SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 7/3/2019 1107123 Former Kings coach hired as advisor to 1107151 5 hot topics for the Blackhawks: Is GM Stan Bowman Ducks’ coaching staff having a good offseason? What is goalie Corey 1107124 Ducks hire ex-Kings coach Darryl Sutter for advisory role Crawford’s st 1107125 ‘You’re drawn to people who are successful’ — Why 1107152 Blackhawks’ offseason plan reaches fork: Upgrade Darryl Sutter joined the Ducks as a coaching advisor forwards or close up shop? 1107153 Why Hawks new goalie is more than an expensive insurance policy 1107126 Scott Allen's future with Arizona Coyotes uncertain after 1107154 Bowman happy with how next Hawks team is coming stellar season together 1107127 More than a bruiser: Coyotes see tremendous potential in 1107155 Why the Blackhawks may not be done making moves this Lawson Crouse after new contract offseason 1107128 Arizona Coyotes sign 3 free agents to 2-way contracts 1107156 Predicting the Blackhawks’ 2019-20 lineup 1107129 NHL free agency: Coyotes UFAs Panik, Pickard sign elsewhere 1107130 Scott Allen will not return as Coyotes assistant coach 1107157 Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri relishes fresh start after decade with Maple Leafs Boston Bruins 1107158 Avalanche announce signing of three AHL prospects 1107131 retain young star Sebastian Aho 1107159 LeBrun Notebook: ‘This was never going to work for 1107132 Bruins may regret letting Noel Acciari get away Montreal’: Hurricanes owner on Sebastian Aho’s offer 1107133 Rangers land biggest prize on first day of free agency: sheet Artemi Panarin 1107134 Brett Ritchie fits Bruins’ mold 1107135 Evaluating what the Bruins have at forward after the start 1107160 Blue Jackets' big three simply wanted out of free agency 1107161 Jarmo Kekalainen: 'Life goes on' for Columbus Blue 1107136 Joe Sakic has great quote on Avalanche reining in Nazem Jackets without star players Kadri come playoff time 1107162 Analytically speaking: What Gustav Nyquist can bring to 1107137 Noel Acciari thanks Bruins and their fans in heartfelt the Blue Jackets Instagram post Buffalo Sabres 1107163 What Steve Yzerman is prioritizing as he works to fill out 1107138 Big additions, big misses mark Atlantic Division in wake of Red Wings roster free agency 1107164 Red Wings' Taro Hirose hopes to carry last season's 1107139 Sabres sign winger C.J. Smith to two-year, $1.4 million success into training camp deal 1107165 Griffins’ Ben Simon to be guest coach at World Junior 1107140 Sabres top draft pick Dylan Cozens to undergo procedure Summer Showcase on left thumb 1107166 Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman practices patience in free 1107141 How many future draft picks the Sabres own after recent agency trades 1107167 Projecting the Red Wings’ 2019-20 lineup: Version 1.0 1107142 Former Sabres player Patrik Berglund signs contract in Sweden Edmonton Oilers 1107143 What’s next for the Sabres after the first day of free 1107168 Khaira wants to be exactly what the Edmonton Oilers need agency? 1107169 Alex Chiasson hopes to feed off last year's feel-good story 1107170 A deeper look at Mike Smith’s comments after signing with the Oilers 1107144 Flames prospects camp: Five players to watch 1107171 Willis: Oilers GM Ken Holland promises long-term rewards 1107145 Flames look to their own backyard for depth signings for an approach light on short-term improvements Davidson, Froese 1107146 Despite an unusually quiet July 1, the Flames have plenty Florida Panthers of work to do this summer 1107172 The four new Panthers players are introduced to South Florida. Here’s what they said Carolina Hurricanes 1107173 Here’s what NHL analysts are saying about Panthers’ 1107147 Canes will match offer sheet to Aho, owner Tom Dundon free-agent splash this week says 1107174 Hyde: The Panthers’ summer of love now brings Sergei 1107148 Of course the Hurricanes are matching the weak Bobrovsky | Commentary Sebastian Aho offer sheet, but how did it get to this point? 1107175 The Florida Panthers went shopping for players Monday. 1107149 LeBrun Notebook: ‘This was never going to work for Where do all the pieces fit? Montreal’: Hurricanes owner on Sebastian Aho’s offer sheet 1107150 What are the Canadiens actually trying to accomplish with the Sebastian Aho offer sheet? Pittsburgh Penguins 1107176 Former Kings coach Darryl Sutter hired as advisor to 1107208 Which direction are Penguins headed after offseason Ducks’ coaching staff roster changes? 1107177 ‘You’re drawn to people who are successful’ — Why 1107209 Kevin Gorman: Weighing the pros, cons of Penguins Darryl Sutter joined the Ducks as a coaching advisor extending Mike Sullivan 1107178 DARRYL SUTTER NAMED ADVISOR TO DUCKS 1107210 Tim Benz, Mark Madden ponder Penguins’ future post-Phil COACHING STAFF Kessel 1107179 FORMER KINGS FREE AGENCY ROUNDUP 1107211 Tim Benz: Like it or not, Penguins GM Jim Rutherford sticking to his plan 1107212 Meet the YouTube star keeping Pittsburgh sports teams 1107180 Mats Zuccarello said Wild made him feel wanted honest 1107181 Dane Mizutani: Wild GM Paul Fenton has made the most 1107213 Five questions left for the Penguins after busy period out of his own mess 1107214 The Penguins’ recent roster turnover has done one thing 1107182 2019-20 Wild depth chart after Monday’s signings very well 1107215 This (totally hypothetical) trade could help fix the Penguins 1107183 Hurricanes say Canadiens got played by Sebastian Aho's San Jose Sharks agent 1107216 Red Wings draft pick gets second chance with Sharks 1107184 What the Puck: Canadiens' bid for Aho nothing more than 1107217 Five candidates to succeed Joe Pavelski as Sharks window dressing 1107185 Hurricanes will match Canadiens' offer to Sebastian Aho: 1107218 Sharks sign veteran defenseman Dalton Prout to one-year Carolina GM contract 1107186 Of course the Hurricanes are matching the weak 1107219 Timo Meier ready to work after signing four-year Sharks Sebastian Aho offer sheet, but how did it get to this point? contract 1107187 LeBrun Notebook: ‘This was never going to work for 1107220 Joe Pavelski consulted with Patrick Marleau before start of Montreal’: Hurricanes owner on Sebastian Aho’s offer free agency sheet 1107188 What are the Canadiens actually trying to accomplish with St Louis Blues the Sebastian Aho offer sheet? 1107221 Retooling Stars prepare to chase down the Blues 1107222 St. Louis Blues' Pat Maroon visits children of slain police officer 1107189 Welcome Matt! Duchene gets Nashville greetings from 1107223 Ex-Blue Berglund returning to hockey — in Sweden McDonald's, Preds 1107190 Predators sought out Matt Duchene for years before landing him 1107224 Lightning free agency: 5 things to know about Curtis 1107191 Finally together, Matt Duchene and the Predators have big McElhinney plans for the future 1107225 Lightning free agency: 5 things to know about Luke Schenn New Jersey Devils 1107226 Former Lightning forward looking for a new 1107192 Where the NJ Devils stand with Taylor Hall city 1107193 NJ Devils announce development schedule 1107227 Sports Day Tampa Bay: Does the Lightning really need 1107194 Why NJ Devils' decision to pass on Artemi Panarin, other three goalies? The Rays two cities? big NHL free agents is right move New York Islanders 1107228 Confident Kadri saw Leafs-Avs trade coming | The Star 1107195 Islanders were quiet in free agent market, but have work 1107229 Dubas doubles down on skill with Tyson Barrie, who to do ‘couldn’t be more excited’ to join Leafs | The Star 1107196 Making sense of the Islanders’ first day of free agency and 1107230 Nazem Kadri ready to rock the Rockies with the the holes left to fill Avalanche 1107231 Dubas deals to improve Leaf defence New York Rangers 1107232 ‘My head and my heart were always in the right place’: 1107197 Don’t forget the Rangers’ journey is only beginning Nazem Kadri says goodbye to the Maple Leafs 1107198 Artemi Panarin’s heart was always with the Rangers 1107233 The Maple Leafs paid a big price to escape cap hell and 1107199 NHL free agency winners and losers: The signings improve their blue line. Was it worth it? shaking up the East 1107234 Kyle Dubas’ Leafs go all-in with skill, a fascinating bet with 1107200 Rangers introduce Artemi Panarin, their dynamic new no NHL precedent forward Ottawa Senators 1107243 How will Meier’s contract extension affect Boeser 1107201 It’s not too early to think about Chabot’s pending restricted negotiation? free agency status 1107244 The Jets were a patient, quiet winner on Day 1 of free 1107202 Senators sign forward Nick Paul to a one-year deal agency — but still need to fix their defence 1107203 The Senators have put the pieces in place to get ready for September 1107235 The Capitals said some tough goodbyes, but nothing like what’s to come 1107204 With an eye on rising prospects and young players, Flyers 1107236 What kind of contract will Capitals RFA Jakub Vrana get? stay conservative in free-agent market 1107237 Signing Braden Holtby to an extension just got a whole lot 1107205 NHL free agency: Flyers bolster AHL depth; GM Chuck harder Fletcher doesn’t want to 'box out’ young players 1107206 What the Flyers 'counted' shows the belief behind their offseason 1107207 Flyers development camp: What we learned about the top prospects and their skills Websites 1107245 The Athletic / 2019 NHL free agency: The best options left after Day 1 1107246 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Building a roster of the cap era’s worst July 1 signings 1107247 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Bergevin still has chance to make team better after Aho miss 1107248 Sportsnet.ca / Opportunity to win Stanley Cup like Blues' Craig Berube becoming slimmer 1107249 Sportsnet.ca / NHL free agency winners and losers: Who came up big, and who whiffed? 1107250 Sportsnet.ca / Dubas doesn't expect Maple Leafs to make more 'major' moves 1107251 Sportsnet.ca / Hurricanes to match Canadiens' offer sheet for Sebastian Aho 1107252 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs' cap wizardry eases Marner contract challenge 1107253 Sportsnet.ca / Truth By Numbers: Are the Maple Leafs a better team after trading Kadri? 1107254 Sportsnet.ca / Tyson Barrie talks Maple Leafs trade: ‘Tough to find a better fit’ 1107255 Sportsnet.ca / Talbot still stunned by fall from grace, has 'a lot to prove' with Flames 1107256 TSN.CA / NHL claims Montador’s brain injuries caused by his ‘own lack of due care and fault’ 1107257 USA TODAY / Panthers forward Frank Vatrano makes his own big trade: Gives No. 72 to incoming star for Rolex, f Winnipeg Jets 1107238 Jets sign journeymen Letestu, Bitetto 1107239 Montreal GM takes one for the team; not his team, mind you... 1107240 Tanev eager for fresh start with Penguins: Former Jets forward looks back at time fondly 1107241 Jets add Bitetto for depth: Another blue-liner comes on board 1107242 The Jets were a patient, quiet winner on Day 1 of free agency — but still need to fix their defence SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1107123 Anaheim Ducks

Former Kings coach Darryl Sutter hired as advisor to Ducks’ coaching staff

By CURTIS ZUPKE

JUL 02, 2019 | 7:10 PM

Darryl Sutter is back on the Southern California hockey scene.

The former Kings coach was hired by the Ducks as an advisor to the coaching staff of Dallas Eakins, general manager Bob Murray announced Tuesday. Murray has known Sutter for decades, having played with him for the Chicago Blackhawks, and Sutter is a supporter of the newly hired Eakins. Sutter, 60, attended the Ducks’ development camp last week, a team official said, and the mutual respect between Murray, Sutter and Eakins spurred the hire.

“Darryl will provide invaluable expertise to our coaching staff and players,” Murray said through a team official. “Both Dallas and I agree his proven track record and vast knowledge of the game will be very beneficial for us.”

Sutter’s role is in an advisory capacity, and he is not expected to have a ubiquitous presence at games. But his face is already well known to area hockey fans for coaching the Kings to Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014. He is the franchise leader with 225 regular-season wins, accumulated in six seasons. His son Chris was a regular on the video board at Staples Center, and Sutter cultivated his reputation as the “Jolly Rancher” with his brusque, no-nonsense approach, offset by moments of candid levity.

Sutter’s Kings run ended with his firing, along with former general manager Dean Lombardi, in 2017, after the Kings missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

That might come with a disclaimer considering that his post-Cup team in 2014-15 missed the postseason even though it recorded 40 wins and 95 points in the regular season. Sutter’s Kings tenure ended, however, with his players alienated by his tough-love style; a report about players locking him out of the dressing room after a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning was later confirmed by Lombardi.

But Sutter was an underrated tactician, known for finding the right line combinations and shrewd matchups. He put together the line of Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson, and the trio was a defining part of the team’s success earlier in the decade.

Ducks sign two

The Ducks signed forwards Andrew Poturalski and Blake Pietila to one- year, two-way contracts.

Poturalski was named most valuable player of the playoffs with 12 goals and 23 points in 18 games. He appeared in two games with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Pietila played in 19 games for the New Jersey Devils last season. He led the Binghamton Devils in scoring.

LA Times: LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107124 Anaheim Ducks

Orange County Register: LOADED: 07.03.2019

Ducks hire ex-Kings coach Darryl Sutter for advisory role

By Elliott Teaford | [email protected] | Orange County Register

PUBLISHED: July 2, 2019 at 5:43 pm | UPDATED: July 2, 2019 at 5:47 PM

Darryl Sutter, the gruff and frequently hard to decipher coach who guided the Kings to two Stanley Cup championships before he was fired in an organizational housecleaning, was hired Tuesday by the Ducks as an advisor to Coach Dallas Eakins and his staff.

It’s essentially a consulting job, with Sutter’s precise duties still to be determined.

“Darryl will provide invaluable expertise to our coaching staff and players,” Ducks general manager Bob Murray said in an emailed statement. “Both Dallas and I agree his proven track record and vast knowledge of the game will be very beneficial for us.”

Sutter and Murray are longtime friends, with connections dating to their days as teammates with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1980s. Sutter also is said to be an admirer of Eakins, who was hired last month to oversee the Ducks’ transition to a younger and faster team.

Murray asked Sutter to observe the Ducks’ developmental camp with him last week at the team’s new practice facility at the Great Park in Irvine. Murray and Eakins met with Sutter and a deal was later struck to have Sutter come aboard in an advisory position.

On the surface, the union of Sutter and the Ducks appears to be an odd one, going beyond their obvious rivalry with the Kings. Sutter stubbornly refused to abandon the heavy, cycle game that won the Kings their Cup victories in 2012 and ’14 in favor of the higher-tempo game now in vogue.

Plus, there was his reluctance play the Kings’ top prospects in significant roles. The word around the Kings’ organization was that there were two kinds of prospects: “NHL ready” and “Darryl ready.” Many of their top young players were deemed to be not Darryl ready, and the roster got old fast.

As a result, the Kings are now well behind the Ducks in their rebuilding efforts.

There was no arguing with Sutter’s results in his first three seasons in Los Angeles, though. The Kings became the first team in NHL history to win the Cup after starting out as the eighth-seeded team in 2012. They won again in ’14, after losing to the Blackhawks in the West final in ’13.

The Kings’ route to the ’14 Stanley Cup featured victories in three consecutive Game 7s, all on the road, including a second-round win over the Ducks. Attempts at a third Cup victory were unsuccessful as Sutter and the Kings failed to make the playoffs in two of the next three seasons.

Sutter and Kings general manager Dean Lombardi were fired after the 2016-17 season. Sutter left the Kings with a franchise-record 225 victories. He also coached the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks and Blackhawks, compiling a .565 winning percentage in 1,285 games.

As expected, the Ducks signed center Andrew Poturalski to a one- season, two-way contract that will play him $700,000 if he plays in the NHL and $350,000 if he plays with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL. Poturalski led the to the Calder Cup championship last month.

The 25-year-old was named the MVP of the AHL playoffs after he had a team-leading 12 goals and 23 points in 18 postseason games. He also led Charlotte with 23 goals and 70 points in 72 games during this past regular season. He has played two NHL games in his career, both in 2016-17.

The Ducks also signed left wing Blake Pietila to a one-season, two-way contract that will pay him $750,000 in the NHL and $350,000 in the AHL. Pietila split last season between the New Jersey Devils and their AHL team in Binghamton, New York. 1107125 Anaheim Ducks games played and managed in the NHL – “bodes well for the players, staff and the organization,” said Eakins

“It’s going to be (great),” said Eakins, who plans to communicate ‘You’re drawn to people who are successful’ — Why Darryl Sutter joined regularly with Sutter when he isn’t with the team. “Bob worked hard on it the Ducks as a coaching advisor to get it done. Man, I’m ecstatic. It’s the one thing that I asked for and it’s the one thing that’s been delivered.”

By Lisa Dillman and Eric Stephens For Sutter, this felt like something right out of the New Jersey Devils’ playbook, from the successful Lou Lamoriello era. Jul 2, 2019 “There’s not many teams that do it,” Sutter said. “Lou had done it with guys before with Larry (Robinson) and Jacques Lemaire. I just thought it was a good idea and would give them a little help and it went from there. Two years after he was last seen coaching hockey in Southern California, Darryl Sutter is back. “They were all there when the coaches needed them or when Lou needed them. They’d watch games and give a different viewpoint and Only Sutter is now working for one of the Los Angeles Kings’ top rivals, work with players. Quite honestly, I think more teams should be doing it. the Anaheim Ducks. All the kids on the teams and lot of young coaches in the league now too. You could say the Ducks saved their bombshell for Day 2 of free agency, “It was something I was real comfortable with doing just because I know hiring the most successful coach in Kings franchise history. Murph and (Ducks director of player personnel) Rick Paterson really well. On Tuesday, the Ducks appointed Sutter as an advisor to their coaching And it is something Murph really wanted to do. We talked about it and staff. The key is Sutter’s long relationship with Ducks general manager spent some time with Dallas on it.” Bob Murray, a connection going back about 40 years to when they They are still in the process of defining the parameters of the job. Sutter played for the Chicago Blackhawks. intends to be on hand for Ducks training camp and it will go from there. Sutter, who coached the Kings to Stanley Cup championships in 2012 Although Sutter’s contract with the Kings technically ended last year, he and 2014, wasn’t looking for a full-time NHL coaching opportunity. But is still getting paid by them because the last year of his deal was paid out when this idea was pitched to him, he thought it perfectly suited what he over two years, a source said. was looking for at this stage of his life. He was fired by the Kings in April 2017, and the Kings were swept in the “I was not interested in going back into the head coaching part of it,” said first round of the playoffs in 2018 and finished 30th in the NHL this past Sutter in a telephone interview with The Athletic from his ranch in Viking, season. Alberta. Of note, Sutter will have now worked for four teams in the division, “If it was 20 or 10 years ago, I’d be all over it. If I was going to go back, it having previously served as coach in San Jose and Los Angeles, coach would be something like this. I’m really looking forward to it.” and general manager in Calgary and now in his advisor role to the Ducks. Eakins particularly liked that connection. The idea started as small talk, and the more they “bounced it around,” the more Sutter became excited about helping out new Ducks coach “It kind of nails everything,” Eakins said. “For me, he already knows the Dallas Eakins and his staff. Sutter was at the Ducks’ development camp league. He’s coached so many games. He’s someone that we can in Irvine last week and the three of them began to hammer out a plan. bounce things off of. He knows our division very well. Just going through the travel schedule – having him sit in on (it), right away I’m looking at “I’d known Dallas from before and he was looking for some experience, him and thinking this is paying dividends immediately. some help and a little bit different set of eyes,” Sutter said. “I had talked about it with a couple other teams, something like this.” “You can never go wrong with an addition like that. We’re excited to have him on board. Said Murray in a statement released by the Ducks: “Darryl will provide invaluable expertise to our coaching staff and players. Both Dallas and I The fact that Sutter has reconnected with Murray, an old teammate and agree his proven track record and vast knowledge of the game will be an old friend, is one of the happy byproducts of their new arrangement. very beneficial for us.” “I was in there for two days (at development camp) and it was good to Eakins has been in his new job for only two weeks. His coaching resume spend some time with him,” Sutter said. “I enjoyed that. Really, we’ve doesn’t begin to approach what Sutter has accomplished over his career. basically been against each other for so long, you just say, ‘Hi, and how His ego also wasn’t going to get in the way of having someone with that are you doing?’ And things like that. You never really get to sit down and background and expertise as a resource. talk about things.”

This is something Eakins wanted. Something he felt he didn’t have in Eakins recalled first meeting Sutter initially when he was coaching the Edmonton, his first NHL head coaching stint. AHL’s before taking the Oilers’ job and matching wits against him as Sutter led the Kings to new heights. The two would have “Leading up to getting the job, we talked a little bit about staff,” Eakins occasional conversations in recent years as Eakins led the San Diego said Tuesday. “But then when I had the job, Bob asked what I thought we Gulls while Sutter was enjoying the retired life after the Kings fired him. needed. The first word out of my mouth was experience. I really want to hit the ground running with experience this time around. And, so, he “Just a guy that I kept in touch with over the years,” Eakins said. “His son asked me to get a list together. The first name at the top of the list was was playing in Ontario and he’d stick his head down in the office or swing Darryl Sutter. by after the game to say hello real quick. It started years ago at the draft. It’s just one of those relationships that just kind of stay together over the “I explained to Bob that I didn’t want to be disrespectful to Darryl. He’s years periodically. been extremely gracious to me in the past. I think the world of him. Bob Murray thinks the world of him. And that’s kind of where it started. I just “You’re drawn to people who are successful, and you’re drawn to people think that with the three of us, between Bob, Darryl and I, we have a who kind of say it how it is. At least I am.” great amount of respect for each other. We just added a key cog to The setup works well for Sutter on a personal level, too. His oldest son, transitioning this team.” Brett, has been an effective player and leader with the of The specifics to Sutter’s role are still being worked out, Eakins noted. He the and has re-signed with the Reign for the will not be behind the bench during games. Nor will he be around the 2019-20 season. Ducks full-time. But Eakins emphasized that when Sutter is with the Sutter’s wife, Wanda, and son, Chris, spent three months of last winter in team, he will act as a coach. On the ice. Inside the dressing room. With Southern California, and Chris, a Dance-Cam fixture in the Kings’ glory the coaching staff. days, even appeared on Dance-Cam on several occasions at Staples Mark Morrison and Marty Wilford will remain in their current roles as Center this past season. assistants under Eakins while Rich Preston is being shifted to a scouting “He’s still attached,” Sutter said with a chuckle. role. But the addition of Sutter and having Murray – his boss, with 1,000 One of the perceptions during Eakins’s rough 18-month coaching stint in Edmonton was that he had an air of someone that knew it all. How true or false that is can be open to one’s interpretation. But to have Sutter as a sounding board is a definitive sign that Eakins has no problem leaning on the knowledge of others.

“This is about this organization winning and that’s it,” he said. “That’s it for all of us. All that other stuff is just minutiae. Like I said before, this is what we asked for. And it’s been delivered.

“It’s another good day for our organization.”

Surveying the Ice

• Following through on his desire to build connections with his veteran players, Eakins has been racking up frequent-flyer miles.

After finishing up the development camp over the weekend, Eakins flew to Sweden to meet with Ducks forwards Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg. He is now in Pittsburgh to spend time with star goalie John Gibson.

The vibe that he has gotten in meetings with some players is that they felt they played better hockey toward the end of the season and are eager to atone for last season’s 13th-place finish in the Western Conference.

“I’m trying to plant the necessary seeds,” Eakins said. “The guys that I don’t know, I think when you sit down with them, they get a feel for you. The way you speak. The way you’re talking. But during that conversation, we get to their own personal gains and we get to, more importantly, how we want to play as a team. How we want to treat each other. All that kind of stuff.

“I’m not sitting down and dropping off a playbook and saying, ‘Hey, make sure you understand that before you get to camp right now.’ It’s just more about concepts. What we’re really going to value as an organization moving forward. So far, I’m optimistic with how hungry the guys are to get back and get after it.”

• The Ducks made official the signing of right wing Andrew Poturalski and announced the signing of left wing Blake Pietila to two-way contracts for the 2019-20 season. Both will provide organizational depth and likely help the Gulls while being possible injury call-ups for the Ducks.

Poturalski was the MVP of the Calder Cup playoffs in leading the Charlotte Checkers to the title. Pietila played in 19 games with New Jersey but spent most of last season with the AHL’s Binghamton Devils, where he led them in scoring.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107126 Arizona Coyotes

Scott Allen's future with Arizona Coyotes uncertain after stellar season

Richard Morin, Arizona Republic

Published 9:11 a.m. MT July 2, 2019 | Updated 10:51 a.m. MT July 2, 2019

Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet believes his coaching staff is "pretty well-set," which does not bode well for assistant coach Scott Allen, whose contract expired June 30.

Allen, 51, was in charge of the Coyotes' defense and -kill units which performed well above expectations last season. The Coyotes were tied for the best penalty kill in the NHL (85 percent) and finished sixth in total goals against.

Allen became expendable after the hiring of Phil Housley to essentially the same position Wednesday.

Housley was fired as the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres last season and before that was a defensive coach with the Nashville Predators.

Allen coached in the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers organizations before joining the Coyotes prior to the 2017-18 season.

Are you a sports fan? Stay in the know. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

The Coyotes currently have four assistant coaches under contract: Housley, John McLean (forwards/power play), Corey Schwab (goaltending) and Steve Peters (video).

Tocchet said that's the group he anticipates going to battle with for the 2019-20 season.

"I don't like big staffs," Tocchet said, "and right now with Phil Housley, John McLean, Corey Schwab and Steve Peters we're pretty much set."

Tocchet said he valued Housley's experience coaching defense in Nashville, where he worked with proficient defensemen such as Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis and others.

Ultimately, it led to the reality of parting ways with Allen.

"That's the business we live in," Tocchet said. "I think Scottie Allen is a great guy, a terrific guy and I think he did a hell of a job for me. It's no different than you're just trying to better your team. It's got nothing to do with anything other than the fact that Phil is available and I thought that he would definitely help our defense. ... I think it's something he can do."

Arizona Republic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107127 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Republic LOADED: 07.03.2019

More than a bruiser: Coyotes see tremendous potential in Lawson Crouse after new contract

Richard Morin, Arizona Republic

Published 10:08 a.m. MT July 2, 2019 | Updated 4:35 p.m. MT July 2, 2019

John Chayka has made his values clear throughout his tenure as Coyotes president of hockey operations and general manager.

The first value is premium positions: two-way centers, right-handed defensemen and elite goaltenders. But the second value is placed upon players whom Chayka believes cannot generally be acquired via trade or free agency.

Oftentimes, these two values are one and the same. However, a player like Lawson Crouse, whom the Coyotes signed to a three-year contract on Tuesday, shows why Chayka's second value can stand independently.

Crouse, who had 11 goals and 25 points last season, might not jump out at you as a world-beater — but Chayka believes Crouse possesses an array of talents that make him indispensable to a forward core and paramount to a contending team.

"It's a pretty unique skillset," Chayka said of Crouse, whose contract carries an annual salary cap hit of $1.53 million. "He's obviously got a rare blend of size, skating, skill, physicality. He's a unique player, he's a rare player, hard to find. That was a big part of the reason why we traded for him.

Are you a sports fan? Stay in the know. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

"We think as our team grows here, we're going to need players of his ability and his role to continue to help our group. We don't have a lot of them in our organization, so having 'Law' signed long-term is a good thing for us."

Chayka had similar comments when asked to explain his selection of Victor Soderstrom with the No. 11 overall pick in this year's draft. Granted, Soderstrom plays a much more valuable position, but Crouse was also picked 11th overall in a loaded 2015 draft.

Chayka believes that value is still very much alive.

"He was a high pick because if you don't draft those types of players," Chayka said, "they're extremely difficult to find. Typically, as they get to free agency, they've been tied up for a long period of time and then maybe they're on the wrong side of their careers. If you want to find a player that can skate, be physical and have the skillset that Law does, you have to pick him and typically, you have to pick him pretty high.

"I think that was why that occurred and we feel very fortunate to have acquired him. ... We view him as a core player. Just the ability to bring an element that some of our other players don't have, I think fits in very well and he's still very young."

The Coyotes believe Crouse is a skilled power forward with an ability to play the left-wing position on any of the team's four lines. He showed that penchant last season, moving up and down the lineup as the Coyotes pieced together an injured forward group.

Asked what the ceiling could be for Crouse, Chayka said he sees a comparable in Toronto Maple Leafs forward , a player with enough all-around awareness to act as a defensive ballast playing with skilled players while still putting up good offensive numbers.

"I've talked to him just about being a Zach Hyman guy," Chayka said. "He plays with (Mitch) Marner and (John) Tavares, obviously. Same thing. He hunts pucks, he's responsible (for) 200 feet, he gets to the net, plays with energy, he's got some physicality to his game.

"They're different players and doing it a different way, but at the same time, if 'Law' can develop into that player and continue to grow his game and perhaps be better, that'd be better. But that's the style of play and how we see his role potentially evolving." 1107128 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes sign 3 free agents to 2-way contracts

BY MATT LAYMAN

JULY 1, 2019 AT 12:35 PM

The Coyotes announced Monday on the first day of NHL free agency that they had signed three players to two-way contracts: forwards Andy Miele and Beau Bennett and defenseman Aaron Ness.

Miele and Ness were signed to two-year deals, while Bennett’s contract was for just one year.

The signings present options for Arizona as it looks to fill what will probably be one open roster spot within its forward group. The defenseman Ness will give the Coyotes some organizational depth on their blue line as seven defensemen are already under contract with the NHL team for next season.

Bennett played five games in the KHL last year for Dinamo Minsk but had 200 career NHL games before that — the most of these three players. He’s played six NHL seasons from 2012 to 2018 with the Penguins, Devils and Blues, recording 24 goals in that span. The 27-year-old also has 19 goals in 104 career AHL games.

Miele returns to the organization for whom he once played 15 NHL games across three seasons from 2011 to 2014. The 5-foot-8, 176- pound forward has 420 career AHL games with 119 goals and 249 assists for 368 points. The 31-year-old spent last year in the KHL playing for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, recording 16 goals in 61 games.

Ness was with AHL Hershey last season, playing 71 games and scoring 5-50-55. The 29-year-old has played parts of five seasons with the Islanders and Capitals, and in 2013-14 played a career-high 20 games with New York to record a and two assists.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107129 Arizona Coyotes Free agent goaltender Calvin Pickard received kind words from his coach and teammates toward the end of last season for being a good soldier, despite sitting on the bench for most of the late-season playoff push. He NHL free agency: Coyotes UFAs Panik, Pickard sign elsewhere came over to the Coyotes to add depth following some injuries, but starter Darcy Kuemper got practically all of the playing time.

After appearing in six games (four starts) for Arizona and 17 games total BY MATT LAYMAN between the Coyotes and Flyers last year, Pickard will get the chance to improve on his .875 save percentage from last season as he signs with JULY 1, 2019 AT 10:10 AM the Red Wings. UPDATED: JULY 2, 2019 AT 10:52 AM TSN’s Frank Saravalli reported Sunday that Pickard, who officially signed a two-year deal in Detroit on Monday, will compete with Jonathan Bernier in camp to be the backup to Jimmy Howard. As NHL free agency got underway on Monday morning at 9 a.m. Arizona time, the Coyotes seemed like they’d be relatively quiet.

That’s because by trading for forwards Phil Kessel and Carl Soderberg Arizona Sports LOADED: 07.03.2019 last week, Arizona GM John Chayka made a pair of moves to improve the roster before free agency even began. It sounded on Saturday like Chayka felt they had accomplished what they wanted to this offseason.

“Between Carl [Soderberg] and Phil, we wanted to make at least one or two moves up front to improve our group. We feel like we’ve done it,” Chayka said. “A lot of our success will depend on our players that we’ve got and we need guys to have career years and step up and if we can do that, we’re really excited about what this group can do.”

If center Barrett Hayton makes the team as a rookie, the Coyotes would have 22 players in their organization that are fairly safe bets to make the 23-man roster. Therefore, there’s likely one roster spot available:

FORWARDS (13): Lawson Crouse, Christian Dvorak, Christian Fischer, Conor Garland, Kessel, Michael Grabner, Hayton, Vinnie Hinostroza, Clayton Keller, Brad Richardson, Nick Schmaltz, Soderberg, Derek Stepan

DEFENSEMEN (7): Jakob Chychrun, Jason Demers, Oliver Ekman- Larsson, Alex Goligoski, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Ilya Lyubushkin, Jordan Oesterle

GOALTENDERS (2): Darcy Kuemper, Antti Raanta

Josh Archibald and Nick Cousins are unrestricted free agents as of Monday, and Chayka said before the draft that those players would test the market but could return if there was a fit there for both sides. It wasn’t clear at the start of free agency whether that had changed.

Here’s what else is going on with Arizona at the start of NHL free agency:

The Arizona Coyotes announced Tuesday that Crouse would return on a three-year deal. The RFA was tendered a qualifying offer, and the two sides got a deal done on the second day of free agency.

Crouse is going into his fourth NHL season and set career highs last year in basically every category. He led Arizona in both hits and penalty minutes but also had 11 goals and 25 points.

The Coyotes added some depth to their organization Monday afternoon by signing three players to two-way contracts.

Arizona signed forward Andy Miele and defenseman Aaron Ness to two- year, two-way contracts. They signed forward Beau Bennett to a one- year, two-way contract. They collectively have 262 games of NHL experience. More about those signings can be found here.

Coyotes goaltending prospect Ivan Prosvetov signed a three-year entry- level contract, the team announced.

Prosvetov was a fourth-round pick in last year’s draft and put up a .910 save percentage and 2.94 goals against average in 54 games of his first season playing OHL hockey for the Saginaw Spirit. He also have a .930 save percentage in 12 playoff games.

Coyotes UFA Richard Panik officially signed with Washington on Monday morning on a four-year, $11 million deal ($2.75M AAV), the team announced.

Panik played two seasons for the Coyotes after coming over in the Anthony Duclair trade in January of 2018. The 28-year-old right wing scored 14 goals with 19 assists for 33 points in 75 games, averaging 16:37 time on ice as he played up and down the lineup. The former 22- goal scorer and the Coyotes part ways, and he’ll join a Capitals team that has some firepower in its forward group. 1107130 Arizona Coyotes Tocchet praised the job Allen did with the team’s penalty-killing unit, which finished tied for first in success rate (85) and second in the NHL in shorthanded goals (16).

Scott Allen will not return as Coyotes assistant coach Allen declined to discuss further specifics out of respect for the Coyotes, and it is unclear what he will do next season now that his tenure in Arizona is over. Chayka said that the Coyotes have been making calls to By Craig Morgan other teams on his behalf.

Jul 2, 2019 “The one thing that hurts most is that Scott Allen may be the most loyal guy I’ve ever worked with,” Tocchet said. “He’d take a bullet for me. He

really would. This business is a tough business.” Scott Allen’s tenure as an assistant coach with the Coyotes is over. Crouse signs Coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged that on Tuesday morning. The Coyotes signed restricted free-agent forward Lawson Crouse to a This wasn’t hard to see coming if you were reading the tea leaves. We club-friendly, three-year contract on Tuesday. noted the likelihood that it was coming to an end on June 23. The hiring of Phil Housley on June 20 took away Allen’s greatest responsibility, Crouse, (6 feet 4, 220 pounds) had 11 goals and 25 points in 2018-19, running the defense, and while Housley will be the power-play coach, his second full NHL season. Tocchet said that assistant John MacLean would take over the penalty- killing unit. “He’s obviously got a rare blend of size, skating, skill and physicality,” Coyotes president of hockey operations John Chayka. “That was a big Allen’s contract expired at the end of June so he is already a free agent. part of the reason we traded for him (from Florida in 2016). The problem for Allen is that he didn’t expect to be, and that may be a product of miscommunication or misunderstanding with the Coyotes. “Sometimes it takes power forwards a little longer to find their game in That lack of clarity may also have cost Allen a chance at landing another the NHL, but I saw a more confident player. I saw a player that job, with most of the assistant positions around the NHL now filled. understood what he had to do to be successful. He was able to hold pucks, make plays, be more of a possession player as opposed to being “From the day the season ended up until now, I have been 100 percent more of a puck chaser. While doing that and scoring some goals, he committed to John Chayka, Rick Tocchet and returning to the Arizona didn’t lose the physical element of his game and I think that’s the key for Coyotes,” Allen said Tuesday. “I know they have been extremely busy him.” with the draft, making trades, adding to the staff, an ownership change and free agency. I have not yet been told that they don’t want me back.” With the signing, the Coyotes now have 21 players under contract for a cap hit of $81,321,901, per Cap Friendly, leaving them with less than Here’s what Tocchet said when asked right after the season about $200,000 of cap space. They still have the option, however, of placing Allen’s future: “Scottie has done a nice job for me. We’re going to talk to Marian Hossa on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), providing more cap him soon and I expect him back. I think as a staff, you always want to try relief to add their final two forwards, one of whom could be Barrett to evolve and I thought as a staff we got better as the season went Hayton. along.” “No matter if I’m playing on the first line, fourth line, second line or third Despite Tocchet’s initial reaction, Coyotes president of hockey operations line, my game doesn’t change,” Crouse said. “I try and play heavy. I try John Chayka told Allen shortly after the 2018-19 season ended that and play physical. It’s just really believing in what you’re doing and trying Tocchet was looking at the possibility of adding to his staff and that if he to do your best to overachieve.” did, Allen might not be running the defense any more or even be on the bench. Chayka said he encouraged Allen to look around for jobs.

“As soon as that decision was made, I let Scott know that Toc was going The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 to be reaching out to some people and just having some conversations,” Chayka said. “I told him that didn’t mean we didn’t have an interest in bringing him back but in fairness to him, even though his contract didn’t expire until July (1), he should have the ability and the right to do so and I encouraged him to do so. If he chose not to that, that would be his decision but I suggested it was something he should pursue.”

While he lauded the job Allen did for him, and the hours he dedicated, Tocchet knew he wanted to add a strong voice to his staff. He wanted an assistant coach who commanded the respect of his players; a vocal guy who would help remove that burden from Tocchet. Tocchet worried that if he were always the one banging the drum, the players might tire of his voice.

It also makes sense that he would want to push his blue line to greater heights. The Coyotes have a cap hit of $30,099,125 invested in their NHL defensemen, per Cap Friendly. That represents 36.9 percent of their total cap hit, the second highest total dollars and percentage dollars in the NHL spent on the blue line, trailing only the San Jose Sharks, who boast Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns and Marc-Édouard Vlasic. While the defense group is without a doubt the strength of the Coyotes, if you break them down individually, Niklas Hjalmarsson may be the only one you can say had a mostly consistent season in 2018-19.

“My job is to make the players and the staff the best it can be so I would be foolish not to always be looking,” Tocchet said.

Chayka said the Coyotes also had interest in Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Jim Hiller, who took a job on Barry Trotz’s New York Islanders staff, presumably to coach the power play and offensive systems. It’s unclear whether Hiller’s presence and different skill set might have changed the dynamic with Allen, had the Coyotes hired him.

While most of the Coyotes systems in place are Tocchet’s, and while much of the work the coaching staff does is a collaborative effort, 1107131 Boston Bruins and Corey Perry; the Minnesota Wild got faster by signing Mats Zuccarello; the Colorado Avalanche replenished their scoring depth up front by trading for Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky and signing Carolina Hurricanes retain young star Sebastian Aho Joonas Donskoi; and the Chicago Blackhawks went bargain hunting and ended up with Vezina Trophy finalist goaltender Lehner.

There is no precise blueprint on challenging a champion. Teams in the Shirley Leung East tried to ratchet up the speed and skill to keep up with the 2016 and 2017 Cup-winning Penguins, and Pittsburgh spent the past year adding

size and toughness to go toe to toe with the Washington Capitals after Waddell — who last week said the Hurricanes would match any offers they won. extended to Aho — called it ‘‘an easy decision.’’ Now the Central Division is stacked with the reigning champion Blues, The Canadiens offered an $11.3 million lump sum payment within a week Stars, Avalanche, Wild, Predators, Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets ready of Aho’s signing and another for $9.87 million July 1, 2020. Overall, the to battle it out just to make the playoffs next season. Pacific powerhouses offer is 91.3 percent bonuses and 8.7 percent salary. The Hurricanes San Jose and Vegas lost some talent in free agency, and hockey’s have until July 8 to make the match official, and Waddell said he didn’t balance of power has tilted further toward the Central. know exactly when that would happen. But when they do, Aho’s initial ‘‘Everyone is a contender before the season starts,’’ said Zuccarello, who lump sum payment is due within another week of that date. left the Stars for the Wild. ‘‘A playoff spot is where to start and then ‘‘It’s our job to manage our cap space as our players develop and hit everyone knows once we get to the playoff it’s about momentum and free agency,’’ Waddell said in a statement. ‘‘There was no concern at any confidence. You never know what’s going to happen. Take St. Louis. point that we would not be able to match this contract. Once again, the Nobody thought they were going to get to the playoffs on Jan. 1 and then Carolina Hurricanes should not be underestimated. We have a plan and they got a boost and got some confidence, and boom, they’re the Stanley all the resources to win a Stanley Cup.’’ Cup champions.’’

Extending offer sheets to restricted free agents has been a rare move in A year ago, the Blues dominated July 1 by signing Patrick Maroon, Tyler the NHL, with Aho the first player to receive one since Calgary tendered Bozak and David Perron and trading for eventual Conn Smythe Trophy one to then-Colorado center Ryan O’Reilly six years ago. The Avalanche winner O'Reilly. matched it. And not since 2007 has a team declined to match one. Those moves paid off with the first championship in franchise history. This one had both general managers a bit feisty. St. Louis was quieter this year, leaving the door open for plenty of activity Waddell, speaking about half an hour after learning of the offer to Aho, around them. quipped that he was ‘‘actually surprised it wasn’t more’’ and added that Dallas reached double overtime of Game 7 against the Blues in the his summer instantly became more stress-free because ‘‘I'm not going to second round and could sell that opportunity to win to pending free spend all summer negotiating a contract now.’’ agents. Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said his team ‘‘saw a vulnerable position’’ The Stars being one goal away from the Western Conference final lured in extending the offer, adding ‘‘we all have a competitive edge’’ and Perry, who said ‘‘they have a legit chance to win.’’ They sure think so maintaining that Aho ‘‘wants to come to Montreal.’’ with the additions of Perry and Pavelski to a core of Tyler Seguin, Jamie Waddell on Tuesday said Aho’s agent, Gerry Johannson, ‘‘sold a bill of Benn, John Klingberg, Miro Heiskanen and Ben Bishop. goods.’’ ‘‘Our team’s trending up and it’s a good sign,’’ Dallas general manager Aho had career highs with 30 goals, 53 assists and 83 points last season Jim Nill said. ‘‘You can never be competitive enough. We saw that in the while helping Carolina reach the Eastern Conference final in its first playoffs. I think St. Louis showed everybody that’s how you've got to play postseason appearance since 2009. He’s just the sixth player in and we were right there with St. Louis.’’ franchise history with 30 goals and 50 assists in the same season, and Nashville finished ahead of St. Louis the past two seasons before signing the fourth with an 80-point season before turning 22. Duchene, and Winnipeg was right there in a six-game slobberknocker of He will be 26 when this contract expires following the 2023-24 season. a first-round series.

Robin Lehner agreed to a $5 million, one-year deal with the Chicago Playoff wild card Colorado is also trending up after being one win away Blackhawks, jumping on the opportunity after talks with the Islanders from beating San Jose and facing St. Louis in the West final. The broke down and giving the Blackhawks one of the best goaltending Avalanche had arguably the NHL’s best line in Gabriel Landeskog, tandems, along with Corey Crawford, in the NHL. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen and went into the summer stuffed with salary-cap space and the intention of supplementing those ‘‘I’m 27 turning 28, and I truly in my soul know I am just scratching the stars with more offensive forwards. surface,’’ Lehner said. ‘‘Last year was a good start for me. I know I am only going to get better, and just the sheer firepower in the organization ‘‘We’re adding a supporting case to that group,’’ GM Joe Sakic said. ‘‘The that I'm about to join, it just really excites me.’’ coaches have a lot of options to mix and match with line combinations.’’

Chicago also agreed to a three-year contract with free-agent forward That supporting cast includes a major upgrade at second-line center with Ryan Carpenter, continuing an active summer after it missed the playoffs Kadri, more speed with Burakovsky and a little bit of everything with for the second straight year. The Blackhawks traded for defensemen Olli Donskoi. Colorado still has plenty of room to sign Rantanen to a new Maatta and Calvin de Haan last month, and brought back pesky forward contract and has enough young pieces that Kadri was convinced to Andrew Shaw in another deal with Montreal. waive his no-trade clause with Toronto to go there.

Lehner earned a career-high 25 wins last season with the Islanders, ‘‘The Colorado Avalanche are going to be contenders for many, many finishing with a 2.13 goals-against average, .930 save percentage and 6 years to come with such a young team with great players,’’ Kadri said shutouts. Tuesday. ‘‘I definitely think that this team has a chance to not only do it once but multiple times hopefully in the future with the pieces that they He has 97 wins and a .918 save percentage over 265 games with have.’’ Ottawa, Buffalo and New York. That won’t be easy, especially in this division. Zuccarello believes Central shift Minnesota can rebound from missing the playoffs and ride talent and goaltender Devan Dubnyk to be the Blues of 2020. The NHL isn’t a copycat league. It’s a response league. ‘‘I think we are a competitor,’’ GM Paul Fenton said after signing After the big and gritty St. Louis Blues muscled their way to the Stanley Zuccarello and forward Ryan Hartman . ‘‘You look at our team right now Cup, division rivals have responded in different ways. and the stability we have with our goaltending. There’s not a lot of teams The Nashville Predators inked top free agent center Matt Duchene; the that have the top-four defensemen like we do in the league. And our Dallas Stars beefed up with tough, playoff-tested scorers Joe Pavelski center ice is just solid right down the middle. You put the excitement of our wingers on the outside, and I think we have a really good team that has a chance to win.’’

The regular season and first couple rounds are enough of a gauntlet that players aren’t counting on anything done in June and July to guarantee success.

‘‘We’re enjoying the position we’re in, but we haven’t done anything yet,’’ Landeskog said. ‘‘It’s about taking that next step for us, and it’s about making sure that we’re all growing and we’re all doing our part to get better.’’

The Sabres’ top draft pick Dylan Cozens needs a ‘‘procedure’’ to repair an injured left thumb.

The Sabres provided the update a day after Cozens was scheduled to visit a specialist. Cozens will have the procedure Wednesday.

He was hurt Saturday during a three-on-three scrimmage on the final day of the Sabres’ developmental camp. A video showed Cozens leaving the ice with his thumb appearing dislocated.

The 18-year-old center was selected with the No. 7 pick in the draft last month.

The St. Louis Blues re-signed restricted free agent Sammy Blais to an $850,000, one-year contract. Blais had a goal and two assists in 15 playoff games to help St. Louis win the Stanley Cup . . . After losing captain Joe Pavelski in free agency to the Stars, the Sharks added defenseman Dalton Prout and forward Jonny Brodzinski on one-year contracts . . . The Arizona Coyotes signed forward Lawson Crouse to a three-year contract.

Boston Globe LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107132 Boston Bruins $1.85 million. Sweeney could have skipped those two, signed Acciari, and had some $200,000 in pocket change for his talks with the RFAs.

Part of Sweeney’s factoring had to be Kuraly’s budget-friendly deal that Bruins may regret letting Noel Acciari get away will pay him $1.275 million each of the next two seasons. Ever-improving, Kuraly is the key to the fourth line, with his size, reach, and uncanny ability to cycle the puck down low in a game of keepaway. Shirley Leung Had Sweeney ponied up the $1.67 million for Acciari, Kuraly justifiably could have felt shortchanged by $400,000. But that’s the rub of the green in these things. Look at the $11 million-plus per year the Rangers Instead, general manager Don Sweeney stepped aside — like so many dumped on free agent Artemi Panarin on Monday. opposition defensemen scurrying in fear of being pasted to the wall by Acciari these last four seasons — and watched him sign as an Panarin, the slick Russian, is now banking some $5 million more per year unrestricted free agent with the Panthers. than Brad Marchand. Both are left wingers. Over the last three seasons, Marchand has collected 270 points, No. 1 among all NHL left wingers, to Acciari’s get-out-of-town price: $1.67 million for each of the next three Panarin’s 243. Marchand, if he cares to, has six more years to grouse seasons. over his $6.125 million payout, a deal he signed late in the summer of If you are a cap geek (my heartfelt sympathies, dear reader), $1.67 2016. million in a hard-cap world of $81.5 million next season represents 2.05 For now, circle Nov. 12 on the calendar. The Bruins and Panthers will be percent of the total cap. To simplify: For every buck the Panthers could at the Garden that night to face each other for the first time in 2019-20. If spend on payroll next season, just over two cents would go to Acciari. Quenneville follows Cassidy’s blueprint, he’ll have Acciari out there for Repeat: two cents. the opening faceoff, hoping for a statement, an Acciari smack in open ice “I think there is always a breaking point,” Sweeney said in Monday’s or some thunder along the boards. news conference when I asked about Acciari walking away for a bigger The Panthers succeeded in taking Acciari out of Boston, and they did it payday. “And we got to the point where I felt we needed to head in a knowing full well that they won’t take the Boston out of Acciari. different direction.”

My two cents: Bad direction. Boston Globe LOADED: 07.03.2019 Two roads diverged in the woods and Sweeney chose the cheap one that sent an undervalued Acciari skipping by the Garden pay window. All after a postseason that added a massive take of 13 Causeway Street sellouts to the Jacobs family coffers.

Acciari was not only a solid fit on the fourth line, able to play both center and wing and kill penalties with precision, but he was also a favorite of coach Bruce Cassidy, who was bench boss in AHL Providence when Acciari, fresh off the Providence College campus, transitioned to the pro game in September 2015.

Cassidy loved Acciari, valuing him as a forechecking menace, a tone- setter, and particularly for his aforementioned sandpaper game and pain tolerance. Those guys are few in today’s game. Not as rare as 50-goal scorers, but rare nonetheless. This is the same Acciari, mind you, who played a sizable chunk of the two-month playoff run with a fractured sternum.

In more than four decades of covering the NHL, I’d never heard of a player fracturing his sternum, never mind playing with a fractured sternum. But Acciari . . . of course. Thank you, sir, may I have another?

Chris Kelly had a broader skill set, and a richer paycheck that topped out at $3 million per season, during his tenure in Boston as a Claude Julien favorite. Kelly also could play center or wing. And like Acciari, his pain threshold was higher than the national debt. Julien ran Kelly over the boards, sometimes to a fault, because coaches value known commodities and unflinching commitment to the task.

For the budget price of $5 million over the next three years, new Panthers coach Joel Quenneville now has that known commodity in Acciari, sent to him gift-wrapped free of any compensation owed the Bruins. Life in Sunrise, Fla., is a wee bit sunnier.

“They had me in as a good fit,” Acciari told the NHL Network Monday afternoon, “and I felt I made the right choice.”

The Panthers, added a smiling Acciari, “made me feel extra special.”

Look, Sweeney will find another solid, dependable fourth-liner to work into the mix with center Sean Kuraly. Joakim Nordstrom paired with Acciari and Kuraly for much of the latter stages of the playoff run. Chris Wagner, another true grit guy, has performed well in that role. And Sweeney of late has stressed how much he likes David Backes (two more years at $6 million per) as a member of the club’s esteemed fourth- line Trench Connection.

The bigger fish to fry on Sweeney’s summer payroll grill are restricted free agents Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, and Danton Heinen. As of Monday morning, Sweeney had some $12 million in cap space to divvy among the three. After his acquisitions later in the day of free agent forwards Brett Ritchie and Par Lindholm, that figure dropped another 1107133 Boston Bruins who needs a new contract and has arbitration rights, but the Maple Leafs likely need him on their thin blue line.

The Leafs later sent center Nazem Kadri, defenseman Calle Rosen, and Rangers land biggest prize on first day of free agency: Artemi Panarin a 2020 third-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Tyson Barrie, forward Alex Kerfoot, and a sixth-rounder. The Avalanche had been mulling trade offers for Barrie, who can be a free agent one Shirley Leung year from now. The Maple Leafs add Barrie to a thin blue line they bolstered earlier by Ceci.

Hurricanes mull Aho match “There’s something special about Panarin and the way he plays the game, the way he looks at the game, and the way he things about the The Montreal Canadiens made the bold move of tendering an offer sheet game,’’ Rangers president John Davidson said. ‘‘I’m ecstatic about to Carolina Hurricanes restricted free agent forward Sebastian Aho. The getting Panarin here to join this group.’’ move leaves Carolina seven days to match the Canadiens’ five-year, $42.27 million offer or elect to receive Montreal’s first-, second- and third- The scoring winger reportedly turned down more money from the round picks as compensation. Islanders, among others. Hurricanes GM Don Waddell first joked he was surprised the offer wasn’t ‘‘We know he definitely wants to be here in New York, specifically with higher before adding the team will review the offer. Last week, Waddell the Rangers,’’ Davidson said. ‘‘It’s a perfect fit.’’ said the team would match any offer to its third-year star, who had a Bobrovsky signed a seven-year, $70 million contract with the Florida career-best 30 goals and 83 points last season. Panthers, where he will take over the starting duties after Roberto It is the first offer sheet in the NHL since 2013, when the Calgary Flames Luongo retired last month. Duchene signed a seven-year, $56 million tried to acquire then-Avalanche center Ryan O’Reilly only to have contract with the Nashville Predators, who are retooling their roster and Colorado match the contract. The last time a team didn’t match an offer freed up a significant chunk of salary-cap space by trading defenseman sheet was in 2007, when Dustin Penner signed a five-year, $21.5 million P.K. Subban to New Jersey. offer from Edmonton and the Oilers sent first-, second- and third-round Duchene acknowledged he considered re-signing with the Blue Jackets picks to Anaheim when the Ducks didn’t match it. before choosing Music City by signing a seven-year, $56 million contract Jimmy Vesey will be a member of the Buffalo Sabres, after all. with the Nashville Predators. The Sabres gave up a 2021 third-round draft pick to acquire the third- ‘‘I had a ton of respect for everybody there,’’ Duchene said of Columbus. year forward in a trade with the Rangers. Vesey joins the Sabres three ‘‘At the end of the day, though, Nashville seemed like a perfect fit.’’ years after he turned down an opportunity to sign with Buffalo upon Columbus took the risk of adding Duchene and retaining Panarin and completing his college career at Harvard. Bobrovsky at the trade deadline in February, all the while knowing they Buffalo acquired Vesey’s rights in a trade with Nashville in June 2016 in were in the final years of their contracts. Columbus GM Jarmo hopes they could sign college hockey’s 2016 Hobey Baker Award winner Kekäläinen expressed no regrets over making the decision, saying he before he was eligible to become a free agent. He instead signed with wanted to keep his team’s core intact to spur a deep playoff run. Though the Rangers. the Blue Jackets won their first playoff series in franchise history, they were eliminated by Boston in the second round. Vesey scored 17 goals and had a career-best 35 points in 81 games last season. Overall, he has 50 goals and 40 assists for 90 points in 240 NHL The Blue Jackets began restocking their lineup by signing winger Gustav career games. Nyquist to a four-year deal with an average salary of $5.5 million. Nyquist, 29, set a career high with 60 points last season split between The New Jersey Devils added Wayne Simmonds in free agency, Detroit and San Jose. Columbus also re-signed defenseman Ryan agreeing to a $5 million, one-year contract with the physical winger. Murray to a two-year, $9.2 million contract and backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo to a one-year contract. Simmonds, who turns 31 in August, played for Philadelphia and Nashville last season, finishing with 17 goals and 13 assists in 79 games. He also For Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, the start of free agency was a made two playoff appearances with the Predators. The move reunites day of mixed emotions. Simmonds with Subban, who was acquired by New Jersey in a trade with Nashville last month. The joy of locking up forward Timo Meier with a four-year, $24 million contract was tempered by the loss of Pavelski to Dallas because the In addition to the acquisitions of Simmonds and Subban, a six-time All- Sharks didn’t have the salary cap room to keep their captain after Star defenseman, they selected forward Jack Hughes with the No. 1 handing out a $92 million contract to Erik Karlsson last month. overall pick in last month’s draft.

‘‘It’s emotional,’’ Wilson said. ‘‘You have a heart, you have a head, and Lee stays with Islanders you understand these decisions have to be made and they get made. You have mixed emotions. Very excited for Timo, very excited for the A year after the New York Islanders lost captain John Tavares to Toronto opportunities that are coming for the rest of the team. But you love what in free agency, his successor chose to stay. Joe Pavelski brought to this organization for so many years. It’s a reality A person with knowledge of the move says the team agreed to terms with of this business and this system. That part doesn’t make it any easier.’’ Anders Lee on a $49 million, seven-year deal. The person spoke to The Pavelski, who turns 35 this month, developed from a unheralded Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not seventh-round pick in 2003 to one of the greatest players in Sharks announced the contract. history, ranking second in team history in goals (355), third in points Lee joins fellow forwards Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle in re-signing (761), and fourth in games played (963). with the Islanders this offseason.

Meier, who turns 23 in October, is coming off a breakthrough season The Minnesota Wild signed free agent right wing Mats Zuccarello to a when he became a fixture as a top six forward in San Jose. He had 30 five-year, $30 million contract, seeking more consistent production from goals and 36 assists in 78 games. their top two lines after their streak of six straight trips to the playoffs was The Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Cody Ceci, a 2020 third-round snapped this spring. pick and minor leaguers Ben Harpur, and Aaron Luchuk from the Ottawa Zuccarello has 355 points in 511 NHL regular season games, including a Senators for defenseman Nikita Zaitsev, forward Connor Brown, and combined 12 goals and 28 assists in 48 games for the Rangers and the minor leaguer Michael Carcone. Stars while averaging a career-high 19:51 of ice time per game in 2018- The deal represents a much-needed change of scenery for Ceci, Zaitsev, 19. The 31-year-old also has 42 points in 73 career playoff games. and Brown. Zaitsev had asked to be traded and waived his no-trade Zuccarello, a 5-8, 184-pound Finn, played the first eight-plus seasons of clause to complete the move across Ontario. Toronto, which still needs to his career with the Rangers. The Wild scored just 210 goals in 2018-19, sign restricted free agent forward Mitch Marner to a new contract, cleared the fifth-fewest in the league. $6.6 million in badly needed cap space. Ceci is a restricted free agent Around the league

The Penguins used some of their wiggle room under the salary cap created by trading Phil Kessel to Arizona to land Winnipeg forward Brandon Tanev during the opening day of NHL free agency. Tanev signed a six-year deal with an average annual value of $3.5 million. The 27-year-old is coming off a career season with the Jets. Tanev collected 14 goals and 15 assists for Winnipeg, both career highs . . . Longtime Ducks standout wing Corey Perry signed a one-year, $1-million contract with the Stars that includes $1.75 million in bonuses, according to the team. This will be in addition to the $2 million that the Ducks will pay him in the first season of his buyout . . . Patrik Nemeth signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings, who were desperately in search of defensive depth. Nemeth had one goal and 10 assists last year in Dallas. The 27-year-old Swede has four goals and 35 assists over six seasons with the Stars and Colorado Avalanche. Detroit may have to replace Niklas Kronwall, a key player on the blue line. Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has said 38-year-old defenseman can take his time this summer to decide whether he wants to return or retire . . . Dallas lost veteran forward Jason Spezza, who is heading to play in his hometown of Toronto after signing a one-year, $700,000 deal with the Maple Leafs . . . A former Oilers goaltender is going to Calgary and a former Flames goaltender is going to Edmonton. Calgary signed Cam Talbot to a $2.75 million, one-year deal, while Edmonton agreed to sign Mike Smith to a $2 million, one-year deal with incentives . . . Goaltender Robin Lehner and forward Ryan Carpenter agreed to free agent deals with the Blackhawks, continuing an active summer for Chicago after it missed the playoffs for the second straight year. Lehner got a $5 million, one-year contract after he earned a career-high 25 wins last season with the Islanders. He also had a 2.13 goals-against average, .930 save percentage and six shutouts. Carpenter, 28, spent the previous two seasons with Vegas. The deal with Chicago has an average annual value of $1 million. The Blackhawks also agreed to a two-year contract extension with forward David Kampf. The deal has an average annual value of $1 million . . . Richard Panik signed a four-year, $11 million contract with the Washington Capitals. The 28-year-old forward had 14 goals and 19 assists in 75 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season..

Boston Globe LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107134 Boston Bruins

Brett Ritchie fits Bruins’ mold

By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: July 2, 2019 at 5:30 pm | UPDATED: July 2, 2019 at 6:06 PM

The Bruins have a reputation as a team that bangs around.

That wasn’t inaccurate last season, but it certainly wasn’t the only part of their identity. They brought speed, skill, and special teams prowess.

It turned out, that wasn’t enough to beat the Blues in the Stanley Cup Final. Whether that’s because they couldn’t match the physicality or they relied too much on matching, that is a different argument.

The fallout discussion revolved around the former, though, and the Bruins needing to get bigger and tougher.

For those who believe that, Brett Ritchie should fit the bill.

“I’d say most of (his goals) come from within 15-foot circle around the net,” he said. “Obviously not every one. But a lot of them are rebounds around the net, driving the net getting a stick on it. Maybe a bang-bang play backdoor, a lot of stuff in tight like that seems to be where I have the most success.”

That sounds a lot like what the Bruins need, but his offensive numbers don’t jump off the page.

Ritchie scored 16 goals in his first full season in the league in 2016-17, something the Bruins don’t expect out of the second-round pick from 2011. Just having a 6-foot-3 player who can mix it up (57 penalty minutes last season) is enough to make a lot of folks happy.

Any offensive contribution from Ritchie, though, would solve some problems — namely, scoring from the right side.

But make no mistake, that’s not why Ritchie is there.

“I’m never going to stray away from my game,” he said. “That’s always going to be a part of it. I don’t think there’s ever going to be a time where you’re going to think I’m not trying to be physical on purpose. That’s something I try to bring night in and night out. It’s something that makes me an effective player and it’s something I’ll continue to do.”

It’s not out of the question to think Ritchie’s skills could thrive in Boston. Chris Wagner had never scored more than six goals in a season before joining the Bruins, and he exploded for 12 in an expanded role.

Ritchie in an expanded role means the Bruins didn’t add anyone else in the offseason, or none of the prospects took advantage of openings. That’s not the ideal scenario.

At the least, there’s something to work with in Ritchie’s game. He’s shown he can score when given the opportunity — one he didn’t have with Dallas last season, especially sitting out all but one game in the postseason — and his physical brand already is a welcomed addition.

“Obviously it has been a little up and down,” he said. “I was given an opportunity a couple years ago with a little more ice time and I was able to sort of take off with that. I think that was more of the style — whenever I’ve been given the opportunity I’ve been an effective player.

“There’s no reason why in my mind that that can’t transpire again.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107135 Boston Bruins If they’re not going to in free agency, maybe a trade shores things up. If not, these are the pieces the Bruins have. Whether any of them make the leap they’re going to need remains to be seen.

Evaluating what the Bruins have at forward after the start of free agency

Boston Herald LOADED: 07.03.2019 By MARISA INGEMI | [email protected] | Boston Herald

PUBLISHED: July 2, 2019 at 5:00 pm | UPDATED: July 2, 2019 at 6:12 PM

The Bruins don’t appear to have intentions to do much more this offseason, at least when it comes to the free agent market.

There always is the possibility they make a trade, with a hair over $10 million in cap space and three restricted free agents to sign. As confident as Don Sweeney sounded about being able to keep all of them, there’s going to be a crunch.

It’s unlikely the Bruins won’t have any other transactions this offseason, even if they fully intend on being done with this free agent class. It’s more and more unlikely Marcus Johansson will be back, with Sweeney admitting they don’t have an offer out for him. Unless there’s a trade, that leaves the Bruins roster as is.

The team mostly is unchanged, aside from slight adjustments here and there. Noel Acciari is gone, Brett Ritchie is in the mix. Par Lindholm likely will compete for a spot.

So given the current roster, how do the Bruins project to line up?

It’s a team that was 60 minutes away from hoisting a Stanley Cup, so on paper there’s not a terrible amount of change needed. That said, there are plenty of flaws, namely, scoring on the right side.

Ritchie is a right winger who has had a 16-goal season in the NHL, but he is hardly the guy they’re going to rely upon to boost scoring. David Backes — if he’s not traded — also is on that side after an up-and-down campaign in which he sat out the last three games of the Final.

Only so many roster spots are solidified. The top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak is locked in. David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk are, as well. Charlie Coyle is back, whether centering the third line or on a wing somewhere. Danton Heinen, assuming he signs as an RFA, will be back.

Then the pieces to the puzzle get more jagged.

The Bruins have a lot of guys who fill similar roles. Sean Kuraly, Chris Wagner and Joakim Nordstrom all are under contract. The Bruins hoped Kuraly would seize a bigger role last season, and maybe they will this year as well. Wagner overachieved — or grew into the type of player he is — and Nordstrom did enough to stay in the lineup as a valuable piece.

Enter Ritchie, left-handed center Lindholm, Karson Kuhlman, Oskar Steen, Jack Studnicka and Zach Senyshyn into the mix.

Kuhlman played the final two games in the Stanley Cup Final and showed he can play in the NHL, and he even skated with the top six forwards at times. The Bruins would like more of a sure thing on their top two lines, but with his speed and penalty kill skill set he is a candidate to make the team.

Studnicka is one of the Bruins’ top prospects and they plan on keeping him at center. If he makes the team, where does that leave Coyle or Kuraly? Studnicka himself has expressed willingness to play on the wing.

Steen is a center, but after a sharp development camp has put himself in the conversation. He’s a right-hand shot, which might put him ahead of Anton Blidh or Paul Carey as far as opportunity.

The organization still has center Trent Frederic and winger Peter Cehlarik as well. Perhaps no one has an opportunity in front of them like right- hand shot Senyshyn, who played the Bruins’ final two regular-season games. The first-rounder from 2015 hasn’t had an easy career path, but the Bruins probably would love nothing more than one of their prospects seizing a role.

It’s what was missing last season, and while they were close to a Cup, roster turnover is a reality. The Bruins need to keep up. 1107136 Boston Bruins

Joe Sakic has great quote on Avalanche reining in Nazem Kadri come playoff time

By Nick Goss

July 02, 2019 4:10 PM

Nazem Kadri has had trouble staying on the ice in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but his new team has a simple solution.

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Kadri, Calle Rosen and a 2020 third- round draft pick to the Colorado Avalanche for Tyson Barrie, Alexander Kerfoot and a 2020 sixth-round pick. Kadri was a useful player for Toronto as a second or third-line center, but his lengthy playoff suspensions in each of the last two seasons -- both in the first round against the Boston Bruins -- hurt the Leafs' chances of a deep run.

Avalanche executive vice president of hockey operations Joe Sakic recently was asked about preventing further postseason suspensions from Kadri, and his answer was fantastic.

Asked Joe Sakic how they plan on reining in Kadri come playoff time (no suspensions):

"Yeah. Don't play Boston".

Zing!

The chances of the Avalanche and Bruins facing each other in the playoffs -- it would have to be a Stanley Cup Final matchup -- are slim, even though both teams are coming off impressive 2018-19 seasons. So, while the Leafs were unable to maximize Kadri's playoff production because of his dirty play, the Avs shouldn't have the same issues over in the Western Conference.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107137 Boston Bruins

Noel Acciari thanks Bruins and their fans in heartfelt Instagram post

By Darren Hartwell

July 02, 2019 8:23 AM

After growing up in Rhode Island, attending Providence College and spending four years in the Boston Bruins' organization, Noel Acciari is finally moving on from New England.

The free-agent forward agreed to terms with the Florida Panthers on a three-year deal worth $5 million Monday, ending his tenure in Boston.

And while the Panthers presents an exciting opportunity for Acciari, the 27-year-old holds the Bruins close to his heart. Here's Acciari's message for the B's and their fans on Instagram:

Acciari had broken through as a reliable, physical bottom-six forward in Boston, playing in 132 games for the B's over the last two seasons and contributing to Boston's 2019 Stanley Cup Final run with two goals and two assists in the playoffs.

But as he explained to NHL Network on Monday, Florida will offer Acciari the chance to advance his career.

"I am very excited for this upcoming season and the next three years. I think we're going to have a good team."

The Bruins made a few minor moves on the first day of free agency Monday, but general manager Don Sweeney suggested a big splash isn't coming as they aim to get back to the Cup Final in 2020.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107138 Buffalo Sabres Montreal

Gains: Minimal. Backup goaltender Keith Kincaid was signed from New Jersey and is probably an upgrade over Antti Niemi behind Carey Price. Big additions, big misses mark Atlantic Division in wake of free agency Losses: The big one came Tuesday, when Carolina matched the $42.25 million offer sheet the Habs entered for Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho. By Mike Harrington The Habs were betting Carolina owner Tom Dundon would balk at a bonus-filled offer that included $21 million over the first year, but it didn't Published Tue, Jul 2, 2019|Updated Tue, Jul 2, 2019 happen. Andrew Shaw was traded back to Chicago and Jordie Benn signed as a free agent with Vancouver, so that's two key veterans lost.

Former Sabre Nic Deslauriers was dealt to Anaheim. Tampa Bay and Montreal swung big and missed. Florida reeled in one Summer outlook: Hard to figure what GM Marc Bergevin does next after big fish and lost another. Toronto did an extreme makeover. The Buffalo the Aho bid failed. The Habs have nearly $12 million of cap space in the Sabres were one of several teams to play it cool. wake of the Carolina match. Maybe they just figure to keep watching The Atlantic Division was top-heavy last season, with Tampa Bay, young standouts like Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Ryan Poehling and Victor Mete Boston and Toronto all hitting 100 points, Montreal at 96 and no one else grow while Price makes most of the saves, then look to add at the trade over 90. The top of the division still looks strong while the Habs and deadline. Panthers try to crack the playoffs and the Sabres in a bottom trio with Florida Detroit and Ottawa hoping young talent will continue to spark improvement. Gains: Seven years and $70 million is a lot for a goalie and Sergei Bobrovsky will have to live up to the deal – and get this team to a Here's a look at the division in the wake of Monday's free agent frenzy, postseason series victory for the first time since 1996. A four-year deal to with an added eye on what's left on their agendas before training camp: Brett Connolly (Washington) and three years to Noel Acciari (Boston) are Tampa Bay solid additions to the depth up front. Three years and $16.5 million to Anton Stralman (Tampa Bay) adds experience to the blueline but seems Gains: With load management for goaltenders a growing talking point like an overpay. through the playoffs, the Lightning signed Carolina's Curtis McElhinney to a two-year, $1.7 million contract. It lightens the load on Andrei Losses: The Panthers didn't get the package deal they hoped of Artemi Vasilevskiy, who had a 3.82 goals-against average and .856 save Panarin with Bobrovsky but still did well overall. And now they have Joel percentage in the four-game collapse against Columbus in the first Quenneville as coach. Hard to complain. round. Defensemen Luke Schenn (one year) and Luke Witkowski (two Summer outlook: The heavy work is done for GM Dale Tallon. Maybe years) were signed to deals with $700,000 cap hits. another depth forward could be in the offing. From 86 points last year, Losses: Veteran defensemen Anton Stralman (Florida) and Dan Girardi they rate as the division's biggest X-Factor club. How many points will (unsigned) were not retained, but the biggest defeat might have come Quenneville (and Bobrovsky) be worth? when Joe Pavelski chose Dallas over Tampa Bay and prevented the Detroit Lightning from adding another veteran voice to the dressing room and even more scoring touch to the lineup. Gains: The return of forward Valtteri Filppula was the biggest July 1 news. Patrik Nemeth (Colorado) joined the defense. Yawn. Summer outlook: The cap issues are acute and the Bolts will hold their breath that no one will tender an offer sheet to restricted free agent Losses: Lots of status quo. Brayden Point while they're trying to figure out how to get him signed to a long-term deal. Summer outlook: Veteran defenseman Niklas Kronwall is mulling retirement and would need to be replaced if he does call it a career. Nen Boston GM Steve Yzerman may look for another forward but this season will be about getting 2018 first-rounder Filip Zadina ready for the NHL full-time. Gains: Two straight 100-point seasons plus a trip to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last month doesn't cry out for much change. The East Buffalo champions mostly stood pat, adding depth veterans Brett Ritchie (Dallas) and Par Lindholm (Winnipeg) while also re-signing defenseman Connor Gains: Winger Jimmy Vesey and defenseman Colin Miller were Clifton to a three-year deal. underrated trade acquisitions, done just for draft picks to teams looking to clear cap space. Four depth signings should make Rochester a Losses: Fourth-liner Noel Acciari, a pest during the Cup final, left for contender in the AHL and provide some competition for training camp. Florida and center Marcus Johansson – who would look good in the Sabres' lineup – won't be re-signed. This is one stable lineup. Losses: Nothing yet, even though there are several pieces to the roster most fans would like to see elsewhere. Summer outlook: Defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo are RFAs who need to be signed and GM Don Sweeney said Monday he Summer outlook: Trade Rasmus Ristolainen if you can get top-six doesn't expect any issues there. Expect veteran David Backes, a scratch forward help. Keep him if you can't find it. Re-sign Jason Pominville for by the end of St. Louis series, to be traded and perhaps another veteran the fourth line. Hope No. 1 pick Dylan Cozens' thumb surgery doesn't winger to be acquired. create too much downtime to stunt his development.

Toronto Ottawa

Gains: The defense was completely remade with the acquisitions of Gains: New coach D.J. Smith will have several of his former players from Colorado stud Tyson Barrie and the Ottawa tandem of Cody Ceci and Toronto with him in a new home. Nikita Zaitsev and Ron Hainsey will be Ben Harpur. Alex Kerfoot (Colorado) and Jason Spezza (Dallas) join the on defense while Connor Brown and former Sabre Tyler Ennis joined the forward core. Some super additions. forward group.

Losses: Center Nazem Kadri went to Colorado in the Barrie-Kerfoot deal Losses: Defensemen Cody Ceci and Ben Harpur went to Toronto. and takes with him much of the club's grit up front – but consecutive Summer Outlook: It's all about getting 22-year-old defenseman Thomas playoff suspensions against Boston simply could not be overlooked Chabot signed as he heads into the final year of his entry-level deal. anymore. Defensemen Nikita Zaitsev and Ron Hainsey and forwards Connor Brown and Tyler Ennis all ended up in Ottawa.

Summer outlook: GM Kyle Dubas did quite a remake on the fly of a team Buffalo News LOADED: 07.03.2019 with three straight first-round exits but now comes his toughest task: Signing Mitch Marner, Kerfoot and Ceci as RFAs. He'll need to put Nathan Horton on long-term injured reserve and perhaps shed other salary – all the while hoping Marner doesn't get an offer sheet. 1107139 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres sign winger C.J. Smith to two-year, $1.4 million deal

By Mike Harrington

Published Tue, Jul 2, 2019|Updated Tue, Jul 2, 2019

The Sabres signed the first of their seven restricted free agents Tuesday, reaching agreement on a two-year, $1.4 million contract with winger C.J. Smith.

Smith, 24, had 28 goals and 30 assists last season in Rochester, ranking second on the team in goals and points and third in assists. He led the Amerks with a plus-26 rating.

Signed as a college free agent in 2017 out of Massachusetts-Lowell, Smith played 11 games for the Sabres last season and scored his first two NHL goals in wins Jan. 8 against New Jersey and Feb. 5 against Minnesota. He's expected to be in the mix for the battle for slots at left wing when training camp is held in September.

Smith has 102 points in 119 career games in Rochester the last two years. He was the Amerks' rookie of the year in 2018 and earned MVP honors at the 2018 AHL All-Star Challenge.

The Sabres' remaining RFAs whom they extended qualifying offers to are forwards Evan Rodrigues, Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson and Remi Elie, defenseman Jake McCabe and goalie Linus Ullmark.

Buffalo News LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107140 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres top draft pick Dylan Cozens to undergo procedure on left thumb

By Lance Lysowski

Published Tue, Jul 2, 2019|Updated Tue, Jul 2, 2019

Dylan Cozens, the Buffalo Sabres' top pick in the 2019 NHL draft, will undergo a procedure on his injured left thumb Wednesday, and an estimated timeline for recovery won't be released until later this week, the team announced Tuesday.

Cozens, a 6-foot-3 center selected seventh overall by the Sabres, was expected to see a specialist Monday after he fell on his left hand during the 3-on-3 French Connection Tournament on Saturday in Harborcenter. He was upended by defenseman Brandon Hickey during his team's first game and immediately took off his glove before leaving for the dressing room.

"I saw the videos and stuff. I think it looked a lot worse than it really was," Cozens said Saturday after he was unable to finish the tournament. "I'm feeling good. I'm not concerned. I'm confident it feels good, but I'll learn more when I see the specialist."

Surgery indicates the specialist likely felt conservative treatment such as splinting was no longer an option and that the thumb needed to be stabilized. Though the the extent of the damage is unclear, Cozens might be in jeopardy of missing the start of training camp in September.

Cozens, 18, was expected to compete for a roster spot; however, he likely needs one more junior season with the 's Lethbridge Hurricanes. Cozens, who was ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the fifth-best North American skater in the draft, scored 34 goals among 84 points in 68 games this past season, tied for 10th in the league.

He became the first player from the Yukon Territory to be selected in the first round of the NHL draft and could become only the third player in the Yukon Territory to appear in an NHL game. The others are Peter Sturgeon (six games from 1979 to 1981) and Bryon Baltimore (two games in 1979-80).

The injury might create some urgency for Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill to acquire a center this offseason. Jack Eichel and Casey Mittelstadt are the only two centers currently under an NHL contract for the Sabres next season, while restricted free agents Evan Rodrigues and Johan Larsson received qualifying offers last month.

Botterill added depth Monday when the Sabres signed forward Curtis Lazar to a one-year, one-way contract, creating further competition down the middle. Though Cozens likely needs time to physically mature before beginning an NHL career, he was one of the more impressive prospects during development camp last week and showed the strength to hold off defenders while driving to the net.

"It's been a positive week for him," Botterill said Saturday. "He was obviously very excited about where he was drafted and coming in and getting to know our staff and getting to know the city. It's been a great week. It's certainly a little bit of disappointment, but let's see where it's at from our doctors and we'll proceed from there."

Buffalo News LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107141 Buffalo Sabres

How many future draft picks the Sabres own after recent trades

By Lance Lysowski

Published Tue, Jul 2, 2019|Updated Tue, Jul 2, 2019

In a matter of three days, Buffalo Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill traded three draft picks to acquire defenseman Colin Miller and winger Jimmy Vesey from the Vegas Golden Knights and New York Rangers, respectively.

The trades addressed two significant needs for the Sabres and allowed Botterill to circumvent the lucrative long-term contracts given to top players when free agency opened Monday. The Sabres also could afford to deal from a surplus of draft picks and are well-positioned to make an additional trade.

For Miller, the Sabres sent a second-round pick in 2021 – which was originally acquired by Buffalo from St. Louis in the Ryan O'Reilly trade – and a 2022 fifth-round selection to Vegas on Friday. Botterill then dealt a 2021 third-round selection to the Rangers for Vesey on Monday.

The Sabres currently own six picks in the 2020 draft with selections in the first, second, fourth, fifth and seventh rounds. They have two picks in the final round after acquiring a conditional seventh-round pick from Dallas last November in exchange for defenseman Taylor Fedun. Buffalo traded its third- and sixth-round picks to acquire Jeff Skinner from Carolina last August.

The Sabres also own all their picks in the 2021 draft, except for the third- round selection that was sent to New York for Vesey. Buffalo has a pick in each round of the 2022 draft, with the exception being the fifth-round selection sent to Vegas in the Miller trade.

The team has owned six picks in each of Botterill's three drafts as general manager.

2020 Sabres draft picks

First: Own

Second: Own

Third: None

Fourth: Own

Fifth: None

Sixth: Own

Seventh: Own and conditional pick from Dallas

2021 Sabres draft picks

First: Own

Second: Own

Third: None

Fourth: Own

Fifth: Own

Sixth: Own

Seventh: Own

Buffalo News LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107142 Buffalo Sabres

Former Sabres player Patrik Berglund signs contract in Sweden

By Lance Lysowski

Published Tue, Jul 2, 2019|Updated Tue, Jul 2, 2019

Patrik Berglund's hiatus from professional hockey lasted almost seven months.

Berglund, who abruptly left the Buffalo Sabres in December before having his contract terminated, signed a one-year contract with Djurgardens IF of the Swedish Hockey League on Tuesday. Berglund, 31, told his hometown newspaper — Vestmanlands Läns Tidning in Vasteras, Sweden — in January that he lost his passion and joy for hockey upon being traded from St. Louis to Buffalo last July.

Berglund reportedly received interest from NHL teams this offseason but will remain in Sweden to try to re-establish himself. He scored only two goals among four points in 23 games for the Sabres, though he he is only one season removed from scoring 17 goals in 57 games for the Blues.

Berglund was acquired in the Ryan O'Reilly trade to provide center depth behind Jack Eichel and supplementary scoring. He scored 40 goals over the previous two seasons and had a faceoff percentage of 50.9 percent. But Berglund was demoted to a fourth-line role and was averaging a career-low 13 minutes, 3 seconds per game.

On the heels of the team's 10-game winning streak, Berglund was mysteriously absent for practice ahead of a two-game road trip to Washington and Boston on Dec. 15. Former Sabres coach Phil Housley told the media Berglund was ill; however, the team announced one day later that Berglund had been suspended indefinitely.

Berglund failed to join the team for the road trip, and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Berglund was unhappy being traded to Buffalo in the first place because he failed to turn in his list of approved trade destinations to the Blues on time.

Berglund later told his hometown newspaper that outwardly he tried to act as if he were content with the move. However, he struggled with the timing of transition, which forced him to leave home in Sweden earlier than usual to arrange the move to Buffalo.

Buffalo News LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107143 Buffalo Sabres “If it ever came to a situation where there wasn’t room, we’d certainly follow up with him. By the same token, I just asked for the respect that if he was going to move on to another organization, just to give me a What’s next for the Sabres after the first day of free agency? head’s up. So we’ve kept that dialogue going on.”

Josh Archibald – The 26-year-old was drafted by Botterill and Pittsburgh in 2011, so that obviously counts for something. Archibald finally played By John Vogl his first full season in the NHL last year, and he recorded 12 goals and 22 points while skating just 13:34 a night. His goals per 60 minutes of Jul 2, 2019 0.78 was tied with Jimmy Vesey, so maybe Archibald is a late bloomer who’s ready for a bigger role.

The Sabres aren’t done. They can’t be done. They aren’t good enough He made $700,000 last year. yet. Pontus Aberg – He skates fast and is Swedish, two things the Sabres So what’s next? like. The 25-year-old is also an enigma who seems like a highlight waiting to happen but is just as likely to get scratched. He has 61 goals in Buffalo still needs a center to take pressure off Casey Mittelstadt. A his last 136 AHL games, but it simply hasn’t worked with Nashville, proven player would be nice for the right side. Rasmus Ristolainen could Edmonton, Anaheim and Minnesota. The Wild didn’t even deliver a help bring either one of those and there are still teams that need him. qualifying offer after seeing one goal in 22 games. The Sabres already took a flier on Curtis Lazar, but maybe another minimum contract could After an opening day of free agency that strengthened the Sabres but land some production. hardly made them a contender, let’s look at the open market for forwards and re-examine the teams that need (or needed) a right-handed Aberg made $650,000 last season. defenseman. That’s pretty much it for the right wingers. There are decent left wingers Centers on the market – Marcus Johansson, Ryan Dzingel, Patrick Maroon, Micheal Ferland and Thomas Vanek – but the trade for Vesey seemingly There are no clear-cut No. 2 middle men left. It’s debatable if any of them settled the Sabres’ left side. They also have Jeff Skinner, Victor Olofsson are better than Mittelstadt even at this early stage of his career, but and Conor Sheary, so it’s not a position of need. they’d be an upgrade over Vladimir Sobotka and Johan Larsson. Neither is defense. It’s overstocked, which is why Botterill will keep Brian Boyle – The 34-year-old showed last season he’s still got a lot left, making phone calls to other GMs. He’s done a good job of downplaying scoring 18 times for New Jersey and Nashville. No one in Buffalo can Ristolainen rumors – it really wouldn’t kill them to bring him back – but it match his playoff experience. Boyle has reached the Stanley Cup final just doesn’t make sense to have four big contracts at right defense when with the Rangers and Lightning, which is a big reason contending teams only three guys can play. They didn’t acquire Brandon Montour and Colin have acquired him at two of the past three deadlines. Miller to scratch them, so speculation will continue about Ristolainen and He made $2.5 million last year. injured Zach Bogosian.

Derick Brassard – He played for three teams last season, scoring 14 Vancouver was a rumored destination for Ristolainen, but the Canucks times for Pittsburgh, Florida and Colorado. He averaged 20 goals per handed out a massive five-year, $30 million contract to Tyler Myers on season from 2013 to 2018, which would certainly be of use to Buffalo. Monday. That gives them Myers, Chris Tanev and Troy Stecher on the But he turns 32 in September, so was last season’s scoring dip a sign right side, so there’s no longer a trade fit. that he’s slowing down or just the product of being traded? There are teams that could use a right-shot defenseman, though: His salary was $3.5 million last year. Winnipeg – The Jets have only Dustin Byfuglien and recently acquired Riley Sheahan – The 6-foot-3 center will score 10 goals and has shown Neal Pionk as their right-shot defensemen. They still have to sign signs of being a playmaker. Though he had just 10 assists while splitting restricted free agents Kyle Connor and . Those two are part last season between Pittsburgh and Florida, he’s topped 20 helpers of a nice group of forwards that includes Nikolaj Ehlers. twice. The 27-year-old from nearby St. Catharines, Ontario, is a It’s a situation to watch. dependable faceoff man who kills penalties. Anaheim – After trading Montour to Buffalo for the left-handed Brendan He made $2.1 million last season. Guhle, the Ducks are thin on the right side with Josh Hanson and Nick Cousins – He carved out a decent role in Arizona the past two Korbinian Holzer. Anaheim is no longer a Stanley Cup favorite, but seasons, scoring 12 times in 2017-18 and picking up 20 assists last year. adding Ristolainen to a group that includes Ryan Getzlaf, Adam Henrique The 25-year-old played almost exclusively at even strength, and the and Cam Fowler would go over well. Versatile Rickard Rakell is one of Sabres like guys who are decent at five-on-five. the few forwards without a no-trade clause.

Cousins made $1.05 million last season. Tampa Bay – Hello again, old friend. The connection just won’t die and why should it? The Lightning signed right-hander Luke Schenn for the Right wingers league minimum Monday, so they still need an impact player. Tampa has a long list of forwards who could help the Sabres – Yanni Gourde, Tyler As the Sabres’ bad luck would have it, the cupboard is nearly empty at a Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Anthony Cirelli, among others – but the first position of need. three have no-trade clauses and Cirelli is a young stud on an entry-level Justin Williams – The ageless veteran keyed Carolina’s renaissance. deal. Though he’ll be 38 when the season starts, Williams has scored at least You have to think if there was a deal it could have been made by now, 22 times in three of the past four seasons. He is coming off an but talks will linger until one of the teams fills its need. As Botterill said impressive 23-goal, 30-assist outing. And if by chance the Sabres finally Monday, the Sabres are going to continue to talk. make the playoffs, Williams will be ready. He has 101 points in 155 postseason games.

He made $4 million last season. The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 Jason Pominville – He’s essentially the Sabres’ fallback plan. They’re going to look around for upgrades from the 36-year-old, who scored 16 times last season. If Buffalo doesn’t find one, it will give him a call.

“There is the utmost respect from our organization and from me personally about Jason Pominville,” general manager Jason Botterill said Monday. “I did speak with Jason this past week. He’s been obviously working out in our facility this spring. Him and his family have gone back to Montreal for the summer. 1107144 Calgary Flames The skinny: After going undrafted in Vancouver, the Kelowna, B.C., native received a tryout from their friendly neighbours at Scotiabank Saddledome, who have seen the 18-year-old first-hand. Ranked 138th Flames prospects camp: Five players to watch among North American skaters in the NHL’s final Central Scouting rankings, the stay-at-home defender is known for a good first pass out of the defensive zone and brings a physical game to the table. He’s big, has a good reach, and is expected to be a big part of the Hitmen this Kristen Anderson, Postmedia upcoming season. This weekend will be a chance for him to grow his game, confidence, and potentially turn it into an NHL contract.

It’s that time of the year again. 4. Alexander Yelesin

With a number of key signings on their agenda this summer, the annual Age: 23 Calgary Flames development camp will provide a welcome diversion Position: Right-handed defenceman from the pressing monetary matters at hand. Training camp digits: 45 Starting with fitness testing on Wednesday at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre and ending with a controlled scrimmage on Sunday, 40 Measurements: Five-foot-11 and 192-pounds prospects will be evaluated by the Flames brass. 2018-19 stats: 4G, 6A in 55GP, 25 PIM, -2 w/Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (KHL) Twenty-five of those players are property of the Calgary Flames while 15 others are invited to attend on try-out agreements. The skinny: It doesn’t help to be the ‘old guy’ at these types of things and, at 23, Alexander Yelesin certainly isn’t all that old. But he’s sure to All on-ice sessions are open to the public and we’ve hand-selected a few stand out. The Flames were keen on getting him to North America and prospects that we believe are worth watching: acclimatize to the organization, starting with this week’s prospects camp. You can never have too many right-shot defencemen and the KHL all- FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH star seems to have an upside, but you never really know until they show 1. Jakob Pelletier up among NHL players. This is the start.

Age: 18 5. Matthew Phillips

Position: Left wing Age: 21

Training camp digits: 49 Position: Right wing

Measurements: 5-foot-9 and 165-pounds Training camp digits: 47

2018-19 stats: 39G, 50A in 65 GP for the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) Measurements: Five-foot-seven, 155-pounds

The skinny: The Flames hollered Pelletier’s name with their 26th overall 2018-19 stats: 13G, 25A in 65 GP for (AHL) pick in the first round of the NHL Draft in Vancouver, so there is some The skinny: Coming off his first professional season, the undersized right immediate intrigue with him. The mature-beyond-his-18-years, winger is another “old guy” at training camp. Having been plucked in the undersized winger is billed by some as being a highly offensive, sixth-round of the 2016 NHL draft by the Flames, the former Victoria opportunistic player with good vision — at the major junior hockey level, Royals star was adjusting to life as a pro player and is continuing his of course. But this week and through the weekend, he’ll be pitted against development. He’s been featured in this space before — as a darkhorse- older and more experienced players, which always makes for interesting type player to watch — and made a lasting impression last fall. Late debate. Can he handle himself? How does he compare? And, most bloomers are often some of the more fascinating stories and Phillips, you importantly, what does he need to do to get to the NHL level? could say, is a late bloomer. Part of the Black Aces squad with the 2. Nick Schneider Flames during their short playoff run this spring, Phillips continues to gain experience daily. Under contract through 2020-21, gaining strength will Age: 21 always be a goal of his and it’s no different this off-season, his second as a full-time pro. Position: Goaltender

Training camp digits: 70 Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.03.2019 Measurements: Six-foot-two and 175-pounds

2018-19 stats: 3.66 GAA, .884 SV, 7-11-3 w/Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL); 2.45 GAA, .922 SV, 6-3-0 w/Stockton Heat (AHL).

The skinny: You can’t help cheer for this former Western Hockey League netminder. Schneider was a training camp walk-on in the summer of 2015 and wound up with an NHL contract in the fall. He parlayed that into a three-year deal that expires at the end of this season. It says a lot about what the organization feels about hom when they moved on from their second-round pick (34th overall) in the 2014 draft, Mason McDonald. Goaltending is a fickle position and often unpredictable (just ask the St. Louis Blues). While there are only, virtually, six jobs in the organization — two of which are locked up by David Rittich and Cam Talbot — Schneider is an interesting piece and darkhorse on the depth chart.

3. Jackson van de Leest

Age: 18

Position: Left-handed defenceman

Training camp digits: 98

Measurements: Six-foot-six, 223-pounds

2018-19 stats: 1G, 20A in 67 GP, 75 PIM, -5 w/Calgary Hitmen (WHL) 1107145 Calgary Flames “Obviously, you don’t win the conference if you don’t have a good team, and I know (the Flames) have a really good group of forwards,” Froese said. “But you know what? There is always a chance. You can come in, Flames look to their own backyard for depth signings Davidson, Froese you can impress, you can beat someone out. You just try to add value in any way possible that the team may need. I think that my value comes in reliability and being a solid two-way centre, being solid in the defensive zone and winning faceoffs. But I can also play the wing too, so I’m kind of Wes Gilbertson versatile that way. I just want to find a way to contribute to the team. You try to change a couple minds, to stick in a couple minds, and then you never know what’s going to happen come October.” Byron Froese didn’t have to go far for his free-agent meet-and-greet with the Calgary Flames. The new guy knows of what he speaks.

From his doorstep in the southeast suburb of Auburn Bay, this would be “That’s been basically the story of my career,” Froese continued, a more-than-manageable daily commute. reflecting on his climb from the ECHL to The Show. “After my entry-level, I didn’t get any NHL offers and not really any AHL offers, so I signed in “With good traffic, it’s only about 25 minutes to the Saddledome. So not The Coast and had to battle my way back up and within a year I was too bad,” said the 28-year-old forward after signing a one-year, two-way playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Less than a year from The Coast to pact with the Flames on the opening day of unrestricted free-agency. the NHL, that just doesn’t happen, right? “I’ve been spending my summers in Calgary for the last six years. So an extra month, two, three, however many it might be … And then just “And when I signed in Montreal two years ago, I don’t think anybody having a training camp here and having a chance to possibly crack the expected me to make the team right away. I basically made it out of squad, that was very enticing for me.” camp and I got sent down just so they could make a trade, they told me, and I was back up in two weeks. So especially when you’re going to a For Brandon Davidson, a 25-minute drive is nothing. new team, to a fresh set of eyes, training camp is huge. You can put on a really good show or you can kind of set yourself back a little bit. It’s As a youngster, it was a treat to spend two-plus hours — each direction definitely something I’m going to be prepared for.” — in the car for the chance to see Jarome Iginla and the rest of his hockey heroes in action. Froese has extra motivation to avoid a demotion to Stockton this fall.

The 27-year-old Davidson, raised on an acreage near Taber, Alta., also He and his wife Teil, a graduate of the nursing program at University of inked a two-way deal with the Flames on Canada Day. Calgary, welcomed a baby boy in late May. It sure would be convenient if the family could winter in their summer home in Auburn Bay. Both contracts come with a salary cap-hit of US$700,000 at the NHL level. Davidson, too, is fuelled by more than the fame and financial perks of employment at hockey’s highest level. “For me, I’m basically coming home,” Davidson said. “Playing in front of my family, my friends, having that support in that sense, will be “Big in my decision coming to Calgary was having a chance to play in unbelievable. My family has always supported me wherever I have gone front of my family and kind of give that back to them,” he said. “They and now I get a chance to come home and play in front of them and play have chased me all over the place and I am forever grateful for that. Now in a city where I grew up watching and where I fell in love with the game. is a chance for me to show them how grateful I am and be there back at home, playing in front of them. That’s kind of a little chip on my shoulder “I remember my parents would take my brothers and I to Flames games. coming into this season. That’s what is going to drive me throughout this So this is a dream come true, really, to put my feet down and for them to next year.” give me the opportunity to come in and prove myself and play a successful season.”

Guys like Davidson and Froese have to be searching for opportunity as Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.03.2019 much as address.

Study the Flames’ organizational depth chart and both seem likely to start with the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat, providing leadership for the kids and pushing for a call-up.

Both, of course, have other ideas.

A left-handed rearguard, Davidson has accrued 162 nights of NHL experience on behalf of the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks. He was injured for most of last winter, limited to only 10 contests in the Windy City and a half-dozen more in the minors.

TJ Brodie’s name is still flying around the rumour mill but if the season started tomorrow, Davidson would likely have to unseat blue-chipper Juuso Valimaki or swipe the seventh spot from veteran righty Michael Stone.

“It’s all going to be on performance and how I play,” Davidson said. “There is opportunity for me to start with the major-league team. For me, I’m an experienced guy. I understand the competition and that’s kind of what I flourish on. I think looking at the back-end, I just want to be able to come in there and solidify a spot and then keep working towards moving up the list.

“And I hope that along that journey, that I can help win some hockey games. That’s the real goal here.”

Froese also seems a long-shot to score an opening-night gig at the Saddledome, but that is hardly unfamiliar territory for a guy with 110 big- league skates on his resume.

The right-handed centre from Winkler, Man., logged 48 of those with the Canadiens during the 2017-18 campaign but didn’t make it back to Bell Centre last season, instead captaining their farm club before a trade to the Philadelphia Flyers. 1107146 Calgary Flames Asked if the Talbot signing could help expedite negotiations with Rittich’s camp, given the crease situation is no longer an unknown (i.e. Think of how vastly Rittich’s situation would have changed had the Flames signed Despite an unusually quiet July 1, the Flames have plenty of work to do Sergei Bobrovsky to a seven-year, $70 million deal), Treliving mostly this summer shrugged off such a notion.

“In terms of his negotiation, you’re still basing it on David and his body of work, individually with him. But what I think it does is it gives us a little By Darren Haynes clarity on how we want to go forward,” the GM said. “We have an expectation of where David is going to fall in, just from a cap perspective Jul 2, 2019 and an allocation of dollars perspective.”

Coming off of a one-year $800,000 deal, Rittich is in line for a significant North of $110 million. raise.

From 2014 through 2018 — Brad Treliving’s first five unrestricted free Bennett’s situation also sets up to be an intriguing one. Having never agent shopping sprees at the helm in Calgary — that was the net amount lived up to the hype of being the fourth overall pick in 2014, the 23-year- handed out by the Flames general manager in new contracts. old has nonetheless carved himself a niche as a physical, cantankerous winger, who will stand up to anybody. It’s a coveted role by this team, The highest total came a year ago, when he rung up over $40 million and one that is in high demand and even shorter supply after Garnet during the first couple of days in July, thanks to the signing of James Hathaway signed a four-year, $6-million deal with the Washington Neal ($28.75 million), Derek Ryan ($9.375 million) and Austin Czarnik Capitals. ($2.5 million) to five, three and two-year deals, respectively. “We’re going to miss him, but I’m happy for him. Garnet did it the sweat But this offseason will be different. Or at least, it looks like it, based on way. He came in, American League contract, undrafted. He’s fought for how things have unfolded so far. everything he’s gotten. So to see him rewarded today with the type of contract he got, that’s great for him and his family,” Treliving said. “He Hamstrung by his team’s suffocatingly-tight salary cap situation, brings grit, he brings determination and he’s a terrific teammate. But Treliving’s only notable signing on Monday was goaltender Cam Talbot to that’s the game. In a cap system, you have to make choices. Certainly, a one-year $2.75-million deal. he’s a guy we’d love to have back, but where we sit cap-wise, it just After beginning his NHL career with the New York Rangers, Talbot was wasn’t a fit for us.” acquired by Edmonton, where he spent the past four seasons, before Complicating Bennett’s situation further is his proven ability to elevate his being moved to Philadelphia in February. game in the postseason (while teammates significantly higher on the In Talbot’s first three seasons with the Oilers, he made 193 starts. depth chart have seen their play tail off). Against the Avalanche last Nobody else in the league played more (Martin Jones second at 190, spring, he was Calgary’s most impactful player outside of Mike Smith, Devan Dubnyk third at 188). While the .914 save percentage he leading the team in scoring with five points (one goal, four assists), while fashioned over that span was a sharp drop-off from the .931 he put up logging just 13:14 in average ice time, which ranked 15th on the team. over his two years in New York, it was far superior to his .892 last Bennett is coming off a two-year deal that paid him an AAV of $1.95- season. million.

“If you go back and look at the goalie market, there’s been an ebb and Unlike the situation with Tkachuk, which has the potential to drag out flow with each guy. There’s guys that had great years last year, who had over the summer and perhaps into training camp — and even beyond, some struggles the year before,” Treliving said. “To me, it’s not taking a Rittich and Bennett are both arbitration-eligible. Should they choose to snapshot so much as it’s taking a body of work.” elect that option, that would turn up the intensity on their negotiations and ensure those deals get done by early August at the latest. The bet is that the soon to be 32-year-old can produce a bounce-back season while both supporting and pushing 26-year-old David Rittich, who Mangiapane, who is now waiver eligible, meaning he is a lock to stay in saw his workload increase from 16 starts in his rookie season to 42 last Calgary, should be the easiest of those four to get done. Coming out of year. his entry-level deal and having only established himself as an NHL regular in the second half of last season, he’s likely looking at a modest The only other two signings, announced late in the day, were both depth raise on a short deal that gives both sides time to figure out exactly what moves involving journeyman players likely bound for the American type of player the 2015 sixth-round pick will evolve into — Fourth liner? Hockey League. Brandon Davidson, 27, a left-shot defenceman with 162 Third liner? Top-six? After failing to score a goal in his first 26 NHL NHL games on his resume, was inked to a one-year, two-way deal. It games, you could see the confidence building as he finished last season was the same situation for Byron Froese, 28, a right-winger with 110 with eight goals over the final 28 games. career NHL twirls. Both will earn the league minimum of $700,000 during any time spent in Calgary. Also qualified last week and in need of new deals are left winger Ryan Lomberg and defenceman Rinat Valiev, who are both expected to suit up “We’ve been active in terms of the trade discussions and will continue to once again for Stockton (AHL). be. We will continue to look at free agency, but our expectations coming in today was to not be making headlines and that’s OK,” Treliving said. Clearing cap space remains another high priority item. “We’ve got internal business, which is priority No. 1.” “Our cap situation, with people to sign, we’ve got to continue to monitor That internal business begins with getting contracts done with the club’s and look at,” Treliving conceded. six restricted free agents and in particular, the four who are fixtures on No kidding. the NHL roster — Matthew Tkachuk, Rittich, Sam Bennett and Andrew Mangiapane. First, let’s pencil in best-guess AAVs for the four aforementioned RFAs who will be on Calgary’s roster: “I don’t necessarily know if there’s a batting order there. Obviously, the internal business, we’re cognizant of it, before we start venturing outside Tkachuk — $8.5 million the tent and looking outside and adding to our team,” Treliving said. Rittich — $3.5 million But of those four, rest assured that Tkachuk will be the big one, even if it’s not the first one that gets done. Bennett — $3 million

“Our objective has been, continues to be and always will be, to get Mangiapane — $1.5 million Matthew signed to a contract as soon as we possibly can,” Treliving said. Next, formulate what the season-opening, 23-man roster could look like “We’ve had great communication with his representatives. Matthew is a based on who’s here now: big part of our team now and will be a big part of our team in the future. So we’re singularly focused on getting that done and it remains priority LW (5) — Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Bennett, Mangiapane, Dube one for us.” C (5) — Monahan, Backlund, Ryan, Jankowski, Quine RW (4) — Lindholm, Neal, Frolik, Czarnik people, who can go from the left to the right. So we’re looking at all different scenarios,” Treliving said. D (7) — Giordano, Brodie, Hamonic, Hanifin, Valimaki, Andersson, Stone (with Kylington, still waiver-exempt, back in the AHL, albeit reluctantly) Although it would require clearing out even more salary, there are right wingers still available on the free agent market that could be of interest. G (2) — Rittich, Talbot Unsigned as of Tuesday morning, Ryan Dzingel, ex-Flame Micheal Add in the $1.5-million in dead money from Troy Brouwer’s buyout, which Ferland and Patrick Maroon are three names that come to mind. counts against the cap and you get a payroll of $87 million. That’s $5.5- But given the team’s cap situation, the more plausible solution as hinted million too much, based on the recently established $81.5-million league at by Treliving could be moving a current left-wing to his off-wing. salary cap — and that’s just to squeeze under that upper limit. To give Bennett, as you will remember, was skating on the right side of Johnny yourself some breathing room and allow for potential player bonuses or Gaudreau and Sean Monahan when the season ended. mid-season acquisitions, Treliving would ideally be looking to shed at least $6 or $7 million. All in all, it hasn’t been nearly as busy of an offseason for the Flames as many expected. But how does he accomplish that? It was a quiet weekend at the NHL Draft where Treliving just made his Trade out salary five picks and departed. Yesterday was another snoozer. It’s left a On this topic, the three most often-referenced names, each of whom are summer to-do list that is still pretty lengthy. on expiring deals, are defenceman TJ Brodie ($4.65 million), right winger But thanks to the continued development of the team’s prospects, at Michael Frolik ($4.3 million) and defenceman Travis Hamonic ($3.85 least the shopping portion of that list isn’t as long as it has been in past million). However, as we’ve learned so far this offseason, payroll space is years. a precious commodity in itself, so making such a trade won’t be easy. Additionally, in dealing away one or two of those contracts, the cap relief “If you look back at the last two years, we’ve graduated a lot of people if coming back will also be a notable portion of the return. not to be full-timers, looking to now be full-time NHL people,” the GM pointed out, alluding to the likes of Jankowski, Andersson, Valimaki, Of course, these are good players, too. For all Brodie’s imperfections, Kylington. “With every move that happens. With every departure that we’re still talking about a 28-yard-old defenceman who can routinely log happens, it opens up opportunities. So we certainly continue to have close to 25 minutes per night and create offence. Can Treliving find a people that are knocking on the door. home for at least one of those players and if so, what kind of draft pick(s) can he fetch in return considering he wouldn’t want to bring salary back “Dillon (Dube) is a perfect example. Andrew (Mangiapane) is a perfect as that defeats the purpose of making a move, unless it’s part of a bigger example. They showed last year, at least Dillon early on in the season deal (Pierre LeBrun mentioned in his latest notebook that a trade was in and he had a terrific year in the American Hockey League — his goal is the works between the Flames and Leafs involving Nazem Kadri, before to be a regular member this year. Andrew, looking down the stretch last talks broke down and Toronto ended up dealing with Colorado instead). year, played some impressive minutes for us and now he wants more. To become a good team, you need that internal and bottom push and we While the NHL’s first buyout window has closed, when teams have continue to get that.” arbitration cases, they get a second buyout window that opens up after the final arbitration case is resolved. If at that time, more money still Of course, the careful-what-you-wish-for part of this is that when those needs to be cleared, buying out the final year of Michael Stone’s deal is players become so good — see Tkachuk — they then require a something the club could resort to. significant pay increase. Then you need to trade away guys so you can afford them. After appearing in all 82 games in the first season of a three-year, $10.5- million deal he signed with Calgary two years ago, last year was a write- One thing for sure, it sets up to be a really interesting remainder of the off. A blood clot issue forced him to the sidelines early in the year and summer. when he was cleared to play again, he was mostly a healthy scratch, having his lost spot to Rasmus Andersson.

At the penalty of $1.17-million that would count against the cap in 2020- The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 21, the club can save $2.33-million this year if they were to buy out Stone.

There are a couple of options and it will be interesting to see over the next few weeks how Treliving ends up stick-handling out of the corner he finds himself in.

The other area that the GM admitted he would like to upgrade is at right wing.

“It’s certainly an area where I’d say there’s a focus there,” Treliving admitted.

With Hathaway gone and depth right-winger Curtis Lazar also gone, having signed on Monday with Buffalo, it leaves a thin-looking right side of:

Elias Lindholm – Who coach Bill Peters mentioned at season’s end as someone he’d be curious to see in the middle of the ice

Michael Frolik (a left shot) – Who could be traded

James Neal (a left shot) – Who only notched seven goals last season after scoring 20-or-more in each of his first 10 NHL seasons

Austin Czarnik – Who was a healthy scratch for a third of the season.

Next in line, in the minors, would be either Froese or 27-year-old Buddy Robinson, who signed a two-year deal last year, but never got into a single game with Calgary.

Beyond that, you’re left with young prospects Matthew Phillips, Eetu Tuulola and Dmitry Zavgorodniy, none of whom are close to NHL-ready.

“We continue to look at it and depending, there’s a bunch of different scenarios of how the right side looks right now and maybe certain 1107147 Carolina Hurricanes

Canes will match offer sheet to Aho, owner Tom Dundon says

BY CHIP ALEXANDER

JULY 02, 2019 11:58 AM

The Carolina Hurricanes will match the offer sheet made Monday to star center Sebastian Aho by the Montreal Canadiens, Canes owner Tom Dundon said Tuesday.

Of his reaction to the offer sheet, Dundon, said, “We’re surprised. We love the player and we’re happy to have this done. And surprised someone would have thought this would work.

“We were never going to let him go. He didn’t want to go. This is just part of the business of getting the deal done. I said the day I bought the team and nothing has changed, he’s one of if not the most important part of our future and we’re lucky to have him.”

Aho, 21, set career highs last season with 30 goals and 83 points as the Canes returned to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2009. Waddell and Aho’s agent, Gerry Johannson, had been negotiating a new contract in which the Canes hoped to sign the Finnish forward to an eight-year deal.

The figures in the Canadiens’ offer sheet -- $8.454 million a year for five years -- did not cause gnashing of teeth among Canes management, even with a front-loaded bonus of more than $21 million to be paid in the first 12 months.

Dundon, a Dallas billionaire, called an offer sheet a “waste of time” and no one should question the Canes’ or his ability to make such a large payment, noting, “I’m very fortunate to be in the position I am. This sounds terrible but writing that check is no big deal.”

Canes general manager Don Waddell said Tuesday an eight-year deal could have given Aho more guaranteed money than the $42.77 million total in the offer sheet. The $8.454 million per-year price tag is believed to be higher than the Canes had offered in negotiations.

“It is what it is, right?” Dundon said. “Our job is to allocate the (salary cap) properly and we should be able to do it just fine. (Waddell) said we would have liked more term. That’s the main difference, where it would have ended up if there had not been an offer sheet.

“I’m relieved this is done and Sebastian doesn’t have to worry about this anymore. It’s nice to have it done. It’s probably not the way we’d like to have it done.”

Waddell said Monday he was surprised the figures weren’t higher while Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin was saying he had spoken to Aho and how much the 21-year-old Finn, who signed the offer sheet, wanted to be a Canadien.

Dundon on Tuesday disputed that notion, saying, “I think the other team got manipulated into believing something that might not have been true.”

“There’s no scenario where Sebastian Aho doesn’t want to be on the Hurricanes<’ Dundon said. “it is in his right to use that leverage the (collective bargaining agreement) provides to get the most money from us and that’s all that happened. I have not heard Sebastian say that. If he said that it would be different but he didn’t. So the fact that an agent said it means that there’s no credibility to it.”

The Canes have a week to match the offer sheet but Waddell said no decision had been made on when that official notice would be sent.

“It obviously will be in the time frame allotted by the CBA,” he said.

News Observer LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107148 Carolina Hurricanes we would’ve went for more years for sure. The five years is shorter than what we wanted. For seven or eight years, the amount of money we would offer is a lot more money than what the offer sheet is. The player Of course the Hurricanes are matching the weak Sebastian Aho offer has to be comfortable that he takes the five years and hope everything is sheet, but how did it get to this point? still going well. That’s the only part that I don’t really understand — there was a lot more money available to the player at this point.”

Three possible explanations: By Sara Civian 1. Aho’s camp wanted to pick up the pace on a deal. Jul 2, 2019 2. The signing bonuses. The deal is so front-loaded because it’s mostly signing bonuses.

Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon wears many other hats: billionaire Year 1: $11.3 million signing bonus, $700,000 salary businessman, reluctantly championed “disrupter” of Hockey Men, the dude who ended (or perhaps tried to save) the AAF, owner of TopGolf. Year 2: $9.87 million signing bonus, $700,000 salary

He was actually golfing in Aspen, Colo., when the Canadiens offer Year 3: $6.95 million signing bonus, $750,000 salary sheeted Sebastian Aho on Monday, and folks had a lot to say about that. Years 4 and 5: $5.25 million signing bonus, $750,000 salary

He’s explained before that a fine line of his job, whether it’s owning a The Hurricanes traditionally avoid giving out summer signing bonuses. sports team or a company, is listening to feedback without letting a vocal According to CapFriendly, the only players on the projected Hurricanes minority sway you. roster with summer signing bonuses are Aho, players on ELCs and But that was a conversation about hockey sweaters. recently acquired James Reimer.

The topic of the day was his young star player. He has indicated to The Signing bonuses are protected in lockouts, so it’s brilliant if Aho’s camp Athletic multiple times over a span of months that he and the Hurricanes was trying to ensure he gets paid in light of lockout rumors. would be making a serious investment to keep their second-round pick 3. The cap will probably raise and Aho is betting that he will be worth a turned first-line center in Raleigh. He and general manager Don Waddell raise as a 26-year-old UFA. Pretty safe bet. had publicly expressed dozens of times that they would not let Aho go. “All these players should do what’s best for themselves and their Maybe that’s why Waddell walked into a press conference with a families,” Dundon said. “We’re supposed to get the best contract we can knowing grin 20 minutes after the offer sheet landed in his inbox. Maybe get for our team. I am so happy for Sebastian, so happy that he’s part of that’s why team executives cheered when they found out the contract, the organization and it’s never going to come up again.” front-loaded as it is, only carries an $8.454 AAV over five years. It’s funny how an idea so universally accepted elsewhere is no match for “I don’t think it is easy for Carolina,” Aho’s agent Gerry Johannson told the market of a small stigma. Rest assured that it doesn’t matter to those The Athletic’s Marc Antoine Godin on Monday night. “I can tell you for at the helm of the Hurricanes. Perception never did. sure, it’s not easy for Carolina. Anybody who says this is easy is wrong.” “I could care less about Sebastian’s agent and being complicated with The Hurricanes announced less than 24 hours later that they will indeed him going forward,” Dundon said. “It doesn’t matter at all.” match the offer sheet.

Maybe Dundon was out golfing because $21 million in two years is not a fortune in the scheme of billions, maybe it’s an investment the Hurricanes The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 were always willing to make and then some. Maybe he just doesn’t care what you think.

“The question is, do you think you should believe an agent?” Dundon bluntly stated in a conference call Tuesday. “That’s a question, you guys can figure that out … but it is his right to use that leverage the CBA provides to get the most money out of us and that is all that happened.”

If it wasn’t “easy,” it doesn’t sound like the hardest thing he’s ever done.

“First of all I’m just relieved and that Sebastian is not going to have to worry about this anymore,” Dundon told reporters. “I think the other team got manipulated into believing some things that might not have been true. But the fact that you’re asking this question — if $20 million dollars is a lot for me or the Hurricanes? — maybe that leads to this situation. It’s not a concern. This sounds terrible but writing that check is no big deal.”

“The numbers weren’t that far off from where we were,” Waddell offered. “I think the agent felt that he wasn’t making progress he wanted to make and he was going to go out and sell that we weren’t in a position to match it. The offer sheet didn’t have anything in it that would make the team think twice about it.”

This situation is bound to take a few more interesting twist and turns. As it stands, it looks like a savvy (albeit unconventional) agent and misconceptions about Dundon and the Hurricanes market led the Canadiens to believe that they either couldn’t or wouldn’t match a relatively low offer sheet ask.

“Instead of negotiating a contract like most agents and teams do, he felt that he would take the course of getting the team to sell a team an idea that he knew wouldn’t work,” Waddell said. “We said all along we would match any offer. The agent knew that. I think the world knew that.”

But if they were so gung-ho about matching a potential offer sheet, why didn’t they just pay their star player in the first place?

“When we were talking with (Aho’s camp) we were always talking about a long-term deal,” Waddell said. “If we were negotiating on our own behalf 1107149 Carolina Hurricanes understand the players should do what they can to get their best contract. But this was never going to work for Montreal.”

The key, as far as Montreal was concerned, was the front-loaded nature LeBrun Notebook: ‘This was never going to work for Montreal’: of the offer sheet. An $11.3-million signing bonus payable five days after Hurricanes owner on Sebastian Aho’s offer sheet the deal is registered in the coming week and another signing bonus next July 1 for $9.87 million. It’s here where the Habs had hoped to overwhelm Dundon, already notorious for trying to keep salaries as low By Pierre LeBrun as possible on his team.

Jul 2, 2019 After Carolina matches, they won’t be allowed to trade Aho for a year, meaning they’re on the hook for both bonus payments before they could

even entertain the idea of moving him (not that I got any indication that Don Waddell’s phone rang a few times on Monday morning. they would move the player, but it shows the financial commitment the Canes are responsible for). Three teams called, all with the same name at the tip of their tongues: Sebastian Aho. And this is where I think Montreal also made a bet. Bergevin mentioned a few times during his news conference how thrilled Aho was in signing the Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin confirmed to the assembled media later contract with the Habs. Was the hope that hearing this would make on Monday that he was one of those calls, although the offer sheet that Dundon’s head explode and the owner turn on Aho to the point of not Aho signed from Montreal would be all the confirmation anyone needed. matching? It didn’t work.

While Waddell would not confirm the other two teams, a few calls around It’s worth noting that while Colorado did match the Ryan O’Reilly offer the league suggest that the Panthers and Avalanche also checked in sheet in 2013, the Avs eventually traded him. And while David Poile regarding Aho on Monday morning. Did they hint at an offer sheet or was would never admit this, I truly believe that when Shea Weber signed a it a preliminary trade inquiry? I’m not sure, but the interest was there. 14-year, $110-million offer sheet with Philadelphia in July 2012, that the veteran Predators GM knew that very day he would eventually trade Also of note is that before Bergevin submitted the first offer sheet the Weber. NHL has seen in six and a half years, he did investigate the trade route with Waddell. It obviously didn’t get very far. There’s an emotional part to all this no matter how much Aho and Dundon and anyone involved will deny it. The franchise player signed a Thus, the offer sheet, which got mixed reviews around the league. contract with another team. “An offer sheet is a tool that the CBA gives every team and I respect But the biggest criticism from around the league was that Montreal didn’t Marc for using whatever tool available in an attempt to improve his make the contract rich enough to make it a worthwhile endeavor. team,’’ Stanley Cup champion GM Doug Armstrong told me on Tuesday. “As a general manager, your job is to do what is best for your My understanding of that, if I were to take the Habs perspective on this, organization, not to worry about what other people think. In today’s NHL, is that the contract structure restrictions in the CBA make it so going up players are assets to organizations but equally, so is cap space and draft to the next threshold of draft compensation wouldn’t have been worth it picks. The system is set up to allow all teams to make decisions based for Montreal. My personal belief is that Montreal felt if Dundon was going on all three facets.’’ to match the $21-million plus in the opening 12 months, that he would match a higher number as well. Remember that as per the rules, the Added veteran GM Ken Holland, rather simply on Tuesday: “It’s part of lowest year of the contract has to be at least half of the highest year and the CBA.’’ you can’t drop more than 35 percent year-over-year. The Habs looked at “It is within the rules,” veteran GM Jim Rutherford said. “The Montreal all kinds of scenarios but made the final determination that it was about Canadiens are doing what they believe is in their best interests and now the cash up front and that they basically accomplished the same thing the Carolina Hurricanes are going to do what they believe is in their best with less compensation and a more fair contract. interest.” And while I get that reasoning, it’s the fair contract part that likely made it But there were also other team executives from around the league who palatable for Carolina to match. The Habs maybe got too cute here in weren’t happy. It’s not that they’re against the idea of an offer sheet in that they figured they could not only get their guy but also on a deal that itself, but they felt Montreal didn’t make its offer large enough to move makes sense under the cap. the needle. And with Carolina set to match, it appears that they were This is why offer sheets are so rare, normally to get it done you have to correct. blow the other team so far out of the water with a contract that makes no “The offer sheet is an available way to add a player. But it only makes sense for them to match. But then again, if it makes no sense for them, sense if you are likely to get the player,’’ a Western Conference team how much sense does it make for your team? executive who requested anonymity said. “This one, like the O’Reilly one, Believe me when I say this: I guarantee Dundon has already told Waddell was ill-conceived and doomed to fail from the get-go. that if there’s an RFA in Montreal the ‘Canes can go after over the next “All this accomplishes is it disrupts the marketplace and make the job of few years, he’s got the green light to do something crazy. managers harder going forward, including his own.’’ I mentioned this during our free agent frenzy marathon telecast on TSN The offer sheet was for five years with an AAV of $8.454 million. A little that according to my sources, the Canadiens actually began the offer background before we get into the nitty-gritty of the actual offer: It’s sheet discussion with agent Gerry Johannson on RFA star centre believed Carolina offered eight years at a $7.5-million AAV in contract Brayden Point (Johannson represents both Point and Aho). But as the negotiations and that Aho’s camp responded with five years at a $9.5- week went along, it began to make more sense for Montreal to try to million AAV. There was a meeting between agent Gerry Johannson and exploit budget-conscious Carolina. the Carolina brass in Vancouver on the Friday of draft weekend which If I had to guess, I’d say Point would have not signed an offer sheet didn’t go terribly well. And that’s being kind. anyway and I don’t know that the idea ever even got to his doorstep. The ‘Canes don’t like that the offer sheet is for five years. Term was a Still, I’m sure the Lightning are aware now. major battle between Carolina and Johannson. But the $8.454-million AAV is palatable. Speaking of high-profile RFAs, what a job by the Sharks in getting Timo Meier signed at a $6-million AAV over four years. That is an unbelievably I asked Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon on Tuesday if he was angry at reasonable deal for a guy who just scored 30 goals and promises to be a the offer sheet. core player for years to come. “I’m not angry,” Dundon said. “I’m just surprised that any team thought He’s the first of this special class of high-end RFA players to sign this this had any chance of working. I guess the Carolina Hurricanes are still offseason. misunderstood if anyone anywhere thought this would be hard for us. I’m not upset with Sebastian, I am actually relieved to have this done. We all It stings losing captain Joe Pavelski to Dallas via free agency but getting As it turns out, next year won’t be as bad because the draft in Montreal is Erik Karlsson to stay put and then securing Meier to a reasonable deal is June 26-27 and so July 1 will be nice and tight afterward. mighty fine work by Sharks GM Doug Wilson. But generally speaking in other years, and this is something I have long The deal is also smart by Meier’s agent Claude Lemieux in my mind. argued, it is absolutely ridiculous that the NHL waits until July 1 — a While the AAV is $6 million, the year by year compensation is $4-million national holiday in the country that invented the game — to open free per year the first two seasons (which includes a $3.3-million signing agency. bonus each of those first two years) then $6 million in Year 3 ($2-million signing bonus and $4-million salary) and finally a $10-million salary in I heard from a number of GMs and agents alike over the past week that Year 4. That’s significant because it means Meier’s qualifying offer is $10 embrace the idea of moving up the start of free agency to a day in the million after the 2022-23 season. He will be one year away from UFA last week of June. Some like the idea of opening free agency two to three status at that point. Therefore, if he simply signs his one-year qualifying days after the draft is done. Some would want it on the last Friday in offer or goes to salary arbitration, he basically bridges himself to UFA a June. Lots of interesting ideas but the overwhelming response I got was year later. I’m guessing Lemieux and Meier view this as almost a five- that it’s time to move away from July 1 and move it into June. year contract in many ways. I think the NHLPA plans on bringing this up in bargaining with the league Having said that, there’s no question that the Sharks will attempt to and I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes up at the next GM meeting. extend Meier a year out in the summer of 2022. That’s the smart play. Obviously, it’s self-serving for us in the NHL media to want free agency Going back to the top of this story where I mentioned Colorado was away from the July 1 and July 4 holidays on both sides of the border, my among the teams that checked in on Aho. It’s pretty fair to assume that cottage awaits. Colorado’s big trade with Toronto later on Monday evening never But this goes way beyond that. Free-agent players would love to get their happens if the Avs were able to proceed on Aho. business out of the way before the first week of July 1. And for GMs that But they get Nazem Kadri instead and he’s going to be a great fit in already work year-round, getting things wrapped up for the most part in Denver. He’s got a cap-friendly contract for three more years at a $4.5- free agency a week earlier would be tremendous for them. million AAV and I think he’s got a chance to reestablish his 30-goal form Let’s be honest, by Day 3 of the UFA speaking period it’s pretty clear with the Avs. how a lot of the chips will fall, so why not just get it over with for real.

The arrival of John Tavares last year knocked Kadri down in the lineup And with that, I am done for the season. Thanks to our loyal Athletic and he never quite adjusted to his new role. He’ll get bigger minutes in subscribers for reading all season and being part of the fun. See you Colorado. again in September!

Not that he wanted to get traded. Sources confirm Kadri nixed a potential deal to Calgary over the past week, and I believe his camp also sent word to another club on his 10-team no-trade list that had interest in him The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 not to bother calling the Leafs. It was clear Kadri didn’t want to move.

Colorado was not on Kadri’s no-list, which allowed the Leafs to make the deal.

Tyson Barrie scratches the long-festering itch of the Leafs dying for a top-end, right-handed D. With Cody Ceci also on the right side now, suddenly this Leafs D-crops doesn’t look too bad at all, even if UFA Jake Gardiner doesn’t end up sticking around.

Outstanding work by Leafs GM Kyle Dubas between the Colorado and Ottawa trades on Monday.

One thing I want to clear up on the Anders Lee signing with the New York Islanders is the notion that he’s only back because the team swung and missed on Artemi Panarin.

Not true.

It’s my understanding that the Isles were budgeting to try and sign Panarin and Lee, not one or the other. While other teams certainly showed interest and reached out to Lee’s agent Neil Sheehy with contract parameters that might have paid up to $9-million a year, the idea all along was to stay patient and re-sign with the Isles as part of a big July 1 bonanza — had GM Lou Lamoriello also been able to sign Panarin. Plus, there’s the fact that Lee simply didn’t want to leave Long Island. Which kind of tied his agent’s hands in conversations with other teams. Oh, Sheehy had those conversations with other teams, no question. Because he wanted to relay to Lee what was out there and make sure he was fully committed in his decision to stay put. But that was always the plan.

Term was certainly an issue most of the season as Lamoriello and Sheehy went back and forth. They actually agreed to the $7-million AAV way back last September, I’m told. But Lamoriello forever was stuck on six years while Sheehy started at eight years before going to seven years.

The Islanders get the break on AAV given what else was out there Monday, but Lee gets his term.

And finally, about July 1 …

The complaints from teams and agents alike about this year’s eight-day UFA speaking period were as loud as I’ve ever heard them. To the point where I think some power brokers are hoping to do something about it. 1107150 Carolina Hurricanes There is no limit on how much money a team can offer to pay out in signing bonuses, but there are restrictions to how contracts are structured.

What are the Canadiens actually trying to accomplish with the Sebastian The first is that the amount of money paid out in any given year cannot Aho offer sheet? drop by more than 35 percent in the following year. The second is that the lowest payout in any given year must be at least 50 percent of the highest payout in any given year. Both limits make it so teams can’t By Arpon Basu frontload a contract as much as they want because you need to be able to gradually drop the amount paid year by year and the least expensive Jul 2, 2019 year of the contract needs to cost at least 50 percent as the most expensive year.

The Canadiens did something on the opening day of free agency that For example, if you load up the first year with $30 million in bonuses and every NHL observer has been hoping to see for years. salary, the second year can be no lower than $19.5 million and by one of the criterion, the third year can’t be lower than $12.675 million. However, Then they were widely ridiculed for it. that amount in Year 3 can be no lower than $15 million because that is 50 percent of the most expensive year of the contract, meaning that The offer sheet signed by Carolina Hurricanes centre Sebastian Aho was $12.675 million figure wouldn’t be allowed. first met with the initial shock that a team finally availed itself of this provision in the collective bargaining agreement. That was followed by Coming up with an offer sheet involves a lot of math. The Canadiens did more shock because the Canadiens’ offer wasn’t constructed in such a the math, and that is how they came up with the contract they offered way that it would be difficult for the Hurricanes to match it. Aho.

“I know my summer just got better because I’m not gonna spend all To get a sense of what an offer sheet with a higher AAV — one that summer negotiating a contract now,” Hurricanes general manager Don surpassed the $8,454,872 threshold — would look like, it would require Waddell said. very complicated calculations that we are not necessarily qualified to make. The point of this exercise, after all, is to acquire the player. If you don’t acquire the player, an offer sheet ties your hands at a vital time of year Instead, what we did is take the percentage paid out in each of the five for up to seven days, essentially freezing the money committed to Aho years of the $42.27 million contract offered to Aho and applied that while the Canadiens wait to see if the Carolina Hurricanes will match. percentage to a $47.5 million offer, or $9.5 million a year, and a $50 million offer, or $10 million a year. It is a risk Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin fully acknowledged and accepted Monday. Here is how those two higher threshold offers would compare to the offer the Canadiens made to Aho. “This shows to our fans that Geoff Molson, ownership, that we want to be a good hockey team,” Bergevin said. “We want to win, and this is the guy And here is the difference in the cash payout in the first 12 months for we identified that was going to help. He’s a young player. You take a risk each of those offers. when you do that, guys are getting signed … that’s the risk we take. Therefore, if the Canadiens structured a $10-million a year offer with the “We felt if even though it doesn’t happen, we still have a really good exact same year-to-year total payout percentages of their actual offer, hockey team.” they would be adding $4.1 million to the cash payout in the first 12 months of the deal on top of adding an additional first round pick to the With the widely held belief that the Hurricanes will match the offer, compensation package. If a team is willing to match $21.9 million in the including a piece on the team website that basically says they will, what first 12 months, will they refuse to match $26 million? The Canadiens other motivation could lie under the surface for the Canadiens doing this? determined it wouldn’t make a difference. Here are three possibilities of what the Canadiens are up to. “Two reasons, the first is the player accepted the offer, so if he thought or Acquiring the player his agent thought it wasn’t a good offer he wouldn’t have accepted it. That’s one,” Bergevin said when asked why the Canadiens didn’t make a Of course, this is the primary motivation. If this works and the Canadiens higher offer. “Second, there are many things to consider, the acquire Aho at age 21 and lock him in for what is likely to be the five best compensation but also what’s the difference going higher? You identify years of his career, that would be a win. This is obvious. the vulnerable point, and we looked at it closely and saw that it wouldn’t make a difference. On top of that, the player wants to play for the But if acquiring the player is the primary goal, why was the offer sheet Montreal Canadiens, and that’s very important to us.” structured in such a conservative way? There are two important takeaways in that statement. The first is the The five-year, $42.27-million contract has an AAV of $8.454 million, just “vulnerable point” and that’s where the Canadiens’ strategy becomes under the threshold that would change the compensation Carolina would murky. receive if they don’t match the offer. Had they crossed that threshold, it would have been two first-round picks, a second-round pick and a third- It is clear the Canadiens think Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon will be round pick. By staying below the threshold, the Canadiens only risk reluctant to pay out $21.9 million in the next calendar year to Aho. Is that losing one first-round pick. a fact? Who knows? But if there is one NHL owner who is most likely to divert from conventional wisdom, it is probably Dundon, so maybe that’s That’s the difference, one first-round pick. It seems ridiculous to make a what the Canadiens are banking on. less aggressive offer just to save a future first, one the Canadiens would expect to be late in the round because of how much better Aho would But it is also very unlikely the Hurricanes official website would run a make them. story stating all signs point to them matching the offer sheet without first getting Dundon’s approval because walking away from Aho after doing “It’s not only the pick,” Bergevin said. “It’s where’s the next threshold, that would be the height of embarrassment. that’s one, and what’s the difference in the first 12 months? Is that going to make a big difference if you’re going to match?” The second is the fact Aho has demonstrated by signing the offer sheet that he really wants to play in Montreal, something his agent confirmed to Bergevin’s point is that even if the AAV crossed the $8,454,872 The Athletic’s Marc Antoine Godin. threshold, the upfront signing bonus money would not change drastically, which is the crux of Montreal’s strategy here. The $8.454 million AAV is Where does that leave us when it comes to this aspect of the Canadiens’ not what might scare the Hurricanes off Aho, it is the payout in the first 12 motivation in tendering this offer sheet, the part about immediately months of the contract. acquiring the player?

In other words, the Canadiens structured their offer to Aho to be as Basically nowhere. aggressive as possible while staying under that $8,454,872 threshold because they determined the benefit of surpassing that did not outweigh the cost of the extra first-round pick. But the smart guess would be that the Canadiens are not getting Aho and increasing the offer to cross into the next threshold probably wouldn’t have made that much of a difference. And they know it.

The long game

Assuming the Hurricanes match the Canadiens’ offer sheet, perhaps the whole thing was a long-term investment by Bergevin. Is this possible?

Waddell said the only aspect of the Canadiens’ offer that he didn’t like was the term, and it’s easy to understand why. Aho will be an unrestricted free agent at age 26 when this contract expires. Could it be that the only reason the Canadiens dropped this offer sheet was to sign Aho in five years, when he will be free to join whatever team he wants?

In five years the Canadiens will be a wildly different team. The only current players under contract past the summer of 2024 are Carey Price and Shea Weber, but it’s very possible players like Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Nick Suzuki, Max Domi, Ryan Poehling, Alexander Romanov, Victor Mete and others will be important parts of the team’s core. If that’s the case, signing Aho as a UFA in the summer of 2024 could be the piece that pushes the Canadiens over the top, and their role in getting Aho this contract now could give the Canadiens the inside track on signing him when it expires.

It is highly unlikely the Canadiens have even considered this possibility because it is so far down the road. But if they did, it would be a brilliant example of laying the groundwork on acquiring a player you want five years ahead of time.

The message

It was impossible to ignore Bergevin’s attempt to use this offer sheet to stem the rising tide of criticism the Canadiens were receiving from their fans for leaving millions of dollars of available cap space left unspent.

The narrative that owner Geoff Molson was trying to profit off the Canadiens being so far below the cap was gaining serious momentum among the team’s fan base, even though it couldn’t be further from the truth.

But even if this offer sheet to Aho fails, which it is likely to do, the Canadiens will still be able to tell not only their fans, but also their players, that they tried to be creative to improve the team. That will resonate most with the Canadiens’ two pillars, Carey Price and Shea Weber, who expressed to The Athletic last week that they don’t have time to wait for a long rebuild.

“You can’t forget we are also sending a message to our players, not only the fans, but our players,” Bergevin said. “Adding a player of this caliber to our young group and Carey and Shea was something that was very appealing to us.”

There is no way to know how effective Price and Weber will be five years from now, but that’s irrelevant to this part of the Canadiens motivation in tendering this offer sheet. What’s important is that Price and Weber and all their teammates know the Canadiens are doing everything they can to make the team better as quickly as possible.

In a worst-case scenario where Aho winds up back in Carolina after they match the offer and all the attractive UFAs are gone by that time, the Canadiens one benefit would be that the whole exercise was a legitimate attempt on their part to improve the team in a very significant way.

It would combat the prevailing narrative among their fans and resonate with those in their dressing room.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107151 Chicago Blackhawks for Jokiharju, who played in 38 games last season before finishing with Rockford.

But the Hawks’ 2017 first-round pick might not make the opening-day 5 hot topics for the Blackhawks: Is GM Stan Bowman having a good roster. The Hawks appear set with a top six of Seabrook, Duncan Keith, offseason? What is goalie Corey Crawford’s status? Connor Murphy, Erik Gustafsson, de Haan and Maatta.

Even if Jokiharju is a better option than Koekkoek or Dahlstrom as a Jimmy Greenfield seventh defenseman, it would be absurd to have a 20-year-old waste away most nights as a healthy scratch.

Jokiharju might even be better than some of the top six defensemen, but With the NHL draft over and the first day of free agency having come and letting him work on his game with the IceHogs would be wise. gone, Blackhawks fans will have to hurry up and wait for next season to arrive. Don't be surprised if center Artem Anisimov remains with the Blackhawks despite his high salary-cap hit. In the meantime, they can yell and argue — sorry, calmly discuss — the most important issues facing the Hawks now that general manager Stan Point: The Hawks should trade Artem Anisimov. Bowman is nearly done shaping the roster for next season. Counterpoint: The Hawks aren’t interested in trading centers.

Let’s explore some pressing issues with our latest point/counterpoint. Lehner’s signing leaves the Hawks with a little more than $1 million in General manager Stan Bowman at the Blackhawks Convention last cap space. If Delia — and his $1 million cap hit — begins the season with summer. Rockford, that still doesn’t leave much flexibility, especially because Bowman intends to re-sign restricted free agent Brendan Perlini. Point: Bowman should be fired. Anisimov has a $4.55 million cap hit, but any team that acquires him Counterpoint: Bowman is having a great summer. would owe him just $5 million in salary over the next two seasons, making him a relatively inexpensive option. The gap between Bowman fans and those who think he was a nepotism hire who can’t do anything right seems to be growing wider. Based on Despite not having much money left, Bowman might not be so hot to how he has approached this offseason, it seems clear he views the move Anisimov. After acquiring Shaw last week, Bowman explained that upcoming season as an extraordinarily important one. part of the motivation was to add a player who can take faceoffs.

Sure, all seasons are important. But some are more important than “We’re not looking just for four centermen,” Bowman said. “We’re hoping others. Last season, despite the late playoff push, was always intended to get six, seven. Even if you can get eight guys who can play center, to be a gap year. The acquisitions of Cam Ward, Chris Kunitz and you’ve got so many more options during a game.” Brandon Manning hardly showed urgency. This offseason has been dramatically different. Anisimov is past his prime, and, yes, his cap hit is high. But don’t be surprised if Bowman finds other ways to clear some cap space. Bowman has spent nearly every dime of cap money available acquiring bona fide players in their primes. The common link between Olli Maatta, Forward Kirby Dach, 18, the Blackhawks' first-round draft pick last month, Calvin de Haan, Andrew Shaw and Robin Lehner: They all have annual likely needs time to develop into an NHL player. salaries around $4 million to $5 million and are in their mid- to late 20s. Point: Kirby Dach will be on the opening-day roster.

These are not fringe players whom the Hawks hope will work out; they Counterpoint: Kirby Dach will be on the opening-day roster — in 2020. bring some level of assurance that if they stay healthy, they will be important contributors and not stopgaps. The opening-day lineup last Bowman said after drafting Dach with the third pick last month that the season included Ward, Manning, Luke Johnson, Andreas Martinsen and forward will have every opportunity to make the Hawks. But unless Dach, Jan Rutta. Bowman wasn’t going to let that happen again. 18, completely blows the Hawks away during training camp, there’s just no room for him. Players such as Collin Delia, Carl Dahlstrom, Slater Koekkoek and John Quenneville will be last resorts this season rather than first men up. With a logjam at center, the Hawks could start him out as a winger, but they don’t have much room there either. Like the moves or not, Bowman had a plan and has been executing it. One more year at Saskatoon wouldn’t be the worst thing for Dach. Or the Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford skates during the second period Hawks. against the Coyotes on March 11, 2019, at the United Center.

Point: The Lehner signing means Corey Crawford still has concussion- related issues. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.03.2019

Counterpoint: Don’t go there.

Speculate all you want about how many goals Alex DeBrincat will score next season or whether Brent Seabrook ever will agree to waive his no- movement clause. But don’t traffic in rumors about whether the Hawks had to sign Lehner because Crawford isn’t coming back.

Bowman said Monday that he views Crawford and Lehner as the “best 1- 2 punch in the league” and that Crawford has not given any indication he’s thinking about retiring after next season, let alone not returning for it.

Take the Lehner signing for what it appears to be: A Vezina Trophy finalist suddenly became available, and Bowman took advantage of his extra cap space to solidify the most important position on the team.

Defenseman Henri Jokiharju, the Hawks' first-round pick in 2017, might need more time to develop.

Point: Henri Jokiharju should be on the opening-day roster.

Counterpoint: Jokiharju needs more time to develop.

The biggest question of the offseason was how Bowman would improve the Hawks’ porous defense. The answer, it seemed, would include a spot 1107152 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks’ offseason plan reaches fork: Upgrade forwards or close up shop?

Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

The Blackhawks entered the offseason with one position group badly in need of a makeover, one position group improvable but not alarmingly so, and one position group seemingly set.

General manager Stan Bowman quickly addressed the dire area — the defense — with two trades in June, bringing in Olli Maatta and Calvin de Haan to increase depth and competition within the group.

He rather shockingly transformed the goaltenders — the one area that seemed predetermined, at least at the NHL level — by signing 2019 Vezina Trophy finalist Robin Lehner on Monday.

And now only the forward group remains virtually untouched, save for some depth additions. Moving forward, Bowman faces two scenarios — one bold, one quiet — in his offseason plan.

The most likely course is that the Hawks re-sign lone remaining restricted free agent, Brendan Perlini, close up shop for the summer and spend the rest of July and August out on the lake.

The team’s roster situation is already extremely crowded: if training camp began tomorrow, there are legitimately 18 forwards and nine defensemen who could walk into Fifth Third Arena expecting to earn spots.

And the salary cap scarcely will allow the Hawks to fit in Perlini’s new contract at $2 million or so, much less make more acquisitions.

There’s also the unlikely but nonetheless viable possibility that Bowman wakes up Wednesday, drinks the 3,000-calorie energy drink he was clearly consuming in June and executes a major retooling of the forward corps.

Ryan Dzingel is the only upper-tier unrestricted free-agent forward left on the market, but he’s a very intriguing one.

He’s is a local product, hailing from Wheaton. He’s 27, the youngest that a UFA can be, and scored 56 points last year. And many of the other teams in contention for a player like him made notable moves Monday that filled their holes.

Dzingel could be the missing piece in a Hawks’ top six that, as things stand now, might have to slot Dominik Kubalik, Andrew Shaw or Drake Caggiula alongside Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

But in order to fit him — he’s projected for a $4.3 million cap hit — the Hawks will need to move someone out via trade. In fact, even if Dzingel signs elsewhere but the front office just wants some in-season wiggle room, they might move someone.

Artem Anisimov is the logical candidate, but it’s not easy to find a suitor for a 31-year-old with declining production, poor underlying numbers and two years left at $4.55 million. Even though he is a center, the Hawks would need to include a sweetener, which has burned them in the past.

Bowman theoretically could ship out a defenseman instead, but Connor Murphy at $3.8 million is the only logical candidate and he’s one of just two right-handed blueliners on the roster.

But from the sound of Bowman on Monday, he accurately described the roster as “pretty full” and referred to the remaining to-do list as mere “housekeeping things.”

Still, after the shock of the Lehner deal, there’s always a chance for more unexpected drama. The Hawks are clearly trying to contend in 2019-20, and their window for summer improvement isn’t completely shut yet.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107153 Chicago Blackhawks Best case is Crawford -- who should have won the Conn Smythe twice -- stays healthy and plays like he's capable. If that's the case, you have to like the Hawks' chances of getting back to the tournament.

Why Hawks new goalie is more than an expensive insurance policy If he's not the Crawford of old and is merely an old Crawford, then they have a No. 1 ready to go and that also gives them a real chance to have a good season. Barry Rozner It's more than an expensive insurance policy. It tells you there's real fear within the Hawks' front office that Crawford won't survive another season.

Another lob wedge was preparing to come up short late Monday In that regard, Lehner makes plenty of sense on a one-year deal, afternoon when the phone began to buzz. regardless of what the Hawks know -- and might not be telling us.

The surprise isn't that the short game is dreadful, not given the terrible weather and course conditions the last few months. No need to blame operator error, not with excuses available and plentiful. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 07.03.2019

No, the surprise was that it didn't storm for a day, if you'll forgive the usual digression.

Perhaps equally shocking was the reason for all the alerts, emails and texts on what was looking like a quiet afternoon locally on the first day of NHL free agency.

The Blackhawks had signed a Vezina-worthy goaltender for one season and $5 million, the addition of Robin Lehner about as unexpected as they come.

With Corey Crawford entering the final year of his deal, that's $11 million in goal for the 2019-20 season.

Did not see that coming.

The Hawks won't have the most expensive net in the league next year, not with Carey Price at $10.5 million in Montreal and Sergei Bobrovsky signing with Florida for an extraordinary $10 million annually.

And when you think about it today, Crawford is cheap as a two-time Cup champ and $6 million, called expensive a few years ago and now a bargain -- relative to the league -- if Crawford were healthy and playing 60 games.

Still, it's a lot of cash invested in that spot, albeit the most important spot on the ice.

So as the foursome digested the news -- and beverages of various sorts -- we pondered the possibilities, none bigger than this:

What do the Hawks know about Crawford that they're not telling us?

If they know anything, they're not saying, but even if they don't it's a wise move because the last two years are a reminder that Crawford isn't likely to make it through a season, in which case they better have a legit option in net so they don't flush another season.

Furthermore, it's only a one-year deal on Lehner so it doesn't cause a future cap squeeze.

Should they have used that available cap space to further improve outside the goal? That's a fair question.

The answer is they probably would have had they found a short-term deal for a player they believed was better than what they have.

There also has to be mutual interest, and most of the older veteran scorers on cheaper and shorter deals went to teams they believe are more certain of returning to the postseason.

"We're in a good position with the cap," said GM Stan Bowman. "We have a pretty full roster now. Whether we start camp (this way) or tweak a few things, we've come a long way in the last month.

"We're a much, much better team and we're well positioned to have a good season. As far as money spent on goal, it's the most important position in the game.

"Looking back the last few years, it's been hard to weather the storm when injuries are part of the game.

"I feel comfortable going into next season, whether Corey Crawford's in net or Robin Lehner's in net. We have two high-end goaltenders, we've improved our defense and made changes up front.

"I'm very optimistic about where we're headed." 1107154 Chicago Blackhawks have Robin here to help our team win. We've done a lot of the work we needed to do to be a better team heading into next season.

"Really like how our goaltending looks. I don't know if there's a better 1-2 Bowman happy with how next Hawks team is coming together combination in the league than (Corey) Crawford and Lehner. I like our defense now. I feel we have experienced guys. Those are two areas we need to be better. We need to keep the puck out of the net, and we have John Dietz a better opportunity to do that today than we did a month ago."

On who the Hawks' No. 1 goalie is -- Crawford or Lehner:

The salary cap giveth. The salary cap taketh away. "What I meant by (best) 1-2 punch is that no goalie's ever played 82 games. You need two goalies. It doesn't matter how many one plays. That's the reality of today's NHL, a fact Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman knows all too well. "You've got to win every night -- you don't just have to win when you're supposed No. 1 is playing. We had discussions about Robin with that. It's Remember, it wasn't that long ago that Bowman was shedding talented, not about a certain number of games a guy plays. We need to be great in up-and-coming players at a frenzied pace just to keep the Hawks cap net every night. compliant. "So however the breakdown works out, it'll work out. That's really more But when this off-season rolled around, Bowman finally dealt from a for the coaching staff to mandate how many games guys play. There's a position of strength and crafted sweet deals for veteran defensemen Olli lot of things go into that -- travel, back-to-backs, team performance, Maatta and Calvin de Haan, as well as tough, rugged winger Andrew goaltender performance, health. It's kind of foolish to map out how many Shaw. games each guy can play. All three are signed through the 2021-22 season and carry cap hits "We need two goalies. The situation we have today is better than it was." between $3.9 million and $4.55 million.

Then came Day 1 of free agency. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 07.03.2019 At first, the Hawks were relatively quiet Monday, inking former Vegas center Ryan Carpenter to a three-year, $3 million deal and coming to terms with David Kampf on a two-year contract.

About five hours later, though, Bowman put a cherry on his off-season sundae and inked Vezina Trophy finalist Robin Lehner to a one-year, $5 million deal.

So in the span of just over a week, the Hawks vastly improved their defense, penalty killing, depth scoring and goaltending. They've also gotten far deeper down the middle with Carpenter and even Shaw, who can play center if necessary.

Bowman was asked if it was nice to be on the other side of the salary- cap equation for once.

"We're in a better situation to pounce on some opportunities, (where) in the past we probably haven't been able to," Bowman said. "Other teams are kind of handcuffed right now because of their own situations. That was an opportunity we wanted to take advantage of, and I think we've been fairly nimble the past number of weeks to react quickly to situations that arise. …

"I've got to give credit my staff. I thought they did a tremendous job. … These guys have put in a lot of time coming up with all kinds of ideas, throwing scenarios at me. So it's certainly been a team effort and I'm fortunate to have those people by my side to help get this thing going."

Bowman also addressed other issues during his conference call Monday. A recap:

On Carpenter, who scored 5 goals in 68 games for Vegas last season and won 52.6 percent of his faceoffs:

"He's had a lot of success recently playing a style … that we wanted for our team. He fills a couple of elements with penalty killing, faceoffs, good two-way player. … He's the kind of guy who gets maybe overlooked sometimes, but your team doesn't win if you don't have people like Ryan Carpenter.

"Jeremy (Colliton) had a few conversations with him explaining how we envision his role. … It was nice to hear he saw himself in the same way. He was excited about the role he's going to have."

On where things stand with Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome, who will be restricted free agents after next season and will likely command at least $11 million combined:

"A lot of things are going to change between now and next summer. We're in a good position relative to other years when we've been in tougher spots. Other teams are doing some gymnastics now to try to get their guys signed. I think we're going to be in a better place than that.

"But it's always balancing the future and present. We want to win as well. It's not strictly looking for the future. The move today (of signing Lehner) is representative of that. It's not impacting next year directly. We want to 1107155 Chicago Blackhawks

Why the Blackhawks may not be done making moves this offseason

By Charlie Roumeliotis

July 02, 2019 10:40 PM

Since the offseason started, the Blackhawks have made five player acquisitions (Calvin de Haan, Olli Maatta and Andrew Shaw and prospects John Quenneville and Aleksi Saarela) and two free-agent signings (Ryan Carpenter and Robin Lehner). Their 2019-20 Opening Day roster is starting to take shape.

But GM Stan Bowman may not be done making moves just yet.

According to Cap Friendly, the Blackhawks have 10 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders slotted into their structure for a roster size of 21 and projected remaining cap space of $1.036 million. With the signing of Lehner, Collin Delia is likely going to start the season in Rockford, which opens up a roster spot and $1 million.

That leaves the Blackhawks three roster spots and just over $2 million to fill out the final three positions, although they're not required to carry the maximum of 23 players on the NHL roster. The minimum is 20 but the ideal situation is 22 (one extra forward and defenseman).

But Bowman likes to have in-season financial flexibility for transactional purposes and right now the Blackhawks don't exactly have that.

Brendan Perlini remains an unsigned restricted free agent and is likely to command at least $1.5 million. Dominik Kubalik appears to have a strong chance at making the Blackhawks out of training camp and his cap hit is $925,000. Dylan Sikura, whose cap hit is $750,000, was also singled out by Bowman recently as someone who could take on a larger role.

That's three forwards right there who all figure to be part of the four-line rotation but mathematically and financially, it doesn't work without salary being moved out.

If we're trying to identify potential trade candidates, Artem Anisimov comes to mind as someone who's probably become expendable, given his diminishing role over the past couple seasons. The Blackhawks paid his $2 million signing bonus on Monday, the same day his modified no- trade clause was removed. His cap hit remains $4.55 million, but his actual salary owed over the next two years is $5 million total. All of that could open up new trade possibilities for the Blackhawks that are certainly worth exploring.

Brandon Saad's name has also been lightly tossed around over the past few months, but that's not a move you make for cap clearance. He has value and the Blackhawks would only consider it if they felt they were getting something of equal value — or close to it — in return.

If the Perlini negotiations unexpectedly go sideways, is he someone that could be the odd man out? Or could his extension potentially squeeze somebody else out? What about somebody on the blue line, which has suddenly become crowded? The Blackhawks have options but they don't want to subtract too much from the current roster. They've spent the last month trying to build around it.

While Bowman is comfortable with his financial situation in the long term and has been careful not to hand out long-term deals in the last two summers that could potentially get in the way of the second contracts for Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome, there are still some decisions to make before the Blackhawks can start figuring out what their Opening Day line combinations and pairings could look like.

"I think we’re in a good position with the cap," Bowman said. "We've really got sort of a pretty full roster now. Whether this is the way we start camp or tweak a few things, I think we’ve come a long way in the last month. If you look at where we were a month ago and where we are today, we’re a much, much better team and we’re well positioned to have a good season."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107156 Chicago Blackhawks figure out the rest. Kubalik is someone who could create some offensive opportunities and can either cash in himself with the help of Anisimov or Shaw or the other way around. Shaw immediately becomes the Predicting the Blackhawks’ 2019-20 lineup Blackhawks’ best player around the net. That also happens to be where Anisimov stakes out, so that may be too much of the same type of player. Colliton did play Anisimov some on the fourth line last season, so that’s also an option too. David Kampf could be bumped up to replace him. It By Scott Powers again brings into question where Anisimov fits on this team. Jul 2, 2019 Fourth line

Drake Caggiula – Ryan Carpenter – David Kampf This season, the Blackhawks will look much different than how they This could be a shutdown fourth line. Kampf was arguably one of the ended last season. Blackhawks’ best defensive forwards last season. Caggiula has some grit General manager Stan Bowman has had a busy offseason and to his game and some offensive ability. He’s another player who could be potentially added six-to-eight new players to the NHL roster. It’ll obviously moved up and down the lineup. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the be up to Jeremy Colliton to decide which players to plug into which spots. Caggiula-Toews-Kane line at some point next season too. Carpenter was brought in to win faceoffs and help on the penalty kill. This line could start *For now, I took a crack at it. Take this as truth. I present you the mainly in the defensive zone and hold its own. The Blackhawks will also Blackhawks’ 2019-20 lineup. have the flexibility of using Shaw and Kampf on the center or wing on whatever lines they’re on. Forwards Other thoughts First line Brendan Perlini is the obvious odd man out in these lines. It’s possible he Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews – Dylan Sikura snatches a spot from someone. From a contract standpoint, Sikura is the OK, I’m sure you’re going to lay into me as you always do about Sikura. one who would probably have to go. The Blackhawks also sold Anton Honestly, I don’t blame you. He probably wouldn’t blame you either. He Wedin on a bottom-6 NHL opportunity when he signed from Sweden and wasn’t good enough offensively in the NHL last season. But one, I think acquired John Quenneville, who has some NHL experience. The there’s a lot more there from him offensively, and two, I think that line Blackhawks will likely carry 13-14 forwards, so it’s possible a few of those was one of the best two-way lines the Blackhawks placed on the ice last players make sense as rotation pieces. It’s also possible the Blackhawks season. trade a player or two before the season begins. Considering all of the forward options, I’d put Kirby Dach’s chances of making the NHL next Over 71 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time together, the line had a 59.35 Corsi season at very slim. That said, I think the Blackhawks have the depth in percentage, a 57.4 goals-for percentage and a 52.48 expected-goals-for their lineup to set up Dach to succeed if they want to give him an NHL percentage, according to Corsica. That was with Sikura not scoring. opportunity to begin the season. As of now, though, there isn’t a spot for What Sikura has done effectively so far in the NHL is create opportunities him to take. for others. He was behind only Dylan Strome, Patrick Kane, Dominik Kahun, Jonathan Toews and Nick Schmaltz in assists per 60 minutes in Defensemen 5-on-5 play on the Blackhawks last season and behind just Kane and First pairing Strome in primary assists per 60 (min. 300 minutes), according to Natural Stat Trick. Duncan Keith – Erik Gustafsson

Saad and Toews have played well together for much of their careers and Determining the pairings was easier than the lines. Some defensemen can play two-way games. Sikura upped his defensive play last season just didn’t make sense with others. The first pairing was basically a and proved he could hang too. The Blackhawks need balance in their process of elimination. For one, the Blackhawks have too many left- lineup and some lines that can take on a more defensive responsibility. handed shots on their roster, and Gustafsson is the best choice to play As nice as it is to have Toews’ offense flowing, the Blackhawks also his offside. It wasn’t always smooth, but the Keith-Gustafsson pairing usually succeed when he’s matching up against top centers in the was on the ice for a lot more goals for than against last season. defensive zone. They could use him more like Ryan O’Reilly again in that Gustafsson and Keith defied their expected-goals percentage of 42.64 respect next season and separate him from Kane. and had an actual goals percentage of 59.32. They were on the ice for 35 goals for and 24 against. No other pairing was better than a plus-6 Second line differential. With more defensive defensemen in the lineup, this pairing Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Strome – Patrick Kane can get a majority of the offensive zone starts.

This could be one of the most dangerous lines in the NHL next season. Second pairing Yes, they’ll be on the ice for some goals against, but an improved Olli Maatta – Connor Murphy defense may be able to assist there. Offensively, though, they can do some serious damage. Colliton gave DeBrincat and Kane a chance to This would be the Blackhawks’ shutdown pairing. Murphy and Carl play together more than Joel Quenneville did, and they had some Dahlstrom were given the duty much of last season and had mixed success. results. Maatta doesn’t skate as well as Dahlstrom, but he’s proven to be more effective in the defensive zone throughout his career. Maatta is also The addition of Strome helped both players out. Strome and DeBrincat accustomed to often starting in the defensive zone. He had a 43.36 were on the ice together for 38 goals for and 30 against in 5-on-5 play. offensive zone faceoff starting percentage last season. Murphy had a With Kane and Strome on the ice, the Blackhawks scored 25 goals and 39.05 percentage. Both were among the top-30 defensemen with the allowed 23. When the three players were together, their expected-goals lowest offensive zone starting percentages. rate wasn’t exactly pretty at 42.62 percent, but they’re players who are going to score goals that not many players can score and expected-goal Third pairing rates can be tossed out the window. It’s a point Colliton made late in the season. The trio is working out together this summer in Chicago with Calvin de Haan – Brent Seabrook Brian Keane, and I could see Kane inviting them to Darryl Belfry’s camp De Haan is a stable and consistent defenseman, and he may be just in August. A summer of bonding and developing on the ice could lead to what the Blackhawks need alongside Seabrook, whom the Blackhawks even bigger things in the fall and winter. want to see play like he did with Murphy a few years ago. The Murphy- Third line Seabrook pairing had a 53.51 expected-goals percentage. It’s possible they’d be reunited, but Colliton didn’t seem too interested in putting them Dominik Kubalik – Artem Anisimov – Andrew Shaw together and it would be a little strange to have defensemen playing their offside on all three pairings. De Haan had a positive expected-goals It’ll be interesting to see where Colliton plugs Shaw in. You could percentage with his two main partners last season, Trevor van Riemsdyk envision him anywhere in the top-9. I’m not exactly sold on this line’s and Justin Faulk. In 322 minutes, de Haan and van Riemsdyk had an construction, but I talked myself into the top two lines and then tried to expected-goals percentage of 61.1. The Blackhawks would gladly take anything like that with de Haan and Seabrook.

Other thoughts

The main question is obviously Henri Jokiharju. Where does he start the season? If everyone is healthy, he probably starts the season in Rockford. Whether he deserves that or not is yet to be determined, but the contracts aren’t in his favor. The Blackhawks are likely to keep seven defensemen, but it wouldn’t make sense for him to be that additional player. Slater Koekkoek and Dahlstrom may have to fight it out for the seventh spot. Koekkoek did a nice job late in the season, playing consistently despite inconsistent opportunities. Dahlstrom may clear waivers easier than Koekkoek too. Also based on numbers, it’s unlikely Adam Boqvist or any other prospect earns an NHL roster spot out of camp.

Goalies

No. 1: Corey Crawford

No. 2: Robin Lehner

The biggest X-factor going into the season is Crawford’s health. The Blackhawks prepared themselves for the worst-case scenario by unexpectedly signing Lehner to a one-year deal on Monday. If both are healthy, the Blackhawks have a terrific 1-2 punch. If Crawford misses time for whatever reason, Lehner can step right in and carry the load. It’ll be interesting how the Blackhawks determine the workload and whether they’ll go with the hot hand at times. Crawford showed late last season he could still be a game-changing goalie. Lehner was that for much of last season with the New York Islanders. Collin Delia was slated to be Crawford’s backup next season, but he’ll now have to wait for his chance. He and Kevin Lankinen will be the two goalies in Rockford.

* I may be wrong and may want to edit this lineup at a future date.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107157 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri relishes fresh start after decade with Maple Leafs

By KYLE FREDRICKSON | [email protected] | The Denver Post

July 2, 2019 at 2:17 PM

Kadri spent the past 10 years skating for the Maple Leafs — his only NHL home since drafted No. 7 overall in 2009. And then came his Monday trade to the Avalanche. Kadri scored 30-plus goals in back-to- back seasons before his role diminished last year with Toronto’s addition of forward John Tavares in free agency. Colorado provides Kadri a fresh start with a projected second-line role at center or left wing.

The move is still bittersweet.

“It wasn’t really my first choice, but at the end of the day, the Colorado Avalanche are going to be contenders for many, many years to come with such a young team,” Kadri said. “That makes this a lot easier for me.”

Kadri has appeared in 12 career games against the Avs and called Denver a “city that I love.” He told reporters on a Tuesday conference call that several new teammates had reached out and that it displayed “a lot of class.” The 28-year-old native of an Ontario, Canada, also has a personal history with Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon as former members of Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships.

“(MacKinnon) is definitely a guy who can carry a franchise,” Kadri said. “He’s been logging a lot of minutes and that can wear on a player. Hopefully, I can come in and give him some sort of support. It’s amazing to see what he’s been doing the last couple years.”

A likely ice-time increase with Colorado gives Kadri the platform to boost his production from a year ago — 16 goals and 28 assists — in addition to a physical brand of hockey the Avs desperately needed prior to their Western Conference semifinals exit last year. Kadri has no problem pestering opponents with his 6-foot and 192-pound frame, and sometimes to a fault, as noted by multi-game suspensions in each of Toronto’s last two playoff runs for excessive force. Kadri told reporters he did not believe those instances factored into Toronto’s trade decision.

“I’m feeling the best I ever had in working for redemption next season,” he said. “I strongly believe that my best years are yet to come and I think Colorado is going to be a nice fit for me.”

Kadri’s hockey world will come full circle Dec. 4 when the Avalanche travels to face the Maple Leafs in Toronto. He has it circled on the schedule.

“That will certainly be an emotional time for me, but I’d rather get it over with early rather than later,” Kadri said. “I’ll be looking forward to that.”

Denver Post: LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107158 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche announce signing of three AHL prospects

By KYLE FREDRICKSON | [email protected] | The Denver Post

July 2, 2019 at 11:40 am

The Avalanche added depth to its top minor-league affiliate, the , on Tuesday with the signing of three American Hockey League prospects.

Defenseman Dan Renouf signed a two-year contract through the 2020- 21 season, and forwards Jayson Megna and T.J. Tynan were signed to one-year deals through the 2019-20 season.

Renouf, 25, scored 24 points (two goals and 22 assists) in 74 regular season games last year with the Charlotte Checkers, who claimed the AHL Calder Cup as league champions. The former University of Maine standout has appeared in one career NHL game since being signed as a free agent by Detroit in 2016. He has appeared in 256 career AHL games.

Megna, 29, most recently played for the but touts NHL experience. The Florida native has played in 113 career games between the Penguins, Rangers and Canucks with a combined 10 goals and 10 assists. Megna produced 20 goals and 20 assists last season in the AHL.

Tynan, 27, is a former 2011 third-round pick of the Blue Jackets. He spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Wolves and his 71 points (12 goals and 59 assists) ranked tied for third-most in the AHL. Tynan has appeared in three career NHL games.

Denver Post: LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107159 Colorado Avalanche understand the players should do what they can to get their best contract. But this was never going to work for Montreal.”

The key, as far as Montreal was concerned, was the front-loaded nature LeBrun Notebook: ‘This was never going to work for Montreal’: of the offer sheet. An $11.3-million signing bonus payable five days after Hurricanes owner on Sebastian Aho’s offer sheet the deal is registered in the coming week and another signing bonus next July 1 for $9.87 million. It’s here where the Habs had hoped to overwhelm Dundon, already notorious for trying to keep salaries as low By Pierre LeBrun as possible on his team.

Jul 2, 2019 After Carolina matches, they won’t be allowed to trade Aho for a year, meaning they’re on the hook for both bonus payments before they could

even entertain the idea of moving him (not that I got any indication that Don Waddell’s phone rang a few times on Monday morning. they would move the player, but it shows the financial commitment the Canes are responsible for). Three teams called, all with the same name at the tip of their tongues: Sebastian Aho. And this is where I think Montreal also made a bet. Bergevin mentioned a few times during his news conference how thrilled Aho was in signing the Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin confirmed to the assembled media later contract with the Habs. Was the hope that hearing this would make on Monday that he was one of those calls, although the offer sheet that Dundon’s head explode and the owner turn on Aho to the point of not Aho signed from Montreal would be all the confirmation anyone needed. matching? It didn’t work.

While Waddell would not confirm the other two teams, a few calls around It’s worth noting that while Colorado did match the Ryan O’Reilly offer the league suggest that the Panthers and Avalanche also checked in sheet in 2013, the Avs eventually traded him. And while David Poile regarding Aho on Monday morning. Did they hint at an offer sheet or was would never admit this, I truly believe that when Shea Weber signed a it a preliminary trade inquiry? I’m not sure, but the interest was there. 14-year, $110-million offer sheet with Philadelphia in July 2012, that the veteran Predators GM knew that very day he would eventually trade Also of note is that before Bergevin submitted the first offer sheet the Weber. NHL has seen in six and a half years, he did investigate the trade route with Waddell. It obviously didn’t get very far. There’s an emotional part to all this no matter how much Aho and Dundon and anyone involved will deny it. The franchise player signed a Thus, the offer sheet, which got mixed reviews around the league. contract with another team. “An offer sheet is a tool that the CBA gives every team and I respect But the biggest criticism from around the league was that Montreal didn’t Marc for using whatever tool available in an attempt to improve his make the contract rich enough to make it a worthwhile endeavor. team,’’ Stanley Cup champion GM Doug Armstrong told me on Tuesday. “As a general manager, your job is to do what is best for your My understanding of that, if I were to take the Habs perspective on this, organization, not to worry about what other people think. In today’s NHL, is that the contract structure restrictions in the CBA make it so going up players are assets to organizations but equally, so is cap space and draft to the next threshold of draft compensation wouldn’t have been worth it picks. The system is set up to allow all teams to make decisions based for Montreal. My personal belief is that Montreal felt if Dundon was going on all three facets.’’ to match the $21-million plus in the opening 12 months, that he would match a higher number as well. Remember that as per the rules, the Added veteran GM Ken Holland, rather simply on Tuesday: “It’s part of lowest year of the contract has to be at least half of the highest year and the CBA.’’ you can’t drop more than 35 percent year-over-year. The Habs looked at “It is within the rules,” veteran GM Jim Rutherford said. “The Montreal all kinds of scenarios but made the final determination that it was about Canadiens are doing what they believe is in their best interests and now the cash up front and that they basically accomplished the same thing the Carolina Hurricanes are going to do what they believe is in their best with less compensation and a more fair contract. interest.” And while I get that reasoning, it’s the fair contract part that likely made it But there were also other team executives from around the league who palatable for Carolina to match. The Habs maybe got too cute here in weren’t happy. It’s not that they’re against the idea of an offer sheet in that they figured they could not only get their guy but also on a deal that itself, but they felt Montreal didn’t make its offer large enough to move makes sense under the cap. the needle. And with Carolina set to match, it appears that they were This is why offer sheets are so rare, normally to get it done you have to correct. blow the other team so far out of the water with a contract that makes no “The offer sheet is an available way to add a player. But it only makes sense for them to match. But then again, if it makes no sense for them, sense if you are likely to get the player,’’ a Western Conference team how much sense does it make for your team? executive who requested anonymity said. “This one, like the O’Reilly one, Believe me when I say this: I guarantee Dundon has already told Waddell was ill-conceived and doomed to fail from the get-go. that if there’s an RFA in Montreal the ‘Canes can go after over the next “All this accomplishes is it disrupts the marketplace and make the job of few years, he’s got the green light to do something crazy. managers harder going forward, including his own.’’ Offer sheet on Brayden Point considered The offer sheet was for five years with an AAV of $8.454 million. A little I mentioned this during our free agent frenzy marathon telecast on TSN background before we get into the nitty-gritty of the actual offer: It’s that according to my sources, the Canadiens actually began the offer believed Carolina offered eight years at a $7.5-million AAV in contract sheet discussion with agent Gerry Johannson on RFA star centre negotiations and that Aho’s camp responded with five years at a $9.5- Brayden Point (Johannson represents both Point and Aho). But as the million AAV. There was a meeting between agent Gerry Johannson and week went along, it began to make more sense for Montreal to try to the Carolina brass in Vancouver on the Friday of draft weekend which exploit budget-conscious Carolina. didn’t go terribly well. And that’s being kind. If I had to guess, I’d say Point would have not signed an offer sheet The ‘Canes don’t like that the offer sheet is for five years. Term was a anyway and I don’t know that the idea ever even got to his doorstep. major battle between Carolina and Johannson. But the $8.454-million AAV is palatable. Still, I’m sure the Lightning are aware now.

I asked Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon on Tuesday if he was angry at Timo Meier signs the offer sheet. Speaking of high-profile RFAs, what a job by the Sharks in getting Timo “I’m not angry,” Dundon said. “I’m just surprised that any team thought Meier signed at a $6-million AAV over four years. That is an unbelievably this had any chance of working. I guess the Carolina Hurricanes are still reasonable deal for a guy who just scored 30 goals and promises to be a misunderstood if anyone anywhere thought this would be hard for us. I’m core player for years to come. not upset with Sebastian, I am actually relieved to have this done. We all He’s the first of this special class of high-end RFA players to sign this The complaints from teams and agents alike about this year’s eight-day offseason. UFA speaking period were as loud as I’ve ever heard them. To the point where I think some power brokers are hoping to do something about it. It stings losing captain Joe Pavelski to Dallas via free agency but getting Erik Karlsson to stay put and then securing Meier to a reasonable deal is As it turns out, next year won’t be as bad because the draft in Montreal is mighty fine work by Sharks GM Doug Wilson. June 26-27 and so July 1 will be nice and tight afterward.

The deal is also smart by Meier’s agent Claude Lemieux in my mind. But generally speaking in other years, and this is something I have long While the AAV is $6 million, the year by year compensation is $4-million argued, it is absolutely ridiculous that the NHL waits until July 1 — a per year the first two seasons (which includes a $3.3-million signing national holiday in the country that invented the game — to open free bonus each of those first two years) then $6 million in Year 3 ($2-million agency. signing bonus and $4-million salary) and finally a $10-million salary in Year 4. That’s significant because it means Meier’s qualifying offer is $10 I heard from a number of GMs and agents alike over the past week that million after the 2022-23 season. He will be one year away from UFA embrace the idea of moving up the start of free agency to a day in the status at that point. Therefore, if he simply signs his one-year qualifying last week of June. Some like the idea of opening free agency two to three offer or goes to salary arbitration, he basically bridges himself to UFA a days after the draft is done. Some would want it on the last Friday in year later. I’m guessing Lemieux and Meier view this as almost a five- June. Lots of interesting ideas but the overwhelming response I got was year contract in many ways. that it’s time to move away from July 1 and move it into June.

Having said that, there’s no question that the Sharks will attempt to I think the NHLPA plans on bringing this up in bargaining with the league extend Meier a year out in the summer of 2022. That’s the smart play. and I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes up at the next GM meeting.

Leafs-Avs trade Obviously, it’s self-serving for us in the NHL media to want free agency away from the July 1 and July 4 holidays on both sides of the border, my Going back to the top of this story where I mentioned Colorado was cottage awaits. among the teams that checked in on Aho. It’s pretty fair to assume that Colorado’s big trade with Toronto later on Monday evening never But this goes way beyond that. Free-agent players would love to get their happens if the Avs were able to proceed on Aho. business out of the way before the first week of July 1. And for GMs that already work year-round, getting things wrapped up for the most part in But they get Nazem Kadri instead and he’s going to be a great fit in free agency a week earlier would be tremendous for them. Denver. He’s got a cap-friendly contract for three more years at a $4.5- million AAV and I think he’s got a chance to reestablish his 30-goal form Let’s be honest, by Day 3 of the UFA speaking period it’s pretty clear with the Avs. how a lot of the chips will fall, so why not just get it over with for real.

The arrival of John Tavares last year knocked Kadri down in the lineup And with that, I am done for the season. Thanks to our loyal Athletic and he never quite adjusted to his new role. He’ll get bigger minutes in subscribers for reading all season and being part of the fun. See you Colorado. again in September!

Not that he wanted to get traded. Sources confirm Kadri nixed a potential deal to Calgary over the past week, and I believe his camp also sent The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 word to another club on his 10-team no-trade list that had interest in him not to bother calling the Leafs. It was clear Kadri didn’t want to move.

Colorado was not on Kadri’s no-list, which allowed the Leafs to make the deal.

Tyson Barrie scratches the long-festering itch of the Leafs dying for a top-end, right-handed D. With Cody Ceci also on the right side now, suddenly this Leafs D-crops doesn’t look too bad at all, even if UFA Jake Gardiner doesn’t end up sticking around.

Outstanding work by Leafs GM Kyle Dubas between the Colorado and Ottawa trades on Monday.

One thing I want to clear up on the Anders Lee signing with the New York Islanders is the notion that he’s only back because the team swung and missed on Artemi Panarin.

Not true.

It’s my understanding that the Isles were budgeting to try and sign Panarin and Lee, not one or the other. While other teams certainly showed interest and reached out to Lee’s agent Neil Sheehy with contract parameters that might have paid up to $9-million a year, the idea all along was to stay patient and re-sign with the Isles as part of a big July 1 bonanza — had GM Lou Lamoriello also been able to sign Panarin. Plus, there’s the fact that Lee simply didn’t want to leave Long Island. Which kind of tied his agent’s hands in conversations with other teams. Oh, Sheehy had those conversations with other teams, no question. Because he wanted to relay to Lee what was out there and make sure he was fully committed in his decision to stay put. But that was always the plan.

Term was certainly an issue most of the season as Lamoriello and Sheehy went back and forth. They actually agreed to the $7-million AAV way back last September, I’m told. But Lamoriello forever was stuck on six years while Sheehy started at eight years before going to seven years.

The Islanders get the break on AAV given what else was out there Monday, but Lee gets his term.

And finally, about July 1 … 1107160 Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.03.2019

Blue Jackets' big three simply wanted out

By Michael Arace

The Columbus Dispatch

@MichaelArace1

Posted Jul 2, 2019 at 5:30 AM Updated Jul 2, 2019 at 5:34 AM

Artemi Panarin, the prize of the NHL free-agent season, landed in New York with the Rangers. Sergei Bobrovsky, the best goaltender available, took his talents to the Florida Panthers. And Matt Duchene, the top center on the market, moved on to the Nashville Predators.

South Beach, Madison Square Garden and Darth Vader, oh my. The July 1 exodus was rough on Blue Jackets fans, but it’s not like they didn’t see it coming five months ago.

Does our city still have a way to go before it can retain free agents of Panarin’s stature? Sure. Will the Jackets get there? Sure. After a disastrous first decade, the locker-room culture has steadily improved and, with every playoff appearance, the players have built respect for the operation. Shoot, they finally won a round.

As far as how Columbus, the city, factors into the desirability equation, well, bah. It’s a great American city with a fervent sports culture. When the Arena District adds a soccer stadium two years hence, Columbus will have one of the most attractive downtown sports complexes in the nation. Win here, and it’s as good a place to hang your skates as anywhere.

“I’m not the guy to judge what your priorities are, or what the priorities of Panarin and his girlfriend are, or Bobrovsky and his wife,” Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Monday afternoon.

“They’re entitled to decide on whatever’s important to them. I don’t hold a grudge against them because of their destination of choice. ... I happen to love Columbus and it’s a great city, and I know a lot of the (players) who are here are proud to be residents of Columbus and proud to be playing for the Blue Jackets. That’s what we want from our guys.”

Panarin wanted to play in Manhattan. Full stop. He turned down the Jackets’ last-minute offer of eight years and $96 million. He accepted the Rangers’ offer of seven years and $81.5 million — which is to say he left $14.5 million on the table. Bread was going to do what Bread was going to do, and it wasn’t about the bread.

Bobrovsky wanted out. He spent seven years and won two Vezinas here. He got seven years and $70 million from the Panthers. Viva yo, and thank you for your wonderful service. Maybe he is the rarest of goalies who is still worth $10 million a year when he is 38 years old, but the Jackets weren’t betting on it.

Duchene wanted out. He came from Ottawa at the trade deadline and had 22 points in 33 games (playoffs included). The Jackets would have had to overpay him to keep him, and it wasn’t the money that gave them pause. Duchene wanted to be in Nashville — his favorite city — and there he took a seven-year deal worth $56 million. The price is fair for the Predators. We shall see about the term. That contract is going to get heavy in a few years.

Happy trails, then, to Panarin, Bobrovsky and Duchene, and to Ryan Dzingel, Adam McQuaid and Keith Kinkaid — not to mention Vitaly Abramov, Jonathan Davidsson, Anthony Duclair, a first-round pick, two second-round picks and a fourth-rounder and a seventh-rounder. The total cost of Kekalainen’s “all in” strategy at the trade deadline is now clear. He knew the risk. He still thinks he has a good team.

As the market opened Monday, Kekalainen did what was suggested he would: He offered forward Gustav Nyquist a four-year contract worth $5.5 million a year. Nyquist, 29, chose Columbus.

Kekalainen is going to roll out his young forwards and cross his fingers with his untested goaltenders. The Jackets’ strength is in their deep corps of defensemen, which Kekalainen might dip into to swing a trade. He has been making noises about such a move. He’s looking for Blue Jackets. 1107161 Columbus Blue Jackets “When you lose good players, it’s not great — but life goes on,” Kekalainen said. “They have that option in their rights of the (collective bargaining agreement) to make that decision when they reach the Jarmo Kekalainen: 'Life goes on' for Columbus Blue Jackets without star unrestricted free agency, and I’ve said all along that you have to respect players that and wish them the best of luck — just not against us.”

Life is moving on for the Blue Jackets, too.

By Brian Hedger They signed free-agent forward Gustav Nyquist to a four-year contract worth $5.5 million per season, and re-signed Joonas Korpisalo and Ryan The Columbus Dispatch Murray, two key restricted free agents.

@BrianHedger Korpisalo will compete for the starting goalie spot, and Murray, when healthy, is a strong top-four defenseman. Korpisalo signed for one year Posted Jul 2, 2019 at 5:30 AM Updated Jul 2, 2019 at 11:13 AM and $1.15 million, and Murray for two years and $9.2 million.

Nyquist is a versatile 29-year-old who can play either wing. He’s good for Life goes on. 45 to 60 points, proved his worth in the playoffs with the San Jose Sharks last season and wants to be here. Those three words are usually buried within Jarmo Kekalainen’s longer, more philosophical replies when asked about the Blue Jackets going “all “They were a team that, at least from my side, I was eyeing the whole in” last season for a run that eventually took them to the second round of time,” Nyquist said of the Jackets. “It’s a team with some really good the Stanley Cup playoffs, but they are almost always in there. pieces, some good young pieces and also some great veteran leaders — and a team that’s really heading in the right direction. Those were things Life goes on. No time to sulk. They knew the risks and accepted every that really excited me.” one of them, knowing that star players Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky and Matt Duchene could exit Monday as unrestricted free agents, which is exactly what happened. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.03.2019 “We’re comfortable where we are right now,” Kekalainen, the Blue Jackets general manager, said, projecting the cool, even-keel demeanor he always does. “The core’s in place. We’ve talked about it. We accepted the risk at the deadline. We said all along that even if they’re all rentals, we’re fine. And that’s why we took the run at it. We wanted to make sure that if this was the last spring with Bobrovsky and Panarin, we gave it the best shot we could.”

They didn’t stop, either, until time ran out at midnight Sunday, when the Blue Jackets’ six pending unrestricted free agents stopped being pending.

Duchene had a deal in place with the Nashville Predators for seven years and $56 million. Bobrovsky was still thought to be seeking a new sunrise in Sunrise, Florida, which wound up being the case when he signed a seven-year, $70 million contract with the Florida Panthers, ending a fantastic seven-year stretch as a Blue Jacket.

That left Panarin, the biggest fish on the free-agent market.

The Dispatch learned Sunday that Kekalainen and his hockey-operations staff had put together a massive offer — which turned out to be $96 million over eight years — to take one final run at Panarin, an end run of sorts to see if they could sway his thinking at the last minute.

It didn’t work. The clock ran out. Kekalainen went to bed, knowing there was a massive void on his top line, and slept soundly.

“I don’t want to get into the details, but we had said all along that we will do everything we can to keep him and we showed that even at the last day — that we’re committed to winning and the ownership’s on board and that’s what we did,” he said. “We tried everything we could and I can go to bed every night and sleep well thinking that we did everything we could to keep a good player we like.”

So, life goes on.

Panarin, the most dynamic player in Blue Jackets history, is now with the New York Rangers, following the lead of John Davidson — the Jackets’ former president of hockey operations who now holds that job with the Rangers. To make it happen, a lot of guaranteed money was left on the table.

The seven-year contract Panarin signed is worth a reported $81.5 million, making his salary-cap charge $11.64 million per season. The Jackets’ offer, confirmed by multiple sources, would’ve paid him $12 million per season for one year longer, meaning Panarin walked away from an extra $14.5 million that only the Blue Jackets could offer as the team with his signing rights.

The New York Islanders reportedly offered more than $84 million over seven years, so Panarin left money unclaimed there, too.

It was a similar story with Duchene, who wanted to live in Nashville, Tennessee, and, according to a source, took less money to play there. 1107162 Columbus Blue Jackets Given what we know about the Blue Jackets lineup, presuming Nyquist stays in a top-six role, his probable partners on the right would be ideal. As far as NHL regulars go, Josh Anderson, Cam Atkinson and Oliver Analytically speaking: What Gustav Nyquist can bring to the Blue Jackets Bjorkstrand ranked No. 1-2-3 respectively among all Blue Jackets players in terms of shots per 60 in five-on-five play. Add in the size of Pierre-Luc Dubois or perhaps Jenner down the middle and Nyquist could be in a ready-made spot to produce just as he does best. By Alison Lukan “Nyquist has solid on-ice impacts on shot rates and shot quality as well, Jul 2, 2019 and he’ll give you 20 goals and 45 points (a season),” Iyer said.

Special teams Gustav Nyquist signed a four-year contract with the Blue Jackets on And what about when the game is not at even strength? Nyquist isn’t a Monday. It’s a move that helps replenish the left side of Columbus’ player whom you’ll see on the penalty kill, but he is someone who has forward corps with top-six talent. gotten regular power-play time over the years and could be a real asset “I think he’s versatile,” Jarmo Kekalainen said. “He’s got the speed for the Blue Jackets there. But it could all depend on role. required in today’s game, he’s a very durable player who played 82 During Nyquist’s first 82-game season in Detroit (2014-15), then- games many seasons in a row. He’s coming off a great season, 60 points assistant coach Jim Hiller was in charge of the power play. Hiller put the last year. …He can play right side or left side and he’s a left-handed shot. Swede in a specific role: playing the bumper (the middle player in the slot I think that fills a need for us and we like the player … a lot.” in a one-three-one power-play setup). What exactly is there to like about the newest Blue Jackets player? We A bumper must be excellent at distributing the puck to his teammates took a look at what Nyquist brings to the table. around him while existing as a scoring threat. Playing bumper well allows Even strength play for rapid and frequent puck movement through the zone while creating coverage challenges for penalty killers. Think back to the performance of Last season was a career year for the 29-year-old Swede from a points Sam Gagner, who mastered the bumper spot with the Blue Jackets perspective. While some might point to the inflated shooting percentage during the 2016-17 season. he enjoyed in San Jose (15.15), that came only over the final 20 games of the season. Before that, he rode a fairly standard 10.71 shooting Playing as the bumper in Detroit seemed to suit Nyquist’s talents. He saw percentage through 62 games in Detroit. the most power-play time per game of his career and scored 14 goals and had 10 assists. There’s certainly no question the player can score goals. As Iyer points out, however, after Hiller left, Nyquist was moved to more But just as meaningfully, Nyquist can drive play the right way. After a of a quarterback role playing on the half-boards. The ask there was breakout rookie campaign when he scored 28 goals in 55 games, the different — a lot more shooting — and Nyquist was less effective. forward evolved his game into more of a playmaker role, according to Hockey Graphs’ Prashanth Iyer. But last year, the forward did seem to find his touch again, scoring 10 power-play goals with the Red Wings even while playing predominantly “(Nyquist) is an excellent passer, and was responsible for a lot of first with the second unit. If Nyquist can earn a spot in the middle of passes out of the zone on breakouts,” Iyer said. “The duo of him and Columbus’ power play and show the same skill at bumper as he had in (Dylan) Larkin gave the Wings a legit first line at times.” the past, he would not only be successful, he would also fill a need that has been noticeably wanting in Columbus for almost two seasons. Using data tracked by The Athletic’s Corey Sznajder, we see that over the past three years, Nyquist’s transition game is strong when it comes to Contract exiting the zone. He also shows a positive performance in entries and in helping to create shots for his teammates. With his joining the Blue And of course we must ask, overall, does the deal fit the player? Both Jackets, Nyquist’s numbers place him behind the likes of Cam Atkinson EvolvingWild and Money Puck Systems had projected Nyquist to get and Oliver Bjorkstrand in such categories but ahead of players like around $6 million per year for five to six years. With Nyquist hitting age Boone Jenner and Nick Foligno. 30 right before the 2019-20 season begins, and given what we know about aging curves, term could have been a concern. And once Nyquist does the work of getting into the zone, he helps his team create offense from the most dangerous areas. But the Jackets signed the forward to a four-year, $5.5 million AAV contract, putting the deal definitely on the right side of things. Using data from NaturalStatTrick.com, if we compared Nyquist’s performance last season with that of the Blue Jackets’ roster, he’d rank in Our own Dom Luszczyszyn assessed the contract as one that should the top three in overall shot share and scoring chance share and top five “maintain top-six level value for the majority of (the) deal.” in high-danger attempts. Summary Put another way, the chart below from HockeyViz.com indicates where The loss of Artemi Panarin is palpable, but in signing Nyquist, Columbus Nyquist’s teams took shots from when he was on the ice. Red marks was able to add a solid forward who has proved he can contribute in a areas where shots came at a rate higher than league average, and blue top-six role and could also be valuable on the power play. is below league average. The more and darker the red, the better. The newest Blue Jacket also joined the team at a fair price that won’t What we see is with Nyquist on the ice, shots are coming from exactly handcuff the team in terms of dollars or term. In a year when the free- where you want them to — the most dangerous areas in the slot and net agent class wasn’t super deep with talent, the Jackets look to have made front. a smart pickup. Similarly, Nyquist doesn’t show to be a defensive liability on the other — Data via NaturalStatTrick.com and Evolving-Hockey.com. All numbers end of the ice. When we look at shots opponents take, we want to see represent five-on-four play unless otherwise stated. This post relies less red and more blue, indicating that the other team is taking shots at a heavily on shot-based metrics. Here is a good primer on these numbers. rate below league average.

Chart via Micah Blake McCurdy, HockeyViz.com The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 Obviously, Nyquist has offense-minded talent he can bring to the team, but are there certain situations that might most ideally set him up for success?

Nyquist isn’t really one to carry a line but he can be a great collaborator on the ice.

“What you want him with is a guy who can create space for him to operate as well as a guy who’s willing to shoot the puck more,” Iyer said. 1107163 Detroit Red Wings

What Steve Yzerman is prioritizing as he works to fill out Red Wings roster

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

Published 6:38 a.m. ET July 2, 2019 | Updated 5:31 p.m. ET July 2, 2019

Steve Yzerman is intent on creating competition as he puts his imprint on the rebuilding Detroit Red Wings.

He made three signings on the opening day of free agency Monday, adding two-way forward Valtteri Filppula, defensive defenseman Patrik Nemeth, and depth goaltender Calvin Pickard. And they might not be the only new faces Yzerman adds.

“I would mull over a couple other things,” Yzerman said Monday. “We have a spot potentially on right wing. I don’t want to fill it just to fill it because it gives us some options for some of our younger players, to see if they’re ready, and it leaves opportunity maybe for something to come along now and the start of the regular season.

“I’m not really in a hurry, but I would consider that, and potentially look at maybe another defenseman.”

Yzerman said every veteran under contract is projected to be ready for September’s training camp, including defenseman Mike Green, who battled a virus last season, and defensemen Trevor Daley and Jonathan Ericsson, both of whom missed significant time injured. Yzerman said at the NHL draft he’d let veteran defenseman Niklas Kronwall have the whole summer to decide whether to retire or return. That decision could play into whether Yzerman looks elsewhere to bolster the blue line.

“We’d weigh adding another one versus leaving a spot for one of our younger guys on the roster,” Yzerman said. “If the right player at the right contract comes along, we would consider signing another one.”

Yzerman has stressed he wants players to compete for jobs, and director of European scouting Hakan Andersson said at the draft that perceived competitiveness was a key factor as the Wings made their selections. Young players such as Filip Zadina, Michael Rasmussen and Evgeny Svechnikov will get a job if they earn one, regardless of summer signings.

“Even if we were to sign another player, we still are in a position that those young guys, if they are ready to play, they’re going to push somebody out and we’ll deal with it at that time,” Yzerman said. “Whether we sign another forward or defenseman, it does not box out any of young players. What it does is it gives us a little protection if they’re not ready to go in the fall.”

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107164 Detroit Red Wings “I’ve been working with my strength coach (at Quinnipiac) every day this summer and I’ve put weight on,” Petruzzelli said. “I’m still working on it. I’ve got a long way to go. A lot of it is focusing on nutrition as well, and Red Wings' Taro Hirose hopes to carry last season's success into that will help me. training camp “I’m looking forward to next season. We’re going to be kind of a young team, we had a lot of freshmen last year coming in, so we’re going to need them to step up and be big-time players for us. But I really like our Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News team, I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Published 2:41 p.m. ET July 2, 2019 | Updated 5:04 a.m. ET July 3, 2019

Detroit News LOADED: 07.03.2019 Detroit — Taro Hirose considers himself like a sponge.

The former Michigan State forward, who signed with the Red Wings in March as an undrafted free agent, was a pleasant surprise, collecting seven points (one goal, six assists) in 10 games.

Taro Hirose had a goal and six assists in 10 games with the Red Wings last season.

One reason for Hirose’s early NHL success is his desire to absorb knowledge from veteran teammates.

“I’m trying to be a student of the game, and watch what the best players in the world are doing,” said Hirose last week during the Wings’ development camp. “Being able to pick their brains, guys on the team, and see what they’re seeing on plays and seeing things that maybe I don’t see, I’m trying to learn all the time.

“That’s a big part for me.”

Hirose, 23, was one of the older players at last week’s camp, and also had the edge of already played some NHL games.

His success the final weeks of the season was somewhat of a surprise, given he’s only listed at 5-foot-10, 160-pounds, and Hirose isn’t the fastest skater around.

But Hirose has utilized his hockey smarts to the best of his ability, consistently making plays and finding the best places to be on the ice.

“He showed when he came in last season he proved he could produce,” said Shawn Horcoff, the Wings’ director of player development. “He’s been training hard this offseason and he looks good right now.”

Heading into training camp, though Hirose doesn’t have a guaranteed spot in the lineup by any stretch, you get the feeling he is at least penciled onto a roster spot.

Hirose displayed good chemistry with Andreas Athanasiou, though by the sounds of it Monday from general manager Steve Yzerman, Athansiou will be moved from center back to wing.

That brief taste of the NHL, successful as it was, inspired Hirose.

“It was huge for my confidence and letting myself know I can sort of play at that level,” Hirose said. “Obviously there’s a lot of things I need to work on. I’ve been here for most of the summer trying to work on my game and show them I can play at that level.”

Hirose is spending the majority of his summer in the Detroit area training with veteran Red Wings on the roster.

Adams hurt

Forward Jack Adams (2017, 6th round) suffered a fully torn ACL and MCL during Saturday’s Red-White scrimmage.

Adams sustained the knee injury on a knee-to-knee collision. He’ll have surgery within a month and a full recovery is expected.

In 38 games last season at Union College (N.Y.) Adams had 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists).

Adding weight

Goalie Keith Petruzzelli is spending his offseason adding as much weight and muscle as possible.

Petruzzelli (2017, 3rd round) split the net last season at Qunnipiac, going 8-3 with a 2.42 goals against and .904 save percentage.

The 6-foot-6, 185-pound junior is expected to see more playing time this season, and understands he needs to build on his frame for long-term success. 1107165 Detroit Red Wings

Griffins’ Ben Simon to be guest coach at World Junior Summer Showcase

Posted Jul 2, 7:42 AM

By Peter J. Wallner | [email protected]

Grand Rapids Griffins coach Ben Simon will be a guest coach for Team USA during the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase later this month in Plymouth.

Simon, entering his second season as coach of the Griffins, will join former NHL forward and college coach Derek Plante at the July 26-Aug. 3 event that features the best Under-20 players from the United States, Canada, and Sweden. All are competing for spots to represent their country in the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Participants in this year's showcase include 34 first-round draft selections between the U.S. (11), Canada (16), Finland (2) and Sweden (5).

The 41-year-old Simon led the Griffins to a fourth-place finish in the AHL’s Central Division and a playoff berth for the seventh consecutive season. He previously served three seasons as an assistant coach with the Griffins under Todd Nelson.

As a youth, Simon skated on a U.S. National Junior Team twice (1997, 1998), helping the U.S. to its first-ever silver medal finish in 1997.

Michigan Live LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107166 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman practices patience in free agency

By LARRY LAGE AP Hockey Writer

DETROIT (AP) — Steve Yzerman is practicing patience in his first year as the Detroit Red Wings' general manager.

On the opening day of free agency, the Hockey Hall of Famer and former Red Wings great made some subtle moves to improve his roster without saddling the rebuilding franchise with big contracts.

Detroit signed both center Valtteri Filppula and defenseman Patrik Nemeth to two-year , $6 million contracts and added goaltender Calvin Pickard with a two-year deal.

"We're looking at doing shorter-term deals with everyone that we spoke with," Yzerman said Monday. "Being new to the organization, I want to proceed somewhat slowly and kind of get to know what we have within the organization."

Yzerman is trying to turn around a franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since 2016, its longest drought since a five-year skid ended in 1984 when he was a rookie in Detroit.

The Red Wings have a core of young players, led by Dylan Larkin, to build around and a slew of prospects they hope are pushing for playing time in the NHL. Yzerman is counting on a trio of veterans to add depth as complementary players.

He is also reuniting with Filppula for a third time.

Filppula, who helped Detroit win the 2008 Stanley Cup, played with Yzerman with the Red Wings and was signed by him in Tampa Bay.

"It's always important to feel like the team wants you," the 35-year-old Finn said. "I know Stevie from before and have a good relationship."

Filppula had 17 goals and 31 points last season with the New York Islanders. He has scored 185 times and has 494 points over 14 seasons with Detroit, Philadelphia the Lightning and the Islanders.

Likely on the second or third line, he is expected to play center to allow Andreas Athanasiou to play on the wing.

"We had a hole in the middle," Yzerman said.

Nemeth had one goal and 10 points last year in Dallas. The 27-year-old Swede has four goals and 35 assists over six seasons with the Stars and Colorado Avalanche. Detroit may have to replace Niklas Kronwall, a key player on the blue line, to make help on the blue line even more of a priority. Yzerman has said Kronwall, a 38-year-old defenseman, can take his time this summer to decide whether he wants to return to play for the Red Wings or retire.

"With the uncertainty of Nik Kronwall and Trevor Daley and Jonathan Ericsson missed time with injuries and going into the last year of their contracts," Yzerman said, "it was important to bring in a defenseman that can play now on the left side and help us in the future as well."

Detroit signed Pickard to compete with Jonathan Bernier to be Jimmy Howard's backup and perhaps to give the team three goaltenders.

"Gives us a little bit of security," Yzerman said.

Pickard is 32-50-9 with a 2.93 goals-against average during his five- season career with Colorado, Toronto, Philadelphia and Arizona. The 27- year-old Canadian was winless in four starts last season with the Coyotes.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107167 Detroit Red Wings In this projection, however, Zadina opens on line 3, keeping with the Red Wings’ standard operating procedure of bringing their youngest players along a little slower once they arrive. You’d have to expect him to move Projecting the Red Wings’ 2019-20 lineup: Version 1.0 around as the season progresses (the next hockey lineup to stay the same wire-to-wire will be the first), but there are advantages to this approach either way. For one, it allows Taro Hirose — who showed good chemistry with Athanasiou down the stretch last season — to slide up By Max Bultman and play with a scorer who can finish the plays he creates. It allows Jul 2, 2019 Zadina a bit of shelter in terms of both matchups and linemates. And it spreads out the scoring between Detroit’s top three lines, allowing it to create more threats in more situations. Putting Zadina opposite Helm may not be the dream scenario in the offensive zone, but Filppula should Steve Yzerman might not be done this offseason. be savvy enough to find him in the right spots, and Helm will certainly As he spoke with reporters on a conference call Monday, following the provide cover defensively. Red Wings’ signing of three free agents, the Red Wings’ general The fourth line speaks for itself, and, really, you could talk yourself into manager left the door cracked for one or two more potential moves. any arrangement of that middle six if you wanted. Could be a winger. Could be a defenseman. If the fit is right, Detroit isn’t closed-off to the idea. But the verdict at this point in the summer likely comes down to how much of a threat you want from the third line. (And whether you think “But we weigh adding another one versus just leaving a spot for one of you’re really getting enough from Hirose if his linemates aren’t finishers.) our younger guys on the roster, maybe decided at training camp or after training camp,” Yzerman said. “If the right player and the right contract Defense come along, we would consider signing another one. … Even if we were to sign another player, we still are in a position that those young guys are Here’s where things get a little dicey. Yzerman seemed to acknowledge competing for (lineup spots), and if they’re ready to play, they’re going to Monday that the Red Wings see new signee Patrik Nemeth as an ideal push somebody out, and we’ll deal with it at that time. I think whether we partner for either Mike Green or Filip Hronek, a pair of puck-moving sign another forward, another defenseman, it does not box out any of our righties. That means they likely see him playing in their top four, with the young players. What it does, it gives us a little protection if they’re not exact combinations probably getting worked out in September. In the ready to go in the fall.” meantime, let’s project Nemeth with Green, keeping together the Danny DeKeyser-Hronek duo that was effective for Detroit late season. That, really, is the central question to piecing together what Detroit’s lineup will look like come Oct. 5 in Nashville: Which young players will be And all told, that’s probably an upgrade over the blue line Detroit trotted in it. out for much of last year. The potential loss of Niklas Kronwall to retirement does take out one of Detroit’s top-four defenders from a year And after a long week of development camp followed by an active ago, but playing Green with a stay-at-home shot suppressor is likely the Monday, that question does at least look a little bit clearer. While the best usage for him at this phase of his career. possibility of another move remains, the numbers game of the roster is beginning to set some parameters, with September’s training camp in The more interesting questions are on the third pair, where, admittedly, Traverse City ultimately the final test. And obviously, what happens there I’ve used this projection to make a bit of a point. could (and should) swing things quite a bit. When Nemeth was signed, the first natural instinct was to question what At this time last year, for example, Dennis Cholowski didn’t look like any it meant for Cholowski. Is he getting boxed out? Will the fact that Detroit kind of slam dunk to make Detroit’s roster. But he turned a big summer has so many left-handed defensemen under contract keep him in Grand into a consistent place in the lineup for the first three-plus months of the Rapids, even if he’s merited a spot? season. This version shows a pretty clear reason that answer should be “no.” Or With most of the roster likely set, though, it is about time to get started at least, “not necessarily.” figuring out what Detroit’s depth chart projects to look like with just over Oliwer Kaski and Madison Bowey, both young right-handers who will be two months until the start of camp — and Cholowski, it turns out, could 24 on opening night, do figure to challenge for a spot in the lineup — and be at the center of that debate once again. if one of them wins it, they’ll be there on the right side, likely with a Forwards veteran like Trevor Daley holding down their flank the third pair.

Any questions on line 1? OK, cool. But look how easy it is to make everything work if Cholowski does come to camp and, once again, forces his way into the lineup. Daley can slide The second line is where you can start plugging in the puzzle pieces. over to the right. Kaski can adjust to North American ice in Grand Rapids. Frans Nielsen and Valtteri Filppula are probably interchangeable as the And the Red Wings can use two of their three healthy-scratch spots on middle-six centers, but Andreas Athanasiou, who is coming off a 30-goal, defenders who won’t be overly stunted by being a healthy scratch 54-point season, has to be considered a lock on the second line as (although it might be good to get Bowey as many reps as possible). arguably the team’s most electric player. And Nielsen — who is probably the better defensive forward between he and Filppula — makes sense to Still: No waivers to worry about. No buyouts needed. Just a standard play next to him, allowing Athanasiou maximum freedom. lineup, with the same number of healthy scratches as usual.

The temptation, of course, is to slot in 2018 sixth-overall pick Filip Zadina Is that what’s going to happen? Who knows. Genuinely, with that many opposite Athanasiou on that line. That’s certainly the option that makes potential options, it won’t be decided until training camp. And as last Detroit’s top six its most imposing, and you could even swap in Filppula season showed, injuries can change things in a hurry. with that same set of wings and create a more “shutdown” third line built The only thing you can say with near certainty, at this point, is that around Nielsen and Darren Helm. Cholowski and Kaski aren’t likely to be the seventh or eighth Come October, in fact, that wouldn’t be altogether shocking. But Zadina defensemen, as both would still have plenty to gain by playing in Grand does have to make the team first. Rapids, and the waiver exemptions to make doing so easy.

(For what it’s worth, I continue to believe Zadina will spend the bulk of And maybe Kaski’s intriguing offense makes him the dark horse when this season in Detroit after a summer of training to become more training camp does roll around. Maybe Bowey’s NHL experience wins out explosive. That training did result in a hamstring injury that sidelined him over the Finn. Maybe Jonathan Ericsson manages to hold all three off. for much of development camp, but, health permitting, Zadina’s But if Cholowski wins that job with his play — and it does still look like an development is best served by playing with the highest-level players as “if” — there’s no reason to think he’ll be automatically robbed of it come possible. It’s no disrespect to the players he was with in Grand Rapids, October. There’s room for the youth to take some jobs. just the simple fact that a pure scorer like him will do better with as much playmaking talent as he can get around him. And with an AHL season Goalies under his belt, plus a summer in the gym, he should be ready for that next step.) Everything here is pretty straightforward, with Yzerman saying Monday he plans to have newly signed Calvin Pickard in Grand Rapids to mentor Filip Larsson.

The only question might be the division of workload in Detroit, as Jimmy Howard keeps getting up there in years. Jonathan Bernier didn’t always get a great shake last season as the backup, and more games might do him good. We’re not talking 50-50, but if a tad more balance would put both players in a better position to succeed, might it be worth a look?

Takeaways

The crux of this, of course, comes down to which prospects make the best impression two months from now. Hirose had a strong development camp after an impressive debut last season, and Zadina and Cholowski both had their moments last year despite their fair shares of adversity. But none of the three is a lock.

This projection doesn’t even include Michael Rasmussen, who spent the whole past season in Detroit except when rehabbing from injury. His situation was obviously complicated by rules involving 19-year-old CHL players, but who’s to say Rasmussen doesn’t have his own big summer and force his way back. You could argue similarly for Evgeny Svechnikov, who’s coming off an ACL injury but is only slightly younger than Hirose and still has potential. Either of those players could make the Red Wings in October and shake up the lineup in a heartbeat. Ditto for another free-agent signing.

But if Zadina, Hirose and Cholowski show up and win jobs, this is how the Red Wings could roll out on opening night. It’s not a group of world beaters, and it’s not how things will look even three years down the road.

And yet, it’s a lot more complete than it looked Monday morning.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107168 Edmonton Oilers He will be met with more competition than he faced last year when camp opened. In an effort to get more goals from his bottom six, Holland is bringing in a number of dark-horse candidates to fight for the ice. Joakim Khaira wants to be exactly what the Edmonton Oilers need Nygard, Tomas Jurko and Gaetan Haas will try to make an impression while Khaira, Colby Cave, Sam Gagner and Kyle Brodziak attempt to protect the spots they had last year. And who knows who might emerge from the Bakersfield mix. Robert Tychkowski “It pushes every player to get the best out of themselves,” said Khaira, July 2, 2019 5:56 PM MDT adding all of this will hopefully translate into a better team. “With competition, everybody wants the best players on the ice around the and everybody wants to be the best they can be.” One of the ingredients the Oilers needed on July 1 was a young player with size and decent wheels, on a cheap, short-term contract, with a potential to score 12 or so goals from the bottom six. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.03.2019 Somebody about 24, with a better pedigree than what he’s shown so far in the NHL, who might possibly realize his potential in Edmonton.

That kind of low-risk investment fits right into their needs and budget.

So they made it.

In re-upping Jujhar Khaira to a two-year bridge deal worth $1.2 million per season, the Oilers are gambling that both parties will emerge from this contract better for having signed it.

After scoring just three goals in a disappointing 2018-19 campaign that was hampered by heel and back issues that limited him to 60 lukewarm games, Khaira has a chance to elevate his own stock while helping an Oilers team that was embarrassingly short on scoring from the bottom six.

“I want to play for this organization and I want to be an important part of the team,” said Khaira, during a break in his off-season training back home in B.C.

“I’m excited that it’s done now and I can focus on training and skating and enjoy the rest of summer. I’m excited to be back.”

Two years gives GM Ken Holland more than enough time to make a decision on where, or if, Khaira fits into the Oilers long-term plans, while providing the six-foot-four winger/centre an opportunity to re-establish his reputation as a physical and emotional who can bury a puck.

“Two good years will help me out a lot,” he said.

“Last year, three goals wasn’t the best season for me, so it’s a good year for me to bounce back.”

Not being able to supply any secondary scoring when he was one of the players being counted on for it is what’s driving him this summer. He believes he can still be one of the double-digit goal scorers Holland is searching for.

“I know I can do it. At the end of the day, I trust myself, and that’s the biggest thing. I’m going to continue to work on my offence this summer and come back and try to be an important player for the team. I do trust my offensive abilities.”

Khaira blames a lot of last season on the stops and starts that resulted from his nagging injury problems. It’s also something he’s working on in the off-season.

“There were things I was battling last year,” he said. “I’m working on getting everything figured out for this year. If I stay healthy, I have a lot of confidence in myself.

“When I was healthy last year I felt like I played good hockey … Then, to sit out and come back and try to get back to how you were playing before, that’s tough. It was frustrating last year but it’s going to be a fresh start, for sure.”

Speaking of fresh starts, as usual, the Oilers have a new coach, along with a new GM, so Khaira is starting with a clean slate. That’s good. But the equity he built two years ago during that 11-goal season is gone now. That’s bad. He will once again have to start carving out a role for himself from scratch.

“I have to build trust with the new staff that’s come in. It’s something I’ve had to do in the past. But the biggest thing for me is to focus on myself this summer, what I need to do. Trust the work I’m going to put in for when I get back for camp and hit the season running. I want to give myself the best possible chance to have two good seasons.” 1107169 Edmonton Oilers “I’ve always got along with guys but now players were listening to me because of my experience, what I’ve witnessed and how you do things. I’m not saying I’m always correct but I’m part of a group where I can bring Alex Chiasson hopes to feed off last year's feel-good story my thoughts and guys listen. That’s how you become a better team where guys challenge one another,” he said.

The Oilers held his attention. Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal “The grass is not always greener on the other side and I’m the perfect July 2, 2019 4:55 PM MDT example. I’ve been in different places and experienced some nice things but now I feel I’m part of this group moving forward,” said Chiasson.

This ’n that: Ex Oiler centre Mark Letestu, who played 90 per cent of his Alex Chiasson took part in the courting period as a free-agent after the games with Columbus’s farm squad in nearby Cleveland, has signed a NHL draft ended, but his heart wasn’t into the speed-dating process two-way deal with the Jets. Nice for Letestu, who’ll be getting $350,000 if because he badly wanted the relationship with the Edmonton Oilers to he plays for the AHL Moose, based in Winnipeg, and $700,000 if he’s keep going. with Jets … New Oiler C signee Gaetan Haas is getting the standard And it will for the next two years with a $4.3 million contract, which far $925,000 NHL entry-level deal but only $70,000 if he plays in Bakersfield exceeds the chump change $650,000 from last year after he won a spot which certainly opens the door for him deciding he would rather play on right-wing in camp after a tryout and was the feel-good story of the back in Europe where the Swiss Olympian and all-star can make more. season with a career-high 22 goals.

“It could have worked where the team didn’t feel I was part of the plan for Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.03.2019 the future,” said Chiasson, “but from what I understand Connor (McDavid) and Leon Draisaitl, Nuge (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) and Darnell (Nurse) had good things to say about me … I really appreciate that. You can probably call those four the core of the team for the next five to 10 years.”

Indeed, Chiasson, part of the support group in Washington on their Stanley Cup winner, not only came through on the ice here, showing he could play with the big guns, and on the power play, but he gained a voice in the room because of his experience with the Capitals. He’s a very thoughtful, honest assessor of the game and his own play.

He may not hit 22 goals again but believes he’s 15-20, also that he can be a top 9 RW, maybe top 6, certainly able to move around the lineup.

“The last couple of years in Washington and Edmonton I went to camp on tryouts … the general managers didn’t have confidence in me to give me a contract or stability but I feel I’ve watched guys develop their games offensively or defensively and I’ve had to build a strong base,” he said.

“I’m not the fastest guy but if there’s things I can work on to be better than other guys, they’ll help me stay in the league. What’s driving me this summer is to prove I can do it again.

“It’s fair to say the opportunity I got last year, getting to play with those guys, and on the power play (eight goals) had a big impact on my stats (38 points). I don’t take that for granted. If I went somewhere else I’m not sure I would get that opportunity. It was fun last year to come to the rink, where you are playing 16, 18, 20 minutes a game. I wanted that again,” he said.

“I’m not saying I’m a top 9 or a top 6 forward but I’m not taking away from what I can do playing with those guys … I’ve always said if you don’t work on getting better you’ll be out of the league before you know it,” he said. “I can work more on getting open which I did last year and those guys will find you. I’m never going to be the greatest skater but I can use my hockey smarts. I want to show I can contribute again with those guys but I have also shown I can play up and down a lineup, and that’s the key to winning.”

Chiasson isn’t coming to camp on an audition this fall, which lowers the stress level dramatically.

“I remember leaving my home (for camp last fall) with a hockey bag, some sticks, one suitcase and one suit and I didn’t know where I was going. I raised my game to the level it should be at but at the same time you’re living on the edge, not sleeping the best and you’re always wondering if you are part of this or are they giving me a chance today, and tomorrow I’m gone,” he said.

Chiasson wants some familiar faces and hopes he can help once again.

“My first goal was to come back to Edmonton. I had dinner with my agent Pat Morris last December and I told Pat then, ‘You know, I really like this place, I’m comfortable in the locker room and I’m part of the leadership group where before I was a support player,’’’ said Chiasson, an NHL vagabond with stops in Dallas, Ottawa, Calgary and Washington before here last fall.

He’s not a star but you could easily see him with a letter on his jersey. 1107170 Edmonton Oilers Smith was asked why he and Tippett are so compatible. The truth is no one in the Oilers organization knows Smith quite like the head coach.

Their first stint together was in Dallas more than a decade ago. It was a A deeper look at Mike Smith’s comments after signing with the Oilers brief one. Smith served as Marty Turco’s backup for 44 games over parts of two seasons before he was shipped to Tampa Bay as part of the Brad Richards deal in February 2008. By Daniel Nugent-Bowman The Tampa Bay experience didn’t go according to plan for Smith. A Jul 2, 2019 concussion and some inconsistent play derailed his time there. His final two seasons were particularly poor and even resulted in him getting

waived and sent to the AHL. The voice on the other end of the phone sounded both optimistic and By the time Smith became a free agent in 2011, his best option was to relieved. accept a two-year, $4-million deal in Arizona with his first NHL coach. Having signed with the Oilers, goaltender Mike Smith naturally explained Smith ended up playing six seasons for Tippett with the Coyotes. They how excited he is to compete for another No. 1 job with Dave Tippett both left in the 2017 offseason when Tippett left the team and Smith was once again behind the bench. Smith played for Tippett in Dallas and in dealt to Calgary. Arizona. Their first season together was by far their best. Smith had a .930 save Only having to make a short move with his family up Highway 2 and percentage in the regular season and backstopped the team to the 2012 getting to cross enemy lines in the Battle of Alberta are boons, too, he Western Conference final. They didn’t make the playoffs again. said. That was seven years ago – when Smith was 30 and in his prime. At the same time, the 37-year-old is coming off an uneven season and there’s a lot at stake considering he agreed to an incentive-laden, one- Positive relationship aside, Smith will have to prove to his coach that he year deal. can still bring it.

Smith’s base salary is $2 million and games played and playoff bonuses “Connor McDavid; to get a chance to play with one of the best players in could bump the value as high as $3.75 million. Bonuses kick in once the world. Edmonton’s a good team. They’re a good team. They were Smith hits 20 games played and max out at $1 million at 45 regular competitive every time we played them last year. They probably season appearances. He’ll get $250,000 if the Oilers make the playoffs, underachieved last year if you talk to players on the team. I think Tipp will another $250,000 if they reach the second round and an additional be a real good solution to get this team back on track and be real $250,000 if they’re in the Western Conference final. Although only the competitive every single night. They might not be the most skilled out base salary counts against the cap, Oilers GM Ken Holland is earmarking through their whole lineup. But they have game-changers that can, in the $3 million for payments to Smith because he doesn’t want an overage to blink of an eye, change the game. That’s important. And the depth of the carry over into 2020-21. team is a lot better than people give it credit for. I’m gonna come in there and hopefully stabilize the back end. My puckhandling, I feel, is a big All that’s to say Smith has an opportunity in Edmonton for a late-career attribute to the defence corps. I’m looking forward to this new chapter.” renaissance or the potential for his playing days to fizzle out. What happens next will largely depend on his performance, that of netminding Smith was asked what else, aside from Tippett, attracted him to the partner Mikko Koskinen and their Oilers teammates in front of them. Oilers. Naturally, his response started with the captain – an annual threat to win the Hart and Art Ross trophies. Smith said all the right things after he was signed. But his comments require a little more examination. As he continued speaking, it seemed clear Smith had a pretty good handle on his former foes and new allies. “There’s a few things that happened at the start of the season. I don’t really wanna get into that, personally. I think there were some mental Holland believes he improved the depth of the bottom six forwards by things. I didn’t really have the start that I was looking for and got behind signing winger Markus Granlund, former Red Wing Tomas Jurco and the eight-ball numbers-wise. But (I) decided mentally, after the break, Swiss centre Gaetan Haas. (He also brought back forwards Alex that I was gonna give it everything I had in the second half and just Chiasson and Jujhar Khaira.) The GM feels he has more players capable compete like I know I can. I really felt like I played my best hockey down of scoring at least 10 goals next season, a massive problem in 2018-19. the stretch and in the playoffs and got the confidence going and the mojo back. I still feel like I can be a big part of a team’s success.” Aside from McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, however, there remains a dearth of proven scoring options up front. Holland is now Smith was asked how he was able to turn his season around after a likely aiming to make a trade to acquire a 20-goal winger to play with rocky start. And there’s no mistaking it; Smith was brutal in the first half. Nugent-Hopkins. Regardless if that happens, the big three will have to be He lost his starting job for stretches to David Rittich. By November, his the linchpins in Edmonton’s offence. numbers looked more indicative of a rec-league goalie, especially when compared to Rittich’s. The Oilers also lack puck-moving defencemen and one of their best, Andrej Sekera, was bought out Sunday to clear space and a roster spot Smith finished the season with a .906 save percentage at 5-on-5, which for a young blueliner. Smith is regarded by play-by-play and colour placed him 58th out of 65 goalies who played at least 600 minutes, commentators as one of the best passers among goaltenders. according to Natural Stat Trick. To put that in perspective, he posted a .896 save percentage during the same situation before Jan. 1 and was at Theoretically, he could be one of the team’s best options to hit McDavid .900 at the All-Star break. So, there were signs of improvement even if with a pass at the far blueline. his .898 SV% in all situations was the worst of his career. “I’m gonna do my best,” he said, laughing.

Not that it’s advisable to make decisions based on five games, but Smith Holland cited Smith’s puckhandling as a reason for signing him. was arguably Calgary’s best player in its first-round loss to Colorado less than three months ago. The flip side is Smith’s just as prone to making a gaffe with the puck on his stick, resulting in a goal for the opposition. “Tipp was a big reason why my career turned around in Arizona, bringing me to Arizona and giving me a chance to be a No. 1 guy and play a lot of In February, The Athletic’s Kent Wilson examined how Smith’s games. I have a lot of respect for the way he coaches, the way he treats willingness to play the puck impacted the hits his defencemen received, people. His transparency is unlike a lot of coaches. He’s very honest. the shots on net he faced and the shots on goal for his teammates. That’s all you can ask as a player. You wanna know where you stand. Tipp’s that kinda coach. He’s got a very structured system that I really The result? believe in. I think he really gets the most out of his players. This is my “On the face of the evidence, it seems that Smith has negligible influence third stint with him. It’s well documented that I’m a big fan of Dave Tippett on hits taken, marginally negative impacts on shots against and a small and the way he coaches. I’m excited that he reached out and is giving positive influence on shots for,” Wilson wrote. me another opportunity in Edmonton.” It’s more likely than not that Smith’s puckhandling skill will be a wash for the Oilers.

“What’s been relayed to me is: ‘If you play well, you’re gonna play.’ That’s all you can ask for as a player. It’s up to you to go in there and to play well and make them not wanna take you out. Mikko’s a real big guy that has a lot of upside. I’m gonna do everything I can to help him out, too. I owe that to him.”

Smith was asked about entering a tandem with Koskinen. The first part of his answer is the most telling. He senses a real chance to assume the starting role.

That shouldn’t be the case given the contractual statuses of the two goaltenders. Smith is on a one-year, limited-risk deal, whereas Koskinen is about to start a three-year pact that pays him $4.5 million annually. On paper, Smith should be the backup.

But after parlaying a hot start into a new deal in January, Koskinen struggled down the stretch when he was handed the No. 1 job once Cam Talbot was traded to Philadelphia.

Koskinen finished the season with a .906 save percentage and a 25-21-6 record. He turns 31 in July and has just 59 games on his NHL resume.

Considering Koskinen was signed by the previous manager – Peter Chiarelli on the day before he was fired – and Tippett’s familiarity with Smith, the new netminder is walking into a pretty good situation.

Whether Smith takes advantage is partially up to him.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107171 Edmonton Oilers roster – an area the previous coach, now an adviser to the team, already saw as a weakness. It’s highly debatable whether using that money to add a second-tier forward (Patrick Maroon? Thomas Vanek?) is going to Willis: Oilers GM Ken Holland promises long-term rewards for an move the needle in enough of a positive direction to offset the loss of a approach light on short-term improvements skill set already lacking on the back end.

Moreover: if the Oilers are making decisions based on their long-term plans, how does stretching the pain of a Sekera buyout over four years fit By Jonathan Willis into that blueprint?

Jul 2, 2019 “I would say we needed to create some cap space and some opportunity to do some things,” Holland said. “We’re trying to get some of the

younger defencemen to have an opportunity heading into training camp, It is reasonable to be critical of Ken Holland’s early work as general the young defencemen who played in Bakersfield.” manager of the Oilers. A counterintuitive top pick at the draft, silence on The Oilers may yet use the cap space they cleared, but if they don’t, that the trade front even as a lower-than-expected cap created opportunities side of the argument will ring hollow. and now a diffident start to free agency all merit scrutiny. After the impatient Benoit Pouliot buyout in the summer of 2017 by the Yet Holland’s overarching message, a unique one among Edmonton previous management, great stress was placed on the value of in-season managers of recent memory, should be reassuring. On July 1 he cap space. The Oilers never used the money, and by the deadline were explained exactly what he wanted to do, and how he plans to do it. sending players out rather than bringing them in. The miscalculation “In the short term we’re trying to compete for a playoff spot in (2019-20),” ultimately saddled Edmonton with a buyout through 2021, rather than Holland said, reiterating his comments from the day he was hired. “But merely through 2020. ultimately I’m trying to oversee and build this team into being a really Cap space is valuable in the summer, when it’s a scarce commodity and good, elite team in the Western Conference. We made decisions today can be used on players (like Erik Haula or Colin Miller) or weaponized for based upon those plans.” futures (as in the case of Patrick Marleau). Beyond a modest operational The decisions Holland referred to were modest. He signed six contracts, reserve — “when we get to training camp you’d like to be at least a none of them for more than two years and none of them for (by NHL million and a half (in room),” Holland correctly said — it’s not likely to be standards) serious money. called upon until the trade deadline, when contracts are down to a fraction of their original value and sellers are happy to be flexible to The actions reinforced the message: the long-term best interests of the maximize returns anyway. Oilers will not be sacrificed in service of their immediate needs. Players are the scarce commodity in-season. Teams are always looking If the media or the fans don’t like it, Holland is going to do his best not to to add players in November. Having met their cap obligations at the start notice. of the season, it’s rare to find a club looking to dump them to free space.

“I try to make my decisions with no emotion,” he said. “I try to live in a Opening roster room for Caleb Jones, William Lagesson or the like is cocoon, as much as I can. We were here every day from Sunday, I think reasonable in the sense that the Oilers have to make decisions on those we showed up here at 7:30 and went home at 7:30 and worked the players by the fall of 2020. However, Edmonton used 13 defencemen last phones, talked to people, had our lineup on the board, looked at our cap year and has used between 11 and 14 each of the past five seasons. space, looked at our commitments, looked at the other side of the board Kevin Gravel started in the minors; he ended up playing half the season. with our prospects to project when those players would hit this side of the Those windows were going to open up regardless. board. The short-term decisions deserve judgment on their own merits, too. “To me it’s about the process. It’s about every day, going about the Mike Smith has a cunning contract but is 37 years old and coming off a process, and eventually when you’ve got to make a decision you’ve season where he posted an .898 save percentage. Alex Chiasson scored made a decision based upon all the information at hand … I’ve been on 22 goals last year but both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl had more the phone with the agents, I’ve talked to every general manager in the success without him on their wing; he’s not a good top-six option at 5-on- . We’ve looked at the board, we’ve looked at 5 so much as a power play specialist. everything and you eventually make a decision based upon all that information.” “In a cap world what you try to do is you try to get the most bang for your buck on every signing; not everyone works out,” Holland said with regard It’s an approach which differentiates Holland from past Oilers managers. to Chiasson, in a comment which clearly communicated the Oilers’ desire to aim higher. “We wanted to explore the market.” Kevin Lowe, by far the most successful of the cap era Edmonton GMs, brought the same passion to a managerial role that he once brought as a More than all of this, the lowered cap this season has forced cut-rate player. A fiery tenure was marked by multiple public outbursts, most trades of talent, trades which Holland has been either unable or unwilling notably a feud with then-Anaheim manager Brian Burke which nearly to get in on. Andre Burakovsky, Ryan Hartman, Haula, Miller, Andrew culminated in a barn fight between the two. Shaw, Carl Soderberg, Jimmy Vesey and others were all dealt in cost- cutting moves, often at a discount. Steve Tambellini, for all his dithering, changed coaches like Mike Keenan changes goalies. Craig MacTavish was brought in as “an impatient guy” It’s possible more opportunities will arise. Holland has said his most likely who would make “bold moves,” most of which ultimately fell short. option at this point is trade. Yet history shows its more difficult to make Continuing along to the extreme end of the bias-for-action spectrum, deals as the calendar moves past July 1. Peter Chiarelli decimated the Oilers roster with a series of big swings which almost uniformly missed. In other areas, though, the results of Holland’s strategy are more unambiguously positive. Holland promises a long-term perspective, dispassionate decision- making, a willingness to use his staff and a lot of hard work. No cap era The additions of Markus Granlund, Tomas Jurco and Gaetan Haas GM of the Oilers has combined those four qualities. Some would struggle provide the Oilers with a lot of redundancy in the depth ranks, a hallmark to check two of those boxes. of the Detroit teams Holland once assembled. These aren’t major moves, but they’re moves every GM can and should do. That’s Holland’s blueprint. It’s defensible; even appealing. If he’d been available instead of Chiarelli for the top job in the summer of 2015, we’re “We’re trying to create more competition at the bottom part of the roster,” probably talking about an Oilers team in a very different position today. he said. “We’re also trying to have the bottom part of the roster play with more pace.” After three straight whiffs in that top hockey operations job, though, we’re obliged to apply a little critical thinking to Holland’s early work rather than The signing of Jujhar Khaira to a two-year, $1.2-million contract showed merely deferring to his words. appropriate perspective. Questioned at his July 1 presser about that contract, Holland shrugged it off by referencing the larger picture. The buyout of Andrej Sekera, which occurred right before free agency, strips one of the two really capable puck-moving defencemen from the “(Khaira) had 11 goals two years ago,” he said. “He had a tough year last year, three goals. When you look in the guide and record book, lots of players in some years, they don’t have very good years statistically. We’re expecting him to bounce back and be closer to the player he was two years ago.”

That same perspective was evident with respect to Jesse Puljujarvi. After acknowledging that he had talked to managers around the league about the player, Holland made it very clear that just because Puljujarvi had said he wanted out did not mean he would rush into anything.

“When I make a decision it’s got to be in the best interests of the team,” he explained. “Until there’s something that I think makes really good sense to our team I won’t pull the trigger. Certainly, he’s expressed frustration and disappointment at the way things have gone in his Oiler career.

“I don’t think he’s planning on playing for the Edmonton Oilers, but I had players tell me that in Detroit and they did play for Detroit. In some cases, they’ve told me that and they didn’t play and I ended up trading them. Ultimately the most important thing is if I do trade him it’s got to be a deal I feel good about, that I think is in the best interests of this team.

“If something like that isn’t out there than Jesse’s going to have to make the decision (to report or not).”

It’s a far cry from the ‘we want Oilers who want to be Oilers’ tack taken by previous managers in similar situations.

Holland appreciates that 21-year-old fourth overall pick is a valuable asset to a hockey team, and not to be sold at cents on the dollar just because he’s unhappy with the team. Edmonton controls his major- league future, and Holland will use that to leverage the best possible outcome for the Oilers, without overly worrying about the emotional side of the equation.

The conservative approach that Holland generally took in Detroit and now clearly plans to take in Edmonton can generate frustration. It demands strong drafting, strong development and a willingness to wait, something the GM reiterated when he was asked about buying out one of the few strong passers on his blue line.

“The top-four (defencemen) you’re talking about, for the most part, top- fours you’ve got to do one of two things: you’ve either got to draft them and develop them, or you’ve got to pay a ton of money to get them. We don’t have a ton of money to get them. I think we do have top-four defencemen, but I’m not sure they’re ready right now. I believe they’re pushing through the system.”

This ignores the trade route, of course, but big trades were not in Holland’s Detroit playbook and nobody should expect them to show up in his Edmonton version, either.

It’s a double-edged sword. He won’t be flipping Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson, but he’s also not going to be flipping Adam Larsson for Taylor Hall. In a summer featuring so many creative cap moves and so many players available at a discount, it’s easy to find that disappointing.

There’s also no guarantee that a conservative approach will work. Tambellini’s managerial style was lampooned as “and then… BAM! Stanley Cup!” for the way it just kind of assumed that as long as the GM sat there and didn’t touch anything the team would take off at some point. It’s still on the runway.

Holland’s track record is far superior to that of Tambellini, and he’s actually been able to articulate his strategy. He promises a colder, steadier eye, something which has already been evidenced in his stance on Puljujarvi and Khaira, and it seems unlikely that he’d fire a head coach without being able to communicate a concrete reason, as Tambellini once did with Tom Renney.

Whatever its drawbacks along the way, if Holland can deliver in the end, he’ll be lionized as the manager who finally brought adult decision- making to Edmonton’s hockey operations. Right now all that can be said with certainty is that his early work is a mixed bag and the roster today looks a lot like the one which delivered a 25th-place finish a season ago.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107172 Florida Panthers Look for Bobrovsky to get about 65 starts this season, with the remaining 17 to go to rookie Sam Montembeault if all goes according to plan. Bobrovsky has played more than 60 games in each of the past three The four new Panthers players are introduced to South Florida. Here’s years, posting a sterling 115-63-12 record during that span. what they said No other NHL goalie has won as many games as “Bob” during that time frame.

BY WALTER VILLA MIAMI HERALD WRITER This past season, he went 37-24-1 with a league-best nine shutouts as well as a .913 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against average. JULY 02, 2019 06:09 PM But the Panthers’ hopes for improved defense go beyond Bobrovsky. Some of it will hinge on the new defensive system brought in by Quenneville, who has won three Stanley Cup titles and gives the There were times this past season when it looked like the Florida franchise added credibility. Panthers couldn’t stop a beach ball. In addition, Stralman, Connolly and Acciari will all play their defensive The Panthers could score, but they missed the playoffs for the third roles. consecutive year because they had the second-worst save percentage in the NHL. “I think it’s amazing the Panthers were able to fill the holes they had,” Goldstein said when asked about the free agents added. “They needed a On Tuesday afternoon, the Panthers introduced four free agents who are goaltender. They needed more bite and grit, and Acciari solves that — he expected to help on defense, including two forwards. was great during Boston’s run to the Stanley Cup final. They needed a Three of the signees are rated among NHL Network’s top 20 free agents little more size and scoring on the wing, and Connolly fills that. Connolly in the league this year: ex-Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei also works the boards and gets back defensively. Bobrovsky (ranked second), former Washington Capitals winger Brett “And Stralman may be the unsung one in all of this because he’s a real Connolly (No. 14) and ex-Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Anton pro, and he will help stabilize things defensively. Stralman (No. 16). “I expect the defense to be improved for all those reasons.” The Panthers also signed Noel Acciari, a defensive-minded winger who is likely to anchor Florida’s fourth line after helping the Boston Bruins reach the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals. Miami Herald LOADED: 07.03.2019 But Bobrovsky was the big-ticket signing as he was given a seven-year, $70-million contract.

“I think it’s his athleticism,” Connolly said when asked what makes Bobrovsky special. “He’s super quick.

“He also really takes care of himself. That’s known around the league about him — that he prepares like none other. He’s always been a tough goalie to score on. He’s a true pro and super talented.”

Had the Panthers sported even league-average goaltending this past season, they likely would’ve make the playoffs.

Instead, Roberto Luongo had a 3.12 goals-against average and then retired at age 40, and James Reimer (3.09 GAA) was traded.

Luongo, a sure Hall of Famer, won 35 games in 2015-2016 but had 18 victories or fewer in each of the past three years as njuries took a toll on his body.

Reimer, 31, also backtracked the past two years.

Enter Bobrovsky.

“To me, ‘Bob’ is a top-three goaltender in the league,” Panthers broadcaster Steve Goldstein said. “He can steal — as we saw against Tampa — an entire series.”

Goldstein referenced Columbus’ first-round playoff sweep of Tampa Bay this past April. The Lightning had tied an NHL record with 62 regular- season wins, yet Bobrovsky shut them down, allowing just eight goals in four games.

“’Bob’ doesn’t say anything,” Columbus coach John Tortorella told the media during that series. “He just goes about his business.”

Bobrovsky, who turns 31 in September, was never drafted, likely because of the difficulty at the time in getting players to the NHL from Russia.

He was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers, but, after being traded for a second-round pick and two fourths, Bobrovsky flourished in Columbus, where he twice won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie.

Now he’s in South Florida, a location he targeted for what could be the final stage of his career.

“It wasn’t a hard decision for me,” Bobrovsky said. “I decided last week. With the bright future this team has, a great coach [Joel Quenneville], great management and a talented group of (players), I’m excited to be here. I think we can make something special here.” 1107173 Florida Panthers “Top nine forward,” Lawton said.

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan: “Likely a third-line winger. Connolly is an upgrade to Florida’s bottom six, but doesn’t exactly move the needle in suddenly Here’s what NHL analysts are saying about Panthers’ free-agent splash transforming the Panthers into a playoff team. That said, playoff teams this week need important role players, and that’s exactly what Connolly is. The good news for the Panthers is that Connolly may be only realizing his best potential now, and this four-year deal theoretically takes him through BY BARRY JACKSON the prime of his career. The bad news is, we’re not sure how high that ceiling is...Connolly never got a lot of ice time (he maxed out at 13:20 per JULY 02, 2019 05:23 PM game last season in Washington) or power-play time, and perhaps he gets more of a look in Florida.”

Florida Panthers introduced new members of their team, including new ▪ Forward Noel Acciari, 27 (three years, $5 million): Had six goals, eight star goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, during a press conference at the assists, 14 points in a career-high 72 games with the Boston Bruins last BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, on July 2, 2019. BY season. His 221 hits ranked second on Boston and 12th among all NHL forwards. Feedback from analysts on the Florida Panthers’ free-agent splash this week, a $105 million spending spree highlighted by the addition of elite “A bottom six forward,” Lawton said. “What do all [four new Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky: have in common]? They were all in the playoffs last year. They’re looking to change the culture in Florida. They did a lot of great work.” Overall, “the Panthers have made huge strides,” said NHL Network analyst and former NHL player and Tampa Bay general manager Brian ▪ Defenseman Anton Stralman (3 for $16.5 million): Age 32. Appeared in Lawton, the first overall pick of the 1983 draft. “It’s not the way we 47 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season and had two goals thought it was going to play out. We thought [new New York Rangers and 15 assists. winger Artemi] Panarin would probably end up there with Bobrovsky. The “That is going to be a big move for them; he’s got to stay healthy,” fact of the matter is they still made a lot of excellent changes. Lawton said. “He’s not the biggest, hardiest player, but he’s an excellent “If I had one concern about them, I’m still not sold completely on that player.” [defensive] core. [Anton] Stralman will help them immensely, can give In Stralman’s defense, he played 82, 73, 73 and 80 games before the them 20 plus minutes a night. Maybe we will see them rejigger a forward injuries limited him to 47 last season. moving out, one more defenseman coming in. I think that will be the difference between playoffs or no playoff for the Florida Panthers.” Tanguay: “He’s not going to overwhelm you with anything, but he does everything well, makes the players around him better. The question is NHL Network analyst Alex Tanguay, who scored 283 NHL goals, said: how many games can he play, because they’re going to need big “When we look at what Dale Tallon did, first the hiring of Joel minutes out of Anton Stralman. He brings you stability. Dependability is Quenneville, from there we thought there was a sense of excitement, something they were looking for. rejuvenation in what the Florida Panthers could do. The key to their team is Sasha Barkov. They realize early in October they will need to put their “There’s still some growth that needs to happen. Mike Matheson needs foot in the gas pedal right away because Toronto and Boston and Tampa to grow. We know what Keith Yandle will provide. They have been Bay are not going away.” expecting more in Florida from Aaron Ekblad. MacKenzie Weegar has been developing, but to add a veteran the quality of Stralman, he will The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy: “Goaltending had been a soft spot for bring leadership, the voice of reason. That could speed up the the Panthers due to Roberto Luongo’s descent, but the Panthers got their development of some of the younger D-core in Florida.” man in Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky. The price was steep, but the Cats had the space and now they have bolstered a very big need. Elsewhere, Florida got an experienced depth defenseman in Anton Stralman, a bottom-six bang-and-crasher in Noel Acciari and a middle-six Miami Herald LOADED: 07.03.2019 winger in Brett Connolly. Given how much talent the team already had up front (headlined by Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau), it’s looking very positive for the Panthers. Assuming the key guys stay healthy, this is a playoff team.”

▪ Bobrovsky (7 years, $ 70 million): Age 30, and considered one of the NHL’s best goalies. Was 37-24, 2.58 goals against average for Columbus last season. His 115 wins for Columbus since the start of 2016-17 are the NHL’s most over the past three seasons.

“He was the No. 1 rated goaltender out there and he’s an absolute difference maker,” Lawton said.

Said Tanguay: “You look at the save percentage, but what I think he brings is an aura of confidence over the team. Now all of a sudden, Sasha Barkov, Vincent Trochek, they look at the team and think, ‘OK, we make a mistake, there’s no problem. We’ve got the backbone that’s going to make that save, that is going to allow us to perhaps some nights might not be at our best and still win hockey games.’ That four, five, six games you can win based on the goalie making the difference alone might be so reassuring for some of those guys in Florida that the impact for them will not only be in the net but psychologically.”

ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski: “In the short term, it gives the Panthers one of the league’s top netminders. In the long term, he’s going to be a 36-year- old making $10 million against the cap. Only Canadiens goalie Cary Price ($10.5 million) has a higher average annual salary among netminders than Bobrovsky, 30, who will earn $10 million against the cap annually with the Panthers through 2026.”

▪ Forward Brett Connolly (four years, $13 million): Age 27. Had career highs in goals (22, including five game winners), assists (24) and points (46) for the Washington Capitals last season, with two goals in seven postseason games. 1107174 Florida Panthers Panarin signed with the New York Rangers, and Plan B was on display for the Panthers on Tuesday. Besides Bobrovsky, there was Stralman, former Washington winger Brett Connolly and former Boston forward Hyde: The Panthers’ summer of love now brings Sergei Bobrovsky | Noel Acciari. Commentary “Goaltending and defense were things we had to improve on,’’ Tallon said. “We got versatility and depth, too.”

By DAVE HYDE A few years back, the Panthers put on a similar display of free-agent and managerial change. There were so many new players they actually had SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL to do the news conference in two segments. That was Tom Rowe’s swing at being a general manager, then a coach, and all it brought was JUL 02, 2019 | 5:59 PM false optimism inside the franchise.

This is different. The Panthers’ good summer brought in actual talent to The Florida Panthers introduce new goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. be coached by a star coach. It could have been even better if Panarin came. But Bobrovsky looked around Tuesday and saw what everyone Forgive me. I’ve got hockey on my mind. And I know this isn’t the time for saw. hockey. “The ingredients are here,’’ he said. “Now we have to win." “I need to get some good sunscreen,’’ even new Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky said Tuesday.

But someone has to say this during our lost sports era in South Florida, Sun Sentinel LOADED: 07.03.2019 and it might as well be me:

The Panthers have 40-to-1 odds to win the Stanley Cup next season.

That makes them South Florida’s best hope to do something. You can look it up. The Dolphins are 200-to-1 in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. The Heat are 100-to-1 for a title. The Marlins, well, no one’s changing their 500-to-1 odds just because of a decent month.

But on the same stage inside the BB&T Center where the Panthers assemble free-agent signings year after stale year, hope after lost hope, they did again Tuesday with one significant difference.

Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville discusses the team's free agency signings.

There was actual hope. There was proven talent that fit needs. Put it this way: If they don’t make the playoffs with this assembled team, it’s fair to think they never will again in South Florida.

To one side of general manager Dale Tallon sat the first signing of the summer, the second-winningest coach in hockey history, Joel Quenneville.

To the other side of Tallon was the most expensive signing in team history in Bobrovsky, the two-time winner of the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender. Beyond him sat Anton Stralman, a veteran defenseman brought to settle down the Panthers’ erratic defense.

Bobrovsky was the Panthers’ top need. He changes the look of this team if he plays to his talent. The Panthers used four goalies last year, starting with Roberto Luongo, whose body finally let him down at age 40 after all those years of the Panthers organization letting him down.

Bobrovsky was the best goalie on the market at the vital position the Panthers had nobody. And so they sunk $70 million over seven years into him, overpaying in a way they had to do.

No wonder, asked why he signed with the Panthers, Bobrovsky said, “It was an easy decision.”

“He was the first player we wanted,’’ Tallon said.

“He['ll] give us a chance every night,’’ Quenneville said.

At 30, the only question with Bobrovsky is whether he can play more to the heights of his playoff performance with the Columbus Blue Jackets this spring and less to the pedestrian manner he did in the regular season.

“I feel I’m reaching my prime,’’ he said. “I’m excited about my development. It’s a lot of work, but I feel I’ve got lots of potential still. I’m looking forward for the opportunity to develop and help this team win.”

You can be upbeat about the Panthers summer and be a bit disappointed, too. That’s because the Double Play didn’t happen. Bobrovsky’s Russian friend, Artemi Panarin, was courted for his offensive electricity.

The Panthers got the feel Panarin wanted to play in a big-city atmosphere like New York or Los Angeles and began moving into their Plan B. 1107175 Florida Panthers Denis Malgin — Noel Acciari — Colton Sceviour

Acciari comes to the Panthers after a long playoff run with the Bruins and gets a three-year deal to come and give Florida a little tough love on the The Florida Panthers went shopping for players Monday. Where do all fourth line. Acciari should open as the center of this line but could move the pieces fit? up to the third if needed. Tallon said Monday that Acciari should take some pressure off Barkov in faceoffs in the defensive zone. “He will play a physical role, which will give our fourth line a little more spirit and By George Richards passion,” Tallon said.

Jul 2, 2019 Malgin is a skilled player who has yet to find a home in the lineup over the past three seasons, but the Panthers like his upside and he could find

a fit here. Malgin also plays center, which has been a help. Sceviour is a SUNRISE, Fla. — Adding Artemi Panarin to the top line of the Florida veteran forward who missed time at the end of the season with a hand Panthers was a dream scenario, one that would have been must-watch injury but brings strong play on both ends of the ice and has shown a hockey whenever the trio of Panarin, Sasha Barkov and Evgenii scoring touch in the past. Dadonov hit the ice. Spares: Dryden Hunt, Juho Lammikko, Owen Tippett, Aleksi Heponiemi Alas, the Bread Man left South Florida on Tuesday for New York City and The Panthers have a lot of young players fighting for playing time and not did not return, turning down overtures from several teams — including everyone is going to make it. Hunt had a good second half with the the Panthers — to sign on with the Rangers. Panthers and will make a real push for a spot. The Panthers still have a formidable trio on their top forward line and, Lammikko held down the fourth line in the first half of the season before with smaller additions on Monday’s opening of free agency, addressed being sent back to Springfield, and the Panthers are hoping he learned some needs throughout the lineup. from his experience with both the big club and in the minors. A lot can change between now and opening night Oct. 3 in Tampa, but Tippett and Heponiemi may be a year away but a strong showing in the Panthers’ new-look roster is intriguing. camp could force the Panthers’ hand — especially with Tippett. He had a General manager Dale Tallon could still make some moves before good camp in 2017 and played in games before being sent back to training camp opens and perhaps a few of the kids really stand out and junior. He is done with that. Heponiemi is also a very skilled player and if force their way onto the roster. all Florida has is a fourth-line position open, he may be better served to log heavy minutes in the minors. One of these two — and perhaps both For right now, however, here is a glance at how the Panthers might line — could push the door open and be part of the team early. up next season: Defensemen Forwards Keith Yandle — Aaron Ekblad Jonathan Huberdeau — Sasha Barkov — Evgenii Dadonov Yandle and Ekblad have been paired up for the better part of the past The Panthers have separated Huberdeau and Barkov in the past and three seasons before being broken up at times last season. Both have always come back to it. With Panarin not here, Huberdeau gets to good offensive instincts and push the play and should benefit from the continue playing with his pal. “We both know we can be better,” Barkov system Joel Quenneville will implement defensively. said last season, “and that pushes us.” Barkov (96) and Huberdeau (90) were the first Florida players to crack the 90-point mark in a single Mike Matheson — Anton Stralman season as both set career highs in all offensive categories. Dadonov Stralman comes to the Panthers after spending the past few years with continues to play a good two-way game and gets in on the scoring as the Lightning, including an injury-plagued final season as he battled core well, getting 28 goals with 70 points. This is a top-end line which could issues. only continue to get better. Stralman, 32, is a strong two-way defenseman and gives the Panthers a Vincent Trocheck had a tough year and missed two months with an ankle veteran defensive presence they were missing the past couple of years. injury but should center the second line. (Steve Mitchell / USA Today) Matheson had a tough season last year in which he never seemed to get Mike Hoffman — Vincent Trocheck — Frank Vatrano on track and would often let an early mistake affect the rest of his game.

Hoffman comes into the final year of his contract riding a career high with Tallon thinks bringing in Stralman to work with Matheson will pay 36 goals, including a franchise-record 17 on the power play. There have dividends. been whispers Trocheck could be moved over to the wing, but without a “He is smart and is going to be a good partner for one of our young lot of depth at center we start him in his usual spot here. Trocheck had a guys,” Tallon said. “I look at a Matheson pairing and I think he would be a tough year and missed two months after a serious ankle injury. Vatrano steadying influence on him.” was a great find by the Panthers in 2017, with the former Bruin earning himself a nice contract as he notched 24 goals. Vatrano can move up Mark Pysyk — MacKenzie Weegar and down the lineup, but give him a shot with these two and he should roll right along. If the Panthers want to play with a little more toughness, Josh Brown could be an option here as he and Weegar made a nice pairing in the Jayce Hawryluk — Henrik Borgstrom — Brett Connolly second half of last season. Pysyk enters his fourth season with the Panthers since coming over in the Dmitry Kulikov deal with Buffalo and is Both Hawryluk and Borgstrom came to the Panthers from AHL a reliable defensive player who moves the puck out well. Because he is Springfield after a depressing loss in Minnesota and gave Florida a nice in the final year of his deal, he has been the subject of trade rumors since jolt of energy. Hawryluk seemed to get better as the season went along last season. Weegar is a restricted free agent and has found his playing while Borgstrom found his minutes shrink after Trocheck returned to the time increased over the past couple of seasons. The Panthers like his lineup. The Panthers expect Borgstrom to make a big move forward this game and hope he continues progressing. season and if Trocheck is moved to the wing, Borgstrom could slide up to the second line. Spares: Ian McCoshen, Brady Keeper, Riley Stillman

Connolly, 27, joins the Panthers after a run in Tampa Bay and winning The Panthers have a few young defensemen who could end up starting the Stanley Cup with the Capitals. He scored a career-high 22 goals this the season at the AHL level, especially Keeper, who signed with Florida past season and got a four-year deal in return. The Panthers hope more after two collegiate seasons at Maine. Keeper is a raw talent whom the minutes and more opportunity (he should be on the second power play) Panthers really like, but they feel he would be best suited to start in the lead to even more production. “We think our depth has really improved,” AHL instead of being an NHL spare. We could see all three of these Tallon said. “Connolly is a very efficient player, he has averaged 18 goals players with the team, however, as the season moves on. over the past three years off 12 minutes. He can kill penalties, play on the power play, can play down low and give us a heavy game.” Goalies Sergei Bobrovsky — Sam Montembeault The Panthers do not have a goalie controversy on their hands, not after signing Bobrovsky to a seven-year contract worth $10 million per season. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner comes with a five-year no-trade clause, so, he is going to be in town for a while.

As for the backup, Montembeault appears to be the only guy standing.

Montembeault made his NHL debut for the Panthers in March and went 4-3-2 and played well enough the Panthers feel comfortable in putting him in a backup role. Florida could bring in a veteran in the coming weeks and months, but right now, Montembeault is the man.

Spares: Chris Driedger, Ryan Bednard

If Montembeault opens the season in Sunrise, Driedger could continue to keep things going in AHL Springfield, where the 25-year-old stepped in last season and impressed the Panthers. The former Ottawa prospect signed a two-year deal with the Panthers last season and could push for time. Bednard comes to the Panthers after four seasons at Bowling Green.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107176 Los Angeles Kings

Former Kings coach Darryl Sutter hired as advisor to Ducks’ coaching staff

By CURTIS ZUPKE

JUL 02, 2019 | 7:10 PM

Darryl Sutter is back on the Southern California hockey scene.

The former Kings coach was hired by the Ducks as an advisor to the coaching staff of Dallas Eakins, general manager Bob Murray announced Tuesday. Murray has known Sutter for decades, having played with him for the Chicago Blackhawks, and Sutter is a supporter of the newly hired Eakins. Sutter, 60, attended the Ducks’ development camp last week, a team official said, and the mutual respect between Murray, Sutter and Eakins spurred the hire.

“Darryl will provide invaluable expertise to our coaching staff and players,” Murray said through a team official. “Both Dallas and I agree his proven track record and vast knowledge of the game will be very beneficial for us.”

Sutter’s role is in an advisory capacity, and he is not expected to have a ubiquitous presence at games. But his face is already well known to area hockey fans for coaching the Kings to Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014. He is the franchise leader with 225 regular-season wins, accumulated in six seasons. His son Chris was a regular on the video board at Staples Center, and Sutter cultivated his reputation as the “Jolly Rancher” with his brusque, no-nonsense approach, offset by moments of candid levity.

Sutter’s Kings run ended with his firing, along with former general manager Dean Lombardi, in 2017, after the Kings missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

That might come with a disclaimer considering that his post-Cup team in 2014-15 missed the postseason even though it recorded 40 wins and 95 points in the regular season. Sutter’s Kings tenure ended, however, with his players alienated by his tough-love style; a report about players locking him out of the dressing room after a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning was later confirmed by Lombardi.

But Sutter was an underrated tactician, known for finding the right line combinations and shrewd matchups. He put together the line of Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson, and the trio was a defining part of the team’s success earlier in the decade.

Ducks sign two

The Ducks signed forwards Andrew Poturalski and Blake Pietila to one- year, two-way contracts.

Poturalski was named most valuable player of the Calder Cup playoffs with 12 goals and 23 points in 18 games. He appeared in two games with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Pietila played in 19 games for the New Jersey Devils last season. He led the Binghamton Devils in scoring.

LA Times: LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107177 Los Angeles Kings games played and managed in the NHL – “bodes well for the players, staff and the organization,” said Eakins

“It’s going to be (great),” said Eakins, who plans to communicate ‘You’re drawn to people who are successful’ — Why Darryl Sutter joined regularly with Sutter when he isn’t with the team. “Bob worked hard on it the Ducks as a coaching advisor to get it done. Man, I’m ecstatic. It’s the one thing that I asked for and it’s the one thing that’s been delivered.”

By Lisa Dillman and Eric Stephens For Sutter, this felt like something right out of the New Jersey Devils’ playbook, from the successful Lou Lamoriello era. Jul 2, 2019 “There’s not many teams that do it,” Sutter said. “Lou had done it with guys before with Larry (Robinson) and Jacques Lemaire. I just thought it was a good idea and would give them a little help and it went from there. Two years after he was last seen coaching hockey in Southern California, Darryl Sutter is back. “They were all there when the coaches needed them or when Lou needed them. They’d watch games and give a different viewpoint and Only Sutter is now working for one of the Los Angeles Kings’ top rivals, work with players. Quite honestly, I think more teams should be doing it. the Anaheim Ducks. All the kids on the teams and lot of young coaches in the league now too. You could say the Ducks saved their bombshell for Day 2 of free agency, “It was something I was real comfortable with doing just because I know hiring the most successful coach in Kings franchise history. Murph and (Ducks director of player personnel) Rick Paterson really well. On Tuesday, the Ducks appointed Sutter as an advisor to their coaching And it is something Murph really wanted to do. We talked about it and staff. The key is Sutter’s long relationship with Ducks general manager spent some time with Dallas on it.” Bob Murray, a connection going back about 40 years to when they They are still in the process of defining the parameters of the job. Sutter played for the Chicago Blackhawks. intends to be on hand for Ducks training camp and it will go from there. Sutter, who coached the Kings to Stanley Cup championships in 2012 Although Sutter’s contract with the Kings technically ended last year, he and 2014, wasn’t looking for a full-time NHL coaching opportunity. But is still getting paid by them because the last year of his deal was paid out when this idea was pitched to him, he thought it perfectly suited what he over two years, a source said. was looking for at this stage of his life. He was fired by the Kings in April 2017, and the Kings were swept in the “I was not interested in going back into the head coaching part of it,” said first round of the playoffs in 2018 and finished 30th in the NHL this past Sutter in a telephone interview with The Athletic from his ranch in Viking, season. Alberta. Of note, Sutter will have now worked for four teams in the division, “If it was 20 or 10 years ago, I’d be all over it. If I was going to go back, it having previously served as coach in San Jose and Los Angeles, coach would be something like this. I’m really looking forward to it.” and general manager in Calgary and now in his advisor role to the Ducks. Eakins particularly liked that connection. The idea started as small talk, and the more they “bounced it around,” the more Sutter became excited about helping out new Ducks coach “It kind of nails everything,” Eakins said. “For me, he already knows the Dallas Eakins and his staff. Sutter was at the Ducks’ development camp league. He’s coached so many games. He’s someone that we can in Irvine last week and the three of them began to hammer out a plan. bounce things off of. He knows our division very well. Just going through the travel schedule – having him sit in on (it), right away I’m looking at “I’d known Dallas from before and he was looking for some experience, him and thinking this is paying dividends immediately. some help and a little bit different set of eyes,” Sutter said. “I had talked about it with a couple other teams, something like this.” “You can never go wrong with an addition like that. We’re excited to have him on board. Said Murray in a statement released by the Ducks: “Darryl will provide invaluable expertise to our coaching staff and players. Both Dallas and I The fact that Sutter has reconnected with Murray, an old teammate and agree his proven track record and vast knowledge of the game will be an old friend, is one of the happy byproducts of their new arrangement. very beneficial for us.” “I was in there for two days (at development camp) and it was good to Eakins has been in his new job for only two weeks. His coaching resume spend some time with him,” Sutter said. “I enjoyed that. Really, we’ve doesn’t begin to approach what Sutter has accomplished over his career. basically been against each other for so long, you just say, ‘Hi, and how His ego also wasn’t going to get in the way of having someone with that are you doing?’ And things like that. You never really get to sit down and background and expertise as a resource. talk about things.”

This is something Eakins wanted. Something he felt he didn’t have in Eakins recalled first meeting Sutter initially when he was coaching the Edmonton, his first NHL head coaching stint. AHL’s Toronto Marlies before taking the Oilers’ job and matching wits against him as Sutter led the Kings to new heights. The two would have “Leading up to getting the job, we talked a little bit about staff,” Eakins occasional conversations in recent years as Eakins led the San Diego said Tuesday. “But then when I had the job, Bob asked what I thought we Gulls while Sutter was enjoying the retired life after the Kings fired him. needed. The first word out of my mouth was experience. I really want to hit the ground running with experience this time around. And, so, he “Just a guy that I kept in touch with over the years,” Eakins said. “His son asked me to get a list together. The first name at the top of the list was was playing in Ontario and he’d stick his head down in the office or swing Darryl Sutter. by after the game to say hello real quick. It started years ago at the draft. It’s just one of those relationships that just kind of stay together over the “I explained to Bob that I didn’t want to be disrespectful to Darryl. He’s years periodically. been extremely gracious to me in the past. I think the world of him. Bob Murray thinks the world of him. And that’s kind of where it started. I just “You’re drawn to people who are successful, and you’re drawn to people think that with the three of us, between Bob, Darryl and I, we have a who kind of say it how it is. At least I am.” great amount of respect for each other. We just added a key cog to The setup works well for Sutter on a personal level, too. His oldest son, transitioning this team.” Brett, has been an effective player and leader with the Ontario Reign of The specifics to Sutter’s role are still being worked out, Eakins noted. He the American Hockey League and has re-signed with the Reign for the will not be behind the bench during games. Nor will he be around the 2019-20 season. Ducks full-time. But Eakins emphasized that when Sutter is with the Sutter’s wife, Wanda, and son, Chris, spent three months of last winter in team, he will act as a coach. On the ice. Inside the dressing room. With Southern California, and Chris, a Dance-Cam fixture in the Kings’ glory the coaching staff. days, even appeared on Dance-Cam on several occasions at Staples Mark Morrison and Marty Wilford will remain in their current roles as Center this past season. assistants under Eakins while Rich Preston is being shifted to a scouting “He’s still attached,” Sutter said with a chuckle. role. But the addition of Sutter and having Murray – his boss, with 1,000 One of the perceptions during Eakins’s rough 18-month coaching stint in Edmonton was that he had an air of someone that knew it all. How true or false that is can be open to one’s interpretation. But to have Sutter as a sounding board is a definitive sign that Eakins has no problem leaning on the knowledge of others.

“This is about this organization winning and that’s it,” he said. “That’s it for all of us. All that other stuff is just minutiae. Like I said before, this is what we asked for. And it’s been delivered.

“It’s another good day for our organization.”

Surveying the Ice

• Following through on his desire to build connections with his veteran players, Eakins has been racking up frequent-flyer miles.

After finishing up the development camp over the weekend, Eakins flew to Sweden to meet with Ducks forwards Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg. He is now in Pittsburgh to spend time with star goalie John Gibson.

The vibe that he has gotten in meetings with some players is that they felt they played better hockey toward the end of the season and are eager to atone for last season’s 13th-place finish in the Western Conference.

“I’m trying to plant the necessary seeds,” Eakins said. “The guys that I don’t know, I think when you sit down with them, they get a feel for you. The way you speak. The way you’re talking. But during that conversation, we get to their own personal gains and we get to, more importantly, how we want to play as a team. How we want to treat each other. All that kind of stuff.

“I’m not sitting down and dropping off a playbook and saying, ‘Hey, make sure you understand that before you get to camp right now.’ It’s just more about concepts. What we’re really going to value as an organization moving forward. So far, I’m optimistic with how hungry the guys are to get back and get after it.”

• The Ducks made official the signing of right wing Andrew Poturalski and announced the signing of left wing Blake Pietila to two-way contracts for the 2019-20 season. Both will provide organizational depth and likely help the Gulls while being possible injury call-ups for the Ducks.

Poturalski was the MVP of the Calder Cup playoffs in leading the Charlotte Checkers to the title. Pietila played in 19 games with New Jersey but spent most of last season with the AHL’s Binghamton Devils, where he led them in scoring.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107178 Los Angeles Kings

DARRYL SUTTER NAMED ADVISOR TO DUCKS COACHING STAFF

JON ROSEN

JULY 2, 2019

Didn’t expect to see this news today!

The ability to rely on Darryl Sutter’s experience and knowledge is great news for the Ducks. There are many, many complexities to Darryl as a coach or a coaching influence, but in my time covering this league, no other coach’s gamesmanship or off-ice “urgings” had such a positive effect on getting the most out of his group — and, perhaps, between the ears of his opponents. The John Gibson quote is the money quote, but don’t forget those subtle challenges towards Drew Doughty, like when he was compared to Marc-Edouard Vlasic and then to Ryan McDonagh – the Rangers’ Doughty! – in the spring of 2014. There are thousands of small stories like this we could share, even through the winter of 2017 when a group backed by Peter Budaj in goal and a laboring, bruised Anze Kopitar was somehow in a playoff position in early March. Again, this is much more complex than can be shared in a string of three or four sentences – and there were certainly some heavy, challenging times when the weight of his player management approach became too great for his team to collectively bear.

Of course, he’s not coaching anymore, but rather advising a staff run by Dallas Eakins, under whom Mark Morrison, Marty Wilford and Rich Preston serve as assistants. While there are outside labels and stereotypes heaped upon coaches and regimes, I know this about Darryl Sutter: He’s the smartest person in any room he’s in and banks on a championship-tested understanding of how to balance the vast catalogs of data he’s provided with what he sees on the ice, and how to apply, implement and instruct what he derives. Even if he’s not spurring the team towards its emotional capacities, he’ll still be of great benefit in the aforementioned ways – for the Kings’ chief divisional rival, of course.

Just as Brett Sutter will return to the Reign, I do hope this allows the Kings to retain the services of Chris Sutter, with whom their organization and fanbase have a special relationship. I’m not sure if hell be visible at all with Anaheim, but it would be an interesting development should Darryl decide to speak with a local scribe or two, quite honest.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107179 Los Angeles Kings unreported AHL), while Lintuniemi, who was not qualified by the Kings, signed a one-year, two-way deal with Carolina ($700K NHL, $85K AHL). Lintuniemi was a second-round selection by Los Angeles in 2014.

FORMER KINGS FREE AGENCY ROUNDUP Philippe Maillet earns his first NHL deal after two seasons with the Reign.

Forward Zack Mitchell will head to Russia as an unrestricted (Group 6) ZACH DOOLEY free agent, agreeing to terms with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL. Mitchell’s deal is a one-year contract. Mitchell joins Nikita Scherbak, who JULY 2, 2019 had already signed in the KHL with Avangard Omsk. Forward Pavel Jenys, who played with Ontario and Manchester last season, is returning

home to the Czech Republic after signing with HC Kometa Brno. Day 1 of free agency saw a pair of moves for the Kings and several None of the above players were expected back on NHL contracts with moves from players formerly in the Kings system. Listed below are LAK the Kings. Per Lisa Dillman of The Athletic, forward Matt Moulson, is not alums that have moved to new teams through a day plus of free agency expected back with the organization “as of now”, though he still hopes to – play in the upcoming season. Brendan Leipsic (WSH, 1-year, 1-way – $700K) Reign alums Cameron Schilling (WPG), Scott Wedgewood (TBL) and Jonny Brodzinski (SJS, 1-year, 2-way – $700K NHL / $200K Minors) Vincent LoVerde (AHL Hartford), along with Manchester Monarchs alum J-F Berube (PHI) have also found new homes in free agency. LoVerde Wayne Simmonds (NJD, 1-year, 1-way – $5M) will play on an AHL deal for the first time since the 2013-14 season with the Manchester Monarchs. Berube’s deal is a two-way contract with the Nick Shore (TOR, 1-year, $750K) Flyers which pays him $700K in the NHL and $350K in the AHL with Andrej Sekera (DAL, 1-year, 1-way – $1.5M) Lehigh Valley.

Andy Andreoff (PHI, 2-year, 1-way – $750K AAV) From those coming off NHL contracts, goaltender Peter Budaj (retired) and forward Matheson Iacopelli remain as the only Kings unrestricted Oscar Fantenberg (VAN, 1-year, 1-way – $850K) free agents that have yet to sign a 2019-20 contract.

Alex Lintuniemi (CAR, 1-year, 2-way – $700K NHL / $85K Minors) On the Ontario side, forward Brett Sutter already re-signed with Ontario, while forwards Kyle Bauman, Jamie Devane and Sam Herr remain as Cameron Schilling (WPG, 1-year, 2-way – $700K NHL / $250K Minors) unrestricted free agents. Luke Schenn (TBL, 1-year – $700K NHL)

J-F Berube (PHI, 1-year, 2-way – $700K NHL / $350K Minors) LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 07.03.2019 Kevin Gravel (TOR, 1-year – $700K NHL)

Philippe Maillet (WSH, 1-year, 2-way – $700K NHL)

Scott Wedgewood (TBL, 1-year – $700K NHL)

Vincent LoVerde (Hartford, AHL Contract)

Zack Mitchell (Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, KHL)

Nikita Scherbak (Avangard Omsk, KHL)

Pavel Jenys (HC Kometa Brno, Czech Extraliga)

At the top of this list are Brandon Leipsic and Jonny Brodzinski, both of whom played NHL games with Los Angeles this past season. Leipsic signed a one-year, $700K deal with the Washington Capitals – his deal is a one-way contract for minimally less than what his qualifying offer would have been with the Kings ($715K). Brodzinski moves north to San Jose, after playing his entire professional career to date inside the LAK organization to date. Brodzinski was an unrestricted free agent this summer in the Group 6 category and will play on a one-year, two-way deal with the Sharks ($700K in the NHL and $200K in the AHL).

Former Kings veterans Wayne Simmonds and Andrej Sekera both earned one-year deals with New Jersey and Dallas respectively. Simmonds joins notable additions P.K. Subban and Jack Hughes in New Jersey, while Sekera is a part of the veteran influx in Dallas, joining Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry.

Defensemen Oscar Fantenberg (VAN), Luke Schenn (TB), Kevin Gravel (TOR) also have new one-year deals, while forward Andy Andreoff (PHI) signed a two-year deal. Fantenberg was traded at the 2019 deadline, netting a 2020 fourth-round pick for the Kings. The Swede will now play for his third Pacific Division club in less than a year, moving from Calgary to Vancouver on a one-way contract. Schenn and Gravel are not yet officially reported as one-way or two-way contracts, (Gravel’s has yet to be reported at all by Toronto officially), though TSN’s Frank Seravalli broke the news yesterday. Andreoff’s deal is a one-way deal in both years regardless of playing in the NHL or AHL – Andreoff was on a one- way deal with Tampa Bay last season, though he spent the entirety of the campaign in the AHL with Syracuse.

From an Ontario Reign perspective, forward Philippe Maillet (WSH) and defenseman Alex Lintuniemi (CAR) are moving on for the first time in their professional careers. Maillet earned his first NHL contract, off of a productive two seasons as a member of the Reign on an AHL contract. Maillet signed a two-year, two-way deal with Washington ($700K NHL, 1107180 Minnesota Wild And the amount of penalties Hartman has committed in that time (52) is way less than the number he’s drawn.

“That should be positive,” Boudreau said. Mats Zuccarello said Wild made him feel wanted Bitetto to Winnipeg

Former Wild defenseman Anthony Bitetto signed a one-year, two-way By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune JULY 2, 2019 contract with the Jets. Bitetto played 18 games with the Wild last season after getting claimed off waivers from the Predators.

As the Wild made its pitch to free agent Mats Zuccarello, the team Star Tribune LOADED: 07.03.2019 illustrated the state of the organization, explained how Zuccarello would fit in and asked what he was seeking.

And while Zuccarello expressed confidence in the current roster and how he could help when describing why he signed a five-year, $30 million contract Monday, he also made it clear he felt coveted — a message the Wild was able to convey during the interview period leading up to the start of NHL free agency.

“Minnesota was one of the teams that I felt wanted me the most, and I’m a guy that when you show me that you really want me that’s humbling for me,” Zuccarello said. “That means that it’s a good chance for me to go there.”

This was the seventh summer teams could chat with free agents before the signing season, and the Wild wasn’t the only one that appeared to capitalize on the opportunity.

In the hour after the window for business opened, a flood of signings became official — a nod to the discussions that happened previously.

“You have so many teams call you, and you feel like you’re the best person, best player in the world,” Zuccarello said. “Every conversation you’re in, you’re like, ‘Damn, I’m good.’ But the reality is that it’s the business from everyone’s part. The strong feeling I had with Minnesota is that they were really, really on me from Day 1.”

What also appealed to the Oslo native was the Norwegian population in Minnesota — the American Community Survey said 14.6% of Minnesotans reported Norwegian ancestry in 2017 — and the passion of the fan base.

He kept tabs on the Wild when his favorite player growing up, Marian Gaborik, was with the team.

“It’s the state of hockey,” Zuccarello said. “I’m a hockey nerd. I really enjoy the fans around. They are really buzzing and are interested in the team. It’s a really good opportunity for me to come there and be a part of that.”

Zuccarello said he had already heard from a handful of Wild players — including captain Mikko Koivu and alternate captains Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.

He’s familiar with defenseman Jonas Brodin and briefly played with center Eric Staal when their careers overlapped in New York with the Rangers. Zuccarello plans to continue working out in Norway before settling in the Twin Cities.

Power surge

Adding Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman didn’t just fill out the right side of the Wild’s lineup.

It also brought in two more special-teams options, a potential boost for a power play unit that ranked near the middle of the pack at 20.3% last season.

Of Zuccarello’s 40 points in 2018-19, 15 came with the man advantage — nearly 40%. Throughout his career, almost 30% (99 of 355) of his points have been registered on the power play. Most of that production was on assists.

“He’ll be a good distributor,” Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. “He doesn’t have a big shot, but he’s a pass-first kind of guy. I’ve seen him play the half-wall many times.”

Hartman’s aggressive style as an agitator could help the Wild get on the power play.

Since his first full-length season in the NHL in 2016-17, Hartman has drawn 74 penalties, according to Natural Stat Trick. Only five players have drawn more over that span. 1107181 Minnesota Wild Pioneer Press LOADED: 07.03.2019

Dane Mizutani: Wild GM Paul Fenton has made the most out of his own mess

By Dane Mizutani | PUBLISHED: July 2, 2019

It’s time give Wild general manager Paul Fenton some credit.

That doesn’t mean he has atoned for his missteps to this point — truthfully, he may never recover from trading former fan favorite Nino Niederreiter for human boat anchor Victor Rask — but it appears he at least has a plan for the Wild.

After securing a haul of prospects at last month’s draft, picks mostly met with rave reviews, Fenton convinced creative winger Mats Zuccarello and scrappy winger Ryan Hartman to sign with the Wild when free agency opened up Monday.

Nothing the Wild have done this offseason has been very sexy, but for Fenton that was never really the point. It was about proving to owner Craig Leipold that he is still the right person for the job. And while there remains work to be done before next season, Fenton appears to have the franchise moving in a positive direction.

That couldn’t be said a few months ago.

It started to unravel for Fenton midway through last season, when he obliterated a good chunk of the roster in one fell swoop before and at the trade deadline. He shipped off Niederreiter, Charlie Coyle and Mikael Granlund without getting nearly enough in return. He also seemed to have an obsession with reacquiring middling players from Nashville, where he was assistant GM before succeeding Chuck Fletcher in Minnesota.

Not surprisingly, the Wild missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, and Fenton saw his approval rating plummeted as he entered the offseason without much a clear direction. As far as outsiders were concerned, there was a better chance of Andrew Wiggins turning into a Hall of Famer than the Wild actually contending for a Stanley Cup in 2019-20.

That perception hurt Fenton on multiple occasions this offseason, initially when Phil Kessel reportedly vetoed a trade to the Twin Cities — perhaps a blessing in disguise — and again when he was unable to secure a sit down with veteran free-agent center Joe Pavelski. Both players are near the ends of their career, and the fact that they didn’t feel they could realistically chase a Stanley Cup with the Wild was an indictment of the franchise.

Still, Fenton made the most out of the mess he had made. Bouncing back from Kessel curving him, and pivoting after Pavelski decided he’d rather play elsewhere, he shifted his focus to Zuccarello and Hartman and successfully wooed them both.

It’s likely Zuccarello will slot into the top six, and Hartman into the bottom, providing some depth for a team whose scoring grew worse as last season wore on. It also adds competition for playing time, never a bad thing.

“To have this many guys who are going to push for positions is the best thing this organization can ask for,” Fenton said. “It’s going to show what each and every guy is made of and how they’re going to be able to contribute to us winning. We have been looking for depth. We have been trying to get internal competition. Now, it’s going to happen.”

Fenton said he’s probably done making moves this summer. He talked at length about the fact that the Wild were in the playoff hunt last season before losing star defenseman Matt Dumba to injury, and he feels good about the rest of the core they have in place.

“I think we are a competitor,” Fenton said. “Look at our team right now: We have the stability with our goaltending; not a lot of teams that have the top-four defensemen we do; and our center ice is solid right down the middle.

“You throw in the excitement of our wingers on the outside and I think we have a really good team that has a chance to win.”

All he can do now is hope he’s right. 1107182 Minnesota Wild You almost have to put Luke Kunin at center to ensure Ryan Donato and Jordan Greenway make the team. But for that to happen, Victor Rask basically can’t play. Well, Fenton has said over and over again that he’s 2019-20 Wild depth chart after Monday’s signings looking for Rask to resurrect himself this season.

If you put Kunin at wing, either Donato or Greenway don’t make the team or you’re putting a young guy on the fourth line, which is the opposite of By Michael Russo Jul 2, 2019 what Fenton wanted late last season when he wanted his young guys getting big ice time and responsibility.

I’ll write more about this stuff soon in another story. Other than re-signing his restricted free agents, general manager Paul Fenton said the Wild are probably done dipping into free agency after But for now, here’s the depth chart for your perusal and very kind, Monday’s signings of right wings Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman and rational comments >>> minor-league depth forwards Luke Johnson and Gabriel Dumont. Forwards Of course, there could be trade talk the rest of the offseason, but Fenton said he’s “comfortable” with the roster if he stands pat heading into Left wing Center Right wing training camp when players report Sept. 12. Zach Parise ($7.538M+) Eric Staal ($3.25M) Mats Zuccarello The business still at hand is re-signing NHL restricted free agents Kevin ($6M) Fiala, Ryan Donato and Joel Eriksson Ek, as well as Nico Sturm, Louie Jason Zucker ($5.5M) Mikko Koivu ($5.5M) Kevin Fiala (RFA) Belpedio, Carson Soucy and Hunter Warner. Jordan Greenway ($916K+) Luke Kunin ($925K) Ryan Donato New director of hockey operations Chris O’Hearn is handling the (RFA) negotiations, and then Fenton will get involved as things progress or, I suppose, regress depending on how talks go. Marcus Foligno ($2.875M) Joel Eriksson Ek (RFA) Ryan Hartman ($1.9M) Donato, Belpedio and Soucy do have the right to file for arbitration by Friday’s deadline. That, to me, is not always a bad thing because it Victor Rask ($4M) J.T. Brown ($687.5K) means a guaranteed resolution — either a pre-arbitration settling or an arbitration ruling, not a prolonged contract squabble. Vying for spots: Greenway (doesn’t require waivers), Donato (doesn’t require waivers), Kunin (doesn’t require waivers), Nico Sturm (RFA, Fenton wouldn’t say if he’s looking at bridge deals for Fiala and Donato doesn’t require waivers), Brown (requires waivers), Rask (requires or long-term deals, but most likely, all options are being discussed. waivers), Gerry Mayhew ($700K, doesn’t require waivers), Kyle Rau ($700K, requires waivers), Luke Johnson ($700K, requires waivers), For both the player and the team, two- or three-year bridge deals are Gabriel Dumont ($700K, requires waivers). often good prove-it contracts for those who have yet to break through. But if Fenton truly believes a guy like Fiala is going to break out in the Prospects/minor leaguers: Mason Shaw ($792K+)*, Ivan Lodnia next few years, sometimes it’s good to get ahead of things and sign the ($747.5K), Sam Anas ($675K), Mike Liambas ($675K), Dmitry Sokolov player to a four- or five-year projection contract. ($765K), Colton Beck ($675K), Brandon Duhaime ($925K), Alex Khovanov ($842.5K), Connor Dewar ($825+K), Will Bitten ($805K). Sure, you may overpay in the short-term, but you could end up saving money in the long-term. Defensemen

As with anything, it’s a risk. Left defense Right defense

According to Evolving Hockey’s contract projections … Ryan Suter ($7.538M+) Matt Dumba ($6M)

Fiala would command $3.1 million on a two-year deal, $3.56 million on a Jonas Brodin ($4.166M+) Jared Spurgeon ($5.187M+) three-year deal, $4.38 million on a four-year deal and $4.97 million on a five-year deal. If I’m the Wild, I sign Fiala to a two- or three-year deal to Nick Seeler ($725K) Greg Pateryn ($2.25M) keep him motivated and hungry, but I assume there’s been internal Brad Hunt ($700K) debate. Vying for spots/minor leaguers/prospects: Matt Bartkowski ($700K), Donato would command $1.75 million on a two-year deal, $2.27 million Carson Soucy (RFA), Louie Belpedio (RFA), Brennan Menell ($716K+), on a three-year deal, $2.84 million on a four-year deal and $3.15 million Fedor Gordeev ($791K+), Gustav Bouramman ($720K), Hunter Warner on a five-year deal. Those projections make me think Donato will want to (RFA), Michael Kapla (RFA), Stepan Falkovsky ($698K+) bet on himself and sign a bridge deal. If he breaks out, he’ll warrant a bigger payday in a few years. See, Jason Zucker. He bet on himself with Goalies a two-year deal, scored 33 goals in Year 2 and now makes $5.5 million a Devan Dubnyk ($4.33M) year. Alex Stalock ($785K) Eriksson Ek would command $1.34 million on a two-year deal, $1.81 million on a three-year deal, $2.65 million on a four-year deal and $2.98 Minor leaguers/prospects: Mat Robson ($925K), Kaapo Kahkonen million on a five-year deal. If I’m the Wild, I sign Eriksson Ek to a short- ($767K+), Dereck Baribeau ($733K+) term deal. Dead money: Tyler Ennis ($1.216M+ buyout) After Monday’s signings, the Wild have about $9.5 million in cap space left, as you can see below. Salary-cap hit: $71,995,255

On to the depth chart. The maximum roster size is 23 players, meaning Projected salary cap: $81.5 million 13 or 14 forwards, seven or eight defensemen and two goalies. Salary-cap space before re-signing restricted free agents**: $9,504,745 As you can see, the signings make the lineup very convoluted. * Shaw is rehabbing from major knee surgery. In a dizzying exercise Sunday after reporting Saturday night that the Wild ** Available cap space will be eaten up by roster hopefuls making the were looking to sign Zuccarello and Hartman and learning early Sunday team and re-signings. The Wild, like all teams, will try to save some cap they were done deals, I fiddled around with the lineups. space for call-ups and flexibility to make in-season adjustments (i.e. I basically had to stop because it was a mess. It’s just very hard to trades, waiver additions). pinpoint which players will make the team, let alone what the lines will be The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 because almost every lever you pull contradicts stuff Fenton has said in the past. 1107183 Montreal Canadiens Take Warning  pic.twitter.com/8UduTihawY— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) July 2, 2019

Dundon became majority owner of the Hurricanes and purchased the Hurricanes say Canadiens got played by Sebastian Aho's agent operating rights to PNC Arena in January 2018 for US$420 million. He is "I think the other team got manipulated into believing some things that the chairman and managing partner of Dundon Capital Partners, a might not have been true," Hurricanes owner says. Dallas-based private investment firm, and Forbes estimated his net worth at US$1.1 billion in 2015. He was also owner of the Alliance of American Football, a league that folded during its first season in April. The Athletic reported last week that Dundon has filed a claim against the defunct STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE league in bankruptcy court, seeking repayment of the $70 million he paid to buy into it.

The Carolina Hurricanes believe that the Canadiens and GM Marc Dundon said during Tuesday’s conference call that Aho’s relationship Bergevin got sold a bill of goods by Gerry Johannson, the agent for with the Hurricanes won’t be damaged moving forward because he centre Sebastian Aho. signed the offer sheet with the Canadiens.

After announcing on Tuesday that the Hurricanes would match the five- “All these players should do the best for themselves and their families year, US$42.27-million offer sheet the Canadiens made to the restricted and we’re supposed to get the best contract we can get for our team and free agent on Monday, Carolina general manager Don Waddell and hopefully no one’s ever mad about it,” Dundon said. “I’m so happy for owner Tom Dundon held a media conference call. Sebastian and so happy that he’s part of the organization. It’s never going to come up again.” “Sebastian never wanted to leave Raleigh and we were in a contract negotiation, as many players have gone through before,” Hurricanes GM The Hurricanes will open the NHL regular season at home on Oct. 3 Don Waddell said. “The agent felt that this would move the needle down against the Canadiens. the road and make a decision to come quickly. But I’ve talked with “We want to win them all,” Dundon said when asked about that game. Sebastian all summer long and certainly there was never any bad words “The Canadiens are irrelevant to me. We got to beat all 30 other teams towards Raleigh and he told us before and after that this was the place also. So I don’t think it’s any different. I want to beat them, but I want to he wanted to be.” win that game anyways.” Waddell added: “Unfortunately, the agent felt that this was a path to take Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.03.2019 instead of negotiating a contract like most agents in the league do.”

On Monday, Bergevin said about the offer sheet Aho signed: “He agreed to this, he believed it’s a really good offer for him and he wants to be part of the Montreal Canadiens.”

The offer sheet the Hurricanes will match includes an $11.3 million signing bonus in Year 1, a $9.87 million bonus in Year 2, a $6.95 million bonus in Year 3 and a $5.25 million bonus in Years 4 and 5. It has an annual salary-cap hit of $8.45 million. The Hurricanes have until next Monday to finish the paperwork to finalize the contract with the NHL head office.

Waddell said it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Hurricanes decided to match the offer. Aho, who turns 22 on July 26, posted 30-53-83 totals in 82 games last season with the Hurricanes.

“First of all, we said all along we would match any offer,” the GM said on the conference call. “The agent knew that, I think the world knew that. When we were negotiating with the agent, the numbers weren’t that far off to the offer sheet and where we were. I think the agent felt that he wasn’t making the progress he wanted to make and he was going to go out and try to sell that we weren’t in a position to match it. I actually kind of wish I could explain it more … in regards to what we said that we would match it, the offer sheet didn’t have anything in it that would make our team think twice about it.”

#Canes GM Don Waddell: "Sebastian never wanted to leave Raleigh."— Michael Smith (@MSmithCanes) July 2, 2019

Hurricanes owner Dundon said he never considered not matching the offer sheet, which will pay Aho $21 million over the first 12 months of the contract.

“There was no consideration to give any other choice than him playing for the Hurricanes,” Dundon said.

“First of all, I’m just relieved that it’s done and Sebastian can not have to worry about this anymore. He’s a great player, he’s a big asset for us. So it’s nice to have it done … probably not the way we would have liked to have it done. I think Don was clear that I think the other team got manipulated into believing some things that might not have been true.

“About the fact that you’re asking this question about whether $20 million is a lot of money for me or the Hurricanes, maybe that led to why we’re in this situation,” the owner continued. “But it’s not a concern. I’m very fortunate to be in the position I am that — it sounds terrible — but writing that cheque is no big deal. That doesn’t mean we don’t want to do contracts that are best for the organization and the players getting contracts that are best for them.” 1107184 Montreal Canadiens Weber echoed Price’s sentiment that the clock is ticking for both of them. The window of opportunity is closing, even if Bergevin doesn’t believe in windows of opportunity.

What the Puck: Canadiens' bid for Aho nothing more than window Bergevin used the Aho charade to pump the team’s tires. dressing “This shows to our fans that Geoff Molson ownership that we want to be a good hockey team,” Bergevin said Monday. “We want to win and we BRENDAN KELLY, MONTREAL GAZETTE feel that this is the guy that we identified was going to help.”

In fact the offer doesn’t show that at all. With the Hurricanes announcing they’ll match, it actually shows that it looks like the Canadiens will once Marc Bergevin did not swing for the fences with his controversial hostile again leave plenty of dough on the table this season, just like they did the offer for restricted free-agent centre Sebastian Aho. He simply made it past two seasons. Bergevin left more than $8 million in unspent salary look like he was swinging for the fences. cap in the CH coffers for each of the past two seasons.

If the Montreal Canadiens’ general manager wanted to hit a home run, The Canadiens have $11.8 million in free cap space, according to continuing with the baseball analogy, he would’ve made an offer to Aho CapFriendly.com and we’ll see how much of it they spend during the that was, for all intents and purposes, impossible for the Carolina summer. Hurricanes to match. He should’ve offered, for the sake of argument, US$10.5 million for five or six years rather than what he offered, which Hopefully they’ll spend to make the team better because if they don’t, was an average of $8.45 million over five years. there’s a good chance they won’t make the playoffs. But whatever happens in the coming weeks, the one sure thing is that the Aho move That was always an offer that the Hurricanes could easily match even if was nothing more than a distraction. owner Tom Dundon wouldn’t be happy to match it. And guess what? On Monday afternoon, the ‘Canes announced that they would be matching Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.03.2019 the Bergevin offer.

“It’s our job to manage our cap space as our players develop and hit free agency,” Hurricanes GM Don Waddell said in the news release that announced they were matching. “There was no concern at any point that we would not be able to match this contract. Once again, the Carolina Hurricanes should not be underestimated. We have a plan and all the resources to win a Stanley Cup.”

In other words, it’s over and there’s only one plausible conclusion — Bergevin’s strategy was a massive fail. A number of teams in the East got significantly better. The New Jersey Devils added No. 1 overall draft pick Jack Hughes, Norris Trophy-winning defenceman P.K. Subban and rugged forward Wayne Simmonds to a roster that already includes Taylor Hall.

The New York Rangers snared Artemi Panarin and that follows the Blueshirts drafting No. 2 overall pick Kaapo Kakko and trading for defenceman Jacob Trouba. Meanwhile the Florida Panthers acquired, as expected, star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Over in Toronto, the Maple Leafs traded Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche in return for defenceman Tyson Barrie, centre Alexander Kerfoot and a 2020 sixth- round draft pick. The Leafs badly needed help on the blue line. The Avs also snared defenceman Calle Rosen and a 2020 third-round pick in the deal.

In short, the Canadiens did not get better and several of their competitors did.

So why did Bergevin do this rather than actually making sure he could get a player or two to help his team? This is just one more spin from the cynical Canadiens management team. It’s an effort to distract fans from the fact that they were unable to sign the guy they really wanted, Matt Duchene. After all the chatter about how he comes from a family of Habs fans, Duchene — as expected — signed with the Nashville Predators.

The CH bosses know there is enormous pressure from the fan base, which wants to see some improvements. The team has not made the playoffs for three of the past four seasons and have won one playoff series in five years. So Geoff Molson and Bergevin made it look like they were making a bold move to boost the club’s fortunes, knowing full well it would likely fail.

The next time Bergevin and his boss meet the media, they can say: “Hey, we made a huge move on July 1 and it didn’t work out but, heck, we tried. And did we mention all these great young players and the even greater prospects we have in the pipeline?”

It’s not just the fan base that’s getting a little antsy. The Canadiens’ two highest-profile, highest-paid players both took shots at management in an interview with The Athletic during the weekend.

“So it’s good to have depth in your system, but for me personally, being on the ice, it’s kind of irrelevant until I see somebody in the lineup, you know?” said Price. 1107185 Montreal Canadiens we want to be a good hockey team. We want to win and we feel that this is the guy that we identified was going to help. He’s a young player. You take a risk when you do that.”

Hurricanes will match Canadiens' offer to Sebastian Aho: Carolina GM The GM added: “We felt even though if it doesn’t happen we still have a "This was an easy decision," Hurricanes GM says. "Sebastian is one of very good hockey team.” the best players in the league." The Canadiens have missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and in three of the last four years. Bergevin traded forward Andrew Shaw to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday and lost defenceman Jordie STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE Benn to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday as a free agent. They were two key players last season who were also very popular in the locker

room. Well, that didn’t take long. The only additions Bergevin has made so far are the free-agent signings The Carolina Hurricanes made it official on Tuesday that they intend to of backup goalie Keith Kinkaid and minor-league forward Riley Barber on match the offer sheet the Canadiens gave restricted free-agent centre Monday. Sebastian Aho on Monday. It’s a five-year deal worth US$42.27 million Centre Matt Duchene was a player the Canadiens had interest in and he and is heavily loaded with signing bonuses that will pay the player $21 visited Montreal last week before signing a seven-year, US$56-million million in the first 12 months of the contract, including an $11.3 million deal with the Nashville Predators on Monday. Duchene’s visit to Montreal signing bonus to start. might have only been a favour to his agent, Pat Brisson, who is a The deal runs through the 2023-24 season with an annual salary-cap hit longtime friend of Bergevin’s, because a source said the player was of $8.454 million. Aho, who turns 22 on July 26, posted 30-53-83 totals in already building a house in Nashville and is also a huge country-music 82 games last season with the Hurricanes. Since being selected by fan. Carolina in the second round (35th overall) at the 2015 NHL Draft, Aho Last year, free-agent centre John Tavares wouldn’t even meet with the has 83-114-197 totals in 242 games. The Hurricanes selected him nine Canadiens before signing a seven-year, US$77-million contract with the picks after the Canadiens took defenceman Noah Juulsen in the first Maple Leafs. round (26th overall) at the 2015 draft. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.03.2019 “This was an easy decision,” Hurricanes GM Don Waddell said Tuesday on the team’s website. “Sebastian is one of the best players in the league and the centrepiece of what we’re building here. We’ve spoken to him throughout this process and he’s made it clear that he wants to be in Raleigh and be a part of this organization.

“It’s our job to manage our cap space as our players develop and hit free agency,” Waddell added. “There was no concern at any point that we would not be able to match this contract. Once again, the Carolina Hurricanes should not be underestimated. We have a plan and all the resources to win a Stanley Cup.”

After Bergevin made the offer sheet on Monday and Aho signed it, Waddell said: “I know my summer just got better because I’m not gonna spend all summer negotiating a contract now.”

The Hurricanes actually did the Canadiens a favour by making the announcement so soon. They had seven days to make a decision and the longer they waited the fewer players would still be available to the Canadiens on the free-agent market. But the Hurricanes and owner Tom Dundon obviously wanted to send a strong message to their fans by matching the deal so quickly.

“The offer sheet is an available way to add a player,” a Western Conference team executive who requested anonymity told Pierre LeBrun in a story on The Athletic website. “But it only makes sense if you are likely to get the player. This one, like the (Ryan) O’Reilly one, was ill- conceived and doomed to fail from the get-go. All this accomplishes is it disrupts the marketplace and makes the job of managers harder going forward, including his own.”

In 2013, the Calgary Flames offered O’Reilly a two-year, US$10-million offer sheet that was then matched by the Colorado Avalanche.

The questions now becomes what will Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin do next?

One player still available on the free-agent market who might interest Bergevin is defenceman Jake Gardiner, who posted 3-27-30 totals and a plus-19 in 62 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. Gardiner, who turns 29 on Thursday, is coming off a five-year, US$20.25-million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $4.05 million. He is also a left- hand shot and would be able to play beside Shea Weber on the No. 1 defence pairing.

If Bergevin wants to take another shot at an offer sheet — and this one would have to be huge — Toronto right-winger Mitch Marner, 22, is a restricted free agent after leading the Maple Leafs in scoring last season with 26-68-94 totals.

When asked during his news conference Monday in Brossard if he had a Plan B in case the Hurricanes matched the offer, Bergevin said: “You know what? This shows to our fans that Geoff Molson, ownership, that 1107186 Montreal Canadiens what we wanted. For seven or eight years, the amount of money we would offer is a lot more money than what the offer sheet is. The player has to be comfortable that he takes the five years and hope everything is Of course the Hurricanes are matching the weak Sebastian Aho offer still going well. That’s the only part that I don’t really understand — there sheet, but how did it get to this point? was a lot more money available to the player at this point.”

Three possible explanations:

By Sara Civian Jul 2, 2019 1. Aho’s camp wanted to pick up the pace on a deal.

2. The signing bonuses. The deal is so front-loaded because it’s mostly signing bonuses. Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon wears many other hats: billionaire businessman, reluctantly championed “disrupter” of Hockey Men, the Year 1: $11.3 million signing bonus, $700,000 salary dude who ended (or perhaps tried to save) the AAF, owner of TopGolf. Year 2: $9.87 million signing bonus, $700,000 salary

He was actually golfing in Aspen, Colo., when the Canadiens offer Year 3: $6.95 million signing bonus, $750,000 salary sheeted Sebastian Aho on Monday, and folks had a lot to say about that. Years 4 and 5: $5.25 million signing bonus, $750,000 salary He’s explained before that a fine line of his job, whether it’s owning a sports team or a company, is listening to feedback without letting a vocal The Hurricanes traditionally avoid giving out summer signing bonuses. minority sway you. According to CapFriendly, the only players on the projected Hurricanes roster with summer signing bonuses are Aho, players on ELCs and But that was a conversation about hockey sweaters. recently acquired James Reimer.

The topic of the day was his young star player. He has indicated to The Signing bonuses are protected in lockouts, so it’s brilliant if Aho’s camp Athletic multiple times over a span of months that he and the Hurricanes was trying to ensure he gets paid in light of lockout rumors. would be making a serious investment to keep their second-round pick turned first-line center in Raleigh. He and general manager Don Waddell 3. The cap will probably raise and Aho is betting that he will be worth a had publicly expressed dozens of times that they would not let Aho go. raise as a 26-year-old UFA. Pretty safe bet.

Maybe that’s why Waddell walked into a press conference with a “All these players should do what’s best for themselves and their knowing grin 20 minutes after the offer sheet landed in his inbox. Maybe families,” Dundon said. “We’re supposed to get the best contract we can that’s why team executives cheered when they found out the contract, get for our team. I am so happy for Sebastian, so happy that he’s part of front-loaded as it is, only carries an $8.454 AAV over five years. the organization and it’s never going to come up again.”

“I don’t think it is easy for Carolina,” Aho’s agent Gerry Johannson told It’s funny how an idea so universally accepted elsewhere is no match for The Athletic’s Marc Antoine Godin on Monday night. “I can tell you for the market of a small stigma. Rest assured that it doesn’t matter to those sure, it’s not easy for Carolina. Anybody who says this is easy is wrong.” at the helm of the Hurricanes. Perception never did.

The Hurricanes announced less than 24 hours later that they will indeed “I could care less about Sebastian’s agent and being complicated with match the offer sheet. him going forward,” Dundon said. “It doesn’t matter at all.”

Maybe Dundon was out golfing because $21 million in two years is not a The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 fortune in the scheme of billions, maybe it’s an investment the Hurricanes were always willing to make and then some. Maybe he just doesn’t care what you think.

“The question is, do you think you should believe an agent?” Dundon bluntly stated in a conference call Tuesday. “That’s a question, you guys can figure that out … but it is his right to use that leverage the CBA provides to get the most money out of us and that is all that happened.”

If it wasn’t “easy,” it doesn’t sound like the hardest thing he’s ever done.

“First of all I’m just relieved and that Sebastian is not going to have to worry about this anymore,” Dundon told reporters. “I think the other team got manipulated into believing some things that might not have been true. But the fact that you’re asking this question — if $20 million dollars is a lot for me or the Hurricanes? — maybe that leads to this situation. It’s not a concern. This sounds terrible but writing that check is no big deal.”

“The numbers weren’t that far off from where we were,” Waddell offered. “I think the agent felt that he wasn’t making progress he wanted to make and he was going to go out and sell that we weren’t in a position to match it. The offer sheet didn’t have anything in it that would make the team think twice about it.”

This situation is bound to take a few more interesting twist and turns. As it stands, it looks like a savvy (albeit unconventional) agent and misconceptions about Dundon and the Hurricanes market led the Canadiens to believe that they either couldn’t or wouldn’t match a relatively low offer sheet ask.

“Instead of negotiating a contract like most agents and teams do, he felt that he would take the course of getting the team to sell a team an idea that he knew wouldn’t work,” Waddell said. “We said all along we would match any offer. The agent knew that. I think the world knew that.”

But if they were so gung-ho about matching a potential offer sheet, why didn’t they just pay their star player in the first place?

“When we were talking with (Aho’s camp) we were always talking about a long-term deal,” Waddell said. “If we were negotiating on our own behalf we would’ve went for more years for sure. The five years is shorter than 1107187 Montreal Canadiens 684 people are talking about this

The ‘Canes don’t like that the offer sheet is for five years. Term was a major battle between Carolina and Johannson. But the $8.454-million LeBrun Notebook: ‘This was never going to work for Montreal’: AAV is palatable. Hurricanes owner on Sebastian Aho’s offer sheet I asked Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon on Tuesday if he was angry at the offer sheet.

By Pierre LeBrun Jul 2, 2019 “I’m not angry,” Dundon said. “I’m just surprised that any team thought this had any chance of working. I guess the Carolina Hurricanes are still misunderstood if anyone anywhere thought this would be hard for us. I’m Don Waddell’s phone rang a few times on Monday morning. not upset with Sebastian, I am actually relieved to have this done. We all understand the players should do what they can to get their best Three teams called, all with the same name at the tip of their tongues: contract. But this was never going to work for Montreal.” Sebastian Aho. The key, as far as Montreal was concerned, was the front-loaded nature Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin confirmed to the assembled media later of the offer sheet. An $11.3-million signing bonus payable five days after on Monday that he was one of those calls, although the offer sheet that the deal is registered in the coming week and another signing bonus next Aho signed from Montreal would be all the confirmation anyone needed. July 1 for $9.87 million. It’s here where the Habs had hoped to While Waddell would not confirm the other two teams, a few calls around overwhelm Dundon, already notorious for trying to keep salaries as low the league suggest that the Panthers and Avalanche also checked in as possible on his team. regarding Aho on Monday morning. Did they hint at an offer sheet or was After Carolina matches, they won’t be allowed to trade Aho for a year, it a preliminary trade inquiry? I’m not sure, but the interest was there. meaning they’re on the hook for both bonus payments before they could Also of note is that before Bergevin submitted the first offer sheet the even entertain the idea of moving him (not that I got any indication that NHL has seen in six and a half years, he did investigate the trade route they would move the player, but it shows the financial commitment the with Waddell. It obviously didn’t get very far. Canes are responsible for).

Thus, the offer sheet, which got mixed reviews around the league. And this is where I think Montreal also made a bet. Bergevin mentioned a few times during his news conference how thrilled Aho was in signing the “An offer sheet is a tool that the CBA gives every team and I respect contract with the Habs. Was the hope that hearing this would make Marc for using whatever tool available in an attempt to improve his Dundon’s head explode and the owner turn on Aho to the point of not team,’’ Stanley Cup champion GM Doug Armstrong told me on Tuesday. matching? It didn’t work. “As a general manager, your job is to do what is best for your organization, not to worry about what other people think. In today’s NHL, It’s worth noting that while Colorado did match the Ryan O’Reilly offer players are assets to organizations but equally, so is cap space and draft sheet in 2013, the Avs eventually traded him. And while David Poile picks. The system is set up to allow all teams to make decisions based would never admit this, I truly believe that when Shea Weber signed a on all three facets.’’ 14-year, $110-million offer sheet with Philadelphia in July 2012, that the veteran Predators GM knew that very day he would eventually trade Added veteran GM Ken Holland, rather simply on Tuesday: “It’s part of Weber. the CBA.’’ There’s an emotional part to all this no matter how much Aho and “It is within the rules,” veteran GM Jim Rutherford said. “The Montreal Dundon and anyone involved will deny it. The franchise player signed a Canadiens are doing what they believe is in their best interests and now contract with another team. the Carolina Hurricanes are going to do what they believe is in their best interest.” But the biggest criticism from around the league was that Montreal didn’t make the contract rich enough to make it a worthwhile endeavor. But there were also other team executives from around the league who weren’t happy. It’s not that they’re against the idea of an offer sheet in My understanding of that, if I were to take the Habs perspective on this, itself, but they felt Montreal didn’t make its offer large enough to move is that the contract structure restrictions in the CBA make it so going up the needle. And with Carolina set to match, it appears that they were to the next threshold of draft compensation wouldn’t have been worth it correct. for Montreal. My personal belief is that Montreal felt if Dundon was going to match the $21-million plus in the opening 12 months, that he would “The offer sheet is an available way to add a player. But it only makes match a higher number as well. Remember that as per the rules, the sense if you are likely to get the player,’’ a Western Conference team lowest year of the contract has to be at least half of the highest year and executive who requested anonymity said. “This one, like the O’Reilly one, you can’t drop more than 35 percent year-over-year. The Habs looked at was ill-conceived and doomed to fail from the get-go. all kinds of scenarios but made the final determination that it was about the cash up front and that they basically accomplished the same thing “All this accomplishes is it disrupts the marketplace and make the job of with less compensation and a more fair contract. managers harder going forward, including his own.’’ And while I get that reasoning, it’s the fair contract part that likely made it The offer sheet was for five years with an AAV of $8.454 million. A little palatable for Carolina to match. The Habs maybe got too cute here in background before we get into the nitty-gritty of the actual offer: It’s that they figured they could not only get their guy but also on a deal that believed Carolina offered eight years at a $7.5-million AAV in contract makes sense under the cap. negotiations and that Aho’s camp responded with five years at a $9.5- million AAV. There was a meeting between agent Gerry Johannson and This is why offer sheets are so rare, normally to get it done you have to the Carolina brass in Vancouver on the Friday of draft weekend which blow the other team so far out of the water with a contract that makes no didn’t go terribly well. And that’s being kind. sense for them to match. But then again, if it makes no sense for them, how much sense does it make for your team? Pierre LeBrun Believe me when I say this: I guarantee Dundon has already told Waddell ✔ that if there’s an RFA in Montreal the ‘Canes can go after over the next @PierreVLeBrun few years, he’s got the green light to do something crazy.

Breakdown of Aho offer sheet: $11.3M SB plus 700k salary in Year 1; Offer sheet on Brayden Point considered $9.87M SB plus 700k salary in Year 2; $6.95 SB plus 750k salary in Year I mentioned this during our free agent frenzy marathon telecast on TSN 3; $5.25 SB plus $750k in each of Year 4 and Year 5 that according to my sources, the Canadiens actually began the offer 1,624 sheet discussion with agent Gerry Johannson on RFA star centre Brayden Point (Johannson represents both Point and Aho). But as the 2:49 PM - Jul 1, 2019 week went along, it began to make more sense for Montreal to try to exploit budget-conscious Carolina. Twitter Ads info and privacy If I had to guess, I’d say Point would have not signed an offer sheet make sure he was fully committed in his decision to stay put. But that anyway and I don’t know that the idea ever even got to his doorstep. was always the plan.

Still, I’m sure the Lightning are aware now. Term was certainly an issue most of the season as Lamoriello and Sheehy went back and forth. They actually agreed to the $7-million AAV Timo Meier signs way back last September, I’m told. But Lamoriello forever was stuck on Speaking of high-profile RFAs, what a job by the Sharks in getting Timo six years while Sheehy started at eight years before going to seven Meier signed at a $6-million AAV over four years. That is an unbelievably years. reasonable deal for a guy who just scored 30 goals and promises to be a The Islanders get the break on AAV given what else was out there core player for years to come. Monday, but Lee gets his term.

He’s the first of this special class of high-end RFA players to sign this And finally, about July 1 … offseason. The complaints from teams and agents alike about this year’s eight-day It stings losing captain Joe Pavelski to Dallas via free agency but getting UFA speaking period were as loud as I’ve ever heard them. To the point Erik Karlsson to stay put and then securing Meier to a reasonable deal is where I think some power brokers are hoping to do something about it. mighty fine work by Sharks GM Doug Wilson. As it turns out, next year won’t be as bad because the draft in Montreal is The deal is also smart by Meier’s agent Claude Lemieux in my mind. June 26-27 and so July 1 will be nice and tight afterward. While the AAV is $6 million, the year by year compensation is $4-million per year the first two seasons (which includes a $3.3-million signing But generally speaking in other years, and this is something I have long bonus each of those first two years) then $6 million in Year 3 ($2-million argued, it is absolutely ridiculous that the NHL waits until July 1 — a signing bonus and $4-million salary) and finally a $10-million salary in national holiday in the country that invented the game — to open free Year 4. That’s significant because it means Meier’s qualifying offer is $10 agency. million after the 2022-23 season. He will be one year away from UFA status at that point. Therefore, if he simply signs his one-year qualifying I heard from a number of GMs and agents alike over the past week that offer or goes to salary arbitration, he basically bridges himself to UFA a embrace the idea of moving up the start of free agency to a day in the year later. I’m guessing Lemieux and Meier view this as almost a five- last week of June. Some like the idea of opening free agency two to three year contract in many ways. days after the draft is done. Some would want it on the last Friday in June. Lots of interesting ideas but the overwhelming response I got was Having said that, there’s no question that the Sharks will attempt to that it’s time to move away from July 1 and move it into June. extend Meier a year out in the summer of 2022. That’s the smart play. I think the NHLPA plans on bringing this up in bargaining with the league Leafs-Avs trade and I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes up at the next GM meeting.

Going back to the top of this story where I mentioned Colorado was Obviously, it’s self-serving for us in the NHL media to want free agency among the teams that checked in on Aho. It’s pretty fair to assume that away from the July 1 and July 4 holidays on both sides of the border, my Colorado’s big trade with Toronto later on Monday evening never cottage awaits. happens if the Avs were able to proceed on Aho. But this goes way beyond that. Free-agent players would love to get their But they get Nazem Kadri instead and he’s going to be a great fit in business out of the way before the first week of July 1. And for GMs that Denver. He’s got a cap-friendly contract for three more years at a $4.5- already work year-round, getting things wrapped up for the most part in million AAV and I think he’s got a chance to reestablish his 30-goal form free agency a week earlier would be tremendous for them. with the Avs. Let’s be honest, by Day 3 of the UFA speaking period it’s pretty clear The arrival of John Tavares last year knocked Kadri down in the lineup how a lot of the chips will fall, so why not just get it over with for real. and he never quite adjusted to his new role. He’ll get bigger minutes in Colorado. And with that, I am done for the season. Thanks to our loyal Athletic subscribers for reading all season and being part of the fun. See you Not that he wanted to get traded. Sources confirm Kadri nixed a potential again in September! deal to Calgary over the past week, and I believe his camp also sent word to another club on his 10-team no-trade list that had interest in him The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 not to bother calling the Leafs. It was clear Kadri didn’t want to move.

Colorado was not on Kadri’s no-list, which allowed the Leafs to make the deal.

Tyson Barrie scratches the long-festering itch of the Leafs dying for a top-end, right-handed D. With Cody Ceci also on the right side now, suddenly this Leafs D-crops doesn’t look too bad at all, even if UFA Jake Gardiner doesn’t end up sticking around.

Outstanding work by Leafs GM Kyle Dubas between the Colorado and Ottawa trades on Monday.

Anders Lee wasn’t leaving the island

One thing I want to clear up on the Anders Lee signing with the New York Islanders is the notion that he’s only back because the team swung and missed on Artemi Panarin.

Not true.

It’s my understanding that the Isles were budgeting to try and sign Panarin and Lee, not one or the other. While other teams certainly showed interest and reached out to Lee’s agent Neil Sheehy with contract parameters that might have paid up to $9-million a year, the idea all along was to stay patient and re-sign with the Isles as part of a big July 1 bonanza — had GM Lou Lamoriello also been able to sign Panarin. Plus, there’s the fact that Lee simply didn’t want to leave Long Island. Which kind of tied his agent’s hands in conversations with other teams. Oh, Sheehy had those conversations with other teams, no question. Because he wanted to relay to Lee what was out there and 1107188 Montreal Canadiens There is no limit on how much money a team can offer to pay out in signing bonuses, but there are restrictions to how contracts are structured.

What are the Canadiens actually trying to accomplish with the Sebastian The first is that the amount of money paid out in any given year cannot Aho offer sheet? drop by more than 35 percent in the following year. The second is that the lowest payout in any given year must be at least 50 percent of the highest payout in any given year. Both limits make it so teams can’t By Arpon Basu Jul 2, 2019 frontload a contract as much as they want because you need to be able to gradually drop the amount paid year by year and the least expensive

year of the contract needs to cost at least 50 percent as the most The Canadiens did something on the opening day of free agency that expensive year. every NHL observer has been hoping to see for years. For example, if you load up the first year with $30 million in bonuses and Then they were widely ridiculed for it. salary, the second year can be no lower than $19.5 million and by one of the criterion, the third year can’t be lower than $12.675 million. However, The offer sheet signed by Carolina Hurricanes centre Sebastian Aho was that amount in Year 3 can be no lower than $15 million because that is first met with the initial shock that a team finally availed itself of this 50 percent of the most expensive year of the contract, meaning that provision in the collective bargaining agreement. That was followed by $12.675 million figure wouldn’t be allowed. more shock because the Canadiens’ offer wasn’t constructed in such a way that it would be difficult for the Hurricanes to match it. Coming up with an offer sheet involves a lot of math. The Canadiens did the math, and that is how they came up with the contract they offered “I know my summer just got better because I’m not gonna spend all Aho. summer negotiating a contract now,” Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said. To get a sense of what an offer sheet with a higher AAV — one that surpassed the $8,454,872 threshold — would look like, it would require The point of this exercise, after all, is to acquire the player. If you don’t very complicated calculations that we are not necessarily qualified to acquire the player, an offer sheet ties your hands at a vital time of year make. for up to seven days, essentially freezing the money committed to Aho while the Canadiens wait to see if the Carolina Hurricanes will match. Instead, what we did is take the percentage paid out in each of the five years of the $42.27 million contract offered to Aho and applied that It is a risk Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin fully percentage to a $47.5 million offer, or $9.5 million a year, and a $50 acknowledged and accepted Monday. million offer, or $10 million a year.

“This shows to our fans that Geoff Molson, ownership, that we want to be Here is how those two higher threshold offers would compare to the offer a good hockey team,” Bergevin said. “We want to win, and this is the guy the Canadiens made to Aho. we identified that was going to help. He’s a young player. You take a risk when you do that, guys are getting signed … that’s the risk we take. And here is the difference in the cash payout in the first 12 months for each of those offers. “We felt if even though it doesn’t happen, we still have a really good hockey team.” Therefore, if the Canadiens structured a $10-million a year offer with the exact same year-to-year total payout percentages of their actual offer, With the widely held belief that the Hurricanes will match the offer, they would be adding $4.1 million to the cash payout in the first 12 including a piece on the team website that basically says they will, what months of the deal on top of adding an additional first round pick to the other motivation could lie under the surface for the Canadiens doing this? compensation package. If a team is willing to match $21.9 million in the first 12 months, will they refuse to match $26 million? The Canadiens Here are three possibilities of what the Canadiens are up to. determined it wouldn’t make a difference. Acquiring the player “Two reasons, the first is the player accepted the offer, so if he thought or Of course, this is the primary motivation. If this works and the Canadiens his agent thought it wasn’t a good offer he wouldn’t have accepted it. acquire Aho at age 21 and lock him in for what is likely to be the five best That’s one,” Bergevin said when asked why the Canadiens didn’t make a years of his career, that would be a win. This is obvious. higher offer. “Second, there are many things to consider, the compensation but also what’s the difference going higher? You identify But if acquiring the player is the primary goal, why was the offer sheet the vulnerable point, and we looked at it closely and saw that it wouldn’t structured in such a conservative way? make a difference. On top of that, the player wants to play for the Montreal Canadiens, and that’s very important to us.” The five-year, $42.27-million contract has an AAV of $8.454 million, just under the threshold that would change the compensation Carolina would There are two important takeaways in that statement. The first is the receive if they don’t match the offer. Had they crossed that threshold, it “vulnerable point” and that’s where the Canadiens’ strategy becomes would have been two first-round picks, a second-round pick and a third- murky. round pick. By staying below the threshold, the Canadiens only risk losing one first-round pick. It is clear the Canadiens think Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon will be reluctant to pay out $21.9 million in the next calendar year to Aho. Is that That’s the difference, one first-round pick. It seems ridiculous to make a a fact? Who knows? But if there is one NHL owner who is most likely to less aggressive offer just to save a future first, one the Canadiens would divert from conventional wisdom, it is probably Dundon, so maybe that’s expect to be late in the round because of how much better Aho would what the Canadiens are banking on. make them. But it is also very unlikely the Hurricanes official website would run a “It’s not only the pick,” Bergevin said. “It’s where’s the next threshold, story stating all signs point to them matching the offer sheet without first that’s one, and what’s the difference in the first 12 months? Is that going getting Dundon’s approval because walking away from Aho after doing to make a big difference if you’re going to match?” that would be the height of embarrassment.

Bergevin’s point is that even if the AAV crossed the $8,454,872 The second is the fact Aho has demonstrated by signing the offer sheet threshold, the upfront signing bonus money would not change drastically, that he really wants to play in Montreal, something his agent confirmed to which is the crux of Montreal’s strategy here. The $8.454 million AAV is The Athletic’s Marc Antoine Godin. not what might scare the Hurricanes off Aho, it is the payout in the first 12 months of the contract. Where does that leave us when it comes to this aspect of the Canadiens’ motivation in tendering this offer sheet, the part about immediately In other words, the Canadiens structured their offer to Aho to be as acquiring the player? aggressive as possible while staying under that $8,454,872 threshold because they determined the benefit of surpassing that did not outweigh Basically nowhere. the cost of the extra first-round pick. But the smart guess would be that the Canadiens are not getting Aho and increasing the offer to cross into the next threshold probably wouldn’t have made that much of a difference. And they know it.

The long game

Assuming the Hurricanes match the Canadiens’ offer sheet, perhaps the whole thing was a long-term investment by Bergevin. Is this possible?

Waddell said the only aspect of the Canadiens’ offer that he didn’t like was the term, and it’s easy to understand why. Aho will be an unrestricted free agent at age 26 when this contract expires. Could it be that the only reason the Canadiens dropped this offer sheet was to sign Aho in five years, when he will be free to join whatever team he wants?

In five years the Canadiens will be a wildly different team. The only current players under contract past the summer of 2024 are Carey Price and Shea Weber, but it’s very possible players like Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Nick Suzuki, Max Domi, Ryan Poehling, Alexander Romanov, Victor Mete and others will be important parts of the team’s core. If that’s the case, signing Aho as a UFA in the summer of 2024 could be the piece that pushes the Canadiens over the top, and their role in getting Aho this contract now could give the Canadiens the inside track on signing him when it expires.

It is highly unlikely the Canadiens have even considered this possibility because it is so far down the road. But if they did, it would be a brilliant example of laying the groundwork on acquiring a player you want five years ahead of time.

The message

It was impossible to ignore Bergevin’s attempt to use this offer sheet to stem the rising tide of criticism the Canadiens were receiving from their fans for leaving millions of dollars of available cap space left unspent.

The narrative that owner Geoff Molson was trying to profit off the Canadiens being so far below the cap was gaining serious momentum among the team’s fan base, even though it couldn’t be further from the truth.

But even if this offer sheet to Aho fails, which it is likely to do, the Canadiens will still be able to tell not only their fans, but also their players, that they tried to be creative to improve the team. That will resonate most with the Canadiens’ two pillars, Carey Price and Shea Weber, who expressed to The Athletic last week that they don’t have time to wait for a long rebuild.

“You can’t forget we are also sending a message to our players, not only the fans, but our players,” Bergevin said. “Adding a player of this caliber to our young group and Carey and Shea was something that was very appealing to us.”

There is no way to know how effective Price and Weber will be five years from now, but that’s irrelevant to this part of the Canadiens motivation in tendering this offer sheet. What’s important is that Price and Weber and all their teammates know the Canadiens are doing everything they can to make the team better as quickly as possible.

In a worst-case scenario where Aho winds up back in Carolina after they match the offer and all the attractive UFAs are gone by that time, the Canadiens one benefit would be that the whole exercise was a legitimate attempt on their part to improve the team in a very significant way.

It would combat the prevailing narrative among their fans and resonate with those in their dressing room.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107189 Nashville Predators

Welcome Matt! Duchene gets Nashville greetings from McDonald's, Preds

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean Published 12:08 p.m. CT July 2, 2019 | Updated 12:19 p.m. CT July 2, 2019

Matt Duchene hasn't hidden his affinity for Nashville.

The newest Predator, who signed a seven-year, $56 million contract Monday, quickly posted a picture of his 6-month old boy wearing a Predators sweater, which he made his Instagram profile picture. He posted another of his dog Paisley — named after country music star Brad Paisley — sporting a gold No. 95 jersey on Monday.

View this post on Instagram

 Country roads, take us home, to the place, we belong!  Ash, Beau, Paisley and I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the @predsnhl family! Can’t wait to get started, see you soon #Smashville !

A post shared by Matt Duchene (@matt9duchene) on Jul 1, 2019 at 12:54pm PDT

The Predators were quick to welcome Matt with, well, a welcome mat placed outside the team's dressing room inside Bridgestone Arena.

Our new Welcome Matt.#Preds | @Matt9Duchenepic.twitter.com/lej3q1gmRh

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 1, 2019

The team also posted photos of Duchene's No. 95 sweater, presumably hot off the presses.

New threads  #Preds | @NSHLockerRoompic.twitter.com/Op9F140MPG

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 1, 2019

A Nashville McDonald's joined the welcoming committee Tuesday when it posted a picture of a sign outside one of its restaurants that read:

"Matt Duchene 56M"

"Large Coke $1'

'Having both"

"Priceless"

Duchene said McDonald's wasn't in his offseason diet but laughed at the sign.

Hahaha not on the off season diet but this is great guys! Thank you!  磻 #imlovinithttps://t.co/ynb1BfnApN

— Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) July 2, 2019

Country singer Ryan Hurd also offered to sing at Duchene's next birthday party, an offer Duchene said he might just accept.

Will probably be taking you up on that!! Thanks dude 🤘🏻 https://t.co/kZaj9f0h0o

— Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) July 1, 2019

Tennessean LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107190 Nashville Predators Duchene stressed that he valued his time with the Senators and Blue Jackets. His affinity for Nashville, though, probably was always going to win out.

Predators sought out Matt Duchene for years before landing him He talked of staying here well beyond his playing years. Of raising his son and his future children in Tennessee. Of helping the Predators' power play. Of his familiarity with some Predators players, such as Ryan Paul Skrbina, July 2, 2019 Ellis and Dan Hamhuis.

So coveted was Duchene that he was able to corral a seven-team no- movement clause for the final three years of his deal, something Poile David Poile traded P.K. Subban for someone he didn't know. doesn't hand out often. In fact, goalie Pekka Rinne is the only other That's not the way official NHL history will document the Predators' Predators player with one in his contract. acquisition of Matt Duchene, which became official Monday when he "It was not my favorite thing to give in a negotiation but we did," Poile signed a seven-year, $56 million contract. said. That will go down as a free-agent acquisition. After dinner and multiple meetings with Laviolette, Duchene made the But that's essentially what Poile had in mind when he dealt Subban and easiest, most difficult decision of his professional life. his $9 million cap hit to the Devils during the second day of the NHL Draft He talked it over with family. He mulled going back to the Blue Jackets, on June 22. whom he helped win their first playoff series ever. Poile said he had a Plan B and a Plan C, should Duchene not work out. He turned down more money. But he was grateful he didn't have to use them. All signs turned to Nashville. "I've seen Matt Duchene play a lot of hockey," Poile said. "I've seen him play here in the All-Star game. Until this week, I had never met Matt "By the way I’m talking, you’d think it was really easy. It was actually Duchene. I’ve nodded to him many times along the way." very, very difficult," Duchene said. "Reason being, when you have seven or eight years in front of you on a contract, trying to figure out where you A little more than a week after trading Subban, though, Poile stood want to be, you have to take a lot of things into account. You have to proudly inside Bridgestone Arena and shared some details about how he balance your thinking with your head and your heart. I have a young landed a player he's coveted for the past three years. How a nod turned family to look out for. I have just shy of a 6-month-old son. You’re trying into a signature. to figure out priorities. By getting Duchene, a 28-year-old center, to agree to more than nod "The first two boxes I wanted to check off were hockey, No. 1, family No. after three years of courting him from afar, Poile accomplished what he'd 2. When I say family No. 2 I mean in terms of living situation. I only get to been planning for years. do this for so long, so the hockey gets a little bit of the forefront. "Let's call it like it is," Poile said. "If we don’t make the Subban trade and Thankfully, they're a 10 out of 10. Those two boxes were our biggest get rid of his money, it's going to be much more difficult to get into the priorities to check off. Duchene sweepstakes. ... It took the pressure off. So Subban for In the process, the Predators checked off boxes, too. Duchene sounds like a reasonable way to say it." And Poile, finally, got his man. That was just the first, most obvious step in the process, though. One of the final steps, most important steps, one that occurred early during his "He’s clearly one of the most explosive centers in the league," Poile said. visit, Duchene said, was meeting with coach Peter Laviolette in Nashville "He creates a lot of things by himself. It's no secret the last couple years late last week. our secondary scoring and last year the power play wasn’t where we wanted it to be. I don’t know who else out there, other than maybe What was supposed to be a 10-minute conversation at the behest of (Artemi) Panarin, would be a guy who could add more goals or more Poile turned into a 45-minute inside-hockey talk that spilled into dinner points or help our power play as much as Matt Duchene." that night, where Poile, team captain Roman Josi, Laviolette, CEO Sean Henry and others joined Duchene and his family. A man Predators fans – and Poile – will get to know well over the next several years. "We got so into the hockey talk," Duchene said. "That’s the way I am. We couldn’t have been more on the same page. He wants to score more Tennessean LOADED: 07.03.2019 goals. As an offensive guy, that makes you drool a little bit when you hear your coach say that. That was a huge draw for me. He’s such a nice guy and a genuine person. ... I know guys love to play for him."

The two talked again during dinner.

Then Duchene and Laviolette disappeared for another good 45 minutes.

FYI: 5 ways Matt Duchene signing will help Predators

MORE: 5 things to know about new Predators acquisition Matt Duchene

Duchene, who has an almost 6-month old boy, didn't necessarily need to be sold on Nashville. After all, he's been a buyer for years. He said he's anticipated landing with the Predators for some time.

Still, he turned down more money to come to Nashville. The Canadiens were among his other pursuers. His other visits.

But Duchene didn't have a long list of acceptable signing partners. He said he'd narrowed his decision to a few teams before the process began. Nashville was always at the top of that list.

"For that to be valued and kind of get that back, what I put into it, it means a lot," Duchene said. "It was crazy over the last three years how many times I thought I was going to be a Predator and ended up in a different place or it just not happening."

DONE DEAL: Predators sign free agent Matt Duchene to 7-year, $56 million deal 1107191 Nashville Predators to me for a second?’ They’re gone for another 45 minutes just talking about the game.

“He wanted to know whether this was a fit for not only he and his wife off Finally together, Matt Duchene and the Predators have big plans for the the ice, but (it was) obviously very important for him that it was a fit for future him on the ice as a hockey player. … In my being interviewed by Matt Duchene, he asked me questions, and what I tried to say to him was, ‘My goal every year is that I can get to training camp and I can look all (the) By Adam Vingan Jul 2, 2019 players in the eye and say, ‘We have a competitive team. We have a team that has a chance, that should definitely make the playoffs, and if

we make the playoffs, then you and us all have a chance to compete for It was meant to be, or at least it felt that way. the Stanley Cup.’”

Ever since Matt Duchene sported a cowboy hat during his breakaway VIEW THIS POST ON INSTAGRAM routine at NHL All-Star weekend in Nashville three years ago, he was  COUNTRY ROADS, TAKE US HOME, TO THE PLACE, WE destined to one day be a member of the Predators. (You can also point to his love of country music, his dog named after Brad Paisley or the BELONG!  ASH, BEAU, PAISLEY AND I COULDN’T BE MORE investment property he owns on the east side of town that was EXCITED TO BE JOINING THE @PREDSNHL FAMILY! CAN’T WAIT uncovered by internet sleuths earlier this year. There’s no shortage of TO GET STARTED, SEE YOU SOON #SMASHVILLE ! options.) A POST SHARED BY MATT DUCHENE (@MATT9DUCHENE) ON JUL Regardless, Duchene’s affinity for all things Nashville has been well 1, 2019 AT 12:54PM PDT known for some time, and the Predators’ interest in him was one of the Even then, it wasn’t a sure thing. Duchene was also weighing an offer worst-kept secrets in the league. The marriage of Duchene and the from the deep-pocketed Montreal Canadiens, to whom he had an Predators, consummated Monday in the form of a seven-year, $56 emotional attachment. He grew up a fan of the team, as did his father million contract, seemed inevitable, and now that it’s finally happened, and grandfather. He wore No. 9 with the Avalanche as a tribute to they have big plans for the future. Canadiens legend Maurice Richard. (Beau, as fate would have it, was “When you know teams are interested and they make things happen to born Jan. 9. Duchene gifted him with a copy of The Hockey Sweater, a get you, it adds a little bit, for sure,” Duchene said. “You know that you’re short story based on author Roch Carrier’s childhood obsession with going to be taken care of and you know that you’re valued. … It was Richard.) crazy over the last three years how many times I thought I was going to But when it came time to make a decision, the pull toward the Predators be a Predator and ended up either in a different place or it just not was stronger. It just felt right. happening.” “By the way I’m talking, you’d think it was really easy, but it was actually SEASON CONTRACT BASE SALARY CONTRACT SIGNING very, very difficult,” Duchene said. “The reason being is when you have BONUS seven or eight years in front of you on a contract where you’re trying to 2019-20 $2 million $8 million figure out where you want to be, you have to take a lot of things into account. You’ve got to balance your thinking with your head and your 2020-21 $3 million $5 million heart. I have a young family to look out for and a just-shy-of-6-month-old son. You’re trying to figure things out. You’re trying to figure out what 2021-22 $5 million $5 million priorities are the biggest thing and everything like that. For me, the first 2022-23 $4 million $4 million two boxes I wanted to check off were hockey No. 1, family No. 2. When I say ‘family No. 2,’ I mean in terms of living situation and stuff. I only get 2023-24 (M-NTC) $7 million $2 million to do this for so long, so the hockey takes a little bit of the forefront.

2024-25 (M-NTC) $4 million $2 million “Thankfully, those two things, if I’m rating them, they’re a 10 out of 10. Those two boxes were our biggest priorities to check off, and that’s what 2025-26 (M-NTC) $3 million $2 million Nashville was. But obviously, the business side of things, you’ve got to (Information via Pierre LeBrun) weigh (that), too, and try and do the right thing there. At the end of the day, the teams we talked to were teams we were interested in because Duchene is from Haliburton, Ontario, a lake-filled community that of the hockey and the lifestyle, first and foremost. Nashville was definitely fostered his love of the outdoors. His wife, Ashley, is from Denver. the one that we were always leaning towards. They’re simple people. As they considered their options, their aim was to raise their family, which so far includes 6-month-old Beau, in a similarly “If you asked me to put money on it before (free agency), we’re where I easygoing environment. would’ve predicted we’d be.”

“If you took (our hometowns) and kind of smashed them together, you’d The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 get Nashville,” Duchene said. “It’s somewhere that has always felt really comfortable for us. … That whole lifestyle side of it is just so us, and it’s going to be fun to start to raise our little guy there and hopefully his future siblings as well.”

More than once, the Predators tried and failed to acquire Duchene in trades, first from the Colorado Avalanche in 2017 and again from the Ottawa Senators at the deadline last season. David Poile, knowing that this was likely his last chance to land Duchene, sold him hard on the opportunity. Duchene visited Nashville last Thursday, touring the city with Ashley and meeting with members of the Predators’ front office, coaching staff and roster.

“For the record, I’ve seen Matt Duchene play a lot of hockey. I’ve seen him be here in Nashville (and) play in the All-Star Game. But until this week, I had never met Matt Duchene,” Poile said. “I’ve nodded to him many, many times along the way, but I had never met Matt Duchene, so I think that was a great, great process to get to know each other. He met with (coach Peter Laviolette) by himself, and I said, ‘Why don’t you guys meet for 15 or 20 minutes?’ And we’re waiting and it’s an hour later and they’re still talking. We went out for dinner and (Laviolette) was part of that. During the dinner, Matt gets up and asks (Laviolette), ‘Can you talk 1107192 New Jersey Devils Shero is as optimistic as ever about locking up a franchise cornerstone but he’s willing to be patient. Fans may find it hard to exercise the same patience but they have little choice.

Where the NJ Devils stand with Taylor Hall Relax and enjoy the summer, Hall will make a decision when he’s ready.

Bergen Record LOADED: 07.03.2019 Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 8:25 p.m. ET July 2, 2019 | Updated 8:32 p.m. ET July 2, 2019

Taylor Hall was eligible to sign a contract extension with the New Jersey Devils at noon Monday and he remains eligible to do so. As the star left winger and the 2018 Hart Trophy winner said since the start of the summer, he’s going to take his time with it. Hall wanted to see what the Devils did to improve the roster over the summer and rightfully so.

He has played nine seasons in the NHL and been to the postseason only once. He won just one game, doing so with the Devils in 2018. While he’s not quite in Mike Trout territory with the postseason just yet, it’s close. And at 27 years old he’s at the top of his game, ready to win.

And ready to win big.

“It’s a big decision for Taylor and it’s a big decision for the team here,” GM Ray Shero said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. “Both sides need the information to have a real truthful dialogue that’s meaningful and it’s been the same since Day One.”

Hall was outspoken about the need for more talent following the conclusion of a forgettable 2018-19 season. The Devils upped the talent significantly since then. They selected Jack Hughes with the top overall pick in the draft giving which gave the team significant depth up the middle, something that is crucial in the modern NHL era, they traded for defenseman P.K. Subban the following day and signed free agent winger Wayne Simmonds to a one-year, $5 million contract when free agency opened Monday.

But is it enough?

That much is still unclear since Hall and Shero have not had a formal conversation regarding a contract extension. However, Shero insists the two parties had always planned to meet later in the summer to begin contract discussions and notes he has talked to Hall’s agent, Darren Ferris.

“We’re on the same page,” Shero said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. “I’m being consistent in what I’m saying here. This is something we agreed to put (off), to kind of go through the draft, go through free agency, let the dust settle. We have development camp next week. What both of us need is more information.

“Somewhere later in the summer we’re going to have the information and we’re going to sit down and kind of see where we are.”

More: Why NJ Devils' decision to pass on Artemi Panarin, other big NHL free agents is right move

Fans have been panicking since last season, thinking the Devils would let their first Hart Trophy winner walk away. The paranoia set in when the team began a free-fall in November and then it heightened when Hall re- injured his left knee in late December and missed the rest of the season.

The panic and paranoia will be there until a contract is signed but it’s not as if Hall is holding the Devils hostage. A later time frame gives Hall the proper time to rehab his knee, which was surgically repaired late in the season, enough time to digest the information needed to be able to accurately evaluate the team and where he fits, as well as ample opportunities to get feedback from his family and advisers.

It also gives Shero enough time to present a plan to owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer. The contract promises to be a large one and it will ideally be long-term. The club will also look to extend Nico Hischier next summer. The top pick in the 2017 draft will be a restricted free agent next July and it’s a considerable financial commitment to sign both players to long-term contracts.

“This isn’t something to be rushed,” Shero said. “I want the information as well, the layout of what we’ve been thinking. That’s important to Josh and David. Some of the things we’ve done proves that we’ve improved the hockey team, not just for Taylor Hall, but improving our team is the most important thing. But we’re better than we were two weeks ago and we’ll see where we are in a couple months here.” 1107193 New Jersey Devils

NJ Devils announce development schedule

Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 7:14 p.m. ET July 2, 2019

New Jersey Devils fans will get their first look at No. 1 overall draft pick Jack Hughes next week when he participates in the team’s annual prospect camp at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center next week. The camp will run from July 9-13 and will feature two scrimmages open to season ticket holders.

Hughes, who was selected by the Devils on June 21 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, is expected to headline a group of emerging prospects, including the other members of the 2019 draft class. The team has not yet announced the roster.

The week will begin Tuesday with individual skill drills and continue Wednesday morning with a pair of 3-on-3 scrimmages. After off-ice workouts Thursday, the prospects in attendance will participate in a community event with Ace RACE. The two workout groups will be back on the ice Friday and the week will conclude with a Red and White scrimmage Saturday.

Both scrimmages will be open to season ticket holders who reserved seats in advance.

Bergen Record LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107194 New Jersey Devils Let the Rangers pay big bucks for bread. If all goes according to plan, the Devils will be paying Taylor Hall plenty of bread next season and beyond. You can build a winner without free agent mega-deals.

Why NJ Devils' decision to pass on Artemi Panarin, other big NHL free Bergen Record LOADED: 07.03.2019 agents is right move

Abbey Mastracco, NHL writer Published 8:39 a.m. ET July 2, 2019 | Updated 9:27 a.m. ET July 2, 2019

The New Jersey Devils went fishing in the free-agent pond Monday when they signed winger Wayne Simmonds to a one-year, $5 million deal.

But they didn’t reel in a big fish as the Rangers did with Artemi Panarin. Even though there are still a few left, given the way big contracts were handed out like Halloween candy, it’s unlikely the Devils are in the market for more than just a few role players.

With the addition of Simmonds, the Devils have $20,770,000 in cap space, according to CapFriendly.com. Some of that will go toward contracts for Will Butcher, Connor Carrick and Pavel Zacha, all unrestricted free agents due for raises. Still, that leaves a lot of money for general manager Ray Shero and the rest of the front office brass to play with.

But they’re more likely to use that money to take on a contract from another team in a trade. The reality is that free agency isn’t the way to build a team in the salary cap era and it’s getting more difficult to sign free agents with the way the market is trending.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Ken Appleby (55) makes

The Devils were plunged into this rebuild because of large contracts and cap mismanagement. It’s the reason why the Los Angeles Kings fell off a cliff after they won their second Stanley Cup in 2014 and the reason the Pittsburgh Penguins were forced to trade Phil Kessel over the weekend.

It’s also the reason the Nashville Predators were forced to part with P.K. Subban, though that worked in favor of the Devils.

A lower cap this season ($81.5 million) means more money back in the pockets of the players because of lower escrow payments. So, it was expected that free-agent contracts would be lower as well but that’s not quite how it worked out. Brandon Tanev received a six-year deal worth $3.5 million a year early on Monday to set the tone for an expensive day.

It’s not just the salary, it’s the term.

The Kings tried to get Dustin Brown’s $5,875,000 cap hit off their books for years. He’s still there and will be through 2022. Jeff Carter, the once prolific sniper, is also still there and making $5,272,727 a year. Jonathan Quick is on the decline and he’s making $5.8 million a year and the Kings are still paying Dion Phaneuf and Mike Richards to not play for them.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Andy Greene (6) reaches to help make a save as Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) attacks during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in Newark, N.J.

They’ve been completely hamstrung by these long-term deals. When the game changed to one with more speed and skill, their aging skill players were either injured or ineffective. They kept the core together from those two Cup teams but they needed more than just the core and it became difficult to bring in impact players. They had no cap space and no organizational talent to use as assets.

And they still can’t even blow up and start over completely because of all that money on the books.

In today’s NHL, you need to develop talent in order to win year after year. Those entry-level contracts are a crucial piece of the salary cap puzzle. The Devils are in a position where they need to win now in order to keep their top player, Taylor Hall, but they have a crop of young players who aren’t quite ready to play prominent roles yet.

You use free agency to get role players like Simmonds and you try and trade for the bigger pieces by using the best asset you have: Cap space.

Many fans felt New Jersey missed out on Panarin. He ended up in the same market, so why wouldn’t the Devils make a push for an impact player? What are they doing with all of that cap space if they aren’t using it on premier players like Panarin? 1107195 New York Islanders

Islanders were quiet in free agent market, but have work to do

By Andrew Gross

There’s still work to be done. Lou Lamoriello knows that.

The Islanders were mainly silent on Tuesday, the second day after the free agent market opened, save for signing ex-Flyers minor-league forward Cole Bardreau.

But the Islanders’ offseason to-do list still includes identifying a fourth center after Valtteri Filppula returned to the Red Wings to finish his career following his one season on Long Island. And after elite playmaker Artemi Panarin spurned a larger offer from the Islanders to leave the Blue Jackets and join the rival Rangers on a seven-year, $81.5-million deal, Lamoriello is still likely looking for a scoring forward.

“We’re solidified at defense,” said Lamoriello, the Islanders’ president and general manager. “We have everyone back, plus a couple of outstanding young players who will be pushing for positions."

"We certainly will look to try and improve our center ice, if it’s possible,” added Lamoriello, noting Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson and Casey Cizikas comprise the team’s top three centers. “Now what we have to do is see who takes that role. It could be somebody internally. We have a couple of young players in the minors and also a couple of college prospects we think highly of. We’ll take our time with that.”

Several second-tier unrestricted free agent forwards remained on Tuesday after the Predators signed the top center available, ex-Blue Jacket Matt Duchene, to a seven-year, $56-million deal on Monday.

That includes soon-to-be-ex-Bruin left wing Marcus Johansson, who played for Islanders coach Barry Trotz with the Capitals and initially came to the NHL as a center. Ryan Dzingel, who the Blue Jackets acquired from the Senators in their in-season trade frenzy, is also looking for a new home. So, too, is well-traveled Brian Boyle, who has played for both the Rangers and Devils and could center the fourth line if Cizikas is elevated to the third line while also providing a net-front presence on the second power-play unit. Ex-Ranger center Derick Brassard is also available.

But Lamoriello is also counting on some of the Islanders’ forward prospects to push for a roster spot in September’s training camp.

That list includes Oliver Wahlstrom, selected 11th overall in 2018, Kieffer Bellows, picked 19th overall in 2016, Otto Koivula, a fourth-round pick in 2016 who played center for Bridgeport last season in his first season in the Islanders’ organization, and Mason Jobst, an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State.

Lamoriello could also use some of his depth defense to acquire a forward.

Devon Toews had a strong rookie season and duplicates much of the stickhandling, skating and playmaking skills that Nick Leddy possesses. Plus, a spot may soon need to be found for Noah Dobson, selected 12th overall in 2018.

Lamoriello also believes the forwards currently on the roster will provide more scoring in their second season in Trotz’s defense-first system.

The Islanders improved 23 points in the standings to finish second in the Metropolitan Division and sweep the Penguins in the first round before being swept by the Hurricanes. And they went from allowing the most goals in the NHL since 2007 to giving up the fewest goals in the league last season.

“I look at the growth of our players from the beginning of the year,” Lamoriello said. “As far as our forwards go, you saw the change throughout the season in how our players adjusted to the system and how important it is to play on both sides of the puck and then the success that comes with that. I think it’s our skilled players who should be showing the most improvement.”

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107196 New York Islanders Vegas is in a cap crunch and has made RFA forward Nikita Gusev available. The 26-year-old was a star in the KHL the last four seasons and likely wouldn’t command a huge cost, either in a trade with the Making sense of the Islanders’ first day of free agency and the holes left Golden Knights or in a contract. to fill There was one offer sheet given out yesterday, by the Canadiens to Carolina’s Sebastian Aho. It didn’t move the needle much. The much- desired (at least in the world of Islander fans) Mitch Marner offer sheet By Arthur Staple Jul 2, 2019 could still be possible. Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has positioned himself, through trades and signings, to not have much of a need to alter his

roster to match a whopper offer sheet, or at least to absorb the blow with Anders Lee sounded pretty strong on his conference call Monday a younger, faster roster than he had two weeks ago. evening that he never considered leaving the Islanders. Neil Sheehy, There’s also less grandiose offer-sheet options. San Jose’s Kevin Lee’s agent, was even stronger on Twitter: Labanc is an RFA and wouldn’t require an eight-figure offer, plus the ANDERS LEE NEVER LEFT THE NYISLANDERS. WE DID NOT Sharks have just eight forwards signed for 2019-20 and have less than “NEGOTIATE” WITH TEAMS AS ANDERS WANTED TO STAY WITH $8 million in cap space. An offer right below the $6.34 million AAV would THE @NYISLANDERS. THERE WAS MUCH INTEREST AND HIS $7M cost the Isles first and third-round picks and might be enough to pry AAV ALLOWS LOU LAMORIELLO TO PURSUE PLAYERS WHO CAN Labanc loose to give the Isles’ top-six and power play a needed boost. HELP THE ISLANDERS WIN. ANDERS WAS STAYING WITH-OR- Among the free-agent forwards still available, only a handful really get WITHOUT PANARIN. HTTPS://T.CO/8SPUTMLODH the Isles the skill improvement they need. Marcus Johansson is in high — NEIL SHEEHY (@ICEHOCKEYAGENT) JULY 2, 2019 demand. Ryan Dzingel is a decent option. But the list was already thin when Monday began. It was almost certainly Lou Lamoriello’s goal to retain Lee, his well-liked, talented captain, while also reeling in Artemi Panarin, the big fish that a Perhaps the most head-scratching move of Day 1 was in goal, where lot of people around the league thought was headed to the Island in the Lamoriello played hardball all week with Robin Lehner only to turn hours leading up to noon on Monday. around and give four years to Varlamov. The 31-year-old wasn’t in such great demand on a goalie market that had few suitors outside of the The fact that Panarin chose less money from the Rangers likely means penny-pinching Hurricanes, who gave Petr Mrazek the same 2 x $3.125 that Lee got himself a seventh year on that 7 x $7 million deal he million it’s believed they offered Lehner. ultimately signed. Sources indicated that term was the sticking point between Lamoriello and Sheehy all year long — Lee wanted eight years Lamoriello said on Monday he’d tried to trade for Varlamov at the 2018 at around $7 million and the Islanders wanted 5-6 years. You have to draft, when he was just a few weeks on the GM job, hunting for a No. 1 think that Panarin at 7 x $12.5 million and Semyon Varlamov at a rather goalie and trying to entice John Tavares to stay. That didn’t work out, surprising 4 x $5 million would have meant the Islanders wouldn’t have Lamoriello had to gamble on Lehner and it paid off handsomely. gone all the way to seven years for Lee. Lehner didn’t hold back on his welcome call with Hawks media, The Isles also would have had some real tight turns to maneuver if they’d expressing his disappointment with how the Islanders handled him last signed all three of those players, since it would have put them nearly $4 week: million over next season’s salary cap with three RFAs still to sign. HERE ARE ROBIN LEHNER'S FULL COMMENTS ON HOW THINGS In any event, Lee is here. Varlamov is here. Panarin is not. Which means WENT DOWN WITH THE ISLANDERS. NOT A GOOD LOOK. the Islanders still need to improve their forward group, which currently PIC.TWITTER.COM/N18OOT20X5 looks like this: — BEN POPE (@BENPOPECST) JULY 2, 2019 Lee-Mathew Barzal-Jordan Eberle If the pull of Varlamov was to team with Panarin, well, that didn’t exactly Anthony Beauvillier (RFA)-Brock Nelson-Josh Bailey work out. If it’s to entice Ilya Sorokin over next offseason, four years is still excessive. Mitch Korn and Piero Greco worked wonders with Lehner Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck and Thomas Greiss, so it’s certainly possible that Varlamov can rebound from a .909 save percentage season and be more like the goalie who’s Michael Dal Colle (RFA)-Tanner Fritz-Leo Komarov been above .920 two of the past four seasons. Ross Johnston/Tom Kuhnhackl/Josh Ho-Sang (RFA) As we head into Day 2 and beyond, the Islanders didn’t lose much. They If this looks familiar, it’s because it is basically the same group as last also haven’t gained enough to feel they’ve had a successful offseason. season, minus PDO gift Valtteri Filppula. Lamoriello indicated on Monday The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 he very much wanted to bring Filppula back, but the 35-year-old center desired to “go back home” to Detroit and to Steve Yzerman, who brought Filppula to Tampa a few years back. At two years and $3 million per, Lamoriello owes Yzerman a thank-you note.

So if Lamoriello and Barry Trotz are to be believed, the Islanders still have work to do to upgrade this group. Lamoriello cited his top three centers as being locked up and said the No. 4 spot could go to “a few of our younger guys who we like.” Assume that means Fritz. Maybe he also meant Mason Jobst, the 25-year-old college free agent out of Ohio State who joined the organization in April.

But those potential fillers don’t address the real issue, which is top-six dynamism. Beauvillier may yet be the LW2 of the future, but after three NHL seasons consistency is still an issue for him. Dal Colle had a nice showing last season but needs to take big steps to be a reliable second- liner. And Ho-Sang … well, we’ve covered him extensively.

Clearly this is the area of greatest need right now. Otto Koivula, Oliver Wahlstrom and Kieffer Bellows may yet turn out to be NHLers, but none of them appears ready to step in. The Isles do have a surplus on defense, where Nick Leddy still stands out as the most obvious trade chip. He may not go one-for-one in a deal for a top-nine forward but in a package for one, or Lamoriello can look to simply move Leddy’s $5.5 million cap hit to give the Islanders more flexibility. 1107197 New York Rangers

Don’t forget the Rangers’ journey is only beginning

By Larry Brooks July 2, 2019

Can we tap the brakes, please? Can we stop attempting to define exactly where the Blueshirts are on their path back to the upper echelon of the NHL? Can we have the self-discipline we expect of ownership/management and refrain from putting a timetable on the team’s ETA?

It’s been a nice few months, and the Blueshirts appear to have significantly increased their top-end talent level. You could call Artemi Panarin, Kaapo Kakko, Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox the Four Horsemen of the Summer of ’19. You should be excited. But also realistic.

This is still a relatively early stage of the rebuild that was first branded as a “build” by David Quinn last season. No one should forget that. The Rangers should be more competitive, they should be more dynamic, and they should be a more interesting and entertaining team to watch. But they are still a work in progress with much work to be done.

Everyone should understand that. There’s no reason for management or the coaching staff to get ahead of itself. The first bit of business this season remains the same as it was a year ago, and that is to develop young players. Winning and development are not necessarily mutually exclusive propositions, and it is fine for the team to set lofty goals for itself. But no one should forget this is not a unit built to win now. The future is not now.

There are question marks down the middle behind Mika Zibanejad. Who is the second center? Filip Chytil? Ryan Strome? Kakko’s best position might be center even though he’s barely played in the middle the past couple of years, but chances are that he will start on the wing as he makes the transition to the North American game.

The defense, still coached by assistant Lindy Ruff, could be significantly improved, but maybe not out of the gate. Fox might be ready, and there is a sense that he is following three years at Harvard, but Ryan McDonagh required a half-season in the AHL in 2010-11 after he came out of Wisconsin following his junior year. So maybe not.

You probably have Libor Hajek penciled in on the left side and maybe the second-year pro will be ready to fulfill such a projection. Keep in mind that Hajek has all of five games of NHL experience that he gained in March before suffering a season-ending shoulder separation. If he does not earn a job out of camp and if Fox needs more time, there’s your second pair learning in Hartford, still absent a coaching staff.

On the wing, are we sure that the effervescent Vitali Kravtsov is ready to make the immediate jump from Chelyabinsk to Manhattan without an intermediate stop?

If any of these impressive youngsters need more time, then that is time the organization can afford to give it to them. The NHL may be a race to the top, but it is not a sprint. That applies to the Rangers and their development program.

No, the future is two or three years out if all goes according to plan, and perhaps four or five years away if it takes a little longer for some of the prospects to progress.

It is important to be patient. Important for the front office, the coaching staff and for the fans, too. The kids are going to need room to breathe.

Surprises happen, the way the Islanders happened last year. There are abundant reasons for hope, and it is hope that drives ticket sales. But tap the brakes. Control your expectations. The Rangers are on the right road, but even Waze isn’t going to point them toward shortcuts to the top.

The journey is still just beginning.

New York Post LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107198 New York Rangers talent. But it’s now all in the context of having Panarin, the organization hoping he’s a bedrock to build around for almost the next decade.

“I can’t wait for the first games,” Panarin said, “and it’s unfortunate that Artemi Panarin’s heart was always with the Rangers we have to wait so long until the season starts.”

New York Post LOADED: 07.03.2019 By Brett Cyrgalis July 2, 2019

Artemi Panarin broke from the comfort of his Russian interpreter to answer a question in English, making a rather heartfelt declaration at the Garden on Tuesday in his first public appearance as a member of the Rangers.

“I’m sure I’m home,” Panarin said, with his signature smile and the brown curls springing off his head in an uncontrolled tangle.

The 27-year-old is the newest member of the Blueshirts, signing his blockbuster seven-year, $81.5 million deal on the opening of free agency Monday afternoon. His annual salary-cap hit of just over $11.6 million represents more than just a monetary investment, but a shot in the arm for an organization that is in the midst of building from the ground up in rather accelerated fashion.

“When you see him and you meet him, you feel the electricity in his personality,” said coach David Quinn, himself wearing an indelible smile as he now has quite a bit more talent at his disposal than he did a year ago, when he took the job behind the bench.

“Not only are we getting a great player, we’re getting a guy that’s got an electric personality, that is going to bring a little bit of a personality to the locker room that I think becomes infectious. And that’s something we needed. We needed a little bit more of a personality. Whether you’re Russian or not, I think guys are going to gravitate to him. I get a sense — and I know for a fact — he’s going to be a great teammate.”

Quinn made it very clear that the plan right out of the gate is to play Panarin alongside emerging top-line center Mika Zibanejad. Suddenly, the Rangers have a top line, no matter who plays on the right.

They have also added young talent in 25-year-old defenseman Jacob Trouba, so deftly traded for by general manager Jeff Gorton, who still needs to sign the restricted free agent to the eight-year deal around $8 million per that seems a formality. Then there is Harvard defenseman Adam Fox, whose rights were snared from the Hurricanes for second- and third-round picks that had been stockpiled in the consecutive years of deadline sell-offs.

And the feeling still resonated with Quinn from this most recent one, when the Rangers went into a predictable depression for the second straight year following the February fire sale.

“Especially towards the end, after the trade deadline, we lost a little bit of our flair,” Quinn said. “But [Panarin] will certainly give us that. He’s a great player and a dynamic player, and those guys are few and far between.”

Panarin, who will turn 28 less than a month into the season, always seemed destined for the big city. He comes from Korkino, a small town in Russia. He went undrafted before signing with the Blackhawks as a 23- year-old in 2015 and in the summer of 2017 was traded to Columbus, where he spent the past two seasons under the stewardship of first-year Rangers team president John Davidson.

Through an interpreter, Panarin said he “dreamt of playing for the Rangers,” adding “my heart has been here. I’m really happy and lots of emotions. Just feeling a little overwhelmed the last two days, but I am really happy.”

When free agency opened, Panarin got bigger offers from the Blue Jackets, Islanders and Panthers, but took less money to come to Broadway. Nicknamed “The Bread Man,” he had a relatively quick moment when he came to the decision where he wanted to play.

“There was a moment when I just sat down for 10 minutes and really thought about it,” he said, “and my heart told me that New York would be the better place for me.”

So now begins the time of more speculation, about what Gorton will do with Chris Kreider, if he might buy out a veteran defenseman with an onerous contract, or if he might swing another trade to add more young 1107199 New York Rangers Losers

New York Islanders

NHL free agency winners and losers: The signings shaking up the East They wanted Panarin but couldn’t get him, and while keeping captain Anders Lee was important, you wonder how the end of his seven-year, $49 million contract is going to look. It was also odd to see the Isles By Justin Tasch July 2, 2019 throw a four-year, $20 million contract at goalie Semyon Varlamov and not Robin Lehner, who was a Vezina finalist last season after overcoming substance abuse issues. The 31-year-old had a rough season with Colorado but has performed well in the past. Lehner, who turns 28 this Some of these moves were easy to predict long in advance. Others went month, settled for a one-year, $5 million deal with Chicago. down to the wire. Columbus Blue Jackets There could be some big risers in the NHL next season after the wave of signings made Monday, particularly in the Eastern Conference, where There’s still talent in Columbus, but after losing Panarin and Bobrovsky, the Rangers and Panthers made big statements during the opening John Tortorella & Co. are facing an uphill battle in the East. Signing hours of free agency. Gustav Nyquist is fine, but it doesn’t come close to making up for the exodus. They couldn’t convince Duchene to stay either after acquiring John Davidson left Columbus for Broadway and brought Artemi Panarin him ahead of the trade deadline. The Blue Jackets’ momentum just came with him, the Rangers throwing a seven-year, $81.5 million deal at the to a grinding halt. top free agent on the market. And with Davidson’s exit, the Blue Jackets’ window for realistically competing for a Stanley Cup could be gone. They Edmonton Oilers couldn’t convince Panarin to stay despite a reported last-ditch offer, and their star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky completed his long-rumored move They’re going to have to do a better job of building around Connor to Florida. McDavid if they want to take the next step. Markus Granlund and Tomas Jurco aren’t going to move the needle up front, and 37-year-old Mike Out West, Nashville and Dallas are playoff teams that bolstered their Smith isn’t the answer in goal. They should’ve presented a better Stanley Cup chances. The Predators landed the top center on the contract than the one Lehner received from the Blackhawks. market, Matt Duchene, while the Stars inked three veterans in longtime Shark Joe Pavelski, former MVP Corey Perry and Andrej Sekera. Pittsburgh Penguins Colorado also made noise by acquiring Nazem Kadri and adding quality After trading Phil Kessel in the deal that netted them Alex Galchenyuk, to its bottom-six. who’s a year away from being a UFA, Pittsburgh gave Brandon Tanev a Of course, with the Stanley Cup Playoffs being wide open every year, six-year, $21 million deal. It’s hard to comprehend why Jim Rutherford these moves guarantee very little. But at least on paper, some teams are decided to make that sort of commitment to a forward with little to no better than they were two days ago and others are worse. Here’s a look offensive upside. at which teams fared the best and worst in free agency: New York Post LOADED: 07.03.2019 Winners

New York Rangers

They’re no longer rebuilding. The Panarin signing means the Blueshirts are ready to get back into the playoffs even while some of their kids develop. The Bread Man cost a lot of dough, but he should be worth it after averaging 80 points a season over his first four years in the NHL with Chicago and Columbus. Panarin, who turns 28 in October, recorded a career-high 87 points last season and gives the Rangers the high-end, top-line threat they’ve needed on the wing.

Florida Panthers

The price for top goalies these days is steep, but Bobrovsky gives Florida the stability they need in nets. He’s a two-time Vezina Trophy winner who turns 31 in September. The end of his seven-year, $70 million contract could be dicey, but he’s worth it in the short term. After years of questionable playoff performances, Bobrovsky had a 2.41 goals against average and .925 save percentage in 10 games this postseason. Florida also added former Ranger Anton Stralman to strengthen their defense corps and added Brett Connolly and Noel Acciari up front.

Nashville Predators

After dealing P.K. Subban to the Devils to create cap room for a top forward, believing it still has enough on the blue line, Nashville was able to get Duchene at a relatively reasonable $8 million cap hit over seven years (there’s no state income tax in Tennessee). Nashville has had one of the better teams in the NHL in recent years. It lost in the second round in 2015-16 before reaching the Stanley Cup Final the following season, falling to Pittsburgh in six games. The Predators have won the Central Division each of the last two seasons but haven’t gotten back to the conference finals. GM David Poile hopes Duchene is the missing piece.

Dallas Stars

Dallas was bounced in the second round in seven games by the eventual champion Blues. GM Jim Nill is banking on this trio of veterans, particularly Pavelski, to help the Stars make a Stanley Cup run. Pavelski, who signed for $21 million over three years, has 100 points in 134 career postseason games and has been a consistent producer throughout his career. Perry’s best days are behind him, but he has plenty of playoff experience and was a low risk on a one-year, $1.5 million deal after Anaheim bought him out. Sekera adds depth to the back end. 1107200 New York Rangers

Rangers introduce Artemi Panarin, their dynamic new forward

By Colin Stephenson

Rangers coach David Quinn couldn’t seem to stop smiling on Tuesday. Quinn was at Madison Square Garden helping to introduce his team’s newest acquisition, Russian forward Artemi Panarin, whom the club signed to a seven-year, $81.5 million contract Monday, moments after the NHL’s free agent signing period opened.

“When you see him, and you meet him, you feel the electricity in his personality,’’ Quinn said of Panarin, who scored 28 goals and 87 points in 81 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. “So, not only are we getting a great player, we’re getting a guy that’s got an electric personality, and is going to bring a little bit of personality to the locker room… And that’s something we needed.’’

Of course, personality isn’t the only thing that Panarin, 27, brings to the Rangers. His elite skating, playmaking and finishing skills provides a major talent upgrade to the roster.

“He’s as dynamic a player as there is in the league,’’ Quinn said. “He’s a winger, but he does a lot of things a center can do; he controls the play on the ice, he does a great job carrying the puck through the neutral zone and entering the offensive zone, and boy, when he’s on the ice, you’re going to know he’s out there, because from an offensive perspective, he creates every time he’s out there.’’

Panarin spurned the Islanders, Florida Panthers and his old Blue Jackets team, taking less money than he could have made elsewhere to sign with the Rangers. Playing on a big stage, in a big city, was something he openly craved, and the Rangers were the team he’d been focused on as he approached free agency.

“I dreamt of playing for the Rangers,’’ he said Tuesday through a translator. “They’re in the Original Six, and my heart has been here.’’

According to Quinn, the plan right now is to play Panarin, a right-handed- shooting left wing, together with Mika Zibanejad, the Rangers’ No. 1 center, who led the team in scoring in 2018-19 with 30 goals and 74 points. Panarin’s other value will come in the form of his being a mentor of sorts to the young Russian players in the locker room, like Pavel Buchnevich and Vitali Kravtsov, as well as a role model the other young players, like Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil.

With the Rangers already having a banner offseason, adding defensemen Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox and Kakko, the No. 2 pick overall in the NHL draft, and bringing Panarin into the mix has people wondering if the Rangers’ rebuild, which famously began with that letter to the fans in February 2018, has been accelerated.

Quinn was asked Tuesday about the higher expectations that will no doubt face the Rangers this season. He laughed, and didn’t shy away from them.

“Listen, we embrace it,’’ he said. “This [adding Panarin] isn’t going to alter our course of action. We’re going to continue to try to get better.

“Obviously, we want to win every game, and we want to compete for the playoffs,’’ he continued. “This is … another step in that direction.’’

Panarin, who will wear jersey No. 10 [the No. 9 he wore in Columbus is retired by the Rangers in honor of Adam Graves and Andy Bathgate] spoke to the media mostly through a translator, but wanted to say something in English at the end of his media session.

“I want to thank [the] Rangers organization,’’ he said. “I appreciate (the) opportunity. And especially thank you to Mr. Jim [Dolan]; J.D. [Rangers president John Davidson]; Jeff [Gorton], and Coach ‘Quinnie.’ So, thank you everybody. I’m really happy.’’

Notes & quotes: The Rangers announced that U.S. women’s hockey Olympic gold medalist Amanda Kessel will serve as the team’s official ambassador to Junior Rangers Girls Hockey, a new program the team has created to get girls playing hockey and grow female participation in the sport.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107201 Ottawa Senators It would also be a sign that the Senators would be willing to go down that road again with Brady Tkachuk, who will be in a similar situation next summer. In turn, winning back a few more of those spectators sitting on It’s not too early to think about Chabot’s pending restricted free agency the fence? status There is certainly room under the salary cap to throw big dollars at Chabot, no need to contemplate the major financial gymnastics that Tampa and Toronto are dealing with. Ken Warren At this point, only Bobby Ryan ($7.25 million), Zack Smith ($3.25 million), Nikita Zaitsev ($4.5 million), Anders Nilsson ($2.6 million) and the injured Marian Gaborik ($4.875 million) have contracts for the 2020-21 season. Much to the dismay of Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion, Thomas Chabot’s contract status will remain a hot topic until the day he The Chabot camp is in position to make negotiations difficult. The mere signs a long-term extension here. potential of an offer sheet — and the idea that another club could set the market — gives them incredible leverage. The Senators could always For all of the solid trade and signing work Dorion performed on Canada match an offer sheet, but why even open the door for that threat with Day, providing some insulation to protect the club’s young forwards and your most important player? defencemen, ultimately the hope of climbing back to Stanley Cup-level competitiveness revolves around locking up the best and brightest for an In other areas, you can see the work being done to make the team more extended period. competitive down the road.

On defence, the key cog is Chabot, whose existing entry level deal Most of the moves Dorion made on July 1 sure looked like they were expires at the end of the 2019-20 season. made with bigger picture development in mind.

You can excuse the fans’ anxiety about Chabot’s future, given the recent Bringing in Connor Brown from Toronto in the major swap that involved history. Cody Ceci and Nikita Zaitsev switching places means the Senators need to rush one less forward prospect into the NHL. The Senators still have a long way to go in order to win back the fans’ trust after watching stars Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone and Matt Duchene Adding Tyler Ennis as a free agent means that two players who might be traded away last season, followed by the pledge for a brighter have been on the cusp of the big leagues will have to push that much tomorrow with younger stars. harder to work their way out of the AHL.

There are some distinctions to be made here, of course. Defensively, 38-year-old Ron Hainsey might just be able to take a little heat off the young defence corps that includes Erik Brannstrom, Wolanin Karlsson-Stone-Duchene and Christian Jaros and Max Lajoie. Barring a crazy run of injuries, there Karlsson, Stone and Duchene were all pending unrestricted free agents won’t be room for all of them in Ottawa at the outset. before being dealt away, months from having complete freedom of If the voice of experience can also help Chabot in any way, it’s a bonus. choice. Chabot is the future. The sooner the Senators can secure him to that Chabot is a pending restricted free agent. In the old days of iron-clad future, the better. gentlemen’s agreements among NHL general managers, there would be little danger of him landing anywhere else. The Senators could, at least in Ottawa Sun LOADED: 07.03.2019 theory, push the big Chabot payday further down the road with a take it or leave it short-term bridge contract. They’ve taken that route before.

But if the past couple of days in the NHL have illustrated nothing else, it’s that there’s a new minefield — er, playing field — revolving around high- end RFAs.

Montreal opened things up with a five-year, $42.2 million offer sheet to Carolina’s Sebastian Aho. Carolina said Tuesday they would match the offer, which includes $21.9 million in signing bonus money to paid out over the next 12 months, rather than receive the draft pick compensation from Montreal.

Speculation is that Montreal could now turn its offer sheet attention towards Tampa’s Brayden Point, forcing the hand of the salary cap- challenged Lightning.

Meanwhile, in Toronto, the Mitch Marner saga and the potential for an offer sheet could be a defining moment for Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas, amid the organization’s financial crunch.

It’s hell for NHL teams with salary cap problems, but what a time to be a star RFA. Or, in Chabot’s case, a pending RFA.

Just imagine what a team might be willing to pay to grab a 23-year-old (Chabot’s age next summer), ready-made number one defenceman.

In one sense, Dorion is correct in suggesting it’s a tomorrow issue. Re- signing current RFAs Colin White and Christian Wolanin are necessary house cleaning duties that must be completed.

Dorion also says he will have talks with Chabot’s camp as the summer continues.

At the same time, though, there’s a major season ticket issue in play here.

If Chabot is locked up, it would be the first step in what owner Eugene Melnyk said was his grand plan of paying the youngsters when they were due, fulfilling that promise and perhaps winning some of the disbelievers back to Canadian Tire Centre. 1107202 Ottawa Senators

Senators sign forward Nick Paul to a one-year deal

Bruce Garrioch

Forward Nick Paul has signed on the dotted line.

General manager Pierre Dorion struck another name off his list of restricted free agents to get under contract Tuesday when Paul agreed to a one-year, two-way deal. The contract with the Ottawa Senators is worth $750,000 in the NHL and $165,000 if he plays for the club’s AHL affiliate in Belleville.

Paul, who had 16 goals and 39 points in 43 games with Belleville last season, also suited up for 20 games with the Senators. He should get the chance to play some games in Ottawa if he performs well during training camp, but the 24-year-old has to show he can be a consistent player at this level.

The Senators still have to sign restricted free agents Colin White, Christian Wolanin and forward Michael Carcone, who was acquired from the Maple Leafs Monday.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107203 Ottawa Senators by Smith. Brown had 45 goals, 83 assists and 122 points with the OHL’s Erie Otters in 2013-14.

“I’m excited to play for Smitty and the opportunity. It’s going to be fun The Senators have put the pieces in place to get ready for September there,” Brown told TSN’s Free Agent Frenzy show.

The Senators are going to give young forwards like Drake Batherson, Bruce Garrioch Alex Formenton, Logan Brown and Rudolfs Balcers the opportunity to start the season here if they show in camp they can get the job done. The negotiation with White could take a while simply because often players in his position aren’t easily signed. The heavy lifting is done for Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. After all the action Monday, it’s going to get pretty quiet around the Senators between now and the opening of camp in September. People Now, he can focus on the future. can spend the summer looking at the depth chart and trying to decide While his attention will turn to trying to sign all-star defenceman Thomas where everybody fits because as a result of the moves made there will Chabot to a long-term extension and getting restricted free agent Colin be some interesting decisions before the season. White signed to a deal before camp opens, the Senators accomplished Ottawa Sun LOADED: 07.03.2019 their goal of making changes with a massive trade and a couple of free agent signings on Canada Day.

For the past two weeks, Dorion has stated emphatically the Senators couldn’t start the year with all young players and, as a result, he made significant moves that he feels will improve the club’s roster next season. It started with a six-player deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs and then continued by bringing in a couple of solid veteran players.

First, the club acquired defenceman Nikita Zaitsev and forward Connor Brown as part of a deal that sent blueliners Cody Ceci and Ben Harpur to the Leafs. Then, the Senators signed veteran forward Tyler Ennis ($800,000) and defenceman Ron Hainsey ($3.5 million) to one year contracts to help guide the club’s prospects through this rebuild.

“One of the goals of this off-season was to bring in solid veteran leaders among our talented group of young players, and we feel we’ve achieved that” Dorion told reporters Monday. “A few weeks ago I said the next 10- to-14 days would be crucial for us and what we’re trying to achieve for our team to grow and develop.

“The last couple of weeks, we feel great about our draft, the development camp was probably one of the best we’ve ever had and now we’ve solidified our group with four quality veterans.”

What the Senators have done is given newly-hired coach D.J. Smith options with his depth chart. The Senators don’t want to rush young players who aren’t ready for the NHL and, on the back end in particular, the club needed a contributor like the 38-year-old Hainsey to play big minutes next season.

“I still just enjoy playing and the whole process that I get to go through — and it was certainly this way in Toronto the last two years,” Hainsey said. “It was so much fun, and there’s so much young talent there also, playing with those guys every day and being around them.

“There’s things those guys pick up for the year I’m with these guys or for however long it might be. It’s similar to Toronto, and other places I’ve been, and we’re excited to get there and with D.J. it’s going in the right direction here.”

Zaitsev is being brought in to help the club defensively. He played for Smith in Toronto and knows what the expectations in Ottawa will be. The Senators gave up way too many goals and made way too many mistakes in their own end last season so Zaitsev will be counted on to make the simple plays.

Hainey’s arrival, in particular, means the Senators can figure out what to do with their defensive pairings in camp. Blueliner Erik Brannstrom, picked up in the Mark Stone with trade the Vegas Golden Knights, is a top prospect, but if the decision is made in camp that the young Swede needs more time in Belleville then the Senators have an option.

“We were looking for someone on the back end that could mentor and stabilize our defence,” Dorion said.

The Senators didn’t want to arrive in camp and hand out jobs. They want competition for spots and the decisions made by Dorion Monday mean there should be some healthy battles, especially on the blueline. The club may carry as many as eight defencemen next season and it’s hard to predict where everyone fits after the top four.

Up front, the arrival of Brown gives Smith another veteran player he can trust. Brown, 25, wasn’t getting much of a chance to be offensive player under Mike Babocck in Toronto, but he’ll certain be given that opportunity 1107204 Philadelphia Flyers enjoyed my time there [Philadelphia], but it’s time to move on and time to get going. I thought Jersey was the perfect place for me.”

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.03.2019 With an eye on rising prospects and young players, Flyers stay conservative in free-agent market

by Sam Carchidi

With an eye on rising prospects and young players, Flyers stay conservative in free-agent market

With three restricted free agents to sign and an uncertain salary-cap situation, Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher bypassed adding an established NHL player Monday.

Even if he did have a lot of cap space, which he won’t after he signs restricted free agents Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny, and Scott Laughton, Fletcher doesn’t want to give out any unnecessary long-term contracts and doesn’t want to block young prospects like Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost or Isaac Ratcliffe down the road.

For that reason, Fletcher didn’t try to trade a player to free cap room so he could join Monday’s annual free-agent frenzy, one that saw over $700 million shelled out to 125 unrestricted free agents in the first 24 hours, according to the CapFriendly.com.

Besides his trio of remaining restricted free agents this year, Fletcher pointed out that the Flyers will have several more in the next two summers.

“Those are top young players that our staff has worked hard to draft and develop,” Fletcher said Monday in a conference call with reporters after he signed eight free agents who should help the AHL’s Phantoms. “They are high priorities for us. You have to be mindful of your future obligations when you go through a day like today.”

Nolan Patrick will be a restricted free agent next year.

The Flyers will have four restricted free agents next summer (Nolan Patrick, Oskar Lindblom, Phil Myers, Robert Hagg) and three (Carter Hart, Travis Sanheim, Samuel Morin) in the summer of 2021.

Like his predecessor, Ron Hextall, Fletcher believes the way to win a Stanley Cup is through the draft.

“I don’t think July 1 is the day you should be building your team,” he said, referring to the opening of free agency. “I think it’s a day to supplement your roster. We added some pieces we thought we needed to add prior to July 1. Really the best teams, the teams that win Stanley Cups, draft and develop the key parts of their team. Our staff has worked hard the past several seasons to accumulate a lot of top young talent. I think it’s incumbent upon everyone in our organization to make sure we do our best to develop those players.”

The Flyers will have a nice mixture of youth and experience this season, and several prospects are close to reaching the NHL.

“We have a lot of good young players," Fletcher said. "Again, I am not just talking about the prospects that participated this past week [in development camp]. You look at our team, we counted today, there’s eight players on that NHL roster that haven’t come close to hitting their peak and to having their career season.”

He didn’t name those players, but he was probably referring to Patrick, Lindblom, Hart, Konecny, Provorov, Myers, Sanheim, and Morin. If you include on-the-rise prospects like Frost, Farabee, and Ratcliffe, you can see why Fletcher feels good about the future.

“That’s our exciting thing. That’s our growth,” Fletcher said. “I think we’ve added some quality pieces that will help our team. Make no mistake, our future success is going to depend in a large part on how far these young players do, how much they develop, and that’s the exciting part of the group.”

Breakaways

The Phantoms lost Cole Bardreau, Tyrell Goulbourne, Byron Froese, and Mike Vecchione to free agency, and Corban Knight, who played in 23 games with the Flyers last season, went to Russia’s KHL. ... Ex-Flyer Wayne Simmonds, who signed with the Devils, told their website: “I 1107205 Philadelphia Flyers in a total of 34 NHL games with Chicago and the Islanders, compiling a 3.39 GAA and .898 save percentage.

None of the Flyers’ moves shook up the NHL, like the Rangers’ signing of NHL free agency: Flyers bolster AHL depth; GM Chuck Fletcher doesn’t Artemi Panarin, the Predators’ signing of Matt Duchene or the Panthers’ want to 'box out’ young players signing of Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Flyers, who made three major moves last month — including the by Sam Carchidi, signing of Kevin Hayes, who would have been one of the top centers on the market if he had become an unrestricted free agent Monday — weren’t able to sign a right winger to fill their opening on the third line. (Gabriel, a 6-4, 200-pounder, is a long shot.) The free-agent frenzy was in full swing when the NHL opened its doors for signings Monday afternoon, but the cap-strapped Flyers were That’s good news for promising prospects Morgan Frost and Joel relatively quiet, though they did restock their top minor-league affiliate. Farabee, who will be among the players battling for that spot in training camp. Laughton could also be in the running, and the Flyers still might The Flyers signed eight free agents who figure to help the AHL’s Lehigh sign a (cheap) free agent in the next couple of months or make a deal. Valley Phantoms: defensemen Nate Prosser, Andy Welinski, Tyler Wotherspoon, and Chris Bigras; center Kyle Criscuolo, a South Jersey Frost, a natural center, and Farabee, a natural left winger, both say they native; left winger Andy Andreoff; right winger Kurtis Gabriel; and goalie could play right wing. Both say their goal is to make the team out of Jean-Francois Berube. training camp.

“Several of these players will probably move back and forth between Fletcher is keeping an open mind. He thinks those two, along with Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley,” general manager Chuck Fletcher said, German Rubtsov, Isaac Ratcliffe, Mikhail Vorobyev, Andreoff, and adding he wanted to add veterans to surround the youngsters who are Gabriel will compete for roster spots. starting their pro careers with the Phantoms. “That’s what training camp is for," he said. “It’s an opportunity for players Fletcher, who said the majority of the players signed were upgrades to show they belong. It should be an exciting camp.” compared with what the Phantoms had last season, is extremely familiar with Prosser, Gabriel, Welinski, and Criscuolo from his nine years as the Last week, Fletcher said that ideally he would like his young prospects to Minnesota Wild’s GM. get some seasoning with the Phantoms, but that it was “the most talent I’ve seen in a development camp” since his front-office career started in Prosser spent parts of 11 seasons with the Wild, Gabriel was drafted by 1993. Fletcher (third round) in 2013, and the right-handed Welinski, who got into 26 NHL games with Anaheim last season, played four years at the Among Monday’s signings: Former Flyer Wayne Simmonds, a hard- University of Minnesota-Duluth. nosed right winger who struggled after being traded to Nashville last season, received a one-year, $5 million deal from New Jersey. He will Criscuolo was an intern for the Wild who worked in the analytics oppose the Flyers when they play their home opener Oct. 9. department when Fletcher was there. Breakaways The Flyers’ cap situation is in flux because they still need to sign restricted free agents Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny, and Scott The Phantoms lost Mike Vecchione to St. Louis and Tyrell Goulbourne to Laughton. Vegas in free agency. ... Former Flyers and Kings coach John Stevens was hired as an assistant in Dallas, which is directed by former Flyer Jim If those three players signed for, say, a combined $13 million annual cap Montgomery. … Former Flyer Luke Schenn signed with Tampa Bay, his hit, the Flyers would have only about $2.7 million of cap space remaining. seventh team in the last nine years. ... Ryan Hartman, another ex-Flyer, got a two-year deal from Minnesota with an annual $1.9 million cap hit. Of the unrestricted free agents who signed Monday, only a few players who could fill the Flyers’ needs would have fit under their projected cap, Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.03.2019 including right winger Corey Perry, who signed a one-year contract with Dallas for $1.5 million, with a chance to make an addition $1.75 million in incentives; and right winger Alex Chiasson, who re-signed with Edmonton for two years with an annual $2.15 million cap hit. Chiasson, 28, had 22 goals last season.

“We didn’t jump into those waters,” said Fletcher, who doesn’t expect to make any major moves before training camp, but he said that some teams are over the cap and that some trade opportunities might arise.

Fletcher noted that the Flyers have several prospects getting close to the NHL, “and I don’t think it’s a very smart thing to box these kids out and take on additional cap responsibilities."

Prosser, 33, a right-handed defenseman, spent most of last season in the AHL. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound Prosser got a one-year, two-way contract ($700,000).

Andreoff, Criscuolo, and Gabriel were brought in to beef up the Phantoms’ forward depth.

Andreoff had 26 goals with Syracuse (AHL) last season, and Criscuolo, a 5-8, 170-pound native of Southampton, N.J., who once played at St. Joseph’s Prep, had 20 points in 43 games during an injury-plagued season with Rochester.

Gabriel had two goals in 22 games with the New Jersey Devils last season and was suspended one game for boarding Nolan Patrick in a March 1 loss to the Flyers.

Bigras, 24, drafted in the second round (32nd overall) by Colorado in 2013, appeared in 52 AHL games last season for Hartford. He has played in 46 NHL games with the Avalanche.

Berube, who will turn 28 on July 13, had a 3.01 GAA and .896 save percentage for the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters last season. He has played 1107206 Philadelphia Flyers - Fletcher

The Flyers will need Ivan Provorov to look like the 2017-18 Ivan Provorov. They'll need Shayne Gostisbehere to find consistency. They'll What the Flyers 'counted' shows the belief behind their offseason need Nolan Patrick to produce more like a No. 2 overall pick. They'll need Travis Konecny and Oskar Lindblom to take bigger strides, along with Travis Sanheim and Philippe Myers. They may need to trust another By Jordan Hall July 02, 2019 9:00 AM prospect (Joel Farabee?) soon. Oh, and they'll need that elusive goalie stability from Hart, who will be 21 years old and entering his first full NHL

season. Chuck Fletcher made July 1 less stressful for himself. "We have some high-end talent," Fletcher said. "We not only have to slot As a result, he also made it less entertaining for those who love to see them properly but surround them properly, to create the best environment their team jump into the free-agent frenzy and make splashes with the possible — not only to develop them but to win games. I think we rest of the 30 NHL clubs. accomplished a lot of what we set out to accomplish."

The Flyers made eight depth signings Monday. Nothing screamed or The Flyers never had a problem building from within. Fletcher isn't popped. straying from that philosophy. The Flyers have done more than they have in past summers, even with a quiet July 1. No matter what, it's still about It's OK to be quiet on July 1. the youth.

Fletcher and the Flyers did their work ahead of the NHL free agency Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.03.2019 period. They're confident in that work. They acquired Kevin Hayes, Matt Niskanen, Justin Braun and Tyler Pitlick, while parting ways with Radko Gudas, Andrew MacDonald, Ryan Hartman and .

What the Flyers are just as confident in is their youth. Did the Flyers have enough around their young foundation pieces in 2018-19?

It's a fair question.

Fletcher's offseason was about supplementing the youth and giving it the best chance to take the next step.

However …

"I don't think it's a very smart thing to box these kids out and take on additional cap responsibilities when we're going to have a lot of really good pieces that are just going to mature and grow through the system," the Flyers' general manager said via a conference call Monday.

Remember when everyone loved the Flyers' prospects, too? Some are here and the Flyers need them to grow. Some are coming and the Flyers will need those ones, too.

And that's what 2019-20 will be about.

Hayes, Niskanen and Braun should make the Flyers better, but the pressure is truly on the coaching staff to round everything into shape and the youngsters to prove their mettle.

"We have an exciting future ahead of us," Fletcher said. "We have a lot of very good young players. I'm not just talking about the prospects that participated this past week [in development camp]. You look at our team, we counted today, there are eight players on that NHL roster that haven't come close to hitting their peak and to having their career seasons. That's the exciting thing. That's our growth."

The Flyers' belief in their youth will be challenged against a Metropolitan Division that has gotten deeper.

The Rangers' rebuild has gone into hyperdrive with the acquisitions of Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba, and drafting Kaapo Kakko No. 2 overall.

The Devils have added first overall pick Jack Hughes, P.K. Subban and Wayne Simmonds, to join Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri, Nico Hischier and company.

The Penguins are still the Penguins and have gotten younger with the trade for Alex Galchenyuk.

The Capitals and Islanders were 1-2 in the Metro last season and should be formidable again, while the Hurricanes are fresh off a run to the Eastern Conference Final.

We identified the players we wanted to get and we went out and got them early. We felt our priorities were adding a No. 2 center, adding a couple quality defensemen and finding a goaltender to play with Carter Hart.

When we went through the list of all those available players, we quickly realized there were very few centers and defensemen in the free-agent marketplace. Rather than getting into a bidding war over very scarce … in a market where there just weren't a lot of players, we felt if we could get ahead of it and get the guys that we wanted, that would be a smart thing to do. 1107207 Philadelphia Flyers “potentials” (along with Joel Farabee and German Rubtsov) on Friday, but he qualified Frost’s chances. “Whether he’s ready physically to handle the rigors of the NHL, training camp will dictate that,” Flahr said. Flyers development camp: What we learned about the top prospects and Player Development coach Kjell Samuelsson was noncommittal when their skills asked at the end of development camp about Frost’s readiness. “I don’t know. (There’s) a lot of factors in that,” he said. “You should probably wait a little bit, a couple months, to see how free agency turns out. There’s a lot of factors coming into that.” By Charlie O'Connor Jul 2, 2019 It’s notable that neither Flahr nor Samuelsson ruled out the possibility of

Frost nabbing a spot. But the concerns about his ability to hold up For one week every summer, Voorhees, N.J., becomes the central hub physically — though Frost looked far sturdier at this year’s camp for everything related to Philadelphia Flyers prospects. This time of year, compared to last — are real, as are worries that he could struggle with nearly every youngster connected with the organization descends on the the increased pace of play at the pro level. Nevertheless, Frost put forth Skate Zone facility for development camp, which features a few days of a strong case to remain in consideration, and if closing arguments instruction, activity and friendly competition. matter, it’s hard to think of a better one than his last on-ice maneuver at camp. Now, development camp should not be confused with training camp. Players aren’t necessarily in peak physical form, with some flying in Joel Farabee directly from the just-concluded NHL Draft, and familiarizing themselves Until Frost’s monster close to camp, Farabee had a strong case to be the with a new organization and many new faces. Using camp as the sole week’s most impressive performer. In fact, he was the first player named way to evaluate prospects — even as a primary way — is misguided. It’s by Flahr when the assistant general manager ran through players who the wrong way to view a week that, at its core, is meant to be a teaching could plausibly make the Flyers out of training camp, and that didn’t feel environment. like an accident. That said, the prospects do hit the ice, and they are showcasing their skill Farabee’s hockey smarts and detail-oriented style jump out when sets — not just for fans, but also for the Flyers’ brass, who watch the watching him play. It’s easy to envision him becoming a play-driver at the proceedings from lofts overhanging the rink near center ice. A prospect’s next level, because he naturally thinks to do the things that inevitably performance at camp won’t make or break his status within the push the puck in the right direction. He wins races, finds open men with organization, but it does give anyone observing a better idea of the no-look passes, uses his (still slight but getting bigger) frame to shield the player’s physical conditioning, and the degree to which he may have puck from forecheckers, and rarely gives up on plays, as the first three improved his game over the past 12 months. clips in this video show. Then, the final clip serves as a reminder that he To that end, I attended each day of development camp and monitored also possesses plus skating ability and a willingness to be creative the key prospects with a goal of better understanding their talents. Rest offensively. That’s a rare, sought-after combination. assured, the Flyers — even with the recent graduations of Carter Hart, Farabee was the most impressive Flyer at camp the first two days. But as Philippe Myers, Travis Sanheim and Oskar Lindblom — remain stacked Frost started to soar in the final days, Farabee remained earthbound. It’s with intriguing talent. Here’s what stood out during the week. not that Farabee was unimpressive in the 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 games — in Morgan Frost the latter, he was particularly disruptive in the neutral zone and helped to generate quite a few scoring chances — but with less time and space During the drills-heavy first two days of camp, Frost looked … fine. available than in drills, Farabee wasn’t dynamic with the puck on the attack. Sure, his puck skills were quietly apparent. His skating looked effortless, as always. But he didn’t pop in the “way too good for this camp” sense, The smarts and instincts are undeniable. He’s also quickly packing on as prospects with designs on making the NHL in a few short months tend more muscle — according to Farabee, he’s up to 175 pounds and hopes to during development camps. to hit 180 by the end of summer. The goal for Farabee at training camp in September will be to show that he can create offensively despite the After returning from the Trial on the Isle event in Stone Harbor, N.J., increased pace of the pro game and the higher pressure placed on puck however, Frost absolutely lit up the ice. carriers. If he can, Farabee could stay in the mix for a roster spot. If not, It started with the little things. As any coach will say, it’s the smart, small he’ll receive that necessary education in the AHL. plays that lead to big, flashy plays, and Frost was making all of them Bobby Brink during drills Friday morning. Brink was the most interesting player to watch last week at camp. Not the Winning puck battles, making accurate passes under pressure, breaking best, but definitely the most interesting. up plays and creating space with nifty puck-handling moves — none of these may inspire fans to jump out of their seats. But Frost asserted his In the days and weeks leading up to the draft, Brink skeptics said his authority on nearly every rep, and showed attention to detail, an essential skating was a major weak point, and, when combined with his size (5- quality he’ll need to become an effective NHL forward. foot-8), would hold him back from becoming an impact NHLer — or even an NHLer at all. Believers in Brink argued that the concerns were But don’t worry. The flash was coming as well. overblown, and not just that — they held that he’s actually a good skater, No player showed off high-end skill more frequently than Frost in Friday with room to become a great one. Fletcher and Flahr leaned toward this night’s 3-on-3 tournament and Saturday’s 5-on-5 scrimmage. From a evaluation. passing and puck-handling standpoint, he tried things most forwards The fascinating part is that both sides are kind of right. wouldn’t even dream of attempting. More often than not, he wasn’t just trying — he was pulling them off. In smaller regions of the ice — for example, the offensive zone, where skating attributes such as burst and edgework reign supreme — Brink Bobby Brink gets the goal here, but that’s Frost who effortlessly flips a looks like a legitimately good skater. There’s explosiveness, agility and backhand pass over two sticks through the slot and right onto the tape of outright quickness that’s hard to miss. Brink’s work in this video might not his linemate. It’s a high-difficulty pass, and he makes it look ordinary. remind you of Travis Konecny, but it certainly wouldn’t inspire the “slow” That was Morgan Frost over the final two days of camp. designation. While there were lots of promising prospects on the ice last week — But what about open ice, when a player is expected to turn on the jets general manager Chuck Fletcher called it the most talent he’d ever seen and lean on top-end speed? Brink’s legs seem to be doing a lot of work, at such a camp in his career — Frost stood out as the sole youngster but the results aren’t there to match the effort. He largely just holds his who regularly flashed game-breaking offensive potential. That doesn’t existing momentum, despite appearing to put in the kind of effort that mean he’s destined to be a superstar, of course. But out of all the players typically allows a skater to rapidly pick up speed. at camp, it was easiest to envision Frost turning into the kind of NHL player whom opponents must game plan to stop. Usually, players at camp who stand out for their skating do so in a universally positive way (think Konecny and Sanheim in recent years) or Will he make the big club out of training camp? That’s unclear. Assistant a universally negative way (Matthew Strome or Oskar Lindblom right general manager Brent Flahr included Frost in his three-man list of after being drafted). Every player has skating strengths and weaknesses, The good news is that Allison’s skill set, which made him such an but it’s rare to see someone flat-out excel in one area and then intriguing prospect, hasn’t disappeared due to the injury woes. underwhelm in another. Allison stood out in the 3-on-3 tournament, which makes perfect sense — “I would agree (with Fletcher) that my skating issue is overblown, but the format allowed him to lean on his high-end shot and brute strength, obviously, I need to work on it, and keep getting better at it,” Brink said. “I while masking the fact that his skating stride is still a bit hampered by the think just maybe top-end speed I can keep getting better at.” Brink said knee. He scored the dramatic game-tying goal with seconds remaining in his plan to improve that top-end gear is centered on a heavy dose of off- the championship game, and made an impact throughout it. For a player ice sprinting and lower-body power work, in addition to intensive work who has gone through a hellish 17 months, such a performance must with power skating coaches. have been especially rewarding.

If Brink can improve his straight-line speed, the other skills are there. But Allison still isn’t all the way back from the knee issue, and he wasn’t After Frost, Brink tried more high-difficulty maneuvers with the puck than the most fluid skater even before he tore his ACL. Predictably, he wasn’t any other player at camp — though Frost more often successfully pulled nearly as effective in the full-rink 5-on-5 scrimmage compared to the 3- off moves. That makes sense: Frost is two years older, and this is his on-3 — not only did the former require more straight-line skating, but it third development camp. He knows what he can get away with and what also took place on the final day of camp, and Allison was a bit worn he can’t. The 17-year-old Brink, on the other hand, is just beginning to down. learn those lessons. He’ll continue to do so at the University of Denver this season. Allison made it clear, with his presence and his work last week, that he remains interested in signing with the Flyers once he returns to full German Rubtsov health. Assuming his health comes around, the organization still has a promising goal-scoring winger prospect here. Frost and Farabee weren’t the only players whom Flahr indicated might have a chance at cracking the Flyers’ roster out of training camp. The Flyers selected defenseman Cam York with the fourteenth overall pick in the draft. (Anne-Marie Sorvin / USA Today) “Rubtsov’s a guy that you watch him in certain drills, defensively … our coaches, they like a lot of things he brings,” Flahr explained. “Something Cam York maybe people won’t watch at first glance, but you watch, and he’s always above the puck. He’s always responsible. He’s always in position. A lot of York was at his best in the 5-on-5 scrimmage; the plus mobility that those things that young players have to learn, he does well. But he earned him a lofty draft slot was on display throughout the game. He was missed most of last year. Whether (Rubtsov making the team is) the right the only defenseman regularly willing to activate on the attack and circle thing to do, that will be our job to evaluate in training camp, to see where the offensive zone with the puck on his stick. York’s stride isn’t explosive he’s at. If he needs more time, great. If he’s ready to go, great.” but it is incredibly smooth, and he effortlessly eats up space, both when carrying the puck through the middle of the ice in a straight line and when Rubtsov came out flying to start 2018-19 with the Phantoms, scoring 10 moving laterally with it in the offensive zone. points in 14 games and displaying an attacking mentality that was often missing during his final season in the QMJHL. But a shoulder injury In drills during the early portion of camp, York didn’t exactly pop. But just- ended his year before it even began. Still, the Flyers haven’t forgotten drafted players often use the first portion of camp as something of a that Rubtsov appeared to be on the verge of taking a major step forward, feeling-out process (Farabee did so last year). York also seems to be the and he did nothing to disabuse them of that notion last week. type whose best traits are more readily apparent in game situations. During the tournament and scrimmage, he was surprisingly disruptive Unlike Farabee (and to a lesser extent Frost), Rubtsov looks like an NHL defensively, breaking up passes headed for high-danger areas, and player physically. He’s sturdy, and he’s really grown into his 6-foot frame. holding his own in the corners despite being at a strength disadvantage But his potential readiness goes beyond size and strength. Coaches against basically every older player at camp. He also flashed calmness always note that NHL players have much less time and space to make with the puck — a hallmark of his game. York came as advertised. decisions with and without the puck, compared to lower levels of hockey. Rubtsov — particularly in the first half of the 5-on-5 scrimmage — had Jay O’Brien little trouble dealing with controlled chaos. He made clean passes without Last summer, O’Brien hit camp exuding the kind of confidence and hesitation, splitting defenders immediately after gaining the blue line and exuberance that befits an 18-year-old who had just been selected in the driving his line into the offensive zone. He looked totally at ease, even top 20 of the draft. when under attack, unlike some of the forward prospects who are perceived to have higher offensive upside. After an injury-plagued, disappointing Draft+1 season, however, the Jay O’Brien who arrived in Voorhees appeared to have a far more business- He doesn’t cheat on the little things, either, as Flahr intimated. That like attitude. O’Brien knows he must rebound quickly if he’s to retain his attention to detail doesn’t just add to his defensive capabilities; it allows status as a top-tier prospect in the organization. him to create offense as well. On the ice, however, he essentially looked like the same player who Flashy plays like Frost’s shootout goal may thrill the fans, but it’s less impressed last June at camp. In the scrimmage and tournament, visible maneuvers that allow a player to consistently generate shots and O’Brien’s tenacity and relentlessness were hard to miss: No forward chances in game situations. Take note of Rubtsov’s pass to Connor regularly forced more turnovers than O’Brien on Saturday. On the ice, he Bunnaman, which kicks off a sequence in the 3-on-3 tournament that doesn’t seem to have an “off” switch. ends in a deflection goal for the Russian; he quietly moved up ice and slipped below the coverage before pulling off a picture-perfect redirect. In It’s fairly easy to envision O’Brien — even after his poor 2018-19 season a more subtle positive play in the second clip, pay attention to the quick — turning into a high-octane bottom-sixer at the NHL level. He brings a pivot to the left that Rubtsov makes, only seconds before shooting. The combination of effort and quickness that coaches love. The big question move clearly surprises the defenseman, allowing Rubtsov to retain is whether he has the offensive upside that could turn him into an impact possession despite heavy pressure, and eventually get off a decent shot. top-sixer, which obviously was the hope of Ron Hextall and company That’s puck protection in action, and it’s an essential aspect of offense when they drafted him. O’Brien did flash a plus shot at times, beating creation. goalie Samuel Ersson cleanly with a high wrister in the 3-on-3 tournament, and his quick skating stands out. But he’ll have to light up Rubtsov has an uphill battle ahead to make the Flyers out of camp, the BCHL this coming season to keep alive hopes that he still has a high- simply because he played only 14 games last season. But he’s back on end ceiling. the NHL radar in a big way, and based on his work at camp, it’s not difficult to see his skill set translating to the next level. Isaac Ratcliffe

Wade Allison For such a physically imposing forward, it’s always notable how proficient Isaac Ratcliffe is in the little details of his game. Allison still isn’t 100 percent healthy. The 2016 second-round pick made that abundantly clear last week, though he did express optimism that his Yes, he’s a 6-foot-6 monster of a winger, with a plus top-end gear and recovery from an ACL tear suffered in January 2018 is trending in the great hands. But he’s also the kind of player who will take a shot on a 2- right direction, saying that he feels around 85 percent, as opposed 50 on-1 while staring at his teammate, to increase the deception factor for percent, where he claims he was during the 2018-19 season with the goalie, or he’ll lift the stick of an opposing forward in the high slot just Western Michigan. as a pass is about to arrive. It was Ratcliffe’s subtle behind-the-back, no-look pass to Frost that allowed the latter to set up Brink for the game-winning goal in Saturday’s scrimmage. Ratcliffe is a prospect capable of regularly making those sort of under-the-radar plays, but also possesses rare size that can’t be taught. He’s the kind of young player every organization covets.

But he’s still not a finished product. While Ratcliffe’s top-end speed is fine — even very good for his size — his acceleration needs work. As it often the case with tall players, it takes him a bit too long to really get going. Ratcliffe says he’s working to address the issue.

“Just those little quick three steps that I’ve talked about over the past week here … that I’ve talked to a lot of the developmental guys around here (about),” he said. “That’s going to be a big part of my game coming in the next year.”

Ratcliffe remains a long shot to make the big club out of camp, though Fletcher did mention his name on Monday as an option along with the big three of Farabee, Frost and Rubtsov, and Mikhail Vorobyev. Still, he’s progressing nicely.

Quick hits

One of the quietly impressive players at camp was Bryce Brodzinski, the team’s seventh-round pick in June. He showcased a good shot, protected the puck well in both the tournament and scrimmage, and was one of the few forwards outside of Frost, Farabee and Brink to regularly attempt high-difficulty maneuvers with the puck.

Olle Lycksell always puts on a show at camps with his puck-handling ability, and this year was no exception. He had a rough year in Linköping, dropping down the team’s depth chart and missing out on a spot with Sweden’s World Junior Championship team, but he remains one of my favorite under-the-radar Flyers prospects because, if it all clicks for him, there’s scoring-winger upside here.

He wasn’t flashy, but Jack St. Ivany showed consistent effectiveness in drills and game situations. His skating looked better than during last year’s camp, and he displayed a new willingness to attack puck carriers directly and jump into passing lanes. He was one of the better defensemen on the ice Saturday.

The talent that helped Pascal Laberge get selected in the second round in 2016 hasn’t disappeared. It’s just not clear where he fits with the Flyers or Phantoms long term. He’s had a number of setbacks since 2016. But without preexisting knowledge of his disappointing trajectory, a person coming in cold to watch camp might peg him as a top-15 prospect in the organization.

When it comes to scouting goalies, my eye isn’t as developed, but both Felix Sandstrom and Samuel Ersson delivered strong showings in the 3- on-3 tournament. Sandstrom’s athleticism always stands out on the half- rink, and while Ersson did allow one weak goal from distance, he redeemed himself with monster saves with his club down by one in the championship game, keeping his team in striking distance so Allison could tie the contest with seconds remaining.

Noah Cates flashed a legitimately plus backhander at camp, fooling goalies with ease when deploying it. Cates and his older brother, Jackson, also (predictably) had great chemistry during the 5-on-5 scrimmage.

A sequence last Wednesday showcased the good and bad of Matthew Strome within a few seconds. With a lumbering stride, he slowly lugged the puck around the perimeter before carrying it into the low slot, and, with a deft bit of stick-handling, completely fooled the netminder for what looked like an easy goal. The technical side of Strome’s skating seems a bit cleaner now, but his speed remains decidedly below-average. The puck skills are tough to miss, though.

In fact, Strome scored a goal in the 5-on-5 scrimmage, courtesy of a beautiful pass into the crease from 2019 fourth-round pick Mason Millman. The defenseman didn’t look like a “terrific” skater on the level of past standouts such as Sanheim or Myers, but he does possess plus burst (particularly laterally). He delivered a few rushes through the neutral zone Saturday in which he showed he could play at a threatening pace.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107208 Pittsburgh Penguins • For all of Kessel’s perceived faults, real and imagined, he had 27 goals and 82 points last season.

Galchenyuk, the centerpiece of the trade that sent Kessel to Arizona, had Which direction are Penguins headed after offseason roster changes? exactly half that point total last season. Kahun had 37 points as an NHL rookie. Tanev’s career high is 29 points.

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Tuesday, July 2, 2019 4:50 p.m. The name of the game is still scoring goals, and the Penguins have hurt themselves in that department this summer.

• With Kessel running the show on the left half wall, the Penguins have Just after signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday afternoon, finished fifth, first and third in the NHL in power-play efficiency the past winger Brandon Tanev held a conference call with reporters. three seasons.

It was clear that he had a different take on the state of the Penguins than Can Kris Letang move into that spot, start bombing one-timers and make those who were lobbing questions at him. sure the Penguins don’t skip a beat? Maybe, but maybe not.

The inquisitors wanted to know what Tanev was going to do to help turn Tribune Review LOADED: 07.03.2019 things around after the Penguins suffered an embarrassing first-round playoff exit in the spring.

Tanev wanted to talk about the championship pedigree of the team he was joining.

“(It’s) a great organization that’s had a lot of success in the past, winning Stanley Cups, and there’s still a very strong group of core players that’s part of this team,” Tanev said. “The excitement and the buzz around the team made me feel at home and it felt like it was a great fit and family for me. Extremely excited to be part of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.”

So who’s right?

Are the Penguins a flailing franchise whose offseason moves haven’t stopped — and might have accelerated — a descent into mediocrity?

Or are they a team still confidently hanging around in title contention, ready to parlay a handful of summer transactions into a return to the top of the mountain?

A case could easily be made either way.

The Penguins are on their way back to the top:

• Starting in December of last season, general manager Jim Rutherford has acquired eight NHL-level players in trade or free agency. They average 24 years of age. None is older than 27. Most are considered at least above-average skaters. Alex Galchenyuk, Dominik Kahun and Tanev could accurately be described as fast.

The Penguins returned to championship prominence by reemphasizing speed in 2016. They’re making an honest effort to do so again.

• The combination of Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin was dynamic during the team’s championship run of2016-17. When they were on the ice together at even strength, the Penguins outscored opponents, 64-45.

The magic was gone after that. Over the past two seasons, the Penguins were outscored 79-72 when the pair was on the ice together.

Will new linemates — probably Galchenyuk, maybe Kahun or Tanev — spark Malkin’s production? It’s hard to imagine they’ll hurt.

• Kessel’s production didn’t tail off in his last season with the Penguins. Management may have had concerns about Kessel’s comportment off the ice, but that can easily be dismissed as soap-opera background noise.

The real problem Kessel caused for the Penguins on the ice was his casual disregard for concepts like defensive responsibility or basic puck management. All those shorthanded and overtime goals allowed with Kessel on the ice are evidence.

Galchenyuk, Kahun and Tanev don’t need to be Selke candidates. As long as their give-a-darn meters aren’t broken, the team should give up fewer goals.

The Penguins aren’t going anywhere fast:

• Rutherford has been an automatic transaction machine in the last calendar year, making no fewer than 12 trades involving 28 players and eight draft picks. Through all that, the team’s defense corps hasn’t changed since Game 4 of the Islanders series.

A renewed commitment to backchecking might help the defense return to its championship form, but it might not. 1107209 Pittsburgh Penguins Pro: By trading Kessel, Rutherford backed Sullivan. The GM and coach presented a united front at their season-ending news conference, and they appear to be on the same page as for the future of the organization. Kevin Gorman: Weighing the pros, cons of Penguins extending Mike An extension would fortify that front. Sullivan Con: The Penguins set a precedent they could blame their coach and GM if the team underperforms, as they did by firing Bylsma and Ray Shero in 2014. That should be a warning for Rutherford not to tie his own KEVIN GORMAN | Tuesday, July 2, 2019 10:44 a.m. fate to that of his coach.

After all, it can work both ways.

On the opening day of NHL free agency, Jim Rutherford’s biggest Tribune Review LOADED: 07.03.2019 revelation was about what the Pittsburgh Penguins will do with Mike Sullivan moving forward.

Sullivan won the power struggle with Phil Kessel, as the Penguins chose their two-time Stanley Cup champion coach over the two-time Stanley Cup champion sniper.

But Rutherford was noncommittal Monday about extending Sullivan before the final year of his contract, and that left some room for interpretation.

The Penguins general manager has been too busy remaking his roster this offseason, trading defenseman Olli Maatta to the Chicago Blackhawks, Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes and signing free-agent winger Brandon Tanev, to address his coach’s future with the organization.

“Up until this point, my focus was to change some of the players,” Rutherford said. “There’s obviously some work I have to do going forward, make some decisions. Personally, I feel Mike is a terrific coach. He’s done a very good job. He has good communication with the players, and I would like to see him stay long-term. But when I get to that, I don’t know.”

Failing to do so would leave the Penguins with a coach in limbo. That could make for an uncomfortable season.

“Well, there’s positives and negatives to that,” Rutherford said. “So, yeah, you do have some concerns. But it can work both ways.”

There are pros and cons for Rutherford to offer an extension — and for Sullivan to sign one.

Pro: Penguins players know Rutherford sided with Sullivan, so an extension would allow the coach to carry more clout and insist on a better buy-in from his team.

Con: If Sullivan isn’t extended, Penguins players would see him as nothing more than a lame duck. That could undermine his authority and expedite his departure.

Pro: Sullivan could be convinced to stay, given he has one of 31 coveted jobs in the NHL, coaches two of the game’s biggest stars in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and has led the Penguins to a pair of Cup championships.

Con: Coaches often provide diminishing returns, and Sullivan has gone from winning back-to-back Cup championships to being eliminated in the second and first rounds, respectively, in the past two playoffs.

Pro: Promoting coaches from the AHL has worked well for the Penguins, as Dan Bylsma and Sullivan both led them to Cup championships. The Penguins have a potential successor in reigning AHL coach of the year Mike Vellucci, who replaced Clark Donatelli at their Wilkes- Barre/Scranton affiliate.

Con: Rutherford replaced Bylsma with Mike Johnston, who was fired in December of his second season for “underachieving.” Sullivan’s predecessor is proof the Penguins could do worse.

Pro: Sullivan could be coaching for his job and to restore his reputation after the Penguins were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Islanders. That should serve as inspiration for a season that could see marked improvement.

Con: If the Penguins make major strides under Sullivan without an extension, he could become a hot commodity next offseason. Bylsma landed with the Sabres (and Barry Trotz with the Islanders after leading the Capitals to the Cup), so Sullivan shouldn’t have trouble finding another NHL coaching job. Then again, if Sullivan doesn’t find the right job, he could end up as an assistant in Detroit someday. 1107210 Pittsburgh Penguins

Tim Benz, Mark Madden ponder Penguins’ future post-Phil Kessel

TIM BENZ | Tuesday, July 2, 2019 6:29 a.m.

I’m back from Europe. Mark Madden is back from Vegas. It’s a day late. But our “Madden Monday” podcast for the week is up. And there is plenty to talk about concerning the Penguins.

We get Mark’s response to the Phil Kessel trade from the standpoint of how the Penguins can replace his production and how they will shape the line combinations in his absence.

Beyond that, who does Mark believe in the whole “he said-he said” between Kessel and Jim Rutherford?

The Penguins are still in a tough cap crunch. Rutherford may not be done dealing yet. Also, Mark has two bold predictions. One is about how much longer Mike Sullivan will coach in Pittsburgh. Another is about how Alex Galchenyuk will outperform Kessel in their new cities.

We discuss some of the crazy money being thrown around in the NHL, too. And is Rutherford guilty of contributing to that inflation based on the cash given to Brandon Tanev?

Plus, we kick around the topics of a Felipe Vazquez trade for the Pirates, baseball in London, juiced home run totals and Aerosmith in Vegas.

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107211 Pittsburgh Penguins Noticeable by his absence from Rutherford’s compliments was Nick Bjugstad, who also plays both wing and center. That could mean it’s Bjugstad ($4.1 million cap hit) who is on the move instead of Rust ($3.5 Tim Benz: Like it or not, Penguins GM Jim Rutherford sticking to his plan million cap hit). But someone of significant contract value probably has to be moved off the roster for the Penguins to become cap compliant once the restricted free agents get signed.

TIM BENZ | Tuesday, July 2, 2019 6:18 a.m. “There’s a good chance we’ll have to make another move, yes,” Rutherford admitted.

All of these decisions by the general manager seem to have been made Let’s not put Jim Rutherford on an aircraft carrier with the “Mission with an eye toward making Sullivan’s job easier. Kessel’s absence may Accomplished” sign behind his head just yet. aid in that regard, as well. But it appears the Penguins general manager has taken many of the “Much more balance. Getting back to where we were in ‘16 and ‘17 steps he wanted to take this offseason. where the coach can roll those lines on more of an even-minutes basis,” During his season-ending press conference in April, Rutherford said he Rutherford said. wanted to make the team hungrier, tougher to play against and one that The next question becomes: When does the coach get a contract was easier for Mike Sullivan to coach. extension? That’s something Rutherford refused to nail down Monday. Those were goals Rutherford stated directly. Other goals he didn’t state So far, though, a lot of the personnel decisions being made by Rutherford as directly: are being done with Sullivan’s comfort in mind. • Get faster And with Rutherford’s vision in place. • Trade Phil Kessel GMJR just better hope these new skaters look as good together on the Rutherford is following that plan. Let’s see if he got the right guys to do it. ice as they do in his head.

Perhaps more importantly, let’s see if he got rid of the right guy to do it. Tribune Review LOADED: 07.03.2019

Acquiring Jets forward Brandon Tanev on Monday went a long way toward the “tougher to play against” objective. His 278 hits were third most in the NHL, while his 81 blocked shots ranked third among forwards.

Tanev was one of Winnipeg’s most valued penalty killers last year. And the Jets gave up only 1.79 goals against per 60 minutes with Tanev on the ice. That was one of the best rates on the team.

Some of the other players added in recent weeks don’t exactly fit that profile. Alex Galchenyuk and Dominik Kahun are viewed as skill-oriented playmakers. And 19-year-old defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph needs to add to his 163-pound frame before anyone will consider him a sturdy presence on the blue line.

But their speed could be difficult to play against for opponents — something playoff foes understood when facing the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

Hungrier? Well, all of those players are between 19 and 27 years old, and they are all looking for a first ring. Kessel has two. So does Olli Maatta. Bryan Rust may need to be traded for cap reasons. He has two titles already. Maybe that’s the facelift Rutherford was referencing.

“It’s new energy, new excitement,” Rutherford said during his news conference Monday. “The three new guys were so excited they were coming through the phone. They bring that excitement to training camp and to our room. If they bring that excitement every day to our practice, that’s what we are looking for.”

As far as coachability goes, time will tell. Kessel has never been a fan of absorbing coaching, be it instruction or lineup decisions. Here or elsewhere during his career.

We don’t know how Kahun, Tanev or Galchenyuk will accept Sullivan’s hard-nosed approach. But seeing as how none of them has the veteran standing and accomplishment Kessel does, they should.

The team also may become more coachable now that the forward lineup has become more versatile than it was to start last year.

“When you think about where we were a year ago, wondering what we were going to do with our center ice and the depth we had. Then where we are today?” Rutherford offered. “You’ve got McCann on the wing who is a natural center. You’ve got Kahun (who was signed as a center by Chicago but played the wing). You’ve got Galchenyuk (who played both spots). We certainly have a lot of depth there.”

Rutherford also praised Teddy Blueger as a guy “who has established himself as a regular NHL player.” He can play center or wing, as well. But then again, Rutherford had similar projections for Daniel Sprong a year ago.

How’d that go? 1107212 Pittsburgh Penguins “I feel like I’m harder on the teams I root for,” he said. “It’s a strange phenomenon, because you want them to succeed but they’re not really succeeding.”

Meet the YouTube star keeping Pittsburgh sports teams honest On a more positive note, Schlasser said that the key to becoming a successful sports YouTuber is to put out a quality product. Fun, engaging five to 10-minute videos are usually enough to get your channel off the Staff ground, and the rest is up to you.

“Balance is key too,” Schlasser added. “Don’t ignore the hate or just dismiss it, because I feel like too much praise gets to a person’s head If you’re a Pittsburgh sports fan underwhelmed or upset at how your and makes them arrogant. Too much hate, it’s going to break people. It’s favorite teams have been managed recently, there’s a YouTube channel like a checks and balances system.” you’ll really like. Another lesson imparted by Schlasser: YouTube ad revenue isn’t as “UrinatingTee,” or Schlasser on Twitter, is a Pittsburgh native who has lucrative as some think it is. The real money, according to Schlasser, amassed more than 272,000 YouTube followers by posting comedic comes from sponsorships like the ones he has with companies like rants about the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and other sports teams and SeatGeek, ExpressVPN, Honey (the app, not the food) and Dollar Shave leagues. His videos routinely receive hundreds of thousands of views Club. and his channel has been so successful that it’s now his full-time job. Schlasser knows that he owes the growth of his channel to his loyal “I’ve always believed that the greatest way to get under people’s skin is subscribers and hopes he can continue entertaining them by bashing on the truth,” said UrinatingTree, a 31-year-old ex-waiter and North Hills their favorite and least favorite sports organizations. native named Steve. “I’d rather not spread ‘BS’ or fake stuff. All you have to do is say what is reality. That’s what I really try to shoot for.” “It’s humbling to think about, kind of sobering,” he said of his fan base. “Like when people say, ‘you made my day’ or ‘you helped me get through In case you were wondering, both the Schlasser and UrinatingTree this situation,’ it’s powerful stuff.” names came from the mind of a 16-year-old Steve as he was coming up with creative names for his Xbox Live persona. From here on out, he’ll be Post Gazette LOADED: 07.03.2019 referred to as Schlasser, which is how he introduces himself in the NSFW introductory video on top of his YouTube page.

Schlasser had been YouTubing on and off for a few years with modest success before he found his niche. His videos were averaging a few thousand views until he put one out summarizing two decades of depressing Cleveland Browns football.

That video currently has more than 943,000 views, and its popularity made Schlasser realize that mercilessly making fun of sports franchises may be his ticket to YouTube fame.

“It was completely accidental, just stumbling onto something,” he said. “It was just pure coincidence. If you were to tell me back then I’d be doing this, I’d tell you you’re crazy.”

His subsequent posts about the Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Flyers performed well, but Schlasser still wasn’t convinced that this level of engagement was sustainable. Then he put out “The Hates Guide to the 2017 NFL Season” and gained 100 subscribers overnight.

That energized Schlasser to put more energy into what began as just a creative outlet, and as of October his videos are now his only occupation.

“I thought, ‘OK, there’s something here,’” he said. “I have to keep digging.’”

One of the hallmarks of Schlasser’s videos is his baritone voice-over, which can lead one to believe that he might be a trained actor. He is not, though he did a little acting and singing in high school before going on to do some behind-the-scenes radio work while attending Point Park University and for CBS Radio after graduation.

Schlasser firmly believes that “either everything is a target or nothing is a target.” To that end, he doesn’t pull punches when talking about his hometown Pittsburgh sports teams. For example, he put out a scathing video making fun of the Penguins’ most recent playoff exit after being swept by the New York islanders.

He also began a “Days of Our Steelers” soap-opera parody chronicling the last year or so of dysfunction that franchise famously faced, though he wasn’t happy about it.

“I did not imagine it would be a weekly thing and as a Steelers fan it killed me,” he said. “As I said, everything’s a target. But it was rough. Once the off-season started and it wasn’t done, it was just like, please stop! Hopefully I won’t have to do it again this year.”

In true UrinatingTree fashion, Schlasser didn’t hold back when discussing how he felt about the city’s three professional sports teams as they stand. According to him, the Steelers are at best a wild-card team, the Pirates are “just not a playoff team” and Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford is “neglecting speed and what made them great for physicality and size.” 1107213 Pittsburgh Penguins Johnson remains a lightning rod for frustrated Penguins fans who aren’t pleased he is under contract for four more years. Rutherford defended him again Monday, saying Johnson played better last season once they Five questions left for the Penguins after busy period got him on his strong side, which, relatively speaking, is true.

After the Penguins instead traded Olli Maatta, they might not be looking to move Johnson. But given their tight cap situation and the prospect of Matt Vensel: Jul 2, 2019 7:51 PM sacrificing one of the aforementioned forwards, perhaps they will try to entice another team to take his contract and add a bargain-bin veteran to

battle with Juuso Riikola. It’s been a busy few days for the Penguins. They wrapped up 3. What might the forward lines look like when the Penguins report? development camp. They hired a new AHL coach. They finally ditched Phil Kessel, while getting back Alex Galchenyuk. On the first day of free Right now, for laughs and giggles, let’s just assume Bjugstad and Rust agency, they added a pricey pain in the butt in bottom-sixer Brandon are here. Let’s also disregard the fact that coach Mike Sullivan will shuffle Tanev and made a couple of other minor signings. his lines a few dozen times. And that’s just before they start playing preseason games. With no functional cap space left, things could be quiet for a little while. The Penguins have lost a little star power in saying so long to Kessel, a But there’s still stuff to sort out between now and the start of training clutch player and one of the league’s most productive wingers over his camp in September. Here are five questions left to answer the rest of this four seasons in Pittsburgh. But Sullivan now has more options to play offseason: around with up front. 1. Will the Penguins have to make another trade to get under the salary Galchenyuk figures to play on the right side, even though it is his off cap ceiling? wing. He has hit 30 goals in a season before and figures to start off next A common refrain from Penguins higher-ups since getting swept by the to Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. Interestingly, Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet, Islanders was that they needed to get tougher to play against. Mission the former Penguins player and assistant, joined Mark Madden’s show accomplished by adding Tanev, a ferocious forechecker who likes to hit on 105.9 FM on Monday and said that his former player has a tendency people, skates well and is a good penalty-killer. But his price tag was $21 to play “east-west” and that he believes it might need to change for him million over six years. General manager Jim Rutherford said the to thrive with either of the Penguins’ two star centers. Penguins “felt so strong about Tanev that we were willing to go as far as Kahun, a former center who will play wing here, is a good skater, is we had to go to make sure we got him.” responsible defensively and showed last season in Chicago that he can They went so far that they are in danger of exceeding the salary cap produce alongside top centers. One could see him getting an opportunity ceiling. to play with Crosby or Malkin.

After adding Tanev, the Penguins have $1.6 million in space and must Tanev is more of a bottom-six type and could be ticketed for the third still finalize the contract situations of restricted free agents such as line. Marcus Pettersson and Teddy Blueger. Rutherford admitted Monday that Add those three to a group of wingers that includes Guentzel, Patric there is a “good chance” they’ll have to trade somebody to ensure they Hornqvist and Jared McCann, and suddenly others such as Dominik are cap compliant for next season. Simon, Rust and Zach Aston-Reese are in danger of getting bumped Rutherford said he is “comfortable” with the defensive corps as it is down the lineup. No doubt the Penguins are a little deeper up front. currently constructed, and the Penguins this offseason have added three Maybe it makes them better, too. new guys up front in Tanev, Galchenyuk and Dominik Kahun. So it One more thing: If Bjugstad sticks around, where he starts off early in seems logical that if they need to subtract somebody, it would be a camp will intrigue. He finished last season as the third-line center. But as forward pulling in significant paychecks. mentioned earlier, he is a big, right-handed forward. Could he wind up Two names quickly come to mind: Nick Bjugstad and Bryan Rust, who next to Sid or Geno? And if so, who centers the third line? McCann? next season are set to make $4.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively, Kahun? Jack Johnson? (Just kidding. Put the sledgehammer down.) per CapFriendly. 4. Will they do something about their logjam between the pipes? Bjugstad showed some promise after arriving from Florida in the Derick Matt Murray isn’t going anywhere. If anything, he might be richer by the Brassard trade in early February. No, he’s not a bruiser despite being 6- time camp rolls around. The Penguins may look to get an extension done foot-6. But he can cause defenders problems with his reach and soft with him. hands. If only he could finish. He had just nine goals in 36 games with the Penguins, including four point-less ones in the playoffs. That said, he Casey DeSmith is a near ideal No. 2. He is a team guy, pushes people at can play center or wing and is a right-handed shot, something that is practice, shows little signs of rust after long layoffs and will only make suddenly in short supply now that Kessel is gone. $1.25 million. That said, Tristan Jarry would only count $675,000 against the cap if he were the No. 2. Rust, meanwhile, had a weird season. He went something like 300 games without a goal before catching fire on a line with Sidney Crosby If the Penguins are content with DeSmith backing up Murray, and all and Jake Guentzel. He probably would have topped 20 goals for the first indications have been that they are, could the Penguins look to move time had he not gotten injured in February. That might have still been Jarry? The 24-year-old will be waiver-eligible next season, making an in- slowing him in the playoffs. Did he live up to his new salary? Probably season promotion perilous. And Emil Larmi, the 22-year-old who just not. But is he a worse player than Tanev? Probably not. backstopped his team to a championship in the top pro league in his native Finland, will need to get in games for the AHL club. Maybe there is another way for Rutherford to keep the Penguins under the cap ceiling than dealing one of those two, such as trading Jack The Penguins probably can’t get a top pick or a blue-chip prospect for Johnson. It sure sounds like Rutherford is fine with Johnson being back Jarry, who right now projects to be an NHL backup or maybe a platoon on their blue line, though. starter. But perhaps another team is willing to give up something decent to take a shot on him. 2. Is Rutherford really “comfortable” with this crew of blue-liners? 5. Will Sullivan have a new contract by the time training camp begins? Rutherford clarified the eyebrow-raising comment he made a few days after last season ended, the one about this being the best group of Rutherford said Monday that he “would like” his two-time Cup-winning defensemen he’s had. coach to stick around “long-term.” But the GM also said he isn’t sure when he will “get to that” and didn’t seem overly concerned about Rutherford explained Monday that he likes the “structure” of the current Sullivan, without an extension, potentially being a “lame duck” in the final group, with at least four NHL defensemen under contract on both the left year of his contract in 2019-20. and right sides. Can it be better? “Sure,” he said, adding that it is “good enough.” One assumes there will be talks this summer. We’ll see if they go anywhere. Post Gazette LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107214 Pittsburgh Penguins Analysis: Crosby was arguably as good as ever last season and early indications are that he’s aging gracefully. Guentzel turns 25 in October and is already a 40-goal scorer playing on a very team-friendly contract. The Penguins’ recent roster turnover has done one thing very well The Penguins essentially flipped 31-year-old malcontent Derick Brassard for McCann, who was 22 at the time. McCann became something of a sensation in his first season with the Penguins, and has the look of a consistent, 20-plus goal scorer who is strong defensively and who offers By Josh Yohe Jul 2, 2019 significant lineup flexibility because he can play center or wing.

The average age of this potential line on opening night will be 26.3. It’s easy to feel a little down on the Penguins these days. Second line Phil Kessel is gone, and replacing potential Hall of Famers isn’t generally Alex Galchenyuk (25)-Evgeni Malkin (33)-Patric Horqnvist (32) a conducive way to augment a hockey team’s stock. There also was an undeniable sense since last season that the Penguins were stale. Analysis: We can speak at length about the Penguins’ salary cap Everything about them, in fact, felt stale with the exception of Sidney situation, their blue-line limitations and whatever items you prefer. Crosby’s transcendence and Matt Murray’s late surge. Absolutely nothing is more important to their short-term success than Malkin’s potential resurgence. He wasn’t himself last season, and he Then, there are Jim Rutherford’s transactions in recent years. They have knows it. I’d expect a bounce-back year from him. In Galchenyuk, Malkin been some duds, some questionable signings and, in the minds of many figures to have a motivated — and young — winger. The Penguins have critics, no particular sense of direction. talked about him playing on the right side, but we’ll slot him here for now Along the way, however, something has happened. And, while doom and since it’s his most comfortable position. Hornqvist endured a horrible gloom is running rampant currently in the fan base, this something is second half and never looked the same after sustaining his fifth unquestionably a good thing. concussion in five years in January. However, many are being a little quick to pronounce his career finished. He’s deserves a chance at The Penguins have gotten younger. Much younger. redemption and will be highly motivated. And he’s 32, not 42.

“That’s a very important thing,” Jim Rutherford said. The average age of this potential line on opening night will be 30.

He isn’t wrong. Third line

Consider the situation the Penguins were in five years ago, when Dominik Kahun (24)-Nick Bjugstad (27)-Bryan Rust (27) Rutherford replaced Ray Shero as the team’s general manager: Analysis: Yes, one of the players on this line could be traded to provide The Penguins were in a postseason slump, that one having reached five salary cap relief. But for now, this is the roster, so let’s run with it. straight postseasons. Rutherford’s deal with Florida last season was wonderful on many levels, as the Penguins not only added two quality players, but added two young The Penguins were aging, surrounding their stars with players who didn’t players. Rust remains young and among the team’s fastest players (and I really showcase the youthful exuberance that so frequently is required to wouldn’t trade him). While the Penguins did trade a young player in Olli win championships. Maatta, they got one in return in Kahun. Because of years of trading prospects and draft picks, the Penguins’ The average age of this potential line on opening night will be 26. system was looking barren. Fourth line There was ample conversation that the Crosby/Evgeni Malkin “championship window” was in the process of slamming shut. Brandon Tanev (27)-Teddy Blueger (25)-Dominik Simon (25)

Sound familiar? Analysis: Obviously these line combinations are subject to change, but look at this line. There is speed, physicality, puck possession capability Shero was largely viewed as the villain in this equation, having sacrificed and a bit of scoring touch. There’s also youth. The last place you want a the future to load up on championship-worthy rosters. bunch of old guys on your roster is in the bottom-six, where effort and In Rutherford’s first few days on the job, I asked him about the state of energy often rule the day. The odd forward out, by the way, would be the franchise and about Shero’s mindset while guiding the Penguins. another young guy in Zach Aston-Reese, who will be 25 when next season begins. It’s good to have a young, hungry bottom-six, and that “Ray’s a great GM,” Rutherford said. “And he did exactly what I would might be just what the Penguins have in this group. have done. You’re supposed to be trying to win now, especially with the players we have here.” The average age of this potential line on opening night would be 25.6.

Rutherford then vowed that the Penguins would be a contender for many Add it all up, and the average age of these 13 forwards on opening night years to come and that, simultaneously, they would develop they would will be 26.8. The average forward age on last season’s opening night locate young players who could help them win the Stanley Cup again. lineup for the Penguins was 29, and while Matt Cullen impacted the curve that night, so, too, did Daniel Sprong. On that night, the Penguins Then along came Matt Murray, Bryan Rust, Conor Sheary, Tom dressed seven forwards who were 30 or older. On Oct. 3 against the Kuhnhackl and Jake Guentzel. Sabres, they figure to dress only three such forwards, two of whom are future Hall of Famers. Five years later, the Penguins are at a similar juncture, only their remaining foundation — Crosby (31), Malkin (32) and Letang (32) — Top defensive pair have reached their early 30s. The system looks even more barren than before and, while the Penguins have accumulated some talent in the past Brian Dumoulin (28)-Kris Letang (32) 12 months, those players aren’t likely to help at the NHL level for a Analysis: Letang’s legs looked as fresh as ever last season and, while his couple of years. playoff performance was subpar, his overall body of work was terrific. However, along the way, Rutherford has made the Penguins younger. Dumoulin, other than Crosby, is the team’s most reliable player. This could make them a better team moving forward and could also Second defensive pair provide enough of a bridge that the latter years of Crosby’s captaincy won’t necessarily be the disaster many are forecasting. Marcus Pettersson (23)-Justin Schultz (29)

Let’s examine a potential look at the Penguins’ opening night roster Anaysis: The Penguins have made it pretty clear that they wish to make (ages of each player on opening night will be included): this their second pairing. Fair enough. Schultz wasn’t bad last season and will be better with a full summer to recover from the broken ankle First line that plagued him last year. Pettersson was a very, very good find and Jared McCann (23)-Sidney Crosby(32)-Jake Guentzel (24) made the blue line younger, something that was badly needed. Third defensive pair Jack Johnson (32)-Erik Gudbranson (27)

Analysis: These two get lumped together because of their sizable contracts and they probably wouldn’t make for a great pairing because of their limited skating. However, I don’t think they’re a total disaster. Johnson did not have a good first season with the Penguins. I know. But was considerably better after being moved to his natural left side. The Penguins won’t ask him to play on the right side again. Gudbranson, by any numerical or eye test analysis, was very good during his short time with the Penguins. Let’s not forget that. Sometimes a player needs the right coaches and the right system. One of these players could very possibly be traded, but they’re not ancient at least.

Extra defensemen

Chad Ruhwedel (29) is dependable and still in his prime years. Juuso Riikola (25) remains an interesting player whose best years are theoretically ahead of him.

The average age of these eight defensemen on opening night will be 28.1.

While one can debate that the Penguins’ roster is no longer Stanley Cup caliber — rosters change between now and March, so it’s anyone’s guess — they entered last season as the NHL’s fourth-oldest team. That won’t be the case this season. Rutherford has made some good moves and some bad ones. But the Penguins have gotten younger; it’s pretty undeniable that old teams don’t win championships.

The feeling of staleness is one that can’t stick around if the Penguins are to make more Cup runs in this era. Getting younger was the first step, and while their system remains years away from helping them at the NHL level, they succeeded in this regard.

Now, the question becomes: Will their younger players be good enough?

Time will tell.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107215 Pittsburgh Penguins Malkin and Gusev are part of a group of Russian players that train together in Moscow during the offseason. Malki could help Gusev develop at those sessions.

This (totally hypothetical) trade could help fix the Penguins Malkin a mentor?

Indeed.

By Rob Rossi Jul 2, 2019 Rutherford wants more from Malkin, who is coming off a disappointing season. Specifically, Rutherford wants Malkin to play more responsibly and take greater ownership in bringing along new and younger players. Jim Rutherford’s work is not done. Of course, Rutherford hasn’t said any of this to Malkin and instead The Penguins’ offseason likely will include a trade to create salary-cap communicates with him through defensemen coach Sergei Gonchar. space, the general manager said, and the team could still tinker with its Coach Mike Sullivan is scheduled to visit Malkin at his South Florida defense corps. Also, Rutherford must fill out the roster by working out home before Malkin heads to Moscow, so perhaps Rutherford’s wishes new contracts for restricted free agents. And he would like to, at least, lay will be relayed at that gathering. the groundwork on new contracts for goalie Matt Murray and defenseman Justin Schultz. But why not show instead of tell with a move that would go a long way toward soothing any lingering disconnect between the Penguins and one Given such a slate, it’s no wonder that Rutherford joked with members of of their all-time stars? the media “don’t text me” as he finished a news conference Monday afternoon. Who has time for texting with all those tasks to complete? Adding Gusev would be received well by Malkin. Committing to playing them together also would afford Sullivan the opportunity to play forward His offseason to-do list is getting a bit lengthy: Alex Galchenyuk — acquired as part of the Phil Kessel trade — as the right wing on the second line, which is how the Penguins seem Clear cap space for the next two seasons Galchenyuk fitting best. Sign defenseman Marcus Pettersson to a long-term contract Essentially, Malkin would enter his 13th season with the most obvious Improve the second defense pairing leadership assignment of his career: Show two talented new wingers how to play like Penguins. Malkin will already be returning to Pittsburgh set to Get on the same page with center Evgeni Malkin prove his poor last season was an aberration. Giving him wingers who literally speak his native language and see him as a living legend is worth Add another top-six winger the risk because the payoff could be Malkin engaged in a manner not Get deals done with Murray and Schultz before seen.

Enjoy dessert A two-year contract worth between $9-10 million would not be too risky for the Penguins. Though, they should push to get Gusev at a $4 million If he hits on Nos. 1-6, Rutherford should be able to have his cake and eat cap hit by selling him on the situational advantage of beginning his NHL it too (for at least a few days) before players and coaches return from career in the perfect place and with the perfect center. Also, a two-year what has been a rare long offseason in Pittsburgh. deal for Gusev would allow for insurance in case the Penguins opt to part ways after the season with Galchenyuk, who is on the final year of his Even rarer… contract. A three-way deal As reported by colleague Jesse Granger, Vegas would trade Gusev Trades involving more than two clubs are scarce since the NHL became because of a stalled contract negotiation. The Golden Knights are over a cap world. Doesn’t mean deals involving multiple teams cannot be the cap and would not want any players in return, so the Penguins would completed, though. need to float them a high draft pick.

But there is one Rutherford should aggressively pursue to help with Nos. Not a first-round pick, though. 1-5 among the priorities. And, of course, the Penguins lack a second-round pick in the 2020 NHL We propose a three-way trade between the Penguins, Ottawa and Draft because of their trade with Vegas as part of the agreement for the Vegas. Golden Knights to select Marc-Andre Fleury in the 2017 expansion draft.

Our theoretical trade between the Penguins, Golden Knights and The Penguins would gladly surrender their third-round pick to acquire Senators. (Graphic: Dom Luszczyszyn) Gusev. Vegas would reasonably want a greater return for a top talent.

Once completed, the three-way deal would deliver left winger Nikita This is where Ottawa comes in. Gusev and goalie Mike Condon. They would part with defenseman Eric The Senators have more than $20 million in cap space and a need to Gudbranson, center Nick Bjugstad and left winger Zach Aston-Reese. add contracts that will bring their payroll to the league’s mandated (We should make a couple things clear. This trade is based on minimum for clubs — the lesser-publicized “floor” to the NHL’s cap. conversations with multiple league sources who are familiar with the asks Ottawa needs players, especially defensemen, so Gudbranson, who is and needs of different teams. And while we think this trade is a good from the Canadian capital, would likely entice Senators management and idea, we also want to make clear it is not currently being discussed by ownership. Aston-Reese, an RFA, could fit as part of the Senators’ these teams.) rebuild. The Penguins would require Ottawa to also take Bjugstad, who, like Gudbranson, has two years remaining on his contract. At this point, you might be of the thought the Penguins would be giving up a lot for a winger who has never played in the NHL and a goalie for It’s reasonable to doubt the Senators would want Bjugstad, but a 26- whom they have no apparent need. year-old who can play any forward position and who has scored at least 14 goals in five seasons has value if, as nothing else, a movable asset. That’s fair, so consider the benefits of bringing in Gusev and Condon. The Penguins now have flexibility at forward to move a couple in another Gusev is on — if not at the top of — a short list of the best players not attempt to upgrade. That is a benefit if Rutherford’s offseason moves to working in the NHL. He scored 17 goals and 82 points for SKA Saint add Galchenyuk, Brandon Tanev and Dominic Kahun. Petersberg in the KHL, where he was the MVP. He also was Russia’s co- Also, the Penguins would be doing the Senators a favor in taking on leading scorer at the World Championships. His performance in the Condon, for whom their only use would be burying him at a cap saving of world’s second-best hockey league and tournament suggests he would $1.075 million. Otherwise, Condon would cost $3 million against the cap not be out of place as a top-six winger for an NHL club that considers if his contract is not stashed in the minors. itself a Cup contender. The Senators lack the financial means to pay a player who does not fit And there is no such Cup contender where Gusev would fit better than into their NHL plans. The Penguins can afford $3 million in actual money the Penguins, for whom Malkin is second only to captain Sidney Crosby on the ice and in the dressing room. for an AHL goalie, at least for one season — and Condon has only one Such a deal for Schultz would be movable because defensemen with his year left on his contract. skills are always a commodity for Cup contenders at the trade deadline. But by going big on him this summer, the Penguins could lock up their The real return for the Penguins is cap savings, projected to be $6.775 top four defensemen for the next three seasons. Management might million, and the 2020 third-round pick that will sweeten the offer to Vegas need to rework the rest of the defense corps every offseason, but that is for Gusev. easier — and less costly — than trying to acquire a top-four defenseman.

(Thanks, as always, to the Puck Pedia website for help with cap Committing $17.5 million for Murray, Schultz and Pettersson would calculations.) actually provide some welcome cost certainty to Rutherford. He would So, that’s the long way of adding Gusev and cap space at the cost of still need to make some moves next summer to fill out the roster for three expendable players. And it sets up Rutherford to… 2020-21. A couple of those moves could, and probably would, prove painful because talented young forwards such as Jared McCann and Fix the defense Kahun will be in line for raises.

Rutherford should re-sign Pettersson for four years at $14 million or six Still, as laid out above, the Penguins would go into the 2020-21 season years at $19.5 million. Either contract would be tough to turn down for a with at least this foundation at no more than a $65.85 cap hit: Crosby, 23-year-old who has played in only parts of two NHL seasons. If, as Malkin, Gustev, Jake Guentzel, Patric Hornqvist and Tanev; Letang, Rutherford has said, Pettersson projects as a top-four defenseman who Schultz, Dumoulin and Pettersson; and Murray. excels at puck moving, the Penguins would actually be getting great value for Pettersson. Sure that’s only 11 players. But they’re old and young, proven and hungry, and really good. By playing Pettersson with Schultz, the Penguins would build a B-plus No. 2 defense pairing to go along with A-grade top unit of Kris Letang The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 and Brian Dumoulin. Those pairings could eat heavy minutes, especially in the postseason, and make it so the Penguins have good-to-great puck movers on the ice for two-thirds of even-strength action during games.

If the Penguins can’t figure out a way to get their array of talented forwards the puck, what good is having those skilled players up front?

The third pairing becomes Jack Johnson, whom Rutherford has been unable to play, and the combination of either Zach Trotman or Chad Ruhwedel. Each is signed for a couple of seasons, both are right-handed shots, and together they can push one another to dress opposite a stay- at-home Johnson.

Returning Johnson to the third defensive pairing is the best implementation of him. He was never intended to fill a top-four role, and playing third-line minutes would free him to handle more of a workload on the penalty kill, which is his strength.

Jusso Riikola would begin the season as an extra defenseman. Ideally, his game matures under Gonchar’s guidance, and Rikkoula pushes for bottom-pairing playing time. David Warsofsky, signed Monday to a two- year, two-way contract, would become the No. 8 defenseman in this scenario.

But wait, there’s more…

Make it rain

As The Athletic’s Sean Gentille expertly laid out in a recent column, Rutherford really isn’t all that concerned about the distant future. Otherwise, he would not have dared make the signings he did on the last couple free agency opening days.

The contracts of Crosby, Malkin and Letang — the only players remaining from the 2009, 2016 and 2017 Cup clubs — run concurrently for only the next three seasons. When Rutherford mentions the Penguins as being in “win-now mode,” what he really means is that their window is three years.

Come July 1, 2022, all bets are off when it comes to “Great Days For Hockey.”

Rutherford should go to Murray and Schultz — a couple of indispensable pieces for any championship aspirations — with huge offers that make their agents blink.

For Murray, the contract should be eight years (the maximum term for any NHL players) at a cost of $7.5 million annually. Murray might command more on the open market, but only the Penguins can offer him the extra year. Critics might scoff at a $7.5 million cap hit for Murray, but his strong second half last season and those two Cup runs suggest he remains a franchise-caliber goalie. He would be entering his prime at the end of the Crosby/Malkin/Letang era — a development that could ease the transition into whatever comes next for the Penguins.

Schultz should be presented a five-year contract with a $6.5 million cap hit. He could get more on the open market next July 1, but there is no guarantee an offer in excess of $32.5 million would be awaiting him — at least, not from a club for which he fits as well as he does with the Penguins. 1107216 San Jose Sharks

Red Wings draft pick gets second chance with Sharks

By Curtis Pashelka | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: July 2, 2019 at 12:46 pm | UPDATED: July 2, 2019 at 2:08 PM

SAN JOSE — Zach Gallant may have entered the Sharks’ development camp last week on a tryout basis. But he definitely made his presence felt, particularly in the waning moments of the prospects’ scrimmage at SAP Center. Right at the end of the game, before a few thousand fans in attendance, Gallant, 20, got into a brief, but spirited fight — a rare event in those type of exhibitions — with fellow forward Lean Bergmann. Gallant wound up on top of Bergmann, 20, of Germany, and connected with a couple of right hands before the linesmen intervened. “Hey, you know what, (fighting’s) still part of the game and it’s not outlawed,” Barracuda coach Roy Sommer said after Friday’s scrimmage. “Actually, Gallant was walking by and I said, ‘Quit picking on the Europeans.’ He said, ‘He asked me.'” Gallant also scored a goal in the shootout, and his performance all week was impressive enough to earn a contract, one of a handful of deals the Sharks announced Tuesday. Gallant and defensemen Artemi Kniazev, one of the Sharks’ second round draft picks last month, and Nikolai Knyzhov all signed entry level contracts. The Sharks also added two players that should compete for NHL jobs in training camp, signing defenseman Dalton Prout, 29, and forward Jonny Brodzinski, 26, to one-year deals. Gallant, listed at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, was a third round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2017, but was left unsigned. He and Knyzhov were among more than a dozen players trying out at the Sharks’ development camp. “There’s a lot of things you can’t control, and I can’t control whether I’m getting a contract or not,” Gallant said last week. “I’ve got to make sure I’m putting the work in every day and try to earn it.” Gallant’s not necessarily known for dropping his gloves, having just 44 penalty minutes in 30 games — along with 25 points — with Peterborough of the OHL in an injury-filled 2018-19 season. But he also showed in the fight with Bergmann that he could handle himself in certain situations. “Sticking up for yourself is always something I’ve tried to do,” Gallant said. “when stuff like that happens, you’ve got to deal with it.” After Peterborough’s season ended, he joined the of the ECHL, and was part of their postseason run to the final with 12 points in 24 playoff games. Gallant will return to Peterborough for a fifth season, and again be the Petes’ captain. Ryan Merkley, the Sharks’ first round draft pick last year, will also likely be back with the team that is expected to do big things in the OHL next season. “It was a lot of fun,” Gallant said of the camp. “Getting to know the management, and everybody within the organization. It’s been awesome.” Prout, listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, has played in 262 career NHL games with Columbus, New Jersey and Calgary, and gives the Sharks a greater physical presence on the right side of their defense. Prout figures to compete for the seventh spot on the Sharks’ blue line. Brodzinski, a fifth round draft pick by Los Angeles in 2013 and a Group 6 free agent, has spent the last four seasons in the Kings organization. He played in 35 games with the Kings in 2017-18, but a shoulder injury he suffered in an exhibition game last September kept him out of action for over four months as he played in just 13 NHL games. He could challenge for a spot on the fourth line.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107217 San Jose Sharks Position: Center Signed through: Currently unsigned. Five candidates to succeed Joe Pavelski as Sharks captain Thoughts: Thornton still helps set the tone inside the room, and commands the respect of every player on the roster and every individual within the organization. He keeps things light, but more than one By Curtis Pashelka | [email protected] | Bay Area individual has said how Thornton has no reservations about holding News Group teammates accountable. Would he want the job back, though, after he had it from 2010-2014? We’re guessing no. He’d have to talk to the PUBLISHED: July 2, 2019 at 9:46 am | UPDATED: July 2, 2019 at 8:49 media most days and that — in and of itself — might be a deal-breaker. PM Erik Karlsson

Age: 29 SAN JOSE — One of the first things that Pete DeBoer said he would do after he was hired as the Sharks’ coach in May 2015 was to pick a Position: Right defense captain. Shortly before the regular season began that fall, DeBoer Signed through: 2026-27 selected Joe Pavelski to wear the C. Thoughts: Karlsson is experienced in the role having served as the “There are a lot of leadership candidates here, but it’s his time,” DeBoer Ottawa Senators’ captain for four seasons. He obviously carries a fair said then of Pavelski. “He’s grown into a leader on this team and a key amount of gravitas inside the room, given his resume, and if this was a player, and he has the respect of everybody in the room and everybody younger team, Karlsson would be a more ideal candidate. But it’s just his I’ve talked to. I witnessed it first hand.” second year in San Jose, and there’s plenty of experienced players So, whose time is it now? around him. We’re guessing he’ll wear a letter at some point, maybe in the next year or two. “We think we’ve got a tremendous leadership group, and everybody will have learned how Pavs handled situations,” general manager Doug Sharks’ history of captains Wilson said. “Everybody’s going to be different. But we have a group of 1991-93 — Doug Wilson leaders, collectively, that I think are outstanding.” 1993-95 — Bob Errey Here are the main candidates. 1995-96 — Jeff Odgers Logan Couture 1996-98 — Todd Gill Age: 30 1998-03 — Owen Nolan Position: Center 2003 — *Vincent Damphousse, *Mike Ricci, *Alyn McCauley Signed through: 2026-27 2004 — *Patrick Marleau Thoughts: Couture would be the most natural choice to become the next Sharks’ captain. Drafted by the Sharks and entering his 11th season, 2009-10 — Rob Blake Couture’s been around long enough for everyone to know who he is and what he’s about. He can relate to younger players as well. His personality 2010-2014 — Joe Thornton is different from Pavelski’s, no question. Pavelski is mostly diplomatic in 2015-2019 — Joe Pavelski dealings with the media, but Couture is often brutally honest in his analysis. Couture’s not a rah-rah guy, but would perhaps be more of a * Served as captain for part of the season as part of a rotating captaincy Steve Yzerman-type. Lead by example, and say something when it plan in 2003-04. needs to be said. You don’t necessarily have to be an A-type personality to be a leader. Brent Burns San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 07.03.2019 Age: 34 Position: Right defense Signed through: 2024-25 Thoughts: Probably a good candidate to be an alternate captain as opposed to wearing the C. Burns has a long list of accomplishments and carries a huge amount of responsibility for the team. He can be a good talker, at times, in his dealings with the media — but it’s not exactly his favorite way to spend time off the ice. A lot of times it feels like he’d rather be in the dentists’ chair than be in a scrum with local reporters. A captain has to be a statesman of sorts. But, hey, for a team that prides itself on letting players be who they are, maybe Burns, one of the most recognizable players in the NHL, would be the perfect choice. Marc-Edouard Vlasic Age: 32 Position: Left defense Signed through: 2025-26 Thoughts: Vlasic is the second-longest tenured Shark behind Joe Thornton and no question has the respect of everyone in the room. The Sharks have had three defensemen as captains before — Doug Wilson, Todd Gill and Rob Blake, so it’s no issue there. One wonders. though, if his personality is perhaps just a bit too reserved for the role of captain. He’s usually good with the media once you get past the first couple of questions, when he’ll typically keep his answers brief. Being an alternate, a role he’s had from time to time, would make sense, though. Joe Thornton Age: 40 1107218 San Jose Sharks

Sharks sign veteran defenseman Dalton Prout to one-year contract

By Dalton Johnson July 02, 2019 8:46 AM

The Sharks' roster reconstruction continued Tuesday. San Jose signed defenseman Dalton Prout to a one-year contract, the Sharks announced. TVA's Renaud Lavoie reported that the deal is for $800,000. "Dalton is a very smart defenseman who has shown he can move the puck cleanly under pressure and keep his turnover rates low," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said. "We believe his ability to hold the defensive zone blue line is underrated and that he is one of the best at limiting net-front rebounds by effectively using his size and stick. We're excited to add his responsible defensive play to our blue line." Prout, 29, played in 20 games last season for the Calgary Flames. He scored two points on the year -- one goal and one assist. Prout's plus- minus of 1 was in the positive for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Since being selected by the Blue Jackets in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Draft, the defenseman has played for three different franchises: Columbus, New Jersey and Calgary. Over his eight-year career, Prout has scored 33 points -- six goals and 27 assists.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107219 San Jose Sharks

Timo Meier ready to work after signing four-year Sharks contract

By Chelena Goldman July 01, 2019 3:35 PM

If the opening of the NHL free-agent market has taught us anything, it's that getting a deal done with the team you want can be extremely difficult. Yes, even if you're a star on the rise like Timo Meier. But that process is, thankfully for Meier, over with now that he's inked a four-year, $24-million contract to stay in San Jose. As the Swiss winger revealed Monday in a one-on-one interview with NBC Sports California's Brodie Brazil, having a contract done now allows him to look to his next goal -- improving his individual game in order to help the Sharks hunt down the Stanley Cup next year. "For me, it’s really nice to get this done and get ready for next season," Meier said of the four-year contract. "Get the preparation going and take my individual play to another level next year and chase that Stanley Cup again.” The 22-year-old was one of the league's top restricted free agents heading into the opening of the free-agent market, and a player the Sharks wanted to get taken care of as soon as possible. After his deal was made official, Meier said on a conference call that he tried not to think about a pending deal during the 2018-19 season. But once the season was over, that was his big focus. Getting a deal done with San Jose was important to him, Meier revealed. "It’s something that’s been on my mind for a while," he told Brazil. "Obviously, a lot of long phone calls with the agent and everybody. But we feel really blessed that I got this opportunity with an organization I’ve been playing for the last (few) years. I think we have the greatest fans. The organization treats the players really well." With the deal done, Meier is excited to focus on getting into shape for next season and taking his personal game to the next level. Coming off a very productive 30-goal campaign, he still believes there's plenty of room for improvement. "I feel like I can still take my game to another level and my goal is to keep improving and be the best player I can be for the team,” Meier said. "I want to improve on my skills and on my physical ability this summer to take that step and be a leader on the team. That’s my goal, to help the team and be a consistent contributor. It’s a fun process. Last season I think I had a pretty good year, but I still know I can do a lot more.” Meier's emergence as a power forward was recognized across the league and is an identity he wants to build on this summer while he's training back in his native Switzerland. That means hitting the gym and keeping that physicality ramped up. "It’s really important for my game to bring that physicality and that really starts in the gym -- really go to work and put the same effort into the gym as you would put on the ice," Meier explained, also mentioning how important offseason work is to staying healthy. "You want your season to be as long as possible. You want to go through it without injuries, so that’s something you have to work on in the summer, to really get into good shape where you can play 82 games and go on a long playoff run. You’ve got to treat the body right and work on your strength." Clearly, Meier is gearing up to make even more contributions and take on an even bigger role next season for the Sharks -- a team he believes still has a solid chance of competing for a Stanley Cup. "I feel like we have a team where we can compete for a Cup in the next few years," Meier said. "Our goal is obviously to win a Stanley Cup."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107220 San Jose Sharks

Joe Pavelski consulted with Patrick Marleau before start of free agency

By Chelena Goldman July 01, 2019 2:50 PM

Joe Pavelski's departure from San Jose was, understandably, an emotional one considering he was part of the Sharks for 13 seasons. So when it came to hitting the free-agent market and potentially signing with a new team, he talked to another former Sharks' captain who went through the same thing -- Patrick Marleau. "Last week we talked a little bit, a couple of times," Pavelski told Dan Rosen on NHL Network on Monday. "Kind of heard a little bit of what he went through, or knew a lot of it anyways. But just going through it again and really kind of hashing it out and hearing how it was." Marleau left the Sharks in 2017 after 19 seasons to sign a three-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, when he and the Sharks couldn't come to an agreement on the length or dollar amount of a contract. Just a couple of offseasons later, his former teammate Pavelski was in a very similar boat. "He reached out and he was always there," Pavelski said of Marleau, who he played with for 11 seasons. "He left it as, 'give me a shout if you have any questions, if you need help with anything.' "That's the type of person he is, that's the type of teammate he was." Marleau recently was traded from the Maple Leafs to the Hurricanes in order to free up cap space, and then was subsequently bought out by Carolina. Marleau has been very vocal about wanting to return to San Jose, and with Pavelski's departure, questions have swirled as to whether the Sharks could be in need of his services. Pavelski appears to believe a reunion between Marleau and Team Teal is possible -- although given San Jose's cap constraints, reaching common ground on a deal may not be so easy. "Hopefully if he's heading back to the San Jose Sharks, he's going to get what he deserves," Pavelski told NHL Network. "He meant everything to the organization for a long time and it would be great to see him back there." Sharks general manager Doug Wilson was asked during a conference call on Monday morning if the team has had any contact with Marleau over the last couple of weeks. Wilson said there hadn't been any talks with Marleau -- or any other player outside of the organization for that matter. "I've been so focused on doing our own things here I haven't gotten to those types of conversations," Wilson summarized. Clearly, dealing with the emotional departure of Pavelski was at the forefront of Wilson's mind, especially considering the lasting impact Pavelski will have on the team. "The impact he's had on this franchise and on his teammates are going to be felt for years to come," Wilson said. "Under the cap system, these are pretty difficult decisions. We've been through this in recent years. But you're never going to hear anything but tremendous admiration and respect for Joe and (Joe's wife) Sarah and we were really, really fortunate to have had them for 13 years."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107221 St Louis Blues They almost got them during the second round of the NHL playoffs. Game 7 went into double overtime and several times the Stars came thisclose to scoring the series-winning goal. Retooling Stars prepare to chase down the Blues Now they have reloaded to reaffirm they are in “win now” mode. During an offseason that has seen several Western Conference teams improve, the Stars emerged as the primary threat to the defending Stanley Cup Jeff Gordon sports columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. champions. The Stars signed long-time San Jose Sharks star Joe Pavelski, an elite goal scorer and well-respected leader who carries the “Captain America” Make no mistake about it: The Dallas Stars are coming after the Blues. nickname well. After letting Mats Zuccarello and Jason Spezza depart as They almost got them during the second round of the NHL playoffs. free agents, the Stars added long-time Anaheim Ducks power forward Game 7 went into double overtime and several times the Stars came Corey Perry as well as offensive defenseman Andrej Sekera. thisclose to scoring the series-winning goal. Now they have reloaded to reaffirm they are in “win now” mode. During an offseason that has seen Star Pav s general manager Jim Nill added more firepower, but he was several Western Conference teams improve, the Stars emerged as the more pleased with his ability to secure more fortitude. primary threat to the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Stars signed long-time San Jose Sharks star Joe Pavelski, an elite goal scorer “These guys are very competitive players,” Nill told reporters Monday. and well-respected leader who carries the “Captain America” nickname “These guys have won at every level they’ve been. They’re marquee well. After letting Mats Zuccarello and Jason Spezza depart as free players. . . . there’s a pedigree that comes with that. agents, the Stars added long-time Anaheim Ducks power forward Corey “You can never be competitive enough. We saw that in the playoffs. St. Perry as well as offensive defenseman Andrej Sekera. Star Pav s Louis showed everybody that’s how you have to play. We were right general manager Jim Nill added more firepower, but he was more there with St. Louis.” pleased with his ability to secure more fortitude. “These guys are very competitive players,” Nill told reporters Monday. “These guys have won Pavelski could appreciate that, because his Sharks lost to the Blues at every level they’ve been. They’re marquee players. . . . there’s a going away in the Western Conference Final. He believes the Stars have pedigree that comes with that. “You can never be competitive enough. enough talent and experience to produce a better result next spring. We saw that in the playoffs. St. Louis showed everybody that’s how you have to play. We were right there with St. Louis.” Pavelski could “They are coming off a good year,” Pavelski said during a call with appreciate that, because his Sharks lost to the Blues going away in the reporters. “They felt they had a chance to beat St. Louis and came up a Western Conference Final. He believes the Stars have enough talent and little bit short. (The Stars) add a lot, too, and hopefully we can take experience to produce a better result next spring. “They are coming off a another step next year.” good year,” Pavelski said during a call with reporters. “They felt they had At 35, Pavelski isn’t likely to score 38 goals as he did last season for San a chance to beat St. Louis and came up a little bit short. (The Stars) add Jose. But he will win faceoffs, bolster the Dallas power play and convert a lot, too, and hopefully we can take another step next year.” At 35, his share of deflections around the net. Pavelski isn’t likely to score 38 goals as he did last season for San Jose. But he will win faceoffs, bolster the Dallas power play and convert his Back in the day, last month, 34, enjoyed a 50-goal campaign. He is more share of deflections around the net. Back in the day, last month, 34, likely to score 15 to 20 goals at this stage of his career, but he will help enjoyed a 50-goal campaign. He is more likely to score 15 to 20 goals at the Stars play a heavier game. Perry earned those 1,060 career penalty this stage of his career, but he will help the Stars play a heavier game. minutes the hard way by battling in front of the net and along the walls. Perry earned those 1,060 career penalty minutes the hard way by battling in front of the net and along the walls. “Corey Perry has been a “Corey Perry has been a world-class player,” Nill said. “He’s won world-class player,” Nill said. “He’s won Olympics, he’s won Stanley Olympics, he’s won Stanley Cups, he’s been MVP of the league, he’s Cups, he’s been MVP of the league, he’s won scoring races. Those guys won scoring races. Those guys just don’t go away. He’s still got the fire in just don’t go away. He’s still got the fire in him.” Like Perry, Sekera, 33, him.” has struggled with injuries the last few seasons. But he adds skill and Like Perry, Sekera, 33, has struggled with injuries the last few seasons. experience to a defensive corps that lacked depth last season after But he adds skill and experience to a defensive corps that lacked depth suffering multiple casualties. The Stars have some good young players, last season after suffering multiple casualties. led by Miro Heiskanen, but they are going for the Cup while they still have veterans Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Alexander Radulov and Ben The Stars have some good young players, led by Miro Heiskanen, but Bishop performing at a high level. “Happy 50th birthday to me,” Stars they are going for the Cup while they still have veterans Tyler Seguin, coach Jim Montgomery quipped Monday. “Unreal job by Jim Nill and Jamie Benn, Alexander Radulov and Ben Bishop performing at a high everybody associated that helps him because you look at the type of level. people we’re adding, leadership qualities, veteran presence and obviously people that know how to score goals, go to tough areas, “Happy 50th birthday to me,” Stars coach Jim Montgomery quipped hopefully draw more penalties next year. Lot of positives.” So the Blues Monday. “Unreal job by Jim Nill and everybody associated that helps him will face a heck of a playoff race next season. The Nashville Predators because you look at the type of people we’re adding, leadership qualities, made a key adjustment, effectively trading defenseman P.K. Subban for veteran presence and obviously people that know how to score goals, go skilled center Matt Duchene. Predators general manager David Poile got to tough areas, hopefully draw more penalties next year. Lot of positives.” draft picks and prospects from New Jersey ifor Subban, then used his So the Blues will face a heck of a playoff race next season. The Nashville freed salary-cap space to outbid Montreal for Duchene in free agency. That should help fix the woeful Nashville power play and perhaps arouse Predators made a key adjustment, effectively trading defenseman P.K. incumbent center Ryan Johansen. Similarly, Colorado sacrificed some Subban for skilled center Matt Duchene. blue-line depth to bolster its dreadful second line. The Tyson Barrie-for- Predators general manager David Poile got draft picks and prospects Nazem Kadri trade was a win for both the Avalanche and Maple Leafs. from New Jersey ifor Subban, then used his freed salary-cap space to The promise of young Avalanche defensemen Cale Makar and Sam outbid Montreal for Duchene in free agency. That should help fix the Girard made trading Barrie for Kadri, a gritty No. 2 center, possible. woeful Nashville power play and perhaps arouse incumbent center Ryan Chicago upgraded in goal, landing Robin Lehner as protection against Johansen. Corey Crawford’s chronic concussion issues. Calgary also gained better goaltending, signing Cam Talbot to replace aging Mike Smith. Arizona Similarly, Colorado sacrificed some blue-line depth to bolster its dreadful took aim at the playoff race by acquiring high-scoring winger Phil Kessel second line. The Tyson Barrie-for-Nazem Kadri trade was a win for both and sturdy two-way center Carl Soderberg in separate trades. Vancouver the Avalanche and Maple Leafs. The promise of young Avalanche got stronger by adding versatile forward J.T. Miller and big defenseman defensemen Cale Makar and Sam Girard made trading Barrie for Kadri, a Tyler Myers to its young core group of Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser and gritty No. 2 center, possible. Calder Trophy winner Elias Pettersson. While the Blues focused on just keeping most of their team intact, the NHL marketplace was buzzing for Chicago upgraded in goal, landing Robin Lehner as protection against teams with flexibility. “A lot of it’s a function of the cap system,” Nill Corey Crawford’s chronic concussion issues. Calgary also gained better observed. “A lot of those players became available because of that. goaltending, signing Cam Talbot to replace aging Mike Smith. We’re fortunate to be in a good position I think where our team is Arizona took aim at the playoff race by acquiring high-scoring winger Phil trending, everybody saw, the league saw where we were in the playoffs, Kessel and sturdy two-way center Carl Soderberg in separate trades. where we’re heading. Some of the young players, the growth in their Vancouver got stronger by adding versatile forward J.T. Miller and big game. Because of that, the combination of all of these things, here we sit defenseman Tyler Myers to its young core group of Bo Horvat, Brock today.” Boeser and Calder Trophy winner Elias Pettersson. Make no mistake about it: The Dallas Stars are coming after the Blues. While the Blues focused on just keeping most of their team intact, the NHL marketplace was buzzing for teams with flexibility. “A lot of it’s a function of the cap system,” Nill observed. “A lot of those players became available because of that. We’re fortunate to be in a good position I think where our team is trending, everybody saw, the league saw where we were in the playoffs, where we’re heading. Some of the young players, the growth in their game. Because of that, the combination of all of these things, here we sit today.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107222 St Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues' Pat Maroon visits children of slain police officer

By Christine Byers St. Louis Post-Dispatch

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Blues left winger Pat Maroon and Chris Wideman, a defenseman in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, made a house call Thursday to visit with the children and family of slain North County Cooperative Police Officer Michael Langsdorf. Langsdorf, 40, was a Blues fan and had taken his children, Olivia, 13, and Kaleb, 18, to the Stanley Cup victory parade downtown just a few weeks ago, his friends have said. Maroon and Wideman, both St. Louis natives, posed for pictures with the children at Langsdorf’s home Thursday and also with Langsdorf’s parents, friends and fiancée, Kim Haag, according to a statement released by fellow officer and close friend Brian Jost. Maroon, 31, told the Post-Dispatch that Wideman coordinated the visit, which lasted for about an hour. “It was an easy thing for me to say ‘yes’ to,” Maroon said. “We all wanted to do something right away, but we didn’t want to overstep any boundaries.” Maroon said he was “extremely nervous” going in to meet the family. “I’ve never had anyone that close to me pass away, I can only imagine what it must be like for his kids, his fiancée and his parents,” Maroon said. “I hope we went there and lifted them up even just a tad because you never want to see anyone go through anything like that.” Wideman, 29, said his trainer knew Jost and suggested the hockey player do something special for Langsdorf’s family because they were hockey fans. That’s when Wideman said he called “Patty” to set up a time for the both of them to visit. “I knew how much it would mean to them to get Pat to show up,” he said. “I just told him, ‘What you’ve done for the city is incredible and what you could do for this family is far beyond the Stanley Cup.’” The adults in the room knew the players were coming, but they surprised all of the children, Wideman said. The players walked in shaking everyone’s hands, and walked out about 45 minutes later with hugs, Wideman said. The St. Louis Hero Network, a nonprofit that promotes businesses owned by first responders and military veterans, depicted the moment on its Facebook page. On Monday, thousands of mourners bid Langsdorf a final farewell during a funeral Mass at the Cathedral Basilica and burial at Resurrection Cemetery. He was killed June 23 by a man police say was trying to cash two checks worth more than $6,000 at a grocery store in Wellston. Before joining the North County Police Cooperative three months ago, Langsdorf had served 17 years with the St. Louis police.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107223 St Louis Blues

Ex-Blue Berglund returning to hockey — in Sweden

By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Patrik Berglund, the longtime Blue who abruptly retired from the game after being traded to Buffalo last season, is returning to hockey, though not to the NHL. Berglund, 31, signed a one-year contract with Djurgardens IF of the Swedish Hockey League. The Blues traded Berglund, who played 10 seasons with the Blues, to Buffalo as part of the Ryan O'Reilly trade. Berglund had a partial no-trade clause, but he failed to turn in his list of approved trade destinations in time, and general manager Doug Armstrong packaged him in a deal with Vladimir Sobotka, Tage Thompson and two draft picks to acquire O'Reilly, who was essential in the Blues' run to the Stanley Cup. Berglund, meanwhile, was unhappy in Buffalo and later told his hometown newspaper in Sweden that he had lost his joy and passion for the game, though with time off, he would still like to play. Berglund would reportedly like to get back to the NHL, and he apparently thinks a solid season in Sweden would be the best way to do that. Berglund had two goals and two assists in 23 games. He then failed to show for a practice and coach Phil Housley said Berglund was sick, but a day later he was suspended indefinitely and the Sabres then moved to terminate his contract.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107224 Tampa Bay Lightning of days after the one-for-one trade at the deadline, Tampa Bay put McElhinney on waivers, intending to to play him in the AHL.

Ottawa claimed him before that became a reality and McElhinney never Lightning free agency: 5 things to know about Curtis McElhinney played a game in the Lightning organization. Presumably, until now.

By Diana C. Nearhos Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.03.2019 Published Yesterday

The Lightning signed a new goalie and Curtis McElhinney expects to take the backup role from Louis Domingue. There are questions remaining, particularly around Domingue (if, when and who would take him in a trade). In the meantime, let’s get to know McElhinney. McElhinney shined in 2018-19 McElhinney produced his best season last year. Not necessarily in terms of stats, but in overall play. He has put up better numbers than his .912 save percentage and 2.58 goals-against average (the previous season, he was .934 and 2.14). But he’d never played more than 33 games and thus never won more than 20 games or had more than 17 quality starts. In short, in his 11th season, McElhinney really got his chance. And the 36-year-old seized it. He and Petr Mrazek backstopped the Hurricanes on a run to their first playoff appearance in 10 years. Oldest goalie to make his playoff debut Twenty-two days short of his 36th birthday, McElhinney was the oldest goalie to start his first playoff game. Two others made their first playoff start at 35 (Les Binkley, 1970 Penguins and Ross Brooks, 1973 Bruins) but they weren’t as close to 36. McElhinney came in for Mrazek in Game 2 of their second-round series against the Islanders when the latter was hurt. He turned away all 17 shots for a personal “shutout” in his debut. He started Game 3 to earn the distinction. McElhinney then went on to a 3-2 record in the playoffs with a .930 save percentage and 2.01 GAA before the Bruins eliminated Carolina. He’s an everywhere man In an 11-year career, McElhinney has played for seven organizations. McElhinney started in the Calgary system at age 22 out of Colorado College. He played in the AHL for three years before sticking around in the NHL, though with very limited ice time. After a total of five years with the Flames, McElhinney played for the Ducks, Senators and Coyotes. Finally, he spent five years in Columbus’ system, including a year in the AHL, in his next long-term stint. That led to two years with Toronto before he was waived and claimed by Carolina. Of all those stops, this is only the second time he has signed as a free agent. He signed with the Coyotes in 2011. McElhinney as been traded three times and claimed off waivers thrice. He has a sense of humor McElhinney is realistic about all of those moves, all of those teams. He’s able to joke about it. In October, after he was waived by Toronto and claimed by Carolina, a fan refered to the goalie as the NHL’s resident rent-a-goalie on Twitter. McElhinney quipped back that maybe he should get all-white gear “#justincase.” He told Sporting News he tries to keep things light but that he can feel like a rent-a-goalie at times. This contract is another two-year deal, like he had in Toronto and his last contract in Columbus, but it’s also the biggest contract of McElhinney’s career at $2.6 million total. His previous high was the $850,000 he made the past two years. McElhinney has been here before This is technically the netminder’s second stint with the Lightning. Everyone involved hopes this one lasts longer, though. Back in 2011, injuries forced McElhinney into a starter role he was unsuited for and the Lightning had an extra starter in Dan Ellis. A couple 1107225 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning free agency: 5 things to know about Luke Schenn

By Mari Faiello Published Yesterday

TAMPA — Without former Lightning blueliners Dan Girardi and Anton Strålman, Julien BriseBois added veteran defenseman Luke Schenn to the mix of d-men at the start of the NHL’s free agency period. With his signing, here are five things Lightning fans should know about right-handed defenseman: 1. Five teams in five years Schenn has made his way around the league over the past five years bouncing from one team to the next. The Lightning will be his sixth team in six years. Schenn’s multi-team journey started in the middle of his 2015-16 season with the Flyers, his third with Philly. Philadelphia, traded him to the Kings before he signed a two-year contract with Arizona. At the start of 2018-19 he played with the Anaheim before the Ducks traded him to the Vancouver Canucks in January. 2. True stay-at-home-defenseman Schenn goes into the Lightning’s defensemen core posting some of the lowest numbers on the roster. The 29-year-old Canadian native hasn’t notched more than 10 points in a single season except once in the past five seasons. It’s likely Schenn will compete with Jan Rutta, who signed a one-year deal in May, for a spot in a pairing with veteran defenseman Braydon Coburn, who signed a two-year deal with Tampa Bay before the July 1 free agency deadline. However, being a “stay-at-home- defenseman” often results in posting low numbers because players are less worried about the attacking aspect of the game and more focused on defending. In his 11-year NHL career of 734 regular season games, Schenn has 30 goals and 145 points. 3. Size is good Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 221 pounds, it’s safe to say Schenn will add some punch to the Lightning’s blueline. Many have complained over the years that the club is in need of some more grit, enter Schenn. In his 2017-18 season with Arizona, Schenn posted 219 hits on the season, the 14th-highest in the league among defensemen. On March 24 against the Blue Jackets, Schenn made franchise history as the only player to record 12 hits in a single game. He has notched 200-plus hits in seven separate seasons throughout his career. 4. He was a favorite in Vancouver, despite his short tenure with the Canucks When Michael Del Zotto was traded to the Ducks in exchange for Schenn, not many knew what to expect of the 29-year-old who’s first half of the season was a poor indicator of what Schenn could actually bring to the team. And it didn’t take long for fans to notice Schenn’s style of play. In fact, they decided on a new hashtag on Twitter in his honor, #DrunkonSchenn. 5. Breathing room to grow With Schenn’s signing as a “seventh” defenseman on the Lightning’s blueline, it gives some other players some time to really prepare for the NHL. Cal Foote showed promise but may not be ready right at the start of the season and can benefit from more time in Syracuse. It also gives Rutta some healthy competition for that last spot, assuming he’s the “sixth” defenseman.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107226 Tampa Bay Lightning

Former Lightning forward Brian Boyle looking for a new city

By Mari Faiello Published Yesterday

TAMPA — If Brian Boyle’s latest tweet is a cruel joke to Tampa Bay fans that he’s heading to Montréal, Lightning fans will probably go into shock. The unsigned forward posted a picture of him donning a Tampa Bay Rays baseball cap sitting on the patio with his son overlooking their backyard Sunday afternoon on his personal Twitter. He captioned it with “What new city should we go to pal?” The Tampa Bay Rays quickly responded to the former Lightning forward, telling him, “The hat says it all, Brian." Boyle finished out the 2018-19 season with the Nashville Predators after getting traded in February from the New Jersey Devils. Before his 1.5 season stint with the Devils, Boyle played a brief 21 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The near three-year Lightning veteran closed out his time in Tampa Bay in February 2017, where he was traded to Toronto for center Byron Froese and a second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Lightning fans quickly flooded the thread asking the former Tampa Bay forward to come back to the 813. One Lightning fan was quick to point out that despite the fact Boyle was wearing a Rays baseball hat, he should be inclined to come back to the Lightning and not go to the Canadiens, like recent Rays news suggests with the team looking at splitting its home season between Tampa Bay and Montréal. TSN reporter Pierre LeBrun tweeted Friday that five to six teams are interested in the 34-year-old forward, one of those teams being the Edmonton Oilers. Boyle has posted 124 goals and 96 assists in 766 regular season games in his 12-year career. He is the 2017-18 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy- winner, annually awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107227 Tampa Bay Lightning

Sports Day Tampa Bay: Does the Lightning really need three goalies? The Rays two cities?

By Rick Stroud Published Yesterday

With NHL free agency under way, the Tampa Bay Times’ Lightning beat writer Diana Nearhos explains what the team’s acquisition of a third goalie means for backup Louis Domingue and why the Lightning was pursuing Joe Pavelski. Then Times assistant sports editor Ernest Hooper explains why he thinks Rays owner Stu Sternberg’s Tampa Bay-Montreal plan just might work.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107228 Toronto Maple Leafs physical roles is important. I think Colorado certainly did that with the acquisition.”

A reminder, there, that Kadri is a player of multiple components and no Confident Kadri saw Leafs-Avs trade coming | The Star dearth of slick skill. And in Denver he’s basically traded in, so to speak, Auston Matthews for Nate MacKinnon. Not bad. MacKinnon and Kadri were world championship teammates on Team Canada. By Rosie DiManno Star Columnist “He’s the guy I’m certainly going to be looking to help out,” said Kadri, Tues., July 2, 2019 doing his best to embrace this life-altering trade with optimism. “He’s been logging a lot of minutes. That can wear on a player. Hopefully I can come in and give him some sort of support and backbone to be able to contribute. It’s been amazing to see what he’s been doing the last couple Ten years before the mast as a Maple Leaf. of years. Not many players in the league can do that.” For better or worse — and it really was mostly the former if critically, with Still, Kadri grew up before our eyes as a Leaf, from the moment he was poor timing, the latter — Nazem Kadri brought the grit on a team that’s picked seventh by GM Brian Burke in the 2009 draft. He suffered through been more onion paper than sandpaper in recent transformation. lousy seasons, survived the Calamity on Causeway in 2013, was a “My heart and my head were always in the right place.” suspension knockout in two subsequent Game 7s versus the Bruins. He’s been a Leaf bred in the bone. Nobody ever doubted his heart. His head, well, sometimes that was up his arse. Too impetuous, too undisciplined, too much running amok, “I was there when we were one of the worst teams in the league. The crazed in the moment. Which cost him and his team indisputable playoff transition to one of the best was a long process. I’ve put in a lot of hard impact the past two springs. work in trying to contribute and having a part of that, which I think I did. That’s something I’m really proud of. A lot of the young guys, watching It’s not quantifiable by projected analytics, but Kadri’s absence helped them grow, trying to help them grow. It’s nice being one of those veteran sink the Leafs in a pair of first-round wrangles with Boston. guys, to be able to show some guidance.’’ Which everybody insists is not the reason why the longest-serving Leaf is He says that without a hint of irony. now a Colorado Avalanche. And I’m the Duchess of Sussex. “Just trying to be a leader and doing things right on a daily basis, kind of It’s the cap, stupid. And Kadri’s cap-friendly contract, with a receiver in showing them the proper way to do things. As you generate more the Avalanche that has scads of cap space, even willing to retain half of chemistry, you start to naturally feed off each other. Hopefully I can find a the salary-cap hit tied to Tyson Barrie, the defenceman with top trade couple of teammates that will (fit) nice for me.” billing headed this way. There are advantages, Kadri points out, after coming through the fire in “I know for a fact that didn’t have anything to do with it,’’ Kadri told Toronto, a city that spins on the axis of hockey, Raptors notwithstanding. reporters during a conference call Tuesday afternoon, repeating what “Being under that pressure and being under the microscope. It’s hard to GM Kyle Dubas took pains to state the day before. “I think they know I’m perform there sometimes because of the scrutiny and the pressure that a heart-and-soul guy and that I’d do anything for my teammates. That you face. Everybody seems to be watching you. That’s one thing I’m was obviously shown, sometimes not necessarily in the best way.” fortunate that the city gave me, just to be able to adapt and control those pressure situations.” Which is to say, going berserk on behalf of teammates targeted by opponents and damn the torpedoes — a fusillade of suspensions. Denver is La-La Land by comparison, with a hockey team shaping up for long-term contention. “I don’t think that played a part in the decision,” Kadri continued. “It was just one of those things where hard decisions have to be made and this The Avalanche pull into T.O. on Dec. 4. Kadri has already circled the was one of them.” date. But on a team that Dubas seems intent on recasting as bantam cocks — “It’ll be bittersweet.” all skill and speed, no size or mettle — Kadri will be sorely missed. As he will clearly miss being a Leaf, even if putting the best spin on Monday’s change-lobsters-and-dance splash. Toronto Star LOADED: 07.03.2019 “I kind of knew for the past week or so that something might be in the works,” said Kadri. “Obviously, with Toronto’s situation, I could have been the guy to be moved.” The Situation: Dubas grappling to manoeuvre space and shed cap burdens while nailing down the continuing service of restricted free agent Mitch Marner. No stool left at the Leaf table for Kadri, which is an extension of his bad- boy-buzzard-lost relegation last season, wherein coach didn’t deploy a classic checking line and Kadri’s No. 2 centre status — coming off back-to-back 30-plus-goal campaigns — was subsumed by the arrival of John Tavares. Wrenching, though, saying goodbye, both ways. Because even while sanctimonious commentators clutched their pearls over Kadri’s tempestuous tendencies, the fan base savoured him in the main. He was endlessly forgiven his waywardness, just as management had on several occasions forgiven his trespasses, on and off the ice. Though Babcock may have had a bellyful of him. Jettisoning Kadri and getting his pined-for right-shooting D-man in Barrie looks like the only solid Dubas will do a bench boss clearly in the crosshairs. “It’s tough, for sure,” admitted Kadri. “Toronto’s been home. A lot of great experiences and some not so good. The fans have been amazing to me. But at the end of the day these are things you’re going to have to stare in the face and continue. I’m the type of person to bring a positive note to these situations. Really play with that chip on my shoulder. That’s when I play my best.” His style might be a better fit in the bumpier Western Conference, though Kadri disputed that suggestion. “The evolution of the sport, everything is becoming more skilled, more pace. That (toughness) aspect of the Western Conference may be phasing out a little bit because those heavy teams, they don’t do too well nowadays. It’s all about skill and speed. Having a couple of gritty players on your team that can play with skill and 1107229 Toronto Maple Leafs Another trend: flexibility. That’s Kerfoot’s strength. Also five-foot-10, Kerfoot can play centre or the wing and could mix in well if William Nylander remains on the third line, trading off faceoffs. Dubas doubles down on skill with Tyson Barrie, who ‘couldn’t be more “The way the game is going, you need guys who can play multiple excited’ to join Leafs | The Star positions,” said Kerfoot, a 24-year-old coming off a 42-point season. “I was fortunate enough to be able to move around the lineup. I’ve become more comfortable in different roles: playing on the wing, playing at centre By Kevin McGran Sports Reporter and playing in different situations. I developed that in my game a little bit, and I want to continue to improve in all aspects.” Tues., July 2, 2019 The NHL has been a copycat league: see what works and do that. That’s not exactly the right model. When Maple Leafs training camp begins in September, they might have Dubas is about a plan: Instead of following where the league has gone, to hand out “Hello, my name is” name tags. he would rather figure out where the league is going and get there first. Since the season ended, the change has been staggering. In: Tyson Barrie, Alex Kerfoot, Jason Spezza, Cody Ceci, Ben Harpur, Toronto Star LOADED: 07.03.2019 Aaron Luchuk, Teemu Kivihalme, Ilya Mikheyev, Egor Korshkov. Out: Nazem Kadri, Ron Hainsey, Tyler Ennis, Patrick Marleau, Nikita Zaitsev, Connor Brown, Michael Carcone and Calle Rosen. Maybe Jake Gardiner, too. But hockey is a small enough world that the getting-to-know-you period will pass rather quickly. The effect is for the Leafs to go all-in even further on speedy, skilled players at the expense of size and braun. That might seem counterintuitive after they were eliminated by the bigger Boston Bruins — again — in the first round. But this is closer to the vision of the general manager, Kyle Dubas. It doesn’t even sound like the biggest and most physical guy acquired — Harpur, a six-foot-six defenceman — will be counted on to hit much. “He doesn’t have to do much,” said Dubas. “If he can move the puck five, 10 feet, get the puck, pass the puck to our forwards, we’ll be happy.” That’s the kind of team the Leafs have been morphing into, in the year plus a few months that Dubas has been in charge. Gone, since he took control from the more traditional Lou Lamoriello, is all the grit: Matt Martin, Leo Komarov, Roman Polak, Hainsey. Bringing Spezza in as the depth centre, usually a role for a Brian Boyle- type defensive player, is a bit of a head scratcher for anyone who watched Spezza at his height. Defensive-minded was not a phrase most of his coaches would use to describe him. That’s not to say this is bad. This is the direction, and the players acquired in the off-season are excited to join the run-and-gun Leafs. They are about skill, speed and flexibility. “The Leafs offence is second to none in the league,” said Barrie. “I’ve been playing with some pretty good players in Colorado the last few years, I think there are definitely some similarities there. They made the move for me to try to win a Stanley Cup this year. I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity. “If I can get these guys the puck in scoring position and jump up and follow up the play, and try to create some offence, that’s my game. It’d be tough to find a better fit for me in the league. I’m excited about it.” None fit the bill of the kind of player Dubas wants better than Barrie, the most important player acquired in the off-season. He’s 27 and coming off a career-best 59 points. “I’m just coming into my prime,” said Barrie. “The last half of the year, and into the playoffs, I was playing some really good hockey. I feel comfortable with where my game is at right now. Can’t wait to continue to improve.” Barrie is also five-foot-10 — Connor Carrick sized. He’s a right-handed shooter who gives the Leafs a marked improvement on that side of the blue line. He’ll likely match up with Muzzin, whom he played with at the worlds a few years back — at least to start. “For those who haven’t seen me play, I’m definitely an offensive-minded defenceman, a power-play guy,” he said. “But I’ve been relied on to play against other teams’ top lines, and trying to get the puck into forwards’ hands as quick as possible, and jump in the play and try to create some offence.” This is not to say Dubas doesn’t like size. Harpur and Justin Brazeau, signed for the Marlies, are six-foot-six. Mikheyev and Korshkov also have some size. It’s just that speed and skill trump it. If you’re tall and want to play for the Leafs, you need to be skilled. They can help you skate faster. 1107230 Toronto Maple Leafs “Yeah, he’s a fierce competitor and sometimes he gets in trouble with that,” Sakic noted. “But one thing he does is compete and does anything for the team. He’s a great person. Teammates really like him.” Nazem Kadri ready to rock the Rockies with the Avalanche Both Kadri and Toronto GM Kyle Dubas have denied Kadri’s second sentence this past April versus the Bruins hastened a trade. After missing the last five games of the first round, a contrite Kadri hinted he would be Lance Hornby seeking additional help to deal with his on-ice explosions, but said on Tuesday it’s hard to change his stripes now.

“I think (people) know I’m a heart-and-soul guy and I’d do anything for my Nazem Kadri wants to be the next Tyler Bozak, a long-time Maple Leaf teammates,” he said. “That was obviously shown, sometimes not who finds quick success in a smaller Western Conference market. necessarily in the best way, but my head and my heart were always in the right place.” Though Kadri had a hard time coming to grips with the end of his 10-year Toronto tenure when dealt to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday The Maple Leafs are in Denver on Nov. 23 and Kadri returns to afternoon, the veteran centreman’s trademark swagger was evident in Scotiabank Arena on Dec. 4. his voice on Tuesday during a conference call arranged by his new club. “It’s the first thing I looked at,” Kadri said of the schedule after the trade. He spoke of lighting it up as a second-line centre behind Nathan “It will be an emotional time for me, but I’d rather get it over with. I can go MacKinnon, taking a leadership role, channeling his competitive streak on forever how much the city and the fans mean to me. I’ll look forward to on the ice and off the carpet of the NHL player safety office and winning that, but it’ll be bittersweet.” a Cup not once but “multiple times” with the young Avs.

Yet, that Leafs link can’t be severed overnight for the longest serving Shanahan-era Leaf, with the 25th most games in club history. Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.03.2019 “It was a great decade for me — it seems weird to say that — but it was a long time,” he said. “Toronto will always have a special place in my heart. It could be a tough place to play sometimes, but I wouldn’t change that experience for anything. I’m forever grateful.” Kadri has heard his name in many rumours since his 2009 draft day when his behaviour on and off the ice caused anguish for several of his coaches and general managers. But as the Leafs turned the corner the past few years, so did Kadri and it was deemed appropriate to sign him long-term. There were a couple of 30-goal seasons in addition to his knack for drawing foes into retaliation calls. Sometimes that strategy backfired on him, but he managed to dodge the moving van — until Monday. “I kind of knew the past week or so, something was in the works and I could be the guy they moved,” said Kadri, who will be 29 when hockey resumes. “It’s one of those things where business was a part of it (an affordable $4.5 million US contract that runs another three years). Obviously, it’s tough to leave, it wasn’t really my first choice, but at the end of the day, Colorado is going to be a contender for many, many years to come. There are a lot of great players. That makes it easier for me.” initial plan could see Kadri centring youngsters such as Tyson Jost (21) and newly acquired Andre Burakovsky (24). Kadri liked to think he’d given Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and other young Leafs a guiding hand to life as a pro based on his own early mis-steps. “I’m ready for it,” he said of parental guidance in Denver. “That’s the good thing about Toronto, prepping you to be under that pressure, under that microscope. “It’s hard to perform there sometimes because of the scrutiny, but that’s one thing I’m fortunate for, I was able to adapt. “I know (the Avs have) young kids, but I try to do things right on a daily basis. (That leads) to more chemistry so they can naturally feed off each other. Hopefully, I can find a couple of linemates that will fit nice for me.” MacKinnon, an old Team Canada mate, was one who contacted Kadri right after the deal. Kadri travelled to the Rockies a few times for business and pleasure and, when he looks around the NHL, he sees former Leafs pals such as Bozak and Phil Kessel with Cup rings. “I think everyone knows what I’m capable of, hitting the 30 mark back-to- back. That’s pretty tough to do in the NHL,” he said. “I feel like I’m having a great summer so far, really one of the best I’ve ever had, working for redemption next season. I feel great, I strongly believe my best years are yet to come. “I’ve spoken to (general manager) Joe Sakic and he’s had a lot of positive things to say. Colorado was an attractive team for me. It’s trending in a great direction and could be for a long time.” Whatever makes Nazem Kadri pop off like Yosemite Sam in the middle of a big game, Joe Sakic is ready to live with it. The general manager of the Colorado Avalanche brought up Kadri’s hot- headed nature on the media call Monday night regarding his long list of suspensions, including twice getting the boot from a Toronto-Boston playoff series. 1107231 Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.03.2019 Dubas deals to improve Leaf defence

Lance Hornby

There is a disconnect in the Maple Leafs game plan and Kyle Dubas hopes he’s made the right moves to fix it. With the addition of three defencemen in two separate trades on Monday, the general manager not only replaced some departed blueliners, but bought some time for the recovering Travis Dermott. With Ron Hainsey, Nikita Zaitsev, Calle Rosen and likely Jake Gardiner gone, Dubas added the mobile Tyson Barrie from the Colorado Avalanche on top of Cody Ceci and big Ben Harpur from Ottawa. Still to make their case at training camp are youngsters Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren, veterans Justin Holl and Andreas Borgman and newcomer Teemu Kivihalme. “We had a need,” Dubas said of Monday’s moves. “From our view as a management team, I think we owe it to our forward group and to Frederik Andersen in net to continue to try to round it out as best as we can and put the best possible team on the ice, particularly defencemen that can move the puck effectively and efficiently to our forward group. “I think we’ve accomplished that today and we’re real excited to see it in action come the fall.” Ceci and Harpur were exchanged with Zaitsev, with Hainsey following, a UFA the Leafs couldn’t afford to keep. Winger Connor Brown and minor league forward Michael Carcone were added to the Zaitsev package, Toronto receiving prospect forward Aaron Lupchuk and a third-round pick next year that Ottawa had received from Columbus. Barrie and forward Alex Kerfoot came for Nazem Kadri and Rosen with third-round picks moving. Zaitsev departs with air of mystery about his request to move after three years, with a $4.5-million cap hit through 2023-24, though $3 million in real money came off the books Monday thanks to a signing bonus due from Toronto. Ceci is a first round pick from the 2012 class of top drawer defencemen that includes new teammate Morgan Rielly. But the scrutiny on Ceci will carry over here until he proves his worth. “The thing we like, he’s still just 25, he has a lot of experience, played a lot of difficult minutes in Ottawa,” Dubas said. “We can inundate him with our staff and probably play a little different role here in terms of expectations.” Ceci found the parting to be hard, Ottawa-born and a grad of the junior 67s who was likely taught to despise anything wearing blue and white. “It will be tough to leave, but I’m just as excited for the opportunity to play in Toronto with some of the best players in the league,” he said. “Just watching the Raptors, you see how passionate the fans are there. “We had our ups and downs (in Ottawa). A few years ago we made the conference final. Ottawa will always hold a place in my heart. But it’s time to move on now.” The 6-foot-2 right shooter tied his career high in points last season (26), but it has been a couple of trying seasons for the Sens, given their upper management issues. “Ceci has played in that (top four) role in Ottawa. With Morgan and with Jake Muzzin, we’ve got two left-handed shot that he could partner well with.” Harpur is 6-foot-6 and will sometimes drop the gloves, but doesn’t always use his size and thus saw his playing time reduced behind other prospects. Again, Dubas is counting on the change of scenery to pay off. “Everything we’ve heard today from coaches who’ve had him and going through our due diligence, the key is if you can build up his confidence and get him rolling. “He obviously brings physical elements that are very unique. He’s a large defenceman, if we can dial in on his play with the puck, give him some direction in the summer of what we’re expecting … he was really making great strides near the end of his time in (AHL) Belleville, when they signed him to his extension he’s currently on. “He doesn’t have to do much. If he can move the puck five, 10 feet, get the puck, pass the puck to our forwards, we’ll be happy.” 1107232 Toronto Maple Leafs But there were some ugly times for Kadri with the Leafs, on and off the ice, as well.

Toward the end of the 2014-15 season, Kadri was suspended by the ‘My head and my heart were always in the right place’: Nazem Kadri says team for three games for arriving late to a team meeting. goodbye to the Maple Leafs He was suspended by the league five times throughout his career in Toronto, including one suspension in each of the first-round series By Joshua Kloke against the Bruins in 2018 and 2019. The latter suspension came in Game 2 after he cross-checked Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk, and it cost Jul 2, 2019 Kadri the remainder of the series. The experience humbled Kadri. It would be his last game as a Leaf. Nazem Kadri paused, exhaled and considered the question he was Kadri said Tuesday that he knows “for a fact” that his suspensions didn’t posed. play a role in the trade. Less than 24 hours earlier, Kadri was the longest-serving member of the “My head and my heart were always in the right place,” said Kadri. Toronto Maple Leafs. But on Monday evening, Kadri was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche as part of a four-player trade that included two draft Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas also said on a separate conference picks being swapped. On Tuesday afternoon, Kadri had some difficulty call Monday evening that the suspensions “really didn’t factor” into the trying to sum up his time as a Leaf. move, and that Kadri had done a lot to turn the Leafs from bottom-feeder to contender. “If I was able to do that, I’d take up too much of your time,” Kadri told reporters. “It was a great decade for me, and it seems weird to say that. “His contributions throughout have been massive,” said Dubas. “He’s Toronto’s always going to have a special place in my heart. It was just been a constant in my time here and pre-dating me by quite a while. He’s one of those things where business was a part of it. I certainly played extremely hard for the franchise. He’s grown up with the understand that. But, I loved the city, I loved how the fans welcomed me franchise.” from Day 1.” “We’ll certainly miss his personality, what he brought to the arena and the On paper, Kadri’s move to the Avalanche makes sense for both clubs. room every day, and his competitiveness on the ice and his talent of The Leafs were in need of a right-shot defenceman, and got that in the course,” added Dubas. puck-moving Tyson Barrie. The Avalanche needed depth at centre, and Even as Matthews, Tavares and Mitch Marner enjoyed the limelight Kadri will likely slot in as the team’s second centre after serving behind during the team’s resurgence as one of the best in the Eastern Auston Matthews and John Tavares as the Leafs’ No. 3 pivot. Conference, Kadri’s resilience helped motivate teammates. The trade brings to an end a tumultuous final few months as a Leaf for Many of the team’s younger core believed that having veterans like Kadri. He was given a game misconduct in his final game, and his name Kadri, Jake Gardiner and Tyler Bozak around to remind them of how bad continued to pop up in trade rumours throughout the summer. According things were and how much a winning team matters to this city, helped to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the Leafs were “very, very close” to moving push them toward improvement. Kadri to the Calgary Flames for defenceman T.J. Brodie. That mattered to Kadri. The Athletic had him ranked as the Leafs’ No. 1 trade asset in May. The personal accomplishments — including leading the team in scoring On Tuesday, Kadri made it sound as if he wanted to stay. in the 2015-16 season and the back-to-back 32-goal seasons in 2016-17 “It’s tough to leave,” said Kadri. “It wasn’t really my first choice but at the and 2017-18 — were not what he was most proud of during his time with end of the day, the Colorado Avalanche are going to be contenders for the Leafs. many, many years to come with such a young team, such great players It was the progress the team made in recent years. and that makes things much easier for me.” “Just watching the evolution was amazing,” Kadri said. “I was there when Kadri was drafted by the Leafs with the seventh-overall pick in 2009 after we were one of the worst teams in the league and to transition to one of scoring 78 points in 59 games with the OHL’s London Knights. the best, it’s been a long process. And I’ve put in a lot of hard work to try From the beginning of Kadri’s tenure in Toronto, the management and and contribute and be a part of that. And I definitely think I did. That’s coaching staff had issues trying to tame him. He had incredible offensive something that I’m really proud of. Obviously, with a lot of the young upside, but also a reputation as being overly confident. guys, helping them, watching them grow and trying to help them grow. It’s nice being one of those veteran guys and being able to show some “We had more than one time, call him into the office and holler at him, guidance.” me, Dave Poulin, Dave Nonis,” former Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke told The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel. “It wasn’t a It’s hard not to see Kadri’s trade out of Toronto as the final changing of smooth journey for Naz, but the one thing we always talked was, OK, the guard in the Leafs dressing room. we’ve got to get this kid to conform some – some. We do not want him to With Gardiner unlikely to re-sign, Kadri was the lone member of the team lose his swagger. We do not want him to lose that cockiness. So, we’re that was also part of the gut-wrenching loss to the Bruins in Game 7 of gonna beat him up a little bit, but not beat him down.” the first round in 2013. And that’s what ended up happening. Though Garret Sparks was drafted by the Leafs in 2011, 25-year-old With the Leafs, Kadri was a survivor. He made his debut on Feb. 8, 2010. Morgan Rielly is now the longest-serving Leaf after having made his That’s a lifetime ago when it comes to this Leafs squad. debut with the team in 2013. Kadri played under four different head coaches and put up consistent Kadri’s legacy with the Leafs will be an interesting one to assess. His 561 offensive numbers during that time. He was part of a Leafs team that regular season games are 26th all-time and he never shied away from a from 2010 through 2016 made the playoffs just once and at the end of style of play that harkened back to decades past. that stretch was one of the worst teams in the NHL. His suspensions also cost the team in two playoff series that may have “I experienced a lot of great experiences and some not so good,” said been winnable had he remained in the lineup. There was no arguing that Kadri. “I battled a lot of adversity here.” Kadri’s presence on the ice was vital to their success against Boston in the 2018 and 2019 playoffs. But Kadri largely found his groove under Mike Babcock. He could contribute as a pesky centre with a physical edge and would often be “I felt like I kinda let the team down in that regard,” Kadri said ahead of matched up against the opposition’s best line. Though Kadri would not be the 2018-19 season of his suspension in the 2018 playoffs, “but also, the relied upon to be a focal provider of offence, he seemed to relish playing reason why I did that was to stick up for my teammate.” for Babcock and liked that he was given a clearly defined role. Dubas believes that when Kadri returns to Toronto with the Avalanche on Kadri was a fan favourite whose hard-nosed approached walked a fine Dec. 4, fans will show Kadri how much he meant to the organization. line between being a pest who threw off opposing players and being an “He won’t be forgotten here,” said Dubas. “I’m sure when they return here aggressor whose actions could hurt his own team. Over the last seven this season he’ll get a very well deserved welcome from our fans.” seasons, no player drew more minor penalties than Kadri’s 265. There was never a shortage of emotion involved in Kadri’s play on the ice. As such, Kadri will look back on his time in Toronto fondly. “It can be a tough place to play sometimes but I wouldn’t change the experience for anything,” he said. “Forever grateful and happy to get the opportunity.” A change of scenery was not necessarily what Kadri envisioned this offseason. He loved living in Toronto, and wanted to win a Stanley Cup here. Along with his wife Ashley, he is expecting his first child toward the end of July. But Kadri will press on, eager to share what he learned in Toronto with his new teammates, thousands of kilometres away in Denver. “I feel like the best years,” said Kadri, “are ahead of me.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107233 Toronto Maple Leafs expendable to them, too, given the young D they have coming and the contract he’ll command as a UFA next summer.

Likewise, Ottawa coveted a player such as Brown — who was destined The Maple Leafs paid a big price to escape cap hell and improve their for the Leafs fourth line — and are already talking about playing him on blue line. Was it worth it? their first or second unit. That was why Toronto was able to pull a third-round pick out of the Sens By James Mirtle in what was effectively a salary-dump deal. Jul 2, 2019 A lot will be made of how the Leafs change stylistically with these moves. But it’s worth keeping in mind they effectively swapped Gardiner for Barrie on the back end — a wash when it comes to finesse — and lost some skill in turning Kadri into Kerfoot up front. (Spezza helps, but he You have to look back at where the Maple Leafs were 10 days ago to may play quite limited minutes on what should be an entertaining fourth fully appreciate where they ended up today. line.) The path from there to here was not easy, not if they intended on keeping It was inevitable that the Leafs would get more skilled under Kyle Dubas, and paying all of their young forwards. especially as he pushed out some of the old guard on defence in Zaitsev, Roman Polak and Ron Hainsey. But the bigger question for me out of all On June 21, Day 1 of the draft in Vancouver, they were capped out. They this is: Are the Leafs a better team than the one that finished seventh didn’t have a first-round pick. They had two anchor contracts — Patrick overall and had 100 points last season? Marleau and Nikita Zaitsev — that totaled $10.75 million (or 13.2 percent of the salary cap) for players who didn’t want to be in Toronto next And how well will they be set up for the future, given three of their top season. four defencemen on the depth chart are pending UFAs once the season starts? Other than Zaitsev, they didn’t have a single experienced right-shot defenceman. And they had three tough RFA negotiations ongoing with Moving Marleau’s and Zaitsev’s contracts was vital given the cap Mitch Marner, Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson, who were all situation, but most of those dollars, year over year, are really just being fighting over a too-small piece of cap real estate that remained unused. allocated to paying Matthews, Marner, Kapanen and Johnsson what they weren’t getting last season. To get to Monday’s roster — which improved on defence and became deeper at centre while not losing a star player — all of this had to happen The Leafs don’t have as many bad contracts as they did a year ago, but over the past 10 days: they also don’t have as many clear bargains, either. The cap implications of all that, after Alexander Kerfoot and Cody Ceci And they subtracted two more on Monday in Kadri and Rosen. sign for what’s projected to be around $7.5 million? To take a step forward, the Leafs are going to need progression from In: $13.1 million. those still playing on small contracts. A big year from Ilya Mikheyev or Trevor Moore up front and someone like Travis Dermott on the back end Out: $18.1 million. qualifies. Pushing out that much cap commitment, while not weakening the roster, They’re also going to need all of their young players who have gotten was never going to be simple. Ultimately, however, they ended up with a paid significantly in the past two years to step up and deliver, making 22-man roster that’s both cheaper and an upgrade in several key areas good on their big tickets. from where they were. After all, the Leafs did this complex cap dance the past two weeks in It’s also a lineup that is more than $1.7 million under the cap, assuming order to give them this chance. The easiest choice — the one many Marner signs for around $9 million per year. executives around the league expected them to make — would have To get to the above group, the Leafs had to make some difficult sacrifices been to move Marner or William Nylander (or even Kapanen) for help on to the cap gods. defence, allocating more of their cap dollars to the blue line than they did last season. Next year’s first-rounder, to get rid of Marleau’s full hit. Connor Brown, as a sweetener to help dump Zaitsev. Nazem Kadri and Calle Rosen, in But Dubas’ big bet for 2019-20 isn’t solely a stylistic, on-ice shift. It’s a order to entice the Avalanche to give up a third-line centre, a top-four D bet that his kids up front can get the job done, as they move into their and retain half of that D’s salary. primes and eat up far more of the cap. None of the players the Leafs added are perfect. The organization, It’s one that will have ramifications on the roster for years to come. however, likes Ceci as an upgrade over Zaitsev, if only in that he’s a bit Let the debates begin. younger and the locked-in commitment on a contract is going to be for one year, not five. They know what Zaitsev is, after two frustrating seasons, and they didn’t The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 want to be tied to the term. There are still unknowns in what Ceci will offer, playing with a better partner and on a better team. If he busts, it’ll be simple to walk away — more simple than with Zaitsev, who proved difficult to deal over the past six months. Other teams I talked to on Monday night were more mixed on the Kadri for Kerfoot and Tyson Barrie deal, largely because of Barrie’s defensive play and the fact he only has a contract for one season. And those are fair concerns. But after Jason Spezza and Nick Shore committed for relative pennies, it was clear that centre ice was where Toronto could afford to subtract at least a little depth. When other teams were asked to part with a top-four defenceman, the one asset they always liked coming the other way was Kadri. Kadri simply had more value to teams like Calgary and Colorado than the Leafs, who can run out John Tavares and Auston Matthews next year in nearly 40 minutes a game, leaving little ice time for their 3C and 4C, whether it’s Kerfoot, Spezza, Shore or someone else. The Avs were absolutely thrilled they could get Kadri, as he can fit in the top six and give them offence beyond their potent top line. Barrie was 1107234 Toronto Maple Leafs team. Not to mention, this looks like a group that’s going to have the puck an awful lot, so you’ll see them on the receiving end of blows far more often than the opposite just in general, which will feed the narrative that Kyle Dubas’ Leafs go all-in with skill, a fascinating bet with no NHL they’re too soft. And hey, they just might not be tough enough. They precedent might not! That’s a possibility. For them, toughness is going to have to come in the form of taking hits to influence plays, in taking the puck to the scoring areas without fear and in protecting the puck from defenders. It’s going to have to be new-tough, or if you prefer, Patrice Bergeron-style By Justin Bourne tough. Jul 2, 2019 The Leafs front office, obviously led by Dubas, obviously believe all this “toughness” hot air and digital ink won’t matter. It’s a bit of an experiment

in a league that tends to play copycat. What’s interesting is that the The Toronto Maple Leafs have a very clearly defined identity, as much as transition from the hire of Dubas to him becoming GM was to include a any team I can remember around the NHL in years. And after some time mentorship under Lou Lamoriello, which I know influenced Dubas in tweaking things to be just so, it finally mirrors what I believe to be the certain ways. But I say it’s interesting because Lamoriello has an playing style Kyle Dubas believes will win in the NHL. They’re rolling out extremely well-worn metaphor for how hockey teams are to be built. He a group that will very likely skill some teams onto the receiving end of the says they’re like an orchestra. You need violinists, and flautists, and all “stop stop he’s already dead” Simpsons meme during regular season the rest, but you also need some tuba players. Which is to say, you need hockey. And while most will roll out bigger teams, or better defensive a bit of everything, everyone has a role, everyone contributes to the players, Dubas seems to have a very clear thought on that. That thought overall sound. Dubas has taken that information, and appears to be seems to be: “We’re gonna choose to have the most skilled hockey planning to roll out something like a 23-flute orchestra, which as far as players we can amass on one team possible, you guys go ahead I’m concerned, makes a goddamn fascinating case study. Freddy the executing whatever your own game plans are.” Goat has to be looking around the dressing room holding his tuba thinking “I’m either really, very important here, or this is a really, very bad I’m not sure that historically a team has ever chosen to go so one sign.” It’s pretty safe to hazard a guess it’s the latter for the Goat, coming dimensional. Maybe the Broad Street Bullies prioritized toughness with a off a season that saw him play 70 regular season NHL games and seven similar fervour to the Leafs coveting the skill and skating and scoring side more in the postseason. of the game, but in any case, it’s a rare decision. What’s so interesting about it, and frankly admirable, is how Dubas has stuck to that plan What’s going to be really interesting, is handing those 23 flutes off to despite overwhelming internal and external pressure from others to Babcock and saying, “OK, maximize the success of this group” given his change courses, to add snarl and add pure defenders. I should note that well-known love of percussion. No person in the organization, it would I count myself among those in that group, as I’ve said many, many times seem, has a bigger summer ahead of them than Mike. It’s going to take that I question the team’s ability to hang in when games get thick and the acceptance that this roster is to be used differently from what may physical. That said, there’s a level of skill where I’d have to relent and have been his preferences in the past. Let’s not kid ourselves about say “Boy, OK, that should be enough talent that it’s just not going to Babs’ situation: he was considered on the hot seat after this past matter how tough they are.” With the addition of Tyson Barrie, a fully postseason, and Dubas has quadrupled down on his vision. A healthy Leafs team may just be there. combination of deploying that group in a manner differently than something-near what Dubas wants and about a month-long swing of When I say external pressure, the media is obviously sprinkled with down results could be all it takes for Leafs fans to start to get to know Hockey Men who’ve seen what’s worked in the past, which has always Sheldon Keefe a whole lot better than they do right now. involved some measure of grit, and so they’ve (we’ve?) championed it, at least to some degree. But it’s really the internal pressure, specifically that For me, I’ve always believed that the best teams take the most talent and from the now-departed D.J. Smith and current head coach Mike Babcock focus on defence first. That could be where Mike comes in and excels. that make Dubas’ resilience in pursuing a team in his preferred image so What the Leafs have is a group that will likely convert chances at a high impressive. Given their resumes around the NHL, and Babs’ comparably rate, which leads most people to say “then they should be up for trading large stature, that’s surely taken no small amount of gumption. chances,” but that’s not really how it works in hockey. When you open it up you may occasionally create yourself a few more looks, but to do it, To take Babs’ subtle public (and presumably less subtle private) gripes you offer a disproportionate amount against. If you never have a winger about the team’s size and grit, then to provide him with Nic Petan last in the D-zone because he’s always stretching for a breakaway pass, the season was a bit of a statement about whose vision the team was going number of times that home run play is able to be completed and to be following. Then going into the summer and moving out a piece of converted pales in comparison to the detriment of never having a winger grit in Kadri in favour of a small point-getting defenceman and a small in D-zone. So Babcock can hopefully rein in this herd of unpredictable centre (without Kadri’s dose of nasty) really drive the point home for me. offensive cats in the defensive end so they can minimize chances there, It’s not that the goal is to be small, it’s just to get as many talented while assuming their skill alone should help them put pucks in the other players as possible and see what kind of potion comes from those net. The offensive “coaching” this group will need should be roughly nil, ingredients. (I’d like to reiterate that “big” isn’t the enemy with Dubas’ particularly if Mitch Marner does indeed come back to join the fold. Leafs. They did grab Justin Brazeau who scored in junior who’s 6-foot-6, but it’s because he scored. The pattern’s not tough to follow.) If nothing else, the Maple Leafs are going to be must-see TV next season. The addition of Tyson Barrie monumentally changes the team’s So far this offseason, the Leafs prioritized keeping Andreas Johnsson ability to drive offence from the back end, something that could lead to and Kasperi Kapanen, they added Jason Spezza as a fourth-line centre the type of five-man attacks that make lazy backcheckers curse from and they signed offensive quadruple-A type forwards instead of bangers puck drop to the final buzzer. And while Alex Kerfoot is solid defensively, as their depth guys. When I first considered their lineup with the addition he too fits the Dubas mold of being able to excel in that role by using of Barrie, I thought of what kind of look this team would have on the ice. skill, not size and strength. Both are fun to watch in their own ways. The first thing to come to my mind was Team North America during the World Cup back in 2016. Their roster construction was “get the best This is all a quick reaction to the Leafs most recent move of course, but young skill on lines one through four, and see what comes next.” to me it was the real capstone on an obvious statement Dubas has been making. He’s set out to outskate and outskill everyone they’re on the rink It’s tough to think of that and imagine that style – waves of skill to against, and there aren’t many nights they shouldn’t be able to challenge other team’s depth players – not coming out on the right side accomplish that regardless of which team they line up against. of a ton of hockey games. Those are the type of rosters that come back from down three goals with a good few minutes; they’re the kind that give Will that style work? Will they have a better regular season? Can they sleepy performances and still win because they have enough finishers win playoff games that way? Can they win a Stanley Cup? I don’t know. that they don’t need a ton of looks every night; they’re the type that seem But you don’t either, and Dubas doesn’t either, and nobody really does, very much built to win games the way the NHL seems to be headed. because few times have we seen a team willingly adopt a style of play so defined. But the Leafs’ young GM has shown the chutzpah to try It’s just fun to see one team go so all-in with it. No half-measures. something different, which in the NHL itself is an accomplishment of sorts. So now the only thing for certain, is that the Leafs are going to be There will be times the Leafs’ all-skill makeup will be questioned, one fun team to follow. particularly about their ability to win in the playoffs given their recent first- round exits and the generally accepted notion that physical play is more important in the postseason. Those questions will be fair. There’s always going to be room for physical teams – this is a physical game where you The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 can get seriously hurt in puck battles, and less physically imposing players are always going to be less eager to put themselves in harm’s way on maybe plays. That’s going to be visible sometimes with this Leafs 1107235 Washington Capitals forward,” MacLellan said. “All we can do is communicate with both the players and see how it plays itself out.”

Here’s a guess as to how it will play itself out: The Caps will work The Capitals said some tough goodbyes, but nothing like what’s to come something out with Backstrom, the Robin to Ovechkin’s Batman all these years, at least in part because it’s inconceivable to think of him in another sweater. By Barry Svrluga Backstrom: We’ve spent so much time in Washington discussing how Sports columnist criminally underrated he is that it’s a wonder he’s not overrated by now. Yet he’s not. Since he came into the league in 2007-08, here is the list of July 2 at 1:25 PM players who have recorded more points than No. 19: Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and Evgeni Malkin. All will be Hall of Famers — as

will Backstrom, it seems apparent by now. Maybe the clean break from the Stanley Cup, for you, came in April with By next summer, Backstrom will be 32. He is due to make $8 million in that loss in Game 7 to the Carolina Hurricanes, which still seems a this, the final season of a 10-year, $67-million contract. It seems ridiculous thing to type. Maybe it came in June, when the St. Louis Blues impossible to envision the two sides saying, “Sorry, but it didn’t work out.” skated around with the chalice on Boston’s ice, setting up their own summer of absurdity. Both are reasonable assessments. The Holtby? It’d be nice to say the same, both for his goaltending and for his Washington Capitals won the 2018 Cup, but that is in the past, slipping thoughtful involvement in the community. But here’s a little comparison further away each day. the Caps have made: Sergei Bobrovsky, the two-time Vezina Trophy- winning goalie with the Columbus Blue Jackets, has a save percentage For me, though, it took until the past few weeks, even the past couple of of .921, a goals-against average of 2.41 over a nine-year career, and he days, for the Cup run to seem more distant. Last summer, General turns 31 this fall. Holtby, with both a Vezina Trophy and a Stanley Cup to Manager Brian MacLellan spent time, effort and money — Ted Leonsis’s his credit with the Caps, has a save percentage of .918, a goals-against money — to keep the team that won the Cup almost completely intact, average of 2.47 over a nine-year career, and he turns 31 next fall. save for the coach, which is a separate matter. This summer, he has spent time, effort and money — not a ton of money — in exchanging Seem similar? some of those pieces for new parts. “It’s a comparable,” MacLellan said. “It’s a peer, and they look like pretty This isn’t blowing it up, because the backbone of this team is still Alex similar players.” Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tom Wilson and Braden Holtby — all here, for now. The changes afoot feel The issue: Bobrovsky just agreed to a seven-year, $70-million contract minor, even as fully a third of the roster has been overhauled. And they with Florida. The Capitals have Carlson signed through 2025-26, serve as a prelude to the major decisions afoot, which are, to borrow Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie signed through 2024-25, Wilson signed Leonsis’s term, monumental. We’ll get to those. through 2023-24 — and that’s before deciding what to do with the iconic Ovechkin, who is signed through only this season and next. Seven years Think about what’s different, though. The Caps who won the Cup had and big money for Holtby would put them on the hook through 2026-27. defensemen Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen, once MacLellan’s Yikes. signature free agent acquisitions, now retired and traded away, respectively. The Caps who won the Cup had forwards Brett Connolly There are two other factors: First, the development of goaltending and Andre Burakovsky, the former quietly consistent, the latter prospect Ilya Samsonov, still just 21. Second, next year’s expansion draft consistently maddening, both departed. And it’s still inescapable that the to fuel the new Seattle franchise, in which each existing teams can Caps who won the Cup had Barry Trotz as the head man behind the protect only one goalie. If Samsonov develops as he should, and Holtby bench, the same Barry Trotz who was last seen collecting the Jack is an expensive free agent, the hard decision could become easy: protect Adams Award as the NHL’s coach of the year — for the New York the cheap up-and-comer rather than re-sign the (really) expensive Islanders. veteran. Plus, if Bobrovsky set the market — and he did — why should Holtby take less? He shouldn’t. Minor moves? Maybe. But of the 20 Caps who will be in uniform for opening night of the 2019-20 season, at least seven will be different from So, have another good year, but goodbye, Braden? the 20 who wore Capitals sweaters on June 7, 2018 — Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals in Las Vegas. This is all, of course, some form of natural evolution. The result of that evolution, though, is the Stanley Cup feels further in arrears this morning “I think the core remains the same, and that’s the strength of our team: than it did a week ago. At this time next summer, it will be an experience the core players,” MacLellan said on a conference call with reporters that’s just two years old — but might seem far more distant than that. Monday. “I think it’s just a natural evolution. I think we were fortunate last year to bring most of the guys back. When you have a successful team and guys [are] playing well, they’re going to get paid for that success, Washington Post LOADED: 07.03.2019 and players move on.” Natural evolution, in this case, means feeling even further from that unforgettable night in Vegas. In the fall, we’ll get to know Richard Panik, who effectively will replace Connolly as the third-line right wing, as well as fourth-line forwards Brendan Liepsic and Garnet Hathaway. MacLellan seems pleased with his tinkers even as some Metropolitan Division rivals took much bigger swings. “I think the guys we brought in are really good players,” he said, “so I think our team’s situated well.” Given that MacLellan’s most heavily criticized offseason, the summer of 2017, led to a Stanley Cup, he has earned the benefit of the doubt. Amazing how winning changes the lens. But this summer is just the overture. However we end up evaluating, say, Panik, whose only four-year offer came from Washington, vs. Connolly, who got $2 million more over four years from Florida, it will eventually seem secondary to the upcoming discussions with Backstrom and Holtby. Both are central characters not just on that Stanley Cup-winning team, but to hockey in Washington. Both are due to be free agents after this season. Panik for Connolly? That’s window dressing for the scary stuff to come. “I’ll sit down with Backstrom and Holtby here as the summer progresses, probably in August sometime, and just talk to them both and talk about the situation in the organization and what the possibilities might be going 1107236 Washington Capitals a similar scenario with forward Kasperi Kapanen this summer. With limited cap space given all the big names on its roster, Toronto passed on a long-term deal and gave Kapanen a three-year, 9.6 million bridge What kind of contract will Capitals RFA Jakub Vrana get? contract on June 28. The salary-cap hit is $3.2 million. And the similarities to Vrana are eerie.

Kapanen was chosen 22ndoverall in the first round of the 2014 draft. By Brian McNally Vrana went 13ththat same draft class. Kapanen had 20 goals and 24 assists (44 points) in his age-22 season this past year. Vrana had 24 July 02, 2019 2:44 PM goals and 23 assists (47 points). Vrana is a February 1996 birthday and Kapanen is July 1996.

Kapanen averaged 16:37 of ice time last year. Vrana was at 14:02. After a busy day of free agency on Monday, Capitals general manager Neither player is a factor yet on their top power-play units and instead Brian MacLellan has one last major order of business before training work with the second group (93:28 for Vrana to 61:54 for Kapanen), but camp: Sign restricted free agent Jakub Vrana. Kapanen does kill penalties (125:22) and Vrana (:30)… does not. During his age 22/23 season, Vrana broke through with 24 goals and About the only major difference is that Kapanen played 38 NHL games in established himself as a legitimate top-six forward on an aging team that 2017-18 and spent much of that year in the AHL while Vrana played 73 needs its young talent to produce if it wants to continue as a Stanley Cup games (13 goals, 14 assists) in the NHL and was a factor in the Stanley contender. Cup playoffs with three goals and five assists. But even then Kapanen Where does that rank this past decade? Since the 2010-11 season, a has four goals and an assist in 20 playoff games with the Maple Leafs player who began a year age 22 or younger scored 24 goals or more 95 the past three years. times. That list is crowded with elite stars like Connor McDavid, Nathan No comparison is perfect. The Capitals took a similar tact with Andre McKinnon, Patrick Kane and Taylor Hall who are beyond Vrana’s scope. Burakovsky in 2017. He had four fewer goals (36) than Vrana (40) in 20 Younger players like Jack Eichel, Sebastian Aho and Auston Matthews, extra games (196) through their entry-level deals. He’d also been more meanwhile, all did it as teenagers. The total list includes 55 different up-and-down with nine goals, 17 and back to 12 in an injury-shortened players – and 29 of them had done it multiple times at Vrana’s age. 2016-17 season (64 games) and never had the decisive breakthrough year that Vrana did last year. The point isn’t that he’s at their level. It’s that he’s in some elite company and likely will stay there. Go down that list of 55 players and you will find Unsure quite what they had, the Capitals gave Burakovsky a two-year very few, if any, who were one-hit wonders. bridge contract for $6 million. After seeing out that, they decided to move on and traded Burakovsky last week to Colorado for a second and third- Maybe Columbus’ Boone Jenner? He had 30 goals at age 22 in 2015-16 round draft pick. and hasn’t topped 18 since. Even Milan Lucic, who had 30 goals for Boston in 2010-11, managed four more 20-goal seasons, though he has Vrana has already reached a higher tier. But restricted free agents don’t never again matched that one. Otherwise, that 55-man group has almost have much leverage and Vrana isn’t eligible for arbitration until after next universally provided at least steady production. season. The Capitals only had to give him a qualifying offer of $874,125, which is 105% of his base salary on his entry-level contract ($832,500). Given all that, what do the Capitals have to offer Vrana this summer? Washington is tight against the salary cap with about $4.2 million left to Washington has enough money to quadruple that, but not the cap space add one forward (they’d keep 13 instead of 14) and one defenseman for now to give a five or six-year contract extension that would buy out (Christian Djoos has a $715,000 qualifying offer on the table). That would Vrana’s first unrestricted free agent years which begin in 2023-24 and leave around $3.5 million – though there are ways to tweak that cap 2024-25. A two-year contract means less money for Vrana, but the space. chance to re-set sooner and bet on himself. A three-year deal through 2022 and his age-25 season means more security and makes the most “We’re in ongoing discussions with [Vrana’s] representatives,” MacLellan sense for both sides. Now it’s a matter of getting it done. said. “We’re pretty close to the cap number. We have a couple of things we can do flexibility wise to create a little space if we need to.” Aho is a restricted free agent like Vrana and just signed a lucrative offer Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.03.2019 sheet from the Montreal Canadiens worth $42.27 million over five years. Aho’s current team, the Carolina Hurricanes, said Tuesday they intend to match it. The comparison is far from perfect because Aho had more points at age 19 (49) than Vrana did at age 22. He is already an elite player with 83 points in the last year of his entry-level contract. But would the Capitals worry about a similar strategy being used to poach Vrana knowing they don’t have a ton of room to maneuver financially? Why wouldn’t another team in the Metropolitan Division offer something a little high – say $12.5 million over three years – to at worst force Washington to match and trade a piece of its roster in the process? The average annual value of $4.17 million on that kind of deal is key because it’s just below the $4.227 million threshold where a team would have to give back a first and third-round draft pick for signing Vrana to an offer sheet. The compensation in that case: Just a second-round draft pick in 2020. Hard to argue Vrana isn’t worth that. The issue is more likely Vrana wouldn’t bother signing. Unless it’s absolutely his intent to leave Washington, where he already has a top-six role and has won the Stanley Cup, signing an offer sheet for a raise of less than $1 million only to return to teammates wondering why you just helped make their roster worse probably isn’t a good idea. The Canadiens made the Aho offer because they figured Carolina might not be willing to pay the signing bonus money and salary ($21.9 million) they put into the first calendar year of the offer. The Capitals aren’t really worried about all this in part because Vrana falls outside that top tier of restricted free agents. “I think everything we do we’re aware that it might be a possibility,” MacLellan said. “I think in this market there are probably other players that are in front of him, but I guess you never know. We’re cautious. I think we feel comfortable.” Assuming that rare offer sheet move doesn’t happen, let’s find a good recent comparable of team and player. The Toronto Maple Leafs were in 1107237 Washington Capitals the NHLPA to consider which likely would not be pleased about a member walking away from that much money, thus hurting other free agent goalies’ chances of getting what they are worth. Signing Braden Holtby to an extension just got a whole lot harder Ultimately, Holtby can choose to sign for less if he wants, but it is naive to believe he will not at least face pressure not to do so. By J.J. Regan Second, you have to consider the term. If he re-signs before July 1, 2020, Holtby could sign a maximum eight-year deal which would keep July 02, 2019 6:00 AM him in Washington until he is 38. Will he still be the same caliber goalie at that point as he is now?

Starting goalies do not grow on trees and yes, a 38-year-old Holtby may July 1 did not mark just the start for NHL free agency, it is also the first still be better than a number of other starters in the NHL, but he may not. day of the league year. That means Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Also, even if you commit to him long-term you do so at the expense of Holtby are officially on the final year of their contracts with the Capitals. the highly touted prospect Ilya Samsonov. After both players played a significant role in helping the team win its first Stanley Cup in 2018, both will always have a special place in the team’s Samsonov is widely considered the team’s top prospect and is expected history. But the question now is whether they will have a part in its future. to one day replace Holtby as the starter. You do not sign Holtby for eight years if that remains the plan. “I’ll sit down with Backstrom and Holtby here as the summer progresses, probably in August sometime, and just talk to them both and talk about And then there’s Seattle. the situation in the organization and what the possibilities might be going forward,” general manager Brian MacLellan said on a conference call The Seattle expansion draft will take place in June 2021. Bobrovsky has Monday. “All we can do is communicate with both the players and see a no-movement clause through the 2023-24 season which guarantees how it plays itself out.” that Florida must protect him from the draft. That would be a problem for Washington. After Monday, however, the prospect of re-signing Holtby just got a heck of a lot more difficult. Teams can only protect one goalie in the expansion draft meaning if you are dreaming of a Holtby-Samsonov goalie tandem, it’s not going to Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, 30, signed a seven-year, $70 million contract happen. Keeping both means leaving one exposed to Seattle and both with the Florida Panthers. For you non-math majors out there, that deal would be prime targets, one as a young and budding starter while the comes with a $10 million cap hit. It also comes with a full no-movement other is an established veteran. If Holtby wants to sign in Washington clause for the first five years. long-term, it will be because he wants to stay in Washington and thus it is not unreasonable to think he will want a no-movement clause to ensure That is a big deal and a lot of cap space. It is also bad news for he is not taken by Seattle. If you give him one, however, that would mean Washington. the end of Samsonov’s time with the organization. MacLellan is not going to keep Samsonov around just so he can split time with Holtby and get With very similar career numbers, Holtby is an obvious comparison to plucked by Seattle. Bobrovsky. The bottom line is that you do not sign Holtby for a further eight years Bobrovsky: 2.46 GAA, .919 save percentage, 33 shutouts, two Vezina without already deciding to move on from Samsonov. If the team has any Trophies faith at all in the young netminder as a starter, that is not a deal you can Holtby: 2.47 GAA, .918 save percentage, 35 shutouts, one Vezina afford to make with Holtby. Trophy Even if MacLellan was leaning towards moving Samsonov in favor of The playoffs, however, are a different story. Bobrovsky has won only one Holtby, it may not make financial sense to do so if Holtby pushes for playoff series in his entire career. Holtby, meanwhile, led the Caps to a anything close to fair value based on what Bobrovsky's contract. Stanley Cup. The level of success both players have had is accurately Bobrovsky’s new deal can essentially serve as a template for what Holtby reflected in their playoff stats. will be worth next offseason. This begs the question: Is it worth Bobrovsky: 11-18 record, 3.14 GAA, .902 save percentage, no shutouts committing that much cap room and that much term to a 30-year-old goalie even if it means moving on from the team’s top prospect? If the Holtby: 48-41 record, 2.09 GAA, .928 save percentage, seven shutouts, answer is no, then this will likely be Holtby’s last season manning the one Stanley Cup crease in Washington. Holtby’s playoff GAA ranks 16th all-time and his save percentage ranks 5th. He is one year younger than Bobrovsky which means he will be the same age, 30, when his contract expires as Bobrovsky is now. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.03.2019 At the very least, Bobrovsky and Holtby are comparable. In fact, MacLellan seemed to indicate he felt Holtby’s resume was the more impressive of the two. “It’s a comparable,” MacLellan said of Bobrovsky’s new contract. “It’s a peer and they look like pretty similar players. They’ve had similar success and Holtby’s had a Stanley Cup on his resume.” Holtby has already indicated he would like to stay in Washington, but Bobrovsky’s new deal complicates things by setting the market for a goalie of Holtby’s caliber likely at a price the Caps cannot afford in more ways than one. First, there is the cap hit. The entire 2019 offseason has been defined by how close the team is to the cap ceiling which led to trading away Matt Niskanen and MacLellan’s admission to giving more term than he would have otherwise to free agents in order to keep their cost low. Besides Backstrom and Holtby, the only other UFA coming off the books at the end of the 2019-20 season is Radko Gudas. Will that extra $2.345 million of space be enough to re-sign both Backstrom and Holtby? Probably not considering we are talking about a raise of $3.9 million for Holtby alone from $6.1 million to $10 million. Sure, Holtby could elect to take less than $10 million per year, but how much less? One, two million? Multiply that by seven years, or eight as Washington could sign him for the extra year if he stays, and that would mean he could potentially be leaving $16 million on the table. Holtby has an agent whose job it is to make his client as much money as possible who would no doubt advise Holtby not to make such a deal. There is also 1107238 Winnipeg Jets

Jets sign journeymen Letestu, Bitetto

By: Mike McIntyre Posted: 07/2/2019 11:00 PM | Last Modified: 07/2/2019 11:43 PM | Updates

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ Mark Letestu fights for a puck against the Washington Capitals on April 19, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Letestu signed with the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Depth continues to be the name of the game for the cash-strapped Winnipeg Jets. Veteran centre Mark Letestu and journeyman defenceman Anthony Bitetto joined the organization Tuesday in a pair of free-agent signings, giving the club a couple of experienced options for the upcoming season. Both players signed one-year, two-way deals that will pay each of them US$700,000 at the NHL level (the league minimum) and US$350,000 if playing with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. The 34-year-old Letestu has 560 NHL games under his belt, with 93 goals and 117 assists during previous stops with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets. He is no stranger to Jets fans: the Alberta product scored five times in three games against Winnipeg during the 2016-17 season while playing with the Oilers, including the short-handed, game-winning goal in the Heritage Classic held at Investors Group Field. Letestu spent this past season with the Blue Jackets organization, appearing in two NHL games. He had 21 goals and 29 assists in 64 games with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. Given the current lineup, Letestu looks to be a decent bet to start the season on the 23-man roster. He is a good faceoff man who can also kill penalties, which will be qualities that endear him to the Jets. Anthony Bitetto will be joining the Jets after finishing 2018-19 with the Minnesota Wild. Bitetto, 28, has played 132 NHL games with the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild. He has two goals and 17 assists in that span. The left-shooting blue-liner from New York is 6-1, 210 pounds. He is the third defenceman signed in free agency by the Jets, after Nathan Beaulieu and Cameron Schilling inked one-year deals on Monday. At this point, he is likely on the bubble to either start in the NHL or AHL. The Jets organization currently has 40 players under contract for the upcoming season to fill rosters for the Jets and Moose. The NHL maximum is 50, meaning there is room to make additional signings. The biggest obstacle in the way is the US$81.5-million salary cap, which applies to the 23-player NHL roster. The Jets are expected to be near the ceiling once restricted free agents Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, Andrew Copp and Neal Pionk sign new deals this summer. Defenceman Ben Chiarot continues to be on the radar, with money being the major sticking point. The Jets are certainly interested in bringing back the unrestricted free agent, with a two-year, US$6-million deal apparently on the table at one point Monday. However, Chiarot continues to explore his options with other potential suitors. Other Winnipeg unrestricted free agents have already found new homes. Kevin Hayes joined the Philadelphia Flyers, Tyler Myers is now with the Vancouver Canucks, Brandon Tanev will suit up with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Par Lindholm is now a member of the Boston Bruins.

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 07.03.2019 1107239 Winnipeg Jets summer. None have arbitration rights, and Aho's contract is now going to serve as a team-friendly template going forward.

Bergevin isn't the only one to blame here. I suspect plenty of agents Montreal GM takes one for the team; not his team, mind you... aren't very happy with Aho's representative, Gerry Johannson, for how this entire matter was handled. After all, they didn't have to sign the offer sheet presented by Montreal. But they did, knowing it would guarantee By: Mike McIntyre that's exactly how much Aho will make over the next five years, with the only question over whether it would be the Canadiens or Hurricanes Posted: 07/2/2019 5:08 PM paying it. Both Waddell and Dundon went so far as to suggest Montreal was sold a "false bill of goods," and were "manipulated," into this little arrangement Kevin Cheveldayoff might want to put together a lovely fruit basket to by Johannson, which really isn't a good look for anyone. Except send to Marc Bergevin. Kyle Dubas, Julien BriseBois and Brad Treliving Johannson likely made his client very happy, getting him a deal with $21 should probably chip in, as well. Maybe add a bottle or two of Bergevin's million up front and remaining with a franchise he's said to very much favourite scotch while they're at it. Perhaps some protein powder, too. enjoy playing for, even though Bergevin was singing a bit of a different And a nice card that says, "Not sure what you were thinking, but thanks tune Monday. for the help!" What. A. Mess. After all, the Montreal Canadiens general manager just made life a lot Of course, it's possible Bergevin will now have another move up his easier for several of his NHL counterparts with his ill-conceived attempt sleeve, trying to stave off some of the embarrassment. After filing the at an offer sheet that quickly blew up in spectacular fashion. NHL's first offer sheet in six years, could he quickly launch the second? By signing Carolina superstar-in-the-making Sebastian Aho to a five- It's certainly possible, especially with the majority of the big-name year, $42.27-million offer sheet on Monday, Bergevin played right into the unrestricted free agents already finding new homes Monday while hands of Hurricanes, hurt his team in the process and set a new Bergevin and company were occupied with this little stunt. benchmark across the league that should help many of his rivals, Carolina is likely going to drag this out the full seven days they have to including the Winnipeg Jets. match the offer sheet, just to make life as difficult as possible for This is the equivalent of an own goal. In overtime. Of a playoff game. Montreal during that time. The Canadiens can't go spending money — or putting the same draft picks on the line — until the formal paperwork has Sure, the contract is heavily front-loaded and filled with bonuses, which been filed by the Hurricanes. means giving Aho nearly half the cash within the first year, but that's a price Carolina's billionaire owner, Tom Dundon, is willing to pay. The But once they do, perhaps Bergevin will take a run at the likes of Marner, organization made that crystal clear in quickly announcing they will Point, Tkachuk, Connor or Laine, provided they haven't signed new match, essentially mocking the Canadiens for the offer both at news contracts by that time. conferences and even on their cheeky social media account. However, given how his lame attempt at Aho quickly fizzled, I'm not sure (On the official team Twitter, they put up a poll asking followers if they that strikes much fear in any of his fellow GMs. In fact, they may be at the would match Montreal's offer. The two options were "Yes" and "Oui." point of hoping he actually does it, simply to help make their jobs a lot easier. The fact is, Carolina will now get their top young star under contract for $8.45 million per season, which is substantially less than Aho was said to If that's the case, they might want to have another fruit basket on be seeking and no doubt less than the Hurricanes were anticipating standby. paying him. Yes, the deal will walk him right into unrestricted free agency in five years, which really is the only downside from Carolina's perspective. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 07.03.2019 Otherwise, they now have Aho on a team-friendly contract which will allow them to keep building around him and try to take the next step forward after advancing to the Eastern Conference Final last season. This also saved them plenty of work, and headaches, over what could have been a long, drawn-out and messy process. "I know my summer just got better, because I'm not going to be negotiating a contract all summer," said Hurricanes GM Don Waddell, who could barely hide his glee. As for Montreal, they are left holding a bag of cash, with nothing to show for it except plenty of egg on their face. Seriously, what was Bergevin thinking here? This was such a ridiculous attempt you'd almost think he was in cahoots with Carolina, rather than trying to steal their best player from them. Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, there are seven different levels of compensation for an offer sheet, all based on salary. Bergevin went with the third-highest, stopping just dollars short of the second-highest. Carolina would have received just a first, second and third-round draft pick for Aho had they opted to walk away. That's hardly worth it, considering what they'd be losing. Bergevin only had to add a few more dollars to get into the next tier, which would have given Carolina an additional first-round draft pick. And perhaps that would have been something to mull over. Instead, he cheaped out for some inexplicable reason, making it far too easy to match. And, in the process, Aho's contract is now going to be held up by the likes of Cheveldayoff, Dubas, BriseBois and Treliving who have their own young stars to deal with this summer as RFAs. Good luck getting $11 million or $12 million, Mitch Marner, when a comparable young skater (Aho is a year younger and scores more) just got inked for considerably less. Same goes for you, Brayden Point in Tampa, Matthew Tkachuk in Calgary and yes, Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine in Winnipeg. Along with Aho, those four players are the other big-name RFAs who are coming out of their entry-level deals and need new contracts this 1107240 Winnipeg Jets He’s also looking forward to playing at Bell MTS Place for the first time as a visiting player on Oct. 13.

“When you spend a lot of time somewhere, you build a lot of Tanev eager for fresh start with Penguins: Former Jets forward looks relationships,” said Tanev. “It’s going to be exciting to come back to a back at time fondly place I called home for four years. It will be nice to get back into a great rink with a great atmosphere and to see some of the guys.” Ken Wiebe Tanev’s absence is going to leave a void for the Jets, who knew it was going to be a challenge to keep him in the fold.

“Brandon believed in us when he signed as a free agent,” said Jets Brandon Tanev was looking for some security, a raise and an opportunity general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. “I think there was a lot of people to go to a Stanley Cup contender. looked at him and said, ‘What’s he going to bring to the table?’ Credit to our scouting staff and for believing in him. And credit for him for believing And when free agency officially opened on Monday, the former Winnipeg in us. We gave him a good opportunity here. He’s a big part of the team Jets winger found all three of those things in his deal with the Pittsburgh and he’s going to be missed.” Penguins, inking a six-year contract worth $21 million and carries an average annual value of $3.5 million. Brandon Tanev “I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Tanev said in a telephone interview on Signed a six-year deal worth $21 million with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday afternoon. “It was something I was looking for in a long-term Monday, which carries an AAV of $3.5 million deal. Pittsburgh is a team that has had success in the past and has a great group of core players. Age: 27 “I was excited to hear about the role and identity they had in mind for me, Position: Left/Right wing and where I would fit in their lineup. I’m looking forward to being a part of Height: 6-feet it.” Weight: 180 pounds Tanev, 27, picked a perfect time to enter the marketplace. 2018-19 NHL stats: 80 GP, 14 G, 15 A, 29 P, 41 PIM, 81 blocked shots, He’s always been a physical force (finishing third in the NHL in hits last 278 hits, 14:07 TOI season while setting a Jets franchise record for most hits in a season with 278) and is a shot-blocking machine (he had 81 last season and has Career stats: 195 GP, 24 G, 27 A, 51 P, 87 PIM, 170 blocked shots, 601 170 in 195 NHL games), but he upped his offensive game last season, hits, 12:44 TOI chipping in career highs in goals (14), assists (15) and points (29).

Those are the type of numbers that can help a guy get paid, especially when there are multiple options available to him as an unrestricted free Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.03.2019 agent. “When you’re surrounded by great players, it helps you put yourself in good situations and the game becomes easier,” said Tanev, who got a hefty raise from the $1.15 million he made last season. “I can’t thank the coaching staff enough for the opportunity and the confidence that they instilled in me.” Tanev was an undrafted free agent after completing his NCAA career with the Providence College Friars, so he wasn’t completely foreign to being wooed by a team. “It was a similar process and that made the whole process a little bit easier,” said Tanev. “You’re deciding on where you’re going to be living, the team you’re going to be playing for and what you think is going to be best for your career.” Coming out of college, Tanev was mostly an unknown, a guy who scored the game-winning goal in the Frozen Four championship game in 2016 but someone looked at as a speedy skater who goes to the dirty areas and could contribute on the penalty kill. The Penguins aren’t bringing Tanev in to ride shotgun with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. He’s going to be asked to provide energy on a checking line and to contribute double digits in goals. While it’s human nature to want to perform well and live up to the big dollars in a new contract, Tanev isn’t planning to put any undue pressure on himself. “My goal is to continue to get better and better and to help the team in any way or any situation that I’m placed in. That’s going to be my mindset going into the season,” said Tanev. “To build your game and to improve on certain aspects of that and I’ve been able to do that during the past three or four years in Winnipeg.” Tanev thoroughly enjoyed his time in Winnipeg and had plenty of highlights from his three seasons and change with the Jets. “I started my career in Winnipeg and it was a tough decision,” said Tanev. “I’m excited for a new start, but at the same time, I can’t think the Jets, the organization, the city and the fans for everything that they’ve done for me during my time in Winnipeg. “The last four years have been unbelievable. The Jets organization did everything to help me get my career off the ground.” The reunion with some of his former teammates won’t take long either, as the Jets close out a four-game road trip to start the season with a stop in Pittsburgh on Oct. 8. 1107241 Winnipeg Jets

Jets add Bitetto for depth: Another blue-liner comes on board

Ken Wiebe

The Winnipeg Jets are bringing another experienced blue-liner into the mix with the addition of Anthony Bitetto. Bitetto agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way deal worth $700,000 in the NHL and $350,000 in the American Hockey League on Tuesday morning and he’s expected to challenge for a job on the third pairing. The left-handed shooting defenceman can play either side and has 132 NHL games on his resume. Chosen in the sixth round (168th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators, Bitetto had three assists in 36 games last season split between the Predators and Minnesota Wild. Bitetto has two goals and 19 points during his five NHL seasons while averaging 12:18 of ice time per game. Bitetto, who turns 29 later this month, was claimed off waivers by the Wild on Jan. 25 and appeared in 18 games with Minnesota. The Jets defence corps is in the midst of a massive overhaul, with Jacob Trouba traded to the New York Rangers, Tyler Myers signing with the Vancouver Canucks and unrestricted free agents Ben Chiarot and Joe Morrow expected to land elsewhere. Winnipeg brought back defenceman Nathan Beaulieu on a one-year deal worth $1 million on July 1 after he wasn’t presented with a qualifying offer last week, while veteran Cameron Schilling was retained as well. Beaulieu should be in the mix to play alongside either Dustin Byfuglien or Neal Pionk, while Schilling is expected to anchor the Manitoba Moose blue line – though he showed well during a four-game recall to the Jets last season. The Jets also signed depth forward Mark Letestu on Tuesday afternoon to a one-year, two-way deal that includes a salary of $700,000 in the NHL and $350,000 in the AHL. Letestu, 34, has 93 goals and 210 points in 560 career NHL games, but spent the bulk of last season with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL, producing 21 goals and 50 points in 64 games. The right-handed shooting centre is expected to spend the bulk of his time with the Moose, though he would be an experienced recall option along with Logan Shaw and Seth Griffith.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.03.2019 1107242 Winnipeg Jets Niklas Kronwall — 38 years old, LD Niklas Kronwall’s days of gaudy offensive totals, deep-ballot Norris votes, and sterling possession numbers are behind him. Still, Detroit played The Jets were a patient, quiet winner on Day 1 of free agency — but still Kronwall like a top four defenceman through the end of last season at 5- need to fix their defence on-5, the penalty kill and on the power play too. With 27 points in back- to-back seasons, Kronwall can still play and still help but there are many reasons to doubt his usefulness to Winnipeg. By Murat Ates 1. Kronwall’s 15-year career with the Detroit Red Wings. Why sign Jul 2, 2019 anywhere else? 2. Fading ability to impact play. The Red Wings are mired in a rebuild and Detroit’s performance was better with Kronwall on the ice than With one exception, July 1 marked a minor UFA exodus from Winnipeg. without him but it still wasn’t great. The gamble in Winnipeg would be that Byfuglien as a partner instead of Mike Green could turn Kronwall back Brandon Tanev, who played his heart out for the Jets, was rewarded by into a possession-positive player. Pittsburgh with a six-year, $3.5 million AAV contract. Tyler Myers did the same and earned a five year, $6 million AAV contract from Vancouver. Evolving Wild projects Kronwall’s salary at $2.6 million and that’s likely a Par Lindholm signed in Boston for two years at an $850,000 AAV. fair deal, particularly if it’s one year long. I just don’t see a reason for Kronwall to sign that contract anywhere other than Detroit. Nathan Beaulieu, who Winnipeg acquired from Buffalo, re-signed with the Jets for one year at $1 million — a likely value contract for a player keen Jake Gardiner — 28 years old, LD to bet on himself. Jake Gardiner is a good bet to be a top-four calibre defenceman and, at This patience and frugality was exactly the right play for the Jets. 28, is close to his prime. He’s played big minutes in Toronto, averaging over half a point per game over his past three seasons, and looks good As much as we laud the clubs that make big free agency signings, a by possession metrics. Evolving Wild’s RAPM model, designed to quick look through July 1 history shows a painful collection of contracts estimate a player’s isolated impact on play from his teammates, shows that — with the exception of the NHL’s true superstars — provide very Gardiner as someone who contributes positively to shot attempts, little value. It’s not an indictment of players like Tanev, Myers, or the expected goals, and real goals too. players who made Down Goes Brown’s list. They don’t change as players or people because teams got into a bidding war over their In short, Gardiner would more than make up for the loss of Myers — he’d services. It’s simply a reflection of how the game is rigged. be an upgrade. The problem, of course, is that his price will reflect that too. Players (typically) come into the league on an entry-level contract. The maximum price of ELCs is artificially limited by the CBA. When that ends, Evolving Wild projects Gardiner’s salary at $6.8 million and, without players (typically) become restricted free agents. With just one team major roster surgery, that takes him out of the running as a solution for bidding for a player’s services and not a lot of tools to fight with — Winnipeg. arbitration is one; holdouts are another — the price of a player’s second contract is kept down, too. Some would argue that’s changing but the fact Ben Hutton — 26 years old, LD is that the game is built to keep RFA prices low and ELC prices even lower. Back in the affordable range, Ben Hutton is a player that Vancouver used in a top-four role last season who is still in his prime. That’s why unrestricted free agency is so valuable to an NHL player — why it was worth fighting for the “27 or 7” rule for UFA status that players The problem is that, despite his usage as a Canuck, Hutton’s prime enjoy today. And power to them. But if you were an NHL GM looking to doesn’t imply a top-four player. His offensive career high is still the 25 keep your cap hit down, you’d pick RFA players over UFA bidding wars points he hit as a rookie in 2015-16 and his defensive impact has been wherever possible. poor — the shot volume and shot quality Vancouver faced with Hutton on the ice last season was the worst of anyone on this list. In fact, this kind of frugality is exactly what we advocated for when free agency began. In letting someone else pay market price for Myers and The theory behind a Hutton signing would be that he was once a Tanev, the Jets saved a tremendous amount of cap space which can be promising player who was perhaps thrown in over his head in Vancouver. spent much more efficiently. I’m not sure Winnipeg can promise a safe landing spot for him but, at a contract projection of $2.1 million, Hutton should be easier to afford. There’s just one little problem. Derek Engelland — 37 years old, RD Even with the Beaulieu signing, Winnipeg’s roster still looks like this: Like Hutton, Derek Engelland is likely to be affordable. Evolving Wild The Jets have $20.4 million left to sign Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, projects his contract to come in at about $1.8 million — a number Andrew Copp, and Neal Pionk. It puts players without a lot of NHL Winnipeg could certainly afford. However, also like Hutton, Engelland’s experience into feature roles and assumes Andrei Chibisov can make the defensive impact hasn’t been good recently, while he has never put up KHL to NHL transition without needing time in the AHL. meaningful NHL point totals. The forwards look good, although the only way to spare Mark Scheifele That’s where the similarities end. Engelland has a track record of modest and Blake Wheeler PK time is to use all of Copp, Connor, Adam Lowry, ability on the PK — an area Winnipeg could use help in. Also, instead of Bryan Little, Jack Roslovic, and Mason Appleton shorthanded. That’s having very bad possession numbers on a bad team, Engelland has likely doable but would come with growing pains for Roslovic and merely average possession numbers on a great team. It’s only when you Appleton. isolate him from his teammates with Evolving Wild’s RAPM model or Micah McCurdy’s heat maps that Engelland’s weaknesses become truly It’s the defence that still needs work. I haven’t listed Winnipeg’s latest apparent. signing, Anthony Bitetto, because I’m not convinced he makes the NHL team. Bitetto, 28, signed a one year, two-way contract worth $700,000 in One intangible fans might appreciate? Engelland has been a leader for the NHL or $350,000 in the AHL on Tuesday. the Golden Knights and their community, helping rally Vegas with a passionate speech at team’s 2017 home opener. Thanks in part to his Dustin Byfuglien and Josh Morrissey are the only defencemen who have response to that tragedy and his ongoing charitable work, Engelland won excelled in top four NHL roles. Health is an issue. The Jets’ D-corps the 2018 Mark Messier leadership award. listed above missed well over 100 games to injury in 2018-19, or roughly a quarter of their total schedule. And even if everyone stays healthy, I’m not convinced that off-ice accomplishments are worth a $1.8 million none of Sami Niku, Tucker Poolman, or Pionk are NHL veterans — the UFA contract but Engelland might be a player of interest. best version of each player’s season likely comes with growing pains. Adam McQuaid — 32 years old, RD Such is the nature of Winnipeg’s offseason. Even after surviving Day 1 of free agency with budget and cap space mostly intact, the Jets still have a Adam McQuaid is a third pairing defender who has had some success lot of work to do. killing offence at both ends of the ice. With that in mind, is there anyone left on the UFA market who can help Over a 10 year career, mostly played in Boston, McQuaid has been patch things up? willing to throw hits and drop the gloves while keeping a more or less clean defensive zone. He’s a throwback player and a fun one to watch at Let’s take a look at some options: that. Evolving Wild projects McQuaid’s salary at just $1 million, making him appealing from a financial point of view. Given Winnipeg’s lack of physicality on the current back end, it’s easy to For the moment, Winnipeg’s 2019-20 season looks like it’s going to be imagine the Jets wanting to add a player cut from McQuaid’s cloth. The about development on its back end. For some fans, that will be a painful problem in that scenario is that McQuaid hasn’t played much at special step backwards in the face of Winnipeg’s window to win. I would argue teams in his NHL career. Ideally, the person Winnipeg adds could kill that wasted cap space moving forward would hurt even more than that. penalties. With the UFA market as it is, Winnipeg is right to stay patient. At 5-on-5, his impact on shot volume and shot quality is the closest thing the UFA market has to Ben Chiarot not named Ben Chiarot. The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 Ben Chiarot — 28 years old, LD Kevin Cheveldayoff made it clear on Monday that, as expected, he does have an offer in with Ben Chiarot. My thinking on Chiarot’s situation has always been this: He likes the team, they like him, and if there is a palatable contract to be signed in Winnipeg, he’ll sign it. The issue is about cost and the value that comes with that cost. Despite Evolving Wild’s $2.8 million projection, I expect Chiarot to be able to command over $3 million on the open market. He played top-four minutes in Winnipeg last season, putting up good numbers alongside Byfuglien and bad numbers alongside Myers, Niku, and Kulikov. I think we’re at the point with Chiarot’s results where we know what he is: A third pairing defender who can play higher up the lineup if his partner is good enough. He’s a player who can help but, just like Winnipeg’s other UFAs, not likely to outperform UFA money. Here are Chiarot’s last three seasons shown through the lens of Evolving Wild’s RAPM model: What you’re looking at is math’s best attempt to suss out Chiarot’s impact on goals (GF), expected goals (xG), and shot attempts (CF) from the impact of his teammates. 5-on-5 is shown in the left box; power play time is shown on the right. Essentially, he’s had a negative impact on Winnipeg’s offence and a negligible one on its defence over the past three seasons. At 28 years old, this isn’t a player you break the bank for in terms of money or term. Still, Winnipeg knows by now that it can partner Chiarot with Byfuglien and get mostly good results. It knows who Chiarot is as a person and as a player. And perhaps most significantly, it knows what the rest of the UFA market looks like right now. It’s for this reason that I think there is still a strong possibility of Chiarot re-signing in Winnipeg. He’s not pushed out in any way by the Jets signing Bitetto so, in the end, it’s about whether Cheveldayoff’s pending offer — likely in the mid $2 million range — can be beat by other NHL teams. The way I see it, the market will decide Chiarot’s future. Joe Morrow — 26 years old, LD Joe Morrow has been through a lot in his short NHL career. He’s played for multiple teams and in multiple different roles — from top four playoff minutes in Boston to the press box in Winnipeg. Last summer, perhaps fearing the cost of Morrow’s arbitration deal, Winnipeg decided not to give him a qualifying offer and signed him to a one year, $1 million UFA contract instead. It was an interesting maneuver to be sure and one that likely took Morrow’s blessing. Now Winnipeg is in the same situation all over again. Morrow’s most recent season doesn’t suggest a raise over the $1 million he earned in 2018-19, making him an affordable option. His recent results don’t suggest he’s a front burner solution, either: Where Chiarot’s impact has been to mute offence for both teams, Morrow’s has been to increase it. The multitude of teams, partners, and roles will have made his job difficult, of course, but this is math’s best attempt to suss those things out. It’s been a difficult ride for Morrow but his price tag and his disposition as a teammate might keep him on Winnipeg’s radar as it tries to sort itself out. On Day 1 of free agency, the Jets took a measured, sober approach to fixing their defence. A look around the NHL’s remaining UFA defenceman is sobering — Winnipeg’s options are running dry. There is still a lot of time between now and training camp. There is the possibility of better-than-market prices for Copp, Pionk, or a UFA defenceman, as Winnipeg found with Beaulieu on July 1. There is the possibility that Laine or Connor sign bridge deals or team-friendly long term extensions. And of course, Winnipeg could continue to explore balance through a mid-summer trade. 1107243 Vancouver Canucks teams he can’t be traded to. Despite his value in a shutdown role, defensive-zone faceoff specialist and penalty-kill presence, Sutter can’t shake the injury bug. How will Meier’s contract extension affect Boeser negotiation? The Canucks also see Sutter as insurance should Adam Gaudette struggle to develop his game at this level. But it’s a Catch-22. The Canucks want to develop on the fly but are clearly in get-to-the-playoffs Ben Kuzma mode. “We want to take the next step with our group and part of it is young players getting better and supporting them with veterans to get to the Brock Boeser's camp believes its client merits more than the four-year, next level,” said Benning. US$24 million contract Timo Meier pocketed from the Sharks The Canucks also need to find Bo Horvat a winger. But they don’t have When Timo Meier signed a contract extension with San Jose on opening the cap space to chase free-agent winger Marcus Johansson, 28, who day of NHL free agency, it flew under the radar. But not in Vancouver was still on the market Tuesday and had an expiring cap hit of $4.58 where Brock Boeser needs a new deal. million and a 30-point season split between New Jersey and Boston. The 22-year-old Meier, a restricted free agent winger and a statistical “We’d like to add another forward,” added Benning. “We’re going to see comparable to Boeser, agreed to a four-year, US$24 million (all figures in how free agency plays out the next couple of days. There may be teams U.S. dollars) extension with the Sharks on Monday. And like any deal, who felt they didn’t get a guy and there may be trades.” the real devil is in the details. OVERTIME: Motte signed a one-year, one-way contract for $950,000. He Meier’s cap hit is $6 million but his salary is backloaded and rockets to led the Canucks in hits last season and was second among forwards in $10 million in the final year. That would serve as a qualifying offer blocked shots, fourth in take-aways and helped the penalty kill improve because he would still be a RFA. For the Canucks, this could come up in from 21st to 11th. His Corsi-For wasn’t great in a shutdown capacity and ongoing Boeser negotiations because front-loading contracts has been a 43.3 per cent puck-possession rating was 12th among roster regulars the norm. last season. The Boeser camp has an appetite for a four-year extension, but also believes the winger warrants an annual salary-cap hit of $7 million. As for how the contract would be structured as it matures, that’s a double- Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.03.2019 edged sword. When the contract expires, a considerable qualifying offer might be more prudent than going to arbitration as salaries continue to escalate for elite talent. That works best for the player. But if indifferent play and injuries become the norm, the team is staring at a big qualifier for little return. More importantly, this is an RFA off-season unlike no other. The offer-sheet play the Montreal Canadiens made Monday for Carolina Hurricanes sniper Sebastian Aho, who had 83 points (30-53) in 82 games, was matched Tuesday. It means the fleet-footed, sharpshooting forward is getting a mammoth five-year, $42.27 million extension that runs through 2023-24 and carries an annual average value of $8.454 million. Imagine what the agents for other front-line RFAs are thinking. The contract bar is usually set by the point-per-game production and other RFAs — such as Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, Mathew Tkachuk, Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor — might get higher settlements after the Aho fallout. As for Boeser, pro-rating his 56 points in 69 games works to his advantage. An 82-game pace would have brought 66 points and that’s Meier and Connor territory. They both had 66 points, Meier finishing with 30 goals and 36 assists in 78 games while Connor had 34 goals and 32 assists in 82 games. The Boeser camp believes its client merits more than what Meier pocketed because of what he has already accomplished. He has been a Calder Trophy runner-up and the potential to pile up points as a healthy and motivated winger with Elias Pettersson isn’t lost on anybody. Faith could mean a four-year commitment. Concern would be going shorter as a hedge against getting hurt or struggling. “We’ll continue to talk to (agent) Ben Hankinson and his group and try to get something figured out,” said Canucks general manager Jim Benning. That’s much easier said than done. Following the acquisitions of free-agent defencemen Tyler Myers, Jordie Benn and Oscar Fantenberg on Monday — and the Tuesday signing of RFA winger Tyler Motte — the Canucks have just $6.819 million of salary cap space. Boeser could eat that up, which means Benning is going to have to get creative. Other RFAs in Josh Leivo, Nikolay Goldobin, Josh Teves and Brogan Rafferty also need extensions and there’s a glut of forwards who wouldn’t command much in trades. Benning has tried to move Loui Eriksson. But the three years that remain on a contract that has a $6 million annual cap hit — and an actual salary of $5, $4, and $4 million as it matures — hasn’t enticed anybody. The Canucks would have to retain salary and that might not go over well. Benning could also attempt to move because the final two years of his contract, that carries annual $4.375 million cap hit, now revert to a modified no-trade clause. The centre can submit a list of 15 1107244 Vancouver Canucks Niklas Kronwall — 38 years old, LD Niklas Kronwall’s days of gaudy offensive totals, deep-ballot Norris votes, and sterling possession numbers are behind him. Still, Detroit played The Jets were a patient, quiet winner on Day 1 of free agency — but still Kronwall like a top four defenceman through the end of last season at 5- need to fix their defence on-5, the penalty kill and on the power play too. With 27 points in back- to-back seasons, Kronwall can still play and still help but there are many reasons to doubt his usefulness to Winnipeg. By Murat Ates 1. Kronwall’s 15-year career with the Detroit Red Wings. Why sign Jul 2, 2019 anywhere else? 2. Fading ability to impact play. The Red Wings are mired in a rebuild and Detroit’s performance was better with Kronwall on the ice than With one exception, July 1 marked a minor UFA exodus from Winnipeg. without him but it still wasn’t great. The gamble in Winnipeg would be that Byfuglien as a partner instead of Mike Green could turn Kronwall back Brandon Tanev, who played his heart out for the Jets, was rewarded by into a possession-positive player. Pittsburgh with a six-year, $3.5 million AAV contract. Tyler Myers did the same and earned a five year, $6 million AAV contract from Vancouver. Evolving Wild projects Kronwall’s salary at $2.6 million and that’s likely a Par Lindholm signed in Boston for two years at an $850,000 AAV. fair deal, particularly if it’s one year long. I just don’t see a reason for Kronwall to sign that contract anywhere other than Detroit. Nathan Beaulieu, who Winnipeg acquired from Buffalo, re-signed with the Jets for one year at $1 million — a likely value contract for a player keen Jake Gardiner — 28 years old, LD to bet on himself. Jake Gardiner is a good bet to be a top-four calibre defenceman and, at This patience and frugality was exactly the right play for the Jets. 28, is close to his prime. He’s played big minutes in Toronto, averaging over half a point per game over his past three seasons, and looks good As much as we laud the clubs that make big free agency signings, a by possession metrics. Evolving Wild’s RAPM model, designed to quick look through July 1 history shows a painful collection of contracts estimate a player’s isolated impact on play from his teammates, shows that — with the exception of the NHL’s true superstars — provide very Gardiner as someone who contributes positively to shot attempts, little value. It’s not an indictment of players like Tanev, Myers, or the expected goals, and real goals too. players who made Down Goes Brown’s list. They don’t change as players or people because teams got into a bidding war over their In short, Gardiner would more than make up for the loss of Myers — he’d services. It’s simply a reflection of how the game is rigged. be an upgrade. The problem, of course, is that his price will reflect that too. Players (typically) come into the league on an entry-level contract. The maximum price of ELCs is artificially limited by the CBA. When that ends, Evolving Wild projects Gardiner’s salary at $6.8 million and, without players (typically) become restricted free agents. With just one team major roster surgery, that takes him out of the running as a solution for bidding for a player’s services and not a lot of tools to fight with — Winnipeg. arbitration is one; holdouts are another — the price of a player’s second contract is kept down, too. Some would argue that’s changing but the fact Ben Hutton — 26 years old, LD is that the game is built to keep RFA prices low and ELC prices even lower. Back in the affordable range, Ben Hutton is a player that Vancouver used in a top-four role last season who is still in his prime. That’s why unrestricted free agency is so valuable to an NHL player — why it was worth fighting for the “27 or 7” rule for UFA status that players The problem is that, despite his usage as a Canuck, Hutton’s prime enjoy today. And power to them. But if you were an NHL GM looking to doesn’t imply a top-four player. His offensive career high is still the 25 keep your cap hit down, you’d pick RFA players over UFA bidding wars points he hit as a rookie in 2015-16 and his defensive impact has been wherever possible. poor — the shot volume and shot quality Vancouver faced with Hutton on the ice last season was the worst of anyone on this list. In fact, this kind of frugality is exactly what we advocated for when free agency began. In letting someone else pay market price for Myers and The theory behind a Hutton signing would be that he was once a Tanev, the Jets saved a tremendous amount of cap space which can be promising player who was perhaps thrown in over his head in Vancouver. spent much more efficiently. I’m not sure Winnipeg can promise a safe landing spot for him but, at a contract projection of $2.1 million, Hutton should be easier to afford. There’s just one little problem. Derek Engelland — 37 years old, RD Even with the Beaulieu signing, Winnipeg’s roster still looks like this: Like Hutton, Derek Engelland is likely to be affordable. Evolving Wild The Jets have $20.4 million left to sign Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, projects his contract to come in at about $1.8 million — a number Andrew Copp, and Neal Pionk. It puts players without a lot of NHL Winnipeg could certainly afford. However, also like Hutton, Engelland’s experience into feature roles and assumes Andrei Chibisov can make the defensive impact hasn’t been good recently, while he has never put up KHL to NHL transition without needing time in the AHL. meaningful NHL point totals. The forwards look good, although the only way to spare Mark Scheifele That’s where the similarities end. Engelland has a track record of modest and Blake Wheeler PK time is to use all of Copp, Connor, Adam Lowry, ability on the PK — an area Winnipeg could use help in. Also, instead of Bryan Little, Jack Roslovic, and Mason Appleton shorthanded. That’s having very bad possession numbers on a bad team, Engelland has likely doable but would come with growing pains for Roslovic and merely average possession numbers on a great team. It’s only when you Appleton. isolate him from his teammates with Evolving Wild’s RAPM model or Micah McCurdy’s heat maps that Engelland’s weaknesses become truly It’s the defence that still needs work. I haven’t listed Winnipeg’s latest apparent. signing, Anthony Bitetto, because I’m not convinced he makes the NHL team. Bitetto, 28, signed a one year, two-way contract worth $700,000 in One intangible fans might appreciate? Engelland has been a leader for the NHL or $350,000 in the AHL on Tuesday. the Golden Knights and their community, helping rally Vegas with a passionate speech at team’s 2017 home opener. Thanks in part to his Dustin Byfuglien and Josh Morrissey are the only defencemen who have response to that tragedy and his ongoing charitable work, Engelland won excelled in top four NHL roles. Health is an issue. The Jets’ D-corps the 2018 Mark Messier leadership award. listed above missed well over 100 games to injury in 2018-19, or roughly a quarter of their total schedule. And even if everyone stays healthy, I’m not convinced that off-ice accomplishments are worth a $1.8 million none of Sami Niku, Tucker Poolman, or Pionk are NHL veterans — the UFA contract but Engelland might be a player of interest. best version of each player’s season likely comes with growing pains. Adam McQuaid — 32 years old, RD Such is the nature of Winnipeg’s offseason. Even after surviving Day 1 of free agency with budget and cap space mostly intact, the Jets still have a Adam McQuaid is a third pairing defender who has had some success lot of work to do. killing offence at both ends of the ice. With that in mind, is there anyone left on the UFA market who can help Over a 10 year career, mostly played in Boston, McQuaid has been patch things up? willing to throw hits and drop the gloves while keeping a more or less clean defensive zone. He’s a throwback player and a fun one to watch at Let’s take a look at some options: that. Evolving Wild projects McQuaid’s salary at just $1 million, making him appealing from a financial point of view. Given Winnipeg’s lack of physicality on the current back end, it’s easy to For the moment, Winnipeg’s 2019-20 season looks like it’s going to be imagine the Jets wanting to add a player cut from McQuaid’s cloth. The about development on its back end. For some fans, that will be a painful problem in that scenario is that McQuaid hasn’t played much at special step backwards in the face of Winnipeg’s window to win. I would argue teams in his NHL career. Ideally, the person Winnipeg adds could kill that wasted cap space moving forward would hurt even more than that. penalties. With the UFA market as it is, Winnipeg is right to stay patient. At 5-on-5, his impact on shot volume and shot quality is the closest thing the UFA market has to Ben Chiarot not named Ben Chiarot. The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 Ben Chiarot — 28 years old, LD Kevin Cheveldayoff made it clear on Monday that, as expected, he does have an offer in with Ben Chiarot. My thinking on Chiarot’s situation has always been this: He likes the team, they like him, and if there is a palatable contract to be signed in Winnipeg, he’ll sign it. The issue is about cost and the value that comes with that cost. Despite Evolving Wild’s $2.8 million projection, I expect Chiarot to be able to command over $3 million on the open market. He played top-four minutes in Winnipeg last season, putting up good numbers alongside Byfuglien and bad numbers alongside Myers, Niku, and Kulikov. I think we’re at the point with Chiarot’s results where we know what he is: A third pairing defender who can play higher up the lineup if his partner is good enough. He’s a player who can help but, just like Winnipeg’s other UFAs, not likely to outperform UFA money. Here are Chiarot’s last three seasons shown through the lens of Evolving Wild’s RAPM model: What you’re looking at is math’s best attempt to suss out Chiarot’s impact on goals (GF), expected goals (xG), and shot attempts (CF) from the impact of his teammates. 5-on-5 is shown in the left box; power play time is shown on the right. Essentially, he’s had a negative impact on Winnipeg’s offence and a negligible one on its defence over the past three seasons. At 28 years old, this isn’t a player you break the bank for in terms of money or term. Still, Winnipeg knows by now that it can partner Chiarot with Byfuglien and get mostly good results. It knows who Chiarot is as a person and as a player. And perhaps most significantly, it knows what the rest of the UFA market looks like right now. It’s for this reason that I think there is still a strong possibility of Chiarot re-signing in Winnipeg. He’s not pushed out in any way by the Jets signing Bitetto so, in the end, it’s about whether Cheveldayoff’s pending offer — likely in the mid $2 million range — can be beat by other NHL teams. The way I see it, the market will decide Chiarot’s future. Joe Morrow — 26 years old, LD Joe Morrow has been through a lot in his short NHL career. He’s played for multiple teams and in multiple different roles — from top four playoff minutes in Boston to the press box in Winnipeg. Last summer, perhaps fearing the cost of Morrow’s arbitration deal, Winnipeg decided not to give him a qualifying offer and signed him to a one year, $1 million UFA contract instead. It was an interesting maneuver to be sure and one that likely took Morrow’s blessing. Now Winnipeg is in the same situation all over again. Morrow’s most recent season doesn’t suggest a raise over the $1 million he earned in 2018-19, making him an affordable option. His recent results don’t suggest he’s a front burner solution, either: Where Chiarot’s impact has been to mute offence for both teams, Morrow’s has been to increase it. The multitude of teams, partners, and roles will have made his job difficult, of course, but this is math’s best attempt to suss those things out. It’s been a difficult ride for Morrow but his price tag and his disposition as a teammate might keep him on Winnipeg’s radar as it tries to sort itself out. On Day 1 of free agency, the Jets took a measured, sober approach to fixing their defence. A look around the NHL’s remaining UFA defenceman is sobering — Winnipeg’s options are running dry. There is still a lot of time between now and training camp. There is the possibility of better-than-market prices for Copp, Pionk, or a UFA defenceman, as Winnipeg found with Beaulieu on July 1. There is the possibility that Laine or Connor sign bridge deals or team-friendly long term extensions. And of course, Winnipeg could continue to explore balance through a mid-summer trade. 1107245 Websites quietly did good work on the wing in Vegas and then down the middle in Ottawa; he should be a quality bargain bin pickup for someone.

Right Wing The Athletic / 2019 NHL free agency: The best options left after Day 1 Justin Williams. Mr. Game 7 remains an analytics darling, and last season he did something surprising: At 37, he played 17:27 per game, By Jonathan Willis which is his heaviest workload since 2008. It didn’t seem to hurt him; he had a great back half of the season and remained a reliable postseason Jul 2, 2019 performer. Jason Pominville. Pominville was lucky last year to spend a significant chunk of time with Jack Eichel and/or Jeff Skinner, but he was an The most impressive names in the NHL’s free agent class of 2019 signed upgrade on Buffalo’s other right wing options on that line, which only contracts on the opening day of free agency, but every year there are really caught fire when he joined it (climbing from 3.1 to 5.3 goals per value pickups to be had later in the month of July. In a league renowned hour, and from a 52 percent to 55 percent shot share). The 12:28 per for its free agent overpays, sometimes the best value goes to teams game the 36-year-old averaged was the lowest number of his career, but willing to play the role of scavenger. he still scored 16 goals and 31 points and showed himself capable of contributing offensively in the NHL. The best remaining free agents are an oddly unbalanced group. Forward strength is uneven, with the left wing strong, centre weak but with some Other options: Pontus Aberg, Josh Archibald, Troy Brouwer, Dmitrij decent depth gambles and right wing leaning mostly to one-dimensional Jaskin. Outside of the greybeards there just aren’t that many right pieces. It’s a similar story on defence, where there’s some quality on the wingers available, with the options mostly one-dimensional in one way or left side but not much on the right. other. Archibald is probably the best of the rest, a pesky, physical defence-first winger who did great work on Arizona’s penalty kill last As for goalies, any team that missed out on its Day 1 targets is probably season. better off scouring the trade market than looking for help here. Left Defence Left Wing Jake Gardiner. The best defenceman on either side of the ice still on the Ryan Dzingel. The big question with Dzingel is how well he’ll produce on market, Gardiner is arguably the only true top-four option still out there. a team that isn’t the offensive wasteland that recent Ottawa squads have He’s one season removed from 52 points, he’ll be just 29 when 2019-20 been. The 27-year-old has topped 20 goals two years running but scored rolls around and he’s posted positive shot and goal metrics for three just four after being dealt to Columbus and was mostly a non-factor in the consecutive seasons while logging 21-plus minutes per game. playoffs. His mistakes get scrutinized and playing his career in a market like Players slump after midseason trades all the time, though, and it’s not Toronto hasn’t helped, but ultimately he’s the kind of defenceman who like Dzingel was getting ridiculous minutes or killing it on the Ottawa drives play in the right direction and there isn’t anyone like him left on the power play. Forty of his 49 goals the last two years came at even market. strength and he may be underrated by the league generally. Ben Hutton. Hutton actually ranks first among free agent defenders still Micheal Ferland. There aren’t many players like Ferland out there. He’s on the market by average ice time, and at 26 he’s very much in the heart been a solid scorer three years running, adds the heavy hockey elements of his career. The problem is that he has struggled in those minutes after that GMs may love too much but do matter and has good possession and being force-fed too much responsibility on a too-thin Canucks blueline on-ice goal numbers both last season and over his career as a whole. which saw him mostly paired with Erik Gudbranson. He’s also only 27, which makes him a little less risky at term than some older free agent options. He’s a bit of a reclamation project at this point, but in the right situation might be able to step into a second pairing. He’s just one year removed Marcus Johansson. Injury has cut into Johansson’s effectiveness over from forming a fairly effective tandem with Chris Tanev. the years; he’s played just 87 regular season games since his breakout 58-point performance in 2016-17. An effective playoff run with Boston Ben Chiarot. After the first two names on this list, there really isn’t much after being a deadline pickup should help him find a home. He can help separation between the rest. Chiarot, 28, handled fairly heavy minutes for on a secondary scoring line that doesn’t have too much in the way of the Jets on a pairing with Dustin Byfuglien, and it’s fair to wonder the defensive responsibilities. degree to which he was driving on-ice results. Nevertheless, he’s big, physical, not too old, gets in shooting lanes and with the right partner can Other options: Sven Andrighetto, Patrick Marleau, Patrick Maroon, move up the lineup. Tobias Rieder, Thomas Vanek. There are some nice options even after the top tier, and whichever of these players doesn’t get snapped up could Other options: Fredrik Claesson, Michael Del Zotto, Andrew MacDonald, be a nice bargain find for someone later in free agency. Maroon showed Joe Morrow, Dion Phaneuf. Throw a rock in free agency and if you don’t his value in the playoffs, while Vanek just keeps on providing secondary hit a bottom-six left winger you’re sure to hit a No. 5-7 defenceman who offence in the twilight of his career. Andrighetto is a potential value shoots left. They come in all styles, from riverboat gamblers to big cycle- pickup after filling in capably in a variety of roles this year. stoppers, and any team with $700,000 to spare and the patience to wait a week will be able to find someone to fill a depth role. Centre Right Defence Joe Thornton. The best centre on the market is clearly Joe “technically a free agent” Thornton. He turns 40 tomorrow, but is coming off another Dan Girardi. Concerns were raised with regard to both Tyler Myers and 50-plus point season and his career arc with San Jose has been a Anton Stralman when they signed big July 1 contracts, but those deals graceful shift from franchise-level talent to supporting veteran. The were driven in part by an absence of other right-shot options on the expectation is that he’ll do what he always does and sign another short- market. Girardi might be the best of a tightly bunched group of leftovers, term deal with the Sharks. but the problem is that he spent most of last season playing with Victor Hedman, which is quite an advantage to start with. He’s also 35. Nick Cousins. There’s a steep drop-off from Thornton to the rest of the market, which is then densely packed. Cousins stands out because Other options: Deryk Engelland, Ben Lovejoy, Adam McQuaid, Alex unlike many of the other options he’s not coming of a bad year and at 26 Petrovic. Petrovic is a little bit intriguing in that he’s only 27, has some he’s still in the heart of his career. He did a creditable job as a third-line solid play in his recent past and had virtually everything go wrong that pivot in Arizona last year; he doesn’t score a lot but he is physical, kills could go wrong (including a concussion) last season but there isn’t much penalties and in the context of the Coyotes has decent underlying here. numbers. Goalie Derick Brassard / Riley Sheahan. We’ll lump the two reclamation projects together. Brassard had an awful year but was a decent secondary scorer Anthony Stolarz. After a busy first day in which virtually every big name as recently as the 2017-18 trade deadline. The question is how far he’ll was scooped up, exactly five goalies are left in free agency. Only one of be able to claw his way back in his age-32 season. Sheahan has a lower them is younger than 33, and only one of them managed to crack a .900 ceiling, but is younger (27) and probably had the better year overall. save percentage last season. Stolarz, who looks like a reasonable backup play in the right light, ends up the cream of the crop by default. Other options: Brian Boyle, Marcus Kruger, Oscar Lindberg. Boyle and It’s worth noting there are real trade options out there. Kruger are known quantities who generate precious little at 5-on-5 but can anchor defensive-zone specialty lines, with Boyle adding a little bit of Other options: Scott Darling, Michal Neuvirth, Cam Ward. Darling, once offensive flare in a net-front power-play role. Lindberg is less famous but an up-and-comer, seems bound for a minor-league squad after a buyout but might make a serviceable No. 3. On talent, the perpetually injured Neuvirth is the best of the lot but played just eight games last year. Ward is the best bet for further employment, since he always seems to find employment despite the fact he hasn’t had a league-average save percentage at even strength since 2012.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107246 Websites Three years after watching the Leafs throw seven years at an aging power forward because of heart and grit and compete level, the Oilers apparently figured they could do even better. Lucic at least gave them The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Building a roster of the cap era’s worst one decent year, which is one more than the Leafs ever got from July 1 signings Clarkson. But unlike the Leafs, the Oilers haven’t yet figured out a way to wiggle out from under this contract, despite rumors that they’re desperately trying. By Sean McIndoe Second line Jul 2, 2019 Danny Briere, Flyers, 2007: 8 x $6.5 million, 12.92% cap hit Briere was coming off a career-best 95-point season with the Sabres, which I suppose is as good a time as any to hit unrestricted free agency So the first day of free agency has come and gone. How did your team in a league that’s still figuring out how this whole salary cap thing works. do? He never got close to those numbers in Philadelphia, although he did Probably not well. If history is any guide, your team either missed out on manage two 30-goal seasons. He even led the league in playoff scoring the big signings, or paid way too much to get in on them. If we’ve learned in 2010. So no, he wasn’t a total bust. Just a tweener of a first-line center anything about July 1 in the salary cap era, it’s that jumping in with both who was being paid as if he was one of the league’s very best players. feet on Day 1 of the open market can lead to a lot of regret. There are The inevitable buyout came via the compliance route in 2013, so at least bargains, sure, and occasionally a team will sign a big-dollar deal that it didn’t leave a mark on the Flyers’ cap. works out great. But those are exceptions. Most of the time, July 1 is the day that GMs do their very worst work. Loui Eriksson, Canucks, 2016: 6 x $6 million, 8.22% cap hit That feels like something worth celebrating. So as we recover from Well, the good news is he scored in his debut … yesterday’s chaos and try to digest all the money NHL GMs just threw around, let’s look back on the mistakes of the past by building a full roster The bad news is, uh, pretty much everything else. Eriksson was coming out of some of the worst July 1 UFA deals of the cap era. off a 30-goal season for the Bruins when he signed this deal; three full seasons later, he’s barely managed that many as a Canuck. Could A couple of quick ground rules: anyone have seen that coming? OK, anyone who understood aging curves, sure, but who else? – We’re only looking for UFA deals that were signed on July 1. That rules out a few names you might be expecting to see here, like New York’s Andrew Ladd, Islanders, 2016: 7 x $5.5 million, 7.53% cap hit Brad Richards or Calgary’s James Neal (both of whose deals came a few days into free agency) and Philadelphia’s Ilya Bryzgalov (who was Good lord, what was it with veteran wingers getting massive free agent actually acquired in a trade and signed before he reached UFA status, deals in 2016? This isn’t even the last one that’s going to be on our list. but still needs to be mentioned here because that was hilarious). Like Lucic, Ladd was at least OK in his first season with his new team. – We’re judging signings based on a mix of the reaction at the time and But things went badly almost immediately after that, and his most recent how the deal looks with the benefit of hindsight. Because of that second season saw him miss two-thirds of the year with various injuries. He’s 33, part, we’re going to try really hard not to include any of this year’s coming off a three-goal season, and still has four years left on a deal that signing, although (double-checks yesterday’s list) yeah no promises. even Islanders fans aren’t trying to defend anymore. The good news is that his full NTC becomes a modified NTC a year from now, so the line – The 2013 offseason schedule was thrown off a few days by the lockout, for trading partners can start forming now. so for that season only “July 1” is actually July 5. Third line All contract information, including signing date and cap hit percentage, is from the CapFriendly signing database. Salaries are average annual Chris Drury, Rangers, 2007: 5 x $7.05 million, 14.02% cap hit value; “cap hit” is the percentage of that season’s cap. Which was worse: the 2016 market for veteran wingers or the 2007 As you might expect, there’s going to be some overlap with our worst market for veteran centers? possible cap team exercise from last season. But as bad as that roster On volume, you have to go with 2016. But 2007 still resonates, earning was, this one might be even more depressing. You’ve been warned. Let’s the top three center spots on our roster while also offering up the first get started. concrete evidence that the new CBA’s free agency rules might not be a First line good thing for certain teams. The Rangers managed to spend almost 30 percent of their entire salary cap on long-term deals for two centers Scott Gomez, Rangers, 2007: 7 x $7.357 million, 14.63% cap hit who’d both end up getting buyouts before the contracts were done. And I’m still not even sure that either one ranks among the three or four worst This deal seemed steep at the time, and got far worse over the years. It Rangers UFA contracts ever signed. Good luck, Artemi! wasn’t the complete disaster you might remember it as – Gomez was actually pretty good in his first year in New York, and nearly hit the 60- David Backes, Bruins, 2016: 5 x $6 million, 8.22% cap hit point mark in the next two. And of course, the Rangers managed to somehow unload the deal onto the Canadiens before it really blew up. You just knew that 2016 winger class would have to respond, and here But once it did, man, it was awful. When you have your own website to they are again. Backes was a reasonably consistent 50-point guy when track whether you’ve scored, that’s bad. When that site doesn’t change he signed, but he hasn’t come close to those numbers in Boston while for over a year, that’s worse. going from top six to depth piece to quasi-enforcer to healthy scratch in the Stanley Cup final. Other than that, it’s gone great. David Clarkson, Maple Leafs, 2013: 7 x $5.25 million, 8.16% cap hit Jason Blake, Maple Leafs, 2007: 5 x $4 million, 7.95% cap hit “I’m not worried about six or seven right now,” Leafs GM Dave Nonis infamously said when signing the deal. “I’m worried about one. And Year What if I told you I had a 33-year-old winger who was coming off a career 1, I know we’re going to have a very good player.” year where they’d outscored their previous high in goals by double digits and who was looking for a long-term commitment? If you were the John Nope. Clarkson was a miss almost immediately, in part due to an ill- Ferguson-era Maple Leafs, you’d ask where you should sign. advised suspension that delayed his regular season debut. To be fair, many Leafs fans loved the deal at the time, and some of the local media Unlike several guys on this list, Blake was at least a passable NHL player went nuts for it. Others immediately saw the disaster that was coming, through almost his entire deal, although much of it was spent with the including a young Globe and Mail beat writer who I hear went on to work Ducks after the Leafs dumped his contract on them. But he never got at some website. close to his 40-goal contract-year heights, as Toronto fans got to learn an early lesson about the importance of looking at the shooting percentage While it was never from lack of trying, Clarkson never clicked in Toronto, column. and didn’t even last two seasons before the team ate millions of dollars to ship him to Columbus. He hasn’t played since 2015-16 and almost Fourth line certainly never will again, but his contract is still kicking around the Dave Bolland, Panthers, 2014: 5 x $5.5 million, 7.97% cap hit league – partly because Nonis decided to make it virtually buyout proof. You often hear about players making themselves a lot of money with one Milan Lucic, Oilers, 2016: 7 x $6 million, 8.22% cap hit good year, but not many can match Bolland when it comes to cashing in on one big shift. Bolland’s dramatic Cup-winning goal in 2013 cemented his image as the sort of underrated glue guy that true champions need on that was immediately referred to as a “(n)ice payday, made possible by a the roster, and an injury-shortened year in Toronto only seemed to boost league structure that can encourage overpayment.” that reputation. That turned out to be about right, as Wisniewski put up three solid That led to a spirited bidding war in 2014, one that the Panthers won by seasons in Columbus before being traded, tearing his ACL, getting a outspending the Maple Leafs. It was an outlandish deal from the start, buyout and heading to Europe. even before injuries sidetracked Bolland’s career. He hasn’t played since 2016, with the Panthers having to surrender a player who was an Christian Ehrhoff, Sabres, 2011: 10 x $4 million, 6.22% cap hit eleventh-overall pick to get the Coyotes to eat his remaining contract. The Sabres’ other big 2011 UFA move at least worked out slightly better As a side note, don’t try to trash talk Bolland about this deal on Twitter, than Leino. But only slightly, as the semi-reasonable cap hit is because he will end you. outweighed by being the only double-digit term on our roster. Ehrhoff only lasted three seasons before the Sabres used a compliance buyout Matt Beleskey, Bruins, 2015: 4 x $3.8 million, 5.21% cap hit to wash their hands of the deal. That was five years ago, but the ghost of his buyout will linger on their cap page until 2028. No, that’s not a typo. Like Bolland, Beleskey rode a dose of playoff recency bias to a contract that never made much sense. In his case, it was an eight-goal Third pairing performance in the 2015 postseason that convinced the Bruins to lock him down on a multi-year deal. Based on some of the crazy numbers Jeff Finger, Maple Leafs, 2008: 4 x $3.5 million, 6.16% cap hit floating around at the time, his cap hit in Boston actually seemed almost Who? That was the reaction of most Leafs fans when the team opened reasonable. But it didn’t work out that way, as the marriage lasted just the vault for a 28-year-old depth player with just one full year of NHL one full season before he was sent to the Rangers and mostly buried in experience. They didn’t get long to find out; by midway through the the minors. second year of the deal, Finger had been buried in the AHL, and his big- Ville Leino, Sabres, 2011: 6 x $4.5 million, 7% cap hit league career was over. The Sabres had a new owner with money to spend when they decided to This is the signing that was so bad that it spawned not one but two urban plunge into the 2011 market. One target was Leino, a 27-year-old winger legends. The first was that the Maple Leafs meant to sign the relatively with one full NHL season (and one very good playoff run) under his belt. unknown Finger to a four-year deal worth $3.5 million total, but messed He was coming off a 53-point season with the Flyers, but wouldn’t rack up the paperwork and ended up giving him that sum every year. The up that much in his entire Sabres career. He lasted parts of three other is that the signing was actually a case of mistaken identity, and that seasons in Buffalo before a compliance buyout ended both this contract the Leafs thought they were getting Finger’s Colorado teammate and and his NHL career. fellow defensive defenseman Kurt Sauer. Full disclosure: I actually kind of believe that second one. Missed the cut Mike Komisarek, Maple Leafs, 2009: 5 x $4.3 million, 7.57% cap hit Detroit’s Stephen Weiss narrowly missed out on our final center spot. Ryan Malone’s deal with the Lightning was a mess, but off-ice troubles Hey, he was an All-Star in Montreal. In Toronto he was, um, not. Injuries played into that. Jarome Iginla’s deal with the Avs never seemed like a fit played a role in that, but the reality is that the Leafs overvalued a stay-at- for either side, and it wasn’t. Kyle Okposo’s contract with Buffalo could home skill set that the league was moving away from, paving the way for make a case for yet another entry from that immortal winger class of what Komisarek himself would call a “vicious cycle” of losing over the 2016. Ryan Smyth’s deal with the Avalanche in 2007 was ridiculously next several seasons. expensive, but his numbers over most of it were better than you might Missed the cut remember and it got him back to Edmonton where he belonged. The Nathan Horton deal ended up being a disaster for the Blue Jackets, that Brooks Orpik’s 2014 deal with the Caps wasn’t great, and could have was almost entirely due to injury, so it doesn’t feel like it fits here. made the list, although it did get him a Cup ring. Karl Alzner’s current deal absolutely gets into the conversation. Brian Campbell’s seven-year And we said we’d try to avoid any of yesterday’s signings, so we won’t deal with the Hawks was too long and too expensive, but he played at a mention Brandon Tanev, other than to say this take from Sean Gentille reasonably high level for most of it, as did Jay Bouwmeester with the seems about right. Flames. Kevin Shattenkirk’s deal with the Rangers hasn’t worked out First pairing great, but at least the term was reasonable. Jack Johnson was the opposite; way too many years, but at a cap hit that would come in as the Wade Redden, Rangers, 2008: 6 x $6.5 million, 11.46% cap hit lowest on our roster. Here’s the weird thing about this deal. A lot of the signings on this list And yes, Tyler Myers certainly made a push for this roster. He’s one of screamed debacle almost immediately. With Redden, the Rangers’ offer our black aces for now, but let’s check back in a year and see if he can just seemed like a little too much money and maybe a bit too many crack the starting lineup. years. In other words, a pretty typical July 1 deal. One they might regret eventually, but probably not a disaster. Goaltenders But that’s exactly what it ended up being, and quickly. Redden gave the Cristobal Huet, Blackhawks, 2008: 4 x $5.625, 9.92% cap hit Rangers two disappointing seasons, then was stashed in the AHL for The rebuilding Hawks figured they were closing in on contending, and years before getting a buyout. He’d return to the big leagues for a few that Huet could be the guy to be their playoff goaltender. It didn’t happen, games in 2012-13, and that was it. Money aside, there may not have although he was at least OK in his first year. By Year 2, he’d lost the been a UFA signing in the cap era that worked out worse for both team starting job to Antti Niemi, and watched from the bench as the Hawks and player. And as you can see from this list, that’s saying something. won the Cup. That would be the end of his NHL career, as he was loaned Ed Jovanovski, Coyotes, 2006: 5 x $6.5 million, 14.77% cap hit to a European team in a convenient bit of cap maneuvering that still cost the Hawks millions. To be honest, I had no recollection of this deal, and only vaguely remembered Jovanovski even playing for the Coyotes at all. But he did, , Oilers, 2009: 4 x $3.75 million, 6.6% cap hit for all five years of this contract, which I guess makes it at least Khabibulin stuck around for all four years, although he wasn’t especially somewhat defensible. You could make the case that it was his next great in any of them and was downright awful in 2010-11. Fair or not, contract, his 2011 UFA deal with the Panthers, that should be on this list he’d become one of several faces of an era of front office futility in because it ended in injury and a buyout. But I’m going with this one, Edmonton. because of the sheer magnitude of the numbers. That’s a 14.77 percent cap hit, the highest on our entire roster, for a 30-year-old defenseman Missed the cut coming off a very average season. It’s basically yesterday’s Tyler Myers deal, if it were signed under a $44 million cap. Here’s the weird thing that you may have already clued into: There actually aren’t all that many awful July 1 goalie signings. Maybe that’s Second pairing because starting goalies rarely make it to UFA at all, or maybe teams are just better at evaluating them than they are with aging wingers. James Wisniewski, Blue Jackets, 2011: 6 x $5. 5 million, 8.55% cap hit For example, Steve Mason’s deal with the Jets didn’t work for anyone Wisniewski was a decent and maybe even underrated blueliner in 2011, involved, but at only two years it seems like a bargain compared to the so you could understand there being interest in his services. He’d also rest of our roster. And Ryan Miller’s deal with the Canucks carried one of never received a single Norris or all-star vote, so you wouldn’t think he’d the heaviest cap hits for a goaltender in the cap era, but he gave them hit the jackpot. The Blue Jackets thought otherwise, giving him a deal three years as a perfectly competent starter. Other than them, there really aren’t even that many candidates for our roster from years gone by. Which brings us to Sergei Bobrovsky, whose mega-contract with the Panthers sets off all sorts of warning lights. He’s a two-time Vezina winner who’s been pretty good over the last few years, so the deal might be fine for the first few years. But after that, well, let’s just say we’re holding a spot on the roster for him. So that’s our team. In case you’re wondering, our 20-man roster comes in just slightly over the salary cap at a grand total of $107.13 million. Every deal on the roster runs for at least four seasons, six run for at least seven and one clocks in at a full decade. The average contract is 5.85 years and carries a $5.35 million cap hit. Or maybe we should be using the past tense, since we know that eight of these contracts – a full 40 percent of our roster – have already been bought out. For now, our total dollar commitment comes in at $633 million. Or, as at least a few NHL GMs would apparently call it, “a reasonable start.” Good luck to your favorite team over the next few days, but remember: History tells us that the worst is already over.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107247 Websites It’s entirely possible the Canadiens aren’t going to be barking down this tree, anyway, which brings us to the most enticing possibility in front of them. It’s the possibility we felt they should be most interested in Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Bergevin still has chance to make team better pursuing before free agency opened and the nuclear option was after Aho miss exercised with Aho. The Canadiens have a desperate need at left defence, a need Bergevin qualified on Monday as one they’d be filling in an ideal world regardless Eric Engels of whether or not their attempt to snag Aho would be successful. And it just so happens that the best left-handed defenceman on the market, July 2, 2019, 2:28 PM Jake Gardiner, is still without contract. Sources we checked in with on Tuesday confirmed what we had heard in the lead up to Monday’s action — that the 28-year-old Gardiner was MONTREAL—Let’s get something straight right off the hop here: The willing to be patient, and that he wanted to see if the Toronto Maple Leafs Montreal Canadiens wouldn’t have signed Sebastian Aho to an offer would make room for him via trade after he spent the first eight seasons sheet if they didn’t think there was a real possibility the Carolina of his career with their team. Hurricanes would walk away from the deal. But the fact is, even if Toronto moves to make room for him, they don’t Yes, Montreal’s five-year, $42.27-million contract offer tendered to Aho have the budget — or the incentive — to offer him the type of contract on Monday was a digestible one for the Hurricanes to swallow in order to the Canadiens can. Few teams do after close to $700 million was spent lock up their best player. Granted, they’d not be thrilled about the 21- in the market on Monday. year-old becoming an unrestricted free agent upon the deal’s expiration, but the terms weren’t so egregious that they’d wash their hands of Aho Gardiner’s intentions are unknown at this point. And Bergevin’s not going and accept a (under-value) compensation of a first-, second- and third- to comment on players he’s trying to chase. round pick. As a result, we can’t say with any degree of certainty what the Canadiens But the Canadiens were sincere in their belief that Hurricanes owner Tom have planned next. But after trading an important player in Andrew Shaw Dundon might not want to betray his principles of not giving out bonus- for futures to create more cap space on Saturday, it’s hard to imagine laden, lockout-protected contracts to his players. They thought there was they’ll just sit on their hands between now and the beginning of next a chance Dundon would balk at shelling out the $21.17 million due to season. Aho in signing bonuses over the first 12 months of the deal. And this was not just some publicity stunt to assure their fans they were willing to do The Aho move was a bold one. Let’s see if Bergevin has any others up anything, including breaking with convention, to make their team better. his sleeve. Now that Dundon has responded Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin still has the opportunity to make his team better, and there’s every reason to believe he’ll act. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.03.2019 If he deems it necessary to do so at the centre-ice position his options are limited. Which begs the question, could Bergevin follow through with tendering an offer sheet to Tampa Bay Lightning centre Brayden Point? We don’t believe Bergevin will go down that road, even though Point, a 23-year-old Calgary native, had 41 goals and 92 points with the Lightning this past season. He’s a dynamic, two-way player who’s poised to break the bank on a multi-year extension after making only $650,000 over the course of 2018- 19. That’s a potential problem for a Lightning team that has only 19 players signed to its roster and just under $8 million in salary cap space. But, even though it was reported by The Athletic on Monday that Bergevin and the Canadiens had considered an offer sheet for Point before tendering one for Aho, the type of contract they’d have to offer to get him would force Bergevin to give up as many as four first-round picks as compensation and that is something we don’t believe he’d be willing to do (based on his previous statements). Also, Lightning GM Julien Brisebois seemed unperturbed by the possibility of the Canadiens, or any other team, following through on that threat. "We have an ongoing dialogue with Brayden’s agent," Brisebois said on Monday. "(We) talked to him today and, while I don’t have a timeline, I’m just as confident as ever we’re going to get some sort of contract worked out." With that in mind, and the Canadiens unlikely to offer sheet anyone else, will Bergevin turn his attention to Kyle Turris of the Nashville Predators? Colleague Elliotte Friedman speculated on Sunday that he might be inclined to given Nashville’s desire to clear some cap space after inking centre Matt Duchene to a seven-year, $56-million contract on Monday. It’s a reasonable thought given Bergevin’s thwarted attempts to add at that position (outside of the offer sheet for Aho being matched for Carolina, he met with Duchene last week). Granted, Turris drastically underperformed this past season — putting up just seven goals and 16 assists in 55 games — but he’s still a higher calibre player than most (if not all) the remaining free agent centres on the market. Turris is a 29-year-old righty who scored at least 50 points in each of the two seasons prior to this past one. He’s also a player who carries a $6- million cap hit through 2024. Perhaps the Canadiens can use their abundance of cap space — they have close to $12 million available with 23 players signed to their NHL roster — to entice Nashville to throw in another asset for taking on the full weight of Turris’s contract. Or maybe they can get the Predators to retain some of his salary in a deal. 1107248 Websites As a kid, Craig Berube, “was good. He was a big boy, and had that advantage,” Emile said. “I was coaching him in ball and hockey. Him and all the boys. I would take him to the hockey camps, and I guess that’s Sportsnet.ca / Opportunity to win Stanley Cup like Blues' Craig Berube where he got noticed. And had a tough time getting noticed. He wasn’t becoming slimmer like Mark Messier, or anything like that. He was a grinder.” Berube left the fastball diamond in Calahoo for Williams Lake, B.C., leaving home to play Midget hockey for the Williams Lake Mustangs. Mark Spector | @sportsnetspec “Bottom of the barrel,” Emile said. “And he climbed his way right to the top. He did what he had to do.” July 2, 2019, 7:47 PM Berube was a tough, tough hockey player. Feared by fellow fighters, and respected by all. You don’t get to the NHL or stay there if you can’t skate and play the game, but as his career wore on, the role he played was CALAHOO, Alta. – When the Stanley Cup arrives at the only indoor being weaned from the game. arena in a hamlet like Calahoo it is a confirmation. A reminder to men like Emile and Roger Berube, the uncle and father to St. Louis Blues head A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts coach Craig, that a lifetime of coaching kids through hockey and fastball Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday. had an impact. Still, he played over 1,000 games, and when he took over a left-for-dead There’s not a lot of credit given, or expected, when you are that Blues team that had just fired its head coach last November, he was community coach. Just a lot of Styrofoam cup coffee and sausage-and- handed the “interim coach” title. That was until Berube coached St. Louis eggers after a 7 a.m. practice. Then a kid makes it. And now the Cup to its first Stanley Cup in team history, for which he was recently marches in, and all the memories come flowing back, like all of those rewarded with a three-year contract. backseat Slurpees on the road home from Onoway or Alexander. “You go to your first training camp, and then you just keep going, day by “When you’re playing, when you’re coaching, you’re always thinking if day. Next thing you know, 15 years go by in the league. Then you’re you ever won the Cup, what would you do with your day with the Cup?” coaching, and 15 years go by coaching. It goes by quick,” he marvelled. said Craig Berube. “I had to prove myself every year, being my type of player. He is known throughout the hockey world as ‘Chief,’ the soft-spoken, “You had to go into every training camp and you had to win a job. That’s Indigenous 53-year-old who played over 1,000 NHL games in the the way I looked at it. I coach similar ‑ day by day.” toughest role imaginable. A tough guy in the ‘80s and ‘90s National Hockey League, when large, strong men fought often. Few of those days were as memorable as this one, however. “I always dreamt of bringing it back here, and letting people enjoy it, my The day the Stanley Cup came to Calahoo. family and friends,” he said, standing in the Zamboni room of the Calahoo Arena. “Everyone I grew up with lives here. My family is here Who knows when the next time will be? still. They did everything for me as a kid to get me to where I am today.

The hockey, the ball… We’re a great little town, and a great little sports town. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.03.2019 “For me to bring that Cup out here, let people take some pictures with it, touch it… It’s a good feeling.” Calahoo is one of those ‘road sign’ towns, about 40 minutes northwest of Edmonton. It’s a hamlet you pass by throughout your life, unless your kid’s hockey team finds some extra ice there, or the wedding you’re a best man for orders its steaks from Calahoo Meats. Then you turn at the sign. On July 2, 2019, the local farmers are taking off their first cut of hay, and the canola is yet to bloom yellow. At 8:15 a.m. the main street in town is already backed up with cars. The firemen are chatting out front of the volunteer fire department, and emergency vehicles are out in force to handle the crowds. Somewhere just over 200 people live here, the locals estimate, but well over 3,000 folks came to the arena on Tuesday in hopes of getting a picture with Berube, the Stanley Cup and the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl. Phil Pritchard, the “Keeper of the Cup,” says he has seen even smaller towns welcome ol’ Stanley, though not very many. “Niklas Hjalmarsson’s hometown in Sweden had just eight people,” he chuckled. “They had an axe throwing competition at the same time as he was celebrating with the Cup.” Roger Berube, Craig’s father, can’t recall a bigger celebration in his lifetime, 80 years spent living about two miles up the road from this rink. “We used to have some big parties here,” Craig’s mother Ramona said. “Nothin’ this big,” Roger said. “Maybe the odd dance in here once in a while, but…” There was a time when the Calahoos of Canada stocked NHL rosters with tough-as-nails farm kids like Dean Kennedy or Bryan Trottier. When the son of a furrier, like Bobby Dollas, had every chance of elevating to the top of the pro hockey ladder. Today it is a rich kid’s game. Or upper middle class, at least. The only way to make it out of Calahoo today is to get out of Calahoo as fast as possible, to the city or the Hockey Academy. That means the chances of the next Craig Berube bringing the next Stanley Cup home is even slimmer than Berube’s chances were. “The odds of getting the Cup here are like winning the Lotto,” said Emile Berube, Craig’s uncle who was the coach of record as his nephew grew up here. 1107249 Websites The Panthers had one clear need to address this off-season, since they’re walking out of July 1 having accomplished that, you can’t view them as anything but a winner. Sportsnet.ca / NHL free agency winners and losers: Who came up big, Sergei Bobrovsky is coming to town and though it may not be ideal to and who whiffed? give a soon-to-be 31-year-old goalie seven years and a $10 million AAV, the Panthers had to get this one done. If they struck out here, what was Plan B for a team that finished with the 30th-ranked save percentage last Rory Boylen | @RoryBoylen season? July 2, 2019, 8:22 AM Remember, Florida had the NHL’s second-best power-play unit in 2018- 19 and were a top-10 offence. With even league average netminding they would have made a serious push for the playoffs, so getting a Vezina Trophy candidate to step into that roster should steady the Day 1 of NHL free agency did not disappoint in 2019. position immediately. We finally got that elusive offer sheet, and while it’s expected the Panarin was on the radar and landing him would have given Florida an Carolina Hurricanes will match the one given by the Montreal Canadiens A+ day, but he was a luxury they ultimately couldn’t afford. Not only to Sebastian Aho, that we even got one potentially opens up the door for should the offence in place be good enough already, but there are three more to follow. kids — Aleksi Heponiemi, Grigori Denisenko and Owen Tippett — The biggest names on this year’s market almost all went on Day 1 as pushing hard to also end up on the roster. Bobrovsky had to happen, but well. Artemi Panarin signed to a somewhat surprising destination, while not getting Panarin doesn’t move them into the loser category. Sergei Bobrovsky may be the player who most singlehandedly changes The second-biggest need for Florida was to upgrade their blue line and the fortunes of the team that acquired him. The Maple Leafs and Ottawa they did that by landing Anton Stralman on a three-year contract with a Senators came together for a trade —⁠ and then Toronto made an even $5.5-million cap hit. A defensive defenceman, Stralman was limited to 47 bigger one with Colorado. And the goalie carousel was in full motion, with games last season to injury so there is some built-in risk. Even still, he Semyon Varlamov (Islanders) and Robin Lehner (Blackhawks) also averaged over 20 minutes a game in Tampa Bay and nearly three landing in new destinations, and Petr Mrazek staying put in Carolina. minutes shorthanded, so he’ll be a rock on the back end for a team that It was wild, but it went by fast. Here are your winners and losers from the needed someone like him. Was the cap hit a little high? OK, perhaps. But first day of NHL free agency. the term is completely reasonable and without trade protection, Stralman could even be a candidate to leave exposed to Seattle in a couple of Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen go deep on pucks with a mix of facts and seasons. fun, leaning on a varied group of hockey voices to give their take on the country’s most beloved game. Every year the speculation is the same: Maybe this is the summer some team will toss out an offer sheet to an RFA and turn the way the NHL WINNERS does business on its head. But almost every year we’re left disappointed as that part of the market is left untouched by rival GMs. The last player DALLAS STARS to get one was Ryan O’Reilly in 2013. Notable acquisitions: Joe Pavelski, Corey Perry, Andrej Sekera “Was” being the key word there, because Aho is now the last player to The Stars were one of the better defensive teams in the NHL last receive and sign an offer sheet, inking a five-year, $42.27-million one season. Though they averaged 31.6 shots against per game, ranking in with Montreal and leaving Carolina with seven days to decide whether or the middle of the league, they did a great job of keeping a good amount not to match. of those to the outside. According to Natural Stat Trick, Dallas allowed We all expected the AAV on one of these to reach into the $10 million- the ninth-fewest high-danger chances against in 2018-19, which was plus stratosphere for the big guys if it happened. That way, the attacked certainly a major contributing factor for Ben Bishop to finish as a Vezina team would have a very difficult cap-related conundrum to deal with: let Trophy finalist. go of a high-end player for multiple first-round picks, or keep him around But what kept the Stars from really breaking through this past season at an inflated value? was a lack of depth on offence. Through most of the first half, Alexander But Aho’s AAV is just under $8.5 million, though it was structured in a Radulov, Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn were a formidable top line, but way to load up on signing bonuses. He is due $21 million in the next head coach Jim Montgomery had to split them up to spread out the calendar year, so the decision facing the Canes and owner Tom Dundon scoring. Dallas just wasn’t consistent enough, looking like a world beater has little to do with cap hit — it’s all about these huge lump sums of one night and a lottery team the next. But that all changed when Mats money he’ll be owed. Zuccarello was added to the lineup when they acquired him at the trade deadline. With the AAV shaking out where it is, the Canadiens also kept the compensation level down at the third tier so if Carolina does not match, We didn’t really get proof of that until the playoffs because Zuccarello Montreal will be forced to give up its first-, second- and third-round picks broke his arm in the very first game with Dallas, but his presence in the next year. Had they worked out an AAV a little higher, the compensation post-season completely changed the Stars’ outlook and they nearly would have called for two first-round picks. Would that have given the reached the Western Conference final. Zuccarello may be gone to the Hurricanes any more pause? Wild, but replacing him with Joe Pavelski is an upgrade. And where Zuccarello got five years from Minnesota, Dallas only had to commit The biggest question now is: What will this offer sheet mean to the rest of three to Pavelski, who is a near lock for close to 30 goals and more than the RFA market? Does Aho, a centre, at $8.454 million now start to set 60 points. the market for the likes of Brayden Point, Patrik Laine, Mitch Marner, etc.? If the Habs’ offer to Aho gets matched, will they then follow up with Pavelski is the slam dunk addition for Dallas, but they also made a another offer sheet elsewhere? At the very least, the fact we finally saw couple of low-risk gambles coming off seasons that left behind one of these rare creatures has to open up the possibility that more could injury/performance questions. Corey Perry is four years removed from his be in the league’s future. last 20-goal season, but on a one-year, $1.5 million contract (plus bonuses), Dallas is getting a motivated 34-year-old who at the very least NEW YORK RANGERS will be an agitating force in the bottom six — at best he sticks in the top six and gets back to 20 goals again. Notable acquisitions: Artemi Panarin And Andrej Sekera has only played 60 games total over the past two Have to give at least a hat tip to the team that netted the biggest UFA years due to injury, but the Stars again only committed one year to the fish. It was just 18 months ago the Rangers sent a letter to their fans, player. Sekera looked great at the world championships, scoring six bracing them for a sell-off trade deadline and an ensuing rebuild. Now points in 11 games for Slovakia, and if he hits the Stars will suddenly find they look to be coming out of that very quickly. another two-way blue-liner giving depth to the back end. What I love about the Rangers inking Panarin to a seven-year, $81.494- Dallas needed depth above all else to improve their roster this summer million deal ($11.642 million AAV) that made him the league’s highest- — with one big swing and a couple of low-cost adds, they come away big paid winger, is that even at that amount they still have all sorts of future winners. cap flexibility. Only three other Rangers are signed beyond the 2020-21 season, and at that time a new, lucrative American TV deal is expected FLORIDA PANTHERS to be signed with the league, which should give a good bump to the salary cap. The Rangers can take these couple years to decide what Notable acquisitions: Sergei Bobrovsky, Anton Stralman, Brett Connolly they are and what they need before really committing to anything long- term. New York has made six first-round picks in the past three drafts. A couple of those, Vitali Kravtsov and Kaapo Kakko, especially, should be factors as soon as next season. The Rangers got Hobey Baker finalist and big college point-producer Adam Fox for cheap from Carolina, and he’ll man their blue line in 2019-20. In Jacob Trouba they have their No. 1 defenceman and, oh yeah, that guy Henrik Lundqvist is still in net. The Rangers will be a sleeper team come next October — and they didn’t have to melt their future cap situation to get here. A weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world with hosts Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. New episodes every Thursday. LOSERS MINNESOTA WILD Notable acquisitions: Mats Zuccarello, Ryan Hartman I’m not entirely sure what the plan is here for this team. A couple of in- season trades seemed like they were on a trajectory to get younger and shift gears toward a different roster. With just two playoff series wins in the salary-cap era, it seemed like a prudent direction for a new GM to take. But so far they’ve tried and been unable to find a taker for 27-year-old Jason Zucker, and GM Paul Fenton pulled in 31-year-old Mats Zuccarello with a five-year, $31-million deal Monday. Now, Zuccarello was a key trade deadline pickup for Dallas last season — even after breaking his arm in his first game — so he is an elite playmaker and nice player to have. But that’s a lot of money and, especially, term to give a 31-year-old when it seems the focus should be starting to shift away from forcing something with this roster and instead keying in on patiently reloading. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS Notable acquisitions: Brandon Tanev The Phil Kessel trade may not have happened on July 1, but we have to loop that into the picture of what’s taking place in Pittsburgh. Maybe it needed to happen, but replacing Kessel with the hope that Alex Galchenyuk can work his way back to being a 30-goal scorer leaves the Penguins in a decidedly worse position. Maybe Galchenyuk becomes that — but Kessel is that. Now on to July 1. What the Penguins have done a great job on in the past — and what was key in reinstating themselves as Stanley Cup champs — was an ability to find cheap talent to flank their best players with. Jake Guentzel. Conor Sheary. Chris Kunitz. They all could score and did it without making a ton of money. But on Day 1 of free agency in 2019, the Penguins sunk six years and $21 million in Tanev, who is a nice player that will help their penalty kill and all, but plays a bottom-six role that should be taken up by an interchangeable player. There is virtually no upside to him becoming a top-six forward, and it’s just another $3.5 million in cap space committed for a long term that will chip away at their ability to add difference-making talent. Between Tanev, Jack Johnson and Erik Gudbranson, there are starting to be too many bad contracts in Pittsburgh. The guys who were valued before are either gone or making a fair amount of money now. It was an unsuccessful lead up to free agency and a disappointing July 1 for Penguins fans.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107250 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Dubas doesn't expect Maple Leafs to make more 'major' moves

Mike Johnston | @MikeyJ_MMA July 2, 2019, 6:44 PM

Kyle Dubas had himself quite the Canada Day, revamping the Toronto Maple Leafs roster and adding more balance to the team’s lineup thanks to a handful of significant transactions. The general manager traded Nikita Zaitsev and Connor Brown to the Ottawa Senators for a return that included defencemen Cody Ceci and Ben Harpur. He then signed veteran centre Jason Spezza on the open market and capped off his July 1 with the biggest move of them all, flipping Nazem Kadri and Calle Rosen to the Colorado Avalanche for Tyson Barrie and Alex Kerfoot. This comes only a couple days after re-signing Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen to team-friendly extensions, and not long after the team traded away Patrick Marleau for cap space. So, what’s the likelihood Dubas makes a splash in free agency or pulls off another trade of consequence this summer? “I don’t know that it’s all too likely,” Dubas said Tuesday during an appearance on Prime Time Sports. “We like where we’re at as of right now.” Instead, his immediate focus will shift to finalizing new contracts with restricted free agents Ceci, Kerfoot and of course Mitch Marner. Besides the RFAs, though? “I think the majority of the focus is on versatile depth pieces up front and on the back end that can kind of compliment what we have and give Mike [Babcock] and the coaching staff as many looks and options as possible heading into training camp,” Dubas said. “You never say never – and I certainly never expected that we would be talking today and Nazem Kadri was not a member of our team – but at this point I don’t see anything imminent or being overly likely.” The team currently has just north of $11 million in cap space following the Kadri trade. Teams began expressing interest in Kadri after the 2018-19 season, according to Dubas, who also mentioned the Maple Leafs weren’t in a position to even contemplate moving a forward like Kadri one summer ago because of how important he was to their lineup. “It was never our intention to trade [Kadri],” he said. “It just became something where as we went through our options and went through every team we kind of knew we were going to have to give something up to address our needs on the back end. “We were trying to find a trade partner where everyone could come out on the winning end of it. Where a team could address their need for a top-end, proven centre and we could get a centre back, hopefully somebody younger that was a little cheaper that we could plug into our lineup and replace Naz – and then also the biggest need for us was of course on D.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107251 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Hurricanes to match Canadiens' offer sheet for Sebastian Aho

Mike Johnston | @MikeyJ_MMA July 2, 2019, 12:27 PM

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Tuesday they will match the offer sheet Sebastian Aho signed with the Montreal Canadiens. Aho agreed to a five-year, $42.27-million offer sheet Monday once he officially became a restricted free agent. Carolina had a full week to make their decision, but as they alluded to in their tongue-in-cheek Twitter poll, it was an easy decision for the organization to make at the end of the day. “This was an easy decision,” Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said in a press release. “Sebastian is one of the best players in the league and the centrepiece of what we’re building here. We’ve spoken to him throughout this process and he’s made it clear that he wants to be in Raleigh and be a part of this organization. “It’s our job to manage our cap space as our players develop and hit free agency. There was no concern at any point that we would not be able to match this contract. Once again, the Carolina Hurricanes should not be underestimated. We have a plan and all the resources to win a Stanley Cup.” The five-year term mean Aho is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at age 26, which is not an ideal situation from a Hurricanes perspective. His $8.454-million annual salary cap hit, however, could end up being a bargain. The 21-year-old star forward led his team with 30 goals and 83 points in 82 games in 2018-19. Waddell explained to reporters Monday he was “actually surprised it wasn’t more” when discussing Aho’s new cap hit. “I know my summer just got better because I’m not going to spend all summer negotiating a contract now,” Waddell added. Had the Hurricanes not elected to match the offer, they would have received Montreal’s first-, second- and third-round pick from the 2020 NHL Draft as compensation. “This shows to our fans that [Canadiens owner] Geoff Molson, that we want to be a good hockey team,” Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said at his media availability Monday. “We want to win and we feel that this is the guy that we identified was going to help. He’s a young player. You take a risk when you do that. … We felt even if it doesn’t happen, we still have a very good hockey team.” Now that Aho’s cap hit is back in Carolina, Bergevin and the Canadiens have just shy of $12 million in projected cap space, per CapFriendly, with restricted free agents Artturi Lehkonen, Charles Hudon and Joel Armia each needing new contracts. July 2, 2019 Sebastian Aho Centre AGE: 21 2018 - 2019 REGULAR SEASON: CONTRACT TYPE: Re-signing SALARY CAP HIT: $8.454 million

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107252 Websites Dubas has spoken about accounting for the team’s reduced draft position by making gains at the margins, be that with European free agents, lower-round picks or the kind of cap maneuvering we’ve just witnessed. Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs' cap wizardry eases Marner contract They didn’t have an easy situation to navigate here. challenge It was made even more complex by a 10-team no-trade clause in Kadri’s contract that derailed a potential three-team deal involving him over the Chris Johnston | @reporterchris weekend, according to sources. The Leafs had to circle back with the Avalanche and piece together the Barrie/Kerfoot trade afterwards since July 2, 2019, 8:29 AM Colorado wasn’t included on his no-fly list. They did extremely well under the circumstances. TORONTO — Until Mitch Marner’s signature is officially on a contract, it’s Now the only pressing piece of business left in Toronto is getting Marner probably too soon to label this the Great Escape. But the way the signed — still a challenge for management, no doubt, but one that’s been Toronto Maple Leafs front office maneuvered while under salary cap eased somewhat by 10 days of shrewd decision-making. duress these last few weeks would impress even Houdini.

It took a mix of creativity, guile and cold calculation from Kyle Dubas, Brandon Pridham and Laurence Gilman. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.03.2019 They managed to preserve more than enough cap room to sign Marner while overhauling their blue line, locking in two young core forwards and adding cheap depth around the margins. They accomplished this wizardry in a league squeezed tight by a lower-than-expected cap ceiling for 2019-20 and amid questions about how they might fend off predatory offer sheets. All it took was swallowing one poison pill — the first-round pick sent to Carolina to extinguish Patrick Marleau’s $6.25-million cap hit — and moving one premium asset. That would be Nazem Kadri, the longest- tenured member of the organization, who was sent to Colorado on Monday night for defenceman Tyson Barrie and centre/winger Alex Kerfoot despite playing on a value contract with three years remaining at $4.5 million per. Kadri was a luxury the Leafs could no longer afford. That he missed eight playoff games the last two springs because of suspension also cast doubt over whether he could be totally trusted. In moving him, Dubas and Co. prioritized getting back an impact defenceman and a cost-controlled third-line centre option to take his spot. That would be Kerfoot, an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent coming off consecutive 40-point seasons. (Jason Spezza, signed to a league-minimum $700,000 contract in free agency, is a reasonable backup option should injury or performance issues arise.) Toronto also sacrificed some draft positioning in the transaction — swapping a third-rounder for a sixth — and depth defenceman Calle Rosen, who was expected to see NHL action this coming season, but it convinced the Avalanche to retain half of Barrie’s $5.5-million salary. That’s the maximum allowable and will see Dubas drop a $2.75-million premium puck-mover into a top-four that now features Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, Travis Dermott (when healthy) and Barrie as a result. It’s tidy business given the cap constraints at play and the importance of maximizing your chances of winning a Stanley Cup every season where you have teams built around in-their-prime Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Marner and William Nylander. That the Leafs were also able to add another right-shot defenceman, Cody Ceci, while clearing cap space in an earlier trade with Ottawa only reinforces the idea that wealthy teams should always be able to creatively spend their way out of a bind. They paid July 1 signing bonuses to Nikita Zaitsev ($3 million) and Connor Brown ($500,000) an hour before sending them to the Senators as reduced-dollar assets in exchange for Ceci, depth defenceman Ben Harpur and a third-round pick. The net result is a blue line corps with better balance between left- and right-handed shots, not to mention a group that should be strong enough to buy Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren another year of seasoning in the American Hockey League. It was also achieved by placing no extra cap burden on the organization — in fact, the Leafs will probably have freed up almost $1 million more in space with Monday’s deals once extensions for Ceci and Kerfoot are worked out this summer. This is the kind of business the front office will have to get used to now that it’s entered a window to compete for a championship. The Leafs didn’t make a first-round pick last weekend and have already parted with their top selection in 2020. It’s generally how contenders are forced to operate and the defence corps will continue to be an area of emphasis in Toronto with only Rielly, Sandin and Liljegren signed through 2021-22. 1107253 Websites Going back to the forwards, Kerfoot is primarily a defensive player, and while Kadri is no scrub in that regard, based on the results Kerfoot should be a bit of an upgrade in that area. But what about offence? Sportsnet.ca / Truth By Numbers: Are the Maple Leafs a better team The Maple Leafs don’t struggle to score, but Kadri was a part of their after trading Kadri? excellent power play, and provided very valuable depth scoring. How much of that can Kerfoot be relied on to make up? Let’s look at the individual numbers. Andrew Berkshire Kadri is above average across the board. A well-rounded offensive threat July 2, 2019, 1:58 PM at even strength who produces a plethora of chances every year despite usually getting tougher matchups than average and weaker linemates than team average, not to mention that those linemates were constantly rotating so he had little time to create chemistry. Kadri is just straight up, Not wasting any time in shaking up his roster after three straight first extremely good. round exits, Kyle Dubas traded Nazem Kadri, Calle Rosen, and a third round draft pick in 2020 to the Colorado Avalanche for Tyson Barrie, Alex Kerfoot, on the other hand, is a slightly below league average shooter, Kerfoot, and a sixth round draft pick in 2020. but a much better than league average playmaker, which fits pretty well with his career production so far. Somehow the Maple Leafs convinced the Avalanche to retain 50 per cent of Barrie’s salary cap hit in the deal, meaning he will cost the Leafs just What might be most important to the Leafs offensively is that Kerfoot’s $2.75 million next season before he becomes an unrestricted free agent profile fits nicely with a lot of their depth forwards. If the plan is to keep the following year. Nylander with Matthews, they’ll need a playmaker on the third line, and Kerfoot fits that bill, especially if he can end up playing with shoot-first Kerfoot is a restricted free agent, so at this time we don’t know for sure players like Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson. what the cap savings will be, but it’s unlikely that Kerfoot will make the same as Kadri’s $4.5 million. What the Leafs have accomplished with this The defensive prowess Kerfoot brings to the table can also help insulate trade is sub in Kerfoot for Kadri at a likely savings, and Barrie for Jake those two who got railroaded by the Bruins in the first round of the Gardiner’s spot last season for a guaranteed savings. Barrie is also a playoffs. right-handed shot, so Jake Muzzin and Morgan Rielly can both stick on their natural sides. The Leafs are losing some offence from forwards with this trade, but not as much as it may appear. Kadri is one of the league’s more underrated players and was a luxury for Toronto behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares. Colorado will likely be very happy to add a strong second line centre to their forward group for an expiring contract and a good, but not great, young player in Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.03.2019 Kerfoot. The Leafs are in such a cap crunch that even a contract with as great value as Kadri’s can present a challenge — but the Avalanche have loads of room to make things happen, and can easily absorb Kadri’s salary along with half of Barrie’s. On its surface, the trade looks like a win for both sides, but let’s get into the details and look at how the incoming Leafs compare to the outgoing Leafs they’re replacing. What’s immediately apparent here is that all four of these players are good. Kadri, despite not playing with any of Auston Matthews, John Tavares, or Mitch Marner, maintained positive differentials last year in all categories except for passes to the slot. But Kadri’s line was nearly identical defensively to the top two lines, though it just struggled to produce dangerous passes. Considering Kadri is more of a shoot-first centre, he needed some help from his wingers in this area, but of his most common linemates last season only William Nylander is a playmaker, and he had a bit of an off year offensively. Clearly Kadri is still a very strong player on his own, but none of the depth forwards around him fit his style in Toronto last season. Kerfoot, meanwhile, is also positive across the board, but specifically stands out in pass to the slot differential, largely due to his defensive impact, which is extremely strong guarding against the pass. There’s no question that Kerfoot’s performance last season was excellent, but the question for him is can he play centre on the third line? He took 489 faceoffs for the Avalanche last year and won a startling 57.7 per cent of them, but that was only the fifth-most faceoffs on the roster, whereas Kadri took 730 in Toronto. Kerfoot primarily played on the wing, so can he maintain that strong play when more is asked of him? Gardiner and Barrie’s relative numbers were very different last season, but the two players play a similar style and a relatively similar role. Neither are matchup defenders — both lean more on their transition game and work in the offensive zone to make a difference. Between the two of them, Barrie is a much more effective transition player and brings even more offensive prowess than Gardiner. But for those fans who grew frustrated with Gardiner’s decision making in the defensive zone and risky play with the puck, buckle in because Barrie is about to take you on a wild ride. Gardiner’s defensive impact has been much stronger than Barrie’s over the past few seasons, and in fact Barrie’s defensive impact is around the 44th percentile in the NHL, while Gardiner’s is 56th, so that part is a downgrade. Overall though, and especially when you consider handedness and salary, Barrie looks like an upgrade for the Maple Leafs. If you slot him beside a defensive stalwart like Jake Muzzin, that’s an ideal second pairing on a very good team. 1107254 Websites “We’ve got Cale Makar — who knows how good he can be?” Landeskog beams.

The safe play would be to stick with cap-friendly Kadri, but Dubas no Sportsnet.ca / Tyson Barrie talks Maple Leafs trade: ‘Tough to find a doubt channeled a portion of his inner Masai, realizing he and Auston better fit’ Matthews set Toronto’s championship window at five years when they signed their mid-season extension (the same term Marner is reportedly gunning for). Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox They have Barrie now, and that matters. July 2, 2019, 11:55 AM Dubas says he owed it to his goal-a-palooza forwards and his top-10 goaltender, Frederik Andersen, to put “the best possible team on the ice and, particularly, defencemen that can move the puck effectively and Tyson Barrie is considering all of his potential trade destinations in the efficiently to our forward group. National Hockey League and saying how the Toronto Maple Leafs’ offence is “second to none”; how he’s been watching them closely over “We did lack on the right side of our group,” Dubas adds. “It just came off the past two winters and has been wowed by their up-front weaponry and as a trade that probably made sense for both teams completely, and I their ascent as one of the league’s legitimate threats; how he was drawn think both teams met their objectives in it. So it was very easy to work in by their exciting style of hockey in the playoffs. with Joe Sakic.” Then Barrie stops to check himself, shakes off the trade shock, and Dubas knows Barrie will snatch the headlines, but he wants fans to realizes he’s now one of them. understand the importance of acquiring Alexander Kerfoot too. He notes that Kerfoot, 24, is four years younger than Kadri. “I guess I should start saying we,” Barrie says. “I can’t wait to get there and try to win the Stanley Cup with these guys. “It was a tough thing for Colorado to include him here,” Dubas says of the deal’s Danny Green. “His speed, competitiveness, ability to transport the “I think it would be tough to find a better fit for me.” puck, and ability to produce at a very good clip there through two seasons in Colorado is what excites us about him.” Second only to the Mitchell Marner standoff, the greatest concern in Leafland as the off-season crackled with Canada Day fireworks was this: A Harvard grad who killed penalties in college, Kerfoot flirted with the 20- How could GM Kyle Dubas prevent his blue line from slipping from goal plateau in his first two NHL seasons, and it’s reasonable to envision decent to disastrous with the impeding departures of the slick-passing him hitting that if he sees second power-play time and is surrounded by Jake Gardiner and minute-munching Ron Hainsey and Nikita Zaitsev? offensive complements. He was also a beastly 56 per cent in the faceoff dot last season and versatile enough to play wing or take Kadri’s spot at For years now, the Maple Leafs’ head coach and its pins-and-needles 3C. fan base have been at least united in one thing: their deafening call for a top-four defenceman who grips the knob of his stick with his left hand A trade call he describes as “stunning” interrupted Kerfoot’s big Canada and the middle of the shaft with his right. Day family dinner up in Kelowna, B.C. In absence of that commodity, the coach failed to hide his frustration as “I kind of had to take a couple minutes to digest that. Once you kind of he stuffed square pegs into round holes, and the diehards pounded get over that initial hurdle of being traded and you realize that you’re angry tweets whenever a Travis Hamonic or Brandon Montour or Colin going to miss your friends and teammates back there, then you start Miller got dealt, wondering why their management team wouldn’t or thinking about where you’re going,” Kerfoot says. couldn’t pony up. “I don’t know if there is any better place to be traded to right now than Then, in the span of hours, the Maple Leafs secured not one but two Toronto.” right-shot defenders in their mid-20s with top-four experience and a reasonable bet that their best hockey can be played out in blue and white. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.03.2019 Yes, Dubas saves his finest work for national holidays. “I’m just coming into my prime, and I think the last half of the year and in the playoffs that I was playing some really good hockey and I felt comfortable with where my game’s at right now, and I can’t wait to continue to improve,” says Barrie, 27. “If I can get these guys in scoring positions and jump up and follow the play and try to create some offence, that’s my game.” In Barrie and B.C. bud Morgan Rielly (yes, they know each other well), Toronto can now boast two of the top six highest-scoring defencemen of the past two seasons. Over that span, Rielly has amassed 124 points and Barrie 116, despite missing 18 games. “He’s awesome,” says Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog, who had been trying to dismiss the Barrie buzz as hearsay but was stung by the trade. “We love Tyson. He was a big part of our success this year, and he’s a good friend of mine.” Dubas must, of course, sort out new contracts for his righties — Cody Ceci, acquired from Ottawa, is restricted, while Barrie is on target to be unrestricted at this time next year — and he will leave it up to Mike Babcock to figure out which one skates alongside lefty Rielly and which one Jake Muzzin in training camp. But Monday night’s bombshell reinforces a number of longstanding beliefs. First, one must trade from strength in order to address a weakness. Colorado had been aggressively seeking support scoring for its Big Three, and a motivated Nazem Kadri will slide in easily as a second-line line centre. Kadri’s cap certainty is a blessing for budget-conscious Colorado and made him Dubas’s most valuable trade chip. The Avalanche, who can’t offer UFAs the type of salary-bonus-laden contracts the cash-flush Leafs whip out with a ballpoint and a yawn, were rightly doubtful they’d keep Barrie beyond 2020. Plus, the Avs have similarly dangerous D-men coming in younger, cheaper versions: Samuel Girard and Bowen Byram… 1107255 Websites “I think it’s just resetting — more of a mental thing, going back to my roots and what got me here. I’ll be coming into camp more prepared than I ever have." Sportsnet.ca / Talbot still stunned by fall from grace, has 'a lot to prove' Treliving saw the best in Talbot not just as a Battle of Alberta opponent, with Flames but in Russia back in 2016 when Talbot backstopped Canada to four shutouts, a 1.25 GAA and eventual gold at the world championships. Treliving was co-GM of that team, which was coached by Flames coach Eric Francis | @EricFrancis Bill Peters. July 2, 2019, 8:51 AM It was there they took note of Talbot’s conduct on and off the ice, his athleticism and his ability to mesh with teammates — all of which led them to believe he was worth taking a chance on. Cam Talbot admits he’s still a bit stunned at how quickly it all unravelled. In anticipation of the signing, Flames goalie coach Jordan Sigalet broke down endless film of Talbot over the years and sees a few simple Two years after being feted for backstopping the Edmonton Oilers to the mechanics he’d like to change this fall. playoffs with record-setting goaltending, the 31-year-old netminder woke up in his Edmonton home Monday morning wondering if the phone would The fact is, there were few other options and none made anywhere near ring with an offer for NHL employment. as much sense as Talbot, an undrafted signing out of college who took the NHL by storm when he replaced injured Henrik Lundqvist with a 17-4- The call he hoped for came from Calgary Flames general manager Brad 3 run that led the Rangers to The Presidents’ Trophy in 2013-14. That Treliving, whose one-year, $2.75-million offer addresses the team’s top summer he was traded to the Oilers to shine as a first-time starter, but positional priority on a squad hoping to support David Rittich’s continued not before Treliving kicked tires on a possible deal for Talbot. development. The Flames opted to part ways with Mike Smith this week, as the 37- Much like previous goaltending acquisitions such as Brian Elliott and year-old had essentially done what he could to help Rittich develop. Mike Smith, the summer signing certainly comes with plenty of risk, especially given the downward trend in Talbot’s game. It is time for Rittich to get out of Smith’s shadow and continue growing alongside a versatile, experienced goalie. After breaking Grant Fuhr’s franchise record with 42 wins in a 73-start season in 2016-17, Talbot saw his goals-against average balloon to 3.02 While Curtis McElhinney has arguably been the league’s best backup the the next year, followed by a horrific start last season that prompted a last few years, the 36-year-old was a better fit in Tampa (two years at trade to another goaltending hell, Philadelphia. (He finished 11-17-3 with $1.3 million AAV) where his annual workload won’t exceed 25 or 30 a 3.40 GAA and .892 save percentage). games. "If I’m honest, yeah," said Talbot when asked if he was shocked by his The Flames needed someone capable of playing more — someone who rapid fall from prominence. could end up shouldering the load for stretches, should Rittich falter. "Even the season before last, I don’t think I was as bad as most people "We think we can get him back to where he was," said Treliving, who thought. One of our top defencemen went down [Andrej Sekera], which is also signed defenceman Brandon Davidson and forward Byron Froese to never easy, but I still had 31 wins. Last season was mentally and one-year, two-way deals Monday. physically exhausting. It kind of turned quickly and for some reason, I couldn’t stop it. "We think [his recent struggles] are the blip on the radar. We’re not bringing Cam in here to replace David Rittich. We’re bringing him in here "To be honest I have a lot to prove. Last year was my worst as a pro and to support David and we think it’s a really good fit." it’s something I don’t take lightly. It will be a redemption year for myself." On a busy day of signings and swaps around the NHL, one of the only Due to the Flames’ tight cap situation, Talbot is being given a chance to reasons the Talbot signing was a talking point was because Smith be this year’s Robin Lehner or Petr Mrazek, turning from castoff to happened to end up in Edmonton (one year, $2 million). linchpin. Talbot admitted it will be foreign to be on the south side of the provincial The upside could indeed be huge given the dynamic defence and team in battle. He will adjust. front of him. Due to the cap crunch held ransom by Matthew Tkachuk’s eventual The pressure isn’t necessarily that intense on Talbot as the central figure signing, the Flames watched from the sidelines as popular fourth-liner in Calgary’s net is a "home grown" project in Rittich that the team is Garnet Hathaway was lured to Washington (four years, $6 million). focused on showcasing for years to come. Trade deadline rental Oscar Fantenberg was signed by Vancouver (one "My understanding is we’re going to be a tandem," said Talbot, owner of year, $850,000) and Curtis Lazar was given a one-year try in Buffalo for a career .915 save percentage, confirming the general assignment he’ll $700,000, mere days after the Flames chose not to qualify the RFA. be expected to shoulder. Treliving insists he continues to try working angles via the trade market, "It’s a two-goalie league — there aren’t many teams that have a goalie "but you have to find a fit." play 65 games anymore. Boston is a great example. Tuukka Rask looked extremely solid in the playoffs because he had so much rest. It keeps The fit that many saw as logical, swapping T.J. Brodie for Nazem Kadri, everyone fresh." was trumped by Colorado late Monday when Tyson Barrie was part of a larger deal involving the Leafs centre. Perhaps the now unheard of 73-game season he had in 2015-16 had something to do with the recent demise of an otherwise steady netminder There is still plenty of time for GMs to recalibrate following the free-agent the previous handful of seasons. frenzy and make deals to fill needs money couldn’t address. No doubt the horrific defenders in front of him in Edmonton and Expect Treliving to be one of them. Philadelphia also played a role, as did his eroding confidence.

Either way, the six-foot-four, 196-pound native of Caledonia, Ont., is hell- bent on redemption this fall, and he’ll go about trying to get it via a Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.03.2019 familiar face he hopes can get his game back on track. After several years under the tutelage of Oilers goalie coach Dustin Schwartz, Talbot is returning to Ontario to spend the next six weeks with Pat DiPronio. "He’s my old goalie coach from when I was 10 years old in Stoney Creek," said Talbot, who last worked with DiPronio before his breakout 2016-17 season. "He always seems to know how to get the best out of me. 1107256 Websites

TSN.CA / NHL claims Montador’s brain injuries caused by his ‘own lack of due care and fault’

Rick Westhead

The National Hockey League alleges in a new court filing that it is not to blame for any of the injuries or health problems suffered by former NHL player Steve Montador, who was posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after his death in 2015. Montador was 35 when he died on Feb. 15, 2015. Three months after his death, researchers with the Canadian Sports Concussion Project at Toronto’s Krembil Neuroscience Centre disclosed the former defenceman had suffered from CTE. Montador’s family sued the NHL in December 2015, alleging the league has promoted violence and profited off of it while not adequately advising players of the risks of repeated long-term brain injuries. The Montador family’s lawsuit against the NHL was put on hold for four years while the NHL fought a proposed class-action lawsuit filed by more than 100 former NHL players. Now that there is a settlement in that case – which bars nearly 300 former players and their families of pursuing legal action in the future in exchange for a $22,000 (U.S.) per player settlement –Montador’s case is moving forward. In a 26-page document filed June 28 in U.S. district court in Minneapolis, the NHL asked that Montador’s case be transferred back to Chicago, where it was initially filed. In a series of 26 stated defences, the league insists it isn’t to blame for Montador’s death. Any legal claims related to Montador’s injury “may be barred, in whole or in part, from recovery due to his contributory and/or comparative negligence,” the NHL alleged. “Any injury or damage sustained by [Montador] was caused, in whole or in part, by [Montador's] own lack of due care and fault, and/or by pre- existing conditions; and/or the lack of due care of others for whom the NHL has no responsibility or control,” the league wrote in its answer to the Montador family’s lawsuit. The NHL also alleged it should not face liability from being sued for promoting violence because “such conduct is protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.” In an interview with the Peterborough Examiner newspaper in 2015, Montador said that he suffered from depression during his NHL career as he struggled to recover from brain injuries. In their lawsuit against the NHL, Montador’s family alleged that he has suffered at least 11 documented concussions in the NHL, including four in 12 weeks in 2012. Montador played 571 NHL games during a 14-year pro career that included stints with the Flames, Panthers, Ducks, Bruins, Sabres and Blackhawks. Earlier this year, Toronto neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Tator told a government hearing in Ottawa that he examined Montador's records and discovered that he had actually suffered 19 documented concussions. In an interview on Tuesday, Dr. Tator said that total included brain injuries Montador suffered in junior hockey, the NHL and in his final season as a professional in Zagreb, where he played 11 games for a Croatian-based team in the KHL.

TSN.CA LOADED: 07.03.2019 1107257 Websites

USA TODAY / Panthers forward Frank Vatrano makes his own big trade: Gives No. 72 to incoming star for Rolex, free dinners

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Published 7:55 a.m. ET July 2, 2019 | Updated 8:39 a.m. ET July 2, 2019

Florida Panthers forward Frank Vatrano could argue that to him the biggest trade on NHL free agent signing day didn’t involve players, draft picks or prospects. The deal involved Vatrano giving up his No. 72 to newly-acquired goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The Massachusetts native announced on Twitter that he received a Rolex watch and a year’s worth of free dinners from Bobrovsky in exchange for the No. 72. Negotiations were completed 30 minutes after Bobrovsky's free agent signing was announced. Bobrovsky, 30, can afford to buy Vatrano a watch. His new deal with the Panthers is $70 million over seven seasons. And you thought the Jacob Trouba-to-the-Rangers swap was big. People, or at least Vatrano, will be talking about the number trade for years. Vatrano, 25, has worn No. 72 throughout his four-season NHL career. He will switch to No. 77. It is commonplace for lesser-known NHLers to give up numbers to incoming stars, and it also customary for the stars to offers some compensatory gesture for the courtesy. Bobrovsky is one of nine players who wore No. 72 this season. The others: Andreas Athanasiou (Red Wings), Travis Boyd (Capitals), Thomas Chabot (Senators), Filip Chytil (Rangers), Tim Heed (Sharks), Patric Hornqvist (Penguins), Tage Thompson (Sabres) and Vatrano.

USA TODAY LOADED: 07.03.2019