SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 6/21/2020 St Louis Blues 1186648 New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez looks to reach 1186669 Small turnout expected this week as Blues begin Phase 2 Latino community workouts 1186649 Crushing loss in in ’79 left the Bruins with too 1186670 Lightning’s Frantz Jean focuses on inclusion in talks with many tears his son 1186650 Sabres fans cut to the quick by ownership 1186671 As Florida’s COVID-19 cases spike, Tampa’s teams are 1186651 Holding out optimism for Torey Krug to re-sign with the impacted, too Bruins 1186672 Canadians call hockey ‘our game’ but history, including 1186652 Before firings, Sabres had extended contracts for assistant the almost-buried history of the Colored Hockey League GMs during season 1186653 Sabres' shakeup means Ralph Krueger is moving up in power structure 1186673 Happy Father's Day: Celebrating Capitals dads from Ovechkin to Oshie 1186654 Blackhawks’ pending free agents — Crawford, Kubalik, Websites Strome, others — face long wait until offseason 1186675 The Athletic / ‘Guys are not happy’: How the NHL’s positive tests will impact return to play 1186676 .ca / Why Antoine Roussel might be Canucks' 1186655 The Avs have legit to raise the , if one big most 'Canadian' player weakness doesn’t cause their downfall Jets 1186674 'Cohort quarantine' gives NHLers a COVID-19 pass 1186656 Detroit Red Wings' Jonathan Bernier not counting on No. 1 spot in yet World Leagues News 1186657 'I felt like a truck hit me': Red Wings dietitian Lisa 1186677 NASCAR teams report positive COVID-19 tests McDowell overcomes coronavirus 1186678 Reports: MLBPA to delay vote while seeking COVID-19 info 1186679 Queensland Government loosens coronavirus restrictions, 1186658 Lowetide: Do Oilers fans expect feature minutes from allowing more fans in sport stadiums Tyler Ennis on top line? 1186680 Atlanta United confirms second positive coronavirus case 1186681 "Not so fast" for return of sports as athletes test positive for coronavirus 1186659 Does Drew Doughty give the Kings a $77 million problem? 1186682 Tracking coronavirus in sports: At least 2 Buccaneers players test positive 1186683 NFL not considering NBA's coronavirus strategy: 'Not 1186660 'I needed to stay in shape': With hockey on hold, Devils' practical or appropriate to construct a bubble' Nico Hischier joins Swiss Army 1186684 NFLPA advises players to stop practicing together after 1186661 Devils’ Nico Hischier spending NHL offseason in Swiss increase in coronavirus cases army 1186685 MLB teams shifting spring workouts to home ballparks 1186662 The top 12 lines in Rangers, Devils and Islanders history after COVID-19 outbreaks, report says 1186686 Aussie rules game postponed after player fails COVID-19 test 1186663 NHL sets Stanley Cup playoffs date, strict coronavirus 1186687 Suddenly baseball in 2020 seems very unlikely as guidelines coronavirus uptick hits teams 1186688 Could MLB be Using Coronavirus News to Sabotage Negotiations? 1186664 The top 12 lines in Rangers, Devils and Islanders history SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1186665 Most of Rangers' European players to return to New York this week 1186666 Whether NHL teams avoid coronavirus could trump players’ skill if playoffs are held | Sam Carchidi 1186667 ‘Burgh’s best to wear it, No. 72: Patric Hornqvist gave Penguins something they didn’t have 1186668 Peter DeBoer benched Barclay Goodrow in Sharks' Game 7 win vs. Vegas 1186648 Arizona Coyotes “For me, it’s not just about me,” Gutierrez said. “It’s about a lot of people who have opened doors. But it’s also about those who will come after us. There is a young child, whether he be Latino or not, who may have it in New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez looks to reach Latino community his mind: ‘I could run a sports franchise.’”

“I’m looking forward to it and I embrace it. I don’t see it as pressure because all we can do is do our best.” BY JORDAN ROGERS | CRONKITE NEWS

JUNE 19, 2020 AT 8:11 PM Arizona Sports LOADED: 06.21.2020

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Alex Meruelo made history in July when he became the first Latino controlling owner in NHL history after he purchased the Arizona Coyotes.

He made more history on June 8 when he announced the hiring of Xavier A. Gutierrez to become the new CEO and president of the Coyotes, the first time a Latino would assume those positions for a franchise in the league.

Together they are determined to tap into Arizona’s Latino population and mobilize the community to become avid fans of the Coyotes.

“The Latino market is large here. … It is clearly a market we want to tap into,” said Gutierrez, who came aboard after the team parted ways with Ahron Cohen in May. “It wouldn’t make business sense not to approach them. We want to welcome all fans.”

The U.S. Census reports that 36.1% of the population in Arizona is Hispanic or Latino.

In September, the Coyotes launched three Spanish-language social media accounts in an effort to reach out to the Phoenix market.

In 2016, 15% of Hispanic men ages 18 to 49 in Phoenix had attended more than one game in the preceding 12 months. Only one in 10 expressed interest in the sport, according to a study by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Monica Villalobos, the president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has been monitoring these stats and is excited for Gutierrez’s arrival.

“Right now, we know Arizona is tracking to be a minority majority state,” Villalobos said. “This is the growth market. Being able to attract the fan and consumer has to be the No. 1 mission for all sports franchises. When the NHL and the Coyotes are reaching out to Hispanics, it’s really understanding what a family sport this is. Being able to convey that to Hispanics will be critical.”

Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 DATOS report said Hispanic buying power in Arizona will reach $57 billion in 2022.

“I have the utmost trust and confidence in Xavier to lead us forward and help the Coyotes become a world class organization,” Meruelo said in his statement. “I am confident we have one of the best leadership teams in all professional sports.”

Youth hockey has also grown exponentially. Arizona is the No. 3 state in growth with an 88% increase for boys and No. 1 for girls at a 152% increase, according to a 2019 report by USA Hockey.

“I have nephews who had hockey as their first sport in California because the (Los Angeles) Kings and the (Anaheim) Ducks reached out to them,” Gutierrez said. “They are rabid hockey fans. We see that and we want to replicate it here.”

The lack of success for the Coyotes on the ice is no secret. Though they were included in the 24 teams to be invited to the playoff to wrap up the 2019-20 season, the franchise had not reached the playoffs since the 2011-12 season and is still searching for its first Stanley Cup.

When Meruelo purchased the team a year ago, he made it clear he wanted to change that. Gutierrez echoed that excitement in his statement.

“I share Mr. Meruelo’s ultimate goal: to bring a Stanley Cup to the Valley of the Sun,” Gutierrez said. “I am incredibly passionate about this team and this fan base.”

Gutierrez recognized Meruelo as a pioneer for making him the first Latino president and CEO in NHL history. Though he does recognize he has many hopeful eyeballs on him for the future, he also recognizes his hire isn’t just about him. 1186649 Boston Bruins in the second period, a gentle tuck underneath Montreal goalie Ken Dryden’s pads from a half-inch away. Another goal, a looping floater, to make that lead 3-1 and send the true believers in this building into a high Crushing loss in Montreal in ’79 left the Bruins with too many tears state of panic. What more could he do?

“Mind if we ask a few questions?” a French-Canadian television man asked. By Leigh Montville "You can ask 'em," the replied, "but I'm sure I don't have the Updated June 20, 2020, 2:40 p.m. answers."

There was just something that doomed the Bruins here, something that doomed the Bruins the way it always dooms the Bruins here. There just Editor’s note: While the games are on pause, the Globe is reaching into was a force, a feeling, a wave that caught them again and whacked them its archives to bring you “Replay,” articles from the past that highlight back to where they had left. What was it? something interesting, timely, or revealing. This column by Leigh Montville on the infamous too-many-men-on-the-ice Bruins-Canadiens There was just that one goal by rookie Mark Napier to start it all in the game appeared on Friday, May 11, 1979, under the headline, “Bruins fall, third period, the noise, the wind, the absolute sea of emotion that had 5-4, in overtime after Gilbert’s gymnastics.” every hand in the house clapping to one organ beat, the downright killer wave that swamped all. There was just that goal and then another by MONTREAL — And over in one corner, Gerry Cheevers tried not to cry. Guy Lapointe to tie the game, 3-3, and no matter what the Bruins did, He did not succeed. they were doomed as they always are doomed here. His eyes moved from one player to another in the concrete bunker of a Rick Middleton's goal with four minutes left was just the final tease, the dressing room, from Wayne Cashman to Gilles Gilbert to whomever final prelude to heartbreak. The too-many-men-on-the-ice was the happened to be passing, from player to player, friend to friend, and the familiar part of the wave. The Lafleur goal was the next part. Mario heartbreak just tore him apart. See that guy and that guy, that one and all Tremblay, chugging down the side, hustling the puck over to Yvon the others? The tears formed naturally in the corner of the goaltender’s Lambert and the red light blinking and the crowd exploding were only the eyes. end. “I want to cry for every one of them,” the grown man said late last night. What could you say? The Bruins played hard. No, the Bruins played “Each guy I see makes me want to start crying all over. I just feel so sorry harder. They played a terrific game, and they made this a terrific series. for all of them. They just tried so hard. I’ve never seen a team try so hard . . .” They simply were one step slower. They simply were one foot shorter. They simply were playing another team that was better, no doubt about There were other things to say, but why bother? Why try? Montreal that, and had the perseverance to win in the end. The Bruins were better Canadiens 5. Boston Bruins 4. The end. The absolute pits of an end here than the Canadiens, perhaps, in a long list of emotional ways, but in the again in the Forum, the deadest end of all, 9:33 into sudden-death end they were just not good enough. overtime in the extension of the seventh game of the seven-game semifinal series for the Stanley Cup. How hard is that to take? For anyone?

How do you measure the sadness of it all? Surely not in grand terms, like "We were there," Gilbert said, "but we're only human. We can't stop life and death, street-corner accidents and malignant disease, but on a everything." gut level, how do you measure it? The sight of all of those guys, their nostrils wide open for two weeks now, their eyeballs cutting through the "We had 'em once, we had 'em twice," center Peter McNab said. "That's smoke over the ice like headlights, everybody diving and falling and the thing. We had 'em, and ... " stepping up a level in ability simply by trying. What had it won here in the "You will feel better about this later," a man suggested. "You will sit end? What? Nothing. You had to cry a little bit. You couldn’t stop. down, perhaps, in the summer, and feel good about what you did. You “I’ve seen a lot of hockey games,” Cheevers said. “I’ve seen guys try played well. The pain will go away and you will be satisfied that you hard. But tonight …” played well."

They were terrific, these Bruins. They were absolutely terrific. How many “Not this pain,” McNab said. “The pain just doesn’t go away from a thing times did they win this game? How many times did they lose it? How like this. It’s a lifetime pain. Who’s to say we’ll ever come this close high, how close had they climbed, not just in this series but in three years again? Who’s to say this team will be together? This was our chance. We of bit-by-bit work against the Canadiens to reach this final , this final had ‘em, but in the end we lost.” ... disappointment? How hard would they have to work to get back here again? Could they ever get back here again? Boston Globe LOADED: 06.21.2020 "There will be nothing out of me," defenseman said, motionless, naked in another corner, blank in the face. "There is nothing I can say. I feel too bad."

To be sure, the Bruins helped croak themselves. They had the 3-1 lead at the end of two periods. They had the 4-3 lead with only three minutes to go in the game. They were the ones who botched, who somehow wound up with two centers on the ice at one time, seven men altogether, to be whistled for a and set up 's tying goal with only 1:14 left. To be sure, they botched a few times, surrendering three power-play goals, but really ... REALLY! They somehow deserved better.

Gilbert, the born-again, found-again netminder was a story by himself. Sprawling, kicking, rolling on the ice, assaulted by 52 Canadiens shots — “The most shots I’ve seen since I was a peewee,” he said — what else could he have done? What else? There were some saves that he made that were total inspiration, total reflex, totally out of his or anyone else’s mind. What else could he do?

"For sure, we thought we had the game," he said. "We had it. The thing is that you never know. You never can say that. The game goes on and on, seems like forever, and these are the Canadiens. You never know."

Cashman, the captain with the bad back, the captain from out of traction. What more could he do? One goal to break the Bruins into the lead, 2-1, 1186650 Boston Bruins Golisano. Then came Ron Rolston. Then came the Ted Nolan redux tour. Then came Dan Bylsma. Then came . Then came Ralph Krueger.

Sabres fans cut to the quick by ownership Totals: three GM hires and five coaching hires in less than 10 years. Oh, and let us not forget that Western New York icon Pat LaFontaine was hired as president of hockey ops in November 2013 and packed up after By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff four months, his vision of how to structure a team rumored not to align with that of . Updated June 20, 2020, 1:28 p.m. Bruins fans with long memories, and deeper scars, no doubt remember

the Bruins posted eight straight playoff DNQs, 1960-67, the last of those The Sabres played their first NHL game in October 1970, and this past occurring with wunderkind Bobby Orr in rookie coach Harry Sinden’s week, nearly a half-century later, they were rendered NHL expansion lineup. One way to end the DNQ misery: plug the game’s greatest fodder, albeit with in residence as a proven five-year stud. defenseman into the lineup and alert the box office to prepare the cash registers. Eichel, the former Boston University standout from North Chelmsford, is Buffalo’s 23-year-old franchise centerpiece, an exceptional place to begin In some ways, the Bruins’ run of futility, though a year shorter, was a reboot. So, yes, things could be worse. worse. It was a six-team NHL back then. The sons of Milt Schmidt only had to be better than two other teams to make the playoffs in those Truth is, Eichel’s experience (354 games/337 points) is more than the years. The Sabres must beat out seven other teams to be among the Sabres could boast a half-century ago when they took flight with newbie eight seeds in the East. Tougher odds. 19-year-old Gil Perreault, just weeks removed from being the first pick in the ’70 draft, tagged with the “franchise” label and backed up by the Before Sinden was hired to take over in 1966-67, Schmidt was the lone expansion-refuse likes of and . bench boss, other than Phil Watson’s season-plus, for seven seasons of that stretch. Lynn Patrick was the GM for most of it, followed by Hap But beyond the legitimate like about Eichel, Tuesday’s abrupt purge by Emms for the last two years, before Schmidt assumed GM duties for the owners Terry and Kim Pegula has left their newly anointed general start of the 1967-68 season. manager, Kevyn Adams, scrambling to cobble together a hockey operations and scouting department. Adams’s first-day assignment was So, OK, losing begets change, be it here in the Hub of Hockey or to fire just about everyone other than the Zamboni driver and backup anywhere else. In Buffalo, though, the Pegulas look rudderless, their stickboy. billions allowing them to make nearly a decade’s worth of abrupt, impetuous changes that now have them saying they want to run a leaner, The makeover would be a tall enough order for a proven GM with, say, 5- more streamlined, more fiscally prudent franchise. All of that three weeks 8 years of experience as the man calling the shots. Adams, 45, is after a public vote of confidence for Botterill as GM, whose most damning engaging and bright, two of the qualities that led team president Kim faux pas was dealing away Ryan O’Reilly, the perfect support partner for Pegula to put him on the job, only three weeks after she told the AP’s Eichel. That’s the same O’Reilly, by the way, who was MVP of last John Wawrow that Jason Botterill would be back for a fourth season as season’s playoffs. GM. There is no quick fix here for the new-age expansion Sabres. It will grow Seems like a capricious bounce of the puck, doesn’t it? What we don’t even worse if Eichel, who recently stated he is fed up with losing, has the know about Adams is whether he truly can assess NHL talent. That’s the joy of the game sucked from his bones amid continued futility. key to the job. Everything else is second to knowing who can play the game. If that sounds simplistic, it is, and simply too many GMs and The French Connection is not walking through that door. And even if they scouting staffs get it wrong over and over and over again. were, they wouldn’t last long enough to make a difference.

Adams was the Bruins’ first-round pick in 1993 (25th overall). He is, Longtime Lexington resident Hank Manz, 78, learned this month that he again, first and foremost a rookie, yet even to know what he doesn’t was chosen as this year’s William Thayer Tutt Award winner — USA know about identifying legit NHL talent and composing and running a Hockey’s top honor bestowed on volunteers. franchise with an $80-something million salary cap. To say nothing of all Since the mid-1990s, Manz has overseen the Lexington-Bedford Youth the baggage that comes with a franchise that now has posted a DNQ for Hockey in-house program, for kids ages 5-10, which some years has had nine consecutive playoff seasons — and 11 of the last 13 seasons. as many as 16 teams and 200-plus skaters. Brutal. The emphasis, according to Manz: fun. Expansion franchises, all sports, begin play with the luxury of a ready- made fan base with zero expectations. Everyone is just happy to be “You can play with your brothers and sisters,” said Manz, who grew in there, with a team to have and to hold. Sure, it may take years to reach New Haven and moved to Lexington in the mid-1980s. “For about one- the playoffs (witness: the first eight years of the sad-sack Washington third of our players, it’s a starter program. Some of them can barely Capitals), but that’s all future pain, and there’s often a community skate. Then about one-third are very good players. And then a bunch of bonding among the loyal souls who can say they were there from the kids in the middle.” start when/if the good days arrive. It’s almost romantic for some. They bought into the penny stock that paid off. Lo and behold, it all works, the ages and skill levels blended into a two- edged melting pot that often has kids sticking with the program for all That’s not the case in 2020 Buffalo. Loyal followers of the dulled Sword their years of eligibility, including those who also augment their seasons are fed up, their love and wallets beaten thin, and left to deride Terry with travel hockey. It’s an organized form of town hockey, reminiscent of Pegula’s February 2011 pronouncement: “Starting today, the Buffalo a time decades ago, before indoor rinks, when outdoor ice brought Sabres’ reason for existence will be to win the Stanley Cup.” together all ages and skills . . . and somehow it all worked.

The Sabres were bounced in Round 1 of the postseason that spring and “Years ago, several of us were trying to figure out why so many of the have not returned. They are 0 for 9 seasons in Pegulaville, leading to the kids who were good hockey players continued to play in-house,” noted most recent urge to purge. Manz. “We got a bunch of them together, had soft drinks and pizza for them. This one kid asked why they were there. And I said, ‘Well, we want Adams is the third GM hire since the Pegulas took ownership (team and to find out why you guys play in the in-house program.’ ” arena cost: a reported $189 million) in February 2011. Holdover GM Darcy Regier was bounced in November 2013. Then came Tim Murray The young player, said Manz, cast him a look that said, “Well, another (three years). Then came Botterill (three years). Adams, previously the stupid adult asking dumb questions.” VP of business operations, was promoted, no other candidates vetted. After a short pause, the youngster said, “Hank, it’s fun.” Common denominator: All three hires came with zero GM experience. Sure, everyone seeks consistency, but c’mon . . . “So we emphasize,” said Manz, who was also a town selectman for nine years, “that it’s a program you can play with your brothers and sisters As for coaching, was behind the bench (with Adams a first- and you play with a whole range of kids.” year assistant) when the Pegulas bought the franchise from Tom William Thayer Tutt was USA Hockey president 1972-86, years that will actually have some real hockey news to discuss, even celebrate. included the historic Team USA Olympic gold medal triumph at Lake Announcement day is often lost in a summer haze. Not this time. Placid. For decades, building the game at the grassroots level has been a central point of organization’s mantra. Short-time Bruin Jarome Iginla heads up the class of those who are eligible for the first time — now that he’s been out of the game for three Programs such as LBYH’s 16-week in-house program are among those years. Iggy, with 625 goals and 1,300 points, was a slam dunk — even that try to encourage kids to take up the game, and also help them avoid before he moved his family to the Hub of Hockey in his retirement. burnout. Unlike years past, the Hall’s 18 voting members will not convene in “Most of our kids are very long term,” said Manz. “Did we have a grand Toronto to debate the candidates. As TSN’s Frank Seravalli noted this plan along the way? No. But I’ve always enjoyed sports where there was past week, ex-players and voting members Jari Kurri, Anders Hedberg, at least a little friendliness to it. I don’t like leagues that emphasize, you and Igor Larionov live overseas, making their presence in Toronto know, we’re here to win games. I really want kids to have fun. If you win impractical, if not impossible. games because of it, and you get to be a great hockey player, fantastic. But I think the point is to enjoy what you do, get better, learn something . Instead, with John Davidson acting as moderator, all voters will gather by . . and it turns out, along the way, that tends to increase your interest in conference call Wednesday, present their cases, and cast their secret whatever you are doing, sports or school or whatever.” ballots. The induction class can be no bigger than eight, including six players (four male; two female). The other two can be in the builder’s The NHL and the players’ union announced their ambitious return-to-play category, or one builder and one member of the referee/linesmen crew. hopes May 26, which will be one month ago as of Friday. Yet, as the weekend approached, they still hadn’t divulged the locations of the two Induction weekend in Toronto remains Nov. 14-16, but like everything hub cities that will act as conference bubble sites during the ongoing else, it could get bumped. If so, it’s possible the classes of 2020 and pandemic. 2021 will skate together into the hallowed hall of the immortals.

Las Vegas, which reopened its casino doors on June 4, has been a Where is the Bruins’ Hall of Fame? presumptive favorite, a virtual fait accompli, to be the western hub. At The Bruins are closing in on the 100th anniversary or their inaugural NHL least that has been the buzz around the T-Mobile Center, home of the season (1924-25). For a franchise with such a rich history, and one so Golden Knights, the last 2-3 weeks. keen on maximizing revenue streams, it remains a great mystery why it But the league and union have remained mum on the subject. They’ve still does not have a Hall of Fame on its Causeway Street premises. been monitoring whether COVID-19 rates spike in the desert now that Many of the legendary characters, such as Eddie Shore and Lionel Sin City is back in business. But with a late-July move-in date anticipated Hitchman, are long gone. But there are some great names still with us — for the start of the playoffs, plans for such a large movable feast need to including Harry Sinden, Bobby Orr, , and Gerry Cheevers, to be finalized. name just four — and they’re all long overdue spots in the hometown The great advantage playing in Vegas’s favor: a massive stock of hotel hall. All four have been enshrined in Toronto. rooms, the arena itself tucked directly behind the sprawling New York- The $100 million “Legendary Transformation” of the Garden is all but New York Hotel & Casino. complete, and yet, no Bruins Hall of Fame. Makes zero sense on myriad There has been no presumptive favorite in the East, and the hub could levels, but especially in a city that reveres history and hockey. Must have end up more in the Midwest, be it, say, Columbus or Chicago. If players been the same design committee that chose to refit the joint with are allowed to mingle among the public during their stay, cities such as thousands of seats too narrow and too uncomfortable actually to sit in Chicago or Toronto would win their favor ahead of Columbus. If they’re and watch a game. forced to sequester in rink and hotel, then it’s all Altoona. Loose pucks

The league was still talking with some of the teams in would-be locations Forty years ago this June: Barry Pederson chosen first round, No. 18 as late as Friday afternoon. An announcement could come early this overall, by the Bruins. And 34 years ago this June: Pederson shipped coming week, at least to winnow the original list, which was upward of 10 home to British Columbia in the swap with the Canucks for Cam Neely cities, down to the four finalists (COVID-19 permitting). and the first-round draft pick that became Glen Wesley . . . Kevyn System, announced with considerable fanfare during All-Star Weekend in Adams, the new GM in Buffalo, never signed with the Bruins after being January 2019, will not come with the resumption of play this summer. At selected in 1993. He eventually won the Cup with Peter Laviollete’s least not at the start. 2005-06 Hurricanes. He was a free agent out of Miami University (Sean Kuraly’s alma mater) in 1996 and turned pro with the Maple Leafs. His So yet another coronavirus-related fly in the ointment. P&PTS was to be other ports of call included: Columbus, Florida, Phoenix, and Chicago . . . in full flight for the postseason. Ryan Reaves, 33 and due to be an unrestricted free agent, re-upped for two more years with the Golden Knights at an average $1.75 million. It’s Per the league office in New York, shuttered rinks across the Original 31 a step back from the cap hit of $2.775 million he carried there the last two since early March meant the critical installation work of the system’s data seasons . . . The Islanders are expected to move into their new arena infrastructure was interrupted. It had been completed in 26 arenas. aside Belmont Park for the 2021-22 season. Meanwhile, Nassau Another issue: the on-site staffing required to run all the bells and Coliseum is closed and up for sale, according to Bloomberg News. It’s whistles. The league and union have been adamant about limiting the possible, if no one steps up to buy it, or assume the $100 million in debt, of bodies inside each of the two hub arenas, which will play host the Fish Sticks next season will be forced back to Brooklyn to play all initially to 12 teams at each site. Fewer gadgets, fewer personnel, fewer games at the ill-suited . potential contact issues.

It’s possible, according to a league spokesperson, that the system will be Boston Globe LOADED: 06.21.2020 integrated and operational as the postseason evolves. No doubt everyone involved, especially fans eager to see how the system might interface with legalized betting, would like to see it used for the Stanley Cup Final, currently and tentatively scheduled to begin approximately Oct. 1 (all dates flexible).

The league’s original plan had all 30 teams arriving in Montreal this coming week, some as early as Sunday, for the entry draft — to be known as the 2020 Alexis Lafreniere draft.

Like most everything else, the event was scrapped with no rescheduling date chosen. It will be held, likely in virtual form, some 2-3 weeks following the completion of the Cup Final.

Meanwhile, the Hockey Hall of Fame, which closed its doors in Toronto on March 14, will announce its 2020 class Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. We 1186651 Boston Bruins And without knowing a thing about the negotiations, my guess is he would. The question is whether he'd be OK with not being the highest- paid player on the team, a distinction that currently belongs to David Holding out optimism for Torey Krug to re-sign with the Bruins Krejci ($7.25 million through next season). Krug would get more than that on the open market.

If the Bruins want to sign Krug while maintaining some breathing room, By DJ Bean there are options. Trading John Moore would hurt them when it comes time for the 2021 expansion draft, but Boston has young defensemen June 20, 2020 6:29 PM who would replace (and perhaps upgrade) what Moore brings, and for roughly $1.8 million less. Nick Ritchie ($1.5 million) could be replaced by an entry level player or veteran on the minimum. Between Bruce Cassidy commenting on the potential future of the power play and Joe Haggerty's recent article on how COVID could impact the All in all, Krug returning to Boston is possible. That it hasn't happened by Bruins' finances, Torey Krug is once again a water cooler topic. now suggests it might not, but the Bruins would be wise to try and make it happen. In case anyone forgot, the 29-year-old defenseman will be a free agent whenever this season ends, and a potential return to Boston appears to be something of a coin flip. Boston Herald LOADED: 06.21.2020 If I were the B's, I wouldn't accept defeat on this one. Krug should not be considered expendable, so short of matching what he'd get on the open market, the B's should leave few stones unturned in trying to retain one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL.

WHY IT ISN'T LOOKING GOOD

Right off the bat, Krug entering a walk year without a contract was a bad sign, as the Bruins historically have either re-upped prime UFAs to-be before their walk years (Chara, Bergeron, Marchand) or let them walk (Nathan Horton).

COVID obviously made matters worse. The salary cap has increased every year since the 2012-13 lockout, but it's assumed the cap will stay flat at $81.5 million in wake of the COVID pandemic crushing league revenues.

Had it gone up, the B's obviously would have been in better shape to throw $7.5 million-plus annually at Krug while also re-upping guys like Zdeno Chara (UFA), Jake DeBrusk (RFA) and Matt Grzelcyk (RFA).

Now? Eh. Kevan Miller, Dennis Seidenberg and Matt Beleskey are coming off the books. Given the rest of the contracts that are up, the Bruins would have about $17,959,409 in cap space against a flat $81.5 million cap. They'd need to sign Chara, DeBrusk, Grzelcyk and Anders Bjork as well. Haggerty's piece estimated AAVs of $2 million for Chara (the same as this season), $2.5 million for Grzelcyk and $1.5 million for Bjork.

That would leave the Bruins with $11.9 million to sign Krug and DeBrusk, the latter of whom could be a toughie.

While the average Bruins fan would probably call Jake DeBrusk "good, but inconsistent," his agent will rightfully call him a player who's averaged 20 goals a season over the course of his rookie contract (16, 27, 19). That means he could be looking at a $3.5 million cap hit on a two-year bridge deal, or more on a longterm deal.

Say DeBrusk comes in at $3.5 million. That would leave the B's with $8.4 million to roster both Krug and a Joakim Nordstrom replacement. The margins would be razor-thin in Year 1, and the uncertainty of when the league would have fans in the stands would make it tough to project how much the cap would increase in subsequent years.

WHY THEY SHOULD BE TRYING EVERYTHING

Over the last three seasons, Krug is fifth among NHL defensemen in points per game. He was fifth in points among D this season. The idea that he's expendable because he isn't very tall is stupid. With Charlie McAvoy entering his prime, having prime Krug and McAvoy holding down one pairing each would keep Boston's back end offensively potent.

Plus, doesn't the Bruins re-upping Jaroslav Halak for next season tell you that they want to go for it one more time with this group in the event that they can't manage to make a run in the unusual return format for this season? Trying to do it again without Krug would be a heavy task.

WHAT THE BRUINS CAN DO

Obviously, it takes two to tango. Krug, a converted Bostonian, truly loves the city. With teams like his actual hometown Red Wings flush with enough cap space to easily throw $8.5 million or more at him annually, Krug would need to take a discount to return to the Bruins. 1186652 Buffalo Sabres

Before firings, Sabres had extended contracts for assistant GMs during season

By Lance Lysowski

Published Sat, Jun 20, 2020|Updated Sat, Jun 20, 2020

Former Buffalo Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill's top two lieutenants in hockey operations, assistant general managers Randy Sexton and Steve Greeley, received two-year contract extensions this season, multiple sources confirmed to The Buffalo News on Saturday.

The midseason extensions, which were requested by Botterill and approved by ownership, ensured he and his two assistant general managers would be under contract through the 2021-22 season, and seemingly would have provided a sense of job security.

But Botterill, Sexton and Greeley were among the 22 employees fired Tuesday in a sweeping overhaul of the Sabres' hockey operations department.

An industry source told The Buffalo News an assistant general manager carries an approximate average annual salary between $300,000 and $400,000. Owners Terry and Kim Pegula are paying former General Manager Tim Murray, whom they fired in April 2017, through the end of this month.

Multiple sources confirmed to The News on Thursday that Botterill had verbal agreements in place to extend the contracts of Rochester coach Chris Taylor and player development coach Krys Barch. However, neither deal was completed before Botterill's firing, and Taylor and Barch were also let go. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the agreements.

Botterill was replaced by Kevyn Adams, who previously worked as the Sabres' vice president of business administration. Adams played 11 years in the before joining the organization as a player development coach in 2009.

The Pegulas cited "philosophical differences" after Botterill's firing and the scope of the overhaul was not known until late Tuesday. Among those fired were amateur scouting director Ryan Jankowski; assistant amateur scouting director Jeff Crisp; 10 of 14 amateur scouts; one of three pro scouts; two of four development coaches; Rochester coach Chris Taylor and his coaching staff; and Dennis Miller, head of rehab and development. Another amateur scout resigned last month to spend time with his family.

During a Zoom conference call with reporters Tuesday, told reporters the hockey operations department would become "leaner," a vision that did not align with that of Botterill, who was hired in May 2017.

The Sabres failed to qualify for the NHL’s 24-team return-to-play format because they finished .007 percentage points behind the .

Sexton, who also ran the Sabres' top minor-league affiliate, the Rochester Americans, worked with Botterill in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization from 2010-17. Sexton was the Penguins' director of amateur scouting, while Botterill ran the team's AHL affiliate in Wilkes- Barre/Scranton.

Greeley joined the Sabres in 2017 after spending two years as the New York Rangers' assistant director of player personnel. He was an assistant coach at Boston University during Jack Eichel's only season with the Terriers in 2014-15 and began his hockey operations career with a seven-year stint as a scout in the Los Angeles Kings organization.

Buffalo News LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186653 Buffalo Sabres The Smith situation was silliness, really. The much more important issues centered around Zach Bogosian and Evan Rodrigues. Krueger was healthy-scratching them on merit; both players carped about that, and Sabres' shakeup means Ralph Krueger is moving up in power structure then leaked word they wanted trades.

Krueger was clearly furious with the situation. One day after practice, he said, "I have no fear or no sleepless nights because of minor conflicts By Mike Harrington within the group. I'm a leader that's not here to be popular at all."

Published Sat, Jun 20, 2020|Updated Sat, Jun 20, 2020 A couple of weeks later, Rodrigues' request further rankled the coach.

"We will work with the players that really want to be here," Krueger said. "And quite clearly, play the players that want to be here." There are losers everywhere in this current Sabres mess. Tough talk. Once their trade demands came out, Bogosian and There is one clear winner: Ralph Krueger. Rodrigues should not have seen the ice again, but they did. Not a single The head coach is now a major power player in the entire hockey person watching the games this season believed that was Krueger's operations department. He is going to have far more say about how this decision. That had to come from Botterill. team is constructed and who is going to be on the ice. Under Adams, it's hard to imagine that happens again. And now we New General Manager Kevyn Adams fostered a relationship with watch to see what kind of players Krueger really wants. Botterill's firing is Krueger much of the season while in his business role, drawing on a good sign for Rasmus Ristolainen, whom Krueger loves. Montour Krueger's days as a team president in the English Premier League. And better keep a real estate agent's number handy. A lot of other guys could Adams apparently had a huge grip on Krueger's ears during that Western be in the same boat. road trip in late February and early March. The events of the last few There's a new GM in town. But the feeling is the coach is the new sheriff. days show that what was discussed in Vegas isn't staying there.

The players are complete Krueger enthusiasts and that's important. So are Terry and Kim Pegula, who seem to like this coach more than any Buffalo News LOADED: 06.21.2020 other they've had since Lindy Ruff. Krueger is easily one of the best public speakers in a coaching or management role in recent Buffalo sports history and you get the sense that the Pegula lovefest with him is akin to what they felt when Rex Ryan was coaching the Bills.

Ryan, of course, was mostly a fraud. He liked the spotlight and not the actual work of an NFL head coach. Krueger is full-speed ahead on backing his words to become a viable NHL head man after both of his seasons so far were cut short (by a lockout in Edmonton and the pandemic this year).

"You could see it. The players love playing for Ralph," Adams said Wednesday in a chat with The Buffalo News. "They're buying into his system and the coaching staff works great together ... There's a lot of great pieces in place and we can have success."

While we're a long way away from finding out if that's true, it's clear that Adams is going to defer to Krueger on a lot of issues. It's likely the coach will have far more of a direct line to ownership than he did in his first year.

You think back to the season now and it seems there were some signs of disconnect between Krueger and deposed GM Jason Botterill.

Brandon Montour and Colin Miller, acquired by Botterill in a five-month span last year, didn't seem to be the the kind of defensemen who fit Krueger's system. It would not be a shock to see Adams move them this summer to get some help up front. In addition, Krueger simply wouldn't play Jeff Skinner with Jack Eichel, and there's no way Botterill could have been fine with that, especially as Skinner's eight-year, $72 million contract with a full no-trade clause looked worse and worse by the day.

The coach had some sticky situations to navigate with the GM in December and January.

Remember Dalton Smith?

When Tampa Bay came to town for its New Year's Eve game, the Sabres were 0-3 against the Lightning and there was lots of bristling among fans and media about big injuries to Vladimir Sobotka and suffered in previous meetings.

Botterill suddenly shuffled his playbook back to the 1970s and upgraded Smith's AHL contract to an NHL deal so he could bring up Smith, who had 366 penalty minutes over the previous three seasons, to add some toughness to the Buffalo lineup.

Smith is not an NHL player. And he wasn't up to a game against a team like Tampa Bay. Krueger sent Botterill a message, too: He played Smith four shifts totaling 68 seconds.

Two days and roughly $23,000 in cap money later – remember, the owners are counting pennies now – Smith was placed on waivers and cleared to return to Rochester. There's a very good chance that will be the extent of his NHL career. 1186654 Chicago Blackhawks This year, July 1 will be just another day in the long wait for the NHL’s return — and, in the case of the Hawks’ pending free agents, for the eventual offseason.

Blackhawks’ pending free agents — Crawford, Kubalik, Strome, others — face long wait until offseason Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.21.2020

By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST

Jun 20, 2020, 7:30am CDT

Corey Crawford’s contract is up after the season, but that could be a long time from now. Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press

In a normal NHL timeline, the opening of free agency July 1 would be less than two weeks away.

That normally would mean new contracts — or new teams — for the annual class of free agents, which this year includes several notable Blackhawks: (unrestricted), Dylan Strome (restricted), Dominik Kubalik (restricted) and Drake Caggiula (restricted).

This year, however, the Hawks’ pending free agents are going to have to wait a lot longer before negotiating their next deals.

General manager Stan Bowman said during a Zoom call this month that he hasn’t begun talking with any of his free agents-to-be.

‘‘I’ve told their agents that, at this point, it’s premature,’’ Bowman said. ‘‘There’s too many uncertainties to know what the salary cap or what the format for the future will be. So we’re just going to wait until we have more information.’’

Most, if not all, pending free agents around the league are stuck in the same waiting game, Bowman said.

‘‘In my conversations with other managers around the league, everyone’s taking the same approach,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s really difficult to be signing contracts for the future when we haven’t even finished this season yet and we don’t know what next year’s going to look like.

‘‘So I imagine that’s all going to happen in the offseason, whenever that will be. It looks like it’s going to happen in the fall now.’’

With the expanded playoffs not expected to determine a Stanley Cup champion until early October, free agency might not open until late October, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported Thursday.

The NHL also will have to squeeze the draft into the window between the end of the postseason and the start of free agency. In fact, Bowman said the Hawks’ hockey operations staff has spent most of the pandemic preparing for the draft.

So Crawford, Strome, Kubalik and Caggiula — plus lower-profile players such as Slater Koekkoek and Malcolm Subban and minor-leaguers Ian McCoshen, Joni Tuulola, Alexandre Fortin and Joseph Cramarossa — likely will have to wait four months longer than anticipated to determine their fates for 2020-21 and beyond.

Making the situation even more interesting is that almost all of those players are restricted free agents, which means the Hawks will retain control over them even when free agency arrives. They’ll have very little leverage because their only option to re-signing with the Hawks will be holding out, rather than signing with another team.

Even Crawford, despite technically being an unrestricted free agent, likely will prefer to re-sign with the Hawks, if possible, given his history with them.

So the players will be, to some extent, at the whims of the to-be- determined salary cap. If the cap stays flat instead of increasing by the customary few million next season, it likely will be the players without locked-in 2020-21 salaries who bear the brunt of the financial fallout.

That possibility will put significant pressure on their agents: Gilles Lupien for Crawford, Mark Guy for Strome, Jiri Hamal for Kubalik and Justin Duberman for Caggiula.

But there’s only so much even their agents will be able to do. The timeline of the offseason is completely out of their control. One could argue it’s even largely out of the NHL’s hands, at least as long as COVID-19 continues to rage in various hot spots across the continent. 1186655 Colorado Avalanche “It’s going to be like a new season,” Landeskog said.

Can either Grubauer or Francouz be trusted to win 16 playoff games? It’s the most intriguing decision coach Jared Bednar must make. Being The Avs have legit shot to raise the Stanley Cup, if one big weakness unflappable and consistent is easier said than done under the heat of a doesn’t cause their downfall postseason microscope.

But if either Francouz or Grubauer can merely be solid between the By MARK KISZLA | [email protected] | The Denver Post pipes, MacKinnon can make the spectacular plays to win a series. “He’s been the MVP in my eyes for the last few years,” Landeskog said. June 20, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Just as it was an honor to bow my head near the spot where Broncos star Courtland Sutton kneeled for nine minutes of silence in tribute to George Floyd during a recent Black Lives Matter march though Maybe what America needs now is the mindless good fun of a hockey downtown, it would be a hoot to gather later this year with all of you at fight. the Civic Center and celebrate the Avalanche bringing home the Cup. Don’t know about you. But everywhere I look, from baseball We’d salute MacKinnon and the boys in burgundy with giddy grins so big commissioner Rob Manfred to NBA crusader Kyrie Irving, somebody’s the joy would shine right though our coronavirus masks. fighting mad about something (or everything). Ever the sunny optimist, I’ve already selected my mask for the From coast to coast, in red states and blue cities, we’ve had peaceful Avalanche’s victory parade. It’s adorned with the official Colorado state marches in the name of racial equality, violent protests against police symbol: a smiley face with two cannabis plants for eyes. brutality and a political rally in direct defiance of COVID-19 science, where I saw a photo of a grown man donning a diaper to tell mask- Anybody else in Colorado yearning for a reason to party? wearers to kiss his … Yes, we’ve got serious issues to address. But sticking to sports would Hey, buddy. Get in line. It’s 2020 and we’re all mad about something. feel good, if only for the hot minute of overtime during a NHL playoff game. We need the local hockey team to “Go, Avs, go,” maybe now We’ve torn down statues that should’ve been dumped in a landfill long more than ever. ago, and cursed software that makes filing for unemployment tougher than wrestling a bear.

Just for a change of pace, would it be OK to kick back and have a little Denver Post: LOADED: 06.21.2020 fun, watching the Avs shoot and score until captain Gabe Landeskog raises the Stanley Cup?

“I’m excited to have a chance to take a run at the Stanley Cup this year,” Landeskog said.

Even in tough times, it’s OK to be excited about life. Yes, we’ve got issues of health, justice and democracy that are far more important than hockey. But is it shallow of me to yearn to see a happy crowd congregate in downtown Denver in celebration of an NHL championship, after we’ve scrubbed away the angry graffiti on the Colorado State Capitol?

The Avalanche is our best chance for a sports-crazy town to go crazy about something frivolous and fun in 2020.

Who knows if the coronavirus will allow sports, from the preps to the pros, to come out of hiding long enough to bring sustained joy in our lives this year?

If the pandemic lets them take the field, we’ll have to pardon the Broncos’ dust during their rebuilding project. The Nuggets are a fun bunch, but one star shy of legit contention. If an abundance of caution prevents fans from basking in the sunshine of Coors Field, does anybody really care if the Rockies play ball in an empty stadium?

The Avs, however, are ready to win it all. Right now.

On any given shift, Nathan MacKinnon is the most dangerous skater on the planet. The confidence in the Avs room is organic, born of a roster loaded with so much talent it doesn’t need to feign fearlessness.

But here’s the great unknown, for Colorado, as well as their rivals throughout the Western Conference: After a lengthy, virus-imposed layoff, the teams that get up to speed quickly on all the big and small hockey details will have the best chance of long playoff run.

“We’re not going to achieve fairness,” said Landeskog. Whatever momentum the Avalanche established before COVID-19 halted the regular season is long gone. He explained: “Everybody is going to start from scratch, after being off for three months.”

Factors that often separate a champ from a chump during the playoffs are the power play, the penalty kill and perhaps most of all, the goaltending. And goaltending is the biggest, most legit reason to doubt the Avalanche’s championship aspirations.

The last time we saw the Avs in Pepsi Center, Philipp Grubauer was on the shelf with an injury and Pavel Francouz was making his case to be the No. 1 goaltender going forward.

But that was three months ago. Ancient history. What now? 1186656 Detroit Red Wings “It was nice to really get close with my kids and spend some time seeing them grow, so that was kind of fun,” Bernier said.

He moved back to Montreal last month and, with restrictions being Detroit Red Wings' Jonathan Bernier not counting on No. 1 spot in goal eased, he’s getting back into a more normal offseason routine. He was yet able to work out regularly at a gym this week. A nearby ice rink is reopening on Monday.

Dana Gauruder, Special to Detroit Free Press With the extra time off, he plans to try to some new techniques, such as computer programs designed to help hand-eye coordination. Published 6:01 a.m. ET June 20, 2020 He still anticipates that it will be difficult to scrape off the rust during the early portion of next season.

Jonathan Bernier won’t allow himself to fall into the trap of thinking he’s “It’s definitely going to be a tough couple of weeks or three weeks to get locked in as the Detroit Red Wings’ No. 1 goaltender. back in game situations, especially as a goalie,” he said.

In part due to Jimmy Howard’s ineffectiveness, Bernier became the He can’t imagine another season, though, as rough as the team endured unquestioned starter in February. Playing for his fifth NHL organization, this winter. He’s confident that the youth movement will start producing Bernier knows that offseason expectations often provide false hope. more victories.

“I’ve been in this league a long time,” said Bernier, who debuted in 2007 “You’re not going from last to first,” he said. “That’s unrealistic. But I do with Los Angeles. “There’s years where I thought I’d be a backup and believe we were a better team than what we showed a lot of nights. turned out to be a No. 1. There’s years where I worked really hard in the When you have a young group, the hardest part in the NHL is to play 82 summer and came in and got my job stolen or got traded. It’s such a games and be consistent. As a group, we need to be more consistent.” competitive league and you’ve just got to perform.” If Bernier can build off his 2019-20 season, he’ll look to sign another GM Steve Yzerman is expected to sign a free agent goaltender to either multi-year contract with the Wings. back up Bernier or duel for the top spot. “My dream is play as long as I can, hopefully until I’m 40 or 38 — you Bernier, who turns 32 in August, is entering the final year of the three- never know, depending on your body,” he said. “For me, there’s really year deal he signed with the Wings during the 2018 offseason. nothing more that I want to do. I’d love to finish my career in Detroit, if that’s possible. I’d love to stay there, for sure.” Despite the team’s woeful 2019-20 season, Bernier put up respectable stats. He recorded 15 of the team’s 17 victories and had a 2.95 goals- against average and .907 save percentage. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 06.21.2020 “There’s always things you can improve upon and especially as a group, we didn’t play the way we wanted to,” Bernier said from his offseason home in Montreal. “But obviously, with the way I played, I hope that I gave confidence to the coaching staff and to the organization to earn their trust.”

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) deflects a shot by Montreal Canadiens left wing Ilya Kovalchuk (17) during the third period on Feb. 18, 2020, in Detroit.

Bernier came to the organization after an injury-plagued season in Colorado. He struggled in his first year with the Wings, posting a 3.16 GAA, his worst in any season since his four-game cameo as a rookie with the Kings.

The security of the three-year, $9 million contract gave him a chance to bounce back after the pressure of his one-year deal with the Avs.

“That’s one of the reasons I signed for three years,” he said. “It takes time sometimes to get used to it — used to the city, used to your teammates, used to your environment. I really felt a lot more comfortable coming into last summer and coming into camp. I think that plays a big role in your confidence and how you feel. That’s probably a big part why this season was much better than my first one.”

Bernier’s improved play also made him the subject of trade rumors, a situation he could face once again on an expiring contract next season. Bernier has been dealt twice during offseasons, going from L.A. to Toronto in 2013 and from there to Anaheim in 2016.

“When you’re in situation like we were as a team, nobody’s safe,” he said. “At the end of the day, if the trade is good for the organization and they feel they’re getting better, they will do it. I don’t think anyone was really safe. There was definitely a chance (he could have been dealt).”

There’s no chance the Wings will be playing again until next season, which is inlikely to start before December. The league’s restart plan includes 24 teams in a playoff tournament, but the Wings were already eliminated from playoff contention before the suspension of play in mid- March due to the coronavirus.

“It was a really hard decision to make for the NHLPA and NHL,” Bernier said. “They tried to make it as fair as possible for everyone but we knew it wasn’t going to be a perfect scenario. It’s going to be a long (layoff).”

Bernier spent a majority of the first two months during the suspension of play at his Michigan home, enjoying some quality time with his pregnant wife Martine and two sons, 6-year-old Tyler and 1-year-old Brady. 1186657 Detroit Red Wings During the time McDowell was sick at home, interaction with other people was obviously prohibited.

“I didn’t want to expose people, and I have elderly parents and I didn’t 'I felt like a truck hit me': Red Wings dietitian Lisa McDowell overcomes want them to be sick, so I kind of stayed tucked away for a month. coronavirus “The only person home with me was my son (Connery),” McDowell said. “He was great. I had a lot of wonderful people offer to help me. I had a lot Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News of support. That was really meaningful.”

Published 10:38 a.m. ET June 20, 2020 | Updated 12:21 p.m. ET June McDowell finally got a sense of relief on April 6. 20, 2020 “I was starting to feel OK and I tested negative that day,” McDowell said. “I’m gritty and tough, we have a rigorous travel schedule (with the Wings), and I’m working at the hospital. But I just couldn’t believe I was Detroit — Lisa McDowell awoke one March morning and immediately taken down so hard.” knew something wasn’t right. McDowell has begun her running regimen but it’s not close to her usual McDowell couldn’t taste the tea she drinks every morning. She had no routine. appetite. She simply wasn’t feeling well, after feeling really tired the day before. McDowell is back at work and feels stronger every day. But the thought of where she was a few months ago and how she felt, that hasn’t left. “I woke up and I felt like a truck hit me,” McDowell said. "I had a 105- degree fever. I never had that.” “I’m doing a mile of running, then I walk a mile, then I’ll run a mile,” McDowell said. “I can’t go out and run 20 (miles) like I could before. McDowell is the Red Wings’ team dietician and is also director of clinical nutrition and wellness at Ann Arbor St. Joseph Mercy Health System. “It was scary. I’m happy I'm doing better. But it’s not like I’m 100 percent.” She’s an avid runner. Active, always on the move.

But in March, McDowell came down with the coronavirus, leading to Detroit News LOADED: 06.21.2020 three weeks of feeling as bad as she had ever felt.

An unrelenting fever, difficulty breathing, she was forcing herself to get up and do simple tasks.

“I was very sick for at least three weeks,” McDowell said. “I would say during that time I was very very, very sick and I thought, ‘My God, am I going to die sick?’ for about 10 days.”

Three weeks of agony, pure and simple.

“I had a fever, like about 104.7, for over a week, the fever would not relent,” McDowell said. “I came in (to the hospital) and got tested and it came back positive. It was scary.

“It was a tough go.”

The symptom that bothered McDowell most was the difficulty breathing.

McDowell is an accomplished runner, she’s run in the Grand Canyon, a 50-mile run with many elevation changes, and monitors her breathing and sleeping regularly.

But this was so different.

“It was real weird for me to have this (virus), where at night, I would be counting my breath,” McDowell said. “Am I getting a deep enough breath? And what’s my oxygen saturation? That’s what was so scary.”

The breathing difficulties weren’t all her problems.

“I also had easy bleeding,” McDowell said. “I noticed it when I brushed my teeth. I was just so nervous. It’s such a problematic virus and then it can attack systems.

“But I just tried to do what the doctors instructed me to do that was to make myself eat and get out of bed and try to move around.

“But, again, it was a rough go.”

McDowell was rarely around the Red Wings leading up to the NHL season being paused March 12.

McDowell wasn’t on the road trip to Washington the day the season was halted and had only been at Little Caesars Arena three days before.

But there was a huge difference in her health earlier that week.

“I was OK at that point, so I didn’t expose anybody,” McDowell said. “I wasn’t sick yet.”

But there were coronavirus cases at St. Joseph, and colleagues of McDowell’s were tested for COVID when she was beginning to feel ill.

“I was sick right when it was kind of hitting Michigan (in March),” McDowell said. “I was probably one of the earliest cases.” 1186658 Edmonton Oilers In the 2010-11 season, Ennis was active offensively, averaging 9.24 shots per 60 at five-on-five. That’s an outstanding number; no Oilers player approached that kind of shot volume in 2019-20.

Lowetide: Do Oilers fans expect feature minutes from Tyler Ennis on top He wouldn’t get close for the rest of the decade. In fact, Ennis didn’t line? approach 8.00 shots per 60 at five-on-five until this season, when he averaged 8.72 per 60, the second-best total of his career.

By Allan Mitchell Ennis has enjoyed an offensive resurgence in the past two seasons, although not in a feature role. Via Natural Stat Trick, here are the Ennis Jun 20, 2020 numbers from his final Buffalo season through the end of 2019-20, all numbers five-on-five:

2016-17 Buffalo During the long layoff between the regular season and playoffs, Edmonton Oilers fans have had an opportunity to discuss the club’s 11:13 endless issues. From the old favourites (Barry Fraser at the 1990 draft, Peter Chiarelli at the 2015 draft) to problems that will never get settled 1.05 (Chris Pronger to Anaheim, to New Jersey), there hasn’t been 7.97 as much time dedicated to discussing the current team’s concerns. 6.58 One current-day issue that has moved to the forefront: Should Andreas Athanasiou or Tyler Ennis be the scoring winger on Connor McDavid’s 2017-18 Minnesota line? 11:18 It’s a curious conversation from my point of view because the two men aren’t applying for the same job. It is unlikely their careers with the Oilers 1.31 overlap more than one season (2019-20). 7.85

Ennis and Athanasiou are competing for playing time on the No. 1 line for 5.56 the 2020 playoffs. 2018-19 Toronto If tradition holds, Ennis is likely a rental player who could earn a one-year extension based on Edmonton’s offseason shopping list. Athanasiou, 8:17 whom Edmonton traded a pair of second-round selections to acquire, is 1.85 an asset valued heavily by the organization based on acquisition cost alone. 7.67

The notion of Athanasiou playing fewer years in Edmonton than Ennis is 18.52 far-fetched, based on contract, skill set, age and experience. 2019-20 Ott/Edm Is it possible Ennis becomes a long-term solution in his hometown? He would need to show durability, scoring skill, shot volume and the capacity 12:19 to play feature minutes. I also believe he would need to be willing to sign 1.9 a series of short-term deals. 8.72 Did Ennis turn a corner, has he discovered a way to play his rambunctious style and avoid injury? Is it possible the Oilers acquired a 8.87 healthy Ennis at the deadline, and he’s therefore poised to deliver at a higher level? Let’s have a look at recent and not-so-recent history. The five-on-five ice-time totals tell us Ennis hasn’t been a consistent member of a No. 1 or a No. 2 line the past four seasons but was in the Acquisition range of second-line duties this past season. In 2019-20, there were 93 forwards (31 teams, three forwards on the top line for each team) who Edmonton fans had a lot to talk about at the trade deadline, including two played 13:25 or more at five-on-five (200-plus minutes). There were an rentals (Ennis and defenceman Mike Green) plus a big, strong winger additional 93 men who played between 12:22 and 13:24 per game, under control in Athanasiou. meaning Ennis was in the range for a second-line forward. Ennis had the most impact among the three, playing in nine games and His 1.90 points per 60 at five-on-five this season ranked No. 119 among scoring twice while adding a pair of assists. He averaged 14:29 in those qualifying forwards; that’s also second-line production. His shots per 60 Edmonton games, well above the 11:51 he played in 61 games with the (No. 64) put him in a good spot, and his shot percentage placed him No. . 252 and far from the league’s elite. A spike in playing time down the stretch isn’t breaking news, the Oilers He didn’t see a major increase in ice time with elite players the past two had a need for skill and Ennis was playing a lot to see if he could deliver seasons. His most common linemates in Toronto were Frederik Gauthier, offence on the top line with McDavid. An uptick in minutes and shots and Josh Leivo, Par Lindholm and Trevor Moore — that’s miles from the even points should have been expected; the overwhelming majority of Maple Leafs heart of the order. In Ottawa, he played higher in the lineup, wingers who land on the McDavid line see an increase in individual most often with Colin White, Chris Tierney, Artem Anisimov and Vladislav scoring. Namestnikov. However, according to Puck IQ, he played just 24 percent What was obscured in Ennis’ season was increased shot rates in Ottawa of the season against top opponents and since 2014, he has been cast in before the trade. Many of his offensive stats saw an increase from a secondary role against elite players. previous seasons, when Ennis suffered some serious setbacks because Ennis hasn’t played a feature role for an entire season in many years. of injuries. How much is left in the tank If we’re going to create a scenario in which Ennis has earned consideration for a substantial role over a long period with the I mentioned earlier Ennis and Athanasiou aren’t applying for the same organization, the season in Ottawa is central to any surge in value. jobs, or at least in the same years, beyond the 2020 campaign. One way to express this is to find comparable players and then compare their Last time everything was right collective careers from this point (Ennis is 30) through retirement. It’s been some time since Ennis played a complete season, and it’s easy Using Hockey-Reference, we find there are eight comparable forwards to forget the kind of impact he could have on a team when healthy. He since 2000 (Ennis scored .51 points per game since arriving in the NHL). was fourth in team scoring (49 points) in 2010-11 on the Buffalo Sabres There were 16 in total, but several (including Athanasiou) are disqualified team that won 43 games, and led the Sabres in points during the difficult because they are active and not 30, or for other reasons. Among the 2014-15 campaign (46 points). comparable players, here are their NHL totals after age 30 and sorted by points per game with time on ice per game included:

Johan Franzen: 283 games, 94-112-206 (.728 points per game) (17:27)

David Vyborny: 228 games, 45-110-155 (.680 points per game) (19:03)

Matt Cullen: 845 games, 148-262-410 (.485 points per game) (15:25)

Jan Hlavac: 80 games, 12-23-35 (.438 points per game) (15:09)

Dean McAmmond: 351 games, 51-70-121 (.345 points per game) (12:38)

Alexei Ponikarovsky: 124 games, 18-24-42 (.339 points per game) (14:13)

Shawn Bates: 52 games, 4-6-10 (.192 points per game) (12:18)

Kyle Calder: 14 games, 0-2-2 (.143 points per game) (14:07)

This is a rich collection of players who enjoyed varying degrees of success after age 30. Franzen and Ponikarovsky are not similar because of size, Cullen was an established player of great utility by age 30 (penalty kill especially) but players such as Vyborny and McAmmond have style and deployment similarities to Ennis.

If we ignore style differences, and accept this as the pool for Ennis, very few in this group played 17-plus minutes a game and a complete season after age 30: Franzen (four times), Cullen (three) and Vyborny (twice).

What does it all mean?

Oilers fans saw Ennis performing well with McDavid down the stretch and concluded (correctly) his acquisition was a wise investment. It would be a mistake to project him into a prominent role beyond the 2020 playoffs.

Ennis is 30 and hasn’t played 17 minutes a game in a complete NHL season since 2014-15. This is a short-term bet. You’re hoping he has chemistry (and that may be true) and stays healthy (too soon to know).

Signing Ennis as a complementary player who can move up the depth chart when injuries or slumps occur is good business. Ken Holland’s deadline trade and some playoff success might make an extension possible. Projecting Ennis into anything more than a depth role beyond the 2020 playoffs would be unwise no matter how good he looks alongside McDavid in the upcoming playoffs.

Ennis is 30 and has lost a significant amount of playing time because of injury that came via his rambunctious style of play. He hasn’t played big minutes in six years and isn’t accustomed to battling elite competition at five-on-five every game.

A one-year value deal makes a lot of sense for the Oilers and Ennis, especially if there is playoff success. He can slide up and down the roster as required.

Ennis at 20 would inspire the kind of excitement currently associated with Kailer Yamamoto’s future. The eye test has been running rampant for many Oilers fans, but the math test once again offers a sobering reality.

The Athletic LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186659 Los Angeles Kings defenseman. His best qualities have been the reliability with which he moved the puck and his unparalleled ability to break out of the defensive zone, both of which remained at elite levels even in the past two Does Drew Doughty give the Kings a $77 million problem? seasons, Berkshire wrote.

Doughty has been extremely durable in his career, missing just 19 games since his debut in 2008. He’s been a constant near the top of the By ANDREW KNOLL time on ice leaderboard. He has played difficult minutes with tough matchups, plenty of defensive-zone starts (his last two seasons have PUBLISHED: June 20, 2020 at 12:25 p.m. | UPDATED: June 20, 2020 at seen his highest percentage of d-zone faceoffs) and an assortment of 12:25 p.m. defense partners – he had 10 different ones this season alone, playing with almost every Kings defenseman.

A player who was once arguably the most bankable cornerstone of the But analyst JFresh argued that Doughty has become the worst player in Kings’ glory years could now be the least certain element of their rebuild. the league with this level of responsibility and quantity of minutes.

Defenseman Drew Doughty – he of two Stanley Cups and two Olympic His critique notes that while Doughty does play against top competition – gold medals – has seen a marked decline over the past two seasons in a only Ottawa’s Thomas Chabot has a heavier workload against tougher number of statistical categories, both traditional and advanced. opponents – even adjusting numbers for factors like competition and defensive responsibility, Doughty did not have a strong campaign on That may be particularly troubling considering that Doughty’s eight-year, either side of the puck this past season. His five-on-five offense placed in $88 million contract makes him the second highest-paid defenseman in the bottom tier of the league. Defensively, his shortcomings seem tough NHL history. He will count for $77 million against the salary cap over the to pin on his defense partners or the Kings’ system as they were above next seven seasons as the Kings integrate their highly touted prospects average at even strength defensively by season’s end. and a forthcoming high draft pick into their organization. Han took a look at game film, assessing Doughty’s play with detailed Doughty, 30, won the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman in notes that suggested that while Doughty’s technique, skill and talent 2016, and he was a finalist in 2015 and 2018. In a player poll this remain outstanding, strong effort may not always be there from Doughty. season, Doughty still placed fourth in votes for league’s top defenseman. A lack of urgency, the absence of intensity, an unwillingness to work to get open and a tendency to force plays rather than skating into position “Usually I’m top two or three but I wasn’t even top three this year, so were all in Han’s remarks. So, too, were flashes of superlative awareness that’s one I want, that’s the only (category) I care to be on at all,” Doughty on both sides of the puck, sound passing to create offense on the power said in an April teleconference. play and some solid physical play. But on Thursday, the Kings announced their annual awards voted by the All three analyses, however, suggested Doughty could fare better in a local media and Doughty was not even named the top defenseman on situation that was more competitive and in which he was better the Kings, an award that went to Matt Roy on a team that has struggled supported. two seasons in a row. So who is the real Drew Doughty? For the Kings, that is a $77 million Doughty had earned that honor in 10 of the past 11 seasons. Willie question, the answer to which could buoy or torpedo their rebuild. Mitchell won the award in 2012, when he was paired with Doughty. Doughty has won the award twice as many times as any other Kings defenseman. Current general manager Rob Blake ranks second having won the award five times. Orange County Register: LOADED: 06.21.2020

For Doughty’s part, he said on the same call that Roy was a pleasant surprise to him. While Roy had a reputation as a steady depth player, Doughty said Roy’s managing to be a plus-player on a Kings roster riddled with minuses and flashes of offensive ability exceeded any reasonable expectations.

“He really impressed me. He’s a great guy and a hard worker. He’ll be a guy that we’ll want to keep around in our organization for a long time.” Doughty said.

Doughty also said that the “run and gun” nature of today’s game does not suit him as well as the more precise play-making that was more common earlier in Doughty’s career. Yet he still has the respect of his peers even as he has had to adapt stylistically and despite seeing his numbers drop.

Doughty led the NHL in defensive point shares in 2016, 2017 and 2018, with totals above 7 in each season. But his 2.9 last season represented a career-worst figure and his 3.3 this season tied his previous low from the shortened 2013 season.

Last season, his Corsi and Fenwick for percentages were both below 50 for the first time in his career and his negative-34 plus-minus rating was a career worst.

Though he’s long been known as a two-way defenseman rather than an offense-first rearguard, Doughty’s scoring production has also dipped, particularly at even strength. In 2018, Doughty scored a career-best 39 points at even strength, but has notched just 40 points (including a mere three goals) five-on-five cumulatively over the past two seasons.

That decline has sparked a debate among analysts, particularly those focused on advanced stats. Andrew Berkshire penned a defense of Doughty on Sportsnet, which was followed by rebukes of Doughty penned by two analysts, including former Toronto Marlies assistant coach Jack Han.

Berkshire looked at Doughty’s numbers over the past five seasons. He argued that despite some statistical backsliding and some substantive decline in his scoring and transition play, Doughty remained an elite 1186660 New Jersey Devils going on and I can focus in on my summer training and getting ready for next year."

Feb 18, 2020; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New Jersey Devils center Nico 'I needed to stay in shape': With hockey on hold, Devils' Nico Hischier Hischier (13) handles the puck during the first period against the St. joins Swiss Army Louis Blues at Enterprise Center.

Due to safety precautions, Hischier completed the first four weeks of Sean Farrell, NorthJersey.com military service at home before starting the in-person activity. He's taken lessons on First Aid and learned about what do to if someone collapses. Published 2:31 p.m. ET June 20, 2020 He's also taken advantage of the Army training facilities, which keep the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Hischier in shape. He sees the NHL stoppage as an

opportunity to prepare more than usual, but wonders what it will feel like NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly when competition returns. discuss the league's latest step toward returning: a 24-team playoff "At the end of the day, it's hockey that counts," Hischier said. "If you format. (May 27) AP Sports haven't played for so long, it's going to be so weird to step back on the Nico Hischier did not know where to go. ice and play at such a high level and high speed."

The Devils' center felt unprepared when the coronavirus hit his native The attention will be on Hischier when he gets back to Jersey. Next and changed life as we know it. season will be the start of a seven-year, $50.75 million contract extension for Hischier. Gyms were closing all around him, and Hischier lacked the equipment for a good home workout. It inspired him to put his career on hold for the It's just another challenge he plans to embrace. summer to serve in the Swiss Army. "Pressure is always there for everyone," Hischier said. "There's going to "It's really good to work out there," Hischier said. "I can prepare myself be a little extra pressure, but I'll try to use it as motivation." well for next season up there. They have everything you need."

From one uniform to the next. Bergen Record LOADED: 06.21.2020 Hischier is in the middle of an 18-week military program that will wrap up in mid-August. He's given a time to work out twice a day, from Monday to Friday, at the Army training center. It's part of a special division for athletes that reunited Hischier with some of his former Swiss hockey teammates.

The one bonus is that Hischier is free to return to New Jersey at any time if the Devils call.

"It was always in the back of my head," said Hischier, on his decision to enroll. "Last summer, I did something for the Army, but it was for one day. I knew this year, it would be the year to do the 18 weeks. One reason I did it was I needed to stay in shape."

This season, Hischier shaped into one of the Devils' leaders and a potential candidate for team captain. He made the All-Star team for the first time in his career and finished third on the Devils with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 58 games.

That came in a season when the Devils unloaded some of the top offensive weapons around him, including Taylor Hall, Blake Coleman and Wayne Simmonds. Hischier responded by scoring more after the Hall trade (20 points in 31 games) than before it (16 in 27).

"I always try to play my game," Hischier said. "It doesn't really matter who left or who was there. One thing I try to do is be consistent and play my game every night."

Nico Hischier on being a leader for the Devils: “If I have something to speak about I still will try to speak about it. I don’t want to be that kind of guy that is shy about it and won’t talk to anyone."

If offered the chance to be captain, Hischier said he would not turn it down. The Devils named Hischier an alternate captain this season, a decision that gave the 21-year-old some extra confidence. He took steps toward becoming a more complete player, from the faceoff circle to the dressing room.

"I tried to help the team off the ice and on the ice with leading by example and doing the little details right," Hischier said. "That can win you a game, even if it doesn't show up in the scoresheet."

Before joining the military, Hischier stayed with his parents for the first five or six weeks in Switzerland. He caught up with his brother, Luca, and sister, Nina, while back home. It's the most time that the Hischiers have been together in a decade.

Now that ice is available in Switzerland, Nico Hischier has also spent some time skating over the past few weeks.

"I always had the thought that we might come back and finish the season," said Hischier, whose Devils missed out on the 24-team playoff. "As soon as it was clear for me, it was numb. Obviously I would like to come back and play, but it was a little relief in that we finally know what's 1186661 New Jersey Devils

Devils’ Nico Hischier spending NHL offseason in Swiss army

Staff Report

By Associated Press

June 20, 2020 | 10:55PM

With the New Jersey Devils missing out on the NHL’s 24-team return from the pause caused by the novel coronavirus, center Nico Hischier is putting his extended offseason to good use.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft is fulfilling his military obligation to Switzerland, which has a mandatory 18-week service for men followed by three-week stints over the next six or seven years.

Hischier had thought about fulfilling it during the season, but with the Devils uncertain when they would return from the pause, it turned out to be the perfect option.

“One reason I did it was I needed to stay in shape,” Hischier said Saturday on a Zoom call. “I didn’t know where to go because gyms weren’t open and I couldn’t just work out at home. I just didn’t have the tools for a good workout there. For a couple weeks it worked, but I felt like I needed to go somewhere to be prepared when we had to go back and play again. Then the army came and they had a great solution because where I’m working right now, that’s a great building. They have everything there you need.”

The 21-year-old Hischier is in a special program for athletes, although the first four weeks of classes were held remotely because of the virus. He is now attending classes to learn emergency medical techniques, among other things, in the mornings and working out with fellow athletes in the afternoon, including some hockey players from the Swiss national team.

He is not learning how to march or drive a tank, and he’s not heading to the firing range to shoot an automatic weapon. The soldiers in Switzerland’s professional army do that.

Hischier does get a uniform and there are rules to follow. He works five days, goes home and returns the following week. He does not have a rank — yet.

“We didn’t do much army stuff yet,” Hichier said, although he expects jt will increase by the time he finishes in mid-August.

Hischier is coming off what he considers a disappointing season. Like most of the Devils, he played well after a bad start led to the firing of coach and general manager . He finished with 14 goals and 22 assists in 58 games. New Jersey posted a 28-29-12 record, finishing 12-5-4 in the last 21 contests under interim coach Alain Nasreddine.

“Obviously, it wasn’t a year that we expect,” Hischier said. “A lot of things happened, obviously, with all those changes. It wasn’t easy. I think the biggest thing for us was that we had a really bad start. It’s always frustrating and not easy when you’re down in the standings and you have to catch up.”

Hischier felt he took a few steps forward in his third season, but the team’s lack of success took away from that.

With the late-season trade of defenseman , Hischier is open to the idea of replacing him as the Devils’ captain next season. He was an alternate captain this season.

“At the end of the day, I’m still a young player,” Hischier said. “I still got a long, long way to go, a lot of things that I don’t know yet. I need to learn.”

It’s like learning to be in the army in some ways.

New York Post LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186662 New Jersey Devils perfect union that led the Blueshirts to the Stanley Cup in 1928 and 1933. Boucher led the league in assists three times while Bill Cook paced the NHL in goal-scoring twice.

The top 12 lines in Rangers, Devils and Islanders history 3. Patrik Elias-Jason Arnott-Petr Sykora (Devils): The A Line of 1999- 2000 and 2000-01 was as flashy, productive, effective, explosive and charismatic as any NHL unit of the last, oh, I don’t know, 100 years? By Larry Brooks Honestly, do you want to match with Steve Shutt-Jacques Lemaire-Guy Lafleur? Be my guest. Want to go with Jari Kurri-Wayne Gretzky-Esa June 20, 2020 | 5:12pm | Updated Tikkanen? After you. The A Line’s natural chemistry was a sight to behold. Its shocking lack of longevity — Arnott was gone at the 2002 deadline and Sykora followed in the offseason — doesn’t dim either the The subject was raised through an exchange on social media, it memory or appreciation of this comet that streaked across the sky. expanded into a discussion about the efficacy of the Trio Grande, which was the nickname for the Clark Gillies-Bryan Trottier-Mike Bossy line, 2. Clark Gillies-Bryan Trottier-Mike Bossy (Islanders): The Trio Grande and now has found its way into this ranking of the top 12 lines in New comprised of interlocking Hall of Famers who combined to create majesty York/New Jersey hockey history. and domination. What’s interesting is that Al Arbour often shifted Gillies off the unit following the first Cup in 1980. Bob Bourne moved on up to fill 12. Mike Peluso-Bobby Holik-Randy McKay (Devils): The Crash Line. that spot while Gillies skated primarily with Butch Goring and Duane Yes, I know all about the Grind Line in Detroit (Joe Kocur-Kris Draper- Sutter. Kirk Maltby/Darren McCarty) that Scotty Bowman built in the Crash Line’s image a couple of years after his Red Wings had been swept by the 1. -- (Rangers): The GAG Line then, Devils in the 1995 Cup final, but Peluso, Holik and McKay blended their the GAG Line now, the GAG Line forever, united at the top of the talents to form the most famous and celebrated fourth line in NHL history. Garden, united in history. Had Ratelle not suffered that broken ankle in Game 63 of 1971-72, chances are good that all three would have scored 11. Steve Thomas-Pierre Turgeon-Derek King (Islanders): When I 50 or more goals. Instead, it was Hadfield with 50, Ratelle with 46 and recently ranked the top teams in NY/NJ hockey history, I did a disservice Gilbert, who scored only four goals after his center left the lineup, with a to the 1992-93 Islanders by omitting them from the list. That was an final tally of 43. Electric and elegant, A-Number 1, king of the hill. exciting team filled with personality that shocked the omnipotent, two- time defending champion Penguins in the second round despite Turgeon’s absence. (See: Hunter, Dale, thuggery.) Turgeon recorded 58 New York Post LOADED: 06.21.2020 goals and 132 points, King scored 38 goals and Stumpy Thomas chipped in with 37.

10. Patrik Elias-Scott Gomez-Brian Gionta (Devils): The EGG Line. Seriously, with all of the big-time players who have come through New Jersey, it is the Gionta who holds the single-season franchise record with 48 goals he established in 2005-06 with breakdown, puck-transporting center Gomez at about the height of his powers and the redoubtable Elias (who missed the season’s first half recovering from hepatitis) patrolling the left side.

9. Brendan Shanahan-Patrik Sundstrom-John MacLean (Devils): Sundstrom, compromised and ultimately forced to retire because of back issues, is the best Devils player you may know — intelligent, skilled and played both ends with equal elan. MacLean, whose No. 15 should be raised to the top of the Rock, was a goal-scoring machine before he ripped up his knee, and Shanahan was just beginning to emerge as one of the great power wingers of all time with his sophomore 1988-89, 50- point production.

8. Lynn Patrick-Phil Watson-Bryan Hextall (Rangers): The engine that drove the Blueshirts to the Stanley Cup in, ah, what was that year again? Oh, right, 1940, the year that lasted more than a half-century of a lifetime.

7. Don Maloney-Phil Esposito-Don Murdoch (Rangers): The Godfather Line. Maloney was a rookie who worked the corners and could sprinkle more than the odd goal or two and Esposito was fully in his element wearing the Blueshirt while scoring 42 goals. They were joined midway through the season by the sniper Murdoch, who’d been suspended for the first 40 games for a cocaine-related matter. This was the driving offensive force behind the run to the Cup final.

6. Adam Graves--Alex Kovalev (Rangers): Conjure the vision of a 52-goal scorer riding shotgun for Messier. That’s what you had with Graves on The Captain’s left side. And then, on the right, was the mercurial and gifted Kovalev, whose four-on-four goal late in the second period of the We’ll Win Tonight Game 6 broke the ice and set it up for Messier’s third-period hat trick. This line simply imposed its will on opponents, one after another. By the way, this was apparently 1994 Week on MSG, the year that will last a lifetime.

5. John Tonelli-Brent Sutter-Mike Bossy (Islanders): This was the line that was formed for Team Canada in the 1984 Canada Cup after Trottier had decided to play for Team USA and became a force when kept intact for most of the ensuing season. It could have been called the Century Line, which I am quite sure it was not, when all three cracked the 100- point circle, with Bossy in at 117 (58-59), Sutter in at 102 (42-60) and Tonelli in at 100 even (42-58).

4. Bun Cook-Frank Boucher-Bill Cook (Rangers): The Bread Line. We are talking Rangers royalty here, the three Hall of Famers forming a 1186663 New York Islanders

NHL sets Stanley Cup playoffs date, strict coronavirus guidelines

By Larry Brooks

June 20, 2020 | 1:43pm | Updated

We have a date. A few, in fact. Whether the NHL is going to be able to keep them is essentially up to the virus.

The Post has learned that the Stanley Cup tournament’s qualifying rounds are scheduled to begin on July 30 in hub cities that will be selected “within the next week or so,” according to a directive sent to NHL clubs Friday following its general managers meeting.

Training camp, that had been previously scheduled to commence on July 10, will last approximately two weeks, with clubs scheduled to travel to their respective assigned location on either July 23 or 24. Teams will play one exhibition match before going into the best-of-five qualifiers and the top-four seeding round-robins. The Rangers will face Carolina while the Islanders meet Florida.

The length of training camp apparently has been settled in the ongoing return-to-play negotiations between the NHL and the NHLPA but must be memorialized as part of a comprehensive agreement that will include health/safety protocols for camp and the Cup tournament and is likely to also yield an extension of a reworked CBA.

Training camp rosters will be set at 30 skaters and an unlimited number of goaltenders. Rosters for the tournament will be comprised of 28 skaters plus an unlimited number of netminders. Players on IR will not count against the limit.

According to the directive, testing for the coronavirus will be done “every other day for all people entering the facility.” It is unclear at this point whether the media will be granted access.

As per the NHL on Friday, 11 players have tested positive for COVID-19 since June 8. The Lightning temporarily closed its practice facility after three players and an additional number of support personnel tested positive. It is believed that four players skating as part of a 12-man group in Arizona, though not at the Coyotes’ facility, tested positive and are now in quarantine-mode.

In light of these events and the seeming resurgence of the virus in the absence of a cogent national strategy to combat it, social distancing was a topic of conversation at the meeting, with GMs told that players and staff “are not to be going to restaurants and clubs.”

Per the directive, “Players and staff are not to socialize outside the facility in numbers that exceed social distancing guidelines and safe social distancing is to be kept at all times. In Ontario, that number is 10 people. We have discussed this on all calls and in many emails, but as you see the spikes within certain teams in hockey, baseball and college football today—this needs to be stressed further.”

And, as if anyone would need another reminder about the state of the world, there was this: “The league cautioned us that when it comes to staffing and the number of people on the medical and support side that, ‘Things are just not going to be as they used to be.’”

New York Post LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186664 New York Rangers perfect union that led the Blueshirts to the Stanley Cup in 1928 and 1933. Boucher led the league in assists three times while Bill Cook paced the NHL in goal-scoring twice.

The top 12 lines in Rangers, Devils and Islanders history 3. Patrik Elias-Jason Arnott-Petr Sykora (Devils): The A Line of 1999- 2000 and 2000-01 was as flashy, productive, effective, explosive and charismatic as any NHL unit of the last, oh, I don’t know, 100 years? By Larry Brooks Honestly, do you want to match with Steve Shutt-Jacques Lemaire-Guy Lafleur? Be my guest. Want to go with Jari Kurri-Wayne Gretzky-Esa June 20, 2020 | 5:12pm | Updated Tikkanen? After you. The A Line’s natural chemistry was a sight to behold. Its shocking lack of longevity — Arnott was gone at the 2002 deadline and Sykora followed in the offseason — doesn’t dim either the The subject was raised through an exchange on social media, it memory or appreciation of this comet that streaked across the sky. expanded into a discussion about the efficacy of the Trio Grande, which was the nickname for the Clark Gillies-Bryan Trottier-Mike Bossy line, 2. Clark Gillies-Bryan Trottier-Mike Bossy (Islanders): The Trio Grande and now has found its way into this ranking of the top 12 lines in New comprised of interlocking Hall of Famers who combined to create majesty York/New Jersey hockey history. and domination. What’s interesting is that Al Arbour often shifted Gillies off the unit following the first Cup in 1980. Bob Bourne moved on up to fill 12. Mike Peluso-Bobby Holik-Randy McKay (Devils): The Crash Line. that spot while Gillies skated primarily with Butch Goring and Duane Yes, I know all about the Grind Line in Detroit (Joe Kocur-Kris Draper- Sutter. Kirk Maltby/Darren McCarty) that Scotty Bowman built in the Crash Line’s image a couple of years after his Red Wings had been swept by the 1. Vic Hadfield-Jean Ratelle-Rod Gilbert (Rangers): The GAG Line then, Devils in the 1995 Cup final, but Peluso, Holik and McKay blended their the GAG Line now, the GAG Line forever, united at the top of the talents to form the most famous and celebrated fourth line in NHL history. Garden, united in history. Had Ratelle not suffered that broken ankle in Game 63 of 1971-72, chances are good that all three would have scored 11. Steve Thomas-Pierre Turgeon-Derek King (Islanders): When I 50 or more goals. Instead, it was Hadfield with 50, Ratelle with 46 and recently ranked the top teams in NY/NJ hockey history, I did a disservice Gilbert, who scored only four goals after his center left the lineup, with a to the 1992-93 Islanders by omitting them from the list. That was an final tally of 43. Electric and elegant, A-Number 1, king of the hill. exciting team filled with personality that shocked the omnipotent, two- time defending champion Penguins in the second round despite Turgeon’s absence. (See: Hunter, Dale, thuggery.) Turgeon recorded 58 New York Post LOADED: 06.21.2020 goals and 132 points, King scored 38 goals and Stumpy Thomas chipped in with 37.

10. Patrik Elias-Scott Gomez-Brian Gionta (Devils): The EGG Line. Seriously, with all of the big-time players who have come through New Jersey, it is the Gionta who holds the single-season franchise record with 48 goals he established in 2005-06 with breakdown, puck-transporting center Gomez at about the height of his powers and the redoubtable Elias (who missed the season’s first half recovering from hepatitis) patrolling the left side.

9. Brendan Shanahan-Patrik Sundstrom-John MacLean (Devils): Sundstrom, compromised and ultimately forced to retire because of back issues, is the best Devils player you may know — intelligent, skilled and played both ends with equal elan. MacLean, whose No. 15 should be raised to the top of the Rock, was a goal-scoring machine before he ripped up his knee, and Shanahan was just beginning to emerge as one of the great power wingers of all time with his sophomore 1988-89, 50- point production.

8. Lynn Patrick-Phil Watson-Bryan Hextall (Rangers): The engine that drove the Blueshirts to the Stanley Cup in, ah, what was that year again? Oh, right, 1940, the year that lasted more than a half-century of a lifetime.

7. Don Maloney-Phil Esposito-Don Murdoch (Rangers): The Godfather Line. Maloney was a rookie who worked the corners and could sprinkle more than the odd goal or two and Esposito was fully in his element wearing the Blueshirt while scoring 42 goals. They were joined midway through the season by the sniper Murdoch, who’d been suspended for the first 40 games for a cocaine-related matter. This was the driving offensive force behind the run to the Cup final.

6. Adam Graves-Mark Messier-Alex Kovalev (Rangers): Conjure the vision of a 52-goal scorer riding shotgun for Messier. That’s what you had with Graves on The Captain’s left side. And then, on the right, was the mercurial and gifted Kovalev, whose four-on-four goal late in the second period of the We’ll Win Tonight Game 6 broke the ice and set it up for Messier’s third-period hat trick. This line simply imposed its will on opponents, one after another. By the way, this was apparently 1994 Week on MSG, the year that will last a lifetime.

5. John Tonelli-Brent Sutter-Mike Bossy (Islanders): This was the line that was formed for Team Canada in the 1984 Canada Cup after Trottier had decided to play for Team USA and became a force when kept intact for most of the ensuing season. It could have been called the Century Line, which I am quite sure it was not, when all three cracked the 100- point circle, with Bossy in at 117 (58-59), Sutter in at 102 (42-60) and Tonelli in at 100 even (42-58).

4. Bun Cook-Frank Boucher-Bill Cook (Rangers): The Bread Line. We are talking Rangers royalty here, the three Hall of Famers forming a 1186665 New York Rangers

Most of Rangers' European players to return to New York this week

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

Updated June 21, 2020 12:47 AM

With Phase 3 of the NHL’s return-to-play plan — training camps — set to begin July 10, the Rangers’ European players are making plans to return to New York this week.

After the NHL paused its season because of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12, players were allowed to leave their team’s cities to go home, or wherever they chose to spend the duration of the shutdown.

Most of the Rangers’ European players returned to Europe, with Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin the only ones who chose to stay in the United States. Panarin stayed in the area and is skating and working out at the Rangers’ practice facility in Greenburgh as part of the NHL’s voluntary small group training. Shesterkin reportedly is in Florida.

Forward Pavel Buchnevich, who has spent the NHL pause in Russia, plans to return to New York on Sunday, according to his agent. The other players who have been in Europe — Henrik Lundqvist, Mika Zibanejad and Jesper Fast in Sweden, Kaapo Kakko and Alexandar Georgiev in Finland, and Filip Chytil in the Czech Republic — likely will follow.

Players returning for training camp from outside the country, or from different parts of the country, are subject to whatever quarantine restrictions are in place. They would need to have their quarantine completed so that they are ready to participate fully when camp starts.

Players will be tested for the coronavirus when they arrive in New York and tested again a week later. If both tests are negative, the player should be cleared to practice.

The NHL announced a plan that will bring back 24 of its 31 teams to play at one of two hub sites, which have yet to be chosen. The top four teams in each of the Eastern and Western Conferences will play each other in a round-robin setup to determine seeding for the top four teams, and teams 5 through 12 in each conference will face off in a best-of-five play-in series to advance to the 16-team playoff field.

The NHL has not announced how many players will be on the rosters for the league’s restart, but it’s been widely reported that it is likely to be 28 skaters and an unlimited number of goaltenders. Teams will be capped at 50 personnel — including players, trainers, equipment managers and executives — at the hub sites. There have been no announcements about how many players can be brought to training camp on July 10.

One player who won’t be at the Rangers’ training camp is former first- round pick Lias Andersson, who declined an invitation. Andersson, the No. 7 overall pick in 2017, will remain in Sweden, where he finished up playing on loan for HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League after bolting from his assignment at the Rangers’ Hartford farm team in December.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186666 Philadelphia Flyers After three weeks of camp, how many teams will lose important players to the virus?

Fans are starting to become more skeptical about the season restarting. Whether NHL teams avoid coronavirus could trump players’ skill if In a poll I ran on Twitter right after the season was paused on March 12, playoffs are held | Sam Carchidi 55% of the nearly 5,000 responders said the NHL was wrong for even stopping the games. by Sam Carchidi Fast-forward to a poll I conducted that ended Saturday and had 3,223 responders, The results: 47% said the league should continue with its playoff plan, 28% said the season should be canceled, and 25% said the NHL should use a wait-and-see approach. Should the NHL play its 24-game tournament or bag the season because it is subjecting players and team personnel to the coronavirus? I’m in the “wait-and-see” camp, but if the virus cases start to balloon when (if) training camps start, it’s time to pull the plug and hope you can Would players and staff members have just as much of a chance start the 2020-21 season in October – though that would probably be catching the virus if they stayed home as they would quarantined in a wishful thinking because the pandemic is tougher than Dave Schultz in hotel and arena that are following strict health guidelines? his prime. Is it worth playing games to give fans something to watch on their flat screens and fill the NHL coffers with TV revenue, or should the league just cancel the games and stop the impression that money trumps health Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.21.2020 concerns?

Those are just some of the questions that confront the NHL, whose Stanley Cup champion would have been crowned already if the virus hadn’t gotten in the way.

The league still has plans to restart the season, probably in early August, with a five-round tournament that isn’t expected to end until October — at around the time the 2020-21 season was supposed to start.

Is it crazy to try to finish? Admirable? Somewhere in between?

During the last few months, there’s been a familiar question: If this season ever resumes, will there be an asterisk added to the champion’s name because of the unusual circumstances — the regular season ending early, the playoff format adjusted — caused by the pandemic?

My answer has always been that an asterisk should not be added, but I’m beginning to have second thoughts because this nasty virus could drastically affect playoff lineups. That is, if we even have the playoffs.

Before Friday’s news that 11 NHL players practicing in small-group sessions, including three from powerful Tampa Bay and Toronto superstar , were stricken with the coronavirus, it was easy to assume the Stanley Cup champ would win the crown on merit.

Toronto's Auston Matthews (right), fights for the puck off the draw against Flyers captain earlier in the season. Matthews was one of 11 NHL players to contract the coronavirus, the NHL said.

Toronto's Auston Matthews (right), fights for the puck off the draw against Flyers captain Claude Giroux earlier in the season. Matthews was one of 11 NHL players to contract the coronavirus, the NHL said.

The champ would have to win at least four best-of-seven series to hoist the Cup, and if the eventual winner was in the play-in round, it would have won an unprecedented 19 games and five series.

Based on that, no asterisk would be needed. The champ would prove it deserved the crown.

With the latest developments, however, I’m not so sure.

In light of what we learned Friday, winning the Cup may be based on luck just as much as skill. The team that is fortunate enough not to have any of its key players stricken by the virus could be the decisive factor.

It’s enough to at least start this conversation: Why not just bag the season and start the next campaign after a vaccine has been developed?

The NHL would lose lots of TV revenue — estimates are around $500 million — but it would gain respect for putting lives ahead of dollars.

Yes, the diehard fans would fume, but isn’t it best to be cautious when you are dealing with a potential killer of a disease?

Those who want the season to restart say the chances of dying from the virus are minuscule.

Those who want the plug pulled on season say sports aren’t essential and putting the players and their staffs at risk, no matter how small, is shortsighted.

As of now, provided the league and the players association can agree on safety and health issues, training camps are supposed to open July 10. 1186667 Pittsburgh Penguins • Ernie Borghetti was an All-American tackle (offense and defense) for Pitt during the early 1960s. In 1963, Borghetti helped lead Pitt to a surprising 9-1 record as well as a No. 3 ranking in the Associated Press’ ‘Burgh’s best to wear it, No. 72: Patric Hornqvist gave Penguins final poll. In 1964, he was picked by the in the sixth something they didn’t have round of the NFL Draft.

SETH RORABAUGH Tribune Review LOADED: 06.21.2020

Saturday, June 20, 2020 8:00 a.m.

The Tribune-Review sports staff is conducting a daily countdown of the best 100 players in Pittsburgh pro and college sports history to wear each jersey number.

No. 72: Patric Hornqvist

The evening of June. 27, 2014, general manager David Poile was holding court with reporters in an auxiliary storage room in Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, which had been cleared out to stage interviews during the NHL’s Draft.

He was asked to explain the player he had just traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“A heart-and-soul player,” Poile said. “Plays hard every night game-in, game-out. Goes to the dirty areas. Goes to the hard areas. Takes physical abuse.

“He’s really a different type player that the Penguins don’t have.”

Truth be told, Patric Hornqvist is a player most NHL teams don’t have. That’s why he was Jim Rutherford’s first major acquisition a few weeks into his tenure as Penguins’ general manager.

The trade itself illustrated the type of team Rutherford wanted to craft. Hornqvist and fellow forward Nick Spaling, who was included in the transaction to aid the Predators’ salary cap situation, were acquired in exchange for talented but flawed scoring winger James Neal, a player who could be selfish on the ice far too often.

In Hornqvist, the Penguins acquired something of a modern-day Kevin Stevens. That’s to say he is rambunctious on the ice and rousing in the dressing room. And while he wasn’t nearly as physically imposing as the 6-foot-3, 230-pound “Artie,” the 5-11, 189-pound “Horny” has willed himself into ignoring countless cross-checks to the back and slap shots to the shins to become one of the NHL’s most dangerous — and, not coincidentally, detested — net-front presences.

Upon his arrival in Pittsburgh, Hornqvist switched from No. 27 he wore in Nashville (incumbent forward Craig Adams already inhabited No. 27) to No. 72. In many ways, donning a number fitting of a run-blocking right tackle is appropriate for a right winger who has illuminated many red lights more through his bellicose nature than his puck-handling abilities.

Nearly six years later, the acquisition of Hornqvist has paid off handsomely. A member of the franchise’s Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and ’17, Hornqvist’s signature moment of his NHL career came in Game 6 of the 2017 Final when he scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in a 2-0 road win against his former team.

With the contest scoreless, Hornqvist fought free of Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis, collected a loose puck off the end boards and banged in an ugly shot off the left elbow of Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne to give the Penguins the first lead of the contest with 1 minute, 44 seconds left to play.

You wouldn’t expect anything different from Hornqvist.

Other 72s of note:

• Gerry “Moon” Mullins spent nine years as an offensive lineman for the Steelers. A third-round pick in 1971, he was a vital component of all four of the team’s Super Bowl victories that decade. His block on linebacker Wally Hilginberg led to Super Bowl IX’s first touchdown, a 9-yard run by Franco Harris.

• Leon Searcy was a first-round pick in 1992, the team’s first under coach Bill Cowher. Named as starting right tackle in 1993, Searcy was a member of a dominant offensive line for three seasons, including the 1995 campaign that ended in Super Bowl XXX. 1186668 San Jose Sharks

Peter DeBoer benched Barclay Goodrow in Sharks' Game 7 win vs. Vegas

By Ali Thanawalla

June 20, 2020 6:40 PM

Former Sharks forward Barclay Goodrow will never forget his series- winning goal against the in last year's Stanley Cup playoffs.

The overtime marker to cap a stunning Sharks' rally in Game 7 of the first round unquestionably was the biggest goal of Goodrow's six-year NHL career.

But for a brief stretch during that thrilling game, Goodrow wasn't part of then-Sharks coach Peter DeBoer's rotation.

"Last year, Game 7 against Vegas, we were in San Jose and Barclay Goodrow, who plays for [Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper] now, he turned a puck over, missed an assignment in the middle of the second period and it cost us a goal," DeBoer said Thursday during a panel with The Athletic's Joe Smith. "I sat him for probably a period. I put him back out late in the third and overtime, he scored the double-overtime winner in Game 7 for us to advance."

DeBoer, now the coach of Golden Knights, was trying to send a message to Goodrow.

"Yes, you have to discipline your players at different points for different things," DeBoer said. "But they have to know they’re going to get another chance to fix it. They also have to know if you’re doing it, if you’re sitting them for the entire game, an assistant has to sit down with them and go through video and show them how to fix the reason they’re out of the game. They have to know there’s an answer there, and then give them the opportunity to fix it."

Goodrow played just 7:26 of Game 7 against the Golden Knights, but he made it count.

While Goodrow was the hero on that night in San Jose, he didn't register a single point in any of the Sharks' next 13 playoff games against the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues.

After tallying eight goals and 16 assists in 62 games this season, Goodrow was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 2020 third-round draft pick for 26-year-old forward Anthony Greco and a 2020 first-round pick.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186669 St Louis Blues in with both feet. “You gotta want to do it and you gotta want to be there,” he said. “You can’t be testing the waters. And saying, ‘Wow. This isn’t good. I’m gonna be away for two months.’ “We gotta knock that out right Small turnout expected this week as Blues begin Phase 2 workouts away and we gotta be dialed in.” Otherwise, once the postseason starts, the Blues could be knocked out — of the tournament — before they know it. “Definitely,” Berube said. “It’s gonna be a mental game, for sure. I think the team that is jumping in there with both feet ready to go, and wants to Jim Thomas play and wants to win and wants to play hard, you’re gonna give yourself a better opportunity for sure.” Berube said he already has stressed that point to players, to some degree, in recent calls and communication. For the first time in more than three months, Blues players will be on the “When we get back, we gotta be ready to roll,” Berube said. ice at Centene Community Ice Center as the team formally begins Phase 2 of the NHL’s return to play plan Monday. Phase 2 consists of small- For the first time in more than three months, Blues players will be on the group individual workouts, and in the case of the Blues — the emphasis ice at Centene Community Ice Center as the team formally begins Phase is on the “small.” General manager Doug Armstrong said only three 2 of the NHL’s return to play plan Monday. players are scheduled to skate at Centene this week. Since the Phase 2 Phase 2 consists of small-group individual workouts, and in the case of program is voluntary, Armstrong declined to mention their names. As for the Blues — the emphasis is on the “small.” General manager Doug the rest of the squad, Armstrong said: “Most of our guys are skating with Armstrong said only three players are scheduled to skate at Centene this bigger groups and are happy with what they have.” Some of those week. Since the Phase 2 program is voluntary, Armstrong declined to groups of other players are skating elsewhere in the St. Louis area, and mention their names. some continue to train out of town. Armstrong has maintained all along that if players were comfortable with their current training set up, they As for the rest of the squad, Armstrong said: “Most of our guys are were welcome to stay with it if they so desired. And that appears to be skating with bigger groups and are happy with what they have.” the case for the most part. The dynamic changes in less than three weeks, with training camps scheduled to start July 10. (Which, obviously, Some of those groups of other players are skating elsewhere in the St. is not voluntary.) The NHL and NHL Players’ Association still must sign Louis area, and some continue to train out of town. Armstrong has off on the official start of training camp (Phase 3), as well as the maintained all along that if players were comfortable with their current resumption of the 2019-20 season with a 24-team postseason format training set up, they were welcome to stay with it if they so desired. (Phase 4) expected to begin in early August. A decision could come as And that appears to be the case for the most part. early as this coming week on going forward with Phase 3 and Phase 4, as well as the selection of the two hub cities that will be postseason The dynamic changes in less than three weeks, with training camps hosts. So the low player turnout this week at Centene may be a matter of scheduled to start July 10. (Which, obviously, is not voluntary.) The NHL practicality, with players simply waiting on formal approval by the league and NHL Players’ Association still must sign off on the official start of and the players’ union that there will indeed be hockey to conclude this training camp (Phase 3), as well as the resumption of the 2019-20 season. There was sobering news on the coronavirus front over the season with a 24-team postseason format (Phase 4) expected to begin in weekend, with the Tampa Bay Lightning closing down their practice early August. facility after the team confirmed that “three players and additional staff members” had tested positive for COVID-19. Teams could begin the A decision could come as early as this coming week on going forward Phase 2 small-group workouts, with no more than six players allowed on with Phase 3 and Phase 4, as well as the selection of the two hub cities the ice at once, as early as June 8. The Lightning began June 9. Friday that will be postseason hosts. also brought word that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, So the low player turnout this week at Centene may be a matter of one of the game’s top stars, had tested positive for the coronavirus while practicality, with players simply waiting on formal approval by the league training in his home state of Arizona. (This, according to the Toronto and the players’ union that there will indeed be hockey to conclude this Sun.) On Friday evening, the league announced that 11 of “in excess of season. 200 players” that have undergone COVID-19 testing since the start of Phase 2 have tested positive. That’s about 5 percent. The league There was sobering news on the coronavirus front over the weekend, statement did not provide information on which players had tested with the Tampa Bay Lightning closing down their practice facility after the positive or even which teams had players test positive. All 11 players team confirmed that “three players and additional staff members” had have self-isolated and are following CDC and Health Canada protocols. tested positive for COVID-19. The league set health and safety protocols for Phase 2 workouts in late Teams could begin the Phase 2 small-group workouts, with no more than May, in a 22-page memo that included seven pages alone of cleaning six players allowed on the ice at once, as early as June 8. The Lightning and disinfectant guidelines. • Only one athletic trainer and one began June 9. conditioning coach will be allowed in the building for these workouts. (There are a few other exceptions, including having one equipment Friday also brought word that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston manager.) • Fans, members of the media, player agents, massage Matthews, one of the game’s top stars, had tested positive for the therapists, and friends and relatives of players are not allowed in the coronavirus while training in his home state of Arizona. (This, according facility. • Players will be tested for COVID-19 two days before beginning to the Toronto Sun.) Phase 2, and then will be tested twice weekly thereafter. Additionally, they will undergo daily temperature checks and be checked daily for On Friday evening, the league announced that 11 of “in excess of 200 COVID-19 symptoms. • Social distancing of six feet must be maintained players” that have undergone COVID-19 testing since the start of Phase while in the Centene facility. Masks must be worn entering and leaving 2 have tested positive. That’s about 5 percent. the building as well as in high-traffic areas of the building if social The league statement did not provide information on which players had distancing is not possible. • No contact is allowed on the ice. A spotter is tested positive or even which teams had players test positive. All 11 not allowed in the weight room. Players are encouraged to shower at players have self-isolated and are following CDC and Health Canada home instead of at the facility. Those are just some of the Phase 2 protocols. guidelines. “I think they’re really going above and beyond with the safety of the players and everybody that’s gonna be involved,” coach Craig The league set health and safety protocols for Phase 2 workouts in late Berube told the Post-Dispatch. “I think they’ve done a good job.” But May, in a 22-page memo that included seven pages alone of cleaning even with all those guidelines, and more, the league cautioned in the and disinfectant guidelines. original Phase 2 memo: “This protocol, while very comprehensive, cannot mitigate all risk.” Witness the positive tests in Tampa Bay. But restrictions • Only one athletic trainer and one conditioning coach will be allowed in figure to be much tighter in Phase 4, the postseason, because teams will the building for these workouts. (There are a few other exceptions, be in a “bubble” of game venue, practice rink, and team hotel. There is including having one equipment manager.) no such bubble during the small-group workouts — in theory, players are • Fans, members of the media, player agents, massage therapists, and free to move about as they wish, subject to any local government and friends and relatives of players are not allowed in the facility. health restrictions. Berube returned to St Louis earlier this month from his Philadelphia-area home to begin planning in earnest for training camp • Players will be tested for COVID-19 two days before beginning Phase and the return to play. Assuming the NHL and NHLPA give a thumbs-up 2, and then will be tested twice weekly thereafter. Additionally, they will to training camp and postseason play, Berube wants his players to jump undergo daily temperature checks and be checked daily for COVID-19 symptoms.

• Social distancing of six feet must be maintained while in the Centene facility. Masks must be worn entering and leaving the building as well as in high-traffic areas of the building if social distancing is not possible.

• No contact is allowed on the ice. A spotter is not allowed in the weight room. Players are encouraged to shower at home instead of at the facility.

Those are just some of the Phase 2 guidelines.

“I think they’re really going above and beyond with the safety of the players and everybody that’s gonna be involved,” coach Craig Berube told the Post-Dispatch. “I think they’ve done a good job.”

But even with all those guidelines, and more, the league cautioned in the original Phase 2 memo: “This protocol, while very comprehensive, cannot mitigate all risk.”

Witness the positive tests in Tampa Bay. But restrictions figure to be much tighter in Phase 4, the postseason, because teams will be in a “bubble” of game venue, practice rink, and team hotel. There is no such bubble during the small-group workouts — in theory, players are free to move about as they wish, subject to any local government and health restrictions.

Berube returned to St Louis earlier this month from his Philadelphia-area home to begin planning in earnest for training camp and the return to play.

Assuming the NHL and NHLPA give a thumbs-up to training camp and postseason play, Berube wants his players to jump in with both feet.

“You gotta want to do it and you gotta want to be there,” he said. “You can’t be testing the waters. And saying, ‘Wow. This isn’t good. I’m gonna be away for two months.’

“We gotta knock that out right away and we gotta be dialed in.”

Otherwise, once the postseason starts, the Blues could be knocked out — of the tournament — before they know it.

“Definitely,” Berube said. “It’s gonna be a mental game, for sure. I think the team that is jumping in there with both feet ready to go, and wants to play and wants to win and wants to play hard, you’re gonna give yourself a better opportunity for sure.”

Berube said he already has stressed that point to players, to some degree, in recent calls and communication.

“When we get back, we gotta be ready to roll,” Berube said.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186670 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning’s Frantz Jean focuses on inclusion in talks with his son

The team's goalie coach, a black French Canadian, also has been a sounding board for players.

This Father’s Day, we reached out to a number of our sports landscape’s prominent African-American dads to talk about the ongoing quest for racial equality. Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Frantz Jean is a black French Canadian who works in hockey and lives in Florida. Each of those makes the Lightning’s goalie coach stand out.

Jean is the son of a white mother and black father. He is the father to a biracial son, whose name and photo he preferred to leave out of this story. Race is not always a direct topic of conversation in his family, but it is not ignored.

“The big conversation I’ve always had with my son, it was always about inclusion,” Jean said. “The world is made of different people from different races and you have to include everybody. It’s good to have friends from all sorts of races and all sorts of backgrounds and be as inclusive as you can. Try to learn from every culture, every race, be very open minded.

“And we’ve always been really big on always defending the people that can’t defend themselves. I was always taught that when I was throughout my teens and my early 20s through the people I’ve met along the way, and I always try to to share that with my son. Whenever you feel you can help someone step in and help, any way you can.

Gary Sheffield: ‘I ain’t in no ’hope’ business. I believe. I believe we can do better.’

“He’s a smart kid and very aware kid. He’s 14 now. He hasn’t had any questions towards the present context but more of an affirmation of what he believes, inclusiveness and and being fair and being equal to everyone. It’s more of an affirmation about that, then asking question of why and how come it’s like this or like that.”

Jean has also had conversations about race with players he has coached, usually as a sounding board more than a source of advice.

“I’ve never felt like I was like a go-to person for for counsel on those subjects — being Canadian — but it has happened but more so in a general conversation. I don’t know if my opinion was taken. But it’s like anybody else, you’re gonna have those conversations. It was more when the kneeling movement was starting. Conversations would arise about it between some players and myself.”

DIANA C. NEARHOS

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186671 Tampa Bay Lightning spread COVID-19 without knowing it. Wear a mask, wash your hands, keep your distance from each other, stay strong and go Bucs.”

The Tampa Bay Lightning were forced to temporarily shut down their As Florida’s COVID-19 cases spike, Tampa’s teams are impacted, too facilities and small-group workouts this week after three unnamed players and additional staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Those players are self-isolating and their only symptoms are a low-grade By Greg Auman fever, according to a team statement Friday, which noted that “facilities will remain temporarily shut down until we can ensure a safe Jun 20, 2020 environment.”

Two major-league baseball teams that call Tampa Bay home for their TAMPA, Fla. — As Floridians have flooded back to public places, the spring training are also dealing with COVID-19 issues. The Philadelphia state has seen a strong surge in positive COVID-19 tests in the past Phillies confirmed Friday that five players and three staffers working at week, and teams across the Tampa Bay area have been impacted and the team’s facility in Clearwater had tested positive, and the Toronto Blue set back by their own positive tests. Jays tested personnel at their facilities in Dunedin after a player presented symptoms consistent with the virus. The single-day high of 2,052 positive tests on April 2 had not been broken in more than two months, but the state has topped 2,500 in each The University of South Florida announced Wednesday that two football of the past five days, resetting the high mark three days in a row, players had tested positive, a week after the Bulls began voluntary on- including 4,049 tests reported Saturday. And while testing has increased campus workouts. Those workouts have continued in small groups, with as well, the percentage of positive tests has also spiked, from generally all involved being tested for COVID before being allowed to participate. no more than 7 percent over the past two months to 17.7 percent on First-year coach Jeff Scott reiterated that “the first priority (is) student- Friday and 15 percent on Saturday. athletes’ health and safety” in a statement released by the school.

Florida is a few days from reaching 100,000 total positive tests and is All this is just down Interstate 4 from Orlando, where the NBA is already at more than 3,100 deaths, both of which rank it in the 10 highest preparing to host its teams in “bubble” isolation for the upcoming playoffs states. while details are still being negotiated as to how restricted their movements will be over a period of three months or more. Tampa Bay’s sports teams haven’t been immune to that. The Bucs had an unnamed assistant coach test positive on Thursday, which put two Such positive tests have been reported across the country, with notably other assistants in quarantine as part of their response protocol, and then large clusters around the football teams at Clemson and Texas, among news came Saturday that two unnamed players had tested positive as others. The spikes in the Tampa sports teams line up with the overall rise well. Coaches and players have not been in direct contact with players, in positive tests in the area and across the state, and it’s still too early to so these are likely distinct and unrelated positive tests. know if such a surge will have a significant impact on the hopes and plans to return to major professional sports, with or without crowds in “We can confirm that there have been individuals who have tested attendance, in the next two months. positive for COVID-19 at the AdventHealth Training Center,” the team said in a statement Saturday afternoon. “We immediately activated our COVID-19 Response Plan and vacated the affected areas, which will The Athletic LOADED: 06.21.2020 remain closed until extensive sanitization is completed. The individuals who may have been exposed have already been notified and are following the established protocols, which include a 14-day quarantine period.”

The Bucs said they will keep their facility open for the initial phase of employees allowed on site, and that “all essential operations are continuing in preparation for the 2020 season.” Coaches returned to the building Monday after three months away while adhering to strict coronavirus isolation protocols — temperature checks, face coverings and social distancing — and players may not report in full until the start of training camp in late July.

Players have been taking part in private workouts on their own, with quarterback Tom Brady leading a group of players working out at Berkeley Prep, a private school in Tampa. Area news stations have shot video of those practices from a helicopter flying overhead, but otherwise, the players have been out of the public eye. Even those private workouts are on hold now, as the NFLPA’s medical director, Dr. Thom Mayer, issued a statement Saturday that players should not be working out together due to the recent spike in positive tests.

“To all players: Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in certain states, that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts,” the statement said. “Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months.”

Mayer said the league and players’ union are working on the best practices to mitigate the chance of contracting the virus at team facilities, but that it is “in the best interest of all players” to avoid any voluntary group practices before the start of training camps next month.

The City of Tampa ramped up its efforts as well, as starting at 5 p.m. Friday, face coverings were required for people indoors or unable to maintain social distancing outdoors. Bucs coach Bruce Arians recorded a public service announcement sent out Saturday by Hillsborough County’s social media accounts, asking fans to follow safety protocols to help lessen the rising spread of positive COVID test results.

“During these difficult times, it is important that we all show we care about our community’s health,” Arians said in a short video. “You could 1186672 Toronto Maple Leafs sport, to take ownership of the Black influence on the game’s early beginnings.

And for good reason. What if the history of the Colored Hockey League, Canadians call hockey ‘our game’ but history, including the almost-buried instead of being long buried, had been properly honoured? What if it had history of the Colored Hockey League, tells us it hasn’t been everybody’s always been household knowledge, handed down as sure as Gretzky game was great, that the history of Black achievement in the sport runs more than a half a century deeper than Willie O’Ree breaking the NHL colour barrier in 1958? What if Black players had consistently been seen By Dave Feschuk Sports Columnist through the ages as respected innovators rather than as unwelcome interlopers? Sat., June 20, 2020 “It would have given me more wind beneath my wings, for sure,” said

Kevin Weekes, the Toronto-bred NHL Network analyst who played goal In his 76 years residing in Halifax, Wayne Adams has been a community in the NHL from 1998 until 2009. “If we had factual evidence from history leader and a trailblazer. He was the first Black member elected to Nova that we had been a part of the sport going back more than a century, it Scotia’s legislature back in 1993. He was a long-time municipal wouldn’t have been as rare, or as weird to be a Black kid playing the councillor. He’s been a member of the Order of Canada since 2003. game.”

But as much as he has been an opener of doors, he has had a few As Jamal Mayers, the former Maple Leaf, was saying this week: slammed in his face — notably the one to the arena dressing room. “Knowing that history can give kids of colour a sense of pride, and a Adams grew up loving hockey. He fondly remembers listening to NHL better idea that there’s a place for them in the game.” games on the radio alongside his father, but he also remembers being Mayers, who recently wrote an illustrated children’s book, “Hockey Is For fed a cruel lie. Black boys, he and his friends were told as schoolboys in Me,” based loosely on his struggles growing up Black and economically the 1950s, weren’t fit to play Canada’s national winter sport challenged in Toronto as the son of a single mother, said he wished “We were told, ‘Your ankles are too weak. If you skate, you’d definitely do stories from the Colored Hockey League had been a part of his childhood some serious damage to yourself.’ I remember my mother said, ‘Listen to canon. But he’s of the belief that, to Kaepernick’s point, there’s a new the authorities.’ So I listened to my mother, and I never played,” Adams appetite for such content. said in a recent interview. “If (“Black Ice”) comes out three months from now, it’s a bestseller. Quite So imagine Adams’ surprise when historians George and Darril Fosty frankly I think times are changing,” Mayers said. “I think that book would informed him about a decade ago that he was a descendant of an do extremely well right now if it was re-released. I think people are willing unlikely line of athletes: hockey players. Unbeknownst to Adams, both his to challenge their own beliefs about the history of the game.” grandfather and father played the game. The Fosty brothers unearthed As much as George Fosty is one half of a brother duo that has been that previously buried bit of Adams family history in writing the book credited with bringing this important history to light, he can’t help lament “Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the how much history has been lost. Almost no physical artifacts of the CHL Maritimes,” which chronicles the rise and fall of a league, formed by the remain. Nary a uniform has been unearthed. Fosty said there are nine sons and grandsons of escaped slaves, that was in operation from 1895 known photographs of the league, all of them team pictures. Though into the 1920s — a league whose history had been mostly (and perhaps some of those photos feature trophies, none of the hardware has been deliberately) erased. Thanks to the research for that book, Adams came located. Not that a historian doesn’t hold out hope. to understand that his grandfather, Augustus Adams, was both an organizer and a goaltender in the earliest days of the Colored Hockey “We’re waiting for the day somebody shows up with a diary — a diary League (CHL). documenting life in Halifax between 1890 and 1920 where they talk about the CHL,” he said. “We know it’s got to be out there somewhere.” The book shed extensive light on a significant chapter of hockey history that had previously been almost wholly ignored. The CHL preceded Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. When the Fostys went looking for the Black baseball’s Negro Leagues by a quarter century and predated the newspapers that once served various Maritime communities, they were National Hockey League by 22 years. And even more than a decade told many of them had been donated to various government archives. after the 2008 printing of “Black Ice,” most fans don’t know that the CHL’s But George Fosty said the archives haven’t preserved those gifts. best players deserve credit for developing an innovative, athletic style that was ahead of its time. Eddie Martin of the Halifax Eurekas was noted “There seems to have been some effort to deem (Black history) as for using the slapshot long before Bernie (Boom Boom) Geoffrion, unworthy and garbage and throw it out the door,” he said. perhaps the most famous one of the shot’s supposed innovators, was A lot of “Black Ice,” then, is based on the accounts of white newspaper even born. Goaltender Henry (Braces) Franklyn was dropping to the ice writers observing a Black league, many of them offering “glowing to stop shots many years before the goaltenders who’ve traditionally reports,” never mind the prevailing bigotry of the time. Not that been credited with pioneering the technique. establishment writers haven’t been guilty of whitewashing the history of It was groundbreaking stuff. For Adams, it was a personal revelation. the sport. Learning of his family’s history in the league explained something he’d “In the 1920s, when a lot of writers started writing about the NHL, they long struggled to understand about himself. eliminated a lot of history in order to create a narrative about Canadian “You ask yourself a question: Why do you like hockey? Why do you greatness in hockey, and all they focused on was the elite white hockey watch when there’s not one Black guy among them? What’s the reason?” players in the 1920s,” Fosty said. “They ignored the Russian history, they said Adams. “As a kid I liked boxing, I liked playing with the guys in touch ignored the Finnish history, they ignored the minorities, all the Canadian football. But hockey was in my heart. Why was it? Well, of course, First Nations history of hockey and the French-Canadian histories. They because it was part of my blood. But I didn’t know that until much later did a disservice, not just to the Blacks, but to all groups that didn’t fit into on.” their narrative.”

One hundred and twenty-five years since the Colored Hockey League What’s emerged has been a mythology often devoid of diversity. began entertaining fans around the Maritimes, Black hockey players are Canadians call hockey “our game.” But history tells us it hasn’t been still engaged in a struggle for fair footing in their beloved sport. In the everybody’s. weeks since the killing of George Floyd launched a wave of global “The word ‘our’ is used a lot of the time, and quite frankly it’s exclusive to protest, some of the NHL’s most prominent Black players and alumni, white Canadian people, especially if you’re rural and you’re white among them Wayne Simmonds, Evander Kane and Joel Ward, formed Canadian,” Weekes said. “That couldn’t be any more hurtful.” the Hockey Diversity Alliance, a group aimed at eliminating racism and promoting diversity. In doing so, they’ve been encouraged by the likes of Adams, for his part, said he and his Halifax friends who also have Colin Kaepernick, the NFL quarterback whose one-knee protest of police ancestors who also played in the CHL have often kicked around a brutality and systemic racism has taken on new resonance. Kaepernick question: Why didn’t their grandfathers and great uncles and fathers has reportedly encouraged the group to lean into the Black history of the hand down the stories of their on-ice exploits? Why was the history of the CHL set aside for most of a century, only to be unearthed relatively recently? The 76-year-old Adams, whose grandfather died before he was born and whose father died when he was aged 13 having never spoken a word about his hockey career, said he and his friends have come to a conclusion: Their forebears feared the danger inherent in suggesting hockey ought to be for everyone.

“They didn’t want to be the victim of people who’d want to attack you for playing ‘our game,’ for stealing ‘our sport.’ That’s what we determined,” Adams said. “There was so much secrecy around their hockey because they were afraid. Why else would you keep something like that as a secret?”

Toronto Star LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186673 Washington Capitals

Happy Father's Day: Celebrating Capitals dads from Ovechkin to Oshie

By J.J. Regan

June 20, 2020 8:00 AM

Sunday is Father's Day, a day when we take time to celebrate all the great fathers out there. Luckily, there are plenty of great dads in Washington playing for the Capitals. Here are some of their best dad moments.

Even when the players are on the ice, their kids are not far from their minds. Braden Holtby likes to kiss the names of his kids that are on the back of his mask before a game.

When talking about cute dad moments, you of course have to look at the T.J. Oshie and his family. From teaching Lyla how to ride a bicycle...

The Carlsons also seem to have a lot of fun, like when John and his wife Gina gave son Rudy the patience challenge...which he failed hilariously.

We once thought that there was nothing in the world Alex Ovechkin loved more than scoring goals. If you see him with his son, Sergei, however, you realize being a father is what he truly lives for.

Sergei looks well on his way to following in his father's footsteps.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186674 Under the proposed playoff format, the Jets will play the in a best-of-five preliminary-round series.

The three Canadian cities, along with Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Las 'Cohort quarantine' gives NHLers a COVID-19 pass Vegas, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, are in the running to be hub cities.

Staff Report

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 06.21.2020

The Winnipeg Jets are still a long way from touching down in the city for training camp, even though the Canadian government altered its quarantine rules for the NHL on Friday.

The feds approved the league’s proposal of a ‘cohort quarantine’ approach for players entering Canada, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed. The cohort quarantine, which keeps players separate from the general public, would allow the NHL to bypass the traditional 14-day quarantine for anyone entering Canada.

But officials say that only applies to three potential hub cities — Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver — and doesn’t mean players in Winnipeg, Calgary and Montreal can return without a two-week quarantine.

The Jets had no comment on the situation Friday.

It’s believed the feds are still working on a solution to allow Canadian playoff teams to hold training camps with their full rosters north of the border, but as of Friday only the yet-to-be-named successful hub candidate has received that clearance.

The NHL is in Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol (as of June 8), which permitted teams to reopen their doors to players for individual on- and off-ice training sessions on a voluntary basis. A maximum of six players can be present at any time.

Late last week, the NHL and NHL Players Association sent out identical statements announcing the 24 teams in the playoff mix could begin training July 10, "provided that medical and safety conditions allow and that the parties have reached an overall agreement on resuming play."

However, a growing number of positive cases could force the league to rethink those plans. On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Lightning closed their facilities after three players and additional staff tested positive for the coronavirus.

The playoff-bound Jets had been facing quarantine issues on two fronts, provincially and federally, amidst the national health crisis Premier Brian Pallister removed one hurdle, stating that as of this Sunday pro athletes returning to Manitoba won’t have to quarantine for 14 days if they have already self-isolated for two weeks at home.

Meanwhile, Canada’s deputy prime minister said the cohort quarantine would involve regular screening. It would be crucial that the directives of medical officers are closely followed, Freeland added.

When asked what would happen if a player or staff member tests positive, Canada’s chief public health officer said instructions from the specific local health authority must be followed.

"That’s the primary approach. If there was a positive test identification, that is linked to the local public health response," Dr. Theresa Tam said.

"I think that’s the critical aspect of it. Through the protocol, which is continuously reviewed, the idea is through regular testing to reduce the actual impact of the number of people that would have to be removed from the game itself. I think ultimately the decision has to be based on the public health assessment at the time."

Winnipeg continues to be one of the safest NHL markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three new probable cases were reported in the province Friday and there are 11 active cases, raising the provincial total to 311. Seven Manitobans have died from the virus.

Most of the Jets vacated Winnipeg immediately after the NHL suspended regular-season play March 12, and it’s believed just a handful stayed behind but left shortly after the pandemic worsened and it looked like people would be stuck where they were for a long period of time. Some remain in other parts of Canada, while others are in the U.S. and Europe.

The NHL officially cancelled the regular season May 26 when it revealed a playoff format, to be played in two hub cities and in arenas without fans — although no official date has been determined. 1186675 Websites “For some guys, it’s not even a full paycheck,” one agent explained of how the playoff pay scale works.

Yet another concern players are expressing is how the NHL will deal with The Athletic / ‘Guys are not happy’: How the NHL’s positive tests will positive tests during play. If a team is in the middle of a heated playoff impact return to play series and multiple players test positive for COVID-19, will they be pulled from games?

By Michael Russo and James Mirtle How would that impact the integrity of the tournament, given star players might be asymptomatic but still unable to participate in pivotal elimination Jun 20, 2020 games? And would there be an advantage to the players or teams who have already had the virus, as they would be less likely to contract it

again during, say, the Stanley Cup Final? The NHL received a significant wake-up call this week. Part of the issue the NHL is dealing with right now with these positive Eleven players tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the shutdown of tests is their inability to control where players are and how strict they are multiple training groups both inside and outside of team facilities. The with their isolation while in Phase 2. Teams won’t be able to fully track known hot spots, at this point, are localized in Arizona and Florida, where players’ whereabouts until at least Phase 3, when there will be a mass the virus caseload has risen among the general public in recent weeks. migration back from Europe and players’ offseason homes to their NHL cities. The 11 players who tested positive were out of a group of more than 200 players tested, many of whom were taking part in Phase 2 of the NHL’s The league may be able to greater limit players’ contact with the outside planned return to play. Phase 3 – the start of training camps – is world at that point. To get there, however, they’ll need a green light from scheduled to begin on July 10, less than three weeks from today. players.

According to an NHL source on Saturday, the league is not considering It’s difficult to know how such a vote would go, especially considering the pushing back that start date at this point. However, given many players current plan is to include the framework of a medium-term CBA extension are not taking part in Phase 2 and not yet in their NHL cities, and the in the return-to-play agreement. If the players decide not to finish this players have not yet voted to agree to return to play, it would seem to season, they also lose serious leverage in CBA negotiations. So can the make that Phase 3 date more difficult to hit. league give players enough incentives in such a deal to mitigate their unwillingness to take part in this unusual 24-team postseason? The names of the NHL players infected have not been released. The Athletic’s policy is to not identify athletes by name unless the team or The concern on the league’s side right now is that, without a return-to- player agrees to do so. play mandate in the next two or three weeks, the NHL calendar could go dark for months – potentially while other leagues play games for large, One prominent Western Conference player said Friday that the positive captive TV audiences. tests were further confirmation that the league was moving too fast with its timeline. The long-term effects of the NHL not playing could be significant, especially with a new U.S. television deal needed after next season. “This just makes no sense to me,” the veteran player said. “Right from the return-to-play format announcement and this Phase 2 thing that none That’s why some players remain hopeful a deal can get done that will of us have to be in, they’ve put the cart before the horse. We’re in the allow them to play meaningful games by early August. middle of a pandemic, and they’re shocked there’s an outbreak? And it’s “Both sides are working extremely hard to try to get something done both a long ways off to July 10, so you can’t tell me more and more guys won’t for this year and CBA wise,” said Dubnyk, the Wild’s NHLPA player rep. be testing positive as more and more guys start to get back to town. “It takes some time to get everything together, present it to the players, “Guys are not happy. This is why we better have a full player vote and get votes as far as the CBA and even as the protocols go, it takes a while not just an executive board vote. But I’m not convinced (NHLPA to gather, to get all the information to guys and then take a vote. executive director) Don (Fehr) is going to allow that because he knows “What they were saying is, if we were to sign the CBA (extension) on July there’s so many of us on the fence. That’s why I think the league was 9, we could start training camp on July 10. But if we wait and guys don’t trying to be hush-hush on these positive tests. come in a short enough amount of time to get the quarantine rules out of “In my opinion, no way we play.” the way, we could sign it but then it’s another two weeks on top of that. I think everybody agrees that if we’re going to do this, we might as well get Several NHL player agents surveyed by The Athletic this week indicated going. And the sooner the better. So they’re hanging on to that July 10 that more and more of their players are troubled by the idea of returning date. That would be ideal, but I don’t know if it’s realistic.” to play in a hub city environment. One prominent agent estimated that 35 to 40 percent of players were on the fence. Another suggested it was Originally a skeptic, Dubnyk said he is coming around to the idea of even higher than that. playing, explaining that the hub city arrangements have improved since the early stages of negotiations. Players will not be expected to be on full Among those players who have already expressed reservations publicly lockdown in their hotel rooms, for example, and will have activities they are defenseman Anton Stralman, can do outside of games and practices. defenseman Roman Polak and netminder Devan Dubnyk. Their concern goes beyond finances and their individual health. “It feels like (we’re going to play) now,” Dubnyk said. “I think we’re going to find out over the next few weeks a lot more how things are going to go “You look at our staff, our coaches, they’re older, so it’s just deeper than with these and more positive tests popping up, how people react to them, just the players,” said another veteran player. “It’s everyone that’s all that kind of thing. Before I didn’t feel like we would. Now I’m leaning involved in it, too. The staff and the coaches are probably more at risk of more towards it feels like we’re going to.” getting something serious than we are as players, and we do have to think about that.” Florida Panthers center Brian Boyle agreed.

Other factors include time away from family, uncertainty over the length “With all the testing we all have to go through all the time (in Phase 2), of the various phases, as well as health and safety concerns. But the it’s nice to know if we’ve been exposed, but it will provide more other, less discussed issue is there may not be a lot to gain financially positives,” Boyle said. “Whether they’re false positives or not. I’m just given players have already collected most of their paychecks for the hoping nobody has to deal with aggressive symptoms and (we) season and playoff games without fans in attendance will not be big understand we are not through this yet and need to act accordingly. revenue generators. “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best, right? Assuming you and While returning to play could save them an additional 7 or 8 percent of everyone else has it is a good way to hopefully make this virus submit. their salaries by way of escrow deductions thanks to making television And hopefully a vaccine is coming soon. My thinking hasn’t changed. I’m and sponsorship agreements whole, the net impact for players on the low still very optimistic.” end of the salary scale could be trading two or three months in a bubble How much company Dubnyk and Boyle have on that front remains to be environment for $20,000 or $30,000. seen. Friday wasn’t a good news day for the NHL, and the full fallout from these positive tests won’t be realized until players are forced to vote on a comprehensive return-to-play plan. For undecided players, this doesn’t help the cause.

This text from one prominent player seemed to sum up the mood of many players: “I don’t really know what to think right now.”

The Athletic LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186676 Websites “So many Dads are in the same situation I am,” Roussel said. “They don’t want to be away from their family. And who knows how long the bubble thing is going to last (if the NHL restarts). You could be there three Sportsnet.ca / Why Antoine Roussel might be Canucks' most 'Canadian' months, who knows? player “I’m not really concerned about my health and everything. The sad part is to be away for so long. They say in the bubble, they might have some families there. Maybe at the end, but I don’t see my wife and kids coming Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet in and being in the bubble. It doesn’t make sense. The family part is the hard part for sure.” June 20, 2020, 8:06 AM Roussel noted that there are still a pile of issues to be resolved in

negotiations between the NHL and players, who are expected to have VANCOUVER – Picture this: Antoine Roussel, halfway through his $12- the right to opt out of summer hockey. million NHL contract with the , driving home to Richard Deitsch and Donnovan Bennett host a podcast about how Quebec in an RV. Wife Alexandra is in the back with their toddlers, COVID-19 is impacting sports around the world. They talk to experts, Theodore and Raphaelle. Roussel is probably wearing a farmer’s cap athletes and personalities, offering a window into the lives of people we and a plaid shirt as they roll through the Prairies. normally root for in entirely different ways. Can you picture that? Roussel and his family spent the last three months on the farm he has You should. Roussel might be the most “Canadian” guy on the Canucks. bought in Quebec, south of Chicoutimi where Alexandra’s family has long run a maple syrup business, Erabliere au Sucre d’Or. He moved to Canada from France to play hockey when he was 15, played junior in Chicoutimi, Que., married a Canadian girl and became a While he was rehabbing from his reconstructive knee surgery, Roussel citizen. His dream is to be a maple syrup farmer when he retires. took a university course online to learn more about farming sugar maples. So, yeah, a big, honking RV made perfect sense to Roussel when he was trying to get his family home across the heartland after the NHL The spring shutdown allowed him to experience a full “sugar season” — closed in March. the short period at the end of winter when warming causes sap to flow through trees — in Quebec for the first time in his hockey career. “It was really fun,” Roussel, 30, told Sportsnet this week of the 5,000- kilometre journey. “You want to drive across Canada and see everything, “It made me realize how hard it is to, like, work actually,” Roussel said. but we didn’t do it like that. First day we drove through B.C. and it was “Sometimes in the NHL, you take some things for granted. It’s very nice, beautiful. The Prairies were beautiful as well, but they’re so long and and I knew that. I’m a very humble guy. It kind of makes me want to even vast. It’s crazy to see. But we didn’t do it like a vacation. I rented the RV play more. Sometimes you (have) in your career ups and downs, and it’s for one week, and we did (the trip) in three-and-a-half days. That thing a roller-coaster a little bit. But this was another eye-opener. Let’s keep can drink a lot of gas. playing for a couple of more years. That’s way more exciting than any work you do.” “It was a little bit more expensive than just flying, but we figured it was safer. First night we stopped in Lake Louise in the parking lot. In the morning, there was still some ice on the lake, and we skated on the lake, Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.21.2020 my son and I and my daughter. That was the nicest moment of the trip. We just grinded it out (on the highway) for two-and-a-half days after that. My son kept telling me: ‘Quebec is very far, Papa. Very far.’”

Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman talk to a lot of people around the hockey world, and then they tell listeners all about what they’ve heard and what they think about it.

The trip home must have seemed as long to Roussel as his trip back to the Canucks lineup this season after he missed nine months with an anterior cruciate knee injury.

The veteran winger starting playing again on Dec. 3 but only began to look like the effective, two-way player he was last season in the final couple of weeks before the NHL stopped for the coronavirus on March 12.

After three months of inactivity, now Roussel is trying to start again as the league inches towards an ambitious summer return, beginning with a scheduled training camp opening of July 10. COVID-19, however, showed Friday it’s still in charge and at the moment Stanley Cup playoff games in August feel about as plausible as Roussel racing a Winnebago in the Daytona 500.

Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover Canada’s most beloved game.

Of course, he would love to play NHL games this summer. But he’s also worried, not about himself, but his family.

The Roussels are expecting their third child at the end of June. Or any day now.

Canucks teammates and Jordie Benn are supposed to become new fathers in July.

News that the Tampa Bay Lightning closed their training facilities on Friday due to a potential COVID outbreak among players and staff affects Roussel on more than just a professional level. 1186677 World Leagues News

NASCAR teams report positive COVID-19 tests

The Charlotte Observer 8 hrs ago

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR’s Stewart-Haas Racing and Team Penske teams have confirmed at least one of their employees has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement released Friday, SHR said the team experienced two positive test results, neither of which involved personnel who travel to races.

“Robust protocols have been in place and continue to be followed diligently to mitigate the spread of the virus while maintaining the health and safety of all members of the organization and greater community,” Steward-Haas Racing said in a statement.

On Saturday, Team Penske said in a statement that one team member tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.

The cases reported by the teams mark the first positive coronavirus tests announced in NASCAR since the season was postponed due to the coronavirus in March.

“This employee has been in quarantine all week and has recovered without any further symptoms,” Team Penske said in a statement. “Due to the team’s stringent protocols, only a few of our personnel had reason to quarantine and none of those individuals are experiencing any symptoms. The identities of those impacted, along with additional details, will not be released due to privacy concerns.”

All individuals who travel to races are required to undergo a temperature forehead scan, but COVID-19 tests are not required or administered prior to admission.

“Everything’s been going remarkably smooth in terms of the protocols that have been set in place,” NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell said Monday. “We’ve certainly had some folks who may have presented some symptoms that we’ve turned away early.”

O’Donnell said it was up to individuals and teams to disclose positive cases and said that event protocols have “worked 100% according to plan.”

NASCAR has not announced, nor confirmed, any positive cases of the novel coronavirus.

“We’ve not had challenges during an event where anything’s come up where we’ve had to react during the hours the garage was open,” O’Donnell said. “It’s been if there were any issues, it’s prior to someone entering the facility, which have been very minimal. All-in-all it’s been very good.”

He added that he expects there will be challenges that arise as the sport reopens to fans, beginning with 5,000 fans allowed at the Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend.

Fans are expected to wear masks, social distance and undergo a temperature forehead scan upon entry.

NASCAR also announced Monday that the All-Star race would move from Charlotte to Bristol with 30,000 fans in attendance.

“It does get hard,” O’Donnell said. “And it does seem to be that with each week, the longer you wear a mask, you hope it becomes more normalized, but it’s challenging.”

O’Donnell said that teams are continuing to wear masks at events despite the heat and that he hopes fans will follow the same practice.

Stewart-Haas Racing and Team Penske are based in the Charlotte area, which is seeing a rise of positive COVID-19 cases. In North Carolina, there are more than 51,000 lab-confirmed cased in the state, according to the Department of Heath and Human Services.

LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186678 World Leagues News

Reports: MLBPA to delay vote while seeking COVID-19 info

Reuters

The Major League Baseball Players Association will delay voting on the league's latest proposal while it collects further information on health and safety protocols, according to multiple reports on Saturday.

Recent positive coronavirus tests led to the shutdown of spring training sites, and the MLBPA is seeking to learn more about the health plan as COVID-19 continues to be an issue. The season was scheduled to start March 26, but the pandemic led to a delay.

ESPN reported that the vote could have taken Sunday but will now likely be delayed by one or two days.

MLB is expecting an answer from the MLBPA per a 60-game proposal with expanded playoffs. If the MLBPA turns down the offer, commissioner Rob Manfred has the power to implement a schedule, which would likely consist of somewhere between 50 and 60 games.

The union presented a 70-game proposal earlier this week, and MLB quickly shot it down.

MLB closed down training sites and will have them undergo through cleaning with coronavirus infections on the rise in Florida and Arizona.

On Friday, the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants shut down their training facilities due to positive tests for the coronavirus, and the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels announced that players had contracted COVID-19.

The Phillies closed their Clearwater, Fla., campus after five players and three staff members tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Blue Jays shut their training site in nearby Dunedin, Fla., after a player exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, multiple media outlets reported.

The Giants' camp in Scottsdale, Ariz., was closed after a person who recently was on site, as well as a family member, came down with symptoms of the coronavirus.

The Astros stated in a press release that an unnamed player who had been training at the team's West Palm Beach, Fla., facility tested positive. According to the team, the player dealt with only minor symptoms and was making a smooth recovery.

Angels general manager Billy Eppler told reporters that the organization had two players with COVID-19, but he would not say whether they were major-leaguers or minor-leaguers.

--Field Level Media

LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186679 World Leagues News "The Premier has asked us to flatten the curve. We've done that. Now it's time to restart the economy."

But the Health Minister dismissed the calls, branding them "reckless". Queensland Government loosens coronavirus restrictions, allowing more fans in sport stadiums Mr Miles said the Government would continue to assess the situation in Victoria as it moved towards the July 10 date on its roadmap to open interstate borders.

By Jessica van Vonderen Queensland reported no new COVID-19 cases overnight.

The state has three active infections, with one patient in hospital.

The cheering in Queensland stadiums will be a little louder from next abc.net.au/LOADED: 06.21.2020 weekend, as the State Government further loosens coronavirus restrictions.

Speaking on the pitch at Lang Park, Health Minister Steven Miles said up to 10,000 fans would be allowed in time for Saturday's clash between the Brisbane Broncos and the Gold Coast Titans.

"Beginning next weekend, our stadiums will be allowed to have up to 25 per cent of their usual crowd capacity, up to that cap of 10,000 that was set by the Prime Minister and National Cabinet," Mr Miles said.

"Queenslanders have earned this reward."

Queensland COVID-19 snapshot:

Confirmed cases so far: 1,066

Deaths: 6

Patients tested: 259,902

Latest information from Queensland Health.

The increase in crowd capacity at stadiums follows a trial run yesterday, with 2,000 fans allowed at Lang Park and the Gabba under COVID-safe plans.

But while Queensland footy fans enjoy more freedom, the State Government is clamping down on visitors from Victoria, in the wake of a rise in coronavirus cases there.

Victoria recorded 19 new cases overnight, the fifth day in a row of double-digit increases.

Coronavirus update: Follow all the latest news in our daily wrap.

Chief health officers around the country are meeting today to discuss the outbreak, but already Queensland Health has declared 36 local government areas in Victoria coronavirus "hotspots".

"All of greater Melbourne is now considered a hotspot," Mr Miles said.

"What that means is that anyone who travels there and returns to Queensland … will be required to quarantine for 14 days".

Read more about coronavirus:

What's changing under Victoria's tightened coronavirus restrictions?

"We cannot afford to be importing cases from these hotspots, because if we do we will be forced to go backwards, as Victoria has had to, with the easing of their restrictions".

Despite Victoria extending its state of emergency by another four weeks, the Queensland Opposition is still calling for Queensland to reopen its borders on July 1.

"There is no medical advice that says the borders should be closed," Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said.

"Right now in Queensland, we are losing a thousand jobs a week, up to $170 million a day.

Coronavirus questions answered

An illustration of a cell on an orange background with the word 'coronacast' overlayed.

Breaking down the latest news and research to understand how the world is living through an epidemic, this is the ABC's Coronacast podcast.

1186680 World Leagues News Toronto Sun he tested negative for the novel coronavirus and is no longer in Arizona.

Arizona has seen a recent spike in COVID-19 cases. On Friday, the Atlanta United confirms second positive coronavirus case Arizona Department of Health Services reported 3,246 new positive cases of COVID-19, exceeding Thursday’s single-day high of 2,519 cases. By The Associated Press Jun 20, 2020 Updated 1 min ago The league said Friday that it has tested more than 200 players at club facilities during voluntary training since June 8, with 11 testing positive.

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around ——— the world: French soccer authorities are allowing fans back into stadiums from July ——— 10, with an initial limit of 5,000.

Atlanta United confirmed a second positive result for a player following Noël Le Graët, president of the French Football Federation, says it is mandatory club testing on Friday. possible more spectators will be allowed into the French Cup final at the end of July and for the resumption of top-tier Ligue 1 play at the end of × August. No additional positive results for players or staff were received Friday. The federation’s executive committee will discuss the new measures and The club announced its first positive result for a player on Thursday. the specifics of the new calendar on Monday. The second player was asymptomatic and has been in isolation since The French government called off the country's 2019-20 soccer season Wednesday, adhering with MLS health and safety protocols that require on April 28 as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic. at least two positive tests to ensure the first result was not a false positive. LOADED: 06.21.2020 The team conducted non-contact, individual training sessions on Friday and Saturday and will continue non-contact training on Monday. Mandatory COVID-19 testing will take place again Monday. If negative test results for all players and staff are received, the team will resume full team training on Tuesday.

Since Atlanta United began individual player workouts on May 6, the club has followed MLS health and safety guidelines, including physical distancing and sanitizing during individual workouts, small group training sessions and full group training sessions. The club works in consultation with the CDC, local health authorities and MLS regarding testing and training guidelines.

———

Three members of the NFL's have tested positive for the novel coronavirus at the team’s training facility, and the Bucs have closed affected areas of the building.

The team said those areas will remain closed until extensive sanitizing is completed.

All individuals who may have been exposed have been notified, the Bucs said in a statement, “and are following the established protocols, which include a 14-day quarantine period.” The team did not identify three people who tested positive.

Team headquarters is remaining open under the first phase of the NFL’s reopening plan.

Earlier this week, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning closed their facility after three players and two staff members tested positive.

———

The Toronto Maple Leafs will not comment on reports that star player Auston Matthews has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Toronto Sun and The Toronto Star report that the center tested positive. The Leafs say a player’s medical information is private.

Toronto is deferring to the NHL’s policy on handling test results, with the league providing updates on testing totals and positive tests without disclosing the identities of affected clubs or players.

Judd Moldaver, Matthews’s agent, did not respond to requests for comment.

According to the Sun, the 22-year-old Matthews has self-quarantined in his Arizona home and hopes to be ready to play if the NHL season resumes. The NHL hopes to open training camps next month, and finish off the 2019-20 season later this summer.

Matthews had 47 goals and 33 assists in 70 games before the suspension of the season on March 12.

Toronto goaltender Frederik Andersen stayed with Matthews in Arizona for the first stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, but according to the 1186681 World Leagues News

"Not so fast" for return of sports as athletes test positive for coronavirus

Kendall Baker, author of Sports

Friday was not a good day for sports as teams report an increase in positive coronavirus tests among their players.

Why it matters: Considering the NBA shut down in March over one positive test, and leagues and schools are now starting up again with hundreds of cases, there’s reason to be concerned about the viability of sports this summer and into the fall.

The state of play:

Nick Watney tested positive for COVID-19 and withdrew from the weekend’s PGA Tour event.

The Blue Jays and Phillies shut down their spring training facilities following outbreaks.

Clemson became the latest university to announce a flurry of positive tests among athletes and staff (including 23 football players).

The other side: Our knowledge about the virus has changed a lot since March, with improved testing and tracing, and a greater understanding of preventative measures and transmissibility, among other things.

The vast majority of athletes have not tested positive, and there are protocols in place for when someone does.

The bottom line: The return of sports amid a pandemic is complicated, to say the least, and requires extensive planning to mitigate risks.

But even the best laid plans will still likely result in positive tests.

So the fate of sports in 2020 could come down to leagues’ ability to contain the virus, rather than avoid it altogether.

Go deeper

Fadel Allassan

Jun 19, 2020 - Health

Phillies close Florida spring training facility after 5 players test positive for coronavirus

The Philadelphia Phillies announced Friday that the team would indefinitely close its Clearwater, Florida, spring training facility after five players and three staff members tested positive for the coronavirus.

Why it matters: The news, first reported by NBC Sports Philadelphia, illustrates just how challenging it will be to bring sports leagues back as some states — including Florida, the planned home for the NBA, MLS and WNBA — have seen a surge in new cases.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)

Orion Rummler

13 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Six Trump campaign staffers test positive for coronavirus ahead of Tulsa rally

Six of President Trump's staffers, who were part of the campaign's advance team for the president's Saturday rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have been quarantined after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, the campaign told Axios.

Why it matters: Trump's Saturday rally is expected to draw tens of thousands of supporters and protesters. The president has specified that face coverings at the event are optional, telling Axios' Jonathan Swan on Friday: "I recommend people do what they want."

LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186682 World Leagues News One Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant coach tested positive for COVID- 19, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. That coach is asymptomatic. Two other assistant coaches have been quarantined.

Tracking coronavirus in sports: At least 2 Buccaneers players test Broncos’ Kareem Jackson positive safety Kareem Jackson tested positive for COVID-19, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Jackson has cold-like symptoms BY ARIZONA SPORTS | JUNE 20, 2020 AT 10:15 AM but is expected to recover, Schefter said.

MLB players, staff

The spread of coronavirus has impacted the sports world in more ways Several MLB players and staff have tested positive for coronavirus, per a than one. Unfortunately, many of those who work in the industry have letter obtained by the Associated Press. tested positive themselves. The proliferation of COVID-19 outbreaks around the country over the last The postponement of sporting events was meant to prevent the spread of week, and the fact that we already know of several 40-man roster players the virus, but COVID-19 has nonetheless reached players, coaches and and staff who have tested positive, has increased the risks associated staff of various teams. with commencing spring training in the next few weeks.

Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert testing positive for coronavirus was only the Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott first shoe to drop, and more positive tests have been reported since then. Elliott is among “several” reported Texans and Cowboys to test positive Here’s a list of those in the sports world — that we know of — who have for coronavirus, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. tested positive for the virus as the health and wellness of people around Georgetown head coach, Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing the world is at stake: Ewing released a statement on May 22 that he has tested positive for Tampa Bay Buccaneers coronavirus.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had at least two players test positive for “This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly,” Ewing said. “I want coronavirus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Earlier this week, the to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your team had one assistant coach test positive with two other assistant loved ones. Now more than ever, I want to thank the healthcare workers coaches in quarantine. and everyone on the front lines. I’ll be fine and we will all get through NHL this.”

In a released statement Friday, the NHL announced 11 players who Ewing’s son, Patrick Ewing Jr., posted on Twitter May 25 that his dad entered team facilities for voluntary training have tested positive for was home from the hospital and was getting better. coronavirus. An excess of 200 players have undergone testing, the NHL Former Coyotes enforcer Georges Laraque said in the release. The league added it will not release the identity of the players or teams involved in the positive test results. Former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque has tested positive for COVID- 19. San Francisco Giants The 43-year-old Laraque made the announcement on social media April The San Francisco Giants’ facility in Scottsdale has been shut down after 30 in a post showing him in a hospital gown. one person who had been to the site and one family member exhibited symptoms Thursday. Bon je ne suis pas invincible, je viens tout juste d’être diagnostiqué avec le Covid, pas la meilleure nouvelle étant donné que je suis asthmatique, Houston Astros ca va aller! I guess I’m not invincible, just got diagnosed with Covid, since Houston Astros GM James Click said one player has tested positive for I’m asthmatic, not the best news, will fight it off! COVID-19, per MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. pic.twitter.com/KIgo8Ra0sT

“The silver lining is we followed procedure and there were no other — Georges Laraque (@GeorgesLaraque) April 30, 2020 positive tests,” Click said. “I guess I’m not invincible, just got diagnosed with Covid, since I’m Toronto Blue Jays asthmatic, not the best news, will fight it off!” Laraque said.

The Toronto Blue Jays shuttered their site in Dunedin, Florida — about Laraque played 12 seasons in the NHL, including eight with the five miles from the Philadelphia Phillies’ camp in Clearwater — after a Edmonton Oilers and two with the Montreal Canadiens. He also suited up player showed symptoms consistent with the virus. for the Phoenix Coyotes and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Clemson Tigers Former Suns guard Leandro Barbosa

Clemson announced Friday that the school had 28 positive coronavirus In an interview with the New York Times’ Marc Stein, Barbosa revealed cases among its student athletes and athletic staff, according to Yahoo’s he had COVID-19 and found out on March 21. Pete Thamel. That was out of 315 tests conducted. “That night was the worst night of my life,” Barbosa said, referring to “The school said that most of the total cases have been asymptomatic March 17, when coronavirus symptoms hit him the hardest after an and there’s been no hospitalization,” Thamel reported. evening practice with his team.

Philadelphia Phillies “Really, I felt that I was going to die, my man,” Barbosa said. “I was having a crazy fever. My head was extremely bad. My nose felt like it Five players and three staff members of the Philadelphia Phillies tested was closed, but it wasn’t closed. I was feeling a lot of pain in my back — I positive for coronavirus, according to NBCSN Philadelphia’s Jim couldn’t find a position to lay down.” Salisbury. According to Salisbury, “a significant number of team personnel” are awaiting test results, which means the number of positive Barbosa’s wife was 38 weeks pregnant, so doctors decided for the cases could be even greater than known at time of writing. baby’s safety that they would induce labor right away. Barbosa watched the birth through FaceTime and spent two weeks quarantined away from The people infected had been at the Phillies’ facility in Clearwater, Fla. his family. Barbosa’s wife did have the virus while the baby did not.

The team said its facilities in Clearwater have been shut down. Their daughter, Isabella, is healthy and recently celebrated her one- month birthday. Phillies statement: pic.twitter.com/kJjl6U7a1l Denver Broncos — LB Von Miller — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 19, 2020 Denver Broncos star linebacker Von Miller is confirmed positive for Buccaneers assistant coach coronavirus, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported via Miller’s agent. Miller was resting at home and was expected to speak publicly on Friday, Saints head coach Sean Payton told ESPN he has coronavirus and then Rapoport added. acknowledged it on his own twitter account.

Los Angeles Rams — C Brian Allen tests positive Appreciate the well wishes. I'm feeling better and fortunate to not have any of the respiratory symptoms. 4 more days at home.#BEATCovid NFL on FOX insider Jay Glazer reported Wednesday that Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/vvjbnqoeZx Rams Center Brian Allen tested positive for coronavirus three weeks ago and again last week. Glazer said Allen lost all sense of sense of smell — Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) March 19, 2020 and taste. He’s now symptom-free and is expecting to be cleared later this week. Denver Nuggets — Member of the organization

Los Angeles Chargers — One member of organization, possibly more The team announced that a member of the Nuggets organization tested positive for COVID-19. They were symptomatic and in self-isolation. One member of the organization has tested positive for the coronavirus and two others have shown symptoms, Cincinnati Reds — Arizona-based staff member ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. Owner Dean Spanos, general manager The Cincinnati Reds acknowledged March 18 that an Arizona-based Tom Telesco and head coach were not among the group employee tested positive. The Reds have their spring training facility in in question, Schefter added. Goodyear, just west of Phoenix.

Tom Dempsey, former NFL player Ottawa Senators — Unidentified player

Former New Orleans kicker Tom Dempsey died late Saturday while The Senators announced March 17 that a player tested positive for struggling with complications from coronavirus. COVID-19. The player’s identity was not revealed. One of Ottawa’s last Ottawa Senators — Three more players, plus one unidentified games before the NHL paused its season was on March 7 at San Jose — the building where an employee tested positive as well. Four more Ottawa Senators personnel tested positive for coronavirus, the organization announced Wednesday. Three of those individuals were Brooklyn Nets — Kevin Durant and three others players, Sports Illustrated’s Alex Prewitt reported. The four are in addition The Nets announced on March 17 that four of their players had tested to two players who previously tested positive. All who tested positive positive for coronavirus, and that one was showing symptoms while the have since recovered, the organization said. other three were not. One of those players was revealed to be star Kevin New York Knicks — owner James Dolan Durant.

The Knicks announced on Saturday night that team owner and Madison San Jose Sharks — Unidentified arena employee Square Garden Company executive chairman James Dolan has tested On March 12, the San Jose Sharks revealed that a part-time employee at positive for coronavirus. He is experiencing “little to no symptoms” and their home arena, the SAP Center, had tested positive for COVID-19. will continue to oversee business operations while in self-isolation. “We have been informed that this employee is recovering and feeling Colorado Avalanche — A second unidentified player better,” their statement said.

The Avalanche announced Saturday that a second player tested positive Detroit Pistons — Christian Wood for the coronavirus. A statement from the organization said he is in self- The Pistons’ Christian Wood tested positive, Charania reported on isolation. Other players and staff who may have come in close contact Saturday, March 14. “Sources say Wood has shown no symptoms and is with him have been informed and are isolated. doing well,” Charania wrote.

Colorado Avalanche — Unidentified player Utah Jazz — Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell

The Avalanche announced Thursday that a player tested positive for Gobert’s positive test rocked the sports world when it delayed the start of COVID-19. The organization’s statement said the player has recovered an NBA game and was immediately followed by the league suspending and is back to normal. operations immediately on March 11. That turning point soon led to the Jason Collins, former NBA player postponement or cancellation of just about every major professional North American sports league. Former Nets big man Jason Collins, who also played for five other teams, announced Tuesday that he has coronavirus. Gobert’s teammate Mitchell also reportedly tested positive for the virus.

Ottawa Senators — A second player ARIZONA SPORTS LOADED: 06.21.2020

The Ottawa Senators announced that a second player had test positive for the virus.

Boston Celtics — One player

The Celtics announced Thursday that a player tested positive.

Guard Marcus Smart later announced that he is the player. He was cleared of the coronavirus March 27, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Los Angeles Lakers — Two players

Charania reported March 19 that two members of the Lakers tested positive.

The Lakers first got tests done in response to other organizations having players test positive who they had recently played.

Charania notes that more Lakers players might now get tested following the news.

Philadelphia 76ers — Three people

A statement from the Sixers said “certain individuals” in their organization, including players, coaches and staff, were tested. Three results came back positive for COVID-19.

New Orleans Saints — Head coach Sean Payton 1186683 World Leagues News

NFL not considering NBA's coronavirus strategy: 'Not practical or appropriate to construct a bubble'

By Jordan Dajani

Jun 17, 2020 at 4:10 pm ET

The NFL has already allowed certain staff members to return to team facilities this month and has put specific safety measures in place as they try to gear up for a return to football. The NBA is another league looking to return to action sooner rather than later, but they are handling things a bit differently. Despite the fact that coronavirus cases are surging in Orange County, the NBA is sending teams to Disney World to finish the season. As of now the plan is for 22 teams to play eight "seeding" games to determine playoff standings, with a possible play-in series between the No. 8 and No. 9 seed of each conference if the ninth seed is within four games of the eighth seed. The playoffs would then commence in a traditional format, with seven-game series in each round until a champion is crowned.

This will take place in a "bubble," and the players will be subject to some interesting rules during their time on this special campus. Players even have the option to wear a proximity alarm that will notify a player if he spends more than five seconds within six feet of another person who is also wearing an alarm. All team and league staff (potentially excluding referees) must wear the alarm. The NFL does not believe such intense measures are necessary, and league chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills spoke about their plan during a Wednesday conference call.

"We do not feel it's practical or appropriate to construct a bubble," Sills said, via Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. "Anyone who tests positive will be isolated until medically appropriate to return."

The NFL will rely on robust contact tracing and education, according to Sills. The protocols are still being developed, and Sills believes the testing strategy will look different from the start to the end of the season as science evolves. One detail that was revealed on Wednesday is that the league will test everyone who is exposed to players and coaches, such as officials, just prior to game day. Either way, the league is now discussing how to conduct training camp in the safest way possible.

"Everyone is very aware there will need to be an additional ramp-up for a period of time — both at the outset for medical exams and education," Sills said, via Ian Rapoport. "Then clearly as you get into physical activity, you'd have to do it step-wise."

Since the NBA will return to full activity next month, they will be an interesting case study that the NFL will most definitely keep tabs on. As Sills mentioned, there are still certain details the league is going to have to figure out in the coming weeks, and the NFL will continue to keep in touch with states and cities that have more restrictions in place regarding the pandemic as well as the NFLPA.

CBS Sports LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186684 World Leagues News restarting football, but also a matter of public health. While the information we currently have indicates it will not be an issue in the near future, we all agree that ethically, we can not as a non-essential NFLPA advises players to stop practicing together after increase in business, take resources away from our fellow Americans. coronavirus cases "We will continue to update you as we move forward through the summer."

By Tyler Sullivan Prior to these recent player diagnoses, the NFL had already been discussing a shorten preseason to give players more "ramp up" time for Jun 20, 2020 at 3:37 pm ET the regular season. The league has also been looking into the possibility of expanding practice squads to help give teams more depth in the event

of a player being infected. As it relates to the regular season, the NFL NFLPA medical director Dr. Thom Mayer released a message to players appears to be full-steam ahead with trying to start on time, but the league on Saturday, urging them to not take part in group workouts this has built in a number of contingency plans in the event that things need offseason prior to the start of training camp. This comes in response to to be shortened. an increase in COVID-19 infections across the league. This week, in CBS Sports LOADED: 06.21.2020 particular, there was a noticeable uptick in cases to players, which is what seems to be sparking this response by the NFLPA.

It was revealed earlier in the week that a number of Cowboys and Texans players were diagnosed with the coronavirus. Along with those players, a member of the 49ers, who was working out in Nashville with a group of his teammates, reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. The entire group, which consists of all the 49ers quarterbacks including starter Jimmy Garoppolo, is now getting tested and awaiting the results.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also released a statement on Saturday, confirming that "there have been individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 at the AdventHealth Training Center." Individuals who may have been exposed have already been told by the team to quarantine for 14 days.

Because of the increase in positive tests, the NFLPA sent out this memo to players, urging them to press pause on any group workouts:

To All Players:

Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in Covid-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts. Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months.

We are working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities for both training camps and the upcoming season, and believe that it is in the best interest of all players that we advice against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences.

Stay safe,

Dr. Thom Mayer

The typical offseason program was thrown out the window due to the pandemic as teams held virtual sessions after being barred from holding traditional OTAs or minicamp. It was only just recently that coaches were even able to re-enter team facilities.

As it relates to this recommendation by the NFLPA, that could further keep the rust on players as they try to prepare for the 2020 regular season. According to Pro Football Talk, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray arranged a four-day workout session with 20 of his teammates down in Dallas beginning on Sunday. The Raiders have also been getting together for workouts in Vegas, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Because of this latest note to the players, it's unclear if these workouts -- or any like it across the league -- will still occur.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN on Thursday that he is still not 100% sure that football games will be able to play this year without the implementation of a "bubble," which is what the NBA is currently planning to implement at Walt Disney World.

"Dr. Anthony Fauci's words carry important weight as he has served our country with expert guidance and moral clarity through many crises," the NFLPA medical director responded in a statement. "As we have communicated to our players throughout the spring, we know there are significant challenges to the operation of football during a global pandemic. So far, we have been guided and made decisions based on the best available science and current state of infections and hospitalizations. Our joint task force is comprised of experts in multiple areas who are working every day with health and safety in mind.

"In addition to stringent protocols and workplace safety, we continue to reinforce the importance of widely available testing. It is not just a key to 1186685 World Leagues News

MLB teams shifting spring workouts to home ballparks after COVID-19 outbreaks, report says

By Mike Axisa

Watch Now: Report: MLB Temporarily Closing All Training Facilities (2:16)

Although MLB and the MLBPA have not yet reached a return to play agreement, the 30 clubs have decided to shift their spring training camps to their major league ballparks in their home cities, reports USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Clubs have the option to hold training camp in their home city or at their spring training site.

"We're all hopeful that Major League Baseball will start their season, or part of a season. They're in conversation now and we're expecting updates this week," New York governor Andrew Cuomo said during is Saturday press briefing. "(The Mets and Yankees) are planning to have their spring training camp in New York."

The Yankees later confirmed they will indeed hold spring training at Yankee Stadium. The team released the following statement Saturday afternoon:

"As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this afternoon, the New York Yankees will hold a potential spring training resumption at Yankee Stadium. We will continue to follow Major League Baseball's guidelines and protocols, and we will vigilantly work with Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio and their health authorities, as well as with federal officials and Major League Baseball's own medical and infectious disease experts, to ensure our facility maintains the best possible safety standards.

The health and safety of our players, staff and employees, and of their respectively families, will always be our top priority."

Cuomo later added New York will review the Yankees' and Mets' health and safety plans to ensure spring training is safe. Other states have not yet confirmed any plans to host spring training at major league ballparks.

The collective decision to shift spring training comes one day after the Angels, Astros, Phillies, and Blue Jays announced several players and staff members tested positive for COVID-19. MLB ordered all spring training sites closed and disinfected Friday night, and personnel must test negative for COVID-9 before being allowed to return.

Spring training complexes have multiple fields and multiple clubhouses, allowing for easy social distancing. That is not the case at major league stadiums. All players must share one field -- teams are expected to have 30-man active rosters and a 20-man taxi squad in 2020 -- and clubhouse space is more limited. Even with staggered workouts, space can be an issue.

It's unclear how the Diamondbacks, Marlins and Rays will handle spring training. They could remain in Arizona and Florida, their home states, or train at a neutral site somewhere. Also, Canada has a 14-day mandatory quarantine for international travelers, which figures to shape the Blue Jays' spring training plans.

All 30 teams hold spring training in Arizona and Florida, two states that have experienced significant spikes in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. Arizona reported a record 3,246 new cases Friday and Florida reported 4,049 new cases Saturday, a new record. COVID-19 cases are on the rise generally in the south and southwest.

MLB and the MLBPA are currently negotiating a return to play agreement, with number of games the big obstacle. The two sides must still hammer out health and safety protocols as well.

CBS Sports LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186686 World Leagues News

Aussie rules game postponed after player fails COVID-19 test

Jun 20, 2020 Updated 21 hrs ago 0

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian Football League has postponed a game between Essendon and Melbourne because a player who recently returned from Ireland has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Australian rules AFL competition was into the second weekend of matches after restarting in the wake of the shutdown for the coronavirus pandemic.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said Essendon player Conor McKenna tested positive on Saturday, a day before the scheduled game against Melbourne, but remained asymptomatic.

Other matches will continue in the league.

McLachlan said McKenna was the only positive case after all Essendon’s players and staff were tested.

McKenna returned from Ireland last month and self-isolated for two weeks according to Australia's COVID-19 protocols before returning to full practice.

McLachlan said McKenna had been tested five times while in hotel quarantine after arriving back in Australia and had returned negative results each time.

All players are required to complete a COVID-19 test 24 hours before each match.

League officials notified the health department of the positive case and were working with the authorities to do contact tracing. All Essendon players and staff have been told to isolate until the contact tracing is completed.

“We said at the outset of this crisis that we would make all decisions based on medical advice and our priority remains the health and safety of our players, staff and the wider community,” McLachlan told a news conference Saturday. “We need to do the right thing and the right thing for our club and the wider community is to postpone this match."

The AFL case was announced the same day as Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announced the state is set to re-impose household restrictions for three weeks from Monday after recording double-digit increases in COVID-19 cases for a fourth consecutive day.

Andrews said Victoria recorded 25 new cases on Saturday, the biggest daily increase in two months, forcing a delay to further easing of restrictions.

Victoria state, headquarters for the AFL, has accounted for 19 of Australia’s 102 deaths from COVID-19, and almost 1,800 of the country’s 7,411 confirmed infections, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

The AFL and the National Rugby League — the two biggest of Australia's four major football competitions — restarted after declining rates of coronavirus infections nationally.

Soccer's A-League and Super Rugby are set to restart next month.

LOADED: 06.21.2020 1186687 World Leagues News That risk was always going to manifest as infected players or personnel. The experts understood this, and frankly, so does MLB. The health and safety protocols include contingency plans for positive tests because the Suddenly baseball in 2020 seems very unlikely as coronavirus uptick hits league knew it wouldn’t get through the season without one. But what teams about 11? At least. In less than a month.

Suddenly, it feels like we’re playing whack-a-mole with a potentially deadly disease, trying to contain outbreaks retroactively and that’s before Hannah Keyser adding the complication of having to get a game in nearly every day.

“If we knew everything we needed to know about the disease,” said University of Washington epidemiologist Dr. Steve Mooney, “we’d Maybe you felt that way all along. Stalwart in your pandemic pessimism already be making the right decisions.” that will probably prove to be realism, you didn’t let yourself buy into the implicit hope of warm weather or get distracted by the labor strife that The prevailing plan for months now has been to have teams play in their threatens to derail Major League Baseball if the disease doesn’t. But for (empty) home stadiums, traveling only within their regions. Now, as it me, it was a confluence of events today that served to highlight how becomes increasingly clear how variable levels of local laxness precarious a hypothetical season always was, and how carelessly the contribute to new spikes, the league is reportedly considering country has squandered the chance to contain the coronavirus as quickly implementing a bubble along the lines of the NBA in Walt Disney World. as expert understanding would allow. Baseball’s bubble would be in Southern California, where confirmed cases are still rising but they have a handful of nice stadiums and a new First, a report that eight people at the Philadelphia Phillies facility in policy mandating masks be worn in public spaces. Clearwater, Florida — five players and three staffers — along with many of their family members tested positive for COVID-19. The facility was But honestly, even if the number of games wasn’t so fraught and the shut down indefinitely. Then, a Toronto Blue Jays player at the nearby relationship between the league and the union wasn’t so frayed, it’s Dunedin camp showed symptoms and their fields were closed as well. getting harder to imagine such a plan coming together in time to play a One of just a handful of Houston Astros players training in West Palm meaningful season. And at this rate, I’m not sure it would be safe if it did. Beach tested positive. Yahoo Sports:LOADED: 06.21.2020 The Wall Street Journal reported that 11 players from seven teams’ 40- man rosters have tested positive since the start of June. More spring training facilities started closing; more cases started popping up in other sports.

It’s not athletes or athletics that are the issue; it’s policymakers in states that are opening up prematurely and the people who think precautionary measures are a political statement. As troubling as the handful of positive tests around MLB are, they’re the natural byproduct of training in a state that has set a record high for new confirmed cases nearly every day this week. And Florida is just one of 10 states “currently reporting its highest seven-day average of new coronavirus cases per day since the crisis began,” according to a CNN report.

As of Friday, the United States had over 2.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and close to 119,000 deaths. There were 26,875 new cases around the country today alone. It’s the worst single day since June 5. Before that, you have to go back to mid-May to find new daily case totals over 26,000. The pandemic isn’t over — it isn’t even on the downswing.

“We never got off this curve, we’re still on the same curve,” Dr. Vivian Towe, an epidemiologist at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, said about the so-called second wave that was supposed to hit once the weather turned cooler again. “That might not be true for every place, but people are reading that we’re in a major dip, and then we’re looking for something to come up — when honestly, in a lot of places, there never was a dip.”

I reached out to experts earlier this week to try to understand what it would — or should — take to cancel a baseball season once it was already underway. It’s an issue that’s pertinent not just to public safety, but also to the strained negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA. How far into the fall baseball can be played and how comfortable either side should be banking on the substantial revenue of the postseason are critical questions that go toward accurately evaluating various proposals. It seemed like baseball needed to know if and when — or at least why — it might stop before it could start.

Now, I’m not so sure it will be able to start at all.

Of course, baseball will take strenuous precautions. I don’t doubt their best intentions or efforts. Before the whiplash-inducing weeks of bickering over economics, we were introduced to a health and safety proposal that was 67 pages at one point and remains under careful construction.

But as Dr. Towe explained, being able to mitigate the risk at stadiums is such a small piece of keeping all the players, team employees, support staff, their families and surrounding communities safe while playing baseball during a pandemic.

“Because the players are really living in a context beyond the game,” she said. “And that’s where the source of the risk is.” 1186688 World Leagues News

Could MLB be Using Coronavirus News to Sabotage Negotiations?

By Ryan Burschinger

Jun 20, 2020

Could MLB be Using Coronavirus News to Sabotage Negotiations?

Jonas Knox finds it fair to question the timing of the news of positive coronavirus tests among MLB teams a day after the MLBPA tossed out another rejected counteroffer. Jonas breaks down the release of the news and examines the state of the negotiations after the last few days. Jonas acknowledges that this is nothing more than a conspiracy theory, but when you connect the dots, it's rational to see this as a possible method for the MLB owners to further delay or even cancel the upcoming season.

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