SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 06/01/19 1145782 Former Coyotes standout Ladislav Nagy bids farewell to 1145812 Forward Lukas Sedlak leaving Blue Jackets for two-year an underappreciated career deal with KHL team 1145813 Lukas Sedlak leaves Blue Jackets to sign two-year deal in KHL 1145783 Bruins see their visit to St. Louis as a business trip 1145784 Think no one picked a Bruins-Blues Final? Think again 1145785 New England boy Zach Sanford makes good . . . though 1145814 Can Denis Gurianov, one of the Stars' most intriguing it’s for Blues assets, take a Roope Hintz-like leap next season? 1145786 Matt Grzelcyk will be missed on the Bruins blue line 1145787 Nine plays that show how intense Bruins-Blues has been so far 1145815 Here's who the Detroit Red Wings are watching at NHL 1145788 believes in Bruins top line combine 1145789 Bruins forced to the well yet again 1145816 Large choice of centers available for Wings with No. 6 pick 1145790 New Hampshire’s Zach Sanford may get chance to face 1145817 ’s draft trends and how they could inform Bruins his Red Wings picks 1145791 Backes past the of the "soft and fuzzies" with the Blues Oilers 1145792 John Moore 'ready to go' if called upon by Bruins in Game 1145818 Assistants on the move as Oilers make more changes 3 of Final 1145819 Lowetide: NHL Combine brings Oilers’ dual problems into 1145793 Matt Grzelcyk doubtful for Game 3; John Moore could focus for Ken Holland replace Bruins D-man 1145794 What's with Blues playing 'Gloria' and 'Country Roads' at Florida Panthers home games? 1145820 Q knows D: Florida Panthers betting can 1145795 How current Blues GM nearly lured to Stars help fix defensive woes over Bruins 1145796 How Charlie Coyle made proud with last Bruins playoff 1145821 Pro or con? Examining a potential Patrick Marleau 1145797 ‘You don’t have to go too far for talent anymore’: Kings/Maple Leafs Americans are gaining a foothold on the Bruins and in the 1145822 LeBrun Notebook: Facing a salary cap crunch, Leafs N discuss Patrick Marleau trade with Kings 1145798 Sure, Tuukka Rask seems sedate now, but ‘the milk crate 1145823 THE MARLEAU STUFF; EDMONTON, YAWNEY PART nutty’ showed his wild side WAYS; KINGS-CANUCKS IN SLC SEPT. 21 1145799 Duhatschek Notebook: Examining and Bruce Cassidy’s coaching journey and their shared connections 1145824 How trading would show the Wild haven’t 1145800 Systems Analyst: The principles of 5-on-6 defense and learned from their mistakes why the Bruins were in trouble goal or not in OT 1145801 DGB Grab Bag: Remembering history’s second most MontrealCanadiens awkward Gary Bettman Cup handoff 1145825 What the Puck: Canadiens unlikely to make pitch for Mitch 1145802 LeBrun: Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s front office potential Marner was obvious, even as a player 1145826 Geoff Molson and the Canadiens have begun to prepare for what they expect will be a much brighter future 1145803 Jack Hughes embracing 'competition' against Kaapo Nashville Predators Kakko to be top draft pick 1145827 Two years after Predators first Stanley Cup Final game, 1145804 Sabres' draft mandate seems clear: They have to stay Bridgestone Arena mostly quiet down the middle 1145805 The Athletic Q&A: Sabres director of amateur scouting Ryan Jankowski on the team’s approach to the upcoming 1145828 NHL Draft 2019: What Jack Hughes said to Devils during dr scouting combine interview (VIDEO) 1145806 Roster reckoning: Evaluating the best and worst scenarios 1145829 Jack Hughes on Kaapo Kakko: 'We’ll be linked together for the Sabres in free agency for a long time' 1145830 Devils’ mind seen as made up on Jack Hughes-Kaapo Kakko pick 1145807 Flames successful drafting record under 1145831 What Jack Hughes took away from his different, but shows that competitiveness comes in all sizes ‘invaluable,’ experience at the worlds New York Islanders 1145808 New to the Checkers or hockey? Here’s what you need to 1145832 Islanders sign forwards Arnaud Durandeau and Tanner know for the Calder Cup Finals Fritz 1145833 Cal Clutterbuck surgery, Noah Dobson intrigue: Lou Lamoriello updates on the Islanders’ offseason 1145809 Blackhawks need instant defensive help, and Byram says he’d be ready 1145810 With Blackhawks, NHL Draft prospects see an opportunity to play with some of their childhood idols 1145811 Got questions about the No. 4 pick? Avs scouting director Alan Hepple has a few answers Maple Leafs 1145834 Jack Hughes already showing why many think he’ll be 1145866 Zaitsev trade request forces Leafs into a blue-line upgrade franchise star that was probably coming anyway | The Star 1145835 Devils’ mind seen as made up on Jack Hughes-Kaapo 1145867 Likely top NHL draft pick Jack Hughes ready for Big Apple Kakko pick rivalry 1145836 Rangers talk with Jack Hughes, likely the No. 1 pick in 1145868 LeBrun Notebook: Facing a salary cap crunch, Leafs NHL Draft discuss Patrick Marleau trade with Kings NHL 1145837 Former NHL Seattle senior adviser cites lure 1145880 Patrick Johnston: Canucks pass on pair of 2017 draft of ‘day-to-day energy’ as a reason for leaving picks Ottawa Senators 1145838 The curious case of Ottawa’s many connections to the 1145869 Golden Knights affiliate prepares for Calder Cup Final analytics movement 1145870 Evgeny Kuznetsov video timeline clarified as Capitals, 1145839 2019 NHL draft: 5 players in combine who might interest NHL close investigation with no punishment Flyers at No. 11 1145871 Two years after trade from Capitals, Marcus Johansson 1145840 Summer scene-setter: Breaking down the Flyers’ gets his Stanley Cup offseason roster needs 1145872 Evgeny Kuznetsov won't face suspension after NHL investigation of video 1145873 2019 NHL Free Agency start date, top free agents 1145841 TSN’s Bob McKenzie: Penguins could still trade Phil 1145874 NHL, Capitals release statements on Kuznetsov video, Kessel to Minnesota consider the case formally closed 1145842 Evgeni Malkin sends birthday wishes to son with funny 1145875 Why Braden Holtby's future with the Capitals could be Instagram photo determined by Sergei Bobrovsky 1145843 Penguins’ Sidney Crosby remains relatively young among 1145876 Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov cleared of wrongdoing, but NHL captains learns ‘hard lesson’ Websites 1145844 NHL rumors: Maple Leafs, LA Kings have talked Patrick 1145881 The Athletic / Duhatschek Notebook: Examining Craig Marleau trade Berube and Bruce Cassidy’s coaching journey and their 1145845 Sharks offseason questions: Will Antti Suomela be back shar next year? 1145882 The Athletic / What Jack Hughes took away from his different, but ‘invaluable,’ experience at the worlds St Louis Blues 1145883 The Athletic / Pronman: Dylan Cozens has the potential to 1145846 Notebook: Pietrangelo, Gunnarsson will stay together for be a top power forward in the NHL Game 3 1145884 The Athletic / Ryan O’Reilly’s unique approach to the 1145847 Blues have their postseason blinders on, but they hear game began long before the NHL you, St. Louis 1145885 The Athletic / DGB Grab Bag: Remembering history’s 1145848 Game 3 packed with emotion for Sanford second most awkward Gary Bettman Cup handoff 1145849 No Sunny, no problem Blues say 1145886 The Athletic / LeBrun: Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s front 1145850 Dunn still feeling the pain after taking a puck to the mouth office potential was obvious, even as a player vs. San Jose 1145887 .ca / Oilers' coaching changes will mean little 1145851 Blues' depth will be tested now that NHL has knocked unless roster improvements follow Sundqvist out of Game 3 1145888 Sportsnet.ca / Grzelcyk incident ‘lights a fire’ under Bruins 1145852 Updated: For today, at least, Sanford steps in for as both rosters juggle Sundqvist on Blues' fourth line 1145889 Sportsnet.ca / Blues’ long-awaited return to Cup Final lifts 1145853 Oh, Baby! Blues fans had a newborn girl. Her middle spirits of St. Louis faithful name? Gloria. 1145890 Sportsnet.ca / NHL Scouting Combine primer: What will 1145854 Blues' story could be a movie in the making, but it might players go through in 2019? not do the tale justice 1145891 Sportsnet.ca / Cassidy calls on Bergeron, Marchand to 1145855 Yep, that's Jon Hamm talking Blues in NBC's promotional deliver ‘best game of series’ video 1145892 Sportsnet.ca / Does Kaapo Kakko missing draft combine 1145856 Bruins' Chara, once a teammate of Berube, is still going impact battle for first overall? strong at 42 1145893 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs defenceman Nikita Zaitsev 1145857 Blues notebook: A lot of little things went into available to be moved Gunnarsson's big goal 1145894 TSN.CA / Trade Bait: Trouba, Zaitsev talk heating up 1145858 Blues broadcasters relish calling games in Final 1145895 USA TODAY / Opinion: Boston Bruins' sputtering No. 1 1145859 With Tarasenko playing his best hockey, Bruins will try to line must be better against St. Louis Blues 'make his life hard' 1145896 USA TODAY / Capitals clear Evgeny Kuznetsov after 1145860 Media Views: Blues finally in Final, but don't rival Cards, appearance in video that featured lines of white powder Rams in ratings 1145897 USA TODAY / Jack Hughes on Kaapo Kakko: 'We’ll be 1145861 Systems Analyst: The principles of 5-on-6 defense and linked together for a long time' why the Bruins were in trouble goal or not in OT 1145862 Ryan O’Reilly’s unique approach to the game began long Winnipeg Jets before the NHL 1145877 Lukowich sheds light on dark times 1145863 LeBrun: Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s front office potential 1145878 Classic Jets descend on Winnipeg to revisit 1979 Avco was obvious, even as a player Cup win 1145879 Jets sign depth forwards Suess, Shaw remaining with organization 1145864 Five reasons the Lightning isn’t in the Stanley Cup final

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1145782 Arizona Coyotes affiliate, the Worcester IceCats, and played just 40 games with St. Louis the following season.

Nagy then became a key piece in a big opportunity for the Cup- Former Coyotes standout Ladislav Nagy bids farewell to an contending Blues. On March 13, 2001, St. Louis sent Nagy, Handzus, a underappreciated career 2002 first-round pick (Ben Eager) and 2000 first-round pick to the Coyotes in exchange for Valley icon .

By Craig Morgan May 31, 2019 “In our minds, we balanced out the present with the future,” then-Coyotes Cliff Fletcher said at the time. “All of us in the Coyotes organization feel that we’re much better prepared to make a run for a playoff spot.” The only thing that could have improved Ladislav Nagy’s departure from professional hockey would have been finding a way to lift host and Opportunity and bad breaks underdog into the medal round at the IIHF World Championship in May. The rest of the script was pure fairytale. The trade shocked Nagy, who was just 21 and expected to play a long time for the Blues, but he didn’t consider the challenge of replacing a fan Nagy broke a 1-1 tie with a top-shelf, shootout goal to lead Slovakia to a favorite. He just embraced a greater opportunity. 2-1 win over Denmark in his hometown of Košice on May 21. After the game, he retired and he was rewarded with a hero’s exit. The moment “I think to a certain degree he was, I wouldn’t say naïve, but a little warrants a full-screen view below. His nation presented a video montage unaware of the situation and that worked out for him,” former Coyote of his playing career, Nagy carried his 3-year-old son, Tomaš, for a Shane Doan said. “I think (Handzus) was the guy everyone was talking victory lap around the rink, and then his teammates did the same for him, about because he was more established than Lady, and Taffe was a first- hoisting him on their shoulders as the crowd chanted. round pick. Everybody knew Lady had the chance to become a significant part of our team but nobody really knew a lot about him so it IN HIS FINAL GAME, #TEAMSLOVAKIA LEGEND LADISLAV NAGY really was kind of a clean slate for him.” SCORED THE SHOOTOUT WINNER, IN HIS HOMETOWN. Then-coach Bobby Francis gave Nagy an opportunity to play in the YOU COULDN'T WRITE A BETTER ENDING TO A STORIED CAREER team’s top six and it paid quick dividends. In his first full season with the >> HTTPS://T.CO/R9ZGXAP3OW#IIHFWORLDS @HC_KOSICE Coyotes, Nagy had 23 goals. In his second full season, he had 22 goals PIC.TWITTER.COM/QNJMXRL6JG and 57 points. Nagy played much of his early Coyotes years with center Daymond Langkow and Johnson, all the while breaking rules. — IIHF (@IIHFHOCKEY) MAY 22, 2019 “When the puck would go in the corner and you’d have to cycle it and it “I didn’t know they were going to do that for me because nobody told me was all about close puck support, Lady would tell me in broken English, anything so it was a surprise,” Nagy said. “That was unbelievable to play ‘When I get the puck, get away from me,’” Johnson said. “It was counter the last game at home in my hometown and have them do that. The fans to everything we were being taught and I knew I couldn’t hang in the were crazy. They were cheering the whole game. I enjoyed the whole corner by myself, but he was good enough to beat guys on his own which tournament.” was just a luxury because I could go find space and he would find me Except for a two-year stint that he called the biggest mistake of his with the puck. Not many guys in that era didn’t need help.” career, Nagy enjoyed his entire pro hockey experience. He played 21 Nagy could also finish in tight spaces. Johnson jokes that he knows why. seasons for 12 teams in six leagues. In 321 games with the Coyotes from 2001-07, he had 92 goals and 249 points, averaging better than a point “Just look at that shootout goal he scored in the World Championship – per game in the 2003-04 and 2005-06 seasons combined (the lockout the last goal he ever scored!” Johnson said, laughing. “It was top shelf canceled the 2004-05 season). and that’s because he used an illegal stick his entire career. Even when we had () as coach — who was pretty sensitive to illegal “He was immensely talented,” said former Coyotes teammate and sticks after the infamous 1993 call in the Cup Final with (Marty) McSorley linemate Mike Johnson, now an analyst for NHL Network. “I don’t think and the illegal stick — Lady, god love him, would use that curve.” he ever got the credit for how good he was and how good he could have been had he stayed healthy.” Nagy remembers getting penalized for an illegal curve against San Jose and losing a lead late as a result, but he still kept the big bend in his Off the beaten track arsenal of sticks. Nagy was a productive player in Slovakia as an 18-year-old, but like his “It depended on how the game was going,” he said, laughing. “If we were fellow countrymen, he had a visibility problem. The nation of winning by four goals, I would use the same stick the whole game but if Czechoslovakia had dissolved in 1992 to become the Czech Republic we were only winning by one goal, I would change to a normal stick. and Slovakia in 1993. The scouting routes generally favored the Czechs. Back then, we were using wood sticks and I played with Bauer sticks. Matt Keator was in his last season as a scout in the St. Louis Blues Every stick, I always curved it myself so every stick was different. organization in 1997 when he, Ted Hampson and former NHL star Peter “When I came back to Europe, I played with Warrior sticks and they Šťastný scouted Nagy at a couple of tournaments in Slovakia. make them for me with a normal curve, but when I played in the NHL, I “He just jumped out at us,” said Keator, who later became Nagy’s agent. had a really big one. I guess maybe it was because I played with that “He was a little small but he had tons of speed and tons of compete. He kind of stick at home growing up. You can curve the wood sticks however was more of a new-age player for the style we have now then we had you want them. I would step on it and curve it and if I didn’t like it I would then, but we got him in the seventh round which was an unbelievable step on it again and curve it some more.” pick back then.” PROUD OF MY OLD LINEMATE, LADISLAV NAGY, WHO CLOSED Nagy wasn’t the first Slovak to get undervalued in the 1990s. Boston OUT HIS INTERNATIONAL CAREER WITH SLOVAKIA TODAY, Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chára was a third-round pick (No. 56) by the PLAYING AS THEIR CAPTAIN. AND OF COURSE SCORED IN THE New York Islanders in 1995, and former Coyote Michal Handzus (No. SHOOTOUT, GLOVE SIDE BAR DOWN, USING HIS STILL ILLEGAL 101) was a fourth-round pick by the Blues in 1995. STICK  WELL DONE LADY #LADYDADDY PIC.TWITTER.COM/7WUC3WBYBZ “The Slovak market just wasn’t as defined back then,” said Keator, who represented all three players. “The country had broken up and those kids — MIKE JOHNSON (@MIKE_P_JOHNSON) MAY 21, 2019 were just off the beaten track. They just weren’t seen as much.” The Coyotes’ Slovakian contingent eventually grew to include Once the Blues drafted Nagy with the 177th pick, they encouraged him to defenseman Radoslav Suchý and forward Branko Radivojevič, leading come to North America and play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey teammates and media to refer to them as the Slovak mafia. League. In one season with the , playing alongside “They’d always sit together and do their own thing, which was totally Alex Tanguay, Nagy opened eyes across North America. In 62 games, normal,” Johnson said. “They were all good dudes, but I was the conduit he had a league-high 71 goals (second in the CHL to Pavel Brendl’s 73) to the rest of the team where I would go play Slovakian card games and and 126 points. He spent much of the following season with the Blues’ they would talk in Slovak and I had no idea what they were saying or Nagy had a few offers to return to the NHL, but they were largely two- what was going on. I was like the fifth Beatle.” way contracts where he would have had to prove himself all over again. Keator told him at one point that San Jose was interested, but as he While the other Slovaks’ scouting reports included toughness as a trait, embarked on his 30s, Nagy opted to stay in Europe, spending time in the Nagy’s skilled European label saddled him with a less favorable label that Slovak Extraliga with , the Swedish Elite League with MODO, the Doan says was incorrect. Finnish Elite league with , a couple of more KHL stints with “Him and Ziggy Palffy reminded me of each other,” Doan said. “Really Slovak-based KHL teams in Poprad and Bratislava, and then back to quick and dynamic but Lady was more powerful than anyone gave him Košice for the final three years of his career in the Slovak league. credit for. People had this misconception that he was a skilled Slovak so In his final season with Košice, he had 34 goals and 61 points in 48 he was soft. He wasn’t soft. He was powerful and he had great explosion games. He had two goals and five points in seven games as Slovakia’s and he would get into bodies before guys were ready. He had an anger, captain at the World Championship. too; an edge about him. He could get so mad. Just look at that season in the Q. He had 126 points and 148 minutes!” “I emailed him a year and a half ago during the (PyeongChang, South Korea) Olympics and he still looked good out there,” Keator said. “If you Doan isn’t shy about admitting how much better Nagy made him. In the have hands, hockey sense and heart then and that’s what 2003-04 season, Doan was eighth in the NHL in points with 59 in 58 he has.” games as the Coyotes prepared to face the Blues and Tkachuk in St. Louis on Feb. 16. Nagy suffered a wrist injury in that game and Doan Doan attended the world championship and spent time with Nagy and managed just nine points in his final 21 games. Handzus, who was an assistant coach for Slovakia.

“It’s really obvious how much he helped me,” Doan said. “A whole bunch “It’s a shame he didn’t get to play a little longer,” said Doan, noting that of guys got traded and we sucked after that, too, and I started pouting, the Slovakians just missed qualifying for the quarterfinals because they but a huge part of my production was because of Lady and when he was lost to Canada with 1.8 seconds left on Mark Stone’s goal, then lost 3-2 gone the difference was unbelievable.” to Germany when the Germans scored two goals in final two minutes.

In an odd twist of fate, it was a Tkachuk hit that sidelined Nagy for the “He told me, ‘Shane, I’m done. My body is tired. It’s time.’ I understand rest of that season. how hard that decision can be to make, but playing with him made the game so easy. It was just easy to get points. If he had played the next “We were in the D-zone and the defenseman passed me the puck,” Nagy five years in the NHL without injuries, I’m convinced he would have been said of the second-period collision. “I saw Keith Tkachuk was coming to a guy that continued to produce; a staple on the offensive side of the give me a good hit and he was so close so I chipped the puck out of the puck. On the power play, that guy was unreal.” zone and I tried to miss him, but I left my (left) wrist on my stick and he was flying at me. He hit my wrist and it bent all the way back. I went THE LAST GAME OF #SLOVAKIA AT WORLD down to the room right away and the doctor saw me. It was really bad.” CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING OVER DENMARK WAS ALSO THE LAST OF LADISLAV NAGY FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM. HE SCORED 37 Doan still shudders when he thinks about the “eight-inch scar” the injury GOALS IN 122 MATCHES IN SLOVAKIA'S COLOURS, INCLUDING IN left. The radius bone was badly dislocated toward the middle of his THIS LAST ONE AT #KOŠICE– HIS NATIVE CITY. REMARKABLE forearm and everything that could have torn internally did. Nagy had CARREER-NHL,KHL PIC.TWITTER.COM/KCZTKW63UH surgery in Baltimore on Feb. 20, but the rehab went so badly for a period of two to three months that he wondered if he would ever play again. — ĽUBOMÍR REHÁK (@REHAKLUBOMIR) MAY 21, 2019 After eight months, he was ready but the lockout canceled the 2004-05 season, so he played for Košice in Slovakia, and Mora IK in the Swedish Keator wonders if Nagy was a player ahead of his time. Elite League. “The game has changed a lot more toward his style,” Keator said. “The When Nagy returned to the Coyotes for the 2005-06 season, he was in injuries definitely held him back, but I also think his career would have the prime of his career, putting up 15 goals and 56 points in 51 games, been elongated over here had it been in this era.” but an increasingly painful knee injury sidelined him again and he NHL or not, Johnson marvels at the length of Nagy’s career. underwent microfracture surgery that doctors surmised was the product of wear and tear, rather than a single incident. “I would have never pegged him as a guy who would play 20 years,” Johnson said. “He was so fun-loving that I would have expected him to With two surgeries behind him and the Coyotes now in full rebuild mode, make a lot of money – and he did – and then retire and live his life. The then-GM Mike Barnett traded Nagy to the Dallas Stars on Feb. 12, 2007, fact that he played until he was 40 and bounced around countries and for a 2008 first-round pick (Viktor Tikhonov) and forward Mathias continents and leagues tells me he loved the game more than I would Tjarnqvist. have guessed. Doan said his son, Josh, “cried so hard” that day. “I will probably always have a bit of a debt of gratitude to him. My best “He loved Lady,” Doan said. “He loved the way he played and Lady was years, my best contract and my best individual moments were playing so good to him. Josh connected with four to five guys over my career and with him and Langks. I was not good enough to be good without really he really connected with Lady. Josh was in Bratislava four years ago and good players around me so I’m grateful to him.” he found Lady’s jersey hanging on the wall. He took a picture with it.” At some point, Nagy hopes to use his experience in multiple elite leagues Nagy signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings for the 2007-08 to become a sport manager and help upgrade the training, nutrition and season, but had another injury-riddled year with nine goals and 26 points opportunities for Slovakian players, particularly in his hometown. For the in 38 games. Fearing his NHL opportunities would be limited, he signed a next six months, however, he plans to dive into his duties as a husband lucrative two-year deal with Cherepovets Severstal in the Kontinental and father full time with his wife, Petra Nagyova, his 5-year-old daughter, Hockey League. Petra, and Tomaš.

“That was my biggest mistake in my whole career,” he said. “If I could “I enjoyed my career but now I am enjoying my family,” said Nagy, who turn my career back, I would never go to the KHL and I would stay in the turns 40 on June 1. “My wife took such good care of me the last few NHL. It’s different hockey and different circumstances. years, but I was so tired, even playing in the Slovakian league. It’s not like Sweden or Finland. It’s an OK league and it’s not many games, but I “Everybody wants to play in the NHL. It’s the best league in the world and came home tired and the kids wanted to play with me or go on vacation. I not everything is about money. It’s still so much about hockey. I don’t never had the time. I probably could have played two more years but I want to say bad things about the KHL. Some guys like it there but I didn’t wanted to enjoy my kids. It’s time to move on. I’m ready.” enjoy it there and you have to enjoy hockey. Russia was the only place I had bad numbers (41 points in 89 career games) but everything was The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 wrong there. I didn’t have fun. If I didn’t go to Russia, maybe I would have played three or four more years in the NHL and it would have been better, but everybody makes mistakes.”

Love of hockey 1145783 Boston Bruins “They know they need to be better,” Cassidy said. “They’ve admitted it. We’ve gone through some video with them. Hopefully it’ll help them with some tendencies St. Louis does.

Bruins see their visit to St. Louis as a business trip “There’s not too many times this year, regular season or playoffs, where they’ve been quieted for long. That’s why I believe they’ll have a better game. Now, whether they finish their plays or not, they’ve got a good Adrian Walker and he might have something to say about that.”

Second-line left wing Jake DeBrusk said his group was due, too. They’ve yet to hit the scoresheet this round. “I think I’m past the point of the soft and fuzzies,” Backes said. “It’s all business now.” “Bergy’s line is a top line in the league,” he said. “Other teams understand and respect that and play them very hard. The Bruins hope to take home a split, at least, from an Enterprise Center that will host its first two June hockey games ever. The Blues are eager “Our line throughout the whole playoffs has been not as productive as we to make the party in the shadow of The Arch one to remember. all would like, to be honest with you. We’re trying to build our game. Our team needs us now more than ever. We understand that. We understand St. Louis center Ryan O’Reilly, who got the better of Patrice Bergeron in that’s going to take everything that we got.” Game 2, was talking about soaking it all in, of “fully experiencing what it’s like and what it takes to win this thing.” He appreciated being on this And when effort isn’t enough, maybe fortune will help. Pastrnak was stage, considering he was on a last-place team Jan. 2. practicing Friday with one of his special Winter Classic sticks, the type with the shamrocks and “Gladiator” quotes and “bowl of pasta” emoji. “When we were struggling,” he said, “I was trying to re-evaluate what’s going on, how I’m kind of, you know, a guy that’s playing a ton of minutes Whatever helps. on this team and we’re not winning. It was very frustrating. Boston Globe LOADED: 06.01.2019 “Being in last place, there wasn’t a doubt in our mind that as a group we wouldn’t find a way to figure this out. It was going to click eventually. It was tough, because obviously the outside world was very disappointed and there wasn’t much faith. But guys just kept working in here. Yeah, it’s impressive how were were able to come back.”

Should Boston rebound from its overtime loss in Game 2 — its first setback since April 30 — it’ll do it without Matt Grzelcyk. The fleet-footed defenseman will miss Game 3, at least, with a head injury. St. Louis winger Oskar Sundqvist will sit Saturday, suspended one game by the league for his illegal hit. John Moore is likely to play in Grzelcyk’s spot on the left of rookie Connor Clifton.

“I really hope that Grizz was still here and I wasn’t even talking to you guys,” Moore said. “It’s terrible to see a teammate go down like that. We can certainly draw inspiration from that . . . It for sure lights a fire under us.”

The Bruins hope Marchand and his first-line cohorts Bergeron and David Pastrnak get hot. The trio has combined for one goal (a Marchand empty-netter) through the first two games.

Marchand, again, was unbothered.

“We’ve had opportunities,” he said. “We don’t always [score]. But we try.

“Just got to keep doing the same thing,” he said. “Keep working. Not concerned, regardless of how much you guys want to talk about it.”

It was a mixture of history and hope that had Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy all but predicting a breakout game for his top line.

“I know them well enough now and I’ve seen how they perform in the playoffs,” he said. “They’ll eventually get to their game and I believe it’ll be [Saturday].”

A sea of Blues rally towels await the Bruins when they take the ice Saturday at Enterprise Center for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

A sea of Blues rally towels await the Bruins when they take the ice Saturday at Enterprise Center for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.(John Tlumacki/Globe Staff)

What’s stopped them to this point? Cassidy pointed to the work of long- limbed Blues defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Colton Parayko, who have “killed a lot of plays” as they’ve drawn the lion’s share of minutes, and the backchecking commitment of St. Louis’s forward lines. He also pointed to puck luck: “They’ve had some looks,” he said. “Eventually, they will go in.”

He didn’t mention health as a reason for their slow start to this series, though neither Marchand (who jammed his hand in the pre-Cup scrimmage) nor Bergeron appear to be 100 percent. Cassidy called Bergeron’s absence from Friday’s practice a “maintenance day,” and said he will be in the lineup for Game 3.

He has no reason to doubt. Not yet. 1145784 Boston Bruins Minihane, who brought high ratings and frequent controversy to WEEI’s morning show before leaving last November, announced May 22 he no longer worked for Entercom,

Think no one picked a Bruins-Blues Final? Think again Minihane had been in limbo since departing the “Kirk and Callahan” program, where he was a cohost since 2013.

Adrian Walker He was supposed to host his own show on the Entercom-owned Radio.com app, and was still producing his popular podcast, “Enough About Me.”

There is, however, at least one known person who predicted this But the Radio.com role did not materialize. Minihane and the company matchup before the postseason began. Brian Lawton, who played briefly split after his mid-May ultimatum in which he demanded his own channel for the Bruins in his 10-year NHL career and is now an NHL Network on Radio.com and did not want to be involved with their sports-only analyst, made what seemed at the time like a bold call on the network’s programming. “bracket challenge” among its analysts. Minihane, like Portnoy, built popularity with a no-holds-barred style that But Lawton never thought it was a bold call. Especially when it came to was sometimes humorous and often crude and personal. choosing the Bruins. Minihane has appeared on Barstool programming in the past, including “I felt like the Bruins were a little underrated because Tampa Bay was before the Super Bowl in February. so good,’’ said Lawton, the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft out of Mount St. Charles Academy in 1982. Poor form

“They had an incredible season but probably didn’t get their due because In different phases of their careers, Michael Wilbon and Stephen A. they were in the same division of the Lightning. Smith were both respected journalists. Both swapped objectivity for access, celebrity friendships, and fat paychecks a long time ago. But they “But they weren’t forgotten for me, and I really jumped on their took shamelessness to a new level this week with their nothing-to-see- bandwagon when they made the acquisitions of [Charlie] Coyle and here interview with Magic Johnson in the aftermath of ESPN reporter [Marcus] Johansson. That’s when I said, ‘My goodness, they have Baxter Holmes’s deep dive on the Lakers dysfunction on Johnson’s everything they need.’ ” watch. It’s a terrible look for ESPN to allow Smith and Wilbon to disparage actual quality journalism on account of their desperation to As for choosing the Blues, who started the season looking like they remain in Johnson’s good graces. should be relegated to the AHL but led the NHL in points after Jan. 3, Lawton said it was a matter of waiting for smart offseason moves to pay Boston Globe LOADED: 06.01.2019 off, particularly the acquisitions of Ryan O’Reilly, Patrick Maroon, and Tyler Bozak.

“I expected big things for the Blues out of the gate, and honestly, I was kind of embarrassed when it didn’t happen,’’ said Lawton. “We were off the mark. We weren’t even close. But they became what I thought they would, especially after [Jordan] Binnington settled down the goaltending situation.”

Lawton said Bruins fans shouldn’t dwell on the turnabout in Game 2, when the Blues dominated play in the third period and overtime in a series-tying 3-2 win.

“You go down, 2-0, to the Bruins, and you’re not going to win four out of five after that,’’ said Lawton. “I think St. Louis recognized the gravity of the situation. They just outworked Boston, quite frankly.

“It’s funny, when they’re playing well, both teams essentially do the same thing. They get the puck in deep, they have a lot of offensive zone time, they play very little in their own defensive end. For both teams to be able to do that at the same time is an impossibility, so whoever can win that matchup more consistently or more often in a given game is going to win the series.”

It should be noted that Lawton picked the Bruins to beat the Blues in his bracket.

“A lot of people after Game 1 said this could be a four-game series,” he said. “I never thought that. This was always going to be a six- or seven- game series, most likely seven.

“Structurally, the teams are similar, though I will say I haven’t seen anyone when they’re on their game play at the level the Bruins do. They’re almost unbeatable when they’re on top of their game, when their skill players are showing up, and when their depth is there.”

Minihane lands

When former WEEI morning show cohost Kirk Minihane officially and contentiously parted ways with Entercom Communications last week, he touted himself as the greatest free agent in sports media history.

There was one most logical landing spot all along: Barstool Sports. And that’s where he’s going.

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy tweeted Thursday night that Minihane was joining the company, and Minihane later confirmed with a tweet of his own.

Barstool Sports has a series of popular podcasts as well as a Sirius channel. Minihane is expected to have a prominent presence at both. 1145785 Boston Bruins “Johnny’s been right there the whole way,” said forward Sean Kuraly. “We know he’s ready. He’s one of the best at being prepared. I don’t think he’ll miss a beat.”

New England boy Zach Sanford makes good . . . though it’s for Blues Also among the defensemen participating in practice was 20-year-old Urho Vaakanainen, one of the organizations’ Black Aces. Vaakanainen, who grew up in Finland, made his NHL debut in October and played in Adrian Walker one other game before spending the rest of the season in Providence. Cassidy said the decision to have him skate Friday was rooted in “filling

out practice” and offering him a taste of Stanley Cup hockey. “This is every kid’s dream growing up,” Sanford said after the morning “It’s good for Vaak to get out this time of year and get involved,” Cassidy session. “It’s been a crazy road so far through the playoffs. It’s awesome said. “He’s a part of our future — could be our immediate future if we get to be here. I’m really excited for [Saturday].” more injuries or down the road.” Sanford grew up in Manchester, N.H., attended Pinkerton Academy and Black and Blues then Boston College. When fantasizing about the Stanley Cup as a kid, however, Sanford probably envisioned himself wearing a different Berube said center Robert Thomas, who missed Game 2, and uniform — namely one that’s black and gold. Sanford’s mother grew up defenseman Vince Dunn, who hasn’t skated since Game 3 of the in Lynn, Mass., while his late father grew up in Salem, Mass. conference finals, are both possibilities for Game 3. Being sidelined has been emotionally challenging for Dunn, while he recovers after taking a Yes, they were Bruins fans. puck to his face on a shot by Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon. His family later moved to Manchester, N.H., but trips to TD Garden to “I’m really not happy about it,” he said. “It’s something you dream about watch the Bruins were certainly more than doable. One of Sanford’s most your whole life, and then it’s just kind of taken away from something that memorable purchases from the Pro Shop was a stick used by former you can’t really prevent. It’s not like I wasn’t playing well enough to be in Bruins center Brian Rolston. the lineup, shooting myself in the foot.” Sanford said he tuned in for every Bruins game, even if he wasn’t in the Neither Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron nor Blues forward Vladimir stands at the Garden, usually with his dad. His favorite players to follow Tarasenko practiced due to maintenance days. were naturally all forwards: Glen Murray, Sergei Samsonov, and Joe Thornton. When the Bruins won the Cup in 2011, Sanford, then a high Both are expected to play Saturday, per their coaches. school student at Pinkerton, said he and his friends ran a victory lap around the neighborhood because they were so excited. Boston Globe LOADED: 06.01.2019

“Our family was big fans, but obviously not anymore,” he said. “As I’ve been talking to my mom — she was at the games in Boston — and she caught herself cheering for the Bruins here and there. Had to fix that. It’s pretty crazy how things work out like that.”

Sanford said it’ll be a “little weird” playing against his hometown team, but he emphasized his focus is on the Blues. Although he hasn’t played since the team’s first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets, Sanford said he’s been doing his best to stay ready by logging extra skate time, hitting the gym, maintaining his conditioning, and eating healthy.

“The guys who haven’t been playing have been doing a good job of holding each other accountable,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a little different when you get into a game.”

If he gets the chance to take the ice at Enterprise Center on Saturday night, Sanford said he’ll try to keep things simple as well as optimize his size and speed.

Sanford acknowledged he played with some hesitation in Game 1 against the Jets, due to nerves, so he’s hoping to shake any lingering jitters by registering some early hits and puck touches this time around.

Sanford played 60 regular-season games — including some alongside projected linemates Steen and Barbashev — and notched eight goals and 12 assists. He said Steen organized a brief conversation during Friday’s practice to discuss the line’s “identity and mentality.” The trio stressed the fundamentals: keeping the puck in the offensive zone, minimizing turnovers, and supporting one another.

“I think at this point it’s pretty clear to me how I need to play and what I need to do to help the team win,” Sanford said. “Play hard, play smart, [and] keep things simple. When we do that, it works for us. It’s pretty easy for me to understand what I need to do.”

Next in line

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy did not have an update on Grzelcyk, who remains in Boston after entering concussion protocol.

“He’s not here. He’s not practicing. He’s doubtful for [Saturday], obviously,” Cassidy said.

Fellow defenseman (and BU Terrier) Charlie McAvoy said Grzelyck is in “good spirits.”

Cassidy said John Moore will “probably” replace Grzelyck in the lineup for Game 3, but he will share the final decision after Saturday’s morning skate. Moore played in 61 regular-season games, in addition to five playoff games this postseason. 1145786 Boston Bruins True. They just haven’t done it when they are in a 200-foot bar fight with the Blues, who, like the Bruins, stand but three W’s from a championship.

Attrition is upon the Bruins now, and the Blues are well aware that Matt Grzelcyk will be missed on the Bruins blue line another casualty in Boston’s back end — they’ll be looking at you, Torey Krug — could set them up perfectly for their first Cup in franchise history.

Adrian Walker Suddenly, the loss of Matt Grzelcyk means more than anyone imagined even one week ago.

Boston Globe LOADED: 06.01.2019 All of that went away in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final when Grzelcyk was sent skittering nearly all the way to Sullivan Square in his hometown Charlestown on a hit by a hard-charging Oskar Sundqvist.

The Blues forward was handed a one-game suspension Thursday, and will have to sit out Game 3 Saturday in St. Louis, while Grizz sits at home with shades pulled and TV volume down low, waiting for the symptoms of his Sundqvist-concussion hangover to abate.

The Blues will take that swap, gladly. A fourth-line forward for a versatile third-pairing defenseman with puck-moving mojo? Every. Day. Of. The. Week. And twice on any day in the Final, which now stands tied at one win apiece.

Meanwhile, the Bruins are left to plan for life without Grizz, how to patchwork around the loss of his work at even strength (9:54 in Game 1), on the penalty kill (1:53 G1), and the power play (2:25 G1).

Again, he’s not just your average short guy, filling minutes on the No. 3 D pairing. Also, his loss is only accentuated in that the Bruins have gone all playoffs long without the services of his partner, the broad-shouldered, heavy-hitting Kevan Miller, who remains sidelined by a knee injury.

One-third of Boston’s best defensive six-pack is now considered a scratch for the Final duration, which underscores the playoff truism: When battling for the Cup, there is no such thing as having too many defensemen.

“Losing 16 minutes of Grizz’s time, a good puck mover, a guy who can break down the other team’s forecheck when he’s on the ice, that’s where we miss him the most,” said coach Bruce Cassidy. “Getting back on pucks. He’s pretty good at a quick escape move, a good clean pass, hit forwards going through the neutral zone.

“That’s a strength of our game. We lost some of that element.”

It certainly showed in Game 2, once Grzelcyk exited for the night with 2:03 remaining in the first period. The Bruins had seven shots and were in a 2-2 tie as he made his way up the street to Massachusetts General Hospital for testing. When the night ended, the Bruins had collected only 16 more shots. They also didn’t score again. They were challenged even to land a good scoring chance. They also lost the game.

Not all of that can be attributed to losing Grzelcyk, but with him out of the rotation, the Bruins were in survival mode on the back line, coping with only a five-man D unit and a Blues game plan easier to implement with the Bruins having to improvise.

Now what? Cassidy likely will call on John Moore, one of the club’s free agent pickups last July, to work the No. 3 pairing with rookie Connor Clifton. If not Moore, then it will be journeyman Steve Kampfer (acquired in the Adam McQuaid swap in September).

Moore is a lefthanded stick, like Grzelcyk, and therefore would plug in easily on the left side. Kampfer is a righty, which likely would mean flipping Clifton over to the left side, his off-lane.

None of this is ideal, because none of those guys, Clifton included, can bring the overall game the Bruins had in the Grzelcyk-Miller tandem. They were one of the game’s best added-value tandems in the league’s 31 sets of No. 3 D pairings.

But to borrow an old NBA phrase from the land of Causeway parquet, those guys aren’t walking down the tunnel any time soon.

Moore is a fluid, fast skater, and therefore likely gets the nod. The Bruins will want to do everything they can to negate the Blues’ forecheck pressure. Faster is better from a Bruins perspective. The issue will be whether Moore can retrieve pucks cleanly, gain possession while under pressure, then put his wheels to good use with a pass to Clifton or headman the puck to one of his forwards.

“I’m not worried about them coming in,” said Cassidy. “They’ve played in the playoffs. Next man up, we’ve done that a lot this year.” 1145787 Boston Bruins In the second period of Game 2, Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton struck Tyler Bozak in the face with his stick and the Blues’ center began bleeding. Bozak was forced to exit the game briefly and Clifton was hit Nine plays that show how intense Bruins-Blues has been so far with a four-minute high-stick penalty.

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Adrian Walker

The Blues’ rookie goaltender appeared to be fed up with the Bruins forward’s presence in his crease during a post-whistle scrum in Game 1. An alternate angle shows Backes putting pressure on Binnington’s left leg just before the flying elbow.

Torey Krug’s helmet-less hit for the ages

In what looked more like a wrestling match than a hockey game, Krug and the Blues’ David Perron went at each other in front of the Bruins’ net with absolute ferocity in Game 1. Perron held Krug down seemingly with the objective to remove his helmet. After a couple attempts, the left winger successfully pulled it off. Once Perron took off, Krug sprung to his feet and flew down the ice with a full head of steam before exacting his revenge by connecting with Blues 19-year-old center Robert Thomas. Thomas hasn’t played since.

Zdeno Chara’s bleeder

The Bruins’ captain paid the price for blocking Vladimir Tarasenko’s wrist shot late in Game 1; the impact gave way to an open wound and Chara grimaced as he exited the ice, his forearm bleeding.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Chara told reporters postgame. “Just got a cut, so [I] just needed to get some stitches quickly.”

Pat Maroon’s swipe at Matt Grzelcyk

Down 1-0 in the first period of Game 2, Blues defenseman rocketed a shot off the stick of Matt Grzelcyk, past winger Pat Maroon, and into the top right-hand corner of the goal to tie the game at one apiece. Once the puck found the back of the net, Maroon took a quick shot at Grzelcyk’s head, causing two referees to come over and give him warning. On his way back to the St. Louis side after the goal, Maroon had a few words with players on the Bruins’ bench. Later in the game, Chara threw a quick jab of his own at Maroon in retaliation:

David Backes’s huge hit on Sammy Blais

With Game 2 tied at 2-2, Bruins center David Backes provided Boston with its second monstrous open-ice hit in as many games. Seconds after losing possession of the puck on the right side of the ice, Backes connected squarely with the Blues’ Sammy Blais, putting the 22-year-old left winger on his back directly in front of the St. Louis bench.

Oskar Sundqvist’s head shot on Grzelcyk

With two minutes remaining in the first period of Game 2, Oskar Sundqvist sent an off-balance Grzelcyk crashing into the boards behind the Bruins’ net. Grzelcyk immediately grabbed his helmet before falling to the ice and was later sent to the hospital for testing. Sundqvist was hit was a two-minute penalty, and was later suspended one game by the NHL.

“I don’t think that’s a hit we want in our game,” Backes said after the game. “I think it’s from behind, elevated in to his head into the glass. If that’s a two-minute penalty, there’s going to be a shortage of defensemen in this series by the end of it. That’s in somebody else’s hands, that’s something I think that if I’m making that hit, I’m probably watching from the bleachers for a few but we will see what happens with their player.”

Robert Bortuzzo’s slash on Jake DeBrusk

With 13:22 to go in the third period of Game 2, Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo was charged with a slashing penalty on Jake DeBrusk. Bortuzzo struck Boston’s left winger between the padding on his left arm before a faceoff and left him doubled over in pain.

Brad Marchand’s taunts

At the end of the second period in Game 2, Marchand was caught on camera giving someone on St. Louis’ side some grief.

Connor Clifton’s high stick 1145788 Boston Bruins “I didn’t really know what happened to me at first. It was just like a blow to my head. It was pretty scary for me. It sucks to go out like that when you’re not really expecting it but I guess it’s the nature of the game. I Bruce Cassidy believes in Bruins top line don’t really remember much from the situation,” Dunn said after Friday’s practice.

When/if Dunn can return, the D-man would add a puck-moving element By STEVE CONROY | May 31, 2019 at 10:40 PM to the Blues’ heavy defense corps.

Thomas, meanwhile, was dealing with an existing injury when Torey Krug blasted him with an open ice hit in Game 1. ST. LOUIS—With the exception of Brad Marchand‘s empty-netter and David Pastrnak‘s power play assist in Game 1, the Bruins’ top line — Boston Herald LOADED: 06.01.2019 centered by Patrice Bergeron — has been held in check by the St. Louis Blues.

At one point in Game 2, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy split up the line, dropping Pastrnak to David Krejci‘s line and bumping up David Backes to the Bergeron unit.

A slow start for the group is not an unprecedented development in these playoffs, and the B’s big trio has found a way to make key contributions in each of the three preceding series leading up to this one. Cassidy has confidence the same will hold true in this Stanley Cup Final.

“I know them well enough now and seen how they perform in the playoffs. They’ll eventually get to their game and I believe they’ll get there (Saturday),” Cassidy said. “What’s prevented them from getting going? I think you’ve got to credit the opposition. They’ve done a good job against them, primarily the two D-men (Colton Parayko and Jay Bouwmeester) they’ve got long sticks and they’re mobile. They’ve killed a lot of plays. Forward group, whoever’s played against them whether it’s been (Brayden) Schenn, it’s been two or three different lines, they’ve done a good job of tracking back so that they can’t make a whole lot happen in front of the D.

“Those guys are usually pretty good off the rush if there’s space. But they’ve done a decent job down below the goal line. They’ve had a few looks and it hasn’t gone in for them. That’s another reason I think they’ll get going. Eventually they will go in.”

Cassidy said the trio had a video session with the coaching staff. In the past, that’s usually helped them out of any rut.

“Today they came in in good spirits. They know they need to be better. We went though some video with them and hopefully it will help them to see certain tendencies that St. Louis does,” Cassidy said. “That’s just my feeling. I’m sure St. Louis will have a lot to say (Saturday) about keeping them in check, especially the goaltender (Jordan Binnington). That’s just the way I’ve seen them play in the playoffs.

“I feel they will find their game. There’s not too many times in the regular season or playoffs where they’ve been quieted for long and that’s just one reason why I feel they’ll have a better game.”

Marchand, for one, maintained his what-me-worry approach that has worked well for him this postseason.

“We’ve had opportunities. They’ve had opportunities. There’s just happened to have gone in. We just have to keep doing the same thing, keep working, tighten up a little bit,” Marchand said. “I’m not concerned, regardless of how much you guys want to talk about it.”

Bergeron, meanwhile, is fighting through some physical issue. He was given a maintenance day Friday, but Cassidy said he will be in for Game 3.

Vaakanainen practices

With Matt Grzelcyk out, rookie Urho Vaakanainen skated with the main group in practice for the first time in the playoffs. Cassidy wanted to have eight defensemen for the session.

“It’s good for Vaak to get involved this time of year. It’s a little more about filling out practice and him getting a taste of what it’s like this time of year. He’s a part of our future. Could be our immediate future if we get more injuries,” Cassidy said. …

St. Louis coach Craig Berube was not ready to declare defenseman Vince Dunn or forward Robert Thomas in or out for Game 3.

Dunn has been out since he took a shot to the face from the Sharks’ Brendon Dillon in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. 1145789 Boston Bruins

Bruins forced to the well yet again

By STEVE CONROY May 31, 2019 at 7:52 PM

ST. LOUIS — The litany of injuries began on Day 1 and have never stopped coming for the Bruins.

First it was Torey Krug. Next came Kevan Miller. Then Brandon Carlo. There was the double whammy of Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron leaving the lineup on successive nights in November. There was David Pastrnak’s off-ice injury. And Sean Kuraly was able to return from a late season broken hand in the nick of time.

Now, with the loss of Matt Grzelcyk to a suspected concussion on the hit from Oskar Sundqvist (one-game suspension), the B’s will have to go to the well one more time. And while the shifty Grzelcyk will be missed, the B’s are comfortable dipping into their depth.

“We had that happen to us a number of times this season, very early on,” said Chara, the B’s captain. “In November, we lost three regulars on the back end and probably two or three regulars up front. And each time, guys really stepped up in big minutes and big roles and did a great job for the team. It’s not any different this time. We saw it in the playoffs a number of times. Guys played big and did answer some questions. They always responded well. This team always relied on the depth that we have.”

While coach Bruce Cassidy would not officially say John Moore will take Grzelcyk’s place for Game 3 at the Enterprise Center on Saturday, he did say he was leaning that way and, given the fact that Grzelcyk and Moore are left shots, it would make sense rather than righty Steven Kampfer. Moore also took shifts with Connor Clifton on the third pair in practice here on Friday, providing another clue.

“This is why you train, why you prepare, why you take care of yourself. When you’re called upon, it’s time to do your job. It’s kind of the mentality we’ve had all year. Next man up. Now it’s my turn. I’m ready to go,” Moore said.

Like Grzelcyk, Moore is a strong skater, but five inches taller and 35 pounds heavier. Both Moore’s speed and size will be tested by the hard- charging Blues.

“They come as advertised,” Moore said. “They’ll be the first to tell you that that’s the way they want to play. They certainly showed that in Game 2. They got to their game. They’re a big, heavy team. They got below the goal line, all areas that we’ve talked about. I’ll be ready if I’m in.”

This would not be Moore’s first action in the playoffs. He stepped in for an injured Chara in the B’s clinching Game 4 in the Eastern Conference finals and was part of a shutout effort. And he’s played in the Stanley Cup Final before with the Rangers in 2014. He feels he is more prepared this time around.

“It’s here and now. I’m not really focused on what’s happened in the past,” Moore said. “But it’s definitely those things where you can take a deep breath, make sure you’re focused. There’s a lot of distractions at this stage of the playoffs. If anything I think I’m more mature to handle that and focus on my job.”

With the loss of the popular Grzelcyk, the B’s also have a rallying point — if they needed any more motivation at this time of year.

“I really (wished) that Grizz was still here and I wasn’t even talking to you guys,” Moore said to reporters. “It’s terrible to see a teammate to go down like that. We can certainly draw inspiration. He’s such a tough guy, getting the job done all year. For sure, it lights a fire under us.”

At this stage, every little bit helps.

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145790 Boston Bruins getting a Brian Rolston hockey stick as a kid. If he takes the ice Saturday, he’ll go up against four players he watched with his friend when the Bruins won the 2011 Cup: Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, New Hampshire’s Zach Sanford may get chance to face Bruins David Krejci and Brad Marchand.

As a healthy scratch in the first two games this series, Sanford watched from a box at the Garden. He noticed the team’s championship banners By PETER BAUGH |PUBLISHED: May 31, 2019 at 7:51 pm | UPDATED: hanging from the rafters — the same ones he saw as a young fan. May 31, 2019 at 11:54 PM “It’s pretty weird, seeing them my whole life growing up there going to games,” he said. “But I’m not really a Bruins fan anymore. It’s time for us to get our own banners here.” ST. LOUIS — Zach Sanford grew up watching Bruins teams falter in the playoffs, so when they won the Stanley Cup in 2011, he and his friend Boston Herald LOADED: 06.01.2019 darted out the front door. The two channeled their teenage energy into a neighborhood victory lap.

“Things have changed quite a bit since then,” Sanford said.

For starters, he won’t be rooting for the Bruins in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final Saturday night. The Blues left winger will likely take the ice against them.

Sanford, who appeared in 60 games for St. Louis during the regular season, has not played since the first round of the playoffs. But with Oskar Sundqvist serving a one-game suspension for his Game 2 hit on Matt Grzelcyk, it appears Sanford will move into the Blues’ lineup for Game 3.

Blues coach Craig Berube said he has not decided on who will replace Sundqvist, but Sanford skated with the fourth line Friday at practice. He’s in position to make his Stanley Cup debut against his hometown team.

“I was talking to my mom, and she was at the games in Boston, and she caught herself cheering for the Bruins,” Sanford, a Boston College product, said. “Had to fix that.”

Born in Salem, Mass. and growing up in New Hampshire, Sanford watched every Bruins game with his dad, Michael, who coached Zach’s youth teams. Zach wrote about Michael on the Blues website in October, saying his dad told anyone who would listen about his son’s hockey career.

Michael died of a heart attack in September at age 54. He never saw his son play in a regular season NHL game.

Sanford did not make it back to Massachusetts in time to say goodbye to his dad, but wrote in his essay that Michael is buried with one of his game-used sticks. “I wouldn’t be with where I am now without you,” he wrote on the wood. “Love, Zach.”

“I think about him every day, but this one’s a little different,” Sanford said after practicing Friday. “It’s another thing hopefully I can just turn into some good energy.”

Sanford averaged 12 minutes of ice time this season and had eight goals and 12 assists. He skated with center Ivan Barbashev and right winger Alexander Steen on Friday.

The 24-year-old played in the Blues’ opening three games of their first round series against the Winnipeg Jets, tallying three hits in a Game 2 win. He said he felt nervous and hesitant in the opener but grew more comfortable as the series went on.

Berube replaced Sanford with Robby Fabbri in Game 4 vs. Winnipeg. Sanford said he’s skated consistently and stayed in shape since then. If he appears in the Stanley Cup Final, he wants to keep his game simple and rely on his speed and 6-foot-4 frame.

“I think at this point it’s pretty clear for me how I need to play and what I need to do to help the team win,” he said.

Sanford talked about how to come back from a long layoff with Fabbri and Sammy Blais, both of whom entered the Blues’ lineup this postseason after stretches of inactivity.

“I think he’s ready,” Fabbri said of his advice to Sanford. “He got a few games in in the playoffs, he’s got a taste of it. Obviously this is a lot different. Just getting yourself into it quick, whether it’s a few hits or whatever it is.”

“Just have fun out there and just play his game,” Blais said. “He’s a great player, and I’m sure he’s going to do a great job (Saturday).”

Growing up in Manchester and attending Pinkerton Academy, Sanford’s favorite player was Bruins winger Glen Murray, and he remembers 1145791 Boston Bruins

Backes past the point of the "soft and fuzzies" with the Blues

By Joe Haggerty May 31, 2019 6:21 PM

ST LOUIS – It was pretty obvious that David Backes was over with the St. Louis Blues sentimental stuff prior to the start of the Stanley Cup Final against the team he spent more than 10 years dutifully playing for, but the 35-year-old hammered that point home with the series turning to St. Louis this week.

Backes got into a number of scrums with St. Louis defenseman Joel Edmundson and took an elbow from Blues goalie Jordan Binnington in Game 1, and continued to play the heavy, nasty game against his old team in Game 2 as well.

So, Backes isn’t expecting his former organization to roll out the Blues welcome mat for him as they did three years ago in his first return to St. Louis, and he’s totally cool with that.

“I expect it to be like a road playoff game. I think I’m past the point of the ‘soft and fuzzies’ and I think I had those moments in my previous returns here where you could soak that in,” said Backes, who has definitely played with some snarl in this series against his former teammates. “It’s all business now. You see the buzz around town and you know what it means to a place where it was 49 years ago when the Final last occurred here.

“You see how much it means [to St. Louis]. But we’re focused on what our group needs to do it in a pivotal Game 3 that we need to respond, react and adjust the way they did after losing Game 1. We need that similar reaction after losing Game 2.”

Backes has already said he won’t be texting with friends on the St. Louis side, such as Alex Pietrangelo, and it’s clear he’s taking his first chance in the Cup Final as a serious responsibility that might not ever come his way again. His play has been “all business” as he said, but the perfect thing to kill any remaining St. Louis warm and fuzzies would be scoring a goal in his old home building after going scoreless in the first two games.

Backes had zero shots on net, zero points and not much influence in the overtime Game 2 loss and now in familiar environs, it'd be the perfect time for the veteran power forward to have a Cup Final performance he’ll always remember.

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John Moore 'ready to go' if called upon by Bruins in Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final

By Jacob Camenker May 31, 2019 4:47 PM

Matt Grzelcyk was placed in the NHL's concussion protocol after a hit to the head from Oskar Sundqvist, so the Boston Bruins are going to be starting a different defenseman in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. And that player will likely be John Moore.

Moore, a nine-year NHL veteran, played in 61 games for the Bruins in the regular season, recording 13 points. While Moore has only played in five games this postseason, posting a minus-four rating, he is more than ready to enter the lineup and prove himself on the NHL's biggest stage.

"This is why you train, why you prepare, why you take care of yourself," said Moore to reporters after Friday's practice. "When you're called upon, it's time to do your job and it's kind of the mentality we've had all year. Next man up. Now, it's my turn and I'm ready to go."

Despite his confidence in himself, Moore wouldn't confirm that he was going to be in action for Game 3.

"I don't know. It's up to (Bruce Cassidy)," said Moore. "You'll have to ask him. But if I am (playing), I'll be ready."

Cassidy said that Moore would "probably be" the man who steps into the lineup to replace Grzelcyk. He did give consideration to Steven Kampfer and even 20-year-old rookie Urho Vaakanainen for the spot, but he appears to be leaning towards Moore as the top option.

Nordstrom: Guys do "whatever it takes to get an edge"

Moore will be charged with helping to match St. Louis' physical presence, which they emphasized in their Game 2 victory. Moore and the Bruins knew before the series that the Blues would try to win with their physicality, so Moore is ready to take on the challenge.

"They come as advertised," said Moore. "They'll be the first to tell you that's the way they want to play. They certainly showed that in Game 2. They got to their game. They're a big, heavy team. They're good below the goal line. All areas that we've talked about. I think I'll be ready if I'm in."

Moore does have Stanley Cup Final experience from his time with the New York Rangers, which could prove to be valuable. He played in four games against the Los Angeles Kings in 2014, logging an assist and posting a minus-two rating while averaging 16:23 time on ice. He did have six blocks in those four games, so perhaps he will continue to have an impact in that department.

Whatever he is called on to contribute, Moore is ready for it. And he expects both teams to play with an edge.

"The intensity is obviously going to be there. It's exciting. We're playing for the ultimate prize. Nothing to hold it back for."

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Matt Grzelcyk doubtful for Game 3; John Moore could replace Bruins D- man

By Darren Hartwell May 31, 2019 3:42 PM

The Boston Bruins might be forced to make some lineup changes for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is "doubtful" to play Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues after taking a hard hit from Oskar Sundqvist in Game 2, per Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy.

#NHLBruins updates per Bruce Cassidy:

Maintenance day for Patrice Bergeron. He will play tomorrow.

No update on Matt Grzelcyk. Doubtful for Game 3.

Will “probably be” John Moore in for Grizz, but final decision tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/x1mKA8jf5F

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 31, 2019

Cassidy suggested John Moore could take Grzelcyk's place alongside Connor Clifton on Boston's third defensive pair, which is where the veteran defenseman skated Friday afternoon in St. Louis.

Patrice Bergeron not on the ice for practice this afternoon. #NHLBruins line rushes:

Marchand - Kuhlman - Pastrnak

DeBrusk - Krejci - Backes

Johansson - Coyle - Heinen

Nordstrom - Kuraly - Acciari

Chara - McAvoy

Krug - Carlo

Moore - Clifton

Vaakanainen - Kampfer

Rask

Halak

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 31, 2019

Moore has played sparingly of late, appearing in just five games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, four of which came against the in the first round. The 28-year-old hasn't registered a point in those contests and is a minus-4.

Cassidy does have other options, as 20-year-old Finnish prospect Urho Vaakanainen joined the Bruins for Friday's skate. Steven Kampfer also could slot into the lineup, although he's a right-handed shot (unlike Moore and Vaakaneinen) and likely wouldn't pair with Clifton.

Karson Kuhlman was the other newcomer to the Bruins' practice session, replacing Patrice Bergeron on the top line as the veteran center took a maintenance day.

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What's with Blues playing 'Gloria' and 'Country Roads' at home games?

By Darren Hartwell May 31, 2019 1:05 PM

We'll forgive you if you haven't watched many Blues games in St. Louis this season.

We'll also forgive you if you're watching the Boston Bruins' Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in St. Louis on Saturday and wondering why 18,400 Blues fans are belting out two songs that have nothing to do with their city.

We're talking about Laura Branigan's "Gloria" and John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads," the former of which has become the Blues' official goal song and the latter of which has become a sing-along anthem in the third period of games at Enterprise Arena.

But Branigan was a New York native and Denver's hit song is about West Virginia. So, why the heck did the St. Louis Blues adopt them?

Rooting interest map suggests America is rooting for Blues over B's

The explanations are equally random. "Gloria," it turns out, came to the Blues by way of Jacks NYB, a bar in South Philadelphia where a group of Blues players went to watch the Eagles-Bears playoff game on Jan. 6. According to Blues forward Robby Fabbri, one patron kept yelling "Play Gloria!" during commerical breaks to request Branigan's 1982 hit. The DJ obliged, the bar went wild, and Fabbri and his teammates hatched an idea.

"They just went nuts when they heard it, and we loved watching it," Fabbri explained earlier this month, via USA TODAY. "So, we just happened to get a win the next day and made it our win song."

Fast forward to late May, when "Gloria" has become synonymous with the Blues' deepest postseason run since 1970 and, of course, has made its way onto a T-shirt.

PLAY GLORIA!!!

Shirts available now for $20 at @STL_Authentics  #stlblues pic.twitter.com/qzqRUD8EJY

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 20, 2019

"Country Roads" came to Blues games a few weeks after "Gloria," and Boston fans will find its origins ironic. Blues game operations director Jason Pippi was trying to play Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" -- synonymous with eighth innings at Boston Red Sox games -- at home games, but the song never caught on with St. Louis fans.

So Pippi, a University of Pittsburgh graduate, randomly suggested "Country Roads" during a meeting.

"(Sweet Caroline is) a Pitt classic, but it didn't stick anywhere nearly as much as Country Roads," Pippi told WVU Sports. "It was a bit of a mistake how it happened. It came up in the office, 'So, what about Country Roads, everyone loves that one' and I said, 'I'll tell you what, I hate it!' But everyone knows the words to it."

Why Andrew Benintendi isn't supporting the B's in the Cup Final

Pippi tested out "Country Roads" in the third period of a late February Blues game and actually mistimed the song, cutting the music right as the chorus began when play resumed. But the Blues crowd picked up the slack by signing the rest of the chorus anyway. When Pippi tried the same tactic at the following game, the crowd did the same thing, and another "tradition" was born.

So, there you have it. While the Bruins' victory song -- "Dirty Water" by The Standells, featuring the chorus "Boston, you're my home" -- needs no explanation, the soundtrack at St. Louis games is a bit more eclectic.

And if the Bruins would rather not hear "Gloria," they could always pitch a shutout Saturday night.

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How current Blues GM nearly lured Don Sweeney to Stars over Bruins

By Darren Hartwell May 31, 2019 11:45 AM

It turns out Don Sweeney's history with the St. Louis Blues' staff extends beyond his decades-old brawl with head coach Craig Berube.

The Bruins general manager first came to Boston in 2006 as the team's director of player development under then-GM Peter Chiarelli.

But Sweeney nearly joined the Stars' front office instead of the Bruins' thanks to the recruiting efforts of then-Dallas GM -- who's now opposing Sweeney as the Blues GM in the Stanley Cup Final.

Sweeney played his final NHL season in Dallas in 2003-04 after 15 seasons with the Bruins, and according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, he made such an impression on Armstrong that the Stars GM offered him a hockey operations job after his playing days.

Bruins need 'perfection line' to step up in Game 3

And Sweeney may have taken that job had his former team not come calling.

Here's what Chiarelli told LeBrun on how he courted Sweeney, his former teammate at Harvard, to Boston:

"Over the course of when I was working in Ottawa (as assistant GM), whenever we played Boston I would make a point of saying hi to Donnie, at the morning skate or whatever. At one point, Don said, ‘I’d be really interested when my career is done to work on the management side.' "

In 2006, Chiarelli gave Sweeney that opportunity, luring him away from the Stars with a player development job that evolved into assistant GM job three years later.

The next 13 years were one long row of dominoes leading to the Cup Final: Sweeney was promoted to Bruins general manager in 2015 after Boston fired Chiarelli, while Armstrong left the Stars for St. Louis in 2008 before earning the GM job in 2013.

The 2019 Stanley Cup Final would look a whole lot different if Armstrong had hired Sweeney 15 years ago, so if the B's go on to win this year's Cup, they might owe Chiarelli a brief thank you note.

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How Charlie Coyle made Massachusetts proud with last Bruins playoff goal

By Darren Hartwell May 31, 2019 10:50 AM

Charlie Coyle probably dreamed of scoring a playoff goal for the Boston Bruins as a kid growing up in Weymouth, Mass.

We're not sure he imagined scoring seven.

The Bruins forward, who spent all of his formative years in the area at Boston College High School and , notched his seventh goal of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs in Wednesday's Game 2 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues.

And by doing so, he became the most prolific local scorer in Bruins franchise history.

Most goals in a playoff year by a Massachusetts-born @NHLBruins player:

7 – @CharlieCoyle_3 (2019)

6 – John Carter (1990)

6 – Bob Sweeney (1988)#NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/6uidmGYnST

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 31, 2019

Coyle moved past Winchester, Mass., native John Carter and Concord, Mass., native Bob Sweeney, who each scored six goals during their respective runs to the Stanley Cup Final.

Coyle's seven goals this postseason trail only Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron for the most on the team, as the 27-year-old trade deadline pickup has been a revelation for the Bruins in April and March.

It's time for Bruins' "perfection line" to step up

He scored just two goals in 21 games since coming to Boston from the Minnesota Wild in late February, but already has more than tripled that total through 19 games in the Cup playoffs.

Coyle is hoping for a different fate than Carter and Sweeney, though: Both players lost in the Cup Final, while the B's and Blue are knotted at 1-1 entering Game 3 in St. Louis.

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‘You don’t have to go too far for talent anymore’: Americans are gaining a foothold on the Bruins and in the NHL

By Joe McDonald May 31, 2019

ST. LOUIS — When the Boston Bruins hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2011, goalie Tim Thomas was the only American on the roster to play in every playoff game. Steven Kampfer was on the team but did not play, while Gregory Campbell was born in Canada but became a U.S. citizen.

Fast forward to 2019. If the Bruins defeat the St. Louis Blues in the final, a total of 19 Americans will lift the Stanley Cup over their head. Of those 19 players, 13 have played in the Stanley Cup playoffs this spring, which is the most in the NHL.

Torey Krug, David Backes, Noel Acciari, Charlie Coyle, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Connor Clifton, John Moore, Karson Kuhlman, Sean Kuraly, Chris Wagner, Matt Grzelcyk and Kampfer have all played in a Stanley Cup playoff game for the Bruins. It’s an impressive number that bodes well for USA Hockey.

“It’s awesome,” Krug said. “When I first came on this team I was one of maybe two or three Americans, and to see it now where it’s grown to have a team that’s great enough to compete for a Stanley Cup with all these Americans on it shows the development process of USA Hockey has really improved over the years, and right now it’s better than ever.”

Backes has represented Team USA in various international events, including two Olympics and one .

“USA Hockey’s trajectory has been a steep upward climb for a long time and they’ve done a good job of growing the game, growing the young talent, and now those guys are filtering into the league,” Backes said. “The fact that we have so many on this team, and if you want to counteract that statement, (St. Louis) has three Americans. It binds you a little bit, but in the end, you can be from wherever in the world, and it’s a cap tip to USA Hockey, but we’re all wearing that Bruins logo and fighting for the same cause.”

Kuraly, from Ohio, has also represented Team USA at the junior level, and he’s thrilled the development model is working for USA Hockey and more Americans are reaching the NHL. In fact, it’s at an all-time high at 27.4 percent. In 2017-18, 270 Americans played in the NHL.

“It says you don’t have to go too far for talent anymore,” Kuraly said. “It’s come a long way and to have half of your squad as Americans is pretty impressive and says a lot about time, money and effort put into USA Hockey and the development model, and we’re seeing the fruits of that labor come to fruition.”

For the Bruins, it’s also impressive that they have five New Englanders on the roster: Grzelcyk, Coyle, Acciari, Wagner and Paul Carey.

“It used to be a lot of Canadians and Europeans, but the U.S. has great players and to have 13 on one of the Stanley Cup final teams is pretty unique and a handful of them are local guys,” Acciari said. “It’s pretty cool. It shows USA Hockey has a lot of great players.”

Carlo, who hails from Colorado Springs, the home of USA Hockey, also played for Team USA at the junior level.

“It’s awesome,” Carlo said. “It’s great and you can see the way it’s growing. You’ve noticed that the last couple of years and I’ve noticed it from watching USA Hockey events. Not only are U.S. guys very competitive in this league now, but there’s a lot more coming. It’s fantastic. I love it. I love that our hockey nation is growing in that way, and hopefully, from a fan-base perspective, that will bring more people.”

When the NHL holds its annual draft in a few weeks, six players from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program could be chosen in the first 10 selections. Jack Hughes, of Orlando, Fla., is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick.

“It’s coming along, obviously,” Clifton said. “Boston specifically has a lot of Americans, and it’s something special. USA Hockey has come a long way. I know you see a lot of Canadians (in the NHL) and they’re some great players, too, but we’re following their lead, and it’s been great.” 1145798 Boston Bruins Rask certainly has. He’s now three wins shy of winning a Stanley Cup and is considered a candidate for the Conn Smythe. Just keep him away from the milk crates.

Sure, Tuukka Rask seems sedate now, but ‘the milk crate nutty’ showed The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 his wild side

By Joe McDonald May 31, 2019

ST. LOUIS — Bruce Cassidy was recently asked about the poise and calmness of Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask. The coach had a phenomenal response.

“Google it,” Cassidy said.

He was referring to an incident in 2009 when Rask played for the . It quickly became legendary and is known as “the milk crate nutty.” Rask, then a 22-year-old prospect, was much more animated than he is now as a 32-year-old veteran.

The P-Bruins were hosting the Albany River Rats at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., and the game went into a shootout. In the fifth round, the River Rats’ Jakub Petruzak skated in and lost control of the puck when Rask pokechecked it, but the forward regained possession and scored.

Rask argued that the player did not control the puck in constant forward motion and that the score should be disallowed, but referee Frederic L’Ecuyer said it counted. In the sixth round of the shootout, Albany’s Harrison Reed took a slap shot that hit the crossbar, but L’Ecuyer signaled a goal.

Rask pulled a nutty.

Bob Paquette and Jack Millea were the two linesmen working the game. Paquette worked more than 700 AHL games and recently retired but remembers that game well.

“Freddy looked like he was confused, and obviously we don’t get involved in that (decision) at $80 a game,” Paquette said with a laugh. “I’m not making that call. He called it a goal, and that’s when Tuukka went nuts. He was throwing his stick, water bottles and the pucks. I had a front-row seat and it was great.”

Millea has been working the lines in the AHL for 22 seasons and can recall exactly what occurred in that game before Rask lost it.

“The kid from Albany kind of fumbled the puck a little bit, and ultimately he scores. It was a goal, but it looked goofy and that ticked him off,” explained Millea. “Then Reed goes down two or three times later, and I thought it went off the crossbar, and Bobby thought it went off the crossbar, but Freddy was adamant that it went off the inside of the crossbar, and Tuukka wigged out. I was standing near the penalty box, and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, he fucking gone.’ Next thing I know, he flung the milk crate full of pucks over the glass. It was awesome.”

Paquette and Millea rank Rask’s nutty as one of the top in the AHL. The goalie was given an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty but was not suspended for the incident.

“That was the worst,” Paquette said. “I’ve seen fights with 10 guys on the ice fighting all at once, but I remember Tuukka was hot-headed when he first came in and he’d go off all the time. He was nuts, but he’s really calmed down now.”

Added Millea: “There was some goofy stuff that used to happen down there, but that’s right up there.”

Earlier in his career, Rask was known to speak his mind, but he’s matured over the years. When Paquette watches Bruins games on television now, he notices a big difference in the Vezina Trophy-winning goalie.

“You can see how focused he is,” Paquette said.

No doubt it was a learning experience for L’Ecuyer, who is a full-time official in the NHL.

“That’s how they all learned,” Millea said. “Crazy shit happens in the minors, and you hope you learn from it.” 1145799 Boston Bruins The wait wasn’t quite so long for Berube – about three-and-a-half years in total – but the journey back was similar to Cassidy’s. Berube started in St. Louis organization behind the bench of the , their Duhatschek Notebook: Examining Craig Berube and Bruce Cassidy’s AHL team; was promoted to an assistant on the NHL team; and then got coaching journey and their shared connections the head job after Mike Yeo was fired this past November.

In short, they each survived the coaching version of the game of Snakes and Ladders. They had NHL opportunities early but slide down the snake By Eric Duhatschek May 31, 2019 and then eventually climbed their way back to the top of the board.

Now, lo and behold, here they are, the second time around, having learned from the past and clearly making the most of those lessons in the Almost every spring, the NHL’s annual game of musical coaching chairs present. goes ‘round and ‘round until every seat is occupied. Cassidy touched on that subject just ahead of the Stanley Cup final, It is the natural order of business – and the primary occupational hazard noting that being a little older and having his life in overall better balance – of the hired-to-be-fired profession. Teams routinely dump a coach if helped him succeed when the second chance came. It also helped that they’ve missed the playoffs for too many years in a row, in the hopes that as he matured as a person and as a professional, he became more a fresh new voice can act as a catalyst in turning a team’s fortunes patient with the players and a more adept communicator. around. “You learn, if you want to get back in, to do things differently, take what Occasionally, the new fresh voice is really an old familiar face – which is you did well and learn from what you didn’t do well,” Cassidy explained, how Joel Quenneville happened to land in Florida; in who went on to describe NHL coaching as, “a tough business, a results- Philadelphia; Todd McLellan in Los Angeles and this past week, Dave oriented business – and if you’re not hitting the ground running, ready the Tippett in Edmonton. first time, you learn some things so the next time you are completely Together, the four have accumulated 4,772 regular-season games of prepared for all the elements. I think that’s what happened with me, and NHL coaching experience and have been behind the bench for 2,525 probably happened to a lot of guys in the league – from Craig, right on wins. They also have an additional 503 games on their playoff coaching down the line.” resumes and Quenneville has three Stanley Cup championships to his To Cassidy’s point, about two-thirds of his peers are on their second NHL name. coaching lives or more. If you exclude Smith, who has yet to coach a Experience matters – to some teams, some of the time. single NHL game, nine of the 30 coaches currently employed in the league are still with their first teams. Four have been with their respective Because, depending upon the current state of your franchise’s health, clubs for more than a year: (Tampa); (New you can also go in the other direction. In Ottawa, for example, the Jersey); (Colorado); and (Vancouver). The Senators embraced the young, untried, let’s-see-what-he-can-do-when- other five – Jim Montgomery (Dallas); Todd Reirden (Washington); Rod given-a-chance route. The Senators hired D.J. Smith away from Brind’Amour (Carolina); David Quinn (New York Rangers) and Jeremy divisional rival Toronto, making Smith the fourth member of the Mike Colliton (Chicago) – have been on the job one year or less. (The 31st Babcock coaching tree to land in the NHL next season. Previous team, the , still have not settled on a coach for 2019-20). Babcock assistants who are current NHL head coaches include McLellan, Bill Peters (Calgary) and (Detroit). Tippett was an interesting choice in Edmonton because new general manager Ken Holland had an easy experienced option at his disposal – But what goes into the decision – of old vs. young; experienced just keeping Ken Hitchcock on – but was determined to go in a different campaigner vs. untried newcomer? direction. Some saw that as a sign that Holland might turn to a young up- and-comer. Interestingly, at the press conference unveiling Tippett’s Expectations, for one. hiring, Holland acknowledged that his track record demonstrated a Ottawa, through owner Eugene Melnyk, has publicly stated that the willingness to consider both options. In Detroit, he hired Babcock to Senators have a de facto three-year building plan in place, so they have coach the Red Wings, after Babcock spent two years coaching the given themselves a grace period to grow and mature that will also permit Ducks; but he also gave Blashill his first opportunity as an NHL head Smith to undergo his own growing pains at the same time the team does. coach. The hope is both arrive at the ready stage at exactly the same moment. So why go with Tippett? According to Holland, at this point in the Oilers’ Because the one thing the NHL’s coaching history tells you is there will on-ice evolution, he believed stability and experience behind the bench be growing pains. Few are exempt – and for further proof, you need to trumped any other factor that might have influenced his hiring decision. look no further than the two men coaching against each other in the Stanley Cup final – Craig Berube, with the St. Louis Blues and Bruce “Sometimes, you make decisions as a young manager or a young coach Cassidy of the Boston Bruins. and you say (after the fact), ‘boy, I don’t know if I’d ever do that again,’” Holland said. “We’ve both done that – made decisions that we can reflect On the surface, there is little common ground there. back on, some that have worked out, and some that haven’t. But I Berube played 1,054 NHL games, mostly as a tough guy. Cassidy was a thought it was important to have somebody behind the bench that’s been skilled defenceman in his junior days. At 5-11, he was undersized for his through the wars of the .” era, but he was talented enough to be a first-round draft choice and it Tippett echoed that. “I’ve coached two teams – one for seven years, the was actually a knee injury suffered in his teens that ultimately limited his other for eight years,” he said. “I’m big on stability. I’m big on NHL playing career to only 36 games. relationships and communications. A coach, you’ve got to set the plan in The two are only six months apart in age, but Cassidy’s knee issues place in your dressing room with your players, but ultimately, there’s a meant he began his coaching career a decade before Berube. Cassidy’s bigger goal for the coaches, trainers, management. You’re trying to win first job came with the 1996-97 Jacksonville Lizard Kings of the ECHL, together. I try to create that atmosphere, where everybody’s accountable, but by 2002, he was in the NHL with the Washington Capitals. Berube but they’re not accountable to me or to management, they’re accountable meanwhile broke in the AHL’s in 2006 and to winning and to the crest on your jersey.” eventually worked his way to the top job – behind the Flyers’ bench – by Most coaches will relay some version of what Tippett outlined there as 2013. their ultimate task – preaching accountability to the team, as opposed to Neither lasted all that long in their inaugural NHL jobs. Cassidy got just individual goals. This is by no means just boilerplate patter either. In a 110 games with the Caps before he was let go, while Berube managed sport where the moving parts are so dependent upon one another, it’s just 161 with the Flyers before a regime change led to his departure. critically important to achieving success. Some players obviously buy into the “team” concept better than others do. But when compensation is tied It took Cassidy more than 13 years to work his way back to the NHL so closely to individual achievements, the need to be persuasive on (promoted from Bruins’ assistant to head coach on an interim basis back collective goals is probably a greater challenge for coaches than ever in February 2017, after Claude Julien was fired, and then given the full- before. time designation at season’s end). Since taking over the reins in Edmonton, Holland has repeatedly structured game. But long term, Krueger’s greatest strength is his referenced the pressure to win that exists in all 31 NHL markets – and motivational abilities – and in pushing the right buttons for a team whose that a reasonable goal for every team in any season is just to be one of nucleus is still evolving. Once he gets buy-in from the players to his the 16 teams left standing when the playoffs begin; and then hope for the system, Buffalo is going to be a fun place to play again – and a fun team best at that juncture. Holland thinks Tippett gives them the best chance to watch. to do that now. Unlike Ottawa, the Oilers can’t afford to be nearly as patient. McLellan with the Kings

Now that the offseason coaching picture is nearly complete, what’s McLellan arguably inherits the toughest task of any of the new bench interesting is to examine who hasn’t resurfaced – coaches that might bosses this year, trying to restore order, effort and pride to a Kings team collectively fall into the “stern taskmaster” category; the Darryl Sutters, that sure looked as if it were going through the motions for a large part of Mike Keenans and Randy Carlyles of the world. the second half under their previous coach Willie Desjardins. The Kings have a small but able nucleus of veteran players and then a lot of so-so All have had more than their share of coaching achievements, but now talent at the bottom half of the roster. A stronger, stricter message – seem out of step with the times – not necessarily with the way the game coupled with the players’ collective willingness to put last season’s is played or taught either, but in how they communicate or otherwise embarrassing performance behind them – should make the Kings a more create a dialogue with their players. formidable opponent. But the job description is coach – not miracle worker – and history suggests there will be a steady erosion in the years For some, of the Columbus Blue Jackets might also be to come, if the Kings can’t start putting some Grade-A younger pieces thought of as old-school – and yet, he seems to have found the ability to into the lineup, and soon. adapt to the younger generation of player coming through the ranks. Some years ago, I quizzed Tortorella about his evolving coaching Smith with the Senators philosophy and remember being particularly struck by something he said – about how motivation trumps practically everything else in the coaching People forget: The Senators were a tough out at different times in the handbook nowadays. final two months of the season, because of effort and goaltending; and since the bar will be set low again this season, the pressure to win won’t Tortorella’s point was that players arrive in the NHL so knowledgeable be terribly great. I can’t imagine any scenario under which the Senators about strategy and tactics that the need to teach basic concepts is not as escape the Atlantic Division basement, but I do expect to see Smith help urgent or necessary as it once was. Instead, the primary challenge was provide growth in the areas that matter – developing the young core. “to get between the ears of each individual player and straighten out the wiring to help them be the best players they can possibly be. And finally …

“I’m a guidance counselor in the sports business,” Tortorella concluded. After Sean McIndoe and I went back and forth on video review a few “My daughter’s a seventh-grade school teacher and we talk about this a times already this spring, here’s a final thought, run through the prism of lot. I say to her, ‘we’re trying to do the same thing, except you use NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s state-of-the-league press conference textbooks and you’re in a classroom setting.” this past week. Normally, whenever Bettman delivers his state of the union, the preface is all sweetness and light – he praises the teams, the Grading the coaching hires owners, the coaches, the GMs, the players; highlights everything good that’s happened in the NHL this season and then opens it up to If the measure of NHL coaching success is making the playoffs, who questions. This time around, he did something interesting – kind of a pre- among this year’s six off-season hires has the best chance of succeeding emptive strike. Before anyone could ever ask him about the state of next year? We assess, in descending order of probability. officiating – and primarily how it could be improved through video review Vigneault with the Flyers – Bettman addressed the matter himself.

People weirdly tend to overlook Vigneault’s career accomplishments and On some levels, Bettman and I originally shared the same position of unless you’re paying close attention to his results, you may not realize wariness on video review – me probably more than him – fearing that that he’s presided over three President’s Trophy wins since 2011 (two in once video review was introduced, it could open up many unexpected Vancouver, one with the Rangers) and in 11 seasons, between 2006-07 cans of worms. Ideally, if I could put the video genie back in the bottle, I and 2016-17, made the playoffs 10 times and coached in 139 playoff would – and live with human officiating error, the way we do with player, games, twice getting his teams to the final. Impressive results, both coaching and management errors. Sadly, they tell me that’ll never regular and postseason and frankly, the Flyers have enough talent that if happen. Carter Hart plays the way they think he can internally, Philadelphia could If we’re stuck with video review, then the current half-in, half-out system be ready for a major surge up the standings. is an unacceptable mish-mash. Every time there’s a controversy, the Quenneville with the Panthers NHL’s television audience can see endless replays and easily make the correct call for themselves. The only people who don’t get a second look I’m bullish on the Quenneville fit in Florida. Quenneville inherits a are the officials on the ice because they are limited in what they can and Panthers team that finished 12 points out of the playoffs but is expected can’t review. That part of the process makes no sense. to look much differently by the time GM Dale Tallon gets through his free- agent spending spree. Florida has good offensive pieces – the key will be For Bettman to acknowledge, before even a single question was asked, to cut the goals against way down (they were the fourth-worst defensive that “clearly what we already do may not be enough” is quite an team in the league a year ago). Good goaltending is the single biggest admission – and also proof positive, in case you were wondering how contributor to coaching success; we’re going to guess that having a two- this was all going to turn out, that the system is about to change. time Vezina Trophy winner before the start of next season will greatly How? Still to be determined. enhance Quenneville’s already impressive resume. But I also liked this from Bettman: “The ability to review and parse plays Tippett with the Oilers down to the millisecond has become both a blessing and a curse. If we Even though Tippett stressed at his hiring that he is not just capable of are to extend video replay, and we will be looking at that possibility, we teaching and coaching defense, the fact that he has historically been must find the right balance when it comes to how much more to use and able to maximize the contributions of the foot soldiers in his various when to use it without affecting the flow, pace and excitement of our lineups actually bodes well for Edmonton’s playoff aspirations this game. Perhaps most important, we have to have a system that enables coming season. Tippett was that guy as a player, someone who paid us to be consistent. This is the challenge, and it is the challenge we are attention to details, won faceoffs, killed penalties and often helped the focused on and we will meet.” teams he played for become better than their individual parts. If he can In the end, the competition committee, the NHL’s GMs, and eventually do that again in Edmonton, then the talents of Connor McDavid and Leon the board of governors, will provide input. Draisaitl may just take care of the rest. “What I can say with absolute certainty is that everyone involved is going Krueger with the Sabres to take a hard look at this issue in the upcoming months,” concluded After a promising start, the Sabres were in shambles in the second half of Bettman. “No one should doubt that we want to get it right. The last season, so Ralph Krueger’s task will be more technical at first – fundamental question is the ‘it’ – when to intervene and what are the installing and teaching a system that allows the Sabres to play a far more instances that require doing so; and of course, how to do it without destroying the fabric and essential elements of our game.”

Translation: The league’s powers-that-be will try to anticipate, as much as possible, the various unintended consequences of possible changes – changes that could make things worse, not better.

No current NHL issue appears more divisive than officiating and its evolution in the context of rapidly changing technologies.

It’s going to be fascinating to see what they ultimately come up with.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145800 Boston Bruins wingers up defending the opposing D at a 1:1 ratio, one of the wingers drops back and you start playing 1:1 with your four low. Yes, it’s piggy in the middle up top for the one winger now alone worrying about the two D Systems Analyst: The principles of 5-on-6 defense and why the Bruins up high, but you have to accept that you’re shorthanded and going to be were in trouble goal or not in OT outmanned somewhere.

That winger drop-back in every 5-on-6 defensive scheme I’ve ever seen is based on the very basic idea that you simply can’t afford to leave an By Justin Bourne May 31, 2019 unmarked player around your crease and your opponent is about to have four players around the net themselves. Teams say “If we’re going to let

them shoot from anywhere, let it be from 60-feet out and we’ll be sure to For a hockey player, spending time on the bench isn’t purely about rest, get the sticks up of the players sniffing out rebounds. We then need to as it may more commonly be in other sports. Given the frequency of win any ensuing even-manned puck battles.” With four defenders low, player substitutions, most guys are within a couple of minutes of their last communication becomes key given that there are so many bodies around shift and within a couple of their next. It’s hot, it’s sweaty, it’s certainly not the net. roomy and were you not used to the scene, you’d be generous in The problems for the Bruins by the time that puck went in their net describing it as “a little gross.” There is the recovery portion, of course – though, they were just … so-manyfold. That’s an official number now. the sit down, the liquids, the hurried breaths – but also, the bench is alive They had so-manyfold problems. as a single collective unit. With the Blues having run them ragged in their own end, and O’Reilly Players are calling out their next changes, warning teammates of giving the Blues six attackers, here’s where they found themselves as oncoming opponents (or of those trying to sneak behind), guys are diving Gunnarsson makes a nifty offensive play. Johansson thinks Gunnarsson in the bench, and as would have been the case for the St. Louis Blues in may just put the puck back down the boards to the corner, and so he overtime of Game 2, the bench starts making instant plans when the refs hedges as such. When you’re tired you’re always hedging, if not outright arm goes up. The chance to get an extra attacker on the ice in overtime cheating, otherwise, you’ll never get there. almost certainly sent the Blues into a frenzy in an attempt to maximize this opportunity. In these instances, sometimes the goalie needs a holler He’s looking to pick off the pass clean and end the Blues O-zone to alert him there’s a call coming, and sometimes the coach needs to be possession. Failing that, maybe he would’ve carried on low into the made aware of the same info, ensuring that the team can get that guy out corner and the Bruins would’ve established four defending players low. there ASAP. In big moments, an arm going up is followed by a short But Gunnarsson doesn’t take the obvious, safe play, as he brings it back energy spike on the bench. up high.

In Game 2 that spike would’ve come after a play where Alex Steen was Now in the above shot, the Blues have four players all above the Bruins taking the puck to the net, so all eyes were on that part of the ice. That defenders. There are Bruins in all sorts of fine defensive positions from would’ve meant the whole bench was alert and hollering, Binnington which to flex out. Just a split second later though, thanks to the would’ve seen and started heading towards the bench, and Berube Gunnarsson fake and a Barbashev deciding to get into the mix lower, would’ve started rush-scanning the namebars in front of him for the best things start to look awfully different. available forward who wasn’t gassed (and usually a guy who’s going that particular night). For the Blues on this occasion, that meant Ryan O’Reilly There are four Blues that are getting awfully low, aren’t there? Johansson went over the boards (Ivan Barbashev also just got on, as Jaden decides to stay high and on Gunnarsson, which – whether that’s the right Schwartz was changing around the same time). choice or wrong choice – should indicate to Heinen and Coyle that they’re to find guys down low because he’s essentially called them off The Bruins too would’ve been aware of the change in situational play, with his actions. That’s how you communicate in hockey – you clearly given that it happened at the location of the puck. They were gassed – oh establish a choice you’ve made and let your linemates use that as sign my goodness, were they gassed – but they’d have known they were language. about to be defending short a player. They would know that means they’re about to fall into a different defensive structure … at least Even when Gunnarsson moves the puck over to O’Reilly at the other practically. point (the Blues offensive zone play and a change had moved some players around the zone, obviously), you can see Johansson continues Below we’ll look at how that play unfolded, how it should have unfolded towards O’Reilly and the puck, as he should. He’s the winger saying “I’m from the Bruins end and the principles of 5-on-6 play as a whole. the high 1.”

Above I used the phrase “at least practically” about the Bruins falling into But Heinen heads up and out on O’Reilly anyway, which isn’t a huge a 5-on-6 defensive scheme because knowing what you’re supposed to problem on this goal, but had the shot not gone in, it likely would’ve been do on the ice and being able to physically execute said action are not the – they wouldn’t have had numbers low. Because Johansson carries on to same thing. By the time the Carl Gunnarsson introduced vulcanized the other point a bit thinking he’s “the high 1,” he gets out of rubber to white twine, Torey Krug, Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle and Gunnarsson’s shooting lane. Now he’s a fish out of water covering no Marcus Johansson had all been on the ice for a minutes and five one, pressuring no one and standing in the shot lane of no one. And on seconds ( was on for 57 seconds), which is on the long top of that, what exactly is Coyle’s defensive thinking in the above frame? side in the third period of a 5-0 game in January, let alone in overtime of I’m guessing he wants to front and block any point shot, maybe because the Stanley Cup final. he’s too tired to get back and grab a man? Not often in any coverage you just see a center floating around the slot alone with the puck up high. Coaches love their players receiving positive reinforcement (as in, scoring) off extended offensive zone possessions because those rewards Either way, when the pass comes back to Gunnarsson, you basically clearly illustrate just how wearing your opponent down – even those have three Bruins forwards not exactly where they should be – though times it doesn’t result in a goal – can have positive effects on the rest of we’ll give Johansson the pass that he might be if Heinen reads off him the game. An under-covered hockey angle might just be the performance better. It’s tough to say where he’d have gone if he were alone up there, of players in the shifts immediately after getting caught out for long ones. though my hunch is “nowhere but exactly where he is, because he is I’m willing to bet it skews pretty heavily towards “bad.” Even if that clearly so, so gassed.” Gunnarsson shot clangs off the iron as his late regulation attempt did, Johnasson, Coyle and Heinen weren’t going to be the same players for a By the time Gunnarsson is about to hit this one-timer, the odds of this few shifts. They’d have been staring 90 seconds of OT-paced D-zone ending poorly for the Bruins are through the roof. Instead of being coverage square in the face. I feel it’s important to reemphasize that matched up 4-on-4 low, here’s what they’ve got: A 4-on-2 for the Blues about long shifts in general. It isn’t just that you suck at the end of them, with it becoming 4-on-3 shortly after, though the Bruins would still need to it’s that when your legs really get burnt out, it can take you a whole sort out the who-has-who portion of the second part of that. period to get your pop back. That’s a lot of free sticks around the crease and a screened goalie. If this You get the idea – the Bruins were in some trouble here, goal or not. puck hits something low, St. Louis heavily outnumbers the Bruins, and each of the Blues players on the ice had played about 30-37 seconds so Energy reserves aside, let’s first talk about the main principle of D-zone far, save for Barbashev and O’Reilly, who both just stepped on the ice. coverage when you’re down 5-on-6, which is that instead of having two Knowing that, you have to like their odds here, goal or not: The brain does some weird things when you’re tired, which is possibly why the Bruins entirely failed to get into a four-man low coverage, surely knowing they were defending 5-on-6. It’s also possible they were just so tired they couldn’t get where they knew they should be.

Lastly, it’s possible that these particular players just didn’t know well enough how to defend 5-on-6. Over the course of an NHL season, a team defends 5-on-6 for an average of roughly 44 total minutes (according to Natural Stat Trick‘s “against empty net” stat). If you’re not one of those players that’s usually deployed during those protect-the-lead minutes, you might see just a handful of them a year. Related is that as a pure function of using practice time wisely, teams may practice this just a few times all season, which is part of the reason it’s kept so simple. It’s supposed to be just four guys low, and one winger high that’s all but dead to rights just to keep the opposing D halfway honest. Therefore, I’d be surprised if they didn’t know their coverage. My money is just on them being so spent they weren’t thinking much beyond “get puck, block shots … hope.”

Defending 5-on-6 may not come up a ton, but it sure does come up at crucial moments. You’d think it wouldn’t take much practice to have the simple defensive concept down, but maybe it’s something teams should practice just a bit more to feel comfortable when the situation does arise.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145801 Boston Bruins chance” when he already plays a regular shift. Still, anything a hockey player says to their coach while they’re peeing is worth consideration for this section, and seeing Craig Berube sell the hell out of it is great.

DGB Grab Bag: Remembering history’s second most awkward Gary CARL GUNNARSSON TOLD CHIEF HE NEEDED JUST "ONE Bettman Cup handoff MORE CHANCE" WHILE STANDING SIDE-BY-SIDE AT THE URINAL. #STLBLUES #WEALLBLEEDBLUE PIC.TWITTER.COM/L8ID419SNC By Sean McIndoe May 31, 2019 — ST. LOUIS BLUES (@STLOUISBLUES) MAY 30, 2019

The first star: Teemu Selanne – You think you’re being dedicated when Be it resolved you break out your lucky shirt to support your favorite team. This guy went full gear, including skates, in his living room. We made it through the first two games of the final without any Cody Eakin-level officiating disasters. But there was one clear missed call, and SELANNE WATCHED THE GOLD MEDAL GAME WITH HIS UNI ON it came on Wednesday night when the officials managed to miss the   PIC.TWITTER.COM/CLIY5J3CP9 Bruins playing with too many men shortly before scoring a goal. As always these days, that led to various fans and media wondering why — HOCKEY EPIC (@HOCKEY_EPIC) MAY 27, 2019 that kind of mistake can’t be challenged. Debating the issues I’ve stated my case against expanded replay in the past, but it’s clear that This week’s debate: The Stanley Cup final has started, meaning the NHL not everyone is convinced. So this week, instead of pointing out the can look forward to some of its very best television ratings of the year. obvious – that replay reviews of line changes would be a disaster But is there anything the league and its partners could do to make because by the strict letter of the rulebook, virtually every one of them is broadcasts better for fans? technically illegal – I’m going to try to make peace with the other side. In favor: Oh, for sure. Nobody’s perfect, and the NHL certainly hasn’t If I understand the most common form of the argument, you want each mastered the art of presenting its product. It does a lot of things right coach to have one challenge that he can use on just about anything he these days – compared to what they were like a generation ago, today’s wants. Leave it up to them to decide when they want to use it, and on broadcasts look fantastic. But that said, there’s certainly room for what. If they’re wrong, they lose their challenge and take a penalty. And if improvement. they’re right, that means we fixed a mistake, which is a good thing. In favor: So… You know what? I’m on board. Count me in. In favor: Um… On one condition. In favor: So yeah, they could do some things better. Do you want me to Be it resolved that we give each coach one challenge per game where he list some examples or something, or… can demand a review of an official’s decision – but only if we also give each official one challenge per game where he can review a coach’s In favor: Sorry, is Opposed not here? decision. The final verdict: He doesn’t seem to be. Fair’s fair, right? And since coaches keep telling us how important it is to get everything right, surely they won’t mind a little bit of extra scrutiny on In favor: I thought we were starting. their work. The final verdict: Yeah, so did I. Apparently not. Imagine how excited you would be if the game was stopped and you In favor: Well, this is pointless. heard, “The referee is challenging Mike Babcock’s decision to only give like 18 minutes in this elimination game,” or, “The The final verdict: Yeah. Sorry, everyone. Not sure what the deal is with linesman would like to know what the deal is with Micheal Haley getting a this week’s debate. We might as well move on to the next section. lineup spot in the playoffs,” or, “All four of us were just wondering if you know you have a backup goalie or are we just sticking with Vasilevskiy all Obscure former player of the week night?” Then everyone could gather around a little iPad for five minutes With the Bruins back in the final for the third time in a decade, it’s worth before the coach had to use a microphone to tell the crowd that he remembering that Massachusetts has produced a ton of NHL players. A screwed up. total of 201 in all, according to hockey-reference.com, trailing only Would this make sense? No, it would be almost impossibly dumb. But so Minnesota among U.S. states. You could build a pretty decent all-time would letting coaches challenge line changes, and at least my idea would roster around players such as , Keith Tkachuk, Jack be funny. So sure, let’s have expanded coach’s challenge. But only if we Eichel and John Carlson. And you’d have plenty of help building that also get the introduction of coaches challenge. roster, thanks to the presence of GMs such as Paul Fenton, Garth Snow and, uh, Mike Milbury. If we keep at it, we can eventually turn the entire game into people standing around staring at iPads. That’s apparently the goal, so let’s But today, let’s see if we can find a Massachusetts product who played make it happen. for both the Bruins and the Blues. How about Eric Nickulas?

The week’s three stars of comedy Nickulas was a right winger who lit up the scoreboard in high school, racking up 46 goals and 82 points in just 25 games for Cushing Academy The third star: Tuukka Rask – Every postseason has one guy you would Prep, a Massachusetts school that also produced hockey stars Keith have never expected who emerges as a comedy presence. I did not have Yandle, Conor Sheary and Meghan Duggan, as well as noted thespians Rask in the pool, but here he is, making his second comedy stars Bette Davis and John Cena. The Bruins selected Nickulas with the 99th appearance in three weeks. pick in the 1994 draft; the next four right wingers taken were Zdenek Skorepa, Craig Mills, Tony Tuzzolino and Daniel Alfredsson. TUUKKA RASK WAS ASKED WHAT HE WAS THINKING WATCHING TOREY KRUG AND DAVID PERRON GOING AT IT IN FRONT OF HIM Nickulas went to college, but finally made his NHL debut midway through BEFORE KRUG WENT DOWN AND CRUSHED ROBERT THOMAS. the 1998-99 season, playing two games against the Maple Leafs and THE ANSWER IS GOLD: totaling just seven minutes of ice time. He got a little more action over the next two seasons, but only a little, and signed as a free agent with the “I WAS LIKE WHAT THE [EXPLETIVE] ARE THESE GUYS DOING. I’M Blues in 2002. He finally put in close to a full season in 2003-04, a year JUST LIKE, YEAH, GET OUT OF THERE." he started in St. Louis before being claimed on waivers by the — DAN ROSEN (@DROSENNHL) MAY 28, 2019 Blackhawks; in all, he dressed for 65 games that year, recording a career-high 20 points. He returned to the Bruins as a free agent after the The second star: Carl Gunnarson – This whole urinal story already feels lockout, but that 2005-06 season would be his last in the NHL. like it’s being overdone; as we discussed on this week’s podcast, I think we’re collectively making too big a deal out of a guy asking for “one more Opposed: OK, I’m here, let’s start. In favor: What? We get a brief story about Thomas refusing to touch the Cup at Martin St. Louis’ party in 2004, because when it comes to the Stanley Cup, every Opposed: I’m ready to go. Showtime! Bruins goalie likes to ruin things for St. Louis. Am I right, Blues fans?

In favor: We were supposed to have already started a while ago. Anyway, here’s the Cup. The fans kind of cheer, then go back to booing Opposed: Says who? when they realize that Bettman is trying to sneak out behind it. I mean, it was worth a try. In favor: Says the schedule. Scroll up to where it says “Debating the issues.” That’s when everyone was expecting us to start. Bettman tries the old trick where you start talking before the audience has a chance to react, but his mic doesn’t work. By the time he gets Opposed: Oh, that’s just a rough guideline. Sports fans don’t expect going, the crowd is giving it to him with both barrels, even as he tries to things to start when they say they will. defuse them by complimenting the Canucks. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. In favor: They don’t? To his credit, Bettman soldiers on with his pre-planned speech. He Opposed: No, sports fans like to wait around. It builds drama. mostly pulls it off, too, because by this point he’s been on the job for In favor: That sounds awful. almost two decades. Gone is the fresh-faced rookie who tried to speak French and got mobbed by Habs players in 1993. This guy’s been here Opposed: Nah, they love the suspense. It’s like when a game says it’s before. He’s an unflappable veteran. going to start at 8 p.m. It can’t actually start then. It’s got to be way later. Except … as longtime fans of Bettman awkwardness will know, he has a In favor: OK, but when? tell. Whenever he gets flustered, you won’t see it in his face or his hear it in his voice, or even find it in his posture. But the giveaway is his one Opposed: Who knows? Maybe 8:20? Or 8:25? Some nights before that, hand. Whether it’s an interview or a public appearance or a Cup some nights after. Fans love to be kept guessing. presentation, when things start going bad that one hand achieves self- In favor: If you’re going to start at 8:20, why not just list the start time as awareness and goes into business for itself. 8:20? In this case, the first sign of trouble is when Bettman says that the Bruins Opposed: Well, that wouldn’t make any sense at all. had to win three Game 7s, and the hand holds up one finger. Bettman tries to catch it, but by the point it’s too late. The crowd is vicious, he In favor: I hate you. knows he still has to be out there for a while, and his hand goes into self- defense mode. In this case, that means making finger guns at absolutely Opposed: So anyway … (checks watch) … yep, time to start the debate. everybody. I’ve previously referred to this phenomenon as Bettman’s In favor: Dude, nobody cares anymore, everyone’s already moved on to Tom Jones hand, and once you notice it, it’s all you can see whenever he other things. starts talking.

Opposed: And in conclusion, no, there is no way the NHL could improve Bettman powers through, and gets to the part where he calls over Zdeno on its presentation of playoff hockey. Chara. The Bruins captain skates out, turns back to his teammates, and … does a double finger guns? Oh no! The Tom Jones Hand is The final verdict: In all, Nickulas played 118 NHL games, scoring 15 contagious, and it’s gone airborne! Everybody run! What do you mean, in goals and recording 38 points. He’d play a few years in Europe before which direction? (Furiously finger gunning toward exit.) That way! retiring in 2009. Doc Emerick makes a joke about this being the highest the Stanley Cup Classic YouTube clip breakdown has ever been. The mid-80s Oilers might have something to say about Believe it or not, this could be the last Grab Bag of the hockey season. that. By the time next Friday rolls around, the Stanley Cup final could be Both Chara and Bettman make the rookie mistake of reaching the wrong finished. And that means we may have seen one of the best moments of hand for the wrong end of the Cup. Bettman tries to correct, but ends up the year: Gary Bettman’s awkward attempt at a Cup handoff. just palming the bottom of the Cup for the traditional photo.

I love them so much. I’ve actually gone back and ranked them from best I’ve asked this before, but who is taking those photos that Bettman to worst, with the most awkward of all time being the 2006 handoff to Rod always insists on making everyone pose for? Have you ever seen one? Brind’Amour that wasn’t really a handoff because Brind’Amour just Seriously, do a Google image search for “bettman stanley cup.” It’s all yanked it off the podium and left with it in what may be my favorite either screen grabs from TV or long-distance photos of Bettman and the moment of the entire cap era. Unfortunately, I’ve already used that clip in captain looking at someone else. Where are all these posed shots that this section. Can I interest you in No. 2? we have to wait for? Did he make a scrapbook? Does he have a private As it turns out, that second-place handoff is probably more memorable Instagram account? Is there a room in his house that only he’s allowed to than the 2006 version. And as luck would have it, it also involves one of enter that’s covered floor-to-ceiling with these things? This bothers me the teams that could be getting a visit from Bettman over the next week. more than it should.

It’s June 15, 2011, and the Boston Bruins have just won their first Stanley Anyway, this pose is shorter than most because Bettman just wants to go Cup since 1972 by defeating the Canucks in Game 7. It’s a big moment, home and Chara is making a face that suggests that he might unhinge and Boston fans are no doubt delirious with joy. But this game is taking his jaw and try to eat him. Run, Gary. It’s the right call. place in Vancouver, where the fans are, shall we say, not delirious with With that, the presentation is done. We get a shot of Chara’s legitimately joy. They’re a little cranky. We’ll get to that. awesome celebration, and you can feel free to watch nine minutes of the This is actually the second part of a two-part clip, but it starts with an Bruins handing the Cup to each other while swearing into an open mic. underrated moment: Tim Thomas winning the Conn Smythe trophy and Mark Recchi gets the 14th best handoff of all-time, we all get to then having absolutely no idea what to do with it. He smiles his way remember that Tomas Kaberle was on this team, Brad Marchand is one through the photos, but keeps pointing his thumb in the universal gesture of the last to get it because he’s just some fourth-line punk, and Milan for “What are we doing here guys?” When that’s over, he doesn’t know Lucic actually gets a bit of a positive response because Vancouver fans whether the leave the trophy behind or take it with him, and nobody will don’t boo hometown players. Uh, maybe hold that thought. tell him. Possibly because they realize these fans are about to riot and And that’s it for our clip. At this point, all the true Canucks fans quietly are busy planning escape routes. went home to read, while an entirely different group of people started a Thomas eventually skates away with the trophy while asking random riot for completely unrelated reasons. Just a weird coincidence. cameramen what he’s supposed to be doing with it. He eventually just As for Bettman, you don’t get to see it in this clip, but I recommend this gives it away to the first man in a suit he can find. Typical Republican. view that’s shot from the stands and shows what happens after Chara Meanwhile, the fans are already chanting “Bettman sucks.” This should takes the Cup. In my favorite moment of the night, Bettman bolts for the go well. exit, and is immediately greeted by two league employees who put their arms around him like he’s a kid who just struck out to end the Little League game. It’s actually kind of adorable. “Good try, Gary, you did you best. Let’s go get you a snow cone.”

Will Blues or Bruins fans give him a rougher ride this year? Only time will tell, but … no. The 2011 presentation will never be topped.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145802 Boston Bruins Joe McDonald had a marvelous piece looking at how things went once Sweeney took over as GM.)

That doesn’t change the fact Chiarelli is happy for his old protege to have LeBrun: Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s front office potential was obvious, reached his first Stanley Cup final as GM. even as a player “It’s nice to see the people you work with have success,” Chiarelli said. “I’m very happy that he’s in this position. I think he’s an incredibly hard By Pierre LeBrun May 31, 2019 worker. I’m happy to see him having a chance at success.”

Both Chiarelli and Armstrong saw real front-office potential in Sweeney while he was still playing. And they weren’t alone. ST. LOUIS — Let your mind wander for a moment and imagine an alternate universe in which Don Sweeney is currently the GM of the “It wasn’t hard to see,” said Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Bill Dallas Stars. Guerin, who played two years with Sweeney in Boston and that one year in Dallas with him as well. Say what? Same goes for former Stars captain Mike Modano. I know, I know, they’ve got a very good GM in . But let me humour you for a moment. “There are certain teammates you have over the years that you can tell are taking mental notes and being observant about everything around It’s not so crazy a thought when you consider that it was the Stars who them, about the way the team is run day to day; that was Don,” said first offered Sweeney a hockey operations job after his retirement as a Modano, recently hired by the Minnesota Wild on the business side. player. “You could tell with Don that the wheels were turning. You could tell he And well, the job was offered by Doug Armstrong, Sweeney’s GM had a plan for after he was done playing. Just a real diligent guy,” the counterpart with the St. Louis Blues in this Stanley Cup final. Hockey Hall of Famer added.

It all began when Armstrong, in his second full season as Stars GM, The thing about Sweeney, Guerin said, is that he could have chosen just signed Sweeney to a player contract for the 2003-04 season, the steady about any path for his second career. defenceman at 37 leaving Boston after 15 NHL seasons. It would end up being his last NHL season as a player. “I think Donnie could have had a number of different post-playing careers,” Guerin said. “It goes without saying, being a Harvard grad, he’s “He was a great addition to our team/organization while he was here — extremely bright. He’s a very dedicated, focused guy. It’s also why he he was the ultimate pro,” Stars executive Les Jackson, 37 years with the had such a long playing career, too.” organization, told The Athletic. “Not only was he a secure, stable and trusting contributor as a player, he helped our young transitional players Guerin recalled how Sweeney late in his career would be one of the with valuable lessons of what it takes to be a ‘pro’; he left a lasting fittest players on the team. impression on all of us.” “Every day was a work day for him. I remember when I played with him in Both Sweeney and Armstrong are on self-imposed media bans until the Boston, I’d walk in with a bagel and a coffee and Donnie would be Cup final is over, but both confirmed the tale to me this week. walking in from the gym sweating from riding the bike. That’s how he is. He was dedicated. He’s very disciplined in what he does. No surprise he Sweeney played only one year in Dallas but made enough of an is having success,” he said. impression on his new surroundings that Armstrong offered him work with the team post-playing career. Just funny how it might have all worked out differently had Sweeney taking up the Stars on their offer post-playing career. Which was no surprise to anyone in the Stars organization at the time. “Yeah who knows, he’d probably still be there now,” Modano said. “Very personable, an intelligent, ambitious, team-first type,” said Jackson, now the senior advisor to the GM in Dallas. “A relationship builder, a “I think Army was smart enough to see what was right in front of him,” great communicator with all levels of the organization. When he moved Guerin said. “To make a play for him to come work for him was a good on it was like, ‘Wow, he made an impression on our group.’ We became idea.” a better organization because of his presence and influence. His success Instead, the native of St. Stephen, N.B., found the path back to his NHL doesn’t surprise me at all.” home in Boston where now he’s three wins away from his first Stanley That front-office success that Jackson cites didn’t come in Dallas, Cup as the man in charge. however, but rather back in his true NHL home of Boston courtesy of Or, he’ll lose out against the fellow GM who would have perhaps started Peter Chiarelli, who was named Bruins GM in May 2006 and just a few him on the road to being GM in Dallas one day. weeks later brought Sweeney into the Bruins fold as director of player development. It is often said how small the hockey world is, this is yet another example. We tend to focus more on the path taken, but there are just as many How or why exactly did that come about? what-ifs that make you wonder how the NHL landscape would look “Over the course of when I was working in Ottawa (as assistant GM), different. whenever we played Boston I would make a point of saying hi to Donnie, Just this year, what if the Bruins had acquired Brayden Schenn from the at the morning skate or whatever,” Chiarelli told The Athletic this week. Blues earlier in the season as rumoured possible? Does that mean “At one point, Don said, ‘I’d be really interested when my career is done Charlie Coyle isn’t in Boston now? to work on the management side.'” What if Armstrong had hired a full-time coach before giving interim Craig And the impression Chiarelli got in those conversations was that Berube a chance to save the season? Are the Blues even in the playoffs, Sweeney wanted to work with him. After all, they were both teammates at let alone the Cup final? Harvard for three seasons. And yes, some 13 or so years ago, what if Sweeney goes to work for Chiarelli says he doesn’t remember whether at the time he knew Dallas Armstrong in Dallas? had offered Sweeney work but that Armstrong did mention it to him after the fact. It’s enough to make your head spin. But it’s also OK to simply accept that the path taken was meant to be. “He’s a very hard-working, diligent, smart and experienced guy,” Chiarelli said of Sweeney. “I was happy to hire him. I started him in player And for the quiet, determined Don Sweeney, it was to one day run his development and he became very adept and helped us win a Cup in beloved Bruins. 2011. And obviously, he took over for me.” The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 Sweeney, then assistant GM in Boston, was elevated to GM a month after Chiarelli was fired as Bruins GM in the spring of 2015. (Colleague 1145803 Buffalo Sabres Most of Hughes' other meetings were simply teams asking his opinion of other prospects with one exception: the New York Rangers, who own the second pick after jumping four spots at last month's lottery. Regardless of Jack Hughes embracing 'competition' against Kaapo Kakko to be top whomever is available for the Rangers to select, both players will be draft pick connected for the duration of their NHL careers.

"I think it’s good competition," Hughes said. "Every year they do that; one and two are competing with each other. I know he had a great year and I By Lance Lysowski|Published Fri, May 31, 2019|Updated Fri, May 31, think we’ll be linked together for a lot of years with the Rangers and 2019 Devils right there. Excited and I think it’s been a good year for both of us."

NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr declined to compare the two Jack Hughes did not have to share the spotlight Friday in Harborcenter. players since they play different positions and will bring different skills to The 18-year-old center answered questions from a crowd of reporters their respective teams. Marr acknowledged Kakko's 6-2, 194-pound during a 12-minute interview, providing insight into his teammates with frame is more ready for the NHL than Hughes, who was listed at 5-10, the U.S. National Development Program and his seven-week journey 170 pounds during the world championships. competing overseas in the under-18 and men's world championships. However, Marr also described an elite prep skills clinic held in Toronto However, the most prominent topic was the player with whom Hughes last July in which Hughes was the fourth-best player behind the Maple will soon share the spotlight: Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko. The two are Leafs' John Tavares, Devils winger Taylor Hall and Edmonton center competing to be the first player selected when the New Jersey Devils are Connor McDavid. Marr called Hughes' shot NHL-ready and added that on the clock June 21 in Vancouver. With Kakko choosing to not attend the prospect has the talent to compete against the league's top players the combine, this week gave Hughes an opportunity to convince the as a rookie. Devils and others why he should realize his dream. "Right now, Kakko has gotten the status," Marr said. "He’s a little more "I think that would be unbelievable," Hughes beamed while speaking to physically developed and that dictates the type of game he’s capable of reporters. "You always dream of being number one. You don’t dream of playing, the situations he can be used in. The results that he gets. … being two, three or four when you’re a young kid. I want to be the first Jack comes across more as that skilled, elite forward. … They both have overall pick. I feel like that would be a dream come true if that happens." some natural abilities and it’s going to be hard to say down the road who is going to be better because they're both going to bring different things Hughes has never relented during a competition, no matter the venue or to the table for their NHL teams." risk involved. He seemingly solidified his draft stock last month when he scored nine goals with 11 assists in seven games at the under-18 world Hughes' combine is not over. Like the rest of the 102 draft-eligible championships, becoming the all-time under-18 leading scorer by prospects, he will participate in a number of tests and drills Saturday, the breaking a record previously held by Alex Ovechkin. results of which are unlikely to have any bearing on the Devils' decision.

That performance came after he scored 34 goals with 78 assists in 50 Few people know which way Shero and the Devils are leaning. The only games with the U.S. National Team Development Program. He finished certainty is the Hughes versus Kakko debate will continue until the pick is his two years with 74 goals and 228 points in 110 games, giving him announced in Vancouver. more points than anyone in the history of the program. "I’m a competitive person, but at the same time I think I’m pretty laid back Rather than taking some time to rest, Hughes chose the risk by joining in situations like this," Hughes said. "For me, I’m at the point where Sabres center Jack Eichel and South Buffalo native on the they’ve probably seen me play 25 times this year, so all I have to do is United States' roster for the men's world championships in Slovakia. kind of get to know them, be myself and not really worry about anything Hughes had only three assists in seven games as the team failed to earn else. They’re just kind of putting a face to the name and getting to know a medal with a quarterfinal loss to Russia. Though he had a strong final me." game, Hughes showed he still needed to grow physically in order to Buffalo News LOADED: 06.01.2019 withstand the rigors of an 82-game NHL season.

Sabres' draft mandate seems clear: They have to stay down the middle

Meanwhile, Kakko proved physically ready to compete against the world's best, scoring six goals in helping Finland win a gold medal. The 18-year-old wowed scouts during the IIHF World Junior Championship in January, recording five points, including the golden goal against the United States. He also scored 22 goals with 16 assists in 45 regular- season games in , Finland's top professional league.

Those close to Hughes weren't surprised by the decision. He challenged himself three years ago by joining the United States National Development Program, a training ground for the country's elite amateur players. It was at the team's training facility in Plymouth, Mich., where Hughes showed he is determined to win any competition.

"Jack Hughes will cut your arm off to win a game in practice on a Tuesday afternoon with nobody watching," Seth Appert, coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team, told The Buffalo News in a phone interview. "Jack is a special player, and he’s a special person. He’s got a fun demeanor. He’s a killer competitor, but he still shows up at the rink. He loves hockey. He loves being on the ice. He’s the last guy out there."

Hughes didn't have that killer instinct during his interview with the Devils. In a video released by the team Thursday, Hughes spoke confidently about wanting to win a Stanley Cup and explained how he did "the hard thing" by playing against men at the world championships.

Hughes knew he didn't have to sell his talents to Devils General Manager Ray Shero or the nine other teams he met with. Instead, Hughes used the meeting as a means to show his potential future employer how he could be a franchise player and a potential solution to bringing another Stanley Cup to New Jersey. 1145804 Buffalo Sabres By the time the draft hits No. 7, there's a chance there will be major temptation for the Sabres.

The biggest one might be 5-foot-7 winger Cole Caufield, who set a record Sabres' draft mandate seems clear: They have to stay down the middle this year with the U.S. National Development Program by scoring 72 goals. It will be interesting to see if Caufield's measurables at Saturday's workouts match his advertisements. By Mike Harrington|Published Fri, May 31, 2019|Updated Fri, May 31, 2019 If Caufield is still around at No. 7, he would certainly boost the organizational depth chart at right wing. But he's not a center. You might say 72 goals are 72 goals and you might be right. I say in response that Caufield is not getting close to 72 goals in the NHL anyway, and he's not For all the hours the Buffalo Sabres have already spent preparing for the having any success without centers to help get him the puck. NHL Draft, their goal should be obvious. There are times when you get the sense the Sabres are trying to be the They're picking No. 7 on June 21 in Vancouver. They have plenty of smartest guys in the rooms. And while their record at the NHL level has defenseman in their system — albeit not all of them healthy — and there been abysmal the last two years, it's hard not to get enthused over their aren't many that project that high in the draft anyway. You can argue they draft record since Botterill took over as general manager. could use help on the wing. But this is one pick they can't overthink. Especially since they foolishly But the mission is clear: Draft a center. jettisoned O'Reilly, they have to build back their depth. This team is paper-thin down the middle (thank you, Ryan O'Reilly trade) Stay right down the middle. and bereft of center talent in Rochester other than Rasmus Asplund. And he's projected mostly as a solid third- or fourth-liner in the NHL. Buffalo News LOADED: 06.01.2019 It's very difficult to acquire elite talent at center. Selke finalists with a 200- foot game like O'Reilly rarely get shipped out and this is a good draft for the Sabres to try to mitigate that mistake.

"The teams have a selection, a wide variety of players to choose from," Dan Marr, the NHL's director of Central Scouting said Friday in HarborCenter as the league's scouting combine held media sessions. "I don't think they're going to get carried away and analyze it as first-line center, second-line center, third-line center. They just want good players that are going to step into their lineups. All these players bring the right mix of skills and intangibles. They're going to bring value to their teams."

The Sabres finished the season down the middle with Jack Eichel, Evan Rodrigues, Casey Mittelstadt and Johan Larsson. Oooof. That's not good. Vladimir Sobotka remains on the roster but has to rate as a buyout candidate, no matter how much Jason Botterill loathes that move.

In Rochester, the Amerks finished the playoffs with a center group filled by Kevin Porter, Asplund, Kyle Criscuolo and AHL signee Yannick Veilleux. Andrew Oglevie is signed through next year while Porter (unrestricted) and Sean Malone (restricted) are both free agents. Again, not a lot there.

Even casual hockey fans know about Jack Hughes, the American dynamo almost certain to be taken No. 1 by the New Jersey Devils. The Sabres, obviously, won't get near Hughes so Buffalo fans have to learn the names of several other possible choices.

There's Hughes' U.S. Development teammates Alex Turcotte and Trevor Zegras. Turcotte is the son of a former NHL first-round pick (Alfie Turcotte, , 1983) while Zegras is an ultra-creative Westchester County native and Boston University signee.

There's the size and passing skills of 6-foot-4 Kirby Dach of Saskatoon.

And there's the bravado and back story of Dylan Cozens, who is trying to become the first Yukon native to crack the NHL since 1980 and surprised reporters Friday with his uber confidence about cracking an NHL lineup this season after a standout year at Lethbridge of the Western League.

"It's great. That's kind of where the league is going," Zegras said of the potential impact of this year's center class. "Fast. High skill. You've got to play both ends of the ice now when you look at the Boston Bruins and Patrice Bergeron. That's a great example of that.

"You have to be able to play both ends of the ice. You want to win Stanley Cups and be a high-end NHL player, you've got to be able to play both ends of the ice."

Much of the Sabres' choice, of course, will be made for them based on picks made ahead of them. After Hughes and Kaapo Kakko, the draft really starts with Chicago at No. 3 and the Blackhawks have listened to sales pitches for the spot from several players all week.

Jack Hughes, Sabres' need at center among combine storylines to monitor

"It's pretty neat to see," Dach said. "So many teams are built around their center depth and to have so many great centers here is a lot of fun." 1145805 Buffalo Sabres but, again, what we’re seeing is a more global game. Coming from Canada and being a part of Hockey Canada, we’ve seen it in even our own nation and international competition, how good the other countries The Athletic Q&A: Sabres director of amateur scouting Ryan Jankowski are, so credit to those countries. They’re producing more players and on the team’s approach to the upcoming draft more players are associating with the National Hockey League. It’s nice to have that luxury of more players to pick from.

In my head there are about six guys that check off the boxes based on By Joe Yerdon May 31, 2019 need (centers, scoring wings), but say a guy like Vancouver Giants (WHL) defenseman Bowen Byram falls down the board – do you change

the plan based on that? BUFFALO, N.Y. – Drafting and developing players is the key for any NHL We’ll go to the draft set with our list. I think you put all that time and effort franchise that wants to win the Stanley Cup. For the Buffalo Sabres, throughout the year to get the players properly identified to get them in getting that part of team building correct has been quite difficult. That the right order. If we made a change at the draft table that’s not a logical makes the job for Ryan Jankowski, Buffalo’s director of amateur scouting thing to do because now it’s on a whim or it’s because something else since July 2017, more of a challenge. has happened. So we stick to the game plan, we stick to the way the list Coming off a draft year in which they added Rasmus Dahlin and used is put out, and we roll with that as we get into the draft. five of their six picks on defensemen, the Sabres will be challenged in I’ve heard that NHL Central Scouting will do a full seven-round mock 2019 to restock the cupboard with talent up front as more players move draft as a means to help come up with their player rankings – do you up through the system to Buffalo. guys do something similar to that to prepare for what could happen? Jankowski likes the center depth at the top of this year’s draft class as No, because at the end of the day we’re worried about the Buffalo well as the quality of players from the US National Team Development Sabres. There could be some strategy involved in trying to figure out Program. That’s not even counting likely No. 1 pick Jack Hughes. With who’s going to pick who and try and understand who’s going to be there centers like Alex Turcotte and Trevor Zegras and wingers Matthew Boldy for you, but at the end of the day we’ve got to focus on ourselves. The and 72-goal scorer Cole Caufield to go along with Canadian junior longer it goes in the draft, if you’re picking seven it’s maybe a little easier players Kirby Dach and Dylan Cozens, Buffalo should get a very good to maybe predict the top six, but if you’re picking 30 you have no idea player with the seventh pick no matter what. which way it’s going to go so it really would be a waste of time trying to We spoke with Jankowski at this year’s NHL Combine to figure out what do a mock draft or predict what else is going on out there. You do look at the Sabres will do at seven and how they’ll attack a draft that, as of now, the mock drafts and try to get an understanding of where the consensus gives them eight picks, including two first-round selections. might be, but you’ve got 31 teams with 31 different approaches. At the end of the day to put time and effort into what other teams are doing is (Note: In addition to a one-on-one interview, part of this conversation taking away from our focus.” took place in a small group and has been abridged for quality). You’ve got four picks in the first four rounds and four more in the last two How wide of a swath of prospects are we talking about when it comes to rounds and you’re looking at a bit of a break on Day 2 without a second- scouting this year’s class and who you’re interviewing at the combine? round pick – how do you go from picking 30 or 31 to waiting until the third round? It’s a wide swath. We try and accomplish as much as we can. For us, it’s really the only time we get to see these young men. Our regional scouts It’s funny you say that because in my opinion and our opinion, we’re in it. do a lot of the work earlier in the year, meeting them individually, but for We have one day to perform and if we put our feet up and we’re not us, we just try to meet as many as we can. We want to get as much prepared for what could happen then we might be cheating ourselves. So information as we can and just get to know the kid a little bit, put a face to we’re in it, we’re on top of it, you’re always looking at different scenarios the name, and ask them some specific questions about their play and of what could happen. Who knows what Jason and the pro staff are about how they feel they trend to be NHLers. thinking from a team development standpoint, you may end up with picks, you may end up losing picks. You just have to be ready, you’ve got We know Hughes and Kaapo Kakko are going to go one and two and to be on your game, and you’ve got to be sharp all the way through. It then it opens up – is it a bite-your-nails-and-hope situation when waiting may sound like clichés, but that’s how you approach it. You come, you’re at seven to get the guy you’ve zeroed in on? working. Last year it was pretty easy – we’re picking 32 we had all night Yeah, let’s see how it goes. It’s nice that the top two are set out and yet if to sleep on it, we knew who our guy was (U.S. Under-18 Team they’re not set out, it just puts more intrigue and interesting conversations defenseman Mattias Samuelsson), but then all of a sudden another pick into it. You just let it play out as it plays out and that’s the nice part is that came in, bam, you’ve got to be ready to go. I think you’re always on top you do your work throughout the year, you get your list ready, you go to of your game and you just make sure no hole is left uncovered. the draft and whatever happens, happens. Bottom line is we think we’re Center depth is an issue with the organization – is there a need-based going to get a good player at seven, which is nice…or we know we’re versus positional-based question when it comes to making a pick? going to get a good player at seven, which is nice, and then just however it plays out. Not really, I think you’re talking five to seven years out for when these players really make a huge impact; maybe a little bit sooner if you’re You’ve been here for nearly two years but only one draft. Jason Botterill’s picking higher such as Dahlin last year. You have no idea how the two drafts haven’t seen him take a player out of the Canadian Hockey roster’s going to look in three to five to seven years. We’ve always League as of yet. Coincidence or not? believed it’s pick the best available player, look at the upside of the It is complete coincidence. We’ve got lots of CHL players on the list. I players, put them in order based on how we feel they’re going to project know everybody on Twitter jokes that Jason would rather have a college to the NHL and pick them based on that. player than a CHL player; it is 100 percent luck. Cripes, it could go the The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 exact opposite; we could have more players out of the CHL than college if the luck was a little bit different or Sweden for that matter.

Speaking of Sweden, you drafted three Swedes, a Finnish player and a Czech last year. Nine of the past 12 picks the last two drafts have been international players – what’s that say about the work your scouts abroad are doing?

I think everybody’s got the same input, whether you’re in or you’re in Sweden. It’s about believing in the players that they’re pushing for in the later rounds. It’s not like we listen to the Swedish scout more than the Ontario scout. It’s kind of the way it’s evolved the last two years. The Swedes have done a great job with their development program. They produce players who are smart; they produce players who can skate, great character. Same with the Finns. Not that Canadians don’t 1145806 Buffalo Sabres Raiding Toronto once again, the Sabres sign unrestricted defenseman Gardiner for $7 million per season, the same number they give his new partner. As discussed with The Athletic’s Murat Ates, a trade of Rasmus Roster reckoning: Evaluating the best and worst scenarios for the Sabres Ristolainen for Winnipeg’s Trouba could work. Buffalo would need in free agency assurances that it could sign Trouba, who is one year away from UFA status, and a salary bump to $7 million per season should do it.

To get under the cap, the Sabres would need to trade Marco Scandella, By John Vogl May 31, 2019 Matt Hunwick and Jake McCabe, while letting RFAs Johan Larsson and Zemgus Girgensons walk. There’s a buyout of Sobotka and decent

raises for Rodrigues ($2.5 million) and Ullmark ($1.5 million). In an ideal world, the Sabres could have Jack Eichel and Matt Duchene Buffalo would hope Olofsson and Nylander are ready for big promotions, down the middle. In a nightmare scenario, Vladimir Sobotka is still getting but with this enhanced cast, the team should make a huge step forward third-line minutes. and play in the postseason. In reality, either could happen. Worst-case scenario It’s a thin line between success and failure during the offseason. Every Left wing Center Right wing team knows where it has holes, but there are only so many trades and free agents available. The best-laid plans could be destroyed by an Ryan Dzingel Jack Eichel Sam Reinhart opposing general manager with a bigger checkbook. Victor Olofsson Casey Mittelstadt Alex Nylander Buffalo is hoping to solidify the center position, add scoring on the wings and tweak the defense. Maybe Jason Botterill will do them all. Maybe Conor Sheary Vladimir Sobotka Tage Thompson agents and his GM counterparts will send his calls to voicemail. Evan Rodrigues Johan Larsson Kyle Okposo

With that in mind as draft-floor trades and July 1 approach, here’s a look Scott Wilson at three scenarios that could play out. To ensure salary cap compliance, we used “Armchair-GM” on CapFriendly.com. Free-agent salaries came Left defense Right defense from @EvolvingWild’s contract projections, rounding up for easier numbers. Rasmus Dahlin Brandon Montour

Best-case scenario Jake McCabe Rasmus Ristolainen

Left wing Center Right wing Marco Scandella Zach Bogosian

Jeff Skinner Jack Eichel Sam Reinhart Matt Hunwick Casey Nelson

Victor Olofsson Matt Duchene Kasperi Kapanen Goalies

Conor Sheary Casey Mittelstadt Alex Nylander Carter Hutton

Tage Thompson Evan Rodrigues Kyle Okposo Linus Ullmark

Scott Wilson So, yeah, next year’s Buffalo Sabres look an awful lot like last year’s Buffalo Sabres – except for the missing 40-goal scorer. Left defense Right defense We’ll pause while you shudder. Rasmus Dahlin Brandon Montour First off, Dzingel would be a fine addition and an upgrade on the second Jake Gardiner Jacob Trouba line. But after losing Skinner, he’d have to be a No. 1 guy, and that’s not his role. Alas, after also missing out on Anders Lee and Mats Zuccarello, Lawrence Pilut Zach Bogosian the Sabres have to bid $4.5 million just to get the fourth left winger on the Casey Nelson market.

Goalies In this nightmare, Duchene says no and offer sheets remain taboo, so Kapanen stays in Toronto. Sobotka and Larsson return. Thompson Carter Hutton needs to play on the third line instead of the fourth.

Linus Ullmark Ristolainen stays, and there are no changes to a defense that helped give up 3.27 goals per game. There are also no changes to the fans’ The first piece of the puzzle is re-signing Skinner. Though $9 million is an springtime plans because the playoff drought would run to nine seasons. overpayment, it’s what it might take to get the job done. As we’ll see later, letting him walk isn’t a viable option. We’d have to overpay his Possible scenario replacement, so we go with who we know. Left wing Center Right wing Unless Columbus re-signs Duchene, he will be the most sought-after center on the market. He said this will be a “hockey decision first and Jeff Skinner Jack Eichel Sam Reinhart foremost.” Buffalo can pitch long-term success with Duchene being Victor Olofsson Gustav Nyquist sandwiched by Eichel and Mittelstadt. If it works for the projected $7 million per season for six years, the Sabres are set at center until 2025. Conor Sheary Casey Mittelstadt Alex Nylander

The restricted free agent garnering all the attention in Toronto is Mitch Tage Thompson Evan Rodrigues Kyle Okposo Marner (with good reason). But to get him, it will take an offer sheet of at least $10.6 million – and the surrendering of four first-round draft picks. Scott Wilson Disregarding the steep compensation, do the Sabres really want to put Left defense Right defense someone ahead of Eichel on the salary chart just two years into his $10 million contract? Rasmus Dahlin Brandon Montour

Probably not, so let’s give an offer sheet to the Maple Leafs’ Kapanen. Jake Gardiner Rasmus Ristolainen After proving himself in the AHL, the 22-year-old had 20 goals and 44 Lawrence Pilut Zach Bogosian points in his first full NHL season. The Leafs will have their hands (and cap) full with other matters, so $4.2 million is totally worth surrendering Casey Nelson just a second-round pick. Goalies Carter Hutton

Linus Ullmark

Skinner stays at the aforementioned $9 million, so the Sabres can breathe easier heading into silly season. While they miss out on Duchene, they get the No. 2 center on the market as a nice upgrade for $6 million. Hayes has 44 goals and 98 points over the past two seasons, allowing Buffalo to ease Mittelstadt into his sophomore year.

In a continued revamp of the second line, the Sabres land Nyquist for $5.8 million. Though certainly not as tantalizing as Kapanen, the four- time 20-goal scorer also averages 29 assists per year and can help set up Olofsson.

Though a Ristolainen-for-Trouba deal falls through, the Sabres still sign Gardiner as a significant improvement for the defense.

And while it may not be a summer where everything goes right, it’s still a very nice offseason for a team that needs one.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145807 Calgary Flames Since being hired on April 28, 2014, Treliving has been at the helm for five NHL drafts. But the true measuring stick of Treliving’s work would look at the last four drafts, which clearly have his fingerprints all over Flames successful drafting record under Brad Treliving shows that them. competitiveness comes in all sizes The attributes you’re looking for in players, which traits you value the most and the types of players you’re seeking, those are all philosophical criteria directly set by the GM. Treliving simply arrived too late to the By Darren Haynes May 31, 2019 party in 2014 to be able to wield much influence. Preliminary draft lists were already formed. Having spent the previous seven seasons with the

Arizona Coyotes, much of his time at those first scouting meetings was Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Phillips are part of a small group. spent introducing himself to his new staff.

Pun intended, groan expected. Time was needed to put his desired front office structure in place from his eight-person analytics team to the make-up of the scouting department In a 16-year span from 2002 to 2017 in which the Flames drafted 121 that has been expanded significantly to have a bigger presence in players, they were the only two listed by the NHL as shorter than 5-foot- Europe, in particular. None of that was in place for year one when he was 10. still trying to figure out how to work the office coffee machine.

Contrast that to last June, when of the five players selected by general If you look beyond Sam Bennett at No. 4 overall in that 2014 draft, which manager Brad Treliving, three were listed as shorter than 5-foot-10. was a no-brainer based on consensus rankings, it’s fair to wonder how influential incumbent GM and President of Hockey Operations, Brian It shows that competitiveness, which is one of the attributes Calgary Burke, was with the club’s selections. Massive 6-foot-6 right winger values more than anything, comes in all sizes. Hunter Smith in the second round, giant 6-foot-4 defenceman Adam “You’d like them all to be 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds. Quite frankly, big Ollas Mattsson in the sixth round, the thick 6-foot-3, 216 pound Austin beats small if all things are equal, but you need the hockey player first,” Carroll in the seventh round. All of them had size — Smith and Carroll Treliving said as he took a few minutes out to talk about the club’s brought that coveted truculence attribute — but all were plodders when it evolving philosophy when it comes to the NHL Draft. “You can’t just get a came to their foot speed. guy because he’s big.” Generally speaking, selections made over the last four years have been For many years with this club, you would have thought being six-foot was quite the opposite. They’ve also been successful. In fact, over the last a prerequisite. As 2018 taught us, that’s no longer the case. four years of drafting, six Flames picks have already played in 20-or- more games and appear to on the path to long, successful NHL careers. Round 4, 108th | LW Demetrios Koumontzis, 5-foot-9 2017 – Round 1, 16th | D Juuso Valimaki Round 4, 122nd | C Milos Roman, 5-foot-11 2016 – Round 1, 6th | LW Round 6, 167th | LW Mathias Emilio Pettersen, 5-foot-9 2016 – Round 2, 56th | C Dillon Dube Round 7, 198th | RW Dmitry Zavgorodniy, 5-foot-9 2015 – Round 2, 53rd | D Rasmus Andersson “It’s really early, but the guys that we got last year, they all had pretty good years,” the GM said. “That competitiveness, that ability to think the 2015 – Round 2, 60th | D Oliver Kylington game and be able to play today’s game, those guys have all those 2015 – Round 6, 166th | LW Andrew Mangiapane attributes.” Compared to the rest of the league, using this simple frame of reference, Fresh out of high school in Minnesota, Koumontzis had a solid freshman only Ottawa (eight) and New Jersey (seven), have had more success season at Arizona State with 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 34 over the last four years — and both of those teams boast three first- games as the Sun Devils hockey program, only in its third year of rounders among the group that has played 20-or-more NHL games existence, made the NCAA tournament for the first time. already. Calgary has only picked twice in the first round over that span. In his second year in North America, Roman put up 60 points (27 goals, At 24 picks, the Flames also made fewer selections over those four years 33 assists) in 59 regular season games for Vancouver, then added than the Senators (25) and Devils (31). another 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 22 playoff games as the Arizona (five) and Winnipeg (five) are the only other teams with more Giants reached the WHL final. He also scored three times for Slovakia at than four players, who have already hit that 20-game NHL mark. the world juniors. Eighteen of the 30 teams (excluding Vegas) have three or fewer. Pettersen, the skilled Norwegian, had 30 points (6=six goals, 24 assists) “How you weight each category and what information you get, that’s in 40 games in an impactful freshman season for the University of always going to be more indicative of what a GM wants and how he Denver. His season culminated in a trip to the Frozen Four, where the wants to build his team,” Button said. “It’s the competitiveness, it’s the Pioneers were knocked out by Cale Makar and the University of skill part, that’s the biggest thing and the skating now.” Massachusetts. Of those three qualities, there’s one in particular that Treliving continually Zavgorodniy put up 64 points (28 goals, 36 assists) in 67 games for references and views as critical. Rimouski, adding another eight points (four goals, four assists) in 12 playoff games. He has also signed an entry-level deal with the Flames, “You’re always defining and refining, but those core beliefs have been in who in a sudden Russian movement, have inked three players from that place since we came,” Treliving said. “The competitive part to me is country over the past two months. important. We define it a certain way, but whatever your ceiling might be, or whatever your attributes might be, without a competitive foundation, Tod Button, Calgary’s longtime head amateur scout, said there has you’re never going to reach the heights or the ceiling in each of those always been room for the elite smaller guy, but what’s changed is the areas.” amount of room they now have to operate. Button has seen it many times, talented players, who lack the inner drive. “For sure, the game’s evolved in that smaller, skilled players have more freedom to do what they do, but I can think back to when Curt Giles was “You can have all the ability in the world, and everybody who’s played a 5-foot-9 defenceman in Minnesota in the 90s and Corey Millen played hockey or any sport, I bet, knows players that you say, wow, he was so for the Flames. Phil Housley, I know he was a Hall-of-Famer, but he was talented, he just didn’t like it, or whatever the sport is, or he wasn’t always considered a smaller D-man back then. The highest skilled competitive enough or didn’t want to work.” players and the fastest skaters always played. You think about a guy like Russ Courtnall and those guys, they always played. But now it’s that next But, how do you evaluate competitiveness? That’s where area scouts level of skill and skating, the guys who are a level below a Russ really need to put on the work boots and dig in on players. Courtnall, who are playing now.” “When you do the background work and the research on kids when they’re 16 and 17, you talk to the coach — what are their work habits and exposure. I think exposure to higher level training is another factor.”

Button told the story of Brett Kulak, who was drafted by Calgary in the fourth round in 2012.

“He had never been exposed to training. He was training in his garage. He didn’t know what he was doing. He was training, but it wasn’t the right training,” Button said. “So when you’re exposed to it, you always hear about guys being pulled along and once they get in a group and they see how competitive a guy like Gio is and how hard he works, it’s a whole other level from junior.”

There’s the challenge, cutting through the noise to identify who has the inner fire, who doesn’t. Who does, but maybe it’s been concealed because of his surroundings.

“Some kids are really good at something, but they don’t want to do it,” Button said. “I remember Bryan Fogarty, who broke ’s scoring records in Ontario and was a pick of Quebec. I remember reading an article once where he said I was good at hockey, but I didn’t like hockey. That’s the separation right there. The guys that compete, that want to win, that want to be pros, that want to be great. You see that with basketball — you see it with LeBron James. You see it with Tiger Woods.”

Part of the responsibilities heaped upon scouts is sorting that out.

“Who is going to be there at the end. Who is going to do the extra work. Who wants to win the Stanley Cup and who just wants to make a good living,” Button said.

While competitiveness is a core competency the Flames look for, Button points out there’s still going to be a range of competitiveness within the team. That’s where the guys that are truly next-level can carry the others along.

“On a scale of one to 10 on teams, there’s going to be 10’s and there’s going to be twos or threes. If you can get the twos and threes to be pulled along by the eights, nines and tens, that’s the power of team sports. Look what happened in these playoffs. It’s not saying we’re not this or we’re not that, or Tampa’s not this or not that, but you get on a roll and you’re a team and you believe and you have confidence.”

Of the Flames top 14 forwards in terms of games played, nine came up through the organization. The same thing for five of the club’s seven most frequently used defencemen.

“I’m proud of our guys, I’m proud of the players, the development team, definitely the scouts, who wanted these guys and recognized them. So certainly there’s a sense of pride, absolutely. But that’s the job, too,” Button said. “I don’t think there are any teams, nowadays in a cap era, that can win without drafting and developing their own. That’s just the way it’s going to be. That’s why when we have our meetings now, we can’t rest on that, you’ve got to keep going because in five years there’s going to be another guy who is up for UFA and we have to have somebody in house to replace him. If not, that’s when you start getting stuck and running into problems. It’s tougher to maintain it if you do not draft well.”

After having no selections in the first three rounds a year ago, this year the Flames are set to select in rounds 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7.

“It’s the starting point and the foundation for how you build your organization,” Treliving said about the importance of the draft. “It’s relevance and its importance can’t be overstated. It’s really, really important. and you get one chance every year to add to the cupboard.”

That chance comes up on June 21 and 22 and you know Button and his amateur scouting staff are already wringing their hands in anticipation.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145808 Carolina Hurricanes If you hear “biscuit in the basket,” “coast to coast,” or “dump and chase” during this weekend’s games, it’s a good sign for the offense. “Biscuit in the basket” means the puck hit the back of the net on a goal. “Coast to New to the Checkers or hockey? Here’s what you need to know for the coast” means the player brought the puck from one side of the rink to the Calder Cup Finals other. A “dump and chase” happens when the team fires the puck into one of the corners in the offensive zone and pursues it.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newbie on the bandwagon, now you BY MADELINE COLEMAN have a few phrases in your back pocket to seem like you know what you’re talking about this weekend. MAY 31, 2019 04:54 PM Brendan Marks suits up in goalie gear to take a few shots off of Morgan

Geekie, a center for the Charlotte Checkers. By Biscuit in the basket! AHL CALDER CUP FINALS Coast to coast. Dump and chase. Chicago Wolves vs. Charlotte Checkers That’s likely what those new to the Charlotte Checkers — or hockey — Saturday, 6 p.m.: at Charlotte will hear when the team plays the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup Finals. Game 1 is set for 6 p.m. Saturday Sunday, 6 p.m.: at Charlotte at Bojangles’ Coliseum. June 5, 8 p.m.: at Chicago This will be the Checkers’ first championship run since 1996, when they won the ECHL title. June 6, 8 p.m.: at Chicago

In a city more focused on Panthers football and Hornets basketball and June 8, 8 p.m.: at Chicago* hungry for a championship, Checkers loyalists will be joined by new June 13, 7 p.m.: at Charlotte* “fans” and hockey first-timers. Here’s a guide if you’re a bandwagon jumper or hockey newbie: June 14, 7 p.m.: at Charlotte*

WHO ARE THE CHECKERS? *if necessary; games on AHLTV.

After a 17-year break, the Checkers returned to Charlotte in 1993 as a News Observer LOADED: 06.01.2019 part of the East Coast Hockey League. Within the ECHL, the team made the playoffs 10 times and won the Riley Cup in 1996. The Checkers switched to the AHL in 2010 when Michael Kahn bought the Albany River Rats, the affiliate of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, and moved the franchise to Charlotte.

THE ROAD TO CALDER CUP

The Checkers won 51 of 76 regular-season games, scoring a league- best 110 points. In the playoffs, they beat the Providence Bruins three games to one in the first round, swept the in four games in the second round and closed out the third round with a 4-2 victory over Toronto Marlies, last season’s AHL champion.

DON’T BLOCK THE VIEW AND PAY ATTENTION

Brent Edwards, who has followed the Checkers for 13 seasons, stressed the importance of staying seated while the puck is in play because it’s common courtesy to other spectators. If you get up, you’ll block someone else’s view.

While you’re keeping out of fellow fans’ view of the game, stay aware of what’s happening on the ice. There is an assumption of risk when attending a live sporting event, and hockey is no different. Edwards advised new fans to stay off their phones and be aware of their surroundings — there is always the possibility of a rogue puck flying into the stands.

DO SCREAM AND YELL

Hockey games are noisy, especially in the coliseum. Originally, a horn would sound when the team scored a goal; however, the Checkers decided to switch it up this season. Each player now has their own goal song, the most unique being right wing Julien Gauthier’s “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls, in Edwards’ opinion.

“The atmosphere is electric, fun and loud,” Edwards said.

DO GET THERE EARLY

Game 1 in Charlotte is expected to be sold out Saturday. Edwards recommends getting to the coliseum early, as there will be long lines for parking.

Plus, there are hidden, pregame treasures that not many fans know about.

“When players head out onto the ice, fans can go to the Red Line Club (restaurant) to give them high-fives,” Edwards said. “Embrace the arena. It’s a good old barn as they say.”

NOW, ABOUT THE HOCKEY LINGO 1145809 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks need instant defensive help, and Byram says he’d be ready

By Ben Pope May 31, 2019, 6:06pm CDT

BUFFALO, N.Y. — What the Blackhawks need: An immediate defensive makeover.

What the Blackhawks don’t need, at least relative to other organizational weaknesses: More defensive prospects.

The latter has been the strongest argument against Canadian defenseman Bowen Byram, one of the top candidates for the third overall pick in next month’s NHL Draft. The Hawks have used their last three first-round selections on defensemen Adam Boqvist, Nicolas Beaudin and Henri Jokiharju, yet lack an A-grade forward prospect in their system right now.

But if Byram can make the leap to the NHL in September, as he claimed Friday, that changes the argument tremendously.

“I’m a confident player, I’m confident in my abilities. Yeah, I think I can play next year,” he said. “Obviously, I’ve got a long way to go in the offseason strength-wise, and I have to make some adjustments to my game to be able to play there.”

There’s not a lot of help coming internally this summer for the Hawks’ maligned back end, which bled scoring chances at unprecedented rates in 2018-19. Jokiharju seems ready to break through as a full-time NHL player. Beaudin and Boqvist aren’t, though, and Ian Mitchell’s decision to return for another year of college crossed him off the list, too.

So adding Byram — in addition to one or two free-agent or trade additions — could be a big boost.

The young Vancouver Giants product, who doesn’t even turn 18 for another two weeks, has developed a reputation as a smooth-skating blueliner with elite results in defensive-zone exits and offensive-zone entries — two aspects of hockey that analytics have recently shown to be far more critical than once thought.

“That’s a strong suit in my game: breaking the puck out, seeing plays and making plays at either blue line,” Byram said. “I seem to be able to make plays under pressure there, so that’s something I’ll continue to work on for sure.”

Unsurprisingly, the Hawks struggled mightily with zone exits last season. As a team, they had the second-highest exit-failure rate in the league, per Corey Sznajder, with Brent Seabrook — second-worst individually among all NHL defenseman — the leading perpetrator.)

Scouting director Mark Kelley and the rest of the Hawks’ staff are blessed with plenty of enticing candidates for the third pick, many of whom would indeed fill that elite forward prospect void, but Byram’s repertoire certainly has them considering yet another D-man selection.

“[Bowen is] an electric defenseman, very high-skilled, great instincts, loves to get up in the play, has a unique ability to create offense 5-on-5, exceptionally good on the power play,” Kelley said last week. “He’s shown this year that he can change the fortunes of a game pretty quick.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145810 Chicago Blackhawks player, unbelievable person, so I’d love to be like him in both aspects of my life one day.”

The future elite of the NHL admiring the present elite of the NHL. And With Blackhawks, NHL Draft prospects see an opportunity to play with now the Blackhawks have the opportunity to pair the two together in an some of their childhood idols attempt to reignite the glory days. And for some of the youngsters who might soon get to play on a line with their role models, the feeling is nearly unimaginable. By Slavko Bekovic May 31, 2019 12:06 PM “Surreal,” said Kirby Dach, who met with the Blackhawks multiple times this week. “Those are the kind of guys you grew up playing as in the old hockey rink, you’re pretending to be. So to be able to play on a line with In 2006, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Jonathan Toews with the third Patrick Kane or guys like that on that team would be pretty special.” overall pick in the NHL Draft. And the next year, they chose Patrick Kane with the first overall pick. So here we are in 2019, with Kane and Toews both coming off their best NHL seasons, being role models for a bunch of teenagers that sit in the In three weeks, they get their chance to make another potential same spot they once did – top draft prospects trying to make a name for franchise-altering selection, but the parallels don’t stop there. themselves in the NHL. And if all goes well, it might just come full circle In the current salary cap era of the NHL, success comes and goes in for both the Blackhawks and the kids that grew up cheering for them. waves. And the Blackhawks success from 2008 to 2017 has resonated Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.01.2019 with many of the top prospects available in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Just how the current crop of the league’s stars grew up with the NHL stars of the 1990’s, the next crop of future NHL stars grew up watching guys like Kane and Toews during the Blackhawks golden age.

Alex Turcotte, one of the names most linked to the Blackhawks with the third overall pick, grew up in the Chicagoland area and cheered for Chicago.

“They were winning when I was growing up. There was a lot of excitement around hockey in Chicago at the time as there still is,” Turcotte told NBC Sports in an exclusive interview. “There’s guys like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, [Duncan] Keith, [Brent] Seabrook, [Marian] Hossa. There’s a lot of excitement for sure. They’re guys that a lot of kids in Chicago look up to and made you excited about being a hockey player. It made it cool to be a hockey player.”

Turcotte’s father, Alfie, who was once an NHL first round pick himself, even pulled him from class back in 2010 to attend the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup parade. But the Blackhawks impact wasn’t limited just to Chicago and surrounding areas.

Dylan Cozens, the fifth-ranked North American skater eligible for the draft according to NHL Central Scouting, grew up over 2,800 miles away in the town of Whitehorse, Yukon in Canada. And he, just like Turcotte, grew up a Blackhawks fan.

“I started watching Jonathan Toews and then I started cheering for the Blackhawks as well,” said Cozens. “Growing up, I always saw Toews as my role model. Just the person he is on and off the ice and how great a player he is. I wanted to be like him. He’s such a great person and hockey guy.”

And even further than Yukon, draft-eligible Arthur Kaliyev, who was born in Uzbekistan and came to the United States at a young age, grew up cheering for the Blackhawks as well, even from Staten Island, New York.

With a number of highly-touted prospects at the center position at the top of this draft class, it’s no surprise that an accomplished veteran like Jonathan Toews would be a role model for so many kids. But Kane’s style of play has made an impact as well.

From his playmaking ability to the fancy stickhandling videos on YouTube, these 17 and 18 year-olds about to be drafted into the NHL grew up trying to emulate these players while playing street hockey or on makeshift backyard rinks.

Trevor Zegras, renowned as one of the best passers and playmakers in this draft class, admits to Kane being the player he strives to one day become.

“I’d probably say he was the guy I always watched. And obviously playing for Chicago, all the Cups runs, all the great goals he’s scored. He’s pretty influential in my hockey career,” said Zegras.

The consensus top prospect in the draft class is Jack Hughes, expected to be the top pick of the New Jersey Devils. Hughes got the chance to play with Kane at the IIHF World Championship in Slovakia earlier in May and his game has also received a lot of comparisons to Kane’s. To Hughes, those comparisons are an incredible honor.

“Yeah I mean we’re talking about a guy with three Stanley Cups, Conn Smythe, Art Ross trophies, Hart trophies. I think if you compare yourself to him it’s a pretty good comparison,” said Hughes. “He’s an unbelievable 1145811 Colorado Avalanche The 17-year-old led all players with 26 points as the Giants fell in the WHL final to the Prince Albert Raiders.

Hepple: “You know what? He’s the new-age defenseman. He’s a puck Got questions about the No. 4 pick? Avs scouting director Alan Hepple guy. He’s smart. He’s got hockey sense. He’s got everything. He skates. has a few answers He’s got some bite to his game. He’s 6-feet, 6-foot-1 guy. He led the Western League in scoring for the playoffs. He’s that new-age, puck- moving, puck-managing smart defenseman. Stuff that we like and he’s By Ryan S. Clark May 31, 2019 going to fit into the NHL really well.”

Vasili Podkolzin, RW, SKA-VHL

Oh. You know. What’s his name? That kid who skates really fast and There have been plenty of opportunities for the Avalanche or any other some pretty good size. Or was he the smaller one? organization to watch the skater Pronman rates as the No. 12 prospect.

Still, having a forward like him could really make a difference. Unless … He represented Russia at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the U-18 World Junior he was a defenseman. It doesn’t matter because he can be the missing Championships, the U-20 WJC and the World Junior “A” Challenge, piece this franchise needs. among others tournaments. It came out to him scoring 23 goals and 46 points over a combined 45 games. Any of this sound familiar? It should. These are the sort of statements a number of fans make when it comes to their team leading up to a draft. It Podkolzin also split time between SKA’s teams in the KHL, MHL and happens every year. In every sport. A prospect who was just another VHL throughout the various levels of Russian hockey. He did not score in player several months earlier suddenly becomes the plug-and-play savior the KHL, the nation’s top league. But he combined to score eight goals or the player who could change everything. and 13 points over 26 games in the MHL and VHL. One of the talking points raised with Podkolzin is that he has two years left on his KHL Enter Alan Hepple. He is the Colorado Avalanche’s director of amateur contract and it is an agreement he plans on fulfilling, according to scouting. Hepple along with any one of the 10 scouts on his staff can tell Pronman. you every bit of information about the hundreds of potential draft picks who could someday join the Avs or any other NHL organization. Hepple: “I don’t think so (on if teams are scared off by Podkolzin’s KHL contract). We’ve seen it in the past that the Russians seem to all have a Hepple and his scouting staff don’t just watch the draft-eligible players. deal and they are young players and they have to develop anyway. It They pay close attention to the prospects whose turn will come next year gives him a chance to stay in Russia and develop and get stronger and too. bigger and mature and things like that. It gives, whoever gets him, more Bowen Byram, Kirby Dach and Alex Turcotte might be new to some as time to develop him and to wait for him. … He’s tenacious on the puck. the draft draws closer. But they are extremely well-known figures for That’s the one thing you notice. He’s relentless. He has that ability to Hepple and his staff. steal pucks and take pucks to the net. He plays with some grit but he has great skill. He sees the ice very well. Great passer. He’s got a complete Curious to know what Hepple thinks about the potential players the game. He plays a 200-foot game.” Avalanche could draft fourth? Here’s a look at what he had to say about the prospects who might be in play when general manager Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon-WHL walks to the podium before announcing and then introducing the world to Dach is one of those skaters whose name is constantly mentioned by the organization’s newest teenage sensation. pundits as a possibility for the Avalanche ever since the NHL Draft Alex Turcotte, C, USNTDP-USHL Lottery.

Turcotte is the name that continues to gain traction when it comes to who The 6-4, 198-pound center burst onto the scene with six goals and 10 could either go third to the Chicago Blackhawks or be in play when the points in just 19 games with the Blades during the 2016-17 WHL season. Avalanche are on the clock. He had seven goals and 46 points in 52 games in his first full campaign. Dach increased his production this season by scoring 25 goals and 48 He is considered to be the No. 3 prospect by The Athletic’s Corey assists for 73 points over a 62-game slate. He also had five goals and Pronman. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound Turcotte is slated to play next eight points in 10 playoff games. season at the University of Wisconsin after having one of the strongest individual and/or team campaigns of any prospect in this year’s draft. Pronman rated Dach as the No. 10 prospect in the draft while stating the playmaker can make difficult passes and is also a reliable two-way Part of his “late rise” stems from missing games with injury while also player. working through mononucleosis later in the season. Turcotte still finished the season with 12 goals and 34 points in 16 games during the team’s Hepple: “He’s one of those guys with size and skill. He’s got great vision. USHL schedule while also posting 27 goals and 62 points in 37 games Again, he’s big. That’s the one thing that stand out the most that you with the NTDP (National Team Development Program). don’t find too much now with a big, skilled guy like him. He’ll get stronger and bigger and he’ll be a horse. Nobody will be able to get that puck off Hepple: “I don’t think he’s been a late riser. One of the things that him once he matures and gets that man strength and things like that. happened was he was hurt for the first part of the year and he obviously He’s got a whole lot of upside.” caught fire in the second half (of his season). But that was probably the biggest reason. Nobody had coverage on him for the first little while Cole Caufield, RW, USNTDP-USHL because he was hurt. He’s a very good player. He’s tenacious on the Anyone fixated about the fact Caufield stands 5-7, 157 pounds might puck. He’s got skill. He skates. He’s a great kid. It’s more that than him want to concentrate on another number instead. coming on as a good player. We knew he was a good player. It was just the lack of coverage.” Like the 72 goals Caufield scored in 64 games with the NTDP. In all, the Wisconsin-bound winger finished the season with 100 points with the Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver-WHL NTDP while also scoring 29 goals and 41 points throughout the team’s Meet the prospect who adds even more intrigue as to what happens 28-game USHL schedule. And if that is not enough, keep this in mind, when it is time for the Blackhawks to make a decision. Caufield also scored 14 goals in seven games during the U-18 WJC.

Byram is viewed by Pronman, among others, to be the top defenseman Caufield is considered to be the No. 5 prospect by Pronman, who states in the draft. Pronman rates Byram to be the fourth-best prospect. He is the 17-year-old is “one of the best goal-scorers to become eligible for the considered to be the next contemporary blueliner who possesses a draft in recent years.” number of attributes that make him a force when it comes to how he Hepple: “I think we’ve seen what guys do in the NHL at this size with performs with and without the puck. Johnny (Gaudreau). I know it’s a different position but look at our guy He ended the regular season with 26 goals and 71 points over 67 games Samuel Girard, as a defenseman. This kid’s bigger than you think. He’s with the Giants. Byram was 31st in scoring but was third among all built a little bit and he’s got some big legs and it’ll be interesting to see defensemen. His postseason performances drew even more attention. him Saturday do the testing and the strength portion. He’s not going to score a goal when he’s riding the bike but it’ll be interesting to see how well the scores come back. The size nowadays, like I said, with all these guys who are playing it does not surprise me that people are talking about this kid with where he is ranked.”

Trevor Zegras, C, USNTDP-USHL

Zegras can score goals but his prowess as a playmaker with two-way ability further amplifies why he is one of the more coveted players in this year’s draft.

Let’s take this year alone. He scored 14 goals and had 26 assists for 40 points over the 27 games the NTDP played against USHL competition. Zegras had 26 goals and created 61 more for 87 points in 60 games with the NTDP. He did not score a goal in the U-18 WJC but he did come away with nine assists in five contests.

Pronman considers the 18-year-old Boston University signee as the No. 6 prospect.

Hepple: “He’s got skill, he’s got speed, he’s got hockey sense. He’s got that — and let’s keep this PG-rated — he’s got that little fight in him. He doesn’t want to lose battles. Along with the skills, the size, everything, he’s got that little bit of bite to him that can take him to that next level.”

Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge-WHL

Cozens is another prospect who has remained in play when it comes to who the Avalanche could select if they decide to select a forward.

He is a natural center who has the ability to serve as a winger. The 6-3, 185-pound forward has also established himself as a reliable two-way forward. Part of what made Cozens’ stock rise over the last few years was how he performed in both WHL play and international competitions. He went from scoring 22 goals and 53 points last season with the Hurricanes to finishing with 34 goals and 84 points this season. Cozens also had a goal and seven points in six games during the World U-17 Hockey Challenge with Canada in 2017-18 while coming away with four goals and nine points during the U-18 WJC this year.

Pronman considers Cozens to be the No. 7 prospect in the draft.

Matthew Boldy, LW, USNTDP-USHL

Surely, you may have noticed a theme when it comes to the amount of talent that came through the NTDP this season.

Boldy is another high-impact forward who has consistently remained as a top 10-caliber prospect leading up to the draft. The 6-2, 187-pound forward had 17 goals and 43 points during the 28 games both he and the NTDP played against USHL teams. He also scored 33 goals and 81 points in 64 games with the NTDP. Boldy added three goals and 12 points during the U-18 WJC.

Rated as the No. 8 prospect by Pronman, the Millis, Mass., native is slated to play next season at Boston College.

Hepple on Boldy and Cozens: “We still have to do some background stuff. But they’re skilled, big, can skate, speed and the one thing with those guys too is they have a little bit of size. They got that size and that added bonus of skill and skating.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145812 Columbus Blue Jackets

Forward Lukas Sedlak leaving Blue Jackets for two-year deal with KHL team

Brian Hedger

May 31, 2019 at 3:06 PM

May 31, 2019 at 6:29 PM

He’s watched enough hockey.

Now, it’s time for Lukas Sedlak to play it more often — which the 26- year-old forward hopes to do after signing a two-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League on Friday.

“I started thinking about it after the season,” said Sedlak, who played the past three seasons with the Blue Jackets. “I talked to my agent (J.P. Barry of CAA Hockey). We kind of sat down and tried to explore all the options, because obviously the situation wasn’t great with the ice time (in Columbus) and stuff like that.”

After playing 43 of the Blue Jackets’ first 59 games, Sedlak logged just four more the rest of the season. An influx of talent acquired before the Feb. 25 trade deadline, including forwards Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel, created a logjam. Sedlak, who missed the end of last season with a concussion, had to watch again as the Blue Jackets finished their season in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

He kept his focus on the season until the Jackets lost to the Boston Bruins in the second round. A meeting with with Barry then set the wheels in motion for his move to a new league.

“I said, ‘Hey, I just want to play and I don’t care that much what league or whatever,’ ” Sedlak said. “I want to play. I want to help a team on the ice. I don’t want to spend another playoffs in the stands, so we sat down and it’s come to this.”

The opportunity to play more was the primary reason, along with a better earning potential in the KHL as a player with NHL experience.

In the NHL, Sedlak is still considered a pending restricted free agent, one of eight RFAs who finished the season on the Jackets’ NHL roster and one of 13 in the organization. Other RFAs include defensemen Zach Werenski, Ryan Murray, Scott Harrington and Adam Clendening, goalie Joonas Korpisalo plus Hannikainen and left wing Eric Robinson.

If the Blue Jackets want to retain any of their signing rights, including Sedlak’s, they must tender qualifying offers to each before July 1, the first day of free agency. Rather than waiting to see if the Jackets would tender a qualifying offer, which would be for $892,500, Sedlak chose a new path.

Sedlak was drafted by Columbus in the sixth round of the 2011 draft and made his NHL debut in 2016-17 with seven goals and 13 points in 61 games. He also played two playoff games with the Blue Jackets that season, which turned out to be his only postseason action — after helping the Lake Erie/Cleveland Monsters win the 2016 Calder Cup in the American Hockey League.

“It was hard, especially toward the end (this season),” Sedlak said. “We had lots of forwards, so that was really hard mentally (not playing). That was probably the toughest two months of my career so far.”

It was also difficult making the leap to the KHL from the Blue Jackets, where he was one close with a number of teammates.

“It was my dream to play in the NHL, so I’ve been really fortunate I could play for three years,” Sedlak said. “It’s going to be remembered, always, as a good time in my mind. Hopefully one day, when I retire, I’m going to look back and when I remember all the memories of the guys, it’s going to be great because we had such a special group of guys.”

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145813 Columbus Blue Jackets

Lukas Sedlak leaves Blue Jackets to sign two-year deal in KHL

By Aaron Portzline May 31, 2019

COLUMBUS, Ohio — His isn’t the biggest name on the roster, but add center Lukas Sedlak to the list of Blue Jackets players who won’t be back with the club next season.

Sedlak has signed a two-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk in Russia’s KHL, ending a six-year run of play in North America — the first three with the Blue Jackets’ minor-league clubs and the last three in the NHL.

News of the deal was first reported by the KHL club on its website. Sedlak’s agent, J.P. Barry, confirmed the signing to The Athletic on Friday.

Sedlak was set to become a restricted free agent July 1, but he would almost certainly have been extended a qualifying offer allowing the Jackets to keep his rights. Based on his $850,000 salary in 2018-19, his qualifying offer would have been $892,500, a 5 percent raise.

Still, a roster spot with the Blue Jackets was far from a sure thing.

Sedlak, a fourth-line forward, dressed in only 47 games with the Blue Jackets in 2018-19 — the fewest he’s played in three seasons in Columbus — and he was a healthy scratch in all 10 Stanley Cup playoff games.

The Blue Jackets could easily lose forwards Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel via unrestricted free agency beginning July 1, but there is a swell of prospect forwards ready to push for playing time in 2019-20. Sedlak could easily have been the odd man out next season, depending on how the fourth line was structured.

Sedlak, 26, totaled 15-12-27 and 56 penalty minutes in 162 games with the Blue Jackets. He played a significant role in the AHL Cleveland’s Calder Cup win in 2016, totaling 9-7-16 in 17 playoff games.

With Sedlak out of the picture, the Blue Jackets now have 12 restricted free agents, some of whom project to play for AHL Cleveland: forwards Eric Robinson, Markus Hannikainen, Sonny Milano, Sam Vigneault, Ryan MacInnis and Justin Scott, defensemen Zach Werenski, Ryan Murray, Scott Harrington, Adam Clendening and Doyle Somerby, and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.

There are also eight unrestricted free agents: forwards Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel and Mark Letestu, defenseman Adam McQuaid, and Sergei Bobrovsky, Keith Kinkaid and Jean- Francois Berube.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145814 Dallas Stars Briefly: The Stars will open training camp Sept. 13 at the Comerica Center in Frisco, with a full schedule to be released later. This season, the Stars held training camp in Boise, where their ECHL affiliate is.

Can Denis Gurianov, one of the Stars' most intriguing assets, take a The Stars will also hold development camp for their prospects and 2019 Roope Hintz-like leap next season? draft picks from June 25-28 in Frisco.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.01.2019 By Matthew DeFranks ,

Denis Gurianov left this season with a memento earned in an unconventional fashion. After the Stars were eliminated in the second round by St. Louis, Gurianov took home the puck from his first NHL goal, coupled with a picture from the day and framed in a keepsake.

Gurianov scored his first goal Nov. 10 against Nashville when a Ben Gleason shot deflected off his knee and into the net. It was the only goal Gurianov scored with the Stars this season despite his most productive season in the AHL that earned him action in 21 NHL games this season. While Gurianov's NHL results (one goal and three assists) haven't inspired confidence, his tools still make him one of the franchise's most intriguing assets.

Gurianov's speed is the best part of his game and is potentially the best among Stars players (let's propose a race between Gurianov, Roope Hintz and Miro Heiskanen during training camp) with explosive strides that allow him to rush through the neutral zone and take defensemen wide to the net. It's part of the reason why he scored 20 goals and dished 28 assists in 57 AHL games this season, and it's what he flashed during his time in the NHL.

Derek Laxdal, coach of AHL affiliate Texas, lauded Gurianov's play away from the puck during the season and complemented his backchecking ability. In the NHL, Gurianov split time in the top six (started 10 games on the top two lines) and the bottom six (11 games), but averaged just 10:52 of ice time per game. Stars coach Jim Montgomery said when Gurianov wasn't scoring goals in the NHL, his confidence and attention to other parts of his game waned.

Next year will present Gurianov with perhaps his best opportunity to secure a role in the NHL.

"Roope Hintz is a great example for him," Stars general manager Jim Nill said. "They played together and they've really been on the same path. Both have gone through the same struggles trying to make it to the NHL. They both have come up and grabbed it for a while and disappeared into games."

Nill said that Hintz figured it out, how to play in the NHL and win battles for the puck, developing into a bona fide second-line center for the Stars. Hintz was a revelation during the postseason, transforming himself from preseason fourth-line question mark to an essential part of Dallas' offense.

The Stars are hoping Gurianov, the No. 12 pick in 2015, can do the same.

"We've watched them down in the minors, both of those guys have played the same way," Nill said. "They both bring speed to our team, they're both big bodies. We're excited about his development. It's a great example for Denis to see Roope. We brought him up here to watch all the playoff games. He watched these games and he watched Roope, and he said 'Oh boy, that's where I got to get to.' And it is. Just part of the process."

Gurianov turns 22 years old on June 7, still plenty young enough to make an impact and fill the potential expected from him as a first-round pick. But every player selected ahead of him in the 2015 draft has played at least 100 NHL games, though it may be unfair to compare Gurianov to players like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Timo Meier and Mikko Rantanen.

But Gurianov could be presented with a chance in the Stars' top six next season with Jason Spezza not expected to return to Dallas, and with Valeri Nichushkin and Mattias Janmark potentially slated for bottom-six roles. Gurianov's emergence in the top six would allow Montgomery to slip Jason Dickinson down further in the lineup, where his all-around game fits more than in a scoring role alongside players like Tyler Seguin or Mats Zuccarello. 1145815 Detroit Red Wings

Here's who the Detroit Red Wings are watching at NHL combine

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 7:00 a.m. ET May 31, 2019 | Updated 3:33 p.m. ET May 31, 2019

Detroit Red Wings front-office personnel have been at the NHL combine making final evaluations on top potential prospects.

Teams have had an opportunity this week in Buffalo, N.Y., to interview about 100 of the top prospects eligible to be drafted June 21-22 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The event concludes with fitness testing Saturday.

Detroit holds the sixth overall pick for the second straight year, and hold three picks in the second round (their own at No. 35, plus ones via trades at No. 54 and No. 60).

The Wings have used their first picks on forwards in five of the last six drafts.

They would have picked a defenseman last year, had Filip Zadina not been available. Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko are the consensus first two picks.

Here are five guys the Wings are keeping tabs on for their first pick.

D Bowen Byram

He’ll probably be gone by the time the Wings pick, but if he’s available, he's an easy choice. He’s a potential game-changer with his ability in the offensive zone (71 points in 67 regular-season games for the Vancouver Giants; led all WHL players with 26 points in 22 playoff games). The Wings picked an offensive defenseman, Dennis Cholowski, with their first-round pick in 2016, but that should not deter them from adding Byram.

C Dylan Cozens

His prowess at both ends of the ice has drawn comparisons to Jonathan Toews. Cozens is 6-foot-3, shoots right, and put up 84 points in 68 games for Lethbridge. He’s got a quick release, and isn’t afraid of going to the net. He’s a good skater with excellent vision, and can fit at either center or right wing.

C Kirby Dach

He’s already 6-foot-4 and plays like it. He gets involved physically to gain the puck and protect it. He sees the ice well and can hold onto the puck to find an open teammate. Another right-handed shooter, he had 73 points in 62 games for Saskatoon (WHL).

C Alex Turcotte

He’s a high-end skater and thinker. A lower-body injury limited him to 37 games with the U18 U.S. National Team Development Program (where he was teammates with Hughes) but Turcotte had 62 points in that span. He finds teammates in tight spaces, and has the soft hands to score around the net. He has great explosiveness and a quick release. He’s committed to Wisconsin next year, but he could take a similar path as Dylan Larkin and spend one season playing collegiately, then make the jump to NHL.

C Trevor Zegras

He’s a mobile two-way forward with a top-notch creative streak and the ability to finish. (He had 26 goals and 61 assists in 60 games for the NTDP U18.) He makes plays most players don’t even think of, and has the wiliness to elude defenders one-on-one. He’s not a great skater and his defense needs improvement, but he counters what he lacks in these areas with his high hockey IQ.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145816 Detroit Red Wings Hughes isn’t surprised the media is binding the two young players together.

“It’s good competition, every year it’s Nos. 1 and 2 competing with each Large choice of centers available for Wings with No. 6 pick other,” Hughes said. “I know he had a great year and we’ll be linked to each other for a lot of years, with the Devils and Rangers right there (close to each other).” Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Published 7:15 p.m. ET May 31, 2019 | Updated 7:21 p.m. ET May 31, 2019 Kakko missing

Kakko, incidentally, skipped this week’s combine to remain in Finland.

Buffalo, N.Y. — Drafting a defenseman would be preferred by the Red After the long world championship tournament followed by celebrations Wings, and especially a player who could potentially develop into a star and events in Finland after the team won, Kakko chose to remain there caliber defenseman. rather than travel to Buffalo for a week and then return back to Vancouver later in June for the draft. And there could be one available where the Red Wings draft at No. 6 in the first round in Bowen Byram. “Unfortunately the (world championship) schedule worked out the way it did this year,” Marr said. “Typically, it would be a week earlier. It has zero But the Red Wings also wouldn’t mind an elite center. No team would effect, really. I know he would be here if he could. turn its back on that. And in the June 21-22 Entry Draft in Vancouver, the top end of the first round will have plenty of outstanding centers “But he’s a world champion before he steps onto the ice in the NHL and available. that’s a pretty special event in his life. Teams understand that and the teams at the top will have to spend a bit more time with him when he “Teams have a selection of wide variety of players to choose from,” comes over to the draft.” NHL’s Central Scouting director Dan Marr said at the NHL Draft Combine. “I don’t think they’ll get carried away analyzing first line, second Dad knows best line, third line. They just want good players to put in their lineups. Turcotte's father, Alfie, played in eight leagues over his 16-year career, “All these players, they bring the right mix of skills and intangibles, and so the younger Turcotte has a wealth of experience to lean on at home. will bring values to their teams.” "He's been through it and he knows what to expect and how to get The best center is Jack Hughes, but the star from the U.S. National through it," Turcotte said. "He taught me a lot off the ice and what to Team Development Program is going either first or second overall (with expect in situations like these and how to introduce yourself to people in wing Kaapo Kakko joining Hughes at the top of the list). interviews and be yourself."

After those two players, there’s a mix of players that includes Byram, and Alex's grandfather Real played college hockey at Michigan State and his centers Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge/WHL), Kirby Dach (Saskatoon/WHL), uncle Jeff played major junior. Alex Turcotte (USNTDP) and Trevor Zegras (USNTDP), all of who Detroit News LOADED: 06.01.2019 project to be impact players some day in the NHL.

“It’s great, it’s kind of the way the league is going,” said Zegras, who might be the most creative of the bunch. “Fast, high skill, and pace. You have to play both ends of the ice, especially if you’re going to expect to go real high in the draft.”

Dylan Larkin proved last season he’s a legitimate No. 1 center, a star who dominates at both ends of the rink.

The Wings played Andreas Athanasiou at center the final month of the season, with mixed results.

If the Wings can snag a legitimate impact center, they’d be fine with playing Athanasiou on a wing where his speed and game-breaking ability have already been evident.

Cozens and Dach are both bigger centers, both around 6-foot-3, and have the capability to grow into the type of hulking two-way centers that simply don’t come around often.

At this point, both need to grow into their bodies. But what they’ve shown at the junior level certainly indicates they could become forces in the NHL.

“It’s pretty neat to kind of see that,” Dach said of the depth at center in this draft. “So many teams are built around their center depth and there are so many great centers here.

“It’s pretty fun.”

Who is No. 1?

Hughes has been projected to be the first draft pick in this class since the start of the season.

But Kakko’s performance at the recent world championships — he was a major reason Finland won the championship — could sway New Jersey to pick Kakko at No. 1 (the New York Rangers have the second pick).

Make no mistakes, Hughes wants to be the first pick.

“That would be unbelievable,” Hughes said. “You always dream about being No. 1. You don’t dream about being No. 2 or No. 3 or No. 4 when you’re a kid. I want to be the first overall pick. That would be a dream come true if that happens.” 1145817 Detroit Red Wings first pick in every year of Yzerman’s tenure, they spent the fourth-highest percentage of their overall draft picks on Canadian Major Junior players of any team in the league over that span. They went to that well on 55 Steve Yzerman’s draft trends and how they could inform his Red Wings percent of their picks, trailing only Calgary (61 percent), Arizona and Los picks Angeles (about 57 percent each).

Detroit, over the same span, was in the middle of the pack at around 45 percent. By Max Bultman May 31, 2019 Pick data via HockeyDB.com

So what does it all mean? Well, while it’s certainly possible the Red BUFFALO, N.Y. — The NHL Draft combine doesn’t have much in Wings end up with Dylan Cozens or Kirby Dach — two big, WHL centers common with the day-to-day life of a young NHL player, but as the top expected to go around the range Detroit will pick — it would be prospects have shuffled from interview to interview, they’ve certainly shortsighted to think Yzerman is just exceptionally inclined toward gotten a taste of the microscope that accompanies that mantle. Canadians. Instead, a better reading of that information might be to suggest that, much like drafting from the SEC in football, the Canadian By the end of June, the players hustling around the downtown Marriott Major Junior leagues are a known quantity in which it’s easier to feel will all be off at their respective development camps, getting to know their confident investing draft capital. Are they the best possible leagues a new teams and cities. This week will help answer — even if just in small player can come from? No, considering there seem to always be a few part — which cities those will be. draft-eligible players in European men’s leagues. For the Red Wings, meanwhile, this draft (and this week) represents a But they are so thoroughly scouted and entrenched that it makes sense substantial opportunity to bolster their rebuild, with not just a top pick at why 23 of the league’s 31 teams took at least 40 percent of their draft No. 6 overall but three in the second round. Detroit is slated to pick 10 picks from those leagues in the last nine years. times in the seven rounds of the June 21-22 draft. But you already knew all that. What is less clear is what to expect from Steve Yzerman in his It’s not as though Yzerman was averse to players from less sure-thing first draft as Red Wings GM. leagues (he also took four players out of high school hockey in this span, for example), but how someone spends his assets does probably tell you The amateur scouting director is naturally a leading voice in all things something about where his trust lies. draft, and it’s fair to point out that GMs rely heavily on scouts to put the class together. But drafting is a collaborative process through and Spinning it forward, we don’t know with any certainty whether this trend through. And with a major new voice being added to the fold in Detroit, was more about Yzerman or Al Murray, Tampa Bay’s director of amateur it’s worth looking into what new messages and ideas Yzerman may bring scouting, much less whether it will continue into 2019. But we can safely with him from his old gig in Tampa Bay. assert that this is a pool Detroit’s new boss trusts with some of his most valuable assets. In a year when the Red Wings have three second- Of course, some of the trends we’ve identified for this story may be less rounders, that could very well come into play early and often — and, sure rooted in Yzerman specifically than the collection of people around him. enough, the last time the Lightning had three seconds (2016), they used That’s a difference from, say, the NFL, where the GM’s personal history them all on players from the OHL and WHL. And then they went back could prove quite predictive in a new environment. But in the big picture, there with a third-rounder for good measure. that’s fine. The goal with an exercise like this is not to jump to any sweeping conclusions, or be overly declarative about any one trend. Cozens, for what it’s worth, felt like his meeting with Detroit this week Drafting is hard, inexact and the product of so many inputs that even a went “really well,” and called it “surreal” seeing Yzerman, who Cozens is massive sample size wouldn’t be enough to isolate that kind of too young to remember seeing play but was nonetheless struck by. And information. Cozens may well be a strong candidate at No. 6. Corey Pronman rated him on the bubble between “elite” and “high end” as a prospect, and the But by identifying how Yzerman’s drafts have gone in the past, it’s easier Red Wings could really use another top young center. to gain some insight that can be applied to the one that is now just three weeks away. But the smart money would say this tidbit probably tells us more about which leagues Yzerman and Murray felt most comfortable drafting from A quick example: As you’ll see momentarily, the first trend that jumps out over a large sample than it does any one single decision Yzerman will from Yzerman’s tenure in Tampa Bay is that his first pick in every draft make in June. came from one of the three CHL leagues. (Note: That does not mean every first-round pick was from the CHL. Andrei Vasilevskiy was a first- Confidence in Russia rounder in 2012, despite being the team’s second pick of the draft after selecting Slater Koekkoek at No. 10.) Another trend that immediately jumps out across the years of draft samples is how many players the Lightning drafted out of Russia. And If we were looking for sweeping conclusions, that would be an easy tidbit more specifically, how many more players they drafted out of Russia to run with: Nine drafts, nine times Tampa Bay went to Canada for its first compared to all other European leagues. The answer? Nine of 14 players pick. That must mean Yzerman will draft a Canadian again this year, that Tampa drafted out of Europe from 2010-18 were from Russia. That’s right? Only that’s not the best way to read the information. nearly twice as many as the rest of the continent combined.

For one, a couple of those nine times, the player (although drafted out of What’s notable here isn’t drafting players of Russian nationality (like, say, Canada) was simply an American or a Russian who was just playing Evgeny Svechnikov out of the QMJHL). It’s about drafting out of Russian junior hockey north of the border. And for two, the three CHL leagues leagues. And that’s where the Lightning invested far more than any other (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) make up a significant portion of the top prospects team in the NHL. in the draft. It makes sense that teams would draft them often. The teams that drafted the next-most players out of Russia in that span? But a stat like that is not nothing either. The Lightning were the only team Colorado, Toronto and Philadelphia, all with just five. in the league over that span that picked first from the CHL every single year. Just one other team did it eight times, and three clubs did so seven Again, it’s important to not just go off the first impulse here. It’s not likely out of nine drafts. that Yzerman has some unique obsession with Russians. Instead, it’s probably about the stigma that still seems to surround drafting out of So what does it mean? That’s more the purpose of this exploration — not Russia, due to KHL/contract fears, and how the Lightning were the most reaching for the first reaction to the information, but rather trying to figure willing to capitalize when that led to good players slipping down the out what it might really tell us about Yzerman’s historical drafting board. priorities, and how they could come into play for the Red Wings. For reference, consider what Yzerman told Craig Custance at the U18 With all that said, let’s get into it. World Championship regarding Russian prospect Vasili Podkolzin — a candidate for Detroit at No. 6. Early picks from the CHL “The really good Russian players all come over,” he said. “Maybe they Without completely restating the above, here’s the short version: Not only wait a year, two years, but eventually you get them. (Evgeny) Kuznetsov, did the Lightning take a player from the QMJHL, WHL or OHL with their (Vladimir) Tarasenko, Vasilevskiy. (Nikita) Kucherov waited a year. The really good ones are coming over. You have to be prepared, potentially, to wait.”

Yzerman drafted two of those players, and both of them (Vasilevskiy and Kucherov) are superstars in the league despite going at 19th and 58th overall, respectively.

So, instead of Yzerman favoring Russians to all other Europeans, a better read on that information might be that he favors the value that can be added by pouncing on players who other teams are leery about for one reason or another. These players out of Russia have not all been high picks, and certainly not all of them panned out. But a couple paid off huge. That would be the idea.

With Podkolzin’s KHL contract already a talking point, it’s not hard to draw a parallel there for this year’s draft. And again, that’s certainly a possibility. But even if Detroit does go a different direction at 6, it’s just as plausible that the Red Wings are willing to swoop in for a different player out of Russia who falls. Pronman had 13 players between the MHL, VHL and KHL ranked among his top 107 last week. History says you may want to get familiar with one or two of them.

Or, maybe Yzerman and his new staff will be thinking about the next type of player teams aren’t investing enough in. You can’t stay ahead of the same curve forever without someone catching up.

Plus, now that he’s back in Detroit, doesn’t he kind of have to draft a few more Swedes?

Dealing on the draft floor

This last one doesn’t have quite the same statistical basis as the others, and it’s admittedly taken from a short window. But Yzerman had a stretch from 2014-16 when he was wheeling and dealing on the draft floor relatively often — no matter how seemingly small a move it was. In 2014, not only did he pick up an extra second-round pick by moving back seven spots from 28 to 35, he also traded a future seventh to move up one slot to select Brayden Point in Round 3, and then moved a pair of sevenths to jump up in the draft’s final round, too. He also added a third by moving from 28 to 33 the next year, and in 2016, traded former first-round pick Anthony DeAngelo for a second-rounder to take Libor Hajek — a player who he would later include in a trade package for Ryan McDonagh.

The DeAngelo trade does remind of another interesting trend — the Lightning’s first-round picks often being less eye-catching than some of the big hits they landed in the second round and beyond — and that may be something to watch, too. But with trading up or down a hot topic of conversation among Detroit fans, it’s interesting to look at this stretch when Yzerman was making moves regularly. It’s just as important to note, however, that he also didn’t make any draft-day deals in the past two years.

None of this, in the end, may prove predictive three weeks from now. But at the very least, this is the outline of Yzerman’s draft profile from nine years in Tampa Bay — heavy in players from known-quantity Canadian leagues, especially early on; unafraid to take a perceived “chance” on players out of Russia and not scared to shuffle assets when the day itself arrives. There will be plenty of opportunities for all of that in Vancouver.

Or, maybe Yzerman’s tenure with the Red Wings will bring with it elements of a brand-new profile.

As long as it works, here’s betting Detroit won’t much mind one way or the other.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145818

Assistants on the move as Oilers make more changes

Robert Tychkowski

Published:May 31, 2019

Updated:May 31, 2019 7:01 PM MDT

The Edmonton Oilers turnover continues.

Fans who’ve been clamouring for change within the organization have been getting a lot of it lately and the moves continued Friday with news that, as expected, new head coach Dave Tippett will be bringing in some of his own assistant coaches.

Tippett began the process of putting his personal stamp on the coaching staff by informing Trent Yawney and Manny Viveiros they won’t be part of the group moving forward.

Glen Gulutzan will remain on staff.

Both assistants had been with the team for just one season, moving in after a purge last summer that saw Jay Woodcroft, Jim Johnson and Ian Herbers replaced in Edmonton.

Woodcroft took over as head coach in AHL Bakersfield, where he’s met with considerable success.

As for who the new assistants will be, one of the frontrunners is former NHL defenceman Jim Playfair, who worked with Tippett in Arizona from 2011 to 2017.

In addition to changing the general manager and the head coach, and two assistants, the Oilers have also parted ways with senior vice- president of hockey operations Craig MacTavish, vice-president of player personnel Duane Sutter and skills coach Paul Coffey.

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145819 Edmonton Oilers Longtime Oilers fans will remember stories swirling around the team’s first-round pick being dealt on several occasions. Most of the deals made ended in disaster, or more accurately ended with in New Lowetide: NHL Combine brings Oilers’ dual problems into focus for Ken Jersey and Mathew Barzal in New York. Holland Oilers fans do have to come to grips with the possibility of the No. 8 overall selection being dealt. If a team offers a young forward who can deliver offence and is still on his entry-level deal, then Holland will have By Allan Mitchell May 31, 2019 to think about it.

What would it look like? Consider the June 2017 trade between the Philadelphia Flyers and the St. Louis Blues. The Flyers sent veteran For Ken Holland the reality of his current situation is likely sinking in by forward Brayden Schenn to St. Louis in exchange for NHL centre Jori now. As he represents the Edmonton Oilers at the NHL Combine this Lehtera and first-round picks in 2017 (Morgan Frost) and 2018 (Joel week, it’s obvious the organization needs to serve two masters this Farabee). summer: Complete devotion to building the system through the draft, while contemplating dealing draft picks to add important pieces at the Is that trade available this summer? We don’t know what we don’t know, NHL level in an effort to change course (turn north) for the big-league but the draft is now three weeks away. We’ll find out in the coming days. club in 2019-20. You can’t do both and there’s a price to pay. Finally, what would the first portion of the 2019 draft look like? Using Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan faced the same dilemma in 2015. Craig Button’s March 23 list (93 players) as the guide, and assuming Chiarelli went all-in to address immediate need, effectively trading away Edmonton selects the best pure skill forward at each of its first four picks, an enormous future for short-term fixes Cam Talbot, Griffin Reinhart, Eric the Oilers early draft might look like this: Gryba and others in order to give his head coach the best chance to succeed. No. 8 overall — Cole Caufield, U.S. National Development Team (USHL)

The Chiarelli experience has to be on Holland’s mind this weekend as he No. 38 overall — Nathan Légaré, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) takes part in player interviews and watches the world’s best hockey No. 85 overall — Luka Burzan, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) prospects get tested and evaluated ahead of the 2019 draft in Vancouver June 21-22. No. 100 overall — Alexei Protas, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

The draft If you apply those four names to the Oilers top 20 above from January, the pipeline gets healthy in a hurry. Music! The problem is the lingering Although the organization has several impressive pieces coming through voice in management’s head agitating for immediate improvement. the system, most of the top end quality is on defence — an area of the Chiarelli went all-in at the craps table in 2015 and shortened his Oilers roster the NHL team has covered at this time. When I posted my winter career. What will Holland do? top 20 prospect list in January, 45 percent of the list consisted of defencemen: The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019

The rankings would certainly be different now (Caleb Jones and Dmitri Samorukov moving up) but the general state of Edmonton’s pipeline is reflected accurately. Although teams are always looking for the best player available, it’s reasonable to expect the Oilers are drilling down on scoring forwards at this year’s draft.

There are 38 defencemen and nine goalies among the 108 names, meaning 61 forwards are at the combine. Using the final rankings from Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler, we can estimate Jack Hughes, Kaapo Kakko, Alex Turcotte, Bowen Byram, Dylan Cozens, Cole Caufield and Matt Boldy will be off the board when Edmonton selects No. 8. We don’t know if the organization would rank Trevor Zegras over Kirby Dach, but those two names appear to be settling in as legit options for the Oilers in the first round.

The rest of the draft

Edmonton is slated to pick No. 38, 85, 100, 162 and 193 on Day 2 of this year’s draft in Vancouver. Holland may use this portion of the draft to kick tires on acquiring immediate help for the NHL team. Teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets may want to trade into the top end of the second round (No. 38) and there may be a skill winger (under control) who shakes loose from one of those organizations.

Players of interest

The 108 players at the combine this week likely contain the heart of Edmonton’s 2019 draft. One year ago, the list consisted of 104 names, with the Oilers choosing four (Evan Bouchard, Ryan McLeod, Olivier Rodrigue and Michael Kesselring) among its five selections draft weekend.

Based on team needs and the plethora of impressive forwards at No. 8, I think it’s a good guess we’ll see Holland take a player from the WHL or USHL on Day 1 of draft weekend. After that, it gets a little more difficult to project. By the second round, No. 38 overall, the club might be looking for a sniper like Nathan Légaré of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar (45 goals in 68 games) or Brett Leason of the Prince Albert Raiders (36 goals in 55 games this year). By picks No. 85 and 100, the team might look for an under the radar option like Ethan Keppen of the Flint Firebirds; his 30 goals on a team that scored 212 shines like a diamond.

Trading the first-round pick 1145820 Florida Panthers In Chicago, Quenneville’s teams were usually in the top half of the league when it came to goals against.

“It is critical that we play better defensively,” GM Dale Tallon said. “Our Q knows D: Florida Panthers betting Joel Quenneville can help fix numbers offensively and on special teams show we should have been a defensive woes playoff team. Our goals against was unacceptable, and we cannot have that again.

By George Richards May 31, 2019 “We had a lot of bad habits and have a lot of things we need to change. Team defense is important, and the forwards have to buy into that as well. That’s something I think Q will definitely address. There are going to be changes made, that is for sure.” SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers had little problem scoring goals this past season. Montreal scores a goal against Florida goaltender James Reimer during their game at Bell Centre on Mar. 26. (Jean-Yves Ahern / USA Today) Keeping pucks out of their own net was a different story. Former defenseman Brian Campbell played for Quenneville and Kitchen Bringing in a new starting goalie — like two-time Vezina Trophy winner in Chicago for three seasons before being traded to the Panthers in Sergei Bobrovsky, for example — could be an obvious and immediate fix 2011. In 2016, Campbell returned to the Blackhawks to finish his career. for the latter issue. He said Quenneville will hold Florida’s players accountable in keeping A retooling of Florida’s defensive structure could as well and will be the the puck out of high-danger areas and clearing it out of the defensive third such change since was fired 21 games into the zone. 2016-17 season. “The best thing about playing for Q was knowing any goal scored against Former head coach was an NHL defenseman who found us was our fault,” Campbell said, chuckling. success coaching the defense in San Jose (where he returned as an assistant coach earlier this week) before coming to the Panthers with a “It could have been a 10-on-1 and it was our fault. I took that as a more aggressive style of play in 2017. challenge with him, and I really like the way he teaches the defensive system. It was a departure from the style Tom Rowe brought in after replacing Gallant. That group of Panthers players either didn’t figure out the system “Watching the NHL, there are so many wishy-washy systems where or never completely bought into what was being taught. players go here or there. With him, the system will take some time, and they may struggle for a time, but they will get it. I wasn’t a great defensive While Boughner’s system worked in San Jose, it did not here and may player when I got there, but once I learned how he wanted it done, I felt simply have been the wrong fit for this group of (mostly) younger players. like I became a pretty good defender and there wasn’t any more Florida played better defense in the second half of Boughner’s first guessing in games. I watched Florida games, and players were making season, leading some to think the team would start the 2018-19 season mistakes by working too hard. Joel’s system is (about) working less, and on the right foot defensively. But the Panthers again went on to struggle less can be more. It’s positioning, not going to non-threatening areas and in their defensive zone. focusing on what is important.”

It was not just their goaltending — which certainly did not help the “Chicago (under Quenneville) has always been a tough team to play situation — and not just their blue line. Florida’s forwards didn’t do a against,” Jonathan Huberdeau said. “They were an offensive team, so I good job in their own zone, which led to turnovers and coverage think it’ll be exciting for us. But defensively they were good as well, so mistakes which often ended up in the back of the net. they were a complete team. That’s what we want to be. I think defensively we struggled this year, so next year is a new step and he’s “When we made a mistake,” one Florida executive said, “it was going to bring us a new system. It should work out.” catastrophic.” New faces on D? These stats don’t lie When it comes to personnel, Tallon — who originally hired Quenneville in Statistically, the Panthers were among the worst defensive teams in the Chicago back in 2008 — is not only looking for a new starting goalie but league last season, a big reason they missed the playoffs by 12 points. a new defenseman as well.

Florida’s 273 goals allowed were a franchise record and ranked fourth- The Panthers would like to acquire a top-four defenseman, preferably a highest in the league. right-handed shot, who is more defensive-minded than who they have now. The Panthers led the league in turnovers (and had the second most behind Montreal in the defensive zone) and did not do a good job “We need some stability back there,” Tallon said. securing rebounds from their own goaltenders or chasing down pucks in the corners or behind the net. Florida’s top three defensemen (, Aaron Ekblad and Mike Matheson) all have long-term contracts which would make them hard to All four of the goalies Florida used ended with a goals-against average move — even if the Panthers wanted to do so, which may not be the above three, and only James Reimer ended the year with a save case. percentage higher than .900. Mark Pysyk, going into the final year of his contract, is the final member As the Panthers head into free agency and the draft next month in of the top four as of right now. Vancouver, Florida obviously wants to fix its defensive issues. But given the roster’s current setup and the contracts therein, overhauling the blue Three youngsters (MacKenzie Weegar, Ian McCoshen and Josh Brown) line may not be realistic. ended the season battling for two of the three bottom spots with others (Brady Keeper, Riley Stillman and Jacob MacDonald) potentially in the It also may not be needed. mix depending on how they fare in training camp.

New coach, new system Florida could find help on the blue line either by signing a veteran free agent (Adam McQuaid and Anton Stralman, for instance, should be The Panthers hired Joel Quenneville as soon as the season ended, and available) or through a trade around draft time. the system he and longtime assistant coach Mike Kitchen ran in Chicago (Kitchen’s hiring has not been officially announced but should be soon) Tulsa time II will bring a simplified style to Florida’s defensive play. The Panthers will return to Tulsa, Okla., for the second consecutive Under Boughner, the Panthers were aggressive on the defensive side, preseason as they will play the Dallas Stars in an exhibition game at which led to offense, as three of Florida’s 10 top point producers were BOK Center on Sept. 21. defensemen. Florida has not released its full exhibition schedule yet but is expected to Being tighter and playing tougher, however, is something the Panthers return to Nashville for the annual preseason doubleheader opener. need to improve on if they hope to excel in a tough Atlantic Division. The Panthers will also play the in Renous, New Brunswick, as part of the Kraftville Hockeytown Canada celebration on Sept. 18.

— The Panthers will hold their ninth annual HockeyFest on Saturday at the IceDen in Coral Springs.

The event will feature demonstrations from top equipment manufacturers and will include special team guests and broadcasters. HockeyFest runs from noon-4 p.m. and is free.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145821 Los Angeles Kings names made up the cornerstones of a possible deal, it would represent a win for the Kings. But it would also defeat the whole purpose of Toronto wanting to moving out Marleau’s money in the first place. And then Pro or con? Examining a potential Patrick Marleau Kings/Maple Leafs there’s that pesky issue of the fact that most of the players the Kings trade might want to move along in a trade, except for Jeff Carter, have some sort of no-move or no-trade protection, including Kovalchuk.

Conclusion: Make no mistake about it. Even the fact that the Leafs and By Lisa Dillman May 31, 2019 Kings talked about doing something creative to improve their respective fortunes is a good thing. Blake and Leafs’ GM were able to

get one meaningful deal done in January – defenseman Jake Muzzin On Friday, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported that the Maple Leafs going to Toronto for prospects Carl Grundstrom and Sean Durzi, plus a and Kings had discussed a possible trade that would see Patrick 2019 first-rounder – so a possible trade pipeline between the teams has Marleau, the soon-to-be 40-year-old former San Jose Shark, sent to Los already been established. In theory, if they were able to get on the same Angeles. The deal would be complicated by the fact that Marleau has a wave length once before – no mean feat, in the real world – there is a no-move clause in the three-year contract he signed to join Toronto chance they could do so again. Completing the details of what a trade ahead of the 2017-18 season. Think about this, however: The Kings are might look like remains problematic, as it does with every team that is already inundated with aging veterans, so why would they want or need stuck with a player contract they don’t want, and are looking around the another? league to find an interested buyer. In the end, it probably will not work out at all, but you can hardly fault them for trying. In fact, if they weren’t trying But trade talks are never simply about hockey in the NHL’s salary-cap to make something creative happen, that would be the far greater failing. era, so let’s examine the pros and cons of a possible trade before deciding on what basis — if any — this move would make sense for the The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 Kings.

Pro: Marleau is an enormously respected veteran and part of his function in Toronto this past season was helping the Leafs’ talented youngsters, particularly Mitch Marner, continue to adjust to life in the NHL. Toronto can be an especially tricky market to navigate, given that the focus is so Leaf-centric. The fact that Marleau could facilitate their off-ice adjustment contributed significantly to the strides that both Marner and Auston Matthews made.

Con: Leadership is all well and good, but the Kings do not have any grade-A prospects even close to the same level as Marner and Matthews and thus the scrutiny and/or pressure on them wouldn’t be nearly as great, given their draft pedigrees, salary compensation or the far less onerous demands of the market.

Pro: Most players approaching 40 (Marleau’s birthday is Sept. 15) are getting old, creaky and slow – which is the one thing you cannot be in the modern NHL. Marleau is, thankfully, an exception to the rule. Even before speed became a thing in the NHL, Marleau had that particular skill-set. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he was a big man with the ability to get up and down with the ice as quickly as a skater five inches shorter and 40 pounds lighter. And that ability to skate hasn’t waned much over time.

Con: For most of Marleau’s NHL career, he has been almost as effective a goal scorer as he was a playmaker (with San Jose, he had 508 goals and 574 assists in 1,493 games). In Marleau’s first season in Toronto, he contributed a respectable 27 goals in 82 games in 16:59 of ice time per night. Unfortunately, that goal scoring number dropped off – to 16 – last season. Even if Marleau is skating at a high-enough level to compete in today’s NHL, the risk is that his goal-scoring totals will continue to slide. The hands appear to be going first, not the legs.

Pro: Marleau has a previous relationship with new Kings’ coach Todd McLellan as well as general manager , dating back to their days together with the Sharks. If McLellan’s goal is to change the Kings’ dressing-room dynamic, it wouldn’t hurt to have a player whose character he can rely on to help him communicate that message.

Con: The chances of the Kings making enough headway next season to vault back into playoff contention isn’t great, so why bother at all – if Marleau is likely only going to provide them with just one year of service?

Pro: If 2019-20 is truly a transitional season for the Kings and they can extract an asset from the Leafs in exchange for taking on Marleau’s contract – which at $6.25 million, is going to adversely affect Toronto’s salary cap situation – then it is likely worth exploring what the other side is prepared to do to make it happen. Naturally, everything would depend on that – working out the remainder of the deal. Is Toronto willing to give up draft choices? Useful prospects? Absorb a portion of the contract? Something else?

Con: In a perfect world, the Kings would move one of their own salary- cap anchors – hello, – to the Leafs in order to make the deal work. But that would be wishful thinking. Kovalchuk might have been attractive to the Leafs when his former boss in New Jersey, , was once running the show in Toronto but he would have far less appeal to them after Lamoriello moved on. Moreover, Kovalchuk has two years remaining on his contract; Marleau just one. If those two 1145822 Los Angeles Kings Leafs one of their three right-handed blueliners? Doesn’t that make sense for everyone? At the very least, it’s something to ponder.

And finally, Gardiner’s agent Pat Brisson had a brief chat with Dubas this LeBrun Notebook: Facing a salary cap crunch, Leafs discuss Patrick past week at the Combine in Buffalo. The Leafs remain interested in Marleau trade with Kings signing Gardiner if at all possible but can’t do anything on that front until Marner is signed. As the clock keeps ticking, it moves Gardiner closer and closer to the June 23 opening of the UFA speaking window. By Pierre LeBrun May 31, 2019 By the way, one positive development has been Gardiner’s back, which is healing nicely. He avoided surgery and feels much better, which is good to hear. This much we know about Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas right now. ’s future

“He’s trying very hard to be creative in creating cap space, like really A week ago I would have told you it was 99 percent certain that Phil hard,’’ an NHL source said on Friday. Kessel would get dealt this summer.

Which means we are probably just scratching the surface with news on Now that has softened. That’s because the Penguins have let Kessel Thursday that Nikita Zaitsev wants out, followed by my little nugget that know they’re more than happy to keep him if a trade can’t be worked out. the Maple Leafs have talked to the Kings about Patrick Marleau. My read on that is that GM Jim Rutherford is only going to trade Kessel in HEARING THE LEAFS AND KINGS HAVE TALKED ABOUT A a real hockey deal where he gets tangible assets in return. He’s not POTENTIAL PATRICK MARLEAU TRADE. OBVIOUSLY THERE’S THE looking to make a soft deal where it’s just about dumping Kessel — who TODD MCLELLAN CONNECTION THERE FOR MARLEAU SO HE remains an offensive force — Rutherford wants a return that reflects that. MIGHT WAIVE. BUT AS OF NOW I DON’T THINK THE TWO TEAMS Which is why Pittsburgh could have certainly lived with what Minnesota HAVE FOUND A FIT. KINGS WOULD NEED TO UNLOAD A was willing to part with including Jason Zucker. CONTRACT OR TWO AS WELL… Could Kessel soften his stance and eventually agree to a move to — PIERRE LEBRUN (@PIERREVLEBRUN) MAY 31, 2019 Minnesota? It’s not out of the question. But in the meantime, I think he’s hoping a trade materializes with a team he’d rather go to. Arizona would My sense is that the Leafs have a lot of balls up in the air right now as fit that description, where a reunion with Rick Tocchet would await. But I they try to find cap space to sign pending RFA Mitch Marner. don’t think the Coyotes have the pieces that interest Pittsburgh at this Furthermore, maybe they can somehow find a way to offer pending UFA point. Jake Gardiner a deal, even though it’s a long shot. And, oh yeah, somehow address the right side of their defence. The summer of Taylor Hall

First on Marleau. We shall see whether or not the Kings and Leafs will be This is a big summer for Taylor Hall, who has one year left on his able to figure out how the pieces could fit to satisfy each club’s needs. contract with the New Jersey Devils. From a Kings perspective, my sense is that while they’d be open to helping Toronto’s cap situation in the short term by taking on the final There’s been healthy communication between his camp led by agent year of Marleau’s deal at a cap hit of $6.25-million, the Leafs would need Darren Ferris and Devils GM Ray Shero, although I’m told that things to help out L.A. with a longer-term problem by taking back a contract with have not yet progressed to the actual beginning of negotiations. So, no multiple years remaining even if it has a lower cap hit. numbers yet.

This has to make sense for both teams. And right now I’m not sure they Really where things stand as of now is that Hall is contemplating his can figure that out. But we’ll see. What we do know is that Marleau and future and at some point will re-convene with Ferris to decide how they new Kings head coach Todd McLellan have a relationship from their days want to proceed. together in San Jose. We also know that back in 2015 when Marleau was But I also don’t think this is a “Sign on July 1 or you’re traded” scenario. I open to a change of scenery out of San Jose, the Kings were among a don’t think Shero wants to get boxed in by artificial deadlines. As long as short list of teams he’d go to. Mind you, that was when they were there’s a chance Hall might eventually be willing to sign an extension, I defending Cup champs. Times have changed now with the rebuilding think Shero would want to keep that window open. In other words, if it Kings. means waiting until November or January to get it done, so be it.

The other obvious landing spot would be San Jose if the Leafs were Obviously, it’s a different thing if Hall decides outright that he wants to go willing to eat a portion of Marleau’s deal. But I’ve not heard any evidence to the UFA market in July 2020 and lets the Devils know this summer. anywhere to this point that a reunion would be of interest to the Sharks or That probably changes things for Shero depending on the kind of trade to Marleau for that matter. offers he would receive.

As for Zaitsev, what’s somewhat ironic about him asking for a trade is But at this hour, there’s no reason to believe Hall isn’t interested in that I’m pretty confident the Leafs were hoping to move him this summer entering negotiations. There certainly hasn’t been any indication even before the request. Now both sides are on the same page which otherwise. makes it easier. But because of his struggles this past season, I can’t see this being anything other than a soft deal for the Leafs unless it’s part of a The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 larger transaction.

Although his agent Dan Milstein disagreed with my view of Zaitsev’s season.

“Depends on what you define a bad year,’’ he texted on Friday. “Team and HC were very happy with him. Media and fans weren’t.’’

Zaitsev, by the way, has a modified trade clause which goes into effect for the first time on July 1 — a 10-team No list. Given that the player wants out, you might say that’s a moot point which is probably true, but at the end of the day, it’s still a right he could exercise in the right circumstance.

But what if the Leafs move Zaitsev in a larger deal as I mentioned above? Which brings me to Carolina. For the past year, I’ve been infatuated with the idea of a Leafs and Hurricanes trade because I’ve always felt they have compatible needs and piece that fit.

Would Carolina take on Zaitsev if the ‘Canes could also get their hands on either of Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson while trading the 1145823 Los Angeles Kings a team $417K of actual money this year and next if bought out, and his $6.25 AAV would only be on the books for the upcoming 2019-20 season, not 2020-21. This would allow him to collect the remainder of his THE MARLEAU STUFF; EDMONTON, YAWNEY PART WAYS; KINGS- buyout while also signing a new contract for 2019-20, should he desire CANUCKS IN SLC SEPT. 21 to. (He’s also made over $97M in his career, so I don’t know much of an influence compensation is in advance of his 40-year-old season.) I’m not sure if this is something that applies directly to the Kings but is still worth referencing as there are often teams using creative means to surpass the JON ROSENMAY 31, 2019 salary cap floor.

OIL COUNTRY | Via Jason Gregor of TSN 1260: COACHINGNEWS LINKSSCHEDULESTRADES The #Oilers have parted ways with assistant coaches Trent Yawney and Three notes to pass along before getting back to the Trevor Zegras Manny Vivieros. profile. — Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) May 31, 2019 OH, THAT’S INTERESTING |Via Pierre LeBrun this morning: As has been shared over the last week, we’re expecting Yawney, a Hearing the Leafs and Kings have talked about a potential Patrick defensive and penalty killing specialist, to end up in Los Angeles Marleau trade. Obviously there’s the Todd McLellan connection there for alongside Todd McLellan. Also of note: Gregor also noted that former Marleau so he might waive. But as of now I don’t think the two teams McLellan assistant Jay Woodcroft will remain with AHL-Bakersfield. have found a fit. Kings would need to unload a contract or two as well… Reading the tea leaves, I wasn’t expecting him to move south across The Grapevine, though that wasn’t based on what I was hearing internally, — Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 31, 2019 more just of gut intuition given his success with the Condors and the heavy movin’ needed at to return to contention. First of all, as was intimated, its not looking like there’s a good probability this happens. “It’s not dead, it’s still a possibility, but I just don’t think it’s SALT LAKE SHOWDOWN | As shared on Twitter this morning, the LA imminent at this point because of how complicated it is,” he said, Kings and Vancouver Canucks will return to Salt Lake City for an courtesy of TSN. exhibition game that will be held on Saturday, September 21. This will again be held at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Tickets will go on sale June But for those wondering why the Kings, who are looking to get younger, 6. The entire preseason schedule will be released June 23. would enter into discussions for a player who turns 40 in September and is coming off his worst season statistically since he was an 18-year-old Via the Kings: Vivint Smart Home Arena announced today that the LA rookie, this is because they are trying to add assets and gain future Kings will play a preseason game at 7 p.m. (MT) on Saturday, Sept. 21, salary cap flexibility, which could occur in a hypothetical transaction. serving as the home team, against the Vancouver Canucks in the second Keep in mind that Toronto is in a difficult cap crunch to re-sign Mitch edition of the Salt Lake Shootout, presented by the Utah Sports Marner and Jake Gardner and will try to accommodate a trade request Commission. from Nikita Zaitsev, which would leave them perilously thin on the right side of the blue line. So, in addition to the potential massive Marner Tickets will go on sale online at 10 a.m. (MT) on June 6 as well as at the contract, they’re also going to need to add pieces on defense and Vivint Smart Home Arena box office, starting as low as $39 in the upper therefore will be motivated AAV hawkers. bowl and $79 in the lower bowl. The Kings will announce the club’s entire 2019 preseason schedule at a later date. So, why Los Angeles? Because if there’s a means for the Kings to pull assets or draft picks from Toronto, or to somehow separate themselves After a 10-year hiatus, the NHL returned to Salt Lake City last September from one of their own heavier contracts, then they’re going to consider as 12,367 fans witnessed the Kings’ 4-1 win over Vancouver in the first of those options. This hypothetical exchange would be more about bringing a three-year agreement to hold a preseason game at Vivint Smart Home in futures and flexibility than bringing in Patrick Marleau as part of the Arena. A Kings preseason game will also be held in Salt Lake City in organizational “refresh” or “The Plan” or what-have-you. 2020.

Speaking with Andi Petrillo and Kristin Shilton on Toronto 1050’s Leafs The Kings featured two players with Utah connections last year with Lunch this afternoon, TSNs Bob McKenzie noted that even before the forward Trevor Lewis of Cottonwood Heights, who was the first native Zaitsev request that Toronto would ideally like to add a piece to their blue Utahn to win the Stanley Cup, and defenseman Daniel Brickley, who won line. He clearly emphasized that though he wasn’t linking Alec Martinez back-to-back state championships at Skyline High School. to any Marleau discussions, the Los Angeles defenseman was Vivint Smart Home Arena had an electric atmosphere last year as a big “eminently available” in trade discussions last season. crowd enjoyed exciting NHL action in person,” said Jim Olson, president “I’m just saying if you can parlay Patrick Marleau into a National Hockey of Vivint Smart Home Arena. “We look forward to another great night of League defenseman who maybe fits the bill for what you’re trying to do hockey and the opportunity to again showcase the LA Kings and NHL in given what’s going on with Zaitsev and Gardner, then great, that would Salt Lake City.” be a perfect scenario. But there may also be other baggage you have to Vivint Smart Home Arena, which was transformed by a $125 million carry because taking a contract like Marleau’s usually ends up costing a renovation in 2017, served as the hockey home of the Salt Lake Golden team an asset,” McKenzie said. Eagles from 1991-94, the Utah Grizzlies from 1995-97, including the With the risk of getting too deep into a hypothetical that was sparked by International Hockey League championship season of 1996, and hosted the 280 characters afforded by Twitter (and sustained, with important the figure skating and short track speed skating competition at the 2002 context, in the additional links above), if Marleau does ultimately end up Olympic Winter Games. in Los Angeles, the Kings should be wary of a 40-year-old on the last The Kings will also be hosting a special youth hockey camp in the area year of his contract joining a non-contending team vying to strengthen its this summer. LA Kings Summer Camp Park City will take place on July 8- team culture – a scenario that doesn’t seem primed for success. But, 12 at the Park City Ice Arena for Mites through high school age divisions. again, were something like this to happen, I’m not expecting such a trade to be the endgame. In the unlikely event the Kings do trade for Marleau, LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 06.01.2019 it would be (say it with me) to create salary cap flexibility and claim another asset or two, and/or to set up another move down the line, not to bring in Patrick Marleau The LA King Woooo Let’s Go.

Since we’re neck-deep in rampant speculation, why not a little bit more?

TSN.com’s Frank Seravalli, who raised the topic by acknowledging it was largely built on speculation, floated the idea that a team with ample cap space could buy Marleau out, which could be a more ideal situation for the player. Because Marleau was signed to a 35-and-older contract, a buyout wouldn’t have any effect on his cap hit. But via CapFriendly, Marleau, who is due a $3-million signing bonus on July 1, would only cost 1145824 Minnesota Wild The other thing to remember is the importance of linemates when it comes to production as who a player plays with has a hefty influence on the numbers he can realistically produce. It’s a lot easier to score next to How trading Jason Zucker would show the Wild haven’t learned from Evgeni Malkin (2.54 points-per-60 over the last three years) rather than their mistakes Mikko Koivu (1.33) or Eric Staal (2.01) as your go-to pivots. Even William Karlsson (2.21), Marchessault’s usual mate, has been stronger in that regard.

By Dom Luszczyszyn May 31, 2019 Five-on-five scoring is only part of the battle though. Offense on the power play is critical and it’s here where Kessel appears a bit more

tantalizing. Over the last three seasons, Zucker has posted 30 points on On Jan. 17, the Minnesota Wild traded forward to the the power play, Marchessault has posted 50 while Kessel has earned Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Victor Rask – a move that 107. That’s a 77-point gap from top-to-bottom compared to the 13-point immediately went south. Going into the offseason, it doesn’t seem like edge for Kessel at 5-on-5. the team has learned anything from the experience. Much of that difference is due to opportunity though. Over the last three On his new team, Niederreiter notched 30 points in 36 games while seasons, Kessel has played 500 more minutes on the power play than playing on the top line and maintaining a strong two-way game. He had Zucker while Marchessault has played 230 more. There’s a massive finally fulfilled the potential that he had shown for years, but was never difference between getting 32 percent of a team’s power-play time like given much of a chance to prove. On the other side, Rask did exactly Zucker has over the last three seasons and 72 percent like Kessel has. what he had been previously doing in Carolina: nothing. He earned just And though the point-per-60 advantage (7.4 to 4.8 in favor of Kessel over three points in 23 games with the Wild while patrolling the team’s fourth Zucker) is still large, it’s difficult to imagine Kessel would still be line. Disastrous is the best way to describe it. producing such figures on a power play that was much less stacked than Pittsburgh’s. In fact, prior to the last two seasons where he’s been above What that trade didn’t need was any hindsight whatsoever. It was plain to eight in back-to-back seasons, Kessel’s career points-per-60 on the see from the outset that the swap was one-sided and that was proven power play was “only” 4.8, which is the same as Zucker over the last few quickly. With the pain of that deal fresh on the team’s mind, you’d think seasons. the Wild would reserve some caution with future decisions, but recent rumors surrounding the team suggest the Wild will instead dive headfirst Player production is important, but context is key as there’s a lot of ways into the offseason with reckless abandon. it can be obfuscated. In Zucker’s case, he is definitely behind Kessel and Marchessault, but the gap is arguably much smaller than raw points Step one in that endgame appears to be trading Jason Zucker, a move makes it out to be. that feels like the direct-to-DVD sequel of the Niederreiter deal in that it looks likely to be another trade the Wild lose. That’s especially true Zucker’s value in the possession game is where he really shines and it’s considering some of the names Minnesota has been targeting: Sam here where the Wild would likely lose any deal that included him. Not Bennett and Michael Frolik from Calgary, Christian Dvorak and Christian many players influence a team’s expected goals rate at both ends of the Fischer from Arizona, Jonathan Marchessault from Vegas and lastly Phil ice as well as Zucker has over the last few seasons, especially not Kessel from Pittsburgh, in a deal that almost went down just last week. Kessel and Marchessault who simply aren’t as strong offensively and nowhere near as staunch defensively. On the surface, you can make a case for each package. The one from Calgary features former fourth overall pick Bennett. The one from Both Hockey Viz’s isolated threat and Evolving Hockey’s RAPM back up Arizona features two players under 23. And the ones from Vegas and that claim. Pittsburgh feature offensive stars that can fill the net. These are all needs With Zucker on the ice, the Wild create more dangerous opportunities for an aging and offensively-anemic Wild team and it makes sense that than the Golden Knights with Marchessault or the Penguins with Kessel, Minnesota would use Zucker – its best trade chip – to meet those needs. but the even larger difference is in their own zone. Zucker’s play However, it ignores the fact that the Wild would arguably be trading the defensively is a net positive while the latter two seem to bleed chances, best player in each scenario and teams rarely win those kinds of deals. specifically Kessel who has very much earned his reputation as a weak The other packages may meet team needs, but they don’t make up the defensive player over the last few seasons. value lost in losing a player like Zucker. The points from Kessel and Marchessault are nice but don’t mean much That’s plain to see with Calgary’s or Arizona’s package, but not so much if the two just end up giving it back the other way. The difference with what the team asked for from Pittsburgh or Vegas. To some, the between the expected goals rate for Zucker and the other two is massive idea of favorably comparing Zucker, a 21-goal and 42-point scorer last and more than makes up for the difference in production. Even by actual season, to Marchessault, who’s scored at a 69-point pace as a Golden goals, the Wild are at plus-0.89 per 60 with Zucker on the ice over the Knight, or Kessel, who has played point-per-game hockey in back-to- last three seasons, while Marchessault is at plus-0.36 and Kessel is at back seasons, might seem crazy but Zucker’s value warrants a deeper plus-0.32. dive. What this all adds up to is a potential trade where the Wild either lose For starters, Zucker, 27, is younger than both Marchessault, 28, and roughly 0.5 wins of value (Marchessault) or 0.9 wins (Kessel) according Kessel, 31. The age curve matters here, especially with Kessel entering to my model. While that’s slightly more palatable than deals with Calgary his 30’s and likely slowing down as a result. With Minnesota trending (minus-1.5 wins) or Arizona (minus-2.2 wins) in terms of current value, downwards and needing to get younger, trading for an older player feels they’re deals conceived to extract more current value and it likely doesn’t like a misguided and directionless strategy. It means either move would even accomplish that. And that’s if the potential trade is one-for-one. Last be of the “win-now” variety, an optimistic gambit for a team that finished week, the rumour was the Wild were willing to sweeten the pot by with 83 points last season. exchanging their toxic asset (Rask) for an even more toxic asset (Jack It’s unlikely either swap would pan out well in that regard either. Yes, Johnson), which is difficult to stomach for a team that’s already seeing Marchessault and Kessel have scored more points, but in context, the less on-ice value in the deal and paying more money to do so on an older gap in production between the three is much smaller and Zucker offers player. much more outside of that. Fortunately for the team, Kessel saved the Wild from themselves by Over the last three seasons, Zucker’s point rate on a per-minute basis nixing the deal with his no-trade clause, but the leaked deal (and lags behind the other two (1.93 vs. Marchessault’s 2.08 and Kessel’s subsequent leaked targets) still speaks volumes about how the Wild 2.15), but that’s mostly due to a weak 2018-19 campaign where he value Zucker – one of the most underrated players in the league, even scored on just 6.9 percent of his shots and his teammates scored on just apparently to his own team – and evaluate players as a whole. 5.7 percent while on the ice with him. Those numbers were at 11.7 and While a majority of the league is moving towards using data to better 9.5 percent in the previous two seasons respectively. assess player value, the Wild seem to be moving away from it In that sense, the Wild would be selling low on a player that appears considering the deals they’ve already made and the deals they may poised to bounce back next season. make going forward. While other teams are bolstering their analytics staffs, Minnesota has instead squandered the huge competitive advantage of hiring talent early by letting Andrew C. Thomas go earlier this year and seeing Alexandra Mandrycky walk shortly after – two WAR On Ice alums and some of the brightest minds in the business.

The strangest part of it all is not just how easily avoidable this all can be with a deeper look under the hood, but that it’s a mistake the team should have already learned from after dealing Niederreiter. The Wild may be right to trade Zucker considering the team looks destined for a rebuild, but not when his value is at its lowest and not for a return disproportionate to said value.

With the team aggressively shopping him at the deadline and at the onset of the offseason, a Zucker trade before 2019-20 feels like a foregone conclusion. So too does losing that trade.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145825 MontrealCanadiens our messaging, so that we can maximize or capitalize on the talent that’s coming.”

Ka-ching! Meanwhile the level of frustration for many Habs fans is off the What the Puck: Canadiens unlikely to make pitch for Mitch Marner charts after missing the playoffs in three of the last four seasons and having won only one playoff series in the past five years.

BRENDAN KELLY, Updated: May 31, 2019 Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.01.2019

All this chatter about the Canadiens making a hostile offer for restricted free agent Mitch Marner is warming the hearts of Habs fans but, as usual, I have some bad news for everyone. Canadiens general manager will not be going after the Toronto Maple Leafs’ points leader.

There are two main reasons why I say that. The first one is that Bergevin isn’t big on bold moves. I believe that he will make an attempt to snare a couple of the top free agents, probably Matt Duchene and Artemi Panarin, but he probably isn’t going to be successful landing any of the really big fish. The sad reality is that Montreal has always had difficulty landing high-profile free agents unless their name is Karl Alzner.

As an aside, one of the free agents available and potentially of great interest to Bergevin is Toronto’s Jake Gardiner. He’s a left-shooting defenceman and, as I mentioned a few days back, that’s just what the Habs need. But as one pal mentioned after reading that, signing Gardiner might lead to the most expensive defence duo in the AHL, with Alzner and Gardiner on the blue line for the Laval Rocket.

Part of the problem is that A-list free agents don’t usually put Montreal on the top of their wish list. Despite what you hear from Habs management and their cheerleaders, the Canadiens are not on any serious list of the elite teams in the NHL and the No. 1 criterion for a player choosing a team is whether that team is likely to be a contender in the next year or two.

But there are other factors that make the Habs a turn off. There’s the intense media scrutiny, high taxes, absurdly bad weather and the fact Quebec is a mostly French-speaking province. I love living in a francophone society, but it scares some English-speaking North Americans.

I just don’t see Bergevin as the type of GM who is going to make a bold, risky move such as going after Marner. The other thing is what team owner and president Geoff Molson would think of Bergevin making a hostile run at Marner and the Leafs. Would Molson be willing to infuriate the Leafs’ owners? I don’t think so.

There’s also the draft-picks issue. If Marner is given an offer sheet of US$10.568 million or more per year, the team making the offer has to give up four first-round draft picks. I would still make that deal to nab a 22-year-old who just put up 94 points, but Bergevin won’t give up those picks under any circumstance. He’s said as much on numerous occasions.

But the No. 2 reason I don’t believe Marner’s coming to Montreal is that the Canadiens won’t be making an offer because, in all likelihood, no team will be making such an offer. There hasn’t been a hostile offer made for a restricted free agent in the NHL since 2013, when the Calgary Flames tried to wrest away Ryan O’Reilly from the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs matched it.

There’s an incredible list of players who are eligible to become restricted free agents this summer, including Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho, Brayden Point, Matthew Tkachuk, Patrick Laine, Charlie McAvoy and Jordan Binnington. But I’m betting none of them is going to go anywhere because restricted free agency in the NHL is basically a joke — it doesn’t exist. The 31 owners are partners in a very successful business together and the owners tend not to do anything that upsets any of their partners.

Hockey is a business and owners first and foremost care about keeping that profitable business running smoothly. That point was underlined when The Athletic’s Sean Gordon, on the phone Friday with TSN 690 radio host Tony Marinaro, said that when he asked Molson this week how he felt about missing the playoffs and to rate his level of frustration from one to 10, Molson refused to answer.

If it was just about hockey, the president would just say “10” without a moment’s thought. Instead, during his interview with Gordon, Molson talks about the “exciting” future and how “from a business and marketing and communications perspective, we prepare for that and try and adjust 1145826 MontrealCanadiens For the past two seasons the Canadiens have maintained an unusually large financial cushion in terms of salary cap space, but Molson said the expectation in coming years is the player salary budget will increase.

Geoff Molson and the Canadiens have begun to prepare for what they The Canadiens find themselves in a somewhat delicate spot, trying to expect will be a much brighter future strike a balance between finding short-term help to get into the playoffs in the immediate, and leaving room for the kids to develop. But Molson said the salary expenditure is a question of circumstance, not doctrine. By Sean Gordon May 31, 2019 “There never have been constraints on spending, our goal every year is to spend whatever we need to spend to build the team we want. So if Marc (Bergevin) came to me and said ‘we need to sign this player, and All right, so the first thing Canadiens fans need to know is the team’s it’s going to take us to the cap,’ I’ll never have an issue with that. owner is just as sick of missing the playoffs as you are. Hopefully it will increase our chance of getting to the playoffs.” This, of course, should go without saying. He’s saying it anyway. The central preoccupation for the front office these days is the amateur “It’s hard. When you don’t make it three out of four years, you have to draft. And one gets a sense from Molson the club is particularly optimistic have a lot of discipline to accept it,” Geoff Molson said after polishing off about its options for the 15th slot of the first round and for its two choices his salmon tartare at Taverne Moderne 1909, the capacious sports bar at in the second round as well. But there is also the free agency interview the Bell Centre. “It’s tough to accept it, in Montreal it shouldn’t happen. At period to gear up for, and the mini trade season that tends to surround the same time, to be successful you have to suffer once in a while. And the period just before and immediately following draft day. I’m hoping that my suffering period, our suffering period, is over for many Molson was insistent the Canadiens will also be focused on the latter two years.” fronts over the next month. As hedge fund manager, philanthropist and sometimes author Ray Dalio “If you ask anybody they’ll tell you the expectations going into last year once wrote: “Pain + Reflection = Progress.” Or maybe that was were low, and the team that Marc built successfully exceeded those Nietzsche. Anyway, onward. expectations,” he said. “So moving forward the expectation from So exactly how is Molson planning to direct the accession to the next everyone is we’re going to build off that and improve. So that’s our goal. stage? How have the expectations created by last season been baked There’s some question marks we have to address, and some gaps we into the business model for the coming season(s)? What further changes have to fill and we’re going to do everything we can over the next four are coming to the fan experience this summer? Are they going to bring weeks to do that.” back the dreaded “tam-tam cam”? As to what those gaps might be, Molson deferred to his GM. But he did The Athletic sat down with the Canadiens’ president, majority owner and indicate he sees areas of improvement all over the roster. NHL Board of Governors executive committee member to ask those Last season marked the conclusion of a three-year, $100 million plan to questions and more. revamp the club’s arena. Restaurants and concessions were opened, It was a welcome change for Molson not to have to turn up at the seats were upgraded, the in-game presentation was updated (if not quite season-ending news conference this year to offer a mea culpa. Despite overhauled). There were new bells, there were new whistles. More will the fact his club fell short of the playoffs there are few complaints about follow this coming autumn, albeit on a more modest scale. the team’s performance. Well, fewer anyway. “We’ve invested a lot of money into the building to give the fans a better The Canadiens were actually exciting and fun to watch in 2018-19, and experience, there’s some small tweaks we’re going to make this summer the man who cuts the cheques certainly enjoyed himself more. to make it even better,” he said. “But we feel like we’ve just been through the first year of learning with two new restaurants, a new menu, we’re “We brought in a few new faces, our scouting staff and general manager upgrading our suites, upgrading our seats. We have another year where thought they knew what they were getting but at the end of the day we we still have to learn from our customers.” started with some new players and moved out some important players — Galchenyuk and Pacioretty — so there was a lot of uncertainty,” he said, Sports clubs, and customer-focused businesses in general, like to peddle “And to see those new players settle in to our team and enjoy themselves the comfortable fiction that your comments are important to them. In at gave me great satisfaction. Not only because they did that, but because least one case it appears the Canadiens are going to try and walk the they’re fairly young. Then you throw in a couple of young guys who came walk. The downtown lot on which the Bell Centre was built required in and contributed, it makes me feel good for the short-term future.” certain design compromises in terms of concourse accessibility; overcoming those is becoming a more urgent area of focus. More than that, he continued, the performances from prospects like Alexander Romanov, Ryan Poehling and Nick Suzuki create the hope People do, after all, need to get to and from a restroom from time to time. that the trajectory will head upward not just for one or two seasons, but “The biggest dilemma we have, that really nobody (in the league) has well into the next decade. The Canadiens have already begun planning found a solution to and we continue to work towards, is giving our fans a for that future on the corporate side. chance at the end of a period to leave their seats, get some food or a When Molson appointed Bergevin as his GM seven years ago, the face drink, use the bathroom if they need to use the bathroom and get back to of the team was represented by the likes of Carey Price, P.K. Subban their seat in time for the faceoff of the next period,” Molson said. “It’s and Max Pacioretty, and eventually by people like Brendan Gallagher really hard to do . . . we’re looking at speed of service, more points of and Alex Galchenyuk. Price is still around of course, as is Gallagher, but sale, so people can have the chance they need to do everything they there’s a new wave of players on the way and the face will change again. need to do.” The team is evidently sensitive to laying that groundwork and Another area the Canadiens will seek to improve is the in-game emphasizing the future. presentation. The club used to be an industry leader, partly because it “We’re heading into a period over the next few years that is probably had to be in order to honour the Canadiens’ legacy. As is usually the going to be very exciting for the team,” Molson said. “Whether it’s next case, the eminent magazine writer Michael Farber put it best: year, or the year after, or the year after that, there’s some really top talent THE ONLY TWO ORGANIZATIONS IN WESTERN CIVILIZATION THAT coming into our organization. From a business and marketing and TRULY GET CEREMONY: THE HOUSE OF WINDSOR AND THE communications perspective, we prepare for that and try and adjust our MONTREAL CANADIENS. messaging so that we can maximize or capitalize on the talent that’s coming.” — MICHAEL FARBER (@MICHAELFARBER3) OCTOBER 1, 2013

Though the season is over for the players and coaches, the grunt work in In an interview with The Athletic last fall, Molson alluded to the constant the front office and on the business side of the Canadiens’ operation is challenge presented by the spectacle side of hockey. The baseline only just beginning. There are ad campaigns to plan, new branding condition is, of course, what’s happening on the ice, but the club initiatives to fine tune, and decisions to make on how and where to continues to be preoccupied by the in-game presentation which, let’s be deploy the Canadiens’ financial might. frank, has been surpassed by places like Las Vegas. “We made a lot of changes last year; some of the things we did were a test that didn’t go so well, other things we liked a lot and will do more of,” he said. “That’s part of the analysis, there are always fresh ideas we like to bring to our fans. In a particular game, for example, if it’s 5-0 for the Canadiens you can have a show that tailors to the attitude the fans have at that moment. If it’s 2-2, they’re feeling a little different. If we’re losing 5- 0 they’re definitely feeling different. There’s all kinds of different spectrums, we need to, and we continue to, tailor our show to maximize the experience depending on the situation.”

Molson recognizes the benefit of having dozens of acts come to his building, and of watching his team play in other cities, and it’s become a renewed area of focus for him.

“I study that stuff all the time, there’s always new ways of doing things, and we need to be on top of that,” he said. “This year I think we had a good year, it helps the team performed well, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to be good next year, we need to continuously look to improve.”

Please tell us the concept of improvement doesn’t include bringing back the ridiculous scoreboard bongo overlay to encourage unsuspecting fans to mime drumming between whistles.

“I haven’t seen the final plan,” he laughed, “but the good news is I don’t remember seeing it in the plan I have.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145827 Nashville Predators This season they were division champions for the second straight year, an early favorite to make it where they weren't on this night.

"It's fantastic where we’ve come from in our franchise," general manager Two years after Predators first Stanley Cup Final game, Bridgestone said soon after the season ended. "It's no longer OK just to Arena mostly quiet win the Central Division, which is a huge task. There is those two separate seasons — the regular season and the playoffs. My disappointment is really in the playoffs." Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean Published 5:00 a.m. CT May 31, 2019 | Updated 11:14 a.m. CT May 31, 2019 Shows must go on

A couple of dozen men wore helmets inside Bridgestone. Their names weren't Filip or P.K. or Roman or Pekka, who have all since scattered to As the sun set on Nashville on Wednesday night, the band playing at begin their long summers. Rippy's on Fifth and Broadway could be heard in the distance. Men sporting hard hats and working boots were in their place, echoes of The music competed with the patrons who packed the rooftop bar at their metal tools clanging against the concrete where the ice had been. Pancho and Lefty's. The scoreboard was dark. The sound system silent. Across the street, Bridgestone Arena sat mostly dark, lonely and quiet, though, as Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Bruins and Two green cranes, which beeped occasionally when they went to work, Blues was about to begin some 1,100 miles away in Boston. sat mostly idle and at the ready. Wires and chains stretched neatly from the rafters to the floor. A performance stage in the late phases of It might as well have been a million miles away. construction was perched where the hockey benches usually are.

A few passersby stopped to take pictures outside the arena. Most walked Not long after I settled into a seat in Section 111 did Charlie Coyle put — or scooted — past without so much as a first glance. A couple of the Bruins ahead 1-0 in a game they lost 3-2 in overtime to the Blues, women sipped on drinks outside Tavern 96. who went from worst in the NHL on Jan. 1 to tying the series 1-1.

An ad for a nine-game Predators mini season-ticket plan flashed on a Exactly where the Predators hoped they'd be. The work to get back there screen, along with Filip Forsberg's face, on the side of the building facing already having begun. Broadway. A reminder that the Predators' aspirations are on hold. "There's some issues to be addressed," Poile said. "I believe there will be Banners dangled from lamp posts, reminding people of CMA Fest and some changes. There was some disappointments this year. We have to the CMT Music Awards show coming to town next week. put our heads together and figure it out."

The Stanley Cup Final isn't. Not this year. That notion ended more than Wait till next year five weeks ago, when the Predators lost to the Stars in six games in the first round. With Game 2 heading to overtime and my parking meter about to run out, I left Section 111 and headed downstairs to the event level of the arena. Quiet on the set More white paper signs dotted the hallway walls and doors, with various Two years ago to the day Wednesday, Nashville's professional hockey instructions for the CMT Music Awards. The visitor's locker room was team was playing in the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final game, which it designated for prompters/pre-read, glam, wardrobe and presenters. lost 5-3 in Pittsburgh against the Penguins. The door to the Predators locker room was closed, though, void of any Two years ago to the day Wednesday, Bridgestone Arena was filled with signs. hope and optimism — and more than 3,000 fans who watched that game together on big screens while the party spilled into the now-empty streets Waiting to be used again in a few long months. outside. Tennessean LOADED: 06.01.2019 On Wednesday, the attendance there was one.

Me.

I went because I miss hockey. I went because, well, I was curious about what was going in and around Bridgestone in lieu of hockey.

Thanks to the Predators' early exit from the playoffs, preparations began early for the CMT Music Awards and not Game 3 of the Final.

A paper sign was taped to the door going into the arena from the garage, instructing people how to pick up credentials and parking vouchers for the event.

A TV was tuned to Game 2 just inside the entrance, where a lone woman working paid little attention to the Blues victory, the first in a Stanley Cup Final in their history.

The beer and food and merchandise pitchers on the main concourse were absent. Trunks filled with tools and equipment littered the space along the walls.

Even the catfish tank inside the arena was empty.

"For the safety of Ben & Gill, they have gone on vacation while we work to enhance their home in Smashville," a sign taped to the tank read.

Paul Skrbina and Joe Rexrode discuss the Predators game 6 loss to the Stars Nashville Tennessean

Wednesday also marked the two-year anniversary of the "instruments of crime," words spelled out in big blue letters across the top of the tank, an ode to a fan throwing a catfish onto the ice during Game 1 in 2017.

The Predators were an improbable finalist that season. An eight seed with few external expectations. 1145828 New Jersey Devils

NHL Draft 2019: What Jack Hughes said to Devils during scouting combine interview (VIDEO)

Updated May 31, 8:47 AM; Posted May 31, 8:28 AM

By Chris Ryan

The Devils planned to conduct more than 60 interviews with prospects for the 2019 NHL Draft at this week’s NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo.

It’s safe to say their interview with Jack Hughes ranked among the most important of the bunch.

Hughes is expected to be one of two options for the Devils when they make the No. 1 overall selection at the draft on June 21 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, so their interview with the American center was important.

Kyle Palmieri was a product of the United States National Development Program prior to being drafted by the Anaheim Ducks. Potential No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft, Jack Hughes, could be the first player to ever jump from the USNDP directly to the NHL.

The Devils did not get to interview fellow top prospect Kaapo Kakko in Buffalo, since he skipped the combine after winning the IIHF Men’s World Championship with Finland last week.

Following their session with Hughes, the Devils released video of his answers to three questions posed during the meeting.

What does success mean to top prospect Jack Hughes?

A Stanley Cup. pic.twitter.com/u5Fhy3Js10

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) May 30, 2019

Here’s a glimpse at the questions and what Hughes said.

Question from Dr. Aimee Kimball (Devils director, player and team development): “Define success for me.”

Hughes: "In life, it’s making a purpose and achieving that, right? Dedicating your life to something, dedicating time to something, ending up achieving it and maybe doing better than that. Me personally, that would be a Stanley Cup. That’s something I’ve dreamed of my whole life. I think that’s why every hockey player at this level plays.

Question from GM Ray Shero: What do you know about yourself or about your game that you might not have known if you just stopped playing at the U18s and didn’t go to the World Championships?

Hughes: “Easy thing to do for me was to go back home, golf every day, hang out with my buddies until we leave for the combine. That was the easy thing to do. I just broke (Alex) Ovechkin’s (U18) record. I had 20 points in seven games. I felt I had more left in the tank, and I did the hard thing, which was go to men’s worlds, play a third-line center role. And I feel like I did that all for the experience to play against men and be around men.”

Question from assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald: “Do you have any fear at all of next season, coming into the best league in the world?”

Hughes: “No. I don’t think there’s any fear in me. For me it’s something I dreamed of my whole life. For me, I read and react. I think when I have time and space, I’m a threat to score or a threat to make a really nice play. It’s exciting. I think it would be unbelievable to play in the NHL as an 18-year-old.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145829 New Jersey Devils “I think I’d look good in either one,” he said.

Bergen Record LOADED: 06.01.2019

Jack Hughes on Kaapo Kakko: 'We’ll be linked together for a long time'

Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 8:20 p.m. ET May 31, 2019

BUFFALO — Back in 2010 it was Taylor and Tyler. Two years ago, it was Nico and Nolan. Somewhere in the middle of those, it was the less alliterative duo of McDavid and Eichel.

Every few years there are two players who dominate the conversation ahead of the NHL Draft. Which will go first? Which deserves to go first? Which player is the most “NHL ready?”

All three of those pairs have lived up to the hype. Now, the focus has shifted to the 2019 1-2 tandem of Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko.

“I think it’s good competition,” Hughes said Friday in Buffalo at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine. “Every year they do that, they’re competing with each other. I think we’ll be linked together for a long time.”

Jack and Kaapo will be linked to one another through the 2019 NHL Draft but their connection will go beyond two days in Vancouver. With the Devils and Rangers owning the first two picks in the draft, they’ll share that New York spotlight, one that always seems to burn harder and hotter than others.

Hughes had the spotlight all to himself this week in Buffalo after Kakko pulled out of the event at the last minute. The 18-year-old winger helped Finland capture an IIHF World Championship last week and he’s busy celebrating the win at home in a country that holds a title like that in similar regards to a Stanley Cup.

But Kakko’s absence didn’t do much to diminish his star power in Buffalo. His six goals in the international event did nothing but bolster his stock.

“It has zero effect, really,” NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr said. “I know he would be here if he could but he’s a world champion before he’s even stepped on the ice in the National Hockey League and that’s a pretty special event in his life. I know for sure he would be here if he could.”

Time to dream: How Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko fit for Devils and Rangers

The top teams will get to spend time with him when he heads to North America for the draft. Hughes, on the other hand, interviewed with 10 teams this week, including the Rangers and Devils. He was polished, poised and articulate as he sat in the middle of one of a scrum so large it would intimidate many 27-year-olds.

Maybe it’s the Hughes family that has readied the middle child for the hockey hype machine.

His story is well-told: The son of Jim, who previously worked as the director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ellen, a three-sport athlete who was so good in hockey, lacrosse and soccer she now holds a spot in the New Hampshire Athletics Hall of Fame, and the brother of Quinn, who went through this process last year before being taken seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks. Don’t forget about Luke, who may very well be a first-round pick himself next year.

But this is Jack’s story. And Jack has made it known he wants to go No. 1. He’s unafraid of saying it and says it without pretension and without ego.

A product of the U.S. National Development Team Program, he checked his ego at the door along with all of his other teammates. Jack might be a generational player, a speedy center capable of making plays some could only make on video games, but he’s also a typical teenager when the cameras are off.

“He’s kind of a goofy kid,” Trevor Zegras, his USNDTP teammate said. “He loves golf and loves hanging out with his buddies. Just kind of goofy, making funny jokes. To me, he’s always just been Jack though.”

So, will it be Jack or will it be Kaapo? The hype isn’t about to die down anytime soon but the top prospect in Buffalo will be happy wearing red or wearing blue. 1145830 New Jersey Devils It is very unlikely that with two such highly touted prospects at the top of the draft that either the Devils or Rangers would consider trading their picks. The return would have to be monumental.

Devils’ mind seen as made up on Jack Hughes-Kaapo Kakko pick So odds are that Hughes and Kakko will be taken to Mulberry Street and Broadway, and likely in that order. And in the words of another agent who agreed with that scenario, “Either way, both teams are getting great By Brett Cyrgalis players.”

May 31, 2019 | 8:58pm | Updated New York Post LOADED: 06.01.2019

BUFFALO — Yes, the World Championships did make some people think twice. The terrific performance from Finland’s Kaapo Kakko did make some people doubt who the Devils might take with the No. 1- overall selection in the draft — and therefore, who the Rangers might get with No. 2.

But as the NHL Combine comes to a close here this weekend, the consensus remains that New Jersey general manager Ray Shero is still going to take Jack Hughes with the top pick when that time comes on June 21 in Vancouver.

An anonymous poll by The Post of numerous people in and around the league led to the conclusion that Kakko’s performance for his Finnish team that won the gold medal at the international men’s competition in Slovakia this past week did raise his stock. It solidified what Kakko himself said during the tournament, that he and Hughes were “pretty even.”

But the most common refrain pointing toward Shero taking Hughes was their shared nationality. Shero and Devils coach John Hynes have very strong ties to the U.S. Developmental program that Hughes is coming from, and that seems to be the tipping point.

“Good, American hockey family,” is how one NHL coach emphasized his guess on Hughes going first.

Hughes, who just turned 18 years old on May 14, had long been thought of as the lock to go top overall. He is a terrifically talented offensive center, thus far mitigating his frame of 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds. His older brother, Quinn, was taken No. 7-overall a year ago by the Canucks. Their father, Jim, had been a captain at Providence, an assistant coach for the Bruins, a director of player development for the Maple Leafs — and was recently hired to work for CAA, the most influential player agency that will represent Jack. Even their mother, Ellen, played on the women’s silver-medal winning hockey team in the 1992 World Championships.

“Just hard to see them passing,” said one league scout who spent the week up here at the combine, interviewing players that included Hughes but not Kakko, who decided to stay back in Finland after extensive travel. Kakko’s absence from the combine was universally dismissed as unimportant to his draft status, just as it wasn’t overly important that Hughes was here to go through the cursory 20-minute interviews with each team.

One of the common phrases that got knocked around while Kakko was playing a prominent role for his Finnish team in the Worlds, scoring six goals in 10 games, was that he was “NHL ready.” Standing 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Kakko spent the past 13 months winning three international tournaments for Finland — the under-18, the under-20, and then the men’s World Championships, only the seventh player in history to win all three.

“With that type of impact at such a young age,” said one prominent agent, “I would have a tough time passing on Kakko.”

Yet as one front-office person pointed out, there might be still more upside for Hughes down the line. There was a tempered comparison to the Flames Johnny Gaudreau, who was also thought of as undersized when he fell all the way to the fourth round in 2011 before excelling at Boston College and becoming one of the most dynamic players in the league — despite being 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds.

“[Hughes] is more advanced than Johnny was at this age,” the scout said, before quickly adding, “but who knows.”

Then there is the resonating comments from one of the best American players of all time, Patrick Kane, who recently stated, “I think [Hughes] does a lot of things better than me.” There might have been a little bit of national pride in that comment, but nationality does play a role in evaluating players. 1145831 New Jersey Devils If he can’t imagine the level of pressure that Hughes has dealt with since being pegged as a no-doubt future star years ago …

“Jack doesn’t see it as pressure,” said Ellen Hughes, Jack’s mother. “He What Jack Hughes took away from his different, but ‘invaluable,’ just wants to be the best and at his best and have the opportunity to play experience at the worlds and be an impact kid. In this particular situation, the stars and the moon are not all lined up that way. But he understands that’s good for him as a human, as well. So we’ve seen him mature throughout these two weeks.” By Corey Masisak May 31, 2019 “Yeah, we’ve seen him grow mentally here,” Jim added.

“You don’t get to where he is without not settling,” Ellen continued. “But A couple of young volunteers at the IIHF world championships waited he’s had pressure when you grew up in Toronto, he always played a year eagerly near the stairwell that led to the United States locker room at up. There’s pressure on this kid, which we see it as pressure, and it’s Steel Arena, shortly after the Americans had wrapped up a practice one never been pressure for him.” afternoon in the middle of the tournament. While Hughes had just one point in his first six games in Slovakia, he had Players sporadically filtered up the stairs and headed for the exit that led his moments in his truncated ice time. Great Britain goaltender Ben to the team bus. There were NHL All-Stars and Stanley Cup champions. Bowns made the save of the tournament on Hughes, robbing him of a The volunteers watched them walk by and kept waiting. goal.

Finally, they asked one of the last players to pass by if he would stop to JACK HUGHES GETS ABSOLUTELY ROBBED OF HIS FIRST sign an autograph. It was Jack Hughes, the youngest player in the CAREER GOAL AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS tournament and the potential No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. PIC.TWITTER.COM/RNKIX306LV

The on-ice production component of Hughes’ trip to Slovakia did not — BRADY TRETTENERO (@BRADYTRETT) MAY 15, 2019 meet the expectations set for a player who has shattered amateur records previously held by future NHL stars and made him one of the He set up several scoring chances, including some Grade-A ones for van most anticipated American prospects in the history of the sport. He Riemsdyk, in the first couple of games, but wasn’t rewarded for it. finished the tournament with three points (all assists) in seven games, Hughes also had some inconsistent games, including the one against with the United States losing to Russia in the quarterfinals. Germany just before he was scratched against Canada.

After dominating opponents, locally, nationally and internationally at the The lessons Hughes learned in Slovakia will help him prepare for next amateur level, this was a different type of experience for Hughes. season, when he will become the first player to go directly from the United States National Team Development Program to the NHL. He has “Quite frankly, it’s been a learning curve,” said Jim Hughes, Jack’s father, trained with NHL players and skated with them in pickup games last in Slovakia. “Because anytime you play in a World Cup or an Olympic summer, but this was his first chance to face pros in a high-leverage team — or in this case, it’s like an All-Star team — he has to find his way environment. inside of a really senior type of room. So he’s not used to playing nine or 10 minutes, he’s used to playing 21 minutes. He’s used to seeing certain “I think he’s been awesome,” said Quinn Hughes, who was back with the situations inside a hockey game. But he certainly knows why he came U.S. in this tournament for a second time and was Jack’s roommate in here. He came here to get greater exposure. Kosice. “For him, just the experience to be in the locker room with the pro guys and see what that’s like, this tournament is all about trying to “It was so positive for (his brother) Quinn last year. It is like going to prepare him for next year in the NHL. He hasn’t had a lot of ice time, but Harvard business school. He’s sitting next to (Patrick) Kane in the locker he’s handled it great and been a great teammate. He’s got the big picture room. He’s having dinner with (James) van Riemsdyk and going out with in his head and he’s been really smart. I think this has been good for him (Alex) DeBrincat and (Ryan) Suter. That experience and exposure is because now he knows more about what he needs to do this summer. I invaluable. You can’t buy that type of experience. And so, is it the think he’s looking forward to next year.” tournament that he expected or wanted? Probably not in some ways, and yet, this experience will help him so much as he moves forward into Hughes spent nearly the duration of the tournament playing on the wing, September and October. He’s going to be able to lean on some of these despite his potential to become a franchise center in the NHL. If it wasn’t experiences and that part of the journey is really important.” clear before the world championships, Hughes is going to need to add some bulk to his lean frame to handle the rigors of battling for pucks Hughes was a late addition to this U.S. team, which included eight along the walls of NHL rinks. players who were selected within the first 10 picks of their NHL draft classes and three who either went first or second. Still, Hughes was The skating — both his top-end speed and ability to change directions clearly one of the headliners, from the amount of interviews he did to the and dance on the ice like few prospects ever have — combined with his attention he drew from fans and the assembled media. passing vision, hockey IQ and competitive desire, are going to make Hughes an electric offensive player very early in his NHL career. How He began the tournament playing with van Riemsdyk and Clayton Keller much core and lower-body strength he can add, and how quickly, will on what was essentially the team’s third line. An injury to Johnny determine how soon he could be an all-around star. Gaudreau opened a spot higher up in the lineup, so Hughes played a couple of games alongside Jack Eichel and Chris Kreider. “I think he can do it for sure,” Kane said about Hughes playing center in the NHL. “He’s so good coming up the middle of the ice with speed. I Hughes was scratched for the final preliminary round game against think it’s a little bit different game over here (at the world championships) Canada, but returned to the lineup against Russia and had his best because there’s a little bit more interference that they don’t call. If you get outing of the tournament. He finished with two assists in the 4-3 loss and that speed going up the ice and get behind defensemen, I can see him was named the U.S. player of the game. creating a lot of odd-man rushes.”

“He makes a lot of plays at high speed. He’s got some great edges and Kane is one of the players Hughes is most often compared to. They are great hands. As he gets bigger and stronger, he’s going to be even more similar in size, from both a height and bulk standpoint. Like Kane, dominant,” Eichel said. “I can’t imagine being in his position right now Hughes is a playmaker first who can also rack up goals. Kane has only because there’s got to be a lot of pressure on him. I think he’s handled rarely played center in the NHL, early in his career when the Chicago everything so well and he is playing really well for us. Blackhawks didn’t have a reliable option behind Jonathan Toews.

“He’s just going to continue to mature, and as he does that, he’s going to “Kane had 110 points (this past season),” TSN analyst Ray Ferraro said. be a superstar in the NHL. It’s been great getting to know him and it was “DeBrincat scored 41 goals. Gaudreau had 99 points. Now, if you’re fun to play with him.” telling me he can be a winger and be a 99-point guy, then I’m good with that. If he’s a (47)-point guy, as Keller was last year, then I want (Kaapo) Eichel actually was in a similar position to Hughes not so long ago. The Kakko. It’s hard to project. I think you have to look for not just today but current Sabres center was a much-hyped amateur prospect, earning the the future. If your two top centers are Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, label “best American prospect since Kane” leading into the 2015 draft are you going to be strong enough, or is one of them going to have to go (eight years after Kane went No. 1 in 2007). Eichel went No. 2 to Buffalo to the wing? behind Connor McDavid. “I want Jack Hughes, with all that agility and skating, in the middle of the ice. I want him carrying the puck. I would say at his best stylistically, he’s like Kane. He’s not Gaudreau. There’s a difference in the way that they play. Stylistically, I see Hughes more in the middle of the ice. OK, but Kane is a right wing, so why not right wing? Hughes has never played right wing, and it’s a tough league to start at.

“I would draft him as a center.”

While Hughes is constantly compared to the best American players in the NHL, he’s also going to be forever linked to Kakko, who like Hughes is locked in as one of the top two prospects in this draft. Each player has produced in his respective environment — Hughes at the USNTDP, Kakko as a U-18 player in Finland’s top professional division — in ways that have never been accomplished before.

Like Hughes, Kakko faced a surge in media and fan attention in Slovakia, and the meeting between Finland and the United States was one of the most hyped games of the tournament. Kakko had an incredible start to the event and finished with six goals and seven points in 10 games, helping Finland claim the gold medal despite a roster of players who combined to score zero goals in the NHL last season.

Just like Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, and most recently Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine, having two elite prospects at the top of a class who are similar in their potential for stardom but different in their style and position adds drama. It provides a hook for casual fans who might otherwise not be all that invested in the amateur draft. Add in that Hughes and Kakko are likely to end up on opposite sides of the Hudson River rivalry, with the Devils and Rangers owning the first two picks, and there’s even more intrigue.

Hughes and Kakko had different experiences in Slovakia, from different roles on their teams to different results. As Jim Hughes put it, the tournament was an important part of the overall journey for his son, just like it almost assuredly was for Petri Kakko’s son, as well.

“I think (Hughes has) handled it very well,” said Devils assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald at the NHL scouting combine in Buffalo. The Devils’ front office contingent met with Hughes for 20 minutes on Tuesday. On Wednesday night, a few members of the organization went to dinner with Jack and his agent, Pat Brisson of CAA Sports.

“He’s very mature. We had him out to dinner and he just reminds me of those guys who have been in the spotlight since they were eight, nine, 10 years old,” Fitzgerald said. “Speaks extremely well, very thoughtful. He’s not scripted. Listening to him talking about picking Kane’s brain in the locker room and watching some of the older guys at practice and being able to compare how his brother, Quinn, is to someone like Ryan Suter who had his whole family there and calling Cory and Jill Schneider ‘Mr. and Mrs. Schneider’ — I thought he was talking about Cory’s parents for a second — these were real, valuable life experiences for him.

“He could have taken the easy road. He could have stayed home and said, ‘My season’s over, I’ve played a lot of hockey, I’m going to take some time with my buddies, play some golf.’ But chose the hard road. You can’t get any higher (in the draft) than where he was after breaking Alex Ovechkin’s record (at the U-18 world championship), but he chose to go for that experience.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145832 New York Islanders

Islanders sign forwards Arnaud Durandeau and Tanner Fritz

By Andrew Gross

Updated May 31, 2019 9:04 PM

The Islanders hope forwards Cal Clutterbuck and Andrew Ladd can progress from offseason surgery, but regardless of their status, president and general manager Lou Lamoriello took strides to bolster the organization’s forward depth with two signings on Friday.

Arnaud Durandeau, a sixth-round pick in 2017, agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal after wrapping up his four-season Quebec Major Junior Hockey League career with a career-high 38 goals and 35 assists in 68 games for Halifax. The Islanders would have lost their rights to the 20- year-old left wing at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Impending unrestricted free agent center Tanner Fritz agreed to a two- year pact. The Islanders did not release financial terms, but an NHL source said Fritz will get $700,000 this season and that the second season is a two-way deal worth $700,000 in the NHL and $250,000 in the AHL.

Fritz, 27, had one assist in eight games for the Islanders last season and was named an AHL All-Star, but he missed a chance to play in the NHL playoffs because of season-ending surgery to remove a blood clot from his hand.

The Islanders reported Clutterbuck had back surgery and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in September.

Ladd had surgery in March to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and was expected to miss up to five months with the aim of being available for training camp. He missed all of training camp with a back issue, was sidelined during the season with an injured right knee and was limited to 26 games last season.

The Islanders still have other impending UFAs, most notably captain Anders Lee, goalie Robin Lehner, top-line right wing Jordan Eberle and third-line center Valtteri Filppula.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145833 New York Islanders remainder of the season in Bridgeport. Lamoriello has no plans to get rid of the mercurial 22-year-old Ho-Sang, who needs a qualifying offer and a new deal.

Cal Clutterbuck surgery, Noah Dobson intrigue: Lou Lamoriello updates “He will be qualified,” Lamoriello said. “We’ll just see. I thought he grew on the Islanders’ offseason as the season went on, he came a long way and had a decent playoff. He’ll be in camp and like all the young players, he’ll determine his future.”

By Arthur Staple May 31, 2019 — On the international front, Lamoriello said there were plenty of conversations with Paul Theofanous, Ilya Sorokin’s North American agent, about the Isles’ coveted goalie prospect leaving the KHL with a year left on his contract with CSKA Moscow to join the organization. But Cal Clutterbuck has had back surgery already. Now it’s a question of it doesn’t seem like it’ll happen before Sorokin’s deal ends after the 2019- whether the veteran winger will be ready for training camp. 20 KHL season. “It’s my understanding he will be,” Lou Lamoriello told The Athletic on “There’s certainly dialogue all the time, but he does have a contract so Friday, “but honestly it’s a process I don’t know much about. He’s doing there are extenuating circumstances,” Lamoriello said. “He’s someone well right now. I get updates all the time, he’s been here. We just have to we’d love to have come over as soon as possible.” trust the process and the doctors. It turned out the way the doctors felt it would.” Linus Soderstrom, taken in the fourth round of that same 2014 draft in which Sorokin was selected in the third round, will be at Isles prospect Clutterbuck reported on breakup day May 6 that he’d been playing camp next month after a lost 2018-19 to injury. Soderstrom was ticketed through a host of back ailments, including two slipped discs, two rotated for Bridgeport this past season, but injury derailed his entire year after he vertebrae and a stress fracture. He tried to play through it but had to sit missed the second half of the season in 2017- out Game 4 of the Isles’ loss to the Hurricanes and knew surgery was a 18 to a different injury. likely outcome; it just depended whether it would be something major with a months-long recovery or something more minor with therapy to “We’ve stayed in communication,” Lamoriello said. “He hadn’t been on alleviate the rest of the pain. the ice for a while. He is on the ice now and he will be here for camp. I can’t make a comment on his progress until we see him.” We still don’t know, but indications from Lamoriello’s comments are that Clutterbuck had the more invasive surgery that could take his recovery Also making his prospect camp debut next month will be Ruslan up close to the start of training camp. Iskhakov, the 43rd pick in last year’s draft. He had a decent freshman year at UConn after coming over from Russia. The only other lingering injury issue among Islanders veterans is Andrew Ladd’s recovery from surgery to repair a torn ACL in March. Lamoriello — On Friday, the Islanders signed 2017 sixth-round pick Arnaud said that recovery is “more black and white,” with a 5-6 month timeline Durandeau. Durandeau had a strong season for Halifax, scoring 38-35- that will take Ladd into camp and likely the 2019-20 regular season. 73 as a 20-year-old. Durandeau is a decent-skating winger who plays with an edge and has a pro-caliber shot. The Isles are still pretty thin on Lamoriello addressed a few other Islanders topics in a short interview on wingers in the pipeline. Friday: — Lamoriello said he envisions no changes to his front office and the — The Islanders president/GM is particularly enthused about 2018 first- Islanders are waiting to see if associate coach Lane Lambert gets the rounder Noah Dobson, who just won his second consecutive Memorial Anaheim job, which is the only open head coaching position left. Cup. Dobson was named a All-Star for a second straight year after his midseason trade from Acadie-Bathurst of the QMJHL to “Until that’s decided, everything is status quo because that changes a Rouyn-Noranda spurred the Huskies on to a QMJHL title and a Memorial lot,” Lamoriello said. Cup win over host Halifax. It’s perhaps a bit of a surprise that Lamoriello hasn’t made any major “The two years he’s had, I’d be awfully disappointed if he didn’t have a changes to the scouting or player development departments he inherited great chance of making this team,” Lamoriello said. “We’ll obviously have from Garth Snow. Snow was at the draft table in Dallas last June when to see, but he’s had two exceptional years under pressure situations. You Lamoriello held onto all of the Isles picks and restocked the farm system; can’t get any higher in junior hockey than he’s gotten and he’s a terrific now Snow isn’t around but the main amateur scouts — Vellu Kautonen, kid.” Trent Klatt and Jeff Napierala — remain.

The only issue, of course, is that Dobson would have to go back to “They’ve done an outstanding job,” Lamoriello said. “The draft we had juniors if he doesn’t make the Islanders next season. That’s a different last year — this was their draft, the scouts who were here and I thought decision than the one the Islanders have on Bode Wilde, who is coming they did an excellent job. We’ve got a couple great prospects and 1-2 off an impressive season for Saginaw in the OHL. Because Wilde was who can come forward that people might not have thought about. So drafted out of the U.S. amateur system and not Canadian junior hockey, we’re going forward with this group.” the Islanders can have Wilde play in Bridgeport as a teenager. — Brock Nelson’s six-year deal for $6 million per year was an important “Certainly they’ll both be given every opportunity,” Lamoriello said. “It’s first step for the Islanders’ offseason plans. Lamoriello reiterated Friday the players who make those decisions by their play.” he wants to retain the team’s other main pending UFAs — Anders Lee, Robin Lehner and Jordan Eberle — and feels there’s still room to — Lamoriello was impressed not only with how Oliver Wahlstrom played, improve if all four come back. after the Isles’ other 2018 first-rounder left Boston College to sign his pro deal and finish the season in the AHL. Lamoriello also liked Wahlstrom’s “We want all our free agents back, we’re going to work as hard as we can attitude. to get it to come about,” he said. “That’s all I can say at this point. Brock is under contract, the others are not, but nothing should be read into “I never realized what a great teammate he is,” Lamoriello said of there. Wahlstrom, who had 2-1-3 in five regular-season games and 2-2-4 in the Sound Tigers’ five-game playoff loss to Hershey. “He was the youngest “We just have to make sure all our decisions are not just for today — for player there in Bridgeport and he was very humble and respectful. What I tomorrow, as well, on the planning end of it. But we’re in good shape with saw of him at BC and what I saw of him and the way he played in the ability to do things to get better. Right now, my priority is the people Bridgeport, I couldn’t be more pleased. He certainly rose to the occasion. who have been here.” His work ethic, his dedication, his commitment — he wants to be a hockey player. Lamoriello did re-sign one of his own second-tier free agents on Friday, bringing Tanner Fritz back on a two-year deal for forward depth. He gets “You put an asterisk next to their names sometimes because these are $700,000 per season. teenagers, but these are three (Dobson, Wilde, Wahlstrom) Grade-A prospects.” The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019

— Josh Ho-Sang was a lightning rod at times again this past season, not happy that he got only a 10-game look with the Islanders and spent the 1145834 New York Rangers

Jack Hughes already showing why many think he’ll be franchise star

By Brett Cyrgalis

June 1, 2019 | 12:30am

BUFFALO — All the game tape and all the scouting in the world can show you the skill. But the instant Jack Hughes opens his mouth to talk, like he did with a gaggle of lights and cameras and silly softball questions thrown at him during the NHL Scouting Combine media session on Friday afternoon, and it’s easy to see why so many consider him the type of person who could be the face of a franchise.

It was easy to see why the Devils are likely to take him with the No. 1- overall pick come June 21 in Vancouver, and easy to see why the Rangers would be salivating at No. 2 if somehow New Jersey general manager Ray Shero decided to take man-sized Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko instead.

Really, the best thing that could have happened to the Rangers was the breakout performance Kakko had at the World Championships last week in Slovakia, when he was a key contributor to his team winning the gold. Either Kakko’s on-ice performance swayed Shero enough to change what had been a long-standing consensus that Hughes should be the top pick, or the Blueshirts just saw theirs excel on the biggest stage he has ever seen. Even better was Kakko staying home instead of attending the combine, where his rising stock only could have plateaued. But one thing became very clear to this observer being around Hughes for the first time: The level of polish on this kid could blind you.

It was just over two weeks ago when Hughes turned 18, but he has been dealing with the spotlight for a long time — and dealing with it as if it’s a friendly conversation. He speaks in a soft, high-pitched monotone, but very unlike Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby before him, he has a charismatic smile and can crack the occasional joke that is actually kind of funny.

His teammates from the U.S. Development Program present here all described him as “goofy,” but that does not belie an overwhelming professionalism for an athlete his age. When asked about his size, he corrected everybody by saying, “First of all, I’m 5-11, so I don’t think I’m very small. I think I’m right in the middle.”

When asked if he thinks he would look better in Devils red or Rangers blue, he needed less than a second to come up with the perfect casual response.

“I think I’d look good in either,” he said.

Later, after he deftly dealt with a microphone snafu that had cameramen acting like they were on Normandy beach, Hughes was asked about the competition with Kakko, and what it would mean to be the No. 1 pick. He hardly minced words.

“I always dreamed of being No. 1. You don’t dream of being two, three, or four,” he said. “I want to be the first-overall pick. I feel like that would be a dream come true if that would happen.”

How about the big-picture perspective that he and Kakko are likely going to the two teams on either side of the Hudson River?

“I think we’ll be linked to each other for a lot of years with the Rangers and Devils right there,” he said. “It’s going to be exciting.”

Hughes looks the part, on and off the ice. It sure seems like the Devils would be foolish to pass him up, just as it would seem like the Rangers would be immeasurably lucky to have him drop into their lap. No matter which side of the Hudson River he lands, the kid is going to be a star.

New York Post LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145835 New York Rangers It is very unlikely that with two such highly touted prospects at the top of the draft that either the Devils or Rangers would consider trading their picks. The return would have to be monumental.

Devils’ mind seen as made up on Jack Hughes-Kaapo Kakko pick So odds are that Hughes and Kakko will be taken to Mulberry Street and Broadway, and likely in that order. And in the words of another agent who agreed with that scenario, “Either way, both teams are getting great By Brett Cyrgalis players.”

May 31, 2019 | 8:58pm | Updated New York Post LOADED: 06.01.2019

BUFFALO — Yes, the World Championships did make some people think twice. The terrific performance from Finland’s Kaapo Kakko did make some people doubt who the Devils might take with the No. 1- overall selection in the draft — and therefore, who the Rangers might get with No. 2.

But as the NHL Combine comes to a close here this weekend, the consensus remains that New Jersey general manager Ray Shero is still going to take Jack Hughes with the top pick when that time comes on June 21 in Vancouver.

An anonymous poll by The Post of numerous people in and around the league led to the conclusion that Kakko’s performance for his Finnish team that won the gold medal at the international men’s competition in Slovakia this past week did raise his stock. It solidified what Kakko himself said during the tournament, that he and Hughes were “pretty even.”

But the most common refrain pointing toward Shero taking Hughes was their shared nationality. Shero and Devils coach John Hynes have very strong ties to the U.S. Developmental program that Hughes is coming from, and that seems to be the tipping point.

“Good, American hockey family,” is how one NHL coach emphasized his guess on Hughes going first.

Hughes, who just turned 18 years old on May 14, had long been thought of as the lock to go top overall. He is a terrifically talented offensive center, thus far mitigating his frame of 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds. His older brother, Quinn, was taken No. 7-overall a year ago by the Canucks. Their father, Jim, had been a captain at Providence, an assistant coach for the Bruins, a director of player development for the Maple Leafs — and was recently hired to work for CAA, the most influential player agency that will represent Jack. Even their mother, Ellen, played on the women’s silver-medal winning hockey team in the 1992 World Championships.

“Just hard to see them passing,” said one league scout who spent the week up here at the combine, interviewing players that included Hughes but not Kakko, who decided to stay back in Finland after extensive travel. Kakko’s absence from the combine was universally dismissed as unimportant to his draft status, just as it wasn’t overly important that Hughes was here to go through the cursory 20-minute interviews with each team.

One of the common phrases that got knocked around while Kakko was playing a prominent role for his Finnish team in the Worlds, scoring six goals in 10 games, was that he was “NHL ready.” Standing 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Kakko spent the past 13 months winning three international tournaments for Finland — the under-18, the under-20, and then the men’s World Championships, only the seventh player in history to win all three.

“With that type of impact at such a young age,” said one prominent agent, “I would have a tough time passing on Kakko.”

Yet as one front-office person pointed out, there might be still more upside for Hughes down the line. There was a tempered comparison to the Flames Johnny Gaudreau, who was also thought of as undersized when he fell all the way to the fourth round in 2011 before excelling at Boston College and becoming one of the most dynamic players in the league — despite being 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds.

“[Hughes] is more advanced than Johnny was at this age,” the scout said, before quickly adding, “but who knows.”

Then there is the resonating comments from one of the best American players of all time, Patrick Kane, who recently stated, “I think [Hughes] does a lot of things better than me.” There might have been a little bit of national pride in that comment, but nationality does play a role in evaluating players. 1145836 New York Rangers

Rangers talk with Jack Hughes, likely the No. 1 pick in NHL Draft

By Colin Stephenson

Updated May 31, 2019 8:53 PM

BUFFALO — Jack Hughes, the young American forward who is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft this summer, was calm and polished and definitely looked ready to be the first player selected when he met with reporters Friday afternoon at the NHL Draft Combine.

When he was asked if he thought he would look better in the red of the Devils or the blue of the Rangers, he deftly delivered the perfect answer.

“I think I’d look good in either,’’ he said. “I mean, you know, the teams have seen us play probably 30 times this year. I think I had a great year, and either or, I’d be really happy.’’

The Devils won the first pick in the Draft Lottery and will make their selection on June 21 when the teams assemble in Vancouver. The Rangers got the second pick, and they’ll be happy to take whichever player — Hughes or Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko — the Devils don’t take. Hughes and Kakko are the consensus top two players available.

“We’re excited with the pick we have. Having moved up in the lottery and getting the second pick was exciting for everybody,’’ Rangers assistant general manager said. “Either way, we’re getting a terrific player at 2. It’s a great spot to be in.’’

The Rangers didn’t get a chance to interview Kakko or see him perform at the combine because after winning the World Championships with Finland on Sunday and then celebrating with the team on Monday, the 6- 2, 190-pound winger decided to pass on attending. And no one could blame him.

“I know he would be here if he could, but he’s a world champion before he’s even stepped on the ice in the National Hockey League. That’s a pretty special event in his life,’’ said Dan Marr, director of the NHL’s Central Scouting Service. “I think the teams understand that, and the teams at the top, they’re just going to have to spend a little more time with him when he comes over for the draft.’’

Devils general manager Ray Shero, speaking earlier in the week, declined to say which player he intends to take with the first pick, so the Rangers will have to do their due diligence on both players.

Drury was the general manager of the U.S. team for the World Championships. He selected Hughes for the squad and got to know him pretty well during the three weeks they spent together in Slovakia.

The rest of the Rangers’ management team jammed into a room for a 20- minute interview session with him this week that went well, according to Drury.

“I think, at one point, we had 17 people in the room from our organization. It’s a tight space for any of these kids to come in and have all of us firing questions at them in a 20-minute period,’’ he said. “And Jack was great in the interview. It was a good 20 minutes spent with him.’’

As for Kakko, Drury said the Rangers eventually will interview him.

“We’ll see how it plays out between now and the draft, but I’m sure at some point, if we can, we’ll be sitting down with him,’’ Drury said. “Honestly, I didn’t think he was coming anyway. You get that far in that tournament, you win the gold medal Sunday night, I would have been surprised if he did come to Buffalo.’’

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145837 NHL But again, a new arena costs big money, and the question of who pays for it becomes paramount.

It’s a similar holding pattern with the NHL Seattle decision on its first Former NHL Seattle senior adviser Dave Tippett cites lure of ‘day-to-day general manager. The man who hired Tippett as Edmonton’s coach, new energy’ as a reason for leaving GM Ken Holland, had been targeted by NHL Seattle until the Oilers blew all suitors away by giving him a record five-year, $25 million contract.

Geoff Baker Again, if launching in 2020 and not 2021, NHL Seattle would have already moved on and filled its GM role with somebody else. And while May 31, 2019 at 1:57 pm Updated May 31, 2019 at 2:24 PM that still might happen this year, the Seattle franchise can afford to wait another 12 months — perhaps leveraging a lower salary with potential

candidates — until that hire takes place. Just less than a year ago, newly-hired NHL Seattle senior adviser Dave That’s ultimately in NHL Seattle’s best interests. But for former Tippett lunched with me in Queen Anne and excitedly discussed his professional athlete competitors, waiting on a team that still doesn’t have newest hockey role with the incoming expansion franchise. a name or a hockey operations boss and won’t play for nearly 2½ years On Friday, we had a similar conversation by phone, only this time Tippett is a lot to ask. discussed the Edmonton Oilers and boosting their fortunes as that team’s For what it’s worth, Tippett said he’d turned down a couple of coaching new head coach. Alas, the Tippett legacy here will be such that when opportunities this past season but finally caved once the playoffs began. Seattle’s NHL franchise finally takes the ice in October 2021, a man who played among the biggest roles in shaping it will have already been gone “As spring came, just the playoffs looked like they were so much fun,’’ more than two years. Tippett said. “I missed that ‘in the pit’ everyday kind of thing.’’

And that was always the question hanging over Tippett: Whether he And he wasn’t going to cure that itch for “the day-to-day energy that could endure the wait for Seattle’s team to start playing meaningful comes from coaching or playing’’ in an executive role. Not right now, games. After all, he’s now 57 in a league where the average age of anyway. coaches is 54, and it’s been two years since his last bench job. “It was a different kind of work for me, and I really enjoyed it,’’ he said. Tippett knew this might be his final crack at offers that began during the “But on the other side is, there’s nothing like being down on that bench in regular season and continued throughout the playoffs. NHL Seattle a playoff game.’’ president and CEO Tod Leiweke had told him from the outset he could pursue coaching gigs, and Tippett had let him know it would either be this Again, at 57, he’s near the average coaching age. Seven NHL coaches year or never. are older than Tippett and seven younger ones are within three years of him. Two thirds of NHL coaches are 50 or older. “Tod and I talked about the possibility of maybe coaching in Seattle, but I don’t think that’s fair to them that I would sit out four or five years and He’ll be paid “in the ballpark” of the $3 million annually that’s been then come back,’’ Tippett said. “I’m just not sure I would want to do it reported, and there’s no way NHL Seattle would come near that for a after four years. And to wait that long and be out is just too long to be non-GM executive. away from it.’’ Instead, they’ll have to settle for knowing Tippett helped scout the AHL Tippett insisted the extra year’s delay in launching the Seattle franchise location, plan the Northgate training center and focus their mindset on — a decision that only came about last December — had zero impact on how a fledgling franchise should be built. his choice. “Tipp did everything we wanted and hoped and we’re so very happy for “I’ve said it before, I didn’t come to Seattle to be the GM or the coach,’’ him,’’ Leiweke said Friday. he said. “I came to help build the hockey infrastructure. That was my Tippett had equal praise for his now-former boss and said he’ll “miss the main focus, and I really enjoyed that.’’ day-to-day interaction’’ and the “intoxicating’’ energy within an NHL But it’s safe to say the year’s delay probably didn’t help keep him here. If Seattle group trying to get the franchise launched. Tippett was ever going to forgo coaching for a non-GM executive role in “I’ve told so many people how it’s an incredible group of people there,’’ Seattle, the excitement of the new team launching just 16 months from Tippett said. “If that team could be as tight as that group of people who now would have undoubtedly had greater pull than the current 28-month are building that arena and putting that team together, it’s going to be an wait time. amazing franchise.’’

NHL Seattle knew in December it would lose some momentum due to the A franchise that needs to restore some momentum — perhaps by finally delay. One of Tippett’s main areas of focus, finding a location for the announcing a team name and releasing season ticket prices this fall with franchise’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, had seen that call no further delays — that’s waned since its official December approval. narrowed down months ago to a choice between Palm Springs, California, or Boise, Idaho. Seattle Times LOADED: 06.01.2019

And while that news only became public the past week, little has changed on that AHL front since February. Back then, it was a matter of whether the Oak View Group (OVG) run by Leiweke’s brother, Tim, could get an arena built in its preferred California locale — adjacent to a major Los Angeles population center and boasting a plethora of resident ex- NHL players and wealthy hockey fans with vacation or retirement homes.

But OVG has its hands full overhauling KeyArena for a privately financed $930 million, plus a Northgate Mall training facility now projected for north of $80 million. If the Seattle team was launching in October 2020 instead of 2021, the AHL call would have already been made.

Instead, with the extra year, OVG now has time to leverage local politicians in both Palm Springs and Boise to sweeten the proverbial pot — whether that entails using public funds to build a new arena or refurbish an existing one.

Clearly, a brand-new arena designed specifically for AHL games would be preferable to an existing Boise venue now used by an ECHL team. The ECHL is considered a midlevel minor league, whereas AHL promotes more players directly to the NHL and typically requires bigger locker rooms and more state-of-the-art training facilities. 1145838 Ottawa Senators Emmanuel Perry grew up in Sandy Hill but moved to Montreal at the age of 18.

“You could say I grew up a Sens fan,” Perry said. “Although I didn’t really The curious case of Ottawa’s many connections to the analytics get seriously into hockey until after I moved. movement “I played house league as a kid and really liked it, but watching hockey wasn’t a real interest at that time. My dad grew up in Montreal and By Graeme Nichols May 31, 2019 remains a Habs fan to this day, but he never pressured me into adopting his fandom. In fact, I think he encouraged me to cheer for the city I’m from in the same way he did.”

Following in the footsteps of other professional sports, it was only a Perry moved to la belle province to attend school and it was there while matter of time before hockey experienced its own dramatic rise in studying math and physics at McGill that he began to take an interest in statistical hockey information. hockey analytics.

Behindthenet.ca, War-on-Ice.com and ExtraSkater.com were “Naturally I was drawn to statistics and data-driven methods of evaluating instrumental in helping popularize hockey data and making it more teams and players,” Perry said. accessible to fans. “The years that followed would include some significant moments like the And as their proprietors were scooped by progressive hockey clubs, it ‘Summer of Analytics’ and the collapse of a PDO-drunk Maple Leafs was only a matter of time before a number of alternatives spawned to team. It seemed obvious to me that there was a right and a wrong side of help fill the void. the so-called ‘debate’ and I knew which I wanted to be on.”

HockeyAnalysis.com, Puckalytics.com, Corsica.Hockey, Now 26 years old, Perry is responsible for creating what’s arguably one NaturalStatTrick.com and Hockeyviz.com became preeminent data of the best hockey data resources ever in Corsica.Hockey – since moved resources for fans and eventually it helped spawn sites like Puck++ and to the Nation Network at CorsicaHockey.com. Hockey-Graphs.com that delved into the data and presented in-depth analysis. Similarly, larger mainstream hubs like The Athletic and TSN.ca It is not the only accomplishment that Perry is proud of. embraced the trend and scooped up a number of prominent analysts of “While my version of xG wasn’t the first to be developed in hockey, I think their own. its availability on Corsica brought the concept of expected goals and Interestingly enough, each of the sites that I referenced to in the previous measurable shot quality into the mainstream. I also remain very proud of paragraph share a commonality: a connection to Ottawa. my WAR model even though such metrics have yet to gain much traction.” Whether an individual grew up in the Ottawa area or was at one point fans of the Senators, it’s incredible how a disproportionate number of Like many Senators fans in Ottawa who grew up in the nation’s capital these analysts and website developers got involved in the industry. without a team to cheer for until the early 90’s, Brad Timmins is a Maple Leafs convert who switched allegiances once the locals became more This list of names is absurd: Micah Blake McCurdy (HockeyViz.com); competitive. Travis Yost (TSN); Brad Timmins (NaturalStatTrick.com); Emmanuel Perry (Corsica.Hockey); Sean Tierney (Hockey-Graphs.com, TSN.ca); Eventually, Timmins’ love for the Senators and hockey spurred him to Matt Pfeffer (Hockey Operations Research & Development Data start seriously looking at data analysis when curiosity hit. Timmins Engineer for the Nashville Predators); David Johnson wanted to “get a better idea of Patrick Wiercioch’s impact on teammates (HockeyAnalysis.com, Puckalytics.com) and Josh Weissbock (Florida without Erik Karlsson skewing all of the (With or Without You numbers).” Panthers’ scouting department). Heck, even Toronto Maple Leafs This interest in numbers eventually led to writing gigs for SBNation’s general manager Kyle Dubas reportedly grew up as a Senators fan in Silver Seven and The Athletic Ottawa, but he is best known for the Sault Ste. Marie. invaluable work that he does running the excellent NaturalStatTrick.com.

It’s an impressive group of names, but each individual has their own Matt Pfeffer was making news at a young age for his involvement as a distinct specialization and story. consultant with the Peterborough Petes and Ottawa 67s.

Micah Blake McCurdy is a bit of a rock star in the hockey analytics realm. Pfeffer grew up in Orleans and despite having two parents who hailed Not only has he contributed to Hockey-Graphs.com, but his from Montreal, they selflessly promoted Senators fandom to Matt and his HockeyViz.com is renowned for its visualizations which allow visitors to sisters. easily understand the impacts a team or player has in a particular on-ice situation. McCurdy is a regular on the hockey analytics conference circuit The earliest playoff memories Pfeffer has are of Yashin’s last season in and if you have not had the opportunity to listen to him speak, he’s the Ottawa, a memorable time for all, but Pfeffer claims his peak fan years kind of charismatic individual who easily captures an audience’s attention were during the Battle of Ontario days. through an engaging blend of intelligent material and dry wit. Not surprisingly, with the Senators unable to get over the hump, Pfeffer’s Unlike some of the others, McCurdy is not from the Ottawa area. After passion for analytics was born out of his father’s interest in the front spending time in Sydney (Australia), Cambridge (England), Oradea office decisions being made by the Senators. (Romania), Aberdeen (Scotland) and Chatham (New Brunswick), the worldly analyst is currently living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. “My dad’s a computer programmer so that was definitely the way I was able to really get going once I got interested in it,” outlined the now 24- “I became a semi-serious Senators fan (with my dad) when they year-old Pfeffer. “The thing I remember most about my hockey fandom proposed a deal with the league one year that they and San Jose should growing up was that my dad was much more interested in the decide the first overall pick in the ’96 Draft by wins in the last few games management than the actual playing of hockey, which definitely shaped instead of by losses,” McCurdy explained. “The league didn’t go for it but my perception of hockey. I thought it was great and so did my dad.” “He used to talk about how random hockey was and that the pundit class The 35-year-old has worked in the analytics field for the past six years, were ‘score justifiers.’ Things that I think stand up really well to what but McCurdy’s first foray into projections occurred in 2008 when he we’ve learned from analytics over the years.” attempted to figure out how many points the Senators were likely to capture during one Western Conference road trip. Sean Tierney got his Master’s degree from Carleton University before completing a teaching degree at the University of Ottawa. “I wanted to know how many points the Sens were likely to take from a California road trip in 2008,” McCurdy said. “So I wrote a little script to “The incredible CapGeek was my initial hook into a world beyond the box calculate it, with probabilities for each game that I made up. scores,” Tierney said. “I started digging through Matthew Wuest’s incredible site and realized that a lot of work was going on in non- “I thought I could make it better, so I expanded it, and tried to make mainstream places.” better guesses and from there it kind of grew organically to what I’ve got now.” “I joined Fansided with the intention of writing as an outlet for my passion Rodenburg believes Matt’s combination of intelligence and experience and interest in the sport and began trying to share Corsi info and other playing hockey will make him a successful addition to the Devils front such stats to give my articles a different perspective.” office.

Now 34 years old, Tierney’s written work has appeared on a variety of “Matt grew up playing hockey so he understands the game,” Rodenburg platforms. He has carved out an excellent niche by sharing his interactive said. “He’s always been incredibly bright so it’s been really interesting to hockey charts and tools through his Tableau website and his Twitter watch him combine his two passions and to now be able to make a account (@ChartingHockey). This work and promotion helped him land a career of it.” regular spot on TSN Hockey Analytics this year. The irony is that whether it is the Senators’ front office or the players they A colleague of Tierney’s at TSN is Travis Yost, who may have the most have put on the ice, the organization has espoused the benefits of unconventional connection to Ottawa or the Senators. employing locally developed hockey personnel.

Unlike some of the other analysts, Yost is not from the Ottawa area. He The Ottawa Senators’ front office since Eugene Melnyk bought the team was born and raised in New York, but his Senators fandom was imparted in 2003 has taken on a local flavour. Former general manager Bryan on him by a group of family and friends who historically rooted for the Murray was from Shawville. General manager grew up in New York Rangers and Senators. the Orleans suburbs and disgraced former assistant general manager Randy Lee was also from Ottawa. Consequently, Yost spent much of his youth watching these two teams and eventually, his interest in the Senators spurred him to start covering Before Murray, the organization tended to shy away from local on-ice the Senators for Hockeybuzz while he was away at college in 2008. talents under previous management, but that changed. For the better part of the last decade, the Senators have never been shy to add some “Right around that time I also started seriously getting into math and local talent via trade, free agency or through the draft. statistics,” Yost said. “You know, that point in your life when you realize math is still incredibly nerdy, but also incredibly meaningful and valuable In 2015, then assistant general manager Pierre Dorion told Postmedia’s if you can apply it in the right way.” Wayne Scanlan that “I always tell our scouts to pay a bit more attention to the local guy, whether from the Ontario side or the Gatineau side.” Like many fans interested in analytics, Yost’s inquisitiveness led him to the Oilogosphere, which he described as “the mecca of hockey analytics And after a disappointing 2018-19 campaign, Dorion downplayed the at the time.” criticisms and fan concerns by referring to his local roots.

“There were so many fascinating ideas and theories being kicked around, “No one cares more about this team than probably me,” Dorion said in an and more interestingly, people were developing ways to capture interview on TSN 1200. “I’m from here, grew up here. I love this place. I incredible amounts of RTSS data that didn’t exist in the public sphere. So want to see this team succeed.” I started incorporating a lot of this into my writing, and I thought it was telling a much more accurate and comprehensive story of what was No one wants to see the Senators succeed more than their fans and they going on during games and I think the readers did too.” are not naive. They recognize and identify gaps where the organization can easily improve. Yost’s sharp analysis culminated with a writing gig for TSN, but Yost prefers to downplay his abilities and chalks his success up to timing. “It’s perplexing to me why the Sens and teams like them aren’t at the forefront of using analytics,” Rodenburg said. “As a budget team, I would “I’ve been a terrible writer for more than a decade now, but the one thing think they would want to use every cost-effective tool available to help I did get right was the timing of it all,” Yost said. “I had a basic knowledge make informed decisions on player personnel. Avoiding one bad trade or of the sports analytics industry, especially in MLB/NBA, and was really free agent signing could pay for a properly staffed hockey analytics curious why the NHL basically had nothing to offer on this front.” department for a decade.”

Timing is everything. ANY NHL TEAM COULD HIRE ME FOR A MILLION BUCKS A YEAR; I WOULD DO NOTHING BUT SAY 'DON'T DO THAT' FIVE TIMES A For all these very public analysts to write about the Senators, publish YEAR, AND I'D BE WORTH IT. their work on a variety of well-known platforms, have created databases or statistical models to help identify trends and inefficiencies that could — MICAH BLAKE MCCURDY (@INEFFECTIVEMATH) APRIL 8, 2015 help an NHL team or have talked at one of the many Ottawa Hockey Analytics Conferences that have taken place in this city for the past Hiring some of these individuals should have been a slam dunk and easy number of years, do you know how many of these individuals have been way for the Senators to compete with their front office rivals in a unique hired by the Ottawa Senators as a full-time employee? manner.

Zero. When reflecting on the names of individuals who have some connection to Ottawa, Brad Timmins stated, “That definitely seems like a lot and my The Senators have inexplicably failed to capitalize and leverage their first thought was, ‘What is in the water?’ But, there’s a pretty big spread unique situation and when news broke in mid-May that Matt Cane was in backgrounds.” hired by the New Jersey Devils as their Director of Analytics, it resonated with me because it represented another missed opportunity. And that’s the amazing thing about this group of individuals, they all have different niches and specialties that could have helped this organization. Cane, the creator of Puck++, a contributor to Hockey-Graphs.com and a person who is renowned for his contract projection model used to be a “Seeing that list of (names of analysts with some connection to Ottawa) Senators fan. takes me back to those early days where most of the analytics work was being done at the team/fan level,” Pfeffer said. “Fan communities in It could not have been easy growing up north of Steeles Avenue in Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa were the real incubators for Markham, Ontario — an area which is blanketed by Maple Leafs fans – a lot of stuff and it’s kind of ironic that we’ve all kind of ended up in the and pulling for the Senators during the Battle of Ontario days, but Cane States.“ did it. “There’s a lot of theories for why Canadian teams are so ignorant and It helped that he had family in Ottawa. One uncle was a long-time reactionary and I don’t have anything new to offer on that front, but I will Senators a season ticket holder and another uncle is John Rodenburg, say that it reminds me a lot of how conservative and traditional English the co-host of TGOR and the station manager of TSN 1200. soccer was in the early to mid-twentieth century, while smaller and newer soccer nations were the real innovators of the time. Institutions “Matt has always been a Sens fan,” Rodenburg said. “I’m not sure where fundamentally are the enemy of change.” it came from, growing up in Toronto surrounded by Leaf fans but it may just has been his nature to go against the grain.” Dorion can play up the importance of analytics and the information he presents, but it’s hard to take it seriously knowing that the Senators’ “Coincidentally, his younger brother Ben is a massive Devils fan because analytics are largely being done by Tim Pattyson and Elias Collette – he played goalie in minor hockey and idolized Martin Brodeur. Needless their part-time analytics consultant who is still a full-time employee of the to say that 2003 Eastern Conference final was very interesting for two federal government. And none of this is to knock the work being done by teenage brothers.” either of these men, it’s just when the duties are handed to two people who lack the time and resources, the scope of the work is smaller and large chunks of analysis – external player valuation, for example – gets omitted.

For a new coach like D.J. Smith, who expressed a desire and willingness to accept whatever information he can gather to help him make more informed decisions, one would assume it’s unquestionably important for the organization to do everything within its power to help him make sense of that information – especially since the data revolution in hockey is upon us.

When the NHL announced this past January that it has every intention of utilizing puck and player tracking technology for games during the 2019- 20 season, it essentially put teams in a position where they have to find some individuals to work with this insane volume of data, to sift and sort the important value from the noise.

From what I understand, the Senators have approached an individual who has worked on a similar level with NBA player tracking technology and data, but in what capacity this person would be working with the team (part-time/full-time) is unknown.

However, something has to change because the Senators risk falling too far behind the curve.

“It’s a shame the two cities who have produced so much talent in the world of hockey analytics (between Edmonton and Ottawa) have shunned it so aggressively and steadfastly,” Yost said. “It’s not a stunner that both organizations cannot get out of their own way and haven’t been able to for some time.

“They sorely need fresh voices within the organization. And as you watch most other teams, especially American teams, ‘modernize’ the way they approach hockey — well, that gap is going to get wider.”

Like the Senators’ defensive structure, the organization can’t allow this information gap to get any wider.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145839 Philadelphia Flyers

2019 NHL draft: 5 players in combine who might interest Flyers at No. 11

By Jordan Hall May 31, 2019 8:45 AM

The 2019 NHL Scouting Combine has been underway in Buffalo, New York, this week and runs through Saturday.

General manager , assistant general manager Brent Flahr and the scouting staff will continue doing their homework leading up to the June 21-22 draft in which the Flyers hold the 11th overall pick.

Let's take a look at five players participating in the combine who might interest the Flyers at No. 11:

Victor Soderstrom, D, 5-11/179, Brynas (SHL)

One of the better blueliners in the draft, Soderstrom is known as a smooth and skilled player with the all-around package. The NHL Central Scouting's third-ranked European skater played 44 games this season in the competitive Swedish Elite League.

The Flyers have drafted four forwards in the first round over the past two drafts and haven't selected a defenseman in the first round since Ivan Provorov in 2015, so replenishing the position will be important. The Flyers also have a recent track record of drafting Brynas products.

Cole Caufield, RW, 5-7/162, USA U-18 (NTDP)

Yes, those are Caufield's correct measurements. While he's tiny, he can flat-out score the puck. In 64 games this season with the U.S. national U- 18 team, Caufield went off for 72 goals and 100 points. He has a big-time shot and adeptly uses his size.

In 2018, the Flyers drafted two players (Joel Farabee, Gavin Hain) out of the U.S. national team development program. The club has added more size into the pipeline, so snatching a smaller winger shouldn't be a problem.

Next season, Caufield will play at the University of Wisconsin, joining Flyers prospect Wyatt Kalynuk, a junior with the Badgers.

Peyton Krebs, C, 5-11/180, Kootenay (WHL)

The Flyers have always liked versatile centers and Krebs is one. The WHL product is elusive, makes plays and sees the ice. He does a lot for the ICE, who went 13-45-10 this season. He scored 68 points (19 goals, 49 assists) in 64 regular-season games during 2018-19 and had a strong U-18 IIHF World Junior Championship performance, scoring 10 points (six goals, four assists) in seven games for Canada.

Interestingly, his head coach with the ICE is James Patrick, the uncle of Flyers center Nolan Patrick.

Thomas Harley, D, 6-3/188, Mississauga (OHL)

A defenseman that possesses quality size, length and upside, Harley had the fourth-most assists among OHL defensemen this season with 47, to go along with 11 goals over 68 games.

He turns 18 on Aug. 19 and is the 11th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting.

Philip Broberg, D, 6-3/199, AIK (Allsvenskan)

Broberg is a Swedish blueliner with elite skating ability and excellent size. He moves the puck up the ice like a forward and has played against strong competition.

NHL Central Scouting had Broberg third in its midterm marks for European skaters before slotting him fifth in the final rankings.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145840 Philadelphia Flyers With the exception of the Hartman/Simmonds swap — and even that one’s debatable considering Simmonds’ clear drop-off over the past two years — the Flyers would seemingly be making upgrades everywhere Summer scene-setter: Breaking down the Flyers’ offseason roster needs else. At least on paper, this is probably a better lineup than the one from last October, which many outside observers believed would cruise to a playoff spot.

By Charlie O'Connor May 31, 2019 The problem with that line of thinking? Assuming all of the Flyers’ pending restricted free agents are signed to the cap hits from Evolving

Wild’s public projection model (and the chosen backup/tandem netminder May has been an unsurprisingly quiet month for a Flyers organization receives a cap hit of about $3 million), that leaves the team a whopping that failed to make the playoffs and made its high-profile head-coaching $12 million under the projected $83 million cap ceiling for 2019-20. hire in April. Would Comcast Spectacor chairman/CEO Dave Scott and the rest of his The month of June will not be so uneventful. team approve? Based on Scott’s own words to Sam Donnellon of The Philadelphia Inquirer after Hextall’s exit, it doesn’t seem like they would. With the Stanley Cup final now in full swing, the true offseason rapidly approaches. In three short weeks, the NHL Draft will begin in Vancouver. “In the future, we’ll see how this all plays out,” Scott told The Inquirer. Ten days later, unrestricted free agents can start looking for new homes. “But we really have (a) lot to work with. We have cap space. You’ve Buyouts will happen. Trades will be executed. In other words, if you’re heard me say it before. I’m a long-term investor. I want to spend to the the general manager of a club looking to improve its roster, June will be cap. I want to have the best possible team we can have.” the month when the visible portion of that work begins. That’s about as straightforward an answer as one can provide. Chuck Fletcher is most certainly one of those GMs. The ‘ideal’ Flyers roster It’s no secret that higher-ups in the organization are hoping the front It seems a near-certainty that the Flyers are going to make additions this office makes a splash this summer — the stated “bias for action” wasn’t summer. Although the simple act of acquiring talent should be the focus the only reason the Flyers fired midseason, but it absolutely — for example, there’s nothing wrong with having two No. 1 caliber played a role in the decision. Does that mean that big moves are centers, as the Penguins proved — there are certain spots in the lineup guaranteed? Of course not, as Fletcher himself noted in exit interviews. that require more attention than others. Making big trades or attracting top free agents isn’t as simple as snapping your fingers. Fletcher’s goal — in a perfect world — would be to ensure that no player on the roster is forced into a less-than-ideal role in the lineup. But what “We’re going to be active in trying to improve our team,” Fletcher said in are those roles, and which spots remain open if each player is stationed April. “How that translates this summer, we’ll find out. You can’t control where he “should” be? Here’s my answer, with the gaps highlighted in the marketplace, you can’t control the trade market. Sometimes things red. happen, sometimes they don’t.” Quite a few players move down, as compared to their places in the “Stay That said, it’s apparent that Fletcher will try to make “things happen,” with the Course” lineup. Scott Laughton and Ryan Hartman drop to Line 4; the full force of the organization’s enviable financial might behind him. Travis Sanheim moves to the second pair; Shayne Gostisbehere falls to But before attempting to add players or shake up the roster, the third on the left-handed defenseman depth chart; and the 1B goalie spot necessary first step is to gain a full understanding of the team’s current opens back up, since both probable options (Brian Elliott and Cam personnel, and which areas are most in need of improvement. Talbot) are pending unrestricted free agents. Over the coming days, we’ll publish a deep-dive preview of the looming Second-line center. Third-line wing. First-pair defenseman. 1B goalie. Flyers offseason. We begin with a look at the current roster and Those are the ideal upgrades for the Flyers this summer. Let’s go organizational depth, to better understand the likely priorities of Fletcher through them all, ranked in order of importance to be addressed. and his staff as the summer kicks into high gear. Tandem goaltender Do the Flyers truly need to fill any spots? This certainly isn’t the exciting addition. But there’s a reason why, when It would be a major surprise if the Flyers essentially stood pat this asked to run through his ideal upgrades to the roster during exit offseason. It wouldn’t fit at all with the public and private comments interviews, Fletcher noted goalie first. There simply isn’t a viable option coming out of the organization — a belief that the club needs more talent under contract for next season to fill the key role of partnering with Carter to take the next step into legitimate, immediate contention. Hart in net. But here’s the truly fascinating part about this summer: Simply by “I think we could add in any area. Clearly, we need to find a goaltender to retaining most of their useful free agents and making a couple of internal play with Carter,” Fletcher said. “Certainly, a veteran defenseman could promotions, Fletcher could build a roster more or less on par with the help. I think some help up front as well. I think we score, but maybe 2018-19 squad, with plausible upside to be even better than that. Let’s finding another experienced guy that can help with that mindset, playing call this the “Stay the Course” roster. the right way, that could contribute both ways.” Note: This is a pure depth chart and does not account for line That doesn’t mean the other areas of the roster will be ignored. But in combinations and potential chemistry. theory, they could be, if no free agents are interested in joining the Flyers The above roster might not excite you; in fact, it almost certainly does and trade discussions prove fruitless. The Flyers could fill their other not. It’s full of familiar names, depth players further up in the lineup than holes with internal options. But the idea of going into 2019-20 with a ideal and unproven youngsters. (It’s also the kind of 2019-20 roster that tandem of a 20-year-old Hart and Alex Lyon? That would be a dice roll on Hextall might have been expected to construct.) But take a look at how it par with Hextall’s failed 2018-19 strategy. compares to the roster that the Flyers put together for Game 1 of the In truth, ensuring Hart’s development goes as smoothly as possible might 2018-19 season. be the most important task facing the Flyers over the next two to three Ignoring the players out of the respective starting lineups, this “Stay the years, due to the impact that a high-end starting goaltender can have on Course” 2019-20 roster essentially makes the following year-over-year a franchise. Hart needs to play regularly at the NHL level, but the Flyers swaps: must avoid running him into the ground physically or placing themselves in a position where he has to start almost every game even if he’s Philippe Myers in for Andrew MacDonald struggling mightily.

Carter Hart in for Calvin Pickard Most likely, the Flyers will choose Talbot or Elliott to fill the role, and neither will move the needle drastically when it comes to win/loss record Ryan Hartman in for Wayne Simmonds or fan interest. But it’s a necessary move, one that cannot be neglected. Nicolas Aube-Kubel in for Jori Lehtera In 2018-19, Flyers fans received a brutal reminder of what can happen Is there a way to build an above-average blueline corps for 2019-20 out when a goaltending situation is mismanaged before a season even of these pieces? Sure, but similar to Patrick-as-2C, it requires some begins. It’s incumbent upon Fletcher not to do so again. wishful thinking. Gostisbehere could rebound, giving Provorov the viable No. 2 he appears to need in order to excel, or Sanheim could take Second-line center another step forward and turn into that clear complementary top-pair Fletcher might have mentioned the need for a second goaltender to help option. Myers could hit the ground running and play like a second-pair Hart shoulder the load before any other potential additions. But outgoing defenseman from the start. These are all plausible scenarios. interim head coach Scott Gordon had a different priority when asked a But everyone slots in more comfortably if the Flyers add a veteran top- similar question. pair defenseman. Provorov gets his seemingly necessary support. “The only thing I would say is that if G’s not going to play center, we Sanheim can avoid the toughest matchups in a No. 3 role, while still probably need a centerman,” Gordon said. “I think, by all indication, receiving significant minutes. Gostisbehere can start the season in a (Claude Giroux) is going to play wing, so (he’s) probably not (going back more sheltered role, giving him a chance to prove this is one of his “up” to center). I think that’s the one area that would significantly make the years before he’s moved back into a primary spot in the lineup. Myers team better. Somebody’s who’s going to produce points.” can learn the ropes on the third pairing. Hagg can slide into a No. 6/7 role rather than being regularly used on the second pair. MacDonald no The Flyers made a number of bets on their roster entering 2018-19 that longer would be the only “elder statesman” voice at the position, making failed to pay out, the goaltending situation leading the way. But second in it easier for the organization to justify cutting ties with him if necessary for harmfulness was probably the wager that Nolan Patrick — who so cap or roster space reasons. impressed in the second half of his rookie season — was ready for a full- time role as the second-line center. Instead of taking a leap forward, he Give Provorov a proven, play-driving partner who can stabilize the top stagnated, scoring just one more point than in his first year and failing to pair, and the defense quickly goes from promising to truly imposing. It’s drive play at even strength despite quality linemates. more of a luxury need than goalie or second-line center considering the club’s NHL-capable depth at the position, but such an addition would go In Hextall’s defense, he did try to lessen Patrick’s burden last offseason. a long way toward dramatically improving the Flyers’ roster. Hextall said that he was in the running for an impact centerman on July 1, and was told he came up second in the bidding; reading between the Third-line/middle-six winger lines, that player was likely Paul Stastny, who ultimately signed with Speaking of luxury needs, we now reach the Flyers’ least essential Vegas. Regardless, that outcome had ripple effects: Patrick was handed position to address. the 2C role, and failed to run with it. Ideally, a player such as Ryan Hartman would be stationed on the fourth Could Patrick prove capable of taking the job in Year 3? It’s possible, as line, where he can tear up the bottom of opponents’ lineups. But it he’s shown the required talent in flashes. But even Fletcher wouldn’t be a crushing blow for the Flyers to watch him hold down the acknowledged during exit interviews that the soon-to-be 21-year-old’s 3RW spot for a season. After all, Philadelphia has multiple talented readiness for the role remains uncertain. forward prospects closing in on the NHL — Morgan Frost, Joel Farabee, “That’s a fair question,” Fletcher said when asked if Patrick could be Isaac Ratcliffe, German Rubtsov — capable of playing the wing. If this prepared for 2C duties as soon as next season. “I think he could be. I particular hole is not filled this summer, someone such as Hartman truly would suggest there’s 27, 28 teams that would probably like to find a No. might just function as a half-season stopgap until one of the big-name 1 or No. 2 centerman. It’s a hard thing to find. Certainly, if you can find a prospects earns a promotion and injects more offense into Line 3. top centerman, I think any team should jump on it. We’ll certainly look, Still, the loss of Wayne Simmonds opens up a clear gap in the middle-six but Nolan has the capability of being a No. 2 centerman. Whether (it that previously was filled by a player with 30-goal upside, and the only happens) next year, time will tell. It’s hard to project with young players.” logical choices to fill that role either haven’t proven capable of excelling In the short-term, it’s hard to envision a championship-caliber club there recently or haven’t even proven themselves as NHLers yet. depending on Patrick as its second-line center, and the Flyers have It’s possible to envision a scenario in which the Flyers spend big money designs on building such a roster. 2C is a clear hole, and if filled, it would on a wing upgrade, essentially dropping two of Travis Konecny, James be a massive boost, giving Philadelphia a true second scoring trio behind van Riemsdyk and Oskar Lindblom out of top-six contention. But most the Giroux-Sean Couturier duo on the top line and allowing Patrick to likely, if a winger is added, it would be more of a quality-depth piece develop in easier minutes. rather than a true game-changer.

Top-pair defenseman Considering the fact that both JvR and Konecny are more scorers by The Flyers aren’t lacking for talent on the blueline. Years of drafting and nature and only Lindblom qualifies as a play-driver in the current middle- development have yielded a number of young or prime-aged six, maybe the Flyers would look to add another sound two-way player defensemen who perfectly fit the demands of the modern NHL from a with scoring ability to help balance the lines. Or maybe the goal would be skill-set standpoint. to improve the team’s offense first and foremost.

Let’s go through what they currently have in the cupboard. Regardless, addressing the wing position with a quality signing is less of a necessity but still helps to solidify the Flyers’ depth — and for a club Ivan Provorov is a still-developing blueliner capable of taking an actively looking for upgrades, it shouldn’t be ruled out. enormous workload and remaining durable. Yet aside from a half-season with at-his-peak Shayne Gostisbehere, Provorov has proven unable to do The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 much more than tread water in terms of 5-on-5 shot and chance differentials in his first-pair usage.

The aforementioned Gostisbehere has shown he can play like a top-pair- caliber defenseman for extended stretches, even for full seasons. But he’s also been prone to rough down seasons, making it tough to depend on him in a No. 1 or No. 2 role on a year-over-year basis.

Travis Sanheim excelled in third-pair usage, and after being bumped up to the top pair midway through 2018-19, he began to score like a high- end offensive defenseman, though his play-driving metrics went from incredible to just fine after the promotion. The question of whether he’s destined to be a first-pair blueliner or merely a very good second-pair option remains open.

Philippe Myers flashed immense talent at the NHL level at the end of the season but remains unproven. Radko Gudas has long driven play at 5- on-5 extremely well, but always in a depth role. Robert Hagg and Andrew MacDonald don’t grade out well by advanced metrics but have earned the trust of multiple coaches during their NHL careers. 1145841 Pittsburgh Penguins

TSN’s Bob McKenzie: Penguins could still trade Phil Kessel to Minnesota

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Friday, May 31, 2019 10:13 p.m.

A trade that would send Pittsburgh Penguins winger Phil Kessel to the Minnesota Wild remains a possibility, TSN’s Bob McKenzie said on his podcast Friday.

The Penguins reportedly had a deal done to send the popular 31-year- old to the Wild for speedy winger Jason Zucker, but Kessel used his no- trade clause to veto the deal. Kessel has a list of eight teams he can be traded to without prior consent, and Minnesota isn’t one of them.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if, at some point, it gets done with Minnesota,” McKenzie said. “Kessel’s ‘no’ to Pittsburgh wasn’t really a hard, 100 percent no so much as it was, ‘Naw, I don’t really want to go there. Maybe you could check with some other teams.’ I think there is frustration on Kessel’s part that the Penguins maybe aren’t checking with other teams or aren’t interested in doing deals with other teams where Kessel wants to go.”

McKenzie said Kessel would prefer to play for Arizona or Vegas, but the Coyotes haven’t made an offer the Penguins like and the Golden Knights are no longer interested in Kessel after acquiring Mark Stone from Ottawa at the trade deadline.

Kessel has averaged a point per game over the past two seasons, but the Penguins are looking to make changes to their roster and style of play after bowing out of the playoffs in a first-round sweep by the New York Islanders.

Tribune Review LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145842 Pittsburgh Penguins

Evgeni Malkin sends birthday wishes to son with funny Instagram photo

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Friday, May 31, 2019 2:27 p.m.

Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin celebrated his son’s birthday with another classic Instagram post.

Malkin posted a photo of his 3-year-old son Nikita with a pacifier in his mouth as he lay in his crib. Dad is lying on an adjacent bed, with a pacifier of his own in his mouth.

“Who is 3 today?” Malkin wrote.

View this post on Instagram

Кому сегодня 3 года?!  #немне

A post shared by Evgeni Malkin (@e.malkin71geno) on May 31, 2019 at 6:22am PDT

Malkin’s wife, Anna Kasterova, also offered birthday wishes to Nikita, albeit with a more traditional Instagram photo of the youngster playing ball hockey.

View this post on Instagram

с днём рождения мой кареглазый блондин)

A post shared by Anna Kasterova (@anna_kasterova) on May 31, 2019 at 5:02am PDT

Malkin, who is known for having a witty social media presence, posted a photo of himself in the cockpit of a Russian fighter jet earlier this offseason.

Tribune Review LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145843 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ Sidney Crosby remains relatively young among NHL captains

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Friday, May 31, 2019 12:43 p.m.

As Sidney Crosby celebrates the 12th anniversary of having a “C” stitched to his Pittsburgh Penguins jersey, he’s the second longest tenured captain in the NHL but nowhere near the oldest.

Crosby was given the captaincy on May 31, 2007, a few months before his 20th birthday, becoming the youngest player in NHL history to earn the honor. The only captain who has held his current position longer is Boston’s Zdeno Chara, who was appointed Oct. 3, 2006.

On this day in 2007, Sidney Crosby was named the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The rest is history.

Story from that day: https://t.co/u2IoPeFx6R pic.twitter.com/3dPbBsH42W

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 31, 2019

When it comes to age, however, there are 10 captains older and 14 younger than Crosby, who will turn 32 in August. Six teams do not currently have captains.

Here’s a list of the 10 longest-tenured and oldest captains in the league.

Tribune Review LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145844 San Jose Sharks

NHL rumors: Maple Leafs, LA Kings have talked Patrick Marleau trade

By Dalton Johnson May 31, 2019 1:01 PM

There could be a Sharks reunion in the works for Patrick Marleau, just not in San Jose.

The Los Angeles Kings hired former Sharks coach Todd McLellan on April 16. Fewer than two months later, the Kings reportedly are interested in reuniting McLellan with one of his former stars.

Marleau could be packing his bags and coming back to the West Coast. The Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs have talked about a potential trade regarding Marleau, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported Friday.

Hearing the Leafs and Kings have talked about a potential Patrick Marleau trade. Obviously there’s the Todd McLellan connection there for Marleau so he might waive. But as of now I don’t think the two teams have found a fit. Kings would need to unload a contract or two as well...

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 31, 2019

Marleau, 39, had a rough year in his second season with the Maple Leafs. The center scored just 37 points, which is his lowest since the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. And his 16 goals were the lowest he's scored in a full season since his rookie year.

This could get tricky for the two teams, though. Marleau does have a no- trade clause and can ultimately decide his future.

But Marleau did play seven of his 19 seasons in San Jose under McLellan. There's reason to believe he would waive his no-trade clause and soon become a rival of the Sharks.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145845 San Jose Sharks

Sharks offseason questions: Will Antti Suomela be back next year?

By Chelena Goldman May 31, 2019 8:54 AM

SAN JOSE - When the Sharks' 2018-19 season first got underway, it looked like Antti Suomela could be the answer the team needed in adding depth to their centers. But after tallying just eight points (three goals, five assists) through 27 games, the Finnish forward was reassigned to the AHL in December for the remainder of the season.

Fast forward to the present, and the 25-year-old is one of many restricted free agents the Sharks have to make decisions about this offseason. The question now is whether San Jose liked enough of what they saw from him in his first season to keep him on the roster. While his fate has yet to be written, it's fair to wonder if Suomela will be playing somewhere else next season.

Suomela was a good catch for the Sharks in the last offseason, coming off three campaigns in the Finnish Elite League that showed upward growth. He had just led his team, JyP HT Jyvaskyla, with 60 points (21 goals, 39 assists) and a staggering plus-28 in 59 games. But after looking impressive during Sharks' training camp last September and starting the season centering Joonas Donskoi and Evander Kane, the Espoo, Finland native had trouble generating offense or making a positive impact on the game.

When NBC Sports California caught up with Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer back in January, Suomela was one name that came up in the discussion. Suomela only had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 17 games at the AHL level. Sommer was confident that once Suomela "figured out" what he had to do at the NHL level, he would be unstoppable.

“With him, the work ethic is there, and he has a big compete to his game,” Sommer said. “I think he just has to figure out the North American game. Things happen a lot quicker here than where he was at. But he’s picking it up.”

Suomela ended his 2019 tenure with the Barracuda, scoring 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 47 games. He rejoined the Sharks roster once the Barracuda's season was over, but never penciled back into the big league lineup as San Jose went on a 20-game playoff run that ended with a Game 6 loss in the Western Conference final to the St. Louis Blues.

Even when the Sharks' roster sustained numerous injuries down the stretch, Dylan Gambrell was the center of choice to pencil into San Jose's playoff lineup.

Needless to say, it goes to wonder if we've already seen the end of Suomela's stint in a teal sweater. San Jose has 14 players who will become RFAs this summer on top of having some very tough decisions to make with its stacked UFA class. And there has been no word yet on how many of those discussions are unfolding.

In short, it's really anyone's guess at this point who will still be in San Jose when the offseason is over. For this center, though, it's looking very possible he could be playing somewhere else next season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145846 St Louis Blues “Oh yeah,” he said. “Until I got in for the morning skate, I didn’t know if I was playing or not. Then I saw my name on the sheet. And that’s it. . . . Especially after losing that first game. You can never be sure.”

Notebook: Pietrangelo, Gunnarsson will stay together for Game 3 BEAT THE CLOCK

With 1.2 seconds to go in the second period and a faceoff in the Blues’ By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2 hrs ago end, Cassidy pulled Rask and put on a sixth attacker, hoping for a miracle. The Bruins had timed it in practice — for the other team to win the faceoff and shoot it the length of the ice, it would take about three seconds. In the third period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Blues changed their defensive pairings, moving Carl Gunnarsson up to the top “So we feel, in a perfect world, anything three (seconds) or under (we set with Alex Pietrangelo and dropping Joel Edmundson to play with can pull the goalie),” he said. “Now, you’re at the mercy of the guy hitting Robert Bortuzzo. the button to start the clock, so we’re not going to do it at 3. But I would probably do it anywhere from 2 or under, or 1½. I didn’t think they’d have The new pairings were familiar ones for the Blues, and some of enough time to clear it down. That’s the thinking. I don’t think you can get Pietrangelo’s best play this season has come when he has been much harm done and really, maybe, once in a blue moon you get that partnered with Gunnarsson. It’s a classic mix of an offensive defenseman extra player and it helps you score.” in Pietrangelo and a stay-at-home one in Gunnarsson. The scenario played out exactly the opposite in Game 2, with Gunnarsson becoming The Blues won that faceoff, didn’t get a shot and the period ended. the offensive threat, hitting a post after the switch and later scoring the winning goal. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019

“Sometimes things just work,” Pietrangelo said. “The chemistry’s there, we read off each other well. We play a simple game together but it’s effective and I think he plays well with me. He seemed to get some pretty good looks there. We just feed off each other. We kind of see the game the same way.”

It looks as if pairings will stay for Game 3 on Saturday. That’s how the team skated Friday in practice.

“I just think in the past we’ve put them together at times and they’ve had good success and good chemistry together,” coach Craig Berube said. “And it worked out again. You just make decisions sometimes as you go along. It’s a gut feeling for (assistant coach) Mike Van Ryan, and he makes that call a lot of times.”

LATE SUCCESS

Bortuzzo’s goal in Game 2 was his second in the postseason. He has as many goals in 14 playoff games as he had in 59 regular-season contests.

“I’m looking to do the ‘Schwartzie,’” Bortuzzo said.

That would be a reference to Jaden Schwartz, who surpassed his regular-season total in the playoffs. Schwartz has 12 goals in the playoffs after having 11 in the regular season, making him just the third player in NHL history to score 10 or more goals in the regular season and then exceed that total in the playoffs. Also doing it were Claude Lemieux (11 and 13 in 1996-97) and Marian Gaborik (11 and 14 in 2013-14).

Bortuzzo said on his goal he was trying to put the puck on net and make something happen. He tried the same thing in Game 1, but there weren’t any Blues there and goalie Tuukka Rask swallowed the puck.

“We’re doing anything we can,” Bortuzzo said. “You ask anyone in here, we want contributions from anyone. It’s very exciting to chip in myself. It’s not my typical game. I’d say to score a goal in the Stanley Cup Final is definitely an exciting time for myself.”

BRUINS NEWS

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said that Matt Grzelcyk, the recipient of the hit that led to Oskar Sundqvist’s suspension, still was in Boston and was doubtful for the game. Though Cassidy wouldn’t confirm it, veteran defenseman John Moore seems to be replacing him. Moore has appeared in five games this postseason, most recently playing in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against Carolina, filling in for an injured Zdeno Chara.

“He’s a left stick,” Cassidy said, “keeps everything simple in terms of pairs and on their strong sides, but we’ll make that decision in the morning. But that’s the way we’re leaning.”

Boston first-line center Patrice Bergeron didn’t take part in practice, but Cassidy said it was a maintenance day.

IN OR OUT

When Gunnarsson showed up at the rink the morning of Game 2, he didn’t know if he would be in the lineup that night. There had been talk of Vince Dunn returning and if Dunn was in, Gunnarsson would be the most likely player to come out. 1145847 St Louis Blues average sold ticket to $980, according to Vivid Seats. Another popular ticket service shared an average buy-in price of $1,200 per ticket sold, and that’s not including service fees. Families are planning trips to Blues have their postseason blinders on, but they hear you, St. Louis Boston for Game 5. The latest Enterprise Center watch party tickets sold out in less than an hour.

“I notice it driving,” Ryan O’Reilly said. “You see signs and flags 4 hrs ago everywhere. Multiple times, I have been driving on the highway and people have looked into the car, and they start honking, yelling. You’re Ben Frederickson like, what? It’s just crazy.”

O’Reilly figures his playoff beard gives him away in these situations. It The Stanley Cup, like so many of us in St. Louis, has now spent a late could also be the missing tooth. The high-speed messages delivered on May night beneath the neon lights of Mike Talayna’s Juke Box. Highway 40 come through loud and clear. He sees their thumbs up and reads their lips: “Let’s go.” Yes, the hardest trophy to win in professional sports made a Thursday night appearance at the club that once was a Blues hangout when the “You can tell there is a buzz in this city,” O’Reilly said. “It’s ready to win.” team played nearby at The Arena. It now is known for late hours, There is just one player on this team who has played in a Stanley Cup matchmaking, heartbreaking and heaps of memories both made and Final before this one: David Perron. He has never signed a contract with forgotten beneath a sparkling disco ball. a team other than the Blues. He has been traded. He has been left You can witness a lot of things at the crowded dance hall on Hampton unprotected — and then taken — in an expansion draft. He’s played for Avenue. Most know this from firsthand experience. Some even admit it. Edmonton, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh and Anaheim. He always comes back, preferring to align his personal push for the Cup with the team that There is love. Lust. Liquid-inspired courage. What you don’t expect to drafted him in 2007. He knows what it would mean. see is the world’s most teasing trophy, the crush that has danced away from St. Louis since the Blues’ first regular-season game on Oct. 11, Perron, like many of us in St. Louis, says he’s never been to Talayna’s 1967. That news spreads. Juke Box.

And that’s how it happens, how a shield of laser focus is pierced, just for It’s been a long time since the place, then named SchmieZing’s, was a a moment, and the Blues are reminded of how close they have come, rocking party spot for Blues fans after games at The Arena. It was a and what three more wins would mean. sports bar back then. These days, it’s about dancing, drinking, delirium.

Blues coach Craig Berube’s players have had their postseason blinders Peeking over his playoff blinders for just a moment, Perron said he didn’t on for 21 games and counting. They are doing their damnedest to block hate the sound of that. out any and all off-ice distractions that can only complicate the tall order “Bring it back there,” he said. “Later on.” of beating Boston in this now-tied best-of-seven series. For weeks, the team has stressed the importance of locking in and tuning out. The Blues The “it” was the Cup. have shown a remarkable ability to compartmentalize the history they have made. Still, these little rays of realization force their way through. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019

“I’ve been trying to hold in the excitement,” hometown hero Pat Maroon said. “Trying to hold my emotions in. We are so close to something special here. Hold it in.”

But he hears about the businesses in Oakville that have his name on their signs. And he heard the Cup was at Talayna’s for an NBC video shoot, a sentence that is honestly hard to comprehend.

“Did anyone see it?” Maroon deadpanned, a nod toward the venue’s dimly lit corners.

Forget the pride of Oakville. Maroon could run for mayor. After Friday’s morning skate, he sat at his locker and walked a pack of national media through the ups and downs of St. Louis, from the relocation of the Rams to the burst of energy created by the PGA Championship, to the quest for an MLS expansion team, to his hockey team’s rise from the ashes.

The Blues have quieted not just their critics, but critics of St. Louis. What St. Louis lost does not define it. What St. Louis lost seems to have made St. Louis value what it has, made it push for more. The football owner who left did not paint an accurate portrayal of St. Louis. Tom Stillman’s team does.

“The buzz around the city is just amazing,” Maroon said. “People are excited. It’s going to be a huge game. You’ve got Cards-Cubs and a Blues playoff game. There are going to be over 100,000 people in downtown St. Louis (on Saturday). It’s a city that needs this, a city that has been, I feel like, down. This is what we needed to amp the city back up again.”

You don’t have to be a lifer from the right high school to ride the wave. The players have been for some time now.

After Carl Gunnarsson gave St. Louis chills with his Game 2 overtime winner in Boston, the city returned the favor. Most of the Blues are off of social media, but Gunnarsson admitted Friday that he did see the video of a sold-out Enterprise Center watch party celebrating his shot.

“How cool is that?” he said. “Selling out when the team is not there.”

St. Louis has not hosted a Stanley Cup Final game since 1970. This will be the first time the city welcomes back a team that has won a Stanley Cup Final game. Demand for Game 3 tickets pushed up the price of an 1145848 St Louis Blues Sanford also smartly spoke to Sammy Blais and Robby Fabbri. He picked their brains for advice about coming in cold into the middle of a heated playoff series.

Game 3 packed with emotion for Sanford “It’s going to be fun, I think,” said Sanford, whose mom and sister will be at Enterprise Center. “It’s a little weird playing against your team from growing up. I was talking to my mom, she was at the games in Boston, 4 hrs ago and she caught herself cheering for the Bruins here and there. So I had to fix that. It’s pretty crazy how things work out like that. … Benjamin Hochman “It’s pretty crazy — all my buddies from home are texting me: ‘I can’t

believe you’re playing the Bruins!’ It would be more magical if we could Still standing in his skates, his dark hair disheveled by perspiration, Zach take them down.” Sanford was answering personal questions from huddling reporters when The surreal has become real regularly this postseason. Patrick Maroon a bead slowly dripped down the side of his right cheekbone. And from the playing for his hometown team and scoring an overtime Game 7 goal. side view, you couldn’t tell if it was sweat or a tear. Boston’s David Backes playing against the team he captained. Dallas’ “I think about him every day,” Sanford said Friday, “but this one’s a little Ben Bishop playing goalie against his hometown team — the same team different.” that traded him. Steen playing in the first round in Winnipeg, where his father is a hockey legend. And now here’s Sanford, the kid who ran a Last fall, during Blues training camp, Sanford’s dad died. Mike was 54. victory lap when the Bruins last won the Cup Final, playing against the Heart attack. On Saturday, Sanford will play in Game 3 of the Stanley Bruins in the Cup Final. Cup Final. He’s filling in for Oskar Sundqvist, suspended for one game due to a hit in Game 2. Sanford playing makes for a powerful and It was wildly emotional for Sanford to even be in the building for Games 1 poignant story. Then consider that the Blues are playing the Boston and 2. The Garden. Asked about seeing the Boston banners, he said: Bruins. “It’s pretty weird, seeing those my whole life, growing up there, going to games — and then being on the other side of it. But I’m not a Bruins fan “I grew up watching every one of their games with my dad,” Sanford anymore — it’s time for us to get our own banners here.” said. “Our family was big fans. But obviously not anymore.” St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 Mike was from Salem, Massachusetts. Zach’s mom, Cindy, is from right outside Boston — “Lynn, Mass,” he said in New England jargon — and the Sanfords raised their kids in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Sanford’s earliest Bruins-related memory was picking out a Brian Rolston stick from the pro shop. Sanford’s favorite player became the Bruins’ Glen Murray. And on June 15, 2011, 16-year-old Sanford was watching at a friend’s house when Zdeno Chara, Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and the Bruins won the Stanley Cup — the first for Boston since 1972.

“We ran a victory lap around the neighborhood — we were pretty pumped up,” Sanford recalled. “My whole childhood, they were pretty bad. So for them to turn it around — and now they’ve been good ever since — we were pretty excited back then.”

The Bruins haven’t won a Cup since. Chara, Marchand and Bergeron have a chance this month, but their one-time fan will try to prevent it from happening. At least for one game. It’s hard to presume that Sanford will play more when Sundqvist returns, but if Sanford has a breakout game Saturday, who knows? Maybe on a different line?

It will be fascinating to see how Sanford channels his emotions. In his first playoff stint — Game 3 in the first round against Winnipeg — he was terrible in his first game. On Friday, he recalled being “nervous” and “hesitant.” He created some consistency the following two games, but that was it for his postseason … until now.

“You just have to try to turn (nerves) into some energy,” said Sanford, a 6-foot-3 forward who played at Boston College. “A big thing is just keeping it simple, using my speed and size. Hopefully I can shake the nerves early, get a couple hits, get a couple puck plays and go from there.”

Sanford tallied 20 points in 60 games for St. Louis. Perhaps his most memorable contribution, if you can call it that, was at the December practice amid all that losing. Sanford and Robert Bortuzzo got into an on- ice fight. It was a rough day. The fight symbolized just how much tension was built up. To think then that the team would even make the playoffs?

And now, both men are expected to log ice time in Game 3. Bortuzzo, known for his unabashed physicality, scored in Game 2. Asked about Sanford, Bortuzzo said: “He’s going to finish his checks; he’s a good energy guy for us, a great guy, a great teammate, so if he’s going in, we’re excited. … He’s a heady player, he plays on the edge, he’s a high end puck possession guy who can stand over pucks and make their D- men work in the offensive zone.”

During Friday’s practice at Enterprise Center, Alexander Steen led a conversation with Sanford and Ivan Barbashev, Steen’s fellow fourth- liners. The veteran, Sanford shared, spoke about the line’s mentality. As in, it’s not changing just because Sundqvist is out. The plan is the plan — play simple hockey, support each other, get pucks deep in the offensive zone, grind, grind and grind. 1145849 St Louis Blues “A big guy. Really good with the puck,” Tyler Bozak said. “He can play up and down the lineup. He’s got a lot of skill, but he can also play a shutdown, checking role.”

No Sunny, no problem Blues say (Look for Bozak to fill at least some of Sundqvist’s time on the penalty kill.)

By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1 hr ago “He played in the first series against Winnipeg, so we expect nothing but good things out of him,” forward Pat Maroon said. “We’re fully confident in him. . . . He’s another good prospect that the St. Louis Blues have that we can rely on and insert into a game and be an immediate impact.” As general manager Doug Armstrong pondered how to improve his team last year at this time, he and then coach Mike Yeo noticed that the longer Sanford, 24, has been through hell and back this season. His father died the 2017-18 NHL playoffs went on, the more physical the games suddenly near the end of preseason. During the team’s dark times earlier became. in the regular season, Sanford was in a heated practice fight with teammate Robert Bortuzzo, and got the worst of it. They felt that was especially true in the Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights. He was in and out of the lineup during the regular season — mostly in — with eight goals and 12 assists in 60 games. At times he flourished; at It influenced Armstrong’s decision to pursue burly power forward Pat times he looked a little lost. Maroon in free agency last July, and after Yeo gave way to Craig Berube on Nov. 19, it helped the Blues discover their identity. Now, after sitting out the last 18 of the Blues’ 21 playoff games, the Boston-area native gets another chance because of the Sundqvist In a league increasingly enamored with speed and skill, the Blues had suspension. Yes, he was a Bruins fan growing up. been caught somewhere between that and the heavy game they employed previously under Ken Hitchcock. With Berube, the Blues no Sanford has some experience playing with Steen and Barbashev. They longer are in limbo. were together as a line for nine of the last 10 games of the regular season, a period in which they combined for six goals and eight assists. They will grind you, they will hit you, they will cycle, they will work the They also were together for the first three games of the playoffs in the corners and the hard areas. Forward Brayden Schenn has said it many Winnipeg series. times: They’re not the flashiest team around. “They’re two easy guys to play with,” Sanford said. “They’re both really One of Berube’s favorite words is “relentless” — and when the Blues responsible, and hard workers. . . . I’ve got a pretty good idea how they stray from that style, he prods them back on course. play, and they’ve got a pretty good idea of how I play. It should be a That approach crossed the line in Game 2, according to the NHL, after pretty easy fit.” which Oskar Sundqvist was suspended for one game for boarding and a And keep an eye on Barbashev because his parents and brother are hit that put Boston defenseman Matt Grzelcyk in concussion protocol. back from Russia. The last time they were in town, in late March, No one likes to see another player hurt, certainly not Sundqvist, who had Barbashev caught fire. He scored his first career hat trick March 21 never been fined or suspended in his NHL career until now. against Detroit with them in the stands at Enterprise.

But if you think losing a valuable, versatile player such as Sundqvist will So expectations will be high with the Barbashev contingent back. temper the Blues’ approach in Game 3 Saturday, think again. After “I’ll do my best,” Barbashev said, smiling. registering a season-high 50 hits in Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime victory at TD Garden, the Blues don’t plan on dialing it down. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 “No, just go about business as usual,” Berube said. “We’ve got to play physical.”

After the briefest of pauses, Berube added with emphasis: “We’re going to play physical.”

Ivan Barbashev, who slides back to center from left wing on the fourth line in Sundqvist’s absence, amplified on the subject.

“I’m gonna play my game,” said Barbashev, who’s not afraid to throw his weight around. “And I think everybody out there is gonna play our game. We have a physical team. And we’re gonna continue making some hits. You know?”

The Blues aren’t much when it comes to whining. They complained very little about the “Hand Pass” game against San Jose. The same held true when it came to Sundqvist’s suspension.

“It doesn’t matter if I agree or disagree,” Berube said. “It’s just a league thing and they handled it, so it’s over with. We miss him a lot, he’s a good player. He does a lot of good things for us on both sides of the puck. Good penalty killer, plays center, wing, great defensively — (has) produced for us in the playoffs, too.”

“Nothing’s gonna change, to be honest,” Barbashev said. “He got suspended, but we can’t do anything about it. He’s a big player for our team. He’s been great all season long. He’s also been on PK, which is a big part.

“But it’s just one game. So it’s all gonna be fine.”

Berube played it coy on the subject of Sundqvist’s replacement, saying he hadn’t reached a decision. But Zach Sanford was on left wing during line rushes Friday morning at Enterprise Center with Barbashev at center and Alexander Steen at right wing.

In the locker room after practice, Blues players talked freely about what Sanford will bring to the lineup Saturday. 1145850 St Louis Blues be that same guy going back in when I get there. Every day right now is a new day and I’m making better improvements, better strides each day.”

Dunn was second among Blues defensemen in goals (12) and points Dunn still feeling the pain after taking a puck to the mouth vs. San Jose (35) this season. He was a regular on the power play and was one of the team’s more adept puck movers, something that would be important in this series with Boston. In the playoffs, he had two goals and five assists By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2 hrs ago in 16 games before getting hurt.

He wants to get back in. But he knows there may not be enough time.

Vince Dunn sat in his stall at Enterprise Center, a handful of reporters “I think the player that I am, I’m not a very calm guy out there to make standing in front of him. The young defenseman patiently answered plays,” he said. “Being away from the game this long, it starts to kind of questions, but with no expression on his face. He looked to be a man in take its toll on you. Practice helps, but if you’re not feeling great in pain, though with no outward signs of it other than the monotone in which practices, you’re definitely not going to feel great in the game. I’m just he responded. It is not what anyone has come to expect from the usually kind of waiting for that day. Just taking each practice day by day and energetic Dunn. trying to improve each day.

Does it hurt to smile? “At the end of the day, you’re not in the lineup and that really sucks. it’s the Stanley Cup Finals and that’s something you dream about when “Yeah,” he said. “It’s a lot of work right now.” you’re a little kid. To not be able to play for something like this is very It all hurts, it seems for Vince Dunn now. Breathing is OK, but eating is frustrating for me.” another matter, and he’s a man now swallowing a lot of shakes, a fact he St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 is not very wild about. But what hurts most of all may be the fact that, after working all year, the Blues have gotten to the Stanley Cup Final and all Dunn can do is watch.

“It’s really hard,” he said Friday afternoon after the Blues practiced at Enterprise Center. “I thought I was starting to really get to my game in the San Jose series. I was playing really well and took a while with an injury like this. Very frustrating. Something that’s not preventable at all. I think right now it’s just about being around the guys. It’s hard not to be part of the dressing room in games, but if I can be around the guys and get practices in, that helps.”

While Blues coach Craig Berube has said Dunn is close to returning and he’s been considered day-to-day since he took a puck to the face in Game 3 of the San Jose series, talking to Dunn makes his return seem much farther away.

Dunn had his back to the shot as he battled for position with Melker Karlsson, but turned his head slightly to the left just in time to catch a slapshot by Brenden Dillon on the left side of his mouth. He was dripping blood from his mouth within an instant and raced to the bench, barely getting there before falling over in the doorway and he was practically dragged down the hallway to the dressing room. He hasn’t played since.

“I really didn’t know what happened to me at first,” Dunn said. “It was just kind of like a blow to my head. It was just pretty scary for me and obviously it sucks to go out that way when you’re not expecting it, but it’s just the nature of the game.

“It’s really unfortunate. But the brighter side of things, I’m still part of the Stanley Cup playoff team. It’s not really something easy for me to be watching, but just being part of the team and now being around the guys, it’s a lot easier for me.”

Dunn says he hasn’t lost any teeth, but conditions that with the words like “so far” and “yet.” He said he has wires in his jaw (which could mean it’s broken) and there is more work to be done to repair his mouth.

“It’s going to be a long process,” he said. “Just a lot of face work going on right now. Just got to wait for everything to kind of heal. There’s a lot of things going on with my face right now. It’s just not a pretty scene in there.”

He resumed skating after the Blues closed out San Jose and began skating with the team last Saturday. He originally wore a full face shield but soon took it off in favor of his usual visor. “If I got hit in the face again it’d be pretty bad,” he said. “I was just willing to sacrifice that to be able to see on the ice.”

Dunn didn’t say if he’d been medically cleared to play, but he said he has to feel he’s ready, and right now, it’s clear he doesn’t. On Friday, he once again skated with Michael Del Zotto on the fourth pairing. Unless the Blues were to decide to go with seven defensemen to let Dunn test the waters, he’s very likely not playing in Game 3 on Saturday.

“I just have to be feeling like myself again,” he said. “Being away from the game, it’s difficult to just throw yourself back in to the Stanley Cup Final. Expectations are a lot higher, the pace of the game’s a lot higher. I have to be that player that I was before I was taken out of the lineup, I need to 1145851 St Louis Blues But Berube gave a cryptic answer when asked about Thomas’ status.

“We’ll have to see on Robby Thomas,” Berube said. “I’m not going to comment on Robby Thomas right now just with the situation, but Dunn’s Blues' depth will be tested now that NHL has knocked Sundqvist out of close.” Game 3 It was unclear what Berube meant by “the situation,” but with Sundqvist now out of Saturday’s game, perhaps the Blues will consider using By Jim Thomas St. Louis Post-Dispatch 8 hrs ago Thomas against the Bruins. If that were the case, they would not need Sanford.

Justice moves swiftly in the NHL. On Thursday morning, NHL Player Next to goalie Jordan Binnington, there has been no greater out-of- Safety announced that Sundqvist would have a phone hearing with the nowhere success story for the Blues this season than forward Oskar league. The hearing took place at 3 p.m. Thursday, or just 2 ½ hours Sundqvist. after the team charter returned to St. Louis from Boston.

That success story was put on hold Thursday evening, when the NHL's Five hours after the hearing started, the league announced the Player Safety department announced that Sundqvist was suspended for suspension. one game as a result of a boarding penalty incurred in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins. Late in the first period of Wednesday’s game, Sundqvist was assessed a two-minute minor for boarding because of a hit from behind on Boston Sundqvist will miss Game 3 Saturday at Enterprise Center as the Blues defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. play their first home game in a Cup Final since 1970. Grzelcyk had the puck in the corner behind the Bruins’ net and appeared “The league has made their decision, and now we need to prepare for to lose an edge skating after changing directions. He was falling to the Game 3,” general manager Doug Armstrong told the Post-Dispatch via ice when Sundqvist struck him from behind with his shoulder. Grzelcyk’s text message. “Depth has been a strength of this team, and I am head slammed against the glass and he fell to the ice. confident that whoever Craig (Berube) taps to go in will be more than prepared for the task at hand.” Grzelcyk had to be helped off the ice and did not return to the game. He spent part of Wednesday night at a hospital undergoing tests and The next man up appears to be Zach Sanford, who has been a healthy evaluation. He did not accompany the team to St. Louis on Thursday, scratch for the last 18 games in this Blues playoff run. Sanford hasn’t meaning he’s almost certainly out for at least Games 3 and 4. played since Game 3 of the Blues’ Round 1 series against Winnipeg on April 14. “He’s in (concussion) protocol,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. “When we have a further update, we’ll give it to you. Obviously we’re going to list Sanford grew up in the Boston area and played hockey at Boston him day-to-day . . . see how it goes from here.” College, so playing in the Stanley Cup against the Bruins obviously would be special. In a video explanation sent out via the NHL Player Safety account on Twitter, the league explained that “the boarding rule places the onus to As Armstrong mentioned, one of the hallmarks of this Blues team is deliver a legal check on the hitter.” superior roster depth; it has helped get them this far. But playing a game without Sundqvist, and possibly Robert Thomas and Vince Dunn as well, While acknowledging that Grzelcyk adjusted his body position in making will test that depth. a play on the puck. Grzelcyk “does not do so in a way that absolves Sundqvist of responsibility for the nature of this hit.” “Yeah, absolutely,” center Ryan O’Reilly said. “I think we have great personnel here. We have so many guys who can step in and do the job. The league said Sundqvist “adjusts his course, then hits (Grzelcyk) Obviously, it’s tough losing key players like that. But we’re confident. forcefully from behind with speed, driving him violently into the glass and We’ve got a great group here and (have) so many guys who are able to causing an injury.” step in and make an impact.” It was the decision of the league that Sundqvist had time to react to Sundqvist, 25, had a breakout regular season with 14 goals and 17 Grzelcyk’s movement but reacted by “cutting across Grzelcyk’s body” assists in 74 games. He had only two goals and seven assists in 70 which resulted in a more forceful and direct hit to the upper body and previous NHL games with St. Louis and Pittsburgh. head.

During the playoffs, Sundqvist has four goals, five assists and is tied for St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 the team lead at plus-8. He also is a regular on the penalty kill unit.

“He’s a big part of our team,” team captain Alex Pietrangelo said. “He plays big minutes night in and night out and in every situation.”

But Pietrangelo expressed confidence that the Blues will handle this test.

“Well, it tested us last night and we did just fine,” he said, referring to Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime victory over the Bruins.

Bothered by a wrist injury, Thomas missed his first game of the playoffs, with Robby Fabbri stepping in and playing well in his first action since Game 5 of the Dallas series May 3.

“So we’ve had injuries all year,” Pietrangelo said. “We’ve had guys go down and other guys have stepped up. You want to have depth for this exact reason. (Fabbri) comes in (Wednesday) night and played a fantastic game for us. It’s not easy to jump in at this level and play the way he did.”

The Blues also were without defenseman Dunn (head, mouth), who has missed five playoff games since being struck in the face with a puck early in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against San Jose.

In a media session nearly eight hours before the NHL decision on Sundqvist, Berube said Dunn was close to returning Saturday against Boston.

“Yeah, there’s a chance,” Berube said. “We’ll see how he does tomorrow.” 1145852 St Louis Blues obviously it (stinks) to go out that way when you’re not expecting it, but it’s just the nature of the game.”

LINES Updated: For today, at least, Sanford steps in for Sundqvist on Blues' fourth line Blues forwards:

Schwartz-Schenn-Tarasenko (Sundqvist skated here Friday)

By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10 hrs ago Blais-O'Reilly-Perron

Fabbri-Bozak-Maroon

Zach Sanford skated with the fourth line on Friday as the Blues got ready Sanford-Barbashev-Steen for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, though coach Craig Berube said he hadn't made up his mind on who will step in for suspended Oskar Blues defensemen: Sundqvist. Blues stats, roster and schedule

Vladimir Tarasenko did not take part in the practice, though Berube said Bruins stats, roster and schedule it was just for maintenance. Tarasenko missed about 10 minutes of the second period of Game 2 with what the Blues said was an equipment Join the discussion in our Blues Talk forum issue. At the end of the game, amid the celebration of Carl Gunnarsson's Gunnarsson-Pietrangelo goal, blood was visible on the front of Tarasenko's jersey. Bouwmeester-Parayko Robert Thomas also missed practice and Berube said it was possible Thomas would play Saturday. Vince Dunn practiced, but skated with the Edmundson-Bortuzzo fourth pairing, and talking in the locker room afterward did not sound like someone who was going into the lineup soon. Blues goalie:

Sanford figured to the person to step in for the one game Sundqvist will Binnington miss because of the suspension for his hit on Matt Grzelcyk. Sanford MOVING DEFENSE played in the first three games of the playoffs against Winnipeg before giving way to Robby Fabbri. It would seem the only way he wouldn't play The Blues changed their defensive pairings in the third period of Game 2, is if Robert Thomas comes back into the game and Fabbri drops down. moving Carl Gunnarsson up with Alex Pietrangelo and putting Joel Edmundson with Robert Bortuzzo. "I haven't made that decision yet," Berube said. "He was out there on the line today, but he's played for us in the playoffs this year, too. We'll see Some of the Blues most effective play came when Gunnarsson and what happens tomorrow. We'll make that decision tomorrow." Pietrangelo were paired together earlier this season. The obvious reason for their success was that Gunnarsson is more stay at home, while Sanford, however, sounded like he was playing. Pietrangelo is more inclined to get into the offense. But in Game 2, it was "Obviously this is every kid's dream growing up and it's been a crazy Gunnarsson who jumped into the fray and had a shot go off the post prior road so far through the playoffs and it's awesome to be here," said to his game-winner. Sanford, who grew up a Bruins fan in New Hampshire, a short drive from "I just think in the past we’ve put them together at times and they’ve had Boston. "I'm really excited for tomorrow. good success and good chemistry together," Berube said. "And it worked "It's going to be fun, I think. It's a little weird playing against your team out again. You just make decisions sometimes as you go along. It’s a gut growing up. I was even talking to my mom. She was at the games in feeling for (assistant coach) Mike Van Ryan, and he makes that call a lot Boston and she caught herself cheering for the Bruins here and there of times. He runs the D." and had to fix that. It's pretty crazy how things work out like that, but I'm BRUINS NEWS excited like I said before and it should be fun." Grzelcyk is not with the Bruins in St. Louis and is doubtful for the game. Asked what changes with Sanford being in, Ivan Barbashev, who will John Moore will take his place. Moore has played five games in the now center the fourth line, said, "Nothing. It's only one game." playoffs, the last four of the Toronto series and the final game of the Berube said Thomas was "a possibility." Though the Blues haven't said it, Carolina series, when Zdeno Chara was out with an injury. Thomas appears to have a wrist injury. Patrice Bergeron did not practice on Friday but coach Bruce Cassidy said DUNN HURTING it was maintenance.

As for Dunn, Berube said, "He's getting close. I don't know if he's an St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 option tomorrow. I'll know that tomorrow."

Dunn, however, didn't sound optimistic. He said the decision was now up to him and he did not make it sound like he's close. He sat in his stall, mostly looking down.

"I’m feeling OK," he said. "Every day is better. Not really much to say about it. It (stinks). There’s lots of help for me around the rink to try to get me ready, try to get me back. But at the end of the day, when I’m not feeling like myself out there, I can’t just throw myself back in."

Is it tough to smile? "Yeah, it's a lot of work right now."

Dunn said he hadn't lost any teeth -- "none so far" -- but still had wires in his mouth and it was tough to eat and he was drinking a lot of shakes.

"Tough to eat," he said. "Tough to do a lot of things right now. Lot of shakes, a lot of things you don’t really like to eat. But that’s the way I live right now."

Dunn took a puck to the face in Game 3 of the San Jose series. Though he wouldn't say he had a concussion, he did say he doesn't remember much of the incident.

"I really didn’t know what happened to me at first," he said. "It was just kind of like a blow to my head. It was just pretty scary for me and 1145853 St Louis Blues Later in the playoffs, Jenna went to a doctor appointment. She told him about the Gloria possibility. The doctor was impressed by Matt's fandom.

“Once we went in for the C-Section, and they're prepping her for Oh, Baby! Blues fans had a newborn girl. Her middle name? Gloria. surgery,” Matt said, “the doctor came in and saw me and was like, 'You're going to name her Gloria, that's cool! I'm supposed to tell you not to do so.' And then we started talking hockey, and they're pulling this baby out 7 hrs ago of my wife, and I'm so nervous about this surgery, I didn't even want to talk about hockey at the time! But they're all talking about the Blues and Benjamin Hochman how cool it is.”

The baby girl needed a name. They gave her three. They loved For the first time as Jenna and Matt Kovarik, the newlyweds entered their MacKenzie. That's her first name. Then, yep, her middle name is Gloria. wedding reception to the sounds of “The St. Louis Blues March.” Shortly But in order to make it “flow better off the tongue,” Matt said, they added after, Matt spotted his surprise gift — Jenna had ordered an ice sculpture a second middle name – Marie. of the Stanley Cup. “It happened!” Matt said. “It's on the birth certificate.” “Probably a 300-pound ice sculpture, all lit up!” Matt said. MacKenzie Gloria Marie Kovarik. Matt isn't a sports fan — he's a sport fan. Hockey. That's it. That's his Back in the room, Matt took some pictures of their newborn and texted thing. immediate family members. “And I live and breathe Blues hockey,” he said. “But,” he said, “I sent them the name 'Lord Stanley Kovarik,' but I spelled He grew up in Fenton, taping every Blues game on VHS. He idolized Al it 'Lorde Stanli.' But nobody bit on it. But then I told them the actual name MacInnis. and nobody believed me, until they got to the hospital – I had it written up on the board. And I even drew a little Bluenote next to Gloria. They're “And Dougie Weight,” Matt said. “I used to carry a picture of him in my like, 'That's a joke, right?' And I'm like – 'No! That's her name!' wallet, which is probably an embarrassing fact about me. Between like me and a couple friends, it was kind of like a silly obsession. I never had And on Wednesday night, while Jenna slept, “I was watching the game,” a picture of my wife of anything in there, but I'd pull out this picture of Matt said, “while holding baby Mackenzie Gloria.” Dougie Weight and just pass it around and get a few laughs.” So what happened when Carl Gunnarsson scored the Game 2 overtime Jenna was from North County. Friend of a friend. They met around a goal? dozen years ago, sometime during the Andy Murray years. “She was in my arms during the goal – I had to jump up delicately,” Matt “One of her first gifts to me was Blues tickets vs. Chicago,” Matt said. “So said. “I didn't want to scream, but I was pumping my fist. … It's she took me to the game. She was amazed at at how nervous I was just unbelievable. I've looked forward this all my life – I never thought I'd be at a regular-season game against Chicago, and I explained to her that able to hold a newborn baby during it. It's unreal, really.” we had this big rivalry, and I just couldn't stand to lose to them. I was on St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 edge the whole game. I was nervous because we were newly dating, and I just wanted things to go cool. I didn't want to embarrass myself or anything.”

Yet, she took him to the environment he was most prone to embarrass himself.

“I'm capable of embarrassing myself anywhere,” Matt deadpanned. “She kind of became a fan through me. I always had a partial ticket plan, so she'd go to a bunch of games with me, most of the games. Up until we started having kids. I went to every playoff game from 2003 to 2016. And then we had our first kid, so that kind of put the kibosh on that. But I try to get down there as often as I can.”

They have a 2-year-old daughter named Avery Rose. She's adorable, runs around the house singing the song “Gloria.” Then again, these days even grown adults have been running around St. Louis homes singing “Gloria.” The song has become the soundtrack of St. Louis, ever since Blues players were at that bar in Philadelphia. A DJ played Laura Branigan's “Gloria,” and later an inspired, inebriated bargoer made his song request to the DJ by bellowing: “Play Gloria!” The next night, Jordan Binnington earned a shutout in his first NHL start, and the song suddenly belonged to the Blues.

“They rallied around that,” Matt said. “I thought that was cool.”

Jenna was pregnant again this year – a C-Section was scheduled at St. Luke's for May 24. Three days prior, the Blues beat the Sharks in Game 6 to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

“We didn't have one name that we really agreed on,” said Matt, who works on elevators for a living; Jenna is a special education teacher. “So we just kept throwing stuff out there. Neither of us have any loyalty to the name Gloria, we wouldn't even ever had considered it, outside of the Blues connection to the song.

“I was like – 'Oh, that would be cool as a middle name!' A couple weeks back, I kind of broached the subject delicately, kind of approached her when she's in a good mood, and was like, 'Hey, how about Gloria for the middle name?' And she's like, 'No.' Flat-out, no the first time. So I'm like, 'OK, yeah, I guess I'll have to work on it. I started bringing it up, here and there. And she's like, 'What if they don't win (the Stanley Cup)?' And I was like, 'It doesn't matter if they win or not – at this point, it's already the greatest season in Blues hockey history. They came out of last place.' 1145854 St Louis Blues arena in St. Louis on hand for a watch party would clear the caps from the ice on a day the staff that usually takes care of such things was not on duty. There’s another must-have scene. There are so many more.

Blues' story could be a movie in the making, but it might not do the tale Berube challenging Blues star Vladimir Tarasenko after he looked justice sluggish in a Game 1 loss to San Jose, a private discussion that has resulted in Tarasenko playing like he was shot from a cannon.

14 hrs ago Jordan Binnington’s Game 5 shutout of the Sharks, a first for the 25-year- old rookie who came out of nowhere to save a season while flooring us Ben Frederickson with lines such as, “Do I look nervous?”

Doug Armstrong pacing the TD Garden press box during Wednesday’s win, a victory that no other Blues general manager was able to capture, Carl Gunnarsson is in the script. an accomplishment that seemed possible only to Armstrong on the day No questions asked. he fired Mike Yeo, introduced Berube as the interim coach and had to answer questions about pursuing free-agent Joel Quenneville. When a defenseman who has scored all of zero goals in the 56 postseason games of his decade-long NHL career calls his shot on an Berube removing the NHL standings from the team’s dressing room wall overtime goal in a Stanley Cup Final game, that makes the movie. before his band of believers began its historic climb.

Throw in that Gunnarsson’s premonition and prediction to Blues coach The Blues’ night in a Philadelphia bar that led to ‘Gloria’ becoming the Craig Berube came while the two were, well, straddling their respective team’s anthem. urinals before the overtime period of Wednesday night’s Game 2, and A movie might come. It won’t do it justice. Can’t possibly tell the whole there is just no way that material hits the cutting-room floor. story. At least we can all agree on the opening scene. Consider the context. Find someone to play Mr. Reliable, Ryan O’Reilly. Blues legend Bob Gunnarsson probably would have been the player who did not play Plager plays himself. The opening shot shows the two men standing on a Wednesday if Vince Dunn, the speedy defenseman many figured the stage at a packed Ballpark Village before the season begins. Blues needed in order to keep up with the Bruins, would have returned to “I got to give him his sweater that day,” Plager recalled recently. “I sort of action. Dunn didn’t. Gunnarsson became the star of the game. whispered. I said it low. I said, ‘You know, I need a parade bad.’ And he Gunnarsson had come oh-so-close to breaking his goal drought in the said, ‘I’ll get you one.’” third period that his laser of a shot left Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 slumped for a moment, thinking the pipe Gunnarsson hit had been the net. Then Gunnarsson, who had not scored since the second day of February, netted the game-winning goal in the first contest the Blues ever won in a Stanley Cup Final, snapping a streak of 13 consecutive losses. That ended the Blues’ run as the team with the most losses without a win in the championship round of the NHL, NBA and MLB.

Casting, it’s time to find someone who fits the description of a 6-foot-2, bearded Swede.

This really is going to be a movie, right? Sure feels that way.

So much so that I’ve started asking STL media types to help me brainstorm names for the lead roles.

Bruce Willis as Berube, for example. Anyone else see it?

There’s just one problem.

New characters and must-have moments keep forcing their way into the cast and plot. Blues super fan Jon Hamm is going to need to call a lot of his friends.

There is no Gunnarsson goal without a montage of the Blues outscoring the Sharks 12-2 following Timo Meier’s not-called hand pass on San Jose’s overtime goal in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. That sequence, of course, has to end with a relieved NHL commissioner Gary Bettman wiping sweat from his brow.

There is no hand-pass montage without Robert Bortuzzo, whose nine- year career had included zero postseason goals in 37 games, stunning the world with a beautiful game-winning backhand in San Jose that announced the Blues’ presence in that round. Bortuzzo scored again Wednesday night. Casting has a layup here, as long as Gerard Butler can skate.

There is no Big Bob backhand without Oakville hero and Blues fan favorite Pat Maroon beating Chaminade hero and Stars goalie Ben Bishop with his overtime goal in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. A bearded Ben Affleck might do the trick for Maroon, though he’s probably a Bruins fan.

There is no Maroon Magic if Jaden Schwartz does not smack a puck out of the air and into the Jets’ goal with 15 seconds left in Game 5 of the first round. The third goal of that third period turned a game the Blues once trailed by two into a 3-2 win. It propelled Schwartz toward 12 postseason goals and two hat tricks.

One of those Schwartz hat tricks came on the road, which forced Blues owner Tom Stillman to attempt to figure out — from San Jose — how the 1145855 St Louis Blues

Yep, that's Jon Hamm talking Blues in NBC's promotional video

By Dan Caesar St. Louis Post-Dispatch 14 hrs ago

It’s inevitable. Whenever there is a major sporting event being televised by a network, fans of both teams claim the national broadcasters are favoring the other side.

But Blues fans who think NBC’s coverage of the current Stanley Cup Final has been Boston boosting will be interested in seeing a very pro-St. Louis promotional announcement it has produced. Actor Jon Hamm, a native St. Louisan and rabid Blues fan, narrates the piece. It will air on NBC daytime programming Saturday leading into the telecast of Game 3 of the Blues-Bruins series that night on NBCSN. It also is to be posted on social media sites.

“It’s been 49 years since the Blues were in a Stanley Cup Final,” Hamm says to open the high-energy bit packed with highlights. “But we are here. And after this final, the only team singing the blues will be the Bruins.”

The opening of the telecast that night is scheduled to have shots of the Cup at spots around town, including at Mike Talayna’s Juke Box (which was SchmieZing’s, a big hockey hangout when the team played at The Arena), as well as BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups.

Coverage, either pregame, between periods or during the contest, also is to include scenes from around St. Louis, including the Zoo. Also set are a feature story on the Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly and his family as well as teammate and St. Louis native Pat Maroon.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145856 St Louis Blues read plays better and not being caught in a bad position or the wrong side of the puck and try to use my size to my advantage.

“It’s pretty obvious. The game has got a lot faster than the late ‘90s. I Bruins' Chara, once a teammate of Berube, is still going strong at 42 think if you continue to work on your game and work hard to be better, you can play a long time in any type of game.”

By Tom Timmermann 13 hrs ago Time marches on. So does Zdeno Chara.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019

Craig Berube is no spring chicken. The coach of the Blues is 53 years old, and his 17-season NHL career ended in 2003, 16 seasons ago. He has been around.

Craig Berube played with Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara.

It isn’t even a case of Berube’s last season being Chara’s first. When they both played on the 2000-01 New York Islanders, Chara was in his fourth season in the league and Berube had two more to go. Their playing careers overlapped for six seasons.

Chara is not playing out the string. Last season, most of which he played at the age of 40, he got votes for the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman. The next oldest person to get votes was 34. Now, Chara’s 42, the captain of the Eastern Conference champion Bruins and he logged 25:45 of ice time in Game 2, the third most of any Bruin. He has the best plus-minus of anyone in this year’s postseason at plus-10.

And when Berube looks at Chara, he is reminded of the youngster he played with all those years ago.

“It was a long time ago,” said Berube, who calls Chara “Z.” “He was a kid. His work ethic was unreal at that point. A tremendous worker, great character.”

“Obviously his size (6-foot-9). He plays the game on his brains a lot now. He’s a smart guy, he’s been around a long time, he uses that long reach and gets in the way. It’s just his determination more than anything and his work ethic. It’s why he’s still playing.”

Chara is old (only Matt Cullen of Pittsburgh, who is 136 days his senior, was older in the NHL this season) but still a force to be reckoned with on the Bruins’ blueline.

“I find it very impressive what he can still do,” Blues center Ryan O’Reilly said before Game 2. “It’s amazing what he’s doing. He’s obviously a key player for that team.”

Chara, who signed with Boston in 2006 as a free agent and has become a local institution since then, is part of a matched set of Boston sports icons who are playing well past the age when everyone else has stopped. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will be 42 at the start of next season and is still going strong.

While Brady has won six Super Bowls, Chara has won just one Stanley Cup title, and this is his third trip to the Final. But he’s maximized his chances of getting more by prolonging his career, which is now wrapping up its 21st season. This is the 14th of those seasons where he has been in the playoffs. Barring injury, by the time the Stanley Cup Final ends, he will be second among active players in Stanley Cup playoff games, behind only Patrick Marleau. After Game 2, Chara has been in 177.

The game of hockey has gone through sizable changes since Chara broke in in 1997 as a 20-year-old from Czechoslovakia, and Chara has navigated through all of them.

“His fitness level to begin with,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said in pointing out how he has done it. “His commitment to staying young. That’s his eating habits, his preparation. And then you take that away, he’s a very intelligent guy, so he knows how the game has changed and adapted. From the skating style, how he has to manage the puck, how guys are quicker and get under him, how he has to move it differently. That’s probably it. Then you have the competition factor. You can’t measure the guy’s will to succeed. Fitness, intelligence and his love of the game. It’s a will to succeed.”

“You have to (adapt),” Chara said. “You have to make those adjustments. You have to be a little ahead of the game as far as seeing what’s happening, players’ training, how skilled they are, how fast they are, systems, the way teams are being coached. If you don’t, then you’re going to be way behind.

“I kind of sensed where the game was going the last few years and tried to work really hard in the offseason and in the season on the abilities to 1145857 St Louis Blues The longest losing streak in the World Series is eight by the Braves (which is still active), Phillies and Yankees. The longest streak in the NBA Finals is nine by the Bullets, split between their time in Washington Blues notebook: A lot of little things went into Gunnarsson's big goal and Baltimore.

Now that the Blues have won a game in the Final, the longest active losing streaks in the NHL belong to Vegas and Florida, both at four. By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch 13 hrs ago Detroit lost nine straight in the 1940s.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 For decades, the Blues have had the memory of Bobby Orr, No. 4 for Boston, flying through the air after scoring the overtime winner in the final game of the 1970 Stanley Cup Final. Now the Blues have their own overtime goal from No. 4.

Carl Gunnarsson, not surprisingly, heard from plenty of family and friends after his overtime goal in Game 2 evened the series.

“Yeah, it seems everyone likes it,” he said.

There were a lot of aspects to the goal. It came during a delayed penalty after the Blues’ Alexander Steen was tripped. Goalie Jordan Binnington went to the bench and Ryan O’Reilly jumped on as the sixth attacker.

Six-on-five situations have not been a strength of the Blues. In the postseason, they had pulled their goalie late in the game six times in a desperate effort to tie the game and had yet to score a goal. This time, they got one to win it.

“Just a quick reading of the play, trying to get to an area,” O’Reilly said. “The way it was developing, I was just trying to get over to just the middle there and be a support, hopefully have a one-timer either from the side or up top. Obviously he opened up, he did his thing.”

O’Reilly had a chance to shoot but instead passed the puck back to Gunnarsson, which would seem a low percentage play. O’Reilly said he didn’t consider shooting at the time.

“No, as it came to me, (I was) kind of just trying to be as present as possible, see what I have available.” O’Reilly said. “The way the thing kind of shifted, he opened himself into a great spot, put it on his tape. I didn’t really do anything too special there. It was a heck of a shot.”

The Blues also benefited from the presence in front of the goal of defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who screened Boston goalie Tuukka Rask.

“Now I know what the forwards feel like,” Pietrangelo said. “I was in front, waiting for the puck to come. I was a little bit confused where I was. It was six on five. You’re just trying to find a spot to stand.

“I was tired, so I parked it in front. . . . I was in the play before when ‘Steener’ drove the net. The puck just kept going in circles. I think at that point it seemed like I was in a good spot, so I just stayed there.”

For all the attention Gunnarsson got after the goal, one thing he didn’t get was the puck.

“I don’t know what happened to it,” he said. “That didn’t cross my mind at the time.”

MISSING VLADI

Vladimir Tarasenko disappeared from the ice at TD Garden on Wednesday after taking his first shift of the second period. He didn’t return until the period was more than half over, missing three shifts with his linemates.

Blues coach Craig Berube said Thursday that Tarasenko needed an equipment repair, without going into specifics. Tarasenko fell on that first shift, meaning it probably was a skate issue, which is not uncommon. But what was uncommon was that Tarasenko was gone almost 10 minutes.

“It took a little time, longer than we wanted,” Berube said. “But he eventually got back out there.”

Helped along by the overtime, where he added another 1:23 of ice time, Tarasenko finished the game at 15:50, not all that far off the 16:15 he played in Game 1.

STREAK BUSTER

The Blues’ 13-game losing streak in the Stanley Cup Final was the longest in league history, and the longest in other major U.S. pro sports. 1145858 St Louis Blues

Blues broadcasters relish calling games in Final

By Dan Caesar St. Louis Post-Dispatch 12 hrs ago

The Blues’ first trip to the Final is a new experience not only for many of their fans, but their play-by-play broadcasters as well.

Chris Kerber, the team’s radio voice since 2000 who is in his 25th year overall of broadcasting hockey, is basking in the team’s unparalleled success — he had the call of the Blues’ first win in a Final game, after 13 unsuccessful tries, on Wednesday night:

“Gunnarsson to O’Reilly, to Gunnarsson. He sc-o-o-o-o-o-o-r-es! Boom- Boom Gunnarsson! The Blues win Game 2, 3-2 in the Final. They come home tied at 1!”

“It’s been incredible,” Kerber said Thursday. “Very exciting. . . . To feel the excitement in that building, the energy, just jacks you up.”

The first two games were in Boston. What about when the team has its first home Final game in 49 years on Saturday?

“This fan base has waited so long,” he said. “I am freaking wired! It’s going to be unreal. The roof is going to be blown off.”

A lot of people have been blown away by Kerber’s gracious gesture of turning his seat over to John Kelly for the second period of the broadcasts for the games in the Final. Kelly, the team’s television play- by-play broadcaster on Fox Sports Midwest, is shut out of that role now because NBC has exclusive TV rights.

“It’s been a ton of fun” doing that, Kerber said. “I have a lot of respect for John and his family. It’s fun to share the microphone with somebody else who also never has done a Final.”

Kelly, who has been calling NHL games since 1988-89 but estimated he hadn’t broadcast hockey on the radio in 25 years, is appreciative.

“It’s been awesome,” he said. “ I’m so grateful for Chris giving me the opportunity. It’s an unprecedented gesture for him to give up his time in his booth to me when he doesn’t have to. He insisted on it, and I’m blown away, I really am.”

Kerber said the decision to step aside for Kelly “was a no brainer. We travel with this group, we see each other every day, sometimes have breakfast, lunch and dinner together. That’s more than a lot of families do. I just felt like it was the right thing to do.”

Making it even more special for Kelly is the fact that his dad, legendary hockey announcer Dan Kelly, was the voice of the Blues from their second season (1968-69) until he died in 1989. And the games are being carried on KMOX (1120 AM), as they were when his father was in the booth.

These contests are the final ones the station airs before the broadcasts move to WXOS (101.1 FM) next season.

“You have to consider so many Blues fans first learned about the team and the game of hockey through my father’s work and the 50,000 watts of KMOX,” Kelly said. “Considering my dad did the last Final between these teams (on CBS television) and I get to do it on KMOX, it’s really special. It really is.

“For all these years, except for a few, they’ve been on KMOX. It would be fitting in a way that if they do win the Cup that it would come out on KMOX. That would be incredible.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145859 St Louis Blues Tarasenko scooped it up in his own zone, and that’s when he was nearly bitten by “The Rat.” Boston’s Brad Marchand skated toward Tarasenko, leaving Schwartz open. This decision was, categorically, bad. The risk- With Tarasenko playing his best hockey, Bruins will try to 'make his life taking Tarasenko hesitated, just for an extra glide, put the puck on his hard' backhanded, feeding Schwartz.

Boston’s TD Garden was at a fever pitch. Schwartz’s shot was saved, as was Vladi’s first attempt at a put-back in front of the net. 16 hrs ago Tarasenko was skating both backward and away from the crease — but Benjamin Hochman the resilient body-contortionist reached out his stick and backhanded the puck up and past Rask. A replay of this goal should be on loop at the

Moscow Museum of Modern Art. Before Bostonians bestowed Bucky Dent’s middle name to Carl The headline on Deadspin.com read: “Vladimir Tarasenko Nearly Ripped Gunnarsson, there was a time in Game 2 when the Bruins had Himself In Half Scoring This Goal.” something brewin’. “His shot is his biggest threat,” Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy In the first period, the home team seized a 2-1 lead, and after that, for stated, “but that being said, he’s a bigger body who is good with puck about four minutes, it just felt like Boston would score four more. possession. As far as playing against him, we need to really limit his That’s when Vladimir Tarasenko changed the trajectory of the Stanley opportunities. He’s been opportunistic the last two games and both of Cup Final. them being in front of the net, so we need to make sure we’re getting a body on him in front. And trying to make his life hard, as well as everyone The Blues forward took a shot that challenged Tuukka Rask and the laws on that first line.” of physics. The game-tying goal was the biggest of Tarasenko’s career, and perhaps a symmetrical statement, too, considering what happened In every championship run, it takes something like the light-hitting Bucky one year ago. Fellow Russian star Alexander Ovechkin also lost Game 1 Dent hitting a ball over the Green Monster. The Blues have had their of the Cup Final on the road. “Ovi” then scored a big goal in Game 2, share of Gunnarsson-esque moments. But to win this series, the first line evening the series as the Capitals headed home. Eight days later, the must remain their best line. Caps won the Cup. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 No, last year doesn’t mean anything to this year except for a good story line. New teams, new heroes, new under-performers. But in an evenly matched series, St. Louis has something Boston doesn’t — a star player playing like one.

“The intensity level is at an all-time high right now in the playoffs — and his intensity level is right up there,” said Blues coach Craig Berube, whose team hosts Game 3 on Saturday. “But his skating and his work ethic, with or without the puck, is really good right now. When he doesn’t have the puck, he’s going after it. He’s physical in all the battles. I think that’s the difference.”

On one hand, we can bask in the greatness.

The unafraid forward has four scores in the past four games, and his eight-game point streak tied Gary Sabourin and another old player named Brett Hull for the second-longest streak in Blues playoff history. Also, for modern context, Tarasenko tied Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon for the longest streak in these 2019 playoffs. The Blues record, of nine games, is from Tony Currie in 1981.

On the other hand, it’s OK to make demands.

The Blues can win the Stanley Cup if No. 91 keeps playing at this level, but if Tarasenko and his line get neutralized — the way St. Louis has done to Boston’s top line — it’s fair to fear the outcome.

But with Brayden Schenn as a wrecking ball, Jaden Schwartz as a ball of energy and Tarasenko as Tarasenko, the Blues seem to be in a good spot in Game 3.

“They finish plays, right?” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy asked from the team hotel Thursday afternoon. “The first game (that line) got two point- blankers, and they were in the net in a hurry. No fault of Tuukka — that was breakdowns on us. Last night (in Game 2), they went to the net on their odd man rush. We didn’t defend it very well — it didn’t start as an odd-man rush, it ended that way.

“I think what they’ve done well, too, is check. They’ve done a good job against (Patrice) Bergeron’s line. . . . It’s a short sample size — I believe our guys will get going offensively, but so far you got to give them credit for that part of the game.”

Many Blues fans know the story of Tarasenko’s postseason. A refresher — he struggled in Game 1 against San Jose. Berube said as much during the postgame interview session. He needed Vladi to get engaged without the puck. And from that point on, Tarasenko has been a 200-foot dynamo. And his goal in Game 2, well, this combined ability and impossibility.

Again, at that time, the Bruins were smothering the Blues with momentum. A forceful forecheck. But Schenn, who has been physically imposing this series, crunched a Bruin and soon the puck was loose. 1145860 St Louis Blues “The story has a happy ending,” Buck said. “Had the Longs taken my seats, Natalie was dying to go so I was going to be on StubHub for about $1,300 apiece.”

Media Views: Blues finally in Final, but don't rival Cards, Rams in ratings But he’s set to be on hand Monday for Game 4. That will be part of a long Blues-related day for Buck, who starts it by hosting his annual golf tournament that benefits Children’s Hospital. In a twist, the Blues are By Dan Caesar St. Louis Post-Dispatch 16 hrs ago being honored at this year’s event at Old Warson Country Club.

“Of all the years to have them as the co-title sponsor,” Buck said. “I’ll get to play that day with (Brett) Hull, (broadcaster Darren) Pang, (Bernie) The Blues’ first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 49 years has been a big Federko. Other guys are coming out and (coach Craig) Berube is hit in television ratings. But they don’t rival what other St. Louis pro teams sending a foursome. We moved the tee time up from noon to 10:30 so — the Cardinals and once-loved Rams — have done on the big stage. we can get our business done, raise money and send people downtown.” Game 1 of the Final was shown on NBC (KSDK, Channel 5 locally) and St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.01.2019 was seen in 29 percent of homes in the market with a TV, making it the most-watched NHL game on record in St. Louis. That’s according to Nielsen, which tracks viewership. (Ratings were not measured on a daily basis for the Blues’ other Final appearances, in 1968, ‘69 and ‘70.)

The rating for Game 2, on Wednesday, dipped to 22.0. A drop was expected because the telecast was on cable’s NBCSN, which is seen in fewer homes than Channel 5, and didn’t carry the novelty of being the Blues’ first Final appearance in nearly half a century.

So the two-game rating average in St. Louis is 25.5, a stellar figure for programs of any format. However, it falls far short of what the Cardinals did for the first two games of their most recent World Series appearances. Those contests averaged a 39.0 rating in 2013, 48.4 in 2011, 44.8 in 2006 and 44.6 in 2004.

The now-loathed locally Los Angeles Rams once were the beloved St. Louis Rams, and they averaged a better rating during the regular season in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 than the Blues now have for the Final. The lowest rating in those years was 30.7, in 2002. The peak was 33.4, in 2001.

Their two Super Bowl appearances during their St. Louis era averaged a 54 rating.

Local Stanley Cup Final, World Series ratings

Game Blues '19 Cards '13 Cards '11 Cards '06 Cards '04

1 29 36 47.3 41.7 42.3

2 22 42 49.4 47.8 46.9

BUCK’S BLUES

St. Louisan Joe Buck is Fox Sports’ lead NFL, MLB and golf play-by-play broadcaster, so he doesn’t have many chances to be a fan. The exception — he wildly roots for the Blues.

“I’m proud of where I’m from, and it’s the one place I can show that and wear it on my sleeve,” he has said. “Nothing better than high-fiving strangers after a Blues goal.”

Buck, 50, is a longtime Blues season-ticket holder and is caught up in the team finally making it to the Final. The last time the Blues were in the title round, 1970, he was an infant. But he won’t be able to attend the team’s first home game in the Final since then, on Saturday night, because he’ll be in Charleston, S.C., broadcasting the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament.

It’s just part of the job, he says.

“I’m anxious to do the golf, what with the (men’s) U.S. Open coming up in a couple weeks. It’s good for us on the crew to all get back in our saddles so to speak and remember how to do it. It’s an important weekend for us.”

Fox’s golf coverage Saturday is set to end a little more than an hour before the Blues-Bruins game is set to start, at about 7:20 p.m.

“TVs work in Charleston, too,” he said.

Buck originally planned to give his tickets for Saturday’s game to Fox Sports colleague Howie Long and his son Chris, the former Rams defensive end who recently retired from pro football and is the reigning Walter Payton man of the year award winner in the NFL for his charitable endeavors. But the Longs since have secured seats in a suite, so Buck’s tickets will go to his daughter Natalie and her boyfriend. 1145861 St Louis Blues wingers up defending the opposing D at a 1:1 ratio, one of the wingers drops back and you start playing 1:1 with your four low. Yes, it’s piggy in the middle up top for the one winger now alone worrying about the two D Systems Analyst: The principles of 5-on-6 defense and why the Bruins up high, but you have to accept that you’re shorthanded and going to be were in trouble goal or not in OT outmanned somewhere.

That winger drop-back in every 5-on-6 defensive scheme I’ve ever seen is based on the very basic idea that you simply can’t afford to leave an By Justin Bourne May 31, 2019 unmarked player around your crease and your opponent is about to have four players around the net themselves. Teams say “If we’re going to let

them shoot from anywhere, let it be from 60-feet out and we’ll be sure to For a hockey player, spending time on the bench isn’t purely about rest, get the sticks up of the players sniffing out rebounds. We then need to as it may more commonly be in other sports. Given the frequency of win any ensuing even-manned puck battles.” With four defenders low, player substitutions, most guys are within a couple of minutes of their last communication becomes key given that there are so many bodies around shift and within a couple of their next. It’s hot, it’s sweaty, it’s certainly not the net. roomy and were you not used to the scene, you’d be generous in The problems for the Bruins by the time that puck went in their net describing it as “a little gross.” There is the recovery portion, of course – though, they were just … so-manyfold. That’s an official number now. the sit down, the liquids, the hurried breaths – but also, the bench is alive They had so-manyfold problems. as a single collective unit. With the Blues having run them ragged in their own end, and O’Reilly Players are calling out their next changes, warning teammates of giving the Blues six attackers, here’s where they found themselves as oncoming opponents (or of those trying to sneak behind), guys are diving Gunnarsson makes a nifty offensive play. Johansson thinks Gunnarsson in the bench, and as would have been the case for the St. Louis Blues in may just put the puck back down the boards to the corner, and so he overtime of Game 2, the bench starts making instant plans when the refs hedges as such. When you’re tired you’re always hedging, if not outright arm goes up. The chance to get an extra attacker on the ice in overtime cheating, otherwise, you’ll never get there. almost certainly sent the Blues into a frenzy in an attempt to maximize this opportunity. In these instances, sometimes the goalie needs a holler He’s looking to pick off the pass clean and end the Blues O-zone to alert him there’s a call coming, and sometimes the coach needs to be possession. Failing that, maybe he would’ve carried on low into the made aware of the same info, ensuring that the team can get that guy out corner and the Bruins would’ve established four defending players low. there ASAP. In big moments, an arm going up is followed by a short But Gunnarsson doesn’t take the obvious, safe play, as he brings it back energy spike on the bench. up high.

In Game 2 that spike would’ve come after a play where Alex Steen was Now in the above shot, the Blues have four players all above the Bruins taking the puck to the net, so all eyes were on that part of the ice. That defenders. There are Bruins in all sorts of fine defensive positions from would’ve meant the whole bench was alert and hollering, Binnington which to flex out. Just a split second later though, thanks to the would’ve seen and started heading towards the bench, and Berube Gunnarsson fake and a Barbashev deciding to get into the mix lower, would’ve started rush-scanning the namebars in front of him for the best things start to look awfully different. available forward who wasn’t gassed (and usually a guy who’s going that particular night). For the Blues on this occasion, that meant Ryan O’Reilly There are four Blues that are getting awfully low, aren’t there? Johansson went over the boards (Ivan Barbashev also just got on, as Jaden decides to stay high and on Gunnarsson, which – whether that’s the right Schwartz was changing around the same time). choice or wrong choice – should indicate to Heinen and Coyle that they’re to find guys down low because he’s essentially called them off The Bruins too would’ve been aware of the change in situational play, with his actions. That’s how you communicate in hockey – you clearly given that it happened at the location of the puck. They were gassed – oh establish a choice you’ve made and let your linemates use that as sign my goodness, were they gassed – but they’d have known they were language. about to be defending short a player. They would know that means they’re about to fall into a different defensive structure … at least Even when Gunnarsson moves the puck over to O’Reilly at the other practically. point (the Blues offensive zone play and a change had moved some players around the zone, obviously), you can see Johansson continues Below we’ll look at how that play unfolded, how it should have unfolded towards O’Reilly and the puck, as he should. He’s the winger saying “I’m from the Bruins end and the principles of 5-on-6 play as a whole. the high 1.”

Above I used the phrase “at least practically” about the Bruins falling into But Heinen heads up and out on O’Reilly anyway, which isn’t a huge a 5-on-6 defensive scheme because knowing what you’re supposed to problem on this goal, but had the shot not gone in, it likely would’ve been do on the ice and being able to physically execute said action are not the – they wouldn’t have had numbers low. Because Johansson carries on to same thing. By the time the Carl Gunnarsson introduced vulcanized the other point a bit thinking he’s “the high 1,” he gets out of rubber to white twine, Torey Krug, Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle and Gunnarsson’s shooting lane. Now he’s a fish out of water covering no Marcus Johansson had all been on the ice for a minutes and five one, pressuring no one and standing in the shot lane of no one. And on seconds (Danton Heinen was on for 57 seconds), which is on the long top of that, what exactly is Coyle’s defensive thinking in the above frame? side in the third period of a 5-0 game in January, let alone in overtime of I’m guessing he wants to front and block any point shot, maybe because the Stanley Cup final. he’s too tired to get back and grab a man? Not often in any coverage you just see a center floating around the slot alone with the puck up high. Coaches love their players receiving positive reinforcement (as in, scoring) off extended offensive zone possessions because those rewards Either way, when the pass comes back to Gunnarsson, you basically clearly illustrate just how wearing your opponent down – even those have three Bruins forwards not exactly where they should be – though times it doesn’t result in a goal – can have positive effects on the rest of we’ll give Johansson the pass that he might be if Heinen reads off him the game. An under-covered hockey angle might just be the performance better. It’s tough to say where he’d have gone if he were alone up there, of players in the shifts immediately after getting caught out for long ones. though my hunch is “nowhere but exactly where he is, because he is I’m willing to bet it skews pretty heavily towards “bad.” Even if that clearly so, so gassed.” Gunnarsson shot clangs off the iron as his late regulation attempt did, Johnasson, Coyle and Heinen weren’t going to be the same players for a By the time Gunnarsson is about to hit this one-timer, the odds of this few shifts. They’d have been staring 90 seconds of OT-paced D-zone ending poorly for the Bruins are through the roof. Instead of being coverage square in the face. I feel it’s important to reemphasize that matched up 4-on-4 low, here’s what they’ve got: A 4-on-2 for the Blues about long shifts in general. It isn’t just that you suck at the end of them, with it becoming 4-on-3 shortly after, though the Bruins would still need to it’s that when your legs really get burnt out, it can take you a whole sort out the who-has-who portion of the second part of that. period to get your pop back. That’s a lot of free sticks around the crease and a screened goalie. If this You get the idea – the Bruins were in some trouble here, goal or not. puck hits something low, St. Louis heavily outnumbers the Bruins, and each of the Blues players on the ice had played about 30-37 seconds so Energy reserves aside, let’s first talk about the main principle of D-zone far, save for Barbashev and O’Reilly, who both just stepped on the ice. coverage when you’re down 5-on-6, which is that instead of having two Knowing that, you have to like their odds here, goal or not: The brain does some weird things when you’re tired, which is possibly why the Bruins entirely failed to get into a four-man low coverage, surely knowing they were defending 5-on-6. It’s also possible they were just so tired they couldn’t get where they knew they should be.

Lastly, it’s possible that these particular players just didn’t know well enough how to defend 5-on-6. Over the course of an NHL season, a team defends 5-on-6 for an average of roughly 44 total minutes (according to Natural Stat Trick‘s “against empty net” stat). If you’re not one of those players that’s usually deployed during those protect-the-lead minutes, you might see just a handful of them a year. Related is that as a pure function of using practice time wisely, teams may practice this just a few times all season, which is part of the reason it’s kept so simple. It’s supposed to be just four guys low, and one winger high that’s all but dead to rights just to keep the opposing D halfway honest. Therefore, I’d be surprised if they didn’t know their coverage. My money is just on them being so spent they weren’t thinking much beyond “get puck, block shots … hope.”

Defending 5-on-6 may not come up a ton, but it sure does come up at crucial moments. You’d think it wouldn’t take much practice to have the simple defensive concept down, but maybe it’s something teams should practice just a bit more to feel comfortable when the situation does arise.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145862 St Louis Blues Ontario, and the surrounding area, including, at times, the family’s backyard.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my dad and the stuff that he taught me Ryan O’Reilly’s unique approach to the game began long before the NHL growing up. How to work and how to constantly find new ways to train and be creative with your training and not just off the ice but on the ice, as well,” Ryan O’Reilly said. “Never practicing what you’re good at. He By Scott Burnside May 31, 2019 was just a constant reminder of that, helping both my brother and I be creative with it and pushing each other. It was a massive tool that helped

me constantly elevate my game. Every time I made the step to the next ST. LOUIS – This is Ryan O’Reilly. level he’d say that he was so proud of me and stuff and then say, ‘now it’s time to take over this level, it’s time to elevate and become a Walking on a 2-by-4 angled awkwardly up a stack of mattresses. dominant player at that level.’ He’s always just helped stay in the present and find new ways of how to grow my game myself.” Then walking up the plank while doing yoga exercises. But the lessons learned in the O’Reilly home weren’t just hockey lessons. Then making the wobbly trek as his father poses mathematical They were lessons about how people interact with their community, how questions. important it is to give back and what it means to be selfless. Over the Then repeating the process as he’s balancing a golf ball on the end of a years, the O’Reilly family took in dozens of foster kids. hockey stick and depositing said golf ball into a plastic bucket. “I didn’t know it until I was older and seeing how lucky I was to grow up in This is Ryan O’Reilly. an environment like that where you open your home to other people that had been through some very tough challenges in life and learn how to Arriving at the rink long before his Erie Otters teammates on game day, get along,” Ryan O’Reilly said. “When they’re struggling, how to deal with going through his own workout ritual in the quiet of the arena, and then them. You don’t know you’re doing this but just by something as simple changing into his suit and meeting his teammates as they come off the as hockey, you bond together and it’s helped me, I think, be able to go to bus so he is in no way separate from the group. different teams and get along with everyone. Knowing that people come from different backgrounds and get along with them. I hope I can give my This is Ryan O’Reilly. family that, that same kind of thing where open your home and you can A hockey player broken down by the culture of mediocrity and losing that show that there’s that you can help out like that.” permeated the Buffalo Sabres organization, raw and candid about how The one byproduct of fostering so many kids was that many of them were the joy of the game was stripped away from him. also named Ryan, leading to his grandmother dubbing him “Snook,” This is Ryan O’Reilly. which is what his friends and family know him as to this day.

Three wins away from a Stanley Cup championship. Joey Hishon is one of those who knows O’Reilly as Snook. Hishon grew up not far from O’Reilly in small-town Western Ontario. Although they Standing in the bowels of TD Garden in Boston, there is something both knew of each other through youth hockey circles, they actually met at a wondrous and inexplicable about how this all unfolded. volleyball tournament when they were in middle school.

“It’s been an absolute rollercoaster. Throughout the whole thing,” O’Reilly They both played for elite spring tournament teams that were based in said. “It’s crazy how one year can change so dramatically. Being so Toronto, so the families carpooled to those events and the boys became disappointed. And not thinking I was going to be traded at all. Sitting close. there at the end of the year thinking how do I be a part of this change? Thinking I’ve got to do some things different in order to get this group in The knock on O’Reilly through much of his hockey career has been that the right way. Next thing you know I hear I’m kind of on the block and he doesn’t skate exceptionally well. But he worked so hard on other parts then I’m traded.” of his game that it hasn’t kept him from being considered one of the best two-way forwards in the game. O’Reilly was unflinchingly honest in assessing where he was at emotionally and professionally at the end of last season before his trade “You always knew that wasn’t going to hold him back,” Hishon said. to the St. Louis Blues. He was also unflinchingly honest about what was The joke when they played together was that O’Reilly was playing chess going through his mind at the start of this season. and everyone else was playing checkers. The Blues, as even the most casual of hockey fans knows by now, went “He just thought the game at a higher level than anyone else,” Hishon off the rails early and were in last place in the league at the end of the said. calendar year. Hishon has seen up close the creativity that O’Reilly and his family O’Reilly, 28, was acquired to help this team get over the hump, not be a brought to the process of getting better, honing skills and challenging participant in it crashing into a ditch. themselves mentally. Was it him? Was it something about his presence that was keeping his Like the aforementioned plank routine that helps to control breathing, teams from achieving? balance and hand-eye coordination. “So, getting to this group, then going through the whole frustration of the “Really crazy stuff,” Hishon said. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in first part of the season and thinking like, ‘gosh, I’m just, I feel I’m a my life,” he said of Brian O’Reilly’s summer workouts. cancer,’” O’Reilly said. “Like, I’ve just destroyed a team kind of thing.” Sometimes Ryan O’Reilly would come up with his own drills and He can laugh at the notion now given how important he has become to exercises, and the two would work on them together. this team, how much the younger players look up to him and how heavily coach Craig Berube relies on him, but that was his reality. Hishon played major junior hockey in Owen Sound where he is now an assistant coach and assistant GM, so he regularly faced his old pal who “I was just worried,” said O’Reilly, who had the primary assist on Carl was playing in Erie. Often he would give an extra little jab to O’Reilly or Gunnarsson’s overtime goal in Game 2. “You go through those things. I do a little trash talking just to see if he could get O’Reilly off his game. remember talking to my dad. He’s the one that said be patient with this. This is a really well-built team, there’s so many (new) faces, it’s going to “But there’s no one who can get in his head,” Hishon said. “He’s so take a while to click.” strong mentally.

As it turns out, Brian O’Reilly was right about a lot of things when it came One night, Hishon gave O’Reilly a little whack in the back of the legs just to his family, which includes wife, Bonnie, and three children – Ryan’s to remind his friend that he was there and soon found four of Erie’s brother Cal plays in the AHL for the Minnesota Wild’s affiliate. toughest players trying to get at him.

A longtime marriage counselor, Brian O’Reilly also runs a high- “I started backpedaling pretty quickly telling them that we were friends,” performance summer boot camp for athletes at facilities in Goderich, Hishon said. “They said ‘if you touch him again, you’re dead.’” Hishon was selected 17th-overall in 2010 by the Colorado Avalanche a last season. Hockey is a small town and Liles heard some negative year after O’Reilly was taken by the Avalanche with the 33rd overall pick. whispers from Buffalo about O’Reilly as a teammate after his trade to St. Louis. “That was pretty surreal,” Hishon said of the two longtime friends ending up drafted by the same NHL team. He chalks it all up to a losing team and how easy it is to throw dirt on the guy who’s leaving town. Hishon’s first NHL game was in the playoffs. The night before the game, he went to O’Reilly’s hotel room to watch some TV and try to calm his “I never saw that I can tell you,” Liles said. “He didn’t act like a teenager nerves. When Hishon scored his first NHL goal, O’Reilly was the first one at all. He had this older sense about him, almost like he was cut from an on the bench to congratulate him. old time hockey cloth.”

The connection remains strong between the two, as O’Reilly and another Even as a young NHLer O’Reilly was always among those who stayed longtime hockey pal Kent McPherson stood up in Hishon’s wedding last long after the formal practice ended. summer. “Those are the young guys you love having on your team,” Liles said. “He McPherson’s father, Dan, coached the boys and would sometimes give was constantly working on his game.” them extra time on the ice after practice. One day, Dan McPherson asked his son on the way home what O’Reilly was working on with the It is no surprise to him that O’Reilly became one of the top two-way extra time. centers in the game and believes he is one of the few players in the game that is in the same conversation as four-time Frank J. Selke Trophy He’d set up an obstacle course with cones and was working on winner Patrice Bergeron of the Bruins against whom O’Reilly has been stickhandling, backhands and edge work. matched at times early in this Stanley Cup final.

“He was working on a lot of things he wasn’t good at,” Dan McPherson O’Reilly, who is a finalist for the Selke Trophy along with Bergeron this said. season, made the jump straight from major junior to the NHL. He never played a game in the minors and, during his rookie season, he lived with And competitive? veteran winger Darcy Tucker.

The joke among the local hockey kids was they wanted to go to the O’Reilly said he was so in awe of the longtime Toronto Maple Leafs O’Reilly’s and see Cal and Ryan play ping pong, “just to see the fight,” player, having grown up a Leaf fan, that he didn’t think he spoke to Dan McPherson recalled with a chuckle. Tucker for the first half of the season.

“From what I saw of Ryan back then, I never doubted that he was going At the time, O’Reilly and Matt Duchene were rookies who were expected to be a success at hockey,” Dan McPherson said. to be the foundation of the team for years.

But the game hardly defines the person. “These two kids come in full of piss and vinegar, and I’m like, wow, this is Major junior hockey icon Sherwood “Sherry” Bassin brought O’Reilly to the new wave and the new age of what’s going to happen in the National Erie, where O’Reilly played for two seasons. Hockey League,” Tucker said. “They were pretty green, let’s put it that way.” The longtime junior hockey executive still keeps in touch and has been texting O’Reilly regularly through this unexpected spring run to the Cup Although it would be Tucker’s last season in the NHL, it remains final. memorable in part because of being able to help O’Reilly through those first months as an NHL player. “I’ve always said it’s people that win championships not hockey players,” Bassin said. “This guy’s a special guy.” “It was a great experience,” Tucker said. “He was very quiet. We didn’t really hear much from him.” It’s not the will to win but the will to prepare to win, he added. O’Reilly was into his guitar, yoga and preparation. He had a very specific “And his will to win is incredible,” Bassin said. regimen of what he put into his body, Tucker recalled.

Bassin goes back to O’Reilly’s exit from Buffalo and takes the view that “I was the complete opposite of him. I could care less what I was eating this was a player who was simply being honest about how things were and drinking,” Tucker said. Over time the two developed a nice rhythm. there and that honesty made people uncomfortable. Tucker would drive to the rink for games, and O’Reilly would ask questions about the game and various things that he was encountering “Most people at the end of a season say the same old thing, the same as a player. old bullshit,” Bassin said. “But because he told the truth about how tough it was in Buffalo, guys asked questions. The losing was affecting him “A lot of quiet questions from Ryan. ‘Hey, Tucks. What do you see here? emotionally.” What time do I need to be on the bus?’” Tucker recalled.

Bassin has seen O’Reilly prepare before games at the junior level and Tucker would be pretty high-strung while driving to the rink, and O’Reilly he’s seen him working out in the offseason. He’s seen the plank workout was the opposite, which helped calm Tucker down. and seen O’Reilly bested by brother Cal and not liking it one bit. “It seems pretty weird to be saying that about an 18-year-old kid. It “He was pounding the wall. OK, we’re going again,” Bassin said. “He’s worked well,” said Tucker. “He helped me and I helped him. He was a such a wonderful guy. You talk about a love for the game.” dedicated kid when it came to his craft. You could tell he was going to be a leader. In the aftermath of the Humboldt junior hockey bus tragedy a little more than a year ago, Bassin reached out to two former Erie Otters to join him “From a hockey standpoint, he had the best stick I’ve ever seen from the on a trip out West to help lend some support to the grief-stricken standpoint of stealing pucks, taking pucks away from guys without them community – O’Reilly and Connor McDavid. really realizing it.”

Bassin wanted to make a visit under the radar, without media tagging It’s been almost exactly 11 months since O’Reilly, the father of a 16- along, to show how the hockey community was with the devastated month-old son, Jameson, got the call at his cottage in the Goderich area junior team. that he’d been traded.

There was no hesitation from either player. It was the day after he got married.

“I have this theory,” Bassin said. “I ask ‘do I like who I am when I’m O’Reilly was playing volleyball near the lake. The cell reception is a bit around you?’” spotty and so the actual call came in on Cal’s phone from longtime agent Pat Morris. If the answer is no then you move on. “My brother comes up and says, ‘Pat’s calling me and I’m pretty sure this “And I love who I am when I’m around guys like O’Reilly. He’s a special is going to be for you,’” O’Reilly recalled. “My heart kind of dropped. I was kid,” he said. “I hope my grandchildren are like him.” like, ‘uh oh, something’s going down here.’” Longtime NHL defenseman John-Michael Liles played with O’Reilly in Denver. He watched from afar as O’Reilly laid bare his soul at the end of Morris immediately put O’Reilly’s mind at ease: You’re going to like where you’re going, the longtime agent promised. It didn’t unfold as O’Reilly imagined but as it turned out there was a special truth in those words.

“It’s amazing. It’s been a rollercoaster and to be where we are now, it’s awesome,” O’Reilly said. “But again, there’s one more step to go and then it’s the ultimate dream.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145863 St Louis Blues Joe McDonald had a marvelous piece looking at how things went once Sweeney took over as GM.)

That doesn’t change the fact Chiarelli is happy for his old protege to have LeBrun: Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s front office potential was obvious, reached his first Stanley Cup final as GM. even as a player “It’s nice to see the people you work with have success,” Chiarelli said. “I’m very happy that he’s in this position. I think he’s an incredibly hard By Pierre LeBrun May 31, 2019 worker. I’m happy to see him having a chance at success.”

Both Chiarelli and Armstrong saw real front-office potential in Sweeney while he was still playing. And they weren’t alone. ST. LOUIS — Let your mind wander for a moment and imagine an alternate universe in which Don Sweeney is currently the GM of the “It wasn’t hard to see,” said Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Bill Dallas Stars. Guerin, who played two years with Sweeney in Boston and that one year in Dallas with him as well. Say what? Same goes for former Stars captain Mike Modano. I know, I know, they’ve got a very good GM in Jim Nill. But let me humour you for a moment. “There are certain teammates you have over the years that you can tell are taking mental notes and being observant about everything around It’s not so crazy a thought when you consider that it was the Stars who them, about the way the team is run day to day; that was Don,” said first offered Sweeney a hockey operations job after his retirement as a Modano, recently hired by the Minnesota Wild on the business side. player. “You could tell with Don that the wheels were turning. You could tell he And well, the job was offered by Doug Armstrong, Sweeney’s GM had a plan for after he was done playing. Just a real diligent guy,” the counterpart with the St. Louis Blues in this Stanley Cup final. Hockey Hall of Famer added.

It all began when Armstrong, in his second full season as Stars GM, The thing about Sweeney, Guerin said, is that he could have chosen just signed Sweeney to a player contract for the 2003-04 season, the steady about any path for his second career. defenceman at 37 leaving Boston after 15 NHL seasons. It would end up being his last NHL season as a player. “I think Donnie could have had a number of different post-playing careers,” Guerin said. “It goes without saying, being a Harvard grad, he’s “He was a great addition to our team/organization while he was here — extremely bright. He’s a very dedicated, focused guy. It’s also why he he was the ultimate pro,” Stars executive Les Jackson, 37 years with the had such a long playing career, too.” organization, told The Athletic. “Not only was he a secure, stable and trusting contributor as a player, he helped our young transitional players Guerin recalled how Sweeney late in his career would be one of the with valuable lessons of what it takes to be a ‘pro’; he left a lasting fittest players on the team. impression on all of us.” “Every day was a work day for him. I remember when I played with him in Both Sweeney and Armstrong are on self-imposed media bans until the Boston, I’d walk in with a bagel and a coffee and Donnie would be Cup final is over, but both confirmed the tale to me this week. walking in from the gym sweating from riding the bike. That’s how he is. He was dedicated. He’s very disciplined in what he does. No surprise he Sweeney played only one year in Dallas but made enough of an is having success,” he said. impression on his new surroundings that Armstrong offered him work with the team post-playing career. Just funny how it might have all worked out differently had Sweeney taking up the Stars on their offer post-playing career. Which was no surprise to anyone in the Stars organization at the time. “Yeah who knows, he’d probably still be there now,” Modano said. “Very personable, an intelligent, ambitious, team-first type,” said Jackson, now the senior advisor to the GM in Dallas. “A relationship builder, a “I think Army was smart enough to see what was right in front of him,” great communicator with all levels of the organization. When he moved Guerin said. “To make a play for him to come work for him was a good on it was like, ‘Wow, he made an impression on our group.’ We became idea.” a better organization because of his presence and influence. His success Instead, the native of St. Stephen, N.B., found the path back to his NHL doesn’t surprise me at all.” home in Boston where now he’s three wins away from his first Stanley That front-office success that Jackson cites didn’t come in Dallas, Cup as the man in charge. however, but rather back in his true NHL home of Boston courtesy of Or, he’ll lose out against the fellow GM who would have perhaps started Peter Chiarelli, who was named Bruins GM in May 2006 and just a few him on the road to being GM in Dallas one day. weeks later brought Sweeney into the Bruins fold as director of player development. It is often said how small the hockey world is, this is yet another example. We tend to focus more on the path taken, but there are just as many How or why exactly did that come about? what-ifs that make you wonder how the NHL landscape would look “Over the course of when I was working in Ottawa (as assistant GM), different. whenever we played Boston I would make a point of saying hi to Donnie, Just this year, what if the Bruins had acquired Brayden Schenn from the at the morning skate or whatever,” Chiarelli told The Athletic this week. Blues earlier in the season as rumoured possible? Does that mean “At one point, Don said, ‘I’d be really interested when my career is done Charlie Coyle isn’t in Boston now? to work on the management side.'” What if Armstrong had hired a full-time coach before giving interim Craig And the impression Chiarelli got in those conversations was that Berube a chance to save the season? Are the Blues even in the playoffs, Sweeney wanted to work with him. After all, they were both teammates at let alone the Cup final? Harvard for three seasons. And yes, some 13 or so years ago, what if Sweeney goes to work for Chiarelli says he doesn’t remember whether at the time he knew Dallas Armstrong in Dallas? had offered Sweeney work but that Armstrong did mention it to him after the fact. It’s enough to make your head spin. But it’s also OK to simply accept that the path taken was meant to be. “He’s a very hard-working, diligent, smart and experienced guy,” Chiarelli said of Sweeney. “I was happy to hire him. I started him in player And for the quiet, determined Don Sweeney, it was to one day run his development and he became very adept and helped us win a Cup in beloved Bruins. 2011. And obviously, he took over for me.” The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 Sweeney, then assistant GM in Boston, was elevated to GM a month after Chiarelli was fired as Bruins GM in the spring of 2015. (Colleague 1145864 Tampa Bay Lightning After Columbus blocked a few shots by Stamkos from his favorite spot in the left circle, he passed up an opportunity at that spot. Instead of shooting, he passed back to Kucherov trailing the play, and Bobrovsky Five reasons the Lightning isn’t in the Stanley Cup final made the save. The Blue Jackets appeared to be skating in Stamkos’ head.

Meanwhile, Bobrovsky seemed to thrive off the matchup. By Diana C. Nearhos What about the coach? Published Yesterday The Lightning has another star — behind the bench.

Jon Cooper earned his spot as a finalist for the The Blues produced a dramatic overtime victory. The Bruins erased a (coach of the year). He took largely the same group that played great in two-goal deficit. The Stanley Cup final is living up to the reputation as the 2017-18 and elevated it. best championship in sports through its first two games. But he went missing just as much as Stamkos and Kucherov in the But to Lightning fans, their team should be part of it. Hockey Bay should playoffs. still be thriving. During the Lightning’s exit interviews at Amalie Arena, a lot of talk As the regular season concluded — one in which the Lightning finished revolved around execution, which is a player issue. General manager first in the league by 21 points with a record-tying 62 wins — a Lightning Julien BriseBois walked it back a little bit when asked about that, saying trip to the Cup final seemed a sure thing. Nearly 50 percent of those the coaching staff needed to put the players in positions to execute. This participating in the NHL’s Bracket Challenge not only had Tampa Bay loss wasn’t on the just players. making the final, but winning the Cup. Cooper is not one for a movie-worthy locker-room speech (the kind Shoulda, woulda, coulda doesn’t get you very far. And here we are, Columbus’ John Tortorella is known for). That’s fine. He needed to find watching Boston and St. Louis, and wondering how seven days in April something to motivate this team, though. turned the NHL’s best team into a laughing stock. Last year that meant pulling Point into his office during the second-round What went wrong for the Lightning in its sweep loss to the Blue Jackets matchup against the Bruins and challenging the center to stop Brad in the playoffs’ first round? We rewatched each game and came up with Marchand’s line. That worked. five reasons Tampa Bay isn’t in the Stanley Cup final. [ MORE LIGHTNING: The season in review, player-by-player ] No response Cooper calls himself a people manager. He says a coach needs to know At the time, the Lightning’s lack of panic after losing Game 1 — in which what players need a kick in the butt and who needs an arm around his it lost a 3-0 first-period lead and fell 4-3 — seemed a good thing. Players shoulder. spoke confidently about repeating what they had done after 18 of 20 losses in the regular season: bounce back and win. That deft touch never emerged in the playoffs.

But they didn’t. More of the same

The Lightning didn’t come out flat for Game 2, but it didn’t have the Albert Einstein said that doing the same thing over and over and attitude of “we need to show the rest of the league they can’t hang with expecting different results is the definition of insanity. He would have us,” as goalie Louis Domingue said after a Feb. 28 loss to Boston. declared this Lightning team insane. Over and over, the Lightning threw the same strategy at the Blue Jackets. Worse, the Lightning had no response to losing Game 2 5-1. It had no urgency after losing its first two playoff games and being outscored 9-1 in Being a possession team, one that uses speed through the neutral zone the final five periods of those games at home. and carries the puck into the zone, worked for Tampa Bay all season. But not in the playoffs. Instead, Columbus set the tone with a quick start to Game 3. Oliver Bjorkstrand put the first shot on Andrei Vasilevksiy seven seconds into Yet, when asked if the Lightning needed to try something else, Cooper the game. Artemi Panarin jumped on the rebound. said it needed to get back what worked in the regular season. Okay, but what did Tampa Bay need to do to get there? It didn’t matter that neither shot was on target — Bjorstrand’s shot pulled Andrei Vasilevskiy wide of the net, and Panarin’s went high — It didn’t make adjustments to Columbus’ forecheck. The team that had particularly when that opening salvo is combined with the Blue Jackets done that in the regular season and come back in games so often breaking up Tampa Bay’s ensuing attempt to break the puck out. couldn’t do that this time.

In 15 seconds, the Blue Jackets made it clear the Lightning would have The Blue Jackets didn’t find some revolutionary method to gum up the to work for success. By the time Tampa Bay got its game together in the Lightning. They played the same 1-2-2 formation but more aggressively. third period, it was trailing 2-0, and it was too late for the game, and the Perhaps this is where the benefit of having played in playoff mode for series. weeks helped Columbus. But that argument doesn’t go far because the Missing in action Bruins were the second team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff spot and they’re still playing. The Lightning’s stars lacked follow-through. Nothing special here Defensemen Victor Hedman, who had been injured and then missed Games 3 and 4, and Ryan McDonagh made uncharacteristically bad Special teams were one of the Lightning’s regular-season hallmarks, and decisions in Game 1, highlighted by giveaways that resulted directly in they contributed to Tampa Bay’s downfall in the playoffs. goals. Through 82 games the Lightning had at least a share of first place in the Neither Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos nor Brayden Point registered a league in power play and penalty kill performance. In four playoff games, point until Game 4. They had chances, but Columbus had answers. it was last in penalty kill, allowing five goals on 10 Blue Jackets chances, and 12th on the power play, going 1-of-6. Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones blocked two shots by Stamkos in the first period of Game 1. Defenseman David Savard got in front of a Tampa Bay’s first kill of the series was perfect. The Lightning cleared the few more. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made big saves on Kucherov. puck four times in the first minute of the power play, and then Alex Killorn, on fresh legs, scored on a shorthanded breakaway. That kill was One of the things that makes Kucherov, Stamkos and Point special is never seen again. they typically elevate their performances above great defensive efforts. They didn’t this time. They fell into the trap of looking for perfect shots Both units got sloppy. The kill left holes for the Blue Jackets. The power instead of taking the ones they had. play couldn’t get any thing going. Players bobbled pucks; passes ended with the puck in skates instead of on sticks.

Another strength became a weakness.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145865 Tampa Bay Lightning After Columbus blocked a few shots by Stamkos from his favorite spot in the left circle, he passed up an opportunity at that spot. Instead of shooting, he passed back to Kucherov trailing the play, and Bobrovsky Five reasons the Lightning isn’t in the Stanley Cup final made the save. The Blue Jackets appeared to be skating in Stamkos’ head.

Meanwhile, Bobrovsky seemed to thrive off the matchup. By Diana C. Nearhos What about the coach? Published Yesterday The Lightning has another star — behind the bench.

Jon Cooper earned his spot as a finalist for the Jack Adams Award The Blues produced a dramatic overtime victory. The Bruins erased a (coach of the year). He took largely the same group that played great in two-goal deficit. The Stanley Cup final is living up to the reputation as the 2017-18 and elevated it. best championship in sports through its first two games. But he went missing just as much as Stamkos and Kucherov in the But to Lightning fans, their team should be part of it. Hockey Bay should playoffs. still be thriving. During the Lightning’s exit interviews at Amalie Arena, a lot of talk As the regular season concluded — one in which the Lightning finished revolved around execution, which is a player issue. General manager first in the league by 21 points with a record-tying 62 wins — a Lightning Julien BriseBois walked it back a little bit when asked about that, saying trip to the Cup final seemed a sure thing. Nearly 50 percent of those the coaching staff needed to put the players in positions to execute. This participating in the NHL’s Bracket Challenge not only had Tampa Bay loss wasn’t on the just players. making the final, but winning the Cup. Cooper is not one for a movie-worthy locker-room speech (the kind Shoulda, woulda, coulda doesn’t get you very far. And here we are, Columbus’ John Tortorella is known for). That’s fine. He needed to find watching Boston and St. Louis, and wondering how seven days in April something to motivate this team, though. turned the NHL’s best team into a laughing stock. Last year that meant pulling Point into his office during the second-round What went wrong for the Lightning in its sweep loss to the Blue Jackets matchup against the Bruins and challenging the center to stop Brad in the playoffs’ first round? We rewatched each game and came up with Marchand’s line. That worked. five reasons Tampa Bay isn’t in the Stanley Cup final. Cooper calls himself a people manager. He says a coach needs to know No response what players need a kick in the butt and who needs an arm around his shoulder. At the time, the Lightning’s lack of panic after losing Game 1 — in which it lost a 3-0 first-period lead and fell 4-3 — seemed a good thing. Players That deft touch never emerged in the playoffs. spoke confidently about repeating what they had done after 18 of 20 losses in the regular season: bounce back and win. More of the same

But they didn’t. Albert Einstein said that doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. He would have The Lightning didn’t come out flat for Game 2, but it didn’t have the declared this Lightning team insane. Over and over, the Lightning threw attitude of “we need to show the rest of the league they can’t hang with the same strategy at the Blue Jackets. us,” as goalie Louis Domingue said after a Feb. 28 loss to Boston. Being a possession team, one that uses speed through the neutral zone Worse, the Lightning had no response to losing Game 2 5-1. It had no and carries the puck into the zone, worked for Tampa Bay all season. But urgency after losing its first two playoff games and being outscored 9-1 in not in the playoffs. the final five periods of those games at home. Yet, when asked if the Lightning needed to try something else, Cooper Instead, Columbus set the tone with a quick start to Game 3. Oliver said it needed to get back what worked in the regular season. Okay, but Bjorkstrand put the first shot on Andrei Vasilevksiy seven seconds into what did Tampa Bay need to do to get there? the game. Artemi Panarin jumped on the rebound. It didn’t make adjustments to Columbus’ forecheck. The team that had It didn’t matter that neither shot was on target — Bjorstrand’s shot pulled done that in the regular season and come back in games so often Andrei Vasilevskiy wide of the net, and Panarin’s went high — couldn’t do that this time. particularly when that opening salvo is combined with the Blue Jackets breaking up Tampa Bay’s ensuing attempt to break the puck out. The Blue Jackets didn’t find some revolutionary method to gum up the Lightning. They played the same 1-2-2 formation but more aggressively. In 15 seconds, the Blue Jackets made it clear the Lightning would have to work for success. By the time Tampa Bay got its game together in the Perhaps this is where the benefit of having played in playoff mode for third period, it was trailing 2-0, and it was too late for the game, and the weeks helped Columbus. But that argument doesn’t go far because the series. Bruins were the second team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff spot and they’re still playing. Missing in action Nothing special here The Lightning’s stars lacked follow-through. Special teams were one of the Lightning’s regular-season hallmarks, and Defensemen Victor Hedman, who had been injured and then missed they contributed to Tampa Bay’s downfall in the playoffs. Games 3 and 4, and Ryan McDonagh made uncharacteristically bad decisions in Game 1, highlighted by giveaways that resulted directly in Through 82 games the Lightning had at least a share of first place in the goals. league in power play and penalty kill performance. In four playoff games, it was last in penalty kill, allowing five goals on 10 Blue Jackets chances, Neither Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos nor Brayden Point registered a and 12th on the power play, going 1-of-6. point until Game 4. They had chances, but Columbus had answers. Tampa Bay’s first kill of the series was perfect. The Lightning cleared the Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones blocked two shots by Stamkos in puck four times in the first minute of the power play, and then Alex the first period of Game 1. Defenseman David Savard got in front of a Killorn, on fresh legs, scored on a shorthanded breakaway. That kill was few more. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made big saves on Kucherov. never seen again.

One of the things that makes Kucherov, Stamkos and Point special is Both units got sloppy. The kill left holes for the Blue Jackets. The power they typically elevate their performances above great defensive efforts. play couldn’t get any thing going. They didn’t this time. They fell into the trap of looking for perfect shots instead of taking the ones they had. Players bobbled pucks; passes ended with the puck in skates instead of on sticks. Another strength became a weakness.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145866 Toronto Maple Leafs who could have replaced Zaitsev, has gone back to Russia. Justin Holl and Martin Marincin are not top-four defenders.

Calle Rosen, Timothy Liljegren, Rasmus Sandin and newly signed Zaitsev trade request forces Leafs into a blue-line upgrade that was Teemu Kivihalme all have potential, but are hardly established regulars. probably coming anyway | The Star Then there’s Gardiner. Nobody would blame him if he’s had quite enough of Toronto. Still, this has been the only NHL team for which he has By Damien CoxContributing ColumnistFri., May 31, 2019 played, so there’s a comfort level with the organization. His critics didn’t like him even at a $4.05 million cap hit, but the Leafs certainly did, and he stands to get a substantial pay raise as a UFA, which seemed to rule out the Leafs being able to fit him under the cap. Looks like Ron Hainsey just got more valuable. That said, he has back problems that hobbled him down the stretch and And maybe Jake Gardiner’s not completely done as a Maple Leaf after in the post-season. Other teams will be wary of that, and of committing to all. a long-term deal. A short-term contract with the Leafs at a reasonable These would be two of the immediate points of potential impact on the number might, at least in theory, be a possibility, although perhaps Leafs defence affected by the surprise revelation this week that Nikita Gardiner would be just as happy to get out of Dodge. Zaitsev wants out of Toronto for personal reasons. Those are some of the variables, and at the same time, it’s clear the What that’s all about, well, who knows. Athletes are allowed to have their Leafs would like to improve their defence, not just maintain its level from own reasons for where they want to work, just like you and I, although in last year. So while Mitch Marner and his contract demands remain the the Russian blueliner’s case you can bet somebody will interpret it as a top priority, while signing Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen could dislike for Mike Babcock because there are forces determined to make be tricky and while the issue of backup goaltending needs to be resolved, sure anything negative that happens with this hockey club is directly tied the imminent departure of Zaitsev has suddenly moved blue-line issues to Babcock being either overrated or unloved by his players. into Code Red territory.

It might a complicated issue to find another team to absorb Zaitsev’s Toronto Star LOADED: 06.01.2019 $4.5-million (U.S.) cap hit for the next four seasons. It’s not an onerous salary for a 27-year-old, right-handed shooting defender capable of playing 22 minutes a game. But not everyone loves his style of game — a smooth-skating puck mover without a big shot or much of an offensive upside — and now other clubs have leverage knowing the Leafs need to move him.

Sure, Kyle Dubas could play hard ball until he gets a trade offer he likes, like Steve Yzerman did with Jonathan Drouin in Tampa Bay. But that’s always awkward and Zaitsev isn’t really the kind of key player for whom you would want to create any upset. Let’s face it, unless his personal issues were what made him such an inconsistent contributor last season, and maybe they were, he was destined to be no better than No. 4 on the Leafs’ depth chart and probably the kind of player the Leafs need to upgrade as they contemplate taking a serious run at the Stanley Cup.

The good news for the Leafs is that this has been revealed now, not in August. The next five weeks have become the most critical NHL personnel period of the year, more important for sure than the NHL trading deadline. There are so many teams facing complex and potentially troublesome roster and contract dilemmas that there are going to be viable trading partners out there.

Columbus, Winnipeg and San Jose, for example, are teams facing really difficult off-season questions. The Blue Jackets, who sacrificed a lot to win one round in the playoffs, have unrestricted free agents Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky and Matt Duchene, plus a potentially very expensive restricted free agent, defenceman Zach Werenski.

The Jets could be in really hot water with three key RFAs in Patrick Laine, Jacob Trouba and Kyle Conner, plus UFAs Tyler Myers, Ben Chiarot, Brandon Tanev and Kevin Hayes. San Jose sure doesn’t sound like they’re going to be able to keep Erik Karlsson, Joe Thornton’s future is up in the air, captain Joe Pavelski is unrestricted, Gustav Nyquist is unsigned after coming over from Detroit, and Timo Meier’s post-season play suggests he may be more expensive as an RFA than the Sharks might have expected.

Remember, 23 clubs either missed the playoffs or were bounced in the first round. There’s lots of disappointment and discontent to go around. Edmonton needs to get more nimble on the back end. Ottawa just needs bodies, period. The Rangers look to be ambitious heading into the off- season.

There should be a market for Zaitsev well beyond having to pay a team to take his salary. Any team who owns his salary has a set cost for the next four years, no small matter. Could he be packaged in a trade that could clear Patrick Marleau’s contract off the books? Maybe.

On the back end, Zaitsev’s trade request leaves the Leafs with Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin, and that’s it. Hainsey is 38 and a UFA. He might have another season in him, but at what price? Travis Dermott had shoulder surgery and may not be back until Christmas. Igor Ozhiganov, 1145867 Toronto Maple Leafs The Whitehorse angle is going to be mentioned a lot in coming years, no matter where Cozens plays.

“It gets brought up a lot, but it’s my story and I love to share my story. I’m Likely top NHL draft pick Jack Hughes ready for Big Apple rivalry so proud to be from there.”

ICE CHIPS

Lance Hornby Hughes on wrapping up what has been an exhausting year in the hockey spotlight: “I flew into Toronto for the (draft) lottery and the same night I was on a flight about 40 minutes later to Europe. I’ve been in the air the BUFFALO – Most people staring across the Hudson River from the New last two months. It’s kind of been a whirlwind, playing a lot of hockey. Jersey side will see the iconic Empire State Building. Now I have time to digest what’s going on” … Also in the mix for Chicago at third pick is a native born prospect, centre Alex Turcotte, son of former But Jack Hughes figures he’ll be thinking of Kaapo Kakko, not King Kong, NHLer Alfie. For the younger Turcotte, the thought of playing with Patrick once the NHL draft gets underway June 21. They’re ranked 1-2 and Kane is enticing. “Growing up, he’s definitely an idol of mine, watching headed to the Devils and Rangers respectively, with a slight chance of the Hawks all the way. I’d be lucky to be just as good as him” … Marr on reverse order. a team such as the Maple Leafs, which are currently without a first Hughes had to do the talking for both on Friday at the NHL scouting rounder and not scheduled to pick until 53rd overall: “Everybody always combine as the top names among 100-plus prospects were introduced says ‘we never thought (Player X) would be there’. I’ve sat at a table with prior to Saturday’s physical testing. Kakko’s Finnish team national lasted a short draft list and when it gets to the second round there’s always longer than Hughes’ American side at the world championships and someone you had much higher. One of those guys is always there, so eventually won gold, which heightened the former’s profile, but caused I’m pretty sure they’ll get a player they really want in the second round.” him to skip this event to save himself for the big show in Vancouver. Toronto Sun LOADED: 06.01.2019 “Every year they (promote) that, 1-2 competing with each other,” Hughes said. “I know he had a great year and people will be linked to each other with the Rangers and Devils right there.”

Hughes, at the top of most scouting polls the past season, is a slick centre who amassed 202 points through two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, a group dominating this year’s draft with five possibly getting chosen in the top 10, perhaps five more by the end of the first round.

Hughes’ coronation seemed set until the worlds. He did not quite electrify as hoped, in part because bigger and more well-known NHLers had the prime ice time. Though he finished strong in a quarterfinal loss to Russia, Kakko and the Finns ran the table.

But that spurt isn’t likely enough to derail the Hughes express, with the Devils already salivating about the latter joining a healthy Taylor Hall, the 2018 Hart Trophy winner. Kakko to the Rangers would also fast-track the Ranger re-build.

“The thing with New York and New Jersey is that we need rivalries,” Devils GM Ray Shero told nhl.com. “Our brand is to be relevant. The Rangers are picking second, they’re just across the river and what the heck’s wrong with that?”

KAKKO WILL BE OK

Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, said Kakko’s absence this weekend would have “zero effect” on his draft status.

“He’s a world champion before he’s even stepped on the ice in the NHL,’ said Marr. “Right now Kakko’s gotten the status, he’s a little more physically developed (at 6-2, he’s three inches taller than Hughes) and that dictates the type of game he’s capable of playing, the situations he can be used in.

“Jack comes across more as that skilled elite forward, where you play the game with speed, quickness.

“They both have some natural abilities and it’s going to be hard to say down the road who’s going to be better. They’re both going to bring different things to the table, but they’re both going to produce and help their teams climb in the standings.”

NORTHERN LIGHT

The Yukon hasn’t produced many NHLers, unless you’re familiar with names such as Bryon Baltimore, who had a cup of coffee with the Oilers.

But meet Dylan Cozens, who started playing against men in the region as a 12-year-old, worked his way south through a prep league in B.C. and then to the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes. The 6-foot-3 centre’s journey could continue right to Chicago, which has the third pick in the draft and could make Cozens the first Canadian selected in Vancouver.

“It’s definitely pretty crazy,” Cozens said of how far he’s come, in distance and hockey development. “Growing up there, it seemed it was a little far-fetched dream. But the draft is coming up and I’m here at the Combine. It’s a little surreal for sure.” 1145868 Toronto Maple Leafs Leafs one of their three right-handed blueliners? Doesn’t that make sense for everyone? At the very least, it’s something to ponder.

And finally, Gardiner’s agent Pat Brisson had a brief chat with Dubas this LeBrun Notebook: Facing a salary cap crunch, Leafs discuss Patrick past week at the Combine in Buffalo. The Leafs remain interested in Marleau trade with Kings signing Gardiner if at all possible but can’t do anything on that front until Marner is signed. As the clock keeps ticking, it moves Gardiner closer and closer to the June 23 opening of the UFA speaking window. By Pierre LeBrun May 31, 2019 By the way, one positive development has been Gardiner’s back, which is healing nicely. He avoided surgery and feels much better, which is good to hear. This much we know about Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas right now. Phil Kessel’s future

“He’s trying very hard to be creative in creating cap space, like really A week ago I would have told you it was 99 percent certain that Phil hard,’’ an NHL source said on Friday. Kessel would get dealt this summer.

Which means we are probably just scratching the surface with news on Now that has softened. That’s because the Penguins have let Kessel Thursday that Nikita Zaitsev wants out, followed by my little nugget that know they’re more than happy to keep him if a trade can’t be worked out. the Maple Leafs have talked to the Kings about Patrick Marleau. My read on that is that GM Jim Rutherford is only going to trade Kessel in HEARING THE LEAFS AND KINGS HAVE TALKED ABOUT A a real hockey deal where he gets tangible assets in return. He’s not POTENTIAL PATRICK MARLEAU TRADE. OBVIOUSLY THERE’S THE looking to make a soft deal where it’s just about dumping Kessel — who TODD MCLELLAN CONNECTION THERE FOR MARLEAU SO HE remains an offensive force — Rutherford wants a return that reflects that. MIGHT WAIVE. BUT AS OF NOW I DON’T THINK THE TWO TEAMS Which is why Pittsburgh could have certainly lived with what Minnesota HAVE FOUND A FIT. KINGS WOULD NEED TO UNLOAD A was willing to part with including Jason Zucker. CONTRACT OR TWO AS WELL… Could Kessel soften his stance and eventually agree to a move to — PIERRE LEBRUN (@PIERREVLEBRUN) MAY 31, 2019 Minnesota? It’s not out of the question. But in the meantime, I think he’s hoping a trade materializes with a team he’d rather go to. Arizona would My sense is that the Leafs have a lot of balls up in the air right now as fit that description, where a reunion with Rick Tocchet would await. But I they try to find cap space to sign pending RFA Mitch Marner. don’t think the Coyotes have the pieces that interest Pittsburgh at this Furthermore, maybe they can somehow find a way to offer pending UFA point. Jake Gardiner a deal, even though it’s a long shot. And, oh yeah, somehow address the right side of their defence. The summer of Taylor Hall

First on Marleau. We shall see whether or not the Kings and Leafs will be This is a big summer for Taylor Hall, who has one year left on his able to figure out how the pieces could fit to satisfy each club’s needs. contract with the New Jersey Devils. From a Kings perspective, my sense is that while they’d be open to helping Toronto’s cap situation in the short term by taking on the final There’s been healthy communication between his camp led by agent year of Marleau’s deal at a cap hit of $6.25-million, the Leafs would need Darren Ferris and Devils GM Ray Shero, although I’m told that things to help out L.A. with a longer-term problem by taking back a contract with have not yet progressed to the actual beginning of negotiations. So, no multiple years remaining even if it has a lower cap hit. numbers yet.

This has to make sense for both teams. And right now I’m not sure they Really where things stand as of now is that Hall is contemplating his can figure that out. But we’ll see. What we do know is that Marleau and future and at some point will re-convene with Ferris to decide how they new Kings head coach Todd McLellan have a relationship from their days want to proceed. together in San Jose. We also know that back in 2015 when Marleau was But I also don’t think this is a “Sign on July 1 or you’re traded” scenario. I open to a change of scenery out of San Jose, the Kings were among a don’t think Shero wants to get boxed in by artificial deadlines. As long as short list of teams he’d go to. Mind you, that was when they were there’s a chance Hall might eventually be willing to sign an extension, I defending Cup champs. Times have changed now with the rebuilding think Shero would want to keep that window open. In other words, if it Kings. means waiting until November or January to get it done, so be it.

The other obvious landing spot would be San Jose if the Leafs were Obviously, it’s a different thing if Hall decides outright that he wants to go willing to eat a portion of Marleau’s deal. But I’ve not heard any evidence to the UFA market in July 2020 and lets the Devils know this summer. anywhere to this point that a reunion would be of interest to the Sharks or That probably changes things for Shero depending on the kind of trade to Marleau for that matter. offers he would receive.

As for Zaitsev, what’s somewhat ironic about him asking for a trade is But at this hour, there’s no reason to believe Hall isn’t interested in that I’m pretty confident the Leafs were hoping to move him this summer entering negotiations. There certainly hasn’t been any indication even before the request. Now both sides are on the same page which otherwise. makes it easier. But because of his struggles this past season, I can’t see this being anything other than a soft deal for the Leafs unless it’s part of a The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 larger transaction.

Although his agent Dan Milstein disagreed with my view of Zaitsev’s season.

“Depends on what you define a bad year,’’ he texted on Friday. “Team and HC were very happy with him. Media and fans weren’t.’’

Zaitsev, by the way, has a modified trade clause which goes into effect for the first time on July 1 — a 10-team No list. Given that the player wants out, you might say that’s a moot point which is probably true, but at the end of the day, it’s still a right he could exercise in the right circumstance.

But what if the Leafs move Zaitsev in a larger deal as I mentioned above? Which brings me to Carolina. For the past year, I’ve been infatuated with the idea of a Leafs and Hurricanes trade because I’ve always felt they have compatible needs and piece that fit.

Would Carolina take on Zaitsev if the ‘Canes could also get their hands on either of Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson while trading the 1145869 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights affiliate prepares for Calder Cup Final

By Ben Gotz / May 31, 2019 - 12:36 PM

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook...... The Golden Knights have been out of the NHL playoffs since their controversial first- round playoff exit in April but fans may want to tune in to a different Cup chase this June...... The team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, begins the Calder Cup Final against the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes) on Saturday. The Wolves are filled with some of the Knights’ top prospects and they made an impressive run through the Western Conference to reach the championship series...... “It’s been an awesome year,” said defenseman Nic Hague, one of the Knights’ top prospects. “All year we’ve just seemed to find a way to battle through adversity. We’ve sustained some injuries but we keep hanging around and now we find ourselves in this position. It’s going to be really exciting. All the guys in the room are amped up to get this thing going and hopefully win a championship...... The Wolves reached the final by finding the right blend between experience and potential. Hague and center Cody Glass are the headliners in a group of prospects that includes players like forward Keegan Kolesar and defensemen Zach Whitecloud, Jake Bischoff and Dylan Coghlan...... But the group is led by veterans like 27-year-old Daniel Carr, who played six games for the Knights this season and was named the AHL MVP after scoring 71 points in 52 games. Forward Curtis McKenzie, 28, forward TJ Tynan, 27, and defenseman Griffin Reinhart, 25, have also led the young guys...... “I think I can speak for basically everyone when I say this year’s been a lot of fun,” Carr said. “We’ve got a really good group of people. That goes a long way to making it enjoyable. That’s been key to our success...... The prospects’ play should get Knights fans excited because Hague adjusted well in his first full season of pro hockey and scored 32 points in 75 games. He’s played on both special teams units and stepped up his game after fellow blue line prospect Erik Brannstrom departed in a February trade for forward Mark Stone...... “(We’re) thrilled with the way (Hague) has played this year and how much he has improved,” director of hockey operations George McPhee said Feb. 25 when discussing the trade. “So it certainly makes doing something like this a lot easier when you know you have other good young players coming...... Glass has spent less time with the Wolves, as he was called up April 2 after his junior season concluded. The fifth overall pick in 2017 acclimated well and scored five points in six regular season games and 12 points in 17 playoff games...... “He’s done an outstanding job,” coach Rocky Thompson said. “What he’s done is just got better since he acclimatized here. He’s been bringing offense. He’s playing second line center, power play, some penalty kill...... “I’ve been really happy with his progress. It’s not an easy situation but he’s very coachable...... Glass’ all-around efforts provided an extra boost that helped the Wolves get past the , the Iowa Wild and the San Diego Gulls to reach the Final. Now only the Checkers, the league’s best team in the regular season, stand between them and the Calder Cup...... “It’s going to be a hard-fought series,” Hague said. “It’s going to be fast, it’s going to be physical, it’s going to be a lot of fun. These are the kind of games that as a player, you want to be in...... “You want to be playing for a championship. We’re all really excited for it. I’m really looking forward to getting it going on Saturday. . . . LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145870 Washington Capitals

Evgeny Kuznetsov video timeline clarified as Capitals, NHL close investigation with no punishment

By Isabelle Khurshudyan May 31 at 9:27 PM

After reviewing the circumstances of a video of Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov sitting next to two lines of a white, powdery substance that circulated on social media Monday, both the team and the NHL issued statements Friday accepting Kuznetsov’s explanation and deemed the matter “formally closed...... “In addition to doing our own due diligence, we met with Evgeny to discuss the video circulated on social media,” the Capitals said in a statement. “While we are disappointed by his presence in the video, we accept his explanation and apology for putting himself in an unfortunate situation. Evgeny has been a terrific player and an active member of our community, and we expect him to learn from this experience and uphold both the standards the organization has for him as well as his own...... There was some discrepancy around the timing of when the video footage was recorded. The original caption on the video, which has since been deleted on Twitter, said in Russian, “This is why we lost,” in reference to Russia’s bronze medal finish at the world championships this past week. In a statement to Russian outlet Sport-Express on Monday, Kuznetsov said the video is from a year ago in Las Vegas, during the Stanley Cup finals...... However, according to a person with knowledge of the Capitals’ investigation, the incident actually occurred during Washington’s trip to Las Vegas in early December of this season. That explains why Kuznetsov appears in the video without the beard he sported throughout the playoffs and through the team’s return to Washington and Stanley Cup celebration at Nationals Park two days after the finals concluded...... Kuznetsov was flying back to Washington on Monday when the video surfaced on social media, and he landed to a barrage of messages from reporters and also the Russian national team. In his haste to explain, he initially confused the timeline, the person familiar with the investigation said. Kuznetsov’s interview with the Capitals was in-person...... Kuznetsov’s statement Monday also said he visited a friend’s hotel room and left upon seeing women he didn’t know and “an unclear substance on the table.” He was shown on the social media video FaceTiming someone while in the room but never interacted with the powder. Kuznetsov added that he has “never” done drugs and if “anyone has a question for me, I’m happy to undergo a medical exam at any time...... Kuznetsov was the Capitals’ leading scorer in their run to the Stanley Cup a year ago, registering 12 goals and 20 assists in 24 games. He had 21 goals and 51 assists in 76 games this season. His statement Friday called this “a hard lesson” to learn...... “While I have never taken illegal drugs in my life and career, I would like to publicly apologize to the Capitals, my teammates, our fans and everyone else for putting myself in a bad situation,” the statement said...... NHL players who test positive with high levels of cocaine and marijuana may be contacted by the league’s Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program and recommended to a treatment program, but it’s not required. Players are drug-tested at least twice, once in training camp and once in the regular season, and they can be subject to random testing during the regular season and playoffs. On Monday, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league needed to do more “fact-finding” before commenting on Kuznetsov, but that process is apparently done...... “We have thoroughly reviewed the situation surrounding the video circulated on the internet this past Monday, May 27, and involving Capitals’ Player Evgeny Kuznetsov,” Daly said in a statement Friday. “Our review included, among other fact-finding steps, an in-person interview with Mr. Kuznetsov. While we certainly do not condone or endorse some of the decisions he made on the night in question, Mr. Kuznetsov’s account of the events that transpired aligns with other information we have been able to gather, and we have found no basis to question his representations with respect to what did — and what did not — occur. We consider the matter formally closed. . . . Washington Post LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145871 Washington Capitals with a better group, couldn’t be with a better team. . . . Washington Post LOADED: 06.01.2019

Two years after trade from Capitals, Marcus Johansson gets his Stanley Cup shot

By Isabelle Khurshudyan May 31 at 7:30 AM

BOSTON — Marcus Johansson was watching from afar a year ago, admittedly conflicted and a little “bitter.” He was happy for his friends and former teammates as the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup and then raucously celebrated, just as Johansson had once dreamed of doing with them. But after he spent the first seven seasons of his NHL career in Washington, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils the summer before the Capitals won their first championship...... “I talked to a couple of guys, but you kind of want to leave them to their celebrating, too," Johansson said. "It looked like they had fun. I mean, who wouldn’t?”

Now it could be Johansson’s turn for Stanley Cup glory. Acquired by the Boston Bruins in late February as a trade-deadline rental, the 28-year-old has three goals and six assists in 17 playoff games, part of a fast and skilled third line with center Charlie Coyle and right wing Danton Heinen. And after his career was temporarily derailed by injuries, Johansson has rediscovered the game that he so consistently flashed in Washington, even taking his new team by surprise...... [How Bruce Cassidy’s failure as Capitals coach made him better for Bruins’ Stanley Cup run]

“We knew he was a talented player," Bruins Coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I didn’t know he had that first step to separate. He’s a good passer. He’s actually got a great shot. We encourage him to use it more — he always looks pass first. In traffic, he’s grabbed some pucks and got in and out of traffic and been able to get in on the attack maybe better than I would’ve thought...... Johansson was coming off a career-best 58-point campaign when the Capitals in July 2017 traded him for second- and third-round draft picks, and he acknowledged the move blindsided him. After awarding hefty contracts to forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie, Washington needed to clear salary cap room, and Johansson was the casualty. He had been largely healthy throughout his career, posting four straight seasons with at least 74 games played, but he suffered two concussions during that first year with the Devils, with the second one sidelining him for more than two months. He played just 29 regular season games in 2017-18, posting five goals and nine assists...... He was back on injured reserve with an upper-body issue in December of this season, but he got hot just before the trade deadline with six goals and six assists in the 13 games before he was dealt to the Bruins. Then, in just his fourth game with Boston, Johansson was checked into the boards and suffered a lung contusion. That cost him three weeks, but he has been healthy since...... “It’s never fun with injuries and stuff, but it’s part of the game," Johansson said. “Knock on wood, I’m happy to be healthy right now, and it’s fun to be out there. ... It definitely felt like I got back to myself a little bit, and it’s been going in the right direction...... [The Blues’ unlikely Game 2 hero wanted a second chance. When he got it, he made franchise history.]

Johansson was arguably the most noticeable forward on the ice in Monday’s Game 1 with his speed up the middle, a trademark of the Capitals’ power-play zone entries during his time in Washington. But he finished Game 2 with a minus-2 rating and was on the ice for the St. Louis Blues’ goal in overtime. The Bruins’ star-studded top line of center Patrice Bergeron with wingers Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak has only managed an empty-net goal by Marchand in this series, which is tied at a game apiece entering Saturday night’s matchup in St. Louis. That makes Boston’s bottom-six forward depth that much more important...... “He can thread the needle, he can find you wherever, and he’s pretty crafty with it,” Coyle said of Johansson. “He’s been really good for us...... “He backs people off because of his speed, and he’s made good plays to the second wave,” Cassidy said. "He’s attacked the net more since he’s been here. He’s driving wide, taking it inside, willing to go to the net when the opportunity dictates — a little greasier game, and I think that’s been the difference from maybe what we saw when he first got here...... Johansson will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, able to choose his own destination for the first time in his career, and his impressive postseason play is expected to make him an attractive option. But first he’s relishing reaching the stage that everyone, including the Capitals, is still watching...... “You always envision that," Johansson said. “It’s why you play. You want to be in this position to have a chance to win. Obviously, I didn’t know it was going to be here, but I couldn’t be 1145872 Washington Capitals

Evgeny Kuznetsov won't face suspension after NHL investigation of video

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Friday, May 31, 2019

Four days after a video was posted to Twitter showing Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov sitting near lines of a white, powdery substance, the NHL has closed its investigation, saying it believes Kuznetsov did not use illegal drugs and punishment does not appear to be forthcoming...... NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, the Washington Capitals and Kuznetsov each released their own statements on the matter Friday morning...... According to the statements, Kuznetsov met in person with both the league office and the Capitals this week...... “While we certainly do not condone or endorse some of the decisions he made on the night in question, Mr. Kuznetsov’s account of the events that transpired aligns with other information we have been able to gather, and we have found no basis to question his representations with respect to what did — and did not — occur,” Daly’s statement read in part...... NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly statement regarding @Capitals‘ forward Evgeny Kuznetsov: pic.twitter.com/1KvqktURKG

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 31, 2019

The Capitals said they were disappointed that Kuznetsov appeared in the video, which he said was shot in June in Las Vegas after the Capitals beat the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final. But the Capitals “accept his explanation and apology for putting himself in an unfortunate situation...... The following is Kuznetsov’s own statement:

“I would like to address the video of me that appeared online on Monday. While I have never taken illegal drugs in my life and career, I would like to publicly apologize to the Capitals, my teammates, our fans and everyone else, for putting myself in a bad situation. This was a hard lesson for me to learn...... When the video was posted Monday, Kuznetsov gave a statement to a Russian news outlet saying that just because he was in the room, it didn’t mean he partook in any drugs, implicitly admitting the powder was cocaine. He claimed he left the room as soon as he could get someone to pick him up. . . . Washington Times LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145873 Washington Capitals

2019 NHL Free Agency start date, top free agents

By Julia Karron May 31, 2019 5:42 PM

Once NHL Entry Draft kicks off in Vancouver, the 2019 NHL Free Agency period begins shortly after...... On July 1, all free agents in the league will be able to make deals with teams. . . .

While the biggest story from last season's free agency period was John Tavares heading to his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, this season has three coveted players at every position...... Two of Columbus's key pieces need new deals. Winger Artemi Panarin is coming off a two-year, $12 million bridge deal, and Sergei Bobrovsky just completed a four-year, $29.7 million contract...... On defense, the Erik Karlsson sweepstakes should satisfy teams that are desperate for the elusive right-handed, puck-moving defenseman. Karlsson emerges from a seven-year, $45.5 million deal...... 2019 NHL FREE AGENCY START DATE:

Monday, July 1, 12:00 p.m. ET

2019 NHL FREE AGENTS (NOTABLES):

Devante Smith-Pelly, RW, Washington Capitals

Brett Connolly, RW, Washington Capitals

Carl Hagelin, LW, Washington Capitals

Brooks Orpik, D, Washington Capitals

Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Columbus Blue Jackets

Artemi Panarin, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets

Erik Karlsson, D, San Jose Sharks

Matt Duchene, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jordan Eberle, RW, New York Islanders

Joe Pavelski, C, San Jose Sharks

Jeff Skinner, LW, Buffalo Sabres

Joe Thornton, C, San Jose Sharks

Justin Williams, RW, Carolina Hurricanes

Marcus Johansson, RW, Boston Bruins

Gustav Nyquist, LW, San Jose Sharks

Wayne Simmonds, RW, Nashville Predators

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145874 Washington Capitals

NHL, Capitals release statements on Kuznetsov video, consider the case formally closed

By J.J. Regan May 31, 2019 11:09 AM

There will be no discipline for Evgeny Kuznetsov after a Twitter video published on Monday showing him in a hotel room next to lines of white powder. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and the Capitals both released statements Friday saying they accepted Kuznetsov’s explanation for his presence in the video and that the matter was now closed...... In the video, which has since been deleted, Kuznetsov is seen sitting next to a table with two lines of white powder and what appears to be a rolled-up bill of American currency. The video does not show Kuznetsov snorting or otherwise ingesting the white powder...... Kuznetsov released a statement along with the Caps on Friday stating he has never taken illegal drugs, but he did accept responsibility for putting himself in a poor position...... I would like to address the video of me that appeared online on Monday. While I have never taken illegal drugs in my life and career, I would like to publicly apologize to the Capitals, my teammates, our fans and everyone else, for putting myself in a bad situation. This was a hard lesson for me to learn...... Pery Daly, the league conducted a review that included an interview with Kuznetsov...... “Mr. Kuznetsov’s account of the events that transpired aligns with other information we have been able to gather, and we have found no basis to question his representations with respect to what did – and what did not – occur...... You can see the full statement here:

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly statement regarding @Capitals' forward Evgeny Kuznetsov: pic.twitter.com/1KvqktURKG

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 31, 2019

The Caps also interviewed Kuznetsov and, though the statement expressed disappointment in him, accepted his explanation and apology for the incident...... In addition to doing our own due diligence, we met with Evgeny to discuss the video circulated on social media. While we are disappointed by his presence in the video, we accept his explanation and apology for putting himself in an unfortunate situation. Evgeny has been a terrific player and an active member of our community, and we expect him to learn from this experience and uphold both the standards the organization has for him as well as his own. . . . Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145875 Washington Capitals you account for both the regular season and the playoffs, Holtby has had a better career. Why would he be willing to take less than Bobrovsky? Because he likes Washington? OK, but how much less would he be Why Braden Holtby's future with the Capitals could be determined by willing to take? Even $8 or $9 million per year still seems a bit too steep Sergei Bobrovsky for Washington to afford...... If Bobrovsky gets a deal worth $10 million per year, is it reasonable to expect Holtby to sign for $7 million and walk away from $3 million per year for the length of the contract? No, it’s not. The hometown discount is the most overrated factor when it By J.J. Regan May 31, 2019 6:40 AM comes to considering free agents. Sure, some players are willing to take less to stay with their current team, but only to a point. It is totally unreasonable to expect a player to walk away from as much money as There are a lot of questions surrounding the Capitals this offseason, but the Caps would need Holtby to walk away from should Bobrovsky’s deal one of the biggest is over a player whose contract does not even expire this summer Indeed break the bank...... When Holtby signed his until 2020. Braden Holtby is entering the final year of his contract and is current deal back in 2015, he and the Caps were locked in a tight eligible to re-sign with the Caps on July 1. He is on a team-friendly deal negotiation that went all the way up to the day before an arbitration with a cap hit of $6.1 million and is due a significant raise. For a team hearing between him on the team. Does that sound like a guy who is not dealing with cap issues, however, that may be a problem...... Holtby concerned about getting paid what he is worth? has already indicated he would like to be back, but whether or not Washington can afford to re-sign him back will depend largely on what Bobrovsky is going to set the market for top-tier goalies like Holtby and if happens with Sergei Bobrovsky this summer...... Bobrovsky is he continues to play at a high level, he is likely to get a similar looking considered one of the league’s top netminders, is 30 years old and just contract...... Granted, things can change over the course of a year. finished up the final year of a contract that carried a $7.425 million cap Holtby may have a tough season, injuries could happen, unexpected hit...... Why does this matter? Because Bobrovsky is going to hit the trades could happen that free up more cap space than the team is free agent market and his contract should serve as a projection of what it projected to have as of now, etc. There are a multitude of factors that will cost to keep Holtby in Washington...... Bobrovsky and Holtby are could change what happens to Holtby in 2020, but what we see comparable goalies as both players have registered very similar career Bobrovsky sign for will give us a good idea of Holtby’s market value. . . . . numbers...... Bobrovsky: 2.46 GAA, .919 save percentage, 33 . . If the goalie market goes cold this summer, that’s good news for the shutouts, two Vezina Trophies Caps. If Bobrovsky is able to cash in, however, he could very well cash Holtby out of Washington. . . . Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: Holtby: 2.47 GAA, .918 save percentage, 35 shutouts, one Vezina 06.01.2019 Trophy

Correction: Bobrovsky and Holtby are comparable when it comes to regular season numbers. The playoffs, however, are a different story. Bobrovsky has won only one playoff series in his entire career. Holtby, meanwhile, led the Caps to a Stanley Cup. The level of success both players have had is accurately reflected in their playoff stats...... Bobrovsky: 11-18 record, 3.14 GAA, .902 save percentage, no shutouts

Holtby: 48-41 record, 2.09 GAA, .928 save percentage, seven shutouts, one Stanley Cup

Holtby’s playoff GAA ranks 16th all-time and his save percentage ranks 5th...... Bobrovsky had a great postseason in 2019 to lead Columbus to one of the biggest upsets in NHL history with their sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Outside of that, however, there is no playoff success to speak of...... Holtby is one year younger than Bobrovsky which means he will be the same age, 30, when his contract expires as Bobrovsky is now. However much Bobrovsky gets paid in his next contract, Holtby will have a strong argument that he has earned just as much if not more. Considering Bobrovsky is expected to break the bank this postseason, that is bad news for the Caps’ chances of bringing back their top netminder...... Just how much are we talking here? Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price just completed the first season of an eight- year, $84 million contract that carries a cap hit of $10.5 million. He signed that deal at the age of 29. His career numbers are also comparable to Bobrovsky and Holtby with a 2.47 GAA and .918 save percentage. That means Bobrovsky could reasonably argue for a similar deal to Price’s. If he gets anywhere close to Price’s cap hit, it will be incredibly hard for Washington to find that kind of cap room for Holtby...... Perhaps the market has changed since Price’s deal and teams will be hesitant to shell out that kind of money for a goalie. This year’s postseason shows that goalie tandems are becoming all the rage in the NHL so teams could decide it does not make sense to commit so much cap space to a single netminder...... The Caps are in a tight cap situation this year and will likely have to spend up to the cap just to fill out a full roster. In 2020, Nicklas Backstrom and Jonas Siegenthaler are the only free agents on the current NHL roster and it seems likely Washington will want to bring both players back. With no money coming off the books in 2020, it is hard to see how the team can find an extra $3 to $4 million to add to Holtby’s cap hit. Plus, the Caps have to think about Alex Ovechkin’s next contract as his current deal expires in 2021. Add in the fact that the team’s top prospect, Ilya Samsonov, is a goalie and it really does not seem to make much sense to pay a big money contract to keep Holtby in Washington...... But if Holtby likes the team and wants to stay, won’t he be willing to take less to make it happen?

Ah yes, the hometown discount...... Let’s look at this from the player’s perspective. The next contract will almost certainly be Holtby’s last big deal in his NHL career so he will be motivated to cash in. When 1145876 Washington Capitals

Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov cleared of wrongdoing, but learns ‘hard lesson’

By Chris Kuc May 31, 2019

It appears the case of the Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov and the powdery white substance has been closed...... The NHL and Washington Capitals reviewed the circumstances surrounding Kuznetsov appearing in a video sitting next to two lines of a white powdery substance that surfaced on social media Monday and determined that no further action will be taken...... Both the league and Capitals met with Kuznetsov after he returned to North America following the World Championship in Slovakia where the center represented Russia to discuss the video and while it was called an “an unfortunate situation,” the sides are moving on...... “In addition to doing our own due diligence, we met with Evgeny to discuss the video circulated on social media,” the Capitals said in a statement. “While we are disappointed by his presence in the video, we accept his explanation and apology for putting himself in an unfortunate situation. Evgeny has been a terrific player and an active member of our community, and we expect him to learn from this experience and uphold both the standards the organization has for him as well as his own...... Kuznetsov, who had previously said the video was shot a year ago in Las Vegas, apologized for his role in a statement on Friday...... “I would like to address the video of me that appeared online on Monday,” Kuznetsov said. “While I have never taken illegal drugs in my life and career, I would like to publicly apologize to the Capitals, my teammates, our fans and everyone else, for putting myself in a bad situation. This was a hard lesson for me to learn...... NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly issued this statement Friday: “We have thoroughly reviewed the situation surrounding the video circulated on the internet this past Monday, May 27, and involving Capitals player Evgeny Kuznetsov. Our review included, among other fact-finding steps, an in-person interview with Mr. Kuznetsov. While we certainly do not condone or endorse some of the decisions he made on the night in question, Mr. Kuznetsov’s account of the events that transpired aligns with other information we have been able to gather, and we have found no basis to question his representations with respect to what did—and what did not—occur. We consider the matter formally closed...... With the outcome of the reviews by the league and Capitals, Kuznetsov apparently won’t face any disciplinary action, but the 27-year-old will undoubtedly be scrutinized more closely as his career continues. Last month, Kuznetsov said he uses adversity to grow as a person, and this would certainly apply...... “I personally like to learn from negative stuff, from bad stuff,” Kuznetsov said on locker clean-out day following the Capitals’ first-round departure from the playoffs at the hands of the Hurricanes. . . . The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145877 Winnipeg Jets

Lukowich sheds light on dark times

Taylor Allen

Posted: 05/31/2019 10:51 PM | Last Modified: 05/31/2019 11:04 PM

. . . . . Morris Lukowich can tell you several stories of times when he went back into a hockey game after sustaining a serious head injury...... "There’s been times where I got cranked," said Lukowich, who’s in town for the 40-year reunion of the 1979 Avco Cup champion Winnipeg Jets. "I mean, I got hit one time with the Jets and I could literally not remember my teammates. I remember having to sit down and I was sitting beside Scott Arniel and I asked him who he was and he laughed. I can still remember he said ‘Wow, you really got cranked. I’m Scott Arniel, nice to meet you.’ There was way too many of those...... “I went through some very, very black depression. And what I now see is I think concussions did have an effect on it, but perhaps in a different area. Maybe around focus, I think"

Lukowich, who turns 63 today, was retained by the Jets when the team was absorbed by the NHL after the 1979 season. The forward from Speers, Sask., would go on to play six more seasons with the Jets before he played his final two between the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings...... Lukowich said life after hockey was not kind to him at first, and he believed the head injuries he sustained had something to do with that. But after making a specific diet change, his life changed for the better......

...... "I went through some very, very black depression. And what I now see is I think concussions did have an effect on it, but perhaps in a different area. Maybe around focus, I think," said Lukowich, who had 418 points in 582 NHL games...... "But I really think it’s just the foods we eat. So, I actually read a book called Wheat Belly that talked about the danger of glutens and how, like, it can be messing up the celiac like how it messes up their small intestine, how it could also be messing up people’s minds, their brains. And so, literally, about four years ago, I just went off all glutens and went on a micronutrient through a company called TrueHope. And luckily, my depression has pretty well disappeared...... Lukowich lives in Calgary and goes to health shows to try and spread the message on how his non-gluten diet has changed his life. However, he still believes his head injuries have affected him in other ways...... "... Since I finished pro hockey, I’ve spent thousands on getting my body back connected through chiropractic and massage therapy. Our bodies just really got beat up"

"I think concussions have affected different areas in my ability to do work. And, even though I get lots done, at times, I’m still working on how to get through distractions and how to actually take one thing and work on it and get it completed," Lukowich said. "So that’s one of the things I’ll talk about, is that’s where concussions have had an effect on me. But on the depression side, I think it’s more food — and vitamin — related...... In 2018, Lukowich was one of more than 300 retired hockey players who sued the NHL for failing to protect them from head injuries or warn them of the risks involved with playing. The two parties reached an US$18.9- million settlement, with each player receiving US$22,000 and eligible for up to US$75,000 in medical treatment......

"It’s hard to see what fair is," Lukowich said of the settlement. "But what is good, though, is there’s been a lot of medical assistance provided. I mean, since I finished pro hockey, I’ve spent thousands on getting my body back connected through chiropractic and massage therapy. Our bodies just really got beat up. I spent lots of money and lots of time working through learning about depression, learning about anxiety and learning how to work through it. And luckily, like I said, I stumbled upon this book, Wheat Belly, that I think really changed my life. It’s sad, I mean, there was a black cloud that moved in and it was not pretty. And it was disabling. So, to get through that, it’s been huge. . . . Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 06.01.2019 1145878 Winnipeg Jets bond of winning a championship together will never go away...... "I don’t care what league it is. If it’s the East Coast League, the Central League, or peewee league, to win a championship is a great feat and to Classic Jets descend on Winnipeg to revisit 1979 Avco Cup win win a championship with the guys that we did, I’m very proud of them," said Ruskowski, who went on to have a 10-year NHL career after the WHA disbanded. "And I can seriously say that they’re friends of mine that will be there forever...... Watching the players walk around the Taylor Allen Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame museum looking at old pictures, programs, Posted: 05/31/2019 10:00 PM and of course, the Avco Cup trophy, was a sight to see. Everybody was smiling ear to ear, guys were calling each other by nicknames they likely haven’t heard in years, and they shared stories and memories with such great detail that you would’ve thought their championship run was Before the Winnipeg Jets claimed the 1979 Avco Cup in Game 6 of the yesterday...... "There’s just no feeling like winning a championship," World Hockey Association’s final against the Edmonton Oilers, head the 64-year-old Ruskowski said. "It’s always in you, and it’ll always be coach Tom McVie wrote a message on the board for his players...... with you. And that’s a great feeling. I sit at home and I’ll have a glass of "If you win tonight, you’ll walk together forever...... The message wine with the breeze hitting my face and think about the good times here proved true, as this weekend, four decades after the Jets won the and it puts a smile on my face...... You can find more information on championship in the WHA’s final season, McVie and 18 players are the reunion dinner and buy tickets at eventbrite.ca. . . . walking together in Winnipeg for the team’s 40-year reunion...... The official celebration takes place tonight with a banquet at the Radisson Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 06.01.2019 Hotel, but the team kicked off the festivities on Thursday with a private event at the Winnipeg Winter Club with the companies and individuals that sponsored the reunion. . . . .

"Last night, I looked at these guys who have been together for 40 years and I said they’re all sitting almost like they played a game last night," said the 83-year-old McVie on Friday morning as the team visited the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame...... "You could see the love in their eyes. And I sat there, and I’m a pretty hard-ass guy, and I had tears rolling down my cheeks. Just unbelievable...... What’s more unbelievable is that this team won the Avco Cup considering everything they went through...... “Last night, I looked at these guys who have been together for 40 years and I said they’re all sitting almost like they played a game last night. You could see the love in their eyes. And I sat there, and I’m a pretty hard-ass guy, and I had tears rolling down my cheeks. Just unbelievable'

– Former Jets coach, Tom McVie

The Hot Line was no more, as Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg moved on to the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers, and Bobby Hull only played four games that season. The three stars were replaced by seven players from the defunct Houston Aeros franchise, as that club folded prior to the season. The Jets were also without their beloved captain for the majority of the season, as Lars-Erik Sjoberg went down in an exhibition game in September with an Achilles injury and didn’t return until March. The Jets also fired their coach in February, as nice-guy Larry Hillman was replaced by hard-nosed McVie, who was coming off a stint as head coach of the Washington Capitals. And on top of all of that, 1979 was supposed to be the year of the Oilers, as they had some 18-year-old kid with the last name Gretzky who was turning heads in the hockey world. The Oilers finished the regular season as the best team in the WHA, 14 points ahead of the Jets. . . .

. But McVie pushed his players to a whole new level, and when the playoffs rolled around, they looked like a completely different team. They scored 30 goals in four games as they swept the second-seeded in the semifinal. And then, the Jets captured their third Avco Cup in franchise history as they outlasted the Oilers in six games in the final. The Jets finished off the series with a 7-3 win at the Winnipeg Arena...... "It’s the best team. Not even close. It was the best team I coached in my life, and I coached 27 or 28 years," said McVie, now a scout with the Boston Bruins. "It was just amazing...... The ’79 Jets were a young group, as Kent Nilsson was no longer in the shadow of the Hot Line. The 22-year-old Swede led the team in scoring with 107 points. Right behind Nilsson was another 22-year-old, Morris Lukowich. Lukowich joined the Jets from Houston and he had an incredible 65-goal campaign to go along with 34 assists. Both Nilsson and Lukowich are among the players in Winnipeg for the reunion...... "I believe leadership was the key," Lukowich said on the team’s success...... "We had two of the best leaders ever in Lars-Erik Sjoberg as the captain and Terry Ruskowski as assistant captain. These were two men who just had tremendous courage and tremendous skills. And then, I believe after that, were some really talented players. Kent Nilsson was, I think, the most talented player in the world except for maybe Gretzky

. . . . The 1979 season was the only year Ruskowski suited up for the Jets, but it was a memorable one as he had a league-leading 12 assists in the postseason and filled in as captain when Sjoberg missed the majority of the regular season. Ruskowski said everybody may look different now, but their relationships remain the same, as the special 1145879 Winnipeg Jets

Jets sign depth forwards Suess, Shaw remaining with organization

Ken Wiebe

Published:May 31, 2019

Updated:May 31, 2019 6:29 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Jets have crossed a couple of more potential restricted free agents off their lengthy to-list...... On Friday, the Jets announced they had signed forwards C.J. Suess and Logan Shaw to one-year, two- way deals that carry an average annual value of $700,000 in the NHL...... Suess, who was chosen by the Jets in fifth round (129th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft and had eight goals and 12 points in 26 games during his first pro season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury...... The 25-year-old centre was one of the biggest surprises of Jets’ training camp last fall, showing off his speed and hockey sense...... Shaw joined the Moose early last season after starting the campaign with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL...... Shaw had 27 goals and 46 points in 63 games with the Moose and finished the AHL season with 29 goals and 51 points in 70 games...... The 26-year-old centre also has 180 NHL games of experience on his resume...... The Jets still have 11 players in the organization who will be restricted free agents on July 1, including defenceman Jacob Trouba and forwards Patrik Laine, and Andrew Copp...... Ice ink Geekie

The Winnipeg Ice announced on Friday that they’ve signed forward Conor Geekie to a standard agreement...... Geekie, who was chosen second overall in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, is among those participating in the Ice development camp this weekend...... “This is an exciting day for Conor, his family and our organization,” Ice president and general manager Matt Cockell said in a press release. “Conor’s commitment allows us to begin the process of implementing a development plan that will include valuable training time on and off the ice with our team next year...... Geekie, who hails from Strathclair, scored 49 goals and had 86 points in 31 regular season games with the Yellowhead Chiefs of the Winnipeg Bantam AAA Division 1 last season...... The Ice development camp continues on Saturday at The Rink Training Centre, with several on-ice sessions and wraps up with a three- on-three tournament on Sunday from 11:15 a.m. until noon. . . . Winnipeg Sun LOADED 06.01.2019 1145880 Vancouver Canucks

Patrick Johnston: Canucks pass on pair of 2017 draft picks

Patrick Johnston

The Canucks aren't going to sign two defencemen who were late choices in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Matt Brassard and Kristoffer Gunnarsson won’t be Vancouver Canucks.

The NHL club has until Saturday to sign either 2017 draft pick, but as has been previously reported, they won’t be doing so.

For Brassard, a big defenceman who put up 56 points last season for the OHL’s Oshawa Generals and Niagara Ice Dogs, that means going back into the draft.

His scoring skills are obvious, but so too, apparently, are his slow feet and lack of overall puck skills.

For Gunnarsson, it’s free agency because of the age he was drafted at, though it’s not likely any other NHL team will have a look at this point. He’s never had much of a scoring touch; his size was his biggest calling card.

Instead of an NHL deal, or even a deal in the Swedish Hockey League, he’s headed for the second-tier Allsvenskan league.

Both players were seen as long-shot prospects from the moment their names were called, so it’s not a huge surprise to see the Canucks walk away from them.

The Canucks still have six players in the system from the 2017 draft; Elias Pettersson. Kole Lind, Jonah Gadjovich, Mike DiPietro, Jack Rathbone and Petrus Palmu are the others.

Gunnarsson was drafted in the fifth round, four picks before the “other” Sebastian Aho; in this case, the diminutive Swedish defenceman who played 22 games for the Islanders this year. He’s the lowest-drafted skater in the 2017 draft to have played NHL games.

Brassard went in the seventh round, but no other skaters in that round have appeared in an NHL game to date. Only a handful of players outside the first round have done so.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145881 Websites The wait wasn’t quite so long for Berube – about three-and-a-half years in total – but the journey back was similar to Cassidy’s. Berube started in St. Louis organization behind the bench of the Chicago Wolves, their The Athletic / Duhatschek Notebook: Examining Craig Berube and Bruce AHL team; was promoted to an assistant on the NHL team; and then got Cassidy’s coaching journey and their shared connections the head job after Mike Yeo was fired this past November.

In short, they each survived the coaching version of the game of Snakes and Ladders. They had NHL opportunities early but slide down the snake By Eric Duhatschek May 31, 2019 and then eventually climbed their way back to the top of the board.

Now, lo and behold, here they are, the second time around, having learned from the past and clearly making the most of those lessons in the Almost every spring, the NHL’s annual game of musical coaching chairs present. goes ‘round and ‘round until every seat is occupied. Cassidy touched on that subject just ahead of the Stanley Cup final, It is the natural order of business – and the primary occupational hazard noting that being a little older and having his life in overall better balance – of the hired-to-be-fired profession. Teams routinely dump a coach if helped him succeed when the second chance came. It also helped that they’ve missed the playoffs for too many years in a row, in the hopes that as he matured as a person and as a professional, he became more a fresh new voice can act as a catalyst in turning a team’s fortunes patient with the players and a more adept communicator. around. “You learn, if you want to get back in, to do things differently, take what Occasionally, the new fresh voice is really an old familiar face – which is you did well and learn from what you didn’t do well,” Cassidy explained, how Joel Quenneville happened to land in Florida; Alain Vigneault in who went on to describe NHL coaching as, “a tough business, a results- Philadelphia; Todd McLellan in Los Angeles and this past week, Dave oriented business – and if you’re not hitting the ground running, ready the Tippett in Edmonton. first time, you learn some things so the next time you are completely Together, the four have accumulated 4,772 regular-season games of prepared for all the elements. I think that’s what happened with me, and NHL coaching experience and have been behind the bench for 2,525 probably happened to a lot of guys in the league – from Craig, right on wins. They also have an additional 503 games on their playoff coaching down the line.” resumes and Quenneville has three Stanley Cup championships to his To Cassidy’s point, about two-thirds of his peers are on their second NHL name. coaching lives or more. If you exclude Smith, who has yet to coach a Experience matters – to some teams, some of the time. single NHL game, nine of the 30 coaches currently employed in the league are still with their first teams. Four have been with their respective Because, depending upon the current state of your franchise’s health, clubs for more than a year: Jon Cooper (Tampa); John Hynes (New you can also go in the other direction. In Ottawa, for example, the Jersey); Jared Bednar (Colorado); and Travis Green (Vancouver). The Senators embraced the young, untried, let’s-see-what-he-can-do-when- other five – Jim Montgomery (Dallas); Todd Reirden (Washington); Rod given-a-chance route. The Senators hired D.J. Smith away from Brind’Amour (Carolina); David Quinn (New York Rangers) and Jeremy divisional rival Toronto, making Smith the fourth member of the Mike Colliton (Chicago) – have been on the job one year or less. (The 31st Babcock coaching tree to land in the NHL next season. Previous team, the Anaheim Ducks, still have not settled on a coach for 2019-20). Babcock assistants who are current NHL head coaches include McLellan, Bill Peters (Calgary) and Jeff Blashill (Detroit). Tippett was an interesting choice in Edmonton because new general manager Ken Holland had an easy experienced option at his disposal – But what goes into the decision – of old vs. young; experienced just keeping Ken Hitchcock on – but was determined to go in a different campaigner vs. untried newcomer? direction. Some saw that as a sign that Holland might turn to a young up- and-comer. Interestingly, at the press conference unveiling Tippett’s Expectations, for one. hiring, Holland acknowledged that his track record demonstrated a Ottawa, through owner Eugene Melnyk, has publicly stated that the willingness to consider both options. In Detroit, he hired Babcock to Senators have a de facto three-year building plan in place, so they have coach the Red Wings, after Babcock spent two years coaching the given themselves a grace period to grow and mature that will also permit Ducks; but he also gave Blashill his first opportunity as an NHL head Smith to undergo his own growing pains at the same time the team does. coach. The hope is both arrive at the ready stage at exactly the same moment. So why go with Tippett? According to Holland, at this point in the Oilers’ Because the one thing the NHL’s coaching history tells you is there will on-ice evolution, he believed stability and experience behind the bench be growing pains. Few are exempt – and for further proof, you need to trumped any other factor that might have influenced his hiring decision. look no further than the two men coaching against each other in the Stanley Cup final – Craig Berube, with the St. Louis Blues and Bruce “Sometimes, you make decisions as a young manager or a young coach Cassidy of the Boston Bruins. and you say (after the fact), ‘boy, I don’t know if I’d ever do that again,’” Holland said. “We’ve both done that – made decisions that we can reflect On the surface, there is little common ground there. back on, some that have worked out, and some that haven’t. But I Berube played 1,054 NHL games, mostly as a tough guy. Cassidy was a thought it was important to have somebody behind the bench that’s been skilled defenceman in his junior days. At 5-11, he was undersized for his through the wars of the National Hockey League.” era, but he was talented enough to be a first-round draft choice and it Tippett echoed that. “I’ve coached two teams – one for seven years, the was actually a knee injury suffered in his teens that ultimately limited his other for eight years,” he said. “I’m big on stability. I’m big on NHL playing career to only 36 games. relationships and communications. A coach, you’ve got to set the plan in The two are only six months apart in age, but Cassidy’s knee issues place in your dressing room with your players, but ultimately, there’s a meant he began his coaching career a decade before Berube. Cassidy’s bigger goal for the coaches, trainers, management. You’re trying to win first job came with the 1996-97 Jacksonville Lizard Kings of the ECHL, together. I try to create that atmosphere, where everybody’s accountable, but by 2002, he was in the NHL with the Washington Capitals. Berube but they’re not accountable to me or to management, they’re accountable meanwhile broke in the AHL’s Philadelphia Phantoms in 2006 and to winning and to the crest on your jersey.” eventually worked his way to the top job – behind the Flyers’ bench – by Most coaches will relay some version of what Tippett outlined there as 2013. their ultimate task – preaching accountability to the team, as opposed to Neither lasted all that long in their inaugural NHL jobs. Cassidy got just individual goals. This is by no means just boilerplate patter either. In a 110 games with the Caps before he was let go, while Berube managed sport where the moving parts are so dependent upon one another, it’s just 161 with the Flyers before a regime change led to his departure. critically important to achieving success. Some players obviously buy into the “team” concept better than others do. But when compensation is tied It took Cassidy more than 13 years to work his way back to the NHL so closely to individual achievements, the need to be persuasive on (promoted from Bruins’ assistant to head coach on an interim basis back collective goals is probably a greater challenge for coaches than ever in February 2017, after Claude Julien was fired, and then given the full- before. time designation at season’s end). Since taking over the reins in Edmonton, Holland has repeatedly structured game. But long term, Krueger’s greatest strength is his referenced the pressure to win that exists in all 31 NHL markets – and motivational abilities – and in pushing the right buttons for a team whose that a reasonable goal for every team in any season is just to be one of nucleus is still evolving. Once he gets buy-in from the players to his the 16 teams left standing when the playoffs begin; and then hope for the system, Buffalo is going to be a fun place to play again – and a fun team best at that juncture. Holland thinks Tippett gives them the best chance to watch. to do that now. Unlike Ottawa, the Oilers can’t afford to be nearly as patient. McLellan with the Kings

Now that the offseason coaching picture is nearly complete, what’s McLellan arguably inherits the toughest task of any of the new bench interesting is to examine who hasn’t resurfaced – coaches that might bosses this year, trying to restore order, effort and pride to a Kings team collectively fall into the “stern taskmaster” category; the Darryl Sutters, that sure looked as if it were going through the motions for a large part of Mike Keenans and Randy Carlyles of the world. the second half under their previous coach Willie Desjardins. The Kings have a small but able nucleus of veteran players and then a lot of so-so All have had more than their share of coaching achievements, but now talent at the bottom half of the roster. A stronger, stricter message – seem out of step with the times – not necessarily with the way the game coupled with the players’ collective willingness to put last season’s is played or taught either, but in how they communicate or otherwise embarrassing performance behind them – should make the Kings a more create a dialogue with their players. formidable opponent. But the job description is coach – not miracle worker – and history suggests there will be a steady erosion in the years For some, John Tortorella of the Columbus Blue Jackets might also be to come, if the Kings can’t start putting some Grade-A younger pieces thought of as old-school – and yet, he seems to have found the ability to into the lineup, and soon. adapt to the younger generation of player coming through the ranks. Some years ago, I quizzed Tortorella about his evolving coaching Smith with the Senators philosophy and remember being particularly struck by something he said – about how motivation trumps practically everything else in the coaching People forget: The Senators were a tough out at different times in the handbook nowadays. final two months of the season, because of effort and goaltending; and since the bar will be set low again this season, the pressure to win won’t Tortorella’s point was that players arrive in the NHL so knowledgeable be terribly great. I can’t imagine any scenario under which the Senators about strategy and tactics that the need to teach basic concepts is not as escape the Atlantic Division basement, but I do expect to see Smith help urgent or necessary as it once was. Instead, the primary challenge was provide growth in the areas that matter – developing the young core. “to get between the ears of each individual player and straighten out the wiring to help them be the best players they can possibly be. And finally …

“I’m a guidance counselor in the sports business,” Tortorella concluded. After Sean McIndoe and I went back and forth on video review a few “My daughter’s a seventh-grade school teacher and we talk about this a times already this spring, here’s a final thought, run through the prism of lot. I say to her, ‘we’re trying to do the same thing, except you use NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s state-of-the-league press conference textbooks and you’re in a classroom setting.” this past week. Normally, whenever Bettman delivers his state of the union, the preface is all sweetness and light – he praises the teams, the Grading the coaching hires owners, the coaches, the GMs, the players; highlights everything good that’s happened in the NHL this season and then opens it up to If the measure of NHL coaching success is making the playoffs, who questions. This time around, he did something interesting – kind of a pre- among this year’s six off-season hires has the best chance of succeeding emptive strike. Before anyone could ever ask him about the state of next year? We assess, in descending order of probability. officiating – and primarily how it could be improved through video review Vigneault with the Flyers – Bettman addressed the matter himself.

People weirdly tend to overlook Vigneault’s career accomplishments and On some levels, Bettman and I originally shared the same position of unless you’re paying close attention to his results, you may not realize wariness on video review – me probably more than him – fearing that that he’s presided over three President’s Trophy wins since 2011 (two in once video review was introduced, it could open up many unexpected Vancouver, one with the Rangers) and in 11 seasons, between 2006-07 cans of worms. Ideally, if I could put the video genie back in the bottle, I and 2016-17, made the playoffs 10 times and coached in 139 playoff would – and live with human officiating error, the way we do with player, games, twice getting his teams to the final. Impressive results, both coaching and management errors. Sadly, they tell me that’ll never regular and postseason and frankly, the Flyers have enough talent that if happen. Carter Hart plays the way they think he can internally, Philadelphia could If we’re stuck with video review, then the current half-in, half-out system be ready for a major surge up the standings. is an unacceptable mish-mash. Every time there’s a controversy, the Quenneville with the Panthers NHL’s television audience can see endless replays and easily make the correct call for themselves. The only people who don’t get a second look I’m bullish on the Quenneville fit in Florida. Quenneville inherits a are the officials on the ice because they are limited in what they can and Panthers team that finished 12 points out of the playoffs but is expected can’t review. That part of the process makes no sense. to look much differently by the time GM Dale Tallon gets through his free- agent spending spree. Florida has good offensive pieces – the key will be For Bettman to acknowledge, before even a single question was asked, to cut the goals against way down (they were the fourth-worst defensive that “clearly what we already do may not be enough” is quite an team in the league a year ago). Good goaltending is the single biggest admission – and also proof positive, in case you were wondering how contributor to coaching success; we’re going to guess that having a two- this was all going to turn out, that the system is about to change. time Vezina Trophy winner before the start of next season will greatly How? Still to be determined. enhance Quenneville’s already impressive resume. But I also liked this from Bettman: “The ability to review and parse plays Tippett with the Oilers down to the millisecond has become both a blessing and a curse. If we Even though Tippett stressed at his hiring that he is not just capable of are to extend video replay, and we will be looking at that possibility, we teaching and coaching defense, the fact that he has historically been must find the right balance when it comes to how much more to use and able to maximize the contributions of the foot soldiers in his various when to use it without affecting the flow, pace and excitement of our lineups actually bodes well for Edmonton’s playoff aspirations this game. Perhaps most important, we have to have a system that enables coming season. Tippett was that guy as a player, someone who paid us to be consistent. This is the challenge, and it is the challenge we are attention to details, won faceoffs, killed penalties and often helped the focused on and we will meet.” teams he played for become better than their individual parts. If he can In the end, the competition committee, the NHL’s GMs, and eventually do that again in Edmonton, then the talents of Connor McDavid and Leon the board of governors, will provide input. Draisaitl may just take care of the rest. “What I can say with absolute certainty is that everyone involved is going Krueger with the Sabres to take a hard look at this issue in the upcoming months,” concluded After a promising start, the Sabres were in shambles in the second half of Bettman. “No one should doubt that we want to get it right. The last season, so Ralph Krueger’s task will be more technical at first – fundamental question is the ‘it’ – when to intervene and what are the installing and teaching a system that allows the Sabres to play a far more instances that require doing so; and of course, how to do it without destroying the fabric and essential elements of our game.”

Translation: The league’s powers-that-be will try to anticipate, as much as possible, the various unintended consequences of possible changes – changes that could make things worse, not better.

No current NHL issue appears more divisive than officiating and its evolution in the context of rapidly changing technologies.

It’s going to be fascinating to see what they ultimately come up with.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145882 Websites If he can’t imagine the level of pressure that Hughes has dealt with since being pegged as a no-doubt future star years ago …

“Jack doesn’t see it as pressure,” said Ellen Hughes, Jack’s mother. “He The Athletic / What Jack Hughes took away from his different, but just wants to be the best and at his best and have the opportunity to play ‘invaluable,’ experience at the worlds and be an impact kid. In this particular situation, the stars and the moon are not all lined up that way. But he understands that’s good for him as a human, as well. So we’ve seen him mature throughout these two weeks.” By Corey Masisak May 31, 2019 “Yeah, we’ve seen him grow mentally here,” Jim added.

“You don’t get to where he is without not settling,” Ellen continued. “But A couple of young volunteers at the IIHF world championships waited he’s had pressure when you grew up in Toronto, he always played a year eagerly near the stairwell that led to the United States locker room at up. There’s pressure on this kid, which we see it as pressure, and it’s Steel Arena, shortly after the Americans had wrapped up a practice one never been pressure for him.” afternoon in the middle of the tournament. While Hughes had just one point in his first six games in Slovakia, he had Players sporadically filtered up the stairs and headed for the exit that led his moments in his truncated ice time. Great Britain goaltender Ben to the team bus. There were NHL All-Stars and Stanley Cup champions. Bowns made the save of the tournament on Hughes, robbing him of a The volunteers watched them walk by and kept waiting. goal.

Finally, they asked one of the last players to pass by if he would stop to JACK HUGHES GETS ABSOLUTELY ROBBED OF HIS FIRST sign an autograph. It was Jack Hughes, the youngest player in the CAREER GOAL AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS tournament and the potential No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. PIC.TWITTER.COM/RNKIX306LV

The on-ice production component of Hughes’ trip to Slovakia did not — BRADY TRETTENERO (@BRADYTRETT) MAY 15, 2019 meet the expectations set for a player who has shattered amateur records previously held by future NHL stars and made him one of the He set up several scoring chances, including some Grade-A ones for van most anticipated American prospects in the history of the sport. He Riemsdyk, in the first couple of games, but wasn’t rewarded for it. finished the tournament with three points (all assists) in seven games, Hughes also had some inconsistent games, including the one against with the United States losing to Russia in the quarterfinals. Germany just before he was scratched against Canada.

After dominating opponents, locally, nationally and internationally at the The lessons Hughes learned in Slovakia will help him prepare for next amateur level, this was a different type of experience for Hughes. season, when he will become the first player to go directly from the United States National Team Development Program to the NHL. He has “Quite frankly, it’s been a learning curve,” said Jim Hughes, Jack’s father, trained with NHL players and skated with them in pickup games last in Slovakia. “Because anytime you play in a World Cup or an Olympic summer, but this was his first chance to face pros in a high-leverage team — or in this case, it’s like an All-Star team — he has to find his way environment. inside of a really senior type of room. So he’s not used to playing nine or 10 minutes, he’s used to playing 21 minutes. He’s used to seeing certain “I think he’s been awesome,” said Quinn Hughes, who was back with the situations inside a hockey game. But he certainly knows why he came U.S. in this tournament for a second time and was Jack’s roommate in here. He came here to get greater exposure. Kosice. “For him, just the experience to be in the locker room with the pro guys and see what that’s like, this tournament is all about trying to “It was so positive for (his brother) Quinn last year. It is like going to prepare him for next year in the NHL. He hasn’t had a lot of ice time, but Harvard business school. He’s sitting next to (Patrick) Kane in the locker he’s handled it great and been a great teammate. He’s got the big picture room. He’s having dinner with (James) van Riemsdyk and going out with in his head and he’s been really smart. I think this has been good for him (Alex) DeBrincat and (Ryan) Suter. That experience and exposure is because now he knows more about what he needs to do this summer. I invaluable. You can’t buy that type of experience. And so, is it the think he’s looking forward to next year.” tournament that he expected or wanted? Probably not in some ways, and yet, this experience will help him so much as he moves forward into Hughes spent nearly the duration of the tournament playing on the wing, September and October. He’s going to be able to lean on some of these despite his potential to become a franchise center in the NHL. If it wasn’t experiences and that part of the journey is really important.” clear before the world championships, Hughes is going to need to add some bulk to his lean frame to handle the rigors of battling for pucks Hughes was a late addition to this U.S. team, which included eight along the walls of NHL rinks. players who were selected within the first 10 picks of their NHL draft classes and three who either went first or second. Still, Hughes was The skating — both his top-end speed and ability to change directions clearly one of the headliners, from the amount of interviews he did to the and dance on the ice like few prospects ever have — combined with his attention he drew from fans and the assembled media. passing vision, hockey IQ and competitive desire, are going to make Hughes an electric offensive player very early in his NHL career. How He began the tournament playing with van Riemsdyk and Clayton Keller much core and lower-body strength he can add, and how quickly, will on what was essentially the team’s third line. An injury to Johnny determine how soon he could be an all-around star. Gaudreau opened a spot higher up in the lineup, so Hughes played a couple of games alongside Jack Eichel and Chris Kreider. “I think he can do it for sure,” Kane said about Hughes playing center in the NHL. “He’s so good coming up the middle of the ice with speed. I Hughes was scratched for the final preliminary round game against think it’s a little bit different game over here (at the world championships) Canada, but returned to the lineup against Russia and had his best because there’s a little bit more interference that they don’t call. If you get outing of the tournament. He finished with two assists in the 4-3 loss and that speed going up the ice and get behind defensemen, I can see him was named the U.S. player of the game. creating a lot of odd-man rushes.”

“He makes a lot of plays at high speed. He’s got some great edges and Kane is one of the players Hughes is most often compared to. They are great hands. As he gets bigger and stronger, he’s going to be even more similar in size, from both a height and bulk standpoint. Like Kane, dominant,” Eichel said. “I can’t imagine being in his position right now Hughes is a playmaker first who can also rack up goals. Kane has only because there’s got to be a lot of pressure on him. I think he’s handled rarely played center in the NHL, early in his career when the Chicago everything so well and he is playing really well for us. Blackhawks didn’t have a reliable option behind Jonathan Toews.

“He’s just going to continue to mature, and as he does that, he’s going to “Kane had 110 points (this past season),” TSN analyst Ray Ferraro said. be a superstar in the NHL. It’s been great getting to know him and it was “DeBrincat scored 41 goals. Gaudreau had 99 points. Now, if you’re fun to play with him.” telling me he can be a winger and be a 99-point guy, then I’m good with that. If he’s a (47)-point guy, as Keller was last year, then I want (Kaapo) Eichel actually was in a similar position to Hughes not so long ago. The Kakko. It’s hard to project. I think you have to look for not just today but current Sabres center was a much-hyped amateur prospect, earning the the future. If your two top centers are Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, label “best American prospect since Kane” leading into the 2015 draft are you going to be strong enough, or is one of them going to have to go (eight years after Kane went No. 1 in 2007). Eichel went No. 2 to Buffalo to the wing? behind Connor McDavid. “I want Jack Hughes, with all that agility and skating, in the middle of the ice. I want him carrying the puck. I would say at his best stylistically, he’s like Kane. He’s not Gaudreau. There’s a difference in the way that they play. Stylistically, I see Hughes more in the middle of the ice. OK, but Kane is a right wing, so why not right wing? Hughes has never played right wing, and it’s a tough league to start at.

“I would draft him as a center.”

While Hughes is constantly compared to the best American players in the NHL, he’s also going to be forever linked to Kakko, who like Hughes is locked in as one of the top two prospects in this draft. Each player has produced in his respective environment — Hughes at the USNTDP, Kakko as a U-18 player in Finland’s top professional division — in ways that have never been accomplished before.

Like Hughes, Kakko faced a surge in media and fan attention in Slovakia, and the meeting between Finland and the United States was one of the most hyped games of the tournament. Kakko had an incredible start to the event and finished with six goals and seven points in 10 games, helping Finland claim the gold medal despite a roster of players who combined to score zero goals in the NHL last season.

Just like Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, and most recently Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine, having two elite prospects at the top of a class who are similar in their potential for stardom but different in their style and position adds drama. It provides a hook for casual fans who might otherwise not be all that invested in the amateur draft. Add in that Hughes and Kakko are likely to end up on opposite sides of the Hudson River rivalry, with the Devils and Rangers owning the first two picks, and there’s even more intrigue.

Hughes and Kakko had different experiences in Slovakia, from different roles on their teams to different results. As Jim Hughes put it, the tournament was an important part of the overall journey for his son, just like it almost assuredly was for Petri Kakko’s son, as well.

“I think (Hughes has) handled it very well,” said Devils assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald at the NHL scouting combine in Buffalo. The Devils’ front office contingent met with Hughes for 20 minutes on Tuesday. On Wednesday night, a few members of the organization went to dinner with Jack and his agent, Pat Brisson of CAA Sports.

“He’s very mature. We had him out to dinner and he just reminds me of those guys who have been in the spotlight since they were eight, nine, 10 years old,” Fitzgerald said. “Speaks extremely well, very thoughtful. He’s not scripted. Listening to him talking about picking Kane’s brain in the locker room and watching some of the older guys at practice and being able to compare how his brother, Quinn, is to someone like Ryan Suter who had his whole family there and calling Cory and Jill Schneider ‘Mr. and Mrs. Schneider’ — I thought he was talking about Cory’s parents for a second — these were real, valuable life experiences for him.

“He could have taken the easy road. He could have stayed home and said, ‘My season’s over, I’ve played a lot of hockey, I’m going to take some time with my buddies, play some golf.’ But chose the hard road. You can’t get any higher (in the draft) than where he was after breaking Alex Ovechkin’s record (at the U-18 world championship), but he chose to go for that experience.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145883 Websites Not every one of his rushes work, but what I like is how strong he is and how balanced he is on his skates. At the Canada-Russia series, he took the puck up the ice, absorbed a check and it’s the checker who seemed The Athletic / Pronman: Dylan Cozens has the potential to be a top worse for it. power forward in the NHL And like I said, while I wouldn’t call him someone who throws out some big hits, he can put guys on their backs when the time calls for it.

By Corey Pronman May 31, 2019 Production

Cozens started getting top-5 hype after his fantastic 16-year-old season where he was impactful for Lethbridge in the regular season and playoffs, Dylan Cozens is a name prospect fans have known since he came up and won rookie of the year in the Dub. Truth be told, he was great before three seasons ago to the WHL. Since then, he’s continued to impress that, coming up during his 15-year-old season in the 2017 playoffs. The and is one of the top options available in this class. His combination of only player in the modern era to produce more than Cozens’ eight points speed and power makes him a potential top power forward in the NHL. as a U16 in the playoffs was Brayden Point with 10.

Skating This season Cozens was very good but not amazing. He was a top player for a very good but not elite CHL team. His production did not The best part about Cozens’ game is the speed and pace he plays at. scream top-5 pick, likely more someone in the next tier, raising There are not many 6-foot-3 centers with his speed who can also provide arguments if maybe he just developed early. With that said, he was offensive skill. A theme you will notice through this piece in how many impressive in international play, such as the Hlinka Gretzky and playing plays Cozens makes when he’s on the move. up age groups at the Canada-Russia series in November. He can so easily gain the zone with his speed. Hockey World’s Impressions And with his wingspan, Cozens can be so tough to defend off entries An NHL scout said: “Cozens is at his best when he’s taking the puck because he keeps pucks far away from defenders sticks. On this rush, through the neutral zone. He’s a driver. He can be a physical force.” despite moving by three defenders, he’s never really challenged for possession because of how quickly he moves and how he keeps the An NHL scout said: “I love his speed, size and compete. I think he has defenders’ sticks away from the puck. offense, but I’m not sure if the puck game or vision will be anything special in the NHL.” Having a center like Cozens who can so easily exit his zone and gain the offensive zone in a second with skill is such a valuable asset. Lethbridge Hurricanes coach Brent Kisio said: “He’s a difference maker. He’s very fast and utilizes his speed very well. His playmaking abilities Skill are exceptional. He’s a reliable two-way player.” Cozens skill level isn’t particularly high, but it’s above-average in the pro Canada’s U18 GM Alan Millar said: “Dylan’s one of the top players in this game. He makes a lot of skilled plays on the rush, which makes him age group. He’s big, he’s very competitive, a very good skater, has a interesting. A lot of his offense comes from plays like these when he’s very good stick. I think he’s going to be a top-5 pick. I think he’ll be in the moving with speed and can make plays through defenders. NHL before his junior eligibility is done. He’s a solid all-around player.” I wouldn’t call him the most graceful puck handler. Even on his highlight Dylan Cozens said: “I’m a very good skater. It gives me time and space reel plays, he’s not making multiple touches on pucks or making any to make plays and find my linemates. I also have a good shot. I can find flashy between the legs plays. With that said, because of his ability to the back of the net.” make plays on the move, he’s able to break open games with his skill. Projection Vision Cozens does not project to become a regular on the highlight reel in the When he’s not opening up gaps with his skating, his standstill vision is NHL. He does project to become a very good NHL forward. pedestrian. Cozens isn’t a prototypical half-wall guy who will thread passes through seams. There are debates in the scouting industry whether he ends up on the wing due to the fact his playmaking isn’t elite. I’ve seen him play the wing Like with his skill, he makes very good passes while he’s on the move. fine, but he seems much more comfortable down the middle. Like this sequence where his movement around the offensive zone opens up space for his teammates, and he finds a lane across the crease With his skating ability, his size and his talent level, Cozens has all the to generate a chance. components to become a quality first line forward in the NHL, whether on the wing or at center. Evaluators feel he could be in the NHL by the This play doesn’t connect but is a good example of a more traditional 2020-21 season as well. seam pass that Cozens recognizes and hits his target, even though they fumble it. The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 This is my favorite assist Cozens made all season.

He makes three excellent reads here. First is recognizing the bad reverse pass and pouncing on it. Second is the look over his shoulder to the net for his teammate. Third is recognizing he needs to zip that pass in before the defenders respond.

As said before, he’s not exactly Evgeni Malkin with his touches, like on this play where he receives the puck and looks a little awkward handling it. But he still makes a very good read on the pass behind him to the open teammate.

In the NHL, Cozens is likely a player who will be relied on to make plays down low, around the net and off the rush, and he can do that very well.

Physicality

Cozens isn’t known as an ultra-physical guy who throws his body around and lays people out, but he plays hard and has a strong, 6-foot-3 frame.

When Cozens is skating up with the puck, he typically wants to take it to the net. This play here is an example of “I’m getting to the net. You can get out of my way or come with me!” 1145884 Websites Ontario, and the surrounding area, including, at times, the family’s backyard.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my dad and the stuff that he taught me The Athletic / Ryan O’Reilly’s unique approach to the game began long growing up. How to work and how to constantly find new ways to train before the NHL and be creative with your training and not just off the ice but on the ice, as well,” Ryan O’Reilly said. “Never practicing what you’re good at. He was just a constant reminder of that, helping both my brother and I be By Scott Burnside May 31, 2019 creative with it and pushing each other. It was a massive tool that helped me constantly elevate my game. Every time I made the step to the next

level he’d say that he was so proud of me and stuff and then say, ‘now ST. LOUIS – This is Ryan O’Reilly. it’s time to take over this level, it’s time to elevate and become a dominant player at that level.’ He’s always just helped stay in the present Walking on a 2-by-4 angled awkwardly up a stack of mattresses. and find new ways of how to grow my game myself.”

Then walking up the plank while doing yoga exercises. But the lessons learned in the O’Reilly home weren’t just hockey lessons. They were lessons about how people interact with their community, how Then making the wobbly trek as his father poses mathematical important it is to give back and what it means to be selfless. Over the questions. years, the O’Reilly family took in dozens of foster kids. Then repeating the process as he’s balancing a golf ball on the end of a “I didn’t know it until I was older and seeing how lucky I was to grow up in hockey stick and depositing said golf ball into a plastic bucket. an environment like that where you open your home to other people that This is Ryan O’Reilly. had been through some very tough challenges in life and learn how to get along,” Ryan O’Reilly said. “When they’re struggling, how to deal with Arriving at the rink long before his Erie Otters teammates on game day, them. You don’t know you’re doing this but just by something as simple going through his own workout ritual in the quiet of the arena, and then as hockey, you bond together and it’s helped me, I think, be able to go to changing into his suit and meeting his teammates as they come off the different teams and get along with everyone. Knowing that people come bus so he is in no way separate from the group. from different backgrounds and get along with them. I hope I can give my family that, that same kind of thing where open your home and you can This is Ryan O’Reilly. show that there’s that you can help out like that.” A hockey player broken down by the culture of mediocrity and losing that The one byproduct of fostering so many kids was that many of them were permeated the Buffalo Sabres organization, raw and candid about how also named Ryan, leading to his grandmother dubbing him “Snook,” the joy of the game was stripped away from him. which is what his friends and family know him as to this day. This is Ryan O’Reilly. Joey Hishon is one of those who knows O’Reilly as Snook. Hishon grew Three wins away from a Stanley Cup championship. up not far from O’Reilly in small-town Western Ontario. Although they knew of each other through youth hockey circles, they actually met at a Standing in the bowels of TD Garden in Boston, there is something both volleyball tournament when they were in middle school. wondrous and inexplicable about how this all unfolded. They both played for elite spring tournament teams that were based in “It’s been an absolute rollercoaster. Throughout the whole thing,” O’Reilly Toronto, so the families carpooled to those events and the boys became said. “It’s crazy how one year can change so dramatically. Being so close. disappointed. And not thinking I was going to be traded at all. Sitting there at the end of the year thinking how do I be a part of this change? The knock on O’Reilly through much of his hockey career has been that Thinking I’ve got to do some things different in order to get this group in he doesn’t skate exceptionally well. But he worked so hard on other parts the right way. Next thing you know I hear I’m kind of on the block and of his game that it hasn’t kept him from being considered one of the best then I’m traded.” two-way forwards in the game.

O’Reilly was unflinchingly honest in assessing where he was at “You always knew that wasn’t going to hold him back,” Hishon said. emotionally and professionally at the end of last season before his trade The joke when they played together was that O’Reilly was playing chess to the St. Louis Blues. He was also unflinchingly honest about what was and everyone else was playing checkers. going through his mind at the start of this season. “He just thought the game at a higher level than anyone else,” Hishon The Blues, as even the most casual of hockey fans knows by now, went said. off the rails early and were in last place in the league at the end of the calendar year. Hishon has seen up close the creativity that O’Reilly and his family brought to the process of getting better, honing skills and challenging O’Reilly, 28, was acquired to help this team get over the hump, not be a themselves mentally. participant in it crashing into a ditch. Like the aforementioned plank routine that helps to control breathing, Was it him? Was it something about his presence that was keeping his balance and hand-eye coordination. teams from achieving? “Really crazy stuff,” Hishon said. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in “So, getting to this group, then going through the whole frustration of the my life,” he said of Brian O’Reilly’s summer workouts. first part of the season and thinking like, ‘gosh, I’m just, I feel I’m a cancer,’” O’Reilly said. “Like, I’ve just destroyed a team kind of thing.” Sometimes Ryan O’Reilly would come up with his own drills and exercises, and the two would work on them together. He can laugh at the notion now given how important he has become to this team, how much the younger players look up to him and how heavily Hishon played major junior hockey in Owen Sound where he is now an coach Craig Berube relies on him, but that was his reality. assistant coach and assistant GM, so he regularly faced his old pal who was playing in Erie. Often he would give an extra little jab to O’Reilly or “I was just worried,” said O’Reilly, who had the primary assist on Carl do a little trash talking just to see if he could get O’Reilly off his game. Gunnarsson’s overtime goal in Game 2. “You go through those things. I remember talking to my dad. He’s the one that said be patient with this. “But there’s no one who can get in his head,” Hishon said. “He’s so This is a really well-built team, there’s so many (new) faces, it’s going to strong mentally. take a while to click.” One night, Hishon gave O’Reilly a little whack in the back of the legs just As it turns out, Brian O’Reilly was right about a lot of things when it came to remind his friend that he was there and soon found four of Erie’s to his family, which includes wife, Bonnie, and three children – Ryan’s toughest players trying to get at him. brother Cal plays in the AHL for the Minnesota Wild’s affiliate. “I started backpedaling pretty quickly telling them that we were friends,” A longtime marriage counselor, Brian O’Reilly also runs a high- Hishon said. “They said ‘if you touch him again, you’re dead.’” performance summer boot camp for athletes at facilities in Goderich, Hishon was selected 17th-overall in 2010 by the Colorado Avalanche a last season. Hockey is a small town and Liles heard some negative year after O’Reilly was taken by the Avalanche with the 33rd overall pick. whispers from Buffalo about O’Reilly as a teammate after his trade to St. Louis. “That was pretty surreal,” Hishon said of the two longtime friends ending up drafted by the same NHL team. He chalks it all up to a losing team and how easy it is to throw dirt on the guy who’s leaving town. Hishon’s first NHL game was in the playoffs. The night before the game, he went to O’Reilly’s hotel room to watch some TV and try to calm his “I never saw that I can tell you,” Liles said. “He didn’t act like a teenager nerves. When Hishon scored his first NHL goal, O’Reilly was the first one at all. He had this older sense about him, almost like he was cut from an on the bench to congratulate him. old time hockey cloth.”

The connection remains strong between the two, as O’Reilly and another Even as a young NHLer O’Reilly was always among those who stayed longtime hockey pal Kent McPherson stood up in Hishon’s wedding last long after the formal practice ended. summer. “Those are the young guys you love having on your team,” Liles said. “He McPherson’s father, Dan, coached the boys and would sometimes give was constantly working on his game.” them extra time on the ice after practice. One day, Dan McPherson asked his son on the way home what O’Reilly was working on with the It is no surprise to him that O’Reilly became one of the top two-way extra time. centers in the game and believes he is one of the few players in the game that is in the same conversation as four-time Frank J. Selke Trophy He’d set up an obstacle course with cones and was working on winner Patrice Bergeron of the Bruins against whom O’Reilly has been stickhandling, backhands and edge work. matched at times early in this Stanley Cup final.

“He was working on a lot of things he wasn’t good at,” Dan McPherson O’Reilly, who is a finalist for the Selke Trophy along with Bergeron this said. season, made the jump straight from major junior to the NHL. He never played a game in the minors and, during his rookie season, he lived with And competitive? veteran winger Darcy Tucker.

The joke among the local hockey kids was they wanted to go to the O’Reilly said he was so in awe of the longtime Toronto Maple Leafs O’Reilly’s and see Cal and Ryan play ping pong, “just to see the fight,” player, having grown up a Leaf fan, that he didn’t think he spoke to Dan McPherson recalled with a chuckle. Tucker for the first half of the season.

“From what I saw of Ryan back then, I never doubted that he was going At the time, O’Reilly and Matt Duchene were rookies who were expected to be a success at hockey,” Dan McPherson said. to be the foundation of the team for years.

But the game hardly defines the person. “These two kids come in full of piss and vinegar, and I’m like, wow, this is Major junior hockey icon Sherwood “Sherry” Bassin brought O’Reilly to the new wave and the new age of what’s going to happen in the National Erie, where O’Reilly played for two seasons. Hockey League,” Tucker said. “They were pretty green, let’s put it that way.” The longtime junior hockey executive still keeps in touch and has been texting O’Reilly regularly through this unexpected spring run to the Cup Although it would be Tucker’s last season in the NHL, it remains final. memorable in part because of being able to help O’Reilly through those first months as an NHL player. “I’ve always said it’s people that win championships not hockey players,” Bassin said. “This guy’s a special guy.” “It was a great experience,” Tucker said. “He was very quiet. We didn’t really hear much from him.” It’s not the will to win but the will to prepare to win, he added. O’Reilly was into his guitar, yoga and preparation. He had a very specific “And his will to win is incredible,” Bassin said. regimen of what he put into his body, Tucker recalled.

Bassin goes back to O’Reilly’s exit from Buffalo and takes the view that “I was the complete opposite of him. I could care less what I was eating this was a player who was simply being honest about how things were and drinking,” Tucker said. Over time the two developed a nice rhythm. there and that honesty made people uncomfortable. Tucker would drive to the rink for games, and O’Reilly would ask questions about the game and various things that he was encountering “Most people at the end of a season say the same old thing, the same as a player. old bullshit,” Bassin said. “But because he told the truth about how tough it was in Buffalo, guys asked questions. The losing was affecting him “A lot of quiet questions from Ryan. ‘Hey, Tucks. What do you see here? emotionally.” What time do I need to be on the bus?’” Tucker recalled.

Bassin has seen O’Reilly prepare before games at the junior level and Tucker would be pretty high-strung while driving to the rink, and O’Reilly he’s seen him working out in the offseason. He’s seen the plank workout was the opposite, which helped calm Tucker down. and seen O’Reilly bested by brother Cal and not liking it one bit. “It seems pretty weird to be saying that about an 18-year-old kid. It “He was pounding the wall. OK, we’re going again,” Bassin said. “He’s worked well,” said Tucker. “He helped me and I helped him. He was a such a wonderful guy. You talk about a love for the game.” dedicated kid when it came to his craft. You could tell he was going to be a leader. In the aftermath of the Humboldt junior hockey bus tragedy a little more than a year ago, Bassin reached out to two former Erie Otters to join him “From a hockey standpoint, he had the best stick I’ve ever seen from the on a trip out West to help lend some support to the grief-stricken standpoint of stealing pucks, taking pucks away from guys without them community – O’Reilly and Connor McDavid. really realizing it.”

Bassin wanted to make a visit under the radar, without media tagging It’s been almost exactly 11 months since O’Reilly, the father of a 16- along, to show how the hockey community was with the devastated month-old son, Jameson, got the call at his cottage in the Goderich area Saskatchewan junior team. that he’d been traded.

There was no hesitation from either player. It was the day after he got married.

“I have this theory,” Bassin said. “I ask ‘do I like who I am when I’m O’Reilly was playing volleyball near the lake. The cell reception is a bit around you?’” spotty and so the actual call came in on Cal’s phone from longtime agent Pat Morris. If the answer is no then you move on. “My brother comes up and says, ‘Pat’s calling me and I’m pretty sure this “And I love who I am when I’m around guys like O’Reilly. He’s a special is going to be for you,’” O’Reilly recalled. “My heart kind of dropped. I was kid,” he said. “I hope my grandchildren are like him.” like, ‘uh oh, something’s going down here.’” Longtime NHL defenseman John-Michael Liles played with O’Reilly in Denver. He watched from afar as O’Reilly laid bare his soul at the end of Morris immediately put O’Reilly’s mind at ease: You’re going to like where you’re going, the longtime agent promised. It didn’t unfold as O’Reilly imagined but as it turned out there was a special truth in those words.

“It’s amazing. It’s been a rollercoaster and to be where we are now, it’s awesome,” O’Reilly said. “But again, there’s one more step to go and then it’s the ultimate dream.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145885 Websites chance” when he already plays a regular shift. Still, anything a hockey player says to their coach while they’re peeing is worth consideration for this section, and seeing Craig Berube sell the hell out of it is great.

The Athletic / DGB Grab Bag: Remembering history’s second most CARL GUNNARSSON TOLD CHIEF HE NEEDED JUST "ONE awkward Gary Bettman Cup handoff MORE CHANCE" WHILE STANDING SIDE-BY-SIDE AT THE URINAL. #STLBLUES #WEALLBLEEDBLUE PIC.TWITTER.COM/L8ID419SNC By Sean McIndoe May 31, 2019 — ST. LOUIS BLUES (@STLOUISBLUES) MAY 30, 2019

The first star: Teemu Selanne – You think you’re being dedicated when Be it resolved you break out your lucky shirt to support your favorite team. This guy went full gear, including skates, in his living room. We made it through the first two games of the final without any Cody Eakin-level officiating disasters. But there was one clear missed call, and SELANNE WATCHED THE GOLD MEDAL GAME WITH HIS UNI ON it came on Wednesday night when the officials managed to miss the  PIC.TWITTER.COM/CLIY5J3CP9 Bruins playing with too many men shortly before scoring a goal. As always these days, that led to various fans and media wondering why — HOCKEY EPIC (@HOCKEY_EPIC) MAY 27, 2019 that kind of mistake can’t be challenged. Debating the issues I’ve stated my case against expanded replay in the past, but it’s clear that This week’s debate: The Stanley Cup final has started, meaning the NHL not everyone is convinced. So this week, instead of pointing out the can look forward to some of its very best television ratings of the year. obvious – that replay reviews of line changes would be a disaster But is there anything the league and its partners could do to make because by the strict letter of the rulebook, virtually every one of them is broadcasts better for fans? technically illegal – I’m going to try to make peace with the other side. In favor: Oh, for sure. Nobody’s perfect, and the NHL certainly hasn’t If I understand the most common form of the argument, you want each mastered the art of presenting its product. It does a lot of things right coach to have one challenge that he can use on just about anything he these days – compared to what they were like a generation ago, today’s wants. Leave it up to them to decide when they want to use it, and on broadcasts look fantastic. But that said, there’s certainly room for what. If they’re wrong, they lose their challenge and take a penalty. And if improvement. they’re right, that means we fixed a mistake, which is a good thing. In favor: So… You know what? I’m on board. Count me in. In favor: Um… On one condition. In favor: So yeah, they could do some things better. Do you want me to Be it resolved that we give each coach one challenge per game where he list some examples or something, or… can demand a review of an official’s decision – but only if we also give each official one challenge per game where he can review a coach’s In favor: Sorry, is Opposed not here? decision. The final verdict: He doesn’t seem to be. Fair’s fair, right? And since coaches keep telling us how important it is to get everything right, surely they won’t mind a little bit of extra scrutiny on In favor: I thought we were starting. their work. The final verdict: Yeah, so did I. Apparently not. Imagine how excited you would be if the game was stopped and you In favor: Well, this is pointless. heard, “The referee is challenging Mike Babcock’s decision to only give Auston Matthews like 18 minutes in this elimination game,” or, “The The final verdict: Yeah. Sorry, everyone. Not sure what the deal is with linesman would like to know what the deal is with Micheal Haley getting a this week’s debate. We might as well move on to the next section. lineup spot in the playoffs,” or, “All four of us were just wondering if you know you have a backup goalie or are we just sticking with Vasilevskiy all Obscure former player of the week night?” Then everyone could gather around a little iPad for five minutes With the Bruins back in the final for the third time in a decade, it’s worth before the coach had to use a microphone to tell the crowd that he remembering that Massachusetts has produced a ton of NHL players. A screwed up. total of 201 in all, according to hockey-reference.com, trailing only Would this make sense? No, it would be almost impossibly dumb. But so Minnesota among U.S. states. You could build a pretty decent all-time would letting coaches challenge line changes, and at least my idea would roster around players such as Jeremy Roenick, Keith Tkachuk, Jack be funny. So sure, let’s have expanded coach’s challenge. But only if we Eichel and John Carlson. And you’d have plenty of help building that also get the introduction of coaches challenge. roster, thanks to the presence of GMs such as Paul Fenton, Garth Snow and, uh, Mike Milbury. If we keep at it, we can eventually turn the entire game into people standing around staring at iPads. That’s apparently the goal, so let’s But today, let’s see if we can find a Massachusetts product who played make it happen. for both the Bruins and the Blues. How about Eric Nickulas?

The week’s three stars of comedy Nickulas was a right winger who lit up the scoreboard in high school, racking up 46 goals and 82 points in just 25 games for Cushing Academy The third star: Tuukka Rask – Every postseason has one guy you would Prep, a Massachusetts school that also produced hockey stars Keith have never expected who emerges as a comedy presence. I did not have Yandle, Conor Sheary and Meghan Duggan, as well as noted thespians Rask in the pool, but here he is, making his second comedy stars Bette Davis and John Cena. The Bruins selected Nickulas with the 99th appearance in three weeks. pick in the 1994 draft; the next four right wingers taken were Zdenek Skorepa, Craig Mills, Tony Tuzzolino and Daniel Alfredsson. TUUKKA RASK WAS ASKED WHAT HE WAS THINKING WATCHING TOREY KRUG AND DAVID PERRON GOING AT IT IN FRONT OF HIM Nickulas went to college, but finally made his NHL debut midway through BEFORE KRUG WENT DOWN AND CRUSHED ROBERT THOMAS. the 1998-99 season, playing two games against the Maple Leafs and THE ANSWER IS GOLD: totaling just seven minutes of ice time. He got a little more action over the next two seasons, but only a little, and signed as a free agent with the “I WAS LIKE WHAT THE [EXPLETIVE] ARE THESE GUYS DOING. I’M Blues in 2002. He finally put in close to a full season in 2003-04, a year JUST LIKE, YEAH, GET OUT OF THERE." he started in St. Louis before being claimed on waivers by the — DAN ROSEN (@DROSENNHL) MAY 28, 2019 Blackhawks; in all, he dressed for 65 games that year, recording a career-high 20 points. He returned to the Bruins as a free agent after the The second star: Carl Gunnarson – This whole urinal story already feels lockout, but that 2005-06 season would be his last in the NHL. like it’s being overdone; as we discussed on this week’s podcast, I think we’re collectively making too big a deal out of a guy asking for “one more Opposed: OK, I’m here, let’s start. In favor: What? We get a brief story about Thomas refusing to touch the Cup at Martin St. Louis’ party in 2004, because when it comes to the Stanley Cup, every Opposed: I’m ready to go. Showtime! Bruins goalie likes to ruin things for St. Louis. Am I right, Blues fans?

In favor: We were supposed to have already started a while ago. Anyway, here’s the Cup. The fans kind of cheer, then go back to booing Opposed: Says who? when they realize that Bettman is trying to sneak out behind it. I mean, it was worth a try. In favor: Says the schedule. Scroll up to where it says “Debating the issues.” That’s when everyone was expecting us to start. Bettman tries the old trick where you start talking before the audience has a chance to react, but his mic doesn’t work. By the time he gets Opposed: Oh, that’s just a rough guideline. Sports fans don’t expect going, the crowd is giving it to him with both barrels, even as he tries to things to start when they say they will. defuse them by complimenting the Canucks. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. In favor: They don’t? To his credit, Bettman soldiers on with his pre-planned speech. He Opposed: No, sports fans like to wait around. It builds drama. mostly pulls it off, too, because by this point he’s been on the job for In favor: That sounds awful. almost two decades. Gone is the fresh-faced rookie who tried to speak French and got mobbed by Habs players in 1993. This guy’s been here Opposed: Nah, they love the suspense. It’s like when a game says it’s before. He’s an unflappable veteran. going to start at 8 p.m. It can’t actually start then. It’s got to be way later. Except … as longtime fans of Bettman awkwardness will know, he has a In favor: OK, but when? tell. Whenever he gets flustered, you won’t see it in his face or his hear it in his voice, or even find it in his posture. But the giveaway is his one Opposed: Who knows? Maybe 8:20? Or 8:25? Some nights before that, hand. Whether it’s an interview or a public appearance or a Cup some nights after. Fans love to be kept guessing. presentation, when things start going bad that one hand achieves self- In favor: If you’re going to start at 8:20, why not just list the start time as awareness and goes into business for itself. 8:20? In this case, the first sign of trouble is when Bettman says that the Bruins Opposed: Well, that wouldn’t make any sense at all. had to win three Game 7s, and the hand holds up one finger. Bettman tries to catch it, but by the point it’s too late. The crowd is vicious, he In favor: I hate you. knows he still has to be out there for a while, and his hand goes into self- defense mode. In this case, that means making finger guns at absolutely Opposed: So anyway … (checks watch) … yep, time to start the debate. everybody. I’ve previously referred to this phenomenon as Bettman’s In favor: Dude, nobody cares anymore, everyone’s already moved on to Tom Jones hand, and once you notice it, it’s all you can see whenever he other things. starts talking.

Opposed: And in conclusion, no, there is no way the NHL could improve Bettman powers through, and gets to the part where he calls over Zdeno on its presentation of playoff hockey. Chara. The Bruins captain skates out, turns back to his teammates, and … does a double finger guns? Oh no! The Tom Jones Hand is The final verdict: In all, Nickulas played 118 NHL games, scoring 15 contagious, and it’s gone airborne! Everybody run! What do you mean, in goals and recording 38 points. He’d play a few years in Europe before which direction? (Furiously finger gunning toward exit.) That way! retiring in 2009. Doc Emerick makes a joke about this being the highest the Stanley Cup Classic YouTube clip breakdown has ever been. The mid-80s Oilers might have something to say about Believe it or not, this could be the last Grab Bag of the hockey season. that. By the time next Friday rolls around, the Stanley Cup final could be Both Chara and Bettman make the rookie mistake of reaching the wrong finished. And that means we may have seen one of the best moments of hand for the wrong end of the Cup. Bettman tries to correct, but ends up the year: Gary Bettman’s awkward attempt at a Cup handoff. just palming the bottom of the Cup for the traditional photo.

I love them so much. I’ve actually gone back and ranked them from best I’ve asked this before, but who is taking those photos that Bettman to worst, with the most awkward of all time being the 2006 handoff to Rod always insists on making everyone pose for? Have you ever seen one? Brind’Amour that wasn’t really a handoff because Brind’Amour just Seriously, do a Google image search for “bettman stanley cup.” It’s all yanked it off the podium and left with it in what may be my favorite either screen grabs from TV or long-distance photos of Bettman and the moment of the entire cap era. Unfortunately, I’ve already used that clip in captain looking at someone else. Where are all these posed shots that this section. Can I interest you in No. 2? we have to wait for? Did he make a scrapbook? Does he have a private As it turns out, that second-place handoff is probably more memorable Instagram account? Is there a room in his house that only he’s allowed to than the 2006 version. And as luck would have it, it also involves one of enter that’s covered floor-to-ceiling with these things? This bothers me the teams that could be getting a visit from Bettman over the next week. more than it should.

It’s June 15, 2011, and the Boston Bruins have just won their first Stanley Anyway, this pose is shorter than most because Bettman just wants to go Cup since 1972 by defeating the Canucks in Game 7. It’s a big moment, home and Chara is making a face that suggests that he might unhinge and Boston fans are no doubt delirious with joy. But this game is taking his jaw and try to eat him. Run, Gary. It’s the right call. place in Vancouver, where the fans are, shall we say, not delirious with With that, the presentation is done. We get a shot of Chara’s legitimately joy. They’re a little cranky. We’ll get to that. awesome celebration, and you can feel free to watch nine minutes of the This is actually the second part of a two-part clip, but it starts with an Bruins handing the Cup to each other while swearing into an open mic. underrated moment: Tim Thomas winning the Conn Smythe trophy and Mark Recchi gets the 14th best handoff of all-time, we all get to then having absolutely no idea what to do with it. He smiles his way remember that Tomas Kaberle was on this team, Brad Marchand is one through the photos, but keeps pointing his thumb in the universal gesture of the last to get it because he’s just some fourth-line punk, and Milan for “What are we doing here guys?” When that’s over, he doesn’t know Lucic actually gets a bit of a positive response because Vancouver fans whether the leave the trophy behind or take it with him, and nobody will don’t boo hometown players. Uh, maybe hold that thought. tell him. Possibly because they realize these fans are about to riot and And that’s it for our clip. At this point, all the true Canucks fans quietly are busy planning escape routes. went home to read, while an entirely different group of people started a Thomas eventually skates away with the trophy while asking random riot for completely unrelated reasons. Just a weird coincidence. cameramen what he’s supposed to be doing with it. He eventually just As for Bettman, you don’t get to see it in this clip, but I recommend this gives it away to the first man in a suit he can find. Typical Republican. view that’s shot from the stands and shows what happens after Chara Meanwhile, the fans are already chanting “Bettman sucks.” This should takes the Cup. In my favorite moment of the night, Bettman bolts for the go well. exit, and is immediately greeted by two league employees who put their arms around him like he’s a kid who just struck out to end the Little League game. It’s actually kind of adorable. “Good try, Gary, you did you best. Let’s go get you a snow cone.”

Will Blues or Bruins fans give him a rougher ride this year? Only time will tell, but … no. The 2011 presentation will never be topped.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145886 Websites Joe McDonald had a marvelous piece looking at how things went once Sweeney took over as GM.)

That doesn’t change the fact Chiarelli is happy for his old protege to have The Athletic / LeBrun: Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s front office potential reached his first Stanley Cup final as GM. was obvious, even as a player “It’s nice to see the people you work with have success,” Chiarelli said. “I’m very happy that he’s in this position. I think he’s an incredibly hard By Pierre LeBrun May 31, 2019 worker. I’m happy to see him having a chance at success.”

Both Chiarelli and Armstrong saw real front-office potential in Sweeney while he was still playing. And they weren’t alone. ST. LOUIS — Let your mind wander for a moment and imagine an alternate universe in which Don Sweeney is currently the GM of the “It wasn’t hard to see,” said Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Bill Dallas Stars. Guerin, who played two years with Sweeney in Boston and that one year in Dallas with him as well. Say what? Same goes for former Stars captain Mike Modano. I know, I know, they’ve got a very good GM in Jim Nill. But let me humour you for a moment. “There are certain teammates you have over the years that you can tell are taking mental notes and being observant about everything around It’s not so crazy a thought when you consider that it was the Stars who them, about the way the team is run day to day; that was Don,” said first offered Sweeney a hockey operations job after his retirement as a Modano, recently hired by the Minnesota Wild on the business side. player. “You could tell with Don that the wheels were turning. You could tell he And well, the job was offered by Doug Armstrong, Sweeney’s GM had a plan for after he was done playing. Just a real diligent guy,” the counterpart with the St. Louis Blues in this Stanley Cup final. Hockey Hall of Famer added.

It all began when Armstrong, in his second full season as Stars GM, The thing about Sweeney, Guerin said, is that he could have chosen just signed Sweeney to a player contract for the 2003-04 season, the steady about any path for his second career. defenceman at 37 leaving Boston after 15 NHL seasons. It would end up being his last NHL season as a player. “I think Donnie could have had a number of different post-playing careers,” Guerin said. “It goes without saying, being a Harvard grad, he’s “He was a great addition to our team/organization while he was here — extremely bright. He’s a very dedicated, focused guy. It’s also why he he was the ultimate pro,” Stars executive Les Jackson, 37 years with the had such a long playing career, too.” organization, told The Athletic. “Not only was he a secure, stable and trusting contributor as a player, he helped our young transitional players Guerin recalled how Sweeney late in his career would be one of the with valuable lessons of what it takes to be a ‘pro’; he left a lasting fittest players on the team. impression on all of us.” “Every day was a work day for him. I remember when I played with him in Both Sweeney and Armstrong are on self-imposed media bans until the Boston, I’d walk in with a bagel and a coffee and Donnie would be Cup final is over, but both confirmed the tale to me this week. walking in from the gym sweating from riding the bike. That’s how he is. He was dedicated. He’s very disciplined in what he does. No surprise he Sweeney played only one year in Dallas but made enough of an is having success,” he said. impression on his new surroundings that Armstrong offered him work with the team post-playing career. Just funny how it might have all worked out differently had Sweeney taking up the Stars on their offer post-playing career. Which was no surprise to anyone in the Stars organization at the time. “Yeah who knows, he’d probably still be there now,” Modano said. “Very personable, an intelligent, ambitious, team-first type,” said Jackson, now the senior advisor to the GM in Dallas. “A relationship builder, a “I think Army was smart enough to see what was right in front of him,” great communicator with all levels of the organization. When he moved Guerin said. “To make a play for him to come work for him was a good on it was like, ‘Wow, he made an impression on our group.’ We became idea.” a better organization because of his presence and influence. His success Instead, the native of St. Stephen, N.B., found the path back to his NHL doesn’t surprise me at all.” home in Boston where now he’s three wins away from his first Stanley That front-office success that Jackson cites didn’t come in Dallas, Cup as the man in charge. however, but rather back in his true NHL home of Boston courtesy of Or, he’ll lose out against the fellow GM who would have perhaps started Peter Chiarelli, who was named Bruins GM in May 2006 and just a few him on the road to being GM in Dallas one day. weeks later brought Sweeney into the Bruins fold as director of player development. It is often said how small the hockey world is, this is yet another example. We tend to focus more on the path taken, but there are just as many How or why exactly did that come about? what-ifs that make you wonder how the NHL landscape would look “Over the course of when I was working in Ottawa (as assistant GM), different. whenever we played Boston I would make a point of saying hi to Donnie, Just this year, what if the Bruins had acquired Brayden Schenn from the at the morning skate or whatever,” Chiarelli told The Athletic this week. Blues earlier in the season as rumoured possible? Does that mean “At one point, Don said, ‘I’d be really interested when my career is done Charlie Coyle isn’t in Boston now? to work on the management side.'” What if Armstrong had hired a full-time coach before giving interim Craig And the impression Chiarelli got in those conversations was that Berube a chance to save the season? Are the Blues even in the playoffs, Sweeney wanted to work with him. After all, they were both teammates at let alone the Cup final? Harvard for three seasons. And yes, some 13 or so years ago, what if Sweeney goes to work for Chiarelli says he doesn’t remember whether at the time he knew Dallas Armstrong in Dallas? had offered Sweeney work but that Armstrong did mention it to him after the fact. It’s enough to make your head spin. But it’s also OK to simply accept that the path taken was meant to be. “He’s a very hard-working, diligent, smart and experienced guy,” Chiarelli said of Sweeney. “I was happy to hire him. I started him in player And for the quiet, determined Don Sweeney, it was to one day run his development and he became very adept and helped us win a Cup in beloved Bruins. 2011. And obviously, he took over for me.” The Athletic LOADED: 06.01.2019 Sweeney, then assistant GM in Boston, was elevated to GM a month after Chiarelli was fired as Bruins GM in the spring of 2015. (Colleague 1145887 Websites If one of clicks with one of Edmonton’s high-pedigree centremen, great. If not, the depth gets a little deeper, until you can create a forward group that doesn’t need to be carried by No. 97 or 29 every night.

Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' coaching changes will mean little unless roster And maybe that player comes in trade for one of Edmonton’s many blue- improvements follow line prospects. With 25-year-old Swede Joel Persson coming over and said to be NHL-ready — and Caleb Jones also ready to make the jump full-time — there are several names that could be moved in a package to Mark Spector | May 31, 2019, 5:31 PM help out the depth at forward.

Kris Russell, Matt Benning, Ethan Bear — perhaps even Adam Larsson, if necessary. EDMONTON — It’s hard to keep up with the changes in Edmonton, a town where the ultimate change — a consistent spot in the National Holland has been busy, but that is only because there is so much ground Hockey League playoffs — has yet to be achieved. to be made up.

On Tuesday it was reported that the Oilers had let assistant coaches He’ll be busier yet if this Oilers team is ever to find that corner to turn. Trent Yawney and Manny Viveiros go, and we later learned that Glen Gulutzan would stay on to handle power-play duties under new head Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.01.2019 coach Dave Tippett.

On the same day, a report came out of Philadelphia that might be in line for an assistant coaching gig here — though that report appears not to be accurate. Hakstol was opening his cabin this weekend after spending time as Alain Vigneault’s assistant at the recent World Championships. He had no plans to visit Edmonton this summer.

Coaches going out. Coaches coming in. A new GM arrives in Ken Holland, while an old one (Craig MacTavish) ventures out on his own to the KHL. Paul Coffey, Duane Sutter and long-time Oilers media relations man J.J. Hebert are out, while a couple of former Red Wings types are no doubt yet to arrive, as Holland now takes aim at his scouting staff, both amateur and pro.

Let’s start with the latest:

A year ago, after the Oilers followed up their highly successful 2016-17 season with a big dud, they purged their assistant coaches. Out went Jim Johnson, Ian Herbers and Jay Woodcroft — who would land in AHL Bakersfield as the head coach — and in came Yawney, Gulutzan and Viveiros.

A year later, there is a new head coach in town and two of the three assistants are gone. Yawney, we would suspect, has an inside track for a place on Todd McLellan’s staff in Los Angeles, while Viveiros is a bright, fresh coaching mind who never really got the chance to prove his worth in Edmonton.

So many coaches, so little success. What does Edmonton teach us?

That a coach needs a proper roster with which to compete.

McLellan is an excellent coach. Ken Hitchcock has the third most wins in NHL coaching history. Neither could win with the roster ex-GM Peter Chiarelli furnished them with, and the same will go for Tippett if Holland doesn’t deliver.

The GM knows it, and that’s why he’s combing through the organization making whatever changes he deems necessary. Holland has said he’ll basically just sign off on whomever Tippett wants as his assistants — an example of a boss who hires the right people and then gets out of their way and lets them do their work.

Holland is at the combine in Buffalo, where he’s getting to know the top prospects and his top amateur scouting people — in no particular order. The Oilers’ amateur side is in a far healthier place than their pro scouting side was, which was what cost Sutter his job. They’ll draft with the eighth- overall choice on June 21 in Vancouver, but if Holland could find the right third-line centre we’re betting he’d part with his second-rounder in a trade.

With Connor McDavid as the No. 1 centre, and either Leon Draisaitl or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins lining up at 2C, the Oilers are in the market for a solid, faceoff-winning 3C. Someone who can go up against the opposition’s top line when necessary, and win some faceoffs to help a penalty-killing unit that has been substandard in Edmonton for years now.

It would take the perfect candidate to separate Holland from that second- round pick. If he can’t find that player, he’ll be in the market for some useful, moveable forwards among his bottom-six. The Swiss Army Knife types who can play centre or wing, while chipping in 12-15 goals. 1145888 Websites That was no category for that on the Game 2 box score. I double- checked.

Charlie McAvoy is one of several Bruins who have spoken with Grzelcyk Sportsnet.ca / Grzelcyk incident ‘lights a fire’ under Bruins as both rosters at least a couple times since the head injury. juggle “He was in our prayers,” McAvoy said. “We weren’t sure how he was feeling. In talking to him a little bit, he’s in good spirits, and we’re looking Luke Fox | May 31, 2019, 6:41 PM for him to rejoin us as soon as possible.”

Grzelcyk’s replacement for Saturday’s Game 3, fellow lefty John Moore, sounded determined, if reluctant, to be entering the Final. ST. LOUIS — Before Matt Grzelcyk twisted his body into a vulnerable position and had his head slammed into the corner glass by Oskar “I really hoped that Grizz was still here and that I wasn’t even talking to Sundqvist Wednesday — a forceful check that sent the young Boston you guys. It’s terrible to see a teammate go down like that. We can Bruins defenceman to the ice, then to the hospital, and now into certainly draw inspiration from that. He’s such a tough guy. He’s been concussion protocol — you could argue he was the easiest guy to root getting the job done all year. For sure, it lights a fire under us,” Moore for in this Stanley Cup Final. said, following Friday practice at Enterprise Center.

A local Massachusetts kid, “Grizz” stands all of five feet, nine inches — a “Hockey aside, those are scary injuries, and I’m hoping for Grizz and measurement that may or may not have been taken in skates — and is praying for him he gets healthy and he’s back sooner rather than later.” praised by his teammates as much for his courage as his slick ability to One man’s absence is another’s opportunity — a hockey theme since get that puck moving north. they started whacking hard pucks with hard sticks on a hard surface — is Grzelcyk invested a full four years at Boston University and another in quickly becoming a thread in a young series. AHL Providence before finally getting his chance to retrieve dump-ins on St. Louis defenceman Vince Dunn and forward Robert Thomas are the NHL sheet his father cares for. (John Grzelcyk started working at striving to be ready for the first Blues-hosted Cup Final game in 49 years. Boston Garden in 1967, the year the St. Louis Blues were born, and still Banished fourth-line centre Sundqvist will likely be replaced by Zach serves on TD Garden’s changeover crew.) Sanford, with Ivan Barbashev sliding to the middle.

Excelling on the left of another young, late-drafted, undersized All-stars Vladimir Tarasenko and Bergeron each missed their respective defenceman, Connor Clifton, this was Grizz’s coming-out party. Now, it practices Friday due to maintenance but will dress Saturday and push might have ended with a crash. through whatever ails them.

Playing the biggest games of his life inside an arena that means so much To the credit of both teams, neither wasted breath Friday complaining to his family, his childhood, Grzelcyk is in battle with his own feelings, to about Sundqvist’s hit nor the length of the suspension doled out by the normalize a unique and precious situation. department of player safety.

This is a kid who, in the spring of 2011, flocked downtown Boston with a Flip the page. Press on. Live in the now. crew of his best friends to catch a glimpse of Zdeno Chara, Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci on the float and wonder And, if you’re the next man up under the command of Craig Berube, what if. continue to smash and grind.

“Probably a little more emotional being on this stage. I’m trying not to “Just go about business as usual,” the Blues coach said. “We’ve got to think about it too much,” Grzelcyk said, prior to the hit, for which play physical. We’re going to play physical.” Sundqvist will serve a one-game suspension. Moore, 28, is in no mood to reminisce over his first trip the Cup Final, “The game’s changed a little bit; it’s more directed toward speed and when he was closer to Grzelcyk’s age. He says he’s matured since that skill. So, maybe 20 years ago I wouldn’t be on this stage. But I’m glad to 2014 run with the Rangers. He understands selfishness has no place be here. Hopefully I can add to the team and use my legs to my here. advantage.” “It’s not about me. It’s about the team. It’s about me doing my job to help He kept smiling in the Bruins dressing room, in no rush to stop talking the team collectively achieve their goal, so that’s my focus. When this is about what these two weeks mean. all said and done, hopefully you can reflect on it on an individual level. But right now, it’s about the group,” Moore said. “I’m just happy to be in the NHL, really. It’s a dream come true just to be playing in this league, and to happen to be playing for the Bruins adds “We’re playing for the ultimate prize. Nothing to hold back for.” even more to that. I still kinda pinch myself that I get to be on this stage, come into this locker room and see some of these guys. It’s really cool,” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.01.2019 the 25-year-old late-bloomer went on.

“One of the parades that sticks out for me is when the Red Sox won [in 2004] after breaking the curse. Ever since then, there’s been quite a lot. Boston sports fans are quite spoiled right now, but hopefully we can add to that.

“That’s always your dream growing up as a kid, to be playing in this position.”

Hockey can grow hardened after reading reams of injury reports and by retweeting the number of games attached to the latest suspension. It’s a risky game that will always cash its cheques.

“Next man up,” they all say.

But that doesn’t mean there can’t be a sincere human reaction to a relatively routine injury.

When I asked defenceman Brandon Carlo about the ripple effect of losing Grzelcyk in that 3-2 overtime loss, how that affected ice times and fatigue for the remaining five D-men, it stood out that Carlo instead chose to speak about how Grzelcyk’s contagious positivity was missed on the bench. 1145889 Websites “I just think losing the football team [hurts],” he said. “This city’s been waiting for something special for so many years and they finally get it. With everything, the Blues and the Rams, we’re trying to get a [MLS] Sportsnet.ca / Blues’ long-awaited return to Cup Final lifts spirits of St. soccer team. We’re trying to get more people into the city because this is Louis faithful a huge, huge sports town.”

That’s been evident during an ear-splitting run for the Blues.

Chris Johnston | May 31, 2019, 7:45 PM A testament to the staying power of the organization has always been the large number of former players who chose to make their home here in retirement. They’ve flooded back to the building in droves this spring.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — There’s a massive reminder of what’s no longer here Livestream every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, blackout-free. Plus when you drive into downtown St. Louis along Interstate-70. That route stream the Blue Jays & MLB, Raptors and NBA Playoffs matchups and takes you directly past The Dome, the 67,000-seat former home to the more. NFL’s Rams which occupies 14 acres of prime real estate and largely sits empty now. Local businesses have also made a point of showing their support for the team. You can’t miss it. “Just the little things in the city continue to get more and more bigger,” Nearly four years on from the Rams folding up shop and moving to Los said defenceman Colton Parayko. “You see the banners around the city. Angeles, few have forgotten it — although the St. Louis Blues are doing Everyone’s talking about it all the time. You go to dinner and just hear the their part to try and create some new sporting memories. different tables talking about it.

“It’s just a city that needs this, it’s a city that’s been down,” Blues forward “It’s just cool, to kind of be a part of, to be in this city, to be a player.” Patrick Maroon said Friday. “This is what we needed just to have this city back up again.” The crammed downtown streets should make for a spectacular backdrop during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup. They’ve set up a large outdoor Maroon might better be known as the Spirit of St. Louis — a local boy viewing area with screens outside Enterprise Center, and a couple of who made good. He signed a one-year contract to join his hometown blocks over the Cardinals will be playing a marquee game against the team last summer and scored arguably the biggest goal of their playoff Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. run so far, the double-overtime winner against Dallas in Game 7 of the second round. This city is coming alive.

He identifies closely with the wave of civic pride that’s swept across this “It’s going to be a huge game,” said Maroon. “You’ve got the Cards-Cubs city the deeper the Blues have gone. Fans filled every seat inside and the Blues playoff game, so there’s going to be over 100,000 people Enterprise Center for viewing parties during Games 1 and 2 of the in downtown St. Louis.” Stanley Cup Final and will do so again when the series shifts back to They may not have seen anything quite like it in these parts since the Boston for Game 5. Rams bolted west.

The Blues sold that one out in roughly an hour. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.01.2019 And on Saturday, they’ll host an event more than 49 years in the making — the first Stanley Cup Final game here since the days of Red Berenson, Al Arbour and Jacques Plante. The last one was played at St. Louis Arena on May 5, 1970 and saw Boston beat the Blues 6-2 on the way to sweeping the series.

The half-century-long wait explains why no tickets could be found on the secondary market for less than $700. It’s also why the moniker “Let’s Make History” is plastered on banners all over town and the blue towels being given away inside the arena.

A hockey game on a sweaty June 1 is a huge event — for fans and players alike.

“I’ve been trying to hold in my excitement, though,” said Maroon. “Just trying to hold my emotions in. Just because we’re so close to something special here. You’re holding it in to focus on your game, focus on what you can do and control. That’s what I’ve been trying.”

There’s a pretty stark parallel to be found by the cities represented in this NHL championship series.

Boston is the home of champions. Fans there have celebrated six Super Bowl wins, four World Series victories, a Stanley Cup and an NBA title inside the last 17 years. The Bruins have adorned the visiting locker- room here in St. Louis with pictures of Zdeno Chara, Brad Marchand, David Krejci and Tuukka Rask celebrating the team’s victory in 2011.

“This is a tough city,” said Bruins GM Don Sweeney. “You’ve got to keep up with the Jones’s in this city and you realize that there’s expectations. The pressure as a player, you certainly welcome that. As a manager, sometimes it’s challenging.”

The challenges in St. Louis have come in many forms. Part of the NHL’s Original 12 expansion in 1967, the Blues are still searching for their first title.

Even though the Cardinals won the World Series in 2006 and 2011, a sizeable hole was left behind when owner Stan Kroenke moved the Rams in 2015.

Maroon believes that decision continues to hover over many in the proud city today. 1145890 Websites Here is an instructional video to get an understanding of the drill.

funcationalmovementfinal

Sportsnet.ca / NHL Scouting Combine primer: What will players go Functional Movement Screen – This is a series tests which assesses through in 2019? mobility and stability in the athlete during following seven movement exercises: deep squat, hurdle step, in•line lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight leg raise, trunk stability push•up and rotary stability. It is meant to Mike Johnston | May 31, 2019, 10:40 AM identify the quality, limitations and weaknesses (or right and left side imbalances) of basic movements by an athlete.

gripstrengthfinal Although it’s being overshadowed by the Stanley Cup Final and NBA Finals, this week marks one of the most important weeks on the calendar Grip Strength – The athlete adjusts a hand grip dynamometer to his hand for NHL teams. size, fully extends his arm and squeezes the dynamometer as forcefully as possible. The test is conducted on both hands. The NHL Scouting Combine is underway in Buffalo with more than 100 of the top draft-eligible hockey players there meeting with teams and vo2maxfinal undergoing physical examinations and fitness tests in advance of the Aerobic Fitness VO2max – Aerobic fitness is assessed by measuring the 2019 NHL Draft that takes place June 21-22 at Rogers Arena in amount of oxygen utilized (VO2 max) during maximal exercise employing Vancouver. volume determination and analysis of expired air. In addition, heart rate is The combine, which began Monday and runs through Saturday, has monitored continuously, providing data for heartrate-based training. This been held annually in Buffalo since 2015 and just like the past several test will be performed on a professional grade spin bike (Watt Bike) cycle years the KeyBank Center and HarborCenter serve as the host venues. ergometer using a Cortex Metalyzer VO2 cart.

There are 108 draft-eligible prospects attending this year’s combine. The The end point is determined by either: breakdown goes as follows: 10 goalies, 40 defencemen and 58 forwards, a) the athlete physically stops pedalling including consensus No. 1 pick Jack Hughes. b) the athlete experiences difficulty breathing or chest pain or Although the fitness testing aspect of the combine is usually what garners most of the headlines, teams sitting down and meeting with c) the appraiser stops the subject because the athlete can no longer prospective draftees face-to-face is considered the most vital part of the maintain the required rpm despite intense effort. week. The remaining eight tests, as seen below, will be conducted on Saturday. “A lot of people, including the prospects themselves, think of it as kind of These ones are open to both NHL teams and media. a job interview, but we try to create a friendly, relaxed environment that the players can feel comfortable in,” Calgary Flames head amateur scout Standing Height – Athlete stands against a wall (barefoot, heels together Tod Button told Ryan Dittrick of CalgaryFlames.com. “I personally don’t with the backs of the feet touching the wall) and their height is measured see much value in trying to trip them up with strange questions and to the nearest quarter inch. things like that. We’ve talked a lot of hockey already. It’s best that we use Wingspan – Athlete extends his arms straight out to the sides. Wingspan this time to get to know them better as people – their hobbies, interests, is measured to the nearest quarter inch from the middle finger tip to family, and of course, what drives them.” middle finger tip.

The New Jersey Devils hold the top pick this year and they are among longjumpfinal the teams with whom Hughes has already met. Standing Long Jump – Athlete stands with feet slightly apart with toes “The meeting went well,” Hughes told NHL.com’s Mike G. Morreale. behind the jumping line. Using an arm swing to assist, the athlete jumps “There were some laughs in there. It was good to get to know them and as far as possible. I’m sure we’ll get to know them a little bit more coming up to the draft. forceplatefinal “The Devils have a really good young core, and the MVP of the league last year in Taylor Hall. I know they have good fans and they won three Jump Station (AccuPower Dual Force Plate System) – An AccuPower Stanley Cups back in the day so they’re a winning franchise and they’re Dual Force Plate system will be used to objectively measure the hungry to win more, so if it did end up being New Jersey I’d be really direction, strength and timing of the three-dimensional (3D) forces that excited.” the athlete produces during hockey related movement. The AccuPower system also captures synchronized video data from two high speed The New York Rangers, holders of the No. 2 pick, are also on Hughes’s cameras and overlays the 3D force vector produced from each leg. The list of teams to meet. test will provide immediate feedback allowing teams to assess movement The consensus second-best prospect – and the only one who some think efficiency, physical performance and injury potential.… could leapfrog Hughes and go first overall – is Kaapo Kakko but it was Three jump types will be performed: Vertical Jump (with arm swing), No announced Tuesday the Finnish star, fresh off a world championship gold Arm Jump (no arm swing / hands on hips) and Squat Jump (squat start / medal with Team Finland, would not be participating in the combine after hands on hips). Each jump test will include three separate maximum all. effort vertical jumps separated by 10 seconds of rest. The athlete’s best Regardless which player the Devils take at No. 1, the Rangers should vertical jump height from the three attempts of each jump will be have an easy time making their selection at No. 2. recorded.

There’s a new crop of prospects in 2019 but the fitness component at the benchpressfinal combine is more or less identical to what we’ve seen the past few years. Bench Press – Conducted using a standard padded bench with the Below you’ll find an overview of the 12 fitness tests the participating athlete lifting 50% of his body weight (pre-determined) utilizing free athletes will be put through. weights (including the barbell). The athlete lies on his back on the bench The following four tests are scheduled to take place Friday: and grips the barbell with thumbs approximately shoulder width apart. The buttocks must remain on the bench with the feet on the floor. The ybalancefinal starting position is with the arms fully extended. The bar is lowered to the chest, after a slight pause, athlete pushes the bar as quickly as possible Y-Balance– The Y-Balance is a dynamic test performed in single-leg until their arms are fully extended. Each athlete will perform three reps at stance that requires strength, flexibility, core control and proprioception. It maximum velocity, with a slight pause between each rep at the chest has been used to assess physical performance, demonstrate functional position. A “Gym Aware” device will be used to measure the velocity of symmetry and identify athletes at greater risk for lower extremity injury. the bar and the athlete’s ability to produce power. The reported score will The goal of this test is to maintain single-leg stance on one leg while be measured in watts/kg. reaching as far as possible with the contralateral leg. Each test is repeated three times with the maximum reach in each direction recorded. shuttlerunfinal Pro Agility Test – The 5-10-5 yard shuttle (or 15-30-15 feet) evaluates multi-directional speed, agility and whole body reaction plus control. Each player will perform one sequence starting to the right and one sequence starting to the left. agility-test-chart pullupsfinal

Pull Ups – Athlete does as many consecutive pull ups they can while maintaining the correct technique. wingatetest

Wingate Cycle Ergometer Test – The athlete warms up by pedalling at a low resistance for two minutes. To start the test, the athlete pedals at a progressively quicker cadence so that by the time the designated workload has been reached, he is peddling at his maximal capacity. The athlete pedals at his maximal capacity, while seated, against the designated workload for 30 seconds.

Revolutions are recorded for each five second period, then power output is calculated for both the peak five second period and the 30 second duration. A player’s peak power output and mean power output at each max effort interval is recorded.

The top 25 results from each test (excluding the Y-Balance and Functional Movement Screen) will be posted online at the conclusion of the event.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145891 Websites speculative narrative that dates back to the Maple Leafs series — is making the rounds.

Schenn’s group, meanwhile, has looked strong, smart and tenacious. Sportsnet.ca / Cassidy calls on Bergeron, Marchand to deliver ‘best They’re all on the plus side of the ledger, the piping-hot Tarasenko game of series’ extending his scoring streak to eight games with a second-effort backhand beauty Wednesday.

Luke Fox | May 31, 2019, 9:53 AM Credit Tarasenko for sticking with the puck; blame Marchand’s soft backcheck for allowing the Final’s hottest threat two chances in tight.

“We need to be better. Personally, I wasn’t good the last two games, so ST. LOUIS – There are two ways to view the St. Louis Blues’ impressive we can’t be playing like that,” said Marchand, calm in the wake of quieting of the most complete line in hockey over the course of the first Wednesday’s blown-lead OT loss. “It’s taking care of the little details. I 123 minutes and 51 seconds of the Stanley Cup Final, and each will think that’s the biggest thing. It will come. frighten a different fan base. “We’re not worried about it. We’ll get back to work and worry about the Either this is a sign that Craig Berube’s big, bruising troops have cracked next one.” the code and discovered imperfections where there were thought to be none, which is a scary thought for a cruising veteran squad that has As the series shifts to St. Louis, where the Blues hold last change, suddenly fumbled away home ice to the roster with no rings. Berube is likely to keep feeding Bergeron a steady diet of Schenn and that long and strong shutdown pair of Jay Bouwmeester and Colton Or Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak — a typically Parayko. dominant triumvirate that could fairly be categorized somewhere between dormant to disastrous through two games — are a ticking timebomb “They’re a really good line, you know,” Bergeron said. “They play well about to explode. together, they’re hard on the forecheck, they’re good at turning pucks over and sustaining some pressure with that cycling game, and they “That’s kind of been the way the playoffs have gone for them, right? In capitalized. And for us, it’s about being better, and we’ve dealt with this every series, you give them enough time and enough reps against a these whole playoffs against different lines. certain matchup, they’re smart-enough hockey players, they know what’s going to be open and they’ll find a way to break through,” Bruins “So, we look videos, we look at tendencies. We also know how we can defenceman Torey Krug said. play and play the right way. And I think sometimes it’s about simplifying but also taking care of the puck in your own zone before they get on “They’re our leaders, and obviously we need them to be better, and they offence.” will be. Every series they’ve found a way to get it done, and we have so much confidence in them.” Cassidy is calling “small sample size” and exuding confidence in a threesome that has produced a whopping 308 points (despite multiple Recent history bears that out. injuries) since the puck dropped in October.

Coach Bruce Cassidy noted Thursday that Bergeron & Co. relied on their “Any team would tell you when your best players perform you have a defence and power-play prowess to work their way out of even-strength better chance to win. We’re not different,” Cassidy said. offensive funks against Toronto’s John Tavares and Mitch Marner in Round 1, Columbus’s Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson in Round 2, and “They’ve always found their game, usually don’t go very long without Carolina’s Jordan Staal and Justin Williams in the Eastern Conference being a factor. I don’t imagine that will change. I suspect in Game 3 we’ll Final. see their best game of the series.”

In short, they’ve at least been able to nullify the opponent’s big dogs, That wouldn’t be a high bar to clear. generally allowing Boston’s depth to win the day when the top-six duels Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.01.2019 were a draw.

The problem in this series, however, is that the Blues’ top trio of Brayden Schenn, Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz has so dominated Cassidy’s best-on-best matchup, the coach was forced to get away from the clash early, attempting to free Bergeron’s group midway through Game 1 by giving Sean Kuraly’s “fourth line” the Schenn assignment.

“Their forecheck is good,” Brandon Carlo says of the Schenn line. “I definitely recognize that as a defenceman — they’re right on top of you. Right when you turn, they’re in your face. We need to get pucks by them and chip it out from there.”

In Game 2, Cassidy demoted the uncharacteristically silent Pastrnak to the second line and bumped up Danton Heinen.

Boston blinked first — because Cassidy could no longer stare into the maw of a train wreck.

Marchand (minus-2), Bergeron (minus-2) and Pastrnak (minus-3) are all on the ice watching the Blues celebrate, their only point being a Marchand empty-netter in Game 1. Bergeron gave the puck away four times in Game 1, more than anyone on the ice. Ditto Marchand in Game 2.

Livestream every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, blackout-free. Plus stream the Blue Jays & MLB, Raptors and NBA Playoffs matchups and more.

Also in Game 2, the Selke finalist went a dismal 38 per cent in the face- off dot and played a mere 16:16 despite five Bruins power plays and the contest needing overtime.

The Perfection Line’s Corsi line was an atrocious 26.7 per cent, while Schenn’s was 71.4 per cent. The performance was so dismal that another round of “Is Bergeron secretly injured?” murmurs — a 1145892 Websites But unlike Hughes, Kakko isn’t at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo this week. The physical testing takes place on Saturday and we won’t see the six-foot-two, 190-pound right winger put his body through the Sportsnet.ca / Does Kaapo Kakko missing draft combine impact battle for gruelling V02 max bike test. Instead, he’s celebrating Finland’s latest first overall? hockey triumph. There’s really nothing left for Kakko to prove after a 13- month span in which he won three gold medals and emerged as a big- bodied sniper who looks ready to play against the world’s top professionals. Rory Boylen | May 31, 2019, 11:38 AM “You always want to see the guys here, but I think everyone’s pretty

certain what’s going to happen with him,” Sam Cosentino told Sportsnet Jack Hughes has had the distinction of being the top prospect in the 650 in Vancouver. “The way I look at it is, pretty unique experience 2019 NHL Draft for so long, there aren’t many new positive things you winning the worlds and with what’s gone on there. I’m okay with it. I’ve can say about him. What ends up happening a lot of the time in these seen guys who’ve come out of the Memorial Cup and same thing, the situations is people start to nit-pick the top prospect’s weaknesses and Memorial Cup ends on Sunday, the combine starts Monday and guys search for another player who could, perhaps, challenge for first overall. don’t show up because they were involved in the long process of what the Cup had to offer plus the long season.” We’ve seen this play out many times before. John Tavares was granted exceptional status and early entry into the OHL and was the top-ranked The New Jersey Devils won the draft lottery and will be the team that prospect for the 2009 draft at least two years beforehand. But as we got decides whether or not Kakko nabs No. 1 from Hughes. Funny enough, closer to that draft, following his 58-goal season, issues with his skating they were also the team that picked Hischier to jump the line past Patrick ability started to become a talking point. Those doubts sparked the idea two years ago. that Victor Hedman or even Matt Duchene may be the better prospect. So when GM Ray Shero and his scouts got together for their meetings The same thing happened with Taylor Hall, who was challenged late by before the combine, it was interesting to hear him describe the type of Tyler Seguin in 2010. player they were after. In both cases, the longtime No. 1 prospect held on to his title and went “You gotta be a self starter, competitive. You have to have grit. You have first overall. However, Nolan Patrick was the top prospect in 2017 and to be a team-first player,” Shero noted. had been for a couple years. Injury concerns crept in, though, as Patrick was limited to just 33 games in his draft season. Nico Hischier then made And, look, Hughes fits the mould of everything you’d want in a first overall his case for the draft’s top selection from the world juniors on, and the pick. He may not be as big as Kakko (five-foot-10, 170 pounds), but Swiss forward wound up dethroning the Brandon Wheat King. Hughes’ strength is his speed, acceleration and how shifty he is. One Devils scout noted that those attributes and Hughes’ IQ is what will keep Hughes doesn’t have those kind of concerns. He set a new career points him from getting bogged down in the corners or behind the net with record for the U.S. National Team Development program, surpassing bigger players in the NHL. He’s definitely competitive and a team-first Clayton Keller by 39 points, and blew past by 32 to set a player. new assists record. At the world under-18s, Hughes broke Alex Ovechkin’s tournament scoring record by registering 20 points in seven You wouldn’t pick any player over Hughes just for his grit level, but Kakko games. There’s nothing wrong with Hughes and his own play hasn’t done may have the advantage there. He’s heavier on the puck, stronger in the anything to suggest he isn’t worthy of top spot in 2019. corners already and clearly has the goal scoring upside you’d want in a first overall pick as well. But here comes Kaapo Kakko. This is no slam dunk decision either way. Because of Kakko’s size “I think so,” Kakko said when asked by NHL.com’s Mike Morreale if he advantage and how recently he’s excelled against top competition, it may has closed the gap enough on Hughes for first overall consideration. be easier to argue why he should go first overall right now. “The teams have their needs and preferences. Jack is a very talented player and an excellent skater. That’s all I can say. Me? I’m good in the But we’ll leave you with this, a quote from Devils Senior Director of offensive zone, I can score and create chances and am good with the Player Personnel Dan MacKinnon on how special Hughes is: puck. I guess those are my strengths. Hopefully I’m ready for the (NHL). I still have a lot of work to do and need to get stronger and faster in the “He’s electric. Just electric. Again, you have to go back a long time and, corners. I know I’m good with the puck, but that’s one area in my game I for me, it’s been 20 years, to find many comparables for Jack Hughes in can still improve.” terms of how he transports the puck with speed and individual skill but at the same time has an incredible awareness of everyone else on the ice As impressive as Hughes’ resume is, Kakko managed to assemble a around him. When you combine those two things, the give-and-go game record-breaking one himself. He finished with 22 goals in 45 games in and knowing where everyone is but also the individual skill to sort of slip Finland’s top professional league, which passed Aleksander Barkov for through small spaces, it’s a pretty lethal package.” the most ever by an under-18 player. It’s worth noting Barkov played eight more games than Kakko. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.01.2019

Kakko was on the radar as one of the best prospects in 2019 last summer, but his charge at Hughes really started at the world juniors. That’s a tournament for 19-year-olds, but Kakko (who was 17 at the time) was the fourth-highest scorer on his gold medal-winning team and outplayed Hughes (who missed a couple games to injury).

Kakko was also the talk of the town in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia, at the men’s World Championship this month, where he scored six goals in 10 games to again lead the gold medal Finns. That roster didn’t have any NHL forwards on it, but Kakko was up against a bunch of them throughout.

#IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/m5dqabJi1j

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) May 10, 2019

“If NJ wants a winner, they should pick Kaapo,” Finland’s head coach Jukko Jalonen told Julie Robenhymer. “Hughes is a great player, but in those tight games, Kakko has always come out on top. He’s playing like a man and looks like he could play in the NHL right now. He’s better than he was a few months ago at the world juniors and, in a few months more, he will be even better. After a few years, he will be one of the best players in the world.” 1145893 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs defenceman Nikita Zaitsev available to be moved

Mike Johnston | May 30, 2019, 4:38 PM

So far, the majority of Toronto Maple Leafs off-season talk has revolved around pending-restricted-free-agent forward Mitchell Marner and what his next contract might look like.

The team also has some intriguing questions on the back end and on Thursday Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported defenceman Nikita Zaitsev is available.

After a difficult season, TOR and Nikita Zaitsev are working together to find him a fresh start. He is available and we will see where it goes.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 30, 2019

Zaitsev had a rough 2018-19 campaign, finishing with 14 points in 81 games. He did lead the team in both hits and blocked shots, but his defensive lapses, particularly late in the season and during the playoffs, overshadowed most of the positive things he did with or without the puck. He had a team-high 11 turnovers in his club’s seven-game series against the Boston Bruins.

The Maple Leafs would certainly benefit from clearing salary cap space, but Zaitsev’s contract could be a difficult one to move considering the remaining term.

Zaitsev has five years left on the seven-year, $31.5-million contract former Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello gave him in 2017 after three standout seasons with CSKA Moscow in the KHL.

The Russian had zero NHL experience prior to joining the Maple Leafs and earning a $4.5-million annual cap hit.

Zaitsev impressed in his first year in the NHL, scoring 36 points and averaging 22:01 of ice-time in 82 games, but his stock has dropped since his rookie year.

The 27-year-old is the only Maple Leafs blueliner not named Morgan Rielly who’s currently signed beyond the 2019-20 campaign.

Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas confirms the plan is to try to find a new home for defenseman Nikita Zaitsev: "That will be our goal, to try to find a fresh start for him, for his own personal and private reasons." pic.twitter.com/VEbDQBloDg

— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) May 30, 2019

Trade-acquisition Jake Muzzin is entering the final year of his contract before reaching UFA status, as is Justin Holl, while Travis Dermott is set to burn the final year of his entry-level deal.

Fellow defencemen Jake Gardiner, Ron Hainsey and Martin Marincin are all pending unrestricted free agents.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145894 Websites 5. P.K. Subban, NSH RD 30 63 9 31 $9M 3

6. Ryan Callahan, TBL RW 34 52 7 TSN.CA / Trade Bait: Trouba, Zaitsev talk heating up 17 $5.8M 1

7. Michael Frolik, CGY LW 31 65 16 Frank Seravalli 34 $4.3M 1

8. Kyle Turris, NSH C 29 55 7 23 $6M 5 ST. LOUIS — The calendar has not yet flipped to June and trade talk is already heating up around the NHL – nearly three weeks before the 9. , NYR RD 30 73 2 league is set to descend on Vancouver for the draft. 28 $6.65M 2

Phil Kessel reportedly already nixed a trade to Minnesota in exchange for 10. Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI* LD 26 78 9 Jason Zucker. 37 $4.5M 4

Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas confirmed the team is working with 11. Travis Hamonic, CGY RD 28 69 7 defenceman Nikita Zaitsev to grant a trade request. 19 $3.86M 1

“That will be our goal, to try and find a fresh start for him – for his own 12. Connor Brown, TOR RW 25 82 8 personal and private reasons,” Dubas said Thursday. 29 $2.1M 1

And the Winnipeg Jets have engaged in dialogue with multiple interested 13. Olli Maatta, PIT LD 24 60 1 14 parties about restricted free agent defenceman Jacob Trouba – with $4.08M 3 more potentially joining the mix as teams conclude their pro scouting 14. Colin Miller, VGK RD 26 65 3 meetings this week. 29 $3.88M 3

All four of those players could well be on the move – which is why they sit 15. James Reimer, FLA* G 31 36 3.09 atop the latest TSN Trade Bait board. Yep, there is some real sizzle with .900 $3.4M 2 that steak. 16. Artemi Panarin, CBJ RW 27 79 28 Ten new names joined the board this week, including Flyers defenceman 87 $6M UFA Shayne Gostisbehere, maligned Canucks winger Loui Eriksson, Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri and, lastly, Leafs star Mitch Marner at No. 25. 17. Nazem Kadri, TOR* C 28 73 16 44 $4.5M 3 Leafs Nation will naturally raise an eyebrow at Marner’s inclusion on this list. Indeed, it remains highly unlikely that the Maple Leafs will move 18. Jack Johnson, PIT* LD 32 82 1 Marner. Dubas told NHL.com on Thursday that he was “not afraid to say 13 $3.25M 4 that Mitch holds a special place in the cosmos of our group.” 19. Milan Lucic, EDM LW 30 79 6 Re-signing the RFA, their leading scorer for two seasons in a row, is 20 $6M 4 unquestionably the Leafs’ No. 1 priority. Dubas met with Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, again on Wednesday at the Scouting Combine in Buffalo. 20. Loui Eriksson, VAN* LW 33 81 11 29 $6M 3 “I’m very hopeful,” Dubas told reporters Thursday. “I’m a very optimistic person.” 21. Mike Hoffman, FLA* LW 29 82 36 70 $5.19M 1 The belief all along is that the Markham, Ont., kid loves playing for the hometown Leafs. However, there is no question that Marner and his 22. , CHI* C 30 78 15 camp want to make sure he is compensated commensurately in that 37 $4.55M 2 cosmos. The alarms aren’t sounding yet. 23. Adam Henrique, ANA* C 29 82 18 But are Marner and his camp intent on getting to the June 26 window 42 $5.83M 5 where other teams can begin pitching restricted free agents on offer 24. Victor Rask, MIN* C 26 49 3 sheets? Some seem to think so. 9 $4M 3

If so, and given the undercurrent that seems to be swirling, there is the 25. Mitch Marner, TOR* RW 22 82 26 potential that this negotiation could grow contentious. If talks were to go 94 $894K RFA off the rails, then, it’s at least within the realm of possibility that trade options have to be explored. * - new player on TSN Hockey's Trade Bait list

Those pressure points are still a long way off and Dubas said he is TSN.CA LOADED: 06.01.2019 “continuing to stay on it” and vowed to “not let it slip.”

Until then, it’s certainly a situation that bears watching.

With that, here is the latest TSN Trade Bait board, which always seeks to blend a player’s prominence with his likelihood of a trade:

Player Pos Age GP G PTS Cap Hit Years

1. Phil Kessel, PIT RW 31 82 27 82 $6.8M 3

2. Jacob Trouba, WPG RD 25 82 8 50 $5.5M RFA

3. Jason Zucker, MIN LW 27 81 21 42 $5.5M 4

4. Nikita Zaitsev, TOR RD 27 81 3 14 $4.5M 5 1145895 Websites “They came in in good spirits,” Cassidy said Friday after practice. “They know they need to be better. They’ve admitted it. ... I know them well enough, seeing them in the playoffs, they will eventually get to their game USA TODAY / Opinion: Boston Bruins' sputtering No. 1 line must be and I believe it will be tomorrow." better against St. Louis Blues Cassidy has enough confidence in them to make that prediction. But he’s also a realist.

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Published 7:02 p.m. ET May 31, 2019 “But I’m sure St. Louis will have a lot to say about that,” he said.

USA TODAY LOADED: 06.01.2019

ST. LOUIS - Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said he believes his No. 1 line will play its best game of the Stanley Final in Saturday’s Game 3.

That’s not a prediction or wishful thinking as much as it is a necessity.

Much has been made about how the St. Louis Blues and Bruins both have impressive depth. But even with depth, neither can win the Cup without receiving significant contributions from its best players. So far, the Blues’ top line of Jaden Schwartz, Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko is having a major impact on the scoresheet.

The Bruins’ top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak is not.

The usually reliable Bruins trio is a combined minus-7 in the first two games with one empty-net goal. The three combined for seven shots and no points in Game 2. By contrast, Schenn had nine shots, a goal and an assist in the first two games. Tarasenko has scored in each game. Schwartz has two assists.

Nineteen players have scored for the Bruins this postseason, but Marchand, Bergeron and Pastrnak have scored 36.5% of the team's goals. They are the engine that drives the offense but have sputtered during 5-on-5 play in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final.

Bruins left wing Brad Marchand said of the Blues defense: "It's been pretty tight."

“You have to credit the opposition,” Cassidy said. “They have done a good job. The D men have long sticks and they are mobile, smart. Whoever has played against them - it’s been Schenn and two or three different guys - have done a good job tracking back so they can’t make a lot happen in front of the (defense).”

It will be even more important for the Bruins' top line to rise up in Game 3 because playing at home gives the Blues the last line change, meaning they can have the matchup they want.

Cassidy was able to avoid specific matchups in Boston, and the line still didn't get going. It will be more challenging in St. Louis.

“It’s been pretty tight,” Marchand conceded, adding, “We just have to keep doing the same thing, working, tightening up a little bit. We aren’t concerned, no matter how much you want to talk about it.”

It’s being talked about because those three players have been such a dominant force in the postseason and carry the higher expectations that come from being stars. For most players, two games without excelling is normal. For these guys, it’s cause for concern.

St. Louis defenseman Jay Bouwmeester said a team shuts down top lines by committee, not by one player or one line.

“I don’t think, the first two games, we were trying too hard to match lines or anything,” he said.

Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo says the key is to tire out Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak by making them work for every second of puck possession.

“Like any high-end players in the league, they want to carry the puck over the blue line,” he said. "The more you can make them put it in and make them work to get it, that taxes them a little bit more than them carrying it in, setting up on their own. I think that's an area as a group that we thrive on. It's not just the defensemen, it's back pressure from the forwards. There's more to it than just the defensemen standing up and making them dump it in.”

Cassidy has several reasons for believing his top players will thrive in Game 3, including the fact they had dangerous moments down low in the first two games without scoring. Also, this season, the line hasn’t often gone long without having a strong game. 1145896 Websites

USA TODAY / Capitals clear Evgeny Kuznetsov after appearance in video that featured lines of white powder

Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Published 12:32 p.m. ET May 31, 2019 | Updated 7:33 p.m. ET May 31, 2019

The Washington Capitals accepted forward Evgeny Kuznetsov's explanation about a Twitter video that surfaced earlier this week showing him next to a table that had two white lines of powder near rolled-up American money. The team released a statement Friday saying the 27- year-old was cleared.

After Monday's video surfaced, the Capitals and NHL announced an investigation.

The Capitals said in their statement: "In addition to doing our own due diligence, we met with Evgeny to discuss the video circulated on social media. While we are disappointed by his presence in the video, we accept his explanation and apology for putting himself in an unfortunate situation."

Kuznetsov, who had 72 points for the Caps in 2018-19, told Russia's sport-express.ru that the video was taken in a Las Vegas hotel room after Washington won the Stanley Cup in 2018.

The NHL said it considered the "matter formally closed."

“While we certainly do not condone or endorse some of the decisions he made on the night in question, Mr. Kuznetsov’s account of the events that transpired aligns with other information we have been able to gather, and we have found no basis to question his representations with respect to what did – and what did not – occur,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Associated Press.

Kuznetsov also shared a statement in Friday's Capitals release. "While I have never taken illegal drugs in my life and career, I would like to publicly apologize to the Capitals, my teammates, our fans and everyone else, for putting myself in a bad situation. This was a hard lesson for me to learn."

USA TODAY LOADED: 06.01.2019 1145897 Websites So, will it be Jack or will it be Kaapo? The hype isn’t about to die down anytime soon but the top prospect in Buffalo will be happy wearing red or wearing blue.

USA TODAY / Jack Hughes on Kaapo Kakko: 'We’ll be linked together “I think I’d look good in either one,” he said. for a long time' USA TODAY LOADED: 06.01.2019

Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 8:20 p.m. ET May 31, 2019

BUFFALO — Back in 2010 it was Taylor and Tyler. Two years ago, it was Nico and Nolan. Somewhere in the middle of those, it was the less alliterative duo of McDavid and Eichel.

Every few years there are two players who dominate the conversation ahead of the NHL Draft. Which will go first? Which deserves to go first? Which player is the most “NHL ready?”

All three of those pairs have lived up to the hype. Now, the focus has shifted to the 2019 1-2 tandem of Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko.

“I think it’s good competition,” Hughes said Friday in Buffalo at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine. “Every year they do that, they’re competing with each other. I think we’ll be linked together for a long time.”

Jack and Kaapo will be linked to one another through the 2019 NHL Draft but their connection will go beyond two days in Vancouver. With the Devils and Rangers owning the first two picks in the draft, they’ll share that New York spotlight, one that always seems to burn harder and hotter than others.

Jack Hughes of the US controls the puck during the Ice Hockey World Championships group A match between Denmark and the United States at the Steel Arena in Kosice, Slovakia, Saturday, May 18, 2019.

Hughes had the spotlight all to himself this week in Buffalo after Kakko pulled out of the event at the last minute. The 18-year-old winger helped Finland capture an IIHF World Championship last week and he’s busy celebrating the win at home in a country that holds a title like that in similar regards to a Stanley Cup.

But Kakko’s absence didn’t do much to diminish his star power in Buffalo. His six goals in the international event did nothing but bolster his stock.

“It has zero effect, really,” NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr said. “I know he would be here if he could but he’s a world champion before he’s even stepped on the ice in the National Hockey League and that’s a pretty special event in his life. I know for sure he would be here if he could.”

The top teams will get to spend time with him when he heads to North America for the draft. Hughes, on the other hand, interviewed with 10 teams this week, including the Rangers and Devils. He was polished, poised and articulate as he sat in the middle of one of a scrum so large it would intimidate many 27-year-olds.

Maybe it’s the Hughes family that has readied the middle child for the hockey hype machine.

His story is well-told: The son of Jim, who previously worked as the director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ellen, a three-sport athlete who was so good in hockey, lacrosse and soccer she now holds a spot in the New Hampshire Athletics Hall of Fame, and the brother of Quinn, who went through this process last year before being taken seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks. Don’t forget about Luke, who may very well be a first-round pick himself next year.

But this is Jack’s story. And Jack has made it known he wants to go No. 1. He’s unafraid of saying it and says it without pretension and without ego.

A product of the U.S. National Development Team Program, he checked his ego at the door along with all of his other teammates. Jack might be a generational player, a speedy center capable of making plays some could only make on video games, but he’s also a typical teenager when the cameras are off.

“He’s kind of a goofy kid,” Trevor Zegras, his USNDTP teammate said. “He loves golf and loves hanging out with his buddies. Just kind of goofy, making funny jokes. To me, he’s always just been Jack though.”