penguins.nhl.compenguins.nhl.com/v2/ext/media/pdf/09 27 2013.pdf · SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL...

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 9/27/2013

Anaheim Ducks 718193 NHL is hoping for a picture-perfect setting at Dodger Stadium game 718194 Air of excitement greets Ducks-Kings outdoor game 718195 Miller: Expect unexpected at Ducks-Kings outdoor game

Boston Bruins 718196 Niklas Svedberg presents case to Bruins 718197 Bruins top Jets 3-2 in OT 718198 NHL season simulation predicts Blues will win Stanley Cup 718199 Notes from the morning skate 718200 Updates: Bruins at Jets 718201 Notebook: B's backup goalie job down to wire 718202 Bruins win 3-2 in overtime 718203 Denis Brodeur, father of Martin Brodeur dies 718204 Bruins jobs up for grabs tonight against Winnipeg

Buffalo Sabres 718205 Armia injury a setback as Sabres assess roster 718206 Sabres' Armia sidelined indefinitely with broken hand

Calgary Flames 718207 Flood effort fuels Calgary Flames in their bid to be a playoff team 718208 Flames chop four, but a few ‘difficult decisions’ loom before Monday’s deadline 718209 Flames will lean on a No. 1 line of Curtis Glencross, Lee Stempniak and Matt Stajan 718210 Calgary Flames take shape 718211 Ken Hitchcock says Calgary Flames fans should buckle up and be patient 718212 Calgary Flames assign Michael Ferland, Corban Knight and Max Reinhart to AHL Abbotsford Heat; Keegan Kanzig se

Carolina Hurricanes 718213 Gerbe stars as Hurricanes beat Blue Jackets

Chicago Blackhawks 718214 Nail-biting time for Hawks hopefuls 718215 Oduya a quiet but steady force on Hawks blue line 718216 Hawks' names engraved on Stanley Cup 718217 Kostka, Stanton — friends and rivals — battle for Blackhawks’ last defenseman spot 718218 Blackhawks’ power play needs more shots 718219 Spellman's Scorecard: Another genius move by NHL 718220 Kostka appears to be in a good place 718221 Hawks look for fresh start on power play 718222 Inside Look: Stan Bowman debuts at 12:30 p.m. Friday on CSN 718223 Kostka, Stanton battle for Blackhawks' eighth D-man job 718224 Blackhawks notes: Mayers gets name on Stanley Cup

Colorado Avalanche 718225 Cory Sarich expecting to rejuvenate career with Avalanche 718226 Stars power past Avalanche 5-1

Columbus Blue Jackets 718227 Hurricanes 2, Blue Jackets 1: Brandon Dubinsky’s drive seen in preseason 718228 Blue Jackets notebook: Nick Foligno iOK with extra playing time

Dallas Stars 718229 Alex Chiasson propels Stars past Avs

Detroit Red Wings 718230 Detroit Red Wings players prepare for HBO's '24/7' spotlight 718231 Helene St. James: Detroit Red Wings need to exhibit something meaningful this weekend 718232 Red Wings say recent slump doesn't reveal much 718233 Danny DeKeyser, Brendan Smith are new injury concerns for Red Wings 718234 Some Red Wings happy to see HBO cameras in town to start filming 24/7, others not so much 718235 Offensively challenged Red Wings look to end rough preseason with some momentum 718236 Red Wings injury updates: Justin Abdelkader fine, Daniel Alfredsson hopeful, Danny DeKeyser sits out 718237 Detroit Red Wings youngsters learn harsh NHL lesson in 5-1 preseason loss to Pittsburgh Penguins 718238 Red Wings' Mike Babcock: Top-end players in lineup didn't lead way in loss to Pittsburgh 718239 Loaded Pittsburgh Penguins rout Detroit Red Wings team that rested its top players, 5-1 in preseason 718240 Blog recap: Detroit Red Wings' preseason losing streak hits three in 5-1 loss to Pittsburgh Penguins 718241 RED WINGS NOTEBOOK: Players getting healthy

Edmonton Oilers 718242 Changes a-plenty in the Edmonton Oilers lineup 718243 MacKinnon: Can Dallas Eakins guide change in direction? 718244 Five pressing questions for the Edmonton Oilers at dawn of the 2013-14 NHL season 718245 Ryan Jones vows he’ll battle back to Edmonton Oilers lineup 718246 Young Oilers relish return to AHL roots in Oklahoma City 718247 Ryan Jones clears waivers, Oilers reassign winger to minors 718248 OK, I was wrong on Ryan Jones getting picked up 718249 Edmonton Oilers ready to put painful preseason behind them 718250 Oilers Nugent-Hopkins, Hall, Eberle and Schultz back in OKC 718251 Oilers camp cut Ryan Jones says he'll work his way back to the NHL

Florida Panthers 718252 Florida Panthers sign Tim Thomas, get new owner 718253 Tim Thomas signs 1-year deal with Panthers 718254 AP Source: Florida Panthers sold to NY businessman 718255 GOOD START: Tim Thomas Makes Florida Debut, Cats Lose in OT (Again) 718256 THOMAS SIGNS, PANTHERS SOLD: Sunrise has New Goalie and New Owner 718257 Viola set to acquire Panthers for $250M 718258 Panthers sign goalie Tim Thomas to one-year deal 718259 Panthers' $250M sale includes arena operations

Los Angeles Kings 718260 NHL is hoping for a picture-perfect setting at Dodger Stadium game 718261 Dustin Brown is confident he will play in Kings' opener next week 718262 Dodger Stadium quotes: Robitaille, Carter, Penner 718263 September 26 practice quotes: Dustin Brown 718264 September 26 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter 718265 Bodnarchuk placed on waivers

Minnesota Wild 718266 Wild notes: Next days crucial for Zucker and Granlund 718267 Wild's Backstrom and Harding put health concerns behind them 718268 Wild Thursday practice: Zucker on notice 718269 Wild goalies Nik Backstrom, Josh Harding resume healthy competition

718270 Wild: Jason Zucker, Mikael Granlund fighting for roster spot

Montreal Canadiens 718271 Price, Gionta key Habs' preseason win over Senators 718272 In the Room: Canadiens’ Daniel Brière enjoying extra space behind nets 718273 Canadiens wrap up pre-season with win over Senators 718274 Canadiens’ Greg Pateryn takes demotion in stride 718275 Tinordi and Bournival to start season with HabsjpgPosted by Brenda Branswell 718276 Pateryn, Thomas, Blunden among eight players reassigned to Bulldogs

Nashville Predators 718277 Nashville Predators' Ryan Ellis entering critical season

New Jersey Devils 718278 Devils Earn 4-1 Preseason Win Over Flyers 718279 Devils' Ryane Clowe shows he can set up goals as well as score them 718280 Devils haven't ruled out starting Cory Schneider in season opener 718281 As they play: Devils vs. Flyers preseason 718282 Denis Brodeur, father of Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, dies at 82 718283 Devils: Is Stephen Gionta's job in jeopardy? The coach wants him 718284 Devils: Jaromir Jagr, in good spirits, still hopes to play in opener 718285 Devils: Family matter in Montreal keeps Martin Brodeur from final tuneup 718286 Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias, Ryan Carter to sit for Devils' preseason finale 718287 Denis Brodeur, father of Martin Brodeur, dies at 82 718288 Devils' Jaromir Jagr likely to sit preseason finale 718289 Brodeur’s father passes away at 82

New York Islanders 718290 Isles' prospect Reinhart working hard for roster spot

New York Rangers 718291 Canucks Shut Out Rangers 5-0 718292 Rangers Stumble Against a Familiar Face After Signing a Key Player 718293 John Tortorella is usual self as Canucks rout NY Rangers 718294 Derek Stepan and NY Rangers agree on two-year, $6.15 million contract 718295 September 27, 2013 1:25 AM 718296 Rangers’ Kreider may be odd man out 718297 Tortorella has no Rangers regrets 718298 MSG analyst: Rangers still contenders 718299 Stepan returning just in time for Rangers 718300 Rangers lose to Canucks, 5-0, in battle of teams that swapped coaches 718301 Rangers agree to terms with top-scorer Derek Stepan 718302 Alain Vigneault's Rangers ready to face John Tortorella's Canucks 718303 Henrik Lundqvist off his game as Rangers are blanked by Canucks 718304 Derek Stepan agrees to contract with Rangers 718305 Rangers-Canucks in review 718306 It’s Go Time! … Rangers at Canucks 718307 It’s official: Rangers re-sign Derek Stepan for two years, $6.15M

Ottawa Senators 718308 Senators pare roster ahead of 3-1 loss to Canadiens 718309 Scanlan: Cowen gets up to speed, Spezza stalls 718310 Morning skate update: Anderson between pipes for Senators, Lazar to play 718311 With time ticking down, time to see who's still in running at Senators camp 718312 Ottawa Senators lose to Montreal Canadiens in NHL pre-season action 718313 Ottawa Sens put O'Brien on waivers 718314 Ottawa Senators hopefuls running out of time to make an impression 718315 A look inside the life and times of Senators superstar Bobby Ryan 718316 Craig Anderson starts in Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens II

Philadelphia Flyers 718317 Laughton looking for permanent stay 718318 Flyers drop preseason game at New Jersey 718319 Devils second-period onslaught sinks Flyers 718320 Final two preseason games matter to Laviolette 718321 Light lineup for Flyers tonight 718322 Scoring drought not setting off alarms. . .yet 718323 Laughton knows he's still auditioning 718324 Laughton does little to stand out in Flyers' loss 718325 Flyers' prospect Morin injures hand in Canada 718326 Happy with rotation, Mason eager for next start 718327 Couturier continues to develop

Phoenix Coyotes 718328 Phoenix Coyotes still fielding competition for final roster spots 718329 Coyotes' last big roster decision all about Domi 718330 There's no room for big heads in Tippett's world

Pittsburgh Penguins 718331 Young Penguins forward Bennett will be asked to produce more in Year 2 718332 Penguins CEO eyeing World Junior Hockey 718333 Top American draft prospects take to the ice at Consol 718334 Penguins notebook: Roster trimmed to 29 718335 Penguins' trip to West Point to emphasize team-building 718336 Penguins send three players to Wilkes-Barre

San Jose Sharks 718337 Sharks' Torres undergoes surgery, could miss most of the season 718338 Sharks' Raffi Torres undergoes ACL surgery 718339 Sharks' Raffi Torres has knee surgery 718340 Sharks' defenseman Demers getting back on track 718341 Sharks offseason recap 718342 Torres should return for Sharks' stretch run 718343 NHL Eastern Conference outlook 718344 NHL Western Conference outlook 718345 Sharks' Torres undergoes surgery

St Louis Blues 718346 Blues want more out of left winger Paajarvi 718347 Allen, Jaskin among Blues' roster cuts 718348 Blues move Paajarvi out of the mix at forward 718349 Hockey Guy: Perron makes quick impact for Oilers 718350 Blues are popular pick — again — to win Stanley Cup 718351 Allen, Jaskin and Rattie among latest Blues roster cuts

Tampa Bay Lightning 718352 Bolts trio just clicks as line 718353 Lightning Notebook: Kucherov’s OT goal completes rally against Panthers 718354 Lightning tops Panthers in OT 718355 St. Louis, Stamkos to see action on Lightning penalty kill

Toronto Maple Leafs

718356 With Franson’s signing, pieces falling into place for Maple Leafs 718357 Mirtle: New CBA twist could help teams like Leafs with cap crunch 718358 Cody Franson’s deal with Leafs means one less job up for grabs 718359 Maple Leafs’ contract focus shifts to Phil Kessel 718360 Maple Leafs: Kessel next up on Nonis' to-do list: Cox 718361 NHL Notebook: Derek Stepan inks 2-year deal with Rangers 718362 Famed sports photographer Denis Brodeur, father of star hockey goalie, dies at 82 718363 Cody Franson signs one-year deal with the Maple Leafs 718364 Leafs' Franson has catching up to do 718365 Room still for Reilly on Leafs 718366 Maple Leafs, Red Wings eager to renew rivalry 718367 Top 5 moments from Maple Leafs-Red Wings rivalry 718368 Cody Franson signing puts Maple Leafs over the cap 718369 Toronto Maple Leafs give and take to get deal with defenceman Cody Franson done 718370 Toronto Maple Leafs, Cody Franson contract saga ends with one-year deal

Vancouver Canucks 718380 Corrado: He shoots, scores, gets demoted 718381 Canucks 5 Rangers 0: Luongo solid with 41-save shutout 718382 Canucks 5 Rangers 0:Still lots of questions, but some good signs, too 718383 Booth’s back and trying to ignore the Tortorella/Vigneault media circus 718384 Vigneault is now the Rangers’ driving force 718385 Jannik Hansen: “It doesn’t matter to us. We don’t care who’s in the other dressing room right now.” 718386 Canucks centre Jordan Schroeder on crutches, in boot; sidelined for three weeks 718387 John Tortorella: “Did I want to leave? No. I was told to leave and I left. It’s part of the game. I’m knee-dee 718388 Vigneault better at driving home coaching points than driving New York roads 718389 Like their Canuck counterparts, Ranger players say they aren’t talking about coaching duel 718390 The 10 O’Clock: A.V. has bigger priorities than showing up the Canucks, while Red October lights up the Florid 718391 Gallagher’s Hat Trick: Are the Sharks marketing opening night against the Canucks as guaranteed-win night? Nop 718392 Trading Places: Tortorella’s Canucks shut out Vigneault’s Rangers 718393 Canucks’ coach Tortorella: Calm, cool, collected?

Washington Capitals 718371 Brooks Laich misses practice, Tomas Kundratek clears waivers, Joel Ward ill 718372 Alex Ovechkin to be first Russian Olympic torchbearer 718373 Alex Ovechkin will be first Russian to carry Olympic torch in Sochi relay

Websites 718394 ESPN / Pressure is on for underachievers 718395 ESPN / Franson deal causes salary-cap trouble 718396 ESPN / Derek Stepan gets 2-year deal 718397 USA TODAY / Young stars shine at All-American Prospects Game 718398 USA TODAY / Al MacInnis' son positioned for success 718399 USA TODAY / Derek Stepan, Rangers agree to 2-year deal 718400 USA TODAY / Ovechkin to carry Olympic torch 718401 USA TODAY / Fighting For Common Sense

Winnipeg Jets 718374 Tough, talented Trouba a keeper 718375 Jets' future on full display 718376 Trouba, Scheifele in like Flynn 718377 Jets' young guns impress in 3-2 overtime loss 718378 Jets ready for final home tune-up against Boston 718379 Winnipeg Jets drop overtime decision to Bruins SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 718193 Anaheim Ducks

NHL is hoping for a picture-perfect setting at Dodger Stadium game

Helene Elliott

8:09 PM PDT, September 26, 2013

Just picture it.

Palm trees sway and dusk darkens the San Gabriel Mountains as officials prepare to drop the puck for the first outdoor NHL game in California. The Kings and Ducks line up for the historic moment while fans at Dodger Stadium and a national TV audience admire the gorgeous backdrop and marvel at the technology that allows a hockey rink to be plunked down across the infield.

Fans in shorts and tank tops roar their approval. It's a triumph for the league and Commissioner Gary Bettman, who has ditched his corporate pinstriped suit for a colorful Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops to fit the relaxed atmosphere.

Weather permitting, all of that will come to pass shortly after 7 p.m. on Jan. 25 — except the part about Bettman going casual.

"You'll probably see me dressed the way you always see me," a typically buttoned-up Bettman said Thursday, "but it will be great to be here and it will be very exciting. This is going to be a very different experience but it's going to be very Southern California and that's going to make its own tradition, its own fun, and its own enjoyment for the people that live here."

Bettman led a group of league and team executives to Dodger Stadium on Thursday to promote the event, the NHL's first outdoor game scheduled outside a cold climate. The NHL owns two portable rinks that can be set up almost anywhere; the key difference here is the ice will be covered during daylight hours and workers will do the necessary grooming from 6 or 7 p.m. until 6 or 7 a.m., when temperatures are coolest. Evening temperatures in Los Angeles in January are usually in the high 40s and low 50s.

"Every day is a new challenge," said Dan Craig, the NHL's ice guru. "You walk in here and see what Mother Nature hands us."

Portable barriers were set out Thursday to approximate what the scene will look like. It was startling to see a hockey rink in the middle of a baseball field, an image the brain needed a few seconds to process on a day of warm breezes and Dodger-blue skies.

"Dodger Stadium is beautiful," Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said, "and to have the first hockey game and be a part of that game here will be an amazing experience for me."

The teams will get to practice there the day before. There will be only one rink — no auxiliary rink, as has been built for other outdoor games. If conditions make the ice unsafe — unlikely because outdoor games have been played elsewhere in rain and in 60-degree temperatures — the game would be played on Jan. 26.

Stan Kasten, the Dodgers' president and chief executive officer and a former executive of the Atlanta Thrashers, was immediately on board the outdoor-game bandwagon when he had been approached by Luc Robitaille, the Kings' president of business operations.

"I couldn't say yes fast enough," said Kasten, who said he'd wanted to bring an outdoor game to Washington while he was president of baseball's Nationals.

Kasten joked that in seeing the configuration of the rink Thursday, he realized how great a visionary former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley had been.

"We all know that he built possibly the most closely perfect baseball venue with the greatest possible sightlines to watch a baseball game," Kasten said. "Until today we didn't know he also invented a stadium that had absolutely the best possible sightlines to watch a hockey game."

Kasten also said he had no fears the field might be damaged by the rink or the pipes required to keep the ice frozen. It's not like having the field torn up by a monster truck rally.

"We've had those," Kasten said, "so I know we can have a hockey game."

This won't be just any hockey game. It will be a spectacle and marketing event too, with references to California culture and the growth of hockey here on the youth and professional levels.

"It's going to be great. It's going to be so different," said John Collins, the NHL's chief operating officer. "We typically have done the cold and the little rinks and sort of the iconic look of a winter festival. We've got the guys already laying out some ideas on how to fit this game into Southern California."

Which means no sledding or NHL-branded hats and mittens. "But you may see sand and you may see some other Southern California touches," Collins said.

Like flip-flops? But not on Bettman. Asked if warm-weather games are the wave of the future, he smiled. "I'll let you know," he said, "on Jan. 26."

LA Times: LOADED: 09.27.2013

718194 Anaheim Ducks

Air of excitement greets Ducks-Kings outdoor game

By ERIC STEPHENS / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LOS ANGELES – A hockey game being played outside at Chavez Ravine? What a laughable concept.

Even Walter O’Malley couldn’t have dreamed this up when he turned his vision of some empty space on a hill into the iconic Dodger Stadium.

But with a bit of breeze in the air on a near-perfect Southern California afternoon, the NHL hopes to be laughing its way to the bank and prove that you can play outdoors in a warm-weather city.

The Kings and Ducks will play at the famed edifice Jan. 25 and it was decked out with banners forming the shape of the temporary ice rink that will ultimately sit atop the immaculately groomed baseball field.

Kings defenseman Drew Doughty spent time imagining the unimaginable.

“I never really would have thought it was possible,” Doughty said. “To be able to play on good ice, without the ice kind of getting really scrappy, it’ll be tough for sure.

“But to be having this climate and this stadium especially, it’s going to be a lot of fun. I just can’t wait.”

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, along with other league executives and personnel from both the Kings and Ducks, offered up an official preview of what they believe will be a can’t-miss event for local die-hard and casual hockey fans.

Bettman initially was cool to the idea of having the enormously popular and successful Winter Classic played in a warm-weather city. But Dan Craig, the NHL’s senior director of facilities operations and resident ice guru, convinced him it could work.

It doesn’t hurt that the nation’s No. 2 television market contains its wealth of marketing and entertainment opportunities. The real test will be to see if the ice conditions will remain pristine during a time when rain could do more damage than heat.

Temperatures in the greater Los Angeles area average around 68

degrees

during January days, but the game will have a 7 p.m. start, when it is typically in the 40s and 50s at night. January, however, is one of wettest months of the year in Southern California.

“When I made those comments, we weren’t sure it could be done,” Bettman said. “In fact, I spoke to Dan again and he’s confident. Whatever the weather is, he will be able to put down a sheet of ice that will provide for a competitive game as he needs to.”

Craig and his 12-person crew will arrive with a newly built refrigeration truck and ice-making plant about two weeks before the game to lay down the ice after about 40 people will assemble the boards in a first-to-third-base layout.

Silver-colored reflective blankets will cover the ice surface during the day and Craig’s crew will do the majority of its work overnight. The plan is have both the Ducks and Kings practice the day before the game.

“Every venue we go to go to has its own challenge,” Craig said. “We didn’t expect in Pittsburgh that we would be dealing with rain. … You watch the weather very closely. You monitor the truck and you just move things around that you need to.”

The Ducks-Kings matchup is part of the NHL’s Stadium Series as the league expanded it number of outdoor games this season, with contests also being played at Chicago’s Soldier Field, New York’s Yankee Stadium and Vancouver’s B.C. Place.

And the annual Winter Classic is taking place at the 107,501-seat Michigan Stadium. But the Dodger Stadium contest figures to draw additional curiosity from those in cold-weather cities who are skeptical that an outdoor game will work in L.A.

“I think there’s a curiosity level, a fascination every time we play outdoors,” Bettman said. “Because sports is the ultimate reality show and then you add in the elements. Unlike the other games where it takes the game back to its roots and the imagery of frozen ponds, this is going to be different.

“This is going to be special to Southern California. And I think people are going to be excited and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau echoed the sentiment.

“People are going to see if it’s possible,” Boudreau said. “How did we do this? Or how did Daniel Craig do this? There is going to be the curiosity factor. And then we’ll see the pace of the game and the people who don’t watch the Western Conference are going to finally get a chance to see two really good teams play.”

Ducks winger Emerson Etem grew up in Long Beach as a Kings fan and attended his share of Dodgers games. Etem said “there’s no words to describe what it’s going to be feeling like” to play a hockey game with palm trees and the San Gabriel Mountains as a backdrop.

“It’s kind of ironic I guess,” he said. “I started out in roller hockey playing outdoors, playing at the YMCA. Seventeen years later, I’m playing in an outdoor ice hockey game. I didn’t even know it was possible, to be honest.

“I don’t know scientifically how this whole thing works out. But it’s quite shocking for sure.”

Before the news conference, Bettman spent a few moments taking in the panorama from the stadium’s highest point.

“Clearly Water O’Malley was a visionary,” he said. “It’s magnificent. When you’re up on the ninth level and you see the view, it’s off the charts.”

Orange County Register: LOADED: 09.27.2013

718195 Anaheim Ducks

Miller: Expect unexpected at Ducks-Kings outdoor game

By JEFF MILLER

COLUMNIST

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LOS ANGELES – It wouldn’t be hockey without the frozen pond. It wouldn’t be Southern California without the thawed ocean.

“There should be a bit of a beach theme, I think,” Ducks forward Dustin Penner said. “Girls in bikinis would be a good thing. I need to talk to Gary about that. We need a beach with an aesthetic view.”

Gary is NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who had just finished waxing nostalgic about Walter O’Malley, and that was only one of the oddities Thursday at Dodger Stadium, where everyone gathered on the eve of the baseball playoffs to talk about a regular-season hockey game four months away.

The Ducks and Kings will play against each other in the outdoors here Jan. 25, when almost anything could happen. Like a heat wave. Or something worse – a cold reality.

“There’s a chance the Kings could be in last place and we could be in second-to-last,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “I hope that doesn’t happen, either.”

The folks at Farmers’ Almanac have predicted stormy conditions for Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 2) in New York, the controversial outdoor choice for the NFL’s next title game.

Though they didn’t offer any specifics for the previous weekend in Los Angeles, they did conclude “this part of the winter season will be particularly volatile and especially turbulent.”

Just what the NHL needs for a game that’s already volatile and a rivalry that’s already turbulent. It’d be great for television ratings. Who wouldn’t tune in to see the Ducks and Kings meet under conditions that could dislodge Corey Perry’s eyebrows?

The news conference Thursday included a video highlighting the NHL’s recent outdoor games. As the Images were being shown on the Dodger Stadium scoreboard, the wind knocked over part of the temporary boards set up to show where the rink will be placed in January.

Only an “Oh, man” this time, could the gust also have been an omen for next time?

Boudreau was coaching Washington when the Capitals played in Heinz Field against the Penguins in 2011. That game attracted 68,111 fans. And at least that many raindrops. The start was pushed back seven hours because of the damp weather.

“People will be turning this on,” Boudreau said, “maybe for two minutes or maybe for the whole game, to see what the thing looks like.”

The TV coverage predictably will feature shots of the beach and palm trees, juxtaposed by a sheet of ice that, ideally, will remain chilled to 22

degrees

, an outdoor temperature that certainly can be found in these parts, assuming you limit your search to the closest margarita.

Given that the league has staged these games in places like Buffalo, Chicago and Boston – where the winter weather can be as bleak as this Angels season – L.A. really shouldn’t offer anything too daunting.

Bettman was nothing but smiles Thursday, concluding his remarks by saying, “We’re here because … we just want to have fun.” Other than the unfortunate and shameless pilfering of Cyndi Lauper, the message was a positive one.

Stan Kasten spoke next and probably said some notable things, too. But, to be honest, we stopped listening the moment he mentioned “extending the Dodger brand,” the baseball team’s president attempting to make the most unique NHL game ever in Southern California as interesting as a marketing seminar.

“It’s going to be a game unlike any game I’ve played in, and that goes for a lot of the guys,” Penner said. “I think everyone is going to remember where they were when the Kings played the Ducks in the outdoor game.

“The venue will be bigger than the game itself. Obviously, they’re giving out two points for it, but hopefully it’s stressed to the players involved to take it in. It’s not like this going to happen every year. My mom and dad better take a lot of pictures. Hopefully, they’ll serve Dodger Dogs.”

Penner said he could see himself smearing black on his cheek bones, like a ballplayer, even though the game is scheduled to be played at night.

That would be an interesting twist, the sport that most advances the black eye promoting the eye black.

If two teams with home arenas separated by only 30 miles need more proximity, the Ducks’ and Kings’ outdoor game will be their second meeting in three days. They also play each other Jan. 23, under the Honda Center sky.

That will chill the mood a little more, which should help solidify the ice surface.

Still, Penner said something about the participants wearing beach attire, but he was only kidding. Good thing. The Images from this one don’t need to include Boudreau in a Speedo.

“The last thing you’re going to see me in is a bathing suit,” the Ducks coach confirmed. “Remember, we want TV viewers.”

Orange County Register: LOADED: 09.27.2013

718196 Boston Bruins

Niklas Svedberg presents case to Bruins

By Amalie Benjamin

| Globe Staff

September 27, 2013

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Chad Johnson stopped all 18 shots he faced against the Red Wings in Detroit in his full exhibition game. Niklas Svedberg stopped 26 of 28 shots he faced against the Jets in Winnipeg in his full exhibition game.

And while the easy choice would be for the Bruins to send Svedberg back to Providence, the Swedish product is doing all he can to make them think twice.

Johnson might get the nod as Tuukka Rask’s backup by virtue of the fact he would carry a lighter salary-cap hit ($600,000) than Svedberg ($1 million). Also, Johnson would have to clear waivers to be sent to Providence. Svedberg would not.

Asked about whether that might make the difference for his team, Svedberg shot back, “I try to play my best game on the ice. That’s what should matter.”

The Bruins will make the decision soon, but Svedberg thought he presented a convincing case in the Bruins’ 3-2 overtime win Thursday night.

“I thought he played well, had a lot of traffic in front of him.” coach Claude Julien said. “They created a lot of that, and he was able to stop the pucks with those kind of screens. I thought he was solid.”

Both goals scored by the Jets came on the power play, from Devin Setoguchi in the first period and Mark Scheifele in the third.

Svedberg has allowed three goals in his two preseason appearances, playing 34 minutes against the Capitals in Baltimore and the full game here. He said he’s pleased with his performance. Now it’s out of his hands.

“You try to show your best game,” Svedberg said. “I had three goals. I could have had zero, but I think it was good to get two wins. Today was a good game to get a full game and to get the win.”

On the upswing

Dougie Hamilton is, certainly, the future of the Bruins’ defense. But as training camp and preseason have gone along, the Bruins are doing their best to figure out if Hamilton is also the present.

While Hamilton is likely to be in the top six when the season begins next week, he hasn’t impressed quite as much as the other two players against whom he’s fighting for those two open spots on defense: Torey Krug and Matt Bartkowski. Still, Bartkowski seems the odds-on favorite to be the seventh defenseman when the Bruins take to the ice against the Lightning next Thursday.

Julien said he’s seen “a guy that’s improved every game” when he looks at Hamilton. He said Hamilton looked as if he were trying to find his way early in his first game, but has gotten better since then.

“When you’re a young player, you always have to fight for a spot,” Julien said. “There are some veterans that are extremely established around the league. He’s not one of those guys. So I think he’s got to make sure he understands that not only is he fighting for a spot, but he wants to be in the lineup.

“We’re going to carry seven D’s. So does he want to be in the top seven, or does he want to be in the top six? That’s how he’s got to approach it.”

Caron has a chance

At the start of camp, it appeared Jordan Caron would get a long look as a potential member of the third line, with the forward one of the favorites to get a shot. But as it has gone on, Caron has looked less and less like a favorite, and more and more like someone just trying to make the cut.

“He’s one of those guys that’s in the running,” said Julien. “The one thing with Jordan, he’s very reliable on both ends of the ice. He’s a big body. He’s strong on the puck.

“Right now, the thing that you’re looking for is, what can he bring besides that part of the game? He’s pretty good at that part of it, and a little bit of production and a little bit of offensive, I guess, chances.

“We’ve encouraged him to take pucks to the net. We’re going to have a good look at him.”

Caron was signed to a one-year, one-way $640,000 contact in the offseason, meaning that he’d have to clear waivers to be sent to Providence. That could force the Bruins’ hand and put him in line to be the extra forward, with Carl Soderberg and Reilly Smith seemingly having sewn up spots on the third line.

Eriksson ends it

Loui Eriksson scored the winner against the Jets, taking a feed from Ryan Spooner. It was the first preseason goal for Eriksson with his new team.

The goal capped a night that was a bit of a struggle for the second line, despite producing the Bruins’ first goal, by Patrice Bergeron off a nice setup from Brad Marchand.

“I think that line tonight didn’t play that great,” Julien said. “Lot of east-west, criss-crossing, and nothing much came out of it. They’re going to have to learn as a line to be a little more straightforward in order to make things happen. That’s how we open up lanes.”

Quick on the draw

As much as Spooner has impressed the Bruins, one area that hasn’t been so kind is the faceoff circle. Before Thursday night, Spooner had struggled to win faceoffs in the preseason, and it’s something the team has noticed. “You’ve got to get better in that area,” Julien said. “Those are things you can improve on day in, day out, and they get better at that. But that’s an area where he’s working on right now and knows that he’s got to get better.” Spooner responded by winning 7 of 11 draws against the Jets.

Boston Globe LOADED: 09.27.2013


Bruins top Jets 3-2 in OT

AP / September 26, 2013

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Loui Eriksson sent a high shot past goalie Ondrej Pavelec at 1:46 of overtime to give the Boston Bruins a 3-2 preseason victory against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Ryan Spooner and Eriksson went down the ice together and Spooner sent a pass across to Eriksson, who moved the puck with his skate onto his stick to set up his first goal of the preseason.

Niklas Svedberg stopped 26 shots for the Bruins, who improved their exhibition record to 5-1-0. Pavelec faced 33 shots for the Jets (1-3-3).

The teams play again on Friday in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Spooner and Patrice Bergeron also scored for the Bruins. Devon Setoguchi and Mark Scheifele had Winnipeg’s two power-play goals.

Bergeron had the game’s first goal when he took a feed from Brad Marchand and put a close, low shot past Pavelec at 3:54 of the first period for his first goal of the preseason.

Notes: Boston scratched veterans Jarome Iginla, Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Zdeno Chara. Winnipeg sat its top line of Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler, who has a minor injury.



NHL season simulation predicts Blues will win Stanley Cup

Posted by Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff September 26, 2013 05:11 PM

EA Sports has run its annual simulation of the hockey season using its NHL '14 video game, and the St. Louis Blues emerged as the Stanley Cup champions.

It also calls for a Bruins-Penguins rematch in the Eastern Conference Finals, although this time it's the Penguins who will advance, EA Sports says. The Bruins defeated the Penguins 4-0 in last season's conference finals.

The Blackhawks will lose to the Blues in the Western Conference Finals, the simulator says.

Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask gets the nod as the Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's best goalie. The simulation resulted in Rask picking up 41 wins.

Other predicted awards:

Conn Smythe Trophy: Alex Pietrangelo (STL)

Hart Memorial Trophy: Sidney Crosby (PIT)

Art Ross Trophy: Sidney Crosby (PIT)

James Norris Memorial Trophy: Duncan Keith (CHI)

Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy: Steven Stamkos (TBL)

Vezina Trophy: Tuukka Rask (BOS)

Frank J. Selke Trophy: Jonathan Toews (CHI)

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Pavel Datsyuk (DET)

Calder Memorial Trophy: Jonathan Drouin (TBL)

Ted Lindsay: Sidney Crosby(PIT)



Notes from the morning skate

Posted by Amalie Benjamin September 26, 2013 02:27 PM

WINNIPEG – Welcome to Winnipeg, where the Bruins will take on the Jets in the first of a back-to-back. The team flies after the game to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where they'll play their final home preseason game. (Yes, home game.)

The top line of Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Jarome Iginla will sit this one out, along with Zdeno Chara, Chris Kelly, and Carl Soderberg. That should give the coaching staff a chance to take perhaps a final look at some of the young players vying for spots on the roster. There are still a few decisions to make for the B's in advance of the regular season, which starts a week from today.

One person who is still getting a good look is Jordan Caron, who came into camp as a favorite to make the third line, but who looks now like he's trying to hang on to the last forward spot.

"He's one of those guys that's in the running," coach Claude Julien said. "The one thing with Jordan, he's very reliable on both ends of the ice. He's a big body. He's strong on the puck.

"Right now, the thing that you're looking for is what can he bring besides that part of the game. He's pretty good at that part of it, and a little bit of production and a little bit of offensive, I guess, chances. We've encouraged him to take pucks to the net, stuff like that. We're going to have a good look at him."

The Bruins take on the Jets at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, with the game on the NHL Network.



Updates: Bruins at Jets

Posted by Amalie Benjamin September 26, 2013 08:17 PM

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Some thoughts from Winnipeg as the Bruins take on the Jets in the first game of a back-to-back.

Third period, 2-2 We're headed to overtime here in Winnipeg after a period that saw both sides score. Matt Bartkowski was beaten to a loose puck by Devin Setoguchi and the winger got it past Svedberg for the score. Ryan Spooner got the goal for the Bruins, deserved after how well he's played this preseason. It was his first of the preseason, as he scored on a shot from the point.

Svedberg has continued to be quite impressive in this game, as he tries to beat out Chad Johnson for the backup spot.

Second period, 1-1 Some excellent work by Niklas Svedberg to hold the Jets to one goal at the end of the second period. With the Bruins on the PK, Svedberg was forced into save after save, each of them difficult, to keep the score tied. The shots are now at 22-17 with the Jets in front.

The Bruins took a strange too many men on the ice penalty. Patrice Bergeron was about to step through the door to the bench -- with his replacement on the ice -- when the puck came right to him. He gave it a whack, putting the Bruins on the PK.

First period, 1-1 The Bruins got on the board first, as Brad Marchand made a sweet spin move to get around the defense and sent the puck to Patrice Bergeron. The center scored his first goal of the preseason to put the Bruins up.

The Jets got their goal on a power play, by Devin Setoguchi off a rebound. The penalty was on Dougie Hamilton, his second of the period.

Hamilton came out smoking in this game, seemingly faster and more intense than we've seen him so far in the preseason. He had a nice chance with Bergeron midway through the period, though they weren't able to make good on it. But he went downhill from there, taking those two penalties, one of which ended in a Winnipeg score. The first half of the period was good for him. The second half, less so.

Boston goalie Niklas Svedberg has allowed one goal on nine shots as he makes his case to be Tuukka Rask's backup. Chad Johnson seems to be the favorite at this point, but this is Svedberg's chance to show what he's got.



Notebook: B's backup goalie job down to wire

Friday, September 27, 2013

Steve Conroy, Bruins Notebook

WINNIPEG — With the business of the NHL being what it is, it might be easier for the Bruins to use Chad Johnson as their backup goaltender. He’d require waiver clearance to go to Providence and he’s relatively cheap at $600,000.

But while Niklas Svedberg is a little pricier at an NHL $1 million and could go to Providence without waivers, the young Swede has given the B’s something to think about.

Svedberg was good again last night, stopping 26 shots in the 3-2 overtime victory over the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre, capped by Loui Eriksson’s OT snipe.

“I thought he played well,” said coach Claude Julien of Svedberg. “He had a lot of traffic in front of him tonight and he was able to stop pucks with those types of screens, so I thought he was solid.”

The plan for tonight’s preseason finale in Saskatoon was for starter Tuukka Rask to get the full game, but they may have to take another look at Johnson to make the final decision on the backup. Johnson started poorly, allowing three goals on eight shots in the opening exhibition game in Montreal, but he rebounded well with an 18-save shutout win in Detroit.

“After some discussion, we may have a different choice,” said Julien of tonight’s goaltender.

Svedberg was pretty happy with his camp.

“You try to show your best game. I gave up three goals (in the preseason) and I could have given up zero,” said Svedberg. “But it feels good to get two wins and tonight was a good game, to get a full game and get the win.”

Would he understand if the business side of the game forced him to go to Providence?

“That’s nothing I pay attention to. I try to play my best game on the ice and that’s what should matter,” said Svedberg.

Spooner shines

Ryan Spooner had his best game of the preseason, scoring the game-tying goal in the third period, calling for the puck and then beating Ondrej Pavelec through a Matt Fraser screen, then setting up Eriksson’s winner with a nice backhanded dish on a 2-on-1.

Unfortunately for Spooner, the numbers at center are working against him, and, unless the B’s pull off a surprise move, he’ll probably be going to Providence.

“Yeah, I think the writing’s on the wall with that,” said Spooner. “I haven’t played wing yet here so they want to keep me at the center position. I’ve played that my entire life so I don’t mind, I guess, waiting until they think I’m ready.” . . .

Patrice Bergeron scored the first goal and Eriksson potted the game-winner, but their line with Brad Marchand is still working on chemistry.

“I think that line didn’t play great tonight,” said Julien. “I know Loui had a goal and so did (Bergeron), but a lot of east-west, a lot of criss-crossing and nothing much came out of it. They have to learn as a line to be a little more straightforward to make things happen. It’s how you open up lanes and make plays, but tonight they seemed a little out of sync.” . . .

Torey Krug had two assists and was plus-3.

Waiting on Caron

The Bruins have been waiting for Jordan Caron, their first-round draft pick from 2009, for a couple of years now, and will find out soon if he’s run out of road.

Caron was in the lineup last night and could be back in again tonight against the Jets in the final preseason game. Is it nerve-wracking?

“A little bit, but whatever is going to happen is going to happen,” said Caron, who had one shot and a team-high five hits last night. “I’m not going to worry about the future. I’m just trying to take it day-by-day.”

Caron requires waivers to get sent to Providence so, if he doesn’t make the cut, it’s a real possibility that these could be his last days in the organization.

“I’m trying not to think about it,” he said, “These are not my decisions, obviously. But I want to be a part of this organization and I want to stay here.”

Caron is competing for what looks like the 13th forward spot with Nick Johnson. It could come down to whomever the B’s are more likely to lose on waivers gets to stay.

Johnson’s had a better camp, but the 22-year-old Caron is five years younger, and still has that first-round pedigree that teams may find intriguing.

Boston Herald LOADED: 09.27.2013


Bruins win 3-2 in overtime

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Steve Conroy

WINNIPEG--Loui Eriksson scored his first goal in a Bruin uniform when when he took a soft backhand feed from Ryan Spooner and roofed it over Ondrej Pavelec to the lift B's to a 3-2 OT win over the Jets at the MTS Centre tonight.

Spooner also scored the game-tying goal in the third period to send it to overtime, Seen by the club as a pure centerman, however, Spooner is almost certainly headed to Providence this weekend.

Goalie Niklas Svedberg, meanwhile, made a case for staying in Boston. He stopped 26-of-28 shots, many of them difficult, and picked up his second win in the preseason.

“I thought he played well. He had a lot of traffic in front of him tonight and he was able to stop pucks with those types of screens, so I thought he was solid,” said coach Claude Julien.

Patrice Bergeron also scored for the B's.

The Bruins will conclude their preseason Friday night against these same Jets in Saskatoon. The plan was for Tuukka Rask to play the whole game but the play of Svedberg may force the B's to tae another look at Chad Johnson tonight as well.



Denis Brodeur, father of Martin Brodeur dies

The Associated Press

MONTREAL — Denis Brodeur, the father of star goalie Martin Brodeur who enjoyed a lengthy career as one of Canada's most successful sports photographers, died Thursday, the New Jersey Devils said. He was 82.

He shot pictures of the Montreal Canadiens for several decades, first as a newspaper man and then as the team's official photographer. Brodeur was one of two photographers to capture the iconic image of Paul Henderson celebrating the winning goal of the 1972 Canada-Soviet summit series.

In 2006, he sold his archive of 110,000 photos to the NHL for $350,000.

"In a cut-throat business, he was a true class act," said Ryan Remiorz, a photographer for The Canadian Press who first met Brodeur while shooting Montreal Expos games in 1979. "He was already a legend before I showed up."

Denis Brodeur's career extended beyond hockey. He was also the official photographer for the Expos and shot numerous local sporting events and pro wrestling.

"Denis Brodeur's Images brought the action, the drama and the passion of the game sharply into focus for generations of fans around the world," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "Some of the greatest teams and greatest players in hockey history — including his son, Martin — are preserved forever by his grand body of work. Memorialized, as well, is

Denis' deep love of what he did and the sport he covered. The National Hockey League sends heartfelt condolences to Denis' family and friends."

Brodeur would bring his sons to practices and to Florida every year for spring training. The family made the lengthy drive to Florida because Mireille Brodeur, Martin's mother, didn't like flying.

In Florida, the family would rent a motel room. Photographers recalled visits to that motel, where Denis would set up a makeshift darkroom, and Mireille cooked for the family on a hot plate.

Like his son, Denis Brodeur was a goalie who won an Olympic medal. He backstopped the Canadian team that took the bronze at the 1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo Games.

Martin Brodeur had the words "Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956," and "Salt Lake City 2002," inscribed on his Devils mask in honor of the father-son Olympic medals.

"The entire New Jersey Devils organization is tremendously saddened by the loss of Denis Brodeur Sr.," Lou Lamoriello, the Devils' president and general manager, said a statement released by the team. "The Brodeurs have been part of the Devils' family for over 23 years. Denis proudly dedicated his life, on and off the ice, to the game of hockey and for that he will be fondly remembered. Our thoughts and prayers, right now, are with Martin and his family."



Bruins jobs up for grabs tonight against Winnipeg


Steve Conroy

WINNIPEG — The Bruins are close to having their opening night roster finalized, but they still have two more preseason games to go and they're going to use at least tonight's contest against the the Jets at the MTS Centre to continue the evaluation process.

It's a very good bet that the third line — the biggest question mark coming into camp — will consist of Carl Soderberg, Chris Kelly and Reilly Smith while the first, second and fourth lines have been pretty much set. But there's still a battle for that extra forward spot, which may come down to Jordan Caron and Nick Johnson, both of whom would need to clear waivers in order to be assigned to Providence.

Caron, the B's first round pick in 2009, hasn't seized anyone's attention quite the way Smith has, but he could still stick.

"He's one of those guys that's in the running," said coach Claude Julien. "He's one of those guys that's very reliable at both ends of the ice. He's a big body, he's strong on the puck. Right now, I guess what you're looking for is what can he bring besides that part of the game. He's pretty good at that part of it, and (what's needed) is just a little bit of production, a little bit of offensive chances. We've encouraged him to take pucks to the net. This year, he's a guy that needs waivers, so there are going to be some decisions to make. We're giving him a lot of chances and giving him a lot of games."

There are eight defensemen still in camp and it's believed that Kevan Miller will be the one to go back to Providence. But Julien said that Dougie Hamilton still needs to know he's battling for a spot among the top six D-men.

Julien believes Hamilton has improved during what is essentially his first real NHL camp. Last year's was a six-day affair at the conclusion of the lockout.

"His first game, the first half of it, he was trying to find his way a little bit. But he got better in the second half and he was better the second game around," said Julien. "We'll continue to keep a close eye on him. He's a young player. There are guys that are used to these types of camps and they just breeze through it. He's never had a training camp. He just stepped in (after the lockout) halfway through his season. You have to take those things into account. You've got to be careful that we're not too hard on him,

but at the same time he's got to understand the situation he's in. If you can find that balance he'll be in good shape."


718205 Buffalo Sabres

Armia injury a setback as Sabres assess roster

By John Vogl | News Sports Reporter | @BuffNewsVogl | Google+

on September 26, 2013 - 10:52 PM

Joel Armia had a shot to make the Sabres’ opening-night roster. He possesses a skill that’s lacking in Buffalo – scoring touch – and it would have been interesting to see if he’d survive the final cuts.

Alas, he didn’t make it intact through the exhibitions. Armia, one of several No. 1 picks competing for a job, is out indefinitely after breaking his hand on a slash Wednesday during the Sabres’ penultimate preseason game.

“He was doing a good job,” coach Ron Rolston said Thursday. “I think each game we saw improvement in how he was performing.”

Armia, selected 16th overall in the 2011 NHL draft, totaled one goal and three points in four exhibitions. The Finnish right winger was getting a long look to start his first North American season in Buffalo.

While his door is closed, the window remains open for the Sabres’ other roster hopefuls. The team’s final preseason game is tonight in Carolina, and the bubble players have one more shot at impressing the decision makers.

“Evaluation is still going on with some spots,” Rolston said in First Niagara Center. “From where we’re at, there will be some tough choices we have to make. I think that’s what we want. We want guys to compete for those spots.”

After long-term injuries this week to Armia and forward Corey Tropp (broken jaw), the Sabres are down to 27 players: 16 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders. They must be at the league maximum of 23 on Monday.

“Everyone knows you’re fighting for jobs, and that’s just part of the business,” center Kevin Porter said. “Guys are still friends, and we’re still a team here. You go out and you play your best, and the coaches make the final decision.”

It’s reasonable to assume there are 17 players with jobs locked up. Forwards Thomas Vanek, Steve Ott, Cody Hodgson, Tyler Ennis, Ville Leino, Drew Stafford, Patrick Kaleta, Marcus Foligno, Mikhail Grigorenko and John Scott, defensemen Christian Ehrhoff, Tyler Myers, Mike Weber, Henrik Tallinder and Mark Pysyk, and goalies Ryan Miller and Jhonas Enroth figure to be on the roster Wednesday when the Sabres open the season in Detroit.

The Sabres would need to keep three more to fill out a lineup and six to reach the roster limit. At least four players will be ticketed to Rochester this weekend.

“Every day you come in and you hope your name tag’s up and you have a jersey in your stall,” center Cody McCormick said.

McCormick is one of six forwards in the mix for two to four openings. He’s joined by Porter and fellow center Johan Larsson, and wingers Zemgus Girgensons, Brian Flynn and Luke Adam.

Where the Sabres decide to use Ennis – he’s played center and left wing during preseason – impacts what positions are open. If he’s in the middle, that essentially leaves room for one center and two wingers. If he goes to the wing, two centers and one winger may make the squad.

Two rookies, Girgensons (three goals, four points) and Larsson (two goals), have had the most productive preseason among the bubble players. Flynn and Porter have the benefit of earning Rolston’s admiration last year. McCormick adds punch. Adam is a long shot.

“The competitive level is up,” McCormick said. “We’re seeing some really good things from a lot of the players here.”

There appears to be one starting job and up to three roster spots available on the blue line. Veterans Alexander Sulzer and Jamie McBain are

competing with rookie Rasmus Ristolainen for the starting role. Fellow first-round pick Nikita Zadorov is expected to return to his junior team.

Ristolainen, 18, has impressed throughout camp. The Sabres practiced the power play Thursday for the first time this preseason, and Ristolainen was on one of the units. That would seem to give him an inside track to be on the ice in Detroit.

“I think I have played pretty good,” Ristolainen said. “Let’s see what the coaches think about that when they cut the players.”

Sulzer and McBain could be kept around to provide depth or simply to avoid being lost through waivers. Sulzer is hoping to make a successful return from knee surgery, while McBain wants to make the club after arriving in an offseason trade.

“I’ve been in this situation so many times, it’s more like Groundhog Day for me,” said Sulzer, who’s struggled to cement a role in Nashville, Florida, Vancouver and Buffalo. “I’ve learned over the years there’s a few things I can control, and that’s the way I play. Everything else is out of my control. I just want to do my best to play up to my skill set. The coaches and the GM make the rest of the decisions.”

Rolston said the final moves will balance immediate success with the long-term betterment of the rebuilding club. Even for players sent to Rochester, the competition isn’t over.

“If they’re not here,” Rolston said. “their job is to get here.”

Buffalo News LOADED: 09.27.2013

718206 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres' Armia sidelined indefinitely with broken hand

September 26, 2013 - 12:45 PM

By John Vogl

The Sabres' Joel Armia, one of the former first-round picks competing for a roster spot, has a broken hand and is out indefinitely.

The right winger took a slash during Wednesday's 3-0 victory over Columbus and was unable to finish the game. X-rays revealed the break, coach Ron Rolston said today. It hasn't been determined whether Armia will need surgery or if the injury will heal on its own.

Armia, selected 16th overall in the 2011 NHL draft, was a potent scorer in his native Finland. This is his first tryout in North America, and he'd shown well at times with one goal and three points in four preseason games.

"He was doing a good job," Rolston said this afternoon following practice in First Niagara Center. "I think each game we saw improvement in how he was performing, and I thought last night was one of his best games of the exhibition season."

Armia is the second winger lost this week. Corey Tropp suffered a broken jaw Sunday during the melee in Toronto and is also out indefinitely. It should be at least a month for both players.

The Sabres need to be at the roster limit of 23 by Monday. The injuries leave them with 27, including 16 forwards.

Buffalo News LOADED: 09.27.2013

718207 Calgary Flames

Flood effort fuels Calgary Flames in their bid to be a playoff team

By Donna Spencer, The Canadian PressSeptember 26, 2013 11:10 PM

CALGARY - The quick restoration of their home arena after massive flooding is a message for the rebuilding Calgary Flames.

Less than three months after the Elbow River destroyed everything below the eighth row of seats in the Scotiabank Saddledome, the arena was not only operational again, but the affected areas are bright and polished for the 2013-14 NHL season.

A team that hasn't made the NHL playoffs in four seasons can use that effort to inspire their own turnaround.

"For the players, we saw what happened and the way the city came together and the team that helped repair this arena," Flames centre Matt Stajan said.

"For sure, that's something we can use and can try do the same sort of thing, try and come together quickly and make it work."

When general manager Jay Feaster could finally bring himself to say the word "rebuild" in July, he also said "the rebuild doesn't have to take forever when you get a group of guys who are committed to the program."

For the first time in almost a decade, the Flames open a season without goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff and longtime captain Jarome Iginla.

Iginla, a 30-goal-or-more man for 11 of his 16 seasons in Calgary, was traded to Pittsburgh in March. He has since signed with Boston.

Kiprusoff, who played over 70 games in seven seasons while a Flame, retired during the off-season.

The team's identity was tied to those two stars for so long, the Flames seem a much different hockey team even though the club has retained several veterans.

"It feels different this year," acknowledged new captain Mark Giordano. "We don't have the go-to superstar, the go-to guy.

"We have a lot of guys who have to have great years for our team to be good, but the work we're putting in, the work ethic you see here, it's a fresh look."

Head coach Bob Hartley has yet to coach Calgary for a full season because his first with the Flames was shortened by the lockout. Calgary finished 13th in the Western Conference at 19-25-4.

Feaster, Calgary's GM since 2011, will now answer to Brian Burke as the new vice-president of hockey operations.

The Flames open the regular season Oct. 3 in Washington followed by a stop in Columbus before their home-opener Oct. 6 against Vancouver. Calgary's pre-season record was 4-2-1.

The team's renovation began with Iginla's departure followed closely by the trade of defenceman Jay Bouwmeester to St. Louis. Defenceman Cory Sarich and winger Alex Tanguay were dealt to Colorado in the summer.

Czech forward Roman Cervenka headed to the KHL instead of returning to Calgary for a second season.

The Flames needed to get younger and bigger, said Feaster.

He got forward David Jones and defenceman Shane O'Brien in the trade with the Avalanche. He moved draft picks to acquire three Alberta-born players: defenceman Kris Russell from St. Louis, forward T.J. Galiardi from San Jose and forward Corban Knight from Florida.

Knight was assigned to the AHL's Abbotsford Heat on Thursday along with forwards Max Reinhart and Michael Ferland.

The Iginla and Bouwmeester deals yielded a pair of first-round draft picks at this year's draft in addition to Calgary's No. 6 selection, which the club used on forward Sean Monahan.

The former Windsor Spitfire will start the season with the Flames, while forwards Emile Poirier (22nd) and Morgan Klimchuk (28th) were returned to their junior teams.

Karri Ramo emerged from training camp the frontrunner to succeed fellow Finn Kiprusoff as Calgary's starting goaltender. The 27-year-old spent the past four seasons in the KHL, but has 48 games of previous NHL experience with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Swiss product Reto Berra showed promise in the pre-season, but admitted he needs seasoning in North American hockey. The Flames also have as insurance 33-year-old Joey MacDonald, who was Kiprusoff's backup the final weeks of last season.

Calgary is flush with cap space, particularly now that Kiprusoff's contract is off the books. The team has $13 million to work with, according to capgeek.com, which is second only to the New York Islanders.

The Flames need more depth at centre and didn't buy it in the off-season.

Veteran forwards Stajan, Mike Cammalleri, Jiri Hudler, Lee Stempniak, Mikael Backlund and Curtis Glencross are expected to lead the offence. Cammalleri, in the final season of a contract that counts $6 million against the cap, and Stempniak led the Flames in points last season with 32 apiece.

Giordano, O'Brien, Russell, T.J. Brodie, Dennis Wideman and Chris Butler will patrol the back end. Winning games will require airtight execution of systems at both ends of the ice.

"We can't afford to have one-trick ponies on this team this year," Hartley said.

Calgary has spent to the cap limit and not made the playoffs with expensive names like Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr, Bouwmeester, Iginla and Kiprusoff in the lineup, so a different approach is underway.

How much patience Flames fans will have for a rebuilding season depends on whether they see a realistic post-season future or not.

"I think we have more depth than more people give us credit for," Giordano said. "I think if we find a way to play that hard style, painful style to play against, and we get goaltending, it could go a long way."

The players don't like the term "rebuild" either, because it can be used as a crutch or an excuse.

"We're not in the mindset that it's OK to lose because we're in a rebuild," Stajan said. "We want to win right now. As players, if you don't have that mindset you shouldn't be playing in this league."

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 09.27.2013


Flames chop four, but a few ‘difficult decisions’ loom before Monday’s deadline

By Kristen Odland, Calgary HeraldSeptember 26, 2013 11:02 PM

Down at the Scotiabank Saddledome this very moment, decisions are being made over the 2013-14 Calgary Flames roster.

On Thursday, four more prospects — forwards Michael Ferland, Max Reinhart, and Corban Knight and defenceman Keegan Kanzig — were shipped off for further development. To the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Abbotsford Heat, went Ferland, Reinhart, and Knight while Kanzig, enjoying an extended stay as an 18-year-old 2013 draft pick, was sent back to his Western Hockey League team, the Victoria Royals.

“These have been very, very difficult decisions,” said Flames general manager Jay Feaster. “As we said to the players as we’ve been meeting with them, even the moves we made (Wednesday).

“It’s not a case of us being unhappy with their camps or the way they came in performed. It’s just for the first time in a long time, we have some real good prospects. We have some real good young players pushing.”

However, there are more discussions to be had — and big ones.

For instance, the team’s three-way goaltending predicament between Karri Ramo, Joey MacDonald, and Reto Berra.

Who stays and who goes?

“We’ll sit and talk about it and make the decision to keep the two goalies that we think will give us the best opportunity to win off the bat,” Feaster said. “The reality of it is . . . neither Ramo or Berra requires waivers to go down if we were to send them to the American Hockey League. Joey MacDonald does require waivers to be assigned or loaned. All of that goes into it. How they played in the pre-season games, how they practised.

“Again, who gives us the best chance to win when they start the season.”

Sharing time during the pre-season, the hard facts were evident in Ramo’s sparkling stats (2-0-0 with a 2.84 goals against average and 0.897 save percentage in 148:15 minutes of ice time). MacDonald, a longtime journeyman NHL veteran, was 1-1 with a 2.64 GAA and 0.875 save percentage in 91:03 while Berra, the greenest of them all, was 1-1-1 with a 3.00 GAA and 0.892 save percentage in 159:45.

According to Feaster, he was happy with how each handled the situation staring at each of them every day.

“I don’t think either one of them have allowed the press clippings or the stories effect how they play,” he said. “I’m pleased with the professionalism from all three of them. “Again, we’ll have a tough decision ahead of us.”

With five more cuts to be made before the National Hockey League deadline of 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 30, the Flames will evaluate the remaining players — including the goalies — and make their final decisions Monday.

The Flames are now down to 28 — the breakdown being three goalies, nine defencemen, and 16 forwards. Feaster said on Thursday that they’ll open the season on Oct. 3 at Washington with 14 forwards, seven defencemen and two goalies.

Still remaining in camp and trying to stick on the opening day roster are prospects, including sixth overall pick Sean Monahan who could stick around for the rookie-minimum nine games before his entry-level contract kicks in.

“He’s put himself in a good spot right now,” Feaster said. “He’s a young man who is going to make mistakes, but he has such very good hockey sense. He’s trained to be a professional. He continues to be in the mix . . . we’ll continue to monitor him in the next few days and make a decision on Monday.”

Forwards Sven Baertschi, Roman Horak, Lance Bouma, Ben Street, and recently-signed defenceman Patrick Sieloff also remain in the mix.

Feaster said the status of injured forward Jiri Hudler (lower body) won’t impact their decision (Hudler skated on Wednesday). The team is also hopeful they’ll have Michael Cammalleri (hand) for the season opener, but he is currently day-to-day.

As for Thursday’s departed players, Feaster indicated he wants to see further development.

In Knight’s case, the former

University

of North Dakota centreman was given a No. 10 early in the proceedings — a sign of the expectations on his shoulders.

And through five exhibition games, Knight produced. Including Wednesday’s game-tying goal, he had two goals and two assists and was a plus-3, not to mention a 53.8 per cent efficiency in the faceoff circle.

But with an influx of centremen and this being his first professional camp, the High River native was re-assigned to Abbotsford to work on the consistency in his game.

“We were thrilled with Corban and the camp he had,” Feaster said. “There’s no doubt in our minds that he’s going to play in the National Hockey League . . . as we explained to him, we want him to go down . . . and make sure he’s winning those one-on-one battles in all three zones, being hard on the puck and being consistently hard to play against.”

As for six-foot-seven, 240-pound Kanzig, who impressed at his first professional camp by showing up with seven per cent body fat, he had earned an extended stay with the organization before being sent back to the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League.

“This is a young man we think the sky is the limit for,” Feaster said. “He’s experienced being around the pace, the tempo. We told him to take all of that back to junior and work at that pace and continue to improve his game.

“Then, next summer, he comes into

training

camp with the mindset he’s going to make this hockey team . . . I think (the extended stay) was time well spent for Keegan.”

Feaster also gave glowing reviews to Reinhart and Ferland, particularly the latter who had trimmed down ahead of the fall rookie camp and has appeared to have gotten his professional hockey career on track.

“Full marks to these kids,” Feaster said. “In the past, we haven’t had these tough decisions here. They’ve all been pretty cut and dry . . . it’s not going to be easy to get down to 14 forwards, so a credit to all of those guys.”

Like all of the recent Flames’ cuts, Feaster said they’ll be watching their progress.

“We have some guys right now that we feel are a little bit ahead,” he said. “We have some other guys we still feel we want to take a look at here in the next couple of practices.

“Doesn’t matter who the last person cut out of camp is. What matters is who is playing well and who is working hard and doing what we’ve asked of them when we need to recall somebody.”

FLAMES ROSTER ... SO FAR

After Thursday’s re-assignments, the Flames have 28 players (three goalies, nine defencemen, 16 forwards) in camp. National Hockey League teams have until Monday to declare their 23-man rosters.

LEFT WING (5)

Curtis Glencross

Michael Cammalleri

Jiri Hudler

Sven Baertschi

Lance Bouma

CENTRE (7)

Matt Stajan

Mikael Backlund

T.J. Galiardi

Sean Monahan

Roman Horak

Ben Street

Blair Jones

RIGHT WING (4)

Lee Stempniak

David Jones

Tim Jackman

Brian McGrattan

DEFENCEMEN (8)

Mark Giordano

Dennis Wideman

T.J. Brodie

Kris Russell

Chris Butler

Shane O’Brien

Derek Smith

Patrick Sieloff

GOALIES (3)

Karri Ramo

Reto Berra

Joey MacDonald

INJURIES (1)

D Chris Breen (shoulder)



Flames will lean on a No. 1 line of Curtis Glencross, Lee Stempniak and Matt Stajan

By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary HeraldSeptember 26, 2013 11:02 PM

The Calgary Flames’ top line need not assume nor guess. No mind-reading is necessary.

The three forwards have been informed, in no uncertain terms by their supervisor, that their performance is critical. Success will be a reflection of their contributions.

“I told them that, in a big way, they need to be a mirror of our hockey club,” says coach Bob Hartley. “Every morning you look in the mirrors so that the mirror makes you look good. And those guys will be our mirror.”

Thanks to the sharp-pencilled blokes at Leftwinglock.com, we know that this particular threesome — left-winger Curtis Glencross, centreman Matt Stajan, right-winger Lee Stempniak — had been Hartley’s favourite combination last season. (Second-most popular, by the way? Alex Tanguay, Michael Cammal leri, Jarome Iginla.)

And, as the Flames tip-toe towards the start of the 2013-14 campaign, Hartley has no plans to disrupt his No. 1 line. So, at least for now, they stay together.

“They are three great pros,” continues Hartley. “They are three guys that bring an interesting twist to our team because they can play pretty well defensively. And they can score some goals. That’s the kind of leadership we’re going to need from them. If those guys lead our team up front, I think we’re going to be in a good position.”

On a revamped roster seeking an identity, Glencross and Stempniak are 30 years old. Stajan turns 30 in December. Their roles have been duly upgraded from secondary to primary.

Not that this comes as news to the gentlemen.

“Being three veteran guys, we have to be that line — Bob’s made that no secret to us,” says Stajan. “If we play the right way — and do things the right way — usually that will go throughout the lineup. Especially the young guys, they feed off that — they see the way we want to play.”

It is a well-travelled trio.

Stajan has been affiliated with two NHL organizations; Glencross, four; Stempniak, four. So shouldering the yoke of responsibility isn’t anything to shun at this point.

“You want to be a difference-maker every time you go on the ice,” says Stempniak. “If the coaches look at you as someone they can count on in any situation — a line that they trust — it’s a huge vote of confidence. At the same time, we need to keep going out there and never be satisfied. Keep getting better. Keep playing better.

“We all play hard and try to do things right.”

All three have the ability to generate offence.

Glencross scored 26 times (in 67 dates in 2011-12). Stajan picked up 57 points (in 2009-10). Stempniak scored 27 times (in 2006-07) and co-led the Flames last winger with 32 points.

Stempniak figures the key to the unit’s efficiency is the well-roundedness of its members.

“A little bit of everything,” he says. “I don’t know if we really excel at one thing, but we’re all pretty smart players and we all skate pretty well. And, when the opportunity’s there, we try to make plays. We read off each other. We talk a lot off the ice, between periods, even between shifts, about what we’re seeing, how to adapt, how to adjust.”

But in a Pacific Division featuring scads of high-end talent — lines centred by the likes of Ryan Getzlaf, Joe Thornton, Logan Couture, Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar, Ryan Kesler, Henrik Sedin — Stajan & Co. will find themselves in a shutdown role, too.

“Basically, you just have to play,” Stempniak says of their defensive mindset. “We’re three of the older forwards . . . and last year we played some important minutes against other teams’ top lines and still produced. That’s something we want to continue. We have to play well on both sides of the puck.

“At the same time, it’s going to be scoring by committee on our team. That’s something we all want to do — we want to contribute and just make a difference every night.”

Of the three, Glencross’s upside is the most intriguing.

One of the fastest skaters in the NHL, armed with one of the hardest slapshots on the squad, the surly winger could certainly reach 30 goals, 60 points.

“Glenny probably has one more gear in his game,” says Hartley. “It’s up to us to bring it out of him. All of his game — the understanding, the consistency, point production. For him, Stempy and Staje, we can find a few more pages to their books.”



Calgary Flames take shape

First posted: Thursday, September 26, 2013 11:17 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, September 26, 2013 11:28 PM MDT

Staff Writer

The final pieces of the puzzle that is the opening roster for the 2013-14 Calgary Flames are nearly aligned.

It’s just a matter of picking them and putting them in place.

The rebuilding Flames, who pared down their roster further Thursday by sending a trio of forwards in Michael Ferland, Corban Knight and Max Reinhart to the AHL Abbotsford Heat as well as defenceman Keegan Kanzig to the WHL Victoria Royals, are down to the short strokes.

Flames GM Jay Feaster said he plans to start the year with the traditional roster of 14 forwards, seven defencemen and three goalies, which means one twineminder, one blueliner and two forwards must go to the minors, barring a significant injury.

(Injured defenceman Chris Breen also remains in camp, but his return from off-season shoulder surgery isn’t in the cards for a while yet.)

“For the first time in a long time, it’s actually pretty cool to have difficult decisions,” said Feaster, whose roster must be trimmed to 23 players, plus any on the injured list, by Monday. “We’ve worn out the white board in my office and worn out the white board in the coach’s office (drawing up rosters).”

The Flames open the season Oct. 3 at the Washington Capitals and will play their first home game Oct. 6 versus the Vancouver Canucks.

The decisions aren’t cut and dried, even for a team which is projected to be near the bottom of the NHL.

It appears Karri Ramo will be the starting goalie, and the big decision is whether to keep veteran Joey MacDonald as backup and put Reto Berra in the minors, or keep Berra and dangle MacDonald.

On defence, 2012 second-round draft choice Patrick Sieloff is knocking on the door, but keeping him would mean finding a way to move a veteran with a one-way contract — Derek Smith and Chris Butler are obvious candidates — whether via trade or to the AHL.

At forward, there are all kinds of scenarios, with a half-dozen players battling for four spots, according to the GM. Feaster said 2013 sixth-overall draft pick Sean Monahan, Roman Horak, Blair Jones, Ben Street, Lance Bouma and the highly touted Sven Baertschi are in a battle royal.

Plus, the franchise must juggle whether a youngster will be a regular or be in and out of the lineup.

“If the young player is not going be part of the top 12 and get significant playing time, do we want him around as a 13th or 14th forward?” Feaster explained.

That reasoning is one part of the decision to assign Knight to the Heat.

Knight, who was acquired from the Florida Panthers and signed after he completed his four-year stint at the

University

of North Dakota, gained momentum during the pre-season, but wouldn’t have a significant role here at this point, so the decision was made to send him to the minors.

“We believe he is very, very close to playing on a regular basis in the National Hockey League,” Feaster said of Knight, before adding the prospect must work on his battle level in all three zones.

“There’s no doubt in our minds that while we may have some guys ahead of him right now, if he goes in and does the things we’re asking him to do and approaches it the right way, which because of his character we’re confident he will, he’s the kind of guy that whether it’s a month, two months, Christmas time, when he comes back to the NHL — and he will — it’s going to be for a career and not just for a cup of coffee.”

Reinhart, 21, skated in 11 NHL games last season in which he netted one goal and three points.

The 2010 third-round pick also played 67 AHL games, while collecting seven goals and 21 points, along with a minus-26 rating.

Feaster said Reinhart’s defensive game is an aspect to work on.

“He’s a bright guy, has good hockey sense. It’s just a matter that he’s cognisant of what he needs to do. He’s knocking on the door,” Feaster said.

“In the case all of these guys, if we went into Washington and because of injuries Corban Knight’s in the lineup, nobody here is losing sleep over that. If we say Max Reinhart’s in the lineup, nobody is cringing and saying, ‘Oh no.’ That’s how good we feel about where these kids are at.”

Ferland, 21 and a fifth-round pick in 2010, arrived in camp down 24 pounds (“I’m so proud of him,” Feaster said of his turnaround) but plateaued over

training

camp and had a couple of small injuries.

“We told him now it’s time to get into Abbotsford and don’t just be content to make that team, be an impact player,” Feaster said.

Kanzig, the third-round pick in this year’s draft, remained in Calgary longer than any 2013 selection other than Sean Monahan so the club could work with him.

“We know Victoria started the season and could use him – they were calling for him – but I’m confident when he arrives, they are getting back a much better player than when he was the day we drafted him,” Feaster said of the 6-foot-6, 240-lb. blueliner. “What he did at development camp, at rookie camp and main camp, he’s on the right path.”



Ken Hitchcock says Calgary Flames fans should buckle up and be patient

By Eric Francis ,Calgary Sun


Ken Hitchcock has a message for Calgary Flames fans.

Buckle up.

“Rebuilding is a pretty exciting word in August,” said the St. Louis Blues coach who is widely considered to be one of the brightest minds in the game.

“It’s not fun in October and it’s not fun when you go 0-4. But folks in Calgary have to understand that in order for this to build, patience in the fan base is going to have to be great because it’s going to be frustrating at times. But when it gets built, it can stay built for a long time. Look at Chicago or L.A. – teams built for a cause that will be championship-calibre teams for at least the next five or six years.”

Now coaching his fourth NHL team in the last 23 years, Hitchcock has seen it all and knows as well as anyone in the game there’s no quick fix for a franchise as thin as the Flames. The good news is Hitchcock is confident the right man is in place behind the bench to effect the dramatic changes necessary in terms of approach.

“I know the coach here — he’s a hard-ass and he’s not going to suffer fools,” said Hitchcock about Flames’ second-year bench boss Bob Hartley.

“He’s not going to put up with some of the things he saw last year. He won’t have any patience for that. He knows what it takes to win. And for some players it’s not going to be fun or pretty, but I really believe that man can get it done.”

Lord knows he’ll have his work cut out for him given the team lost its best forward, defenceman and goalie last year, replacing them all with unproven youngsters — a direction the club should have taken at least a year earlier.

“Understand in this business it’s easy to be good because you can find a cause early — it’s not easy being great,” said the NHL’s second-winningest active coach.

“Great takes time. Great happens probably in four or five years. We went into a rebuilding stage in St. Louis five years ago and we’re in year four. The slogan was ‘come grow with us.’ Now the attitude in St. Louis is ‘when the hell are you guys going to win a Cup?’ The attitude the media has with us is right now that we’re finished growing with you but now you guys have to start producing.”

Calgary fans dreaming of that day know it’s likely at least four years away given how bare the cupboards have been here for years.

Having coached three generations of players the longtime Team Canada assistant said the mindset of players has devolved since the 80’s and 90’s when players did what they were told, no questions asked.

“Then they went to ‘I’ll do what I’m told but where will it take me?’” explained Hitchcock, who guided Dallas to the Stanley Cup in 1999.

“Now it’s ‘I’ll do what I’m told, where will it take me and what’s in it for me? How quick can I get up that ladder.’”

With that in mind, Hitchcock believes the key to Calgary’s future success is finding a cause for players to rally around.

“You look at a team like Columbus last year,” said Hitchcock who was let go by the Blue Jackets in 2010 after four years of service.

“Nobody played at the start of the year but Columbus was the hardest team to play against at the end of the year because the goalie forced them to play for a cause — him. And I think the same thing can happen here in Calgary.”

Hitchcock’s cites causes in L.A. and Chicago revolving around teams playing for veterans like Jarret Stoll, Willie Mitchell, Matt Greene or Michal Rozsival or Michal Handzus. In Calgary only time will tell who the team might rally around, if anyone.

“The rebuild in Calgary for me has to be looked at as a three-year program: one-third in and two-thirds out. Another one third in and two-thirds out and in the third year you’ll have a full squad than can be very competitive,” said Hitchcock, suggesting there will be plenty of turnover before this team starts getting it right.

“But to me finding the cause is going to be the most important part. It’ll have to be a goaltender or a special player that forces players to play. They’ll need something to bring people together.”

The fans can help, but only so much.

So strap yourselves in Flames fans – the road to success is bound to be bumpier than most can fathom.



Calgary Flames assign Michael Ferland, Corban Knight and Max Reinhart to AHL Abbotsford Heat; Keegan Kanzig sent to Victoria Royals

By RANDY SPORTAK ,Calgary Sun


Flames The Calgary Flames salute the crowd.

The Calgary Flames have pared down their roster further in anticipation of the 2013-14 season.

Forwards Michael Ferland, Corban Knight and Max Reinhart were all assigned to the AHL Abbotsford Heat Thursday, while defenceman Keegan Kanzig, a 2013 third-round draft choice, was returned to the WHL Victoria Royals.

The Flames still have 28 players in camp, three goalies, nine defencemen and 16 forwards.

That total includes injured defenceman Chris Breen.

Coach Bob Hartley has said the team won't keep all three netminders on the roster when the season begins.

The team must be down to 23 players – plus any on the injured list, if needed – by Sept. 30.

The Flames open the season Oct. 3 at the Washington Capitals and will play their first home game Oct. 6 versus the Vancouver Canucks.


718213 Carolina Hurricanes

Gerbe stars as Hurricanes beat Blue Jackets

Published: September 26, 2013 Updated 6 hours ago

By Chip Alexander — [email protected]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Carolina Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller was hoping for something close to a full dress rehearsal Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Because of injuries, Muller didn’t get it. But Nathan Gerbe’s two goals were the difference in a 2-1 Hurricanes win.

Gerbe scored the winner with 37.7 seconds left in regulation after Jordan Staal made a key play near the blue line and passed to Patrick Dwyer. Dwyer then set up Gerbe, who beat Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

Gerbe scored his first goal late in the second period to tie the score 1-1.

Ward had 25 saves and Muller said he would again be in net Friday when the Canes host the Buffalo Sabres in their final preseason game.

“I had a lot of confidence and could be my normal, calm self,” Ward said. “I needed a game like this.”

Muller agreed.

“It was an important game for him to get back on the horse,” he said.

The Canes have lost defenseman Joni Pitkanen for the season. Muller was hopeful defenseman Tim Gleason would be in the lineup barely a week before the Oct. 4 season opener against the Detroit Red Wings. He also hoped to have forwards Alexander Semin, Tuomo Ruutu, Jeff Skinner and Elias Lindholm back.

But all are out with injuries. Skinner was set to play Thursday but was sidelined by a lower-body injury. He missed the team practice Thursday morning and should miss the Canes’ final preseason game Friday when Carolina hosts the Buffalo Sabres at PNC Arena.

“We just want to be smart and not push him,” Muller said.

Skinner and Semin could return soon. It’s possible Gleason will as well.

But Ruutu, who suffered a lower-body injury Saturday against Montreal, may be out longer. His status is more worrisome for the Canes given his offseason hip surgery.

The Hurricanes had to deal with another injury during Thursday’s game at Nationwide Arena. Defenseman Brett Bellemore blocked a shot and deflected the puck into his face midway through the second period.

Bellemore, who was bleeding, went off the ice for treatment but returned for the third period.

The Blue Jackets also have had their share of injuries and played without Marian Gaborik, who is on personal leave after a death in the family. Gaborik had a big game last week as Columbus rallied to beat the Canes 5-4 in Carolina’s first preseason game.

The Jackets took a 1-0 lead after a slow-moving first period on a one-timer from the left circle by defenseman Nikita Nikitin. An aggressive forecheck by Columbus and some shaky passing by the Canes kept the puck in the Carolina zone for much of the opening period. The Canes had just six shots in the first 20 minutes.

The Canes had more jump in the second. Gerbe scored unassisted with about two minutes left in the period, making a quick move to the net and jamming the puck past Bobrovsky, who did not play in the first game between the new Metropolitan Division rivals.

Muller said after Thursday’s practice in Raleigh that Ward could be back in net for the Sabres.

SUMMARY

Hurricanes 2, Blue Jackets 1

Carolina 0 1 1 — 2

Columbus 1 0 0 — 1

First Period—1, Columbus, Nikitin 1 (Skille, Collins), 13:20. Penalties—Sekera, Car (hooking), 6:43.

Second Period—2, Carolina, Gerbe 2, 18:04. Penalties—Nikitin, Clm (tripping), 2:24; Gerbe, Car (diving), 6:41; Umberger, Clm (tripping), 6:41; Tlusty, Car (hooking), 13:15.

Third Period—3, Carolina, Gerbe 3 (Dwyer, Jo.Staal), 19:22. Penalties—E.Staal, Car (slashing), 10:45; Wisniewski, Clm (interference), 13:01.

Shots on Goal—Carolina 6-9-8—23. Columbus 10-9-7—26.

Power-play opportunities—Carolina 0 of 2; Columbus 0 of 3.

Goalies—Carolina, Ward 1-2-0 (26 shots-25 saves). Columbus, Bobrovsky 1-2-1 (23-21).

A—10,899 (18,144). T—2:18. Referees—Francis Charron, Don Van Massenhoven. Linesmen—Derek Amell, Steve Miller.

News Observer LOADED: 09.27.2013

718214 Chicago Blackhawks

Nail-biting time for Hawks hopefuls

By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

September 27, 2013

The crowd is thinning out at the downtown hotel where the Blackhawks are housing prospects during training camp.

It's down to a select few in the battle for final roster spots, with perhaps the tightest race between Michael Kostka and Ryan Stanton for the eighth defenseman job. Despite the stakes, there is no tension when prospects' paths cross in the hotel or dressing room.

"In a way you're pulling for each other, but you're pulling against each other," Kostka said after practice Thursday at Johnny's IceHouse West. "It's a strange dynamic. There is no one that's out to get anyone. You're all kind

of in the same boat and understand how tough and stressful the time can be."

It is nail-biting time for Kostka and Stanton, along with forwards Jimmy Hayes, Ben Smith, Brandon Pirri and Jeremy Morin, who are in the mix for final spots with three cuts remaining.

"You get a little nervous when you go to the rink," Stanton said. "You can't think too much about it. You just have to go out there and play your game. If you're worried about if you're going to get cut today or he's going to make it, it's just going to affect your play. You just have to do what kept you successful."

Kostka, who appears to have a leg up on Stanton because of 35 games of NHL experience with the Maple Leafs last season, said his most nerve-wracking time is when he's off the ice.

"I can relax out there and just kind of play my game," Kostka said. "If anything, I'm more stressed when I have free time and I'm sitting there and you've got friends texting you (about the situation). You're like, 'Shut up, I don't know. I'm trying not to think about that right now.' "

Trophy talk: Lord Stanley has some new additions.

The names of the 2013 champion Hawks have been engraved on the Stanley Cup.

Along with team mainstays, Smith's name appears on the Cup. The forward qualified when he played in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Bruins because Marian Hossa was a scratch with a back injury.

"It's kind of crazy," Smith said. "I can't believe all the events that went down. To have my name on it, I honestly don't believe it. That's the goal and hopefully we can get those names on there again this year."

Players qualified to have their names added to a band of the Cup if they played 23 regular-season games or at least one game in the Final. The Hawks successfully petitioned the NHL to add veteran forward Jamal Mayers, who is not in an NHL camp, to the players listed after the forward appeared in 19 games.

"Good for 'Jammer,'" coach Joel Quenneville said of Mayers. "I'm happy for him. He was a big part of our team. We love what he brought, his experience, his leadership, his professionalism."

Quenneville said it never gets old to see his name on the Cup.

"I just saw the picture of it," he said. "That's very cool."

The coach also said it was good to see his name was spelled correctly.

"It's a long one," Quenneville said with a laugh.

Hossa sighting: Marian Hossa skated on his own for about 40 minutes before practice, and Quenneville said the veteran could join practice Friday.

"He did pretty well," Quenneville said. "Hopefully (Friday) he'll join our practice, but he'll skate anyway. He felt good."

Hossa won't play in the Hawks' exhibition finale against the Capitals on Saturday night, but Quenneville is hopeful the winger, who is recovering from an upper-body injury, is ready for the season opener Tuesday.

"If he's ready he'll definitely play," Quenneville said. "We're shooting for Tuesday."

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 09.27.2013


Oduya a quiet but steady force on Hawks blue line

By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

September 27, 2013

Johnny Oduya's interest level in talking about himself falls somewhere just below lacing his skates.

Which is exactly what the Blackhawks defenseman was methodically doing while trying to explain why he is not high on his list of discussion topics.

"It's not one of my favorite things," Oduya said of giving interviews. "Some guys like it a little bit more than others. I tend to try to stay in the back as much as I can. I feel more comfortable just minding my own business.

"I try to figure out what I need to do to help the team and be a good team player. It's been a good fit here and it's been working, so I don't think I'm going to change that anytime soon."

To those who know the Stockholm native best, Oduya apparently is much more vocal than the image he displays when shying from the media.

"He's actually not that quiet," said Hawks teammate Sheldon Brookbank, who also played with Oduya with the Devils in 2007-08. "His English is really good, so don't let him fool you on that.

"He just does his business. He's really dedicated to the game. He prepares every day and really takes care of himself. He battles hard out there."

Eventually, the last lace was pulled taut, and Oduya set down the skates and began to open up when discussing the joys of winning a Stanley Cup last season — his seventh in the NHL.

"It validates the work you put in," Oduya, 31, said. "At least now I know I'm good enough to be part of a championship team, which is always a confident feeling.

"I know I have to keep working. I'm not at that retiring age anytime soon — I hope — so I want to keep getting better and grow with our team too. We want to get better too, same as last year."

Since joining the team via a trade with the Jets on Feb. 27, 2012, Oduya has been a steady — if not quiet — force on the blue line, staying out of the limelight while making sure pucks stay out of the Hawks' net.

"He's got consistency to his game, not flashy, steady, reliable, dependable," coach Joel Quenneville said. "He just keeps doing it and not a lot of fanfare. Not a big point producer, but he sees plays offensively, can make plays (and) has a decent shot.

"On the back end, when you get guys that day in and day out do the same thing and get the job done, it makes you a solid team, and he does that for us."

With a Cup under his belt and about to enter the second year of a three-year, $10.15 million contract, Oduya is secure with his game but wants to keep improving.

"I'm satisfied and happy with what happened last year, but you have to progress and try to move forward," he said. "Otherwise, it's going to be tough to play in this league. Everybody gets better all the time. Everybody wants to, especially now, come after you and beat you.

"For me and in general with our team, we're going to put last year behind us and start new — start working again. We know that we're good enough, but we have to be working hard. That's pretty much the bottom line."



Hawks' names engraved on Stanley Cup

By Chris Kuc, Tribune reporter

5:59 PM CDT, September 26, 2013

Lord Stanley has some new additions.

The names of the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2012-13 Stanley Cup champions have been engraved on the Stanley Cup.

Along with the usual suspects, including Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith and others, Ben Smith appears on the Cup. The forward qualified when he played one game in the Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins when Marian Hossa was a scratch with a back injury.

“It’s kind of crazy,” Smith said after the Hawks’ practice Thursday at Johnny’s IceHouse West. “I can’t believe all the events that went down. To

have my name on it, I honestly don’t believe it. That’s the goal and hopefully we can get those names on there again this year.”

The Cup had to go away to get some work done... We think it looks fantastic. #Blackhawks #OneGoal pic.twitter.com/dFCRC5t5Qj

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 26, 2013

Players qualified to have their names added to a band of the Cup if they played 23 regular-season games or at least one game in the Final. The Hawks petitioned the NHL to add veteran forward Jamal Mayers, who is currently not in an NHL camp, to the players listed after he appeared in 19 games.

"Good for ‘Jammer,'" Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said of Mayers. “I’m happy for him. He was a big part of our team. We love what he brought, his experience, his leadership, his professionalism was in the right spot.”

Quenneville said it never gets old to see his name on the Cup.

“I just saw the picture of it,” he said. “That’s very cool.”

The coach also said it was good to see his name was spelled correctly.

“It’s a long one,” Quenneville said with a laugh.



Kostka, Stanton — friends and rivals — battle for Blackhawks’ last defenseman spot

BY MARK LAZERUS Staff Reporter September 26, 2013 7:02PM

Updated: September 26, 2013 9:48PM

When he’s out on the ice, Michael Kostka isn’t wondering if one bad pass, one wrong stride or one lost opponent is going to be the one that costs him a spot in the NHL this season. He’s not constantly looking over his shoulder to see if Joel Quenneville’s glare has found him. He’s not sweating every little detail. He’s just out there playing hockey.

But when he’s sitting around the hotel with nothing to keep his mind occupied? That’s a different story.

“I’ve gotten to a point where I feel I can relax out there and just play my game,” Kostka said. “If anything, I’m more stressed when I have free time, and you’re sitting there, and you’ve got friends texting you, ‘Are you [on the team]?’ Man, shut up! I don’t know! I’m trying not to think about that right now!”

There are only four days left before the Blackhawks open the 2013-14 season against Washington on Tuesday night, and the final roster likely will be set shortly after Saturday night’s preseason finale against the same Capitals.

And while five forwards are jockeying for three spots, on defense, it’s a one-on-one matchup. Joel Quenneville said he will be keeping an eighth defenseman out of camp, so it’s Kostka, the veteran, against Ryan Stanton, the rookie. One of those two will be a member of the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. One of them will be a Rockford IceHog.

And time is running out for each to make their case.

“Definitely, you get a little nervous when you go to the rink,” said Stanton, a Black Ace during the Hawks’ run to the Stanley Cup last spring. “But you can’t think too much about it. If you’re worried about if you’re going to get cut today, or who’s going to make it, that’s just going to affect your play.”

Making things even more uncomfortable is the fact that Kostka and Stanton have become fast friends this camp. After all, a couple of weeks ago, there were about 30 players at the team hotel downtown. Kostka and Stanton now are among just a handful left. On Wednesday night, they were out for dinner together at Prosecco. On Thursday morning, they were fighting for their careers against each other at Johnny’s IceHouse West.

Same thing goes for the forwards trying to crack the roster — Jimmy Hayes, Ben Smith, Jeremy Morin, Brandon Pirri and Joakim Nordstrom. Stanton

lived with Hayes, Morin and Pirri last year in Rockford, and has roomed with Morin and Pirri his whole professional career.

“It’s kind of crazy it all came down to us being on the bubble right now,” Stanton said. “It’s cool to be in it together.”

Cool, yes. And maybe a little awkward.

“In a way, you’re pulling for each other, but you’re pulling against each other,” Kostka said. “It’s a strange dynamic. No one’s out to get anyone. You’re all in the same boat, and you understand how tough and stressful the time can be.”

Both Kostka and Stanton have had their difficulties locking down the spot. Kostka has really only had one preseason game so far in which to audition. He was injured on a boarding penalty barely two minutes into the preseason opener against Detroit, then was an emergency fill-in at forward in Detroit on Sunday. Monday at Pittsburgh was his first full game as a defenseman — he had an assist, but took two penalties. Stanton, meanwhile, has been up-and-down in the preseason, starting off well enough but taking a minus-3 at Washington on Friday.

Quenneville hinted Thursday that he’s leaning toward the 27-year-old Kostka, thanks to the 35 games he played last year as a rookie for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Kostka had a lot of NHL games last year,” Quenneville said. “So sometimes you might be going a little bit [more] on their history than what we’ve seen now. That sometimes goes into the equation when you know that all things being equal, you have other things to measure.”

But Quenneville also insisted he didn’t yet know what his opening-night roster will look like, and that Kostka definitely will play Saturday, because the coaching staff hasn’t had a chance to really evaluate him much. Stanton likely will be out there, too.

The ramifications could be huge for both of them. But the trick is to impress, not to stress.

“They’re going to choose who they want,” Kostka said. “You can think [about it] all day basically, but the thinking isn’t going to be what changes it. It’s going to be what you do. Just try to focus on your actions and do your best to put those thoughts out of your head.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 09.27.2013


Blackhawks’ power play needs more shots

BY MARK LAZERUS Staff Reporter September 25, 2013 9:20PM

Updated: September 26, 2013 9:51PM

Yes. Naturally. Duh.

Of course, the Blackhawks would like to improve their power-play percentage. Nobody was happy with a unit that scored just 16.6 percent of the time in the regular season, or 11.4 percent of the time in the playoffs. It’s an ongoing source of frustration how the Hawks — despite all their offensive talent — can’t seem to even fire the puck on goal, or hold the offensive zone, or even properly set up their power play. And the 1-for-23 performance in the preseason — albeit with patchwork rosters loaded with minor-leaguers — isn’t exactly what coach Joel Quenneville was looking for.

But here’s the thing:

“Obviously our power play wasn’t that good last year,” Duncan Keith said, “and we still were able to win the Stanley Cup.”

Hard to argue with that. So while the Hawks spent a good portion of Wednesday’s practice working on the power play, and will continue to do so up until Tuesday’s season opener against the Washington Capitals, they’re not exactly panicking about it. While fans already are in midseason form, yelling “SHOOOOOT!” every time the Hawks get the puck at the point, the team sees it as something to work on, not something to sweat.

“It isn’t the be all, end all,” Keith said. “But at the same time, there’s definitely a lot of room to improve there. It’s something we talk about, and just keeping it simple is the way to go.”

That was a common phrase — “keep it simple” — during the Hawks’ power-play struggles last year, particularly in the postseason. But the Hawks had difficulty making simple entries into the zone, simple retrievals in the corner, and simple shots from the point for simple deflections in front of the net. Whether the Hawks were being too cute with the puck, too hesitant, or trying too hard to make a play that would break the slump, nothing was working. And so far in the preseason, it’s been more of the same.

After an 0-for-6 effort against the Penguins last Thursday, Quenne-ville wondered aloud, “We score 5-on-5 by shooting the puck, why can’t we shoot the puck 5-on-4?” On Wednesday, Quenneville said he wants his point men to shoot even if a lane isn’t there, even if it means shooting off target and looking for a deflection. He wants Bryan Bickell and Andrew Shaw to camp out in front of the net, and he doesn’t want his players to feel like “everybody’s got to touch it first.”

In other words, “SHOOOOOT.”

“Whether it’s Nick Leddy, whether it’s Duncs, whether it’s [Brent Seabrook], whether it’s [Patrick Sharp], the guys at the top, let’s direct more pucks at the net,” Quenne-ville said. “We have the personnel where we should be more productive and consistent.”

And while the Hawks — and the Kings and Bruins before them — have shown that a strong power play isn’t a prerequisite for a championship, they also know they can do better than 11.4 percent.

“It’s definitely an area that needs to be better,” Patrick Kane said. “I think we all know that.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 09.27.2013


Spellman's Scorecard: Another genius move by NHL

By Mike Spellman

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone has a computer, much less the ability to download a video and burn it onto a disc.

Well, if those still living in the analog world were hoping to pick up a DVD of the Blackhawks' run to the 2013 Stanley Cup, they're plain out of luck because, according to the Hawks' website, "the (NHL) no longer produces championship DVDs."

What???

Tell me if the DVD of the Hawks' amazing run were available for purchase at any major chain store or at the UC — or even on the side of the road — it wouldn't sell out … just like that.

You can't. Because it would.

Bottom line:

It's just a shame, and it's not the Hawks' fault — it's the league's call — but c'mon.

The power of one:

Looking at the line combinations at practice this week really brings home one central point: the Hawks are sooo much more formidable with Marian Hossa in the lineup, even a three-quarters healthy Hossa.

Get well soon, Hoss.

Bannerrrrrmennnn!

What a moment we're going to witness Tuesday night at the UC when the Stanley Cup banner rises to the rafters.

Also not available on DVD, however.

OK, that was a cheap shot.

America's Cup update:

Oracle Team USA 107, Emirates Team New Zealand 105.

Race 213 is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Not Lion about this one:

I'm already ticked off at Detroit for the cheap shots I'm pretty sure they're going to deliver Sunday.

Pretty impressive:

I know it's just three games, but Jay Cutler's fourth-quarter QB rating is 108.2.

108.2?

Is that still an adult contemporary format?

What?

United they stand, divided they fall:

When it comes to the racetracks and the horsemen, history has shown that I'd be smart to think it'll be the latter again as the entire industry fights for its very survival.

Prove me wrong, people.

Picture that:

Jinx or not, it's pretty cool seeing Kaner on the cover of SI. And even cooler seeing the magazine predict a repeat for the Hawks.

Although I do have to admit I'm still stinging from that '03 preseason cover featuring Wood and Prior.

Ugh.

Bad baseball for $200:

I don't know about you, but I'm sure going to miss listening to the endless baseball "Jeopardy" being played during Cubs radio broadcasts.

To be fair, the endless "did you ever?" Q&A's on the White Sox' broadcasts aren't that much more riveting.

But I don't blame either crew. With these two teams, what options do you have, for crying out loud?

Finish with a flourish:

With it looking as if Paul Konerko is going to call it a career, how great would it be to see season attendance boosted by at least 100,000 this weekend?

This cat deserves a great send-off.

Ah, September:

The best part of fall isn't the cool, crisp nights or the return of high school football.

Nope.

It's the glorious sun somehow remaining at eye level all day, every day.

Make. It. Stop:

Before the second round of the Tour Championship, Henrik Stenson busted the face of his 4-wood on the range and left it out of his bag, opting to play with 13 clubs instead.

Had Stenson left the broken club in his bag, he would've been penalized 4 strokes, which seems ridiculously harsh.

Well, some Gladys Kravitz saw video of Stenson with his broken club and, not sure whether or not he had kept it in his bag, called in to alert Tour officials, who checked on it after the round.

It wasn't there, so it was no harm, no foul.

But riddle me this, Batman:

What number are these people calling???

Whatever it is, please, please disconnect.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 09.27.2013


Kostka appears to be in a good place

By Tim Sassone

Mike Kostka could have gone anywhere during the summer as a free agent but decided to come to Chicago and try to win a job on the loaded Blackhawks defense.

Now it appears that it's down to Kostka and Ryan Stanton for the eighth and last spot on the blue line with the odds in Kostka's favor.

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Kostka would be in the lineup for Saturday's final exhibition game against Washington at the United Center while making no mention of Stanton.

One thing definitely in Kostka's favor is the 35 games he played with Toronto last season, where he was getting big minutes until he was sidelined by a broken finger in the first round of the playoffs against Boston.

Kostka was unaware Quenneville had said Wednesday that the plan was to keep eight defensemen.

"I didn't even hear that he had said that," Kostka said Thursday. "I don't really think about that stuff. You can't count numbers. All you can really do is worry about your performance. If there's one thing I've learned is you can never become complacent at any point in time."

Kostka thought that as a free agent he would end up on what he called a "bottom-end" team, but here he is with a chance to make it with the Stanley Cup champs.

"In all my conversations with management here I got an indication that if I did my best and put my best foot forward there would possibly be an opportunity," Kostka said. "I know there are no guarantees in this business, but it turned out to be of all the options I had this was the best one for me."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville wants to see Kostka at least one more time.

"Sometimes there are other things to consider as well," Quenneville said. "One guy plays left, one guy plays right. Kostka had a lot of NHL games last year so sometimes you might be going a little bit on their history then what we've seen knowing they are comparable."

Stanley Cup engraved:

The Stanley Cup has been engraved with the names of all the Hawks from last season, including Jamal Mayers, Ben Smith, Daniel Carcillo and Brandon Bollig.

Mayers didn't meet the criteria to have his name on the Cup, but the Hawks petitioned the league to have him included.

Because of the shortened season, a player needed to either play in 23 regular-season games (which Carcillo did) or one game in the Final (which Smith and Bollig did).

"Good for Jamal," Joel Quenneville said. "I'm happy for him. He was a big part of our team, what he brought, his experience and leadership, his professionalism all were in the right spot."

Bollig tweeted that it was surreal to see his name on the Cup.

"To have my name on it, I honestly don't believe it," Smith said.

Hossa on target:

Marian Hossa skated for 40 minutes before practice Thursday and is on target to play in Tuesday's season opener against Washington.

"Hopefully, (Friday) he'll join our practice," Joel Quenneville said. "He felt good. It was good. He's not going to play Saturday, but we'll shoot for Tuesday."

Quenneville isn't worried about Hossa not appearing in any preseason games.

"He's skated a lot and I thought he skated well in the Notre Dame segment," Quenneville said. "He's been off for probably a week now. If he's ready he'll definitely play (Tuesday), and if he's not, we've got some time in between games."

Last chance?

Center Brandon Pirri will play in Saturday's last preseason game against the Capitals.

"Pirri's going to play," Joel Quenneville said. "He really hasn't played enough to really give him a fair assessment.

"There are still a couple decisions we have to make. Whether it's them showing us how bad they want to play in our league and on our team, they're doing whatever it takes to get there."



Hawks look for fresh start on power play

By Tim Sassone

While the power play was dreadful for most of last regular season and even worse in the playoffs, the Blackhawks managed to win their second Stanley Cup in four years.

The players vow to be better this year, but a 1-for-23 preseason has raised concerns, which defenseman Duncan Keith says could be erased as soon as Tuesday's season opener against Washington.

"I think we're going into this year with a whole fresh mindset," Keith said. "What happened last year on the power play is last year. This is a new year, but at the same time there are things we can work on.

"We haven't played a game yet, so let's relax a little bit about the power play. As players we all want it to be good and we all want to score goals on it and help create some offense.

"But it's just a matter of building right from the start and getting the foundation of the power play, and I think that starts with getting more shots and keeping it simple."

As the quarterback of the power play from the left point, it's understandable why Keith gets so defensive about its lack of production. It's his job to distribute the puck and make sure either he or Brent Seabrook gets their shot through to the net.

"You have to understand that as a shooter, you have to get in the spot to shoot it," Keith said. "It's easy to look up and say why didn't he shoot that puck, but if your body position is not in the place to shoot it where it's a one-timer, you need to be in a one-timer position.

"You can complicate it as much as you want, but at the end of the day it's moving the puck quick and not hanging on to it. If you hang on to the puck too long then the other guys on your team don't know what to do and the penalty killers can get set.

"So quick puck movement, lots of shots and keep it simple is the way to go."

The Hawks have some of the most dangerous offensive personnel in the NHL, so it's puzzling why their power play ranked 19th last season with a 16.7 success rate before dipping to 11.4 percent in the playoffs.

"It's something we want to be better at this year," said winger Patrick Kane, who can be as explosive an offensive force as there is in the league. "It's something we've got to practice. We didn't practice it much last year with the schedule we had. It's an area that needs to be better, and I think we all know that."

Keith isn't worried that the poor preseason production on the power play will carry over into the regular season.

"Obviously, the power play is a part of the game and it wasn't that good last year and we still found a way to win," Keith said. "There's always a focus on it. I'm not saying that there's something we need to be concerned or worried about.

"That's not a good mindset going into the season. You want to have a mindset that it's a new year and let's go out there and play and have fun on it.

"This year we have to have the mindset just shoot the puck and have a carefree attitude. Go have fun because it couldn't get any worse. We have the players in the room to do it and the coaches give us structure. It's a matter of us players executing it and going out and doing our job."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville is hopeful things will be better on the power play so he can stop answering questions about it.

"We're going to rely on our power play," Quenneville said. "We have the personnel where it should be better."



Inside Look: Stan Bowman debuts at 12:30 p.m. Friday on CSN

Staff Writer

September 26, 2013, 10:00 pm

As part of “Blackhawks Day” at Comcast SportsNet on Friday, featuring Joel Quenneville and select players visiting our CSN studios and being a part of SportsTalk Live and the 6:30 SportsNet Central, the day of programming begins at 12:30 p.m. with the debut of “Inside Look: Stan Bowman.”

When we sat down during the Blackhawks Convention for this interview, the visit confirmed what a lot of us already knew about the two-time Stanley Cup-winning vice president and general manager. He’s much more than just that title.

We begin with his memories of growing up with a legend, his father Scotty, the NHL’s all-time winningest coach. He speaks of being a kid, growing up listening to his dad and his coaching staff dissect games. Some of the pictures Stan shares from his boyhood are priceless. Stan shares memories of what it was like to be coached by his father, though it wasn’t in hockey, and why his personality isn’t in line with Scotty’s, so coaching was never really an option for Stan. But Stan admires his father just as much for how hard he worked at spending time with his family despite the demands of being who he was, and what he did, even when he worked in different cities so the family could remain stable in Buffalo. And Stan also reacts to those who assume his dad is actually the one who runs the Blackhawks in his consultant’s role, and that the only reason he has the job is because of whom he’s related to. His journey to his current job is explained through the route he took from being a cart boy at a department store, to attending Notre Dame, and eventually being hired by one of his predecessors, Mike Smith.

The second segment focuses on beating cancer. Twice. It literally appeared (visually) overnight. The battle seemed tougher for his wife and young children than it seemed for himself, and he relates how that challenge – like fans watching a game – is less nerve-wracking for those fighting the battle than those who can only watch. Through his optimism about his illness, you see how the Blackhawks gm used some of the same thinking about the 2013 team when many observers thought he should tear apart the roster just a year before.

Finally, Stan shares the important role Patrick Kane played through his illness, as a rookie living in his home while his boss was going through a life-and-death situation.

We conclude our visit discussing how the feeling of defeating cancer compares with winning a Stanley Cup, and then the different rewards and feelings between the first and second championships over four years. I ask him if he always has to think down the road about the makeup of his roster, on who likely stays and who likely goes in the midst of the season-long grind.

And finally, he expresses how special his two superstars are, how lucky the city and franchise are to have them, and why 29 other teams are jealous because of them. And why their presence, plus the roster stability, has him excited about the opportunity to become the first NHL team in 16 years to repeat as a Stanley Cup champion.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 09.27.2013


Kostka, Stanton battle for Blackhawks' eighth D-man job

September 26, 2013, 3:00 pm

Tracey Myers

Mike Kostka and Ryan Stanton have got acquainted through their Chicago Blackhawks training camp time.

The two defensemen have gotten to know each other while staying at a downtown hotel, at which there aren’t many prospects remaining. They grabbed dinner together on Wednesday night. It’s all part of the camp bonding experience.

“He’s an awesome guy,” Stanton said of Kostka. “I consider myself buddies with him now. It’s definitely a friendly competition.”

Oh yeah, about that competition, the one that’s pitting Stanton and Kostka against each other for the eighth defenseman spot the Blackhawks are planning to go with to start the regular season. Yes, it is a friendly one; both agree on that. But to get on this roster, each will do what’s necessary to secure that final spot.

Kostka will play on Saturday night when the Blackhawks close out their preseason schedule against the Washington Capitals. Part of that could be because Kostka missed about a week after a nasty hit from Detroit forward Teemu Pulkkinen. Kostka also has NHL experience; he played 35 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. Coach Joel Quenneville said he’ll look at several factors in considering each.

“Sometimes there other things to consider as well,” he said. “Kostka had a lot of NHL games last year. Sometimes you may be going more on their history than what you see now. Sometimes that goes into the equation when you know, all things being equal, there are other things to measure.”

Glean from that what you like, but it sounds like Kostka’s got the edge.

Kostka, who was a free agent this past summer, figured he’d be selected by a team that had struggled and needed to build depth at defenseman, not a winning team that already had plenty of it. Still, he was sold on the Blackhawks.

“All my conversations here, it was indicated that if I put my best foot forward, there could possibly be an opportunity,” he said. “It turned out to be a quality option.”

As far as competing with new friends, Kostka said that’s just part of the process.

“In a way, you’re pulling for each other but you’re pulling against each other. It’s a strange dynamic,” he said. “No one is out to get anyone. We’re all in the same bot and understand how tough and stressful the time can be.”

The selection process is nearing its end. There are just a few practices and one preseason game remaining before the Blackhawks make their final roster selections, including that final one at defenseman. Whoever that eighth defenseman is, it’s unlikely he’ll get a ton of playing time; seven return from last season. Perhaps that eighth is rotated in to give starters a break, given last year’s long playoff run and the potential for another lengthy spring trek.

Even if it’s very limited playing time, it’s worth it.

“Obviously you want to play every game. But it’s long schedule with 82 games, and if you get an opportunity to get in the lineup want to take advantage of it,” Stanton said. “You always have to be on your toes. You never know who will get a chance, right?”



Blackhawks notes: Mayers gets name on Stanley Cup


Tracey Myers

Jamal Mayers was much admired in the Chicago Blackhawks’ locker room the past two seasons.

The veteran forward was more of a healthy scratch during the abbreviated 2012-13 season, but his leadership and voice were nevertheless still revered and heeded, especially in the postseason. And while he didn’t get into at least one Stanley Cup game, Mayers’ importance to the Blackhawks’ latest Cup run was recognized in the best way possible.

Mayers’ name is on the Stanley Cup, which is now engraved to include the 2012-13 Blackhawks players and select staff. For Mayers, getting his name on the Cup, the one he was the third among the Blackhawks to hoist following the Game 6 victory in Boston, is special.

“It’s just a huge honor and special moment for me and my family,” Mayers said via text. “To be able to show my kids when they’re older is so special.”

Coach Joel Quenneville said, “good for Jammer. I’m happy for him. He was a big part of our team. We loved what he brought, the experience, professionalism and leadership. I’m sure he had a great summer with the Cup. It’s always a proud moment.”

Daniel Carcillo, who played 23 regular-season games and in the first round against the Minnesota Wild; and Ben Smith, who was a late replacement when Marian Hossa couldn’t play in Game 3 in Boston, are also on the Cup.

Toews had told Mayers prior to Game 6 that, if the Blackhawks won that night, he would be the third to get the Cup after Michal Handzus. A few days after that victory, Toews said he learned a lot from having players like Mayers in the room.

“Every year as a captain you learn how the team works and especially when you have veterans like Mayers around… . You police the way you handle yourself in an NHL locker room,” Toews said. “Sometimes that won’t come from the young guys; you don’t understand it unless you play with older players. As I’ve gone along as a captain you understand more of what your job is. It all matters, it all adds up. You definitely learn a lot from being around guys like that.”

Briefly

Marian Hossa skated for approximately 40 minutes prior to the Blackhawks’ practice on Thursday. Quenneville is hopeful Hossa (upper body) will join practice on Friday; if not, Hossa will skate prior to practice. Quenneville added he’s “shooting for” Hossa to play in the team’s regular-season opener vs. the Washington Capitals on Oct. 1.

Andrew Shaw will play in the Blackhawks’ final preseason game on Saturday night.

Michal Handzus will not play in Saturday’s preseason game. Quenneville said he should be ready for the season opener on Oct. 1.


718225 Colorado Avalanche

Cory Sarich expecting to rejuvenate career with Avalanche

By Adrian Dater

The Denver Post

Posted: 09/27/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT | Updated: about 10 hours ago

The story probably will go one of two ways for Cory Sarich: 1) the old guy who had nothing left, whose stop with the Avalanche was the last, brief one of a long career, or 2) the old guy everybody wrote off too soon.

Sarich believes it will be the latter. But nobody is expecting miracles here. Sarich is 35 and coming off a season in which he was sometimes scratched from the lineup of one of the NHL's worst teams. He is projected by first-year Avs coach Patrick Roy to be one of the bottom-three pairings on defense, his probable partner being another 35-year-old, Jan Hejda.

If Sarich can come close to what he's usually done in a career that started with the Buffalo Sabres in 1998 — play a respectable, stay-at-home

type of defense — all involved will be happy.

"It's nice to be here and get a fresh chance," said Sarich. "If I can get my game going the way I know I can, I think it will really help the club."

A veteran of 915 NHL games, Sarich was a top-four defender on the Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004. He didn't miss a game for the Lightning from 2003-07, at one point becoming the NHL's reigning ironman for consecutive games played. In 2007, he signed a five-year contract with the Calgary Flames and helped them get to the playoffs his first two seasons with the team.

But beginning with the 2011-12 season, Sarich's ice time diminished; he occasionally was a healthy scratch. He was reduced to watching games in street clothes. In the lockout-shortened 2013 season, Sarich played 28 games and had a minus-8 rating, his first minus campaign in six seasons.

During the summer, the Flames traded Sarich and Alex Tanguay to the Avs for David Jones and Shane O'Brien. Sarich is entering the final year of a contract that is paying $2 million. He isn't thinking beyond getting off to a good start with the Avs and letting the rest take care of itself.

"It'll be so important to our young team to get off to a good start, to get that confidence going early," Sarich said. "For me, it's about providing some stability."

Sarich said when he's playing well, "you usually don't see me on video."

"I can chip in a bit offensively," he said, "where I think I've always considered myself a pretty good passer and get the puck out and get it through the neutral zone. But there's nothing flashy for me. For me to be effective, I have to be physical. For me to stay in the lineup, I just have to bring that consistent physical presence."

Adrian Dater: [email protected] or twitter.com/adater

Exhibition: Stars 5, Avalanche 1 — Alex Chiasson scored two goals, helping host Dallas send Colorado to its third loss in five preseason games.

Kari Lehtonen made 25 saves for the Stars.

Chiasson opened the scoring just 55 seconds into the game. Then he picked up his third goal of the preseason at 6:30 of the third period on a power play.

Erik Cole, Alex Goligoski and Valeri Nichushkin also scored for the Stars.

Goligoski, Tyler Seguin and Ray Whitney each had two assists for the Stars.

Jamie McGinn scored the Avalanche's goal, after Dallas led 4-0. The Associated Press

Denver Post: LOADED: 09.27.2013

718226 Colorado Avalanche

Stars power past Avalanche 5-1

The Associated Press • Updated: September 26, 2013 at 10:11 pm • Published: September 26, 2013 • 0

DALLAS — Alex Chiasson scored two goals and the Dallas Stars earned a 5-1 preseason victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

Kari Lehtonen made 25 for the Stars.

Chiasson opened the scoring 55 seconds into the game. He picked up his third goal of the preseason at 6:30 of the third period on a power play.

Erik Cole and Valeri Nichushkin also scored for the Stars.

Alex Goligoski added a goal and two assists. Tyler Seguin and Ray Whitney both had two assists for Dallas.

Jamie McGinn scored for Colorado.

Colorado Springs Gazette: LOADED: 09.27.2013

718227 Columbus Blue Jackets

Hurricanes 2, Blue Jackets 1: Brandon Dubinsky’s drive seen in preseason

By Aaron Portzline

The Columbus Dispatch Friday September 27, 2013 5:30 AM

During one of the quietest weeks on the NHL calendar, Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky found his offseason motivation to start training a little bit earlier than usual.

On July 22, Team USA invited 48 players to its orientation camp in Washington for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Dubinsky, from Alaska, was not on the list.

“It’s a hard thing to swallow,” Dubinsky said. “I’m one of the guys who should have gotten a look. That’s the way things go sometimes. You have to use those things for motivation. Maybe it’s a little extra jam against the (Pittsburgh) Penguins knowing that you’ve got two big players (with USA hockey) running that front office.”

Penguins general manager Ray Shero is the assistant general manager for Team USA, and Penguins coach Dan Bylsma will serve as coach. Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards will be one of the Bylsma’s assistants, which could help Dubinsky’s cause. Players who have strong NHL seasons could be added to the team ahead of the Games in February.

The regular season doesn’t start until Oct. 4, but Dubinsky has been a dominating player during the preseason. In the final exhibition game last night, won by the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 at Nationwide Arena, Dubinsky was the Blue Jackets’ best forward, playing 20:01 and winning 15 of 22 faceoffs.

Dubinsky played in five of the eight exhibition games, with one goal, six assists and a plus-5 rating.

“Brandon looks motivated,” Richards said. “He looks driven. I think he wants to be a difference-maker on this team. He wants to be a leader by example. I think he’s motivated after two down seasons as far as scoring goals. He’s driven that way.

“There’s also a bigger picture and it effects a lot of players who are targeted by their nations for an Olympic opportunity. He’s a name that could get talked about.”

Dubinsky spent the summer in Columbus, working out with strength and conditioning coach Kevin Collins and getting to know the city better after last season was such a rush. The snub from Olympic camp got him worked up, but taking on a bigger role with the Blue Jackets, Dubinsky said, is where he plans to start.

“The Olympics is not my first focus; this team is my focus,” Dubinsky said. “I think I can help this team to that next level. That’s my mission. We have a group of guys who think the same way I do, but I’m a leader on this team and I need to lead. I’m going to lead.

“It’s not being vocal in the room. It’s not about saying things to (the media). It’s going out on the ice and doing it every day and night.”

Dubinsky said he’s not campaigning for the Blue Jackets’ captaincy, which has remained vacant since Rick Nash was traded to the New York Rangers 14 months ago. Jack Johnson and Dubinsky seem likely candidates, but Richards has said he’s in no hurry to name one.

“We have a leadership group, a good group of guys,” Dubinsky said. “As long as we’re all pulling in the right direction, that’s how you win hockey games. I’m pretty sure everybody in the room feels that way about it.”

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 09.27.2013

718228 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets notebook: Nick Foligno iOK with extra playing time

By Shawn Mitchell

The Columbus Dispatch Friday September 27, 2013 5:29 AM

Despite already playing in his five prescribed exhibition games, Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno was not given a choice in the matter of playing a sixth.

Coach Todd Richards had planned to play his regulars in five of eight games. But because of a growing list of injuries, he needed a little extra from Foligno in the finale last night, a 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes at Nationwide Arena.

“Whatever coach says, I do,” said Foligno, who was the only returning veteran to play six games. “That’s the way it goes. We had some banged-up bodies, some guys that needed to heal up. I don’t mind playing. I enjoyed it. I just wish the outcome was different.”

Forward Jack Skille, a free-agent signing in the race for one of the final roster spots, also played six games.

Most veterans expect to play three or four games during training camp, but Foligno said he welcomed the overtime. He was credited with seven hits.

“It gets you in the groove,” said Foligno, who did not score in six games. “Sometimes you don’t feel like your game is where it needs to be, so playing games helps that. I actually felt a lot better. I felt more like myself. That was kind of a good sign.”

Gaborik takes leave

Blue Jackets right wing Marian Gaborik practiced in the morning but did not play and will be away from the team for a few days because of personal reasons, Richards said.

Gaborik sent a tweet on Wednesday that indicated a family member had died. He is expected to rejoin the team early next week.

Gaborik missed practice on Wednesday, as well.

“He’s healthy,” Richards said. “No injury. He’s just got a family matter that came up.”

Free drop

Upper Arlington native and Muirfield Village Golf Club founder Jack Nicklaus will perform the ceremonial puck drop before the season opener at home on Oct. 4 against the Calgary Flames.

Nicklaus, who won a record 18 major championships, will be in the area for the Presidents Cup matches at Muirfield Village from Oct. 3-6.

Slap shots

Right wing Cam Atkinson was scheduled to play but was scratched after the morning skate. He has a minor undisclosed injury. “If this is Game 80, he’s playing,” Richards said. … Center Artem Anisimov was held out of the third period because of a lower-body issue. “I don’t know if I can call it an injury,” Richards said. “Just soreness. He’ll be reevaluated again (this morning), but I’m not expecting it to be anything.” … Right wing Blake Comeau said he got about two hours of sleep on Wednesday after the birth of his first daughter, still unnamed as of yesterday afternoon. He said he and wife Lacey were still “deliberating.” … Forwards Sean Collins, Jonathan Marchessault and Dalton Smith were assigned to minor-league Springfield after the game after being recalled on Tuesday.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 09.27.2013

718229 Dallas Stars

Alex Chiasson propels Stars past Avs

Posted Thursday, Sep. 26, 2013 0 comments Print Reprints

From wire reports

DALLAS — Alex Chiasson scored two goals and the Dallas Stars earned a 5-1 preseason victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

Kari Lehtonen made 25 saves for the Stars.

Chiasson opened the scoring 55 seconds into the game. He picked up his third goal of the preseason at 6:30 of the third period on a power play. Erik Cole and Valeri Nichushkin also scored for the Stars.

Alex Goligoski added a goal and two assists. Tyler Seguin and Ray Whitney both had two assists for Dallas. Jamie McGinn scored for Colorado.

Briefly

• Panthers: A person familiar with the situation says the Florida team has been sold to New York businessman Vincent Viola. The person says Viola will be introduced Friday and is paying $250 million to buy the NHL franchise.

• Sharks: Forward Raffi Torres has undergone surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Torres had the operation Thursday and general manager Doug Wilson says he is expected back later this season.

• Rangers: Derek Stepan is back in the fold in New York, agreeing to a two-year contract that should have him back on the ice in time for the season opener.

• Maple Leafs: Toronto resolved its contract dispute with Cody Franson, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with the defenseman. Franson, 26, had four goals and 25 assists during a career year in 2013. He is expected to play top-four minutes this season.

Star-Telegram LOADED: 09.27.2013

718230 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings players prepare for HBO's '24/7' spotlight

September 27, 2013 |

By Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Tonight: Maple Leafs

Matchup: Red Wings (2-4) vs. Toronto (4-1-1).

Face-off: 7:30, Joe Louis Arena.

TV/radio: WXYT-AM (1270).

Everyone is eager to see everyone else on TV, stripped of the usual protective trappings.

An HBO production staff was at Joe Louis Arena Thursday to shoot promos for the upcoming “24/7” show, part of the package with the annual Winter Classic. Actual filming for the four-part series will begin in early December, with episodes airing on Saturday nights, showing how the Red Wings prepare all the way up through the Jan. 1 game against Toronto at Michigan Stadium. The Leafs are in town tonight for an exhibition home-and-home series, as the Original Six teams renew a rivalry dormant through years of being in separate conferences.

Jimmy Howard will be watching, come mid-December: “I’m curious to see who acts like themselves and who puts on a little bit of a show.”

Howard echoed several teammates who anticipated Pavel Datsyuk might have some good scenes, given his charming wit, saying, “I’ve got money on Pav.” On the other hand, Howard said he can also “think of a couple of guys who will be checking themselves twice before they leave the house in the morning.” He wouldn’t name names.

Defenseman Brendan Smith noted the show can expose how “some of these tough guys, or goons, are chippy kind of players, and then they are soft-hearted sweethearts back home with their family. It’ll be cool for people to see what our team is like.”

Smith suggested viewers will be surprised by how outspoken a guy like Kyle Quincey is, for example. Smith’s dark-horse scene stealer is Jonathan Ericsson.

The trick for HBO will be getting the Wings on film, outside of a game. When the NHL shot an episode of “36” on Nicklas Lidstrom, pretty much the only teammate who didn’t hide from cameras was Tomas Holmstrom. This time it may be harder to avoid an appearance, as production people will be everywhere.

“I assume you become immune to it a little bit,” coach Mike Babcock said. “To be honest, I can go without it, totally. But it doesn’t have anything to do with me. I just hope someone else is first star.”

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 09.27.2013


Helene St. James: Detroit Red Wings need to exhibit something meaningful this weekend

7:52 PM, September 26, 2013 |

By Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

The Detroit Red Wings finish up their exhibition season this weekend, and could do with at least one strong performance.

They take on the Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena Friday night coming in with a 2-4 record, most recently dismantled at home in a game coach Mike Babcock didn’t like afterward and didn’t like any more the next day. Exhibition games don’t mean anything in the standings, it’s true but what happens in the games means something, and so far the revelations haven’t been all that impressive.

Some games have revealed what everyone already knows: Pavel Datysuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall and Jimmy Howard are stars and leaders. But a pretty good group of Wings have played in games those four haven’t, and they suffered Wednesday’s 5-1 loss. The Pens did have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but much of that same group of Wings also were part of two shutout losses.

Babcock said Thursday that the previous night’s team didn’t compete very hard, didn’t have much substance, didn’t have good structure.

“Evaluation is pretty straight forward,” he said. “They didn’t do what we wanted them to do.”

The Wings haven’t won any games when Datsyuk and Zetterberg and Kronwall and Howard haven’t been in the lineup. While that speaks to how good those guys are and their leadership, it’s disconcerting that a group with quite a number of NHL regulars hasn’t once dented an opponent that hasn’t played its full lineup.

A chance may present itself Friday: The Wings, at least, hope to play almost a full lineup, and maybe the Maple Leafs will bring a competitive group to the Joe.

Saturday’s game at Air Canada Centre will be Detroit’s last before opening the season next Wednesday, and Babcock put some of the blame on having to play eight games, because it forces a team to spread out its lineup.

“You have to, just to keep guys alive,” he said. “I don’t know what to do about that. We can play two less exhibition games, and we can have more guys in the lineup, or we can continue to do what we’ve done, and that’s the way it is.”

The Wings have a number of guys ailing, though any fear Justin Abdelkader might be sidelined after getting cut on his left index finger after a fight Wednesday was assuaged after Abdelkader took part in all of practice and declared himself good to go. Daniel Alfredsson practiced and sounded almost certain to play at least one game this weekend. That’s important, because a sore groin has so far limited him to one appearance, and has prevented a good look at the ideal second line of Alfredsson, Stephen Weiss and Johan Franzen.

Others in sick bay include goaltender Jonas Gustavsson (groin) and forwards Jordin Tootoo (shoulder), Darren Helm (groin/back) and Patrick Eaves (knee, ankle). Defenseman Danny DeKeyser (knee) is questionable after hurting a knee Wednesday.

The most jarring stat so far is how problematic scoring has been. The Wings have 16 goals — the same amount they’ve allowed. But eight of those goals all come from one game, that night in Boston when Detroit brought Datsyuk and Zetterberg and Howard and the Bruins iced a lineup of much less caliber.

Franzen was sanguine about the situation, saying it reflects that, “guys are more focused on being where we should be on the ice. Me personally, I’d rather have a bad preseason than a good one. You don’t want to go into the season thinking things are going to go easy. I’d rather go in and feel like it’s a little uphill and you really have to dig down to get things going.”

Exhibition season does serve a purpose: Games are preparation. Preparation matters.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 09.27.2013


Red Wings say recent slump doesn't reveal much

Gregg Krupa

The Detroit News

Detroit — The Red Wings do not look good. Coaches and players, to a man, will be the first to tell you.

They have not looked good in a week, since beating the Bruins, 8-2, when they played so well it stirred some expectations among some fans.

Are they concerned? No way.

Their perceptions and assertions, as of Thursday, can be wrapped up succinctly: Do not read much into anything, yet. These are exhibitions, with their mixed NHL and AHL lineups, some players playing only for the evaluation of their ability and to gain experience before being sent down, and some injured players held out when they probably would be playing.

“When you play eight exhibition games, your lineup is spread out, big time,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “You have to just try to keep guys alive.

“And, obviously, we dressed a pretty good lineup that night in Boston. It’s just that that happened while a few guys got dinged, so we had to move guys around.

“Pittsburgh came here with an NHL team and they wanted to play an NHL team, and they got here — and maybe they got something out of it — but they would have got a lot more out of it, if they played an NHL team,” he said, referring to the lineups the Penguins and Red Wings skated Wednesday in an ugly 5-1 loss for the Wings.

“And, so, I don’t know what to do about that. We could play two less exhibition games and we can have more guys in the lineup, or we can do what we’ve done. And that’s the way it is.”

Johan Franzen added a bit of a different perspective: Exhibitions are not supposed to be easy, so do not expect immediate success.

Asked if he read much into the lack of offense, Franzen said, “Nothing.”

“Me, personally, I’d probably rather have a bad one,” the forward said. “You don’t want to come into a season and think things are going to go easy. I want to come in an feel like it’s a little bit uphill, and you’ve got to dig down to get things going.

“I think that’s a better mind-set to have coming into the season. So I don’t mind having it a little rough, in the preseason.”

Getting better

With two exhibitions remaining against the Maple Leafs, at home Friday and in Toronto on Saturday, the Red Wings are starting to get appreciably more healthy.

■Jakub Kindl (hip flexor) is about ready to return, and Jonathan Ericsson (lower body) might be back as soon as tonight.

Danny DeKeyser banged a knee against the Penguins on Wednesday, but Babcock said it is unlikely to be serious.

Justin Abdelkader said the two stitches he took in a finger in his left hand suffered during a fight Wednesday will not keep him out of the lineup. He practiced Thursday.

Brendan Smith took a nasty tumble when he was wedged against the end boards during practice. He continued to practice and afterward said, “I’m all right.”

Jordan Tootoo (bruised shoulder), Patrick Eaves (sprained ankle, MCL) and Jonas Gustavsson (groin) remain out.

Line item

Daniel Alfredsson says he is about ready to return, and that means the Red Wings new, highly-anticipated second line of Stephen Weiss, Alfredsson and Franzen may finally get on the ice together.

“It’s pretty good,” Alfredsson, 40, said of his groin. “I felt pretty good after practice the other day, but it wasn’t really as good the next day as I was hoping.”

Missing the Penguins game was precautionary, Alfredsson said.

“Good skate today,” he said Thursday after practice. “It felt good. Come in tomorrow morning, skate and I’ll go from there. But I’m hopeful about playing tomorrow.”

Weiss, Alfredsson and Franzen agreed a game or two playing together would be beneficial.

Ready for their close up

The HBO camera crews started showing up for that network’s “24-7” series leading up to the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day.

Players like Jimmy Howard and Smith said they are interested to see the reaction of their teammates and others in the organization to having their lives recorded and broadcast on such an intimate basis.

Howard said he thought Pavel Datsyuk, whose humor and wit are often on display especially when he is “with the guys,” might steal the show and surprise a lot of viewers with his outgoing, Russian-accented playfulness.

Babcock allowed that he is not necessarily looking forward to the production work and hopes “someone else will be the first star.” But he said he understands some viewers, including members of his family, have enjoyed the previous seasons of the HBO production and that it is a good way to promote and market the game.

Detroit News LOADED: 09.27.2013


Danny DeKeyser, Brendan Smith are new injury concerns for Red Wings

Gregg Krupa

The Detroit News

Detroit -- The Red Wings could have Daniel Alfredsson, Jonathan Ericsson and Jakub Kindl back in the lineup against the Maple Leafs Friday.

And Justin Abdelkader will remain there, saying that that two stitches he took in a finger after a fight do not warrant him sitting.

"It's pretty good," Daniel Alfredsson said Thursday of his status. "I felt pretty good after the practice the other day, but it wasn't really as good the next day as I was hoping.

"So , precautionary, and good skate today. I felt good, and come in tomorrow morning and skate tomorrow morning and go from there. but I'm comfortable playing tomorrow.'

Kindl says his hip flexor is healed and that the training staff was properly cautious about it, during the preseason. That suggests he might have returned to the lineup earlier, if it was the regular season.

Danny DeKeyser and Brendan Smith were two new injury worries Thursday for the Red Wings.

Mike Babcock said DeKeyser "bumped his knee" in a play Wednesday against Pittsburgh.

"I don't think it's very serious, but we'll see," Babcock said.

Smith said he was just fine after he was driven into the end boards during a drill, remained on the ice for a moment and then flexed his leg considerably, before returning immediately to the drill.

"They're all, ‘We'll see,’” Babcock said about their playing status. "If we were playing a regular-season game, I assume they're playing. But we'll see what happens."

Babcock and the several of the players spoke about a stretch of poorly-played games, since the Red Wings trounced the Bruins 8-2 one week ago. None were overly concerned, and most chalked it up to the general preseason experience and the fact that lineups can be so uneven, from game to game.

"When you play eight exhibition games, your lineup is spread out, big time," Babcock said. "You have to just try to keep guys alive.

"And, obviously, we dressed a pretty good lineup that night in Boston. It's just that that happened while a few guys got dinged, so we had to move guys around.

"PIttsburgh came here with an NHL team and they wanted to play an NHL team -- and maybe they got something out of it -- but they would have got a lot more out of it, if they played an NHL team," he said, referring to the two lineups the Penguins and Red Wings skated, Wednesday, in an ugly 5-1 loss.

"And, so, I don't know what to do about that. We could play two less exhibition games and we can have more guys in the lineup, or we can do what we've done. And that's the way it is."

Detroit News LOADED: 09.27.2013


Some Red Wings happy to see HBO cameras in town to start filming 24/7, others not so much

Ansar Khan | [email protected] By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

on September 26, 2013 at 8:01 PM, updated September 26, 2013 at 8:03 PM

DETROIT – Sharp-witted Pavel Datsyuk could be a reality TV star, if he wanted to be, his Detroit Red Wings teammates say.

Other players would prefer to stay away from the cameras.

Fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs on the HBO series 24/7 as the teams prepare for the Jan. 1 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.

HBO cameras arrived at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday, grabbing footage of practice and one of the semi-regular barbeques hosted by building manager and Zamboni driver Al Sobotka.

The network will film some more Friday in Detroit and Saturday in Toronto, where the teams wrap up the preseason, before returning in mid-November. The shows will air in December.

Some, like goaltender Jimmy Howard and defenseman Brendan Smith, enjoyed the previous 24/7 shows leading up to Winter Classics between the Penguins/Capitals and Flyers/Rangers. They're looking forward to being a part of it.

Others, like coach Mike Babcock, aren't so enthused to have cameras invading their private space.

“My kids a few years back thought it was awesome,'' Babcock said. “To be honest, I can go without it totally, but it doesn’t have anything to do with me. I’m just hoping someone else is first star.''

That would be Datsyuk, if he chooses to be.

“I think Pav will come across pretty good,'' Niklas Kronwall said. “He’s a funny guy and I think that will really show. If he feels he can be himself, it will be great to see him. It will be hilarious; he could have a show all about himself.''

Kronwall said Howard “would love the camera,'' too. Howard didn't seem to disagree.

“It'll be something we'll hopefully be able to show our grand kids we were on HBO one time,'' Howard said. “So I'm looking forward to it. I think it'll be a lot of fun. I'm curious to see who acts like themselves on camera and who puts on a little bit of a show.''

Howard said he expects “a lot of guys doing their hair in the back room'' before the cameras start rolling.

“I think a couple of guys will probably be checking themselves twice before they leave the house in the morning,'' Howard said. “I'm not going to throw anyone under the bus, but you'll see.''

Perhaps Smith will be one of them. He enjoyed previous installments of 24/7.

“It's interesting to see some of these tough guys, they're kind of soft-hearted sweethearts back home with their families,'' Smith said. “It'll be cool for people to see what our team is like.''

Who will be the most entertaining Red Wings?

“I think there's a lot of guys they'd be interested in, like (Henrik) Zetterberg, (Kyle) Quincey's pretty outspoken, Howie's another guy that's pretty upbeat, seeing Pav and what he's like as a jokester,'' Smith said. “There's a lot of guys that might shock the fans and make them very interested.''

There also are many who'll avoid the spotlight, much like they did in January 2012 when the NBC Sports Network put together an NHL 36 special on Nicklas Lidstrom.

“No one would go near (Lidstrom),'' Babcock said. “Just like in your own life, do you want everything on TV or YouTube, or is there anything you do that you don’t want to be (broadcast)? It’s the same for these guys.

“That’s part of promoting the sport, so they feel it’s a good thing for the sport.''

Michigan Live LOADED: 09.27.2013


Offensively challenged Red Wings look to end rough preseason with some momentum



DETROIT – Exhibition games can be a drag for a veteran whose roster spot is secure.

But Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen has a unique view of the preseason: It's better to be bad than good.

“Me personally, I'd probably rather have a bad one, preseason, than a good one,'' Franzen said Thursday. “You don't want to go into the season and feel like things are going to go easy. I'd rather come in and feel it's real uphill. That's a better mindset to have.

“So I don't mind a rough start in the preseason.''

In that case, he's getting what he wants.

The Red Wings have been out of sync. They are 2-4 and have scored only 16 goals, half coming in an 8-2 victory at Boston.

They have been shut out twice, they have lost three in a row at home and several players are struggling.

Franzen, who has no points in two games, said the lack of scoring in preseason is not a concern, but he admitted it would be nice to experience one good game before the regular season opens Wednesday at home vs. Buffalo.

“I only played bad games so far, so hopefully we can get a good one in and start feeling a little bit better about ourselves and get some confidence going,'' Franzen said.

The Red Wings close out their exhibition schedule with a pair of games against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday at Joe Louis Arena (7:30 p.m., no TV) and Saturday at the Air Canada Centre (7 p.m., CBC).

Coach Mike Babcock hopes to dress as many regulars as possible on Friday, but several are nursing minor injuries, including Daniel Alfredsson (groin), who has appeared in only one game. If Alfredsson plays Friday, it would be the first preseason game the team's second line (with Franzen and Stephen Weiss) has been intact.

“It's more about playing the right way, and once we do that I think we feel comfortable in our roles,'' Alfredsson said. “Come next week, we should not have to worry where we are all the time (on the ice). We watched enough video and practiced enough on it. We should have a good idea of how the system works.''

Weiss has had a rough preseason, with no points in four games.

“For me it’s been kind of tough because I’ve had new guys every night and working with that has been a bit of a challenge,'' Weiss said. “But hopefully we can get that line together and try to at least get one game in before we get going for real.''

It could take some time to get accustomed to playing with Alfredsson.

“Alfie’s the kind of guy who likes to hang onto the puck and make plays, so we’re going to have to work it out,'' Weiss said.

“He’s a tough guy to read. He’s a smart and cerebral player, so he kind of free-wheels and does his own thing. You’re going to have to read off of him a lot. There aren’t going to be a lot of things set in stone.''

Weiss said of Franzen: “Mule’s a big, strong guy that will be at the net for us.''

Babcock said he just wants to see his team compete and do things right in these final two games.

“I don’t think we competed (in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to Pittsburgh) or had good substance in our play; we didn’t have good structure,'' Babcock said. “The bar wasn’t set very high by the big guys.''

Why has it been so difficult to score?

“Probably guys aren't focusing on it (scoring),'' Franzen said. “Probably more focused on being where we should be on the ice, usually it's when you think too much and guys try to be in the right spot instead of just playing.''

Goaltender Jimmy Howard, who will start on Friday, is not worried.

“I think it'll all come together,'' Howard said. “This team's got unbelievable leadership, great human beings inside this dressing room. Once Oct. 2 comes, we'll hit the ground running.''

Glendening, Jurco recalled from Grand Rapids

The Red Wings recalled center Luke Glendening and left wing Tomas Jurco from the Grand Rapids Griffins for Friday's game. Center Riley Sheahan and right wing Teemu Pulkkinen were reassigned to the Griffins. Pulkkinen has served his four-game preseason suspension for boarding Chicago's Michael Kostka on Sept. 17.



Red Wings injury updates: Justin Abdelkader fine, Daniel Alfredsson hopeful, Danny DeKeyser sits out



DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock would like to dress as close to a regular lineup as possible for Friday's preseason home finale against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena (7:30 p.m., no TV), but it depends on the health of several players with bumps and bruises.

“We’ll come in tomorrow and find out,'' Babcock said. “If we were playing a regular season game I’d assume they were playing.''

Forward Justin Abdelkader practiced today, one day after needing just two stitches to close a cut in his left index finger, sustained during a fight with Pittsburgh's Robert Bortuzzo late in Wednesday's game.

“Nothing big. I should be fine,'' Abdelkader said. “Holding the stick can be tough, it's on my bottom hand. Trainers did a good job of patching it up, protecting it.''

Right wing Daniel Alfredsson (groin) returned to practice after staying off the ice on Wednesday.

“It's pretty good,'' Alfredsson said. “I felt pretty good after the practice (Tuesday) but wasn't really as good the next day as I was hoping, so precautionary. Good skate today. Skate tomorrow morning and go from there, but I'm hopeful of playing tomorrow.''

Defenseman Danny DeKeyser didn't skate today after he “bumped his knee'' on Wednesday.

“He caught his foot in a rut against (Sidney) Crosby and fell down,'' Babcock said. “That’s when he bumped his knee. I don’t think it’s very serious, but once again it’s this time of the year.''

Defenseman Brendan Smith left practice a little early favoring his left leg following a collision with Gustav Nyquist, but said he'll be available for Friday.

“Went into the boards a little bit, but nothing crazy, so I'm OK,'' Smith said.

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (groin) skated today after staying off the ice for a day. His status will be determined in the morning.

Defenseman Jakub Kindl (hip flexor) said he will return to the lineup Friday after missing three games.

The Red Wings (2-4) wrap up the preseason Saturday at Toronto.

Here are the lines they skated with today:

Henrik Zetterberg-Pavel Datsyuk-Justin Abdelkader

Johan Franzen-Stephen Weiss-Daniel Alfredsson

Daniel Cleary-Joakim Andersson-Todd Bertuzzi

Drew Miller-Cory Emmerton-Mikael Samuelsson

Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar skated in gray jerseys, indicating they will not play Friday (unless the injury situation forces a change). Darren Helm (back, groin) also skated for the full practice but isn't close to returning.

On defense:

Niklas Kronwall-Jonathan Ericsson

Kyle Quincey-Brendan Smith

Jakub Kindl-Adam Almquist

Xavier Ouellet-Brian Lashoff

Danny DeKeyser (knee) did not skate.

Jimmy Howard (starting Friday)

Petr Mrazek



Detroit Red Wings youngsters learn harsh NHL lesson in 5-1 preseason loss to Pittsburgh Penguins

Brendan Savage | [email protected] By Brendan Savage | [email protected]

on September 26, 2013 at 9:00 AM, updated September 26, 2013 at 9:01 AM

DETROIT – Wednesday night was a learning experience for several future Detroit Red Wings.

They got a harsh lesson in what it takes to compete against one of the NHL's top teams.

While the Red Wing dressed a lineup filled with youngsters that lacked several top veterans, the Pittsburgh Penguins went with the majority of the players who will suit up next week on opening night.

The result was predictable.

The Penguins, who finished atop the Eastern Conference regular-season standings last season, dominated in every facet of a 5-1 preseason victory at Joe Louis Arena.

"They came in here with an NHL-looking team and we didn't have one," said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, whose team lost its third straight game at home. "We still have to play so many games, we have to spread our lineup out and we have so many guys hurt.

"We weren't deep enough, we didn't have the puck enough so that's what I took from it."

The Red Wings' lineup featured at least three players – Riley Sheahan, Adam Almquist and Xavier Ouellet – who will open the season with Grand Rapids of the AHL and Babcock also suited up rookies Danny DeKeyser, Brian Lashoff and Petr Mrazek, who started in goal and will likely return to the minor leagues at some point.

Meanwhile, the Penguins' lineup featured their top six scorers from last season, a group led by Sidney Crosby and Evengi Malkin.

"They're a couple of the best players in the world, so to get ice time against them in a game like that is huge for young guys," said Red Wings forward Stephen Weiss. "It gives them a little bit of an idea of what to expect at this level.

"When you have slight little breakdowns they are going to make you pay, and that's what they did to us tonight."

Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek talks about loss to Pittsburgh Penguins Mrazek suffered 5-1 loss in first full preseason game

All things considered, is it any wonder the Penguins outshot the Red Wings 37-17, outhit them 23-18 and had two giveaways to Detroit's eight?

Heck, in the first period Pittsburgh had four scoring chances to none for the Red Wings. When was the last time anyone remembers that happening to a Detroit team over a 20-minute span?

Still, the Red Wings' youngsters who are heading back to the AHL can take a lot from the game, according to second-year defenseman Brendan Smith.

"Just for them to understand what the NHL is like," Smith said. "Obviously they're top two lines, those guys are great players. We pretty much played against their full team if not their full team. They can take that back (to the AHL) and see what it's like and they have to get better playing at that level.

"They can take that back, knowing the speed and strength at his level. I remember ... one of the first games I played was against Chicago and they had pretty much their full lineup. It gave me an eye opener of how good they are. I think it's a good thing for everybody to see."

Mrazek, who led Grand Rapids to the Calder Cup championship last spring, wasn't at his best but he also didn't get a lot of help as the Red Wings played without their top two forwards – Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg – as well as their No. 1 defensive pairing (Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson).

Mrazek allowed a pair of goals to Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh's second-leading scorer behind Crosby last season, and the Penguins jumped to a 3-0 lead less than four minutes into the second period.

"It wasn't an easy night," said Mrazek, who will open the season as Jimmy Howard's backup because of Jonas Gustavsson's groin injury but will likely end up back in Grand Rapids. "That was my first game I played whole game. I felt good before the game and during the game but tough night for us.

"I didn't look at their lineup (to see) that they're playing their best players. We played good players, too. You can't look at the lineup. We have to look at the goals and see what happened.''

Drew Miller scored the Red Wings' lone goal when he outraced Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury to the puck and chipped it past the Penguins' goaltender into an empty net to make it 3-1 midway through the second period.

Jussi Jokinen, Pascal Dupuis and Craig Adams also scored for the Penguins, who improved to 3-2-1 in the preseason. One of those losses was a 4-1 setback to the Red Wings Sept. 16 in Pittsburgh.

The Red Wings, who fell to 2-4 with their third straight home loss in the preseason, will host the Toronto Maple Leafs Friday before ending the exhibition campaign in a rematch Saturday at Air Canada Centre.



Red Wings' Mike Babcock: Top-end players in lineup didn't lead way in loss to Pittsburgh



DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings didn't dress three of their top six forwards Wednesday, but the ones that played in the 5-1 preseason loss to Pittsburgh didn't impress coach Mike Babcock.

"For me, we needed some guys on the top end of this group to lead the way and that never happened,'' Babcock said.

With Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg resting and Daniel Alfredsson still out with a pulled groin, Babcock's top line consisted of Stephen Weiss centering Johan Franzen and Justin Abdelkader.

Other veterans in the lineup included Daniel Cleary, Todd Bertuzzi, Mikael Samuelsson and Drew Miller, who scored their lone goal.

"Without the leadership of (Niklas) Kronwall, Datsyuk and Zetterberg, it doesn't appear we have much driving the bus either, but you can say that about lots of teams around the league,'' Babcock said.

Weiss has struggled in the preseason, with no points in four games.

"That wasn't our best offensive series, for sure, but we just have to work our way out of it,'' Weiss said. "Keep doing the things that we need to do to be successful in that area: get pucks to the net, be hounding on the forecheck, and try not to give too many away.

"I thought we had a couple of breakdowns tonight and we gave them a couple of easy ones. Against a team like that it's tough to come back."

The Penguins outshot the Red Wings 37-17.

"You have to have the puck more than we did if you're going to have any fun out there,'' Babcock said. "They came in here with an NHL-looking team and we didn't have one. We still have to play so many games we have to spread our lineup out and we have so many guys hurt. We weren't deep enough, we didn't have the puck enough.''



Loaded Pittsburgh Penguins rout Detroit Red Wings team that rested its top players, 5-1 in preseason


on September 25, 2013 at 9:41 PM, updated September 26, 2013 at 2:55 AM

DETROIT – This wasn't expected to be a fair fight, not with the disparate lineups the teams dressed.

The Pittsburgh Penguins came to town with nearly the full lineup of a club many expect will finish first in the Eastern Conference, including superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and starting goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

Their new conference rivals, the Detroit Red Wings, did not dress their best forwards (Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg), their top defenseman (Niklas Kronwall) or play their No. 1 goalie (Jimmy Howard).

So, the result was hardly surprising. The Penguins dominated from start to finish for a 5-1 preseason victory at Joe Louis Arena.

Johan Franzen summed it up during a second-period interview on Fox Sports Detroit by saying, “It kind of looks like boys against men out there.''

Detroit's top line featured Stephen Weiss centering Franzen and Justin Abdelkader, as Daniel Alfredsson continues to be idled by a sore groin.

Asked on FSD about the adjustment it will take playing with Weiss, Franzen said, “I don't know yet. We haven't had the puck yet this game, so we'll see.''

The Red Wings are 2-4 in the preseason, 0-3 at home. The Penguins, who got a pair of goals from Chris Kunitz, finished the preseason at 3-2-1.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock wanted to see what some of young players can do as the exhibition schedule is winding down (they finish with a home-and-home set against Toronto Friday at the Joe and Saturday at the Air Canada Centre). He couldn't have been too impressed.

Goaltender Petr Mrazek allowed five goals on 37 shots. He didn't look sharp on a couple of the goals, but he also didn't have much help from his teammates. Mrazek will start the season as Detroit's backup due to Jonas Gustavsson's groin injury.

Drew Miller scored the Red Wings' lone goal at 12:49 of the second period. He chopped in a loose puck from the slot after Fleury raced out to attempt a poke-check.

That cut Pittsburgh's lead to 3-1, but the Penguins answered at 17:26, when Kunitz blasted in a shot from just inside the blue line. Kunitz stripped the puck from Xavier Ouellet, who otherwise played a solid game.

The Penguins scored twice in a span of 2:29 in the first period to take a 2-0 lead.

Jussi Jokinen slipped behind the defense, took a pass from Matt Niskanen and roofed a backhand shot past Mrazek at 15:06, on the power play.

Pascal Dupuis, all alone in front of the net following a defensive breakdown, scored at 17:35.

Craig Adams made is 3-0 at 3:14 of the second period, tipping in a long blast from Malkin, who had just come out of the penalty box.

Kunitz scored on the power play at 9:28 of the third to make it 5-1.

Abdelkader needs stitches on hand

The Red Wings said Justin Abdelkader needed stitches for a cut on his left hand after getting into a fight with Robert Bortuzzo at 18:46 of the third period.



Blog recap: Detroit Red Wings' preseason losing streak hits three in 5-1 loss to Pittsburgh Penguins



THIRD PERIOD

Penguins 5, Red Wings 1 (0:00 remaining): Red Wings fall to 2-4 in the preseason after losing third straight, all at home. Scuffle at center ice after the final horn. Samuelsson and Malkin at the center of it.

Penguins 5, Red Wings 1 (1:14 remaining): Fans get something else to cheer about as Abdelkader fights Robert Bortuzzo.

Penguins 5, Red Wings 1 (4:45 remaining): Fans get something to cheer about when Sidney Crosby goes off for hooking Brendan Smith.

Penguins 5, Red Wings 1 (5:00 remaining): Shots on goal are 35-15 for the game, 11-4 this period. Both in favor of Pittsburgh.

Penguins 5, Red Wings 1 (8:47 remaining): Red Wings back on the power play when Engelland goes off for interference.

Penguins 5, Red Wings 1 (10:32 remaining): Pittsburgh takes biggest lead of the game with 13 seconds left in the 4-on-3 as Kunitz gets the puck all alone on the edge of the crease in front of Mrazek.

Penguins 4, Red Wings 1 (11:47 remaining): Pittsburgh will have a 4-on-3 power play for 1:28 after Kyle Quincey goes off for interference 32 seconds after Detroit's Drew Miller (interference) and Pittsburgh's James Neal (roughing) draw coincidental minors.

Penguins 4, Red Wings 1 (16:28 remaining): Good chance from the side of the net by Samuelsson. Red Wings have two shots this period to none for Pittsburgh.

Penguins 4, Red Wings 1 (19:59 remaining): Crosby wins the draw and we're underway again at Joe Louis Arena.

SECOND PERIOD

Penguins 4, Red Wings 1 (0:00 remaining): Red Wings outshot 12-6 in the period, getting outshot 24-11 for the game.

Penguins 4, Red Wings 1 (2:32 remaining): Kunitz strips Ouellet of the puck near the blue line, buries a slap shot all alone from the high slot past Mrazek to regain Pittsburgh's three-goal edge.

Penguins 3, Red Wings 1 (3:42 remaining): With captain Henrik Zetterberg not in the lineup, Stephen Weiss, Johan Franzen and Daniel Cleary are serving as alternate captains.

Penguins 3, Red Wings 1 (7:11 remaining): Drew Miller outraces Marc-Andre Fleury to a loose puck in the high slot and chips it over the Pittsburgh goalie to put Detroit on the board.

Penguins 3, Red Wings 0 (8:36 remaining): Tough for the Red Wings to get anything going as they're missing several top players while Pittsburgh is going with the majority of the lineup that will open the regular season next week.

Penguins 3, Red Wings 0 (10:52 remaining): Pittsburgh back on the power play when Almquist goes off for interference.

Penguins 3, Red Wings 0 (13:05 remaining): Red Wings getting outshot 5-3 this period, 17-8 for the game. Mrazek gave Malkin a little whack with his stick as the whistle blew.

Penguins 3, Red Wings 0 (16:46 remaining): Could get ugly as Pittburgh scores while short-handed. Give Craig Adams the goal.

Penguins 2, Red Wings 0 (17:03 remaining): Red Wings thought they had scored but puck didn't appear to cross the goal line.

Penguins 2, Red Wings 0 (18:52 remaining): Red Wings get first power play when Malkin goes off for tripping Brendan Smith.

FIRST PERIOD

Penguins 2, Red Wings 0 (0:00 remaining): Pittsburgh outshoots Detroit 12-5.

Penguins 2, Red Wings 0 (2:25 remaining): Pascal Dupuis gives Pittsburgh a two-goal lead when he takes a pass from Sidney Crosby and beats Mrazek from the slot while breaking down the middle.

Penguins 1, Red Wings 0 (4:54 remaining): Pittsburgh strikes first when Jokinen flips a backhand over Mrazek's glove and under the crossbar on the power play.

Red Wings 0, Penguins 0 (6:43): Pittsburgh gets the first power play when Andersson goes off for high sticking Orpik.

Red Wings 0, Penguins 0 (9:19 remaining): Stands are barely half-full tonight (if that). What's everybody doing, watching some baseball game from Minnesota?

Red Wings 0, Penguins 0 (13:14 remaining): Red Wings getting outshot 7-1. Mrazek with a big save on Brandon Sutter five minutes in.

Red Wings 0, Penguins 0 (19:52 remaining): Penguins win the draw and we're underway at Joe Louis Arena.

PREGAME

The Detroit Red Wings will be hoping to snap a two-game losing streak tonight, when they play the third of four straight preseason games at home.

The Red Wings will host the Pittburgh Penguins at 7:30 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena. They opened the preseason last week with a 4-1 victory in Pittsburgh.

The Red Wings have dropped both of their home preseason games this year, losing 2-0 to Boston on Saturday before Chicago beat them 4-3 on Sunday.

The Red Wings close out the home portion of their preseason schedule Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs before playing their final exhibition game Saturday in Toronto.

The Red Wings open the regular season next Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings will sit many of their regulars tonight. That group includes Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Niklas Kronwall. Daniel Alfredsson (groin), Jakub Kindl (hip flexor) and Jordin Tootoo (shoulder) also won't play.

They did recall Riley Sheahan and Xavier Ouellet from Grand Rapids for the game.

Rookie Petr Mrazek will start in goal.

The game will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit Plus and the NHL Network.

You can discuss all the action from start to finish with Brendan Savage and Ansar Khan live from Joe Louis Arena.



RED WINGS NOTEBOOK: Players getting healthy

By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily

Posted: 09/26/13, 4:50 PM EDT |

DETROIT – Wings coach Mike Babcock would like to have a regular-season, NHL-looking lineup soon.

He may get his wish Friday night at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It looks like the team will have its second forward unit – Daniel Alfredsson, Stephen Weiss, Johan Franzen – playing together for the first time this year for a preseason game.

“I’m hoping so, but I can’t guarantee anything,” Babcock said about having his second line. “It’s all based on health.”

Alfredsson, who has played just one preseason game, has been sidelined of late with a tender groin.

“I would love to play a couple more,” Alfredsson said. “But it is what it is and you got to be smart, especially now when you have the time but I’m hoping to play Friday and get a game in here before we start for real.”

Franzen missed some time with a hip flexor.

“We’re looking to get just the first one,” Weiss said. “It is what it is this time of the year, guys go down with stuff and they work other guys into the lineup and kind of work with what you’ve got.

“For me it’s been kind of tough cause I’ve had new guys every night and working with that has been a bit of a challenge, but hopefully tomorrow we can get that line together and try to get at least one game in before we get going for real here,” Weiss added.

The top line of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader are also expected to play.

“When you play eight exhibition games, your lineup is spread out big time,” Babcock said. “You have to just to keep guys alive. Obviously we dressed a pretty good lineup there in Boston, that happened because a few guys got dinged and we had to move a few guys around.

“Pittsburgh came here (Wednesday) with an NHL team and wanted to play an NHL team,” added Babcock, whose squad lost 5-1 to the Penguins. “And they got here, maybe they got something out of it, but they would have got way more out of it had they played against an NHL team. I don’t know what to do about that. We can play two less exhibition games and we can have more guys in the lineup or we can continue to do what we’ve done and that’s the way it is.”

Abdelkader did need two stitches in his left index finger after a tussle late in the loss, but says he should be fine to play.

“Holding the stick can be tough, it’s on my bottom hand,” Abdelkader said. “The trainers did a good job of patching it up, protecting it.”

Lights, cameras, action

The HBO cameras were at practice for the first time, preparing to start filming for the series “24/7”.

“I really liked (the show), it was pretty cool,” Brendan Smith said. “What I’ve told people is it’s interesting to see some of these tough guys or goons or chippy kind of players and then they’re kind of soft hearted sweethearts back home with their families. It’s cool to see other people’s sides and what they’re like on different teams and how they hold themselves, so it’s a pretty cool experience and it’ll be cool for people to see what our team is like.”

Babcock isn’t a big fan, but he’ll do his part.

“I just know my kids, I remember a few years back, thought it was awesome,” Babcock said. “To be honest with you I can go without it totally, but it doesn’t have anything to do with me. I’m just hoping someone else is first star.”

Babcock recalled players tending to shy away during the taping of “Nicklas Lidstrom 36”, where cameras followed him around for 36 hours as the team played and prepped for two games.

“No one would go near him,” Babcock said. “I assume since these guys are around here for so long you become immune to it a little bit. Obviously, just like in your own life do you want everything on TV or YouTube, or is there anything you do that you don’t want it to be (broadcast). It’s the same for these guys. That’s part of promoting the sport so they feel it’s a good thing for the sport.”

Ins and outs

Defensemen Jakub Kindl (hip flexor) and Jonathan Ericsson (groin) also appear ready to return.

“I will be playing for sure,” Kindl said. “We decided I needed a couple of more skates before getting into the game so it was a smart decision, so I’ll be playing tomorrow.”

Defenseman Brendan Smith fell awkwardly into the boards after being hit by Gustav Nyquist and left the ice early. He said he would available for Friday.

Defenseman Danny DeKeyser didn’t skate after “bumping his knee” in the loss to the Penguins.

“His foot got caught in a rut against (Sidney) Crosby and fell down,” Babcock said. “That’s when he bumped his knee. I don’t think it’s very serious, but once again it’s this time of the year.”

Send comments to [email protected] and visit his blog at redwingsfront.wordpress.com

Macomb Daily LOADED: 09.27.2013

718242 Edmonton Oilers

Changes a-plenty in the Edmonton Oilers lineup

By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal September 26, 2013

A look at the personnel changes in the Edmonton Oilers organization heading into the 2013-14 NHL season.WHO’S INGM Craig MacTavishMoved into the general manager’s chair after one year as the Oilers’ senior vice-president of hockey operations, a role now being filled by Scott Howson. MacTavish, Howson and president Kevin Lowe, had worked together, in different roles, from 2000 through 2007.Head coach Dallas EakinsQuickly went from potential associate coach to rookie head man during a June interview with the Oilers brass. Eakins, 46, moves to the NHL after four seasons as the head coach of the Toronto Marlies. He is also the fifth coach hired in the last six years.Associate coach Keith ActonBrings ample experience to the coaches’ quarters, having spent 10 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.D Andrew FerenceWas reeled in when free agency opened on July 5. Got a four-year deal worth $3.25-million a season. Is 34 but a tireless workout fanatic who is hard to play against and playoff tested.F David PerronA first round pick of the St. Louis Blues in 2007, Perron, 25, has had two 20-goal seasons. Acquired in trade for Magnus Paajarvi, he looked impressive in training camp. Could do well in new system on a new team.C Boyd GordonFeisty centre got a three-year free agent deal. Good in the faceoff circle, which is essential for the Oilers, who no longer have Shawn Horcoff to lean on.C Will ActonFree-agent signing who played for Eakins in with the AHL Toronto Marlies. The NHL rookie is the son of the new associate coach, who once also played for the Oilers.F Ryan HamiltonAnother former Marlies forward who was signed as a free agent. Brings some size and grit to the bottom six.F Jesse JoensuuSigned to play a more consistent, physical two-way game than the one the Oilers got from Lennart Petrell and Teemu Hartikainen. Could be a real find if he picks up where he left off in the pre-season.F Linus OmarkThe YouTube sensation is back in the organization after a year in Switzerland. The Oilers had retained Omark’s rights during his sabbatical, but he still didn’t make the cut. Starts the season in the AHL.D Anton BelovIs making his NHL debut this season after honing his game in the Kontinental Hockey League. At 27, he has experience in addition to size and a good shot, but he still needs to adjust to the smaller ice surface and the quicker game.D Denis GrebeshkovAfter three years in the KHL, he returns not only to the NHL but to the Oilers, having played 190 games for Edmonton in his first go-round. Could be an asset given his puck handling skills. If he can limit his turnovers, he will make the back end better.D Philip LarsenArrived along with a seventh-round pick in the 2016 draft in the Horcoff trade and proceeded to turn some heads with his speed and offensive savvy. Might not just be a trade throw-in.D Darnell NurseThe NHL is still a year or two away for Nurse, but there’s no doubt the Oilers drafted well when they selected the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds-trained blueliner seventh overall. Needs to put on a little more muscle to play his physical brand of hockey but has lots of game.G Jason LaBarberaSpent the past four seasons playing back up for the Phoenix Coyotes after which he spent his off-seasons working out with Devan Dubnyk. The two will work together now in the Oilers net. LaBarbera played just 68 games for the Coyotes. In fact, the last time he had ample work was in 2007-2008, when he played 45 games for the Los Angeles Kings.WHO’S OUTGeneral manager Steve TambelliniWas relieved of his duties weeks before the 2012-2013 season drew to a close. He still has one year remaining on his contract.Head coach Ralph KruegerLooked to be secure, even with management shuffle, then new GM Craig MacTavish started interviewing associate head coach candidates. Krueger was fired in June. He has two years left on his contract.Captain Shawn HorcoffTraded to the Dallas Stars on the eve of free agency, ending a 13-year stay in the organization. There were two years left on his contract, so as a result of the move, the team freed up $5.5-million in cap space for this season and the next.F Magnus PaajarviDealt to the St. Louis Blues along with a second-round selection in 2014 for David Perron.D Ryan WhitneyMade it clear at the end of the lockout shortened 2012-2013 season his time in Edmonton was over. Still doesn’t have a contract.C Eric BelangerOilers bought out remaining year on his $1.75-million deal. Signed with Yekaterinburg Automobilist in the KHL but retired following seven games in the Russian league.F Lennart PetrellWas not re-signed. Landed a contract in the Swiss National League.D Mark FistricThe Oilers didn’t re-sign him. Got a one-year deal from the Anaheim Ducks after Sheldon Souray tore a ligament in his wrist in an off-ice workout.F Teemu HartikainenOpted to sign with Ufa Salavat Yulayev in the KHL rather than take two-way contract offer from Edmonton. The Oilers retained his NHL rights.D Theo PeckhamDrafted by the Oilers in 2006, his tenure ended unceremoniously this summer when the team elected not to offer him a qualifying offer. Had to take a two-way deal with an NHL base of $575,000, which is significantly less than the $1.075-million he earned in his last year with Oilers.F Darcy HordichukClosed out last season with the Oklahoma City Barons in the AHL. An unrestricted free agent, he remains unsigned.C Jerred SmithsonA 2013 trade deadline pick, Smithson played 10 games and didn’t make

enough of an impression to earn an extended stay. The free agent has not signed anywhere.

G Nikolai Khabibulin

Returned to Chicago Blackhawks as an unrestricted free agent. Signed a one-year deal worth $2 million.

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 09.27.2013


MacKinnon: Can Dallas Eakins guide change in direction?

By John MacKinnon, Edmonton Journal September 26, 2013

EDMONTON - Ever since Malcolm Gladwell published the book Blink, you want to trust your first instinct, don’t you? Trot out theories on the fly, as it were. Go with your gut.

Well, here was the theory that leaped to mind back in June when Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish introduced the 46-year-old Dallas Eakins as the club’s new head coach: MacTavish had hired his clone, recruited a surrogate, found a like-minded hockey man prepared to go all-in with the once-great Oilers and lift them back to their rightful place in the hockey world.

Like most ready-made theories of mine, it’s not entirely a crock.

In a recent interview, MacTavish said: “I really appreciated his perspective from the first discussion we had about hockey.”

The two men share similar beliefs on the way “we like the game played,” MacTavish said.

The Oilers are loaded with skill, enough skill to win, what with Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov, Ales Hemsky, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Sam Gagner, Justin Schultz and others. The growth — the victories, the points — will come as the skill matures and as the team pays attention to the sort of detail hockey men like MacTavish and Eakins obsess about: defensive-zone coverage; efficient breakouts; shot blocking; puck retrieval, on and on.

So, the men agree on much, in terms of strategy.

But Eakins is not MacTavish’s mini-me, nor would the GM want him to be. Au contraire.

“I had it in my head when we hired Dallas that I was going to completely let him do it his way,” MacTavish said. “Our ways had to be challenged based on the results over the last number of years.

“I wanted a fresh set of eyes on all things. I didn’t want him coming in with my preconceived impression of guys’ limitations. He’s using guys in different situations than I would have used them in.”

For example, for much of the pre-season, Eakins used Taylor Hall at centre between a 37-year-old Ryan Smyth and Ales Hemsky, who spent most of the off-season on the trading block.

Eakins lauded the work the line has produced, and they appreciated the confidence he has shown in them.

“Absolutely,” Smyth said. “Everybody’s got a clean slate.

“He’s a very knowledgeable coach. He wanted to come in here and show what he’s got and we as players have to deliver what we have. He has given me an opportunity.”

How has the first-year NHL coach struck the veteran Smyth so far?

“Confident, he brings in the competitive spirit,” Smyth said. “It rubs off.

“He has a presence in the locker-room. He has a demeanour of a winning attitude and that’s a great credit to him. He’s doing (his job) in the way he thinks it should be. It sort of backtracks to when MacTavish had the reins as coach — high tempo, dictate the pace.”

See? Not entirely a crock.

And yet. MacTavish and Eakins took very different pathways to becoming an NHL coach. MacTavish, a savvy two-way centre, played 1,093 NHL

games, was a key part of four Stanley Cup-winning teams, including three in Edmonton.

Eakins, a journeyman defenceman, played 1,002 games as a pro, including 120 in the NHL. His golden era, as it were, was a 23-game hitch he did with the 1997-98 Florida Panthers, the most games he played in the 11 NHL season fragments listed on his resume.

When he was introduced to the local media back in June, Eakins listed Roger Neilson and Paul Maurice as his key role models as coaches, but also cited learning from all those games in Moncton, Cincinnati, Worcester and Springfield, Mass., Binghamton, N.Y., New Haven, Conn., St. John’s, Nfld., on and on.

“I think the best way to put this is, go look where I played,” Eakins said. “I played in about 800 different cities, and a lot of times, I was a healthy scratch, especially at the NHL level.

“I wasn’t just sitting upstairs, eating popcorn. I was taking notes. So, it benefits a guy like me to have played for Pat Quinn; to have played for Mike Keenan; to the coaches that rubbed off on me at the American Hockey League level; Dave Farrish; Ron Wilson.

“Go down the list. It’s every one of them.”

Eakins watched, made notes, recognized what works and what doesn’t in a variety of situations.

“He’s a hybrid, a modern-day coach,” said Oilers winger Ryan Hamilton, who played for Eakins with the Toronto Marlies. “Obviously, he’s great with systems, details, X’s and O’s, video, stuff like that.

“But he’s really good at understanding how to get to players. Not all players can be coached the same way. You have to find ways to motivate them and get the best out of players. I think he does a great job in that.

“Also, he’s very knowledgeable when it comes to health, rest, fitness. He knows when to push guys to the limit and when to back off so they can get their rest and be at their maximum.”

Eakins’ vaunted focus on fitness has been put into practice right away with the Oilers, with Nugent-Hopkins out until November and Sam Gagner expected to be out for two months after suffering a broken jaw in a pre-season game against the Vancouver Canucks.

The result for a player like Hall, for example, is pulling more ice time as the top-line centre but also playing on the penalty kill. Great players want more ice time, so it’s perhaps not surprising that Hall has taken to Eakins, as the new coach has gone about installing his way of doing things.

“Dallas runs a good bench,” Hall said. “I like the philosophy and the systems that he’s put forward, I think everyone has been really open ...

“You see it all the time in the games already, how we’re playing the way he wants us to play, and that’s a great thing to see.”

Eakins emphasizes pushing the pace, puck possession and an organized, team approach to puck retrieval when the Oilers don’t have it. Structure, in other words, but only up to a point.

“He’s probably not as structured as you would think,” Hall said. “There’s some leeway.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to make plays, and I think he realizes that. He gives us, I think, a good system to play with. I think the biggest thing is, we just want to get the puck back. We have a lot of skill in this room. The hardest thing in hockey is to get the puck and keep the puck. That’s what we want to do every night.”

Eakins wants them to do that by playing the same way, night after night, by executing his plan to get the puck back and going on the attack.

“Everything we do, whether it be our defensive zone (coverage) or neutral-zone forecheck or (offensive zone) forecheck, it’s all about getting the puck back as quickly as possible. It’s not about containing or waiting for them to come to you. It’s about jumping on them and forcing them to give the puck back so we can have it and make plays with it.”

Eakins wants the Oilers to be a five-man unit in retrieving the puck, just as they should be cohesive on the power play, for example.

“He’s building habits in us and he’s demanding in those habits. As a player, you want to go out there and make plays and be creative.

“But your habits are what kind of bring you to another level, whether it be stopping on a puck, or getting to the net or backchecking through the middle, those habits that build up throughout a game and help you win hockey games, he’s really big on that.”

Eakins was also big on redecorating the Oilers locker-room, respectfully de-emphasizing the icons from the 1980s glory years, but certainly making clear the room belongs to the current team. This amounted to moving some photos and memorabilia out of the locker-room and into the concourse for the fans’ benefit, installing Images of the current players.

“The Edmonton Oilers is a storied franchise, and they’ve had a lot of success in the past, it’s something we want to emulate,” Gagner said, who certainly buys into Eakins’ locker-room redo. “At the same time, we want to be our own group in here.

“We’re not going to be Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri and Kevin Lowe and so on and so forth. For us, it’s about being the group we are in here.”

It’s a group that has quickly taken to the focused, all-business approach that Eakins radiates.

“He’s a hard guy,” MacTavish said. “There are not a lot of grey areas with Dallas, from what I’ve seen so far.

“He’s a driven guy, very demanding of the players, but he’s able to develop a bond with players such that they want to play for him.”

Gagner, who is now playing for his fifth coach as he enters his seventh NHL season, believes the structure and ‘non-negotiable’ components of Eakins coaching regime are welcome additions for a talented team that is tired of losing.

“In training camp, we’ve done a lot of systems where it’s this is what we’re doing and there’s no way around it, this is how we’re going to win as a team.

“That’s kind of the way you want it. There’s not three, four or five options to our system, this is the (defensive) system, this is how we’re doing it. As a player, that’s what you want. You want it to be cut and dried, you want to know what is expected of you.”

Eakins’ clear expectations for his players arrive at a time when the public’s expectations are also rising.

“I’ve got to be careful,” MacTavish said. “At this time of year, everybody’s really optimistic.”

We’ll know soon enough how much optimism was appropriate. An NHL season goes by in a blink.



Five pressing questions for the Edmonton Oilers at dawn of the 2013-14 NHL season

By Joeanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal September 26, 2013

EDMONTON - After missing the playoffs for the seventh straight season, the Edmonton Oilers again made significant cvhanges, starting with the dismissal of general manager Steve Tambellini and continuing with all the off-season roster moves.

All that change, of course, begs a few questions:

1. Dallas Eakins is not only heading into his first season as a head coach in the NHL after four seasons behind the bench of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, he is the Oilers’ fifth coach in six seasons. Continuity has not been a strong suit of this club.

Will this be a solid hire? Is he the man for the job?

He does have more experience to draw on, with the team’s hiring of associate coach Keith Acton, and the early reports from the players are favourable. They liked the way he ran the bench and, perhaps more importantly, the succinct messages they were receiving. That’s essential.

“He’s very vocal,” Taylor Hall said. “He’s not a guy who leaves you confused as to where you’re at on the team or on the ice.

“He’s very up front and I like that. I don’t want to have to guess out there. I don’t want to have to play mind games.”

2. The Oilers were already thin down the middle, but now they’re starting the season without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who is being held back to ensure his surgically repaired shoulder is ready, and Sam Gagner, who suffered a broken jaw when Vancouver Canucks forward Zack Kassian walloped him in the face with his stick during a pre-season game.

Can the team rely on American Hockey Leaguers such as Mark Arcobello until their starters are back?

Taylor Hall will start the season in the middle (he was being auditioned there before Gagner underwent surgery) while free agent acquisition Boyd Gordon will now play a more prominent role.

“You need your team to go through adversity — maybe not right away like this with our two guys (out) — but adversity offers opportunity,” head coach Dallas Eakins said.

There’s also the lingering question about Nugent-Hopkins. Will he, like Hall did before him, step back in and play his game immediately? It is one of the reasons why the Oilers did not send out Nugent-Hopkins for any pre-season games and could very well wait until Nov. 1 to unleash him. They do not want to hurry him back.

3. Unable to move Ales Hemsky in the off-season, the veteran winger and general manager Craig MacTavish stood side-by-side at a pre-training camp news conference and talked about moving forward. Hemsky said he’d do whatever he could to help the team; MacTavish said he obviously valued the winger more than his peers.

So what will Hemsky bring to the table?

He looked good in camp and sounded like a player who is committed to the cause — an attitude that suggests he’s more apt to maintain if the team is winning. He’s also in the last year of his contract, so unrestricted free agency beckons. There’s more incentive, at least during the early days of the season. Hemsky wants to get back to the Olympics with the Czech Republic team. The rosters have to be set by Dec. 31.

4. When the season opens on Oct. 1, half the starting defensive corps will be new. Only Ladislav Smid, Justin Schultz and Nick Schultz will be back in the mix.

It was certainly one of the areas where general manager Craig MacTavish focused his off-season attentions. He wanted depth and competition, particularly for the fifth, sixth and seventh spots.

Will the defence be any better?

There are certainly more puck-movers on the back end, along with some speed, but the Oilers didn’t add a hard-hitting defensive defenceman — someone like Andy Sutton (who retired last season) or Mark Fistric (who wasn’t re-signed).

5. Will the Oilers finally end their playoff drought?

The Oilers should contend this season. They pulled themselves into eighth spot last April, only to hit another losing skid, so if that brief taste of a playoff race did indeed leave the returnees hungry, it will show in the standings.

Eakins has also made a concerted effort to let the players have some ownership of the team. He refurbished the locker room, removing shades of the past in order to focus on today’s players, and he has removed the youth crutch.

“That’s the first thing I asked when I came in: do not refer to this as a young team anymore. We’re not a young team. We’re a team,” Eakins said.

“When you call a team a young team, you immediately alienate a bunch of guys and you make it about certain people and we’re not going to do that here.”



Ryan Jones vows he’ll battle back to Edmonton Oilers lineup


OKLAHOMA CITY — In the end, neither the freshly signed one-way contract nor the past performances were enough to keep Ryan Jones on the Edmonton Oilers’ opening day roster.

It didn’t earn him an opportunity with one of the other 29 teams, either, so early next week, he’ll report to the Oklahoma City Barons to try to work his way back to the NHL.

“That’s all I really can do. I’m not going to go down there and pout and bring down the guys who are there. I want to be a good team guy, a good leader, but at the same time, I’m going to do my damnedest to get back to the NHL,” said Jones, who cleared waivers Thursday morning.

“I’m playing for 30 teams now.”

Wingers Jesse Joensuu and Ryan Hamilton made their cases at training camp, while Jones didn’t do enough. He took another hit when the Oilers, despite to bring an enforcer into the mix, claimed Steve MacIntyre off the waiver wire, inflating the number of forwards in camp.

Jones said he was going to take a few days to take care off some necessary matters, then make his way down to Oklahoma to get acclimatized and settled with the Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate.

Claimed off waivers in 2010, Jones played 195 games for the Oilers, including the 27 he suited up for last season after returning from an eye injury. It was not his best season but the Oilers, banking on the fact he could go back to being that versatile player who had put up 33 points in 2011-2012 and 18 goals the year before that, re-signed Jones this off-season for $1.5 million.

Head coach Dallas Eakins said he expects to see Jones back in the NHL, framing the move as a chance for the veteran to get his game back, rather than an outright dismissal.

“I didn’t think Ryan had a horrible camp. This young man has missed a lot of hockey, he’s coming off a big time injury,” said Eakins. “I think it takes some time to get your game back and get comfortable on the ice. I fully expect Ryan Jones to play games for us this season. And it could be sooner rather than later. That’s going to be up to him and his play.

“That was part of the decision making process. He wasn’t quite up to speed.”

The Oilers close out their pre-season Friday here against the Dallas Stars and the lineup on the ice is going to bear a striking resemblance to the lineup on opening day.

Devan Dubnyk will go the distance in net, Taylor Hall will centre Ryan Smyth and Ales Hemsky once again, Nail Yakupov will play with Boyd Gordon and David Perron while Joensuu, who will also get some power play time, will line up with Mark Arcobello and Jordan Eberle.

MacIntyre will see action in the pre-season game, but might not be in the starting 12 on Oct. 1. Ben Eager and Hamilton were the extra forwards on Friday. Eager closed out last season with the Barons, but did enough in the AHL to earn another chance with the Oilers.

Hamilton, who captained the Toronto Marlies under Eakins, has played 12 NHL games.

“I tried not to be get caught up in the numbers game,” said Hamilton. “You just have to focus on what you can do. That’s what my mindset was, and is, going to be.

“That’s the way the game is. You have to keep performing, keep proving yourself. Once you get a taste of (the NHL), you have to hang on to it and not let go.”

Following a long practice session at the Cox Convention Center on Thursday afternoon — one of the first real teaching sessions for Eakins and his staff — the head coach said it was good to finally get the numbers down to the point where they can zero in on line combinations and the power play.

The coaching staff will now put into practice the ideas they’ve been kicking around for their man advantage situations.

“(The players) are ready to get going. They want the season to start and so do we,” added Eakins. “We get one more game to try a few different things, then it will be all business.”

“It’s been a long training camp,” said Hall. “Now we know we have one more game to prep, then it’s show time.”



Young Oilers relish return to AHL roots in Oklahoma City


OKLAHOMA CITY — When Taylor Hall packed up his belongings and bid Oklahoma City adieu, he never anticipated there would be a return engagement.

He, along with Edmonton Oilers teammates Justin Schultz, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, had spent the NHL lockout with the Barons, a stay that ended soon enough for the league to squeeze in a 48-game season.

“It’s weird when you leave a place and you never ever think you’ll be back. Sure enough, we’re back. It’s kind of cool,” Hall said Thursday after a practice at the AHL Barons’ home rink.

The Oilers will close out their pre-season at the Cox Convention Center on Friday against the Dallas Stars.

“We’ve been going to the same restaurants and skating on the same ice we did,” he added. “We had a lot of fun here but at the same time, it was weird not having another league to go up to. I always had it in the back of my head that the NHL was going to start up again, so I know I didn’t enjoy it as much as I could have.”

A total of 8,200 tickets had been sold in advance of the game, so there were expectations that the crowd count could exceed 9,200 by the time the puck dropped. That’s big in this part of the world, where college football and the NBA’s Oklahoma Thunder rule.

The Oilers also made a point of reaching out to the community Friday with a school visit as well as an appearance at a Chamber of Commerce function.

Of equal import, it was a chance for the players to start bonding. Coach Dallas Eakins said if he had had his way, he would have spent all of camp sequestered away.

“It’s good on a number of levels,” said Eakins. “First and foremost, it’s a chance to support the ownership group that runs that team. I (also) think it’s a great reminder to our NHL players to not forget how hard these guys are working in the environment that they’re in. It’s not like walking into an NHL rink or an NHL dressing room.”

Nugent-Hopkins, who did make the trip but won’t play, was among the players who made the school visit before the afternoon practice. Unlike in Edmonton, where the players are constantly hounded for autographs — often by seekers looking to turn a profit — he said there was something much more organic about their experience on Thursday.

“They don’t know much about hockey, they haven’t been around it like we have been in Canada, but they had so many questions and they wanted to get autographs even though they had no idea who we were,” said Nugent-Hopkins.

“It was a good experience for us. They were genuine and just excited about having a professional athlete in there talking to them.

“It’s kind of cool to be back just for a game,” he added. “We’ve seen some of the guys we played with last year and also it’s a chance to walk around town again, show some of the guys who haven’t been here before, a little bit about it.

“I don’t think (the AHL) gets the credit it deserves. Coming down from the NHL last year, it wasn’t that big a step down. Everybody is fighting for a job here.”



Ryan Jones clears waivers, Oilers reassign winger to minors

Edmonton Journal September 26, 2013

Ryan Jones clears waivers, Oilers reassign winger to minors

Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Jones has cleared waivers and will report to the NHL team's minor-league affiliate in Oklahoma City.

Jones, 29, was placed on the NHL waiver wire by the Oilers at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The window in which other NHL clubs could claim him for free closed 24 hours later.

The winger, who has spent the past four seasons with the Oilers since being picked up off waivers from the Nashville Predators in 2009, will report to the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons.

Jones did not travel to Oklahoma City on Wednesday with the Oilers, who play a neutral-site exhibition game against the Dallas Stars on Friday, Sept. 27.

More to come.



OK, I was wrong on Ryan Jones getting picked up

September 26, 2013. 11:09 am • Section: Oil Spills

Jim Matheson

This is not a good day for Ryan Jones, unfortunately.

Not only do the Edmonton Oilers not have room for you on their roster but neither do any of the other 29 teams.

Humbling, I’m sure. Also maddening, also disruptive with a wife and dogs to certainly consider.

So you have cleared NHL waivers and you are back in the American League again, back where it started when you left Miami of Ohio U in 2008 as a college star. You belonged to the Minnesota Wild then and they had you play four games for the AHL Houston Aeros before they traded you and and second round-draft a few months later for Marek Zidlicky. You bounced around from Milwaukee to Nashville and back, then the Oilers stole you on waivers in March of 2010 on, it should be noted, the pushing of former assistant GM Kevin Prendergast. One hundred and 95 NHL games here, and now you are back in the AHL, on your way to OKCity at 29.

If the Oilers don’t get antsy and pick up beat cop Steve MacIntyre–arguably the toughest protector of life and limb along with Brian McGrattan in Calgary–Jones is still an Oiler. Now MacIntyre has your roster spot, or if not Big Mac and his fists, then Ryan Hamilton. I am not sure Hamilton, captain of the Toronto Marlies, is better than Jones on the ice, but he is infinitely cheaper ($900,000) at the NHL level than Jones’s salary, also bigger on the wing.

Now the Oilers have to pay Jones $1.5 million to play in OKC, but $575,000 of that still counts against the Oilers cap. The new CBA says you can’t bury total contracts to subvert the NHL cap. Here’s how it works now: you take the player’s NHL salary minus the NHL’s minimum wage of $550,000 and add $375,000 (that’s $925,000). So in Jones’ case that comes to $575,000 on their cap.

You don’t need me to tell you that paying Jones’s salary of $1.5 million in OKC is not a good economic thing in a league where $300,000 for an AHL salary is a whopper. That is what Hamilton would make if he was in OKC.

Was I surprised nobody took a flier on Jones? Yes, although seven teams are currently over the $64.3 million cap ceiling like the Maple Leafs who

have to dump a salary (John Michael-Liles most likely) and other teams plan on using younger, cheaper role players than Jones.

Only two players have been claimed off waivers since cuts were made–MacIntyre from Pittsburgh and a winger named Marc-Andre Cliche. Colorado took Cliche off LA, maybe because he played in the Q where Avs coach Patick Roy would have seen him as Quebec Remparts coach/GM/owner. And maybe teams are thinking if he can’t play on the seventh worst team in the league last year, how could he play on, say, a Cup contender?

As a scribe, I’ll miss Jones, the guy, though. Good person. Made my job easier and all media folks, as a go-guy for an opinion and a funny line on anything.



Edmonton Oilers ready to put painful preseason behind them

By Robert Tychkowski ,Edmonton Sun


OKLAHOMA CITY - Phil Kessel and Dale Weise are lucky — being suspended for the pre-season is like being suspended from math class.

Punishment? More like ‘Thank you sir, may I have another?’

If Sam Gagner had been suspended for the pre-season, he wouldn’t have a broken jaw and the Edmonton Oilers wouldn’t be living hand to mouth at centre.

It’s a necessary evil, about four games of which aren’t even really necessary.

Fortunately, the long and painfully boring exercise is almost over.

“It’s nice to know that this is our last exhibition game,” said Edmonton Oilers winger Taylor Hall, on the eve of Friday’s date with the Dallas Stars in Oklahoma City. “It’s your last game to really get what you need to get going.

“It’s a long training camp and some of the games are a bit meaningless, but now we know we have one more game to prep and then it’s show time.”

It’s also the first look at Edmonton’s final roster. With all of the cuts in the books, head coach Dallas Eakins can now focus on lines and systems and all of the other elements he wants in place for opening night.

“It’s so good, just because you can start to get detailed in your practices and start to look at some lines,” said Eakins, who ran a nearly two-hour session Thursday afternoon. “Today was the first day we’ve worked on a power play. We’ve been putting a lot of thought into it as we’ve gone through the exhibition, but now we can really see if it’s going to work.

“It’s an exciting time not just for the coaching staff, but for the players. They want to get down to the numbers, too, they’re ready to get going. They want the season to start. One more game to try a few different things and then it’ll be all business from there on in.”

And Hall says the mood in the room is unanimous in that the home opener against Winnipeg is as big as any game they’ll play this year.

“These two points that are up for grabs in our first game are just as important as Game 82 and we have to be ready for that.”

NOT IN A HURRY: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins knows the Oilers need him back, and fast, but it’s not like he can tell his shoulder to hurry up and heal. And he says he’s not coming back until it is.

“With Sam out it’s tough, for sure, but I don’t think I can change anything,” he said. “I have to get back 100% healthy. Once I’m ready I’ll for sure be going. I want to play as soon as I can.

“It’s tough for me to sit out, especially when something like (Gagner’s injury) happens, but I just have to be patient because in the long tun it’ll pay off.”

He says the Nov. 1 return date isn’t carved in stone, though.

“We’re not too sure, it’ll all depend on the next couple of weeks.”

LONG TIME NO SEE: It hasn’t even been one regular season game since Shawn Horcoff left Edmonton for Dallas, but his former teammates are looking forward to a reunion when the teams meet in OKC.

“I hope he’s playing, it would be good to see him,” said Hall, who’s glad to hear that the former captain is enjoying Texas. “I’m happy for him, it sounds like he’s doing well. He was a really good guy for our team to have, a very good leader. I can already tell that he’s not around.”

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 09.27.2013


Oilers Nugent-Hopkins, Hall, Eberle and Schultz back in OKC



OKLAHOMA CITY - Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins spent more time in the minors than anyone ever expected from a couple of first picks overall.

Awesome.

Back in OKC for Friday’s exhibition game with the Dallas Stars, the duo, along with Justin Schultz and Jordan Eberle, were feeling a little nostalgic upon returning to the place that rescued them from the NHL lockout.

“It’s kind of cool to be back for a game, see some of the guys we played with last year and walk around the town again, show some of the guys who haven’t been here before a little bit about it,” said Nugent-Hopkins, who was beating the drums in a music class when the Oilers visited a local school before practice.

“The kids don’t know much about hockey, they haven’t been around it like we have. But they wanted to get autographs even though they have no idea who we are. It was a good experience for us.”

So was last season, when the foursome suited up here for three months.

“You leave a place and you think you’ll never, ever be back, and sure enough, we’re back,” said Hall. “It’s kind of cool, going to the same restaurants and skating on the same ice. We had a lot of fun here, it was a good time.

“I know I didn’t enjoy it as much as I could have just because I wanted to be in the NHL, but it was still a good time.”



Oilers camp cut Ryan Jones says he'll work his way back to the NHL



OKLAHOMA CITY - Ryan Jones kind of figured that when he signed that new contract with the Oilers, it meant he’d be playing for the Oilers.

Turns out he was wrong.

While the rest of the team wraps up the exhibition schedule in Oklahoma City and flies to Edmonton for the start of the NHL season, the veteran winger will be heading the other way, from Edmonton to Oklahoma City for the start of the AHL campaign.

The last cut of training camp will report to the Barons on Monday.

“It’s tough,” said Jones, who stayed back in Edmonton in case somebody plucked him off the waiver wire. “Throughout camp I took a peek at the lines

a couple of times and thought, it’s interesting how this is playing out. But, yeah, I’m a little bit surprised.

“Ultimately, though, if you’re playing well enough and producing well enough you’re not in this predicament, so I’m not pointing the finger at anybody else.”

Jones had brief discussions with head coach Dallas Eakins and GM Craig MacTavish, where they explained the reasons behind the decision to go with Ryan Hamilton instead. Whether or not he agrees with the reasons, says Jones, is irrelevant.

“It doesn’t really matter, the decision has already been made. But I’m not going to go down to OKC and be a pain, be a bad person. I want to work hard, I want to be a leader, I want to have fun playing hockey. That’s the most important thing. And play well enough to get back in the NHL.

“It may or may not be for the Oilers, but at this point I have to be a little selfish in the sense that it doesn’t matter. I want to play in the NHL. That’s what I’m going to set my mind to.”

Jones was hoping his days with the Oilers were over when they placed him on waivers, but at this time of the year, with rosters full and healthy, pick-ups are rare.

“Any time you go on waivers you’re hoping to get picked up, then you’re still in the NHL,” he said, adding there is no set timetable for his return. “They want me to play some hockey, get a little bit of confidence. It could be three games, it could a year, you never know. It’s not up to me at this point.”

Eakins said before training camp even began that age, experience and contracts would have no bearing on who made the final roster. In a decision that reverberated through the whole organization, he backed it up with the decision to go with Hamilton instead of an established player who’d been here for three years.

“The decision-making process is up to the players,” said Eakins, adding Jones wasn’t where they wanted him to be. “There’s different layers of that, there’s toughness layer, a penalty killing layer, all kinds of different thoughts that go into it.”

Not that Jones was too far off, but close doesn’t count when it comes to winning hockey games.

“I didn’t think he had a horrible camp,” said Eakins. “He’s missed a lot of hockey, coming off a big time (eye) injury. I think it takes some time to get your game back, get comfortable on the ice. I fully expect Ryan Jones to play games for us this season and it could be sooner rather than later.”

He also fully expects everyone in an Oilers sweater to earn that right, every night.

“The challenge is constantly coming,” said Eakins. “Even your top players, you want them getting challenged. You want somebody nipping at their heels. And you want this team in Oklahoma City to be pushing our guys, letting our guys know that they’re coming, they want their ice time.

“If you’ve got the push coming from below, and you have your top guys pulling from the top, your organization can get good really fast.”


718252 Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers sign Tim Thomas, get new owner

By George Richards

[email protected]

ESTERO -- The Panthers will not only go into their 20th anniversary season with a new owner, but with a new goalie as well.

Stanley Cup champion goaltender Tim Thomas made his Panthers debut on Thursday by starting a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning a few hours after signing a one-year deal with the team.

Thomas, 39, started and played half the game played about a 90-minute drive from the arena he will, for now at least, call home.

The Panthers lost 3-2 in overtime.

“It felt good for being the first time in a game-like atmosphere for 15 months,” said Thomas, who made nine saves and left midway through the second with the Panthers holding a 2-1 lead at Germain Arena.

“I think it was a necessary step for me. I thought it was good not to wait. We’re running out of preseason games. I feel ready now.”

Thomas had been in camp on a professional tryout, although word was he was waiting on the transfer of ownership from Cliff Viner and a large group of investors before signing. General manager Dale Tallon said the two-week window on Thomas’ tryout closed Wednesday as a deal was reached.

The one-year contract — which carries a base salary of $2.5 million but a cap hit closer to $4 million based on incentives — was approved by the NHL a few hours before Thomas took the ice.

“He battles on every shot, every drill,” Tallon said. “This is great for our team, great for him and great for our goalies.”

Thomas comes to the Panthers with plenty of expertise, hardware and some baggage that most of his teammates say they couldn’t care less about.

“I think this is exciting,’’ goalie coach Robb Tallas said. “... He makes big saves at the right time. The players here are excited about that.”

Thomas, who became a free agent in July, reported to Panthers’ training camp on Sept. 16 in good shape and will likely be Florida’s opening ni ght starter in Dallas on Oct.3.

Florida is expected to start the season with Thomas and Jacob Markstrom as its two goalies with Scott Clemmensen going to the minors on a rehab assignment. After that, however, the Panthers have to decided who Florida’s second goalie will be.

Clemmensen will be paid $1.2 million this season whether it’s in Florida or with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate in San Antonio. Markstrom, 23, has spent parts of the past three seasons in San Antonio but took over the starting duties in Florida when Jose Theodore was injured last March.

“We want the best goalies,” Tallon said. “Inner-competition is great for the success of a team. Let them battle it out.”

Thomas and the rest of his new teammates will be back at the BB&T Center in Sunrise for practice Friday morning. That workout will follow the introductory news conference of new owner Vinnie Viola.

Viola is spending at least $230 million for the franchise and the operating rights to the Broward County-owned BB&T Center in Sunrise. The Panthers have a lease with the county to occupy the arena until 2028.

According to sources close to the deal, Viner — who had been the Panthers’ sole general partner since 2010 — will not continue to own a piece of the team but will remain involved with the Panthers’ charitable organization.

Florida’s multitude of local investors — which include the likes of H. Wayne Huizenga, Alan Cohen, Bernie Kosar, Mike Maroone and Jordan Zimmerman — are also said to have been bought out.

Viner, who declined comment via e-mail until the sale is complete, isn’t expected to attend Friday’s news conference.

“Cliff leaves the franchise much better than how he found it,” coach Kevin Dineen said. “He leaves us on solid ground and heading in the right direction.’’

• Jonathan Huberdeau’s two goals Thursday night weren’t enough as Tampa Bay got one from Nikita Kucherov with 55 seconds left in overtime to send the Panthers (2-1-3) to their fourth consecutive exhibition loss.

Miami Herald LOADED: 09.27.2013


Tim Thomas signs 1-year deal with Panthers

By TIM REYNOLDS

AP Sports Writer

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Tim Thomas is officially back in the NHL.

The Stanley Cup-winning goalie signed a one-year contract Thursday with the Florida Panthers, a move that was expected for several days. Financial terms were not released.

The 39-year-old Thomas took last season off, then decided he was ready to return to hockey.

His signing is part of a busy week for the Panthers. The team will introduce Vincent Viola as its new owner on Friday, a person familiar withi the situation told The Associated Press.

Thomas has played in 378 NHL games, all with Boston. He's stopped 92 percent of the shots he has faced, with a 2.48 goals-against average. He led the Bruins to the 2011 Stanley Cup.



AP Source: Florida Panthers sold to NY businessman

By TIM REYNOLDS

AP Sports Writer

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Vincent Viola grew up in Brooklyn, graduated from West Point, is a former chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange and after the Sept. 11 attacks founded a center devoted to combating terrorism.

He's now the new owner of the Florida Panthers, said a person familiar with the situation.

Viola will be introduced in that role Friday after paying $250 million to buy the NHL franchise, the person said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms have not been made public. The Panthers scheduled a Friday news conference to discuss ownership, but confirmed no other details.

Completing the sale will have an immediate effect on the on-ice product, at least in one respect. The move cleared the way for the team to complete the signing of two-time Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas, a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender who took last season off before deciding that he wanted to return. The Panthers announced Thursday evening that Thomas signed a one-year deal.

Thomas has been with the Panthers on a tryout deal, and it was believed that the team was waiting for the ownership change to be completed before wrapping up his signing.

"Tim is a proven winner who we are pleased to have signed," Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said. "He is a fierce competitor who brings to our club a wealth of experience including a Stanley Cup Championship, two Vezina trophies and a Conn Smythe. He is a hardworking, driven and dedicated individual who will help our club achieve future success."

Viola will replace Cliff Viner, a longtime Panthers fan who became a co-general partner of the team in 2009 and took over as general partner, chairman and CEO the following year.

"I know the parties are working very hard on a transaction and they're going to try to consummate it as quickly as possible," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said earlier this week.

Viola is the chairman and CEO of Virtu Financial, an electronic trading firm with offices in the U.S., Singapore and Ireland. He's buying a franchise that has been to the playoffs only once since 2000 and finished with the fewest points in the NHL last season.

Viola graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1977, was a major in the U.S. Army Reserves and is a graduate of New York Law School. He's also long been involved with philanthropic projects and is a past winner of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

In 2003, he founded and helped fund the creation of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.

Thursday was a busy day for the Panthers. In addition to the Thomas signing, the Panthers also announced that Stanley Cup winner John Madden has joined the franchise as a pro scout. Madden was part of Florida's Southeast Division title-winning team in 2012.



GOOD START: Tim Thomas Makes Florida Debut, Cats Lose in OT (Again)

George Richards

ESTERO, Fla. -- The Panthers will not only go into their 20th anniversary season with a new owner, but with a new goalie as well.

Stanley Cup champion goaltender Tim Thomas made his Florida debut on Thursday by starting a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning a few hours after signing a one-year deal with the team.

Thomas, 39, started and played half the game across Alligator Alley from the arena he will, for now at least, call home. The Panthers lost 3-2 in overtime to the Lightning.

"It felt good for being the first time in a game-like atmosphere for 15 months,'' said Thomas, who made nine saves and left midway through the second with the Panthers holding a 2-1 lead at Germain Arena.

"I think it was a necessary step for me. I thought it was good not to wait. We're running out of preseason games."

The one-year contract -- which carries a base salary of $2.5 million but a cap hit closer to $4 million based on incentives -- was approved by the NHL a few hours before Thomas took the ice.

"He battles on every shot, every drill,'' general manager Dale Tallon said. "This is great for our team, great for him and great for our goalies. They get to watch how he works, how he prepares. You see how he's a champion. That's a very important thing.''

Thomas comes to the Panthers with plenty of expertise, hardware and some baggage that most of his teammates say they couldn't care less about.

"I think this is exciting,'' goalie coach Robb Tallas said. "He walks around with a confidence but he also enjoys the game. He always has a smile on his face. He makes big saves at the right time. The players here are excited about that.''

In 2011, Thomas had a season to remember. Not only did he lead the Boston Bruins to their first Stanley Cup championship in almost 40 years, but he was named the MVP of the postseason in doing so. Thomas also won his second Vezina Trophy -- given to the NHL's top netminder -- that season.

Thomas played well the following year although his stay in Boston suddenly ended after a tumultuous 2011-12 season. The problems all started after Thomas skipped the Bruins' trip to the White House citing a personal conflict with how the government was being run.

The attention given to Thomas' snub -- as well as political posts through social media -- was said to be a distraction in the Boston locker room. When the Bruins were knocked out in the opening round of the 2012 playoffs, Thomas said he would sit out the next season.

Thomas reported to Panthers' training camp on Sept. 16 in good shape and could be Florida's opening night starter in Dallas on Oct. 3.

"I feel ready now,'' Thomas said.

Florida is expected to start the season with Thomas and Jacob Markstrom as its two goalies to start the season with Scott Clemmensen going to the minors on a rehab assignment. After that, however, the Panthers have to decided who Florida's second goalie will be.

Clemmensen will be paid $1.2 million this season whether it's in Florida or with the Panthers' AHL affiliate in San Antonio. Markstrom, 23, has spent parts of the past three seasons in San Antonio but took over the starting duties in Florida when Jose Theodore was hurt last March.

"We want the best goalies,'' Tallon said. "Inner-competition is great for the success of a team. Let them battle it out.''

Thomas and the rest of his new teammates will be back at the BB&T Center in Sunrise for practice Friday morning. That workout will follow the introductory press conference of new owner Vinnie Viola.

Viola is spending at least $230 million for the franchise and the operating rights to the Broward County-owned BB&T Center in Sunrise. The Panthers have a lease with the county to occupy the arena until 2028.

According to sources close to the deal, Viner -- who had been the Panthers' sole general partner since 2010 -- will not continue to own a piece of the team but will remain involved with the Panthers' charitable organization.

Viner was praised by both Tallon and coach Kevin Dineen as a hands-off owner. Despite being a huge fan of the team, Viner hired Tallon and assistant general manager Mike Santos in 2010 and allowed them to do their jobs.

Florida's multitude of local investors -- which include the likes of H. Wayne Huizenga, Alan Cohen, Bernie Kosar, Mike Maroone and Jordan Zimmerman -- are also said to have been bought out.

Viner, who declined comment via e-mail until the sale is complete, isn't expected to attend Friday's press conference.

"Cliff leaves the franchise much better than how he found it,'' Dineen said. "He leaves us on solid ground and heading in the right direction. Tomorrow is a new day but you have to acknowledge where you've been. He made a commitment to step up and put people in place he thought could get the job done.''

Thursday's game -- Lightning 3, Panthers 2 (OT): Jonathan Huberdeau's two goals weren't enough as Tampa Bay got one from Nikita Kucherov with 55 seconds left in overtime to send the Panthers (2-1-3) to their fourth straight exhibition loss. Three of those four losses have come in overtime.



THOMAS SIGNS, PANTHERS SOLD: Sunrise has New Goalie and New Owner

George Richards

ESTERO, Fla. -- The Panthers officially added Stanley Cup champion goaltender Tim Thomas by signing the 39-year-old to a one-year deal on Thursday.

Thomas was in camp on a professional try out which expired on Wednesday with the two sides negotiating the contract -- which the NHL approved on Thursday afternoon.

Thomas started Florida's preseason game at Germain Arena later that night, making saves on all five shots faced in the opening period against the Lightning.

Thomas led the Boston Bruins to their first Stanley Cup championship in almost 40 years in 2011 -- winning postseason MVP honors as well as the Vezina Trophy as the league's top netminder.

After a tumultuous 2011-12 season, one in which Thomas skipped the Bruins' trip to the White House, Thomas left the Bruins and didn't play last season.

Thomas reported to Panthers' training camp in good shape and will likely be Florida's opening night starter in Dallas on Oct. 3.

Tallon said that Thomas' contract is "incentive laden." Thomas will get a base salary of $2.5 million although his cap hit is closer to $4 million because of various incentives.

Thomas was scheduled to make $3 million in the final year of his deal with the Bruins last year -- although he would have made closer to $2 million had he played because of the NHL's lockout-shortened season.

"I loved watching him practice every day,'' Tallon said. "He battles on every shot. This is great for the team, great for him and great for our goalies. They

see how he works, how he prepares. You can see why he's a champion. That's a very important thing."

-- The Panthers will introduce Brooklyn's Vinnie Viola will be introduced as the team's owner at a press conference Friday morning at the BB&T Center in Sunrise.

Viola is believed to have spent $230 million for the franchise and the operating agreement for the Broward County-owned BB&T Center. Florida has a lease with the county through 2028.



Viola set to acquire Panthers for $250M

By Craig Davis, Staff writer

3:21 a.m. EDT, September 27, 2013

New York businessman Vincent Viola will attempt to transfer his winning touch on Wall Street to the NHL after he takes the reins as owner of the Florida Panthers on Friday.

Viola, former chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange, is purchasing the Panthers for $250 million in a deal that includes the operation of the BB&T Center, a source familiar with the transaction confirmed. A 10 a.m. news conference is scheduled at the arena.

The impact of the ownership change has already resonated with the signing Thursday of veteran goalie Tim Thomas to a one-year contract.

The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has been working with the Panthers on a tryout basis. Panthers coach Kevin Dineen indicated earlier that he hadn't used Thomas in an exhibition game because his contract and the ownership deal hadn't been finalized.

Viola, a Wall Street power broker and former minority owner of the New Jersey Nets before the NBA franchise moved to Brooklyn, is buying out the group headed by South Florida businessman Cliff Viner that took ownership in 2009.

Viner gained control as general partner of the Panthers and the arena operation in July 2010, with minority partners including Stu Siegel, Alan Cohen and original owner H. Wayne Huizenga.

"I'm very grateful for him bringing me in here, and I think Cliff leaves the franchise much better than he found it, on solid ground and heading in the right direction," Dineen said Thursday.

"[Friday's] a new day but you always acknowledge where you've been and where you are now. [Friday] will be about where we're going in the future."

Although ownership of the arena will remain with Broward County, in addition to the team Viola will gain control of Sunrise Sports & Entertainment and the Arena Operation Company that oversees all events. The team's lease runs through 2028.

Viola, chairman and CEO of Virtu Financial, has launched a number of successful businesses. He graduated from West Point, served in the 101st Airborne Division and was instrumental in founding the Combating Terrorism Center following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

His next challenge is to inject vitality into a franchise that has struggled on the ice and at the gate. The impending purchase has brought indication that a payroll boost is coming with the arrival of Thomas, who helped the Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup before sitting out last season.

Forward Brad Boyes, who had 35 points in 48 games for the Islanders last season, and veteran defenseman Tom Gilbert were also brought in on a tryout basis and may be signed to complement the Panthers' core of young talent.

Defenseman Brian Campbell, whose inherited $56 million contract was approved by Viner, was appreciative of the outgoing owner and excited about what the change may foretell.

"I'm excited because he's already put a little stepping-stone into it," Campbell said referring to Thomas' decision to come here based on the incoming owner.

"New blood, new energy. I don't think it could hurt. You come in and you're spending that much money you want to have success, and the players in the locker room want that, too."

Viola will become sole owner. While his net worth is listed as $35 million by CelebrityNetWorth.com, the source said that report is way off, that the new owner has assets "north of a billion."

The Panthers were valued at $170 million last year by Forbes magazine, which is the price the Phoenix Coyotes sold for recently. The New Jersey Devils subsequently sold for a reported $300 million, including operating rights to the Prudential Center.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 09.27.2013


Panthers sign goalie Tim Thomas to one-year deal

By Harvey Fialkov Sun Sentinel

1:11 p.m. EDT, September 26, 2013

On the eve of the Panthers changing ownership in an effort to secure a brighter future for the franchise, they took a huge step in improving the present by signing two-time Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Tim Thomas to a one-year deal.

Thomas, 39, who has been in training camp on a professional tryout basis after taking last season off to renew his passion for hockey, started Thursday night against the Lightning in Germain Arena, home of the Florida Everblades, about 100 miles west across Alligator Alley from the BB&T Center.

“I love watching him practice every day,’’ Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon said before the game. “He battles on every shot. It’s great for the team, great for him, great for our goalies to watch him how he works and prepares.You could see why he's a champion.’’

The deal is worth between $2 to $3 million because it’s dependent on several performance incentives.

The Panthers were last in the NHL last season, and last in goals allowed, so they chose not to re-sign free-agent goalie Jose Theodore. Backup Scott Clemmensen, 36, is in the final year of his contract and is coming off a poor, injury-plagued season (3-7-2 with a 3.67 goals-against-average). He underwent another knee procedure before training camp began and is expected to start the season on injured reserve or rehabbing in San Antonio with the AHL affiliate.

Jacob Markstrom, 23, the longtime projected goalie of the future, may have to wait another year or two before taking over the Panthers’ net. Thomas is expected to mentor the 6-foot-6 Swede through example of his ferocious work ethic. Markstrom, who was 8-14-1 with a 3.12 goals-against-average last season in his first prolonged NHL stint, is on a two-way deal, so the Panthers would save more than $900,000 if .

“Lessons learned,’’ Tallon said of Markstrom. “He’s a good young goalie. We’re not giving up on him at all. This is good for everybody involved. He’ll help us lead in the right direction. … [Thomas] is a great student of the game and it will rub off on everybody.’’

Thomas wasn’ t the only Panther making their delayed preseason debut as forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Kris Versteeg shook off more than five months of rust after recovering from hip and ACL surgery respectively.

It didn't take long for Huberdeau to make his presence known as he tipped in a long rebound of a blast from defenseman Tom Gilbert to give Florida a 1-0 lead at 5:36 of the first period.

A few shifts later Thomas flashed his Stanley Cup championship form by stoning Lightning great Martin St Louis on a breakaway.

Thomas has played in 378 career NHL contests, all with Boston, posting a 196-121-45 all-time mark with a 2.48 GAA and a .921 save percentage.

He led the Bruins to the 2011 Stanley Cup Championship, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy, posting a 16-9-0 post season record with a 1.98 GAA, a .940 save percentage and four shutouts. He is a four-time National Hockey League All-Star (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012).

Mottau clears waivers

Veteran defenseman Mike Mottau cleared waivers and will report to San Antonio. ...

Dineen wants to take a longer look at forward Bobby Butler, so he's suiting up tonight while forwards Quinton Howden, Scott Gomez and Joey Crabb bag skated after morning skate so they will sit out. Also, defenseman Matt Gilroy won't play tonight.



Panthers' $250M sale includes arena operations

By Craig Davis Sun Sentinel

7:05 p.m. EDT, September 26, 2013

The sale of the Florida Panthers to New York businessman Vincent Viola, which will become official Friday, is for $250 million and includes the operation of the BB&T Center.

A source with knowledge of the transaction confirmed the sale price first reported by TSN of Canada.

The ownership change will be announced at a 10 a.m. Friday news conference at the arena in Sunrise.

It was reported last week that Viola, a Wall Street power broker and former minority owner of the New Jersey Nets before the NBA franchise moved to Brooklyn, would purchase the Panthers from the group headed by South Florida businessman Cliff Viner that took ownership in 2009.

Although ownership of the arena will remain with Broward County, in addition to the team Viola will gain control of Sunrise Sports & Entertainment and the Arena Operation Company which oversees all events.

Finalizing the ownership change paved the way for the signing of veteran goalie Tim Thomas, who signed a one-year contract Thursday. Panthers coach Kevin Dineen indicated earlier that he hasn’t yet played the veteran in an exhibition game because his contract and the ownership deal hadn’t been finalized.

Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon siad Thomas' deal was worth between $2 million and $3 million.

Thomas, who helped the Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup before sitting out last season, had been working with the Panthers on a tryout basis, as have forward Brad Boyes, who had 35 points in 48 games for the Islanders last season, and veteran defenseman Tom Gilbert.

Viner gained control as general partner of the Panthers and the arena operation in July 2010, with minority partners including Stu Siegel, Alan Cohen and original owner H. Wayne Huizenga.

“I’m very grateful for him bringing me in here and I think Cliff leaves the franchise much better than he found it, on solid ground and heading in the right direction,’’ Dineen said. “Tomorrow’s a new day but you always acknowledge where you’ve been and where you are now. Tomorrow will be about where we’re going in the future.’’

Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell, whose inherited $56 million contract was approved by Viner, also thanked him for his generosity.

“I’m excited because he’s already put a little stepping-stone into it,’’ Campbell said referring to Thomas’ decision to come here being based on the incoming owners and financial stability. “New blood, new energy. I don’t think it could hurt. You come in and you’re spending that much money you want to have success, and the players in the locker room want that, too.

“It makes me pretty excited for the season knowing we have good leadership excited to help us.’’

Viola will become sole owner. While his net worth is listed as $35 million by CelebrityNetWorth.com, the source said that report is way off, that the new owner has assets “north of a billion.”

The Panthers were valued at $170 million last year by Forbes magazine, which is the price the Phoenix Coyotes sold for recently. The New Jersey Devils subsequently sold for a reported $300 million, including operating rights to the Prudential Center.

Panthers defenseman Ed Jovanovski, who has two years remaining on his four-year, $16.5 million contract that was also approved by Viner, knows new owners translates into more money available for free agents.

“As players you have to be excited,’’ said Jovanovski, who’s expected to start the season on injured reserve while recovering from hip surgery. “The last ownership was a good guy; Cliff was a generous guy who probably wanted to move on. We got some enthusiasm coming in and as players you got to be excited about that.

“Anytime you’re involved in an ownership you’re writing checks and players are definitely appreciative of that, but for whatever the reason might be – I know it but you don’t want to say it – it comes to a point where it’s tough on a lot of people. But to have someone coming in, a new face who has a plan, has ideas, we’re interested and excited to meet him for sure.’’


718260 Los Angeles Kings

NHL is hoping for a picture-perfect setting at Dodger Stadium game

By Helene Elliott

September 26, 2013, 8:09 p.m.

Just picture it.

Palm trees sway and dusk darkens the San Gabriel Mountains as officials prepare to drop the puck for the first outdoor NHL game in California. The Kings and Ducks line up for the historic moment while fans at Dodger Stadium and a national TV audience admire the gorgeous backdrop and marvel at the technology that allows a hockey rink to be plunked down across the infield.

Fans in shorts and tank tops roar their approval. It's a triumph for the league and Commissioner Gary Bettman, who has ditched his corporate pinstriped suit for a colorful Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops to fit the relaxed atmosphere.

Weather permitting, all of that will come to pass shortly after 7 p.m. on Jan. 25 — except the part about Bettman going casual.

"You'll probably see me dressed the way you always see me," a typically buttoned-up Bettman said Thursday, "but it will be great to be here and it will be very exciting. This is going to be a very different experience but it's going to be very Southern California and that's going to make its own tradition, its own fun, and its own enjoyment for the people that live here."

Bettman led a group of league and team executives to Dodger Stadium on Thursday to promote the event, the NHL's first outdoor game scheduled outside a cold climate. The NHL owns two portable rinks that can be set up almost anywhere; the key difference here is the ice will be covered during daylight hours and workers will do the necessary grooming from 6 or 7 p.m. until 6 or 7 a.m., when temperatures are coolest. Evening temperatures in Los Angeles in January are usually in the high 40s and low 50s.

"Every day is a new challenge," said Dan Craig, the NHL's ice guru. "You walk in here and see what Mother Nature hands us."

Portable barriers were set out Thursday to approximate what the scene will look like. It was startling to see a hockey rink in the middle of a baseball field, an image the brain needed a few seconds to process on a day of warm breezes and Dodger-blue skies.

"Dodger Stadium is beautiful," Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said, "and to have the first hockey game and be a part of that game here will be an amazing experience for me."

The teams will get to practice there the day before. There will be only one rink — no auxiliary rink, as has been built for other outdoor games. If conditions make the ice unsafe — unlikely because outdoor games have

been played elsewhere in rain and in 60-degree temperatures — the game would be played on Jan. 26.

Stan Kasten, the Dodgers' president and chief executive officer and a former executive of the Atlanta Thrashers, was immediately on board the outdoor-game bandwagon when he had been approached by Luc Robitaille, the Kings' president of business operations.

"I couldn't say yes fast enough," said Kasten, who said he'd wanted to bring an outdoor game to Washington while he was president of baseball's Nationals.

Kasten joked that in seeing the configuration of the rink Thursday, he realized how great a visionary former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley had been.

"We all know that he built possibly the most closely perfect baseball venue with the greatest possible sightlines to watch a baseball game," Kasten said. "Until today we didn't know he also invented a stadium that had absolutely the best possible sightlines to watch a hockey game."

Kasten also said he had no fears the field might be damaged by the rink or the pipes required to keep the ice frozen. It's not like having the field torn up by a monster truck rally.

"We've had those," Kasten said, "so I know we can have a hockey game."

This won't be just any hockey game. It will be a spectacle and marketing event too, with references to California culture and the growth of hockey here on the youth and professional levels.

"It's going to be great. It's going to be so different," said John Collins, the NHL's chief operating officer. "We typically have done the cold and the little rinks and sort of the iconic look of a winter festival. We've got the guys already laying out some ideas on how to fit this game into Southern California."

Which means no sledding or NHL-branded hats and mittens. "But you may see sand and you may see some other Southern California touches," Collins said.

Like flip-flops? But not on Bettman. Asked if warm-weather games are the wave of the future, he smiled. "I'll let you know," he said, "on Jan. 26."



Dustin Brown is confident he will play in Kings' opener next week

By Lisa Dillman

September 26, 2013, 7:24 p.m.

With the Kings heading off to the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas, for two exhibitions, it almost seemed appropriate to ask a percentage-based question.

Kings captain Dustin Brown continues to improve in his recovery from a hamstring injury … so what are the chances he will be in the lineup for the season opener Thursday against Minnesota at Xcel Energy Center?

"If you ask me — 100%. Barring no setbacks," Brown said Thursday after practice. "If you ask me today: Will I be playing in Minnesota? Yeah."

Said Kings Coach Darryl Sutter: "As long as he continues to go forward, he will be."

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick will play Friday against the New York Rangers, and it appears Sutter is leaning toward having goalies Ben Scrivens and Mathieu Garon split time Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche.

Defenseman Jake Muzzin (tweaked knee) won't play Friday and Sutter said they would wait to see in regard to Saturday.

Brown planned to stay behind in Los Angeles on Thursday and said he would be a game-time decision for Saturday's game. He practiced with the main group Wednesday and Thursday, his first sessions since he suffered a hamstring injury on Sept. 12, the opening day of training camp.

You might say Brown has had a dizzying day or so. His wife, Nicole, gave birth Wednesday afternoon and all are doing well. After practice, Brown had said one of his three sons suggested his sister be named, "Roger."

"A 5-year-old's imagination, I guess," Brown said. Later on Twitter, he said the baby girl's name was Mackenzie.

And the handing-out-of-cigars ritual seems to be a thing from a previous era. "I don't know if we have enough guys that smoke cigars," Brown said. "I don't."

He knows one thing, however. They are stopping at four children.

"This is it. You can put that on the record," Brown said. "I'm done."

Stock rising

Sutter gave considerable insight into upcoming roster moves when asked about the performance of defensemen Keaton Ellerby and Jeff Schultz in camp.

The Kings placed defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk on waivers and if he goes unclaimed Friday morning, he heads to the Manchester (N.H.) of the American Hockey League.

It became clear from Sutter's comments that Ellerby, who was acquired in a trade with the Florida Panthers in February, will be staying around. The Kings signed Schultz as a free agent in July after he was bought out by the Washington Capitals.

"Keaton's had a great camp," Sutter said. "Very, very good. Jeff's been a guy that's had to adjust to how we play. I said before, it's not easy for a guy to come from the East to the West, first off.

"There's big adjustments between teams, not just in getting to know players but big adjustment in terms of style of play and in terms of responsibility in certain parts of the game."

This sounded a bit like what Sutter said last season when Ellerby was making the adjustment to the Western Conference.

"Keaton has been a guy, quietly, even last year … he played left side and right side and he's an important guy," Sutter said.

"It's probably been on record — guys we are going to need — and obviously we can't play them all. At the same time, they're important players on our team."



Dodger Stadium quotes: Robitaille, Carter, Penner

Staff Writer

Luc Robitaille, on his first conversation with Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten:

Well, that was before their big winning streak, so I didn’t want to bother him too much. I just said to him, I said, ‘What do you think about playing an outdoor game?’ He goes, ‘That would be great!’ I was like, ‘It’s that easy?’ I couldn’t believe it. He goes, ‘Get with my guy! We’ll get it done.’ So we went and met here, and we tried to figure out the right date and what made sense. At first, we were thinking it would be the Sunday, but then everybody realized it would be the Grammys. So now it will be the night before, which I think is great for L.A. It’s the same weekend as the Grammys. Everybody’s going to be in town, so I think it’s going to be absolutely incredible.

Robitaille, on his memories of growing up and playing pond hockey:

I would have loved to play in this game. I think for a player, any time you have an opportunity to play in big events – because sometimes when you’re a player, you know it’s special, you know it’s great. But it’s when you retire you remember, you go, ‘Man, I was there when it happened. This is the first outdoor game in Southern California. It might never happen again here. This is certainly something special, and I think that’s why our fans that we hear are buying tickets, everybody’s talking about the fact that they’re going to be a part of a historic moment.

Robitaille, on any disappointment over the lack of an alumni game:

You know, if you look at our schedule – and our team’s playing that Thursday – so they’re not able to practice. We would have loved to have an alumni game, but we’re not going to play during the day because we want to make sure we cover the ice. At night, we have to have our teams practice here. Both teams are going to practice. We’ve got to give time a little bit with their families. So it would have put an alumni game at 9:30, 10:00 on Friday night, and we’ve got to make sure the ice is perfect for the next day. So it didn’t make sense.

Robitaille, on what type of questions the players have been asking:

They haven’t asked any questions – they’re just happy to be a part of it. They think it’s going to be something amazing. I think as a player, you love to be a part of those big events. Our guys, obviously playing last year in the playoffs, and the year before in the finals, they’re part of big games and big events, so this is something because of the way they played and what they’ve accomplished, we’re able to do this now.

Robitaille, on the LAKI report that ticket sales had been moving along at a “record clip,” and whether that surprised him:

I’m not surprised. I believe in L.A. I’ve always believed in this market, and probably more than most people because I was here when Gretz came, and I saw what happened. And then you see what happened with our team the last couple of years. Before we won the Cup, we made the playoffs a couple years, and we were selling out almost every game. Now we’re going to sell out every game this year. I believe in this market. I know we have a lot of great hockey fans. But in this town, you’ve got to compete. You’ve got to win, and you’ve got to be part of the top teams. People will follow you, because this time wants winners.

Robitaille, on whether he would “push Gary for a Winter Classic” should expectations for the game be exceeded:

Yeah. I’ve been bothering Gary for five years for this game, so I’m not going to stop. I believe in the Kings. I believe in L.A. Yeah, we’re always going to push for the next thing. For sure we think we’re going to exceed our expectation, and we know it’s going to be a huge success. Then, after that, we’ll go to the next step. But for us, once the game starts we’ve just got to win the game and get the two points and beat the Ducks.

Robitaille, on whether ticket sales will be available for the general public:

We don’t know yet. We’re still analyzing everything because the Dodger fans will get a few. We’ve got to go back to some of our premium seats. So hopefully there’s a few left that we can go to our fans and then make a few available, because we have a lot of Kings fans. We have a lot of hockey fans here that we know. We want to do something special for all the kids that play hockey, too.

Robitaille, on the “chatter” that a beach setting was at one point considered:

Actually, with Tim Ryan of the Ducks, we’ve had talks about it that if it could be on the beach, but it was more in the sense that it would be a preseason game. We know if you’re going to do an outdoor game, it needs to be big. Like, we never looked at another stadium. We really thought Dodger Stadium was the place to be. It’s an iconic stadium. It’s special. It’s something that you can only do it once, but it’s certainly something absolutely incredible, and if you’re going do to this here, it had to be here.

Robitaille, on what he remembers of the hype and execution of the 1991 outdoor game in Las Vegas:

Well, it was fun for us because it was a preseason game…and there was huge buzz around it. I think we had 10 or 11,000 seats and it was sold out. It was absolutely incredible. The one thing that was funny for us was everybody talked about the ice, and the only reason they had some issue about the ice – they had it covered during the day, and the guy before the end of the day, he put the cover, the tarp down on the ice. So that’s what kind of melted the ice. So they cranked it back up. We started about a half-hour late and we never had a problem with the ice. The one thing that was funny was over there there were these grasshoppers that would jump on the ice and then suddenly freeze. So the players, we kept seeing this, and we thought it was the weirdest thing.

Jeff Carter, on how he feels about playing in front of a crowd of over 50,000 people:

It’s going to be great. Everything I’ve heard, it’s going to be filled up. It shows the way the game has grown here in Southern California, and the

fans that both teams have. I think speaking for our team, the guys are real excited to get the game underway. It’s going to be a great one.

Carter, on whether he has ever had a Dodger Dog:

I have. [Reporter: So maybe a pre-game meal?] I might have to save those for after the game.

Carter, about playing in the Winter Classic:

I played in Fenway Park when I was with the Flyers…Same deal, just a little warmer.

Carter, on his initial thoughts about when the event was first announced:

The guys were talking about it with the trainers and whatnot. We had kind of heard about it for a little while. When it officially got announced, the guys were excited. It’s not too often that you get to do something like this. I know now they’re doing it a little more. But, still, every time you get to play outdoors in front of this many fans, it’s exciting. [Reporter: It’s obviously not until January, but it is in the front or back of your mind? Do you think about it at all?] Yeah. I mean, we talk about it. With it being in California, it’s a little bit of the unknown with the weather and stuff like that, how it’s going to be. But I’m sure the staff that’s working here is going to do a great job in getting the ice top notch for us, and it should be good.

Carter, on whether the outdoor setting “will take away the intensity” of the game:

Absolutely not. As I said earlier, I’ve played in one before, and it was intense. There’s a lot of battles, a lot of hitting and whatnot. It’s a huge game for both teams. It’s a huge game for the league. The guys realize that. It almost bumps the intensity up, because everybody wants to win that game, you know?

Dustin Penner, on his initial reaction to learning that he’d be playing in an outdoor game:

How the ice was going to be. I mean, it means less and less as it gets closer to the game, because it’s more about the venue and the historical precedent it’s going to set.

Penner, on what it means to be able to bring “pond” hockey to Southern California:

Everybody’s going to remember where they were when they played this game. It’s a special feeling, I think. It’s one of those things where after playing the game you’ll realize that one, five, 10 years down the road that you were a part of that. It’s going to make a nice picture frame on a mantle for the guys.

Penner, on how “strange the transition” has been in rejoining Anaheim, and whether he feels like a “windshield wiper hockey player”:

Better than a grocery stick, where you just stand and separate the forwards from the D. It’s been interesting. I started my career with the Ducks, so there are a lot of memories that you can’t replace being on the Kings, because that was my first introduction into professional hockey. Winning a Cup and then going to LA and being a part of a tradition that spans 45 years, winning a Cup there and seeing the support we got. Obviously both teams have gotten great support, have had great teams and players come through the roster. The rivalry continues to build.

Penner, on what his walk-out song would be if he played for the Dodgers:

Probably the Pina Colada song. [Reporter: Why?] I don’t know. Matt Greene used to always play that in Edmonton when we’d play together and we’d sing it all the way to the rink.

Penner, on whether it’s “weird” to “turn on and off” the emotions towards the rivalry from both sides:

It’s different. Even when Doughty hit me last game, I was like, ‘You know, that could have happened in practice.’ It’s a different feeling personally, and even when I played against the Ducks last year, it’s something you have to learn to turn off and just look at his jersey instead of the name on the back.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 09.27.2013


September 26 practice quotes: Dustin Brown

Jon Rosen

So, Dustin Brown raised a few eyebrows last night with what was perceived as a vague, mysterious tweet.

Not to worry, Kings fans! There’s good news…

Err…

A warm congratulations goes out from all LA Kings Insiders to Dustin and Nicole Brown and the Brown Family. Mackenzie Brown is Dustin’s fourth child and first daughter.

On his newborn baby daughter:

It was shocking. My wife thought it was a boy for sure. We didn’t find out, which is the way to go, I think. Most people I think find out nowadays. It’s no fun that way. I think my wife was really shocked. We were calling it ‘him’ even this morning. It still doesn’t have a name yet, so we’ve got to find a name. [Reporter: Any names that you’re leaning towards?] I think it’s down to Mackenzie or Ella…[Reporter: The Kings tweeted Ella Rose was the name.] Yeah, it might change. That’s because Nicole, my wife, put it on Facebook, and then she’s like ‘I don’t know’ after she did it. [Reporter: Last minute scratch?] Kings will have to put out the typical ‘Sorry, my account’s been hacked.’ [Reporter: How’s mom doing?] She’s doing good. Both are doing good. [Reporter: How big is she?] She was seven pounds, 11 ounces. [Reporter: How does that compare to the boys?] She was bigger than all of them…[Reporter: So is this it?] This is it. No, this is it. You can put that on the record. I’m done. [Reporter: So do the guys still do the cigar thing, or is that just a cliché?] Not here. I don’t know if we have enough guys that smoke cigars in here. I don’t.

On testing his hamstring at practice:

It’s good. I mean, I got into a bit of contact drills today. It felt fine.

On whether he’ll be able to play this weekend:

Yeah, I mean, I’m going to probably skate Saturday morning. I’m not going to travel with the team just to get my wife and daughter home and settled, and I’ll probably jump on a plane for Vegas. I’ll probably skate Saturday and probably make a call [on] how I feel after, but today I felt pretty good.

On getting ready for the season, and whether he’s “mentally” ready:

Yeah, I mean it’s always exciting this time of year for players, especially I kind of missed out on the first part of camp, and this is probably when it gets more exciting, especially for a team like we have that’s a bit older. I shouldn’t say ‘older,’ but a more experienced team. You get down to the last couple preseason games, they feel more like regular seasons. You’re playing full NHL lineups most nights, and when you have a team with the personnel and with the internal expectation that we have in here, it’s always exciting this time of year. It was exciting…five, six years ago this time of year when we weren’t contenders for a Cup every year, so that changes things when you’re capable of playing deep into a year, and you just want to get started as a group of guys. You just want to get started.

On another compacted schedule:

You’ll probably hear a lot about it from teams that aren’t playing well. Every team kind of has to deal with it, so it’s who manages it best…West and east is probably the biggest difference, but we’re also not fighting [for] playoff spots against those teams, so the majority of the teams have a pretty comparable schedule here in the Western Conference. Again it’s about how you manage it.

On what realignment and the balanced schedule means to him:

As a player, I like it from the standpoint of we get to play some other teams. Quite honestly, playing the Ducks in Game 66 for the sixth time in five weeks, I mean we play them so much as it is. To be able to play in every building is pretty cool, I think for a player. I mean, there are some buildings – this will be my 10th year, and I’ve only played in some buildings once. [Reporter: Like where?] Pittsburgh – I’ve only played in there once. MSG – I’ve only played there once or twice…But that’s 600, 700 games, and I’ve only played in some of these buildings once or twice, which as a player, it comes down to the Ducks and the Coyotes. They’re always intense games, but sometimes it’s nice not to know every single person on the other team and get to see other players around the team.

On whether it was “weird” to see Dustin Penner in a Ducks jersey:

Well, I’m sure it will be more. I mean, I didn’t play in either game, so it’s a little different. I’m sure to some degree it’s like playing in the Olympics or World Championships when you see a teammate when you play with. I mean that’s probably even a little more weird, because you’re still teammates with a guy. [Reporter: So you’ll have a little extra for Doughty this time around?] Obviously, he got the better of me last time, but I did beat him twice one-on-one, so I can just keep telling everyone that.

On how the end of last season affects the team heading into the current season:

Well, I think getting knocked out – I said this last year – you don’t understand what you’ve really lost until you’ve done it. So winning it in 2012 and getting knocked out in 2013 was much worse than it was getting knocked out previously. As a group of guys, I think we’re well aware of what we’re capable of doing, for one, and two, I think a lot of guys remember that plane ride home from Chicago. It’s a pretty motivating feeling. [Reporter: Was it just silent on the plane?] You know, a lot of guys talk. Generally not about hockey, quite honestly, because you’re right in the mix of playoffs, and you’re ‘hockey, hockey’ all the time and focusing. It’s almost a bit of a decompression. You’re not celebrating by any means, but it’s more or less just talking about other things than hockey, which at that time of the year – it’s like when we got one, and everyone just wanted to talk about hockey, and all the players probably just wanted to not talk about it.

On the percentage he would place on playing in the October 3 season opener:

If you ask me, a hundred percent, barring no setbacks. If you asked me today, ‘Would I be playing in Minnesota?,’ Yeah. If we keep on progressing the way it’s going.



September 26 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter

Posted by JonRosen on September 26, 2013

On Dustin Brown’s assessment that he’ll be ready for opening day, and whether Thursday’s practice represented a step forward:

Yeah. I mean, every day is a step forward. I just haven’t talked to [Head Athletic Trainer Chris Kingsley] yet, so we’ll just wait. It’s still two days away.

On Jake Muzzin:

Muzzin will travel with us, and we’ll just see. He won’t play tomorrow, but we’ll see on Saturday.

On what he’s looking for from Pearson, Vey and Toffoli this weekend:

No, get ‘em in a game. I mean, they’ve had good camps. I haven’t been dissatisfied with any of the guys that are still here. Even the boys that went yesterday – Forbort and Shore, for boys that came out of school and had to put the work in this summer in terms of what was expected, they did a really, really good job. Both of them.

On the nature of the discussions with players that are reassigned:

Those two guys are first-year pros. Learn to be good pros. It’s not many guys that go right to the NHL without at least two years in the American League. That’s a good thing. Obviously they’re disappointed on being sent down, but not disappointed at anything else.

On Keaton Ellerby and Jeff Schultz:

Keaton’s had a great camp. Very, very good. And I think Jeff’s been a guy that’s had to adjust to how we play, and I said it before. It’s not easy for a player to come from the east to the west, first off, and then to adjust there’s big adjustments between teams. Not just in getting to know players, but big adjustments in terms of style of play, in terms of responsibilities in certain parts of the game where we expect. [Reporter; It’s almost what you said about Keaton last year, really. It’s almost the same thing coming over from Florida.] Yep. Real similar. Keaton has been a guy, though, that quietly – even last year – he can play left side and right side, and he’s an important guy. I think it’s probably been on record where we’ve said how many guys

we’re going to need. Obviously we can’t play them all, but at the same time they’re important players on our team.

On whether the team is where he wants it to be:

We’re where we want to be. I think camp broke up in terms of preseason how we could break camp into almost three different stages, so the game with Anaheim the other night, and now these two again on the road are sort of the final part of our camp, so yeah, we’re real happy with camp.

On his preseason plan for Jonathan Quick, and whether he’ll play in Las Vegas:

That didn’t change. Go into camp with a plan for your goaltender and then minutes you want him to play. [Reporter: Any idea of which game he’ll play?]He’s playing tomorrow. [Reporter: How about on Saturday?] He’s not playing Saturday. [Reporter: Is there a plan of who will play Saturday?] No. Two guys are here. Either both of them are going to play, or one of them is going to play. He needed two full games and two periods of another game, and he’s sharp. So he’ll be ready. He just needs the game condition, and one more game is good for him.

On the chances of Dustin Brown playing on opening night:

Well, as long as we continue to go forward, he will be. [Reporter: If all goes well?] Yeah.



Bodnarchuk placed on waivers

Posted by JonRosen on September 26, 2013

Andrew Bodnarchuk has been placed on waivers, per Tim Wharnsby of CBC.

On waivers today: Ott – Cowick, O’Brien, Eckford, Lawson; Mtl – Tarnasky, St-Pierre, Blunden; LA – Bodnarchuk; SJ – Petrecki …

— Tim Wharnsby (@WharnsbyCBC) September 26, 2013

It will be learned by Friday morning whether he is claimed by another NHL team.

Bodnarchuk signed a one-year contract with the Kings in July, 2012. The mobile 5-foot-10, 189 pound defenseman appeared in five games with the Boston Bruins in 2009-10 and recorded an AHL career-high 20 points (5-15=20) with the Manchester Monarchs in 2012-13.

For those with Twitter accounts, he is certainly worth a follow.


718266 Minnesota Wild

Wild notes: Next days crucial for Zucker and Granlund

Article by: RACHEL BLOUNT , Star Tribune

Updated: September 27, 2013 - 12:37 AM

With two roster cuts yet to make, Wild coach Mike Yeo said Thursday he still is not certain who will stay and who will go. His comments after practice, however, made clear his current feelings about forwards Jason Zucker and Mikael Granlund.

A day after saying he “wasn’t crazy” about Zucker’s play in a 3-1 preseason victory over the St. Louis Blues, Yeo said the winger needs to “get more engaged.” He also lauded Granlund, who has missed the past two games because of a minor injury. Granlund will play in Friday’s preseason finale at St. Louis, while Yeo said there is a very good chance that Zucker will be in the lineup as well.

Yeo wouldn’t characterize the game as a head-to-head competition between Granlund and Zucker for a roster spot. He did say it would be an important night for lots of players trying to make an impression, including two youngsters trying to stake their claims.

“He just wasn’t really much of a factor in the game,” Yeo said of Zucker, who saw limited minutes Wednesday, mostly on the fourth line. “I thought he was losing races to pucks, and that shouldn’t happen with his speed. He’s got to be more involved. It’s not an easy thing to do against a team like St. Louis, but you’ve got to be a factor out there.”

Zucker has played three of the five preseason games and sat out four days of camp after injuring his groin in the preseason opener. He did not use the missed time as an excuse and said he must go all-out in Friday’s game.

“There’s no other way,” Zucker said. “It’s nobody’s fault but myself. You’ve got to go out and perform.”

Granlund has drawn praise throughout training camp, and Yeo said he had “another great day” Thursday.

The coach especially liked what he saw from Granlund during work on the power play, when he was teamed with Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter.

“It’s a good dynamic with the three of those guys,” Yeo said. “You’ve got big bodies, guys that are good around the net, and you’ve got a puck distributor [Granlund] who sees the ice really well and can shoot it, too, if there’s a lot of room. It was fun watching them.”

Mitchell moving up?

Forward Torrey Mitchell spent much of last season on the Wild’s fourth line, where he was part of a very effective trio. During the preseason, Mitchell has played on both the third and fourth lines and is the Wild’s third-leading scorer with a goal and two assists in four games.

Yeo said he particularly likes what he has seen from Mitchell as the third-line right wing, with center Kyle Brodziak and left wing Matt Cooke. “You can tell he’s motivated,” Yeo said. “And I know [Brodziak and Cooke] like playing with him, too. They’ve been a good fit. There’s no guarantees we’re going to continue to go like that, but I certainly feel comfortable if we do.’’

Star Tribune LOADED: 09.27.2013


Wild's Backstrom and Harding put health concerns behind them

Article by: RACHEL BLOUNT , Star Tribune

Updated: September 27, 2013 - 12:34 AM

Wild goalies Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding came to camp prepared to put health issues behind them.

The circumstances couldn’t have been more different, but the effect was the same. Niklas Backstrom hobbled off the ice during warmups for the Wild’s playoff opener against Chicago last April, with a sports hernia that would bench him for the entire postseason. Josh Harding, who played in his stead, had missed much of the regular season because of symptoms related to multiple sclerosis.

Both Wild goaltenders were stunned last season by health issues, causing a slow start for Harding and a premature end for Backstrom. Both returned to training camp healthy, strong and eager to start fresh. And with the preseason schedule ending Friday in St. Louis, both said they are happy with their progress — a feeling echoed by their coaches.

Backstrom played his finest game of the preseason Wednesday, stopping 33 shots in a 3-1 victory over the Blues. Harding has surrendered two goals on 40 shots in a pair of road victories and is among the NHL’s preseason leaders in goals-against average (1.14).

After signing a three-year, $10.25 million contract extension last summer, Backstrom, 35, figures to remain the Wild’s primary goaltender. Harding, 28, got back on track with solid performances in the playoffs and said he is prepared to handle any role the team gives him.

“Having two quality goaltenders in this league, you need that,” coach Mike Yeo said. “You need a guy who’s going to go out and win games for you on

a consistent basis, but that’s not enough. You need two guys you can play, whether it’s because of an injury, whether it’s to provide rest, or whether it’s because [one] has the hot hand. We have that.”

Yeo said Backstrom looked quick, big and in control Wednesday, boosting the team’s confidence as well as Backstrom’s. After having surgery in May to repair his sports hernia, he was off the ice for about six weeks. A smooth and relatively speedy rehabilitation left him plenty of time for his usual offseason routine, Backstrom said, including his cherished rest-and-recharge period in his native Finland.

That was particularly important after a season in which Harding’s absence caused a steep increase in his workload. Backstrom played 42 games and led the league with 24 victories.

He returns this season a happy man, delighted to extend his career in a city he has come to call a second home. “Injuries just happen, and you have to live with it,” said Backstrom, the franchise’s career leader in seven categories, including victories (141) and games played (281). “It was a lot of work in the summer, but it went pretty fast, and I feel good.

“I was really hoping it would work out for me to stay here. We have good chemistry in the locker room and a great bunch of guys, with a good mix of experienced players and younger players. My focus is the same. I’m just working to be a better goalie every day.”

Harding also said he feels great. Over the summer, he did yoga to increase his flexibility and worked on his conditioning and core strength.

It remains uncertain how much Harding will play this season, but he said he will accept whatever role the Wild defines for him. “I know my body now, and I know what’s going to work,” said Harding, who spent two months on injured reserve last season as he adapted to medication. “I’m excited for the season. It doesn’t matter if it’s me out there playing or if it’s me on the bench; whatever I can do for this hockey club, that’s what I’m willing to do.”

Goalie coach Bob Mason said Harding appears strong and rested, and he has seen no lingering effects from Backstrom’s injury. Even the small details in their games, he said, have been on target.

“They’ve both looked sharp in camp from Day 1,” he said. “Everyone is very pleased.”



Wild Thursday practice: Zucker on notice

Posted by: Rachel Blount under Wild practice, Wild training camp Updated: September 26, 2013 - 3:23 PM

Rachel Blount here, sitting in for Russo. After stating his disappointment with the play of Jason Zucker in Wednesday's victory over St. Louis, Wild coach Mike Yeo didn't back off of his assessment. And it doesn't help Zucker's cause that Yeo also continued to rave about Mikael Granlund, who impressed the coach in Thursday's practice.

Both young forwards could play in Friday's preseason finale at St. Louis. Yeo stopped short of characterizing it as a head-to-head competition between Zucker and Granlund for a roster spot, but it feels that way.

Wednesday, Zucker got limited ice time, most of it on the fourth line. Granlund sat out a second game with a minor injury but looked strong and sharp in Thursday's practice, particularly during special-teams work.

Yeo said after practice that he had not talked to Zucker yet, but he planned to let him know what he wants to see from him. "He's got to get more engaged,'' Yeo said. "I thought he was losing races to pucks, and that shouldn't happen with his speed. He just really wasn't much of a factor in the game. He's got to be more involved. That's not an easy thing to do against a team like St. Louis, but you've got to be a factor out there.''

The rematch against St. Louis, Yeo said, will be a big game for both Zucker and Granlund, as well as for a few other players. Two more players will be cut before the season begins a week from today on Thursday, Oct. 3.

Zucker clearly knows the stakes. "I've got nobody to blame but myself,'' he said.

Granlund will definitely play Friday, Yeo said. Regarding those final cuts, he said, "I seriously don't know where we're going yet.'' But he noted again his happiness with how Granlund has performed during camp and was especially pleased to see how well Granlund worked with Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter on the power play in Thursday's workout.

"It's a good dynamic with the three of those guys,'' Yeo said. "They're working well. You've got big bodies, guys that are good around the net, and you've got a puck distributor (Granlund) who sees the ice really well and can shoot it, too, if there's a lot of room. It was fun watching them.''

Yeo also was glad to see a stout performance from Niklas Backstrom in goal Wednesday. Goalie coach Bob Mason said both Backstrom and Josh Harding are showing no lingering effects from their health issues of last season, and he is pleased with what he's seen from them in camp. More on that in Friday's paper.



Wild goalies Nik Backstrom, Josh Harding resume healthy competition

By Chad Graff

[email protected]

Posted: 09/26/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT | Updated: about 6 hours ago

Minnesota goalie Niklas Backstrom uses his pad to deflect a St. Louis shot in the second period of an exhibition game against the Blues at Xcel Energy Center. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

It didn't hit Josh Harding until Thursday morning, midway through the Wild's morning practice.

Harding was talking with goalie coach Bob Mason and Niklas Backstrom when it dawned on them how long the three have been together. Mason is entering his 12th season with the Wild, Harding his ninth and Backstrom his eighth.

Along the way, the two goalies have gotten to know a thing or two about each other -- and most importantly, they've built a competition for minutes between the pipes.

"It's a healthy competition," Harding said. "I'll be the first one to cheer for (Backstrom), and he'll be the first one to cheer for me."

For the first time since the 2011-12 season, the two appear headed for a healthy competition, in the literal sense.

Harding missed 2-1/2 months of the 2013 season while trying to get his medication in check for his multiple sclerosis. A few days after he returned, Backstrom was hurt during warmups for the Wild's first playoff game in five years. The injury forced him to sit out the playoff series against the Blackhawks and then undergo sports hernia surgery in the offseason.

Coach Mike Yeo said he can't remember what was going through his head after Backstrom, who had played in 27 of the team's final 28 regular-season games, was hurt loosening up on the ice in Chicago.

"We didn't have much time to feel sorry for ourselves. We just had to move on," Yeo said.

Harding filled in as well as the team could have hoped. Even after the playoff series loss, though, the Wild's goaltending situation wasn't clear.

Backstrom was a restricted free agent, and there were few No. 1 goalies available on the market.

Backstrom, 35, is a man of routine. The rehab from his surgery was a blessing in disguise, he said; it kept him from obsessing about his status in free agency.

"It's not like you're thinking about it every day, but for sure I'm a guy who likes to plan everything and know everything," Backstrom said. "And when you don't really know where you're going to play the next year, or what's going to happen, for sure that's on your mind. But on the other hand, I was just off surgery and I was recovering from that, so I could focus on that."

This season, Harding and Backstrom are in line to split starts. How many starts each might make, Harding said, likely will be based on performance.

After spending part of his summer raising awareness and funds for MS through his charity Harding's Hope, the 29-year-old Harding is focused on his game. He said he wants to focus on hockey and not to talk about his experience with MS, which he was diagnosed with a year ago.

Backstrom is the second-oldest Wild player, and the team is counting on Harding to take starts from Backstrom, keeping the No. 1 goalie fresh down the stretch.

"It's big for us," Yeo said. "Having two quality goaltenders in this league, you need that. We all know you need the starter. You need a guy who's going to go out and win games on a consistent basis. But that's not enough. You need two guys that you can play whether it's because of an injury or to provide rest ... whether it's because he's got the hot hand, you need two capable goalies, and we have that.

"So Harding, as far as we're all concerned, is continuing where he left off at the end of last year, and that's a great sign."

Where Harding left off last season was the playoffs, during which he had a .911 save percentage and 2.94 goals-against average in five games against the eventual Stanley Cup champions.

Harding said he had forgotten how much fun playoff hockey was. Those games made him hungrier, he said, and kept him focused throughout the summer. For a backup goalie, that's the biggest task, he said -- staying focused and ready for a shot.

"My role is to do whatever I can do to help this team win," Harding said. "If that's on the bench, if that's me in the net, I'll do it. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win."

Pioneer Press LOADED: 09.27.2013


Wild: Jason Zucker, Mikael Granlund fighting for roster spot

By Chad Graff

[email protected]

Posted: 09/26/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT | Updated: about 6 hours ago

The battle for the Wild's last roster spot will come down to the final preseason game Friday.

Jason Zucker and Mikael Granlund are battling for the final position, with Nino Niederreiter and Justin Fontaine the two other players on the fence. One of them probably won't be with the team for the Oct. 3 opener.

"I seriously don't know where we're going yet," coach Mike Yeo said. "But Granlund had a good camp, and Zucker missed a lot of time. He had the one good period in Columbus. It's a big game for Zucker; it's a big game for Granlund, for sure. It's a big game for a lot of guys, but more importantly it's a big game for our team. We've got to make those decisions, but this game is also about us, too."

Granlund, who missed the past two preseason games because of an upper-body injury, said he feels healthy.

Yeo said he's not going to juggle lines Friday night as much as he did Wednesday night, when he rotated them freely. But he will give Granlund and Zucker an extended look.

He said he felt Zucker didn't play well Wednesday.

"He's got to get more engaged," Yeo said. "I thought he was losing races to pucks, and that shouldn't happen with his speed. He just really wasn't much of a factor in games. He's got to be more involved. That's not an easy thing to do against a team like St. Louis, but you've got to be a factor out there."

Zucker, who seemed the likely choice as the second line's right wing when camp opened, now has to impress coaches Friday to make the team.

"It's nobody's fault but myself, and I have to be ready to go (Friday)," Zucker said. "For me, there's no reason to do anything easy."

Granlund seems to have the upper edge on Zucker despite the missed games. Yeo said he likes how Granlund distributes the pick on the power play with Charlie Coyle and Niederreiter, both of whom can finish. Zucker, on the other hand, is more of a goal scorer.

"I feel good," Yeo said. "I think we're getting there. It's going to be a work in progress even once the season starts. We're not where we need to be, but I like the direction we're going."

Pioneer Press LOADED: 09.27.2013

718271 Montreal Canadiens

Price, Gionta key Habs' preseason win over Senators

Staff Writer

MONTREAL — The Canadian Press

Published Thursday, Sep. 26, 2013 10:34PM EDT

Last updated Friday, Sep. 27, 2013 1:54AM EDT

Brian Gionta’s back, and he feels like he didn’t miss a beat.

The Canadiens’ captain, in his first game since leaving last year’s playoffs with a biceps injury, ended the night with an assist and three shots on net in Montreal’s 3-1 preseason win over Ottawa.

“I felt great,” said Gionta. “Everything was good. I felt like my timing was pretty good. I’m happy.”

Globe And Mail LOADED: 09.27.2013


In the Room: Canadiens’ Daniel Brière enjoying extra space behind nets

By Pat Hickey, THE GAZETTESeptember 27, 2013

MONTREAL — Daniel Brière had a great night at the office.

The office, in this case, is the area behind the opposition’s net and that’s where Brière was working as he set up a pair of goals to help the Canadiens defeat the Ottawa Senators in Montreal’s final pre-season game Thursday night at the Bell Centre.

There’s a little more room behind the net this year because the nets themselves are shallower. That might have played a role in the Canadiens’ first goal as Brière found Alex Galchenyuk in front of the net.

“I haven’t paid much attention,” Brière said when asked about the shallow nets. “It’s very possible that the pass might have hit the old nets. It could be good for me because it’s an area where I like to play. When there’s a turnover and we get the puck behind the net, there’s going to be an opportunity to do something.”

Max Pacioretty said he has thought about the extra room and he said it suits his game.

“When you get to the corner, you have a little bit of extra space to get around the D-man,” said Pacioretty. “I like to play down low and go around the defenceman.”

While the extra space would seem to favour forwards, goaltender Carey Price said he liked the change because he is good at covering the bottom of the net. That doesn’t surprise Brière.

“He’s big and he moves really well,” Brière said of Price. “There are goalies that are very comfortable when the play is behind the net and he seems to be one of them.”

Brière is the newcomer on a line with Pacioretty and David Desharnais. He noted that he’s the outsider and must adjust to his linemates. But he told The Gazette’s Brenda Branswell Thursday that he enjoys playing in the system.

“I welcomed it,” Brière said of the high intensity, in your-face style. “I love the system. You get to use your speed a lot more. It’s a lot of read and react out there. That’s what I like. You’ve got to see and take what’s given. And also, whenever you don’t have the puck, you’re chasing it. You’re always on it. You’re relentless. I think it suits well to the way I play the game.”

Pacioretty, who was the beneficiary of Brière’s second assist, said he feels Brière has already made the adjustment.

“It’s no secret, he’s had so much success in this league,” said Pacioretty. “Sometimes, players need a change in scenery and I know he’s motivated and it’s a pleasure to play with him. You see that he has such patience out there and he makes things happen.”

The game marked captain Brian Gionta’s first exhibition appearance and he said he didn’t feel any ill effects from off-season biceps surgery. He played 15:46 and picked up an assist on a goal by Tomas Plekanec.

“I had no problem with my timing or my wind,” said Gionta.

“We played well for five or six shifts and then we had a letdown for the rest of the first period and the start of the second,” said Gionta. “Then we started playing our game and being more physical and we reversed it. It’s nice to get the win, but we still have things we have to work on.”

After the game, coach Michel Therrien announced that defenceman Nathan Beaulieu and forward Gabriel Dumont were being assigned to Hamilton, and he said that Jarred Tinordi and Michael Bournival will start the season on the 23-man roster. But the coach was coy when he said he didn’t know whether they would play and there could be some changes over the weekend. The Canadiens won’t practice Friday, but will return to the ice in Brossard at 9:30 Saturday morning.718273 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens wrap up pre-season with win over Senators

By Pat Hickey, THE GAZETTESeptember 26, 2013

The skinny: The Canadiens brought a rookie-laden lineup to Ottawa Wednesday night and the Senators took full advantage as they posted a 5-2 win. The Senators returned the favour Thursday night as they arrived at the Bell Centre with a lineup that included 14 players who spent some time last season with the AHL Binghamton Senators. That should have given a veteran Montreal lineup a huge edge, but the Canadiens were outshot 30-25 and needed to come from behind for a 3-1 win.

The captain returns: Brian Gionta made his first appearance of the exhibition season, playing on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Rene Bourque. They combined to give the Canadiens their first lead at 18:06 of the second period. Gionta corralled the puck behind the net and set up Plekanec, who beat Craig Anderson from a sharp angle to snap a 1-1 tie.

On the bubble, part one: After missing most of training camp with a shoulder injury, Nathan Beaulieu needed a monster game to have any chance of starting the season in Montreal. After a strong effort in his exhibition debut Wednesday, Beaulieu was merely ordinary in the rematch and he was assigned to Hamilton along with forward Gabriel Dumont.

On the bubble, part two: Michael Bournival, who has been the offensive surprise of the camp, helped his cause with another strong game. He didn't make the scoresheet, but he had a team-leading four shots on goal and won all four of his faceoffs. Coach Michel Therrien said after the game that Bournival will stay in Montreal if the team keeps 23 players.

An assist for the net: The NHL adopted shallower nets this season in hopes of giving offensive players more room to move around and to make it easier for wraparound attempts. But veteran Daniel Brière showed that there is another advantage to the smaller nets when he set up Alex Galchenyuk for the Canadiens’ first goal. The smaller net provided Brière with extra room to make the pass. Brière worked his magic again midway through the third period when he came from behind the net and found Max Pacioretty for a 3-1 lead.

Price keeps busy: Carey Price turned in his strongest performance of the preseason as he made 29 saves. Cory Conacher gave Ottawa a 1-0 lead when he scored on a scramble in front of the net.

What’s next: The regular season is up next and the Canadiens will start at home Tuesday against their longtime rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Senators have two more exhibitions games and they are both scheduled for Sunday. The opening night lineup will play the New York Islanders in Ottawa, while both teams will send their scrubs to Barrie for what will amount to an AHL exhibition.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 09.27.2013


Canadiens’ Greg Pateryn takes demotion in stride

By BRENDA BRANSWELL, THE GAZETTESeptember 26, 2013

MONTREAL — It was a disappointed but philosophical-sounding Greg Pateryn who headed back to Hamilton Thursday, one of eight players at the Canadiens’

training

camp who were reassigned to the Bulldogs.

“It’s obviously just disappointing, but it’s part of the process,” Pateryn said.

“I think they noticed that I worked on some things and I got better. And there’s a difference between the player I was last year and this year. So I’m glad that they were able to notice that,” he added.

“But there’s still things that I need to work on to be a full-time NHL defenceman. And I think I’ll be able to really utilize this time in Hamilton, get some good minutes in and just dominate down there.”

It was Pateryn’s first main training camp in the National Hockey League. The Canadiens acquired the 6-foot-2 Michigan native’s rights in the 2010 trade that sent forward Mikhail Grabovski to Toronto. The Maple Leafs drafted Pateryn, now 23, in the fifth round at the 2008 draft, 128th overall.

Pateryn, a stay-at-home defenceman who plays a physical game and tries to keep things simple, played four preseason games for the Canadiens and felt good at the beginning of camp.

“I think I kind of found myself on my heels a little bit toward the end of it, trying to stay away from making mistakes when at the start of it I was just playing more of my game,” he said. “And I think I kind of got away from that a little bit.

“I think that’s something that I’ll be able to work on, too, is being more consistent and just getting some confidence back down there. And hopefully if they need a guy to come up, I can translate that into the NHL.”

Coach Michel Therrien noted early on during training camp that Pateryn’s skating and skills had improved a lot since last year.

“So a year of professional (hockey) really helped him. We could tell this year at camp,” Therrien said after the Canadiens’ first preseason game on Sept. 15.

Pateryn said he worked on his skating in Hamilton last season and a lot this summer.

“Skating has never really been the strongest suit in my game, so that was something I needed to work on,” he said.

Pateryn met for an exit meeting on Thursday with Therrien and Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin.

“They told me what I needed to work on. I felt the same way,” Pateryn said. “I think we’re all on the same page as far as where I am and what I need to do, and what I need to do to stay there.”

Short little passes and being confident are things they want him to work on, he said.

Bulldogs head coach Sylvain Lefebvre and assistant coach Donald Dufresne are both former NHL defencemen.

“Being able to pick up stuff from them is huge,” Pateryn said.

“Sylvain is a really good coach. He sees the game really well. He’s very good at analyzing what you’re doing wrong and what you’re doing right, and very good at helping you work on those little things.”

Last season was Pateryn’s first with the Bulldogs. A fractured elbow kept him out of the lineup for three months, but he played well when he returned to the Bulldogs’ lineup in February and also played three games for the Canadiens.

He reports to the Bulldogs’ training camp Friday morning.

“I think it will be good for me to be down here and work on some things that I need to just so the next time I do get called up, I’ll be able to play with that confidence and just not worry about making mistakes.”



Tinordi and Bournival to start season with HabsjpgPosted by Brenda Branswell

Staff Writer

The Canadiens finished off their preseason campaign on a high note with a 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

They also made

training

camp roster moves on Thursday, reassigning 10 players to the Hamilton Bulldogs, including Nathan Beaulieu and Gabriel Dumont.

Michaël Bournival and Jarred Tinordi will be part of the 23-man roster that starts the season, Coach Michel Therrien said.

“I can’t confirm that those young kids are going to be there for the first game, but they’re going to be with the 23-man roster,” Therrien said.

It looks like forward George Parros, who underwent rotator cuff surgery in May, might be ready for the Canadiens’ season opener on Tuesday at the Bell Centre against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“We hope that he’s going to be ready to play the first game,” Therrien said.

“We’re crossing our fingers that he’s going to be there.”

The Habs’ final preseason game marked the return of captain Brian Gionta, who underwent surgery in May to repair a torn biceps tendon. He picked up an assist on Tomas Plekanec’s goal in the second period.

Therrien said he liked what he’s seeing of the line centred by David Desharnais with Max Pacioretty and Danny Brière, who picked up assists on Galchenyuk’s and Pacioretty’s goals.

After the morning skate in Brossard Thursday, Brière said playing the Canadiens’ system hasn’t been a big adjustment for him.

“I welcomed it. I love the system. You get to use your speed a lot more. It’s a lot of read and react out there. That’s what I like. You’ve got to see and take what’s given,” Brière said.

“And also, whenever you don’t have the puck, you’re chasing it. You’re always on it. You’re relentless. I think it suits well to the way I play the game.”



Pateryn, Thomas, Blunden among eight players reassigned to Bulldogs

Posted by Brenda Branswell

September 26, 2013

The Canadiens are also sending forwards Christian Thomas, Michael Blunden, Patrick Holland, Martin St-Pierre and Nick Tarnasky back to the Bulldogs.

The Habs will have defenceman Nathan Beaulieu and Michaël Bournival in the lineup for the team’s final preseason game Thursday night at the Bell Centre against the Ottawa Senators (7:30 p.m., RDS, TSN Radio 690). Beaulieu, the Canadiens’ first-round pick at the 2011 draft, played his first preseason game Wednesday night against the Senators in Kanata after suffering a shoulder injury early in training camp.

Defenceman Jarred Tinordi, who has played all of the Habs’ preseason games, won’t play Thursday night.

With the latest cuts, the Canadiens now have 27 players left at training camp.

Thirteen players – all veterans with the exception of Gabriel Dumont - skated in Brossard Thursday morning. The group included defenceman Douglas Murray, who has been out with a lower-body injury. He won’t be playing in Thursday’s game but expects to be “ready and available” for the Canadiens’ season opener Tuesday at the Bell Centre against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Here’s the Habs’ lineup for Thursday night’s game:

Peter Budaj

Carey Price

Nathan Beaulieu

Josh Gorges

Francis Bouillon

Raphael Diaz

P.K. Subban

Andrei Markov

Brian Gionta

Brendan Gallagher

Tomas Plekanec

Rene Bourque

Alex Galchenyuk

Travis Moen

Daniel Brière

David Desharnais

Ryan White

Max Pacioretty

Lars Eller

Michaël Bournival


718277 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators' Ryan Ellis entering critical season

Sep. 26, 2013 |

Josh Cooper

The Tennessean

UPCOMING

Preseason

• Friday: at N.Y. Islanders, 6 p.m.

Regular season

• Oct. 3: at St. Louis, 7 p.m.

• Oct. 4: at Colorado, 8 p.m.

• Oct. 8: Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Asked if this is a make-or-break season for him, Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis is practical in his talk and laid-back in his demeanor.

“It’s obviously the last year of my contract, so I’d love to have a big year,” he said with a shrug. “But right now, I’m focused on the next game.”

There’s more than a new contract riding on the 2013-14 season for the 22-year-old blueliner, who was Nashville’s first-round pick in 2009. The Predators hope Ellis — a big-time scorer in junior who has only 17 points in 64 NHL games — can find a more consistent offensive flow. If he can’t, his future with the franchise comes into question.

“He’s not gifted with size. You want to be as strong and as fast as you can to give yourself some separation,” coach Barry Trotz said. “Last year he concentrated so much on defending and there wasn’t much offense out of him. Just a healthy balance is what I need.”

When Ellis left juniors after the 2011-12 season, he was just one of three Ontario Hockey League defensemen to record more than 300 points in his career. The other two were Rick Corriveau and Hockey Hall of Fame player Denis Potvin.

While the Predators often try to shield their players from expectations, it was hard to believe that Ellis wouldn’t contribute offensively in some way as a professional.

Instead, the bigger, stronger players in both the American Hockey League and NHL, proved a tough transition for the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder. Along with his low point totals with Nashville, he has notched only 32 points in 61 games with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals.

And at his size, if Ellis doesn’t score, his effectiveness with the Predators is limited, since he doesn’t play in defensive situations or the penalty kill.

In part to help Ellis, this offseason the Predators hired former NHL defenseman Phil Housley as an assistant coach. Housley was also listed at 5-foot-10 during his playing career, which he finished with 1,232 points.

During the summer, Housley visited with Ellis and said he talked with him about, “trying to get last year out of his system.”

“So far the things we talked about, he’s tried to execute them,” Housley said. “You see it in his play, I think he’s playing with some confidence.”

The points have yet to come in the preseason. Through four games, Ellis has one assist and an even rating. While it’s hard to judge players based on exhibitions, when lineups often are mismatched, Ellis simply needs to score to prove his worth.

“I think I’ve been good; the first game not so good. It was a tough camp and the travel wasn’t too good,” Ellis said. “The last two games I’ve started to feel really comfortable, and I think our defense pairings are starting to line up and be really effective.”

Hornqvist injured: The Predators list forward Patric Hornqvist (lower body) as day-to-day.

He was injured during Wednesday’s game at Washington and is one of three forwards out of the lineup, along with Filip Forsberg (lower body) and Viktor Stalberg (shoulder).

Preseason finale: After two days of practices and team-building activities at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the Predators conclude their preseason schedule on the road today against the New York Islanders.

Tennessean LOADED: 09.27.2013

718278 New Jersey Devils

Devils Earn 4-1 Preseason Win Over Flyers

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: September 26, 2013 at 9:41 PM ET

NEWARK, N.J. — Damien Brunner, Steve Bernier, Dainus Zubrus and Michael Ryder scored and the New Jersey Devils beat the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.

Brunner got the scoring going at 6:31 of the second period when he tipped a back-door pass from Ryane Clowe behind goalie Steve Mason.

Bernier gave the Devils a two-goal lead when he scored 67 seconds later. Bernier was open long enough to tap his stick and ask Andrei Loktionov for a pass.

Mason made the initial save, but Bernier shoveled the rebound behind him.

The third goal came with 5:56 left in the second period when Zubrus tipped in a wrist shot from defenseman Adam Larsson.

Cory Schneider stopped all nine Flyers shots he faced through two periods. He wasn't even supposed to play. Martin Brodeur was scheduled to get the start, but flew to Montreal where his father, Denis Brodeur, Sr., died at age 82.

Matt Read scored for the Flyers, a short-handed goal with 8:51 left in the game. He beat goalie Keith Kinkaid on a breakaway.

Ryder added an empty-net goal with 1:27 remaining.

Kinkaid finished with three saves on four shots. Mason made 21 saves on 24 shots.

New York Times LOADED: 09.27.2013


Devils' Ryane Clowe shows he can set up goals as well as score them

Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger


Who knew Devils winger Ryane Clowe was such a slick a play maker?

The big winger, signed as a free agent this summer, has impressed his teammates with his passing, including a perfect center pass that led to a Damien Brunner goal tonight against the Flyers.

“Zaj and Clowe made two really nice passes. I just went hard to the net and put my stick on the ice,” Brunner said of his first goal for the Devils.

Coach Pete DeBoer said it shouldn’t be surprising that Clowe has the ability to create chances.

“In San Jose he always played with good players. If you’re going to play on the wing with Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau, you have to be able to make a play,” DeBoer pointed out. “For a big man he can do that. That’s why he’s good on the power play.”

The Clowe-Travis Zajac-Brunner line looks like a winner, but DeBoer isn’t sure he’s going to keep it together.

“I don’t know yet. We’re trying different combinations,” DeBoer said. “It’s going to depend on who we can get back healthy and who we have available to us over the next 4-5 days.”

That sounds like Jaromir Jagr might figure into the mix, not to mention the fact that Patrik Elias (a scratch tonight for maintenance) has played exceptionally well alongside Brunner.

The Devils, who lost winger David Clarkson in the offseason, like what they see in Clowe.

“He’s a good player,” Zajac said. “Big, strong. He’s got really good hands and he really can make plays. He does a lot of things well. Just the way he plays he’s going to fit in well in our system.”

The feeling is mutual.

“Trav is great to play with,” Clowe said. “He’s just so smart. He’s always in the right position supporting you. I like the way we’re playing. I like the style we play here—very aggressive, in-your-face. I’m enjoying it. I know it’s

preseason but we had close to a full lineup tonight and we did what we had to do.”

Clowe also spoke highly on Brunner.

“Probably his strongest asset is his speed. He creates a lot of speed through the middle of the ice,” Clowe said. “Even on that goal when Trav gave it to me, I didn’t realize Bruns got behind him so quick. That’s his speed that beat the D-man back door. He’s very creative.”

After missing some time in camp with a lower body injury he suffered Sept. 16 against the Rangers, Clowe is pleased he has quickly found his form.

“When I got injured that first shift I was actually a little worried,” he admitted. “With the injury I just had to rest. For two or three days I wasn’t doing much. When I decided I could play I was kind of nervous.

“I have to say the last couple of games I felt really good. My legs felt really good and I’m moving my feet, all stuff I have to do as a big guy. I definitely feel I’m ready, probably the best I’ve felt in a while on the ice.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 09.27.2013


Devils haven't ruled out starting Cory Schneider in season opener



With Martin Brodeur in Montreal following the death of his 82-year-old father, Denis, Devils coach Pete DeBoer hasn’t ruled out the possibility of starting Cory Schneider in the regular-season opener in Pittsburgh Oct. 3.

“I’m going to see how Marty feels and what his obligations are over the next few days and go from there,” DeBoer said after tonight’s 4-1 preseason win over the Flyers at Prudential Center.

Schneider, who allowed one goal in 200 minutes during the preseason, stopped 79 of the 80 shots he faced. The only goal he allowed was a power play goal in Philadelphia Tuesday night.

But Schneider said he hasn’t been told he will replace Brodeur as the starting goalie against the Penguins.

“I don’t know. We haven’t gotten that far,” he said. “It was just for today. We’ll see what happens going forward.”

DeBoer, whose club finished the preseason 4-2-0, said family matters over the last few days undoubtedly impacted Brodeur.

“I think it has to,” the coach said. “He’s a consumate pro. He handles everything on the face of it very well, but I think something like that has to affect you.”

DeBoer said the Devils knew what they were getting when they traded with Vancouver for Schneider.

“We knew he was a world-class goaltender when we traded for him,” DeBoer said. “His numbers in the preseason are obviously outstanding. I don’t know if I would’ve predicted that, but I think he’s come as advertised. We knew he was very good and he is.”

Virtually unbeatable in the preseason.

“The results kind of say one thing but I think personally there were some things I could’ve done better,” Schneider insisted. “Handling the puck, some rebound stuff I could’ve cleaned up. I felt a little better tonight catching pucks and making sure they stayed with me instead of spitting them back out in dangerous areas.”

He was unaffected by stepping in for Brodeur, a change in the team’s plans.

“It was fine. They told me yesterday so I was able to prepare yesterday in practice and today in the morning skate,” Schneider said. “I’m kind of used to jumping in on shirt notice, having split a lot of games the last few years.”

Devils teammate Damien Brunner, who played for the Detroit Red Wings last season, recalled facing the Canucks with Schneider in goal.

“We only played one game against him. The other two (Roberto) Luongo was in the net,” Brunner remembered, “but the game we played against him almost cost us the playoffs. We got one point out of that game and if we had lost that point we would’ve been out of the playoffs.

“It’s easy to remember. We had to finish with nine points out of 10, so that one point was in the shootout against Cory. And I missed against him.”

Brunner said Schneider gives the entire Devils squad a lift.

“It’s obviously easy when you have good goaltending every night. It makes you feel comfortable on the ice,” Brunner explained. “When you make a mistake you know teher is someone in the net to stop some pucks. When you have good goaltending, the energy is there.”



As they play: Devils vs. Flyers preseason



With Martin Brodeur in Montreal following the death of his father, Cory Schneider got the start in goal for the Devils in a preseason meeting with the Flyers Thursday night at Prudential Center.

Travis Zajac and Andy Greene each wore an 'A' with Patrik Elias a scratch, so there was still no clue which player would get the letter which became available when Ilya Kovalchuk left.

Steve Mason started in goal for the Flyers.

Jacob Josefson is the only Devils player to appear in all six preseason games.

Devils defense pairings:

Bryce Salvador-Marek Zidlicky

Andy Greene-Adam Larsson

Anton Volchenkov-Peter Harrold

Devils lines:

Ryane Clowe-Travis Zajac-Damien Brunner

Rostislav Olesz-Adam Henrique-Michael Ryder

Dainius Zubrus-Andrei Loktionov-Steve Bernier

Jacob Josefson-Stephen Gionta-Cam Janssen

Devils scratches:

Jaromir Jagr, Ryan Carter, Mattias Tedenby, Alex Urbom, Mark Fayne, Patrik Elias, Krys Barch, Martin Brodeur.

THIRD PERIOD

Keith Kinkaid started the period in goal for the Devils. Schneider did not allow a goal in two periods, stopping all nine shots he faced.

In the preseason, Schneider allowed one goal in 200 minutes. He stopped 79 of 80 shots, with the one goal coming on a Flyers power play Tuesday night in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia's Oliver Lauridsen took a tripping penalty at 3:43.

Attendance was announced as 11,789.

Lauridsen took a holding penalty at 10:24, but the Flyers scored an unassisted shorthanded goal by Matt Read at 11:09.

SECOND PERIOD

Brunner scored his first goal for the Devils at 6:31, snapping a scoreless deadlock. Clowe centered a pass from the left circle to Brunner, who

redirected the puck in from the edge of the crease as he crashed the net. Zajac also had an assist.

Sixty-seven seconds later it was a 2-0 lead when Bernier scored from below the left circle on his own rebound. The setup came on a pass from Loktionov.

Less than a minute later, Ryder tipped a shot that just missed. Then, at 13:17, Ryder miss-hit a one-timer with an opening on the left side of the net.

Zubrus tipped a wrist shot from Larsson past Mason at 14:04 for a 3-0 Devils lead.

The Devils were outshooting the Flyers, 18-9.

End of period: Devils 3, Flyers 0

FIRST PERIOD

The Devils asked for a moment of silence to remember Denis Brodeur prior to the anthem.

Scott Laughton hit the crossbar for the Flyers at 1:08.

Volchenkov was hurt when he was tripped by Chris VandeVelde at 2:28. Volchenkov remained down in the circle in front of the Devils' bench before getting up slowly and heading to the bench.

Harrold got a roughing minor on the play.

The Flyers went on a power play at 3:08 when Zajac took a tripping penalty.

Sean Couturier ended the advantage at 3:48 when he slashed Salvador.

Ryder skated in alone at 5:45 and was stopped by Mason.

Damien Brunner was sent off for interference at 11:28.

Mason made a pad save on a dangerous shot from Clowe with 4:05 left.

With 2:44 remaining, Mason stopped Brunner twice at the left post.

With 35.2 seconds left, Luke Schenn took a holding penalty.

The Devils outshot the Flyers, 7-5.

End of period: Devils 0, Flyers 0



Denis Brodeur, father of Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, dies at 82



Martin Brodeur's father, Denis, passed away today at the age of 82.

In a statement, Devils general manager and president Lou Lamoriello said:

“The entire New Jersey Devils organization is tremendously saddened by the loss of Denis Brodeur, Sr. The Brodeurs have been part of the Devils’ family for over 23 years. Denis proudly dedicated his life, on and off the ice, to the game of hockey and for that he will be fondly remembered. Our thoughts and prayers, right now, are with Martin and his family. We ask that you respect the privacy of Martin and his family at this time. ”

A former goaltender, Denis was the longtime photographer for the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Expos. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Feb. 7, 2012,

Just before the Devils played the Rangers that night at Madison Square Garden, the Devils' goalie received a text from his brother, Denis Jr. It read: “Dad has a tumor on his brain." Ten days later, Denis underwent surgery.

It was while his dad was working for the Canadiens that young Martin began to meet NHL players and showed signs of being a future goalie prospect.

The Devils goalie took part in the team's morning skate in Newark today and then left hurriedly for Montreal to be with his ailing father. Brodeur's flight from Newark was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. It isn't known whether he arrived in time.

Born Oct. 12, 1930, in Montreal, Denis Brodeur helped Team Canada win a bronze medal in the 1956 Olympics in Cortina, Italy.

During his 40-year career as Canadiens photographer, he amassed a treasure trove of hockey Images, including many of Martin as a young boy. In 2006 the NHL acquired the elder Brodeur's 100,000-plus Images.

Denis Brodeur attended many of his son's games for the Devils. He could often be seen in the crowd, many times behind the goal at the Meadowlands, shooting photos of Martin. He saw his son win three Stanley Cup championships and represent Canada in four Olympics, winning gold medals in 2002 (Salt Lake City) and 2010 (Vancouver).

The Devils drafted Brodeur in the first round (20th overall) in 1990. Twenty-three years later, Denis Brodeur got to see the Devils draft his grandson, Anthony, in the seventh round with the 208th overall pick in 2013.

Anthony Brodeur tweeted: "Sad, sad day. Miss you so much already Grandpapa. Rest In Peace. Je T'aime."

Denis Brodeur is survived by his wife, Mireille, his sons Denis Jr., Claude and Martin, and daughters Line and Sylvie, along with 11 grandchildren: Anthony, William, Jeremy, Anabelle, Maxime, Simon, Sarah, Benoit, Julie and Philippe.



Devils: Is Stephen Gionta's job in jeopardy? The coach wants him



If Devils coach Pete DeBoer were choosing his opening night roster, Stephen Gionta would be on it.

But with five cuts to make before the 23-man roster is set by 3 p.m. Monday, there could be non-hockey factors that make Gionta vulnerable to being sent to Albany (AHL), such as the fact that he is on a two-way contract this season.

“When it comes down to deciding the roster and those spots, there are a lot of factors that go into that at Lou’s level that I don’t deal with,” DeBoer said of general manager Lou Lamoriello. “For me, Gionta is a key piece of our team.”

When Gionta signed a two-year contract on June 29, 2012, it was for a one-way NHL deal in 2012-13 at $525,000 and a two-way deal for this season with a $600,000 NHL salary.

“I haven’t thought about it at all,” Gionta said today. “It hasn’t changed the way I’m going to play or approach the game or anything like that. It’s a contract. That’s all it is. I’m part of the organization and hopefully I’m here in Jersey and have showed I belong here.

“I feel pretty good about the way I’ve played. It’s one game at a time.”

Gionta, who turns 30 on Oct. 9, said he doesn’t think the next few days will be stressful.

“I try not to think about it,” he said. “You just go out and do what you can. Whatever happens happens. Some things are out of your control and this is one of those. You go out, make an impression and you hope you’ve showed them that you belong here. If you didn’t, you regroup and move on.”

He has certainly been an asset to the team over the past two seasons, beginning with his sensational performance in the 2012 playoffs centering a line with Ryan Carter and Steve Bernier.

“You always have to prove yourself. Those seasons are in the past,” Gionta pointed out. “It’s what you can do to help the team this year. When it’s all said and done, hopefully I’ve made a good case for myself.”

DeBoer has been reluctant to use the Carter-Gionta-Bernier line much.

“There were a lot of times last year we didn’t play together,” Gionta noted. “You have to adapt to whoever you’re playing with. You have to build chemistry with everyone you play with and show you’re versatile and can play anywhere in the lineup.”

Gionta’s mindset remains unchanged.

“The same as it is every game. You go out there. You’re always fighting for a spot on the team. It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, training camp or middle of the season. Playoffs you’re fighting for ice time and fighting for a spot,” he said. “It makes for fun competition because you always have someone pushing you. So you never get too comfortable.”

That is undoubtedly the case these last few days of training camp.

* * *

DeBoer said the game against the Flyers isn’t a do-or-die situation for any player.

“I think this isn’t about one game. It’s about the body of work in the entire camp,” DeBoer explained. “For me, I’m at the point now where I’m spending a lot of time looking at our team game and systems and chemistry between guys. Obviously in the back of your mind we still have some decisions to make, but a lot of my focus is on those areas.”

What would he like to see tonight?

“I want to see us work at our system,” he said. “Our identity is going to be that we’re a hard team to play against because we move as a five-man unit in all three zones. We have to keep inching towards that.”

* * *

Travis Zajac has been used on the point during Devils power plays, but DeBoer said he’s not sure if it will carry into the regular season beginning Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

“We’re still feeling that out,” the coach said. “He had a little history there a few years ago playing back there. It’s the same things you like about Trav up front—he’s got composure, he doesn’t have a very high panic threshhold, he takes his time, he sees the ice, he has good hockey sense. Those are the things that are attractive to us with him back there.”



Devils: Jaromir Jagr, in good spirits, still hopes to play in opener



Jaromir Jagr came off the ice after the Devils' morning skate today and announced that he was at the top of his game.

He said it with a big smile.

“I was in the top five for sure," Jagr said. "There were only five guys on the ice, but…"

He will not play tonight against the Flyers, meaning Jagr will miss all six preseason games.

“It’s getting better. It was a pregame skate. It wasn’t even a regular practice. We have to wait until tomorrow to see where I’m at," he said. "The conditioning is going to come back with practice. There’s no secret about it. The more I practice with the team the better I’m going to feel.”

Did he ever sit out an entire preseason schedule before?

“Last year. Nobody had a preseason," he joked.

“Everybody wants to be good in the (regular season) opener, but I want to be as good in game 20 as I am in game one.”

Coach Pete DeBoer said Jagr's inability to play a preseason game will not impact the opener in Pittsburgh Thursday night. Jagr wants to play.

“Of course. I can play right now. I can play today. No problem. It’s not hurting me," Jagr said.

“What’s good about (exhibition) games is getting the timing. But mostly in the first game it doesn’t matter whether you have timing or not. Everybody is flying. It’s different than most of the games. The guys are excited. They don’t play with the puck much. They just dump and chase most of the night.”

He said he's been sitting in on the team's power play meetings all camp.

“I was sitting in on all the meetings. It’s kind of different when you don’t play. It’s just watching,” Jagr said.

I asked Jagr how much smarter he is at age 41 than when he was at 25.

“It’s tough to say. The game has changed," he answered. "You have to be kind of smart to be able to play a long time. I’m not saying I’m a genius. It’s about adjusting your game. Even if you play good 15 or 20 years ago, if you play the same game you’re not going to be good now. The game changes. You have to adjust.

“People who adjust survive. Don’t stick with what works for you. It’s a good base, but you have to change. So I’m a totally different player than I was before. Whatever worked 15 years ago isn’t going to work now. And the other way around.”

The biggest change?

“Now the players work a lot harder than they used to," Jagr suggested. "I think the practices are tougher. Even the preparation for the game is tougher. It’s a higher level. You’ve got the videos and practices. It’s kind of hard to practice more than the other guys.

“You could do it if guys only did a little bit extra. If they did 30 minutes extra, you could do one or two hours. Now everybody does two hours. What is the top? Can you do four hours? Probably not because you need to be fresh, too. That’s the way the game is going. You have to find the details to have a little edge over everyone. That’s why it’s so important teams play together now.”

* * *

Mattias Tedenby, sidelined by a lower body injury, also took part in the morning skate but will sit out the preseason finale.

"It's good to be healthy skating again," Tedenby said. "It's not 100 percent yet. We're getting there. I've started skating now and I'm still getting treatment. It's day by day."

He said it's frustrating that he was sidelined while trying to earn a roster spot.

"Of course it's a little bit frustrating, but the rest of the body feels good," he said. "It is how it is. I just have to keep working, a little rehab, skating and treatment. I'll be fine soon. In a few days."

While Tedenby played in just one preseason game, buddy Jacob Josefson will play in all six.

"He's in game shape right now," Tedenby said. "I'd rather play all the games than be hurt."

The injury could jeopardize his spot on the 23-man roster, but Tedenby will not worry over it.

"Not really. I don't think too much," he said. "It's not my job to pick and choose. I just play."



Devils: Family matter in Montreal keeps Martin Brodeur from final tuneup



Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, scheduled to start in tonight's preseason finale against the Flyers at Prudential Center, had to travel to Montreal to see his ailing father.

Consequently, Cory Schneider will be in net with Keith Kinkaid backing him up.

"I'm okay," Brodeur said. "I have to go to Montreal to see my father."

Coach Pete DeBoer said he doesn't think it will impact Brodeur's preparation for the regular season opener in Pittsburgh Thursday night.

"I don't know what's going on," Schneider said. "I don't think anything serious. It came up on short notice."

Jaromir Jagr, who took part in the morning skate, will not play tonight. However, he said his hip/groin/back issue is improving.

"I could play tonight. I could play today. Nothing is hurting me," Jagr reported. "Like I said, you have to look at the big picture."

DeBoer added: "I had a conversation with him. It didn't make any sense to rush him into that situation. We've got a lot of quality practice time here over the next 5-6 days."

Ryan Carter and Mattias Tedenby (lower body) will also be scratches.

"(Carter) has just a minor nagging injury," coach Pete DeBoer said. "He probably would've played if this were a regular season game."

Tedenby, whose injury may be a sore groin, also took part in the morning skate.

"It's good to be healthy skating again," he said. "It's not 100 percent yet. We're getting there."

Here is the Devils' lineup for tonight against the Flyers:

Goalies: Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid.

Defense pairings:




Lines:





Scratches:

Jaromir Jagr, Ryan Carter, Mattias Tedenby, Alex Urbom, Mark Fayne, Patrik Elias, Krys Barch, Martin Brodeur



Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias, Ryan Carter to sit for Devils' preseason finale


on September 26, 2013 at 10:10 AM, updated September 26, 2013 at 10:59 AM

The Devils held their final morning skate of the preseason as they prepared for tonight's game against the Flyers at Prudential Center.

Only Patrik Elias and Ryan Carter did not skate, and Martin Brodeur will not be in goal for the Devils. Cory Schneider will start there.

The Devils will stream video and audio separately of the game on their website tonight. It will be the radio broadcast and video from the scoreboard feed separately.

The Devils' lines:

Lines:





Krys Barch-Jaromir Jagr-Mattias Tedenby

Defense pairings:


Alex Urbom-Mark Fayne



It appears Jagr, Tedenby and Barch are extras.

All three goalies (Brodeur, Schneider and Keith Kinkaid) skated, but the Brodeur update came after the skate.



Denis Brodeur, father of Martin Brodeur, dies at 82

Thursday, September 26, 2013 Last updated: Friday September 27, 2013, 12:51 AM

BY TOM GULITTI

STAFF WRITER

The Record

NEWARK — Hockey has always been a big part of the lives of Martin Brodeur and his father, Denis.

The game took a back seat Thursday, however, when Martin Brodeur had to cancel his plans to play in the Devils’ preseason finale against Philadelphia — a 4-1 New Jersey victory — to fly home to Montreal after the morning skate to see his ailing father. Denis Brodeur passed away later in the day after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Denis Brodeur, who would have turned 83 on Oct. 12, had surgery on Feb. 17, 2012 to remove a malignant brain tumor and, though he recovered in time to be at Prudential Center for Game 2 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals that June, he underwent a second surgery later that year to remove another tumor.

When Denis was unable to attend the Devils’ Jan. 27 game in Montreal last season because of fatigue, Martin Brodeur acknowledged that Game 2 of the Cup Finals against Los Angeles might turn out to be the last time his father saw him play in person.

“That was unbelievable for me to be able to share some of those things with him,” Brodeur told The Record at the time. “Our parents are not eternal and, especially with what happened [with the tumor], who knows if that was the last game?”

Martin Brodeur indicated at the start of camp on Sept. 11 that his father was not in good health.

Denis Brodeur won an Olympic bronze medal as Canada’s goaltender in Cortina d’Ampezzo in 1956. One of his greatest prides was seeing Martin represent Canada four times at the Olympics.

After his playing career, Denis became an accomplished sports photographer, working for the Montreal Canadiens and Expos. Denis was honored with moments of silence Thursday in New Jersey and Montreal, where the Canadiens were hosting Ottawa.

“Denis Brodeur’s Images brought the action, the drama and the passion of the game sharply into focus for generations of fans,” NHL commissioner

Gary Bettman said in a statement. “Some of the greatest teams and players in hockey history, including his son, Martin, are preserved forever by his grand body of work.”

When Martin tied Patrick Roy’s NHL record with his 551st win on March, 14, 2009 — a 4-1 victory over the Canadiens — Denis was at Bell Centre with his camera to capture the historic moment. He also was at Prudential Center three nights later to see Martin break the record with a 3-2 victory over Chicago.

“The Brodeurs have been part of the Devils’ family for over 23 years,” Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. “Denis proudly dedicated his life, on and off the ice, to the game of hockey and for that he will be fondly remembered.”

BRIEFS: With Brodeur unavailable, Cory Schneider got the start and stopped all nine shots he faced over the first two periods. In four appearances this preseason (10 total periods), Schneider gave up just one goal on 80 shots. Keith Kinkaid (three saves) played the third period. … Damien Brunner, Steve Bernier and Dainius Zubrus scored second-period goals to stake the Devils to a 3-0 lead.

Bergen Record LOADED: 09.27.2013


Devils' Jaromir Jagr likely to sit preseason finale


BY TOM GULITTI

STAFF WRITER

The Record

NEWARK – Devils right wing Jaromir Jagr had hoped to get in a full practice Wednesday and possibly play in tonight's preseason finale against the Philadelphia Flyers, but likely will sit out again tonight after coach Pete DeBoer gave the team the day off Wednesday.

Jagr, 41, is recovering from muscle soreness in his left hip and back. He practiced Tuesday with the players who did not play in that night's preseason game in Philadelphia. That was his first practice of any kind since Sept. 12 after six days of skating on his own.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen [tonight]," Jagr said. "You've got to talk to [DeBoer] first, but I'm probably not going to play only because I haven't had a practice with the team, yet. Maybe it would be a different situation if we would have a practice."

DeBoer decided it was better for the players to rest after playing preseason games Monday in Montreal and Tuesday in Philadelphia. Jagr skated on his own Wednesday instead. Jagr believes getting some full practices over the next week will be enough to get ready for the regular-season opener Oct. 3 in Pittsburgh.

"The season is so long, so you've got to look at the bigger picture – 82 games, not only one [preseason] game," Jagr said. "As long as I get practices with the team, I think I'm going to get better."

The Devils moved closer to setting their opening night roster Wednesday by sending eight more players to their AHL team in Albany and returning defenseman Damon Severson to his junior team. Assigned to Albany were goaltender Scott Wedgewood, defensemen Eric Gelinas, Jon Merrill and Brandon Burlon and forwards Mike Sislo, Tim Sestito and Rod Pelley. That left the Devils with 28 players: 17 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders. Teams have until 3 p.m. Monday to trim their rosters to 23.



Brodeur’s father passes away at 82

By Brett Cyrgalis

September 26, 2013 | 1:03pm

It was in sadness Cory Schneider got one more chance to corroborate something he already has proven to be true.

The Devils’ presumptive backup goalie started the preseason finale Thursday night against the Flyers at the Prudential Center in Newark, his fourth game of the exhibition schedule, during which he had allowed one goal through his first eight periods. Martin Brodeur was slated to start the game and play the whole way, but he left New Jersey after the morning skate to go back to his native Montreal where his father, Denis Brodeur Sr., died at the age of 82.

“The entire New Jersey Devils organization is tremendously saddened by the loss of Denis Brodeur, Sr.,” Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. “The Brodeurs have been part of the Devils’ family for over 23 years. Denis proudly dedicated his life, on and off the ice, to the game of hockey and for that he will be fondly remembered. Our thoughts and prayers, right now, are with Martin and his family.”

Brodeur, 41, is in the final year of his contract, and has played just 99 minutes of hockey this preseason, giving up seven goals on 38 shots for a .816 save percentage. He is in the last year of his contract, and coach Pete DeBoer said missing this start will be “no issue” concerning Brodeur’s readiness to start the season on Oct. 3 in Pittsburgh.

Lamoriello secured Brodeur’s successor in a draft-day trade with the Canucks that brought him back Schneider in exchange for a first-round pick (No. 9 overall). Although the 27-year-old Schneider thought his preseason work was finished, he got a last-minute call and was ready to go.

“They told me yesterday there was a chance I’d play today,” Schneider said Thursday morning. “I don’t think it was really part of the plan, but just something that come up here short notice.”

Although Schneider has been outstanding — the one goal came on a 6-on-4 man-advantage for the Flyers in Philadelphia on Tuesday — DeBoer said it hasn’t changed anything concerning his plan of how to split up the starts once the regular season begins.

“We knew what we were getting,” DeBoer said. “He’s come as advertized. I don’t think there is any surprise. He’s had an excellent preseason, but we knew we were getting a world-class goalie, so it hasn’t changed anything for me.”

After spending the latter part of the first five-plus years of his career in a goalie controversy with Roberto Luongo in Vancouver, Schneider is now playing the role of good teammate, not willing to put a number on how many games he would like to play no matter how the preseason has gone.

“It’s going to be different in the regular season, it’s not going to be like this,” Schneider said. “So I have to step up my game another level for the regular season.”

Denis Brodeur Sr. was a celebrated hockey photographer in Montreal and is survived by his wife, Mireille, sons Denis Jr., Claude and Martin, and daughters Sylvie and Line, along with his grandchildren, one of whom is Martin’s son Anthony, a goalie drafted by the Devils this past year.

Jaromir Jagr (lower-body) participated in the morning skate, but will not play and will finish the preseason without playing in a game.

Both he and DeBoer said he could have played if it were the regular season, but there was no need to push it.

“You have to look at the big picture,” said the 41-year-old Jagr. “Everybody wants to be good in the [season] opener, but you want to be as good in Game 20 as in Game 1. It’s still worth two points.”

New York Post LOADED: 09.27.2013

718290 New York Islanders

Isles' prospect Reinhart working hard for roster spot

Published: September 26, 2013 8:31 PM

By ARTHUR STAPLE [email protected]

1983: PAT LAFONTAINE (3rd overall) Center Career Islanders Islanders 100-point club Arthur Staple Isles Files

Your average 19-year-old vying for a spot on an NHL roster is trying to fit in while also doing enough to stand out. It's a delicate balance, and a big reason why there aren't too many 19-year-olds in the league.

Griffin Reinhart has it a bit tougher, being a defenseman, and a very no-frills one at that. But the fourth overall pick in the 2012 draft is getting noticed by the coaching staff this training camp, his first full one, and could be forcing some interesting choices with his play so far.

"You go back to his development, the way he's progressed since we drafted him," Jack Capuano said of Reinhart. "He's worked hard to get to this point."

And Reinhart, who still has a year of junior eligibility left, intends on working hard to stay. The Islanders have nine regular-season games to see what Reinhart has to offer before sending him back to Edmonton of the Western League or burning the first year of his entry-level contract.

Reinhart has been paired with Matt Carkner in practices this week, indicating he may not be among the top six defensemen in camp, but there are still three preseason games remaining -- including Friday night's game at the Coliseum against the Predators.

"I don't just want to fit in, I want to make an impact and prove I belong here, to the coaches and my teammates," Reinhart said. "I don't just want to be a floater. At the same time, I've got to limit my mistakes and take advantage of my opportunity."

Reinhart comes from serious NHL stock. His father, Paul, played 11 seasons with the Flames and Canucks; older brother Max made his NHL debut with the Flames last season and younger brother Sam could be the top pick in the 2014 draft.

But Griffin, at 6-4 and 202 pounds, is the only one of the younger generation of Reinharts to follow his father as a defenseman. He scored a goal in his first preseason game in Calgary last week, but piling up points is not his thing. He had eight goals and 21 assists for Edmonton last season in junior.

So he has to stand out by doing the defensive-zone work that often goes unnoticed when a defenseman does it well: Moving opposing forwards away from the net, closing out shooting and passing lanes and staying in good position.

How to stand out while still being fundamentally sound? It's a challenge.

"A little bit of both," he said. "I'll want to hold my ground, limit my mistakes, but you've also got to make an impact somehow. I know I'm not going to make this team if I just blend in and don't contribute. I've got to look to do both."

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 09.27.2013

718291 New York Rangers

Canucks Shut Out Rangers 5-0

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: September 27, 2013 at 12:56 AM ET

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Henrik Sedin scored two goals and the Vancouver Canucks blanked the New York Rangers 5-0 on Thursday night.

New York's Alain Vigneault and Vancouver's John Tortorella coached against their former teams for the first time. They were replaced with each other after being fired following last spring's playoffs.

Moments before the opening faceoff, the Canucks saluted Vigneault with "Welcome back Coach A.V." on the scoreboard screen. He looked up at the image of himself, gave a slight nod and then focused on the impending faceoff.

Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo picked up his second win of the preseason. He recorded 41 saves for his first shutout as the Rangers outshot the Canucks 41-20.

Henrik Sedin's goals, his first of the preseason, came as he and twin brother Daniel celebrated their 33rd birthday. The Canucks finished the preseason with a 2-4-0 record.

The Rangers fell to 1-4-0 with one game still to play Friday in Las Vegas against the Los Angeles Kings.

Frank Corrado, Ryan Kesler and Hunter Shinkaruk also scored for the Canucks. Alex Edler had three assists.

Notes: The Rangers signed holdout center Derek Stepan, their top scorer last season, to a $6.15 million, two-year contract. Stepan had 18 goals and 26 assists last season. ... Canucks winger David Booth played his first game since suffering an ankle injury last March. Booth was scheduled to return Saturday in Edmonton, but he hurt his groin during the morning skate. He hit the post on a 2-on-1 break with Martin Biron beaten in the third period.



Rangers Stumble Against a Familiar Face After Signing a Key Player

By LUCAS AYKROYD

Published: September 26, 2013

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — A preseason hockey game hardly ever generates buzz. But two N.H.L. clubs hardly ever swap head coaches, as the Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks did this off-season.

“I’ve said right along, I loved working there,” John Tortorella, now the coach of the Canucks, said of his time in New York.

John Tortorella’s Canucks defeated Alain Vigneault’s Rangers, 5-0, on Thursday night at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver captain Henrik Sedin led the way with two goals, and Roberto Luongo won his goaltending duel with Henrik Lundqvist, recording his first preseason shutout.

“Start to finish, it was just a game where the puck didn’t bounce our way,” Lundqvist said. “Obviously, we want to have a better result, but we just have to keep working here.”

He added: “It was definitely a tough game to play. I can do better reads on the deflections, maybe. It’s good; it’s preseason. That’s the only positive thing about this game.”

The news that Derek Stepan, the Rangers’ leading scorer last season, had signed a two-year, $6.15 million deal to end his holdout added some excitement.

Stepan’s return will provide a much-needed injection of offense for a Rangers club that has scored only eight goals in compiling a 1-4 preseason record. The absence of Stepan’s regular linemates, Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin, because of off-season shoulder operations has magnified the effect of Stepan’s holdout.

“I’m very happy,” Vigneault said. “They’ve been working on this for some time now, and he’s one of our top players. Like I said before, contract negotiations I have nothing to do with. So we’re going to welcome him with open arms, and he should be with us on Sunday for practice.”

Sedin opened the scoring on the power play at 7 minutes 39 seconds of the first period, converting a rebound past Lundqvist from a bad angle. Sedin and his twin brother, Daniel, both former N.H.L. scoring champions, were celebrating their 33rd birthdays. At 14:49, Frank Corrado gave Vancouver a 2-0 lead with a blast from the right point.

Just 1:12 into the second period, Henrik Sedin got his second goal of the game, banging a loose puck off an Alexandre Burrows tip into a gaping net. With a nifty tip on the man advantage, Ryan Kesler stretched Vancouver’s lead to 4-0 at 16:34. Hunter Shinkaruk’s high wrist shot made it 5-0 at 19:16.

In one of the Rangers’ few displays of emotion, forward Derek Dorsett fought Vancouver’s Kevin Bieksa in the third period.

The hordes of reporters at Thursday’s game were focused on Vigneault and Tortorella coaching against their former teams. Vigneault was fired by the

Canucks on May 21 after they were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the San Jose Sharks. A two-time Presidents’ Trophy winner during his seven seasons with Vancouver, Vigneault was named the coach of the Rangers on June 21.

Tortorella lost his job with the Rangers on May 29 after they were eliminated in the second round by the Boston Bruins. The Canucks hired Tortorella on June 25.

The two coaches’ contrasting demeanors were evident when they addressed the news media before the game at Rogers Arena.

Tortorella was relaxed by his standards, even shaking hands with a longtime nemesis, the New York Post reporter Larry Brooks. But he was still edgy when it came to discussing his exit from New York.

“I’ve said right along, I loved working there,” Tortorella said. “Did I want to leave? No. I was told to leave and I left. It’s part of the game. I’m knee-deep in it here, trying to get this team ready to play.”

Vigneault came in smiling and kibitzing with reporters about his new Upper West Side residence, his difficulties with driving in New York and navigating the subway, and his daughters’ shopping habits.

“As much as this might be strange, you’ve got to turn the page and move on,” Vigneault said. “Maybe getting this out of the way in exhibition and moving on is a good thing.”

Rangers forward Brad Richards added: “It’s very unique, switching places and playing against the other team this early. I’m sure they have their own thoughts and some good memories in both their respective places.”

The Canucks will visit the Rangers during the regular season on Nov. 30. Vigneault’s club will play its final exhibition game Friday, against the Los Angeles Kings in Las Vegas.

The Rangers will need Stepan to be a difference-maker as they begin the quest for their first Stanley Cup since 1994.

Stepan said he stayed in shape by working out in his native Minnesota over the summer and skating with the Wisconsin Badgers during the last two weeks. He will fly to New York on Friday for physicals and fitness testing and skate there Saturday. The Rangers open the regular season Oct. 3 against the Phoenix Coyotes.

A version of this article appears in print on September 27, 2013



John Tortorella is usual self as Canucks rout NY Rangers

By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Friday, September 27, 2013, 12:27 AM

VANCOUVER — John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault are still adjusting to this summer’s city-swap, a fact they each made clear Thursday morning in their own unique ways.

Vigneault, the first-year Rangers coach, became emotional talking at his old podium about the “great memories” he will “cherish” from seven seasons coaching the Canucks, his opponent in Thursday night’s preseason game at Rogers Arena.

“Maybe getting this out of the way in (an) exhibition now is a good thing,” Vigneault said, taking a deep breath or two.

Tortorella, however, was predictably less romantic about coaching the Canucks against his former Rangers team.

“I’ve said right along, I loved working there,” Tortorella said of New York. “Did I want to leave? No. I was told to leave. I left. It’s part of the game, and I am knee-deep in it here, trying to get this team ready to play.”

Yes, he was the same old Torts, aside from sharing more player injury information in Thursday’s press conference than he had the past two seasons in Manhattan — a fact that was pointed out to Tortorella.

“Remember, this is preseason," the coach said with a smirk.

He will install the same grinding, shot-blocking style that elevated the Rangers to new heights but also eventually wore them down.

“You definitely see the passion when he’s out there coaching and teaching,” Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo said.

The coaching swap started in May when the Canucks and Rangers separately decided that they needed “a different voice,” as Vancouver defenseman Kevin Bieksa said Thursday. The Canucks fired Vigneault on May 22, the Rangers canned Tortorella on May 29 and eventually, each team’s loss was the other’s gain.

Tortorella was so taken aback by his players’ coup, however, that he did not speak with Ryan Callahan or Brad Richards this summer. Vigneault, on the other hand, shared that several Canucks players connected with him after his firing and wished him the best.

“Alain got us to play like an elite team,” said Bieksa, an alternate captain.

It was clearer than ever Thursday morning why Rangers general manager Glen Sather hired Vigneault to replace Tortorella. The Canucks players freely discussed their respect for their former coach and his time with them, an attitude directly related to one of his greatest successes in Vancouver: cultivating a locker room that eventually ran itself.

“When (Vigneault) came in here, he made everybody accountable,” Bieksa said. “Nobody was above the team. Star players weren’t treated like star players. Rookies and fourth-liners weren’t treated like that. Everybody was treated equal. . . . Over time, that built accountability within ourselves, and we were able to kind of take the team over. . . . We had a lot of meetings with ourselves in this dressing room without coaching staff.”

Tortorella also succeeded with the Rangers, of course, even taking them to the 2012 Eastern Conference finals. So Blueshirts players won’t openly disparage him. They just aren’t as interested in reliving the past.

“Everybody's excited and energetic,” Richards said, “as anybody would be with any new coach.”

Of course, no one would blame Tortorella if he resented the abrupt nature of his firing in New York.

“I’m not gonna get into that,” he said.

Same old Torts.

TROUNCED VS. TORTS: Henrik Sedin scored twice and the Canucks routed the Rangers, 5-0. The Blueshirts’ Alain Vigneault and the Canucks’ John Tortorella coached against their ex-teams after replacing one another in the offseason. Henrik Lundqvist allowed all five goals in the first two periods.

New York Daily News LOADED: 09.27.2013


Derek Stepan and NY Rangers agree on two-year, $6.15 million contract

By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

JpgSeptember 26, 2013, 2:22 PM

Updated: Friday, September 27, 2013, 12:35 AM

VANCOUVER – Finally, the Rangers and their top center Stepped up and finished the deal.

Derek Stepan and the Blueshirts front office agreed to a two-year, $6.15 million contract Thursday afternoon, resolving their conflict on Day 16 of Stepan’s absence from

training

camp in time for the start of the regular season.

“There’s no question in my mind that I didn’t want it to go that long,” Stepan said in a conference call Thursday afternoon from his home in Minnesota. “I don’t think either side expected it to go that long.”

Stepan, 23, a restricted free agent, did not have arbitration rights this summer due to his age and experience, so he had no leverage in

negotiations other than refusing to report to camp. He eventually conceded on contract term and salary, in exchange for dividing his salary into $2.3 million for year one and $3.85 million in year two to guarantee a higher qualifying offer from the Rangers coming off this next contract.

The signing happened three days after GM Glen Sather turned up the heat in the negotiations publicly in a televised MSG interview, saying: “I don’t think Derek is going to let this thing linger that long. I don’t think he is a big enough fool to think that he will sit out the year and it will do any good.”

Stepan said the Rangers made the offer he ultimately accepted on Monday, and he consulted with his family and agent before signing off.

“There’s no bitterness,” Stepan said. “At a young age in my career here, I got to see the business side of it. It doesn’t go as smooth as you think sometimes. It’s a hard thing to grasp, not to take it personally. But I have people around me telling me, ‘Make sure you don’t take it personally. This is how it works. This is how the business goes.’ I’m just glad we came to an agreement where we were able to get something done in time.”

Stepan felt he deserved more money because he has been the Rangers’ top center essentially for two of his first three NHL seasons, posting 45 points in his rookie year of 2010-11, 51 points in 2011-12 and 44 points in last year’s 48-game lockout-shortened season. But the Rangers have little wiggle room under the NHL’s $64.3 million salary cap, mostly due to Sather’s decision not to buy out Brad Richards’ costly contract ($6.7 million per year). The club therefore held firm against paying Stepan more.

Most recently, Stepan was seeking $3.5 million per season, while the Rangers held firm just below $3 million. To resolve the conflict, the Rangers moved ever-so-slightly towards Stepan but did not cave.

“It’s a tough year,” Stepan said of the team’s finances. “The cap went down quite a bit. New York was in a tight spot to begin with. It’s something that is unfortunate. It’s an unfortunate situation. But at the same time, I think both sides handled it as best we could. And we just tried to get through it, without really doing too big of a damage to either side.”

Working against Stepan also was that if he did not sign by Dec. 1, he would not be allowed to play the remainder of the NHL season. Plus, while he is a candidate to play on the U.S. Olympic team in February, failing to sign with the Rangers likely would have forfeited his spot on the Olympic roster.

“It’s hard to sit here and tell you (the Olympisc) didn’t have any weight and effect on my decision,” Stepan said. “With that being said, first and foremost, I was looking to get myself into the New York jersey. We wanted to make sure we got ourselves a deal that was fair and that was fair for New York, as well. That was kind of the number one thing. The urgency doesn’t really come from that potential spot that I could potentially make that team. I think the urgency came from the fact that I was ready to play, and I think New York was really ready to have this be done with.”

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault was pleased to hear the news of Stepan’s signing on Thursday morning.

“I’m very happy,” Vigneault said at Rogers Arena, hours before coaching the Rangers against his old team. “They’ve been working at this for some time now. He’s one of our top players … We’re going to welcome him with open arms.”

Richards highlighted how significant Stepan’s signing is for a team already missing wingers Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin as they recover from offseason shoulder surgeries.

“That’s very important,” Richards said. “We’ve got everybody signed now – not back. I wish we had Hags and Cally back, too. That’s basically a whole line sitting out the last two weeks. Obviously that’s going to help our lineup huge.”

Stepan said his plan was to fly Thursday night to New York, undergo a physical and go through conditioning tests on Friday, skate on his own in Greenburgh on Saturday, and then join the team for practice on Sunday.

He has texted and talked with teammates throughout training camp, including good friend Ryan McDonagh, to stay on top of the team’s day-to-day activities and find out what the new coaching staff expects of the players.

Plus, Stepan has been skating the past couple weeks with his former college team at the

University

of Wisconsin, looking to get in game shape for next Thursday’s regular season opener in Phoenix.

”I’m not far off,” Stepan said of his conditioning. “There’s going to be some times that I’m going to need to catch up a little bit. But I don’t think I’m too far off.”



September 27, 2013 1:25 AM

BY Pat Leonard

VANCOUVER – Round one goes to Torts.

John Tortorella and his Canucks blanked Alain Vigneault and the Rangers, 5-0, in Thursday night’s preseason tilt at Rogers Arena, the first meeting of the two coaches who swapped benches after their firings in May.

The Rangers outshot Vancouver, 41-20, but Vigneault pulled Henrik Lundqvist from New York’s net after he allowed five goals on 17 shots through two periods. Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo, meanwhile, recorded the 41-save shutout, while Vancouver captain Henrik Sedin scored two goals and defenseman Alex Edler has three assists.

TORTORELLA, VIGNEAULT AND TEAMS STILL ADJUSTING FROM MAY FIRINGS

“It’s good it’s preseason,” a frustrated Lundqvist said afterwards. “That’s the only positive thing about this game, at least for me. It doesn’t really count. You just have to start over and keep working here on the details of the game. I have some work to do. I think we have some work to do as a group, too, to get some structure in our game. (We did) a lot of good things, though, offensively. We had a lot of great chances.”

The Rangers suffered their third straight loss to fall to 1-4 in the preseason, with their exhibition finale Friday night in Las Vegas against the Los Angeles Kings. Lundqvist was supposed to play the whole game Thursday, but after playing just 40 of 60 minutes, he now will start Friday against L.A.

Vigneault nevertheless was semi-pleased, calling the performance “one of our better games” in terms of generating scoring chances and creating traffic and deflections in front of the net. Unfortunately, nothing got by Luongo.

RANGERS RE-SIGN STEPAN TO TWO-YEAR, $6.15 MILLION DEAL

As well as the Rangers pushed the puck up ice at times, they often did so at the expense of their offense, a fact that was glaring to the team’s best player this preseason, defenseman Marc Staal.

“Obviously that’s not the way we want to play,” Staal said. “We created a lot, but we were also giving up a lot. So we have to find a little bit more balance in that part of the game, in our reads, on the forecheck and in the neutral zone. It’s something we have to work at.

“We’ve just got to work on getting on the same page and get better,” Staal continued. “Because we can’t play a game like that and expect to come out on top every night.”

The Canucks were 2-for-5 on the power play before the Rangers even earned their first man advantage, and two Vancouver goals beat Lundqvist on deflections, but there were no excuses for the Blueshirts.

Fortunately, they received two pieces of good news earlier in the day to soften the blow of the loss: Derek Stepan re-signed with the team, and captain Ryan Callahan (shoulder) was cleared for contact, going through his first contact practice Thursday morning.

With one preseason game remaining before next Thursday’s season opener in Phoenix, VIgneault was asked whether there are roster spots still to be won Friday night in Las Vegas.

“That’s a tough one,” he said. “There are a lot of players right now that are close, but haven’t really, I would say, shown to me that they could play at this level on a consistent basis … (But) there’s still tomorrow. There’s still gonna be a couple young guys that are gonna get a chance, but they’re going to have to do better.”



Rangers’ Kreider may be odd man out

By Larry Brooks

September 27, 2013 | 2:44am

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Rangers have one more exhibition game to play following Thursday night’s 5-0 defeat to the Canucks, and one more chance for someone on the outside looking in to force his way into the lineup.

But following the loss, coach Alain Vigneault made it clear it will take a special performance to change his mind.

Which means it probably doesn’t look good for Chris Kreider, who has had a middling camp at very best, to open the season as a Ranger.

“A lot of players are close but really haven’t shown me they can play at this level on a consistent basis,” Vigneault said. “There are still guys [with a chance] who are going to play [against the Kings] but they have to play better.”

J.T. Miller seems to have eclipsed Kreider. Jesper Fast has had a better camp and so too has Marek Hrivik. Darroll Powe has played his way onto the squad with a strong camp after clearing waivers in June. Arron Asham, who also cleared waivers at that time, has impressed on a club that doesn’t have a lot of brawn.

The Rangers are 1-4 having been outscored 18-8 following their defeat to the John Tortorella-coached Canucks. Henrik Lundqvist, originally scheduled to play the entire game, was pulled after allowing five goals on 17 shots in two periods — four on deflections — and as such The King is expected to start against Los Angeles.

“I think I’m going to get another chance to get some minutes out there, and it’s going to be good,” said Lundqvist, who has a 4.18 goals against average and .847 save percentage in 129 minutes. “I need minutes to get comfortable.”

The Rangers generated 41 shots against Roberto Luongo while creating up to 10 good scoring chances. But they were disorganized in their own end and in defending against the rush and were unable to sustain forecheck pressure. Vancouver deflections didn’t help.

“The last couple of games there were a lot of deflections scored against us, and that’s a big part of the game,” Lundqvist said. “We have to do better reads and I also have to come up with saves.

“I have to do a better read when the puck is coming at me.”

The senseless preseason schedule hasn’t helped the club’s preparation, that’s for sure, and the Rangers will be 0-0-0 when the season starts on Thursday in Phoenix regardless of the outcome against the Kings, but they would like to leave the preseason with a good taste in their mouths.

“You want to get a good feeling,” Lundqvist said. “It’s important to get the details right. That’s more important than the result.

“That has to be our focus. We have to have a fresh mindset.”

Ryan Callahan, rehabbing from postseason shoulder surgery, has been cleared for contact, but Vigneault ruled out the possibility of the captain being ready for the opener.



Tortorella has no Rangers regrets

By Larry Brooks


VANCOUVER, British Columbia — John Tortorella was not there to talk about the past as he prepared to go behind the Canucks’ bench for Thursday night’s exhibition game against the Rangers.

“I’ve said right along that I loved working [in New York],” a relaxed Tortorella said during his morning press conference. “Did I want to leave? No. I was told to leave and I left. That’s part of it.

“Now I’m knee-deep with this team.”

Tortorella did not engage in recriminations. He did not reminisce. He declined to address whether he believed his dismissal was warranted following four-plus seasons as Rangers’ coach that featured a second-overall finish in the NHL and a trip to the conference finals in 2011-12, and a first-round victory last year.

“I’m not going to go back to what happened,” he said. “It happens. I wish them the best and am into it here.”

Much has been made over Tortorella’s repeated vows to change his ways in dealing with the media. Indeed, he volunteered information Thursday morning about both his lineup for the Rangers match as well injury updates, subjects that were off-limits in New York.

When The Post reporter said, “This is different,” Tortorella cautioned, “It’s the preseason … it’s the preseason.”

The coach was not fired by the Rangers because of his prickly nature at press conferences. He was ultimately dismissed because of his endlessly confrontational nature in dealing with his players.

The Rangers had also come to believe the shot-blocking, safety-conscious system he demanded had reached a point of diminishing returns.

While Tortorella said on Thursday he re-examined himself this summer as he does in every offseason, he was emphatic in stating he believes the Canucks can win by playing under the same principles he preached in New York — specifically including an emphasis on shot-blocking.

He had nothing but praise for Alain Vigneault, who has replaced him behind the Rangers’ bench after seven seasons in Vancouver and was also preparing to face his old team for the first time.

“I don’t know what Alain’s system was here, I haven’t asked any questions about it, but I do know that Alain did a hell of a job here,” Tortorella said. “He’s a very good coach and was very successful here.”

Vigneault, in meeting the media following the Blueshirts’ morning skate, said, “ ‘Strange’ would be a word I could use right now.”

“I went into the office this morning to say hi to the staff. I worked here a long time and it was special,” he said. “It was unfortunate that I didn’t get to say bye in the right way [when fired], but I was able to do that now.”

The Rangers coach said he had spoken to many of the Canucks’ players over the summer.

“I’m hoping they have success except against us,” he said. “I wish them the best.

“We said our goodbyes. They’ve moved on, as they should, and I’ve moved on.”

So has Tortorella.



MSG analyst: Rangers still contenders

By Justin Terranova


The puck drops on NHL’s regular season on Tuesday with the Rangers starting two days later in Phoenix. MSG analyst Joe Micheletti talks former coach John Tortorella, the Blueshirts and more with The Post’s Justin Terranova.

Q: Do you think John Tortorella is a good fit in Vancouver?

A: The situation with the Canucks, and this was before John got there, to me their window for winning a championship kept slowly closing. And they’re not nearly as good as they were a couple of years. That’s going to be an interesting watch.

Q: The Rangers took a step back last year, so are they getting farther away, too?

A: No, because their core is their young guys. In Vancouver, the core is their older guys. (Marc) Staal, (Dan) Girardi, (Ryan) Callahan have all come up together and have been joined by (Derek) Stepan and (Ryan) McDonagh. They are a better team because of guys like (Rick) Nash and (Brad) Richards, and if all else fails you have the best goalie in the league in Henrik Lundqvist.

Q: What’s the biggest change we will see with new Rangers coach Alain Vigneault?

A: His system is to be more aggressive in the defensive zone, and that’s an adjustment these players are going to have to make and become comfortable with.

Q: Do you think Brad Richards will be the biggest beneficiary of the coaching change?

A: I think everyone hopes so. There are so many factors that go into last year with players that don’t skate for extended periods of time. He’s been such a good player throughout his career that it’s hard for me to think he’s going to be the same type of player this year that he was last year. It doesn’t matter who the coach is. What I’ve seen is he already looks like a player that looks more natural and instinctive whereas last year he didn’t look like he knew whether to pass or shoot.

Q: Do you expect the Islanders to take another step forward?

A: The new pressure that they will face is that they’ve awakened the league to the kind of team they are. The league will be more prepared when they play against them, and that’s something new for them. To me, the key is they need goaltending. I really think they would have beaten the Penguins in the first round had they gotten better goaltending. I like (Evgeni) Nabokov. He’s been a real good leader for them, but he needs to have a good season.



Stepan returning just in time for Rangers

By Larry Brooks

September 26, 2013 | 11:51am

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Derek Stepan starts off more than two weeks behind his teammates, but more important is the Rangers’ 2012-13 leading scorer will start the season with his team next Thursday night in Phoenix.

“I’m not far off,” Stepan, whose protracted stalemate with management ended Thursday in the form of a two-year, $6.15 million contract. “There are going to be some times where I need to catch up a little bit, but I don’t think I’m that far off.”

Stepan, who has been participating in practices with the

University

of Wisconsin varsity squad in Madison the last two weeks, was scheduled to fly to New York on Thursday night. The 23-year-old will go through physicals and on-ice testing Friday and skate on his own Saturday before his first practice with the club on Sunday after the Rangers return from their lengthy preseason trip that concludes with a match in Las Vegas against the Kings on Friday night.

“I don’t think either side expected that it would go this long,” Stepan said. “It was a tough year, the cap went down quite a bit, New York was in a tight spot, and it was an unfortunate situation, but I think we both handled it the best we could.

“There’s no bitterness. At a young age in my career I got to see the business side of it,” said Stepan, who has never missed a game in his three NHL seasons, playing 212 matches in the regular season and 37 in the playoffs. “It doesn’t go as smoothly as you would think sometimes and that’s a hard thing to grasp.

“But we got through it without too much damage to either side and we’re both happy to be done with it.”

Stepan’s $3.075 million cap hit represents a team-friendly deal that leaves the Rangers some maneuverability as they prepare to finalize their roster by Monday. There will be some wiggle room through October if, as expected, Carl Hagelin is placed on the Long Term Injury list.

Hagelin and Ryan Callahan, who is expected to miss at least the first half-dozen games, were Stepan’s wingers much of last season. Stepan was effective combining with Rick Nash, who was scheduled to play on a line with Derick Brassard and Benoit Pouliot Thursday night against the Canucks after playing his two exhibition games with Brad Richards and Chris Kreider.

“It’s huge for us; it’s great that he’s in,” Richards said. “I wish Hags and Cally were able to play. We’ve basically had an entire line missing from camp.”

Stepan had been seeking $7 million over two years after scaling back his request for a long-term deal commensurate with the contracts other players of his status and post-Entry Level category have been receiving around the league.

He said talks were jump-started on Monday when the Rangers presented this offer that he accepted after mulling it over for a couple of days. Stepan acknowledged the chance to play for the U.S. Olympic team had some impact on his decision to settle, but was not the overriding factor in concluding the deal.

“First and foremost I was looking forward to getting myself in a New York jersey,” he said. “I wanted a deal that was fair for me and fair for New York as well.

“There was urgency from the fact of being ready to play and New York was really ready to get this done.”

Stepan was in consistent contract with his close friend, Ryan McDonagh, and other teammates during camp.

“When you’re sitting at home and the team is working, you want to know what’s going on,” he said. “I was trying to get the scoops of where everything was at, just to keep myself in it mentally. I was asking about the systems and what the coach was looking for.

“I’m super excited about getting there.”



Rangers lose to Canucks, 5-0, in battle of teams that swapped coaches

Friday September 27, 2013, 12:58 AM

BY ANDREW GROSS

STAFF WRITER

The Record

VANCOUVER – There were no accusations or recriminations, even on a day when circumstances made it easier for the two swapped coaches to look to the past rather than the present.

Alain Vigneault made his peace by properly bidding farewell to his many friends at the Rogers Arena after missing out on that opportunity when the Canucks fired him in the off-season. John Tortorella just seemed at peace, a stark contrast to his stormy tenure as Rangers coach.

Vigneault’s Rangers lost to Tortorella’s Canucks, 5-0, Thursday night in a preseason game that drew far more attention than most exhibition contests.

“It is strange. Strange is a word I can use right now,” Vigneault, who spent seven seasons behind the Canucks’ bench, leading them to within a game of the Stanley Cup in 2011. “Coming in this morning and saying hi to the staff that worked with me for a long time, it was special.

“Now, as much as this might be strange, you’ve got to turn the page and move on,” Vigneault added. “Maybe getting this out of the way right now in an exhibition is a good thing.”

Under the NHL’s newly realigned schedule, the teams will also play twice during the regular season – the Canucks visit Madison Square on Nov. 30 while the Rangers return to Vancouver on April 1.

Despite insisting before the game “fans don’t come to see coaches, fans come to see players,” Vigneault received a loud ovation early in the first period when he was shown on the scoreboard screen with the message, “Welcome back Coach V. Thanks for seven great years.”

Given his team’s wretched performance, it was probably Vigneault’s best moment of the night.

By April, of course, this will all be old news, though Tortorella’s first return to New York in November still should be noteworthy.

The Rangers fired Tortorella after a five-game, second-round elimination to the Bruins. The team had reached the Eastern Conference finals the season before, but the perception was the players made it known they had tired of Tortorella’s high-intensity demeanor.

“I said right along I loved working there,” said Tortorella, in a friendly, 12-minute press conference nothing like his curt exchanges while with the Rangers. “Did I want to leave? No. I was told to leave and I left. It’s part of the game and I’m knee deep in it here trying to get this team ready to play.

“I’m not going to get into that,” Tortorella added when asked whether he resented how his Rangers’ tenure ended. “I know you’re going to dig at me. I’m not going to go back to what happened. I wish them the best and I’m into it here.”

Tortorella made it clear when he was hired by the Canucks that he knew his image needed a makeover. In addition to his success with the Rangers – he missed the playoffs just once – Tortorella guided the Lightning to the Cup in 2004. Still, he was known more for his angry outbursts, both toward the media and on the bench.

In short, he wants to be known as a good coach, not a lunatic.

“When you lose your job or, really, after every season, you re-access what you did,” Tortorella said. “You’re always trying to become a better coach and work on some of your weaknesses. I am trying to be a better coach in this situation here.”

Vigneault’s time with the Canucks came to an end after back-to-back first-round playoff ousters. The rap was he was too much of a players’ coach and the players had become too comfortable.

Tortorella, through his grueling training camp and opposite demeanor, has certainly shaken the Canucks out of their comfort zone.

“We did a lot as a team, it was a great run by [Vigneault] but, unfortunately, these things happen,” Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo said. “You definitely see the passion when [Tortorella is] out there coaching and teaching video. I think it’s going to be good for our team to get that little extra jump.”

The reality is, for professional athletes, coaches get fired with regularity.

So while Rangers center Brian Boyle could acknowledge the team wanted “to play well” for Vigneault in his Vancouver return, it really wasn’t a big topic of discussion in the dressing room.

“Obviously, it’s a good story line, I guess, two coaches switching teams,” Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “We’re not really talking about it.”

BRIEFS: Henrik Lundqvist was supposed to play the full game but was pulled after allowing five goals on 17 shots in two periods, twice on deflections. But he also misjudged Frank Corrado’s knuckling slap shot from the right point at 14:49 of the first period to make it 2-0. … Marty Biron, expected to play tonight against the Kings, stopped all three shots he faced in the third period. … The Rangers outshot the Canucks, 41-20 but could not beat Roberto Luongo. … Thursday marked the first time in preseason Vigneault has dressed his six top defensemen in one game. … Derek Dorsett fought the Canucks’ Kevin Bieksa at 10:14 of the third period. …

The Canucks were 2-for-6 on the power play. … The Rangers fell to 1-4-0 in the preseason, having scored just eight goals.



Rangers agree to terms with top-scorer Derek Stepan

Thursday, September 26, 2013 Last updated: Friday September 27, 2013, 12:24 AM

BY ANDREW GROSS

STAFF WRITER

The Record

VANCOUVER – The off-season business has concluded just in time for the regular season.

But without the benefit of training camp and the preseason, there is some question as to how ready Derek Stepan, the Rangers’ leading scorer last season, will be when the season opens Thursday at Phoenix.

“I’m not that far off,” Stepan said.

The 23-year-old restricted free-agent center agreed on Thursday to a two-year deal worth $6.15 million, ending negotiations that went on far longer than he had hoped. Stepan, who has been practicing with Wisconsin, flew from his Minnesota home to New York on Thursday night and will undergo medical testing today.

The Rangers conclude their six-game preseason schedule tonight in Las Vegas against the Kings before returning to New York. The team is off on Saturday, but Stepan said he would skate on his own before rejoining his teammates for practice on Sunday.

“Nice,” said right wing Rick Nash, who likely will wind up on a line with Stepan. “He’s a great player, a guy I didn’t know too much about before I got here. But he’s definitely an elite center in this league and a big piece to our puzzle.”

Still, Stepan has a lot of catching up to do, needing to acclimate himself to new coach Alain Vigneault’s system.

“I’m very happy,” Vigneault said. “They’ve been working at this for some time, he’s one of our top players. Contract negotiations, I have nothing to do with it, so I’m going to welcome him with open arms.”

“No bitterness,” added Stepan, who was coming off a three-year entry-level deal worth $2.625 million. “At a young age in my career, I got to see the business side of it. It doesn’t go as smoothly as you think sometimes. It’s hard to grasp, not to take it personally.”

The salary cap was lowered to $64.3 million this season, and the Rangers opted not to buy out Brad Richards, who has a cap hit of $6.67 million.

Stepan, with little negotiating leverage without arbitration rights and without attracting an offer sheet from another team, was reportedly seeking $3.5 million annually. He said he received this offer from the Rangers on Monday and elected to accept it Wednesday night.

His new deal counts $3.075 million against the cap, leaving the Rangers approximately $300,000 over the cap.

Stepan had the added motivation to sign because of his expected Olympic participation with Team USA.

“It’s a tough year, the cap went down quite a bit, New York was in a tight spot to begin with,” Stepan said. “It’s an unfortunate situation. Both sides handled it as best we could.”

BRIEF: Captain Ryan Callahan, recovering from off-season surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, has been cleared for contact, Vigneault told the MSG broadcast crew prior to Thursday’s game.



Alain Vigneault's Rangers ready to face John Tortorella's Canucks


BY ANDREW GROSS

STAFF WRITER

The Record

VANCOUVER – The teams swapped coaches. By definition, then, the Rangers are hoping to infuse the best of Alain Vigneault’s Canucks while John Tortorella wants to infuse on the West Coast – aka the Wet Coast – what worked so well for him in New York.

The teams’ identity makeovers intersect tonight when Tortorella’s Canucks host Vigneault’s Rangers at Rogers Arena, a preseason game unusually full of hype because of the coaches. Neither team practiced Wednesday, so neither was available to discuss tonight’s game.

"[Vigneault] is a great guy, I’ve got nothing bad to say about him," Canucks center Ryan Kesler said earlier this month while in Newark. "It just ran its

course in

Vancouver. We won two Presidents Trophies under him. We went to a Stanley Cup final.

"Hopefully, it energizes both teams," Kesler added. "The Rangers were good the last couple of years under Torts."

At their best under Tortorella, the Rangers won with a blue-collar style that put emphasis on aggressive forechecking with everybody expected to block shots regardless of their on-ice role.

Tortorella already said he wants the Canucks to be a "harder" team to play against and has emphasized shot blocking. In an interview with NHL.com, Tortorella opined that getting that type of contribution from finesse playmakers Henrik and Daniel Sedin would be a great example to follow. In the same interview, Tortorella said if injuries occur as a result, "So be it."

Meanwhile, the Rangers, while looking to retain that aggressive style, are hoping Vigneault’s system leads to more offense, both at even strength and on the power play.

Vigneault is preaching that his players need to get to the net more and is looking to get the defensemen more involved in the rush and playing deeper in the zone.

The results have been mixed so far in the preseason as the Rangers have gone 1-3-0 with eight goals and a 2-for-15 power play.

Then again, they’re playing without captain Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin, recovering from off-season shoulder surgeries, as well as unsigned restricted free agent Derek Stepan, who could be three of their top six forwards. Hagelin was sent back to New York on Wednesday to continue his rehab.

"I think the Rangers are already a team that was hard to play against," Bruins center Patrice Bergeron said. "They play a pretty up-tempo game and I think that’s [Vigneault’s] style. That’s the way he was playing in Vancouver. They were an in-your-face type of team, lots of offense but also lots of grit and I’m expecting to see the same type of team."

BRIEFS: The Rangers reduced their roster to 30 by re-assigning nine to Hartford (AHL), including D Dylan McIlrath, RW Danny Kristo, and G Cam Talbot. Defensemen Tommy Hughes, Aaron Johnson and Danny Syvret and forwards Micheal Haley, Michael Kantor and Andrew Yogan were also re-assigned to the Wolf Pack. … Henrik Lundqvist is scheduled to play his second and last full game of the preseason.



Henrik Lundqvist off his game as Rangers are blanked by Canucks

Published: September 27, 2013 2:20 AM

By STEVE ZIPAY [email protected]

VANCOUVER -- In coach Alain Vigneault's first game back after being hired by the Rangers last summer -- and John Tortorella's first against his former troops -- the Canucks outscored the Blueshirts, 5-0, in a preseason game Thursday night.

Henrik Sedin scored twice and Henrik Lundqvist did not look sharp, allowing five goals on 17 shots through 40 minutes before being replaced by Martin Biron at the start of the third period.

The third period meant little; the Canucks led 2-0 after the first and 5-0 after the second, with two of the scores on the power play.

Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo made 41 saves and Vigneault said the Rangers "saw a goaltender who was real sharp and some bounces that didn't go our way. They were able to get a break on their second goal [Frank Corrado's long knuckler from the right point], I think Hank would like to have that one back."

Vigneault said there was a good chance that Lundqvist would get minutes against the Kings in Las Vegas in the preseason finale on Friday night.

"It was a game where the puck didn't bounce our way," said Lundqvist, echoing his coach after the Rangers fell to 1-4 in the preseason. "Obviously you want to have a better result. I could have better reads on some of the deflections maybe; the one positive thing is that it's preseason. I have some work to do and I think as a team we have some work to do to get structure in our game. You want to get a good feeling, more than the result. It's always good to win, but that's what we have to focus on Friday."

Rick Nash and Brad Richards continued to struggle offensively, and the top defensive pairing of Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh was on ice for all five goals.

Vigneault, meanwhile, must make a decision on which youngsters might make the opening-night roster.

"There are a lot of players right now that are close, but haven't really shown to me that they can play at this level on a consistent basis," he said. "A couple of young guys will get a chance [Friday], but they're definitely going to have to do better."

Defenseman John Moore, one of the better Rangers on the ice at Rogers Arena, said that "no matter what time of year, you're going in to win the game. We did some good things offensively. We're looking for a solid effort [Friday]. We just need to tighten up defensively."

One bit of good news for the Rangers in addition to center Derek Stepan signing a two-year contract worth $6.15 million and set to practice with the club on Sunday in New York: Captain Ryan Callahan, who has been skating and shooting while rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, was cleared for contact. But Vigneault said he wouldn't be ready for opening night in Phoenix on Oct. 3.



Derek Stepan agrees to contract with Rangers

Originally published: September 26, 2013 2:39 PM

Updated: September 27, 2013 1:02 AM

By STEVE ZIPAY [email protected]

VANCOUVER -- The biggest win of the preseason for the Rangers wasn't a game. It was when Derek Stepan agreed to a two-year, $6.15-million contract Thursday, ending a long standoff that kept the team's No. 1 center away from training camp.

Stepan, 23, led the Rangers in scoring during the lockout-shortened season with 18 goals and 26 assists in 48 games and is a prime candidate to play for the U.S. team in the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

"It's hard to sit here and tell you it [the Olympics] didn't have any weight or effect on my decision," Stepan said during a conference call. Team USA coaches will be evaluating players closely the first three months of the season. "First and foremost was getting myself in a New York jersey. We wanted to make sure we got ourselves a deal that's fair and was fair for New York as well. The urgency came from the fact that I was ready to play and I think New York was ready to have this be done with."

Stepan was flying to New York, where he will undergo a physical and fitness testing, and be ready to practice with the Blueshirts on Sunday. "I'm not far off" in conditioning, said Stepan, who has been practicing with the team at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin. "There's going to be times when I need to catch up a little bit."

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said he would "welcome him back with open arms," and players were pleased that Stepan would rejoin the club. "He's an elite center and a big piece to the puzzle, so it's good to have him back," said Rick Nash, who played on a line with Stepan for part of last season.

Drafted by the Rangers in the second round in 2008, Stepan is coming off an entry-level contract worth $875,000 a year and had initially sought a longer-term deal. But Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather insisted on a two-year contract and prevailed.

"It's a tough year, the [salary] cap went down quite a bit," Stepan said. "At the same time, both sides handled it as best we could. There's no bitterness. At a young age in my career, I got to see the business side of it. There's no question in my mind I didn't want it [the negotiations] to go that long. I don't think either side expected it to go that long."

With Stepan, who has scored 56 goals and posted 140 points in 212 games with the Rangers and is a prime candidate for the U.S. Olympic team in the fold, the Rangers must now maneuver to get under the $64.3 million salary cap by Monday. The NHL season begins Tuesday.

With only about $2 million available under the cap, they will waive, trade or reassign players, presumably after last night's game against the Canucks or tonight's game against the Kings in Las Vegas.

"I've been in constant communication with [Stepan] during the whole thing," said defenseman Ryan McDonagh, Stepan's friend since college. "He was always asking about the guys and told me this morning it was coming to an end. He was just doing what he had to do."

Rangers blanked by Canucks: In Vigneault's first game back here after being hired by the Rangers -- and John Tortorella's first against his former troops -- the Canucks blew by the Blueshirts, 5-0. Henrik Sedin scored twice and Henrik Lundqvist did not look sharp, allowing five goals on 17 shots through 40 minutes before being replaced by Martin Biron at the start of the third period. Roberto Luongo made 40 saves for the Canucks.

The Dolan family owns

controlling interests in the

Rangers, Madison Square

Garden and Cablevision.

Cablevision owns Newsday.



Rangers-Canucks in review

27 September 2013, 4:43 am by Carp in Hockey New York Rangers NHL Rangers Report - 3 Comments

Henrik Lundqvist

Thoughts:

1) Huge day for the Rangers Thursday. Not only did they re-sign Derek Stepan—Glen Sather, tough negotiator, wins again—but just as critical is that Ryan Callahan was cleared for contact. And to me that pretty much ensures that he will be in the opening-night lineup too, regardless of what Alain Vigneault said post-game. The Rangers desperately need both of those guys. As for the game, well, I put zero stock in the outcome of a

preseason game. Does anybody remember what their preseason record was in 2011-12? Or in 1993-94? Or ever?

2) Hey, Torts and Sully figured out the power play!! Seriously, though, the Canucks clearly looked like they’re buying into the wall-ball game that John Tortorella employed last year. Only it had a chance to succeed because the Canucks have a ton more skill than last year’s Rangers had.

Henrik Lundqvist3) One thing I’ve noticed, in addition to remaining on their feet, is that the Rangers defensemen are engaging their man in front and around the net. On each of the first two goals, Dan Girardi was physically battling his man instead of trying to do too much and chasing the puck. I like it. And if you like it, I’m guessing you can, in part, thank Ulf Samuelsson.

4) Brad Richards. What if he is not one of the top two centers this season? And if Rick Nash really is most comfortable with Derick Brassard, is Brassard then the first-line center?

5) I’m thinking Chris Kreider makes the team out of camp and gets a chance to stay or lose his job early in the season. But I don’t know that for sure, and so I’m thinking the final game of the preseason tonight is kind of a big one for Kreider … if he gets that chance to play.

6) Another good outing for J.T. Miller, I thought.

7) Good to see Tom “Fantasy Camp” Tostitos last night.Henrik Lundqvist

8) Not sure it’s a good thing for the Rangers to have all this time off, from Friday night until Thursday, before their opener, and that it will be a full week between games for Henrik Lundqvist. It most certainly isn’t a good thing for him to have to sit on that performance for a week, and so he’ll probably play tonight too. The King was in character last night, ticked off that he was bumped on the first goal. He was bumped. But he hates giving up goals, any time, anywhere. And he did give up a few too many, didn’t he? Holy shishkebob.

9) With Callahan and Stepan (and without Carl Hagelin) the Rangers still have to clip eight or nine players off the roster by Monday afternoon. Yikes.

10) Nice touch by MSG Network leading into the game with the 1994 Stanley Cup finals Game 7 between the same two teams.

11) Was wondering, as the Sedins celebrated their birthday and head into the walk year of their contracts, if in a salary cap world it will actually be possible for a team other than the Canucks to sign both of them as UFAs. I imagine it wouldn’t be possible for them to remain together if they actually hit the market, though the Canucks might get s discount to keep them together.

12) Next up: Los Angeles in Las Vegas tonight.

**********************************************Henrik Lundqvist

My Three Rangers Stars:

1. John Moore.

2. Derek Dorsett.

3. Martin Biron.

Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 09.27.2013


It’s Go Time! … Rangers at Canucks

26 September 2013, 9:35 pm by Carp in Hockey New York Rangers NHL Rangers Report - 278 Comments

Game 4 of this 15-game trip. The preseason ends tomorrow in Las Vegas against the Kings.

As you know, tonight the “traded” coaches face off against one another.canucks logo

And unless you’ve been under Mount Vancouver, you’ve heard by now that Derek Stepan today signed a two-year, $6.15 million contract. He will fly to NY tonight, have a physical and fitness tests Friday, skate Saturday and join the team for practice on Sunday, meaning he will have missed all of camp and the preseason.

Henrik Lundqvist starts in goal and is expected to play the entire game tonight against his former cuddly coach. Alain Vigneault will likely be warmly received in Vancouver, where he said, “fans don’t come to see a coach” and where he wanted to thank a lot of support people and friends he’d never thanked after being fired.

Vigneault will use his top six defensemen tonight, and forwards Rick Nash, Brad Richards, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello, Brian Boyle, Benoit Pouliot, Taylor Pyatt, Jesper Fast, Derek Dorsett, J.T. Miller, Dominic Moore, and Darroll Powe.



It’s official: Rangers re-sign Derek Stepan for two years, $6.15M

26 September 2013, 1:55 pm by Carp in Hockey New York Rangers NHL Rangers Report - 455 Comments

Derek Stepan today signed a two-year bridge contract worth $6.15 million. Stepan, 23, will not play in any preseason games and instead will join the team in Greenburgh after they return from their final preseason game, in Vegas, Friday.

Here is the official announcement from the NYR:

RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORWARD DEREK STEPAN

NEW YORK, September 26, 2013 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Derek Stepan on a new contract.

Stepan, 23, registered 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points, along with 12 penalty minutes in 48 games last season. He established career-highs in several statistical categories, including plus/minus rating (plus-25), game-winning goals (six), shorthanded assists (three), shorthanded points (four), and tied his career-high in power play goals (four). Stepan eclipsed the 40-point mark for the third consecutive season, on his way to leading the team in points and assists, and finished second on the Rangers in goals, power play goals, and power play points (10). He also led the team and tied for second in the NHL in game-winning goals, tied for the league lead in shorthanded points, and second in shorthanded assists.

The Hastings, Minnesota native established postseason career-highs in goals (four), plus/minus rating (plus-four), and game-winning goals (two) during the 2013 playoffs. He led the team in goals and game-winning goals, ranked second in plus/minus rating, and tied for fourth in points (five), while skating in 12 playoff contests. Stepan tallied the game-winning goal in Game 3 and Game 4 of their Conference Quarterfinal matchup against Washington, becoming the first Ranger to record the game-winning goal in consecutive playoff games since Adam Graves in Game 4 and Game 5 of the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The 6-0, 196-pounder has appeared in 212 career regular season games over three seasons, registering 56 goals and 84 assists for 140 points, along with 54 penalty minutes and a plus-47 rating. Last season, he skated in his 200th career NHL game on April 3 against Pittsburgh, recording an assist in the contest, and tallied his 100th career NHL point with an assist on January 26 against Toronto. In 2011-12, Stepan established career-highs in assists (34) and points (51), reaching the 50-point plateau for the first time in his career with two power play assists on March 30, 2012, against Montreal.

Stepan was originally selected by the Rangers as a second round choice, 51st overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He notched a hat trick while skating in his NHL debut on October 9, 2010, at Buffalo, making him the fourth player in NHL history, and first Ranger, to accomplish the feat. Stepan finished the 2010-11 season ranked fifth among NHL rookies in points (45), tied for fifth in goals (21), and seventh in assists (24).


718308 Ottawa Senators

Senators pare roster ahead of 3-1 loss to Canadiens

by Ken Warren

on September 26, 2013

MONTREAL — For the Ottawa Senators, it was about a little bit of rust, a lot of rest and Daniel Briere’s magic touch in Thursday’s 3-1 exhibition loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

In the small picture of the Senators’ defeat, goaltender Craig Anderson — playing his first full game of the exhibition schedule — would probably like another crack at Tomas Plekanec’s go-ahead goal from the faceoff circle late in the second period.

It was a big-league shot, to be sure, a blast that beat Anderson high to the short side. Yet considering it came from the board-side of the faceoff dot, it was an angle that Anderson would typically cut off.

Anderson, however, had no chance on Max Pacioretty’s third period goal. Mark Stone failed to cover Pacioretty as he drove to the net, took a behind the goal-line pass from Canadiens newcomer Daniel Briere, and went high on Anderson. Briere was in a similar position to set up Alex Galchenyuk for the Canadiens’ first goal late in the first period.

The Canadiens were the better team in the third period, but the fact the Senators carried the play for large portions of the opening two periods, despite keeping so many star veteran players at home, is a compliment to the youngsters who were on the ice.

Their emergence has already forced the Senators to make moves while trying to get down to a 23-man roster for the opening of the regular season next week.

Unable to work out a trade, the Senators have placed centre Jim O’Brien on waivers, hoping that a team in desperate need of a centre will pick up his $637,000 salary. Binghamton-bound goaltender Nathan Lawson, winger Corey Cowick and defenceman Tyler Eckford were also placed on waivers, but it’s not expected they’ll be scooped up.

The O’Brien news is not a surprise. O’Brien, who was in the Senators lineup Thursday, only needed to look around him at the forwards to understand why the team can afford to let him go.

Cory Conacher, who opened the scoring here Thursday, appears to have locked up a spot. Stone and Mike Hoffman are knocking on the door to play now. Matt Puempel and Buddy Robinson are on the radar. Curtis Lazar, who is expected to be sent back to junior in the next few days, will get a shot to make the Senators next season.

Meanwhile, back home in Ottawa, centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau was no doubt feeling a little more comfortable with his status following the move with O’Brien. Stephane Da Costa was getting a night off after showcasing his offensive skills on Tuesday against Toronto and Wednesday against Montreal, while Shane Prince and Andre Petersson will likely begin the season as top scoring threats with Binghamton.

If we can take anything from the performance of the relatively inexperienced Senators lineup Thursday against the veteran-laden Canadiens, it’s that the Senators have some depth they can count on in case of injuries.

Before the game, Senators coach Paul MacLean said “we expect to be competitive” and that the organization was “looking forward to our players going there and responding to” the challenge of playing a Montreal roster which will closely resemble the opening day team.

They put up a decent fight, outshooting the Canadiens 25-18 through two periods.

The skaters to start the game told part of the story. The Senators crew of Jared Cowen, Chris Wideman, Mike Hoffman, Conacher and Mika Zibanejad have a combined 192 games of regular season NHL experience. The Canadiens’ group of Tomas Plekanec, Rene Bourque, Brian Gionta, Raphael Diaz and Andrei Markov have played a combined 2,556 games.

Considering all that, it was surprising the Senators jumped out to the early lead, when Conacher pounced on a loose puck outside the crease and put it past Canadiens goaltender Carey Price. Conacher also scored against Montreal in Wednesday’s 5-2 win at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Alex Galchenyuk tied the game with 2:18 left in the first. Plekanec beat Anderson with 1:54 left in the second to give the Canadiens the lead they never lost.

Beforehand, Anderson says he was happy to finally see a full game after two weeks of seeing practice pucks.

“You want to play, you want to get out there and kind of get into the playing situations where it’s more game-like, and a lot more situations where you have to stay mentally focused and you’re not so worried about third or fourth or fifth shots in a row in practice,” he said. “You can’t just go out there and go through the motions. You’ve got to work on your game. That’s the biggest thing in the pre-season.”

Other than the Plekanec shot, he was solid.

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 09.27.2013


Scanlan: Cowen gets up to speed, Spezza stalls

by Wayne Scanlan


Scanlan: Cowen gets up to speed, Spezza stalls

Jared Cowen at Ottawa Senators practice at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. ( Chris Mikula / Ottawa Citizen)

In the early days of training camp — feels like months ago, now — Jared Cowen was conspicuous by his absence.

Without a contract, the big defenceman missed the first, gruelling days of Ottawa Senators camp (veteran move, in hindsight), and only joined the team when it happened to be visiting Cowen’s hometown of Saskatoon for a pre-season game on Sept. 16. Cowen had agreed to a new four-year deal two days earlier.

Ten days on, Cowen, no longer the young restricted free agent falling behind by missing time, may be ahead of the game. While others are fading, tiring, getting injured in this relentless pre-season, Cowen is fresh and eager to play hockey.

Memo to NHL: Teams don’t really need to play eight exhibition games to prepare for the season. Three would be about right. Three is probably how many Cowen will get before the Senators open their season in Buffalo on Oct. 4.

“The more minutes I get, the better I feel,” Cowen said, before a group of Senators — mostly non-NHL players — boarded the train for Thursday’s game in Montreal. This was Ottawa’s fifth pre-season game, but just the second for Cowen, who played in Toronto against the Maple Leafs Tuesday.

“The biggest thing is just trying to get back into situations and being comfortable,” Cowen said. “I’ve only played one game since last year.

“I just want to get good with the puck and make better plays.”

For Cowen, adjusting to camp life and pre-season games is child’s play compared to last spring, when he had to leap on a speeding vehicle. That’s how it felt to play just seven regular season games before joining the hurly-burly of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

With just one full NHL season behind him (82 games, in 2011-12), the 6-5, 230-pound Cowen struggled to find his comfort level while returning to action from hip surgery. Today, he is in a better place, physically and mentally.

“I feel good. The hip is good,” Cowen said. “It’s not holding me back. It’s more healthy and strong and I have lots of confidence in it. It’s not really bothering me, it’s just something I’ve got to stay on maintenance-wise.”

While his conditioning was not an issue in the spring, he missed the “reps” that provide a sense of familiarity to all that is thrown at an NHL defenceman.

This is a big year for the big man. He’s pencilled in as a top four defenceman, and will likely start the season alongside Patrick Wiercioch. Cowen is 22, Wiercioch 23. Both are 6-5, western Canadian boys. They could be twin towers on Ottawa’s blueline for a long, long time.

Erik Karlsson and Marc Methot are the top pairing in a corps that also includes Chris Phillips, Eric Gryba and Joe Corvo.

“The depth we have in the back end is as good as it’s been in a long time,” Cowen says. “If we work out (Cowen-Wiercioch), that’s awesome. It’s a pretty good tandem. And we can support the other guys as well.”

KARLSSON WHEELS

While Karlsson continues to be pestered about the state of his Achilles, he was in great form against a youngish Canadiens team on Wednesday, wheeling at will. Even then, he wouldn’t say afterward that he feels as good as ever, the “old” Karlsson who won the Norris Trophy two years ago before having his foot slashed by Matt Cooke’s skate blade on Feb. 13.

Better than most, Cowen has a sense of what Karlsson is going through, while slowly getting back to normal.

“I think he looks fine,” Cowen says. “I know what it’s like to have that kind of discomfort, it’s not really hindering you that much, but it’s always in the back of your head. You just don’t feel the same way, you don’t really notice it until you feel 100 per cent again.

“It’s just an annoying thing, you can’t really put your finger on it, you just kind of get used to it. And one day you just feel good again.”

SPEZZA SKATES, SITS

Captain Jason Spezza skated on Thursday, but did not accompany the team to Montreal, still nursing a training camp injury that kept him from playing against the Canadiens Wednesday.

“I’m just dealing with a little bit of a strain, I want to make sure we take care of it so it isn’t something that lingers,” Spezza said.

Spezza insists he should be good to go for the season opener in Buffalo.

“That’s why (we’re) taking precautions now,” he said.

While Spezza and his new linemate, Bobby Ryan, have only played two pre-season games together, Spezza doesn’t think they will have a problem connecting when the real games start.

“Ideally we would have played more, but we’ve had a lot of intra-squad games as well.” Spezza said. “Truth be told, you’re not going to feel each other out until you get to the regular season games anyway, when you’re under live fire in real situations.”

Spezza will consider suiting up in Ottawa’s final pre-season game Sunday against the New York Islanders.

“If there’s any chance of straining it a little more, I’m not going to play just to play and jeopardize not being ready for the first game of the year,” he said. “But I’d like to play, so if I’m feeling good enough I’m going to play.”



Morning skate update: Anderson between pipes for Senators, Lazar to play

by Ken Warren


Morning skate update: Anderson between pipes for Senators, Lazar to play

Craig Anderson kicks out the toe to stop a shot by James van Riemsdyk with defence man Marc Methot (R) in close in the 2nd period as the Ottawa Senators take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in pre-season NHL action at Canadian Tire Centre, September 19, 2013, in Kanata, Ontario. (Wayne Cuddington / Ottawa Citizen)

Goaltender Craig Anderson is expected to play his first full game of the pre-season as the Ottawa Senators travel to the Bell Centre in the second game of the home and away series Thursday.

“You want to play, you want to get out there and kind of get into the playing situations where it’s more game like and a lot more situations where you have to stay mentally focussed and you’re not so worried about third or fourth or fifth shots in a row in practice,” said Anderson.

“It’s always a good place, a fun place, to play. They always have good crowds. It’s one of those things where you’ve got to use the energy they bring, but you’ve still got to get up for the game. You can’t just go out there and go through the motions. You’ve got to work on your game. That’s the biggest thing in the pre-season.”

The fact Anderson is playing a full game is a good sign for the Senators, considering that he has been slowed by something (he insists it’s not his ankle) through the first two weeks of training camp. Robin Lehner is also going to Montreal as the back-up, but coach Paul MacLean says the plan is for Anderson to play the entire game.

Anderson figures to have his hands (and feet) full, given that the Canadiens will dress a lineup full of experienced NHL players. The Senators lineup, on the other hand, is full of prospects bidding to do everything possible to get noticed by the coaches and management. Jason Spezza, Bobby Ryan, Milan Michalek, Kyle Turris, Clarke MacArthur, Colin Greening, Erik Condra, Chris Neil, Erik Karlsson, Marc Methot, Chris Phillips and Patrick Wiercioch are all staying at home.

The group does include Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman, part of the crew in a battle to win a roster spot out of training camp. It also includes first-round draft pick Curtis Lazar, playing his first ever exhibition game after suffering a shoulder injury on the first day of training camp.

“I’m pretty excited,” Lazar said. “I woke up and it felt like Christmas that’s for sure, just getting to the rink. I’m looking forward to it. There’s no better place to start for my first NHL pre-season action.”

The Senators might expect the Canadiens to try and establish themselves physically in front of their home crowd. The memories of the Senators eliminating Montreal in the playoffs last spring are fresh. The Canadiens, who were outmuscled by Ottawa in that five-game series, were physical in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss at the Canadian Tire Centre, when they sported a much weaker lineup than what they will display tonight.

“You figured there was going to be some heated moments,” said Anderson, when asked about the nature of the Canadiens style. “In the past, in my experience, when a team gets knocked out in the playoffs the year before, when they play them for the first time again, there’s always a little bit of animosity that’s still there from forcing the other team to go golfing at the end of the year. Tht’s not a good feelign when you’re on the other end of it.”



With time ticking down, time to see who's still in running at Senators camp

By Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen September 26, 2013

Ottawa Senators defenceman Marc Methot has plenty of sympathy for the prospects who are caught in a whirlwind of pressures, distractions and contract intangibles as they bid to make the team out of training camp.

It wasn't so long ago that Methot was in the same skates as the current Senators "bubble" boys like Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, Cory Conacher, Stephane Da Costa, Andre Petersson, Cody Ceci and Mark Borowiecki. They're all desperately trying to piece together the big picture, while also aiming to showcase themselves to make the NHL.

Publicly, they usually offer up standard clichés along the lines of "only controlling what I can control," but Methot says it's impossible to put blinders on to all the other noise.

"I don't think you can," said Methot, who spent three seasons in the AHL before establishing himself as an NHL regular with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008-09. "I think the more passionate you are about the game, the more it's going to hit home. You're going to have more anxiety, you'll be more stressed out, just because you care so much about the game and you take it so seriously. And you've got family. You've got so many outside pressures that people don't realize, that are hanging over you and bugging you.

"You read into everything. You can't just brush it off. You can tell the guys to relax, you can tell them to be confident, but it comes down to them."

After Wednesday's game against Montreal, only three exhibition games remain - including a pair of splitsquad games Sunday - for the hopefuls to audition for the precious few spots remaining on the roster.

It won't be easy for the Senators to get down to 23 players, but the internal competition is a good thing, according to Senators coach Paul Mac-Lean. "Who continues to compete, who plays consistently and handles different situations (well) ... and all of those scenarios go into who we decide makes the team," he said. So with time ticking down, it's time to take a look at who is still in the running, what factors work for and against individual prospects, and what the 23-man roster might look like when the Senators open the season Oct. 4 against the Buffalo Sabres.

FORWARDS

First, let's take care of the guarantees. Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek, Bobby Ryan, Clarke MacArthur, Kyle Turris, Colin Greening, Zack Smith, Chris Neil, Erik Condra, Mika Zibanejad and Matt Kassian - the necessary heavyweight - are sure bets.

Assuming the Senators carry 14 forwards, that leaves three spots for a group which includes Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Jim O'Brien, Stone, Conacher, Hoffman, Da Costa and Andre Petersson.

Conacher, O'Brien, Hoffman and Da Costa have an advantage in the sense that they must clear waivers if the Senators choose to send them to Binghamton of the AHL, meaning every other NHL team could pick them up without giving up a player or draft pick in return. Conacher would be a sure bet to be snapped up (he was in the running for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year before tailing off late last season) and the Senators also gave up goaltender Ben Bishop to acquire him, meaning he's probably safe.

It says here that Pageau has done more than enough to hold on to the spot he earned for himself with his impressive two-way playoff performance and by his determination, commitment and consistency ever since. Just the same, if the Senators are really stuck, they do have the option to send him to Binghamton without risk of losing him. So, barring injury and a surprise demotion of Pageau, that leaves one precious spot available.

Petersson has followed up a great rookie camp with a good training camp, but because he doesn't need waivers and is limited to playing on an offensive line, he's likely headed to Binghamton.

O'Brien, who scored Tuesday against Toronto, would appear to be the victim of being surrounded by too many centres and will likely be placed on waivers.

That leaves Hoffman, Da Costa and Stone. Stone is waiver-exempt, which means if all things were equal, he would be the odd man out. Yet he has best scoring touch of the three, which could make him a good fit on a line with MacArthur and Turris. If he has a strong showing over the final few exhibition games, he's definitely in the running.

Hoffman has the best speed of the three, but to date, he has played in only one preseason game, seeing limited time to showcase himself.

In contrast, Da Costa, who took centre stage while playing between Michalek and Ryan Wednesday, has already played four pre-season games. It was a showcase moment for Da Costa, one way or another.

General manager Bryan Murray would like to find a team (Calgary, Edmonton, anyone?) willing to give up a decent draft pick for Da Costa, but as of Wednesday, nothing was imminent.

In fact, Murray said one team was asking if he wanted another forward.

We do know that's not going to happen.

DEFENCE

It's a little simpler to figure out the blueline. Erik Karlsson, Methot, Jared Cowen, Patrick Wiercioch, Chris Phillips and Joe Corvo all have guaranteed NHL contracts. Eric Gryba is on a two-way deal, but if he's sent back to Binghamton, he would have to clear waivers. The Senators aren't going to take the chance at losing him.

For Borowiecki to get a crack at the team out of training camp, one of the club's physical defencemen - Methot, Cowen, Phillips or Gryba - would need to be injured. The one unknown is when Gryba will be able to return from the lower body injury which has kept him from playing in the pre-season.

Meanwhile, Ceci, an offensive-minded defencemen, could be recalled if Karlsson, Wiercioch or Corvo get injured.



Ottawa Senators lose to Montreal Canadiens in NHL pre-season action

By Bruce Garrioch

First posted: Thursday, September 26, 2013 10:51 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, September 26, 2013 11:09 PM EDT

MONTREAL - The Senators beat the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs last spring with muscle.

On Thursday night, Ottawa just lacked some scoring punch.

Playing with a lineup that will be nothing close to what they'll dress a week from now on opening night, the Senators left their big guns at home and, as a result, couldn't solve Carey Price in a 3-1 loss at the Bell Centre.

Returning to the place where they sent the Habs packing in the playoffs, the Senators faced a Montreal team playing its final pre-season game with a lineup that wasn't many faces of short of what it will look like Tuesday vs. Toronto.

Had it not been for a strong effort by Carey Price with 29 stops in the Montreal net, this could have been really embarrassing for the Habs. Only Cory Conacher was able to beat him in what was not a great display for either team.

Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk beat Senators netminder Craig Anderson on the 25 shots he faced, but there wasn't a lot in front of him.

There was no Jason Spezza, Bobby Ryan, Milan Michalek, Erik Karlsson, Chris Neil, Colin Greening, Chris Phillips, Marc Methot or Erik Condra. On defence, Jared Cowen was the only regular vs. a Habs team that was stacked.

"I don't think we can hold our heads low. We did some good things, we had a young lineup," said centre Zack Smith.

Anderson, who has been sidelined by what is believed to be a groin injury through parts of camp, made only his second appearance in the net and it was the first time in the pre-season he's played a full 60 minutes.

It was a tough test because he didn't have a whole lot of experience in front of him. He was looking forward to getting a chance to get in some action. The Senators felt he might be tested, given who wasn't here.

"I felt a little rusty," said Anderson. "I've got a little bit of ways to go, but ... I felt pretty good.

"It's just getting into the game situations, stuff that you don't see in practice."

Anderson said it's always nice to suit up in Montreal.

"It's always a good, fun place to play," said Anderson. "They always have good crowds and they're exciting to play in front of. It's one of those things where you've got to use the energy that they bring and you've still got to get up for the game yourself.

"You can't go through the motions. You've got to work on your game. That's the biggest thing in pre-season."

After 40 minutes, it was Price doing all the work with the Habs being outshot 25-18. But Montreal held a 2-1 lead on the strength of Plekanec's bullet that beat Anderson top shelf at 18:06. Up until then, Price had to be solid because he wasn't get any help from the guys in front of him.

Given the lineup they brought here, the Senators got off to a impressive start by outshooting the Habs 16-8 in the first. A late goal by Galchenyuk that beat Anderson on the glove side saved face for Montreal and tied it up 1-1 at 17:42.

Working down low, Conacher opened the scoring on the doorstep to beat Price stick side at 5:09. Battling for a spot on the second line, Conacher netted his third of the pre-season. That won't hurt his standing.

The Senators will have Friday off before returning to practice Saturday in preparation for split-squad games against the New York Islanders Sunday. One game will be played at home and the other is being held in Barrie.

"We didn't get the win but I thought we got a lot of pretty good results," said coach Paul MacLean. "I thought we played pretty hard as a team for 60 minutes and we had an opportunity to win the game.

"We didn't win, but I thought a lot of players gave a very good account of themselves."

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 09.27.2013


Ottawa Sens put O'Brien on waivers

By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun


MONTREAL - Jim O'Brien's days with the Senators are numbered.

He could be gone as early as Friday.

The Senators centre, who landed in the doghouse last season and played only five minutes in the final month in the run towards the playoffs, was placed on waivers by the club Thursday at noon.

If he clears, the 24-year-old O'Brien -- the club's first-round pick in 2007 with No. 29 overall pick -- could be sent to Binghamton to earn his one-way contract of $650,000 after several attempts by GM Bryan Murray to deal him.

It's believed O'Brien landed in the doghouse last season when there was a mention from someone in his camp for more ice time. He was pretty much a scratch for the last month of the season and playoffs.

The Senators tried to deal O'Brien throughout the season with no luck. There are teams looking for depth at centre and he could be an effective penalty killer, but don't be surprised if he clears waivers Friday at noon.

Teams still have lots of players in camp and aren't keen on picking up contracts at this time of year. O'Brien was in the lineup Thursday night vs. the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre and could play Sunday vs. New York the Islanders.



Ottawa Senators hopefuls running out of time to make an impression



MONTREAL - For some of the Boys on the Bubble, this was a trip to the Last Chance Saloon.

The Senators started the road to making decisions Thursday by putting centre Jim O'Brien along with Corey Cowick, Tyler Eckford and goalie Nathan Lawson on waivers, but there will be more moves in the coming days with 52 players in camp.

While they are eligible to play in the club's final split-squad pre-season games vs. the New York Islanders in Ottawa and Barrie Sunday, GM Bryan Murray, coach Paul MacLean and the staff have started the ball rolling on final cuts.

That's why a strong effort vs. the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre Thursday night was important for the guys still pushing for jobs as camp comes to a close: Stephane Da Costa, Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone and Mark Borowiecki.

MacLean swore Thursday wasn't make or break.

"For me it's consistency, it's who is the most consistent player, not only from game to game but practice to practice," said MacLean before the afternoon bus ride to Montreal for the rematch.

"What their practice habits are, what their habits are around the rink and in the gym, how dedicated they are to being an NHL player. There are lots of factors, the actual games -- the exhibition games -- are only a small part of what goes in to the decision and what ends up separating the players.

"Where the players end up making the decisions for you is when you look at the whole picture, somebody does it better and more consistently than the other guy."

SPEZZA RECOVERING

Captain Jason Spezza was one of the few veterans on the ice Thursday, but didn't suit up vs. the Habs. "I'm just kind of dealing with a little bit of a strain. We just want to make sure we take care of it," said Spezza. "We just want to make sure it doesn't linger. It should be OK. That's why we're taking the extra precautions now. As much as I'd like to be playing in these ones and getting ready, the ones in October are going to mean a lot more." He may play Sunday against the Islanders but won't risk anything. "I just strained something in practice and just making sure it is taken care of," said Spezza. "Regular training camp stuff unfortunately happens sometimes. If I feel like there is any chance of straining it a lot more, then I'm not going to play just to play and jeopardize not being ready for the first game of the year, but I'd like to play so if I feel good enough I'm going to play."

AROUND THE BOARDS

Those players not on the ice Thursday included Marc Methot, Chris Phillips, Kyle Turris, Colin Greening, Clarke MacArthur, Erik Condra, Chris Neil, Bobby Ryan, Erik Karlsson, Joe Corvo, Milan Michalek and Patrick Wiercioch. Karlsson, Ryan, Condra and Wiercioch suffered bumps and bruises vs. the Habs. MacLean said there are no major issues. "Everybody is fine and a lot of our veteran players (are) not practising (Thursday) and they're not practising (Friday) because basically by design of the camp we've had a full schedule," said MacLean. "We'll come back on Saturday, practise and then play the last two games. Everybody who was nicked up is fine." ... If the Senators were trying not to show Hoffman off to anybody, they have done a good job. He played only his second pre-season game Thursday. "If I'm out there playing well and showing I can play here, then the decision will be pretty tough," said Hoffman. He will play Sunday vs. the Isles but he'll have a tough time staying.

OFF THE GLASS

A guy excited to get his first chance was top pick Curtis Lazar. He made his debut vs. the Habs after missing most of the pre-season with a shoulder injury. The club's first-round pick in 2013 couldn't wait to play. "I'm pretty excited," said Lazar. "I woke up and it felt like Christmas, just getting to the rink. I'm looking forward to it. There's no better place for my first NHL pre-season action." ... The Habs held a moment of silence to honour the memory of Denis Brodeur, the father of New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur. Denis passed away Thursday at age 82. Brodeur was a former official photographer for the Habs.

THE LAST WORD

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk will kick off the opening of the Red Mile Friday on Elgin Street at lunchtime. He'll drop by St. Louis Wings at noon to launch the club's 2013-14 marketing campaign. Don't expect any grip and grins with Mayor Jim Watson because he won't even be invited to be part of the event. That may be a first because Watson never likes to miss a photo op. Relations have been frosty between the Senators and the city since Watson botched the casino bid ... Didn't take long for the faithful to start jeering Carey Price: The boos were heard when Cory Conacher made it 1-0 at 5:09. The Montreal fans, who still have memories of last spring, were able to get up off the mat when Alex Galchenyuk tied it.



A look inside the life and times of Senators superstar Bobby Ryan

By Tim Baines,Ottawa Sun


“Who we are cannot be separated from where we're from.”

— Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers: The Story of Success

To fully understand Senators winger Bobby Ryan, to get who he is and what he is about, you'd need to have walked in his shoes -- know what it feels like to live in the shadows.

Instead of going to a classroom from Grades 6-9, each day you'd need to go to the hockey rink where your mom works. You'd need to pick up the curriculum from the school, find the motivation to study on your own for three hours each morning, then put on skates and spend the afternoon on the ice -- a place where everything seems to make sense, where you can dream that dream, that one day you'll play in the National Hockey League.

As a 12-year-old, you'd be awakened by the ruckus created when U.S. marshals arrest your dad after breaking down the door of your family's apartment.

You'd need to figure out why your last name was suddenly changed.

You'd need to understand why coaches yelled at you, why they found the negatives, why they couldn't understand that within you, there is a sensitivity to go along with a creativity.

Bobby Ryan is bright, articulate and personable -- a good guy. He's a wonderful hockey player, already a four-time 30-goal scorer. He's just 26.

Along his journey, at a young age, the boy had to become a man. His is a story of perseverance, of resilience. Its hockey chapters would have been cut far too short if not for the intervention of a sports psychologist.

THE EARLY YEARS

To understand Bobby Ryan, you need the history. His early years were spent in Cherry Hill, N.J., a stone's throw from Philadelphia. On Oct. 29, 1997, Ryan's dad Bob Stevenson Sr., an ex-boxer, beat up his wife Melody. She was left with a fractured skull and broken ribs. The elder Stevenson was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault. Melody didn't want her husband to go to jail, but the prosecutor went ahead with the charges. Two months later, Stevenson skipped out on the $75,000 bail and fled to El Segundo, Calif. His wife and son soon followed, establishing a new life and new identity.

Insurance broker Stevenson became professional gambler Shane Ryan. Bobby Stevenson became Bobby Ryan.

The secret lasted more than two years, until U.S. marshals busted down the door of the family apartment in February of 2000. The fugitive pleaded guilty to bail jumping and aggravated assault and spent four years in prison.

Ryan prefers not to talk about it anymore. He's said his piece and made his peace.

"Does (Bobby) have scars? Probably," the father told the Star-Ledger, a New Jersey newspaper, three years ago. "But he's a good kid. He's honest. He's forthright. He's genuinely good to other people. He took the right path."

PULLED THE TRIGGER

The Senators traded for Ryan on July 5. Rocked by the departure of captain Daniel Alfredsson and after missing out on free-agent winger David Clarkson, Senators GM Bryan Murray pulled the trigger on a deal with the Anaheim Ducks, acquiring Ryan in exchange for wingers Jakob Silfverberg and Stefan Noesen along with a 2014 first-round draft choice.

“I was sitting at a local watering hole,” says Ryan. “My phone rang and it was my friend, Ger McNamee, who owns Gongshow Gear. “We were still talking and a 613 number came up on my phone. It was Mr. Murray and some other guys welcoming me to the team. It was a whirlwind after that, for sure.”

“I got a text that the trade had happened,” says McNamee. “I assumed he already knew. I asked if he was happy and Bobby asked me what I was talking about. I said, 'I guess I'm the guy telling you that you got traded ... welcome to Ottawa.'

“He was shocked, like a deer in the headlights.”

There was so much spinning through Ryan's mind. What about his girlfriend of five years, Danielle? Would she leave her job? Could she? Would she want to move to Ottawa?

“You're asking a California girl to leave Southern California, Newport Beach, and come to Ottawa,” says Ryan. “She thought it was north of Detroit, a suburb, when we first talked about it. But she was on board right away. She's embracing it so far. She's been great. She gave up her job. She had a good gig there. She took a big risk moving here with me. I think it will all work out for the best.”

The excitement of the Senators acquiring a big-time scoring talent spread quickly through Sens Nation.

“He had sent a bunch of packages up here through UPS. I went to pick them up for him and when I got there, the UPS workers all came out. They thought it was Bobby,” says McNamee. “I had a laugh with Bobby. I told him, 'I hope you're ready to come to a hockey market because when I went to pick up the boxes, they were waiting for you.' ”

McNamee says Ottawa's hockey fans will love Ryan.

“He's so easygoing,” says McNamee. “With the things that have happened in his past, he's come out of it such a great guy and that says a lot. I've heard him say if somebody had told him years ago that this would be the life he'd be living, he wouldn't have believed them. He's had his ups and downs, but you can see how hard he's worked.”

Ryan and his girlfriend are settled into a semi-detached townhome in Ottawa's Westboro area.

“It seems like all those homes are really tight and really high,” says Ryan. “We've used the kitchen, living room and bedroom, that's about it. It's perfect for what we need.

“We're both very much minimalists. Everything we have was already there when we got there. The TVs and everything were part of the package so it was the perfect fit for us. I'm loving it. It's been an easy transition for me. It feels like home. It's very comfortable.”

It's expected that Jason Spezza will centre Milan Michalek and Ryan on the Senators' top line.

“(Bobby's) confident,” says Spezza. “He's fit in with with the group off the ice and on the ice, he's grasping what we want to do here. There's no doubting his skill and his touch around the net.”

DUCKS SELECT RYAN #2

After a lockout had wiped out the 2004-05 season, a lottery determined the NHL draft order. After the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Sidney Crosby with the first pick at the draft — July 30, 2005 at Ottawa's Westin Hotel — the Ducks chose Ryan, whose straight-forward no-B.S. answers blew away then-Ducks GM Brian Burke in a pre-draft interview. Ryan not only talked the talk, he walked the walk. He had put up big numbers with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack — 37 goals and 52 assists.

Once he got to the NHL in 2008, Ryan was there to stay. He rang up seasons of 31, 35, 34 and 31 goals, before finding the net just 11 times in a lockout-shortened 2013 season. Expectations will be ratcheted up in Ottawa. This is Hockey Country.

“There will be more pressure,” says Ryan, who will be paid $5,562,500 each of the next two seasons. “In Anaheim, if you have a bad game, the team knows about it and that's about it. Aside from the fans that write on the message boards, there's not a whole lot of a peanut gallery. I'm looking forward to embracing that. I think it'll be nice to be held accountable for my actions day in and day out. It's going to push me. I don't think I need to change and do anything differently.

“There are days when you get up and don't want to get up and tie your skates because you're exhausted. But as hockey players, we're blessed. We get to play a game for a living. You're around 25 guys who grew doing the same thing and have the same goals. There's one common goal in the room and that's the (Stanley) Cup at the end of the year.

A PERSONAL MOTTO

Always Dream Awake. The words were tattooed onto Ryan's right arm two years ago.

"It was just a personal motto," says Ryan. "Somebody said it to me once and it kind of resonated. I went home and wrote it down. I just thought it was something I wanted to have close to me.

"It's all about waking up every morning and whatever you're chasing down, do it between the hours of 9-5. Make it a workday. Dream about those things when you're awake and conscious.

"In training camp, the days are long, your body is breaking down. There are plenty of days when I remind myself of the saying."

Ryan, a left-hander in everything except golf and hockey, reads -- a lot, cultivating his mental muscle.

Malcolm Gladwell is his favourite author. Outliers: The Story of Success and Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence are among his favourite books.

"I had always had an enthusiasm for knowledge and enthusiasm for reading. I just wanted to be better at everything than I was," says Ryan. "I'm all over the map. Lately, it's self-help books. I enjoy the books that make you think a bit.

"I see things a little differently. I've always wanted to figure out everything on my own. If I can't, behind closed doors I'll go back and read it three or four times until I figure it out."

His curiosity and his quest for wisdom were nurtured many years ago in the halls of a Los Angeles-area arena, where he was, for the most part, his own teacher.

"It was easy to stay focused because everybody else was at school from 9-3," says Ryan. "The amount of alone time helped. You learn to do things for yourself. My mom worked hard, paying the bills. I was alone quite a bit and learned a lot about getting things done and not procrastinating. I'd reward myself with hockey in the afternoon. I loved it. You can ask any hockey player, there's nothing better than a bucket of pucks, a blank sheet of ice by yourself -- semi-dark in an arena -- it's perfect.

"All my interaction came around hockey. That's why I've always been comfortable around adults. That's who I conversed with all day."

Later in life, bored playing junior hockey, he learned how to play guitar.

He's influenced by the music of Eric Clapton and likes Imagine Dragons, but his favourite is Ray LaMontagne.

"I think I've got every CD of his three or four times," says Ryan. "He's got a different demeanour, his voice is a bit different and he's off the radar."

'SAVED MY CAREER'

Eight years ago, Ryan started seeing sports psychologist Dana Sinclair. She was a shrink who shared a common bond -- she also played hockey. Her words made so much sense. Ryan was drifting and she brought him back.

"She saved my career," says Ryan. "When I started seeing her, I was 18, it was post draft. I wasn't really excited about the game for awhile. I wanted to quit. I had a lot more going on than most 18-year-olds should ever have to deal with.

"I was worried about other 18- and 19-year-olds that I thought I was better than stepping into the NHL. I was worried about dealing with being the No. 2 pick. I just hated that season of hockey, I had been left off the world junior team even though the points were there and I did everything I thought I should to go.

"Our team in Owen Sound was OK, but not great. The coach drove me insane. I came home from the rink four out of five days and thought, 'I may not go back tomorrow.' I always did -- I always felt like I had an obligation to. It just felt like much more of a hassle going to the rink that year. I started meeting with (Sinclair) that year. She just always has a way to push my buttons and make me want to respond positively.

"(With Sinclair) there was no judgement, just answers. I told her there were days when I do not want to play hockey. She helped me deal with that. She said everybody has those feelings from time to time.

"It sounds weird, but getting a pat on the back that you've done well, was big for me. It was reassurance. It's not a motivational thing. My first couple of coaches would sit down and talk to you, push you, make you want to play for them. I didn't have that in Owen Sound and it's been well documented I didn't feel that in Anaheim until Bruce (Boudreau) came in. (Dana) has no problem saying, 'Get your butt in gear,' but she says it in the right way."

OFF THE GRID

Ryan and his girlfriend spend their summers in Victor, Idaho -- population nearly 2,000.

It's in the middle of nowhere, a mountain town.

"I wanted to be off the grid," says Ryan, who likes privacy. "We had a friend that lived in the area, showed us the area after the (2010) Winter Olympics. We went out on a Friday and I bought the place on a Monday.

"There are no people. It's exactly what I need in the summer. It's a complete restart. You just separate yourself from hockey and being in the same routine every day. I don't have to talk hockey there, or worry about whatever I say getting back to coach or to the organization. It's just a place I can go and be myself.

"I will miss the anonymity. I like to separate my life at the rink from my life at home."

Through mind-numbing adversity, through a journey that's given him a new identity, Ryan still finds solace wearing skates and clutching a hockey stick. It's where everything makes sense, where there are no secrets.

"Being a little older, more mature, having a much better sense of self, now I can say (the hockey rink) is home, my comfort zone," says Ryan. "Through all of this, hockey has become a sanctuary for me."



Craig Anderson starts in Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens II



Craig Anderson will make his return.

The Senators' top goalie was back on the ice and he'll be in the net for the full 60 minutes against the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night in NHL pre-season action at the Bell Centre.

Anderson, who wasn't on the ice Wednesday and did not play in Ottawa's 5-2 win over the Habs last night, said he feels fine and he's ready to go. He is looking forward to playing.

"We want to play," said Anderson. "You just want to get out there and get back into the playing situations where it's more game-like and there's more situations where you have to stay mentally focused.

"It's definitely a different mindset and it's good to get in some practice."

Anderson said it's always nice to play in Montreal.

"It's always a good, fun place to play," said Anderson. "They always have a good crowds and they're exciting to play in front of. It's one of those things where you've got to use the energy that they bring and you've still got to get up for the game yourself.

"You can't go through the motions. You've got to work on your game. That's the biggest thing in pre-season."

Rookie Curtis Lazar will make his exhibition debut. He has been troubled by an injury all of camp.

The Senators waived centre Jim O'Brien at noon. If he clears tomorrow he could be assigned to Binghamton.


718317 Philadelphia Flyers

Laughton looking for permanent stay

Posted: Friday, September 27, 2013, 4:04 AM

Staff

Flyers center Scott Laughton has high expectations, which is why he was less than satisfied despite a solid individual performance during a stumbling effort from his team.

Laughton hit the post early while his team hit the wall midway through a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.

The 19-year-old Laughton was the Flyers first round draft pick in the 2012 draft. He played five games last season with the Flyers at the beginning of the season before being sent back to the OHL.

It’s possible he could stick with the Flyers for nine game before being sent down, thus preventing his entry-level contract from starting.

Laughton was asked if he felt he showed enough to ensure a spot, but the sour taste of defeat, even in a preseason game, wouldn’t allow him to give himself a passing grade.

“I think I need more and we lose 4-1 and I am the second line center man on the team,” he said. “Tonight you have to show more at this type of level here.”

If he does stay around, Laughton will have to get used to dealing with the Devils, a team that doesn’t give the opponent much breathing room.

“It’s tough, they collapse and don’t give you much and you don’t have a lot of time with the puck,” he said. “They were in our zone and we didn’t give (Steve) Mason much help and kind of left him out to dry.”

Laughton said that spending the five games with the Flyers last season was an invaluable experience.

“It was huge playing five games in the NHL, your dream,” he said. “It was great getting to know the guy, the city and getting to know what pro hockey is all about.”

He is hoping to stay this time around and was asked if he would move from center if meant securing a spot.

“It’s a tough question,” he said. “I played center all my life and that is my main position, but a bunch of guys have moved positions in their career and I am open for anything and will do whatever I can to make this hockey team.”

Whether he stays this time or not, it appears Laughton will eventually be a fixture with the Flyers.

The Flyers expect a lot of him, but apparently no more than Laughton does of himself.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 09.27.2013


Flyers drop preseason game at New Jersey

FRANK SERAVALLI,


NEWARK, N.J. - With just one more preseason tuneup remaining before Wednesday's opener against Toronto, Peter Laviolette has a short list of concerns.

One is the Flyers' quiet offense, which has netted only 12 goals in six exhibition contests. Another is his team's compete level, as the Flyers slept-walked through two periods last night before picking it up in the third with jobs on the line.

"That's what I don't get," Laviolette said. "We are in an evaluation period, a chance for guys to put their cards on the table and I was disappointed in that tonight."

Not on Laviolette's list of concerns is Steve Mason, who allowed three goals on his first 13 shots before New Jersey added an empty-netter in the 4-1 preseason loss.

"I thought he played terrific," Laviolette said. "It was a tough situation for him to be in. When we didn't have a lot of composure with the puck and

things were turning over and the attempts were coming at him, he stayed in it. Mentally, he was sharp."

Mason likely finished up his preseason slate - Ray Emery is scheduled to start tonight in Washington - with nine goals-against on 64 shots in 2 1/2 (144 minutes). He has a goals-against average of 3.75.

Mason's save percentage (.859) is fourth-worst among the 60 or so goaltenders who expect to see regular time in the NHL this season. Only Cam Ward (.817), Martin Brodeur (.816) and Martin Biron (.821) are worse.

By comparison, Emery has a 2.44 goals-against-average and .902 save percentage. Devils starter Cory Schneider - acquired from Vancouver this summer to be the heir to Brodeur's lair - finished the preseason with one goal against on 81 shots over 10 periods.

Mason's numbers aren't pretty. Yet, they should be thrown out the window. For one, it's a ridiculously small sample size - roughly half of the one with which Mason wooed the Flyers last season after being acquired from Columbus.

More importantly, none of the three games Mason has started were with a single lineup in front of him that resembles a regular NHL roster. Last night, the Devils iced nearly their complete regular-season roster sans Jaromir Jagr.

Here were Mason's defensemen in his three starts:

* Game 1 vs. Toronto, Sept. 15: Nick Grossmann, Luke Schenn, Erik Gustafsson, Oliver Lauridsen, Andrej Meszaros, Hal Gill.

* Game 2 vs. Rangers, Sept. 17: Brandon Manning, Braydon Coburn, Mark Streit, Mark Alt, Samuel Morin, Gill.

* Game 3 at New Jersey, last night: Meszaros, Grossmann, Schenn, Gustafsson, Lauridsen, Gill.

"We didn't give Mason very much help," Scott Laughton admitted. "We kind of left him out to dry."

Mason also didn't have a lot of firepower up front. Scott Hartnell was the only member of the Flyers' top line to play in one of Mason's exhibition starts and that was only for 28 minutes, since Mason split the game with Anthony Stolarz. Neither Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, nor Hartnell played last night.

"You can use that as an excuse, but that's not what I want to do," Mason said. "We had an opportunity to come in here tonight and outwork what is pretty much their full lineup. We didn't do that."

Even in a competitive training camp, Mason is maturely able to look past the numbers and focus on his mechanics and maneuvering.

He didn't really have a chance on any of the Devils' three goals: a one-timer from the crease, a severe breakdown in coverage and point shot that was deflected at close range.

"I was pretty happy with tonight," a confident Mason said. "I was real patient, they had some pretty quality chances. For the most part, I felt good about it."

In the grand scheme of this 82-game marathon, Wednesday's opening-night starter will be irrelevant. When it comes time for Laviolette and his staff to determine who will be in net, Mason and Emery are still on a level playing field.

"I thought his game tonight was really good," Laviolette said. "There's not a lot you can do on those goals. His work in practice has been good. I thought he's been really sharp when he's played."

Slap shots

The Devils were without goaltender Martin Brodeur, who flew back to Montreal to be with his family after the passing yesterday of his father, Denis, at the age of 82. Denis Brodeur Sr. was the photographer for the Montreal Canadiens for 40 years, and also the Expos during their time there. He could often be seen at games shooting his son and watched him win three Stanley Cups. The NHL acquired the elder Brodeur's 100,000-plus image archive in 2006 . . . Matt Read scored the Flyers' lone goal on a third-period breakaway . . . Tye McGinn, Ben Holmstrom and Nick Cousins made the trip from Adirondack to suit up . . . Assistant coach Joe Mullen was in Pittsburgh, invited to coach the All-American Prospects Game by USA Hockey.



Devils second-period onslaught sinks Flyers

Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer


NEWARK, N.J. - Even with several regulars given the night off, Flyers coach Peter Laviolette couldn't have envisioned such a sluggish effort less than a week before Wednesday's regular-season opener against Toronto.

After a competitive and scoreless first period, the Flyers allowed three second-period goals in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.

"We are in a training camp and evaluation period, and it is a process for guys to put their cards on the table, and I was disappointed in that tonight," Laviolette said.

The Devils scored close-in goals in a span of 1 minute, 7 seconds by Damien Brunner and Steve Bernier. Dainius Zubrus later scored on a deflection to make it 3-0 with 5 minutes, 56 seconds remaining in the second period. Through two periods, the Devils outshot the Flyers, 18-9.

What Laviolette wasn't disappointed with was the play of goalie Steve Mason, who is in a battle with Ray Emery for the No. 1 spot.

"I thought he played terrific," Laviolette said. "It was a tough situation for him to be in, but what I really liked about him was when we were not having a lot of composure with the puck and things were turning over and the attempts were coming at him, he stayed in it, and, mentally, he was sharp throughout the whole game, right until the end."

Mason felt the same way.

"I was pretty happy with tonight," he said. "I felt real patient, and they had some real quality chances, and for the most part I felt good about it."

The Flyers are 1-4-1 entering Friday's final dress rehearsal in Washington, where a regular lineup is expected.

Among the veterans who sat out against the Devils were defensemen Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, and Mark Streit, and forwards Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell. But there were still plenty of expected contributors on the ice.

"I think we simply got outworked tonight," said Matt Read, who scored on a shorthanded breakaway with 8:51 left to make it 3-1 before the Devils finished matters with an empty-netter. "You can't make excuses. It doesn't matter who is in the lineup."

Notes

Defenseman Sam Morin, the Flyers' No. 1 draft pick in June, will miss about two weeks because of a hand injury suffered in his last junior game. . . . There was a moment of silence before the game for Denis Brodeur Sr., 82, the father of Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, who died Thursday. He was a successful sports photographer in Canada. . . . The Flyers have 12 preseason goals, by 12 players.



Final two preseason games matter to Laviolette

Marc Narducci

Posted: Thursday, September 26, 2013, 5:55 PM

NEWARK, NJ -- Flyers coach Peter Laviolette made it clear that the team won’t be going through the motions in the final two preseason games, tonight in New Jersey and Friday in Washington.

“We are still evaluating players,” Laviolette said before tonight’s preseason game at the Prudential Center against the Devils.

He also says he doesn’t have set in his mind how many games goalies Ray Emery and Steve Mason will play. Mason will be in goal tonight.

In two preseason games Emery has a 2.44 goals against average and 90.2 save percentage. Mason has a 4.09 goals against average in two games (88 minutes) and an 85.0 save percentage.

“I think our goaltending has been good,” Laviolette said. “There have been things I think we could have done better in front of both goaltenders to help them out a little bit.”

Such as?

“There have been some breakdowns and we’re trying to eliminate as many of them as we can,” he said. “There are things that could have been done to be a little cleaner in front our goalies. Both goalies Ray and Mace are working really hard in practice and have looked good in games.”



Light lineup for Flyers tonight

Frank Seravalli

Posted: Thursday, September 26, 2013, 2:03 PM

NEWARK, N.J. -- Closing out their exhibition slate with games on back-to-back nights, the Flyers are taking a light lineup to New Jersey tonight.

The Flyers’ entire top line (Claude Giroux, Scott Hartnell and Jake Voracek) will not make the trip. Vincent Lecavalier, Kimmo Timonen and Mark Streit will also be among the scratches.

"I want to make sure we leave training camp healthy and we're in good shape," coach Peter Laviolette said yesterday. "We're still evauating, as well. Training camp is still going on, but ... I want to make sure we're not overdoing it with back-to-backs."

New Jersey will be going with a “close to” as possible regular season lineup, according to Devils coach Pete DeBoer. The Devils will be without Jaromir Jagr (lower-body soreness) and Martin Brodeur (personal reasons), so Cory Schneider will face the Flyers for the second time this week. Scheider has allowed just one goal on 70 shots faced in the preseason: Timonen's power play goal in the final minutes of Tuesday's loss.

There are still a few reasons to track the game, which will be available in the Philadelphia region via webcast on the Flyers’ web site. Wayne Simmonds will play his first preseason game in nearly 10 days after missing time with the flu.

Also, this could be a last look for both Michael Raffl and Chris Vande Velde. The two wingers battling for one of the final spots on the roster are playing - and they aren’t currently scheduled to skate on Friday night in Washington.

Steve Mason is starting in net and is expected to play the full 60 minutes. This will be Mason’s third full start of the season - and he hasn’t had nearly anything resembling a full NHL lineup in front of him.

It is believed Ray Emery will start Friday night in Washington, though Emery and Mason could split the final tune-up.

In addition, Nick Cousins, Ben Holmstrom and Tye McGinn are making the trip down from Adirondack to suit up for the Flyers.



Scoring drought not setting off alarms. . .yet

Posted: Thursday, September 26, 2013 10:16 pm

Wayne Fish Staff writer

NEWARK – Yes, these are still only preseason games but if the Flyers keep scoring at this clip – just 13 goals in six games – there might be some trouble on the horizon.

The Flyers held out many of their star players in a 4-1 loss to the Devils on Thursday night (dropping their record to 1-4-1) but the lack of scoring has been going on for a couple weeks.

Philadelphia has just one preseason game left, Friday night in Washington, to get things going offensively.

Matt Read, who scored the only Flyer goal (shorthanded) in a second straight loss to Jersey, says he isn’t all that concerned.

“I wouldn’t get too worried about it,’’ he said. “I think we have a lot of scoring power on our team and maybe it just hasn’t clicked yet.’’

Coach Peter Laviolette also shrugged off the lack of offense.

“There’s room for improvement offensively,’’ he said. “. . .We’re in an evaluation period and a process for guys to put their cards on the table and I was disappointed in that tonight.’’

Goalie Steve Mason turned in a decent performance and said he was satisfied with the “patience’’ he showed against a barrage of N.J. shots.

Laughton hopes on the line: Laughton is facing crunch time for the second season in a row.

In January, the 2012 first-round draft pick had a great training camp and made it to the opening night roster.

While he lasted for only a five-game trial before he went back to junior, Laughton gained some valuable experience.

Now, with opening night less than a week away, Laughton finds himself in the same boat.

He’s battling some fierce competition for a roster spot, and that’s why these last two exhibition games are so important.

Against the Devils, Laughton did rattle one shot off a post but didn’t sound all that pleased with his effort.

“I think I need more,’’ he said. “We lose 4-1 and I’m a second-line player, at least tonight, and I think I need to show more at this level.’’

Burlington County Times LOADED: 09.27.2013


Laughton knows he's still auditioning

Posted: Thursday, September 26, 2013 6:40 pm

Wayne Fish Staff writer

NEWARK – Scott Laughton is facing crunch time for the second season in a row.

In January, the Flyers' 2012 first-round draft pick had a great training camp and made it to the opening night roster.

While he lasted for only a five-game trial before he went back to junior, Laughton gained some valuable experience.

Now, with opening night less than a week away, Laughton finds himself in the same boat.

He’s battling some fierce competition for a roster spot, and that’s why these last two exhibition games are so important.

A big question here is whether the Flyers have room for Laughton at center, his natural position. They appear to be stacked at that position with Claude Giroux, Vinny Lecavalier, Sean Couturier and Adam Hall.

“It’s a tough question,’’ Laughton said before the Devils game at the Prudential Center. “It’s definitely more comfortable playing center, taking draws and playing down low. That’s helped out in these (exhibition) games.’’

As he stated a couple times in Lake Placid last week, Laughton is trying to stay focused on his game and not worry too much about how things play out. Sometimes that can be tough to do.

“It (making the roster) is definitely in the back of your mind,’’ Laughton said. “You’re always thinking about it, you’re always wondering what is going to happen.’’

One thing Laughton has going for him is the dominant season he enjoyed when he went back to the OHL’s Ottawa Generals, registering 23 goals and a total of 56 points in 49 games.

There really isn’t any point in sending Laughton back to junior. He’s not going to learn much more there.

“I just have to stay positive,’’ Laughton said. “I still don’t have any idea. I’m just trying to play to the best of my capability and hopefully get a roster spot.’’

Short shots: The Flyers called up Tye McGinn, Nick Cousins and Ben Holmstrom to play in Tuesday night’s game. . .Jake Voracek, injured in Tuesday night’s game, was scratched.

Burlington County Times LOADED: 09.27.2013


Laughton does little to stand out in Flyers' loss


Tim Panaccio

NEWARK, N.J. -- He’s been between Scott Hartnell and Matt Read.

Between Tye McGinn and Read.

Between Jay Rosehill and Adam Hall.

Thursday night at Prudential Center against the Devils, Flyer prospect Scott Laughton played between Michael Raffl and Read.

Coach Peter Laviolette used a skeleton lineup minus eight players who will be on the final roster, including Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek.

The Devils won against the Flyers' “B” group (missing eight regulars), 4-1. That said, scoring has been a huge concern in preseason -- 11 goals in six games -- as we head into the real games next week.

It’s down to the nitty-gritty now as to whether Laughton can somehow squeeze onto the roster. And, if so, can he play up and down the lineup, because there really is no permanent spot for him.

“It’s definitely in the back of your mind. You are always thinking about it and it’s in the back of your mind, what’s going to be the end result,” Laughton said of trying to make the roster. “I try to stay positive.”

Last season, the Oakville (Canada) native lasted five games then was sent back to his junior club in Oshawa. Unless something shakes out or the club is willing to carry 14 forwards, Laughton seems headed back again.

Laviolette moved Laughton to a better line in this game with skill players. Raffl himself is looking to make the club at left wing, and to this point, has a spot on the final roster.

“I played pretty big minutes my first two preseason games and wasn’t too happy with them,” Laughton said. “I wasn’t moving my feet in London, Ont., especially. The game in Toronto, my second and third period were better. I moved my feet, I was more physical.

“I’m in game mode now. I’ve got my legs under me. This will be a big challenge for me and I hope I respond under pressure.”

He didn't.

Laughton played 15:42, had no official shots, two missed shots and one hit. He needed to have some kind of impact on the game and he didn’t, even though he played on the second power play and on the penalty kill.

After the game, Laviolette -- without referring to any player specifically -- said he was very disappointed in players, who are supposed to be fighting for job, failing to make a difference.

“Guys you were looking to respond needed to respond better," he said. "That’s what I don’t get. We’re in a training camp, an evaluation period and a process for guys to put their cards on the table and I was disappointed in that tonight.”

“You hit the post early and get confidence early,” Laughton said, referring to the first period. “New Jersey is a hard team to play against. Their defense, they shut you down. It’s a tough game.

“I need more. We lose 4-1 and I was second line centerman, at least tonight. You got to show more at this type of level here. It’s tough.

“I’m trying to make the team and this is my shot. You can practice as much as you want ... At the end of the day, it comes down to games. It’s not much coming into this building and losing like that.”

Laviolette wanted to evaluate Laughton throughout camp with different players before the hockey staff makes its final cuts.

“It’s important to see him in different roles, different lines,” Laviolette said. “This situation, it would have a different look than other nights.”

There’s a school of thought that says sending Laughton back is not going to advance his game “if” he is dominating other junior players in the OHL.

The flip side of that is that it does him even less good sitting around as a healthy scratch or playing shallow minutes in a fourth-line role. Then again, Sean Couturier did that two years ago, and he was 18 when he made the Flyers' roster, though he played 14 minutes a game.

Laviolette doesn’t agree that Laughton can’t benefit from going back to Oshawa if that’s the final decision.

“I’m sure there are guys who have gone back and matured physically,” Laviolette said. “They’ve gained confidence and have had a positive year. So I’m not sure I buy that … I don’t think his season would be busted.

“I think there is room for improvement in both scenarios. Again, don’t read into my comments, one way or another.

“I think there is a case to be made for sending a kid back … developing physically, mentally and maturing and to excel on the ice and be an elite player in that league.

“I think there is [another] case to be made to move it [forward] and practice at this level and play at this level and work your way into a role like Sean Couturier did. There is a case to be made both ways.”

Laughton made the decision process “tough” on the Flyers last year and he’s done the same thing in this camp, as well. Alas, there remains too many centers.

Laughton said it was “huge” playing those five games and getting his lips wet to the NHL last winter after the lockout ended.

One nagging question is this: Does Laughton have to play center? The Flyers' hockey staff says “yes” because he is a natural centerman.

If this weren’t the case in which the Flyers could move Laughton around like they do with Max Talbot, then the decision to keep him is much easier.

“It’s a tough question,” Laughton admitted. “I played center all my life. That’s my main position. But a bunch of guys have moved positions in their career.

“I’m open to anything. Open to do whatever I can to make this hockey team and whatever that position is, I’m willing to do.”



Flyers' prospect Morin injures hand in Canada

September 26, 2013, 10:45 am

Tim Panaccio

Samuel Morin, the Flyers' top defensive prospect, will miss up to two weeks after being injured this week in Canada.

According to Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, Morin suffered a hand injury for Rimouski Oceanic, his junior team, in his last game. Holmgren did not give specifics.

Morin was sent back to his junior club last week before the Flyers left for Lake Placid for team bonding.

The 18-year-old defenseman was the No. 11 pick overall in last summer’s NHL draft.

Last week, Morin agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal worth $4.275 million.



Happy with rotation, Mason eager for next start

September 26, 2013, 9:00 am

Sarah Baicker

In seven games with the Flyers last season, Steve Mason posted a .944 save percentage and 1.90 goals-against average. (AP)

Ray Emery played a game. Then Steve Mason did. Then Emery played in another.

It’s finally Mason’s turn again tonight against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. As far as he’s concerned, it’s about time.

Mason -- like Emery -- is content with the Flyers’ strict one-on, one-off preseason rotation, but definitely wants to spend more time in net before the team’s Oct. 2 opener.

“I think the same goes for anybody,” Mason said. “Whether it’s goalie, defense or forwards, you want to play as much as you can to make sure that, come puck drop on opening night, everything feels good.”

So far, Mason says, everything does feel good. While his in-game performances haven’t been perfect, Mason remains encouraged by how things have gone for him so far this September.

“Right now in practice, I feel really, really strong,” he said. “It’s just a matter of carrying that into the games. I’ve only played one and a half games right now, so I’ll utilize my next start and make sure that if I can get into another one as well, that I’ll make the most of it.”

The Flyers’ exhibition games have played out exactly as expected, with the team’s two netminders splitting time as close to 50-50 as is possible. Emery had the last start, a 2-1 loss Tuesday to the Devils at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Flyers’ goalie tandem, of course, has received plenty of attention through training camp. The team’s goalie strategy this season is arguably the NHL’s most radical (and certainly its least expensive), especially considering what their situation in net looked like this time last year.

“People are making such a big deal out of it,” Mason said. “Razor (Emery) and I are both competitive guys, we both want to play, and only one can play at a time. Regardless of who’s in the net, we want to be supportive of one another and for the team.

"If Razor wins his next start, it’s great, it’s good for our team. If I win my next, it’s great. We’re not going to put any negative spin on it. It’s nice having two guys that are hungry to play.”

What has been a challenge for Mason, though, is getting accustomed to the Flyers’ current defense. When he came to the team last spring, its blue line was in bad shape. The Flyers went through 13 D-men in just 48 games in 2013, with Mason never having had a chance to play behind some key members of the defense while learning how to play with some who likely won't suit up in orange and black at all this season.

There's been a definite learning curve for him this preseason.

“You find that in the first couple games of preseason that you’re playing with guys that you’ve never played with before,” he said. “And trying to figure that out -- it’s such a short period of time. … Because when I did get here last year, key guys were out with injuries. So now that they’re all back and healthy, we really have to make sure that we’re taking advantage of this time.”

The Flyers enter this season with no clear-cut No. 1 goalie, the first time in years the position has been free for the taking. For Mason, and for Emery too, that helps feed the already-present competition. But plenty of analysts, still, lack faith in the Flyers' setup.

And like the team's current goalie rotation, that, too, is OK with Mason.

“Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” he said. “I’m not sure where they’re having Razor and myself ranked, but if it’s a low position, it would be a great feeling when you get to prove them wrong.”



Couturier continues to develop

Sep. 27, 2013

Dave Isaac

NEWARK — Claude Giroux got the night off.

So did Scott Hartnell, Max Talbot and even Zac Rinaldo.

Not Sean Couturier.

The third-year center logged 20:42, more than any other Flyers forward, in a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, the Flyers’ second loss to their division rival this week.

By rule teams must have eight veterans in the lineup for exhibition games and at only 20 years of age, that’s what Couturier is now. The 2011 first-round pick saw his role increase as he matured through his first two years and this year figures to be more of the same.

“His first year he came in and did a nice job for our team,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “Last year he took on different roles. Some nights we count on him for offense. Other nights we ask him to check against top lines.”

Thursday night he was on the top power-play unit. He saw a little time on the man advantage last season, but this year he might see even more.

“In juniors I’ve had a lot of power play time and a lot of different situations,” Couturier said. “Obviously I’d like to have that opportunity, but at the same time I can’t complain. I’m still a young player, still developing and learning. My time will come and hopefully in the future I can have that type of role, too.”

Meantime, his line is still being ironed out. He centered Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds Thursday because Vinny Lecavalier was also scratched. Come next week, when the regular season begins, he will likely center the third line with Matt Read and Talbot.

He’s looking to rebound from a sophomore season in which he had only four goals in 46 games. His rookie year, he wasn’t counted on for much offense. He was a shut-down center for the Flyers, keeping Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Evgeni Malkin relatively quiet in a six-game playoff series.

He was hoping for more offense in his second year, but now that goal will transfer to this season. He put on eight pounds of muscle in the offseason so he could get stronger in the corner and for puck battles down low. So far, it’s working. He shares the team lead in points with Jake Voracek. Both have three.

Then again, no one on the team has more than one goal in the preseason.

“I think I just need to bring my A game every night and be constant all year, try to be the player I am, a solid two-way player,” Couturier said. “If I take care of details, the rest will come.”

• Laughton makes last impression: The five games he played last year for the Flyers left a big impression on 2012 first-round pick Scott Laughton. The 19-year-old center didn’t know he made the squad until the very end.

“Still don’t have any idea,” Laughton said in reference to making this year’s squad. “I’m just gonna take this game and whatever happens (today) and play to the best of my capability and hopefully get a roster spot.”

Thursday he logged 15:42 and had more than a minute of power play time, something that he probably wouldn’t see in the regular season.

The Flyers don’t want to move him from center. He played with Matt Read and Michael Raffl against the Devils, but would most likely be on the fourth line if he stuck around for the regular season.

“It’s important to see him in different roles, different lines,” Laviolette said. “This situation, it would have a different look for than other nights.”

• Empty netters: Defenseman Braydon Coburn didn’t make the trip. The veteran stayed home for the birth of his second child, a 7-pound, 5-ounce son Blair. … Devils goalie Martin Brodeur was slated to get the start, but rushed home to Montreal where his father, long-time NHL photographer, Denis Brodeur, Sr. died at age 82.

Courier-Post LOADED: 09.27.2013

718328 Phoenix Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes still fielding competition for final roster spots

By Sarah McLellan azcentral sports Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:57 PM

Competition in training camp points to the depth of an organization, but it also leads to roster confusion only days before the season starts.

So the lineup the Coyotes debut tonight in their preseason finale against the San Jose Sharks easily could be different than the one they use next Thursday to open their season against the New York Rangers.

“There are some issues there that we’re still working through,” coach Dave Tippett said.

The Coyotes inched a little closer to a 23-man roster Thursday when they assigned forwards Andy Miele and Jordan Szwarz to their American Hockey League affiliate. They also released center Gilbert Brule from his professional tryout.

That puts the camp roster at 25, but it’s possible the Coyotes only need to make one more cut.

Defenseman Rusty Klesla hasn’t been able to do much since he suffered a concussion and whiplash from an open-ice hit in the first preseason game Sept. 15 against the Los Angeles Kings.

“He had a bike ride (Thursday),” Tippett said. “I think (Friday) he goes the next step to a little more exertion, so he’s moving in the right direction.”

Klesla could start the season on injured reserve and if he does, he moves off the active roster. But the Coyotes still have to decide how many extra forwards vs. defensemen they keep.

Winger Paul Bissonnette, who is appealing his 10-game suspension for coming off the bench in an illegal line change during an altercation against the Kings, would be unavailable if the suspension stands but he still counts toward the 23-man roster, which has to be submitted to the league Monday.

“Obviously if there’s an appeal process, that’s got to happen pretty quickly,” Tippett said.

What’s especially slowing the decision-making process is the emergence of wingers Max Domi and Lucas Lessio. Both are still very much in contention for a spot, as is winger Chris Brown.

“There are young players that come in and get it right away,” Tippett said. “And there are some it takes a little longer. We’ll continue to monitor and see where it goes.”

New smile

Defenseman Zbynek Michalek is sporting the trademark toothless hockey grin after three of his front teeth were knocked out after he took a puck to the mouth in the first preseason game.

“Tough start, but it is what it is,” he said. “It’s part of the game and it’s behind me now, and I don’t have any issues right now.”

Michalek plans to wait until the season is over to seek permanent replacements.

“Once I heal, I will probably get those flippers so my kids aren’t afraid of me at home,” he said.

Tuck it out

Starting this season, the jersey tuck made famous by Wayne Gretzky is no longer allowed.

The rule, which prohibits tucking a jersey into the pants so that the top part of the pant padding is exposed and the jersey number is obstructed, is actually already in the rulebook but is now finally being enforced.

Players will first receive a warning from the referee. A second offense will result in a two-minute penalty.

“You only feel it when you get on the bench, and all the guys are untucking their jerseys to put it back in place so you don’t get a penalty,” winger Mikkel Boedker said. “It’s a little annoying rule, but it’s there for a reason and we’ve just got to follow it.”

Arizona Republic LOADED: 09.27.2013


Coyotes' last big roster decision all about Domi

CRAIG MORGAN

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Coyotes' roster is nearly complete, but the big question for general manager Don Maloney, coach Dave Tippett and their staffs remains: What to do with top pick Max Domi?

"It's almost a day-by-day discussion," Maloney said. "To his credit, he's really made the decision difficult."

The Coyotes reduced their roster to 25 on Thursday by reassigning forwards Andy Miele and Jordan Szwarz to Portland of the AHL, while releasing forward Gilbert Brulé from his pro tryout agreement.

If defenseman Rusty Klesla (concussion) begins the season on injured reserve, which is likely, the Coyotes will need to make one more roster move to get down to the requisite 23 players by the Sept. 30 (2 p.m.) deadline. Players on IR do not count against the 23-man roster.

With Klesla out, Maloney said the Coyotes will keep eight defenseman on the opening-day roster, which means both David Rundblad and Chris Summers will stick until Klesla returns, with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Zbynek Michalek, Keith Yandle, Derek Morris, David Schlemko and Michael Stone holding down the other six spots.

The forward lines are nearly set. For now, Mike Ribeiro will center the first line between wings Shane Doan and Mikkel Boedker, while it appears Antoine Vermette will center the third line between Lauri Korpikoski and David Moss and Kyle Chipchura will center the fourth line between Rob Klinkhammer and Chris Brown, who has impressed the coaches enough with his versatility and maturity to lock down a roster spot. Suspended enforcer Paul Bissonnette is the final forward.

What is still up in the air is whether the Coyotes keep Domi or Lucas Lessio. If Lessio stays, it's likely that he will play left wing on the third line, with Korpikoski moving up to the second line, although the players are somewhat interchangeable on the left side.

"From Day 1 in camp, Lucas has willed himself onto our roster with hard work," Maloney said. "We've been waiting to see a drop-off and we haven’t seen one, so he's probably the most pleasant surprise in camp."

Lessio's tenacity has been his calling card in the preseason and in camp.

"He's going to the hard areas, and he's physically strong enough to compete, but it's not just that," Maloney said. "We always knew he had great energy and a willingness to work, but when he gets the puck, he's making good decisions with it."

Maloney said Lessio could play on any of the four lines, but if Domi stays, it would have to be among the top six forwards, likely on the second line with center Martin Hanzal and right wing Radim Vrbata.

"He needs to be in offensive situations with offensive players, and he needs to get enough ice time to warrant being here," Maloney said. "He's not a guy who is going to sit around on the third or fourth line."

Domi's style is probably the best fit alongside Vrbata, who scored 35 goals when he played with playmaking wing Ray Whitney two seasons ago.

"He adds a dynamic skill element, similar to when we talk about Ribeiro," Tippett said of Domi. "He's got the ability to help players around him be better players."

But Tippett acknowledged that structure, reading opponents and reading game situations are all areas where Domi is inexperienced, which has led the Coyotes to continue their evaluation.

"Attention to detail is huge, and Tip obviously has a game plan," Domi said. "It's tougher to follow earlier on in training camp and the preseason, but as you get more comfortable and used to everyone around you and get the chemistry going, then you start buying into the whole thing."

Tippett said he does not envision Domi remaining on a lengthy tryout (he can play up to nine games before his NHL contract kicks in), but it is possible that Domi could stick beyond the season opener to give the Coyotes more time to decide before returning him to juniors with London of the OHL.

Making matters more difficult for Phoenix is the logjam on defense. When Klesla returns, the Coyotes will have nine NHL defenseman on one-way contracts. In order to return one of them to Portland, they would first have to expose that player to waivers and risk losing him to another team.

Maloney acknowledged that dilemma and added that the Coyotes also are hoping to find ice time this season for defensive prospects Brandon Gormley and Connor Murphy.

All of that depth raises the possibility of a trade, and Maloney said Thursday that the team is exploring that avenue. Any deal would likely require a top-six forward in return, which would likely mean another year in juniors for Domi.

"It may take a bigger deal, to be honest with you, because nobody is handing out top-tier players," Maloney said. "We haven't found what we need yet. That could change in a hurry, but at least we like our other options. We don't feel like we’re forcing something into our lineup at all."

foxsportsarizona.com LOADED: 09.27.2013


There's no room for big heads in Tippett's world

CRAIG MORGAN |

Dave Tippett's belief in Mike Ribeiro was major factor in Coyotes pursuing, landing free-agent center.

10 questions as the Coyotes open training camp

With ownership issues resolved, Coyotes have no more excuses but plenty of questions as camp opens.

Nolan hit underscores need for more regulation

NHL player safety chief Shanahan ruled Nolan's high hit on Klesla legal, but should it be?

Ted Santiago doesn't have a safe in his office. He may need one once word leaks out about the priceless item sitting on his desk.

"I went ahead and had a Dave Tippett bobblehead created in recognition for all that he's meant to this franchise in such hard times," said Santiago, the

Coyotes vice president of marketing. "He's beloved by our fans and embraced by our fans, so I figured we'd hit a home run with that as a giveaway at a game this season."

Unfortunately for Santiago, there will be no giveaway. When Coyotes vice president of communications Rich Nairn approached Tippett about the idea, he got a classic response from the coach.

"He said, 'Once you do every player on the roster and Don Maloney and Nairn, too, then I'll consider it,' " Santiago said, laughing. "It's really too bad. It's the best one I've ever seen."

Maybe a groundswell of fan support will force the Coyotes to reconsider. Maybe new owners George Gosbee and Anthony LeBlanc will announce a Tippett bobblehead night just to say thanks. But if you’re expecting Tippett's stamp of approval on an act of self-promotion or self-absorption, you haven't been paying much attention to this club the past four years.

Tippett's work ethic, analytical approach, ability to relate to players and ability to squeeze every drop of potential out of his lineup have earned him plenty of accolades in his four-season Phoenix tenure, including the Jack Adams Award in 2010 as the NHL's best coach.

And he certainly doesn’t shy away from community appearances if it can help others or the franchise. But when the idea of promoting himself is floated, whether through bobbleheads or the team's recently released new ad campaign in which he is conspicuously absent, his response is always the same.

"It should be about the players," Tippett says in a tone that preempts follow-up questions. "It’s always about the players."

There are plenty of pro sports executives, coaches and players who talk about humility and selflessness, but there are few who actually walk that talk, and only a handful that do so without effort because it is such a fundamental part of their personality.

That's Dave Tippett at his core: Do the job with every tool at your disposal and every drop of effort in your well. And let the result, not the reward, drive you.

"All you have to do is look at the body of work since he's been here to know what kind of coach he is," LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc heard enough about Tippett from Coyotes and NHL players and executives to know that re-signing him was Priority No. 1 when IceArizona took over the team. And he had seen enough miracles from Tippett and the cash-strapped Coyotes to know that a deal in line with the five-year, $10 million contract Alain Vigneault signed in New York was warranted.

But it was only after he had been around the team consistently for the past month that LeBlanc really understood why the Valley's core hockey people are so gaga about their spotlight-avoiding coach.

"Just as a man, he's this wonderful, genuine, funny guy -- a high integrity guy," LeBlanc said. "He's the kind of person you like to be associated with."

Tippett admits he is excited about the franchise's prospects now that it has owners and a reasonable amount of money to spend on payroll.

He is also grateful for the unanimous support he gets from those owners, GM Maloney, his staff, his players and the fan base.

"It’s an honor to be put in that position," said Tippett, noting the freedom he has been given to implement his own philosophies, and the input he is afforded on personnel decisions.

"That being said, I hope we're not satisfied," he said. "We've been telling people 'give us a chance' for four years. Well, now we have a chance. What are we going to do about it?"

With that, Tippett recites the mantra the players have heard throughout training camp -- the one fans will hear repeated as the season approaches and begins.

"There needs to be a new attitude around here -- not a new identity; we want to keep that hard working, pack mentality. But it's up to us to do things right," said Tippett, who took over the Coyotes coaching duties exactly four years ago.

"The ownership wants us to be an organization that does things right. Don and his staff want to be that way. The coaching staff wants to be that way. Shane Doan wants the players to play like a top organization and our community wants to be proud of the organization because they've stood by us through all the tough times."

Which explains why Tippett has little time to ponder bobbleheads.

"If you’re honest in your assessment of what you’re doing, and honest in your commitment to winning, usually you get a chance to win," he said. "But again, it's up to us. It’s not just about are we going to be here or can we have some success with limited resources now. There’s pressure to win now because there are no excuses. And it's pressure on everybody, including me."

foxsportsarizona.com LOADED: 09.27.2013

718331 Pittsburgh Penguins

Young Penguins forward Bennett will be asked to produce more in Year 2

Josh Yohe

Updated 6 hours ago

Beau Bennett was chilling on a couch in the lounge adjacent to the Penguins' locker room — kids from Southern California don't sit, they chill — after a training camp practice, which prompted a smile from Penguins assistant coach Tony Granato.

While watching Bennett chat on his cell phone with his feet propped on the couch, Granato's smile turned into a laugh.

“How can you not like him?” Granato said. “Look at him. Everyone likes him.”

What isn't to like? Bennett was selected in the first round of the 2010 draft and never has planted a seed of doubt that the wrong choice was made.

Three years later, his time has arrived. The Penguins think he can become a star.

Bennett's skill always has been evident, his talent for hockey first groomed on the outdoor roller-hockey rinks in Los Angeles. Bennett didn't play organized ice hockey until he was 9, but with hands like his, it was only a matter of time.

“When I learned how to stop on ice,” Bennett said, “I was allowed to start playing ice hockey.”

He wasn't stopped since.

Bennett showed off his skill set during his rookie season, producing 14 points in 26 games last season. He possesses some of the smoothest hands on a team filled with high-skilled players. His passing ability is his greatest attribute, but Bennett has displayed a sniper's shot and plenty of other skills that delight those who see him play every day.

“He's got all the skill he needs,” Granato said. “Top-six skill.”

But there is more to Bennett's game.

The Penguins noticed last season that Bennett is strong despite his skinny appearance. Winning one-on-one battles in the corners, once considered a weakness of his, has become a strength.

“When we first got him, we thought we were getting a real skilled guy,” Granato said. “But we've gotten more than that. He has worked so hard on strength and conditioning.”

Granato said Bennett never has been told what to do since arriving in Pittsburgh. Rather, the 21-year-old always is asking questions of the coaching staff, trying to get better every day.

“He's put in the work,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. “He's a good hockey player.”

Crosby would know. The two worked out together in Los Angeles this summer.

“That was huge for Beau,” Granato said. “To see how Sid works and how professional he is, that rubbed off on Beau.”

Bennett will see considerable time on the second line with center Evgeni Malkin and right wing James Neal, perhaps starting Oct. 3 in the opener against New Jersey.

Such an arrangement can be intimidating for a young player. Malkin and Neal are notorious for yapping at one another when things are going well on a given night. Does Bennett have the proper temperament to play with them?

“I think so,” he said. “You know, I feel like the best lines are the ones that do talk things out. If things aren't going well, you shouldn't be quiet. Geno and Neal obviously have that trust with one another, and I'm trying to fit in as well as possible. And besides, you don't develop chemistry in a couple of weeks. It will take a while.”

Neal and Malkin have been complimentary of Bennett since last season, when he was given a cameo on their line. All of the Penguins are impressed with the youngster.

“He just does everything so well,” defenseman Matt Niskanen said. “Just the way he sees the ice, the way he passes. Lot of skill.”

Granato thinks Bennett is perfect with Malkin and Neal.

“He thinks the game the way Geno and Neal think the game,” Granato said. “He's the kind of guy they want to play with.”

The Penguins' system doesn't have hotshot forward prospects. Bennett is it. He represents a bridge between the Crosby/Malkin era and the one that will follow him. And he's OK with that.

Bennett doesn't feel pressure because he's now one of the big guns on one of the league's highest-profile teams. His teammates and coaches don't worry about him.

“He can do it all,” Granato said. “Right wing, left wing, any line, either power-play unit. He might be a good penalty killer someday, too, but he's got enough on his plate right now.”

Bennett embraces his responsibilities. And he's far too cool to feel intimidated.

“I'm never going to force the puck to Geno and Neal,” he said. “My natural tendency is to pass first, so of course I'm always going to be looking for them. But I think a good line should have three guys who can score. So I'm ready for the challenge.”

Notes: Forward Zach Sill and Harry Zolnierczyk and defenseman Brian Dumoulin were re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL on Thursday. Zolnierczyk must clear waivers by noon Friday before reporting. The Penguins' roster is at 29 players . … Management, coaches and players are scheduled to leave Friday for weekend team bonding activities at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. The activity will focus more on mental drills than physical ones.

Tribune Review LOADED: 09.27.2013


Penguins CEO eyeing World Junior Hockey

Rob Rossi

Updated 6 hours ago

David Morehouse is confident the USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game will not mark the last time Pittsburghers get a look at youth hockey stars on the big stage.

“I think at this point it's simply logistics,” Morehouse, the Penguins CEO, said Thursday of a potential Under-20 World Junior Championship coming to Western Pennsylvania.

“I don't think it's a rough road at all. It's just a matter of putting together an application.”

The World Junior Championship is next scheduled for the United States in 2018.

Morehouse would not say when the Penguins would apply for Consol Energy Center to serve as primary host for the World Junior Championship — an international tournament staged each winter. He added that the regional cities such as Johnstown, Erie and Wheeling (W.Va.) provide enough rinks to accommodate the two-week tournament.

Four players with ties to Western Pennsylvania fueled the United States' gold-medal victory at the 2013 World Junior Championship.

Those players — John Gibson (Whitehall), Vince Trocheck (Upper St. Clair), J.T. Miller (Coraopolis) and Riley Barber (Washington) —were not household names on the local sports scene, though their hockey accomplishments arguably rivaled the high school football achievements of top recruits of the recent past like Terrell Pryor and Rushel Shell.

“Hockey in general, not just Pittsburgh, has a problem contextualizing where the kids come from,” Morehouse said.

An announced 5,059 fans attended the USA All-American Prospects Game on Thursday, which featured 40 of the best U.S.-born players eligible for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. That group included 22 players committed to an NCAA program and 26 currently with United States Hockey League junior clubs. More than 120 professional scouts attended the game.

Team (Mark) Johnson defeated Team (Joe) Mullen, 5-2. Johnson and Mullen are former Penguins players.

Tribune Review LOADED: 09.27.2013


Top American draft prospects take to the ice at Consol

September 27, 2013 12:06 am

By Nick Veronica / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In the big scheme of things, it was one game out of several seasons worth of viewings that will make up a player's draft stock in June.

They played only against other Americans and couldn't have logged more than 20 minutes of ice time each.

But with scouts from every NHL team at Consol Energy Center Thursday, the All-American Prospects Game was a perfect opportunity for the 40 best draft-eligible, American-born players to show something -- anything -- that could separate them from the crowd.

Dylan Larkin, 17, who currently plays with the U.S. National Under-18 team, did that in the second period, scoring the game's first goal off a turnover in the slot, with an assist going to Keegan Iverson.

Larkin, of Waterford, Mich., capped his night by adding an assist in the third period. He kept the puck in at the blue line and threw it on net, with Iverson of WHL's Portland Winterhawks there to put the rebound past goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, who stopped 13 of 16 shots. Iverson was named player of the game as Team (Mark) Johnson beat Team (Joe) Mullen, 5-2.

"Larkin played good," Johnson said. "He's certainly a player that stuck out to me tonight. Just his ability to see the ice, read plays -- he looks like he's got a great vision for the game and understanding. Then you put the tool set together and you've got a pretty good player."

Larkin, though, has already been on teams' radars as one of the top American centers in the 2014 draft, likely competing with Nick Schmaltz of the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers for that title.

But Larkin and Schmaltz, who also helped lead Johnson's team to the win, have taken different approaches to their careers. Schmaltz said Thursday that he was offered a spot on the U.S. Development Team Larkin is on, but turned it down.

Despite the respect the U.S. team has steadily earned, Schmaltz believed his development was best served playing in the USHL.

"I got offered a spot -- obviously, it's a great program -- but I didn't think it fit my game as well as Green Bay," Schmaltz said. "Just in Green Bay, the style of play is more offensive, more do-what-you-want. If you're a playmaker, go make plays.

"Obviously the national program, they're going to let you do that, too, but they're more defensive-minded -- and that's great, too, because I need to work on my defensive game -- but I just thought Green bay was a better fit for me. ... I want to showcase my offensive ability and I thought Green Bay gave me that the best."

Schmaltz added an assist on his team's third goal, scored by Sonny Milano of the U.S. U18 Team, with the other assist going to Alex Tuch. Chase De Leo added a fourth goal from Ryan Hitchcock and Kevin Labanc, and Shane Eiserman finished the game off with an empty-netter.

Jack Dougherty, a defenseman also of the U.S. U18 Team, scored a power-play goal for Team Mullen early in the third period with assists from Tony DeAngelo and Ryan Donato and a screen from Tyler Sheehy. Joe Wegwerth scored the other goal, finishing another pass from Donato.

Goaltender Thatcher Demko, among the top goaltenders eligible for the draft, kept a clean sheet in his period-and-a-half but was hardly tested, making six saves for Team Johnson. His teammate Blake Weyrick made a few flashy stops but was beaten twice on 21 shots. Ed Minney stopped 16 of 17 shots he faced for Team Mullen.

Post Gazette LOADED: 09.27.2013


Penguins notebook: Roster trimmed to 29


By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Penguins are getting closer to setting their roster for the start of the regular season.

They trimmed it to 29 Thursday by assigning forwards Harry Zolnierczyk and Zach Sill and defenseman Brian Dumoulin to their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.

General manager Ray Shero and his staff must have it down to 23 by Monday.

Zolnierczyk is on waivers and must clear them at noon today before he can join the Baby Penguins.

The 29 remaining players include 16 forwards, 10 defensemen and 3 goalies, one of whom is Tomas Vokoun.

He is out indefinitely after a procedure Saturday to remove a blood clot from his pelvis.

Coach Dan Bylsma has confirmed Vokoun will not be ready to play when the Penguins open the regular season Thursday against New Jersey at Consol Energy Center. The Penguins can seek long-term injury relief for his salary if Vokoun will miss more than 10 games and 24 days.

Two of the 10 defensemen still in camp are highly regarded prospects Derrick Pouliot and Olli Maatta, both of whom have junior eligibility remaining.

The Penguins also must comply with the NHL's salary-cap ceiling of $64.3 million, which likely will involve making a trade and/or assigning at least one player with a one-way contract to Wilkes-Barre.

The first $925,000 of a player's contract does not count against the parent team's cap total if he is sent to the minors.

Preseason wrap-up

The Penguins won their final two exhibition games to finish the preseason with a 3-2-1 record.

They scored 20 goals and allowed the same total, their power play converted 6 of 27 chances (22.2 percent) and their penaty-killers gave up five goals in 28 short-handed situations (82.1 percent).

Here are their leaders in individual categories:

• Games -- Chuck Kobasew and Dustin Jeffrey, 5.

• Goals -- Jussi Jokinen, 4.

• Assists -- Evgeni Malkin, 5.

• Points -- Chris Kunitz and Malkin, 5.

• Penalty minutes -- Robert Bortuzzo, 14.

• Shots -- James Neal, 21.

• Plus/minus -- Rob Scuderi, plus-4.

• Goals-against average -- Marc-Andre Fleury, 2.64.

• Save percentage -- Jeff Zatkoff, .889. (Eric Hartzell stopped all four shots he faced but played just 20 minutes).



Penguins' trip to West Point to emphasize team-building



The psychological wounds inflicted by the loss to Boston in the Eastern Conference final were still fresh and raw when Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik had his exit interview a few days later.

He is one of the team's most respected veteran leaders, and the stunning ejection from the chase for the Stanley Cup meant there were plenty of issues to discuss.

Nonetheless, Orpik recalls that in his meeting he mentioned to general manager Ray Shero that the team might benefit from a trip this fall to the U.S. Military Academy, something the Penguins had done before the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.

"I'm not sure I thought he was even paying attention, after the way we lost, or that he really cared about that at that point, but I guess it didn't fall on deaf ears," Orpik said. "I don't know if he had that in the works, or if other guys mentioned it."

Just what role, if any, Orpik's suggestion played in management's decision to return to West Point this fall -- the Penguins are to travel there today and return Monday -- isn't clear, but Shero said having so much time between the preseason finale Wednesday in Detroit and the regular-season opener Thursday presented an obvious opportunity for a little team-building.

"That looked to be a good time to go somewhere," Shero said, adding that "we looked at different venues" before settling on a return trip to West Point.

While going there is nothing new for the franchise, it is for most of the current players. Sidney Crosby noted that only five players -- Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Rob Scuderi, Orpik and himself -- on the current roster were there in the fall of 2007.

The Penguins will conduct on-ice workouts today, Saturday and Sunday, and will take part in unspecified team-building and leadership-oriented events.

Although details of the plans are at least as well-guarded as most military secrets, the Penguins apparently have less-strenuous activities scheduled than those on previous visits.

Participants on past trips went through at least one physically demanding exercise, much of it conducted after nightfall on the next-to-last day of the visit, that obviously made a lasting impression.

"You're in the middle of the woods from about 6 o'clock until midnight, and you're doing everything from pushing a Humvee that had four guys in it up a hill, to running through swamps with water almost up to your necks," Orpik said.

"It actually was [fun]."

Fun? Perhaps. Draining? Absolutely.

"We were supposed to skate that last day," Orpik said. "And that wound up getting canceled because no one could get out of bed, they were so sore."

Even Crosby, whose offseason training regimen is grueling, volunteered that "it was pretty tough."

Shero clearly agreed and concluded it wouldn't be prudent to have his players exert themselves that way so close to the start of the season.

"It was a different time in training camp [on previous trips]," he said. "We had a lot more players. It was kind of in the middle of training camp, or near the beginning.

"We're down to one group of players on the ice. We won't be pushing any Hummers or anything like that.

He also noted that the players' itineraries will not be as crowded as they were in 2006 and 2007, when their days were booked almost solid.

"There will be some downtime, knowing that we're a week out from playing our first game," Shero said.

Even though Orpik was a leading proponent of returning to West Point, not all of his memories from the previous trips are pleasant.

"The first one was real fun, because I did the whole thing thinking I had a bruised hand, but actually I had a broken hand," he said.

"As soon as we got back, I had surgery."

Although some players grumbled -- privately and quietly -- about going to West Point because they would have preferred to adhere to more conventional means of preparing for the season, Orpik contends that simply spending time in a different setting is beneficial.

"If you just stay [in Pittsburgh] for three weeks ... you just get into that routine, kind of get stale with it," he said. "Anything where you change it up, do something a little different, it keeps guys' minds fresh."

More important, he believes there is a link between the time the Penguins spent at West Point in 2006 and 2007 and what transpired in the months that followed.

"I thought most of the guys really enjoyed it," Orpik said. "It's something I thought had a lot to do with the success we had later in the year."



Penguins send three players to Wilkes-Barre

September 26, 2013 12:22 pm


The Penguins assigned three players to their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre today to trim their training camp roster to 29.

Forwards Harry Zolnierczyk and Zach Sill and defenseman Brian Dumoulin were sent to the Baby Penguins, although Zolnierczyk must clear waivers before he can report.

The total of 29 includes goalie Tomas Vokoun, who is out indefinitely after undergoing a procedure Saturday to remove a blood clot from his pelvis.

NHL teams must be down to the regular-season limit of 23 players -- and the salary-cap ceiling of $64.3 million -- by 3 p.m. Monday.


718337 San Jose Sharks

Sharks' Torres undergoes surgery, could miss most of the season

By David Pollak

Posted: 09/26/2013 06:30:30 PM PDT

Updated: 09/26/2013 10:30:42 PM PDT

SAN JOSE -- Sharks forward Raffi Torres could miss more than half the season after going under the knife Thursday to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.

The surgery was successful. Now the Sharks can only hope the team survives without the 31-year-old left wing whose arrival sparked their turnaround last season.

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson would not set a timetable for Torres' return, but similar procedures have kept players out of action from three to five months. That means Torres likely will be out of the lineup at least until late December -- and maybe until after the NHL's two-week break for the Winter Olympics in mid-February.

At that point there would be only 23 games left on the 82-game schedule, but getting Torres back at full strength was the top priority.

"We want him back 100 percent, and this procedure will get him back 100 percent," Wilson said of the operation by team surgeon Dr. Arthur Ting.

The Sharks did not attempt to play down the challenge they now face, with coach Todd McLellan citing Torres' playoff performance here.

"We saw the impact that he had against Vancouver and then the lack of impact when he wasn't in the lineup against L.A.," McLellan said, alluding to Torres' series-long suspension against the Los Angeles Kings team that eliminated San Jose. "It's a big hole to fill."

For now, the Sharks intend to stay inside the organization to fill that hole created when Torres collided awkwardly with forward Emerson Etem in San Jose's 3-2 OT loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sept. 20.

One NHL roster spot already was all but allocated to rookie forward Tomas Hertl, and now there are two front-runners -- prospects Matt Nieto and Freddie Hamilton -- competing for another.

"You know the old cliché coaches will always say, that this creates opportunity for somebody else?" McLellan said. "Well, it does."

Nieto, 20, had a strong showing Tuesday night as he skated in Torres' expected slot on a line with Joe Pavelski during San Jose's 5-0 exhibition victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

"He has some assets that we believe can help our team," McLellan said of the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Nieto. "His speed, he has the ability to hold onto the puck and make plays."

A year older than Nieto and bigger at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Hamilton brings different tools, McLellan noted, and is "perhaps a little more responsible defensively than Matt and has a little more pro experience."

The void created by Torres' absence isn't always reflected on the scoresheet, though Torres did have six points in 11 regular season games and scored the overtime goal that beat the Canucks in Game 2 of that series sweep.

Acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes at the April 3 trade deadline, Torres -- who had spent the season year trying to shake his reputation as a reckless player — brought a high-energy, fearless style of play fit that with the up-tempo game McLellan was seeking.

"I don't know if Raffi is going to score 30 goals in a season. We sure would like him to," McLellan said. "But we do know he's going to finish 30 checks, he's going to play hard, he's going to compete for his teammates."

Despite losing Torres, McLellan wasn't cutting himself or his players any slack. "There will be 29 other teams this year that go through it. They're going to lose key people and they're going to find ways to recover."

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 09.27.2013


Sharks' Raffi Torres undergoes ACL surgery

By David Pollak

Posted: 09/26/2013 11:26:25 AM PDT

Updated: 09/26/2013 11:56:39 AM PDT

SAN JOSE — Sharks forward Raffi Torres underwent surgery to repair the torn ACL in his right knee Thursday morning, taking a player who helped San Jose turn its season around last spring out of the lineup for months.

General Manager Doug Wilson would not offer an estimate as to how many games Torres would miss, saying only lthat he was expected back sometime this season. But recovery from the procedure he underwent usually takes from three to five months.

That could push Torres's return until after the NHL's break for the 2014 Winter Olympics in mid-February.

"We want him back 100 percent and this procedure will get him back 100 percent," Wilson said, noting Torres went "into this procedure extremely

San Jose Sharks' Raffi Torres (13) can't get the puck past Vancouver Canucks' goaltender Cory Schneider (35) in the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

healthy and extremely fit."

Torres damaged his knee at 6:34 of the second period in the Sept. 20 exhibition game against the Anaheim Ducks when he collided with forward Emerson Etem. It was considered a freak accident as Etem had extended his leg behind him to avoid going offsides.

Team surgeon Dr. Arthur Ting performed the ACL repair in his Fremont offices.

For now, Wilson said, the plan is to give players in the Sharks organization a chance to fill the void created by Torres before turning to trades or free agents. Prospects Tomas Hertl, Matt Nieto and Freddie Hamilton have all impressed the coaching staff in the exhibition season, and Wilson noted that fourth liners such as James Sheppard and Andrew Desjardins could also push for more ice time.

Torres was acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes at the NHL trade deadline and had two goals and six points in 11 games with San Jose before the playoffs, where his overtime goal beat the Vancouver Canucks in Game 2 of the first round.

Even more than his scoring, Torres's high-energy style of play had an impact on the team and seemed to be contagious.

His series-long suspension for an illegal hit on Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll proved costly as the Sharks were eliminated in seven games.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 09.27.2013


Sharks' Raffi Torres has knee surgery

Ross McKeon

Updated 9:52 pm, Thursday, September 26, 2013

Raffi Torres underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, and the Sharks expect to have the hard-nosed winger back before season's end.

Dr. Arthur Ting performed the procedure, deemed necessary as opposed to rest after Torres collided with Anaheim's Emerson Etem midway through last Friday's exhibition game in San Jose. Torres is expected to miss three to five months of the 82-game regular season that starts Thursday and ends April 12.

"Raffi's surgery went very well and we look forward to having him back in our lineup later this season," general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement.

Torres, 31, signed a three-year, $6 million deal in the offseason after being acquired from Phoenix at the trade deadline. Torres gave the Sharks an instant boost with his tenacious play and proved to be a good fit as a teammate. Despite missing the final six games of San Jose's second-round playoff loss because of a suspension, Torres was expected to be a vital part of the Sharks' identity this season.

San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 09.27.2013


Sharks' defenseman Demers getting back on track

Ross McKeon

Updated 10:44 pm, Thursday, September 26, 2013

Meet Jason Demers 2.0.

He is working to get his career on track after two injury-interrupted seasons. Rewind to 2009, when the Sharks' fun-loving defenseman made the team during training camp as a 21-year-old with splendid skating skills and an offensive upside.

"Nobody was giving this guy a chance, and he was determined to take a job and steal minutes from somebody," recalled Todd McLellan, then starting his second season as the Sharks' head coach. "He was basically the surprise of camp and had a great year."

Demers followed a breakthrough rookie season (four goals, 21 points and plus-5 in 51 games) with good numbers again in Year 2 - two goals, 24 points and a plus-19 in 75 games. Things changed the last two seasons for the seventh-round pick in 2008. Two high ankle sprains and a broken wrist compounded Demers' struggles with consistency.

Time did not wait for Demers as San Jose's defense continued to evolve. Marc-Edouard Vlasic's maturity, the addition of Brad Stuart and the development of rookies Matt Irwin and Justin Braun put less pressure on blue-line leader Dan Boyle and enabled Brent Burns to move to forward.

With an additional push coming from youngsters Matt Tennyson and Nick Petrecki and veteran Scott Hannan, Demers knows it's time to re-establish himself.

"I've got to earn my spot again," Demers admitted. "It's kind of like my first year. I've got to show them what I can do, stay healthy, and stay really focused on the little things."

Demers has a goal and an assist and is a plus-2 while appearing in three of San Jose's first four exhibitions. He blocked three shots during Tuesday's final home tuneup. Demers and the Sharks finish the practice schedule with games at Phoenix on Friday and Anaheim on Saturday.

"We certainly know what he's capable of doing," associate coach Larry Robinson said. "He's second to none in terms of skating. His nonchalance is his biggest problem. He's got to bear down more, make plays with authority and not just kind of go through the motions."

McLellan and Robinson, who was one of the game's most accomplished defensemen, recognize Demers is more committed and focused. And with the possibility that Stuart won't be ready for Thursday's regular-season opener against Vancouver, it becomes important for Demers to produce.

"His professionalism around the rink, his attention to detail and his training habits are much better than they were before," McLellan said. "He realizes where he is in his career, and he wants to make good on it."

Demers, 25, signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal and hopes to put himself in position to negotiate for a multi-year contract when he becomes a restricted free agent again next summer.

"I know what I can do, and it's still there," Demers said. "You're always hit with adversity. Hopefully, mine came early in my career and I got over it now."

San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 09.27.2013


Sharks offseason recap

September 26, 2013, 12:00 pm

Staff

A busy offseason it was not for the San Jose Sharks.

A team that looked dead as disco in mid-March made some key trades and notable changes in on-ice strategy, surged into the postseason, and nearly knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champs after a first round sweep. That roster has essentially returned in full, with a few tweaks. Are the Sharks a better club than the one that played seven tough games against Los Angeles, or have they taken a step back?

How the Sharks have improved:

1) Is there a better third line center in the NHL than Joe Pavelski? The Sharks historically put an emphasis on the center position, and having Joe Thornton, Logan Couture and Pavelski down the middle should give San Jose a balanced and dynamic attack. The versatile Pavelski will also see time on a top power play unit that can be nearly unstoppable when it’s on its game, and Couture looks primed to make a run at the 40-goal plateau. Thornton is, well, Joe Thornton, and he’ll surely be among the team’s scoring leaders.

[REWIND: Sharks sign Pavelski to five-year extension]

2) Tyler Kennedy was the only notable addition to the Sharks as far as NHL veterans go, joining the Sharks when the club sent a second round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 27-year-old winger. Kennedy fell out of favor with the Penguins’ coaching staff for some reason, but already looks like a good fit in San Jose, and his style of play should mesh well in a second or third line role. He essentially takes the place of TJ Galiardi, who improved incrementally as last season went along, but was much too inconsistent. Galiardi was traded to Calgary.

3) Rookie Tomas Hertl also appears to have locked up a top line role, and after two years of playing with men much older and more mature than him in the Czech league, the hope is that he is ready for the rigors of an NHL season. Should the six-foot-one, 210-pound Hertl stay on the left wing of Thornton and Brent Burns, his name will be among preseason Calder Trophy candidates.

How the Sharks have regressed:

1) Raffi Torres’ absence to start the season will be felt. Suddenly, the Sharks are a little slower and not quite as mean with Torres unable to provide his trademark brand of hockey. The Sharks were already thin at the wing position when training camp opened, and now they will either have to go with a middling veteran or unproven youngster to take Torres’ place.

2) Antti Niemi will once again be counted on to play as often as any goaltender in the league, just the way he likes it. But when Niemi needs a breather (or misses any time due to injury), the Sharks will have to go with either Alex Stalock or Harri Sateri. The organization is high on both players, but no one can predict what kind of success either will have at the NHL level, as goaltenders are often the hardest players to speculate upon. It will be trial by fire for whichever player earns the backup position.

3) Finally, while the Sharks have some promising young players like Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, this is still primarily a veteran club. That includes Thornton, 34, Patrick Marleau, 34, and Dan Boyle, 37. The Sharks’ three highest paid players are still effective, but at some point they will start to slow down, if they haven’t already. If that happens in 2013-14, the Sharks are in trouble. If that trio continues to play at a high level, it could be an exhilarating hockey season in the Bay Area.



Torres should return for Sharks' stretch run


Staff

SAN JOSE -- Raffi Torres’ second-round suspension came at the worst possible time for the Sharks last May. The club had just completed a first-round sweep of the Vancouver Canucks, and was playing as well as any team in the National Hockey League, headed into a best-of-seven showdown with the rival Los Angeles Kings.

The player that was the embodiment of the Sharks’ newfound identity was abruptly yanked from the active roster, and in a series that was so evenly

matched, Torres could have been the extra element San Jose required to advance.

If there’s a silver lining to Torres’ three- to five-month recovery period from a torn right ACL, it’s that the 31-year-old should be back in time to be a difference-maker down the stretch and into the postseason. The Sharks present plan is to fill the void left by Torres internally, but it’s yet to be determined which 20 players will be wearing a teal jersey on Oct. 3 against Vancouver.

[NEWS: Torres undergoes surgery for torn ACL]

Whoever takes Torres’ place, though, will have the benefit of being around his teammates and coaching staff from the start of training camp on Sept. 12.

“If you’re going to pick a time, this may be a better time for it to happen, because we’ve had some of our younger players with us now for going on three weeks,” Todd McLellan said. “That’s a lot different than an arrival via an airplane from Worcester in the middle of January.”

“It’s a big hole to fill. But, there will be 29 other teams this year at some point that go through it. They will lose key people and they will find ways to recover. We want to be ahead of the curve, and do a better job than they do.”

On paper, Torres’ absence doesn’t indicate a full-blown roster emergency, as the winger had a modest two goals and four assists in 11 regular season games after a mid-season trade. He added one goal in five playoff games before the suspension for hitting Jarret Stoll.

It’s Torres’ tenaciousness on the ice, his ability to deliver the big hit, and his gift of positively influencing his teammates that will be missed more than anything.

“He was a very big part of the change here,” Dan Boyle said, referring to the team’s multiple moves in personnel and strategy last April. “No, I don’t think [his loss] is overstated. I think it’s deserved.”

Logan Couture said: “He’s kind of an irreplaceable player, but other guys get the opportunity to jump in and show what they have.”

Fortunately for the Sharks, they learned how they have to play last spring in order to be successful. It’s why the roster turnover was so minimal this offseason.

“We changed our style of play a little bit, got a little quicker, north-south more. We’re going to have to continue to play that way. That’s the way the league is these days,” Couture said.

Boyle said: “You’re still preparing the same way. Obviously, it’s a big loss for us. I think he was a big part of our success at the end of last year.”

Whether the Sharks will be able to maintain that identity without Torres will be determined starting in exactly one week.

“I don’t know if Raffi is going to score 30 goals in a season, but we know that he’s going to finish 30 checks, he’s going to play hard, compete for his teammates, and do all of those things that we saw for a short period last year. Unfortunately, it’s just going to be a short period this year,” McLellan said.

“There’s nothing we can do about it. We want to support him now and make sure he gets everything he needs to recover. When it’s time, he’ll be back playing.”



NHL Eastern Conference outlook

September 26, 2013, 12:00 pm

Staff

Metropolitan Division

*1 – New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist may not have a new contract yet, but he’s still the best goalie in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers should

be more fun to watch, too, as Alain Vigneault takes over for John Tortorella. The abundant firepower on this roster will finally appear under a new, offensive-minded coach.

*2 – Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins have a huge question mark in goal with Marc-Andre Fleury, but their offensive attack, led by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and James Neal, is still among the league’s best. A defense anchored by Kris Letang includes some youngsters that could break through.

*3 – Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin reverted back to his superstar self in 2013, and there’s no reason to think he can’t return with another great season under Adam Oates. Michael Grabovski could be a good fit, too. Maybe these guys can finally do some damage in the playoffs.

*4 – Columbus Blue Jackets: Columbus just missed out on the playoffs last season, and will need another Vezina-type campaign from Sergei Bobrovsky. It says here he’ll do it again, and the Jackets will get back into the postseason after a much more travel-friendly schedule.

*5 – Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers signed a pair of players past their prime in Vinny Lecavalier and Mark Streit, and didn’t upgrade their defense enough to be a serious threat. Steve Mason has been a disaster for the last four seasons, and Ray Emery is coming off of a great year in Chicago – but in front of a much better team. Still, the Flyers have a powerful offensive attack led by Claude Giroux.

6 – New York Islanders: It’s an exciting time for the Islanders and they prepare to move in to the new Barclays Center in 2014, and have an MVP candidate in John Tavares, but this team isn’t deep enough on defense. An ancient Evgeni Nabokov isn’t the answer in net, either.

7 – New Jersey Devils: Ilya Kovalchuk’s sudden departure leaves a hole here that the Devils won’t be able to overcome, and they overpaid for Ryane Clowe, who is coming off of multiple concussions in San Jose and New York. Cory Schneider and Marty Brodeur can’t score goals (well, Brodeur can).

8 – Carolina Hurricanes: Joni Pitkanen will be missed on defense, as it’s already been announced he’ll miss the entire season. Defensively, these guys are a mess, and there isn’t much up front after the Staal brothers and Alex Semin. Commence the rebuild.

Atlantic Division

*1 – Boston Bruins: Still the clear-cut favorite in the division, and the entire conference. Tyler Seguin is out, Jarome Iginla and Loui Eriksson are in, and a balanced offense and skilled defense can play any style of game necessary to get the job done. Tuukka Rask is a rock in net, too.

*2 – Detroit Red Wings: Even without Nicklas Lidstrom, the Red Wings nearly upset the eventual champion Chicago Blackhawks in the postseason. If some of their young defensemen emerge, the Henrik Zetterberg’s and Pavel Datsyuk’s can still keep this team in contention. Daniel Alfredsson can still lead on and off the ice, too.

*3 – Ottawa Senators: The Senators managed to remain in the hunt last season despite some major injuries, but it’s difficult to predict how they will react to losing the face of the franchise in Alfredsson. There’s still enough talent here to make the playoffs.

4 – Montreal Canadiens: For me, Carey Price is still a huge question mark in goal, spectacular one night and spectacularly average for the next three. Sure, P.K. Subban is an emerging star, but the Canadiens didn’t do enough to improve in the offseason, and that includes the signing of Douglas Murray.

5 – Toronto Maple Leafs: The Maple Leafs have talent at the wing, but at center, they are among the weakest teams in the league. It’s debatable whether Jonathan Bernier is an upgrade over James Reimer, and the buyout of Grabovski rightfully raised some eyebrows. Losing prized free agent Dave Clarkson for the first 10 games due to suspension isn’t favorable, either.

6 – Tampa Bay Lightning: Rookie Jonathan Drouin could help offensively right away, but the Lightning still have major problems on defense and in goal. Still, Steven Stamkos will still be fun to watch, and he’ll probably make a push for another 50-goal season.

7 – Buffalo Sabres: It’s rebuild mode for the Sabres. The biggest question surrounding this team could be whether Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek are still on the team by the end of the season.

8 – Florida Panthers: The light-spending Panthers are hoping some of their other young players can emerge the way Jonathan Huberdeau did last year, but this team is at least a couple years away from being a threat of any kind.

* = playoff team

Conference Finals: Bruins over Rangers



NHL Western Conference outlook

September 26, 2013, 12:00 pm

Staff

Pacific Division

*1 – Los Angeles Kings: Most NHL teams dream of having a tandem like Jonathan Quick in goal and Drew Doughty on defense, and add a highly skilled and tough-as-nails forward group, and the Kings still look like a Stanley Cup contender.

*2 – San Jose Sharks: The Sharks could be the strongest NHL team at the center position, and can boast of a deep defensive unit in front of one of the league’s best goaltenders in Antti Niemi. Their biggest weakness is depth up front, especially at wing, and that’s already taken a hit with Raffi Torres’ ACL injury.

*3 – Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks, who made one of the summer’s biggest trades by sending Bobby Ryan to Ottawa, could be energized by Teemu Selanne’s farewell tour. They will miss Ryan’s production, though, even though young Jakob Silfverberg is an intriguing prospect.

*4 – Edmonton Oilers: These guys are due, aren’t they? Another new coach and an upgraded defense will mean the Oilers’ talented young guns will finally get into the postseason after years of disappointment leading to high draft picks. David Perron was a nice offseason addition, too.

5 – Vancouver Canucks: Sharks fans got an up-close look at the decline of the Canucks, and Vancouver’s offseason moves did nothing to help. Pressure will be on Roberto Luongo in his return as the undisputed starter, and forward depth is an issue in what looks to be a very top-heavy offense.

6 – Phoenix Coyotes: The addition of Mike Ribeiro was significant in that it should help a weak offense, and showed new ownership plans on being much more aggressive than when the Coyotes were still league-owned. Mike Smith and the Coyotes’ defense remain a strong suit, but there aren’t nearly enough goal-scorers here.

7 – Calgary Flames: A good candidate for worst team in the league. There isn’t much of anything to look forward to this season at the Saddledome, as the Flames enter a rebuild.

Central Division

*1 – St. Louis Blues: Had they not faced the Kings in the first round of the playoffs, the Blues could very well have made a deep playoff run. This team looks like it’s ready to be a serious challenger, and may have the deepest blue line in the NHL. Getting veteran Brenden Morrow at a reasonable salary was a shrewd move, too, and he’ll help get head coach Ken Hitchcock’s message across.

*2 – Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks probably won’t waltz through the regular season like they were able to in 2013, but the team that’s on the brink of a dynasty will still be among the NHL’s best. They did lose a few players such as playoff hero Dave Bolland, but it wasn’t nearly the same as the dismantling of their 2010 championship squad.

*3 – Minnesota Wild: After adding Ryan Suter and Zach Parise last summer, a first round exit was disappointing for the Wild. Still, with a full training camp this season, the Wild should be much better out of the gate and will be in the mix for a playoff spot.

*4 – Dallas Stars: The defense is still incredibly thin, but the Stars aggressively remade their look up front when they acquired Tyler Seguin from Boston. Rookie Valeri Nichushkin has been described by some as the

most NHL-ready of the players drafted in June, and Kari Lehtonen is still steady enough in net.

5 – Colorado Avalanche: Rookie Nathan MacKinnon will jump into a young offensive group, but like Dallas, defense is a major weakness for the Avalanche. The goaltending, too, leaves a lot to be desired.

6 – Nashville Predators: All eyes will be on rookie Seth Jones, whom the Predators hope develop into Suter’s replacement. Pekka Rinne remains an elite goaltender, although he is coming off of a down season in 2013. There isn’t enough skill up front for Nashville to contend.

7 – Winnipeg Jets: The Jets aren’t in compete disarray like some other teams, but someone’s got to bring up the rear in the Central, right? Winnipeg’s roster features too many good-but-not-great players, including offseason addition and former Shark Devin Setoguchi.

* = playoff team

Conference Finals: Blues over Blackhawks



Sharks' Torres undergoes surgery

September 26, 2013, 11:00 am

Staff

SAN JOSE – Raffi Torres had successful surgery on a torn right ACL on Thursday morning, and will miss at least three to five months of the season.

“We want him back 100 percent. This procedure will get him 100 percent,” general manager Doug Wilson said.

Dr. Arthur Ting performed the surgery in Fremont.

The hole left by Torres is a significant one, as the forward was set to play a key role on the third line with center Joe Pavelski, giving the Sharks a balanced attack on offense.

For now, the Sharks will look to fill the void internally, according to Wilson. Forwards Freddie Hamilton and Matt Nieto remain in training camp, and Nieto impressed on the third line with Pavelski and Tommy Wingels in Tuesday’s 5-0 preseason win against Vancouver. Rookie Tomas Hertl’s roster spot is all but assured.

“Tomas Hertl has played pretty well, Matt Nieto has played pretty well, Freddie Hamilton has played pretty well,” Wilson said. “You’ve got [James Sheppard], [Andrew Desjardins], and people that would like to push up and audition for that role. I think at this point, we’d like to give our own guys that opportunity. I think they’ve earned it.”

Forward Anthony Stewart, 28, here on a tryout, could also be an option. Marty Havlat, who had offseason pelvic surgery, remains out indefinitely.

“Stewart is competing with some of the other guys. We’ve got eight or nine guys competing for four spots,” Wilson said.

One option for the Sharks could be to keep Torres out until the after the Olympic Break in February, when the NHL shuts down for two-and-a-half weeks for the games in Sochi, Russia. The Sharks have 23 games remaining in the regular season after the break, beginning in Philadelphia on Feb. 27.

Torres, 31, signed a three-year, $6 million contract extension with the Sharks this summer. His acquisition just prior to the NHL trade deadline last April helped to re-energize the Sharks' lineup, and the team missed him when he was suspended for the second round of the playoff after the first game, when he hit the Kings' Jarret Stoll with what the NHL deemed an illegal check to the head.

Torres was hurt against Anaheim, when he collided with the Ducks’ Emerson Etem. The Anaheim forward was trying to stay onside by dragging his leg at the blue line, and Torres inadvertently ran into Etem from behind, leaving both players in a heap for several moments on the ice.

Torres eventually got to his skates and left under his own power, but was later seen leaving the SAP Center after the game with a slight limp and his right knee wrapped.


718346 St Louis Blues

Blues want more out of left winger Paajarvi

4 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford

The Blues haven’t even wrapped up training camp and already the critics are questioning the departure of David Perron to Edmonton and bringing Magnus Paajarvi and a second-round draft pick to St. Louis.

The reason, in part, is because Perron sits with five goals and one assist in four games with the Oilers. And on Thursday, Paajarvi was taken off a line with Patrik Berglund and Vladimir Tarasenko and relegated as an “extra” forward in practice.

“I don’t know what the plan is (with Paajarvi),” Hitchcock said. “All I know is he’s getting better every day. I think you give him time with us and he’s going to be a real good player. That’s how I look at it.”

Hitchcock acknowledged that he could envision the Blues opening the season with the top nine forwards who were on the practice ice Thursday, with Brenden Morrow on the No. 2 line with Derek Roy and Chris Stewart and Jaden Schwartz dropping down to the No. 3 line with Berglund and Tarasenko.

That would be disappointing to Paajarvi, though he said, “I don’t take too much out of it. Of course, I want to be playing with the top guys but it’s up to the coach. There’s really not too much to say about it.”

The Blues knew that they were giving up a potential goal scorer in Perron, who had 21 goals in 57 games in 2011-12. They believed they were getting a confident and tenacious winger when the deal was made.

“He’s played opposite of what we thought, and today at practice was the first time we saw the player that we traded for,” Hitchcock said. “What I mean by that is his ability to make plays on the rush, his abilities to make plays on the cycle, his offensive instincts were way better than what we thought they were.

“What we saw in the last 20 games in Edmonton was a high level of tenacity and something you can build on. He hasn’t shown that here. He’s shown at times like he’s overwhelmed, but he’s showing more offensive ability than we thought — ever.”

Hitchcock said early in camp that Paajarvi, Berglund and Tarasenko were the Blues’ best line. But in three games, Paajarvi has no points on eight shots, and as a group, the line has no points on 21 shots. (Berglund had a 4-on-4 overtime goal in a 3-2 win over Dallas).

“I felt like we’ve been playing really well together,” Paajarvi said. “I felt like there is some chemistry there. We’ve had so many scoring opportunities in the games, (but) we haven’t executed and that could be a reason (for the change).”

Hitchcock said that it has more to do with Paajarvi’s ability to create turnovers.

“He needs to continue to work to get up to speed from a checking standpoint, so that he has a bigger impact in the game,” Hitchcock said. “He uses his speed with the puck really well. Where we need him to use his speed more is separating people from the puck.”

Berglund, a fellow Swede, agreed.

“He’s got such good speed, but like ‘Hitch’ is saying, he needs to adjust and start playing that game that we play here,” Berglund said. “It’s not always very pretty, but we’re doing a good job at it and that’s obviously something that he needs to buy in on.”

Paajarvi admitted that the Blues’ coaching staff has conveyed that to him.

“That’s one of the first things they said,” Paajarvi said. “Use my speed to catch players off-guard and get the puck for teammates and myself. That’s

what I’m trying to do. I know I can do it. I’ve done it a little bit and I know I can do it better for sure.”

Hitchcock liked the way Paajarvi responded Thursday.

“If the way he practiced is the level he can play at, he’s going to be an effective player for us because he was on the puck, hard on the puck, using his speed as a checking mechanism, which is what we saw in Edmonton,” Hitchcock said. “If that’s what he is, then that’s really good stuff.

“(Thursday), when it got down to crunch time, and he could see numbers, there’s 15 forwards here … he went at it. He does things on the rush that you just can’t teach ... he buys time for other people to get included in the rush.”

The Blues are on the verge of a difficult decision, trimming one forward before Monday’s deadline to get to 23 players. Paajarvi, who signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract this offseason, would need to clear NHL waivers to be assigned to Chicago.

“It goes so fast in this game, on and off the ice …” Paajarvi said. “Mentally you kind of have to be consistent and mentally you have to be in the right spot because if you get too high and too low, it’s not going to end up well.”

Said Berglund: “Magnus has to stick in there and play hard and show that he wants a spot on this team.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 09.27.2013


Allen, Jaskin among Blues' roster cuts


Jake Allen’s time in training camp with the Blues ran out Thursday, when the goalie was one of seven cuts made by the club.

Dmitrij Jaskin, Ty Rattie, Sergey Andronov, Keith Aucoin, Jani Hakanpaa and Joel Edmundson were also assigned to the Blues’ American Hockey League affiliate in Chicago.

Allen left with a record of 2-0, albeit with a 3.31 goals-against average and an .887 save-percentage.

”He’s had a heck of a camp, he’s played very well, but we’ve got two guys (Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott) who we want to get started with and see where it goes,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. “Our feeling here was if he’s not going to play games here and he’s got three exhibition games to play (in Chicago), why not keep playing?”

Jaskin was also impressive with two goals and one assist in three games.

“He’s a good player,” Hitchcock said. “He’s going to be like (Vladimir) Tarasenko was last year, you know there’s going to be some ups and downs.”

Defenseman Ryan Whitney’s tryout with the Blues continues. Both Whitney and Ian Cole were both in the lineup Wednesday night, after which Hitchcock was asked who played better.

“(Whitney) is still on the team,” Hitchcock replied succinctly. “Cole’s best game was yesterday.”

defensive changes

Hitchcock said earlier in camp that he preferred to have one defenseman in each pairing who could transition the puck, and that’s why he paired Barret Jackman with Kevin Shattenkirk and Jordan Leopold with Roman Polak.

Then on Thursday, the pairs were changed back to Leopold with Shattenkirk and Jackman with Polak, the way the finished 2012-13.

”We don’t know,” Leopold said. “I’ve been with a few different guys in training camp. I don’t think you can put any validity into it.”

Hitchcock said after practice not to put any validity into anything when it comes to the defensive pairings — not even Alex Pietrangelo playing with Jay Bouwmeester.

”Don’t go to the bank on anything,” Hitchcock said, “other than there’s four left defensemen and three right defensemen.”

sobotka sits

Vladimir Sobotka missed Thursday’s practice with a stiff neck. In Wednesday’s game in Minnesota, the left winger went head-first into the offensive post and left the game briefly. The injury doesn’t appear to be serious, but Hitchcock said, “I’ve got to wait and see how he feels (Friday).”

bluenotes

EA Sports ran a simulation of the 2013-14 NHL season and the Blues beat Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup finals in six games. ... Goaltender Jaroslav Halak will get the start in net tonight against the Minnesota Wild.



Blues move Paajarvi out of the mix at forward


Before Wednesday's game in Minnesota, Blues coach Ken Hitchcock was asked about the immediate future of forward Magnus Paajarvi.

"I don't know what the plan is there," Hitchcock said. "All I know is he's getting better everyday."

A day later, Paajarvi, who was acquired in the trade for David Perron, lost his spot on the Blues' third line with Patrik Berglund and Vladimir Tarasenko. In Thursday's practice, he was without a home, skating as one of two extra forwards.

“I don’t take too much out of it," Paajarvi said. "Of course, I want to be playing with the top guys but I mean it’s up to the coach. There’s really not too much to say about it.”

The line was arguably the Blues' best early in training camp and even after Wednesday's game in Minnesota, in which the club lost 3-1 to the Wild, Paajarvi felt like the chemistry was continuing to build.

“I felt like we’ve been playing really well together," said Paajarvi, who has no goals in three preseason appearances. "We’ve had so many scoring opportunities in the games, (but) we haven’t executed and that could be a reason (he's no longer on the line)."

Hitchcock said that Paajarvi has played "opposite" of what the team expected when they acquired him.

"What I mean by that," Hitchcock said, "is his ability to make plays on the rush, his abilities to make plays on the cycle, his offensive instincts were way better than what we thought they were. What we saw in the last 20 games in Edmonton was a high level of tenacity and something you can build on. He hasn't shown that here. He's shown at times like he's overwhelmed, but he's showing more offensive ability than we thought ... ever."

Hitchcock said that he saw a different player in Paajarvi Thursday.

"Today at practice was the first time we saw the player that we traded for," Hitchcock said. "Today when it got down to crunch time and he could see numbers, there's 15 forwards here ... he went at it. He was the guy we thought we traded for today."

Hitchcock said he could envision the Blues' opening the regular season with the same top-nine that skated today. Here they are....

TODAY'S LINEUP

Forwards

Alexander Steen-David Backes-T.J. Oshie

Brenden Morrow-Derek Roy-Chris Stewart

Jaden Schwartz-Patrik Berglund-Vladimir Tarasenko

Chris Porter-Maxim Lapierre-Ryan Reaves

Extras: Magnus Paajarvi, Adam Cracknell, Vladimir Sobotka (did not skate)

Defensemen

Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo

Jordan Leopold-Kevin Shattenkirk

Barret Jackman-Roman Polak

Extras: Ian Cole, Ryan Whitney

Goalie

Jaroslav Halak

Brian Elliott

DEFENSIVE CHANGES

In Thursday's practice, Hitchcock switched his defensive pairings again. After saying that he wanted a blueliner who could transition the puck in each of his three pairs, Jordan Leopold was back with Kevin Shattenkirk today and Barret Jackman returned with Roman Polak.

"We don't know," Leopold said. "I've been with a few different guys in training camp. I don't think you can put any validity into it."

Hitchcock, in fact, said after practice not to put any validity into anything when it comes to the defensive pairings — not even Alex Pietrangelo playing with Jay Bouwmeester when the regular season begins.

"Don't go to the bank on anything other than there's four left defensemen and three right defensemen," Hitchcock said. "We are looking and we're not just looking at one or two pairs, we're looking at all three pairs. Don't go to the bank on anything cast in stone on that back line right now because quite frankly, the two guys that have played the best so far of any of the defensemen ... Petro's been at a level above everybody, way above everybody. But the best two guys that have played really good hockey have been Leopold and Polak. Don't go to the bank on it's going to be Bouw and Petro and this and that. Don't go to the bank on that yet."

Hitchcock indicated that the reason for the shuffling could be tied into the Blues' first stretch of regular-season opponents, meaning he would determine the pairs based on the matchups.

SOBOTKA SITS

Vladimir Sobotka has had a tough preseason. First he was whacked in the head in Orlando on a hit by Tampa Bay's Adam Erne, leaving the game in the first period. On Wednesday in Minnesota, he went into the post head-first and left the game briefly.

Sobotka didn't practice Thursday because of a sore neck. The injury doesn't appear to be serious, but Hitchcock said, "I've got to wait and see how he feels tomorrow."

ODDS & ENDS

• Hitchcock was asked point blank Thursday who's playing better out of Ryan Whitney and Ian Cole. "(Whitney) is still on the team," he replied. "Cole's best game was yesterday."

• Of the players who were cut today, Hitchcock said he wouldn't hesitate to bring forward Dmitrij Jaskinback to the NHL at some point. He also said of goalie Jake Allen, "he's had a helluva camp, he's played very well, but we've got two guys here (Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott) who we want to get started with and see where it goes."

• EA Sports conducted a simulation run to the Stanley Cup and the Blues came out on top, beating Pittsburgh in six games to capture Lord Stanley's trophy.

• Former Blue David Perron is tearing it up in Edmonton in the preseason, writes Jeff Gordon in his "Hockey Guy" column.

• New Blue Brenden Morrow will make his debut Friday night against Minnesota.



Hockey Guy: Perron makes quick impact for Oilers

13 hours ago • By Jeff Gordon

Newcomer Magnus Paajarvi is beginning to stir coach Ken Hitchcock’s imagination. The rangy young winger offers a unique size/speed/skill package.

But he remains a work in progress. Given the impressive depth this team has at forward, it may be some time before he makes a significant impact for the Blues.

Meanwhile, David Perron, the player the Blues traded to acquire Paajarvi, has put on a dazzling display during Edmonton’s preseason.

Perron has five goals and an assist in four preseason games, developing nice chemistry with new teammate Jordan Eberle. David could be a key October player for the Oilers while skilled forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder surgery) and Sam Gagner (broken jaw) work their way back from injuries.

Although Perron can’t fill their void at center, he will add playmaking ability to the team’s even-strength and power-play mix. Eakins likes teaming with him with Eberle but he may also consider him for the Taylor Hall/Ales Hemsky line.

(Hall, one of the league's most explosive talents on the wing, is playing center on an interim basis.)

Fans should not get too caught up in a one-for-one comparison between Perron and Paajarvi. The Blues realized major salary cap savings in that deal, which allowed the team to lock in Alex Pietrangtelo and also add Brenden Morrow on a one-year deal.

When you look at the roster shift as a one-for-two deal – Perron for Paajarvi and Morrow – it seems a whole lot more appealing. Morrow could be a major contributor on this team, adding offense, toughness and leadership.

But back to Perron. Old No. 57 is having a predictably good time playing with other skilled guys in Edmonton’s go-go attack.

“It’s a new challenge. Completely different style of hockey — one that I really enjoy playing in,” Perron told the Edmonton Journal.

Oilers coach Dallas Eakins wants his team moving forward as much as possible, staying on the attack.

“The biggest thing is that between the periods, whether it’s 4-1 or 4-2, it doesn’t matter, he wants us to keep playing the exact same way,” Perron told the Journal. “I can play both games but the way I came up, was by playing offense and it is fun to play hockey that way — in my opinion.

“I do think when you’re having fun, you really do push yourself that extra 10 per cent, and I do want to be a factor every night.”

Perron isn’t the biggest or fastest player in the league. But he has quick feet, quick hands, excellent offensive instincts and tenacity on the puck.

Many Blues fans became frustrated by what Perron didn’t do for the Blues. He never became a consistent and durable impact scorer.

Edmonton is glad to have him for who he is: another skilled guy who can fit in with the incumbent skilled guys, adding some new elements.

“That puck follows him around. That’s the first thing,” Eakins told the Journal. “The second thing is that he can score goals in a number of ways, whether it’s a light touch or ripping it. We have a few guys on our team who have great hands. That’s the thing. On some teams, they have to generate chance after chance after chance and eventually they score.”

The Perron trade is shaping up as a win-win deal in the classic sense. Both teams got better after this trade.

AROUND THE RINKS: The Blues aren't the only team lacking salary cap flexibility right now. Some interesting names will hit the waiver wire this weekend as teams strive to become cap compliant. Agents and media types will be on red alert . . . Derek Stepan didn't have much leverage with the Rangers, especially with Brad Richards looks like a No. 1 center again. So he finally signed his two-year RFA deal . . . Also coming out of the cold was Cody Franson, who finally got a deal done in Toronto . . . When you size up the Western Conference, it is pretty hard not to rank Chicago and Los Angeles as the top two teams. And don't forget about San Jose, one of the steadiest franchises in the league. But it will be a while before Raffi Torres agitates anybody this season. This injury is a significant blow . . . . . . As it turns out, Senators winger Bobby Ryan had a way more interesting

childhood than most everybody. Sounds like somebody need to make a movie about that.



Blues are popular pick — again — to win Stanley Cup


In the past couple of years, the Blues have been the vogue pick by experts to win the Stanley Cup.

Perhaps it's because the Blues have a contending team, or perhaps it's because they're due, having not hoisted Lord Stanley's trophy in their 46-year existence.

This summer, The Hockey News chose the Blues to break that spell.

"The St. Louis Blues have assembled an incredible array of young talents in the past couple years and that group is reaching its peak," the Hockey News' Ryan Kennedy wrote. "Following two consecutive body blows in the playoffs, the Blues will learn from the past and win the franchise's first Stanley Cup after more than 45 years in the NHL."

Now it's the popular video game EA Sports, which came up with its Stanley Cup winner through a game simulation. Click here for the story.

The EA Sports’ simulation resulted in the Blues beating Pittsburgh in six games, and NHL 2014 producer Sean Ramjagsingh explained why that could be realistically possible.

“The St. Louis Blues are the personification of NHL 14,” Ramjagsingh told Pro Hockey Talk. “They’re tough, fast and have one of the deepest lineups in the League, making them a favorite to finish on top this season.”

Again, these predictions are nothing new to the Blues in recent years. After the club's back-to-back playoff exits in 2012 and 2013, head coach Ken Hitchcock welcomes the attention but said the players have to do the work behind the scene to live up to the hype.

"I think because you get one group of writers to pick it, then it becomes the path to follow," Hitchcock said. "I think that there's a lot of teams ... and all of this predicting goes out the window as soon as you play your first game and then it's on for the season.

"I like the fact that people take us seriously outside of St. Louis. It's good for our players, that type of notoriety is good. We've just got to really enjoy the process."



Allen, Jaskin and Rattie among latest Blues roster cuts

Published: September 26, 2013 Updated 11 hours ago

By NORM SANDERS — News-Democrat

The St. Louis Blues answered one big question Thursday by assigning top goaltending prospect Jake Allen to their new Chicago Wolves affiliate in the American Hockey League.

Allen had played well during training camp, earning praise from coach Ken Hitchcock, but the Blues have veteran goalies Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott.

Both can become free agents after this season, while Allen needs net time he can't get in St. Louis.

Also assigned to Chicago were forwards Ty Rattie, Dmitrij Jaskin, Sergey Andronov and Keith Aucoin and defensemen Jani Hakanpaa and Joel Edmundson.

The moves leave the Blues with 25 players remaining in camp needing to get down to the final 23-man roster by Monday. Veteran defenseman Ryan Whitney, in camp on a pro tryout, still remains.

The only other major question mark involves the team's third and fourth lines, where the recent addition of veteran winger Brenden Morrow and offseason signing of veteran center Maxim Lapierre has created a bit of a logjam.

The Blues returned their "CPR Line" that played well late last season that includes Ryan Reaves, Chris Porter and Adam Cracknell. Another versatile forward is Vladimir Sobotka, who can play center or wing and can be used on virtually any line.

Porter and Cracknell both have one-way contracts.

Morrow, whose first practice with the Blues was on Tuesday, is expected to make his game debut in Friday night's 7 p.m. exhibition finale at Scottrade Center against Minnesota.

Halak is the expected Blues starter in goal.

Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 09.27.2013

718352 Tampa Bay Lightning

Bolts trio just clicks as line

By Erik Erlendsson | Tribune Staff


ESTERO — Heading into training camp, the Lightning roster held only a few vacancy signs for forwards.

Might three spots actually be taken by one line?

During the past two seasons, the line of Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson and Richard Panik helped carry the Lightning’s affiliate in the American Hockey League to consecutive Calder Cup championship appearances, including a win in 2012.

That success led to all three receiving their first NHL experience last season, with all three scoring their first goals.

The question now: Can the trio continue the chemistry and remain successful in the NHL?

“They play well together, they understand one another, they are good defensively, so it just seems like kind of a simple transition here,’’ Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said. “They are all good players and (coach Jon Cooper) will ultimately decide where guys play, but we know we have three guys who have good chemistry and work well at both ends of the rink. I think they will do that at the NHL level, as well.’’

Last season, Johnson was the MVP of the AHL after leading the league with 37 goals, while Palat was the top scorer in the playoffs with 26 points in 18 games. Panik, despite a 25-game call-up to the Lightning, finished third on the AHL Syracuse Crunch with 22 goals in 55 games.

The three comprise one unit despite coming from different backgrounds. Panik was a skilled second-round pick in 2009, Palat an over-age late-round pick in 2011 and Johnson an undrafted free agent from Spokane, Wash. For whatever reason, the three just work well together.

“Our styles just seem to fit each other,’’ Johnson said. “We are all creative, we like to play with speed and we add a little different thing from each one of us to help out the line. We just have that chemistry. We have a friendship on and off the ice; I think that goes a long way.’’

Cooper first put the line together midway through the 2011-12 season in Norfolk, but at the start of training camp this year the three were not in the same group, with Palat working on a different line.

But starting with the second scrimmage session, Cooper reunited the line and it has been together since. It has played in three preseason games, including Thursday’s game against Florida at Germain Arena. Since being put back together, it’s been business as usual for the trio, which has combined for four goals and seven points after Johnson scored and Palat got an assist Thursday.

“You split them up and they are good hockey players and they still do well,” Cooper said. “But when they are together, there is just something about them and some sort of magic kicks in. They can do some pretty special things.’’

It was not exactly an overnight sensation.

Panik and Palat were healthy scratches for much of the first half of the 2011-12 season and played up and down the lineup when they got on the ice. But by halfway through the season, all three were regulars in the lineup and as a line.

Soon afterward, the AHL team went on a record 28-game win streak.

“Gradually you get a feel for your team, who can fit together,’’ Cooper said. “Coincidentally, it was not too long before the streak happened that that group was put together.’’

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 09.27.2013


Lightning Notebook: Kucherov’s OT goal completes rally against Panthers

Erik Erlendsson


ESTERO — For the third time in six preseason games, the Lightning went to overtime and found a way to win.

Nikita Kucherov scored the winning goal with 55 seconds left in overtime Thursday night to give Tampa Bay a 3-2 victory against Florida in front of an announced crowd of 3,451 at Germain Arena.

Tyler Johnson had a goal and an assist, Richard Panik had a short-handed goal and Ben Bishop stopped 26 shots as Tampa Bay improved to 5-1 in preseason play.

The Lightning fell behind by two goals on a pair of power-play markers by Jonathan Huberdeau, but they battled back with Johnson’s power-play goal 8:32 into the second period and Panik’s short-handed tally 6:30 into the third.

Though the Lightning have yet to field a full lineup for any preseason game, they have found ways to win games even when they have been outplayed.

“We want to see who we have and who can contribute, and we are getting it from everybody, so it’s been fun to watch,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “But this is the preseason and it gives us a chance to see what we have, and we like what we see. But let’s be honest, we’ve come on the positive side a lot in these games but you can make the argument we didn’t outplay these teams. ... We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’ve gotten some timely goaltending and timely goals when we’ve needed it, and you need good players to do that. But we still have to play much better.”

No Malone

Ryan Malone said he took Wednesday off for a maintenance day; the team called it an upper-body injury. Either way, Malone sat out Thursday’s game despite being on the game list the day before, and remains listed by the team as being day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Cooper said Malone, who did not skate with the non-playing group Thursday, was being held out as a precaution.

“He’s in no jeopardy in my eyes of missing regular-season games,” Cooper said. “Now, it’s not the regular season so it’s a much different level of concern, but as of now I’m not concerned.”

Malone played more than 20 minutes and registered seven shots on goal in Saturday’s victory against Florida, and Cooper said the situation did not arise from that game. Malone did practice with the team Monday.

J.T. Brown took Malone’s spot in the lineup.

Simulation

The annual EA Sports season simulation results, using NHL ’14, were released Thursday and the Lightning finished in sixth place in the newly formed Atlantic Division and 13th overall in the Eastern Conference, outside

of the playoffs. According to the simulation, Boston will win the Atlantic followed by Detroit, Montreal and Toronto.

The video game does predict some hardware for the Lightning, however, as Steven Stamkos is predicted to win his third Rocket Richard Trophy with a league-leading 64 goals and finish second in league scoring with 102 points. Rookie LW Jonathan Drouin is the predicted winner of the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, though no point totals were given.

RW Marty St. Louis, despite only 69 games played, finished tied for seventh in league scoring with 86 points.

Nuts and Bolts

Syracuse opened its preseason Thursday with a 5-2 victory at St. John’s in the first of three games against the Ice Caps. ... St. Louis, Nate Thompson and Eric Brewer wore the A as alternate captains. ... Brett Connolly played at center on the top line. ... G Tim Thomas made his Panthers debut, stopping nine of 10 shots in just more than a period and a half of action.

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 09.27.2013


Lightning tops Panthers in OT

Damian Cristodero

Thursday, September 26, 2013 11:16pm

ESTERO — The Lightning has some tough decisions to make to finalize its roster, and Thursday night's 3-2 overtime victory over the Panthers at Germain Arena didn't make them any easier.

The kids shined again, especially the line of C Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Richard Panik, as Tampa Bay (5-1-0) overcame a 2-0 second-period deficit.

"Those three, especially after (Thursday's) performance, have made a strong case to make this team," coach Jon Cooper said.

Johnson had a goal and assisted on Nikita Kucherov's winner with 55 seconds left in overtime. Palat assisted on Johnson's goal, and Panik's shorthanded goal, at the end of a two-on-one with Marty St. Louis 6:30 into the third period, tied the score 2-2.

Add solid goaltending by Ben Bishop, who stopped 26 of 28 shots, and you have a pretty satisfying win despite two power-play goals by Florida's Jonathan Huberdeau and that Tampa Bay at times had trouble getting out of its end. "We've got a lot of work to do," Cooper said.

Johnson, Palat and Panik, who played together for 11/2 seasons at AHL Norfolk and Syracuse, have done their share over three games. Johnson has a goal and three points. Palat and Panik have two goals and three points each.

"Difficult is a good thing," Cooper said of the decisions to be made. "We'd rather have that than sitting here knowing our team was picked 21/2 weeks ago."

"Hopefully," Johnson said, "we'll stick around."

MALONE OUT: LW Ryan Malone did not play because of what the team called an upper-body injury. Cooper said he was held out as a precaution. "Put it this way," Cooper said, "he's in no jeopardy of missing regular-season games." Even so, any Malone injury raises a red flag. He is coming off an injury-filled 2012-13, has not played more than 70 games in any of five seasons with the Lightning and made it a priority this season to stay healthy. Creating more questions was Cooper's acknowledgement the injury "wasn't hockey-related."

"Who knows?" Cooper said. "He may have slept wrong. I have no idea. Like I said, it's not a concern."

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Brett Connolly, normally a right wing, played center on a line between St. Louis and Jonathan Drouin, though the move apparently was more about keeping Drouin at wing than moving Connolly.

Still, Connolly, who played center in several games last season for Cooper at Syracuse, didn't hurt his case to make the team by showing versatility.

"I'm a fan of Connolly's," Cooper said. "Every time I've been behind the bench and had the opportunity to coach Brett Connolly, he hasn't disappointed me. He's done well."

ODDS AND ENDS: J.T. Brown took Malone's spot in the lineup. … Panthers RW Kris Versteeg played his first game since March 12, when he sustained a knee injury on a hit from Lightning D Radko Gudas. … The game was delayed five minutes by dim lights. … Attendance was 3,451.

Lightning 0 1 1 1 3

Panthers 1 1 0 0 2

First Period—1, Fla, Huberdeau 1 (Gilbert, Campbell), 5:26 (pp). Penalties—Barberio, TB (high-stick), 4:41; Aulie, TB (roughing), 9:13; Boyes, Fla (interference), 14:19.

Second Period—2, Fla, Huberdeau 2 (Campbell, Gilbert), 2:47 (pp). 3, TB, Johnson 1 (Palat, Kucherov), 8:32 (pp). Penalties—Cote, TB (interference), 2:06; Fla bench (too many men), 6:57; Fla bench (too many men), 18:33.

Third Period—4, TB, Panik 2 (St. Louis), 6:30 (sh). Penalties—Brewer, TB (slashing), 5:23.

OT—5, TB, Kucherov 1 (Barberio, Johnson), 4:04. Penalties—None. Shots—Fla 11-7-9-1—28. TB 5-8-6-6—25. PP opps—Fla 2 of 2; TB 1 of 1. Goalies—Fla, Thomas (10 shots-9 saves), Markstrom 0-0-3 (8:33 second, 15-13). TB, Bishop 2-0-0 (28-26).

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 09.27.2013


St. Louis, Stamkos to see action on Lightning penalty kill

Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

Thursday, September 26, 2013 3:50pm

ESTERO — Marty St. Louis loves to kill penalties.

"You're always part of the game," the Lightning wing said. "There's no slowing down."

The thing is, St. Louis did not do a lot of penalty killing the past three seasons under former coach Guy Boucher. Under coach Jon Cooper, though, that will change.

And not only for St. Louis but Steven Stamkos, both of whom will get a chance to bolster an anemic penalty kill that last season was 19th in the 30-team league at 80.6 percent and 26th in 2011-12 at 79.2 percent, and give it offensive oomph as well.

Want to read an embarrassing stat? The Lightning the past four seasons has been either last or tied for last in shorthanded goals. It had five in that span, fewest in the league.

"I know you're short a guy, but that doesn't mean you don't have chances to score," Cooper said. "The No. 1 goal is to keep (pucks) out of your net, but if you put one in, it can be a momentum (producer), too."

As St. Louis said, "Sometimes a shorthanded goal can change the whole game."

That is what happened in the third period of Thursday's 3-2 overtime preseason win over the Panthers. Richard Panik scored shorthanded on a two-on-one with St. Louis to tie the score 2-2.

So, will St. Louis, last season's NHL points leader, and Stamkos, with a league-best 185 goals since the start of 2009-10, be game-changers for the penalty kill?

Time was, St. Louis was integral. In 2003-04 his eight shorthanded goals and 11 shorthanded points led the league. In 2006-07 his 11 shorthanded points again were tops, and his five shorthanded goals tied for second with then-teammate Vinny Lecavalier.

But Boucher, who coached from 2010-13, did not want his best offensive players burning energy in a defensive role. St. Louis had zero shorthanded goals under Boucher and an average 33 seconds of penalty-kill time. Stamkos averaged 32 seconds, also with zero goals.

"Listen, if you're going out there smart for 20, 25 seconds, I don't think you're wasting energy. I really don't," said St. Louis, whose 28 shorthanded goals are a Tampa Bay record. "If you can get five, six rotations on your PK, nobody is tired."

The key, Cooper said, is "player-slash-game management."

"If we're in a situation where we've had a ton of power plays, (St. Louis and Stamkos) probably won't see much time killing penalties. I'm not even necessarily a fan of using them together. But I am a big believer in you use your best players whenever you can. I'm not saying they're going to be regular penalty killers, but there are times we are going to need them."

The need, though, is not necessarily goals. Cooper said a penalty kill with a percentage success rate in the high 80s would be just fine, even without shorthanded goals.

And just getting offensive players on the penalty kill "puts a little honesty in the other team" because "they have to be more careful," St. Louis said.

"I love it," Stamkos said. "You want to be out there in those situations and help your team. If it's the penalty kill or stopping goals, that's something I want to do."

Scoring a few shorthanded wouldn't hurt, either.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 09.27.2013

718356 Toronto Maple Leafs

With Franson’s signing, pieces falling into place for Maple Leafs

DAVID SHOALTS


Last updated Thursday, Sep. 26, 2013 9:49PM EDT

After word came out that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager David Nonis managed to get defenceman Cody Franson signed at a bargain rate, teammate James van Riemsdyk tweeted early Thursday morning it is “always nice waking up to good news.”

There was no such tweet from Leafs defenceman John-Michael Liles, though. Nor was there any sign of the usually talkative veteran after the team’s morning practice, one that was interrupted by the Leafs slapping their sticks on the ice to salute Franson’s late arrival following the paperwork on his one-year, $2-million (all currency U.S.) contract.



Mirtle: New CBA twist could help teams like Leafs with cap crunch

JAMES MIRTLE


Last updated Thursday, Sep. 26, 2013 9:44PM EDT

There are salary cap woes all around the NHL right now, with seven teams currently listed as over and some deft manoeuvring required to get below $64.3-million by Monday afternoon.

Expect there to be a ton of veteran players on waivers in the coming days and a few curious trades shuffling money from one location to another.



Cody Franson’s deal with Leafs means one less job up for grabs

By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Thu Sep 26 2013

Cody Franson hopes his next contract is far better than the one he just signed. One with a much longer term. One with far more dollars.

But for now, Franson is just happy to be back with his Leaf teammates.

“At the end of it you look back and you realize it is just business,” Franson said of elongated talks that resulted in him missing two weeks of training camp. “They have a job to do and that is to try and make everything work.

“I understand that, but this is where I want to be. It is a good place to play. I am hopeful it is a long-term deal after this.”

Franson rolled the dice and came up with a one-year, $2 million (all figures U.S.) deal to get him through this season. He didn’t get as much money as he wanted. The Leafs didn’t get him locked up for as long as they wanted. He’ll have a chance to cash in again next year when the salary cap rises.

“I did not want to miss any time,” said Franson. “With the new setup in the standings, you never know which two points are going to be the most important two points. I did not want to be missing any time if I could help it.

“I am happy we were able to find a middle ground and get it done.”

While Franson hopes with the salary cap rising next season that talks next summer will go more smoothly, his signing on Thursday officially put the Maple Leafs over the salary cap.

The team has until Monday at 3 p.m. — one day before the regular season begins — to get under the cap. So Franson’s signature affects other players.

Assistant GM Claude Loiselle acknowledged the team would probably go with fewer than the limit of 23 on its roster because of cap concerns. They might go with exactly 12 forwards, six defencemen, two goalies.

“If we had signed Cody at the beginning of camp we would still be in the same situation here,” said Loiselle.

If the Leafs’ top six defence pairings are Dion Phaneuf-Jake Gardiner; Franson-Mark Fraser and Paul Ranger-Carl Gunnarsson, then where does veteran John-Michael Liles and his four-year, $15.5 million contract sit? As one wag in the press box put it: “Jeff Finger’s number with the Marlies is available.”

It’s hard to imagine any team taking on Liles’ contract, especially with 22 teams within $3 million of the $64.3 million cap. Sending Liles to the minors would save the Leafs $925,000 off the cap.

There’s always the possibility of trading an asset — a player other teams crave — to clear cap space and get a prospect or a draft pick in return. Gunnarsson, Gardiner and forward Nikolai Kulemin might want to get used to trade rumours.

Then there’s Morgan Rielly, the prized rookie who also carries a $925,000 cap hit (rookie bonuses don’t count against the cap until they are earned). Rielly sat beside Franson in the Leaf dressing room on Thursday and welcomed Franson back, even though Franson’s presence means one less job on the blue line.

“That’s hockey,” said Rielly. “I’m not going to change anything but keep doing my best. He was doing his thing, I just have to keep trying to have a good camp. He’s here now. He’s a great guy. I have to keep playing hard and treat it like it was before.”

Toronto Star LOADED: 09.27.2013


Maple Leafs’ contract focus shifts to Phil Kessel

By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Thu Sep 26 2013

And now the focus shifts to Phil Kessel.

Now that Cody Franson has signed for the year, a little bit of juggling will have to be done for the Maple Leafs to get under the salary cap.

But the next big contract headache for the team is Kessel, the star winger who wants a deal by Tuesday, before the puck drops on the 2013-14 season. If no deal is reached — and it is believed both sides are talking — Kessel says he will not negotiate during the season.

That means the Leafs could risk losing Kessel to unrestricted free agency on July 1.

“Nothing yet,” said assistant GM Claude Loiselle when asked if there has been any progress in talks. “And I would not report it anyway if we had something going on,” he added with a smile.

Outside of being bag-skated extra hard until Tuesday, Kessel doesn’t really have that much else to do thanks to his three-game suspension for slashing Buffalo’s John Scott on Sunday. But he doesn’t see too concerned about his contract.

“I’m not worried about it, nothing’s happening as far as I know, just move on and get ready for the season,” said Kessel. “We’ve got a good team and it will be a fun year for us and for the fans.

“The guys are ready to play for the real games now. Sure, there’s pressure, but the only pressure is to be better and improve every year. And to go further in the playoffs, so I’m looking forward to all of that.”

And what does he have to worry about? Whether it’s with the Leafs or some other team, Kessel is in line for a big payday.

It’s notable that Kessel seems a different player so far in the pre-season. He’s more engaged in interviews. He’s showing leadership on the ice. He was the best Leaf forward in the playoffs and it seems to be carrying over. It may just be a coincidence that he’s playing for a contract.

Considering his scoring prowess, he could well be in line for a contract of the type Anaheim’s Corey Perry landed: eight years, $69 million. At an average salary of $8.625 million a year, Perry’s cap hit is the fourth highest in the NHL, a hair below Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin ($8.7 million each). Alex Ovechkin has the highest cap hit at $9.53 million.

The Leafs have more on their plate than just Kessel. Captain Dion Phaneuf’s contract is also expiring this year, although Phaneuf has said he’s OK with in-season negotiations, so there’s no pressing deadline.

Other pending unrestricted free agents: Dave Bolland, Nikolai Kulemin, Jay McClement, Mason Raymond, Trevor Smith, Mark Fraser, Paul Ranger and Troy Bodie.

Franson will be a restricted free agent after his one-year $2 million deal. Other pending RFAs: James Reimer, Jake Gardiner, Joe Colborne, Carter Ashton and Jamie Devane.

There is nothing in the NHL rulebook that prevents the Leafs from negotiating with any of their players whose contracts are expiring this season — even the just-signed Franson.

Sometimes players on expiring contracts create a great deal of individual motivation, which can be good for the team. But then there’s the inevitable panic that sets in coming from the fan base.

“It is always a headache. It is my job,” said Loiselle, the chief contract negotiator in Dave Nonis’s front office. “Things change throughout the season. You never negotiate during the season but at this point in time we may have to start.”



Maple Leafs: Kessel next up on Nonis' to-do list: Cox

By: Damien Cox Sports Columnist, Published on Thu Sep 26 2013

After all the fretting about how in the world the Maple Leafs were possibly going to fit Nazem Kadri and Cody Franson under the salary cap, turns out Dave Nonis’ hardnosed this-is-all-we’ve-got approach worked just fine.

Now we’ll see how that works on a much larger scale as Nonis prepares to take a stab, probably a long-shot at best, at getting star winger Phil Kessel under contract before the season opener.

Kadri came in for a $2.9 million cap hit, and Franson has now signed a one-year, $2 million contract. So a combined $4.9 million cap hit is clearly less than what many in the industry were suggesting the Leafs would have to pay.

Both players clearly came to grips with the concept that not only was Nonis not going to cave to their demands (Kadri was initially talking $6 million a year), but that the drop in the salary cap to $64.3 million this season not only tied the Leafs hands but also made it less likely other teams were going to aggressively court their services.

Mason Raymond figured that out, and so for less than $6 million, the Leafs get three good hockey players for the 2013-14 season. Not bad in these inflationary times.

Franson’s deal, which should allow him to get in an exhibition game, certainly helps the squeeze created by David Clarkson’s 10-game suspension, and also makes it less likely, although not impossible, for 19-year-old Morgan Rielly to crack the Leaf roster. Coach Randy Carlyle will make that decision.

Kessel, of course, won’t be playing for the rest of the pre-season but will be in the lineup Tuesday night in Montreal, the day of his self-imposed deadline on any in-season contract talks prior to becoming a free agent next July.

That could change of course. And there will be time after the season, and before free agency begins, for the two sides to talk money and term.

But having the issue hanging over the heads of the Leafs all season is hardly ideal. It worked out with Tyler Bozak last season, but Bozak isn’t Kessel.

So Nonis hopes to have at least one serious negotiating session with agent Wade Arnott this weekend or on Monday before the season opener. There has been little negotiating so far, although all indications are that Kessel wants to stay in Toronto.

But at what salary? And what term?

We know the term is limited to eight years, which is one more year than any other team can offer Kessel. Alex Ovechkin currently carries the highest annual cap hit at $9.538 million. Rick Nash ($7.8 million) and Zach Parise ($7.538 million) are likely comparables for Kessel. Steve Stamkos comes in at $7.5 million, and it’s hard to make a case the Leaf forward should be paid more than that.

So we’re looking at an extension to kick in next season at something like eight years and between $60 million and $64 million. Gulp. Suddenly David Clarkson’s seven-year deal at $5.25 million per, the richest contract in franchise history, starts to look small.

Do the Leafs love Kessel that much? Would it be more sensible to spend $8 million next summer on two players? Can a team that still needs more skill to compete with the big boys possibly afford to lose their most skilful player next summer? As he prepares to turn 26 next week, is his best ahead or has he peaked? Can you do a contract that gives the Leafs flexibility to move him down the line?

Seems like a tough contract to pull together in a short time, but then again the Leafs and the agent have been ruminating on this for months.

If Kessel wants to stay and the Leafs are committed to keeping him, then the numbers seem straightforward.

But if either side is unsure, things get tricky in a hurry.



NHL Notebook: Derek Stepan inks 2-year deal with Rangers

By: Star wire services, Published on Thu Sep 26 2013

Derek Stepan is back in the fold with the New York Rangers, agreeing to a two-year contract that should have him back on the ice in time for the season opener.

Negotiations had been tense in recent days as the sides worked on a deal to get the restricted free-agent forward signed and into training camp. A contract was finally worked out Thursday, one week before the Rangers start the regular season at Phoenix.

The 23-year-old Stepan, expected to be the Rangers’ No. 1 centre, led the team with 44 points last season and was second to Rick Nash with 18 goals while playing all 48 games of the lockout-shortened campaign.

He had been seeking $3.5 million (all figures U.S.) per season, while the Rangers were offering around $3 million. The new deal is for a total of $6.15 million — $2.3 million this season and $3.85 million in 2014-15.

OVIE TAKES TORCH

The 2014 Winter Olympics are Alex Ovechkin’s showcase, and he’ll be the first Russian to carry the torch toward Sochi.

Ovechkin will travel to Greece this weekend and take the torch after it’s ignited in Olympia. He’s set to return to Washington on Sunday and then practise with the Capitals on Monday.

They travel to Chicago later Monday and open the season Tuesday against the Blackhawks.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and something I will never forget,” Ovechkin said in a statement released by the team. “I would like to thank the Washington Capitals organization and all of my teammates for their support in enabling me to travel to Greece prior to the regular season.”

There was concern about timing, given that the Capitals start the regular season on the road. Ovechkin will miss their final pre-season game Saturday, but his schedule does not have him in danger of being out for the opener.

“This is a huge honour and we are so proud, and excited for Alex and his family,” Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in the statement.”

THIOMAS SIGNS

Tim Thomas is officially back in the NHL.

The Stanley Cup-winning goalie signed a one-year contract Thursday with the Florida Panthers, a move that was expected for several days. Financial terms were not released.

The 39-year-old Thomas took last season off, then decided he was ready to return to hockey.

His signing is part of a busy week for the Panthers. The team will introduce Vincent Viola as its new owner on Friday, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. Viola paid $250 million to buy the franchise, the same person said.

Thomas has played in 378 NHL games, all with Boston. He’s stopped 92 per cent of the shots he has faced, with a 2.48 GAA. He led the Bruins to the 2011 Stanley Cup.

TORRES UNDER KNIFE

San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres has undergone surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.

Torres had the operation Thursday and GM Doug Wilson says he is expected back later this season.

Torres was injured in a collision with Anaheim forward Emerson Etem last Friday.

The Sharks were counting on Torres to provide energy and physical play this year. His acquisition late last season provided a needed spark to the team before he was suspended for the final six playoff games for an illegal hit on Los Angeles forward Jarret Stoll.

The Sharks signed Torres to a three-year, $6 million contract in June.

BRODEUR’S DAD DIES

Denis Brodeur, the father of star goalie Martin Brodeur who enjoyed a lengthy career as one of Canada’s most successful sports photographers, has died in Montreal at age 82.

He shot the Montreal Canadiens for several decades, first as a newspaper man and then as the team’s official photographer.

Brodeur was one of two photographers to capture the iconic image of Paul Henderson celebrating the winning goal of the 1972 Canada-Soviet summit series.

In 2006, he sold his archive of 110,000 photos to the NHL for $350,000.

The elder Brodeur’s career extended beyond hockey. He was also the official photographer for the Montreal Expos and shot numerous local sporting events and pro wrestling.

Before his media career, he was also a goalie who won an Olympic medal, like his son. Brodeur backstopped the Canadian team that won the bronze at the 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo Games.



Famed sports photographer Denis Brodeur, father of star hockey goalie, dies at 82

By: The Canadian Press, Published on Thu Sep 26 2013

MONTREAL—Denis Brodeur, the father of star goalie Martin Brodeur who enjoyed a lengthy career as one of Canada’s most successful sports photographers, has died at age 82.

He shot the Montreal Canadiens for several decades, first as a newspaper man and then as the team’s official photographer.

Brodeur was one of two photographers to capture the iconic image of Paul Henderson celebrating the winning goal of the 1972 Canada-Soviet summit series. In 2006, he sold his archive of 110,000 photos to the National Hockey League for $350,000 (U.S.).

“My sympathies to the family of Denis Brodeur, the celebrated photographer who helped so many Canadians discover hockey,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a French-language message on social media.

Fellow photographers reminisced Thursday about a gentlemanly colleague who went out of his way to help others.

“In a cutthroat business, he was a true class act,” said Ryan Remiorz, a photographer for The Canadian Press who first met Brodeur while shooting Montreal Expos games in 1979. He said his veteran colleague was always willing to share advice or help with organizing logistics.

“He was already a legend before I showed up.”

The elder Brodeur’s career extended beyond hockey. He was also the official photographer for the Montreal Expos and shot numerous local sporting events and pro wrestling, sometimes bringing his children along with him.

He would also bring his family to Florida every year for spring training. They made the lengthy drive down to Florida because Mireille Brodeur, Martin’s mother, didn’t like flying.

In Florida, the family would rent a motel room. Photographers recalled visits to that motel, where Denis would set up a makeshift darkroom and Mireille cooked for the family on a hot plate.

The Brodeurs’ close-knit relationship included rare family bonds, on and off the ice.

Before his media career, Denis Brodeur was also a goalie who won an Olympic medal, like his son.

He backstopped the Canadian team that won the bronze at the 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo games. The younger Brodeur had the words “Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956,” and “Salt Lake City 2002,” inscribed on his New Jersey Devils mask in honour of the father-son Olympic medals.

As for photography he had another son, Claude, who followed him into that profession.

In later years, a beaming Denis Brodeur would be on the ice, celebrating several Stanley Cup victories with his son while his longtime colleagues snapped pictures of the moment.

“The entire New Jersey Devils organization is tremendously saddened by the loss of Denis Brodeur, Sr. The Brodeurs have been part of the Devils’ family for over 23 years,” Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. “Denis proudly dedicated his life, on and off the ice, to the game of hockey and for that he will be fondly remembered. Our thoughts and prayers, right now, are with Martin and his family.”

His grandson is also a goalie in the Devils’ system.

“Sad, sad day,” tweeted Anthony Brodeur, who was drafted this year.

“Miss you so much already Grandpapa. Rest In Peace. Je t’aime.”

A former Montreal Canadiens general manager said Brodeur had a unique bond with the players.

“The difference was that he played the game,” said Rejean Houle, a former Habs forward and team executive.

“He won the Allan Cup, the highest honour in senior hockey in the country, and he played at the Olympics. So he went through what we went through when we were players so he wasn’t just a photographer, he was like a colleague, he was part of the boys.”



Cody Franson signs one-year deal with the Maple Leafs

By: Mark Zwolinski

Cody Franson is glad it's over.

The Maple Leafs defenceman ended his training camp contract holdout, agreeing to a one-year, $2 million dollar deal.

"I'm glad it's done," said Franson. "It's a process nobody wants to go through. Fortunately we were able to find common ground and get it done before the regular season started.

"I'm going to get a couple of exhibition games in, too, so that's a big plus." The Leafs play Friday and Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings.

Franson took less money than the Leafs offered in order to get just a one-year deal -- the Leafs wanted a multi-year deal. Franson has given himself a chance to cash in next year when the salary cap rises.

"It's been a long process. Both sides gave in and we finally got a deal done," said Leafs assistant GM Claude Loiselle. "We gave up on terms, Cody gave a little bit.

"He wanted to play and we're glad he made that decision."

Franson was greeted on the practise ice at the MasterCard Centre with sticks clapping on the ice.

"There was no way he was getting away with coming on late like that, and not getting a greeting," said defenceman Mark Fraser. "We're grateful and happy it's done with. He's a big part of this group."

It’s likely the Leafs blueline pairings are now set, with Franson expected to be reunited with Mark Fraser, a pairing that stuck all of last season.

Phaneuf should be back with Carl Gunnarsson, while Gardiner and Paul Ranger are expected to be the third pairing.

Nineteen-year-old Morgan Rielly may make the club as the seventh defenceman.

Franson's deal expires next summer, when the club has several key players eligible for free agency, including Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, Nik Kulemin, and Jake Gardiner.



Leafs' Franson has catching up to do

By Terry Koshan


TORONTO - Now that his contract squabble with the Maple Leafs is history, defenceman Cody Franson is hoping two pre-season tilts are enough to get his head back in the game.

Franson is expected to play both Friday in Detroit and Saturday in Toronto as the Leafs close their exhibition schedule with a home-and-home series against the Red Wings.

“Those two games will be good to get me back in the thought process of things and how quickly you have to think,” Franson said. “The speed and skill is a little different. Those reps in the exhibition games will be good to get and I am looking forward to it.”

Franson experienced a breakout for the Leafs in the abbreviated 2012-13 season, developing into the kind of defenceman who can make a positive impact every night.

“I want to try to keep the momentum going,” Franson said. “The second you get complacent is the second you make a mistake. I learned that first-hand in my first year, coming in a little too comfortable and I got put in the press box because of it. I will never make that mistake twice, and it is mindset behind everything I do.”

Said coach Randy Carlyle: “He committed more to a physical game, which allowed him a little bit more space and fit on our blue line. He was a guy who was our best option playing the right point, simple as that.”

Perhaps no Leaf was happier to see Franson than Mark Fraser, who will be Franson’s partner again, if it’s not Jake Gardiner.

“There have been a few things along my path to get here that have been instrumental and Franny has been one of those guys,” Fraser said. “We helped each other out in a very large way in trying to get back on track and build ourselves up as a stable pairing in this league.”

REPLACING CLARKSON

One the final battles up for grabs is the honour of replacing David Clarkson as the winger serves a 10-game suspension to start the regular season.

“I think that is still open for competition,” Carlyle said. “We have some young players that we are playing in a lot of exhibition games, so read between the lines.”

Nikolai Kulemin has been moved up to take Clarkson’s spot on the right wing of the second line, with centre Nazem Kadri and left winger Joffrey Lupul.

Troy Bodie skated on Thursday where Kulemin normally would, with Mason Raymond and centre Dave Bolland. Carter Ashton, Jamie Devane or Josh Leivo could be a fit in the lineup as Clarkson sits, and it’s worth noting that Ashton might help form the fourth line with Jay McClement and Colton Orr.

BOLLAND BACK

Bolland returned to practice after nursing a sore groin. Both Bolland and Orr, having got past a leg bruise, figure to play this weekend.

“Always a relief,” Bolland said. “Nice to get the little nagging injuries out of the way.”

Bolland, of course, won’t be present when the Chicago Blackhawks raise their 2013 Stanley Cup banner.

“Those ties are cut,” Bolland, traded to the Leafs in June, said. “This is new season, a new year, a new book and this is with the Leafs. This is a new start. Hopefully we can start a banner year here.”

QUOTABLE CARLYLE

Carlyle had an interesting answer when he was asked when more cuts could be expected. “Stick by your fax machines or your Twitter box or whatever you guys use,” Carlyle said.

And what about a mid-ice collision with centre Jay McClement, who could have found out what Carlyle was like in his playing days in the NHL?

“He was lucky I did not have any equipment on,” Carlyle said. “I was going to give him an elbow. He almost ran me over pretty good.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 09.27.2013


Room still for Reilly on Leafs

By Terry Koshan ,Toronto Sun


Cody Franson had to vacate his stall in the Maple Leafs’ dressing room on Thursday when media clamoured around the 19-year-old rookie sitting beside him.

But will Franson’s presence mean there no longer is room for Morgan Rielly in Toronto?

“Morgan Rielly is another decision that is looming, and it is something that will play out,” coach Randy Carlyle said. “Not necessarily tomorrow, not the next day, we have 10 games, and that takes us to the 25th of October. We have that time frame to make a decision on Morgan.”

Rielly can play in nine games with the Leafs and they could send him back to Moose Jaw of the Western Hockey League without using up the first year of his entry-level deal. Play in a 10th game, and he’s not going anywhere.

“My goal is to play here and I have a chance,” Rielly said. “If I go back to junior, I have a great coach (Mike Stothers) back there, great teammates.

“I’ll treat it like a chance to improve and hopefully have a chance to make Team Canada again. I am not going to let (a demotion) hurt me in any way.”



Maple Leafs, Red Wings eager to renew rivalry

mike-zeisberger


TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. - It’s been a while since we saw a gooey octopus plop onto the ice at a Maple Leafs home game, courtesy of a brash Red Wings fan.

Or since the raw emotions between the Leafs and Red Wings busted out for all to see, much like Wendel Clark and Bob Probert would exhibit during their numerous scraps when they attempted to turn each other’s mugs into a bloody mess.

For more than a decade, the Original Six rivalry between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings has barely registered a heartbeat, thanks to the NHL’s flawed logic of having two cities a mere 31/2 hours apart play in different conferences.

But after rubber-stamping some long-overdue realignment plans, the league has finally come to its senses and put these two long-time foes back in the same division, potentially recreating the type of ill-will between Motown and Hogtown exhibited by legends such as Ted Lindsay and George Armstrong more than half a century ago.

Fanning the flames of this rekindled rivalry will be the animosity that will be on display at the Jan. 1 Winter Classic, where the Wings and Leafs, now members of the league’s new Atlantic Division, will do battle in front of 115,000 crazed fans shoehorned into Michigan Stadium.

The Leafs versus the Red Wings. The way it used to be — and the way it should be.

Don’t forget the Daniel Alfredsson factor, either.

Just to add some spice into the mix, Leafs fans should be applauding the Red Wings for swiping long-time Battle of Ontario villain away from the Senators.

If Leafs Nation needed any more reason to get cranked up for the Wings, seeing their favourite whipping boy in Detroit red should bring out the blue-and-white boo birds en masse.

“Especially at the Winter Classic,” Alfredsson laughed. “The crowd will be split so that means there will be about 55,000 people (jeering me).”

Good math.

For Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, the reunion of the Leafs and Wings in the East is a long time coming.

From his perch in the Joe Louis Arena management box, Holland will see all the Leafs jerseys sprinkled throughout the rink Friday night for the Toronto-Detroit exhibition game, the first of a pre-season home-and-home series. He knows the Leafs fans will flock across the border from Windsor like lemmings in order to attend the contest.

Only now, the Leafs-Red Wings matchup will be more than just a pre-season tilt. Or a rare regular-season appearance.

Now they will be meeting more frequently, battling each other for a playoff spot.

“It’s going to be huge for us,” Holland said. “Because of the history. Because of the tradition. And because of our geographical location. You go over a bridge and you’re in Canada.

“When we play the Leafs in exhibition, it’s a guaranteed sellout and there is a good buzz in the stands. Now we are going to play four regular-season games. It’s going to mean a lot in the standings. We’re in the same conference. It will mean a lot to our fans to play the Leafs and compete with them for a playoff spot.

“It’s going to be awesome.”

Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg agrees.

“We are really excited to play Toronto more,” Zetterberg said. “When I first came into the league, a lot of my teammates had been in the rivalry with Toronto when (the Wings) were still in the East. And they talked about how fun it was. So it’s great that it’s back again.

“You can see it every time we play them. There are a lot of Toronto fans. It’s fun, it’s close. Two Original Six teams. And now, when you put the Winter Classic into the mix, it’s going to be even more fun.”

The Wings and the Leafs: A rivalry reborn.

Octopi, anyone?

HOLD THE SAUCE

Much as we’d all like to forget, the image of chicken wing sauce dripping out of then-Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau’s mouth during a 24/7 segment is horribly etched in many of our minds.

Players. Fans. Media. You name it.

If that isn’t reason for the Maple Leafs and Red Wings to be wary of this year’s edition of HBO’s 24/7, what is?

“If they catch me with sauce on my face, they catch me with sauce on my face,” said new Red Wing Stephen Weiss, a Markham-area native. “I’m just have to keep going and stick with the routine.”

Let’s hope there are plenty of napkins in the neighbourhood.

For GM Kenny Holland, he is thankful that both teams have outspoken coaches — Mike Babcock in Detroit and Randy Carlyle with the Leafs. In that regard, Holland and Leafs counterpart Dave Nonis could get off relatively unscathed from the unforgiving lenses of the HBO cameras.

“Without a doubt, Dave and I will be bit parts,” said Holland, breaking into a mischievous grin.

Given the presence of Carlyle and Babcock, there could be a few “bleeps” fired out by the time all is said and done.

‘CLASSIC’ QUOTES

The Red Wings speak about the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 in front of 115,00 fans at Michigan Stadium:

“When we went to the announcement two years ago, that was the first time I was there without being at a football game. It is a big arena. We know it’s going to be 50-50 with the fans. And we know it will be loud. When the lockout happened, we wondered if it would happen again. When they said we were going to do that, we were glad we didn’t miss it.”

— Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg

“Got a lot of calls about tickets from my buddies back in the Toronto area. I’m not even sure if we get them or buy them. Either way, I’ll accommodate as many as possible.”

— Centre Stephen Weiss, a Markham-area native

“I was down on the field for the Michigan-Notre Dame game with Kyle Quincey and some other teammates. It was amazing. The place was going nuts. I’ve never seen that many people. Ever. I can’t imagine what it will be like to be down there in a Red Wings jersey.”

— Defenceman Jakub Kindl

“How can you not like it? It’s Toronto-Detroit. There will be nothing like it.”

— General manager Ken Holland



Top 5 moments from Maple Leafs-Red Wings rivalry

By Mike Zeisberger ,Toronto Sun


Maybe there isn’t the same bitterness — yet — that exists in the Battle of Ontario between the Leafs and Ottawa Senators. At the same time, the Toronto-Detroit rivalry is mired in history, one that should be rekindled with the Wings move into the East. Here’s a look at five memorable Red Wing-Leaf moments.

Borschevsky hushes Hockeytown

May 1, 1993

It was a wild blue-and-white celebration in hockey’s home of the octopi, thanks to Nikolai Borschevsky. A screaming Joe Bowen almost lost his voice while calling The Goal. Trainer Brian Papineau wildly waved a water bottle on the bench, dousing everyone within squirting reach. You could almost hear the cheers coming from four hours away in Toronto. All because of Borschevsky, whose Game 7 OT winner past Tim Cheveldae at a hushed Joe Louis Arena gave the underdog Leafs a shocking first-round series victory over Steve Yzerman’s heavily favoured Red Wings. Twenty years later, the Leafs could have used some Borschevsky-like OT heroics in their Game 7 clash with the Bruins this past spring. Unfortunately, it was Boston’s Patrice Bergeron who sealed the deal.

Bobby Baun’s broken leg

April 23, 1964

It was the stuff of legend. In Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final against the Red Wings, Baun, the Leafs defenceman known for his bone-crushing hits, was taken off the ice with an injury that later would be diagnosed as a broken leg. Baun eventually returned to the game and, in something out of a Hollywood script, scored the OT winner to even the series at 3-3. The Leafs went on to win Game 7 and capture the Cup, thanks in part to Baun’s unlikely heroics earlier in the series.

Cujo bolts the Buds

July 2, 2002

One of the most popular players to don the Maple Leafs jersey in decades, a weepy Curtis Joseph held a news conference to announce he had signed a three-year free-agent deal with the Red Wings, leaving the city of Toronto up in arms. From Cujo’s standpoint, the Wings gave him a better chance to win a Stanley Cup. That explanation wore thin with loyal Leafs fans who felt Joseph had deserted them. Joseph did not win a Cup in Detroit and

eventually was usurped by Dominik Hasek. More than a decade later, the collective feelings of Hogtown have warmed up toward Cujo, who now admits he probably “made a mistake” by leaving Toronto. Hindsight is 20/20, right?

Head games

Nov. 5, 1975

In one of the scariest incidents to ever take place at fabled Maple Leaf Gardens ice surface, the Red Wings’ Dan Maloney repeatedly bounced Brian Glennie’s head off the ice like a basketball until the Leafs defenceman went limp. Maloney was charged with assault causing bodily harm, part of a crackdown on hockey violence by Ontario attorney general Roy McMurtry. A plea bargain left Maloney performing community service work while being banned from playing in Toronto for two years. Ironically, Maloney subsequently played for the Leafs from 1977-82, then served as Toronto’s head coach from 1984-86.

The comeback kids

April 18, 1942

When the Leafs found themselves trailing in games 3-0 to the Red Wings in the 1942 Stanley Cup final, all seemed lost. After all, no team had ever come back from a three-game deficit to win any post-season series. But Syl Apps and his teammates were determined to make history, not be history. Sure enough, after reeling off three consecutive victories to tie the final, the Leafs won Game 7 on home ice by wiping out a 1-0 Detroit lead with three third period goals. Once the final horn sounded, hockey’s original Comeback Kids celebrated. And rightly so.



Cody Franson signing puts Maple Leafs over the cap

By Terry Koshan ,Toronto Sun

First posted: Thursday, September 26, 2013 07:26 AM EDT | Updated: Friday, September 27, 2013 12:14 AM EDT

Cody Franson was all smiles on Thursday afternoon.

So was Maple Leafs assistant general manager Claude Loiselle, who was pleased that Franson — tied for sixth among NHL defencemen in scoring last season — finally had signed with the club.

But Loiselle’s respite was brief, given that he’s in charge of the team’s salary cap or, more importantly, that the Leafs stay below the $64.3-million ceiling for the 2013-14 season.

With Franson back in the fold on a one-year, $2-million pact, Loiselle and the rest of the Leafs’ management team have added to the list of expiring contracts among defencemen. Franson becomes the fifth, joining captain Dion Phaneuf, Mark Fraser and Paul Ranger — who would be unrestricted next summer — and Jake Gardiner who, like Franson, will be restricted.

Of those who could be considered regulars, only John-Michael Liles and Carl Gunnarsson are under contract past the coming season.

“It is always a headache (but) that’s my job,” Loiselle said. “Things change throughout the season. In the past, you never negotiate contracts during the season. Now, you may have to start.”

For now, never mind that. There’s an issue that is a little more pressing and it involves the looming Oct. 1 regular-season opener at Montreal against the Canadiens. The Leafs are over the salary cap, even if by several hundred thousand dollars, and they probably will have to do some deking before the final roster is submitted to the NHL on Monday.

It hurts that David Clarkson’s salary will count against the cap as he serves his 10-game suspension, and it’s almost a sure bet the Leafs will have fewer players to start than the 23-man roster allows.

“We probably will,” Loiselle said. “We’re going to ice the best team possible and the coach makes those decisions, and we will start the season. We have to start the season with no less than 18 (skaters) and two (goalies).”

Frazer McLaren’s injury status could play into the financial situation. He is on the mend from a broken finger, an injury inflicted by Carter Ashton earlier in camp.

The Leafs could have buried Liles’ $3.875-million salary-cap hit in the minors under the former collective bargaining agreement. But that option is gone under the new CBA, and the most the Leafs could save against the cap by sending Liles to the Marlies would be $925,000, though there is no indication the team is ready to go that route.

There has been talk of trying to unload the Liles contract — wouldn’t it be funny if Brian Burke, now running the Calgary Flames, wouldn’t bite on Liles because there’s too much money involved? — but the chances of a trade seem remote.

Liles clearly is not in coach Randy Carlyle’s immediate plans, not after being a healthy scratch in the playoffs and then seeing limited opportunity to re-prove himself in the pre-season.

For Franson, the salary-cap implications were of small matter. He got a round of applause, by way of stick-slapping on the ice, when he joined his Leafs teammates at practice at the MasterCard Centre on Thursday morning.

“It was great,” said Franson, who joined practice about 15 minutes late. “When you go through a process like that, you miss the everyday routine and seeing the guys every day, just being around everything and preparing for the start of the season. It was taking a little longer than I had hoped, and it was nice to get out there.”

Franson, who had been skating five days a week with the Ryerson Rams men’s hockey team, acknowledged he was getting worried.

“I did not want to miss any time,” said Franson, the lone right-handed shot on the Leafs blue line. “With the new setup in the standings, you never know which two points are going to be the most important. I did not want to be missing any time if I could help it. I’m happy we were able to find a middle ground and get it done.”

And, yes, if it’s possible, the 26-year-old Franson would like to be a Leaf for a long time.

“At the end of it, you sit back and look at it and realize it is just business,” Franson said. “They have a job to do and that’s to try to make everything work. I understand that. This is where I want to be, it is my dream place to play. I am hopeful that it is a long-term deal coming up after this.”



Toronto Maple Leafs give and take to get deal with defenceman Cody Franson done

Michael Traikos | 26/09/13 | Last Updated: 26/09/13 4:22 PM ET

To get defence Cody Franson signed, both sides have to give in a little. The Toronto Maple Leafs gave up term, agreeing to a one-year deal that will likely make Franson richer at this time next year.

Nathan Denette/The Canadian PressTo get defence Cody Franson signed, both sides have to give in a little. The Toronto Maple Leafs gave up term, agreeing to a one-year deal that will likely make Franson richer at this time next year.

Practice was already underway when Cody Franson stepped onto the ice for the first time at training camp on Thursday. As he did, the players started banging their sticks against the ice. Nazem Kadri skated up and gave his teammate a playful bodycheck into the boards.

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Phil Kessel after slashing suspension: ‘The second slash … it was probably uncalled for’

All the while, Franson could not help smiling.

The Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman, who had sat out for the first two weeks of training camp while negotiating a new contract, was finally back after signing a one-year deal worth US$2-million late on Wednesday night.

“I’m glad it’s done,” Franson said. “It’s a process nobody really wants to go through and fortunately we were able to find some common ground and get it done before the regular season started. I’m actually going to get in two exhibition games, so that’s a big plus.”

To get Franson signed, both sides have to give in a little. The Leafs gave up term, agreeing to a one-year deal that will likely make Franson richer at this time next year. And Franson gave up on salary, hoping that another productive season will make him richer in the long run.

But all that is a problem for next year. The Leafs achieved the difficult task of re-signing Franson and Nazem Kadri for less than US$5-million combined and should be able to start the season without major cap implications.

“Right now we’re very excited to have Cody signed,” said Leafs vice-president and assistant general manager Claude Loiselle. “It’s been a long process and I think both sides gave in and we finally got a deal done.”

Loiselle said the Leafs, who are about US$1-million over the cap with 24 players signed, will likely create space by dropping two players to the minors. Still, the team must carry David Clarkson, who is serving a 10-game suspension, and possibly Frazer McLaren, who is out with a fractured finger.

Franson’s signing also means Morgan Rielly will probably not land a spot on the team. At practice on Thursday, Dion Phaneuf was paired with Carl Gunnarsson, Jake Gardiner was paired with Paul Ranger, and Franson was paired with Mark Fraser. That left John-Michael Liles and Rielly as the odd men out.

Up front, it looks like Tyler Bozak will start with Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk; Nikolai Kulemin will fill in for Clarkson and play alongside Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul; David Bolland will play with Mason Raymond and Troy Bodie; and the fourth line should have Jay McClement between Carter Ashton and Colton Orr.

Carlyle said Franson would probably play in Toronto’s final two exhibition games — Friday and Saturday against Detroit — and said final roster decisions would be made afterward.

“Obviously, we have two more games to make those decisions,” Carlyle said. “Those are the ones that we talked about being the tough ones.

“Morgan Rielly is another decision that’s looming. And that’s something that will play out obviously. Not necessarily tomorrow, not the next day. We have 10 games and that takes it to the 25th of October … and we have that time frame to make that decision on Morgan.”

National Post LOADED: 09.27.2013


Toronto Maple Leafs, Cody Franson contract saga ends with one-year deal

Michael Traikos | 26/09/13 | Last Updated: 26/09/13 9:15 AM ET

Dave Nonis refused to budge on the salary. But the Toronto Maple Leafs GM was eventually willing to negotiate on term.

Toronto Maple Leafs will get by without suspended David Clarkson: GM Dave Nonis

That is how Cody Franson was finally signed to a new contract, believed to be a one-year deal worth US$2-million.

On Wednesday, Nonis had told the National Post that the ball was essentially in Franson’s court. The defenceman had been told that the Leafs were standing firm in terms of the amount they were willing — and able — to give under the salary cap. And now, it was Franson’s decision whether to take a discounted deal or risk missing regular season games.

In the end, Franson chose to play for less money today and hope that his play lands him a bigger payday at this time next year.

“He knows where we’re at,” Nonis said on Wednesday. “It will be up to him to decide to play.”

The Leafs had initially refused a one-year contract for Franson, because it means his contract would expire at the same time as forwards Phil Kessel,

Dave Bolland, Nikolai Kulemin, Jay McClement, Mayson Raymond and defencemen Dion Phaneuf, Mark Fraser, Jake Gardiner and Paul Ranger in 2014.

Franson’s contract is still not without complications. According to capgeek.com, the Leafs are now US$1-million over the salary cap. But that is with 24 players on the roster. It is believed that the team will send one or more players to the minors before the season begins to get within the allotted amount.

Even then, a trade might have to be made to free up space moving forward.

The 26-year-old Franson was one of the league’s most productive offensive defencemen last season, finishing in the top-10 with 25 points. The only right-handed shot on the Leafs defence, he is most valuable on the power play where he scored three of his four goals and 10 of his 25 assists.

Franson, who had been skating with the Ryerson Rams hockey team during training camp, is expected to be at Leafs practice on Thursday.

National Post LOADED: 09.27.2013

718371 Washington Capitals

Brooks Laich misses practice, Tomas Kundratek clears waivers, Joel Ward ill

By Katie Carrera, Updated: September 26, 2013

Updated 2:40 p.m. Brooks Laich did not skate for a second straight day after he took himself out of practice early on Tuesday.

The versatile forward, who tweaked his hip flexor on Sept. 5, said he experienced tightness during Tuesday’s workout and as a precaution opted to leave the ice. Laich insists it is a precautionary measure and that he learned from trying to push himself through a lingering groin problem last season that taking the safe route is often the necessary one.

“He could have maybe skated today. He talked to me and said, you know what give me one more day. I don’t want to do anything to set it back,’” Oates said. “I still think he’s just going through all the little compensations from last year.”

It’s unclear if Laich will be able to participate in either of the final two preseason games.

“Maybe [the preseason finale in] Chicago but I still think opening night is a legitimate thought,” Oates said.

>> Defensive prospect Tomas Kundratek cleared waivers and has reported to the Hershey Bears. Kundratek, 23, appeared in 25 games for the Capitals last year but with an abundance of defensemen wasn’t able to earn his way on to the roster at the start of the new season. Oates wants to see Kundratek work on focusing on the details of his game while in Hershey.

“What I talked to him about was, his skating is one of his best attributes,” Oates said. “When he goes down there [to the AHL] he gets a little cocky with his skating and tries to do too much thinking he’s invincible and you put yourself out of position. Down there is still a good league and he’s got to work on position play and staying within the boundaries of the system.”

>> Joel Ward, who skated Wednesday but did not face the Predators, is ill and was the only other player who wasn’t on the ice for Thursday’s skate.

>> Earlier Thursday, the Capitals released goaltender Philipp Grubauer from training camp. Grubauer will report to Hershey.

Washington Post LOADED: 09.27.2013


Alex Ovechkin to be first Russian Olympic torchbearer

By Katie Carrera, Updated: September 26, 2013

Updated 1:50 p.m.

After weeks of waiting for travel arrangements to come together, Alex Ovechkin announced Thursday on Twitter that he will make the trip to Olympia, Greece to be the first Russian to carry the Olympic torch after it is lit there Sunday.

“I’m very excited and I’ve been waiting this day since I get the news they invite me because it was pretty hard to do that with the schedule and all that stuff,” Ovechkin said after practicing with the Capitals. “It’s very big honor for me to be the first guy.”

Thanks Sochi2014 – Coca Cola – Coaches – Teammates – Ted to make my dream to carry Olympic Torch!! See u in Greece!!!!!!!!!!

— Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) September 26, 2013

Ovechkin, 28, is the face of Russian hockey and he will be showcased throughout the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He was originally invited by the Russian Federation to participate in the torch lighting ceremony in August, but knew that his attendance couldn’t take away from his responsibilities with the Capitals.

He immediately sought permission from the organization to take part in the ceremony, and the Capitals understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the star winger.

“He might have a little jetlag, but big picture, we let our players play in the Olympics for a reason, which is obviously a unique thing and it’s very risky. But we let them do it,” Coach Adam Oates said. “Globally for hockey, it’s a great thing and our team’s got to survive that just like you’ve got to survive everything else.”

Said Ovechkin: “Thanks to them. Since day one, I talk to my boys and my coaching staff, I talk to George [McPhee] and everybody say ‘Yeah, if you have a chance to go there you have to go, because it’s a very important thing for you.’”

While the ceremony takes place two days before the Capitals are scheduled to open the regular season in Chicago, Ovechkin will not miss the contest in order to participate. Ovechkin is slated to play in Friday’s penultimate preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Verizon Center, and he’ll make the roughly nine-hour flight to Greece that night. He will miss Washington’s final preseason contest at Chicago on Saturday, but Oates said earlier this month Ovechkin wasn’t scheduled to play in that contest regardless.

After taking part in the torch ceremony on Sunday, Ovechkin will return to Washington that same day. He will participate in practice with the team on Monday, Sept. 30, before flying with the Capitals to Chicago for the opener.

Oates has made his opinion on NHL players participating in the Olympics well known, but he understands that the significance of representing one’s country carries significant weight to this era of NHLers. He also has an appreciation for Ovechkin’s place as a cultural icon in Russia after visiting Washington’s captain this summer.

“When I was over there the president called him. Obama doesn’t call me too often,” Oates deadpanned.

The torch relay will travel through all 83 Russian regions, visiting 2,900 towns and it’s possible that Ovechkin won’t be the only member of his family taking part in the journey. Ovechkin mentioned there’s a possibility his mother, Tatyana, who is a two-time gold medalist in basketball, might carry the torch in a later stage of the race.

No matter what, though, Ovechkin’s participation in the torch relay and his prominent role in the Sochi Olympics is an experience that will rank among the top honors in his athletic career.

“This is probably the biggest event in my life,” Ovechkin said. “It’s huge for us. You can ask any guy who’s been in the Olympics; it’s unbelievable time. My mom was Olympic champion in Moscow back in the days and she told me it was unbelievable stuff, unbelievable things going on there. Everybody was pretty excited, people was pretty happy. It’s that kind of situation that you just want it to be.”

Washington Post LOADED: 09.27.2013


Alex Ovechkin will be first Russian to carry Olympic torch in Sochi relay

By Marc Lancaster

The Washington Times


Alex Ovechkin will be the first Russian to carry the Olympic torch on its journey from Olympia, Greece, to the opening ceremony at the Sochi Games.

The Washington Capitals star will carry the torch on the first leg of the relay after the flame is ignited Sunday in Greece. The 123-day relay will cover approximately 56,000 kilometers and make its way through 83 regions of Russia.

"I'm extremely humbled and honored to be the first Russian to carry the Olympic Torch," Ovechkin said in a release provided by the team. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and something I will never forget. I would like to thank the Washington Capitals organization and all of my teammates for their support in enabling me to travel to Greece prior to the regular season."

Ovechkin will fly to Greece after the Capitals' Friday night game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Verizon Center. He will return to Washington on Sunday night after doing his part in the torch relay and practice Monday in D.C. before heading to Chicago with the team for Tuesday night's season opener against the Blackhawks.

Ovechkin has been a vocal supporter of his home country's Olympic efforts, most notably saying unequivocally that he would represent Russia in Sochi even if the NHL didn't reach an agreement to allow the league's players to compete in the Games. That deal eventually was reached, leading to a nearly three-week break in the NHL schedule in February to accommodate the Olympics.

Washington Times LOADED: 09.27.2013

718374 Winnipeg Jets

Tough, talented Trouba a keeper

By: Ed Tait

Posted: 09/27/2013 1:00 AM

It's right there in black and white in the National Hockey League's coaches' handbook:

Don't gush too early and too much about rookies until the real bullets start flying.

And so it was late Thursday -- not long after the Boston Bruins' 3-2 overtime victory over the Winnipeg Jets -- when Claude Noel clamped down hard on his tongue while offering, then tempering, his praise of young defenceman Jacob Trouba.

"For a 19-year-old player I think he makes good decisions, he plays hard, he plays a lot of minutes and makes a lot of good decisions," said the Jets' boss. "There's some good stability in his game."

Asked if he had done enough to earn a spot as one of the team's top six defencemen, Noel added:

"That will be determined, but it's hard to believe... well, it's hard to say. For me, he looks good right now."

Actually, "good" doesn't begin to describe Trouba's play, particularly over the past two games. He was arguably the best of the Jets again Thursday -- goalie Ondrej Pavelec was pretty darn steady, too -- in racking up 23 minutes and 28 seconds of ice time and blocking two shots. There were some miscues, as he did finish minus-1 and was charged with two giveaways, but he played a lot of minutes in a variety of situations and looked comfortable.

"I still made a lot of mistakes out there," said Trouba. "I'm just trying to get better every game and put everything towards what I'm doing out there. I'm

just trying to work hard to make this team and whatever they decide, they decide."

Trust us, the decision has been made: he's a keeper and if his improvement over the course of the pre-season is a harbinger of things to come, he's going to get more minutes in more situations as this year unfolds.

Afterward Trouba offered this when quizzed about the best piece of advice he received heading into camp -- and his answer is indicative of how level-headed his is both on and off the ice:

"Just have fun and enjoy it," said Trouba. "This is what I've worked for my whole life, to get to this point. You've got a pretty good opportunity here, so just have fun with it.

"It's just a game. It's hockey. I've played it my whole life having fun."

But don't misinterpret that as a laissez-faire approach to the game. Far from it. Trouba has a competitive edge that is evident in every puck battle and a notorious nasty streak that has to really reveal itself -- yet.

"I think I'm pretty hard on myself," said Trouba. "But (a mistake) is not the end of the world. There's a lot of (more important) things going in the world than a hockey game. I'm just trying to enjoy what I'm doing and take advantage of this opportunity."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 09.27.2013


Jets' future on full display

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 09/27/2013 1:00 AM

They've got some work to do on the results but some nights more than others -- and Thursday was one of those nights -- it's easy to see why NHL pre-season games are both good and necessary.

The Winnipeg Jets gave up a 2-1 third-period lead and lost 3-2 in overtime to the Boston Bruins at the MTS Centre, but front and centre for the home team was another glimpse into the future.

Prominent in mostly good ways were Jets centre Mark Scheifele and defenceman Jacob Trouba, the rookies who symbolize real change and real hope.

Trouba was named a game star for his 23 minutes 28 seconds of play and Scheifele gave the Jets a third-period go-ahead goal, his first of the pre-season.

"I thought that the guys that had a lot to prove tonight really showed that they tried to impress," Jets coach Claude Noel said later, meaning the rookies plus a few other players in battles for roster spots.

On Scheifele and his bid to be the team's second- or third-line centre this season, you can tell the coach is growing a little warmer.

"A little trouble early in the game, I thought," Noel said. "But I thought he played a lot better as the game went on.

"The goal was a relief for Mark, a big play at a key time for us. And he was better on faceoffs in the second and third and that was an area of concern for us."

Still, the Jets lost again in the exhibition round, now 1-3-3 in their seven outings, with the final one coming tonight against the Bruins in Saskatoon.

A different mark

Scheifele has been less flashy in this training camp than when he piled up points as a fresh draftee two Septembers ago.

And that's a good thing, if you see what matters.

"It's not about the points," he said after the game and his first goal in five pre-season games. "It's about being reliable defensively, winning faceoffs. It's about the team play. It's not about individual stats or about any of that.

"It's about helping the team win and doing the simple things. That's been my focus. I haven't focused on the points at all. That comes from playing a hard, simple game. It's about doing the simple things and working my hardest."

Scheifele's faceoff tally improved as the night went on, from two wins out of seven in the first to a final of seven out of 13.

And the chemistry with Thursday linemates Devin Setoguchi and James Wright was developing.

"Whoever I'm out with, I try to talk and pick their brain and see what kind of tendencies they have," Scheifele said.

Setoguchi, who also had his first goal of the pre-season, said he sees some progress with Scheifele.

"It's tough to tell," Setoguchi began. "I think he's doing a great job. Obviously he's got poise with the puck and he makes the right plays and he scored a big goal tonight.

"Still, it amps up when you get to the regular season but obviously he's been playing good."

Lead lost

After Scheifele put away his power-play goal, a fine hustle off the right wing to retrieve and deposit a dumped-in rebound off the backboard, the Bruins were back even in two minutes.

Ryan Spooner's point shot found the back of the net when the Scheifele line got pinned and then Loui Eriksson buried the winner in the extra period, converting a two-on-one.

The result didn't sit well with some on the home side.

"It's nice to get a goal obviously, but the main thing is to get the win," Setoguchi said, frowning.

Decisions, decisions

The team's fourth-line combination still isn't clear, but the likes of centre Patrice Cormier, wingers Anthony Peluso and Chris Thorburn in particular helped themselves with their efforts.

"We'll see where it all shakes out, but I think they helped themselves," Noel said.



Trouba, Scheifele in like Flynn

By: Gary Lawless

Posted: 09/27/2013 1:00 AM

Mark SCHEIFELE and Jacob Trouba have made the Winnipeg Jets.

It was plainly clear Thursday night the new kids on the block are among this team's top 23 players. They belong. How high they can climb and how quickly is the next question.

Trouba's game and personality appear ready for the pressure and responsibility of playing defence in the NHL.

Scheifele needs to play with talented wingers. Maybe he could flourish on the third line and round out his game slowly, but why not find out if he can run a little quicker? He's done as much as anyone to earn the second-line centre spot. Give it to him and see if he can keep it.

Management's mindset is no secret. Trouba and Scheifele are the future and what's best for them as young players will take precedence.

Jets management has proven they are patient and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has dropped the, "you can't rush or force development," maxim on us repeatedly.

The players will determine their own course, Cheveldayoff will just take care of the travel arrangements.

It was roundly accepted these two first-round picks would have to play their way out of jobs with the Jets this season and that has not happened. They'll be in the lineup opening night.

Trouba has steadily gotten better and is easily in the team's top-six defencemen right now. Some might argue he's pushing for work in the top-four.

Watching Trouba and determining what he needs going forward will be fairly straightforward.

He'll either continue to look comfortable and hold his place or he won't. Coach Claude Noel will trust him and keep putting him in the lineup or he won't.

If the latter occurs that will be Cheveldayoff's signal to step in and give the 19-year-old some seasoning in St. John's. The Jets have other defencemen that can play in the NHL. Trouba isn't a must-have for Noel. But right now he's taken the decision out of the coach's hands.

Scheifele has not been as loud a performer in the pre-season. But he was as good as anyone else in a Jets jersey on Thursday night and showed high-end skill on a tidy third-period goal.

Scheifele and his development will be more complex. The Jets don't have the same luxury at centre ice as they do on the blue-line. They're not good or deep enough down the middle for Scheifele to play anywhere but in Winnipeg.

The Jets must decide whether it's best to play him on the second line with Evander Kane and Devin Setoguchi or on the third between Matt Halischuk and Michael Frolik.

This decision will have a number of contributing factors, including the fate of Olli Jokinen.

The Jets must determine if Jokinen can still contribute and how best to position him to succeed.

Should they cede the second-line spot to Jokinen in the hopes of his game gaining momentum? Or can they take some pressure off him and see if he can find his game under the cooler lights of the third line?

Both those questions can also be posed with Scheifele, and considering he's going to be wearing a Jets jersey long after Jokinen has shuffled off stage, perhaps those answers should be considered more pertinent.

Scheifele's game comes alive when he's paired with skilled players. There appears to be some natural chemistry between him, Kane and Setoguchi. Why fight it? Why overthink it?

Noel will have to trust Scheifele but this kid has shown he wants to be a complete player.

Maybe there will be some lumps early on but last I checked the Jets weren't yet a contender. They can afford to give a young player some time to sand off the rough edges.

Cheveldayoff is right when he says you can't rush development. But the opposite is true as well. You can't slow it down.

Throw them in the deep end. My bet is they'll swim.



Jets' young guns impress in 3-2 overtime loss

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 09/26/2013 12:17 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 09/26/2013 10:46 PM | Updates

They’ve got some work to do on the results but some nights more than others — and Thursday was one of those nights — it’s easy to see why NHL pre-season games are both good and necessary.

The Winnipeg Jets gave up a 2-1 third-period lead and lost 3-2 in overtime to the Boston Bruins at the MTS Centre, but front and centre for the home team was another glimpse into the future.

Prominent in mostly good ways were Jets centre Mark Scheifele and defenceman Jacob Trouba, the rookies who symbolize real change and real hope.

Trouba was named a game star for his 23 minutes 28 seconds of play and Scheifele gave the Jets a third-period go-ahead goal, his first of the pre-season.

"I thought that the guys that had a lot to prove tonight really showed that they tried to impress," Jets coach Claude Noel said later, meaning the rookies plus a few other players in battles for roster spots.

On Scheifele and his bid to be the team’s second- or third-line centre this season, you can tell the coach is growing a little warmer.

"A little trouble early in the game, I thought," Noel said. "But I thought he played a lot better as the game went on.

"The goal was a relief for Mark, a big play at a key time for us. And he was better on faceoffs in the second and third and that was an area of concern for us."

Still, the Jets lost again in the exhibition round, now 1-3-3 in their seven outings, with the final one coming tonight against the Bruins in Saskatoon.

A different mark

Scheifele has been less flashy in this training camp than when he piled up points as a fresh draftee two Septembers ago.

And that’s a good thing, if you see what matters.

"It’s not about the points," he said after the game and his first goal in five pre-season games. "It’s about being reliable defensively, winning faceoffs. It’s about the team play. It’s not about individual stats or about any of that.

"It’s about helping the team win and doing the simple things. That’s been my focus. I haven’t focused on the points at all. That comes from playing a hard, simple game. It’s about doing the simple things and working my hardest."

Scheifele’s faceoff tally improved as the night went on, from two wins out of seven in the first to a final of seven out of 13.

And the chemistry with Thursday linemates Devin Setoguchi and James Wright was developing.

"Whoever I’m out with, I try to talk and pick their brain and see what kind of tendencies they have," Scheifele said.

Setoguchi, who also had his first goal of the pre-season, said he sees some progress with Scheifele.

"It’s tough to tell," Setoguchi began. "I think he’s doing a great job. Obviously he’s got poise with the puck and he makes the right plays and he scored a big goal tonight.

"Still, it amps up when you get to the regular season but obviously he’s been playing good."

Lead lost

After Scheifele put away his power-play goal, a fine hustle off the right wing to retrieve and deposit a dumped-in rebound off the backboard, the Bruins were back even in two minutes.

Ryan Spooner’s point shot found the back of the net when the Scheifele line got pinned and then Loui Eriksson buried the winner in the extra period, converting a two-on-one.

The result didn’t sit well with some on the home side.

"It’s nice to get a goal obviously, but the main thing is to get the win," Setoguchi said, frowning.

Decisions, decisions

The team’s fourth-line combination still isn’t clear, but the likes of centre Patrice Cormier, wingers Anthony Peluso and Chris Thorburn in particular helped themselves with their efforts.

"We’ll see where it all shakes out, but I think they helped themselves," Noel said.



Jets ready for final home tune-up against Boston

By Paul Friesen

First posted: Thursday, September 26, 2013 12:42 PM CDT | Updated: Thursday, September 26, 2013 07:53 PM CDT

It’s the last home look at the pre-season edition of the Winnipeg Jets, and if the Jets have their way, it’ll start to resemble the real thing.

The plan for tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins is for the Jets, who’ve won just one of six pre-season games, to begin to establish themselves in their building.

“Beginning of the year, we’re going to have a lot of home games, so we have to be a hard team to play against in our building,” starting goalie Ondrej Pavelec said this morning. “If you’re going to make the playoffs, you’ve got to be strong at home. And it’s starting tonight. It couldn’t be better than against Boston.”

Winnipeg, though, won’t ice its top line of Bryan Little, Andrew Ladd, and Blake Wheeler because of an injury to Wheeler, a bit of a wrench in the works.

Head coach Claude Noel said he doesn’t want to juggle all the lines and create a mish-mash, so he scratched the entire unit.

“We’re going to make sure we get as close as we can (to a full lineup) tomorrow,” Noel said, referring to the final pre-season tilt in Saskatoon. “We were hoping to do that today. That’s one of the problems you face. You have to decide are you going to be putting your lineup for the exhibition game or are you looking for the regular season, making sure you’re healthy?”

Despite the lack of his top line, Noel said it’s time to start playing for keeps.

“I’d like to start establishing first of all how we start the game,” he said. “That’d be important for us. Winning this game would be important for us. We’d like to get our record better in the pre-season. We’d like to start feeling better about ourselves and rewarded for the effort we’re putting forward.”

Boston, 4-1 in the pre-season, plays the same way no matter who’s in the lineup, Jets centre Olli Jokinen said, making tonight’s game a good measuring stick.

“We want this to be the place it was in the first year the Jets came,” Jokinen said. “This was a tough building to play. Last year at times we struggled at home. At home you want to be the team who controls the game.”

For some players it’s still about earning a job in the NHL, too.

Winnipeg still has nine defencemen, one or two more than they’ll keep for the start of the regular season.

“It’s down to crunch time,” rookie Jacob Trouba said. “The last couple guys.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 09.27.2013


Winnipeg Jets drop overtime decision to Bruins

By Paul Friesen ,Winnipeg Sun

First posted: Thursday, September 26, 2013 09:16 PM CDT | Updated: Thursday, September 26, 2013 11:00 PM CDT

A start that would have set off alarm bells in the coaches’ office.

A recovery that was as encouraging as the start was disturbing.

And late brain cramps that snatched defeat from the little-used jaws of victory.

That just about sums up the Winnipeg Jets final home pre-season game, Thursday night’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins.

Encouraging signs from first-round draft picks Jacob Trouba and Mark Scheifele, who scored his first goal of the pre-season, were overshadowed by Dustin Byfuglien’s ill-advised overtime pinch that led to the deciding goal.

The result leaves the Jets with just one win in seven tries, going into the final tuneup against the Bruins in Saskatoon, Friday.

And while that doesn’t make it panic time, it doesn’t answer many of the questions surrounding this team going into Year 3, either.

Head coach Claude Noel said he wanted to see his players establish a few things: get off to a better start, come out with a win and produce a better feeling about themselves.

Let’s revisit.

THE START: Exactly the opposite of what Noel had in mind, as the Bruins jumped all over his team, leading the shot battle 14-3 at one point.

“We looked tentative,” the coach said. “We weren’t strong enough physically, We lost a lot of puck battles. They just came hard. We couldn’t handle their weight, for whatever reason.”

The Jets gave up a goal by Patrice Bergeron just four minutes in, and didn’t get going until the last five minutes of the first.

They were rewarded with Devin Setoguchi’s first of the pre-season.

That it came on the power play, one of two on the night, can only make the coaches feel optimistic about their special teams, particularly when stacked alongside a perfect, five-for-five night on the penalty kill.

With new life, the Jets carried the play in the second, turning the shot clock around but not the score.

“They were doing a good job blocking them and we were doing a good job of missing the net,” is how Setoguchi put it.

Had the Jets opened the game the way they played the second, it may have ended differently.

THE RESULT: The Jets third-period lead lasted about two minutes, disintegrating in a cascade of penalties and lost momentum.

Sugar-coat it all you want, but Winnipeg’s pre-season record doesn’t scream playoff contender.

Boston, by comparison, improved to 5-1.

“We haven’t had our full lineup in,” Setoguchi reasoned. “But neither have other teams and they still managed to get some wins.”

THE FEELING: It was a mixed bag of emotions in the dressing room after this one.

There were good signs, led by Trouba’s solid play, making the teenager all but a lock for a spot in the top-six blueliners.

“For a 19-year-old player, he makes good decisions, plays hard... with some good stability in his game,” Noel said. “It’s hard to believe. He looks good right now.”

Trouba was certainly more stable than Byfuglien.

No. 33 wasn’t available for comment after the game, so his overtime gaffe was left for others to analyze.

“It was a simple play,” Noel said. “Making a play across the ice, there’s no better advantage. You’re not closer to the net. The simple play was back to the point.”

The coach’s reviews were mixed when it came to Scheifele, but Noel thought his slow start was overshadowed by his goal, which took a weight off his shoulders.

The 20-year-old didn’t disagree.

“I was pretty pumped,” Scheifele said. “I was pressing a bit.”

Scheifele may get the second-line centre spot by default, because the search for chemistry between Olli Jokinen and Evander Kane came up empty, again.

“If you’re looking at this game for chemistry, you wouldn’t have seen much in that line,” Noel opined.

The Jets have one more game to find it.

And a few other things, too.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 09.27.2013

718380 Vancouver Canucks

Corrado: He shoots, scores, gets demoted

September 26, 2013. 10:33 pm •

Iain MacIntyre

Frankie Corrado went out with a bang. And an assist.

The Vancouver Canucks sent the promising 20-year-old defenceman to their farm team in Utica, NY, despite an impressive performance in his final National Hockey League pre-season game.

Corrado had a goal and assist and was plus-two in the Canucks’ 5-0 win Thursday night against the New York Rangers. He clearly is among the team’s top eight defencemen. But Canuck coach John Tortorella explained that at Corrado’s age, he needs to play more minutes than he can get right now in Vancouver.

“I thought his camp started off really well and then in the middle point he looked like he just lost a little bit of confidence,” Tortorella said. “He has to go play. We’re not going to keep a young guy here to be a sixth or seventh guy and play eight or nine minutes. He can go down there and play 25, 30 and hopefully we’ll revisit where he is at Thanksgiving or Christmas.”

Presumably, the American coach was referring to U.S. Thanksgiving in late November.

As a rookie, Corrado doesn’t require waivers to shuttle between the NHL and American Hockey League, which is likely part of the reason the Canucks chose to re-assign him rather than Yannick Weber or Andrew Alberts. Typically, the Canucks have carried eight defencemen. But the team have had few as portable as Corrado.

Vancouver also returned 19-year-old forward Brendan Gaunce to his Belleville junior team in the Ontario League, and dispatched depth centre Zach Hamill to Utica.

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 09.27.2013


Canucks 5 Rangers 0: Luongo solid with 41-save shutout

By Ben Kuzma, The Province September 27, 2013 12:00 AM

There are still roster questions. Lots of questions.

However, in a dominant 5-0 pre-season triumph over the New York Rangers on Thursday at Rogers Arena, there were also answers for the Vancouver Canucks in their final tune-up.

Henrik Sedin scored twice and could have easily had a hat-trick on his 33rd birthday. Roberto Luongo looked stable and solid in a 41-save performance and ready to shoulder a considerable goaltending load. The power play struck twice and even Frank Corrado and Hunter Shinkaruk found ways to help chase Henrik Lundqvist after two periods.

For his goal and an assist, Corrado got a ticket to Utica of the AHL along with forward Zach Hamill, while Brendan Gaunce was sent back to the OHL.

“Corrado was much better tonight and started camp well, but in the middle part lost a little confidence,” said Canucks coach John Tortorella. “He needs to go play. We’re not going to keep a young guy here to be a sixth or seventh guy and play eight minutes. He can go there and get 25 or 30.

We’ll revisit it at (U.S.) Thanksgiving or Christmas and see where we go. I’m dying to get a young guy (on defence), but it falls in his court now. As for Gaunce, the tempo and pace of his game needs to improve. The kids need to play.”

Aside from youth, there will always be concern when David Booth’s health is a shift-to-shift scenario because the winger always seems an awkward stride away from a significant setback, but he did kill penalties effectively Thursday. There’s concern when Mike Santorelli looks like the best bet to centre the third line and wins just one of six first-period draws before finishing 8-for-17. And with Zack Kassian suspended for the first five regular-season games and Jordan Schroeder gone for a month with a foot fracture, the trickle-down effect could be an opening-night roster (Oct. 3 in San Jose) that includes 2013 first-round draft picks Bo Horvat and Shinkaruk. Maybe that’s why Tortorella’s post-game assessment wasn’t glowing.

“We’ve got some work to do,” he said. “Louie was really good and things could have been different. We’ve got a number of things to improve on away from the puck defensively as far as what we need to do.”

Unless general manager Mike Gillis plucks a forward from the NHL waiver wire or makes a trade, the Canucks will depend on the Sedins returning to offensive dominance and a healthy Ryan Kesler having a bounce-back season. And if Luongo is motivated to be the starter for Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, then many concerns will be eased. Maybe not erased in the tough Pacific Division, but certainly eased.

Luongo took any the focus away from Alain Vigneault and Tortorella matching coaching wits. He was sharp early and his post-to-post movement and calmness translated many good saves as the Rangers piled up 17 first-periods shots.

“Four or five shots in the first five minutes and those are the things I like,” said Luongo, who also backstopped a 6-1 win over Phoenix on Monday. “They were throwing pucks from everywhere and it was a matter of staying square and sharp. It really carried me the rest of the game. The ones I didn’t see hit me and you always take those nights where you’re a little lucky but see the puck. You want to keep building, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to translate to a great start. I’ve had great pre-seasons before — it’s the amount of work you put in.”

Meanwhile, it wasn’t just the Canucks getting five goals, it’s how they scored them. It was Kevin Bieksa and Kesler going hard to the crease on a first-period power play and Lundqvist unable to stop a Henrik Sedin rebound from a sharp angle with Bieksa on his lap. Tortorella will like that. It was Corrado getting a dipping point shot past Lundqvist. And it was Henrik Sedin winning a puck battle behind the Rangers net and then getting into position to easily deposit a rebound off an Alex Burrows tip. Tortorella is really going to like that.

Kesler then got into the act by positioning himself in the slot to tip an Alex Edler power play point shot after Bieksa dove to keep the puck in play. And for good measure, Shinkaruk showed again that his wrist shot off the left wall is quick, heavy and accurate.

If the Canucks clean up their play without the puck, then they’re going to be closer to the game that Tortorella wants and demands.

OF NOTE — Bieksa got the better of Derek Dorsett in a third-period fight.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 09.27.2013


Canucks 5 Rangers 0:Still lots of questions, but some good signs, too

By Ben Kuzma, The Province September 26, 2013 11:00 PM

Canucks 5 Rangers 0:Still lots of questions, but some good signs, too

There are still roster questions. Lots of questions.

However, in a dominant 5-0 preseason triumph over the New York Rangers on Thursday at Rogers Arena, there were also answers for the Vancouver Canucks in their final pre-season tune-up. Lots of answers.

Henrik Sedin scored twice and could have easily had a hat-trick on his 33rd birthday. Roberto Luongo looked stable and solid in a 41-save performance

and ready to shoulder a considerable goaltending load. The power play struck twice and even Frank Corrado and Hunter Shinkaruk found ways to help chase Henrik Lundqvist after two periods.

And for good measure, Kevin Bieksa got the better of Derek Dorsett in a third-period scrap.

Yet, there will always be concern when David Booth's health is a shift-to-shift scenario because the winger always seems an awkward stride away from a significant setback.

There's concern when Mike Santorelli looks like the best bet to centre the third line and wins just one of six first-period draws.

And with Zack Kassian suspended for the first five regular-season games and Jordan Schroeder gone for a month with a foot fracture, the trickle-down effect could be an opening-night roster that includes 2013 first-round draft picks Bo Horvat and Shinkaruk.

Unless general manager Mike Gillis plucks a forward from the NHL waiver wire or makes a trade, the Canucks will depend on the Sedins returning to offensive dominance, a healthy Ryan Kesler having a bounce-back season. And if Luongo is dominant and motivated to be the consensus starter for Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, then many concerns will be eased. Maybe not erased in the tough Pacific pision, but certainly eased.

Luongo certainly did his part against the Rangers to command attention and take the focus away from Alain Vigneault and John Tortorella matching coaching wits. He was sharp early and his post-to-post movement and calmness translated into a save off Benoit Pouliot in the slot off a turnover, a Brad Richards tip and robbing Derick Brassard on a cross-ice feed from Pouliot as the Rangers piled up 17 first-periods shots.

With the deal already sealed in the third period, Luongo make a tough glove save off a John Moore wrister from the wing to prove that part of his game has also improved. He then finished with a late glove save off Dan Girardi.

Meanwhile, it wasn't just the Canucks getting five goals after being blanked 5-0 on Tuesday in San Jose. It's how they scored the goals. It was Bieksa and Kesler going hard to the crease on a first-period power play and Lundqvist unable to stop a Henrik Sedin rebound from a sharp angle with Bieksa on his lap.

Tortorella will like that. It was Corrado getting a dipping point shot past Lundqvist to make a case for a third-pairing job, instead of being sent to the AHL to play meaningful minutes and continue his development curve. It was Henrik Sedin winning a puck battle behind the Rangers net and then getting into position to easily deposit a rebound off an Alex Burrows tip. Tortorella is really going to like that.

Kesler then got into the act by positioning himself in the slot to tip an Alex Edler power-play point shot after Bieksa dove to keep the puck in play. Again, Torts is going to like that. Then Shinkaruk showed once again that his wrist shot off the left wall is quick, heavy and accurate.



Booth’s back and trying to ignore the Tortorella/Vigneault media circus

September 26, 2013. 12:38 pm •

Jim Jamieson

There’s a ridiculous amount of buzz around Thursday night’s preseason game between the Canucks and the Rangers, but David Booth is trying to ignore it all.

The game, of course, will feature the first coaching matchup between Canucks’ John Tortorella and Rangers’ Alain Vigneault, who swapped places in the off-season when both were fired.

It’s a media circus, naturally, but Booth has bigger fish to fry. He’s been out since March with a serious ankle injury and has missed all but the final preseason game – which he’s slated to play on Thursday.

“I’m sure it’s good buzz for the city and the building tonight, but for myself I can’t put too much into that,” said Booth, following the morning skate at Rogers Arena.

“I’ve got to prepare myself to play my first game (since March).”

Booth is coming off a miserable season by any measure. He hurt his groin in fitness testing in January before the lockout shortened season began and missed the start of the season. He played just 12 games – scoring just one empty-net goal – before injuring his ankle on March 16 and had surgery six days later.

He’s missed time with serious concussions in his career, but Booth said this has been the toughest setback in his pro career.

“It’s been the most frustrating thing in my career, for sure,” he said. “Even with the concussions and stuff I had earlier in my career. This has been so much harder, just dealing with the ankle and whether that caused other problems. It really has been a struggle.”

Booth, who was supposed to play on Saturday but had to pull out when his groin tightened up, knows he’s got a steep hill to climb after missing so much time and having just one tune-up game for the regular season on Oct. 3.

“You’ve got to just jump in there,” he said. “I’ve got to get games in. If I can get through this game and have a good week of practice, there’s no reason I can’t be ready for Oct. 3 (season opener).”

He’ll have an added hurdle because new coach Tortorella has installed a new system that demands more forechecking pressure in the offensive zone. But Booth thinks it suits his style.

“From what I’ve seen in videos, it’s a lot of skating and that’s what I like,” he said. “Getting my feet going and being able to take a chance and that’s what I’m looking forward to and seeing how it fits into my game.”

Roberto Luongo will go the distance in goal against the Rangers and both of June’s first-round picks Bo Horvat and Hunter Shinkaruk will play. Last season’s first-rounder Brendan Gaunce didn’t take the morning skate but may draw in.

Horvat, 18, who was hit in the face with a puck in San Jose on Tuesday, but didn’t suffer more than minor cuts and bruises, knows it’s his last chance to showcase himself.

“It’s a huge opportunity for me,” he said. “It’s the last team they get to see me before the season starts, so I’ve got to lay everything on the line and go play my game and whatever happens, happens.”

The Canucks didn’t run line rushes at the morning skate, but here are the expected forward lines:

Expected Canucks forward lines:

D.Sedin-H.Sedin-Burrows

Higgins-Kesler-Hansen

Booth-Santorelli-Shinaruk

Hamill/Gaunce-Richardson-Horvat

Defencemen expected to play are: Dan Hamhuis, Chris Tanev, Kevin Bieksa, Alex Edler, Yannick Weber and Frank Corrado



Vigneault is now the Rangers’ driving force

By Ben Kuzma, The Province September 26, 2013

Alain Vigneault is having GPS issues as he piles up the commuting miles, and a preseason Lincoln Tunnel adventure took the New York Rangers coach to New Jersey instead of his Upper West Side home. No wonder he loves the city’s sprawling subway system.

“It’s a little embarrassing — I’m having some challenges getting used to everything,” a fit Vigneault chuckled Thursday in his first Vancouver address since being dismissed as Canucks coach on May 22.

“Everyone remembers the great Preston car (dealership) commercials I did (in Vancouver), and every six months I’d (change vehicles) and there would be 1,500 to 2,000 kilometres — if I took a trip to Whistler.

In New York, after two weeks with a new car, I had 1,000 miles on it because I live 25 miles from the practice facility (Tarrytown, N.Y.). It’s a different pace, but like a lot of cities, it’s got some great advantages.”

Great shopping. Great restaurants. But one trip to SoHo with his daughters was enough for Vigneault, now far removed from a leisurely stroll from his former Coal Harbour home to Rogers Arena. And if Vigneault is more successful navigating the Rangers through the tough Metropolitan Division, then the leather-lunged Madison Square Garden faithful will forget about the departed John Tortorella and embrace their new bench boss.

While Thursday was the final preseason tune-up for the Canucks, the flip-flopped coaches shared the billing of adapting to new cities and new players. For Vigneault, that means communicating the way he always has — so loudly from the bench that can be heard on the television feed — to get his message across.

“It will be a little weird to see him there, but I’m sure I’ll still hear him yelling and think he’s yelling at me,” said Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa. “That voice is pretty distinct. I’m sure we’ll be hearing it throughout the game. We had a lot of success and he was a big part of that — he turned the team around.

“A lot of guys were on their way out and a lot of us were coming in. He made everybody accountable right away, and we kind of grew. I have nothing but good things to say about him.”

Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows and Bieksa started to blossom under Vigneault’s direction, and that he brought the club within a win of the franchise’s first Stanley Cup during his seven-year tenure isn’t lost on anybody.

Especially the coach, who embraced the on and off-ice maturation process in his players. You don’t just manufacture five division titles and back-to-back Presidents’ Trophies without mutual respect and a buy-in.

However, the Canucks became stale, predictable and vulnerable, and two straight first-round playoff exits led to one expected conclusion. Fair or not, Vigneault had to go. So did his longtime confidant Rick Bowness.

“How can you blame one person?” asked Bieksa. “We’re playing, and it’s a cumulative effort to lose those rounds, but it’s the nature of the business. Sometimes, you need a change and Mike (Gillis) thought a new voice was needed and a fresh start — just like the Rangers. Alain got us to play like an elite team, and now maybe it’s time for a new era and Torts to get us over the hump.”

That’s about as diplomatic as you can get. In the end, the Canucks couldn’t score when it mattered most. They’ve won just two of their last 14 postseason games and scored just 20 goals. Something had to give.

“I think that was the next step, the way we lost in the first round and we needed a change,” said Kesler, often reminded by Vigneault to keep using his wingers better.

“He’s a good coach and didn’t pigeonhole me into a third-line guy, but obviously we disagreed at times. I like our new coach. We can see his passion for the game and how bad he wants to win every night. It’s done wonders for the group.”

The Rangers can say the same. There’s always a freshness when a team changes coaches for whatever reasons — good cop to bad cop or vice-versa — and Brad Richards probably put it into proper perspective. Vigneault isn’t waving a magic wand and getting restricted free agent centre Derek Stepan under contract Thursday — two years at $6.15 million US — will help hone a competitive edge before the regular season more than motivational slogans. Richards knows that.

“Any coach comes in and it’s always different — it wouldn’t make sense to hire the same person and philosophies,” said the Rangers centre. “We’re still getting used to that. Everybody is excited and energetic as they would be with any new coach and we’re going to learn as much about him as he learns about us.”

In dealing with preseason injuries and indifferent play, the Rangers are no different than the Canucks who have lost Jordan Schroeder (foot fracture)

and welcomed David Booth back (groin). They’re learning on the fly. And the Rangers?

“Same issues,” laughed Vigneault.



Jannik Hansen: “It doesn’t matter to us. We don’t care who’s in the other dressing room right now.”

September 26, 2013. 11:59 am •

Steve Ewen

There were plenty of questions in the Vancouver Canucks dressing room Thursday morning about coaches. Jannik Hansen, for one, said all the hoopla about John Tortorella being on the Canuck bench and Alain Vigneault guiding the New York Rangers wasn’t affecting the players one bit.

“Obviously, there’s a little bit of a story here for your guys,” said Hansen, the winger. “It’s a little special. I don’t know if that’s happened before.

“It doesn’t matter to us. We don’t care who’s in the other dressing room right now. It’s a matter of us playing the way Torts wants us to play and trying to get it down. It’s our last exhibition game.”

What do you have to get done then, Jannik?

“We have to play the way they want us to play. We have to make sure we know where we are supposed to be when we’re supposed to be there. If we’re playing a really aggressive forecheck, we have to make sure that we’re covering up for each other. As soon as one of those coverages are missing, that’s when the odd-man rushes happen.”



Canucks centre Jordan Schroeder on crutches, in boot; sidelined for three weeks

September 26, 2013. 11:41 am • Section: Hockey, Sports, The Dub Hub, The White Towel

Steve Ewen

Vancouver Canucks centre Jordan Schroeder was wearing a moon boot on his left foot and using crutches to maneuver around Rogers Arena Thursday morning.

He suffered a hairline fracture in his foot after blocking a shot a shot against the Edmonton Oilers last Saturday. He didn’t have the boot or the crutches on Sunday, for what that is worth.

Canucks coach John Tortorella said Thursday morning: “Schroeds is out…he’s in a boot cast…he’s probably out three weeks or so…it’s not displaced….it’s tough luck for him coming back from the shoulder.”

Schroeder had surgery on his left shoulder over the summer.

The 22-year-old former first-round draft pick was presumably in the hunt for the third line centre spot. With him out, and Zack Kassian also missing, it makes you wonder if a youngster like Hunter Shinkaruk or Bo Horvat will start the season with the big club. Both were slated to play Thursday against the New York Rangers.



John Tortorella: “Did I want to leave? No. I was told to leave and I left. It’s part of the game. I’m knee-deep in it here.”

September 26, 2013. 10:54 am •

Steve Ewen

Head coach John Tortorella will finally get behind the Canucks' bench for Saturday's preseason game in Edmonton.

John Tortorella chatted amiably with several members of the New York media after his morning skate press conference Thursday.

He even had some time with Larry Brooks.

Among the things Tortorella said leading into the Vancouver Canucks’ match-up with the New York Rangers tonight at Rogers Arena:

ON LEAVING NEW YORK: “I’ve said right along that I loved working there. Did I want to leave? No. I was told to leave and I left. It’s part of the game. I’m knee-deep in it here.”

ON WHAT HAPPENED IN NEW YORK: “I know you’re going to dig at me…I’m not going to go back to what happened. It happens. I wish them the best. I’m into it here.”

ON WHAT HE’S DOING WITH VANCOUVER: “I think in this situation here, it’s an older team. A number of players have gone through the process. You guys know — I talk about the process a lot. I’ve had to make adjustments there in respect to where they are in their careers.”

ON THE CANUCKS: “It’s a good group. I think we have great leadership. Again, from Day One, watching the veteran guys, starting with the twins, handle themselves, it makes it a lot easier for a coaching staff coming in when you have the maturity of the leadership group here that want more. It’s a good group of people.”



Vigneault better at driving home coaching points than driving New York roads

Ben Kuzma

Alain Vigneault is having GPS issues as he piles up the commuting miles and a preseason Lincoln Tunnel adventure took the New York Rangers coach to New Jersey instead of his Upper West Side home. No wonder he loves the city’s sprawling subway system.

“It’s a little embarrassing — I’m having some challenges getting used to everything,” a fit Vigneault chuckled Thursday in his first Vancouver address since being dismissed as Canucks coach on May 22. “Everyone remembers the great Preston car commercials I did here and every six months I’d flip it (vehicle) over and there would be 1,500 to 2,000 kilometres — if I took a trip to Whistler. In New York, after two weeks with a new car I had 1,000 miles on it because I live 25 miles from the practice facility (Tarrytown, NY). It’s a different pace, but like a lot of cities, it’s got some great advantages.”

Great shopping. Great restaurants. But one trip to SoHo with his daughters was enough for Vigneault, now far removed from a leisurely stroll from his former Coal Harbour home to Rogers Arena. And if Vigneault is more successful navigating the Rangers through the tough Metropolitan Division, then the leather-lunged Madison Square Garden faithful will forget about the departed John Tortorella and embrace their new bench boss.

While Thursday was the final preseason tune-up for the Canucks, the flip-flopped coaches shared the billing of adapting to new cities and new players. For Vigneault, that means communicating the way he always has — so loudly from the bench that can be heard on the television feed — to get his message across.

“It will be a little weird to see him there, but I’m sure I’ll still hear him yelling and think he’s yelling at me,” said Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa.

“That voice is pretty distinct. I’m sure we’ll be hearing it throughout the game. We had a lot of success and he was a big part of that — he turned the team around.

“A lot of guys were on their way out and a lot of us were coming in. He made everybody accountable right away and we kind of grew. I have nothing but good things to say about him.”

Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows and Bieksa started to blossom under Vigneault’s direction and his seven-year tenure that brought the club within a win of the franchise’s first Stanley Cup isn’t lost on anybody. Especially the coach, who embraced the on and off-ice maturation process in his players. You don’t just manufacture five division titles and back-to-back Presidents’ Trophies without mutual respect and a buy-in. However, the Canucks became stale, predictable and vulnerable and two straight first-round playoff exits led to one expected conclusion. Fair or not, Vigneault had to go. So did his long-time confidant Rick Bowness.

“How can you blame one person?,” asked Bieksa. “We’re playing and it’s a cumulative effort to lose those rounds, but it’s the nature of the business. Sometimes, you need a change and Mike (Gillis) thought a new voice was needed and a fresh start — just like the Rangers. Alain got us to play like an elite team and now maybe it’s time for a new era and Torts to get us over the hump.”

That’s about as diplomatic as you can get. In the end, the Canucks couldn’t score when it mattered most. They’ve won just two of their last 14 postseason games and scored just 20 goals. Something had to give.

“I think that was the next step, the way we lost in the first round and we needed a change,” said Kesler, often reminded by Vigneault to keep using his wingers better. “He’s a good coach and didn’t pigeon-hole me into a third-line guy, but obviously we disagreed at times. I like our new coach. We can see his passion for the game and how bad he wants to win every night. It’s done wonders for the group.”

The Rangers can say the same. There’s always a freshness when a team changes coaches for whatever reasons — good cop to bad cop or vice-versa — and Brad Richards probably put it into proper perspective. Vigneault isn’t waving a magic wand and getting restricted free agent centre Derek Stepan under contract Thursday — two years at $6.15 million US — will help hone a competitive edge before the regular season more than motivational slogans. Richards knows that.

“Any coach comes in and it’s always different — it wouldn’t make sense to hire the same person and philosophies,” said the Rangers centre. “We’re still getting used to that. Everybody is excited and energetic as they would be with any new coach and we’re going to learn as much about him as he learns about us.”

In dealing with preseason injuries and indifferent play, the Rangers are no different than the Canucks who have lost Jordan Schroeder (foot fracture) and welcomed David Booth back (groin). They’re learning on the fly. And the Rangers?

“Same issues,” laughed Vigneault.



Like their Canuck counterparts, Ranger players say they aren’t talking about coaching duel

September 26, 2013. 12:34 pm

Steve Ewen

The New York Rangers’ dressing room Thursday morning sounded a lot like the Vancouver Canucks’ one when it came to hype about the coaching match-up.

In other wise, the players insisted that they weren’t being affected regarding the John Tortorella/Alain Vigneault hoopla.

“We’re not talking about it,” said Rangers defenceman Ryan McDonagh. “We’re just focussing on trying to get a win here and build on what we’ve done in the preseason.

“We had a meeting. We did video. It’s been a normal routine. He [AV] was energetic on the ice, talking the way he normally would. I wouldn’t expect him to change. He seems like a very prepared coach.”



The 10 O’Clock: A.V. has bigger priorities than showing up the Canucks, while Red October lights up the Florida skies

Jonathan McDonald

The Vancouver Police Department has a new campaign against distracted driving. You know, people who most commonly talk on their cellphones while driving. This used to be a fairly acceptable behaviour, until someone realized that’s how accidents happen. At any rate, the VPD has turned up the heat on this now-bad behaviour, and most of us have bought in. Well, most of us. On the VPD’s website, they have several examples of what they call “stupid combinations,” including this one: “The winner has to be the driver observed wearing full headphones, holding a sandwich in one hand and watching a dash-level television screen, all while driving down a major Vancouver street.”

Now that guy’s just a moron, simple as that. But here’s one I observed yesterday, and it has to rank right up there. Burrard Street, rush hour heading home. Traffic is backed up, thanks to road construction at the south end of the Burrard Bridge. It’s backed up the length of the bridge, and backed up into downtown. Not great. I can understand wanting to get out of that. Well, the guy in front of me, in his Porsche Cayenne, has already been driving a bit on the aggressive side down Burrard, and I notice he’s on his phone. Just past Davie, he decides he’s had enough. So he pulls a U-turn in the middle of the block. That’s infraction No. 1. He doesn’t bother to even use a signal when doing so. That’s infraction No. 2. And when he completes said U-turn, he reveals infraction No. 3: he’s still happily engaged with his cellphone. Well, no wonder he didn’t use a signal; he had no hands available to do so. There was no infraction No. 4, but you know that one would have been an accident.

On to the 10 O’Clock, and we begin with the man of the hour, the man of the day, Alain Vigneault. He’s in town (you might have heard) with his new club, the New York Rangers. But as Larry Brooks of the New York Post writes, Vigneault has a dozen priorities greater than pounding the Canucks tonight. Between contract impasses and passive pre-season veterans, the Rangers have issues. Writes Brooks: “The fact of the matter is the Rangers have looked pretty lousy, going 1-3 through their first four exhibition matches. They’ve been at least as disjointed as one would expect operating under this senseless training camp schedule filled with travel and back-to-back games, the final set of which concludes with at match in Las Vegas against the Kings on Friday.”

At least in New York they care about the Rangers. In Florida, not so much, judging from the Panthers’ Red October sale. To get actual bums in the building, filling seats, they’re offering 60 per cent off tickets. Consider that that includes opening night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and October games against the last three Stanley Cup champions: the Kings, the Bruins and the Blackhawks. How’s this Florida experiment worked out for the NHL?

Now, on to golf, and an important weekend for Abbotsford’s Adam Hadwin. You’ll recall that, a couple of years ago, Hadwin made a run at winning the PGA’s Canadian Open at Shaughnessy. It was a sensational weekend, this Canadian kid coming out of nowhere and nearly making himself an instant legend. He’s never had such success since, in his attempts to gain a PGA Tour card. Last year he fell just short at the Web.com Tour championship, and there’ve been a couple of gruelling, fruitless PGA qualifying slogs. So once again, not surprisingly, Hadwin finds himself on the outside looking in as the Web.com’s final big weekend kicks off in Florida. Hadwin is 66th in money earnings on that tour, and he’s going to need a huge four-round run to grab one of 25 PGA Tour cards still up for grabs. Here’s a look at where Hadwin stands and a few things you should know about the field. And they’ve had some fun here, with a few things you might not know about the guys who are playing. Hadwin, for instance, loves to play Angry Birds. I like this mini-profile of fellow competitor Kris Blanks: “His wife, Tami, a golf pro in Hilton Head, S.C., has beaten him in golf nine times in nine years.” There’s a couple keeping score in their marriage. Hadwin, incidentally, is 1-

over through 12 in his first round at the time of this writing. He’ll be done before noon, when the Golf Network starts its coverage; coverage goes again at noon on Friday, when Hadwin will have a later tee time.

Now, the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant appear to have been engaged in a bit of a Twitter war recently. And the Miami Herald’s Greg Cote isn’t sure if “the feud might be a fraud.” You have to read the story to get what might be the whole story, but there’s no doubt a bit of ego at play. Ya think? Anyway, here’s Cote: “It is rare that one NBA star would publicly call out another, and Durant basically was suggesting Wade is overrated. (This is also what makes it suspicious as much as noteworthy.) If it’s real, the little feud is interesting mostly because it would peel back a curtain on Wade’s mind and reveal how sensitive he is to his status as an elite player, and to that being questioned — let alone by a rival all-star.” This little bit of Instagram work might reveal something. Or not.

OK, folks, back to work. Take another break later for the 2 O’Clock!



Gallagher’s Hat Trick: Are the Sharks marketing opening night against the Canucks as guaranteed-win night? Nope, but don’t think they haven’t thought of it

September 26, 2013. 8:36 am

Tony Gallagher

As we head into Thursday’s expected dog-and-pony show featuring the New York Rangers’ new coach, Alain Vigneault, as the soap opera star of the day, we remind one and all that there is also another team expected to play at Rogers Arena: the Vancouver Canucks, now coached by John Tortorella. So here’s your pre-game Hat Trick …

1. The focus might still be on Mr. Nice Guy, but the coaching style of the Canucks’ new boss is going to take a little getting used to. Well, maybe at some point we’ll get used to them. Take what happened in the third period of the Canucks game in San Jose Tuesday night. With about seven minutes left in a game already well out of reach, with the Canucks down and out at 5-0, Vancouver’s Bo Horvat took a penalty for hooking Jason Demers. Who does the coach put out on the ice first to kill the penalty, in a meaningless game already long gone? Why, his two best offensive players, of course, Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Now perhaps the new guy is not aware of how important these two gentlemen are to this team, given they’ve done absolutely nothing since he got here, so he’s wondering what all the fuss is about. You couldn’t blame him for that. But what would people be saying this morning if one of the two had taken a shot in this ridiculous situation, and been unable to start tonight’s game? Just asking. As it is, nobody got hurt, so no biggie. And we understand that “somebody” had to kill the penalty. But what was the point of that risk? Oh, and we’re all waiting for that bench to be 10 feet tall, with the twins killing penalties. It can start growing any time now. It’s OK with us.

2. As everyone has no doubt noticed, Ryan Kesler hasn’t done much of anything in the games he’s played. That’s no big deal, as neither have any of the veterans, really save one or two exceptions. They’re just waiting to turn it on. And consider this: Which would give you more cause for alarm, Kesler doing nothing to very little — like right now — or Kesler ripping it up and filling the preseason net with five or six goals? Seriously, which would you prefer? If he was having a sensational preseason, there would be those, including this author, who might be thinking perhaps he is already playing his guts out and hasn’t learned in the least when and when not to turn it on, or pace himself so as to preserve his health for the long haul. The guy is really in a no-win situation at this point. When the season starts we’ll see the real Kesler. His body has been so banged up over the years that we’re not likely to ever see the guy who played so well in the Nashville playoff series back in 2011. But it won’t be long now before we can see what he can still do when he’s healthy, which we suspect is still a very great deal. Perhaps even tonight he might give us a glimpse, this being the final dress rehearsal.

3. And while we’re on the topic of the Canucks playing the Sharks, and specifically in the SAP Center (formerly HP Pavilion), can you imagine the quandary of the Sharks’ marketing department these days? Should they, or should they not, bill the Oct. 3 season opener against the Canucks as

guaranteeed-win night? In reality, any time the Sharks play the Canucks it’s a virtual lock they’ll come away from the game with a win, but you just never know when the worm will turn and pull off a fluke. True, the Sharks have beaten the Canucks nine straight times over last year’s regular season, last year’s four-game spanking in the playoffs, and now these two non-contested walk-throughs in the preseason, so that promotion would be tempting. Then again, it is the home opener and the American tradition is that everyone turns up for that, so perhaps it isn’t necessary to have the gall to promote the game that way. It will probably be a sellout anyway. So no, of course they won’t do it. BUt you have to know some smartass in their marketing department has suggested it — and with good reason.



Trading Places: Tortorella’s Canucks shut out Vigneault’s Rangers

DAVID EBNER

Published Friday, Sep. 27 2013, 1:02 AM EDT

Last updated Friday, Sep. 27 2013, 1:49 AM EDT

It is as close as you are going to get to a controlled experiment in the million-multiple-variables realm of the National Hockey League – two teams, largely the same as last year, save for one obvious change: they traded coaches.

New York ejected the highly voluble John Tortorella, and Vancouver, looking for a firebrand, signed him up. Vancouver fired the effective-yet-somewhat-placid Alain Vigneault, and New York, looking for sanity after shouting, welcomed him.

Round One of the head-to-head portion of the experiment in contrasting coaching styles ended decisively in favour of the firebrand – even if there were no actual fireworks, profanities or other hallmarks of Tortorella’s past. In the last outing of the Canucks preseason on Thursday night in Vancouver, the home team, while badly outshot 41-20, skated by the Rangers 5-0.

Call it: Happy birthday, Sedins. And subtitle it: Roberto Luongo’s (modest) revenge. And pin on an asterisk: A non-regal night for Henrik Lundqvist.

For Vancouver, scrapping to learn new ways to play under Tortorella, the win was the first sure sign, this September, that the team has cohesion and punch and can be reasonably counted on to contend this season, after a couple weeks of relative disarray. It’s not like Vancouver seemed doomed to struggle this year but there really had been few tangible signs, until Thursday, they are poised to succeed.

"We've got some more work to do," declared Tortorella after the game, saying Luongo carried the club and that he wanted to see more from the Canucks in their play away from the puck and along the boards, defensive elements where the team was "godawful" at points Thursday.

The twins – whose contract-extension talks amble along as regular season approaches – turned 33 on Thursday, Henrik the team captain six minutes older than his brother Daniel. To celebrate, Henrik scored twice, the first and third goals, and Daniel added an assist (his first preseason point) – propelling the Canucks ahead through the first several periods.

At the other end of the ice, Luongo was steady and strong wire-to-wire, handling a number of challenges from the Rangers with calm and keeping the attack safely at bay throughout. He made significant stops all along the way. Among other strong stops, Luongo twice stymied solid chances from Rangers defenceman John Moore in the third, once with his glove, the other with the blocker.

It may only be a shutout in the preseason but with Vigneault behind the opponents’ bench, Luongo could perhaps take some satisfaction in his performance against the coach who had sent him spiralling into a year-plus of professional purgatory, promoting Cory Schneider in Vancouver at Luongo’s expense.

Speaking of the redhead who was the starting netminder in these parts last season, his preseason play in New Jersey is yet more evidence why the Vancouver Canucks saw him as their long-term starter, until forces of the financial NHL universe squeezed their hand at the draft. Schneider is

playing unbelievable hockey: he has yielded just one goal (on a power play) in three games, stopping 79 of 80 pucks – for a ridiculous save-percentage of 0.988 and an even-more-ridiculous goals-against-average of 0.376.

Back in Vancouver, beyond the resounding and reassuring nature of the victory, the team has to be pleased with the scrappy nature of some of the goals. Later in the first period, with the Canucks up 1-0 on an early Henrik Sedin power-play mark, Ryan Kesler and Jannik Hansen were fighting for control of the puck down low along the boards in the Rangers end. Hansen, with control, carried the puck back a bit and fed an open rookie, Frank Corrado, whose slapshot managed to get back an unsure Lundqvist – who, playing two periods, stopped just 12 of 17 shots, un-King-like.

The goal for Corrado, his first point of the preseason, may slightly bolster his case to make the team but a more-likely rookie to make the roster seems to be Hunter Shinkaruk, who scored his second of the preseason on Thrusday. Shinaruk, and fellow 2013 rookie Bo Horvat, also got a boost earlier in the day with positive comments from team president Mike Gillis.

After the game, Tortorella announced Corrado had in fact not made the cut and was dispatched to the American Hockey League in Utica. Make a bet to see Corrado back in Vancouver at some point in the season, if not for a long portion of it. Brendan Gaunce, a rookie who did not dress Thursday, was assigned back to his junior squad, in Belleville, where he needs to work on the "tempo and pace" of his game, Tortorella said. As for Shinkaruk, "He's certainly made a case."

For Henrik’s second goal, he had the easy tap-in of a rebound, one that resulted from the firepower of Alex Edler from the point and a savvy tip of the puck in front by Alex Burrows.

Another power-play late in the second put the Canucks up 4-0. Sedin won the offensive-zone draw and the puck bounced back towards Kevin Bieksa, who made a stick-extended lunge for the puck, to keep it in the zone and get it over to Edler. Another popper from the Swede resulted and, en route, the puck was deflected by Kesler.

The Canucks power-play finished at two-for-six on the night, easily the best of the preseason during which the team had previously gone one-for-12. Tortorella, before the morning skate on Thursday, said he felt confident about the power play, without providing any reason, and Thursday night suggested, maybe, he had seen something not obvious to other observers.

"It feels like a different power play than last year," said Henrik after the game, and added, joking, "I quit celebrating birthdays."

It was a good night for Vancouver on a sunny autumn day that began with smiles – Tortorella shaking hands and chatting amicably with New York reporters, and Vigneault visiting with the likes of Gillis before the morning skates. On the ice at night was exactly what the Canucks were looking for. Hey, even David Booth, in his first game back since mid-March, nearly scored, on a two-on-one shorthanded, Burrows feeding him the puck and Booth getting it by backup Martin Biron, but the puck connected with the post.

There’s always next time – when it starts to count. First, though, four full practices between now and next week and an opening-night date on the road in San Jose on Thursday, picking up exactly where Vancouver left off last year – but this time it is a beginning and not an ending.



Canucks’ coach Tortorella: Calm, cool, collected?

DAVID EBNER

Published Thursday, Sep. 26 2013, 10:04 PM EDT

Last updated Friday, Sep. 27 2013, 1:04 AM EDT

A week before the regular season starts – with the Vancouver Canucks hacking along, losing most of their preseason outings – a new-and-improved, or at least calmer, John Tortorella has emerged.

Calm. An adjective that rarely finds itself in the same sentence, paragraph, or even story as the 55-year-old coach.

Tortorella has kept his temper and profanity-spiked spiels completely corked, so the only bits of umbrage sighted have been tiny scraps: a dislike for his players preening on Twitter or an irksome arched eyebrow over an accidental ringing mobile phone at a news conference.

Thursday morning in Vancouver, it was more good feelings ahead of the team’s last preseason game, against the New York Rangers, the team that fired Tortorella last spring, his temper and tenuous relations with players being a factor in the exit.

Preparing his Canucks during a 45-minute morning film session, Tortorella assembled a set of 40 clips, not from the 5-0 loss in San Jose on Tuesday night but instead from the team’s 6-1 victory on Monday night at home against Phoenix. It was praise the positive. Tortorella described the game as the closest the Canucks have come to playing in the spirit of his system, one heavy on puck protection, work on the boards and fore-checking.

Among the plays circled was a clip of rookie Bo Horvat, who, along with Hunter Shinkaruk, looks like he will make the opening-night roster, if only sticking around for several games. Horvat, in the first period against Phoenix, was in his own zone with the puck, shielded it against pressure and pushed it across the ice to a defenceman to start the team’s move out of the zone.

“He’s been awesome,” said Horvat after practice of Tortorella. “He brought the positives out of everything. There was no negativity whatsoever.”

Daniel Sedin reported no news to report.

“I haven’t really seen too much from Tortorella yet,” said Sedin. There’s been no shouting, per se, though the volume on and off the ice is a little bit louder than with Alain Vigneault, fired from Vancouver and returning in an official capacity for the first time this week.

“So far,” said Sedin of his new coach, “it’s been calm.”

It is the result – we will have to see how long it lasts – of an intense introspection, the period during which Tortorella burrowed after being fired and assessed himself, his failings. He rued that he became to be known as “that lunatic.” On Thursday, with Rangers beat reporters seeing the man they had known for several years, many of the same questions were broached. Tortorella parried a question on his feelings of getting fired so swiftly after the playoffs – “I’m not going to get into that. I’m not going to go back to what happened” – and spoke generally of “adjustments” he’s made, basically being kinder/gentler with the veterans.

“Yeah, yeah, I am trying to be a better coach,” Tortorella said.

The team, however, does not look as though it’s about to be any better than it was last year. Some sort of injection seems required among the bottom-six forwards, if general manager Mike Gillis can make something happen in the next several days. The power play remains weak and the Canucks are still figuring out how to play in the style of Tortorella. The result, often, has been confusion on the ice and, against San Jose, numerous odd-man rushes and a 5-0 loss. A lot of “mistakes,” said Tortorella.

It is not yet time for industrial language or bulging veins. After the Rangers game Thursday night, the Canucks have four practices scheduled – Friday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday – before next Thursday’s opening night on the road, in San Jose. The Thursday film session was part of the effort to quickly shape the team in Tortorella’s image.

“We’re trying to instill how we want to play,” the coach said. “It’s not the fighting, it’s not the banging, it’s protecting the puck, it’s sustaining the fore-check.”

Time does run short. The losses start counting a week from now.

“I think we’re getting there. I think they have an understanding,” Tortorella said of his team. “It’s a matter of doing it consistently.”


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ESPN / Pressure is on for underachievers

By Scott Burnside

10 players with something to prove this season:

Brad Richards, New York Rangers

The former playoff MVP managed to collect 34 points in 46 games after the lockout came to an end, but Richards struggled mightily in the postseason with just one goal in 10 games before being made a healthy scratch in the Rangers' second-round series against the Boston Bruins. There was much discussion about whether Richards would be bought out of the balance of the nine-year deal he signed in the summer of 2011. The Rangers decided Richards would return, although it's possible they could use a second compliance buyout (they used their first to buy out Wade Redden before the start of last season) on Richards if he does not rebound this season. Still, we're expecting big things from the 33-year-old under new head coach Alain Vigneault.

Rick Nash, New York Rangers

There were lots of nights during the lockout-shortened regular season that Rick Nash was the best player on the ice for the Rangers. Unfortunately for Nash, acquired in July of 2012 from the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Rangers didn't bring Nash to Broadway to light it up during the regular season; they brought him in to win a Cup. Oops. During 12 postseason games last spring, the one-time goal-scoring champ (he tied with Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk in 2004) managed just one goal, and the Rangers were dismissed easily in the second round of the playoffs by Boston. Nash, like Richards, should enjoy more offensive freedom under Vigneault, although the true test won't come until April or May or, if things go well, June.

Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres

The former Vezina Trophy winner and MVP of the 2010 Olympic tournament in Vancouver has hit some hard times in the past couple of seasons. The Sabres, in spite of an infusion of cash thanks to new owner Terry Pegula, have missed the playoffs the past two seasons, and they have not won a playoff round since back-to-back appearances in the Eastern Conference finals in 2006 and 2007. Miller struggled during the lockout-shortened 2013 season and was jeered by hometown fans near the end of the regular season. In spite of speculation he would be traded (or wanted to be traded), Miller will start the season as the Sabres' netminder, although he is entering the final year of his contract and it remains unknown whether he wants to stay in Buffalo or conversely whether the Sabres' long-term plans include the netminder. At the U.S. Olympic orientation camp held in Washington before training camp, Miller sounded determined to play his way back to form and believed the Sabres could become one of those dark-horse playoff teams.

Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars

It was more than a little damning that before Tyler Seguin could play a game under his contract extension from the Boston Bruins, the team had enough of the young forward and traded him to Dallas. During the playoffs last spring as the Bruins advanced to the Stanley Cup finals for the second time in three years, head coach Claude Julien refused to move Seguin into the more demanding role as a second-line center when Patrice Bergeron was injured. Seguin finished with just one goal in 22 postseason games. Although he is just 21 and coming off a 29-goal season in 2011-12, the Bruins clearly did not believe Seguin was going to live up to his billing as a franchise player. New Dallas GM Jim Nill is banking Seguin will grow into a franchise center and sacrificed underappreciated Loui Eriksson in the deal. No time like the present to start making good on that kind of trust.

Nathan Horton, Columbus Blue Jackets

Nobody asked us, but we still don't quite get what was so unpleasant about playing in Boston, where Nathan Horton lined up alongside David Krejci and Milan Lucic to form a potent trio that won a Cup in 2011 and went to the finals last spring. But Horton decided he'd had enough and signed a seven-year deal with an annual cap hit of $5.3 million with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Now the Blue Jackets are an up-and-coming team. But now Horton will move from the relative shadows in Boston, where he was a complementary player behind guys like Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, etc., to being a prime-time player in Columbus. Does he have the mental fortitude for that kind of jump? Horton has established himself as a clutch playoff performer, but he's also notoriously streaky. His debut with the Blue Jackets will have to wait until late in the calendar year or early 2014 as Horton recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, adding to the pressure the 28-year-old will face when he finally pulls on his new jersey.

Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks

There was a time not so long ago when you could have mentioned Ryan Kesler in terms of Hart Trophy worthiness and it would have been a valid

discussion. But since he won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the game's best two-way forward in 2011, the same year Kesler's Vancouver Canucks went to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, injuries have taken their toll on the rugged center. Kesler, who had 41 goals in 2010-11, played in only 17 games last season. He had two goals in four games in the playoffs as the Canucks were swept by San Jose -- the second straight year they were early first-round playoff fodder. If the Canucks are going to return to contender status under new head coach John Tortorella, Kesler will be a key component -- or more to the point, he must be a key component. In an interview with ESPN.com prior to training camp, Kesler said he feels better than he has in two years and is embracing a chance to put his recent past behind him. Further, he still believes the Canucks are a team capable of contending once again for a Cup.

Jarome Iginla, Boston Bruins

So the former Calgary captain ended up in a Bruins jersey, it was just about three months later than expected. Everyone knows, of course, the tangled web that was the Iginla trade from Calgary to Pittsburgh after it was believed he was going to the Bruins at the deadline. In the end, Iginla never fit in Pittsburgh the way he and the Penguins had hoped. He put up decent enough numbers for the Pens -- 11 points in 13 regular-season games and 12 points in 15 postseason games -- but he came up dry with the rest of the squad in the conference finals when the Penguins were swept by Boston in a series that saw Pittsburgh score just two goals. After the series, Iginla admitted he had not been the player he'd hoped he'd be for the Penguins. With the departure of Horton, Seguin and Jaromir Jagr, Iginla will get plenty of opportunity to prove that the ship has not sailed on one of the game's classiest performers and is penciled in as the team's No. 1 right winger, playing with Milan Lucic and David Krejci.

Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues

The young Russian, the 16th overall pick in the 2010 draft, arrived with much fanfare after the lockout and, while there were bright spots (he did register five points in his first two NHL games), there were plenty of moments that reminded us of how difficult the learning curve is for most rookies no matter how talented. Head coach Ken Hitchcock believes Tarasenko will learn much from his first season, even the parts that included being a healthy scratch for all but one of the Blues' postseason games. For a team that this writer liked to win the Cup last season and remains a viable contender in 2013-14, Tarasenko's offensive contributions are vital.

Steve Mason, Philadelphia Flyers

OK, it wouldn't be a Philadelphia Flyers season without controversy and questions surrounding the team's goaltending, and the 2013-14 season will be no different. While Ray Emery hopes to parlay a strong season backing up Corey Crawford for the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks into a starter's role with the Flyers, the interesting part of the Philadelphia goaltending equation is Steve Mason. The former rookie of the year and Vezina Trophy nominee has seen his career go adrift since that shining rookie season in 2008-09. He came to the Flyers in a late-season trade after another former Flyers netminder, Sergei Bobrovsky, helped elevate Columbus to a playoff contender en route to a Vezina Trophy. Mason won his final four starts for the Flyers but that's a pretty small sample. Still, if his late-season play for the Flyers is a harbinger of things to come, then it will make for an interesting goaltending battle. We chatted with Philadelphia goalie coach Jeff Reese during training camp and he raved about Mason's game, saying he believes the big netminder has turned a corner and can and will return to his earlier form.

Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins

Didn't we have Marc-Andre Fleury on our "things to prove" list in last season's preview, too? The former No. 1 overall draft pick who won 30 postseason games between 2008 and 2009 (and a Stanley Cup) was yanked after Game 4 of the Penguins' opening-round series against the New York Islanders last spring. When veteran Tomas Vokoun started Game 5 of that series, it marked the first time since Fleury turned pro that he did not start a playoff game for the Pens. He did not make another start as the Penguins advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. Although it would have been understandable had GM Ray Shero moved to trade Fleury, who seems to have misplaced his mental mojo come playoff time, the Penguins instead insisted they expect Fleury to bounce back and that he remains the team's No. 1 netminder. Unfortunately for Fleury and the Pens, even if he goes 70-0 this season, the same questions will be waiting for him when the playoffs start.

ESPN LOADED: 09.27.2013

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ESPN / Franson deal causes salary-cap trouble

By Pierre LeBrun

Re-signing Cody Franson obviously makes the Toronto Maple Leafs a better team. But the moment the one-year, $2 million deal was agreed upon late Wednesday night, it also created a bit of salary-cap hell for the Blue and White.

According to capgeek.com, the Leafs sit at $64.816 million with 23 players, a bit above the $64.3 million cap. Mind you, it’s really tough to put a precise number on things until you see who gets demoted and who makes the team.

Either way, things are tight with Toronto's cap.

So what now? No question there will be trade talks, but it’s a tough time of year to move money with teams cutting down to opening-day rosters.

"Believe me, they’ll be getting lots of calls from teams now," a rival team executive told ESPN.com on Thursday, "but they won’t be getting any favors."

The Leafs have until Monday to get cap compliant before opening day.

Toronto could pull it off without necessarily having to trade anyone, but it would mean beginning the season with a thin roster, likely around 20 players. That’s because David Clarkson’s $5.25 million cap hit stays on the books for the duration of his 10-game, 24-day suspension.

The better route would be to pull off some cap-relieving trade with another team.

The guy the Leafs would love to move is veteran blueliner John-Michael Liles, but given that he has three years left at a $3.875 million cap hit, there may not be a market out there for him unless the Leafs eat part of his deal or move another asset with him to entice a trade.

It just so happens that the Calgary Flames are now run by former Leafs GM Brian Burke (now president of hockey operations in Calgary), who brought Liles to Toronto to begin with. And the Flames have oodles of cap space.

Thing is, why would a rebuilding Flames have any interest in a veteran player at this point? They likely wouldn't unless the Leafs were willing to throw in a young player in the mix, such as Joe Colborne. His name has been in the rumor mill of late, and he’s the kind of young center the Flames could use.

If the Leafs don’t see anything that makes sense trade-wise, they can pull off the math gymnastics by demoting a few players Sunday, like Korbinian Holzer and Mark Fraser.

In the previous collective bargaining agreement, the Leafs could have solved this with one stroke by sending Liles and his big salary down to the AHL and it wouldn’t count against the cap. But after what happened to Wade Redden in the previous CBA when the veteran blueliner was stuck in the AHL for a couple of years so the Rangers could hide his cap hit, the league and NHLPA changed the rule. Now, the only cap savings from sending a player like Liles down would be $925,000. But the Leafs may well do that anyway.

Either way, Sunday should prove to be an interesting day around the NHL, because the Leafs are hardly alone around the league in being up against the cap. A number of teams have some tough decisions to make, and it will involve putting players on waivers that they would much rather not lose with the hope they get to the AHL and aren’t claimed.

Other teams with cap room will no doubt sit back Sunday and see who’s available in that regard. So watching who gets claimed off Monday’s waiver report will be just as fascinating.

In the end, while the Franson signing gives Toronto cap fits for now, it’s a no-brainer decision. He was arguably their second-best defenseman last season, his 29 points tied for sixth among NHL defensemen.

Credit both sides for giving in to make the deal happen. The Leafs said they wanted no fewer than two years for term, and it was important for Franson to do a one-year deal so he can get a better deal next summer when the

cap goes up. The Leafs gave in on term, but Franson took way less money than market value. He wanted around $3.5 million and settled for $2 million. The Leafs get a real bargain for one year.

Franson, who will be a restricted free agent next summer, just adds to Toronto’s offseason list of chores, as contracts for Dion Phaneuf (UFA), Phil Kessel (UFA), James Reimer (RFA), Dave Bolland (UFA) and emerging blueliner Jake Gardiner (RFA) are also expiring at the end of the season.

Right now, though, it’s all about figuring out the cap before Monday’s roster deadline.

Take out your calculators, folks.


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ESPN / Derek Stepan gets 2-year deal

By Katie Strang

The contract stalemate between the New York Rangers and restricted free agent Derek Stepan has come to an end.

The 23-year-old center, who had not been in training camp while awaiting a resolution, agreed to terms on a two-year deal Thursday. The deal is worth $6.15 million -- $2.3 million this season and $3.85 million in 2014-15.

Stepan was reportedly seeking a two-year deal worth approximately $7 million.

"There's no question in my mind that I didn't want it to go that long," Stepan said of the negotiations while on a conference call Thursday afternoon. "I don't think either side expected it to go that long."

Despite contentious moments throughout the dispute -- general manager Glen Sather criticized Stepan on television Monday night and said he needed to be "wiser" about the decision -- Stepan said he tried not to take any of it personally. He insisted there were no hard feelings between him and the organization.

"There's no bitterness. At a young age, I got to see the business side of it. It doesn't go as smoothly as you think sometimes," Stepan said. "It's how it works."

Stepan conceded that the salary cap constraints did have an impact on the course of negotiations -- the Rangers have little maneuverability, especially considering the decision not to buy out Brad Richards this past summer and the need to sign franchise goaltender Henrik Lundqvist within the next 10 months -- but said it worked out, nonetheless.

"It's a tough year; the cap went down quite a bit. New York was a in a tight spot to begin with," Stepan said. "It was an unfortunate situation, but both sides handled it as best we could."

With Stepan locked up for the next two years -- the team's standard "bridge" deal awarded to players coming off entry-level contracts -- the Rangers have assured they will have the young pivot in the lineup opening night, Oct. 3 against the Phoenix Coyotes.

The possibility of being without their probable first-line center, where he played most of last season, was a daunting one considering the team will likely be without captain Ryan Callahan and top-six forward Carl Hagelin, both of whom are coming off shoulder surgery this summer.

Stepan, who will travel to New York on Thursday and rejoin the team when it gets back from a West Coast trip Sunday, led the Rangers in scoring last season with 18 goals and 26 assists in 48 games.

He admitted he would likely be a little behind his teammates because of the time he missed during camp, but said he skated back home in Minnesota and also with the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team in Madison to maintain his conditioning.

"I don't think I'm too far off," he said.

Stepan was also asked whether he worried that missing part of the season could impact his potential spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

"It's hard to sit here and tell you that it didn't have any weight on the decision," Stepan said. "But first and foremost, I was looking to get myself to get in the New York jersey."


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USA TODAY / Young stars shine at All-American Prospects Game

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 10:10 p.m. EDT September 26, 2013

PITTSBURGH – On Monday, NHL's Central Scouting identified American center Dylan Larkin as one of the top players available for the 2014 NHL draft.

On Thursday night, the U.S. National Under-18 player showed why he earned that distinction, registering a goal and an assist to help Coach Mark Johnson's White Team a 5-2 win against Joe Mullen's Blue Team in the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game at CONSOL Energy Center.

"When you look at him from last year to this year, you see not only the physical development, but the confidence that comes with it," said Craig Button, a draft expert for TSN, Canada's version of ESPN.

The game is considered a showcase for USA's top 18-year-old hockey players. Larkin's linemate Keegan Iverson, a Minnesota native who plays for Portland in the Western Hockey League, also had a goal and an assist and he was named player of the game.

Central Scouting has Iverson labeled as a 'C' prospect, and very early projections would have him in rated in the second round or third round.

Larkin was given the 'A' prospect label by Central Scouting, meaning essentially that he has potential to be a first round pick next June. He has committed to play college hockey at Notre Dame.

"He has obvious skill, able to make plays with his hands, and he's a very strong skater," Button said.

Larkin showed his hockey sense when he was in the right place to take advantage of a give-away to score 37 seconds into the second period. Iverson picked up the loose puck and pushed it toward Larkin who drove it into the net quickly.

The game featured five 'A' draft prospects at forward, and those 'A' players were highly visible in the game. Notre Dame recruit Sonny Milano of the U.S. Under-18 team scored the White team's game-winner. Showing significant improvement since last season, he is now considered to have first round potential.

Another 'A' player, Blake Clark, a St. Louis area native who plays for North Bay in the Ontario Hockey League, just missed tying the score for the Blue team early in the third period when he hit the crossbar with his shot and then White goalie Blake Weyrick robbed him midway through the period.

Five minutes later, defenseman Jack Dougherty of the U.S. Under-18 team did tie it up 1-1 with a power play goal on a shot from the left wing circle.

Joe Wegwerth, another Notre Dame recruit, scored the other goal for the Blue team. Ryan Donato, son of former NHL player Ted Donato, had two assists for the Blue.

Chase De Leo, who plays for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL, scored the White team's fourth goal. Shane Eiserman, who plays for Dubuque in the United States Hockey League, added an empty netter.

USA TODAY LOADED: 09.27.2013

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USA TODAY / Al MacInnis' son positioned for success

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 8:34 p.m. EDT September 26, 2013

PITTSBURGH – NHL draft prospect Ryan MacInnis offers both a reflective answer and a joking reply to the question of why he doesn't play defense as his Hall of Fame father Al did.

"I like skating forward more than backwards," MacInnis said with a grin.

But the real reason is he thought it allowed him to carve his own path without being compared to his father.

"I thought it was big shoes to fill as a defenseman," MacInnis said just a few hours before he took the ice in USA Hockey's All-American Prospects Game at the Consol Energy Center. The top 40 U.S.-born prospects for the 2014 NHL draft were invited to the game.

The 6-4 St. Louis-area player is a center for the Kitchener (Ontario) Rangers, and he's projected to go somewhere in the first three rounds of the draft, depending upon how his season goes. The consensus now is that he probably will go in the second round, possibly late in the first round.

"He has great hands for a big guy," said U.S. National Team Development Program player Sonny Milano, who could go in the first round.

Last season, the skinny MacInnis added 15-20 pounds of muscle.

"He really needed to do that," said Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's assistant executive director. "He's a good player and he's got real good hockey sense. "

Although his father played defense for more than two decades with the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues, MacInnis said his father left it up to him to decide where he would play.

"I liked center the most," he said.

The scouting report on the 185-pound MacInnis is that he needs to live in the weight room. "That and the kitchen," he said.

He has been downing protein shakes, meat and other proteins, but he says he can't seem to gain weight.

"One day, I come in and I'm four pounds lighter and the next day I'm back to normal," MacInnis says.

MORE: Rangers, Stepan agree to terms

His father hasn't been able to help because maintaining weight was never a problem for him.

"He eats a lot, and he eats anything," the young MacInnis said.

His father owned one of the most memorable slap shots in NHL history, and he has been helping Ryan with his shot. "But no I don't have a shot like him,"

Ryan sees himself as a two-way forward.

"My skating is not bad," he said. "Pretty good shot and have good vision."

Now in the Ontario Hockey League, MacInnis expects to get hit more and he expects to become a more physical player.

"The more I do it, the more I like it," he said. "The more you get hit, the more you want to hit back."

MacInnis said his father's only advice is to "work hard and have fun with it."

"The rest," MacInnis said, "is up to me."


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USA TODAY / Derek Stepan, Rangers agree to 2-year deal

Jimmy Hascup, USA TODAY Sports 3:30 p.m. EDT September 26, 2013

With a week to go until the start of their regular season, the New York Rangers and unsigned center Derek Stepan agreed to a two-year contract, the team announced.

The deal is worth $6.15 million, which includes $2.3 million this season and $3.85 million in 2014-15.

Stepan led the team with 44 points last season, and he was second with 18 goals. He also played in all situations, including on the power play and the penalty kill.

Ultimately, Stepan, a contender for a spot on Team USA's Olympic team, had little leverage in this situation. As a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level deal, Stepan could not take the Rangers to arbitration and he couldn't enter the open market. The only risk to the Rangers was an offer sheet from another team.

Since the Rangers decided against buying out center Brad Richards and his $6.7 million cap hit, they also had little financial wiggle room this offseason. Before the deal, Capgeek.com had the Rangers at close to $2.8 million under the salary cap.

Thus, it only strengthened general manager Glen Sather's philosophy in giving players coming off of entry-level contracts a "bridge" deal under his terms.

MORE: NHL free agent tracker

The agreement comes about three days after Sather made his first public comments on the stalemate, saying to MSG Network that he didn't think Stepan was a "big enough fool" to sit out the year and that it was "unfortunate" the center continued to listen to his agent, Matt Oates, instead of signing and joining his teammates.

Stepan, the last restricted free agent from this offseason to sign, enters camp with little time to learn new coach Alain Vigneault's uptempo, puck-possession system.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post says that Stepan will meet the team once it returns to New York from Las Vegas on Friday night.

The Rangers open the season at the Phoenix Coyotes on Oct. 3


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USA TODAY / Ovechkin to carry Olympic torch

Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports 1:43 p.m. EDT September 26, 2013

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin will get his wish to carry the torch, and it will require an Olympic travel effort.

The Capitals announced on Thursday that he was chosen to be the first Russian to carry the Olympic torch once it's lit in Olympia, Greece, on Sunday.

MORE: Stepan finally signs with Rangers

In order to do that, he'll fly out after the Capitals' home preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. He'll fly home after the ceremony, will be available to talk about the experience after the Capitals' practice on Monday in Arlington, Va., then fly with the team to Chicago for the season opener against the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks.

"I'm extremely humbled and honored to be the first Russian to carry the Olympic torch," said Ovechkin. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and something I will never forget. I would like to thank the Washington Capitals organization and all of my teammates for their support in enabling me to travel to Greece prior to the regular season."

MORE: Franson signs deal with Leafs

The 2014 Olympics will be held in Sochi, Russia, and Ovechkin, the No. 1 overall pick in 2004 out of Dynamo Moscow, had said he would go play for Russia even if the NHL didn't allow its players to go. The NHL did say yes and will shut down its season in February to allow its players to participate in the Olympics for a fifth time. Russia is considered one of the contenders for gold.

Ovechkin had returned to Russia to play for Dynamo during last season's NHL lockout.

ST. LOUIS: Age is just a number for Lightning star

The torch will travel through all 83 Russian regions, visiting 2,900 towns and settlements.

Since being drafted, Ovechkin has won three MVP titles, including last season, plus one scoring title and three goal-scoring titles. He's entering the sixth year of a 13-year, $124 million contract.

"This is a huge honor and we are so proud, and excited for Alex and his family," said Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis. "This is a very special event and we are thrilled that he was recognized for his past achievements and his dedication to his craft and his country."


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USA TODAY / Fighting For Common Sense

By Stu Hackel

The NHL regular season won't start until Oct. 1, but the game's occasional stupidity and embarrassment can't wait. That's already in midseason form.

There have been seven suspensions so far, the most-discussed incident -- even making national newscasts in Canada -- occurring last Sunday in Toronto, where all the Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres on the ice -- and one Leaf who jumped on the ice from the bench -- took a break from chasing the puck and began chasing each other instead in an elongated brawl. There's little doubt that the fact it happened in a major market like Toronto and not, say, Columbus, helped make the news go somewhat viral.

The exhibition schedule is often marred by fisticuffs, usually by rookies or fringe players trying to grab the coaches' attention and prove they have the stuff to play at this level. Veterans, who aren't fond of preseason games anyway, don't often waste their energy. Not so on Sunday.

It began rather typically when two minor leaguers, Toronto's Jamie Devane and Buffalo's Corey Tropp, went at it just two seconds after a faceoff that followed a goal by Tropp. But it was a mismatch. Devane is five inches taller and 30 pounds heavier, and, to make matters worse, Tropp's helmet came off in the fight and he hit his bare head on the ice as he tried to pull Devane down, Devane getting in one last swing as the pair fell. Tropp, who had a chance to make the Sabres varsity, suffered a concussion and a broken jaw.

(Not coincidentally, the NHL is trying to keep helmets on fighters for just that reason as a safety measure -- yes, a safety measure in a fight, which is quite a concept. A new rule further penalizes players who purposely remove their headgear before throwing punches. That led to the comical dust-up last week when the Devils' Krys Barch and the Islanders' Brett Gallant conspired to remove each other's helmets, circumventing the new rule in the second of their three fights during a preseason game in New Jersey. The solution is really very easy: Once a fighter's helmet comes off, however it happens, the linesmen must step in and stop the fight. How this has eluded the NHL is a mystery.)

Well, the Sabres, who are on a mission to recast themselves as a team that won't be pushed around, weren't going to stand for one of their teammates getting beat up by a larger foe. Before the puck was dropped again, coach Ron Rolston sent out John Scott, who is 6-foot-8, 270 pounds and in has scored only one NHL career goal in 180 games but has totaled 305 penalty minutes. His role on the team is obvious and, as Scott said later, "I knew I had to kinda have a response for what happened the shift before ... I would have gone after whoever they put up next to me."

Leafs coach Randy Carlyle didn't send out one of his tough guys to engage Scott, however. He tried to diffuse the situation by sending out his top line, including his best player, Phil Kessel, who is not only much smaller -- most hockey players are smaller than John Scott -- but also not a guy who fights at all. Kessel lined up next to Scott, and before the faceoff, Scott told Kessel "Phil, we're going to have to go here, just to let you know."

"I wasn't going to try and hurt him," Scott said. "I was just trying to send a message ... I was just doing my job."

Hockey fighters supposedly live by an unwritten "code," and part of it dictates that you fight in your weight class and there will be retribution if you don't. Yet, another part of it is that goons don't fight skill players. If such a

code actually exists -- and some consider it a myth to justify mayhem -- Scott decided to enforce it and violate it at the same time.

Well, here's the video of what transpired, starting with the Devane-Tropp fight, followed by Scott trying to get at Kessel, who defended himself by whacking Scott a couple of times on the leg and later nudging him gently in the midsection. Then everyone joined in, including the goalies and new Leaf David Clarkson, who was on the bench but jumped off to come to Kessel's aid:

"It was pretty stupid, right?" Kessel said afterward, his eyes nearly shielded by the brim of a cap, not as proud of his actions as Scott was of his. "He said he was going to jump me. ... He's a big boy. So if he's going to come after me, what am I going to do?"

Few blamed Kessel considering the situation. Many long-time observers reason that the world of the NHL is inherently rough and a skilled player finds his stick is a great equalizer when he's confronted by a thug.

Still, stick swinging has long been frowned upon. For much of the NHL's first half century, it was commonplace. But two notorious late '60s stick duels -- a bloody one in 1968 between Boston's Eddie Shack and Philadelphia's Larry Zeidel and a 1969 preseason clash between St. Louis' Wayne Maki and Boston's Ted Green, in which Green's skull was fractured, requiring two brain operations and plates put in his head -- caused the NHL to adopt strict punitive measures for transgressors. When the NHL wants something out of the game bad enough, they ratchet up the penalties. Very quickly, the stick problem vanished.

The same harsh approach was employed in the 1980s to successfully curb bench-clearing brawls. The first player off the bench gets an automatic 10-game suspension without pay. So after signing him to a big free agent contract in the summer, Toronto will have to start the 82-game season without Clarkson. Plus, his docked pay still will count against the team's salary cap.

But the NHL sometimes forgets that this sort of tough love can be quite useful elsewhere and the other principles in this little drama were spared onerous sanctions.

Kessel was suspended for only the remainder of the preseason games and no regular season games, a decision greeted by the Maple Leafs with great relief. Some in the media joked this is less punishment than a vacation (but not with pay -- players aren't paid during preseason, but still…). And while others called it a victory for common sense, especially because Kessel didn't swing for the fences and Scott's head, Kessel himself acknowledged on Wednesday that his actions after the initial chop at Scott ankles were "uncalled for." Perhaps because the league didn't want to punish Toronto any further beyond losing Clarkson for 10 games, Kessel got off easy. Still, his missing a game or two in the regular season would have not been inappropriate.

Rolston was fined an undisclosed amount (believed to be in the neighborhood of $10,000) for what the league called "player selection and team conduct." The team conduct part was easy to justify but the player selection part caused some minor freakouts, especially in hockey's Twitter-verse, because a coach's job is to put the players on the ice they want. How can the league fine a coach for doing his job?

Sadly, the league couldn't find an official sounding way to say, "You sent a guy out for the purpose of starting a fight and we don't like that. And we really don't like that he decided to fight a star player." With no explicit rule to cite, they concocted something that makes little sense, even though it got the job done.

But the punch line, so to speak, is that John Scott, the guy who really set fire to the evening, was not punished at all, precisely because there is no rule the NHL could cite to give him over and above his on-ice penalties, a five minute fighting major and two additional minutes for instigating the fight. There are provisions for supplementary discipline for players who instigate fights, but they kick in only after a third instigation infraction. Had the league tried to invent something, the NHL Players' Association would have rightly objected. Essentially, Rolston took the hit for Scott. There is no NHL Coaches' Association to collectively bargain that group's working conditions. It's a situation that screams "Fix this!"

Of course, the huge issue hiding in plain sight here is fighting in hockey. For some, fighting itself is the reason the sport lags behind others in popularity, although there's little proof that is true. For its part, the hockey world itself has little problem with it and a case can be made for fighting's role as a deterrent against dirty play. NHL players have been nearly unanimous in their annual poll about keeping it as part of the game, the fans as a whole

don't support a blanket outlawing of it and the owners certainly listen to what the paying customers say.

And yet, in so many ways, hockey becomes its own worst enemy whenever the obvious detriments of fighting show themselves. In 2009, for example, the league's general managers tried unsuccessfully to pass a rule against so-called staged fights, those that start for no apparent reason immediately after a faceoff, when two players mutually contrive to drop their gloves. The owners and general managers as a group have few objections to fights that just occur spontaneously, driven by the emotions of a game's action. But the league does not want to sell punch-ups that look like set-ups.

The measure failed, however. The NHL Players' Association, spurred by the league's designated fighters -- the John Scotts of the NHL -- blocked the adoption of the rule. The enforcers feared for their jobs, and their union felt obliged to back them. The league hasn't tried to revive that rule since.

The Scott-Kessel conflagration came right at the faceoff. Come to think of it, the Tropp-Devane fight came at a puck drop as well. But as things stand, the league is powerless to do anything about them.

The NHL has suffered countless black eyes from similar incidents and likely will continue to suffer them. It remains unable or unwilling to crack down on the one-dimensional players who bring very little to the game's top league other than their ability to punch another player, at which point the rationalizations fly as fast as the fists.

The Sabres and Leafs play for real on Nov. 18. Circle your calendars.


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