, many others, and Cooper was asked directly Wednesday whether he believed the NHL they cause you to examine your beliefs. I think what a lot of people are coming to terms with is we haven’t done enough, so we need to do more. was ahead or behind what other leagues were doing regarding social justice issues. His answer was here, there and everywhere. So whether that’s me lending my small platform or donating time or whatever it may be to trying to help, I think that’s our responsibility. “It’s hard for me to comment right now,” Cooper said. “Being part of a “To me, we’re all in this together. I equate it to a team. If you’re on a team professional league, I’ve watched so many good things that all professional leagues do, from charities to, I look around our arena, I sit that the players are worried about protecting what they have or making sure they can get as much of the piece of pie as possible regardless of back and look back at what happened when we first got here and the emotional speech that Matt Dumba gave that was extremely moving and how it turns out for everyone else, then typically there’s less for everyone. On those teams, there tends to be a lot of finger-pointing, still guys talk about what’s gone on, what’s happened.” excuse-making. Hopefully, what comes out of this is everyone feels a “We can’t control some of the things that go on in the outside world,” responsibility to make things better for everyone. Cooper added. “I truly believe, whether it’s pro sports or the business world or whatever it is, at some point, we are all going to have to come “I heard Michael Lewis; I was listening to a podcast. He says America together. And I think whether you say the NHL is behind or ahead, the has a lot of talent, but we’re not well-coached. That’s a great line, and I think there may be some truth to that. We all have to want to be coached, league (has) done so many good things in so many different areas. This is one we need to pick our head up and take notice and no doubt we will. too. You got to decide that making things better for each other is a worthy goal. Obviously, I’ve been thinking about it a lot and what I can do. Aside It’s hard for me to answer this question, especially what happened while we were playing and before that … but I know the league and the people from teaching our kids what’s right and how things should be, we got to speak up if we see something that’s not right.” running it at some point everything will be addressed and we’ll get ourselves up to speed and support what needs to be done.” Colliton declined an interview request through a team spokesperson Thursday, so I don’t know exactly what prompted his tweet on Wednesday night, but maybe he was thinking about what happened to Jacob Blake just as he did Floyd, and how voting is one path to potential change.

Hopefully Colliton continues to push that message and others he believes in. It probably will only get harder. Even his tweet Wednesday was met with name-calling and the expected pushback in his mentions. His views undoubtedly won’t be well-received by everyone, including possibly some of his players.

The Blackhawks should encourage him to speak up, though. They should be retweeting him. There’s no reason why the Blackhawks, with 2.4 million Twitter followers, shouldn’t be elevating their coach’s platform every chance they get. Colliton’s values do seem to match up with interim president Danny Wirtz’s, too.

The NHL should be doing the same. Colliton probably isn’t comfortable enough in the spotlight or established enough to be the NHL’s version of Kerr, but the league can continue to boost Colliton’s confidence to say what others in the league might be too afraid or unable to say. It might just empower others to do the same. The NHL could use more coaches, and honestly people in general, like Colliton.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192350 Colorado Avalanche

NHL’s protest “pause” will undoubtedly aid banged up Avalanche

MIKE CHAMBERS

August 28, 2020

Throughout the regular season, the Avalanche won more than it lost with an injury-depleted lineup.

Ravaged by injuries to top scorers, depth players, and their top two goalies, the Avs persevered and won an NHL-most 24 games on the road.

But let’s face it, Colorado is in a much better position to win with most of its players available.

Well, the Avs are still on the road, like the other three teams in the Western Conference bubble in Edmonton, and this sudden break in action from teams sitting out due to social injustice protests might prove helpful.

This team needs rest. It needs to get healthy. And a three-day break between games at Rogers Place can only help.

Following their 6-4 victory in Game 3 on Wednesday night to trim the Dallas Stars’ lead in the series to 2-1, the Avs were down two key defensemen, two important forwards and No. 1 goalie Philipp Grubauer.

If Game 4 was played on Friday as originally scheduled, Colorado would have again been without Grubauer and defenseman Erik Johnson, and probably forward Matt Calvert and defenseman Nikita Zadorov. Forward Joonas Donskoi, who was “unfit to play” in Game 3, might have toughened it out in Game 4, but that was far from a sure thing.

With the Avs not giving information regarding injuries, we really don’t know when the injured players will be back. But it’s probably safe to assume Grubauer is not likely to return in this series, Johnson is highly questionable and Calvert, Zadorov and Donskoi could return for Sunday’s game.

If you’re an Avalanche fan, the NHL’s second “pause” this season comes at an opportune time. Even if the aforementioned players don’t return Sunday, their availability for Monday’s Game 5 is higher than it might have been.

The Avs took Friday off, with no media availability with players or coach Jared Bednar. They will practice Saturday in Edmonton, and more might be known more about the injured players — each of whom plays a significant role.

Johnson, Zadorov and Calvert, in particular, are the type of guys you need at this time of the season when toughness is paramount to team success. It goes beyond body checking because these are the guys who stand their ground after the whistle when the line is drawn. Their replacements are far less willing to play that role, because if they were, they wouldn’t be replacements.

Donskoi is an ideal third-line winger capable of playing on the second line and contribute to scoring — including on the second power-play unit. He was replaced in Game 3 by Logan O’Connor, who made his NHL playoff debut on the fourth line. Nothing against the O’Connor, 24, but the University of Denver product logged a team-low 7:44 Wednesday and his future in this league is playing a bottom-six/penalty-killing role.

As for Grubauer, I suspect his season has ended. His replacement, Pavel Francouz, is capable of leading this team to victory and he’s trusted by his teammates. But the Avs’ depth at goaltending has certainly diminished.

Colorado can win this series and advance to the Western Conference final. And if that occurs, many might point to the playoff “pause” as something that not only benefited team morale, but increased its chances on the ice.

Denver Post: LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192351 Colorado Avalanche

NHL announces updated schedule for Avalanche-Dallas Stars playoff series

MIKE CHAMBERS

August 28, 2020

The NHL, which has suspended play for two days to protest racial injustice, announced its revamped second-round playoff schedule Friday morning. The Avalanche won’t resume play until Sunday for Game 4 against the Dallas Stars in Edmonton.

The Avs will have a light workout Friday and get back to a full practice Saturday.

Avalanche vs. Stars schedule:

Game 4 Sunday, 4 p.m., NBCSN

Game 5 Monday 7:45 pm NBCSN

Game 6 Wednesday, Sept. 2 TBD

Game 7 Friday, Sept. 4 TBD

Denver Post: LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192352 Columbus Blue Jackets to the dressing room, and Tortorella — then an assistant coach — grabbed hold of the fan and tried to pull him over the rails before security intervened. The fan was Vincent LoTiempo, an assistant district attorney The Tortorella rap sheet: Blue Jackets coach has been sanctioned 15 in Erie County. times by NHL Dateline: Tampa, Fla.

Date: March 8, 2002

Aaron Portzline Punishment: $1,000 fine

Aug 28, 2020 Details: Tortorella’s Lightning trailed Philadelphia 3-2 when Tampa Bay’s Dave Andreychuk was called for interference with 1:32 remaining. Tortorella, in his first full season as an NHL coach, put referee Brad COLUMBUS, Ohio — The $25,000 fine levied on Blue Jackets coach Meier in his sights postgame: “I don’t care if I take a fine or not. It’s just John Tortorella earlier this week seemed to catch the hockey world off an awful call. He’s a bad referee, plain and simple. He has got no feel for guard, given that it was announced nearly a week after Tortorella walked the game. Let the teams decide the hockey game. It’s not the reason why away from a postgame media gathering after just two questions. we lose the game, but to me, it’s just an awful call. He’s a terrible referee. I don’t care if you write it or not. He’s an awful referee.” But it couldn’t have been a surprise for Tortorella. Dateline: New York City The NHL and club officials warned Tortorella throughout the qualifying series versus Toronto and the first-round series against Tampa Bay that Date: Dec. 22, 2005 his snippy answers and irascible attitude in Zoom calls with media were pushing the limits of their patience. Punishment: $1,000 fine

In January, the league had fined Tortorella $20,000 for criticizing officials Details: Tortorella may have saved himself thousands of dollars by after a home loss to Chicago, and it took the rare step then of issuing an refusing to speak to the media after the Lightning’s 4-2 loss to the additional $25,000 “conditional fine” that would be levied against Rangers in Madison Square Garden. He was incensed by a delay-of- Tortorella if he had any more incidents in the next year. game call on defenseman Nolan Pratt after Pratt cleared the puck over the glass in the defensive zone. Tortorella chased after and berated NHL He lasted eight months, including a 4 1/2-month “pause” without games. referees Wes McCauley and Kevin Pollack at the final buzzer. He was cut off from reaching the officials by a linesman and Lightning forward “It is a previously conditional fine that has now been deemed payable as Tim Taylor. a result of John’s conduct,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic. Dateline: East Rutherford, N.J.

“The Game 5 (postgame) media availability was what triggered the fine, Date: April 20, 2007 but John’s conduct on several other occasions during the return-to-play period certainly factored into getting to the trigger.” Punishment: $10,000 fine

It’s the second-largest fine of Tortorella’s career, surpassed only by a Details: After a 3-0 playoff loss to New Jersey, putting the Lightning down $30,000 fine in 2012 when he criticized officials following the New York 3-2 in the series, Tortorella was refusing to answer questions about the Rangers’ victory over Philadelphia at the Winter Classic. game, saying repeatedly, “We know what we did.” It led to a terse exchange with New York Post reporter Larry Brooks. Tortorella has been fined $162,000 during his NHL coaching career, but that doesn’t include money lost during his three suspensions, especially Brooks: “Are you answering no questions, or what?” the 15-day suspension in 2014 when, as coach of the Vancouver Tortorella: “I guess that’s what I’m saying, Brooksie. You get that through Canucks, Tortorella tried to charge into the visitors dressing room to get your head?” at Calgary coach Bob Hartley. Brooks: “I guess so. Well, it’s kind of a waste of time, then.” All told, Tortorella is probably well over $200,000 in lost salary due to his mouth and his temper. Tortorella: “Well, then get the fuck out of here then.”

The money goes to the NHL Foundation, so at least somebody’s Brooks: “I am.” benefitting from it. But that’s a lot of hay (for his rescue horses) and dog chow (for his pit bull rescues). That’s a few very nice cars. Hell, the Tortorella: “OK, see ya.” median price for a home in Ohio is $152,000. Brooks: (distant) “Fuck off.”

Tortorella, who’s heading into the final year of his contract with the Blue Tortorella: “Next question.” Jackets, has been lauded repeatedly for “toning it down” since he was hired in 2015. But he has still had public moments that have infuriated Dateline: ownership and high-level executives. He has now been hit with $60,000 Date: Nov. 19, 2007 in fines while in Columbus. Punishment: $10,000 fine The truly sad part for Tortorella is that his indiscretions tend to overshadow his ability as a coach. He’s a five-time finalist, including this Details: The Lightning blew a 3-1 lead and lost 4-3 in overtime to Atlanta, year, for the Trophy, given to the league’s top coach. a comeback that was aided by a holding call on Tampa Bay’s Brad Richards that sent Tortorella’s blood pressure soaring. He unloaded after If Tortorella wins, he’d become only the second three-time winner (Pat the game: “The frustrating part for me is these organizations pay the Burns) and the second coach to win it twice with the same franchise players millions upon millions of dollars. They’re the ones who need to (Jacques Demers, Detroit). decide the outcomes of games. Listen, I’m trying to stay away from But that’s not how he’ll be remembered by many. Here’s a closer look at criticizing as far as the calls, but fuck that. I just don’t get it. And it makes the 15 times (12 fines, three suspensions) Tortorella has been punished the coaching job that much harder, how you coach your players in by the NHL: playing when you get that shit out there. There’s a disconnect somewhere. There’s obviously something wrong with this game.” Dateline: Buffalo, N.Y. Dateline: Washington Date: March 19, 1995 Date: April 24, 2009 Punishment: Three-game suspension Punishment: One-game suspension Details: After a 6-1 home loss to Tampa Bay, Sabres coach John Muckler was getting heckled by a fan, who called him “a disgrace to the Details: The Rangers had a 3-1 series lead over Washington when city,” according to the Buffalo News. Muckler slapped the fan on his way Tortorella engaged with a Capitals fan seated a few rows behind the visitors bench. It was early third period, and the Rangers trailed the Caps minimal contact with Dallas goaltender Kari Lehtonen. “All the crap we 4-0. Rangers assistant coach Jim Schoenfeld and players had to restrain review and they don’t review an important thing like that,” Tortorella said. Tortorella from poking at the fan with a hockey stick through the glass “It’s wrong. I didn’t get (an explanation), and they weren’t going to listen after he was doused with a beverage. The fan was escorted from the to me. I’m not going to whine about this and that. It was a huge call and building. An NHL investigation, however, revealed that Tortorella squirted the wrong call, and it doesn’t determine the win or the loss. But it has to the fan with a water bottle before he was doused with the beverage. The open the league’s eyes about getting those calls right.” Rangers lost the final three games of the series. Dateline: Vancouver, B.C. Dateline: Vancouver, B.C. Date: Jan. 18, 2014 Date: Nov. 3, 2009 Punishment: 15-game suspension Punishment: $10,000 fine Details: Calgary coach Bob Hartley sent out his fourth line for the Details: This one had nothing to do with Tortorella’s temper. Well, not opening faceoffs, prompting Tortorella to send out his five toughest directly. Tortorella was fined for instigating a fight in the final five minutes players in anticipation of a line brawl. Tortorella screamed at Hartley from of a game. He sent forward Dane Byers onto the ice with 1:10 remaining the bench, but Hartley simply stared off in the distance, infuriating him. in a 4-1 loss to the Canucks, and Byers picked up 19 penalty minutes by During the first intermission, Tortorella came marching out of the jumping Vancouver’s — a 10-minute game misconduct, Vancouver dressing room and tried to enter the Flames’ dressing room to five minutes for fighting, two for instigating and two for fighting. get to Hartley. He was stopped by a crowd of Calgary players at the entrance of the room. “I apologize first and foremost to the players (for) Dateline: New York City this situation I put them in, to the organization, with my stupidity, and to Date: Feb. 27, 2011 the league,” Tortorella said. “It’s been embarrassing and not just for me, but for everybody around me in the situation that has occurred here.” Punishment: $10,000 fine Dateline: Columbus, Ohio Details: Tortorella was furious with NHL referees Ian Walsh and Kelly Sutherland after a boarding call on Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi at Date: July 2, 2018 1:11 of the third period. The game was tied 1-1 when Girardi was Punishment: $15,000 fine whistled for a hit on Lightning forward Martin St. Louis. Less than a minute later, a delay-of-game (puck over glass) call put the Lightning on Details: Tortorella took no issue with defenseman Jack Johnson signing a five-on-three, which they converted. They won 2-1. “We gave ’em hell with rival Pittsburgh, but he was angered when Johnson spoke about all night long and we get beat on a five-on-three, on a shit call to start it,” joining a “winning culture,” and especially when Penguins GM Jim Tortorella said. “Both teams are grinding … I just wish the league would Rutherford suggested there was a reason, other than Johnson’s poor stay the hell out of it and let the teams decide it.” play, that kept him out of the Blue Jackets lineup late in the 2017-18 season. Dateline: Philadelphia “You don’t shit on an organization that’s done nothing but try to help you,” Date: Jan. 2, 2012 Tortorella said. “We all know Jack has had some problems along the way Punishment: $30,000 fine here; it’s very well-chronicled. All we’ve done is try to fucking help him. I love the fucking guy (Johnson). I’ve had him on the Olympic team. I get Details: The Rangers won the 2012 Winter Classic, beating the Flyers 3- him on the World Cup team. I love the guy. But for him to do this is 2 despite some dicey moments in the third period. Tortorella blasted NHL ridiculous. He has got to start pointing the finger at himself, not other referees Dennis LaRue and Ian Walsh after the game, calling their people. If I’m a (former) teammate of his and I play against him next year performances “disgusting.” He went a step further, though, which … my gosh ….” infuriated the league. “I’m not sure if NBC got together with the refs and wanted to turn this into an overtime game,” Tortorella said. “For two good As for Rutherford … referees, I thought that game was reffed horribly.” Two days later, “The thing that pisses me off the most is a general manager in this Tortorella said he meant the comments “tongue in cheek.” “They were league questioning and talking about our decision-making,” Tortorella sarcastic comments by me at the wrong time, and it was frustration on said. “Shut the fuck up! my part,” he said. “Not for a second, in no way, shape or form, did I think anything like that goes on with our league or ever will.” “Jack and I had an open, honest conversation all through this. Jack and I have known one another forever, and I love the guy. There’s no agenda Dateline: Pittsburgh here. You think that’s an easy decision for me, after what Jack Johnson Date: April 5, 2012 has been in this league and what he is?

Punishment: $20,000 fine “But that can’t get in my way as far as making the right decisions for this hockey club, and that’s all we do, so Rutherford should shut the fuck up.” Details: The Rangers lost to Pittsburgh 5-2 in the penultimate game of the regular season, but Tortorella was furious about a knee-on-knee hit Dateline: Columbus, Ohio by Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik on Rangers center Derek Date: Dec. 29, 2019 Stepan. “It’s a cheap, dirty hit,” Tortorella said. Then he took aim at the Penguins organization, specifically Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Punishment: $20,000 fine, plus a $25,000 conditional fine for any though he didn’t name the two Pittsburgh superstars. “I wonder what misconduct over the next year. would happen if we did it to their two whining stars over there. I wonder what would happen. So I’m anxious to see what happens with the league Details: Replays showed that NHL official Dan O’Halloran blew his with this. Just no respect among players. None. It’s sickening. (The whistle on a Chicago too-many-men penalty with 19.2 seconds Penguins) whine about this stuff all of the time, and look what happens. remaining, but the game clock continued to run another 1.1 seconds It’s ridiculous. But they’ll whine about something else over there, won’t before it was stopped at 18.1. Despite protests from the Blue Jackets’ they?” He also referred to the Pittsburgh franchise as “one of the most bench, O’Halloran would not review the accuracy of the game clock and arrogant organizations in the league.” restore the 1.1 seconds.

Dateline: Dallas As fate would have it, a Zach Werenski wrister went into the net roughly 0.2 seconds after the final horn, meaning it would have counted if the Date: Nov. 17, 2013 clock had been adjusted. Making matters worse, Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo suffered a knee injury when the game went to a Punishment: $10,000 fine shootout.

Details: The Canucks were off to a sluggish start offensively and the The perfect storm created a Hurricane Tortorella postgame, and he frustration was mounting. Tortorella didn’t rant and rave in his postgame pounded the podium so forcefully that he almost knocked over the Tim comments, but he blasted the NHL’s review process after a 2-1 loss in Horton’s prop cup. Dallas. The Canucks had a goal by captain disallowed in the second period due to goaltender interference, but replays showed “Instead of resetting the clock, we have them tell our captain they’re not going to do it,” he said. “Toronto doesn’t step in, the refs don’t do their freakin’ job, and now we lose a game and we lose our goalie. So the chain of events, if it was done right, we don’t lose our goalie, we win the hockey game. So all this god damn technology, right? … The stubbornness tonight by the officials and by the league and Toronto — however it’s supposed to god damn work — screws us! It’s ridiculous. I’m not taking any god damn questions.”

Dateline: Columbus, Ohio

Date: Aug. 19, 2020

Punishment: $25,000 fine

Details: Tortorella didn’t blast officials. He didn’t even curse. But the league had the conditional fine in place as a not-so-secret probation. It was a difficult situation (for all parties), and Tortorella only exacerbated it: eye rolls and head shakes during questions he didn’t like or questions that took too long to form. A refusal to answer questions, or dismissive answers because he didn’t want to talk about the game. The league warned him that they didn’t like what they were seeing — this was a time when the NHL badly needed to sell itself, right? — but it didn’t change. After the Blue Jackets were bounced with a Game 5 loss to Tampa Bay, Tortorella gave a brief answer to his first question, then declined to answer the second question. “You guys be safe,” he said, before darting off the dais.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192353 Dallas Stars Voting set for AAC: The Mavericks announced Friday that American Airlines Center would be the largest polling place in Dallas County for Election Day on Nov. 3. The Stars also play at AAC but were not involved CEO Brad Alberts says Stars have lost season-ticket holders over the in the announcement of the initiative. team’s support of Black Lives Matter “We are very supportive of the AAC being turned into a voting establishment and our people intend on volunteering if necessary on voting day,” Alberts said. “The AAC executives who work for us have Matthew DeFranks been involved for some time on this.”

5:38 PM on Aug 28, 2020 Dallas Morning News LOADED: 08.29.2020

The Stars have lost customers over their support of Black Lives Matter and protests over racial inequality, president and CEO Brad Alberts said Friday afternoon.

“But we/I stand by our organization’s commitment and support our players 100% to express their views,” Alberts said.

When asked which customers the team has lost, Alberts said season- ticket holders, and that it was a mix of individual and company accounts. He did not disclose specific names. Alberts said no advertisers have pulled funding.

The Stars did not play Game 4 of their second-round series against Colorado on Friday night because the NHL — at the direction of its players — postponed playoff games previously scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Game 4 has been rescheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday.

“Black and Brown communities continue to face real, painful experiences,” the league said in a statement Thursday announcing the postponements. “The NHL and NHLPA recognize that much work remains to be done before we can play an appropriate role in a discussion centered on diversity, inclusion and social justice.

“We understand that the tragedies involving Jacob Blake, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others require us to recognize this moment. We pledge to work to use our sport to influence positive change in society.”

The postponements followed many in other sports leagues, beginning with the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, who did not play their playoff game Wednesday against Orlando following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., 40 miles south of Milwaukee.

Games in MLB, MLS and the WNBA were also postponed Wednesday night.

The Stars played Colorado on Wednesday before NHL players decided Thursday not to play games for two days. Dallas leads the series, 2-1.

On Thursday afternoon, the NHL held a news conference in Edmonton with representatives of all four Western Conference teams: Dallas, Colorado, Vegas and Vancouver. Jason Dickinson spoke for the Stars, and more than 20 of his teammates were visible standing behind him in support.

Dickinson and Tyler Seguin knelt for both the American and Canadian national anthems — alongside Vegas’ Ryan Reaves and Robin Lehner — on Aug. 3 in support of Black Lives Matter. The group became the first in the NHL to kneel in uniform before a game, while Dickinson, Seguin and Lehner were the first white players to kneel.

“We were able to start a good conversation among our team stemming from that moment,” Dickinson said Thursday. “That’s exactly what we wanted. We wanted to get the conversation going, not only amongst ourselves, but amongst the country and the world.”

Seguin has been one of the most high-profile voices in hockey to support Black Lives Matter, having attended a protest in Dallas following the killing of George Floyd and stated his intention for multiple initiatives dealing with equality.

None of the Western Conference teams held media availability Friday. The Stars were one of two remaining teams (the other was Colorado) that did not release a statement following the postponement of the games.

“We’re all against the social injustice and racial discrimination that’s going on around the world,” Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said Thursday. “If our players think that this is the best way that they can support that, then they have our full support and we are proud of the stance that they have taken.” 1192354 Dallas Stars

NHL releases updated playoff schedule; Stars-Avalanche to resume series Sunday

SportsDay Staff

9:45 AM on Aug 28, 2020

The Dallas Stars on Sunday will resume their playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche.

The NHL on Friday released an updated schedule for all second-round matchups, with games picking back up Saturday morning starting with Tampa Bay-Boston at 11 a.m.

Game 4 of Stars-Avalanche is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday.

At the urging of players, the NHL postponed its games scheduled for Thursday and Friday, including Game 4 of the Stars-Avalanche series, becoming the latest professional sports league with delayed games in support of Black Lives Matter.

The league and NHL Players Association announced the decision at 5 p.m. Thursday, one hour before Philadelphia and the New York Islanders were scheduled to play Game 3 of their series.

The Stars and Avalanche were scheduled to play Game 4 of their series Friday night.

The Stars and Avalanche played Game 3 on Wednesday night after many athletes in other sports decided not to play in order to direct attention to racial inequality and police brutality. The Milwaukee Bucks were the first team to do so, leading to the NBA postponing all games on Wednesday and Thursday. Multiple MLB and MLS games were postponed, as were all WNBA games.

The postponements were in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man in Kenosha, Wis., who was shot seven times in the back by an officer. Blake is now paralyzed, his family said, and two people were killed during a protest Tuesday night.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192355 Dallas Stars Nill let him go. When Nichushkin wanted to come back after two years in Russia, Nill welcomed him back.

Whatever happened to Nichushkin in his time in Russia, he was not the One of the most disappointing draftees’ in Dallas history has a home in same player any more. Colorado He was a pro, and defensively responsible, but the part of his game that made him so attractive was gone. In 2018-19, he scored 0 goals with 10 MAC ENGEL assists while being assessed zero penalty minutes.

AUGUST 28, 2020 That is hard to do for a man that big.

In June of 2019, the Stars had a decision to make: Stay with Nichushkin in hopes that he would realize some of that potential, or cut him and save While we celebrate the arrival and development of guys like Luka Doncic a lot money. of the Mavs and Miro Heiskanen of the Stars, these playoffs also hold a cautionary tale that illustrates how easy it is for all this to go sideways. Money won. They released Nichushkin.

The Dallas Stars are currently facing the the Colorado Avalanche in the The Stars liked him, but the realized it was not going to happen here. NHL’s Western Conference semifinals, in the league’s Edmonton bubble. He signed a one-year contract with the Avalanche in August, and he’s in The Stars lead the series 2-1. Game 4, which was to be played Friday the right spot. Colorado is deep with talented forwards, and he doesn’t night, has been postponed like more than a dozen sporting events have have to do too much. been in recent days. “Sometimes it takes players a bit longer to develop and reach their Of the many talented kids our teams have picked since 2000, Avs’ potential. I can speak to that personally,” Sharp said. “Not every team forward Valeri Nichushkin came to DFW with a God-given talent that said can wait. Maybe something clicked for him in Colorado.” he could carry a sports franchise. Nichushkin is only 24, and after scoring 14 goals with 27 points this He showed that talent right up until the time life got hard, and wound up season, he will be offered an NHL contract next season. Although in being one of the most disappointing young players in the last 20 years of these playoffs he’s been nearly invisible; in 11 games, he has no points. our fair city. Val Nichushkin is an NHL player, who will have a career. It’s just not with Until a young, talented, productive player is popped in the face, you don’t the Stars. know what he’s going to do. He’s also a warning to young players, and their fans, you never really For Nichushkin, he simply lost it. know a guy until he’s punched.

In 2013, Jim Nill was a first-year, first-time general manager with the Star-Telegram LOADED: 08.29.2020 Dallas Stars. He had been hired away from the Detroit Red Wings, a franchise that had a long history of drafting Russian and Eastern European players with almost unmatched success.

Guys like Sergei Fedorov, Pavel Datsyuk, Igor Larianov, Viacheslav Fetisov and a few others that helped make the Red Wings one of the NHL’s premier teams for more than a decade.

For all of their success, the Dallas Stars never got that guy.

Nill was going to change that.

In Nill’s first NHL Draft with the Stars, he had the 10th pick. On the board was Nichushkin, a 6-foot-4 and 210-pound forward of skill and strength.

“He will take your breath away,” said Nichushkin’s former Dallas Stars’ teammate, current NBC NHL analyst . “He’s smooth. He had an edge to his game, and a lot of skill.”

Nichushkin’s agent made one demand of the NHL team that wanted to draft him: He would only leave his native Russia to play in the NHL. He would not play in the minor leagues.

Despite the availability of forward Max Domi, Nill went with the Russian.

In his first season, 2013-14, Nichushkin scored 14 goals and 34 points. The Stars went out of their way to give him every opportunity to have success, and put him on a line with talented players Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.

The next season, life punched Nichushkin. A hip injury limited him to eight games, and he was a changed man.

In in 2015-16 he was not the same player. The hip had required “shaving,” and while he was warned by doctors it was going to take him a long time to feel the same, the frustration was evident.

Although he had a decent season, he was mad.

“I was there when he was a young kid. He didn’t speak the language well at all. It was hard for him,” Sharp said. “We did our best to make him feel like a part of the team. I know [center] Jason Spezza went out of his way to connect with him and make him a better player.”

It didn’t matter.

Nichushkin opted to sign a two-year contract with a team in Russia rather than return to the Stars for a fourth straight year. 1192356 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings' Filip Hronek now the fifth prospect loaned out to European team

Dana Gauruder

Add Filip Hronek to the list of young Detroit Red Wings who will tune up for the next NHL season in Europe.

The Wings have loaned one of their top defensemen, Filip Hronek, to Mountfield HK in the Czech Republic.

That brings the total of Red Wings playing overseas this late summer and fall to five players. Filip Zadina, the Wings’ top pick in the 2018 draft, is also playing in the Czech Republic for HC Ocelari Trinec.

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Defenseman Moritz Seider, ’s first-round selection last year, was loaned to Adler Mannheim of Germany, while Gustav Lindstrom (Almtuna IS) and Mathias Brome (Orebro HK) were loaned to Swedish teams.

Hronek, 22, had a breakout season in his second NHL campaign, notching nine goals and 22 assists in 65 games. He had 23 points in 46 games as a rookie.

The Czech Republic native began his career there with the U-16 club in 2011-12 and has a wealth of international experience. Hronek is a member of his country’s national team and compiled four goals and 10 assists in 18 games during the 2018 and 2019 World Championships.

Though the 14-team Czech league doesn’t start its regular season until October, both Trinec and Mountfield are currently participating in the Generali Ceska Cup playoffs. In his Trinec debut, Zadina scored on a pair of goals on Monday in a 7-1 win over Mountfield.

The handful of Wings' loanders will return to the U.S. in time for training camp, which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 17. The proposed regular- season start date is Dec. 1.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192357 Detroit Red Wings

Defenseman Filip Hronek fifth Red Wing loaned to European team

Staff Writer

The Red Wings selected defenseman Filip Hronek in the second round of the 2016 NHL draft.

With the Red Wings out of the playoffs since March 12 when COVID-19 shut down the National Hockey League regular season, general manager Steve Yzerman continues to loan players to European teams for development purposes.

Defenseman Filip Hronek was loaned on Friday to play for Mountfield HK of the Czech League.

He joins four other Red Wings players and prospects who will begin the season in Europe and are scheduled to returrn before NHL training camps open.

The other players are Moritz Seider (Mannheim, Germany), Filip Zadina (HC Ocelari Trinec, Czech Republic), Gustav Lindstrom (Almtuna, Sweden) and Mathias Brome (Orebro HK, Sweden).

Hronek, 22, led the team's defensemen with nine goals and 31 points in 65 goals.

NHL training camps are tentatively set to open Nov. 17 and the regular season is penciled to start Dec. 1.

Detroit News LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192358 Detroit Red Wings "All of these players are extremely talented in their own ways. We'll identify those strengths and develop their overall game."

Detroit News LOADED: 08.29.2020 Luke Hughes leads top-rated NTDP defensemen into Plymouth camp

Mark Falkner

NTDP U18 defenseman Luke Hughes is a top-rated prospect for the 2021 NHL draft.

When USA Hockey's new U18 coach Dan Muse introduced himself with a phone call to top-rated 2021 NHL draft prospect Luke Hughes ahead of the opening of training camp in Plymouth on Monday, the former Nashville Predators' assistant coach had a quick greeting for the youngest of the three hockey-playing brothers.

"The first thing I said to him was I can't tell you how excited I am coaching one of you guys instead of coaching against," Muse said on a Zoom conference call on Friday to introduce him and former Red Wings assistant coach Adam Nightingale of Cheboygan as the head coaches with the National Team Development Program.

"Going back to my days in the USHL (United States Hockey League) and in the NHL, they're a special family in terms of having three brothers doing what they're doing on the ice at the NHL level and here. Right now, I've been able to watch some games on tape and evaluate all of the (NTDP) players individually."

Muse coached against Jack and Quinn Hughes for two years in the USHL, including the 2017 season when he led the to the Clark Cup title in 2017 and this past season when Jack, 19, recorded 21 points in his rookie season with the New Jersey Devils and Calder Trophy candidate Quinn, 20, had 53 points in the regular season and 11 more points in the playoffs with the Vancouver Canucks.

Luke, 16, is among the best defensemen for the 2021 NHL draft which features seven defensemen in the top 15 players, according to TSN draft analyst Craig Button, an Ann Arbor native and regular guest on The Detroit News' NHL Draft TV preview shows.

At 6-1 and 175 pounds, Hughes had 28 points in 48 games with the U17 team last year and four points in six games with the silver-medal winning USA team at the U17 World Hockey Challenge in Medicine Hat, Alberta and Swift Current, .

The Canton resident, who is committed to the University of for the 2021-22 season, is expected to be joined in the first round of next year's draft by two other NTDP defensemen Aidan Hreschuk and Sean Behrens. Hreschuk (Boston College) had 24 points in 49 games and Behrens (University of Denver) had 37 points in 45 games.

In Nashville, Muse watched and learned from four of the best defensemen in the NHL with 2020 Norris Trophy candidate Roman Josi, 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban as well as shutdown defender Mattias Ekholm and high-scoring Ryan Ellis.

"Those defensemen were all different," Muse said. "You're not doing the exact same thing with everybody. I'll definitely take some of the lessons I learned from the last three years combined with the things I've learned with players at this age group in the past and apply specific plans to maximize their potential as they're going into their draft year."

NTDP senior director of operations Scott Monaghan said they were fortunate in the last month to have "really qualified candidates come in fast" when U18 coach Seth Appert took the job with the Buffalo Sabres' AHL affiliate in Rochester and U17 coach John Wroblewski left for the Reign, the top farm team of the .

"We weren't sure what to expect with the job openings at this time of the year," Monaghan said. "These guys did a tremendous job and were highly recommended from outside. We moved really quickly and are happy to have them on board."

While the NTDP schedule hasn't been finalized against USHL and college teams because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the USHL is scheduled to begin on Nov. 6.

"I'm looking forward to working with these guys and diving into their personal games in these next three-to-five weeks," said Muse, who was also an assistant coach on the NCAA championship Yale team in 2013. 1192359 Detroit Red Wings

Filip Hronek fifth Red Wing to start season in Europe

Aug 28, 2020

Ansar Khan

Filip Hronek took a significant step in his development this past season, his second in the NHL.

The Detroit Red Wings hope he carries that momentum into the 2020-21 season in his native Czech Republic.

The Red Wings have loaned the 22-year-old defenseman to Mountfield HK of the Czech League.

He joins four other Red Wings players/prospects who will begin the season in Europe and return whenever NHL training camps open: Moritz Seider (Mannheim, Germany), Filip Zadina (HC Ocelari Trinec, Czech Republic), Gustav Lindstrom (Almtuna, Sweden) and Mathias Brome (Orebro HK, Sweden).

Hronek led Detroit defensemen in goals (nine) and points (31) and all Red Wings in average ice time (23:53). He has struggled defensively early in his career but improved in that area toward the end of the season, despite posting a minus-38 rating.

The NHL tentatively plans to open training camps in mid-November, targeting a Dec. 1 start to the 2020-21 season.

Michigan Live LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192360 Detroit Red Wings The Red Wings also missed winning the Cup during Martyn’s tenure. They had many lean years in the 1970s and early ’80s before building a stockpile of talent in the early ’90s.

Bruce Martyn, longtime Red Wings voice, wife Donna celebrate 70th Martyn thought the championship drought would end in 1995, when they anniversary faced the New Jersey Devils in the Finals.

“I figured, ‘Boy, they’re going to come out of this real well,’ " Martyn said. “I’ll be damned if they didn’t lose in four games -- boom, boom, boom.” Aug 28, 2020 Martyn finally called a Cup championship in 1997, when his successor, Ansar Khan Ken Kal, invited him back to broadcast the second period of Game 4 of the Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers at .

Martyn called Darren McCarty’s game-winning goal. Bruce and Donna Martyn put a couple of steaks on the grill, opened a bottle of wine and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary Wednesday “I finally got a winning goal in the Stanley Cup, two years after I retired,” in a quiet celebration at their Florida home. he said.

Martyn, the voice of the Detroit Red Wings for 31 years on television and It was the Red Wings’ first championship in 42 years and the start of a radio, has been retired for 25 years, enjoying life while living in a house run of four Cups in 11 seasons. It was quite a thrill for Martyn. alongside the Venice Golf and Country Club. “It sure was,” he said. “Walked into the dressing room and sipped The Martyns play golf twice a week and swim in their pool every day. champagne and did all the things I always wanted to do.”

“I have my Martini every afternoon,” Bruce Martyn, 91, said. The Martyns in 1994 moved to Florida, where they now reside permanently. Sounds like a great retirement. “We used to go back and forth a little bit but getting a little bit up there “It couldn’t be nicer,” Martyn said. now in age and don’t do as much driving,” Martyn said. The same can be said for their marriage, a relationship than began in The Martyns have three sons, the youngest of whom, Scott, also was 1950 in their native Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. married on Aug. 26. Granddaughter Meghan, one of five grandchildren, Donna was working as a receptionist at the local radio station, WSOO. chose the same date for her wedding. They have eight great- She had known Bruce, who was a grade higher, in school, but it wasn’t grandchildren. until Bruce applied for a job at the station that their relationship formed. Their latest anniversary was historic, and it was unique, due to the “I wanted to be a radio announcer and I just walked in there one day and coronavirus pandemic. said, ‘Could you ever use anybody like me?’ and they gave me an In addition to receiving many congratulatory calls and cards from family audition and put me to work,” Martyn said. and friends, the couple also had their first experience with Zoom. He earned 75 cents an hour, the minimum wage at the time, for five “We talked to all of our sons and their wives,” Martyn said. hours a week. What has been the key to being married so long? That was in April. Bruce and Donna were married in August of that year. “I keep saying it’s because I was away so much,” Martyn said. After three years in Sault Ste. Marie, Martyn moved to Pontiac and worked as a morning disc jockey and the sports director at WCAR. “Just the fact we liked each other so much and we’ve been blessed with decent health and everything has gone well.” It wasn’t long before his career as a big-league sportscaster began. The hired him for a year-and-a-half when announcer Don Michigan Live LOADED: 08.29.2020 Wattrick suffered a heart attack. After that, he joined Bob Reynonds and worked the broadcast booth for three years. He also called Michigan State football games.

Martyn’s big break came in 1964, when the Stroh Brewery, the Red Wings’ largest sponsor, offered him the job to broadcast their games with Budd Lynch.

“I jumped at that,” Martyn said. “They said you and Budd are going to work together and split everything, and we got along famously.”

Martyn said he and Lynch had some great times together. Martyn then joined Red Wings great Sid Abel, who he called a great person to work with and a close friend. Martyn’s last several years in the booth were with , with whom he also had good chemistry.

Martyn joined the Red Wings in the era. By the time he retired the NHL had 26 teams.

He called more than 2,000 games, resulting in countless memories, during a career that earned him the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for broadcasting by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.

During his second season, 1965-66, the Red Wings faced the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Finals and won the first two games at the Forum before the series shifted to Olympia Stadium.

“Unbelievable,” Martyn said. “I remember getting on the bus and Andy Bathgate had come to the Red Wings and I sat with him on the bus going back to the airport and he said, ‘When we get this Cup, we’re going to put you in the shower, we’re going to do this and that.’ They were laughing and having a good time. Then they proceeded to lose four straight games. So, I missed the shower.” 1192361 Edmonton Oilers With the schedule rewritten to accommodate the two days with no games to make their statement, the two Pacific Division teams will now resume their second-round series in Edmonton with back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday. They’ll then play Game 5 on Tuesday, Game 6 on Adaptability the name of the game in evolution of 2020 NHL playoffs Thursday with the seventh game, if necessary, set for another back-to- back Friday.

That would be five games in seven days for the two teams that split the Terry Jones first two games of the series. Vegas won the opener 5-0 and Vancouver Aug 28, 2020 won Game 2 by a count of 5-2.

You can imagine the condition the victorious team might end up in going forward if it goes seven games, especially if they get into some serious It’s at this stage of a Stanley Cup playoff series where you usually get a overtime minutes involved, much less a marathon match in there good hate going against the other team. somewhere.

After what we’ve watched with the elite eight teams in the 24-team At this point of this column, you’d expect to read reaction from the August-September, empty-arena Stanley Cup playoffs in the last 48 players of the two teams to the potential ramifications involved here as a hours, how can they go back to hate again? result of their action. But the four Edmonton Hub City teams all decided to make the most of the double days off and totally get away from It isn’t the same kind of hate as involved in the incident in Kenosha, Wi., everything, including sending the coach and a selection of players to or the others that inspired the NBA, Women’s National Basketball appear at a daily video conference media availability. Association and other pro sports teams to not play Wednesday, and resulted in the NHL players deciding to shut things down Thursday and Maybe James van Riemsdyk of the Philadelphia Flyers put it best for Friday in support. everybody Thursday.

But Saturday and Sunday, they get back on the ice again. How do they “Each game presents a new and unique challenge,” he said. “Obviously, get the hostility back? we’re all professionals here. When we arrive at the rink, we’re ready to go and put forth all of our effort to concentrate on playing the game and It was Luke Schenn of the Tampa Bay Lightning who spoke to it best on having a good result.” video conference Thursday. I wrote it back in the beginning, it won’t be the best team that wins the “We’re in the middle of a playoff series. We’re playing the Bruins and the Stanley Cup in 2020. It’ll be the team that adapts the best. very next morning as we started to get into the discussions, the first four or five guys we talked to were guys from the Bruins,” said Schenn. “You Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 08.29.2020 play them 10 hours before and the next day, it has nothing to do with hockey and it’s all about what’s going on in the world right now and how it affects us on different levels.

“You’re having these conversations and, personally, I even forgot I played them the night before.

“It’s just super unique to be in a situation like this, where you are running into guys in the elevator or in the lobby and yet everyone is super open and honest and hockey just gets pushed aside.”

Tampa coach Jon Cooper took it from there.

“You’re here having battled the Boston Bruins on back-to-back nights and the next morning, the players stand united trying to digest what’s going on and move forward. I thought that was impressive. I’m not in Edmonton, but you could clearly see what was going on there.”

But now, they have to turn the page and for the Lightning and the Bruins, they don’t have all day Saturday to build up to it like the Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks in Edmonton, with an 8:30 p.m. local start.

“We have a noon game Saturday and it has to turn to why we are here,” said Cooper.

“But the players should be commended on what they’ve done here and I stand behind them.”

For every action, there is usually a reaction. And for those two teams in the Edmonton bubble, it could mean paying a heavy price.

You could make a case that each team choosing not to play a game and thus shutting down proceedings at Rogers Place for two days could cost themselves a chance at winning the Cup as a result.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks were arguably the two teams most intent on showing solidarity with the NBA players and other pro sports teams that chose not to play Wednesday in reaction to the latest case of police shooting an unarmed Black man. Wednesday, the NHL players chose to play on. Thursday, they realized the mistake they’d made, which was mostly made because of their focus on hockey.

It will be those two teams that would be forced to pay the price should their series go seven games.

Vegas and Vancouver had only played two series games, compared to the three by the other six teams that played Wednesday. The Knights and Canucks haven’t played since Tuesday. 1192362 Edmonton Oilers Reaves, born in Winnipeg in 1987, when his father, Willard, was playing running back for the Canadian Football League’s Blue Bombers.

This ’n’ that: Dallas gave up five five-on-five goals to Colorado in Game Paul Coffey loves seeing some young, standout defencemen in NHL 3, only the fourth time they’ve done that this season … The one hole the playoffs Avalanche might have is in goal, where Philipp Grubauer is often and currently hurt (leg), and Pavel Francouz is trying to hold the fort. Grubauer has one year left at $3.3 million. Would anybody be surprised if they make a strong free-agent play for Washington’s Braden Holtby? Jim Matheson They’ve got $5.4 million in cap room but will have to sign Gabe Aug 28, 2020 Landeskog and Makar after this upcoming season. They’ve got Grubauer from the Capitals, also Semyon Varlamov, so there’s history there … Oilers general manager Ken Holland was told his defenceman, Mike Green, was thinking of opting out of Phase 3 seven to 10 days before the Predictably, Hall-of-Famer Paul Coffey, who once had Quinn Hughes on camp started July 13, so he wasn’t blind-sided when Green pulled out. his Toronto minor hockey team, loves the Vancouver Canucks Now he’s retired. There’s no buyer’s remorse, trading for him and giving defenceman and his fresh-faced compatriots, Cale Makar and Miro up a fourth-round pick in 2020. “Why would I regret something when I Heiskanen, in the Western Conference hub playoff games. can’t read the future?” said Holland. “This is right up my alley. I love players who play with a bit of risk,” said Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 08.29.2020 Coffey. “Makar, Hughes, the kid in Dallas (Heiskanen), they are a forward’s best friend. They make plays. Is this the way the league’s going? I don’t know. You’ve always needed a good puck-moving defenceman to win a Stanley Cup. The quickest way to get it out of your end is to put it on somebody’s stick.

“The thing I don’t understand with defencemen, I mean, they’re all good or they wouldn’t be in the NHL but the preferred pass, whether it’s beer league or any league, is stick to stick and I’m amazed how many can’t make a stick-to-stick pass.

“Travis Green in Vancouver, Rick Bowness in Dallas, (Jared) Bednar in Colorado, they’re great coaches and they see what they have in Hughes and Heiskanen and Makar and they let them play. I’m pretty sure they’re living with the good and bad, as long as the bad doesn’t outweigh the good. You never take away what a player does best. Never,” said Coffey.

So who does he like better? Hughes? Makar? Heiskanen, who effortlessly wheels by people?

“Aw, geez, you’re putting me on the spot. I remember watching a Dallas game a couple of years ago and saying, ‘Who’s that (Heiskanen) kid?’ Just the way he could skate,” said Coffey.

“With Quinn Hughes, he’s a 1999-born and my son (Blake) was a ’98 and Hughes came up to our team in Toronto a couple of times. He was well- coached by Dan Brown, his boy Connor plays for Ottawa.

“He would come up to our team and I’d make a point of sitting in the stands and I would watch him. With Hughes, you just let him play. He’s really slight but when he played against bigger teams (in minor hockey), he always got himself out of trouble, his is skating is so good.

“Hughes’ shot was probably his weakest skill but it always got through. Do you want a guy like Shea Weber pumping the puck and what he brings to the table, or Hughes, whose shot gets through? It’s a lesson for every young defenceman. You don’t need a bullet, you need a shot to get through.”

Coffey loves Makar, maybe more than anybody, though.

“I like it that he shoots right, for starters. He’s special because of his head, looks like he’s always one step ahead of the play,” said Coffey. “I know they say the sign of a really good defensive defenceman is if you don’t notice them. He quietly does his job. But a guy like Makar, you know when he’s on the ice. He’s got the puck on his stick every single shift. It’s like with Wayne (Gretzky) or Mario (Lemieux) or (Dale) Hawerchuk. The puck followed them around.

“What I like is these guys are taking the game to another level. Get 20 goals, get 25 goals, get 45 or 55 assists and do it every single year, because they can. As a fan, that’s exciting,” said Coffey.

TAKING A STAND

Vegas winger Ryan Reaves gets tons of publicity for being a funny, sometimes angry, tough guy on the ice, but he is one of the NHL’s clearest, most powerful voices on racial injustice. With scores of masked white players on the four Western hub teams still alive behind him at the Rogers Place Hall of Fame room, he spoke from the heart.

“I don’t expect every one of these guys to be advocates for this movement but I’m sure a lot of us are. You just can’t talk about in the bubble, then go home and live your life. You have to be part of it,” said 1192363 Edmonton Oilers start the conversation and dive into it today,” said Dickinson, the Dallas player rep.

This ’n’ that: Avs defenceman Nikita Zadorov, a lightning rod for fans and Reaves and fellow NHL players take stand on racial injustice coaches for good and bad play, took a hard hit in Game 2 and suffered a facial injury from a Jamie Benn smack, but sat on the bench for the third period as a cheerleader. He scored and was a physical force before he got hurt. “He kept the juice up and gave some good advice,” said Jim Matheson Colorado coach Jared Bednar … Colorado centre Nate MacKinnon, the Aug 28, 2020 most dominant, exciting guy in these playoffs, has 20 points in 11 games. He’s one of only five NHLers in the last 25 years who’ve done that. He also has five straight multiple-point games. Only Hall-of-Famers Peter Stastny and Peter Forsberg have done that as Quebec Ryan Reaves will be back chirping at Antoine Roussel whenever the NHL Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche players. resumes play, but Thursday, the Vegas Golden Knights tough guy was proudly and emotionally talking about racial injustice with his brothers in Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 08.29.2020 arms — players of colour and their white allies, all in this fight together.

The players empowered the NHL to shut down the games Thursday and Friday with a united front in the Edmonton bubble and the one in Toronto leading to the league postponing play. In a video conference, Reaves and fellow players: Nazem Kadri, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Jason Dickinson and Bo Horvat offered their thoughts while plenty of players from the four remaining teams here stood behind them at the Rogers Place Hall of Fame room.

“If you look around this room, there’s a lot of white athletes in here. That’s a statement,” said Reaves. “It’s great that the NBA did this, and MLB and WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), they have a lot of Black players, by far, in those leagues.

“To see all these athletes in here, taking a stand to say they see the problem too and they’re behind us, I go to war with these guys and I hate their guts on the ice but I couldn’t be more proud of all of them.

“Two days (without a game) isn’t going to fix anything but the conversation and the statement today is very powerful.”

Kadri seconded that emotion.

“Obviously, with the systemic racism and trying to educate ourselves, this needed to be done,” he said while wearing a hoodie with Cassius Clay written on it, knowing how his favourite athlete made a stand by refusing to fight in the Vietnam War. “Hockey is a team sport and a team game and we’re all standing for each other. We’re trying to affect sustainable change. It’s not just one guy, it’s every single player on the same page, sticking together morally and ethically.”

Horvat, the Vancouver Canucks captain, will be going to battle against Reaves and the other Vegas players for Game 3 but on Thursday, there were no opponents. All were on the same side after a Black man Jacob Blake was shot at least seven times by a white police officer in Wisconsin and paralyzed from the waist down.

“We needed to make a stand and this is the appropriate thing to do now,” said Horvat. “We realize the impact this is having on athletes and around the world. Ryan’s hit the nail on the head. There needs to be change.”

Added Reaves: “We have a predominantly white league and this has a very strong impact when it comes to this, Most of these guys have never lived through what black athletes have. They don’t go through the day-to- day things where they feel the racism and they’ve seen it or their families have gone through it.”

Added Vegas coach Pete DeBoer: “Real proud of Ryan, and it hasn’t been the last 24 hours. We’ve had ongoing conversations going back to when we got into the bubble and Ryan and a group of other players took a knee during the national anthem.

“He’s a smart, intellectual guy who has a lot of loyalty to his race and also to law enforcement and the military. I don’t think he slept a lot last night. I think it weighed heavily on him and I’m proud to stand behind him.”

The NHL opted for a “moment of reflection” Wednesday about the Blake shooting before the Tampa-Boston game at the Toronto hub, but there was nothing before the Dallas-Colorado game in Edmonton. The league was heavily criticized for basically staying silent while the NBA players boycotted and games were stopped. The NHL players decided to play Wednesday but were united they wouldn’t on Thursday or Friday. So the NHL had to put the second playoff round on hold.

“I don’t think us not reacting quickly enough was necessarily a bad thing. We’re doing our part now. We could have not played yesterday but it was a quick turnaround (after the NBA stance) and this gave us the chance to 1192364 Edmonton Oilers In the five seasons we’re discussing, several candidates of varying quality (and cap hit) were tried and found wanting: Milan Lucic, Anton Slepyshev, Drake Caggiula, Mike Cammalleri, Pontus Aberg, Ty Rattie, Jesse Puljujarvi, Sam Gagner and Alex Chiasson all had opportunities in Lowetide: How close are the Oilers to deploying two formidable scoring the last few years to find chemistry with the big three of McDavid, lines? Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins.

The progress made has come after struggle. Yamamoto had two false starts with the team before being sent to the Bakersfield Condors at the Allan Mitchell beginning of the 2019-20 season. He built up his confidence and hit the Aug 28, 2020 ice in a hurry when he was recalled to the NHL. Kassian struggled to build his game after arriving from Montreal but emerged as a fine complementary player and policeman on the top line.

In the long history of a hockey franchise, five years is the wink of any The most disappointing audition that failed is without doubt Puljujarvi. His eye. On the ice, in real time, it’s long enough to tear apart an effective possible return, while heartening, is unlikely to involve an opening night group and sell it for parts. role on a skill line. Recent options like Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Ennis could be described as ‘too soon to know.’ In the case of the Edmonton Oilers skill lines, 2015-16 seems like a long time ago. The team boasted enough quality and depth to ice a strong Are there opportunities that are both available and inexpensive? group of top-six forwards despite injury, and to tweak the group midseason to make it stronger. This is the Patrick Maroon–Zack Kassian option, an area Chiarelli was successful in during his time with Edmonton. Trades that sent away Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and others left the team with three explosive talents and a large list of complementary pieces Maroon was in his third full NHL season at the time of his trade to when Ken Holland arrived as general manager in the spring of 2019. Edmonton, at the time of the deal the big winger was delivering 10-22-32 per 82 games. Kassian, at the time of his acquisition, had a career How far away from 2015 is the current group? Has there been any average (again per 82 games) of 14-13-27. He had been in the NHL for progress? Are there opportunities that are both available and over four seasons at the time of his trade. inexpensive? Let’s have a look at these questions, one by one. Current players who have similar career paths and stats after the 2019- How far away from 2015 is the current group? 20 season:

There were 30 teams in the 2015-16 NHL, meaning 180 top-six forwards LW Josh Leivo is 27, career points percentage .38, and 7-12-19 in 36 (30 teams times six players per team) were deployed. The Oilers traded games in 2019-20. He is a free agent and had a knee injury this season. away one of their skill forwards and acquired another in 2015-16, If healthy, and we don’t currently know, he would be a quality and likely meaning seven men played top minutes consistently. inexpensive addition.

There were 359 forwards who played 470 or more minutes in 2015-16, LW Nick Ritchie is 24, career points percentage .38 and 9-12-21 in 48 and five of the top-six forwards finished inside the top 90 (meaning they games in 2019-20. He was traded to the Boston Bruins by the Anaheim were in fact first-line producers) for the Oilers: Ducks during the season.

Connor McDavid, as a flat-out rookie stepping up from junior, was No. 2 LW Miles Wood is 24, career points percentage .36 and 11-12-23 in 68 among all NHL players in five-on-five points per 60 out of the box. Hall games in 2019-20. He’s on a good contract; might not be available. was No. 14, Draisaitl No. 25 and the now long gone Pouliot and Eberle also performed well. LW Sam Bennett is 24, career points percentage .35 and 8-4-12 in 52 games in 2019-20. He had a strong playoff; that may keep him from the That meant the Oilers had two first lines when the team added Patrick trade market. Maroon at the trade deadline. Numbers here are production while playing with Edmonton; Maroon’s overall totals meant he was well down the list Leivo is the least expensive option, Ritchie most closely resembles of players who spent time on the skill lines (No. 167) during the regular Maroon visually, Wood is very fast and Bennett has more skill than his season. numbers imply and some two-way acumen.

We’re safe in saying Edmonton’s top six consisted of players who were What does it all mean? either close to or beyond 2.00 points per 60 at five-on-five in 2015-16. The recall of Yamamoto was the big change on the skill lines in 2019-20. That’s a fantastic set of forwards. If Edmonton has another recall option who can make an impact, he’s not Here’s the 2019-20 group; there were 360 men who played more than currently on the radar. 440 minutes (top-six forwards should be in the top 180). I’ve listed Holland’s moves during the season (trading for James Neal, Athanasiou Yamamoto as a part-time contributor: and Ennis) either didn’t work or didn’t have time to work. The current Oilers have four men in the top 60, the 2015-16 team had Free agency could be the answer (I recently looked at some great five forwards in the top 80. Even more distressing, until Yamamoto’s options) but Holland may want to add a player similar to Maroon and recall in late December the four productive forwards had very little help in Kassian when they arrived in Edmonton. The prospect pool offers future scoring goals. hope in Raphael Lavoie but that’s at least one year away. How far away is the current group? If Yamamoto can post north of 2.00 Holland’s Oilers are almost there if you believe in Kassian. Would points per 60 five-on-five, the Oilers will have four players they can count Ritchie-McDavid-Kassian with Nuge-Draisaitl-Yamamoto deliver the kind on (McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge and Yamamoto) and a fifth in Kassian who of production the 2015-16 Oilers showed? performed exceptionally well for half a season. If he doesn’t lose focus, Edmonton will be in a much better place. One fact you may not know: During his NHL career, Ritchie at five-on-five has scored 35 goals, 54 assists and 89 points in 3,560:20. That’s 1.50 A reasonable conclusion is that Edmonton has four of the six spots per 60. Placing him on a line with McDavid may be enough to get him covered at this time. This is shy of the 2015-16 forward group, who close to or beyond 2.00 points per 60 at even strength. Maroon’s delivered two complete lines who scored at a high level. I won’t spend a experience before and after being placed on McDavid’s line were striking: lot of time on the shot differential, but comparing the current group to the set from five years ago tells us the 2019-20 Oilers are spending too much How close are the Oilers to deploying two formidable scoring lines? As time out of the scoring zone. close as finding a left winger for McDavid’s line, if you believe in Zack Kassian as a 2.00+ scoring winger. Holland will have to decide on Has there been any progress? Athanasiou and Ennis. Perhaps there will be enough money to sign a big That 2015-16 group split up in a hurry. Hall was traded June 29, 2016, name free agent or make a trade over the offseason that addresses the Pouliot was bought out one year later to the day. Eberle was traded June need. 22, 2017, and Maroon was traded to New Jersey Devils on February 26, 2018. Peter Chiarelli will never be a popular name among Oilers fans, and he did not in fact put things together after tearing them apart. Also true: Twice during his time in Edmonton, when acquiring Maroon and Kassian, he went a non-traditional route in finding useful players for McDavid’s line.

It’s possible Holland could benefit from the same gamble and unlock the true power off McDavid-Draisaitl as centres on two different lines. The price in trade or free agency may not be as dear as it appears.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192365 Florida Panthers

The NHL is investigating former Panthers GM Dale Tallon for allegedly using racial slur

DAVID WILSON

AUGUST 28, 2020

The NHL has opened up an investigation into Dale Tallon after the former Florida Panthers general manager allegedly used a racial slur while with the team in Toronto for the expanded postseason earlier this summer.

Both the NHL declined to comment on the investigation, although a league spokesperson did confirm the NHL is “looking into the matter.” The Panthers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

FloridaHockeyNow.com first reported the investigation, which stems from an accusation the GM used racial slur while representing the team inside the league’s Ontario secure zone. Neither the league nor the team offered any clarity as to when the language might have been used, and what exactly Tallon might have said.

Florida fired Tallon on Aug. 10 after the Panthers lost to the New York Islanders in the qualifying round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It’s not clear whether the team was aware of the accusation when they fired Tallon. In 10 years with Florida, Tallon led the Panthers to the traditional 16-team playoffs just three times and Florida never won a playoff series.

The NHL is currently partaking in its most substantive protest regarding racial injustice. The league postponed all Cup playoff games Thursday and Friday following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, who is Black, in Wisconsin on Sunday.

On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott and sit out an NBA playoff game against the Orlando Magic, leading the league and the National Basketball Players Association to postpone all games through Friday.

Players across the NFL, MLB, NHL, Women’s National Basketball Association and Major League Soccer have all participated in some sort of strike this week. The Panthers, whose season ended Aug. 7 with a 5-1 loss to the Islanders in Canada, put out a statement on Twitter on Thursday regarding the protests, standing in solidarity with the rest of the league.

We as #OneTerritory stand in support of the athletes and sports leagues who are pausing operations to bring light to racial injustice. Keep using your voice.

#BlackLivesMatter

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) August 27, 2020

Tallon, 69, had a long career in the NHL before arriving in Florida in 2010. He played 10 seasons in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins, and was twice an All-Star defenseman.

After retirement, Tallon became a broadcaster in Chicago, serving as a radio and television analyst for the Blackhawks. He joined Chicago’s front office as the director of player personnel in 1998, became assistant general manager in 2003 and took over as the Blackhawks’ GM in 2005.

He helped build the foundation for Chicago’s dynasty, but the Blackhawks demoted him in 2009. Chicago won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015, and Tallon has a ring from the 2010 championship, even though he left for South Florida before the Blackhawks won the title.

Miami Herald LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192366 Florida Panthers

NHL investigating ex-Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon for alleged racial comments

JOHN WAWROW

AUG 28, 2020

The NHL is investigating whether former Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon made racially insensitive comments during the team’s two-week stay in the playoff hub city of Toronto.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the investigation to The Associated Press on Friday. In an email, Daly did not provide any details of the allegations, which were first reported by FloridaHockeyNow.com.

The publication cited a unidentified person in reporting Tallon used “racially charged language” during the Panthers’ time in the Eastern Conference’s playoff hub. After 10 years with the Panthers, Tallon was let go Aug. 10 after Florida was eliminated by the New York Islanders.

The NHL’s investigation began more than a week ago and is looking into multiple instances of Tallon making racially insensitive comments, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The AP on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

The investigation comes as the NHL postponed two days of playoff games to focus awareness on racial injustice issues.

The Panthers did not respond to a message seeking comment. Tallon could not be reached.

Tallon’s contract as GM and president of hockey operations was not renewed in what the Panthers described as a mutual decision. Tallon had been with the team for 10 years, but Florida made the playoffs only three times in that span and has not won a postseason round since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 1996.

“For the last decade, Dale raised the team’s profile, attracted key players to South Florida and brought character and class to our franchise,” Panthers owner said earlier this month. “When we purchased the Panthers in 2013, we did so with a singular goal — to win a Stanley Cup. We have not seen our efforts come to fruition.”

Last fall, Bill Peters resigned as coach of the Calgary Flames after it was disclosed he directed racist slurs at a Nigerian-born player in the minors a decade ago and kicked and punched players behind the bench during his recent time with Carolina.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192367 Florida Panthers

NHL investigating former Panthers GM Dale Tallon for alleged racist comments

Scott Burnside

Aug 28, 2020

Longtime NHL general manager Dale Tallon is being investigated by the league for allegedly using racist language while with the Florida Panthers, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed on Friday.

Tallon, whose 10-year relationship with the Panthers came to an end shortly after they were eliminated in four games by the New York Islanders during the qualification round, is not currently employed by an NHL team.

Daly did not elaborate on the specifics or timing of the alleged racist comments.

Tallon, 69, did not immediately respond to The Athletic for comment on the allegations.

The story was first reported by George Richards of FloridaHockeyNow.com on Friday.

Tallon’s contract with the Panthers came to an end on July 1, but he remained with the team until they were eliminated from competition in the NHL’s return-to-play format in Toronto on Aug. 7. It was announced on the following Monday that Tallon’s contract would not be renewed.

It’s not thought that the team’s decision to sever ties with the veteran GM had any connection to these allegations and the league’s investigation into them.

Florida has not named a replacement for Tallon, who helped build Chicago into a dynastic team that won three Stanley Cups in six years between 2010 and 2015.

By the time Chicago won the Cup in 2010, Tallon was already in Florida where he remained in various executive roles until his departure earlier this month.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192368 Florida Panthers through checks. He has the dangles to make unique plays as a handler, but is also a great passer who makes creative feeds often. He can pass it, but Tippett is known as a goal scorer and can beat pro goalies from the dots. His skating is good, not a main strength, but good enough for 2020 NHL organizational rankings: No. 22 Florida Panthers the NHL. He’s never been known as a well-rounded player, but I thought Tippett’s compete was much more consistent as a pro than he was as a

junior. Corey Pronman 3. Spencer Knight, G, Boston College-Hockey East Aug 28, 2020 April 19, 2001 | 6-foot-3 | 192 pounds

Tier: High-end/very good bubble Corey Pronman’s annual deep dive into the farm system of every NHL Athleticism: 60 organization will be slightly different this year. First, it is occurring before the draft because of the change in schedule this season. But this allows Hockey Sense: 60 you to see where teams stand going into the draft, and Pronman will update the rankings after the draft. Second, it will include all skaters in Knight was one of the best 18-year-old goalies I’ve seen in college the organization who are 22 or younger as of Sept. 15, 2020, regardless hockey, being a big reason why Boston College was a top team. He was of how many NHL games they’ve played. This allowed us to incorporate also a top player for Team USA at the world juniors. Knight is a 6-foot-3 a lot of great young players who were on the fringe of graduating based goalie with great quickness and sense. He has the athleticism to push off on our old definition. Check out the full explanation of Pronman’s and make the tough lateral saves, but he often doesn’t need to because eligibility and the full ranking of all 31 systems here. of his smarts. Knight reads the play at a high level, with his head on a swivel and tracking pucks very well. His movement in the net is efficient There’s a lot of guys in the Panthers’ system that I think are intriguing for and it never seems like he has to scramble. He plays pucks very well, NHL purposes but not necessarily ones I’m going to stamp as players showing the skill and athleticism to help his team outside the crease. who will help Florida. It’s a bunch of fine pieces with three really important players in Grigori Denisenko, Spencer Knight and Owen 4. Serron Noel, RW, Kitchener-OHL Tippett. There’s reasonable questions about where the defensemen and Aug. 8, 2000 | 6-foot-5 | 216 pounds centers of the future are but I think those three are going to be excellent NHL players. Tier: Legit NHL player

Key graduates: Henrik Borgstrom, Samuel Montembault Skating: 50

2019 ranking: No. 15 Puck Skills: 60

Player Ranking Physical Game: 75

1. Grigori Denisenko, LW, Yaroslavl-KHL Hockey Sense: 55

June 24, 2000 | 5-foot-11 | 181 pounds Noel didn’t have a good season, taking a significant step back in production as a fourth-year player in the OHL. He’s a very tough Tier: High-end NHL player evaluation case because on his best day he doesn’t only look like a good Skating: 60 prospect. He looks like a no-doubt top-six forward. When you see his large 6-foot-5 frame flying up the ice, with the ability to dangle defenders Puck Skills: 60 and get past them with speed he looks like he’s going to be a great pro. You see instances where he finds seams and makes great passes. He Physical Game: 45 gets to the net, and makes a ton of things happen in the high-percentage Hockey Sense: 60 areas. Those shifts and games happen, but it’s followed by two games where he does little and it seems like his game lacks pace. I think he’s Shot: 60 too talented to not make it, but the lack of consistency is worrisome.

Denisenko has followed a similar pattern in recent years, where he’s just 5. Logan Hutsko, RW, Boston College-Hockey East fine with his club team, but fantastic with Russia’s national team. Despite his so-so production he’s a top prospect because of his fantastic toolkit, Feb. 11, 1999 | 5-foot-11 | 174 pounds one that looks like it will translate into making him a top-six NHL forward. Tier: Legit NHL player He’s a dynamic player due to his great skill, playmaking and skating. He’s not a blazing-fast skater, but he has good speed and great edge Skating: 60 work. His edges, combined with his hands, make him very elusive. He make a lot of plays, and can score from mid range. Denisenko isn’t the Puck Skills: 65 biggest, but he’s very competitive and doesn’t shy away from the Physical Game: 35 physical aspects. I see a player who has all the tools, has the work ethic, and I’ve seen him get it done many times, but he needs to be more Hockey Sense: 60 consistent versus men. Gaining strength will likely help a lot in that regard. Hutsko is a very talented player who was a top player for one of the best teams in college hockey. Hutsko’s skill jumps out any time you watch 2. Owen Tippett, RW, Springfield-AHL him. He can beat most defenders with his puckhandling and is a moment away from a highlight-reel play. He’s a great playmaker who makes Feb. 16, 1999 | 6-foot-1 | 201 pounds creative passes almost as often as he executes creative dekes. Hutsko Tier: High-end/very good bubble isn’t the biggest guy, but he’s quick and will be able to skate in the NHL. After an injury-plagued career during his teenage years, Hutsko has been Skating: 55 mostly healthy in recent seasons. I’d like to see him be more consistent. For his talent he should arguably produce more, but he did have 19 goals Puck Skills: 65 in 30 games last season. Physical Game: 50 NHL potential Hockey Sense: 60 Riley Stillman, D, Florida-NHL: Stillman is a mobile, physical defenseman Shot: 60 with good enough hockey sense to make a first pass and hold his own versus men. He played up this season in the big leagues for 30 games, Tippett was a leading player for Springfield and an All-Star as a 20-year- but I do have skepticism if he has enough skill to be a legit full-time NHL old rookie in the AHL. His skill was apparent whenever the puck was on player. his stick. Tippett has such quick hands and is so creative maneuvering John Ludvig, D, Portland-WHL: Ludvig was one of the top defensemen in Legit NHL prospect: Projects to be a full-time NHL player in the bottom the WHL last season. He is a very smart puck-mover who can make a lot half of a roster. of stops due to his physical play and reach. His skating needs work to become an NHL player. NHL potential: The prospect has a chance to make it as a full-time player if some improvements are made. Vladislav Kolyachonok, D, Flint-OHL: Kolyachonok didn’t put up big point totals, but he was a top player and minutes eater for a top offensive team The Athletic LOADED: in the OHL. He’s a very mobile defenseman who moves the puck well. His offensive game isn’t flashy, but he can find seams in the offensive zone and makes a good exit pass.

Aleksi Saarela, C, Springfield-AHL: Saarela is on his fourth NHL organization but found himself up for nine games with Florida. He’s very smart and can shoot the puck, but given his size, good not great speed and iffy play off the puck it’s debatable if he has enough to stick.

Eetu Luostarinen, C, Springfield-AHL: Luostarinen is an intelligent, competitive and versatile forward. His skill and speed don’t pop but he’s tough and endears himself to coaches and scouts.

Justin Schutz, LW, Munich-DEL: Schutz is highly intelligent and works very hard on the ice. He’s not that big, fast or skilled, but he’s a player who has willed his way to enough success to be on the radar.

Cole Schwindt, RW, Mississauga-OHL: Schwindt is a very skilled and intelligent big man who can score goals, but his skating needs work.

Max Gildon, D, New Hampshire-Hockey East: Gildon is a big defenseman who can move and shoot the puck. He was a solid collegiate player, but scouts question how he’ll handle and defend at the pro pace as an average skater.

Aleksi Heponiemi, RW, Springfield-AHL: Heponiemi is a very skilled playmaker who runs a power play at a high level, but the AHL was an adjustment given his size, lack of physicality and so-so skating.

Brady Keeper, D, Springfield-AHL: Keeper is a very intelligent puck- mover who can defend with his size and great physical play. His skating is just OK and didn’t produce a lot of offense as a rookie pro but he does have skill.

Alec Rauhauser, D, Bowling Green-WCHA: Rauhauser is a 6-foot-3 defenseman who is very intelligent and was a top defenseman in college. He’s on the older side at 25 years of age and isn’t that quick.

Chase Priskie, D, Springfield-AHL: Priskie is a very smart passer who can make plays, but his skating is average and it’s questionable if he can defend at the NHL level.

Player Eligibility:

All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2020

, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are included. Skaters older than 22 as of that date are not included if they have played 25 NHL games in a season or 50 career games. Goalies no longer qualify to the list if they have played 10 games in a season or 25 in a career. No player age 26 or older as of Sept. 15, 2020, are included.

Previous ranking:

There is more fluctuation from last year’s ranking to this year’s because now all skaters in the organization under age 22 are factored into the ranking to account for the entire picture of the organization’s young players, not just those outside of the NHL.

Tool grades:

Tool grades are based on the 20-80 scale. In this scale, 50 projects as pro average, 55 as above-average, 60 top third, 70 as elite and 80 as among the very best; 45 is below-average and 40 is fringe pro quality. The shot is only graded if it is notably good.

Tier Definitions:

Special NHL prospect: Projects as a true NHL star, someone who is among the best players in the league.

Elite NHL prospect: Projects as an impact player, someone who is top 10-15 percent in the NHL at his position.

High-end NHL prospect: Projects as a first-line forward or a top-pair defenseman.

Very good NHL prospect: Projects as a top-six forward, top-four defenseman or starting goaltender in the NHL. 1192369 Montreal Canadiens in Game 2 of the Islanders series against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

The Islanders entered the third period of that game trailing 3-1 but Trotz The identity Claude Julien wants for the Canadiens is working in these continued rolling out his fourth line of Cal Clutterbuck, Casey Cizikas and playoffs Matt Martin regularly despite the deficit he needed to make up. He did this because Trotz’s fourth line, unlike Julien’s, can create momentum and the circumstances that can eventually lead to offence, even if they don’t necessarily provide it themselves. Arpon Basu Midway through the third period, Trotz’s fourth line did this. Aug 28, 2020 Trotz followed that up with a shift from his third line, though he snuck

Mathew Barzal out there with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Leo Komarov. It was nice to get some good news, for a change. What’s important here is they were facing the Flyers’ top line of Jakub Voracek, and Claude Giroux and they got pinned in their Hearing Claude Julien say this week how great he feels, how much own end thanks to the Islanders snuffing out two attempted zone exits passion he still has to continue on as Canadiens coach, was a welcome and winning a key puck battle to maintain offensive zone possession. bit of comfort, that a job a genuinely good man loves would not be taken away from him by a clogged artery. Momentum was building thanks to the Islanders’ bottom six, and on the very next shift this happened with the second line of Anthony Beauvillier, But what must have been most comforting for Julien was when his nearly Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey on the ice. hour-long conference call Wednesday turned from the subject of his health to the subject of his hockey club. You could hear in his voice how This is a good example of how the Islanders produce offence; they have happy he was to be talking about hockey instead. scored the fourth-most goals per game in the playoffs while allowing the fewest. Trotz did eventually cut his bench a little bit in the third period of And Julien said a lot. In the process, he revealed a lot about what next that game – Martin, Komarov and Ross Johnston did not play in the final season’s Canadiens hope to accomplish, and how they plan on going six minutes – but otherwise, the balance was remarkable. Every other about it. forward on the Islanders played eight shifts in the third period with the lone exception of Pageau, who played nine. And that plan should come as no surprise, because Julien was hammering home the same point since the beginning of training camp. Eventually, if you come at a team in waves for long enough, mistakes And not just the most recent training camp, but the one before that, the happen, and you are sitting there waiting for it. one way back in September where Julien made an honest assessment of his team and implemented a feasible plan of how it would play. The look on Ivan Provarov’s face at the end says a lot there.

“That’s what we have and that’s how we have to operate if we’re going to This is the path Julien sees for his Canadiens, with one high-pressure play the style of game we’re playing,” Julien said in October, before the shift leading to another and then another and then, ultimately, offence. Canadiens’ second game of the season in Toronto. “I think it’s a very “Right now, the way our team is, the biggest thing we can do is really demanding (style of) game and I think in order to be successful at that have a four-line team that can really wear teams down with our speed, you need everybody playing a certain amount of minutes but playing at with our tenacity, shift after shift, kind of like what you’re seeing the New the type of speed and type of pace that we’re looking for.” York Islanders do,” Julien said. “They’re running four lines. We’ve done The Canadiens won that game by erasing a 4-1 deficit in the final 15 that for a while and whenever we’ve been able to do that with a healthy minutes of the third period and then taking it in a shootout. They did it by team it’s been really good for us. But unfortunately, we’ve run into some relying on depth and puck pressure and fresh legs. That was the plan injuries and I don’t think we necessarily had the depth at the time to be going into the season, and at first, it worked. able to continue to do that, which kind of slowed us down a little bit.”

The Canadiens were 11-5-3 on Nov. 15 with wins over the Washington When Kirk Muller took over for an ailing Julien after Game 1 of the Flyers Capitals, Columbus Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, series, he continuously said the Canadiens’ strength was in numbers, Arizona Coyotes and two each against the St. Louis Blues and the Maple which is what Julien is also referring to. Their strength will come from the Leafs, all playoff teams this year. Then Jonathan Drouin and Paul Byron depth of talent and, lacking a truly dominant top line like the ones found were injured in Washington, and the Canadiens lost their next eight in Boston or Colorado, being able to win matchups further down the games. lineup.

This was the inherent contradiction in how the Canadiens are built, The next important step for Julien will be to sell this vision to his players because their attack relies on depth down the lineup, but they lack the and get them to fully buy-in, which could be a bit more delicate that he organizational depth to withstand just two injuries. might have anticipated.

“No doubt, our team right now, when it’s at its best has more or less four Prior to Julien speaking with us Wednesday, we heard from Phillip lines going and pushing the pace,” Julien said Wednesday. “You see the Danault and Jeff Petry. Islanders are doing the same thing right now, they push the pace with Danault appeared to be digging in his heels, saying that despite the clear four lines. I think that’s the secret to our success right now with our progression of Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, he remains the best hockey club. So hopefully we can get a little bit of depth up front that can centre on the Canadiens and should have a role that reflects that. He allow us to do that, but no doubt, we’ve talked about that and there’s no was marking territory. It is perfectly normal. doubt Marc (Bergevin) is going to certainly work hard at trying to help us improve our team that way.” Petry, for his part, stated how the Canadiens need to be able to score some goals and not simply have a defensive mindset all the time. That wasn’t the only time Julien mentioned the Islanders and how they represent a model of how he would like the Canadiens to play. Pushing “I guess the scoring on a consistent basis was our downfall throughout the pace with four lines is a strategy meant to wear teams down over the course of the year and at times in the playoffs,” Petry said. Playing a time, firstly over the course of a game and ultimately over the course of a defensive style game is important, but I think at the same time, you have series. This is why Julien admitted the reason Max Domi was centering to generate offence, especially in the new NHL. The games aren’t going his fourth line to start the postseason was to provide him with that to be 1-0 games; I think the league’s moving towards being more relentless four-line attack, except having Dale Weise and Jordan Weal on offensive and I think where we got in trouble is when you give up two his wings was far from ideal. goals but you’re not able to score two to make it a game.”

What would be ideal in Julien’s eyes would be what Barry Trotz has on Petry went on to mention that ideally, the Canadiens’ speed game would his fourth line, and how he can use them to create momentum in critical be complemented by someone who his fast, but also big and physical situations. The Islanders have outscored their opponents in the third who can “create havoc on the forecheck” while keeping up with the period 16-4 in the postseason and 12-1 since the official playoffs began Canadiens’ pace of play. against the Capitals. One way they do it is creating offence in transition off the rush, but it’s a layered approach, and we got a great example of it Kind of like the Islanders have on their fourth line. Julien’s plan of using the Islanders model could address Danault’s and Petry’s concerns in that Danault would maintain his importance on the team because he would get similar minutes to what Suzuki and Kotkaniemi would get, and the team would score more if they can achieve these waves of pressure by rolling their lines.

But the Canadiens need the personnel to do that, and they don’t quite have it yet. Julien could conceivably keep Danault with his regular linemates Tomas Tatar and Brendan Gallagher while still incorporating Suzuki and Kotkaniemi into more important roles assuming they also have wingers that can be dangerous. The combination of Suzuki with Jonathan Drouin and Joel Armia showed some promise in the playoffs, but if Danault gets to keep his wingers, that wouldn’t leave a whole lot to play with Kotkaniemi on a third offensive line.

Julien said he and the organization see Max Domi as a centre, which would suggest there isn’t room for him on this team on the top three lines, so perhaps he could be used to acquire that offensive help on the wing that would allow Julien to have, perhaps, Artturi Lehkonen and Paul Byron on a fourth line with rookie Jake Evans. That wouldn’t be anywhere near as physical as the Islanders’ fourth line, but it would be one that Julien could throw out there in any situation and feel very comfortable it would play responsibly while pitching in offensively now and then.

Julien also pointed to Alexander Romanov joining the defence crops next season – “no doubt there” – will add to the depth on the blue line, allowing the same principles to limit some of the minutes Shea Weber was forced to play in the regular season.

But this is where Julien’s job becomes important, because for every Suzuki or Kotkaniemi or Romanov, there will be a Danault or a Brett Kulak or Ben Chiarot who view the young guy as a threat to their own position on the team, and Julien will need to make sure that unhealthy situation is avoided at all costs.

“If (Danault) continues to be a good two-way centreman, we’re in good shape here,” Julien said. “And I don’t think we have to worry about anything else except the fact that we have some young guys coming along that will help our team become better.

“At the end of the day, what is fun in our job is winning. There’s a lot of guys that can end up with 90 points a year but be on a losing team and they’re going to tell you it wasn’t a lot of fun. You want to win, and you want to create a winning atmosphere. That’s what we’re trying to do here in Montreal, and we want players that are willing to do that.”

Danault and Petry surely fall into that group of players willing to do it, but what is imperative for Marc Bergevin this offseason is that he provide Julien with a group of forwards capable of playing this style of game. He said he expects Ryan Poehling to arrive at training camp in the fall ready to win a spot in the lineup, and the promising signs shown from Evans in the playoffs suggest he can help provide Julien with the four-line attack he seeks.

But more depth at forward is necessary. Players who can play with pace and help balance the offensive production.

Julien long ago established the identity he wants for the Canadiens. The Islanders are in the process of showing how well it can work.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192370 New Jersey Devils “Let’s continue to have these conversations. Let’s continue to support each other. And let’s stick together and change the game.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 08.29.2020 Jacob Blake shooting: Devils’ P.K. Subban applauds NHL’s actions, adds ‘there’s a lot of work to be done’

Aug 29, 2020

Randy Miller

Devils defenseman P.K. Subban heard media criticism that the NHL received this week for postponing games a day after NBA playoff games and some MLB games were postponed due to players striking over the Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin.

The three-time All-Star’s take is that the NHL and his fellow Black players are doing an admirable job addressing racial inequality.

“It bothers me a little bit when I hear people talk a certain way whether it’s on social media, whether it’s you know what people’s opinions are on the NHL,” Subban tweeted in a video message. “Let’s make one thing clear. The Milwaukee Bucks players decided to boycott the game (Wednesday). It wasn’t that the (NBA playoff) games were being postponed. They were boycotted.

“Whether the NHL players knew about the games being boycotted in the NBA and the other sports leagues, it didn’t happen. Same in Major League Baseball. There were games being played in Major League Baseball.” n Thursday, after the NHL was roasted by some media for not joining the cause on Wednesday, players voted to strike instead of playing their Stanley Cup playoff games. With all NBA playoff games and more MLB games again being called off, the NHL announced its entire schedule would be postponed for two days, pushing back games until Saturday.

“The most important thing is that the NHL continues to listen to its players, continues to have these conversations and we see the decision that was made to postpone the games,” Subban said. “I give a lot of credit to the players that are playing right now in the playoffs to give up the opportunity to play for a Stanley Cup, whether it’s for a couple games, longer … I’ve got a lot of respect for those guys and the players, and kudos to the NHL.”

The Milwaukee Bucks started the striking on Wednesday by refusing to take the court for their playoff game in Orlando to protest the latest police shooting of a Black. Blake was left paralyzed after being shot seven times in the back while he resisted arrest Sunday in Kenosha, Wisc., a suburb of Milwaukee.

The Bucks’ response led to the NBA’s entire three-game playoff schedule being canceled Wednesday, then three baseball games that night also being called off due to players not wanting to play.

“I’m getting a lot of questions of people asking about my opinion on the Jacob Blake shooting and everything that’s been going on in the professional sports world over the past 24 hours,” Subban said, “The first thing that I want to say is I stand with all the athletes, the Milwaukee Bucks players, the NBA players, Major League Baseball, tennis, etc. I stand with all of those athletes that have stood up and boycotted games, matches, etc.

“I also support the leagues and owners and teams that have stepped up and given quotes in supporting their athletes. I think that is awesome. It creates conversation and creates awareness. We need to continue to have these conversations and educate people.”

With no hockey games being played on Thursday, the NBCSN filled airtime by having its in-studio NHL analysts engage in an open discussion about racial inequality and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Subban watched it.

“Kudos to NBC for , Liam McHugh and speaking about all the things that were happening,” he said. “I’m in full support of the NHL and the way they’ve handled this situation. But make no doubt about it: Statements are great, but there’s a lot of work that has to be done and I want to hear people start talking about how the changes are going to happen and what we need to do next. 1192371 New Jersey Devils advertising. A Sunday paper during the holidays weighed more than some newborns.

Then, well, things in this industry changed. A lot. Here’s a column about the most amazing team I’ve ever known Our staff, the paper and our advertising base all got smaller over the past dozen years or so. And then the pandemic hit, wiping out new gains made on the digital advertising side. Aug 28, 2020 But we are still at it — informing you and keeping you safe. Steve Politi There are days when I don’t know how we do it. We have experienced and thoughtful journalists reporting about school closures, coronavirus outbreaks, natural disasters, political scandals, protest movements, “Can I carry your notebook?” entertainment trends, restaurant openings, unemployment problems and If I had a dollar every time I have heard that in 22 years as a sportswriter, big sporting events. Yeah, I threw that last one in just in case my bosses I might be able to save journalism myself. thought about taking it out of the budget – but at $100 per year for a digital subscription, or 27 cents a day, we’re a freakin’ bargain. These conversations usually unfold after I tell someone I cover the most compelling games and events on the planet for a living. The best part about this job — yes, even better than covering all those amazing sporting events — has been the relationships I’ve developed I explain I’ve been to the Masters 18 times, plus a dozen or so Super with readers and the people I get to cover. Bowls. I talk about covering Olympics in Greece, Italy, China, England and Russia. I describe interviewing basketball players in a crumbling It’s the conversations in my favorite bagel shop and the back-and-forth gymnasium in Nigeria — long story — and outline how I have checked off over email and on our text platforms with loyal readers. It’s trying to learn nearly everything on the average sports fan’s bucket list. a little about folks like Cliff Mayers at the cemetery. Or Jennifer Ansbach, a teacher at Manchester High who shared her students’ coronavirus And, then, I hear it: “Can I carry your notebook?” journals with me. And Greg Dailey, the newspaper delivery guy (like me!) who delivered groceries for free to customers on his route in the very When the pandemic hit this spring, I left the sports beat for the first time earliest weeks of the pandemic. since joining The Star-Ledger in 1998. I joined the front lines to write about the coronavirus and its devastating impact on New Jersey. These are the people making incredible impacts in their communities. These people are some of the best New Jersey has to offer and we need Instead of walking the perfectly manicured grounds at Augusta National, I to keep telling their stories. And I want to keep making an impact in the found myself strapping an N95 mask around my face and navigating the community where I grew up and where my wife and I now raise our historic burial grounds at Rosedale Cemetery in Montclair. children. Instead of firing questions at Tiger Woods, I was talking to Cliff Mayers. I can’t wait for the day when people ask to carry my notebook again. For Mayers is a crematorium operator. On April 21, as the pandemic reached now, though, a digital subscription is the best way you can help. Show its peak in New Jersey, he was pulling a double shift and still couldn’t your support for the work that we bring you, and the people doing it. burn bodies fast enough to keep up with the dozens of cardboard coffins Again, an annual subscription amounts to 27 cents a days and you can arriving. His story was part of our amazing package chronicling one day start yours today by clicking this link. in New Jersey during the pandemic. Star Ledger LOADED: 08.29.2020 "I hope it ends," he told me.

Behind him, I could see a burning skull in one of the crematory ovens.

"There's no end in sight," Mayers said.

Nobody had asked to carry my notebook that day.

I’ve always been proud of the journalism we do. But experiencing it up close, understanding what emergency room nurses have being doing since March and interviewing COVID-19 survivors who spent months battling for their lives? Seeing how journalists covering these emotionally draining stories every single day do it with such grace and care?

It is a whole new perspective — one that gives me a deeper appreciation of the service we provide.

You probably know what’s coming next. For the first time, NJ.com is asking for your direct support after making all our content available for free since 1996. We’re not especially good at this part, asking for help after all these years. We’d much rather write about you than our challenges.

But this is deeply personal for me and many of my colleagues. We live here, too. Our roots are here. Our friends are here. Our entire lives are here, beside you.

My connection to this place dates to the mid-'80s, growing up in Nutley, when I was the world's worst paper boy. I had 53 customers, and when the yellow Star-Ledger truck rumbled up our street, the sound of the newspaper bundles landing at our curb told me what type of morning it would be.

One thud: I could fit the papers in a shoulder sack.

Two thuds: I would need a dolly — the one with the wobbly front wheels that woke up grumpy neighbors.

Three thuds: I was in for a world of hurt.

It was almost always a three-thud job because The Star-Ledger, with a circulation among the highest in the country, dominated statewide 1192372 New Jersey Devils right wing Kasperi Kapanen, who scored 13 goals and 36 points in 69 games this season.

Gaudreau is a lot better than Kapanen. If the Devils really covet an Devils dealing for Flames’ Johnny Gaudreau might be long shot, but ’he’d available Gaudreau, it probably would cost them at least a young NHL fit in Jersey!’ player with a high ceiling plus one of their first-round picks or a high-end prospect. A dealbreaker could be whether or not Flames GM Brad Treliving and Fitzgerald can come to an agreement on a roster player, unless Calgary would take talented-but-inconsistent 26-year-old blueliner Aug 28, 2020 Damon Severson along with a first rounder or elite prospect. Randy Miller “I’m sure they would ask for something like that,” McGuire said.

Another twist to this saga is what Gaudreau said this past Monday in his Way out yonder in Edmonton, home sweet hub to the NHL’s Western season wrap-up interview. He not only campaigned to stay in Calgary, Conference playoff teams, the Calgary Flames’ bubble burst last week. but also shot down years-long rumors that he someday wants to play for Their first-round departure to the Dallas Stars, winners of a best-of-seven an East Coast team. series in six, has been like coal being shoveled onto a Flames’ trade- “Calgary has been a second home to me,” Gaudreau was quoted in the rumors fire that has been brewing for some time. Calgary Sun. “I love playing there. My family loves it there. My girlfriend Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary’s small but mighty scoring whiz, isn’t likes being there. I love my teammates there. I love the city. The fans are dismissing this as the latest round of media/fan nonsense. The five-time awesome. It’s a team that I could see myself playing for the remainder of All-Star left wing is a believer that this offseason could be the one in my career, and I’ve always said that. which management rips apart the core of his roster due to repeated short “I know a lot of people have speculations of me wanting to go back east, postseasons runs. He’s heard enough buzz to know that he and/or star but I just feel really comfortable where I’m at with the teammates there, linemate Sean Monahan could be shopped because neither had his best the coaching staff, with Brad, the management, the owners …” season or postseason. The Flames also doesn’t seem desperate to end this marriage even This is where maybe the Devils come in and fill one of their most though Gaudreau was held to 18 goals and 58 points over 70 games this pressing needs by adding high-octane fuel to their years-in-the-making season after exploding for 36 goals and 99 points in 2018-19. This year’s rebuild. They need a top-six winger who can pile up points in the worst decline has led to a lot of media talk that Treliving should trade way to play with one of their face-of-the-franchise centers, Nico Hischier Gaudreau, and it’s increased since the Flames failed to advance past the or Jack Hughes, and no addition could invigorate their frustrated fan base first round of the playoffs for the fifth season in a row. as much as Gaudreau, a 27-year-old native son who hails from Carneys Point, N.J. “When you’re a top player in an organization or a top player in the league, with that comes responsibility,” Treliving told the Sun. “So when A lot of Devils fans are very aware of this development, too. They’ve the team does well, you’re going to get all the praises. When the team always wished that their team hadn’t passed on Johnny Hockey in the doesn’t do well, you’re going to take your share — and probably more first four rounds of the 2011 draft when every other team also was than your fair share — of the bullets. That’s pro sports, right? judging him by his frail 5-foot-9, 165-pound stature instead of his elite speed, soft hands, tremendous skill and big heart. “I’ve always found it odd that people have wanted to take shots at him. In some ways, I think it’s very unfair. This guy, he wants to win. He wants to Almost a decade later, Gaudreau may be shopped and the Devils are win as badly as anybody does. He wants to win here in Calgary.” positioned to swing for the fences if they so choose. Without giving up a building block, GM Tom Fitzgerald can make an enticing offer because What Treliving didn’t say is Gaudreau definitely will be back next season, he has three first-round draft picks this year plus a few good prospects in so the trade rumors probably will continue until November when 2020-21 the system. The Devils easily can take on Gaudreau’s $6.75 million cap NHL training camps begin. hit, too. “Johnny would be a good fit for a lot of teams,” McGuire said. “He’d fit in One issue here though is Gaudreau has just two seasons remaining on Jersey. He’s a player that needs a center that can make a difference, and his six-year, $40.5 million deal. Two-to-three seasons from now probably New Jersey has two of them long-term. Nico Hischier already can do it is the timeframe that the Devils, who have missed the playoffs seven of and I believe Jack Hughes will, as well. the last eight years, hope to start making big strides upward in the standings. “But Jersey trading for Johnny … I don’t know exactly what they’ll do because they’ve been going through a major rebuild.” What should the Devils do? Star Ledger LOADED: 08.29.2020 “First off, the Devils would have to establish where they think they are in terms of the building process,” NBC Sports hockey analyst Pierre McGuire told NJ Advance Media from Edmonton. “New Jersey’s not at the level now where they’re ready to compete for the Cup.

“If Calgary tries to trade Johnny Gaudreau - and I want to stress if – they’re going to create marketplace because he’s a big name who has put up big points. So everybody has to be prudent in terms of not over- purchasing because the Flames definitely are going to create a bidding war. I think there probably would be three, four, five or six teams involved.”

The Devils’ biggest competition probably would be the Philadelphia Flyers, Gaudreau’s favorite team as a kid. The Flyers also will have plenty of cap space, plus they have a better farm system and better roster than the Devils. Also, Philly probably would be more inclined to pay high for just two seasons of Gaudreau because it’s in a win-now mode.

“I’ve got to think Philadelphia will be very encouraged to try to get Johnny,” McGuire said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if a team like Washington might try to get him, too.”

The price for a skilled winger this offseason already has proven to be high. Earlier this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded the 15th overall pick of this year’s draft to the Toronto Maple Leafs for 24-year-old Finnish 1192373 New York Islanders “Listening is a skill and this is a good time for everyone to listen because there’s stuff in this world that everybody pretends they understand but they don’t understand.

Islanders to turn NHL’s social justice stance into community action “So it is time to listen and support.”

Again, though. Dialogue, talking and listening must be followed by deeds. Trotz addressed that. Larry Brooks “If you know anything about the group of young men that we have, August 29, 2020 they’re very passionate about being part of the community,” he said. “Every person on our team is passionate about something. I’m

passionate about the special needs community because I have a special The focus will be on the task at hand when the Islanders take the ice in needs son. So my passion is there and always get support from the Toronto for Saturday’s 7 p.m. rescheduled Game 3 against the Flyers, Islanders. but Friday was a day on which the players’ attention primarily remained “A player, or another player may be passionate about something else trained on the world outside the bubble in which they have been and I know the teammates support them and the community supports cocooned for more than a month. them. They want to make the community better, so I can guarantee you “I think we all know that us sitting out for two days is not going to end right now, listening to some of the dialogue of the players, they are all in racism,” Scott Mayfield said via Zoom on the second day the bubble rinks on trying to be the solution not only for the issues at hand but other in Toronto and Edmonton remained dark because of the NHLPA job issues that are maybe not getting as much focus.” action. “But what it does do is, it brings dialogue, it brings awareness, “I think you’re looking at them trying to do the right thing at the right time.” and it enables us to look in the mirror and talk to each other. That’s what it started. New York Post LOADED: 08.29.2020 “But it’s all about action now and it’s all about making sure that we actually do things to combat the issues in our game and in society.”

It is about action that Mayfield, the 27-year-old native of St. Louis, intends to take as quickly as possible.

“I’ve already reached out to our community relations director just about setting up things outside the rink, what we can do, starting to brainstorm ideas, going to minority communities, stuff like that,” said the defenseman. “The platform in hockey is probably the biggest thing.

“Just hearing stories of young players that don’t feel safe, they don’t feel included, that’s something that just needs to stop. That just makes me sick because hockey is a place for everyone. It’s a place where everyone should feel safe, everyone should enjoy the game, love the game and love going to the rink, so I think that’s another focus.

“As professional athletes, we have a platform. We need to use it in a positive way,” Mayfield said. “You see plenty of people use their platform in a negative way. This is a time for positivity.”

The focus has been largely inward for NHL players, who responded, first to the NBA wildcat strike that began Wednesday afternoon when the Bucks refused to take the floor for a scheduled playoff game, and then to the concerns of members of color within their own NHLPA ranks.

There is far more to this than just the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wis., on Sunday or the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis on May 25.

“There’s really no playbook for this kind of thing,” Matt Martin said. “I think we’re learning and educating ourselves on the fly here and trying to do what’s right. I think everyone in this bubble is for equality and we just want everyone to feel welcome, not only in the game of hockey, but in life and feel safe in their environment.

“As soon as we got word that some of the guys in [Edmonton] were uncomfortable with playing, we obviously wanted to stand behind our minorities and stand behind the guys that are going through a tough time right now and didn’t feel comfortable going out there.”

Martin, among others, was preparing to join a conference call with the Hockey Diversity Alliance scheduled for late Friday afternoon.

“The HDA is going to kind of give us what their plan is and what their ideas are moving forward,” the winger said. “I don’t have a whole lot of information in terms of what the plan is, but I plan on listening.

“As I said earlier, I think everyone in this bubble is looking for progress and looking for inclusiveness. Hopefully we can come up with a plan not only in hockey but in the entire world and figure this stuff out and move forward because things obviously aren’t good right now.”

Barry Trotz was eloquent speaking to the subject on Thursday morning, before NHL games had been postponed. His words were no less powerful on Friday.

“I think [my role] is probably listening, trying to understand and be supportive while trying to be in sort of like a parent role,” the coach said. 1192374 New York Islanders

Barry Trotz: Listening is key to making change in this world

Andrew Gross

August 28, 2020

Barry Trotz wants people to listen. That’s what the Islanders coach was doing as NHL players organized a boycott for two days of playoff games as a protest of social injustice.

“I think, probably, listening,” Trotz said on Friday when asked how he defined his and management’s role. “Trying to understand and be supportive. Almost like a parent’s role. Listening is a skill. And this is a good time for everybody to listen. There’s stuff in this world, everybody pretends they understand. But we don’t understand. It’s important to listen.”

Trotz said there were powerful scenes inside the Toronto bubble watching 30-40 players from opposing teams get together, “trying to come up with solutions and understanding and being very supportive."

Trotz added he was “proud” of both the players and “the whole NHL family.”

But he also said this movement can't be only two days of postponed games.

“The next step is to have a defined plan of what you’re going to do,” Trotz said. “You’ve got a voice. You’ve got some momentum for the brotherhood. It is the next step to have some solutions. If you have to change some laws, get that done. If it’s getting schools, the next generation, to understand love and understanding, let’s get that done. That’s the next step for me.”

Holmstrom on loan

The Islanders loaned forward Simon Holmstrom, the 23rd overall pick in 2019, to Vita Hasten HC of Sweden’s second-tier league.

Play will resume in that league before the NHL, which is hoping to start its next season on Dec. 1, and it’s also unclear when the AHL will resume play. The Islanders can recall Holmstrom from the loan to rejoin the organization for training camp.

The slick-skating Swedish forward had eight goals and seven assists in 46 AHL games for Bridgeport in 2019-20, his first season in North America.

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Islanders-Flyers to resume playoff series with Game 3 on Saturday night

Andrew Gross

August 28, 2020

It will be back to hockey on Saturday for the Islanders and Flyers as they play the rescheduled Game 3 of their all-even second-round series at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

But the awareness of social injustice issues also will remain in the forefront after two days of NHL playoff games being postponed as a response to a Black man, Jacob Blake, being shot multiple times by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

“I think we all know us sitting out two days is not going to end racism,” Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield said on Friday after all players participated in the team’s practice. “What it does do is it brings dialogue. It brings awareness and it enables us to look in the mirror and talk to each other. It’s all about action now. It’s about making sure we do things to combat issues in our game and in society.”

“It’s really tough times right now,” Islanders left wing Matt Martin said. “We just want everybody to feel included, everybody to feel safe. No matter the color of your skin, or sexual orientation, at the end of the day, we just want all forms of hate to be gone, for people to love each other and do what’s right.”

All eight teams still alive in the NHL playoffs had one game postponed.

Game 3 of the Islanders-Flyers series, which will start at 7 p.m., was supposed to be played Thursday night after the Flyers won Game 2, 4-3, in overtime on Wednesday afternoon. The teams did originally have a game scheduled on Saturday but at noon.

Game 4 will follow on Sunday at 8 p.m. and Game 5 will be Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Games 6 and 7, if necessary, will be on Thursday and Sept. 5, with starting times still to be determined.

“From a hockey standpoint, the game is going to be just as intense,” Mayfield said. “That doesn’t change anything. We’re professional athletes. When we step on the ice, we go out there to win.”

“I think each game presents a unique and different challenge,” said Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk, who along with Islanders captain Anders Lee, was instrumental in coordinating the players’ call for a boycott. “We’re all professional here and when the games come and we arrive at the rink, we’re ready to go. We’re ready to put forth all our effort and attention and energy into playing the game and having a good result.”

As both teams practiced on Friday and prepared for Game 3, there also were meetings among the players and discussions with the Hockey Diversity Alliance, which requested the NHL postpone games.

Meanwhile, Mayfield said he already has had separate discussions with the Islanders’ community relations department about doing programs in minority communities to help effect change.

“There’s a bunch of issues out there,” he said. “I think the second we heard, on the other side, players or anyone in our group, in our union, professional hockey players, that do not feel comfortable going out there, it’s a no-brainer to stand behind them and show solidarity.

“As professional athletes, we have a platform. The biggest thing is to use it in a positive way. You see plenty of people use their platform in a negative way. That just needs to end. It’s a time for positivity. For me, it’s about action.”

And for those who say athletes should just stick to sports?

“We’re human beings,” Mayfield said. “I think that’s my response. Everyone has a voice. Everyone has opinions. At the end of the day, you just want to do what’s right. Everyone needs to look in the mirror and be a better person.” 1192376 New York Islanders What he wants to see from his team is more diversity in the organization, more outreach to minority communities on Long Island and more care taken to grow the game in a very diverse area.

The conflicted passions of Islanders fans of color and changes they want “(The June 1 statement) confirmed to me that whether it’s business to see considerations or cultural considerations, everything is centered in suburban Whiteness,” Zantua said. “Being a fan of this team … the Islanders have played in predominantly Black neighborhoods and yet the crowd is predominantly White. Seeing a statement like that says that Arthur Staple people like me don’t count. Aug 28, 2020 “I’ve been going to games since 1997. I know most of the people there, I’m lucky if I see double-digit non-White people at the games. That should not change your ability to speak up against racism. It says to me Jason Faustino is not a household name to Islanders fans, but many of those are the fans you want to keep, and what does it say about me if I them wear his sneakers. The co-founder of Extra Butter, a trendy continue to give money to an organization that feels this way?” sneaker label, Faustino was a longtime Islanders season-ticket holder who custom-designed Isles-themed kicks through the team and Reebok Since hockey and the Islanders have returned, Zantua has returned, too. several years ago. He counts a few players as customers and friends. He said it’s easier to watch and support the team when no fans are allowed because he doesn’t have to decide whether to attend or not. But He’s also a Filipino-American hockey fan who all too often has felt the Blake shooting and how it forced the NHL and its players into alienated from the team he loves. Those experiences have ranged from confronting the world outside the playoff bubbles still makes him question being one of a bare handful of fans of color at games or, more recently, his support. dismayed at the team’s tepid statement in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by a Minneapolis policeman on May 25 and the subsequent “It’s been difficult. It’s still impossible to ignore what a White-privilege protests worldwide. sport hockey is,” Zantua said. He hopes the Islanders get more involved with the minority communities around UBS Arena and grow the game on Faustino has been watching the Islanders’ successful playoff run in the the Island in a new way once fans are allowed into the building. fan-less Toronto bubble and has enjoyed the escape the games provide for him. He was encouraged that Islanders players decided to join the “The kids in Garden City and Long Beach don’t need help discovering the rest of the NHL in sitting out games Thursday and Friday to support the game,” Zantua said. “Elmont is right there, Valley Stream is right there. league’s players of color in the wake of Jacob Blake’s shooting by a … The Islanders talk about how good they are in the community. I think Kenosha, Wis., police officer on Sunday. they’re good for Islander fans, not Long Island as a whole.”

But the online discussions resulting from the NHL players’ decision not to ‘You’re not making people feel welcome’ play for two days, combined with the team statement from June 1, have Ian Macks grew up in the Bronx and, even though he moved to Albany as left Faustino wondering where he fits in as an Islander fan. And he’s not a teen, still has a passion for the Islanders. It waned when the fan base alone. never fully embraced the Barclays Center experience starting in 2015, “I can’t help but look back and see that they pandered to a fan base and the June statement further pushed the 26-year-old Black poet away. that’s largely ignorant,” Faustino said. “You don’t want to take away from “There were obviously issues with them playing in Brooklyn, but it sort of supporting the team, but sorry that it might make those fans felt to me that they never really tried to make it work,” Macks said. “I uncomfortable to read or see the words ‘Black Lives Matter.’ What that thought it was such a great opportunity to get new fans, fans that look statement (in June) confirmed to me is the team just might not be aware more like me from Brooklyn and Queens and the Bronx, into games and at all and just does not understand how the perception is different for into the Islanders. But they went straight back to the Coliseum when they players and people of color, not understanding what it feels like for them.” could. … The aversion to Brooklyn just seemed to come from a place of, In June, after the Islanders’ social media account posted the team’s ‘We know where our comfort zone is and we’re going right back there.'” statement — which, by all accounts, was approved by principal owner When we talked to Macks in mid-June, there was no hockey. He was Scott Malkin — several fans reached out to The Athletic via email or wearing his No. 66 Josh Ho-Sang jersey, but wasn’t optimistic about direct message on Twitter to express their disappointment with the going to Islanders games on the Island in the future. organization. We spoke with three fans, who are used to being one of very few Black or Brown faces in the crowd at the Coliseum or Barclays “I went to an Islanders game in Philly this season and it was the most at Center, about how the statement made them feel about their team. In home I’ve felt at one of their games,” Macks said. “It shouldn’t have to be follow-up conversations, we asked them whether having games back this that way. The statement says to me they care more about a certain type month has changed their views. of fan than the people who are being counter-protested right in your backyard. You’re not making people feel welcome. And this is an None of the Islanders fans we spoke with had ever experienced racism at organization that’s had a real problem keeping fans from all their Isles games, but they said they felt and still feel distanced from the team mistakes over the years.” due to the lack of outreach and sensitivity to the experience of people of color who love hockey. The Athletic reached out to Islanders ownership ‘It’s not the kind of fan I want to be’ through a team spokesman in June and did not hear back. Faustino is a Melville, N.Y., native who lives in Boston now and works for #UNITEDASONE PIC.TWITTER.COM/XUMXIANRKF Saucony, a major sneaker brand. After a decade of helping build Extra Butter and doing things his own way, he’s come to understand that living — NEW YORK ISLANDERS (@NYISLANDERS) JUNE 1, 2020 life in the corporate world means not always having your personal views ‘I think the Islanders are good for Islander fans, not Long Island’ validated. So, while he was extremely bothered by the Islanders’ June statement, he said he knows plenty of people within the organization who Desmond Zantua grew up in Floral Park, in the shadow of what will soon were hurt by what the team put out. be the Islanders’ new home. He started going to Islander games as a teenager in 1997 and quickly noticed he could count, usually on one “In the sneaker industry, it was a similar moment (three months ago) — hand, the number of people of color in the Coliseum around him. “And it there were brands that got it right and ones that didn’t,” Faustino said. “It was easy to count since there weren’t many people there in the late was disappointing the Islanders got it wrong.” ’90s,” he said. He’s been watching the playoffs and enjoying the team’s success so far. Zantua, a Filipino American, has been active since Floyd’s death, going The problem with being so removed from games, he said, is that you’re to protests in New York City and on Long Island and posting strong sucked into the online world of fandom, which is not a welcoming place messages on Twitter. He feels the Islanders’ statement in June catered for Islander fans of color. After the Islanders put out their statement to a part of the fan base that is also vocal online, the part that counters Thursday in support of the players’ decision not to play, tweets from Black Lives Matter with All Lives Matter, among other sentiments in the mostly anonymous fans followed vowing never to support the team or the face of police brutality and misconduct. league again for caving to what they saw as left-wing pressure. “I saw statements of people that won’t support the team going forward. Would this impact me wanting to go to games if I were a season-ticket holder and the games had fans? I don’t know,” Faustino said. “And if there’s a Stanley Cup parade, do I even want to walk with these people? It’s hard to have my own bubble of 10-12 fans that I care about and ignore the rest.

“Seeing the games come back and seeing the Isles win a couple rounds, it’s a relief, really. I think it is for a lot of fans to get away from the realities of 2020. And I’m sure it’s not just Islander fans on Twitter reacting to the games being postponed this way. But seeing some of those reactions and thinking back to how the team kind of catered to that group three months ago, it makes me want to remove myself from the team and the game I love. And that’s not the kind of fan I want to be.”

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020

1192377 Philadelphia Flyers The importance of going up 2-1: Going up 2-1 in a seven-game series is a huge advantage, and that has been the case for the Flyers. In their history, the Flyers are 21-3 in a series when they led 2-1 and 7-22 when they trailed 2-1. In their first playoff series this season, they took a 2-1 Flyers’ James van Riemsdyk consults with Chris Stewart on issues lead over Montreal with a 1-0 win and went on to win the series in six involving the Jacob Blake shooting | On the Fly games.

Bounce-back ability: The Flyers are 11-0 in their last 11 games after a loss. They have not lost consecutive games since early January. On Jan. Marc Narducci, 7, the Flyers lost their fourth in a row, a 5-4 overtime defeat at Carolina. Since then, the biggest losing streak has been one game.

These are reflective times in our country, and athletes at the forefront are On the high plus side: Since the Flyers returned to action, center Kevin using their platform to bring attention to social issues. Hayes, who had two goals in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime win, is a team- best plus-8 in 11 games. Defenseman Phil Myers, who scored the game- The NHL postponed playoff games for Thursday and Friday as the winner Wednesday, is a plus-7. Center Jean-Gabriel Pageau is a plus-11 players showed unity against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. in 11 games for the Islanders. Defenseman Nick Leddy and winger Josh Bailey are plus-10. The Flyers were supposed to play Game 3 against the New York Islanders on Thursday in an Eastern Conference semifinal that is tied at Important dates one game apiece. That game has been moved to Saturday (see schedule below). Flyers vs. N.Y. Islanders/Series tied, 1-1

To get more insight about social injustice, Flyers player representative Monday, Aug. 24: Game 1, N.Y. Islanders, 4-0 (Greene GWG) James van Riemsdyk reached out to a teammate from earlier this year. Wednesday, Aug. 26: Game 2, Flyers, 4-3 (OT, Myers GWG) You’re signed up to get this newsletter in your inbox three days a week Saturday Aug. 29: Game 3, at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. (NBCSN) during the Eastern Conference semifinals. If you like what you’re reading, tell your friends it’s free to sign up here. I want to know what you think, Sunday Aug. 30: Game 4, at N.Y. Islanders, 8 p.m. (NBC) what we should add, and what you want to read, so send me feedback by email or on Twitter (@sjnard). Thank you for reading. Tuesday Sept. 1: Game 5, at Flyers, 7 p.m. (NBCSN)

— Marc Narducci Name ([email protected]) *Thursday Sept. 3: Game 6, at N.Y. Islanders, time/TV TBD

Van Riemsdyk said that he called Chris Stewart on Thursday morning, *Saturday Sept. 5: Game 7, at Flyers, time/TV TBD looking for his opinion on what course of direction the NHL should take. *** Stewart, a Black man who hails from Toronto, was van Riemsdyk’s teammate at the beginning of the season with the Flyers. Boston vs. Tampa Bay/Lightning lead series, 2-1

A veteran who was a first-round draft choice of Colorado in 2006, Stewart Sunday, Aug. 23: Game 1, Boston, 3-2 (Marchand GWG) was waived by the Flyers in mid-January and then played with the Phantoms. In June, Stewart was among seven current/former players Tuesday, Aug. 25: Game 2, Tampa Bay, 4-3 (OT, Palat GWG) who formed the Hockey Diversity Alliance, whose mission is to “to Wednesday, Aug. 26: Game 3, Tampa Bay, 7-1 (Gourde GWG) eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey.” Among the seven is former Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds, who finished the season with Buffalo. Saturday, Aug. 29: Game 4, at Boston, noon, NBC

On Thursday before the NHL decided to postpone the games for the next Monday Aug. 31: Game 5, at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. (NBCSN) two days, Simmons tweeted that the Hockey Diversity Alliance requested that the NHL suspend all playoff games on Thursday. *Wednesday, Sept. 2: Game 6, at Boston, time/TV TBA

With so much up in the air Thursday morning, van Riemsdyk made the *Thursday, Sept. 3: Game 7, at Tampa Bay time/TV TBA call. *If necessary. ... All games in Toronto. ... Listed home teams have last “I only got a chance to play with Stewy for obviously this season,” van line change during stoppages. ... NBC playoff schedule here. Riemsdyk said Thursday evening in a Zoom interview. “I’ve gotten to Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 08.29.2020 know him really well and really respect him as a teammate and a friend.”

Before the NHL decided to postpone the games, van Riemsdyk wanted to get Stewart’s views on the situation.

“Obviously him being a part of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, [I] just wanted to reach out to him as someone who has been involved in some of these other conversations being had and stuff like that,” van Riemsdyk said. “For us, I think we’re trying to do the right thing, looking for things we can do to show support and be a part of this. That’s why a few of us reached out to him to try to start some of these conversations and, again, see what we can do to try and help things in this case.”

Things to know

The NHL postponed playoff games for Thursday and Friday, Sam Carchidi writes.

A comprehensive preview of Game 3 is provided by Ed Barkowitz.

Barkowitz wonders if the NHL should have played the later games Wednesday after the NBA and others postponed games.

The ripples from sports’ Jacob Blake protests have reached the Flyers, Phillies, and Eagles, writes Mike Sielski

Down two games to one to Tampa Bay, in the other Eastern Conference semifinal, the Boston Bruins look to rebound from a 7-1 loss in Game 3.

Statistically speaking 1192378 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers-Islanders Game 3 moved to Saturday night, Game 4 to Sunday night

Ed Barkowitz,

Game 3 will be Saturday at 7 p.m. Game 4 will be Sunday at 8 p.m. The adjustment was made after NHL players decided not to play Thursday and Friday as a show of solidarity with other leagues protesting racial injustice following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis.

From a practical standpoint, the schedule is a little looser than originally planned, when the Flyers and Islanders were to play four games in 5 1/2 days from Aug. 24-29. That schedule also had Games 6 and 7 on back- to-back days. Now, there will be a day off if those final two games are necessary.

The Islanders steamrolled to a 4-0 win in the opener, and the Flyers evened the series Wednesday on Phil Myers’ overtime goal.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192379 Philadelphia Flyers

With back-to-back games, how will Flyers coach Alain Vigneault use his goalies?

Sam Carchidi,

It will be interesting to see how Flyers coach Alain Vigneault uses his goalies after the NHL revamped its playoff schedule.

Goalie Carter Hart was a 4-3 overtime winner over the New York Islanders in Game 2 on Wednesday afternoon, and the Flyers were originally scheduled to play Game 3 on Thursday night.

Thursday’s game, however, was among those postponed by the NHL to show its support for the fight against racial injustice.

Now, Game 3 is set for Saturday at 7 p.m., with the series tied at 1-1. Game 4 is Sunday at 8 p.m.

Will Vigneault go back to Hart in Game 3 and, if the Flyers win, use backup Brian Elliott in Game 4 the next night? Will he use Elliott in Game 3? Use Hart on consecutive nights?

Among No. 1 goalies whose teams are still alive in the playoffs, Hart has the NHL’s best save percentage (.935) in this year’s postseason. He wasn’t sharp in the second game of his back-to-back starts in Round 1, a 5-3 loss (with an empty-net goal) to Montreal on Aug. 19. That followed consecutive shutouts by Hart.

The original schedule had the Flyers and Isles playing Games 6 and 7 on back-to-back days if the series went the limit. That has changed, so there is only one set of consecutive games in this series.

Game 5 will be played Tuesday at 7 p.m. If necessary, Game 6 is on Thursday and Game 7 is next Saturday. The times of the latter two games are to be determined

Laughton says he’s healthy

Winger/center Scott Laughton was arguably the Flyers’ best forward in the round-robin tournament, but he has struggled with turnovers in the playoffs and, surprisingly, was benched in Game 2 Wednesday against the Islanders.

Vigneault hinted the other day that Laughton might be dealing with an injury, but the winger/center shot down that theory Friday.

“I’m healthy,” he said. “I think at this time of the year, you have to elevate your game. I think obviously in some of the games, my puck management could have been better for sure and things like that. Try to work on my game and become better for this team. Try to get back in. Once I do that, I know I’ll work as hard as I can to show the boys that I’m here.”

James van Riemsdyk replaced Laughton in Game 2, a 4-3 Flyers overtime win. Van Riemsdyk had two shots and was minus-1, and he was praised by Vigneault for his defensive work.

Breakaways

In this year’s postseason, the Flyers are 7-0 when scoring first, 0-3 when they don’t. ... Kevin Hayes is tied for seventh in the NHL with a plus-8 rating in the postseason. The Islanders have three players in the top three: Jean-Gabriel Pageau (plus-11, tied for first), and Nick Leddy and Josh Bailey (both plus-10, tied for third).

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192380 Philadelphia Flyers Obviously we were on the phone with guys from the Edmonton bubble and guys from the Hockey Diversity Alliance, too.”

Van Riemsdyk, 31, has been in and out of the lineup during the Flyers-Islanders series resumes Saturday, but players keep the focus on postseason, and it is not known if he will play Saturday. protest against racial injustice “At this time of the year, it’s all about the team’s success,” said van Riemsdyk, who had 19 goals in 66 regular-season games but is without a point in seven postseason contests. “We’re trying to win games. We have Sam Carchidi, a team goal of winning a championship. Certainly you want to play every game and it sucks when you don’t get a chance to go out there and try to

contribute. That being said, it’s all about the team right now.” Islanders coach Barry Trotz was standing outside the coaches’ room Added van Riemsdyk: “You work hard in practice. You try to make the Thursday at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena when he saw 30 or 40 players most of your opportunities when you get back in the lineup. That’s pretty gathered from the four conference semifinalists. They were discussing much what I’m focusing on. All the rest is just white noise.” their decision not to play Thursday or Friday’s scheduled playoff games, a move made in protest of racial injustice in the wake of the shooting of Playing on a close-knit team, he said, “makes it fun to be here with these Jacob Blake, a Black man, by a police officer in Wisconsin. guys. We have as good of a chance as anyone to do some big things. That’s all that we’re focused on. The individual stuff kind of gets put in the “Maybe the night before, they would have been on the ice, going nose to backseat, especially at this time of the year.” nose,” said Trotz, whose team will face the Flyers in Game 3 of their series Saturday night. Instead, “they were trying to come up with Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 08.29.2020 solutions and … being very supportive. When you look back at that, those are powerful moments.”

Flyers forward Scott Laughton said that Thursday was productive because of how the players from all four teams interacted and talked about the situation. “We had some great conversations,” he said.

Claude Giroux, the Flyers’ longtime captain, was asked what impact he thought the league would make by postponing games and showing solidarity.

“We know it’s not going to solve everything tomorrow,” he said. “It’s a process. For me, it’s just getting conversations with everybody. The last six months, I’ve had great conversations with my teammates and with my wife. Just kind of educate yourself and know a little more. When the NBA took a stand, we all respected that. We wanted to stand with them.”

“These are really rough times now,” Islanders winger Matt Martin said “We just want everyone to feel included, to feel safe,” no matter what their skin color.”

"You have a bunch of guys who are playing against each other at night and on the next day we’re all coming together for one goal, to stand united and to be together through this. I think that shows a lot of about the guys here and what we’re all about." pic.twitter.com/yEYcDidK8m

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 28, 2020

The Flyers and Islanders will be trying to snap a 1-1 series deadlock when they meet at 7 p.m. Saturday. Game 5 is 8 p.m. Sunday.

The teams were originally scheduled to play Game 3 on Thursday night.

The Flyers blew a 3-0 lead Wednesday in Game 2, then won it with a dominating overtime shift, culminating with Phil Myers’ game-winning goal.

Will their momentum still be there Saturday?

“Each game obviously presents a unique and different challenge,” Flyers left winger James van Riemsdyk said. “Obviously we’re all professionals here. When the games come and we arrive at the rink, we’re ready to go. We’re ready to put forth all our effort, attention, and energy into playing the game and having a good result.”

“From a hockey standpoint, the game is going to be just as intense,” Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield said. “It doesn’t change anything. We’re pro athletes. We go out there to win.”

Flyers defesneman Matt Niskanen said the Flyers began to talk about making a statement to sit out the next game after they boarded the team bus following their thrilling victory Wednesday afternoon.

“We just had a big win. Guys first get on their phones usually when they get to the bus and a lot of times conversations happen there,” he said. “That was the first time the news of the NBA [postponing games] came to our attention. Obviously, things progressed from there, over dinner and into the next day.”

With four teams in the Toronto bubble, it was “way easier to have more of these dialogues within bigger groups,” van Riemsdyk said. “I would think yesterday morning and into early afternoon, a lot of these conversations were being had. There’s probably 45 guys here kind of talking together. 1192381 Philadelphia Flyers work hard in practice. You try to make the most of your opportunities when you get back in the lineup. That’s pretty much what I’m focusing on. All the rest is just white noise."

Flyers say they're ready to reshuffle back into action Delaware County Times LOADED: 08.29.2020

Rob Parent

There's nothing new about constantly changing schedules in sports these days, but the Flyers' reworked Saturday start against the New York Islanders in the Toronto bubble had more to do with social change than false positive virus tests or the like.

The teams were originally scheduled to play Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series Saturday at Noon on NBC. The protest shutdowns marking the police shootings of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis. changed all that, with the NHL postponing two games Thursday night, including Game 3 of the Flyers-Islanders series.

That game will now take place Saturday night at 7, with Game 4 set for Sunday night at 8. No matter the adjustment needed for changing games, however, the players seemed to think the change was well worth it.

"We're all professionals here," Flyers winger James van Riemsdyk said. "When the games come and we arrive at the rink, we’re ready to go. We’re ready to put forth all our effort, attention and energy into playing the game and having a good result. Once we get to the rink and get there to play, we’ll be ready to roll."

The players still alive in the playoffs were more than ready and willing to join what had become a national moment Thursday. The NBA had done so the night before, led by the Milwaukee Bucks refusing to play their playoff game in the Orlando bubble against the hometown Magic. That game was rescheduled for Saturday afternoon.

The NHL had drawn criticism for not making the call to join the NBA on Wednesday. Then Flyers coach Alain Vigneault, perhaps caught somewhat off-guard by the situation, drew social media criticism for honestly explaining that his sole attention was to his players, his team and to the job at hand.

That didn't go down so well for a lot of people out there more interested in social change than hockey playoff game preparation.

"He’s a dedicated pro," Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen said in defense of his head coach. "His number one goal is to try to bring a championship to the Flyers organization. These are not easy times with everything going on. There’s a lot of layers to it. For us as players, we just wanted to do the right thing.

"I will let AV answer questions about how he approaches life in the bubble with everything else going on."

Vigneault didn't do that Friday but is expected to address the situation again in a pre-game Zoom interview Saturday.

Meanwhile, the decision to not play was one pushed by the players to the league office.

"It’s way easier to kind of have more of these dialogues within bigger groups," said van Riemsdyk, the Flyers' team representative for the NHL Players Association. "I would think yesterday morning and into early afternoon, a lot of these conversations were being had. There’s probably 45 guys here kind of talking together. Obviously, we were on the phone with guys from the Edmonton bubble and guys from the Hockey Diversity Alliance, too. There were quite a few different people involved just talking through these sorts of things, what the NBA had done and what was the best course of action from us going forward."

Indeed, going forward, the Flyers do have hockey to play in a best-of- seven series tied after two games. And if they are to survive this series against a better balanced but similarly talented Islanders team, it's going to take as much focus as they can muster.

"We’re trying to win games. We have a team goal of winning a championship," said van Riemsdyk, the free agent prize of two years ago who has been struggling to stay in the lineup on a daily basis this postseason. "Certainly you want to play every game and it sucks when you don’t get a chance to go out there and try to contribute. That being said, it’s all about the team right now. You be a good teammate. You 1192382 Philadelphia Flyers playing with [Chris Stewart] this year, getting to know him too. Just being able to support them and to know that we're all in this together, I think that’s very important."

Claude Giroux: Flyers, NHL 'wanted to stand with' NBA, NHL's Black The Flyers-Islanders series is tied 1-1. The series will resume this players weekend. Van Riemsdyk and the Flyers are not worried about a break in momentum or readiness for Game 3.

The postponement was important. Jordan Hall "Each game obviously presents a unique and different challenge," van August 28, 2020 Riemsdyk said. "We’re all professionals here. When the games come and we arrive at the rink, we’re ready to go, we’re ready to put forth all

our effort, attention and energy into playing the game and having a good The Flyers had just finished an adrenaline-pumping, physically-taxing result. Once we get to the rink and once we get there to play, we’ll be overtime victory. ready to roll."

As Matt Niskanen and his teammates hopped on the team bus back to Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.29.2020 Hotel X Toronto, a simple glance at their phones gave them a glimpse into a much bigger story that was developing in the sports world.

A story that is vitally important, far greater than wins and losses in sports.

"We just had a big win, guys first get on their phones usually when we get to the bus and a lot of times conversations happen there," Niskanen said Friday in a video interview. "That was the first time the news of the NBA came to our attention. Obviously, things progressed from there over dinner and into the next day."

On Wednesday afternoon, news broke in the NBA of its players' striking in response to last Sunday's police shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year- old Black man, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Blake was shot seven times and is now paralyzed from the waist down. As the news of the strike unfolded, the Flyers were in the thick of their 4-3 OT win over the Islanders in Game 2 of their best-of-seven second-round playoff series.

They were scheduled to play Game 3 the very next night Thursday at Scotiabank Arena. The game was not held. The NHL and NHLPA agreed to not hold playoff games Thursday or Friday in order to highlight the current societal issues of racism and racial injustice, a decision spurred by the Hockey Diversity Alliance and following the lead of NBA players.

"I think when the NBA took a stand, we all respected that," Claude Giroux said Friday. "We wanted to stand with them."

NHLers in the league's two bubbles — Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta — had discussions and decided postponing games was the best course of action in unifying with Black players and players of color in the NHL, friends and foes in competition who are asking for support — and a stand.

"I think [Thursday], it was a good day, just the way all the players got together," Giroux said. "All four teams in the [Toronto] bubble, we had some great conversations. We all talked with [Golden Knights forward] Ryan Reaves and [Wild defenseman] Matt Dumba and being able to hear what they had to say. Everybody's on the same page and everybody's supporting. We all stand together.

"We know that it’s not going to solve everything tomorrow; it’s a process. For me, it’s just getting conversations with everybody. The last six months I think I had great conversations with my teammates, with my wife, and just educate yourself and know a little bit more."

Wayne Simmonds, one of the most prominent Black players in the NHL and a beloved former Flyer, is a key leader in the Hockey Diversity Alliance. Giroux and James van Riemsdyk, the Flyers' NHLPA representative, were asked about Simmonds on Friday.

"I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to Simmer yet," van Riemsdyk said. "Yesterday was a bit of a whirlwind in the morning with all these meetings that we were having and the discussions we were having with the different calls and the members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance. I know Simmer is a part of that as well. He’s been a part of all these conversations with the league and stuff like that too. Obviously the work that those guys have done so far to get the ball rolling on things has been great. We want to try to support them and have their back going forward."

In February 2019, Giroux was emotional when talking about Simmonds, two days before his longtime teammate was traded.

On Friday, he discussed their relationship.

"I played with Wayne for seven years and we were great friends; we’re still great friends," Giroux said. "Just all the years we have together, 1192383 Philadelphia Flyers Giroux gives the impression the players are as much united as they’ve been for past causes of their own, like collective bargaining agreements.

“I think (Thursday) was a good day just to wait,’’ he said. "All the players Fish: Flyers decide to stand together for a righteous cause got together and four teams in the bubble had great conversations. We all spoke with Ryan Reaves (Vancouver) and Matt Dumba (Minnesota) and being able to kind of hear what they had to say. Everybody is on the same page and supporting. Wayne Fish “We all stand together.’’ 9:03 PM EDT Aug 28, 2020 Courier-Post LOADED: 08.29.2020

In the NHL’s latest chapter of the "better-late-than-never’’ book, the league finally made a statement about the Jacob Blake shooting by calling off Thursday night’s game.

Basketball, baseball and other sports had already reacted before pro hockey decided to move.

The NHL’s gesture unquestionably was more player-driven than generated by the folks in the high tower on Avenue of the Americas, anyway.

Flyers captain Claude Giroux addressed the subject Friday. When asked about what impact the “sit-out’’ for Thursday night’s scheduled Game 3 of the Flyers-Islanders playoffs might have, he didn’t pause to answer.

“We know that (the show of solidarity) is not going to solve everything tomorrow,’’ Giroux said. “It’s a process. For me, it’s just getting conversations with everybody.

“The last six months I think I had great conversations with my teammates, with my wife. Just kind of educate yourself and know a little bit more. I think when the NBA took a stand, we all respected that. We wanted to stand with them.’’

On Thursday morning, Scott Laughton, James van Riemsdyk (the Flyers’ rep to the National Hockey League Players’ Association) and Kevin Hayes placed a call to Flyers teammate Chris Stewart, a member of the executive committee of the “Hockey Diversity Alliance.’’

The purpose of the call was to get input into how the Flyers players might be able to contribute to the cause beyond just deciding not to play Game 2.

“Just wanted to, I guess, pick his brain and see what he thought,’’ Laughton said. “With everything going on, the last 24 hours have been crazy for sure. Just wanted to see what his thoughts were.’’

While particular details of that call weren’t revealed, suffice to say Stewart recommended a unified approach.

Once the Flyers — and players around the league — were in agreement about a course of action, things progressed from there.

“You have a bunch of guys who are playing against each other that night and the next day and we’re all coming together for one goal, to stand united and to be together through this,’’ Laughton said. “I think that shows a lot about the guys here — just about what we’re all about.’’

Giroux maintains a close relationship with Wayne Simmonds, the former Flyer who is also a member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance.

Knowing guys such as Simmonds and Stewart as well as he does makes it easy for Giroux to embrace the cause.

“I played with Wayne for seven years and we were great friends,’’ Giroux said. “We’re still great friends — just all the years we have together. (I played) with ‘Stewy’ this year (and got) to know him too.

“(It’s) just being able to support them and to know that we are all in this together, I think that’s very important.’’

Van Riemsdyk also has maintained a close bond with Simmonds.

“I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to Simmer yet,’’ JVR said. “Again, (Thursday) was a bit of a whirlwind in the morning with all the meetings we were having, discussions we were having, with the Hockey Diversity Alliance, I know Simmer is a part of that.

“He’s been a part of the conversations with the league. The work that those guys have done so far to get the ball rolling on things has been great. So we want to try to support them and have their back(s) going forward.’’ 1192384 Philadelphia Flyers can do to show support and be a part of this. That was the reason why a few of us reached out to him, to try to, again, start some of these conversations and see what we could do to help things in this case.”

During two-day postponement, Flyers players explain why they took a “I know I reached out to Stewie yesterday, in the morning,” Laughton stand confirmed Friday. “I just wanted to pick his brain and see what he thought.”

Captain Claude Giroux emphasized the importance of his relationships Charlie O'Connor with Simmonds and Stewart throughout the discussions Thursday.

Aug 28, 2020 “I played with Wayne for seven years,” he said. “We were great friends, we’re still great friends. Just all the years we have together, and playing

with Stewie this year, getting to know him, too. And just being able to On Thursday morning, with the Philadelphia Flyers’ Game 3 scheduled support them, to know that we’re all in this together, I think it’s very for that night, and the decisions of players in multiple North American important.” sports leagues to sit out their games to protest racial injustice and police But why did the NHL players as a whole come to the conclusion that not brutality after the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., still playing for two days was the best way to show that support? New York dominating the news cycle, Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault was asked Islanders winger Anders Lee, an enemy of the Flyers in the series but an how much the NHL needed to appreciate the events outside the Toronto ally in this cause, shared his thoughts on the matter Thursday night. and Edmonton bubbles. “We came to understand, and to really have that opportunity to support “We all see the signs (in the arenas), we’re all for equality and for social our fellow Black players in this league, and if they weren’t comfortable justice,” he said. “But right now, I think what we’re trying to do is play a playing, we were right behind them,” Lee said. “I think that inclusion, that game, and I think players, management and coaches are really focused support that we have for them is extremely important. There’s a lot of on that.” stuff that I don’t have the answers to moving forward, but it’s a Just a few hours later, the NHL players — including the Flyers — made it conversation — these times to reflect — that we need to have as a clear that for at least two days, their focus would shift away from playing group, not just in the hockey community, but outside of that as well.” a game. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who joined Lee, At 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, the NHL announced that, at the behest of its van Riemsdyk and Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara in players, all four playoff games scheduled for that night and Friday would participating in the Eastern Conference media availability Thursday be rescheduled, referencing the shooting of Blake and deaths of George evening, echoed Lee’s comments. Floyd and Breonna Taylor as the impetus behind the players sitting out “Obviously, with what transpired (Wednesday), and the other leagues and recognizing the moment. sitting out, I think we felt that we took our time and were able to process STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYERS’ this as a whole, and speak as a group of players, and make the right ASSOCIATION AND NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE. decision,” he said. “Today, I think, unified us as a group to realize that HTTPS://T.CO/UV1F5IDEUS PIC.TWITTER.COM/JS2T0MVUIJ any Black player in this league, any Black player who is a kid coming up playing hockey, can feel like that they have a voice, can feel like that the — NHL PUBLIC RELATIONS (@PR_NHL) AUGUST 27, 2020 NHL and the sport itself is a safe place and a place that obviously, in a predominantly white sport, they feel alienated, but they have the support On Thursday night and Friday morning, Flyers players had the of every single one of us. And that’s what we’re striving to achieve here opportunity to discuss why they chose to join with their colleagues and sit — inclusion, and making sure that everyone feels welcome in the sport of out their scheduled game. As Matt Niskanen explained, conversations hockey.” among the team’s players began shortly after its dramatic Game 2 overtime victory, on the bus ride back to their hotel. For Giroux, and all of the interviewed players, one of the key mantras was “having conversations” about working to address racial injustice in “I think it first came to my attention on the bus, maybe?” he recalled. the world. It was conversations among themselves in the bubble — “We’d just had a big win, guys first get on their phones usually when we involving players of all races — that led the players to decide to pause get to the bus. A lot of times, conversations happen there. That was the hockey for two days. They hope the brief stoppage of the playoffs first time the news of the NBA came to our attention. Obviously, things facilitates those conversations across the greater hockey community as progressed from there over dinner, and into the next day.” well. By Friday morning, those types of discussions were taking place “We know that it’s not going to solve everything tomorrow,” Giroux throughout the Toronto bubble. acknowledged. “It’s a process. For me, it’s just getting conversations with “Yesterday morning into the early afternoon, a lot of these conversations everybody. The last six months, I think I’ve had great conversations with were being had, and there was probably 40, 50 guys (across the four my teammates, with my wife, and just kinda educate yourself, know a teams in Toronto) here talking together,” James van Riemsdyk said. little bit (more).” “Then, obviously we were on the phone with some guys from the Before the postponements, Vigneault first declined comment in the Edmonton bubble and some guys from the Hockey Diversity Alliance, immediate wake of Wednesday’s victory, and then Thursday too. There was quite a few different people involved, just talking through acknowledged his focus at the time was solely on hockey in the bubble these sorts of things, and what the NBA had done, and what was the and not the outside world — a focus that, in his case, had taken priority best course of action for us going forward.” over those conversations. The Flyers, of course, have direct links to the Hockey Diversity Alliance “Listen, I’m disappointed to disappoint you again with my answer, but (HDA), which formed in early June after Floyd’s death “to eradicate ever since we eliminated Montreal, the only thing that’s been open in my racism and intolerance in hockey.” The group includes current Flyer Chris room is my computer, to hockey games,” he said. “I’ve been trying to Stewart, who’s not in the bubble, and former Flyers star winger Wayne prepare my team the best way I can. We played (Wednesday), (and) the Simmonds on its executive committee. As former NHL player and co- only thing that was open in my room after the game was my computer to head of the HDA Akim Aliu told TSN, van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton get our games ready. I have really no idea what’s going on in the outside reached out to Stewart to discuss what the players as a whole might be world. We’re in this bubble right now. I’m invested 24/7 in our team, able to do, given the circumstances. working 20 hours a day going through video and preparing our group. I “I only got a chance to play with Stewie for obviously this season, but don’t do Twitter. I haven’t read a sports article in I don’t know how long, have gotten to know him really well, and obviously respect him as a and I haven’t read any type of article in I don’t know how long. I guess I’m teammate and as a friend,” van Riemsdyk said Thursday right after the a hockey nerd, and that’s what I’m doing right now.” postponements were announced. “And obviously, him being a part of the Especially after the players made the opposite decision Thursday — to Hockey Diversity Alliance, just wanted to reach out to him, as someone prioritize conversations and learning over playing, at least for two days — who has been involved in some of these other conversations that are Vigneault’s remarks seemed out-of-step with the outcome later in the being had. … We’re trying to do the right thing, and looking for things we day. Vigneault did not talk with the media Friday, but Niskanen was asked about the apparent disconnect between Vigneault’s words and the players’ actions.

“Well, I can speak to my experience with AV,” he said. “He’s a pro, he’s a dedicated pro. His No. 1 goal is to try and bring a championship to the Flyers organization. These are not easy times, and with everything going on, there’s a lot of layers to it. For us, as players, we did want to do the right thing. We talked about things, and as a group we decided to take some action yesterday. I think that’s the appropriate thing to do. I’ll let AV answer questions for how he approaches life in the bubble with everything else going on.”

The playoffs will resume Saturday, with Game 3 of the Flyers-Islanders series now scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. (Game 4 of the series previously had been scheduled for noon ET on Saturday.) But for two days, the Flyers made their message clear and prioritized it over hockey, in solidarity with the other players in the NHL bubbles.

“I think yesterday was a good day, just the way all the players got together,” Giroux said. “All four teams in the (Toronto) bubble, we had some great conversations. We all talked with (Vegas Golden Knights forward) Ryan Reaves and (Minnesota Wild defenseman) Matt Dumba, and being able to just hear what they had to say. Everybody’s on the same page, and everybody’s supporting, and we all stand together.”

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192385 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins sign defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to contract extension

SETH RORABAUGH

Friday, August 28, 2020

The Penguins signed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a one-year contract extension Friday.

This deal will cover the 2021-22 season and carries a salary cap hit of $750,000.

Ruhwedel, 30, is entering the final year of a two-year contract with a salary cap hit of $700,000.

A member of the Penguins for the past four seasons, Ruhwedel has been a reliable entity on the Penguins’ blue line, even if he’s been rarely deployed.

In 41 games during the 2019-20 regular season, he recorded six points (two goals, four assists) while averaging 14 minutes, 46 seconds of ice time.

Primarily serving as a seventh defensemen throughout his tenure with the franchise, Ruhwedel (5-foot-11, 181 pounds) was a healthy scratch for 32 games in 2019-20, including all four of the Penguins’ postseason games earlier this month.

“Chad is a reliable, depth defenseman who is a great teammate,” general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement. “He keeps himself in great shape and is always game-ready, which is important for a player in his role and the success of our team.”

With fellow right-handed defenseman Justin Schultz expected to depart this upcoming offseason, Ruhwedel could be in line for a promotion of sorts and replace Schultz on the team’s third defensive pairing.

A native of San Diego, Ruhwedel has appeared in 137 career regular season games for the Penguins and scored 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists). He was a member of the franchise’s Stanley Cup championship in 2017, and made his NHL debut in Game 6 of the second round series against the Capitals.

Ruhwedel has played in 18 career postseason contests, including 12 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Tribune Review LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192386 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins add a year onto Chad Ruhwedel's contract, extending him through 2021-22

Matt Vensel

The Penguins announced Friday that they had tacked another season onto the contract of Chad Ruhwedel, signing the defenseman through 2021-22.

The final year of that deal will have an annual average value of $750,000.

Ruhwedel played 41 games for the Penguins last season despite being the eighth or ninth defenseman on their depth chart coming out of training camp. The righty had two goals, four assists and a plus-4 rating while arguably outperforming Justin Schultz. However, Ruhwedel did not suit up in the playoffs.

With Schultz expected to leave via free agency and more changes expected after another early playoff exit for the Penguins, Ruhwedel could get a chance to earn a regular role next season. If not, he will still come in handy as a reserve.

The depth defenseman has played 137 games in four seasons in Pittsburgh. He also skated in six playoff games during the 2016-17 Stanley Cup run.

“Chad is a reliable, depth defenseman who is a great teammate,” GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement. “He keeps himself in great shape and is always game-ready, which is important for a player in his role and the success of our team.”

Ruhwedel, a 30-year-old from San Diego, was slated to become a free agent last summer, but the Penguins brought him back with a two-year deal that had an AAV of $700,000. So he will actually receive a slight raise in 2021-22.

Post Gazette LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192387 San Jose Sharks

Sharks reach agreement with depth centerman on two-year deal

San Jose Sharks have reached an agreement with restricted free agent center Joel Kellman on a two-year contract extension

CURTIS PASHELKA

August 28, 2020

The Sharks have taken care of one of their restricted free agents, reaching an agreement with center Joel Kellman on a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $750,000.

A source confirmed the first year of the contract is two-way and worth $700,000 at the NHL level and $300,000 in the AHL. The second year of the pact is one way and worth $800,000. The Athletic first reported the deal. An official announcement is expected next week.

Kellman, 26, had seven points in 31 games as a rookie for the Sharks during the 2019-2020 season. He averaged 11 minutes and 35 seconds of ice time per game, becoming a reliable depth centerman for the Sharks after he was recalled from the Barracuda on Dec. 19.

Kellman’s new pact answers at least one of the questions the Sharks have at center entering next season. Although Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl, San Jose’s top two centers, are locked into long term deals, Joe Thornton, who was largely the Sharks’ third line center this past season, is an unrestricted free agent and is free to sign elsewhere.

Other centers the Sharks have under contract for next season include Dylan Gambrell, Fredrik Handemark, Alex True. Sasha Chmelevski and Zach Gallant. Antti Suomela and Maxim Letunov have also spent time at center in the Sharks organization and are restricted free agents.

Kellman was signed by the Sharks in April 2019 out of the , where he played 196 games and had 114 points over four-plus seasons.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192388 San Jose Sharks According to The Associated Press, Boseman died at his home in Los Angeles with his wife and family by his side.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.29.2020 Matt Barnes, Bay Area athletes react to actor Chadwick Boseman's death

Ali Thanawalla

August 28, 2020

Actor Chadwick Boseman, known for his role as T'Challa in "Black Panther" and his portrayal of Jackie Robinson in "42," died Friday after a four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43.

Boseman's death came on the day MLB was honoring Robinson. With the 2020 season delayed until July, the April 15 celebration of Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier was pushed back to Aug. 28, the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech.

In Friday night's episode of "Race in America: A Candid Conversation" on NBC Sports Bay Area, former Warriors and Kings guard Matt Barnes reacted to Boseman's death, as the news broke during the show.

.@Matt_Barnes22 reacts to death of Chadwick Boseman pic.twitter.com/N7OaXeMNfr

— NBCSAuthentic (@NBCSAuthentic) August 29, 2020

Barnes said he met Boseman at the premiere of "42" in 2013 and noted that he's arguably one of the greatest Black actors.

News of Boseman's death hit the sports world hard, and several Bay Area athletes paid their respects to the "Black Panther" actor.

Rest in power @chadwickboseman !! Your legacy will live forever. 2020 man, been a tough one

— klay thompson (@KlayThompson) August 29, 2020

Hurting right now! Rest Easy King! https://t.co/FkH4zmiLH0

— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) August 29, 2020

You will be missed!! https://t.co/U8XfpEZYKz

— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) August 29, 2020

Sad news https://t.co/YIkhaX2a1v

— David West (@D_West30) August 29, 2020

pic.twitter.com/SyolW0OSzk

— Baron Davis (@BaronDavis) August 29, 2020

Wow!!! R.I.P. https://t.co/d9strnVHI4

— Jason Verrett (@Jfeeva_2) August 29, 2020

No way https://t.co/dG4Cpc2M3i

— Jullian Taylor (@JuTaylor8) August 29, 2020

Wow!!! Like WTF‼️ https://t.co/OXiXmjUCPk

— Trent Brown (@Trent) August 29, 2020

Loss for words....one of my favorite actors. Praying for his family and loved ones. #RIPKing https://t.co/cwgDIVRmN6

— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) August 29, 2020

Unbelievably sad to hear this news today. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, you were a true inspiration to so many. https://t.co/tsluob0vPT

— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) August 29, 2020

Unbelievable!!!! He became our hero! Rest In Peace king!!! https://t.co/AwheOYzlqe

— Maurice Jones-Drew (@MJD) August 29, 2020 1192389 San Jose Sharks

Evander Kane details Hockey Diversity Alliance's role in NHL boycott

Brian Witt

August 28, 2020

As the NBA and much of the sports world came to a screeching halt after the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their playoff game Wednesday in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake, the NHL kept on spinning.

All three Stanley Cup playoff games went on as scheduled later that day, with the league's response limited to a single "moment of reflection" prior to puck drop between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins.

That didn't sit well with Sharks winger Evander Kane, who as co-head of the Hockey Diversity Alliance deemed the NHL's response to be "insulting."

The following morning, the HDA formally requested that the NHL suspend all of Thursday's playoff games. Hours later, the league responded by postponing not just Thursday's games but Friday's as well.

Kane joined the NHL on NBC broadcast Thursday and explained how that all went down.

"Going back to yesterday, we had an internal discussion with the members of our alliance on how we felt and what we wanted to do, with again, more inaction from our league and, to be honest, from our players, we felt," Kane said. "And we had another early discussion this morning, and that was fortunately followed by a conversation with a group of over 100 players in the bubble.

"And to give them credit, they reached out to us. And we were pleasantly surprised to hear some of the dialogue that they had had within their teams and within small groups regarding these issues and what they wanted to do. Ultimately, they made a decision to forego games today and tomorrow, and obviously we supported that decision and commended them for that."

NHL Players decided to take the focus off hockey tonight and tomorrow and instead use this time to reflect and open up the conversation on how to make real change. @evanderkane_9 explains how they came together pic.twitter.com/YiifHLfuGF

— #StanleyCup Playoffs on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) August 27, 2020

On a call with the NHL Players Association, all eight remaining playoff teams reportedly expressed interest in postponing Thursday and Friday's games. That was a point of emphasis for Kane and the HDA in their discussions with players around the league.

"It was great to see that the players came to the realization that this was an important period of time and moment in time to make a statement and come together," Kane added. "I think the biggest thing I stressed along with Matt [Dumba] was that it can't just be one or two teams or three or four teams -- it's got to be everybody. And the fact that everybody came together, I thought, was great."

A huge contingent of players announced and explained their decision at a press conference Thursday. The crowded stage left an impression on Kane.

A moment for the movement. #BlackLivesMatter. pic.twitter.com/KQoAgtwd2B

— NHL (@NHL) August 28, 2020

"I saw one of the pictures just on Twitter of the guys at the podium," Kane said. "It was a pretty cool picture. It was a cool moment to see the guys come together, stand up for what is right, and not be afraid of the blowback or the trolls when it comes to social media. I think that's important. I think hockey players have always kind of shied away from the spotlight a little bit, and it was nice to see them finally step into it."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192390 San Jose Sharks The Penguins also likely have at least one more move coming, with both Murray and Tristan Jarry in net. They’ll probably want to move forward with Jarry, which would leave the two-time Stanley Cup winner Murray — who stumbled a bit against Montreal in the qualifying round — on the Which idle teams could be logical trading partners for the Sharks? trading block. The challenge with Murray, who led the Penguins to a 2016 Stanley Cup over the Sharks, would be figuring out a salary that

works. Kevin Kurz Colleague Josh Yohe speculated that Hornqvist and Bjugstad might have Aug 28, 2020 played their last games in Pittsburgh, too. Both are right shots and can play right wing. Hornqvist, 33, is the more talented of the two, and would slot in right away in the Sharks’ top six alongside either Logan Couture or Tomas Hertl. Perhaps the Penguins would take Kevin Labanc, who is a When attempting to transform a last-place team quickly into a legitimate pending RFA and would be cheaper than Hornqvist, in return. That would contender again, the more hectic the offseason the better. In that regard, free up money for the Penguins to look for more depth on defense, which the Sharks could be in a good position to make some drastic and is something they could use after their third pair was miserable against necessary moves ahead of the 2020-21 season, which might begin in the Canadiens. early December. Calgary There has been chatter already that the next few weeks could be eventful. In fact, the Maple Leafs and Penguins wasted no time, as Potential targets: Johnny Gaudreau ($6.75 million, signed through 2021- Toronto sent right wing Kasperi Kapanen to the Penguins on Tuesday in 22) exchange for a package that included three players and the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft. Perhaps that is just the first move for a pair of This would be a real long shot, but if Gaudreau is made available — and teams that expected to contend for a Stanley Cup this season but were rumors are running wild about his future in Calgary — Wilson would have ejected from the playoff bubble in the qualifying round. to at least check in on the availability of the electric 27-year-old left wing. The Flames were bounced in the first round by Dallas in embarrassing Could that be the move that starts a flurry of activity among the clubs that fashion, after blowing a 3-0 lead in Game 6 to lose, 7-3, while Gaudreau, aren’t currently playing? Perhaps. If so, Doug Wilson should be on the who finished in fourth place in voting for the Hart Trophy in 2019 after a phone as much as any of his fellow general managers. 99-point season, failed to record any even-strength points in 10 games in the playoffs other than an empty-net goal. Let’s take a look at some teams that, like the Sharks, are out of the playoffs and could be looking to alter their rosters a bit, and whether I highly doubt that if Gaudreau is dealt it would be to a fellow Pacific those teams would make for a logical trading partner for the Sharks. Division team. And make no mistake, the Sharks would have to offer up a significant package if they wanted to make a run at him. Think along the One thing to keep in mind — we are only considering players who are lines of Timo Meier, their 2020 (or 2021) first-round pick, and probably currently under contract for 2020-21 or are pending restricted free another asset like Labanc or a top prospect (of which the Sharks seem to agents. We’ve also placed an emphasis on what we view as the Sharks’ have precious few). biggest needs: a goaltender to pair with or supplant Martin Jones as the No. 1, and a right wing who’s preferably a right-handed shot. Montreal

Toronto Potential targets: Joel Armia ($2.6 million, signed through 2020-21)

Potential targets: Frederik Andersen ($5 million through 2020-21), This isn’t as much about the Sharks targeting someone like Armia, who’s William Nylander ($6.96 million through 2023-24), Alexander Kerfoot not exactly a superstar, but perhaps finding a taker for the remaining six ($3.5 million through 2022-23) years on Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s inflated contract of $7 million annually. The Habs were looking at Vlasic last October and November and it is I would be surprised if Wilson didn’t have at least one or two thought he might have been willing to go there, but his rough start to the conversations with Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas before season probably negated any potential deal. I could also see a situation Kapanen, a right wing, was dealt to Pittsburgh. The Penguins, though, in which the Sharks might have to sweeten the pot for the Canadiens to owned a higher first-round pick than the Sharks will have this year, so take on the contract with a draft pick or a mid-level prospect, or perhaps Toronto’s strong return from Pittsburgh was never going to be matched retain some of Vlasic’s salary. by the Sharks. Might Vlasic still be willing, or maybe even hoping to play for his Still, it appears that Toronto is not done making moves. There are hometown team? Judging from this tweet from when the Canadiens were concerns about Andersen’s level of play in important games after the still alive … maybe? Leafs’ loss to the Blue Jackets in the qualifying round. He knows the Western Conference, having played the first three seasons of his career HTTPS://T.CO/D7P57QNW6F with the Ducks, so perhaps he would be a better fit here. — MARC-ÉDOUARD VLASIC (@VLASIC44) AUGUST 8, 2020 Nylander put up 31 goals in 68 games this season, and now that Kapanen is gone, he’s probably less likely to be dealt. Still, the Maple New York Rangers Leafs are in search of a top-four right-shot defenseman, and in order to acquire one, they’re going to have to move more money out. Might Brent Potential targets: Alexandar Georgiev (RFA), Ryan Strome (RFA) Burns — who has a three-team limited no-trade clause, but is a player I’ve already said that I consider it unlikely the Sharks will make a run at we have speculated is the most likely of the Sharks’ big-salaried players Georgiev, as going into next season with Jones and a still-unproven NHL to get traded — accept a move to Toronto? That’s difficult to say, but netminder wouldn’t make much sense. Further, they also inked prospect what if the Maple Leafs also add his good buddy Joe Thornton, who has Alexei Melnichuk out of the KHL earlier this summer. Last time I checked, been rumored to be interested in going there for a better chance at a though, the Sharks’ front office doesn’t consult me on potential trades, so Stanley Cup than he would have in San Jose? perhaps they’re still open to pursuing the intriguing goalie. If the Rangers The Sharks had better pull off at least one blockbuster trade this are looking for a right wing, then Staten Island native Kevin Labanc could offseason if anyone’s going to take them seriously next season. Perhaps pique their interest. dealing with the Maple Leafs is their best chance to do that. Regarding Strome, there are questions as to whether the Rangers will be As for Kerfoot, he’s a left-handed shot, so he’s not an ideal fit, but the able to afford him. Of course, that means he wouldn’t come cheaply for Sharks were interested in the 26-year-old as a free agent out of Harvard the Sharks either and they’d probably have to move money out, but the before he signed in Colorado three years ago. He would be an upgrade 27-year-old right-shot forward would seem to be a good fit for now and to their bottom six. the future. The Rangers are still in a bit of a rebuild, so they’d probably be looking for a combination of picks and prospects, or a younger left- Pittsburgh shot defenseman like Radim Simek.

Potential targets: Matt Murray (RFA), Patric Hornqvist ($5.3 million Carolina through 2022-23), Nick Bjugstad ($4.1 million through 2020-21) Potential targets: James Reimer ($3.4 million, signed through 2020-21)

Assuming the Sharks are seeking a veteran goalie to pair with Jones, might they be interested in reuniting with a familiar face? Colleague Pierre LeBrun recently speculated that the Hurricanes might pursue a top-flight goaltender in the offseason. If that happens they’ll surely be looking to deal either Petr Mrazek or Reimer, who was the backup to Jones when the Sharks made their run to the 2016 Stanley Cup final. Although the goalie’s numbers have been a bit up and down throughout his career, Reimer did post a respectable .914 save percentage and 2.66 goals-against average in 25 games in 2019-20.

As a potential salary dump for Carolina, I can’t imagine the 32-year-old would cost the Sharks much beyond a mid-round draft pick.

Nashville

Potential targets: Colton Sissons ($2.86 million through 2025-26), Kyle Turris ($6 million through 2023-24)

It was another disappointing playoff run for the Predators, who are now three years removed from their appearance in the 2017 Stanley Cup final.

Frankly, I don’t really see much of a chance for a major deal here, but I included the Predators because GM David Poile has hinted at a need for change after Nashville lost to Arizona in the qualifying round.

Sissons would aid to the Sharks’ bottom six, perhaps as the fourth-line center. As for Turris, his contract is awful and he was no favorite of former coach , although he did play better under John Hynes. This move would only make sense if the Sharks were to send one of their bad contracts, like Vlasic or Jones, back to the Predators in return. Both Vlasic (full no-movement clause) and Jones (limited no-trade clause) have restrictions built into their contracts, however. Perhaps if Turris is bought out, the Sharks give him a chance to extend his NHL career.

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192391 St Louis Blues his play over part of the 2017-18 season and early in the 2018-19 Cup campaign when he dealt with hip issues and surgery. Such is fandom.

But if he is done playing hockey, he went out on top, winning a Cup and For Blues, 'JayBo' was out of sight, but never out of mind playing well this season as part of a shutdown D-pairing with Colton Parayko. Coach Craig Berube once likened the challenge of getting through Bouwmeester and Parayko — and their long arms — to trying to navigate the large foam rubber noodles in a car wash. Jim Thomas Beyond his 1,315 career regular-season and playoff games, his two all-

star selections, and all he did as a player, his impact on teammates on In late February, as the Blues were preparing for the stretch run of the and off the ice is even more lasting. regular season (and unaware that the coronavirus was about to shut “I can talk for hours about how much Bo has meant to me as a player,” down their sport), Vince Dunn was asked about the team’s motivation in captain Alex Pietrangelo said. “I mean, obviously, we played hundreds of defending its Stanley Cup. games together as partners. And Olympics and World Cup, the list goes Without hesitation, he said the Blues would like to win another Cup for on and on. Jay Bouwmeester. “He’s really a reason why I am the player I am today. He impacted me in “For sure,” Dunn said at the time. “Obviously, losing him is tough, so many ways. But any time you have someone who’s in a situation knowing that he was such a big piece of it last year. He was — is — such when you went through what Bo went through, they retire, whatever it a big piece of this team this year. may be, you miss the person, right?”

“To see a guy out from a thing like that, it’s nothing you can prepare for. Steen and Pietrangelo are the two longest-tenured Blues, so Pietrangelo It’s really sad that he can’t be a part of it this year. So yeah, we definitely also has been around for all of Bouwmeester’s 565 regular-season and want to do it for him.” postseason games for St. Louis.

Of course, the Blues fell far short of winning one for “Bo” or “JayBo” — as “He’s seen me grow up, you know, as a player and as a person,” the players call him. But their hearts were in the right place. Pietrangelo said. “We became obviously close friends. Our wives are close. And I’m gonna miss having him around if that’s the decision he The most memorable moment of the season, wrenching as it was, was makes. the sight of Bouwmeester collapsing on the Blues’ bench during a Feb. 11 game in Anaheim due to cardiac arrest. The quick work of paramedics “I haven’t talked to him about that. But just not having him around here and doctors on the scene, as well as Blues head athletic trainer Ray for the few months that he was gone, it wasn’t easy. So I know everyone Barile, probably saved his life. in the locker room is gonna miss him. He’s obviously a fun guy to have around.” An ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) was implanted in his chest to monitor and control his heartbeat. Bouwmeester was back around the By all accounts, Bouwmeester didn’t say much. But when he spoke, he team just a couple of weeks later. But then came the pandemic and 4 ½ usually had an impact and often brought a laugh. months without hockey. So it was at the end of the 2018-19 season in a locker room moment When the team traveled to Edmonton on July 26, Bouwmeester was not brought to us in the Blues’ excellent “March Down Market” documentary among the Blues’ 52-person “bubble” contingent. But while he may have about the aftermath of the Stanley Cup championship last summer. been out of sight, the veteran defenseman was never out of mind. The team was getting ready to go out on the Enterprise Center ice for a Just prior to Tom Stillman’s arrival in the Edmonton bubble, the Blues’ team photo before the downtown parade. Philip Pritchard, the Hockey chairman and governor said he had a dream about Bouwmeester. Hall of Fame’s “Keeper of the Cup,” presented Bouwmeester with a gold memento for becoming only the 29th player in hockey history to win the “I had a dream last night or the night before about running into him in sport’s triple crown: An Olympic gold medal, a World Championship gold Edmonton and spending some time with him,” Stillman said at the time. medal, and the Stanley Cup. “What a great pro. What a wonderful person as well. . . . He’s so lacking in presumptuousness or arrogance. Just very straightforward. Yeah, he’s After the chants of “JayBo! JayBo!” by his teammates died down, a great person.” Bouwmeester walked back to his locker stall and said: “This one’s the only one that matters.” During his end-of-season media session Wednesday, general manager Doug Armstrong said he and Bouwmeester texted back and forth prior to Meaning the Stanley Cup, of course. the Blues going into the Edmonton bubble. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 08.29.2020 “More just wishing him well, and I was checking in to see how he and his family were doing,” Armstrong said. “I haven’t talked to him since, and whatever his decision is that he wants to make, I’m sure he’ll let me know at the proper time.”

The presumption, of course, is that Bouwmeester will retire as a result of his life-threatening experience in Anaheim. He turns 37 next month and his contract expired at the end of this season.

“You know, as a friend it's been a lot of emotions throughout this year,” said Alexander Steen, a teammate during all of Bouwmeester’s seven- plus seasons with the Blues.

“When he came to St. Louis I think that was a big, huge lift for our club at the time. I think we knew we were going to be competitive for a long time when he came and decided to stay, and that this is where he wanted to be.

“He believed in this, and you know he is going to be very missed if he decides to hang ‘em up. You know, we'll cross that bridge when we get there but he definitely has brought a lot to our team, to our community and to me as a friend and my family.”

As the Blues struggled defensively during their 2-7-1 run in Edmonton, some fans lamented the absence of Bouwmeester and what he might have meant to the defense. Perhaps some were the same fans critical of 1192392 Tampa Bay Lightning the world and they’re trying to learn about it. They reach out to me and a lot of them ask questions, and I think that’s where it starts.”

Joseph is part of an interracial family. He grew up in Montreal with a Lightning players are talking about race, some for the first time white mom and a Black dad. He knows things were probably more difficult for his dad than for him.

“I’ve never been not open about that stuff,” Joseph said. “I think the guys Diana C. Nearhos realize it, and it was easy for me to talk about that stuff. If I can educate the guys and they can learn from that and try to understand a little bit

more about the issue in the world, that’s something I’m willing to do.” Braydon Coburn never expected to be sitting in a Toronto hotel with three Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 08.29.2020 other teams discussing racism. But that’s where he and the rest of the Lightning found themselves Thursday and Friday.

Coburn called the conversations productive and enlightening.

NHL players decided they wanted to hold off on playing in support of protests happening in other leagues around issues of racial injustice. The league supported the decision and postponed Thursday’s and Friday’s games. The playoffs will resume Saturday, with the Lightning playing at noon.

When Coburn and fellow defenseman Luke Schenn were asked Friday about managing back-to-back games earlier in the week, Coburn respectfully declined to answer. He said players wanted to keep the focus on “the issues.”

“We had some great conversations, conversations that I’ve personally never had, and I think a lot of guys have never had,” Schenn said. “We’re definitely learning as we go here and learned a lot of different things here.”

Mathieu Joseph, the only Black player on the Lightning roster, said it was awesome to have his teammates start the conversation. He said it was good to talk about what it’s like in the world outside of the bubble.

The Lightning had a team dinner after Wednesday’s game, as was always the plan, but instead of celebrating the win, talk centered around the NBA players sitting out games in protest.

Coach Jon Cooper described an open forum with all 52 members of the organization in the bubble, multiple people sharing their thoughts.

The next morning, the conversations continued and expanded to include other teams. Schenn said he forgot they’d just played the Bruins and had another game coming up against them as they discussed more important topics.

Being in the bubble, where four teams were together, made these conversations easier. If they were spread across the continent in a normal playoff format, the talks may have stayed within teams. The pause gave them time to talk in larger groups.

The NHL has received some criticism for being late to the table. The league played on while others sat out on Wednesday. Social justice has been a frequent topic in the WNBA, NBA, MLB MLS and the National Women’s Soccer League, all of which are more racially diverse than the predominately white NHL.

“We’re all having the conversation at this point and we’re all looking to educate ourselves and improve,” Schenn said. “We all realize nothing is going to be fixed by (Saturday) morning, but this is a situation where everyone needs to continue to learn and ask questions, do what’s right, be a good person in this world, educate your kids and teach them the right way. It definitely is a long-term thing.”

For Coburn, the biggest thing was hearing other players talk about their experiences and the emotions tied to them. The depth of their emotions jumped out at him right away and touched him.

“People are affected, and as well they should be,” Cooper said. “Because if you’re not, then you’re not caring.”

Well before this — before the Lightning convened for their playoff training camp, as protests around racism and police brutality erupted — a few teammates reached out to Joseph.

He heard from Ryan McDonagh, a native of Minnesota, where George Floyd was killed by police, and from Steven Stamkos, who released a statement on needing to educate himself.

“A couple of guys reached out when I got to camp,” Joseph said. “I’ve never had an issue with the team. They understand that it’s a problem in 1192393 Tampa Bay Lightning

Will Lightning play an 11-7 lineup again, even without back-to-back games?

Mari Faiello

A number of factors go into the Lightning’s decision to play 11 forwards and seven defensemen instead of the normal 12-6 lineup.

In their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Bruins, the Lightning knew that for Games 2 and 3 on Tuesday and Wednesday, they would be without injured defenseman Ryan McDonagh, a cornerstone of their penalty kill. They also knew that back-to-back games would be taxing on their players’ bodies.

So they inserted defensemen Braydon Coburn and Luke Schenn into the lineup for the first time this postseason, and scratched forwards Carter Verhaeghe and Mitchell Stephens to go 11-7.

Even with Game 4 moved from Friday to today in Toronto after NHL players requested the postponement of Thursday and Friday games to bring attention racial injustice, the question remains for the Lightning if it should play an extra defenseman.

There weren’t any answers Friday. Media video calls with players centered on racial issues. No hockey was discussed.

The Lightning lead the series two games to one.

There hasn’t been an update on McDonagh, who missed his second straight game Thursday after becoming entangled with Boston defenseman Connor Clifton in the third period of Game 1. If McDonagh is unable to play, the Lightning could go with an 11-7 lineup for the third game in a row.

Coach Jon Cooper was complimentary of Coburn and Schenn following Games 2 and 3, both Lightning wins.

“It’s not easy,” Cooper said of the situation Wednesday morning. “I watched (Schenn’s) game (Tuesday), and for somebody that — he played in the exhibition game against Florida — but besides that, he hasn’t played in five months. And to come in here and be as physically and emotionally engaged as he was, that’s got to be so hard to do.”

Coburn added a physical presence to the lineup. He did a good job of getting shots to the net and kept his composure against an aggressive team intent on drawing the Lightning into taking penalties.

#TBLightning's Coburn gets his first postseason start of 2020 against #NHLBruins. Makes a nice play just seconds into the game #TBLvsBOS pic.twitter.com/RWYZm30x16

— 홼횊횛횒 홵횊횒횎횕횕횘 (wears a mask) (@faiello_mari) August 25, 2020

Even if McDonagh returns today, the Lightning might want to go the 11-7 route. McDonagh logs a lot of minutes, averaging 26:07 for the season, so keeping Schenn or Coburn in the lineup could help protect him.

The Bruins also used an 11-7 lineup in Game 3, a 7-1 Lightning win. Coach Bruce Cassidy said he made the decision for a few reasons: injuries (center Sean Kuraly was unfit to play), to protect his team in case of overtime and to get bigger bodies in front of the Bruins net.

“I thought we needed to control the front of our net better after Game 2 (a 4-3 overtime loss),” Cassidy said Thursday. “We didn’t do a good enough job there. Bigger bodies can sometimes help that. It didn’t work out that way.”

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192394 Tampa Bay Lightning

Why the Lightning’s Amalie Arena probably won’t be a polling place

Diana C. Nearhos

Several weeks ago, the Lightning reached out to Hillsborough County’s elections office to offer up Amalie Arena as a polling place.

The Lightning thought, based on current happenings around the country, their large building — which is owned by the county and operated by the team — could be of use.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer said in a statement that his office has spoken to the Lightning and hasn’t ruled anything out. He noted that large arenas work well as “super sites,” with large numbers of voters from multiple precincts able to cast ballots at the site.

Florida statutes require polling places to be located within the voters’ precinct or a contiguous precinct, which would mean that, under current law and absent an executive order from the governor, only the precincts around Amalie Arena could use the site.

Tampa’s downtown area already has “plenty of Election Day sites” to accommodate voters, Latimer said.

“Right now, we have a primary that went really well with the polling places we had in place,” said Gerri Kramer, spokeswoman for the county’s elections office. “We’re in the process of looking at how things went, what we’re expecting and what we should plan for going forward, but no decisions have been made.”

When asked if the arena would potentially be a better location for social distancing or other accommodations than an existing polling place in the area, Kramer said no such comparison had been done.

The Lightning have already offered their employees Election Day off and plan to share information on how to volunteer to work the polls, if their employees are interested.

Today, the NBA announced that its buildings will be used as polling stations, part of the agreement to resume the playoffs after players sat out games in protest of racial injustice. The NBA shares 11 buildings with the NHL, most prominently Staples Center in Los Angeles and Madison Square Garden in New York.

Madison Square Garden is excited to support our community by partnering with NYC Board of Elections to serve as a polling site for residents to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming general election. pic.twitter.com/xSO9KilkEj

— MSG (@TheGarden) August 28, 2020

The Hockey Diversity Alliance has asked the NHL to make its arenas available as polling stations as part of its proposal to the league with actionable items to advance the fight against racism both in hockey and in society. The NHL has not publicly shared that it will be doing so.

Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch reported that Nationwide Arena, where the Blue Jackets play, would be made available if necessary.

“We have come with tangible plans and ideas that we want to bring to the table and ultimately see come to fruition,” Hockey Diversity Alliance co- founder Evander Kane said on NBCSN. “We’re just wondering if they want to be a part of that and be a part of the process.”

Kane said the alliance has discussed with the league funding grassroots programs, social justice initiatives and anti-racism education as well as implementing hiring targets to promote Black individuals and businesses.

“We’ve been talking with the NHL for just over two months now,” he said. “We made it very clear in our first statement that we sought to work with the National Hockey League. We haven’t wavered from that yet. It’s definitely been a little bit more difficult than we would have probably anticipated because of the importance of these issues.”

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192395 Tampa Bay Lightning Game 7*: Sept. 4, TBD * — if necessary

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 08.29.2020 When will the Lightning play next? Sooner than you might think

Diana C. Nearhos

The Lightning, and the rest of the NHL, has a new playoff schedule.

The league postponed Thursday’s and Friday’s games, based on the players’ decision to support other leagues opting out of games to protest racial inequality in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police in Kenosha, Wis.

The Lightning and Bruins will now play Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal at noon on Saturday and the potentially deciding Game 5 Monday at 7 p.m. If necessary, they will play Games 6 and 7 back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Lightning currently lead the series 2-1.

Given that the two days of games included one from each series, there was a possibility for the league to pick up its set schedule on Saturday and add two days to the end. The NHL has instead opted to re-do the schedule, though the final possible game is still two days after it was originally slated.

Previously, the latest the round would extend was Sept. 3. It could now go to Sept. 5, if the Flyers and Islanders go to seven games.

The new schedule adds a second back-to-back set of games to the Golden Knights and Canucks series and takes one away from the Flyers and Islanders. Originally, both Eastern Conference semifinal series had two sets of consecutive games and the Western Conference teams had one.

There will be three games played on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, and there could be up to three again on Thursday. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday are each slated with two possible games. The Flyers and Islanders are the only team that could be playing next Saturday.

Updated schedules

Lightning-Bruins

Game 4: Saturday, noon, NBC

Game 5: Monday, 7 p.m., NBCSN

Game 6*: Wednesday, TBD

Game 7*: Thursday, TBD

Flyers-Islanders

Game 3: Saturday, 7 p.m., NBCSN

Game 4: Sunday, 8 p.m., NBC

Game 5: Tuesday, 7 p.m., NBCSN

Game 6*: Thursday, TBD

Game 7*: Sept. 5, TBD

Golden Knights-Canucks

Game 3: Saturday, 9:45 p.m., NBCSN

Game 4: Sunday, 10:30 p.m., NBCSN

Game 5: Tuesday, 9:45 p.m., NBCSN

Game 6*: Thursday, TBD

Game 7*: Sept. 4, TBD

Avalanche-Stars

Game 4: Sunday, 6 p.m., NBCSN

Game 5: Monday, 9:45 p.m., NBCSN

Game 6*: Wednesday, TBD 1192396 Tampa Bay Lightning but, more importantly, his long-time friend and former teammate. He wanted to make sure Reaves was OK, and wanted to talk. Reaves, who is in the West bubble in Edmonton, was worried that he’d be the only one wanting to postpone that night’s games, but Shattenkirk let him know Lightning’s support of BLM and Mathieu Joseph ‘means more than there were a bunch of players from the East bubble in Toronto who would people think’ stand behind him.

Schenn said there were about 30 to 40 players all talking together on Thursday, from the four different teams, including the Islanders, Bruins Joe Smith and Flyers. Aug 28, 2020 “Never in my NHL career did I think we’d be there with other teams having this discussion,” said fellow Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn. “It was very enlightening, and something that a lot of guys were The Lightning gathered for their postgame meal Wednesday night, and proud of. Just hearing people talk about their experience and the emotion everything about it felt different. with it and the importance to it. The emotion that goes with it is something that touched me, jumped out.” They had just wrapped up back-to-back wins over the Bruins, taking control of their second-round playoff series. But defenseman Luke Coburn and Schenn were the two Lightning players to address the media Schenn noted there wasn’t as much high-fiving, laughing or celebrating in on Friday’s Zoom call. They had been a feel-good story in Tampa Bay’s the dressing room. Or on the bus ride to their hotel. They met in a back-to-back wins, having gone from healthy scratches for the last few wedding-sized ballroom on the main level, and for the first 45 minutes of weeks (and most of the second half of the regular season) to key this meal, it was an open forum for everyone to talk about the kind of contributors with McDonagh sidelined due to injury. racial issues that have shaken the country — and the sports world. But when a question was asked to them about hockey and their play, The NBA, MLB, WNBA and MLS pro sports leagues had postponed Coburn politely suggested they keep their focus on the more important games earlier that day in player-driven protests, with Lightning players social issue subject of the past few days. finding out hours before their game. Now it was their turn to have hard and open conversations about it and what they should do. They sat at “We want to make sure to keep the attention and conversation around their round tables, taking turns speaking up or asking questions. It wasn’t these issues,” Coburn said. “That’s where our heads are at.” just the players but the entire 52-person travel party in the bubble. Three While other leagues like the NBA took the lead when it came to protests, Black members of their group, forward Mathieu Joseph, goalie coach Coburn said it took some time for some of the NHL players to “get our Frantz Jean and video coach Nigel Kirwan, all shared a few words on ducks in a row.” their personal experiences and feelings. “It doesn’t matter who was here first,” Schenn said. “The whole point is But what struck Joseph, 23, was how it was White players who helped we’re having the conversation and looking to educate ourselves.” take the lead in sparking the conversation for the two-day NHL shutdown. Those conversations continued Friday, when the Lightning had a practice “You’re just proud,” said Joseph, born to a Haitian father and Caucasian but spent most of the time back at the hotel. Schenn said the mother from Canada. “The support has been pretty amazing, honestly. I conversations have been going on “nonstop,” from the meal room at didn’t really have to start that conversation. The guys all wanted to talk breakfast to the lobby. The players said it was important, for these two about it. That means a lot for me and all the fellow Black players around nights without hockey, for them to take time to reflect on what they’ve this league, and all the future Black players coming into this league. learned. “It’s a powerful message in having my back, and having everyone’s back “We need to continue to learn and ask questions and do the right thing at this moment because of the racial issues and social injustice. It’s and be a good person in this world,” Schenn said. “Educate our kids and awesome.” teach them and show them the right way. It’s definitely a long-term thing.” Joseph said the support from the organization didn’t just start this week. Schenn’s sons — Kingston, 3, and Weston, four months — are too young George Floyd’s tragic death in Minneapolis on May 25 started many for those talks. But for coach Jon Cooper, whose son Jonny is 9, and conversations around the team. Joseph got a call a few weeks before the who has twin daughters, he acknowledged these are talks that are July start of training camp from veteran Lightning defenseman Ryan important to have. McDonagh. McDonagh asked Joseph how he was doing, what he thought, and wondered if the second-year NHL player would help hold a “It’s a tough conversation to have over FaceTime,” Cooper said. “They’re team meeting when they got back together from the pandemic pause. living in a different time and having different experiences than we are. But if you want to initiate any type of change, you have to start with the What it led to was not necessarily a full-team meeting, but several youth. It’s no different than a grassroots hockey program.” individual conversations with teammates. Joseph would talk about his experience in junior, when he was subjected to some racist comments. When asked how far hockey has to go when it comes to racial equality He recalls being fearful on a few occasions when he felt he and brother and inclusion, Cooper responded: “Can we sit here and say it’s just Pierre-Olivier were going to get arrested “for nothing” but the color of hockey? It’s society.” their skin. But Joseph considers himself lucky with how his childhood went growing up in Laval, Quebec, crediting his parents, and said he “Is the league behind? No, the league is learning like everyone else,” hasn’t had any racist experiences in the NHL. But when you look different Cooper added. “The league is in a better place today than it was a couple than anyone else in a predominantly White sport, it’s not easy. months ago, definitely a couple years ago. We’re using this forum to be better. The players are trying to use this forum to be better and we’re “A lot of people are learning — I’m still learning,” Joseph said. standing united. I’m proud of them.”

SOME THOUGHTS. PIC.TWITTER.COM/3WFQZWK1PD Joseph had a different perceptive. He said players talked about “concrete” things they can do to help the cause, like working in their own — MATHIEU JOSEPH (@MATHJOSEPH7) MAY 31, 2020 communities, especially with kids. So when it was Joseph’s turn at Wednesday night’s team meal, he “I think the world is slowly changing,” he said. “When people say there’s opened up. nothing that has been changed, I don’t think that’s true. The last 20 to 30 “A lot of guys stepped up and asked questions,” Joseph said. “It was not years, there’s been a lot of change. I think by getting people and children necessarily an easy conversation. I got to speak from my own point and educated, it’s going to change the next generation mentally. Hopefully, guys were really trying to understand my position. You kind of learn to one day, there’s social justice.” educate each other. I’m super proud the way the guys are speaking out There’s going to be a symbolic piece of collaboration arriving in the about it, showing they actually wanted some change in our world. I felt Lightning’s Toronto bubble this weekend. It’s a goalie mask that backup like we were having a family conversation.” Curtis McElhinney asked Joseph to help design a month and a half ago. Lightning defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk got the ball rolling on Thursday McElhinney, noticing the racial divisions in the United States, suggested morning by reaching out to Vegas forward Ryan Reaves, a Black player that Joseph offer ideas to send to designer David Leroux. Joseph first thought about putting influential civil rights activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks on the mask. But when Leroux told him that a Rangers goalie already had a similar design, Joseph changed course. He thought of inspirational Black athletes that had helped break color barriers and pave the way for him in his career.

Jackie Robinson. Willie O’Ree. Muhammad Ali. Alice Coachman (the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal). John Carlos and Tommie Smith, track stars who used Black Power salute at 1968 Olympics.

“It was important for me to show all the Black athletes that have impacted the world,” Joseph said. “Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali. People that impacted their game and influenced me and fellow Black players to reach their goal. It was great art and it was awesome for ‘Mac’ to trust me on that. It shows a lot of support and it meant a lot that he reached out to me first with it.”

1/2 STUNNING (BOTH IN APPEARANCE AND POIGNANCY) @CCMGOALIE MASK BY @DIELAIRBRUSH FOR @MCELHINNEY_C30. PIC.TWITTER.COM/4RTWKM8BLY

— GOALIE GEAR NERD (@GOALIEGEARNERD) AUGUST 28, 2020

“Black Lives Matter” is written on both sides. Other than the athletes’ Images, there’s one quote, which is on the back flap.

“Lightning doesn’t make a sound until it strikes” — Martin Luther King Jr.

Leroux mailed the mask Friday, so it should arrive on Saturday or Sunday, in time for McElhinney to wear during this series with the Bruins.

“Curtis usually lets me do what I want with his mask as long as it’s simple and clean,” said Leroux, who designs masks for many NHL goalies, such as Carey Price and Louis Domingue — including the latter’s pediatric cancer patient mask worn while with Lightning. “On the back, Curtis will typically have a dog silhouette, some crossed hockey sticks for his son, and a star for his wife. But he didn’t really want his to be all personal. He wanted this to be a Mathieu project.”

Joseph said it had been an emotional 48 hours — a time he’ll likely always remember. He said it was “powerful” how many White athletes and teammates collaborated and shared, and that he felt “proud to be in a league where so many guys care.”

“The support means more than people think,” Joseph said. “If we can influence change in the world in a positive way, I think it’s definitely one step forward.”

The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192397 Toronto Maple Leafs Of those three courses to replace Andersen, which would be most appealing to you if you worked in the Leafs front office?

Mirtle: I’d pursue Lehner first, see what the price is and at least be part of Mirtle and Siegel: Kasperi Kapanen is gone. What should be next for the the bidding process. If it gets too rich, you go onto Option 2. Leafs? The Leafs seem really confident in Campbell playing 30-40 games, if necessary. I’m not sure I’m there yet in terms of comfort level with him, but it’s possible they feel like they only need a tandem-type and as a Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle result don’t have to spend a lot in goal? I don’t mind that option if they have something useful they want to spend that extra money on. Aug 28, 2020 Goalies get squeezed in free agency all the time, as there’s only so many

spots. Maybe Holtby comes cheaper than expected, or someone like Kasperi Kapanen played just under 16 minutes in the final game of the Greiss or Khudobin has to take less than they currently make. Having Maple Leafs season, a 3-0 loss to Columbus in Game 5 of the play-in some flexibility in the goalie market is going to be important. round. Siegel: Honestly, I’m intrigued by the idea of spending less in goal and Kapanen had two shots and was on the ice for the first two goals against. then putting the money to work elsewhere. Maybe the Leafs can get two It was the end of a disappointing performance in the postseason, and a defencemen in that scenario, or one excellent defender and a couple disappointing season overall, for Kapanen and his team. helpful upgrades up front, either through trade or free agency.

Just over two weeks later, he was gone: Traded to the Penguins for a We’ve kinda breezed past the question of whether there should be any package that featured the 15th overall pick in the 2020 draft, prospect desire to bring back Andersen. Filip Hallander … and cap space. Aside from this past season, he has been mostly reliable in the regular GM Kyle Dubas has said there is more to come. season — among the 10-12 best guys in the league. The Leafs could cut his workload from the 70-80 percent of games to a 60-40 split with So what now for the Leafs? Campbell. Maybe they even make it a competition and let whoever performs best grab the top spot when it matters. Siegel: James, there’s one aspect of the trade I wish I’d explored a little more in the immediate aftermath: It’s only a win for the Leafs if they use Even if Andersen rebounded during the 2020-21 regular season, though, the assets they got back effectively. I wouldn’t have much faith in his abilities during the most fraught moments of the playoffs. That is, of course, until he shows he can handle Maybe that goes without saying, but to me, it felt underplayed the more I it. thought about it. Bringing him back feels like kicking the can — a can you know has The Leafs need to hit on that first-round pick or move it for a piece who worrying dents in it — down the road and hoping, wishing, praying for helps them right away. The cap space needs to be put to work wisely. better results. And it’s a bonus if Hallander becomes an NHL player. Mirtle: If he’s back, it’ll be more of a competition for sure. If Campbell Just getting the pieces is only half the battle. outplays him, he’ll get the starts. Mirtle: Yes, but if the goal was to move Kapanen for cap space and I think the thing, too, Jonas, is they feel like they need to make some futures, they succeeded admirably. And, make no mistake, that was the substantive change. If you’re keeping your core four forwards, and your goal here. They had no illusions, after trying to get a defenceman for younger players, and much of your blue line, where is that change Kapanen for more than a year, that that was going to happen. And they coming? How do you effectively shake things up? were ready to move on from the player. Andersen is going to have to go at some point. If they can find another Winning a deal like that is nice, but the Leafs obviously aren’t a rebuilding option they like this offseason, there are advantages to doing it a year team. They’re in win-now mode, with some young stars in their primes early. and the clock ticking toward their unrestricted free agency. John Tavares isn’t getting any younger. Morgan Rielly can walk in 2022. It won’t Siegel: To that point, it’s hard to see Andersen sticking around beyond surprise me at all if the first-rounder is gone by the draft on Oct. 9. next summer regardless. If he flops next season, the Leafs will let him walk as a free agent. If he succeeds, Andersen will want the kind of coin As for the cap space, they absolutely had to open some, and a deal like on a long-term deal the Leafs may not be inclined (or wise) to pay. this was preferable to just giving away someone like Andreas Johnsson. I do believe there are going to be good, cheap players available in free Trading him now gets them an asset(s) and cap space. agency, and if you don’t have any cap space, you can’t be players in that market at all. If that’s the case, the Leafs will have deleted Kapanen and Andersen from the roster. But what about after that? Now they do and now they are. It’ll be fascinating if Andersen is the next to go, especially if, as I was told, they’re trying to deal him for futures, Dubas said he wasn’t inclined to trade another forward, but I can’t see too. All of a sudden that $3.5 million or so they have could grow how they don’t move Alexander Kerfoot or Johnsson without bringing considerably. back roughly the same looking contingent as last year. Maybe they hope Ilya Mikheyev takes a step, Johnsson finds his way again and the combo Siegel: Then, suddenly their options in free agency or trade would of Nick Robertson and Alexander Barabanov gives them some kind of expand greatly. Obviously some (or maybe all) of the $5 million in space boost. created in an Andersen trade has to go toward, well, replacing Andersen. It still feels a little small and slick, though. I’d like to see them get a little I wonder what strategy the Leafs would take in that case: Go all out on feistier. What about you? someone like Robin Lehner? Take a chance on a once-fine goaltender — Braden Holtby? Corey Crawford? Matt Murray? Aim for a tandem type — Mirtle: I think there will be more changes up front. Dubas is rightly Thomas Greiss? Anton Khudobin? — to split the crease with Jack concerned about depleting his depth, but just because they subtract a Campbell? forward doesn’t mean they won’t add another one either through trades or free agency. Every strategy has holes. If you look at the players other teams are saying the Leafs have on the Lehner likely costs at least as much as Andersen and surely requires a trade market, it’s some of their smaller, skilled forwards or, in the case of long-term deal, which carries risk and leaves less money to spend Engvall and Gauthier, bigger, but less physical forwards. That speaks elsewhere. Holtby or Murray may not turn it around, at least to past directly to what you’re talking about: The desire to change the way the heights. And a tandem leaves the Leafs vulnerable if neither guy forward group plays. flourishes. I believe Evan Rodrigues, who they acquired in the Kapanen deal, could be part of that. He’s small, yes, but can play centre or the wing, can kill penalties, isn’t afraid to block shots and he’s played a top-six role at better than a Brodie but not quite the salary/term/age commitment they’d times in the past etc. The Leafs badly need some more versatility on their have to make to Pietrangelo. If that’s the case, though, we’re kind of just third and fourth lines — players who can move up to the top lines and guessing who that player is. And what they’d have to give up to get them. contribute with Matthews and Tavares when necessary. Engvall, Goat, Spezza, Clifford, Malgin, etc., couldn’t give them that this year. Someone Siegel: Ekblad!? Or one of the Hurricanes defenders — Dougie like Rodrigues, assuming they can get him signed, might. Hamilton? Brett Pesce? Maybe the Leafs can get Team X to retain salary on a big ticket defender? Siegel: Yeah, and there’s a few interesting names in free agency (which we’ll dive into next week) that could go further in changing the mix. Mirtle: I just said we’d only be guessing, Jonas! *throws shoe*

An interesting question we discussed on the pod is who carries more It’s probably like the Kadri to Colorado situation, where it wasn’t even value between Kerfoot and Johnsson — to the Leafs and also the hinted at and then — bang — it happened. market. Kerfoot probably has the edge from a Leafs lens, with his ability My sense is they’re evaluating every single right defenceman that’s to play centre and kill penalties. But remember how intriguing Johnsson potentially available leaguewide. They could be in on dozens of players, looked in the second half a couple years back? Not to mention when he in the sense that they make calls and do their due diligence. It’ll be a destroyed the Texas Stars in the final. wide net.

Either trade is probably another play for futures and cap space, which Siegel: Stay tuned to The Athletic for a similar project! you then use on someone cheaper and different from the rest of the pack. Toronto Star LOADED: 08.29.2020

Obviously, the biggest question of the offseason — just like last summer! — is what Dubas and company do to fix the defence. I’m fascinated to see how they handle it. Do they get super creative and create the space to sign uber-solution Alex Pietrangelo in free agency? Or trade for a stud like that in Aaron Ekblad? Do they vie for a useful free agent upgrade like T.J. Brodie or Chris Tanev? Do they even look to add two pieces, leading to the trade of someone like Travis Dermott?

Mirtle: Not just the defence — the right side of the defence. That’s felt like an organizational need for, what, 12 years now? Basically as long as I’ve covered the team.

It’s not impossible to create a lot of cap space for a big name and salary, but you can’t do it without subtracting from up front. I think the middle ground of finding one of those $4 million types to play with Rielly might be the safest bet, barring being able to find someone in trade who’s a higher end option than the Brodies and Tanevs.

As for adding more than one defenceman: If they do, someone has to go. I don’t think you can push both Sandin and Lehtonen out of the lineup entirely, especially given Lehtonen has that European Assignment Clause. He’s not going to want to play in the minors much at all.

And the Leafs will be so close to the cap that they’ll likely have to carry only seven defencemen all year. Maybe even six for long stretches, as someone yoyos down to the farm.

In theory, they could move a Dermott or Holl, bring in two UFAs on D, and really change the mix on the back end. In an ideal world, I think Dermott-Holl is your third pair, and that they’d do really well in that role. But that would mean the Leafs would need to add two RD, and we saw how hard that was last summer when they settled for Barrie and Ceci.

Siegel: True, though maybe they bring in Brodie or Tanev ($3-4 million?) to pair with Rielly and then look for a bouncer like or Mark Borowiecki ($1-2 million?). That would make the Leafs a little meaner, too.

I guess I wonder whether that makes them better or just different — and maybe worse. It would mean shuttling someone like Dermott, Sandin or Lehtonen out of the lineup for muscle, which drops the skill level.

The appeal of the middle ground is that it keeps them from having to deal a rising star like William Nylander. The downside is maybe it doesn’t improve the team all that much. There are red flags — health especially — with guys like Tanev and Brodie.

Maybe the best approach is going for the home run and putting an end to all this shuffling on RD.

Mirtle: That’s the thing: I don’t just want to get meaner if I’m the Leafs, though — I want to get better. And Gudas and Borowiecki aren’t exactly difference makers in that department. They’re going to trade an interesting young D to open a hole for them? And spend what little cap space they have?

The only home run in free agency is Pietrangelo and that’s going to be an $8.5 million ticket, even in COVID times. Trying to fit that in without dropping a significant core salary is really, really hard. And they’d be gambling on some cheap forwards to step up and score.

Honestly, I suspect they have something up their sleeve that we aren’t even contemplating right now. Some sort of trade for an option that’s 1192398 Toronto Maple Leafs Of those three courses to replace Andersen, which would be most appealing to you if you worked in the Leafs front office?

Mirtle: I’d pursue Lehner first, see what the price is and at least be part of Mirtle and Siegel: Kasperi Kapanen is gone. What should be next for the the bidding process. If it gets too rich, you go onto Option 2. Leafs? The Leafs seem really confident in Campbell playing 30-40 games, if necessary. I’m not sure I’m there yet in terms of comfort level with him, but it’s possible they feel like they only need a tandem-type and as a Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle result don’t have to spend a lot in goal? I don’t mind that option if they have something useful they want to spend that extra money on. Aug 28, 2020 Goalies get squeezed in free agency all the time, as there’s only so many

spots. Maybe Holtby comes cheaper than expected, or someone like Kasperi Kapanen played just under 16 minutes in the final game of the Greiss or Khudobin has to take less than they currently make. Having Maple Leafs season, a 3-0 loss to Columbus in Game 5 of the play-in some flexibility in the goalie market is going to be important. round. Siegel: Honestly, I’m intrigued by the idea of spending less in goal and Kapanen had two shots and was on the ice for the first two goals against. then putting the money to work elsewhere. Maybe the Leafs can get two It was the end of a disappointing performance in the postseason, and a defencemen in that scenario, or one excellent defender and a couple disappointing season overall, for Kapanen and his team. helpful upgrades up front, either through trade or free agency.

Just over two weeks later, he was gone: Traded to the Penguins for a We’ve kinda breezed past the question of whether there should be any package that featured the 15th overall pick in the 2020 draft, prospect desire to bring back Andersen. Filip Hallander … and cap space. Aside from this past season, he has been mostly reliable in the regular GM Kyle Dubas has said there is more to come. season — among the 10-12 best guys in the league. The Leafs could cut his workload from the 70-80 percent of games to a 60-40 split with So what now for the Leafs? Campbell. Maybe they even make it a competition and let whoever performs best grab the top spot when it matters. Siegel: James, there’s one aspect of the trade I wish I’d explored a little more in the immediate aftermath: It’s only a win for the Leafs if they use Even if Andersen rebounded during the 2020-21 regular season, though, the assets they got back effectively. I wouldn’t have much faith in his abilities during the most fraught moments of the playoffs. That is, of course, until he shows he can handle Maybe that goes without saying, but to me, it felt underplayed the more I it. thought about it. Bringing him back feels like kicking the can — a can you know has The Leafs need to hit on that first-round pick or move it for a piece who worrying dents in it — down the road and hoping, wishing, praying for helps them right away. The cap space needs to be put to work wisely. better results. And it’s a bonus if Hallander becomes an NHL player. Mirtle: If he’s back, it’ll be more of a competition for sure. If Campbell Just getting the pieces is only half the battle. outplays him, he’ll get the starts. Mirtle: Yes, but if the goal was to move Kapanen for cap space and I think the thing, too, Jonas, is they feel like they need to make some futures, they succeeded admirably. And, make no mistake, that was the substantive change. If you’re keeping your core four forwards, and your goal here. They had no illusions, after trying to get a defenceman for younger players, and much of your blue line, where is that change Kapanen for more than a year, that that was going to happen. And they coming? How do you effectively shake things up? were ready to move on from the player. Andersen is going to have to go at some point. If they can find another Winning a deal like that is nice, but the Leafs obviously aren’t a rebuilding option they like this offseason, there are advantages to doing it a year team. They’re in win-now mode, with some young stars in their primes early. and the clock ticking toward their unrestricted free agency. John Tavares isn’t getting any younger. Morgan Rielly can walk in 2022. It won’t Siegel: To that point, it’s hard to see Andersen sticking around beyond surprise me at all if the first-rounder is gone by the draft on Oct. 9. next summer regardless. If he flops next season, the Leafs will let him walk as a free agent. If he succeeds, Andersen will want the kind of coin As for the cap space, they absolutely had to open some, and a deal like on a long-term deal the Leafs may not be inclined (or wise) to pay. this was preferable to just giving away someone like Andreas Johnsson. I do believe there are going to be good, cheap players available in free Trading him now gets them an asset(s) and cap space. agency, and if you don’t have any cap space, you can’t be players in that market at all. If that’s the case, the Leafs will have deleted Kapanen and Andersen from the roster. But what about after that? Now they do and now they are. It’ll be fascinating if Andersen is the next to go, especially if, as I was told, they’re trying to deal him for futures, Dubas said he wasn’t inclined to trade another forward, but I can’t see too. All of a sudden that $3.5 million or so they have could grow how they don’t move Alexander Kerfoot or Johnsson without bringing considerably. back roughly the same looking contingent as last year. Maybe they hope Ilya Mikheyev takes a step, Johnsson finds his way again and the combo Siegel: Then, suddenly their options in free agency or trade would of Nick Robertson and Alexander Barabanov gives them some kind of expand greatly. Obviously some (or maybe all) of the $5 million in space boost. created in an Andersen trade has to go toward, well, replacing Andersen. It still feels a little small and slick, though. I’d like to see them get a little I wonder what strategy the Leafs would take in that case: Go all out on feistier. What about you? someone like Robin Lehner? Take a chance on a once-fine goaltender — Braden Holtby? Corey Crawford? Matt Murray? Aim for a tandem type — Mirtle: I think there will be more changes up front. Dubas is rightly Thomas Greiss? Anton Khudobin? — to split the crease with Jack concerned about depleting his depth, but just because they subtract a Campbell? forward doesn’t mean they won’t add another one either through trades or free agency. Every strategy has holes. If you look at the players other teams are saying the Leafs have on the Lehner likely costs at least as much as Andersen and surely requires a trade market, it’s some of their smaller, skilled forwards or, in the case of long-term deal, which carries risk and leaves less money to spend Engvall and Gauthier, bigger, but less physical forwards. That speaks elsewhere. Holtby or Murray may not turn it around, at least to past directly to what you’re talking about: The desire to change the way the heights. And a tandem leaves the Leafs vulnerable if neither guy forward group plays. flourishes. I believe Evan Rodrigues, who they acquired in the Kapanen deal, could be part of that. He’s small, yes, but can play centre or the wing, can kill penalties, isn’t afraid to block shots and he’s played a top-six role at better than a Brodie but not quite the salary/term/age commitment they’d times in the past etc. The Leafs badly need some more versatility on their have to make to Pietrangelo. If that’s the case, though, we’re kind of just third and fourth lines — players who can move up to the top lines and guessing who that player is. And what they’d have to give up to get them. contribute with Matthews and Tavares when necessary. Engvall, Goat, Spezza, Clifford, Malgin, etc., couldn’t give them that this year. Someone Siegel: Ekblad!? Or one of the Hurricanes defenders — Dougie like Rodrigues, assuming they can get him signed, might. Hamilton? Brett Pesce? Maybe the Leafs can get Team X to retain salary on a big ticket defender? Siegel: Yeah, and there’s a few interesting names in free agency (which we’ll dive into next week) that could go further in changing the mix. Mirtle: I just said we’d only be guessing, Jonas! *throws shoe*

An interesting question we discussed on the pod is who carries more It’s probably like the Kadri to Colorado situation, where it wasn’t even value between Kerfoot and Johnsson — to the Leafs and also the hinted at and then — bang — it happened. market. Kerfoot probably has the edge from a Leafs lens, with his ability My sense is they’re evaluating every single right defenceman that’s to play centre and kill penalties. But remember how intriguing Johnsson potentially available leaguewide. They could be in on dozens of players, looked in the second half a couple years back? Not to mention when he in the sense that they make calls and do their due diligence. It’ll be a destroyed the Texas Stars in the Calder Cup final. wide net.

Either trade is probably another play for futures and cap space, which Siegel: Stay tuned to The Athletic for a similar project! you then use on someone cheaper and different from the rest of the pack. The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020

Obviously, the biggest question of the offseason — just like last summer! — is what Dubas and company do to fix the defence. I’m fascinated to see how they handle it. Do they get super creative and create the space to sign uber-solution Alex Pietrangelo in free agency? Or trade for a stud like that in Aaron Ekblad? Do they vie for a useful free agent upgrade like T.J. Brodie or Chris Tanev? Do they even look to add two pieces, leading to the trade of someone like Travis Dermott?

Mirtle: Not just the defence — the right side of the defence. That’s felt like an organizational need for, what, 12 years now? Basically as long as I’ve covered the team.

It’s not impossible to create a lot of cap space for a big name and salary, but you can’t do it without subtracting from up front. I think the middle ground of finding one of those $4 million types to play with Rielly might be the safest bet, barring being able to find someone in trade who’s a higher end option than the Brodies and Tanevs.

As for adding more than one defenceman: If they do, someone has to go. I don’t think you can push both Sandin and Lehtonen out of the lineup entirely, especially given Lehtonen has that European Assignment Clause. He’s not going to want to play in the minors much at all.

And the Leafs will be so close to the cap that they’ll likely have to carry only seven defencemen all year. Maybe even six for long stretches, as someone yoyos down to the farm.

In theory, they could move a Dermott or Holl, bring in two UFAs on D, and really change the mix on the back end. In an ideal world, I think Dermott-Holl is your third pair, and that they’d do really well in that role. But that would mean the Leafs would need to add two RD, and we saw how hard that was last summer when they settled for Barrie and Ceci.

Siegel: True, though maybe they bring in Brodie or Tanev ($3-4 million?) to pair with Rielly and then look for a bouncer like Radko Gudas or Mark Borowiecki ($1-2 million?). That would make the Leafs a little meaner, too.

I guess I wonder whether that makes them better or just different — and maybe worse. It would mean shuttling someone like Dermott, Sandin or Lehtonen out of the lineup for muscle, which drops the skill level.

The appeal of the middle ground is that it keeps them from having to deal a rising star like William Nylander. The downside is maybe it doesn’t improve the team all that much. There are red flags — health especially — with guys like Tanev and Brodie.

Maybe the best approach is going for the home run and putting an end to all this shuffling on RD.

Mirtle: That’s the thing: I don’t just want to get meaner if I’m the Leafs, though — I want to get better. And Gudas and Borowiecki aren’t exactly difference makers in that department. They’re going to trade an interesting young D to open a hole for them? And spend what little cap space they have?

The only home run in free agency is Pietrangelo and that’s going to be an $8.5 million ticket, even in COVID times. Trying to fit that in without dropping a significant core salary is really, really hard. And they’d be gambling on some cheap forwards to step up and score.

Honestly, I suspect they have something up their sleeve that we aren’t even contemplating right now. Some sort of trade for an option that’s 1192399 Vegas Golden Knights “For our players to use their platforms for anything is a big deal because it really has not been the culture of our sport,” Davis said earlier this month. “For it to happen with regards to social justice and them standing up for social justice, it truly takes it from being a moment to a movement Where does the NHL and its players go from here? in our sport.”

Following through

By Ben Gotz August 28, 2020 - 7:54 PM There are a lot of questions remaining about the players’ and NHL’s plans. Few details are available.

That makes it easy to doubt the parties since both are still dipping their It’s a question that hangs like a puck stuck in netting. toes in the waters of social justice, especially when compared to their NHL players made a large statement Thursday by deciding not to play peers in other leagues. postseason games for two days to protest racial injustice and police But there is a sense things are different this time. That it means brutality. But where do they, the league and their sport go from here? something a sport with mostly white players shut down to protest racial The players know they need to turn their gesture into meaningful action, inequality. or they’ll face more criticism than they’re already receiving on social Time will tell if it does. It’ll be up to the players, and the league, taking the media. Now, they feel, is the time to take legitimate steps forward in next step from well-intended words to significant actions. diversifying what’s been traditionally a one-color sport: White. “I don’t expect every one of these guys to go out and be an activist for “The message that we’re sending to our organization, the NHL, is we this movement, but I’m sure a lot of us are,” Knights right wing Ryan want to work together to take a better step, a different step, and make Reaves said. “And that’s the biggest thing. You can’t just talk about it in sure this never happens again,” said Colorado Avalanche center Pierre- the bubble and then live your life. You got to start being part of it and I Edouard Bellemare, who played two seasons with the Golden Knights. expect lots of us to.” “The (Hockey Diversity Alliance) has a plan, and it’s up to us after the bubble and every player, organization to make sure we work together LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 08.29.2020 with our communities so it just gets better and better.”

HDA gets “ball rolling”

The NHL and its players have different approaches to pursuing change.

The most notable development on the players’ side is the Hockey Diversity Alliance, an independent organization that was formed in June to grow the game and promote diversity. The HDA made a formal request to the NHL on Thursday to postpone that day’s playoff games after talking with players in the league’s bubbles.

It also has a pledge it wants the NHL to sign that involves policies and initiatives it feels are “reasonable,” according to Avalanche center Nazem Kadri, one of its nine founders.

“I think the Hockey Diversity (Alliance) is a great start,” Dallas Stars center Jason Dickinson said. “They’re getting the ball rolling to get the white allyship in and bring them on board and help them out. I can’t say that we’ve got a definitive plan today. We’re working on things, that’s why we need a couple days to talk things out and get things organized and really hash out a plan because we can talk all we want, but until we do something, it’s all just words.”

The HDA sent out a statement Thursday saying it would like the league to commit to funding grassroots programs aimed at people of color, social justice initiatives and anti-racism training. It also wants the NHL to set targets for hiring, promote Black individuals and businesses, and change some its rules to foster a more inclusive culture.

“We have a plan that we’ve presented,” HDA co-founder Evander Kane tweeted Thursday. “It’s time to get on board.”

NHL creates councils

The league also has efforts that are just getting off the ground.

The NHL created four councils in June it hopes will help tackle some of hockey’s longstanding diversity issues. There is a player inclusion committee co-led by New Jersey Devils defenseman PK Subban and former NHL forward/NBC analyst Anson Carter. There is a fan inclusion committee. There is a youth committee. And there’s also an executive inclusion council to make sure any of the committee’s recommendations are actionable.

“We are excited to be able to bring fresh voices to the table to help us understand the issues in a much more intimate way and take action against those issues,” said Kim Davis, the NHL’s executive vice president for social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs, earlier this month.

Davis’ goal is also to continue to empower the league’s players so they keep using their voices. She has long tried to tell them that social justice initiatives align with the values of their sport, like teamwork, fairness and equality. 1192400 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights resume Canucks series with back-to-back games

By David Schoen l

August 28, 2020 - 6:30 PM

Updated August 28, 2020 - 7:11 PM

The revised schedule for the Golden Knights’ Western Conference semifinal series leaves coach Pete DeBoer with a compelling choice Saturday.

Who starts in net for Game 3 against the Vancouver Canucks?

Following a two-day stoppage by NHL players to protest systemic racism and police brutality, the best-of-seven series resumes at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, with a back-to-back Saturday and Sunday.

That puts the focus back on the crease, where DeBoer must decide whether to continue with Robin Lehner as the starter or turn to Marc- Andre Fleury with the series tied at 1.

When a series is tied, the winner of Game 3 has gone on to win the series 67.1 percent of the time, including a 3-1 mark this postseason.

“You know what? We’ve got a plan with our goaltenders. We’re not going to get into what it is,” DeBoer said Wednesday. “Nothing’s changed in my mind that both guys are going to play as we move forward here.”

Lehner started the past four games for the Knights, including a 5-2 loss in Game 2 when he stopped 22 of 26 shots. He blanked the Canucks in Game 1 with a 26-save effort for his first career postseason shutout.

Lehner is 6-2 with a 2.34 goals-against average and .909 save percentage in the playoffs.

Fleury last appeared in a game Aug. 15 when he turned away 26 shots in a 4-1 victory over Chicago.

That start came on the front end of a back-to-back with the Knights owning a 2-0 series advantage over the Blackhawks, which might offer some insight into what DeBoer is thinking.

But that also was before Fleury’s agent tweeted, and later deleted, a photo of his client being stabbed in the back by a sword with DeBoer’s last name inscribed on the blade.

The schedule calls for a back-to-back in Game 6 and 7, if necessary, meaning the Knights and Canucks would play five games in seven days if the series goes the distance.

“Numbers don’t lie. They’re two of the best goalies in the NHL,” forward Mark Stone said. “Any team would want to have either one of our goalies. I think there’s probably 20, 30 teams that would sign up to have one of those two. That’s where the confidence comes from.”

The Canucks’ game plan backfired in Game 1, but Vancouver used its speed and skill to frustrate the Knights on Tuesday.

The Knights fell behind 2-0 and gave up two goals 1:43 apart in the second and third periods. Bo Horvat scored his league-leading eighth goal, while Elias Pettersson and Tyler Toffoli had three points each.

“Their skill players, they were coming in our zone like it was nothing. It was too easy for them,” left wing Jonathan Marchessault said. “They played a good game and we played a bad one. It’s 1-1 and we need to move on with what we were successful in the first game and repeat that.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192401 Vegas Golden Knights Ryan Reaves and Robin Lehner of the Golden Knights took a knee during the anthems Aug. 3 along with Dallas’ Jason Dickinson and Tyler Seguin.

NHL players empowered to speak out like never before That set the stage for Thursday, when players participating in Edmonton and Toronto united to take a stand against social injustice and racial inequality.

By David Schoen The sight of nearly 100 white players standing in solidarity next to and behind Black players during a videoconference call will be the enduring August 28, 2020 - 5:23 PM image of this postseason.

“As leaders, up here, with the NHL, I think we have a unique opportunity Brad Marchand is the NHL’s reigning king of trash talk, a title bestowed to try and create sustainable change,” said Colorado’s Nazem Kadri, who on the Boston Bruins forward by his peers the past two years in the is of Lebanese descent. “That’s what this is all about. It’s not just one or annual players’ association poll. two guys. It’s every single player being on the same page and sticking together. Morally and ethically, this is the right thing to do.” His comments, which also have been voted worst in the league in the same poll, are almost always aimed at opponents. But this a unique Several Eastern Conference players said the wheels of action were put in moment in sports history, and Marchand set his sights elsewhere Friday. motion after they played Wednesday, and members of several teams reached out to Reaves the following morning. Marchand was asked during a videoconference call how he feels about the “stick to sports” crowd and fans who believe NHL players should The Canucks, who play home games in one of the league’s most diverse provide a diversion from social issues, rather than discuss them. cities, also met with Reaves and Knights players Thursday morning to discuss options. “That’s too bad,” he said. “We have bigger things that we care about and that we want to do and improve upon and the people that we want to After a conference call with players from the eight remaining teams, the support, and that’s what matters.” recently formed Hockey Diversity Alliance made a formal request to the NHL to suspend all playoff games Thursday. Marchand’s words are emblematic of a new era in sports that has seen athletes empowered to speak out like never before. A joint announcement came from the league and NHL Players’ Association that afternoon, but make no mistake, this was a player-driven NHL players joined athletes from other leagues by choosing not to movement. participate Thursday and Friday to protest against racism and police brutality. The league supported its players’ decision in a statement and ‘My dignity is not for sale’ announced the playoffs would resume Saturday. “I think athletes are realizing they don’t have to be a pawn in the system. The Golden Knights are scheduled to play the Vancouver Canucks in And I think they’re realizing that they do have power,” said Dr. Ketra Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals Saturday in Edmonton, Armstrong, a University of Michigan professor of sport management and Alberta. the director of the Center for Race & Ethnicity in Sport in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Statement from the Vegas Golden Knights and our players pic.twitter.com/WVvhtnS8Q1 Armstrong believes social media has become a powerful platform for athletes to speak out without it being filtered through the media. — Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) August 27, 2020 “There was a time that they were muted because of the financial Athletes from the NBA, WNBA, Major League Baseball, Major League implications and sports teams were muted because of the potential loss Soccer and other pro sports also refused to play this week following the of sponsors,” she said. “But now, they’re willing to lose that. It’s just that shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by a white police officer in important that they’re willing to say ‘My dignity is not for sale. This is what Kenosha, Wisconsin. I stand for.’ ”

But for the NHL, a league that consists of more than 95 percent white The players chose to focus on the fight for equality rather than hockey players, the strike was powerful in its symbolism. Friday. Tampa Bay defenseman Brayden Coburn politely declined to answer a question related to the Lightning’s game Saturday. “I think that’s one thing that people continually mix up is they bring politics into these situations and that’s not what this is about,” Marchand But if further proof is needed of what players hope to change, Florida said. “We’re not being political. That’s not the goal, and that’s not what Hockey Now reported Friday the NHL is investigating whether former we’re here for. There needs to be changes made throughout society and Panthers general manager Dale Tallon used “racially-charged” language it’s bigger than hockey right now, and it’s bigger than sports.” during the postseason. Tallon denied the accusation.

Standing in solidarity “Things aren’t going to change overnight. That’s not how it works,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “It’s years of ingraining your kids the Prior to this summer, hockey players rarely spoke out on social issues. proper values. … And when you get through to the youth, we may not Boston goaltender Tim Thomas refused to join his teammates when see it tomorrow, but as years go on, I’m pretty confident that if we all do then-President Barack Obama invited the Bruins to the White House in the right thing as parents, the world will be a better place.” 2012. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 08.29.2020 Lightning forward J.T. Brown, who is bi-racial, raised his right fist to protest policy brutality and racism during the national anthem of a game in 2017.

But there seemed to be an awakening starting this summer, after the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky.

According to Kim Davis, the NHL’s executive vice president for social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs, more than 200 players have spoken out on social media.

The conversation was furthered when Minnesota defenseman Matt Dumba took a knee prior during the national anthems after he gave a speech prior to the Chicago-Edmonton game on Aug. 1. He raised his fist during the anthems the following day when the Wild played. 1192402 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights-Canucks revised series schedule announced

By David Schoen

August 28, 2020 - 7:19 am

Updated August 28, 2020 - 7:46 am

The Golden Knights will resume their Western Conference semifinal series against the Vancouver Canucks at 6:45 p.m. Pacific time Saturday, the NHL announced.

Game 3 will be televised on NBC Sports Network.

The teams were scheduled to play Game 3 on Thursday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, but NHL players chose not to participate to protest racial inequity and police brutality.

Revised schedule:

Game 3 — 6:45 p.m., Saturday (NBCSN)

Game 4 — 7:30 p.m., Sunday (NBCSN)

Game 5 — 6:45 p.m., Tuesday (NBCSN)

Game 6 — TBD, Thursday*

Game 7 — TBD, Sept. 4*

*if necessary

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192403 Vegas Golden Knights

NHL releases updated schedule for Golden Knights-Canucks playoff series

By Justin Emerson

Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 | 7:52 a.m.

The Golden Knights have a new schedule for their series against the Vancouver Canucks after Game 3, originally set for Thursday night, was postponed.

It will feature two sets of back-to-back games if the series goes the distance.

Game 3 will now be at 6:45 p.m. Saturday, followed by Game 4 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Game 5 isset for 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, and if necessary, Games 6 and 7 will be Thursday and Friday.

All games are set to be televised on NBC Sports Network.

It’s a change from the original schedule, but only slightly.

There was one set of back-to-back games in the original schedule — Game 5 and 6. To fit the series into the same time window, the NHL doubled up on them.

The updated schedule was necessary after players requested a postponement of all playoff games set for Thursday and today in order to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last week. Golden Knights winger Ryan Reaves played a large role in that effort.

Golden Knights-Canucks second-round schedule

Game 3 — 6:45 p.m. Saturday

Game 4 — 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Game 5 — 6:45 p.m. Tuesday

Game 6* — Thursday, time TBD

Game 7* — Friday, time TBD

*if necessary

LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192404 Winnipeg Jets Beaulieu, who made US$1 million this season, should also be brought back if possible. He adds much-needed physicality and works well in a third-pairing role. The rest of the defencemen can walk, with Kulikov providing the biggest cost savings as his US$4.333-million deal comes Jets GM has to get team heading in right direction, or consequences off the books. could be dire Up front, the big question will be whether Cheveldayoff takes a run at re- signing Eakin, who seemed miscast in a second-line centre role. I believe it’s best to move on, unless he’s willing to take a big hometown discount Mike McIntyre (The 29-year-old made US$3.85 million this season). None of the other UFA forwards are anything more than replacement-level depth.

Kevin Cheveldayoff doesn’t need me to tell him how to do his job. The Brossoit will be an interesting case. After a stellar 2018-19 campaign, he Winnipeg Jets general manager has his own knowledge and experience regressed in 2019-20. There’s no question he works well with No. 1 to rely on, along with a team of talented hockey minds around him. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, but there will be plenty of goalies available on the open market. I’d find a way to bring him back, unless you That doesn’t mean I’m not going to give it the ol’ college try. think there’s a significant improvement available at a cost you can live with. Bottom line is this is Hellebuyck’s crease, and he’s going to play at I recently wrote that pressure should be mounting on Cheveldayoff as he least 60 games. enters a critical off-season for the organization. The Jets have gone backwards in consecutive seasons, from a trip to the Western There are six players in this category, and none of the Patrik Laine and Conference final in 2018 to a first-round playoff elimination in 2019 to Kyle Connor variety which occupied so much effort (and money) last off- falling short in a post-season qualifying round series in 2020. season. Forwards Jack Roslovic, Mason Appleton and Jansen Harkins and defenceman Sami Niku are the only four who would be considered Throw in the fact Cheveldayoff is entering his 10th season at the helm, NHLers at this point, with forwards C.J. Suess and defenceman Nelson which is rare air for NHL executives, and his seat should be getting Nogier the others. awfully warm these days. Get this club quickly pointed back in the right direction — or make room for someone else to come in with a fresh Cheveldayoff at least has some comfort knowing none of them will break approach. the bank coming out of their expiring entry-level deals, but some cap space will have to be allocated. Roslovic stands to see the biggest bump Business is about to start picking up around here, especially once the from the US$894,166 he made this season, but even that won’t be Stanley Cup is awarded about a month from now. And Cheveldayoff’s to- substantial. do list has no shortage of items on it. Hire an assistant coach Restock at the NHL Draft Todd Woodcroft left to become a bench boss at the University of No, the Jets didn’t get lucky at the draft lottery and land the No. 1 pick. Vermont. He was a real X’s and O’s guy who worked especially well with That honour went to the New York Rangers, who will surely select young players and will need to be replaced, no doubt with input from phenom Alexis Lafrenière when the two-day event begins in virtual form head coach Paul Maurice. Oct. 9. Figure out the Bryan Little situation However, that doesn’t mean all hope for the future is lost. The Jets will pick 10th, which should still net them a solid prospect in what is believed The veteran centre is an integral part of the team, as beloved and to be a deep draft. respected as you’ll find. But his devastating head and ear injuries suffered in November may be career-threatening. Since Jets 2.0 took off in 2011, the following players have been taken in that spot: Jonas Brodin (2011), Slater Koekkoek (2012), Valeri If Little can’t resume playing, he would likely be moved to long-term Nichushkin (2013), Nick Ritchie (2014), Mikko Rantanen (2015), Tyson injured reserve, which would also free up his $5.291-million contract (he Jost (2016), Owen Tippett (2017), Evan Bouchard (2018) and Vasily would still be paid, but it wouldn’t count against the cap). Obviously that Podkolzin (2019). money could go a long way to helping fill some holes.

Among the names who could be available based on amateur scouting What to do with Mathieu Perreault? lists are Canadian forwards Cole Perfetti and Jack Quinn, American defenceman Jake Sanderson, Swedish winger Alexander Holtz, Finnish The 32-year-old forward is entering the final year of a deal that pays him centre Anton Lundell and Russian goaltender Iaroslav Askarov. US$4.125 million. That’s a lot of money for a player who has slowed down considerably, is injury-prone and often skates on the fourth line. A Unlike Lafrenière, none are expected to be able to step in immediately buyout would save the Jets US$2.6 million towards the cap (they would and contribute. But Winnipeg’s prospect pool isn’t nearly as deep as a still have a cap hit of nearly US$1.5 million next season, and US$1.3 few seasons ago, mainly due to the fact so many bright young players million the following season). Is it worth it? have graduated to the big club. They need a home run here. Although you’d be opening up a spot, you’d still have to replace him on The Jets have only four picks this year, barring any trades. They’ll also the roster. The key is what you do with the money saved on Perreault. pick 41st (second round), 133rd (fifth) and 164th (sixth). Picks in the Ideally, you could find a trade partner willing to take Perreault, perhaps a third, fourth and seventh rounds were previously dealt away. team with plenty of cap space. But they’d want something in return, not unlike how Cheveldayoff had to send Joel Armia to the Montreal Figure out what to do with UFAs Canadiens to rid himself of goalie Steve Mason’s deal. All options should There are 13 players in this category. Eight were in the lineup for be considered. Winnipeg's Game 4 defeat to Calgary that ended their season – Explore the UFA market defencemen Dylan DeMelo, Dmitry Kulikov and Nathan Beaulieu, forwards Cody Eakin, Nick Shore, Gabriel Bourque and Logan Shaw, Let’s assume Cheveldayoff doesn’t re-sign any of his UFAs. That leaves and backup goaltender Laurent Brossoit. him with just 14 players who were on the year-end roster under contract for next season. Nine forwards (Mark Scheifele, Laine, Blake Wheeler, The others are depth blue-liners Luca Sbisa, Anthony Bitetto and Cam Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, Little, Andrew Copp, Adam, Lowry, Perreault), Schilling and depth forwards Mark Letestu and Seth Griffith. four defencemen (Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk, Poolman, Carl Dahlstrom) DeMelo should be priority No. 1 for Cheveldayoff. He acquitted himself and one goaltender (Hellebuyck). well on a top pairing since coming over in a February trade with the Those 14 players are set to make just under US$66 million next season. Ottawa Senators, and his return would help settle a blue-line that only Once new deals for Roslovic, Appleton, Harkins and Niku are completed, has regulars Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk and Tucker Poolman under that brings you to 18 players, but also somewhere in the range of US$70 contract. DeMelo is coming off making just US$900,000 and will be million. looking for a big raise and term, but the Jets should do everything possible to retain him. The salary cap is expected to remain flat next season at US$81.5. That allows for some room — but not a lot — to fill out a 23-man roster, which will need a backup goaltender, a couple defencemen and a couple forwards at minimum, along with additional depth pieces for the farm.

Young prospects such as defencemen Ville Heinola and Dylan Samberg and forwards David Gustafsson and Kristian Vesalainen could all force their way into the equation as well, and at team-friendly entry-level deals paying them under US$1 million per season.

Flames defenceman Travis Hamonic, a product of St. Malo, is one notable UFA would look great on Winnipeg’s blue-line. The biggest free- agent fish is St. Louis Blues stud Alex Pietrangelo, but he’s likely to command a ransom the Jets may not be able to afford.

There’s not a ton of appealing options out there, which is why Cheveldayoff may have to...

Explore the trade market

It’s time to get aggressive. You’ve got a Vezina Trophy finalist in net, several elite scoring forwards and a couple big pieces on the blue-line to build around. This team should be in win-now mode.

Roslovic is a name often mentioned in trades, and he would likely bring a decent haul. If you’re thinking even bigger, perhaps one of the young wingers in Connor, Laine or Ehlers will have to be dangled. Focusing on a second-line centre and top-four defenceman should be the priorities here.

We saw the Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs do a deal this week to shake up their rosters. I hope Cheveldayoff was paying attention.

Outside of Hellebuyck, Scheifele and Morrissey, everything else should be in play — and that includes the 10th overall pick. Cheveldayoff hasn’t traditionally been very active in this department, but he may not have any other choice if he wants to stick around.

The next few months will be critical.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 08.29.2020 1192405 Vancouver Canucks Corey recounted in his Player Tribune story, and in his advocacy work since the story broke, how isolating it is to live with a mental illness. That’s especially true for a very young person, living far from home, dealing with a serious mental illness in the macho world of sports. Dr. Diane McIntosh: Loneliness and the NHL bubble Hockey players are beloved for their physical and mental toughness. There was no “magic sponge” for the likes of retired Buffalo Sabres’ goaltender, Clint Malarchuk. He nearly bled to death on the ice after his Dr. Diane McIntosh jugular vein was cut by another player’s skate. He talks about being irate Publishing date:Aug 29, 2020 when his jersey was cut off by the medical team who were fighting to keep him alive, because he planned to return for the third period!

Years later, struggling with PTSD, OCD, depression and alcoholism, Clint Likely to no one’s surprise, writing a book about depression doesn’t result shot himself in the head. Remarkably, he survived, and has become a in a financial windfall. However, launching my book, This is Depression, tireless advocate for players living with mental illness. last year brought me countless gifts that money can’t buy. One gift has been the opportunity to meet Corey Hirsch, who spoke at my book I wonder whether the pressure to be invincible has made our hockey launch. heroes more vulnerable.

Corey is a Canadian Olympic silver medallist and retired NHL goalie, who What is most troubling about the bubble article, and other stories of was first drafted by the New York Rangers and played for Vancouver, players who are struggling with isolation, is the comments made on Dallas, and Washington. After retiring, Corey worked as a goaltending social media that reinforce the stigma associated with mental illness. coach for Toronto and St. Louis, as well as for our national junior team, It seems we’re living at a time when only the most disadvantaged can winning two goal medals. He’s now a radio broadcaster for the Canucks. express their challenges or emotions. A player who shares that he feels While his career on the ice is certainly impressive, what makes Corey so lonely or misses his family is met with, “Buck up, baby. You’ve got tons of remarkable and inspiring is his extraordinary courage, which he money. What do you have to complain about?” Because you’re rich, demonstrated in a Player’s Tribune article in 2017. In the article, Corey you’re not allowed to be lonely? recounted his experience with mental illness, specifically OCD and Too many social media users lack humanity. Unlike the player’s diary, depression, and how his illness nearly cost him his life. where he was seeking perspective, trolls project their venom outward Corey and I are now working together to create a podcast about elite and never reflect inward. athletes and mental illness and a program to develop youth mental health Money can buy stuff, but it can’t save you from loneliness, it can’t save a literacy. He’s also in the midst of calling playoff games. marriage that’s on the brink, and it can’t replace tucking your kid into bed Last week, Corey brought the challenges of living in the NHL bubble to or holding your newborn. my attention. He shared a story from The Athletic that contained the It’s true that mental health and finances are intricately linked. diarized thoughts of an anonymous player, currently living in the Recessions, job losses, and underemployment are all associated with Edmonton bubble. Corey asked me, “How long do you have before worsening mental health and they can lead to a vicious cycle, fuelling isolation makes you lose it?”, and I thought about the isolation so many each other. of us are facing during this pandemic. But look at all the people we have lost to suicide who had wealth and Loneliness is a serious health risk. There’s robust scientific evidence that fame, and who were deeply loved. The belief that you have no right to social isolation and loneliness significantly increases the risk for have emotional struggles or to express those feelings, because of your premature death. Remarkably, research shows that loneliness and social affluence or other perceived advantages, keeps people quiet, keeps isolation are as bad or worse than other major health risk factors, them isolated, and sadly, sometimes leaves them dead. including the lack of physical activity, obesity and smoking. Thank you, Corey, for your strength, courage, and determination on the Conversely, social connectedness protects and promotes mental health ice, but even more importantly, off the ice. By speaking up about your and well-being. own battle with mental illness, you have lit the path for countless others Loneliness isn’t the same as choosing to be alone; some people enjoy to seek help, when all they could see was darkness. and feel reinvigorated by solitude. It is defined by our perceptions: if we Vancouver Province: LOADED: 08.29.2020 feel isolated or unsatisfied by our social connectedness, we are isolated and lonely. Our perception is our reality.

We all face loneliness sometimes, especially when we’re enduring major life events, such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, our child leaving for university, moving to a new city or starting a new job. In those circumstances, despite being surrounded by people offering love and support, we can still feel very much alone.

Hockey players can feel lonely in a hotel surrounded by teammates or on a packed bus headed to a practice, even when they’re with people they like and who care about them.

Loneliness related to a loss or life circumstance is described as reactive or situational. As painful as reactive loneliness may be, it’s chronic loneliness that causes the greatest harm. It can be an agonizing affliction and lead to serious, negative health outcomes.

The anonymous player in The Athletic piece demonstrated resilience. He talked about working to maintain perspective. He expressed gratitude. He looked for the positives, describing how the experience resembled summer camp and the camaraderie among his teammates. He spoke of the challenges and then looked for solutions. Yet, he chose not to reveal his identity.

We know there are vulnerable players living in that bubble, who were suffering from mental or physical health challenges even before they started the playoffs. They are at greater risk for the adverse health effects of loneliness and isolation. 1192406 Vancouver Canucks “I don’t think we talked about that, which is rare in a playoff year,” Cooper said. “Clearly our attention was drawn elsewhere and justifiably.

“We spent the first 45 minutes having an open-forum discussion with Ed Willes: Players park hockey cliches, speak from the heart about everybody, not just the players but all 52 people in the bubble. Everyone changing world spoke.”

It’s easy, of course, to dismiss all this as empty posturing; an act for the cameras to prove the NHL isn’t as out of step with the times as it Ed Willes appeared to be Wednesday.

Publishing date:Aug 29, 2020 NEXT GAME

Saturday | Game 3

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 25: Ryan Reaves #75 of the Vegas Vegas Golden Knights vs. Vancouver Canucks Golden Knights leaves the ice after warm ups before playing against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Two of the Western Conference Second (Best-of-seven series tied 1-1) Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on 6:45 p.m., Rogers Place (Edmonton), TV: Sportsnet; Radio: Sportsnet August 25, 2020 650 AM If you’ve ever interviewed NHL players in a professional capacity, you But here’s the other thing you know about NHL players: they’re not good know they’re not given to moments of deep introspection on the affairs of actors. What they’ve been saying over the last two days comes from the the day. heart and no statement was more impactful than Ryan Reaves of the Come to think of it, they’re not given to moments of deep introspection on Vegas Golden Knights, standing in front of a wall of masked white faces, any affairs on any day. speaking about his fear of being alone, his fear that other players wouldn’t rally to his side. If you can get anything other than “pucks in deep” and “work the forecheck” out of your subject, you’ve struck gold in this day and age. “I go to war with these guys and I hate their guts on the ice,” Reaves You’ll also be sharing that gold with the rest of the world because the said. “But I couldn’t more proud of these guys and the statement they’ve one-on-one interview that gave rise to meaningful interaction in another made today. It’s something that’s going to last. era has gone the way of the Sher-Wood PMP. “These two days aren’t going to fix anything but the conversation and the That is why the words and Images that have emerged from the bubbles statement that’s been made is very powerful.” in Edmonton and Toronto over the last two days will be remembered, Again, think of those words. Think about that image. This is a seminal have to be remembered. moment for the game and it was captured in that one shot, Reaves Not one of those players were under the illusion that, by forcing the NHL flanked by Nazem Kadri and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare to his right; to postpone two days of playoff hockey, they were changing the world. Jason Dickinson and Bo Horvat to his left. Different coloured faces. But they all seemed to realize the power of the moment and they realized Faces from different countries, different socio-economic backgrounds. it on a level the game’s stewards missed completely earlier in the week. But all standing together, trying to make a change, promising to try.

That’s the take-away of the last two days, those players who tend to Here’s the other thing: they were young faces and that might have been trade in clichés and banalities standing together, speaking their truth. It the most powerful part of all this. was a groundbreaking moment for the game. It was a groundbreaking As a 64-year-old white male, it’s difficult to look at those young people moment for the players and, hopefully, the conversation they started and not feel some guilt. continues. Our generation started off wanting to make a difference, wanting to But the point is that conversation is taking place and that means change the world. But something happened and we let ourselves down. something. It has to mean something or we are all truly lost. We got complacent. We got comfortable. We stood by and let the same “Never in my NHL career did I think we’d be with four other teams and things happen to people we should have been fighting for. we’d be having the discussions we’ve had,” Tampa defenceman Braydon That’s on us. But this is on you now. It’s your fight. It’s your world. Please Coburn said Friday. “I think it’s very productive. It’s been enlightening do better. Please keep trying. and it’s something a lot of guys are very proud of.” Don’t let this moment pass. You’ve made a statement. Keep making it. A question was asked of Coburn about the challenge of playing in back- to-back nights as the Lightning had done Tuesday and Wednesday in Vancouver Province: LOADED: 08.29.2020 their series with Boston.

From left to right: Nazem Kadri of the Colorado Avalanche, Pierre- Edouard Bellemare of the Colorado Avalanche, Ryan Reaves of the Vegas Golden Knights, Jason Dickinson of the Dallas Stars and Bo Horvat of the Vancouver Canucks speak to the media while teammates gather behind them. Players called timeout to protest social injustice, sparked again by the recent shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha, Wis. police.

“I think today for the most part we want to make sure we keep the attention and the conversation around the issues,” Coburn said. “That’s where our heads are at right now. Thank you, though.”

The Lightning, we remind you, won both those games to take a 2-1 series lead over the Bruins. This is a team picked by many to win the bizarro Stanley Cup; an elite team that has found ways to come up short when they were tested in previous post-seasons. Those two wins were significant for Coburn and his teammates but they weren’t as important as the message the players were trying to deliver.

If you missed that point, moreover, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper was up next and described the scene at the team meal following Wednesday’s 7-1 win. 1192407 Vancouver Canucks Contrast that with the situation at the other end of the ice, where Vegas has two proven stars able to work the crease.

Robin Lehner has carried the bulk of the work in the playoffs, but Marc- Canucks: Revised playoff schedule puts extra pressure on Markstrom Andre Fleury is no slouch as his backup. If Vegas coach Peter DeBoer does as expected and splits this weekend’s starts between the two, the Canucks will face a fresh and rested goaltender in each game. Game 4 is Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Patrick Johnston “This is where Vegas benefits. They can play both guys. Canucks they Publishing date:Aug 28, 2020 really don’t have a choice,” said Corey Hirsch, analyst for Sportsnet 650’s radio broadcaster and a former NHL goalie and goalie coach.

The revised NHL playoff schedule means the Vancouver Canucks and Hirsch has also been a goalie who’s had to play three consecutive nights. Vegas Golden Knights might play five games in seven nights, starting He did so in the AHL and in his WHL days with the Kamloops Blazers. Saturday. “I’ve been down that road,” he said with a laugh. Hirsch, of course, didn’t That schedule, reworked after players called timeout Thursday and play in a time when the science of physical conditioning was as well Friday to voice their concerns about social injustice, will make for some understood as it is now. hard work for one Canucks player in particular — Jacob Markstrom. “The new schedule doesn’t benefit the Canucks at all. Good thing For any NHL netminder, surviving such a heavy schedule — let alone Markstrom’s in good shape.” having success doing it — would seem daunting. For Markstrom, though, Vancouver Province: LOADED: 08.29.2020 the physical demands he may find himself battling over the coming week won’t be anything new.

As a raw 20-year-old AHL rookie, he started three days in a row for the . He actually played a fourth game after one rest day. But four games in five days is a lot.

Markstrom started three consecutive days a season later too, to close out the 2011-12 season. And back-to-back starts hasn’t been a rarity in Vancouver either.

But it still bears noting how his next week could play out, given the Golden Knights are the opposition, one of the best teams in hockey, and not the Adirondack Phantoms, the or the Hamilton Bulldogs.

The Canucks have had two keys to their success during the regular season and in the playoffs this year: a potent power play and all-star performances from Markstrom.

At some point, though, the man in the mask may face down his breaking point. Most goalies like to face lots of shots, but not usually the volume the Canucks have been conceding to their opponents in the post-season.

The last time Markstrom faced fewer than 30 shots in a game was Game 4 of the qualifying series against the Minnesota Wild, a game that was the second of back-to-back nights of action for the Canucks’ No. 1 goalie.

He wasn’t sharp that night, he admitted, making sure to thank his teammates for outscoring his mistakes in a 5-4 overtime win.

Against the St. Louis Blues in the first round, he found himself in a groove in that series’ pair of back-to-back affairs, Games 3 and 4. He did everything he could to give his team a shot to beat the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The meltdown against the Wild was an exception in a year that’s been about incredible performance after incredible performance. He wouldn’t admit to it, but it was clear fatigue was a factor.

That was also just 10 days into a return to play after 4½ months on the shelf. The Canucks and Knights have been back in action for a month and both teams look like they’ve found their midseason legs.

NEXT GAME

Saturday | Game 3

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Vancouver Canucks

(Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)

6:45 p.m., Rogers Place (Edmonton), TV: Sportsnet; Radio: Sportsnet 650 AM

Still, the schedule doesn’t have any give for Markstrom, who seems certain to start all remaining games in the series unless his health intervenes unexpectedly. Thatcher Demko is a quality backup but has only played 8:26 since hockey returned from its COVID-19 pause at the end of July.

Demko didn’t even appear in the Canucks’ lone exhibition game before the qualifying round. 1192408 Websites “I told them, ‘It’s so impactful, maybe more so than other sports, because hockey is predominantly White. … You guys doing this helps our message,’’’ Kane said moments after getting off that call. “It’s not about talking anymore, it’s about action. This is the first real display of The Athletic / LeBrun: Behind the scenes of the NHL’s player-led action. And I’m glad they reached out and asked for advice.’’ movement to postpone games The NHL’s player makeup is not just predominantly White, it’s 75 percent non-American. So the shared experience for some of the league’s athletes is different, not that racism doesn’t exist throughout the world. By Pierre LeBrun Aug 28, 2020 Still, it’s a factor perhaps in some hockey players feeling comfortable diving into what’s going on in America.

His game was over. He was catching up. The sports world was making “Yeah, and I think that’s something as an American, it’s a reason that I history but without hockey. take this so seriously,’’ said Shattenkirk, a native of New Rochelle, N.Y. “I want guys from other nations and countries who come over here to play And Kevin Shattenkirk, like many other NHL players late Wednesday and live in my country to realize what’s going on, to realize it’s something night, knew they had to get on it. serious. And something we have to make right and take a stand on. It’s not OK to use that excuse that you come from another culture. I think The NBA’s players were leading a protest that had seeped into other everyone from my standpoint is on that same page and believes in the sports. But hockey hadn’t budged yet. end, we want to do what’s right. And it doesn’t matter if you’re Russian or “For us after the game, we realized the situation, we realized the Czech or Finnish or Swedish, I think every hockey player knows that it’s importance of it,” Shattenkirk said. “I think the fact we wanted to make inherently right to support this and take action.’’ sure to take the time not only to talk about it as a team but talk about it But it’s telling that when a Canadian star like Tyler Seguin took a knee with other players around the league, that was important to us. I know earlier this month, he felt some backlash from some American fans who people were upset about that (being a day late), but it’s also important to didn’t want him meddling in so-called American affairs. Which is take the time to discuss it and realize the importance of it as well.’’ ridiculous, of course. Racism has no borders. So the Lightning defenseman on Wednesday night texted a few former “It shouldn’t be a political stance,’’ said Shattenkirk. “It’s doing what’s teammates, good friends. First, former NHLer Chris Stewart, a member right. It’s Tyler Seguin showing Black players in the NHL that we of the Hockey Diversity Alliance. Then, Golden Knights forward Ryan recognize that systematic racism is a problem. We’re supporting in every Reaves in the other bubble. way that we can and we’re also trying to learn and listen to the Shattenkirk wanted to get the ball rolling, which is why he reached out to experiences that some of these players have had, or some of these his two pals. He wanted to pick their brain. In Reaves’ case, he just communities have had. I think that’s the next step for us as players is to wanted to make sure his buddy was OK. improve our community involvement and speak and listen to the Black community and what their stance and viewpoint on different matters that Which was a relief for the big guy. Reaves, who played with Shattenkirk to be honest, we’ll never have to experience or worry about.’’ in St. Louis, told his pal he had barely slept all night, wondering if he was going to be the only player to pull out of the lineup in protest Thursday Which is why Thursday’s movement was so important as far as the night, or if he’d have the courage to ask his teammates to do the same. message it sent to Black players around the sport.

“(Reaves) told me he was thinking of sitting out but he wasn’t sure that “We want those guys to feel safe and welcome within the framework of anyone would back him because he was in a predominantly white sport,” our environment,” van Riemsdyk said. “We want them to feel good about Shattenkirk said. “That statement hit me hard because he is one of my being an NHLer and a hockey player. By us being supportive and doing closest friends and I wanted him to know that he would have the support the right thing like this, it obviously takes a step in that way. Maybe you from the entire East Coast bubble. have younger people in different communities – and this is a bigger issue than just hockey and sport – but if they see us standing there with them, “We all jumped on a call with him a few hours later and let him know that maybe they will feel the hockey world is a safe space for them. I think we would sit out as well.’’ that goes a long way, too.’’

Indeed, what Reaves realized after hearing from Shattenkirk is that he The Athletic LOADED: 08.29.2020 wasn’t alone. That players in both bubbles had begun the conversation. That a movement was afoot. And by the end of the day, as Reaves courageously spoke at a news conference in Edmonton, he was surrounded by players from all four teams in that bubble, a show of force in hockey’s entry into the racial injustice discussion that we have never seen before in the sport.

Was it all a day late? Yes. There are many who will remember that the NHL didn’t join in the night it was all happening. But as I wrote Thursday, there was still a chance to do something.

And that something was rather unprecedented.

As James van Riemsdyk explained, it started as chatter between teammates, then chats with other players in their hotel bubble, then about 20 or so players in their bubble wanting to take it to the next level.

“That morphed into talking to the guys from the other bubble, talking to Ryan Reaves and some of the other guys on the teams there,’’ the Flyers winger said. “Some guys then reached out to Matt Dumba and Evander Kane. Other guys reached out to Chris Stewart in the morning, just to see what we can do to show support and solidarity to what’s going on. And make a decision where we can all get behind something and have a united front. … It became pretty apparent what was the right thing to do.’’

What transpired was a genuine, grassroots conversation in both bubbles Thursday, a whole bunch of meetings and calls, including the players inviting Kane and Dumba from the HDA onto a massive players’ call in the afternoon.

By then, the players were already in unison on postponing games. Kane relayed to them what that meant to him and the HDA. 1192409 Websites “I was actually just outside our coaching room and you saw 30 or 40 players together,” said Islanders coach Barry Trotz. “All from different teams, all who maybe the night before or hours leading up to that would have been on the ice going nose-to-nose gathering around and trying to Sportsnet.ca / How players pushed the game aside to take a stand come up with solutions and understanding and being very supportive. against systemic racism “When you look back at that, those are powerful moments that you sometimes don’t recognize because of the bigger picture that’s not even evolving yet.” Chris Johnston | August 28, 2020, 7:31 PM In the next few weeks, one of those teams will get a chance to play for

the Stanley Cup. TORONTO — On another day, in another playoffs, the trials and travails But all of that was pushed aside for 48 hours designed to make a of Luke Schenn and Braydon Coburn would make for fine copy. statement about the importance of human rights. The NHL is trailing The veteran Tampa Bay Lightning defencemen each left families behind behind other sports when it comes to both conversation and action to spend a month inside the Stanley Cup bubble getting scratched before around the Black Lives Matter movement, but there’s been an awakening finally having the chance to contribute in back-to-back wins over the at a level never previously seen. Boston Bruins this week “I think for us, we’re at the table now and I think that’s really the important However, when asked about that Friday afternoon, I heard a response thing,” said Coburn. unlike any I can recall in 15 years of covering the NHL on a daily basis. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 08.29.2020 “Thanks for the question,” Coburn began. “I think today for the most part … we kind of want to make sure that we keep the attention and the conversation around the issues and that’s kind of where I think our heads are at right now. Thank you, though.”

Let’s mark this down as the kind of small, but significant change that shouldn’t go unnoticed after NHL players decided to postpone two days worth of games to make a statement about systemic racism.

Or, how about this from Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand?

“Sports, it’s a luxury. It’s a luxury to watch this game, to play this game,” he said. “But when it becomes about people’s safety and people’s lives and people feeling comfortable to be in their own skin, it’s much more important than that. I understand people want to watch the games and I understand people want to see this, but it’s too bad.”

History will eventually judge if this was a movement or a moment by the tangible steps taken in our sport — be it establishing grassroots programs, specific hiring targets for Black executives or even having NHL arenas opened as polling stations — but in real time we shouldn’t overlook some of the finer shifts already taking place.

What happened inside the bubbles late Wednesday night and all through Thursday was organic. It was real. This was a group of predominantly white players engaging in conversations most had never been part of before and ultimately deciding to take a collective stand.

“Never in my NHL career did I think that we’d be with four other teams and you’d be having these discussions that we had,” said Coburn. “I think it’s very productive, it’s been enlightening and it’s something that a lot of guys are very proud of.”

For the Lightning, Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders, it started on Wednesday night.

Each of those teams played games at Scotiabank Arena that day — while the Milwaukee Bucks were refusing to take the court in the NBA’s Disney World Bubble, and WNBA, MLS and MLB players started following their lead — which brought the discussion to Hotel X here in Toronto.

Those talks first played out among the individual teams. Then the Bruins and Lightning, in the midst of a second-round playoff series against each other, made plans to meet Thursday morning. Then a discussion started among players waiting outside the interview room set up on the second floor of the hotel.

“It kind of snowballed from there,” said Bruins centre Patrice Bergeron.

Eventually there were veteran players from each of the four teams remaining inside the Eastern Conference bubble gathering together for honest dialogue. A similar scene was playing out in Edmonton, where members of the Vancouver Canucks reached out to Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves, who is Black, to discuss the possibility of stepping back from Thursday’s game.

Reaves had also been in touch with former teammate Kevin Shattenkirk of the Lightning, while members of the Flyers were speaking with Chris Stewart of the Hockey Diversity Alliance.

The spark had been lit. 1192410 Websites forced to have them. Even after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police, plus a list of others so long it should make you cry. Not even after all of that and then the shooting last weekend in Kenosha, Wis., of Jacob Blake, who was left paralyzed after taking at Sportsnet.ca / Postponement of NHL games an opportunity for overdue least seven bullets in the back from officers. reflection, conversation It took other leagues stopping to compel us towards action.

The NHL is largely composed of white players from North America and Chris Johnston | August 27, 2020, 6:46 PM Europe, and largely covered by media members with those same backgrounds.

People like me. People who have incorrectly thought that not being TORONTO — The arenas inside the bubbles will go dark tonight. overtly racist in our behaviour was enough, which is the very definition of As they should. white privilege. People who can do more to affect change and stand beside our neighbours regardless of ethnicity, gender or sexual The NHL found a way to safely conduct the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the orientation. middle of a pandemic, but it couldn’t keep the most important issue of the day outside the walls of the secure zones it constructed in Toronto and Do you want to know what postponing a couple hockey games in August Edmonton. accomplishes?

The Black Lives Matter movement has finally arrived in a predominantly At minimum, it forces those of us inhabiting that world to step back, white sport, and it’s at least a day late and a dollar short. But it’s here. reflect and have some honest conversations about why it needed to The players have used their voices like those in bigger, more culturally happen. It’s a step. The first of many more to come. diverse and profitable sports leagues and decided not to play the two "The players are going to have to get involved, I’m going to have to get games originally scheduled for Thursday (Islanders vs. Flyers, and involved, everybody," said New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz. "And if Canucks vs. Golden Knights), plus two more scheduled Friday (Bruins you do that, that will effect change for our country. And it definitely needs vs. Lightning, and Stars vs. Avalanche). it right now." The Hockey Diversity Alliance helped guide the decision-making process, It’s important to remember that none of us gets to choose the time we first by formally asking the league to suspend all playoff games to make a live in. statement about human rights taking precedence over sports, and then by leading a conference call with a meaningful number of players inside Sometimes a pandemic arrives without warning and turns the world the bubble. upside down, which can be tumultuous and uncertain and scary even for those of us who enjoy the privilege of a comfortable life. Evander Kane, Matt Dumba, Akim Aliu, Wayne Simmonds, Nazem Kadri and the HDA’s other founding members have clearly articulated the But we should not lose sight of the fact that with disruption comes biggest impediment to change: They can’t be the only ones taking up opportunity — a chance to slow down, and reflect, and see some things these issues. we’ve been missing in plain view.

If you only ever have Black players and Filipino players and Lebanese That’s where we are right now. players speaking up, they’re not truly going to be heard at the volume needed to make a significant impact. To understand why, you need only I will be the first to put my hand up and say that there have been walk into a dressing room at any level of the sport in basically every numerous times in the past when I could have been a stronger, more place it is played. forceful ally to the Black Lives Matter movement. And I’m sure many others in the NHL community feel the same way, starting with the I fell in love with hockey while growing up in small-town Canada, mistake made by playing games Wednesday night that thankfully won’t surrounded almost exclusively by kids who looked exactly like me. And I be repeated here tonight. consider it one of my life’s true blessings that I’ve been able to turn that passion into a job that never feels like work. That’s action, and it means more than the words we’ve spoken before.

But on Wednesday night, I didn’t want to be at work. As the Chinese proverb goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. The empty stands at Scotiabank Arena couldn’t have felt any more hollow while Boston and Tampa played Game 3 of their second-round Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 08.29.2020 series. After watching history get made inside the NBA’s Disney World bubble, where the Milwaukee Bucks set off a wave of player-initiated strikes in the WNBA, MLS, MLB and professional tennis by refusing to take the court to face the Orlando Magic, it simply didn’t feel right to see the NHL play on.

“I don’t think anything feels right, right now, to be honest,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Thursday morning when asked to reflect on the decision to go ahead with the game.

That’s true, but continuing to put their heads down, withdraw further into the bubble and take the ice for games would have been downright wrong.

The hockey community has taken steps in the proper direction since George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by white police officers in Minnesota three months ago. We saw a huge number of NHL players put out statements condemning systemic racism. We saw entire teams wear “Black Lives Matter” T-shirts. We even saw a couple players take a knee during the national anthems at the outset of these playoffs.

But we also saw Dumba forced to kneel alone before the first game played at Rogers Place inside the bubble after delivering a heart-felt message about the need to fight racism.

“Hockey is a great game, but it could be a whole lot greater, and it starts with all of us,” Dumba said that afternoon.

The truth is that we’ve trailed behind the collective conversations being held elsewhere in the sporting world in large part because we weren’t 1192411 Websites “There’s sports and then there are things that are bigger than sports,” Canuck coach Travis Green said. “I wasn’t surprised at all this morning when I spoke to our players and they wanted to talk to Ryan. These guys, they’re teammates within the league. They all care about each Sportsnet.ca / Player-driven postponement an awakening for historically other, but when they go on the ice they still compete hard against each conformist NHL other. Yet they’re family. I felt that our group wanted to make sure the Vegas team knew, or Ryan knew, that they were behind him. I was

behind them all the way, supported them 100 per cent with whatever Iain MacIntyre | August 27, 2020, 10:58 PM decision they made. It’s hard not to be proud of them.”

Reaves was joined at the front of the room by Canucks captain Bo Horvat, Colorado Avalanche players Nazem Kadri and Pierre-Edouard EDMONTON – It looked less like a protest than an awakening. Bellemare, and Dallas Stars centre Jason Dickinson.

Nearly 100 National Hockey League players from four Western The sight of all these players standing together, surrounded by Conference teams trying to beat each other to go to the Stanley Cup, teammates, made for a powerful and lasting image. This defiance in the players from many countries and ethnicities, stood shoulder to shoulder name of social consciousness felt like a watershed moment for a league Thursday in support of a two-day shutdown intended to shine a spotlight in which conformity and compliance are hallmarks of its culture. once again on systemic racism in the wake of the shooting of another unarmed Black man by a white police officer. “We need to come together,” Horvat said. “Obviously, this kind of stuff can’t stand. We need to educate ourselves and realize what’s going on in At the front and centre of the group, crowded into a press conference the world. I think (Reaves) hit the nail on the head: there needs to be room inside the Edmonton bubble near the end of a historic day, stood change, and us being all together here as one definitely shows the Ryan Reaves, literally the biggest Black man in hockey. strength in the hockey community.”

This was a moment of empowerment – the manifestation of the players’ Kadri said: “Some things are bigger than sports and there comes a time realization that on issues that are most important to them and their you’ve got to start acting on your word. You can put up signs and have all communities beyond hockey, they need not wait for their teams and that stuff, but at the end of the day, what are you really doing to make a league to tell them how they should feel and act. difference? It’s that time for action.”

“I think if you look around this room, there are a lot of white athletes in Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 08.29.2020 here, and I think that’s the statement that’s being made right now,” Reaves, the battering-ram forward from the Vegas Golden Knights who had been scheduled to terrorize the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night, told reporters.

“It’s great that the NBA did this, and MLB and the WNBA. They have a lot of Black players in those leagues. But for all these athletes in here to take a stand and say: ‘You know what? We see the problem, too. And we stand behind you.’

“I go to war with these guys and I hate their guts on the ice, but I couldn’t be more proud of these guys. The statement they’ve made today is something that’s going to last.”

Racism is not a minority problem. It belongs to all of us. It is ridiculous to think the victims alone can fix it. Or should.

As the NHL allowed Wednesday night’s playoff games to go on even as players from the NBA and other leagues refused to perform after a Wisconsin police officer shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back while his three young children watched, Reaves wondered how he could possibly play Thursday.

If he sat out, he wondered if he would be the only one – and how would that look? Instead, 200 players walked out with him, and none will play again until Saturday as all eight teams left in the Stanley Cup tournament will postpone one game.

Reaves said he woke Thursday to a text from former St. Louis Blues teammate Kevin Shattenkirk, still playing in the Eastern Conference playoffs with the Tampa Bay Lightning, asking Reaves to speak to some players in the Toronto bubble.

Then he received a text from a player on the Canucks, tied 1-1 with the Knights in the second-round series, asking for a meeting.

Representing one of the most culturally and racially diverse cities in North America, Canucks players had talked early Thursday and were uncomfortable playing. They reached out to Reaves and then met with players from the Golden Knights.

Later, the group invited Evander Kane and Matt Dumba from the Hockey Diversity Alliance to speak to players, and more than 100 of them listened and asked questions. Players from the Canucks, Knights, Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars all decided not to play and informed the NHL and its Players’ Association.

The players decided.

“We were 100 per cent behind this from the moment it was brought up by the players,” Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said in a coaches’ press conference that followed the players’ video call. “Yes, it’s player-driven, but it’s team-supported.” 1192412 Websites Collectively, it was an impressive display of social consciousness. But consider this: Stecher is 26 years old, Horvat 25; Virtanen and Boeser were 23, Pettersson just 21.

Sportsnet.ca / Canucks proving themselves as leaders in NHL's call for These players still have their careers, their lives, ahead of them but racial justice already have a moral compass and awareness of society beyond the arena. If every young adult of their generation has the same – if half the people do – our world is going to be better than it is now.

Iain MacIntyre | August 28, 2020, 4:55 PM “As a coach, you have to be careful about how hard you fight or worry about them being unfocussed because there are other things going on in

the world,” Green said. “I don’t think you can pretend. . . or try to make EDMONTON – Growing up in British Columbia’s West Kootenays, in them believe there aren’t other things going on. There are. Castlegar, Travis Green said there wasn’t a lot of discussion in his house “When you talk about standing up (for something) and getting about racism or social justice. uncomfortable, we talk about getting outside your comfort zone on the ice His dad, Doug, worked for BC Tel. His mom, Linda, looked after Travis and during the game. Part of what’s going on in society, it is getting and his brother, David, before getting administrative jobs with the outside your comfort zone and discussing things that are hard to talk Chamber of Commerce and Selkirk College. about. Maybe you don’t understand it totally because you’ve never been in that spot, you’ve never had to deal with what some people deal with, “My dad had to get a second job selling Electrolux vacuum cleaners and even discussing it is sometimes hard. I think that’s the major step in door-to-door to support me and my brother to play hockey,” Green said. trying to have change.” “My parents just raised us to be, just, good people. My parents were honest, good people that worked hard.” As a team, you know you have something special when players care enough about each other to put themselves second, to sacrifice Green has some honest, good people in the Vancouver Canucks themselves and stand for something bigger than their personal scoring dressing room, too. stats or ice time. It’s what every coach wants.

The Canucks coach wasn’t surprised Thursday when those players came This is precisely what the 200 players in the NHL’s playoff bubbles are to him to talk about their discomfort going ahead with their playoff game doing right now – standing up for something bigger, getting out of their that night against the Vegas Golden Knights. comfort zone and sacrificing themselves to support others.

Green wasn’t surprised that they wanted to go down the hall to the Vegas It’s astonishing that some will criticize them for that. They’re the players dressing room, ahead of the scheduled morning skates at Rogers Place, I’d want on my team. and wait for Ryan Reaves and ask their opponent, who is Black, how he felt about playing after much of the North American sports world shut “I thought (Colorado Avalanche coach) Jared Bednar made a really good down Wednesday night in protest over the Wisconsin police shooting of comment yesterday at the podium that we grow up in a team unarmed Jacob Blake. environment,” Green said. “You’re all teammates. It would be nice if society started to look at things that way.” That conversation led to a larger meeting between Canucks and Knights players, and eventually the historic two-day shutdown of the Stanley Cup Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 08.29.2020 Playoffs.

“Our group is really tight,” Green said. “They feel for each other. They’ve gone through a lot, even off the ice, in the last year. They understood, even the team they’re playing against, what they could be going through. And it wasn’t about hockey; it was about something else.

“I think they’re outstanding individuals — good, solid people. It doesn’t surprise me with this group that they’ve handled the situation like they have.”

And, really, it shouldn’t have surprised anyone else either.

When George Floyd was choked to death by Minnesota police in May, reigniting the issue of systemic racism built over centuries, a handful of Canucks were among the first to issue statements after a call-to-action from NHL player Evander Kane.

Defenceman Troy Stecher was the first on June 1, followed later that day by captain Bo Horvat.

Stecher: “I will never fully understand due to the colour of my skin but I do know there needs to be change. I don’t have the answers but uniting and standing as one to voice our frustration and sadness peacefully is moving and powerful.”

Horvat: “I’m not going to pretend that I know what people of colour are going through, but what I do know is there needs to be change… that we need to do better, that we need to work together to find justice, peace and love.”

Teammates Brock Boeser and Jake Virtanen posted messages of support on social media.

And on June 5, Canucks star Elias Pettersson, a white 21-year-old Swede, issued his own thoughtful statement: “It made me sick to my stomach that a police officer did that to a human being. I never experienced racism up close, but recent days have made me realize I can educate myself more about the Black community and other racial minorities, to try to help myself moving forward, encourage positive change and stand up for equality.” 1192413 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Joel Ward: Player-led postponement a good opportunity for hockey to step up

Emily Sadler | August 28, 2020, 5:12 PM

Thursday’s decision by NHL players to put games on hold was undoubtedly a significant moment for the sport.

“It was a big moment for hockey, a big moment for society,” retired NHLer Joel Ward told Hockey Central on Friday when asked about his peers’ announcement on Thursday to press pause on the playoffs and stand with the rest of the sporting world in solidarity against racial injustice.

As a founding member of the recently formed Hockey Diversity Alliance, Ward played a crucial role in the player-led postponement of Thursday’s and Friday’s games. Members of the HDA posted public calls to action directed at the NHL to join their pro sports peers across the NBA, WNBA, MLS, MLB, NFL and professional tennis to halt operations in a widespread demand for change.

“For us, obviously hockey’s a different demographic from other sports and we thought it was a good opportunity for hockey to really step up,” Ward said. “We wanted to show solidarity. This is an important issue going on in society. People are dying — Black and people of colour are dying on the regular. Everybody sees it, and nobody’s doing anything about it. Everybody’s just turning a blind eye on it.”

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The NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks initiated this historic wave of action from around the sports world on Wednesday when they announced they would be sitting out their game against the Orlando Magic in a call for justice after the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Ward said he and other members of the HDA, including Evander Kane, Akim Aliu, Mathew Dumba, Chris Stewart, and Wayne Simmonds had “good discussions” with players in the Edmonton and Toronto bubbles as well as within the HDA about the key issues at hand leading up to the league’s announcement.

Ward said he’s proud of what the HDA has accomplished and of his NHL peers for “really understanding and just taking that moment to reflect.”

“I think as guys started chatting more and more and realized the importance of what is going on in today’s world, it just kind of unfolded, and sure enough, guys agreed to boycott the games and put it on pause for a minute, and you’ve seen what happened last night,” he said.

Of course, what happened on Thursday (and continues Friday) will be a mere moment, not a movement, if the conversations halt when the games pick up again on Saturday.

“This is just a small little moment here,” said Ward. “Obviously, you’re not going to make drastic changes in the 24 to 48 hours, but I think just having conversations with guys, just educating guys to let them know that this is very serious.”

The HDA, though not currently officially affiliated with the NHL, will continue to work with players to help educate them and move forward in their goal to eradicate racism in the game of hockey.

“We need allyship in the hockey community — our former players, current players, everybody in the hockey world to step up and say that, ‘Hey, NHL, this is a big issue,'” said Ward.

“Hopefully we can kind of solidify a solid partnership,” Ward said of working with the NHL. “We’re just trying to help our game grow, and that’s what we’re all about … We’re just here to make hockey a safe place for all of our kids growing up.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 08.29.2020 1192414 Websites being demoted to the AHL, is a ray of sunshine peeking through the cloud the Canadiens have been under for two-and-a-half decades of centre futility. He’s unquestionably aware that Kotkaniemi and 21-year- old Nick Suzuki represent a clear forecast for the foreseeable future, Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Danault's pride, self-belief shouldn't be especially after watching them combine for eight of the 23 goals the construed as selfishness Canadiens managed in the playoffs. And he was likely nodding his head in agreement when he heard general manager Marc Bergevin refer to

both players as centres he can build around for upwards of 15 years. Eric Engels | August 28, 2020, 8:51 AM But Julien doesn’t expect Danault to just bow down to the kids, nor does he believe the Victoriaville, Que., should.

MONTREAL — Dale Weise stood by his locker, hands on his hips, “In today’s hockey, you need everyone to produce,” Julien said. “When I dressed in a Canadiens onesie and wearing an incredulous look on his see what Phil has done for years, a Suzuki offering these performances face. He had just registered his 14th goal and 21st point in a 2015-16 and Kotkaniemi doing the same thing, I see the depth we need at centre. season that was 32 games old, and he was being asked by a veteran It’s out of the question that I’m going to go to Phillip and say, ‘Listen, I reporter to explain how it was possible a player like him could be don’t want you to score goals, I simply want you to be a player who providing so much offence. defends.’ Since I arrived (in 2017), he’s almost always been played against the opposition’s best lines, and he’s been capable of contributing A player like him. A former fourth-round pick of the New York Rangers at both ends of the ice. That’s what I expect from him and I hope it turned frequently scratched NHLer. A player who was viewed as nothing continues.” more than a lightweight pugilist by John Tortorella and the Vancouver Canucks. A player who was widely perceived to be topping out at 10 With Danault entering the final year of a contract that pays him just over goals and 29 points in 79 games in his first full season with Montreal $3 million per season, you know he’s committed. This is his best (2014-15). opportunity to secure his future, and he’s not going to waste it.

The reporter even used the words “fourth-line player,” and asked Weise if But if Danault’s comments — that he loves producing offence and needs he had to pinch himself. to be in a role that permits him to do it — were viewed as anything other than expressions of pride and self-belief, they shouldn’t be. Nor should Weise responded, “I’m not pinching myself, I don’t know what to tell you.” they be construed as selfish, because, as Julien noted, he’s always been a team player. The reporter, somewhat dissatisfied with the response, shrugged. But recognizing he struck a nerve, he said ‘OK,’ and moved on to the next “You have players who are willing to come in and do what’s best for the scrum. team, and that’s what Phil has done,” the coach said. “If he can be a good two-way centreman, we’re in good shape here.” I lingered, sensing Weise had more to say. That Danault believes he can be more, that he’s dedicated to being “Pinching myself? Does he not realize I’m in the (expletive) NHL,” he more, is what you want. asked. “He’s making it sound like it’s magic I somehow managed to score these goals. I’ve been scoring goals my whole life. How does he think I “I know I can reach another level,” he said, and we’ll see if he can deliver. got here?” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 08.29.2020 Mindset isn’t everything, but it is something. Weise wouldn’t have scored those goals if he didn’t believe he could. And successful teams want players who are bold enough to bet on themselves. They want players who refuse to view their successes or failures as luck propositions, players who will be insulted by the suggestion they’re doing something unbelievable or beyond their perceived capabilities.

Which brings us to .

You’d be mistaken if you thought the Canadiens had an issue with Danault taking umbrage at the suggestion he shouldn’t centre one of Montreal’s top-two lines moving forward. They’d have been more perturbed had he not fought against that idea — especially after he spent the last two seasons helping Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar to career-high production while establishing himself as a Selke Trophy contender. He’s 27 years old and in his prime, just like Weise was in 2015, and they’d never want or expect him to just roll over for a couple of kids who stole his thunder over a 10-game sample this summer.

Danault won’t.

“In the playoffs, several things changed and the coach wanted to do certain things to win,” he said during his post-season conference call Tuesday. “We were really thinking short-term and the team wanted to get a look at certain players like [20-year-old Jesperi] Kotkaniemi, who did very well. It made my role a bit unclear moving forward and, from what I saw in the playoffs, I was in a very defensive role.

“That’s my bread and butter, but I know I can bring more. I proved that the last two years.”

It wasn’t some happy accident Danault managed 100 points over 152 games while shutting down the NHL’s best night in, night out the last two seasons. That was him playing to his potential as a former first-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, and there’s no reason it shouldn’t be him moving forward — with at least a few years ahead of him before his skills naturally diminish.

That’s the Danault Claude Julien expects to see at next training camp.

Sure, the coach knows the unexpected August emergence of Kotkaniemi, a sophomore who scored just two goals in 36 games before 1192415 Websites But this is 2020, and the HDA isn’t going anywhere. “We have come with tangible plans and ideas that we want to bring to the

table and ultimately see come to fruition,” Kane said on NBC on TSN.CA / Hockey needs much more than a moment Thursday. “We’re still wondering, I guess, if they want to be a part of that and be a part of the process.”

Kane said the HDA hasn’t wavered “yet” on the group’s desire to work Frank Seravalli with the NHL, but admitted Thursday “it’s been a little more difficult than we probably would have anticipated.”

The sports world seemed to be surprised that the NHL continued to play The image was incredibly powerful, one unlike any other in hockey’s on Wednesday after NBA players became the first to boycott playoff history. There were Ryan Reaves and Nazem Kadri, flanked by dozens games. of hockey friends and foes from many cultures and creeds. There should have been no surprise that the NHL passed the buck. This They stood there as the so-called whitest sport on the planet came to a is a league that, when presented with a pledge by the HDA to eradicate full stop in the Stanley Cup playoffs in a player-driven show of solidarity racism, instead wanted to bicker about language. against systemic racism. Just this week, the NHL wrapped an investigation on the Arizona It was the NHL’s player awakening, sparked by text messages and Coyotes’ draft combine testing scandal that came to light in January. conversations from white teammates, a collective group of players that hadn’t exactly covered themselves in glory to that point in gestures of Yet, the NHL’s investigation into former Calgary coach Bill Peters’ use of support while their Black and Brown teammates spoke and kneeled, racial slurs and physical abuse – occurrences that Peters did not dispute seemingly on an island. – that were reported two months earlier in November, somehow remains ongoing. Reaves said he went to sleep Wednesday night wondering if he would be forced to “Walk out on my team and be the only guy?” There is a lot that can distract people. But what is inspiring about the HDA is their laser focus and incredibly specific, actionable asks. Armed When he awoke to a text from former teammate Kevin Shattenkirk, some with sophisticated asks on a pledge, funding, minimum hiring goals and a 3,000 kilometres away in the Toronto bubble, he knew he wouldn’t be slew of branding and visibility requests, the HDA isn’t aiming to change alone. A meeting with the Vancouver Canucks followed, along with a society at large. It’s trying to get hockey’s house in order first. team vote by the Vegas Golden Knights. These are tangible goals – like having 3.5 per cent of NHL executives be Hockey’s second pause of the 2019-20 season is a two-day moratorium Black or Brown by 2025 – that can affect transformative change. with a strong message that says racial injustice is bigger than sport. The HDA hoped to appeal to commissioner Gary Bettman’s business “I think the message coming from a predominantly white league has a instincts, knowing that hockey is missing out on marketing some of the very strong impact when it’s coming from players like this,” Reaves said. best athletes in the world because young Black and Brown players “can’t “That’s the most powerful thing that happened.” be what they can’t see,” as former NBA player Chris Webber said so As critical as Thursday was for the hockey world, that was the easy part eloquently this week. – the obvious next-day show of support when called upon by teammates, That has fallen on deaf ears to this point. public outcry and commentary from media. If this week has taught us anything, it’s that this cannot just be on Akim Now, on Day 2 of the NHL’s reflection, comes the hard part: ensuring that Aliu, Kane, Dumba or Reaves and the HDA. It’s up to hockey’s white Thursday’s image at the podium becomes indelible. players to collectively help hold the NHL accountable now. The mantra from the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) has been Thursday was a powerful step in that direction. Whether it’s a moment or “movement not a moment.” a movement, only time will tell. So, both the league and its players face the question: Is this a moment or TSN.CA LOADED: 08.29.2020 the second step in the movement?

The first step occurred on Aug. 1, when Matt Dumba delivered perhaps the most important words ever by a hockey player holding a microphone.

In the days and weeks since, the league and Dumba’s fellow players have dropped the ball. It took three days for any other player to show public support, when Tyler Seguin, Jason Dickinson and Robin Lehner made sure that Reaves would not kneel alone.

There was rarely a mention of racism or racial inequality over the past four weeks until Jacob Blake was shot. Quietly, the NHL’s #WeSkateFor campaign seemingly morphed along the way, the in-arena signage transitioning from “#WeSkateFor Black Lives” and “#WeSkateFor Equality” to something as innocuous as “#WeSkateFor The Lou” when the St. Louis Blues were playing.

It was almost as if it’s out of sight, out of mind from the NHL’s perspective – exactly the vague messaging the HDA feared might come from the #WeSkateFor platform.

The NHL got the public relations bump it sought as a “woke” league from Dumba’s statement, then the message floated to the background as the puck dropped and playoffs progressed.

Behind the scenes, the NHL made next to no progress in negotiations with the HDA, something the league vowed to do as it scurried in the 24 hours ahead of opening day to make good with the HDA after searing remarks from co-head Evander Kane.

The NHL’s play – appearing to make nice in front of the cameras and then stall or slow play the process while grappling for power and control – came from a playbook that might have worked in 2016.