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SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 10/22/2015

Anaheim Ducks

978018 Veteran newcomer Mike Santorelli understands role with Ducks

978019 Anaheim Ducks open 5-game trip in Nashville

Arizona Coyotes

978020 Arizona Coyotes' Duclair succeeding after trade from NY

978021 Coyotes battle Rangers for first time since Yandle-Duclair deal 978022 Coyotes plan Shane Doan 20-year bobblehead giveaway on Jan. 21

Boston Bruins

978023 Bruins can’t hold off Flyers in OT

978024 Unreliable players leaving Bruins without options

978025 Matt Beleskey misses game because of upper-body injury

978026 Bruins notebook: Rinaldo finds trouble sooner than hoped

978027 Harris: Spooner, Pastrnak flaws exposed in Bruins loss

978028 Bruins can't shake home hex

978029 Bruins collapse, lose to Flyers in OT

978030 Patrice Bergeron in, Matt Beleskey out for Bruins tonight 978031 Julien on Bruins loss to Flyers: 'It’s unacceptable' 978032 Flyers on Rinaldo hit on Couturier: 'We didn’t like it' 978033 Talking Points: Giroux shakes slump, shreds Bruins

978034 Flyers come back to beat the Bruins in OT, 5-4

978035 Rinaldo: 'No friends on the ice' when he faces former Flyers

978036 Beleskey out, Bergeron questionable for Flyers game

978037 Haggerty: Bruins power play thriving even without Hamilton

Buffalo Sabres

978038 New NHL overtime format still a feeling-out process for Buffalo Sabres

978039 Sabres beat Maple Leafs, 2-1, in shootout 978040 Notebook: Bylsma-Babcock backdrop adds spice to Sabres-Leafs rivalry

978041 Ullmark shines while the rest of the Amerks flop

Calgary Flames

978042 Hitmen blanked in Prince George for fourth loss in five games

978043 Flames notes: Smid likely to see first action in nine months against Wings Friday

978044 Waived Ramo the odd-man out in Flames' three-headed goalie battle

978045 Dougie Hamilton trying to find his groove: 'I'm not playing my best hockey' 978046 Johnson: Hartley won't throw change-up, sticking with Hiller even after Ramo waived

978047 Flames' Karri Ramo placed on waivers

978048 The Benchwarmers: Flames' futility befuddling

978049 Calgary Flames saying ‘We believe we can get out of’ early-season skid. 978050 Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley happy for John Tortorella

978051 Flames put Ramo on waivers

Carolina Hurricanes

978052 Rask scores in OT as Hurricanes beat Avalanche 1-0

Chicago Blackhawks

978053 It'll be all hands on deck as Blackhawks fill in for Duncan Keith

978054 Up next: Panthers at Blackhawks

978055 Lottery spot on top line has been more of a curse than a blessing

978056 Quenneville: Nothing 'brewing' in terms of replacing Duncan Keith

978057 Blackhawks' van Riemsdyk ready to step up in Keith's absence

978058 Chicago Blackhawks top line remains in flux

978059 Where Quenneville, Blackhawks stand on eliminating morning skates

978060 Blackhawks place Duncan Keith on long-term injured reserve

Colorado Avalanche

978061 Avalanche falls to Carolina in first 3-on-3 overtime of season

978062 Brandon Gormley set to make Avalanche debut

Columbus Blue Jackets

978063 Blue Jackets, Wild at a glance

978064 Blue Jackets' probable lines

978065 Wild's probable lines

978066 Blue Jackets | Fiery Tortorella promises to rebuild club’s confidence

978067 Blue Jackets notebook | Richards glad he stuck with Bobrovsky

978068 Blue Jackets | Success led to Todd Richards' downfall 978069 Bob Hunter commentary | Tortorella will push Blue Jackets hard

978070 New coach Tortorella 'honored' to be part of Blue Jackets

978071 Richards out, Tortorella in as head coach for Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars

978072 Tyler Seguin on the Stars 'just growing up' and the case of the mystery fluid between periods

978073 Wednesday practice update: Staying the course, red hot Jamie Benn, Niemi in net 978074 Scouting Stars-Penguins: Whose win streak will come to an end in this early season rematch?

978075 Heika: Kari Lehtonen, Antti Niemi staying sharp even on their nights off 978076 Heika: Physical, tone-setting Jamie Benn was Stars' Godfather in Philly

978077 NHL Gameday: Hot Penguins host even hotter Stars

Detroit Red Wings

978078 Edmonton 3, Detroit 1: Why the Red Wings lost 978079 Wings' Zetterberg, Larkin have good 'give-and-take' 978080 Red Wings take aim at Oilers, McDavid

978081 Oilers get rare win over reeling Wings

978082 Sheahan's new line, with Nyquist and Tatar, does 'great' 978083 Red Wings postgame: Detroit registered more shots, but too many still missed the mark

978084 Slow-starting Red Wings drop their third in a row, with rare loss to Oilers

978085 Rob Klinkhammer feels 'really bad' for Red Wings' Johan Franzen; Pavel Datsyuk to ramp up skating

978086 Red Wings' lineup vs. Oilers: Jeff Blashill hopes line shuffling leads to more offensive zone time

978087 Detroit Red Wings Gameday: Let the Dylan Larkin vs. Connor McDavid Rookie of Year hype begin

978088 Red Wings Q&A: Dylan Larkin on Sidney Crosby, superstitions and No. 1 item on his bucket list 978089 Western Canada has been fertile ground for Detroit Red Wings' record in recent years

978090 Red Wings drop third straight, 3-1 to Oilers

Edmonton Oilers

978091 Jim Matheson: Oilers win mixes "Oh, baby!" moments with "What the heck happened here?" mistakes

978092 Oilers end their winless drought against Red Wings with 3-1 victory

978093 John MacKinnon: McDavid leading Oilers on journey of exuberant discovery so far this season

978094 Coaching legend Scotty Bowman says McDavid's pressure packed rookie year similar to Canadiens' Guy Lafleur's

978095 60 Minutes Sports drops into Edmonton to wrap up feature on Oilers' Connor McDavid

978096 Andrew Ference draws back into Oilers lineup with Griffin Reinhart out 978097 Oilers' Connor McDavid goes against another top teen in Detroit's Dylan Larkin

978098 Oil Kings' Pollock named to Team WHL for Canada-Russia Series

978099 Oilers notebook: It's Miller time on Edmonton's No. 1 line

978100 Taylor Hall is firing away for Oilers, more than any other NHLer right now

978101 Jason Gregor: Oilers become relevant with road wins against Pacific Division rivals

978102 Crowd of coaches means limited elbow room on Oilers bench

978103 First Oilers call-up no surprise to Condors coach

978104 Matt Hendricks hobbles to injured reserve list; Andrew Miller gets a call from the Edmonton Oilers

978105 Connor McDavid has had to travel well-worn path to the NHL scoresheet 978106 Edmonton Oilers snatch 2-1 OT win in Vancouver 978107 Revived Oilers take advantage of Detroit gaffes in close-fought game

978108 Oilers forward Rob Klinkhammer gets prime time exposure while Hendricks, Eberle out 978109 Edmonton Oilers experience some Back to the Future against Detroit Red Wings

978110 Oilers head coach says veteran defenceman Andrew Ference handled press-box duty 'very professionally' 978111 Red Wings rookie Dylan Larkin having fun as youngest player to crack lineup in 25 years

978112 Oilers win over Red Wings ends period of Detroit domination

978113 Oilers call up forward Andrew Miller from Bakersfield Condors to fill in on Hall/Nugent-Hopkins line

978114 Oilers players see progress, but not taking recent success for granted

978115 OK, two wins don't mean the Oilers are finally turning things around but look at who they're beating

Florida Panthers

978116 Florida Panthers’ fourth line shows scoring touch

978117 FLORIDA'S FOURTH ESTATE: Derek MacKenzie leads a hard-working (and talented) fourth line ... Panthers looking

978118 Tenacious trio bringing more than energy to Panthers

978119 Preview: Panthers at Blackhawks, Thursday, 8:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Kings

978120 Career takes unusual turn for Kings defenseman Christian Ehrhoff 978121 Kings taking too many penalties for Sutter's liking

978122 LA Kings hit the road, try to extend winning streak

978123 Reign: Budaj right fit for tough time

978124 Missed shots? High percentage shooters weigh in

978125 Reign: October 21 practice notes

978126 October 21 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter 978127 October 21 practice notes

978128 Missing the net and wonky numbers through two weeks

Minnesota Wild

978129 Wild expects to face a motivated Blue Jackets squad

978130 Gameday preview: Columbus at Wild

978131 Wild prepared for big effort from Columbus

978132 Winless after 7 games, Columbus Blue Jackets fire coach Todd Richards, hire John Tortorella

978133 Todd Richards out, John Tortorella to make Blue Jackets coaching debut against the Wild

978134 Wild still tops in this market, but all other teams on the rise

978135 Wild: Winless Blue Jackets come to town with new coach

978136 Will Columbus be on fire vs. Wild? History says coaching change not a fix

Montreal Canadiens

978137 Stu Cowan: Darche brothers will enter McGill Sports Hall of Fame together 978138 Weise on Canadiens' hot start: 'We're creating chances every night' 978139 The 20th anniversary of Canadiens hiring Houle as GM and Tremblay as coach

978140 Angela Price blasts media for spreading news of pregnancy

978141 The Morning After: Another shutout for Carey Price — and now a baby on the way

Nashville Predators

978142 Chris Mason begins retired life after NHL in radio booth

New Jersey Devils

978143 NHL TV schedule: Devils vs. Ottawa Senators live stream: Time, TV, channel 978144 5 observations about the Devils from coach John Hynes

978145 Devils assign winger Reid Boucher to Albany (AHL) 978146 Travis Zajac, aware of criticism, wants to prove he's still key to Devils' success

978147 Devils hoping hard hat mentality catches on

978148 Devils assign left wing Reid Boucher to Albany

978149 Devils tip cap to spark plugs

978150 Devils notes: John Moore faces another former team

New York Rangers

978151 A Former Ranger Returns as a Big Part of an Improving Coyotes Team

978152 Blue Jackets fire Todd Richards, hire ex-Rangers coach John Tortorella

978153 How Duclair’s Garden return puts more heat on Rangers’ Yandle

978154 Lundqvist’s direct take on new Blue Jackets coach Tortorella

978155 John Tortorella to coach, be angry about the Blue Jackets

978156 Glass clears waivers, re-assigned to Hartford; Yandle on facing Coyotes, his former team

978157 Columbus names John Tortorella coach after firing Todd Richards

978158 Rangers coach tight-lipped on Tortorella

978159 Rangers Report

Ottawa Senators

978161 Senators notebook: Big number for Neil, big hits for Cowen

978162 Hamburglar hungry for his first start 978163 Free burgers for life? Not so much for Sens' Andrew Hammond

978164 Can Senators' Andrew Hammond return to miracle play?

978165 Sens searching for consistency in play

978166 Senators' Chris Neil 'blessed and fortunate' to play 900 games

Philadelphia Flyers

978167 Will injuries put Vinny Lecavalier in Flyers' lineup?

978168 Giroux's goal lifts Flyers past Bruins in OT

978169 Flyers rally to win in overtime

978170 Flyers' offense has been missing

978171 Brayden Schenn out with apparent shoulder injury

978172 Flyers get revenge with late rally, OT win

978173 Money, ego don't factor into Flyers' roster decisions

978174 Claude Giroux, Flyers fight back for OT win over Bruins

978175 Instant Replay: Flyers 5, Bruins 4 (OT) 978176 Couturier, Neuvirth suffer upper-body injuries vs. Bruins

978177 Brayden Schenn out vs. Bruins with upper-body injury

978178 Flyers Skate Update: R.J. Umberger, Luke Schenn back in lineup

978179 Flyers-Bruins 5 things: Wrapping up 1st back-to-back

978180 Flyers don't think Zac Rinaldo will do 'something crazy' 978181 Jamie Benn, Stars' top line keep up hot play vs. Flyers

978182 Rinaldo knocks out Couturier, Flyers win in overtime

978183 Michal Neuvirth, Sean Couturier hurt in Boston

978184 Flyers proving they’ll sit big bucks for ‘best team’ 978185 5 things to know about Game 6: Flyers at Bruins

978186 Claude Giroux's OT goal leads Flyers to 5-4 comeback over Boston Bruins

978187 Flyers vs. Boston Bruins lineups: Brayden Schenn injured; Brandon Manning benched

978188 Flyers get first look at 'more mature' Zac Rinaldo

978189 Flyers couldn't beat Antti Niemi with Cup on line, and still can't

Pittsburgh Penguins

978190 Penguins-Stars rivalry goes beyond the ice

978191 Penguins notebook: Malkin hopes to ignite linemates

978192 Penguins notebook: Johnston considered coach's challenge on Kunitz's no-goal 978193 Penguins defenseman Cole pays the price to keep pucks away from net 978194 Penguins request extension on project at former Civic Arena site

978195 Pens' Kevin Porter misses practice due to injury

978196 Penguins assign Erixon to Wilkes-Barre

San Jose Sharks

978197 Purdy: Sharks' Marleau looks for bounce-back season

978198 Sharks call up Mirco Mueller, Micheal Haley

978199 Nieto likely to remain on Sharks' top line for now

978200 Mueller returns to Sharks after starting in minors

978201 Sharks shuffle roster, lines ahead of Kings rematch

St Louis Blues

978202 Stastny out at least 5 weeks with broken foot; Fabbri could be back soon

978203 Stastny out at least five weeks with broken foot

Tampa Bay Lightning

978204 Bolts notes: G Vasilevskiy cleared for full activity

978205 Ex-Bolts coach Tortorella hired to take over 0-7 Blue Jackets

978206 Bolts notes: Revolving door at forward leaves Brown out 978207 Blue Jackets hire former Lightning coach Tortorella

978208 Lightning's Vasilevskiy takes key step in recovery

978209 Goalie Vasilevskiy set to return to practice early next week

Toronto Maple Leafs

978210 Maple Leafs lose in shootout to Sabres

978211 Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner out with injury

978212 Leafs' Babcock tight-lipped on Gardiner's injury

978213 Leafs' Phaneuf praises Jack Eichel's play

978214 Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock still trying to get familar with new home

978215 Bernier steady in Leafs' shootout loss to Sabres

978216 Toronto Maple Leafs surrender late tying-goal to Evander Kane and fall to Buffalo Sabres in shootout 978217 Toronto Maple Leafs forward P.A. Parenteau nets first goal of the season and hopes to build off that momentum

Vancouver Canucks

978231 Iain MacIntyre: Canucks goalie Ryan Miller pads rebound season

978232 Columbus Blue Jackets hire former Canucks coach John Tortorella as their new head coach - reports

978233 Botchford: Torts believed in Tanev, but wouldn't pair him with Edler 978234 Kuzma: Ovechkin factor looms large for Canucks

978235 Kuzma: New gig for Tortorella prompts Canucks to reminisce

978236 Hockey>The White Towel

Washington Capitals

978218 Philipp Grubauer to start in net for Capitals against Edmonton

978219 Marcus Johansson is playing bigger for the Capitals

978220 Flames broadcasters get heated after Alex Ovechkin skates in Calgary’s zone during warmups

978221 With development of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Capitals have one-two punch up the middle

978222 How many points will Alex Ovechkin have by the end of his career?

978223 Capitals nearly perfect in rout of Flames

Websites

978237 ESPN / Playoff hopes are not yet dashed for five teams off to slow starts

978238 ESPN / Debate: Is Todd McLellan best choice to coach Team North America?

978239 ESPN / Stars expect Patrick Sharp to be important piece of Cup puzzle

978240 ESPN / Debate: Is John Tortorella best coach for Blue Jackets?

978241 ESPN / Calgary Flames place goalie Karri Ramo on waivers

978242 ESPN / Montreal has all the pieces to be legit Stanley Cup contenders

978243 ESPN / Rumblings: Don't expect Stanley Cup to be late again

978244 ESPN / Rumblings: Coach's challenge controversy heats up after Wings-Habs game

978245 ESPN / Rumblings: Canada expected to name World Cup coach in November 978246 ESPN / Rumblings: Blue Jackets caught up in hype

978247 ESPN / Sharks goalie Martin Jones taking off training wheels

978248 ESPN / Tomas Plekanec sticking with Montreal 978249 ESPN / Carey Price dominating again, but Canadiens about more than their goalie

978250 ESPN / Blue Jackets GM: We have to look in the mirror after 0-4 start 978251 ESPN / Optimism is the theme after the first two weeks

978252 NBCSports.com / Jackets are far better fit for Torts than Canucks were

978253 NBCSports.com / Sharks call up Mueller; Martin not practicing yet 978254 NBCSports.com / Goalie nods: ‘It’s time’ for Varlamov, who has not been good so far 978255 NBCSports.com / Blues put Stastny on IR with broken foot 978256 NBCSports.com / Torts wants to help the Blue Jackets ‘strut’ again

978257 NBCSports.com / Bruins-Flyers: Beleskey out, Bergeron TBD, Manning out, Luke Schenn in

978258 NBCSports.com / Report: Flames GM ‘willing to talk about a very big deal’ 978259 NBCSports.com / Jackets confirm hiring of Tortorella, a ‘coach with a proven track record of success’ 978260 NBCSports.com / Red Wings coach: If we keep playing like we’ve played, we’re not a playoff team

978261 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs’ Jonathan Bernier grabbing hold of No. 1 role

978262 Sportsnet.ca / Six things we learned in the NHL: Bergeron’s ‘dad trick’ 978263 Sportsnet.ca / Babcock vs. Bylsma rivalry enters new chapter

Websites Continued

978264 Sportsnet.ca / Should Zac Rinaldo be suspended for hit on Sean Couturier?

978265 Sportsnet.ca / Canucks win big thanks to Blue Jackets hiring Tortorella

978266 Sportsnet.ca / Where does Carey Price rank against the all-time great goalies?

978267 TSN.CA / Statistically Speaking: Giroux gets it done

978268 TSN.CA / Bernier responds to coach's challenge

978269 TSN.CA / Code Blue (Jacket) as Torts arrives in Columbus

978270 TSN.CA / C'Mon, Ref: Trouba's elbow wasn’t a ‘hockey play’ 978271 TSN.CA / NHL's compensation policy needs to go

978272 TSN.CA / Statistically Speaking: Trying on a new Jacket 978273 USA TODAY / Auston Matthews, next great hockey phenom, comes from where?

978274 USA TODAY / Why John Tortorella is a good fit to fix Columbus Blue Jackets problems

Winnipeg Jets

978224 More Central foes on tap for Winnipeg

978225 Jets are showing progress on power play

978226 Jets and Moose are in close quarters this week, making it easy for the boss to keep an eye on things

978227 Jets not taking games at the start of the season lightly

978228 Jets' policy of deterrence

978229 Fast start a bonus for Winnipeg Jets with central dogfight intensifying

978230 Winnipeg Jets winger Blake Wheeler getting better every year SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129

978018 Anaheim Ducks

Veteran newcomer Mike Santorelli understands role with Ducks

Oct. 21, 2015

Updated 9:33 p.m.

By ERIC STEPHENS / STAFF WRITER

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mike Santorelli has come to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

A nine-year NHL career has seen the Vancouver native play in six locales, including with his hometown Canucks two seasons ago. The twists and turns of his hockey journey have now brought him to Anaheim, where he signed a one-year contract with the Ducks in August.

Just once has Santorelli spent more than two seasons with one team. A player who is effective enough for teams to want him but not a core player for them to keep. And the versatile forward has accepted his lot in hockey life.

“That’s just the way it’s (gone),” Santorelli said Wednesday. “You got to be grateful to play in the NHL and you got to take whatever role you can. There’s so many people that dream of playing in the NHL and don’t get that chance to.

“I’m fortunate to get that chance. Whatever that role is, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Nothing is guaranteed in today’s NHL. Curtis Glencross, an undrafted forward who started with the Ducks and twice scored 20-plus goals with Calgary, learned that when he got released from tryouts with two clubs and announced his retirement at 32.

Seeing a free-agent market in which depth forwards aren’t as prized, Santorelli, 29, took a healthy pay cut from $1.5 million with Toronto and Nashville last season to nab a deal with the Ducks for $875,000. His first few games have been effective for his latest team.

Santorelli assisted on Sami Vatanen’s goal in the home opener and he scored his first, a rebound for an insurance score, in Sunday’s win over Minnesota. He’s also tied with Hampus Lindholm for the team lead in scoring, a function of how much the Ducks have struggled offensively.

“He’s a smart little player,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “If you give him time and space, he can make plays. He’s got good hockey sense. I’ve liked what I’ve seen.

“The one game that he didn’t play, we were looking to go with a bigger lineup. But right now, he’s earned a spot.”

Boudreau can identify with Santorelli in a way, being a nomadic player who never had a secure place in the NHL. He said players such as Santorelli are “never comfortable” and have to earn a job in training camp each September.

Santorelli takes the attitude of doing whatever role he’s given – center, wing, offensive, defensive. His goal is to be reliable, a player his coach will trust to have on the ice.

“It’d be nice to finally settle in somewhere,” Santorelli said. “But at the same time, that’s out of my control. The only thing I can control is going out there every night and working hard, playing hard. The rest will take care of itself.”

THOMPSON ON MEND

Center Nate Thompson joined his teammates on the trip but is still in rehabilitation mode as he continues his recovery from major shoulder surgery in June.

It has been a rehab process that hasn’t had any significant setbacks, which is leaving Thompson optimistic about the future. The original timeline for his availability was early-to-mid December but Thompson has been steadily increasing the level and tempo of his workouts.

“Really what we’re doing is going day by day,” Thompson said. “It’s all how I feel. How my shoulder is feeling. When it feels great, then that’s when I start ramping it up a little bit more. When it gets a little sore, I take it back a little bit.

“It’s all positive. It’s a process. It’s not the most fun process. But it’s all part of it and hopefully I’ll be back pretty soon.”

There is another important reason why Thompson is on the trip. It is an opportunity to see his 5-month-old son, Teague, when the Ducks get to Minnesota over the weekend.

“That’s definitely a plus to go on the trip,” Thompson said. “But at the same time, it’s always good to come on the road and skate. I’m not practicing with the guys just yet, but it’s always a good sign to be out with the guys.

“Being by yourself and working out and skating by yourself and not getting to hang out with anybody, it’s nice to be around some people.”

STONER CLOSE TO RETURN

Defenseman Clayton Stoner (lower body) is eligible to come off injured reserve and play Thursday. Now it’s up to whether the trainers will let him get right back in the lineup.

Stoner missed three games but has practiced at full speed the past two days. If he does draw back into his regular spot alongside Sami Vatanen on the third pairing, Korbinian Holzer likely would come out.

“He looks like he’s practicing normal,” Boudreau said. “He does what he normally does. I haven’t seen any deviance from that.”

Orange County Register: LOADED: 10.22.2015

978019 Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks open 5-game trip in Nashville

By Elliott Teaford, Daily Breeze

Posted: 10/21/15, 12:32 PM PDT | Updated: 9 hrs ago

DUCKS AT PREDATORS

Faceoff: 5 p.m.

TV/Radio: Prime, 830 AM

Update: The Ducks begin a five-game trip with a fresh dose of confidence after a 4-1 victory Sunday over the Minnesota Wild, their first win after starting the season 0-3-1. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry recorded their first points of the season, with each earning a first-period assist. Backup goalie Anton Khudobin stopped 34 of 35 shots for his first win with the Ducks. The Ducks have won eight of their last 10 against the Predators and were 3-0 against them last season. Defenseman Clayton Stoner (lower-body injury) said he could return to the Ducks’ lineup against Nashville. However, defenseman Simon Despres remains sidelined by a head injury after he took an illegal hit from Colorado’s Tyson Barrie last Friday. Barrie was suspended for three games. The Predators are 5-1-0 after a 5-4 shootout victory Tuesday over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

LA Daily News: LOADED: 10.22.2015

978020 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes' Duclair succeeding after trade from NY

Sarah McLellan, azcentral sports 5:56 p.m. MST October 21, 2015

NEW YORK – As he perched on an orange armchair in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel Wednesday afternoon, Coyotes winger Anthony Duclair let out a hearty laugh when asked whether he returned to New York City with an itinerary of former favorite haunts to check out.

“Actually, the Starbucks down there,” Duclair said, motioning outside where the city's heart was beating to the buzz of people on the sidewalk and cars in the street.

“Nah, I mean when I was here I’d go out to dinner with a couple guys – different places. To be honest with you, they were all great. I haven’t visited too much when I was here. Obviously, you gotta focus on hockey and you’re on the road a lot. But I enjoyed my time here, for sure.”

With the Rangers only 18 games last season before he was sent to the junior ranks - and then eventually flipped to the Coyotes in a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline - the then-19-year-old didn't exactly have ample time to identify a go-to restaurant on off nights.

But his tenure in the Big Apple left an impression – so much so that he’s eager to face off against his former mates tonight when the Coyotes continue their five-game East Coast road trip against the Rangers.

“I’m really excited,” Duclair, now 20, said. “I’m really looking forward to it. That’s definitely one of the games I circled on my calendar, for sure, and to come here, it’s pretty cool. I wasn’t here for a lot, obviously, but at the same time, I enjoyed my time here. The fans were awesome. I’m just looking forward to getting after it.”

It’s probably premature to analyze the trade that sent Duclair, defenseman John Moore and two draft picks (including a 2016 first-rounder) to the Coyotes in exchange for defensemen Keith Yandle and Chris Summers and a draft pick, but Duclair certainly hasn’t disappointed.

After scoring his rookie-leading fifth goal Tuesday against the Devils, Duclair tied for the most points among all rookies in the NHL (seven) with teammate Max Domi and the Blackhawks' Artemi Panarin. He’s also currently boasting a 55.6 shooting percentage -- the highest among any NHL player with at least nine shots.

“We couldn’t be happier,” General Manager Don Maloney said. “The only way I can describe it is he’s come in and given us the skill that he has and been able to finish. I guess I didn’t have a number set, ‘OK, if he gets 10 goals and 20 points, we’ll be happy.’ No. He’s come in and made some real high-end skill plays, been rewarded on the scoreboard and helped us start the season strong. So we’re very happy with him to date.”

Duclair first caught Maloney’s eye during Hockey Canada's national junior summer camp in 2014. He registered again on Maloney's radar last fall when Maloney caught a few Rangers games in New York and then a few months later when Duclair shined next to Domi at the 2015 World Junior Championship.

“I really was impressed with just his ability to make plays,” Maloney said. “It didn’t translate into a ton of points (with the Rangers), but just his speed and skill level – wow. Here’s a kid who looks like he could be a star.”

And when then-Rangers General Manager Glen Sather inserted Duclair’s name in trade conversations only days before the March 2 deadline, that’s when Maloney said, “Now you have our attention.”

Duclair’s talent and age made a potential deal more palatable, especially if the Coyotes were going to part with Yandle, who was of significant value to their team.

“For us as a franchise, we’re looking three or four years from now. Who can be here to help us at that point when they’re just starting to hit their stride, and Anthony is a big part of that,” Maloney said. “ … I think it’s a good deal for both parties.”

Duclair has no regrets about the trajectory of his career, even if a change that landed him with the Coyotes wasn’t expected.

Considering how successful he’s been in his new setting, it isn’t hard to understand.

“I love the fit here in Arizona, and I’m happy where I am,” he said. “Getting traded is a bit of a shock at times. But at the same time, I think it worked out for me.”

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.

Coyotes at Rangers

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Madison Square Garden.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Arizona/KTAR-AM (620).

Coyotes update: Forward Joe Vitale suffered a fractured orbital bone after fighting with Boston's Kevan Miller last Saturday and will be out four-to-six weeks, General Manager Don Maloney said.

Winger Jordan Martinook left Wednesday's practice early, but coach Dave Tippett said Martinook is fine to play.

Rangers update: The Rangers are coming off a 4-0 win over the Sharks Monday, their fourth victory of the season after going 0-2-1 in their previous three games. They’ve outscored their opponent 10-2 in the first period. Rookie Oscar Lindberg, a draft pick of the Coyotes who was traded to the Rangers in 2011, paces the Rangers with five points. He’s also tied with winger Mats Zuccarello for the team lead in goals (four). Defenseman Keith Yandle is expected to make his first appearance against the Coyotes since he was traded to the Rangers last season. Through seven games, Yandle has tallied four assists.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 10.22.2015


Coyotes battle Rangers for first time since Yandle-Duclair deal

Oct 21, 2015 at 7:45p ET

Staff

The Coyotes continue their five-game road trip through the Northeast on Thursday night as they hook up with the New York Rangers for the first time since trading popular veteran defenseman Keith Yandle to New York on March 1.

The Rangers (4-2-1) acquired Yandle from the Coyotes (3-2-1) in a multiplayer deal March 1. Although he wasn't as big a factor as the club had hoped with two goals and nine assists in 19 playoff games, he did post a plus-7 rating in those contests and is expected to play a larger role in 2015-16.

Yandle had 65 goals and 246 assists in his eight-plus seasons with Arizona.

"When you're traded you're all in with the team you're with," Yandle told the Rangers' official website. "You try not to dwell in the past, just move forward. For me it's all been about coming to my new team here and helping us win."

One of the promising pieces New York sent west in the Yandle deal was Anthony Duclair, and the young forward has been playing well for Arizona with five goals -- including a hat trick against Anaheim last Wednesday -- and two assists.

Duclair skated on a line with Max Domi and Martin Hanzal during practice Wednesday -- a combination that hasn't been used so far this season. Coach Dave Tippett said the line combinations were not set in stone.

That 4-0 victory over the Ducks was the last of three straight to open the season, and the Coyotes have scored eight goals during the ensuing three-game skid.

Mike Smith allowed two goals during the first three games but has surrendered 11 on 85 shots in the last three. He was yanked after giving up three goals in the first 27 minutes against Minnesota last Thursday, and also let in five against Boston on Saturday.

Smith improved a bit with 22 saves against New Jersey on Tuesday but gave up a goal 43 seconds into overtime in a 3-2 loss on a play in which Devils defenseman Adam Larsson appeared to cross-check Coyotes center Martin Hanzal in the lower back as Hanzal was carrying the puck. Hanzal went down, the Devils took control of the puck on a 3-on-1 and Larsson buried the game-winning shot.

"We have some areas we want to clean up and be harder to play against," Smith said. "You saw that if somebody blows a wheel or turns the puck over, it's an opportunity the other way in overtime.

"The urgency, I feel, hasn't been there."

Duclair and Mikkel Boedker scored for Arizona in a game in which the Coyotes' struggled to find their offensive rhythm.

New York is coming off a 4-0 victory over San Jose on Monday in which Antti Raanta started in goal in place of star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

Lundqvist started the first six games for New York (4-2-1), posting a 2.16 goals-against average and .931 save percentage before resting Monday against San Jose. With the Rangers playing a back-to-back and having lost three in a row, Raanta stopped 22 shots in a 4-0 victory.

Marc Staal, Mats Zuccarello, Jesper Fast and Viktor Stalberg scored for the Rangers, who were outscored 9-2 and went 0 for 12 on the power play during their 0-2-1 stretch.

"Everyone in the room knows that the level we were playing at isn't acceptable," Staal said. "It's something we wanted to take care of."

New York capitalized on its one chance with the man advantage against San Jose.

The Rangers have won three consecutive games vs. the Coyotes and six in a row over Arizona at Madison Square Garden.

foxsportsarizona.com LOADED: 10.22.2015


Coyotes plan Shane Doan 20-year bobblehead giveaway on Jan. 21

Oct 21, 2015 at 2:26p ET

Staff

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Coyotes announced Wednesday the addition of a Shane Doan "20 Seasons Strong" bobblehead to the promotional calendar for the 2015-16 season. The first 5,000 fans in attendance when the Coyotes host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, Jan. 21, will receive a Shane Doan Cowboy bobblehead, presented by FOX Sports Arizona. Game time is 7 p.m. at Gila River Arena.

This commemorative bobblehead honors Doan's 20 seasons with the Coyotes organization and depicts him in his favorite Western attire.

In the coming weeks, fans can visit the Coyotes social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Shane Doan bobblehead and the official unveiling.

For Coyotes ticket information, please call 480-563-PUCK (7825) or visit ArizonaCoyotes.com.

foxsportsarizona.com LOADED: 10.22.2015

978023 Boston Bruins

Bruins can’t hold off Flyers in OT

By Amalie Benjamin Globe Staff October 22, 2015

The tape-wrapped puck sat on a small shelf in his locker, alone. It had been marked with its new owner’s name, the letters blocky and dark. When it had been gathered up, made out to Zack Bergeron, Wednesday night’s game had still been going the way of the Bruins. The first-time father, Patrice Bergeron, had an assist and a goal — the latter of which had been scooped up as a birthday gift — and the Bruins were still playing well.

They went up by two goals after that, at the start of the second period, and headed into the third with a two-goal lead. Then, as it had in Arizona on Saturday, the lead vanished. Then, as they had not in Arizona on Saturday when they came back for the win, the Bruins succumbed in overtime to the Flyers, 5-4, to remain winless at TD Garden this season.

Claude Giroux’s overtime power-play goal beat Tuukka Rask to give the two points to Philadelphia. It was the 22d goal Rask has allowed this season, giving him a 4.40 goals-against average and .854 save percentage in five games.

“I just think Tuukka has to stop the puck,” coach Claude Julien said, while also indicting his other players, particularly his defense. “There’s nothing that’s different, and there may be mistakes, but that’s why you have a goaltender, to stop those.”

But ultimately, Rask is not the issue. He could be better, certainly. If his history holds, he will be. The bigger problems are in front of him, the bad line changes, the puck mismanagement, the oopses and slip-ups and poorly timed penalties.

“I think a lot of it is we played a light game tonight, a lot lighter than them,” Julien said. “They certainly were better in the battles than we were. And they were certainly better at getting back to a scoring position than we were preventing them from getting there.

“We had too many guys with light sticks, too many guys playing a light game, and that’s not the way we’re going to have some success. It’s unacceptable what happened tonight. I think we probably deserved [it]. They were the hungrier team and we didn’t respond well.”

Multiple players had difficult nights, including Kevan Miller and David Pastrnak, to say nothing of Zac Rinaldo, whose hit on Sean Couturier knocked the Flyer out of the game and handed the Bruin a game misconduct.

Still, the Bruins scored four times, a number that in prior years would almost certainly have given them two points. Not anymore. Not this version of the Bruins.

“I mean, when you score four goals you should have more than enough to win a game,” said Bergeron, whose son was born Wednesday morning. “Too many slow reactions defensively and lack of communication and poor decisions. It ends up hurting us big time.”

And it has left them at just 2-3-1 to start the season.

Julien was particularly hard on Pastrnak, when asked about him and the other young players, saying, “It’s about respecting the game, more than just scoring goals, and there’s a learning curve there. There’s also a respect factor there that you’ve got to understand that there’s more to the game than just trying to be flashy. [Pastrnak] had a tough night.”

But, Julien continued, “We were bad as a team, and a lot of guys would just go into battle and take a swing at the puck and curl the other way, and again, that’s not the way we play and it’s not the way we’re going to accept players to play on our team.”

Pastrnak was instrumental in a goal against the Bruins, Sam Gagner’s tally at 15:04 of the first. The teams traded scores in the first, from Pierre-Edouard Bellemare at 9:28, to Brett Connolly’s first goal as a Bruin at 13:28, to Gagner’s, and finally to Bergeron’s power-play strike at 17:24.

When the second started, Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth was out and Steve Mason was in. But not only did the Bruins manage to kill the five-minute charging major on Rinaldo, they added their second shorthanded goal in as many games, by Chris Kelly at 4:31. Jimmy Hayes bumped the lead to two with his second of the season at 8:49, seven seconds after a huge save by Rask on a steaming Wayne Simmonds.

Then, it fell apart, after a near goal by Pastrnak was ruled to not have crossed the goal line at 6:34 of the period.

Giroux scored his first of the game at 7:48, after the puck bounced off Miller’s skate to the left of the net. Simmonds got his tally at 10:24. The game had turned in just 2:36.

And, though they got a point, the Bruins could not get the win at home.

“The effort is there, it’s been there for all four [home] games,” Kelly said. “It’s just the focus needs to be sharper throughout the course of 60 minutes. There’s times in all four games where we’ve played extremely well, done a lot of good things, but just to maintain that focus and that composure for 60 minutes seems to be an issue right now.

“Obviously, that’s something that we have to work on and get back going. We’ll have success at home. I’m confident in this team and confident in our fans and we’ll make this a difficult place to play.”

Boston Globe LOADED: 10.22.2015


Unreliable players leaving Bruins without options

By Fluto Shinzawa Globe Staff October 22, 2015

David Pastrnak will be a good NHL player.

He moves like a sports car. He processes offensive situations rapidly. Pucks slingshot off his stick, like the sure goal he snapped off his blade in Wednesday’s third period that Steve Mason somehow yanked out of his net.

But the NHL is not friendly to 19-year-olds going through on-the-job training. There is nowhere to hide when you don’t play the right way. Teenager or not, Claude Julien will not accept Pastrnak’s age as an excuse for the manner in which he played in the Bruins’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Flyers.

“It’s about respecting the game more than just scoring goals,” Julien said. “There’s a learning curve there. There’s also a respect factor there. You’ve got to understand that there’s more to the game than just trying to be flashy. He had a tough night. You’re going to see him have some better nights down the road. He’s certainly not the single guy to point out. We were bad as a team. A lot of guys would just go in the battle, take a swing at the puck, and curl the other way. That’s not the way we play. It’s not the way we’re going to accept players to play on our team.”

Pastrnak’s game is about offense. He started the night alongside Loui Eriksson and David Krejci with the expectation that he would help create scoring chances. By the second period, Jimmy Hayes’s whirring legs had earned him a promotion to ride with Krejci.

With less than three minutes remaining in regulation, fourth-liner Tyler Randell got a shift with Eriksson and Krejci. Randell, despite his offensive limitations, had gained more of Julien’s trust.

That’s because even offensive-minded players such as Pastrnak are expected to make good, hard, smart plays — chipping pucks out, getting them deep, engaging in battles, and making crisp line changes.

Pastrnak (two shots on net, 14:16 of ice time) fell short in every category.

On Wayne Simmonds’s tying third-period goal, Pastrnak couldn’t get the puck deep. When the Flyers started the counterattack, neither he nor his linemates offered any neutral-zone resistance.

In the first period, Pastrnak failed several times to clear the zone. Finally, with no forecheckers in sight, Pastrnak scraped the puck off the boards and lifted it out of the zone with help from Krejci. But then Pastrnak and his linemates went for a change. Seconds later, Sam Gagner picked the corner to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead. The NHL is not the place to make stick fights turn into a habit.

“We played a light game tonight,” Julien said. “A lot lighter than them.”

Previous Black-and-Gold editions could have afforded to shelter learners such as Pastrnak. Other rosters have been more robust. Julien had more players he could trust. In late-game situations, Julien would have nailed Pastrnak to the bench and rolled his reliable players.

The trouble is that Pastrnak has company when it comes to being unreliable. There are too many trick-or-treat players for Julien to hide. On every shift, there are players who could do good things or implode.

Ryan Spooner can work magic on the power play. Or he can hook Michael Del Zotto in overtime. Zac Rinaldo can create a scoring chance. Or he can light up former teammate Sean Couturier and put his team down a man for five minutes.

As Julien considers his 20-player lineup, half of his roster, if that, is a sure thing. He knows what he’s going to get from his elite duo of Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Others in the trusted category include Eriksson, Krejci, Chris Kelly, and even Randell.

On the back end, Julien can expect certain things from Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug, and Adam McQuaid.

The rest of the lineup, however, is a coin flip. And that includes the goaltender.

Tuukka Rask had one goal he wanted back. In the first period, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare shot a puck that bonked off Rask’s glove. Bellemare scored on the rebound.

The others were peas: Gagner on a way-too-slack Kevan Miller, Claude Giroux on a rebound after Miller booted the puck away, Simmonds’s dart over a sliding McQuaid, and Giroux’s overtime one-timer.

But goalies with Vezinas in their collections and $7 million annually pouring into their bank accounts have to bail out their boys.

“I wouldn’t call it a struggle,” said Rask (five goals on 37 shots). “But then again you let in five, four goals every game. Can’t be pretty happy about that.”

Rask had a few game-changers, such as the kick save on Simmonds that led to Hayes’s second-period goal. But not enough.

“There may be mistakes,” Julien said of defensive breakdowns. “But that’s why you have a goalie to stop those. I don’t think he’s making excuses, either. He’s pretty good about owning up to his play. We need to be better as a group, from the goaltender on out. Our D’s didn’t close quick. They had a lot of time to make plays. We were soft in battles.”

Kevan Miller had a tough night. That will happen. But it’s compounded when Colin Miller and Tommy Cross struggle with the forecheck like they did in the first period.

It forces Julien and assistant coach Doug Houda to mix their pairs. It leaves them wondering what they’re going to get on every shift.

Right now, the coaches don’t know what to expect.



Matt Beleskey misses game because of upper-body injury

By Amalie Benjamin Globe Staff October 22, 2015

There was a conundrum on the recent road trip created by the play of Tyler Randell and the return of Brad Marchand and the addition of Chris Kelly to the third line with Jimmy Hayes and Ryan Spooner: Where would Brett Connolly, who was a healthy scratch against the Coyotes on Saturday night, play?

That question was answered — at least for Wednesday night’s game against the Flyers — as it usually is, by an injury.

Matt Beleskey missed the morning skate, and coach Claude Julien told reporters afterward Beleskey would not play because of an upper-body injury.

“We don’t know the timeline of how long he’ll be out,” Julien said. “It didn’t happen during practice. It happened between practice and this morning, so I’m not really sure. I just was told that he had an upper-body injury. I know what it is, obviously, but that he wouldn’t be in our game here tonight.”

Beleskey has not had a fast start to his first season with the Bruins. The left wing has just two points, one goal and one assist, after scoring 22 goals with the Ducks in 2014-15, leading into free agency.

“I’m just trying to play my game,” Beleskey said Tuesday after practice. “I’m trying to be the best I can be out there, work hard every shift, get on that body, create some space.

“I think so far it’s been working well. Obviously, you’d like a little more production, but hopefully that’ll come.”

With Beleskey out, Connolly returned to the lineup and scored in the first period. Connolly’s play had been inconsistent, which was one reason the coach cited for making him a healthy scratch at the end of the road trip, but mostly it was an issue of space.

Not anymore.

Opposite ends

While the Bruins have been soaring on the power play, they’ve been doing the opposite on the penalty kill. They entered Wednesday night’s game 27th in the league on the kill, at 72.2 percent.

Julien acknowledged his team’s poor penalty killing, though he also brought up some bad luck, including one instance when a puck went in off Zdeno Chara, a staunch penalty killer.

“There’s always room for improvement, there’s no doubt about it,” Julien said. “There’s some of those situations that have happened [like with Chara], but nonetheless we have to be better than we are. We just have to be better in certain areas, and whether it’s clearing the pucks from our end.’’

“I thought we struggled on faceoffs. We go into faceoffs yet we wouldn’t get the puck out. That has to get better.”

The Bruins are usually in the top half of the league on the PK, but they lost some of their top penalty killers from last season, with Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille not re-signed and Dennis Seidenberg out with a back injury.

Kevan Miller has taken on the brunt of the work, especially with Chara out to start the season, having played 17:50 on the penalty kill. Torey Krug has seen an uptick in his PK time, and the Bruins have used Joonas Kemppainen and Max Talbot at forward.

“I think we all just collectively have to be a little bit more aware of the situation we’re in,” Marchand said. “We obviously want to be a good PK team. We always have been in the past.

“It’s frustrating when we don’t keep the pucks out of our net. It can be the difference between winning and losing a game. I think we just have to focus on getting pucks down whenever we have the opportunity to, and blocking shots. I think that’s a big thing, we’ve got to be willing to block shots and put our body on the line for the team.”

Old tricks

Zac Rinaldo got his first chance to face his old team after he was traded from the Flyers for a 2017 third-round pick.

“Little more emotion, yeah,” Rinaldo said before the game. “Obviously, my first time doing this, so it’s going to be a little different, but no friends on the ice for me. That’s the way I’ve always been, so that’s the way it’s going to be tonight.”

Rinaldo has mostly managed to keep his game in line in his brief tenure with the Bruins. While with the Flyers — the team that drafted him in 2008 — Rinaldo got a bit of a reputation, with suspensions totaling 14 games. Asked if some of his teammates might come for him on Wednesday night, Rinaldo smiled and said, “No, they know better.”

“Zac’s been good about, you know, fine-tuning his game a little bit,” Julien said. “You know, our message was clear, it’s been well-documented too, you know, I think this guy’s got some skill. He’s got some talent. He skates well, he forechecks well. You see him in practice, he can make great plays, got a good shot.

“But sometimes the other part of his game would take over, so all we’ve asked him to do is balance that out, OK? We don’t want him lose that edge that he has because it’s not a bad edge to have.

“He really can give your team a spark, he can give you some energy. So as long as he doesn’t cross the line for me, I’m good with that.”

Rinaldo’s good behavior lasted one period on Wednesday night. He was assessed a five-minute charging major and game misconduct for a hit on Sean Couturier at the 20-minute of the first.

Bergeron a father

Patrice Bergeron also was absent from the morning skate, though he returned in time for the game. Bergeron and wife Stephanie welcomed their first child on Wednesday morning, a son named Zack. Bergeron then scored the Bruins’ second goal against the Flyers, a power-play tally at 17:24 of the first . . . Seidenberg skated on Wednesday before the team’s on-ice session. Seidenberg had a lumbar microdiscectomy Sept. 24. His estimated timeline to return was eight weeks. He is halfway through that recovery period. “He’s back on the ice, but still not close to returning, obviously,” Julien said.



Bruins notebook: Rinaldo finds trouble sooner than hoped

Steve Conroy Wednesday, October 21, 2015

STICKING WITH IT: Patrice Bergeron knocks the puck out of mid-air and past Flyers goalie Michael Neuvirth during the first period last night at the Garden.

It took six games for Zac Rinaldo to find trouble.

Late in the first period, Rinaldo received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for charging Philadelphia’s Sean Couturier with a high check that knocked the Flyers center out of the game.

Couturier was in a puck battle along the boards with Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid and had his head down when Rinaldo blasted the unsuspecting Flyer and former teammate. Couturier’s head snapped back and he hit the ice, staying down until the Flyers trainer came on the ice and helped him to the locker room.

After the Bruins’ 5-4 overtime loss, Rinaldo was asked if he thought it was a bad hit on his former teammate?

“I don’t want to touch base on too much with too much detail. I just tried to deliver a clean body check and tried my best to do that,” Rinaldo said.

Was he surprised at getting ejected?

“Yes and no. Different refs have different opinions on things,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that he’s hurt. That’s the last thing I wanted to do was hurt someone during the game. That’s not my first priority at all, especially someone I know personally. That was the last thing on my mind.”

Rinaldo has been suspended three times during his five seasons with Philadelphia, most recently an eight-game penalty last January for a hit on Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang.

It was Rinaldo’s first time playing against his old team.

“That was the last thing I wanted to do. It (stinks). I had my emotions going, I felt good. My legs were going. We had some good time in the zone. We were creating plays and creating energy. It does (stink), definitely,” he said.

He knows more discipline could be coming down from the league headquarters.

“For sure, I am (concerned), with my history and stuff like that. But like I said, I thought I did the best I could to stay within the rules and deliver a clean bodycheck,” said Rinaldo.

And coach Claude Julien’s view?

“He was given a five and (we) respect the referee’s decision,” said Julien.

Flyers coach Dave Hakstol was understandably steamed. He said: “There’s no place for it. That’s all I have to say: No place for it.”

Puck-daddy Patrice

Patrice Bergeron missed the morning skate to be with his wife, Stephanie, as she gave birth to the couple’s first child, Zack. Bergeron was in the lineup last night and scored the Bruins second goal.

“It was more the trying to find a way to get myself ready even though I only had an hour of sleep,” said Bergeron, who had the puck from his goal with his son’s name already on it in his locker.

Complicated hires

Many projected the Columbus Blue Jackets as a surprise challenger this season in the Eastern Conference.

Instead, Columbus started the season winless in seven games, and yesterday the Blue Jackets fired coach Todd Richards and replaced him with John Tortorella.

According to reports, because Tortorella remains under contract with Vancouver despite being fired in 2014, the Blue Jackets owe the Canucks a second-round pick in the NHL draft.

The issue of compensation for fired personnel has become a sticky one.

According to Julien, the rule needs to be adjusted.

“The league is going to look into that. But as a coach, I would find it a shame that I wouldn’t be able to get a job somewhere because the compensation was too high. Yet, (another team) thought enough of me that they would be willing to hire me but they wouldn’t be willing to for a second- or third-round pick?

“To me, once you’re fired, you’re fired, OK?” he said. “I’m not saying that if it’s a different situation, that you’re not fired and you step down and say, ‘I don’t want to be here anymore,’ (the team can say), ‘Well, we still own your rights until the end of the contract.’ I agree with that because they still wanted you, you’re the one that wanted to step down.”

Back on the ice

Dennis Seidenberg skated for about 45 minutes before practice on Wednesday.

Julien said the veteran defenseman has been skating since Monday. Seidenberg did a lot of backward skating, strengthening exercises and puck retrieval. He had back surgery at the start of training camp and was expected to be out for eight weeks.

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.22.2015


Harris: Spooner, Pastrnak flaws exposed in Bruins loss

Stephen Harris Thursday, October 22, 2015

Boston Bruins Ryan Spooner gets a hooking penalty against Philadelphia Flyers Michael Del Zotto during the overtime period of the NHL game at the TD Garden on October 21, 2015.

The Bruins had a long list of X-factors going into the season, players who, for one reason or another, qualified as uncertain variables.

They all loomed as guys whose success or failure could be critical to the B’s performance.

The list definitely included the two young guys who cracked the lineup last season and played well, and were being counted on to be just as good or better this year. We point to 19-year-old David Pastrnak and 23-year-old Ryan Spooner.

The problem was, as anyone who’s watched the development of young NHL players, there is no guarantee that a kid will follow a smooth upward trajectory and improve from one year to the next. Indeed, it’s an easy trap for a player to assume he’s got it made and have his intensity and work ethic slip.

Those flaws seemed in evidence with both players last night on costly plays that led to goals in the Philadelphia Flyers’ come-from-behind 5-4 overtime victory, which left the Bruins winless at home this season at 0-3-1.

This was a game the Bruins seemed to have well in hand, leading 4-2 into the third period. But it was quite apparent in that period that the Flyers had far more fight in them, as they repeatedly won the 1-on-1 battles for puck possession.

It was pretty much a team-wide failure, including goalie Tuukka Rask, who had let in a couple of pucks he’d liked to have stopped, and it would be unfair to look only at Pastrnak and Spooner as the culprits.

But, again, these are kids with great offensive talents, who must prove they can play on both sides of the puck.

The worst moment for Pastrnak came with the game tied, 1-1, late in the first period. He was on the right wing side of the B’s zone, as his team cleared a puck into neutral ice. Pastrnak then turned and skated leisurely toward the bench, leaving the whole side of the zone open. The Flyers got the puck and quickly counter-attacked into the area vacated by Pastrnak, and center Sam Gagner ripped a shot from the circle that beat Rask high on the short side.

Said B’s coach Claude Julien of the play: “It’s about respecting the game, more than just scoring the goals. There’s a learning curve there. There’s also a respect factor there that you’ve got to understand: There’s more to the game than just trying to be flashy.

“He had a tough night. You’re going to see him have some better nights down the road.”

Pastrnak was also generally soft, just not competing all that hard.

“But he’s certainly not the single guy to point out,” said Julien. “We were bad as a team. A lot of guys would just go into a battle, take a swing at the puck and curl the other way. That’s not the way we play or the way we’re going to accept the players on our team playing.”

Spooner had some of the same issues, most noticeably when the game reached the 3-on-3 overtime. On the wide-open ice it’s imperative to skate hard and keep your feet moving because once an opponent has separation, it’s mighty hard to check him.

So in the OT, Philly defenseman Michael Del Zotto carried the puck down the left side of the Bruins zone, with Spooner chasing him. Rather than continuing to move his feet, the center stopped reached with his stick, taking a hooking penalty that was painfully obvious to every one of the 17,565 on hand.

In the ensuing 4-on-3 power play, Philly star Claude Giroux banged the winner past Rask and the B’s rough start just got worse.

“He’s one of those guys who has us the ability to win us a hockey game,” Julien said of Spooner.

“But he also has to get better in those areas. Again, (move) your feet and be in the right position.”

Indeed, Spooner is a talent born to play in the 3-on-3s. But his potential to produce the game-winner can’t be overshadowed by soft play defensively.

Again, though, that was the case for a lot of Bruins last night.

“We played a light game,” Julien said. “A lot lighter than them. They certainly were better in the battles than we were. We had too many guys with light sticks, too many guys playing a light game. That’s unacceptable.”



Bruins can't shake home hex

Steve Conroy Thursday, October 22, 2015

The Bruins earned some goodwill when they went out and swept their two-game road trip to Colorado and Arizona to inch closer to .500 after an 0-3 start at home.

And all it took was one game on Garden ice last night to see all of that go up in smoke.

The Bruins blew a two-goal third period lead — their third squandered two-goal lead of the young season — and saw the Philadelphia Flyers, who had scored a grand total of eight goals in their first five games, walk away with a 5-4 overtime victory.

After Ryan Spooner was called for hooking in the extra session, Claude Giroux scored the game-winner on a dart from the left circle with 2:51 left in OT.

The B’s had a 4-2 lead going into the third, but a perturbed Claude Julien didn’t think the score was indicative of good play from his team. There were bad changes, lost battles and other failings, both physical and mental. He used the word “light” often, and with as much disdain as he would “soft.”

“A lot of it is that we played a light game tonight, a lot lighter than them and they certainly were better in the battle than we were, and certainly better getting back into scoring position than we were in preventing them from getting there,” said Julien. “We had too many guys with light sticks, too many guys playing a light game and that’s not the way we’re going to have some success.

“It’s unacceptable, and what’s happened tonight we probably deserved. They were the hungrier team and we didn’t respond well. Too many light guys.”

David Pastrnak had a particularly rough night. He finished a minus-1 but he had a share of responsibility on the Flyers’ second goal — due to a poor clear compounded by a slow change — and their fourth, tying goal, on careless neutral zone play. He also had a chance in the third period to give the B’s a 5-2 lead when he had half the net at which to shoot, but buried the puck into goalie Steve Mason’s gear.

Next thing you knew, it was tied up. It was cold, hard reminder of what life is like when playing a 19-year-old on one of your top lines.

“It’s about respecting the game, more than just scoring goals, and there’s a learning curve there,” said Julien about Pastrnak. “There’s also a respect factor there that, you’ve got to understand that there’s more to the game than just trying to be flashy. He had a tough night. You’re going to see him get some better nights down the road, but he’s certainly not a single guy to point out. We were bad as a team, and a lot of guys would just go into battle and take a swing at the puck and curl the other way, and again, that’s not the way we play and it’s not the way we’re going to accept players to play on our team.”

The B’s were allowing prime scoring chances from the get-go and Pierre-Edouard Bellamere got the Flyers on the board first when he followed up a Tuukka Rask glove muff. Brett Connolly tied it up shortly after that with his first goal as a Bruin, but Sam Gagner pushed the Flyers ahead again after the aforementioned Pastrnak clear and change. However, before the period was out, Patrice Bergeron tied it again on his third power-play goal in two games.

The B’s started the second period on a five-minute penalty kill, thanks to Zac Rinaldo charging former teammate Sean Couturier that will most likely earn him a suspension. But the B’s had a great kill and took the lead on a shorthanded goal when Loui Eriksson’s shot went off Chris Kelly’s skate and through goalie Steve Mason, who had replaced an injured Michal Neuvirth after the first period.

When Jimmy Hayes added a soft goal on Mason late in the second, it looked like the B’s were on their way to an even record.

But after playing well in the first several minutes of the third, their scoring chances completely dried up, but their mistakes didn’t. Kevan Miller turned over a puck behind his net, which turned into Giroux’ first goal at 7:48, just 1:14 after Pastrnak’s missed opportunity. Then Wayne Simmonds scored on an off-wing snipe after the Flyers were allowed to transition into the offensive zone with speed.

The B’s were dead in the water and fortunate to escape with a point. But that’s all they would get away with, as Giroux’ OT blast let the B’s know loud and clear that they have a long way to go to be a good team.



Bruins collapse, lose to Flyers in OT


The Bruins are specializing in bad losses on Garden ice. While the first three defeats of the season were more or less blowouts, the B's decided to tease the home fans a bit Wednesday night. They should have beaten the Philadelphia Flyers but instead coughed up a two-goal lead for the third time this season and suffered at 5-4 overtime loss

While they escaped in Arizona after squandering the two-goal lead on Saturday, they weren't so lucky Thursday night. After losing the advantage in the third period, Claude Giroux scored the game-winner with 2:51 left in overtime with Ryan Spooner in the box, lifting the visitors to a 5-4 win.

The B's took a 4-2 lead into the third period and had several chances t make it 5-2. The best opportunity came at 6:34 when David Pastrnak had a half empty net but he shot the puck into goalie Steve Mason's pads.

Just 1:14 later, the Flyers cut it to a one-goal deficit when Kevan Miller turned the puck over behind his net. Jakub Voracek dished it over to Giroux and he buried it over Tuukka Rask.

Then the Flyers tied it at 10:24 off the Bruins second bad change of the night. Wayne Simmonds gained the zone with some speed on his off wing ripped a nice wrist shot that beat Rask over the far shoulder.

Through two periods, the Bruins had wiped out a pair of one-goal deficits and took a 4-2 lead into the third period on goals from Brett Connolly, Patrice Bergeron, Chris Kelly and Jimmy Hayes.

But when the puck dropped to start the game, the B’s resembled the team that started the season here 0-3, making costly mistakes, both physical and mental.

With the defensemen having a load of trouble getting the puck up to the forwards on the breakout, the B’s gave the Flyers some prime scoring chances and Tuukka Rask made some terrific saves in the early going to keep it scoreless until 9:28.

Ryan White dug the puck to Chris VandeVelde behind the Bruins’ net, and fed it out to Pierre-Edouard Bellamere. Rask stopped Bellamere’s initial shot with his glove but couldn’t catch it, and Bellamere scored on the rebound.

But the B’s came back to tie it on Connolly’s first goal as a Bruin at 13:28. With Matt Beleskey out with an upper body injury, Connolly drew back into the lineup and was skating on a line with Bergeron and Marchand. On the goal, Marchand stole a reverse pass by Flyers star Claude Giroux down low and fed it out to Bergeron in the slot. Michal Neuvirth made the stop on Bergeron, but the rebound came right out to Connolly for an easy goal.

That snapped a shutout streak of 145:33 for Neuvirth.

The Flyers took the lead again at 15:04. The Bruins had slow change, and the Flyers came right back up the ice. Scott Laughton got the puck up to Sam Gagner, who appeared to fool Rask with a shortside wrister.

But the B’s were able to tie it up before the period was out, thanks to their red hot power play. Giroux took a double minor when he high-sticked Connolly and Bergeron evened it up. David Krejci zipped a pass down low to Loui Eriksson, who was stopped by Neuvirth. The puck, however, popped in the air and Bergeron, who became a father earlier in the day with the birth of his son Zack, batted it home at 17:24.

The B’s were shorthanded early in the second after Zac Rinaldo was handed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for charging Sean Couturier in the waning seconds of the first. Couturier did not return.

But the B’s not only killed the whole five-minute major, they had the better scoring chances in those five minutes and took their first lead of the game at 4:31 on a shorthanded goal by Kelly. He broke out of the zone with his kill partner Eriksson, dished it to the Swede and headed to the net. Eriksson cut to the middle and snapped off a shot along the ice that went off Kelly’s skate and in past Steve Mason, who started the second in the Flyers goal after Neuvirth was shaken up on Bergeron’s goal.

The B’s then forged a two-goal lead at 8:49. After Wayne Simmonds was thwarted on a 2-on-1, the B’s came back the other way with a break of their own. Hayes took the puck deep on the right wing — it looked like it might have been too deep — but was able to still rifle it through Mason’s pads for the Dorchester native’s first Garden goal.



Patrice Bergeron in, Matt Beleskey out for Bruins tonight


The Bruins will be without Matt Beleskey -- but not Patrice Bergeron -- tonight as they try to earn their first home victory of the year when they play the Philadelphia Flyers at the Garden (8 p.m. on NBCSN).

Team president Cam Neely said on 98.5 FM today that Bergeron will play after being with his wife for the birth of their son. Coach Claude Julien had said earlier that Bergeron was questionable.

Beleskey, meanwhile, was ruled out with an upper body injury. Julien had no timetable for the injury, which he said was incurred sometime after practice on Tuesday and before this morning's skate.

In the absence of those two players at the morning skate, Chris Kelly centered a line between Brad Marchand and Brett Connolly, David Krejci was between Loui Eriksson and David Pastrnak, Ryan Spooner was between Zac Rinaldo and Jimmy Hayes and Joonas Kempainen centered Max Talbot and Ty Randell.

“It's big,” said Marchand of playing with less depth. “You can't fill (their) spots. You have to just bear down and work a little hard, collectively try and fill their spots. We just have to know this team is going to be a tough opponent. We have to play simple or they're going to take advantage of any minor mistakes.”

It will be Rinaldo's first time playing his old team.

“There's a little more emotion for me, yeah,” said Rinaldo, who broke in with the Flyers. “This is my first time doing this so it's going to be a little different. But no friends on the ice for me. That's the way I've always been and that's the way I'm going to be tonight.”

Rinaldo sounded confident if the Bruins need to ask for more from him.

“I've got good chemistry with Spoons and good chemistry with Jimmy,” said Rinaldo. “I know Spoons is a beautiful passer and he can feed the puck. So I'm just going to get open and create some space for those guys too so they can handle the puck.”

It appears that the defense pairings from the last game in Arizona will remain the same, with Zach Trotman and Joe Morrow (who remains on IR following a bout with the flu) as the scratches.

Tuukka Rask will face Philly's Michael Neuvirth, who comes into the game with a shutout streak of 132:05.



Julien on Bruins loss to Flyers: 'It’s unacceptable'

October 22, 2015, 1:45 am

Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – The sheer number of goals allowed and mistakes might be starting to get to the Boston Bruins coaching staff.

After giving five more goals in a 5-4 OT loss to the Philadelphia Flyers where the Bruins blew a two goal lead in the third period, Claude Julien didn’t hold back in his comments about a hockey team that was making mistakes all over the ice. There were poorly timed line changes, soft goals allowed by Tuukka Rask and lost one-on-one battles all over the ice throughout the game, and Julien lamented afterward that his Bruins simply didn’t compete like the Flyers when it mattered.

That’s a pretty damning observation for a well-rested Bruins team that should have skated Philly right out of the Garden while hosting a fatigued Flyers group after they’d played against Dallas on Tuesday night.

“I think a lot of it is that we played a light game tonight…a lot lighter than them. They certainly were better in the battles than we were, and they were certainly better at getting back to a scoring position than we were preventing them from getting there,” said Julien, who was referring to both the physical and mental side of the game for his Bruins. “We had too many guys with light sticks, too many guys playing a light game, and that’s not the way we’re going to have some success.

“It’s unacceptable, and what happened tonight I think we probably deserved. They were the hungrier team, and we didn’t respond well…too many light guys. We were bad as a team, and a lot of guys would just go into battle and take a swing at the puck and curl the other way. That’s not the way we play, and it’s not the way we’re going to accept players to play on our team.”

The word “light” for Julien is the B’s bench boss’ way of expressing that his Bruins team essentially played a “soft” game against the Flyers on Wednesday night. It was clearly disappointing to him so quickly on the heels of two pretty good, winning efforts against Colorado and Arizona on the road, and another discouraging example of just how much work the Black and Gold have in front of them on the way back to respectability.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.22.2015


Flyers on Rinaldo hit on Couturier: 'We didn’t like it'

October 22, 2015, 12:30 am

Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – Zac Rinaldo admitted that he was excited to play his former Flyers team for the first on Wednesday night, but the feeling didn’t last too long for the fourth line winger.

Rinaldo was ejected from the 5-4 overtime loss to the Flyers at the end of the first period, and slapped with a five minute charging major and game misconduct for delivering a big hit on Sean Couturier at the very end of the first period. The hit knocked Couturier out of the game with an upper body injury, and appeared to be a borderline collision where he wasn’t really playing the puck, and delivered a big wallop to a player that was largely defenseless.

A source confirmed to CSNNE.com that the NHL Department of Player Safety was already reviewing the Rinaldo hit during Wednesday’s game, and mulling over whether it rises to the level of supplemental discipline for a player that's been suspended often.

Rinaldo said following the loss that he was just trying to deliver a clean, honest and hard hit along the boards.

“I saw the puck coming around the boards, and I thought [Couturier] still had full control of the puck. I just tried to deliver a body check. That was about it,” said Rinaldo. “I just tried to deliver a clean body check and that’s what I thought I did.

“It’s unfortunate that [Couturier] is hurt. That’s the last thing that I want to do is to hurt someone. During the game [throwing a borderline hit] is not my first priority at all…Especially someone that I know personally.”

On the pro side it didn’t appear Rinaldo left his skates, truly charged from the other side or targeted the head as the principal point of contact. But Rinaldo’s reputation and past suspensions will earn some level of consideration within the NHL Player Safety Department as will the extent of the Couturier injury.

Rinaldo wasn’t exactly getting the benefit of the doubt from his former Flyers teammates after the Bruins loss.

“It’s tough seeing Couts [Sean Couturier] go down like that,” said Flyers goaltender Steve Mason. “I don’t want to comment on the hit. We didn’t like it obviously, and we’ll leave it at that. We didn’t like the hit at all.”

Now it just remains to be seen how much the NHL Department of Player Safety liked, or didn’t like, another controversial hit from Rinaldo.



Talking Points: Giroux shakes slump, shreds Bruins

October 22, 2015, 12:15 am

Joe Haggerty

Claude Julien doesn't hold back in his comments about a Boston Bruins hockey team that is making mistakes all over the ice.

GOLD STAR: Claude Giroux was mired in a season-long slump, but he exploded for a pair of goals including the game-winner in overtime on a scorched one-timer off a wobbly saucer pass. Giroux finished with five shots on net, four hits and 14-of-23 face-off wins in his 19 plus minutes of ice time, and was the best player on the ice for either team. He was bound to go off sooner or later after being held to one goal and two points in his first five games, and that day arrived unfortunately for the Bruins on Wednesday night at the Garden.

BLACK EYE: David Pastrnak had a couple of shots on net in his 14:16 of ice time, but also had some turnovers, at least one poor decision to leave the ice for a line change and some stints on the bench in the second and third period when his play didn’t impress his head coach. Claude Julien singled Pastrnak out after the game saying that Pastrnak needs to realize “there’s more to the game than trying to be flashy.” Amazingly it was also Pastrnak that very nearly turned it into a 5-2 lead for the Bruins in the third period when it appeared his shot might have crossed over the goal line while in Steve Mason’s glove. But it was ruled a “no goal” on the ice and held up by the NHL Situation Room in Toronto, and Pastrnak was left with a tough night all around.

TURNING POINT: The turning point in the game was pretty clearly the third period when the Flyers outshot the Bruins by an 11-6 margin, outscored them by a 2-0 margin and erased a 4-2 deficit before pushing for overtime and eventually winning in the extra session. The Bruins went through the final 12 minutes of the third period without a single shot on net, and it’s awfully tough to win games when that’s what you’re doing.

HONORABLE MENTION: On any other night Patrice Bergeron would have captured the gold star, and probably should have anyway. He was on one hour’s sleep after the birth this morning of his first child, Zack, and ended up having a whale of a game. The Bruins center finished with five shot attempts, a goal and two points and three takeaways in 20 plus minutes of ice time, and he managed to win 12 of his 26 face-offs on the night. Perhaps Bergeron ran out of gas a little bit at the end of the game, but that’s perfectly excusable in his case given what his previous 24 hours had been like with his wife at the hospital.

BY THE NUMBERS: 22 – the number of goals that Tuukka Rask has allowed in his first five games this season, which was the total number of goals he allowed in the month of October last season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “There’s also a respect factor there that…you’ve got to understand that there’s more to the game than just trying to be flashy. [Pastrnak] had a tough night. You’re going to see him get some better nights down the road.” –Claude Julien clearly wasn’t happy with the work of David Pastrnak in the loss to the Flyers.



Flyers come back to beat the Bruins in OT, 5-4

October 21, 2015, 11:00 pm

Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – The Boston Bruins had a 4-2 lead early in the third period, but that two-goal lead evaporated very quickly with the Philadelphia Flyers scoring three unanswered goals, including the game-winner in overtime.

Flyers center Claude Giroux finished off the comeback in overtime when he slapped a one-timer past Tuukka Rask, sending Philly home with a 5-4 victory.

The loss drops the Bruins record to 2-3-1 on the season and they are still looking to capture their first win on home ice at the TD Garden.

With the Bruins holding a 4-2 lead in the third it appeared the Bruins would put the game on ice with another goal, but David Pastrnak was robbed by a sprawling Steve Mason glove save that was confirmed by replay.

The Flyers hopped on the momentum of the save and stormed back to tie the game with third period goals from Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds.

The Bruins and Flyers traded goals in the first period before knocking home a pair in the middle frame. The B’s took a 3-2 lead on a Loui Eriksson point shot that glanced off Chris Kelly’s leg on its way to the back of the net, and Jimmy Hayes provided some insurance at the time when he stuffed a puck through Steve Mason’s pads.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Sam Gagner took advantage of Bruins miscues to score goals in the first period, but those scores were wiped out by Brett Connolly’s first goal as a member of the Bruins, and a power play strike for Patrice Bergeron hours after the birth of his son, Zack.



Rinaldo: 'No friends on the ice' when he faces former Flyers

October 21, 2015, 2:30 pm

Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – Zac Rinaldo let out a genuine chuckle when asked if he expected any of his former Philly teammates to be out on the ice looking to take a run at him when the Bruins and Flyers face off on Wednesday night.

“Nah…they know better,” said Rinaldo. “There’s a little more emotion. It’s my first time doing this, so it will be a little different. But there are no friends on the ice for me. That’s the way I’ve always been, and that’s the way it will be tonight.”

The Bruins agitator will certainly be playing with high emotions when he takes on the Broad Street Bullies for the first time since getting traded from Philly to Boston this summer for a third round draft pick. But Rinaldo will also be looking to play with the controlled emotion he’s shown while largely staying out of trouble five games into his B’s career, and show his full game while possibly getting a shot on the third line – due to the absences of Matt Beleskey and Patrice Bergeron -- with Ryan Spooner and Brett Connolly.

“I haven’t had a talk with him yet today, but I think Zac has been really good about fine-tuning his game a little bit,” said Claude Julien. “Our message was clear: we think this guy has some skill . . . some talent. He skates well, he fore-checks well and you see him in practice he can make good plays, and he’s got a good shot. But sometimes other parts of his game would take over.

“So all we’ve asked him to do is balance it out. We don’t want him to lose his edge because it’s a good edge to have. He really can give the team a spark, and some energy. In preseason he turned a game around for us that we were able to win because he got the other bench all riled up. As long as he doesn’t cross the line for me, I’m good with that. I want him to be physical and I want him to agitate whenever he can within the rules. But at the same time I want him to play hockey. He has the skill level to be more than one-dimensional.”

Rinaldo’s former Flyers teammates are undoubtedly looking forward to seeing him on the opposing bench for the first time, but will probably still have their collective heads on a swivel given the hard hits he’s doled out over the years.

“Reno? He is going to hit everybody, probably,” said Flyers power forward Wayne Simmonds to CSNPhilly’s Tim Panaccio on Tuesday. “Nothing to worry about. We know how he plays the game. You just got to be aware. Be aware of when he is on the ice. I honestly don’t think he’ll do anything. We are all so close in here with Reno. I don’t think he would try and do something crazy. But I wouldn’t put it past him.”

The one question for Rinaldo: can he keep his stirred-up emotions from bursting into an ill-timed penalty, or a borderline hit that could get him another hearing with the NHL? Rinaldo admitted during the Great American Hockey Show podcast that he was “shocked” about being traded from the Flyers, and those kinds of strong feelings could manifest into his old Philly habits.

“A lot of people thought I’d be kinda upset or shocked . . . I was shocked, but I wasn’t upset. It comes with the territory of being a professional hockey player, and just being a professional in general,” said Rinaldo. “You’ve got to take everything with positivity. I’m a Bruin now and I’m really excited to be here.

“Being drafted [in Philly], I was 17 or 18 at the time and was with them all the way through. They first saw me when I was a teenager all the way to being a mature young kid now. They showed me the ropes, and everything I needed to know. But I think it was time for me to leave the nest, and bring everything I learned there [somewhere else].”

Rinaldo will show exactly what he’s learned up until now when he and his Bruins face off against the only other NHL team he’s played for on Wednesday night.



Beleskey out, Bergeron questionable for Flyers game

October 21, 2015, 1:30 pm

Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – The Bruins could be without two of their top-6 forwards on Wednesday night just as they seemed to be getting their footing here early in the season. Matt Beleskey is out with an upper body injury suffered following practice on Tuesday, according to Claude Julien, and Patrice Bergeron is questionable for the game vs. the Philadelphia Flyers for “personal reasons.”

“I think [Bergeron’s availability] will be decided today during the day,” said Claude Julien. “We don’t know the timeline of how long [Beleskey] will be out. It didn’t happen during practice. It happened between [yesterday’s] practice and this morning. I was just told that he wouldn’t be in our game here tonight.”

It was common knowledge that Bergeron and his wife were expecting their first child early in the regular season, and that’s the most likely explanation for a possible rare absence from the Black and Gold lineup. With the B’s missing both forwards at morning skate at TD Garden, it was a much different-looking forward group that took the ice with Loui Eriksson bumped up to the top line, and Zac Rinaldo getting a look on the third line.

“It’s a special time for Patrice,” said Chris Kelly. “If he’s able to play tonight then great, and if not then we have lots of guys collectively that can step up and help a teammate out during a special time for him.”

Tuukka Rask was the first goaltender off the ice, and is expected to get the start against a Flyers team that’s managed just eight goals in their five games this season. Here are the line combos and D-pairings based on the morning skate at the Garden prior to tonight’s Wednesday Night Rivalry game at 8 p.m. on NBCSN:

Eriksson-Krejci-Pastrnak

Marchand-Kelly-Connolly

Rinaldo-Spooner-Hayes

Talbot-Kemppainen-Randell

Chara-K. Miller

Krug - McQuaid

Cross-C. Miller

Rask



Haggerty: Bruins power play thriving even without Hamilton

October 21, 2015, 10:45 am

Joe Haggerty

WILMINGTON, Mass. – Bruins President Cam Neely and GM Don Sweeney put together this season’s Bruins team with the hopes they’d be a cut above last year’s disappointing group in the offense department.

The B’s were wildly inconsistent on the power play, and failed to turn chances into goals on a regular basis. They were looking to change that in replacing Peter Chiarelli, changing up the personnel on the roster, and giving the incumbent coaching staff different marching orders.

So far the Bruins have more closely resembled the offensive juggernaut they hoped they were getting rather than last year’s weak pop gun offense.

It’s early still just a couple of weeks into the season, but the Bruins currently rank second in the NHL in total offense while scoring 3.6 goals per game, and lead all NHL teams with seven power play goals scored (and a 38.9 percent success rate) in five games this season. For a team that had some extremely bad PPs during their Stanley Cup-level seasons, it’s a pretty jarring change into a positive direction for the man advantage.

Without the power play punch, the Bruins would rank a more pedestrian 21st in the NHL in offense. So the man advantage has been an unquestioned strength for the Bruins through the first couple of weeks in the season, and a place where the Bruins feel like they can be even better as the season moves along.

“Obviously the confidence [on the power play] is high, but we’re not getting too high or too low. The power play has been good, and it’s going into the net for us,” said David Krejci, who shares the NHL lead in points (9) on the season with Vladimir Tarasenko and Henrik Zetterberg. “But it doesn’t mean we’re doing everything right. Obviously we like what we see, but we can’t just sleep on it and think that the puck is going in the net automatically.

“We just need to keep working hard, outworking the other four [penalty killers] and keep battling. The forwards are doing a really good job winning battles along the boards, and me and Torey are just shooting the puck. It seems to be going in lately.”

The PP production is pretty clearly all coming from the top PP unit with Krejci and Torey Krug at the points, Ryan Spooner working along the half-wall and Patrice Bergeron and Loui Eriksson operating the other two forward spots on the five man group. They’ve accounted for all seven of Boston’s power play strikes through the first five games with Bergeron bagging three PP goals for himself from the “bumper” position in the slot.

“We call that guy the bumper guy, and he’s really good under pressure. [Spooner] knows he can rely on him, and even David from the back end," Julien said. "[Bergeron] gets himself into really good positions where he can get that puck in the middle, and sometimes just relieve the pressure that’s put on our power play . . . especially when other teams are getting aggressive. He’s been really, really important for us, and I think he’s mastered that position well. It’s a great spot for him.”

Krug has always been a dynamic PP performer from the point, Krejci worked on shooting the puck better and more frequently from the other point spot formerly occupied by Dougie Hamilton, and Spooner has been an excellent traffic cop working the puck along the half-wall. Put it all together with Bergeron’s poise in the slot and Eriksson’s ability to get to the front of the net, and the ingredients for lasting, sustained success on the power play are all there.

“We’re looking at the fact that it’s working well. Most of those guys were together last year too, so there is a little bit of chemistry. But right now I think there’s also a lot of confidence," Julien said. "Krejci has been so good back there controlling the puck, but also shooting . . . and that’s been a big difference. We’re pleased with that [power play unit] and we continue to work with the other one that’s got a lot of new faces on it. Hopefully our power play continues to be a weapon for us.”

Just about everyone assumed the Bruins would struggle on the PP to start with Hamilton’s big point shot gone following his trade to Calgary, but it’s been exactly the opposite. Krejci (2 goals, 3 assists) and Krug (5 assists) lead the Bruins with five power play points apiece, and the point positions have created a ton of offense on the Bruins man advantage. Meanwhile it's difficult not to notice that Hamilton has just one PP point in six games with the Flames thus far.

One of the biggest differences for the Bruins: Krejci’s improved point shot after working on it over the summer, and making it a point to feature that shot more often than he had in past years. There’s also the simple, unusual tactic of installing three centers on the top PP unit with Krejci, Bergeron and Spooner all using their creativity and playmaking together to great effect offensively.

That’s a credit to the Bruins coaching staff going outside the box, and getting great results by doing things a little differently.

“The power play is a little different. I’m kind of playing in Dougie’s spot right now, and it’s been a little bit different," Krejci said. "I like to think that Torey and me . . . we really feed off each other, you know? We know where the other guy goes on the ice, and [Spooner] has been doing a really good job on the half-wall. So for me it’s a new PP because I’d never played with Spooner on the half-wall, and [Bergeron] in the slot. It’s been working, so I’m glad that all five guys are doing a good job.

“I don’t really look at it like there are center-men on there, but usually the center should be the smartest guy on that line. So if you put all of the centers on the PP unit then it should be pretty good. I know we’ve been pretty good, but we’re still only just five games in [the season]. We need to prove that it wasn’t just some kind of [fluke].”

Clearly the bulk of the remaining 76 regular season games will be the referendum on whether or not these early PP results are the real deal.

But the puck movement, production and personnel all point toward this being a highly successful power play show for the Black and Gold, and that should make a huge difference offensively for a hockey club that will require all the help they can get this season.

Joe Haggerty serves as Comcast SportsNet's NHL Insider.


978038 Buffalo Sabres

New NHL overtime format still a feeling-out process for Buffalo Sabres

By Amy Moritz

Updated 12:09 AM

October 22, 2015

There was space to work but there was also space to make mistakes.

The first taste of regular-season three-on-three for the Buffalo Sabres saw a few chances, a few hiccups and a heaping dose of tentative play.

Neither the Sabres nor the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to score in the new NHL overtime format. The Sabres ended up taking the win, 2-1, via shootout at First Niagara Center Wednesday night.

The best scoring chance for Buffalo came on a two-on-one rush generated by Evander Kane and Ryan O’Reilly. On the other end, goalie Chad Johnson made three key saves to ensure the Sabres left with at least one point.

“We need to get better at it,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said of the three-on-three format. “We remarked coming in, it was a lot more controlled and slower. Two times, we got an odd man rush with O’Reilly and Kane they got an odd-man rush the other way but it was fairly controlled. They had a fair amount of offensive zone time with the puck. You’re looking for one turnover to kind of explode out of it and get an odd-man rush. It was fairly controlled and slow.”

Part of the controlled, slow pace is strategy. One mistake and the opponent is rushing down the ice on your goaltender with an excellent scoring chance. But strategy needs to be balanced against creating opportunities.

“I think it’s a lot of strategy just to not turn pucks over, bring it back, change when you have the puck and if they make a mistake you have to capitalize or it’s going the other way,” Zemgus Girgensons said. At one point in the OT, Girgensons got the puck near the offensive blue line and skated it out, favoring retaining possession over forcing the play. That move wasn’t necessarily by design.

“I think we still have to work on it,” Girgensons said. “We’re just testing it out. I don’t think anyone really knows what the best thing is to do right now.”

While Girgensons played the format during the exhibition games, it was the first time Tyler Ennis had a chance to play three-on-three.

“It was new to me, it was fresh,” Ennis said. “I thought maybe we sat back a little bit too much. We didn’t play with enough speed but it can be dangerous, too, to take chances three-on-three. You don’t want to give up anything, so” Johnson “made a couple big saves in there but I think we can play a little quicker.”

Johnson made three saves in the OT and noted that the format changes his approach a little bit.

“For me it’s sort of playing it almost like a summer hockey game – turnovers here and there and a lot of chances,” Johnson said. “I guess those three-on-three down low situations we do in practice helps.”

Speaking of Johnson, the backup goalie thrust into the starter’s role has continued to be steady for the Sabres.

He gave up a goal 1:28 into the game on a shot that was tipped and redirected. He made 23 saves after that.

“I thought the first shot being a shot from the point that gets tipped and goes by him, it’s kind of a tough one to start the game with and he didn’t see a lot of shots in the first minus that one,” Bylsma said. “I thought he really settled in in the second and third. I don’t know how many quality scoring chances he had, but he had a few of them that he was really strong particularly in the overtime. Again he gave us a chance to win tonight and we kinda pull it out through the shootout.”

In the other net, Jonathan Bernier was stopping everything the Sabres were throwing at him. He had blanked Buffalo on their first 32 shots before being beat by Kane, who played a puck from the corner to the tie the game with 4:29 left in regulation.

“I just really wanted to come out and be focused all night,” Bernier said. “Too bad I didn’t see that goal there from the corner. After that obviously

the crowd came back into it. … Obviously I’m frustrated that I didn’t win tonight.”

Bernier is still winless in his first four games for the Maple Leafs but his play in the first period was a vast improvement from his past three outings.

“I thought we did a good job on keeping clear in front of the net and then on rebounds and stuff like that,” Bernier said. “We’re just trying to get to that spot and I actually felt pretty good.”

Bobby Sanguinetti, who has been injured since the opening days of Buffalo’s training camp, was placed on waivers Wednesday afternoon. If he clears, he will report to Rochester.

The Sabres signed Sanguinetti to a one-year, two-way contract during the offseason. The defenseman will make $300,000 in Rochester, according to GeneralFanager.com.

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.22.2015


Sabres beat Maple Leafs, 2-1, in shootout

By John Vogl

Updated 11:19 PM

October 21, 2015

The Sabres and their fans got their first taste of three-on-three overtime. It was wild and filled with unreal scoring chances.

But it didn’t determine a winner Wednesday. The shootout was just as fun, and it did.

Tyler Ennis and Matt Moulson scored in the shootout, lifting the Sabres to a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in First Niagara Center. The Sabres improved to 2-4 by picking up a well-deserved win.

The Sabres outshot Toronto, 34-21, during regulation but were held scoreless until Evander Kane scored with 4:29 to play. Buffalo put up 12 shots in each of the first two periods and 10 during the third while peppering goaltender Jonathan Bernier.

Toronto had a 3-1 shot edge during overtime, but both teams missed several point-blank chances.

Buffalo improved to 16-1-1 against Toronto in the last 18 games played at home. The Sabres are on a 7-0-1 run.

Kane’s counts: Kane, who had a goal overturned by replay earlier in the season, got his first with Buffalo – and it was huge. A turnover by Toronto’s Tyler Bozak put the puck on Kane’s stick on the left faceoff dot, and he ripped a far-side shot past Bernier to tie the game at 1-1 with 4:29 to play. The goal came on Buffalo’s 33rd shot to finally end the goaltender’s dominance.

Opening act: The Leafs had given up the opening goal in their first five games, but they needed only 1:28 to break the streak. While getting pushed by Buffalo defenseman Cody Franson in the slot, Toronto forward PA Parenteau reached out to get his stick on Roman Polak’s point shot. The puck bounced off the ice and over the shoulder of goaltender Chad Johnson.

One zero: The Sabres became the first team not to beat Bernier during the first period. He stopped all 12 shots he faced and got help from the goal post.

Sabres forward Nicolas Deslauriers, who used to be a defenseman, showed he hasn’t lost his skills by thwarting a Toronto rush. The Sabres turned up ice, and Deslauriers ripped a pass from Tyler Ennis off the post with 4:30 left.

Waiver alert: Fans may find out at noon Thursday how committed the Sabres are to their backup goaltending situation. If Buffalo is not, it can pick up an experienced NHL netminder without giving up anything.

Calgary has waived Karri Ramo, who was the Flames’ opening-night goaltender. The 29-year-old was unable to stand out in the Flames’ three-man crease, going 0-3 with a .879 save percentage and 4.37 goals-against average.

Ramo went 15-9-3 last season with a .912 save percentage and 2.60 save percentage. He has a one-year contract that pays $3.8 million. The Sabres, who may be without injured No. 1 goalie Robin Lehner for two more months, have the cap space.

So far, Buffalo has been content to ride Johnson while using rookie Nathan Lieuwen as the backup. With back-to-back games this weekend, the Sabres are likely to go to with someone other than Johnson for the first time since Lehner’s injury.

Power-play jump-start: The Sabres gave up seven of the first eight shots during the middle period before going on the power play. The man-advantage unit provided a spark with scoring chances by Jamie McGinn, Evander Kane and Jack Eichel. Buffalo took seven straight shots and finished the second period with 12.

Eichel magic: The center showed his special talent on a center-ice faceoff late in the second period. He pushed the draw past Toronto’s Marc Arcobello and stepped around the center to retrieve it. Eichel then blew past defenseman Morgan Reilly for a clear shot on Bernier. It went wide.

Big collision: Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf tried to stand up Kane with a huge hit at the blue line midway through the third, but he left the collision

with a bloody mouth. No penalty was called, though Phaneuf could have gone for interference while Kane could have gotten a high-sticking penalty.

Yelling at zebras: The Sabres’ bench, led by coach Dan Bylsma, screamed at the officials to give Buffalo a five-on-three early in the first period. With Polak in the box, a Toronto penalty killer blocked a shot with his stick. It sounded like the lumber broke, but the player didn’t drop it and kept playing, which is an infraction. The stick eventually did snap, but the officials skated to the Buffalo bench and told Bylsma to quiet down.

Penalty-kill audition: The Sabres, who entered with the 28th-ranked penalty kill, have been auditioning everyone during practice this week. Eichel and Kane got the call during the second period. They started a rush out of their own zone that nearly resulted in a short-handed scoring chance.

Counting the house: In a rarity for the Leafs-Sabres series, the game was not a sellout. The crowd was announced at 17,762.

Up next: The Sabres will play their first set of back-to-back games this weekend, though there is no travel involved. The Montreal Canadiens are in on Friday, the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.



Notebook: Bylsma-Babcock backdrop adds spice to Sabres-Leafs rivalry

By John Vogl

Updated 10:03 AM

October 21, 2015

The Sabres and Maple Leafs will play their 100th regular-season game in Buffalo on Wednesday night. It will be the first one of the rivalry for Dan Bylsma and Mike Babcock.

The coaches, hired eight days apart in May, will quickly learn that fans get up for this game. Bylsma says he’s already aware.

“If you win four games, just win these four,” the Sabres’ coach said Tuesday. “That’s what I’ve been told by fans going down the street.”

The fans would have been even more riled up for the meeting had it been held in May. Babcock spurned an offer of more than $50 million to coach the Sabres, instead opting to fill the vacancy in Toronto. The sting was lessened when Buffalo hired Bylsma, who like Babcock has won a Stanley Cup.

The coaches are still trying to mold their teams. Buffalo is 1-4, last in the Atlantic Division, while Toronto is just one point ahead at 1-3-1.

“We can get this team to win every night,” Babcock told Toronto reporters. “I really believe that. When you put your work boots on and you trust each other and you play hard, you’ve got a chance.”

Historically, the Leafs haven’t had much of a chance in Buffalo. During the first 99 regular-season games, the Sabres went 66-25 with eight ties or overtime losses and have outscored Toronto, 391-259. The Sabres are on a 6-0-1 run.

Buffalo defenseman Cody Franson, who spent parts of the previous four seasons with Toronto, felt the pain. Now he hopes to inflict it.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Franson, who returned to practice after taking a maintenance day. “For us in Toronto, every time we came into Buffalo we knew it was going to be a tough game. It didn’t matter where each team was in the standings, at the end of the day it was a hard-fought game and a game that was tough to come out of with two points.

“We came into Buffalo a number of times and didn’t come away with two points. It’s a tough place to win games when you’re coming in here with a Toronto jersey on. Now being on the other side of it, I want that to continue.”

Sam Reinhart again practiced on the top line with center Ryan O’Reilly and right wing Tyler Ennis in First Niagara Center. The rookie had a goal Saturday in his first chance with the unit.

“Their line had eight offensive chances, and he was part of seven of them,” Bylsma said.

“If he’s on that line and they get seven scoring chances again, we’ll see him continue to play on that line.”

Defenseman Zach Bogosian (lower body) did not practice and will miss his sixth straight to open the season.

Toronto will start goaltender Jonathan Bernier, who is 0-3-0 with a .900 save percentage and 3.09 goals-against average. Of the seven goals he’s allowed, five have come during the first period.

Center Tyler Bozak, who sat out practice Tuesday with a lower-body injury, could miss his second straight game. He’s day-to-day.

“What day did day-to-day start?” Babcock said. “Day-to-day in this league usually means 10 days is the way I’ve come to know it over time. They tell you day-to-day just so you’re not upset. Then the days keep going by.

“I don’t know. The guy’s going to play when he’s ready to play.”



Ullmark shines while the rest of the Amerks flop

Kevin Oklobzija, 11:31 p.m. EDT October 21, 2015

UTICA - When the shot-counter on the scoreboard reads 47-14, you can pretty much bet the score will be pretty darn ugly.

How could it not be when a team allows nearly four dozen shots on goal?

When you have a goalie who plays really well, that's how.

Despite the onslaught on shots that Linus Ullmark faced, the Rochester Americans lost just 4-2 to the Utica Comets on Wednesday night.

"All the credit goes to him that it was as close as it was," Amerks coach Randy Cunneyworth said.

Ullmark allowed just three goals — all to second-year left winger Hunter Shinkaruk — even though the Comets maintained offensive-zone puck control for minutes and minutes at a time. The final Utica goal was scored into an empty net with under two seconds to play by Alexandre Grenier.

"They definitely out-everythinged us," said Amerks captain Cal O'Reilly, who played as a visitor for the first time in Utica after playing the previous two seasons with the Comets. "We're still trying to find ourselves. They played desperate. They hadn't won a game (1-2 now) and you could tell."

The Amerks do have two victories, winning both games on opening weekend on home ice. That included a 2-1 triumph over Utica. Since then they have lost three straight, all on the road, and all in a five-day span.

"None of games have really been the hockey we need to play," O'Reilly said. "We have to be better in a lot of aspects."

The two games against Utica are proof. The Amerks have been outshot a combined 86-36 by the Comets, yet Ullmark's first-star performance on Oct. 10 enabled Rochester to win.

For a guy who hadn't played in five months and missed all of training camp as he recovered from surgery on both hips, he has been very good. He has stopped 110 of 118 shots, a .932 save percentage, in three starts. He made 43 saves on Wednesday.

"The problem is I've lost two in a row," the rookie from Sweden said. "You're kind of bummed out about that.

"If I don't look at the results (a 1-2 record), then I feel secure how things are going. I think I've found my game again."

He has made a quick adjustment to the North American game, where the ice surface is smaller and plays develop more quickly.

Players have less time with the puck, and forecheckers can be forcing a defender to move the puck with less precision than Ullmark has grown up playing behind.

"There's more risk in the game because it's tighter," he said.

Ullmark's ability to adapt to a new style of play is hardly a concern for the Amerks. Their play as a team, however, should be cause for concern.

They don't spend nearly enough time in the attacking zone and they have difficulty exiting their own zone cleanly. They also don't win many puck battles.

"When there are confrontations for the puck, we have to win," Cunneyworth said.

They may not have had more than two shots off a rebound on Wednesday. Jason Akeson drove a shot past screened goalie Joe Cannata to tie the score 1-1 midway through the first period and Jerome Leduc drilled a one-timer home on a power play to make it 3-2 with 4:58 left.

Kevin's 3 stars

1. Hunter Shinkaruk, LW, Comets ... Scored 3 goals.

2. Linus Ullmark, G, Amerks ... The only reason this wasn't a monumental blowout.

3. Alexandre Grenier, RW, Comets ... A force in the offensive zone.

Rochester 1 0 1 -- 2

Utica 1 1 2 -- 4

First period: 1, Utica, Shinaruk 1 (Vey, Fedun) 2:04 (pp). 2, Rochester, Akeson 2 (O'Reilly) 15:11 Penalties: Donovan, Roch (slashing) 1:39; Baptiste, Roch (roughing) 7:42; Leduc, Roch (interference) 15:11.

Second period: 3, Shinkaruk 2 (Gaunce, Subban) 18:17 (pp). Penalties: Negrin, Utc (delay of game) 8:10; Pedan, Utc (cross checking) 10:14; Austin, Roch (interference) 17:47.

Third period: 4, Utica, Shinkaruk 3 (Jensen, Pedan) 6:46. 5, Rochester, Leduc 2 (Ruhwedel) 15:02 (pp). 6, Utica, Grenier 1 (Ehrhardt, Hamilton) 19:58 (en). Penalties: Varone, Roch (unsportsmanlike conduct) 7:12; Friesen, Utc double minor (unsportsmanlike conduct, roughing) 7:12; Catenacci, Roch match misconduct (slew-foot) 9:33; Robak, Roch (roughing) 14:39; Bancks, Utc double minor (attempted spearing) 14:39.

Shots on goal: Rochester 6-5-3--14. Utica 19-13-15--47.

Goalies: Rochester, Ullmark 1-2 (46 shots, 43 saves). Utica, Cannata 1-2 (14, 12).

Power-play conversions: Rochester 1 of 4. Utica 2 of 5.

Penalties/minutes: Rochester 7/22. Utica 6/12.

Attendance: 3,835.

Referees: Geno Binda, Ben Moser. Linesmen: Francois Dussureault, Kory Nagy.

Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 10.22.2015

978042 Calgary Flames

Hitmen blanked in Prince George for fourth loss in five games

Calgary Herald

Published on: October 21, 2015 | Last Updated: October 21, 2015 10:35 PM MDT

On a day they officially fell out of the CHL top-10 rankings, the Calgary Hitmen played the part of a tired also-ran, losing for the fourth time in their last five games — a 5-0 setback in Prince George on Wednesday.

It was their second-straight loss to the Cougars, who also beat them 5-2 on Tuesday night. The losing slump started with a 10-2 whipping by Moose Jaw last Thursday, continued with a 6-0 setback in Medicine Hat and was briefly interrupted by a 5-1 win over Regina on Sunday before the Prince George sweep.

On Wednesday, former Hitmen goalie Mack Shields beat his old team for the second-straight night, making 23 saves for the shutout.

The Hitmen found themselves in a quick 3-0 hole, keyed by the Cougars’ Jesse Gabrielle, who scored two short-handed goals. That chased Lasse Petersen from the cage and Kyle Dumba came in to mop up.

Shane Collins, Brogan O’Brien and Jared Bethune also scored for Prince George (5-4-0-0).

The Hitmen (6-5-0-1) continue their B.C. road trip in Kamloops (Friday, 8 p.m.) and Kelowna (Saturday, 8:05 p.m.).

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Flames notes: Smid likely to see first action in nine months against Wings Friday

Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald


There’s a good chance Ladislav Smid could draw into Friday’s lineup against the Detroit Red Wings.

And, for the 29-year-old Czech blueliner, his return can’t come soon enough.

His last game action with the Calgary Flames was on Jan. 19, 2015 before he was shut down for the season with a neck issue — similar to one he suffered when playing for the Edmonton Oilers — and required an operation.

Since the start of training camp, Smid anticipated a mid-October return to action and has been under close watch of the team doctors who have the final say.

“I feel like I’ve been ready for the past few weeks,” he said. “But I think the team wanted to be cautious and not risk anything … there was talk about limited contact, with hockey that’s kind of a grey area — it’s either contact or no contact. But, the last 10 to 14 days I’ve been cleared for full contact and it felt pretty good.”

On Wednesday, he was paired with Dougie Hamilton at practice and it represented change on all of the team’s defensive pairings.

Hamilton’s previous D-partner, Mark Giordano, was with Dennis Wideman; Wideman’s long-time sidekick Kris Russell was with Deryk Engelland while rookie Brett Kulak looked to be the odd man out.

Should those pairings stick, it’s looking like Smid is primed for game action.

“Obviously, I’m a little bit nervous,” he said. “I’m just so excited … it’s not going to be easy, but I think the excitement is going to take over. I hope I’m going to be able to help the team. We’re not in an easy situation right now … we all know we gotta get it going soon.”

Although Hartley wouldn’t confirm, Smid’s return looks promising.

“The doctors told us to ramp him up,” Hartley said. “The medical staff has the green light on Laddy. They told us to put him in more one-on-one situations, more battle situations. He looks good and he’s eager to play.”

BYGONES ARE BYGONES

News travels fast in the NHL and, not long after the Columbus Blue Jackets fired Todd Richards and hired John Tortorella on Wednesday morning, Bob Hartley sent his old friend a text message.

“I texted Torts. I’m happy for Torts,” Calgary Flames head coach said. “Seriously.”

Friend, of course, was a loose term for the relationship between Hartley and the former Vancouver Canucks head coach on the night of Jan. 18, 2014.

Two seconds into the Flames-Canucks game on Hockey Night in Canada, five different fights broke out and it resulted in eight different ejections.

All because Hartley decided to start three grinders including Brian McGrattan, Kevin Westgarth, and Blair Jones, while Tortorella, reacting to the opening bid, opted for a trio of Tom Sestito, Dale Weise, and Kellan Lain.

It didn’t end there.

After the first period ended scoreless, a fuming Tortorella rushed to the Flames’ dressing room which was caught on camera and met with resistance. Following the events, Tortorella was banned for 15 days, while Hartley was fined $25,000.

At the end of the season, Tortorella was fired.

But, as they say, time heals all wounds and Hartley, who has also been evicted from NHL head coaching positions during his career, can empathize.

“When you’re on the outside, as much as you want to get back (coaching), when you see someone fired, he’s one of yours,” Hartley said. “We’re a very small fraternity … so, this morning when I woke up and saw Todd Richards was fired, I had mixed emotions. Obviously another guy pops up and it’s Torts. I have a long relationship with Torts. Cornwall, Rochester, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, here and Vancouver. It seems we’re like spaghetti and meatballs.

“But now it’s going to be friendlier … he’s on the Eastern side and I’m on the Western side.”

C-NOTE … The Flames recalled defenceman Jakub Nakladal from the Stockton Heat of the American Hockey League on Wednesday, sending Brett Kulak down to the minor-league affiliate. Nakladal, an off-season signing out of Finland’s SM-Liiga, has played two games for the Heat so far and has three assists, tied for the team lead in points.



Waived Ramo the odd-man out in Flames' three-headed goalie battle

Kristen Odland,


And then, there were two.

The Calgary Flames finally made steps on Wednesday to solve their three-headed problem in net, placing Karri Ramo on waivers.

Should the 29-year-old Finn clear on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. ET, it will leave Jonas Hiller and Joni Ortio to tend to netminding duties.

At the moment, the picture is no clearer, other than Hiller was declared the starting goalie on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings.

“I don’t exactly know what the plan is,” said Hiller, 33. “They told us they put Ramo on waivers. (Wednesday). We just wanted to have a good practice and not worry too much about it.

“I hope it’s going to bring a solution to the whole goaltending situation and what’s going on because it definitely wasn’t easy. At the same time, solving a goaltender issue is not going to solve the way we play … everyone has to play better. But I definitely want to be an example and give the team some confidence.”

Heading into the season, the Flames brass knew they’d have to deal with this problem sooner or later.

Fully knowing Hiller had one more season left on his two-year deal and that Ortio was now on a one-way deal, they still re-signed Ramo in the off-season to a one-year $3.8-million contract.

The idea was that one of the two — Hiller or Ramo — would emerge as a true No. 1 goalie. It didn’t happen.

On top of it — or because of it, whatever you’d like — the Flames have struggled defensively, giving up 25 goals in six games this season (an average of 4.17 goals per game, 28th in the NHL, and the second-most goals allowed in the NHL).

Their 1-5-0 record and winless streak at home hasn’t reflected well on the goalies, either.

However, Flames head coach Bob Hartley continued to rotate Hiller and Ramo while Ortio has been sitting idle. Not a great scenario.

Ramo went 0-3 with a 4.37 goals-against average and .879 save percentage. Hiller’s 1-2 record, 3.71 goals against average, and .867 save percentage, isn’t much better after four starts.

“You want to play,” Hiller said. “At the end of the day, it’s more fun than sitting on the bench. But I don’t think anyone is happy with the way we’ve played.

“Everyone wants to turn it around.”

As for Ortio, who hasn’t seen game action since a 23-save performance in a 3-1 pre-season loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 1, he’s just trying to go with the flow.

“I just want to be ready if I get called upon, we’ll see,” Ortio said. “I think I’ve answered this a couple times before, it’s different for sure. With every situation, you just have to learn to make it work. If you’re looking to make it a problem, it’s probably going to be a problem.

“I don’t think we’ve done that.”



Dougie Hamilton trying to find his groove: 'I'm not playing my best hockey'

Scott Cruickshank,


The Calgary Flames, squinting from under their white hats, played the role of unflinching heroes.

Cast as bewildered bad guys? The Boston Bruins.

Check out last winter’s doublebill:

* Feb. 16 — Trailing 3-0 at the Saddledome, the Flames rally fully, setting the stage for T.J. Brodie’s overtime tally in a 4-3 win

* March 5 — The Flames, in the midst of a seven-game junket, gamely keep pace. Kris Russell blocks an NHL-record 15 shots and David Schlemko issues that shootout dazzler in a 4-3 win

Remember those guys?

Dougie Hamilton does.

“The biggest thing — just their relentless attack,” Hamilton says of facing those Flames. “The forecheck was tough. The forwards were skating hard at all times and you didn’t have much time to make plays.

“But I guess that’s not really what it’s like right now.”

No, not even close.

Because, at 1-5-0, the Flames do not resemble the 2014-15 bunch.

Hamilton, like everyone else in the city, is trying to make sense of the abrupt downturn, the season-crimping contrast between then and now.

“It’s everything,” says Hamilton, sitting in his dressing-room stall at the Saddledome. “I don’t think there’s really one part of our game that’s the problem — or one thing that we’re really doing that well. I think it’s everything. We have to be better in all aspects.

“We’re working hard, but it’s in our heads right now. There’s not a lot of easy plays out there, not a lot of easy puck movement — it’s all hesitation and questioning things.

“Nobody really knows what’s going on.”

The towering blue-liner, quite rightly, declines to let himself off the hook.

Hamilton and partner Mark Giordano own identical stat-line eyesores — six games, one goal, minus-six, and, chillingly, minus-seven on home ice. At times, No. 27 has looked baffled.

“Obviously, it’s clear I’m not playing my best hockey,” Hamilton says. “Right now for me — and the whole team — it’s kind of disjointed. I don’t think there’s any fluidity in our game … and consistency.

“I guess that starts with me. I’ll have to try to fix that.”

Teammates and coaches, eager to keep the heat off the newcomer, make note of Hamilton’s tender age of 22, of the time necessary for him to adapt to a new city/conference/team/system/partner.

“He’s finding his game,” says Kris Russell. “This kid’s got all the talent in the world. He wants to get better. He’s going to figure it out. He’s going to be a hell of a player.”

Hamilton refuses to make excuses, insisting that the pre-season’s slate, plus a couple of weeks of regular-season toil, should be more than enough for a full-fledged transition.

“For me, I want to be playing my best hockey already.”

However, he doesn’t deny the need for adjustment.

Since being drafted into the Ontario Hockey League in 2009, he’s skated for only two squads — the Niagara IceDogs and the Bruins.

“Chemistry is a big thing,” says Hamilton. “In Boston … our power play was together for two years — same thing in junior — and it’s just so easy. You move the puck around. You know where everyone is. You know your options. You know Option A, B, C. You come to a new teams and you’re thinking more — it’s not the easy options right away.”

Hamilton is asked if he is feeling comfortable.

“I bet you every single guy is not feeling comfortable right now,” he replies. “It’s hard hockey right now. Not a lot of easy plays — (not a lot of) clean breakouts or puck movement in the offensive zone and the neutral zone. As far as myself, it’s the same thing.”

Before the start of Wednesday’s practice, Hamilton tracked down assistant coach Jacques Cloutier. The two glided around, engaged in a lengthy and amiable conversation.

“I was just talking to him about certain stuff, asking him questions,” he says. “(Tuesday against the Washington Capitals), I thought I did all right in the first period and third period, but the second period … it felt like everything I was doing was the opposite of what I should be doing — and it just kept flowing that way. I’ve got to work to fix that right away.”

To that end — mending the aforementioned “everything” of his downtrodden crew — Bob Hartley is not standing pat.

Forward lines have been stirred up. Pairings, too.

The Flames coach, with the Detroit Red Wings in town Friday, practised Hamilton with Ladislav Smid, Giordano with Dennis Wideman, Russell with Deryk Engelland.

Hamilton, meanwhile, is anxious to resume the level of play that had him rated amongst the best young defenders in the NHL.

“New contract, new team, more expectations, I don’t think that changes things,” says Hamilton, who was minus-three, with 42 points, last season in Boston. “At the end of the day, it’s just hockey. I’ve still got to try to play the same way. I’ve just got to get back to playing my game.”



Johnson: Hartley won't throw change-up, sticking with Hiller even after Ramo waived

George Johnson, Calgary Herald


Growing up a baseball fan, a Montreal Expos disciple, Bob Hartley often watched Pedro Martinez work his way out of jams.

Throwing a filthy change-up.

Maybe Hartley wasn’t paying attention to the pitch selection in his younger days or could be he’s just plain stubborn.

“Hills,’’ he confirmed, “will start on Friday.”

So Jonas Hiller takes the hill.

Joni Ortio stays out of sight in the bullpen.

The X factor among in a muddled goaltending equation, the unknown, the one guy who can’t be blamed for any of this early-season mess, is being bypassed again.

Not even a fifth loss in six games and pitching Karri Ramo onto the waiver wire Wednesday was enough to elevate Ortio into a first start with the world as they know it in dire peril and the Detroit Red Wings arriving for a visit.

“This morning,’’ said Hartley, “we as an organization decided to put Rams on waivers. There’s not much to be said until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re not going to try and guess or invent any kinds of scenarios.’’

The Ortio reluctance is, quite frankly, baffling.

It’s not as if either of the other two have been conjuring warm, nostalgic memories of Terry Sawchuk or Bernie Parent.

You can’t get out of the inning with your fastball or your curve?

Throw the change-up.

Nothing else has worked.

“Looking at last season, we’ve been supportive of both goalies,’’ said Hartley. “Hills and Karri gave us great seasons (in 2014-2015). So far it’s been a little rougher, but it’s still early.

“It’s important we get those guys going. That’s the main thing. With good goaltending, key saves, we’re going to be winning games like any other team. We’re not putting the losses on those guys, by no means.”

When asked if the Ramo move should be construed as a message to the rest of the group, Hartley replied:

“We’re in the NHL. Messages can get to some people. The best thing we can do is look at the standings. That should get to us. If I’m a defenceman, I’m a forward, I don’t know at which point it’s going to scare me or affect me or send me a message.

“We’re good people. We believe in those guys. We trust our players. It’s just time to get back playing.’’

Playing better, more specifically.

Conspicuously, GM Brad Treliving wasn’t ensconced in his usual mid-level suite watching practice Wednesday. You’d guess he must’ve been bunkered in his office, overheating the phone lines, chatting with contemporaries.

Because while goaltending has been the major topic of debate as the losses mounted, outside of Johnny Gaudreau, newcomer Michael Frolik and rugged sixth D-man Deryk Engelland, no one, to use a Jim Morrison biography title, gets out of here alive.

They’re in desperate need of more — much more, infinitely more — from Sean Monahan (minus-7), Dennis Wideman (minus-5) and Kris Russell (minus-7).

Jiri Hudler, the reigning Lady Byng winner, has been but a ghostly presence.

David Jones leads with three goals but that’s offset by an unsightly minus-6.

Dougie Hamilton (minus-6) is struggling to make an impact in his new home.

Skipper Mark Giordano (minus-6) has shown only flashes of rounding back into form following bicep surgery.

Add it all up and you get 1-5, with Detroit, the Rangers and Islanders (back-to-back) next on the dance card.

“We beat ourselves more than other teams have beaten us so far,’’ said Hartley. “That’s the reality. Last night, we got booed by our fans for the first time in a long, long time, and deservingly so. Deservingly so. We’re letting our organization down right now, we’re letting our community down. This is a great place. This is a great barn.

“We had so much fun. We have to recapture that fun. That fun will not come at an easy price.

“We’re all born with different talents. When it comes to hard work, it’s a choice. Here it will not be a choice. And right now we’d have 20 guys in the line-up.

“Sometimes human beings are hard to read, hard to figure out. Right now it’s kind of mind-boggling, but at the same time I say this, it’s our job, it’s my job, to find solutions.

“When you lose your first four at home and you get spanked, it’s pretty tough to believe. But again, at the same time, we’re pros. Last year we lost eight in a row and we still got back up. There’s many stories around us that leads us to believe that, ‘hey, let’s roll up our sleeves, let’s the pay the price and let’s do it.’

“And this group can do it. I have no problem believing in them.

“Right now, we’re quitting a bit too early. Last night, that second goal’’ — Alex Ovechkin’s prod after Ramo had spilled a harmless shot and failed to track the location of the puck — “was like someone took a pin and deflated the big balloon.

“That’s not us.

“That’s not us and that’s not acceptable. We’re better than this, we’re stronger than this. But right now we have to re-cultivate.’’

Come Friday, all eyes will be fixed on the Flames’ net once again.

This in-out, in-out, in-out juggling act is wearing a trifle thin. It doesn’t build any continuity or trust. So choose one guy.

Stick with that choice for a string of games. Through thick and thin. Beyond a loss, in spite of a lousy goal. Lay it out. Make it plain.

The circumstances are trying, to be sure, but settle on someone, at least for the short term, and see where he takes you.

Hard to fathom why, under the circumstances, that man wouldn’t be Joni Ortio. But …

Bob Hartley, baseball fan, is in a jam. And he’s going back to Jonas Hiller.

He could’ve flashed back to his youth. He’s opted not to throw the change-up.

It’d better be a strike.



Flames' Karri Ramo placed on waivers

Calgary Herald

Published on: October 21, 2015 | Last Updated: October 21, 2015 11:03 AM MDT

Reports are coming out that the Calgary Flames have placed goaltender Karri Ramo on waivers this morning following a 6-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Ramo was pulled from the net during the second period after allowing four goals on 18 shots.

The Flames still have goaltenders Jonas Hiller and Joni Ortio on their roster, and Ortio has yet to see ice time this season.

Ramo, 29, won 32 games in his first two seasons with the Flames, and was backup starter to Hiller during their Western Conference Second Round series against the Anaheim Ducks.

With the #Flames apparently putting Ramo on waivers, do they NOW go with Ortio in net?

— Kristen Odland (@KristenOdlandCH) October 21, 2015



The Benchwarmers: Flames' futility befuddling

George Johnson, Calgary Herald


Flames set a record in their 6-2 walloping by Washington Tuesday night, but not the right kind of record by any stretch.

For the first time since moving north from Atlanta, the Flames lost the first four home games of the season and that has George Johnson considering the team frantic efforts to find an immediate answer.



Calgary Flames saying ‘We believe we can get out of’ early-season skid.

By WES GILBERTSON, Calgary Sun

First posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 11:35 PM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 11:43 PM MDT

It was arguably the Calgary Flames’ biggest weapon last season.

Belief.

And while most of the names on the roster remain unchanged, the great fear for fans — and probably for employees, too — of the Flames is that it seems to have slipped away.

At best, it’s disappearing faster than that Halloween candy you promised to save for the trick-or-treaters.

At worst, already gone. Long gone. Maybe even forgotten.

“Right now, obviously, it seems so bad because in the standings, we only have one win,” said Flames alternate captain Kris Russell. “But at the same time, we believe we can get out of it. We just have to rely on our systems, our leadership, the energy of our youth … We’ve gotta get back to the way we used to play — the fun way, the in-your-face way, the attack way … And if we do that, if we start doing the right things, if we start playing that way … we should see signs of success.

“But we’re going to have to work at it. It’s not just going to happen.”

For the second consecutive fall, the Flames are one of the NHL’s surprise stories.

That was a positive during the 2014-15 campaign, when Bob Hartley’s bunch — left for dead (or for Connor McDavid) by most of the pre-season prognosticators — turned a stellar start into the end of the Calgary crew’s playoff drought.

This time, it’s not such a good thing.

The current cast of Flames has dropped five of their first six contests, including four on Saddledome ice. The Flames been outscored 25-12 along the way.

“When you lose your first four at home and you get spanked every game, it’s pretty tough to believe,” Hartley admitted. “But at the same time, we’re pros. Last year, we lost eight in a row, and we still got back up. There are many stories around us that lead us to believe that, hey, let’s roll up our sleeves, let’s pay the price, and let’s do it.

“And this group can do it. I have no problem believing in them. Right now, we’re quitting a little bit too early. That second goal (in Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the Washington Capitals), on the bench, it was just like someone took a pin and deflated the big balloon. That’s not us, and it’s not acceptable.

“We’re better than this. We’re stronger than this. But now, we have to re-cultivate this.”

First things first, the Jack Adams Award-winning coach is aiming to re-cultivate the relentless work ethic the Flames have been known for.

After what must have been a cringe-worthy video session, they practised Wednesday for 90-plus minutes. The final item on the itinerary was a hellacious skating drill.

“We’re all born with different talents, but when it comes to hard work, it’s a choice. Here, it will not be a choice,” Hartley said. “If you want to have the choice to work hard or not work hard … well … you’re not going to play. And right now, we would have a hard time to put 20 guys in the lineup. We need to get this.”

Heading into Friday’s clash with the Detroit Red Wings at the Saddledome (7 p.m., Sportsnet One/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), they also need to re-discover that belief that was so paramount to their success last season.

A belief they could prove all those pundits wrong.

A belief they could erase any deficit, as evidenced by a franchise-record 10 wins — plus three more in the playoffs — when trailing after two periods.

A belief that an eight-game funk during the month of December was just a blip, not the bottom finally falling out.

“When you lose games like we have been losing and how many we’ve lost, it starts to snowball,” Russell said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s no different than the eight-game skid we were on last year. It sucks, right? It’s tough to play. You try to do things, and it seems the harder you try, the worse it gets. It’s not going to get easier, but the thing that is going to help us is our work ethic, our commitment … But we’ve gotta show that each and every practice, each and every shift. We’ve talked about it.

“Talk is cheap, I guess, but at the same time, we do believe in this group. I believe we can get out of this, but it’s got to start with an effort.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley happy for John Tortorella



It’ll have to be a long-distance relationship.

Let’s face it, that’s probably best for everybody.

John Tortorella returned to the NHL’s coaching ranks Wednesday when he was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets, the still-winless cellar-dwellers in the Eastern Conference.

“We only play them twice,” reminded Calgary Flames skipper Bob Hartley.

Jan. 21 in Columbus.

Feb. 5 at the Saddledome.

Set your PVRs for both.

The fiery bench bosses had their share of run-ins during Tortorella’s one-year stint with the Vancouver Canucks, most notably the night ‘Torts’ tried to barge into the visiting locker-room at Rogers Arena during the first intermission after the Pacific Division foes partnered up for a line-brawl at the opening faceoff.

Three months later, after the two squads met again in their regular-season finale, Tortorella told reporters “it’s embarrassing to coach against the guy across from me.”

Hartley, though, has always maintained there are no hard feelings.

In fact, he sent a congratulatory message to Tortorella after hearing Wednesday’s news.

“I’m really happy for John. Seriously, I texted Torts this morning,” Hartley said after Wednesday’s practice at the Saddledome. “I have a long history with Torts. Cornwall and Rochester, Atlanta and Tampa Bay, over here and Vancouver … It seems that we’re like spaghetti and meatballs — we were always side by side. But now, it’s going to be friendlier. He’s on the eastern side, and I’m on the western side.”

Question is, did Torts return that text?

“I didn’t see yet,” said Hartley, whose squad has stumbled to a 1-5-0 start. “I was in many meetings. I had longer meetings than Torts this morning.”



Flames put Ramo on waivers


First posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 10:46 AM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 05:32 PM MDT

From opening-night starter to … Stockton?!?

Calgary Flames netminder Karri Ramo — he of three appearances, three losses and an ugly 4.37 goals-against average so far this NHL season — will likely be leaving the Saddledome with his gear Thursday, although his next stop remains uncertain.

The 29-year-old Ramo was dangled on waivers Wednesday as the Flames — finally — addressed their three-man crease conundrum. If the flexible Finn is not claimed at Thursday’s 10 a.m. MT deadline, it’s a good bet he’ll be assigned to the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen, so we’re not going to try to guess or try to invent any kind of scenarios,” said Flames bench boss Bob Hartley after Wednesday’s skate at the Saddledome. “The scenario right now is the same as it was yesterday, except that we have a goalie on waivers. Let’s wait for tomorrow morning.”

What we’ve been waiting for is a solution to the Flames goaltending logjam.

Three guys, two jobs, one net … With Ramo, Jonas Hiller and Joni Ortio all signed to one-way deals, their puck-stopping puzzle — plain and simple — had too many pieces.

There was no sign Wednesday of Ramo, which is customary when a guy is waived. Speedy left-winger Mason Raymond cleared earlier this month and is still sticking around the Saddledome, but it would be a shocker if the Flames continue to carry three twine-minders after making this move.

“The only difference is that there was only two of us out there,” Ortio said Wednesday. “I think it’s still the same. Nothing has changed yet. For us, it’s business as usual. We’ll see what happens (Thursday). But, as of now, we consider it as the same situation that it was yesterday.”

What is certain is that Hiller will be between the pipes for Friday’s home date with the Detroit Red Wings (7 p.m., Sportsnet One/Sportsnet 960 The Fan).

Beyond that?

“I don’t know what the plan is,” Hiller said. “They told us they put (Ramo) on waivers. I found out I was playing the next game, and that was the main focus.

“It’s hopefully going to bring a solution to the whole goaltending situation — it wasn’t the easiest situation. But at the same time, solving the goaltender issue isn’t going to solve the way we play. That’s the whole team. Everybody has to address themselves and play better.”

Indeed, goaltending has been just one of many sore spots for the Flames, who have surrendered 25 tallies — the second-worst mark in the NHL — while struggling to a 1-5-0 start.

“It’s important that we get those guys going,” Hartley said of his masked men. “With good goaltending and with key saves, we’re going to be winning games like any other teams. But we’re not putting the losses on those guys, by no means. We’re a team. We win as a team -- we’re gonna lose as a team.”

You can’t blame Ramo for that 5-1 shellacking from the Vancouver Canucks on opening night.

He did, however, surrender a bad goal with just 88 seconds remaining in what turned out to be a 3-1 road loss to the Winnipeg Jets

And Ramo, who was re-signed to a one-year US$3.8-million contract on Canada Day, was yanked in the second period of Tuesday’s 6-2 thumping from the Washington Capitals at the Saddledome after allowing four goals on 18 shots, including a stinker by Alex Ovechkin that was arguably the turning point in the game.

It’s possible that was his final appearance in the Flaming C.

“Hockey is a business — it’s not always bright,” Hiller said. “Especially if you have a personal relationship and guys get sent down or put on

waivers, those are the tough parts. You try to help each other out in those situations. I’m going to talk to Karri and help him see the positives in it …

“I don’t know if he gets claimed, but I hope for him that he gets a chance somewhere else as a starter.”

ICE CHIPS

After a nine-month layoff due to neck surgery, Flames D Ladislav Smid is hoping he’ll return to action against the Red Wings. The 29-year-old Smid was paired with D Dougie Hamilton during Wednesday’s practice. “I don’t want to confirm it 100%, but there was some discussion with Bob, and he said there is a really good chance that I could be in the lineup,” Smid said. “Hallelujah!” … The Flames have summoned D Jakub Nakladal from AHL Stockton and reassigned D Brett Kulak to the farm club. Nakladal, 27, has collected three assists in two AHL outings.


978052 Carolina Hurricanes

Rask scores in OT as Hurricanes beat Avalanche 1-0

Associated Press

Cam Ward's big saves helped the Carolina Hurricanes end nearly 20 years of futility in Denver.

Ward stopped 26 shots for his first shutout of the season, Victor Rask scored 1:49 into overtime, and the struggling Hurricanes beat the Colorado Avalanche 1-0 on Wednesday night.

It was Carolina's first win in Denver since Feb. 9, 1996, when the team was the Hartford Whalers. The Hurricanes had lost 10 in a row on the Avalanche's ice and managed just two ties in the last 19 seasons.

Rask's goal and Ward's performance helped end that streak and gave Carolina its second win in six games this season.

"I guess it's been a long time coming and we were due," Ward said. "It's always a tough building to play in."

It was the first 3-on-3 overtime game for both teams.

Colorado's second group in the extra period got caught on the ice, leading to the goal. Murphy fed Rask in the slot, and Rask took the puck to the front of the net and beat Semyon Varlamov with a backhander. It was Rask's second of the season.

"They were out there a long time," Rask said. "I had a step on the guy and just put it in the net."

Varlamov finished with 18 saves.

Colorado had a great chance to win in regulation on an odd-man rush late in the third period. Jarome Iginla fed a pass across to Matt Duchene, who had Ward down and an open net in front of him, but the goalie got his stick on it to keep it scoreless.

"It's absolutely painful," Duchene said. "I am probably going to have nightmares about that one. I made the move and got it upstairs just in case he was down and he sticks it out and just nicks it enough to go wide. I feel awful right now."

Iginla almost ended it early in overtime when he went alone into the Carolina zone. Ward made a save on the breakaway.

Soon after, Rask scored to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 mark on their seven-game road trip.

"With 3-on-3 obviously you have to be ready for the scoring chance because they're going to be coming," Ward said. "The way we've seen throughout the league, the goaltender has to make a big save and then hopefully you can turn it around and go back the other way. Fortunately we were able to do that."

Varlamov returned to the net after backup Reto Berra played two games. Varlamov entered Wednesday 1-2 with a 5.06 goals-against average. He was pulled from his last start after allowing five goals on 19 shots against Boston a week ago.

He was much sharper against the Hurricanes, especially in the second period. He stopped center Elias Lindholm on a clear shot from the right circle and also made a glove save on Kris Versteeg's breakaway with 36 seconds left in the period.

He also stopped Nathan Gerbe on a shorthanded breakaway in the first.

"Both teams had some looks," Carolina coach Bill Peters said. "Gerbe had a shorthanded breakaway, Versteeg was in alone and we had a 2-on-1 prior to the game going into overtime. We had opportunities we just didn't find a way to finish them. Good play by Victor taking it hard to the net."

NOTES: Carolina D John-Michael Liles left the game late in the second period when he took a skate to the face from Iginla. He returned in the third period. After the game he said he took the butt of the skate to his two front teeth but was fine. ... Avalanche D Tyson Barrie served the second game of his three-game suspension for his hit on Anaheim D Simon Despres on Friday.

News Observer LOADED: 10.22.2015

978053 Chicago Blackhawks

It'll be all hands on deck as Blackhawks fill in for Duncan Keith

Chris Hine

Joel Quenneville said some players will "play a lot more than they (ever) have" in trying to replace injured D

Through the first six games, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville mixed up his lines like a carnival barker running a shall game.

First one player was here, then he was over there. You had to pay close attention to keep up.

But Quenneville had kept his defensive pairings more or less the same in an effort to find chemistry for a unit that was incorporating three new full-time contributors.

The surgery Duncan Keith had to replace a torn meniscus in his right knee blew up that chemistry and requires Quenneville to try new formulas to bridge the four to six weeks Keith will be out.

"Some guys are going to get to play a lot more than they (ever) have," Quenneville said. "It's going to be a good test for them and it's going to be making them better as we go along. But we don't want to change their style of play and how they play."

Keith's injury means Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook will be the glue expected to bind a unit that includes veteran Trevor Daley, who still is adjusting to the team's system, David Rundblad, who was a scratch the last five games, and the inexperienced Trevor van Riemsdyk and Viktor Svedberg.

The new pairings (from left to right) at Wednesday's practice were Svedberg-Seabrook, Hjalmarsson-van Riemsdyk and Daley-Rundblad. Keith officially was placed on long-term injured reserve, but Quenneville said not to expect the Hawks to recall anyone from Rockford for Thursday's game against the Panthers.

Seabrook said there is a natural adjustment to playing with a new defensive partner, but the Hawks defensemen can't afford to waste much time finding a rhythm together.

"It takes time, but at this level you should be able to figure it out," Seabrook said. "Being here for so long in the same kind of system, you're pretty used to it. The new guys coming in on the back end are doing a good job of picking it up. … Losing Dunc, it's going to be a huge hit but guys have to step up."

Daley said his comfort level with the system has been growing and he senses that's the same for his fellow defensemen.

"The good thing about here is they preach the same stuff every single day, so it makes it easy," Daley said. "You go to sleep thinking about it every night."

Outside of increased ice time, Quenneville is trying not to add too much to any player's responsibilities. When Patrick Kane went down because of a broken clavicle last February, the Hawks tightened up on the defensive end and strung together enough points during the regular season to make the playoffs.

With Keith out, Quenneville said adapting to his absence is not as clear cut, but he hinted the less defense the Hawks have to play, the better.

"We want to make sure we're playing as much offense as we can because we don't have to check and make them worry about their own end,'' Quenneville said. "With Kaner you miss a big chunk of your offense. With Duncs it's almost like you miss both parts of your game."

Now those left on the blue line will have to pick up the slack as best they can.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 10.22.2015


Up next: Panthers at Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews

Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews has yet to score a goal this season.

(Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

TV/radio: 7:30 p.m. Thursday; CSN, WGN-AM 720.

Storylines: This will be the Hawks' first game without Duncan Keith (knee), who was placed on long-term injured reserve. Viktor Tikhonov appears as if he will get another chance to play on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.

Trending: The ageless Jaromir Jagr has seven points in his first six games for the Panthers while Toews has yet to score a goal this season.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 10.22.2015


Lottery spot on top line has been more of a curse than a blessing

Written By Mark Lazerus Posted: 10/21/2015, 03:11pm

Viktor Tikhonov is 27 years old — just 13 days younger than Jonathan Toews, in fact. He’s a former first-round draft pick who played 68 NHL games as a rookie. And he was an accomplished goal scorer in the talent-rich KHL. But when he was told that Marian Hossa thought he worked well on the Blackhawks’ top line alongside Hossa and Toews, Tikhonov started gushing like a starry-eyed teenager.

“Really?” Tikhonov said, as a broad smile overtook his face. “He said that? Wow. That’s awesome.”

There’s a reason Joel Quenneville has deemed the Hawks’ top-line left-wing as the “lottery” spot. It’s the spot that helped turn Brandon Saad into a star, and helped Patrick Sharp put up the best numbers of his stellar career. It’s a chance to play alongside two future Hall of Famers, both of whom are dangerous, yet responsible in all areas of the ice.

“Coming to this team, I never really dreamed of playing with Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews,” Tikhonov said. “That’s something you have to do in a video game — create yourself and put yourself on their line. When something like that actually happens in real life, it kind of shocks you a little bit.”

But through the first two weeks of the season, winning the lottery has been more of a curse than a blessing. Ryan Garbutt started there in Philadelphia; he was a healthy scratch the next game. Tikhonov started there in Washington; he was a healthy scratch the next game. Bryan Bickell started there Saturday against Columbus; he’s likely a healthy scratch Thursday against the Florida Panthers, with Tikhonov getting another crack at it.

For Hossa, the only player on the team who’s ever been even remotely critical of Quenneville’s line tinkering — at least, publicly — it’s been a little frustrating.

“Definitely, we’d like to have one player for some period of games,” said Hossa, who said after Saturday’s game — in which Tikhonov was scratched — that Tikhonov had been a nice fit. “Because then you get used to it, and you know what to expect. And definitely, it’s much easier to play with one player. But it’s the coach’s decision in the end, and he’s trying to look for somebody.”

But Hossa admits that he and Toews could do more, too. Toews hasn’t scored this season and has just 11 shots on goal through six games. Hossa, meanwhile, finally broke through with a shorthanded tally on Saturday. Nearly all the Hawks offense this season has come from the second line of Artemi Panarin, Artem Anisimov and Patrick Kane.

“What do we need? First of all, we feel like we can play better, too,” Hossa said. “I think it’s slowly coming. But whoever Q decides to put there, we’ll try to find the chemistry. It doesn’t matter who is there, we just have to find a way to win.”

So what does it take to succeed in that role? There isn’t another Saad or Sharp on the roster, certainly not on the left side. So Quenneville is preaching simplicity — he’s looking for an efficient player with good speed and good instincts. Nothing fancy. “Those are two pretty easy guys to play with, because they play so well away from the puck,” Garbutt said. “They’re good defensively and they’re always in the right spots. They just read off each other so well. Then, on top of that, they’re both hard workers. You don’t see that a lot in the NHL — top-line guys that work as hard as they do, and backcheck like they do. So it’s pretty special to play there.”

Bickell said the solution to both the line’s problems and the team’s problems is pretty simple.

“I think we need to score,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing. We have one line scoring.”

Well, it’s Tikhonov’s turn again. In Philadelphia after he replaced Garbutt on the top line during the game, Tikhonov seemed to click with Toews and Hossa. But the Hawks lost the game, and lost the next one in Washington, too. Just like that, Tikhonov was out.

Quenneville’s patience is thin, and Tikhonov’s leash is short. But he’s back in the lottery spot for now, hoping this time, he’ll hit the jackpot.

“I’m incredibly excited to try again,” Tikhonov said. “I love playing with those guys — they’re extremely positive, and they help out with every

single play. Those are two guys that can make a scoring chance out of nothing. As long as we have the puck and we outwork the other team, we should get things going.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 10.22.2015


Quenneville: Nothing 'brewing' in terms of replacing Duncan Keith

Written By Mark Lazerus Posted: 10/21/2015, 02:28pm

Help is not on the way for the Blackhawks.

With Duncan Keith moved to long-term injured reserve on Wednesday after undergoing surgery to repair a meniscal tear in his right knee on Tuesday, the Hawks temporarily have more than $5 million in cap space to play with. But with Keith expected to return in four to six weeks — he has to miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 days by going on LTIR — Joel Quenneville said Wednesday that the Hawks aren’t planning to make any major trades or signings.

“Not likely,” he said. “I think we’ve got our group here right now. That’s what we’re expecting to go with right now. I don’t think there’s anything really brewing as far as we’re concerned, or know about.”

Quenneville’s not even planning to call up a seventh defenseman — perhaps Ville Pokka or Kyle Cumiskey — before Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers. David Rundblad will move into the lineup, and the Hawks will simply be playing without a net on the back end.

For Rundblad, who signed a two-year, $2.1-million contract over the summer, it’s a chance to get back on the ice after being a healthy scratch for the last five games.

“Of course, I want to play every game,” Rundblad said. “That’s why I came back here. I want to be a regular defenseman that plays every game. That’s not how it’s been so far, but I’ve just got to keep working. I know I haven’t been playing bad, so I’ve just got to stay positive. I get an opportunity right now to go out there and play, so I’ve got to take it.”

Rundblad was paired with Trevor Daley in Wednesday’s practice. Brent Seabrook stayed with Viktor Svedberg, and Trevor van Riemsdyk was moved up to play with Niklas Hjalmarsson.

“It’s going to be tough,” Seabrook said. “It’s a big loss, but I think everybody has to step up as a group. It’s not going to be just us defensemen, it’s going to be everybody. So we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Bick back out

Bryan Bickell was the odd-man out during line rushes on Wednesday. Quenneville wouldn’t say whether Bickell was going to be scratched for Thursday’s game or not.

“I don’t know,” Bickell said. “I don’t know what he’s trying. [Tuesday] I was on a line, today I’m not. I never know. It’s up in the air. I’ll come prepared.”

Bickell, who cleared waivers during the preseason and is still eligible to be demoted to Rockford should the Hawks choose to do so, started Saturday’s game against Columbus on the top line. He has no no points in six games.

“I thought his last game was ordinary,” Quenneville said. “Other than that, he’s been OK.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 10.22.2015


Blackhawks' van Riemsdyk ready to step up in Keith's absence

John Dietz

BAM! Teuvo Teravainen takes a punch to the head.

OOF! Teravainen takes yet another sucker punch.

And that's when Trevor van Riemsdyk, a rookie defenseman playing in just his 24th NHL game, says enough's enough.

The incident happened in the waning seconds of the Chicago Blackhawks' 4-1 victory over Columbus on Saturday at the United Center. Defenseman Dalton Prout had taken exception to a mild bump by Vincent Hinostroza in front of the Blue Jackets' net and rode him to the corner, where a mini-melee broke out.

Seconds later, Teravainen was the victim of (BAM! OOF!) two sucker punches by winger Kerby Rychel. Van Riemsdyk proceeded to skate over and take the heat off Teravainen by getting in Rychel's grill.

"Teuvo's one of our most skilled, better forwards," van Riemsdyk said. "You don't want him to be involved with something like that. Those hands of his are worth a lot and the things he can do with them. I just tried to break it up a little bit."

Van Riemsdyk didn't exactly come out on top in the scrum with the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Rychel. But that hardly mattered to his teammates.

"I'm not the guy who is maybe (going to) be fighting first," Teravainen said. "So I was kind of happy he was helping out."

Said Brent Seabrook of van Riemsdyk: "He's matured quite a bit in the time that he's been in the NHL. It's been fun to watch him grow as a player and he's a great guy. He's there for his teammates -- he showed that the other night -- and that's the kind of stuff we need."

The poise and level-headedness that van Riemsdyk has exhibited on the ice is truly remarkable considering his youth and relative inexperience at the pro level.

Remember, just 13 months ago van Riemsdyk was in Blackhawks camp as an undrafted free agent. Two weeks later, coach Joel Quenneville's staff was so impressed with the Middletown, New Jersey, native that they awarded him a spot on the opening-night roster. What followed was an injury-plagued campaign as van Riemsdyk played in only 18 regular-season games before finally returning for the final four games of the Stanley Cup Final.

And now?

Now -- with the Hawks having to navigate the next 4-6 weeks without Duncan Keith -- van Riemsdyk is practically being viewed as one of the senior members of the defense corps. Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Trevor Daley will all provide stability, but it's how van Riemsdyk, Viktor Svedberg and David Rundblad respond to the increased ice time and pressure that will determine just how successful the Hawks will be in Keith's absence.

If past results are any indication, the Hawks won't have to worry about van Riemsdyk meeting the challenge head on.

"We saw what he was able to do for us last year," Keith said just days before this season began. "He had a tough year as far as injuries, but he was able to play and step in in the Stanley Cup Final. For a young guy, a rookie, to be able to do that is very impressive.

"I think he's just got those natural abilities with his poise and composure out there that will take him a long way."

Quenneville wasn't exactly effusive in his praise of van Riemsdyk in the latter stages of camp, but has been more complimentary of late. TVR, who knew he had a rough game in the season opener vs. the Rangers, was hardly surprised by the mild criticism.

"There's no time for sulking or feeling sorry after (not) playing as good as you may have hoped," he said. "You can't think everything's going to fix itself. You've just got to work that much harder or just look into ways to improve stuff."

One day at a time; one step at a time. It's a motto that has served TVR well.

Now it's time for the whole team to build a bridge until Keith returns. And it starts Thursday night when the Florida Panthers invade the United Center.

"Obviously you feel really bad," van Riemsdyk said. "But you want to take it upon yourself … to be that much more ready, be that much more dialed in because it's going to take a team effort to replace him. No one guy can do that."

Nope. But it sure looks like TVR's ready to do his part.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 10.22.2015


Chicago Blackhawks top line remains in flux

John Dietz

It looks like Viktor Tikhonov may get a chance to skate with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa when the Hawks play Florida on Thursday at the United Center.

Tikhonov, who drew praise from Hossa after Saturday's win over Columbus, has had a couple of chances on the top line so far. He also has been a healthy scratch twice.

Scouting report

Blackhawks (3-3-0) vs. Florida Panthers (3-2-1) at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Thursday

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: The last time Florida was at the United Center, Patrick Kane suffered a broken collarbone when defenseman Alex Petrovic pushed Kane into the boards. Kane missed the rest of the regular season. ... Forty-three year-old Jaromir Jagr leads the Panthers with 7 points (4 goals). ... The Hawks won both meetings last season, one in a shootout.

Next: Tampa Bay Lightning at United Center, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

-- John Dietz

When it comes to finding the right chemistry in the lines, does coach Joel Quenneville ever ask the players for their thoughts?

"You can talk to different players at times," Quenneville said. "But certain players only. Guys with experience, sometimes you'll ask them what they're thinking and their opinions. It's very important."

Keith placed on LTIR:

The Blackhawks put Duncan Keith on long-term injured reserve Wednesday. Keith, who underwent surgery to repair a meniscal tear in his right knee, is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Coach Joel Quenneville said he didn't anticipate a trade or the Hawks calling anybody up in the near future.

As for Keith's mindset, Brent Seabrook was able to talk with his longtime teammate Tuesday night.

"He loves to be out there, he loves to play, loves to be at the rink, loves to be around the guys," Seabrook said. "Anytime that's taken away from him for a bit, he's definitely disappointed. But he's going to be ready to go and better for it."

Slapshots:

The defensive pairings at practice Wednesday were Trevor van Riemsdyk with Niklas Hjalmarsson; Trevor Daley with David Rundblad and Viktor Svedberg with Brent Seabrook. … Bryan Bickell was not on any of the four lines at practice, which could indicate he'll be a healthy scratch Thursday.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 10.22.2015


Where Quenneville, Blackhawks stand on eliminating morning skates

October 21, 2015, 2:30 pm

Tracey Myers

Marian Hossa is all for it.

The veteran forward was talking about morning skates, and how at least two NHL teams, Colorado and the New York Rangers, have stopped having them for the most part. To Hossa, it sounds like a pretty good idea.

“I’d love it. I wish they’d put it in the CBA,” Hossa said with a laugh.

All kidding and future CBA considerations aside, you wonder if full-team morning skates could become a thing of the past. Avalanche coach Patrick Roy decided this season to not have them, as long as the team practices the day before the game. The New York Rangers started eliminating them in the second half of last season and have continued that this early season.

The Blackhawks are already one of the lighter practicing teams. Coach Joel Quenneville either has short and energetic practices or none at all. So they may not be getting rid of them as quickly as teams that may practice longer and more often.

“You see the way Joel is: He gives us so many days off as far as practice days. It seems like, by the end of the year, we’re a little more fresh than other teams,” Patrick Kane said. “I don’t know. Some guys have their routines where they like to go out there, shoot some pucks, move their feet a little bit. But I think all of us probably wouldn’t be opposed to having that [morning skate] off.”

Considering the few practices the Blackhawks already have, it’s unlikely they’ll get rid of morning skates – at least right now.

“I think if we didn’t have morning skates we’d never practice,” Quenneville said with a grin. “If there’s one thing our team will never be accused of is being worked too hard as far as practice times and days go along. Sometimes we feel if we get the day off before the day of the game, there’s nothing wrong nothing wrong with going out in the morning and getting loosened up, and a goalie needs to see and feel pucks.”

Still, there are always individual exceptions. Quenneville said Joe Sakic, who played for the Colorado Avalanche when Quenneville was an assistant coach and later head coach, usually didn’t participate in morning skates. Some Blackhawks veterans, Hossa and Duncan Keith among them, have taken off skates in the past.

“Some guys, we leave it up to them,” Quenneville said. “But the majority of the time, they don’t mind being up there.”

Jonathan Toews said it depends on the situation whether or not the team should have morning skates.

“If you’ve had a lot of games throughout the week and it’s a back to back, I agree, you don’t have to be on the ice. But sometimes on that game day it’s good to get into that mindset, come to the rink, go through those motions, make sure the body and mind are ready,” Toews said. “We get that treatment where sometimes we don’t get practices the day before, but game days we’re expected to be ready. So it’s either/or. Our coaching staff does a good job of judging that.”

Marcus Kruger understands why some teams are taking that route.

“Every team’s trying to find ways to get advantages and having fresh legs every night,” he said. “It’s such a long season. Teams will try to figure out ways to get that better.”

So would he be OK if the Blackhawks nixed them?

“If we would do it, I’d be OK with that,” Kruger said with a smile.

Who knows if no morning skates catches on league wide. Every team is always looking for an edge. The Blackhawks don’t sound like they’re going that route right now. The Rangers and Avalanche have chosen to do away with morning skates. Ultimately, be it with those two teams or with other teams, it probably comes down to what the majority of players prefer.

“Everybody’s different. Some guys are used to doing that. But everyone would get used to it if the whole league didn’t have them,” Hossa said. “Me, personally, I wouldn’t miss that. If you practice today, tomorrow we would just come for the game at night. I don’t think it would be a huge deal.”



Blackhawks place Duncan Keith on long-term injured reserve

October 21, 2015, 2:00 pm

Tracey Myers

With Duncan Keith sidelined for several weeks, the Blackhawks placed the defenseman on long-term injured reserve on Wednesday afternoon.

The move wasn’t surprising; Keith is expected out 4-6 weeks after having surgery to repair a right knee meniscal tear. The Blackhawks, according to generalfanager.com, will receive a little more than $5 million in cap relief with Keith on LTIR.

It’s unlikely, however, that the Blackhawks will reap the financial benefits. That relief is only there during Keith’s time on LTIR, which certainly isn’t long enough to make a big move. This is not like February, when Patrick Kane was placed on LTIR with his fractured collarbone and the Blackhawks benefitted because the salary cap was going away in the postseason.

“I’m going to say not likely,” when coach Joel Quenneville was asked about using that extra cap space. “I think we’ve got our group here right now. That’s what we’re expecting to go with right now. I don’t think there’s anything really brewing as far as we’re concerned or know about.”

The Blackhawks, Quenneville said, are also not planning to call anyone up from the Rockford IceHogs at the moment. So for now, they’ll go with the defensemen and pairings that they have. Brent Seabrook and Viktor Svedberg remained together at Wednesday’s practice. Niklas Hjalmarsson was with Trevor van Riemsdyk and Trevor Daley was with David Rundblad.

Seabrook said he’s talked to Keith since his former defensive partner had his surgery.

“I talked to him last night. He said he’s feeling better. I think he was just resting and relaxing last night,” Seabrook said. “He doesn’t like missing any time. He’s one of those guys he wants to play, wants to be at the rink and wants to be around the guys. So it’s hard to be away for a bit. He’s definitely disappointed but he’ll be ready to go and be better for it.”

BRIEFLY

- Viktor Tikhonov, a healthy scratch against Columbus on Saturday, was back on the Blackhawks’ top line at Wednesday’s practice. “He hasn’t had a ton of opportunity to be in that position or to say that he’s nailed a spot here. But at the same time, he has some ability that he should be able to show us that, hey, he wants to be here, he wants to be a part of the top group and playing with those two guys,” Quenneville said. “Certainly can’t get a better opportunity.”

- Bryan Bickell was on the outside looking in on Wednesday, as he was not on any of the Blackhawks’ lines. “I thought his last game was ordinary, other than that he’s been OK,” Quenneville said.


978061 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche falls to Carolina in first 3-on-3 overtime of season

By Mike Chambers

Posted: 10/21/2015 10:43:33 PM MDT

Updated: 10/21/2015 11:36:13 PM MDT

After three poor outings to begin the season, Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov got control of his game Wednesday night. Problem was, he didn't get any support against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Pepsi Center.

Carolina goalie Cam Ward was just as good as Varlamov and center Victor Rask won it for the visitors. At 1:49 into the 3-on-3 overtime, Rask wound around Varlamov's crease and dunked the puck in the net for a 1-0 victory. Ward (26 saves) was outstanding in keeping Colorado off the board.

Matt Duchene nearly broke the ice late in the third period, but Ward made a diving save in which he knocked the puck out of danger with the paddle of his stick. In the first 30 seconds of OT, Duchene sprung Jarome Iginla free on a breakaway. Ward covered up the five-hole to keep it going.

"We had our chances, there's no doubt about it. (Ward) made some big saves for them," said Avalanche coach Patrick Roy, whose team only allowed 18 shots in regulation. "I really like the way we played defensively. If we play like this we're going to win our share of games. I thought we didn't give them much."

Colorado has allowed just three goals in its last three games, including only two in regulation. But the Avs have scored just four goals over that stretch.

"Our offense, it will come," Roy said.

Varlamov entered the game 1-2 with a 5.06 goals-against average and a .841 save percentage, easily the worst numbers of his career. He didn't play in the Avs' two previous games, and backup Reto Berra was excellent in a 3-0 win at Anaheim and a 2-1 loss at Los Angeles.

Wednesday, it was Varlamov's time to regain trust in his teammates and coaches. He did just that.

"It's very disappointing," Iginla said of the loss that makes the Avs 1-2-1 at home. "We want to get ourselves on a role. At the same time, we did a lot of things that we wanted to do. The habits were there. We played well in a close game."

The Avs outshot the Hurricanes 26-19 after two periods. Carolina was 0-of-5 on the power play. Colorado teams were 0-of-4.

Nathan Gerbe had the Hurricanes' best offensive chance, but his short-handed breakaway five-hole bid late in the first period was covered up by Varlamov. Late in the second, Kris Versteeg was robbed by Varlamov's glove after the Carolina forward broke in on a semi-breakaway and leaned into a wrister.

A linesman erased a Alex Tanguay breakaway bid late in the second, calling offside on Tanguay after he accepted a long lead pass from defenseman Erik Johnson. It was a close call, but replays proved Tanguay didn't beat the puck across the offensive blue line.

Defenseman Nick Holden had a busy night for the Avs, logging 24:32 of ice time. The top pairing of Francois Beauchemin and Erik Johnson was surprisingly limited to 11:48 and 13:10, respectively, through the first 40 minutes. But then both played a lot the rest of the way, finishing at 23:10 and 23:16, respectively.

"We've got to be better," Johnson said at the second intermission. "Too easy to play against, I think. We have to come out with more jam in the third. We have really skilled players who can make plays, but sometimes it's about throwing the puck at the net and getting a bounce."

Denver Post: LOADED: 10.22.2015

978062 Colorado Avalanche

Brandon Gormley set to make Avalanche debut

By Mike Chambers

Posted: 10/21/2015 12:03:13 PM MDT

Updated: 10/21/2015 08:35:50 PM MDT

Defenseman Brandon Gormley made his Avalanche debut Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Pepsi Center.

Gormley, 23, was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes on Sept. 9 for defenseman Stefan Elliott, 24, who didn't pan out in Colorado. Gormley was the Coyotes' first-round selection (13th overall) in the 2010 draft.

He partnered with Nick Holden against the Hurricanes, who played the third game of a seven-game road trip. Colorado's other defensive pairings were the top twosome of Francois Beauchemin and Erik Johnson, and Nikita Zadorov with Nate Guenin.

"Coming in here after getting traded, you just try to play your game and earn a spot. I thought I had a good camp," Gormley said at Wednesday morning's availability. "Before the season, I knew I would be sitting out the first few (games) here. As a player, you just have to compete hard in practice and try to prove every day that you belong in the lineup."

Rare company. Avs forward John Mitchell became the first Avalanche player to open the season with a four-game goal streak. In franchise history, former Quebec Nordiques greats Michel Goulet (1983) and Mats Sundin (1992) also scored in each of the first four games.

Coincidence? Taking a shot off the skate boot is often painful and can lead to a broken foot. But Colorado entered Wednesday's game with an NHL-most 126 blocked shots, and only Montreal (100) also was in triple digits.

The Avs might feel more brave this season, because for the first time in club history, the team is requiring the players to wear high-tech plastic skate fenders that protect the feet from shots off the boot.

Footnotes. The Avs began a two-game homestand that concludes Saturday night against Columbus. The 0-7 Blue Jackets got a new coach Wednesday when they fired Todd Richards and hired John Tortorella, the winningest American-born coach. The Blue Jackets are just the sixth NHL team to begin 0-7. ... The Avs entered Wednesday having gone 16-5-5 all time against Carolina. ... Avs captain Gabe Landeskog entered the game with 199 career points. ... The Avs visit Carolina next week to conclude a three-game trip in Raleigh, N.C. Colorado opens the trip Tuesday against Florida.

Denver Post: LOADED: 10.22.2015

978063 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets, Wild at a glance

Thursday October 22, 2015 5:08 AM

Staff

Blue Jackets at a glance

• Record: 0-7-0

• Power play: 20.7 percent (12th in NHL)

• Penalty kill: 66.7 percent (30th)

• Injury update: None.

Minnesota Wild at a glance

• Record: 3-1-1

• Power play: 25 percent (sixth in NHL)

• Penalty kill: 77.8 percent (22nd)

• Injury update: C Tyler Graovac (groin) is out.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 10.22.2015


Blue Jackets' probable lines

Staff


POS NO PLAYER GP G A PTS +/- PIM

LW 38 Boone Jenner 7 3 0 3 -5 2

C 19 Ryan Johansen 7 1 5 6 -6 2

RW 71 Nick Foligno 7 1 3 4 -9 12

LW 43 Scott Hartnell 7 2 1 3 -6 7

C 41 Alexander Wennberg 2 0 0 0 0 0

RW 20 Brandon Saad 7 3 1 4 -6 4

LW 11 Matt Calvert 7 0 0 0 -4 2

C 17 Brandon Dubinsky 7 1 2 3 -4 4

RW 23 David Clarkson 3 0 0 0 -2 2

LW 25 William Karlsson 6 0 0 0 -8 0

C 9 Gregory Campbell 7 0 0 0 -3 11

RW 18 Rene Bourque 6 0 0 0 -2 6

D 7 Jack Johnson 7 1 0 1 -8 0

D 58 David Savard 7 0 2 2 -9 2

D 29 Cody Goloubef 3 0 1 1 -1 2

D 27 Ryan Murray 7 0 1 1 -3 2

D 47 Dalton Prout 7 0 1 1 -9 4

D 51 Fedor Tyutin 7 0 1 1 -5 0

Team totals 7 13 20 33 -20 78

Opponent totals 7 34 55 89 20 94

Tonight’s goaltender

NO GOALTENDER W L OT SO GA GAA SA SV%

30 Curtis McElhinney 0 2 0 0 7 3.07 64 .891

Team totals 0 7 0 0 34 4.86 207 .836

Opponent totals 0 0 0 1 13 1.86 224 .942

Also on the active roster: G Sergei Bobrovsky, D Kevin Connauton, RW Cam Atkinson, RW Jared Boll.



Wild's probable lines


Staff

POS NO PLAYER GP G A PTS +/- PIM

LW 11 Zach Parise 5 5 2 7 2 2

C 64 Mikael Granlund 5 1 3 4 3 2

RW 29 Jason Pominville 5 0 4 4 2 0

LW 16 Jason Zucker 5 0 2 2 1 2

C 9 Mikko Koivu 5 2 2 4 0 2

RW 22 Nino Niederreiter 5 2 0 2 -3 2

LW 26 Thomas Vanek 5 2 1 3 -2 6

C 3 Charlie Coyle 5 2 1 3 -2 0

RW 14 Justin Fontaine 3 0 1 1 -2 2

LW 56 Erik Haula 5 0 0 0 -1 2

C 18 Ryan Carter 5 0 0 0 -1 4

RW 7 Chris Porter 5 0 0 0 -1 0

D 20 Ryan Suter 5 0 5 5 -1 0

D 46 Jared Spurgeon 5 0 0 0 -1 0

D 24 Matt Dumba 5 0 1 1 -2 4

D 6 Marco Scandella 5 0 1 1 1 4

D 25 Jonas Brodin 5 0 0 0 0 6

D 5 Christian Folin 4 0 0 0 1 2

Team totals 5 14 23 37 -1 46

Opponent totals 5 15 26 41 1 52

Tonight’s goaltender

NO GOALTENDER W L OT SO GA GAA SA SV%

40 Devan Dubnyk 3 1 0 0 12 3.01 106 .887

Team totals 3 1 1 0 15 2.98 144 .896

Opponent totals 1 3 0 0 14 2.78 134 .896

Also on the active roster: G Darcy Kuemper, G Niklas Backstrom, D Nate Prosser.



Blue Jackets | Fiery Tortorella promises to rebuild club’s confidence

By Aaron Portzline The Columbus Dispatch • Thursday October 22, 2015 5:08 AM

On the verge of setting a dubious, 72-year-old NHL record, and fearful that another lost season would erode all hope from the team’s long-suffering fan base, the Blue Jackets acted on Wednesday with a bold, expensive move.

Coach Todd Richards was fired less than two weeks into the season, after the Blue Jackets lost their first seven games (0-7-0) and appeared to lose every ounce of confidence.

John Tortorella, one of the NHL’s firebrand bench bosses and the winningest U.S.-born coach in hockey history, was hired as Richards’ replacement.

“We needed to change the direction,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “You could call it a kick in the rear end.”

The Blue Jackets assumed Tortorella’s contact with the Vancouver Canucks, which runs through the 2017-18 season and pays him $2 million per season. The Canucks will pay a “large portion” of Tortorella’s pay each season, a source told The Dispatch.

But the Blue Jackets, per the NHL’s collective-bargaining agreement, will surrender a second-round pick in one of the next three drafts to Vancouver as compensation for the Canucks’ loss of Tortorella.

Tortorella, 57, will make his debut tonight when the Blue Jackets play the Minnesota Wild at 8 p.m. in Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

“This is a pretty good challenge here, just the situation the club is in,” Tortorella said. “There are some good players in that room. It’s a good team.

“It’s just ... gone. The confidence isn’t there. I think this situation — no points, this deep into the season — it will make our team better once we get through it.”

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Tortorella met briefly with the Blue Jackets in the dressing room on Wednesday after a brief practice run by associate coach Craig Hartsburg.

Having accepted the job late Tuesday after the Jackets lost 4-0 to the New York Islanders, Tortorella flew to Columbus from New York on Wednesday morning and watched practice from high above the rink with members of the Blue Jackets’ front office.

“The message was, ‘We’re going to do this together; we’re going to try and figure this out,’” Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno said. “It’s not going to happen right away on Thursday, but it’s going to be a process. It has to be all of us on the same page.

“He knows what this team is capable of, because he’s seen us play. We have to get back to that.”

The Blue Jackets have been the early surprise of the NHL season, for all the wrong reasons.

At 0-7-0, they’re the only club among the league’s 30 without a point, and they’ve allowed by far the most goals: 34.

Another loss in regulation tonight would give the Jackets the worst start to a season since the 1943-44 New York Rangers lost 11 straight.

All this happened in a season that started with such high hopes. Almost every NHL expert predicted that the Blue Jackets would make the playoffs; some foresaw them contending in the Metropolitan Division and even vying to win the Eastern Conference.

The Blue Jackets players and management spoke openly before the season about their high aspirations, beyond just making the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Then, mysteriously, the Blue Jackets forgot how to play.

“It’s a team that’s 0-7, but that’s a group that cares,” Tortorella said. “It’s an easy target right now, as far as where the club is, but it’s a group that cares.

“Just a little bit of patience here, and allow us to chip away at it and get it back. To me, the most-important thing is developing an identity. And it will happen. Just be patient with us.”

Patience is hard to find among Blue Jackets’ fans — two playoff berths in 14 seasons will do that — and it rarely appears in Tortorella’s vocabulary.

He won the 2004 Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning; beginning in 2008, he coached the New York Rangers for five seasons, once reaching the Eastern Conference finals.

Along the way, Tortorella has become well-known for his acerbic interaction with the media and his confrontational approach with players.

His antics reached a climax during the 2013-14 season, his only one as coach in Vancouver, when he tried to charge into the Calgary Flames’ dressing room during an intermission in an attempt to get at his nemesis, Flames coach Bob Hartley.

Tortorella was suspended for 15 days (seven games) by the NHL; he later admitted his embarrassment. He was fired by the Canucks after the 2013-14 season.

“Torts is good at pulling more out of guys,” said Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky, who played for Tortorella in New York. “That’s one of his biggest strengths as a coach, and I think it’s one of the reasons he’s here now. He’s going to drag everybody into the fight. He’s going to get the most out of every guy. We all need that, and we’re all anxious for it.

“It’s really a blue-collar style he teaches. He forces it on guys and holds them accountable. I’m sure you’ll see me benched at some point. He’s not afraid to do that to guys. It’s for the good of the team, and maybe the kick in the butt we need.”

Tortorella plans to meet with the players at 10 a.m. today before running his first practice.

“I think there are capable players, and I think there are some leaders in that room,” Tortorella said. “That’s going to help. We have to be talking and helping one another through this year.

“I do think we’ll get this going in the right direction quickly.”



Blue Jackets notebook | Richards glad he stuck with Bobrovsky

By Shawn Mitchell The Columbus Dispatch • Thursday October 22, 2015 5:08 AM

Fair or not, Sergei Bobrovsky has been singled out for blame during the Blue Jackets’ 0-7-0 start.

Bobrovsky, after all, has an 0-5 record, an abhorrent 5.07 goals-against average, an ugly .835 save percentage and an $8.5 million salary.

Despite Bobrovsky’s struggles, former coach Todd Richards, fired on Wednesday, stuck with his starter through the first five games. His show of loyalty never paid off, but Richards had no regrets.

“I’ve said it before that he has made me a good coach through his goaltending,” Richards said. “He was my guy. If you’re going to go down, you go down with your guy.”

It left Bobrovsky with a heavy heart.

“He’s a good coach, a good man,” Bobrovsky said. “It’s definitely a tough feeling right now. I didn’t play well for him this season. I feel responsibility for (his firing), of course.”

Bobrovsky spent much of his practice time on Wednesday working one-on-one with goaltending coach Ian Clark.

“When things aren’t going well, you try to work on the basic stuff, foundation stuff,” Bobrovsky said.

He could not pinpoint what changed since his outstanding work in the preseason.

“I’m still the same person with the same skills and focus,” he said. “It’s just a mental thing. I have to be stronger.”


Transition day

New coach John Tortorella was present for practice but did not join the team on the ice.

Instead, he watched from the suite level with management as associate coach Craig Hartsburg and the rest of Richards’ assistants ran the session.

All of the Jackets’ existing coaches remained in place, though their future is unclear.

“They know their roles, and they’re good at them,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “We’ll discuss that with John as we move along here.”

Road work

A game tonight at Minnesota will mark the start of a stretch during which the Blue Jackets will play seven of their next eight games on the road.

Tortorella said that is not necessarily a bad thing, given the situation.

“It forces you to be together,” he said. “I think we’re going to get to know one another a lot quicker.”

With no access to family and friends, the focus will narrow to hockey.

“That’s important for me, because it’s a crash course for me,” Tortorella said.



Blue Jackets | Success led to Todd Richards' downfall

By Shawn Mitchell The Columbus Dispatch • Thursday October 22, 2015 5:08 AM

The 260-game tenure of Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards came to an end on Wednesday when he was fired and replaced by John Tortorella.

In the short term, it will be the last seven games — all losses — that Richards remembers most. In the long term, it will be the 127 that he won, the most by any coach in franchise history.

“I’ve been through this,” Richards told The Dispatch on Wednesday afternoon. “It’s not the first time. Hopefully, it’s not the last time. You get hired to get fired, really, is how this profession works.

“I wish I could have done more and we could have accomplished more, but I have nothing but good memories.”

Those include the only two playoff wins in the team’s 15 seasons, coming in a six-game, first-round series loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014. Richards ended his tenure with a 127-112-21 record and .529 winning percentage, the highest among the club’s full-time coaches.


But it was a fourth straight slow start that cost him his job, an 0-7-0 stretch that matched the longest season-opening losing streak in the NHL’s modern era. Richards’ teams started 5-12-4 in 2012-13, 6-10-3 in 2013-14 and 6-15-2 last season.

Richards accepted the blame for this year’s brutal October, magnified by the similar stumbles in the past and a healthy roster roundly considered to be the most talented in team history.

“Your job as a coach is to maximize potential, and with the way we were playing, obviously that wasn’t happening,” he said.

But Richards should not bear the burden alone, his former players said.

Defenseman Ryan Murray said the Blue Jackets “failed” Richards, a “people-first coach who cared about us as individuals as much as players.”

“He was the guy who turned this organization around and gave it a lot of pride,” Murray said. “It’s a shame.”

Added captain Nick Foligno: “We didn’t play well enough and a good man got fired. A lot of guys are responsible.”

The Blue Jackets have been outscored 34-13, though Richards said he was not disappointed that management did not make any offseason moves to upgrade its corps of defensemen.

He still believes in that group, he said, because he saw what the same players did during a 15-1-1 stretch at the end of last season.

Richards said he was proud of what the Blue Jackets accomplished while he was with the team, first as an assistant under Scott Arniel, whom he replaced on Jan. 9, 2012.

The Blue Jackets, always strong finishers under Richards, missed the playoffs by a single point the following season and earned the franchise’s second playoff bid after finishing with a team-record 43 wins and 93 points in 2013-14.

Last season was derailed by a record rash of injuries, but Richards said there are lots of reasons for his successor to be excited.

“From where this team was at when I first got here, that’s one thing I’m proud of,” Richards said. “It wasn’t just me, and there were a lot of people involved in that (growth). But to me, it was almost like resurrecting a franchise.

“I’m proud of that, but also disappointed. John Tortorella is getting this team, and I believe 100 percent that he’ll get this group going and he’ll be here for a long time.

“I think this team is close, I really do. A little spark is what they need, and I think John can provide that. But for whatever reason, we just couldn’t get off on the right foot, or any foot, this year.”

General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said he expects Richards to have a “good future” as an NHL coach elsewhere, though he had no immediate plans to offer him a role within the organization.

For now, Richards, under contract through 2016-17, said he plans to step away from pro hockey, at least in the near term. He has no immediate plans to leave his Upper Arlington home.

“Right after playing I got into coaching,” Richards said. “I haven’t had too many moments off. My youngest son is still playing hockey (for the AAA Blue Jackets), and I can watch him play, spend some time with my wife and kids and enjoy a Christmas and a Thanksgiving with some time off.

“I think everyone thinks this is devastating and, on a small level, it is. But this is what happens in this business. It will be interesting to see where this team goes.”



Bob Hunter commentary | Tortorella will push Blue Jackets hard

By Bob Hunter The Columbus Dispatch • Thursday October 22, 2015 5:08 AM

When Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was asked if his 0-7-0 team needed a kick in the rear end, he almost smiled.

“I said it needed a change in direction, you call it a kick in the rear end,” he said. “I think it’s the same thing; you just expressed it a little differently.”

John Tortorella, a passionate man with a boot the size of Rhode Island, was seated a few feet to Kekalainen’s right. He had just been named to replace nice guy Todd Richards, a good coach who had been unable to rouse his team from its 10-day slumber to start the season.

Tortorella is a proven rear-kicker and a proven winner — he led Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup in 2004 and took the New York Rangers to the conference finals in 2012 — and in this situation it is difficult to decide which is more important. He saw an aggressive Blue Jackets team with an identity similar to the one he covets during its 15-1-1 finish last spring, and wants that back.

“I do think one of the problems right now is the expectations, expectations that weren’t here last year with this club,” Tortorella said. “It’s a different type of pressure. It’s easy to play when you know you’re probably not going to get in (the playoffs). When you have a lot of people picking you to be in a pretty good spot in the Eastern Conference, it plays with you. You think these athletes are strong, emotionally tough and they can handle anything. These are human beings. They lose confidence. They feel the pressure. They get fragile.”

Before he puts his boots back on, Tortorella might need a watchmaker’s touch to repair that fragility. His energy and passion were evident in a congenial 30 minutes with reporters on Wednesday, a comfy session that must have been disarming for those who have seen his volatile side from afar.

“It’s kind of a double-edged sword,” Tortorella said. “But I am who I am, and I want to win. I want our players to be the best they can be. I’m not going to pretend I’m someone different. I’m going to speak honestly. I’m going to speak openly, good or bad, to the point of trying to make them better people and better players.”

It’s not a sure thing — Tortorella lasted only one season in Vancouver before getting fired in 2014 — but it should be fun to watch him try. Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky played for Tortorella in New York and says he knows the coach’s methods work. As upset as Dubinsky was by Richards’ firing — every compliment he sent Tortorella’s way was piggybacked with a sentence about the respect he has for Richards — he is convinced the new coach will “impose his will on the team.” He said sometimes just a change in coaching methods helps.

“Unfortunately, sometimes it does,” Dubinsky said. “This isn’t the first time I’ve been on a team that had a coaching change. When I was in New York, we had Tom Renney, who was a nice guy, a great guy and a great coach, a calmer demeanor about him, and we got Torts. He came in there with his pistols out and whipped our (butts) into shape. That’s not a slight to Tom and certainly not to Richie … I said how much respect I have for him — but sometimes these things happen as a part of the business. ... Torts is going to come in and demand that we play the right way, which we haven’t been doing or we wouldn’t be doing this today.”

Blue Jackets broadcaster Jody Shelley also played for Tortorella in New York and is an unabashed fan. He said the new coach “has higher expectations for individuals than they have for themselves,” which might explain why it can be difficult to play for him.

“It is never, ever personal with me,” Tortorella said. “It is my job to push athletes to be the best they can be, and push them to spots they have never been pushed before to see if they can handle it. And then you make a decision: ‘Am I doing it too much and hurting them? Do I need to back off?’ It’s the most unique part of coaching — testing the athletes.”

He smiled.

“And I’m going to test the athletes.”



New coach Tortorella 'honored' to be part of Blue Jackets

By Aaron Portzline & Shawn Mitchell The Columbus Dispatch • Wednesday October 21, 2015 4:02 PM

The 0-7 Blue Jackets fired coach Todd Richards this morning, replacing him with John Tortorella, one of the NHL’s firebrand coaches who has been out of work since Vancouver fired him a year ago.

The Blue Jackets made the moves official with a news release just before 11 a.m., and an introductory news conference was held this afternoon in Nationwide Arena.

“Late last night we made a difficult decision, relieveing Todd Richards of his duties,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekkalianen said. “The team was not respsonding the right way. The record is obvious, but the play wasn’t going the right direction, either.

“It was a difficult because Todd is a good man, a good person and a good coach. But we made a change for a reason, and we’ve got a new voice in the room now with John Tortella and a proven winner, a proven coach. It will give us a different direction. “

Richards was fired just hours after a 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders stretched the Blue jackets’ season-opening losing streak to seven games, matching the worst start to a season in modern NHL history.

Tortorella, 57, is expected to make his debut behind the Blue Jackets’ bench on Thursday, when they play the Minnesota Wild in Xcel Energy Center.

Tortorella said he had been an admirer of the Blue Jackets during his time away from coaching. Columbus was expected to compete for a Metropolitian Division championship this season with what is roundly considered the most talented roster in team history, and Tortorella was intrigued by its youth.

“They’ve got some pieces,” Tortorella said. “It‘s really exciting to be part of, because you’re going to be teaching and developing kids, teaching them how to be pros.

“Along with doing that, you’re looking to win. It’s a team that’s ‘there.’ I’m just honored to be part of it.”

The Blue Jackets will send a second-round draft pick to Vancouver to compensate the Canucks, per the NHL's collective bargaining agreement.

Tortorella led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup and the New York Rangers to the Eastern Conference finals in 2011-12. He is 444-371-115 as coach of Tampa Bay, the New York Rangers and Vancouver but has gained a reputation beyond the wins as one of the league's most passionate, short-tempered coaches.

During his only season in Vancouver (2013-14), he was suspended for 15 days (seven games) after leaving the Canucks' dressing room during an intermission to storm the Calgary Flames' dressing room in an attempt to get at Flames coach Bob Hartley.

He was fired after that season, with four years and $8 million dollars remaining on his contract. It's not clear whether the Blue Jackets assume the remaining three years of his deal with Vancouver.

While Tortorella runs hot, Richards leans on the other end of the spectrum.

Blue Jackets players are likely in for a rude awakening, though Tortorella said he gained perspective in his time away from coaching and pledged to have “better listening skills.”

“I want to know what’s going on here, and then act accordingly,” Tortorella said. “It’s important that we do it as a group, collectively, as a management group, coaches and players. We need to have some honesty amongst ourselves so we can get on the right road.”

Richards was 127-112-21 behind the Blue Jackets’ bench after taking over for Scott Arniel midway through the 2011-12 season.

He led the Blue Jackets to the first two Stanley Cup playoff wins in franchise history (2014) and also compiled the most wins and highest winning percentage (.531) among full-time coaches.

But Richards’ teams got off to slow starts every season: 5-12-4 in 2013, 6-10-3 in 2013-14 and 6-15-2 in 2014-15. In each of the previous three season, the Blue Jackets had strong finishes: 19-5-3 in 2013, 25-12-3 in

2013-14 and 15-1-1 last season. He won't get a chance at another fast finish this time.

“On behalf of our organization, I want to thank Todd for his many contributions both on and off the ice to the Columbus Blue Jackets over the past four-plus years,” club President of Hockey Operations John Davidson said. “He took over under very difficult circumstances and did a terrific job guiding our team to heights it had not before reached. I have great respect for Todd as a coach and a person and wish nothing but the best for him, his wife, Maryann, and their wonderful family.”

Richards did not immediately return calls seeking comment.



Richards out, Tortorella in as head coach for Blue Jackets

By Connor Kiesel Oct 21, 2015 at 10:50a ET

John Tortorella will be behind the Columbus Blue Jackets' bench Thursday in Minnesota as the team announced a change in head coaches Wednesday morning.

Todd Richards is out as Jackets head coach and will be replaced by John Tortorella, who last coached the Vancouver Canucks in the 2013-14 season.

“After much deliberation and discussion, we have made the very difficult decision late last night to remove Todd Richards as our head coach and we’ve reached an agreement with John Tortorella to join the Columbus Blue Jackets in that capacity,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement.

Tortorella signed a three-year deal through the 2017-18 season.

He led the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship and four playoff berths in six full seasons. He then went to the Big Apple, where he took the Rangers to the playoffs in four of his five seasons. He was fired after just the one season with the Canucks.

In 936 games coached, Tortorella is 446-375-115 with a total of three division titles, eight playoff appearances and one Stanley Cup.

Richards was 127-112-21 in his time with the Jackets, reaching the playoffs once with a fourth place finish in the Metropolitan Division in 2013-14.

“On behalf of our organization, I want to thank Todd for his many contributions both on and off the ice to the Columbus Blue Jackets over the past four-plus years,” said club president of hockey operations John Davidson. “He took over under very difficult circumstances and did a terrific job guiding our team to heights it had not before reached."

Columbus fell to 0-7 to start this season under Richards after a 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders Tuesday night. The 0-7 mark to begin a season is the worst in franchise history.

The Blue Jackets take on the Wild Thursday night with coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. on FOX Sports Ohio.

foxsportsohio.com LOADED: 10.22.2015

978072 Dallas Stars

Tyler Seguin on the Stars 'just growing up' and the case of the mystery fluid between periods

By SportsDayDFW.com Follow @SportsDayDFW [email protected]

Staff

Published: 21 October 2015 09:31 PM

Updated: 21 October 2015 10:03 PM

Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin joined BaD Radio on KTCK-AM 1310 and KTCK-FM 96.7 The Ticket to discuss all things hockey. Here are some of the highlights:

I noticed this during the game in Philadelphia - you guys, as a team, kind of know that you're pretty good this year, that there is a confidence about your team...

Seguin: Yeah, I think there's a confidence, and I think there's also a case of guys just growing up. There's a maturity level that's definitely a lot higher this year, especially on the ice. There were games last year, a game like in Philly last night, we'd be up 2-0 and we'd end up losing 4-2 somehow in the third period. We had a little flashback against Colorado, being up 3-1 in the game, losing 6-3...the message was clear, that's not going to happen again, that's not happening anymore.

On the mystery fluid some the Stars were drinking before the start of the third period against Philadelphia...

Seguin: Yeah, Jaime [Benn] and I started doing that. Sharpie [Patrick Sharp] actually had his first taste, last night. It's just this type of drink, kind of anti-cramping thing. When you're in hot buildings, especially Dallas as well, sometimes your muscles will cramp up. It's just a drink we started doing last year that seems to help, and yeah, I guess NBC caught it last night.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.22.2015

978073 Dallas Stars

Wednesday practice update: Staying the course, red hot Jamie Benn, Niemi in net

By Mike Heika Follow @MikeHeika [email protected]

Staff Writer



PITTSBURGH_ The Stars gave a few players a "maintenance day" off the ice Wednesday, worked their goalies the way they have so far this year, and tried to get ready for an unusual repeat contest with an Eastern Conference opponent just a couple of weeks into the season.

Dallas will face the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday just 15 days after beating them 3-0 on opening night in Dallas. This will complete the season series for the two teams.

"It's a little different," said Stars captain Jamie Benn, who along with Jason Spezza and John Klingberg worked off ice and didn't practice Wednesday. "But you always look forward to playing them."

Benn has developed a relationship with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby through games with Team Canada, and said it is special to get the rare game against Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel.

"You get a little more amped up when you get to play against the players they have on their team," Benn said. "Crosby, Malkin, Kessel. Much like us, they have a high-powered offense and you have to be careful about it."

Benn and Tyler Seguin are tied for the NHL lead in scoring with 10 points in the first six games. If you go back to last season when Benn made the late push to win the Art Ross Trophy as leading scorer in the NHL, he has 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists) in the past 18 games.

"I think he's just rolling from last year," Seguin said of his linemate. "Obviously, the end of the year he was playing some good hockey. He was playing good and getting points every night and he's carrying that into the game this year. It's good to see."

Benn had double hip surgery in April and May, so the fact he's rolling is impressive.

"I think anytime you're in constant pain it affects you," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said when asked if Benn could be better this season because his hips hurt last season. "We didn't have him throughout most of training camp, we didn't know how good he would be, but he's been good. I've seen him where he's even been better, that might be scary for you, but I've seen him where he's been better. It's a good place to be when you're feeling as good as he is."

Benn said he worked hard in the summer to make sure he was ready for the start of the season.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "I did what I had to do this summer to be ready for this season and it was a lot of hard work. It was really just doing the right things to get myself ready, and I feel good out there."

While the Stars shuffled lines and defense pairs with players resting, they will likely go with the same combinations they used Tuesday at Philadelphia.

Jamie Benn-Tyler Seguin-Patrick Sharp

Vernon Fiddler-Jason Spezza-Valeri Nichushkin

Mattias Janmark-Cody Eakin-Ales Hemsky

Antoine Roussel-Radek Faksa-Colton Sceviour

Alex Goligoski-John Klingberg

Johnny Oduya-Jason Demers

Jyrki Jokipakka-Jordie Benn

Antti Niemi

The Stars have been using down time to work the goalies pretty hard. Niemi came off fairly early Wednesday, while Lehtonen stayed out about 30 minutes longer and worked with goaltending coach Jeff Reese. Niemi

had a 37-save shutout against Pittsburgh in the season opener Oct. 8, so it makes sense that he would start Thursday.

"They've both had success, so it's hard to say it's not working," Ruff said of splitting the goalie duties. "I think they would both like more games, but we've put together a schedule that we'd like to stick to it."

Lehtonen will probably play Saturday at home against Florida.

The Stars will likely place Travis Moen (upper body) on IR. He did not practice Wednesday and probably needs some down time to get better. They have just 12 healthy forwards right now. They won't call up an extra forward until they get back to Dallas and study their options. They have two healthy scratch defensemen in Patrik Nemeth and Jamie Oleksiak, and Ruff said they could go with seven defensemen if need be. Or, Patrick Eaves (lower body) is also getting better and could be a possible option on the upcoming four-game homestand.

In addition, GM Jim Nill said Curtis McKenzie (lower body) will probably be out 2-3 weeks. The winger suffered a hip injury when he was hit from behind against Tampa Bay Oct. 15.

The Stars are 5-1-0 and want to keep that momentum going.

"I think we can play better, I think we're still a work in progress," Ruff said. "We're trying to sort out playing with a lead, but we're finding ways to win. Both goaltenders have been winning for us and our special teams have been solid, so we just need to keep working."


978074 Dallas Stars

Scouting Stars-Penguins: Whose win streak will come to an end in this early season rematch?


Staff Writer



Stars at Penguins

6 p.m. Thursday (FSSW/1310 AM The Ticket)

Storyline

The Stars and Penguins played just 15 days ago in the season opener, and Dallas took a 3-0 victory. Now the inter-conference rivals get a rare quick rematch in which both teams are riding hot streaks - Dallas with four straight wins and Pittsburgh with three.

Phil Kessel vs. Antti Niemi

Kessel had six shots on goal and 13 shot attempts in his debut with the Penguins Oct. 8, but Niemi stopped everything en route to a 37-save shutout in Dallas. Niemi is expected to be in net again.

Key Number

33 - That's the amount of points Jamie Benn has in his last 18 games (18 goals, 15 assists). Benn had 23 points in 12 games down the stretch to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer last season and has started this season with 10 points in six games.

Injuries

Stars: LW Travis Moen (upper body), RW Patrick Eaves (lower body) and LW Curtis McKenzie (lower body) are out.

Penguins: RW Daniel Sprong (visa) is doubtful. LW Pascal Dupuis (lower body), RW Eric Fehr (elbow) and RW Beau Bennett (undisclosed) are out.

Notable: The Stars are expected to put RW Travis Moen (upper body) on IR, but might not call up an extra forward.

Penguins C Sidney Crosby had no shots on goal in a 3-0 loss to the Stars Oct. 8. However, he tied a career high with nine shots on goal Tuesday in a 3-2(OT) win against Florida. Crosby had a goal and two assists in that game.

Stars G Antti Niemi is 5-1-1 in his career against the Penguins with a 2.23 GAA and .929 save percentage.

Dallas is third in scoring in the NHL at 3.50 goals per game. Pittsburgh is second in goals against at 1.83.

The Penguins are second in shots on goal per game at 33.7. The Stars are fourth at 33.3.


978075 Dallas Stars

Heika: Kari Lehtonen, Antti Niemi staying sharp even on their nights off


Staff Writer



PITTSBURGH -- Kari Lehtonen stopped for a second when he was asked if he thought this new goalie-sharing program the Stars are using could possibly cause some herky-jerky momentum for him and net partner Antti Niemi.

"I did three weeks ago," Lehtonen said. "But right now, I don't."

Six games into one of the most intriguing experiments in the NHL this season, the two-goalie plan seems to be working for the Stars. General manager Jim Nill in the summer signed Niemi to a three-year free-agent contract that averages $4.5 million. He did that with Lehtonen having three years remaining on his deal at an average of $5.9 million. Together, they form the most expensive goaltending combination in the league.

More important, each goalie is being paid to that level because he has performed as a No. 1 goalie for years. If you consider the lockout season as 82 games, Niemi has averaged 65.2 appearances per season for the past five years with San Jose, and Lehtonen has averaged 63.8 with the Stars. They are among the most-used goalies in the league over that span.

So potentially dropping 20 appearances off of those numbers is a significant challenge.

"What will it be: 41-41? 43-39? When you think about it, that's a big difference," Lehtonen said. "So, yes, it's a different year."

But possibly a better year.

The goalie tandem has been tried with mixed success in the past. The Minnesota Wild has used a sharing system for several seasons and qualified for the playoffs with as many as four goalies contributing. The St. Louis Blues have run some sort of split for the last four seasons and have one of the best regular-season records in the league. However, they have won one playoff series in that span.

It's a mixed bag. The Chicago Blackhawks needed three playoff wins from Scott Darling last season en route to the Stanley Cup, even though Corey Crawford was their No.1 goalie. The last time a true goalie duo won a Stanley Cup was the 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers, with Andy Moog and Grant Fuhr.

"We're seeing that the backup goalie position is very important in the league, so why not have experience there?" Nill said.

But even experienced players are having to adapt to something new.

"It's definitely different, but I think it could help," said Niemi, who started Tuesday after sitting for three games. "When you don't have to play 10 games in 17 days, or whatever it is we have had to do in the past, you could have more energy and more time to do some work."

The Stars have been working the non-starter hard. On practice days, he typically stays 30-40 minutes extra on the ice after the expected starter leaves. Each is trying to perfect details with new goaltending coach Jeff Reese, and the results so far have been good.

"Being over 30, you need more rest or more time to work," Niemi said. "I think both of us, we want to get better than we have been. And if playing less or practicing more can do that, then we want that."

So far the numbers are strong. The Stars have posted a 2.33 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage through six games. That's a huge improvement from the 3.13 and .895 from last season. But it's a small sample size.

"We went into this not knowing how exactly it was going to work, and I still don't know how exactly it is going to work," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "Right now, it's unfolding well. I can only hope I can keep both guys active and both guys playing well, because when you can bring another guy in when the schedule gets busy, that's a great tool for you to have."


978076 Dallas Stars

Heika: Physical, tone-setting Jamie Benn was Stars' Godfather in Philly


Staff Writer

Published: 21 October 2015 01:30 AM

Updated: 21 October 2015 09:21 AM

Daryl Reaugh sums up the Stars' 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday night.

Y'know what's great about Tony Soprano and Walter White?

They're smart, they're calm, they're leaders.

Y'know what's also great about the recent TV legends?

They knew when brute force was required.

Now, it's probably stretching it to compare Jamie Benn to a mob boss and a meth dealer, but I'm just the guy to do it. Because Tuesday in Philadelphia, Jamie Benn was the Godfather. He was the leader of the Stars. He was the guy who talked with his shoulders. He was the guy who set the tone.

Jamie Benn announced to the hockey world that we can do this any way you like. You want to call him for a ticky-tack crosscheck, then he'll come out of the box with a vengeance. You want to ask him to kill a few penalties, he's your man. You want to ask him to mix in just enough skill to make last season's Art Ross look like it was earned on two bad hips, he's ready to fly now.

That's how good Jamie Benn was Tuesday in the City of Brotherly Shove.

Don't get me wrong, Antti Niemi was incredible, doing so many things that Stars goalies didn't do last season. Don't get me wrong, Antoine Roussel did the fighting and pot stirring and agitating so Benn wouldn't have to. Don't get me wrong, defenders like Jason Demers and Johnny Oduya stepped up in a pressure-packed third period and played like the veterans they are so that the Jamie Benn story wasn't lost in an overtime loss (like so many games last year).

But Niemi was Saul Goodman, and Roussel was Paulie Walnuts, and Demers and Oduya were Badger and Skinny Pete. They were sidekicks, accomplices, helpers. Jamie Benn stated on Tuesday that we're not ramping down, we're just getting started. Jamie Benn stated Tuesday: Nothing stops this train...nothing.

And that is a very powerful thing for this team.

Look, Jim Nill has put together a wonderful collection of talent. Tyler Seguin is right there with Benn, scoring 10 points in six games. Heck, he was the Second Star of the Week in the NHL awards and not Benn. Niemi and Lehtonen have proven that the two-headed goalie monster might not only work, it might be the best idea any GM came up with last summer. And quite honestly, Nill keeps bringing in new characters like Vince Gilligan, turning over incredible depth like Mattias Janmark to keep things interesting.

But it all comes back to Benn,

The scrappy British Columbian taken 129th in the 2007 draft has been nothing short of captainly. He went through the double hip surgery in the spring, he worked himself to exhaustion in the summer, and he dragged everyone else along with him during the process.

There was a philosophy with the 1990s Stars that still holds true today. If Mike Modano is checking, you all have to check. That's what happens when your most skilled player digs in that hard. Likewise, when Jere Lehtinen is in the gym all day, you all have to stay in the gym. Lehtinen had the most intense work ethic on the team, so everyone had to follow suit, despite the fact he never really urged them to.

And when a guy who had the top of each femur scraped of bone spurs is lifting more weight, finding more flexibility, and checking harder than anyone else on the ice...you all have to do the same thing.

Or at least try.

That's part of what has the Stars at 5-1-0 right now. Jamie Benn isn't pulling people in for team meetings or ordering them to be better, but he's

reading situations, reacting properly, and creating an environment where the Stars have the right answer at the right time.

The Stars franchise is 12-46-16 in Philadelphia for a reason. The Flyers organization has always been physical and always been tough, so you need to meet that challenge in this building. That's not easy for a team built on speedy forwards and small defensemen. But Benn set a tone on the first shift and carried that throughout much of the game. He wasn't dirty, he didn't really confront the Flyers, he simply did his job. He was tough along the boards, he let you know the Stars weren't backing down.

Benn makes the most of his 6-2, 210-pound frame. When he hit Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman last week, the big defenseman was hobbled for a bit after his head hit the glass. But when asked if Benn's hit was dirty, Hedman said no.

"I lost track of the puck, tried to get back in position and I had my eyes down on the ice and didn't see him coming," Hedman told the Tampa Bay Times. "He's not a dirty player, he's a hard working player, a physical player. I admire the way he plays. He finished the check and it was a bang-bang play."

And if Benn gets that kind of respect from an opponent, imagine the feeling on his own bench.

"Breaking Bad" and "The Sopranos" are two of the most beloved shows in television history. They have fascinating casts, exceptional writing, and cool-handed directing. They are true team projects. But at the center of each is a personality that is quiet yet intense, flawed yet strong, complicated yet direct.

At the center of each is a guy that has the answer, even when the question is really tough.

And that sure seems like what the Stars are trying to put together this season.


978077 Dallas Stars

NHL Gameday: Hot Penguins host even hotter Stars

Staff

Stars at Penguins

6 p.m. Thursday, Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pa.

TV: FSSW Radio: KTCK/1310 AM and 96.7 FM

Records: Stars 5-1-0, 10 points; Penguins 3-3-0, 6 pts.

About the Stars: Final stop of a four-city Eastern Conference road swing that has seen the Stars win the first three and extend their winning streak to four games. ... Only 7-0 Montreal has won more games, and only Montreal and Tampa Bay have scored more goals (24) than the Stars (21). ... With 10 points apiece, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin share the NHL points lead. Benn also leads the league with six goals. ... Goalie Kari Lehtonen has won three straight games, but it was Antti Niemi who posted the shutout against the Pens in the opener.

About the Penguins: They come off a 3-2 overtime win against Florida on Tuesday, their third straight victory after starting the season 0-3. It was the first game this season that Pittsburgh has scored more than two points. ... The Penguins were shut out 3-0 at Dallas in the season opener. ... Evgeni Malkin leads the Penguins in scoring with five points (three goals, two assists) and has scored a goal in three straight games. ... Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is 3-0 with a .99 goals-against average and one shutout.

Star-Telegram LOADED: 10.22.2015

978078 Detroit Red Wings

Edmonton 3, Detroit 1: Why the Red Wings lost

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 2:28 a.m. EDT October 22, 2015

At Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta

■In the first period: Shots were 4-0 to Edmonton when the Wings were called for too many men on the ice at 5:53. Teemu Pulkkinen served the penalty. The Wings had just gotten a shot on net when they went on a power play at 8:36, when Eric Gryba was called for interference. The Wings got one shot on Cam Talbot. Drew Miller went for holding at 11:14. Mark Letestu scored at 12:32 on a tipped shot. Taylor Hall was called for tripping at 16:13. Talbot gloved a shot by Dylan Larkin. Shots were 11-5 to Edmonton.

■In the second period: The Wings went on their third power play at 0:48 when Lauri Korpikoski went for holding Gustav Nyquist. Mike Green went for tripping at 2:56, sending the Oilers on a fourth power play At 4:09, the Oilers were called for too many men, creating 47 seconds of 4-on-4 play. Jakub Kindl drove to the net for a last-second power play shot. Connor McDavid took a pass from Benoit Pouliot in the slot and deked for a 2-0 lead at 6:34. Teddy Purcell was credited with a goal at 7:04 when his rebound was kicked into Detroit's net by Kyle Quincey. Shots were 22-16 to Edmonton.

■In the third period: Rob Klinkhammer served a delay-of-game penalty at 1:27, creating what was Detroit's fifth power play. Tomas Tatar scored at 6:49 on a backhand shot set up by Nyquist. With 3:13 left, Purcell went for tripping, and Petr Mrazek went to the bench for an extra attacker. Finals shots were 29-28 to Detroit.

■Quotable: Henrik Zetterberg said, "Our power play has to be better, especially on the road. When we get opportunities, we have to take advantage of them, and we haven't." ... Tatar said, "We are trying to focus on right things to do on the ice so we can win. At the start we kind of make it hard on ourselves, so we have to execute better and shoot more. In the third period we did a great job. We know we can play good hockey." ... Mrazek said, "We were down 3-0 on the road, it is hard to come back. But we try at the end."

■Up next: Friday at Calgary.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.22.2015


Wings' Zetterberg, Larkin have good 'give-and-take'

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 2:13 a.m. EDT October 22, 2015

EDMONTON, Alberta -- Henrik Zetterberg is looking better than he has in years, something he attributes to a teammate young in years.

He topped the Wings with four shots on net in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Oilers at Rexall Place. Overall he leads the team with nine points, and has played so well opposition coach Todd McLellan suggested Zetterberg could "play forever" if health allowed.

"He is a quality, quality guy," McLellan said. "He is passionate, he approaches the game like a professional, and he finds a way to enjoy it even when it is not going well, which creates longevity. Great puck protection skills. Has the ability to make people around him better."

It was that ability that played into Wings coach Jeff Blashill's decision to put 19-year-old rookie Dylan Larkin with Zetterberg. The two have had a symbiotic effect on one another.

"He can learn from watching Z's approach, all the little things he does," Blashill said. "On the reverse, Larkin is a heck of a skater, he can give a lot of energy to a line. It is a good give-and-take."

Teammates see Zetterberg, who just turned 35, refreshed from a new coach and from a summer spent working out not rehabbing.

"I think he looks better than he has ever," Niklas Kronwall said. "He is dominating every night."

Zetterberg said it helps him "to be playing with young guys, they have a good effect on me."

For Larkin, the effect is having a guy nearly two decades his senior as an on-the-spot advisor.

"He is always talking with me and letting me know where to be," Larkin said. "He can always find me, too - he has got the best hockey sense of a player I have every played with. So I just try to get open for him and use my speed to create space for him. We don't spend much time in our own end because he is so good defensively and he is efficient and we are up the ice in no time."

Together with Justin Abdelkader, the line has been the Wings' hottest since the season started. It is a small sample size, as Blashill noted, but even if Zetterberg hits a cold spell productively, he always is a factor.

"He is a really effective player every night, regardless of if he gets points or not," Blashill said. "If he doesn't get points, he will still have had a positive impact on the game. He is one of the best two-way players in the game, and that shows on a nightly basis."



Red Wings take aim at Oilers, McDavid

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 2:59 p.m. EDT October 21, 2015

EDMONTON, Alberta -- One of the prime areas the Detroit Red Wings will focus on as they seek to snap a little losing streak is shots on net.

The Wings take on the Oilers at Rexall Place tonight (9:30, FSD). The Wings have lost two in a row; the Oilers have cobbled together two straight victories after starting 0-4.

Through their five games, the Wings have registered 107 shots on net while giving up 167.

"I don't think you can continue on the shot differential that we have had and have success," Wings coach Jeff Blashill said after the morning skate. "It can happen in different games throughout the year, but it can't continue on a regular basis.

"We have to do a better job of limiting their shots. We have to do a better job of creating ours. It stems most from zone time -- we have to do a better job of getting out of our zone faster and spending more time in the other team's zone."

The Oilers average 26.8 shots per game.

The game promises entertainment in that it will feature two of the top teenagers in hockey in Connor McDavid and Dylan Larkin. McDavid, the top pick from this past summer, is called a generational player, while Larkin, the 15th pick from 2014, is impressing nightly playing with Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Adelkader.

Larkin has encountered McDavid as an opponent before, including internationally.

"I have played against him since I was probably 12, 13," Larkin said. "He has always been the talk of the rink, a player to watch.

"Everything, he does so well - skates with the puck at a speed not many people can do or keep up with, he makes passes that you can't even see, and you can't check him because he is too shifty. He is a tough player to play against."

McDavid, 18, has five points and a minus-3 defensive rating in six games. Larkin, 19, has six points and a plus-6 rating in five games.

There are no changes to the Wings' lineup, which means Per Mrazek starts in goal. Blashill did say he anticipated defenseman Brendan Smith will be back in the lineup Friday or Saturday. "We have to keep guys playing," Blashill said. "We think we have seven good ones. As a group, though, they can all play better. So that is going to be the first focus."



Oilers get rare win over reeling Wings

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 1:34 a.m. EDT October 22, 2015

Edmonton, Alberta – On a day the movie "Back to the Future" was celebrated, the Red Wings did their part going back in time, too.

There wasn’t much celebrating, though, the way this turned out.

Edmonton defeated the Red Wings in regulation time Wednesday night for the first time in six years, winning 3-1.

The last time the Oilers defeated the Red Wings in regulation? Dec. 3, 2009, a stretch in which the Red Wings were 15-0-1 against Edmonton.

Tomas Tatar scored the lone Red Wings goal, in the third period, his first of the season.

The Oilers scored twice in a 30-second span midway in the second period to build a 3-0 lead and the Red Wings couldn’t recover.

“We have to figure it out and play good hockey,” Tatar said. “We have to put it behind us and play better.”

These are two teams going in different directions.

The Red Wings lost for the third consecutive game (3-3-0, 6 points), with games on this road trip left in Calgary (Friday) and Vancouver (Saturday), while the Oilers have won three consecutive games (3-4-0, 6 points).

“It was better than the last game,” captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “We battled harder. We won some more battles, played a little more offense. Those two quick goals for them hurt us.”

Mark Letestu (power play), rookie sensation Connor McDavid and Teddy Purcell scored for the Oilers, while goalie Cam Talbot stopped 28 shots.

Petr Mrazek stopped 26 Edmonton shots.

This was a much improved Oilers team from recent seasons.

“They’re playing with some better structure, and when they get the odd-man rush, they’re real good,” Zetterberg said. “They’ve always been skilled and fast, but they believe in the system and they’re doing more things right.”

Coach Jeff Blashill talked all week about limiting the opposition’s shots, spending more time in the offensive zone, and increasing the low amount of shots the Red Wings have generated.

There was moderate improvement in those areas.

The Red Wings outshot Edmonton 29-28 (thanks mainly to a 13-6 edge in the third period) and several quality scoring chances were turned aside by Talbot.

“There were a lot of positives,” Blashill said. “In large parts, today was good. We went into the game withi a real focus on spending more time in their end and we need to continue to get better, but it was step in the right direction.

“Now we have to get better Friday.”

The Red Wings’ power play, another sore spot during this losing streak, was again ineffective going 0-for-6 (it’s 2-for-19 for the season).

The Red Wings had a late third-period power play – and pulled Mrazek to gain a two-man advantage – but failed to score.

“We have to get more shots, the power play has to be better, especially on the road,” Zetterberg said. "When we get opportunities we have to take advantage and we haven’t done that. We just have to keep going at it.”

McDavid, the No. 1 overall pick by the Oilers in June, had the goal of the night and arguably one of the better ones in the NHL this young season.

McDavid put a marvelous deke in front of Mrazek at 6:34 of the second period, scoring his fourth goal, and putting the Oilers ahead 2-0.

Then, 30 seconds later, on a scramble around Mrazek’s net, the puck bounced off defenseman Kyle Quincey’s leg and into the net, the goal credited to Purcell.

Detroit News LOADED: 10.22.2015


Sheahan's new line, with Nyquist and Tatar, does 'great'

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 1:53 a.m. EDT October 22, 2015

Edmonton, Alberta – In an effort to get more offense throughout the Red Wings lineup, coach Jeff Blashill shuffled his lines.

One of the new combinations has Riley Sheahan centering Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar, three young players capable of creating offense that’s been missing.

It’s a good opportunity for Sheahan to break out, having one goal in the first six games, but now playing with two goal-scoring wingers.

The line proved to be, arguably, the Red Wings’ best line in the 3-1 loss to Edmonton on Wednesday night. They accounted for the only goal, as Tatar scored his first of the season, with Nyquist and Sheahan assisting.

“They were great,” said Blashill, who started the game with that line. “I started them for a reason, so they knew they could be a big impact in the game and they had a real positive impact. They spent tons of time in the offensive zone, scored the lone goal, and had a real good night.”

Blashill is looking for a line to take some of the scoring load off the Dylan Larkin-Henrik Zetterberg-Justin Abdelkader line.

“I’m looking for them to take the next step,” Blashill said.

The Red Wings also hope Sheahan himself takes another step in his young career this season.

Only 23, Sheahan has the size (6-foot-3, 222 pounds) and hands to become a two-way force in the NHL, scoring at one end and shutting down opppsing centers. But attaining that consistency at the NHL level is something Sheahan is still learning.

“He’s real good defensively and he has a big body,” Blashill said. “He protects the puck well and he can make good seam passes in tight places.

“I’d like to see him spend more time in the offensive zone.”

Sheahan understands the importance of his line producing offense and taking some of the pressure of Zetterberg’s line.

“Obviously it would help,” Sheahan said. “You go throughout our lineup, we have many good players. Our depth is one of the things that’ll be working in our favor.

“It’s (important) to get more contributions throughout our lines.”

Last visit

The Red Wings made their final regular-season appearance at Rexall Place (formerly Northlands Coliseum).

Now it’s 32nd season, the arena has seen the brilliant Oilers’ dynasty headed by Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, and been the home rink of many Hall of Famers and legendary hockey figures.

The Oilers are moving into a new downtown arena next season.

Similar to the Red Wings’ new arena, there will be an entertainment district by the new Edmonton arena which locals are hoping will energize a sleepy downtown area.

More than a few Red Wings players rate Rexall as one of the better places to play.

“There’s so much history here,” Sheahan said. “The fans, they’ve gone through a whirlwind and it’s definitely a historical organization.

“To be in the same building and feel that pride, it’s pretty cool.”

Sheahan compares the situation to the Red Wings’ current dilemma.

“It’ll be sad to see it leave, but a new building is always exciting,” Sheahan said.

Ice chips

Dylan Larkin and Edmonton rookie Connor McDavid, the No. 1 overall pick in June’s draft, spent time together last month during the league’s rookie showcase.

The two competed as teens, also, in national tournaments.

“I’ve played against him since I was probably 12, 13,” Larkin said. “He’s always been a special player. He’s a good guy. It’s good to see a nice, humble guy like that.”

…There were no changes to the Red Wings lineup. Brendan Smith was the extra defenseman, but will play at some point during this road trip, said Blashill.

“We have to keep guys playing,” Blashill said. “We have seven good ones (defensemen), but as a group they can all play better, so that’s going to be the first focus.”

Detroit News LOADED: 10.22.2015


Red Wings postgame: Detroit registered more shots, but too many still missed the mark

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

on October 22, 2015 at 1:20 AM, updated October 22, 2015 at 1:34 AM

EDMONTON, Alberta – If you missed the Detroit Red Wings' 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, you should read the game story. In any event, we've got you covered. Here's a quick snapshot:

THREE STARS

1. Cam Talbot: He made 28 saves, including all nine shots the Red Wings registered on the power play. He prevented Detroit from gaining any momentum after Tomas Tatar cut Edmonton's lead to 3-1 with 13:11 remaining.

2. Nail Yakupov: He assisted on his team's first two goals, including a nice pass that Mark Letestu redirected in from the net front on the power play to open the scoring at 12:32 of the first period.

3. Oscar Klefbom: He led the Oilers' defensive efforts, logging 20:50 in ice time, including a team-high 6:12 on the penalty kill, which prevented Detroit from converting. He blocked a team-high eight shots, which is as many as the Red Wings blocked as a team.

By the numbers:

0: Points for Henrik Zetterberg and Dylan Larkin, each of whom had his points streak snapped at five games.

1: Goal this season for Tomas Tatar after he broke the ice on Wednesday. He scored a team-high 29 last season.

3: Consecutive losses the Red Wings, after starting the season with three wins.

8: Losses in a row to Detroit that Edmonton had suffered before tonight.

12: Power plays in a row the Red Wings have failed to capitalize on since Gustav Nyquist scored in the second period of a 3-1 victory at Tampa Bay on Oct. 13.

17: The number of consecutive games in which the Red Wings had gained at least one point against the Oilers coming into this night (12-0-5).

29: Shots Detroit registered, surpassing its previous season high of 24 against the Lightning.

34: Faceoffs the Red Wings won (out of 58 total). It was an area in which they have struggled this season.

41: The combined number of shots the Red Wings directed at net that were either blocked (24) or missed the mark (17).

Michigan Live LOADED: 10.22.2015


Slow-starting Red Wings drop their third in a row, with rare loss to Oilers



EDMONTON, Alberta – A season that started with such promise has quickly turned sour for the Detroit Red Wings.

Once again, the Red Wings were outskated and outplayed. This time it happened against a young team they have dominated for years.

Rookie phenom Connor McDavid scored a highlight-reel goal and Cam Talbot made 28 saves as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Red Wings 3-1 Wednesday at Rexall Place.

The Red Wings (3-3-0) have lost three in a row after three consecutive victories to start the season. The Oilers (3-4-0) have won three in a row following four losses in a row.

Tomas Tatar's first goal of the season was the only offense Detroit mustered. The Red Wings have scored five goals in their past three games.

The Oilers ended an eight-game losing streak vs. the Red Wings, which dated back to Feb. 4, 2012.

Detroit began the night with the fewest average shots per game in the NHL and the league's worse shot differential. That won't change much after this game, in which the Red Wings outshot the Oilers 29-28.

The Red Wings were out of sync from the start and never really got into a groove.

The Oilers scored twice in a span of 30 seconds in the second period to take a 3-0 lead. Both goals came during two-on-one breaks.

McDavid, the top pick in this year's draft who the Red Wings were facing for the first time, scored his fourth goal in seven games at 6:34. He shook off a checking attempt by Brad Richards, took a pass from Benoit Pouliot and made a terrific deke in front of goaltender Petr Mrazek. Jakub Kindl was caught up ice, leading to the odd-man rush.

Teddy Purcell scored at 7:04 on a broken play. Danny DeKeyser's shot was blocked at the point, leading to a rush for the Oilers. Mrazek made the save on Purcell but the bouncing puck went in off defenseman Kyle Quincey's skate.

Tatar got his team on the board at 6:49 of the third. He corralled the rebound of a shot by Gustav Nyquist and backhanded it past Talbot.

The Red Wings had a chance to get to within one with 4:30 to play but Justin Abdelkader's shot during a breakaway glanced off the post.

The Red Wings also failed to score during a six-on-four advantage following a penalty to Purcell with 3:13 remaining, as Detroit pulled Mrazek for the extra skater.

The Red Wings were 15-0-2 vs. Edmonton dating back to Dec. 3, 2009, the Oilers' most recent regulation win in the series before this night. The Red Wings are 22-2-7 in their past 31 against the Oilers and 30-3-11-4 (W-L-OTL-T) in their past 48 vs. Edmonton.

This was the first time in their past 15 games at Rexall Place that the Red Wings have failed to earn at least one point (9-1-5).

It also was their final game at Rexall, the second-oldest arena in the league. The Oilers move into a new building next season.

The Oilers started strong, getting a power-play goal from Mark Letestu at 12:32 of the first period and leading 1-0 at the intermission. Letestu, from the net front, tapped in Nail Yakupov's pass. Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson didn't appear to be defending Letestu aggressively enough.



Rob Klinkhammer feels 'really bad' for Red Wings' Johan Franzen; Pavel Datsyuk to ramp up skating


on October 21, 2015 at 4:51 PM, updated October 21, 2015 at 9:47 PM

EDMONTON, Alberta – Johan Franzen has suffered numerous concussions during his career, from a plethora of hits.

The most recent one happened more than nine months ago and has put his career in serious jeopardy.

Edmonton Oilers forward Rob Klinkhammer, who delivered the hit that ended Franzen's season on Jan. 6, said he feels bad for the Detroit Red Wings forward.

"I feel really bad for him," Klinkhammer said Wednesday, prior to the Red Wings-Oilers game at Rexall Place. "It wasn't really intentional. I was kind of skating to the bench. and he was skating one way. I saw him at the last second, kind of braced myself, and I think his head hit my head or something. Completely unintentional."

Klinkhammer hit the side of Franzen's head with his shoulder with 5:50 remaining in the game. Franzen had to be helped off the ice but returned almost immediately and finished the game. No penalty was called.

Franzen didn't feel well on the flight to Calgary following the game and was placed on injured reserve a couple of days later.

Klinkhammer did not receive any supplementary discipline from the NHL.

"I'm not a dirty player like that," Klinkhammer said. "I'm sure he has a family, a wife and kids. It's tough to see guys deal with that. You never want to see anyone with a head injury or anything like that.

"It's a tough situation. Hopefully, he can get back to playing, because he's a great player, one of the best in the league -- big guy, tons of skill. I just wish him the best recovery he can get."

Franzen suffered a setback after just two games this season, when his concussion symptoms returned. The Red Wings placed him on short-term injured reserve, and nobody is certain of his future.

"I just exchanged a text with him two days ago, and he said he wasn't feeling great," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "He's got post-concussion. I don't even know if the terminology I'm using is correct. I just know that he doesn't feel right."

Franzen continues to see Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, director of Michigan's neurosport program.

Klinkhammer said he hasn't reached out to Franzen.

"I didn't really know he was hurt, to be honest with you," Klinkhammer said. "I remember we collided, and he left the game. But I didn't realize it was serious until someone mentioned to me the other day. I thought he was playing last year. I didn't know he was missing an extended period of time.

"It's a crappy situation. There's life after hockey. It's your career for right now, but you've got to protect your health and your well-being, especially your mind. That's something that's really important."

Datsyuk skating in Detroit

Holland said Pavel Datsyuk, recovering from offseason ankle surgery, planned to skate on his own in Detroit this week and possibly start practicing next week. He is estimated to be out until mid-November.

"I don't know if he's joining us Monday (for practice), or if it's a week from Monday, but he is skating on his own," Holland said. "He's working out hard on his own. I think he's on schedule, whatever that means. There's been no setbacks.

"Obviously, when he trusts his ankle and feels good about his ankle, he'll then join us for practice. Then it's about practicing every day and getting his timing, his conditioning and all those things ramped up. I still think – I'm guessing – he's probably 3-4 weeks away, maybe two. I don't really know."



Red Wings' lineup vs. Oilers: Jeff Blashill hopes line shuffling leads to more offensive zone time



EDMONTON, Alberta – It's all about zone time as the Detroit Red Wings try to end a two-game slide tonight against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place (9:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

The Red Wings (3-2) have the worst shot differential in the NHL (average 33-21 for opponents), mainly because they're not spending enough time in the offensive zone.

"I don't think you can continue on the shot differential that we've had and have success," coach Jeff Blashill said after the morning skate. "It can happen in different games throughout the year but it can't continue on a regular basis. We have to do a better job of limiting their shots. We have to do a better job of creating ours.

"I think it stems most from zone time. I think we have to do a better job of getting out of our zone faster and spending more time in the other team's zone."

It's the start of three-game Western Canada trip. The Oilers (2-4) have won two in a row after losing their first four.

Here are the Red Wings' lines and defense pairs:

Justin Abdelkader-Henrik Zetterberg-Dylan Larkin

Gustav Nyquist-Riley Sheahan-Tomas Tatar

Darren Helm-Brad Richards-Teemu Pulkkinen

Drew Miller-Luke Glendening-Landon Ferraro

Tomas Jurco and Joakim Andersson are healthy scratches.

On defense:

Niklas Kronwall-Jonathan Ericsson

Danny DeKeyser-Mike Green

Kyle Quincey-Jakub Kindl

Brendan Smith is a healthy scratch for the second game in a row, but Blashill said he will play on this trip, which continues with games in Calgary Friday and Vancouver Saturday.

"I would expect to see Smitty in the lineup on the course of this trip," Blashill said. "It's not tonight, but whether that'll be Friday or Saturday, expect to see him in the lineup.

"It does not necessarily have anything to do how anybody else plays. It'll just be to make sure -we've got to keep guys playing. We think we have seven good ones but I think as a group they can all play better. So that's going to be the first focus."

Petr Mrazek is making his second start in a row. He'll also start in Vancouver. Jimmy Howard starts in Calgary.

This is the Red Wings' final appearance at Rexall Place. The Oilers are moving into a new building next season.

"What a building," Blashill said. "I grew up in the era when the Oilers were winning the Cups. Anytime you're able to walk into special buildings like this it's neat. To know that this is the last year, it's neat thing for sure.

"What great memories. I watched games in here when I was a college coach recruiting. It's a great building to be a part of. We're certainly glad to be here."

Here are the Oilers' line and defense pairings:

Taylor Hall-Ryan Nugent Hopkins-Andrew Miller

Benoit Pouliot-Connor McDavid-Nail Yakupov

Lauri Korpikoski-Anton Lander-Teddy Purcell

Anton Slepyshev-Mark Letestu-Rob Klinkhammer

Oscar Klefbom-Justin Schultz

Andrej Sekera-Mark Fayne

Andrew Ference-Eric Gryba

Cam Talbot (starting)

Anders Nilsson



Detroit Red Wings Gameday: Let the Dylan Larkin vs. Connor McDavid Rookie of Year hype begin

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


GAME INFORMATION

• Who: Detroit Red Wings (3-2) at Edmonton Oilers (2-4)

• Where: Rexall Place

• When: 9:30 p.m.

• TV: Fox Sports Detroit

• Radio: 97.1 WXYT-FM, 1270 WXYT-AM and Red Wings radio network

• Social media: Follow MLive sports on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

• Twitter: Follow Ansar Khan and Brendan Savage

• Live coverage: Join our open thread at 8:30 p.m.

GAME NOTES

• Unless their strong starts are a fluke – and there's been no reason to believe they are – Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers will be among the leading contenders for the NHL's Rookie of the Year award and the hype is sure to pick up beginning tonight, when they face off for the first time. Both have played well during the young season. Larkin, the 15th overall pick in the 2014 draft, has set a Red Wings rookie record with a point in five games to start the season. He has two goals and four assists while leading the Red Wings with a plus-7 rating and 14 shots on goal. McDavid, the first overall pick in this year's draft, leads the Oilers in goals (3) and points (5) through six games.

• Tonight's game is the second of four straight on the road for the Red Wings and marks the beginning of a Western Canada road trip. They'll face Calgary Friday and Vancouver Saturday before returning home Tuesday to play Carolina in the first of two straight at Joe Louis Arena. That will be their third game against the Hurricanes this season. Each team has won once on the road.

• The Red Wings have dominated the series vs. Edmonton in the last decade. They've won eight straight vs. the Oilers dating back to a 5-4 shootout loss Feb. 4, 2012 and they're 15-0-2 in the last 17 games vs. Edmonton dating back to a 4-1 loss Dec. 3, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena. That was the Red Wings' last regulation loss to the Oilers. Detroit is 22-1-7 in its last 30 meetings with the Oilers and 30-2-11-4 in the last 47.



Red Wings Q&A: Dylan Larkin on Sidney Crosby, superstitions and No. 1 item on his bucket list


on October 21, 2015 at 9:09 AM

DETROIT – He's the first teenager to suit up for the Detroit Red Wings in 12 years, is a local boy who played one season at the University of Michigan before turning pro, and scored his first goal in his first NHL game.

With the Red Wings scheduled to face off tonight against the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid – the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NHL draft – who better than rookie sensation Dylan Larkin to kick off MLive's 2015-16 Detroit Red Wings Q&A series?

In a recent chat with MLive, Lakin discussed his year in Ann Arbor, childhood idol Sidney Crosby, superstitions and the No. 1 thing on his bucket list.

MLive: Outside of hockey what was the coolest thing about your year at Michigan?

Larkin: Just being there, I guess. Going to football games. I'd say just being there, being on campus.

MLive: What's the coolest thing about playing in your hometown for the Red Wings?

Larkin: All the support from family and friends, fans. Being able to go home and hang out on an off-day and just take it easy.

MLive: You've said Sidney Crosby was your idol when you were younger. What was it you liked about him?

Larkin: Just the kind of player he was and how hard he worked.

MLive: What was it like playing against him?

Larkin: It was pretty cool. Just preseason but just to see him skate around was pretty cool.

MLive: Do you have a bucket list?

Larkin: To win the Stanley Cup is right at the top.

MLive: What do you like to do away from the rink to relax?

Larkin: Probably just watch TV

MLive: What's your favorite show?

Larkin: NHL Network.

MLive: What about non-sports shows?

Larkin: I don't really have one right now. I watch a lot of sports.

MLive: What's your most memorable hockey moment so far?

Larkin: Scoring my first NHL goal in my first NHL game.

MLive: Who's the guy who keeps everybody loose on the bus or on the plane or in the room?

Larkin: Everybody's pretty loose. (Riley) Sheahan is pretty funny. Andy (Joakim Andersson) is pretty funny. (Kyle) Quincey.

MLive: Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Larkin: Donuts. Any kind.

MLive: Are you a superstitious guy?

Larkin: Yeah. Same suit, same dress socks – clean ones obviously, but same kind. Same stick. I don't like to break sticks.

MLive: What do you see yourself doing in 20 years?

Larkin: Playing hockey.



Western Canada has been fertile ground for Detroit Red Wings' record in recent years



TAYLOR – Visits to Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver have been good to the Detroit Red Wings in recent years.

Very good.

Those three destinations are grouped together on the schedule virtually every season when the Red Wings visit Western Canada and the result has been a 19-6-4 record and .724 winning percentage since 2009-10 during games in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

"For whatever reason, I always enjoy going out there and playing in these rinks, playing in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver," Justin Abdelkader said Tuesday before the Red Wings boarded their plane for the Great White North.

"I think as a team we've had successful trips out there. Anytime you're struggling a little bit, it's sometimes good to go on the road and try to find our game. The big thing is keeping it simple and not turning pucks over."

Here's how the Red Wings' recent history against Western Canada teams breaks down.

• Against Edmonton, the Red Wings are 9-0-5 on the road in their last 14 games dating back to Oct. 21, 2006. Overall, they've won eight in a row since 2011-12, are 15-0-2 dating back to Dec. 3, 2009 and have a 30-2-11-4 record in their last 47 meetings with the Oilers.

• Against Calgary, the Red Wings are 7-3-0 in their last 10 road games and 10-6-0 in their last 16 meetings overall.

• Against Vancouver, they're 6-3-1 in their past 10 road games and 13-5-2 in the last 20 overall.

So what's the reason for the Red Wings' recent success in Western Canada?

"I don't know," said Abdelkader, who leads the Red Wings with four goals. "I just think we talked about going on the road, being on the road with the guys, getting together, getting to spend a little more time.

"I don't know what it is, if guys enjoy playing out here, obviously at least we're going out there, it's not going to be minus-20, minus-30" degrees.

The weather in Western Canada – especially Edmonton – can be downright frigid during the second half of the season but the majority of the Red Wings' trips there in the last decade have come during the first half.

With the exception of the lockout campaign and last season – when they made their first visit to Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver in January – the Red Wings have usually made the trip during the first quarter of the season.

"Trips like this, it doesn't really matter when it is," said captain Henrik Zetterberg. "The good thing is, it's not too cold out there. That's the nice part. It was worse before when we were in the Western Conference. Now we're in the Eastern Conference and we don't go out there that often so we should be a little fresher even if it was the end of the year.

"I think every year at the start of the season it's good to get together. Nothing more than a road trip will get you together. You spend so much time with each other. Playing some good hockey, having some good practices, and enjoy yourself."

The good news for the Red Wings (3-2) is the fear of frost bite won't confine them to their hotel rooms during the stint in Western Canada.

The temperature was in the 50s when they arrived in Edmonton Tuesday and the forecast called for a high of 62 today. Calgary was expecting temperatures in the 50s Thursday and Friday while the outlook for Saturday in Vancouver is the same.

"I hope it's not as cold as it is in January so that's an advantage there for sure," said coach Jeff Blashill, who was a Red Wings assistant back in 2011-12 when Detroit was in the Western Conference.

"We're going to go somewhere in January and it's going to be hard. I think you have to play your schedule and this is our schedule and we're going to play it."

Blashill will be sticking to his goaltender rotation during the trip as he said Petr Mrazek will start tonight and Saturday with Jimmy Howard getting the nod Friday in Calgary.



Red Wings drop third straight, 3-1 to Oilers

By The Associated Press

Posted: 10/22/15, 12:48 AM EDT | Updated: 44 secs ago

EDMONTON, Alberta >> Connor McDavid scored his fourth goal of the season to help the Edmonton Oilers beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 on Wednesday night.

The No. 1 overall pick in the June draft, the 18-year-old McDavid beat Petr Mrazek with a deke on a breakaway to give the Oilers a 2-0 lead at 6:34 of the second period. He also has two assists in his first seven NHL games.

Edmonton has won three straight after losing its first four games. The Oilers also snapped an eight-game losing streak against Detroit.

Teddy Purcell scored 30 seconds after McDavid’s goal. Mark Letestu scored his first goal for Edmonton on a first-period power play. Cam Talbot made 28 saves, allowing only Tomas Tatar’s third-period goal off a rebound.

Mrazek stopped 25 shots for Detroit. The Red Wings have lost three straight after winning their first three games.

NOTES: Detroit entered the game 15-0-2 against the Oilers dating to 2009. ... The Oilers were without Jordan Eberle (shoulder), Matt Hendricks (foot) and Griffin Reinhart (undisclosed). Edmonton called up forward Andrew Miller and he played his first game of the season. ... Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk (ankle) and Johan Franzen (concussion-like symptoms) sat out. ... The Red Wings are at Calgary on Friday night.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 10.22.2015

978091 Edmonton Oilers

Jim Matheson: Oilers win mixes "Oh, baby!" moments with "What the heck happened here?" mistakes

More from Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal


So, it’s come to this. We’re starting to critique Edmonton Oilers wins.

That’s a good thing, right?

Yes, it is.

In the churning wake of a third straight victory after opening with four straight losses, when the swashbuckling Connor McDavid had one of those “Oh, baby!” dekes in alone on helpless Detroit goalie Petr Mrazek, when Nail Yakupov continued to light it up with two assists alongside McDavid, when Oilers goalie Cam Talbot was one brick short of a stone wall, we were still left with a few “What the heck happened there?” moments.

Take Taylor Hall, who had been playing so well in previous games, not getting the puck deep in the dying minutes on a rush, up 3-1, and before you could spell Justin Abdelkader, the Detroit winger was sailing in on a breakaway, only to graze the outside of the post. There was Oilers defenceman Oscar Klefbom following up the Hall rush, and not staying back as a spectator, and getting caught.

Boyish enthusiasm, but almost a painful result.

But baby steps. The Oilers have beaten three teams — Calgary, Vancouver and Detroit — who’ve put a world of hurt on them for years, especially the Wings. This was the first Oilers’ regulation-game win over Detroit in six years, home or away. In the last 48 games, going back to 2001-02 (here or in Motor City), the Oilers have only won three times against Detroit in a 60-minute game.

That’s a lot of Groundhog Day stories.

So let’s deal with the positives first.

The Oilers killed off 11:13 of Detroit power plays and have only given up two goals in 25 tries in their seven games, that’s a 92 per cent success rate.

When they broke down, Talbot made a lot of tough saves look easy. Maybe not Carey Price easy, but he plays with an economy of motion, and there are few adventures when the puck’s around him.

McDavid played the fewest minutes of his NHL career, only 15.5 minutes because of all the penalties the team took, but he buried his one chance and set up Mark Letestu short-handed, after muscling Gus Nyquist off the puck.

Yakupov started the play for McDavid’s goal, battling for a puck deep in the Oilers end, and his pass to Mark Letestu on a power play was almost McDavid-like: on the tape, unhurried, clean and easy. It was his best game of the year, at both ends, and when have we said that?

To borrow one of Iron Mike Keenan’s favourite words from years gone by when he was an NHL coach, there is some synergy there between Yakupov and McDavid, along with Benoit Pouliot, who is doing a lot of the line’s heavy lifting defensively. On a night when Yak’s agent, the great Igor Larionov, was in the house, the Russian winger did him proud, along with the other 16,838 spectators at Rexall.

“Yak made a great play on the wall battling off a couple of guys, chipping it to Benny, and he made the great pass to me,” said McDavid. “Credit to those guys.”

He froze Mrazek, stopping quickly, and going right to left to tuck it in. It looked like one of those goals of bygone days that Glenn Anderson used to routinely score, before the arm windmill to celebrate. Except McDavid isn’t much for celebrations.

“That your routine move, putting the brakes on?” McDavid was asked.

“I guess it’s a good move. Maybe the goalie expects you to go back-hand there. When you can throw something different at them, that can turn the odds in your favour.”

Talbot had a grin, under his mask, from 190 feet away.

“You’ve seen all the highlights I’ve seen, so whatever Connor does, doesn’t surprise me one bit. He does it in practice every day. You never know what that kid’s going to do. He’s so shifty, he can stickhandle in a phone booth,” said Talbot.

McDavid also set up Letestu in the second, while on one of his penalty-kills, but Letestu couldn’t convert.

“Good little chance but the puck hopped up a bit,” McDavid said. “Tough play for sure.”

Yakupov looks like a man who’s had the Zamboni lifted off his back the last week he’s been playing with McDavid. He has five points the past three games. ‘It takes awhile for some chemistry. It’s not necessarily instantaneous. Let’s not forget Benny. He does all the work on the wall, in the forecheck keeping plays alive,” said McDavid.

Yakupov’s best play came on the setup to Letestu. It was an offensive talent’s head at work. He didn’t blast away from 20 feet out, even while he was open. He hasn’t always done that.

“I was trying to shoot because that’s my personal area where I have to shoot but Letestu showed me his stick, battling in front of the net and I had my first back-door pass,” he said, laughing.

There were some scary moments defensively before the Oilers could slam the door, though. The Oilers are still learning how to win games after so many hangdog times the last few years.

“Yeah, I was talking to myself as I watched the breakaway (Abdelkader) … but I don’t want to tell you what I was saying,” said McLellan. “Our game management has to get better, watching the clock, knowing who’s on the ice at that time … their first line. That’s an inexperienced team, not used to winning. A drop pass by us, two D joining the rush with a 3-1 lead.”

One penalty they’d like back, too.

“And as much as I thought Teddy Purcell had a helluva game … he was really good but his penalty with four minutes left? He was our deepest guy (up ice), the farthest from our net,” McLellan said. “He has to be a little smarter in that occasion.”

When the Oilers come in to Watch video Thursday morning, it’ll be instructional, not penalizing.

“We’ll have a lot of happy people coming to the rink. Some embarrassing times we’ll see but we’ll be happy to step on the ice after it,” said Yakupov.

Again, another small step for the Oilers.

Video sessions where players aren’t hanging their heads, or dreading the film rolling.

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Oilers end their winless drought against Red Wings with 3-1 victory



The Oilers ended a six-year drought against the Detroit Red Wings with their first regulation victory Wednesday, a 3-1 win at Rexall Place. It was their first win in 60 minutes over the Wings since Dec. 3, 2009.

Mark Letestu scored the first Oilers goal off a nifty power play feed from Nail Yakupov 12 minutes into the game. Then Connor McDavid and Teddy Purcell clicked in a 30-second span in the middle frame. McDavid waltzed in alone and turned Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek into a pretzel before sliding it home for his first home NHL goal.

Purcell’s shot bounced off the leg of Kyle Quincey. That was all they needed, with Tomas Tatar ending Cam Talbot’s bid for his first Oilers’ shutout, banging home a rebound seven minutes into the third.

They held their breath in the dying stages when Detroit winger Justin Abdelkader had a breakaway from the blue-line but he fired a shot that glanced off the post. “I think he may have been hearing a few footsteps,” said Talbot, of Abdelkader going to the shot rather than, say, a deke.

One of those “oops” moments

Oilers coach Todd McLellan wasn’t happy with the sequence of events before Abdelkader’s break which would have made it 3-2.

First Taylor Hall didn’t get the puck deep on a rush, instead trying to make a play inside the Detroit line, and the Oilers’ defence had charged up ice, too.

“We have to understand game situations better, the time on the clock, who’s on the ice, momentum swings,” said McLellan. “Drop pass and the defence came up on the play.”

Ference back in the Oilers’ lineup

Former captain Andrew Ference returned against the Red Wings after sitting out for four straight games. He played with Eric Gryba, since Griffin Reinhart is banged up.

“He’s handling it very professionally. He’s working hard but if you peel the onion back, this is hurting him. I’m sure deep down, it’s burning at him,” coach Todd McLellan said.

Ference’s other game was in Nashville against the Predators, Game 2 of the Oilers’ schedule.

Home is where the heart is

Farm team call-up Andrew Miller is tickled to be in the NHL as an Oilers’ winger, starting alongside Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins before being replaced by Klinkhammer in the second period Wednesday.

But Miller has an affinity for the Wings. He grew up in Bloomington Hills, a suburb of Detroit.

This was Miller’s first game against his the team he cheered for as a boy. When Miller, voted Mr. Hockey in 2006-07 (the best Michigan high-school player) he went to games at Joe Louis Arena and sat behind former goalie Chris Osgood’s blocker side. His favourite player was centre Steve Yzerman.

No Datsyuk, no angst for Oilers

The Oilers caught a break with the magical centre Pavel Datsyuk back home and recuperating from off-season ankle surgery.

Datsyuk, 37, has 40 points in 44 career games against the Oilers. “Good for us but maybe I’d like to see how our team measures up when he is there,” McLellan said.

Datsyuk, who has 869 career points in 887 games and is plus 242, could start skating with the Wings next week but is out until mid-November. If so he could miss the first 17 games.

They Said It:

“I’d like to score a goal where there’s people on the ice.”

— Miller, whose first NHL goal came on a penalty shot against Kari Lehtonen last season.

“I thought I’d be playing in Grand Rapids.”

— Detroit rookie forward Dylan Larkin, acknowledging the Wings’ long-standing formula of letting young players learn the pro game in the American League for a year or two before seeing the bright lights of the NHL.



John MacKinnon: McDavid leading Oilers on journey of exuberant discovery so far this season

John MacKinnon, Edmonton Journal

More from John MacKinnon, Edmonton Journal


There are those who believe education goes better when the learning environment is as stress-free as possible, when there is endless positive reinforcement, mini-rewards for tasks completed, and so on.

The learning curve, if possible, should be a journey of exuberant discovery, in the words of Alfie Kohn, a noted writer on education.

When the learning environment is major league sport — stress, intense competition, instantaneous feedback from thousands of often cranky people — that sort of pedagogical setting is impossible to put in place.

As the late Hall of Fame goalie Jacques Plante once put it: “How would you like it in your job if every time you made a small mistake, a red light went on over your desk and 15,000 people stood up and yelled at you?”

Sometimes pro hockey is not exactly a journey of exuberant discovery, in other words. Oilers fans and players alike know all about how stressful and what a slog it can be when the lessons go unlearned, when the results are not forthcoming, when the names and faces change, year over year, to little effect.

Anyway, Plante’s words came to mind Wednesday after hearing Oilers head coach Todd McLellan say, following the club’s morning skate, “I think every day is a learning experience right now for our team.”

No doubt it is, with a young roster, a new coaching staff and new teammates to get used to playing with.

The learning goes down a lot easier when you’re winning, as the Oilers did Wednesday night, beating the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 on a night rookie phenom Connor McDavid scored his first home goal in front of fans at Rexall Place.

Mark Letestu and Teddy Purcell had the other goals for the Oilers. Tomas Tatar replied for Detroit.

Having won three in a row, including their first victory over the Red Wings since 2009 after eight straight defeats, the Oilers sit at 3-4 for the season, with plenty of learning still to do.

That was apparent to head coach Todd McLellan, who acknowledged, happily, his young club had “moved the needle” in the win over Detroit. After victories over Calgary and Vancouver, the club showed improvement in some areas.

Which ones?

“Special teams, in my opinion, we spent some time there,” McLellan said. “Coming out against a heavy forecheck and a pinch, I thought we were better than we were in Vancouver, much better than we were in Dallas.

“So, those were areas that we improved on. I still think our game management has to (be better). We have to understand the situations we’re in, the time on the clock, who’s on the ice, momentum swings.

“For me, that’s a team that’s inexperienced when it comes to winning. They don’t completely understand moments. We have to get better in that area.”

One graphic illustration of that came late in the third period, when Oilers winger Taylor Hall failed to get the puck deep in the Red Wings zone and suddenly, there was Justin Abdelkader zooming in on goaltender Cam Talbot on a breakaway.

“We had a drop pass, drop pass, two (defencemen) joining the rush with a 3-1 lead with four minutes left. That’s not going to work.”

As it happened, Abdelkader hit the post on the breakaway, so, no harm done. But the teachable moment is burned onto video, which the players will witness, perhaps several times over the next day or two.

All part of the voyage of discovery, exuberant or not.

The rock-solid goaltending the Oilers have received from both Cam Talbot and Anders Nilsson is providing cover for the mistakes while it enables the winning, which in turn makes the learning more fun.

“You feel comfortable because your mistakes are often covered up by good goaltending,” McLellan said. “But, the ability to park those mistakes and not have them happen again is what we’ll be looking for.

“Our best opportunity to learn will be (Thursday) in a video session where we can point certain situations out. The players will be a little bit disappointed because they’ll be wondering, ‘Well why are you showing us this stuff.’

“I just think it’s important. It’s something we need in our game.”

God, after all, is in those niggling details. He’s also embedded in winning, though, isn’t he?

“I think that’s important,” McLellan said. “Let’s face it, if we were not winning, the meeting would be even more difficult. The practice would be even more difficult.

“The reception of ideas and concepts would be more difficult. There would be more roadblocks to go through.

“I said the other day I think we can be harder on this group when we are winning. They need it now. Later on, they may need more of a hug.

“Right now, they need a little kick (to) make sure they’re going in the right direction.”

Here’s another element that is going to lower the stress level as the lesson plan rolls on: McDavid.

Yes, the returns are necessarily incomplete on the 18-year-old star, but already it’s a toss-up which is the bigger learning curve: McDavid getting up to speed on the NHL; or the rest of us becoming au fait with just how dazzling a hockey wizard the young man is.

McDavid buried Edmonton’s second goal of the game Wednesday night, deking backhand then depositing the puck into the net on the forehand behind Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek at 6:34 of the second period.

He tried a similar move on Calgary goalie Jonas Hiller on Saturday night, but the Flames goalie got a leg pad down to make the save.

McDavid won’t be an artist every single game, but he’s the kind of player whose misses can be as exciting as his goals. That play on Hiller is a case in point.

McDavid is not only receptive to the lessons about defence, being hard on the puck and all the rest, he’s executing those components as best he can right now.

Yes, the learning environment for the Oilers seems fertile, indeed, at the moment.



Coaching legend Scotty Bowman says McDavid's pressure packed rookie year similar to Canadiens' Guy Lafleur's



Scotty Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history, sees similarities in the hullabaloo over Connor McDavid and the heat a young Guy Lafleur endured in Montreal in the early 1970s.

“When we got Guy there was so much pressure on him as the No. 1 pick,” said Bowman, who coached the Canadiens when Lafleur arrived on the scene in Montreal as the phenom junior forward, first choice in the 1971 draft.

“(Jean) Beliveau had just retired in Montreal … in fact, Lafleur had also worn No. 4 when he was playing junior in Quebec. The toughest part for Guy was where he would play. He was a centre in junior and everybody thought he’d replace Beliveau, and, of course, nobody could,” said Bowman.

“I had a lot of older players when I was in St. Louis and I’d just gotten to Montreal (as coach). I wasn’t sure how to handle Lafleur. It was tough on him, like I said, so much pressure on the first pick.”

“We had him at centre but he couldn’t do faceoffs. The league was full of good guys there. Bobby Clarke, (Jean) Ratelle, and Boston would come into the Forum with Phil Esposito and their powerhouse in 1971 and Lafleur couldn’t get a faceoff,” said Bowman.

“We decided to put Lafleur on the wing.”

Lafleur became an every day right-winger in Montreal, racked up 560 goals and made the Hockey Hall of Fame, but had to live with the spectre of the fiery Rocket Richard, the greatest right-winger in NHL history. Richard had 544 career goals, but he took a back seat to nobody if you were a Habs fan.

The Oilers’ teenager McDavid isn’t going to move from centre; he’s too good there.

But he’s having to live with the talk of him being the second coming of Wayne Gretzky here, or at the least the next Sidney Crosby. Suffocating pressure, for sure.

“Young guys find their way, though,” said Bowman, currently an adviser to his son, Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman.

Scotty watches a ton of games around the league on TV from his winter home in Florida, even the late start games. He’s also at many home tilts of the nearby Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s 82 years old but he’s stayed current. He’s very interested in McDavid’s progress.

Bowman says faceoffs are killers for young players just breaking into the NHL.

McDavid has struggled mightily there (27.9 per cent success rate going into Wednesday’s game against Detroit), but it’s a huge adjustment coming from junior. Some older centres still have trouble, such as McDavid’s teammate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, in his fifth NHL year but only 36.5 per cent in the faceoff circle.

“Even with the new rules, they (rookies) don’t get much stature from the linesmen (on faceoffs),” Bowman said.



60 Minutes Sports drops into Edmonton to wrap up feature on Oilers' Connor McDavid

More from Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal


America? Meet Connor McDavid.

While McDavid’s story has become an enduring Canadian tale — from the family’s puck-battered garage wall to his first overall selection at the NHL entry draft — American sports fans are not as familiar with the Oilers rookie.

At least not yet.

A production team from 60 Minutes Sports was in Edmonton on Wednesday to bank more footage for a profile on McDavid. The project, in the works for more than a year, is expected to air Nov. 3 on Showtime.

CBS News correspondent and associate producer Jeff Glor has compiled material from McDavid’s later days with the Erie Otters through to his first couple of months in the NHL.

A crew filmed segments at the top prospects game in January, there have been trips to the family home in Newmarket, Ont., as well as a couple of Ontario Hockey League games. They also shot footage at the June draft.

“For sure it’s cool,” said McDavid. “It’s something that started in the summer — actually a little bit last year. They haven’t been too intrusive, so it’s been nice, but at the same time, it’s been a lot of fun to work with them.”

Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and defenceman P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens have both been profiled on the program.

Others episodes have featured the likes of Argentina’s soccer hero Lionel Messi, the Lance Armstrong doping case, Scott Cochran, the director of strength and conditioning for Alabama’s Crimson Tide football program and Bobby Mitchell, the Washington Redskins’ first black player.

This isn’t the first documentary featuring McDavid either. Connor McDavid: Transitions, a two-part project that started with his final year in junior and culminated with his appearance in the world juniors, aired on Sportsnet and the NHL Network before the draft.



Andrew Ference draws back into Oilers lineup with Griffin Reinhart out



Game day

7:30 p.m.

Detroit Red Wings at Edmonton Oilers

TV: SN1, FS-D

Andrew Ference is in for defenceman Griffin Reinhart, who did not skate on Tuesday with an undisclosed injury.

He’ll play with Eric Gryba.

“You just skate hard when you’re not in and work on stuff after morning skates and in practice. Nothing out of the ordinary, ” Ference said. “You just put in the work. You just go out and do the best you can.”

This marks only the second game Ference will play this season. Head coach Todd McLellan said he has been the consummate professional, although he does expect that the lack of games has been burning the veteran.

“I expect him to play very well and we believe that’s in his game, (but) I think if you peeled back the onion, it’s hurting him. It’s eating at him. He wants to be in the lineup and believes he can contribute. He’s going to get that chance tonight.”

Cam Talbot, who was on the job for Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames, gets the start in the Oilers net.

McLellan said he wants to keep both goaltenders playing. With games every other night over the next 11 days, both Talbot and Anders Nilsson will play.



Oilers' Connor McDavid goes against another top teen in Detroit's Dylan Larkin

Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal


Hockey fans can’t wait for the first Connor McDavid vs. Jack Eichel matchup Dec. 6 at Rexall Place—the teenagers who went No. 1 and No. 2 in the June draft and the two leading candidates for rookie of the year.

But here’s another one to watch for, and it’s more immediate.

On Wednesday night it’s McDavid vs. Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, who has six points in five games, is plus-7, and is playing on the Red Wings’ No. 1 line with Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader.

Larkin, normally a centre and the youngster most feel will be a first-line centre when Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk move on, has done something precious few Red Wings kids have done.

Detroit likes to have their top prospects percolating in the minors for a year or two or three.

Not the ultra-fast Larkin, 19, their first-round pick in 2014 (15th overall).

“I’ve played against Dylan when I was really young, in the world junior and maybe the under 17s … he’s an unbelievable player and off to a great start. He’s definitely somebody we have to watch out for,” said McDavid.

“The Red Wings are known for developing their young guys, but he’s a special case.”

The U.S.-born Larkin, who played one year at U of Michigan after being drafted, then six playoff games for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins last spring (five points), knows all about McDavid.

“I’ve probably played against him since I was 12 or 13. He’s always been a special player,” Larkin told Detroit reporters. “I’m excited to see him now.”

He doesn’t think there’s any real rivalry, though. McDavid, who has five points in six Oilers games, is in a different stratosphere when it comes to hype.

“He’s such a nice guy. I got to hang out with him a bit this summer at the (NHL) Rookie Showcase. It’s nice to see a humble guy like that,” said Larkin, who turned 19 in late July.

Larkin’s catching people’s attention, but he can’t fathom the glare McDavid’s under.

“He’s had lots of attention his whole life and he handles it well. He’s always produced,” said Larkin.

McDavid is coming off his best two NHL games, in Calgary and Vancouver, where he recorded four points.

“He played with more authority, less of a ‘I’ve got to give it (puck) to you’ mentality,” said coach Todd McLellan. “It’s knowing what the pecking order is with young players coming into this league.

“It’s almost militaristic, the NHL. You start out as a corporal, then you’re a sergeant and you move all the way up. I think Connor has the ability to skip a couple of those ranks and take charge. He did that in Calgary,” McLellan said.

“We’d be crazy to not want the offence to go through Connor. We want the puck in his hands. He probably understands now that our players want that, they want him to succeed. They’re not trying to suppress him or put him back into his rookie position.”

One of the adjustments for youngsters in the NHL is they don’t handle the puck as much as they did in junior. “That’s common with everyone … they don’t get the puck as much as they did before,” McLellan said.

“Learning to play away from the puck and getting into position to get it back on the breakout, that’s important.”



Oil Kings' Pollock named to Team WHL for Canada-Russia Series

Edmonton Journal logo Evan Davits, Edmonton Journal


Fourth-year Oil Kings forward Brett Pollock could not hide his excitement at Monday’s practice after learning that he’d been named to the roster of Team WHL to play in the 2015 CHL Canada-Russia Series Nov. 9 in Kelowna and Nov. 10 in Kamloops.

Even when Pollock was not grinning ear-to-ear, his excitement over the opportunity to play alongside fellow WHL superstars in a tournament that acts as precursor to Hockey Canada’s selection of its roster for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship was written all over his face.

“Fitting into world juniors, everybody wants to have a look at that and show what you can do,” Pollock said. “It’s a great chance for me to show what I can do with other highly skilled forwards.”

Pollock, a 19-year-old Sherwood Park native who was drafted in the second round by the Dallas Stars, has picked up where he left off last season. The six-foot-three, 197-pound left-winger is currently tied with Lane Bauer for the team lead in points (10) after scoring 32 goals and adding 30 assists to lead the Oil Kings last season.

Pollock certainly has the scoring touch, but head coach Steve Hamilton has noticed improvements in other areas of Pollock’s game that make him a more valuable prospect.

“He’s become a more reliable 200-foot player, and that’s a big part of Hockey Canada’s philosophy,” Hamilton said. “ They want guys who can play the full sheet, no different than what we would expect of him here. He’s developed his game away from the puck and it’s probably been recognized by a lot of people.

“He’s earned an opportunity; we really want him to make the most of that and I think he’ll have that mindset,” Hamilton added. “Have an impact while you’re there, don’t try to blend in, do the things you do well and who knows where it goes?”

Pollock, the 10th Oil Kings player ever to be named to Team WHL for the series, is following in the footsteps of former teammates including Tristan Jarry, Curtis Lazar and Griffin Reinhart. Being selected to the roster and playing with an inclusive group of talented players will bode well for Pollock.

“If you’ve got your foot in the door and you’re in the conversation, that’s definitely a starting point,” Hamilton said. “I hope he takes full advantage and I trust he will.”



Oilers notebook: It's Miller time on Edmonton's No. 1 line



Bakersfield Condors’ call-up winger Andrew Miller will play with Taylor Hall and centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the Oilers’ No. 1 line against Detroit.

“He showed us in training camp that he has a sense of offence. It’s not a chip and chase game with Andrew. We’re looking for some play-making ability in that spot,” said head coach Todd McLellan.

McLellan said they called up Miller and not Leon Draisaitl, who played wing during pre-season, because “we wanted a right-handed shot and he’d had some success with Taylor before. He’s also produced down there.”

Hall is a fan. “I really liked playing with him last year. He plays hard and tries to make plays all over the ice. Whenever you get a guy coming up from the AHL, it adds some spunk to the line-up,” said Hall.

The NHL audition late last season when he had six points in nine games, was a huge boost for Miller.“It was definitely helpful to be up here last year but I think each game is a stepping stone,” said Miller, who grew up in suburban Detroit and was named Michigan’s Mr. Hockey in 2006-2007 as a high-schooler.

Sobering numbers: The Wings have beaten the Oilers like a drum. They’ve won eight in a row over the Oilers and are 15-0-2 going back to Dec. 3, 2009 when the Oilers last beat them in regulation, 4-1. In the past 30 meetings, Detroit is 22-1-7. Petr Mrazek will start in net for Detroit.

***

ON THE BENCH: McLellan said winger Matt Hendricks, on injured reserve, only has a bruised foot after blocking a shot in Calgary. It’s not broken.

Defenceman Griffin Reinhart is banged up and didn’t practise Tuesday, and is iffy for the Wings’ game. If he doesn’t play, Andrew Ference will likely get his second game of the season on a pairing with Eric Gryba. McLellan likes Gryba’s work. “He’s been honest. When his skate-blades hit the ice, he gives us what we want. He makes our back-end heavier, harder to compete against, along with the penalty-kill where he’s a big part,” said McLellan.

Datsyuk is skating after ankle surgery but won’t be back until later this month or into early November.



Taylor Hall is firing away for Oilers, more than any other NHLer right now



Edmonton Oilers winger Taylor Hall is a hard skater, fearless along the boards and plays with emotions dialed high. But no one has ever said he’s got a quick trigger and will shoot from anywhere like Alex Ovechkin — until now.

Hall leads the NHL in shots with 29 in six games.

That’s nearly five shots a game, two more than he’s averaged in his career (955 shots in 299 games coming into this season). And it is twice as many shots as any other teammate, with Nail Yakupov next at 16. The entire team has a pedestrian 161, which means Hall is responsible for 18 per cent of Oilers shots so far.

The Oilers winger was gobsmacked to find he’s No. 1 with 29, two more than the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Nazem Kadri and Vancouver Canucks’ Daniel Sedin.

“Really?” Hall said Tuesday, with a look of disbelief. “My percentage (goals to shots) sucks, though.”

Hall made a conscious effort to work on his shot during the summer. He built a shooting gallery at his parents’ Ontario home and shot as many pucks as he could.

“I got some plywood, and a net from a local arena and got netting up around the end boards. I did it as a kid, shooting lots, and I tried to get back to that,” he said.

Still, Hall wasn’t satisfied with his stats as he prepared with teammates to face the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday night at Rexall Place. “Maybe I could take one (shot) off and make a play or get a better shot,” he said. “The goals are what matters.”

Hall’s shooting percentage is a meagre 6.9 per cent, with just two goals, but coaches love players who shoot such as the Washington Capitals’ Ovechkin (14 in three games) or St. Louis Blues right-winger Vladimir Tarasenko (26 shots in six games).

Oilers coach Todd McLellan isn’t complaining. He likes to see shooting in volume.

“When there’s lot of shots, it breaks down defensive zone coverage, gets players out of position, taxes the opposition,” McLellan said. “Makes them play more minutes in their zone. Even from bad angles, things can happen.”

Hall’s centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins wants his linemate shooting, all the time.

“He’s always had a good shot,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “And over the years when he’s playing his best, he’s shooting it. There’s rebounds or a whistle, the puck’s in the other team’s end. It’s never a bad play. It creates a lot for the rest of us. I thought I took a step forward last year (189 shots in 76 games) shooting more, but this year I haven’t shot the puck nearly enough (10 shots in six games).

“You look at the top scorers in the league and it’s directly proportional to how much they shoot,” he continued. “It’s crazy. You can’t count on scoring a lot and not shooting much and winding up with a great shooting percentage. That’s pretty rare.”

McLellan is crying for more shots from the rest of his team, though. They’re only averaging 26.8 shots a game, near bottom in the league.

“Usually when you’re at the bottom of the league, you’re spending too much time in your own zone. We’re probably in the bottom third giving up shots, too. Less time in our zone, coming out cleaner with the puck, getting to rebounds off shots. And faceoffs? When we’ve had a good success rate, our ratio of shots for and against is better,” said McLellan.

Hall has four points in the six games, throwing out the Dallas game when he was sick as a dog.

“That was a writeoff. I was puking all night. I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t even see during the game,” said Hall of the Oct. 13 road game.

McLellan said he now sees in Hall a player who is a little more sure of himself.

“He’s more aggressive,” McLellan said. “He’s skating through checks, bullying his way to the net, throwing pucks at the net and quite responsible defensively. Lots of positive things to his game right now.”

“Earlier in the season there may have been some frustration there, and it held him back.”

Now, he’s leading the charge, and feeling good about himself, and the team. The key is keeping it going.

“It’s good to get a couple of wins (Calgary and Vancouver), not just for us, for our fan base,” said Hall, well aware of the Oilers’ tendency in past years to get a little fat and sassy after some wins, then they fall on their face.

“I think this is for real. We’ve had stretches before where we won some games but it would be the other team not playing so well but I think we’re figuring things out,” he said. “We have a game that suits us.”

Hall was encouraged that McLellan put the hammer down in practice Tuesday and refused to let the team rest on their laurels. He was in full bark, stopping plays to get the team’s attention.

“Nothing gets by Todd. You do play how you practise. We can’t let up. We’re won two but we’re still 2-4 on the year,” said Hall.

“I know for myself it’s been a really good experience this year. I’ve learned something every day with this coaching staff. It’s been very rewarding.”



Jason Gregor: Oilers become relevant with road wins against Pacific Division rivals

More from Jason Gregor, Edmonton Journal


It was only the fifth game of the season, but entering last Saturday’s tilt in Calgary it felt as though the Oilers were on the brink of another lost season.

Could the Oilers have bounced back from an 0-5 or 0-6 start? Thankfully, we won’t have to find out. For the first time in I don’t know how long the Oilers won a game they needed to win.

The Oilers and Flames were both desperate for a victory, but for once the Oilers outworked, out shot and outscored the Flames en route to a convincing 5-2 win. They followed that up with a 2-1 overtime victory in Vancouver on Sunday.

Two wins in less than 24 hours over two Pacific division opponents and both of them coming on the road. This was a huge step for an organization trying to avoid missing the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season.

The road back to respectability won’t be easy for the Oilers, but the first step is becoming relevant in their own division.

At the start of the 2013-14 season the NHL reverted back to only two divisions in each conference, and since then the Oilers have been a dreadful 12-38-8 against the Pacific Division.

They were a ghastly 4-21-4 versus the Pacific last year and managed one measly road win, a 5-4 shootout win against the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 2. The season before they collected only four road wins against Pacific teams.

The Oilers were a combined 0-7-3 versus the Flames and Canucks last season. Winless against their two biggest rivals — not acceptable.

To qualify for the playoffs in the Pacific you need to defeat divisional opponents.

In 2013-14, the Anaheim Ducks (22-4-3), San Jose (18-7-4) and Los Angeles Kings (16-10-3) made the playoffs and they all had success within the division.

Last year, Anaheim (18-6-5), the Vancouver Canucks (17-9-3) and Calgary (22-6-1) dominated their divisional rivals and made the post-season.

Vancouver, Calgary and Los Angeles had losing records versus the Central division, but they made the playoffs because they were good within the Pacific.

The Oilers have many steps to climb before they are a legitimate playoff contender, but they took an important stride over the weekend. They defeated teams they will actually battle for a playoff spot.

The Oilers were 0-12-4 in their first 16 games versus Western Conference opponents last year. It is impossible to stay in the playoff race when you garner only four of a possible 32 points within your conference.

Two years ago they were 4-14-2 in their first 20 games against the Western conference. Their playoff aspirations were crushed two months into the season.

Two wins in 24 hours do not solve all the Oilers woes, but it is progress and this season the players and management needed to experience some growth on ice, and the fan base desperately needed to see some advancement in the win column.

The Oilers, we can hope, now realize that hard work, smart puck support and a consistent competitive level will lead to victories. They dominated the Flames and had some puck luck in Vancouver, with Daniel Sedin missing a wide open net, but in both games they cut down on their mistakes.

It is amazing how much confidence and positive energy a team receives after a few wins. The Oilers need to build on their recent success. These wins should instil a belief within Edmonton’s dressing room that the team is capable of defeating Pacific division opponents.

Two wins won’t make their season, but I’d argue the timing of these wins has saved them from another disastrous campaign.

PARTING SHOTS …

Taylor Hall leads the NHL with 29 shots on goal, but as a team the Oilers rank 25th averaging 26.8 shots per game.

Nail Yakupov is second on the team (48th in NHL) with 16, but Benoit Pouliot and Anton Lander only have six shots through six games. It is no surprise they are 23rd in goals/game with only 12. The Oilers have been outshot 196-161 so they will need to close that gap as well.

Their goaltending has been spectacular thus far, but it they want to keep winning their, offensive zone time needs to increase.



Crowd of coaches means limited elbow room on Oilers bench

Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal


Vancouver — The season is just six games old but for what it’s worth the Edmonton Oilers are on track to expunge a few of last year’s failings. For starters, they were 4-21-4 against Pacific Division foes in 2014-15, compared to their current record of 2-0 in that category after weekend wins over the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks — both road wins. The Oilers won nine road games last season, the first on Nov. 7 in Buffalo.

Joanne Ireland takes a look at a few other noteworthy items from the start of the season.

BENCH BOSSES

Head coach Todd McLellan said it has been a while since he’s worked a bench with three assistants. Elbow room is at a premium this season with Jay Woodcroft, Jim Johnson and Ian Herbers all at his side.

“It does look crowded at times but it gives us better insight,” said McLellan. “We have enough eyes upstairs, enough eyes on video, and this just gives us a sense of urgency to the team. Plus there’s more ability to work one-on-one with players.

“When individuals come off, they can work with Ian or Jay while Jim and I are getting ready for the next shift.

“In Jay Woodcroft’s case, when he came from Detroit to San Jose with me,” McLellan continued. “I made a deal with him that we would develop him, so we put him on the bench in San Jose. Now we’re doing the same thing with Ian.

“Part of that is developing coaches.”

A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME …

If you are keeping score at home, there were over 11,000 mentions of Connor McDavid on Twitter during Saturday’s game against the Flames — 88 tweets a minute when he scored in the second period.

Thanks to the folks at Twitter Canada, who dug up the numbers, that game in Calgary also generated the highest tweet volumes this season for the Oilers. Sunday’s game in Vancouver was fourth, behind the Dallas Stars contest and the season-opener in St. Louis.

“We call it the roar of the crowd when a goal or an event happens,” said Christopher Doyle, Twitter Canada’s head of Sports and Media Partnerships.

“Any time we see 10,000 plus mentions of an athlete during a game it means that they’ve made an impact.

“Connor McDavid,” he continued, “was the most tweeted about hockey player during the world juniors and we see that trend continuing.

“He’s on Twitter too. That the Oilers’ first round picks are all on Twitter is also an interesting fact,” continued Doyle. “There is a young core in Edmonton who are accessible.”

As of Sunday night, the Oilers had the third most Twitter mentions of the seven Canadian teams, finishing behind Montreal and Toronto.

FINALLY, FAMILIAR TERRITORY

After playing five of their first six games on the road, the Oilers are in Rexall Place for their next three, starting with Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.

St. Louis was the only other team to open with so many games away from home.

The Blues are 4-1 on the road, the Oilers 2-3.

“This allows us to head into a homestand feeling good about ourselves,” said McLellan. “We’ve still got a lot of work to do but we have guys believing now in each other and perhaps in the system.”

“I can’t remember when we beat those teams but it’s always good to win on the road,” said Nail Yakupov. “Now we go home with four points.”

THREE THOUGHTS ON 3-ON-3

1. “It’s fun when you have the puck, not so much when you don’t.” Lauri Korpikoski, who scored the winner, on a two-on-one with Andrej Sekera, in Sunday’s 2-1 decision over Vancouver

2. “That was our first experience with it for a long time. I thought they were better at it than we were but we capitalized.” McLellan.

3. “We missed our chances and that is what you are going to get 3-on-3. If you miss your chances they are going to come back the other way.” Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins

ADD ‘EM UP

— How rare have wins been in Vancouver? Before Sunday’s night’s 2-1 overtime win, the Oilers’ last win was back on April 12, 2014. Edmonton is now 4-10-3 in their last 17 games in Vancouver.

— With three goals and two assists, McDavid is the Oilers’ top point producer, followed by Yakupov and Taylor Hall (both with two goals and two assists). Yakupov had two goals and four assists in his first 15 games of 2014-15. Yakupov scored both of his goals on the weekend; on both occasions, McDavid was involved in the play. “He’s really fast, really smart … with this guy you just have to be ready all the time,” said Yakupov.

— McDavid is not the at the top of the rookie heap, however. The Chicago Blackhawks’ Artemi Panarin had seven points in six games followed by the Arizona Coyotes’ Anthony Duclair and Max Domi, both with six points in five games.

— Here’s something not seen for some time: An Edmonton goaltender in with the league’s leaders. Anders Nilsson, with a save percentage of .953, was seventh in that category before Monday’s games got underway. He is sporting a 1.98 goals against average through two games. Cam Talbot, who has played four of the six games, has a 2.54 GAA and a .908 save percentage.



First Oilers call-up no surprise to Condors coach



The first Edmonton Oilers call-up isn’t Leon Draisaitl or Darnell Nurse.

It’s fast winger Andrew Miller and that’s no surprise to Bakersfield Condors coach Gerry Fleming based on the way Miller has played for the Oilers’ California farm team.

“Andrew’s probably been one of our most consistent forwards, creates chances, plays hard,” Fleming said Monday.

Nurse is playing in all situations and is the Bakersfield Condors’ best defenceman, but the Oilers don’t have any injuries on their blue-line and want him playing 20 minutes in the American Hockey League, rather than as a third-pairing guy in the National Hockey League, for now.

As for Draisaitl — playing centre with Matt Ford and Ryan Hamilton, not the wing where he spent a good portion of his Oilers camp — they refuse to rush him back. He still has some defensive work to do.

“Last game Leon played hard, did the things we asked him to do without the puck. He’s always been able to make plays but he has to work on his awareness,” said Fleming, who has been told to play Draisaitl only in the middle. “He was a little better last game (a loss to San Jose Barracuda). Hopefully it’s a step in the right direction.”

“First game we had Leon with Andrew and Iiro Pakarinen, and now he’s with Ford and Hamilton (two AHL veterans),” said Fleming.

Nurse has been a hard worker, Fleming said.

“He’s going against the other team’s top lines every night and there’s some pretty good players in the American Hockey League,” said Fleming. “He’s been strong on the cycle, killing lots of plays there … his positioning, gap-control, stick work, all good. He’s good in front of our net and he’s played on the power play and the penalty-kill. I use him in every situation.”

The Oilers want to cut back Nurse’s rushing the puck 60 feet, then getting funnelled off by checkers. They would rather he make a good, strong first-pass, then follow the play up.

But, he had the puck all the time in junior with the Soo Greyhounds, and old habits take time to break. “He has to be patient, let the game come to him, work on his reads (against puck carriers),” said Fleming.

Nurse will be first up if there is a long-term injury to a defenceman, though.

In the net

Goalie Ben Scrivens will play one of the weekend games for the Condors, after tending to immigration issues that had to be settled before he could officially join the team after being sent to the AHL club three weeks ago.

He will either start in Ontario, Calif., against the Anaheim Ducks’ defending AHL champion farm squad Friday or in Bakersfield Saturday against Stockton, the Calgary Flames affiliate.

“Ben’s been fantastic,” Fleming said. “He’s working hard in practice, he’s good with the young guys. He’s come down with a great attitude and obviously he wants to be in the NHL as all of our guys do, but he’s going to work hard to get back up there.”

Defenceman Nikita Nikitin, is more iffy to play, although he’s practising.

“Nikky has to return to Calgary this week to the consulate there to get some stuff done,” said Fleming, who has seven healthy defencemen and another, Martin Gernat, finally cleared for contact after knee surgery last AHL season. Defenceman Dillon Simpson (who sustained a shoulder injury in Oilers’ camp) is driving to Bakersfield, too, and will be available soon.

On the bench

Winger Tyler Pitlick, who can’t gain any traction because he keeps getting hurt, is now out with a concussion.

“He went down awkwardly into the wall after a hit,” said Fleming, who dressed Pitlick for two of the four games.

Goalie Eetu Laurikainen, who gave up four goals in 22 shots in a loss to the San Jose Barracuda this weekend, will likely be going to the Norfolk Admirals, the Oilers’ East Coast Hockey League affiliate.



Matt Hendricks hobbles to injured reserve list; Andrew Miller gets a call from the Edmonton Oilers



Matt Hendricks left the Edmonton Oilers quarters without a walking boot on Sunday but he has moved to the injured reserve list.

The gritty veteran, who has been one of the club’s most consistent performers in the season’s early going, blocked a shot late in Saturday’s game in Calgary and was scratched for Sunday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks with a foot injury.

Down to 12 forwards with Hendricks joining Jordan Eberle (shoulder) in the medical room, the Oilers recalled Andrew Miller from the Bakersfield Condors on Monday. Miller has posted a goal and two assists in four games with the Condors this season.

He’s also filled a pinch-hitter’s role with the Oilers, appearing in nine games last season. Plus he can move from centre to the wing so he gives the coaching staff some options. He may even get a try on the Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Taylor Hall line in Wednesday’s game against the Red Wings.

Miller netted a goal and registered six points in the nine NHL games he played last season.

Hendricks, meanwhile, had been playing over 15 minutes a night; he led the team with 10 hits when he left the lineup and he was tied for the blocked shots lead with 10. He also had more than a 60 per cent success rate in the faceoff circle, an area where the Oilers struggled in Vancouver on Sunday.

“He’s brought a lot to our team. He’s probably been one of top players as far as the details and the grunt work goes,” head coach Todd McLellan said on Sunday. “He stirred the drink, I think, for the whole team, Nuge’s line in particular.”



Connor McDavid has had to travel well-worn path to the NHL scoresheet



Vancouver – Looking back on his early days in the NHL, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins admits he was somewhat disconcerted by it all — a typical phase for wide-eyed apprentices.

It is a step they all must take, even those selected first overall. Maybe even moreso, given that they must make that transition in the spotlight.

Connor McDavid is the latest top draft pick to make his NHL debut, which has been at times, brilliant; at other times, as expected for an 18-year-old.

“It’s a massive step up and you don’t actually realize it until you get there,” said Nugent-Hopkins, who went from the Red Deer Rebels to the Oilers lineup after he was drafted first overall in 2011. “Obviously the players are a lot better, but the way that game is played is so different. It’s just a tougher league to get anything going.

“Connor will adjust really well, we’re already starting to see it, but it does take some time as a young guy. When I first came in, I was just running on adrenaline. I wasn’t thinking about too much, other than getting out there.

“You just don’t process anything, like the way the game is played,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “You just kind of go out there thinking, ‘Holy smokes’.”

McDavid was sensational on Saturday, scoring twice and assisting on another of the goals in Edmonton’s 5-2 win over the Flames in Calgary.

It was the breakout moment everyone had been waiting for. It is why he was pegged as the Next One; why the Erie Otters registered two 50-win seasons while he was there; why the Oilers were so lucky to win the draft lottery.

But like so many rookies who have stepped onto the NHL stage, McDavid has had to find his way. After being so dominant against his WHL peers, he was suddenly playing against seasoned opponents who have seen their share of skilled newcomers.

In the Oilers’ home opener against the St. Louis Blues, he was minus-3 with no points on the board.

The team, too, has struggled offensively with just five goals in their first four games. McDavid scored one of those five — his first in the NHL, which came in Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Dallas. It was one more weight lifted off his shoulders.

“I think I’m just getting more and more comfortable. I am feeling better about it,” he said.

McDavid, in a far less noticeable performance against the tight-checking Canucks, added an assist to his point tally during Sunday’s 2-1 overtime win in Vancouver.

Head coach Todd McLellan said the other factor was that McDavid finally let himself go.

“He kind of gave himself permission,” McLellan said. “Sometimes you have to do that to get after it. You don’t have to give way to the veterans all the time. You’re allowed to go out and take charge, and I thought he did that.”

Johnny Gaudreau, the Flames’ pocket-sized point producer, travelled the college route to the NHL so he was 21, not 18, when he made his debut. Still, there were adjustments to make. He racked up 36 goals and 44 assists in 40 games with the Boston College Eagles but suddenly he was struggling to produce.

Five games into his pro career he didn’t have a goal or an assist and he found himself scratched from the lineup. Coach Bob Hartley spent an hour talking him through the disappointment, impressing upon the winger that he was going to be better off for it, that he just needed to take a step back.

“You have to learn the pro game (but) you want results,” said Hartley. “Those guys, in minor hockey through college, have darkened scoresheets and suddenly, your name only appears on the lineup. You end up with a minus-one, a minus-two and you’re 40 per cent on faceoffs. Something that is totally new.

“That is quite an adjustment for a young man. It’s the maturation process.”

Gaudreau was back in the lineup for the Flames’ next game. He scored his first goal and added an assist, finishing the season with 24 goals and 40 assists in 80 games.

“It was difficult, jumping from college to pro, but I think for the first five games, the first 10 games, I was looking up at the older guys, looking around, just kind of taking it all in,” Gaudreau said.

“I think I was gripping the stick too tight. I was worrying about trying to get that first (goal) out of the way. I came in thinking the wrong way but I sat that one game … and took it a bit slower from there.”

Sam Bennett, who grew up with McDavid, was drafted fourth overall in 2014, and he’s still finding his way.

In 2013-14, he registered 36 goals and 91 points in 57 games with the Kingston Frontenacs. Last season, after missing the majority of the year following shoulder surgery, he was sent back to the OHL before rejoining the Flames for their playoff run. He netted 11 goals in his final 11 games with the Frontenacs.

The 19-year-old has no goals and one assist in the four games he’s played.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of adjustments,” he said. “It’s a totally different game at this level.”

Before McDavid played in his first Battle of Alberta, on Hockey Night In Canada, McLellan emphasized once again that he needs time — particularly on a team that is also trying to find its way with a new coaching staff and new additions to the lineup.

“To ask an 18-year-old to be elite right off the bat, to carry the franchise, is something we were all hoping for,” said McLellan, “(but) it’s a bit of a fantasy. We just have to let him evolve and develop.”



Edmonton Oilers snatch 2-1 OT win in Vancouver



Vancouver — There had been other measuring sticks for the Edmonton Oilers, but they had come after losses, which is why head coach Todd McLellan arrived in Vancouver curious to see what would unfold in Sunday’s game against the Canucks.

He wanted to see how his team would respond after a win — a win that came less than 24 hours earlier in Calgary.

“This is a big test for us,” he said. We’ve responded without wins. We’ve kept our heads fairly high. What do we do with a win?”

What they did was register another win, a 2-1 overtime decision in Rogers Arena, courtesy of Lauri Korpikoski’s second goal of the season. The Oilers, now 2-4, had won just two of their previous 10 visits to Rogers Arena.

And it started with Connor McDavid, who netted two goals in a three-point night in the 5-2 win over the Flames. Three minutes after the opening faceoff against the Canucks, he zipped up the left wing on a power play, slipped between Luca Sbisa and Jannik Hansen, and set up Nail Yakupov for the one-timer.

Twelve minutes later, Matt Bartkowski, playing his 137th NHL game, scored his first goal, a long range wrist shot that otherwise spoiled a good first period by Anders Nilsson, who went on to finish with 33 saves — including a breakaway from Henrik Sedin.

More notable was the wide open net that Daniel Sedin missed with the rebound.

At the other end of the rink, Ryan Miller, who is now 12-1 in games against the Oilers, made 22 saves.

KLINKHAMMER GETS CHANCE

Rob Klinkhammer made the most of his chance when he was elevated to a line to play with Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

He finished with a game high six hits.

“He responded well,” said McLellan. “I thought we needed a little more physicality on that line. More grind along the boards. Happy for him. He got an opportunity and took advantage of it.”

BY THE NUMBERS

– The Canucks’ power play was 0-for-2 and is now 1-for-20 on the season. The Oilers, meanwhile, are 3-for-20 with the man advantage. They’ve got goals in their last two games.

– Vancouver owned the faceoff circle, winning 67 per cent of the draws.

– Thirty seconds into three-on-three, each team had a scoring chance.

– Vancouver (3-2-1) has yet to win on home ice.

A BIG BRICK WALL

In the two games Anders Nilsson has played, he’s seen 84 shots, turning away 80. Not a bad way to start.

“Anders made save after save to give us an opportunity to win. When you play three (games) in four (nights), sometimes you need that,” said McLellan, who didn’t hesitate to use Nilsson in the game because of his work in Dallas.

“They had a few shots early so I got into the game right away, then kept on going from there,” said the netminder.

THE KID LINE

Bo Horvat, Sven Baertschi and Jake Virtanen, who put away 10 points in a 5-2 pre-season win over the Oilers on Oct. 1, were reunited for Sunday’s meeting.

“I just think we fed off of each other. The chemistry was there right away,” Horvat told the Vancouver Sun. “It just made the game a lot easier.”

Baertschi was a healthy scratch in the Canucks’ 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday.

The trio finished with a point.

FAN CLUB

“He can skate. I remember one time he was chasing down an icing here in the exhibition and I was amazed how fast he is. And he is strong, too, for his size.” – Vancouver coach Willie Desjardins on Connor McDavid

SCRATCHES

Edmonton — Andrew Ference, Brandon Davidson, Matt Hendricks

Vancouver — Yannick Weber, Jaren McCann

NEXT UP

The Oilers are home for three, starting Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings.



Revived Oilers take advantage of Detroit gaffes in close-fought game

By Derek Van Diest, Edmonton Sun


The Detroit Red Wings are not accustomed to losing to the Edmonton Oilers.

In fact, prior to Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat, the Red Wings had not lost to the Oilers in nine games, dating back to Feb. 4, 2012.

They had not lost in regulation to Edmonton since Dec. 3, 2009.

But this is a different Oilers team and Detroit is currently trying to find their way under new head coach Jeff Blashill.

“I think the (Oilers) have always been skilled and they’ve always been fast, but now they believe in the system and they’re doing more things right,” said Red Wings centre Henrik Zetterberg. “This was better than our last game, I think we battled harder and won some more battles. We created a little more offence. Obviously, those two quick goals hurt us. They’re pretty deadly when they get the chances.

“We felt pretty good after the first period. It was a pretty tight game the whole way. They’re playing with some better structure and you can’t really give them any odd-man rushes.”

Two goals within 30 seconds in the second period proved the Red Wings’ undoing.

Connor McDavid undressed goaltender Petr Mrazek 6:34 into the second period and then defenceman Kyle Quincey kicked the puck into his own net to give the Oilers a 3-0 lead.

“On that second goal, I should have been more patient and maybe the game would have been a little different,” said Mrazek. “And the third goal right after, that was a bad bounce, but if the second goal didn’t go in, it would have been a different game.”

The loss was the Red Wings’ third straight, having started the year on a three-game win streak. They’ll conclude a four-game road trip against the Calgary Flames on Friday and the Vancouver Canucks Saturday.

“We weren’t great in the first, but we’re on the road, we’re in another team’s building and they’re going to have something to say about it,” Blashill said. “I thought we did a lot of really good stuff in the second and we had two huge blowups and you can’t win with big blowups. I thought they weren’t necessarily systematic errors, they were just a couple of errors on our end, individually. But you can’t give up breakaways, you can’t give up two-on-ones, you can’t give up three-on-twos like that.”

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Oilers forward Rob Klinkhammer gets prime time exposure while Hendricks, Eberle out



Rob Klinkhammer is going to get an opportunity to solidify a regular spot in the Edmonton Oilers lineup.

With Matt Hendricks on injured reserve with a foot injury, Klinkhammer is expected to draw in more often, having sat out three of the Oilers first four games.

On Wednesday, against the Detroit Red Wings, Klinkhammer was playing in his second consecutive game, on a line with Anton Slepyshev and Mark Letestu.

“He has speed, he has good sense around the puck, and when he uses his body, he creates space,” said Oilers head coach Todd McLellan. “Not just physically, but for his teammates. We saw some of that in Vancouver the other night, he was in on puck very quickly. He can make the other team’s defencemen a little nervous and forces plays. When he’s doing that, he’s playing well.”

Acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins last season in the David Perron trade, Klinkhammer found himself the odd-man out early in the season.

“It’s hard to come in and out of the lineup, it’s hard to play like that,” Klinkhammer said. “But at the same time, no one is going to feel sorry for you. You have to be ready when your number is called and have to try to stay ready the best you can and when you do get the chance, go out there and do the things that make you a good player. You have to work to your strengths and that’s all I have to do.”

Last season, Klinkhammer had a goal and two assists in 40 games with the Oilers. He was used mainly on a checking role on the fourth line.

This season, Klinkhammer is also expected to be used in a checking role, but is hoping to contribute more offensively. Klinkhammer had a strong game in the 2-1 overtime victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, moved up to play in a top six role.

“I thought I played pretty well, I thought I was pretty physically engaged,” Klinkhammer said. “That comes a lot easier with more minutes. It’s tough to play seven minutes a night, but when you’re getting 11 or 12, or in my case, I got 15 (in Vancouver) it makes it a lot easier to get in the game and stay in the game. You’re not chasing anything, you’re in the flow and you’re feeling good, so it’s always great when you’re getting those kind of minutes.”

FUTURE WATCH

Wednesday was a big day for fans of the Back to the Future movies as it was the date Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown travelled forward in time in the second installment of the trilogy.

Oilers fans got a glimpse of the future as well, as Connor McDavid once again made a dazzling play to score the second goal of the game.

McDavid took a pass from Benoit Pouliot and undressed goaltender Petr Mrazek to put the Oilers up 2-0 at the time.

ALWAYS STRONG

The Detroit Red Wings have long been considered one of the most stable franchises in the NHL, seemingly never having an off year.

The Red Wings have made the NHL playoffs for the past 24 seasons, which is the longest streak of the four major North American sports.

Coming into Rexall Place with a 3-2-0 record, there is no reason to believe that streak won’t be extended this year.

“They’re one of the class organizations, not only in hockey, but in pro sports,” said Oilers centre Mark Letestu. “They seem to find success with whoever is in the lineup. I think it was two years ago when they were devastated by injuries, they went on that crazy run and (Gustav) Nyquist comes out of nowhere and scores 30. You don’t recognize a name on the roster but someone will become a star player and I think it’s just maybe their structure within the organization.”

NEW BABCOCK

Listening to Jeff Blashill on audio, one would think the Red Wings new coach is the reincarnation of Mike Babcock.

The two coaches sound very similar and deliver a similar message, which made the coaching transition so easy for the Red Wings this season.

Blashill took over from Babcock, who took over the Toronto Maple Leafs bench.

“He’s been great, I think he’s been a breath of fresh air for us,” said Wings forward Justin Abdelkader. “He’s similar in a lot of ways to Babs, but has a different way of presenting his message. It’s been great. If you asked us if at the beginning of the season if we would have taken a 3-2 start (prior to Wednesday), I think we would, but we still have to play better.”



Edmonton Oilers experience some Back to the Future against Detroit Red Wings

By Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun


And at moments it almost seemed like it really was Back To The Future Day.

OK. the Edmonton Oilers didn’t look like the team that had just won their first Stanley Cup. And nobody was calling the Detroit Red Wings the Dead Things.

Let’s not get carried away here.

Back on Oct. 26, 1985, the Oilers were putting the touches on getting out of the gate with eight wins in their first nine games en route to a 56-17-7 119-point season which included 12-3 and 7-2 wins over Detroit.

This was nothing like that.

But it WAS a win over the Detroit Red Wings.

And it if you squinted, especially when Connor McDavid scored the winner, his fourth goal of the season — the same number of games it took Sidney Crosby to get his 12th — you might have figured it was Back To The Future 2, especially if you’ve lived the last nine years being a hockey fan in this city.

Another game. Another triumph where nothing but failure previously prevailed.

If this season goes the way I think it’s going to go it’s going to be fun with figures. Like the ones involving the Red Wings going in to last night’s only visit of the former Western Conference club in the final year in Rexall Place.

The Red Wings came here with a 15-0-1 record against the Oilers in their last 16 games. Detroit had not lost to Edmonton in regulation since Dec. 3, 2009. In the past 30 meetings, Detroit had a 22-1-7 record against Edmonton.

There were all sorts of ways to compute the numbers.

The Oilers had only won once in their previous 15 meetings against the team which a million years ago when Gordie Howe, Terry Sawchuk and the like held training camps across the street in the old Edmonton Gardens.

The losing to the Red Wings didn’t go back that far. But the Oilers looked a lot like the Edmonton Flyers farm club that supplied the early pre-season opposition to the NHL club those long ago training camps.

It was an eight-game winning streak the Red Wings brought to town. And the Oilers 3-1 win made it three straight victories against teams that beat the Oilers in every game they played last year — Calgary 5-0, Vancouver 5-0 and Detroit 2-0.

“It was a test against a very good opponent and it came after having success of the road so we wanted to see how we responded coming back home,” said coach Todd McLellan.

“The game had a little bit of everything. The special teams had to play a big, big role, especially the penalty kill, with the number of minutes that we had. So it was a good win. It was one that we’ll bank and be proud of.

“But there are still areas of our game we have to get better at. I still think our game management has a long way to go. We have to understand situations that we’re in, the time on the clock, who is on the ice, momentum swings and the like.

“For me that’s a team that’s inexperienced when it comes to winning. They don’t completely understand the moments. Drop pass. Drop pass. Two D joining the rush with a 3-1 lead. That’s not going to work.”

And now the Oilers move to the stretch of the schedule where the bottom fell out under Dallas Eakins last year. The Oilers won only four of 30 games between Oct. 29 and Jan. 2.

Show of hands, Edmonton.

Anybody watching the last three games figure the Oilers are going to win only four of their next 30?

There’s going to be a lot of comparing of where the Oilers are this season to where they were at the same stage last season. Most of it will come from players who suffered through last season and the losing that preceded it.

But one, McDavid, can see the growth in the short time he’s been here.

“Yeah, for sure. Confidence is dangerous when a team can get this kind of confidence. It makes it a lot easier to come to games and get ready for games each and every day.

“I don’t want to jinx anything. You obviously look for chemistry and we have a pretty good set right now, and I think you can see it as the games progress right now. Winning helps everything. There’s just a whole excitement to it.



Oilers head coach says veteran defenceman Andrew Ference handled press-box duty 'very professionally'

By Robert Tychkowski, Edmonton Sun


Playing hockey is hard.

But not playing hockey is harder.

Head coach Todd McLellan knows how difficult it is for former captain Andrew Ference to be a spectator these days, watching from the press box while the Edmonton Oilers begin their new era.

But tough decisions have to be made when a team nine years out of the playoffs tries to change its course, and one of the toughest has been sitting the veteran out for five of the first seven games.

The 36-year-old defenceman returned to the lineup Wednesday against Detroit after Griffin Reinhart came down with a minor injury there’s no guarantee he will be there for long.

That’s the life when you’re not an everyday player anymore.

“He’s handled it very professionally,” said McLellan. “He’s being as good as he can be. He’s working hard and doing the things he needs to do away from the rink.

“I think if you peeled the onion back a little bit it’s hurting him, it’s eating at him. He wants to be in the lineup and believes he can contribute.

“How he’s behaving and acting is professional, but deep down I’m sure it’s burning away at him.”

Ference isn’t letting it show and says he simply has to adapt to his new job description, which means being prepared when the calls comes.

“You just skate hard when you’re not in and work on stuff after morning skates and in practice, it’s nothing out of the ordinary,” he said. “You just put in the work and be ready when it’s time to go.”

HIGH PRAISE

The crew from 60 Minutes is in town to continue a segment it began on Connor McDavid last year.

It’s not the Sunday Night 60 Minutes on CBS with Morley Safer and Lesley Stahl, but rather 60 Minutes Sports on Showtime, but still, it’s pretty heady stuff for an 18-year-old.

“For sure it’s cool,” said McDavid, “It’s something that started in the summer a little bit, actually a little bit last year, too. A pretty cool show and I’m excited to do it.”

The 12-minute segment will run later this year.

“They haven’t been too intrusive, so it’s nice,” said McDavid. “But at the same time it’s a lot of fun to work with them.”

PICKING UP SPEED

McDavid seems to be getting better by the game. Probably because he is. His coaches and teammates can see his confidence growing right before their eyes.

“Once he started feeling good in the Calgary game, you really see him start to turn it on to another level,” said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. “You have to get used to the league, but once he got going there he looked pretty hard to stop.”

“I just thought he played with a little more authority and less of “I have to give it to you,’ mentality,” added McLellan, who wants McDavid to be the centre of everything in the offensive zone.

“We would be crazy not to want the play to to go through him. We want the puck in his hands. And I think he probably understands a little bit more that the players want him to have it, they want him to succeed.

“They’re not trying to suppress him and put him back in his rookie position, they’re trying to bring it out of him.”

McDavid agrees that his comfort level is moving along very quickly.

“I think that’s pretty common with any rookie,” he said, adding he likes the fit with linemates Benoit Pouliot and Nail Yakupov.

“Bennie is probably one of the best forecheckers in the league. He gets pucks in and keeps plays alive and with Yak, if you get him the puck he’s going to put it in the back of the net. It’s a good combination.”



Red Wings rookie Dylan Larkin having fun as youngest player to crack lineup in 25 years



Dylan Larkin is not supposed to be playing with the Detroit Red Wings this early into his career.

By tradition, Detroit usually lets their young prospects overripen in the minors before getting the call up to the NHL.

Yet Larkin, 19, is the exception and bucking tradition as the only teenager to be in the Red Wings season-opening lineup in 25 years.

The last player to do that was Mike Sillinger, who started the 1990-1991 season on Detroit’s roster.

“I don’t think the philosophy has changed in that we want to make sure that guys are over-ready when they get to the (NHL) level,” said Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill. “I don’t think that’s changed from (GM) Ken Holland’s take. But, we looked at Dylan and said, ‘He makes us better.’

“One of the reasons he’s allowed to step in right away and play, is because he has a great 200-foot game. A lot of good, young players have to learn how to play defence the right way, how to play a 200-foot game, how to play from the defensive side of the puck, how to not turn pucks over. He seems to have a lot of that already and that’s allowed him to be an impactful player. I have tons of confidence and am not scared at all to put him on the ice in any situation. When you have that type of confidence, you’re going to play a lot. And as long as he was going to play a lot, Ken was glad to keep him up here.”

Larkin had two goals and four assist in his first five NHL games heading into Wednesday’s contest against the Edmonton Oilers.

He’s playing on the Red Wings top line alongside Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader, who are also off to strong starts.

“He’s an elite skater, first of all, and is really smart and a confident player right now,” Abdelkader said. “He’s had a good training camp, came in and made the team and has had a great start for us.”

Heading into training camp, the Red Wings were not certain if Larkin would be ready to make the jump to the NHL from the NCAA, where he had 15 goals and 47 points as a freshman with the University of Michigan Wolverines last season.

“We were going to watch and see,” Blashill said. “Dylan got a chance to play for me in the third round of the Calder Cup playoffs in the American League last year (Grand Rapids) and he didn’t just look like he had good potential, he had great impacts on the game. Right away, he made a good impression on me.

“Then we fast forward to training camp and we were going to wait and see, see how he played, see that he beat guys out. In the end, we felt like he beat guys out for spot in the top nine and so he’s here.”

Larkin, a Waterford, Mich., product — a suburb of Detroit — was selected by the Red Wings 15th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

He scored a goal and added an assist in his NHL debut and has collected at least a point in every game he’s played this season, heading into Wednesday’s contest. Larkin is currently fourth in NHL rookie scoring, one point better than Oilers phenom Connor McDavid.

“I think our line has been doing a lot of good things in both ends and it’s easy playing with (Zetterberg) and (Abdelkader), it’s been fun,” Larkin said. “Going to the AHL at the end of last year was huge, it gave me a lot of confidence. When I signed I was unsure if I could play in the NHL and after that, I had confidence and self-belief that I could play in the NHL. Just to have a good series there, was huge.”

Larkin’s start to the season is helping ease of the burden for the Red Wings of having Pavel Datsyuk out of the lineup with an ankle injury. Larkin has not only been able to contribute offensively, but seems to have rejuvenated Zetterberg, 35, who has two goals and nine points in his first five games of the year.

“Playing with an older guy, he’s always talking to me and letting me know where to be,” Larkin said. “He can always find me, too, he’s got the best hockey sense of any player I’ve ever played with. I’m just trying to get open

for him and use my speed to create space for him. We don’t spend much time in our own end, because he’s so good defensively, he’s always so efficient and we’re up the ice in no time. It’s a lot of fun.”



Oilers win over Red Wings ends period of Detroit domination


First posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 11:59 AM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 11:09 PM MDT

Another day, another perennial nemesis feels the sharp end of the stick for a change.

Connor McDavid scored one for the highlight reels, Nail Yakupov had his best game in ages and goaltender Cam Talbot covered up almost all of their mistakes as the Edmonton Oilers finally got one over on the Detroit Red Wings.

The 3-1 victory was their first over the Wings since 2012 (their first in regulation since 2009), putting to rest a string of eight straight Detroit wins and exacting a small piece of revenge on a team that had taken at least a point in 29 of its previous 30 games with Edmonton.

The win is Edmonton’s third in a row, after wins in Calgary and Vancouver and moves them to within a game of .500 at 3-4 on the season.

“You just have to say ‘Screw it,’ to losing and get that mentality that we can win games here,” said McDavid, who can feel this team getting stronger ever night. “That change of mindset is a big difference; you’re not hoping to win, you’re expecting to win.

“There’s a big difference when you’re heading into games thinking the other way.”

It wasn’t a portrait of a win by any stretch, there were some defensive breakdowns and it was a bit of fire drill late, but it was another solid effort in which the Oilers offence came through when it had to and their goaltender made the big saves when he had to.

“You need that from a good team,” said Talbot, who stopped 28 of 29 shots. “I think game by game we’re getting better and better. We’ve come up with some timely goals and Anders (Nilsson) and I have come up with some big saves.

“It’s all coming together pretty quick here, like we were hoping.”

Yakupov led the way offensively with two assists, starting with a beauty to Mark Letestu for his first goal as an Oiler at 12:32 of the first period.

“That was good,” said Yakupov, who has five points in the last three games. “We still gave them some chances to score and tie the game but our PK has been really good (6-for-6 against the Wings) and our goalie was good.

“And it’s good to get some points, nothing wrong with that.”

The Wings only had five shots in the first, but two of them should have gone in. But instead of giving up goals that might have cut the legs out from under Edmonton’s momentum, Talbot robbed Henrik Zetterberg from all alone in front, and red hot rookie Dylan Larkin with a glove save, allowing his teammates to go into the dressing room with the lead.

“It’s really big for my confidence,” Talbot said of his start here. “Coming into a new team and a new group, you never know how it’s really going to play out.

“I’ve tried not to change anything in my game and the guys have been playing really well in front of me. We’re taking a lot of big steps in the right direction.

“Some of the results haven’t been ideal so far but we’re working hard in practice to take care of those little details and I think the wins are going to start piling up for us.”

It’s three in a row now as Edmonton pulled away in the second period, with McDavid undressing Detroit goaltender Petr Mrazek and Ted Purcell rewarded for going hard to the net.

Tomas Tatar broke the shutout at 6:49 of the third period.

And the Wings dominance against Edmonton comes to an end.

“We have a new coaching staff, new players, new system a winning attitude is starting to be built around here,” said defenceman Eric Gryba. “We knew there were going to be growing pains, but I like this team now and where it’s going.”



Oilers call up forward Andrew Miller from Bakersfield Condors to fill in on Hall/Nugent-Hopkins line


First posted: Tuesday, October 20, 2015 06:14 PM MDT | Updated: Tuesday, October 20, 2015 06:28 PM MDT

Andrew Miller will be getting as good a look as any AHL call-up could ask for Wednesday when he lines up next to Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

“It’s great to be back here. I’m excited to play,” said Miller, recalled from Bakersfield to help out against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday. “Those two guys are phenomenal players. Hopefully I’ll be able to read off them, use some speed and make some plays.”

With Matt Hendricks and Jordan Eberle out, the Oilers need a replacement on the top line and didn’t have to wrestle long with the decision on who it should be.

Miller, 27, led the OKC Barons in scoring last season with 60 points in 63 games and scored six points during a nine-game recall with Edmonton. He has three points in four AHL games this year after a solid training camp with the Oilers.

“Andrew has proven through training camp that he has a sense of offence and holding onto the puck, creating,” said head coach Todd McLellan. “We’re looking for some playmaking ability in that spot and we’ll give him every opportunity.

“Andrew’s played well in the games down there and produced. He’s earned the right to come.”

And they’re glad to have him.

“He’s a very dynamic player,” said Nugent-Hopkins. “He’s very quick and thinks the game really well. Hopefully the chemistry comes pretty quickly. Me and Hallsy will help him out as much as we can but I think he picks things up pretty quick.”



Oilers players see progress, but not taking recent success for granted



It might be stretching it a bit, with 76 games left on the schedule, to suggest that wins in Calgary and Vancouver saved the Edmonton Oilers season, but at the very least they saved their sanity.

Imagine the mood inside the dressing room, in the stands and on the streets, if the Oilers were 0-6 right now, sitting 30th overall again and trying to convince everyone that it was progress.

Instead, they’re one more solid effort — tonight against the visiting Detroit Red Wings — away from a three-game win streak, and further validation that everything that happened in the off-season is really making a difference.

“Those were two really good games for us,” said centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. “Something we’ve been working on this year is consistency in our play and we showed that the last two games.

“Against two rivals like that, getting wins in their building is big for us.”

Edmonton also turned in strong performances in three of its first four games, but it’s hard, especially for guys who’ve been here through all the losing, to highlight the positives in four straight defeats.

Now they don’t have to. The message is changing here, and nothing reinforces a new message like results.

“You play well, you do some really good things in your game but if you don’t get wins it doesn’t count for much in this league,” said Taylor Hall, one of the driving forces behind the Calgary-Vancouver sweep. “It was nice to get a couple of wins, not only for our team but for our fan base.

“Hopefully it’s a good atmosphere (Wednesday) night. I think we’re starting to feel ourselves out and play our game.”

The Oilers have been in this position before, winning a few games in a row and thinking they were finally out of the wilderness, only to discover they weren’t. They had a three-game winning streak last October, remember, then lost 15 of their next 17.

But that was then and this is now. And they’re convinced this one is different.

“I think it is for real,” said Hall. “We’ve had stretches before where we’ve won some games, but it’s been the other team’s doing sometimes.

“I feel like we’re starting to really figure ourselves out. We have a game that suits us and if we play it well, we’re going to have a chance to win.”

Just to be on the safe side, head coach Todd McLellan worked the Oilers Tuesday like they WERE 0-6. The message was loud and clear: those two wins can be devalued in a big hurry if they let their foot off the gas.

“I think that was the intention there and that’s good for us, we can’t let up,” said Hall. “Winning two in a row is fun but we’re still 2-4 on the year. We have some more ground to make up.”

You don’t have to be in the NHL very long to know that real momentum lasts a lot longer than six periods.

“We can’t mail it in,” said rookie Connor McDavid, another of the Oilers recent spearheads. “We have two wins, but that’s all we have. There’s a long way to go here. We definitely can’t be satisfied.”

McLellan sensed a little satisfaction early in practice Tuesday, that’s why he drilled it out of them as quickly and as bluntly as he could. He doesn’t wanting anyone getting comfortable after two wins.

“I think today was a day our team approached practice casually,” he said. “They needed to be reminded that comfort hasn’t been earned yet, it has to come as the year goes on.

“Comfort comes from knowing you can do it over and over and over again. You want to get it right 8.5 out of 10 times. I don’t think we’re at 8.5 yet. We’re at 5 out of 10. So today’s practice and tomorrows game can’t be comfortable.

“(Wins) have to be built on. We can be harder on them when we’re winning, maybe, than when we’re losing.”



OK, two wins don't mean the Oilers are finally turning things around but look at who they're beating

By Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun


If the Oilers should manage to defeat the Detroit Red Wings tonight, it would be a pretty good story.

It would make a three-game winning streak. But that wouldn’t be the story. Last year Edmonton, in this almost identical situation, lost their first five then won three in a row. And look what happened.

No, the story would be that it would give the Oilers three consecutive wins against three teams they didn’t win a single solitary game against last year.

The Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks went 5-0 and the Detroit Red Wings 2-0 last season.

And if the Oilers were to win tonight and Jimmy Howard was in goal for Detroit, it would make it an even better story.

Jonas Hiller was 17-4-1 against Edmonton going into Saturday’s Flames game. Ryan Miller took a 12-0 slate against Edmonton into Sunday’s Oiler win over the Canucks. Howard’s record against Edmonton is 12-0.

There’s opportunity galore for the Oilers all season dealing with this scenario.

The Oilers didn’t win a single game against a Western Canadian team last year. Not one.

In 13 games against Calgary (5-0), Vancouver (5-0) and Winnipeg (3-0) the Edmonton win total was zero, zilch and zippo.

Every time the Oilers win one in Western Canada it will be one win more than the team had last year.

That’ll also be true with every win against Arizona (5-0), Anaheim (4-0), Nashville (3-0), St. Louis (3-0), Ottawa (2-0), Columbus (2-0) Pittsburgh (2-0) and Detroit (2-0).

That’s 11 NHL teams. Thirty-six games. Zero Edmonton wins.

The Oilers need about 36 points they didn’t get last year to make the playoffs. These are the games where they have to get them. And every time they win one against a team that owned them last year, you’d figure, it would build belief.

“Those kind of wins give you confidence, not only as individuals but as a team,” said Taylor Hall.

“Confidence is huge. When you get feeling good as a team, a lot can happen. I’ve been here for too many losses. We’re going to have to beat the teams from the West, the teams we’d have to play in the playoffs.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said you don’t realize the extent of all those stats going through an 82-game season.

“I knew Calgary and Arizona were 5-0 against us last year but I didn’t realize Vancouver was 5-0, too.

“Those are teams we have to find wins against and it’s especially great if we can get them on the road.”

The Oilers won but a single game on the road in the Pacific Division all last season. And that didn’t come until Feb. 4 in San Jose, in a shootout. Edmonton already has two and it isn’t even Halloween yet.

“That’s huge for us,” said The Nuge. “We have to know that we can do it. We’ve shown it now. You get a win on those teams and you start feeling better. It’s like ‘OK, it’s possible to do this.’

“If we want to take that next step we have to start putting wins together and get some streaks going.”

Putting wins together creates a happy hockey team and winning breeds winning.

There is a psychology in sport that generally creates a role conflict between columnist and coach. Coaches continually preach not letting the highs be too high or the lows be too low. It’s almost the job definition of the

columnist to make the highs real high and the lows real low. But in the case of the Edmonton Oilers, who know how low the lows can go, you have to wonder if letting the highs be real high might be good for the mental health of the hockey club.

“No,” said head coach Todd McLellan.

“When I went to bed last night and woke up this morning I was thinking about comfort. Comfort comes from knowing you can do it over and over and over and over again. You want to get it right 8½ out of 10 times. I don’t think we’re at 8½. We’re at five out of 10. And five out of 10 doesn’t get you comfort.

“We can be harder on them, maybe, when we’re winning than when we’re losing. Like practice. Our team approached, early in practice, a casual (attitude). They needed to be reminded that comfort hasn’t been earned yet.”

Winning two or three isn’t winning. But you have to start somewhere. And beating teams you weren’t been able to beat last year is a pretty good place to start.


978116 Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers’ fourth line shows scoring touch

By George Richards

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CHICAGO

With the Panthers in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, much attention was focused on Jaromir Jagr’s top line and the damage they have been causing so far this season.

In Florida’s 3-2 overtime loss, however, it was the Panthers’ fourth-line players who did all the scoring.

After a few controversial moments in the third, Florida found itself down 2-0 to the Penguins.

The Panthers then got goals from Quinton Howden and Derek MacKenzie — the first of the season for both — to help force overtime and at least salvage a point in the standings.

“They were really good, the spark for our team obviously,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “They work really hard and do the right things. We talk about winning every night and you have put pucks behind the net, get down low. They did that, showed our teams how to score goals by paying a price. We like what we’re seeing from them.”

Unlike Florida’s other three lines, the fourth has seen some mixing and matching as the season has moved forward.

In the opener, MacKenzie and Connor Brickley were joined by veteran Shawn Thornton. That trio stayed together through the first two games with Howden replacing Thornton for the following two games.

On Saturday, Thornton was back in the lineup with Brickley sitting out.

In Tuesday’s game, Brickley returned and had the primary assists on both goals.

On the first, Brickley fired a long pass to Howden, who was in front of the net. Howden deftly secured the puck, spun around goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and fired a shot above his shoulder.

On the second, Brickley dug the puck out from the back boards and found MacKenzie in the slot where he one-timed the puck home.

MacKenzie jumped so high into the air when the puck went through it looked as though his skates were filled with IcyHot.

“It has been a lot of fun,” MacKenzie said. “These guys can play. Sometimes your line can be comprised of dump-and-chase type guys, but these guys can play a little bit.”

So far, the play of Brickley and Howden has mirrored their strong training camps and validates the decision to include them on the roster.

Both rookies — Howden has had brief stints with the Panthers in the past whereas Brickley made his NHL debut in the opener — have played extremely well, as evidenced by Gallant having that line on the ice during a time when the Panthers were desperate for goals.

“I think we did a decent job pushing back but we would have liked to get the win,” Brickley said. “We have three guys who work hard and want to be first on pucks in the offensive zone, cause some chaos and hopefully get some rebound chances.”

Said Howden: “We’ve said from the beginning of the season that our line isn’t doing anything special. We’re going to crash and bang and get to the net and score. Both goals were like that. We want to contribute but we know our roles. We’re an energy line. Hopefully it pays off.”

▪ The defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks have been a little slow out of the gate, starting the season 3-3.

Chicago will also be without one of its stars for the immediate future as defenseman Duncan Keith was placed on long-term injured reserve.

Keith is expected to miss the next four to six weeks after having knee surgery.

Thursday: Panthers at Blackhawks

When/where: 8:30 p.m.; United Center, Chicago.

TV/radio: FSFL; WQAM 560; WMEN 640; WNMA 1210.

Series: Chicago leads 19-9-3.

Scouting report: The Blackhawks haven’t played since beating visiting Columbus on Saturday. Florida is looking for its first win against the Blackhawks since 2011 and its first in Chicago since 2009.

Miami Herald LOADED: 10.22.2015


FLORIDA'S FOURTH ESTATE: Derek MacKenzie leads a hard-working (and talented) fourth line ... Panthers looking for rare win against Blackhawks

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

CHICAGO -- With the Panthers in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, much attention was focused on Jaromir Jagr's top line and the damage they have been causing so far this season.

In Florida's 3-2 overtime loss, however, it was the Panthers' fourth line guys who did all the scoring.

After a few controversial moments in the third, Florida found itself down 2-0 to the Penguins.

The Panthers then got goals from Quinton Howden and Derek MacKenzie -- the first of the season for both -- to help force overtime and at least salvage a point in the standings.

"They were really good, the spark for our team obviously,'' coach Gerard Gallant said. "They work really hard and do the right things. We talk about winning every night and you have put pucks behind the net, get down low. They did that, showed our teams how to score goals by paying a price. We like what we're seeing from them.''

Unlike Florida's other three lines, the fourth has seen some mixing and matching as the season has moved forward.

In the opener, MacKenzie and Brickley were joined by veteran Shawn Thornton. That trio stayed together through the first two games with Howden replacing Thornton for the following two games.

On Saturday, Thornton was back in the lineup with Brickley sitting out.

In Tuesday's game, Brickley returned and had the primary assists on both goals.

On the first, Brickley fired a long pass to Howden who was in front of the net. Howden deftly secured the puck, spun around goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and fired a shot above his shoulder.

On the second, Brickley dug the puck out from the back boards and found MacKenzie in the slot where he one-timed the puck home.

MacKenzie jumped so high into the air when the puck went through it looked as though his skates were filled with IcyHot.

"It has been a lot of fun,'' MacKenzie said. "These guys can play. Sometimes your line can be comprised of dump-and-chase type guys but these guys can play a little bit.''

So far, the play of Brickley and Howden has mirrored their strong training camps and validates the decision to include them on the roster.

Both rookies -- Howden has had brief stints with the Panthers in the past while Brickley made his NHL debut in the opener -- have played extremely well as evidenced by Gallant having that line on the ice during a time when the Panthers were desperate for goals.

"I think we did a decent job pushing back but we would have liked to get the win,'' Brickley said. "We have three guys who work hard and want to be first on pucks in the offensive zone, cause some chaos and hopefully get some rebound chances.''

Said Howden: "We've said from the beginning of the season that our line isn't doing anything special. We're going to crash and bang and get to the net and score. Both goals were like that. We want to contribute but we know our roles. We're an energy line. Hopefully it pays off.''

-- The defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks have been a little slow out of the gate, starting the season 3-3.

Chicago will also be without one of its stars for the immediate future as defenseman Duncan Keith was placed on long-term injured reserve.

Keith is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks after having knee surgery.

Thursday: Panthers at Blackhawks

When, where: 8:30 p.m.; United Center, Chicago

TV/Radio: FSFL; 560-AM WQAM; 640-AM WMEN; 97.7 FM

Series: Chicago leads 19-9-3

Scouting report: The Blackhawks haven't played since beating visiting Columbus on Saturday. Florida is looking for its first win against the Blackhawks since 2011 and its first in Chicago since 2009.

Miami Herald LOADED: 10.22.2015


Tenacious trio bringing more than energy to Panthers

Harvey FialkovContact ReporterSun Sentinel

The Panthers highly skilled formidable top-line trio of Jaromir Jagr, Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau are garnering international notice and serious defensive pressure from opponents, but it was Florida's so-called pluggers who helped steal a valuable road point in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Penguins.

A couple of hungry rookies, Connor Brickley and Quinton Howden, along with versatile veteran Derek MacKenzie form the Panthers fourth line. Down 2-0 early in the third period, Howden swept in a pass from Brickley and hoisted it over Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to cut the deficit in half at 11:04.

Just 2:53 later, from behind Pittsburgh's net Brickley set up MacKenzie in the slot for a one-timer.

The trio is supposed to supply energy, pesky defense, physical play and the rare dirty goal.

Not so fast.

"We've all scored before. We've scored in every league, so we can play,'' said Howden, who scored his first goal to go with an assist Tuesday. "We also know our role and what we got to do to bring energy for the guys. When we can contribute it's good for us.''

Howden, 23, who is considered one of the fastest skaters in the league, was a dominant scorer in the WHL, potting 70 goals in his final two seasons for the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Brickley, 23, a long shot to make the team out of training camp, showed the Panthers brain trust that he was more than a forechecking dynamo when he scored a goal in each of the three rookie tournament games and then added two more in the preseason.

"We have three guys that work hard every shift,'' Brickley said. "We want to be first on pucks in the offensive zone and cause some chaos, and as you saw, get some rebound chances. As a group we want to come out and play a full 60 minutes, play our game, get over pucks in the offensive zone and be hard to play against.''

In Brickley's first full season in professional hockey, he notched 22 goals and 25 assists in 73 games for the San Antonio Rampage, the Panthers' AHL affiliate last season.

MacKenzie, the greybeard of the line at 33, has never scored more than nine goals in any of his 12 NHL seasons, but he's considered the Panthers' top penalty killer and faceoff practitioner. Like the 43-year-old Jagr has been admittedly rejuvenated by his youthful linemates, MacKenzie, too, seems to be playing with more pep in his step.

MacKenzie leads the team with a plus-4 ice rating, and that doesn't include being on the ice for goals for or against during special teams. Howden and Brickley are right behind at plus-3. MacKenzie is tied with Nick Bjugstad for the team lead among forwards in hits with 14, and Brickley has 13.

MacKenzie has won 55.7 percent of his faceoffs (39-31), which ranks first on the team among any player who has participated in more than 12 faceoffs.

"I got a couple of wingers who are on the same page,'' MacKenzie said. "[Brickley and Howden] have gone a great job getting involved on all the faceoffs and forechecks. When you get help like that you seem to win more faceoffs for sure.''

Panthers coach Gerard Gallant believes he has four lines that could generate offense, but he's also a firm believer that in today's game most goals are coming from the paint or around the net on rebounds, tip-ins and deflections off bodies.

"It's not those cute fancy plays when you're going cross-ice all the time and turn the pucks over,'' he said. "It's about down low, battling and going to the net. That's what they did to get the two goals.''

Gallant challenges game-winning goal

On the rush that Pittsburgh forward Evgeni Malkin scored the game-winning power-play goal in overtime, Gallant felt that Sidney Crosby beat the airborne puck across the line and should've been whistled for offsides.

"It was a real close offside," Gallant said. "The puck went really high in the air and it was probably inconclusive. But we had nothing to lose at that point. I think it was an OK goal. … It was a frustrating night for sure.

"We didn't quit. That's the real key and I hope that carries over to the next game in Chicago. I want to play a better 60-minute game than we played. I thought we showed a little bit too much respect.'' …

The Penguins have defeated the Panthers in 14 of their last 16 games at home, in large part of All-Stars' Crosby and Malkin as well as goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

Crosby tied a career high with nine shots on goal or two more than he had in his first five games. He also scored his first goal of the season and notched his first points (3) along with the team's first power-play goal.

Malkin has 32 points in 29 games against Florida and Fleury is 10-1-1 in his last 12 starts against the Panthers with a 1.71 goals-against-average.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 10.22.2015


Preview: Panthers at Blackhawks, Thursday, 8:30 p.m.

Harvey FialkovContact ReporterSun Sentinel

Panthers have lost seven straight to Blackhawks

Panthers at Blackhawks

When/where: 8:30 p.m.; United Center, Chicago

TV: FSF Radio: WQAM-560; WMEN-640 AM (Palm Beaches)

Notable: The Panthers dropped their first game of this tough three-game road trip, however, they managed to grab a point with a two-goal comeback in the third period forced OT, before falling 3-2 to the Penguins. ... The Panthers take on the well-rested defending Stanley Cup champs, who haven't played since Saturday, a 4-1 victory over the winless Blue Jackets. F Patrick Kane notched his fourth goal and his seven points ties him for the team lead with surprising rookie LW Artemi Panarin. The Blackhawks are just 3-3 but they have beaten the Panthers seven straight, including a two-game sweep last season, and haven't lost in Chicago since Dec. 16, 2007. G Corey Crawford is 4-1 with a 1.48 GAA against the Panthers, while G Roberto Luongo is 15-12-4 with a 2.22 GAA against Chicago. Luongo played his 869th game to pass Grant Fuhr into ninth place all time. Blackhawks D Duncan Keith, a two-time Norris Trophy winner and last year's Conn Smythe winner in the playoffs, is out 4-6 weeks with a knee injury.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 10.22.2015

978120 Los Angeles Kings

Career takes unusual turn for Kings defenseman Christian Ehrhoff

Lisa DillmanContact Reporter

Funny how it often comes full circle in the hockey world.

Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, then a teenager, left to go work out and his life changed by the time he got home that summer day in 2001. He returned to find he was the property of an NHL team.

"I wasn't at the draft," Ehrhoff said Wednesday. "I remember I went for a run and I came back home and I checked online and I was surprised to see my name already. I was happy to go to the Sharks."

The general manager of the San Jose Sharks then was current Kings GM Dean Lombardi. San Jose's coach happened to be Darryl Sutter.

Now Ehrhoff is playing for Sutter and the Kings after Lombardi signed the defenseman as an unrestricted free agent in August. The Kings play at San Jose on Thursday night and, although Ehrhoff faced the Sharks plenty of times when he was with Vancouver, trips to San Jose were rare after he left the Canucks for Buffalo and later Pittsburgh.

See the most-read stories in Sports this hour >>

Still, this isn't one long walk down memory lane. It's more like a few steps for Ehrhoff because his association with the Sharks, which lasted parts of five seasons, didn't include much quality time with Lombardi and Sutter.

"The year after I got drafted, I just went to rookie camp," Ehrhoff said. "The second year I played one exhibition game and still went back and that was the year they left, or got let go."

Fast-forwarding to the present, Ehrhoff is still trying to assimilate to the Kings' defensive system. Last week, Sutter noted that Ehrhoff had to get up to the pace of the game.

Ehrhoff, a minus-five in five games, agreed he needs to get better.

"Still adjusting. Still haven't played my best below the goal line," he said. "There are things I'm working on and trying to improve and trying to earn the trust of the coaching staff. It's just going to take a little bit of time. I'm patient with that."

The bottom line is faster execution.

"You still got to go out there and play your game," he said. "This is probably similar to the way I played in Vancouver. The coaches want me to get back to the way I played there, being involved offensively; defensively, ending the plays quickly and helping the team get out of the own end quickly. That's something I can do and, like I said, something I've got to get to on a consistent basis."

Penalty-killing overload

The Kings spent a lot of time killing penalties in their 2-1 victory over Colorado on Sunday. The Avalanche was one for five with a man advantage and zero for one when they had a two-man advantage in the third period.

"Too many, clearly," Sutter said. "It's taken momentum from our game, regardless what the score is. … I don't have much patience for offensive-zone penalties and not-moving-your-feet penalties. Or letting your ego get in the way.

"I don't have much use for those penalties. The fact is, we took a huge stride in that last year in terms of taking it out of our game and getting into the top 10, or top five, in terms of fewest taken. ... A lot of the same guys that kill penalties for us are also our power-play guys. Who knows how that is impacting the power play too. You spend a lot killing penalties."

Defenseman Matt Greene, out because of an unspecified injury, is still unable to practice with the full squad. "He's got to be pain-free. When he says he's pain-free, he's close," Sutter said.

TONIGHT

AT SAN JOSE

When: 7:30.

On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 790.

Etc.: Former Kings goalie Martin Jones, who beat them in the season opener Oct. 7, suffered the first loss and first rough outing of his short

Sharks career. He had given up two goals in his first four starts — a 0.49 goals-against average — but gave up four goals on 28 shots in Monday's 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers.

LA Times: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Kings taking too many penalties for Sutter's liking

Oct. 21, 2015

Updated 3:21 p.m.

By RICH HAMMOND / STAFF WRITER

EL SEGUNDO -- For the sake of convenience, the Kings might want to install a revolving door at the entrance to their penalty box. It has been used far too often for the liking of Coach Darryl Sutter.

The Kings have been shorthanded an average of 5.2 times per game this season. That was the highest average in the NHL entering Wednesday, and almost double the Kings’ average of last season (2.9).

''Too many, clearly,’’ Coach Darryl Sutter said after Wednesday’s practice. ''In the games we’ve lost, it has taken momentum from our game, regardless of what the score is.’’

The type of penalties, not simply their frequency, also troubles Sutter. According to official NHL stats, nine of the Kings’ 27 minor penalties have been called in the offensive zone. Coaches can tolerate some defensive-zone penalties, which might prevent goals, but offensive-zone penalties are always taboo.

It’s getting worse. In the Kings’ last two games, six of their 10 penalties have come in the offensive zone.

''I don’t have much patience for offensive-zone penalties and not moving your feet penalties,’’ Sutter said. ''I don’t have much use for those penalties.’’

These aren’t just abstract numbers. The Kings have already allowed four power-play goals in five games, and for a team that is struggling to score goals, every shorthanded chance is potential trouble.

Also, since the Kings (like most teams) use some of their most-talented players on penalty kills, they run into fatigue issues even when the game is 5-on-5. The Kings have averaged eight minutes of penalty-kill time this season -- highest in the NHL -- up from five minutes last season.

''We took a huge stride in that last year,’’ Sutter said, ''in terms of taking that out of our game and getting into the top 10 in terms of the fewest (power plays against). You have to be in that three (per game) range.’’

The Kings also have the highest penalty-minute-per-game average this season, at 19:48, more than five minutes per game higher than Ottawa (14:39). That’s a bit deceiving, because the Kings have five fighting penalties, which don’t lead to power plays, but nonetheless, that’s a full period of penalties per game.

It would also help if the Kings got their power-play going. The Kings have roughly spent as much time on the power play (7.6 minutes per game) as on the penalty kill (8.1) but they have only one power-play goal.

NO CHANGES

After consecutive victories, the Kings made no changes to their line combinations or defensive pairings Wednesday, but there was one minor adjustment. Rookie center Jordan Weal took rotations as an extra with third-line players, in contrast to his usual role as a fourth-line extra.

Weal played in the second game of the season but otherwise has been a healthy scratch. He is unlikely to play Thursday at San Jose but could draw back into the lineup soon, either as a replacement for third-line center Nick Shore or fourth-line center Andy Andreoff.

''Andy has outplayed him the last two or three games. A big difference,’’ Sutter said as he held his hands two feet apart. ''Will we get (another) look at him? It’s a long year. We’ve played five games.’’

NOT YET

Veteran defenseman Matt Greene, who has missed two games with an undisclosed upper-body injury, is not expected to play Thursday or in Friday’s home game against Carolina.

Greene practiced Wednesday, but Sutter indicated that Greene is not yet free from pain.

''You can’t be having a guy who’s on your roster that’s questionable,’’ Sutter said.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 10.22.2015


LA Kings hit the road, try to extend winning streak

By Elliott Teaford, Daily Breeze

Posted: 10/21/15, 1:37 PM PDT | Updated: 10 hrs ago

KINGS AT SHARKS

Faceoff: 7:30 p.m.

TV/Radio: FSW, 790-AM

Update: The Kings take a two-game winning streak with them to San Jose, after losing the first three games of the season. One of those defeats was a 5-1 loss to the Sharks on opening night Oct. 7. The Kings couldn’t keep up with the Sharks and also chased the game during defeats to the Arizona Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks. They got it right with matching 2-1 victories over the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche. The Kings are far from flawless, however. They are 1 for 21 on the power play (4.8 percent), second-to-last in the 30-team NHL. They’re also the league’s most-penalized team, averaging 19.8 minutes per game, or five more minutes than any other club averages. Tyler Toffoli has three of the Kings’ six goals. The Sharks are 4-2-0 after losses to New York Islanders and New York Rangers.

LA Daily News: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Reign: Budaj right fit for tough time

Posted by Lindsay Czarnecki

The view between the pipes for the Ontario Reign had been reserved for the up-and-comers. The Patrik Bartosaks and JF-Berubes. They were expected to lead the Reign into their first AHL season as the Los Angeles Kings’ primary affiliate.

Instead, unforeseen circumstances have former Canadiens and Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj nested in the No. 1 spot.

Earlier this month Berube was claimed on waivers by the Islanders and news broke that Bartosak would need surgery on an injured hand.

And while the development of Bartosak will have to wait while he rehabs, the Reign are reaping the benefits of Budaj both in the win column and with the intangibles he brings as a goaltender who carries valuable NHL experience. In this early AHL season, Budaj is 3-0-0-0 with two shutouts to boot.

“We were kind of caught a little off guard,” head coach Mike Stothers said of Berube-Bartosak situation. “But the organization did a great job and we had Budaj at camp for that reason alone because of the depth at the goalie position isn’t extensive or deep in the Kings’ organization. You wanted to have an experienced guy like Buds here and he’s come in a done a real good job for us. He’s played real well the first three games. I think his experience shows.”

Budaj, 33, helped the Reign pick up their first AHL win, shutting out Bakersfield in a 5-0 road opener. Last week he picked up 4-1 and 1-0 wins in Manitoba. Quite the difference from the 0-9-6 record he posted last season with St. John’s of the AHL following a trade from Montreal to Winnipeg.

“I worked hard last year, I love the game and I want to work every single moment,” said Budaj, a nine-year NHL veteran. “I think I was kind of getting ahead of myself last year with being two years ago I was playing for the Montreal Canadiens, conference finals in the NHL and then I was fighting for a spot on the St. John’s team.

“Mentally I was focusing on what the outcome was going to be of the situation instead of focusing on the process. … You can’t focus on what the outcome is going to be, you have to focus on the process and that’s what I’ve been trying to do this summer and so far it’s been working.”

It’s working for the Reign, too, who will face Bakersfield again this Friday in their home opener at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. Budaj’s goals against average and save percentage is tops in the league for goalies who have played more than one game, at a cool 0.32 and .983 respectively.

While stats are one thing, it’s the details that has Stothers tipping his cap. After Wednesday’s practice Stothers gushed about Budaj’s puck-playing and play-reading ability, which has helped his younger defensive group succeed in this early part of the season.

“There was a situation the other night where we were killing a penalty and one of our defenseman had a broken stick, so now you’re basically down a man, and he found a way to fight through and get the puck and cover it up so we could at least get a stoppage,” Stothers said. “Those are just little, subtle things that only an experienced guy would do.”

While it seems like Budaj may just be holding court until Bartosak’s return, there’s plenty still for the Reign to learn from with a goalie of his caliber in the room. Consummate and ultimate pros are words being thrown around by defenseman Vincent LoVerde and Stothers when being asked about Budaj and his backup. Budaj’s backup? Another NHL veteran and name known quite well in Ray Emery.

It’s still a young season, but in Budaj, Kings prospects have a rare player who’s been around the block and knows a thing or two about where they all want to go.

“He’s good with the younger guys, good with the older guys, treats everybody the same way and you really respect a player like that,” forward Michael Mersch said. “Always has tips, always has good stories. He’s played with some pretty good players. He’s played with Rob Blake, Joe Sakic, [Peter] Forsberg, he’s played with and against a lot of great players who me personally I watched growing up so it’s been pretty cool when you have guys like that on your team, makes it a little special.”

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Missed shots? High percentage shooters weigh in

Posted by JonRosen

Based off this morning’s #fancystats piece that indicated (not that you’d need a spreadsheet to find out) that the Kings had been missing the net disproportionately when compared to overall shot attempts, I spoke with Darryl Sutter and a pair of players who have established strong shooting percentages in their NHL careers.

Sutter offered a reminder that the sheer volume of missed shots isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because that means possession is being maintained, and reiterated that the Kings’ volume of shot attempts has traditionally been a league high-water mark.

“More is better. It’s not a new theme,” he said. “It has to be consistent through your lineup. Obviously teams play different in terms of how they defend in their own zone. Sometimes your defensemen have to adjust, sometimes your slot forward has to adjust, things like that.”

I also consulted with Tanner Pearson, who has a 14.3% shooting percentage through 72 career regular season games, and Alec Martinez, who leads all club defensemen with a 7.7% career shooting percentage, which was buoyed by a 13.9% rate in 2013-14, when he scored 11 times.

Pearson replicating his 17.6% shooting percentage from a season ago will be virtually impossible; apart from that rate being completely unsustainable, the third-year King says he’s looking to get more shots on net this season.

“I think when you shoot the puck you want to try to create something,” he said. “I think the biggest thing last year, I don’t know if missed shots count but they were probably pretty high. I definitely want to hit the net more this year.”

Martinez couldn’t quite put his finger on why the Kings have maintained stellar possession numbers but rank last in the league with a 6.8% on-ice five-on-five shooting percentage since 2011-12, according to War-on-Ice.

“I think if I knew the answer, we’d be scoring a lot. That’s kind of been our MO,” he said. “We’ve played strong defensively and I think there’s a lot of things that go into it. I think, like I said before, the D have to do a better job of getting pucks there. We’ve got to have a net presence. We’ve got to have that layer two, that high layer, the F-three that you often times see a lot of opportunities pop out into that. I guess I can’t exactly pinpoint. You look at the positive, we do have good possession numbers and that’s the kind of style we play. We grind down a team down low and we just have to be better at being more opportunistic once we get those chances.”

Of course, one could also build an argument that a 6.8% shooting percentage is bound to rise in the playoffs, and the Kings did average 2.85 goals per game in the spring of 2012, and a league-best 3.38 in the spring of 2014.

Alec Martinez, on any reason behind the high percentage of missed shots thus far:

I would probably say that’s a product of the D not getting the job done. I know, myself included, that I have to do a better job of getting shots through to the net. It’s really difficult these days, and it’s something that we talk about all the time. A lot of teams, that’s a huge part of their D-zone. You look at Colorado and they really clog up the middle of the ice. I think as a D-man, you have to at least get it past that first layer. Sometimes, even if it goes off a shin pad or something in front of the net, you’ve got to at least try to get it there because you can get scoring opportunities just from that. It’s like the old saying ‘somehow, just get it to the net and good things can happen.’ But that’s something that as a D-crops that we have to get better at.

Martinez, on whether anything contributed to his high shooting percentage in 2013-14:

No, I don’t know. My mentality hasn’t changed. Maybe it’s just a byproduct of the way the league is going and how everyone is emphasizing blocking shots. I feel like it’s just kind of something that has come around. Maybe it’ll pass. I don’t know. What would you guys say – five, six, seven years maybe? I think they just started keeping track of it not too long ago. But that [13.9]-percent, that’s something that I really want to get back. I think I just have to get it through and create an opportunity for the forwards to put one in. Often times you’re playing against the best 30 to 60 goalies in the world, we’re not going to score from the blueline if they can see it. I keep on

repeating myself, but the importance of just getting it there is the biggest thing.

Tanner Pearson, on the high percentage of missed shots early in 2015-16:

I think, especially the last two games, we’re trying to get the number of shots up. I think the games we lost, you look at the shots, they’re pretty lopsided against us. I think that was a key thing. I think we’re starting to hit more nets as a group and all it takes is one shot for it to go in or a shot to create a rebound.

Pearson, on a high shooting percentage early in his NHL career:

Honestly … I don’t take nearly as many shots as I should. You get however many and your shooting percentage goes up a lot, that was the one thing, but I think it’s probably better to have a lower shooting percentage and get lots of shots and create more stuff.

Pearson, on whether he felt his was game-ready to start the season:

I think I felt pretty good. I think with the exhibition games, that helps out a lot even though they’re not up to regular season speed. But I think just taking the hits and giving the hits is a good way to transition into it.



Reign: October 21 practice notes

Posted by Lindsay Czarnecki

Some tidbits from today’s 10 a.m. practice from Citizens Business Bank Arena

–Just two days away from their home opener on Friday night against Bakersfield, standing with a 3-0-0-0 record during their road swing, the Reign got back on the ice today after an off day on Tuesday for the LA Kings/Ontario Reign golf event in the City of Industry. Head coach Mike Stothers: “With the way the schedule was and yesterday being an off-day with a golfing event, you kind of knew it wasn’t going to be a good day for an actual thinking practice, it was more of, ‘OK, let’s get them going, let’s get them moving and tomorrow we’ll get a little more specific in some systems stuff that involves them actually using their thought process. “

–Paul Bissonnette did not practice and “might” tomorrow, according to Stothers. Stothers: “He needed a maintenance day. He goes hard for a guy that gets two minutes a game (laughs). It’s hard to keep that body going in the right direction there. He picked up an injury in Game 2 in Winnipeg and he’s close. He might even skate tomorrow, we’ll see. I think he’s highly doubtful for – seeing how today is Wednesday and we play Friday – I’d say he’s highly doubtful for this weekend, which probably everyone is looking forward to seeing Biss.”

–Goalie Patrik Bartosak (hand) remains out as expected for likely another two weeks, but Stothers gave a semi-update on his health: Stothers: “His progress has been good. I believe he’s on schedule. We’ve had no setbacks, it’s just time and you can’t rush time. It’s coming along. … I lose track of time, it seems like it’s been forever already. I think the fact that we don’t play a whole lot here at the start, in the grand scheme of things Barto’s not going to lose that many games so that’s a good thing. Our schedule is very friendly and permitting at this time for Barto anyway.”

–Lots of fast-paced flow drills, getting the defenseman involved in the play a bit more and it all wrapped up with players working on individual skills. Stothers: “There were some things we were working on today in the drills that we did in the fact that we want to continue to encourage our defensemen to be a part of the attack. We want to be getting our D up the ice and being involved and not necessarily just having a three-man attack, four-man attack. So some of those drills were designed to do that. Some of the drills we did today were designed because we’ve got some guys playing out of position. We’ve got a lot of wingers – which you’ll see Friday night – we’ve got right-handed shots playing left wing, left-handed shots playing right wing, so today’s practice was kind of designed to get them a little more familiar with the touches that they’re gonna have and how they’re gonna handle passes.”

–Fun seeing 5-foot-8 Sean Backman out there working on slap shots from the point in a sea of black jerseys (defensemen), with Vincent LoVerde dishing out passes from the corner toward the tail end of practice.

backman

LoVerde on this week’s work: “[Practices have] been well. We had a good push practice on Monday. Yesterday we had the day off with the LA Kings/Ontario Reign golf outing and we had another good one today. We’ve got to keep improving throughout the week in preparation for the games this weekend.”

–Toward the end of practice Stothers chatted along the boards quite a bit with goalie Ray Emery. Stothers said he’s been pleased with the experience and the battle Emery and Peter Budaj bring to practicem with both having spent valuable time in the NHL.



October 21 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter

Posted by JonRosen

On the ice conditions at practice:

Ice was good today. Back to normal.

On whether he likes the way the Kings’ game is trending:

We still want to cut our goals against down and get our goals for up. So much of the game now is based on the percentages, so you break it down by team and individuals and go from there.

On whether the Kings have been generating more scoring chances:

Yeah. I think the San Jose and the Vancouver game were not very productive in terms of that for us. I thought the other three really were.

On whether he reads into the higher than usual percentage of shots missing the net:

Well, that’s not a bad thing, is it? [Reporter: No. Getting shots. No, absolutely not.] That’ll be my answer. [Reporter: Part of any wider picture of more volume? Is it indicative of anything?] I think volume has been as good as there is in the league. It’s what you want. More is better. It’s not a new theme. It has to be consistent through your lineup. Obviously teams play different in terms of how they defend in their own zone. Sometimes your defensemen have to adjust, sometimes your slot forward has to adjust, things like that. But for the most part, if you’re only basing it on that, then we have guys that have 20 goals and are minus-20. We went through that last year.

On the amount of penalties:

Yep, too many, clearly. Even in the games we’ve lost it’s taken momentum from our game. Regardless of what the score is, if you go back to the San Jose game – hey, I don’t have much patience for offensive zone penalties and not moving your feet penalties or letting your get in the way, things like that. I don’t have much use for those penalties. The fact is is we took a huge stride in that last year in terms of taking that out of our game and getting into the whatever it is, the top-10 or top-five in terms of the fewest taken. You have to be in that three-range. You know what it’s like, because you start pushing those minutes up and you’re into the six-to-nine minutes of killing, and a lot of the same guys that kill penalties for us are also our power play guys, so who knows how that’s impacted the power play, too. We spend a lot killing penalties.

On whether he’d like to get another look at Jordan Weal:

Yeah, I would. Andy’s outplayed him again the last two or three games. There’s a big difference. We play big teams. For sure what I’ve seen, if you looked at San Jose the first game, how big down the middle they are. It’s a big team down the middle of the ice. Will we get a look at him? It’s a long year. We’ve played five games. If we had 14 forwards, you know what? You’d be saying that about two other guys, not one guy. We’ve already used how many forwards and how many forwards in five games? … If we were 5-0, we probably wouldn’t have made one change from what we started with. I’m not really into the other part of it.

On how close Matt Greene is to returning in a full capacity:

Greener? He’s got to be pain free, so unless he says he’s pain free, then he’s close. [Reporter: Is this related to the thing he had earlier, near the end of training camp?] Yeah, it’s the same area. … He’s doing a lot to get game ready, so whenever that is, now we’re going to get to where we’re not here much. You can’t be having a guy who’s on your roster that’s questionable. We’re thankful we’re only going to San Jose and then back, and then Ontario’s here in town, so it’s pretty easy to get a guy. It’s easier to answer that before we go on the Edmonton-Winnipeg swing. Easier. Then we’ll know if he’s ready or not.



October 21 practice notes

Posted by JonRosen

The alignment from today’s 12:00 p.m. practice at Toyota Sports Center:

White: Gaborik-Kopitar-Brown

Blue: Lucic-Carter-Toffoli

Yellow: Pearson-Shore-Lewis-Weal

Purple: Clifford-Andreoff-Nolan

-Defensive pairs didn’t change from Sunday’s game: McNabb-Doughty, Muzzin-Martinez, Forbort-Ehrhoff. Matt Greene took the ice at 11:30 but was was held out of the thick of practice drills. “He’s doing a lot,” Darryl Sutter said, but isn’t quite game ready. Would the Kings ultimately need an extra defenseman this weekend, they’d be able to call a player from the Ontario Reign, who are in town Friday and Saturday. “It’s easier to answer [a Greene question] before we go on the Edmonton-Winnipeg swing,” Sutter said. A broader Greene update will come in today’s Darryl Sutter quotes.

-After having rotated through Andy Andreoff’s line in recent practices, Jordan Weal skated as an extra on Nick Shore’s line on Wednesday. Sutter also spoke about Weal in today’s media availability; because of the way San Jose matches up down the middle, and because of Andy Andreoff’s line’s recent play – Sutter spoke highly of both – don’t expect a lineup change that gets Weal into Thursday’s game.

-The practice included special teams work in which penalty killers gripped their stick blades and kept the handles close to the ice as well as rush drills and pace-type drills that also contained light battle elements.

-Bauer representatives were on hand and were more than happy to show off an array of new wares…

IMG_7347

…which included the Bauer 1S prototype, which according to this report won’t be released until January. Steven Stamkos, according to the representative, has used the 1S (the black/gold sticks in the photo below):

IMG_7348

-More to come today, including a story on shooting percentages, some Ontario Reign Insider reports, and Darryl Sutter practice quotes.



Missing the net and wonky numbers through two weeks

Posted by JonRosen

Before we delve into scrutiny of the Kings’ available #fancystats, remember this principle: advanced stats don’t provide a “be-all, end-all” of player value and team analysis, but rather raise points and values of the team’s play and particular players that may have been overlooked. Also, Los Angeles is yet to play a road game, so many of the numbers will paint a rosier picture than what should be expected from the end result. Also, there’s a five game sample size, so The Computer is still spitting out highly variable data.

But here’s what we have thus far. See if you can sense a trend:

VERSUS (Shots on Goal – Shots Blocked – Missed Shots)

San Jose: 20-13-11

Arizona: 41-10-22

Vancouver: 15-17-22

Minnesota: 37-14-23

Colorado: 40-22-17

My word, the Kings are missing a lot of shots! Last year, 69.8% of their unblocked shot attempts were on net, and that was the fifth-worst rate in the league. Through five games this year, only 60.3% of their unblocked shot attempts are on net, and that’s far and away the league’s worst rate. No back-to-back gap in teams’ percentage of unblocked shot attempts on net is as wide as Carolina’s (29th / 64.3%) and Los Angeles’ (30th / 60.3%). Though the Kings have the 21st most blocked shots (52), they have the second most missed shots (73). All statistics incorporate five-on-five play only.

These numbers have weighed down the club’s shooting percentage. Their five-on-five on-ice unblocked shooting percentage is a league-low 1.6%; Arizona’s 9.0% represents the opposite pole. Last year, Los Angeles was tied for 21st in the league at 5.3%, and no teams were above Tampa Bay’s 6.7% or below Arizona’s 4.0%.

With these numbers in mind, it’s not a surprise to see that the Kings’ PDO – the sum of a team’s 5v5 shooting percentage and their 5v5 save percentage – is an unsustainably low 92.2. Since 2011-12, the NHL’s lowest single-season PDO was generated by Florida in 2012-13 at 96.1. Over the previous four seasons, Los Angeles’ PDO was 100.2 (2014-15), 100.1 (2013-14), 99.1 (2012-13) and 98.9 (2011-12).

War-on-Ice compiles scoring chances, and the Kings’ five-on-five scoring chance +/- is a league-best +49; there’s a big drop between Los Angeles and fourth-place San Jose, which is +14. Even if filters are adjusted to account for “close” situations – when there is at maximum a one-goal difference between the teams in the first two periods, or tied in the third – the Kings still rank second in the league with a plus-34 scoring chance differential.

Overall, when pure, unfiltered Corsi events are tabulated, Los Angeles leads the league with a 62.1% rate and a plus-92 Corsi event differential, whereas Dallas, the third-best above-water team in Corsi events, is a plus-35. So there’s a bit of a gap.

Again! Team-wide possession stats will produce wonky numbers over the first month of the season or so, and individual possession stats (which aren’t even covered here) are mostly meaningless at this point. As noted, the Kings are yet to even play a road game, so these numbers only take into account an individual filter of when Darryl Sutter has the last change. But if there’s anything to be gleaned from these numbers from an imprecise, early-season standpoint, it’s that the Kings have been a bit unlucky – they have a 2.2% on-ice shooting percentage in five-on-five play – and should see their even strength scoring rebound. That will be catalyzed when the percentage of their shots that miss the net decreases.


978129 Minnesota Wild

Wild expects to face a motivated Blue Jackets squad

By Rachel Blount Star Tribune

October 21, 2015 — 11:41pm

DARRYL DYCK, Associated Press John Tortorella takes over the Blue Jackets, two seasons after he was let go by Vancouver. Tortorella led Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup in 2004 and had four playoff teams with the Rangers.

The firing of Columbus coach Todd Richards won’t directly impact the Wild’s preparation for Thursday’s game against the Blue Jackets. The Wild, several players said, has its own issues to address as it plays its second game of the season at Xcel Energy Center.

Still, the players anticipate the Blue Jackets will be energized in their first game under new coach John Tortorella. Richards — a Crystal native who coached the Wild for two seasons before he was fired in 2011 — was let go Wednesday, a victim of his team’s 0-7 start. The hard-charging Tortorella takes over just as the Blue Jackets embark on a four-game road trip, trying to stanch the bleeding from the worst start in franchise history.

Wild coach Mike Yeo wants to see his team improve its pace and pressure Thursday as it resumes play after Sunday’s 4-1 defeat in Anaheim, its first regulation loss of the season. Despite the Blue Jackets’ woeful record, he doesn’t expect it to be easy.

“It’s a pretty quick turnaround, so I don’t expect [Columbus] to go out there and try to change everything in a day,’’ Yeo said. “What I would say is, it’s quite obvious what their motivation level is going to be, and what we can expect from them as far as going out there and laying it on the line.

“We know we’re in for a good challenge, but the focus is the same for us. It’s on ourselves.’’

With three days off between games, the Wild spent two rigorous practice sessions working to sharpen its pace, its puck support and its execution. All of its healthy players were on the ice Wednesday, including winger Nino Niederreiter, who left Tuesday’s practice early because of muscle tightness. Center Tyler Graovac, who is recovering from a lower-body injury, skated on his own Wednesday but is not expected to play until next week at the earliest.

Wild vs. Columbus

Thursday: 7 p.m. (FSN)

Columbus is the only NHL team without a victory this season. That spelled the end for Richards, who compiled a record of 127-112-21 during a tenure that began in January 2012. The winningest coach in franchise history, he led the Blue Jackets to a playoff berth in 2014, when the team won 43 games during its best season since its founding in 2000.

The Blue Jackets started poorly last season, too, but picked up steam and finished on a 15-1-1 roll. That heightened expectations this season. Instead, Columbus has tied the NHL expansion-era record for most regulation losses at the start of a season, with its 0-7 mark second only to the New York Rangers’ 0-11 start in 1943-44.

Backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney has started the past two games in place of slumping Sergei Bobrovsky, who has a goals-against average of 5.07 and save percentage of .835, and the Blue Jackets have given up a league-high 34 goals in seven games. Several players spoke in support of Richards in recent days as the pressure mounted, but he was fired late Tuesday night.

Tortorella has not been behind an NHL bench since 2014, when he was fired in Vancouver after one misbegotten season. The winningest U.S.-born coach in NHL history said he didn’t come to Columbus to “reinvent the wheel,’’ and he believes the Blue Jackets have enough talent and commitment to pull themselves out of their predicament.

“[The players] care,’’ Tortorella said in a news conference. “They don’t like being in this situation. I think some of them are maybe a little embarrassed.

“It’s hard to reach in your pocket and say, ‘Here’s some confidence.’ It has to come through some good things happening. As quickly as it went this way, it can come back the other way.’’

Tortorella, who was given a three-year contract, is a completely different personality than Richards. Known for being volatile and abrasive, he vowed Wednesday to listen to his players and said he wants to guide them

back to the quick, gritty and straight-ahead style he saw from them last season.

Wild forward Zach Parise, who played for Tortorella during stints with the U.S. national team, said the coach has the ability to make all of his players play hard. Yeo expects to see the Blue Jackets reflect that.

“[His teams] are very hardworking,’’ Yeo said. “They block a lot of shots, and they’re very committed to the details of the game. It’s a group that’s going to be accountable.’’

Star Tribune LOADED: 10.22.2015


Gameday preview: Columbus at Wild

RACHEL BLOUNT

October 21, 2015 — 7:23pm

Wild gameday

7 p.m. vs. COLUMBUS

XCEL ENERGY CENTER • FSN, 100.3-FM

Preview: The Blue Jackets enter Thursday’s game at the bottom of the NHL with an 0-7 record. But they have had the Wild’s number lately, winning the past five games between the teams — including three at Xcel Energy Center. Columbus’ streak of futility is one shy of setting an expansion-era record for most regulation losses at the start of a season; only the 1943-44 New York Rangers got off to a worse start (0-11). The Wild is 1-0 at home this season and plays four of its next five games at Xcel.

Players to WATCH: Wild winger Zach Parise has a three-game point streak against Columbus. He is tied for second in the NHL with five goals and is tied for first in the league with three power-play goals. … Blue Jackets winger Brandon Saad, acquired from Chicago in a trade last summer, has points in four of his first seven games and is tied for the NHL lead with three power-play goals.

Numbers: Columbus has been outscored 34-13 this season and has allowed 18 third-period goals. Five of its seven losses have been by at least three goals. … The Wild went 17-12-3 against Eastern Conference teams last season.

Injuries: Wild C Tyler Graovac (lower body) is out. Columbus RW Josh Anderson (orbital bone fracture) is out.



Wild prepared for big effort from Columbus

By Rachel Blount

October 21, 2015 — 1:37pm

There will be no Minnesota homecoming for Todd Richards on Thursday. The Crystal native, former Gophers defenseman and former Wild coach was fired Wednesday by Columbus after a horrific 0-7 start, and new coach John Tortorella will be behind the bench for Thursday's game against the Wild at Xcel Energy Center.

Predictably, several Wild players said they were focused on their own game and had little to say about the switch. But Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu noted that teams usually play "with lots of jump'' in the first games after a coaching change as players try to make an impression. They also noted that Tortorella's teams always play hard, meaning the Wild will need to be on its toes Thursday.

Coach Mike Yeo confirmed that Devan Dubnyk will start in goal as the Wild plays its second home game of the season. Nino Niederreiter, who left Tuesday's practice with "tightness,'' skated at full speed during Wednesday's fast-paced workout. Tyler Graovac (lower body injury) is skating on his own; Yeo said he needs to get in a few full practices before he returns to the lineup, and he doesn't expect Graovac to play in the three games remaining this week.

Yeo is expecting a high-energy game from the Blue Jackets, who have been outscored 34-13 in their seven regulation losses."It's a pretty quick turnaround, so I don't expect (Columbus) to go out there and try to change everything in a day,'' Yeo said. "What I would say is it's quite obvious what their motivation level will be and what we can expect from them as far as going out there and laying it on the line. We know we're in for a good challenge. But the focus is the same for us. It's on ourselves.''

Parise has played a few brief stints under Tortorella as a member of the U.S. national team. Tortorella was the head coach for the American men at the 2008 world championships; an assistant for the 2010 Olympic team that won a silver medal; and an associate coach at the 2005 world championships. Tortorella also has been named head coach for the U.S. team that will play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

"He's got that ability to make all his players play hard and compete,'' Parise said. "I think that's what's going to happen with (the Blue Jackets).''



Winless after 7 games, Columbus Blue Jackets fire coach Todd Richards, hire John Tortorella

By CRAIG MERZ Associated Press

October 21, 2015 — 2:55pm

COLUMBUS, Ohio — John Tortorella hoisted a Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay and led the New York Rangers to the verge of a championship berth.

At woebegone Columbus, the Blue Jackets have a more modest goal for the veteran coach: Win a game.

Tortorella is back coaching in the NHL after the Blue Jackets fired Todd Richards on Wednesday with the team off to an 0-7-0 start.

"He's proven he's a good coach," said center Brandon Dubinsky, who played for Tortorella with the Rangers from 2008-12. "He's going to help our group. Unfortunately, it's going to be at the expense of a great person and a great coach (but) we got another one. We've got to step up for him."

Tortorella, who won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, has been out of hockey since the Canucks fired him in May 2014 after one season in Vancouver. He takes over for Richards, who had been with the Blue Jackets since 2012 and led them to only their second NHL playoff appearance in 2013-14, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round.

"One of the problems right now is expectations," Tortorella said. "Expectations that weren't there last year with this club."

Columbus is just the sixth NHL team to open with seven consecutive losses after a 4-0 defeat against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. It's the Blue Jackets' worst start in franchise history, and their longest losing streak since dropping seven straight in regulation from Nov. 11-25, 2005.

"It was a tough start," right wing Jared Boll said. "Everything kept snowballing and losses kept piling up. It's still only seven games. We've got a lot of hockey. We can't hang our heads and feel sorry for ourselves and make excuses."

That's not the type of start that was expected from a team that restocked its roster this summer after closing last season on 16-2-1 run.

"We're not responding the right way," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "By no means does this let anyone off the hook."

Tortorella signed a three-year contract and will make his debut Thursday when Columbus visits Minnesota. The Blue Jackets play seven of their next eight games on the road. Tortorella said he wanted to learn as much as he could about his struggling team.

"I need to listen," he said. "I want the players to speak to the staff just to find out where they're at."

With a 446-375-115 record over 14 seasons, the 57-year-old Tortorella is the NHL's winningest U.S.-born coach. Tortorella coached Tampa Bay for seven seasons — compiling a mark of 239-222-36-38 and earning the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year in the championship 2003-04 season.

Dubinsky, who butted heads with Tortorella at times in New York, said he now appreciates how the coach elevated his game.

"He got things out of me I didn't know I had," Dubinsky said. "He's helped my career and I anticipate he's going to help me career and help a lot of guys here, especially with the amount of young guys we have here."

For his part, Tortorella said Dubinsky was the first player he talked to when he arrived at Nationwide Arena on Wednesday.

"I need to lean on him," Tortorella said. "He's part of that heartbeat of the club. He needs to be a conduit between the players and the coaching staff until I get to know the other guys."

Tortorella is suddenly in demand after his year off.

Last month, he was hired by USA Hockey to coach the American team competing in the NHL's World Cup of Hockey tournament next year.

Tortorella acknowledged spending the past year soul-searching to determine what he might have done differently in Vancouver. It was a

season in which a second-half collapse led to the Canucks missing the playoffs three years after reaching the Stanley Cup final.

"I have searched and looked at situations of what I could've done a better job there, and I do have some answers with that," he said. "So sure, I think you become a better coach when you dig deep."

Richards finished with a 127-112-21 record with the Blue Jackets.

They have scored just 13 goals and have allowed an NHL-worst 34. Veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is struggling with a 5.07 goals-against average and an 83.5 save percentage.

"You look at our record and you knew something would happen if we kept going down this road and we kept going down this road," captain Nick Foligno said.

Buffalo Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said he believes Columbus will win plenty of games this season and noted how quickly some teams make a change if they start poorly.

"The beginning of the year is a very critical time when you talk about a week later you could be .500," he said. "Peter Laviolette's a good coach, clearly a good coach. He's gone on to Nashville and done really good things there. And he lost the first three games and they made a change (in Philadelphia two years ago). It's not what I would call fair. But it happens at the beginning of the season in hockey."



Todd Richards out, John Tortorella to make Blue Jackets coaching debut against the Wild

By Michael Russo

October 21, 2015 — 9:29am

The Wild will be facing a motivated bunch tomorrow night at Xcel Energy Center.

As first reported by TSN's Darren Dreger, John Tortorella -- the fiery, combustible John Tortorella -- is back behind an NHL bench. Tortorella, who was awesome as a TV analyst these past several months, will make his Columbus Blue Jackets coaching debut against the Wild after former Wild coach Todd Richards was fired this morning in Columbus.

Richards was replaced in the early morning hours after the Blue Jackets suffered a seventh consecutive regulation loss to open the season. The former Gopher was 127-112-21 behind the Columbus bench. In 2011, Richards was fired by the Wild after 13th- and 12th-place finishes, going 77-71-16.

Mike Yeo has coached the Wild in the five seasons since.

The Blue Jackets, who go from players coach to abrasive coach, will surely be jacked up to play the Wild. All teams playing for the first time under a new coach are. The Wild hasn’t played since Sunday. Its last two games were against Los Angeles and Anaheim – two teams that entered winless and left with a victory.

The Blue Jackets, who entered this season with lofty expectations after a strong finish to last season and acquiring Brandon Saad this offseason, have been doomed so far by subpar defense (minus-21 goal differential, 18 third-period goals allowed, 0 one-goal games) and abysmal goaltending.

Even with Richards’ job on the line, the beleaguered coach couldn’t start Sergei Bobrovsky the past two games as the goalie worked to get his act together and head on straight. Bobrobvsky complained after a recent 7-3 loss to Ottawa that he had “zero confidence.” The next game against Toronto, he cracked dramatically in the third period.

He is 0-5 with a 5.07 goals-against average. One would think he’ll debut for Tortorella tomorrow.

Tortorella, 57, is 446-375-115 as a coach with the Lightning (2004 Stanley Cup), the Rangers and Canucks. He leads all U.S.-born coaches in victories – five more than Nashville’s Peter Laviolette.

It’ll be an interesting time now in Columbus. Brandon Dubinsky, for one, can’t be feeling too good. After Tortorella was fired by the Rangers, the then-Blue Jacket Dubinsky, long in Tortorella’s doghouse in New York, said publicly their relationship fell apart and Torts’ relationship with many teammates did as well.

Hockey is a small world and you never know when reunions will occur. This reunion should be an uncomfortable one.

Rachel Blount is covering Wild practice today, so follow her on Twitter for Wild news at www.twitter.com/blountstrib. I’ll be on Fox Sports North tomorrow night and I’ll be co-hosting my podcast with Jim Souhan at Tom Reid’s tomorrow at 4 o’clock. Come on by.



Wild still tops in this market, but all other teams on the rise

By Michael Rand

October 20, 2015 — 5:19pm

ESPN has a four-step process for determining what it deems “Ultimate Standings,” whereby it attempts to rank all NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL teams 1-122 in eight different categories related to the fan experience.

If you really want to know about the process, you can read about it here. But mostly you probably want to just get to the important stuff, which is: Where did Minnesota teams rank? Here you go, including links to each of the four individual stories:

Perhaps no surprise, it’s the Wild at the top of the local standings. The local hockey team ranked No. 37 overall and No. 9 among NHL teams. With a very good fan experience and actual success, this is where the franchise belongs. That said, the Wild dropped 13 spots from last season.

The Twins are next at No. 47 overall, just outside the top 10 in MLB and up 15 overall spots from last season. Winning is good for fan perception and the fan experience. It’s been confirmed.

It drops off quite a ways from there, with the Vikings all the way down at No. 86. That is, however, a jump of 17 spots up from last year — fueled by the impending opening of the new stadium, per the story.

At the bottom? Yes, the Wolves. They’re No. 97 overall, but again like the Vikings they’re up 17 spots from a year ago.

What does this tell us? Well, quite possibly nothing. It’s a well-constructed ranking, but it’s also still subjective. If we are going to pay an attention to it, though, maybe we can gain insight in that the Twins, Vikings and Wolves made double-digit gains in these Ultimate Standings while the Wild had a double-digit drop.



Wild: Winless Blue Jackets come to town with new coach

By Chad Graff

[email protected]

Posted: 10/22/2015 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated: 10/22/2015 12:10:08 AM CDT

One day after firing Todd Richards, a former Gophers player and Wild coach, the Columbus Blue Jackets bring an 0-7 record to St. Paul on Thursday night for a game against the Wild.

Hours after the Blue Jackets' 4-0 home loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday night, Richards was dumped and replaced by John Tortorella, the intense former NHL coach who has made stops in Vancouver, New York and Tampa Bay.

Tortorella's first time on the ice with his new team is expected to be Thursday morning at the Xcel Energy Center, so Wild coach Mike Yeo isn't expecting an overhaul in Columbus' system by Thursday's faceoff.

"There's obviously a pretty quick turnaround, so I don't expect them to go out there and try to change everything in a day," Yeo said. "But what I would say is it's quite obvious what their motivation level is going to be and what we can expect from them as far as going out there and laying it all on the line. We know that we're in for a good challenge, but the focus is the same for us."

Richards, the second coach in Wild history, took over as Blue Jackets coach in January 2012. He coached the Wild from June 2009 to April 2011, between the tenures of Jacques Lemaire and Yeo.

Richards, who is from Crystal, was replaced by Tortorella after the Blue Jackets posted a minus-21 goal differential in seven games.

Tortorella, known as a disciplined, fiery coach, was tapped to lead the U.S. team in the World Cup of Hockey next fall, which Ryan Suter and Zach Parise are expected to be a part of.

"Very hard-working, block a lot of shots, very committed to the details of the game," Yeo said, describing typical qualities of a Tortorella-led team. "But it's a group that's going to be accountable, and they're going to work very hard."

Though the Blue Jackets are off to the worst start in the NHL, they were widely picked to make the playoffs after ending last season with a 15-1-1 record over their final 17 games.

"I don't think it changes our preparation or the way we want to play the game," said Wild captain Mikko Koivu, who played for Richards when he coached Minnesota. "I think it's more about knowing that when that type of thing happens, they really want to show the (new) coach what they've got, and they want to start on a good note and start building their process.

"That said, we can't think about that. We have our own things to worry about. It's only our second home game, so we always want to play good here in front of our home fans."

GRAOVAC OUT

Injured Wild forward Tyler Graovac isn't expected to play this week, likely missing games Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday as he nurses a groin injury. Yeo said Oct. 13 that he expected Graovac to be out two to three weeks.

Graovac skated on his own Wednesday morning, but Yeo said he can't consider putting Graovac back into the lineup until the center returns to practice.

"There's no setback; it's just going to take a bit of time," Yeo said. "He's got to get on the ice with our group, or we can't even consider getting him back in the lineup until we see where he's at there. That's the first step, and then we'll see how long from there."

BRIEFLY

Devan Dubnyk will start in goal for the Wild on Thursday, his fifth start in the first six games.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.22.2015


Will Columbus be on fire vs. Wild? History says coaching change not a fix

By Marino Eccher [email protected]

Posted: 10/21/2015 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated: 10/21/2015 10:29:22 PM CDT

On the heels of a Blue Jackets coaching change that saw Todd Richards fired in favor of John Tortorella, Wild coach Mike Yeo said, "It's quite obvious what (Columbus') motivation is going to be" when the team comes to town Thursday night.

That's the conventional wisdom, anyway: fire the coach, light a fire under the players. But, in practice, new management is seldom an instant salve.

We looked at every midseason NHL coaching change over the past decade. By our count, there have been 42, involving 21 teams.

Columbus is among the most trigger-happy franchises -- Richards is the team's third midyear casualty of the past decade. Philadelphia, Montreal and St. Louis have also done it three times; New Jersey has done it four.

Most teams lower the boom for a rather obvious reason: losing. The average record of a coach fired during a season is 13-15-4.

Richards and the Blue Jackets started off this season 0-7. After making the playoffs in 2014-15, the team almost certainly expected better.

It usually doesn't work. Twenty-six of the 42 teams that had midyear coaching changes failed to make the playoffs. Only five rode the wave of a new coach as far as the conference finals, and only the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins and 2012 Los Angeles Kings turned the season around to a Stanley Cup victory.

The long-term fortunes of the Eastern Conference Blue Jackets aren't the Wild's most immediate concern, of course. Rather, it's the notion of facing an opponent that has a ready-made chip on its shoulder. So is there any bounce for teams that change coaches?

Not really. In the game immediately following a midseason firing, NHL teams over the past decade have gone 16-19-7 -- essentially the same winning percentage they had before their coaches were fired.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.22.2015

978137 Montreal Canadiens

Stu Cowan: Darche brothers will enter McGill Sports Hall of Fame together

Stu Cowan, Montreal Gazette

More from Stu Cowan, Montreal Gazette

Published on: October 21, 2015 | Last Updated: October 21, 2015 7:46 PM EDT

Like so many boys growing up in Montreal, Mathieu Darche had a dream of one day playing for the Canadiens.

But it was just a dream.

Education always came first in the Darche household. His father, Edouard, was an accountant, while his mother, Lucie, was an elementary school teacher. Darche excelled at hockey, football and golf, and his marks were good enough to get him into Choate Rosemary Hall, a private prep school in Connecticut, where he played all three sports.

His dream after that was to join older brother Jean-Philippe as a linebacker on the McGill Redmen football team. Mathieu was offered a Division I hockey scholarship to UMass Lowell, but turned it down to go to McGill.

The fact McGill would allow him to play hockey for coach Martin Raymond and football for Charlie Baillie factored into his decision. Darche figured he’d be able to play high-level sports and then get a good job with his university degree.

After one year of playing both sports — along with taking five courses — Darche realized it was too much and decided to stick to hockey, while his brother continued to play football.

“I guess we both made the right choice,” Darche said Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Darche brothers will be inducted into the McGill Sports Hall of Fame.

The Canadiens' Mathieu Darche celebrates after scoring goal against the New York Islanders during NHL game at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Dec. 13, 2011.

The Canadiens’ Mathieu Darche celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Dec. 13, 2011. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

Mathieu graduated in 2000 with a commerce degree, majoring in marketing and international business. He would go on to play 250 games in the NHL, including three seasons with the Canadiens, and is now the director of business development for Delmar while also working for RDS as a hockey analyst.

After leaving McGill, Jean-Philippe played one season for the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and then nine seasons as a long-snapper in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. After hanging up his helmet, J.P. graduated from the University of Kansas medical school and is now Dr. Darche.

“My mom used to always tell us in French that whatever deserves to be done deserves to be done properly,” Mathieu said. “We always kept it. If there’s work being done, let’s do it all out. And that work ethic is what brought me to the NHL. In the end, the coaches, what they appreciated from me is that every game they knew what they were going to get out of me. I didn’t always have good games, but it was never from a lack of work.”

Darche recalled sitting around the dining-room table at home when he and his brother were attending McGill and talking to their father about hockey and football practices.

“At the other end of the table, my mom was like: ‘How were your classes today?’ ” Darche said. “She was a teacher, so we had no choice.”

Darche and his wife, Stéphanie, met at McGill and now have two boys — Samuel, 12, and Benjamin, 10 — who play hockey, soccer, football, baseball and golf. But school still comes first in the Darche household.

Darche admitted it’s not easy combining a university education and sports, but added that’s the point and that it teaches some fantastic life lessons for the future.

J.P. Darche runs onto the field during his NFL playing days with the Seattle Seahawks.

J.P. Darche runs onto the field during his NFL playing days with the Seattle Seahawks. Corky Trewin / Montreal Gazette files

“You can do it if you want to … it’s like anything else,” he said. “It’s not supposed to be easy in life. I think that playing sports in college, it helps you to be more efficient with time management. When you have a few free hours, you have to sit down and study because you know you have practices, you have games. It was a lot about planning your days.

“It seems like nowadays you should never disappoint a kid, never be hard on them,” he added. “It’s like everything is supposed to be easy. But I learned you have to manage your schedule. I wanted to do well in school and I wanted to do well in sports. It’s not going to come … you have to earn it.”

While playing for the Canadiens was definitely a dream come true, Darche says his fondest sports memories are still from his days at McGill.

“You play with your buddies at university,” he said. “There’s no contracts, nobody is trying to steal anybody’s job, you’re not trying to renegotiate your contract. It’s the true meaning of sport. There’s no contracts involved, there’s no business involved. You’re there, you’re in classes all day with your buddies, almost nobody has wives or kids. It’s just you’re playing with your buddies all the time. A lot of my teammates from McGill I’m still very good friends with.”

When asked if he had any advice for today’s student/athletes, Darche simply said: “Enjoy it.”

Last year, he brought his family with him when he was inducted into the Choate Rosemary Hall Athletics Hall of Fame and they will be in attendance again for Thursday’s lunchtime ceremony at McGill.

His two boys now have a dream of their own.

“They thought it was real cool (at the Choate Rosemary Hall ceremony) and now they want to go there and then they want to come to McGill,” Darche said. “We’ve brainwashed them.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.22.2015


Weise on Canadiens' hot start: 'We're creating chances every night'

Pat Hickey, Montreal Gazette

More from Pat Hickey, Montreal Gazette


The Canadiens took a break from their pursuit of history Wednesday when coach Michel Therrien scrapped a scheduled practice, replacing it with some light stretching and yoga.

“Rest is a weapon and when you get a chance to get some rest, you have to take it,” said defenceman Nathan Beaulieu.

“It’s a long season and it’s good to get some time to relax,” forward Dale Weise added. “We’re having fun here; it’s always fun when you’re winning.”

The Canadiens are off to the fastest start in franchise history and, while everyone is buying into Therrien’s philosophy of playing one game at a time, there are some targets ahead in the next week.

The Canadiens are 7-0 after blanking the St. Louis Blues 3-0 Tuesday night. According to the stats people at the Elias Sports Bureau, the Canadiens became the sixth team in NHL history — and first in 21 years — to begin a season with seven consecutive victories in regulation. The others are the 1975-76 Sabres, 1985-86 Nordiques, 1993-94 Devils, 1993-94 Maple Leafs and 1994-95 Penguins.

Only the 1975-76 Sabres extended their streak to eight games and the Canadiens can match that with a win over the Sabres Friday night in Buffalo (7 p.m., CITY, RDS, TSN-690 Radio).

Elias adds that the Canadiens have won seven straight games for the first time since March 28-April 9, 2002, and the last time they won seven consecutive games in regulation was in 1992, when they had an eight-game winning streak.

Looking ahead, the Canadiens have a shot at the NHL record for most wins at the start of a season. The Maple Leafs won 10 in a row in 1993 and Buffalo matched that in 2006. If the Canadiens get past Buffalo, and Toronto on Saturday, they would have a chance to tie the record Tuesday in Vancouver.

Carey Price, who is expected to get a night off Friday with Mike Condon starting the first half of the back-to-back set, has a streak of his own. Price has a 6-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average, .966 save percentage and two shutouts. He’s one win shy of his personal-best seven-game winning streak, last accomplished Nov. 19-Dec. 7, 2013.

Price’s value to the team isn’t in dispute.

Beaulieu described him Wednesday as the best player in the league, while Weise went all-in and suggested Price may be the best player ever.

But Weise also noted that the Canadiens are going into battle with four lines capable of scoring and a solid defence.

“I look at our line and we’re creating chances every night,” he said. “With the chances we’ve had, we should each have 10 goals.”

The Canadiens have the best defensive record in the NHL, allowing one goal a game.

But they also have flexed their offensive muscle this season, averaging 3.29 goals a game, which ranks sixth in the NHL. That’s a vast improvement over last season when the Canadiens ranked 18th with 2.69 goals a game.

And the Canadiens lead the league in shots, with an average of 34.3 a game.

Max Pacioretty has five goals and shares the team lead with Tomas Plekanec. Pacioretty opened the scoring against St. Louis, although it should be noted that he was credited with the goal when Plekanec’s shot caromed off his arm en route to the net. It was Pacioretty’s 22nd winner since the start of the 2013-14 season and he’s the NHL leader in that category, with one more than Washington sniper Alex Ovechkin.

And we leave you with these eye-popping numbers: The Canadiens have more wins than the Los Angeles Kings or Anaheim Ducks have goals. The

Kings have scored six times in five games, while the Ducks have five goals in five games.



The 20th anniversary of Canadiens hiring Houle as GM and Tremblay as coach

Stu Cowan, Montreal Gazette

More from Stu Cowan, Montreal Gazette


Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the Canadiens hiring former players Réjean Houle as general manager and Mario Tremblay as head coach.

The hirings came four days after Serge Savard and Jacques Demers had been fired as GM and coach, respectively, only two years after the Canadiens had won the Stanley Cup.

They haven’t won another Stanley Cup since.

Here’s the column by Red Fisher that appeared in the Montreal Gazette the day after Houle and Tremblay were hired:

New Hab team has plenty to learn

PUBLISHED ON OCT. 22, 1995

RED FISHER

MONTREAL GAZETTE

The first time this week Ronald Corey had walked this walk to a waiting microphone, it was to bring the universe crashing down on several of hockey’s best-known names. General manager Serge Savard: gone. Head coach Jacques Demers: bye-bye. Andre Boudrias … Carol Vadnais, both gone as well, after the Canadiens had limped into an 0-4-0 start to this season of hope.

Yesterday, four days later and five minutes after the appointed hour of 4 p.m., he was back behind the same microphone, wearing the same pained expression. Blue suit. Dark blue tie. White shirt. Not a hair out of place. He was there not to bury anyone, but to praise his team of ”new blood” that later on this night would produce a 4-3, last-second victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sitting at a table to his right and looking properly solemn for the occasion were Réjean Houle, Mario Tremblay and Yvan Cournoyer — all former bearers of the Canadiens torch. The first two were master plumbers, Cournoyer a former captain with 10 Stanley Cup teams, and a Hall of Famer.

”For those who know me,” Corey crooned into the microphone, ”I do things my way.”

So he does — and what exactly has he done now that Houle has been anointed as Savard’s successor and Tremblay has replaced Demers (”We needed a coach and a real one,” Houle was to mention later in his address to the nation). What?

I have known both of these men from the moment they joined the Canadiens — Houle in 1969 and Tremblay five years later. I have known Cournoyer since 1963, and he was among the best of the great Canadiens stars who have pulled us out of our seats hundreds of times. All are good, decent men who have played with pain and stared down adversity, but this mountain they now approach is as difficult a climb as it gets.

They are brave men who are dedicated to winning, because that is what they were taught by great coaches such as Toe Blake and Scotty Bowman. As players, they knew how to win, but this is a new team without a shred of experience in the jobs Mons. Corey delivered to them. There are so many things they don’t know and, sadly, learning how to win all over again at this level takes a lot of time. There are no quick fixes. The 20 Stanley Cup rings they share are lovely mementoes, but their glitter won’t win a period, much less a game.

The rings didn’t score the last-second goal against the Leafs. Pierre Turgeon, who had been in an offensive coma during the first five games of the season, did.

Hockey’s best and most successful general manager was Sam Pollock — and he never earned a ring as a player. What made him successful was that he didn’t allow his personal feelings to affect the way he handled his job. He was, for example, deeply disturbed when a number of his players, among them Houle, defected to the World Hockey Association in 1972 and

’73, but when the opportunity arose several years later to get Houle back, he didn’t hesitate.

“Exactly one minute ago,” Pollock told me on the telephone one day in 1976, “I signed Réjean Houle to a contract.”

“You what? Is that the same guy that had you screaming when he jumped to the Quebec Nordiques? What made you change your mind?”

“He can help our team,” Pollock said. “Is that a good enough reason?”

What Houle must do now, despite his inexperience, is get somebody to help his team. What he must do is to reach out for a quality goaltender to serve as a backup to Patrick Roy. (Corey was on the telephone a couple of days ago inquiring about Edmonton’s Curtis Joseph). He says he needs time to assess what he’s got before making a move. Good idea. A better one for Houle is not to take too much time, because by then it could be too late.

He needs time to learn this business. He’s earned the right to it, but somewhere down the road he’s going to learn that it’s a jungle out there. Picking another guy’s pocket is the most popular game in town.

“What does he do when the time comes to make a three-way deal with, let’s say, Edmonton and Boston?” a guy asked television commentator Harry Neale, who also happens to be a former general manager and coach. “What does he do when he’s got a couple of sharks like (Glen) Sather and (Harry) Sinden on the telephone?”

“Reggie won’t have to make a call,” Neale responded. “The phones must be ringing already.”

The best player behind the Canadiens’ bench last night was Cournoyer, who scored 428 goals with 10 Stanley Cup teams and won the Conn Smythe Trophy once. The feistiest, by far, was Tremblay. Since his retirement, he’s been employed in the normally non- violent area of radio and television, but he could throw it around during his dozen years as a player — all of them dedicated to upholding the honour of the CH. There were times, it seems, when he was almost ready to die for it, and one night, he almost did.

He was ready to take on all comers, and that included Dave Schultz, who had built a fearsome reputation during his years with the Philadelphia Flyers. Schultz, however, was with the Los Angeles Kings and in the twilight of his career as a player and fighter when Tremblay decided to take him on.

Bad mistake. Several punches later, Tremblay was flat on his back, with Schultz sitting on his chest. The former Flyer drew back his right hand for one more shot at Tremblay, glanced down at the stunned Canadiens forward — and stopped in mid-punch. Then he got to his feet and skated away. Team-mates helped Tremblay to the Canadiens’ bench.

Later, Tremblay and I walked along a hallway leading to the team bus.

“Were you trying to get yourself killed?” I asked.

“I guess I didn’t win that one,” he shrugged.

“Schultz showed me a lot of class,” I said.

“He could have hurt me pretty bad if he had thrown that last one,” Tremblay agreed.

At that moment, Schultz, head down, was walking toward us.

“Look who’s coming, Mario,” I said. “Here’s your chance to get even.”

Tremblay looked up and broke into a broad grin. “Hi, Dave,” he said with a wave of his hand.

Schultz nodded curtly and walked by.

“Nice guy,” Tremblay said.



Angela Price blasts media for spreading news of pregnancy

Staff


Carey Price’s wife, Angela Price, isn’t happy despite sharing the most joyous news a couple can receive.

She took to her blog Wednesday to announce that the couple was expecting their first child next spring. The problem is that the news had been leaked before the Prices could share it with many of their family members and friends.

And Angela Price took exception to the leak, saying the “exciting moment was stolen from us.”

“That was disrespectful, tasteless and just plain cruel,” Angela Price wrote on Twitter about media publishing rumours of the pregnancy. “Announcing you are going to be parents for the first time is literally a once in a life time experience that you took away from us. It is people like you that make it hard for athletes and their families to want to play in this market.”

She said the couple was waiting for the right time to tell people.

“But why would a first time mother and father want to be the ones to announce this big news, when heartless media can do it for you?!,” she wrote.

Angela Price, who topped the post with a picture of her and the father-to-be Canadiens goaltender with Diet Coke cans with the words mom and dad written on them, said she felt it was important to share how hurtful the actions were.

As for those suggesting they name the baby Stanley, she politely said no. But her husband would gladly welcome that Stanley Cup home shortly after their baby arrives.



The Morning After: Another shutout for Carey Price — and now a baby on the way

Posted by Stu Cowan

MONTREAL GAZETTE

Canadiens goaltender Carey Price and his wife, Angela, are expecting their first baby.

The morning after making 38 saves in a 3-0 shutout win over the St. Louis Blues at the Bell Centre Tuesday night, Angela Price announced that the couple is expecting their first child next spring.

Wrote Angela on a Twitter link: “We wanted to officially announce our big news, we are expecting!! Baby Price coming spring 2016. Well, I wish this was us actually announcing our big news … but unfortunately this exciting moment was stolen from us.

“A gossip website took the initiative to announce our pregnancy over the weekend. We were lucky that most reputable media outlets seemed to have basic human decency and did not share the story. That was until last night when a classless reporter overheard a conversation and ran straight to twitter.

First came love, then came marriage…. https://t.co/wjc6K3RKNC pic.twitter.com/Cb1HPdYg98

— Angela Price (@ByAngelaPrice) October 21, 2015

“We had not yet told the majority of friends and family who are now reading it all over the Internet. The past couple of weeks Carey and I had been discussing ways we could announce our big news, anxiously awaiting for that all important doctor appointment where we would get the green light to share OUR news. But why would a first time mother and father want to be the ones to announce this big news, when heartless media can do it for you?!”

• First Came Love, Then Came Marriage … by Angela Price

• Blues can’t stop Habs juggernaut, by Pat Hickey

• Shooting more pays off for Semin, by Pat Hickey

• Price says Habs reacted well to poor first period, by Dave Stubbs

• Brick by brick, canadiens.com

• Canadiens blank Blues for seventh straight win, nhl.com

The Carey Price Show

The first period of Tuesday night’s game was The Carey Price Show as the Canadiens were outplayed and outshot 17-11. But thanks to Price the Habs were leading 1-0 after 20 minutes on Max Pacioretty’s fifth goal of the season.

Talk about demoralizing the opposition.

“Every team relies on their best players to be their best players … ours just happens to be our goaltender,” Brendan Gallagher said after the game. “Night after night, he makes those saves for us, so that confidence that we have is certainly there. Obviously, we don’t want to give up those chances, but when we do — time in, time out — he’s there to bail us out.”

Price now has a 6-0-0 record on the season with two shutouts, a 1.00 goals-against average and a .966 save percentage. The new baby — if it’s a boy — would be eligible 2034 NHL Entry Draft.

Just sayin’.

“It’s tough to say anything about Carey because everybody knows how valuable he is, what he brings every night,” captain Pacioretty said after the game. “I sound like a broken record. But we just got to keep this thing going and hopefully don’t rely on him as much as we did tonight.

“We relied a little bit too much on Carey tonight. He had to make too many saves. Too many turnovers in the first period, but we got better as the game went on.”

The Canadiens are lucky to have Price under contract through the 2017-18 season at $6.5 million per season. Imagine what he’d be worth on the free-agent market now.

The Canadiens, who are off to a 7-0 start, cancelled an on-ice practice slated for Wednesday morning in Brossard and instead did some off-ice workouts. They will practice Thursday morning in Brossard before heading to Buffalo to face the Sabres Friday night (7 p.m., CITYM, RDS, TSN Radio 690). The Toronto Maple Leafs will be at the Bell Centre on Saturday (7 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690).

Habs’ 7-0 start not a fluke

The Canadiens are off to the best start in franchise history — and it’s not a fluke.

This is a very good hockey team that can roll four lines and has the best goalie in the world to back them up.

With that in mind, coach Michel Therrien knows other teams will really be gunning for them now and they won’t take anyone by surprise.

“That’s the challenge,” the coach said. “But we see one game at a time. It’s like when I’m driving my car. I don’t look in the mirror what’s going on in the back. I’m watching ahead. So for me the most important thing was tonight, and now our focus has got to be on Buffalo Friday.”

Torrey Mitchell — who scored his second goal of the season in the third period — said that the first period against the Blues served as a wake-up call for the Canadiens.

“It seems like the train’s just rolling right now,” he said. “But you saw in the first period that was a bit of a wake-up call for us. We got to expect teams coming in here playing that way against us. We were back on our heels a little bit, but we adjusted well.”

A ‘big win’

Therrien called Tuesday’s game a “big win” and he was right.

The Blues came into town on a four-game winning streak during which they had scored at least four goals in each game and are considered one of the top teams in the league.

“They play a great game … this is a good hockey team,” Therrien said about the Blues. “They have quality, skilled players. But we’ve played some good hockey teams so far this year and the Blues are certainly one of them.”

Said Price: “They’re definitely a big, heavy West Coast team. We just used our speed appropriately when we could. We came out of the gate slow, but we rallied and played a very solid game afterwards.”

Added Brendan Gallagher: “They’re a good team. We weren’t playing our game as much as we’d like in the first period. Turned a little bit too many pucks over, fed into their transition game. They were able to create some chances. Obviously, Pricer came up big holding us in the game and then we were able to get up 1-0 and come out in a period where we probably got outplayed. It’s huge. And for the rest of the game I thought we played pretty well.”

‘The process’ continues

I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard Therrien talk about “the process.” But his players have certainly bought into it.

“I’m worrying about the process,” Pacioretty said (another dollar?).

“I know people say that, but it really is genuine with our group,” the captain added. “We didn’t like our first period, but there’s a lot of positives to take out of this and that’s our in-game adjustment, that’s the commitment to getting pucks deep and playing a hard-nosed game. It’s really hard to hold back after whistles at times and make sure you have the right discipline to do what’s best for the team. I think everybody did a great job of doing the right thing.

“When we came back from the fist period, we didn’t like the way our group started. As a guy who’s relied upon to be a leader, that falls on a guy like me, where you got to make sure we come out and never get too comfortable and feel too good about ourselves And that might have been the case in the first period.

“It wasn’t working out early. We were trying to make plays and it seemed like we turned over too many pucks and I think a good team knows when to make plays and when to get pucks deep. It wasn’t working early, so we decided to keep it simple.”

The KISS method: Keep It Simple, Stupid.

After the first period, the Canadiens outshot the Blues 25-21.

Pacioretty had a solid night, logging 16:56 of ice time while scoring a goal and registering team highs in shots (seven) and hits (four).

That “C” is definitely looking good on him.

First Habs goal for Semin

Alexander Semin, who signed a one-year, $1.1-million free-agent contract this summer, scored his first goal as a Canadien in the second period with assists from Alex Galchenyuk and Lars Eller.

Semin took a pass from Galchenyuk in the high slot, turned and fired an off-balance snapshot that beat Blues goalie Jake Allen through the five-hole.

Galchenyuk raced to pick up the puck afterwards and presented it to the Russian.

“It’s very exciting … it’s a good emotion,” Semin said in his limited English afterwards. “I can’t score before, but I score today. I’m very happy.”

When asked if the first goal would take some pressure off his shoulders, Semin said: “No. I just play. I just play the right way and we play system and we win the game.

“Before I try more passing, but coach say to me every time: ‘Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot.’ I’m shooting today and I score.”

Said Pacioretty: “It’s nice to see Sem pitch in. He’s got that lethal shot and we’re all telling him to use it more. And that’s a great case of putting it on net and when it’s that heavy (his shot) good things happen.”

Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot.

First point of season for Smith-Pelly

The Canadiens’ fourth line of Mitchell at centre between Brian Flynn and Devante Smith-Pelly has been one of the biggest surprises of the season for the Canadiens.

All three were acquired before last season’s NHL trade deadline and they have provided a lot of bang for the buck for GM Marc Bergevin. Combined, the trio will earn only $2.95 million this season (Mitchell $1.2 million, Flynn $950,000, Smith-Pelly $800,000). For that money they have already combined for three goals (two by Mitchell, one by Flynn) and six points, and are a combined plus-9. Smith-Pelly earned his first point of the season on Mitchell’s goal Tuesday night.

“I really was happy to see Devo get a point on that goal because he’s been digging and he’s been playing great hockey,” Pacioretty said. “That whole line has, but he hasn’t been rewarded yet. So to see them get rewarded … the bench always jumps up and makes a little bit more noise when guys like that pitch in offensively. And that’s been the case so far.”

Therrien said that the fourth line has had a “huge impact” on the team’s impressive start to the season. All three players on the line are averaging more than 11 minutes of ice time per game.

“It’s not a coincidence that you’re looking down this year when we hit the third period we got a lot of energy,” the coach said. “That’s a big factor. They’re capable to play against any line. They can play against top lines. Not only them, but I got a lot of trust in all the lines, so we try to play with a lot of energy. It’s not such a matchup that we try to do. We try to dictate the pace as much as we can.”

Said Gallagher: “We feel like we come out in the third period energized because we roll four lines and the depth of our team. Line after line … and we’re a little bit fresher in the third period.”

Beaulieu drops the gloves

The Blues’ Steve Ott has a well-deserved reputation for being a real pain in the you-know-what, and he was up to his regular tactics against the Canadiens, picking up 15 minutes in penalties, including a 10-minute misconduct.

The other five minutes were the result of a fight with Nathan Beaulieu shortly after the Canadiens took a 2-0 lead. The 23-year-old Beaulieu wasn’t intimidated by the 33-year-old veteran, who has 1,462 penalty minutes in 781 career games.

“Nate’s not afraid of anybody,” Price said about his teammate. “He’s definitely a good team guy in that regard. He’ll step up when needs be. He’s not a heavyweight by any means, but he can take care of himself out there and it’s good to see that.”

Said Pacioretty about Beaulieu: “He’s a very good teammate … definitely a tough competitor. Obviously, Ott, that’s his job. Once we go up 2-0 he’s going to try and suck you in and hopefully in his mind play four-on-four. I think a team that has that skill and those offensive guys that they (do) have a much greater chance of scoring four-on-four than five-on-five. I really like that our group played whistle to whistle and didn’t get caught up in that stuff.”

Gallagher said that the chippy stuff at the end of the game involving Ott “wasn’t much” and added “that’s what he does.”

Said Gallagher: “You have to understand there’s a time and a place. The important thing with those guys, you don’t want to make them have an impact on the game. So you just try and ignore it the best you can. Bo did a great job stepping up. I thought he did a great job in that fight, kind of showing what he can do in those things.”

The Canadiens have lost the toughness that Brandon Prust provided last season and that Zack Kassian was supposed to provide this year before being admitted to an NHL substance-abuse program. But Gallagher said the Canadiens have enough team toughness to survive.

“If one guys in a scrum or in a battle, I just think everyone on the ice get behind him and support him and have that team toughness,” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean fighting. It just means playing hard, battling and competing, and make it tough minutes to play against you.”

Petry leads team in ice time

For one of the rare games, P.K. Subban did not lead the Canadiens in ice time against the Blues. Instead it was Jeff Petry, who logged 24:53. Subban had only 6:41 of ice time during the first period, but finished the game with 23:33. Alexei Emelin, Petry’s partner, logged 23:11.

After the game, Therrien was asked if Petry has made Emelin a better player by playing beside him.

“That’s a tough question to answer,” the coach said. “I think both guys, they feed from each other, they play really well together.”

The real answer is yes — similar to how Andrei Markov used to make Mike Komisarek a better defenceman.

The final word

Mitchell, who grew up in Greenfield Park on the South Shore of Montreal, is really enjoying playing for the team he grew up cheering for in front of friends and family.

When asked how it feels to score at the Bell Centre, he had a big grin after Tuesday’s game before saying: “It’s so great! So great! It feels so good.”

This Date in Habs History

Oct. 21, 1950: Rookie goalie Gerry McNeil recorded his second consecutive shutout to lead the Canadiens to a 2-0 win over the visiting Detroit Red Wings. It was the third career shutout for McNeil.

Oct. 21, 1975: Guy Lafleur scored twice and added three assists to lead the Canadiens to a 7-1 win over the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

Oct. 21, 1980: Rookie Keith Acton scored his first NHL goal in a 4-3 loss to the Blues in St. Louis.

Oct. 21, 1987: Mats Naslund scored a goal and added three assists as the Canadiens beat the Maple Leafs 10-3 in Toronto. The Canadiens scored seven goals in the second period to tie a team record.

Oct. 21, 1995: Four days after dismissing GM Serge Savard and coach Jacques Demers, the Canadiens named their new management team: Réjean Houle as GM and Mario Tremblay as coach. That night, the Canadiens beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 at the Forum on a goal by Pierre Turgeon at 19:59 of the third period.

Oct. 21, 2000: Brian Savage picked up five points (three goals and two assists) in a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.


978142 Nashville Predators

Chris Mason begins retired life after NHL in radio booth

Adam Vingan, [email protected] 2:11 p.m. CDT October 21, 2015

You’ll have to forgive Chris Mason for getting lost.

During an 11-year NHL career, the former Predators goaltender acquainted himself with the maze-like corridors that lead to the locker rooms within the bowels of every arena.

He takes the elevator to work now, up to the unfamiliar upper levels of those same arenas. Searching for the press box Saturday, Mason and a reporter nearly walked the entire length of Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre twice before locating it, needing to stop to ask for directions.

Mason eventually found the radio booth, his new office after retiring from hockey this summer. He made his debut as an analyst on Nashville’s radio broadcast during the team's three-game road trip last week.

"I think the first week went pretty good," Mason said. "I definitely know that I have a lot to learn and areas to improve on, just getting the timing down, thinking of things to say on the spot, putting my thoughts into quick sentences. ... It was awesome to see a different side of entertainment that I've never seen before."

Mason’s last NHL action came during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, a forgettable campaign in which he compiled a 1-7-1 record, 3.73 goals-against average and .873 save percentage in his second stint with the Predators.

"All those lockout seasons have ended a lot of guys’ careers," Mason said. "Statistically, I had an awful season, so with my age and everything too, I knew it was a possibility that that could have been my last."

It was, but it gave Mason an opportunity to share an experience with his family. There had always been interest in playing overseas, so Mason signed with an Italian club and moved his wife and two young daughters to the small mountain town of Ritten Renon, located in the northernmost region of the country where German is actually the predominant language.

The plan was to play in Europe for one season with the possibility of another if all went well. Happy with their eight months in Italy, Mason and his family left for Augsburg, Germany, in what was the final year of his professional career.

“We knew," said Mason, 39. "My daughters are getting older and it’s that time when we wanted to lay down some roots."

Even before his playing career ended, Mason had kept in touch with Bob Kohl, the Predators' senior director of broadcast and entertainment, about what might come next. With radio analyst Brent Peterson wanting to lighten his schedule, Kohl asked Mason if he'd like to join the broadcast team on a part-time basis. In all, Mason will work roughly one-third of Nashville's games this season.

With no previous broadcasting experience, Mason recently estimated that he's asked play-by-play partner Pete Weber and television analyst Stu Grimson "a million questions" about the nuances of the job. His longtime vantage point from the crease has helped him in providing a unique perspective.

“It’s amazing when you look around at the network shows how many employ goaltenders to do the job because they see the whole darn thing unfold in front of them," Weber said. "...His evaluation, from the goaltender's perspective, is not exclusively taken that way. He looks at overall plays, because I think every goaltender always wanted, as they say, to play out."

Expectedly, Mason misses the routine and camaraderie that surrounded him as a player.

"There’s nothing better after a win and celebrating with your guys in the room and just accomplishing goals as a team, the hard work and all that stuff is so much fun," he said.

Mason's still part of a team, though, even if it's a slightly different one. He's ready to embrace the next step.

“He’s been nervous," Weber said, "but I don’t know why because just being his natural self he’s been pretty darn good."

Tennessean LOADED: 10.22.2015

978143 New Jersey Devils

NHL TV schedule: Devils vs. Ottawa Senators live stream: Time, TV, channel

Rich Chere

Email the author | on October 22, 2015 at 6:00 AM

The Devils, coming off an overtime win over the Arizona Coyotes, will be looking for their third straight victory when they face the Ottawa Senators Thursday night at Canadian Tire Centre.

Last season the Devils won two of the three meetings with the Senators. Goalie Cory Schneider was 2-1-0 with a 1.32 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage.

If Schneider gets the start Thursday night, he will be looking for his 100th NHL victory. His record is 99-73-30, including 44 of those wins coming with the Devils.

The Senators have lost three of their last four games (1-2-1) and are looking for their first win at home (0-1-1).

Devils general manager Ray Shero was Ottawa's assistant GM 1993-98.

Matchup: Devils vs. Ottawa Senators

When: Thursday 7:30 p.m.

Where: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa

Devils TV: MSG (Steve Cangialosi, Ken Daneyko)

Senators TV: RDS, TSN5

Live Stream: http://nhl-stream.com/live/ottawa-senators-live-stream/channel-1/

Devils Radio: WFAN AM-66, FM-101.9 (Matt Loughlin, Sherry Ross)

Star Ledger LOADED: 10.22.2015


5 observations about the Devils from coach John Hynes

Rich Chere

Email the author | on October 21, 2015 at 1:49 PM, updated October 21, 2015 at 2:02 PM

NEWARK — When the Devils failed to win any of their first four games, there were many who feared this would be a long, painful season.

But with two straight overtime victories and five points out of a possible six from their last three games, the Devils look like a team that might be able to keep pace in the Eastern Conference race.

Here are 5 observations from Devils coach John Hynes:

1. There's a good reason why they've been able to turn things around of late

"It's really a combination. One of the things we didn't have in the first few games was elevated performances by real important guys to our team. Guys that are supposed to be leaders. And the last three games we've had that. So I'd say No. 1 is players stepping up and taking charge of the team and being difference-makers.

"The second part of that is when we've gone through times in games when we've had adversity, we've been able to stick to the game plan and belief in how we want to play. The combination of those two thing have been the difference."

2. He likes 3-on-3 overtime

"So far," Hynes said cautiously.

The Devils have won twice in overtime, beating the Rangers and Coyotes. They were unable to do so against the Sharks, falling in a shootout.

3. Several veterans have impressed him

"(Cory) Schneider has been very good since he came back the last two games. Adam Henrique has been a big difference-maker. It's tough to give you three (players) because (Lee) Stempniak has been a big difference-maker, (Mike) Cammalleri has stepped up his game and Travis Zajac was fantastic (against the Coyotes)."

4. They showed grit after blowing the lead against Arizona

"We haven't had it easy, really, since the start of preseason. It's another situation we have to go through, but that's the game. They got a good break on the 6-on-5 goal that wound up going in, but it doesn't deter us. We wound up getting a point and, going into overtime, our objective every time is trying to get two points."

5. Before training camp was over, he knew Lee Stempniak would make the team

"We had a feeling that as long as he continued to play the way he was playing. He got off to a strong camp and he continiued to play well every day. The later that camp went, it became more and more obvious that he deserved to be on the team.

"One of the reasons we signed him is he's one of those guys that has really had to earn his way to be a full-time National Hockey League player. He's played quite a few games on several different teams. When you have guys like that, they understand all the little things, whether it's being competitive for your lineup spot, being an everyday player, how they practice, how they take care of themselves. All those things these type of players need to have to stay in the league and that's what Lee has. It's what we expected from him and one of the reasons why we wanted to have a person like him in and around our group. We need guys that have grit, pushback and do things the right way. Lee certainly does that."



Devils assign winger Reid Boucher to Albany (AHL)

Rich Chere

Email the author | on October 21, 2015 at 11:54 AM, updated October 21, 2015 at 1:45 PM

NEWARK — The Devils Wednesday assigned winger Reid Boucher to their Albany (AHL) affiliate.

Boucher, 22, has played in three of the Devils' six games this season. He has no points and two penalty minutes.

The Devils' third pick (99th overall, fourth round) in the 2011, entry draft, Boucher has played in 37 career NHL games. He has three goals and five assists with six penalty minutes.

Brian O'Neill, the AHL's 2014-15 Most Valuable Player who was signed by the Devils as a free agent, was in the lineup Tuesday night while Boucher was a healthy scratch.

The Devils will begin a two-game road trip Thursday night in Ottawa when they face the Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. They will play the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night at First Niagara Center.



Travis Zajac, aware of criticism, wants to prove he's still key to Devils' success

Rich Chere

Email the author | on October 21, 2015 at 6:00 AM, updated October 21, 2015 at 8:12 AM

NEWARK — Missing the playoffs the last three seasons, the Devils have endured plenty of criticism from former general manager Lou Lamoriello down to the rookies who struggled to live up to expectations.

Few have received more criticism than center Travis Zajac, who acknowledges that he is well aware of those who knock him.

"After last year and when you don't have a good year there is always pressure from the outside," Zajac told NJ Advance Media. "But as a player I put the most pressure on myself. You always want to prove people wrong and prove you can still play and be effective and help this team. That's always been my goal and I know I can do it. It's just getting it done every night."

Zajac, 30, reminded everyone what he is capable of contributing when he scored a goal and set up two others in the Devils' 3-2 overtime win over the Arizona Coyotes Tuesday night at Prudential Center.

He was also plus-3 while winning 17 of 25 faceoffs.

"That's supposed to be my game," Zajac said. "To be honest, part of my job is to help contribute offensively and faceoffs have always been a big part of my game. If I'm not winning them, I'm not doing my job."

Zajac drew praise from coach John Hynes.

"He played really well. He came back off the (lower body) injury and got to his game, I'd say, the second half of the Rangers game," Hynes said. "He really got into playing after not having practiced.

"Tonight it was nice to see him get rewarded because he does so many things for the team on a nightly basis that don't wind up on the scoresheet. Tonight he was able to be a real impact player on both sides. That's something we'd like to see him grow into, to be the reliable guy he is but also a factor offensively."

What pleased Zajac more, winning face-offs, setting up goals by Mike Cammalleri and Adam Larsson, or scoring his first goal of the season?

"I do like winning face-offs," he said. "It's tough to get the puck back in this league. It's a lot easier to play with the puck."

Zajac surely hasn't won over the doubters, many of whom cry about the 8-year, $46 million contract extension he signed in January of 2013. But his performance against the Coyotes showed that he can still make the kind of impact he once made as Zach Parise's linemate.

He admits he's doubled himself a few times.

"It's hard when you have losing seasons and you're supposed to be a big piece of the puzzle,"Zajac said. "You shoulder a lot of the blame. But it's a team game."

Maybe we shouldn't write off Zajac or these rebuilding Devils.

"The guys we have in here want to compete, want to improve," Zajac said. "I think we have the coaching staff that is going to push us and make us better, not let us take a day off or a shift off. I think when you put it all together we're definitely going to be competitive. We believe in ourselves."



Devils hoping hard hat mentality catches on

Posted by Tom Gulitti

Puckboard1022

The winning puck board in the Devils' locker room at Prudential Center.

As the Devils have worked to establish their identity early this season, new head coach John Hynes and his staff have tried a few different things to bring the team together and reinforce their commitment to hard work and competing.

Those have included their two-day team-building trip to Brattleboro, Vt., giving the players a say in selecting the captain and alternates and spending the night in Manhattan prior to Sunday afternoon's game against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

The staff also came up with a couple of motivational tools to help reinforce winning and the contributions that are necessary. One is a board in which they will collect a puck from each victory with a label below indicating the score, the date and the winning goal scorer. (I remember seeing a similar one in the Pittsburgh Penguins' home locker room in past years.)

The other is a hard hat, which is awarded to a different player after each victory. It's not necessarily about acknowledging the team's best player in that particular game, but meant to symbolize the blue collar approach Hynes wants his team to take each game.

It's a black hard hat with flames painted on it and a Devils' puck fastened to the front. Not very attractive, but that's not the point. (Here is a link to a photo: https://twitter.com/NJDSk8Guy/status/656670830005481472/photo/1)

“It was something that we wanted to signify hard work and things that are special to the makeup of the team that maybe don't get recognized outside of the locker room or things that get recognized inside the locker room,” Hynes said. “You really have a difference a lot of times between winning and losing and that will add glue to a team.”

Hynes did something similar with his AHL teams in Wilkes Barre/Scranton and other professional teams, both in the NHL and other sports, have their own versions of it.

The Boston Bruins (where current Devils assistant Geoff Ward worked previously) started passing around a team jacket during their 2010-11 Stanley Cup season. The New York Rangers have their Broadway Hat. The Washington Capitals give out an Abe Lincoln beard.

The New York Mets, who are one win from reaching the World Series, began giving out a WWE-style championship belt this season.

Former Devils assistant Mike Foligno tried to start something similar in 2013-14 with a green jacket that was supposed to be worn by the recipient until it was passed on to another player following the team's next win. That never really caught on, though, as the players didn't seem to enjoy wearing it. (It was pretty ugly.)

The Devils are hoping the hard hat will become more of a source of pride within their locker room.

“This is new and it's nice to start a tradition like this to recognize guys who had a good game and helped the team win,” said Travis Zajac, the current owner of the hard hat after putting up a goal and two assists in Tuesday night's 3-2 overtime win over Arizona.

Hynes said the coaching staff decided the first recipient, which was right wing Kyle Palmieri because of the burst of energy he provided the team with his fight with Kevin Klein in Sunday's 2-1 overtime victory over the Rangers. Palmieri presented it Zajac following Tuesday's win.

“Whoever had it the day before picks someone who they thought contributed or impacted the game,” Zajac said. “It's not necessarily the best or who had the most goals, but someone who impacted the game. That was Kyle with his spark the other game with his fight.”

***

The Devils will not practice today. They will fly this afternoon to Ottawa before taking on the Senators there Thursday night. Their next time on the ice will be Thursday's morning skate at Canadian Tire Center.

Goaltender Andrew Hammond will make his first start of the season for the Senators after recovering from a groin injury that's sidelined him since an Oct. 1 preseason game against Montreal.

I won't know the Devils' lineup until Thursday's morning skate, but my guess is Cory Schneider will make his fourth consecutive start in net.

Bergen Record LOADED: 10.22.2015


Devils assign left wing Reid Boucher to Albany

Posted by Tom Gulitti

The Devils assigned left wing Reid Boucher to Albany of the AHL today.

Boucher, 22, had no points in three NHL games this season and was a healthy scratch for Tuesday night's 3-2 overtime win over Arizona.

Boucher was also assigned to Albany on Oct. 13 when the team needed to call up goaltender Yann Danis, but he never actually left New Jersey and was recalled the following morning.

There is no word yet from the Devils on whether they will call up another forward. Sending down Boucher leaves them with just one extra and right wing Tuomo Ruutu has missed the last two games with a right foot injury.

Devils coach John Hynes called Ruutu "day to day" earlier this week, but Ruutu walked by the media following Tuesday night's game wearing a walking boot on his right foot. Earlier in the day, I saw Ruutu in his workout clothes with sneakers on both feet.

The Devils have the day off from practice today. They will fly to Ottawa this afternoon to begin a two-game road trip with games against the Senators Thursday night and in Buffalo Saturday night.



Devils tip cap to spark plugs

October 22, 2015 Last updated: Thursday, October 22, 2015, 1:21 AM

By TOM GULITTI

STAFF WRITER |

The Record

In their efforts to forge team chemistry and establish a hard-working identity early this season, new Devils coach John Hynes and his staff have tried a number of different things.

They have included a team-building trip to Brattleboro, Vt., giving the players a say in selecting the captain and alternates captains, and spending the night in Manhattan prior to Sunday afternoon’s game against the Rangers.

The staff also came up with a couple of motivational tools to help reinforce winning and the contributions that are necessary. One is a board on which the team will display a puck from each victory with a label below indicating the score, the date and who scored the winning goal.

The other is a hard hat that is presented to a Devils player after each victory. This isn’t about acknowledging the team’s best player each game in terms of goals and assists or saves as much it is meant to symbolize the blue-collar approach Hynes wants his team to embrace.

Right wing Kyle Palmieri was the first recipient because of the energy boost he provided with his fight against Kevin Klein in Sunday’s 2-1 overtime win over the Rangers. Palmieri presented it to center Travis Zajac following Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win over Arizona.

Zajac hopes to pass it on to someone else after tonight’s game in Ottawa.

"Whoever had it the day before picks someone who they thought contributed or impacted the game," said Zajac, who had a goal and two assists Tuesday. "It’s not necessarily the best or who had the most goals, but someone who impacted the game. That was Kyle with his spark the other game with his fight."

It’s a black hard hat with flames painted on it and a Devils puck fastened to the front. Not particularly attractive, but that’s not the point.

"It was something that we wanted to signify hard work," Hynes said, "and things that are special to the makeup of the team that maybe don’t get recognized outside of the locker room or things that get recognized inside the locker room. [They can make] a difference a lot of times between winning and losing, and that will add glue to a team."

Hynes did something similar with his AHL teams in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and many other professional teams, both in the NHL and other sports, have their versions of it.

Former Devils assistant Mike Foligno tried to start something similar in 2013-14 with a green jacket that was supposed to be worn by the recipient until it was passed on to another player following the team’s next win. That never really caught on, though, as the players didn’t seem to enjoy wearing it.

"This is new and it’s nice to start a tradition like this to recognize guys who had a good game and helped the team win," Zajac said.

BRIEFS: LW Reid Boucher was assigned to Albany of the AHL after sitting out three of the team’s first six games. .. The Devils did not practice Wednesday before flying to Ottawa.



Devils notes: John Moore faces another former team

— Tom Gulitti

October 21, 2015 Last updated: Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 1:21 AM

The Record

Hello again

After playing the Rangers, a team he spent two-plus seasons with, on Sunday, Devils defenseman John Moore faced Tuesday the team the Blueshirts traded him to March 1 — the Arizona Coyotes.

Moore was due to become a restricted free agent July 1, but, for financial reasons, general manager Don Maloney opted not to give him the necessary qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent instead. As a restricted free agent, Moore would have had arbitration rights and been due a raise from his 2014-15 salary of $850,850. The Devils ended up signing him to a three-year, $5 million contract.

"You do get reminded a lot that it’s a business at the end of the day," Moore said. "Our feedback from them was that my arbitration number would be just a little bit too high and that was that."

Merrill out again

Defenseman Jon Merrill missed his second consecutive game because of a stomach ailment. Merrill practiced Monday and took part in Tuesday’s skate, but still doesn’t have all of his energy back.

"I think it’s just I haven’t eaten much and I’m kind of run-down," Merrill said.

Coach John Hynes said the decision to sit Merrill again was based on him not being 100 percent and liking the way the other six defensemen played Sunday.

Ruutu in boot

Right wing Tuomo Ruutu also missed his second game in a row. The Devils still have not revealed the exact nature of Ruutu’s injury, but he was seen with a walking boot on his right foot.

Elias not close

Although LW Patrik Elias, 39, continues to skate on his own and has been upping his activity, Hynes said "he’s not close" to being ready to practice with the team.

Elias (right knee) has been out since the start of training camp.


978151 New York Rangers

A Former Ranger Returns as a Big Part of an Improving Coyotes Team

By PAT PICKENSOCT. 21, 2015

NEWARK — Anthony Duclair’s career with the Rangers resulted in just one goal in 18 N.H.L. games.

Yet when Duclair laces his skates in the visiting locker room at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, his coach knows emotions will be high.

Duclair, a dynamic rookie wing, leads the Arizona Coyotes with five goals in six games entering his first game at the Garden since being traded by the Rangers last spring.

“Anytime you play your old team after a trade, it’s good to get that one out of the way,” Coyotes Coach Dave Tippett said.

Max Domi and Duclair, both 20, are tied for second on the team in points, with seven, and have made Arizona (3-2-1) one of the N.H.L.’s most exciting teams to watch early in the season.

“Our biggest thing at the start of the year is we want to grow as an organization,” Tippett said. “These young players have the ability to help us grow, and the quicker they can get up and going like Max and Duclair, the better off we are. They’ve been good so far.”

Duclair narrowly earned a roster spot out of Rangers training camp last season, but he struggled to fit on the team’s skilled veteran roster. He was lent to the Canadian team for the world junior championships last winter before being returned to the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the remainder of the season.

When the Rangers had the opportunity to acquire defenseman Keith Yandle from Arizona in March, the Coyotes asked for Duclair.

“Sometimes to get a good player, you have to give up good players and good young prospects, and that’s what we did there,” Rangers Coach Alain Vigneault said. “He had a real strong skill set with the puck and speed-wise. You just wonder, like any young player, is he going to put it all together?”

Duclair, a third-round pick by the Rangers in 2013, was disciplined by the Remparts twice in his three-year stay. He was suspended in 2013 by Patrick Roy, the coach at the time, and Duclair was a healthy scratch in March after Coach Philippe Boucher perceived a lack of effort. But Tippett has seen nothing but strong play.

“I haven’t seen any indication of those things from early on,” Tippett said. “I didn’t know him back then. I know he’s a young player who has brought some good speed and skill to our group and is working hard to try to learn the rest of the game. He’s trying hard to do things. There’s a few habits in his game we have to continue to work on to correct, but he’s been a good player for us so far.”

Domi, the son of the former Rangers forward Tie Domi, brings more skill to the rink than his feisty father did. Max Domi, a center, was born in Winnipeg but grew up in Toronto while his father played with the Maple Leafs. Although Max, who compiled 102 points in the Ontario Hockey League last season, is more of a scorer than Tie was, he said he was not afraid to mix it up.

“I play hard, and he played hard too,” said Domi, the 12th overall pick in the 2013 draft.

Domi and Duclair grew up playing against each other in Canada, but they were linemates at last winter’s world junior championships, combining for nine goals and nine assists in a gold medal run.

When Duclair recorded his first N.H.L. hat trick in Arizona’s 4-0 victory last week in Anaheim, Domi had the other goal and assisted on one of Duclair’s goals. They have developed a strong off-ice bond and are roommates on the road.

“He’s always been an unbelievable hockey player,” Domi said of Duclair. “He’s always gotten better as the years go on, and it’s been fun to watch.”

Their up-tempo style helped the Coyotes to a 3-0 start, with wins over the Los Angeles Kings, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ducks. Arizona finished with the league’s second-worst record last season and was expected to be at the bottom of the highly competitive Western Conference standings again.

Domi and Duclair occupy spots on the first power-play unit, but despite their chemistry, they have not been linemates five-on-five yet.

That may change soon. Tippett had Duclair on the right wing and Domi on the left with center Martin Hanzal during Wednesday’s practice.

Tippett would not say whether that group would see time together Thursday against the Rangers.

“I wouldn’t set that in stone yet,” Tippett said.

But if Domi and Duclair end up on the same line, Domi is confident they will be successful.

“I think the biggest thing is our relationship off the ice and how much it translates on the ice,” Domi said. “We understand each other. We understand what each other can do, our strengths, and that’s probably the biggest thing.”

New York Times LOADED: 10.22.2015


Blue Jackets fire Todd Richards, hire ex-Rangers coach John Tortorella

BY Pat Leonard

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Updated: Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 2:16 PM

John Tortorella is back in the NHL, but can — or will — the new Blue Jackets coach change his stern and overbearing personality that often leads to Torts crossing the line?

"Be honest, what do you think?" Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist said, laughing after Wednesday afternoon's practice in Greenburgh. "He is the way he is. I think he was very consistent the way he coached, the way he talked to us as players and as people. It was fun. He was tough, but he was honest, and as a player I think you appreciate that."

Lundqvist, who is making his seventh start for the Rangers (4-2-1) in their eighth game of the season Thursday night against the visiting Arizona Coyotes (3-2-1), called Tortorella "a great coach."

Tortorella is the winningest American-born coach in NHL history with 446 career wins. He won the Jack Adams Award leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup before taking over the Rangers from 2008. He led the Blueshirts to the Eastern Conference finals in 2012, their deepest playoff run since 1997.

"Different teams want different coaches depending on where you are," Lundqvist said, recalling Tortorella's positive impact coming off Tom Renney's tenure in New York. "We needed a change when he came here and that's what he brought to his team. He did a great job of pushing everyone and challenging guys in a good way to perform better. It was refreshing to see something new like that."

Tortorella, 57, has a job again because the Blue Jackets decided they needed a change after an 0-7-0 start. Tortorella has a good relationship with Columbus president John Davidson, so the stumbling Midwest franchise with Stanley Cup aspirations pressed the panic button and fired coach Todd Richards.

TSN first reported Richards' firing and Tortorella's hiring. But Rangers coach Alain Vigneault, for one, did not take kindly to the idea that an NHL coach can be fired after only seven regular season games.

"You know what? I've got some real specific thoughts on stuff like that that I keep to myself, because it will only get me in trouble," Vigneault said.

For Columbus, the obvious concern is whether Tortorella can control himself, though clearly he still has plenty of people in his corner, as evidenced by his hiring in September as the coach of the United States' World Cup of Hockey team for 2016.

Tortorella's relentless, overbearing style wore on the Rangers, and after a dismal 2012-13 season and a second-round playoff exit, multiple top players pushed for his firing. GM Glen Sather obliged. Tortorella wanted to take a year off after being fired was a year off, but Vancouver unwisely hired him immediately, and both the coach and the Canucks spiraled out.

His low moment occurred in January 2014 when he charged the Calgary visiting locker room during the first intermission intending to fight head Flames coach Bob Hartley. Flames players intervened, Tortorella was suspended for 15 days without pay, and he was eventually canned.

BRANDON DUBINSKY: RELATIONSHIP WITH TORTS 'FELL APART'

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Tortorella said he remains confident and acknowledged he is open to changing his ways, though he said the same thing when Vancouver hired him.

"I'm fine," Tortorella said. "The situation in New York, I spent five years there and those people treated me very well. I wish I could have finished up the job. I thought we went through a good process in developing the team. My boss Glen decided he wanted to go in a different direction and that's part of the business … You pick up, you move on."

Incredibly, Columbus wanted Tortorella so badly that the Jackets surrendered a second-round pick to the Canucks, which was required since he was still under contract with Vancouver, according to Sportsnet.

Firing Richards fails to address Columbus' biggest issue: Former Vezina Trophy winning goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky can't stop a puck, with a 5.07 goals against average and .835 save percentage.

"You need to have some thick skin in our business," Tortorella said. "It's one of the greatest jobs in the world … and it's probably one of the lousiest jobs, but I love it."

In other news Wednesday, forward Tanner Glass cleared waivers to the Rangers' AHL affiliate, and center Derek Stepan got his wisdom teeth out and missed practice. But Stepan will play Thursday, and no, his medical procedure was not related to Tortorella's return to the league.

New York Daily News LOADED: 10.22.2015


How Duclair’s Garden return puts more heat on Rangers’ Yandle

By Brett Cyrgalis

October 21, 2015 | 10:42pm

Are long, dramatic seasons catching up to tired Rangers?

This day was going to come eventually, when the Rangers were going to be forcefully reminded of what they gave up to get Keith Yandle, and what could have been.

So on Thursday night at the Garden, there will be Anthony Duclair, clad in his Coyotes jersey, knowing in the first six games this season, he already has more goals — five — than anyone on the Blueshirts.

“The Duke!” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said with a big smile after Wednesday’s practice. “Love the Duke, love the Duke. You know, sometimes to get a good player, you have to give up players and good young prospects. That’s what we did there.”

Last season, Duclair, then 19, had a terrific training camp with the Rangers and made the team, dazzling with his speed and skill. But he came back to Earth in playing 18 NHL games, and eventually was sent back to his junior team. Then came the trade deadline, and then-general manager Glen Sather sent him as part of the deal to Arizona in exchange for something the Rangers had coveted for a long time in the offensive-minded defenseman Yandle.

“He had real strong skill set with the puck and speed-wise,” Vigneault said about Duclair. “You just wonder, like any young player, is he going to be able to put it all together? Time always tells. He’s off to a pretty good start, from what I understand. But he was a good kid, a hard-working kid, and we wish him the best.”

Yet, the guy under Vigneault’s employ has not been quite as good as the team expected. Yandle especially has struggled during the Rangers first seven games this season (4-2-1), and that’s a hole no one on their roster or in the AHL could fill.

“I believe there is more to give than what he’s shown us,” Vigneault said. “He’s got all the attributes, he’s just got to learn to relax, execute a little bit better. He’s a great person, and sometimes it takes a little bit of time for people to get used to a new environment. I would put him in that category. But I do think that he’s going to come into his own and he’s going to give us the type of hockey that we expect from him, at both ends of the rink.”

Yandle, 29, always has been open about the pressure he has put on himself since coming over in the trade. When it was made, it was clear that Sather was doing in hopes that it put his team over the top, making it good enough to finally win a Stanley Cup. But with a handful of painful injuries, they fell to the Lightning in Game 7 of the conference finals, leaving them short just again.

“I think every year you put pressure on yourself,” Yandle said. “You put pressure on yourself to be the best you can to help out your team. It doesn’t matter what team you’re on, or where you’re at. To survive in this league, you have to put pressure on yourself.”

It’s going to be a little odd for him to see his former teammates, — especially his former captain and good pal, Shane Doan — but that’s all part of being a professional.

Yandle said he hasn’t followed how Duclair has done “at all.”

“It’s part of the business — someone has to go, someone has to come,” he said. “It’s one of those things that I didn’t know either of the guys I was traded for, so it’s one of things that you just go about your business.”

One of the things Vigneault mentioned that might have affected Yandle’s play is “the games that we we’re in compared to Phoenix, where ours meant a lot, it might have been a little adjustment for him.” But the coach added he thinks Yandle “is going to be fine,” and that the pressure of the trade or of seeing his old team — and Duclair — isn’t too much.

“As long as you’re pushing yourself to be better, it’s not going to hurt,” Yandle said. “I think everyone in this league does the same, everyone tries to help themselves out and be the best player they can be.”

That includes Duclair, whose talents will be on display under the bright lights of the Garden yet again, and this time it might hurt the fans to watch.

New York Post LOADED: 10.22.2015


Lundqvist’s direct take on new Blue Jackets coach Tortorella

By Brett Cyrgalis

October 21, 2015 | 10:33pm

Are long, dramatic seasons catching up to tired Rangers?

Henrik Lundqvist couldn’t help but smile when he was asked to reminisce a bit about his time with John Tortorella as coach of the Rangers. Specifically, if the man hired as the Blue Jackets new headman on Wednesday could change as a person from his former hotheaded self.

“What do you think?” Lundqvist said jokingly. “I don’t know, he is the way he is. I think he was very consistent the way he coached and the way he talked to us as players and people. It was fun. He was tough, but he was honest. As a player, I think you appreciate that. Straight answers all the time.

“Sometimes as a player, you don’t want to hear the truth, but the truth is good. Sometimes it’s not good, but in the long run, it is — if that makes any sense.”

Tortorella took over the Blueshirts for the fired Tom Renney in the middle of the 2008-09 season, and was behind the bench for four more years until his dismissal following a disappointing first-round exit from the postseason in 2012-13. He is the winningest U.S.-born coach in NHL history, and won a Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004.

In his most recent job before Columbus, he flamed out in one year as coach of the Canucks in 2013-14. He was recently named head coach of the U.S. team for the World Cup of Hockey, to take place next September in the middle of NHL training camps.

“We needed a change when he came in here,” Lundqvist said. “He did a great job in pushing everyone and challenging guys in a good way to perform better. It was refreshing to see something new like that.”

Forward Tanner Glass cleared waivers on Wednesday and was assigned to AHL Hartford. Coach Alain Vigneault said he expected Glass and his $1.45 million salary-cap charge to clear, and the decision was made “to save a little bit of money at this time,” along with being able to see what the team has in Emerson Etem, who has been a healthy scratch for all but one game to start the year.

The 23-year-old Etem would have had to clear waivers as well, and likely would have been claimed. But Vigneault said, “before we would even think going that route, we have to know what we have.”

Lundqvist will start on Thursday night at the Garden against the Coyotes, his seventh start in the first eight games. … Center Derek Stepan missed practice after getting a wisdom tooth removed. Vigneault expects Stepan back for Thursday, saying it “shouldn’t be a problem.”

The Rangers got their first taste of 3-on-3 overtime in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Devils, and Vigneault said he’s still trying to figure out the best way to play it.

“It’s an evolution,” said Vigneault, whose team lost to the Devils after Stepan’s shot hit the crossbar and started an odd-man rush the other way, finished off by Lee Stempniak’s game-winner. “It really seems like one team goes up, tries, mistake, and it comes back and you don’t know what’s going to happen the other way. No question for the fans it’s interesting, and it’s fun to watch.”

Vigneault said he has spoken to former general manager and current club president Glen Sather, who saw some 3-on-3 during his days as the coach and GM of the Oilers, when large-scale penalties were abundant. Vigneault wasn’t sure if the 3-on-3 would devolve into a more defensive battle.

“Coaches are going to be able to screw this up too?” he kidded.

When asked if he watched the Coyotes’ 3-2 overtime win against the Devils in Newark on Tuesday night, Vigneault said, “To tell you the truth, I saw more of the Mets [Tuesday] night. I’m in the Mets camp right now.”



John Tortorella to coach, be angry about the Blue Jackets

By Jonathan Lehman

October 21, 2015 | 9:32am

John Tortorella is back.

The tempestuous former Rangers boss was installed Wednesday as the new coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets following the firing of Todd Richards.

Tortorella is tasked with reforming the Blue Jackets after a horrendous 0-7-0 start under Richards in which they scored 13 goals and conceded 34.

The 57-year-old Tortorella is the NHL’s winningest U.S.-born coach with a 446-375-115 record over 14 seasons, including a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.

He has been out of hockey since the Canucks fired him in May 2014 after one season in Vancouver.

Tortorella acknowledged spending the past year soul-searching to determine what he might have done differently in Vancouver. It was a season in which a second-half collapse led to the Canucks missing the playoffs three years after reaching the Stanley Cup final.

“I have searched and looked at situations of what I could’ve done a better job there, and I do have some answers with that,” he said. “So sure, I think you become a better coach when you dig deep.”

Tortorella signed a three-year contract and will make his debut Thursday when Columbus visits Minnesota.

“John Tortorella is an experienced National Hockey League coach with a proven track record of success,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in statement released by the team. “He is a Stanley Cup winner, and we believe the right person to lead our team at this time.”

The Blue Jackets restocked their roster this summer after closing last season on 16-2-1 run.

“None of us saw our season unfolding the way it has. And every one of us from management to coaches to players bears responsibility,” Kekalainen said. “There is still a lot of hockey to be played and we believe this change was necessary to give our team the best chance to accomplish the goals we’ve set for this season.”

Brandon Dubinsky, a longtime resident of Tortorella’s doghouse in New York, is the Blue Jackets’ alternate captain.



Glass clears waivers, re-assigned to Hartford; Yandle on facing Coyotes, his former team

Posted by Andrew Gross

The Rangers expected left wing Tanner Glass to clear waivers and the gritty veteran did just that at noon and was immediately re-assigned to Hartford (AHL).

The Rangers still retain $500,000 of Glass’ $1.45 million salary-cap hit (with one season remaining on his deal) but now have approximately $1.1 million in cap space.

“He’s going to Hartford,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “There were some cap implications there. We all know what Tanner can bring to our group. It was a very tough decision to make for us. Right now, we have 23 healthy bodies and we save a little bit of money at this time. We haven’t had enough time to see Emerson Etem can do, where Dylan (McIlrath) can fit it, even though it’s a different position, Dom (Moore) and (Jarret) Stoll, one of those guys is playing out of position.”

Vigneault added the team did not consider putting Etem, 23, acquired from the Ducks in the offseason for Carl Hagelin and signed to a reasonable, one-year, $850,500 deal, on waivers in order to send him to Hartford. And not solely because the team thought it might lose Etem to a waiver claim, unlike Glass.

“Before you go that route, we have to know what we have,” Vigneault said.

Etem has dressed for just one of the Rangers’ first seven games. Glass played in two.

*****

The Rangers will host the Coyotes on Thursday night, marking not just Anthony Duclair’s first trip back to Madison Square Garden since the Rangers dealt their former top prospect, but veteran defenseman Keith Yandle’s first game against his former team since the March 1 swap. Yandle, 29, was the fourth-round pick of the Coyotes in 2005 and spent the first seven-plus seasons of his NHL career with the team.

Yandle was asked whether it was easier to play against his former team now, rather than last season, because there is more separation from the move now.

“I don’t know, that’s a good question,” Yandle said. “No what, when you’re traded you’re all in for the team you’re with. When I got that first phone call when Glen (Sather) welcomed me, you’re all in to be a Ranger.”

Yandle said he heard rumors of a possible trade about two weeks before the March 2 deadline and those rumors got more and more momentum. Then, he said, there were a few days before the deadline where he thought he wouldn’t be traded. But the day before the trade happened on March 1, while he was in Boston, he learned that he would definitely be traded.

“My emotions right now, I don’t have too many,” Yandle said. “It might be different tomorrow night when I see the guys on the ice. Right now, I was getting ready for another practice and getting ready for another game.”

*****

Derek Stepan missed today’s practice because he was having a wisdom tooth extracted. Vigneault said Stepan would be available to play against the Coyotes.

Otherwise, the lines and defense pairings were the same as Monday’s 4-0 win over the Sharks, just with Etem skating in Stepan’s spot:

Rick Nash-Emerson Etem-Mats Zuccarello

Chris Kreider-Derick Brassard-Jesper Fast

J.T. Miller-Kevin Hayes-Oscar Lindberg

Viktor Stalberg-Dominic Moore-Jarret Stoll

Ryan McDonagh-Kevin Klein

Keith Yandle-Dan Girardi

Marc Staal-Dan Boyle

McIlrath rotated in as the seventh defenseman.

Henrik Lundqvist will make his seventh start of the season after Antti Raanta made 22 saves for the shutout in his Rangers’ debut against the Sharks.

****

Vigneault was asked whether he had any reaction to a coach being fired seven games into a season, as the Blue Jackets’ Todd Richards was today.

“I have real specific thoughts on stuff like that,” Vigneault said. “But I keep that to myself. It will only get me in trouble.”

Then, Vigneault was asked if he had any reaction to John Tortorella - who replaced Vigneault in Vancouver, though Tortorella only lasted one season with that team - being hired by the Blue Jackets.

“No comments on Torts,” Vigneault said.



Columbus names John Tortorella coach after firing Todd Richards

October 21, 2015, 11:34 AM Last updated: Thursday, October 22, 2015, 1:50 AM

The Record

COLUMBUS, Ohio — John Tortorella hoisted a Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay and led the New York Rangers to the verge of a championship berth.

At woebegone Columbus, the Blue Jackets have a more modest goal for the veteran coach: Win a game.

Tortorella is back coaching in the NHL after the Blue Jackets fired Todd Richards on Wednesday with the team off to an 0-7-0 start.

“He’s proven he’s a good coach,” said center Brandon Dubinsky, who played for Tortorella with the Rangers from 2008-12. “He’s going to help our group. Unfortunately, it’s going to be at the expense of a great person and a great coach (but) we got another one. We’ve got to step up for him.”

Tortorella, who won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, has been out of hockey since the Canucks fired him in May 2014 after one season in Vancouver. He takes over for Richards, who had been with the Blue Jackets since 2012 and led them to only their second NHL playoff appearance in 2013-14, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round.

“One of the problems right now is expectations,” Tortorella said. “Expectations that weren’t there last year with this club.”

Columbus is just the sixth NHL team to open with seven consecutive losses after a 4-0 defeat against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. It’s the Blue Jackets’ worst start in franchise history, and their longest losing streak since dropping seven straight in regulation from Nov. 11-25, 2005.

“It was a tough start,” right wing Jared Boll said. “Everything kept snowballing and losses kept piling up. It’s still only seven games. We’ve got a lot of hockey. We can’t hang our heads and feel sorry for ourselves and make excuses.”

That’s not the type of start that was expected from a team that restocked its roster this summer after closing last season on 16-2-1 run.

“We’re not responding the right way,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “By no means does this let anyone off the hook.”

Tortorella signed a three-year contract and will make his debut Thursday when Columbus visits Minnesota. The Blue Jackets play seven of their next eight games on the road. Tortorella said he wanted to learn as much as he could about his struggling team.

“I need to listen,” he said. “I want the players to speak to the staff just to find out where they’re at.”

With a 446-375-115 record over 14 seasons, the 57-year-old Tortorella is the NHL’s winningest U.S.-born coach. Tortorella coached Tampa Bay for seven seasons — compiling a mark of 239-222-36-38 and earning the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year in the championship 2003-04 season.

Dubinsky, who butted heads with Tortorella at times in New York, said he now appreciates how the coach elevated his game.

“He got things out of me I didn’t know I had,” Dubinsky said. “He’s helped my career and I anticipate he’s going to help me career and help a lot of guys here, especially with the amount of young guys we have here.”

For his part, Tortorella said Dubinsky was the first player he talked to when he arrived at Nationwide Arena on Wednesday.

“I need to lean on him,” Tortorella said. “He’s part of that heartbeat of the club. He needs to be a conduit between the players and the coaching staff until I get to know the other guys.”

Tortorella is suddenly in demand after his year off.

Last month, he was hired by USA Hockey to coach the American team competing in the NHL’s World Cup of Hockey tournament next year.

Tortorella acknowledged spending the past year soul-searching to determine what he might have done differently in Vancouver. It was a

season in which a second-half collapse led to the Canucks missing the playoffs three years after reaching the Stanley Cup final.

“I have searched and looked at situations of what I could’ve done a better job there, and I do have some answers with that,” he said. “So sure, I think you become a better coach when you dig deep.”

Richards finished with a 127-112-21 record with the Blue Jackets.

They have scored just 13 goals and have allowed an NHL-worst 34. Veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is struggling with a 5.07 goals-against average and an 83.5 save percentage.

“You look at our record and you knew something would happen if we kept going down this road and we kept going down this road,” captain Nick Foligno said.

Buffalo Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said he believes Columbus will win plenty of games this season and noted how quickly some teams make a change if they start poorly.

“The beginning of the year is a very critical time when you talk about a week later you could be .500,” he said. “Peter Laviolette’s a good coach, clearly a good coach. He’s gone on to Nashville and done really good things there. And he lost the first three games and they made a change (in Philadelphia two years ago). It’s not what I would call fair. But it happens at the beginning of the season in hockey.”



Rangers coach tight-lipped on Tortorella

October 22, 2015 Last updated: Thursday, October 22, 2015, 1:21 AM

By ANDREW GROSS

STAFF WRITER |

The Record

GREENBURGH, N.Y. – Alain Vigneault has more pressing things to worry about than another organization's latest coaching hire, namely tonight's game against the Coyotes at Madison Square Garden.

Still, Vigneault and his predecessor with the Rangers, John Tortorella, always will be linked after both got fired following the 2013 season and switched jobs, though Tortorella lasted just one contentious season with the Canucks.

Now, they're both in the Metropolitan Division after the Blue Jackets, off to an 0-7-0 start, fired Todd Richards on Wednesday and replaced him with the fiery Tortorella. But Vigneault kept whatever reaction he had to the news private, though he hinted – and it would be logical – he does not approve of a coach being fired seven games into a season.

"I have real specific thoughts on stuff like that but I'll keep it to myself, it'll only get me in trouble," Vigneault said after practice before being asked about Tortorella. "No comments on Torts."

Some of Tortorella's former players did voice their opinion, naturally caring to publicly remember the positive things about Tortorella's tenure with the Rangers from 2009-13.

"He always challenged players in a good way," said goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who will make his seventh start of the season tonight. "He always tried to push players to reach their full potential. He was a good motivator in the way he could speak.

"I thought he was a really good coach here, he did a lot of good things for the organization," Lundqvist added.

The Rangers reached the Eastern Conference final under Tortorella in 2012 – something they've also done in Vigneault's first two seasons behind the bench – losing to the Devils in six games.

Other than Lundqvist, captain Ryan McDonagh, defensemen Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, centers Derek Stepan and Derick Brassard, left wings Rick Nash, Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller and right wing Mats Zuccarello are the current Rangers who played for Tortorella.

"He was a big part of my first few years in the NHL," Staal said. "He definitely had a lot to do with my development as a player. It was only a matter of time before he got another job. He's had a lot of success, he's a good coach. I'm happy for him. It'll be good to compete against him."

The Blue Jackets were expected to be a much-improved playoff contender this season. Lundqvist believes that could still be the case, recalling how Tortorella took over a struggling Rangers team in February 2009, almost instantly changed the team's culture and led it to a postseason berth.

"I think it was inspiring and refreshing to see a new coaching staff," Lundqvist said. "When he came in, it was just a different style of coaching and it was fun to play under that."

BRIEFS: Tonight's game marks Keith Yandle's first against his former team after the Rangers acquired the veteran defenseman on March 1 for a package that included a first-round pick and top prospect Anthony Duclair, who leads the Coyotes with five goals. "My emotions right now are I don't have too many," said Yandle, who spent seven-plus seasons with the Coyotes. "It might be different [tonight], seeing the guys on the ice. Right now, I'm just getting ready for another game. …" Veteran fourth-liner Tanner Glass cleared waivers and was re-assigned to Hartford (AHL). The Rangers retain $500,000 of his $1.45 million annual average salary – his deal has one season remaining – and have approximately $1.1 million in salary cap space.



Rangers Report

By Rick Carpiniello on October 22, 2015 Hockey, New York Rangers, NHL, Pre-game notes, Preview, Rangers Report

Pre-game notes courtesy of the NYR:

coyotesNEW YORK RANGERS vs. ARIZONA COYOTES

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, 7:00 p.m. ET

Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

Rangers: 4-2-1 (9 pts)

Coyotes: 3-2-1 (7 pts)

TONIGHT’S GAME

The Rangers play their eighth game of the 2015-16 season and conclude a three-game homestand against the Arizona Coyotes at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). The Rangers will play three games in a four-day stretch (Oct. 22 vs. Arizona, Oct. 24 at Philadelphia, and Oct. 25 vs. Calgary). Six of the Rangers’ next nine games between, including four of the Rangers’ next five games, will take place at MSG. The Blueshirts enter the contest with a 4-2-1 record, following a 4-0 win against the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 19 at MSG.

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER NIGHT

The Rangers and the Garden of Dreams Foundation are hosting “Hockey Fights Cancer” Night tonight. As part of the evening’s efforts to raise awareness and money for the fight against cancer, Rangers players will wear lavender jerseys and use lavender tape on their sticks during warm-ups, and they will also sport decals on the back right of their helmets during the game. In addition, Rangers coaches will wear commemorative lavender ties and pocket squares during the game. A limited selection of Hockey Fights Cancer merchandise will be available for purchase at MSG Retail Stores, and the jerseys and sticks used by the players in warm-ups will be auctioned at newyorkrangers.com to raise money for the Garden of Dreams Foundation.

3 STATS OF THE GAME

Keith Yandle is expected to skate in his first game against the Coyotes after spending parts of nine seasons with the team (2006-07 – 2014-15). Yandle leads all Coyotes defensemen in games played (558), goals (65), assists (246), and points (311) since the Jets/Coyotes franchise moved to Arizona prior to the start of the 1996-97 season.

The Blueshirts have tallied at least four goals in three of seven contests thus far in 2015-16. The Rangers have posted a 99-1-1 record in the last 101 regular season games in which they have registered at least four goals, dating back to Oct. 31, 2011 vs. San Jose. In addition, the Blueshirts have posted a 120-1-2 record in the last 123 regular season games in which they have notched four or more goals, dating back to Nov. 14, 2010 vs. Edmonton.

The Rangers have posted a 20-6-5 record in 31 games against Western Conference opponents since the start of the 2014-15 season.

RANGERS VS. COYOTES

All-Time*: 41-25-6-0 (24-10-2-0 at home; 17-15-4-0 on the road) *Note: record includes games against the Winnipeg Jets from 1979-80 – 1995-96 and the Phoenix Coyotes from 1996-97 – 2013-14

2015-16: Tonight’s game is the first of two meetings between the Rangers and Coyotes, and the only meeting between the two teams at MSG. Following tomorrow’s game, the Rangers and Coyotes will play against each other on the following date: Nov. 7 (at Arizona).

2014-15: The Rangers posted a 2-0-0 record (1-0-0 at home; 1-0-0 on the road) against Arizona. The Blueshirts outscored the Coyotes, 9-4, in the two games, and they outscored Arizona, 5-0, in the third period of those contests. Chris Kreider tied for first among all skaters with three goals and three points in the season series.

The Rangers have won each of their last three games against the Coyotes, as well as six of the last seven meetings between the two teams (6-1-0). In addition, New York has posted an 11-3-0-0 record in its last 14 games against the Coyotes. The Rangers’ 11-3-0-0 stretch against the Coyotes dates back to Oct. 28, 2002, when Mike Richter earned his 300th career NHL win in a 3-2 overtime victory at MSG.

The Blueshirts have won each of their last six games against the Coyotes at MSG, dating back to Nov. 24, 2008. In addition, the Rangers have posted a 15-2-0-0 record in their last 17 home games against the Jets/Coyotes franchise, dating back to Jan. 6, 1992.

RANGERS-COYOTES CONNECTIONS

Keith Yandle played in parts of nine seasons with the Coyotes (2006-07 – 2014-15) and was selected by the Coyotes in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft (4th round/105th overall).

Oscar Lindberg was selected by the Coyotes in the second round (57th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The Rangers acquired Lindberg in a trade with the Coyotes on May 8, 2011.

Coyotes Executive Vice President, General Manager and Alternate Governor Don Maloney played in parts of 11 seasons with the Rangers (1978-79 – 1988-89) and was the Rangers Assistant General Manager from 1996-2007. He and Rangers Radio/TV Analyst Dave Maloney are brothers.

Rangers Senior Vice President, Assistant General Manager, and General Manager of the Hartford Wolf Pack Jim Schoenfeld served as Coyotes Head Coach for two seasons (1997-98 – 1998-99).

Rangers Associate Coach Scott Arniel played parts of six seasons with the Winnipeg Jets (1981-82 – 1985-86; 1990-91).

Rangers Assistant Coach Ulf Samuelsson was the Coyotes Associate Coach for five seasons (2006-07 – 2010-11) and two of his sons, Henrik and Philip, are prospects in the Coyotes organization.

Rangers Assistant Coach & Goaltending Coach Benoit Allaire was the Coyotes Goaltending Coach for seven seasons (1997-98 – 2003-04) before joining the Rangers organization.

Anthony Duclair played part of one season with the Rangers (2014-15) and was selected by the Blueshirts in the third round (80th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Max Domi is the son of former Ranger Tie Domi, who played in parts of three seasons with the Blueshirts (1990-91 – 1992-93).

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. COYOTES

Henrik Lundqvist – 6 GP, 5-1-0, 2.29 GAA, .916 SV% – In four career appearances against the Coyotes at MSG, Lundqvist has posted a 4-0-0 record, along with a 1.70 GAA and a .935 SV% (101 saves on 108 shots).

Rick Nash – 38 GP, 18-17-35 – Nash has tallied a point in 22 of 38 career games against the Coyotes, and he has recorded 12 points (six goals, six assists) in his last 16 contests against the Coyotes.

Derick Brassard – 23 GP, 7-10-17 – Brassard has registered nine points (three goals, six assists) in his last 11 games against the Coyotes.

Dan Girardi – 11 GP, 4-3-7 – Girardi has notched three points (one goal, two assists) and has posted a plus-six rating in his last three games against the Coyotes. In addition, he has tallied five points (two goals, three assists) in his last seven contests against the Coyotes.

HOME COOKING

Dating back to last season, the Rangers have earned at least one point in 33 of their last 43 home games (27-10-6), including 16 of their last 21 home contests (13-5-3).

FIRST IN SCORE

The Rangers have outscored their opponent, 10-2, in the first period through seven games in 2015-16. In addition, the Blueshirts have tallied the first goal of the game in six of the seven contests. The Rangers lead the NHL in first period goals (94) and first period goal differential (plus-38; 94-56) since the start of last season. New York also leads the NHL in first period goals and first period goal differential (plus-eight) in 2015-16. The Blueshirts have posted a 45-7-4 record when tallying the first goal of the game since the start of last season.

TEAM EFFORT

Through the first seven games of the 2015-16 season, 17 of the 21 Rangers skaters who have played at least one game have registered a point, while 10 different skaters have recorded a goal.

KING HENRIK

Since entering the NHL in 2005-06, Henrik Lundqvist leads all NHL goaltenders (min. 350 appearances) in appearances (626), wins (342), GAA (2.26), and SO (55), and he is tied for first in SV% (.921). In 2015-16, Lundqvist ranks second in the NHL in saves (176) and ranks third in shots against (189). In his last 33 regular season games (since Dec. 8, 2014 vs. Pittsburgh), the Rangers’ all-time wins and shutouts leader has posted a

24-8-1 record, along with a 1.98 GAA, a .934 SV%, and 1 SO. Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 25 of those 33 contests, including five of six games in 2015-16. Entering this season, Lundqvist was the only NHL goaltender who posted a .920 SV% or better in each of the last six seasons (2009-10 – 2014-15).

Lundqvist, who holds franchise records in several categories, including career wins and career shutouts, is close to establishing several additional Rangers records.

In addition, Lundqvist has earned more regular season wins than any other NHL goaltender who has only played for one franchise during his career. Lundqvist ranks fourth among NHL goaltenders in career regular season wins with one franchise and eighth in career regular season appearances with one franchise.

TOO HOT TO YANDLE

Entering tonight’s game, Keith Yandle is tied for ninth among NHL defensemen in assists this season (four), and he is tied for second among NHL defensemen in assists (50) since the start of last season. Yandle is one of three NHL defensemen who have registered 50 or more points in three different seasons since 2010-11 (along with Dustin Byfuglien and Erik Karlsson).

DAN’S THE MAN

Dan Girardi enters tonight’s contest with 766 regular season and playoff games played as a member of the Rangers (658 regular season games, 108 playoff games*). The Rangers’ alternate captain is approaching 10th place on the franchise’s all-time list in regular season and playoff games played combined.

OSCAR-WORTHY PERFORMANCE

Oscar Lindberg has registered a point in four of the Rangers’ seven games in 2015-16. Lindberg leads the team in points (five) and is tied for the team lead in goals (four) this season. In addition, Lindberg, who was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week for the week ending on Oct. 11, ranks second among NHL rookies in goals and is tied for sixth among NHL rookies in points in 2015-16.

RICK ROLLING

Rick Nash enters tomorrow’s game with 699 career NHL points. Among players who were selected in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Nash ranks first in goals (378) and points (699) and ranks second in games played (869) and assists (321). Nash is the only NHL player who has registered at least 20 goals in each of the last 11 seasons (2003-04 – 2014-15).

WELCOME MATS

Mats Zuccarello has registered four goals/points in the last six games, and he is tied for the team lead in goals (four) this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play:

The Rangers were 1-for-1 (0:26) on Oct. 19 vs. San Jose.

The Rangers have earned a win in each of the last seven games in which they recorded a power play goal, and they have earned at least one point in each of the last 11 games in which they have registered a power play goal (9-0-2).

Penalty Kill:

The Rangers were 2-for-2 (3:39) and allowed one shot on goal on Oct. 19 vs. San Jose.

The Blueshirts are 10-for-10 over the last three games.

New York is tied for the NHL lead in shorthanded goals (19) since 2013-14.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Dan Girardi – 1 point away from 200 in his NHL career

Rick Nash – 1 point away from 700 in his NHL career

Jarret Stoll – 2 games away from 800 in his NHL career

INJURIES

None

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Oct. 21 – Tanner Glass assigned to Hartford (AHL)

Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Rangers Report

By Rick Carpiniello on October 21, 2015 Hockey, New York Rangers, NHL, Preview, Rangers Report

GREENBURGH – The trade of Anthony Duclair for Keith Yandle is probably one that will be discussed among Rangers fans for the next decade. Maybe longer.

On Thursday night, for the first time, that trade will be on display on the ice.

Duclair, the 20-year-old speedy winger who opened so many eyes in the training camp last season, comes to Madison Square Garden with the Arizona Coyotes, while Yandle faces his former team as his current team waits and hopes for him to be the difference-maker he was supposed to be.

In other news Wednesday, Tanner Glass cleared waivers and was officially assigned to Hartford (AHL). Derek Stepan missed practice for a wisdom-tooth extraction, but is expected to play Thursday.

Arizona Coyotes v New Jersey DevilsThe actual trade last March was Duclair, John Moore and a first-round pick to Arizona for Yandle, Chris Summers and a fourth-rounder (the first-rounder a payment to the Coyotes for eating half of Yandle’s $5.25 million salary cap hit so the Rangers could fit him under the cap).

Yandle said he doesn’t pay attention to the player for whom he was traded.

“Not at all,” he said. “It’s part of the business. Someone’s got to go, someone’s got to come. I didn’t know either of the guys I was traded for. You just go about your business.”

But, he added, while he has buddies in Arizona (notably captain Shane Doan), he’s a Ranger.

“I think it’s one of those things, no matter what, if you’re traded you’re all-in with the team that you’re with,” he said. “I think from the first phone call that I got, Glen (Sather) welcoming me to the Rangers, you’re all-in to be a Ranger. You try not to leave anything in the past. You move forward.”

Unless Yandle wins a Cup here – and he might walk as an unrestricted free agent next July – the winner of the trade will be based mostly on what Duclair does. He has five goals, including a hat trick, playing on a line with his buddy, Max Domi (ex-Ranger Tie Domi’s kid).

“Duke?,” asked Rangers coach Alain Vigneault. “Love the Duke. You know, sometimes to get a good player you’ve got to give up good players and good young prospects. That’s what we did there. He had real strong skill sets with the puck and speed-wise. You just wonder, like any young players, is he going to be able to put it all together? Time always tells. He’s off to a pretty good start from what I understand. But he’s a good kid, a hard-working kid, and we wish him the best.”

As for Yandle, Vigneault hopes to get more than he’s provided down the stretch last season, in the playoffs (when he played well with a separated shoulder) and so far this season.

“I believe there’s more to give than what he’s shown us, there’s no doubt,” Vigneault said. “He’d say the same thing. … He’s got all the attributes. He’s just got to learn to relax and execute a little bit better. He’s a great person and sometimes it takes a little bit of time for a person to get used to a new environment. I would put him in that category. But I do think that he’s going to come into his own and he’s going to give us the type of hockey that we expect from him, at both ends of the rink.”

************************************************

Tanner Glass cleared waivers and was officially assigned to Hartford (AHL) as expected. The Rangers cleared $950,000 in salary cap space with the move, retaining just $500,000 of Glass’s salary on their books.

“Obviously there’s cap implications there,” Alain Vigneault said. “We all know what Tanner can bring to our group and it was a tough decision to make for us. But at the end of the day, we’ve got 23 healthy bodies and it was a matter of trying to save a little bit of money. It’s also a question of (we) haven’t had enough time to see what (Emerson) Etem can do yet.

“At this time we thought it would be a good thing for (Glass) to be able to play. We figured he would clear. … “He’s a true professional. He got here through sheer determination and hard work. I had a long talk with him (Tuesday) and I’m sure he’s going to go there, work real hard and we’ll see how things unfold moving forward.”

Asked if it was considered that Etem could go to Hartford, but that he might be claimed on waivers, Vigneault said, “Before we would even think of going that route we would have to know what we have (in Etem). We just don’t know yet. We’re going to have to give him some games and right now we’re healthy pretty much, so he’s going to have to be a little more patient.”

************************************************

Derek Stepan missed practice for a wisdom-tooth extraction, but is expected to play Thursday, as Vigneault goes with the same lineup, and same lines, as Monday’s win over San Jose, but with Henrik Lundqvist back in goal.

************************************************

There was a lot of talk about Columbus, where coach Todd Richards was fired after an 0-7 start and replaced with none other than John Tortorella.

Asked what he thinks of a coach being canned after just seven games, Vigneault shook his head.

“I’ve got some real specific thoughts on stuff like that, that I keep to myself because it can really get you in trouble,” he said.

Asked for a comment on Tortorella’s hiring, Vigneault smiled and said, “No comments on Torts coming back.”

But Henrik Lundqvist had some comments about Tortorella.

Asked whether he thinks Tortorella would or could change, Lundqvist laughed for a few seconds. Then he said, “What do you think?

“He is the way he is. I think he was very consistent the way he coached, the way he talked to us as players, as people. It was fun. He was tough, but he was honest. As a player I think you appreciate that – straight answers all the time. Sometimes as a player, you don’t want to hear the truth, but the truth is good. Sometimes it’s not good (to hear), but in the long run it is. If that makes any sense.”

“He did a great job here. He turned things around for us a little bit better when he came in here. We had a good run”

Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 10.22.2015

978161 Ottawa Senators

Senators notebook: Big number for Neil, big hits for Cowen

KEN WARREN, OTTAWA CITIZEN

More from Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen


For all the opponents Chris Neil has hit over the years, few would have imagined he would make the 900-game milestone when he started out.

“It’s a lot of hockey games,” said Neil, who will play the milestone game Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. “But I feel like I’ve got lots left in me. I feel good out there, I just wanted to keep it rolling here. To be able to suit up in 900 games for one team, it says a lot about the organization. I’ve been here for so long and contributing, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Neil, 36, played his first game against the Toronto Maple Leafs to start the 2001-02 season and has 106 goals, 127 assists and 2,296 penalty minutes. The penalty minute mark is 34th all-time and is the most among active NHL players.

While his claim to fame is his physical style, he laughs about having a mere two penalty minutes this season, tied for 11th on the team.

“I made a joke the other day that I was going for the Lady Byng,” said Neil. “You’ve got to be disciplined, but if something arises, I will be there to take care of it.”

COWEN IN COMFORT ZONE: It’s still early, but Jared Cowen has looked like the Jared Cowen of old.

“It’s a good start so far,” said Cowen, a lightning rod for criticism because of his salary ($3.7 million) and shaky 2014-15 season, which included a sports hernia that required off-season surgery.

“I’m happy with the way I’ve been playing. And I feel better physically and that helps. That’s kind of the whole thing. It takes a lot off your mind. when I play physical, I feel better. More than that, it means you’re skating well, thinking the game right.”

Cowen played 22:10 in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss to Nashville, receiving additional ice time because Marc Methot was out with a concussion.

Cowen has 20 hits, among NHL defenceman behind only regular partner Mark Borowiecki and Johnny Boychuk of the New York Islanders. He has also blocked 11 shots. Solid numbers for a stay at home defencemen, the role Cowen needs to play.

With Methot still out, Cowen will play with Chris Wideman as his partner again Thursday.

Cowen (6-5 and 238 pounds) and Wideman (5-10 and 180 pounds) are a study in contrasts.

“My girlfriend was laughing about the size difference when she saw us on the bench,” he said. “I told her she should have seen my partner in junior, Jared Spurgeon (5-9, 176 pounds).”

ZONE TIME WITH ZBAD: Relatively speaking, Mika Zibanejad says his offensive numbers (one goal, four assists) to start the season haven’t been so bad.

Then again, anything would look better than 2014-15, when he opened without a point in his first eight games.

Zibanejad is not content, however. He recognizes his line, which also includes Bobby Ryan and Milan Michalek, needs to take scoring pressure off the top line of Kyle Turris, Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman. Ryan has one goal and three assists, Michalek has two goals and no assists.

“We’re three big bodies that can skate and hold on to the puck,” Zibanejad said. “We’ve got to get some (offensive) zone time. We’ve been chasing too much. That’s hard on you and takes more energy out of you when you chase all game. I wouldn’t say it’s panic mode or anything. We’ve just got to keep working.”

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 10.22.2015


Hamburglar hungry for his first start

KEN WARREN, OTTAWA CITIZEN

More from Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen


Ottawa Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond is providing his own Back To The Future moment this week.

With all due respect to Michael J. Fox and Marty McFly and Hollywood time travel trivia, Hamburglar-mania memories are also in the air as Hammond prepares for his first start of the season Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.

On Tuesday night, local McDonald’s franchises presented Hammond with a lasting image from the club’s storybook run to the playoffs – a framed card featuring the victorious netminder holding a hamburger high in the air – along with $1,000 worth of gift certificates.

“I wasn’t surprised because I knew it had been coming for a long time now, but the way they presented it was pretty funny,” Hammond said following Wednesday’s practice at the Bell Sensplex. “They had a little fun with it, they went the extra and did that.”

While it’s not quite as grand as the free-food-for-life gesture that had been talked about during Hammond’s record setting 20-1-2 regular season run in 2014-15 (surely the public relations bonanza was worth more than that?) he says it’s more than enough for him.

Hammond could go out and immediately buy 167 Big Macs with his windfall, but that might not be in the best interests of his career.

“They didn’t need to do anything,” said Hammond, who sports McDonald’s-like stylized M’s on his mask. “They gave all the fans free McDonald’s last year and that’s all you can ask for.”

As fond as the memories are from last season, Hammond is anxious to finally get rolling on a new season. He saw action in the pre-season, but hasn’t played a game that mattered since losing the first two games of the playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens.

A groin injury kept him sidelined through the opening two weeks of the season (Craig Anderson has played in five games and rookie Matt O’Connor played the other) but Hammond is confident after three full days of hard practice this week.

“I feel ready,” he said.

“You learn good habits in practice that should translate into a game. That has been my focus since training camp, making sure I get the most out of practice. And coming back from an injury, that’s even more important.”

Hammond acknowledges the game against the Devils isn’t a run of the mill start, but if his 2014-15 success showed anything, it’s that he has the maturity to handle hype.

“I’m understanding of the circumstances, probably more anxious than I would be for a normal start, but there are ways you can control that,” he said.

“I guess that’s my M.O. I’ve been in control of everything around me. I have a put a narrow focus into practice and games and the opportunity to get better. That’s all I can really ask for at this point.”

Senators assistant coach André Tourigny says it’s a perfect time for Hammond to return.

“It’s a challenge, but Andrew has proved what he can do in this league,” Tourigny said. “I’m sure he will be ready. Mentally he is at the right place. I’m sure about it. It’s a good time for him to jump into action. He’s more than ready. He’s excited about it.”

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 10.22.2015


Free burgers for life? Not so much for Sens' Andrew Hammond

BY DON BRENNAN, OTTAWA SUN

FIRST POSTED: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 02:19 PM EDT | UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 06:23 PM EDT

Talk about a lunch bag letdown -- at least for some of us who ate up this story last spring.

Andrew (The Hamburglar) Hammond received his "free for life" card from McDonald's Tuesday night, but it didn't exactly come as advertised. Rather than a lifetime card, as the fast-food giant had stated it would give the Senators goalie during his historic run down the stretch, he was handed coupons worth $1,000.

Not by any stretch was Hammond complaining, however.

"Hey, they didn't need to do anything," said Hammond, who played along with the popularity of his nickname by having The Hamburglar -- a cartoon character dreamed up by McDonald's decades ago -- drawn on his mask. "In fairness, (the art) was put on in all good fun ... if there was a copyright or trademark, I don't even know, but if they wanted to they could put up a big stink, and they've been great about it.

"They gave fans free McDonald's (burgers) last year so what else can you ask for?"

Hammond was presented an additional gift from the "seven or eight" McDonald's owners attending a Senators corporate event.

"It was a framed card, and the picture of me holding up the burger from last year," he said. "So they kind of had a little bit of fun with it too. It's funny they went the extra way and did that."

And not even a little bit chintzy that he doesn't get to flash a card for free food as long as he lives, after all the publicity he gave McD's?

"Not at all," said Hammond. "I don't see the difference between lifetime and $1,000 anyway."

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.22.2015


Can Senators' Andrew Hammond return to miracle play?

bruce-garrioch BY BRUCE GARRIOCH, OTTAWA SUN

The Hamburglar will return to the scene of some his greatest crimes.

Andrew (The Hamburglar) Hammond will make his return to the net for the first time this season as the Senators four-day break in the schedule comes to an end Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils at the Canadian Tire Centre.

This will be the first time Hammond has made an appearance in the pipes since No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson took over in Game 3 of the club's playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens last spring with the Senators trailing 2-0 in the series and trying to extend their season.

Troubled by a groin injury he suffered during a morning skate before a pre-season game against the Habs at the Bell Centre Oct. 1, Hammond hasn't suited up since then but did resume practising last week. The Senators wanted to give him three good days of skating with the club before putting him back in the net.

Yes, it's been awhile but Hammond is excited to return and admitted that given the fact it's his first start of the season he'll likely be a little nervous.

"I guess I'm understanding of the circumstances and I'm probably going to be a little more anxious than I would for a normal start," Hammond said following a one-hour skate at the Bell Sensplex Wednesday.

"There's a way that you can control (those nerves) and it's not something I'm too worried about. I'm just excited to get the first one out of the way."

Hammond has been gone with an injury but he certainly hasn't been forgotten by anybody in the city. His remarkable 20-1-2 record along with a 1.79 GAA down the stretch after taking over for the injured Robin Lehner and Anderson helped lead the club back to the playoffs on the final day of the season.

Signed to a three-year, $4.05 million contract in May, the Senators didn't bring Hammond back to challenge for the No. 1 job but they do believe he can be a solid backup given what he accomplished last year. The Senators wouldn't be putting him in the net if they didn't think he was ready to go.

With three solid days of practice under their belts after a 4-3 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators last Saturday, coach Dave Cameron and the staff feel the time is right to give Hammond his first big test.

"He had a good week of practice and I think he's ready. It's a good time for him to jump into the action," said Ottawa assistant Andre Tourigny. "He's more than ready, he's excited about it. He'll be good."

The Senators don't seem concerned about the fact Hammond hasn't played since he saw action in Winnipeg in the pre-season on Sept. 29. Tourigny said the coaching staff was looking for a point in the schedule where Hammond would have a chance to have good skates before returning to the net.

This break fits well for the timing they wanted.

"It is a challenge but the NHL is the best league in the world and whatever the timing it's always a good challenge," added Tourigny. "Andrew has proved what he can do (in this) league and I'm sure he'll be ready.

"Mentally he's in the right place and I have no doubts about him ... He had three really good practices and he's feeling good so I have no issue about him jumping into the season (Thursday). It's good timing for him."

It's not like Hammond hasn't been through long stretches without playing before and, in fact, it happened last season. He was called up on Jan. 29 when Anderson suffered a deep bone bruise but didn't see action until Lehner was injured on Feb. 16 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

From that point, the Senators couldn't get him out of the net.

"You learn that good habits in practice will translate into the game," said Hammond. "That's been my focus since training camp started and that's making sure I'm getting the most out of each practice.

"Coming back from injury, it's even more important. It's kind of been the case the last week that I've had really good practices."

One guy who won't be ready is defenceman Marc Methot. He returned to skate with his teammates after suffering a concussion last week but was used as an extra. That means Chris Wideman will remain in the lineup.

"It's day-to-day. It was good to see (Methot) back on the ice with his teammates but he's not ready to go," said Tourigny.

The Hamburglar is and that's good news for the Senators.



Sens searching for consistency in play

BY BRUCE GARRIOCH, OTTAWA SUN


The Senators will begin their search for consistency Thursday night.

They haven't been able to find it yet.

As they prepare to face the New Jersey Devils at home, the Senators have had plenty of time to prepare and now they hope practice indeed makes perfect.

With a four-day break since dropping a 4-3 shootout decision to the Nashville Predators, the Senators have had plenty of time do some soul-searching and are hopeful as they head back to work they can pick up where they left off because they felt their last effort was a step in the right direction.

With a 3-2-1 record in the first six games of the season, the Senators feel its best to get their act together now rather than having to repeat that miraculous run they made last season to make the playoffs.

"(Consistency) is the biggest thing," said centre Zack Smith Wednesday. "We have an exciting team, partly because of the run we had last year puts a little confidence in everyone, and people know what we can do.

"It's a matter of playing that way more often and playing a lot more consistent, taking the next step to be a team that's good, all throughout the whole season and not just streaky at times. That's a challenge and we're trying to meet it."

You can't just flip a switch and find consistency which is why the Senators want to try to build towards it with victories. That was something they should have learned from last year.

"A lot of it is experience We have young players but at the same time they're guys who played a big role last year after what we through," Smith said. "Once you go through both parts of it: Being on the inconsistent and losing side and then knowing what it takes to win 23-of-27 games, a lot being consistent comes with experience and leadership."



Senators' Chris Neil 'blessed and fortunate' to play 900 games

Don Brennan BY DON BRENNAN, OTTAWA SUN

FIRST POSTED: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 04:10 PM EDT | UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015 12:33 AM EDT

Chris Neil not-so-clearly recalls his first NHL game, 14 years and almost three weeks later.

“It was in Toronto, Hockey Night in Canada … (but) I don’t remember touching the puck,” the Senators winger said Wednesday. “I did touch the puck, I just don’t remember it. You’re just flying high out there.

“It was an unbelievable feeling, and it seems like it was just yesterday, so it does fly by.”

Neil’s first NHL fight was against Montreal Canadiens tough guy Gino Odjick one night later, when he also picked up his first assist. His first goal came four weeks after that, against the now-defunct Atlanta Thrashers.

“Mike Fisher took the shot, I put the rebound under the bar,” said Neil. “Bam!”

Yes, it does fly by.

When the New Jersey Devils provide the opposition at CTC Thursday night, Neil will be playing his 900th game. Only Daniel Alfredsson and Chris Phillips have worn the Senators jersey into combat more often.

“I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to play for as long as I have,” said Neil.

The Senators have been equally as fortunate in their relationship with the 161st pick of the 1998 entry draft, who has scored 106 goals and 127 assists along with the 2,296 minutes to put him 34th on the NHL’s all-time most penalized list. While other teams have gone through different enforcers almost annually, they’ve had a true “tough guy” who can also play the game.

Neil knew he could never rely on his skills at this level — he could never produce the power forward-like numbers he had in his last season of junior, when he scored 26 goals and 72 assists, along with 215 PIMS, in 66 games for the North Bay Centennials. In order to survive, he quickly learned how to properly play his position at both ends of the ice. Check finishing and an eagerness to fight became his calling cards.

Now 36, Neil has changed with the times. To keep up, he has shaved about 15 pounds off his playing weight.

“I didn’t recognize him,” Fisher said while visiting with the Nashville Predators on Saturday. “But he’s still as strong as ever, that guy.”

Neil wants to prove it, but through six games, he has just two penalty minutes — or one-quarter of the number of his shots on goal — and that has him joking he could be a candidate for the Lady Byng.

“It’s not from lack of effort,” said Neil, who so far has found no takers on his invites to dance. “The way we’re playing, it’s fast hockey, and you’ve got to be disciplined. Obviously if something arises, you’re there to take care of it, but just holding guys accountable out there, that’s what I can do. If they’re willing to drop their gloves, so am I.”

Meanwhile, Neil is about to reach a crossroads. He is in the last season of a contract that pays him a $1.5-million salary, and he has no intention of retiring.

Imagine if he didn’t get to play game No. 1,000 in Ottawa colours? If it didn’t happen with the team he has fought and bled for all these years? It would be a shame if he hit the milestone wearing the jersey of a southern-based club whose followers don’t fully appreciate all that he’s done — or what 1,000 games actually means.

But Neil continues to insist he isn’t thinking that far ahead.

“Cross that when it comes,” he said. “Being here my whole career, it’s an honour. The organization is awesome. There’s so much stuff it does behind the scenes a lot of people don’t hear about. For me being here so long, you see a lot of it, whether it’s personal or stuff guys are going through, the team steps up and is a big part of helping them.

“When I first started playing, if you would have asked me if I was going to play 900 games, I would have laughed at you. But now the reality is it’s here and I’m looking forward to it.

“Obviously (1,000) is a great milestone,” he added. “You see Alfie and Philly doing it, and other guys around the league, but you never know what can happen. If I stayed relatively healthy last year, I would have been a lot closer ... I probably would have hit it this year.

“I still feel great and I still feel I have lots of hockey left to play. Hopefully, I play my whole career here, finish here. Hopefully it is 1,000 games here. It would be unbelievable. But that’s out of my control.”


978167 Philadelphia Flyers

Will injuries put Vinny Lecavalier in Flyers' lineup?

Sam Carchidi

POSTED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015, 3:28 AM

BOSTON _ Lost in the euphoria of the Flyers’ gritty 5-4 comeback win in Boston on Wednesday: The injury list keeps growing for the Orange and Black.

Backup goalie Michal Neuvirth and second-line center Sean Couturier were injured in the game, and the severity should be known Thursday. In addition, winger/center Brayden Schenn sat out after suffering an apparent injury in the previous game.

The Flyers may have to recall goalie Jason LaBarbera, 35, from the Phantoms, and if Couturier and Schenn cannot play Saturday against the visiting New York Rangers, Vinny Lecavalier could make his first appearance of the season.

Rinaldo suspension? Zac Rinaldo appears headed for his fourth career suspension, and this may top the eight-gamer he received last season for charging and boarding Kris Letang.

With his elbows high, Rinaldo leveled Couturier into the boards and may have concussed the Flyers’ center in the opening period.

“We didn’t like it, obviously, and we’ll leave it at that,” goalie Steve Mason said.

A few Flyers said it was a good thing Rinaldo was ejected because otherwise they may have been preoccupied trying to pay him back instead of playing their game.

Earlier in the day, Boston coach Claude Julien talked about how Rinaldo had “matured” as a player, and then the winger went out and delivered the kind of hit that caused the Flyers to trade him in the off-season.

Somehow, GM Ron Hextall was able to acquire a third-rounder in the 2017 draft.

Giroux shines. After an awful first period, Claude Giroux excelled. He had his sixth career OT goal and 16th career two-goal game. He is still looking for his first hat trick.

Giroux had five shots, four hits, and won 14 of 23 faceoffs (61 percent); the captain was an impressive 10 for 19 (53 percent) against Patrice Bergeron, who is a 58.4 career faceoff man.

Outmuscling the B’s. The Flyers outhit the Bruins, 38-28. Michael Raffl had seven of the hits.

“We played a light game tonight,” Julien said. “A lot lighter than them. And they certainly were better in the battles than we were, and they were better at getting back in scoring position than we were….We had too many guys with light sticks.”

Breakaways. After sitting out the previous three games (two with an injury), winger R,J, Umberger returned to the lineup and played well in 15:57; he was plus-2 and he set up Wayne Simmonds’ tying goal in the third period…..Defenseman Luke Schenn also played well in his return to the lineup, collecting an assist and a plus-1 rating……Jake Voracek had a pair of assists and four hits…..The Flyers won 58 percent of the faceoffs….The Flyers had killed 14 straight power penalties before Bergeron’s power-play goal in the first period….Sam Gagner, who scored his second goal, played a lot of center with Couturier sidelined.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.22.2015


Giroux's goal lifts Flyers past Bruins in OT

Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer

POSTED: Thursday, October 22, 2015, 12:00 AM

BOSTON - While Zac Rinaldo played with recklessness, his former Flyers teammates showed resourcefulness Wednesday night at TD Garden.

Claude Giroux capped a late comeback with an overtime power-play goal with 2 minutes, 51 seconds left, giving the Flyers a dramatic 5-4 win in Boston and ending a six-game losing streak to the Bruins.

"The guys a showed lot of character, for sure," said goalie Steve Mason, whose team overcame a late 4-2 deficit.

Third-period goals by Giroux and Wayne Simmonds knotted the score at 4-4, and Giroux's left-circle one-timer off a pass from Mark Streit (three assists) kept the Bruins winless in four home games this season.

Mason, who relieved the injured Michal Neuvirth at the start of the second period, kept the Flyers within 4-2 with a sensational save on David Pastrnak with 13:26 left in regulation. The video review showed the puck did not cross the goal line.

"A second-effort save, and we kind of had a little breather after that, so maybe that was the turning point," Giroux said. "The whole period after that, the whole team started playing with second effort, and that's the kind of team we want to be."

Giroux scored with 12:12 remaining after a bad clear by goalie Tuukka Rask, and Simmonds tied it with a left-circle tracer with 9:36 to go.

Despite playing on back-to-back nights, the Flyers were the fresher team in the third period, outshooting the Bruins, 11-6, and scoring the only two goals in the session.

As the first period ended, former Flyer Rinaldo, his elbows up high, leveled Sean Couturier into the boards. It took Couturier a few minutes to get up, and he woozily skated to the locker room.

He did not return after suffering what general manager Ron Hextall called an upper-body injury.

Rinaldo, who had a penchant for bad penalties when he played with the Flyers, was assessed a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He is expected to receive his fourth career suspension.

Flyers coach Dave Hakstol was fuming about the hit. "No place for it," he said.

Rinaldo, who said he "did the best I could to stay within the rules and deliver a clean body check," was asked if he was surprised he received a game misconduct.

"Yes and no," he said. "Different refs have different opinions. It's unfortunate he's hurt. That's the last thing I wanted to do. . . especially someone I know personally."

The Flyers won't meet Rinaldo and the Bruins again until Jan. 13 at the Wells Fargo Center. Some players figure to have that game circled on their calendars.

While killing Rinaldo's five-minute penalty, Chris Kelly deflected Loui Eriksson's shot past Mason to put the Bruins ahead, 3-2, with 15:29 left in the second period. It was a double deflection and the first shot faced by Mason, who relieved Neuvirth at the start of the second.

Late in the first period, Neuvirth bent over in agony after getting accidentally hit by Patrice Bergeron's stick in the mask as the forward scored Boston's second goal, but he remained in the game for the remainder of the period.

A little over four minutes after Kelly's tally, Mason allowed a soft goal as Jimmy Hayes scored on a bad-angle shot near the right goal line. Hayes beat Mason to the short side, which is where Dallas scored both of its goals in its 2-1 win Tuesday.

Kelly's shorthanded goal came during a five-minute Flyers power play, thanks to Rinaldo's major penalty, to start the second period, and it produced zero Flyers shots.

"I think that was the worst power play we've had in the last 41/2 years I've been here," Simmonds said. "That's unacceptable, but I thought we

showed good character in battling back. We came out in the third and we came out hard."

Mistakes by Giroux (an errant pass and a four-minute high-sticking penalty) led to a pair of Boston goals in the first period, enabling the Bruins to deadlock the score at 1-1 and 2-2.

Giroux redeemed himself with two late goals, pushing the Flyers to 3-2-1 heading into Saturday's game with the New York Rangers.



Flyers rally to win in overtime

JEFF NEIBURG, Daily News Staff Writer [email protected]


BOSTON - The Flyers were 13 1/2 minutes away from skating out of TD Garden with their sixth straight defeat in the building. They were 13 1/2 minutes from losing games on consecutive nights.

They were practically out on their feet given the events that occurred from the moment Zac Rinaldo decided to take too many strides into Sean Couturier and hit him with a flying elbow at the end of the first period.

"There's no place for it," Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said of the hit.

Couturier and starting goalie Michal Neuvirth didn't return after the first period, each sidelined by an upper-body injury.

The Bruins turned a 2-2 game after the first period into a 4-2 lead going into the third. Everything was going the wrong way for the Flyers. The Bruins were about to make it 5-2, but Steve Mason - in relief of Neuvirth - made a sprawling save across the crease, robbing David Pastrnak of a goal. The play was reviewed, but it was deemed Mason kept the puck from crossing the goal line.

And that's all the momentum the Flyers needed to turn the game on its side and escape with a 5-4, overtime victory on Claude Giroux's second goal of the game.

"It was a big moment," Mason said. "But at the same time, those are things that I expect of myself and what the team expects from the goaltenders. It turns out that in tonight's game it kick-started things, and it's a good thing.

"Sometimes it always doesn't shake out that way, but you definitely hope that it can provide some momentum. (Goalies) can't go out there and provide a big hit or fight or score goals. Goaltenders making timely saves are kind of their way of chipping in. Fortunately, tonight it went our way."

A minute and 14 seconds after Mason's save, Giroux took advantage of a turnover by Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask to cut the deficit to 4-3, with 12 minutes, 12 seconds left in the game.

Less than three minutes later, Wayne Simmonds came streaking down the left wing and fired a wrist shot just under the crossbar and high over the left shoulder of Rask, squaring the score.

The Flyers salvaged a point and got the game to overtime. But then they got more.

After Michael Del Zotto was taken down, the Flyers went on a four-on-three power play. Mark Streit, quarterbacking the top of the power play, fed a pass over to Giroux, who rocketed a one-timer past Rask to get the Flyers two points.

"That's the kind of team we want to be," Giroux said. "We want to work hard. The first two periods, that just wasn't the case."

Rinaldo was given a five-minute charging major and a game misconduct at the end of the first period. The Flyers, however, got no shots through to Rask during the five-minute power play that ensued.

"That was a horrible power play," Simmonds said. "I think that's the worst power play that we've had in the last (four) years since I've been here."

The Bruins took advantage, getting their go-ahead goal shorthanded when a twice-deflected shot from Loui Eriksson found the skate of Chris Kelly and snuck through Mason. Just over four minutes later, Jimmy Hayes surged down the right wing and snuck a shot between Mason and the left post for a 4-2 lead with 11 minutes, 11 seconds left in the second period.

When the first 40 minutes came to an end, two points looked far away.

"Not a lot of things went right but we didn't have a very good period," Hakstol said of the second. "The guys went in the room, regrouped and came out with a real good mentality, and that's most important.

"I felt like we had energy right away in the third period. I thought our intentions were good right away. And when 'Mase' made that save, it jacked it up a couple of notches."

The Flyers struck first in the first period as Pierre-Edouard Bellemare gathered his own rebound after accepting a pass from Chris VandeVelde and snuck a backhander past Rask. The Bruins equalized exactly four

minutes later, capitalizing on an egregious Giroux turnover to even the score at one. Giroux skated behind his own net and threw a no-look, backhanded pass toward no one in particular, and the Bruins made him pay.

Sam Gagner, who was initially going to be a healthy scratch before Brayden Schenn was sidelined before the game, quickly gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead with five minutes to play in the first. But then Patrice Bergeron - whose wife Stephanie gave birth to their first child before the game - tied the score with a power-play goal after Giroux was whistled for a four-minute, high-sticking penalty. Neuvirth caught Bergeron's stick in the mask, and that's what appeared to cause his injury.

Shortly after, Rinaldo did something Rinaldo-like. And the Flyers finally found their revenge in the form of a crazy, come-from-behind win with a short bench.

They can thank Mason.

"He made that save there . . . he saved our bacon," Simmonds said. "I think that was the turning point in the third period. After that we were going full speed ahead. I think we knew, we kind of said something to each other on the bench that we couldn't let that save go to waste."

And they didn't.



Flyers' offense has been missing

JEFF NEIBURG, Daily News Staff Writer [email protected]


BOSTON - Entering Wednesday's game against the Bruins, the Flyers were having the same trouble that plagued them last season: finding the back of the net. They ranked 21st in goals scored last season.

They finally began to snap out of it in a come-from-behind, 5-4 overtime win over the Bruins, but in their first five games (2-2-1), they had scored just eight goals. Good goaltending helped earn a pair of wins last week, but the 1.6 goals per game average through five games was an issue.

On paper, it looked like they were just getting unlucky. In Tuesday's loss to Dallas, Antti Niemi made 34 saves as the Flyers outshot the Stars, 35-32. While Niemi did make some great saves to keep Dallas ahead, a large portion of the Flyers' shots were from a distance and weren't very challenging.

The Flyers were sixth in the league entering Wednesday with 32.2 shots per game, but they ranked 28th in goals scored.

And, largely, that was due to a lack of quality scoring chances.

"It's not all about shots on goal. It's about the quality of the opportunity," coach Dave Hakstol said before the win in Boston. "I think we can improve what we're doing. When the puck's not going in the net, you gotta simplify things. You have to make sure you're getting pucks there, but you also have to make sure there's some quality to it, in terms of an opportunity for a rebound, getting a body there for a rebound. Simplify things, stay confident and keep doing things the right way."

Before Claude Giroux scored twice in Boston, including the overtime clincher, the Flyers had only gotten one goal from their top line.

"You're not going to score five goals every night," Wayne Simmonds said. "We haven't scored the most goals, we haven't scored as many as we wanted to. It's a work in progress. We're going to keep getting better. Our offensive opportunities, we're going to get more of them and we'll be fine."

He makes it sound so easy.

Change of pace

Usually, when teams are playing the second half of back-to-back games, there typically isn't the standard morning skate on the day of the game. And for a team that traveled late like the Flyers did Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, it becomes even more rare.

But the Flyers did have their morning skate Wednesday. Was Hakstol trying to keep the team on its toes after Tuesday's loss?

"No. I'm not trying to keep guys off balance," Hakstol said. "I want them comfortable knowing what's coming and knowing what they have to do to prepare . . . and to trust our players."

Wednesday's late puck drop (8 p.m.) could also could have had a little bit to do with the decision. Hakstol also said it was good to get into a routine to help aid in preparation, especially after the five-day layoff that preceded Tuesday's game.

The skate was optional. Thirteen players participated while others worked out off the ice at TD Garden. Hakstol was not on the ice, as the optional skate was run by the assistant coaches.

"It's better to get out here and get the meetings done here than sit around the hotel all day and just wait for the game to come," winger Jakub Voracek said.

Hakstol was asked what he feels about balancing the amount of times players are on the ice in the long, 82-game season.

"I think there's a balance. No question," Hakstol said. "You start a season with a full tank of gas. You only have so much energy to burn over the long haul and I don't care what number of games or what level it's at. I think that's the case. I think we're going to try to gauge that, manage that. We're coming off of a five-day break where we didn't play. I think it's a good day for us to be at the rink. If guys choose to be on the ice, I think it's good preparation."

Late scratch

After participating in the optional skate, Brayden Schenn was a late scratch from the lineup. The Flyers announced two hours before puck drop that Schenn would not be in the lineup.

Schenn took a nasty fall at center ice in Tuesday's loss to Dallas when he was upended by Dallas' Antoine Roussel. The two players skated into each other near the red line and Schenn toppled over Roussel, his feet flying in the air as he landed on his upper body. That happened in the second period, and Schenn finished the game.

General manager Ron Hextall said Schenn is considered day-to-day.

Slap shots

The winless Columbus Blue Jackets (0-7-0) fired coach Todd Richards after seven games and hired the former Lightning, Rangers and Canucks coach, John Tortorella, to take over. The Flyers don't meet their Metro Division opponents until Dec. 5 . . . The Flyers likely will be off Thursday before returning to the ice Friday ahead of Saturday's tilt with the New York Rangers . . . R.J. Umberger and Luke Schenn, who had both been healthy scratches, returned to the lineup Wednesday night. Umberger was supposed to replace Sam Gagner at forward while Schenn replaced Brandon Manning (minus-two Tuesday) on the blue line. But Brayden Schenn's ailment put Gagner back in the lineup on a line with Umberger and Scott Laughton.



Brayden Schenn out with apparent shoulder injury

Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer


BOSTON - One of the Schenn brothers returned to the lineup Wednesday and the other missed the game against the Bruins because of an undisclosed injury.

Defenseman Luke Schenn, a healthy scratch the previous three games, replaced Brandon Manning (minus-2 over five games). His brother, Brayden, was sidelined by an apparent shoulder injury and is listed as day-to-day.

Brayden Schenn was in a violent second-period collision with Dallas' Antoine Roussel on Tuesday, but he returned to the game and took part Wednesday in the morning skate.

Sam Gagner would have been scratched if Schenn was available. Instead, he remained in the lineup and played right wing on a line with left winger R.J. Umberger and center Scott Laughton.

Umberger had missed the previous three games, including the first two with an upper-body injury. He said he was healthy enough to play Tuesday but was scratched for the 2-1 loss to the Stars.

"No one enjoys not playing. I think that's the competitive nature of all of us as players," Umberger said after the optional morning skate, which was attended by 13 players. "I'm anxious to get back in there and to continue to build off things I was doing before I got hurt."

Luke Schenn also went through healthy-scratch syndrome last season under former coach Craig Berube.

"Obviously, it's not something you want to go through, but at the same time, sometimes it's out of your control a little bit," said Schenn, 25. "It doesn't really change your mentality as far as wanting to improve and get better as a player. I feel like I'm still a young player, still got a ways to go in this league. Continue to work, whether you're in or you're out, but obviously you want a chance to play every day."

Schenn replaced Manning, whose mistakes contributed to both of Dallas' goals.

"We can play better," Umberger said of the loss. "We know that, and it was tough not being able to help the team out."

Propp's recovery

Brian Propp, one of the best players in Flyers history, suffered a stroke last month but is recovering nicely, according to his wife, Kris.

"He's making very good progress," she said, adding that her husband was still going through rehabilitation.

Propp, 56, is second in franchise history in goals (369) and assists (480), and third in points (849).



Flyers get revenge with late rally, OT win

Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 10:45 pm

By Wayne Fish Staff writer

BOSTON — Apparently upset with injuries to two of their players, the Flyers took out their frustration on the Bruins with a spirited third-period rally and went on to a 5-4 overtime win at TD Garden on Wednesday night.

Claude Giroux scored from the left circle at 2:09 of overtime, ending the Flyers’ five-game losing streak in Boston.

Sean Couturier was helped off the ice late in the first period after a vicious hit by former Flyer Zac Rinaldo.

Rinaldo barreled into Couturier, snapping the player’s head back and sending him sprawling to the ice.

Couturier needed help getting off the ice and couldn’t return to the game. Rinaldo received a five-minute major charging penalty and a game misconduct for the indiscretion.

That set the tone for a nasty game.

Also injured late in the first period was starting goaltender Michal Neuvirth, who was struck in the face by an errant stick from Boston’s Patrice Bergeron.

The Flyers were trailing 4-2 going into the third period but picked up goals from Giroux (7:48) and Wayne Simmonds (10:24), both on hard shots past Tuukka Rask.

Philadelphia initially ran into trouble after Neuvirth left the game.

Steve Mason came into the game for the second period and quickly gave up Boston’s third and fourth goals.

The Flyers got off to a good start and held a 2-1 lead late in the first period.

Goals by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (9:28) and Sam Gagner (15:04) sandwiched around a goal by Boston’s Brett Connolly accounted for the scoring to that point.

Bellemare made a nifty play at the net for his goal. Tuukka Rask got a piece of Bellemare’s initial shot but couldn’t handle the rebound stab.

After Connolly’s goal, which ended Neuvirth’s shutout streak at 145 minutes, 33 seconds, Gagner sent a hard wrist shot past Rask.

"The Bruins were on a change and we tried to get the puck going up the ice there quick,’’ Gagner explained. “(Luke) Schenn made a great play to get the puck up. Scott (Laughton) just tapped it to me and I was able to put it through their defense and into the net."

But then came the Rinaldo hit. He plowed into Couturier and almost certainly will be suspended, considering he already has three suspensions in his career totaling 14 games when he played for the Flyers.

General manager Ron Hextall confirmed upper-body injuries for both Couturier and Neuvirth.

In the second period, Mason entered the game but couldn’t hold the fort.

Chris Kelly tipped Loui Eriksson’s shot through his legs at 4:37, then Jimmy Hayes’ wide-angle shot eluded him short side at 8:49.

Mason did redeem himself in the third, making a tough stop on David Pastrnak at the 6:34 mark.

Burlington County Times LOADED: 10.22.2015


Money, ego don't factor into Flyers' roster decisions

Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 7:30 pm

By Wayne Fish Staff writer

BOSTON -- With Brayden Schenn sidelined by an upper-body injury for Wednesday night’s game against the Bruins, both winger R.J. Umberger and Sam Gagner were in the lineup.

Umberger had sat out Tuesday night’s game against Dallas and was none too happy about it.

But the Flyers have shown they aren’t concerned about egos, or how much salary is sitting on the bench this season.

When high-priced players such as Vinny Lecavalier ($4.5 million) continue to cool their heels, some eyebrows are raised.

However, don’t include general manager Ron Hextall in that group.

“I think everyone understands what this organization is about,’’ Hextall said before the game. “It’s about winning, it’s about putting the best team on the ice every night. That’s Hack’s (coach Dave Hakstol) job.

“We don’t have any other parameters on that. I don’t care how much money is in our lineup. We’re going to put our best team out on the ice every night.’’

Hakstol was asked about the “accountability factor,’’ namely, it doesn’t matter how much money a player is making -- he’s going to sit if he isn’t getting the job done.

“We’ve all got a responsibility to the organization and to our team, to go out and do our job,’’ Hakstol said. “That’s what we’re evaluated on.

“I think that’s a daily outlook from myself, the coaching staff ... looking at ourselves and all the way through, how we evaluate the team. Doing as well as we can to win games.

“Those are the factors that go into it, not other things.’’

By the way, Umberger’s salary cap hit is $4.6 million, so that’s a lot of cash to have sitting in the press box.

Surprise morning skate?

Speaking of eyebrow-raising, a few others went up when the Flyers announced at 9:15 on Wednesday morning that there would be an optional skate at TD Garden, just about 11 hours after the loss to Dallas on Tuesday night.

A total of 13 players took to the ice. The rest of the players were in the building.

According to Hakstol, some of it had to do with the lateness of the game (8 p.m.).

And Mark Streit said that it also afforded the opportunity to go over a few things from the Dallas game.

Hakstol acknowledged that the recent five-day break in the schedule factored into his decision.

“It was just giving ourselves the best chance to win tonight,’’ Hakstol said. “The 8 o’clock game played a factor.

“Along with that, it was an optional. Our guys are pros, they what they need to do to get ready. That’s what this was about this morning.’’

Hakstol said he might not have called the skate if the team were on the back end of three games in five days.

Streit, an alternate captain, said it’s always a good thing to get out of the hotel and do something rather than just sit around all day.

“The guys felt they needed to get a sweat going,’’ Streit said. “I thought it was good getting out of the hotel because it’s an 8 o’clock start -- it breaks up the day.

“We had some meetings and then headed back to the hotel. Even in back-to-backs, I think it’s good to get out rather than staying at the hotel and laying low.

“We had a chance to reflect on last night’s (Dallas) game, talk about it, so that we can move forward and do things better.’’

Burlington County Times LOADED: 10.22.2015


Claude Giroux, Flyers fight back for OT win over Bruins

E-mail Tim Panaccio

October 21, 2015, 11:45 pm

BOSTON — They lost their top defensive forward off a dirty hit from — who else? — Zac Rinaldo.

They were atrocious during a five-minute power play. And gave up a shorthanded goal, too.

If that wasn’t enough, they lost their starting goalie.

All that should have doomed the Flyers. Yet it didn’t, as they overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Bruins 5-4 Wednesday night in overtime at TD Garden (see Instant Replay). The last time the Flyers won in Boston was Oct. 6, 2011.

Claude Giroux, who had a brutal start to the game, won it with a power-play goal from the left circle.

“A lot of things happened,” Giroux said. “When you miss players, they leave, the lines get a little mixed up … Yet there was not one time guys were confused who was with who. Everybody was pretty dialed in tonight.”

The critical difference was Steve Mason’s rollover save on David Pastrnak that gave them a lift at 6:34 of the third period. That was quickly followed by Wayne Simmonds' goal that eventually forced overtime.

“It was a big moment,” Mason said of the save. “But at the same time, those are things I expect of myself … It kinda kick-started things.”

Mason came in cold to start the second period after starter Michal Neuvirth took a stick to the face on Patrice Bergeron’s goal that made it a 2-2 game with less than three minutes left in the opening period.

Shortly before that, Rinaldo threw an elbow to Sean Couturier’s head. Couturier left the game with a suspected concussion/whiplash injury, while Rinaldo was thrown out with a five-minute major for charging. He’ll be suspended, too.

“I’m not even gonna comment on that,” said coach Dave Hakstol, angrily. “Not going to comment on that hit at all. There’s no place for it.”

You might think that the injury to Couturier would ignite the Flyers when the second period started with a five-minute power play.

Instead, the Flyers looked and played as though they were the ones killing the penalty, not the Bruins. Boston had two shots and scored on the last one, a tip from Chris Kelly, to break the 2-2 tie.

“That was horrible power play,” Simmonds understated. “I think that was the worst power play we’ve had in the last 4½ years since I have been here. That was unacceptable, but we showed great character coming back from that.”

Boston scored twice in the second period to take a 4-2 lead, but the Flyers owned the third.

“We didn’t let it faze us,” Simmonds said. “We came out in the third and wanted to direct everything to the net and got a couple goals.”

Giroux, who had a poor start, finished the game with two goals and credited Mason for making a difference.

“His second-effort save,” Giroux said. “We kinda had a breather after that and said, ‘That’s the turning point.’ The whole team began playing with second effort after that.”

Mason was outstanding in the third period (six saves), atoning for a weak goal after coming in cold earlier.

He admitted being caught off-guard by Neuvirth’s injury.

“You kinda prepare for anything and I was on the ice this morning preparing as I normally would,” he said. “Unfortunate for Michal it ended that way.”

So, the Flyers salvaged two points from their back-to-back games after losing to Dallas on Tuesday, 2-1.

“The way the second period went, not a lot of things went right,” Hakstol said. “Guys went into the room and regrouped and came out with a good mentality [for the third period]. I think that is most important.”



Instant Replay: Flyers 5, Bruins 4 (OT)

E-mail Tim Panaccio

October 21, 2015, 10:45 pm

BOSTON -- Zac Rinaldo created havoc and it almost led to a general wrecking of the Flyers on Wednesday night at TD Garden.

The Flyers rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Bruins, 5-4, in overtime and salvaged two points in their back-to-back games. Claude Giroux scored in OT on the power play.

Wayne Simmonds' wrister from the left circle at 10:24 made it 4-4, as the Flyers erased a two-goal deficit in the third period. R.J. Umberger gave him a nifty backhanded pass.

Rinaldo threw a dirty hit on Sean Couturier with a first-period head shot that earned him a five-minute major for charging, game misconduct and a suspension to come from the NHL — count on it.

Prior to the Rinaldo hit, starting goalie Michal Neuvirth was injured when he was struck on the face by Patrice Bergeron’s stick that resulted in a late goal. Steve Mason came out for the start of the second period and finished the game in net.

The Flyers came out tepid in the second period during that power play and allowed a shorthanded goal to break a 2-2 tie.

Claude Giroux had a poor start. His early turnover led to one Bruins first-period goal, and later in the period his careless high-stick resulted in a four-minute Boston power play and subsequent goal by Bergeron that made it a 2-2 game.

The Flyers had lost five straight games here in TD Garden and had not won since Oct. 6, 2011.

Third period

Giroux scored on a wrister at 7:28, moments after Mason had a critical roll-over save on David Pastrnak that went to review.

Notable saves

Neuvirth had three tough saves on Torey Krug in the first period and then denied Rinaldo nine minutes into the game. Off transition from that save, the Flyers scored with Chris VandeVelde feeding the puck backhanded from behind the net to the slot where Pierre-Edouard Bellemare cut diagonally and backhanded his own rebound past Tuukka Rask.

Turnover goal

A terrible no-look pass from Giroux in his own end led to a tying goal from Brett Connolly in the first period. Neuvirth made the initial stop on Bergeron, but Connolly buried the rebound for a 1-1 game.

Notable goals

Sam Gagner was announced as a healthy scratch at the morning skate but played because of Brayden Schenn’s injury and lineup withdrawal. Gagner snapped a shot from the left circle past Rask moments after Connolly’s goal for a 2-1 lead.

Goalie report

Neuvirth’s shutout streak ended at 145:33 on Connolly’s goal.

Power play

It was atrocious until they had a 4-on-3 overtime. The Flyers had zero shots on their five-minute power play to open the second period.

Shorthanded goal

Boston had two shots on the Flyers' five-minute power play and scored on the second on Chris Kelly’s tip in front of Mason.

Penalty kill

Obviously, Boston was better with its shorthanded goal.

Injuries

Brayden Schenn was a late scratch with an upper-body injury. He was upended by Antoine Roussel in the loss to Dallas and came down hard on his left shoulder. Couturier, who might have a concussion, and Neuvirth.

Scratches

Forward Vinny Lecavalier and defenseman Brandon Manning. Both were healthy.

Up next

The Flyers should have an off day on Thursday. They host the New York Rangers on Saturday night.



Couturier, Neuvirth suffer upper-body injuries vs. Bruins

Staff

October 21, 2015, 10:00 pm

The Flyers will finish Wednesday's contest against the Bruins shorthanded after center Sean Couturier and goaltender Michal Neuvirth left the game. Both players will not return with upper-body injuries.

Couturier took a crushing — and illegal — hit from none other than former Flyer Zac Rinaldo late in the first period. Rinaldo laid a late hit to Couturier's head well after he had gotten rid of the puck. Rinaldo, no stranger to the penalty box, received a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct.

Prior to the game, Wayne Simmonds said he didn't think Rinaldo would do "something crazy," since many of the guys were still close with their former teammate (see story).

Couturier has one goal and two assists on the season, good enough to tie for the team lead in points.

Neuvirth, who got the start on the second night of the back-to-back, did not come out for the second period. He was responsible for allowing two goals before leaving the game. Neuvirth took a stick to the face on the goal he allowed to Patrice Bergeron.

He was replaced by Steve Mason, who let in two goals in the second period in relief.

Neuvirth has been superb early in the season. In his first season with the Flyers, the goalie was coming off an impressive two-game shutout streak, earning wins over the Florida Panthers and the reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.



Brayden Schenn out vs. Bruins with upper-body injury

Staff

October 21, 2015, 6:15 pm

Flyers center/winger Brayden Schenn will miss tonight's game in Boston with an upper-body injury.

Schenn took a hard hit Tuesday night by the Stars' Antoine Roussel away from the play early in the second period of the Flyers' 2-1 loss to Dallas. Schenn landed awkwardly on his left shoulder but managed to finish the game. Roussel was called for an interference penalty on the play and an additional two minutes for roughing after dropping the gloves with Sam Gagner.

In five games this year, Schenn is tied for the team lead in goals (two) and points (three).



Flyers Skate Update: R.J. Umberger, Luke Schenn back in lineup

E-mail Tim Panaccio

October 21, 2015, 2:00 pm

BOSTON — An optional morning skate off a travel night following a late-night game was in order for the Flyers on Wednesday.

Assistant coaches Ian Laperriere and Joey Mullen conducted drills on the ice for those who skated.

Those were among some of the surprises Wednesday morning at TD Garden as the Flyers prepare for tonight's game against the Boston Bruins (see game notes).

Another surprise was head coach Dave Hakstol's lineup changes, which you'd figure might occur after the Flyers lost, 2-1, on Tuesday night to the Dallas Stars.

R.J. Umberger, who wanted to play last night, returns to the lineup against the Bruins while Sam Gagner is out as a healthy scratch.

Luke Schenn, who has been benched since the team's 7-1 loss in Florida, returns. Brandon Manning, who was on the ice with Michael Del Zotto for both of Dallas' goals, is out.

And as expected, goalie Michal Neuvirth returns to the net coming off consecutive shutouts last week. That was expected since Steve Mason returned to work against the Stars.

"There's always more to it and not as simple as it looks, taking one or two guys out, (putting) one or two guys in," Hakstol said. "There's an evaluation of the game we want to play tonight. It's part of an overall performance from a previous night.

“Getting R.J. in is a good player for us coming off injury. He was good to go last night but we thought one extra day was good for him. We wanted to make sure we got him back in tonight. That’s the bulk of that decision.”

Thirteen players showed up for the skate. It’s rare to have any kind of skate on back-to-back, late-start night games.

Asked whether he was sending a message to the players to always expect the unexpected, Hakstol seemed surprised.

“Honestly, I’m not trying to keep guys off balance,” he said. “I want them comfortable knowing what is coming. Knowing what they have to do to prepare. Today is an optional skate.

“Do what you got to do to be ready to play tonight. We’ve got our meetings, those are structured. The morning skate today is do what you need to do to be ready to play at eight o’clock.”

Though the Flyers didn’t run full lines, expect Umberger to return to Scott Laughton’s unit with Brayden Schenn. Umberger would be at right wing.

“No one enjoys not playing,” Umberger said. “I think that’s the competitive nature of all of us as players. I’m anxious to get back in there and to continue to build off things I was doing before I got hurt.”

His solid play in the season-opener resulted in two Flyers goals and helped them earn a point in Tampa in an overtime loss.

As for Luke Schenn, he’s maintained a positive attitude about sitting.

“It’s not something you want to go through, but at the same time sometimes it’s out of your control a little bit,” Schenn said. “It doesn’t really change your mentality, as far as wanting to improve and get better as a player.

“I feel like I’m still a young player. Still got a ways to go in this league. Continue to work, whether you’re in or you’re out, but obviously you want a chance to play every day. There’s no question about that.”

It took the Flyers two periods to get skating with the Stars but it was predictable given their five-day layoff.

“We can play better,” Umberger said. “We know that, and it was tough not being able to help the team out.”

Hakstol is not changing his top line, even though Michael Raffl, Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek continue to struggle to find goals.

Voracek (one assist) has yet to score a goal this season; same goes for Raffl. Giroux has the only goal of the line. Coincidentally, it's carrying over to the first power-play unit, too.

After dominating the preseason, the Flyers have sunk to 20th overall in the NHL with just three power-play goals in 20 chances. The PP is 1 for 13 over the past three games.

Wayne Simmonds was a tad testy when asked about the power play after Tuesday's loss.

“There’s nothing wrong with the power play,” he said. “It’s fine. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t work. We’re getting opportunities and chances. If we weren’t getting chances there would be something to worry about.”

Hakstol said he would be more worried about his top line if they weren’t getting shots or scoring chances.

“I haven’t talked to any of them in the last 24 hours or so,” he said. “We talk regularly and look at different things. Honestly, coming off last night’s game, go back and do the same thing tonight.

“Have the same type of effort. Play the game the same way. Chances are, there will be a little different outcome in terms of the rewards they are getting.”



Flyers-Bruins 5 things: Wrapping up 1st back-to-back

E-mail Tim Riday

October 21, 2015, 12:30 pm

Flyers at Bruins

8 p.m. on NBCSN

The Flyers (2-2-1) can quickly put Tuesday’s loss behind them as they will wrap up a back-to-back set against the Boston Bruins (2-3-0) on Wednesday night at TD Garden.

Last season, the Flyers went 5-7-2 in the second game of back-to-backs.

Here’s what else you should know before puck drop:

1. Right back at it

Nobody was expecting perfection Tuesday night. After a five-day break from game action, the Flyers faced the difficult task of returning against a high-powered Dallas team.

Still, the the first 40 minutes were disappointing. The Flyers had trouble exiting their own end cleanly (mostly because of the Stars' phenomenal work on the forecheck), failed to control the puck in the neutral zone and allowed superstars Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin to essentially do whatever they wanted. That's a recipe for disaster.

And it came back to bite the Flyers. Seguin scored in the final minute of the first period and Benn beat Steve Mason just 11 seconds into the second frame. Those are back-breaking tallies. It's tough to find success when you're not prepared to start a period or fail to close one out strong.

But the Flyers put together a solid third period and almost made a comeback against a very good team. Mason, after struggling to control some rebounds early on, settled in nicely in his first start since Oct. 10 and Sean Couturier picked up his first goal of the season. That was encouraging.

Overall, it wasn't a terrible showing but it could have been better. The Flyers were sloppy but held one of the NHL's best offensive clubs to just two goals. That's something to build on as they prepare for a short turnaround.

2. Power outage

A quick glance over the box score might tell you the Flyers were buzzing on the man advantage against Dallas. Not so much.

Sure, the Flyers managed to put 11 shots on goal in their four power-play opportunities, but that stat is a bit misleading, especially since they came up empty-handed. Stars goalie Antti Niemi, who was spectacular all night, was tested truly only two, maybe three, times at best with his team on the kill.

The reason? The Flyers weren't getting set up properly. There were three or four occasions where an ill-advised dump attempt landed directly on the stick of a Dallas player. Evgeny Medvedev was guilty of that twice on one PP in particular.

The Flyers' top PP unit hasn't really clicked yet, either. The second unit is much-improved but made some irresponsible decisions with the puck Tuesday.

What does it all mean? Probably nothing. The Flyers finished third in the NHL on the power play in 2014-15 for a reason. It can clearly be better and has some areas to work on, but they have plenty of time to figure it out before it becomes a major concern.

3. Zac attack

The Flyers get to visit an old friend Wednesday night, and he’ll be sure to say hello.

Yep, we’re talking about Zac Rinaldo, who was dealt to Boston over the summer for a third-round pick.

Rinaldo, as Flyers fans are surely aware, plays the game with an edge. He’s an energy guy who will finish every, and we mean every, check. No. 36 is no stranger to the penalty box, either. His emotions will often times get the best of him.

"We know how he plays the game," Wayne Simmonds said Tuesday (see story). "You just got to be aware. Be aware of when he is on the ice. I honestly don’t think he’ll do anything. We are all so close in here with Reno. I don’t think he would try and do something crazy. But I wouldn’t put it past him."

The Flyers can’t allow Rinaldo, a noted pest, to get in their heads. Perfect example? Last night against Dallas. Antoine Roussel got a few Flyers, including Ryan White, off their game with his antics. Rinaldo will certainly try to do the same but he’s not worth the headache. His impact won’t be felt on the scoreboard anyway.

4. Keep an eye on ...

Flyers: Michal Neuvirth will be back between the pipes against Boston. The 27-year-old was outstanding against the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks while filling in for Mason, who missed those two games last week while dealing with a family crisis. All Neuvirth did was record back-to-back shutouts in his first two starts with the Flyers and now enters Wednesday riding a 132:05 shutout streak. That's how you make an impression on your new club.

Bruins: Tuukka Rask simply owns the Flyers. In 12 career appearances — 11 starts — against the orange and black, the 28-year-old netminder is 9-1-1 with a 1.82 save percentage, .937 save percentage and one shutout. It's no wonder the Flyers have lost six straight against Boston. They can't beat the guy in the net. Then there's David Krejci. The 29-year-old is a point-per-game player against the Flyers (five goals, 21 assists in 26 games) and is pacing the Bruins' offense this season. He already has four markers and five helpers.

5. This and that

• The Flyers dropped all three of their matchups, including one in overtime, against the Bruins in 2014-15. Jakub Voracek and Zdeno Chara each had a goal and two assists in the season series.

• The Flyers' last win at TD Garden came on Oct. 6, 2011. Claude Giroux and Voracek scored in that game, the 2011-12 season opener, and Ilya Bryzgalov made 22 saves in a 2-1 victory.

• Boston has scored seven of its 18 goals this season on the power play and also has a shorthanded marker.

• The Flyers have just one goal in the first period this season. They've scored five in the second and two in the third.

• The Bruins opened the season with three straight losses on their home ice. They were outscored 16-7 in those games. They have, however, posted 11 goals in their last two contests, both victories on the road.



Flyers don't think Zac Rinaldo will do 'something crazy'

E-mail Tim Panaccio

October 21, 2015, 9:45 am

QUOTABLE

“We are all so close in here with Reno. I don’t think he would try and do something crazy. But I wouldn’t put it past him.

”—Wayne Simmonds on Zac Rinaldo

It's been four months since the Flyers traded their energy guy, Zac Rinaldo, to the Boston Bruins for a third-round draft pick in 2017.

On Wednesday night at TD Garden in Boston, Rinaldo gets his first chance to make acquaintances with his former team. He worked hard to make an impact as a Flyer, but spent too much time in the penalty box in his four seasons in the orange and black.

The question is, however, will Rinaldo — known for his devastating hits, some of which were deemed illegal by the NHL — try to make a statement against his former teammates.

"Reno? He is going to hit everybody, probably," Wayne Simmonds said. "Nothing to worry about. We know how he plays the game. You just got to be aware. Be aware of when he is on the ice.

“I honestly don’t think he’ll do anything. We are all so close in here with Reno. I don’t think he would try and do something crazy. But I wouldn’t put it past him.

“He’s going to go out there and do his job. He is a professional. That is the beauty of it. You get traded from a team and you want to make a statement to the team that traded you. You go up against him and play as hard as you can. I fully expect that tomorrow.”

The 25-year-old Rinaldo accrued just 24 points in 223 games with a whopping 572 penalty minutes. He was a career minus-30 player as a Flyer, averaging 8:03 ice time.

Rinaldo led the Flyers with 209 hits last season.

“We know Zac will be playing hard tomorrow,” Ryan White said. “He’s got that date circled on his calendar. We just got to make sure we’re there in his way and hold him up a bit.”



Jamie Benn, Stars' top line keep up hot play vs. Flyers

E-mail Tim Panaccio

October 21, 2015, 9:00 am

Three of the Dallas Stars' best players rank among the top 20 in NHL scoring right now.

Jamie Benn, who won the scoring title last season with just 87 points — six more than Jakub Voracek — had a goal and an assist in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over the Flyers.

Benn now has six goals and 10 points, which temporarily gives him the league lead in scoring.

He played on Tyler Seguin’s line with Patrick Sharp and they single-handedly won the game for Dallas with both goals (see game recap).

“I think we were just trying to push each other was the biggest thing and just trying to be the best players and be leaders out there for this team,” Benn said.

“When we play the right way we’re going to get our own chances and it’s just taking advantage of them. We had a good start to the second period, got a goal first shift and they kind of came out a certain way in the third and then our game kind of got a little slow there, but we managed to squeak out a win and got what we came for.”

You’d never guess it by the way he was skating in this game, but Benn had surgery to both hips in the offseason.

“I feel pretty good,” he said. “Obviously, I did what I had to do this summer to be ready for this season and it was a lot of hard work.

“It’s pretty frustrating sometimes but it was really just doing the right things this summer to get myself ready and I feel good out there.”

Dallas’ first goal in the final minute of the opening period was a bouncing puck that went from Benn to Seguin.

“It was one of those. I thought Jamie was going to get it,” Seguin said. “It was just bouncing like crazy. At the end of the period we know, obviously, the ice was going to be bad then. Once it came close to me, I just tried to whack it anywhere short side and kind of knuckled-pucked it.”

While their line provided the offense, Antti Niemi was all the defense the Stars needed in goal. He came into the game with a lifetime goals-against average of 1.83 against the Flyers in three previous games.

“We were good,” Niemi said. “Made some big saves and felt really good in the beginning of the game getting some saves.”

Dallas had 12 blocked shots.

Vernon Fiddler had a critical save on Wayne Simmonds’ rebound during the Flyers' fourth and final power play in the third period.

“We did a good job blocking shots and getting our sticks in front of the net,” Niemi said, adding he’d credit Fiddler with a save there.



Rinaldo knocks out Couturier, Flyers win in overtime

Dave Isaac, @davegisaac 11:34 p.m. EDT October 21, 2015

BOSTON — Last January, when he was a Flyer, Zac Rinaldo claimed he “changed the whole game, man.”

He threw a nasty hit to Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang and was suspended eight games six days later. The Flyers won that game in overtime.

Well…Wednesday night, now a Boston Bruin thanks to a trade in June, Rinaldo tried again.

He took out his old teammate, Sean Couturier, with a suspension-worthy hit and — you guessed it — the Flyers won in overtime, beating the Bruins 5-4. It broke a six-game losing streak against the Bruins and a five-game losing streak at TD Bank Garden.

Claude Giroux, who gave the Bruins an easy route to two goals with a turnover and a penalty, made up for it with the power-play overtime winner with 2:51 left in the extra session.

It was a costly victory, as neither Couturier nor goalie Michal Neuvirth was around for the end of it, both leaving with “upper-body” injuries.

“There’s no place for it,” coach Dave Hakstol said of the hit. “That’s all I have to say. No place for it.”

Couturier was battling along the boards with another Bruin with about 10 seconds left in the first period when Rinaldo left his feet to blindside his former teammate. Couturier fell to the ice, using both hands to grab his head.

Rinaldo was kicked out of the game, given a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. The Flyers had a five-minute power play featuring zero shots to start the second period.

“That was a horrible power play,” said Wayne Simmonds, who tied the game midway through the third period. “I think that was the worst power play we’ve had in the last four and a half years since I’ve been here. That’s unacceptable, but I thought we showed great character battling back from that.”

Heading into the first intermission the game was tied 2-2. Neuvirth’s shutout streak was over after 145:33, when he surrendered a rebound goal to Brett Connolly. Patrice Bergeron, whose wife Stephanie delivered their first child earlier in the day, scored with 2:36 to go in the period, knocking the puck out of mid-air and hitting Neuvirth over the head with his stick in the process.

Mason was called into duty after Neuvirth made 10 saves. It was a rocky start in relief, giving up two goals in four minutes, although the first was deflected twice before going in the net.

His big moment came at 6:34 of the third, when the Flyers were down two and David Pastrnak was threatening to make it three. Mason was so deep in his crease when he made the save that it garnered a video review to see if he didn’t block the puck after it had crossed the goalline. It hadn’t.

“It was a big moment, but at the same time those are things that I expect of myself and I think the team expects from its goaltenders,” said Mason, who made 16 saves on the night. “It turns out in tonight’s game that kickstarted things and that’s a good thing.”

Shortly thereafter, Giroux made it a one-goal game after he found a loose puck in front of the Boston net and roofed it over the outstretched goalie Tuukka Rask.

Simmonds tied it a little less than three minutes later when he beat Rask from the same spot Sam Gagner did on the Flyers’ second goal, flying down the left wing and roofing the puck over the Boston goalie.

Had Rinaldo not been kicked out of the game, the Flyers might have been tempted to get revenge on him. Instead, they focused their efforts on putting pucks in the net, ending a lengthy losing streak against Boston.

“I think it was better for us, the fact that he did get kicked out of the game because we were able to focus after the five-minute power play,” Simmonds said. “I think we were kind of out of sorts there. We recovered well, obviously. We’ve got to be better on our power play. Previous games we were moving the puck around well. I think tonight, besides that last 4-on-3, I don’t think we were too good on the power (play).”

In overtime, the power play was much better. Giroux netted the winner on a one-timer from the left circle.

“Coming into this building, it’s always a tough atmosphere to play in,” Simmonds said. “I thought we played a good first period. Second period was, I think, horrible. Then we came back out in the third and did the job.”

Courier-Post LOADED: 10.22.2015


Michal Neuvirth, Sean Couturier hurt in Boston


Flyers' trip to Boston was already costly.

Gone were goalie Michal Neuvirth and center Sean Couturier, both hurt in the first period.

While Neuvirth's injury is a mystery, Couturier's is pretty clear.

In the waning seconds of the first stanza, ex-Flyer Zac Rinaldo ended Couturier's night with a dangerous hit that earned him a five-minute charging major and a game misconduct. Heading into the game Rinaldo, who led the Flyers in penalty minutes each of the last four years, had 10 penalty minutes in five games.

Couturier still down after a bad hit from Rinaldo pic.twitter.com/YHHd4qylsf

— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 22, 2015

General manager Ron Hextall got a third-round pick out of the Bruins for Rinaldo over the summer. He appears destined for his fourth career suspension whenever the NHL's department of player safety reviews the hit. It won't help Rinaldo's case that Couturier immediately held his head and it took him a couple minutes to get up, with the help of Flyers director of medicine Jim McCrossin. He did not return to the game.

As for the situation between the pipes, Steve Mason came on in relief of Neuvirth to start the second period. Neuvirth made 10 saves on 12 shots in the first stanza. His shutout streak ended at 145:33 when Brett Connolly scored at 13:28 of the first period on a rebound. His status is unknown and he was not on the bench to start the second period.

More to come...



Flyers proving they’ll sit big bucks for ‘best team’


BOSTON — Smiles have been hard to come by for Vinny Lecavalier recently. The 35-year-old center, former Stanley Cup winner and one-time goal-scoring champion hasn’t factored into any of the Flyers’ first six games.

Until Wednesday night, R.J. Umberger wasn’t grinning either. Same for defenseman Luke Schenn.

All have spent time sitting out as healthy scratches recently and are collecting big paychecks from the Flyers. In Tuesday’s loss to the Dallas Stars, the Flyers sat all three and the trio accounts for $12.7 million in salary-cap space.

The days of playing someone just because of his contract are gone. Rookie coach Dave Hakstol, in the NHL after 11 seasons at the University of North Dakota, can’t afford to build his lineup based on money.

Just ask Andrew MacDonald, who is making $5 million to play in the American Hockey League.

“Everybody understands what this organization’s about,” general manager Ron Hextall said. “It’s about winning. It’s about putting the best team on the ice every night. That’s Hak’s job. We’ve got no other parameters than that. I don’t care how much money is in the lineup or how much is out. We’re going to put the best team out on the ice every night.”

At times last season the Flyers carried eight defensemen and those who had to sit were not too happy about it. It affected their confidence, leading them to believe that one mistake in a game would send them right back to the press box.

“Everybody’s been around long enough, most of the guys anyway,” said alternate captain Mark Streit, one of the Flyers’ top-pair defensemen. “It’s competition. There’s a few extra players and that’s how it is. I think it’s a positive thing. You can use it as a team. We have good players and a few guys extra. The guys not playing are obviously disappointed and they want to get back in the lineup and the guys that are playing, you want to make sure you play a great game and you help the team and you play within the team concept. I think every team needs that.”

Umberger was unhappy Tuesday, when he felt he was healthy enough to play against Dallas, but the Flyers held him out anyway and put him back in on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins.

With a $4.6 million cap hit, a lot of eyebrows raised when Umberger was in the press box instead of in the lineup, but Hakstol’s lineup sees no monetary quota.

“We’ve all got a responsibility to the organization and to the team to go out and do our job,” Hakstol said. “That’s what were evaluated on. That’s a daily outlook from myself and our coaching staff looking at ourselves all the way through how we evaluate the team. It’s about doing things as well as we can to win hockey games. Those are the factors that play into it, not the other things.”

Rinaldo knocks out Couturier

The image on the screen at TD Garden previewing the Flyers-Bruins game had a player from each team. The Flyers’ representative was, unsurprisingly, Claude Giroux.

Boston’s rep was fourth-line left wing Zac Rinaldo.

The Flyers traded Rinaldo to Boston for a third-round pick in the offseason. He had led the Flyers in penalty minutes each of the last four years, trying to play a fine line but far too often crossing it.

He continued the trend Wednesday, knocking Sean Couturier out in the waning seconds of the first period with a hit he left his feet to make.

The hit appears to be worthy of another suspension, which would make four in Rinaldo’s career. Up to that point, he had been relatively well-behaved. He had 10 penalty minutes in his first five games before a five-minute charging major and game misconduct Wednesday.

“I think Zac’s been good about, you know, fine-tuning his game a little bit,” Boston coach Claude Julien said after the morning skate. “You know, our message was clear, it’s been well documented too, you know, I think this guy’s got some skill.”

Brayden Schenn day-to-day

The Flyers announced before Wednesday’s game that Brayden Schenn would not play with an upper-body injury. He played 11:30 against the Stars Tuesday night and finished the game.

Hextall said Schenn is day-to-day, so Umberger was put back in the lineup and Sam Gagner, who had points in each of his first two games, stayed in as well.



5 things to know about Game 6: Flyers at Bruins


Tonight: Flyers at Boston Bruins

Site: TD Garden / Boston

Time: 8 p.m.

TV: NBC SportsNet

Radio: 97.5 FM

Records: Bruins (2-3-0), Flyers (2-1-1)

ALSO: LISTEN – Loose Pucks podcast episode 3 with Jaromir Jagr

FLYERS PROJECTED LINEUP

Forwards

12-Michael Raffl, 28-Claude Giroux (C), 93-Jake Voracek

24-Matt Read, 14-Sean Couturier, 17-Wayne Simmonds (A)

20-R.J. Umberger, 21-Scott Laughton, 89-Sam Gagner

76-Chris VandeVelde, 78-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, 25-Ryan White

Defensemen

55-Nick Schultz & 32-Mark Streit (A)

15-Michael Del Zotto & 3-Radko Gudas

82-Evgeny Medvedev & 22-Luke Schenn

Goalie

30-Michal Neuvirth

Injuries

Brayden Schenn — day-to-day, upper-body injury

MORE FROM FLYER FILES BLOG

BRUINS PROJECTED LINEUP

Forwards

21-Loui Eriksson, 46-David Krejci (A), 88-David Pastrnak

63-Brad Marchand, 37-Patrice Bergeron (A), 14-Brett Connolly

23-Chris Kelly, 51-Ryan Spooner, 11-Jimmy Hayes

36-Zac Rinaldo, 41-Joonas Kemppainen, 64-Tyler Randell

Defensemen

33- Zdeno Chara (C) & 86-Kevan Miller

47-Torey Krug & 54-Adam McQuaid

56-Tommy Cross & 48-Colin Miller

Goalie

40-Tuukka Rask

Injuries

Dennis Seidenberg — out four weeks, herniated disc

Joe Morrow — day-to-day, illness

Matt Beleskey —

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1. After a 2-1 loss last night to the Dallas Stars, the Flyers may not have as much in the tank as they'd like. It took them a while to get their legs under them, which eventually happened in the third period, and they got a goal, but trying to slow down a tough top line against Dallas may have taken a lot out of them.

“Yeah, I think they can, but it’s an 8 o’clock game. That helps,” Brandon Manning said. “It’s short travel and I think you saw the emotion tonight. I

think we got better as the game went on. I think that’s something we’re going to build on tomorrow. I expect us to come out good.”

2. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare has been productive for the team without putting up big numbers. That's not what the Flyers are looking for out of him. He's been helpful in both his penalty killing and forechecking.

“It’s easy for a line that scored, ‘Oh, we scored tonight,’ but for us we know we have to do not the dirty job, but the things that don’t pay off that much but count as much as a goal at the end of the day,” Bellemare said. “That’s what we’ve been trying to do.”

3. While David Krejci has been operating well for the Bruins — he was tied for the league lead in points with nine entering Tuesday's action — his line can't exactly say the same thing. New acquisition Matt Beleskey, who signed a five-year, $19 million contract in the offseason, has two points through five games.

“I think he’s doing a good job as far as being gritty and going to the front of the net,” Boston coach Claude Julien told the Boston Globe. “I think as a line maybe a little bit more of a mentality of taking pucks to the net. They move the puck well, they skate well, but at the end of the day, they’ve got to create something around the net area.”

4. Don't be surprised if former Flyer Zac Rinaldo tries to make his presence felt in the game, his first against the Flyers since Boston gave Ron Hextall a third-round pick for him over the summer.

"We have to get in his way a little bit and hold him up," Ryan White said. "He's most effective when he gets his legs going on the forecheck. We'll try to take away from him (Wednesday)."

5. Michal Neuvirth is expected to get the nod for the Flyers. He's riding a shutout streak of 132:05 and counting and has a 1-3-0 record in six career games against the Bruins with a 3.66 goals-against average and .861 save percentage. Tuukka Rask is likely to be between the pipes for Boston. He has an excellent 9-1-1 record in 12 career games against the Flyers with a 1.82 goals-against average and .937 save percentage.



Claude Giroux's OT goal leads Flyers to 5-4 comeback over Boston Bruins

The Associated Press By The Associated Press

on October 21, 2015 at 11:03 PM, updated October 22, 2015 at 1:50 AM

BOSTON (AP) — Claude Giroux's second goal, coming on a power play 2:09 into overtime, lifted the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-4 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.

The Flyers overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period before Giroux one-timed a shot past Tuukka Rask from the left circle for the winner. The Bruins were short-handed with Ryan Spooner off for hooking.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Sam Gagner also had goals for the Flyers. Chris Kelly, Jimmy Hayes, Brett Connolly and Patrice Bergeron scored for the Bruins, who have lost their first four games at home this season.

Philadelphia's starting goaltender Michal Neuvirth left the game after the first period. No injury was announced, but he wasn't on the bench the rest of the game.



Flyers vs. Boston Bruins lineups: Brayden Schenn injured; Brandon Manning benched

Randy Miller


Something happened to Flyers winger Brayden Schenn that he'll miss his first game in three seasons Wednesday night in Boston.

Did it happen in Tuesday night's 2-1 home loss to Dallas?

During Wednesday's morning skate?

The Flyers aren't saying, but they announced two hours before Wednesday's game with the Bruins at TD Garden that Schenn is out with an upper-body injury.

Schenn, whose three points in five games ties for the team lead, will be replaced in the lineup by winger R.J. Umberger, who is returning after missing two games with an upper-body injury and a third as a healthy scratch.

If Schenn was healthy, winger Sam Gagner was going to be a healthy scratch for the third time in six games. Instead, he's expected to be picked over forward Vinny Lecavalier to suit up.

Flyers coach Dave Hakstol will be making a change on defense for the Boston game, as Brandon Manning will sit for the first time this season with Luke Schenn returning after being a healthy scratch three games in a row.

Meantime, No. 2 goalie Michal Neuvirth will be in net for the Flyers in back end of their first back-to-backs of the season with a chance to make more history. Already just the second Flyers goalie to post shutouts in his first two starts for the club, Neuvirth can become the third in franchise history to post three shutouts in a row.

John Vanbiesbrouck accomplished the feat in January 1999 then Ilya Bryzgalov did it in March 2012.

Counting his relief appearance on Oct. 10, Neuvirth has a shutout streak of 132 minutes, 5 seconds.

Bryzgalov has the Flyers' record of 249 minutes, 43 seconds, set in March 2012.

Here are the lines for Wednesday's game:

FLYERS

Forward lines

12 Michael Raffl, 28 Claude Giroux, 93 Jakub Voracek

24 Matt Read, 14 Sean Couturier, 17 Wayne Simmonds

89 Sam Gagner, 21 Scott Laughton, 20 R.J. Umberger

76 Chris VandeVelde, 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, 25 Ryan White

Defense pairs

55 Nick Schultz, 32 Mark Streit

82 Evgeny Medvedev, 3 Radko Gudas

15 Michael Del Zotto, 22 Luke Schenn

Goaltender

30 Michal Neuvirth

BRUINS

Forward lines

63 Brad Marchand, 37 Patrice Bergeron, 14 Brett Connolly

21 Loui Eriksson, 46 David Krejci, 88 David Pastrnak

23 Chris Kelly, 51 Ryan Spooner, 11 Jimmy Hayes

36 Zac Rinaldo, 41 Joonas Kemppainen, 64 Tyler Randell

Defense pairs

33 Zdeno Chara, 86 Kevan Miller

47 Torey Krug, 54 Adam McQuaid

56 Tommy Cross, 48 Colin Miller

Goaltender

40 Tuukka Rask



Flyers get first look at 'more mature' Zac Rinaldo

Randy Miller


Which was more shocking, the Flyers getting a 2017 third-round draft pick for Zac Rinaldo in an offseason trade or the instigating bad boy not taking a minor penalty in his first five games for his new team?

Flyers GM Ron Hextall did seem to get a bigger than expected return last June 29 when dealing with the Boston Bruins, but Rinaldo is a good skater and ferocious hitter who always had the makings of becoming a valuable fourth-line left wing if he stops with the bad penalties dirty hits that lead to suspensions.

So far, so good.

Rinaldo, who faces the Flyers for the first time Wednesday night at TD Garden, suited up for the Bruins' first five games and landed just one penalty, a 10-minute misconduct late into an Oct. 10 game with Montreal. And Rinaldo didn't deserve this one, either, because he didn't retaliate physically or verbally after being slew-footed by Canadiens forward Torrey Mitchell, who was ejected.

Seeing Rinaldo react so calm isn't the norm, but before the season he did proclaim to have taken a new leaf as a more intelligent and cleaner player.

"I'm a little more mature in the sense of when to ease up on some hits, when to fight, when not to fight," Rinaldo, 25, told the Boston Globe in September. "I'm matured a lot over the year."

Surprisingly, it's showing.

But will it last?

In his first four NHL seasons, he racked up eight goals, 24 points, 572 penalty minutes, three suspensions and two fines playing 223 games for the Flyers.

What perhaps led to Rinaldo blowing his final shot to stay with the Flyers occurred last January in the first period of a 3-2 overtime win over Pittsburgh. Rinaldo injured Penguins star blueliner Kris Letang with a dirty hit and then afterward bragged that he'd changed the game and maybe saved the season. All of that got him an eight-game suspension.

Come Wednesday night, the Flyers are expecting the Rinaldo of old.

"I know he's going to be playing hard," fourth-line right wing Ryan White said. "He brings it hard every night. You've got to be ready for it. You've got to hold him up a little on the forecheck so he can't get his legs going. That's when he's most effective."

Rinaldo was excited to play his old team.

"There's a little more emotion for me," he told the Boston Herald. "This is my first time doing this so it's going to be a little different. But no friends on the ice for me. That's the way I've always been, and that's the way I'm going to be tonight."

White figures this might be the game that Rinaldo fights for the first time as a Bruin, too. And if it happens, White could be the Flyer involved.

"There's always a guy on every team you've got to worry about and we all know what Reno brings," White said. "I've fought him before in the minors. He's a tough kid. He throws pretty hard. We'll go out there and play hockey and see what happens."



Flyers couldn't beat Antti Niemi with Cup on line, and still can't

Randy Miller

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PHILADELPHIA — Dallas Stars goalie Antti Niemi was sitting alone at his locker stall removing his skates after earning the No. 1 star in Tuesday night's 2-1 win over the Flyers.

A reporter approached.

This is your first ....

Niemi interrupted with excitement in his voice.

"It is?"

Uh huh.

This was his first game at Wells Fargo Center since Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.

"That's what I thought," Niemi said with a smile. "But I wasn't sure. I thought maybe I played one since because it's been so long."

Niemi was a 26-year-old rookie playing his second season of North American hockey when the Chicago Blackhawks began their current dynasty in the spring of 2010. He was in goal for all 16 playoff wins that year, including the clincher that ended with Patrick Kane scoring 4:06 into overtime, a goal that only Kane and Flyers goalie Michael Leighton realized had gone in for a few seconds.

"I remember when Kane scored I didn't want to start celebrating until I knew for sure," Niemi said. "I wanted to wait to be safe. Special night."

Niemi remembers lifting the Cup on June 9, 2010 at Wells Fargo Center.

More than five years later, he finally suited up there again ... this time for his third NHL club.

Niemi, who was with San Jose from 2010-11 through last season, was even better in his return.

The Stars' superpower top line scored both Dallas goals — Tyler Seguin had the first, Jamie Benn the second — but Niemi's 34 saves were the biggest reason the Flyers lost.

"I have to give him credit," Flyers right wing Wayne Simmonds said. "Niemi played a good game. I thought we had second opportunities, sometimes third opportunities, and he was stopping the puck. He was seeing things well."

The result was another win for the Stars, who made it five wins in six games to start the season.

The Stars are winning with two goalies, both 32-year-old Finns who have big contracts.

Kari Lehtonen, who is in the third season of a five-year, $29.5-million deal, and Niemi, who signed a three-year, $13.5-million pact last June, have played three games each so far.

"I think we're having a blast and we're working well together," Niemi said.


978190 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins-Stars rivalry goes beyond the ice

By Jonathan Bombulie

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, 8:51 p.m.

Updated 7 hours ago

When the Penguins take on the Dallas Stars on Thursday night, a brother-vs.-brother battle will be playing out behind the scenes.

Teddy Richards is an assistant equipment manager for the Penguins. His younger brother, Josh, holds the same position with the Stars.

The math of it all is remarkable enough. There are only about 90 equipment staffers in the NHL, and two grew up in the same house in Wilkes-Barre.

“For two brothers to have two of those positions, the odds are slim for us to be in that position,” Teddy said.

Their story is more remarkable still.

Their father, Tedd Richards, was the popular team bus driver during the first two seasons in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins history from 1999-2001.

“He enjoyed the process and the camaraderie and being one of the boys,” Teddy recalled.

In the midst of the 2001 playoffs, Tedd died of a heart attack. He was 41. Teddy was 18, Josh 11.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Baby Pens front office embraced the Richards brothers. Teddy, who was playing football and studying to be a police officer at Mansfield University, came home and became an assistant equipment manager with the team. Josh was the stickboy.

The idea was to give the Richards brothers support and structure during a difficult time. Instead, the team's kindness kick-started a pair of successful careers.

Working long hours for small paychecks, the Richards brothers worked their way up the ladder. Teddy became the head equipment manager for the Baby Pens in 2006 and was promoted to the NHL in June 2013. Josh followed suit a month later, getting the job with the Stars.

“Definitely, it wasn't a good day the day we lost him, but he paved the path for us,” said Josh, who keeps a small coin bank shaped like a bus on his desk to remind him of his dad. “We wouldn't be in hockey if he didn't get the job driving the team.”

Despite taking similar paths to the NHL, the Richards brothers have vastly different personalities.

Teddy is the responsible one. He's a family man with a wife, Sue; 10-year-old son Teddy; and 7-year-old daughter Ellie and a home in Baldwin where Josh is staying while he's in town.

Josh is the wild one. He dabbled in independent pro wrestling and played a couple of games in the low-level Federal Hockey League in 2012-13 when a team needed extra bodies for two games in Williamsport. His career numbers: no points, two fighting majors.

They do, however, approach their jobs with a similar passion.

“Teddy's the best skate sharpener in the world. He's outstanding,” said Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy. “They're both perfectionists. They're amazing human beings, and they both take their job as seriously as the top-line center in the organization does. They want to be the best at their craft, and I believe that they are.”

If there's a rivalry between the brothers, it's a friendly one. The Stars are 4-1 against the Penguins since the Richards brothers came to the NHL, but Josh doesn't brag about it. Their mother, Catherine, has been talking about cutting her Stars jersey and Penguins jersey in half and sewing the opposite sides together.

“She's just a fan of her sons,” Josh said. “She wants to see us do well.”

Before Thursday's game, Penguins head equipment manager Dana Heinze will get the brothers together for a quick snapshot. He's done so each time their teams have met in the NHL.

Heinze realizes the uniqueness of the situation, and the Richards brothers do, too.

“The Richards are always a 1-2 combo,” Josh said. “We're always together.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 10.22.2015


Penguins notebook: Malkin hopes to ignite linemates

By Jonathan Bombulie

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, 7:48 p.m.

Updated 7 hours ago

Evgeni Malkin says he likes playing in close games.

“It's more interesting,” he said after practice Wednesday. “When you lead 5-0, it's not interesting.”

Good thing Malkin feels that way since because Penguins haven't come anywhere near a lead that large this season. Their current three-game winning streak includes victories of 3-2 over Florida in overtime, 2-1 over Toronto and 2-0 over Ottawa.

Malkin scored in all three games.

“Geno, when he's playing like that, he's a hard guy to stop,” coach Mike Johnston said. “Last year, 90 percent of the time, I'd say he had that same jump and energy. There were some games where he didn't, and you know he's not going to have that good of a night. When he's skating, when he's handling the puck with confidence like he is, he's really hard to handle down low.”

With his offensive game in prime shape, Malkin said he's turning his attention to getting his linemates going. Right wing Patric Hornqvist has no goals and one assist so far. Left wing David Perron hasn't recorded a point.

“My focus is on (Hornqvist) to start scoring because I see he's a little bit nervous right now,” Malkin said. “I try to help him and help (Perron), too. We're starting to play a little bit better, all three guys. I've had chances to score, but we're trying to score with three guys.”

ROSTER MATTERS

The Penguins added a new player to their growing injured list. Johnston said forward Kevin Porter suffered an undisclosed injury in Tuesday night's game and was awaiting medical testing.

If Porter is out, the Penguins will be down to 11 healthy forwards and likely will need a call-up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. They sent defenseman Tim Erixon, a healthy scratch for the first six games, to the AHL on Wednesday, so if they decide on a call-up, he will have a roster spot.

The most likely candidates for promotion are Scott Wilson and Conor Sheary, who lead the Baby Pens in scoring with five points each in four games.

The Penguins could avoid a call-up if Daniel Sprong returns from a trip to Canada to deal with a work-visa issues. Sprong was not back in time for Wednesday's practice. Johnston said he expects a resolution to Sprong's situation soon.

BENNETT'S PROGRESS

Beau Bennett, who has been out since Oct. 13 with an undisclosed injury, skated alone before practice Wednesday.

“Trainers indicate that he's progressing. They're starting to see some progress,” Johnston said. “But not for even a game-day skate tomorrow. He's not ready for that.”

SHINING STARS

Dallas forwards Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn were tied for the NHL scoring lead with 10 points through Tuesday, and the Stars had the league's third-best offense, averaging 3.5 goals. Those facts weren't lost on Malkin.

“I think it's the most offensive team in the league,” he said. “They have good players, (Jason) Spezza, Benn, Seguin. It's a good team. Tough playing against Dallas, but we can. Just play the right way.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 10.22.2015


Penguins notebook: Johnston considered coach's challenge on Kunitz's no-goal

October 22, 2015 12:00 AM

By Jenn Menendez / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Penguins coach Mike Johnston has not utilized the coach’s challenge available in the NHL this season, but he was tempted to use it for the first time Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers.

Late in the third period, the puck caromed through the crease before Chris Kunitz jabbed at it, pushing the puck and goalie Roberto Luongo’s skate into the net as a mass of bodies crashed in the crease.

The play was whistled dead.

Johnston stalled for a moment to gather information, but the league initiated a video review and explained why there was no goal via email:

“The referee informed the Situation Room that he blew his whistle to stop play before goaltender Roberto Luongo was pushed into the net with the puck by Penguins forward Chris Kunitz. According to Rule 78.5 (ix) ‘Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee when a goaltender has been pushed into the net together with the puck after making a save.’ This is not a reviewable play therefore the referee’s call on the ice stands — no penalty and no goal Pittsburgh Penguins.”

Johnston never got his chance.

“We were tempted [Tuesday] night on the call regarding Kunitz’s goal or no-goal, simply because if they had have called goaltender interference we would have challenged it and claimed that Kunitz touched the puck first,” Johnston said. “As I was talking to the official, I told him I might want to challenge. They usually give you like a minute to make sure you have the right contact with your people. Then, we heard the buzzer sound and the NHL reviewed it.”

The Penguins protocol is to rely on video coordinator Andy Saucier, who watches the game in the video room with a variety of angles. Jacques Martin, who is in the press box, also is connected via headset to assistant coach Rick Tocchet on the bench.

“He’ll communicate with Rick as far as anything he saw live,” Johnston said. “But Andy in the room is the guy who’s probably going to make the call in the end whether we need to pursue it.”

Sprong misses practice

Rookie Daniel Sprong missed practice again Wednesday. He remained in Canada dealing with his ongoing work-visa issue.

“On the Sprong situation, I’m optimistic we’ll get some good news or an update later…and then we’ll have more information for you at that time as far as when he’ll arrive back in Pittsburgh,” Johnston said.

Rust sees more ice time

Winger Bryan Rust played the most minutes (13:31) of his season Tuesday night in a 3-2 overtime win against the Panthers. Rust got 7:33 of ice time against Ottawa last week and 4:40 Saturday against Toronto.

“I felt really comfortable out there, and it was nice to get rewarded a little bit for playing pretty well in my first two games,” Rust said. “I was able to get some more minutes, which was for sure something that I’ve been looking for especially since I didn’t have the training camp that I wanted.”

Rust did not have a standout training camp but flashed enough to be recalled Oct. 15 after Beau Bennett went on injured reserve.

Porter injured

Penguins forward Kevin Porter missed practice with an undisclosed injury sustained Tuesday against Florida, Johnston said.

“They decided to send him for some tests,” Johnston said. “We’ll get a read to where he’s at. He’s out of practice [Wednesday].”

Porter has played in five of the six games this season, with a high of 15:44 minutes against Toronto.

Tip-ins

Bennett skated before practice Wednesday, but is not ready “for even a game-day skate,” Johnston said. … The Penguins re-assigned

defenseman Tim Erixon to their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He has not yet seen game action with the Penguins.

Post Gazette LOADED: 10.22.2015


Penguins defenseman Cole pays the price to keep pucks away from net

October 22, 2015 12:00 AM

By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It hurt.

A lot.

As it should have.

Ian Cole, then with St. Louis, was playing against the Penguins Nov. 23, 2011 at Consol Energy Center when he found himself in position to block a shot.

Some of the finer points of the seconds that followed — who launched the puck toward him, for example — have been forgotten. Others are seared into Cole’s memory and tattooed into his flesh.

“I took one right there, off the top of the kneecap,” he said. “It split the whole top of my kneecap open. My kneecap was hanging out. It was so swollen that I couldn’t even move.”

That incident prompted Cole, acquired from the Blues late in the 2015-15 season, to change his equipment — he added plastic flaps to the top of his shin guards, to provide a little protection to the area where that puck hit — but not his game.

He long has viewed blocking shots as an integral, if occasionally painful, part of his job description, and has been doing it more than almost anyone in the NHL through the early weeks of this season.

Cole enters the Penguins’ game at 7:08 p.m. today against the Dallas Stars at Consol Energy Center with 20 blocked shots in six games, tying him with Calgary’s Kris Russell for second most in the NHL before games Wednesday night.

“It’s something I’ve always been good at,” Cole said. “I’m certainly not scared of it, I don’t shy away from it. In fact, I like blocking shots.”

Sacrificing one’s body to stop a puck that could be traveling 100 mph requires genuine courage, but Cole is quick to note there’s technique involved, too.

“I’m not a guy who’s lying down, selling out completely to block shots,” he said.“I like to go down on one knee to block shots, and I tend to put my hand right in front of my face.

”That way, I know my face is covered, so I can look right at the shot and watch it come right in to me.”

Cole clearly is not a proponent of the dramatic, sliding-block attempt, perhaps because it’s as likely to result in embarrassment as a blocked shot.

“Time it well, so you’re not selling out and having the guy walk around you and make you look like an idiot,” he said.

He realizes that good form isn’t always enough.

Consider the time Nashville defenseman Shea Weber, whose shot ranks among the NHL’s hardest, unleashed a slap shot that struck a seam on the outside of Cole’s elbow pad. And nothing else.

“My arm went numb for like, 20 minutes,” he said. “Shea Weber making my arm go numb, that’s not ideal.”

Still, aside from the protective flaps he added to his shin guards after the kneecap episode, Cole doesn’t rely on altered or unconventional equipment.

Nothing like, say, the shin guards once worn by longtime NHL defenseman Craig Ludwig, who appeared to have a couple of aircraft carriers strapped to his legs.

“For the most part, I don’t have anything too crazy,” Cole said. “No phone books taped to my legs or anything.

“If you have good timing with it and stay square to the puck, as far as keeping all of your equipment facing forward, I think it’s pretty safe.”

Most of the time, anyway.



Penguins request extension on project at former Civic Arena site

October 21, 2015 3:57 PM

By Mark Belko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With two developments still in flux, the Pittsburgh Penguins will miss today’s deadline for buying the first parcel needed to redevelop the former Civic Arena site.

Rather than start development of the publicly owned land, the team will pay $75,000 for a six-month extension that will allow it to retain the rights to the property.

The team needs more time because it is not far enough along in the planning stages for either the U.S. Steel headquarters or the 1,100 units of housing to be built at the site to buy the land for the projects, said Travis Williams, chief operating officer.

Both projects need to be “more defined” and still require final land development plan approvals from the city, he said.

“We just have not gotten to that point of being able to check all of the boxes,” Mr. Williams said.

Without the extension, the team would have been required to “take down” or buy the first 2.14-acre parcel for development by today under its agreement with the Pittsburgh-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority to develop the 28-acre lower Hill District site. It must develop at least that much land every year for the next decade.

If it does not adhere to that schedule, it could lose the development rights to the land. But the agreement also allows the Penguins to purchase an extension in six-month increments for $75,000 each for a period of up to two years.

The team is able to tap into $14.5 million in development credits available as part of the deal to build the Consol Energy Center in 2007 to pay for the extension.

News of the extension comes amid speculation about whether the five-story, 285,000-square-foot U.S. Steel headquarters will be built, particularly given the steelmaker’s recent financial woes.

The Penguins and developer Clayco Realty Group had hoped to start construction this fall. Mr. Williams said the extension doesn’t mean that won’t happen. But he would not commit to any firm dates.

“We’re still working with them. I don’t have a definitive timetable,” he said.

Clayco and the Penguins have yet to negotiate a lease with U.S. Steel, further fueling rumors that the deal could be in jeopardy.

City Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle, D-Hill District, said he has heard that U.S. Steel may be looking to extend its lease at its current headquarters in U.S. Steel Tower, Downtown. The company’s lease expires in 2017, when the new headquarters was to be done.

While Penguins’ six-month extension is, on one hand, “concerning, what I do know is that all of the parties are still in the room trying to move forward toward a deal,” Mr. Lavelle said.

The extension, Mr. Williams said, doesn’t mean that the U. S. Steel deal is in trouble.

“Development doesn’t necessarily happen in nice, neat 10-percent chunks. Sometimes it takes longer to get deals ready for take down. We continue to work with the developers to get in a position to take down land,” he said.

As for a lease with U.S. Steel, Mr. Williams said, “We’re still working with them on a lease arrangement.”

Mayor Bill Peduto recently said he was confident that the steelmaker would move forward with the project after the city negotiated assurances with the company and residential developer McCormack Baron Salazar that the commitments they received to build at the former arena site would be honored if the Penguins are sold.

Kevin Acklin, Mr. Peduto’s chief of staff, said Wednesday discussions were continuing with U.S. Steel on a lease for its new headquarters. He said he had no knowledge of the firm getting a lease extension for its current offices.

The extension the Penguins took, he added, was not unexpected.

“We’re not concerned. This is something that we expected as part of the development process and something we negotiated as part of the option agreement,” he said.

The SEA board gave preliminary approval to the U.S. Steel headquarters in March and set a price of $2.75 million for the 1.89-acre tract on which it would be built.

Mr. Williams said the Penguins have come a long way in developing the site, with streets and other infrastructure being installed; the proposed deal with U.S. Steel; and the hiring of McCormack Baron Salazar to oversee the residential construction; and approval of the master plan and community agreements regarding the site.

But he couldn’t guarantee that the Penguins won’t be back in six months seeking more time to get the project rolling.

“We’re hopeful that we will be in a better position,” he said. He stressed, however, that the Penguins are committed to catching up and finishing the development on time in 10 years.



Pens' Kevin Porter misses practice due to injury

October 21, 2015 1:51 PM

By Jenn Menendez / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Penguins forward Kevin Porter missed practice today with an undisclosed injury, according to coach Mike Johnston.

“Porter was injured last night in the game. They decided to send him for some tests,” said Johnston. “We’ll get a read to where he’s at.”

The former Hobey Baker award winner, now 29, has played in five of the Penguins six games so far this season. He played a high of 15:44 minutes against Toronto last Saturday.



Penguins assign Erixon to Wilkes-Barre

October 21, 2015 11:15 AM

By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Penguins have assigned defenseman Tim Erixon to their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.

He did not get into any of the Penguins' six games to date.

Erixon was acquired from Toronto in the Phil Kessel trade after last season.


978197 San Jose Sharks

Purdy: Sharks' Marleau looks for bounce-back season

By Mark Purdy

Mercury News Columnist

POSTED: 10/21/2015 07:25:59 PM PDT

UPDATED: 10/21/2015 10:03:30 PM PDT

SAN JOSE -- Patrick Marleau is back in familiar territory. He is leading the Sharks in goals scored.

Small sample size, of course. Three goals in six games. Will this trend continue? It computes to 41 goals for the season. Which is a lot more than the 19 goals Marleau scored in 2014-15.

"Just trying to get better," Marleau said after practice Wednesday when I asked about his expectations for this season. "I have a foundation or process of things I need to do. If I concentrate on those things, the numbers will be there."

The remark was very Marleau-esque. He has been in San Jose since 1997. He is the franchise's all-time leading scorer. He conducts his business. He answers questions politely but without much sizzle. He will not be writing your column for you. That's fine.

But in this case, there was something specific I wanted to ask him about, something I hoped would give me some insight into his mindset, something that makes me wonder if Marleau has a special motivation this season.

Earlier this month, Sharks team captains were announced. And one name was notably absent: his.

That should have been a story. Somehow, it wasn't. But the fact is, ever since 2004, Marleau has served as a captain or alternate captain, either on a full-time or rotating basis. Until this season.

Instead, others are wearing the small "C" and "A" letters on their jerseys. Joe Pavelski was named captain by new head coach Pete DeBoer. Joe Thornton and Logan Couture were chosen as alternates. Even after Couture suffered a broken right fibula last week and had surgery, the other "A" was assigned to Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

Marleau's reaction to this?

He paused when I posed the question. Didn't say a word. He just tilted his head slightly as he shrugged his shoulders.

Jokingly, I asked if I could "quote" the shoulder shrug. Marleau smiled and agreed I could.

Then he decided to say something.

"I think that's the direction that they're going," Marleau said. "So ... ''

And that was all he wanted to talk about that particular topic.

Marleau may wish to be a gentleman about it. His outward personality is more climate control than fiery. But after watching him for 18 years in a Sharks uniform, I know how proud a guy he is.

Thursday night against the Los Angeles Kings, Marleau will skate in his 1,336th game with the Sharks. Only 10 players in NHL history have played for their teams longer than Marleau has played for the beloved Los Tiburones. Among active players, only Shane Doan of Arizona is ahead of Marleau on that list. Marleau leads the Sharks franchise in nearly every career offensive category.

Given his resume, it's difficult to believe Marleau was not angered or disappointed not to be included on the captains' roll call. Might this spur him to a more productive season? If he speaks with his hockey more than his mouth, as usual, we may see the response on the ice.

Marleau's 57 points last season constituted his worst offensive output over an 82-game schedule since 2008. It was puzzling to witness because he had scored 30 or more goals in seven of the previous eight seasons not shortened by labor strife.

He wasn't alone, though. The entire Sharks team had a lousy 2014-15, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2003. But it turns out that Marleau faced an extra challenge last season.

"I was going through some injury stuff that was lingering for a lot of the season," Marleau said. "That's part of it. And there are a lot of other things that go with that and had an impact on how things went. But it was a long offseason. And I was able to get everything going in the right direction."

He did not want to elaborate on the "injury stuff" and didn't want to use it as an excuse. That's no surprise. Hockey players are loathe to ever admit they are hurt, even if an eyeball is hanging out of a socket or an ankle is twisted 90 degrees sideways.

Besides, it's impossible to quantify how much Marleau's performance was hindered a year ago. Was it by 20 percent? Forty percent? But he definitely is not hindered now. Like his teammates, Marleau got off to a fast start. He had points in three of the Sharks' first four games, all victories. He was then kept off the scoresheet in the last two games, both of them losses.

Again, small sample size. However, DeBoer has seen enough from behind the bench to believe Marleau is back in 30-goal-season form.

"No doubt," DeBoer said. "He looks great to me. He's getting pucks to the net, shooting the puck. I don't think anyone's had a great last couple of nights. But I don't have a doubt that he's going to have a great year."

Marleau, for his part, is a fan of DeBoer's newly installed pressure-the-puck system.

"We're always on the attack," Marleau said. "Even when we don't have the puck, we're forcing things. When we run into trouble is when we get away from it. There are going to be times out there when you're late in shifts, you've got to recognize it and back off a little bit. ... You've got to make sure you're supporting the puck, talking to each other."

We all know the ideal flight path for Marleau over the next few years. At age 36, he is one of those rare NHL players with a chance to play his entire career with one team. His performance this season could go a long way toward determining whether that happens. But he has not been thinking about his San Jose legacy, Marleau said, only about hitting those "foundation" and "process" markers.

"If I do that, it will take care of itself," he said.

If he does have a snapback season, the next Marleau column should be easy to write.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Sharks call up Mirco Mueller, Micheal Haley

Staff

Mercury News

POSTED: 10/21/2015 10:41:19 AM PDT

UPDATED: 10/21/2015 11:40:03 AM PDT

The Sharks recalled defenseman Mirco Mueller and forward Micheal Haley from their Barracuda AHL affiliate, the team announced Wednesday.

Mueller, 20, has an assist and a plus-1 rating in three games with the Barracuda. Last season, he had one goal and three assists in 39 games with the Sharks.

Haley, 29, leads the Barracuda with four goals and six points.

In other roster moves, the Sharks sent defenseman Dylan DeMelo and forwards Nikolay Goldobin and Bryan Lerg to the Barracuda.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Nieto likely to remain on Sharks' top line for now

October 21, 2015, 4:15 pm

Kevin Kurz

SAN JOSE -– From the Sharks’ perspective, there wasn’t much to be pleased about after they dropped a 4-0 game to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, but the play of Matt Nieto was a bright spot for coach Pete DeBoer.

Nieto replaced Nikolay Goldobin on the Joe Thornton-Joe Pavelski line in the second period, as DeBoer made some changes on the fly in a game that wasn’t going San Jose’s way.

“Just looking for some type of spark. I thought Nieto was our best forward tonight, and he deserved to be moved up there,” DeBoer said after the game.

[KURZ: Mueller returns to Sharks after starting in minors]

It didn’t result in any goals, of course, as the Sharks got shut out by one of the best teams in the league. Thornton and Pavelski struggled, too, both finishing with a team-worst minus-10 rating in unblocked shot attempts as the four-line Rangers came at the Sharks in waves.

Still, DeBoer kept Nieto on Thornton’s left wing at practice on Wednesday, and that’s likely how the Sharks will start Thursday’s game against the Kings as they open up a three-game homestand. Nieto has 1 goal and 2 assists in six games.

“We’ve played together before, so I kind of know what my role is with those two,” Nieto said. “If I play it right I think we can be a really effective line.”

Pavelski said: “Brings a lot of speed, and I think that’s what you saw that last little bit with him when he played with us. We started getting a little bit of that offensive time where we could roll around down low and create that momentum.”

Still…

“We’ve got to get to the net and find a way to get some production.”

For Thornton and Pavelski, it will be the third left wing they’ll start with in just the seventh game this season. Joonas Donskoi was there for the season opener but has been out for three straight games with a lower body injury, while Goldobin started both weekend games in that slot.

Goldobin was reassigned to the Barracuda on Thursday after struggling defensively. He needs more games in the minor leagues before he’ll be considered an everyday NHL player.

Meanwhile, the Sharks’ depth is getting tested, as key pieces like Logan Couture and Paul Martin are sidelined.

[KURZ: Top 5 takeaways from Sharks' 2-2-0 road trip]

“We’re doing an alright job,” Nieto said. “Obviously, those are two guys you can’t really replace. Really important guys. We’ve got to have guys that step up and rise to the occasion. If we do that I think we’ll be fine.

“I think we got away from playing aggressive and all the things that brought success, so if we do those things we’ll be in good shape.”

Pavelski expects the Sharks to have a renewed focus for their biggest rival on Thursday.

“The first four games [we] did a lot of good things and things that we’d like to think are starting to become natural and part of our foundation,” he said. “The commitment level has to be there on a nightly basis.”



Mueller returns to Sharks after starting in minors

Kevin Kurz

October 21, 2015, 1:15 pm

SAN JOSE – Mirco Mueller’s father and grandfather, along with two family friends, had their trip from Switzerland all planned out. They would meet the Sharks in the New York area and get a chance to attend three games in quick succession against the Devils, Islanders and Rangers.

If you happened to be at any of those three Sharks road games last weekend, you may have spotted a group of older gentlemen all wearing their teal and white number 41 sweaters. The only problem was that number 41 himself was back in California. A late cut in training camp, Mueller was reassigned to the AHL Barracuda on Oct. 5, two days before the season opener.

He was recalled on Wednesday as Paul Martin remains out with a lower body injury.

[KURZ: Top 5 takeaways from Sharks' 2-2-0 road trip]

“Obviously you’re disappointed not making the team when you did last year or the year before,” said Mueller, who had four points, 10 penalty minutes and a -8 rating in 39 games for the Sharks last season. “Once a couple hours went by, I knew I could be back up any day.”

He understood the move. In three games with the Barracuda, Mueller had one assist and a +1 rating while getting plenty of ice time at even strength and on special teams.

“There are some good players there too in the AHL. It’s been the right call for me long term getting some game time in, and now I’m ready for tomorrow.”

Mueller switches places with Dylan DeMelo, a right-handed shot that didn’t look all that comfortable in his first two NHL games playing the left side. In practice on Wednesday Mueller was paired with Matt Tennyson, and it’s likely those two will start out together on Thursday against the Kings.

Sharks coach Pete DeBoer considers Mueller’s skating as his biggest strength. He’d like to see the six-foot-three, 210-pound blueliner get involved by utilizing that asset in particular.

“He’s such a good skater to be more aggressive on the ice, because he has the ability to recover,” DeBoer said. “That’s one of the things we sent him back to work on. Hopefully we see some of that.”

It also helps that Mueller is a lefty, while Tennyson is a right-hander.

DeBoer said: “In a perfect world you love left-right setups on all three units. I’m a big believer in it helps you move pucks that way.”

Mueller won’t be the only lineup change. Micheal Haley, a tough, 29-year-old veteran and the Barracuda’s leading scorer with six points (4g, 2a), will likely slot in on the fourth line. Haley centered Mike Brown and Joonas Donskoi for Wednesday’s hour-long practice.

In four games with the Sharks last season, Haley was scoreless with 11 penalty minutes. He has three points and 174 penalty minutes in 56 career NHL games, and will bring that gritty element against what will surely be a cantankerous Kings team on Thursday after they were humiliated at home to San Jose in the season opener on Oct. 7, 5-1.

“Obviously playing against a Western Conference team you know it’s going to be a rough game,” Haley said. “That’s fine with me. … That’s how I play, always have. I’d like to keep their [defense] honest and try and get some turnovers.”

DeBoer said: “Hales brings us an element and a dimension against a big, heavy team that you need.”

* * *

Although Donskoi participated in practice, he said he was “not sure” if he would be able to play on Thursday after missing the last three games with a lower body injury. DeBoer said that the Sharks will make a decision on the rookie after Thursday’s morning skate.

Martin and Ben Smith (facial cuts) were all but ruled out by DeBoer for the Kings game.

“We’ll see tomorrow morning, but typically if you’re not at practice we usually don’t play you the next day,” DeBoer said.

On a more positive note, Melker Karlsson is expected to play for the Barracuda on Wednesday at home against San Diego. The Sharks’ 2014-15 rookie of the year has been struggling to return from an unspecified lower body injury that prevented him from taking part in training camp.



Sharks shuffle roster, lines ahead of Kings rematch

Kevin Kurz

October 21, 2015, 11:15 am

SAN JOSE – The Sharks did some roster and line shuffling ahead of their home game on Thursday with the Los Angeles Kings.

Recalled from the AHL Barracuda were defenseman Mirco Mueller and forward Micheal Haley, while defenseman Dylan DeMelo and forwards Nikolay Goldobin and Bryan Lerg were reassigned back to the minor league club.

The 20-year-old Mueller, who spent last season with San Jose due primarily to his not being eligible for the AHL, has one assist and a +1 rating in three games with the Barracuda this season. Haley, 29, leads the Barracuda with 4 goals and 6 points in three games. In 56 career NHL games with the Islanders, Rangers and Sharks, Haley has recorded 2 goals, 1 assist and 174 penalty minutes.

On the injury front, defenseman Paul Martin and center Ben Smith did not practice on Wednesday and their availability against the Kings is in doubt. Joonas Donskoi, who has missed the last three games with a lower body injury, returned to the ice.

The Sharks, outscored 10-3 in their last two games, also changed their lines. Matt Nieto, who coach Pete DeBoer called the Sharks’ best forward in the 4-0 loss to the Rangers on Sunday, was promoted to the Joe Thornton-Joe Pavelski line. The third line consisted of Chris Tierney centering Tommy Wingels and Barclay Goodrow, while the fourth line was Haley, Donskoi and Mike Brown.

Goldobin, the Sharks’ 2014 first round pick, made his NHL debut on Oct. 16 at New Jersey, scored his first NHL goal on Saturday against the Islanders but struggled against the Rangers on Monday particularly in the defensive zone. DeMelo drew into the lineup on Saturday in Brooklyn due to Paul Martin’s injury, and was scoreless with a -1 rating in two games.


978202 St Louis Blues

Stastny out at least 5 weeks with broken foot; Fabbri could be back soon

6 hours ago • By Tom TimmermannLoading…

The Blues won four games on their just-completed six-game trip, which is no small feat, and is even more impressive when you consider that they lost two of their top six forwards and one of their top three defensemen along the way.

Keeping that kind of success up under those kind of circumstances won’t be easy. There was good news and bad news on the injury front Wednesday. Center Paul Stastny was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least five weeks with a broken right foot suffered in the team’s game at Vancouver on Friday.

That was the bad news. On the good news side, forward Robby Fabbri, who has been out since suffering a concussion Oct. 10, in the second game of the season, skated on his own Wednesday and could be available soon. The Blues don’t have an on-ice practice again until Friday, and coach Ken Hitchcock said that if Fabbri skated with the team then, he would be a candidate to play Saturday against the New York Islanders. The same goes for defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who missed the final four games of the trip with a lower-body injury.

The Blues said that Stastny will be re-evaluated in five weeks, so his absence could be longer. Being out for five weeks would mean 16 games without their top playmaker for the Blues, about one-fifth of the regular-season schedule. The Blues had better hope his absence isn’t longer. December is a busy month for them, with essentially a game every other day the entire month.

“It’s an injury that affects all three aspects of our team, special teams and five on five,” Hitchcock said. “One person is not going to be able to absorb that. We have to find a way to absorb that in our group. … For a little while, you can get by on emotion, but there’s a reality to the situation.”

Hitchcock said the first place to look would be within. That means continued playing time for veteran Scott Gomez, whom the Blues have been pleased with since he made the team after coming to camp on a tryout. Gomez has been centering a third line with Dmitrij Jaskin and Scottie Upshall. The team hasn’t made any call-ups from Chicago in the American Hockey League, though with no game until Saturday and no practice until Friday, that probably wouldn’t come until later in the week.

Hitchcock said Stastny’s absence probably meant that all of the top three lines could see some changes. The team was able to make some short-term moves to get through the final two games of the road trip at Winnipeg and Montreal, but now with more than a month of Stastny-less hockey ahead, a bigger reconfiguration may follow. The team’s offense has revolved almost entirely around Stastny’s line, which also included Alexander Steen and Vladimir Tarasenko, with Jori Lehtera stepping into the middle after Stastny got hurt. The other lines have not been as productive; David Backes, Jaden Schwarz and Jaskin have yet to score.

“We have to look at changes,” Hitchcock said. “The short-term look got us through the last couple of games but it won’t work long term. We’ll discuss it (Thursday) with the coaching staff. We can’t continue to rely on one line getting most of scoring chances. That’s not going to work long term.

“I would say it certainly means having a healthy discussion on how to get more from more people. That’s a discussion we have to have. Now we know how long Stastny is out for, we’re basically looking at five weeks or so, we’re looking at 16 to 18 games, we have to look at a number of aspects of the lines to get more production, more balance. … We’ll have a better feel with a step back on Friday as a team, to be able to come up with lines that work.”

Stastny has one goal and four assists in five games, and his plus-minus of plus-4 is tied for the team lead. He’s been averaging a little more than 19 minutes a game.

Stastny got his injury while blocking a shot in the second period of the game with the Canucks. He left the ice and went to the dressing room. He came back out before the start of the third period and tested the foot but didn’t return to the game. He later returned to St. Louis rather than accompanying the team on the rest of the trip.

The Blues lost Fabbri, who was on their second line, to a concussion on the first game of the trip at Minnesota (from an elbow from former Blue Chris Porter), and he did not accompany the team on the rest of the trip. He’s now part of the league’s concussion protocol, but skating on

consecutive days is one of the final steps before being cleared to play again.

“If Robby practices Friday, he’s obviously a candidate to play,” Hitchcock said.

Shattenkirk came out midway through the second game of the trip, at Calgary. He was back on the ice in practice, though not a full participant, at the end of the trip. He also skated Wednesday (as did injured center Patrik Berglund) and could play Saturday. “Friday will tell us everything,” Hitchcock said.

After their foray through Canada, the Blues have their next five games at home, and Hitchcock thinks they have to sort things out quickly.

“We’ve got a homestand, we’ve got to get points,” he said. “We have to figure out a way to up the balance. We learned our lesson against Montreal. That one line has come through quite a bit and they didn’t score. We need more production.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.22.2015

978203 St Louis Blues

Stastny out at least five weeks with broken foot

12 hours ago • By Tom TimmermannLoading…

Blues center Paul Stastny has been placed on injured reserve and will miss at least five weeks with a broken right foot suffered in the team's game at Vancouver on Friday.

That was Wednesday's bad news. On the good news front, forward Robby Fabbri, who has been out since suffering a concussion on Oct. 10, in the second game of the season, skated on Wednesday and could be available soon. The Blues don't have an on-ice practice again until Friday, and coach Ken Hitchcock said that if Fabbri skated with the team then, he would be a candidate to play on Saturday against the New York Islanders. Fabbri did not go on the remainder of the road trip and missed five games.

Hitchcock said that injured defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and center Patrik Berglund also skated on Wednesday.

Stastny got his injury while blocking a shot in the second period of the game with the Canucks. He left the ice and went to the dressing room. He came back out before the start of the third period and tested the ankle, but didn't return to the game. He later returned to St. Louis rather than accompanying the team on the rest of the road trip.

The Blues said that Stastny will be re-evaluated in five weeks, so the absence could be longer. Being out for five weeks would mean 16 games without Stastny for the Blues, about one-fifth of the regular-season schedule. The Blues had better hope he's not gone more. December is a busy month for them, with essentially a game every other day the entire month. The games missed will add up quickly.

Stastny had been centering a highly effective line with Alexander Steen on his left and Vladimir Tarasenko on his right. With Stastny hurt, the Blues have moved Jori Lehtera into that line with success, though the team was shut out on Tuesday in Montreal, though that might well have happened with Stastny in the lineup.

With Stastny out, it likely means continued playing time for veteran Scott Gomez, who the Blues have been pleased with since he made the team after coming to camp on a professional tryout. Gomez has been centering a third line with Dmitrij Jaskin and Scottie Upshall.

“It's an injury that affects all three aspects of our team,” Hitchcock said. “One person is not going to be able to absorb that. We have to find a way to absorb that in our group.”

It's the second straight season, and the second in as many seasons on his big contract, that Stastny has had an early season injury that has reduced his playing time. He missed eight games early in the 2014-15 season with a shoulder injury. He finished last season with 16 goals and 30 assists in 74 games.

As of yet, the Blues haven't called up anyone from Chicago to add to the roster. The Blues don't play again until Saturday and it's likely that if they do call someone up it will be closer to the weekend.

Stastny has one goal and four assists in five games and his plus-minus of plus-4 is tied for the team lead.

Stastny's injury means the Blues lost two of their top six forwards on their just-finished six-game road trip, on which they went 4-2. They lost wing Fabbri to a concussion on the first game of the trip at Minnesota. The Blues were also without Shattenkirk for the end of the trip, though he could be back in games soon. "Friday will tell us everything," Hitchcock said.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.22.2015

978204 Tampa Bay Lightning

Bolts notes: G Vasilevskiy cleared for full activity

By Erik Erlendsson | Tribune Staff Erik Erlendsson on Google+

Published: October 21, 2015 | Updated: October 21, 2015 at 09:44 PM

NASHVILLE — Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy received clearance on Wednesday to resume hockey-related activity and could begin practicing with the team as soon as next week.

Vasilevskiy has been out since early September, when he had surgery to address a blot clot near his collarbone that included removing his top left rib.

The rib was removed after it was discovered a blood vessel was being pinched between his collarbone and the rib. He was placed on blood-thinner medication to minimize the chances of another blood clot.

While on the medication, Vasilevskiy was restricted from strenuous activity and not allowed to take shots above his waist.

The plan now is for Vasilevskiy to “hopefully practice with us for a while starting Monday,” Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman said Wednesday, before determining when the former 19th overall pick in the 2012 draft could begin a rehabilitation assignment with Syracuse in the American Hockey League.

The Crunch play four games next week: Oct. 28 at Toronto followed by a three-game homestand Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 1. If Vasilevskiy feels comfortable in practice next week, there is a chance he could play by next weekend.

Vasilevskiy was penciled in to begin the season as the backup to Ben Bishop after assuming that role by mid-season last year, his first in North America. Kevin Poulin, claimed off waivers from the New York Islanders, has been the backup so far, with Bishop playing all seven of the team’s games.

The Lightning have back-to-back games Friday in Winnipeg and Saturday in Chicago. But with two days off before the Winnipeg game and another two days off after the Chicago game, Bishop could play both.

Bishop is 4-2-1 with a 2.56 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.

Special teams shine

Through most of the early season, Tampa Bay’s special teams were much-maligned, with the penalty kill at the bottom of the league rankings and the power play not producing at key times.

But Tuesday in Nashville, Steven Stamkos scored a game-tying power play goal in the second period and the penalty kill went 3-for-3, including a key kill with 2:38 remaining in the third period to preserve a regulation tie.

“To go shorthanded with 2:38 left or whatever it was, that was a big confidence builder for our group,” head coach Jon Cooper said. “They score there, we’re staring at zero points, so you’ve got to tip your hat to the PK, for sure. We changed things up, changed a little personnel up, and I think it’s changed our vibe out there a little bit.’’

Shootout woes

The Lightning continue to struggle in shootouts. Including Tuesday’s shootout loss at Nashville, Tampa Bay is 3-6 in shootouts since the start of last season, and the inability to convert has become problematic.

All three shooters on Tuesday — Ryan Callahan, Jonathan Drouin and Nikita Kucherov — failed to score, allowing the extra point to slip away.

In eight shootouts last season, Tampa Bay scored on just five of 20 chances, with only three of nine players converting as Victor Hedman, Kucherov and Callahan went a combined 5-for-11. The other six players were 0-for-9.

“It comes down to the skills competition,’’ Cooper said. “It weighs in favor of the goaltender when you get to the shootout. We had three cracks at it (Tuesday), we didn’t get it by and there goes the (extra) point.’’

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 10.22.2015


Ex-Bolts coach Tortorella hired to take over 0-7 Blue Jackets

Tribune staff

Published: October 21, 2015 | Updated: October 21, 2015 at 11:46 AM

Former Tampa Bay Lightning head coach John Tortorella has been hired to replace Todd Richards as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the third team in the NHL’s modern history to open a season 0-7.

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced the move Wednesday and have planned a news conference.

Tortorella, 57, who signed a three-year contract, will make his Blue Jackets debut on Thursday when Columbus visits Minnesota.

“None of us saw our season unfolding the way it has and every one of us from management to coaches to players bears responsibility,” Kekalainen said in a news release. “There is still a lot of hockey to be played and we believe this change was necessary to give our team the best chance to accomplish the goals we’ve set for this season.”

Tororella, who led the Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship in 2004, was most recently let go as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks after the 2014 season. Vancouver signed Tortorella to a five-year, $10 million contract before the season, but missed the playoffs.

Tortorella began his NHL coaching career with Tampa Bay and compiled a 239-222-74 record in 535 games during six-plus seasons with the club from 2001-08. He led the Lightning to the Southeast Division title in 2002-03 and 2003-04. In the latter campaign, he won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s Coach of the Year as the club went 46-22-14 (106 points) and won the Stanley Cup.

Overall, he has a 446-375-115 record (.538) in 936 games with the Lightning, Rangers and Canucks. His teams have qualified for the postseason eight times.

The hiring isn’t expected to affect his role as head coach of Team USA for the 2016 World Cup.

“John Tortorella is an experienced National Hockey League coach with a proven track record of success,” said Kekalainen. “He is a Stanley Cup winner and we believe the right person to lead our team at this time.”

Richards had been with the Blue Jackets since 2012 and led them to only their second NHL playoff appearance in 2013-14, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round.

Richards was on the hot seat with the Blue Jackets off to their worst start to a season in franchise history, and their longest losing streak since dropping seven straight in regulation from Nov. 11-25. That wasn’t the type of start expected from a team that restocked its roster this summer after closing last season on 16-2-1 run.



Bolts notes: Revolving door at forward leaves Brown out

By Erik Erlendsson | Tribune Staff Erik Erlendsson on Google+

Published: October 21, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —In the past few games, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper rotated who sat out as the 13th forward. And on Thursday, it’s J.T. Brown’s turn in the rotation.

With Cedric Paquette back and healthy for the past three games, the revolving door saw LW Alex Killorn (nursing a shoulder injury) and RW Erik Condra sit out.

“That’s one of the things that has helped us as a team, and naturally J.T. doesn’t like having to sit out ... and go down the line,’’ Cooper said. “But the guys understand it.’’

Hedman back in lineup

After a one-game absence, Victor Hedman returns to the lineup against Nashville on Tuesday.

Hedman underwent concussion testing last week after a hit from Dallas forward Jamie Benn knocked Hedman’s head into the side boards. Hedman missed Saturday’s win against Buffalo, but resumed skating on Sunday and returned to practice on Monday.

“With Victor, we all know what he means to team,’’ Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “When the big boy is rolling, usually our team is, and it’s good to have him back.’’

Hedman did not have any complaint about the hit, which was delivered from the front and into Hedman’s chest area.

“I didn’t see him,’’ Hedman said of Benn. “I lost track of the puck and tried to get back into position. So I had my eyes down on the ice. He’s not a dirty player. He’s a hard-working player, a physical player and I admire the way he plays. He finished his check and it was a bang-bang play.’’

Back to normal

After shuffling lines for the third period on Saturday against Buffalo, Cooper reverted the lines back to what they had been for most of the opening six games of the season. For the morning skate, Jonathan Drouin was back working with Stamkos and Ryan; Tyler Johnson centered Ondrej and Kucherov; Valtteri Filppula centered Killorn and Paquette, and Vladislav Namestnikov played between Boyle and Condra.

Nuts and Bolts

Stamkos appeared in his 499th career game. ... Kucherov’s goal was the first at even strength this season for the line of Palat-Johnson-Kucherov. ... The power play goal scored was the second Nashville has allowed this season in seven games.



Blue Jackets hire former Lightning coach Tortorella

Times wires

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 10:15pm

COLUMBUS, Ohio — John Tortorella hoisted a Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay and led the Rangers to the verge of a championship berth.

At Columbus, the Blue Jackets have a more modest goal for Tortorella: Win a game.

Tortorella is back coaching in the NHL after the Blue Jackets (0-7-0) fired Todd Richards on Wednesday.

"He's proven he's a good coach," said center Brandon Dubinsky, who played for Tortorella with the Rangers from 2008-12.

Tortorella, who won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004, has been out of hockey since the Canucks fired him in May 2014 after one season.

"One of the problems right now is expectations," Tortorella said. "Expectations that weren't there last year with this club."

Columbus is off to its worst start, and its longest losing streak since dropping seven straight in regulation from Nov. 11-25, 2005.

Tortorella, 57, signed a three-year contract and will make his debut tonight when Columbus visits Minnesota. He said he wanted to learn as much as he could about the team.

"I need to listen," he said. "I want the players to speak to the staff just to find out where they're at."

The issues include subpar defense (minus-21 goal differential, 18 third-period goals allowed, no one-goal games) and abysmal goaltending — Sergei Bobrovsky has a 5.07 goals-against average and an 83.5 save percentage.

At 446-375-115 over 14 seasons, Tortorella is the NHL's winningest U.S.-born coach; Nashville's Peter Laviolette is five behind. He coached Tampa Bay for seven seasons, going 239-222-36-38, and was coach of the year in the 2003-04 season.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Claude Giroux's second goal, coming on a power play 2:09 into overtime, lifted the Flyers, who overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period. The Bruins, who have lost their first four games at home, were shorthanded with Ryan Spooner off for hooking.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Blues forward Paul Stastny went on injured reserve and will miss at least five weeks with a broken right foot sustained Friday. He has a goal, four assists and a plus-four rating in five games.

Flyers 2 0 2 1 5

at Bruins 2 2 0 0 4

First Period—1, Philadelphia, Bellemare 1 (VandeVelde, White), 9:28. 2, Boston, Connolly 1 (Bergeron, Marchand), 13:28. 3, Philadelphia, Gagner 2 (Laughton, L.Schenn), 15:04. 4, Boston, Bergeron 4 (Eriksson, Krejci), 17:24 (pp). Penalties—Giroux, Phi, double minor (high-sticking), 16:38; Giroux, Phi (unsportsmanlike conduct), 20:00; Chara, Bos (slashing), 20:00; Rinaldo, Bos, major-game misconduct (charging), 20:00.

Second Period—5, Boston, Kelly 2 (Eriksson, Chara), 4:31 (sh). 6, Boston, Hayes 2 (Krejci), 8:49. Penalties—Simmonds, Phi (hooking), 11:39.

Third Period—7, Philadelphia, Giroux 2 (Voracek, Streit), 7:48. 8, Philadelphia, Simmonds 1 (Umberger, Streit), 10:24. Penalties—None.

Overtime—9, Philadelphia, Giroux 3 (Streit, Voracek), 2:09 (pp). Penalties—Spooner, Bos (hooking), 1:36. Shots on Goal—Philadelphia 15-10-11-1—37. Boston 12-11-6-1—30. Power-play opportunities—Philadelphia 1 of 2; Boston 1 of 3. Goalies—Philadelphia, Neuvirth (12 shots-10 saves), Mason 1-2-1 (0:00 second, 18-16). Boston, Rask 1-3-1 (37-32). A—17,565 (17,565). T—2:33.

at Sabres 0 0 1 0 2

Maple Leafs 1 0 0 0 1

Sabres win shootout 2-1

First Period—1, Toronto, Parenteau 1 (Polak, Grabner), 1:28. Penalties—Polak, Tor (holding), 7:10.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Gorges, Buf (holding), 4:02; Spaling, Tor (goaltender interference), 8:15; Hunwick, Tor (interference), 19:36.

Third Period—2, Buffalo, Kane 1, 15:31. Penalties—Phaneuf, Tor (high-sticking), 15:39.

Overtime—None. Penalties—None.

Shootout—Toronto 1 (Parenteau G, Kadri NG, Lupul NG, van Riemsdyk NG, Boyes NG), Buffalo 2 (R.O'Reilly NG, Ennis G, Eichel NG, Kane NG, Moulson G). Shots on Goal—Toronto 6-11-4-3—24. Buffalo 12-12-10-1—35. Power-play opportunities—Toronto 0 of 1; Buffalo 0 of 4. Goalies—Toronto, Bernier 0-3-1 (35 shots-34 saves). Buffalo, C.Johnson 2-4-0 (24-23). A—17,762 (19,070). T—2:47.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 10.22.2015


Lightning's Vasilevskiy takes key step in recovery

Joe SmithJoe Smith, Times Staff Writer

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 6:12pm

NASHVILLE — Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy took significant step in his recovery Wednesday, getting full clearance to return to Lightning practice by early next week.

Vasilevskiy, 21, expected to be Ben Bishop's backup has been sidelined since Sept. 3 surgery to address a blood clot that was around his left collarbone. While Vasilevskiy has been working out this past month, it wasn't until Tuesday's follow-up appointment with surgeon Dr. Karl Illig that he got taken off blood thinner medication, which had restricted him from strenuous activity and facing shots above his waist.

Vasilevskiy will likely join the Lightning for Monday's practice in St. Louis. The team will determine when Vasilevskiy is ready to begin a conditioning assignment with AHL Syracuse. The Crunch plays Oct. 28 in Toronto, as well as a three-game homestand Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, so it's possible Vasilevskiy could be playing with it by then.

Vasilevskiy, who was impressive as a rookie last season (7-5-1, 2.36 goals-against average in 16 games), would provide a big boost once he returns to the Lightning.

Goalie Kevin Poulin, claimed off waivers from the Islanders in late September, is the current backup, but hasn't played. Bishop has started each of the team's first seven games (4-2-1, 2.56). While the Lightning has back-to-back games Friday in Winnipeg and Saturday in Chicago, Bishop could still start both, with two days off before the Winnipeg game and two days off after Chicago.

The real question is what the Lightning will do with Poulin once Vasilevskiy is back. There's no room at Syracuse, with Kristers Gudlevskis and Adam Wilcox the goalies. Wilcox would have to clear waivers to get sent down anyway, and releasing him would potentially leave the Lightning on the hook for his $600,00 salary.

PK SHAKEUP: The Lightning's much-maligned penalty kill has been much improved in the past two games, killing six consecutive power plays, including a key one late in regulation of Tuesday's 5-4 shootout loss at Nashville.

And some new personnel has played a role. Right wing Ryan Callahan, a key penalty killer and shot blocker during his time with the Rangers, was added to the unit after hardly doing it at all last season. Having Cedric Paquette back in the lineup the past three games has also helped.

"What we were doing before wasn't getting it done, so we changed things up," coach Jon Cooper said. "Changed a little personnel up and I think it's changed our vibe there a little bit. We've got a few more shot blockers. We're going to work different guys in there on the penalty kill because you can never have enough of them. But we like what we have going on right now."

SHOOTING BLANKS: The Lightning's struggles in the shootout continue, with Tuesday's loss making Tampa Bay 3-6 since the beginning of last season. Tampa Bay scored on just five of 20 chances last year and went 0-for-3 Tuesday.

"It comes down to a skills competition," Cooper said. "It weighs in favor of the goaltender when you get to the shootout."

Speaking of skills competition, Tuesday's 3-on-3 overtime period was much more measured than Tampa Bay's first experience in the Oct. 8 season opener. It was less of a track meet, with players, on a couple of occasions bringing the puck back to set up a line change. "I think you're going probably see that a little bit more," Cooper said. "You're not going to see up and down chances. Now teams are waiting for their break. It's a little bit more controlled than it was (Oct. 8). It probably makes it a little bit boring, but you get your chances."



Goalie Vasilevskiy set to return to practice early next week

Joe SmithJoe Smith, Times Staff Writer

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 11:59am

Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy got some good news at Tuesday's doctor appointment, that he can come off blood thinners, meaning he can return to practice early next week.

Vasilevskiy, out since an early September surgery to remove a blood clot in his collarbone area, has been working out on his own with goalie coach Frantz Jean. But until Vasilevskiy came off blood thinners he couldn't practice, facing uncontrolled shots. It takes a couple days for the medication to wear off, which is why he won't be practicing, presumably with the Lightning in St. Louis, until next week.

Vasilevskiy would still need some conditioning games with AHL Syracuse, which happens to play Oct 28 and Oct 30 next week. The thought was that Vasilevskiy might be able to return in early November, if all goes well.

Tampa Bay could surely use Vasilevskiy back in the backup role. Starter Ben Bishop has played in each of the first seven games.


978210 Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs lose in shootout to Sabres

By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Wed Oct 21 2015

BUFFALO—The challenge was issued — both publicly and privately — to Jonathan Bernier to be better. And the Maple Leafs goalie responded with his best performance of the season.

The Maple Leafs got a point Wednesday night, but ultimately fell 2-1 in a shootout to the Buffalo Sabres.

And in a season where progress will be measured in tiny incremental steps, the difference in Bernier’s ability to stop the puck, even in the first period, stood out.

“I just really wanted to come out and be focussed all night,” Bernier said. “We did a good job clearing the net, and on rebounds. I was just trying to play big. I feel good about that.

“I’m frustrated we didn’t get the win.”

Bernier stopped 34 of 35 shots, allowing only Evander’s Kane goal with 4:29 remaining in the third that sent the game to overtime.

The 3-on-3 solved nothing — it was the only period dominated by the Leafs — and Matt Moulson scored the shootout winner. The Leafs are 0-2 in shootouts this season.

Bernier had been under the gun for allowing the first goal of the game in his first two starts. Coach Mike Babcock called him out on it.

“He challenged me behind doors too,” Bernier said. “That’s part of the job. I’ve got to be better. You can’t take it too personally. He just wants you to be better. I tried to do my best.”

Bernier even tried to get in on the offence on the 3-on-3, calling for the puck from Morgan Rielly, getting it, and sending Nazem Kadri in on a scoring chance.

“Our goaltender was really strong, which is important for us moving ahead,” Babcock said. “It’s important for him and he’s got to feel good, so that’s a good thing.”

The Leafs’ problem was a lack of scoring. P.A. Parenteau got his first goal as a Leaf, 1:28 into the game. But that was it as the Leafs seemed to fall back and defend rather than continue the kind of attacking game Babcock espouses.

“It was nice to play with the lead, but we stopped playing for a bit after we got the lead,” Bernier said.

The Leafs were outshot for just the second time this season, this time by a wide margin, 35-24.

“I thought we gave up too many shots,” said defenceman Matt Hunwick. “Usually, we’re on the other end of that shot total. We didn’t have the puck enough in the offensive zone and, consequently, we played a little more (in the defensive) zone than we wanted to.”

A sore point for the Maple Leafs was a high stick on captain Dion Phaneuf by Kane on a big, mid-ice hit in the third period. Phaneuf fell to the ice and bled down his jersey. His upper lip needed three or four stitches. But the on-ice officials didn’t see it, so they didn’t call it.

Given the Sabres had four power plays and the Leafs had one, that didn’t sit well with the coaching staff. The Leafs were up 1-0 at the time.

“I don’t understand,” Babcock said. “We should have been on the power play for four minutes in the third, and we weren’t at all, so that’s disappointing. It’s also part of life.”

The Leafs showed some of the puck-possession style Babcock has been pushing in the second period. But Buffalo dominated in the first and third, when Toronto was heavily outshot.

“The big thing is they’re listening every day,” Babcock said before the game. “They’ve been great. They try to get better each and every day. That doesn’t guarantee you success.

“I like the majority of things we’re trying to do, we’ve just had some lapses.”

Even Sabres coach Dan Bylsma, who has his own rebuilding job in front of him, is impressed with what Babcock has done with the Leafs so far.

“I played for him for two years and coached a lot of games against him,” Bylsma said. “You’re getting a team that will play in the offensive zone come hell or high water. Playing there, staying there and being aggressive there. That’s what he’s going to grind into his team.”

Bylsma was asked what he expected from Babcock in Toronto.

“Other than his scowl? A lot better hair than me.” Bylsma said. “(I’m) jealous.”

Toronto Star LOADED: 10.22.2015


Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner out with injury

By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Wed Oct 21 2015

BUFFALO—The Maple Leafs will be without defenceman Jake Gardiner for Wednesday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Gardiner, who practised Tuesday, did not accompany the team to Buffalo for the game. Coach Mike Babcock said the defenceman was injured, but did not expand.

“I don’t know how serious it is,” said Babcock. “Day-to-day. That usually means 10 days. I don’t know the answers.”

Gardiner had points in two straight games (one goal, one assist). Defenceman Martin Marincin will return to the lineup in Gardiner’s place.

The Leafs are also without centre Tyler Bozak, who’ll miss his second straight game with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Mark Arcobello will replace Bozak.

“Any time guys are out of your lineup, especially pieces like that, it’s an opportunity for guys to step up,” said captain Dion Phaneuf. “Injuries happen to all teams. We’re no different. It’s a chance for guys to step up and fill those holes.”

It is the Leafs’ 100th regular-season visit to Buffalo. The Leafs have a record of 27-61-11 in Buffalo.

Toronto Star LOADED: 10.22.2015


Leafs' Babcock tight-lipped on Gardiner's injury

BY TERRY KOSHAN, TORONTO SUN


BUFFALO - Jake Gardiner is hurt.

That much Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock was willing to divulge after the 25-year-old defenceman was not on the ice for the morning skate at the First Niagara Center on Wednesday.

“He is at home,” Babcock said. “He is injured.”

Is it serious?

“I don’t know how serious it is ... day to day, that usually means 10. I don’t know the answer to any of that.”

Gardiner, who practised on Tuesday with his teammates in Toronto, has been a consistent performer for the Leafs in terms of games played. He appeared in 79 games in 2014-15 and in 80 two seasons ago.

Against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night, Gardiner will be replaced on the blue line by Martin Marincin, who is expected to play with captain Dion Phaneuf. The Morgan Rielly-Matt Hunwick pair stays intact, as will Scott Harrington-Roman Polak.

Gardiner is fourth among Leafs defencemen in ice time through five games with an average of 19 minutes 56 seconds and tops the D with a CorsiFor percentage of 60.39.

The Leafs, no matter who is on the blue line, expect to have their hands full with Jack Eichel. The Sabres’ superstar-in-the-making has two goals in five games.

“He has a few ways he can beat you,” Rielly said. “He’s a complete player. Those kinds of players like to have ice in front of them.

“He’s going to create opportunities. You have to be kind of okay with that, but you have to be hard on him. He’s a young kid, so make life tough on him.”

Jonathan Bernier will start in net for the Leafs, his primary focus not allowing a goal on the first or second shot he sees. For the Sabres, Chad Johnson will start in goal.

The Leafs will aim for their first win in Buffalo since Jan. 29, 2013, which came in a 4-3 shootout. The history in Buffalo for the Leafs has been bad, no matter that fans stream over the border from Toronto and other parts of Ontario. The Sabres have won each of their past 11 home games against the Leafs and 19 of their past 21. Toronto’s most recent in win regulation in Buffalo was on Feb. 16, 2011.

It’s the first time the Leafs will face defenceman Cody Franson, who became popular with his teammates during his three-plus seasons in blue and white.

“Every time we came into Buffalo they played us hard, and that is what we are looking to do tonight,” said Franson, who signed a two-year contract with the Sabres in September.

“They have made a lot of personnel changes, new coach, big changes with (trading of) Phil (Kessel) and things like that. They are playing a very close-support style right now and they work hard.”

The game also marks the first time Babcock, who was hired by the Leafs in May, visits Buffalo as Leafs coach. After he left Detroit, his final choices for his next job behind the bench in the NHL were the Leafs and Sabres.

Buffalo hired Dan Bylsma after Babcock and his wife Maureen decided Toronto was the place to be.

“Other than his scowl?” Bylsma said to laughter when he was asked what he expects from Babcock. “A lot better hair than me. Jealous.

“I had the opportunity to play for him in two years (in Anaheim) and coached a lot against him. It’s maybe a process right now he is in with the Leafs, but he is preaching the offensive zone come hell or high water and he is preaching playing there and staying there and being aggressive there. That’s what he is going to grind into his team and that is what he is going to get.

“That scowl is more the way his team is going to play than it is him.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.22.2015


Leafs' Phaneuf praises Jack Eichel's play

BY MIKE ZEISBERGER, TORONTO SUN


BUFFALO - Standing in the dressing room with a couple of stitches closing a gash in his face — a wound courtesy of a third-period blow from Evander Kane that somehow was not called — Dion Phaneuf heaped praise on the teenager over in the Sabres’ dressing room.

“I know he’s only 18,” Phaneuf said after the Leafs’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Sabres on Wednesday. “But Jack Eichel is far beyond his years.”

In this, his sixth career regular-season NHL game, Eichel played slightly less than 20 minutes, had six shots on goal and was chosen to be part of the shootout, although he did not score.

And yet, the Maple Leafs captain went out of his way to compliment the second overall pick in this summer’s NHL draft.

Interestingly, when Phaneuf uses the phrase “far beyond his years,” he might be talking about Eichel’s off-the-ice contributions as well.

Eichel has become friends with a boy named Matthew, who told the Sabres forward he should wear No. 100.

Eichel brought Matthew to the Sabres’ first game of the season. Indeed, the kid has become an inspiration to him.

That’s because Matthew has cancer.

Eichel met Matthew shortly after being drafted by the Sabres during a tour of a cancer centre. It was a meeting that changed both their lives.

“I remember just meeting him at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and seeing him in his bed and how much of a struggle he was going through,” Eichel recalled Wednesday.

“He was at one of our games not so long ago. He was happy. He loves the Sabres. I think I can make him feel a little bit better if I bring him to the locker room or just talk to him.

“They look up to us. It’s something we can do that is pretty simple to make someone’s day a lot better.”

Such mature words from an 18-year-old.

Yes, Dion, Jack Eichel is indeed far beyond his years.”

QUOTE, UNQUOTE

“What bit us in the ass is that we didn’t play very well in the third period.” — Maple Leafs forward P.A. Parenteau

CROSS CHECKS

Blood was gushing from Phaneuf’s face with 11:36 remaining in regulation after he collided with an oncoming Kane. The Leafs — including outspoken coach Mike Babcock — were looking for a penalty on the play, preferably a major for a butt end. Instead, no call was made on the Buffalo forward ... Matt Hunwick once again was a steadying force back on the blueline but took a silly interference penalty with just 14 seconds remaining in the second period ... While on the topic of needless infractions, Nick Spaling was called for a goalie interference minor at 8:15 after running into the Sabres’ Chad Johnson ... Young defenceman Morgan Rielly continues to improve his defensive game under Babcock, doing a great job forcing Eichel wide to the outside during a rush late in the second period ... Early goals by the Leafs in the Queen City have been few and far between over the years, but Babcock’s team came out of the gate with some spunk, registering three of the game’s first four shots and getting a goal from Parenteau just 88 seconds after the opening faceoff ... Meanwhile, Jonathan Bernier wasn’t the guy allowing an early goal, certainly an improvement from the start of the season.

LAST MINUTE OF PLAY

Sabres-Maple Leafs contests in Buffalo are usually boisterous affairs, with thousands of Toronto fans filling the First Niagara Center and making more noise than you hear at many home games at the Air Canada Centre.

But this was different.

On this night, there were far fewer blue-and-white jerseys in the building. In the upper reaches of Sections 324 and 325, where Leafs fans are usually found aplenty for these games, there were dozens of empty seats.

Must have been an important event going on back in Toronto.

Something about a baseball game.



Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock still trying to get familar with new home



Mike Babcock often starts scrums with reporters with one word: “Hello.”

Where it goes from there usually depends on the Maple Leafs head coach’s mood.

On Wednesday following the morning skate, Babcock stopped on his way to the gathering of reporters and had a quick chat with Buffalo Sabres coach Dan Bylsma.

The first question to Babcock was about Bylsma, as the two have known each other since Babcock coached Bylsma with Anaheim more than a decade ago.

The second question to Babcock was Bylsma-related, to which Babcock said: “I thought we were here to talk about the Leafs, weren’t we?”

Fine. Where is Jake Gardiner, who was not on the ice for the morning skate?

“He’s at home because he is injured,” Babcock said. “I don’t know how serious it is. Day to day, that usually means 10. I don’t know the answers for any of that.”

Right.

Babcock is intense, but he’s not a robot. Later, a reporter wondered what the biggest challenge is in starting as a coach in a new city.

“Finding a good restaurant, finding a place to get your hair cut, figuring out how to get back and forth through traffic when you don’t really know the city,” Babcock said. “Getting some furniture. If you buy it on your own, your wife kicks you out of the house. If you don’t buy it on your own, your wife orders special stuff and it takes long and you don’t have no furniture. You know, stuff like that.”

FRANSON FRETTED

Cody Franson is in a good place, but couldn’t have said as much during the summer.

Thought to be a fairly attractive piece on the free-agent market, Franson didn’t sign until Sept. 10, when he put his signature on a two-year deal with the Sabres.

“It was a little stressful, there is no way around that,” the former Leaf said. “I had hoped to have something done in the first week and relax for the summer. “We had a lot of interest, but a lot of teams were tight with cap space so they were trying to make things work. It made for a little bit of a lengthy process.”

Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly is among Franson’s pals and the two talked several times about Franson’s work search.

“I’m happy he got it done, and I will be happy if he is a minus player and we beat him, even though he is a good friend of mine,” Rielly said. “He is over there probably licking his chops, hoping he can burn us one way or another.”

LOOSE LEAFS

Bylsma on what he expected from Babcock: “Other than the scowl? A lot better hair than me ... it’s maybe a process right now he is in with the Leafs, but he is preaching the offensive zone come hell or high water. That’s what he is going to grind into his team and that’s what he is going to get. That scowl is more the way his team is going to play than it is him.” ... Had Babcock taken the head coaching job with the Sabres, Steve Spott would have been one of his assistant coaches. Instead, Babcock goes to the team that had fired Spott, who then mulled an offer from best friend Peter DeBoer to join the coaching staff of the San Jose Sharks for much of the summer before accepting ... Mitch Marner will play for the OHL side on Nov. 16 in Windsor in the Canada-Russia Series, part of the preparation for the world junior championship each winter. Fellow Leafs pick Travis Dermott will suit up for the OHL on Nov. 12 in Owen Sound. Marner should be a catalyst on offence for Canada in the tournament in Helsinki starting on Dec. 26, while Dermott will be involved in a battle for a spot on the blue line.



Bernier steady in Leafs' shootout loss to Sabres


FIRST POSTED: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 10:21 PM EDT | UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015 12:29 AM EDT

BUFFALO - That coach’s challenge worked in the favour of the Maple Leafs.

Unfortunately for goaltender Jonathan Bernier, his 34-save performance against the Buffalo Sabres earned the Maple Leafs just one point at First Niagara Center, a building that usually is a dead zone for Toronto.

Coach Mike Babcock had become impatient with Bernier’s inability to stop the puck early in recent games. After Babcock made it clear in previous days, both publicly and privately, that the man many have deemed to be the starting goalie simply had to be better, Bernier was exactly that before an announced crowd of 17,762.

Bernier could do only so much, however. After his teammates couldn’t produce many scoring opportunities during regulation, they were unable to bury some prime chances in overtime.

Matt Moulson, the fifth Buffalo shooter in the shootout, beat Bernier with a deke and Brad Boyes was then stopped by Chad Johnson, enabling the Sabres to skate off the ice with a 2-1 win.

“He challenged me behind (closed) doors and that’s part of the job,” Bernier said, referring to Babcock. “I have to be better and you have to take it, you can’t take it too personal.

“I really wanted to come out and be focused all night. I’m frustrated I didn’t win.”

As the Leafs continue to learn under Babcock, it’s crucial for the netminder to find a rhythm, whether it’s Bernier or James Reimer. As much as Babcock wants his team to be aggressive in the offensive zone and control the play, it’s not going to come right away to a group that has had major possession issues in the past.

The goalie has to be sharp to cover up defensive-zone troubles and Bernier was fine in that regard until just 4 1/2 minutes remained in the third period.

There was nothing Bernier could do about a Nazem Kadri giveaway. Kadri was falling to the ice when he put the puck on the stick of Evander Kane. In a blink, the puck was over Bernier’s glove and into the top corner.

That tied the game 1-1, the goal coming after the Sabres had kept the Leafs hemmed in their own zone for much of the period.

Kadri failed to score on a couple of terrific chances in overtime, and James van Riemsdyk nearly scored as time expired.

Only because of Bernier did the Leafs, who fell to 1-3-2, have a shot at two points.

“I thought our goalie was really strong, which is really important,” Babcock said. “He has been a goalie in the NHL for a while and he has been a good goaltender. When you are trying to make a decision every day on who should start, it’s no fun for the coach either. It’s good that a guy who is supposed to be starting all the time grabs the ball and runs with it. It makes you a better team.”

Crucially, Bernier was sharp early and had a lead to work from.

P.A. Parenteau scored his first goal as a Leaf at 1:28 of the first period, tipping a Roman Polak shot past Johnson. It was the first time in six games this season the Leafs scored the opening goal. The 1-0 lead after 20 minutes came after the Leafs had been outscored 6-1 in the first period in their previous five games combined.

Yet Toronto could not generate a lot afterward and was outshot for the second time in 2015-16 as Johnson faced 24 shots on goal.

Babcock was not thrilled that no call was made on Kane after the forward collided with captain Dion Phaneuf in the third. Phaneuf’s blood on his upper lip wasn’t enough for a penalty, and he was required to get stitches.

Toronto, without defenceman Jake Gardiner because of an undisclosed injury and centre Tyler Bozak because of a lower-body injury, has won just two of its past 18 games in Buffalo.

“One of those nights we did not have everything going in the right direction and it cost us,” defenceman Matt Hunwick said. “(Bernier) kept us in it. He bounced back after a couple of early goals in Pittsburgh (last Saturday) and carried it through. He played excellent.”



Toronto Maple Leafs surrender late tying-goal to Evander Kane and fall to Buffalo Sabres in shootout

Nick Mendola, The Associated Press | October 21, 2015 11:44 PM ET

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Evander Kane and the Buffalo Sabres brought relentless pressure Wednesday night. The payoff came just in time.

Penguins score early and hold on to beat Leafs in Phil Kessel's first meeting with former team

Kane tied it with 4:29 left with his first goal for Buffalo, and the Sabres came back to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in a shootout.

“We felt we weren’t going to be shutout, and we made that happen,” Kane said.

Kane tied it on the team’s 33rd shot when he pushed a wrister over Bernier’s shoulder. Buffalo acquired Kane from Winnipeg in February, but he was unable to play until this season after having shoulder surgery.

“We definitely deserved to win that one,” Kane said. “We worked hard for it from the start, got down early but kept battling and were able to get the victory.”

Matt Moulson and Tyler Ennis scored in the shootout, while Chad Johnson made 23 saves as Buffalo improved to 2-4.

P.A. Parenteau scored and Jonathan Bernier made 34 saves as the Maple Leafs fell to 1-3-2.

Buffalo has won six straight at home against the Leafs, part of a 16-1-1 run of home dominance against Toronto.

Buffalo got off to a fast start, but it was Parenteau who opened the scoring when he redirected Roman Polak’s shot from the right point over Johnson’s shoulder at the 1:28 mark.

The game went to 3-on-3 overtime, where Buffalo quickly had a 3-on-1 foiled by Bernier.

Johnson made an acrobatic left pad save to stop Kadri deep into overtime, and Toronto missed two further chances to score.

“It happened so fast I was sort of in desperation mode at that point and I just stuck my leg out,” Johnson said. “You’re just sort of in the moment at that stage of the game.”

In the first, Kane picked up a loose puck to spring a 2-on-1 with rookie Jack Eichel, but elected to make a pass that was pushed away from danger.

The pair was responsible for much of the Sabres’ attack, with 13 of Buffalo’s 35 shots on goal.

“It took us to almost shot 35 to break them,” said Eichel. “And we needed that. Maybe now we’ll get on a roll, and I think this is a team that can do that.”

Bernier made a point-blank stop on Moulson during a Buffalo power play about nine minutes into the period, and then denied Kane moments later.

Off Tyler Ennis’ takeaway at the blue line, Nicolas Deslauriers put a shot past Bernier but off the cross bar.

Buffalo finished the first with a 12-6 advantage in shots.

Toronto took eight of the first nine second-period shots, but Buffalo started to find its form with Nick Spaling in the box for interfering with Johnson.

Bernier stopped five shots on the power play, including a pair of scrums near his crease.

Buffalo took control of the third period midway through and raised the Leafs’ ire when Kane plowed through Dion Phaneuf near the blue line, dropping Toronto’s captain to the ice with a high stick.

“I don’t quite understand, we should have been on the power play four minutes in the third and we weren’t at all,” said Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock. “So that’s disappointing, but it’s also part of life.”

Ennis and Cody Franson each had chances to beat Bernier during a possession with about six minutes left, but the Toronto goaltender saved both.

Bernier said his strong performance was in response to Babcock.

“He challenged me behind the doors, too,” Bernier said. “That’s part of the job. I’ve got to be better. You’ve got to take it, you can’t take it too personally.”

National Post LOADED: 10.22.2015


Toronto Maple Leafs forward P.A. Parenteau nets first goal of the season and hopes to build off that momentum

David Alter | October 21, 2015 | Last Updated: Oct 21 11:29 PM ET

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Since joining the National Hockey League on a full-time basis, Leafs forward P.A. Parenteau has been quick to get his offensive side going. This season, it’s taken a little bit of time.

“It’s never easy to try to fit in with a new team. I’m working hard and I’m staying positive and I know I’m doing some good things on the power play as well,” said Parenteau before Wednesday’s 2-1 shootout loss the Buffalo Sabres. “I’m just trying to find my confidence and doing the right things will give me more ice time.”

Parenteau finally broke through for his first tally as a member of the Leafs, a deflection in front of the net off a shot by defenceman Roman Polak. He did it by doing what was asked of him by head coach Mike Babcock — going to the net.

“The problem with the game today, you might have real good hands and you might get real good touches when you get it. But who’s getting it for ya? You actually have to go get it sometimes,” said Babcock. “That’s part of the challenge for him, you’ve got to go compete to go have pucks and make plays so you can score.”

Parenteau has done a good job of creating space for his fellow wingers, much like Brad Boyes, Daniel Winnik and Leo Komarov have for their respective lines. Komarov has executed this well, accounting for three goals over a two-game span prior to Wednesday’s game.

“When you start getting a little bit of confidence in your game it shows. I’ve got nothing to lose this year,” said Parenteau. “So, alright I’ve got to bring the puck to the net a little bit more and try to make things happen and I did that.”

This past summer, Parenteau was bought out by the Montreal Canadiens, following a season where he scored just eight goals and registered 22 points in 56 games. It was his lowest total for goals and points since the 2010-11 campaign, his first in the NHL on a full-time basis.

His departure from Montreal was acrimonious, with Parenteau speaking candidly about his disagreements with Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien, who he felt didn’t place him in a position to succeed.

“I know what I can do, I know I can help this team offensively, a lot, a lot more than people think,” Parenteau said during training camp. “So I’m planning on doing so.”

Prior to Wednesday’s game, Parenteau was on his longest goal drought to start a season since his rookie year in 2006-07.

Although he’s averaging just under 12 minutes of ice-time, the opportunities should increase if Parenteau can build off this game. In addition to getting some time on the secondary power-play unit, he seems to be trending in the right direction, despite a lack of production in the previous five games.

Parenteau’s goal at the 1:28 mark of the opening period looked like it would hold up as the winner. But with the Sabres pressing for much of the third period, Evander Kane would be the benefactor of an errant clear by Leafs forward Nazem Kadri. His quick shot tied the game with 4:29 remaining to force overtime.

Parenteau scored the lone goal for the Leafs in the shootout. But Buffalo scored one more, as Matt Moulson delivered the winner.

In net, goaltender Jonathan Bernier was able to exorcise the first period demons that plagued him through his previous three starts. He made 34 saves while building off the solid second and third periods he had in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh.

“It’s just good the guy who’s supposed to be starting all the time grabs the ball and runs with it,” said Babcock after the game.

It was the coach’s first clear admission that there really wasn’t a competition for thew Leaf’s starting goaltender position. Earlier in the week, Babcock had publicly challenged his goaltender to have a better start to games than he had in his previous three starts.

“He challenged me behind the (closed) doors too and that’s part of my job,” said Bernier of Babcock. “I’ve got to do better and you really can’t take it

too personally. He just wants you to play better and I’m trying to do my best that I can.”

The Leafs were outshot 35-24. It was the second consecutive game where they were outshot. Still, they picked up a point in the standings, despite a third period missed high-stick when Kane clipped Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf.

Bernier has turned what appeared to be struggles in his game to level of goaltending that allowed Babcock to give his netminder a public endorsement after a few days of uncertainty.

In his last two starts, Bernier has a 1.46 goals against average and .956 save percentage. Despite his performances, his team has just one point to show for it.

National Post LOADED: 10.22.2015

978218 Washington Capitals

Philipp Grubauer to start in net for Capitals against Edmonton

By Isabelle Khurshudyan October 21 at 8:27 PM

VANCOUVER—Goaltender Philipp Grubauer will make his season debut against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, Washington Capitals Coach Barry Trotz said. The team plays back-to-back games at Vancouver on Thursday and then Edmonton the next night, so it was a natural place to give top goalie Braden Holtby a break.

Grubauer won the backup goaltending job in training camp over Justin Peters, who was the backup to Holtby last season. But it was in part a business decision; both Peters and Grubauer required waivers to go down to the minors and are on one-way contracts, but Grubauer carried a slightly smaller cap hit and would’ve been at greater risk of getting nabbed upon reassignment because he’s six years younger.

After Grubauer made the opening night roster and Peters was reassigned to the American Hockey League, Trotz said Peters outplayed Grubauer at times in training camp, but the separation wasn’t great enough to out-weigh the other factors.

For Grubauer, being the No. 2 goaltender is a new role. He played 49 games in Hershey last season, earning 27 wins. He had a .921 save percentage and a 2.30 goals against average with six shutouts. In his three seasons with Hershey, he started 105 games. So while this new NHL gig marked a promotion for Grubauer, it also came with elusive playing time. Holtby played 73 games last year.

The Capitals promoted Grubauer in early February last season to face Anaheim, then owners of the league’s best record. Grubauer responded with a 23-save shootout victory. Then, when Holtby fell ill during the first round against the New York Islanders, they again bypassed Peters and recalled Grubauer, who made 18 saves and became the fifth Washington goaltender to win his postseason debut.

In his season debut, he’ll have to face a young Edmonton team that has back-to-back wins entering its game against Detroit on Wednesday night. It will be Washington’s first time playing against hyped rookie center Connor McDavid, the first round pick of the 2015 NHL draft who has tallied five points this season through Tuesday.

Washington Post LOADED: 10.22.2015


Marcus Johansson is playing bigger for the Capitals

By Isabelle Khurshudyan

VANCOUVER — A question about Marcus Johansson once brought a smile to Troy Brouwer’s face. “The little guy,” Brouwer said. That was in May, when the Washington Capitals were in the middle of a second-round playoff series with the New York Rangers.

This season, following a number of roster changes that included a trade that sent Brouwer to St. Louis and brought forward T.J. Oshie to Washington, Johansson — at 6-foot-1, 209 pounds — is actually bigger than the team averages in height and weight.

If there was one criticism about the Capitals’ offseason moves, it was that while Washington bolstered the team’s skill with the additions of Oshie and Justin Williams, it lost size in the departures of Brouwer, Joel Ward and Eric Fehr. Through the first five games of the season, Johansson is filling the void, becoming a presence in front of the net like his departed teammates had been. He’s acted as a screen for several goals already.

“It’s part of scoring goals and getting goals for the team,” Johansson, 25, said. “Someone has to screen the goalie because they’re so good nowadays. I mean, you can’t just shoot and expect everything to go in. If that’s what it takes to get goals, I’m happy to go there.”

A restricted free agent at the end of last season, Johansson and the Capitals went to arbitration, which resulted in a one-year contract worth $3.75 million. The Swedish winger will return to restricted free agency after this season, when the arbitration process could begin anew, or he could sign a longer deal with Washington before then.

Before last season began, Coach Barry Trotz urged Johansson to shoot more, and Johansson responded with his most productive season in the NHL. He played all 82 games for the first time, reached a career-high 20 goals and added 27 assists. He skated mostly on the second line with center Evgeny Kuznetsov and Brouwer, and served as the goal line option on the power play, often tasked with bringing pucks into the offensive zone.

He still occupies the same role on the power play, but Johansson has been more aggressive in getting in front of the net. He posted up in front of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Scott Darling on Oshie’s power-play goal last week, jumping up and out of the way just as Oshie’s strike reached the net. In the next period of the same game, Johansson acted as a screen for defenseman John Carlson’s even-strength shot from the blue line.

Against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, Johansson blocked goalie Cam Ward’s vision on a power play, setting up Carlson’s goal. The two games are part of a hot offensive streak for the Capitals, who have scored at least four goals in three straight games, the latest being a 6-2 win in Calgary on Tuesday. Through five games, Johansson has a goal and two assists.

Trotz said he talked with Johansson last year about using his “assets” to take pucks to the front of the net.

“He’s so quick, he can get to the front of the net,” Trotz said. “He can get

around people. He can get on top of people. . . . He can get back to the net front from out of the corners. He can do all that. That’s where he’s going to be productive, when he’s getting inside the dots and inside the interior. That’s where he’s going to be most effective.

Johansson said whether he stays on the goal line or is more active in being a screen during the power play depends on the opponent and the situation. He shrugged and figured he’s just gotten better at it over time.

As far as being undersized compared to Brouwer or Ward, who played that role with the second power-play unit last year, Johansson said it’s more about timing, not that he’s overthinking it.

“As long as you’re in the way, I think it helps,” he said. “That’s all I’m trying to do.”

Said Trotz: “JoJo’s not a small guy. He’s just not as thick as Wardo, but he

can get there. . . . He uses his quickness and his skills.”



Flames broadcasters get heated after Alex Ovechkin skates in Calgary’s zone during warmups

By Scott Allen October 21

Alex Ovechkin scored 30 seconds into the second period of Washington’s 6-2 win at Calgary on Tuesday, giving the Capitals captain his 900th career point.

Ovechkin’s goal against Flames goalie Karri Ramo came only minutes after Ovechkin shot a “pretend puck” past Rammo during the warm-up skate before the start of the second period.

rude Ovi pic.twitter.com/zOGZTotZ2r

— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 21, 2015

Flames broadcasters Rick Ball and Kelly Hrudey took issue with Ovechkin’s detour onto Calgary’s half of the ice before joining his teammates.

“Kelly, Ovechkin with an interesting warm-up skate right before the start of the period,” Ball said, revisiting the incident more than five minutes into the second period.

“Okay, so he’s going to come on the ice for the start of the second period, heads into the Flames’ zone in front of Ramo, pretend puck, flips it in, and then 30 seconds later, you know what happens,” Hrudey said as a replay played. “Shot, rebound, back in. But now the question I want to raise is, is that an unsportsmanlike penalty, unsportsmanlike conduct? I don’t know if you can do that.”

“You’re supposed to stay on your side of the ice,” Ball said.

“That’s right,” Hrudey said. “You’re not allowed to go into the other team’s end like that.”

“No harm, no foul if you’re Ovechkin,” Ball said, “and like you said, it was a half-minute later the puck was in the net off his stick.”

At least one Flames fan thought Calgary players should’ve policed Ovechkin for violating an unwritten rule of hockey. A Capitals fan said Ovechkin does this all the time, which, if true, is something I’ve never noticed.

@NHLFlames How is Ovi allowed to skate in like that during warmups? Bollig, Ferland or anyone can't let that happen.

— Kurt Beutler (@SaskFlames) October 21, 2015

It’s not as if Ovechkin was hanging in the Flames’ huddle…



With development of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Capitals have one-two punch up the middle

By Isabelle Khurshudyan October 21 at 9:03

CALGARY — Alex Ovechkin had crashed Evgeny Kuznetsov’s postgame interview before. That was January, when Kuznetsov was just starting to come into his own with the Washington Capitals. Ovechkin could be heard shouting off camera, “You can’t speak English, Kuzy; let’s go,” and Kuznetsov couldn’t stifle his laughter.

Ovechkin light-heartedly teased his 23-year-old Russian teammate again Tuesday night, yelling, “I speak English very well,” while Kuznetsov spoke to reporters in Calgary. This time, he didn’t flinch at the distraction.

The evolution of Kuznetsov in the nearly 10 months between Ovechkin pranks is staggering – not just because of his newfound ability to keep a poker face. He came to the Capitals as a talented work-in-progress, needing time to adjust to the NHL game. That period is now complete, as he’s anchoring Washington’s top line and has five points in five games.

With center Nicklas Backstrom back in the lineup after missing the start of the season while recovering from offseason hip surgery, the Capitals have a legitimate one-two punch up the middle with Kuznetsov and Backstrom.

“When you have two lines that can hurt you, your D matchups are very important,” Coach Barry Trotz said. “Not too many teams are four- and five-deep on top-end defensemen. We get some matchups that are in our favor, then hopefully we can take advantage of it.”

Kuznetsov’s latest highlight-reel pass was a backhand assist to Andre Burakovsky, which Kuznetsov repeatedly described as a “lucky play.” The goal was the equalizer in Washington’s game at Calgary on Tuesday night, which the Capitals went on to win, 6-2.

Kuznetsov to Burakovsky for the tie #CapsFlames pic.twitter.com/HLp1vzRWXh

— CAPITALS HILL (@CapitalsHill) October 21, 2015

He had tried the same pass to winger T.J. Oshie a game earlier, but Carolina goaltender Cam Ward made an impressive glove save on the strike. On Tuesday night, Kuznetsov tallied three points, assisting on Ovechkin’s goal – his 900th point – and on Oshie’s goal in third period.

Then Oshie scores 4-1 #CapsFlames pic.twitter.com/hfczktD1wd

— CAPITALS HILL (@CapitalsHill) October 21, 2015

“Kuzy’s come a long way from the start of last year,” Trotz said after the game. “I thought tonight he was really skating. He’s an exceptional talent.”

He recorded 37 points in the regular season and seven more during the playoffs. He figures to be even better this year, jelling so well with the first line right now that Trotz has inserted Backstrom on the second line, giving Washington two potent scoring lines that could be crucial for a playoff run.

“I think it’s important that you have different looks,” Backstrom said. “That’s what it’s about, I think, to screw with the other teams a little bit. Especially if we make the playoffs, I think that’s going to be a big key.”



How many points will Alex Ovechkin have by the end of his career?

Chuck Gormley

Alex Ovechkin says he didn’t know that when he scored 30 seconds into the second period of the Capitals’ 6-2 win over the Calgary Flames he had just become the second-fastest active NHL player to reach 900 points, behind only Jaromir Jagr.

“I didn’t know it was my 900th,” he told reporters. “It’s a special moment for me.”

Maybe Ovechkin, who now has 479 goals and 900 points in 764 career games, is preoccupied by his chase for 500 goals, which, with his current scoring pace, could come well before Christmas.

But it’s what others were saying after Ovechkin’s most recent milestone that sparked an interesting question we’ll address in a moment.

“It’s impressive what he’s done so far,” Caps center Nicklas Backstrom said, “but he’s not done yet.”

“To get to 900 points in this league you’ve got to be pretty darn good and he’s got a lot of points left in him,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. “To see what he ends up with in final totals when his career is done is going to be pretty astounding, I think.”

So what’s your guess? When all is said and done and Ovi has traded in his skates for a comfy pair of slippers, how many goals will he have scored? How many points?

“He might not always score 50 or 60 goals a year,” former Capitals center Jeff Halpern said earlier this month. “But half of that number is still pretty impressive in the NHL.

“When he gets into his late 30s I’m sure he won’t be the same player he is now. But I don’t see signs of anything slowing down. Father Time hasn’t won the battle yet.”

Right now, it’s not even close.

But even if we assume that at some point Father Time catches up to Ovechkin and slowly robs him of his ability to score, his numbers will be pretty astounding.

At 30 years old, Ovechkin has six years remaining (including this season) on the 13-year, $124 million contract he signed back in 2008. Since he shows absolutely no signs of slowing and has the benefit of playing alongside younger playmakers like Backstrom, 27, T.J. Oshie, 28, and Evgeny Kuznetsov, 23, it’s safe to assume Ovechkin’s numbers could actually increase before taking a downward arc.

For a quick comparison, let’s take a look at another prolific goal scorer, Brett Hull, and his offensive numbers in his six seasons after turning 30:

Brett Hull

1994-95 (age 30) – 29 goals, 21 assists, 50 points (48-game season)

1995-96 (age 31) – 43 goals, 40 assists, 83 points





Hull’s offensive production actually increased after turning 36 in 2001. He recorded another 92 goals and 207 points in three seasons with the Red Wings before retiring at the age of 39, then re-retiring following the 2004-05 lockout.

With that in mind, let’s project these next six years of Ovechkin’s career, at which point he will either continue playing in the NHL, retire, or finish his playing career in Russia.

Alex Ovechkin



2017-18 (age 32) -- 47 goals, 28 assists, 75 points




Based on those very rough estimates, Ovechkin, at the ripe age of 35, would be sitting on 732 goals, 579 assists for 1,311 points at the end of his current contract.

That would place him fourth on the NHL’s all-time list in career goals (behind Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Brett Hull) and 33rd in points.

Of course, if Ovechkin plays beyond his current contract and into his late 30s, “astounding” may not be strong enough a word to describe his accomplishments.



Capitals nearly perfect in rout of Flames

Chuck Gormley is CSNwashington.com's Capitals Insider.

News, notes and quotes as the Capitals awake in Vancouver today following Tuesday night’s impressive 6-2 win over the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome:

Ode to Ovi: By deftly tucking his own rebound behind Flames goaltender Karri Ramo, Alex Ovechkin became the second-fastest active player to record his 900th point. Ovechkin has done it in 764 games. Florida Panthers 43-year-old right wing Jaromir Jagr did it in 681. “It’s pretty special,” Trotz said. “He’s one of those rare players you get to work with and you get to see on a nightly basis. It’s pretty special. To get to 900 point in this league you’ve got to be pretty darn good and he’s got a lot of points left in him. To see what he ends up with in final totals when his career is done is going to be pretty astounding, I think.”

Kuz-tastic: With each passing game, Evgeny Kuznetsov is blossoming into an NHL star with unparalleled vision. One game after finding T.J. Oshie in front of the net with a reverse pass against the Carolina Hurricanes, Kuznetsov pulled a similar move Tuesday night to set up Andre Burakovsky’s game-tying goal with 3:58 remaining in the first period. “Kuzy’s come a long way from the start of last year,” Trotz said. “Tonight he was really skating.”

Bura-cuda: On Sunday, Capitals coach Barry Trotz said he would try to find extra ice time for fourth-line right wing Andre Burakovsky and on Tueasday night he did just that. After back-to-back penalty kills that saw T.J. Oshie log 1:29 of shorthanded ice time, Trotz gave Oshie a rest on the bench and replaced him with Burakovsky. On his first shift with Ovechkin and Kuznetsov, neither of whom kill penalties, Burakovsky lingered in front of the net long enough to snap Kuznetsov’s backhand pass through Ramo. Burakovsky finished with 14:19 of ice time, including 2:34 on the power play. It’s a good way to get a good talented man in the fold.

Killing it: The Caps were a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill Tuesday night and are now 13 for 15 on the season, tied with Dallas and Vancouver for seventh in the NHL at 86.7 percent. Defensively, Brooks Orpik (2:47), John Carlson (2:27) ,Matt Niskanen (2:25) and Karl Alzner (2:22) are averaging the most PK time, while Brooks Laich (2:09), Jay Beagle (1:53), Oshie (1:38), Justin Williams (1:30), Nicklas Backstrom (1:26), Jason Chimera (1:22) and Tom Wilson (1:01) are pulling the load. Wilson, who is seeing regular PK time for the first time in his NHL career, had a nice block on the penalty kill while the Caps were killing off back-to-back penalties in the first period. “I think we got some momentum off of that,” Caps coach Barry Trotz. “We played quicker after that.”

Willy and Backy: In just two games together Williams and Backstrom are finding some good chemistry alongside left wing Marcus Johansson. Williams has set up two of Backstrom’s three goals this season with primary assists. Williams is still seeking his first goal as a Capital but has four assists in five games.

Chorlov: Taylor Chorney (holding) and Dmitry Orlov (high sticking) each took minor penalties in the first period when the Caps were trailing the Flames 1-0. But both defensemen recovered nicely, with Orlov finishing a plus-3 and Chorney a plus-2.

What’s next: The Caps have a practice scheduled for today in Vancouver and rumor has it a rookie dinner may follow this evening. The Caps’ only rookies this season are Chandler Stephenson, Stan Galiev and Philipp Grubauer, so newcomers Justin Williams, T.J. Oshie and Taylor Chorney may have to chip in to cover the tab. The Caps will look to improve on their 4-1-0 record Thursday night against the Canucks when Trotz could try to work Michael Latta and/or Nate Schmidt into the lineup.


978224 Winnipeg Jets

More Central foes on tap for Winnipeg

Posted: 10/22/2015 3:00 AM Staff

AFTER the Tampa Bay Lightning visit Friday, it's back to another Central Division matchup Sunday for the Winnipeg Jets when the Minnesota Wild visit the MTS Centre.

The Central Division story has had legs for several days now after last Sunday's intense game between the Jets and St. Louis Blues, won 4-2 by St. Louis.

The Central has piled up 27 wins already through Wednesday, more than any other NHL division.

"It just tells you nothing's changed from last year, that it's going to be a high point total because the teams are probably going to run pretty well until mid-February, then we play all divisional games," Jets coach Paul Maurice said Wednesday. "I don't think anybody's waiting for anybody to fall off in the Central Division.

"It's going to be great hockey. In some ways there's a bit of a payoff for being in the Central Division. You play so many big, physical games, you get into a rhythm of that kind of game being played. It raises your level. It forces you to play at a higher level."

-- Campbell

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 22, 2015 D4

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.22.2015


Jets are showing progress on power play

By: Tim Campbell

Early returns on the Winnipeg Jets’ power play are positive in light of last season’s erratic results.

Winnipeg has six power-play goals in six games so far this NHL season, a 26.1 per cent conversion rate. That’s fifth in the NHL so far, an excellent pace and well above the average of 18.3 per cent.

A year ago, the Jets finished 17th on the power play at 17.8 per cent, below the average of 18.7 per cent. The power play then was hot and cold regularly, including a drought of six games to start the season and a seven-game stretch with nothing in November.

"I think we’re just focused on moving the puck quick," Jets defenceman Tyler Myers said Wednesday, his team off to a 4-2-0 start. "We’re not trying to slow things down. When that happens, we get in a bit of trouble.

"But it’s been both units, not just one unit, which is big for a power play. Both have really bought into moving the puck quick and not letting (opponents) set up."

The team’s addition of some youth and skill this fall may be helping the power play become a more proactive group, Myers agreed.

"Yeah. A few of our young guys are on the power-play units and they’ve proved since the start of camp that they have a lot to bring to the team," he said. "One of those things is speed and that’s a really big factor on the power play."

Jets right-winger Blake Wheeler shares the longest active points streak in the NHL with Dallas’s Jamie Benn.

Wheeler’s six-game streak includes three goals and five assists.

He’s getting some notice for his scoring but Jets coach Paul Maurice said there’s way more to Wheeler’s game than that.

"There’s something that Blake Wheeler can do for our team other than score," the coach said. "It’s a huge piece of his game and he’s respected for that part of it."

After the Tampa Bay Lightning visit Friday, it’s back to another Central Division matchup Sunday for the Winnipeg Jets when the Minnesota Wild visit the MTS Centre.

The Central Division story has had legs for several days now after last Sunday’s intense game between the Jets and St. Louis Blues, won 4-2 by St. Louis.

The Central has piled up 27 wins already through Wednesday, more than any other NHL division.

"It just tells you nothing’s changed from last year, that it’s going to be a high point total because the teams are probably going to run pretty well until mid-February, then we play all divisional games," Jets coach Paul Maurice said Wednesday. "I don’t think anybody’s waiting for anybody to fall off in the Central Division.

"It’s going to be great hockey. In some ways there’s a bit of a payoff for being in the Central Division. You play so many big, physical games, you get into a rhythm of that kind of game being played. It raises your level. It forces you to play at a higher level."



Jets and Moose are in close quarters this week, making it easy for the boss to keep an eye on things

By: Tim Campbell

The Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose were practising on rinks across the hall from each other at the MTS Iceplex Wednesday morning. At right, Winnipeg Jets player Drew Stafford stops in to talk to his friend and Manitoba Moose player Jay Harrison.

It used to be 3,220 kilometres between practices.

This week, it was no more than a Dustin Byfuglien point shot, about 60 feet.

The Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose were under the same roof this week at practice for the first time since the start of the NHL and AHL seasons, skating both Tuesday and Wednesday at the MTS Iceplex.

It’s the new hockey order in Winnipeg after True North Sports & Entertainment brought the Moose back from St. John’s, N.L. The AHL team, originally the Moose, went there in 2011 to make room for the relocated Atlanta Thrashers.

The Moose started their Wednesday workout just a couple of minutes before the Jets, ending just a couple of minutes later than their NHL parent team.

Through four panes of glass, the view from the ice on the Winnipeg Free Press rink, where the Moose skate regularly, to the Assiniboine Credit Union rink, the normal ice surface for Jets practice when the team’s at the Iceplex, is as clear as clear gets.

And vice versa.

It’s only separated by the regular gathering of spectators, most there to watch the Jets, and dollar signs.

"I don’t think it’s distraction," said Moose defenceman Brenden Kichton, asked about being able to see the Jets across the lobby. "It’s almost motivation. You know somebody’s watching you, always, the GM or coach.

"You can’t just come in one day and slack off, go through the motions. You have to be prepared every day, get better every day.

"It’s a lot of work to go over there. It’s only 60 feet but it’s a lot harder than that."

Centre Patrice Cormier, who has played 29 games for the reincarnated Jets over four seasons, was asked if he thinks about it more now that he can see the NHL team with his own eyes.

"It is not a distraction," Cormier said. "We see those guys in the gym. You just go about your business. We see them, we say, ‘Hi.’ I’m happy to see the guys and they’re happy to see us. Want it or not, we see them a lot and spend a lot of time with them during camp.

"I’ve been with those guys for some time. It’s not a distraction. You want to be there and it’s just one call away. It’s inches from getting a call. That’s why it’s important for us to keep the pedal down and keep working. You do see them, you do notice them. You control what you can. That’s the way I am. You do that, you’ll have success. You can’t control that the Jets are on the other side here."

Apart from the benefit of infinitely easier recalls most days of the season, a big advantage for the organization is having eyes on the prospects.

On Wednesday, that included the big boss, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.

How did he choose which team to watch?

"I started by watching the Jets, a bit of old habit and my nature," Cheveldayoff said. "But at the first break, I popped over to other side and watched the Moose for a while."

The Jets GM said had relevant discussions with both coaches, Paul Maurice of the Jets and Keith McCambridge of the Moose, and enjoyed that thoroughly.

"I hadn’t had a chance yet to sit with Keith but I spent some time talking to the Moose coaches until I got booted out when some players came in for extra teaching," he said. "I’m not sure how many days they’ll be together like that.

"What’s important now is that everyone kind of settles in into finding rhythm of their seasons. But I understand that with most young players, the NHL is never too far away from their minds."

Told that Cheveldayoff was watching the Moose practice, Cormier, now 25, just grinned.

"You see, somebody’s always watching," he said. "We know they’re around. We just go about our business. And what we control is going on the ice every day and getting to work.

"We use it as motivation. Some guys may be nervous about it but most guys use it. It’s exciting we’re just down the hall."

The watchful eyes were no big deal, Kichton said.

As for his own eyes, they’re fixed on his own job, not on watching the Jets practice.

"I’m focused on what I’m doing," he said. "I’m not looking over there too much. I’m trying to get better at my craft, working on the little things in my game and the stuff our team needs to work on."

Moose coach Keith McCambridge has the responsibility for keeping eyes, hands and feet moving towards a better game.

Now he’s juggling another potential distraction, and it’s no small job.

"I think the team notices, yes," said McCambridge, pointing to the ice where the Jets practised. "That’s a good thing they notice. They know that management is that much closer, watching practices. They did a good job with that the last four years but at the end of the day, you’re on a rock in the middle of the ocean, it’s hard to get to those places.

"It’s a real good thing for the players to realize there are that many more eyes on you and watching to see where your development is at this stage.

"Is it a distraction? Well, the other side is that if you’re a player and there’s nobody watching for 20 of your 30 practices... let’s just say I think there will be a boost for us as the season goes awlong, based on who’s watching."

If the Jets practising 60 feet away is motivation, then McCambridge would obviously forgive the occasional glance across, right?

"In the middle of a drill? That wouldn’t be high on the list of good things," he said. "But there’s a motivation factor."



Jets not taking games at the start of the season lightly

By: Tim Campbell

Their longest homestand of the season continues on Friday night when the Tampa Bay Lightning visit but being at home is not the same as taking a breather for the Winnipeg Jets.

The homestand of six games includes five opponents that made the playoffs last spring. The other is the 2014 Stanley Cup champions, the L.A. Kings, who were nosed out for a post-season spot in the final week of the 2014-15 regular season.

'No matter who we’re playing or what they’ve done in the past, we need to bring it for every game,' Tyler Myers said after practice at the MTS IcePlex today.

The stretch of games also includes three games against Central Division opponents.

The first of those was last Sunday’s 4-2 loss to St. Louis. The next one up is Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild.

"Yeah, we’re going to have that all year long," Jets defenceman Tyler Myers said today about the demanding stretch of games. "We have some pretty big divisional games here in this homestand and they’re certainly important.

"Every game in this league is so important. We learned that from last year, how hard we had to battle at the end to make the push for that spot.

"It makes you realize more and more every year that the games here at the start are just as important. No matter who we’re playing or what they’ve done in the past, we need to bring it for every game."

The Jets are out to a 4-2-0 start through six games. Central Division teams have already combined for 27 wins this season, more than any other division.

The Jets were on the ice at the MTS Iceplex today. They’re back downtown at the MTS Centre for practice on Thursday, before Friday’s game.

The next time the team has games five days apart — like this week — will be over Christmas.



Jets' policy of deterrence

Peluso takes issue with 'nuclear option' tag, but his role is clear

By: Tim Campbell Posted: 10/21/2015 3:00 AM

Who has the most difficult job on the Winnipeg Jets?

It's probably Ondrej Pavelec or Michael Hutchinson -- the nature of the goaltending beast, you know? -- but a close runner-up might well be right-winger Anthony Peluso.

The 26-year-old from North York, Ont., who played his first game of the season Sunday against the St. Louis Blues, gets limited minutes and is never asked to produce the glamour stuff like power-play goals.

But when it's time for the unsavoury business of dealing with opponents who have been deemed to have crossed a line, Peluso is likely to be en route, if not already on the scene.

A local radio host likes to refer to the Jets' heavyweight as "the nuclear option."

'To say I'm just a nuclear bomb, I don't think that's necessarily fair. I work a lot on my game, controlling pucks down low and being physical and creating momentum with a physical edge'

-- Anthony Peluso

"In terms of that and in games like that, that's my role and I'm still trying to develop in that role," Peluso said after Tuesday's practice at the MTS Iceplex. "To say I'm just a nuclear bomb, I don't think that's necessarily fair. I work a lot on my game, controlling pucks down low and being physical and creating momentum with a physical edge.

"I think the players on the Jets feed off of it, when I'm going in there first on the body. It's ongoing, that we can feed off that."

As for being the muscle and the deterrent, Peluso is a determined sort when it comes to the perception of on-ice justice.

"There are clichés about just playing your game but in that part of the game, I know when I need to do it and when I don't need to do it," he said. "I'm there because when something needs to be done, there will be no questions about it.

"Everybody knows that I'll hold the other team accountable for any dirty plays. There were times Sunday that it was pretty chippy out there and I was being pretty vocal, I thought.

"I think at times, I calmed the game down pretty good. It was just making a presence felt, and that's what I have to do. I think I can do that."

The heat of the hot games, such as Sunday's, is where Peluso must earn his keep.

"You say, 'minding everyone else's business,' well, everyone's business that's on the ice that's wearing a Jets logo, that's my business and I take exception to all of that," he said. "Whenever a guy like (Robert) Bortuzzo makes a hit on (Nikolaj) Ehlers on the boards near the bench, you know that I'm giving him an earful. And I'm letting him know he can only do that once and that if he does it again, there will be answers and I'll take it up with him at that spot."

Jets coach Paul Maurice sounded more than satisfied Peluso did his job correctly Sunday.

"He was physical when he needed to be," Maurice said. "There wasn't a whole lot of chirping after the whistle and while the hits were hard, nobody got really taken advantage of."

But there was chirping in this game, the coach was reminded.

"Between the benches for sure," Maurice said. "But the scrums, there weren't long scrums. That's usually when the game's getting nasty. With two teams playing that hard, they're going to meet and there will be five or 10 guys barking at each other. But they dispersed fairly quickly. That's usually the sign; it didn't boil over too often."

Peluso, who was in the Jets lineup 49 times last season (one goal, one assist), and 53 times (two goals, three assists) in 2013-14, had to be patient for his turn at the start of this season. Nic Petan, who turned pro this fall, had an excellent camp and made the team in a fourth-line spot.

"Yeah, of course you always want to get in there and play," Peluso said. "But in the other sense, our team was 4-1 and I understand Mo (Maurice) didn't want to change the lineup. I put a lot of faith in the coaching staff that the coaching staff will make the right decisions and develop us the right way.

"They're going to put me in the best position to succeed, as well. I have complete faith in them. I'm still only 26 years old and I have a lot of life left in the tank."

Peluso said patience and maximum daily effort will continue to be his dual focus.

"Of course I want to play, be a part of the team every night," he said. "Those are the things you have to do as a good professional. This is a job. I have to come to work every day and if it's not in the cards for me to play on a given day, then I have to keep it in my mind to keep going, to be a good teammate.

"You can't walk around here when you're not playing without a big grin on your face and be happy-go-lucky. That's my personality. As long as the team is excelling, it's a good thing for everybody."



Fast start a bonus for Winnipeg Jets with central dogfight intensifying

By Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun

Alex Burmistrov celebrated his 24th birthday Wednesday but what he’d really like is to pick up a few goals.

With four wins in six games, the Winnipeg Jets are off to their best start since their arrival from Atlanta and it’s giving the players a kind of early confidence they didn’t often have in the previous four seasons.

“Absolutely … It’s better than 0-6,” goalie Ondrej Pavelec said with a laugh.

“Of course the start is important. In this division there is no room for a bad stretch or even a bad game. You lose three in a row you will put yourself in a bad position so you have to keep it going right from the start.

“It doesn’t mean anything really but it’s good to know that we were ready to play the games and we were ready to do what we needed to do to win. That’s positive.”

The Jets previous best start through six games was in 2012-13 when they went 3-2-1 in a lockout shortened season and eventually missed the playoffs. Last year they were 2-4, but bounced back to make the post-season. In 2013-14 they were 3-3 and in 2011-12 they were 1-4-1.

The Jets have a couple of tough tests this weekend with the Stanley Cup finalist Tampa Bay Lightning in town on Friday and the division rival Minnesota Wild here on Sunday. With four days off since Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues, there’ve been some intense practices this week.

“It’s important to have a good start,” Jets centre Bryan Little said. “Every team wants to play its best hockey right out of the gates. It’s definitely nice to have the record we do, but there’s definitely things we can get better at. We can be a better team and play better hockey.”

The way the Central Division is going — only one team is below .500 to this point — it might take as many as 100 points to make the playoffs this season. It’s a mental and physical grind for the Jets, who realize being a good hockey team might not be enough.

“It just tells you that nothing has changed from last year,” Maurice said of the Central standings. “I don’t think anybody’s waiting for anybody else to fall off in the Central Division.

“In some ways there’s a bit of a payoff from being in the Central in that you play so many big, physical games that you get into a rhythm of that kind of game that’s being played. That raises your level. To play well in the Central Division, it’s every single night, every single game. There’s nobody weak and it forces you to play at a higher level and I think there’s a benefit to that.”

BURMISTROV STILL ADJUSTING

Alex Burmistrov, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Wednesday, assessed his play six games into his return to the Jets from two seasons in the KHL.

In a nutshell, he’s reasonably happy with his defensive game but wants to be more of an offensive contributor.

“I’d like to do a lot more offensively,” Burmistrov said Wednesday. “I look at what our line is doing defensively right now and I think we can be better but we’ve got to be way better offensively.”

Burmistrov has been playing left-wing on a checking line with centre Adam Lowry and right-winger Drew Stafford for the most part this season. He’s seen time on the penalty kill and a little bit of power play time.

He has two points — both earned in the season-opening 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins — and seven shots on goal in six games. He’s certainly held his own defensively, with a +3 rating so far.

“I want to get my offensive game back, I mean my confidence,” Burmistrov said. “You’ve got to be smarter. When I get my comfort back, it’s going to be easier for me.”

Maurice said patience is the key for Burmistrov, who is being asked to play a different role than what he is used to.

“We’re asking Alex to take the skill set that he has and apply it in a really prime role, playing against the other team’s best players,” Maurice said.

“What he wants to do is be able to generate more as a line offensively and still accomplish his role. That will always be a three-man, five-man deal for him, so it’s not a specific thing for him offensively. That line has a slightly different risk profile than other lines based on the matchups.

“I think with Alex he just needs time … time on the ice, reps in that role, playing against the other team’s best players and figuring out what he can get away with and can’t get away with. Eventually, he’ll move into a power-play role and get some time there and that’s where the scoring is going to come from.”

Burmistrov said the biggest difference for him since he last played for the Jets in 2012-13 is the conference.

“I played in the Eastern Conference before and now we’re in the West,” he said. “Of course, it’s a heavier game and you’ve got to prepare for the hits all the time and be ready.”

ONE COACH DOWN

Maurice has been fired before and knows what today must feel like for former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards, who was sacked after his team got off to an 0-7 start to the season.

“The expectations were high there because they built a good team. Every team has its stretch that it struggles and it’s difficult to have it be at the start of the year because there’s so much excitement built into the teams at the start of the year … even the teams that finished dead last are all jacked up about the start.

“When you struggle as much as Columbus did, the change gets made.”

The Blue Jackets replaced Richards with John Tortorella on Wednesday. The Jets play in Columbus on Halloween night.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 10.22.2015


Winnipeg Jets winger Blake Wheeler getting better every year

By Ted Wyman, First posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Blake Wheeler has been described as one of the most underrated players in the NHL and one of the most intense hockey players his coach has ever mentored.

He’s also historically been called a slow starter.

Not this year.

Wheeler is off to his best start as a member of the Winnipeg Jets, with points in all six games and eight in total. He’s tied for seventh in league scoring and has been a big part of the Jets 4-2 start to the season.

At 29, Wheeler still seems to be getting better every year and who knows what kind of point total he can put up with the benefit of a good start.

“His intensity level, shift to shift, is as high as anybody I’ve ever coached,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said after the Jets practiced at the IcePlex Wednesday. “His attack, his power, his speed. There are very few men that size, that move that fast. His speed is intimidating. He’ll finish checks, he plays hard on every puck. His consistency level combined with his intensity makes him a special player.”

While Jets fans have come to expect big things from Wheeler year after year, he’s rarely mentioned as an elite NHL player, despite the fact that he has 64, 69 and 61-point seasons in a Winnipeg uniform.

Perhaps that has something to do with his slow starts in previous seasons. It took him until Game 13 to get to eight points last year and the year before. It took him until Game 12 in 2012-13. In 2011-12, when he led the Jets with 64 points, he didn’t get to eight points until Game 20.

He is clearly more comfortable being a leader in all aspects of the game.

“He now has a really good understanding of what makes him special, what makes him great and he perfects that in practice,” Maurice said. “He drives in practice, his practices are very similar to his game. He pushes every day.

“Whether he gets on a run of points or not, he’s been really consistent for us. There aren’t lulls in his game, lulls in his effort at all.”

Named an assistant captain last year, Wheeler flourished in the leadership role. He’d certainly be a logical choice to be the team’s next captain if Andrew Ladd is not re-signed or gets traded.

A former first-round draft pick (fifth overall) who took several years to come into his own at the NHL level, Wheeler has learned what it takes to be consistently successful.

“When you are younger I don’t think you really understand how you are getting results,” Wheeler said Wednesday. “You just want to see the end result and you don’t really understand the process of how you’re doing that. My game’s always been about creating things and getting offensive opportunities but it’s based on hard work and a willingness to do more than the guys we’re out there against.

“I’m five years older than when I came here. I think I know what we’re all about as a group and I think I’ve figured out what works for me, both on the ice and off the ice. I’ve really found a balance of how to prepare myself and have that 60 minutes with a foot on the gas the entire time.”

While his game has clearly evolved since he first pulled on a Jets jersey, Wheeler said it really came together under Maurice’s tutelage.

“He made it OK to win games 1-0 or 2-1 and he really put an emphasis the fact that we’re not out here trying to reach our offensive goals,” Wheeler said. “We’re part of a good team and we’re going to get all the offence we can handle because of that. A lot of good things happen from being on a good team.”

While the Jets are off to their best start since arriving in Winnipeg, Wheeler actually pointed to last year’s bad start (they were 1-4 after five games) as a turning point.

“Last year when we got off to that rough start, it forced everyone to look in the mirror,” he said. “What can you do differently? What isn’t going right? I’m never going go out there and not try to score goals because that’s part of my job but Paul made it OK to just try to out-compete whoever we’re playing against every night. From there, if you don’t score a goal and we

win, it turns out to be a better feeling than going out there and getting a couple of goals.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 10.22.2015

978231 Vancouver Canucks

Iain MacIntyre: Canucks goalie Ryan Miller pads rebound season

Mr. October: Canucks leaning heavily on veteran netminder as the team struggles to score

By Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun October 21, 2015

Sports writers Brad Ziemer and Iain MacIntyre take a look at the Vancouver Canucks performance and how they will stack up against the Washington Capitals for Thursday’s game.

The best thing about the Vancouver Canucks so far is goalie Ryan Miller. The worst thing about that is there aren’t many challengers for the best thing so far.

With its power play 1-for-20 and key forwards struggling to score at even strength, the National Hockey League team has leaned dangerously heavily on its goalie. Miller has not only handled the burden, but played his best hockey since coming to the Canucks as a free agent before last season. He is the player most responsible for the Canucks’ 3-1-2 start — the wins coming against teams that are a collective 4-11-1 this season.

Through six games, the 35-year-old Miller has stopped 93.5 per cent of shots — way beyond his career clip of 91.5. With Alex Ovechkin and the potent Washington Capitals visiting Rogers Arena tonight, it doesn’t take a stats nerd to tell you Miller’s save rate is probably unsustainable and, two losses into a five-game homestand, the Canucks have to be better in front of him.

But we really don’t know the limits on Miller at present because the American Olympian is in a starkly different mind space than he was a year ago. Not only is he a new father, but he has a new outlook on his craft that in some ways counters the trend toward technical-obsessed, analytical goalkeeping.

“I think I got myself to the point where I was thinking a little too much, and just wanted to get myself to a place where I’m not having that problem,” Miller said after practising Wednesday at the University of B.C. “What it really comes down to is competing. You can still make your reads, but be really competitive and really dialed into the puck and where it’s going, and not rely solely on ‘I think this is going to happen.’ All you really have to do is be in the moment and play.”

This mindset, as Miller revealed last week, originated in the playoffs in April when he replaced Eddie Lack against the Calgary Flames after missing six weeks with a knee injury. Knowing he wasn’t completely sound technically or physically, he said he just wanted to compete and get himself into the battle.

That attitude rekindled something deep within Miller, who brought the same ideas — and 100 per cent health — into this season. The heightened competitiveness and reliance on instincts has led at times to more aggressive positioning. It helped Miller make key saves when the Canucks swept the struggling Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings on consecutive nights last week, but probably hurt him a couple of times in Vancouver’s 4-3 loss last Thursday against the St. Louis Blues.

During his best years with the Buffalo Sabres, Miller was renowned for his aggressive and athletic play. Then the goaltending instructional tide pushed him deeper in his net. Aggressive goalies had to adapt or perish.

Miller emphasized he isn’t abandoning the technical developments that have revolutionized goaltending, but “I’m trying to hold on to what makes me a good player. I can’t wait on plays. Goaltending is constantly in evolution.”

He continued: “I think in the last couple of years you hear certain things, like you need to play a little deeper, you need to be able to get to the backside plays. That’s simple. But how do I do that? What does that mean to me? Even the guys who play deep, like Cory Schneider, Henrik Lundqvist, Mike Smith, they’re all different goalies. So what does it mean to me and how I need to play?

“I need to make my reads from a certain position and do what makes me good. Those guys do the same thing.”

With a 1.80 goals-against average, three wins and a shutout accompanying his. 935 save rate, Miller agreed this is the best he has played in a long time. He finished his first season with the Canucks with a 2.53 GAA and .911 save rate.

“I think we had a good start last year and some games went my way,” he said. “But the way I’m approaching the game, the way I see myself in the

net now, I think makes me more effective than last year. That’s why I think I need to be doing what I’m doing.

“For me, I need to be engaged in the play, need to be out more. Depth determines where your hands are, your stance, all that stuff. If you play a certain depth your whole career ... if you change one thing, there’s a domino effect. So for me, it was getting back to where I feel comfortable, but still incorporating some of the new aspects of the game.”

Miller said Canuck management and coaches, including deep-in-the-net advocate Rollie Melanson, the goaltending coach, support his new approach.

“They want me to read the game how I read the game and be myself,” he said. “That’s a really nice message to hear.”

An increasingly rare one, too.

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Columbus Blue Jackets hire former Canucks coach John Tortorella as their new head coach - reports

By Michael Traikos, Postmedia News October 21, 2015

Torts is back. And he’s bringing his hammer with him.

When the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that they had fired head coach Todd Richards and replaced him with John Tortorella, the message being sent was crystal clear: things are about to change.

Richards had been too soft with a Blue Jackets team that started the season 0-7-0. That will certainly not be the case with Tortorella, who despite losing a high-profile job with the Vancouver Canucks a year ago, is not expected to tone down his iron-fisted coaching style.

“Don’t blow everything up,” Tortorella said last month after being announced as Team USA’s head coach for the World Cup of Hockey. “Don’t blow your philosophy up because it was a tough year. You still need to have confidence in yourself, and stay with your convictions and philosophy.”

In other words, Columbus players can expect more chastising than coddling with Tortorella behind the bench.

Described as a tyrant who picks fights with the media and opposing coaches — he was suspended for 15 games in 2013-14 when he tried to confront Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley during an intermission — Tortorella only knows how to coach one way: the hard way.

He barks, threatens and gets in players’ faces. He throws his goaltender under the bus and then for good measure backs it over him. It is a coaching style that led the Tampa Bay Lightning win a Stanley Cup in 2004 and also guided the New York Rangers to the Eastern Conference final in 2011-12.

“John’s had a lot of success, but what I was most intrigued by was that he was willing to admit he’d made mistakes,” said Team USA GM Dean Lombardi. “He freely opened up as far as mistakes he’d made with players, maybe even times with his system, as well as the media. That takes a lot.”

The short-fused and short-tempered Tortorella saw his method blow up in his face when the Canucks fired the 57-year-old after missing the playoffs in 2013-14. And with more and more iron-fisted coaches being replaced with player-friendly coaches, some wondered if a coach who was unwilling to change with the times had coached his last game in the NHL.

“I’m still just as demanding as I’ve ever been in playing the game right, but I think as you get older, what you don’t do is carry it with you the next day,” said St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock. “You move on very quickly when you get experience. You learn not to carry things with you, whether it’s anger, disappointment or frustration. That’s what experience does.

“If I can’t move on, I stay home. There’s no point in coming to the rink if I don’t have a hopeful attitude.”

A coaching change inherently brings about hope. But there was a reason why Tortorella was chosen ahead of, say, Peter Horachek.

The Blue Jackets need to be pushed and prodded. You do not fire a coach less than two weeks into the season unless you believe drastic measures need to be taken. Clearly, a fire needs to be lit, because Columbus has all the pieces to be competitive. But for whatever reason, it just was not happening.

So they hired Tortorella, even though it meant giving Vancouver a second-round draft pick because he was still under contract by the Canucks.

“I think players want to be pushed,” said Hall of Fame head coach Scotty Bowman. “Good players do. The real top guys have said that. Nobody likes it, but I think players appreciate somebody who wants to get the most out of them. You have to be fair about it, but they want to be pushed to the limit.”

Tortorella will have to do more than just push the players. He needs to get Sergei Bobrovsky (5.07 goals against average and .835 save percentage) to play better. He needs to help Ryan Johansen (one goal in seven games) find the back of the net. And most importantly, he needs to get the Blue Jackets back in the win column.

Chances are, he’ll do it by offering the stick before the carrot.

“I understand the concept of the iron-fisted coach, but at the same time I don’t think anyone’s come off the hammer,” said Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “If anything, there might be more of it now because of video. It’s more hands-on. You can tell what’s going wrong easily.

“You don’t have to chew players out. Video does it for us.”

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Botchford: Torts believed in Tanev, but wouldn't pair him with Edler

Canucks blue-liners likely to match up against Alex Ovechkin

By Jason Botchford, The Province October 21, 2015

Canucks beat reporter Jason Botchford lays out why Torts will be just as bad for Columbus as he was for Vancouver.

Amid all the crazy things John Tortorella did while in Vancouver, the wildest is something he wouldn’t do.

By now, it’s a given that Chris Tanev and Alex Edler will draw the Alex Ovechkin assignment against Washington.

They get all the big ones, and with good reason. They are quiet, unassuming, overlooked, and have been among best handful of defensive pairings in the entire league.

If they were a buddy cop movie, they would be the precise opposite of Michael Bay’s Bad Boys. There would be no explosions, smart-ass jokes or loose-cannon officers bending the rules to catch the big bands.

They would be boring and they would be great. Much like a couple of the early seasons of Breaking Bad.

Tanev and Edler do not rely on blazing speed, punishing hits or wild risk taking.

They bludgeon you over the head with efficiency. Again and again and again.

Often, in a game, you’re not even aware it’s happening until it’s over, and you look back and think, “My God, these guys were good.”

Putting them together was one of the first decisions Willie Desjardins’ coaching staff made. It remains one of its best.

“No one talked to me,” Tanev said of how he ended up playing with Edler. “Willie had a discussion with Eddie, I’m sure because he’s older.”

It’s a twisted coincidence that Tortorella refused to pair them in Vancouver because in a season in which he got so much wrong, Tanev is one of the things Tortorella got absolutely right.

It was Tortorella who believed in Tanev, saw him as a top four defenceman and played him there all year, most of it with Dan Hamhuis.

“I learned a lot playing with Hamhuis,” Tanev said. “There are so many little parts of game I was able to pick up on.

“It’s made a huge difference.”

It was Tortorella who pushed Tanev to be better, often charging at him on the bench after a shift.

“He would be yelling at me, ‘Get up the ice, you got to get up the ice,’” Tanev said.

Say this, Tanev sure learned to get up the ice with the puck.

It’s something that has stayed with the 25-year-old defenceman, and you can probably add it to the list of great things Tortorella brought to Vancouver, including Jake Virtanen, and a second-round draft pick.

Tanev is neither the biggest, nor the fastest. But he is so much stronger than he was four years ago, and has developed into a far better skater.

The big body blows you saw him absorb two and three season ago are becoming rare. He is getting to pucks faster, and getting his team on the transition.

“(Edler) has this great ability to find open space on the ice. He makes it easy on me when we’re trying to move the puck up the ice,” Tanev said.

It was just March when Tanev signed a five-year, $22.25-million contract with the Canucks. Instead of kicking back and counting dollar bills, he has got better.

He still believes he can add offence to his game. Chuckle all you want — Tanev has been defying the odds for years now.

“I have definitely surprised myself a couple times over the years with what I’ve been able to do,” Tanev said.

On Wednesday, he was mad. Edler, too. It looks exactly the same as when they’re happy, but they were mad all the same.

And it was about something that happened two games ago.

“We were on the ice for two goals against and that can’t happen,” Tanev said.

Wait a second. I had to check the calendar. He was talking about Friday’s game against the St. Louis Blues. These guys were still chapped.

Honestly, it was refreshing to hear, because too often players say they want to forget what happened if it’s bad.

No, remember it and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

It doesn’t happen often. It was the only game this season the pair have been on the ice for a goal against.

They have been that good.

Possession-wise, few defenceman have been having the kind of impact Edler and Tanev are having.

Compared to the Canucks’ average, opponents are averaging 10.28 fewer even-strength shot attempts every 60 minutes Edler is on the ice. He ranks seventh in the NHL among defenceman. Tanev is 13th.

Hands up, all those who thought Edler would turn into one of the league’s best shutdown defencemen.

Yeah, didn’t think so.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 10.22.2015


Kuzma: Ovechkin factor looms large for Canucks

By Ben Kuzma, The Province October 21, 2015

With John Tortorella heading to Columbus, Ben Kuzma checks in with the Canucks Wednesday during practice at UBC.

Brandon Sutter didn’t need to hear the numbers. It’s almost as if he knew.

First in Carolina and then in Pittsburgh, the new Vancouver Canucks centre saw enough of Alex Ovechkin to easily understand why nobody has more goals since the 2000-01 NHL season than the hotshot Russian.

The Washington Capitals sniper didn’t come into the league until 2005, but has racked up 479 regular-season goals and hit the 900-point plateau on Tuesday in Calgary, where the Capitals cruised to a 6-2 victory over the slumping Flames.

Ovechkin is the second-fastest active player to reach 900 points and did it in 764 games. Jaromir Jagr needed 681.

“It’s a huge milestone,” said Ovechkin. “I love my teammates. It’s hard to do it by yourself in this league.”

The Capitals are 4-1-0 and arrive at Rogers Arena on Thursday as a legitimate Stanley Cup threat with one big bullet in their chamber.

Even at age 30, Ovechkin continues to unleash one of the best and heaviest one-time slapshots, and the 6-foot-3, 239 pound Moscow native isn’t afraid to bulldoze his way to the net and cause all kinds of havoc. He has four goals and two assists in four outings and a team-high 21 shots. He had seven shots against the Flames.

“I’ve played against him a lot and he’s obviously a pretty special player,” Sutter said Wednesday following a practice at UBC.

“He’s big and strong and is just a threat every time he’s on the ice. You really have to manage the puck against him and his line. If you give them transition rushes, they’re really dangerous, and nobody shoots the puck like Ovechkin.”

It’s one reason the Canucks acquired Sutter in an offseason deal with the Penguins. They needed a centre who’s good in the circle, has good wheels and can help shut down top opposition lines. And with Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen as his wingers on Thursday, it’s going to be a good test of where the line is at and what coach Willie Desjardins has in his arsenal against top clubs. Expect Alex Edler and Chris Tanev to draw the tough shutdown matchup, too.

However, it’s not just Ovechkin. His centre Nicklas Backstrom is back from offseason hip surgery and scored twice against the Flames in just his second game. And as much as he can score, Backstrom has that special knack of finding Ovechkin for prime scoring chances.

“The thing about Ovechkin is that he doesn’t just shoot, he goes to the net,” added Sutter. “We just can’t give him 3-on-2s or chances to fly down the wing and shoot. I’ve seen him score enough goals.”

The last line of the Canucks’ defence is obviously the first to notice what challenge Ovechkin presents. Ryan Miller is off to a solid start, but a behemoth like Ovechkin who can skate and muscle his way to the net is a multi-dimensional threat.

“You look for where he likes to hang out with a right-hand shot and with that heavy release, if he hits his spot, it’s a tough save to make, said Miller. “You have to get set on him early and he puts his whole body into his shot. He’s like a bull in a china shop. Once he starts heading in one direction, he’s just going to run over the first few things in his way.”



Kuzma: New gig for Tortorella prompts Canucks to reminisce

By Ben Kuzma, The Province October 21, 2015

With John Tortorella heading to Columbus, Ben Kuzma checks in with the Canucks Wednesday during practice at UBC.

Jannik Hansen joked there’s a permanent mark on his shoulder from repeated finger-jab jolts during an irate John Tortorella bench berating that became a YouTube hit.

Alex Burrows laughed and teased that there are stories about the former fiery Vancouver Canucks coach that we don’t even know about.

And Henrik Sedin tempered it all by saying we’re making too much of rampant rumours that overshadowed the fact that he could coach.

Regardless of your take on the tire fire that was the one-year reign of error and terror by Tortorella — call it funny, frustrating or farcical — the fact he rose from the ashes Wednesday in Columbus shouldn’t be surprising.

The highly-touted Blue Jackets are 0-7-0, coach Todd Richards paid the price of failed expectation, Sergei Bobrovsky forgot how to play goal and emotional ownership was desperate for change. Sound familiar?

In a perfect storm, Tortorella dusted off his 2004 Stanley Cup ring and sounded familiar in his opening address. He promised to listen. He promised to work with the kids, which he didn’t do here. He promised a lot.

The only thing we know for sure is whether the Canucks receive a second-round pick as compensation for the in-season hiring and could eat some of the three years remaining on his contract. That is to be worked out.

“Coaches cycle in and out, and good for him,” said Hansen. “He’s had his cool-down period. Something was going wrong in Columbus and they needed a shakeup — and I’m sure he’s going to give them that.”

Hansen got more than an earful in a memorable Nov. 28, 2013 game in Ottawa. When Clarke MacArthur scored and Hansen wasn’t quick on the back check, Tortorella lost it. He started chirping at the Canucks winger when he returned to the bench and repeatedly pointed to places on the ice where Hansen should have been.

And when the Dane sat down, cameras zoomed in to catch the coach in full lather and poking his player in the shoulder five times to drive home points. Hansen would play just 3:11 in a 5-2 win.

“He was great at motivating,” added Hansen. “Very charismatic. He wanted to win above all, so you can’t question his motives and passion. Could I have done without some of the stuff? Of course. Obviously, we had a tough year and it was the first where we really had a lot of injuries (six by the Olympic break and a seven-game losing streak), and any time the (Sedin) twins go down, you’re in a lot of trouble and we missed the playoffs.

“Was it his fault or our fault? Probably a combination of a lot of things.”

Henrik and Daniel Sedin, along with Mike Santorelli, were the only players to run a torturous two-mile Tortorella training camp test in under 12 minutes. It would be symbolic because part of the coach’s push was to lean heavily on veterans.

Henrik Sedin would play more than 25 minutes on four occasions and often looked spent. There would be a burnout factor than invited injury. A 10-1-2 December was followed by a 4-9-2 January, a 1-4-1 February (Olympic break) and 6-7-1 in March.

Losing their captain, then David Booth and Santorelli to injuries inflicted by one player — Martin Hanzal — in one bizarre period of a 1-0 loss in Arizona in mid-January didn’t help.

“They (Blue Jackets) are getting a great coach,” said Henrik. “He’s going to make guys accountable and they’re going to play hard. There are a lot of rumours going around about Torts and I’ve always said I really enjoyed playing for him and he was not the full reason why we had a bad year. I’m sure there are things here that he would have wanted to re-do, and you have to have players buy in, no matter who the coach is.”

Alex Burrows suffered a foot fracture at the outset of the short Tortorella reign and it’s customary for an injured player to be somewhat of an outcast and have little inter-action with the coach. For the talkative winger, that’s a lot of silence.

“He wanted to focus on what he could control and that was the players who were playing — and that made sense to me,” said Burrows.

“He had has ideas and great success with Tampa and the Rangers, but for some reason it didn’t work out as good here. He has probably reflected and you can grow through adversity.”

Hard to imagine any more adversity than the Torts Tunnel Tirade at Rogers Arena on Jan. 18, 2014.

Incensed at the Calgary Flames icing fourth-liners for the opening faceoff — which erupted into a brawl — Tortorella stormed toward the visitors’ dressing room in the first-period intermission. He was looking for Bob Hartley.

Tortorella would be suspended without pay for 15 days (and six games) and Hartley was fined $25,000. It was the night that many thought Tortorella lost his room.

“I was doing an interview in the hallway and I saw him storm in and storm out,” recalled Burrows. “He wanted to make a point or get us going. You can’t fake passion — you either have it or you don’t.”



Hockey>The White Towel

Posted by:Ben Kuzma

The Columbus Blue Jackets, expected to be beasts of the east this season, are 0-7-0. The raw emotion of disappointment from ownership — which included cancelling an annual team dinner at the owner’s home — resulted in the firing of coach Todd Richards and the hiring of John Tortorella on Wednesday.

That’s right, Torts is back with his push-and-bite credo and the venom and with the promise that he’s a better and more mellow man. But if the core is stale in CBJ, we’re probably going to hear about it when the Canucks play in Columbus on Nov. 10.

TORTS IN ACTION. LANGUAGE IS NSFW:

Tortorella will entertain and endear himself to the Ohio media because he will fill notebooks and tape. And, of course, that takes us down memory lane today in Vancouver. The Canucks will eat “some” of what’s left of the three years remaining on the contract Tortorella had when he was fired here on May 1, 2014 following one bizarre season behind the bench. The Canucks also receive a second-round pick as compensation for Tortorella joining another team during the season.

You have to wonder, how did it all come to this?

John Tortorella

Call it the perfect storm. Tortorella was back on the radar when named coach of Team USA for the 2016 World Cup. And when the Jackets started falling on their swords, ownership didn’t want a trade to shake things up in the room. They wanted a real shake-up behind the bench, but will retain the assistant coaches. And while Guy Boucher may have been the first choice — there was offseason interest from Toronto and New Jersey — the window in his contract to leave Bern of the Swiss league is closed during the season. Which brings us back to the main point.

When it comes to major hiring decisions — especially a head coach — emotion shouldn’t be part of the equation. In Vancouver, the Canucks believed after missing the playoffs in 2013 that firing Alain Vigneault and hiring Tortorella would push a veteran core to greater heights. It pushed them to greater depths, right over the edge. He rode his veterans like racehorses and they broke down and died on the back stretch. However, if you can teach an old dog new tricks, then maybe Torts will shock us all and get the Jackets back on track and back into championship contention. If he does that, they’ll name a street after him. In Vancouver they will remember this:

MIXED MESSAGES: His gut told him from Day 1 this group was “stale,” needed to re-tool and that people should realize this isn’t 2011 and get over it. He wanted youth but didn’t play the kids. He “miscalculated” and wanted his team to play with more of an edge. He should have been in the room more. He did go down the tunnel to get at Bob Hartley and, upon reflection, didn’t back away from his plan — “I was going to get him.”

BALL OF STRING: It’s not so much that the once-dominant Canucks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008 — an 0-4-1 Pacific Division road record in early January in which they were outscored 18-5 was telling in the short Torts run — it’s the manner in which they unravelled like a ball of string. And that’s the shocking part. We championed the hiring of Tortorella because the Canucks had become too comfortable in the let-the-players-run-the-room mantra that led to one playoff win the previous two springs and Vigneault’s dismissal.

SYSTEM, WHAT SYSTEM? What was shocking was the confusion that was prevalent no matter how the Canucks were playing. The promise of a 10-1-2 December was quickly replaced by a 4-9-2 January, a 1-4-1 February and then a 6-7-1 March. Yes, there were a crazy amount of injuries — six sidelined when the Canucks limped into the Olympic break with seven consecutive regulation losses — but it was matched by a crazy system in which defenders admitted in April that they were just as confused with a zone-defence stance as they were in October.

That’s coaching.

NO POWER IN THEIR PLAY: It was the trademark stale-and-stagnant power play, a sore point for years regardless of whether Glen Gulutzan or the departed Newell Brown were drawing it up, that would plummet to 26th. The Canucks tried four forwards in power-play alignments. They tried Kevin Bieksa as a down-low presence and they tried — and failed – to get movement and shots through. And the we-can’t-finish offence, which

would bottom out to be ranked 28th, was another snapshot of the disarray and disconnect.

That’s coaching.

TOO DEFENSIVE: Every coach needs the buy-in and none can afford the tune-out. You can make something out of the tunnel tirade and a 6-1 loss in Dallas the day after the trade deadline, in which Tortorella was adamant that his players didn’t quit. But the coaches stayed up until 1:30 a.m. because they knew a more defensive stance was killing their season.

paskall

It was more than that. Those positional fire drills on the back end, the bad pinches in the offensive zone and lack of support in odd-man rush retreat can be as much about not understanding what the coach is trying to accomplish as having the will to want to do it.

HIGGINS SICK OF IT ALL? Maybe the perfect barometer is Chris Higgins. He played for Tortorella in New York and his trademark board work and mucking and grinding drifted away. You didn’t notice a player who always got a nod of appreciation for the dirty work. He didn’t score in his last 13 games and had one goal in his last 21. By the end he was sick — and probably sick of it all — and didn’t play the last two games.

I pulled players aside and some said it’s not coaching, it’s skill, and the Canucks don’t have enough. But it was also the round-peg-in-a-square-hole approach by a stubborn coach. He didn’t design a system around his players. He pounded players into a demanding system. He miscalculated.

That’s coaching.


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ESPN / Playoff hopes are not yet dashed for five teams off to slow starts

Scott Burnside, NHL Writer

We often use U.S. Thanksgiving as a bellwether in terms of predicting playoff teams and, more to the point, which teams are already sunk. The gravity of a slow start, even in the early weeks, cannot be overstated.

Last season, only 12.3 percent of the season was in the books at the end of October, and only three of the top 16 teams in the standings at that point would go on to fail to make the playoffs: the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars. Among teams in the bottom 10 at that same point last season, only the 4-6 Winnipeg Jets managed to crawl into the postseason, and they did so as the second wild-card team.

So, what does that mean for the Columbus Blue Jackets or Calgary Flames, who are a combined 1-10 with a collective minus-26 goal differential so far? It might seem like bad news, but I'm here to tell you differently. In fact, some of this season's rocky starts aren't necessarily a barometer of teams' ability to make the postseason tournament.

Here are five teams likely to put a rocky start behind them and wrangle invitations to the playoff ball next spring.

1. Los Angeles Kings: Yes, the Kings looked ugly while dropping their first three games of the season, but let's remember they are still trying to crawl out from an ugly 2014-15 season marred by a number of off-ice incidents. There was lots of soul-searching for the Kings after a season that saw them miss the playoffs after winning two Stanley Cups in the previous three seasons, so maybe we should have expected a hiccup or two.

Add in the introduction of offseason acquisition Milan Lucic to the top line, and it's not a big surprise that the team has looked out of sorts. Still, the Kings have won two in a row entering play Tuesday, and while the offense still isn't cooking, they appear to be back to playing Kings hockey on defense. In other words, look out, Western Conference.

2. Anaheim Ducks: I would have had the Ducks at the top of the list, but given that I picked them to win the Stanley Cup, that would have looked a little self-serving. Maybe too many Ducks were reading preseason press clippings, because the offense sputtered with just with one goal in their first four games (0-3-1). Or maybe it was the challenge of integrating so many new faces, including Chris Stewart, Shawn Horcoff, Carl Hagelin, Kevin Bieksa and Anton Khudobin.

Captain Ryan Getzlaf and star sniper Corey Perry seemed to oversleep on the start of the season, but a solid win over the Minnesota Wild last weekend showed the Ducks as we thought they would be. The Ducks have had trouble closing the deal in the playoffs, losing three straight Game 7s at home, so maybe starting poorly and finishing strong is a good trend.

3. Boston Bruins: Remember last week, when the Claude Julien watch began just three games into the season? Of course you do, and the Bruins did look discombobulated while getting waxed in three straight home games to open the season. They hit the road after that, won two straight and seem much more in sync. This isn't the same Bruins team that won a Cup in 2011 and went back to the finals two years later. Not even close. But it is still a well-coached, offensively deep team that should find itself back in the top eight in the Eastern Conference, assuming relative good health moving forward. A key factor early on? The important response from team leaders David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron in the face of early angst in Boston.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby has zero points in five games to start the season. OK, so that's a bit strange. And Phil Kessel hasn't exactly had the goal light working overtime. But come on, people, it's five games in. For me, the fact that the Penguins were playing solid defense and getting strong goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury, even during their three-game losing streak to start the season, should be a harbinger of good things to come. This team will eventually learn to score. That seems a given. As long as they continue to be difficult to play against in their own zone -- they've allowed just nine goals in their first five games -- they're going to be in the hunt for the Metropolitan Division crown.

5. Calgary Flames: I debated whether to pick the Columbus Blue Jackets here, but couldn't get over the mess they've created during an improbable 0-6 start. Of course, if they do make the playoffs, I'll just claim they were on the list anyway. As for the Flames, they were pegged by many last season as entrants in the Connor McDavid / Jack Eichel sweepstakes. They not only made the playoffs, but beat the Vancouver Canucks in the first round.

This fall, the Flames were a sexy pick to return to the playoffs after acquiring Dougie Hamilton in the offseason and having a healthy Mark Giordano. It hasn't started that way, as the Flames are 1-4 and have allowed 19 goals in five games en route to the very bottom of the Western Conference standings. This is a team with good balance up front, though, and when T.J. Brodie gets back into the lineup, that should restore some of order to the defensive corps.

The key, of course, will be figuring out the goaltending. The Flames had three goalies in camp, and perhaps that was unsettling to veterans Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo, both of whom have been less than sharp in the opening days of the season. Will one ultimately be dispatched? It might take that to fully right the ship, but Flames have enough going on to at least get back on track.

ESPN LOADED: 10.22.2015

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ESPN / Debate: Is Todd McLellan best choice to coach Team North America?

Scott Burnside

Craig Custance and Scott Burnside evaluate whether Oilers coach Todd McLellan is the best choice to lead Team North America at the 2016 World Cup.

CUSTANCE: Well, Scotty, we can stop guessing now. You and I have gone back and forth about who should coach Team North America in the World Cup and we no longer have to wait. The NHL and NHLPA made the news official that Edmonton Oilers coach Todd McLellan will be the head coach of Team North America, our favorite U-24 team.

If I remember correctly, I was firmly on Team Jon Cooper for the coach of the Young Guns and you seemed to be leaning towards Patrick Roy as the best candidate, so clearly our influence with Peter Chiarelli and Stan Bowman isn’t as high as it should be.

First impression? I like the pick, for a couple of reasons. One, McLellan proved he can make a team a winner in a short period of time after leading Team Canada to a gold medal in the World Championships. The team was stacked, but Canada hadn’t won gold there since 2007.

He also received rave reviews from the players. Here’s Tyler Seguin on playing for McLellan in the Worlds when we chatted at the NHL Player Tour: "He was so detailed. His message across to guys was very easy to understand. He was clear that you go from playing 18 to 20 minutes on your regular team and coming here and maybe playing 13 to 15 [minutes] and having to play different positions. I was playing wing, I understand on the national team I probably have to play on the wing. He was clear it was the whole versus the part."

Factor in his growing relationship with Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, potentially the top two centers on Team North America, and it makes a lot of sense. You?

BURNSIDE: Oh, you know I have zero problems with McLellan being head coach of this team, especially based on his success at the World Championships last spring. I just think the Team North American powers could have gone a little outside the box on this one. And who knows what McLellan’s coaching staff looks like. Hard to imagine that Cooper, a guy who took a young Tampa Bay Lightning team to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals last June, wouldn't have a place.

And while I still think that the sheer audacity of having Roy coach this young squad (Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon could be the captain) would have been off the charts, it's hard to quibble with McLellan. Still, it’s interesting timing given that his Oilers are currently winless and struggling to escape the cloak of despair that has enveloped the franchise for most of a decade.

Also, I thought it was interesting that Pat Verbeek, Paul Fenton and Adam Graves would join Chiarelli and Bowman in the management group. Interesting mix to say the least.

So, who would you add to the coaching staff? And any early surprises in terms of young players that could have a place on the team?

CUSTANCE: It’s an interesting mix and there are some serious talent evaluators in that group. Think about the success Fenton has had running drafts in Nashville. The guy has an eye for talent and I know he’s excited about this opportunity.

I do have to admit that I’m surprised it isn’t Cooper, all things considered. I can’t imagine him being left out of this tournament in some capacity on one of the teams. He’s a dual citizen, considered one of the best young coaches in the league. He should have options if this is something he wants to do.

I noticed Verbeek at a recent Detroit Red Wings game, so to answer your question about young talent, Dylan Larkin is a player who is very much on the Team North America radar. It’s a roster loaded down the middle, but you could certainly move MacKinnon and Jack Eichel to the wing if you wanted to open up space at center. Larkin also has the versatility to play on the wing as he has in Detroit to start the season, playing with center Henrik Zetterberg. It’s a long season but he’s certainly looked capable.

I get the sense that Auston Matthews is a bit of a longshot because of his age, but he’s lighting it up in Switzerland. You’ve talked to a lot of people about him, you think he deserves a look?

BURNSIDE: I don’t think people get how difficult it is going to be to pick this team from top to bottom, and especially up front. You look at Anthony Duclair and Max Domi lighting it up early for the Arizona Coyotes. I know you mentioned them on your shadow roster, but throw in Larkin (and I think you have to give him consideration given his early play), Jonathan Drouin's strong start playing mostly with Steven Stamkos in Tampa, and the competition for forward spots is going to be intense.

I know Chiarelli was lukewarm on the idea that Matthews had a shot at a roster spot when he was asked about it in Toronto in September. And I think it’s still going to be hard to find a spot for him among the 13 forwards (if McLellan takes 13 as opposed to maybe loading up on eight defensemen and going with 12 forwards). Still, we are talking about a rare talent who is tearing it up as an 18-year-old in the Swiss Elite League. Maybe the question isn’t whether Matthews will make it, but rather can you leave him off?

So, I will leave you with this thought as the Oilers still search for win No. 1 and McDavid has been just a little slower off the mark than some would have imagined: Are we guaranteeing McDavid a spot on Team North America? Seems inevitable, but with so many talented under-24s vying for contention, let’s just say McLellan and Chiarelli are going to have their hands full.

CUSTANCE: I’d put Matthews on. This is supposed to be fun, isn’t it? Here’s the other thing: We all have no issues putting McDavid on the team, right? McDavid is eight months older than Matthews. Eight months. And Matthews will have spent a year playing with older players in the Swiss League.

If he continues to produce at his current pace in Switzerland and also has a strong performance at the world junior championship, he needs to be very much in the conversation. As it stands right now, he has eight goals in nine games.

That’s a choice for down the road but ultimately I like the one Chiarelli and Bowman made today. And it got the seal of approval from McDavid when he was asked about it this afternoon by Edmonton reporters.

"If I’m lucky enough to be on that team," McDavid said, "there’s no one I’d rather play for than him."


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ESPN / Stars expect Patrick Sharp to be important piece of Cup puzzle

Scott Burnside, NHL Writer

DALLAS -- The Dallas Stars have finished their last practice before the start of the 2015-16 season and the players are already moving through post-practice routines -- meeting with reporters, showering, playing pingpong at the end of the hallway.

Well, that's the routine for most players.

Patrick Sharp, one of the newest and arguably most important Stars, has returned to the ice and is firing pucks at a net on the nearly empty sheet of ice at the team's practice facility.

Former NHLer Craig Ludwig, a two-time Stanley Cup winner and longtime broadcast analyst in Dallas, wondered if some of the younger players on this talented Stars team would take note of the extra work being put in by the 33-year-old.

"He just does all the little things," Ludwig said. "That's why [general manager] Jim [Nill] brought him here."

Such an interesting experiment unfolding in the state of Texas.

The Stars, once a league power before the introduction of a salary cap and the search for a new owner caused some lean years, are looking to reinvent themselves as a Stanley Cup contender.

Ownership is solid under Tom Gaglardi.

Nill, now in his third season at the helm after apprenticing in Detroit for almost two decades, has one of the league's most explosive teams, with defending scoring champ Jamie Benn (the franchise's first Art Ross Trophy winner), Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza.

But after sneaking into the 2013-14 postseason, the Stars could not meet high expectations last season and were plagued by unreliable goaltending and suspect team defense.

Enter Sharp and Chicago Blackhawks teammate Johnny Oduya. The two have five Stanley Cup rings between them. (Well, technically three because both Oduya and Sharp have yet to receive their rings from last June's championship, the third in six years for the dynastic Blackhawks, but expect to later this month in a private ceremony with Chicago officials.)

The additions bring into focus the longstanding question of whether experience is crucial to a team's success.

Nill was in Detroit when things pretty much stunk all the time and was still there when the Red Wings got good every season, slowly turning over the roster but always ensuring there was a bridge connecting one generation to the next -- Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan and Chris Chelios passing the torch to Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall, who are passing on knowledge and experience to Tomas Tatar, Danny DeKeyser and Justin Abdelkader.

In Dallas, Nill is hoping Sharp and Oduya can help build a similar bridge.

"Well, it's a big part of why we obtained those guys," Nill said. "That's something that just doesn't grow on trees. You have to live it. It has to be nurtured. It has to be passed on as you mentioned. And that's something that was maybe missing here a little bit. But we're starting to get it now.

"It's Jamie Benn now, the young captain, going to the Olympics and nobody really knew who he was and all of a sudden taking charge and being the guy. So he's starting to learn it. And all of a sudden you bring in a Patrick Sharp, a Jason Spezza, a Johnny Oduya, these guys that have been there and done it. It's important. It's so important. The coaching staff, the management team, we can tell them all we want, [but] in the end, it's the dressing room that's going to drive the boat."

Veteran Vernon Fiddler, a 35-year-old who has never played more than six NHL playoff games in a season, believes the impact of Sharp and Oduya can be felt among Stars young and old.

"Even for an older guy like myself, I'd give one of my fingers to win a championship and a Stanley Cup," Fiddler said.

And to watch Sharp and Oduya go about their business, listen to their thoughts on preparation and listen to how things were done in an environment where winning it all has become an annually attainable goal has tremendous value in a place such as Dallas.

"I think our young guys can learn from that; where it just doesn't happen that you get to the Stanley Cup finals almost every second year, that there's things that you have to do off the ice and on the ice to find those ways to get to the finals and make deep runs in the playoffs," Fiddler said.

"We thought we had a team last year that could do some damage, and it doesn't matter what you have on paper, you have to put the work in and play your system and follow through with that and I think that's been a big wake-up call for us here," Fiddler said.

The Stars don't need Sharp to score 80 points. They have players who can do that.

They need him to make plays when it matters most. They need him to speak up when players are looking to cut corners, because the easy path is not the path to a Cup.

And in Sharp, the Stars have a player who relishes the chance to lead this group to success.

"It's exciting," Sharp said in a nearly empty Stars dressing room.

"I feel that pressure. I feel those expectations. Expectations are something that are nothing new for myself, for Johnny Oduya. We come from an organization that has expectations to win the Stanley Cup every year."

It's a fine line to tread, being ready to share experience, being a voice that resonates in a room; it's another to come off like a jerk.

Sharp chuckled at the notion of managing that tightrope.

"I know I have some experience," he said. "And I have played in some big situations, but at the same time I'm walking into a locker room to a team that I know some of the guys, but it's their locker room. I'm not going to come in here and change too much, but you look around the room, you see guys with great experience, guys that have been around the league a long time, the pieces are there. Whatever I can do to come in and improve the team, I'm going to try and do."

Not that these moves don't give a player and his family pause.

A decade ago, Sharp's college girlfriend moved to Philadelphia to go to nursing school and be with him, then a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. That December Sharp was traded to Chicago.

The girlfriend, who would become his wife and mother to his two young daughters, is now making a new life for the family in Texas.

"The family has transitioned a lot better than I thought it would," Sharp admitted. "My wife was a little upset leaving Chicago. She's been there for 10 years. People sometimes don't think about that. They just think about the hockey player and what's going on on the ice, but there's a lot more that goes on behind the scenes. My wife, the two girls, they've adjusted well. They're enjoying the weather. They're enjoying the city of Dallas. They've got no complaints, that's for sure."

On a personal level, there is also the not so small matter of moving on from his own relationships in the Blackhawks' dressing room.

"It's tough, whether you're playing hockey, professional sports, or working in an office," Sharp said.

"When you pack up and leave after 10 years, 10 fun years, 10 memorable years, there's going to be some emotion that comes with it, but my wife and I are looking at it like it's a new chapter, a new opportunity. At the end of the day, I'm a hockey player and Dallas presents an opportunity where I can hopefully come down here and be an impact player on a good team."

The motivation to win somewhere else is a strong one. In some ways as good as Sharp has been -- since 2009, he is sixth in the league with 80 postseason points in 117 games -- he has played in the large shadow cast by Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith.

Head coach Lindy Ruff has been impressed not just with the effort but the attitude of the veteran winger.

"I think what I like is how eager he is to get going and get playing," Ruff said. "He's not spending much time in the past. He's looking forward to this opportunity, a new opportunity. He would no more like to win a fourth Stanley Cup and be a big part of it and I think that's the part I like. He's not living on what went on in Chicago. He's moved on and says, 'I know I've got to do some things better to help these guys and to help myself.' I think that's all you can ask."

Ludwig saw first-hand what these kinds of moves can mean to a team looking to take the final step.

Ludwig moved with the franchise from Minnesota to Dallas in the summer of 1993. Over the course of the next few seasons, GM Bob Gainey brought in Brian Skrudland, Guy Carbonneau and Mike Keane, players who had won championships in Montreal.

Those players helped homegrown stars such as Mike Modano share the burden of leadership as the team became a Cup contender and finally a Cup champion in 1999.

Ludwig joked that when head coach Ken Hitchcock asked for a meeting of the team's leadership group, they needed to hold it in the dressing room because there wasn't room for all the players in Hitchcock's office.

Sharp and Oduya have the potential to be catalysts to something similar, Ludwig predicted.

These moves aren't without their risks.

Sharp has another year after this on his contract that carries an annual cap hit of $5.9 million. He saw his role diminish slightly last spring as he played mostly third-line minutes for the Blackhawks and, bothered by injury, his 16 goals during the regular season were down from 34 in 2013-14.

Still, former Stars assistant GM and longtime NHL executive Frank Provenzano, who has contributed to ESPN's hockey coverage in the past several years, believes the risk is an acceptable one for the Stars.

First, there's not a long-term commitment to Sharp or Oduya, both of whom have another year left on their current deals. And they are being asked to be complementary players who bring a wealth of big-game experience.

"If you're going to build your team around these guys, that's a different story," Provenzano said.

And while it's difficult to quantify -- and Provenzano warned that Cup experience can be overvalued -- there is value in adding that element to a locker room.

"Until you've won, you haven't won," Provenzano said. "There aren't many players relative to the whole player pool who have, players who are going to be able to play in a meaningful way on your team."

We'll see just whether that street cred can be a catalyst to something more meaningful, nay, memorable, in Texas.


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ESPN / Debate: Is John Tortorella best coach for Blue Jackets?

Joe McDonald

Pierre LeBrun and Joe McDonald discuss whether coach John Tortorella is the right choice to fix what is wrong in Columbus.

LEBRUN: Joey Mac, be honest, what was your reaction when you heard John Tortorella was replacing Todd Richards as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets?

Certainly, nobody is surprised Richards got fired after an 0-7-0 start and it’s unfortunate because he’s a good coach. It’s an ugly part of pro sports that firing the coach is the most-frequent course of action simply because it’s the easiest. I hate it.

But the team needs a jolt. Can they get it from Torts?

When I spoke with Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen last week when the team was 0-4-0, he lamented the team’s lack of identity; he wanted his players to go back to "Blue Jackets hockey." Which is to say, in your face, gritty and making the other team pay for every inch of the ice.

We certainly haven’t seen that team this year. Enter Torts, whose teams have certainly played that way when things are going well for him.

McDONALD: My initial reaction, Pierre, was “Oh, great. Torts is back.” Of course, I’m somewhat kidding. Tortorella is a great coach and will get the most out of his players. If there’s one guy who can turn the Blue Jackets around, he should be that type of coach. Forget what fans see on the outside when it comes to Torts’ personality; he’s respected around the league as a good hockey guy. Unfortunately, Richards is a really good coach, too. He had Columbus going in the right direction last season, but this current skid cost him his job. If Torts can turn this around he’ll get the credit, but no one should forget the job Richards did with that organization, with the exception of the 0-7-0 record.

LEBRUN: Well, let’s be honest here, Torts was not a great coach at the end with the New York Rangers, and he certainly didn’t do great with the Vancouver Canucks, either. I wrote it at the time and I stand by it: The Canucks were crazy hiring him so quickly after his meltdown in New York. I truly felt Tortorella needed time to decompress before he got back into the game and it was not smart by anyone involved to throw him into that fire in Vancouver on a team that was depreciating, too, after being a Cup contender for many years. But here’s where I think it could work in Columbus: He has had a year and a half to decompress, to get a fresh take on things, and I think he’s going to come back a better coach.

"The Jackets need a guy to come in and kick ass and take names and that’s Torts," said one NHL team executive. "That’s Torts. He’s had time away. I think he’s actually going to do well there."

McDONALD: I couldn’t agree more that Torts needed time away from the game. I do believe he’s one of those coaches who can get the most out of a team in the short term but his message gets old pretty quick in the long term. It will be interesting to see whether he will change his approach in Columbus or if he’ll go in old-school Torts-style. This game is changing quickly and coaches need to change with it. In Boston, Claude Julien, a Stanley Cup-winning coach, has had to change his coaching style to adjust to the organization’s new philosophy. Can Torts change with the times? The good thing is he’ll have a solid veteran core of players that could help him move his message. Again, I think he’ll be good in the short term, but I’m not sure whether he can last in the NHL.

LEBRUN: He’s inheriting a Jackets team that’s underperforming, so the script is there for him to gain success with this team. I suspect he will turn things around. And what of the Canucks, his old team? As per the new NHL rule on compensation, they get a second-round pick in return for Tortorella going to Columbus because he was still under contract with them. Mind you, the Jackets still have to decide whether that pick is 2016, 2017 or 2018, and I’d be shocked if they made it this year given their start. A source also confirmed that the Canucks are paying part of his salary and it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s a sizable sum of that salary. He was making around $2 million a year in Vancouver and there’s no way the Jackets are going to pay that, so they definitely got him at a discount.

McDONALD: I hope Vancouver accepted the Blue Jackets’ Groupon on Torts. Seriously, it’s better for Columbus to make this move now than wait another few weeks. I believe the league will look into the compensation for coaches, as well as it should. If a coach is fired, he should be allowed to sign with any team that would take him. After all, his former employer didn’t want him, so compensation needs to be fixed. Good on Columbus that

they were able to hire Torts at a discount, and again, I think it will be a good move in the short term but it could be trouble in the long term.


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ESPN / Calgary Flames place goalie Karri Ramo on waivers

Pierre LeBrun, NHL Writer

The Calgary Flames have placed veteran Karri Ramo on waivers as they finally unclog their goalie jam.

The Flames broke camp with three goaltenders on their roster in Ramo, Jonas Hiller and youngster Joni Ortio, not wanting to send the 24-year-old Ortio down to the AHL because it would require waivers and the NHL club feared losing him.

Ramo, 29, re-signed with the Flames this past summer for one year and $3.8 million. He's the odd man out now after starting the season 0-3-0 with a 4.38 goals-against average and .879 save percentage.

The Flames, a surprise team last year who made the playoffs, are off to a dismal 1-5-0 start and have been outscored 25-12 in the process.

Calgary would likely prefer that another NHL team claim Ramo rather than sending him down to their AHL club.

The waiver period on Ramo expires at noon ET Thursday.


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ESPN / Montreal has all the pieces to be legit Stanley Cup contenders


The Montreal Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference finals two seasons ago, lost in the second round to the eventual Stanley Cup finalist Tampa Bay Lightning last season and this season have announced themselves as more serious than ever about reaching their ultimate goal with a sensational 7-0-0 start.

Here are five reasons the Habs are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.

1. The coach

Michel Therrien rarely gets enough credit, so it was refreshing to hear what St. Louis Blues coach Ken Hitchcock had to say after Tuesday night's 3-0 loss at the hands of the Canadiens. "This is a well-coached, disciplined, play-the-game-the-right-way team; they're going to be a bear all year for everybody," Hitchcock told reporters. Therrien is now 132-64-23 in his second tour of duty in Montreal, a winning percentage of .655 in the points-based NHL. In other words, pretty darn good.

His critics will say he's too defensive, and a lack of scoring was ultimately the team's downfall last season. But Therrien has also shown as he's matured -- tweaking the way the team plays this season, for example -- that he is able to grow his coaching philosophy.

2. Style of play

I think Therrien has tried to downplay any changes to the system, per se, in part because he was sensitive to being hammered last season for the team's lack of offense. The team is indeed playing differently this season, and perhaps it's because (as the coach said) the roster itself was ready to play the way they wanted to before, but couldn't. To the point, the Canadiens own the puck more and aren't as much of a chip-and-chase team as they were before.

As of Wednesday morning, they were third with a 54.6 percent Corsi For, an area in which they stank last season. You see it on zone entries as the Canadiens hang on to the puck more. When you're adding non-dump-and-chase types Alexander Semin and Tomas Fleischmann in the offseason, it only makes sense that puck retention numbers would go up. The numbers suggest Montreal has more sustainability moving forward.

They're going to lose games and come down to earth, but they're a top-four team in the East once again and with more balance to their game. They're not just depending on their goalie to save the day. Not every single night, anyway.

Tweaks to Michele Therien's coaching philosophy have helped create more offense for the Habs this season. Jean-Yves Ahern/USA TODAY Sports

3. Top-nine production, productive fourth line

The Habs didn't need their massive media corps and passionate fan base to tell them they lost out last spring because of their offensive struggles. The numbers don't lie. They were a bottom-third offensive team all season but got through to the second round on goalie Carey Price's shoulders. So, they changed the approach, going to a top-nine offensive setup with David Desharnais shifting down to center a solid third line, and Alex Galchenyuk moving to center on the second line.

All three units have had an impact so far. So that's a departure from last season, when they were a top-six team with a checking third line. A total bonus is that the fourth line centered by Torrey Mitchell has had an impact as well, using their speed to cycle and forecheck effectively, and even chipping in the odd goal. They've got four lines they depend on, which is not something they could have said a year ago. Now, I know Semin will have his ups and downs, and who knows if Galchenyuk has his struggles at some point in his first year at center, but so far the approach up front is working, and it should have some legs.

4. A mobile blue-line corps

The pucks get in and out of Montreal's zone in a hurry and the transition game has been lights-out thanks to puck-moving D-men such as superstar P.K. Subban, veteran Andrei Markov, Jeff Petry, Nathan Beaulieu and Tom Gilbert. It's the name of the game in today's NHL. The Blackhawks and Kings have five Stanley Cups between them over the past six seasons thanks in large part to high-end, puck-moving defensemen to spearhead things.

It's why general manager Marc Bergevin deserves praise for stealing Petry from the Edmonton Oilers last season and then re-signing him. Petry's been unreal for them. Beaulieu's continued ascent is noticeable. It's crazy that he's on a third pairing. That mobile defense corps also allows for better puck possession numbers and a more sustainable attack.

5. The goalie

You knew I'd get to this guy at some point, right? How did Carey Price pick things up after winning the Hart and Vezina trophies last season? How about going 6-0-0 with a .966 save percentage and 1.00 goals-against average? Holy mama!

At some point, that save percentage will settle back down to around .930 or so, which will therefore bring the Habs back down to earth to some degree. Still, the 28-year-old is showing signs of wanting to push his game even further after a career season, which is a scary proposition indeed for the rest of the NHL. The difference, the Habs hope, is that he's got a better team in front of him this season to really take advantage of it.


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ESPN / Rumblings: Don't expect Stanley Cup to be late again


Not that the Chicago Blackhawks players complained a whole lot because it meant the party lasted even longer, but June's awkward delay in the Stanley Cup arriving on the ice after the Blackhawks clinched the championship is guaranteed to not ever happen again.

That's because the NHL and the Hockey Hall of Fame will tweak protocol to ensure such an occurrence won't repeat itself.

"The Cup will be in the custody of NHL Security at all times during the finals," Jeff Denomme, the president and CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame, said in an email. "In the past, the Cup would be with the Hall's Cup Keepers at a hotel away from players and media. Accordingly, certain pregame publicity elements will be revisited."

On clinching night in Chicago in June, a crazy early summer storm flooded numerous streets in Chicago and made traffic absolutely chaotic, so despite leaving very early from an airport-area hotel and getting a police escort, the Cup showed up late to the game and made everyone -- including commissioner Gary Bettman -- wait uncomfortably for it.

To be fair, whose to blame for such a crazy storm, right?

Still, better safe than sorry and, from now on, you better believe NHL security will have the Cup on site all day long on clinching day.


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ESPN / Rumblings: Coach's challenge controversy heats up after Wings-Habs game


To be fair, the NHL warned everyone that the coach's challenge would come with some kinks to iron out, and Saturday night in Montreal we certainly got an example of that.

In fact, the coach's challenge wasn’t even invoked on Brendan Gallagher's controversial tying goal when it clearly should have been.

To recap: Gallagher tied the game in the second period when the puck bounced off his skates, crossed the line, and he bowled into Wings goalie Petr Mrazek.

The call on the ice, although not clear at the time, was no goal, according to one source.

The situation room in Toronto reviewed it to make sure the puck wasn’t kicked in and entered the net in a legal fashion -- which it did.

That’s when things went wrong.

I can’t get a straight answer, but all I can assume here is that the situation room in Toronto in some form or other must have told the refs that it was a good goal. As in, the goal should stand? Again, I don’t know that for sure.

I can only ascertain that Wings head coach Jeff Blashill didn’t ask for a coach's challenge because the refs told him it was a good goal and there wasn’t any point in further reviewing it.

The Detroit Red Wings certainly should have invoked a coach's challenge based on goalie interference -- and for the life of me I can’t imagine the goal would have stood based on the threshold established for goalie interference, as Mrazek had zero chance to make a save on that play.

Certainly the Wings have been in dialogue with the league in the past few days clearing up what happened.

According to an NHL referee who requested anonymity, NHL on-ice officials received a memo in the aftermath of all this from director of officiating Stephen Walkom reminding them that when it comes to goalie interference, calls on goals or no-goals should only be overturned either by the on-ice officials huddling on the ice and changing the call or by a coach's challenge. Read between the lines: not from hockey ops in Toronto.

Again, the coach's challenge is new and everyone involved is working out the kinks, so this isn’t about placing blame but rather making sure things get worked out moving forward.

In retrospect, whatever miscommunication happened there between the situation room in Toronto, the refs and the Wings’ bench should not have happened and a coach's challenge based on goalie interference should have indeed occurred.

Either way, this example and more will be on the docket when NHL general managers meet Nov. 10 in Toronto.

Again, this is the first year of the coach's challenge, there will be bumps along the road, and this was certainly one of them.


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ESPN / Rumblings: Canada expected to name World Cup coach in November


Team USA and Team North America have each announced their head coaches for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, leaving Team Canada still without among the three North American entries.

The expectation now is that Team Canada will make that announcement by U.S. Thanksgiving at the latest and perhaps by early November -- either way, sometime next month.

The two leading candidates all along have been three-time Stanley Cup champion Joel Quenneville and reigning two-time Olympic champion Mike Babcock.

There’s certainly no wrong choice there, but I’d be surprised if the choice wasn’t Babcock, following this logic: Why change?

Team Canada’s brain trust, led by general manager Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues and also including Wings GM Ken Holland, Ducks GM Bob Murray, Habs GM Marc Bergevin and Kings assistant GM Rob Blake, is slated to meet again Nov. 9 in Toronto, on the eve of the NHL GMs meeting, to go over updated player lists for the World Cup roster. Bergevin and Armstrong took in Monday’s San Jose Sharks-New York Rangers game in New York together.

Each World Cup team must name its first 16 players by the March 1 deadline. The balance of the 23-man roster must be completed by June 1.


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ESPN / Rumblings: Blue Jackets caught up in hype


A veteran NHL scout presented a very interesting comparison when it comes to the woeful start from the Columbus Blue Jackets and the disappointment that the Dallas Stars were a year ago.

The Stars added Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky in the 2014 offseason to an offense that already included Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, and it certainly pumped up the hype surrounding them entering the 2014-15 season.

But, as the scout noted, the players focused way too much on the offensive sizzle and forgot how to play from their own end out.

Similarly, the scout said, the Jackets added star winger Brandon Saad this past offseason to an already-good forward group and the team comes out wanting to razzle-dazzle instead of remembering the style of hockey that makes it successful.

The players, after all, are human; the Stars of a year ago got plenty of preseason hype because of their additions, and the Jackets in the same fashion were a preseason darling after the Saad deal.

Sometimes the players themselves get caught up in the hype.

There are no shortcuts in this league. There’s only one way to win games and it starts in your own end. Take care of things there and the rest will come.


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ESPN / Sharks goalie Martin Jones taking off training wheels


Martin Jones was on a golf course with some pals in Scottsdale, Arizona, when he got the call that he had been traded to the San Jose Sharks on June 30.

It was pure elation, which wasn't exactly the reaction he had a few days earlier when he was dealt to the Boston Bruins.

Nothing against the Bruins, of course, but going from Jonathan Quick's backup with the Los Angeles Kings to being Tuukka Rask's backup wasn't exactly enthralling.

"I thought it was kind of a step sideways for me with Tuukka there," Jones said Sunday evening. "So I didn't really know what was going to happen. But then it didn't take long before I got the call that I was going to San Jose; that was a quick turnaround and that was really exciting."

Exciting because at 25, Jones felt ready to become a starter in the NHL, he had done his work, done his time, and the training wheels were ready to come off.

The Sharks felt exactly the same way. It was the perfect fit.

"That's the end game, is to play in this league and be a starting goalie, and have a chance to play for a Stanley Cup," Jones said. "I think the transition has been really good. All the guys, all the trainers, have made it very easy for me. It's been very good."

As far as opening statements go, how about 4-0-0 with only two goals allowed on 110 shots and two shutouts?

The New York Rangers are up next for Jones on Monday night at Madison Square Garden, and the part that becomes the true test for the North Vancouver native is getting used to the grind of being the No. 1 guy.

"It's been a good start, but it's a start; we've got a long way to go here," Jones said. "Part of being a starting goalie is being able to do it over 82 games. I just want to make sure that I continue with the stuff that's made me successful in the first couple of games and hopefully keep it going."

Getting Jones was a longtime goal of Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, who had targeted him at the top of his list last season while Jones was still a backup in Los Angeles. But there was problem: Getting him from a rival's roster.

The door opened a crack when Jones remained unsigned as a restricted free agent as the summer approached.

By then, the cap-strapped Kings realized they could be victims of an offer sheet, and the rumor mill suggested rival San Jose as being a possibility. After all, San Jose did it to the Chicago Blackhawks back in the summer of 2010.

So Kings GM Dean Lombardi moved Jones to Boston at the draft on June 26 as part of the Milan Lucic deal.

Wilson did a beeline for new Bruins GM Don Sweeney after the deal was done and communicated his strong desire to land Jones.

"We felt comfortable either way, to tell you the truth," Sweeney said Monday morning from Boston. "We had identified him, probably as Doug did, I had seen Martin play a lot in [AHL] Manchester and felt he was a really good goalie, and that he would be a real nice complement to Tuukka at that time. Doug was aggressive through the process, but we felt comfortable on either side of it."

Sweeney said that at no point did Wilson ever mention the possibility of an offer sheet, though I suspect that's exactly what the Sharks would have done had Boston not made the trade.

Plus, as mentioned, Jones wanted a shot at being a No. 1 goalie, so whether or not he would have signed with the Bruins remains a question that will forever go unanswered.

In the end, Sweeney got a good return in 22-year-old prospect Sean Kuraly and a first-round pick in 2016.

"It was a win-win on both situations, he's a quality goaltender but we also got quality return," said Sweeney.

For Jones, who would sign a $9 million, three-year deal with the Sharks, it was the perfect opportunity in San Jose with veteran Antti Niemi gone.

"I still wanted to make sure I earned my ice time and wasn't handed anything," Jones said. "I wanted to come to camp and make sure I was sharp."

You watch Jones play and one thing that jumps out is how calm he is in net.

"You look at his skill set, I don't know how I would put this, it's like a poor man's Carey Price, and that's a compliment obviously," said former NHL goalie Jamie McLennan, now an analyst for TSN. "He has a lot of similar attributes. You know how Carey makes everything look so easy, Martin also has that demeanor. I know we're just four games in here, but it's that type of skill set. The challenge for Martin still is to show he can be a starter at the NHL level, a guy that can play a lot of games at that level. He's done it in the AHL and in junior. I think the timing is right now. He's 25 years old. We're seeing goaltenders mature at a later age and it's because of the mental side, not the physical side. Cory Schneider is a prime example, he was stuck behind a couple of stars and waited for his time."

Jones appeared in only 19 games in 2013-14 and just 15 games last season, putting up good numbers but living with the reality of his role. Kings head coach Darryl Sutter likes to ride his No. 1 man, which is a reality Jones knew ahead of time, but it doesn't mean it's not frustrating at times.

"It's hard being a backup goalie," Jones said. "You've got to sit on your games a couple of weeks at a time. It puts a lot of added pressure on yourself to get the results. It's tough, especially when you want to play and you're not sure when you're going to get the start. But going into a season with a guy like Quick, you know that's going to be the case, it's part of the job. You just try to be a good teammate and work hard in practice."

And from Quick, Jones learned a lot.

"Quickie was great, I couldn't ask for a better guy to learn from my first couple of years in the league, watching him every day. So that was good," Jones said.

Credit the Kings, too, for seeing value in Jones when obviously few other teams did, signing him as a free agent after inviting him to camp in 2008.

That's a credit to Kings vice president of hockey operations Mike Futa, who back then was the Kings' director of amateur scouting. Also great work here by Kings' Western Canada amateur scout Brent McKewen, as well as Kim Dillabaugh (goaltender development) and Bill Ranford (goalie coach).

But the question is, how did this kid slide through the 2008 NHL draft to begin with?

"I'm not sure, to be honest with you," Jones said. "I played 20-something games [27 to be exact during his draft year in 2007-08]. I remember talking to my agent and thought maybe fifth-to-seventh round was a pretty good possibility. It just didn't happen and I'm not really sure why."

He might only have played in 27 games with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen that season, but he sported a 2.12 goals-against average.

"He was physically immature, and didn't play enough games," said one NHL scout when asked for an explanation.

Whatever the case, it was clear after the Kings signed him they had a good one.

"I got to watch him with the Hitmen, he was in our backyard," said McLennan, who was the Flames backup goalie at the time. "I don't know him very well, but I used to joke that I never saw him allow a goal. Every time I saw him play, I swear he would get a shutout."

It all worked out for Jones with his apprenticeship in the Kings organization, which included three-plus years in the AHL.

"My whole experience in L.A. was really, really good," Jones said.

And wouldn't you know it that the schedule this season would have Sharks at Kings as the opener?

"I saw that pretty quickly, it was a long wait to get to that game and I had that one marked on the calendar," said Jones, who allowed just one goal on 20 shots in the Oct. 7 win at Staples Center.

Since then, back-to-back shutouts over the Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals followed by Friday night's 2-1 shootout win at the New Jersey Devils.

It's early, but the early returns on San Jose's gamble in goal look promising, indeed.


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ESPN / Tomas Plekanec sticking with Montreal


The Montreal Canadiens have signed center Tomas Plekanec to a two-year extension, the club announced Friday.

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More to Canadiens than amazing Price

Carey Price's otherworldly skill is on display yet again, but the team around him has gotten better and is eager to show everyone the Canadiens are about more than just their goaltender.

Morning 3-on-3: Price proving his worth

In Friday Morning's 3-on-3, we look at Carey Price's amazing performance against the Rangers, which backs up the assertion by many that Price is clearly the best goalie in the world.

A source told ESPN.com the deal was worth $12 million in total, paying $7 million next season and $5 million in 2017-18.

Plekanec, who will earn $5 million this season, was slated to be an unrestricted free agent July 1. He turns 33 on Oct. 31.

The contract does not include a no-trade or no-movement clause, the source said.

Plekanec has scored four goals in five games as the Canadiens have started the season 5-0-0 for the first time in franchise history.


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ESPN / Carey Price dominating again, but Canadiens about more than their goalie


MONTREAL -- As the chants of "Carey, Carey'' cascaded down from the Bell Centre rafters Thursday night during another gem of a performance from the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, I approached a longtime NHL scout in the press box and asked if there's anything left to say about the guy in goal for the Montreal Canadiens.

"It's honestly unbelievable," said the Western Conference scout, shaking his head. "He is such a difference-maker. I swear it looks like he's anticipating the next shot three seconds before it happens. And he's so calm; there's traffic or loose pucks and he just stays focused. I mean, what else can you say?''

How about this: Is it possible Price has in store a season that could actually top his 2014-15 campaign, which saw him named the league's best goalie and MVP?

I mean, why not? He's 28 years old, still plenty of room to grow. Can you imagine for a moment if the best is still yet to come?

"He's one of those rare guys that you really say has the whole package,'' former Coyotes assistant GM and goalie whisperer Sean Burke said over the phone Thursday night.

"He's athletic to begin with; technically he's very, very sound; he's one of those players that has very few weaknesses, if any,'' continued Burke. "I'm sure every team says, 'Let's get traffic and don't let him see the shot.' If he can see it, he's going to stop it. Mentally, that's such an advantage when you know the other team is going into the game saying, 'How are we going to beat this guy?' It reminds me of Dominik Hasek in his prime; the other team is half-beaten before they hit the ice.''

Speaking of the mental game, that's where Price focused his offseason plan. He needed to unplug and chill out in order to reboot.

"I think every season you try to do things that are going to improve you," Price said after Thursday's 3-0 win over the New York Rangers. "For myself, mentally I just needed to take a break from the game. I took a longer break than normal. Because when you play that many games, that hard, it's a grind mentally. So just refreshing my mind was my biggest goal this summer.''

Which meant plenty of time spent outdoors back in his native British Columbia.

"Getting out in the woods and getting some quiet time,'' is the way Price put it.

Wait, Price has to find a place where he goes to relax? The same guy I caught yawning during a break in play in the gold-medal game of the 2014 Olympics in Sochi? That calm demeanor in net in turn becomes one heck of a weapon for the Habs.

"It's like I've seen with us: The confidence flows from your goaltender out," said Rangers star winger Rick Nash, comparing Price with Henrik Lundqvist. "I've seen it with Hank a lot. I've been part of it with [Price] with Team Canada. When you have a world-class goalie, the confidence shifts up from the D to the forwards. Both of these guys do that.''

In fact, Burke said, it allows a team like Montreal to play differently.

"You don't go into a game uptight, you're not nervous about making mistakes," said Burke. "Those guys have the freedom to play their game and not worry that much about making mistakes. You know there's a guy back there to bail you out. Those teams have such an advantage. That's another mental edge for a team like that.''

The real question is whether the rest of the Canadiens will step up their games this season to really take advantage of the edge they have in goal.

I thought it was interesting what veteran center Tomas Plekanec said last week to NHL.com when asked yet again about the perception that the Habs are only a good team because of Price.

"You know what? I'm kind of sick of hearing that we're a team that's just about Carey," Plekanec said. "Obviously, he's the best goaltender in the world, we all know that. But should we feel sorry for ourselves that we play in front of him?

"He's a great goalie, but I think we're a better team than that. But we've got to show that. We've got to show that in the game, that we're better. We've got to help him out a little bit more."

Hey, let's not forget all-world blueliner P.K. Subban and sniper Max Pacioretty here. By and large, though, the thinking really is that Price is the team's savior. The challenge this season is to prove otherwise.

"This year we really want to show we're a good team and that we're part of the elite teams in this league," center David Desharnais said after Thursday's game. "Obviously, with him in net it gives us the confidence to raise our game to another level, because we know he's there to bail us out. But if we play better in front of him, his job might be a bit easier.''

There are signs of that so far, albeit in a small sample of just five games. The Habs have better puck possession numbers than last season and are looking like a more effective team in transition and on the forecheck. They're creating more. They've got three offensive lines plus a fourth line with speed.

"We're five games into the season, but it's a good start," said Desharnais, who centers the third line. "I also think it's the way the new NHL is now, where the teams that have won the Cup recently get contributions from everyone.''

The Cup? Well, hey, the Habs are 5-0-0 for the first time in their storied history.

"We have a pretty confident group of guys here," said Price. "We've always felt strong in our abilities, and right now it's paying off. We just have to stick to the same process and realize what's made us successful.''


978250 Websites

ESPN / Blue Jackets GM: We have to look in the mirror after 0-4 start


Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen says it's time for his struggling team to get back to its identity.

"Which is a hardworking team," he said Thursday over the phone. "Right now we're trying to skill our way through it, and that’s not how we get success in this league. That's for sure."

The Jackets, picked by many to have a good season and to get back into the playoff picture, are off to a 0-4-0 start and have been outscored 20-9 in the process.

It has led to quick speculation about Todd Richards’ future as head coach. To which Kekalainen responded when asked about Richards:

"It's on everybody in the organization, all of us, we have to look in the mirror. It's the players on the ice that execute the system, and they have to get the job done. They have to get the work boots on and get back to our identity."

The Jackets held a team meeting Thursday, a day after a 7-3 drubbing at home to Ottawa.

"Yeah, any team would do the same in that situation; there’s a lot of studying to do, a lot of looking in the mirror to do for everybody," the Jackets GM said, confirming the team meeting. "You analyze, make your conclusions, move on and get to work."

Where the team needs work is in their defensive zone, where the Jackets are looking disorganized.

"But it's not all on our defense; if our forwards leave our zone too early, it's hard to get a pass to them," said Kekalainen. "We have to play as a five-man unit. I'm a big believer that any team can play defense if you just want to do it. ... If you buy in, and execute the system, and you’re disciplined and you want to work. You can play defense; you can shut down teams. We have enough skill to score goals if we first play defense. And we play a hard game, we're hard to play against. All those things that have been the Blue Jackets' identity for a while now, we’re getting away from that. We’re trying to be something else that we’re not. That’s costing us points."

Now is when you truly find out about your team, the Jackets GM said.

"These are the moments when you learn the most," said Kekalainen. "As hard as they are, as little fun as they are, these are the moments in my career where I’ve had the best learning lessons; you learn a lot about the players, you learn a lot about the people you work with in many different capacities. You find out about their character when you go through situations like this.

"You can get some valuable lessons from the hard times [you] go through."


978251 Websites

ESPN / Optimism is the theme after the first two weeks

John Buccigross, SportsCenter anchor

Peter Ustinov, who died in 2004 at the age of 82, was an Englishman who loved life like coffee addicts crave their morning fix. Many folks can't replicate the enthusiasm and anticipation they feel at Dunkin' Donuts or Tim Hortons in the responsibilities, journey and adventure of their lives. Ustinov did. Life can't always be like the rush of that first sip, but a good attitude will get you close.

Ustinov (not a part of the famed Russian Five, although his name sounds like he belongs) was a director, writer and two-time Academy Award-winning actor ("Spartacus" and "Topkapi") -- and a Hart Trophy raconteur on talk shows around the world. He wrote and directed stage plays and led international theatrical productions. He did it all and did it well. He spoke six languages fluently, including the accents and dialects. People like Ustinov live and work hard and well because they understand that happiness comes from the simple joy of waking up alive, carrying that joy throughout the day, bringing a good attitude doing the thing you love, and having a generally curious, optimistic, sunny view of life's tasks.

You can try the best you can

If you try the best you can

The best you can is good enough

-- "Optimistic" by Radiohead

"The point of living is to believe the best is yet to come."

This is a beautiful and useful quote from Ustinov because of its optimism, tenderness and wisdom. It's near perfect. It keeps us sharp and hungry. It keeps us in hunt mode with a willingness to change, even when it's not our choice. It also can help us in our deepest, darkest, heaviest moments when we wonder if we'll ever heal and be happy again. The pain might never evaporate, but we can at least try to resurface and skate on by believing things can be better.

Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully could have retired in 1997 at age 70 or at age 75 or even at 80. Scully is still working. He turns 88 in November and he has NEVER been more revered, respected or valued than he is today. Scully is a Los Angeles civic institution and a national treasure. Through the prism of receiving respect and warmth from others (and what's more comforting than that?), the best was yet to come for Scully.

By continuing to show up and bringing that optimistic joy and sunny attitude to the thing he loves, Scully continues to live long and well despite the difficulties of aging and the unspeakable tragedies of losing his first wife to an accidental medical overdose in 1972 and his oldest son to a helicopter crash in 1994.

I don't know if Scully ever met Peter Ustinov -- my guess is that somehow he did -- but I bet onlookers would need sunscreen from the glow. I'm sure it would be a conversation for the ages.

Optimism is the theme for this list of individuals and teams. The NHL season is just two weeks old, but for some, the best is yet to come. Here is a list of 10 things that have caught my eye early in this season.

1. Connor McDavid: We will start with McDavid because he was the first pick in the draft, a Canadian kid drafted by a Canadian team. At times, McDavid has looked as somber as a member of the Beatles during their final 1966 tour. He's been in a glass case for years, the anointed one. During some postgame interviews, McDavid has looked lifeless and almost sad. So much praise and optimism heaped upon him and such a bad start for the Edmonton Oilers (0-4), and it's only going to get colder. Same old Oilers? Well, the magic started to happen Saturday night in Calgary. Loose muscles are fast muscles and McDavid was "Magic." (That would be an appropriate nickname.) The Oilers won in Calgary and Vancouver on back-to-back nights. Get ready for takeoff. The acceleration, the change of direction, the fast, prescient mind. This dude it legit. Watch him.

2. Jack Eichel: I wrote a lot about him last week in this space. The Buffalo Sabres are better this season, but they are still not ready for the playoffs. Buffalo's games have been close. And if they can stay healthy and their young players individually improve, the Sabres could have a better second half. Winning isn't easy. You need to get breaks drafting, trading and signing. Eichel is an excellent pillar but no one does it alone in hockey. But

for now, the Sabres and Eichel are worth watching. There will be many jaw-dropping moments.

3. The Detroit Red Wings: Rookie Dylan Larkin, who was a one-and-done at Michigan last season, couldn't be in a better position to succeed. Playing for a great organization, and with surefire Hall of Famer Henrik Zetterberg and rugged Justin Abdelkader, who has figured out how to succeed at age 28. Larkin, 19, is an electric player who can play at high speeds, and he sees the ice well. He's playing wing but eventually he will be a No. 1 center for the Wings.

Abdelkader, suddenly, is set to score a nice contract next summer as an unrestricted free agent, if he gets there. The former Michigan State Spartan had 23 goals last season and will likely get 30 this season if he plays with playmakers Zetterberg and Larkin all season. Abdelkader will probably command around five years at $25 million as a starting point. I would think there is a good chance Abdelkader signs an extension during the season, being a Michigan man and being in such a good situation for personal and team success during the life of the most important and lucrative contract of his career. He does turn 29 in February, which makes term a little tricky. Do the Wings offer more years to get the term down? Seven years at $33.25 million is a cap number of $4.75 million. It would take Abdelkader to age 36, and the way he plays, injuries would have to be a concern. Or because this will be the biggest contract of his career, maybe Abdelkader and his reps will hold out for a front-loaded contract that averages over $5 million a year. Because it's the best place for him professionally, and a deal appears to be there for both sides, I would think Abdelkader would extend during the season so he can relax and play.

4. The Montreal Canadiens: They're off to the best start in Canadiens history. If every NHL goalie were made a free agent and there were a goalie-only draft, Carey Price would go No. 1 overall. Big, poised, smart, competitive and athletic. That's a good way to go through life. Max Pacioretty is an elite goal scorer with a $4.5 million cap number for four more years -- that is stealing for the Canadiens. Another younger, dynamic defenseman to support P.K. Subban would be a great add at some point, but this is a really good team with a nice mix of young, prime and older veterans. Having a pillar such as Price is such a good place to start. He is one of those rare goalies who makes everyone better.

5. Joe Pavelski: The San Jose Sharks, who never have an easy travel schedule, had to begin the season with five road games out of six, four on the East Coast. They went 4-2 on historic goaltending from Martin Jones. San Jose returns home for a stretch of games as the Sharks continue to try to bank early-season points. Logan Couture's injury (broken leg) is a huge hit to their scoring depth, but this team can survive. Pavelski was named captain and that looks like an excellent choice: He is a sensational player in the prime of his life, a 31-year-old father making $6 million a year with a single-digit handicap on the golf course. Productive, durable, serious and skilled. How many seventh-round picks become captains? I picked the Sharks to make the postseason based on Pavelski getting the "C." He has a little Chris Drury in him, and as many longtime readers know, those kinds of guys can persuade me.

6. The Central Division: As expected, this division is a beast and is already in beast mode. With the talent on these seven teams, depending on health and cohesion, you really could see any of them making the playoffs. It's difficult to envision they won't get five of the seven into the postseason. I had all but the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche making it, but if those teams get great goaltending, they certainly have the firepower to sneak in. The Central Division isn't just the best division in the NHL. It's the best division BY FAR.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins' defense: No points in the first five games for Sidney Crosby, yet another new group of Penguins players must congeal. It's Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Marc-Andre Fleury, Chris Kunitz and changing parts around them. Do they love each other? Do they like each other? Do they play for each other? Is Sidney Crosby still unconditionally in love with hockey and does he feel the best is yet to come? Would he do ANYTHING to win and does he vocalize this to his teammates? But back to the point. The Penguins allowed just nine goals in their first five games. If that continues, with a combination of puck possession, blocked shots and goaltending, the Penguins will be an elite goal-prevention team. When the offense is off and running, they could go on a big run. One thing is for sure: If every Penguin played and practiced with the heart and dedication of Patric Hornqvist, the Penguins might never lose.

8. Aleksander Barkov: There are fewer agreeable hockey players than Finns. They are generally very friendly, optimistic and conversational. I attended the Arizona State-UConn hockey game on Friday night. After the game, in the UConn dressing room, Finnish defenseman Joona Kunnas came up to me, took off his stylish, 1920s flatcap, and proceeded to have an easy conversation. The Florida Panthers have a big, friendly Finn in Aleksander Barkov, who appears ready for a breakout year. The Panthers had the second overall pick in 2013. Seth Jones, Barkov and Jonathan Drouin were sitting there for the Panthers, and GM Dale Tallon, after the

Avalanche chose Nathan MacKinnon at No. 1 overall, took Barkov. There is still a long way to go, but it looks as if the Panthers made the right pick. Barkov continues to improve, and this season he has more jump to go with his great hands and good size (6-foot-3, 215). Another reason to watch Barkov's games is that he is playing with a certified beauty, Jaromir Jagr.

9. Max Domi: Max Domi and the fast and fun Arizona Coyotes head east this week. Domi, 19, is one of the most interesting stories in the NHL. He's the son of a Brunswick bowling-ball-headed former enforcer, Tie Domi, who played 1,020 NHL games because of his Mike Tyson left hook. Domi accumulated 3,515 penalty minutes that were acquired five, 10, 20 minutes at a time. Domi is third all time in PIMs behind Tiger Williams and Dale Hunter. Tie's son, Max, is not a chip off the old block. He is a fast, silky, saucy center who has scored wherever he has played. His backhand passing and shooting has resembled Sidney Crosby's in the early going. Watch the Coyotes games this week and check out Domi and former New York Rangers prospect Anthony Duclair play together. They are in Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

10. 3-on-3: One of the most radical decisions in NHL history has been a shot of adrenaline that many low-scoring, blocked-shotfest games need. The best part of 3-on-3 overtime is that it takes away coaching -- it is immune to systems and instead relies on speed, instinct and aggressiveness. (One possible negative? I fear the NASCAR-speed 3-on-3 could cause a serious injury at some point. I know, injuries can happen anytime.) And, well, 3-on-3 is costing me more #bucciovertimechallenge T-shirts, but that's OK. You fans deserve it. And most importantly, it's fun. Enjoy.


978252 Websites

NBCSports.com / Jackets are far better fit for Torts than Canucks were

By Jason BroughOct 21, 2015, 4:49 PM EDT

When the Vancouver Canucks fired John Tortorella, a lot of people thought he was done as an NHL coach.

I actually wasn’t one of those people, even though I thought he was an awful fit for the Canucks and spent a good deal of time trying to prove my point.

When the end finally, mercifully came to his time in Vancouver, I wrote that I could “see him having success with a young team with more impressionable” players.

Like, say…Columbus!

Ryan Johansen, Boone Jenner, Alexander Wennberg, Brandon Saad, Ryan Murray, David Savard. All of those players are 24 or younger. The captain, Nick Foligno, is only 27.

Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky knows what it’s like to play for Torts as a young guy.

“He got things out of me I didn’t know I had,” said Dubinsky, who was in his early 20s when he started playing for Tortorella in New York.

“He’s helped my career and I anticipate he’s going to help my career and help a lot of guys here, especially with the amount of young guys we have here.”

Nobody was talking about all the young guys the Canucks had when Tortorella took over. Vancouver was a veteran group that had enjoyed a great deal of success, nearly winning the Stanley Cup in 2011. And just as importantly, they’d enjoyed it playing a certain way.

Columbus hasn’t had that kind of success. Not even close. The Jackets’ minds should be wide open to whatever he’s preaching.

The Canucks, let’s face it, were also a team on the decline. Tortorella wasn’t wrong when he said the mix was stale. Why else do you think Vancouver hockey fans are so excited about Bo Horvat, Jared McCann, Jake Virtanen, and Ben Hutton? It’s because the Canucks haven’t had such a promising crop of kids in ages.

Look, I’m not saying Tortorella is absolutely going to be successful in Columbus. What I’m saying is that he’s got a much better chance than he did in Vancouver.

And he’d better make the most of it, because if he fails this time, he’s done as an NHL coach.

NBCSports.com / LOADED: 10.22.2015

978253 Websites

NBCSports.com / Sharks call up Mueller; Martin not practicing yet


The San Jose Sharks have recalled defenseman Mirco Mueller and forward Micheal Haley from their AHL club, while sending down d-man Dylan DeMelo and forwards Nikolay Goldobin and Bryan Lerg.

Meanwhile, per CSN Bay Area, veteran defenseman Paul Martin and center Ben Smith did not practice on Wednesday and their availability for tomorrow’s game against the Kings appears to be in doubt.

If Martin needs more time to recover from his lower-body injury (and that sounds likely), expect Mueller to be in the lineup tomorrow versus the Kings, likely paired with Matt Tennyson.

DeMelo, a 22-year-old rookie, took Martin’s spot Saturday and Monday in losses to the Islanders and Rangers, respectively.


978254 Websites

NBCSports.com / Goalie nods: ‘It’s time’ for Varlamov, who has not been good so far


Semyon Varlamov will be back in Colorado’s goal when the Avalanche host Carolina tonight.

Varlamov, after registering a lowly .841 save percentage in three starts, was forced to watch backup Reto Berra play the last two games. Berra won the first, shutting out the Ducks in Anaheim. He lost the second, but stopped an impressive 38 of 40 shots as the Avs fell 2-1 to the Kings.

Despite Berra (.975) owning the better numbers early, Varlamov is still the man for the Avs.

“Varly is our No. 1 goalie,” coach Patrick Roy told the Denver Post. “It’s time for him. He’s been practicing really well.”

No word yet if it’ll be Cam Ward or Eddie Lack for Carolina. The Hurricanes play back-to-back Friday and Saturday in Los Angeles and San Jose, respectively, so both goalies should get some action on the road trip.

Elsewhere…

— Tuukka Rask for the Bruins versus Michal Neuvirth for the Flyers, as previously mentioned here.

— Jonathan Bernier for the Leafs versus Chad Johnson for the Sabres.

— Petr Mrazek for the Red Wings versus Cam Talbot for the Oilers.


978255 Websites

NBCSports.com / Blues put Stastny on IR with broken foot


The St. Louis Blues will be without Paul Stastny for a while.

The club announced today that the 29-year-old center has been placed on injured reserve with a broken right foot, an injury he suffered in Friday’s game in Vancouver. Stastny missed the Blues’ next two games in Winnipeg and Montreal.

Stastny will be re-evaluated in five weeks. He had one goal and four assists in his first five games, skating mostly on a line with Alex Steen and Vladimir Tarasenko.

Jori Lehtera was in Stastny’s spot last night in Montreal. The Blues lost to the Habs, 3-0.


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NBCSports.com / Torts wants to help the Blue Jackets ‘strut’ again


It was classic John Tortorella at his introductory press conference today in Columbus.

The new head coach of the Blue Jackets performed all his greatest hits, including “Just Going About Our Business” to “I Don’t Pay Attention To The Other Team” to “It’s Not About X’s and O’s, It’s About Mindset.”

Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen was there, too, after making the “very difficult decision” to fire coach Todd Richards in the wake of his team’s 0-7-0 start.

But Torts, as always, was the star attraction. And he believes the situation in Columbus is salvageable.

“There’s some good players in that room, and it’s a good team,” said Tortorella. “It’s just gone…the confidence isn’t there. And so to come into a situation where we haven’t gotten a point as the season’s started, it’s a pretty good challenge.

“But I think it will make our team better. Once we get through it. In the big picture of an 82-game schedule, this will make us better, once we do get through it.”

Which begs the question: how do they get through it?

For starters, Tortorella thinks the Jackets’ four-game road trip — they play tomorrow in Minnesota — will help.

“It forces you to be together,” he said. “I think we need to really close ranks here, as a group, and just knock this down.”

Tortorella insisted that the negative momentum that’s been building as the Jackets have lost game after game can quickly be turned the other way. However, he admitted he’ll need to do a better job of listening to his players if that’s to happen.

“I think as a coach you’re always looking to improve,” he said. “I think that is one of my pitfalls. It happens to a lot of coaches, you kind of get the blinders on. You don’t really know what’s going on around you, you’re just kind of focused in. I think you can lose some people that way.”

Tortorella added that he’ll be leaning on forward Brandon Dubinksy, a player he coached and “went through the process” with during their time together with the Rangers.

“I had him at a different stage in his career, when he was a young kid,” said Tortorella. “We went through the process, him and I. Some good things, some bad things. But it was my first meeting today, was sitting down with [Dubinsky]. It was so good to see him. He’s a family man now. I need to lean on him.”

Predictably, Tortorella was asked to describe his coaching style.

“My coaching style, it’s a pretty simple approach,” he said. “We want to pursue. We want to be aggressive. We want to go north-south and play very quickly. There’s really no secrets. A lot of coaches are doing the same thing. It’s making sure you’re doing it better.”

In the end, Tortorella believes that winning hockey is more about mindset than tactics.

“You can talk X’s and O’s and analytics and all that stuff there,” he said. “But it’s how you feel about yourself. It’s amazing what you can overcome if you have that arrogance — the right type of arrogance — and strut, within your game.”


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NBCSports.com / Bruins-Flyers: Beleskey out, Bergeron TBD, Manning out, Luke Schenn in


Some lineup notes for tonight’s Flyers-Bruins game on NBCSN:

— For Boston, winger Matt Beleskey is out with an upper-body injury while center Patrice Bergeron may or may not play due to personal reasons. Bergeron’s wife is apparently expecting the couple’s first child. Hence, the possibility Chris Kelly could be centering a line between Brad Marchand and Brett Connolly.

Meanwhile, Loui Eriksson could take Beleskey’s spot on the other top line, with David Krejci and David Pastrnak.

W/o Beleskey & Bergeron not here, #NHLBruins lines are 21-46-88; 63-23-14; 36-51-11; 25-41-64.

— Mike Loftus (@MLoftus_Ledger) October 21, 2015

Brad Marchand couldnt stifle a laugh when he talked about Chris Kelly's ability to "put the puck in the net" if he plays in Bergeron's spot

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) October 21, 2015

The Bruins are back home after winning two straight on the road and improving their record to 2-3-0. Their three losses to start the season all came at home.

— For Philadelphia, Luke Schenn will reportedly replace Brandon Manning on defense. It will be Schenn’s third game of the season. He hasn’t played since Oct. 10 in a 7-1 loss to Florida. R.J. Umberger is also back in; he’ll replace Sam Gagner.

The Flyers lost 2-1 last night at home versus Dallas. Michal Neuvirth will start in goal versus the Bruins, coming off two straight shutouts.


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NBCSports.com / Report: Flames GM ‘willing to talk about a very big deal’

By Jason BroughOct 21, 2015, 11:47 AM EDT

The Calgary Flames lost again last night, falling 6-2 at home to the Washington Capitals.

The surprise team of 2014-15 is now 1-5-0 to start 2015-16. The Flames have been outscored 25-12. Their only win wasn’t even in regulation; it came in overtime.

So while it’s no surprise to learn that Flames GM Brad Treliving has been working the phones trying to make a trade, courtesy Sportsnet’s Mark Spector, the names reportedly being thrown around are certainly worthy of a raised eyebrow or two:

No small trade is going to fix his Flames, who are entirely broken right now, and word is out that Treliving is willing to talk about a very big deal if he can find one. We even heard that his conversation with Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman was all about the Lightning’s obvious issues with signing soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Steven Stamkos.

The Flames would be willing to deal a top young player, perhaps Sam Bennett, to acquire Stamkos at this point.

Now, look, nobody’s saying that Stamkos is on his way to Calgary for sure. If you were a GM and you were talking to Yzerman, you’d probably ask how things were going with his pending UFA superstar, too.

But — but! — if Stamkos were to be traded, a young center like Bennett would be exactly the kind of player that Yzerman would no doubt request.

Anyway, Spector lists a few other Flames that could be trade bait (not necessarily as part of a Stamkos deal), so give his story a read.

One thing that Treliving definitely has to do is figure out his goaltending situation. The Flames still have three netminders on the roster, and that’s one too many. Unfortunately, neither Jonas Hiller nor Karri Ramo has played well so far, limiting their trade value, while young Joni Ortio has yet to make an appearance.

Update:

Karri Ramo (CGY) on waivers.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 21, 2015

Ramo is a pending unrestricted free agent with a $3.8 million cap hit.


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NBCSports.com / Jackets confirm hiring of Tortorella, a ‘coach with a proven track record of success’


The Columbus Blue Jackets have confirmed today’s big news that Todd Richards has been fired as head coach and replaced by John Tortorella.

“After much deliberation and discussion, we have made the very difficult decision late last night to remove Todd Richards as our head coach and we’ve reached an agreement with John Tortorella to join the Columbus Blue Jackets in that capacity,” said GM Jarmo Kekalainen in a release.

“None of us saw our season unfolding the way it has and every one of us from management to coaches to players bears responsibility. There is still a lot of hockey to be played and we believe this change was necessary to give our team the best chance to accomplish the goals we’ve set for this season.”

On his new coach, Kekalainen said: “John Tortorella is an experienced National Hockey League coach with a proven track record of success. He is a Stanley Cup winner and we believe the right person to lead our team at this time.”

The Jackets will hold a press conference shortly.


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NBCSports.com / Red Wings coach: If we keep playing like we’ve played, we’re not a playoff team


The 3-2-0 Detroit Red Wings may have a winning record after five games, but their coach doesn’t like the way they’re trending.

“We told the team [Monday that] if we have the exact same process this five-game segment, we’re probably not a playoff team,” Jeff Blashill said, per MLIVE. “So our process has to get better and that’s what we’ve tried to work on these last two days.”

Shot totals have to be a statistical concern for Blashill. The Red Wings have yet to register more than 24 in a single game. Overall, they’ve been outshot 167-107.

Not surprisingly, Blashill wants his team to have the puck more in the attacking zone. He’s also had the Wings work on the power play at practice.

The Red Wings play the Oilers tonight in Edmonton. They’re in Calgary Friday and Vancouver Saturday.


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Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs’ Jonathan Bernier grabbing hold of No. 1 role

Chris Johnston October 22, 2015, 1:42 AM

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Stopping the first shot has seldom seemed so important. Then Jonathan Bernier followed it up with the second, third, fourth and fifth.

In fact, it wasn’t until a 33rd puck from the Buffalo Sabres was sent his way late in regulation that the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender was finally beaten on Wednesday night.

Message received. Message sent.

It had been an uncomfortable few days for Bernier, who was summoned for a meeting with Mike Babcock this week after allowing questionable goals early in each of his first three starts of the season. The head coach didn’t mince words, either.

"He challenged me behind [closed] doors," said Bernier. "That's part of the job. I've got to be better. You can't really take it too personally — he just wants you to be better."

What Babcock really wants is to have no doubt. The only way there'll be a competition for playing time in the Leafs crease this season is if Bernier drops the ball and turns it into one.

So after being outplayed by James Reimer, it was important for him to conjure a response.

That started with a strong opening period against the Sabres and continued throughout the evening. The Leafs may have been beaten 2-1 in a five-round shootout, but there was no reason to point fingers at Bernier.

"We need him to be a good goaltender," said Babcock. "When you're trying to make a decision every day about who should start it's no fun for the coach either, so it's just good when the guy who is supposed to be starting all the time grabs the ball and runs with it.

"It makes you a better team."

Bernier was easily the best Leaf in Buffalo. Were it not for a ridiculous shot from Evander Kane with less than five minutes to play in regulation Toronto would have accomplished a rare feat — taking two points from a visit to First Niagara Center.

As it was, he earned them one.

Bernier closed the door as the Leafs killed off four penalties and denied a wide-open Tyler Ennis shot from the slot about a minute before Kane made it 1-1.

"I just really wanted to come out and really be focused all night," said Bernier.

It was a far cry from opening night against Montreal or the second game in Detroit, when he was beaten on the first shot — a negative trend that first emerged last season. He had a much stronger performance in Pittsburgh last weekend, but still allowed goals 39 seconds apart early in a 2-1 loss.

Babcock called it a mental issue and took a couple days to decide who would play in Buffalo.

Bernier was the right choice.

"He really bounced back from the last game," said P.A. Parenteau, who scored Toronto's goal. "He was ready to go tonight. He stole the show."

"If he's not playing the way he was, you know, we're playing from behind most of that game," said Morgan Rielly.

"I thought he was the difference," added captain Dion Phaneuf.

For the Leafs to start getting better results, that will likely have to continue to be the case. The players believe they've played better than their 1-3-2 record suggests so far.

Bernier has long felt he can be a top-notch No. 1 goaltender, but there have been plenty of ups and downs while making 113 appearances for turbulent Toronto teams the last two years.

He's been handed the keys again and told to drive. The coach is holding him to a high standard.

"I thought our goaltender was really strong, which is really important for us and gives us a chance moving ahead," said Babcock.

At least we already know who gets the start Saturday in Montreal.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 10.22.2015

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Sportsnet.ca / Six things we learned in the NHL: Bergeron’s ‘dad trick’

Mike Johnston October 22, 2015, 12:49 AM

Even though John Tortorella being hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets stole the headlines in the hockey world Wednesday, the action on the ice didn’t disappoint.

Here are six things we learned in the NHL.

Rinaldo ignores his coach’s wishes with a suspect hit…

Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien told reporters following Wednesday’s morning skate that he wanted Zac Rinaldo, a player with a history of delivering dirty hits, to “be physical” and “agitate whenever he can — within the rules, of course.”

Julien added: “We don’t want him to lose that edge that he has because it’s not a bad edge to have. He really can give your team a spark, he can give you some energy…As long as he doesn’t cross the line for me, I’m good with that.”

Well, Rinaldo lost that edge at the end of the first period of a 5-4 overtime loss to his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday. Rinaldo, who was acquired from the Flyers for a third-round pick in June, was assessed five minutes for charging and a game misconduct penalty for this hit on Sean Couturier. (Have your say on whether or not he should be suspended)

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety is reviewing the hit. Rinaldo has been suspended three times in his NHL career for a total of 14 games, including an eight-game ban last season for a charge on Penguins defenceman Kris Letang.

Bergeron scores “dad trick” against Philly…

It has been quite the 24 hours for Bruins star Patrice Bergeron.

When a player gets a goal, an assist and drops the gloves in the same game it’s called a “Gordie Howe hat trick.” Bergeron got a hat trick of a different kind Wednesday.

The three-time Selke Trophy winner registered a goal and an assist in a loss to the Flyers and earlier in the day Bergeron and his wife welcomed their first child into the world. The American broadcast called it the “Patrice Bergeron hat trick: Baby-Goal-Assist,” while hockey fans on Twitter are referring to what Bergeron did as the “Dad Trick.”

Patrice Bergeron telling us he's playing on an hour of sleep. Saving puck from goal for new son Zack.

— Dave Goucher (@DavidCGoucher) October 22, 2015

Parenteau nets first with Leafs…

If the Toronto Maple Leafs hope to be competitive this season, they need to find offence from their veteran players. Although the Leafs lost 2-1 in a shootout to the Sabres, PA Parenteau had a strong outing, scoring his first goal as a member of the Leafs. The Leafs are the sixth team the 32-year-old has played for in his eight-year NHL career. He also scored his team’s lone goal in the shootout.

Parenteau signed with the Leafs as an unrestricted free agent and it was reported that head coach Mike Babcock was the one who talked Parenteau into joining the Leafs. Babcock must’ve been pleased with Parenteau’s output Wednesday — probably wasn’t happy they lost again, though.

Sabres get revenge on Babcock…

It wasn’t a major storyline heading into Wednesday’s game, but you can be sure Buffalo Sabres management was extra happy the team was able to beat Babcock and the Leafs. Prior to Babcock signing an eight-year, $50-million deal with the Maple Leafs in May, the Sabres thought they had a deal in principle with the coveted coach. Reports at the time indicated Babcock and the Sabres were in the thick of contract negotiations with the Sabres offering Babcock a deal worth similar or possibly more term than the Leafs ended up giving him.

McDavid, Yakupov Pouliot developing chemistry…

Things might just slowly be coming together in Edmonton. The Oilers have won three in a row after beating the Red Wings Wednesday and the line of Connor McDavid, Nail Yakupov and Benoit Pouliot had a solid outing.

It's been said, but if Yakupov's game continues to rise playing with McDavid, could be a 2-for-1 for EDM

— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) October 22, 2015

The trio combined for a nice second-period goal, which was finished by the dynamic rookie.

Hartley thinks John Tortorella is a meatball or something…

Before Thursday’s on-ice action got underway, the story of the day was the big coaching change in Columbus. The Blue Jackets, after an 0-7 start that has seen them lose every game by at least two goals, fired Todd Richards and hired the ardent Torts in an effort to turn what should’ve been a promising season around.

Flames coach Bob Hartley commented on the hiring of Tortorella and used an interesting analogy to describe their relationship.

The Flames and Blue Jackets only play each other twice this regular season (Jan. 21 in Columbus and Feb. 5 in Calgary), but in the past when Hartley’s teams have gone up against Tortorella’s, things have gotten heated. Hey, remember when Tortorella tried to storm the Flames dressing room in January 2014 when he was with the Canucks?


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Sportsnet.ca / Babcock vs. Bylsma rivalry enters new chapter

Damien Cox October 22, 2015, 12:07 AM

BUFFALO — Two men with lots of history between them, seemingly far removed now from the pinnacle of their sport.

But hoping to get back there someday.

Mike Babcock and Dan Bylsma faced each other as NHL head coaches in a regular season game for the first time in 18 months Wednesday night, but the situation couldn’t have been more difficult.

Back on April 9, 2014, Byslma was in charge of the 109-point Pittsburgh Penguins starring Sidney Crosby, Babcock behind the bench of the perennially-powerful Detroit Red Wings, then headed to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 23rd straight season.

By that point, Babcock had already coached Bylsma in Anaheim, and the two had met in a Cup final coaching duel. Could either have imagined then how drastically their circumstances would change?

Babcock spurned the Buffalo Sabres to accept $50 million from the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer after departing Detroit, while Bylsma ended a year’s exile and accepted the job with the Sabres that Babcock didn’t want. Both are facing massive rebuilding jobs with their new clubs, and they’ll be measured against each other for years as division rivals.

“It’s where we’re at,” said Bylsma with a shrug, smiling at the memories of the powerful teams he and Babcock used to lead. “He’s battling with his team, and we’re doing exactly the same thing with our group.”

Bylsma won that last meeting with Babcock before being unceremoniously dumped after the 2014 playoffs, and he won again Wednesday night — albeit in a game with much less star power, talent and overall pizzazz.

The Sabres trailed 1-0 until the 55-minute mark, tied it on Evander Kane’s first goal in a Buffalo uniform and then won a shootout, taking the game by a 2-1 score.

These two clubs, you have to believe, are destined to be not only be in the Auston Matthews Sweepstakes, but also among the lowest-scoring teams in the NHL this season. Buffalo has Kane and Jack Eichel and can dream of more flamboyant days ahead, while the next generation of stylish Leafs attackers, William Nylander and Mitch Marner, aren’t even in the NHL yet.

So it turned into a game in which you measured possession as much as chances, and saw how the Sabres hope to use their youth and speed to become an attacking squad while the Leafs, at this point, appear to be out of the entertainment business, satisfied with playing a patient, defensively-oriented game.

That was particularly the case with defenceman Jake Gardiner and centre Tyler Bozak missing due to injuries, and when you saw Babcock start the 3-on-3 overtime session with Matt Hunwick, Daniel Winnik and Nick Spaling, it was tacit confirmation the old loosey-goosey, give-up-a-chance-to-get-a-chance days of Phil Kessel and Co. are gone for good.

“We played well to start,” said Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf, sporting stitches on his upper lip from an uncalled Kane highstick. “But you saw their speed, and they found a way to get an extra point.”

Both teams could point to individual breakthroughs in this low-scoring affair. Toronto goaltender Jonathan Bernier, so leaky in the early moments of games this season, was outstanding with 34 saves and looked for a long time like he might carry the Leafs to the win.

“We’d like to keep the shots a lot lower than they were tonight,” said Hunwick.

Kane, meanwhile, scored his first goal since Jan. 21, back in his final days with the Winnipeg Jets before being sidelined for the rest of the season with shoulder surgery and then shipped to Buffalo in a blockbuster trade.

Kane's best game as a Sabre. Got stronger and more dangerous as game wore on.

— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) October 22, 2015

Other than a goal that was disallowed in the first game of the season, he hadn’t popped one home this season until he retrieved a giveaway at the left circle in the Leaf zone and whipped a high shot past a surprised Bernier.

“It was just nice it wasn’t disallowed this time,” said a smiling Kane, a former 30-goal shooter. “It stood as a valid goal.”

His goal was the Sabres' 10th of the season in six games, while the Leafs have 13 — but just two in their past two games.

Eichel showed his flash and talent despite being held off the scoreboard, while the Leafs almost won in the game during the overtime period, but neither Hunwick nor James van Riemsdyk could beat Chad Johnson on excellent chances in the dying seconds.

Seeing how well Chad Johnson played tonight, would be a big surprise if BUF claimed Ramo.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 22, 2015

So the Leafs have one win and four points, and the Sabres two wins and four points. Both are already 10 points behind the soaring Montreal Canadiens, and it will be fascinating to chart the progress of both teams as the season progresses.

For Bylsma and Babcock, it’s like teaching kindergarten again after achieving tenured status as university professors. They can’t really talk much about wins and championships — just teaching and getting better.

As career coaches, part of them must love the challenge. And part of them must yearn for their flashier days, when stars did their bidding and they worked into June.


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Sportsnet.ca / Should Zac Rinaldo be suspended for hit on Sean Couturier?

Emily Sadler October 21, 2015, 9:50 PM

Boston Bruins centre Zac Rinaldo could be hearing from the NHL’s department of player safety.

The 25-year-old was tossed from Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers after he laid a high hit on Sean Couturier with just five seconds remaining in the first period.

Rinaldo was issued a five-minute major penalty for charging and a game misconduct. Couturier did not return to the game.

Per a source, the @NHLPlayerSafety already reviewing the Zac Rinaldo charging hit on Sean Couturier. No big surprise there

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) October 22, 2015

Ex-Flyer Rinaldo has been suspended on three other occasions, and went into Wednesday's game with 10 penalty minutes in five games with the Bruins. He led the Flyers in penalty minutes through all four seasons with the team.


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Sportsnet.ca / Canucks win big thanks to Blue Jackets hiring Tortorella

Chris Johnston October 21, 2015, 2:09 PM

John Tortorella’s stint as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks was such a disappointment that he admitted “I deserved to be fired” shortly after being shown the door.

He lasted all of one season. He was still owed four more years of his $2-million annual salary when he was dismissed in May 2014 — rendering his hiring an incredibly expensive mistake for the Canucks.

Early Wednesday morning, however, the Canucks found a silver lining.

Before the Columbus Blue Jackets could replace Todd Richards with Tortorella, they first had to assume an undisclosed portion of his remaining salary while also agreeing to send a second-round pick Vancouver’s way, as per the NHL’s compensation rule.

It was a steep price to pay and a pretty good indication of how desperate the situation is in Columbus.

Understandably, they weren't thrilled about having to surrender a high pick to Vancouver in one of the next three drafts -- the Blue Jackets determine if it's 2016, 2017 or 2018 -- especially since they were forced to pay a premium for an in-season hire.

The thinking behind that in the original spirit of the rule was that a team merited more compensation because a staff member would have to be replaced during the year. Clearly that isn't the case with the Canucks and Tortorella, who had been doing television work along with some scouting for USA Hockey ahead of next year's World Cup.

Many in the league feel it shouldn't apply to coaches, general managers or presidents who have already been fired, but continue to be paid by their former team. Gary Bettman has made it clear that he feels it shouldn't exist at all.

Years ago, the commissioner eliminated a similar rule and only brought the new one into effect on Jan. 1 because some GMs were tired of losing capable employees without receiving anything in return.

"The managers -- for years -- cajoled, begged, pleaded and demanded that we make a change," Bettman said during the Stanley Cup final in June. "They wanted something straightforward and simple, although I don’t know if there was anything more straightforward and simple than what we had."

Come the new year the league will revisit whether it's working properly, with an eye towards clarifying, modifying or eliminating it.

That will be too late for Columbus.

Most of the other potential candidates -- such as Randy Carlyle or those working as assistants elsewhere -- would also have required a second-round pick to hire. The Jackets determined Tortorella was the best person to spend that asset on and brought him aboard after losing a seventh straight game on Tuesday night.

"I'm not here to reinvent the wheel," Tortorella said hours later at his introductory news conference. "I want to get back to who we are."

Only six teams in NHL history have ever started a season 0-7-0 and the Blue Jackets front office felt the problems went deeper than the talent on the roster. They were also concerned about what impact the losing was having on the league's most beleaguered fanbase after taking in a franchise-record gate on opening night and then seeing home crowds of just 13,803, 13,885 and 14,295.

All of that created the need to make a change -- no matter what the cost.

"None of us saw our season unfolding the way it has and every one of us from management to coaches to players bears responsibility," said GM Jarmo Kekalainen. "There is still a lot of hockey to be played and we believe this change was necessary to give our team the best chance to accomplish the goals we've set for this season."

The #CBJ are retaining assistant coaches Craig Hartsburg and Brad Larsen, so the shakeup ends at John Tortorella for now.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 21, 2015

Out in Vancouver, it eased the pain of a costly error from the previous regime. If the draft pick ever turns into a player it will also be proof that hopes springs eternal.


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Sportsnet.ca / Where does Carey Price rank against the all-time great goalies?

Stephen Burtch October 21, 2015, 3:48 PM

Carey Price‘s numbers for the Montreal Canadiens last season were excellent. He was easily the most impactful player in the league. When we account for the difficulty of shots he was facing, a picture is painted of a goaltender that was singlehandedly the difference between his team fighting for a playoff spot and finishing second in the conference with over 100 points.

Price ended the season by winning the Hart, Pearson, Vezina, and Jennings Trophies. He ensured that his name would be in the conversation when discussing the best goalies of this generation. But do his results from a single season warrant the recent comparisons that have been made between him and all-time greats such as Dominik Hasek and Patrick Roy?

It may seem relatively early in his career to debate the point one way or another, but so far the statistical argument would fall heavily on the side of no, he is not deserving of those comparisons.

Last season was the first of Price’s eight-year career where he posted a save percentage of .930 or higher. From 2007-08 through 2014-15, six other goaltenders have hit the .930 mark in at least one season, including Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask, who both managed the feat twice. Dominik Hasek matched or exceeded the .930 plateau five times in his 14 NHL seasons. No other goalie has done it more than twice. So, even at the most superficial level this would suggest that Price needs to post another four seasons of .930 or better goaltending to make this a reasonable comparison.

Unfortunately for those interested in suggesting Price is superior to Hasek, the superficial argument is the best one to be made at this point. If we hope to make a fair assessment of goaltending skill, it also makes sense to account for the current state of the position in any given era. In essence, it would be logical to compare a goaltender to their peers in the league at the time they are playing. When we make that kind of comparison, Price isn't remotely in the conversation as one of the game's all-time greats and he has a ways to go to even surpass some of his younger peers currently playing in the NHL.

Most observers are aware NHL save percentages have been rising consistently over time. If we examine the average NHL save percentage over the past 32 years, we can see that it has risen from just above .870 in the early 1980s to .915, where it sat last season. Put another way, the worst goaltender in the NHL last season statistically, 36-year-old Niklas Backstrom, posted an .887 save percentage. His results would have tied Bob Froese and Murray Bannerman for the seventh-best save percentage in the NHL in 1983-84. That would be well ahead of Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr's .883, Greg Millen's .878 or Tony Esposito's .859.

The average goaltender in the NHL last year was essentially Antti Niemi and his .914 save percentage - and his results would have ranked first in the NHL every year before 1991-92. That year, Patrick Roy led the NHL in save percentage for the fourth time in five seasons (also the last time he would do so).

Top-Goalies-vs-NHL-Average-SV

One of the best ways we can compare NHL goalies to their peers in a given year is by comparing their results via the statistical concept of standard deviation. Essentially, in any given year, we can measure how spread out the save percentage results are for the goalies in the league by calculating how far away the average goaltender's save percentage numbers are from the median, giving us the standard deviation. Then we can assess how many standard deviations above average the goaltender in question is in a given season.

If we weight the results for each year by the number of games a goalie plays and find his career average, we have an era-adjusted measure that lets us compare how skilled goaltenders are relative to their peers across their careers as shown below.

CAREER-PERSPECTIVE

When we look at this ranking a few things become obvious. First, Dominik Hasek and Patrick Roy were amazing. Second, Carey Price really has a long way to go before he should be compared to those two goalies. Tuukka Rask and Cory Schneider are much better names to include in that conversation at this stage of proceedings.

Realistically among active goalies, Price would rank seventh in terms of career results to date in this conversation. If we want to compare him to Hasek he'll have to first move ahead of the six active goalies with better numbers than Price.

Hasek at his peak - from 1993-2000 averaged 0.535 SD above NHL average SV% (which is INSANE) - comparable number last year? .944 SV%.

— Stephen Burtch (@SteveBurtch) October 21, 2015

So for a goalie to be 0.535 standard deviations above NHL average in SV% last year he'd have to post a .944 SV%.

— Stephen Burtch (@SteveBurtch) October 21, 2015

Does Price deserve the recognition he got for the great numbers he posted last year? Absolutely. Do we have reason to assume he’ll continue posting those otherworldly numbers? Maybe, though given how unpredictable goaltender results are I wouldn’t assume it will happen.

Do we have enough information yet to suggest he should be described as an all-time great? No, we don't. His numbers last year were only 0.342 standard deviations above the average NHL save percentage, while Hasek averaged 0.412 standard deviations above the typical NHL save percentage for his career. Hasek was insanely talented and his results were light years ahead of his peers.

There is really no logical comparison to be made between Hasek's numbers and any other goalie currently in the NHL, including Carey Price.


978267 Websites

TSN.CA / Statistically Speaking: Giroux gets it done

By Scott Cullen

Giroux lifts Flyers, Yakupov elevating his play, Ward, Bergeron, Fantasy tips and more in Scott Cullen's Statistically Speaking.

HEROES

Claude Giroux - Philadelphia's star centre scored a pair of goals, including the overtime winner, in a 5-4 victory against Boston. His right winger, Jakub Voracek, added two assists, the first multi-point games this season for the Flyers' best offensive threats.

Since the start of the 2011-2012 season, Giroux is the league's leading scorer, with 304 points in 294 games.

Nail Yakupov - The Oilers winger contributed a pair of assists in a 3-1 win over Detroit, giving him five points (2 G, 3 A) in the past three games.

Cam Ward - Carolina's veteran netminder Stopped all 26 shots he faced in a 1-0 overtime win at Colorado, raising his save percentage to .895 in five starts.

ZEROES

Tuukka Rask - The early struggles continue for Boston's goaltender. After allowing five goals on 37 shots against Philadelphia, Rask's save percentage sits at .854 through five starts.

Scott Harrington - The rookie Maple Leafs defenceman had a tough night against Buffalo, on for six shot attempts for and 17 against (26.1 SAT%)

VITAL SIGNS

Sean Couturier - The Philadelphia centre was knocked out of the game by Bruins winger Zac Rinaldo, who delivered a high hit that will likely draw interest from the NHL Department of Player Safety.

Michal Neuvirth - Forced to leave Philadelphia's win over Boston with an upper-body injury, the 27-year-old was replaced by Steve Mason after allowing two goals on 12 shots.

Matt Hunwick - Playing a bigger role with the Maple Leafs, the defenceman skated 27:23 at Buffalo Wednesday, and leads the team with a career-high 22:38 time on ice per game this season.

Jake Gardiner - Part of the reason Hunwick played more than usual was that Gardiner was sidelined by an upper-body injury.

Brandon Gormley - With Tyson Barrie suspended, Gormley made his Colorado Avalanche debut, playing 17:22 in a 1-0 OT loss to Carolina.

SHORTS SHIFTS

Bruins C Patrice Bergeron had a goal and an assist at Philadelphia, giving him seven points (4 G, 3 A) in the past five games…Sabres LW Evander Kane scored his first goal for Buffalo and had nine shot attempts (7 SOG) vs. Toronto…Flyers D Mark Streit had three assists in a 5-4 OT win vs. Boston...Maple Leafs G Jonathan Bernier turned aside 34 of 35 shots on the way to losing a 2-1 shootout decision at Buffalo.

FANTASY FOCUS

Some players to consider for your Thursday night lineup:

Rick Nash - Oh yes, the Rangers winger hasn't scored a goal in seven games to start the season, but he's attempting seven shots per game, his highest rate since his career-high 7.3 per game in 2010-2011.

Mika Zibanejad - While the attention is rightfully on Ottawa's top line, the second line, anchored by Zibanejad, is effective too, and he has five points in six games.

Jakob Silfverberg - Still looking for his first point of the season, the Ducks winger is getting more ice time, and generating more shots than he ever has in previous NHL seasons. He's due.

Matt Nieto - The third-year Sharks winger has taken a spot alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski on San Jose's top line.

TSN.CA LOADED: 10.22.2015

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TSN.CA / Bernier responds to coach's challenge

By Jonas Siegel

BUFFALO – Jonathan Bernier has pulled ahead in an early race for control of the Maple Leafs crease.

Responding to a challenge from his head coach, Bernier put together his finest start of the season, stopping all but one of the 35 shots Buffalo threw his way on Wednesday night.

Evander Kane's surprise attack at the 56-minute mark was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect night.

It was the ideal response from the 27-year-old, who was challenged both publically and privately by Mike Babcock early in the week for a sluggish start to the season, which included some wobbly first periods.

"He challenged me behind the doors too. That's part of his job," said Bernier, still winless this season after the Leafs were beaten by the Sabres in a shootout. "I've got to be better. You can't really take it too personally; he just wants you to be better. I just tried to give my best effort tonight."

Babcock made it known to Bernier that he wanted the shuffle in goal to end. He wanted the choice to be obvious. He wanted his No. 1 to emerge. "When you're trying to make a decision every day about who should start it's no fun for the coach either," Babcock said.

"It's just good the guy who's supposed to be starting all the time grabs the ball and runs with it. It makes you a better team."

Bernier was supposed to be that guy from the get-go – despite Babcock's training camp claim of an open competition – but his struggles in the preseason extended early into the regular season. First periods, in particular, were a problem. The third-year Leaf entered the night having allowed five goals on 22 first period shots, including a pair in 39 seconds against Pittsburgh last weekend.

Bernier was perfect and often brilliant the remainder of that night against the Penguins, but his stumbles early still stung in the 2-1 defeat.

It was a mental issue, Bernier said afterward, one his coach said needed sorting – quick.

"He's obviously tight at the start of games," Babcock said of Bernier earlier this week.

"He's got to get that looked after so he can be the best he's capable of being."

The trouble dates back to last season: Bernier had a .906 save percentage in first periods a year ago, not helped many nights either by the team in front of him.

He got the clean start he was after against the Sabres, turning down all 12 shots, including a pair from Matt Moulson on a Buffalo power-play. He also got some help at a crucial moment when Dion Phaneuf broke up a connection between Kane and Jack Eichel.

"I really wanted to come out and really be focused all night," Bernier said afterward.

He kept the Leafs in front nearly the whole way. Only Kane managed to get one by following an errant Nazem Kadri pass very late in regulation. Bernier, who remains winless in four starts in Buffalo, didn't see the shot.

"He really bounced back from last game," said P.A. Parenteau, who scored the lone Leaf goal. "He was ready to go tonight. He stole the show. It's too bad for him we couldn't get the win."

All in all Bernier delivered the caliber of effort Toronto needs from its beleaguered No. 1, especially as it struggles to score. On the verge of an arbitration award, he signed a two-year deal worth just over $8 million in the summer – two years to cement himself as the club's present and future in goal.

"He's been a goalie in the National League for a while and he's been a good goaltender," Babcock said, "and so we need him to be a good goaltender."

One thing is clear for at least a moment: Babcock won't have to make a decision on Saturday's starter in Montreal. That choice was made for him.

Five Points

1. 40 seconds or less

Babcock wants short shifts from his players – 40 seconds or less to be precise. It's been a point of emphasis since the start of training camp.

Why?

"Science would tell you that you're running out of gas," Babcock said of his reasoning.

"It's the kind of sport that you build up lactic acid in your legs and you can't keep playing. To me, it's just a science thing. That's the way your body's built. That's the way it works. The other thing I like about 40-second shifts is when you add it up 40 seconds at a time, if you share it evenly, whether you go a minute at a time, it's the same amount of ice-time [for everyone] except you're fresher. It kind of makes sense to me."

2. 40 seconds or less II

Adjustment has been evident already. No Leaf is averaging more than 42 seconds per shift.

Biggest drop-off in average shift length (seconds)

Joffrey Lupul, who's cut six seconds off his average shift from last year, said the length of the shift is just one part of the equation. "The time's one thing," he said, "but we're trying to get guys off the ice at the right time. We're trying to keep the puck and get guys off the ice whereas before it was always dump it in and try and change everyone [at once]. We're changing one or two guys at a time to try and keep possession of the puck. That's the goal."

Big picture, too, the shorter shift itself "helps you throughout the game, just in saving energy and being able to go that extra percentage each and every shift and just being fresh for every shift as well," added Jake Gardiner, who is averaging 41 seconds per shift.

3. Scoring struggles

Toronto has now lost five of its first six games after Wednesday's shootout defeat. In four of those losses the club has scored one goal or less.

Brad Boyes, Shawn Matthias, and Michael Grabner are among those still searching for their first goal. Parenteau got his first against the Sabres. Nazem Kadri, who had a number of quality chances in overtime in Buffalo, has just one goal so far despite 29 shots on net.

Leo Komarov, who had eight goals all of last season, is the unlikely leader at this point with three markers.

The Leafs expected goal-scoring to be a struggle and indeed it has been so far.

Part of the struggle is tied to a power-play that's scored just twice in 16 opportunities and not once in the past three games.

The club thought it deserved a four-minute power-play in the third period on Wednesday. A collision between Phaneuf and Kane saw Phaneuf clipped just above the lip with Kane's stick, drawing blood. He was stitched up and unimpressed with the officials after the game.

"They didn't see it," he said, declining to elaborate.

4. Autopilot

The Leafs aren't yet at the point in which Babcock's system is second nature. Parenteau observed last week that he was thinking too much on the ice "and when you start thinking you stop skating."

Peter Holland, who moved into the injured Tyler Bozak's spot in the Toronto lineup, echoed Parenteau's sentiment. "One hundred per cent," said Holland.

"It's been a down-fall actually for me in my career. Sometimes I just over-think what I'm doing out there on the ice and it shows up in my feet not moving. I'm behind. I feel like I'm a step behind because I'm just watching instead of reacting. That's something I'm trying to focus on doing a better job of just playing the game and not over-thinking it.

"It's almost just like auto-pilot," he added, noting that the system and its requirements should become instinctual. "It just seems like when you're over-thinking it then your teammates don't know what you're doing and then you don't even know what you're doing. It all comes back to just playing hockey."

5. Role change

Lupul has been slotted in an unfamiliar role over the past week or so, teamed with Daniel Winnik and Nick Spaling on Toronto's shutdown line.

The unit has been pegged against opposing top lines, including Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel last weekend and Ryan O'Reilly, Tyler Ennis and Sam Reinhart in Buffalo on Wednesday.

"It's fun to play against the best players and we're getting an opportunity to do that," Lupul said. "I'm getting minutes. I still get my cracks on the top power-play unit. But if you look at how [Babcock] has the lines set up right now all our people who would you call our top offensive guys have all been on different lines."

While predictably out-possessed – about 40 per cent entering Wednesday's game – the line has managed to generate the bulk of the Leafs offence. Averaging about 16 minutes, Lupul has scored twice and added an assist while Winnik boasts a team-leading four points.

Up Next

The Leafs play their fourth consecutive game on the road when they visit Montreal on Saturday.


978269 Websites

TSN.CA / Code Blue (Jacket) as Torts arrives in Columbus

By Bob McKenzie

It was a Code Blue, a Code Blue Jacket, actually.

The patient, believed to be in relatively good health, was (to the surprise of many) showing no signs of life. It finally got to the point (0-7) where there was no choice but to take drastic action.

You know what happens next: Fire up the paddles.

Torts!

More juice.

Torts!

Once more, with feeling.

Torts!

We'll have to tune in to see where this goes next -- the morbid silence (save the steady beep of the flat line)? Or the super-charged patient miraculously sitting bolt upright, tearing off the IV and wires, yelling: "I gotta get outta here and go block me some shots."

Either way, it is now must-see TV.

Let's get the facts out of the way first:

-- John Tortorella's contract in Columbus is for this season and two more, the same term he had left on his deal with Vancouver.

-- Vancouver was paying Tortorella $2 million a year to not coach the Canucks and they're still paying "some" of it but the Jackets are obviously

paying the (majority) difference.

-- Per NHL rules, the Canucks get from Columbus a second-round pick as compensation (more on this silliness in a moment). Columbus has until June 1 to decide which of the next three draft years the Jackets want to make the draft pick payment.

-- Tortorella will be behind the Jackets' bench against Minnesota on Thursday.

Okay, now what?

Good question. A few random thoughts and observations:

1. As much as this was a hockey decision -- an 0-7 record to start the season speaks for itself -- I sense there were also greater forces at work in Columbus.

Embedded Image John Tortorella's contract in Columbus is for this season and two more, the same term he had left on his deal with Vancouver.

The franchise that was born in 2000 -- unique in its size (small), location (not ground-breaking in terms of the NHL footprint) and demographics

(more a college town than pro place?) - was dying on the vine because of chronic on-ice failure. Eleven seasons in, it all looked like it was slip slidin' away. The Jackets finished dead last in 2011-12, which spurred, in an eight-month period, the trading of franchise cornerstone Rick Nash, the hiring of John Davidson as president of hockey operations, the firing of general manger Scott Howson and the hiring of new GM Jarmo Kekalainen.

There was one more non-playoff (albeit respectable) year, the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, when the Jackets just missed, and then there was pay dirt – the 2013-14 season when the Jackets made the playoffs and gave Pittsburgh everything it could handle in a six-game series won by the Pens. Columbus forged an identity that playoff year, a good, young team, hard to play against, a team on the rise that was worthy of capturing the hearts and purchasing power of long-suffering Jacket fans.

Fire the cannon!

McLennan: Tortorella's old school success doesn't pass the grade

TSN 1260 Hockey Insider Jamie McLennan joins Nielson & Fraser to breakdown the Columbus Blue Jackets' hiring of John Tortorella, as well, preview the Oilers and Red Wings

Last season, though, the team was decimated by injuries. Injury is not supposed to be a valid excuse but the sheer magnitude – quantity and quality of man games lost – was overwhelming. The Jackets finished strong, missed the playoffs but came into this season expecting and being expected to be a competitive team with a strong chance of making the post-season.

Enter the 0-7 start. As bad as any seven-game losing, and pointless, streak is in hockey, it’s far worse when it comes in the first seven games of the season. My sense is there were real fears within the Jacket organization that if they didn’t pull out of this tail spin, not only would they dig themselves a hole they couldn’t get out of on the hockey front (playoffs), they would be eroding and possibly losing all the goodwill and gains they made in the Columbus sporting marketplace.

In other words, same old Jackets? Ownership and management know that isn’t the case, but frustrated fans may not be so discerning.

Patience to ride out what may have been a bad stretch of hockey, some of which the #fancystats community suggested could simply be bad luck, was no longer an option.

2. So, why Torts?

With apologies to a credible but out-of-work NHL coach such as Randy Carlyle, the Jackets clearly weren’t enamored with the unemployed coaching pool. Columbus already took David Clarkson from the Toronto Maple Leaf tire fire, they weren’t about take the coach (Carlyle) who was consumed in that blaze, too.

Guy Boucher, who came within a Mike Babcock change of heart of being Toronto’s new coach and once chose Tampa over Columbus for his first NHL head-coaching gig, didn’t have an in-season out clause from his Swiss League contract. Which is to suggest if an NHL team really, really wanted Boucher, it could probably find a (financial) way to make that happen, but Columbus was looking for something fast and furious.

There are all sorts of up-and-comers in the coaching fraternity – Travis Green in Utica, amongst many more – but Columbus was dialing 9-1-1 and couldn’t or wouldn’t want to take a chance on a first-timer. Plus, from the moment Larry Brooks of the New York Post first legitimized in mainstream media the possibility of Tortorella to Columbus, you could sense the Jackets were going for a high-impact option, a move that would get its beleaguered fans to sit up and take notice. Love him or loathe him, Torts is that guy.

3. You know what scares the bejeepers out of the Jackets’ hierarchy right now? Sergei Bobrovsky.

Their Vezina Trophy-winning goalie has had a terrible start to the season. His save percentage is .835. Mind you, he didn’t play the last two games and Columbus still lose those and fired Todd Richards.

Embedded Image If Bobrovsky doesn’t re-discover his mojo, it’s going to be a long year.

What scares them, deep down, is, what if it wasn’t coaching that was the real problem? There’s been myriad of them so far this season – chiefly poor defensive play from the blueliners and forwards – but the goaltending of Bobrovsky has been abysmal. What if that continues? What if he doesn’t snap out of his funk?

When Bobrovsky recently admitted, quite publicly, his confidence was shot, the Jackets were horrified. Give Bob points for honesty, but when he’s in the first year of a deal that pays him $7.425M per year, crisis of confidence is not what you want to hear out loud from your No. 1.

Whatever impact Tortorella can have on this group, if Bob doesn’t re-discover his mojo, it’s going to be a long year.

4. What if the Blue Jackets just aren’t that good?

I don’t think anyone doubts they could be a good team. A first line of Ryan Johansen between newcomer Brandon Saad and Nick Foligno should be one of the better and more entertaining units in the league and a supporting cast of Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner gives them a credible top six. The future seems bright with kids such as Zach Werenski, Alex Wennberg and Sonny Milano, to name only a few.

But there are question marks on a defence led by Jack Johnson, David Savard, Ryan Murray and Fedor Tyutin. Their puck-moving hasn’t been sharp. With veteran castoffs from other organizations (Clarkson, Scott Hartnell, Rene Bourque) and depth players (Gregory Campbell and Jared Boll), are the Jackets deep enough or fast enough.

I asked around about that, with NHL personnel who see the Jackets enough to know. The feedback was a relatively positive, painting the Jackets as a good team on hard times, perhaps best summed up as follows: “I like their team actually. The defence is struggling to move the puck right now, which makes them look slow(er). Goaltending has been

sub-standard so far. No one wins in this league with average D and below average goaltending.”

Lawless on Tortorella hiring

Gary Lawless joined TSN 1290 to discuss the Blue Jackets hire of John Tortorella.

5. As for the Jackets having to give up a second-round pick as compensation to Vancouver for Tortorella, it’s just silly. It really is.

Compensation to one team for losing personnel to become a head coach or GM for another team was never, at least not from those clubs who were pushing the issue, meant to reward teams who fired a coach or GM. Vancouver’s compensation for Tortorella coaching in Columbus should simply be losing a good chunk of the remaining dollars on Torts’ contract.

Compensation was intended to help organizations like the Detroit Red Wings, whose assistant coaching and assistant managerial ranks have been decimated over the years by supplying talent both in and out of season to rival organizations.

This really needs to get fixed. My colleague Gary Lawless writes about it here.

6. Dates to mark on your calendar: Nov 10 – VAN @ CBJ; Jan. 21 – CGY (Hartley) @ CBJ; Feb. 4 – CBJ @ VAN; Feb. 5 – CBJ @ CGY; Feb. 29 – CBJ @ NYR.

7. Perhaps I missed it, but did no one at Torts’ news conference in Columbus today ask him about his favourite dolphin movie?


978270 Websites

TSN.CA / C'Mon, Ref: Trouba's elbow wasn’t a ‘hockey play’

By Kerry Fraser

Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry answers your emails at [email protected].

Hi Kerry,

Thank you so much for your informative and personable columns on hockey rules and refereeing.

In Sunday’s game, Winnipeg defenseman Jacob Trouba elbowed St. Louis forward Troy Brouwer in the face, knocking him out of the game for a while.

Brouwer returned to play in the third period, and is scheduled to play in the next Blues game, so there is no apparent injury.

There was no penalty called on the play, but the replay shows a blatant elbow-forearm to Brouwer’s face and head. I thought Trouba would receive supplemental discipline, but reports today indicate that won’t happen.

I’d sure appreciate your view on this play, particularly whether you think it merited a penalty on the ice and/or supplemental discipline after the fact.

Thanks and regards,

Tom Cohen

Washington, D.C. (longtime Blues fan)

Tom:

While I don’t like the uncalled forearm shiver that Jacob Trouba delivered on the neck/jaw area of Troy Brouwer, I can understand why the Department of Player Safety, given their current standard on illegal contact to the head, did not impose a suspension to Trouba. Even though Trouba made a horrible decision (in my opinion) to extend his right forearm/elbow, elevate and initiate contact to the head area of Brouwer, the blow was more of the glancing type as opposed to a direct hit.

While the force and location of the blow caused some initial damage, Brouwer returned to the game and did not sustain an apparent injury. In no way am I suggesting that this behavior is okay, but simply that the degree and form of contact did not rise to the level judged upon to incur further disciplinary action by the DPS.

My personal preference is to see a tightening standard when players make the conscious decision to strike their opponent in the head area. I believe this type of action should result in a suspension to some degree. This wasn’t a ‘hockey play’ that went bad. It was a deliberate illegal act resulting in contact to the head of an opponent. The intended location of the contact (head) found its mark.

Trouba had better options available to deliver legal body contact after Brouwer shot the puck from the low slot. Instead, as we see below, Trouba’s angle of attack was off Brouwer’s center mass which is generally a good line of attack to avoid head contact. In this case, however, Trouba made the conscious decision to elevate his right arm/elbow as the leading edge to strike his opponent. The puck had just been shot and deflected wide of the goal post.

Embedded Image

Trouba set up and initiated contact by delivering a forearm to the neck/jaw area of Brouwer. There was no penalty call on the play. Take notice of the referee’s possible view gained from a position against the side wall and looking through the back of Jacob Trouba. From this perspective it would difficult to see the location of the contact. This ref’s focus of attention might have also shifted to follow Brouwer’s shot to the net. I suspect that the high ref would also have an obstructed view looking through the back of number 18 Bryan Little.

Embedded Image

The two screen captured shots below demonstrate to some degree the glancing nature of the forearm blow but also the elevated finish to the illegal check to the head delivered by Jacob Trouba. The elevated body posture results in Trouba’s right skate coming slightly off the ice through and following contact. This suggests to me some intent to punish or hurt an opponent beyond just delivering reasonable force; albeit illegal. Deliberate

illegal checks to the head are a negative aspect of the game that needs to be closely monitored and punished with appropriate suspensions.

That is my opinion regarding deliberate and avoidable contact to the head of an opponent of this nature.


978271 Websites

TSN.CA / NHL's compensation policy needs to go

By Gary Lawless

Jim Benning woke up today to find a few more million in his budget and an extra second-round pick in his holster. What did the Vancouver Canucks general manager do to make this happen? Swing a trade? Learn a magic trick?

Nope.

Benning rolled out of bed, put on his slippers and turned on his phone to find the news waiting for him like a text from a boss telling you of an unexpected raise. Such is life in today’s NHL with its ill-conceived compensation policy.

The Canucks fired John Tortorella in May of 2014. Determined they didn’t like his practices or the way he made his red sauce or whatever. Doesn’t matter. They turned off his cell phone, told him to beat it and hired a new coach. C’est fini.

Tortorella went off to his fishing cabin or beachside condo and re-read all his self-help books before taking up macramé. The cheques from the Canucks kept rolling in and, to his unending surprise, kept clearing. Life is good for a fired NHL coach with four years remaining on a five-year, $10-million contract.

Lawless on Tortorella hiring

Gary Lawless joined TSN 1290 to discuss the Blue Jackets hire of John Tortorella.

Then the Columbus Blue Jackets called. They decided to fire Todd Richards and wanted to hire Torts to try and turn their season around. For reasons unknown to any of us working stiffs, Tortorella said yes. Too much sun, maybe. Who knows?

The Jackets, in order to hire Tortorella, needed to work out a deal with Vancouver on the money side. Fair enough. The Canucks shouldn’t have to pay for him to coach in Columbus. There are reports that Vancouver is picking up a portion of his salary for this season and then Columbus is on the hook for the whole number beginning next season.

Here’s where it gets goofy. The Blue Jackets must also send Vancouver a second-round draft pick as compensation (it would be a third-round pick if the hire had occurred during the off-season). Compensation for what? If anything, Canucks president Trevor Linden should be sending Blue Jackets boss John Davidson a thank-you card and a nice gift basket.

The Canucks, as was noted on Twitter, got more for firing Tortorella than they did for trading goaltender Eddie Lack (a third-round and seventh-round pick from the Carolina Hurricanes).

This is a $5 million or so get-out-of-jail card for the Canucks. Even in the NHL, that’s some serious cash.

Columbus has a three-year window to send the pick to the Canucks. They must determine prior to this year's draft if they will give the Canucks their second-round pick in 2016, '17 or '18.

Owners and GMs went to the league a few years back and asked them to put in a rule to protect clubs from the poaching the staff they’d developed.

Think Peter Chiarelli moving from assistant GM in Ottawa to GM in Boston or Jim Nill in the same role from Detroit to Dallas. Clubs were growing talented coaches and executives and then losing them to other teams. Owners and GMs wanted to be compensated for the resources they’d invested in bringing along these people. Got it.

But compensation for someone who has been fired? It doesn’t make sense. The team makes the decision to walk away. They shouldn’t get something back later for their trouble.

There is grumbling all around the NHL about the rule, which was put into place almost a year ago.

"We put in effect the new policy for compensation Jan. 1 and we’ll let it run a full year before we consider doing anything," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said during last season's Stanley Cup. "At that time, we’ll either clarify, modify or eliminate it."

This is pretty simple. Eliminate it.


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TSN.CA / Statistically Speaking: Trying on a new Jacket

By Scott Cullen

A change in Columbus, Crosby on the board, Price is perfect, Fantasy and more in Scott Cullen’s Statistically Speaking.

To no one’s surprise the Columbus Blue Jackets have fired head coach Todd Richards, replacing him with John Tortorella, after starting the season 0-7.

It’s not a surprise that the Blue Jackets have decided to change coaches, but it’s at least a little surprising that the Blue Jackets are this bad. Even if you were to question their defence, there is enough talent on this roster to ice a competitive team.

Through seven games, the Blue Jackets’ score-adjusted possession stats (49.6%) rank 21st in the league, which is obviously not ideal, but it’s not calamitous either. In an injury-plagued 2014-2015 season, Columbus finished with 46.9% of scored-adjusted shot attempts, so this could be considered progress. When they last made the playoffs, in 2013-2014, it was 50.5%, so it’s not like Columbus’ territorial play had fallen off a cliff.

What has fallen off a cliff, in this two-week sample of games, is the goaltending. Sergei Bobrovsky has been one of the game’s best puckstoppers over the past three seasons, but got off to a terrible start this year, allowing 23 goals on 139 shots in five starts (.835 SV%). No team can win with a goaltender stopping less than 84% of the shots they face.

No matter what, Columbus’ goaltending will get better and that will lead to better results (it’s admittedly hard to be worse than 0-7), but this early hole is going to make it really difficult for the Blue Jackets to reach the postseason. If they do manage to turn their season around that dramatically, expect John Tortorella to win the Jack Adams as coach of the year – the benefits of being there when percentages turn.

Columbus pays Vancouver a second-round pick as compensation for hiring Tortorella in-season, and that’s not an insignificant price. Typically, that brings about a 34% chance of yielding an NHL player.

The Blue Jackets can be a competitive team and their results are due to get better, whether they changed the coach or not but, at least to some degree, they’re at the mercy of their goaltending.

From Tuesday’s games…

HEROES

Sidney Crosby – Good thing I got in my article about scoreless Crosby before he went off for a goal and two assists in a 3-2 win against Florida. After struggling to get on the board early in the season, No. 87 had enough of deferring to others and launched 14 shot attempts, tying a career-high with nine shots on goal, leading to his first points of the season.

James Neal – Two goals and an assist, on 11 shot attempts (8 SOG), in a 5-4 win over Tampa Bay. Neal is off to a great start with seven points (5 G, 2 A) in six games, averaging a career-high 4.33 shots on goal per game.

Carey Price – Montreal’s meal-ticket stopped all 38 shots that he faced in a 3-0 win against St. Louis, raising his save percentage to .966 through his first six starts this season.

Jaroslav Halak – Making his second start of the season, the Islanders netminder saved all 37 shots sent his way by the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 4-0 Isles win.

ZEROES

Columbus Blue Jackets – With a 0-7 record, any optimism surrounding the Blue Jackets coming into the season has quickly evaporated.

Arizona Coyotes and New Jersey Devils – Combined for seven shots on goal in the first period. Both teams are expected to be draft lottery contenders, but that’s a dud of a period under any circumstances.

Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexander Steen – St. Louis’ outstanding first-line forwards came out on the wrong end against Montreal. While they were on for 56% of even-strength shot attempts, the duo was on the ice for all three goals against in a 3-0 loss to the Canadiens.

Karri Ramo – Pulled after allowing four goals on 18 shots against Washington and now has an .879 save percentage through three starts. Since Jonas Hiller is rocking an .867 SV% in four games, it may not be

long before Joni Ortio gets his chance in the Flames net. With Ramo on waivers today, change is coming.

VITAL SIGNS

Duncan Keith – Chicago’s superstar blueliner will be out 4-6 weeks after undergoing knee surgery. He’s been averaging 24:21 per game, the only Chicago skater averaging more than 21 minutes per game, so his absence leaves a significant hole. Rookies Trevor van Riemsdyk and Viktor Svedberg may need to take on more responsibility as the Blackhawks try to make do without their No. 1 defenceman.

Colton Parayko – The Blues’ rookie defenceman played 22:03 at Montreal, the first time in his seven-game NHL career that he’s logged more than 20 minutes in a game.

SHORTS SHIFTS

On the heels of being named one of the game’s most underrated players, the Capitals C Nicklas Backstrom scored a pair of goals in a 6-2 win at Calgary. With five points (3 G,2 A) in two games this season, it’s going to be hard to stay underrated…Capitals C Evgeny Kuznetsov isn’t facing quite as much defensive pressure now that Backstrom is healthy, and he contributed three assists at Calgary, giving him five assists in five games…Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin scored a goal and an assist against Calgary, giving the Capitals sniper six points (4 G, 2 A) in four games…Devils C Travis Zajac had a goal and two assists, his first points of the season, in a 3-2 OT win over Arizona…Penguins C Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 OT win against Florida, and now has five points (3 G, 2 A) in his past four games…Stars LW Jamie Benn and C Tyler Seguin each had a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win at Philadelphia. Benn and Seguin both have 10 points in six games…Lightning D Victor Hedman had a pair of assists in a 5-4 loss at Nashville, and has six assists in six games…Predators LW Filip Forsberg picked up a pair of assists, giving him six points (2 G, 4 A) in six games…Flames LW Johnny Gaudreau assisted on both Calgary goals against Washington, and has seven points (1 G, 6 A) in six games…Panthers D Aaron Ekblad controlled play (25 for, 7 against, 78.1 SAT%) in a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh…In a 4-0 loss to the Islanders, Blue Jackets D Fedor Tyutin had stellar possession stats (28 for, 7 against, 80.0 SAT%)…Stars G Antti Niemi turned aside 34 of 35 shots in a 2-1 win at Philadelphia.

FANTASY FOCUS

Some players that are in action tonight and available in more than half of TSN leagues:

Teemu Pulkkinen – The Red Wings shooter has three goals and 13 shots on goal in his past four games.

Ryan Spooner – With some injuries in the Boston lineup, consider the young pivot who has three points in the past two games.

Tyler Ennis – After a slow start, Ennis has points (and 12 shots on goal) in the past two games. He’s playing first-line minutes for the Sabres and gets a home game against Toronto tonight.


978273 Websites

USA TODAY / Auston Matthews, next great hockey phenom, comes from where?

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 12:52 p.m. EDT October 21, 2015

Hockey wunderkind Auston Matthews’ mother is from Mexico. His father was born in California. The Matthews family lives in Arizona. He’s playing in Switzerland. That’s not the geographic background you would expect for a player projected to be the No. 1 pick in June’s NHL draft.

It was Matthews’ late uncle, Bill, who launched his hockey career by taking him to then-Phoenix Coyotes games before he started kindergarten.

“He would take me and my dad, and we would go watch (Danny) Briere and (Shane) Doan and all of those guys back in the day,” Matthews, 18, told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s how I got into it. I started playing when I was 5 or 6.”

The Matthews story is evidence the NHL’s foray into non-traditional markets is having an impact on the game.

“To have the top talent in the world born and raised here almost seems like a validation of having a team in Arizona, in the desert,” Arizona Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said. “There is tremendous hockey here, very good youth hockey.”

Two days short of being eligible for last June’s draft, Matthews, a 6-2, 205-pound center, signed with Zurich in the Swiss national league. He’s earning an estimated $400,000 and leads the league in goalswith 10 in 12 games.

“This kid even practices hard,” said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. “He’s hard to practice against. He has that compete level, work ethic, and he has been able to go over to Switzerland and have an impact. But don’t think anyone is surprised by this.”

The scouting consensus about Matthews is that he is on par with NHL rookies Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, who are considered potential superstars. Matthews projects to be the first American to go No. 1 overall since Patrick Kane went first to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007.

“If he was in that last draft, I thought it would have been a three-man race,” Maloney said.

Last spring, USA Hockey coaches gave Matthews the opportunity to play in an exhibition game with the U.S. national team, a squad made up primarily of NHL players, and Matthews scored in a 4-1 win against Austria. He also scored in his first game for Zurich.

"At times (Matthews) reminds me of Anze Kopitar, and at times, Jean Beliveau (because) of his reach and seemingly effortless stride," said Marc Crawford, the Zurich coach who held the same job in the NHL for 15 seasons. "His awareness without the puck is a work in progress. But I can tell you that when you show him something he makes the adjustment immediately. Wow, is that impressive."

Playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program last season, Matthews registered 117 points, shattering the program record of 102 set by Kane in 2005-06.

“When you get a guy that is big and powerful and can think the game and is also capable of doing the moves that you see from so few players, he becomes really hard to defend,” Martin said.

Matthews missed a few games in the Swiss league because he had to wait until he turned 18 on Sept. 17 to sign a contract. USA Hockey national teams director Jim Johannson said he watched live streams of Matthews playing in Switzerland and he appeared confident and poised.

“He looks fast and strong,” Johannson said.

Matthews doesn’t seem to be bothered by the lofty expectations of being the projected No. 1 pick or the pressure of being one of the most talked-about players in the Swiss league.

“It’s a very competitive league, and the fans are really into it,” Marr said. “Everyone has the (team) hats and scarves. There are songs, chants. Fans get involved. It’s a fun league … but fans hold their teams accountable. If you bring in a high-profile guy like Matthews, they expect him to deliver.”

Matthews’ background probably has helped him prepare to play hockey across the ocean.

“When I was young, we were always traveling to Detroit, Chicago or Canada to find competition,” Matthews said.

Matthews said he never worried about whether he would get noticed in Arizona.

“I knew it was up to me to just prove I could play at a high level,” he said.

One of the draws of playing for Zurich is working under Crawford. Matthews’ agent, Pat Brisson, said Matthews went to Switzerland to learn, not have a good time. His mother, Emma, and a sister are in Switzerland with him.

“He is very mature,” Brisson said. “He meant business going there. He’s not there on a picnic. He’s very demanding on himself. He continues to progress.”

One of the traditions of the Swiss league is the top scorer on each team wears a gold helmet and a jersey designating him as the offensive leader.

“We talked early on, and I said, ‘I wouldn’t be surprised by the end of the season that he would be wearing that gold helmet,’” Brisson said. “But it only took him a month.”

USA TODAY LOADED: 10.22.2015

978274 Websites

USA TODAY / Why John Tortorella is a good fit to fix Columbus Blue Jackets problems

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 11:14 a.m. EDT October 21, 2015

Todd Richards is out and John Tortorella is in as the new coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Tortorella has previously been a head coach in Tampa Bay, and with the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. He won a Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay, and he’s known as a high energy, tough-love leader. His job is to turn around a talented team that has lost its first seven games of the season.

The Blue Jackets are known as a talented team with unfulfilled promise. Here’s what you know about Tortorella’s move to Columbus:

Why this is a good fit for this team: The Blue Jackets have ability, but they haven’t yet figured out how to translate talent into wins. The Blue Jackets need to embrace the identity of a winner, and we’ve seen Tortorella do that in Tampa Bay and with the New York Rangers. The Blue Jackets are struggling defensively, and he knows how to fix that. The Blue Jackets boast some team toughness, and Tortorella will make that work to their advantage.

How this could blow up: If Tortorella hasn’t learned from his past coaching stops, this move will only have short-term benefit. Tortorella is hard on players and his gruffness wears on people over time. Most of us have had a boss that can be challenging to endure. In the past, Tortorella has been that boss that everyone talks about as being over the top. But he is a very smart man, and you have to believe that he knows he needs to add another layer of humanity to his coaching style.

What will Tortorella do first: Demand that the Blue Jackets be relentless when they don’t have the puck. He insists on a commitment to shot-blocking and gritty checking. The Rangers still benefit from his time in New York. He helped transform Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh and Marc Staal into more aggressive defenders.

Is it already too late for the Blue Jackets?: They have dug themselves a deep hole with seven consecutive losses, but they have 75 games remaining to state their case to make the playoffs. They can’t afford any lengthy adjustment period to Tortorella’s system. At some point, they need to put together a lengthy winning streak to offset this poor start. They have the offensive might to do this.

This isn’t Todd Richards’ fault: He is being fired because that is the easiest solution. He bears some responsibility because he couldn’t figure out how to stop the defensive bleeding. But no one believes he did a poor job. Don’t forget that he was behind the bench when the team went 12-0-1 to close last season. The players didn’t perform well this season. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky wasn't sharp. When you an evaluating a coaching performance, the first question you should ask is: How well is his goalie playing? It seemed as if the losing streak climbed into the Blue Jackets’ heads. The more they lost, the worse they played.

USA TODAY LOADED: 10.22.2015

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