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SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 10/1/2014

Anaheim Ducks 736813 Ben Lovejoy has been a great fit with Ducks 736814 New Ducks assistant coach Trent Yawney speaks up 736815 Rickard Rakell, William Karlsson battling for Ducks roster spot 736816 Boudreau trying to find chemistry for Ducks

Arizona Coyotes 736817 Coyotes forward Mikkel Boedker feels, plays better 736818 Lessio aiming to stick with Coyotes this time around

Boston Bruins 736819 3 Takeaways From the Bruins’ 5-3 Loss to the Islanders 736820 Search for best line combinations drawing on Bruins’ patience 736821 Joe Sacco and Doug Jarvis have Bruins plugged in to power play 736822 Bruins drop 5-3 decision to the Islanders 736823 Loui Eriksson tries to fit in 736824 Bruins Notebook: Matt Bartkowski makes case during loss 736825 Krejci, Lucic and Eriksson 'just okay' vs. Isles 736826 Robins pushing for roster spot with intense play 736827 Talking Points: Islanders 5, Bruins 3 736828 Bruins fall 5-3 to Islanders after late goal 736829 Haggerty's thoughts from Bruins vs. Islanders 736830 Cunningham getting a top six forward look vs. Isles 736831 Lucic back in Bruins' lineup vs. Islanders tonight 736832 Julien welcomes NHL's new attempt to curb embellishment 736833 Julien ready for more positional battles vs. Isles 736834 Chiarelli holds off B's day of financial reckoning

Buffalo Sabres 736835 Reinhart’s roster spot not a given at this point 736836 Sabres notebook: Kaleta’s injury will cost him a month or more 736837 Sabres compete for jobs

Calgary Flames 736838 Bennett has ‘a little pain’ — but practising 736839 Forgotten man Sven Baertschi making a bid for roster spot 736840 Gaudreau’s highlight-reel goal propels Flames past Avalanche in NHL pre-season 736841 Flames defenceman Ladislav Smid waged an off-ice battle during NHL pre-season 736842 Johnny Gaudreau dazzles as Flames beat Colorado Avalanche in NHL pre-season game 736843 Tonight: Flames vs. Avalanche ... the storyline, the notes and The Burning Question 736844 Lots of 'good things' at Flames training camp so far 0

Carolina Hurricanes 736845 Big games coming for Ward, Khudobin in net 736846 Amid preseason losses, 'learning experience' for Canes' Haydn Fleury 736847 BLUES TOP CANES

Chicago Blackhawks 736848 Patrick Sharp, 32, must stay in tip-top shape to compete 736849 Van Riemsdyk impresses Blackhawks, looks to crack roster 736850 In need of enforcer, Blackhawks could turn to Brandon Mashinter 736851 Blackhawks: Brad Richards emerging as power-play point option 736852 A player's point of view: NHL strikes deal with GoPro 736853 Get ready for 'Blackhawks All-Access' on CSN this season 736854 Brad Richards gets chance on power play 736855 Sharp admires Konerko's loyalty to Sox 736856 Blackhawks assign Bass, Labrie to AHL

Columbus Blue Jackets 736857 Michael Arace commentary: Time hurts, not heals, Jackets and Ryan Johansen 736858 Blue Jackets notebook: Jared Boll not taking spot for granted 736859 Blue Jackets' Jared Boll not taking job for granted 736860 Time hurts, not heals, Jackets and Johansen

Dallas Stars 736861 GM Jim Nill explains why Stars opted to keep first-round pick Julius Honka in AHL instead of sending him back 736862 Gosselin: Stars' offense makes them a contender, but they're missing a piece 736863 Brenden Dillon's agent: Stars turned down two-year, $1.9 million per season offer; Negotiations 'back to drawi 736864 Radek Faksa, Julius Honka among six sent to minors by Dallas Stars 736865 Stars' Lindy Ruff optimistic about Kari Lehtonen's health entering final preseason game 736866 Tyler Seguin scores preseason hat trick, likes changes used in Stars' 5-4 win

Detroit Red Wings 736867 Wings' Mattias Backman latest Swede nearing roster spot 736868 Wings' Mitch Callahan lacks bite but not abrasiveness 736869 Kids put veterans on spot for their jobs 736870 Wings' Brendan Smith impresses Babcock 736871 Red Wings' defense prospect Xavier Ouellet an elite thinker who 'looks like he's played here 10 years' 736872 Red Wings' Gustav Nyquist returns to practice; Brendan Smith impresses Mike Babcock 736873 Website predicts Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk will retire after season and give up $15 million 736874 Red Wings have decent depth in organization on blue line 736875 Mrazek helps Red Wings beat Maple Leafs 3-0

Edmonton Oilers 736876 Edmonton Oilers assign four players to AHL, waive one 736877 'We missed it': Edmonton Oilers GM admits NHL team botched contract with Vladimir Tkachev 736878 Never say never: Brad Hunt could emerge as Edmonton Oilers' No. 7 defenceman 736879 Rogers unveils $4.5 million new home for hockey telecasts 736880 NHL rules Oilers contract with Vladimir Tkachev ineligible 736881 Oilers hope lining up Leon Draisaitl with Jordan Eberle and David Perron will boost trio's production 736882 Edmonton Oilers sign impressive, but undersized, Vladimir Tkachev

Florida Panthers 736883 ELLIS SENT DOWN: Panthers send veteran goalie to San Antonio 736884 Former Bruins' toughie Shawn Thornton will protect Panthers teammates 736885 Panthers cut 12; place goalie Dan Ellis on waivers 736886 Preview: Florida Panthers at Dallas Stars; 8:30 p.m., Monday 736887 Veteran defenseman Shane O'Brien making strong case to stick with Panthers 736888 Panthers LW Scottie Upshall hopes to continue resurgence on and off ice 736889 Panthers' new penalty-kill duo has a past together 736890 Goalie Dan Ellis won't concede backup role as Panthers fall 4-3 in shootout to Stars 736891 Panthers owners reaffirm commitment to stay and to win 736892 Panthers need Tomas Fleischmann and Jonathan Huberdeau to bounce back 736893 Panthers prospects making roster decisions tougher 736894 Panthers backup G Dan Ellis sent to San Antonio

Los Angeles Kings 736895 Kings defeat Sharks in exhibition game, 4-1 736896 Ben Lovejoy has been a great fit with Ducks 736897 Kings beat Sharks as Doughty, Quick return 736898 Quick's return won't end work for Jones 736899 Injured Kings likely to make preseason debuts 736900 Kopitar makes cover of Sports Illustrated 736901 September 30 postgame quotes: Sutter, Doughty, Quick 736902 Live Blog: Los Angeles at San Jose 736903 Doughty expects typical Kings-Sharks game in his return 736904 September 30 Darryl Sutter quotes; Sharks lineup 736905 Tuesday morning lineup notes; Sharks audio 736906 Catching up with Jake Muzzin; some assorted notes

Minnesota Wild 736907 Wild's Granlund made big jump, vows to get better 736908 Wild hopeful Stu Bickel knows NHL about more than fighting

Montreal Canadiens 736909 Final Canadiens cuts will reveal Therrien’s backup plan 736910 Canadiens forward Moen’s tenure grinding to a halt 736911 Lines taking shape as Habs prepare to face Blackhawks (with video)

Nashville Predators 736912 Predators put practice focus on power play 736913 Predators sign Taylor Beck to 1-year contract

New Jersey Devils 736914 Will the Devils keep Stefan Matteau and Reid Boucher? Here's what they think 736915 Devils release unsigned tryouts Tomas Kaberle and Ruslan Fedotenko 736916 5 things you should know about Devils defenseman Andy Greene 736917 Devils: Difficult decisions looming

New York Islanders 736918 Clutterbuck Leads Islanders to Preseason Win Over Bruins 736919 Islanders' sale OK’d by NHL 736920 Islanders' Ryan Strome is fighting for a job 736921 Islanders sale approved by NHL Board of Governors 736922 Isles roster battles take shape in Boston

New York Rangers 736923 Rangers Fall to Flyers in Preseason Game 736924 Simmonds Helps Flyers Beat Rangers in Preseason 736925 Tough cuts await NY Rangers coach Alain Vigneault 736926 Crushed Ice: Speculating on Alain Vigneault's next round of cuts, more on Anthony Duclair and Rangers after 4- 736927 No Ranger is clear-cut leader in battle for second-line center job 736928 Former NY Ranger Sean Avery jumpstarts acting career 736929 Marc Staal heading toward exact contract situation he feared 736930 Rangers still puzzled 736931 Flyers 4, Rangers 2: Post-game notes/analysis 736932 Different scenario, same approach for Talbot 736933 Another chance vs. Flyers may be last chance for some; Girardi, Malone resume skating 736934 Anthony Duclair turning heads and filling nets 736935 Anthony Duclair nets third preseason goal but Rangers fall to Flyers 736936 Strong play by prospects have caught Alain Vigneault's attention 736937 Rangers beat Flyers 'B' team 736938 Rangers-Flyers in review (again) 736939 Flyers 4, Rangers 2 … post-game notes & quotes 736940 Rangers at Flyers … It’s Go Time! 736941 Zuccarello, now established, wants more from himself

NHL 736942 Rogers’ Hockey Night in Canada doesn’t stray far from home 736943 NHL Preview: Can the Montreal Canadiens return to the conference finals?

Ottawa Senators 736944 Senators say goalie Robin Lehner's fine after goalie hurts hand in pre-season loss to Jets 736945 Scanlan: Mark Stone proves you can go home again 736946 Borowiecki injury means Cowen gets call for Senators 736947 Winnipeg Jets beat Sens 2-1 736948 'C' decision looming for Ottawa Senators

Philadelphia Flyers 736949 Flyers' Bellemare impressive against Rangers 736950 Giroux plays first game since getting hurt in camp 736951 10 impressions from Flyers' win over Rangers 736952 Giroux makes preseason debut as Flyers beat Rangers 736953 Giroux upbeat after first game back 736954 Flyers' Giroux to face Rangers tonight 736955 Flyers' defense pairings just about set 736956 Giroux's return somewhat overshadowed 736957 Flyers' Giroux will be in starting lineup tonight 736958 Instant Replay: Flyers 4, Rangers 2 736959 Flyers announce Ice Girls will return, no more booing Ice Dudes 736960 Don't get too excited over Flyers' young guns yet; Plus, Giroux back! 736961 Claude Giroux to return to ice for Flyers tonight 736962 Flyers plan preseason bonding trip to Cape Cod 736963 Craig Berube: Flyers' defense must 'turn it up' 736964 Claude Giroux shakes off rust in first preseason game 736965 Claude Giroux to make preseason debut against New York Rangers

Pittsburgh Penguins 736966 Despres is relishing his regular role on Penguins' blue line 736967 Penguins notebook: Malkin picture muddy 736968 It’s one big preseason mystery after another for Penguins 736969 Penguins notebook: Some regulars still missing from action 736970 Sidney Crosby’s mother takes on new role in hockey

San Jose Sharks 736971 Sharks rookie Nikolay Goldobin making fast impression 736972 San Jose Sharks shaky in exhibition loss to Los Angeles Kings 736973 Goldobin to play with Thornton in Sharks preseason game vs. LA 736974 Instant Replay: Sharks fall flat, Kings rally for 4-1 win 736975 Rewind: Sharks not prepared in preseason loss to Kings

St Louis Blues 736976 Blues finally win first preseason game 736977 Gainey joins Blues as consultant 736978 Blues' Steen is ready for first preseason action 736979 Hockey Guy: Coaches narrow focus as real games loom

Tampa Bay Lightning 736980 Transition complete with installation of Amalie Arena sign 736981 Bolts notes: Team nursing injuries as regular season nears 736982 Bolts dominate Stars 5-1 736983 It’s getting close to crunch time for wannabe Bolts 736984 Lightning's Jason Garrison settles into new surroundings 736985 Jonathan Drouin back on ice in first step toward return 736986 Injured Drouin still hopeful for home opener

Toronto Maple Leafs 736987 Brandon Kozun looks to make big splash with Leafs 736988 Toronto Maple Leafs start Collingwood retreat with paintball fun 736989 Leafs' injured Clarkson 'won't change' his game 736990 Maple Leafs look to bond on team getaway 736991 Maple Leafs hopeful Kozun turning heads 736992 Why Toronto Maple Leafs’ luck was sure to run out: Hockey analytics explained

Vancouver Canucks 737009 Deep roster up front pushes Matthias off centre for Canucks 737010 Kuzma: Linden Vey's off-ice story is one of grace, greatness and a brotherly bond 737011 Never say never: Brad Hunt could emerge as Edmonton Oilers' No. 7 defenceman 737012 'We missed it': Edmonton Oilers GM admits NHL team botched contract with Vladimir Tkachev 737013 Rogers unveils $4.5 million new home for hockey telecasts 737014 Canucks create three-headed monster in Utica, demote Joacim Eriksson

Washington Capitals 736993 Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky ‘playing like an NHL player’ 736994 Capitals’ Jay Beagle, Mike Green both day-to-day with upper body injuries 736995 Versatile forward Eric Fehr offers utility option for Trotz, Capitals 736996 VIDEO: Brown looking for his place on the Caps 736997 Burakovsky ready, but will Caps keep him? 736998 Burakovsky moves up, Johansson moves down 736999 Caps are killing it with blocked shots 737000 One year later, Carrick awaits different news

Websites 737015 ESPN / Five NHL surprises ready to happen 737016 ESPN / Jason Spezza says Stars' offense could be 'headache' for foes 737017 Sportsnet.ca / 30 Thoughts: Making sense of the Tkachev mess 737018 Sportsnet.ca / Fan’s guide to picking an NHL team: Atlantic 737019 Sportsnet.ca / Gotta See It: Speedy Haggerty pots two beauties 737020 USA TODAY / New York Rangers preview: Second in Metropolitan 737021 USA TODAY / New York Islanders preview: Sixth in Metropolitan 737022 YAHOO SPORTS / Can helmet cameras improve NHL referee performances?

Winnipeg Jets 737001 Confident Ehlers fighting to stay, pots first pre-season goal 737002 Jets-Sens wrapup 737003 Injuries force coach's hand 737004 Don't expect to see new-look blue-line 737005 Big battle to stay in Winnipeg 737006 Pavelec comes up big for Jets 737007 Maurice training camp 'a challenge': Wheeler 737008 Winnnipeg Jets youngsters to get another good look against Senators SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129

736813 Anaheim Ducks

Ben Lovejoy has been a great fit with Ducks

Helene Elliott

Los Angeles [email protected]

@helenenothelenWow! Royals! Great shot of George Brett celebrating.

Ben Lovejoy

Once underutilized Ben Lovejoy has found a home as a defenseman for the Ducks

Lovejoy couldn't make his mark with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but has ascended since trade to the Ducks

Ducks defenseman Ben Lovejoy still stinging from playoff loss to champion Kings

Branded as a sixth or seventh defenseman by the Pittsburgh Penguins and unsure if he could rise above that ceiling, Ben Lovejoy wondered if his hockey career had stalled before it had really begun.

"I would have gone to Antarctica for a fresh start," he said. "I would have done anything to start over and have a fresh set of eyes judging me and hoping that I could do more, but I didn't know."

Going to Anaheim made a trek to Antarctica unnecessary.

Lovejoy has flourished since the Ducks acquired him from the Penguins on Feb. 6, 2013 for a fifth-round draft pick and gave him the trust and playing time he craved. The 30-year-old native of Concord, N.H., has developed into an effective shutdown defenseman alongside Cam Fowler as well as an articulate, insightful voice in the locker room.

"I think a lot of Ben's thing was confidence," Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "At the time he came here, we were languishing. He didn't expect anything. We didn't expect anything, except we gave him an opportunity, and the more confidence he grew, he became a really good player."

Lovejoy had five goals and 18 points in 78 games last season with a plus-21 defensive rating while averaging a career-high 19 minutes and 24 seconds of ice time. He also blocked 150 shots, second on the team. In the playoffs he had two goals in 13 games and was plus-one while averaging 19:38.

Impressive for a player who wasn't drafted out of Dartmouth and couldn't win a regular job with the Penguins after they signed him as a free agent in July 2008.

"Sometimes all it takes is the right situation for a player to blossom," Fowler said. "He made the most of that opportunity. We certainly leaned on him a lot. Even the improvements he made last year were huge from the year before."

Proof that the ceiling imposed on Lovejoy in Pittsburgh was way too low.

"That continues to drive me," he said. "They had four very, very talented top-four defensemen who were paid a lot of money and were really good players. The coaching and management felt they were going to win with those guys and they were going to lose with those guys and I understood. I was happy and lucky to be in the NHL and wanted to do everything in my role I could to help the team."

He endured some rough spots, committing turnovers in the playoffs against Philadelphia in 2012 and plunging to eighth on the depth chart. When the Penguins made him available, Ducks General Manager Bob Murray capitalized on the chance to bring him into a system that takes advantage of his skating skills.

Maybe, too, Lovejoy was meant to be in Anaheim instead of Antarctica or Pittsburgh.

He had played his first professional season in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on an American Hockey League contract. After his team defeated the Portland Pirates, then run by Murray as the Ducks' top farm team, Murray offered him a contract. So did the Penguins.

"I felt that Pittsburgh had given me an opportunity and I wanted to stay," Lovejoy said. "When I was traded here, Bob Murray said that he wanted me to be that player that he saw then, and I've been lucky that everybody here has given me the opportunity to do that."

Lovejoy — who signed a three-year, $3.3-million extension in June 2013 — is thriving off the ice too. He and his wife, Avery, a former squash team captain at Dartmouth, became parents of a daughter, Lila, last New Year's Eve. He also has become a go-to guy for reporters seeking thoughtful observations on games or other hockey topics.

But last summer, after the Ducks were eliminated by the Kings in the second round of the playoffs, Lovejoy wanted nothing to do with hockey or the media for a while. He didn't watch the rest of the playoffs, didn't have the TV on even in the background during the Stanley Cup Final. Losing to the Kings hurt him too much.

"That was a real kick in the stomach," he said. "We came in and we thought we were the better team. We had a better regular season, but in the end, that doesn't matter. They proved in a very decisive seventh game that they were better than us, and that was a tough thing to sit with all summer, to watch L.A.'s next four weeks thinking, 'I really wish it had been us.'"

His jealousy has given way to optimism triggered by off-season moves made by the Ducks — such as the trade for center Ryan Kesler — designed to add depth up the middle and match up better against teams like the Kings.

"I think there's a new energy in this room, a feeling that these guys can put us over the top," Lovejoy said. "But right now, that team is the champion and they will be for at least the next nine months."

Until they're knocked off, anyway. "I hope so," he said, "and I hope it's us."

LA Times: LOADED: 10.01.2014


New Ducks assistant coach Trent Yawney speaks up

By Lance Pugmire contact the reporter

Ducks' new assistant coach Trent Yawney focuses on defense

'I came here to win. I didn't come here to make friends,' says Ducks assistant Trent Yawney

There’s a new voice that booms off the ice at Ducks practices, with more bark than from the sometimes colorful instruction of Coach Bruce Boudreau.

Trent Yawney, a former NHL defenseman who coached the Chicago Blackhawks in 2005-06 and later was an assistant with the San Jose Sharks before coaching the Ducks’ minor league affiliate in Norfolk, Va., last year, doesn’t hesitate to verbally hammer in his lesson.

“We’ve talked about that ... I can’t see everything, and he’s very good with the details of the game,” Boudreau said Tuesday after a Ducks practice at Honda Center. “I’ve given him carte blanche -- 'You see that, go ahead and talk about that.' We’ll get better at the little details and work off the stuff that I do.”

The Ducks don’t play another exhibition game until their finale Saturday night against the visiting San Jose Sharks, with a regular-season opener Oct. 9 against the host Pittsburgh Penguins.

So there’ll be plenty of time for practice.

Yawney was an assistant in San Jose when the Sharks reached the Western Conference finals in 2010 and 2011, and at Norfolk, the roster at times included current Ducks John Gibson, Rickard Rakell, Emerson Etem and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Admirals were 40-26-3-7 last season, upsetting Manchester to reach the semifinals.

“If we see something, [we] make sure it gets corrected,” Yawney said. “I know the younger players and some of their tendencies, so I know when they start getting flat a little bit, where to go, where to tell Bruce to go. I bring that experience.

“I came here to win. I didn’t come here to make friends, or anything like that. It’s a good team. There’s a lot of good teams. ... I’ve got to be real. I do bark at times to get things done the right way. Those are my instincts, that’s how I’ve been.”

Yawney’s defense-oriented approach is valued as the Ducks work to rely on the talent that had them ranked ninth in goals-against and eighth in five-on-five goals against while shoring up flaws exposed in last season’s playoffs.

“I watched the playoffs, from the standpoint of what we gave up and have worked from the standpoint of ideas that Bruce has instilled,” Yawney said. “I feel we could’ve cut down on some of that stuff by tweaking a few areas. He was open to adjusting to that, and so far, we haven’t had problems with in the preseason.”

Yawney said preaching that forwards get back quickly on possession changes and that defensemen mind the middle of the ice are critical points.

“I know that it works,” he said. “And I know most teams play the same way, that it comes down to who’s better at executing it best. It’s a process for the regular season. We’ve got a good start on it. Now we need to make sure we don’t get weak in any one area.”



Rickard Rakell, William Karlsson battling for Ducks roster spot

By Lance Pugmire contact the reporter

Ducks teammates Rickard Rakell and William Karlsson are battling for a roster spot

Is the die cast in the Ducks’ competition for their final center position?

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau might’ve hinted at who’ll stay in Anaheim when he noted that Rickard Rakell, not rookie William Karlsson, could return to play alongside fellow young forwards Emerson Etem and Devante Smith-Pelly after doing so last season at minor league Norfolk.

With just one preseason game left, does Karlsson, with three preseason assists, have sufficient time and opportunity to move past Rakell, who scored a goal in the preseason opener and played in Anaheim last season?

Karlsson said he’s simply going to practice and play as well as he can, and hope that’s enough to sway the decision makers.

“You base it on what you know about them. … If someone has a better shift than somebody, is that a reason to make a team? I don’t think so,” Boudreau said. “You have to know if this guy’s quicker, stronger on the puck, he has more experience. There’s a lot of little things. You might say, ‘He’s a young guy who deserves it,’ or ‘He’s the incumbent. You’ve got to beat him out.'”



Boudreau trying to find chemistry for Ducks

BY ERIC STEPHENS / STAFF WRITER

Published: Sept. 30, 2014 Updated: 9:34 p.m.

ANAHEIM – The subject is chemistry and there is a lot of experimentation at hand by the Ducks as they enter into the final days of training camp.

A fair amount of change took place over the summer, especially for a team that’s coming off a 54-win season. And with that comes the need to put new and returning players in the right places as the Oct. 9 season opener approaches.

Chemistry must be found, in particular, among the forward lines that’ll have distinct new looks. Andrew Cogliano, for one, will be skating with a whole new set of linemates with Saku Koivu and Daniel Winnik no longer around on the third line.

And when you have a natural tinkerer in Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau running this lab session, a certain amount of change is to be expected.

“I think the first step is to start practicing with the guys,” Cogliano said. “The lines (in camp) for the most part have been with different combinations. He’s trying to find what he thinks will work. And I think the more we play with each other, the more we start talking with each other, you start gaining chemistry.”

Part of the process that Cogliano notes is seeing what the strengths of newcomers like Ryan Kesler and Nate Thompson are and doing some adjusting to their preferences.

Kesler will have to make some adjustments as well in being on a different team after 11 years with Vancouver. Boudreau’s system is an entirely new one for him and the center is dialed in on what his new coach wants.

“I think that’s what we’re working on in practice now so that when the season does start, we’re ready,” Kesler said. “That’s the plan now. Have a day off tomorrow, then two good days of practice and be ready for that game against San Jose.

“We’ve got to treat it as a regular-season game. You want to feel good about yourself going into the regular season.”

Injuries to wingers Dany Heatley and Kyle Palmieri have had Boudreau doing even more shuffling. On Tuesday, Boudreau had Cogliano skating with Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg after moving Patrick Maroon up to Heatley’s spot on the top line.

Another line put together was Emerson Etem with Rickard Rakell and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Ducks have had to replace five forwards who were regulars last season so the entire lineup will have a different look throughout.

All that’s really known now is Ryan Getzlaf will have his spot up top with running mate Corey Perry by his side and Kesler manning the second line as he was brought in to do.

Boudreau has always loved to have what he calls “moveable parts” with some wingers having the ability to play on the top line one night and the fourth line another. But the Ducks may need time to create that elusive chemistry every team hopes to develop.

“We’re going to need to jell,” Getzlaf said. “That’s the biggest thing. We’ve got some new bodies. Some new faces that we’re going to have to learn to work together in the right away.

“I see a team that has great potential on paper. But it’s on paper. We got to transfer that over onto the ice.”

PALMIERI PROGRESS SLOW

Palmieri skated again for a third consecutive day but he hasn’t been able to join his teammates for a full workout as he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain that’s kept him out of exhibition games.

Palmieri, who had 14 goals and 31 points in 71 games last season, is aiming to play Saturday against San Jose but the chances of him doing that are

doubtful. The winger originally suffered the injury during a skating session before Labor Day.

“It’s an injury that can easily come back and haunt you and you start from Day One again,” Palmieri said. “It’s not something I want to rush. I’m taking it day by day and hopefully it feels good to play Saturday and the coaches will make that decision.”

Palmieri has increased his activity in workouts, but Boudreau said, “He’s out there at the beginning and he’s out there at the end.”

“When he gets into the middle part of it, then we’ll know he’s ready to go,” Boudreau added.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 10.01.2014

736817 Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes forward Mikkel Boedker feels, plays better

Sarah McLellan, azcentral sports 10:23 p.m. MST September 30, 2014

It's almost like a math equation the way Coyotes winger Mikkel Boedker defines his success.

He played well last season because he was comfortable. He was comfortable because he had regular pep talks with assistant coach Newell Brown. That boosted his confidence on the ice, and there he clicked with captain Shane Doan and center Antoine Vermette.

So chemistry plus self-esteem plus relaxation equals goals.

"You feel good, you play better," he said. "You're happy, you play better. You have good people in your corner, you feel better. All that helps."

Perhaps that's the most cosmetic way to explain Boedker reaching career highs in every scoring category last season, but it's not the sole reason. His production was also an act of maturity, a coming-of-age performance indicative of Boedker benefiting from his up-and-down journey.

"You figure it out along the way, right?" Boedker said. "Obviously, it's not just going to come. I'm no Sidney Crosby or Steven Stamkos, for that matter. But it took some time, a long learning curve, but obviously it's going well now and now it's just grab it and go. That's all that's on my mind right now."

His 19 goals, 32 assists and 51 points in 2013-14 reaffirmed the potential that had been hinted at for so long. A regular with the Coyotes for 2008-09,Boedker spent much of the next two seasons in the American Hockey League so as not to impede his development after a premature introduction to the NHL.

Taking that step back has vaulted him forward since his point total has increased in each of the past three seasons.

And no one's expecting it to nosedive now.

"As he continues to emerge or grow as a player, more opportunity comes his way and with more opportunity, we're hoping for more results," coach Dave Tippett said. "His skill set is excellent. I think he's just had to continue to mature into a good NHL player, and that's what you're seeing right now. He's going to be a valuable player on our team."

Boedker will be up for a contract renewal at the end of this season, and another strong offensive showing could net him the long-term security he coveted when he negotiated his last contract, which ended up being a two-year, $5.1 million deal.

The Coyotes and Boedker's camp have been in talks but if a deal isn't hammered out before opening night, negotiations will be put on hold until the end of the season, Boedker's agent, Jarrett Bousquet, said.

And that's fine with Boedker. He'd rather focus his attention on what he can control, and that's his performance on the ice.

"You always want to be better," he said. "Definitely you always want to be better. You don't want to take a step back and definitely don't want to be a one-time thing. You want to improve everything, and you want to do it again and again and again. That's consistency, and that's what every player wants and that's no different for me."

Ice chips

Center Sam Gagner did not play Monday against the Canucks as he's nursing an upper-body injury, but he did practice Tuesday. His status for tonight's game against the Oilers is unclear.

"We'll just see where he is in the morning," Tippett said. "I'd like to see him play, but we're not going to play him if he's injured."

• The Coyotes plan to re-evaluate their training-camp roster and assess whether more cuts are necessary Thursday.

Up next

Coyotes at Oilers

When: Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Where: Rexall Place, Edmonton.

TV/radio: None.

Oilers update: The remodeling continued in Edmonton this summer as the Oilers attempt to snap their streak of eight straight non-playoff finishes. They bolstered their defense with the free-agent signings of Nikita Nikitin, Mark Fayne and Keith Aulie, but much of the forward group — headlined by Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle is the same. The goaltending tandem features Ben Scrivens and Viktor Fasth, and improved play in their own end will be key. The Oilers' 3.26 goals-against average was the worst in the NHL last season.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 10.01.2014

736818 Arizona Coyotes

Lessio aiming to stick with Coyotes this time around

Craig Morgan

FOX Sports Arizona

SEP 30, 2014 10:02a ET

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The first of the Coyotes' split-squad training camp practices had finished at least an hour earlier. Most of the players were either grabbing lunch in the Rinkside Club or chatting in the team lounge at Gila River Arena.

Lucas Lessio was pacing the hallways.

He'd appear at one end, still dressed in his sweat-soaked undergarments, pass by the media with that loping, deliberate gait, then disappear behind another door.

Ten minutes later, the process would start all over again.

"I have a lot of anxiety; a lot of nerves coming in here," Lessio said, almost seeming embarrassed. "There are so many guys vying for a job, and there's so much good competition here. Everybody's amazing, so that was just me trying to relieve some of the pressure of needing to do what I need to do when I'm out there to get noticed."

Lessio is getting noticed. He had a shootout goal in a 2-1 win in San Jose on Friday, and a goal against Mike Smith in the red-white scrimmage on Saturday. He also made his presence felt in front of the net, getting dumped and bowling over Smith before apologizing to the franchise player.

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"He's a dynamic player," coach Dave Tippett said. "There are parts of his game you just love. He's got speed and size. He can find opportunities to have an effect on the game."

The key for Lessio will be proving he can do it consistently. He made the roster out of camp last season but was sent back to Portland of the American Hockey league after appearing in just three games with no points, a penalty and a minus-2 rating.

"There's still young player in him," Tippett said. "There's a lot of young player in even some veteran players, but he's got to learn the structure of the game. He's a dynamic player, but he can get individual at times.

"Working with his linemates, playing a structured game and doing his part within the structure; those are all things that continue to evolve in his game."

Lessio believes last season helped him take an enormous step on that arc. He worked with the coaching staff in Portland to improve weaknesses in his game like his defense, and he watched a lot of video to understand where things were going wrong and how to correct them. In 69 games, he finished second on the team in scoring with 29 goals and 54 points.

"The thing about the American League is it's a developmental league," he said. "If you make a mistake in a game they'll give you that extra chance to redeem yourself. They'll tell you what to do, try to teach you."

"When you come up here you have to be counted on. There's no room for error; there's no mistakes. They expect you to know everything. That's how it's got to be. You have to hold guys accountable because it's a winning business, especially in a market like this where winning is everything. Coaches have to know they have guys they can count on every shift, in every zone."

Building the Pack

Go behind the scenes for all-access Coyotes' show

While most of the offseason chatter focused on whether skilled forwards Max Domi and Henrik Samuelsson could make the jump from juniors to the NHL, Lessio could be the most NHL-ready of all the Coyotes' forward prospects.

At 6-feet-1, 215 pounds (his stated weight differs from the roster), he has the size to win battles along the wall, find his way to the net and be an agitator. But his season in Portland also showed he has the ability to score. That will be a quality in great demand on a team that probably won't be known for its offense.

"I'm trying to do all the little things right and trying to find another gear offensively, too," he said. "Maybe I can bring a little more offense to the exhibition games and use my speed a little more; just try to create more offensively but at the same time trying to be that two-way guy; try to be responsible."

When Samuelsson and Tyler Gaudet were re-assigned to Portland on Saturday, that left Lessio, Domi and Tobias Rieder as the only remaining young forward prospects in camp who haven't tasted regular NHL action (injured wing Brendan Perlini will be re-assigned to juniors).

Lessio will learn his fate in less than a week, but even if he does make the opening-day roster, he understands there are areas where he must continue to evolve if he is to stay in the Valley.

"There are a lot of things to think about like holding my ice, not trying to do everybody's job, working as a five-man unit and taking care of your area in the zone," he said. "Coaches want to see me finishing my checks, being a hard (first forward) on the forecheck, stirring things up a little bit in terms of turnovers and being that in your-face player.

"If I can bring all of those aspects as well as produce offensively, that's a pretty good combination to put on my resume. Whether I make (the roster) or not, if I give it all I have and there's nothing left in the tank, I'll be happy with whatever outcome comes my way."

foxsportsarizona.com LOADED: 10.01.2014

736819 Boston Bruins

3 Takeaways From the Bruins’ 5-3 Loss to the Islanders

Jeff Pini

@JeffPini

Boston.com Staff

With the Bruins going into the final week of the preseason, now is the time for the team to fine-tune their play and get ready for the games that count come Oct. 8. The Bruins scored first on Tuesday in their matchup with the Islanders, but the Isles struck for three in the second and eventually won 5-3. Here’s a look at some takeaways from Tuesday, as just two games remain in the 2014 preseason.

1. Projected First Line Makes its Preseason Debut

After Jarome Iginla left via free agency in the offseason, much speculation arose as to how the Bruins new top line would fare with Loui Eriksson assuming the right side of David Krejci. With Milan Lucic recovering from wrist surgery and not being cleared to play until last weekend, Tuesday’s game was the first time this year that the three had been slotted together in real game-action.

The three generated some good chances while together, especially from Eriksson who played a strong game, getting three shots away and contributing an assist on Brad Marchand’s third period goal. If he can show that he can shake off his disappointing 2013-14 campaign, he could have a monster year playing on the top line and teaming up with the talented Krejci and Lucic.

2. Defense Turns in Sloppy Second Period

The first half of the game was all Bruins, but midway through the second they led just 1-0. The wheels then fell off the Bruins defensively, as the Islanders were able to tie the game and build a two-goal lead despite totaling just six shots in the period, including a complete breakdown on Cory Conacher’s goal with 1:36 to play that made it 3-1.

The Bruins got back in the game and tied it up with two goals in the third period, but a giveaway by Brad Marchand allowed Cal Clutterbuck to score the eventual game-winner with 3:09 to play. The Bruins looked solid for the majority of the game, but the three goals allowed in the second is troubling considering the way the team was playing most of the night.

3. Bobby Robins Makes Some Noise

The scrappy 32-year-old forward was in the lineup on Tuesday and made sure that he was noticed. Starting in his first shift of the game, Robins laid a huge hit on Thomas Hickey early in the first period, which drew loud cheers from the Garden fans. Robbins ended the first period with a team-high four hits in 3:45 of ice time while also generating one shot.

Robins delivered another big hit in the second – this time on Matt Donovan – just over three minutes into the period. His physicality did get him in trouble in the third, as he was called for a roughing penalty on Cory Conacher with just over 10 minutes left in the period.

All together, Robins spent 9:24 on the ice, totaling seven hits with the one shot. He’s a long shot to make the big club roster, but Robins showed tonight that he could be the answer the Bruins are looking for if they want someone who can mix it up on the ice the way that Shawn Thornton did for his tenure in Boston.

Boston Globe LOADED: 10.01.2014


Search for best line combinations drawing on Bruins’ patience

By Amalie Benjamin

| Globe Staff October 01, 2014

Last season, it was easy.

By the start of training camp, the Bruins already had paired Jarome Iginla with Milan Lucic and David Krejci. They had Loui Eriksson skating with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. They had Merlot together not long after that.

It hasn’t been quite so simple this season, not for a team that entered training camp with only a single line likely to stay intact from last season. The rest? Well, they were all up in the air.

To some extent, they all still are.

Asked about whether he was getting close to figuring out where he’d be playing this season, and with whom, Chris Kelly quipped, “I was hoping you guys were going to tell me that right now. No?”

“At this point, I’m not quite sure [of my spot],” Daniel Paille said. “I can always speculate, but it’s always going to change. Definitely with the absence of [Shawn Thornton] and [Gregory Campbell] in training camp, definitely anxious to see who I can play with. I should know more in the next couple days, but as of right now I’m still adjusting to certain players.”

Some lines appear to be taking shape, with Eriksson the leading candidate to take over Iginla’s job as the first-line right wing, and Reilly Smith now in camp to skate with Marchand and Bergeron. But neither group has been taking shifts together as the groups were able to do last year.

And the debut of the Lucic-Krejci-Eriksson line did not go well on Tuesday night.

The trio did not seem to find any rhythm in their first game action, which came in the Bruins’ 5-3 exhibition loss to the Islanders at TD Garden. They weren’t able to generate any offense, and did not seem to have a sense of how to work with each other.

“I don’t think that line as a whole had a great game,” coach Claude Julien said. “When I say a great game, they were just OK. I don’t think they were a dominant line tonight, and it was probably hard to assess as far as will that line work or not.

“Definitely we need to see them play a little bit better, and hopefully, as camp progresses, that’s going to happen.”

Said Eriksson, “It was tough to get a good feeling out of it. Definitely we need some more games here maybe and get the connection going . . . Sometimes [chemistry] takes a little bit longer than you wish.”

As for the third and fourth lines? They’re still to be determined.

“It’s hard because we don’t know who our bottom-line guys are right now,” Julien said. “There’s still a lot of battles going on, so it’s hard to say this is what you want. We’re still evaluating that part.”

Time is starting to run out. The Bruins have just one week before they open the season against the Flyers at the Garden, and there are only two preseason games left for the team to find its chemistry on its forward lines.

As Julien said, when asked when those need to be solidified, “It’s getting close to it.”

The problem is that evaluation has gotten in the way of chemistry. The team still hasn’t settled its roster yet, which means the lines aren’t settled yet, which means that the groupings can’t begin to get into the flow of playing with each other.

“We’re trying to get familiar faces together, but also trying to evaluate,” Julien said. “So right now we’re at the stage where we’re trying to do both.

“We’re trying to evaluate players and we’re trying to give players that have an opportunity a chance to showcase themselves in the right situations — if they’re goal scorers or they’re people that put up good points and should be

top-line players, then you put them with top-line players. That way you get a better evaluation with that individual.”

And that, of course, is important. But so is knowing your linemates, understanding how to feed off of them, and feed the puck to them. It was obvious that the Marchand-Bergeron-Eriksson line didn’t play well together at the start of last season, and the line eventually was shuffled with Eriksson replaced by Smith.

And that was with an entire training camp of practice and games together.

But Julien doesn’t appear to be too concerned, even with his charges eager to find out their runningmates.

“Two guys normally with good chemistry, it’s a lot easier to throw a third guy in there,” Julien said. “When you have three new guys on a line, it’s a little tougher. But normally the one guy adapts pretty quickly, so I’m not overly worried about that right now. I don’t think we’re going to be the only team trying to deal with that situation. We’re there now.”

It’s a situation that Kelly knows well. Kelly has said all throughout training camp that he’s used to being mixed and matched, to not knowing where or with whom he’ll skate. And he knows how to build that chemistry, when he eventually finds his place on the team.

“I think communication is big when playing with old linemates and new linemates,” Kelly said. “Chemistry is a funny thing. Sometimes it just happens, other times it takes a little bit longer. But eventually it forms. Maybe good, maybe bad.”

Still, as Paille said, “You want to build that chemistry as soon as possible.”

Fortunately, for some of the players, it’s not like this is their first go-around in this situation. Paille, for example, has been here before — even with his home on Merlot. But even he admitted that playing up on the top three lines takes significantly more adjustment for a player like him than does playing on his accustomed fourth line.

“My whole career has been about playing with and adjusting to whoever, so I’ve learned over the years how to play my style, but at the same time adjust to other players,” he said. “I don’t want to change that now.”



Joe Sacco and Doug Jarvis have Bruins plugged in to power play

By Amalie Benjamin

| Globe Staff October 01, 2014

When Geoff Ward left for greener — or at least more German — pastures in the offseason, it was unclear who would take over his power-play duties. Ward, along with coach Claude Julien, had helped orchestrate the Bruins’ man-advantage turnaround in 2013-2014, when the team skyrocketed to third in the league with a 21.7 percentage on the power play.

The answers have started to come in, with new assistant coach Joe Sacco set to share power-play duties with Doug Jarvis.

“I think they’re going to put a little bit of their imprint on it, but I think for the most part it’s basically going to be a lot of the same things that we’ve done,” Julien said. “I don’t think there’s going to be a ton of changes.”

The Bruins spent some time practicing power-play setups Tuesday before their game against the Islanders at TD Garden, with the first group consisting of David Krejci, Johnny Boychuk/Torey Krug, Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic/Matt Fraser, and Zdeno Chara.

Marchand, who was not used on the power play last season, could be an addition to the special-teams unit this season. He has been seeing time in both practice and games with the man advantage. As Julien said of Marchand, “He’s been in it. That’s certainly a possibility. He’s a better player this year already than he was all of last year.”

The Bruins entered training camp with only a single line likely to stay intact from last season. The rest? Well, they were all up in the air.

Marchand had a goal and an assist in the Bruins’ 5-3 loss to New York, as the hosts went 0 for 3 on the man advantage.

“I think with a couple new faces we’re going to have to communicate a lot better,” Krug said before the game. “Last year we had a very good understanding of where each other were going to be. The coaching staff and players were on the same page, so now to start the season we’ve got to communicate better, make sure we talk through some issues that we’re going to have, and hopefully by midseason we’ll be back to the form that we were. It’s just about communicating.”

Ward isn’t the only loss for the Bruins where the power play is concerned. The team also no longer has Jarome Iginla and his one-timer. He was sixth on the team in power-play goals with four, behind Chara (10), Patrice Bergeron (7), Reilly Smith (6), Krug (6), and Carl Soderberg (5), but the team benefited from the threat that he and his one-timer represented. Iginla had 10 power-play assists.

“A lot of the success last year, on our power play, our unit, was when pucks were thrown to the net from the point, whether it was me or Krech or any of those guys,” Krug said.

“It’s the same mentality, whoever is out there, whether it’s March or another guy, [Fraser], whoever. I think we’re all going to have the same mentality.”

Not rustproof

Lucic had a difficult start to his season, with a tough first preseason game in Detroit. He was called for three penalties in 14:57 on ice time Saturday, and looked off his game.

The left wing is coming off offseason wrist surgery that kept him in a cast for 12 weeks, and Julien said that’s where part of the issue is coming from — but not all of it.

“It was a wrist issue,” Julien said. “That doesn’t stop you from working out, as far as running, cardio, a lot of different things you can do.

“You talk about working on your core part of your body. A wrist doesn’t stop that. The only excuse he would have is maybe his hands aren’t there yet. I think that was pretty apparent, but the rest there’s no excuse to me.

“He came into camp in real good shape, and his hand has not been an issue more than trying to get the comfort of his wrist back to where he’d like to see

it. The only way he can do that is by working out in practice and doing a little extra with his hands and working on that part of it.

“To me he’s no different than most of the guys — Soderberg, [Chris] Kelly, they were out way before that, they didn’t finish the season. You would expect a little bit of rust in their game, but there is some rust in Looch’s game, and a lot of it is from his hands.”

Double sessions

Krug and Smith did a double session, practicing with both groups of skaters. They had rejoined the team for their first practice session Monday, after sitting out the first weeks of training camp. “Not a step behind physically, but more my timing,” Krug said. “Physically, conditioning-wise, I felt pretty good. It was the passes, receiving passes from NHL players that was definitely way different.” . . . Julien said that David Pastrnak could be a possibility for this weekend’s games, after having taken some more contact in practice Tuesday (including a wallop from Kevan Miller). Julien said the team is waiting on word from the trainers before putting him into game action. “He’s a young player that you’re certainly not going to take a risk with,” Julien said. “But we would like for our sake and for his sake, I think, he would like to at least get a game in and see how he fits in.” . . . The Bruins practiced the shootout. Through the first couple of rounds, Marchand was the only Bruin to score, which he did twice. Kelly took the last shift, and quickly went from one end to the other, scoring on both goalies in his two shootout attempts . . . Left wing Anthony Camara continues to remain off the ice with an unspecified illness.



Bruins drop 5-3 decision to the Islanders

Friday, October 31, 2014

Steve Conroy

The Bruisn erased a two-goal third period deficit in 43 seconds only to see the Islanders' Cal Clutterbuck score the game-winner on a wrst shot from the top of the left circle to lift the Islanders to a 5-3 victory at the Garden. Scott Mayfield added an empty netter.

For the Bruins, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron each had a goal and an assist while Matt Bartkowski scored a shorthanded goal. Goalie Jeremy Smith had a rough night, allowing three goals on 18 shots and he very well may have wanted the last one back.

Bobby Robins did his best to get noticed, throwing seven hits in 9:24 of icetime.

Bergeron was in mid-season form in the faceoff dot, winning 19-of-23, while David Krejci was not good there, lossing 11-of-16. Bergeron also led all players with five shots on net.

The Bruins are off on Wednesday before getting back to practice on thursday. They finish off the regular season with back-to-back exhibitions Friday against the Islanders in Bridgeport, Connecticut and then Saturday at the Garden against the Red Wings.

It wouldn't be a shock if some moves, whether it's a trade or some cuts, come down on Wednesday. Bruins coach Claude Julien met with the management team for over an hour after the game.

“We just met with the group there and discussed all the players as we often do,” said Julien. “As we get closer, those meetings get a little more sophisticated than the first ones.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.01.2014


Loui Eriksson tries to fit in

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Steve Conroy

For four years, David Krejci knew what his line was going to look like. He was going to have a bruising, north-south winger on either side of him. Milan Lucic has been the constant on the left while Jarome Iginla replaced Nathan Horton last season on the right.

But this season, Loui Eriksson, more a playmaker than a power forward, is getting a long look at right wing, and last night he saw his first game action with both Krejci and Lucic in the Bruins’ 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders.

Lucic is trying to get up to speed after undergoing wrist surgery that robbed him of 12 weeks of upper-body conditioning. In his first preseason game, he looked far from the hard-charging power forward that he is when at his best.

And while Eriksson and Krejci did not exactly click in their first two games together, adding a still-tentative Lucic to the mix did not make matters much better. The trio had a couple of chances in the third but not much else.

There might still be time for Lucic to find his game before next week’s season opener and for the new Krejci-Eriksson combo to click, but the unit that’s expected to do a lot of scoring looks very much like a work in progress.

“I don’t think that line had a great game,” B’s coach Claude Julien said. “They were just OK. They weren’t a dominant line, so it’s hard to assess whether that line will work or not, but we definitely need to see them play a little better and hopefully, as camp progresses, that’s going to happen.”

Not only is Eriksson a different style of player than Iginla or Horton, he’s left-handed. Much of Krejci’s success has been with a natural right winger, from Michael Ryder to Horton to Iginla.

“It’s going to take some adjustment because he’s a lefty, just on entering the zone,” Krejci said before last night’s game. “He’s going to be entering the zone on his backhand, so it’s going to be tough for him to look over his shoulder. For a righty, it’s a natural. You’re looking that way. But he’s smart enough. He’s played on that side before. He’s just got to get used to it again. We just all have to get on the same level. And he’s a smart player. Hopefully will it click well.”

Eriksson has not had much success playing on the right side of a right-handed center like Krejci. He started last season on Patrice Bergeron’s right but never clicked on that unit with Brad Marchand before getting injured.

After he returned from his second concussion, Eriksson found a home on a line with left-shooting center Carl Soderberg. For now, he’s trying to make this work with Krejci.

“Sometimes it takes a little longer than we wish,” said Eriksson, who notched an assist on Brad Marchand’s goal last night. “Hopefully we can figure something out here and find that chemistry, make good plays out there. We just have to keep on working.”

As for Lucic, Julien said it shouldn’t take him long to get his game back.

“It was a wrist issue. It doesn’t stop you from working out, as far as running, cardio, a lot of different things you can do, working on your core. A wrist doesn’t stop that,” Julien said.

“The only excuse he would have is that maybe his hands aren’t there yet. That was pretty apparent. The rest? There’s no excuse to me. He came into camp in real good shape, and his hand has not been an issue more than it’s getting his comfort of the wrist back to where he’d like to see it. The only way he can do that is working on it in practice and doing a little extra with his hands. To me, he’s no different than most of the guys. (Dennis) Seidenberg, (Chris) Kelly, they were out way before that. They didn’t finish the season. You’d expect a little bit of rust in their game. But there is some rust in Looch’s game, and a lot of it is in his hands.”



Bruins Notebook: Matt Bartkowski makes case during loss

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Steve Conroy

It is not clear where defenseman Matt Bartkowski fits in the Bruins’ plans just yet. They have nine NHL-ready defensemen, and it’s almost a guarantee one or two will be dealt to help give the team salary-cap space.

But Bartkowski gave the many NHL scouts who were in the pressbox something to put in their reports during the B’s 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders last night at the Garden. With his team trailing 3-1 in the third period and down a man, Bartkowski showed off his skating ability, taking a feed from Patrice Bergeron and gaining the zone. Once in shooting position near the left circle, he beat Islanders goalie Kevin Poulin with a pretty wrist shot just under the crossbar.

“It’s always nice to score, especially when you do it as little as I do,” Bartkowski said. “It was good, a good feeling. I just wish we could’ve got a win. That’s the ultimate goal.”

While the competition for the sixth and seventh blue line spots is ongoing, Bartkowski is trying to focus on himself.

“It’s just as uncertain (as any other season),” said Bartkowski, who carries a cap hit of $1.25  million. “Who really knows? But that’s something that we can only control with our play, so I don’t really intend to worry about it.”

The B’s fought back from a two-goal deficit in the third period only to see the Islanders score the game-winner with 3:09 left in the third. Scott Mayfield added an empty-netter to seal it. Brad Marchand and Bergeron each had a goal and an assist while goalie Jeremy Smith had a rough night in relief of Niklas Svedberg. He allowed three goals on 18 shots and probably wanted back Cal Clutterbuck’s winner, a wrist shot from the top of the left circle.

The scrappy Bobby Robins made his presence felt with seven hits but also took a third-period roughing penalty off a faceoff.

Getting in shape

Torey Krug and Reilly Smith might have missed the first portion of training camp, but they didn’t escape double sessions yesterday. Both players, who worked out together while getting their contracts hammered out, said their wind was OK, but their timing was not up to speed.

“(Monday), the first half of the skate I felt not a step behind physically, but more my timing,” Krug said. “Physically, I felt pretty good. It was the passes and receiving passes from NHL players that was definitely way different.” .  .  .

Not only did the B’s lose Jarome Iginla from their power-play mix, also gone is former assistant coach Geoff Ward, who ran the unit with head coach Claude Julien. Julien handed the job this year to Doug Jarvis and new assistant Joe Sacco.

It also looks like Marchand might get a shot on the power play this year.

“You see a guy who scores 25 goals and he doesn’t get power-play time,” Krug said. “You wonder what he could do with power-play time. I’m excited. Hopefully he gets the chance.”

No more fakers

Julien, long an outspoken critic of players diving to get penalties, applauded the league’s new efforts to crack down on the fakers which include escalating fines for offenders and their coaches. Players will get one warning from the league before the fines kick in. Coaches start getting fined after a third offense.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction no doubt,” Julien said. “It’s not easy for referees to call diving, with those examples of players that looked like they were diving yet they stayed down and they were seriously hurt and it looked like a dive. It’s a tough call for referees to make, and we understand that. I think the best results from that is going to be in the war room they’ll be able to review those things. You saw in the playoffs last year, for example, when you look at (Montreal’s Tomas) Plekanec where he didn’t really get hit but he grabbed his face, you know the first one, they got him the second one.

“It’s a situation where they’re able to review it properly. Not only is there fines and warnings and everything else, but also the players themselves have agreed to let the media and the public know who those guys are.

“So basically it tells me that 90 percent of players at least don’t want that in the game, so they’re trying to police it themselves. It’s not always easy for coaches. You can tell a guy don’t dive, but even on our team, we’ve seen a few of them and I don’t stand for that.”



Krejci, Lucic and Eriksson 'just okay' vs. Isles

Joe Haggerty

October 1, 2014, 2:00 am

BOSTON – The Bruins have talked about putting Loui Eriksson together with David Krejci and Milan Lucic on their top line since the summer, and it’s clear they’d like to see the Swedish right wing step into that key spot. Eriksson might not be the goal-scorer that Jarome Iginla was last season in leading the team with 30 goals, but at least he has scored 30 goals in a season multiple times for the Dallas Stars.

Eriksson has also played in world competition on a line with the Sedin Twins, and put up his big numbers with Jamie Benn and Brad Richards down in Dallas. So adding his versatile set of stills to an established duo of Krejci and Lucic should theoretically work on paper, but it didn’t get off to a great start in their preseason debut.

“I don’t think that line as a whole had a great game,” said Claude Julien. “They were just okay. I don’t think they were a dominant line tonight. It’s probably too hard to assess as far as will that line work or not. Definitely we need to see them play a little bit better. Hopefully as camp progresses, that’s going to happen.”

They made their preseason debut together on Tuesday night against the Islanders at TD Garden, and it wasn’t exactly a rousing success. Milan Lucic is still working his left wrist back up to 100 percent, David Krejci is still ramping things up to regular season intensity and Eriksson at least made one nice play when he fed Brad Marchand for his goal right out of the penalty box.

The lone assist for the line was more of a special teams accomplishment after Eriksson helped bust up the Isles power play, and underscored an underachieving evening of five-on-five play for the trio. Krejci, Lucic and Eriksson combined for five shots on net in the game, but three of those were from the Swedish newcomer as he attempts to fit in with the other two skill forwards.

“Hopefully we can get something together quickly. It’s kind of a tough game too with penalties especially in the second there. It was tough to get a good feeling out of it,” said Eriksson. “Definitely we need some more games here maybe, and get the connection going. Just work hard. We have a little bit of time to improve and get better and definitely we can work on some more stuff the next game.”

Eriksson is coming off a season where he amassed 10 goals and 37 points in 61 games while dealing with a pair of big concussions, and has shown in prior years that he’s a much better player in all three zones. Now it’s a matter of the team getting the maximum out of Eriksson skating with two talented players, and being willing to get flexible with prospects and/or other options if the Swede ends up being a better option for the B's on the third line. .

One reason for optimism: Lucic and Krejci have built all kinds of impressive chemistry together over the last few years, and have seemed to always have the other linemate raring to go. Eriksson will need to shake off some of his passive tendencies and really dial into being a Bruins player with skill, and of course support the other players with gritty play in all three zones.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.01.2014


Robins pushing for roster spot with intense play

Joe Haggerty

October 31, 2014, 12:00 am

BOSTON – He didn’t factor into the scoring when it was all said and done on Tuesday night, but AHL enforcer Bobby Robins undoubtedly put his imprint on the preseason game between the Bruins and Islanders. The B’s ultimately lost by a 5-3 score to drop their preseason record to 2-2-1 in training camp, but Robins had a second strong effort for the Black and Gold.

He crunched Thomas Hickey with a punishing hit against the side boards on his very first shift of the game, and finished with a game-high seven registered hits while causing the Islanders players to start looking over their shoulders. There’s no doubt Robins’ play was eliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from an appreciative home crowd, and that he enjoyed his first real game played on the TD Garden ice.

It’s the kind of intensity that the 32-year-old has been bringing to the table throughout his pro hockey career, and it’s why he’s now knocking at the NHL door in Boston.

“That’s pretty much it. It’s no secret, the game I play. It’s a hard-nosed game,” said Robins. “I’m being physical, getting in on the forecheck, just trying to open up space for my linemates and teammates. And I’ve been doing that down in Providence. That’s the way the organization likes me playing, and nothing was going to change when I came up here.”

Robins played with Chris Kelly and Jordan Caron on Tuesday night, and looked nearly as comfortable as he did in his first appearance vs. the Caps when he assisted on a Matthew Lindblad goal, and pounded Liam O’Brien to the ice after he took a long run at Ben Sexton.

The Bruins have some hard hitters in camp, and some guys that can certainly handle themselves with the gloves off. But Robins brings a unique skill set, energy and intensity that would be otherwise missing after Shawn Thornton left for the Florida Panthers via free agency.

“I think dropping the gloves is something he does, that he’s known for,” said Claude Julien. “I think the fact that he defends his teammates all the time and that he’s a good team player, then you add his work ethic and his commitment to playing hard every shift he’s out there…those are certainly things that gives him an opportunity to be looked at closely and are going to make our decisions tough.

“I see a better player [in Robins, as compared to last year]. I think he’s certainly making a case for himself. When you see what he brings and how hard he works and the energy that he gives our team, and everything else that we know about him, I’m certainly not ready to write him off yet.”

The one black mark on the evening was a roughing call on Cory Conacher immediately following a face off, but the penalty itself was aided by a bit of head-snapping from the Islanders forward. Still Robins has to know there’s a time and place for it, and both keeping things simple and avoiding penalties will be two giant keys if he’s going to make the NHL club.

Then the former UMass-Lowell hockey standout will be described as an NHL enforcer rather than the AHL enforcer kicking butt and taking names for the Providence Bruins over the last couple of seasons.



Talking Points: Islanders 5, Bruins 3

Joe Haggerty

September 30, 2014, 11:45 pm

The Bruins dropped a 5-3 decision to the New York Islanders at TD Garden on Tuesday night when Cal Clutterbuck snapped home an unassisted goal past Jeremy Smith with little more than three minutes to go in the third period.

GOLD STAR: Patrice Bergeron has been one of the unquestioned stars of training camp for the Bruins, and he was on his game once again on Tuesday night against the Islanders. He scored the team’s first goal after shaking free of John Tavares on a wraparound chance he finally scored on with a fine second effort, and won 19-of-23 face offs on the night. He also led the Bruins with five shots on net and nine shots attempted in his 17:07 of ice time. The only demerit on his record for the evening was a tripping call that led to New York’s first goal of the game, but nobody is perfect right?

BLACK EYE: The Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Loui Eriksson era did not get off to a very promising start with a lackluster evening for all three players. Eriksson picked up an assist on Brad Marchand’s goal immediately after helping kill off a penalty as the B’s agitator was speeding out of the box, but Krejci and Lucic looked to be passengers for the evening. Lucic still appears hesitant to engage in puck battles or really create high impact collisions coming back from wrist surgery, and that severely limits him as a hockey player shying away from his strengths. Claude Julien said they “didn’t have a very good night” and I’d agree.

TURNING POINT: Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Dougie Hamilton were probably the three best players on the ice for the Bruins, but Marchand was part of the game’s undoing late in the third period. He floated a puck up the middle of the ice as he was crossing the defensive blue line, and it was picked off by Cal Clutterbuck before he sizzled a shot past Jeremy Smith for the Isles’ game-winning goal. That goal arrived with slightly more than three minutes to go in the game, and that was the final nail in Boston’s coffin.

HONORABLE MENTION: He took a roughing penalty when he clocked Cory Conacher off a third period face off – and was aided by Conacher snapping his head back – but otherwise Bobby Robins made a strong impression in his debut at TD Garden. The P-Bruins enforcer rattled the boards with a game-high seven hits in his 9:24 of ice time, and brought energy in a role that nobody else would seem willing or able to fill among the remaining camp roster. He kept things simple otherwise with a couple of shot attempts, but that’s exactly what the Bruins will be looking for if they keep a physical, energy guy like Robins.

BY THE NUMBERS: 0 – the number of goals in 84 career regular season games for Matt Bartkowski, who now has a playoff goal and an exhibition season goal after scoring shorthanded in Tuesday’s loss to the Islanders.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I think we have to be honest here, there are some spots open. Some guys are taking advantage of it and really making a case for themselves, and some others haven’t.” –Claude Julien on where things stand with only two more preseason games set for this weekend.



Bruins fall 5-3 to Islanders after late goal

Joe Haggerty

September 30, 2014, 9:45 pm

BOSTON – With another game in the books the Bruins now stand just two games and little more than a week away from the NHL regular season. They dropped a 5-3 decision to the New York Islanders at TD Garden on Tuesday night when Cal Clutterbuck snapped home an unassisted goal past Jeremy Smith with little more than three minutes to go in the third period.

The Clutterbuck winner came after he picked off an errant Brad Marchand pass in the neutral zone, and ended solid multi-point nights for Marchand and partner-in-crime Patrice Bergeron.

The Bruins enjoyed a bang-bang rush of two goals in 43 seconds at the start of the third period that got them back into the game. Matt Bartkowski scored on a sniped shot under the bar while the B’s were killing off a Brad Marchand penalty, and then Marchand scored his own out of the box after Loui Eriksson found him after some expert penalty killing work.

The Bruins opened up the scoring in the first period while dominating possession offensively through most of the first two periods. Bergeron and his line controlled an offensive zone face off, and Bergeron simply carried John Tavares on his back as he wheeled around for a wraparound attempt. Instead his shot went off the skate of Matt Donovan and right back to him, and No. 37 popped it past Kevin Poulin for the early score.

The Islanders fought back with three unanswered goals in the second period. A T.J. Brennan point blast on the power play tied things up, Kyle Okposo scored the go-ahead goal on a nice curling move from left to right through the slot and Cory Conacher added some insurance with a blast from the high slot off a slick transition play from Tavares.

The Isles cinched it with an empty net goal from Scott Mayfield.



Haggerty's thoughts from Bruins vs. Islanders


Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – Here are five thoughts from the second period with the Bruins trailing the New York Islanders by a 3-1 score after 40 minutes of their fifth exhibition game of the preseason set at TD Garden.

1) Sloppy defensive effort from the Bruins in the second period after dominating the first 25-30 minutes of the game. The Isles first goal was a power play score, but the second and third goals were passive, lax defense that allowed the Islanders to attack Boston in the heart of their defense. Dougie Hamilton waved at Kyle Okposo as he powered past him for a nifty goal moving left to right through the slot, and then John Tavares put the B’s entire defense into scramble mode before feeding Cory Conacher for a strike from the high slot.

2) A minus-2 in 13:01 for Dennis Seidenberg, who has not had a great training camp as he looks to return from his right knee surgery.

3) Milan Lucic is another Bruins player that looks tentative throwing the body and winning puck battles right now. He seems to just be coasting out there and waiting for the regular season without doing anything potentially damaging to the left wrist.

4) Good to see the tempers flare a little bit. Cal Clutterbuck lined up Patrice Bergeron at center ice with a hit, and then tried to trip Bergeron once he’d tumbled down to the ice. That drew the attention of Zdeno Chara, who took a few punches at Clutterbuck and took the extra two minutes in the penalty box.

5) Dougie Hamilton and Patrice Bergeron have both generated seven shot attempts through the first two periods, and that’s a good indication of their involvement at the offensive end. It does look like the entire group of B’s players need to do some more practice work on the power play, though, because it’s a little rough around the edges right now missing contributors from last year like Torey Krug and Reilly Smith. Johnny Boychuk and Simon Gagne filling in for those two in tonight’s game.

FIRST PERIOD

Here are five thoughts from the first period with the Bruins leading the New York Islanders by a 1-0 score after 20 minutes of their fifth exhibition game of the preseason set at TD Garden.

1) Vintage Patrice Bergeron on the goal. He controlled the face off and beat John Tavares in 1-on-1 battle behind the net before wheeling around the other side and rifling home a goal after his first shot bounced off the skate of Matt Donovan. Bergeron definitely got the better of No. 91 on that play. Brad Marchand picked up the helper on the score, and both of those players have appeared to be in midseason form throughout the entire preseason. The real games can’t start soon enough for them.

2) Four registered hits in 4:17 for Bobby Robins as the fourth line thumper. He rocked Thomas Hickey against the side boards in his very first shift, and has been making strong, simple, hard plays every chance that gets on the ice. He’s really making a statement that he wants onto this team, and he brings an element they could definitely use.

3) Young Ryan Strome and Zdeno Chara getting into it behind the play as both of them were slashing at each other as they slowly exited the B’s zone. The skirmish ended with Chara knocking the stick out of Strome’s hands with one final mighty slash. The lesson there: don’t mess with Zee.

4) Pretty good first period for Niklas Svedberg, who stopped a couple of initial shots but looks like he’s going to have to work on his rebound control at the NHL level. He left a puck on the doorstep that Josh Bailey couldn’t handle, but a better offensive player might have scored there.

5) Isles leading by a 23-10 margin hits over the first 20 minutes. Robins brought some intensity for the Bruins, but it appears the rest of the team is lagging behind just a little bit.



Cunningham getting a top six forward look vs. Isles


Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – The Bruins have tinkered with their forward lines to get a better look at some players in different roles in Game No. 5 of the preseason, but still have plenty of familiar parts included against the New York Islanders. Interestingly, Simon Gagne is riding on the B’s third line at the left wing spot with Carl Soderberg and Matt Fraser, and late invite to camp Craig Cunningham is getting a shot playing on the right wing with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.

“We’re trying to get players that have an opportunity – a chance – to showcase themselves in the right situations,” said Claude Julien. “If they’re people that up good points then you should put them up with top line players, and that way you get a better evaluation of the player.”

Niklas Svedberg and Kevin Poulin are the respective starting goaltenders for the Bruins and the Isles, and here are the rest of the forward combos and D-pairings for the Black and Gold on Tuesday night:

Lucic-Krejci-Eriksson

Marchand-Bergeron-Cunningham

Gagne-Soderberg-Fraser

Robins-Kelly-Caron

Chara-Hamilton

Seidenberg-Boychuk

Bartkowski-McQuaid

Svedberg



Lucic back in Bruins' lineup vs. Islanders tonight


Joe Haggerty

BOSTON -- Milan Lucic is set to appear in his second game of the preseason Tuesday night against the Islanders as he continues his return from offseason left wrist surgery.

He made his 2014-15 debut last weekend against the Detroit Red Wings, and should be back skating with normal center David Krejci and new linemate Loui Eriksson in his first game at TD Garden since last spring’s bitter ending against Montreal. He was a bit behind his normal training camp readiness due to wrist rehab, which prevented him from doing any upper body work during the offseason.

Some of that may impact Lucic’s ability to play the power and strength game he’s always relied upon in his career, but his coach doesn’t think it should have any effect on his skating legs.

“It was a wrist issue,” said Claude Julien. “It doesn’t stop you from working out as far as running, cardio and a lot of different things you can do. You talk about working on your core part of your body. That doesn’t stop . . . a wrist doesn’t stop that. The only excuse you would have is maybe his hands maybe aren’t there yet, and I think that was pretty apparent. But the rest there’s no excuse to me. I think he came into camp in real good shape, and his hand has not been an issue more than it’s trying to get the comfort of his wrist back to where he’d like to see it.

“The only way you can do that is working on it in practice, and doing a little extra with his hands. To me, he’s no different than most of the guys. [Dennis] Seidenberg, [Chris] Kelly, they were [sidelined by injuries] way before that. They didn’t finish the season. You would expect a little bit of rust in their game. There is some rust in Looch’s game, and a lot of it is from his hands.”

It might also be in the physical part of his game as a fearsome power forward skating on the left wing, but that remains to be seen as he continues to fine tune up into the regular season.



Julien welcomes NHL's new attempt to curb embellishment


Joe Haggerty

BOSTON -- Claude Julien has consistently been a coach who frowns on diving and embellishing, and preaches to his players to “stay up on their skates” rather than flopping all over the ice. Opposing fan bases have rolled their eyes at Julien’s earnest talk about a Bruins team that “tries to play the right way”, but the stats back him up in that notion.

Sure, there are individual players like Brad Marchand even Zdeno Chara who occasionally embellish things while looking for a call. But there is a reason a team like the Canadiens are up toward the top of power play opportunities each and every season, and the Bruins have perennially ranked toward the bottom of power-play opportunities in the last eight years under Julien.

If the Bruins are divers and floppers then they’re not very good at it, because they’re not getting the penalty calls going their way.

All of that is the backdrop for Julien getting asked on Tuesday morning about the new NHL enforcement policy for the divers and embellishers. NHL officials will view videotapes after games, and subject escalating warnings and fines to players found to habitually embellish plays for calls. The perfect example of this would be the phantom high sticks that caused Montreal's Tomas Plekanec to whip his head back in the Eastern Conference Final against the Rangers, and eventually put an embarrassing black mark on the player and the Original Six franchise.

Eventually the players warned and fined for diving will have their identities released to the media and general public, and the player’s coach will be fined after the fourth infraction in a season. Julien thinks all of those controls are forward progress in cleaning up the league’s diving problem.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction," he said. "There are a couple of things from that. As you know, it’s not easy for referees to call diving, and there were examples that looked like they were diving, but they were seriously hurt. That makes it a tough call for the referees. The best result from that is that in the [NHL] War Room they’ll be able to review all of those things. You saw in the playoffs last year with the Plekanec situation where he didn’t get hit, and then grabbed his face. They missed it the first time, but they got him the second time.

“It’s a situation where they can review the play properly. Not only are there fines and warnings, but also the players themselves have agreed to let the media and the public know who those guys are. So basically it tells me that 90 percent of players, at least, don’t want that in the game, so they’re trying to police it themselves.

"It’s not always easy for coaches. You can tell a guy ‘don’t dive’, but even on our team we’ve seen a few of them. I don’t stand for that, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. You have to understand that we're trying to get it out of the game, and you’ve got to do it the right way.”

Time will tell if the rules need harsher tweaks to really have effectiveness, but it will be interesting to see how things play out with the new embellishment policing entering this season.



Julien ready for more positional battles vs. Isles

Joe Haggerty

September 30, 2014, 12:45 pm

The Bruins are "getting close" to putting together their lines and starting to get prepped for the regular season, but players are still battling for spots on the NHL roster with three preseason games remaining before the real thing.

"With three games left we're looking at (line chemistry) and player evaluations right now," said Claude Julien. "There are a lot of battles along those bottom lines that are still going on."

David Pastrnak, Ryan Spooner, Daniel Paille, Torey Krug, Justin Florek, Kevan Miller, David Warsofsky, Alex Khokhlachev, Reilly Smith, Malcolm Subban and Tuukka Rask were all on the ice for the second session, and aren't expected to play on Tuesday night against the New York Islanders at TD Garden.

Jeremy Smith and Niklas Svedberg were the two goalies off the ice in the first session, and technically Smith was the first goalie off the ice normally indicating the starting goaltender. We'll see what happens tonight at 630 pm.

That leaves a large group of players expected to take the ice tonight vs. the Isles, so here's a guess as to the lines we might see:

Lucic-Krejci-Eriksson

Marchand-Bergeron-Gagne

Kelly-Soderberg-Fraser

Robins-Cunningham-Caron

Chara-Hamilton

Seidenberg-Boychuk

Bartkowski-McQuaid

Svedberg

Smith

The new-look fourth line for the Bruins will be getting another look with Robins, Cunningham and Caron all putting together excellent, gritty camps for the Black and Gold.



Chiarelli holds off B's day of financial reckoning

September 30, 2014, 9:30 am

Joe Haggerty

BOSTON -- Peter Chiarelli admitted as he chatted with the media Monday afternoon that this has been more of “a tiring preseason” than he’d like. That shouldn’t really come as much of a surprise, though.

A portion of his normal summer work spilled over into training camp, which he finally completed Monday when the Bruins signed restricted free agents Torey Krug and Reilly Smith to matching one-year, $1.4 million contracts. The deals define the term “team friendly”, doubly so in the case of Krug, who last year led all rookie defensemen with 40 points.

Fellow RFA defense peers Danny DeKeyser, Ryan Ellis and Justin Schultz all signed far richer deals than Krug's this offseason, and it's understood that one-year bridge agreements are a precursor to much bigger contracts. That's especially true since the Bruins exploited the fact that Krug and Smith had no negotiating leverage this year due to their limited service time. Next year, they'll have more of a hammer and will probably be willing to use it.

It’s a problem many NHL teams, most notably Columbus with Ryan Johansen, are having in dealing with restricted free agents coming out of entry-level deals.

This year, though, that hammer was in the B's hands.

“I think the Jaden Schwartz signing [in St. Louis] helped push things along," Chiarelli said of negotiations with Krug and Smith, "and, of course, the timing with only a week left of camp helped push it too. They’re both conscientious young men that want to play, and want to pursue their careers and wanted to be part of the Bruins, too. That helped at some point."

Chiarelli understands how Krug and Smith must be looking at the process, and he hopes they understand the team's position, as well.

“These are tough contracts when you look at it from a contractual rights perspective," he said. "They are hard deals because they don’t have arbitration rights, or any rights. It’s the chicken and egg. Which comes first? We do have challenges cap-wise and [Krug/Smith] had their contracts expired. I explained to them throughout the process that they are players we’d like to keep. They are good performers for us and they’re young, and young legs are good in this business. I think they understand what we’re trying to do here, and that the ultimate goal is to keep a good core and to win. You want to be fair, but you also want to look at the rights you have as a team. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t do that.”

The singings finalized the projected Bruins roster for the upcoming season and gave Chiarelli a tick over $400,000 in cap space once Marc Savard is placed on long-term injured reserve. The GM would like a little more financial wiggle more room, so you can count on the B's dealing one of their defensemen -- probably Matt Bartkowski or Adam McQuaid, since the Krug's and Smith's team-friendly deals make it easier to keep the higher-paid Johnny Boychuk -- some time soon.

“I know the capologists out there like to speculate,” said Chiarelli. “[Trading salary] would be prudent. That would be the most prudent [move], but I’m not going to force anything. Our players are good players. They have had success, and I’d hate to move any of them.

“There is still some housekeeping to do from a numbers perspective, but it’s good. This is a business and you’ve got to put a roster in place, and you’ve got to put a winning roster in place. That will always remain a challenge.”

There’s also a surplus of centers right now with Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Carl Soderberg penciled in as the top three pivots, and Chris Kelly, Gregory Campbell, Alex Khokhlachev and Ryan Spooner all potential candidates for what appears to be an open fourth-line position. Granted, Campbell hasn’t even skated yet in camp and is “questionable” for the start of the regular season, but the fact remains that the Bruins also have some extra forwards at a time when players like Jordan Staal and Derek Stepan are dropping with injuries. .

Whether by trades or other means, the Bruins will take care of those short-term issues while keeping the core of the team together. The question

now for Chiarelli is how much they have left for another Cup run this season, and how easily they can keep it together for next year and beyond.

Counting players like Spooner, Matt Fraser and David Warsofsky, the Bruins will have as many as 15 players ready to hit free agency after this season: nine restricted free agents, including Krug and Smith again, and six unrestricted free agents, including Boychuk, Campbell, Daniel Paille, Soderberg, McQuaid and Bartkowski.

That’s a problem for a team that’s already committed nearly $54 million to 11 players on next year’s roster, and Chiarelli will look to be proactive at signing a couple of those players in the middle of this season. But they can't bring them all back, and some of departures won't be easy to take.

One thing is for certain: possibly Smith and definitely Krug will be banking on much more term and much bigger money at this time next year after taking their lumps in negotiations.

“Both sides assume some risk and both sides benefit," said Chiarelli. "They walk right into arbitration (after this season), and that’s certainty of a deal. They both put up good numbers, so they have good cases. It helps us from a planning perspective this year, but we risk a higher number next year. I’m okay with that, but both sides are assuming some risk here.”

But there’s also a benefit to that situation amid the uncertainty. There will be a great deal of motivation for players to have great seasons in the walk years of their contracts, and that could bode well for individual performances on this year’s Bruins team.

That’s what the B’s brass is hoping for, anyway.

“So there’s a cycle of players you want to keep going," said Chiarelli. "It used to be in my mind 10 years ago that every year a third of the players come up. In my mind with that number you could find a happy medium where you generate enough competition, and you can generate enough security. If you could keep that general rule of thumb then you could keep a good mix, per se, in your roster-making. I don’t think that really applies anymore, but that’s how I was weaned on this business.

“I don’t mind having guys [with contracts] up. I know prices go up when performances go up, but it gives you a little more latitude. You end up paying a little more, but I’m okay with a little more certainty. But having said that, I’ve extended guys during the season, and we’ll look for opportunities to do that. It’s just a matter of striking a balance there.”

So Chiarelli and the Bruins wisely used the unique contract status of Krug and Smith to stave off the hard decisions for a little while. But it’s only a temporary reprieve. The price of chasing Cup success continues to go up for Chiarelli and the Bruins, and they have to hope that going “all in” with a maxed out cap again this season will have a better ending than last year.


736835 Buffalo Sabres

Reinhart’s roster spot not a given at this point

By Mike Harrington | News Sports Reporter | @BNHarrington | Google+

on September 30, 2014 - 11:28 PM

When it comes to Sam Reinhart, there are the pros and the cons.

There are the nuances with the puck and away from it that provide glimpses of the wondrous talent befitting a No. 2 overall pick in the NHL draft. There’s the work ethic that pushes the 18-year-old to stay on the ice working on skills well after practice is over. There’s the fact the third periods of exhibition games have been his best, that he’s been able to adapt as the night moves on.

There is the bright future. And there are also the middling numbers of the present. One assist in four games of the Traverse City Prospects Tournament. No points in three NHL exhibition games.

At some point, the cold reality is that the Sabres’ top choice has to crack the scoresheet if he wants to stay in the NHL this season.

“It’s getting a little frustrating,” Reinhart admitted after practice Tuesday in First Niagara Center. “I think the biggest thing is I’m getting chances, trying to create. I’m just going to stick with it and focus on the bigger picture. But obviously that’s part of my game and I think that’s going to have to come.”

Reinhart gets his penultimate chance to make an impression tonight when the Sabres play their preseason home finale against the Washington Capitals (7 p.m, MSG, Radio 550 AM). He is also scheduled to play Friday night in Carolina and then it could be decision time for the Buffalo brass.

It’s starting to look like Mikhail Grigorenko’s outstanding camp could land him in Buffalo rather than his presumed starting point of Rochester. And if Grigorenko starts in the NHL, Reinhart is a good bet to return to junior hockey at some point soon.

The Sabres can play Reinhart for nine regular-season games before kicking in the first year of his entry-level contract, and might want to give him a look in at least a few of those.

And although junior hockey may not be the best option for him this season, Reinhart would also benefit by playing a key role for Team Canada in the World Juniors that will be held during the holidays in Toronto and Montreal. TSN, in fact, has labeled Reinhart as a potential captain for Canada in the event the Sabres eventually send him back.

“No question it would be disappointing,” Reinhart said of a return to the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League. “But I’m aware if that does happen, I’m going to do everything I can to take that as a positive and go dominate junior one more year.”

“Sam is like any other player except he has the tag of being that first-round pick,’ said coach Ted Nolan. “As with everybody else, you’ve got to do it. You can’t just hope you’re gonna do it. You’ve got to do it. And that’s not putting pressure on him. We say the same thing to all the guys coming in.”

Reinhart is averaging 16 minutes, 15 seconds of ice time in the three preseason games in which he’s appeared. And while he’s made very few mistakes with the puck, especially in the defensive zone, he’s not created a whole lot offensively, with just three shot attempts and two on goal in the three games.

“As a younger player switching to this league, back in junior you can do a lot more with the puck,” Reinhart said. “Or at least you feel you can do a lot more. At the end of the day, you have to realize that you’re playing with smarter and better players and they’re going to create room for you. It’s not that the room is not there.”

An encouraging sign for Reinhart? His third periods have clearly seen him more engaged in the play.

“The biggest thing is getting used to the pace,” he said. “I know sooner rather than later I’m going to have to be ready at the start and adapt.”

Reinhart has impressed his teammates and coaches with his willingness to stay long after the final whistle has blown for workouts, whether it’s to work

on puck skills, faceoffs or to simply give the goalies extra reps. But that alone isn’t enough, even for an 18-year-old.

“Sam has the benefit of his age,” Nolan said. “You give him a little bit of time to adjust. Now he’s had some time and now he’s got to start doing things that he’s really good at. Thinking the game, dishing off the puck, moving around, being a little bit more involved. As the games get going, you want him to get going with the games.”

...

The Sabres enter today with 30 players on their roster: 17 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goalies (Jhonas Enroth, Michal Neuvirth and injured Matt Hackett).

Among seven players sent to Rochester on Tuesday were goaltenders Nathan Lieuwen and Andrey Makarov, who each played a full game in the preseason. Also sent down were forwards Joel Armia, Matt Ellis and Tim Schaller and defensemen Drew Bagnall and Nick Petrecki. Ellis and Bagnall have to clear waivers.

The Capitals’ preliminary travel roster for tonight does not include Alexander Ovechkin or Nicklas Backstrom. Standout defenseman Mike Green is also out with an upper-body injury.

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.01.2014


Sabres notebook: Kaleta’s injury will cost him a month or more

By Mike Harrington | News Sports Reporter | @BNHarrington | Google+

on September 30, 2014 - 11:28 PM

Another injury has derailed the comeback of Buffalo Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta.

Kaleta, who has not played since suffering a serious knee injury last November while with the Rochester Amerks, was clearly going to make the Buffalo roster until he was struck in the face by a Morgan Rielly slapshot Sunday night in Toronto.

Without divulging too many details, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said Tuesday Kaleta is going to be out for at least a month and will thus miss the start of the regular season. The team had been fearing the Angola native suffered a broken jaw but that is apparently not the case.

“Kaleta is not as serious as we thought but it’s still serious,” Nolan said. “Instead of maybe being a three-month thing, it could be down to less than a month so we’re very thankful for that.”

Center Johan Larsson, who took an elbow to the face from Leafs defenseman Petter Granberg, is going to be out about 10 days. He’s believed to have concussion issues. Larsson was likely headed for Rochester.

Nolan said he felt particularly bad for Kaleta, who had been skating strong in camp.

“His effort, his commitment and what he did in the offseason to get back to where he is right now is enough for me to see how much character this young man has and how much he really wants to be a Buffalo Sabre,” Nolan said. “It’s tough on him I imagine, but rest assured to him he made a really good impression on us and we’re looking forward to him healing quick and getting back on the ice.”

...

The Sabres continue to tinker with their forward lines and Brian Gionta moved to the wing with Tyler Ennis and Matt Moulson in Tuesday’s two-hour practice that combined the players into one group for a double session.

“With those two guys, it’s great for me,” Gionta said. “Tyler is extremely skilled. Crafty. A playmaker. Sees the ice extremely well. And Moulson is a veteran guy that can slow the pace down, find the openings and find goals. It was fun today for sure.

“It’s a good thing to have all those options. I think they’re trying to feel them out right now, but I know that regardless of how it starts, it often doesn’t end up that way.”

Nolan said he has moved Gionta around a lot in camp to spread the veteran’s leadership through the team but now wants to start locking down some more solid lines.

“It’s getting later in camp now so we’ve got to worry about Brian and help him out,” Nolan said. “Putting him with Ennis, we have a legitimate center ice man feeding him the puck and that will be good for him.”

Drew Stafford moved off Ennis’ wing and joined Cody Hodgson and Mikhail Grigorenko. Sam Reinhart centered Marcus Foligno and Chris Stewart while Zemgus Girgensons was between Nicolas Deslauriers and Torrey Mitchell.

Lines 5-6 had Matt Ellis centering Joel Armia and Tim Schaller, and Cody McCormick between Brian Flynn and Zac Dalpe.

Nolan said the Sabres are still working through their roster and could have some players sent to junior or Rochester today. He also said the team has not yet decided if Jhonas Enroth or former Washington goalie Michal Neuvirth will start in goal in tonight’s exhibition game against the Capitals in First Niagara Center.

...

Three veterans who spent all of last season with the Sabres have been released from their tryout contracts in the last two days.

Toronto has dropped Henrik Tallinder, Boston released Ville Leino and Arizona said thanks-but-no-thanks to Jamie McBain. Tallinder’s tryout essentially ended here Friday night when he suffered a dislocated shoulder in a collision with Mike Weber.



Sabres compete for jobs

By Amy Moritz | News Sports Reporter | @amymoritz | Google+

on September 30, 2014 - 8:34 AM

It would have been easy to pack up after practice. It was a pretty uptempo 90-minute session that came on the heels of a late arrival in Buffalo from Sunday night’s game in Toronto.

But the easy way doesn’t make an impression or turn heads. Not at training camp. Not when there is real competition for roster spots and young players showing they’re hungry to make the NHL team.

“The one thing we addressed the first day of training camp is we have to work,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said after Monday’s practice. “We have to compete. We have to battle on a daily basis. We have to have some structure and discipline. To a man, they’re almost taking it to heart. They’re competing. They’re competing for jobs and they’re competing for ice time. When you have that going on, you’ve got a good environment.”

It’s an environment that the players enjoy. The competition not only forces them to raise the caliber of their games, but intrinsically makes earning a spot that much more meaningful.

“It’s what you expect coming into camp,” said forward Brian Flynn. “You’re not given anything. You have to earn it. But that’s the way you want it to be. You don’t want guys kind of playing poorly so you make the team. You want to go out there and get it.”

The 26-year-old Flynn is coming off his first full NHL season. In 79 games with the Sabres last year he had 13 points (six goals, seven assists) and played in a variety of roles including third and fourth lines and on the penalty kill.

He split the 2012-13 season with the Sabres and Rochester Americans after a four-year collegiate career at Maine.

Flynn said he came into camp a stronger skater and ready for another year of variable roles.

“I feel better on the puck and just gaining experience playing a whole season in the NHL,” Flynn said. “You’ve got to play smart and do a lot of little things that will add up and hopefully help me make the team.

“I expect to be bounced around a little bit between different lines and right wing, center, even left wing. I was prepared for that coming into training camp. I’ve played a few positions so far but I’m used to it so it’s not that big an adjustment for me anymore.”

After practice, Nolan said that no roster cuts would be made Monday but they would be coming over the next two days. The extra work of the young players has made for some difficult discussions about which guys to keep and which to send to Rochester.

“One thing we wanted to make sure we established was competition for jobs,” Nolan said. “Truth be told, that’s what’s happening. They’re making decisions tough on us and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”

It’s unclear if injuries may impact those roster decisions.

Patrick Kaleta and Johan Larsson both missed practice on Monday and were being evaluated by doctors after sustaining injuries in Sunday’s preseason game in Toronto.

Kaleta took a slapshot to the face while Larsson caught an elbow in the head.

“It looked bad” Nolan said. “Nothing official yet, so we’ll just wait until we get official reports.”

Mark Pysyk also missed practice. He is still sidelined with an upper body injury he suffered in last Tuesday’s game against Carolina.


736838 Calgary Flames

Bennett has ‘a little pain’ — but practising

September 30, 2014. 12:56 pm • Section: Flames Insider

Scott Cruickshank

C Sam Bennett practised today with the non-game group. So while the talented teen may be injured, it’s nothing serious.

“He has a little pain,” said Calgary Flames coach Bob Hartley. “We’re hoping to expect him (to play) in the next couple games. He’s (cleared for) full practice, but we just have to give him a few days.”

His groin again?

Hartley wouldn’t say.

=

C Mikael Backlund (abdomen) skated this morning before practice

“He’s doing good,” said Hartley. “He didn’t get any setbacks. We’re very encouraged.”

=

C Markus Granlund didn’t skate today.

Is he under the concussion protocol now?

“Yes,” Hartley said.

=

LW Sven Baertschi (sick) skated this morning and will play tonight against the Colorado Avalanche.

“Really good,” Baertschi said of his pre-season so far — three games, one goal, minus-two. “I’m in good shape. The best shape I’ve been in so far. In the end, if you’re in good shape, you feel better out there.”

Mentally, too, Baertschi is feeling better these days.

“I feel way more comfortable out there,” he said. “I feel like I’m not as nervous any more, so decision-making out there on the ice seems much easier now.

=

LW Michael Ferland scored both goals in the Flames’ 2-1 win Sunday in Colorado.

“Ferly has made quite an impact on everyone,” said Hartley. “He worked unbelievably hard this summer coming back from the knee surgery. He’s great. He’s fearless. He’s going to the net like a tank. He gave us two big goals, but the evaluation process keeps going.”

Said Ferland: “I feel real confident out there. I just want to, hopefully, keep it going tonight and just have fun. Obviously (with the start of the NHL season) being closer now, it’s starting to get a little more exciting. Hopefully, I’ll stick around.”

=

The Lines

* Glencross-Colborne-Hudler

* Gaudreau-Monahan-Baertschi

* Bouma-Arnold-Bollig

* Ferland-Reinhart-Jooris

=

The Pairings

* Giordano-Brodie

* Diaz-Wideman

* Kulak-Acolatse

=

The Goalies

* Jonas Hiller (starts, finishes)

* Karri Ramo (who gets the nod Thursday)

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 10.01.2014


Forgotten man Sven Baertschi making a bid for roster spot

By GEORGE JOHNSON, Calgary HeraldOctober 1, 2014 12:39 AM

Sven Baertschi was once the shiny new object in the Flames’ prospect cupboard, but he’s now the forgotten man behind the likes of Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau and Sam Bennett.

He’s no longer anybody’s idea of the bright young thing. A hot topic. Exhibit A for a breathtakingly blue horizon.

Been a while since Sven Baertschi was trending.

He’s been replaced at the front of that precocious-prodigy queue by the likes of Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau and Sam Bennett.

And that can be a good thing. A very good thing.

“I’ve still got that feeling in my stomach, from when I scored those goals and heard the people chanting my name,” Baertschi was saying Tuesday night, the post-game conversation drifting back to that three-goals-in-five-games debut that had this town abuzz three and a half years ago. “Since then, it doesn’t matter how bad things were going, when I got sent down or whatever, I’ve had the fans behind me.

“I’m grateful for that.

“I think back and it was amazing. It just . . . exploded. Newspapers and all that. I was overwhelmed. It was too much. I found myself on the way back to Portland like ‘What just happened?’ I didn’t even realize what happened.

“I never had feeling like that before.”

Or since.

And it’s a feeling he’d enjoy nothing more than to experience again.

Scratched Sunday at the Pepsi Centre in Denver due to illness, Baertschi had recovered sufficiently to draw in Tuesday to face Alex Tanguay, Maxime Talbot, Jan Hejda, Daniel Briere and a bunch of guys who must’ve raided the Colorado Avalanche fan shop at the Pepsi Centre of all its available jerseys.

Operating on a high-octane line alongside Sean Monahan and Jiri Hudler, Baertschi was given another opportunity to convince a coaching staff and a management team that certainly needs convincing.

One registered shot on goal, a few nice layoffs — one extra-heartbeat diagonal pass to a scandalously-open trailing Monahan really should’ve been buried behind old sidekick Reto Berra — in an aggregate of 15 minutes and 42 seconds of ice time.

“Up to the day I got sick,” he said, “things were going really well. I feel like I’m getting a lot of good chances here. I’m not taking anything for granted. There are a lot of really great players here and you have to earn your spot.

“I’m prepared to that.

“I was excited to go to Colorado but I felt awful on the plane. So I had to take two days. I’m a little low on the air but tonight I thought I made some nice plays and I’m feeling more and more comfortable out there.”

What Baertschi wants to shed is that Poster Boy for Unfulfilled Promise tag. Who on earth would be keen on being one of those Whatever-Happened-To? Trivia zingers that manage to stump even the most obsessed of Calgary Flames’ historians a decade down the line?

Last season was, quite simply, a disaster, like four months of passing a kidney stone painful. Baertschi returned from being banished to the rough-hewn hinterland of Abbotsford reportedly armed with a reconfigured, less comfortable attitude, a more chiselled chassis and a renewed hunger.

It’s doubtful Adirondack would be any more appetizing.

“I wouldn’t say I want to erase last year, but after what happened, this is a challenge for me. You learn from tough times. What’s important is that I have another chance. Here. Right now. I’m in it. And now I’ve gotta make the best of the situation.

“I feel I’m going in the right direction. I’m doing the right things out there. And I’m getting some really good feedback. So now I’ve got to take that as a positive and keep it going.

“Sometimes when things start to go bad it snowballs and you can’t find a way to stop it. It just gets worse.

“But it can to the same way in a positive way.”

Auditions are, naturally, limited. And this pre-season is coming to an end (and after Tuesday’s exercise in sleepwalking not a blessed moment too soon . . .).

There’s room on the left flank on this roster. Curtis Glencross has residency over there, of course. Gaudreau’s busy staking a claim. Michael Ferland’s had moments. Newcomers Brandon Bollig and Mason Raymond are in the thick of things, naturally.

Sven Baertschi is in the mix.

He casts a glance back on that wonderful five-game of three a half years ago — a time of such joy that turned into a millstone around his neck — with no sense of bitterness or irony.

“It was a great time for me. I wouldn’t change it, no.

“It kinda went downhill for a while. But that’s life. That’s sport. I dealt with it and now it’s time to move forward.”

To next Wednesday, he’s hoping, and beyond.



Gaudreau’s highlight-reel goal propels Flames past Avalanche in NHL pre-season

By Kristen Odland, Calgary HeraldOctober 1, 2014 12:37 AM

Johnny Gaudreau, middle, celebrates his goal with teammates during their NHL pre-season game against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.

Time is running out.

With only a few spots up for grabs on the 2014-15 Calgary Flames roster, the coming days are crucial for the assorted prospects still standing with the big club and the National Hockey League regular season looming next week.

Bob Hartley had been discussing that exact predicament before Tuesday’s clash against the visiting Colorado Avalanche — one of three final exhibition games before the curtain dropper next Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks.

“Well, the writing’s on the wall,” the head coach had been saying prior to the 2-0 win over the Avs, Calgary’s fourth victory of the pre-season. “Those guys have been at training camps since they started to play hockey, so they understand the logistics . . . every day that goes by, you have to make decisions. Now with three games to go, we still have lots of players in the lineup. So we’ll make some tough decisions.

“(Tuesday) is a big game for many of them.”

That included Johnny Gaudreau and you’d have to think the scales are starting to tip in favour of the shifty left winger.

Yes, there is a long ways to go for the reigning Hobey Baker winner who went three of his first NHL pre-season games without scoring or a point (and four, if you date back to the Young Stars Classic at Penticton). Yes, the team wants to be patient in easing their prospects into the limelight.

But, again, Gaudreau made you look — and made you want to watch.

After a dull 29:05 minutes of exhibition hockey, he snapped up a loose puck along the boards and snuck around Avalanche defender Nate Guenin (an AHL-journeyman and veteran of 100 NHL games). Effortlessly, Gaudreau roofed one on Colorado goalie and former Calgary Flame Reto Berra. Highlight worthy, you’d say.

“It’s not up to me to pick the team,” Gaudreau was saying after the game which, he’d figured, ended his longest scoring slump since his sophomore year at Boston College. “But I’ve got to make sure I’m showing the coaching staff and management that I can be a part of this team.

“And if I keep playing well and keep getting opportunities offensively and making sure the puck stays out of our net defensively when I’m on the ice, I think I might have a pretty good shot.”

Sure, it’s only the pre-season and, sure, the Avalanche weren’t exactly dressing the same roster that finished second in the Western Conference last season (in fact, some may say Gaudreau blended in against that star-studded roster during Sunday’s 2-1 Michael Ferland-fuelled win at Denver).

Yet impressions at this stage of the game are everything.

“There’s nothing better for a goal-scorer than to score goals,” Hartley said. “That’s their fuel. That’s how they gauge their game. It was the price of admission. I don’t know if you guys got excited but on the bench, the guys reacted like fans. The fans really appreciated Johnny’s effort. He’s learning, he’s growing in this organization and that goal was another nice one.”

Up until that point, Tuesday’s game was rather uneventful.

The Flames had three back-to-back power play opportunities in the first period that they didn’t capitalize on while Jonas Hiller, making his third start for his new club, had seven vanilla-looking saves.

After the Flames hit the scoreboard with Gaudreau’s marker — which prompted a long awaited goal song, Chuck Berry’s Go Johnny GO — Sean Monahan nearly made it 2-0 with 2:30 remaining in the second period when Jiri Hudler fed the sophomore pivot from behind Berra’s net.

But the big Swiss goalie smothered a rebound before he had the chance.

On the other end, the other big Swiss goalie saved one of his best stops for last. With just over five minutes remaining, Hiller made a timely save on Avalanche hopeful Andrew Agozzino and then denied Michael Schumacher on the rebound.

In the end, the Flames newcomer faced 28 shots for the shut out while Lance Bouma potted the empty netter.

“Very happy with Jonas,” Hartley said. “It’s another one-goal game we managed to win. I know a few days from now, we’re going to be back at zero. But we have something that’s a great starting point for us. We’re learning to play in those tight games.”

C-NOTES . . . Rookie C Sam Bennett (undisclosed injury) practised with Tuesday’s non-game group. Cleared for full practice, Hartley expects him to play in the next couple games . . . C Mikael Backlund (abdomen) is progressing and skated before Tuesday’s game-day skate . . . C Markus Granlund (concussion protocol) did not skate at all . . . G Karri Ramo starts Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets . . . Tuesday’s Three Stars: 1. Flames LW Johnny Gaudreau — Noticeable, shifty, and took advantage of a flat-footed defender . . . 2. Flames G Jonas Hiller -— Posts his first shut out as a Calgary Flames, which was also his 11-week old daughter Noelia’s first game as a fan . . . 3. Flames LW Lance Bouma — Physical, consistent, and played black-and-blue hockey.



Flames defenceman Ladislav Smid waged an off-ice battle during NHL pre-season

By RANDY SPORTAK, Calgary Sun

First posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 10:21 PM MDT | Updated: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 10:39 PM MDT

Smid on the mend Ladislav Smid is close to returning after a harrowing experience. During the dental checkup portion of his start-of-season medical, the dentist found an infected tooth. They figured antibiotics would do the trick, but it didn't go as planned.

Let's be honest, veteran NHL players don't enjoy playing a whole whack of pre-season games.

But Ladislav Smid wouldn't go to the extreme of having four teeth extracted after dealing with an infection as a means to avoid the exhibition slate.

“I would rather be playing games than bag-skating every day. Those aren't very fun to do,” the Calgary Flames defenceman said after Tuesday afternoon's session, which was followed by an off-ice workout.

“I'm just hoping I'm going to be playing the next two games. I need some games in me before the season starts. I think it's very important.”

Smid is close to returning after a harrowing experience. During the dental checkup portion of his start-of-season medical, the dentist found an infected tooth. They figured antibiotics would do the trick, but it didn't go as planned.

“When we went for that game in Edmonton, I started to feel kinda funny, lightheaded and my energy was low,” Smid said. “I started to feel not good on and off the ice, so the day after, they brought me to the office and did the surgery.

“It wasn't fun at all because I was awake for it.”

Doctors were fearful the infection was close to spreading to his bloodstream.

Smid appeared close to returning late last week, going through a full skate on Thursday, but it ended up being a setback.

“I needed two days off, but the last three days have been better when I've gone through the hard skates,” said Smid, who finished his latest round of antibiotics on Tuesday.

“I'm glad they caught it before the season starts.”

With that experience behind him, Smid can not get excited about the season.

For the last while, the happiest news has been he and wife, Ashley, are expecting twins in February.

“That's going to be great,” he said with a gap-toothed grin. “We are so excited.”

OFF THE GLASS

C Sam Bennett, the 2014 first-round draft choice who missed the start of main camp due to a groin issue, has been on the shelf due to an “all-over body” injury, according to head coach Bob Hartley. However, Bennett skated with the non-game group on Tuesday. The team would like to see him in at least one of the two remaining pre-season games, if not both. “He has a little pain, but we're hopefully expecting him in the next couple games. He's fully practising, we just have to give him a few days.” … As for the club's injury situation, C Mikael Backlund's return from an abdominal issue still has him skating with the injured players and time is starting to run out on him getting in a pre-season game. “He is doing good. He didn't have any setbacks or anything, so we're very encouraged,” Hartley said. C Markus Granlund is following the league's concussion protocol due to the injury suffered during the pre-season game Friday in Vancouver. RW David Jones (undisclosed) and LW Mason Raymond (lower-body) were the other hurt players who didn't skate on Tuesday. RW Devin Setoguchi joined Backlund, D Tyler Wotherspoon (shoulder), D Corey Potter (shoulder) and LW Morgan Klimchuk (wrist) in the session prior to the game group hitting the ice.

IN THE CREASE

Wanna bet? The Bodog-set over-under for Flames' players point totals this season are as follows: Mark Giordano 54½; Jiri Hudler 48½; Sean Monahan 43½; Curtis Glencross 43½ and Mikael Backlund 40½ … Sven Baertschi made a couple of plays Hartley must have disliked during the first powerplay chance of the game, but Hartley put him back on the ice instead of handing out a benching. Baertschi responded with stronger play … Johnny Gaudreau's second-period goal is the kind of play everybody has been waiting to see from the highly touted hopeful. The fact Colorado iced mainly a minor-league lineup and it was Reto Berra in goal shouldn't temper the enthusiasm how Gaudreau undressed Nate Guenin and ripped a top-shelf shot for the tally … That drop-pass to enter the zone on the powerplay is one I don't understand, yet all teams do it … Gotta like the way Jonas Hiller went from almost no action in the first two periods to slamming the door in the third.

THREE STARS

Johnny Gaudreau

Johnny Hockey's second-period goal was the spark he needed. Gaudreau has fired plenty of shots but that beauty tally was his first of the pre-season and got him going.

Sean Monahan

Probably should have scored three goals. Was set up a few times but couldn't find the sweet spot behind former teammate Reto Berra. Monahan buried those to start last season.

Jonas Hiller

A 28-save shutout was his busiest night for the club's new No.-1 goalie this pre-season. Hiller came up with a couple of dandy third-period stops to preserve the win.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.01.2014


Johnny Gaudreau dazzles as Flames beat Colorado Avalanche in NHL pre-season game

By WES GILBERTSON, Calgary Sun


Flames shutout Avalanche

The replay was must-see TV.

The reaction was even better.

As the Saddledome video staff scrambled to rewind footage of Johnny Gaudreau’s highlight-reel goal in Tuesday’s 2-0 pre-season victory over the Colorado Avalanche, the JumboTron briefly showed a handful of beer-swilling buddies — Calgary Flames fans, no doubt — with eyes wide and mouths agape.

It was pretty obvious, even as the big-screen switched to a second look at the top-shelf shot, that their first words to one another would be, simply, ‘Wow.’

It was what the Saddledome faithful have been waiting for ... a home-ice strike for Johnny Hockey, the most intriguing prospect in the Flames organization since who knows when.

“That was the price of admission,” Flames head coach Bob Hartley told reporters in his post-game press conference. “I don’t know if you guys got excited, but on the bench, the guys reacted like fans, and the fans really appreciated Johnny’s effort out there.”

You could tell.

“Getting to come out here and hear a crowd like this after I get a chance to score a goal, it’s something pretty special,” Gaudreau said. “I’ll remember it until the next one.

“Hopefully, I get the one pretty quick here and hear it again.”

There’s been a ton of chatter about the 5-foot-9 whiz-kid, and Gaudreau’s goal against the Avs won’t do anything to stem the expectations.

It was, in one dazzling sequence, a show of his soft mitts, his silky puck-handling skills and his seeing-eye shot.

During what had otherwise been a snooze-worthy second period in Tuesday’s exhibition tilt with the Avalanche, the 21-year-old grabbed a loose puck in the neutral zone and sized up the situation — just one man to beat before the netminder.

Gaudreau started to speed wide before changing directions on a dime, cutting back to inside-out Avs rearguard Nate Guenin and then ripping a shot over Reto Berra’s glove.

The crowd roared.

The deejay, not surprisingly, played the chorus of Chuck Berry’s ‘Johnny B. Goode’ — ‘Go Johnny Go!’

And if Tuesday’s tally gets Johnny go, go going, that’s great news.

Because, in case you haven’t noticed, this squad isn’t exactly stocked with established sharpshooters.

The Flames averaged only 2.46 goals per game last winter, and that was before leading marksman Mike Cammalleri made a deal with the New Jersey Devils as an unrestricted free agent.

Including Gaudreau’s goal and Lance Bouma’s late empty-netter against the Avs, the crew from Calgary has managed only 11 markers in seven exhibition outings so far this fall. You hate to panic in the pre-season, but 1.57 snipes per night is a frightening average at any point.

The reason it was enough for a victory Tuesday is that Flames starting goalie Jonas Hiller kicked aside all 28 shots fired his direction.

“I was a little under pressure because it was my daughter’s first game,” Hiller said of 11-week-old Noelia.

“I wanted to show her something.”

Gaudreau, too, wanted to show something.

Specifically, a goal.

It’s a big leap from the NCAA ranks to the big-league level — even for a guy who racked up 80 points in 40 contests last winter for the Boston College Eagles and ran away with the Hobey Baker Award — but if Gaudreau can add some pop to the Flames’ attack, they’ll have to find a roster spot for the wee left-winger.

“It feels good to get that first one out of the way,” said Gaudreau, who has 18 shots on goal in four exhibition appearances. “I was kind of clenching my stick a little too hard there throughout the pre-season, just trying to get that first one. Thankfully, I got it out of the way.

“It’s not up to me to pick the team,” he added. “But I have to make sure I’m showing the coaching staff and the management that I can be a part of this team. If I keep playing well and keep getting opportunities offensively and making sure the puck stays out of our net defensively when I’m on the ice, then I think I might have a pretty good shot.”

Gaudreau and the other Flames hopefuls will have another chance to impress in Thursday’s date with the Winnipeg Jets at the Saddledome (7 p.m., Sportsnet 960 The Fan). They conclude their exhibition slate Saturday in the ‘Peg, the back half of the home-and-home set.



Tonight: Flames vs. Avalanche ... the storyline, the notes and The Burning Question

By RANDY SPORTAK, Calgary Sun


Flames vs. Avalanche

TIME: 7 p.m.

TV: None

RADIO: RADIO: Sportsnet 960 The FAN

THE MAIN STORYLINE: Thanks to great goaltending by Karri Ramo and a two-goal game by Michael Ferland, the Flames came up with a 2-1 upset special in Denver on Sunday in the first half of a home-and-home series with the Avalanche.

The Avs are bringing a considerably weaker lineup to the Stampede City, without Jarome Iginla, Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly and Nathan MacKinnon.

LINEUP NOTES: Sam Bennett has a slight undisclosed injury, so he won't play. The team is hoping he'll skate in the last couple of pre-season games. Coach Bob Hartley said it wasn't his groin again, saying, “all over body.”

Jonas Hiller is pegged to play all of this game and Karri Ramo is slated to mind the net all of Thursday's game.

The Flames are icing a pretty strong line up, with Sven Baertschi on a line with Sean Monahan and Jiri Hudler and Curtis Glencross, Joe Colborne and Johnny Gaudreau another trio.

Former Flames goalie Reto Berra could be minding the net tonight.

BURNING QUESTION: At what point do the Flames finally sign D Raphael Diaz to a contract? It's obvious he's the best choice to be on the big-league roster at this moment.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Bill Arnold, the other guy from Boston College, has had a quietly effective camp and could push for a fourth-line centre job in Calgary, maybe even to start the season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “In the end, you want to be around the puck. That's the kind of player I am. I need my touches, I need my early touches to really get going. Then I'm not worried about my skating. My skating's gonna come. The last few games, I was involved physically and I feel that helped me out, too.”

Flames Lines

FORWARDS

Sven Baertschi-Sean Monhan-Jiri Hudler

Curtis Glencross-Joe Colborne-Johnny Gaudreau

Michael Ferland-Max Reinhart-Josh Jooris

Brandon Bollig-Bill Arnold-Lance Bouma

DEFENCE

TJ Brodie-Mark Giordano

Raphael Diaz-Dennis Wideman

Brett Kulak-Sena Acolatse

GOAL

Jonas Hiller

Karri Ramo



Lots of 'good things' at Flames training camp so far 0

ERIC FRANCIS, CALGARY SUN

FIRST POSTED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 10:48 PM MDT

Happy camper

Flames GM Brad Treliving offers his assessment on some young players in camp.

As a casual fan you can most certainly be forgiven for missing the first two-thirds of the Calgary Flames preseason.

Or even the two remaining games for that matter.

However, what you need to know if you are going to invest much time or money into the rebuilding bunch is that it has indeed been a productive camp with several extremely positive developments.

First and foremost, diminutive college hotshot Johnny Gaudreau has essentially shown enough to demonstrate he will be able to hack it in the bigs despite being 5-foot-9, 160-lb.

Even with his flashy goal that ignited the Dome’s crowd last night against the Colorado Avalanche, he may not start the season with the big club.

But the future is clearly bright for the kid who dominated at Boston College the last two years. He will be a star.

The guessing game has already begun on which rookies may be in the lineup come opening night next Wednesday, but suffice it to say the crop of youngsters fans have spent the summer hearing about is full of prospects demonstrating they are capable of taking the next step soon.

“Camp has been about what I hoped,” said GM Brad Treliving when asked for an overall assessment of the last two weeks.

“Nobody has come out and been disappointing and there have been plenty of good things.”

Asked for an on-the-spot ranking of the top five players he was most pleasantly surprised by the rookie GM was candid:

Kris Russell, D — “I knew he was solid but he’s really, really impressed me.”

Josh Jooris, C — “He’s had a terrific camp. Really stepped up.”

Michael Ferland, W — “For a guy who missed as much as he did last year (due to injury) he’s had an excellent camp.”

Sam Bennett, C — “It’s been stop and start for him but he’s been as advertised.”

Patrick Sieloff, D — “I’ve liked him back to his draft year and, despite missing a whole season, he’s been terrific.”

One of the only negatives in camp has been the number of injuries that have sidelined players like Bennett, Markus Granlund, Mason Raymond, Devin Setoguchi, Sven Baertschi and a handful of others.

However, none of the ailments appear particularly serious and they’ve served to give others like Jooris, Ferland, Max Reinhart and impressive camp invitee Raphael Diaz more of an extended looksie.

In fact, should injuries to many of the nine players out as of Tuesday linger much past this weekend two or three kids could be kept around for extended viewing, providing them with great experience.

That said, it’s likely at this point Bennett, the Flames’ fourth pick overall this summer, has essentially run out of time to knock Treliving’s socks off and will very likely be sent back to Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League, as they expected all along.

“There has been lots of competition which is good and different from past years when there weren’t spots open for young guys,” said assistant GM Craig Conroy, who listed Ferland and Jooris as two of the campers he’s most impressed with.

“Sven looks better and he’s in a battle for a spot with Ferland and Gaudreau (on the wing).

“You can also draw a circle around Reinhart, Granlund, (Bill) Arnold and (Corban) Knight because it’s still wide open at centre.

“Best thing is that they will decide it.”

Indeed, their play — and injuries — will dictate who stays past next weekend.

“We have a lot of young guys pushing for spots,” said captain Mark Giordano of the large number of pimply faces in his dressing room.

“You look at camp and you can name five, six or even seven guys who you can see will play in the NHL one day, which is nice to see.

“We’ve turned the corner in that aspect.”

And Flames fans have every reason to be pumped about that for the first time in decades.


736845 Carolina Hurricanes

Big games coming for Ward, Khudobin in net

Posted by Chip Alexander on September 30, 2014

The Canes’ plan is simple enough: Cam Ward goes in net Tuesday against St. Louis, then Anton Khudobin on Wednesday at Columbus.

But with the season-opener fast approaching and the No. 1 goaltending job still to be decided, a lot could be riding on the two preseason games.

"It's important," Canes coach Bill Peters said Tuesday. "For our assessment it's important. And it's important we play well in front of them and are good defensively so they're seeing realistic chances."

Ward started the preseason opener against Columbus, allowing three goals on 13 shots in almost 31 minutes before coming out of the game. Khudobin was in net for the Buffalo Sabres in the second exhibition game, stopping all nine shots he faced before being relieved by Drew MacIntyre midway through the game.

Peters said both Ward and Khudobin would go all 60 minutes in their respective games, both on the road. Ward will face a Blues team that's 0-3-1 in the preseason.

Forwards Eric Staal and Alexander Semin will be playing their first preseason game against the Blues. While neither has missed practice time in training camp, Peters has been cautious with the two forwards, who each had offseason surgery -- Staal for a core-muscle injury, Semin for a wrist injury.

"Hopefully there's not too much rust," Peters said,

Peters said he expected Staal and Semin each to get 15 to 20 minutes of ice time. There will be no easing-in process.

"Obviously the more game-like situations you look forward to," Staal said. "Get those competitive juices flowing. It will be fun.

Staal said he has had no lingering problem in camp with the after-effects of the surgery, saying, "I'm ready to get into game action and see how it feels."

Staal will center the top line with Jiri Tlusty and Semin. Riley Nash will center Jeff Skinner and Elias Lindholm, Victor Rask will be at center with Chris Terry and Brock McGinn, and Brody Sutter will center the fourth line with Patrick Brown and Brad Malone on the wings.

Defensively, Justin Faulk and Andrej Sekera will be paired. Other D pairs are Jay Harrison and Ryan Murphy, and Haydn Fleury and Danny Biega.

"There's positions up in the air to a certain degree, but there's valuable ice time that's really up in the air as far as who's going to play with who and who's going to be going over the boards second," Peters said.

News Observer LOADED: 10.01.2014


Amid preseason losses, 'learning experience' for Canes' Haydn Fleury

By Chip Alexander

RALEIGH — Haydn Fleury was in the Carolina Hurricanes lineup in Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues, paired defensively with Danny Biega in the preseason game.

For Fleury, the Canes’ first-round draft pick this year, it may be the last time the defenseman will wear the Carolina sweater for a year. It may be that the Hurricanes decide to return him to his junior team, the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League.

Fleury hopes that’s not the case. He wants to stick around, get in more games, get a better feel for the demands of the NHL. But if he does go back, he said he can accept it.

“It’s been a really good learning experience for me,” Fleury said Tuesday. “Every day you can learn something, whether you’re in the gym with the older guys or on the ice with them. You take away a lot of things that, if I don’t make the team this year, I can take back to junior.

“You realize how hard you have to work to play with these guys. You’re playing against men, not kids.”

Fleury, 18, who was on ice for two of the Blues’ goals Tuesday, was considered the second-best defenseman available in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, behind only Aaron Ekblad from Barrie of the Ontario Hockey League.

Fleury was one of the leaders in the Canes’ prospect conditioning camp in July. He then had a solid showing in the Traverse City (Mich.) prospects tournament just before the Canes began preseason training camp.

But from the start, the numbers game in training camp didn’t favor Fleury. There were eight defensemen who played 40 or more NHL games last season, and others such as Rasmus Rissanen, Michal Jordan and Biega looking to make the move up from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League.

Fleury played in Carolina’s first exhibition game Sept. 21, thrust into NHL competition just days after camp began. He had 15 minutes of ice time against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PNC Arena and was on the ice for two of the Jackets’ goals in the 4-3 loss.

“I was a bit nervous at first,” Fleury said. “But as the game moves on and you start moving your feet, making plays, you get more into the game and the nerves go away.”

As for making his second start against the Blues, Fleury smiled and said, “I know St. Louis will have a pretty veteran lineup dressed and it should be a really good experience for me to go against a bunch of guys I used to watch every night and say, ‘I really want to play against those guys one day.’ ”

Guys such as forwards Alexander Steen, David Backes, T.J. Oshie and Paul Stastny. They were expected to play for the Blues, who were 0-3-1 in the preseason.

“Going into his second game, he should be a little quicker, make quicker decisions,” Canes coach Bill Peters said of Fleury.

Fleury, from Carlyle, Saskatchewan, skates well for someone who is 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds. He handles the puck well and appears to be a quick learner.

“I think he’s more comfortable with his surroundings,” Peters said. “I don’t think he’s as wide-eyed as he was in the beginning.”

Fleury said it helped that some of the older players such as veteran defenseman Jay Harrison were friendly and offered encouragement. He’s now more at ease.

If Fleury goes back to junior, he has a personal checklist prepared: get stronger physically, work on being stronger in the corners and in front of the net, help Red Deer have a big season and represent Canada in the 2015 World Junior Championship.

“I won’t take it personal,” he said. “If I go back I know it’s in the best interest of my development, so I’ll go there and work my hardest.”

News Observer LOADED: 10.01.2014


BLUES TOP CANES

Sep. 30, 2014 @ 11:58 PM

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. LOUIS —

David Backes, Joakim Lindstrom and Vladimir Tarasenko scored to lead the St. Louis Blues to a 3-1 exhibition victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.

Alexander Steen had an assist on Lindstrom’s goal in the second period, which gave St. Louis a 2-1 lead. It was Steen’s exhibition debut after he led the Blues with 33 goals and 62 points last season.

Ryan Murphy scored for Carolina. He sent a wrist shot through traffic at the 5:59 mark of the second.

Backes had the first goal of the game just 33 seconds into the second. With St. Louis enjoying a 5-on-3 power play, Backes redirected a drive by Kevin Shattenkirk into the net.

Brian Elliott stopped 19 shots for the Blues, and Cam Ward had 26 saves for the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes fall to 1-3 in the preseason to date.

BLUES 3, HURRICANES 1

Carolina 0 1 0—1

St. Louis 0 2 1—3

First Period—None. Penalties—Steen, StL (interference), 3:34; Sekera, Car (hooking), 15:22; Semin, Car (slashing), 19:37; Malone, Car (holding), 19:55.

Second Period—1, St. Louis, Backes 2 (Shattenkirk, Stastny), :33 (pp). 2, Carolina, Murphy 2 (Nash), 5:59. 3, St. Louis, Steen 1, 18:38. Penalties—Pietrangelo, StL (tripping), 15:21.

Third Period—4, St. Louis, Tarasenko 4 (Pietrangelo, Lehtera), 17:45. Penalties—Mueller, StL (hooking), 2:14; Paajarvi, StL (interference), 7:56; Jaskin, StL (holding), 13:00.

Shots on Goal—Carolina 6-6-8—20. St. Louis 14-10-5—29.

Power-play opportunities—Carolina 0 of 5; St. Louis 1 of 3.

Goalies—Carolina, Ward 0-1-0 (29 shots-26 saves). St. Louis, Elliott 1-1-0 (20-19).

A—10,213 (19,150). T—2:14.

Referees—Justin St. Pierre, Kevin Pollock. Linesmen—Derek Amell, Scott Cherrey.

Herald-Sun LOADED: 10.01.2014

736848 Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Sharp, 32, must stay in tip-top shape to compete

BY MARK LAZERUS Staff reporter September 30, 2014 10:01PM

Updated: October 1, 2014 2:23AM

Patrick Kane spent some of his summer playing around in recreational leagues with old friends back in Buffalo. In one league, he had six goals and eight assists in three games, earning the vaunted Performax Hockey League title-game MVP to go along with that old Conn Smythe Trophy of his. It was ideal — Kane got to have a little fun, play a little hockey and stay in shape a bit.

Patrick Sharp used to do that stuff in the summer. Of course, Sharp used to be 25, too.

“I did a lot of that, which can be very beneficial,” Sharp said.

But Sharp is 32 now, an age when most players’ bodies start to break down and their skills start to decline. Sharp, however, is peaking, coming off the best season of his career — 34 goals and 44 assists — and finally earning a spot on coach Joel Quenneville’s top line. It’s no coincidence that he’s also in the best shape of his career. After being named the “Fittest Hawk” at last year’s training camp, he came in second this time around, beaten out only by Niklas Hjalmarsson, five years his junior.

“The game’s changed — it’s faster, it’s more physical,” Sharp said. “You’ve got to be in top shape. You’ve got to be healthy all the time. You’ve got to have energy to perform out there. The days of old-school hockey — slowing things down, hooking and holding and hanging on to each other — are over. You’ve got to be able to move.”

That comes easy for the guys in their mid-20s. For 30-something players such as Sharp, Marian Hossa and Brad Richards, it takes a bit more work. The fitness revolution hit the hockey world in the early 2000s — Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux never were sculpted athletes — and now most players in the NHL are chiseled specimens with body-fat percentages in the single digits.

Back then, Sharp’s coaching staff at the University of Vermont hadn’t fully embraced fitness and nutrition, and he didn’t really take it as seriously as others until he came to Chicago from Philadelphia in 2005-06. Now, he spends his summers in the gym with Hawks strength coach Paul Goodman working on fast-twitch muscles and explosiveness — biking, sprinting, jumping — to aid his straight-line, speed-oriented game. He skates on his own, too, but it’s the off-ice work that pays the biggest dividends in the dog days of the season, when physical and mental fatigue sets in.

“Some people train to look good with their shirt off at the beach,” he said. “I like to train specifically for hockey — the leg muscles, the muscles you don’t always see that help you out there on the ice and in different situations, whether it’s tight turns, quickness, acceleration. That’s kind of my game. It’s that short-burst quickness that I need to have.”

Sharp already was a fitness nut when Kris Versteeg first came through Chicago as a rookie. But even he can see the difference now that he’s back.

“You see guys, once they get into their early or mid-30s, the fitness level starts to catch up to them,” Versteeg said. “But you see guys like Sharp, Hossa and Richards, these guys stay fit and can play almost forever. Guys like [Teemu] Selanne and Martin St. Louis. They put in the effort, and that’s why they stay at that level.”

Sharp won’t play forever. But even though he’ll be 33 in December, he feels he’s just -entering his prime. And as long as he keeps putting in the time, he sees no reason why he can’t stave off Father Time.

“I feel like I’m in better shape every year,” he said. “You look around the locker room, and I’m one of the older guys in here with Hossa. But I feel like I’ve got a ton of hockey left, and I’m just getting started.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 10.01.2014


Van Riemsdyk impresses Blackhawks, looks to crack roster

Tracey Myers


Trevor van Riemsdyk knew he had a tough task ahead of him.

The defenseman signed a two-year deal with the Blackhawks in March but knew entering training camp that cracking the roster was a long shot. There aren’t many spots to begin with, and others, mainly Stephen Johns and Adam Clendening, were pegged as potential seventh or eighth defensemen on the team.

Well, it’s almost October. Johns and Clendening have been reassigned to Rockford. Van Riemsdyk, meanwhile, is still in Chicago. That doesn’t mean he’ll be here when the Blackhawks start their regular season next week, but he’s certainly got a chance.

Van Riemsdyk has impressed the Blackhawks coaching staff, and he may be playing on Wednesday night when the Blackhawks host the Montreal Canadiens. It’s been an impressive run for van Riemsdyk, who’s gained more confidence as he’s remained in camp.

“I think the few games we’ve played now I’ve felt better and better as we’ve gone on, more comfortable to play my game and just be out there and try not to make mistakes,” said van Riemsdyk, who played Sunday when the Blackhawks beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-0 in Saskatchewan. “You kind of get more comfortable; it lets you do the things you want to do and try to make plays out there rather than just not be the guy to mess up, per se.”

The Blackhawks’ defense is crowded but, as we’ve written previously, chances are they move a defenseman to get below the $69 million salary cap. That move has to come soon, as in before-the-season-begins soon, and that could pave the way for van Riemsdyk.

Coach Joel Quenneville has liked what he’s seen from the defenseman thus far.

"We like how he’s played in the games,” Quenneville said. “He was steady in Notre Dame and had a real good London (rookie) tournament and played two excellent games against NHL competition. It’s still early in measuring him and seeing where he could go, but we’ll look a little bit longer because we like what we saw.”

[MORE BLACKHAWKS: Brad Richards emerging as power-play point option]

Van Riemsdyk appreciates the thumb’s up from Quenneville.

“Yeah, it’s definitely good to hear the coaching staff and (for) them to have confidence in you,” he said. “I felt like I’ve been playing pretty good and can play even a little better. It’s definitely good to hear those positive thoughts and feedback and know where you stand.”

Van Riemsdyk has been texting back and forth with his brother, Toronto forward James van Riemsdyk, either to let him know how things are going or get some advice. He’s been enjoying the training camp experience with the Blackhawks. If he ends up going to Rockford, he’s happy to hone his game there. But he’ll certainly do everything he can to make the Blackhawks’ opening-night roster.

“I think my goal from the jump was just to play as well as I could,” he said. “I knew it’d be a tough thing to just coming here and play right away. That’s still my goal — just keep to playing well. Just because a few rounds of cuts have gone by, it doesn’t change anything. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. Hopefully, it leads to more success.”



In need of enforcer, Blackhawks could turn to Brandon Mashinter

Tracey Myers


The Blackhawks had three physical/enforcer-type players at camp coming out of Sunday’s preseason game. By Monday morning, they were down to one.

And that one has a very good chance of making the Blackhawks’ regular-season roster.

Brandon Mashinter could be on the roster when the Blackhawks open the regular season next week. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound forward could fill a physical, sometimes brawling void left when Brandon Bollig was traded to the Calgary Flames. While Bollig is gone, coach Joel Quenneville still wants that element with the Blackhawks. Enter Mashinter, who fought in the Blackhawks’ 5-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

[MORE BLACKHAWKS: Brad Richards emerging as power-play point option]

Quenneville likes the physical edge Mashinter brings, as well as his other potential. Mashinter had 14 goals and 14 assists in 47 games with the Rockford IceHogs last season.

“That player today, you need an element of energy from that player, purpose behind his game and can handle that stuff if necessary,” Quenneville said. “It seems like a lot of teams now are employing guys who can play eight to 10 minutes and can fill that niche. But we still have a lot of players up front who can play a lot of minutes and can grab extra minutes in case you’re not playing as much. But it’s a situation — with Bollig in the past, he was playing probably more meaningful minutes than a lot of guys in that role.”

And Mashinter could end up getting the same minutes. How often he could play if he stays, however, is still uncertain. The Blackhawks have had a fourth line of Jeremy Morin, Marcus Kruger and Ben Smith for a good part of training camp, and it won’t be surprising if that line starts the season. Mashinter will probably be a situational player, getting in when the Blackhawks need that physical edge or play teams that like to play a more bruising game (St. Louis, for example).

[MORE BLACKHAWKS: Get ready for 'Blackhawks All-Access' on CSN this season]

Mashinter had his share of fights this preseason in trying to earn a job, but he knows he can’t have a game limited to that.

“I know with these guys; they want you to be a player,” he said following Tuesday’s practice. “You have to be able to play with the new systems. The enforcer role is being weaned out in this league; you don’t see too many of those guys anymore. So you have to be able to play the game, too.”



Blackhawks: Brad Richards emerging as power-play point option

Tracey Myers


Marian Hossa returned to practice and Brad Richards once again quarterbacked the second power-play unit as the Chicago Blackhawks continued their training-camp work on Tuesday.

The Blackhawks have two preseason games remaining, including Wednesday night’s contest against the Montreal Canadiens. Coach Joel Quenneville said Antti Raanta will likely play all of that game.

[RELATED - Get ready for 'Blackhawks All-Access' on CSN this season]

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks were ramping up practice on Tuesday, going for about 90 minutes and working on special teams and puck-battle drills.

“(Monday) and today were workmanlike days, covering a lot of little areas,” said Quenneville. “It was probably 25 minutes longer than we generally practice but it’s that time of year.”

Some of that work involved the power play, on which Richards played the point for the second unit. Defenseman Nick Leddy, who had that role last season, was not on either power-play unit the past two days.

Richards knows the power-play point spot very well from previous seasons, and Quenneville said the Blackhawks will start the regular season with him there.

[RELATED - Blackhawks recount giving and receiving 'the talk']

“He’s been there most of his career and he’s effective in that area,” he said. “I don’t mind him in that area. He looks good on the point for us.”

In other news, forward Ryan Hartman, who’s coming off a lower-body injury, skated again on Tuesday. Quenneville said Hartman is improving and could join practices again soon, but Hartman will not play tomorrow vs. the Canadiens.



A player's point of view: NHL strikes deal with GoPro


Nina Falcone

The NHL has tested these waters before, strapping GoPro cameras onto a couple of goaltenders last season at practices to show fans what it's like to have pucks flying your way on the ice.

But now that's being taken to a whole other level.

The league struck a deal with GoPro that includes strapping a number of cameras to some of the NHL's top players, so now fans will get to see what it's like to skate down on a breakaway, go in for a check, take a faceoff and more.

The NHL will use the GoPro's footage in promo campaigns, plus NBC Sports (and Rogers in Canada) will also include the film in their telecasts.

In short, it's going to be awesome.



Get ready for 'Blackhawks All-Access' on CSN this season

September 30, 2014, 10:45 am

CSN Staff

The NHL regular season begins next week and the Blackhawks are again supposed to be among the challengers for the Stanley Cup.

Comcast SportsNet is supplementing its Blackhawks coverage this fall with a new half-hour special every week that takes you behind the scenes of a magazine program. The show - "Blackhawks All-Access" - will be hosted by Pat Boyle and debuts Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 9:30 p.m.

[RELATED - Blackhawks recount giving and receiving 'the talk']

The first episode will feature:

— A look back at the offseason contract extension of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane

— 1-on-1 interview with Brad Richards, the high-profile free agent signing over the offseason

— Up-close look at the annual painting of the ice ritual at the "Madhouse on Madison"

— Highlights from the 2014 Blackhawks training camp "fitness test"

— Sights and sounds from the start of training camp at Notre Dame, including players mic'd up on ice

All episodes will be published in their entirety on CSNChicago.com after debuting on CSN.



Brad Richards gets chance on power play

September, 30, 2014

Sep 30

3:00

PM CT

Powers By Scott Powers

ESPNChicago.com

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks hope the acquisition of Brad Richards helps them not only on their second line, but also on their power play.

Richards

Richards has been given a power-play role with teams throughout his career, and Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Tuesday he plans to give Richards that opportunity as well.

Richards worked with Brent Seabrook, Marian Hossa, Brandon Saad and Bryan Bickell on the Blackhawks' second power-play unit during practice on Tuesday. The first unit included Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Andrew Shaw.

"That's probably how we're going to start," Quenneville said of Richards on the power play. "He's been there for most of his career, and I think he's effective in that area. I don't mind him there right now. Looks good on the point for us."

Richards led the New York Rangers with 19 power-play points, which included five goals and 14 assists, and 301:39 power-play ice time last season. The Rangers finished 15th in the league with an 18.2 power-play percentage during the regular season.

Richards replaced Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy on the team's second unit. Leddy had been a fixture on the Blackhawks' power play the past three seasons. He had four goals and six assists on the power play last season.

The Blackhawks tied for ninth last season with a 19.5 power-play percentage.

ESPNChicago.com LOADED: 10.01.2014


Sharp admires Konerko's loyalty to Sox

September, 30, 2014

Sep 30

2:38

PM CT


ESPNChicago.com

CHICAGO -- Patrick Sharp wouldn't mind ending his career with the Chicago Blackhawks just as Paul Konerko did with the Chicago White Sox.

Sharp, who has been with the Blackhawks since 2005, said Tuesday he's appreciated Konerko's loyalty to the White Sox. Konerko retired this year after 16 seasons with the White Sox. Sharp believes he and the Blackhawks have a similar bond.

Sharp

Konerko

"Absolutely, [I'd like to end my career here]," Sharp said. "Kind of similar to Paulie, I started in the minors in the NHL with a different organization and [have] been here since 2005. Enjoyed every year. There's been ups, there's been downs. But I certainly feel that same kind of loyalty to the organization. I know they've been loyal to me. The end of my career is hopefully a long time away, but I got no excitement, no reason to leave at this point at all.

"I think you certainly feel loyalty [with Konerko]. That's tough to come by in today's professional sports. It's a business now. That's the way things are. But the way Paulie has been loyal to the Sox and been willing to take a lesser role at the end of his career to help the younger players along for the betterment of the team and the organization, you don't see that every day in sports. I think that just speaks to the type of person and teammate he is."

Sharp went to watch Konerko play numerous times over the years at U.S. Cellular Field and also got to know him personally. Sharp said he respects Konerko on and off the field.

"I think he was a very underrated player whether it's his numbers, whether it's his consistency," Sharp said. "He came to the park every day and he was kind of just a rock in that lineup. Knowing him somewhat on a personal level, you could tell he was a good teammate, he cared about the Sox and wanted to do whatever he could to make that team win. It's a pretty impressive career he put together in this city."

Sharp believes Chicago's baseball landscape will be different for him now without Konerko.

"I'm a huge baseball fan," Sharp said. "I cheer for both Chicago teams. But Paulie is a guy that I've gotten to know away from the sport, spent some time with him. He's a great guy. He's got a great family. In some parts, it's sad to see him go. It's tough to go down to the Cell and see a Sox game without Paulie playing. On the other hand, you have to celebrate his career, what he's done for the city, what he's done for the organization, and I wish him the best of luck in the future."



Blackhawks assign Bass, Labrie to AHL

September, 30, 2014

Sep 30

1:57

PM CT


ESPNChicago.com

The Chicago Blackhawks assigned forwards Cody Bass and Pierre-Cedric Labrie to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL after they cleared waivers on Tuesday.

The Blackhawks are down to 28 active players, including 16 forwards, nine defensemen and three goaltenders.

The Blackhawks must still get under the salary cap before the regular season begins. They need to reduce about $1.3 million to 2.2 million to be cap compliant.

The Blackhawks have two preseason games remaining.


736857 Columbus Blue Jackets

Michael Arace commentary: Time hurts, not heals, Jackets and Ryan Johansen

By Michael Arace The Columbus Dispatch • Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:54 AM

Negotiations between the Blue Jackets and restricted free agent Ryan Johansen have been rejoined, which is good news for Jackets fans. Maybe there will be some give on one side, or the other, or both. If there is, it’ll be an upset.

The first three months of negotiations have been gridlocked. One side presents an offer, the other scoffs, and then there is a counteroffer, and more scoffing. There has been more in the way of huffy and/or imperious public pronouncements than actual communication. It is as if everyone involved is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Given the intractability, a worst-case scenario must be considered. It is no fun to think about, but it is out there anyway, parked and with the meter running.

First, the happy recap:

The last we heard, the Blue Jackets are firm on a two-year deal worth $3  million annually. Actually, “firm” might be an understatement. They believe their number is iron-clad and they point to a number of contracts as validation. The latest: On Saturday, the St. Louis Blues signed restricted free agent Jaden Schwartz to a two-year deal worth $2 million in year one and $2.7 million in year two.

Schwartz’s career scoring averages (0.26 goals and 0.55 points per game) are similar to Johansen’s (0.25 and 0.51). See? The Jackets are generous by comparison.

The Jackets do not want to reset the market for talented players emerging from entry-level contracts. They have Johansen — with no arbitration rights at this point in his career — in a corner. Judging by their public pronouncements, their intent is to keep him shoved against the wall.

They are saying that Johansen wants crazy money and will get it “only when he earns it.” They are saying that what Johansen’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, is asking is tantamount to “extortion.”

They are trying to be careful to aim their vitriol at the militant agent rather than the prized player, but that is a dicey game.

Overhardt wants nothing to do with comparable contracts unless elite players are used for measurement. Schwartz? Bah, he’s not a No. 1 center like big Joey.

Overhardt was asking for $6.85 million per year earlier in the summer. He recently lowered his demand to $4.75 million per year. He probably is thinking, “Nathan Horton is out until who-knows-when with a bad back. Good. Boone Jenner just broke his hand. Good. This team doesn’t even have a No. 1 line. And they say I don’t have

leverage?”

Overhardt is trying to reset the market. His attempt gains in latitude when his client is ticked off. How hot is Johansen? That is the question. He has, essentially, been accused of being a slacker and a project. He is being compared to second-line salaries. And his agent has been called an extortionist.

Is Johansen ready to say, “I’m a Blue Jacket. The regular season starts in a week. My teammates need me. Do a deal.”?

Or, is Johansen hurt enough, and angry enough, to sit out until Dec. 1, at which point he must sign or miss the entire season?

Is he ready to turn his back on $3 million plus, on principle?

Such questions must be considered in a worst-case scenario.

Maybe Johansen caves and comes back out of shape and has an awful season. Or, maybe he demands a trade. Why play for a team that is stubborn enough to make an example out of its best offensive player? What star, or future star, would want to play for such a team?

The Blue Jackets are saying, “We’re adhering to small-market budget practices to ensure our long-term health. We have other centers. Joey can sign for whatever we put on the table or he can sit for as long as he wants, and we’re not trading him.”

Of course, none of this will have any impact on the team’s on-ice fortunes. The players don’t even talk about it in the locker room. Naaaah, of course they don’t.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 10.01.2014


Blue Jackets notebook: Jared Boll not taking spot for granted

By Aaron Portzline The Columbus Dispatch • Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:38 AM

Jared Boll is the Blue Jackets’ longest-tenured player, his time with the organization dating to the 2007-08 season, when Rick Nash, Nikolai Zherdev and Michael Peca were the Jackets’ top scorers and Boll and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen were the resident tough guys.

But you would never sense Boll’s seniority during training camp.

Coming off one of the most difficult seasons of his career — Boll played only 28 games thanks to three different injuries, including ankle surgery — he spent the summer getting in shape and clearing his mind.

“With that (contract) extension (signed in September 2013), I know I have three more years,” Boll said. “But you have to earn your spot every year, no matter what. And I definitely feel that way this camp.

“When you’re in one place awhile, you might take some things for granted. But coming off the year I had, and with some of the young guys we’ve got in here, I told myself that this is a tryout for me, too.”

Boll has scored two goals in three exhibition games, a rare treat for a fourth-line enforcer. Only Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson has more this preseason.

“I’m reminding myself to save those for the regular season,” Boll said.

It’s the rest of his game — the speed, the hitting, the physicality, the ability to cycle the puck down low — that has clearly been invigorated.

“Jared is an absolutely fierce forechecker,” coach Todd Richards said. “He can change the momentum of a game with one shift.

“He was disappointed last season. Frustrated. He bottled that and used it as motivation this summer. All you have to do is look at him, see the size he is.He’s been a very noticeable player for us.”

Boll’s extension, which kicked in this year, is for three years at $1.7 million per season. It raised eyebrows around the NHL, where enforcers have been slowly phased out of the game.

But it’s proof the Jackets see beyond Boll’s fists. He plans to reaffirm it this season.

“I’m here to re-prove myself and show that extension was the right decision,” Boll said.

Talks, but not traction

The Blue Jackets resumed negotiations toward a contract for center Ryan Johansen, but general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said there was no progress yesterday.

Johansen’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, told TSN that the two sides continue to pursue a two-year contract.

As of today, Johansen will have missed two weeks of camp.

“Obviously, you want your teammate here,” left wing Matt Calvert said. “The biggest part of it is, we’re just worrying about what’s in the room right now.

“Joey is a huge part of our team, and we’d love to have him here. But at the same time, guys are stepping up and guys know we have to fill that role until the business part of it gets done.”

Slap shots

The Blue Jackets expect to get a firm diagnosis from team doctors today on Boone Jenner’s broken left hand, Kekalainen said. Typically, it’s a four-to six-week recovery. … Forward Sonny Milano, the Blue Jackets’ No. 1 draft pick (16th overall), has gone back to his junior club in Plymouth, Mich., but he has not been cleared to play. That won’t happen until Oct.  10, when he returns to Columbus for X-rays of the facial fractures he suffered on Sept. 14 at the NHL prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich. … The Blue Jackets were off yesterday, so there were no roster cuts. There are 32 players in camp, not including Johansen.



Blue Jackets' Jared Boll not taking job for granted

By Aaron Portzline The Columbus Dispatch • Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:16 AM

Jared Boll is the Blue Jackets’ longest-tenured player, his time with the organization dating to the 2007-08 season, when Rick Nash, Nikolai Zherdev and Michael Peca were the Jackets’ top scorers and Boll and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen were the resident tough guys.

But you would never sense Boll’s seniority during training camp.

Coming off one of the most difficult seasons of his career — Boll played only 28 games thanks to three different injuries, including ankle surgery — he spent the summer getting in shape and clearing his mind.

“With that (contract) extension (signed in September 2013), I know I have three more years,” Boll said. “But you have to earn your spot every year, no matter what. And I definitely feel that way this camp.

“When you’re in one place awhile, you might take some things for granted. But coming off the year I had, and with some of the young guys we’ve got in here, I told myself that this is a tryout for me, too.”

Boll has scored two goals in three exhibition games, a rare treat for a fourth-line enforcer. Only Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson has more this preseason.

“I’m reminding myself to save those for the regular season,” Boll said.

It’s the rest of his game — the speed, the hitting, the physicality, the ability to cycle the puck down low — that has clearly been invigorated.

“Jared is an absolutely fierce forechecker,” coach Todd Richards said. “He can change the momentum of a game with one shift.

“He was disappointed last season. Frustrated. He bottled that and used it as motivation this summer. All you have to do is look at him, see the size he is. He’s been a very noticeable player for us.”

Boll’s extension, which kicked in this year, is for three years at $1.7 million per season. It raised eyebrows around the NHL, where enforcers have been slowly fazed out of the game.

But it’s proof the Jackets see beyond Boll’s fists. He plans to reaffirm it this season.

“I’m here to reprove myself and show that extension was the right decision,” Boll said.

Talks, but not traction

The Blue Jackets resumed negotiations toward a contract for center Ryan Johansen, but general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said there was no progress yesterday.

Johansen’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, told TSN that the two sides continue to pursue a two-year contract.

As of today, Johansen will have missed two weeks of camp.

“Obviously, you want your teammate here,” left wing Matt Calvert said. “The biggest part of it is, we’re just worrying about what’s in the room right now.

“Joey is a huge part of our team, and we’d love to have him here. But at the same time, guys are stepping up and guys know we have to fill that role until the business part of it gets done.”

Slap shots

The Blue Jackets expect to get a firm diagnosis from team doctors today on Boone Jenner’s broken left hand, Kekalainen said. Typically, it’s a four-to six-week recovery. … Forward Sonny Milano, the Blue Jackets’ No. 1 draft pick (16th overall), has gone back to his junior club in Plymouth, Mich., but he has not been cleared to play. That won’t happen until Oct.10, when he returns to Columbus for X-rays of the facial fractures he suffered on Sept. 14 at the NHL prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich. … The Blue Jackets were off yesterday, so there were no roster cuts. There are 32 players in camp, not including Johansen.



Time hurts, not heals, Jackets and Johansen

By Michael Arace The Columbus Dispatch • Wednesday October 1, 2014 5:16 AM

Negotiations between the Blue Jackets and restricted free agent Ryan Johansen have been rejoined, which is good news for Jackets fans. Maybe there will be some give on one side, or the other, or both. If there is, it’ll be an upset.

The first three months of negotiations have been gridlocked. One side presents an offer, the other scoffs, and then there is a counteroffer, and more scoffing. There has been more in the way of huffy and/or imperious public pronouncements than actual communication. It is as if everyone involved is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Given the intractability, a worst-case scenario must be considered. It is no fun to think about, but it is out there anyway, parked and with the meter running.

First, the happy recap:

The last we heard, the Blue Jackets are firm on a two-year deal worth $3million annually. Actually, “firm” might be an understatement. They believe their number is iron-clad and they point a number of contracts as validation. The latest: On Saturday, the St. Louis Blues signed restricted free agent Jaden Schwartz to a two-year deal worth $2 million in year one and $2.7 million in year two.

Schwartz’s career scoring averages (0.26 goals and 0.55 points per game) are similar to Johansen’s (0.25 and 0.51). See? The Jackets are generous by comparison.

The Jackets do not want to reset the market for talented players emerging from entry-level contracts. They have Johansen — with no arbitration rights at this point in his career — in a corner. Judging by their public pronouncements, their intent is to keep him shoved against the wall.

They are saying that Johansen wants crazy money and will get it “only when he earns it.” They are saying that what Johansen’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, is asking is tantamount to “extortion.”

They are trying to be careful to aim their vitriol at the militant agent rather than the prized player, but that is a dicey game.

Overhardt wants nothing to do with comparable contracts unless elite players are used for measurement. Schwartz? Bah, he’s not a No. 1 center like big Joey.

Overhardt was asking for $6.85 million per year earlier in the summer. He recently lowered his demand to $4.75 million per year. He probably is thinking, “Nathan Horton is out until who-knows-when with a bad back. Good. Boone Jenner just broke his hand. Good. This team doesn’t even have a No. 1 line. And they say I don’t have leverage?”

Overhardt is trying to reset the market. His attempt gains in latitude when his client is ticked off. How hot is Johansen? That is the question. He has, essentially, been accused of being a slacker and a project. He is being compared to second-line salaries. And his agent has been called an extortionist.

Is Johansen ready to say, “I’m a Blue Jacket. The regular season starts in a week. My teammates need me. Do a deal.”

Or, is Johansen hurt enough, and angry enough, to sit out until Dec. 1, at which point he must sign or miss the entire season?

Is he ready to turn his back on $3 million plus, on principle?

Such questions must be considered in a worst-case scenario.

Maybe Johansen caves and comes back out of shape and has an awful season. Or, maybe he demands a trade. Why play for a team that is stubborn enough to make an example out of its best offensive player? What star, or future star, would want to play for such a team?

The Blue Jackets are saying, “We’re adhering to small-market budget practices to ensure our long-term health. We have other centers. Joey can

sign for whatever we put on the table or he can sit for as long as he wants, and we’re not trading him.”

Of course, none of this will have any impact on the team’s on-ice fortunes. The players don’t even talk about it in the locker room. Naaaah, of course they don’t.


736861 Dallas Stars

GM Jim Nill explains why Stars opted to keep first-round pick Julius Honka in AHL instead of sending him back to play in Finland

MIKE HEIKA

Staff Writer

Published: 30 September 2014 10:48 PM

Updated: 30 September 2014 11:34 PM

The Stars have made the decision to play 2014 first-round draft pick Julius Honka in the AHL this season.

Honka played last season with Swift Current of the WHL and would typically have to return there under the agreement between the NHL and CHL (Major Junior hockey). However, he was on loan from Finland to the WHL, so he's not allowed to go back to junior this year, according to Nill. That meant the choices for the Stars were to send him back to Finland or send him to the AHL. The Stars have decided to place the 18-year-old with the Texas Stars and leave him there for the season.

"It was a decision that we talked about, and he wanted to play in the AHL, so we feel good about this," Nill said. "In seeing him in Traverse City and in training camp, he's a very mature player who is more than ready for this. If we didn't think he could handle it, we would have made a different decision, but he proved himself."

Briefly: Goalie Jussi Rynnas cleared waivers Tuesday and was the backup Tuesday night. He is expected to be assigned to the AHL soon. … The Stars on Tuesday assigned Justin Dowling, Radek Faksa, John Klingberg, Curtis McKenzie and Brendan Ranford, as well as Honka, to Texas (AHL). … Texas started its training camp Tuesday, and the NHL Stars will visit Cedar Park on Friday and Saturday…Kari Lehtonen (concussion) and Jordie Benn (contusion) are listed as day-to-day.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.01.2014

736862 Dallas Stars

Gosselin: Stars' offense makes them a contender, but they're missing a piece

RICK GOSSELIN Follow @RickGosselinDMN

Columnist

[email protected]



Stars general manager Jim Nill has constructed an offense that can compete for a Stanley Cup.

With Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn leading the way, the Stars finished 10th in the NHL in goals last season (231) and ended a five-year playoff drought.

The additions of Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky this offseason could propel the Stars into the offensive stratosphere of the Mike Modano-Brett Hull era.

But the offense wasn’t my concern.

Look back at the recent Stanley Cup champions, and there’s a common denominator. The Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks all had that one player that these Stars lack — a defenseman who could control the flow of a game.

It was Nick Lidstrom with the Red Wings, Scott Niedermayer with the Ducks, Zdeno Chara with the Bruins and Duncan Keith with the Blackhawks. All had their names inscribed on the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman. Drew Doughty gave the 2014 Stanley Cup champion Kings that same presence.

The Stars were a bit short on defense a year ago. Eight teams in the West and 16 in the NHL allowed fewer goals than the 223 of the Stars. Keeping the puck out of your net is just as important as putting pucks in the other net, especially at playoff time when goals are harder to come by.

The Stanley Cup champs allowed 55 fewer goals than the Stars last season. The Stanley Cup runner-up New York Rangers allowed 33 fewer goals than the Stars.

My concern is that the Stars are maintaining the status quo on defense from a year ago — and status quo wasn’t good enough.

Trevor Daley, Alex Goligoski, Jordie Benn, Sergei Gonchar and Kevin Connauton all return, along with, presumably, restricted free-agent Brenden Dillon and playoff call-up Patrik Nemeth.

This group has proven it can compete for playoff spots — and I do expect the Stars to finish higher than the eighth seed this time around. But there’s a difference between a “playoff contender” and a “Stanley Cup contender.” A big difference.

With this defense, the Stars are playoff contenders.

Nill searched for blue-line help in the offseason. But the landscape was dry. The best available free-agent defenseman was Matt Niskanen — and he had already failed here once before.

Those Charas and Keiths are hard to find.

“Everyone wants to find that No. 1 defenseman,” Nill said. “But LA is not trading Drew Doughty. Those things don’t happen. Those guys ... you have to draft and develop them.”

And that’s the hope for this franchise.

The Stars have four recent draft choices — first-rounders Jamie Oleksiak (2011) and Julius Honka (2014), fifth-rounder John Klingberg (2010) and seventh-rounder Jyrki Jokipakka (2011) — and Nill thinks there’s a lead defenseman in that group. He’s just not sure which one.

“I’m happy with what we have internally,” Nill said. “We know we have four guys knocking on the door here. We’re going to get better with these young kids. It’s going to take time — but we’ve got a lot coming.”

Oleksiak has the size (6-7, 250) the Stars can use. Klingberg has the right-handed shot, Jokipakka the puck skills and Honka the vision. But all still need varying degrees of seasoning.

In the meantime, the status quo rules. And Nill is OK with that. He knows he can win with this group. And he did see improvement last season. The Stars allowed an average of 3.12 goals per game in the first half of the year and cut that to 2.43 in the second half.

Daley and Goligoski are fine as a top pairing as long as they are moving forward with the puck. But when the play becomes concentrated in the defensive end, their lack of size and physicality becomes apparent.

But that’s where Dillon and Nemeth come in. Dillon is only 23 and Nemeth 22. They have the size to one day give the Stars a Hatcher-Matvichuk-type physical pairing.

“Our defense is better,” Nill said. “Guys are better with a year’s experience. [The young] guys are better coming off a Calder Cup championship. We know what Daley and Goligoski can do. We’re happy with what we’ve got.

“And we know we’ve got more on the way.”


736863 Dallas Stars

Brenden Dillon's agent: Stars turned down two-year, $1.9 million per season offer; Negotiations 'back to drawing board'

MIKE HEIKA

Staff Writer



The agent for defenseman Brenden Dillon said he made a two-year offer for $1.9 million a season on Tuesday and was turned down by the Stars, creating a situation where negotiations might have to “go back to the drawing board.”

Frisco-based agent Jarrett Bousquet said he has been discussing different options with Stars general manager Jim Nill to get a new contract for Dillon, who is a restricted free agent. Bousquet said he believes his offer is below market value for Dillon, and that the fact the Stars disagree creates a contentious situation with Dillon.

“It’s frustrating and disappointing, and I know Brenden feels that way,” Bousquet said. “There is a market out there for him to be paid even more than this, so this is an offer that we think should get things done.”

The Stars lost a 5-1 game to Tampa Bay to finish the pre-season 4-2-0 Tuesday. Anders Lindback allowed five goals on 33 shots. Jamie Benn scored for the Stars.

Bousquet has raised Florida defenseman Erik Gudbranson ($2.5 million) and Detroit defenseman Danny DeKeyser ($2.1875 million) as comparables, and his offer is under those. The Stars could raise up a player like Torey Krug, who signed a one year deal for $1.4 million earlier this week because he lacked negotiating power as a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights. They also could offer Devils defenseman Eric Gelinas, who had 29 points and 99 hits in 60 games last season and signed a one-year deal for $900,000.

Nill declined comment, saying he wasn’t going to “negotiate in public.”

Bousquet’s argument is based on the fact Dillon has been a stalwart for the Stars for two seasons. He played all 48 games two seasons ago after the lockout and averaged 21:22 in time on ice. He finished second on the team in hits with 133. Last season, Dillon played 80 games and averaged 21:05. He led the team with 168 hits.

Because of that, it’s tough to find a comparable for Dillon. He has been a huge part of the Stars defense, but he’s not a scoring defenseman, tallying 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) last season. Bousquet is seeking a similar deal to the one he got for Cody Eakin, who on Monday signed a two-year deal for $1.5 million and $2.3 million, or an average of $1.9 million.

“He is clearly a top four defensemen, and there’s value in that,” Bousquet said. “That’s the toughest thing to handle is they don’t see the value in what he has brought to the team. He should be worth the same as a top eight forward, if not more.”


736864 Dallas Stars

Radek Faksa, Julius Honka among six sent to minors by Dallas Stars

MIKE HEIKA

Staff Writer



Here is the press release:

DALLAS STARS REDUCE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER BY SIX

FRISCO, Texas - Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the team has reduced the training camp roster by six players. The Stars training camp roster now stands at 26 players.

The following six players have been loaned to Texas (AHL):

PLAYER _ POSITION _ STATUS _ ACQUIRED

Justin Dowling _ Center _ Loaned to Texas (AHL) _ Signed as a free agent on March 26, 2014

Radek Faksa _ Center _ Loaned to Texas (AHL) _ 2012 NHL Draft (1st round, 13th overall)

Julius Honka _ Defense _ Loaned to Texas (AHL) _ 2014 NHL Draft (1st round, 14th overall)

John Klingberg _ Defense _ Loaned to Texas (AHL) _ 2010 NHL Draft (5th round, 131st overall) Curtis McKenzie _ Left Wing _ Loaned to Texas (AHL) _ 2009 NHL Draft (6th round, 159th overall)

Brendan Ranford _ Right Wing _ Loaned to Texas (AHL) _ Signed as a free agent on July 2, 2014.


736865 Dallas Stars

Stars' Lindy Ruff optimistic about Kari Lehtonen's health entering final preseason game

MIKE HEIKA

Staff Writer



Watch Lindy Ruff with the media this morning in Frisco right here.

The Stars will end the pre-season schedule Tuesday night at American Airlines Center with a 7:30 p.m. game against Tampa Bay. Ralph and Razor will have the call on 1310 AM The Ticket, their only radio game of the pre-season.

Dallas will again ice a talented lineup, as several key players asked to play both Monday and Tuesday. That will not only give a little glimpse into the chemistry of the top six forward group, but we also will probably see the top power play unit of Jamie Benn, Jason Spezza, Ales Hemsky, Tyler Seguin and Trevor Daley again. It scored twice on Monday against Florida.

Dallas is 4-1-0 on the pre-season with the only loss a 6-3 drubbing at the hands of the Lightning on Friday, but coach Lindy Ruff said the main goal is to not get anyone hurt.

"I've got a lot of veteran guys who want to play (Tuesday) and I'm impressed with that, because it's usually the other way around…but they feel they need to get ready," Ruff said Monday night. "I think being in a back-to-back situation I'll try to play them a lot more evenly tomorrow and give more guys an opportunity to play in different situations."

Here are the expected lines:

Jamie Benn-Tyler Seguin-Valeri Nichushkin

Erik Cole-Jason Spezza-Ales Hemsky

Shawn Horcoff-Vernon Fiddler-Colton Sceviour

Patrick Eaves-Travis Morin-Brett Ritchie

Alex Goligoski-Trevor Daley

Patrick Nemeth-Jamie Oleksiak

Jyrki Jokipakka-Sergei Gonchar

Anders Lindback

Jussi Rynnas

The third line could end up being the fourth line during the season, although Patrick Eaves has looked great so far and probably has earned the right to play opening night. However, the line of Horcoff-Fiddler-Sceviour had great chemistry in the playoffs last year, so we'll see.

Patrick Nemeth looks like he'll have a spot in the top six on defense even when Brenden Dillon signs. However, Jamie Oleksiak and Jyrki Jokipakka each have a chance to make one last good impression here just in case Dillon isn't signed in time for the season opener.

Anders Lindback gets a chance to go against his old team in his last warm-up for the regular season. Lindback is 3-0-0 in the pre-season with a 2.78 GAA, and he has won the job as Kari Lehtonen's back-up. Ruff said that's an important job.

"I think if you can come out of the season with your back-up having a winning record, that's a big deal," Ruff said. "He needs to be able to step in and win games for you, play well. Most times he is stepping in tougher situations, a lot of times it is back-to-back situations. I like what I have seen from him. He's played well and he's moved the puck well. He is a pretty good puck mover for a goaltender."

Kari Lehtonen suffered a concussion Monday, throwing more light on the back-up goalie, but Lehtonen came in on Tuesday and looked good, Ruff said.

"To me, Kari seems pretty good today," Ruff said. "I am not a doctor and I don't play one on TV, but I think we are basically out of the woods in that situation. Just have to give the mandatory couple of days."

Defenseman Jordie Benn suffered an injury late in the game when he was struck by a puck. He practiced Tuesday with the non-game group.

"He took a shot and he's got a bruised outer extremity that we're going to have to rest a little bit," Ruff said.


736866 Dallas Stars

Tyler Seguin scores preseason hat trick, likes changes used in Stars' 5-4 win

MIKE HEIKA

Staff Writer

Published: 30 September 2014 12:09 AM


Lindy Ruff addresses the media after the game here.

The Stars on Monday took a look at a power play combination that could be extremely successful this season, and also took a 5-4 win over Florida in pre-season action. The victory at AAC pushes the Stars to 4-1-0 in exhibition play and sets up the finale of the pre-season schedule Tuesday against Tampa Bay at home.

Dallas also lost Kari Lehtonen to a concussion. The veteran goalie left the game early in the third period and did not return. His symptoms are mild, according to coach Lindy Ruff, but he will go on NHL concussion protocol and probably miss a couple of days of practice.

The Stars play their regular season opener against Chicago on Oct. 9. and Lehtonen should be ready by then.

"It's a concussion. I am not going to hide from that," Ruff said. "It is very mild symptoms. If he feels better tomorrow, you still have to give him a day of rest."

The Stars play again Tuesday, so it looks like Anders Lindback, who finished the game, could start and Jussi Rynnas, who missed practice Monday with illness, could back up. We'll find out in the morning.

As for Monday's contest, it was a barnburner. Dallas got down 3-0 and then started rallying back. Ruff said he didn't like the way his team dug a hole with bad decisions on defense and leaky goaltending.

"The way we started, for me, we weren't ready to put the work in," Ruff said. "Mentally, we weren't sharp. I think we went offsides five times in the first period and that, for me, is one of the things you can control in the game. That was lazy on the part of the players. I didn't like that part of the game and we addressed that after the first period. I didn't think our "D" went back hard enough when our goaltender was playing the puck tonight at the start of the game. That got us in trouble. Once the second period started, our structure was better and we started skating better."

In addition, the Stars saw a little power play time and unveiled a new look that was spectacular. Dallas ranked 23rd in the NHL last season in power play success at 15.9 percent, but ranked fourth in power play opportunities at 290. That means the potential for improvement with the man advantage could be huge this season. Ruff mixed in newcomers Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky on the power play and put together a super unit with Jamie Benn. Tyler Seguin and Trevor Daley. Seguin moved to the point, and all of the players rotated positioning.

"It's those five guys reading off each other," Ruff said. "It's not so much laying it on a map and saying, 'You're going to be here and you're going to be there.' It's reading what's open and giving them different looks. I know that (coach) Curt (Fraser) gave them a different look on the second one with the down-low play and it worked. They were concerned about Benn in the slot, which opened up a seam for Tyler on the back door. As long as the work ethic stays strong, the way they move the puck around…that's going to be a tough unit to deal with."

Seguin finished with three goals and an assist. Spezza had a goal and two assists.

"It helps a lot," Seguin said of the new look. "We haven't practiced once with this power play unit. I thought our first few reps were a little off, but we were finding each other and it's going to be great to see what we can do once we start working on it a lot."

Seguin added that he didn't mind playing the point or shuffling things up as the power play moved on.

"It was a little different," he said. "I'm used to being on the half-wall on the right side, but as the game went on I felt more comfortable in my position, and obviously we had some good puck movement and some big goals."

Spezza said the group improved as the game went on.

"I thought the first few times we rolled out there it wasn't too good and then we felt each other through a little bit. We were more patient over the last few power plays and didn't rush anything," Spezza said. "Obviously, Seguin has a big shot back there and they have to respect that. It opens up the plays down low. I thought it was a step in the right direction with lots of time left to get use to each other."

Ruff said he expects Spezza, Jamie Benn and Seguin to be in the group that plays Tuesday against Tampa Bay.

"I was looking to make sure no one would get hurt (Monday)," Ruff said. "I've got a lot of veteran guys who want to play (Tuesday) and I'm impressed with that, because it's usually the other way around…but they feel they need to get ready. I think being in a back-to-back situation I'll try to play them a lot more evenly tomorrow and give more guys an opportunity to play in different situations."


736867 Detroit Red Wings

Wings' Mattias Backman latest Swede nearing roster spot

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Sports Writer 11:32 p.m. EDT September 30, 2014

The Detroit Red Wings have had a touch of good fortune with defensemen from Sweden.

There was Nicklas Lidstrom, who left after 20 years with seven Norris Trophies and four Stanley Cups. There is Niklas Kronwall, current leader of the blue line.

Down the road, there are signs prospect Mattias Backman could be part of the team's core. He's the sort of smooth, heads-up player the Wings love.

Backman is scheduled to play in his third exhibition game tonight against visiting Pittsburgh. He's just getting used to North American hockey rinks — after finishing the season with Linkopings last spring, he hopped over to play in two games for the Griffins, then played 10 games in their playoff run.

"He's a good young player," coach Mike Babcock said Tuesday. "He's going to have to spend another year in the minors and get stronger and get used to the game a little bit."

Backman, 21, a fifth-round pick in 2011, is in the group of young defensemen who inspire confidence that one or more soon could join the Detroit corps. Xavier Ouellet heads the pack with Alexey Marchenko and Ryan Sproul close behind. Nick Jensen has been better than expected.

Henrik Zetterberg cited Backman's mobility as one of his strengths, and noted that for a young European player, the first year is always about the same adjustment. "He's got to put some muscles on him," Zetterberg said, "but that will come. I think this year will be big over here, just to play and get used to the ice. I'm not surprised if we're going to see him playing games for us this year."

Backman, who like most of the Swedish Wings speaks English like he has done so all his life, said his little taste of spring hockey helps this fall.

"I think it was good for my development to come here and see everything," he said. "I hope I can feel more comfortable when I come over now. But I can, of course, be more comfortable. It's a lot of things, like how do you play the system, and the rink is smaller. But I feel more comfortable every day at the rink."

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.01.2014


Wings' Mitch Callahan lacks bite but not abrasiveness

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Sports Writer 4:24 p.m. EDT September 30, 2014

Three exhibition games remain for the Detroit Red Wings, which means time is running out for some forwards to lay claim to a job.

There are all the high-end givens, of course, like captain Henrik Zetterberg, who will lead his team up against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. It's the lower spots where there are more contenders than openings, even with the Wings planning to carry 14 forwards.

And that's without the possibility of Daniel Alfredsson joining the mix - he's been skating on his own to see if his back will withstand another season, and is expected to make a decision within a week or so.

One of the forwards vying for time is toothless selfie-master Mitch Callahan, who can't be sent to the minors without waivers and whose aggravating style would almost certainly lead to another NHL team claiming him if the Wings expose him. He's got a fan in Zetterberg, who after Tuesday's practice called Callahan, "just a great kid. He brings everything every day and every night. I'd heard a lot of stuff of him before, and it's been fun to play with him. He's a great character. He's one of those guys that you want to have on your team and you don't want to play against."

Callahan, 23, appeared in his third preseason game Monday, topping 13 minutes and helping out with three minutes worth of penalty killing. Mike Babcock said "Cally's played good, but we've had lots of guys play good. Lots of kids that look like they might be able to play here."

Mitch Callahan happily vying for a job with Red Wings. Video by Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

Andrej Nestrasil, who also is out of waiver options, has delivered strong performances in two straight games. Landon Ferraro is another guy who'd need waivers if he doesn't make the cut.

Callahan, a sixth-round pick in 2009, gained fame in April when he tweeted a horrific selfie snapped after he'd taken a puck to the face that blew out 10 teeth and broke his jaw. He spent the next two weeks eating teeny-tiny bits of ground beef - ground small by the only type of person who'd do so, his mom - and accepting apologies from Ryan Sproul, roommate and shooter of that particularly pain-inducing puck. Callahan lost 20 pounds in a matter of weeks, and one nightly duty in particular was a chore.

"I just had my molars to brush," Callahan said, "but I had to pull my cheek out to get my toothbrush back in there."

That wasn't the only hard work Callahan did last season: He was a standout with 26 goals and 18 assists in 70 games. His asset is his feistiness - he learned as a kid playing hockey in California that abrasives won admiration from his coaches. "I was pretty well hated by everybody I played against," Callahan said. "It carried over into junior hockey and my coach in junior hockey told me that if I want to make it to the next level, I've got to start playing like that."

The Wings could use somebody willing to throw his body around, but he's up against a lot of competition to stick in Detroit. The waiver wire does, at least, hint of the promise of the NHL, because if he does end up on waivers, and gets picked up, that club would have to keep him for 30 days. "I'm excited," Callahan said, "you never know where I could end up."

SPEED THRILLS: The Wings became faster last season as young guys came up from Grand Rapids, an asset Babcock put into perspective by saying that, "we were at a snail's pace last year at the start of the year. I didn't even like watching us practice we went so slow."

INJURY UPDATES: Forwards Gustav Nyquist (knee) and Darren Helm (broken nose) both skated and are expected to play in at least one of the last three exhibition games. Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (hip flexor) didn't skate and is considered day-to-day.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.01.2014


Kids put veterans on spot for their jobs

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 7:39 p.m. EDT September 30, 2014

Detroit — Only three more exhibition games left, and jobs on the Red Wings roster could be available.

It's time for veterans to pick up the pace, too, before the Oct. 9 regular-season opener.

So, coach Mike Babcock will be watching closely beginning tonight against the Penguins.

"We have a lot of kids who look like they might be able to play here," Babcock said. "We just keep watching, it's three games against good competition, and we'll see.

"They've (the youngsters) been good, real good. They've been honest in their approach. In the end, you still have to win a job and we'll see the next couple of days."

Babcock feels there are five defensemen from minor league affiliate Grand Rapids — Mattias Backman, Nick Jensen, Alexey Marchenko, Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul — who could eventually play in the NHL.

Whether any of them are on the Red Wings roster Oct. 9 remains to be seen.

"We have guys coming," Babcock said. "We want some push from the bottom. We have that (with those five young defensemen)."

The injury to Pavel Datsyuk (shoulder separation) and Daniel Alfredsson's indecision regarding retirement could open a spot for a forward such as Mitch Callahan or Landon Ferraro, both of whom are out of minor league options.

But beginning against the Penguins, Babcock wants to see more out of his veterans in theseexhibition games.

"I'd like some of the veteran guys to get up to speed for sure," Babcock said.

Big week

Henrik Zetterberg said he talked with Alfredsson a couple of days ago and Alfredsson could be close to a decision on whether to return.

Alfredsson, 41, is expected to finalize a decision next week.

"He says he feels better," Zetterberg said. "This week will be an important week and hopefully he'll be with us next week."

Zetterberg had similar back problems last season, underwent surgery, and can sympathize with what Alfredsson is going through.

"It was a wise decision for him to take the time now, do his rehab, and really give it a last shot," Zetterberg said. "Hopefully it'll work."

Standout Smith

It was only an exhibition game, but Brendan Smith's play Monday has to excite the Wings.

Smith played 25:57, blocked three shots, and played as soundly and efficiently as he ever has.

"Smith was the best defenseman on the ice, bar none, on both teams, which is great," Babcock said. "I've never been able to say that about Smitty in an NHL game. Ever. They (the Maple Leafs) had NHL players playing. I thought Smitty was great."

Nyquist returns

Gustav Nyquist (knee) returned to practice and is hopeful of playing this week — maybe against Pittsburgh tonight.

Nyquist suffered a knee-on-knee collision with Boston defenseman Dougie Hamilton in Saturday's game and there was fear Nyquist was going to misstime.

But the knee has progressed daily.

"I felt better today, better than yesterday," Nyquist said. "It feels good. I'm really happy about it."

Darren Helm (broken nose) and Jonathan Ericsson (hip flexor) both are day to day.

"I'm going to wait until (this) morning and then I'll know," said Babcock, as to whether Helm and Nyquist will play. "E had all his equipment on and I saw him out there (on the ice). The next think I know, he was gone."

Ice chips

Babcock will start Jimmy Howard in net against Pittsburgh, then Jonas Gustavsson (Friday) and Petr Mrazek (Saturday).

… Babcock, on team speed this season: "We were at a snail's pace last year at the start of the year. I didn't even like watching us at practice, we were so slow. We think we're really going to be able to fly (this season)."

[email protected]

twitter.com/tkulfan

Penguins at Red Wings

Faceoff: 7:30 Wednesday, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit

TV/Radio: FSD/97.1.

Notes: The Red Wings defeated Pittsburgh 2-1 in the exhibition opener for both teams. … Pittsburgh will be without C Evgeni Malkin (undisclosed injury).

Detroit News LOADED: 10.01.2014


Wings' Brendan Smith impresses Babcock

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 4:09 p.m. EDT September 30, 2014

Detroit — It was only an exhibition game, but Brendan Smith's play Monday had to excite the Red Wings.

Smith played 25 minutes, 57 seconds, blocked three shots and played as soundly and efficiently as he's ever played as a member of the Red Wings.

"Smith was the best defenseman on the ice, bar none, on both teams, which is great," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "I've never been able to say that about Smitty in an NHL game. Ever. They (the Maple Leafs) had NHL players playing. I thought Smitty was great."

Smith, 25, has been inconsistent in his first two NHL seasons but seemed to find a level of consistency in the second half of last season.

Nyquist returns

Forward Gustav Nyquist (knee) returned to practice Tuesday and could play as early as Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Nyquist suffered a knee-on-knee collision with Boston defenseman Dougie Hamilton in Saturday's game, and there was fear Nyquist would be sidelined. But the knee has progressed every day.

"I felt better today, better than yesterday," Nyquist said. "It feels good. I'm really happy about it."

Nyquist hopes to play in at least one more exhibition game this week.

Darren Helm (broken nose) and Jonathan Ericsson (hip flexor) both are day to day.

"I'm going to wait until (Wednesday) morning and then I'll know," said Babcock, as to whether Helm and Nyquist will play. "E had all his equipment on and I saw him out there (on the ice). The next think I know, he was gone."

Ericsson isn't likely to play until the weekend.

Like Bowman?

Scotty Bowman worked mainly on one-year contracts during his coaching career with the Red Wings.

Babcock, whose contract expires after this season, hasn't thought about doing the same.

"Scotty was on one-year deals a lot in Detroit and it worked for him," Babcock said. "I haven't thought much about it. When you get to a certain stage, you're pretty comfortable, and it doesn't matter, because you're just going to coach the team anyway."

Detroit News LOADED: 10.01.2014


Red Wings' defense prospect Xavier Ouellet an elite thinker who 'looks like he's played here 10 years'

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

on September 30, 2014 at 6:02 PM, updated September 30, 2014 at 6:05 PM

DETROIT – Xavier Ouellet doesn't have a booming shot or blazing speed, won't generate a lot of offense and doesn't deliver crushing checks.

The Detroit Red Wings defense prospect doesn't do any one thing in spectacular fashion, but he does everything well.

"He's just kind of an old-time player; he's got great hockey sense," coach Mike Babcock said. "The sum of the parts add up greater than anything. He just thinks so good. You look at him, he's not huge (6-1, 190), he's not an elite skater, he's just an elite thinker and plays right all the time.

"He just looks like a hockey player to me, looks like he's played here 10 years."

Ouellet, 21, appears to have separated himself from the pack of promising defense prospects competing in the preseason – a group featuring Alexey Marchenko, Ryan Sproul, Mattias Backman and Nick Jensen.

Ouellet has logged more minutes in three preseason games (averaging 24:18) than anyone on the team. He has the best plus-minus rating on the club (plus-4).

"I love to play," Ouellet said. "So I get the opportunity to have a lot of minutes and I think they want to test me, see what I can do, and I think I reacted pretty good and I enjoy it."

Despite his strong play in training camp and exhibition games, Ouellet likely will start the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, along with the four other defense prospects.

The Red Wings brought back the same seven NHL defensemen they had in 2013-14 and there are no indications that any of them will be replaced before the season opener Oct. 9.

So it looks like Ouellet will spend some more time developing in the AHL, where he had four goals and 17 points in 70 games as a rookie for the Griffins. He'll probably be the first one recalled in case of injury, like was last season, when he played in four games for Detroit

"I want to be an all-around defenseman who can produce offensively, can be real strong defensively," Ouellet said. "I want the coaches to use me in every situation. I got to keep working on every little aspect of my game and keep improving."

Babcock liked what he saw in Ouellet last season. That's why he trusted him to play in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series against Boston, in place of an ineffective Jakub Kindl.

"It was an amazing experience," Ouellet said. "They showed a lot of trust and I think I did a good job and they see how I react under pressure, and that's a good thing."

Ouellet, a native of Bayonne, France, improved his skating and got stronger in the off-season.

"I did a lot of power skating this summer and I think it helps a lot and I feel a lot better on the ice," Ouellet said. "And obviously I worked hard in the gym so I feel real strong on the ice."

It's only a matter of time before the organization's second-round pick in 2011 (48th overall) is logging big minutes in Detroit.

"Obviously, my goal is to make the team and play for the Red Wings," Ouellet said. "So I come here, do my best and try to show the coaches what I can do and they're going to make their own decisions."

In the meantime, he'll continue competing against his Griffins teammates from last season, hoping to be the one the big club promotes first.

"We're a pretty close group and we all know each other and hang out together," Ouellet said. "I think everybody brings something different, so we all can learn from each other, and that's a good thing.

"It's a friendly competition. We all give our best and try to have fun, try to help each other."

Michigan Live LOADED: 10.01.2014


Red Wings' Gustav Nyquist returns to practice; Brendan Smith impresses Mike Babcock

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

on September 30, 2014 at 2:37 PM, updated September 30, 2014 at 2:49 PM

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist was back on the ice for practice Tuesday, three days after escaping a serious injury from a knee-on-knee collision in a preseason game.

He skated on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen.

"I'm feeling better than yesterday," Nyquist said.

Nyquist said it hasn't been decided if he'll play Wednesday's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Joe Louis Arena (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). But he hopes to play at least one more preseason game. The Red Wings finish with road games at Toronto Friday and Boston Saturday.

Darren Helm (groin) skated for the second day in a row but defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (groin/hip flexor) did not practice for the second consecutive day.

Coach Mike Babcock said he didn't know if Nyquist or Helm would play Wednesday.

"I going to wait until tomorrow morning and then I'll know," Babcock said. "Nyquie was feeling not bad today. I didn't talk to Helmer about it. He said he's been feeling better."

He said of Ericsson: "E had all his equipment on and I saw him out there and the next think I know he was gone."

Babcock said Jimmy Howard will play the entire game Wednesday, Jonas Gustavsson will play Friday and Petr Mrazek on Saturday.

Smith stands out

Defenseman Brendan Smith logged 25:57 of ice time, including 9:34 on the penalty kill, in Monday's 3-0 victory over Toronto. The Red Wings played virtually the entire game with five defensemen after Aaron Rome (lower-body injury) left following his first shift.

"I thought Smith was the best defenseman on the ice last night, bar none, on both teams, which is great," Babcock said. "I've never been able to say that about Smitty in an NHL game ever. A lot of NHL players played, I thought Smitty was great."

Babcock likes his defense's potential.

"We got guys coming," he said. "We need (Danny DeKeyser) to (progress); obviously we need (Niklas) Kronwall to have another big year. We want some push from the bottom. We think in (Alexey) Marchenko and (Xavier) Ouellet and (Ryan) Sproul and (Nick) Jensen and (Mattias) Backman that we have that.

"How far is it away? Last year at this time ... (Tomas) Tatar sat out the first nine games, Nyquist started in the minors, (Riley) Sheahan wasn't even on the radar screen. (Tomas) Jurco, heck, was so average at the start of the year it wasn't even funny. So you go through it, it doesn't take long (to progress)."

Red Wings practice The Red Wings who played in Monday's 3-0 preseason win over Toronto skating at Joe Louis Arena.

Faster Wings

Babcock believes they are a faster team, at least in the preseason.

"We were at a snail's pace last year at the start of the year," he said. "I didn't even like watching us practice, we were so slow. We were able to pick things up during the year and get way quicker, and ideally we'll continue to do that. We think we're really going to be able to fly."

No thoughts on going year to year

Scotty Bowman worked mostly on one-year deals when he coached the Red Wings from 1993-94 to 2001-02. Babcock said he hasn't thought about whether he would want to follow suit.

"I knew Scotty was on one-year deals lots in Detroit and it worked for him," Babcock said. "I haven't thought much about that. I think when you get to a certain stage, you're pretty comfortable; it doesn't matter, you're just going to coach the team anyway.

"This seems to be a way bigger deal for (media) than it is for me. It'll be good when the season starts and then I won't have to talk about it anymore."

Babcock and general manager Ken Holland will have more in-depth contract talks this weekend. If no extension is in place by the season opener on Oct. 9, talks likely will be tabled until after the season.



Website predicts Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk will retire after season and give up $15 million

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

on September 30, 2014 at 6:09 AM, updated September 30, 2014 at 6:11 AM

Is this Pavel Datsyuk's final season with the Detroit Red Wings?

Bleacher Report apparently thinks so.

Despite having two more years remaining on his contract at $7.5 million per season, the website has Datsyuk among its "10 productive players most likely to retire after the 2014-15 season." He's listed at No. 2.

Bleacher Report cited injuries as the reason it thinks Datsyuk will hang up his skates after his 13th NHL season, all with the Red Wings.

"Detroit's most famous current player missed 37 games a year ago with a knee injury and a concussion," wrote Allan Mitchell. "GM Ken Holland says Datyuk's separated shoulder will keep him out of action for four or five weeks. Detroit clearly wants Datsyuk for the next three years, but his injuries may dictate the timeline."

So Datsyuk is going to walk away from a guaranteed $15 million despite the fact that he doesn't turn 37 until next summer? That doesn't seem to make much sense but stranger things have happened.

New Jersey's Jaromir Jagr is No. 1 on Bleacher Report's list and Datsyuk is followed by New Jersey's Marek Zidlicky, the Islanders' Lubomir Visnovsky, Nashville's Olli Jokinen and Matt Cullen, Dallas' Erik Cole, Tampa Bay's Brenden Morrow, Colorado's Daniel Briere and Dallas' Shawn Horcoff.



Red Wings have decent depth in organization on blue line

By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily

Posted: 09/30/14, 7:20 PM EDT |

DETROIT >> The Detroit Red Wings always seem to find depth at forward within the organization.

That now looks to be the case on the blue line.

“I think the guys that are pushing are (Xavier) Ouellet and (Alexey) Marchenko,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said after practice Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena. “(Nick) Jensen’s been a real surprise. (Ryan) Sproul’s a good player. I thought there was four D, there’s actually five of them who look to be like they’re going to play in the league.”

Mattias Backman is the fifth defenseman Babcock referred to.

“Depth on the back end, we need it,” Babcock said. “We continually say we need to improve our D, I thought (Brendan) Smith was the best defenseman on the ice (Monday) night, bar none, on both teams, which is great. I’ve never been able to say that about Smitty in an NHL game ever. A lot of NHL players played, I thought Smitty was great.”

Detroit has seven defensemen on one-way deals this season – Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Smith, Danny DeKeyser, Kyle Quincey, Jakub Kindl and Brian Lashoff.

“We’ve got guys coming,” Babcock continued. “We want some push from the bottom. We think in Marchenko and Ouellet and Sproul and Jensen and Backman that we have that. How far is it away? Last year if you would have talked to me at this time I would have told you … (Tomas) Tatar sat out the first nine games, (Gustav) Nyquist started in the minors, (Riley) Sheahan wasn’t even on the radar screen, (Tomas) Jurco, heck, was so average at the start of the year it wasn’t even funny. So you go through, it doesn’t take long. When you’re big and fast and you know how to play, you see what happens.”

Babcock was asked about Scotty Bowman’s mindset of signing just one-year deals.

“It worked for him,” Babcock said. “I think when you get to a certain stage, you’re pretty comfortable, it doesn’t matter, you’re just going to coach the team anyway. This seems to be a way bigger deal for you people than it is for me. It’ll be good when the season starts and then I won’t have to talk about it anymore.”

Babcock and general manager Ken Holland will have in-depth talks this weekend where a contract is expected to be offered. If they’re unable to reach a deal by the season opener (Oct. 9) talks will likely be done until after the season.

Gustav Nyquist (knee) returned to practice. Darren Helm (groin) practiced a second straight day. Ericsson (groin/hip flexor) did not practice. Babcock won’t know if Nyquist or Helm will play Wednesday. … Each of the Wings’ three goalies will get a start in the final preseason games, starting with Jimmy Howard, followed by Jonas Gustavsson and Petr Mrazek.

Babcock’s quote on how different the pace is on the ice this season compared to last year.

“We were at a snail’s pace last year at the start of the year,” Babcock said. “I didn’t even like watching us practice, we were so slow. We were able to pick things up during the year and get way quicker and ideally we’ll continue to do that. We think we’re really going to be able to fly.”

Macomb Daily LOADED: 10.01.2014


Mrazek helps Red Wings beat Maple Leafs 3-0

AP

SEP 29, 2014 10:17p ET

DETROIT (AP) -- Petr Mrazek made 27 saves, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0 in a preseason game on Monday night.

Riley Sheahan had a goal and an assist, and Nick Jensen and Tomas Jurco also scored.

James Reimer stopped 14 shots for Toronto.

Jensen and Sheahan each had a power-play goal in the second period.

foxsports.com LOADED: 10.01.2014

736876 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers assign four players to AHL, waive one

By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal September 30, 2014

EDMONTON - There is a little bit more elbow room in the Edmonton Oilers locker room now that another five players have been rerouted to Oklahoma City to spend the season with the Barons.

Forwards Travis Ewanyk and Mitch Moroz, along with defencemen Jordan Oesterle and Dillon Simpson were assigned to the American Hockey League club while Andrew Miller was placed on waivers. He’ll join the Barons when he clears.

That left the Oilers with 38 players, including goaltenders Laurent Broissoit and Richard Bachman, who will both be heading south soon.

“It sucks to see guys go and the prospects did a great job. Our prospect depth is a lot better than it has been in years past,” star Oilers forward Taylor Hall said on Tuesday. “It seems like there’s a lot of kids coming and really pushing.

“But it is nice to get down to a number where we’re all in one dressing room. Now we don’t have to have three different meetings in the same day.”

The Oilers play the Arizona Coyotes Wednesday at Rexall Place and will host the Canucks the following night before playing their final tune-up game Saturday in Vancouver.

Rookie Leon Draisaitl, who is going to get every opportunity to prove he’s ready to step in as the club’s second-line centre, is expected to play with Jordan Eberle and David Perron on Wednesday.

Coach Dallas Eakins said these next five games will be key for the player selected third overall in the June draft. With teams cutting down their rosters, the tempo in the pre-season games will continue to ramp up, which will be the next measuring stick for Draisaitl.

“We’ve been rebuilding for a few years now so everybody knows we have to try and do whatever we can to make that next jump and our prospects are looking really solid,” said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who skated with Hall and Nail Yakupov on Tuesday.

Oil drops

Defenceman Jeff Petry (shoulder) was out on the practice ice for the second straight day, albeit he didn’t have any contact. He does want to get into a pre-season game but won’t push it if there’s any chance he’s at risk of tweaking it.

Captain Andrew Ference, who took a puck in his arm in the game against Chicago in Saskatoon on Sunday, did not skate.

Meanwhile, winger Luke Gazdic, who underwent shoulder surgery in the spring, is taking part in practices — to the extent where he’s now able to do some jostling along the boards — but he isn’t sure yet if he’ll be ready for the season opener on Thursday, Oct. 9, against the Calgary Flames.

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 10.01.2014


'We missed it': Edmonton Oilers GM admits NHL team botched contract with Vladimir Tkachev


EDMONTON - The ink didn’t even have time to dry on the entry level contract that Vladimir Tkachev had signed with the Edmonton Oilers before it was tossed out by the National Hockey League.

The undrafted, undersized winger, who did nothing but turn heads at Oilers training camp, cannot sign with Edmonton or, for that matter, any NHL team, because he did not play a full season in North America.

The 141-pound winger will be tossed back into the draft pool in June.

“We felt he was eligible because he had played games last season in North America, but in talking to the NHL, the wording is clear that he had to have played a full season,” said Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish.

“We missed it. At no point was Tkachev eligible.”

The Russian prospect, who turns 19 on Sunday, had played two games with Omsk in the Kontintenal Hockey League while he waited for his IIHF release then headed to Moncton to play with the Wildcats in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

He played his first game on Jan. 21 then another 19 to close out the regular season.

The Oilers had offered him an amateur tryout contract following the NHL draft and, with it, an invitation to play at the annual rookie tournament in Penticton, B.C.

Tkachev parlayed that into a trip to the main camp after which he went out and earned a chance to play in three pre-season games.

“He was certainly deserving of the contract,” said MacTavish, who said they were operating under the premise that he had full CHL rights.

However, there are two sub-sections in the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, the second of which spells out that a player must have been with a team at the commencement of the major junior season.

What this means for Tkachev is that he will go back to Moncton — where he put up 30 points in 20 regular-season games — fully capable of putting up the kind of numbers that can’t be dismissed on draft day. If he happens to add some muscle, all the better.

“We still want to draft him, but it’s going to be a more competitive environment, I’d expect, next year,” MacTavish said. “We’ll have to see. He’s going back to Moncton with more notoriety than he came with to us in Penticton.”

In the three NHL pre-season games he played, Tkachev registered three assists.

“He looked more like a dressing room attendant,” Taylor Hall said of his first glimpse of the prospect. “But once he suits up and gets out there, he can skate well, move the puck well ... he thinks the game well. Those are the types of things that — no matter how small or big you are — you need to have to play in the NHL. Hopefully that happens for him someday.”

Tkachev, who has been leaning on Bogdan Yakimov and Nail Yakupov to do his talking for him, relayed through Yakupov on Tuesday, back when he thought he was with the Oilers, that he went into camp only intent on doing what he could.

“He kind of looks like this kid who showed up that we gave a bunch of men’s equipment to,” said head coach Dallas Eakins. “He has an incredible skill set: he has an ability to handle the puck, protect the puck, make plays, enter the zone under control; and he is not be intimidated by any kind of size. He’s impressive to watch.”

The Oilers will surely send Tkachev to Moncton sooner rather than after another pre-season game, given he is no longer their property.



Never say never: Brad Hunt could emerge as Edmonton Oilers' No. 7 defenceman

By Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal September 30, 2014

EDMONTON - Is there a scenario that one of the longest of long shots, Brad Hunt, could actually be the No. 7 defenceman here because he can coolly play the point on a second Edmonton Oilers power play, also distribute the puck to the right people at the right time with some effectiveness?

Yes, although the 5’9″, 188-pound Hunt is still in a training camp moshpit with his Monday partner Darnell Nurse, the much bigger Keith Aulie, Oscar Klefbom and others for work on the Edmonton blueline.

Hunt -- who was signed by the Oilers last season in large part because he had played for current GM Craig MacTavish when MacT was coaching the Vancouver Canucks AHL farm team, the Chicago Wolves -- was terrific in the Oilers’ 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Monday night.

He played 19 minutes, and at game’s end, assistant coach Craig Ramsay made a beeline for Hunt.

“Really good game,” said Ramsay, who’s been around the NHL block a few times.

Hunt played three Oilers games last season on a mid-season recall, with checkered results.

Solid B in his first game, but he struggled in game No. 3 when he made some errors, and his grade suffered before he was sent back to Oklahoma City.

While it’s true you can’t coach size, Hunt has a heart that would light up a hockey rink to go with a smile that never quits.

When Ramsay offered his post-game critique, Hunt was tickled, of course. Never hurts to win points with coaches, even if the games don’t count in pre-season.

“You cheer for guys like Huntzie,” said head knock Dallas Eakins, who earned his bones as a minor-league coach and was a journeyman pro defenceman moving from team to team.

He knows the trials and tribulations of guys on the bubble.

“He loves playing hockey and that kid can play," Eakins said after Monday's game. "He shoots it on the powerplay, he’s ready to tee it up, he knows when to move the puck, he knows when to jump into the play. He turned out to be an excellent partner for Darnell tonight. Rather than giving Darnell an NHL veteran guy every game, we have to see how Darnell does with a normal partner.”

Eakins admitted there’s room on every NHL roster for powerplay guys, no matter how big.

Torrey Krug proved that in Boston last year, becoming a top six guy with the Bruins and a rookie-of-the year contender.

Tyson Barrie isn’t big in Colorado, either. They’ve proven they’re NHLers; Hunt hasn’t got there yet. But as camp wears on he’s not going away.

He might still be assigned to Todd Nelson’s AHL squad when NHL rosters have to be finalized next Tuesday, but he’s making a case for himself.

“A pointman on the powerplay would be in Hunt’s back pocket for sure,” said Eakins, “and he’s going to have to push his way into 5-on-5 situations, but tonight he showed he can play at this level, right now. As you all know, the more you go along (camp) the games get quicker but I think Huntzie’s up to the challenge.”

Hunt admits that last year was deer-in-the-headlights stuff with partner Nick Schultz when he was summoned from OKC, where he and Taylor Fedun worked versions of the Barons’ AHL powerplay.

He had 50 points and was a second-team AHL all-star.

“I know everybody now and know what they expect, so it helps with your confidence,” said Hunt.

“The first NHL game I was so nervous because everything was so new. The first shift went by so fast, then holy smokes, it was the end of the first period. The second game I settled in but in the third I made a couple of mistakes and was nervous again.

"This year ... it’s just another game kind of thing. Last year, I was stuck with the experience of being around all the great players. It was a dream come true for me.”

Hunt said it gives him “hope” to see smaller defencemen on other NHL rosters.

“You have to play a different game obviously than a bigger player, smarter," he said. "I’m not out there banging bodies, I’m working positionally. I love seeing guys like Krug and Barrie in Colorado and (Tyler) Spurgeon in Minnesota. You try to model yourelf after those guys."

Nurse, who will likely have to make the top six because he has junior eligibility left, also had a strong night against Winnipeg.

He played 22:30, and had one interesting play in the third when he jumped in the air to try and keep a puck in, getting about three feet off the ice.

“Working on my vertical (leap). I tried to dunk on a basketball net this summer. I was surprised I got a piece of it (puck), actually. I need a couple more inches (height),” laughed Nurse.



Rogers unveils $4.5 million new home for hockey telecasts

By Rob Brodie, Postmedia News September 29, 2014


In home renovation terms, it goes way, way beyond merely adding a fresh coat of paint or two.

Let’s just say the folks at Rogers have gone much more than the extra mile in transforming a studio at the CBC Broadcasting Centre in Toronto into the most hi-tech of new hockey residences.

They finally took the wraps of Sportsnet’s new Hockey Central studio on Monday and, well … let’s just say $4.5 million can buy you a whole bunch of really fancy new toys. Like “Goliath,” for example — a 38-foot long ultra-high definition monitor that stands 11 feet tall and dominates the 11,000-square foot studio, which includes nine distinct sets. It’ll be unveiled to viewers on Oct.8, the opening night of the 2014-15 NHL season, which also marks the beginning of a 12-year contract for national NHL rights that cost Rogers a cool $5.2 billion. It’ll also be the new base for Hockey Night in Canada on Saturdays.

While the studio’s final pricetag isn’t exactly chump change, Rogers didn’t do this on the cheap, either. That sends a rather important message, said Scott Moore, Rogers’ president of Sportsnet and NHL.

“In some ways, studios and sets are a little bit like some nice wallpaper in your house,” he said. “But in others, they set a tone as to what you’re going to do. When our commentators walked in here a couple of weeks ago, they went ‘oh my God, these guys are serious.’ We could have spent $5.2 billion on the rights and then found inexpensive ways of doing production. We’re not doing that. It’s important for us as a company and it’s important for viewers to know that the game is going to be covered well for the next 12 years. I think when people tune in for the first time, they’ll see ‘hey, they’re serious.’

“I’ve told the story several times of the World Cup in 2010 when I was at CBC. We spent a lot of time and effort putting together a very nice set and at times, you think, why are we doing this? Are we doing this for ourselves? And soon after it debuted, I remember running into people who had nothing to do with the business and they said ‘wow, your coverage looks so big.’ It wasn’t that we were doing the coverage of the games any differently, it was that we had this great set that we could use to tell stories.”

There is ample space to do that — and then some. New Hockey Night in Canada host George Stroumboulopoulos has his familiar red chairs in one corner of the studio to do interviews. Across the way, you’ll find the space the Coach’s Corner duo of Ron MacLean and Don Cherry will do their regular Saturday night thing. That’s what figures to be the familiar for longtime viewers of HNIC.

But there will be lots of room for new, too. Like a Puck Wall, which features one disc for all 30 teams. Place one of them into a specially made cradle, and stats and info about that team pops up onto one of the 52 total screens in the studio. It’s a toy that really screams cool — and fun.

Moore’s favourite area of the studio includes a floor made of LED screens, which can be transformed into a faceoff circle or goalie’s crease for demonstrations.

There are also three separate ‘regional’ sets, two of them stacked one on top of the other. Given the schedule for the night, both could be operational at the same time. In fact, technology exists to shoot three live broadcasts in the studio at the same time for three or more networks. In all, nine channels are involved in delivering 550-plus Rogers NHL telecasts this season.

For some folks used to a little more simplicity — think CBC’s former Hockey Night studio — it might well be a jarring sight. But Moore believes, given time, viewers will warm up to something that is indeed completely different.

“I think you’re not doing your job if you’re not always looking for ways to keep it fresh,” he said. “When I was at Hockey Night (as the head of CBC Sports), we talked about how we were going to refresh, how we were going to do things differently. The change in rights ownership is a perfect time to sort of reset and say okay, let’s do things a little differently. Change is tough

and people don’t always embrace change right away, but I’d like to think people are going to say in two or three years, ‘yeah, that’s the standard.’ I think it may well happen a lot quicker.”



NHL rules Oilers contract with Vladimir Tkachev ineligible

By Robert Tychkowski, Edmonton Sun


EDMONTON - Oops.

The feel good story of the day didn’t even make it to sundown Tuesday.

Less than six hours after the Edmonton Oilers announced that they had signed 141-pound Russian winger Vladimir Tkachev to a three-year entry level contract, the National Hockey League tapped them on the shoulder and said “Oh no you didn’t.”

The league rejected the deal, informing Edmonton that the collective bargaining agreement clearly states that the teenage sensation is ineligible to sign with anyone until next summer.

“We missed it,” said Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish, making the telephone interview rounds in the wake of this rather embarrassing turn of events.

“It’s just a bad ending to a really good story. I feel bad on a number of fronts. First, that we missed it. Second, I feel bad for the kid who was so excited to sign an NHL contract.

“And third for our organization — it looked like we had a pretty good player.”

Not any more.

An acquisition that seemed too good to be true — not even having to spend a draft pick on a dynamic winger who seems poised to go back to Junior and put up 100-plus points — was exactly that.

The confusion stems from some fine print, which the Oilers never made it to when they were reading through the CBA.

What the Oilers did read is that a player is eligible to be signed if he played in North America the season before and had already passed through the draft. Tkachev was good on both counts.

The part they missed, however, went on to say that “playing in North America” meant playing a full season, being there from the start. Tkachev joined the Moncton Wildcats in mid season and only played 20 games.

“When you look down a couple of sub sections it clarifies ‘prior season’ as being a complete, full season,” said MacTavish. “He had played some games in the KHL last season. That’s what we missed on. At no point was he eligible to sign a standard players contract.

“The miss on our part was we perceived him as a CHL player. We wrongfully assumed he was treated the same way as CHL players.”

The CBA can be a big and complicated ball of yarn. Things are occasionally lost in the fog of legal garble but MacTavish says this is something they should have caught.

“I think any time you get in this situation, the right answer is we should have had it,” he said. “I can come up with explanations, but ultimately it falls on me and the organization to find these things. At the end of the day, we’re responsible for it.”

It’s not like they blew it and lost a potential star in the league, that Tkachev would still be Oilers property had they done something differently — he was never eligible in the first place. It’s just tough on a kid who thought he’d signed a deal and it reflects somewhat poorly on Oilers management.

“It looks like everybody is a loser in this, with the exception of 29 other teams who will now get a crack at him,” said MacTavish, who spoke with Tkachev’s agent, as well as other executives around the league, and none of them knew about the CBA loophole, either.

“A lot of my colleagues were asking what we were going to do with him. I said we’re probably going to sign him and they said, good idea.”

On the bright side, in a few short weeks Tkachev has gone from an total unknown to having a neon light on his helmet for the upcoming junior season.

“Good for him,” said MacTavish. “He’s going into the season with a whole lot more notoriety, especially now, than he otherwise would have.

“It would be hard not to cheer for the kid, still.”

Tkachev remains in camp, but probably not for long.

“I haven’t really decided what we’ll do from this point forward. We were planning on playing him, I’m not sure that we’ll do that. I’ll try and do what’s right for the organization as well as being mindful of what’s right for the kid.”

And who knows, he might still be there when it’s Edmonton’s turn to draft next year.

“Hopefully he comes to the combine in an oversized suit and we’ll get him in the fourth round.”

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 10.01.2014


Oilers hope lining up Leon Draisaitl with Jordan Eberle and David Perron will boost trio's production



EDMONTON - In slotting him between Jordan Eberle and David Perron, the Edmonton Oilers are really putting Leon Draisaitl in a position to succeed.

Same goes for Eberle and Perron.

As much as head coach Dallas Eakins believes Draisaitl will benefit from having Eberle and Perron on his wings, he also believes the 18-year-old set-up man will bring the best out of the two 28-goal men.

“We’re looking to put not only him, but Ebs and Perron in a spot to have success as well,” said Eakins, who’ll line the trio up together Wednesday against Arizona.

“We want all our guys feeling really good about themselves rolling into the season. We’re looking for them to not only complement Leon, but Leon complements them as well.

“The kid has a skill set to make plays and he has the size. He’s played well so far.”

Draisaitl has pretty much been anointed as the second line centre since about the third day of rookie camp, and while Eakins will be waiting until the end of the pre-season games before making any decisions about the job, he says the kid hasn’t done anything yet to show he’s not ready.

“In terms of what he’s up against at camp and how he’s played, I think he’s managed the speed and the pace very well,” said Eakins. “But we all know what’s coming next — more guys are going to go out the door and the speed is going to be quicker. The will be more (NHL) guys on every team. The next five days for him will be very important.”

CUT CITY: The Oilers cut five players Tuesday, sending Travis Ewanyk, Mitch Moroz, Jordan Oesterle, Dillon Simpson and Andrew Miller to Oklahoma City.

“Tough day for five guys,” said Eakins. “But you want it to be a positive day. All those young men have made great strides over the summer and in camp. Just not in the mix for our team at this point, but starting to push from the bottom, which is what we need.”



Edmonton Oilers sign impressive, but undersized, Vladimir Tkachev


First posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 09:46 AM MDT | Updated: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 06:15 PM MDT

EDMONTON - It's been 30 years since the Oilers won their first Stanley Cup. Share your best Oilers memories with us below. We'll publish some as the Oilers 1984 Stanley Cup reunion approaches. It's set for Oct. 10, approaches.

The first time Taylor Hall saw young Vladimir Tkachev in an Oilers dressing room, he thought the 141-pound Russian was in Edmonton to pass towels, not pucks.

“He doesn’t look like a National Hockey League player, he looked more like a dressing room attendant,” said Hall. “But once he suits up and gets out there he can skate well, he can move the puck well and he thinks the game well.

“No matter how big you are or how small you are, you need those types of things to play in the NHL. Hopefully that happens for him some day.”

The Oilers would love that, after inking the undersized sensation to a three-year entry level contract Tuesday in the hope that the kid who’s been stealing the show in training camp will one day grow into a legitimate NHL impact player.

“He’s played incredibly well,” said head coach Dallas Eakins. “He’s a player who’s defied the odds with his size and incredible skill set. His ability to handle the puck, protect the puck, make plays, enter the zone under control and not be intimidated by any kind of size is impressive to watch.”

Tkachev went undrafted last summer when nobody wanted to risk a pick on a guy who has to run around in the shower to get wet, but he gladly accepted a no-promises invitation to Oilers rookie camp after Moncton Wildcats coach Darren Rumble put in a good word for him with head scout Stu MacGregor.

“He’s really excited about (the contract) and happy to be here,” said Oilers winger Nail Yakupov, translating for the 18-year-old. “The first thing he wanted to do was play well in the rookie camp and then try to do the same thing here (in main camp).”

Tkachev looked like he’d never survive among the modern day giants, but he turned heads in a hurry with his speed, stick handling and playmaking ability.

He was the star at rookie camp in Penticton and then continued that pace at main camp, scoring three assists in three games.

“He’s earned everything he’s got so far,” said Eakins. “He seems to find a way to impress.”

But on an Oiler team with a mandate to get bigger and stronger, he didn’t exactly fit in with the rest of Edmonton’s towering off-season acquisitions.

“He kind of looks like this kid that showed up and we gave him a bunch of men’s equipment to put on and a sweater that’s hanging off him,” said Eakins. “And every day you’re waiting for him to fall off but he keeps getting better. I’m proud of him, he’s done extremely well.”

Even Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who at 170 pounds was considered by many to be too small for the NHL in his first year, did a double take when he saw Tkachev for the first time. Then he did another one when he saw him go to work on the ice.

“Just how dynamic he is. He just makes plays where it seems like he’s not even trying out there. He reminds me of Hemmer (Ales Hemsky), just the way it doesn’t look like he’s trying so hard, but all of a sudden he’s by guys. He’s exciting to watch.”

Nugent-Hopkins likes that Tkachev isn’t afraid of the big guys. He goes into corners to battle for the puck and doesn’t shy away from carrying it in high traffic areas.

“He’s not scared to make plays, he’s not scared to take a hit out there. He cut through the middle, get hit pretty good once (Monday against Winnipeg), got right back up and was willing to try the same thing again. It shows a lot about his character.

“What’s he going to be able to do when he matures and does bulk up is going to be exciting.”

The first step in that process will be sending him back to Moncton, where he scored 30 points in 20 games last season after moving over from Russia. The expectations are that he will emerge as a 100-plus point player this year and hopefully fill out that tiny frame.

“I think they’re banking on him growing a little bit and maturing physically,” said Hall. “But as far as making plays and seeing the ice I think they made a pretty good investment.”


736883 Florida Panthers

ELLIS SENT DOWN: Panthers send veteran goalie to San Antonio

Posted by George Richards

The Panthers sent veteran goalie Dan Ellis to their AHL affiliate in San Antonio on Tuesday leaving their training camp roster at 31 players.

Florida is expected to make eight more moves in the coming days and open the season with 23 players.

Ellis, 34, came to the Panthers from Dallas on trade deadline day in March in exchange for Tim Thomas. Ellis went 0-5 and stopped 84 percent of his shots faced to finish the 2013-14 season with Florida.

In July, the Panthers signed Al Montoya to backup Roberto Luongo although Ellis said he planned on doing the job.

Ellis stopped 14 of 17 shots this preseason. He cleared waivers on Monday but remained with the team in Dallas.

COMING UP

Wednesday: Practice at Coral Springs IceDen, 11 a.m.

Thursday: Preseason game vs. Tampa Bay, BB&T Center, 7:30 p.m.

Friday: Practice at Coral Springs IceDen, 11 a.m.

Miami Herald LOADED: 10.01.2014


Former Bruins' toughie Shawn Thornton will protect Panthers teammates

By Harvey Fialkov,, Sun Sentinel

Shawn Thornton has had 124 regular-season fights

Goalie Dan Ellis clears waivers and remains with Panthers

Generally, there's not much rough stuff in preseason games, as there's a bit of an unspoken agreement between coaches and players to lay off the fighting and cheap hits.

Apparently, Shawn Thornton, the Panthers latest enforcer-type forward, didn't get the memo. In the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Nashville Predators, the former Bruins' toughie decided to send a few messages, not just to the Predators but to his new teammates, that he's got their backs.

In the first period, Thornton, a veteran of 124 regular-season fights according to hockeyfights.com, took on Predators forward Rich Klune, also no stranger to the pugilistic side of the sport with 16 tussles last season.

It was no contest as the 6-foot-2, 217-pound Thornton demolished Clune, who's 5-10, 188-pounds. In the third period, Thornton took umbrage to a nasty, yet clean hit on Panthers forward John McFarland by defenseman Michael Liambas, who had 25 fights in the AHL last season. The two scrapped but the confrontation was more 'Dancing with the Stars' than a UFC fight card.

"Maybe it was a little bit the product of the environment but both times I was asked to cut them off,'' said Thornton, 37, who has 88 career points in 559 games over 11 NHL seasons to go with 906 penalty minutes. "I didn't think he wanted to [fight], but I was willing to oblige and show my teammates that this is part of the reason I'm here.

"The second one I thought he had taken some liberties with some of my teammates. I had a chance to check him. I did it and we sorted it out like men. I'd like to contribute in other ways but over my career, a lot of it has been sticking up for my teammates, so I won't change now.''

Thornton is expected to be on the fourth line with Derek Mackenzie and Tomas Kopecky or possibly Jimmy Hayes. Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon, who signed Thornton to his first professional contract while both were with the Blackhawks organization, was looking for a stronger replacement for last year's enforcer Krys Barch, who incidentally fought Thornton twice last season.

Thornton's hard-nosed style helped the Ducks and Bruins win Stanley Cup titles in 2007 and '11 respectively, so he's used to winning.

"I hate losing,'' Thornton said after Saturday's doubleheader defeats. "We have a lot of new guys and new coaches and guys are still getting used to the new system. … When the hard work and attitude is there, nine out of 10 times it sorts itself out.''

Roster at 32, Ellis remains

The Panthers pared their roster to 32 Monday as five of their players who cleared waivers all reported to San Antonio, while goalie Dan Ellis remained with the team but isn't playing Monday against the Stars, his former team.

Players attending the start of the Rampage training camp on Monday were forwards Joey Crabb, Bobby Butler, Ryan Martindale and Garrett Wilson, as well as defenseman Greg Zanon.

The Panthers dangled Ellis in an effort to shed his guaranteed $1 million salary, but there were no takers. The Panthers will start the season with Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya as their goaltending tandem.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 10.01.2014


Panthers cut 12; place goalie Dan Ellis on waivers


Panthers waive veteran goalie Dan Ellis

Veteran goalie Dan Ellis will most likely head to San Antonio if not claimed

Panthers waive Dan Ellis, Joey Crabb and Bobby Butler

As the team landed in Dallas early Sunday morning, 18 Panthers separated from the pack, dispersing in different directions while the remaining 31 would prepare for Monday's game against the Dallas Stars.

The Panthers lopped off 12 young prospects and shipped them off to San Antonio where they will join the Panthers' AHL affiliate in time for the start of training camp on Monday morning.

That list included: forward John McFarland, Steve Hodges, Connor Brickley, Logan Shaw and Brett Olson; defensemen Jonathan Racine and Josh McFadden, as well as goalies Michael Houser and Sam Brittain.

The Panthers also released unsigned forward Joe Basaraba and defenseman Josh Brown, but both have been invited to try out for the Rampage.

However, six others remain in limbo as the Panthers placed them on waivers, with that group including veteran goalie Dan Ellis, defenseman Greg Zanon and forwards, Joey Crabb, Bobby Butler, Garrett Wilson and Ryan Martindale.

If they go unclaimed by noon on Monday, all will most likely head to San Antonio. Of the group, only Ellis ($1 million) and Crabb ($600,000) are on one-way deals and would be paid their NHL salary in the minors.

It's not out of the question that if Ellis, 34, goes unclaimed, he could play Monday against his former team. Once the Panthers signed free-agent goalie Al Montoya on July 1, Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon made it clear that Ellis had gone from No. 2 to No. 3 on the depth chart.

Ellis was brought in from Dallas in March for goalie Tim Thomas to back up Roberto Luongo. However, Ellis struggled and went 0-5 with a bloated 4.81 goals-against-average. Last week a proud Ellis told reporters that he felt the No. 2 job was still in his grasp: "I don't believe I'm going to leave.''

Montoya stopped nine of 10 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss in the first game of Saturdays' doubleheader with the Predators.

"It's my first chance to make an impression here,'' Montoya said. "I felt good; I'll feel better next time. I got it out of my system. … I'm not focused on [competition with Ellis].''

If all go unclaimed and report to San Antonio, the Panthers' roster would be down to 31. Tallon said he would bring back 28 players to South Florida following Monday's game. The Panthers will carry 23 players on their opening-night roster on Oct. 9 in Tampa.

The young players on the bubble who are still vying for one of the few roster spots open are forwards Vincent Trocheck, Rocco Grimaldi, Quinton Howden and Drew Shore, while defensemen Alex Petrovic, Colby Robak and MacKenzie Weegar remain in the mix.

Luongo sharp

Luongo made his first preseason appearance for the Panthers since 2005 and was sharp, allowing one goal on 18 shots in two periods of work in a 4-1 loss to the Predators.

The goal came on an acute angle in which Luongo's skate got caught behind him, allowing the puck to sneak through the short side.

"I felt pretty good for the first game,'' Luongo said. "You just want to see how you feel as far as fighting the puck or following the play. Obviously, that one goal wasn't one you want to let in. That was a pretty bad play by me but other than that I felt on top of my game.''



Preview: Florida Panthers at Dallas Stars; 8:30 p.m., Monday


Panthers-Stars preview

Florida Panthers visit Dallas Stars

Panthers at Stars

When/where: 8:30 p.m., American Airlines Arena, Dallas

TV: None Radio: None

Scouting Report: The Panthers are looking for their first win of the preseason, having gone 0-2-1, including a doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Nashville Predators on Saturday, a 2-1 shootout followed by a 4-1 loss in the nightcap. ... Panthers F Brandon Pirri has two goals in two games played and D Shane O'Brien has a goal and an assist as he vies for a contract. ... The Panthers are expected to bring back 28 players to South Florida on Tuesday, an off day. ... The Stars are 3-1 with 15 goals, and that includes a 4-3 shootout win over the Panthers last week.



Veteran defenseman Shane O'Brien making strong case to stick with Panthers


Cuts are coming for Panthers as soon as Sunday

Panthers drop doubleheader, 2-1 in shootout and 4-1

Defenseman Shane O'Brien playing for a contract

Several young players are running out of time to show the Panthers' braintrust that they deserve one of the few roster spots available to start the season, but at least they know they will have jobs in the minors.

Not so for veteran defenseman Shane O'Brien, who was invited to training camp on a personal tryout arrangement. At 31, the former eighth-round pick who has played for six organizations in eight NHL seasons knows if he doesn't earn one of the seven spots in the Panthers' defensive corps, he just goes home to an uncertain future.

In the Panthers' first two exhibition losses, including Saturday's 2-1 shootout defeat to the Predators in the first game of a split-squad doubleheader at Bridgestone Arena, O'Brien's No. 74 jersey was again the most noticeable on the ice.

The Panthers (0-1-2) also dropped the nightcap 4-1 as Nashville rookie Pontus Aberg potted two goals, including one against Roberto Luongo, who had 16 saves on 18 shots in two periods in his first preseason appearance.

"I'm just trying to stay in the moment,'' O'Brien said. "But I'd be lying if it wasn't in the back of my mind if it doesn't work out, what am I going to do. … I'm happy to be here and grateful for the opportunity. I love being in this dressing room with the boys and hopefully it'll work out.''

Panthers rookie defenseman Aaron Ekblad made his NHL preseason debut in the second game and didn't look out of place but did earn a minus-2 rating, two giveaways, a blocked shot and one shot on net.

"I didn't play the way I thought I could with the right confidence,'' said Ekblad, 18. "It's a learning experience. I'm not expecting to be perfect in my first one but I wanted to be a lot better than I was and will make sure I am the next game.''

O'Brien, who only has 13 goals in 528 games, scored the Panthers' first goal in the 4-3 shootout loss to the Stars last week and also got in the only fight of the game.

On Saturday, the Panthers were trailing 1-0 with 7:08 left in regulation when O'Brien - playing the point on the power play - unleashed a slapper that caromed off Predators goalie Carter Hutton. Panthers 6-foot-6 forward Jimmy Hayes, at his customary perch in front of the net, sticked it to blossoming winger Brandon Pirri, who buried it to force the second consecutive overtime. It was Pirri's second goal in two games as the 23-year old solidified his status for opening night on Oct. 9.

The 6-3, 230 pound O'Brien also had four hits and three blocked shots, while playing 25:12.

"All I can ask for is to be given a look and they have given me a great look, so hopefully they're happy with what they're seeing,'' O'Brien said. "There's a great group of kids and veterans here and hopefully I could be a part of it. If not, I'll definitely be upset.''

Panthers coach Gerard Gallant, who effusively praised his team even after shootout goals by Derek Roy and Craig Smith against minor league-bound goalie Sam Brittain iced the loss, has noticed O'Brien. Gallant felt the Panthers dominated the first game, but that certainly wasn't the case in Game 2.

Smith also had the lone Predators' goal in regulation against Al Montoya, who stopped nine of 10 shots in his preseason debut.

"He's doing exactly what you want; he's playing hard, he's competitive, a character guy whose got experience,'' Gallant said. "He's played very well the two games he played so far.''

O'Brien's battling Dylan Olsen, Colby Robak and Alex Petrovic – who tied the second game 1-1 with a long slapper in the second period - for the three available spots.

Cuts looming

The Panthers will make several cuts on Sunday and then again after Monday's game in Dallas to get down from 49 to 28 players.

They'll open the season with 23, and for those on the bubble like rookie center Vincent Trocheck, time is running out.

"They're not bringing a lot of guys back; I'm not trying to think about that much, but just trying to play my game and hopefully, that's good enough,'' said Trocheck, 21, who was just 1-10 on draws and stopped in the shootout, along with shootout king Brad Boyes. …

Former Bruins toughie Shawn Thornton demolished Predators Rich Clune in a long, first-period fight. He also tussled with Liambas in the third but it was much ado about nothing.



Panthers LW Scottie Upshall hopes to continue resurgence on and off ice


Veteran wing Scottie Upshall had career-high 37 points last season

Panthers left wing Scottie Upshall has become a team leader

While several veteran Panthers forwards lost their scoring touch last season, Scottie Upshall found health, confidence and eventually his pesky, misplaced game.

After compiling just 10 points in 53 games over his first two injury-plagued seasons since signing a four-year, $14 million deal with the Panthers in the summer of 2011, Upshall bounced back with a career-high 37 points, including 15 goals.

That was one point shy of team leader, rookie center Nick Bjugstad, and three more than his previous career high set in 2011 (22 goals,12 assists) with Phoenix and Columbus.

"It was good to just have a healthy year and be accountable,'' said Upshall, 30, who also amassed 73 penalty minutes and averaged 15:55 of ice time, both highs since 2009.

"Last year didn't go so well for most of us. We know we all got to be better, and in a way I took a jump in the right direction, learning leadership and helping out the younger players.

"We've got a good group of young guys here that are like sponges. They're soaking up everything and really maturing as players and people. As an organization we're continually trying to do the right thing and be better positive people and have fun. That all works around winning and working hard and making no excuses.''

It seemed that Upshall's resurgence coincided with the firing of coach Kevin Dineen on Nov. 8 and the hiring of then interim coach Peter Horachek, who was his first professional coach in Milwaukee, the Nashville Predators' AHL affiliate, in 2002.

Horachek's confidence in his former charge (also for three seasons as an assistant coach in Nashville), seemed to rub off on Upshall. Ice time helped, too, as Upshall went from the last two lines to the top two, while receiving time on the power play where he scored a season-high five assists.

While Horachek wasn't retained and is now the defensive assistant in Toronto, Upshall isn't expecting any dropoff under the revamped coaching regime, headed by coach Gerard Gallant with assistants Mike Kelly, Mark Morris and returnees, John Madden and goalie coach Robb Tallas.

"That was all part of it but I knew Pete was here as an interim coach,'' Upshall said. "This organization needed to make changes nd I feel we did. I'm happy here and think Gerard is a great person and I know [assistant coach Mike Kelly] ever since he coached me for two years at World Juniors. …

"This coaching staff is laid back in a way they'll be able to relate with us and work with us. We've got to be patient but we're here to mean business. Coaches need to understand which guys they need to push and which guys they need to let do their own thing and so far this has been really positive. We love this group here in the room.''

Gallant said he needs to know the players better before selecting a captain or possibly four assistants, however, the 'A' is next to Upshall and defenseman Brian Campbell's names on the team's website.

"I remember Scotty played in Nashville and we were in Columbus where we played them a lot,'' said Gallant, whose first NHL head-coaching was with the Blue Jackets from 2003-06.

"He's a guy who gets under people's skins; he's a quick player; he works hard and skates hard so he's got to make sure he's doing all the right things. In the second part of last season he played very well and we're expecting that.''



Panthers' new penalty-kill duo has a past together


These two guys should help Panthers' penalty-kill unit improve

Assistant coach, defenseman reunite to help Panthers' penalty-kill unit

— Two major reasons the Panthers' 30th-ranked penalty kill should drastically improve this year have to do with defensive-minded assistant coach Mark Morris and veteran defenseman Willie Mitchell, two offseason additions who specialize in that particular unit.

This is certainly not the first time these two hockey lifers have been tied together.

The two shared sips from the Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings, first in 2012 and then again last season, where Morris earned rings for guiding their AHL team, the Manchester (N.H.) Monarchs, from 2006-14.

But this special relationship can be traced back to 1997 when Morris, then coach of Clarkson University, a small engineering school in Potsdam, N.Y., joined his assistant coach Jim Rock in Saskatchewan to watch a 17-year-old Mitchell play for the Melfort Mustangs, a junior A hockey team.

"We brought him back to campus and he was quite a force for us in the two years I had him,'' said Morris, who's believed to be the only coach to have 300 or more wins in college and the pros [AHL]. "He showed up with his fight tape. He was real raw but played with an edge.

"He brought us size, tenacity and a booming shot, and was an intimidating presence on our team right from the git-go.''

Mitchell, a white-knuckler flier, still remembers his first plane trip from Vancouver Island in British Columbia to Potsdam with dread.

"I'm not a good flier,'' Mitchell smiled. "When I flew back home and I'm safe, I said, 'OK, I'm going to [Clarkson].'

"It's fun, obviously, we have that connection there and also before you head into any new venture you're both on the same page and both want to make an impact.''

That first season at Clarkson, Mitchell notched 26 points in 34 games to go with 105 penalty minutes. His second season in 1999, he led Clarkson to one of their eight ECAC titles under Morris, as well as the tournament championship in Lake Placid.

Morris' son, Kevin, now a 21-year-old center for Miami of Ohio, idolized Mitchell and wore his jersey No. 8. So of course, when Mitchell wasn't resigned by the Kings a few weeks after hoisting the Cup it was Morris giving a glowing reference to his former AHL defensive partner, Al Tuer, a Panthers' scout.

Tallon signed Mitchell on July 1 to a two-year deal worth $8.5 million and six days later hired Morris, who was surprisingly fired in May after guiding the Monarchs to the best record in the Eastern Conference, followed by a first-round playoff ouster.

"I was pleased to see him get this opportunity, but never in my wildest dreams did I think eventually we'd both end up in the same place again,'' Morris beamed.

Mitchell, who calls Morris, 'Mo,' provided mentorship to several young Kings defenders on their recent Stanley Cup teams including Slava Voynov, Alec Martinez and Jake Muzzin, who were all developed by Morris in the AHL.

Morris and Tallon expect Mitchell to provide the same guidance to young Panthers defensemen such as Dmitry Kulikov, Erik Gudbranson, rookie Aaron Ekblad, Colby Robak and Alex Petrovic.

"He sets a real good example with his experience and knowledge of the NHL and I'm sure he had an impact on those players,'' Morris said. "He's the consummate professional, takes care of his body and is real serious about his job.''

Both will be instrumental, as will goalie Roberto Luongo, in improving the Panthers penalty kill, a strength of the Kings, who were ranked 11th last season and fourth in the 2012 championship year (second in playoffs).

"He takes a lot of pride in his ability to deny the opposition an opportunity to score,'' Morris said. "He's able to communicate with his comrades to settle things down and have proper coverage in those critical moments.''

This summer, Mitchell took the Stanley Cup to his hockey inspiration, 89-year-old grandfather Les, a tryout player for the 1940 Rangers. He then sailed it around Vancouver before rafting the silver chalice down Pit River canyon.

Mitchell has already shared titles with Morris in college and the pros, so they're hoping to continue the trend.

"He comes to decisions using the group so by doing that he invests in his players but also puts the onus on his players,'' Mitchell said. "When you empower your players most are responsible.''

Hawryluk sent down

The Panthers sent forward Jayce Hawryluk to his junior club the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL). The camp roster now stands at 49 players.

Hawryluk, 18, was drafted by Florida at No. 32 in the 2014 NHL Draft.



Goalie Dan Ellis won't concede backup role as Panthers fall 4-3 in shootout to Stars


Veteran goalie Dan Ellis still optimistic about winning a job

Panthers erase two-goal deficit but are tied 3-3 after regulation

When the Panthers signed goalie Al Montoya on July 1, General Manager Dale Tallon made it crystal clear that he would be Roberto Luongo's backup this season.

That meant that veteran goalie Dan Ellis, 34, who's expecting to begin his 11th NHL season, would start the year in the AHL with the San Antonio Rampage and be an expensive insurance policy in case Luongo or Montoya suffered an injury.

That's not the way Ellis sees it.

"I don't feel like I'm going to leave,'' Ellis said after the morning skate Wednesday. "I've played long enough and have seen a little bit of everything. I was prepared they were going to bring in another guy. I knew they needed at least three goalies. Wherever they want to slot things in the summertime isn't my concern.''

In their preseason opener in a sparsely attended BB&T Center the Panthers clawed back from a two-goal, first-period deficit – something they did often last season - but eventually fell 4-3 to the Dallas Stars on Ales Hemsky's shootout goal in the fourth round.

After a shaky start in which Ellis gave up two goals on six first-period shots, he finished with nine saves on 11 shots before being relieved by prospect Michael Houser to start the third.

"I liked the way we battled back,'' coach Gerard Gallant said after his first game behind the Panthers' bench. "Your first game, they wanted to be a lot better, so we came out in the second period and dominated the period.''

Panthers forward Brandon Pirri solidified his status with a wrister past Stars goalie Jussi Rynnas 1:21 into the third. Rookie center Vincent Trocheck won the draw and notched an assist. However, Jamie Benn set up Alex Goligoski for a tap-in goal past Houser at 11:07 to knot it again.

The Stars (2-0), a wild-card playoff team last season, scored a power-play goal at 9:51 when Panthers defenseman Shane O'Brien — in camp on a tryout basis — couldn't clear the puck before Patrick Eaves' slot shot beat Ellis.

Dallas took a 2-0 lead at 14:56, when Kevin Connauton finished off an odd-man rush. O'Brien, who also got in a third-period fight, atoned when he accepted a nifty pass from Scottie Upshall before scoring on a slapper at 11:59 of the second.

"Our young guys played well and our veteran guys were great,'' O'Brien said. "It was fun being out there. As for the goal, my boy, 'Updog' gave me a great pass; I'll have to take him out to dinner for that one.''

Another Panthers newcomer, veteran center Dave Bolland, wristed a power-play goal with Jimmy Hayes and Sean Bergenheim providing screens to forge a 2-2 tie after two.

When Ellis came over in the Tim Thomas trade with Dallas last March, he struggled, going 0-5 with a dismal 4.81 goals-against-average.

"If I can lose my job in 20 days I don't see why I can't gain it back in 20 days,'' said Ellis, a backup for six franchises with an 83-76-17 record and 2.81 goals-against-average. "That's my focus, and I don't really worry about anything else.''

Ellis worked on sharpening his skills and mind in the offseason. He met with NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports sports psychologist Jack Stark and attended an Elite goalie camp in Madison, Wis., with goalie coaches Mike Valley, Tomas Magnuson and David Alexander.

"Racers go through mental stresses the same way all athletes do,'' Ellis said. "Sometimes you … just work on your on-ice skills. They say that the game is 90 percent mental, so why wouldn't you work on that side of your game?''

Gallant said competition at all spots is open.

"Nobody said Montoya was brought in to back up anybody,'' Gallant said. "It's about who's going to win his spot and who's going to challenge and work hard.''

Both Ellis and Montoya, 29, will earn $1 million this season regardless if they're in the NHL or AHL.

"Signing Montoya has been the best thing for me,'' Ellis said. "It gave me the opportunity to really dive into myself and critique myself in different areas of the game I needed to work on.''



Panthers owners reaffirm commitment to stay and to win


On the day before the Panthers prepared to host the Dallas Stars in their exhibition opener, team owners Vinnie Viola and Doug Cifu followed up a recent letter to season ticket holders by reiterating their commitment to keep the franchise in South Florida.

They also promised to rebuild trust with the fans regarding ticket-price transparency and to improve the on-ice product.

"We have no plans to move; we have no desire to move; we have nowhere to move; we don't have the rights to move,'' Viola said, adding that the owners are "basically committed" to General Manager Dale Tallon's leadership and "winning on the ice."

"This is a long-term investment for us in the future of this franchise,'' Cifu added. "You don't fix a dozen years of lack of success on ice and doing things that weren't hockey-related and non-'fancentric' in a season. You got to earn the trust back.''

They said they have dramatically reduced their ticket allotment to brokers so when season ticket holders are paying top dollar for lower-bowl seats they won't get annoyed when the person sitting next to them is paying substantially less. They believe giveaways and discounts have devalued the product and chased away season ticket holders.

"We think that was operationally a mistake,'' Cifu said. "We've created absolute ticket price integrity. We reduced the number of sections and have different ticket-pricing options … so everyone's paying the same price in the section to sit there.

"We can get 15,000 in there if we gave away 5,000 seats. … It's not fair.''

The Panthers averaged 14,177 fans per home game last season, which ranked 29th in the league. President/CEO Rory Babich said they will tarp off a few thousand seats in the upper deck to create a more intimate setting, but will restore the seats when marquee teams come in. Capacity, once 19,250, will be about 15,000.

Club Red capacity has been substantially reduced, to about 200 from 750. Under the team's previous regime, television viewers around the U.S. and Canada would see hundreds of empty seats because the ultra-premium patrons were watching the game from the upscale restaurant.

Cifu said the marketing department contacted about 600 "loyal" fans in Sections 101 and 134 who had been displaced by Club Red members to offer them their old seats back.

"That was a wrong message to the marketplace,'' Cifu said. "Vinnie and I are 100 percent prepared for the reality that we're going to have smaller attendance this season. We want people who are here to pay a fair price, pay the same price and enjoy the product on the ice.''

Cifu has retracted a previous statement in which he said the current business model wasn't sustainable.

"We think the structure of the league … makes it very possible to have a successful franchise down here,'' Cifu said. "We think once the fans see we are putting a quality team on the ice, have invested in it, they will respond.

"What you need to do is get fannies in the seats and equally as important get the business community behind this team with real sponsors that are paying real dollars for sponsorships.

"If we get those two things we're not too far off if you look at it on a game-to-game basis from being unbelievably sustainable here.''

Lineup set

Panthers coach Gerard Gallant will mix and match veterans with young players for Wednesday night's home exhibition opener against the Dallas Stars.

"I think there's 9-10 veterans playing and there will be some young players, so we want to get a look at all our players and give them all a fair chance to make our hockey club,'' Gallant said, possibly referring to young players

such as Vincent Trocheck, Rocco Grimaldi, Alex Petrovic and Mackenzie Weegar.

"We'll get more of our team in the last couple of games.''

Veteran goalie Dan Ellis will share the net with Michael Houser, but both are expected to begin the season in the minors with Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya set at No. 1 and 2, respectively.

"It's nice to get your feet wet again and play some games,'' said veteran forward Scottie Upshall, who will play on a line with Jonathan Huberdeau and center Nick Bjugstad. "It's a chance for everyone to prove that they're here working hard and trying to earn a spot.''



Panthers need Tomas Fleischmann and Jonathan Huberdeau to bounce back


Unlike last year, the Panthers came into training camp with all 51 players completely healthy, except for forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Tomas Fleischmann, who developed severe cases of voluntary amnesia over the summer.

Huberdeau and Fleischmann, arguably two of the Panthers' most skilled left wings, are both coming off nightmarish seasons, as did the entire 29th-ranked team.

"I forgot last season the day after it ended,'' Fleischmann said after practice Monday at the Ice Den. "There's nothing I could do to change about it so I'm focusing on myself and how I can prepare for this season so it goes well. I know I can do it, so it's time to show it.''

In Fleischmann's first season with the Panthers in 2011-12, he led the team in goals (27) and points (61). In the next, lockout-shortened season he again led the team in scoring with 35 points in all 48 games.

But last year, Fleischmann, 30, should've changed his super hero nickname from Flash to Iron Man as his shots clanged off post after post, leading to plummeting confidence and production. He finished with career lows (in any of his seven full seasons) in goals (8), points (28) and plus-minus (-18).

"I want to forget about last year,'' said Huberdeau, 21, who went from 31 points in 48 games during the lockout season to earn the franchise's first rookie of the year award (Calder Trophy) to last year's sophomore slump-ridden campaign of nine goals and 28 points in 69 games.

Before his second season, Huberdeau spent the offseason rehabilitating a surgically repaired hip and then sustained a concussion in March. This offseason, he rebuilt his confidence and body, first in the IIHF World Championships where he notched a goal and four assists with a plus-5 rating in eight games for Canada, and then in the gym, where he added 17 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-1, 188-pound frame.

"I finished up well at the World Championships, and when I got back to Montreal I really worked on getting my hip strong, so now I have a really good feeling about myself and my strength,'' he said. "I'm looking forward to this year. It's going to be fun and I don't want to lose that.''

Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon is counting on both players to contribute to a team turnaround this season.

"[For Huberdeau] it's a learning process and obviously the second year always seems to be the year it affects rookies,'' Tallon said. "Expectations are higher and they're not surprises to teams that now focus on them.''

Huberdeau's restored confidence also stems from reuniting with Gallant, his junior coach where together they won two Quebec Major Junior Hockey titles and the 2011 Memorial Cup. Huberdeau scored 177 points in 104 games for the Saint John's Sea Dogs.

"We were winning all the time and he had great players around him,'' Gallant said. "He never wanted to lose and the problem was we never lost. … This kid's a passionate player and works hard every day. It'll take time, but he's going to be a great player.''

Huberdeau and Fleischmann, whose in the last year of his contract $(4.5 million), are their own worst critics.

"I feel more pressure from the young guys because they are really good and are showing it in camp … and it helps me improve my game,'' said Fleischmann, who focused on shooting drills this offseason.

Of the Panthers veteran forwards with expiring contracts such as Scottie Upshall, Sean Bergenheim and Tomas Kopecky, Fleischmann is the most marketable.

"Fleischmann is a top-flight player with good wheels and a goal-scoring, point getter, so we expect him to bounce back,'' Gallant said.

"Whether he had tough puck luck last year, it's in the past and good hockey players put that in the rear-view mirror and look forward to this year.''

Lammikko sent down

Forward Juho Lammikko was returned to his junior club the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) on Monday, putting the Panthers' camp roster at 50 players.

Lammikko, 18, was selected in the third round (65th overall) by the Panthers at the 2014 NHL Draft in June. He appeared in 37 games posting 42 points (17-25-42) for Assat-U 20 (Jr. A SM-liiga) last season.



Panthers prospects making roster decisions tougher

By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel

Rocco Grimaldi may be 5-foot-6 but he could be a big scorer someday

Panthers GM Dale Tallon loves having too much talent to choose from

Quinton Howden's speed creates headaches for opponents

Before training camp began two weeks ago Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon was hoping that some of his talented young prospects would make his decisions tough regarding who to keep on the 23-man roster and who to send down to the minors for more seasoning.

Tallon's wishful thinking has come to fruition. He thought he was going to take 28 players back to South Florida after Monday's game in Dallas, which the Panthers lost 5-4.

Instead, the roster stands at 31 as the Panthers prepare for a home-and-away series with the Tampa Lightning on Thursday and Saturday to conclude their exhibition season.

Despite their 0-2-2 record, there have been many bright spots and most revolve around the the Panthers cubs on the bubble, including forwards Rocco Grimaldi and Quinton Howden as well as defensemen Alex Petrovic and Mackenzie Weegar.

Center Vincent Trocheck, 21, has played well but the Panthers have four centers ahead of him that aren't going anywhere so he will most likely begin the season in San Antonio with their AHL affiliate.

"They're doing the best they can and what we asked them to do,'' Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said between games against the Predators on Saturday. "Who knows what will happen? There are 23 spots available. There could be trades and injuries. Guys want to make our decisions real tough and that's what training camp is all about for every team.''

Forward Brandon Pirri, 23, who has two goals, is a lock to remain with the big club while Weegar, 20, has been impressive, but probably needs at least one year of professional hockey in the AHL.

The 6-foot-4 Petrovic, who scored a goal Saturday, has had an outstanding camp, but the blue line is crowded. The definites are Dmitry Kulikov, Erik Gudbranson, Brian Campbell and Willie Mitchell. Veteran defenseman Shane O'Brien, in camp on a professional tryout deal, has made a strong bid for one of the seven d-men spots.

So if the Panthers opt to keep Aaron Ekblad, 18, the overall No. 1 draft pick, instead of returning him to juniors, that would mean Petrovic would have to beat out Colby Robak – who scored a goal Monday - and Dylan Olsen, both with one-way contracts.

"I feel pretty strong and have played pretty good defensive position,'' said Petrovic, 22, who played 13 games for the Panthers in the last two seasons but is still on his rookie, two-way contract. "I could be a little more physical but overall I think I'm doing what I'm asked.''

Grimaldi, 21, may be 5-6 and yet to play a professional game but he has made a seamless transition into the NHL preseason against much larger men. The speedy wing scored a goal Monday and has been a goal scorer at every level, an area the 29th-ranked Panthers are in desperate need of bolstering.

Ditto for Howden, 22, a first-round selection in 2010, who's the fastest skater in camp and has been around the puck in every game he's played. Howden notched six points, including four goals, in 16 games with Florida last season.

The Panthers generally carry 14 forwards on the season roster, and unless they deal one of their veterans with expiring contracts, there doesn't seem to be room for Grimaldi, Trocheck or Howden.

The Panthers most likely will lop off eight players before Sunday's three-day bonding (and practice) trip to West Point Military Academy in upstate New York.

"Guys are pushing for positions and proving they spent all summer working hard here,'' veteran forward Scottie Upshall. "We're fired up and ready to go. Some guys on the bubble - whether or not they're here or in San Antonio or back to juniors – have been pushing hard. I like the depth and character we have in here.''

Ellis to San Antonio

As expected once veteran goalie Dan Ellis cleared waivers on Monday he was reassigned to San Antonio.

Ellis, 34, will earn his $1 million salary riding buses in the minors, where he has been for just 18 games since 2007. Ellis was unable to unseat Al Montoya as a backup to Roberto Luongo.



Panthers backup G Dan Ellis sent to San Antonio

The Associated Press

SUNRISE, Fla. —

The Florida Panthers have assigned reserve goaltender Dan Ellis to the team's AHL affiliate in San Antonio.

The move means that, as expected, Al Montoya is set to begin the season as the backup to Florida starter Roberto Luongo.

Ellis has appeared in 204 NHL games with six different franchises, including Florida. He has a career 2.81 goals-against average, saving 90.5 percent of the shots he's faced.

Florida has two preseason games remaining, both against Tampa Bay. The Panthers host the Lightning on Thursday, then visit Tampa on Saturday. They go back to Tampa for the regular-season opener on on Oct. 9.

Palm Beach Post LOADED: 10.01.2014

736895 Los Angeles Kings

Kings defeat Sharks in exhibition game, 4-1

By Associated Press

Kings' Dustin Brown scores go-ahead goal in Kings' 4-1 preseason with over Sharks

Dustin Brown scored the go-ahead goal 44 seconds into the second period, and the Kings beat the San Jose Sharks, 4-1, in an exhibition game Tuesday night at the SAP Center.

Drew Doughty, in his first appearance of the preseason, scored the tying goal midway through the first period. Justin Williams and Dwight King also scored for the Kings (4-0-1).

Joe Thornton scored for the Sharks, who lost in regulation at home for the first time in five exhibition games.

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick stopped 16 of 17 shots in two periods in his first exhibition appearance this season. Martin Jones saved all seven shots he faced in the third period.

Antti Niemi went the distance and made 26 saves, but took the loss.

The teams will open the regular season against each other on Oct. 8 at Staples Center.



Ben Lovejoy has been a great fit with Ducks

Helene Elliott

Ben Lovejoy

Once underutilized Ben Lovejoy has found a home as a defenseman for the Ducks

Lovejoy couldn't make his mark with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but has ascended since trade to the Ducks

Ducks defenseman Ben Lovejoy still stinging from playoff loss to champion Kings

Branded as a sixth or seventh defenseman by the Pittsburgh Penguins and unsure if he could rise above that ceiling, Ben Lovejoy wondered if his hockey career had stalled before it had really begun.

"I would have gone to Antarctica for a fresh start," he said. "I would have done anything to start over and have a fresh set of eyes judging me and hoping that I could do more, but I didn't know."

Going to Anaheim made a trek to Antarctica unnecessary.

Lovejoy has flourished since the Ducks acquired him from the Penguins on Feb. 6, 2013 for a fifth-round draft pick and gave him the trust and playing time he craved. The 30-year-old native of Concord, N.H., has developed into an effective shutdown defenseman alongside Cam Fowler as well as an articulate, insightful voice in the locker room.

"I think a lot of Ben's thing was confidence," Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "At the time he came here, we were languishing. He didn't expect anything. We didn't expect anything, except we gave him an opportunity, and the more confidence he grew, he became a really good player."

Lovejoy had five goals and 18 points in 78 games last season with a plus-21 defensive rating while averaging a career-high 19 minutes and 24 seconds of ice time. He also blocked 150 shots, second on the team. In the playoffs he had two goals in 13 games and was plus-one while averaging 19:38.

Impressive for a player who wasn't drafted out of Dartmouth and couldn't win a regular job with the Penguins after they signed him as a free agent in July 2008.

"Sometimes all it takes is the right situation for a player to blossom," Fowler said. "He made the most of that opportunity. We certainly leaned on him a lot. Even the improvements he made last year were huge from the year before."

Proof that the ceiling imposed on Lovejoy in Pittsburgh was way too low.

"That continues to drive me," he said. "They had four very, very talented top-four defensemen who were paid a lot of money and were really good players. The coaching and management felt they were going to win with those guys and they were going to lose with those guys and I understood. I was happy and lucky to be in the NHL and wanted to do everything in my role I could to help the team."

He endured some rough spots, committing turnovers in the playoffs against Philadelphia in 2012 and plunging to eighth on the depth chart. When the Penguins made him available, Ducks General Manager Bob Murray capitalized on the chance to bring him into a system that takes advantage of his skating skills.

Maybe, too, Lovejoy was meant to be in Anaheim instead of Antarctica or Pittsburgh.

He had played his first professional season in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on an American Hockey League contract. After his team defeated the Portland Pirates, then run by Murray as the Ducks' top farm team, Murray offered him a contract. So did the Penguins.

"I felt that Pittsburgh had given me an opportunity and I wanted to stay," Lovejoy said. "When I was traded here, Bob Murray said that he wanted me to be that player that he saw then, and I've been lucky that everybody here has given me the opportunity to do that."

Lovejoy — who signed a three-year, $3.3-million extension in June 2013 — is thriving off the ice too. He and his wife, Avery, a former squash team

captain at Dartmouth, became parents of a daughter, Lila, last New Year's Eve. He also has become a go-to guy for reporters seeking thoughtful observations on games or other hockey topics.

But last summer, after the Ducks were eliminated by the Kings in the second round of the playoffs, Lovejoy wanted nothing to do with hockey or the media for a while. He didn't watch the rest of the playoffs, didn't have the TV on even in the background during the Stanley Cup Final. Losing to the Kings hurt him too much.

"That was a real kick in the stomach," he said. "We came in and we thought we were the better team. We had a better regular season, but in the end, that doesn't matter. They proved in a very decisive seventh game that they were better than us, and that was a tough thing to sit with all summer, to watch L.A.'s next four weeks thinking, 'I really wish it had been us.'"

His jealousy has given way to optimism triggered by off-season moves made by the Ducks — such as the trade for center Ryan Kesler — designed to add depth up the middle and match up better against teams like the Kings.

"I think there's a new energy in this room, a feeling that these guys can put us over the top," Lovejoy said. "But right now, that team is the champion and they will be for at least the next nine months."

Until they're knocked off, anyway. "I hope so," he said, "and I hope it's us."



Kings beat Sharks as Doughty, Quick return

September 30th, 2014, 9:58 pm ·

· posted by RICH HAMMOND

Published: Sept. 30, 2014 9:58 p.m.

Drew Doughty and Jonathan Quick made successful returns to the Kings’ lineup Tuesday night.

Doughty scored a power-play goal in the first period and Quick stopped 16 of 17 shots in two periods of work as the Kings beat San Jose 4-1 in a preseason game at SAP Center.

Justin Williams had one goal and two assists, Dwight King had one goal and one assist and Anze Kopitar had two assists as the Kings improved their record to 4-0-1 in the preseason, with two games remaining.

Doughty, who had been out with an upper-body injury, and Quick, recovering from June wrist surgery, both had been practicing in recent days but had yet to play in an exhibition game. They both played big parts Tuesday.

Quick allowed Joe Thornton’s goal, 1:28 into the game and on the Sharks’ second shot on goal of the game, but then didn’t get beat again.

Doughty, who played a game-high 22 minutes, 55 seconds, tied the game with a power-play goal 8:43 into the first period, with assists to Williams and Anze Kopitar.

The Kings took a 2-1 lead 44 seconds into the second period on Dustin Brown’s goal. Kopitar and Jordan Nolan got assists. Nolan filled in as the Kings’ first-line left winger, as Marian Gaborik remained out with what is believed to be a mild lower-body injury.

Williams gave the Kings a 3-1 lead with 3:43 remaining in the second period, with assists to King and Mike Richards.

King made it 4-1 with a goal with 7:52 remaining in the third period, with assists to Williams and Jake Muzzin.

Martin Jones replaced Quick in goal to start the third period and stopped all seven shots he faced. Sharks goalie Antti Niemi played the full game and stopped 26 of 30 shots.

The Kings also played without center Jarret Stoll, who had hip surgery in June and has yet to appear in a preseason game. Stoll might be able to play Thursday, when the Kings play Colorado in Colorado Springs.



Quick's return won't end work for Jones




A lot of breath-holding around the Kings organization figures to end tonight.

It’s been more than three months since goalie Jonathan Quick’s wrist surgery, and 11 days since Quick joined his teammates for the start of training camp, but the persistent question has been: when will Quick play?

All along, it seemed probable that Quick would be ready for the start of the regular season on Oct. 8, but he will take a big step tonight when he plays his first preseason game (at San Jose, 7:30 p.m.)

It’s doubtful that Quick will play the entire game, but the Kings have two more preseason games remaining in order for Quick to get in game shape. Plus, the Kings have a solid fallback option in backup Martin Jones.

Jones has had a strong preseason and was a stellar fill-in last season (1.81 goals-against average, .934 save percentage), when Quick dealt with a groin injury.

Jones is also expected to get more work than usual at the start of the regular season, as the Kings allow Quick to play his way back into top form. Quick said he was impressed with Jones’ 33-save effort in the Kings’ 4-2 preseason victory over the Ducks on Sunday night.

``We’ve gotten used to that,’’ Quick said. ``He did that for us last year. He played unbelievable for us last year when we needed him, and he looks like he has gotten better. It’s great when a team hast two goalies that they can rely on.’’

Jones played consecutive full preseason games against the Ducks, on Thursday and Saturday, even though the Kings typically have two goals split their preseason games.

Coach Darryl Sutter said he adjusted his initial plan because Jones ``has to show he can do this early in the year. It’s good for him.’’ Jones didn’t mind the extra work.

``It had been a while since I played a full game, dating back to the regular season last year,’’ Jones said, ``so it definitely feels good. It’s a bit of an adjustment, and I just want to get my timing back.’’

Also, the Kings are still looking for a No. 3 goalie, a low-salaried veteran one who would start the season in the AHL. A waiver-wire pickup is possible, because the Kings would prefer to keep prospect J.F. Berube in the minor leagues if Quick or Jones should suffer an injury during the season.



Injured Kings likely to make preseason debuts




The Kings have three games remaining on their exhibition schedule, and it appears as though some of their previously injured players will get worked back into the lineup.

According to Jon Rosen of L.A. Kings Insider, defenseman Drew Doughty and goalie Jonathan Quick are set to play tonight against San Jose at SAP Center.

Doughty suffered an undisclosed upper-body injury shortly before the start of training camp, and Quick had wrist surgery in June. Both players have been participating in full-team practices for the past week.

Rosen also posted that center Jarret Stoll, recovering from offseason hip surgery, is likely to be scratched again tonight, along with Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Carter (who aren't known to be injured). Winger Marian Gaborik, nursing an undisclosed injury, is not expected to play tonight.

According to Rosen, here's how the Kings are likely look tonight...

Jordan Nolan -- Anze Kopitar -- Dustin Brown

Dwight King -- Mike Richards -- Justin Williams

Kyle Clifford -- Andy Andreoff -- Trevor Lewis

Tanner Pearson -- Jordan Weal -- Adam Cracknell

Spare forwards: Tyler Toffoli, Jarret Stoll, Jeff Carter

Jake Muzzin -- Drew Doughty

Robyn Regehr -- Slava Voynov

Alec Martinez -- Matt Greene

Spare defensemen: Brayden McNabb, Jeff Schultz

Jonathan Quick

Martin Jones

J.F. Berube

[updated with additional line information]



Kopitar makes cover of Sports Illustrated

September 30th, 2014, 10:44 am ·


Published: Sept. 30, 2014 Updated: 10:45 a.m.

Sports Illustrated went with three regional covers this week, one of which features the Kings' Anze Kopitar and the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw.

That's the second cover in less than four months for the Kings, who were also featured in June when they beat the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Final.

It's also the second cross-sport cover in Kings history. In 1988, Wayne Gretzky was paired with the Lakers' Magic Johnson after Gretzky was traded to the Kings from Edmonton.



September 30 postgame quotes: Sutter, Doughty, Quick

Staff

Darryl Sutter, on the 4-1 win in San Jose:

We were solid. We had a lot of guys who hadn’t played since the split-squad game, obviously with Drew and Jonathan, this was their first game.

Sutter, on whether he was encouraged by Jonathan Quick and Drew Doughty’s performance:

We got what we wanted. Both played, got through healthy.

Sutter, on the team’s forecheck:

I think both teams had times where they had strong forechecks. It’s preseason.

Sutter, on what he’d like to see over the final two preseason games:

Lots of things. It’s not based on winning or losing, it’s based on determining who’s going to play where and what situations.

Drew Doughty, on whether he felt good about his first game of the preseason:

Yeah, I felt good. I felt good physically and mentally, and it was a good game by the whole team.

Doughty, on scoring in his first period of the preseason:

Yeah, it was good. Obviously you kind of get into your first games, you’re kind of just trying to not hide out there, but you’re just trying to play your simple game, just trying to get the feel for things. The game pretty good out there, so I decided to take a few chances, rushed the puck a few times, and I got a good pass from Stick, and it went in.

Doughty, on the team’s performance:

We maybe were locked in our own zone a few times a little too long, but besides that I thought we pretty much dominated the game. Our forecheck is one of the things our team really focuses on. We’ve got big forwards who like to bang and turnover pucks that way and then create that end zone cycle and create chances that way.

Doughty, on whether any thoughts of the injury creet into his mind while playing:

No, not at all. Like I’ve said to you guys before, I’ve been fine for a while. It’s just been precautionary thing. So I don’t think about getting re-injured or anything like that. Maybe if it was a different injury or something like that it would be a little bit more in my head, but I felt perfect out there, so I’m happy with the game.

Doughty, on what he’s looking for from the last two preseason games:

We’ve just got to be a team in unison. We’ve got to play the game that we were playing through last year’s playoffs. When our team’s playing that way, we’re one of the best teams in the league. That’s all we’ve got to do. We’ve got to get used to our linemates, used to our D-partners, used to our systems and from there we should be good to go.

Jonathan Quick, on whether he got what he was looking for in his 40 minutes:

Yeah, it was good. You saw a few different situations. A couple penalty kills, five-on-five, making your reads. I thought that was the biggest thing, is I’ve been seeing tons of shots in camp, so that wasn’t a big concern. The biggest concern was just being able to make the reads in a game situation.

Quick, on the first period flurries and penalty killing:

That’s the kind of stuff you’re looking for to get out of the preseason games that it’s tough to get in practice. They’re moving it around really well on that first power play and created a couple chances. You’re just trying to get back into that game mode.

Quick, on whether the next step will be to talk to the coaches about playing 60 minutes:

Yeah, I think that’d be the next step. It was good to get 40 in. You want to get some work playing a full game.

Quick, on the team’s performance:

We played a good road game. Obviously you don’t want to let them score first, but that happened, and we battled back and got a few. We played a good road game.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.01.2014


Live Blog: Los Angeles at San Jose

Staff

Los Angeles Kings 4, San Jose Sharks 1

Final

SOG: LAK – 30; SJS – 24

PP: LAK – 1/3; SJS – 0/2

LAKings.com Box Score

KABC Radio Broadcast

LAK starters: G Jonathan Quick, D Jake Muzzin, D Drew Doughty, LW Jordan Nolan, C Anze Kopitar, RW Dustin Brown

SJS starters: G Antti Niemi, D Mirco Mueller, D Brent Burns, LW Patrick Marleau, C Logan Couture, RW Matt Nieto

Referees: #32 Tom Kowal, #37 Kyle Rehman

Linesmen: #91 Don Henderson, #57 Jay Sharrers

Attendance: 16,251

THIRD PERIOD

20:00 – Martin Jones is in for Jonathan Quick, who stopped 16 of 17 shots.

18:40 – Irwin fans on a pass attempting a breakout. The puck is intercepted and left for Richards on an odd-man rush. He attempts to deke around Niemi but is denied.

Nick and Darryl, doin’ work:

IMG_3739 (480x640)

17:05 – Big open ice Cracknell hit on Mueller near the LA blue line.

7:52 – GOAL KINGS. 4-1. King (Williams, Muzzin), 12:08. Clearly inspired by the Royals’ comeback, Dwight King snipes from a sharp-ish angle on an odd-man rush to make it 4-1.

3:24 – Heading downstairs. Talk soon.

SECOND PERIOD

20:00 – Let’s do this.

19:16 – GOAL KINGS. 2-1. Brown (Kopitar, Nolan), 0:44. Three-on-two Kings rush. Jordan Nolan snaps a long pass towards a net-crashing Brown. It deflects off Kopitar, but still finds its way to Brown. He buries.

18:10 –

Good composure by Andreoff to carry the puck deep into SJ end. No one challenges him, cuts across the low slot, but his backhand is blocked.

— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) October 1, 2014

17:21 – Right point Greene slapshot swallowed up by Niemi.

14:22 – PENALTY SJS. Slashing on Desjardins.

12:22 – Penalty over. Nothing going on the LA power play.

7:40 – Quick makes a strong save of a Nieto deflection. The puck’s direction didn’t change drastically.

Mirco Mueller checking in with almost 12 minutes of ice time so far. Only his partner Burns has more. He’s played well #SJSharks

— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzCSN) October 1, 2014

6:40 – King denied from close range on a backhand. Fine feed from behind the net by Brown.

3:43 – GOAL KINGS. 3-1. Williams (King, Richards), 16:17. Williams does a good job spinning off Hannan in the low slot to create space. King drives behind the net before feeding Williams for the one-timer.

2:11 – Weal does a good job calming a play down. Faced with pressure ahead of him, he circles back into his own zone before dropping the puck off to his defenseman. Smart play.

0:00 – Period over. San Jose was pinned in their zone for the final four minutes of the period under heavy LA pressure. Awfully strong Kings forecheck disrupted the Sharks’ attempts to exit the zone.

FIRST PERIOD

20:00 – And we’re off.

19:XX – No running clocks at the moment in the arena. Nieto tests Quick with a wristshot from the left wing; Quick smothers the puck. No rebound.

19:01 – Clocks back up and running.

18:32 – SHARKS GOAL. 0-1 Thornton (Fedun, Hertl), 1:28. Off a cycle, Fedun works the puck to the front of the net. Thornton receives it, backhands it past a vulnerable Quick for an early lead.

14:25 –

Cracknell gets in on the forecheck, makes a nice hit on Fedun. Creates more zone time, leads to a Regehr slapshot that Niemi stops.


13:00 – Niemi makes three saves – nothing spectacular – after some consistent :A pressure. Was the King-Richards-Williams line. Regehr has two of the Kings’ seven shots thus far.

11:43 – PENALTY SJS. Tommy Wingels whistled for hooking in the offensive zone

11:27 – GOAL KINGS. 1-1. Doughty (Williams, Kopitar), 8:43. Williams offers the puck on a soft little touch to Doughty on a zone entry. On a one-on-one, Doughty is afforded space, pulls the trigger. Snipes top shelf on a wristshot.

7:20 –

A Grade-A opportunity developed for San Jose, but Desjardins fanned on a centering pass on a two-on-two with some net to work with.


6:39 – PENALTY LAK. Hertl gains leverage on Cracknell while driving towards the Kings’ slot. Cracknell takes him down with a hook.

4:50 – Martinez dives, turns a partial Marleau break into a contested break. No shot attempted.

4:39 – Penalty killed.

4:34 – Continued flurry of San Jose pressure, but Quick up to the challenge.

4:06 – PENALTY LAK. Matt Greene cross-checks Chris Tierney in the left wing corner in LA’s zone. He’ll sit.

1:00 –

Crazy sequence. 2-on-1, Kopitar tries to stickhandle, but Niemi holds his ground. Kopitar finds Nolan; shot stopped by Couture's backside.


0:00 – Period ends. Quick looked very good on SJ’s power play and the ensuing 90 seconds or so.

PREGAME NOTES AND PHOTOS

-SJ Sharkie is leading the crowd in a “Beat LA” chant prior to the officials taking the ice.

-The crowd sand the national anthem!

-Dustin Brown is the captain. Anze Kopitar and Matt Greene are alternate captains.

Kings lines and pairings should look something like this:

Nolan – Kopitar – Brown

King – Richards – Williams

Clifford – Andreoff – Lewis

Pearson – Weal – Cracknell

Muzzin – Doughty

Regehr – Voynov

Martinez – Greene

Quick will start; Jones will back him up. Darryl Sutter, on Quick: “I just want to get him some minutes in. He’ll tell me when he’s had enough.” San Jose’s projected lineup can be found here.



Doughty expects typical Kings-Sharks game in his return

Staff

Tonight, the Los Angeles Kings will play their first (preseason) game in San Jose since they completed a historic three-nothing series turnaround and defeated the Sharks 5-1 on their home ice on April 30 to finish off the clubs’ first round playoff series. Two paths diverged that night, one that saw the Kings successfully navigate two more Game 7s en route to the franchise’s second Stanley Cup, and another that led to a long off-season full of introspect and reflection.

Drew Doughty will also make his preseason debut at the SAP Center after having missed the first half of the exhibition schedule with an upper-body injury suffered during on-ice, off-season training.

“It’s good to get back out there,” Doughty said. “I don’t like missing games, obviously, and watching the boys play just makes you want to be out there, so I’m happy to get back.”

He’ll immediately be thrust into a fierce Pacific Division rivalry between a pair of teams that have played 41 regular season and playoff games against each other over the last four seasons. Preseason games are necessary for players to acclimate themselves to the pace, systems play and reads needed to succeed in the regular season, and while both teams are mostly concerned with taking care of what needs to be done to do to best prepare themselves for the regular season, Doughty does expect some emotional carry-over from Los Angeles’ stunning turnaround last spring.

“I think they’re not going to forget that, that’s for sure,” Doughty said. “When the Kings come into their building, every time they’re going to be thinking about that, so they’re going to come out hard, they’re going to, I’m sure, play their typical game – the first five, 10 minutes they’re going to be playing their best, they’re going to be running us, they’re going to be on the forecheck, they’re going to be swarming the net, and we’ve got to be prepared for that and push back.”

Drew Doughty, on whether he encourages team staff that he’s ready to play:

Yeah, of course. I’m really the only person who knows exactly how I’m feeling, and I have to be completely honest with the coaching staff, with the trainers, and tell them exactly what I’m feeling. It gets to a point where you start feeling really good, but you have to have a few days of feeling perfect, so by that time it becomes their decision, but I’m definitely trying to push to get out there.

Doughty, on what he’ll look to do with Jake Muzzin tonight:

Just kind of get back to it. Me and Muzz need to get back on track to kind of take off this year from where we were last year. We were playing very well defensively, we were shutting down the other teams’ best lines, and that’s what we’re going to do here, and tonight just obviously keep it simple. I’m going to try to play as many minutes as possible, but I’m going to try to keep it simple and play a good game.

Doughty, on Muzzin’s top-ranked Corsi rating from last year, and whether it indicates he’s among the most underrated defensemen in the league:

Yeah. I think that Corsi thing is a bunch of crap, personally. That’s not to take away from Muzz being the top guy in the league, because you know Muzz is a really good player. He’s improved so much over the last few years. He’s just going to improve even more and become better. Me and Muzz have it in our minds that we’re going to be one of the best D-pairings in the league one day, so we’re going to work towards that.



September 30 Darryl Sutter quotes; Sharks lineup

Staff

On what he’ll be watching from Jonathan Quick tonight:

First exhibition game. I’m not really watching anything. I just want to get him some minutes in. He’ll tell me when he’s had enough.

On whether he expects any emotion from last season to carry into tonight’s game:

No. It really has nothing to do with anything. It’s preseason. There’s nothing on the line. The only emotion that some guys would show would be trying to earn a spot on their roster.

On competition despite the availability of open roster spots:

It’s not just roster spots. It’s also guys that know they’re going to the American League knowing where they slot in so that if we need a player, where we would like them. I mean, we’ve sent guys down that are ahead of some guys who are still here, but we’re playing some younger guys.

Projected Sharks lineup:

Goldobin – Thornton – Hertl

Marleau – Couture – Nieto

McGinn – Desjardins – Brown

Goodrow – Tierney – Wingels

Irwin – Doherty

Mueller – Burns

Hannan – Fedun

Niemi

Stalock



Tuesday morning lineup notes; Sharks audio

Staff

A reminder: Cages are a good thing.

Kings line rushes and pairings from this morning’s skate in San Jose:

Nolan – Kopitar – Brown

King – Richards – Williams

Clifford – Andreoff – Lewis

Toffoli – Stoll – Carter

Pearson – Weal – Cracknell

Muzzin – Doughty

Regehr – Voynov

Martinez – Greene

Schultz – McNabb

All three goalies are on the ice. Marian Gaborik is not at this moment.

This is a preseason game; don’t put much stock in any line adjustments with several players on the verge of returning from injuries and coaches wanting looking to gauge various alignments in game situations. I’ll update the post when players start leaving the ice in an attempt to get a firmer view of tonight’s lineup.

UPDATE: Jonathan Quick left the ice first, so he’s likely to draw the start. Expect Martin Jones to back him up. Judging by those who remained on the ice after the morning skate, Brayden McNabb, Jeff Schultz, Tyler Toffoli, Jeff Carter and Jarret Stoll are unlikely to be in tonight’s lineup.



Catching up with Jake Muzzin; some assorted notes

Staff

Arizona Coyotes v Los Angeles KingsJake Muzzin was outstanding in pushing play towards the attacking zone in 2013-14, finishing with a league-best 61.3% Corsi-for rating during the regular season. His progression continued into the postseason, when he was on the ice for only one goal against during the entire Kings-Sharks series en route to posting six goals, 12 points and a plus-six rating in 26 playoffs games.

After a short summer gave way to training camp, Muzzin reported back to the Kings – and in excellent shape, as one reporter had gathered. Was there any extra bench pressing over the offseason?

“I haven’t bench pressed since high school,” Muzzin answered. “I don’t know the [training] results. No one came and talked to me, so I figured I was OK.”

One of the interesting developments to watch on this preseason road trip – and into the start of the regular season – will be the ease with which he’s able to reconnect with primary defensive partner Drew Doughty. Doughty, who hasn’t played in any exhibition games after suffering an upper-body injury during off-season training, is expected to re-enter the lineup at some point during the road trip, perhaps as early as tonight’s game in San Jose.

“Yeah, we’ll look to get that chemistry going right where we left off,” Muzzin said.

“It may take a game or two, but we’ll see. Drew’s kind of a guy who you throw him in whenever and he’ll be fine, and I just kind of read off him.”

Like Robyn Regehr and Jarret Stoll articulated yesterday, Muzzin described his preseason efforts, and how he’ll prepare himself as best he can for the October 8 opener against the Sharks.

“Just getting into the games and getting into that game mode and mindset,” he said. “You’re going to have to hit someone, and you’re going to get hit, and making quick plays, and making plays that are under stress and stuff like that, because out in practice, it’s a little bit easy going and stuff like that. It’s good to get your feet going, get your mind into the game and kind of get that mentality back.”

Muzzin was also asked about his participation in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge over the summer. The defenseman had been nominated by Marian Gaborik – who had an entire Zamboni’s worth of ice dumped on him – in a video that made its rounds via social media.

“Well, you know my Twitter game is not very active,” Muzzin said. “I did donate.”

NOTES: Sunset Sip raised over $100,000 for The Guidance Center, a Long Beach-based community center for comprehensive mental health services aimed at families and younger children. … Missed during the preparation for Sunday’s exhibition game in Anaheim was a post detailing an earlier round of roster cuts. Nick Ebert, Patrik Bartosak, Kevin Raine and Derek Forbort had been assigned to Manchester. It was announced on the LA Kings Insider Twitter page, but not actually LA Kings Insider. … The Kings moved up to fifth place amongst all franchises in the four major sports in ESPN the Magazine’s annual franchise rankings. The Kings ranked in second place in fan relations, player effort/likeability and championships / championship expectations. Their lowest ranking came in affordability, as they finished 58th of the 122 teams listed. The San Antonio Spurs finished in first place, while the Toronto Maple Leafs ranked last at 122.


736907 Minnesota Wild

Wild's Granlund made big jump, vows to get better

Article by: Michael Russo

Star Tribune

October 1, 2014 - 12:45 AM

The Wild puts a lot of stock into character when it formulates its annual draft list.

Before being drafted in 2010, Mikael Granlund demonstrated on the Finnish ice just how special a talent he was. But Granlund was undersized, so teams clamored to sit down with the 5-10 center so they could gauge intangibles.

Granlund’s English wasn’t great in his teenage years, but the one thing Wild assistant general manager Brent Flahr recalls is how much Granlund impressed upon his staff his desire to be great.

Four years after the Wild chose Granlund ninth overall, the former HIFK star continues to prove this character trait daily. He is a first-on-the-ice, last-off player, a guy who went back to his native Finland after a torturous rookie season with a long list of things to work on so he could function in the NHL.

During a 27-game, lockout-shortened 2013 season, Granlund often was overmatched. He returned to Helsinki, got stronger, and returned last season to have a breakout 33-assist, 41-point year.

So on what shortcomings did the 22-year-old work this offseason?

“I didn’t score a lot of goals last season, and I want to be a threat there … I have to be a threat there,” Granlund said. “I tried to work hard this summer to make my shot more dangerous.”

His Finnish teammates, forward Michael Keranen and goalie Niklas Backstrom, said Granlund shot and shot and shot away.

“I tried to shoot as much as I could and as often as I could,” Granlund said. “I think it has improved a little bit, but I think I still have a lot of work to do with that, and a lot of work to do with my mentality to shoot more in the game. And, maybe that’s even the bigger thing.”

Wild fans know this type of player. For years, Pierre-Marc Bouchard was a pass-first player and Wild coaches from Jacques Lemaire to Todd Richards to Mike Yeo tried to implore Bouchard to shoot more.

Granlund is trying to “get to that mentality where you really want to shoot the puck and not always pass first. It’s not easy. I know it seems like it should be. But that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life.

“I think shooting more will also open up a lot of room maybe for passes. It’ll help my linemates, too, because I think defenses always expect me to pass.”

Postseason heroics

In three exhibition games, Granlund has a goal and three assists. But he has only three shots, and Saturday against Winnipeg he tried to force a pass despite a point-blank look at goalie Ondrej Pavelec.

Old habits are hard to break.

“I just need to read the game better and recognize what you should do next,” he said.

Granlund had 104 shots in 63 games (1.65 per game) last season but erupted as a go-to player when Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu were injured at the same time.

He had his most memorable goal in overtime of the Game 3 playoff series against Colorado, which had a 2-0 lead in games. Granlund circled the net, won a board battle, spun away from a defenseman, cut to the net, deked past defenders and scored his first career playoff goal while falling on his belly across the slot.

In Game 4, Granlund had an assist, drew three penalties, won 67 percent of his faceoffs and blocked three Erik Johnson shots to help kill off a 6-on-4 Avalanche power play in the waning seconds.

Feeling at home

Granlund enters this season as the Wild’s likely No. 1 center between Parise and Jason Pominville.

“If you would compare him to where he was this time last year, he’s light years ahead,” Yeo said. “He feels like he belongs now and deservedly so.”

Granlund is also much surer of himself. His English is outstanding, he says he loves living in Minnesota and he feels comfortable in the Wild locker room.

“There’s a difference between last year when I came in here and right now,” Granlund said. “Last year, I wasn’t sure at all what I was able to do. Now I know I can play in this league and I should play and have a chance to play with really good players here.

“It’s a big part of the game to have the confidence, especially my game when you try to make plays. Right now it feels good.”

Etc.

• Justin Falk, Jon Blum and Joel Rechlicz cleared waivers Tuesday and were assigned to AHL Iowa.

Star Tribune LOADED: 10.01.2014

736908 Minnesota Wild

Wild hopeful Stu Bickel knows NHL about more than fighting

By Chad Graff

[email protected]

Posted: 09/30/2014 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated: 09/30/2014 10:04:10 PM CDT

Stu Bickel can't remember his first fight. Or at least he doesn't know which would technically count as his first fight.

"I really don't know what I'd consider my first fight," Bickel said.

There were the times his older brothers would beat him up on the backyard rink during winters in Chanhassen. Or the times in youth hockey he'd get kicked out for starting a fight.

Then there were the times, as a 15-year-old, he'd challenge kids several years older at junior United States Hockey League camps in the summer. And when he was first allowed to fight when he arrived in the USHL in 2004.

Fighting has always been a part of Bickel's hockey game, in the back yard or otherwise, but as the NHL continues to marginalize the traditional enforcer, pure fighters are slowly becoming irrelevant. To stick, a player has to offer more.

Bickel, who fought 12 times in 51 games as a rookie with the New York Rangers in 2011-12, recognizes that and spent the past two years working on his hockey skills.

"In general, teams realize they can't have a guy on the ice that's a liability, so less teams are dressing a guy and sitting him there all night, then just giving him the one shift to fight," Bickel said. "You want to be able to use the guy that's doing that in different situations and have him bring a little more to the table."

Bickel had two fights in 12:17 of ice time in the Wild's first preseason game, against the Jets in Winnipeg. But he also has shown that he can play forward or defense, which gives him a much better chance to make the team.

If he doesn't, Bickel, who is 6 feet 4, 210 pounds, will have to clear waivers before being sent to the Wild's American Hockey League affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa.

His rate of 0.13 assists per game (nine in 67 NHL games) is similar to that of former Wild defenseman Nate Prosser (0.14), who spent most of his time in Minnesota as a seventh defenseman -- which Bickel might do.

"In today's game, you have to have both; you have to be tough and stand up for your teammates and do you what you've got to do there," Bickel said. "But then you've also got to be able to play the game."

There were 0.41 fights per NHL game last season. That number hasn't been lower since the 1968-69 season, according to dropyourgloves.com, a site that tracks hockey fights each season.

Even as fighting dips, there's still a place for fighters -- or at least a physical presence -- on the bench, coach Mike Yeo said. That, he said, can change the way top-end guys play.

"There's a part of the game that exists that is very real as far as the comfort level your top players have, and their ability to go out and play their game when a guy like that is around," Yeo said. "If you want to use the word protection or whatever it is, there's a different comfort level for them, and (Bickel's) done a good job (with that)."

Bickel isn't going to be confused with a top-end skill player. But if he can gain the trust of the coaching staff for his game on the ice, he has a shot at making the Wild even as fighting becomes less and less a part of the league.

"I think you're seeing now there's kind of a transition where there are definitely still guys where one of their jobs is to fight, and that's a big part of their game, but at the same time you're not seeing the super heavyweight guy that can't play," Bickel said.

"The way I've always looked at it is, I don't think I've hit a plateau in my game, ever. I'm always looking to get better and always pushing myself. I think I'm a more complete player than I was two years ago. I think I can continue to improve and keep pushing myself."

Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.01.2014

736909 Montreal Canadiens

Final Canadiens cuts will reveal Therrien’s backup plan

By Pat Hickey, THE GAZETTE September 30, 2014

Montreal Canadiens backup goalie Peter Budaj takes part in a team practice at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, south of Montreal on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014.

Canadiens coach Michel Therrien says he has some decisions to make and they won’t be easy.

With less than a week before the team is required to reach the National Hockey League roster limit of 23 players, Therrien is facing decisions on a backup goaltender and the final two spots on his defence corps.

And there’s also a possibility that a veteran forward will be on the outside looking in.

The most intriguing battle is in goal. Carey Price is the undisputed No. 1, and if he stays healthy he’ll start 65 to 70 games. Peter Budaj, who has been the backup for the past three seasons, was pencilled in as the No. 2. The 32-year-old has one season left on a one-way NHL contract paying him $1.4 million and the thinking was that he would play this season and then give way to Dustin Tokarski, who has a two-way contract this season and a one-way deal for 2015-16 paying him $575,000.

It seemed like the perfect succession plan until Price was injured during last season’s playoffs. Therrien selected Tokarski over Budaj and the newcomer played well. The 25-year-old Tokarski won two games in the Eastern Conference final against the New York Rangers and was on the short end of a 1-0 count when the Canadiens were eliminated in Game 6.

“The way the guys perform is the top criteria,” Therrien said Tuesday when asked about the backup goalie battle. “(Goalie coach) Stéphane Waite has done an extraordinary job with the goalies and they’re well prepared and they’ve delivered.”

Therrien praised Tokarski’s work last Friday when he led a Canadiens team of youngsters to a 3-2 win over a veteran-laden Colorado lineup in Quebec City. But it should be noted that Budaj stopped the 17 shots he faced in his only pre-season appearance and he’ll get another chance to impress the coach in one of the two weekend games against the Senators, either Friday night in Ottawa or Saturday at the Bell Centre.

Budaj, who has been the quintessential backup, said he doesn’t feel any pressure.

“It doesn’t matter what the situation is,” Budaj said. “Everyone who knows me knows I go out and work and give it my best shot. I just keep moving. I try to let my actions show that I’m a good goalie. We have the easiest job out there. We don’t have to worry about systems or anything like the coaches. We just have to go out there and help the team win games. That’s it.”

While performance is the top criteria, Therrien told the media “there are a lot of things that come into consideration when it comes to this type of decision. I don’t want to elaborate on it too much, though.”

Budaj said he comes to the rink in a good mood every day, adding: “We’re blessed to be able to do this job.”

If the goaltender did elaborate, he might have pointed out that Tokarski and Budaj would both have to be placed on waivers before they could be sent to the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs. Tokarski’s playoff performance, his age and his minimum-wage salary make him an attractive target for teams that need a backup. That’s one of the reasons general manager Marc Bergevin has suggested that the Canadiens might start the season with three goaltenders.

Therrien might have also pointed out that Tokarski would benefit from playing a lot of games in Hamilton rather than sitting on the bench in Montreal.

As far as the defence is concerned, there are five veterans assured of jobs and the thinking was that three youngsters — Nathan Beaulieu, Jarred Tinordi and Greg Pateryn — would be fighting for the two remaining spots. Beaulieu appears to have made the best impression, while Tinordi took a step back in Sunday’s loss to Washington.

Most of the post-game talk about Tinordi was devoted to whether his hit on Nate Schmidt merited a match penalty — it didn’t — but the more significant questions should have been about Tinordi taking two bad penalties when he was caught out of position in the first period. That’s not good for a guy who’s trying to sell himself as a defensive D-man. Pateryn has the edge for the seventh spot, but again there’s the question of whether Tinordi or Pateryn can develop while sitting in the press box. Don’t bet against veteran Francis Bouillon earning that final spot.

Newcomers Jiri Sekac, P.A. Parenteau and Manny Malhotra have all secured forward spots and Michael Bournival — the surprise of last year’s camp — and veteran Travis Moen appear to be the reserves. The one complication here is that there may be room for only one extra forward if the Canadiens do keep three goalies.

The Canadiens are in Chicago tonight (8:30 p.m., RDS, TSN Radio 690) and Therrien said there will be lots of youngsters playing in front of Price. You can expect NHL-ready lineups when the Canadiens close out the pre-season schedule with the two games against the Senators on the weekend.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.01.2014


Canadiens forward Moen’s tenure grinding to a halt

By CHRISTOPHER CURTIS, THE GAZETTE September 30, 2014

MONTREAL — No one has to tell Travis Moen his job is in play.

As he rounds off his 14th National Hockey League training camp, it would seem the Canadiens are preparing for a future without him.

Manny Malhotra, signed this summer as a free agent, and Dale Weise both occupy similar roles to Moen’s and coach Michel Therrien has been using exhibition games to roll the two of them with Brandon Prust in what will almost certainly be the team’s fourth line this season.

Meanwhile, Moen skated alongside young forwards Michael Bournival and Christian Thomas during practice Tuesday in Brossard on the fifth line. Bournival’s emergence last season came at the expense of ice time for Moen, and Thomas has pushed his way into contention for a spot on the team — he looks like a natural checking forward with enough speed to chip in the occasional goal.

No matter how you do the math, Moen appears to be the odd man out (if you put any stock in such things, Moen’s name surfaced in trade rumours a few days ago).

We pigeonhole Moen as the aging veteran because he’s exactly what the mind conjures when someone utters the words “hockey player.”

On a practice rink where almost everyone’s helmet is equipped with a visor, Moen is one of the few still leaving his face exposed.

His left cheekbone bears two scars that came either from a collision with a puck, stick blade or someone’s fist. And then there’s the nose, which may have been broken once or twice or five times.

It’s almost as though the absence of a visor is a courtesy to the players on the other team. Should any of them chose to fight Moen, he won’t put them through the inconvenience of having to punch at a thick piece of plastic.

Moen, you should know, is a nice guy.

Most of Moen’s younger teammates sport trendy crop cuts or slicked hair, but Moen’s shaggy hockey locks are very much a product of the Canadian locker-room — a kind of frozen-in-the-1970s fashion.

He plays exactly like a guy riddled with scar tissue and bruises: diving in front of pucks, throwing his body into players on the other team and engaging in fisticuffs when the situation calls for it.

“It’s physical, every night you’re looking to see how many hits you can get,” Moen said Tuesday. “If you’re on the penalty kill, you’re kind of sacrificing your body to get in front of the shot so that your goalie doesn’t have to block it. It’s a grind, but there’s another 150 guys out there who are willing to do it so you have to step up and get it done.”

Yes, the fourth line is a grind, a place where players have to bite down and play like they were shot out of a cannon.

But it’s increasingly become a place to develop younger, cheaper, more talented physical forwards. Guys who may not be as tough as Moen, but still have the speed and recklessness of youth combined with the potential to break out and score.

Bournival isn’t a bad example of this. He played hard minutes on the fourth line last season and, when injuries piled up for the Canadiens, Therrien used Bournival as a top-six forward. He finished the season with seven goals and seven assists in 60 games with a $690,000 salary. Moen had two goals and 10 assists in 65 games while earning $1.85 million and he has two seasons remaining on his four-year, $7.4-million contract. NHL teams increasingly break down their roster not in terms of character or leadership, but rather down to a series of minute calculations.

These machinations don’t generally favour guys like Moen, who’s given the Habs five seasons of intense hockey — the kind of play that wears a body down over time. If the team can get someone to do what Moen does — or possibly more — for cheaper, it will.

It seems profoundly cruel, but you won’t hear Moen complain. In practice Tuesday, nothing in his body language suggested he was nervous or upset with his situation.

He seemed to be one of the most popular players on the ice. Guys like Brendan Gallagher, Max Pacioretty — players you would never dream of putting in a role like Moen’s — skate up to him and chat between plays. They poke each other with their sticks, play fight or just engage in some good-natured shenanigans.

There is a genuine camaraderie there; a feeling that they know Moen would jump in front of a city bus if it meant helping the team.

Even when interacting with Bournival and Thomas — whose success comes at the expense of Moen’s — Moen acts like a sort of big brother, imparting some small nugget of wisdom after a practice drill.

After the practice, Moen was the last player to leave the locker-room. Long after the press gallery had moved on, he stayed in the empty room to answer questions from two reporters who might ordinarily look past a fourth-liner.

Responding to questions about his future with the team, Moen is a professional.

“It’s like that every year, young guys coming up and you’ve just got to focus on your game,” he said. “There’s 12 spots every night for a forward in the lineup and you’ve got to try to be one of those guys.”



Lines taking shape as Habs prepare to face Blackhawks (with video)

Posted by Stu Cowan

After enjoying a day off on Monday, the Canadiens returned to practice Tuesday morning in Brossard as they prepare to face the Blackhawks in preseason action Wednesday night in Chicago (8:30 p.m., RDS, TSN Radio 690).

Coach Michel Therrien set up his forward lines at practice, giving an indication of what the starting lineup might look like on opening night Oct. 8 in Toronto. Here’s how the lines looked:

P.A. Parenteau, David Desharnais, Max Pacioretty

Alex Galchenuyuk, Tomas Plekanec, Brendan Gallagher

Jiri Sekac, Lars Eller, Rene Bourque

Brandon Prust, Manny Malhotra, Dale Weise

Travis Moen, Michael Bournival, Christian Thomas

The defence pairings at practice were:

Andrei Markov, Tom Gilbert

Alexei Emelin, P.K. Subban

Nathan Beaulieu, Mike Weaver

Jarred Tinordi, Francis Bouillon

Davis Drewiske, Greg Pateryn

Therrien confirmed after practice that Carey Price will start in goal against the Blackhawks and that he would be using a young lineup in Chicago. The youngsters remaining among the 34 players in camp (20 forwards, 11 defencemen, three goalies) are forwards Sven Andrighetto, Drayson Bowman, Gabriel Dumont, Jacob De La Rose and Jacob Dowell, defenceman Darren Dietz and goalie Dustin Tokarski.

“(Roster) decisions are tough to make because we’re satisfied with the way the guys have performed at every position,” Therrien told reporters in Brossard after practice.

“Wednesday night will be a chance for our youngsters to show what they can do once again.”

A couple of veterans are also fighting for a job: goalie Peter Budaj and forward Moen.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure,” the 32-year-old Budaj, who is battling 25-year-old Tokarski for the backup job behind Carey Price, told reporters after practice. “I still have to go out there. It doesn’t matter what the situation is. Everybody knows me. I go out and work and give it my best shot. I just keep moving. I’ll try to let my actions show everybody that I’m a good goalie. There’s no need to worry about that. I’m just going to play hard and work hard. That’s it.

“I’m not thinking about the situation whatsoever,” added Budaj, who is entering the final season of his two-year, $2.8-million contract. “I’m just going to go out there and try to stop the puck.”

Moen, 32, has two seasons at $1.85 million remaining on his four-year, $7.4-million contract and is fighting for a spot on the fourth line.

Responding to questions about his future with the Canadiens after practice, Moen said: “It’s like that every year, young guys coming up and you’ve just got to focus on your game. There’s 12 spots every night for a forward in the lineup and you’ve got to try to be one of those guys.”


736912 Nashville Predators

Predators put practice focus on power play

Eric Stromgren, [email protected] 8:03 p.m. CDT September 30, 2014

The Predators skated hard for an hour to open practice Tuesday morning at Centennial Sportsplex and then spent 30 minutes off the ice talking special teams — the power play and penalty kill.

When the team returned to the ice there was another 30-minute session dedicated power-play drills and repetition.

"It was better," head coach Peter Laviolette said.

The power play is a point of emphasis this week in practice as the team prepares for the final preseason game Saturday night at Columbus. The Predators' power play has been held without a goal on 19 total power play opportunities through five preseason games.

"I think there were things we could have done better to score goals," Laviolette said. "We had zone time, we had entries, we had setup but we didn't deliver the puck to the net. I think there are some things we can do better out there and it did look better (in practice). We had more of a net-front presence. We had more pucks to the net and a little more urgency around that, so there were some good things out there."

The Predators' power play was 0-for-6 in Monday night's 3-0 preseason loss to the Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena. Special teams also allowed a power-play goal and a short-handed goal in Monday's loss to Columbus.

"I think last game we lost special teams," Gabriel Borque said. "I think we need to work on that. We did a good job today and I think the pace of play was really good. It's the beginning of the season and it's really important right now that we all get on the same page."

On Tuesday, Borque replaced Filip Forsberg at left wing on a forward line with center Mike Ribeiro and James Neal in the first practice session.

"We're just looking at it, trying to find some balance and scoring," Laviolette said. "We haven't generated the goal scoring that we're looking for."

That forward group also played together on the power play with defensemen Roman Josi and Shea Weber. The other power play practice group consisted of Forsberg, Derek Roy and Craig Smith backed by Ryan Ellis and Seth Jones on defense.

"I just keep playing the same way and go hard and don't change my style," Borque said. "I need to get the puck for them, grind, go to the net and make space for them on the ice."

Laviolette said Borque's presence at the net during the power play drills was strong and said blocking the goalie's vision is part of what the team is trying to accomplish on the power play.

Injury report: Paul Gaustad left Tuesday's practice with an upper body injury and the team said his status is day-to-day. Colin Wilson participated in practice and skated in a no-contact gold jersey. The status for for Viktor Stalberg (1-3 weeks, lower body injury) and Matt Cullen (day-to-day, upper body injury) remain unchanged, according to the team.

Stalberg was injured during a Sept. 22 practice, and Cullen was injured in the 4-2 preseason-opening loss to Tampa Bay on Sept. 23.

Intensity: Laviolette said practice intensity and pace would be pushed hard this week. That started Tuesday with the first session.

"It's the way you want to play it and the way you want to practice," Borque said. "I think it was good, everybody felt good on the ice. If we practice like that, it's going to be easier in the game."

Other lines: Forward lines were tweaked slightly in practice. Calle Jarnkrok centered a line with Smith and Forsberg. Roy centered a line with Olli Jokinen, and Taylor Beck and Kevin Fiala switching at the wing position. Gaustad cetnered a line with Eric Nystrom and Rich Clune.

Defensive pairings: Weber and Josi were one combination. Other combinations included Anton Volchenkov-Jones, Mattias Ekholm-Ellis and

Victor Bartley-Joe Piskula. Bartley, Piskula and Johan Alm also rotated in and out of other pairings.

Tennessean LOADED: 10.01.2014

736913 Nashville Predators

Predators sign Taylor Beck to 1-year contract

Eric Stromgren, [email protected] 5:59 p.m. CDT September 30, 2014

The Nashville Predators signed restricted free-agent forward Taylor Beck to a one-year, $550,000 contract Tuesday.

The deal announced by Predators general manager David Poile is a one-way contract, meaning he will be paid the same amount whether he plays in Nashville or with AHL affiliate Milwaukee.

Beck, 23, scored 17 goals for Milwaukee last season and ranked second on the team in points with 49. He led the team in power-play points with 23. Beck has 44 goals and 86 assists over the last three years with Milwaukee.

Thanks for all the kind words. Very excited to be with @PredsNHL this year.

— Taylor Beck (@taybeckone9) September 30, 2014

Beck has appeared in 23 total games for the Predators the last two seasons, including seven last season. He has three goals and four assists at the NHL level.

Beck was at the end of a three-year, $2.75 million entry-level contract. A native of St. Catherines, Ontario, Beck was a third-round pick for the Predators in the 2009 draft.

Tennessean LOADED: 10.01.2014

736914 New Jersey Devils

Will the Devils keep Stefan Matteau and Reid Boucher? Here's what they think

Rich Chere | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Rich Chere | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Email the author | on September 30, 2014 at 5:28 PM, updated September 30, 2014 at 5:41 PM

NEWARK — One of the most interesting aspects of Devils training camp has been the emergence of Reid Boucher and Stefan Matteau as NHL-caliber players.

But will the Devils make room for both? For that matter, will they make room for even one of them?

“I think they’ve had excellent camps, both guys,” coach Pete DeBoer said Tuesday. “I think they’ve shown me they’re NHL players. They’re going to be NHL players and they’re knocking on the door right now. So that’s good.

“Whether you start here game one, I don’t think that necessarily tells the whole tale. You look at an NHL season. There is always going to be opportunity to either lose your job if you start here or gain a job when you get the opportunity to come up.”

Here is how the two players see it:

1. Their thoughts on DeBoer's comment?

Matteau: “It is something that you like to hear. You’re playing to make them think that and kind of force them to make decisions and make room for you. But I have to control what I can control and keep making them say that. I think I have been doing well for myself but there is always room for improvement.”

Boucher: “I mean, it’s not bad news. It’s nice getting praise like that from the coach. But I really want to start the year here, so I’m still competing and doing everything I can to do that.”

2. What have they done particularly well during the preseason?

Matteau: “I’ve followed instructions. The way I have to play is go to the net and hit, be hard on my stick and have a heavy stick. I have to hold onto the puck, too. I have to mix all that together.”

Boucher: “I thought I’ve been skating really well. My skating has gotten a lot better over the summer. I think that’s probably the best thing, or most improved.”

3. Are they optimistic about their chances?

Matteau: “I don’t know. It’s really not in my control. I really have to do what I can and let the business side of things solve itself.”

Boucher: “I’m always optimistic. I hope I made some decisions hard and I hope I made the team out of camp. If not, I’m going to do whatever I can to play well down in Albany and try to get back up as quick as I can.”

* * *

Boucher has a goal and an assist in three preseason games. Matteau is scorless but is judged on different facets of his game.

Defenseman Andy Greene did not practice for a second straight day.

“Just maintenance. He’ll be fine,” DeBoer said.

DeBoer did not have details on Scott Gomez, who missed a second day because of a sore wrist. The injury, first reported by NJ Advance Media, has jeopardized the center's chance of earning a spot on the club out of training camp.

* * *

Tuomo Ruutu and Damien Brunner were not on what appear to be the Devils' top three lines Tuesday. But DeBoer said they could still claim a spot there.

“Absolutely. I don’t think those are necessarily our top three lines," the coach said. "That’s where the competition comes in. And whoever starts in that top nine, when you have depth it doesn’t mean you’re going to finish there. It doesn’t mean you’re going to finish the night there.

“We want that internal competition for jobs and for guys to push each other and nobody to be comfortable. It’s similar to our power play. We have three power play units out there and that creates competition. You have to get the job done. In the past here, because of some depth, we haven’t been able to create that atmosphere. I think we have that this year.”

The lines were: Mike Cammalleri-Travis Zajac-Jaromir Jagr; Dainius Zubrus-Patrik Elias-Martin Havlat; Ryane Clowe-Adam Henrique-Michael Ryder.

* * *

DeBoer said he is not surprised by the level of competition in camp.

“No, but I’m glad we do. I think that’s a good sign in camp," he said. "Whenever the decisions are easy, I don’t think you have enough competition. To these guys’ credit, they’ve put up a good fight and there are a lot of tough decisions to be made. Which is a good problem to have.”

He said no final decision has been made on whether Scott Clemmensen or Keith Kinkaid will be Cory Schneider's backup.

“That’s an ongoing decision. We’ll see," DeBoer said. "Like the forward and like the defense, that’s something we still have to determine.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 10.01.2014


Devils release unsigned tryouts Tomas Kaberle and Ruslan Fedotenko


Email the author | on September 30, 2014 at 10:55 AM, updated September 30, 2014 at 12:59 PM

NEWARK — The Devils released winger Ruslan Fedotenko and defenseman Tomas Kaberle Tuesday. Both players were unsigned training camp tryouts.

That leaves the Devils with 32 players on their preseason roster.

Fedotenko, 35, played in two preseason games and did not have a point. He was minus-2 with no penalty minutes.

Kaberle, 36, appeared in two preseason games and had one assist. He was plus-2 with no penalty minutes. His release may have opened the door slightly for the Devils to keep rookie defenseman Damon Severson.

Scott Gomez did not take part in the team's scrimmage Tuesday because of his injured wrist, first reported by NJ Advance Media.

Defenseman Andy Greene also did not practice.

The Devils now have 32 players on their NHL roster:

Goaltenders (3): Cory Schneider, Scott Clemmensen, Keith Kinkaid

Defensemen (9): Eric Gelinas, Andy Greene, Peter Harrold, Seth Helgeson, Adam Larsson, Jon Merrill, Bryce Salvador, Damon Severson, Marek Zidlicky.

Forwards (20): Steve Bernier, Reid Boucher, Damien Brunner, Mike Cammalleri, Ryan Carter, Ryane Clowe, Patrik Elias, Stephen Gionta, Scott Gomez, Martin Havlat, Adam Henrique, Jaromir Jagr, Cam Janssen, Jacob Josefson, Stefan Matteau, Tuomo Ruutu, Michael Ryder, Jordin Tootoo, Travis Zajac, Dainius Zubrus.

* * *

The Devils' scrimmage:

White team

Goalie

Cory Schneider

Defense

Jon Merrill-Adam Larsson

Eric Gelinas-Damon Severson

Lines

Mike Cammalleri-Travis Zajac-Jaromir Jagr

Tuomo Ruutu-Jacob Josefson-Damien Brunner

Reid Boucher-Ryan Carter-Jordin Tootoo/Cam Janssen

Red team

Goalie

Scott Clemmensen

Defense

Bryce Salvador-Marek Zidlicky

Seth Helgeson-Peter Harrold

Lines

Dainius Zubrus-Patrik Elias-Martin Havlat

Ryane Clowe-Adam Henrique-Michael Ryder

Stefan Matteau-Stephen Gionta-Steve Bernier

Extra goalie: Keith Kinkaid



5 things you should know about Devils defenseman Andy Greene


Email the author | on September 30, 2014 at 7:54 AM, updated September 30, 2014 at 11:03 AM

NEWARK — As the Devils decide whether to keep rookies like Damon Severson and Seth Helgeson or veteran Tomas Kaberle, there is one constant on their defense: Andy Greene.

Here are 5 things you should know about the 31-year-old veteran:

1. He isn’t worried about any added pressure after signing a 5-year, $25 million contract extension this summer.

“It’s not something I’m worrying about or thinking about. I’m just going out there and continue to try and play the way I do,” he said. “Just improve and try and get better every day. I’m not going to try and reinvent the way I play.”

2. A Trenton, Michigan native, he’s a big Detroit Tigers fan. Off the top of his head, Greene says these are the 5 greatest Tigers of all time.

“Al Kaline, Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg, Alan Trammell and Jack Morris. I’m obviously too young to remember those first three guys. I vaguely remember Alan Trammell. I remember hearing Al Kaline’s voice on the radio,” he explained.

3. The highlight of his NHL career so far was the 2012 run to the Stanley Cup Final.

“It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but the whole experience was pretty unbelievable,” Greene recalled. “Your first game (Jan.12, 2007, vs. the Atlanta Thrashers), first goal (Mar. 8, 2007, in Pittsburgh) and first point (Jan. 20, 2007, vs. the Flyers) are all pretty special, but I’d have to say the run we went on has been the highlight.”

4. If he wasn’t a pro hockey player he’d be a teacher.

“What would I like to have been or what would I have been?” Greene asked. “I went to school (Miami of Ohio) for education, so probably a teacher. I like that schedule. That’s what I was in school for. I did everything except get my teaching certificate. I did all my student teaching. I’m doing what I always dreamed of doing, but I love golf. Being a professional golfer would be good.”

5. With pal Mark Fayne having left as a free agent, he’ll have a new defense partner.

“It’s going to be different, but that’s part of the business,” he said. “He isn’t the first guy or maybe the last guy that’s left. He was a good friend and a great teammate. I’ll miss that part, but I wish him well. I keep in touch with him. During the summer he came to my wedding. We text pretty often.”



Devils: Difficult decisions looming

October 1, 2014 Last updated: Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 1:21 AM

By TOM GULITTI

STAFF WRITER

The Record

NEWARK — With less than a week to go until next Tuesday’s 5 p.m. deadline for NHL teams to set their 23-man, opening-day rosters and be under the salary cap, the Devils still are carrying 32 players.

Although getting under the $69 million cap won’t be difficult, getting down to just 23 players might be. The Devils cut two players Tuesday, releasing defenseman Tomas Kaberle and left wing Ruslan Fedotenko from their tryout agreements, but there still are some significant decisions to be made.

Devils coach Pete DeBoer admitted that he didn’t think the team would have so many roster spot battles still ongoing with only two preseason games remaining — Thursday against the Islanders and Saturday against the Rangers.

"But, I’m glad we do," DeBoer said. "That’s the good sign of camp. Whenever the decisions are easy, I don’t think you have enough competition. So, to these guys’ credit, they put up a good fight and there’s a lot of tough decisions to be made, which is a good problem to have."

Rookies Damon Severson and Seth Helgeson have played their way into what DeBoer called, "the conversation" on defense, but, barring injury, they appear headed to the AHL with Albany. That would leave seven defensemen on the roster — Andy Greene, Jon Merrill, Bryce Salvador, Marek Zidlicky, Eric Gelinas, Adam Larsson and Peter Harrold.

The situation is more complicated at forward with 20 still on the roster, including Ryan Carter, who is attending camp without a contract, tryouts Scott Gomez and Jordin Tootoo and 14 signed to one-way contracts (same salary in NHL and minors).

Indications are that rookies Reid Boucher and Stefan Matteau will at least start the season in Albany. DeBoer seemed to hint at that, though he believes, "They’ve had excellent camps."

"They have shown me they are NHL players," DeBoer said. "They’re going to be NHL players and they’re knocking on the door right now. So, that’s good. And whether you start here Game 1, I don’t think that necessarily tells the whole tale. You look at an NHL season, there’s always going to be opportunities to either lose your job if you start here or gain a job when you get the opportunity to come up."

Boucher, 21, and Matteau, 20, are aware of the roster numbers working against them, but feel they’ve done pretty much everything within their control.

"I thought I played well," said Boucher, who has one goal and one assist in three preseason games. "I hope I made some decisions hard. We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess."

"I think I’ve done everything I can," said Matteau, the Devils’ 2012 first-round draft pick. "At the same time, there’s room for a lot more. I’ve got to work as hard as I can, like I have been. I think I’ve left a good impression."

Another, "ongoing decision," according to DeBoer, is whether veteran Scott Clemmensen or rookie Keith Kinkaid, 25, will be the backup goaltender.

BRIEF: Greene (undisclosed) and Gomez (sore wrist) did not practice for the second day in a row.

Bergen Record LOADED: 10.01.2014

736918 New York Islanders

Clutterbuck Leads Islanders to Preseason Win Over Bruins

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 30, 2014, 10:13 P.M. E.D.T.

BOSTON — Cal Clutterbuck scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:19 left in the third period, sending the New York Islanders to a 5-3 preseason win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.

Kyle Okposo, Cory Conacher and defenseman T.J. Brennan also scored for the Islanders. Scott Mayfield added an empty-net goal.

Clutterbuck and Okposo each had an assist. Kevin Poulin made 26 saves for New York.

Starting goalie Niklas Svedberg stopped seven of eight shots for the Bruins. Jeremy Smith replaced Svedberg in the second period and allowed three goals on 18 shots.

Boston rallied from two goals down to tie it 3-all on goals by defenseman Matt Bartkowski and forward Brad Marchand early in the third. Patrice Bergeron also scored for the Bruins.

New York Times LOADED: 10.01.2014


Islanders' sale OK’d by NHL

BY Stephen Lorenzo

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 12:21 AM

OCT. 24, 2012, FILE PHOTO Kathy Willens/AP Now former Isles owner Charles Wang.

The NHL’s Board of Governors approved the pending sale of the Islanders unanimously on Tuesday. A press conference is expected to take place sometime next week at Nassau Coliseum once details of the sale become official.

After months of speculation, current majority owner Charles Wang in August decided in principle to sell to former Capitals co-owner Jon Ledecky and London-based investor Scott Malkin. The transfer of power is expected to take place in two years. Wang will continue as majority shareholder until then before assuming a role as a minority owner.

The team will drop the puck for its final home opener at Nassau Coliseum on Oct. 11, when the Isles take on the Hurricanes. The franchise will then move to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for the 2015-16 season.

-- Cal Clutterbuck broke a 3-3 tie in the third as the Isles won in Boston, 5-3, to run their preseason record to 5-4.

New York Daily News LOADED: 10.01.2014


Islanders' Ryan Strome is fighting for a job

Updated September 30, 2014 10:08 PM

By ARTHUR STAPLE [email protected]

BOSTON - Jack Capuano is usually loath to single out players who need to be better. Asked about where Ryan Strome stood heading into last night's preseason game here against the Bruins, Capuano pulled no punches.

"I think Ryan knows his camp hasn't been where it needs to be," the coach said of the Isles' top prospect. "He has the kind of talent a lot of guys would love to have, but we need to see him get involved more. And he knows that."

Strome seemed a lock to start this season with the Isles after splitting his rookie year between Bridgeport, where he made the AHL All-Star Game after posting 34 points in his first 23 games, and the Islanders, where he finished the season with a solid showing in 37 games.

But this crowded training camp is forcing Capuano and his staff to take nothing for granted and assume spots for only a handful of forwards. Strome, caught a bit in limbo as his natural center position is completely overcrowded, didn't come out of the gate quickly and a host of veteran additions to the middle of the Isles' forward depth have threatened to push Strome back to the minors.

"I think I've been around long enough so I know what's at stake," Strome said. "You see how hungry some of the older guys are for jobs, and I'm no different. It's important for me to keep pushing guys and show I belong."

Strome was at center last night, starting between Nikolay Kulemin and Josh Bailey, the latter an Isles mainstay who also needs a strong week to have a spot when the season begins in Raleigh on Oct. 10.

But Strome does not appear to fit into the top line with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo, who skated with 24-year-old free agent signee Cory Conacher for part of the game. With Frans Nielsen set to anchor a defense-oriented third line and Casey Cizikas working hard as the fourth-line center, Strome's only real shot is on the second line, which likely will have Mikhail Grabovski and Kulemin on it.

Time is not on Strome's side. He may get one more game of the two remaining preseason contests, Thursday in Newark against the Devils and Friday in Bridgeport against the Bruins, but final evaluations will come soon after.

Should Strome end up in Bridgeport to start the season, there's every reason to think he'll be back up in short order, with injuries and the usual vagaries of the regular season.

"We obviously want him to be a big part of our club," Capuano said. "He's a very intelligent player and person. He knows what he has to do."

Notes & quotes:The Isles let a two-goal lead slip, but rallied for a 5-3 win. T.J. Brennan, Conacher, Okposo, Cal Clutterbuck and Scott Mayfield scored the goals.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 10.01.2014


Islanders sale approved by NHL Board of Governors


By STEVEN MARCUS AND JIM BAUMBACH [email protected],[email protected]

The NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the Islanders from Charles Wang to businessmen Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin, Commissioner Gary Bettman announced Tuesday.

The deal, which Bettman said has not been finalized, calls for Ledecky and Malkin to own a minority stake in the team once it is complete. They will assume majority control in two years, with Wang retaining a minority stake in the team.

Bettman said no issues were raised by the Board of Governors -- which is composed of representatives of all 30 NHL teams -- regarding Wang's insistence on a two-year period of ceding control.

"There's some documentation that has to be finished and the transaction actually has to close," said Bettman, who made the announcement after the board's quarterly meeting in New York City. "My guess is they're going to try and move it as quickly as possible. It's not going to happen tomorrow because there is some work to do. But I think they're probably shooting to get it done before the start of the season next week. If they miss it, that doesn't mean anything bad."

Bettman said the deal "provides an orderly transition, which was important to Charles."

On Aug. 19, the Islanders announced they had reached a deal to sell the team to Ledecky and Malkin. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Bettman said Ledecky and Malkin would "bring in some additional ownership expertise, resources."

Ledecky, who could not be reached for comment, was chairman of Lincoln Holdings, which held interests in the NHL's Washington Capitals and the NBA's Washington Wizards.

Malkin is chairman of UK-based Value Retail, a syndicator of high-end European retail outlets.

Wang, who attended the meeting with Islanders alternate governor Arthur McCarthy, did not divulge the result of the vote as he left moments before Bettman made the official announcement. Wang said he wasn't allowed to reveal the outcome.

Wang said he would speak "when the time is right."

Wang, a billionaire founder of Computer Associates, a Long Island software company now known as CA and based in Manhattan, tried unsuccessfully for nearly a decade to develop the Lighthouse Project, which would have had as its centerpiece a new arena for the team in Uniondale. Plans to renovate Nassau Coliseum, including a Nassau County referendum in 2011 that would have financed a $400 million face-lift, failed.

Wang announced in October 2012 that he would move the team to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The team will play its final season in Nassau Coliseum before moving to Brooklyn for the 2015-16 season.

Wang, along with former Computer Associates chief executive Sanjay Kumar, bought the Islanders in 2000, paying $74.2 million and assuming $97 million in existing liabilities.



Isles roster battles take shape in Boston


By ARTHUR STAPLE [email protected]

BOSTON - With Tuesday night's roster set for Isles-Bruins here, a few thoughts on where we stand with the final 23:

Josh Bailey and Ryan Strome (along with Michael Grabner, who missed practice the last two days) found themselves in the second group Monday after the Isles reduced their NHL camp to 43 players. Pretty much the entire first group was composed of 12 forwards under consideration for roster spots, so it seems logical to assume being in group two felt like a slight.

"If they want to look at it that way, they can," Jack Capuano said. "I think certain guys need to know they have to do a little bit more. We have these three games here and some of them, it's important to take a close look at a few positions."

Bailey and Strome are playing Tuesday night on a second line with Nikolay Kulemin, so here's a chance to do a little bit more. Strome has the option of going to Bridgeport, even though that would be a decidedly unpopular demotion. Bailey, entering year two of a five-year, $17.5-million deal, would seem to be a lock for something on the big club since it's almost impossible to think Garth Snow would find a trade partner for that contract or that Bailey would be sent down.

Bailey is in a battle with four others for two top-nine wing spots. Cory Conacher, who gets a turn playing with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo on Tuesday night, and Jack Skille are also in the mix with Anders Lee and Grabner. It's hard to know where everyone sits right now, so that five-guys, two-spots battle likely will be determined by this week's games. There's also room for a 13th forward among those five, plus Colin McDonald, who did what he had to do in Brooklyn on Friday and will be hard to let go.

Strome is in a much tougher spot. Capuano told Newsday on Monday that he sees Mikhail Grabovski, who played the last two games on the left side, as a center. Capuano is reluctant to move Brock Nelson out of the center position, but it seems he might have to if Grabovski is only a center.

Tavares, Frans Nielsen (who centered Lee and Skille on Tuesday night) and Casey Cizikas appear to have the other three center positions locked up. So Strome has to beat out Grabovski and Nelson to become an opening-night player. That seems unlikely.

On defense, Lubomir Visnovsky's back spasms on Monday certainly threw a wrench into Capuano's evaluations. Matt Donovan took Visnovsky's spot Tuesday night, but how to plan on defense? Griffin Reinhart gets another chance to show he can make the roster, paired with T.J. Brennan.

If Visnovsky isn't ready by the end of the week, things could be in flux.

One thing that would help this logjam everywhere? A trade. There are no signs that Snow is closing in on a deal, but rosters will be set by next Tuesday, so some cap-pushing clubs might feel more pressure to unload.

Of course, those teams can't add big salaries, so unless it's some sort of "we'll take this off your hands if you take that off our hands" swap, Bailey wouldn't be part of a deal with, say, the Bruins or Hawks unless it was a big deal.

So here we sit, with lots of confusion and congestion. Who knew the Isles preseason games meant so much?


736923 New York Rangers

Rangers Fall to Flyers in Preseason Game

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSOCT. 1, 2014

Carl Hagelin and the rookie Anthony Duclair scored for the Rangers, but the host Philadelphia Flyers won their preseason game, 4-2.

■ Cal Clutterbuck scored the tiebreaking goal with 3 minutes 19 seconds left regulation, sending the visiting Islanders to a 5-3 preseason win over Boston.



Simmonds Helps Flyers Beat Rangers in Preseason

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 30, 2014, 9:52 P.M. E.D.T.

PHILADELPHIA — Wayne Simmonds scored in the second period, and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the New York Rangers 4-2 in a preseason game Tuesday night.

Flyers captain Claude Giroux logged more than 16 1/2 minutes in his first exhibition game this season. Giroux suffered a lower-body injury early in the first practice of training camp.

Sean Couturier scored in the first for Philadelphia, which lost 6-3 to the Rangers on Monday night. Ray Emery, who also had missed time with a lower-body injury, had 24 stops.

Carl Hagelin and rookie Anthony Duclair scored for New York. Cam Talbot stopped 19 of 22 shots in two periods of work.

Simmonds' goal at 13:25 of the second gave the Flyers a 3-1 lead.



Tough cuts await NY Rangers coach Alain Vigneault

BY Pat Leonard

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS


PHILADELPHIA — Anticipation is building for Alain Vigneault’s selection of his final 22 or 23-player roster to open the Rangers’ season, but the focus on this cut is a bit misplaced, because the decisions likely won’t be final at all.

“I would even say this might take 15, 20 games until we sort it out,” Vigneault admitted before Tuesday night’s 4-2 exhibition loss to the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center, after which he planned to cut from 43 players in camp to about 30.

Specifically, Vigneault was referring to his dilemma at the center position. With Derek Stepan (broken left leg) out until at least Oct. 22, and ex-Rangers Brad Richards in Chicago and Brian Boyle in Tampa Bay, the Blueshirts suddenly lack a solution in the most crucial area of the ice.

They may need to use trial-and-error in complementing Derick Brassard and Dominic Moore with two other capable centers. At the moment, the favorites to man the middle of the other two lines would seem to be young J.T. Miller, 21, and AHL veteran Chris Mueller, 28. Still, it may not be as simple as filling in a depth chart.

Vigneault has to consider whether he instead just wants to take his best 13 forwards, regardless of whether they play center or wing, and go from there.

“Are we better off keeping (a winger) that’s maybe better prepared for right now, and if we would rate our 13 top forwards, might be better than a guy who’s a natural centerman?” Vigneault said, explaining potential scenarios. “Are we better off taking a player from another position and putting him in the middle? Would that make us a little bit better for the time being?”

The young man most responsible for forcing the coach into these scenarios is Anthony Duclair, 19, the upstart left wing who made his NHL debut this preseason and has scored at least one goal in all three of the games in which he’s played (three goals, two assists). Duclair scored off a Moore assist on Tuesday night, and along with right wing Jesper Fast, 22, is presenting the coaching staff with positive options on the wing.

“His play has definitely caught everyone in our organization’s attention,” Vigneault said after the game.

Center Oscar Lindberg, 22, struggled against the Flyers, and it’s unlikely he will stick around, especially because offseason signing Kevin Hayes, 22, has handled his audition at center well. That’s a disappointment for Lindberg, considering injuries to Stepan and Matthew Lombardi (groin, day-to-day) had opened the door.

Duclair, though, has made himself the talk of this camp. If he makes the team, the Rangers have to shed a player contract to remain under the NHL limit of 50, but that's not preventing Vigneault and Glen Sather from considering keeping the kid.

“He might start with us or he might go back to junior,” Vigneault said before the game. “After five, six games we might say he’s doing it, we’re gonna keep him, or we might come to another conclusion … Every situation is different. It always depends on how they play and how the team plays, too.”

THE HURT LOCKER

Defenseman Dan Girardi (undisclosed) and forward Ryan Malone (hip flexor strain) both skated in Greenburgh on Tuesday morning for the first time in several days. Malone had not skated since practicing last Thursday and has played in only one preseason match. Girardi had taken two days off for “maintenance,” per the team, after completing Friday night’s exhibition game in Chicago.



Crushed Ice: Speculating on Alain Vigneault's next round of cuts, more on Anthony Duclair and Rangers after 4-2 preseason loss in Philly

BY Pat Leonard

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS


PHILADELPHIA – The Rangers will make more cuts on Wednesday morning in preparation for their final two preseason games this weekend, but before we speculate on who Alain Vigneault may send home, let’s take a look at some key points from Tuesday night’s 4-2 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center:

1.Right wing Lee Stempniak was active, engaged and looked much more like a player who intends to contribute than he had in his first game on Friday night in Chicago. That was good to see on a night when he played mostly with Rangers youngsters or fringe players fighting to make the roster against a fuller Flyers squad than the one Philly sent up to the Garden on Monday night.

2.Carl Hagelin and Dominic Moore picked up right where they left off on the penalty kill, with Moore feeding Hagelin for a shorthanded goal on a breakaway wrist shot that the Swede ripped past Flyers goalie Ray Emery.

3. Moore made a fantastic pass across ice on Anthony Duclair’s goal. Still, Duclair finished, meaning he has not yet played an NHL game in which he has not scored (three goals in three preseason matches). Of course doing that in the regular season would be a different story. That opportunity is not out of the question for Duclair, though, since he has continued to impress time and again on different lines, against different opponents and in various situations.

“Obviously Duclair again tonight had a good night,” Vigneault said. “There’s a tremendous amount of skill and speed. So far, his play has definitely caught everyone in our organization’s attention … A lot of things (about Duclair) are standing out to me right now: The speed element with the puck, the poise with the puck, his making those short little plays that permit him and his teammates on the ice to play fast. There are a lot of good things being done.”

Duclair continued creating problems for opponents with his speed even when he didn’t have the puck, but my favorite play of his on Tuesday may have been his quick turn inside the offensive blue line in the third period, when he blew by veteran defenseman Mark Streit and drew a holding penalty on Streit, who had no other choice but to grab Duclair’s jersey.

As Vigneault said in Chicago, the kid’s got wheels.

4. Just my observation: Young defenseman Conor Allen can skate at the NHL level but his puck management isn’t there yet. The young Blueshirts squad on Tuesday as a team spent too much time in its own end, as Vigneault pointed out after the game, but he still thought “a couple guys … caught our attention tonight.”

5.Flyers fans continued booing the arena’s all-male ice cleaners during game stoppages as they have throughout the preseason, disappointed that the team canned the Flyers’ Ice Girls in the offseason. Then suddenly on the PA system, the Flyers announced that the organization has “listened” to fans’ displeasure and will be bringing back the Ice Girls this season after all. The Flyers said they will hold tryouts soon, which is another way of saying they screwed up. Glad we got that cleared up.

6. Vigneault said veteran center Matthew Lombardi (groin, day-to-day) “saw our doctor (Monday), and we got some positive feedback. I’m hoping he’ll be skating in a day or two and hopefully be able to play on the weekend. Otherwise, this (injury) definitely hurts his chances as far as starting with us.”

7. I thought defenseman Mike Kostka was one more poor game away from being cut going into Tuesday’s game. Fortunately for Kostka – the biggest body of the defensemen competing for Vigneault’s seventh spot – he played much better and more decisively and should have a good a chance as anyone of making that opening day roster as the depth D.

8. Here’s how bleak that battle for the seventh D-man has gone. Vigneault put it this way when asked before Tuesday’s game: “There’s nobody who has gone out of his way for me to say, ‘Oh, this guy’s doing it.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We’ve got the King, and we’ve got the Duke!” – Vigneault on the royal nicknames for Henrik Lundqvist and Duclair

TUESDAY NIGHT’S LINEUP

Here’s the lineup Vigneault put on the ice against the Flyers:

Forwards: Carl Hagelin-Dominic Moore-Anthony Duclair, Marek Hrivik-Chris Mueller-Danny Kristo, Ryan Bourque-Kevin Hayes-Lee Stempniak, Nick Tarnasky-Oscar Lindberg-Ryan Haggerty.

Defensemen: John Moore-Kevin Klein, Conor Allen-Mike Kostka, Mat Bodie-Matt Hunwick.

Goalies: Cam Talbot, Jason Missaien.

CUTS ON THE WAY

Vigneault said after Tuesday’s game that he will make about 10 cuts from the 43 players in camp prior to Wednesday’s noon practice in Greenburgh. He said come Wednesday the Rangers will have “six healthy forward lines and anywhere between nine and 10 defensemen and two goaltenders.”

So here are my guesses as to who will stick through Tuesday night and who will be cut, assuming he keeps only nine defensemen:

Forwards (19, 18 healthy): Chris Kreider, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello, Carl Hagelin, Marek Hrivik, Dominic Moore, Martin St. Louis, Rick Nash, J.T.Miller, Lee Stempniak, Tanner Glass, Chris Mueller, Ryan Malone, Matthew Lombardi, Anthony Duclair, Kevin Hayes, Jesper Fast, Ryan Haggerty, Derek Stepan (injured long-term).

Defensemen (nine): Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal. Dan Boyle, John Moore, Kevin Klein, Conor Allen, Matt Hunwick, Michael Kostka.

Goaltenders (2): Henrik Lundqvist, Cam Talbot.

So here my guesses if there are 13 cuts: Forwards Chris Bourque, Ryan Bourque, Danny Kristo, Oscar Lindberg, Ryan Potulny, Nick Tarnasky; defensemen Steven Kampfer, Mat Bodie, Tommy Hughes, Dylan McIlrath and Petr Zamorsky; and goaltenders Cedrick Desjardins and Jason Missiaen.

(I know Lindberg is a center and it may be crazy to say the Rangers would cut him this quickly. I just think that J.T. Miller, Chris Mueller and Kevin Hayes all have shown themselves better options at center at the moment than Lindberg. It’s not like he plays wing, also, so there wouldn’t be a reason to keep him around and try him at another position. Of course, keeping him around would give him another crack at it this weekend, so he very well could stick around a few more days. If he does, though, a cut nevertheless seems inevitable. His reactions on ice have been slow, and he had a real tough night in Philly.)



No Ranger is clear-cut leader in battle for second-line center job

By Larry Brooks

October 1, 2014 | 1:55am

PHILADELPHIA — Oscar Lindberg, Kevin Hayes and Chris Mueller, three centers vying for a spot in the opening night lineup, all failed to break out of the pack in Tuesday night’s 4-2 exhibition defeat to the Flyers.

That, coupled with a disappointing performance by J.T. Miller in Monday’s 6-3 victory over Philadelphia at the Garden, leaves the Rangers with vexing decisions before the Oct. 9 opener in St. Louis regarding what has become a position of weakness in the wake of the fractured fibula that will sideline presumptive first-line center Derek Stepan for approximately the first month of the season.

For it’s not just that spots are open. More importantly, slots are open — most significantly the one on the second line between Marty St. Louis and either Rick Nash or Chris Kreider. It’s hard to believe that coach Alain Vigneault will feel confident with Miller — careless with the puck and deficient without it on the second line on Monday — in that slot facing a St. Louis complement of centers featuring David Backes, Paul Stastny, Patrik Berglund and/or Jaden Schwartz.

It is far more likely, in fact, that Dominic Moore, the incumbent and invaluable fourth-line pivot, would move up into a greater two-way role as he did during the conference final against Montreal when Stepan and Derick Brassard — now the No. 1 — went down at different times with injuries.

“I would say that not only might these decisions go into next week, it might take 15 or 20 games for this to come together,” Vigneault said. “We might make a decision for the opening roster, but does that mean [we might not make adjustments] going forward?”

The decisions and evaluations have been compromised by the groin injury that has kept Matt Lombardi off the ice for nearly a week. The Rangers have no idea at the moment what Lombardi — who hasn’t played a full NHL season since 2010-11 and was thus iffy enough coming into camp — has to offer.

“Matthew saw the doctor [Monday] and got some positive feedback,” Vigneault said. “I hope he’ll be able to skate in a day or two and play over the weekend [against Chicago on Friday and/or at New Jersey on Saturday] otherwise it’s going to be difficult for him to start with us.”

But as Vigneault wrestles with unappetizing choices down the middle borne from weakness, 19-year-old winger Anthony Duclair continues to force the coach and New York management to give very serious consideration to keeping him on the opening roster rather than returning him to Quebec of the QMJHL.

For there was Duclair showcasing his speed, instincts and skill in converting a nifty feed from Moore to rifle a low left circle drive past Ray Emery early in the third period for his third goal in three games. That came before he beat veteran Mark Streit wide with a burst of speed that forced the Philly defenseman into a holding penalty.

“I’m surprising myself every day, but at the same time I’m gaining confidence,” Duclair said. “My life has changed with this little bit of fame, but I have to stay focused on the game and what I need to do to keep improving.

“The coaches have let me play. They’ve wanted to see how I would adapt to certain situations without telling me [what to do]. I think I’ve adapted pretty well so far.”

Duclair is essentially competing with Lee Stempniak, Ryan Malone and Jesper Fast for a spot on the wing … unless Miller too joins that mix if moved out of the middle. At least one of the above will be without a chair when the music stops.

“His play has definitely caught everyone in the organization’s attention,” Vigneault said after the match. Before the game the coach said: “It’s an ongoing process. He might start with us. He might go back to junior. After five [or] six games, we might say we’re going to keep him. Next year we might say he should start in Hartford.”

The Rangers will cut down to two goaltenders, nine or 10 defensemen and, in Vigneault’s words, “six healthy lines” before Wednesday’s practice. … Malone, who hadn’t been on the ice since sustaining a hip-pointer last Thursday, skated at the training center on Tuesday and is expected to join the club for practice. … Dan Girardi, who hadn’t skated since Friday night’s game in Chicago, was also on the ice Tuesday.

New York Post LOADED: 10.01.2014


Former NY Ranger Sean Avery jumpstarts acting career

By Stephanie Smith

September 30, 2014 | 9:26pm

Sean Avery, the former New York Ranger-turned-Vogue-intern-turned-David Lipman ad executive, is now trying acting.

He’ll star in the Christy Smith-Sloman play “Negative is Positive” at the Theater for the New City opening Nov. 6.

The play centers on an interracial married couple leading an idyllic life until an incident “forces them to explore issues of trust, failed expectations, jealousy, friendship, resentment, infidelity, race and social class.”

Avery will play the lead character’s best friend.

Sloman told us Avery auditioned last week and was a “natural.”

Avery said, “I’m not pursuing acting full time, but rather excited about the opportunity to have an experience like live theater to scratch off my bucket list.”



Marc Staal heading toward exact contract situation he feared

By Larry Brooks

September 30, 2014 | 4:06pm

PHILADELPHIA — There has been no progress whatsoever in the contract extension talks between the Rangers and Marc Staal, The Post has learned from several informed sources.

And that essentially is because there have been no meaningful talks for weeks between management and the 27-year-old defenseman’s camp.

The Rangers are believed to be offering Staal, who can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, the same six-year, $33 million deal ($5.5M per) to which they signed Dan Girardi last year when he was a pending free agent. They don’t appear inclined to move off that number.

Staal, two years younger than Girardi, is believed seeking at least $6 million per on a six- or seven-year deal, which he certainly would be able to get on the open market if he remains healthy throughout the season.

While there is no indication at the moment that Staal’s camp will officially break off negotiations at the start of the season, the current standstill has rendered the need for such a decision moot.

A year ago, as both Girardi and then-captain Ryan Callahan both went deep into the season without extensions while on the final season of their respective contracts, general manager Glen Sather made it clear he would trade them rather than allowing them to walk as free agents without a return.

Girardi signed days before the trade deadline when the Rangers finally met the defenseman’s fair market value asking price that had been on the table for three months. Callahan was traded to Tampa Bay (with two first-round draft picks) in exchange for Martin St. Louis after unusually public contract talks broke down.

In the wake of the Callahan trade, which followed weeks of intense trade speculation, Staal — who is not in the lineup for Tuesday’s exhibition match here against the Flyers — told The Post he had no interest in going through such a potentially disruptive scenario.

“You can say all you want that it’s not on your mind and it’s not a distraction, but it’s something that has to weigh on you,” the alternate captain said on March 8. “For me, the contract situation is definitely something I would like to take care of over the summer.

“That’s the goal, but that has to be the way management looks at it, too, in order to get it done.”

The Rangers, who have every right to consider themselves legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, have no one in sight within the organization even close to being able to fill the void that would result if Staal gets away.

At the moment, the Blueshirts are having a difficult enough time identifying a capable seventh defenseman, let alone a potential replacement for Staal to play top-four minutes.



Rangers still puzzled

October 1, 2014 Last updated: Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 1:21 AM

By ANDREW GROSS

STAFF WRITER

The Record

PHILADELPHIA – A roster reduction will not necessarily mean Rangers coach Alain Vigneault has a clearer idea of how to construct his roster.

"This might take 15-20 games until we sort it out," Vigneault said.

Still, the possibility of training camp sensation Anthony Duclair sticking around rather than being sent back to juniors as was the original plan seemingly grows daily.

Duclair scored on his only shot – his third preseason goal in three games – and created other scoring chances for the Rangers and havoc for the Flyers with his speed as a prospect-laden Rangers’ squad lost to the Flyers, who loaded their lineup with NHL talent, 4-2, Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center.

Today, the Rangers are expected to trim their current 43-man roster by 10. Two preseason games remain, with the Rangers hosting the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday and at the Devils on Saturday.

"I’m pretty surprised, I surprise myself everyday," said Duclair, who also has two preseason assists. "Whatever happens, happens. If I stick, that’s been my goal since the start and I’ll be happy. If I go down to juniors, it wouldn’t be a downgrade and I just need more development. I’m sure I’ll have a meeting with the coaches and see what I need to work on."

Vigneault said he expects to have six "healthy" forward lines, nine or 10 defensemen and goalies Henrik Lundqvist and Cam Talbot remaining in training camp.

Vigneault wasn’t tipping his hand on the cuts but his praise of Duclair, who played on Dominic Moore’s right wing along with Carl Hagelin, was a giant hint to his thinking. Moore assisted on both Rangers’ goals, setting up Duclair near the left post to beat Ray Emery 36 seconds into the third period.

"He’s got a tremendous amount of skill and speed," Vigneault said of Duclair. "So far his play has definitely caught everyone in our organization’s attention."

The main question marks for the Rangers are identifying – and placing onto the correct lines – three centers behind Derick Brassard with Derek Stepan likely to miss the first seven to 12 regular-season games with a broken left fibula, figuring out who to keep as a depth defenseman and whether any other young forwards have earned a spot.

Rookies Oscar Lindberg and Kevin Hayes and journeyman Chris Mueller were the other centers Tuesday.

"I would say that position there is like our seventh and eighth defensemen," Vigneault added. "I don’t have a clear-cut answer for you."

BRIEFS: Talbot stopped 19 of 22 shots in two periods and Jason Missiaen made seven saves. … Hagelin opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 4:47 of the first period. … Left wing Ryan Malone (hip flexor) and defenseman Dan Girardi (undisclosed) resumed skating at the team’s facility in Greenburgh, N.Y. and Vigneault said he expects both to practice with the team today. … Center Matthew Lombardi (groin) remains sidelined but Vigneault is hopeful he can resume skating "in a day or two and hopefully play on the weekend. Otherwise, this definitely hurts his chances of sticking with us."



Flyers 4, Rangers 2: Post-game notes/analysis

Staff

Anthony Duclair.

Once again, Anthony “The Duke” Duclair, 19, stood out in a 4-2 preseason loss to the Flyers. His speed gives the opposition fits, he doesn’t really screw up defensively and he scored yet again, that’s three goals in three preseason games. This one came on his only shot of the game, 36 seconds into the third period as he got down low to the left post and Dominic Moore found him with a seeing-eye feed. Not that it means anything in preseason - or in the regular season for that matter - but Duclair was in the three stars of the game for the third straight game, this time at No. 3. He was No. 2 in Monday’s 6-3 win over the Flyers at Madison Square Garden and the No. 1 star in Friday’s 4-1 win at Chicago.

Cuts - probably 10 players - will be announced on Wednesday and the likelihood grows that Duclair will not be among them as the Rangers ponder whether to return him to his junior club.

This was, perhaps, Duclair’s most difficult challenge as he skated on the right wing of Dominic Moore (two assists) along with Carl Hagelin (shorthanded goal in the first period) because the Flyers dressed a fairly representative lineup, unlike their squad Monday night and even unlike the Blackhawks.

“There were a couple more veterans in the lineup on the other side and it was a bit tougher but at the same time we kept battling and never gave up and all of a sudden came back there at the end,” Duclair said. “You’ve always got to know who is playing on the other side and who you’re matching up with. It goes along way with preparation.

“(The goal) was a great pass across ice by (Moore) there and I don’t know how he found me, but it went through a couple bodies there and I just wanted to get a shot on net and I think it squeezed through the net on its own,” Duclair added. “I’m surprised myself everyday but at the same time I’m gaining confidence with the help of the veterans. I keep saying it but it’s true. All the veterans have really helped me out through this camp. Obviously my life has changed with a little fame here and there but at the same time I just have to play my game, stay focused and come to the rink and work hard every day.”

After the cutdown, coach Alain Vigneault said he expects to have six “healthy” forward lines, nine or 10 defensemen and goalies Henrik Lundqvist and Cam Talbot. By the way, Talbot being pulled after two periods, it turns out, was the plan all along, contrary to what I’ve been reporting. Essentially, Vigneault said after the game he had misspoken when he indicated Talbot would play the full game tonight.

“We were playing against a good hockey team that had a lot of veteran personnel on the ice,” Vigneault said of tonight’s Flyers’ squad. “We had quite a few young players; I thought for the most part our guys did fairly well. I mean there were some moments there we spent a little bit more time in our end than I think everyone would have liked to. You know there is team evaluation and I think a couple of guys caught our attention tonight.

“I don’t want get into specifics but obviously Duclair again tonight had a good night,” Vigneault added. “There is obviously a tremendous amount of skill and speed that so far his play has definitely caught everyone in our organizations’ attention. Both of our goaltenders tonight were also tested, and had some real good moments. It was another exhibition game and another opportunity for us to evaluate. We are definitely going to make, I would say, probably around ten cuts tonight as we get on the train and get back home, but tomorrow we will be down on numbers.”



Different scenario, same approach for Talbot

Staff

Cam Talbot thought about it and realized tonight will be his first-ever preseason start for the Rangers - an organization he joined in 2010 - after making the NHL roster last October as Marty Biron’s replacement.

Of course, this training camp and last year’s is a whole different scenario for Talbot, who is Henrik Lundqvist’s unquestioned backup heading into the season whereas, last year, he knew he was ticketed for Hartford (AHL) again.

“I try to approach it the same mentally at least,” Talbot said. “It’s a little bit of a different situation coming in with a spot to lose instead of spot to win, sort of thing. But as far as approaching the game, I approach it the same way, I approach training camp the same way, just come in in the best shape possible and work as hard as I can. After last season, I think it’s going to make me work harder and get to that next level.”

Talbot, 27, went 12-6-1 with a 1.64 goals-against average, .941 save percentage, three shutouts, and several key starts early in the season when Lundqvist was either struggling or hurt.

Talbot played the second 30 minutes of the Rangers’ 5-4 loss to the Devils in their preseason opener, stopping 16 of 19 shots.

“It’s always big,” Talbot said of playing a full game. “The half game was great but coming off the bench isn’t always the easiest so to be able to start a game and get a full game under my belt is going to be very beneficial.

“I’ve felt really good, actually,” Talbot added. “Tonight will actually be my first chance to start a preseason game. I don’t think I’ve even started one before, except in Hartford. I think that puts me right there and I’ve been feeling really good with where I am right now. My body feels good and practices have been going well so hopefully it translates into the game.”

Talbot is in the second season of a two-year, $1.125 million deal and can be an unrestricted free agent next summer. When he talks about reaching the “next level,” that means being an NHL starter. With Lundqvist in the first season of a seven-year, $59.5 million deal, that’s not going to happen with the Rangers.

But those concerns are far away for Talbot. Right now, it’s about tonight. And his first preseason start for the Rangers.



Another chance vs. Flyers may be last chance for some; Girardi, Malone resume skating

Staff

The Rangers held an optional skate this morning at the Wells Fargo Center as they face the Flyers tonight in their fourth preseason game. With coach Alain Vigneault saying the roster will be cut down to about 30 players on Wednesday from its current 43, that means tonight will be some players’ last chance to make an impression on the coaching staff.

Eleven forwards, four defensemen and goalies Cam Talbot - who is scheduled to play the full game - and Jason Missiaen were on the ice this morning while center Chris Mueller and defensemen Matt Hunwick, both who played in Monday’s 6-3 win over the Flyers at Madison Square Garden, plus veteran Kevin Klein did not participate in the optional.

So, the Rangers lineup tonight:

Forwards: Mueller, Danny Kristo, Ryan Bourque, Oscar Lindberg, Carl Hagelin, Anthony Duclair, Lee Stempniak, Ryan Haggerty, Dominic Moore, Marek Hrivik, Kevin Hayes, Nick Tarnasky

Defensemen: Mat Bodie, John Moore, Michael Kostka, Conor Allen, Hunwick, Klein

Goalies: Talbot, Missiaen

Meanwhile, back in New York, defenseman Dan Girardi skated after being held off the ice for two days for precautionary reasons. Veteran left wing Ryan Malone (hip flexor) also resumed skating. However, veteran center Matthew Lombardi (groin) remains off the ice.

Other than Hagelin, Stempniak and Moore, all the forwards could be considered on the roster bubble while John Moore and Klein are the only two defensemen guaranteed to be on the Opening-Night roster.

“I do think you’ve got to go out and play your best hockey but you can’t overthink it,” said Lindberg, who had a goal in Friday’s 4-1 win at Chicago, his only preseason action so far. “I was happy with my last game, I felt fresh. I think I played good but I think I can play a little better.”

The Flyers will be dressing a much more representative NHL lineup tonight than they did on Monday, with captain Claude Giroux making his first preseason appearance on a line with Brayden Schenn and Jakub Voracek. Vincent Lecavalier, R.J. Umberger, Sean Courturier and Wayne Simmonds are also up front for the Flyers, as is Zac Rinaldo (Simmonds and/or Rinaldo may get involved with Tarnasky tonight).

Defensively, Mark Streit, Nicklas Grossmann, Braydon Coburn, Luke Schenn and ex-Ranger Michael Del Zotto will all dress.

“It’s fun to play against top players,” Lindberg said.



Anthony Duclair turning heads and filling nets

Updated October 1, 2014 12:01 AM

By STEVE ZIPAY [email protected]

PHILADELPHIA - Few would have guessed that 19-year-old Anthony Duclair would have made it this far in training camp, but the youngster nicknamed "The Duke" will play on.

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault praised Duclair again after he scored his third goal of the preseason in the Rangers' 4-2 loss here Tuesday night. "A lot of things are standing out," said Vigneault, including his speed, poise, and ability "to make those short little passes."

So Duclair, who scored 50 goals for the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior League last season, won't be among the approximate 10 cuts Wednesday as the Rangers trim the roster to about 33, including 18 "healthy" forwards, nine or 10 defensemen and two goalies: Henrik Lundqvist and Cam Talbot. Derek Stepan, Ryan Malone and Matthew Lombardi are recovering from injuries.

There is little doubt that Duclair has been the most intriguing story of September. Before the game, Vigneault said that he opened eyes in the entire organization. "He might start with us. He might go back to junior," Vigneault said. "After five, six games, we might say we're going to keep him . . ."

After Tuesday night's game, Duclair was asked whether he is getting direction from the coaching staff.

"They let me play," said Duclair, who fared well against an experienced Flyers squad in his biggest test of the preseason. "They want to see how I adapt to certain situations without telling me what's going on."

Early in the third period, Dom Moore found Duclair alone in the lower left circle and the left wing wasted no time in beating Ray Emery just 36 seconds in to trim the Flyers' lead to 3-2. It was his only shot on a night in which he played 16:23. On an earlier two-on-one, his pass just missed connecting with Kevin Klein, who was heading for the net.

In his three games, Duclair has been ranked among the top three stars, as voted by the attending media, two in road buildings. No. 3 Tuesday, No. 2 star against the Flyers on Monday, No. 1 against Chicago on Friday.

One question is whether Duclair, 5-11 and about 185 pounds, can stand up to the rigors of NHL games night after night during the season, when the intensity ratchets up. He is not eligible to play in the AHL at 19, so it's either here or Quebec.

Blue notesDefenseman Michael Kostka led all Blueshirts with five shots; Danny Kristo had four . . . C Chris Mueller won 9 of 11 faceoffs, best on the squad . . . The Rangers were 0-for-4 on the power play while five-on-four, and 0-for-1 on a five-on-three for 25 seconds. They are scheduled to practice at noon Wednesday.



Anthony Duclair nets third preseason goal but Rangers fall to Flyers

September 30, 2014 10:05 PM


PHILADELPHIA - Nineteen-year-old Anthony Duclair scored his third goal of the preseason, but the Rangers fell to the Flyers, 4-2, at Wells Fargo Center Tuesday night.

Duclair beat Ray Emery on a wrister from the lower left circle 36 seconds into the third, cutting the Flyers' lead to 3-2.

Before the game, coach Alain Vigneault said of Duclair: "He might start with us. He might go back to junior. After five, six games, we might say we're gonna keep him . . . "

With Duclair off for holding just 3:26 in, Mat Bodie made a nice play to Dom Moore, who fed Carl Hagelin for a breakaway shorthanded goal at 4:47. Hagelin went high glove side on Ray Emery for a 1-0 lead.

Sean Couturier tied the score at 1 from the right circle at 13:46, just after Kevin Hayes, at the other end, had stickhandled between Emery and the left post but couldn't stuff the puck in.

Three minutes later, Jason Akeson was whistled for slashing Marek Hrivik -- and with the referee miked, the crowd could hear "Right in the back of the legs, Jason!" -- but the Rangers couldn't convert on the power play. The period ended with the teams tied in shots 9-9.

At the start of the second period, the Rangers killed 1:15 of carryover time of a Moore hooking penalty on Claude Giroux, who was making his preseason debut.

Duclair just missed connecting with Kevin Klein in front on a two-on-one with just more than five minutes gone.

But the Flyers, with a lineup of regulars, started looking as if they had played together before; the Rangers' collection of AHLers, prospects and a couple veterans, were disjointed.

As the Flyers buzzed, Nicklas Grossman's shot from the right point appeared to go off a Ranger in front and past Cam Talbot at 7:46 for a 2-1 Philadelphia lead. Wayne Simmonds, cutting in front, tipped Matt Read's wrister from the left point past Talbot at 13:25.

Jason Missiaen replaced Talbot (19 saves) in the third period, and the Flyers scored an empty-netter with 35 seconds left.



Strong play by prospects have caught Alain Vigneault's attention



PHILADELPHIA - The easy part of roster-cutting for Rangers coach Alain Vigneault -- from 43 players to 30-something -- was expected to happen after the Rangers left Philadelphia Tuesday night.

Prospect Anthony Duclair scored his third goal of the preseason early in the third period, but the Rangers lost to the Flyers, 4-2. Carl Hagelin scored a shorthanded goal in the first.

The tougher part for Vigneault comes Sunday, four days before the season opener in St. Louis, when the Rangers have finished their six-game preseason schedule and will pare down to 22 or 23 players.

Things are in flux, partly because of injuries and the strong performances by some prospects, Vigneault said before Tuesday night's game at Wells Fargo Center.

"This might take 15, 20 games until we sort it out," he said. "We might make some decisions for the opening-game roster, like some guys have caught our attention, to start." But, he insisted, that does not preclude changes.

Two veteran forwards in the mix should be coming off the shelf. Center Matthew Lombardi (groin) received "some positive feedback" from doctors, and Vigneault is hopeful he can skate "in a day or two" and play on the weekend against either Chicago or the Devils, "otherwise this hurts his chances of starting with us."

Left wing Ryan Malone, who played just one game before he hurt his hip flexor, skated in New York on Tuesday and is expected to practice Wednesday.

"We're going to have to keep 22 or 23 guys," Vigneault said. "Are we better off keeping somebody that's better prepared for now? Would that make us a little better for the time being?"

One thing to keep in mind: Some veterans would have to clear waivers if assigned to Hartford; youngsters on entry-level deals are exempt.

No. 1 center Derek Stepan (broken fibula) is expected to be back by the end of October, and that will shake things up further.

The Flyers dressed very few veterans in Monday's 6-3 loss to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The roles were reversed Tuesday night. The Blueshirts dressed only five veterans, including goaltender Cam Talbot, while the Flyers loaded up with regulars.

Matt Hunwick, Mat Bodie, Conor Allen and Mike Kostka dressed for the Rangers in their continuing showcase to earn a spot as a seventh defenseman. Vigneault hasn't been enamored with his choices, which doesn't say much for the depth in that position.

That can't hurt the case for Marc Staal, who is in the final year of his contract and seeking a long-term extension. He can become an unrestricted free agent in June and it doesn't seem like any deal is close.

When asked after the Flyers game Monday if anything had changed on that front, Staal said, "No."



Rangers beat Flyers 'B' team

September 29, 2014 10:34 PM


With three goals in 3:37 of the first period, the Rangers sped past a Flyers team dressing very few veterans in the second of three games on consecutive nights.

The 6-3 win was the second in three preseason games for the Blueshirts, but it's difficult to evaluate the performances given the roster disparity.

Nonetheless, the Rangers dominated the first period.

Anthony Duclair, the 19-year-old wing who is opening eyes with his wheels and smarts, ripped a high, short-side shot past Steve Mason from the left circle at 5:31, his second goal in two games.

Ryan Haggerty, who assisted on Duclair's goal, then darted across the crease, stickhandling from left to right and beat Mason low at 7:45 for his first of two goals in the game.

Jesper Fast, screening Mason, got a piece of Dan Boyle's shot from the right side for his second of the preseason at 9:08 and scored again with 3:50 left in regulation.

Duclair's assist was his fourth point in two games. He might have had another on a breakaway but lost the puck in front of the crease with just over six minutes left.

Naturally, the gloves began to drop. The Flyers' Zach Stortini and Tanner Glass traded flurries of punches, and Blair Jones engaged in a far shorter bout with Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh. After a 12-1 edge in shots, by the end of the first period the Rangers outshot Philadelphia 14-5 and killed a penalty to Glass.

After Taylor Leier's spinaround-and-tuck from behind the net trimmed the Rangers' lead to 3-1, Haggerty struck again. He blew past Stortini on the left side, slanted to the net and this time beat Mason high with a snap shot at 6:48. Jason Akeson slipped behind Boyle near the lower right circle and surprised Henrik Lundqvist short-side to bring Philadelphia closer at 4-2.

But Chris Mueller, another player battling for a job created by the injuries to Derek Stepan, Ryan Malone and Matthew Lombardi, potted a rebound on a power play at 14:18. It came after Samuel Morin, annoyed at a hit by Glass, cross-checked the much smaller Mats Zuccarello from behind in the crease. With 8:30 left in regulation, Flyers defenseman Shane Gostisbehere found the net with a point shot. Fast whipped in a shot in close with 3:50 left.



Rangers-Flyers in review (again)

01 October 2014, 3:48 am by Carp in Game review Hockey New York Rangers NHL Rangers Report - 2 Comments

New York Rangers v Philadelphia Flyers

Thoughts:

1) Happy October. Gotta tell you, that’s enough preseason for me. If they stopped right now, I’d be happy. The last two games, at least, will pretty much be the Rangers’ opening-night roster with a few players battling for the last two or three jobs. And they’ll be playing two teams (Chicago Friday, the Devils Saturday) in the same position. No more majors vs. minors games. It’s going to seem like a month until next Thursday’s opener.

2) Anthony Duclair. Am I going to have to institute a Daily Duclair-O-Meter? That’s up to Alain Vigneault. But the kid sure looks like he belongs. I know, it’s complicated and there are many considerations other than “is he one of the nine best forwards right now?” I wonder what AV really is thinking, whether he knows what will happen, or if Duclair—assuming he stays after cuts down to 30 today—gets another chance to convince him. That play where Duclair stole the puck and drew the penalty to Mark Streit in the third, I thought, was more impressive than his goal.New York Rangers v Philadelphia Flyers

3) Danny Kristo and Ryan Bourque, I thought, were very good in this game. Probably too little too late with the way some of the other kids have played in camp and preseason. I still think the fourth center spot (until Derek Stepan returns) is to be decided from among Kevin Hayes, Oscar Lindberg, Matthew Lombardi and Chris Mueller. I wonder if all four make the initial cut today.

4) I also still wonder if any of the kids sticks and plays on the wing with Ryan Malone and Lee Stempniak around, and Tanner Glass a mortal lock to play. Malone (and Dan Girardi) skated yesterday. Both are expected to take part in the noon practice today (the first with just one group). I wonder if J.T. Miller and the temporary young center will be the only rookies on the roster. It’s possible.

5) Stempniak really uses the body for a guy who’s not very tall. He’s a winger who can skate and is responsible defensively. I remember thinking he was pretty darn good when he first got to Pittsburgh. Not sure what happened thereafter. Not sure if he gets the wing on the Dominic Moore-Glass line.

6) Either way, there are going to be a lot fewer kids around at noon today. With all of them in the lineup together, and not much veteran support, they didn’t look so great in Mr. Snider’s Arena That Changes Names Every Five Minutes. They didn’t look bad, either. Not at all. The Hartford contingent was better vs. the Flyers’ big team than the Adirondack contingent was against the Rangers’ big team the night before.

New York Rangers v Philadelphia Flyers7) No, the Flyers don’t have problems with the Rangers’ speed. Did you see some of those bursts? Did you see the quick transition after turnovers? How about the play by Mat Bodie, then the play by Dominic Moore after the familiar Michael Del Zotto turnover for Carl Hagelin’s short-hander. Duclair deserves credit for taking the Pouliot-like offensive-zone penalty to set up the shorty.

8) Cam Talbot. I thought he looked a lot more like the Calm Talbot from last year than he did in his first appearance. There was some confusion about whether Talbot was supposed to play the full game. AV said Monday that he would. But the coach misspoke Monday, he said Tuesday. The original plan that AV mapped out before preseason was for Talbot to play one full game. And that will come Friday or Saturday.

9) This tweet made me smile last night, from Jon Rosen, @lakingsinsider: Interesting that many players aren’t too keen on advanced stats. Doughty: “I think that Corsi thing is a bunch of crap, personally.” FYI, and this is second-hand because I don’t know, I hear Brad Richards was one of the Rangers’ top Corsi players last season, and that Rick Nash was one of the top Corsi players in the league during the playoffs. So, you know …

10) Daily Nash-O-Meter: N/A.

11) The first two near dustups of the game, MSG Network was caught in closeups. Then, when another was breaking out in the third, MSG was in a tight closeup of Michael Kostka. Good grief. So, yeah, mid-season form.

12) BTW, these games seem quicker, no? The game last night was over right around 9:30.

13) Wayne Simmonds was out for blood, huh? Seemed he was out for some cheap shots against guys who don’t fight. And Zac Rinaldo, who couldn’t run away from Dylan McIlrath fast enough the night before, sure found his tongue with McIlrath not in the lineup last night. Who would have bet, by the way, that there would be just two fights in these two games, and that one of them would involve Ryan McDonagh?

*************************************

My Three Rangers Stars:Rangers-Report-old-logo3

1. Dominic Moore.

2. Carl Hagelin.

3. Anthony Duclair.

*************************************

Your poll vote for Three Rangers Stars:

1. Anthony Duclair.

2. Carl Hagelin.

3. Kevin Hayes.

Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 10.01.2014


Flyers 4, Rangers 2 … post-game notes & quotes

30 September 2014, 10:14 pm by Carp in Hockey New York Rangers NHL Post-game notes Rangers Report - 23 Comments

New York Rangers v Philadelphia Flyers

Post-game notes courtesy of the NYR; quotes courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers:

Flyers 4, Rangers 2.

Team notes:

- Out for the kill … The Rangers were 3-for-4 on the penalty kill, and registered a shorthanded goal in the contest. New York is 13-for-15 (86.7%) on the penalty kill in the preseason. The Blueshirts were tied for third in the NHL in shorthanded goals (10) in 2013-14.

- Sacrificing the body… New York was credited with 25 blocked shots in the game. Eleven different skaters were credited with at least one blocked shot for the Blueshirts, while four Rangers blocked at least three shots.

- Hot at the Dot … The Blueshirts won 30 of 57 faceoffs (53%) in the contest. New York has won more faceoffs than its opponent in three consecutive games during the preseason.

Player notes:Rangers-Report-old-logo3

3 Stars on Broadway

- Duc it out … Anthony Duclair registered a goal and posted a plus-one rating in 16:23 of ice time. The 19-year-old has recorded a goal in each of the three preseason games he has played this year. Duclair leads the team in points (five) and is tied for the team lead in goals (three) in the preseason.

- Gimme some Moore … Dominic Moore recorded two assists and posted a plus-two rating in 14:26 of ice time. He is tied for second on the team in assists (two) in the preseason. Moore, who received the Bill Masterton Trophy for being the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey” in 2013-14, established career-highs in shorthanded assists (two) and shorthanded points (three) last season. He tied for second on the Rangers in shorthanded assists and tied for third in shorthanded points in 2013-14.

- Carl’s Corner … Carl Hagelin tallied a shorthanded goal, posted a plus-two rating, and recorded two shots on goal in 13:48 of ice time. Hagelin is tied for third on the Rangers in goals (two) in the preseason. In the 2014 Playoffs, he led the NHL in shorthanded goals (two) and tied for first in the NHL in shorthanded points (three).

Blueshirt Breakdown

- Mat Bodie registered an assist and was credited with four blocked shots in 17:38 of ice time while skating in his first game of the preseason. Last season, Bodie was named to the NCAA First All-American Team, as he established collegiate career-highs in assists (31), points (39), and plus/minus rating (plus-28). He also led Union College to the NCAA Championship in his second season as the team’s captain in 2013-14.

- Michael Kostka led all skaters with five shots on goal and six blocked shots, was credited with three hits, and posted a plus-one rating in 22:12 of ice time. Kostka registered four goals and seven assists for 11 points, along with a plus-10 rating in 28 games during his second NHL season in 2013-14.

- Cam Talbot made 19 saves while playing in the first two periods of the contest. Last season, Talbot led all first-year goalies (minimum 15 appearances) in GAA (1.64) and SV% (.941), tied for third in shutouts (three), and tied for fourth in wins (12).

- Jason Missiaen stopped all seven shots he faced in the third period while making his first appearance of the preseason. Missiaen ranked fourth in the ECHL in wins (seven), fifth in SV% (.937), and eighth in GAA (2.12) during the 2014 ECHL Playoffs while playing with the Greenville Road Warriors.

QUOTEBOOK:

Rangers LW Anthony Duclair

Question inaudible

There were a couple more veterans in the lineup on the other side and it was a bit tougher but at the same time we kept battling and never gave up and all of a sudden came back there at the end.

Did you take that into account when preparing for tonight’s game that this was going to be a far different and probably a lot better line up than you faced?

For sure, you’ve always got to know who is playing on the other side and who you’re matching up with. It goes along way with preparation.

Take us through the goal. Now third goal in 5 days.

It was a great pass across ice by [Dominic Moore] there and I don’t know how he found me, but it went through a couple bodies there and I just wanted to get a shot on net and I think it squeezed through the net on its own.

I asked you this in Chicago, I’ll ask you again. Is it still surprising to you that you’re accomplishing what you are at this point?

Very surprising. I’m surprised myself everyday but at the same time I’m gaining confidence with the help of the veterans. I keep saying it but it’s true. All the veterans have really helped me out through this camp.

What is the best advice you have gotten? Maybe today, maybe so far about what’s going on here.

Just staying calm and staying on time. Obviously my life has changed with a little fame here and there but at the same time I just have to play my game, stay focused and come to the rink and work hard every day.

Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault

Is there a small sense of satisfaction in the compete level that this team played against tonight?

“Well, we were playing against a good hockey team that had a lot of veteran personnel on the ice. We had quite a few young players; I thought for the most part our guys did fairly well. I mean there were some moments there we spent a little bit more time in our end than I think everyone would have liked to. You know there is team evaluation and I think a couple of guys caught our attention tonight.”

Fair to say, or care to say, who they would be?

“I don’t want get into specifics but obviously Duclair again tonight had a good night. There is obviously a tremendous amount of skill and speed that so far his play has definitely caught everyone in our organizations’ attention. Both of our goaltenders tonight were also tested, and had some real good moments. It was another exhibition game and another opportunity for us to evaluate. We are definitely going to make, I would say, probably around ten cuts tonight as we get on the train and get back home, but tomorrow we will be down on numbers.”

Maybe in terms of his style of play, it might not be surprising, but does Anthony Duclair’s poise stand out to you as well?

“A lot of things are standing out; the speed element with the puck, the poise with the puck, the making of those short little plays. It permits him and his teammates on the ice to play fast. There are a lot of good things being done there.”

The ten or so you are going to cut, is that pretty solid right now, or do you still want to go over the tape and get another look?

“No, I would say to you right now come tomorrow we will have six healthy lines, and anywhere between nine and ten defensemen, and two goaltenders.”

Cam [Talbot] was supposed to play the full game today?

“No, when I talked yesterday I had forgotten in the logistics we had broken down that whoever was going to be there, somebody was going to get up here.”



Rangers at Flyers … It’s Go Time!

30 September 2014, 6:33 pm by Carp in Hockey It's Go Time! New York Rangers NHL Rangers Report - 230 Comments

Rangers at Flyers.

Ya boys play Mr. Snider’s real Flyers tonight at the Arena That Changes Names Every Five Minutes, not the Adirondack Phantoms team they pummeled last night. Included in the lineup are Claude Giroux, returning from injury, Wayne (“We’re out for blood!”) Simmonds and Michael Del Zotto.

After tonight’s game, or some time tomorrow, Alain Vigneault expects to trim down the Rangers’ roster from 43 to 30.

Also, Vigneault said that he expects both Dan Girardi (unspecified injury) and Ryan Malone (hip) to practice Wednesday after both skated in Greenburgh today, and that Matthew Lombardi (groin) is getting close to returning.

Cam Talbot gets the start in goal and is expected to play the entire game. Anthony Duclair, Ryan Haggerty, Kevin Hayes, Oscar Lindberg, Marek Hrivik, Danny Kristo and Chris Mueller all get another look in an attempt to make the team. For some of those, this will be their last chance.

For the full lineup, see the poll on the left.



Zuccarello, now established, wants more from himself

30 September 2014, 4:50 pm by Carp in Hockey New York Rangers NHL Rangers Report - 23 Comments

By Rick Carpiniello

NEW YORK – The trivia question will trip up casual fans. Who led the Rangers in scoring in the Stanley Cup season of 1993-94? No, it wasn’t Mark Messier or Brian Leetch or Adam Graves. It was Sergei Zubov.

So maybe, in a few years, you can ask who led the Rangers in scoring in 2013-14, the season they went to the Cup Final?

It was Mats Zuccarello. Now Zuccarello wants more.

“In terms of points and stuff, that’s something you can’t think about,” Zuccarello said before the Rangers defeated Philadelphia 6-3 in a preseason game Monday night at the Garden. “But I just want to try and be a consistent player every day, and do my best and do whatever I can for the team to win. Hopefully score some goals and be a leader on and off the ice.”Rangers-Report-old-logo3

That’s exactly what Rangers coach Alain Vigneault wants from Zuccarello, the 5-foot-7, 27-year-old winger.

“Last year was his first full year as far as having an important role and making an important contribution,” Vigneault said. “He was our top scorer, and I expect that he’ll come in this year and want to prove that one year doesn’t make a career. He has to come in here and play the way he did last year, which is a skilled forward who contributed offensively and was dependable defensively. That’s what we’re going to need from him.”

Last October, after Zuccarello went without a point in the first seven games, Vigneault scratched Zuccarello in Philadelphia. The next game, he scored a goal, and he took off from there, finishing with 19 goals and 40 assists.

2014 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game FiveThis, after the Rangers had let him go back to Europe after 2011-12, then brought him back late in the following season.

Before that, he’d been a shootout weapon and little more — a little guy often compared to Martin St. Louis, who looked up to St. Louis, who became Zuccarello’s teammate at the trade deadline.

“He’s an inspiration to me,” Zuccarello said. “We’re becoming really good friends. We learn from each other — mostly, I learn from him. Just watching every day, how he practices and how professional he is — it’s unbelievable. For me it’s really important to have a guy like that here, for sure.”

Zuccarello was the Rangers’ most consistent forward last season, was their best power-play forward … and he became their agitator, too. A guy who doesn’t mind being in the middle of scrums, looking up at opponents who have a foot on him, like Zdeno Chara. A guy who doesn’t mind yapping it up, either.

“It’s not like I’m a fighter or a tough guy,” Zuccarello said. “It comes naturally, You have adrenaline and it’s a tough game out there and stuff happens. At the same time, you want to help your team any way you can, and if that’s some way to get a spark or something …

“Someday I’m going to get my ass kicked, but you just have to take it sometimes.”

Zuccarello, a hero in Norway — he’s the only NHL player from that country — believed all along that he would hit the heights as an offensive threat.

“I kind of believed in myself, that one day it would be possible for me to play like that if I got to play my role that I like, power play and 5-on-5,” he said. “I got to play important minutes. So I think people were more surprised than I was … everyone who kind of shut me down a long time ago. I always believed in myself and thought it would be possible.”


736942 NHL

Rogers’ Hockey Night in Canada doesn’t stray far from home

Scott Stinson | September 30, 2014 | Last Updated: Sep 30 6:24 PM ET

There was an adulterous vibe to the unveiling of the flashy new studio that Rogers will use as the home of its NHL broadcasts for at least the next four years.

Cutting back musical montages just one of the changes Rogers will introduce to Hockey Night in Canada

We were on the 10th floor of the CBC’s flagship Toronto Broadcast Centre, for years the home of the public broadcaster’s large-scale in-house productions, but now leased to Rogers as part of the deal that will preserve the Hockey Night in Canada brand. George Stroumboulopoulos, whose face once loomed over Front Street from the side of the CBC building, was now hosting the Rogers proceedings, having departed his former employer for the main studio-host role with the NHL’s new national broadcast partner. Rogers executives talked up their roster of on-air talent, which bears a striking resemblance to the roster formerly employed by the CBC: Ron MacLean, Don Cherry, Jim Hughson, Bob Cole, Scott Oake, Glenn Healy, P.J. Stock (!) and on and on. And when the giant video wall behind the main set rolled the opening for Hockey Night in Canada, it concluded with the same logo that was in use at the CBC. The one with the CBC’s logo in the background. And, of course, the Saturday night broadcasts will appear on the CBC’s public airwaves, annexed by the conquering Rogers army for the purpose of reaching as wide an audience as possible — while preventing the CBC from having to fill all that airtime with its limited funds.

This is the curious thing about “the new home of hockey,” as Scott Moore, president of Sportsnet and NHL Properties, described it: It’s a lot like the old home. The CBC’s influence is everywhere, including a production staff of about 20 that will work on Rogers-produced hockey broadcasts. There are even red armchairs for Strombo. All of this familiarity is by design. And it speaks to a broadcaster in Rogers that spent an extraordinary amount of money on NHL rights — the $4.5-million invested in the new studio is 0.086% of what it paid to lock up Canadian broadcasts for a dozen years — and is very aware that its audience might not care for a great deal of change.

“We’re not going to do a glowing puck,” as Moore told me in an interview, standing on a studio floor that can light up like a video wall, allowing analysts to demonstrate tactics on the virtual ice. Some degree of continuity for Hockey Night viewers, he says, was always part of the plan.

“I’d like to think we’ve kept that in the back of our heads from day one,” Moore says. “From the first discussions with the NHL, we talked about how could we keep the Saturday night tradition? How could we keep the CBC involved?”

“I think you’ll see us advance storytelling, advance the technology, but not wipe the board clean of what’s been done in the past.”

They certainly haven’t wiped the board clean of broadcasters. Only a handful of CBC’s on-air hockey staffers did not move to the new/old building, which means all the former Hockey Night faces join the already large crew of Sportsnet hockey types, from Darren Millard to Scott Morrison to Nick Kypreos. Filling out one’s roster by snapping up all the soon-to-be-unemployed hockey broadcasters in the country doesn’t seem like the most creative of moves, but Moore insists he brought people in because they are good at what they do, not because they were available. And he notes that certain hires, including Darren Pang from ESPN and Leah Hextall from NESN, were recruited from places other than the CBC.

“I wanted to have a certain amount of familiarity and a certain amount of pushing the envelope,” Moore says.

Darren Calabrese/National Post

Darren Calabrese/National PostScott Moore, president of Sportsnet & NHL Properties for Rogers said things would be the same, but different with the new HNIC, “I think you’ll see us advance storytelling, advance the technology, but not wipe the board clean of what’s been done in the past.”

One area in which Rogers broadcasts will be decidedly unfamiliar will be in its scheduling, particularly on Saturdays. Where the CBC often had one early and one late game, delivering some of the biggest audiences of the

week in Canadian television, Rogers is spreading games across all of its assets. On Oct. 11, the season’s first Saturday night, there will be games on CBC, City, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet 360 and even FX Canada. (You can be excused for not knowing if you even have some of these channels.)

Asked about doing away with the model where the Saturday game on CBC was the national hearth, Moore says that today’s viewer wants choice, even if that means fracturing the audience. But he also says there will still be some of that shared experience, with intermission elements like Coach’s Corner being the same for each game.

It’s those parts of the broadcast, the CBC staples, that will seem strangest on a private broadcast. That familiar Hockey Night logo? It’s now fronting a show that is funneling money to a telecommunications firm.

Moore, though, says all of this was done in partnership with the CBC, even if they only came on board after the NHL rights had been bought out from underneath them.

“We don’t want to take a heavy hand,” Moore says of the Hockey Night elements. “They are licensing us the brand, we are caretakers of the brand. Maybe the best way to put it is, because it’s been at the public broadcaster for 62 years, Canadians own the brand, right? For us to come in and tinker with it too much, that would be wrong.”

Canadians may own it, but the CBC rented it out.

Moore says he expects there will be some criticism in the early going, as viewers check out the view and test the floorboards in hockey’s new home.

“I’m confident in what we’re putting out there,” Moore says. “You can’t please everyone, but I’m pretty sure that the ratings will prove that Canadians aren’t rejecting it, they’ll be embracing it.”

On this, he is undoubtedly correct. There is nowhere else for the hockey fan to go.

National Post LOADED: 10.01.2014

736943 NHL

NHL Preview: Can the Montreal Canadiens return to the conference finals?

Dave Yasvinski, National Post

014 Leafs 4aN by National Post Staff / 7h // keep unread // hide // preview

After making it to the conference final last season, the Montreal Canadiens are unlikely to be satisfied with anything less. That’s not going to be easy.

The leadership that got them further than anyone expected last season will be tested this year after the team lost veterans Brian Gionta (free agency), Josh Gorges (traded to Buffalo) and the past-his-prime Daniel Brière (traded to Colorado).

Wary of putting too much pressure on any one individual, the Canadiens decided to forgo anointing a new captain and instead distributed four A’s to Andrei Markov, Tomas Plekanec, Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban. The leadership by committee approach served the team well enough last year even when Gionta was wearing the ‘C’ and should continue to be a strength.

Montreal’s biggest off-season move was coming to terms on an eight-year deal with one of those leaders — restricted free agent Subban, their all-star defenceman — after a series of hardball manoeuvres by both sides looked destined to end badly. Cooler heads finally prevailed, and the Canadiens’ blue line and power play should be in good shape with Markov and Subban leading the way again.

It will look even better if the 6-foot-6 Jarred Tinordi can prove he is ready to make the full-time move to the big club. Already possessing physical dimensions that make coaches drool, Tinordi showed in the pre-season that he won’t be shy about throwing his 230-pound frame around. Fellow blueliner Nathan Beaulieu doesn’t have Tinordi’s size, but he flashed enough big-league skill during the playoffs and this year’s pre-season to earn himself a spot on the back end. The hard-hitting Alexei Emelin, Mike Weaver and new addition Tom Gilbert help round out a defence that should be better than last year’s unit that forced goalie Carey Price into too many uncomfortable situations.

Perhaps the team’s toughest challenge will be replacing the offence that departed with Gionta and Brière. Alex Galchenyuk — drafted third overall by the Canadiens in 2012 — is the most obvious candidate to pick up the slack. His offensive output will be dictated by his usage. The Canadiens have been using him at his natural centre position during the pre-season, although the experiment will probably be short-lived. But if he proves he can handle the defensive assignments that come with playing centre (unlikely), or find a way to get himself more minutes on the power play (likely), a big jump from last season’s 31 points would not be unrealistic.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan RemiorzPerhaps the team’s toughest challenge will be replacing the offence that departed with Gionta and Brière. Alex Galchenyuk — drafted third overall by the Canadiens in 2012 — is the most obvious candidate to pick up the slack. His offensive output will be dictated by his usage.

Rene Bourque will again be asked to be more productive during the regular season after a big post-season. Bourque had 11 points in 18 playoff games after contributing just 16 in 63 regular-season games.

P.A. Parenteau, who arrived from Colorado in exchange from Brière, is expected to bolster one of the top two lines and the 31-year-old is just three years removed from a 67-point season with the New York Islanders.

But, as always with Montreal, the team will travel only as far as Price can take them. After an injury kept him out of the conference final last year, no one on the team has as much motivation to get back there again. While he is unlikely to improve on last season’s career-high save percentage (.927), the team’s improved defence should make life easier and less demanding for him.


736944 Ottawa Senators

Senators say goalie Robin Lehner's fine after goalie hurts hand in pre-season loss to Jets

Wayne Scanlan More from Wayne Scanlan

Published on: September 30, 2014Last Updated: September 30, 2014 11:56 PM EDT

WINNIPEG – Senators head coach Paul MacLean and his young winger, Mark Stone, came back to familiar territory. For a few hours.

But neither will consider the short trip anything to write home about.

MacLean, a former Winnipeg Jets stalwart and Stone, a Winnipeg native son, were part of a Senators contingent that fought the good fight but ended up on the short end of a 2-1 score. Pretty entertaining for meaningless pre-season fare.

The plan was for goaltender Robin Lehner to start and play half the game, with Craig Anderson to take over in the second half. Instead, Lehner was nowhere to be seen after giving up one goal on 13 shots in the first period.

As the second period ensued, media were informed that Lehner had suffered “some swelling” in his right hand, the stick hand, and would not be returning. The club said he was taken out of the game as a precaution.

MacLean said afterward that Lehner will be “fine” and that there was no point playing him if he was not 100 per cent.

The Winnipeg Jets hosted the Ottawa Senators at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Tuesday, September 30, 2014.

Anderson received a rather rude welcome into the action, getting victimized on a cross-crease pass from Matt Halischuk to Nikola Ehlers, which Ehlers happily slammed into an open net. This was at 6:22 of the second period, with the shot clock starting to list toward the home side to the tune of 17-10.

That gave the Jets a 2-0 advantage, but the visitors got one of them back on a breakaway goal that Buddy Robinson will be remembering on some bus trip in the near future. Robinson, freed by an Aaron Johnson pass, faked to his backhand and then pulled hard to the forehand to beat Ondrej Pavelec.

“I think I might have practised that one a few times,” Robinson said.

It was Robinson’s first goal in what has been a strong pre-season for the 6-5 winger. If this was his last outing – the Senators are supposed to ice most of their veterans in a pair of games against Montreal later this week – Robinson has finished with a flourish.

The Senators trailed throughout, but had chances to extend the fun, including a third period shorthanded semi-breakaway by Zack Smith and a last-minute power play.

Early on, the Senators struggled to clear the puck for long stretches of the first period – blame it on “jet legs” from the afternoon of travel, and ultimately that led to trouble. The pressure in the Senators zone caused Jared Cowen to take a high-sticking penalty. Just after Ottawa killed the Cowen minor, the Jets pressed again, working the puck behind the net and then getting a shot past Lehner that he didn’t seem to see. It was a Jim Slater wrist shot, high to Lehner’s glove side at 9:17 of the first.

The Senators tested Pavelec, but not in flurries. He stopped Chris Neil in a goalmouth scramble, and was sharp on a wrist shot from Mika Zibanejad in the high slot. Late in the second, Neil sent the locals into spasm by launching himself at Mark Scheifele, earning a charging penalty, even if he only moved a couple of strides. It’s the thought that counts, apparently.

Game File

WHY THEY LOST

The easy answer: they left players named Karlsson, Turris, Ryan, and MacArthur in Ottawa. Pre-season rosters are always stronger for the home team and the Jets name players played with energy.

CHEERS

To the fans of MTS Centre, who clearly believe every hockey game is an event, even a pre-season game against a Senators team that left its entire top line and best defenceman at home. The arena was close to full, the crowd responsive.

JEERS

To Zach Bogosian for lunging at the left knee of Stone as Stone moved past Bogosian in the Jets zone. Fortunately Bogosian lifted the offending left leg to avoid a serious take-out. Stone was not hurt, and neither were the Jets hurt by the Senators power play.

THE QUOTE

MacLean was asked what he likes about Puempel: “You mean, other than the puck goes in the net when he shoots it?” Other than that, the coach likes Puempel’s work ethic and devotion to his development.

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 10.01.2014


Scanlan: Mark Stone proves you can go home again

Wayne Scanlan More from Wayne Scanlan

Published on: September 30, 2014Last Updated: September 30, 2014 10:32 PM EDT

WINNIPEG − Mark Stone doesn’t get back home very often.

So, the Ottawa Senators winger couldn’t suppress a grin thinking about the chance to play against the Jets, with Stone’s entire family in the stands, plus 15 to 20 of his boyhood pals.

In an unfortunate piece of timing, Stone was called up to the Senators from Binghamton last spring, about a week after Ottawa visited Winnipeg.

“I’ve played one pre-season game there and that’s it,” said Stone, born in Winnipeg on May 13, 1992. “So, I’m excited to see my mom and dad and friends after the game. I haven’t played a whole lot of hockey there so I’m pretty excited.”

When he visits with pals, Stone may get a chance to reminisce about the killer Winnipeg Thrashers midget AAA team on which he starred during the 2007-08 season. That Thrashers club didn’t lose a game all season until it reached the finals of the Telus Cup in Arnprior, dropping the gold medal game 6-4 to Sudbury.

In their regular season, the Thrashers were 40-0 and outscored opponents 268-43. In those 40 games, Stone had 56 points on 24 goals and 32 assists.

They breezed to the Telus Cup final before falling to Sudbury. Stone was the tournament’s top scorer, setting the stage for his WHL career with the Brandon Wheat Kings.

“That team was unbelievable, one of the funnest years I’ve had,” Stone said.

Two years later, Ottawa drafted the 6-2, 203-pound Stone in the sixth round of the 2010 draft, 178th overall. Some thought it was a bit of a reach. Injuries had limited Stone to 39 games in his draft year (11 goals, 28 points), but the Senators liked his size and scoring touch, taking a chance that as a “project,” his skating would improve.

Suddenly, at 22, Stone isn’t just back home in Winnipeg for the day, he’s at home on a Senators team that is loaded with forward prospects, especially at right wing.

In camp, Stone has often alternated with Bobby Ryan, playing alongside Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur. In Winnipeg, as Turris, MacArthur and Ryan stayed in Ottawa, Stone was with Zack Smith and left wing Mike Hoffman.

Those 19 games with the Senators last season provided a world of confidence to Stone as he came to camp competing with prospects like Curtis Lazar, Mike Hoffman and Matt Puempel, among others.

“I thought I played well at the end of the season, I feel if I just play like I can there’s no reason I can’t play a full year here,” Stone said.

Stone continues to remind himself to keep his feet moving and his shifts short.

“I try to keep it simple, let my skill take over. I’ve played with a bunch of guys since I’ve been here, they’re all easy to play with, whether Smitty and Hoff or Turry and Mac.”

Young players often fall into the trap of trying to do to much to impress selectors. Stone admits that when he played the Leafs at the ACC last week, “I had a few of those bad plays . . . I’m trying to clean those up, make the plays that are there.”

Borowiecki hurt

At the morning skate in Ottawa, defenceman Mark Borowiecki took a puck to the hand and was a late scratch from the Winnipeg trip, replaced by Jared Cowen. Luckily, the Senators still have 10 defencemen around, although Marc Methot hasn’t skated with the team since last Wednesday on the morning of the Leafs game. And now Borowiecki is hurt, although not considered to be serious.

“We could’ve taped his hand to the stick I guess and made him play,” said head coach Paul MacLean, “but we have plenty of players.”

No hurry on the ‘C’

MacLean says there is no rush to name a team captain.

“Every day it gets closer, but we’re not prepared to do anything right now,” MacLean said. “We’re going to sit down this week – today and tomorrow until we get it sorted out. But it’s not something we’re in a particular hurry to do.

“Even though we’ve said we’d like to have it (done) before the end of training camp, at the same time we’re going to go through the process and make sure.”

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 10.01.2014


Borowiecki injury means Cowen gets call for Senators

By Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun

First posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 12:16 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 12:23 PM EDT

Jared Cowen had to answer the call for the Senators Tuesday.

While the Senators’ defenceman was scheduled to get the night off, he ended up being aboard the club’s charter to Winnipeg in the afternoon to face the Jets in a pre-season game. Puck drop is 8 p.m. tonight.

Coach Paul MacLean had to go looking for another defenceman after Mark Borowiecki took a shot off the hand at the morning skate.

Fortunately, the Senators hadn’t left Ottawa yet when the decision was made that Borowiecki should take the night off. With eight healthy blueliners in camp it made sense to bring Cowen, and it’s not the worst news for a guy from Western Canada.

“He’s (Borowiecki) not going to play. We’re just going to keep him out and put Cowen in,” said MacLean before leaving Ottawa. “I think it’s just badly bruised. We could have taped his hand to his stick and made him play (but) we have plenty of players.”

Lots has been made of the fact the Senators have eight NHL-ready defencemen, but they’ve shown during camp they are going to need them all.

Marc Methot has been troubled by a nagging back injury and has yet to suit up for an exhibition game. Losing Borowiecki is a hit because it’s another guy the Senators are counting on.

There is no timetable on Methot’s return -- Tuesday was the seventh straight day he's been off the ice. He hasn’t skated since last Wednesday’s morning twirl before the game against the Maple Leafs.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.01.2014


Winnipeg Jets beat Sens 2-1



WINNIPEG - WINNIPEG -- For some hopeful Senators, this was one last chance.

Unfortunately they came up short.

With coach Paul MacLean determined to use close to his lineup in back-to-back games vs. Montreal, the Senators left many of their big names at home Tuesday night at the MTS Centre.

Without Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris, Clarke MacArthur and Erik Karlsson, only Buddy Robinson was able to solve Jets’ goalie Ondrej Pavelec in a 2-1 loss to drop Ottawa’s record to 2-2-1 in the pre-season.

That wasn’t the only bad news.

Goaltender Robin Lehner, who was scheduled to play 30 minutes, didn’t return in the second after giving up one goal on the 13 shots he faced. Instead, Craig Anderson came on early.

Lehner was pulled for precautionary reasons after he had swelling in his right hand. He did sit on the bench for the third after spending all of the second in the dressing room so that’s a good sign.

MacLean said he didn’t want to take a chance with Lehner.

“There was 10 minutes to go. There was no point playing him with a bo-bo. He’ll be fine,” said MacLean.

Nikolaj Ehlers and Jim Slater scored for the Jets. No, the Senators won’t make any cuts before the weekend, but the club will have close to its Opening Night lineup as possible Friday and Saturday.

“It was a little disappointing. We played pretty hard and I thought we gave ourselves a chance,” said defenceman Cody Ceci. “A lot of our guys were at home and I thought we gave ourselves a chance.”

The Senators were trailing 2-1 after 40 minutes and didn’t look right.

Robinson scored his first of the pre-season at 14:42 of the second on a breakaway. He made a nice deke around Pavelec after taking a perfect feed from Aaron Johnson to pull Ottawa within a goal going to the third.

“I think I may have practised that one a few times,” said Robinson with a smile.

THE MORNING SKATE: Matt Puempel is trying to make the most of his opportunities and he had a big one Tuesday. There was Puempel starting on the left side of what was arguably Ottawa’s top line with Mika Zibanejad and Alex Chiasson. The 21-year-old Puempel has turned heads at this camp and even if he gets sent down he’s establish himself as a callup. “It’s definitely a big honour and a big opportunity. I’m looking forward to making the most of it,” said Puempel. MacLean didn’t think twice when asked why he likes Puempel. “Other than the fact that puck goes in the net when he shoots it? That’s what I like about him,” said MacLean with a smile ... Ryan was watching on his couch and was impressed with Robinson’s goal. “Wow, what a move by Buddy on that breakaway. Heck of a pass too,” Ryan tweeted.

THIS N’ THAT: Ottawa RW Chris Neil had the Jets incensed near the end of the second. He sent Scheifele to the ice with a hard check near the glass. He was given two minutes for charging after som pushing and shoving. For good measure, Neil fought Anthony Peluso in the third ... RW Mark Stone doesn’t get the chance to go home very often so he was thrilled to get to play in Winnipeg. “I enjoy going back there. I haven’t been back in awhile. It will be good to see my mom, dad and some friends after the game. I haven’t played a whole lot of pro hockey there so I’m pretty excited,” Stone said.

OFF THE GLASS: The Senators used Patrick Wiercioch and Cody Ceci together to start the game. An interesting choice that MacLean wanted a chance to see in the pre-season. It was a Wiercioch giveaway that resulted in the Jets second goal by Ehlers ... The Senators will get down hard work

Wednesday when they return to the Canadian Tire Centre. They want to see where everybody fits, especially on special teams before the season starts. “We’ve used everybody (during camp),” said MacLean. “When we get back (Wednesday) it’s going to be the specific people who are on that power play and who is going to kill penalties. We’re going to try to define who is on them. We feel this week before the season is good time to get on them.” ... Top prospect Curtis Lazar had a good chance thwarted by Pavelec midway through the second ... Looked like Lehner was screened on the opening goal by Slater in the first ... You could hear the sigh of relief by Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice all the way up to the press box. Blake Wheeler left after taking a shot off hand from Wiercioch but returned quickly. Wheeler knocked off the post late in the first... Zach Bogosian got sent off for kneeing Stone in the first. On the replay, it looked like Stone got off lucky.



'C' decision looming for Ottawa Senators



WINNIPEG - The clock is ticking on the Senators' captaincy debate.

By this time next week, the Senators will be on the ice in Nashville preparing for their first game of the regular season against the Predators next Thursday at the Bridgestone Arena.

You'd think by then, the Senators will have made a choice one way or another on whether they're going to award the 'C' worn by Jason Spezza last season to anybody or go with a group of alternates.

Last month, Senators GM Bryan Murray said Eugene Melnyk would have a voice in the discussion with coach Paul MacLean. The Ottawa owner will be in town this week.

The frontrunners are veteran defenceman Chris Phillips and blueliner Erik Karlsson. One is in the twilight of his career while the other will be face the franchise for years to come.

Whether the Senators have tried not to wade into the debate, this will be the single-biggest decision they make this season. Last year, Spezza had the 'C' on his chest before camp started.

After he was dispatched to the Dallas Stars in July, the Senators decided they wanted to take their time and MacLean was non-commital when asked about the subject Tuesday.

"Everyday it gets closer but we're not prepared to do anything right now," said MacLean before the game against the Jets at the MTS Centre.

The reality is the captain -- if there is one -- is viewed as the leader. There is no question Karlsson is the club's best player, he's ready to take on an expanded role and he's signed long-term.

The Senators need to decide if at this point in his career he can assume the added responsibility of the captaincy. He's already under the microscope, so that part of the job won't change.

As for Phillips, he's the consumate professional and would move into the role quite easily. He was passed up for Spezza last season and is ready to accept the challenge if given to him.

The players don't have a say, but the captain is the representative of the room. The Senators don't feel they need a rah-rah guy, they just want the right man for the job.

"Leading by example is the biggest one for me personally," said centre Zack Smith when he asked what he views as the role of the captain?

"Guys are different outside the locker room. Some guys are quiet, and (Alfredsson) was more of a quiet leader, and led by example. Other guys are vocal around the room and interacting with people.

"For me, it's what a guy does on the ice and how he carries himself off the ice. Everyone in this room carries themselves pretty well off the ice. You want someone you can model your play after."

Smith said nobody is laying awake at night waiting for the Senators to make a decision on the chosen leader.

"I honestly don't think it matters," Smith said. "In this room, we have a great group of guys, especially older guys who have been around, who are great to the young guys and positive to be around.

"We have a few guys who could wear the 'C' and I don't think one person would have problem with it."

At the start of camp, MacLean said he believed the club would likely have a captain. He wasn't willing to say whether that decision would come down this week but time is running short here.

The Senators could follow the route the Habs took by naming alternates. They've decided to wait on replacing Brian Gionta when many felt P.K. Subban was the top candidate for the job.

MacLean made it sound like no decision is imminent.

"It's a process we're going to go through. We're going to sit down this week: Today, tomorrow and later this week until we get it sorted out," said MacLean.

"It's not something we're in a particularly big hurry to do. Even though we've said we'd like to have it by the end of training camp, at the same time we're going to go through the process and make sure."

Time is of the essence.

CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN

Five great captains of NHL teams through the years:

1. Jean Beliveau, MTL: He won 10 Cups with the Habs as a player. Widely regarded because of the succes the club had, but also the class and dignity that he carred himself with at all times.

2. Mark Messier, NYR: The steely-eyed glare in the dressing room. A guy who led by example on and off the ice. No wonder the league has a "leadership" award named after him.

3. Steve Yzerman, DET: He didn't have to say anything. He took over the Wings at a young age and grew into the job. By the end of his career, he was regarded as one of the best to put on a sweater.

4. Bobby Clarke, PHI: The toothy grin in photos is hard to forget. He was one of the toughest players on the Broad Street Bullies and would go to any extent to make sure his team had success.

5. Denis Potvin, NYI: The Islanders won five Stanley Cups while he wore the 'C'. The Ottawa native was tough as nails and just happened to be one of the best at what he did. Never backed down.


736949 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers' Bellemare impressive against Rangers

FRANK SERAVALLI, Daily News Staff Writer [email protected]

Posted: Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 3:01 AM

ASK PIERRE-EDOUARD Bellemare to evaluate his first NHL training camp and even he will have a tough time providing a concrete answer.

Bellemare, 29, has played in three of the Flyers' first seven preseason games. The Paris native skated against NHL competition for the first time in a town called London, Ontario - a far cry from the city on River Thames he knows a bit better.

He spent the better part of the next week on the shelf with an undisclosed injury.

Then, he bounced back into the Flyers' lineup with a thud on Monday night at Madison Square Garden, a game Bellemare said was "one of my worst in a long time."

"It's a hard question," Bellemare said. "My first game was my first 'real' game with the system. Then I was off for a whole week. Tonight was a good game, but that was just one game."

Luckily for Bellemare, last night's 4-2 preseason win over the Rangers might have been all coach Craig Berube needed to see.

Bellemare was one of Berube's best players, bringing a much-needed spark to the fourth line with Zac Rinaldo and Jason Akeson.

"I was impressed tonight," Berube said. "He worked hard. He skated really well. He was smart. He was good on faceoffs. He killed penalties. He was a good player tonight."

Since Berube did not even coach the Flyers for their first preseason game in London, is a total of two games enough to make an impression worthy of a roster spot?

"I've got a good idea because of his speed," Berube said. "I thought he was competitive, too."

Bellemare, signed to a 1-year contract this spring after being spotted by Flyers scouting director Chris Pryor and head of pro scouting Dave Brown at the World Championships, could transform what is a traditional depth line to a scoring threat.

Last season, the Flyers' fourth line of Rinaldo, Adam Hall, Chris VandeVelde and Jay Rosehill combined for a total of eight goals and eight assists over 82 games.

If deployed in the right circumstances, Akeson, Rinaldo and Bellemare could obliterate those numbers in the first half of the season. Together, they would probably best the Flyers' most talented fourth line over the last decade.

"We move the puck well," Rinaldo said. "We've got a lot of speed on the line. It's dangerous. We're trying to create good habits and roll into the season on a good note."

Slap shots

Goaltender Ray Emery stopped 24 of 26 shots in his first full-length test of training camp. Emery was sidelined for most of the last week with a "lower-body" injury . . . The only regulars missing from the Flyers' lineup were Andrew MacDonald, Steve Mason, Nick Schultz and Jay Rosehill. Both Schultz and Rosehill could be frequent scratches this season . . . First-round pick Samuel Morin skated 18:40, playing in his fourth exhibition in as many nights. Craig Berube praised Morin's composure and physicality . . . Berube said the Flyers (3-3-1) will "do the best we can to get our full lineup in there" for their preseason finale tomorrow night in Washington.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.01.2014


Giroux plays first game since getting hurt in camp

FRANK SERAVALLI, Daily News Staff Writer [email protected]

Posted: Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 3:01 AM

CLAUDE GIROUX took a squirt from a water bottle and looked skyward toward the scoreboard.

Only a little more than 100 seconds remained in the third period of the Flyers' utterly inconsequential exhibition against a roster resembling the Rangers in uniform only last night.

Giroux had not been on the ice for nearly 8 minutes, part of Craig Berube's plan to manage the captain's workload in his first game of any kind since April 30.

But the Flyers were on the power play. And Giroux wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to try to create chemistry with his new unit.

With Berube's blessing, Giroux hopped over the boards, providing further proof that he is healthy enough to start the regular season a week from tonight in Boston.

In all, Giroux skated 16 minutes, 40 seconds and registered two shots and two hits in his first test since suffering what is thought to be a groin injury when training camp opened on Sept. 19. He played the most of all Flyers forwards, despite taking a total of only five shifts in the third period.

"I forgot how fast the game is," Giroux said. "The first period, I was pretty lost. I wasn't sure what was going on. Slowly, I got the puck moving. It was good to get a game under my belt. I felt good."

Giroux, 26, said there was "nothing negative" about how his body reacted to the game. Well, except, he wasn't entirely pleased with how he played.

Neither was his coach.

"He was rusty. In all areas. He hasn't played," Berube said. "He had some good jump in the first period, I thought. He did some good things.

"He hasn't played. He hasn't even done a whole lot in camp. His hands are always above average, but his skating legs, his positioning [looked rusty]."

For the most part, though, Giroux seemed his usual, spunky self. Connecting everything might not have worked, but he got through it unscathed, which is most important for the Flyers.

"You can practice as much as you want, but a game is another level," Giroux said. "I made some [bad] plays out there and I wasn't too happy about it, but it's the preseason and I'm pretty sure everybody feels like that."



10 impressions from Flyers' win over Rangers

Sam Carchidi

Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 11:03 PM

Ten impressions from the Flyers’ 4-2 preseason win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Center.

1. Pierre-Eduoard Bellemare had his best game as a Flyer. Bellemare, who grew up in Paris, showed excellent speed and tenacity and did a nice job on the penalty kill. Either Bellemare or Blair Jones will be solid as the fourth-line center.

2. The Flyers used almost all regulars, but had to huff and puff to beat the Rangers “B” team. Not a good sign

3. The second line _ Sean Couturier centering Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds _ was the Flyers’ best unit. They combined for three goals, including an empty-netter. Their success is vital if the Flyers are going to make strides this season. The Flyers especially need more offense this year from Couturier, who had four shots and a goal Tuesday.

4. Claude Giroux looked good in his return (see story). He was his old shifty self, especially in the first period, and he set up numerous scoring chances in his first appearance of the preseason.

5. Goalie Ray Emery (24 saves), who had been sidelined by a lower-body injury, got better as the game progressed and he looks ready to be Steve Mason’s backup.

6. The more you watch Jason Akeson, the more you like the winger’s passing ability.

7. Mark Streit continues to impress as the new quarterback on the power play. In the game, he had nine shots, including three on net, and a pair of assists.

8. Vinny Lecavalier didn’t score, but he had five shots and lots of “jump” in his game.

9. I wish the Rangers would have dressed more regulars because it would have helped gauge the Flyers’ progress at this point of the preseason.

10. Rangers rookie left winger Anthony Duclair, 19, who had two goals and an assist in two preseason games against the Flyers, looks like he was a steal. The Rangers selected him in the third round (80th overall) in the 2013 draft.



Giroux makes preseason debut as Flyers beat Rangers

Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer

Last updated: Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 1:08 AM

Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 10:59 PM

Claude Giroux, playing in his first preseason game, made a solid return Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

Sidelined by an undisclosed lower-body injury suffered 15 minutes into the first day of training camp, the Flyers captain made dazzling first-period passes and spent lots of time weaving around New York Rangers defenders.

Giroux showed a bit of rust, but he still played 16 minutes, 53 seconds - the most among Flyers forwards - despite getting just five third-period shifts.

"I just wanted to get the feel of the game," Giroux said. "I think it was good. I was able to move around and get the feel of the puck."

The Flyers dressed most of their regulars and scored a 4-2 win against what amounted to New York's "B" team.

Giroux, who finished third in the NHL with 86 points last season, was kept off the score sheet, but he created several scoring chances.

"You can practice as much as you want, but games are where you get your rhythm," he said.

"It's good for him to play some preseason games, because it's tough to jump straight into the season," winger Jake Voracek said. "I got hurt and played just 11/2 preseason games last year, and it made it hard, so it's good to see him back.

"To me, he looks faster than ever."

After Carl Hagelin scored a shorthanded goal by firing a high left-circle shot past Ray Emery, the Flyers tied it at 1 as Sean Couturier converted a Wayne Simmonds pass and scored from the right circle with 6:14 remaining in the first period.

The newly formed Couturier line had two goals, excluding an empty-netter by Matt Read (three points).

Emery also returned from a lower-body injury and made 24 saves, including a key stop on Ryan Bourque from the doorstep with 5:28 left.

The Flyers (3-3-1) took a 2-1 second-period lead when Nick Grossmann scored on a tracer from the point. With 6:35 left in the second, Simmonds (two points) tipped in Read's wrist shot to make it 3-1.

The Flyers conclude their exhibition schedule Thursday in Washington, and coach Craig Berube said he expects Giroux to play. Berube said he wants to use all of his projected starters, which means goalie Steve Mason will get the call.

The Flyers will make their final roster cuts before heading to Cape Cod on Friday for some practices and bonding time, Berube said.

Roster battle

If the Flyers carry only 13 forwards, it appears that Blair Jones, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, and Jason Akeson are battling for the final two spots. Scott Laughton, Chris VandeVelde, and Zack Stortini probably will be sent to the Phantoms.

If the Flyers decide to start the season with 14 forwards and 23 players, Jones, Bellemare, and Akeson figure to make the team.

Akeson had an assist and Bellemare had a strong game Tuesday. Jones did not play.

Ice Girls returning

During a first-period break, Flyers public address announcer Lou Nolan informed fans that the Ice Girls will return for the regular season.

Well, at least some of them. There will be tryouts, males and females, on Sunday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. Check-in is at 11 a.m.

For the preseason, the Ice Guys scraped the surface during breaks, and they were booed loudly.

"When Flyers fans voice their concerns, we listen," said Shawn Tilger, the team's chief operating officer of business operations.

The boos continued Tuesday.

"Come on, gang," Nolan pleaded at one point. "Don't boo these guys. It's not their fault" that they're guys.



Giroux upbeat after first game back

Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 10:25 pm

Wayne Fish Staff writer

PHILADELPHIA – It’s safe to say the Flyers don’t want a repeat of last year’s start, which is why all eyes were on captain Claude Giroux’s return from injury on Tuesday night.

A season ago, Giroux managed to get into just one preseason game due to a finger injury which required surgery. Then he proceeded to go 15 regular-season games without a goal, a slump for which the Flyers paid dearly.

This time, Giroux (lower body injury) came back with two games left on the preseason schedule, including Tuesday night’s 4-2 win over the Rangers.

While he looked rusty at times, Giroux made it through unscathed and still managed to lead the forwards in ice time (16:53) despite only playing five shifts in the third period.

“I just wanted to get the feel of the game,’’ Giroux said. “Didn’t want to force it and play 22 minutes. But I think it was good. I was able to move around and kind of get the feel of the puck.

“You can practice all you want but you need to play a game to get in game shape. Obviously my game needs some work but it’s a challenge and I’m looking forward to it.’’

Coach Craig Berube said he limited Giroux’s ice time in the third period as a precaution.

“I felt good,’’ Giroux said. “There was nothing negative (in the third period). I just wasn’t going to push it.’’

Berube was satisfied with Giroux’s first showing.

“It was OK,’’ Berube said. “First game. He had some good jump in the first period. Did a few good things.’’

/n

Defense pairings set: The season opener is still a week away but Berube pretty much already knows what his defense pairings will be when his team takes to the ice at Boston on Oct. 8.

One surprise was his decision to break up last year’s successful tandem of Luke Schenn and Andrew MacDonald.

Schenn seemed to struggle early in the season but after MacDonald arrived in a mid-season trade with the Islanders, everything changed. MacDonald had a calming influence on Schenn and the two worked well together.

But as this season unfolds, Berube has put Schenn with a new partner, Michael Del Zotto, late of the Nashville Predators after a Roman candle start to his career with the Rangers.

“Del Zotto and Schenn have done well together, to be honest with you,’’ Berube said. “I like that pairing so far.

“You’ve got a good puck-mover (Del Zotto) and stay-home D-man (Schenn). They’ve looked good together, defended well together. They both keep it simple. . .Luke defends well around the net and plays physical.’’

Was it tough splitting last year’s group? Berube apparently wants to use MacDonald with Braydon Coburn as a “shutdown’’ pairing against the Sidney Crosbys and Alexander Ovechkins.

That leaves Mark Streit with Nick Grossmann, who scored against the Rangers, along with Matt Read, Sean Couturier and Wayne Simmonds. And Berube likes that six-man defense alignment because he has a mobile guy and a stay-home type on each pairing.

Schenn sees favorable comparisons between Del Zotto and MacDonald.

“They’re both good skaters and puck-movers,’’ Schenn said. “They’re both up in the rush a lot of the time. It’s a good balance, I can hang back a little bit more.

“It was great to play with Andrew but Michael and I have gotten to know each other in training camp. We’re trying to communicate as much as we can. . .it always takes a few games to get used to each other – tendencies, that sort of thing.’’

Bellemare impresses: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare is making a strong push for the fourth-line center spot and caught Berube’s eye in Tuesday night’s game.

“I was impressed tonight,’’ Berube said. “He worked hard, skated really well. Smart, good on faceoffs. Killed penalties. He was a good player tonight.’’

Bellemare was recently sidelined by injury but has bounced back. While he wasn’t at his best in Monday night’s 6-3 loss at Madison Square Garden, he definitely has NHL-level talent.

“I was off like a whole week with the injury,’’ he said. “Yesterday was one of my worst games so far. Tonight was a good game but it’s just a game. Hopefully I’ll play on Thursday (in Washington) and show some more.’’

/n

Emery returns: Goalie Ray Emery returned from a back injury to get in a full game against the Rangers.

He says it was important to see some action before the regular season starts.

“I was solid,’’ he said. “My feet were under me. Rebounds were pretty good. And the focus was there. I feel good and happy to get a game in.’’

Burlington County Times LOADED: 10.01.2014


Flyers' Giroux to face Rangers tonight

Sam Carchidi

Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 11:41 AM

Captain Claude Giroux will play in his first preseason game Tuesday night when the Flyers host the New York Rangers.

Giroux has not played because of a lower-body injury.

"I'm fine and ready to go," Giroux said after Tuesday's morning practice in Voorhees. "I want to make sure I'm ready to play against Boston (in the season opener Oct. 8), and for me to play this game tonight it's going to make me a better player for that game."

Coach Craig Berube said he also expected Giroux to play Thursday at Washington.

At practice Tuesday, Giroux skated without any issues.

The Flyers (2-3-1), who dropped a 6-3 decision to the Rangers (2-1) in Madison Square Garden on Monday, will use mostly regulars tonight.

"Right now we're just trying to get the team together, trying to get the team in the same system," Giroux said. "I think it's more important with these games in preseason, you work on your game; you work on how you want your team to look like here. An identity."

Based on the morning skate, here is the expected lineup for tonight:

** Giroux centering Brayden Schenn and Jake Voracek.

** Sean Couturier centering Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds.

** Vinny Lecavalier centering Michael Raffl and R.J. Umberger.

** Pierre-Edouard Bellemare centering Zac Rinaldo and Jason Akeson.

DEFENSE

Mark Streit and Nick Grossmann; Luke Schenn and Michael Del Zotto; and Sam Morin and Braydon Coburn.

Ray Emery is expected to be in goal.

Roster battle. If the Flyers carry only 13 forwards, it appears that Blair Jones, Bellemare and Akeson are battling for the final two spots. Scott Laughton, Chris VandeVelde and Zack Stortini and will probably be sent to the Phantoms.

If the Flyers decide to start the season with 14 forwards and 23 players, Jones, Bellemare and Akeson all figure to make the team.



Flyers' defense pairings just about set

Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 6:12 pm

Wayne Fish Staff writer

PHILADELPHIA – The season opener is still a week away but Flyers coach Craig Berube pretty much already knows what his defense pairings will be when his team takes to the ice at Boston on Oct. 8.

One surprise was his decision to break up last year’s successful tandem of Luke Schenn and Andrew MacDonald.

Schenn seemed to struggle early in the season but after MacDonald arrived in a mid-season trade with the Islanders, everything changed. MacDonald had a calming influence on Schenn and the two worked well together.

But as this season unfolds, Berube has put Schenn with a new partner, Michael Del Zotto, late of the Nashville Predators after a Roman candle start to his career with the Rangers.

“Del Zotto and Schenn have done well together, to be honest with you,’’ Berube said before Tuesday night’s game against the Rangers. “I like that pairing so far.

“You’ve got a good puck-mover (Del Zotto) and stay-home D-man (Schenn). They’ve looked good together, defended well together. They both keep it simple. . .Luke defends well around the net and plays physical.’’

Was it tough splitting last year’s group? Berube apparently wants to use MacDonald with Braydon Coburn as a “shutdown’’ pairing against the Sidney Crosbys and Alexander Ovechkins.

That leaves Mark Streit with Nick Grossmann. And Berube likes that alignment because he has a mobile guy and a stay-home type on each pairing.

Schenn sees favorable comparisons between Del Zotto and MacDonald.

“They’re both good skaters and puck-movers,’’ Schenn said. “They’re both up in the rush a lot of the time. It’s a good balance, I can hang back a little bit more.

“It was great to play with Andrew but Michael and I have gotten to know each other in training camp. We’re trying to communicate as much as we can. . .it always takes a few games to get used to each other – tendencies, that sort of thing.’’

Schenn said his comfort level is much higher than it was two years ago when he came over from Toronto in the much ballyhooed trade for James van Riemsdyk. Expectations were high and probably unfairly so: Van Riemsdyk is an offensive-minded forward while Schenn is a defense-minded backliner.

“The longer you’re in a place, the more comfortable you’re going to get,’’ Schenn said. “It’s a change coming to a new team, but there’s a core group of guys that have been here for the past few years and you get to know them pretty well, on and off the ice.

“Hartsy (Scott Hartnell) is gone (to Columbus) and Kimmo (Timonen) is out (blood clots), so the younger guys are going to have to step up a bit.’’

Schenn says those days of worrying about the trade are over. He’s an established member of the Flyers, through the good times and the bad.

“It’s pretty tough to compare player for player,’’ he said. “He’s a forward and I’m a defenseman. That (trade) is up to other people to decide, I just try to help the team any way I can.

“I’m sure when they traded for me, they didn’t have any expectations for me to get 50 points on the back end. You try to learn and I have a few years under my belt now. I’m not going to change my game just because JVR gets a lot more recognition.’’

/n

Giroux, Emery back: Claude Giroux made his preseason debut against the Rangers and goaltender Ray Emery returned from the injured list to make the start.

Burlington County Times LOADED: 10.01.2014


Giroux's return somewhat overshadowed

By Rob Parent, Delaware County Daily Times

Posted: 09/30/14, 11:36 PM EDT |

PHILADELPHIA — Clearly, Claude Giroux was hoping his delayed debut in the preseason went off without any great fanfare. To help him with that Tuesday night, the Wells Fargo Center infotainment staff and worried Flyers ticket sales bosses co-produced a dramatic video announcement that said since their fans “had spoken,” the team’s new all-male ice cleaning revue would soon be no more.

Courtesy of the mouthy fans, those guys really have been booed off the ice. And as the announcement bellowed, tryouts will be held next week for The Return of the Ice Girls!!!

There you go, Claude Giroux. You’ve been overshadowed again.

“I forgot how fast this game is,” Giroux said he made his exhibition entrance in a 4-2 Flyers victory over the New York Rangers. “You’ve got to think faster. You can practice as much as you want, but games is where you’re going to find your rhythm. The first two shifts I was kind of wondering what was going on. But it’s like that every year.”

Despite his return being relegated to self-deprecating second billing to Ice Girls, Giroux did try to make the most of the occasion, tossing a couple of shots netward, throwing a couple of hits playerward and generally not looking all that rusty.

His premier performance — which included an on-ice time of 12:35 through two periods, tops among Flyers forwards — was encouraging, it wasn’t quite complete. He played but five shifts in the third period, but still finished with the highest ice time (16:53) among his team’s forwards.

As for cutting back the workload late in the game, coach Craig Berube said, “that was my call. He just had two (full) periods. I didn’t want to push it that much.”

“He hasn’t played,” Berube said. “He hasn’t done a whole lot in camp. But his skating, positioning, thinking are there. All of that.”

If he was made to skip a few third-period shifts, Giroux wasn’t about to argue about it on this, his first practice game night.

“It was fine ... there was nothing negative,” he said. “You’re just trying to get in some game shape. Obviously, my game shape needs some work. It’s a challenge and I’m looking forward to it.

“I did some plays out there that I wasn’t too happy about, but it’s preseason. I think everybody feels like that.”

Other Flyers might have felt differently about this next-to-last preseason game, especially fourth-line center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.

Also fresh off returning from an injury, and one of several Flyers well-qualified to claim a terrible performance in a Monday night loss at Madison Square Garden, Bellemare was one of the Flyers’ most effective forwards in this game.

“I had three games so far, so that was the best one so far,” said Bellemare, 29, a native of Paris and free agent with a Euro-centric resume. “I had speed. My legs were back. That felt nice. I felt quite comfortable with the system. So that’s a start.”

Timely, considering one of his competitors for one of the last roster spots, Blair Jones, had been playing well to this point.

“I was impressed with him,” Berube said of Bellemare, who didn’t have a point but was an offensive threat all night. “He worked hard, he skated really well.”

From a production standpoint, however, it wasn’t the returning captain, the new French forward, or even the news about the Ice Girls Reunion that stole the show. It was the coming-out party of the Flyers’ new second line.

Wayne Simmonds’ move next to former third-line checking forwards Sean Courturier and Matt Read began to pay off, first when Simmonds set up

Couturier with a game-tying goal late in the first, then again when Simmonds tipped home a nifty pass by Read a period later for a 3-1 Flyers lead. Read subsequently chalked up his third point of the night on an empty net goal.

That was encouraging and dramatic, too. Just not as flashy as the other news.

• • •

NOTES: Ray Emery, who was also idled for a short time during camp with an injury, saw his first action and went the distance in net. Despite an iffy first goal allowed to New York’s Carl Hagelin early on, Emery played solidly and stopped 24 shots. “I felt good. I was solid in there,” Emery said. “I felt like my feet were under me and rebounds were pretty good and the focus was there. You can always get better during the year, but I’m feeling good to start the year.” ... Defenseman Mark Streit’s two assists gives him seven points in three preseason games. ... Berube hinted he would again start a real semblance of an “A” team in the preseason finale in Washington Thursday night. Giroux wouldn’t say whether he would play, but the odds are kind of swinging that way.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 10.01.2014


Flyers' Giroux will be in starting lineup tonight

By Rob Parent, Delaware County Daily Times

Posted: 09/30/14, 1:05 PM EDT |

VOORHEES, N.J. - Already Claude Giroux has a step up on last year. His belated start this time comes one game ahead of last year’s belated start.

The Flyers captain confirmed today that he will be in the lineup tonight at Wells Fargo Center when almost a full lineup of real Flyers host a semblance of New York Rangers.

Giroux will be centering the top line with wingers Brayden Schenn and Jake Voracek.

“We’ll go tonight and then I’ll go from there,” Giroux said after a morning run-through at the Skate Zone. “I’m doing my best right now to be the best player I can be the first game of the season.”

That would be next Wednesday in Boston, as Giroux tries to show that a muscle pull in his groin/hip area on the first day of training camp didn’t wind up fazing him for the start of the regular season.

That’s what Giroux is hoping to show, anyway.

“I don’t think about (the injury). It’s why I play the game,” he said. “If I didn’t think I was 100 percent then I wouldn’t be playing, so ... I’ve been battling the last few practices and I feel good, so I’m playing (tonight).”

Delaware County Times LOADED: 10.01.2014


Instant Replay: Flyers 4, Rangers 2


One exhibition game remains on the Flyers' schedule and we have yet to see a game where both they and their opponent presented a full NHL lineup.

Whereas the Flyers used a “B” unit in Monday’s dreadful loss to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, it was New York which returned the favor Tuesday with a mostly minor-league lineup during a 4-2 Flyers victory at the Wells Fargo Center.

Even so, the Flyers didn’t exactly dominate this game the way the Rangers did against their NHLers previously.

Truth is, it’s impossible to get a true read when both teams’ lineups were mismatched against the other.

Ray Emery, who has been battling a suspected groin pull, appeared in just his second exhibition game.

He had 24 saves and had some quality stops in the third period. This was only his second game. He needed to warm up to the task after playing just 30 minutes all preseason.

Cam Talbot worked two periods for the Rangers and gave up three goals on 22 shots. Jason Missiaen worked the third period.

Lines

Brayden Schenn-Claude Giroux-Jakub Voracek; Michael Raffl-Vinny Lecavalier-R.J. Umberger; Matt Read-Sean Couturier-Wayne Simmonds; Zac Rinaldo-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Jason Akeson.

Defense

Mark Streit-Nick Grossmann; Sam Morin-Braydon Coburn; Michael Del Zotto-Luke Schenn.

Goalies

Emery and Rob Zepp.

Who stood out?

Bellemare was very active and adds a new dimension to the fourth line -- speed and offensive skill. Grossmann was plus-2. Simmonds, also plus-2, had a strong offensive game.

Giroux

He played 16:53 and had limited ice time in the third period (five shifts) because the staff wanted to watch his minutes in his first preseason game. He looked sharp at times on the power play while coach Craig Berube said he was still rusty. Giroux will play in the final game at Washington.

Shorthanded goal

A neutral zone breakdown saw Carl Hagelin, one of the few real Rangers in the lineup, fire from the circle and score shorthanded on Emery early on. It was just the Rangers' second shot in the game. Hagelin shot high. Every Ranger was shooting high on Steve Mason in Monday’s game, as well.

Muffed

Umberger had a perfect rebound in the paint off a Lecavalier shot in the opening period and couldn’t handle it cleanly.

More offense

That’s what the coaching staff and management wants from Couturier this season. Couturier took a puck into the zone, worked it, surveyed his options and instead of passing, as he often does, fired on net. He scored to make it 1-1 at 13:46. The club wants him to be more offensive-minded this season.

Yeah, Jason!

Akeson picked up a slashing call late in the first period. The referee had his mic open when Akeson complained. “Right in the back of the legs, Jason,” he yelled, explaining where Akeson committed his infraction.

Doesn’t count

Too bad this wasn’t a real game because Grossmann scored a rare goal early in the second period. The shot was well above the right circle through traffic for a 2-1 lead.

Second period

Simmonds, playing with Read and Couturier this preseason, a new line this season, scored from the left circle to make it 3-1.

Third period

Anthony Duclair scored his second goal in two nights against the Flyers in the third period, cutting the Rangers deficit to 3-2. He was left all alone in the slot after a Flyers turnover.

Special teams

The Rangers were 0 for 5 on the power play. The Flyers were 1 for 4.

Power play

The Flyers had outstanding puck movement, good player rotation and shots during their chances. Their goal was an empty netter, too.

Penalty kill

Morin’s unnecessary boarding call in the third period gave the Rangers a brief 5-on-3 power play.

New look

The Flyers' first power-play unit has Streit running it from the point -- where Kimmo Timonen once was. Giroux is in the left circle, Voracek in the right slot, Lecavalier in the middle and Simmonds rotating through the paint.

Ice Girls

The club showed a video of their Ice Girls from years past doing their thing as fans booed while the Ice Guys came on the ice for the first stoppage and ice scrape. Then the words “We Listened” appeared on the Jumbotron, as the Flyers announced, due to popular demand, their Ice Girls will return when the regular season starts next week. The boos turned to cheers.

Wonder why? Ice Team tryouts are co-ed so that doesn’t mean a guy won’t make the final cut.

Fights

Conor Allen and Simmonds tried to go at it in the third period. The officials stopped it before it could develop.

Loose pucks

This was the final home exhibition game for the Flyers. ... Their last preseason game is Thursday at Washington against the Capitals.



Flyers announce Ice Girls will return, no more booing Ice Dudes

Staff


The700Level.com

Maybe they were just tired of hearing the booing at the Wells Fargo Center?

Anyway, the team announced on the jumbotron during tonight's game that the Flyers Ice Girls will return, thus putting an end to the Ice Dude era. They'll likely have some mix of Ice Dude / Ice Girl sweepers.

That was a boring controversy that we can now put behind us.

The ice girls will return for the home opener. THE CROWD CHEERS!

— Sarah Baicker (@sbaickerCSN) September 30, 2014

Flyers announce on jumbotron that the Ice Girls will return when the regular season begins. Crowd roars approval. Video of girls now

— Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchCSN) September 30, 2014

Aaaaaand they're holding tryouts on 10/5 @ Skate Zone. Hockey player ladies: get on this. Let's have a legit hockey presence on the team eh?

— Sarah Baicker (@sbaickerCSN) September 30, 2014

Fans made their displeasure known of the current all-male unit and club announces, "we listened"

— Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchCSN) September 30, 2014



Don't get too excited over Flyers' young guns yet; Plus, Giroux back!

Staff


This preseason has given Flyers fans a glimpse of something they have wanted to see for a little while now: The young guns of the not-too-distant future wearing the orange and black in NHL games.

And while it’s been a tantalizing snippet of that not-too-distant future, do yourself a favor and don’t get too excited yet.

Yes, center Scott Laughton and defensemen Sam Morin and Shayne Gostisbehere have impressed fans, teammates and coaches alike over the past few weeks.

Laughton recorded a goal in a Flyers sweater last Thursday when he tipped a sweet Jake Voracek pass off a rush past New Jersey goalie Cory Schneider. He also added two assists that night and was named the game’s first star.

Morin hasn’t looked too overmatched in his role as a physical defenseman and has moved the puck well, especially in his own zone, which has been a major Flyers issue over the past few seasons. He’s shown he’s not afraid to fire the puck at the net, either.

And Gostisbehere, the apple of many a Flyers fan’s eye, has shown why there is so much hype surrounding him as he’s recorded two goals and an assist so far in the preseason. It’s not just the numbers, it’s the way he’s skated, moved the puck and the fact he can get pucks through and hit the net seemingly with ease.

But the thing about what they’ve done so far in the preseason is that it’s, well, the preseason.

The NHL preseason is really no different than the NFL preseason. The games mean pretty much squat.

The preseason impressions are nice and all, but they don’t go all that far because of the level of competition and the lack of meaning to the games.

Yes, seasoned NHL vets do play in preseason games, but do you really think they’re all going all out and risking injury in the preseason? These games are more about conditioning and continuing to get in game shape for them (see: Giroux, Claude).

Just because the Flyers’ young guys have shown some moxie and skill against that preseason competition, it really doesn’t mean a ton.

Their maturity and NHL readiness don’t just grow over the course of a handful of preseason games. Their development is process, and a long one at that.

They are each better off going to the minors (in Morin’s case, back to juniors because of NHL transfer rules due to the fact he just 19-years-old) and get more seasoning.

For argument’s sake only, which one has the best, albeit slim, shot at sticking on with the team?

Likely Laughton because of the fact the fourth-line center position is still up for grabs. He’ll have to beat out French import Pierre-Marc Bellemare, Blair Jones and Chris VandeVelde for the spot, though, and that won’t be an easy battle with just two preseason games remaining. There’s no shot he stays as an extra forward who doesn’t play regularly. He needs that in-game experience.

Gostisbehere is the next likeliest candidate because his offensive attributes would be a boost on the blue line. But he still needs to work on the defensive and physical parts of his game. He also needs to better judge when and when not to pinch in from the blue line. For him to stay, he would have to prove he’s better than one of the Flyers’ top-six defensemen right now. Fact is, he’s just not yet.

In all likelihood, Morin will (and should) go back to his junior team.

Don’t get the message twisted; the preseason showings of Laughton, Morin and Gostisbehere have been very encouraging. But temper your expectations for now because it’s still just the preseason and their development is a process.

Giroux returns tonight

Flyers captain Claude Giroux will play his first game of the preseason tonight when the New York Rangers visit Wells Fargo Center to finish up a preseason home-and-home series.

You may recall Giroux left the first practice of training camp just minutes into it with a lower-body injury.

Tonight’s game – and Thursday’s in Washington, for that matter – are important for Giroux because he needs to get his game-skating legs under him and get his body ready for some physicality heading into next Wednesday’s season opener in Boston.

Consider tonight the Flyers’ version of the third NFL preseason game. It’s their dress rehearsal game.

All the veterans minus defenseman Andrew MacDonald will be in the lineup and the team will be rolling out its likely season-opening line combinations and defensive pairings. Morin will replace MacDonald alongside Braydon Coburn.

All line combos and defensive pairings per CSN Philly’s Tim Panaccio.

Line combinations:

B. Schenn – Giroux – Voracek

Read – Couturier – Simmonds

Raffl – Lecavalier – Umberger

Rinaldo – Bellemare – Akeson

Defensive pairings:

Morin – Coburn

Grossmann – Streit

Schenn – Dell Zotto

Both Laughton and Gostisbehere are scratches.

Puck drops at 7 p.m. and the game can be seen locally on The Comcast Network.



Claude Giroux to return to ice for Flyers tonight

E-mail Tim Panaccio at [email protected].

September 30, 2014, 11:15 am

The Flyers will have a G-man in their final, home preseason game lineup tonight at Wells Fargo Center.

Team captain Claude Giroux will make his exhibition debut tonight against the Rangers after missing all previous six games and several practices with a groin/abdominal/hip flexor injury.

“I feel good,” Giroux said. “Last few practices I have been testing it out and it feels good.”

Giroux took today’s morning skate with linemates Brayden Schenn and Jakub Voracek. He intends to go all out.

“If I start thinking about it, something bad could happen, I am just going to play the game,” he said. He said how he feels after the game will determine whether he plays in Washington.

“If I didn’t think I was 100 percent, I would not be playing. I’ve been battling and last few practices I feel good.”

Ray Emery, who also had a suspected groin issue, will be in goal. Emery has not appeared in net since the game here against Washington. He took the entire skate and said he felt good.

Flyers coach Craig Berube said he would like to see Giroux play the final two games.

“They’re ready to play,” Berube said.

The Flyers are 2-3-1 with two games remaining in exhibition play. They face the Capitals on Thursday night in Washington, D.C.

Mason said on Monday he will start the final preseason game.

Question is, will two games be enough for Giroux in preseason? He played just the final game last fall because of a hand injury and go off to a very slow start – no goals in the first 15 games.

“You’d like to see him play more than [two] but again, I can’t turn the clock back,” Berube said. “I’m not thinking like that. He’ll get himself ready.”



Flyers plan preseason bonding trip to Cape Cod


September 30, 2014, 10:45 am

NEW YORK -- They’ve been to Lake Placid, N.Y.; Peterborough, Ont.; Banff, Alb.; Whistler, B.C.; the Naval Academy and even West Point.

And that’s just since 1997.

Now the Flyers are going someplace a little different, but close enough they can pile into a bus and travel to Boston for the season opener next week against the Bruins.

Say hello to Cape Cod.

This Friday, the Flyers will leave for Hyannis Port, Mass., and practice Sunday and Monday there before moving to Boston for practice next Tuesday.

The season-opener against the Bruins is next Wednesday in Boston.

Flyers coach Craig Berube said the club has planned some “team bonding” activities during their New England stay.

“It’s good to get the team together,” Berube said. “Really, the team is not together through training camp. They are all over the place.

“We get up there and get together with the team and they get together a little, which will be good. We’ll do some stuff together, for sure.”

Why Cape Cod besides the proximity to Boston?

“We’re going to Boston right after,” Berube said. “We wanted to go to some place decently close. Joe Mullen knows that area very well.”

Though born in New York City, Mullen, who became the first American player in the NHL to score 500 goals, attended Boston College and is intimately familiar with all of New England, much like Peter Laviolette was.

Does Berube plan on visiting the Kennedy family next week?

“Not me,” he replied. “I stay away from that stuff.”



Craig Berube: Flyers' defense must 'turn it up'


September 30, 2014, 7:00 am

NEW YORK -- It's difficult to read into anything during preseason, but there are some things that have to worry you about the Flyers' mixed lineups of late, and some of it showed in Monday’s 6-3 loss to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden (see Instant Replay).

Things like a lack of competitiveness at times. Loose play or no checking. Shoddy defense in front of the goaltender, even from veteran players.

“It’s the defending part of the game,” Flyers coach Craig Berube said. “We've got to check better. That’s the bottom line.”

And your defense?

“They've got to turn it up -- they've got to play better,” Berube said. “It’s not just on them. It’s a team thing. We have to play better defense.”

The Flyers had a poor preseason last year and now have two preseason games left, yet have not looked good in two straight games, either.

“We’ve played some good preseason games,” Berube said. “We have two more left to get it going. We had a real young lineup in there tonight. Some of those guys were good and impressed me.”

Young Taylor Leier stood out again with a goal.

“He’s fast and knows how to play -- smart player with great speed,” Berube said of the 20-year-old. “He’s a young kid, he needs time still, but he has played well.”

Defensive prospect Shayne Gostisbehere had a rough start (minus-2 in the first period), but by the end of the game, he had himself a goal and an assist.

“He had a tough first period, he was nervous but after that he played really well,” Berube said. “He was aggressive, he did some things with the puck. [Blair] Jones was himself, a pretty solid player all-around.”

Jones, despite missing the end of the game after being struck in the mouth with a shot from Leier (see story), continued to solidify his spot on the roster. He had stitches, but no broken teeth or facial fractures.

Berube said goalie Steve Mason, who gave up six goals on 37 shots, knows he has to be better, even when the defense is breaking down in front of him.

The veteran pairing of Braydon Coburn and Andrew MacDonald had a terrible opening period but settled down.

The Rangers went high on Mason the entire night.

“I want to be better, I have to be better,” Mason said. “For us to come in here with the lineup we have, I have to be a better player.

“It’s tough these preseason games with the lineups we have. It’s tough to play when you have different people but at the same time, we have to be better … you have to treat this as a regular-season game because we can’t have that kind of effort.”

Mason will have Tuesday off when the Flyers host the Rangers at the Wells Fargo Center, but will start Thursday at Washington in the final exhibition game.

Berube said goalie Ray Emery (lower body) is a possibility to play Tuesday’s game.



Claude Giroux shakes off rust in first preseason game

Dave Isaac, Courier-Post 12 a.m. EDT October 1, 2014

PHILADELPHIA There he stood at the end of the line of forwards on the bench, begging to jump over the boards.

Craig Berube wouldn’t let him. Not until a late-game power play.

Claude Giroux, recovered from a lower-body injury, passed the test in his first preseason game, a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers. He passed because he finished the game without re-aggravating his lower-body injury, thought to be a groin pull.

“That’s my call,” the coach said, of his captain’s reduced ice time in the third period. “I didn’t want to push it too much.”

Giroux still managed to lead all Flyers forwards in ice time with 16:53, even though he took only five shifts in the game’s final stanza.

“I forgot how fast this game is,” Giroux said. “You’ve got to think faster. You can practice as much as you want, but games is where your’e gonna get your rhythm.”

The Flyers’ captain returned to practice last week, six days removed from injuring himself about 10 minutes into training camp. It was his first game action since losing in Game 7 of the first round of last season’s playoffs to the Rangers.

“He looked fine,” said Wayne Simmonds, who scored one of the goals and assisted on another. “Obviously it’s his first game of the year. It’s difficult. I know how I felt in my first game. We played in London and it wasn’t very good, but G’s a tough guy. G comes to the rink and prepares every day. He’ll be ready.”

Giroux was also on the top power-play unit, like always. He managed two shots, had another blocked and another miss the target, although he seemed more interested in setting up his linemates.

His trio with Brayden Schenn and Jake Voracek meant that Schenn moved over from center, where he was filling in until Giroux got healthy, to left wing.

“I know I have to flip the switch,” Schenn said after the morning skate. “I’m playing wing (Tuesday night) and there’s gonna be times where I’m playing center in my own end. That’s the way things work out sometimes when guys are caught or in different positions.”

Being out of position is something that happened to Giroux in his first preseason game. At least it looked that way from where the coach was standing.

“He hasn’t played,” Berube said. “He hasn’t really done a whole lot, even in camp. … His hands are always above average for sure, but his skating and positioning and thinking out there, things like that (were rusty).”

There’s another opportunity to tune those things up. The Flyers end their exhibition schedule Thursday in Washington against the Capitals. Although Giroux said he wasn’t sure if he’s play, Berube wants as close to his regular-season lineup as he can get, so the captain will likely gladly accept another test.

“You can practice as much as you want,” Giroux said, “but playing a game is just another level. You kind of get your game shape. Obviously, my game shape needs some work. It’s a little challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”

• Bellemare impresses: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, the 29-year-old Frenchman whom the Flyers signed as a free agent this summer, may have done enough to win himself a roster spot Tuesday. He finished the night with 13:39 of ice time, four shots on net, and Berube liked what he saw.

“I was impressed tonight,” Berube said of a potential fourth-line center. “He worked hard and skated really well. He’s smart. I thought he was good on faceoffs, killed penalties. He was a good player tonight.”

Does Bellemare think he did enough to secure a roster spot?

“That’s a hard question,” he said. “The first game was really the first game the whole season with the system. Then I was out for like a whole week with

an injury. And (Monday) was one of my worst games so far…for a long time actually. I don’t know, tonight was a good game. But it’s just a game. Hopefully I’ll play on Thursday and can show some more.”

• Emery happy with first game back: Backup goalie Ray Emery returned from a lower-body injury, too. He stopped 24 of 26 shots in a complete-game effort, his first action since seeing 30 minutes in the team’s first preseason game.

“Its kind of a different feel in there when in game and at practice,” Emery said. “I was comfortable. Followed the puck well and my feet stay under me and stayed focus. I was happy.”

Reach Dave Isaac at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @davegisaac.

Flyers 4Rangers 2

• Next: at Washington

• When: 7 p.m. Thursday

• Radio: 97.5 FM

Courier-Post LOADED: 10.01.2014


Claude Giroux to make preseason debut against New York Rangers

Dave Isaac, Courier-Post 12:32 p.m. EDT September 30, 2014

VOORHEES – The wait is over to see Claude Giroux return to game play. No. 28 took morning skate before the second-to-last preseason game, which will be his first action since the Flyers were knocked out of the playoffs in Game 7 of the first round by the New York Rangers five months ago.

Giroux hurt himself roughly 10 minutes into the first practice of training camp and didn't skate for about a week, suffering from what the team called a "lower-body" injury, which is thought to be a groin pull. While coach Craig Berube wanted to see Giroux get a game or two in with his linemates, Giroux was focused on preparing for the regular-season opener Oct. 8 in Boston. It seems as though the captain is ready.

"If I didn't think I was 100 percent, I wouldn't be playing," Giroux said. "I've been battling the last few practices and I feel good, so I'm ready to play."

Giroux will finally play a game with linemates Brayden Schenn and Jake Voracek, although he's practiced with them for nearly a week. Voracek has been on right wing the whole time, but Schenn had been playing center while Giroux was out.

"I'm ready to play the wing tonight. It's a good opportunity for me to play with those guys," Schenn said. "I'm going to go out there and try to make the most of it, try to be physical and try to create a little room for them and get to the net."

Berube said as long as things go well, Giroux will also play Thursday in the team's preseason finale in Washington against the Capitals. By then, the Flyers might have already made their cuts, so Berube would have no choice but to play basically his Opening Night lineup.

"You'd probably like to get him in a little bit more than that (two preseason games)," Berube said. "Again, there's nothing we can do. I can't turn the clock back. He'll get himself ready."

Here's the rest of the lines according to Tuesday's morning skate.

Left Wing Center Right Wing

Brayden Schenn Claude Giroux Jake Voracek

Michael Raffl Vinny Lecavalier R.J. Umberger

Matt Read Sean Couturier Wayne Simmonds

Zac Rinaldo Pierre-Edouard Bellemare Jason Akeson

Zack Stortini Blair Jones Jay Rosehill

Chris VandeVelde Scott Laughton

Defense pairings

Samuel Morin Braydon Coburn

Nick Grossmann Mark Streit

Luke Schenn Michael Del Zotto

Andrew MacDonald Nick Schultz

Shayne Gostisbehere

It also looks like Ray Emery will get the start with Steve Mason backing up, although Rob Zepp was on the ice for practice as well. Expect Emery to go the whole game.

Courier-Post LOADED: 10.01.2014

736966 Pittsburgh Penguins

Despres is relishing his regular role on Penguins' blue line

By Jason Mackey

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, 10:48 p.m.

Updated 6 hours ago

DETROIT — Simon Despres doesn't understand what all the fuss is about.

Whether the coach is Dan Bylsma or Mike Johnston, his job is to make passes that connect, to be smart with the puck and provide a physical edge.

“I could play a system,” Despres said. “I could also play pond hockey. I play hockey. It's my job, and I have fun with it.”

Fact is, Despres is having more fun this year than ever because he's become a primary part of the Penguins' plans.

Despres was cast aside under Bylsma. He was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton three times last year. Over the past three seasons, Despres has played 85 NHL regular-season games, 107 in the AHL.

Few would argue he had met the expectations from when was drafted in the first round (30th overall) in 2009.

This preseason, Despres has been a regular on the Penguins' blue line, tallying two primary assists, 11 hits, five shots, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating and logging 21 minutes, 11 seconds a night, 3:43 on the power play and two minutes on the penalty kill.

“It's a confidence thing,” assistant coach Gary Agnew said. “You have to know that you can do things. You have to know that you can take a couple strides before you can make a play.

“You have to know you can step up on a guy and make sure you still make the play and hit him.”

Johnston's system is predicated on getting the puck out of the zone quickly and having defensemen join the rush. Despres said he has three or four options on every breakout, and he's counted upon to find the guy spot with the puck.

“Read and react,” Despres said. “That's hockey. That's what you want to do. If the first option is available, you give it to him. If it's not, you have another option. You have to read, make good plays and play hockey.”

Despres wasn't playing good hockey last Thursday at home against the Minnesota Wild, — according to Agnew, anyway. So Despres got into a fight, held his own against Jason Zucker and turned things around.

It's something that likely would never have happened a season ago.

“You like his size. You like his tenacity, his intensity,” Agnew said. “It's looks to me like he's gaining confidence as he's moving through the camp.”

With Olli Maatta still out because of offseason shoulder surgery and Despres' regular partner in the preseason, Robert Bortuzzo, out three to five weeks, the Penguins need all the blue-line help they can get.

It's perfect timing for Despres, who's being mentored by veteran Kris Letang and who may finally be blossoming into the player many thought he would be.

“Every year is an important year,” Despres said. “That's what management tells me — next year is the most important year of your career. I just try to have fun with it and enjoy the process.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 10.01.2014


Penguins notebook: Malkin picture muddy

By Jason Mackey

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, 6:27 p.m.

Updated 6 hours ago

DETROIT — The injury keeping Evgeni Malkin out this preseason is one the franchise center suffered in the United States — not Russia — Penguins coach Mike Johnston said.

And with four scheduled practices left before the Penguins' first regular-season game Oct. 9, Malkin doesn't have a lot of time left to prepare.

Many may be freaking out. Johnston is not one of them.

“I haven't been on the ice with Geno before,” Johnston said after the Penguins practiced Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena. “I know when (captain Sidney Crosby) has been in and out here and he's come back to practice, he's been really good.

“Because of the time I spent (in Russia), I know the type of training (Malkin) was doing. He did have an on-ice skills guy working on the ice the last month. He's done a significant amount of work on the ice and off the ice.”

On Sept. 18, the day before the first camp practice, Johnston said he expected Malkin's absence from an undisclosed injury to be “fairly short.”

Johnston said a week later that no additional tests or evaluation had been required; they're “waiting it out.”

On Friday, Johnston amended the original timetable, setting it another four to five days.

It has now been five days since that point, and Malkin is showing no signs of a return.

So, will four practices be enough?

“I expect his conditioning should be good, but his sharpness … it's tough,” Johnston said. “Those four practices are going to be good, quality practices because we go Saturday, Sunday, then we have a day off Monday.

“We get two more before the (opener).”

Does that mean Malkin will be back Saturday?

“As far as I know, he hasn't been cleared to work out,” Johnston said. “Once he's cleared to work out, it will be a progression to get on the ice.”

Crosby expected to play vs. Red Wings

Johnston said he had not spoken with Crosby when he met with the media early Tuesday afternoon out of respect given the ongoing funeral for Crosby's grandmother.

Johnston did expect to talk with Crosby at some point Tuesday.

“If his travel plans are set and good,” Johnston said, “he's definitely going to be in the lineup (Wednesday at Red Wings).”

Retreat scrapped

The Penguins had planned a two-day retreat Thursday and Friday but instead will stay in Pittsburgh.

Johnston said they have hired a company called the Matishak Group (MGI) to train and motivate personnel through a series of games and activities.

MGI is based out of Edmonton, Alberta, and has worked with several NHL teams, including the Flames, Flyers, Kings, Rangers and Canucks.

Pair headed to Wilkes-Barre

Defenseman Philip Samuelsson and forward Pierre-Luc Leblond cleared waivers Tuesday and will report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Maatta still out

Johnston said defenseman Olli Maatta will not play Wednesday. Maatta is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and will consequently miss all six preseason games. He has been a regular participant in practice.

Tribune Review LOADED: 10.01.2014


It’s one big preseason mystery after another for Penguins

By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

DETROIT — The greatest mystery of this Penguins training camp has been precisely what type of injury has prevented Evgeni Malkin from participating in a single workout.

Until now, anyway, when it has been supplanted by a more timely question: Will he be able to dress for the regular-season opener Oct. 9 against Anaheim?

There is, general manager Jim Rutherford said Tuesday, no definitive answer yet. But one should be coming soon.

“The next few days will be the turning point, as to whether he’ll be available for opening night,” Rutherford said.

The Penguins will have four on-ice practices before they face the Ducks. There’s no guarantee Malkin will take part in any of them, let alone that those would prepare him adequately for a game.

Coach Mike Johnston said: “I know the type of training he was doing [in Russia in the offseason],” but acknowledged that, “as far as I know, he hasn’t been cleared to work out.”

Regardless of whether Malkin is one of them, Rutherford said he anticipates having 21 players on the active roster when the season begins. That’s two below the NHL maximum, and an obvious concession to the Penguins’ salary-cap situation.

“We’re up against the cap, so we have to get creative here going into the opening of the season,” Rutherford said.

The Penguins have 32 players — including Malkin and two other injured players, winger Beau Bennett and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo — on their major league depth chart as they prepare to face Detroit in their final exhibition game at 7:38 tonight at Joe Louis Arena.

That means there are some significant moves coming within the next week or so, although it isn’t known exactly when.

Johnston suggested there will be “two or three” cuts made after the Red Wings game or on Friday, but noted that he’s not in a hurry to get down to his regular-season group.

“I’d like a couple of extra [bodies] for practice this weekend, just to make sure we have numbers [to maintain the] quality of practice,” he said. “I would expect that by Monday, we’re right down to our core group.”

Getting there, whenever it happens, won’t necessarily be easy because the coaches, scouts and management profess to like what they’ve seen from everyone still with the team.

“The guys who are here have played extremely well,” Rutherford said. “Even a couple of guys we just cut played well. Some tough decisions are coming.”

Johnston estimated that there likely are three roster spots — two up front, one on defense — to be claimed going into the Red Wings game, and Rutherford insisted that everyone still in camp is a viable contender to start the season in the NHL.

“There isn’t a final decision made on anyone yet,” he said. “Everybody who’s here is still in the conversation as to whether they can grab a spot.”

Some of the guys still being discussed likely weren’t expected to make a serious run at jobs this season. That includes center Oskar Sundqvist, who still figures to spend the winter in Sweden but whose size and versatility has not gone unnoticed. Rutherford said Sundqvist has made “remarkable improvement” since the start of a prospects tournament less than three weeks ago, and Johnston clearly is impressed by his consistency.

“Sundqvist has played steady through the whole time, with no highs, no lows,” he said. “He’s a good young player. I’m excited about him.

“He’s left an impression on us, that’s for sure. It’s going to be a tug of war to see what we do with this young guy.”

That’s just one of many personnel battles that will play out in coming days. On the ice and in the evaluation meetings.

Post Gazette LOADED: 10.01.2014


Penguins notebook: Some regulars still missing from action

October 1, 2014 12:00 AM

By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

DETROIT — The Penguins will wrap up their six-game exhibition schedule tonight.

It will be over before some of their key players ever got involved.

Defenseman Olli Maatta, recovering from shoulder surgery, does not have clearance to play when the Penguins face Detroit at 7:38 at Joe Louis Arena, and second-line center Evgeni Malkin, who has sat out camp because of an undisclosed injury, is awaiting permission to work out.

What’s more, center Sidney Crosby’s status for the Red Wings game was uncertain Tuesday. He was in Nova Scotia for his grandmother’s funeral, and coach Mike Johnston had not been informed whether Crosby expected to make it to Detroit.

“If his travel plans are set and good, he’s definitely going to be in the lineup,” Johnston said.

Crosby did not dress for any of the first five exhibition games, although he had been penciled in for the past two after recovering from an unspecified injury.

Dupuis makes happy return

One guy who finally made it into a game, right winger Pascal Dupuis, reported no significant problems after logging 16:28 of ice time in a 4-1 loss Monday at Minnesota.

That was Dupuis’ first game action since a serious knee injury Dec. 23.

“It feels good,” he said after the team’s 75-minute workout in Detroit. “The whole body was a little tight this morning from not playing for so long, but the knee was not an issue this morning, and not on the ice.”

Smiling, he added: “Just total body soreness.”

Dupuis was credited with four shots on goal, tying for the second-highest total on the team, as well as two hits and a blocked shot against the Wild.

Time for bonding

The Penguins are scheduled to devote Thursday and Friday to exercises intended partly to promote team bonding, partly to give the coaching staff a feel for the players’ personalities.

Johnston said an Edmonton-based company called the Matishak Group that specializes in “group dynamics” will be on hand to assess the team.

“[Matishak] tells the core strengths of your group, and it also talks to you, as a coaching staff, about how to deal with that type of group,” Johnston said.

The Penguins will not have on-ice workouts Thursday or Friday, returning to the ice Saturday at Consol Energy Center.

Tip-ins

Defenseman Philip Samuelsson and forward Pierre-Luc Leblond, who were cut from the major league roster Monday, cleared waivers and can join the farm team in Wilkes-Barre. … The Penguins are 2-3 in exhibition play and have scored just one goal in the two road games. … Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is scheduled to play the entire game against Detroit.



Sidney Crosby’s mother takes on new role in hockey

October 1, 2014 12:00 AM

By Shelly Anderson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It was the hockey mom in Trina Crosby. That’s why she took up the cause of a growing women’s league.

“I have a very unique position,” said the mother of Penguins superstar center Sidney and Northeastern University freshman women’s goaltender Taylor. “I have a son who grew up playing and now is in the NHL and playing with the best and never imagining having to give it up. I have my daughter who has to contemplate not being able to play one day.”

Trina Crosby is in her second year on the board of directors of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, a collection of four teams from Canada and one from the United States.

If all goes as planned with the CWHL and Taylor Crosby continues to develop in college as she did at Shattuck-St. Mary’s High School in Minnesota, she will have a shot at playing professionally. If not for a league such as the CWHL, her only options would be to play recreationally or, if she can outdo the competition, for Team Canada.

“She’s been playing for such a long time, so instead of having to just stop, it would be nice to have something organized where at least there would be a place to continue to play [after college], maybe an opportunity professionally,” Sidney Crosby said.

Lack of money hurts league

The CWHL opens its eighth season Oct. 18. For now, the league can’t offer salaries to players. Commissioner Brenda Andress and two coaches per team get paid, and all travel and equipment expenses are covered. With an operating budget of $1.7 million, Andress likes to say, “I run my league on one [NHL player’s] salary.”

Andress is ambitious and has a strategic plan. Her vision is to start paying players in two years, with the CWHL’s second priority being to expand, including at least one more U.S. team. Clubs now are in Boston, Montreal, Calgary, Toronto and Brampton, Ontario.

Further, she would like to see the CWHL be a proving ground for women who could go on to hold management jobs not only in that league, but also in the NHL. “We can do that by training them and partnering with the NHL for things like job shadowing and learning job skills.”

There already are relationships between the CWHL and the NHL’s Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.

What the CWHL lacks is financing. Andress is seeking that through sponsorships and direct donations.

“It may not happen with the snap of a finger, but I do think that one day it can get to that point. I would love to see that,” said Jennifer Botterill, the sister of Penguins associate general manager Jason Botterill and a four-time Canadian Olympian.

She is a Harvard graduate, broadcaster, keynote speaker and owns a high-performance center. She played in the CWHL for two years, just before and after the 2010 Olympics, before retiring as a player. “Even the last 20 years, you can see how much it’s grown and improved,” she said of the women’s game.

The CWHL rosters feature many Canadian and American Olympians, at least those who are past their college careers. The CWHL advocates that its players go to college before joining the league. But there is a lack of overseas Olympians in the league.

“The top international players would be here in a second if there was a living compensation,” Andress said. That might be, say, $30,000-$50,000 in the foreseeable future, not the millions many NHL players make.

Beefing up board, brand

To broaden its brand name, the CWHL has beefed up its board.

Cassie Campbell-Pascall, a three-time Canadian Olympian, Canadian broadcaster and vice-chair of the CWHL, reached out to Trina Crosby about joining the board. Trina met Campbell-Pascall several years ago when she was an instructor at a hockey school Sidney attended.

“Then I saw her again at the 2010 Olympics, and we stayed connected,” Trina Crosby said. “Last year, she said, ‘Listen, what do you think about coming on board with the women’s hockey league?’ I said, ‘Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you.’ It really didn’t take long.

“I had a conversation with Taylor. She was home on break [from Shattuck-St. Mary’s] and we were having lunch. She became emotional and said, ‘I love it, playing hockey, and I can’t imagine having to stop.’  ”

So Trina Crosby joined a board that now features prominent members such as Calgary Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke and Arlene Dickinson, a well-known Canadian entrepreneur who appears on “Dragon’s Den,” the Canadian equivalent of the American TV show, “Shark Tank.”

“Trina spent the first year absorbing,” Campbell said. “She was at or on a conference call with every board meeting.”

There are some hints that Trina Crosby’s involvement could grow soon. “It would be fair to say that I’m trying to do some networking,” she said.

That does not include putting pressure on her son to support the CWHL financially or through promotions.

“Trina brings uniqueness,” Andress said. “She has a famous son, and a daughter skilled in the same thing as her son. She sees the differences in what’s available to one and not the other. She has been careful not to exploit her son or use her son.”

Sidney Crosby is happy just being the supportive son and brother.

“I’m interested because it’s hockey and related to my family,” he said. “I hope that they can find a way to make it work. I’ve seen firsthand my mom as a hockey mom, spending all that time getting us to rinks, and I’ve seen Taylor work hard.

“It’s a great sport, the women’s game. Everybody sees that at the Olympics. It’s good hockey. Hopefully, there’s a way [the CWHL] can figure it out.

“They’re so passionate about it, I’m sure they’ll find a way.”


736971 San Jose Sharks

Sharks rookie Nikolay Goldobin making fast impression

By Curtis Pashelka

Posted: 09/30/2014 12:42:58 PM

SAN JOSE -- Rookie forward Nikolay Goldobin will get another prime opportunity to make a positive impression Tuesday as it appears he'll skate on a line with Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl for the Sharks' home exhibition game against the Los Angeles Kings.

The 18-year-old Goldobin has been one of the Sharks' bright spots so far in training camp. Playing mostly on a line with fellow prospects Barclay Goodrow and Chris Tierney, Goldobin, San Jose's first round draft choice this June, has one goal and three assists in three preseason games.

Tierney and Goodrow will be on a line with Tommy Wingels on Tuesday, and the line of Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau and Matt Nieto will remain intact.

San Jose Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow, celebrates with teammates, Nikolay Goldobin, right, and Chris Tierney after scoring against the Anaheim Ducks.

"We want to see him play another game, maybe another game or two," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said of Goldobin. "I've liked the Tierney, Goodrow and Wingels line, so we'd like to keep that together, the Couture line going to be together, and we have pieces of what could potentially be a third or fourth line playing as well. Goldy naturally fits up there tonight based on most of the players that are playing."

Goldobin was a bit star struck when he briefly played on a line with Thornton earlier in the exhibition season when the Sharks played Vancouver in Stockton. But he said he feels more comfortable in his surroundings now, and isn't surprised that he's still in camp.

Thornton also senses that the rookie is also settling in.

"Once you kind of score your first goal or get your assist, I think you kind of settle down a little bit," Thornton said. "The more he's out there with us, I think you're going to see him get better and better."

Another hopeful, defenseman Mirco Mueller, will play his fourth preseason game as he was paired with Brent Burns in the morning skate. Other pairings were Scott Hannan with Taylor Fedun and Matt Irwin with Taylor Doherty. Antti Niemi will start in net for the Sharks.

Goalie Jonathan Quick and defenseman Drew Doughty, it appears, will make their preseason debuts tonight for the Kings.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.01.2014


San Jose Sharks shaky in exhibition loss to Los Angeles Kings

By Curtis Pashelka

Posted: 09/30/2014 10:24:23 PM PDT

SAN JOSE -- The regular season opener is a little over a week away. And Sharks coach Todd McLellan wants his team to start playing like it.

The Sharks struggled to get much going offensively after the first period and committed 22 giveaways in a 4-1 loss to the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday in the final home exhibition game of the year.

Joe Thornton scored the Sharks' lone goal early in the first period, but San Jose, with a number of veterans dressed to go with a handful of rookies, managed just 13 shots in the final 40 minutes.

The Sharks open the regular season Oct. 8 at Los Angeles.

"I thought there were some guys that were playing like it was an exhibition game, and I understand that happens, but we only have six-to-seven days to get ready," McLellan said. "They have to understand individually they have to be prepared to go. It's going to get cranked up a lot more than what we saw tonight."

Both the Sharks, who trimmed their training camp roster to 30 players Monday, and the Kings dressed a healthy amount of NHL regulars. The exceptions for San Jose included forwards Nikolay Goldobin, Chris Tierney and Barclay Goodrow, and defensemen Taylor Doherty, Mirco Mueller and Taylor Fedun.

Goldobin started the game on a line with Thornton and Tomas Hertl, and with four giveaways, didn't look quite as comfortable as he did earlier in the exhibition season. Tierney was on a line with Goodrow and Tommy Wingels, but Goodrow was later moved to a line with Logan Couture and Matt Nieto.

But several of San Jose's players -- rookies and veterans -- struggled at times, particularly in the second period when the Kings scored twice to take a 3-1 lead. Starting goalie Antti Niemi stopped 26 of 30 shots in the loss.

"I think maybe it's kind of a wake-up call for us," Couture said. "They're ready over there, and we're going to have to open up our season against them in seven or eight days. We better get going."

McLellan didn't get the end result he was looking for, but he may have found out a little more about some of the players still on San Jose's training camp roster.

"We learned a little more about (the younger players). We also learned a little more about some of the veterans, too," McLellan said. "Some of them played very well like we expected them to. A couple others fell off a little bit, with the size and the pace that L.A. threw at us, so it was a good test. Some passed, some didn't."

With the Sharks leading 1-0, the Kings got on the board with 11:17 left in the first period as Drew Doughty's wrist shot from just inside the blue line got past Niemi on the high glove side. Los Angeles took a 2-1 lead early in the second period as Jordan Nolan's shot went off Anze Kopitar right to Dustin Brown, who tipped it past Niemi.

Justin Williams and Dwight King also scored for the Kings, with King's third-period goal beating Niemi over the right shoulder on the short side.

Friday's exhibition

Sharks at Arizona, 7 p.m.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.01.2014


Goldobin to play with Thornton in Sharks preseason game vs. LA

Kevin Kurz September 30, 2014, 12:30 pm

SAN JOSE – Nikolay Goldobin may be just 18 years old, but he exudes the confidence of a seasoned veteran.

When the 2014 first round pick was asked if he expected to be in his first NHL training camp this late, with just eight days to go before the start of the regular season, he simply replied: “Yeah, of course.”

It sure seems like he’s got a chance to stick, too. Goldobin, who has one goal and three assists in three preseason games, will begin Tuesday’s tilt against Los Angeles on Joe Thornton’s right wing with Tomas Hertl on the left. There are just three preseason games remaining, so it’s probably fair to say that Goldobin could potentially be playing the Kings again in that spot next Wednesday, Oct. 8 at Staples Center.

“Anything is possible. We want to see him play another game or two,” Todd McLellan said.

Thornton likes what he’s seen from Goldobin so far, including the preseason opener one week ago in Stockton, when Goldobin got a look on his line late in that game.

“Good player. He has really good skill. So far he’s having a good camp,” Thornton said.

Along with the 20-year-old Hertl, Thornton could be playing with two guys that aren’t legally allowed to have a postgame beer. It’s not exactly new territory for the former captain, since Hertl played mostly on Thornton’s wing last season as a rookie and was leading all NHL first year players in scoring at the time of his Dustin Brown-induced knee injury on Dec. 19.

How does Thornton help the young Europeans along?

“Just lots of talk,” he said. “With Tomas, it was just lots of talk last year. I think Goldy will be the same thing, the more you communicate the more they feel comfortable, and that’s all you want to make them.”

The game is about more than Goldobin, of course, as he’s just one of a pack of youngsters trying to make the team out of camp. It looks like McLellan will start Chris Tierney between Barclay Goodrow and Tommy Wingels as the third line against the Kings.

“I’ve liked the Tierney-Goodrow-Wingels line, so we’d like to keep that together,” McLellan said. “The [Logan] Couture line (with Patrick Marleau and Matt Nieto) is going to play together, and we have pieces of what potentially could be a third or a fourth line playing, as well.”

Goodrow and Tierney, who have known each other since childhood, could be getting as much of a look as Goldobin.

“They seem to have a chemistry,” McLellan said. “They move the puck well, they’ve supported each other, they’ve been quick, they’ve found the back of the net, and they haven’t been a liability defensively. It’s been a pretty good recipe to this point.”

Tuesday marks the Sharks' final home preseason game. They wrap up Friday in Arizona and Saturday in Anaheim.

The opening night roster is still much too difficult to predict with 25 healthy skaters still in camp, but it seems more and more likely that some veteran players will be pushed out of the opening night lineup and perhaps off the team altogether.

McLellan said: “Our players aren’t dumb. They can count. They know there’s way too many people here right now, so they have to compete and play.”



Instant Replay: Sharks fall flat, Kings rally for 4-1 win


SAN JOSE – In their biggest test so far in the preseason, the Sharks fell flat against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night, losing 4-1.

The Sharks played their strongest lineup to date with both the Joe Thornton and Logan Couture lines suiting up, but also faced a Kings roster of mostly NHL players.

Each team scored once in the first, on goals by Thornton and Drew Doughty, but the Kings tallied twice in the second to take control.

Just 44 seconds into the middle frame, Jordan Nolan’s soft attempt towards the net deflected off of Anze Kopitar and landed in crease. Dustin Brown easily knocked it in, giving the Kings their first lead at 2-1.

Justin Williams increased LA’s cushion to two goals, when he got free at the side of the net after Scott Hannan and Taylor Fedun got crossed up. He easily flicked in a feed from Dwight King high over Antti Niemi at 16:17.

Niemi allowed all four goals, including a very stoppable shot by King at 12:08 of the third period, as King squeaked it inside the short side post.

The Sharks fell to 2-2-1 on the preseason. They wrap up their schedule this weekend in Arizona and Anaheim, before meeting the Kings at Staples Center on Oct. 8 for the season opener.

A pair of former Sharks first round draft picks got long looks different situations, as Nikolay Goldobin started on Joe Thornton’s line, while Mirco Mueller skated with Brent Burns on defense. Goldobin was later bumped to a line with Chris Tierney and Patrick Marleau, and finished scoreless in 15 minutes of ice time.

Mueller looked very comfortable if unspectacular, in playing nearly 21 minutes. He finished with a -2 rating, one shot on goal, a pair of hits and a blocked shot.

Tommy Wingels ended up playing in Goldobin’s original spot with Thornton and Tomas Hertl late in the game, a line that very well could be together for the opener, depending on where San Jose slots Joe Pavelski.

San Jose’s roster stands at 26 skaters, including the injured Tyler Kennedy (upper body).

The Sharks and Kings were playing in the preseason for the first time since 2009, when they met in a neutral site game in Bakersfield.

Special teams

Doughty’s first period goal came on the power play, as the Kings were 1-for-3. The Sharks failed on both of their advantages.

In goal

Niemi fell to 0-1-1 in the preseason, and has allowed five goals on 48 shots overall. He also had a few nervous moments behind the net playing the puck.

Quick was seeing his first action of the preseason after having wrist surgery in July. He made 16 saves on 17 shots before giving way to backup Martin Jones for the third period. Jones turned away all seven shots directed his way.

Lineup

Scratches for San Jose were Joe Pavelski, John Scott, Adam Burish, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Justin Braun, Eriah Hayes. Tyler Kennedy (upper body) and Jason Demers (undisclosed) also did not play.

Among the notable players sitting for Los Angeles were Marian Gaborik, Jeff Carter, Jarret Stoll and Tyler Toffoli.

Like Quick, Doughty was playing in his first game as well, after recovering from an upper body injury that caused him to miss the start of camp.



Rewind: Sharks not prepared in preseason loss to Kings


SAN JOSE – After facing a pair of weak, watered down lineups in their previous two preseason tilts, the pace and energy picked up big time when the Sharks hosted the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday at SAP Center.

The Kings were able to maintain their energy for most of their 4-1 win. Conversely, the Sharks were not, leaving some of their players and head coach a little concerned with just eight days to go before the regular season opener on Oct. 8 at Staples Center.

“They played a lot better than we did,” Logan Couture said. “We had a lot of good players in our lineup, we expected our team to play better. I think maybe it’s kind of a wake up call before the season started that they’re ready over there. We’re going to have to open up our season against them in eight days, so we better get going.”

[RECAP: Sharks fall flat, Kings rally for 4-1 win]

“That’s the pace and the game with limited space out there that we’re used to. We didn’t do the best job adapting to it,” Tommy Wingels said. “I think our game declined as it went on. It’s something we’ll have to improve on.”

Joe Thornton opened the scoring in just the game's second minute with his third preseason marker, but Los Angeles reeled off the next four to improve to 4-0-1. San Jose is 2-2-1.

Rightfully, though, no one was in full panic mode following the defeat. The Sharks are still giving some long looks to potential rookies in Mirco Mueller and Nikolay Goldobin, among others.

In fact, Mueller’s performance was perhaps the most encouraging development of the night from San Jose's perspective. Paired with Brent Burns, the 2013 first round pick looked calm and cool with and without the puck, and played on the power play and penalty kill during his 21 minutes and 19 seconds of ice time.

“I thought Mirco was fine. I thought he really played well,” Todd McLellan said. “He can skate. His legs got him out of trouble. He made good outlet passes.”

Goldobin, however, struggled. He started the night on Thornton’s line with Tomas Hertl, but appeared jittery with the puck against a Kings team that iced a mostly NHL-quality lineup. The slight 18-year-old had one shot on goal and was pegged with four giveaways, finishing the night on a line with fellow rookies Chris Tierney and Barclay Goodrow.

McLellan said: “I thought Goldy struggled a little bit tonight with the size, the speed, the pace. He’s a very dynamic player when he has the puck, and that 20 percent of his game where he’s creative and on offense is elite right now. The rest of the game has to get a little bit better. … But, he’s still capable of competing with this group.”

More roster cuts are expected by Friday, as McLellan and staff will review video and make some decisions. After each home game, the coach has had some lengthy meetings, likely discussing with his fellow coaches and management who to keep and who to jettison to Worcester (or elsewhere).

“We learned a little more about [the young players]. We also learned a little bit about some of the veterans, too. Some of them played very well, like we expected them to. A couple others fell off a little bit with the size and the pace that LA threw at us. It was a good test for them. Some passed, some didn’t.”

The Sharks will resume practice on Wednesday, leading up to their preseason games in Arizona on Friday and Anaheim on Saturday. After that, it’s Game On against the Kings again in what should be an emotional night for the home team, which will raise its second Stanley Cup banner in three seasons before puck drop.

In order to spoil their party, the Sharks will have to be much more energized than they were on Tuesday.

“It’s going to get cranked up a lot more than what we saw tonight,” McLellan said.


736976 St Louis Blues

Blues finally win first preseason game

4 hours ago • By TOM TIMMERMANN [email protected] 314-340-8190

Results of early preseason hockey games are meaningless by almost any standard. Half the players on the ice are targeted for juniors or the minors and are years away from being NHL ready. Teams are, almost literally, auditioning players for roles on special teams.

The second week is a different issue. The results still don’t matter, but the players on the ice are either targeted for the NHL or making a case for it. The level rises.

The Blues came into Tuesday night’s game as one of only three in the league still without a win (Colorado and Florida are the others), and while that isn’t terribly relevant, it had also gotten people’s attention. While the Blues are still very much in a building point in the season – this was Alexander Steen’s first competitive action, and Jaden Schwartz will make his debut Thursday – Tuesday night’s game was a step forward. The penalty-killing unit, which had allowed six goals in the first four games, put a clamp on Carolina and the defense in general kept things in order as the Blues beat the Hurricanes 3-1 at Scottrade Center.

“Win or lose, that was how we want to play,” said goalie Brian Elliott, who stopped 19 of 20 shots he faced. “It’s hard sometimes in preseason to get up for games that don’t mean too much, but the guys came out tonight and really battled, wanting to win that one and get on that positive path towards the beginning of the season here.”

“Obviously the first 25 minutes were what we’re looking for in the team,” coach Ken Hitchcock said. “Today was the most organized we were.”

The lineup Hitchcock put on the ice Tuesday is the closest to the one he’ll have on opening day so far this preseason. Only four of the players, wingers Peter Mueller and Robby Fabbri and defensemen Nate Prosser and Petteri Lindbohm, are on the bubble. The other 16 players who suited up look to safely be in the "Yes" column when the roster decisions are made.

David Backes, Joakim Lindstrom and Vladimir Tarasenko scored for the Blues, with Backes’ goal coming on a five-on-three power play on a play that they had worked on in practice that morning. For Tarasenko, it was his fourth goal in three preseason games, which tied him for the most in the NHL so far. His goal, which came at the end of a picture-perfect three-on-two with Alex Pietrangelo and Jori Lehtera, only looked like something you would run in practice.

“For sure, every guy cares about himself,” Tarasenko said, “but I never score in the preseason and it’s so nice to score here in Scottrade. But it’s only preseason and when the season starts, nobody cares about your goals in the preseason. So I need to keep working. We have our first win today this year, so we need to keep building a good team and have a nice year.”

The Blues allowed Carolina no goals (and just five shots on goal) in 10 minutes with a man advantage, and Carolina seldom threatened.

“It was clicking on full cylinders there,” Elliott said. “The biggest problem (in other games) is we weren’t getting pucks down to the end of the ice. We did that almost flawlessly tonight. So it’s encouraging. We have to keep going with that. The coaches challenged us with that, and we answered the bell with the forwards and D working together and I mopped up a couple of easy ones.”

“What I liked about the PK was our compete level on the puck,” Hitchcock said. “This is the first time we used the personnel we normally use. It’s amazing. Even though people play in the National Hockey League, the difference between how we kill penalties and the way other teams kill penalties leads to hesitation. I think we were guilty of really hesitating killing penalties and we got killed because of it.”

The first period seemed to fly by, in part because of a stretch of 8 minutes, 59 seconds between whistles at one stretch. The Blues killed an early Carolina power play and two Hurricanes penalties in the closing 30 seconds gave the Blues 1 minute, 38 seconds of 5-on-3 play to start the second period.

That created a rarity for the Blues this season: a lead. In their first four games, the Blues led for just a total of 55 seconds. Thirty-three seconds into the second period, Backes deflected a shot from the blue line by Kevin Shattenkirk to put the Blues ahead 1-0.

Carolina, meanwhile, went 12 minutes, 19 seconds between shots on goal, but 11 seconds after it finally got one through, it tied the score with 14:01 to go in the period, with Ryan Murphy scoring through traffic off a faceoff.

Carolina didn’t produce many more chances after that, and late in the period, it kept the Blues from getting the puck out of their own zone. Finally, Steen got it out, skated the length of the ice and from the right faceoff circle, flicked it at Carolina goalie Cam Ward, with the puck going in off Lindstrom. The goal was initially credited to Steen, just as the first goal had been.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.01.2014


Gainey joins Blues as consultant

3 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford [email protected] 314-444-7135

Ken Hitchcock will have a Hockey Hall of Famer as a sounding board this season.

In a move that the Blues are keeping semi-quiet — in fact, they may not even make a public announcement — Bobby Gainey has been added to the organization as a consultant.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992, Gainey won five Stanley Cups playing for the Montreal Canadiens and another as the general manager of the Dallas Stars.

Gainey, 60, agreed to join the Blues at the request of GM Doug Armstrong, whose relationship with him dates back to the early 1990s with the Minnesota North Stars and continued when the team moved to Dallas, and Ken Hitchcock, who was coach of the Stars when the club won the Cup in 1999.

“Doug and I mentioned that if he wanted to have a little bit of stake in the game, would he be interested in helping the coaches out,” Hitchcock said. “He took some time to think about it, then he came back and said, ‘Sure.’ We’re awful grateful that he’s able to do it, but he wants to do it on a low-key basis and he wants to do it big-picture.

“He’s not going to be around daily and he’s going to do it sometime from distance. Him and I work well that way. He was such a good fresh set of eyes (in Dallas). He would see roles for guys having an impact on us winning hockey games that were maybe little bit different than we were thinking and gave us pause for thought, which was very, very helpful.”

Hitchcock joked that he was told the Blues are not going to “hog” Gainey.

The plan is for him to work with both the Blues and the Chicago Wolves, the team’s top affiliate in the American Hockey League.

In fact, Hitchcock said that Gainey’s biggest influence might end up being with the Blues’ AHL prospects.

“With us, he’s just going to observe things that are going on our own team,” Hitchcock said. “We’ll probably talk on a weekly basis just on review and what he sees from our own team and what he sees from the opposition and where he sees the conference at.

“He’ll be a little more interactive with the players maybe in Chicago, watching them, observing them and working with the coaches there.”

But no doubt the franchise as a whole will benefit from the presence of Gainey, who had 239 points and 501 points in 1,160 regular-season games and 25 goals and 73 points in 182 playoff games, all with the Canadiens.

“He’s a very unique guy because he’s had the experience of being a player at a high level, being a leader at a high level and then both being a coach and a manager,” Hitchcock said.

BLUENOTES

The Blues resume their preseason schedule Thursday against Minnesota at Scottrade Center. Jake Allen is expected to start that game, with Brian Elliott scheduled to get the nod Saturday in Minnesota.

• Hitchcock said that the next round of roster cuts likely won’t come until after Thursday’s game.

• Patrik Berglund played left wing on a line with center David Backes and right winger T.J. Oshie, a group that has a strong potential to start the season together.



Blues' Steen is ready for first preseason action

15 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford [email protected] 314-444-7135

Forward Alexander Steen didn't play in the Blues' first two preseason games and then after a minor setback that occurred during a team scrimmage, he was held out of the last two for precautionary reasons.

But Steen will be all set to go tonight when the Blues (0-3-1 in exhibition play) will host the Carolina Hurricanes at 7 p.m. at Scottrade Center.

"I'm looking forward to it very much so," Steen said Tuesday morning. "You always need a few games. It's completely different to practicing, and the regular-season games are completely different to the exhibition games. So you need these to kind of ramp up. The exhibition games are usually a little sloppier, but usually high-paced, so you tend to find your timing quickly."

Steen, who led the Blues with a career-high 33 goals last season, will be playing on a line with Paul Stastny and Joakim Lindstrom tonight. The line appears to have developed some cohesive chemistry in camp.

"That's going to be fun playing with 'Stas' and 'Lindy,'" Steen said. "But the same thing there, it's different in practice, where there's set drills. Once you get out on the ice in an exhibition game, you've kind of got read the play - everybody uses their hockey sense - and you get a different feel."

***

TONIGHT'S LINEUP

Forwards

Patrik Berglund-David Backes-T.J. Oshie

Alexander Steen-Paul Stastny-Joakim Lindstrom

Robby Fabbri-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko

Peter Mueller-Dmitrij Jaskin-Magnus Paajarvi

Defensemen

Jay Bouwmeester-Kevin Shattenkirk

Petteri Lindbohm-Alex Pietrangelo

Barret Jackman-Nate Prosser

Goalies

Brian Elliott

Jake Allen

***

GAINEY JOINS BLUES

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has a relationship with NHL Hall of Famer Bob Gainey that goes back to their days with the Minnesota North Stars. Armstrong, along with Ken Hitchcock, then both worked with Gainey in Dallas, after the North Stars moved there.

This summer, the two spoke with the former Montreal Canadiens' star and five-time Stanley Cup champion about joining the organization as a team consult. In a coup for the organization that was initiated this summer, but still has been made official publicly, Gainey accepted.

"Doug and I mentioned that if he wanted to have a little bit of stake in the game, would he be interested in helping the coaches out," Hitchcock said. "He took some time to think about it, then he came back and said, 'Sure.'

"We're awful grateful that he's able to do it, but he wants to do it on a low-key basis and he wants to do it big-picture. He's not going to be around daily and he's going to do it sometime from distance. Him and I work well that way."

The plan is for Gainey, 60, to work with both the Blues and the Chicago Wolves. In fact, Hitchcock said Gainey's biggest influence might end up being with the Blues' AHL prospects.

I'll have more on Gainey's hiring, including comments from Armstrong, as soon as possible.

***

ODDS & ENDS

- Hitchcock said that more rosters cuts likely wouldn't come until after Thursday's game against Minnesota.

- Brian Elliott will start tonight's game, Jake Allen will meet the Wild Thursday and Elliott will return to the net Saturday against the Wild.

- It appears that Patrik Berglund might have found a home, at least early in the season, on a line with David Backes and T.J. Oshie. Hitchcock said he'll start the year there.



Hockey Guy: Coaches narrow focus as real games loom

18 hours ago • By Jeff Gordon [email protected]

There has been enough fooling around in this NHL preseason. With the real games beginning next week, teams are returning their prospects to junior hockey or the minor leagues and getting serious with the preparation.

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock found something he liked with David Backes centering Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie. That grouping could open the season.

Hitchcock is glad to get winger Jaden Schwartz back. Now he can zero in on some of the other player combinations he wants to use early this season.

Schwartz isn't in tonight's lineup, but he will get some work in before the regular season begins. This game could be a big one for roster hopeful Joakim Lindstrom, who will play with Paul Stastny and Alexander Steen.

Can Lindstrom add some scoring depth this season? Or will he be headed back to Europe to continue his career there?

Hitchcock is not the only NHL coach eager to get down to the real business. Here is a look around the league.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is eager to see his veterans improve. Pavel Datsyuk came out flying before suffering a shoulder injury that will sideline him into the regular season. Babcock has loved the work of youngsters Riley Sheahan, Tomas Tatar and Tomas Jurco -- but that's about it. "The other group hasn't gotten anything done at all," he told reporters. "Let's be honest, Sheahan or Pav's groups, they've won all their games. The other group is 0-for." So Babcock will hold on to some younger players for a while longer.

New Hurricanes coach Bill Peters is still searching for a No. 2 center with Jordan Staal likely to miss much of the season with his broken leg. That process continues tonight at Scottrade Center against the Blues. Most recently Riley Nash has been in that slot, flanked by 30-goal scorer Jeff Skinner and elite prospect Elias Lindholm. That trio plays together tonight. Youngsters Victor Rask could graduate into that role, as could Lindholm. Meanwhile top center Eric Staal could enter the season with familiar linemates Alexander Semin and Jiri Tlusty.

New Canucks coach Willie Desjardins was hoping that job competition for second-, third- and fourth-line jobs would create more urgency for this group. There wasn't much of that during a 4-2 loss to the Coyotes. “They outworked us and that’s a concern,” Desjardins told reporters. “I don’t think it was quickness. We need a better effort if we’re going to win. This is probably the first real test we’ve had with a lot of NHL guys in for the other team and we weren’t good enough for sure." Other than No. 2 center Nick Bonino and agitator Derek Dorsett, nobody in the supporting cast jumped out lately.

New Predators coach Peter Laviolette is trying to work his team out of a 0-for-19 power-play rut. Look for Olli Jokinen to play a key role with his net front presence for Nashville's assortment of hard-shooting defensemen. "Usually the first sign is chances and opportunities," Laviolette told the Tennessean. "We're in the zone. We're getting looks. It's not dropping right now. But, typically for me, when you start to get the looks and the chances and they're not dropping, the next thing to happen from there is results."

Stars coach Lindy Ruff was vexed by his team's poor start in a 5-4 victory over Florida. “The way we started, for me, we weren’t ready to put the work in,” Ruff told reporters. “Mentally, we weren’t sharp. I think we went offsides five times in the first period and that, for me, is one of the things you can control in the game. That was lazy on the part of the players. I didn’t like that part of the game and we addressed that after the first period. I didn’t think our 'D' went back hard enough when our goaltender was playing the puck tonight at the start of the game. That got us in trouble. Once the second period started, our structure was better and we started skating better.” Among the things Ruff is experimenting with: deploying center Tyler Seguin on the power-play point, opposite Trevor Daley.

Flyers coach Craig Berube was most displeased with his team's 6-3 loss to the Rangers Monday night. “It’s the defending part of the game,” Berube told reporters. “We've got to check better. That’s the bottom line.” Goaltender Steve Mason got lit up for all six goals. On the positive side, the

team will get a lift from the return of top center Claude Giroux, who back from his lower-body injury.

Coyotes coach Dave Tippett gave newcomer Sam Gagner a long look at center. Now he wants to see what he can do at right wing, perhaps on a line with Martin Hanzal and Martin Erat. Meanwhile St. Louisan Joe Vitale continued his impressive preseason by scoring a goal and adding an assist during that 4-2 victory at Vancouver.

Capitals coach Barry Trotz has a big hole in the No. 2 center slot. He may be forced to use Brooks Laich there, which is a stretch. But at least Laich embraces the defensive challenges of that role. "I like the hustle of the center ice position," he told the Washington Post. "I like the intelligence of the position. Just would’ve liked to create a few more chances. After the hit in the second period, limited the legs a bit and slowed down my game offensively. I’d like another crack at it.”

AROUND THE RINKS: The Red Wings will take a stab at signing Babcock to a contract extension before the season starts. The Ilitch family will dig deep because Babcock would be in high demand as a free agent . . . The Penguins are getting healthier little by little. Pascal Dupuis returned to active duty after finally recovering from repairs . . . The Blue Jackets have lost key forwards Nathan Horton (degenerative back injury) and Boone Jenner (broken hand), so expect some urgency in negotiations with free agent center Ryan Johansen . . . It probably didn't help Johansen that Torey Krug agreed to a bargain one-year deal in Boston to set the stage for a bigger deal down the road.


736980 Tampa Bay Lightning

Transition complete with installation of Amalie Arena sign

By TBO.com staff

Workers today are putting the final touches on the transition of the Tampa Bay Times Forum to Amalie Arena.

A week after the Forum's name was removed from the downtown Tampa arena, workers began installing the “Amalie Arena” sign on the west side of the building.

Tampa-based Amalie Oil Co. has taken over the naming rights for the arena, the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Storm and other concerts and entertainment events.

Forum signs started coming down around the outside of the building last week.

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 10.01.2014


Bolts notes: Team nursing injuries as regular season nears

By Erik Erlendsson

ESTERO — A little more than a week before the regular season gets underway, the Tampa Bay Lightning are dealing with a few injuries.

LW Jonathan Drouin is in the second week of missing time with a fractured right thumb while LW Brenden Morrow is nursing a sore back that first popped up on Monday when he left practice early.

“I woke up stiff (Monday), I’m not sure what set it off,’’ Morrow said. “We tried to loosen it up, but it just never really got any better, so it’s better to let it try and settle down.’’

Morrow said it felt a little better on Tuesday and he did take part in the morning skate at Germain Arena, but will not fly with the team to Dallas, where he was hoping to have the chance to play after having previously serving as captain for the Stars. Morrow has only been back to American Airlines Center once as a visiting player once since he left Dallas at the trade deadline in 2013.

“It’s still kind of an awkward feeling being in that away locker room, so I’d like to get back there a few more times as that starts to get to be more comfortable,’’ Morrow said.

Drouin, meanwhile, continues to skate on his own to keep his conditioning up and was on the ice with the rest of the team on Tuesday wearing a red no-contact jersey, though he did not take part in any of the drills. Originally diagnosed with a fracture suffered on Sept. 18 and expected to be out 3-4 weeks, Drouin hopes to be ready for the start of the regular season on Oct. 9 against Florida.

“That’s my goal, and if that doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen,’’ Drouin said. “It feels better, still a little bit of pain, but we are going in the right direction. We have a couple more weeks to go here, and I’m sure it will feel good by then. It’s hard to be at practice and I want to be in the games right now, so it’s a little bit frustrating, but I can’t push it right now. We don’t want to rush anything.’’

Game lineup

Tampa Bay will leave captain C Steven Stamkos, RW Ryan Callahan, D Victor Hedman, D Anton Stralman, Morrow and Drouin behind when the team heads to Dallas for the fourth of six preseason games.

The lines run at the morning skate were: Alex Killorn-Valtteri Filppula-Brett Connolly, Ondrej Palat-Tyler Johnson-Brett Connolly, Jonathan Marchessault-Vladislav Namestnikov-Nikita Kucherov, Cedric Paquette-Brian Boyle-J.T. Brown.

The Lightning are expected to take seven defensemen to Dallas, and head coach Jon Cooper hinted on Monday that the team could dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards in at least one of the remaining preseason games.

Youth is served

In the first two preseason games this season, goalies Andrei Vasilevskiy and Kristers Gudlevskis got the call to play the full game before they were assigned to Syracuse over the weekend.

But in their action, the pair who figure to make up the tandem in the American Hockey League this season, the duo showed strong outings.

“It’s fun to see that we have that kind of depth,’’ goaltending coach Frantz Jean said.



Bolts dominate Stars 5-1

By Erik Erlendsson

DALLAS – Tampa Bay rolled into the final week of the preseason with a dominant 5-1 victory against Dallas at American Airlines Center on Tuesday.

Richard Panik, Nikita Kucherov, J.T. Brown, Brett Connolly and Cedric Paquette all scored for Tampa Bay, which improved to 3-1 in the preseason. Goaltender Ben Bishop stopped 21 shots in his first full game of action.

“I felt good, it felt nice to get in a full game and get used to that,” said Bishop, who is coming off wrist surgery this summer. “The wrist feels pretty good, shooting the puck and everything it really isn’t an issue right now, it’s more getting the body back into full game mode.”

Vladislav Namestnikov had a pair of assists while Connolly and Paquette each finished with two points. Former Lightning goaltender Anders Lindback started the game for Dallas and finished with 28 saves.

Tampa Bay played without captain Steven Stamkos along Ryan Callahan and top defensive pairing Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman.

“I’m really pleased with how this game turned out,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “It’s not so much the score, but we held a pretty good offensive team to under 25 shots and that is something we are looking to improve on ... make sure we can kind of shut the door. And I liked the way the game ended score-wise in the sense that we won the third period.”

The Lightning jumped on the scoreboard early when Paquette took a hit at center ice to get the puck in the Dallas zone. Jonathan Marchessault chased down the free puck, pulled up inside the right circle and sent a backhand shot toward the net that deflected off a Dallas defender and off Lindback right onto the stick of Panik who scored his first preseason goal 37 seconds into the game.

The lead help up through the end of the first period before Brown made it a 2-0 game with a shorthanded goal. Lindback came out high in the Stars zone to play a puck above the circles and had his pass attempt intercepted by Brown, who was able to settle the puck down and score into the vacated net at 7:39. Kucherov would score his third of the preseason with a power play goal at 14:05, firing a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle off a pass from Namestnikov to increase the lead to 3-0.

Jamie Benn would pull one back for Dallas at 14:05, but Paquette scored 2:30 into the third period to regain the three-goal lead for Tampa Bay. Brett Connolly would make it 5-1 at 7:04 of the third with his first goal of the preseason, putting a wrist shot under the arms of Lindback.

“It felt good, and I thought I had more chances the first two games and they just didn’t go in, so it was nice to see that one go in,” Connolly said of his first preseason goal. “I thought the team played well. We competed and there are a lot of guys in here competing for jobs, and there is a lot of character in here. It’s good to see us come out and play so well against a team that had a lot of skill.”



It’s getting close to crunch time for wannabe Bolts

By Erik Erlendsson

DALLAS — The time to shine is now.

As the start of the regular season begins to peek above the horizon, the final week of preparation for some means the difference between sticking around in the Sunshine State or having the sun set on their immediate NHL plans.

After surviving the first round of cuts, those on the bubble know this is no time to start patting themselves on the back for making it to this point.

“It was hard work at the beginning, and it’s just going to get harder,’’ right wing Jonathan Marchessault said. “I know I have to step it up and just keep going like my (first) two games.’’

After picking up an assist on Richard Panik’s goal 37 seconds into Tuesday’s game at Dallas, Marchessault has three goals and four points in his first three games. He has yet to stick around an NHL training camp for this long in his three pro seasons with the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets, but he’s one of a handful of players remaining in camp who have warranted the chance to get a closer look, not only for a possible roster spot coming out of training camp, but in the inevitable call-up situation that will arise at some point during the season.

And Lightning coach Jon Cooper said that despite some unexpected names in that group, none of them need to be viewed as surprises to still be with the team.

“Everybody that is here has earned their way,’’ Cooper said. “I think if you took a group of 35 guys, any of those guys could be here right now, but you have to get down to 23 at some point, and we felt in chopping the numbers down early was the way to do it so we could get some cohesiveness with the numbers.

“But there are spots open, and the guys in there know it. We have competition inside that locker room, and this is the week to get after it.’’

So the race is on for the likes of Cedric Paquette, Vladislav Namestnikov and defenseman Luke Witkowski, along with Marchessault, to try to make a strong enough impression in the final week of camp to convince the coaches and management staff they deserve one of the few spots available on the season-opening roster, which must be submitted to the league by Tuesday.

With the final stretch of games expected to come against stronger competition on the opposing teams, the road gets tougher. Now is not the time to change anything.

“Nothing is going to change, they have kept me on this far, so whatever I’ve been doing has impressed them, so I just want to keep doing the same thing,’’ said Witkowski, who is in his second year as a pro after four years at Western Michigan University. “Up to this point, this has all been a bonus, I’m still learning, still developing. My goal is to play in this league, but every year the coaches keep telling me to keep playing simple and the let the game come to me, and that’s made it a lot easier on myself. And I’m enjoying every minute of it.’’

For a player such as Paquette, who earned his first call-up at the end of last season and got his first preseason point with an assist Tuesday, he knows what the coaches expect out of him if he is to find his name on the roster come next week.

“I just want to prove to them that I want to make the team, and I’ll do whatever it takes and play my game like they like,’’ Paquette said.



Lightning's Jason Garrison settles into new surroundings

Joe Smith, Tuesday, September 30, 2014 9:48pm

DALLAS — Turns out, Jason Garrison is versatile at the blue line — and on the red carpet.

The new Lightning defenseman joined actor girlfriend Katie Cassidy (Arrow, Taken) last month at New York Fashion Week, catching a few shows and after parties. One day he went stylish with a tux, the next day a simple T-shirt, jeans and a cap.

"I actually enjoy it," Garrison said. "And I kind of have a sort of interest in that kind of stuff. So it was a good little weekend getaway."

Garrison, 29, brings a fresh look to the Tampa Bay defense. The Lightning was pleasantly surprised it could acquire him from Vancouver for a second-round pick on Day 1 of the June draft.

In Garrison, who is 6 feet 2, 218 pounds, the Lightning has another steady, stay-at-home defenseman who can move the puck, play hard in the corners and log a lot of minutes. He can play in all situations, with his booming left-handed shot a boon for the second power play unit.

"That guy has a knee-breaker shot," assistant coach Steve Thomas said. "He's got a bomb."

Though Garrison, a White Rock, B.C. native, was initially stung to get traded by his hometown Canucks after just two seasons, he has enjoyed the bay area and fit right in with the Lightning. Tampa Bay has him under contract through 2017-18 (with a $4.6 million annual cap hit).

"It feels like home," he said.

Garrison grew up in White Rock, a small community on British Columbia's coast, roughly an hour from Vancouver.

He played rugby, basketball and volleyball, since his high school didn't have hockey or football, and found a passion for snowboarding. It wasn't until his years in midget ranks that Garrison put his full attention on hockey, though he "never thought it'd be possible" to play in the NHL.

"I'm very fortunate," he said.

Garrison realized he had a rocket slap shot at 15, playing roller hockey with friends.

"I remember having a shot that came from nowhere," he said. "I was like, 'Holy smokes,' this is good to have."

Garrison's shot is so heavy, former Canucks (and Lightning) coach John Tortorella had him use a "half-shot" in practices. He has been careful in Tampa Bay camp, too. "I don't think I'll be taking any kind of shot when (captain Steven Stamkos) is playing high wing," Garrison quipped.

Garrison's shot has served him well, including a career-high 16 goals with the Panthers in 2011-12. He signed with Florida as an undrafted free agent in 2008 after three seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The Lightning coveted Garrison for years, trying to sign him when he was a free agent in 2012; he chose a six-year deal with Vancouver.

"It was very close," Garrison said. "It was a crazy day. At the time, my mentality was, it didn't work out in Florida, so I wanted a complete change of scenery, re-start this whole thing."

Garrison enjoyed his time in Vancouver. But the Canucks, wanting to free up some salary, asked him to waive his no-trade clause. Still, he has fond memories of his time at home.

"There's a lot of cool things guys don't get to experience,' he said. "Obviously I met a lot of great people, on that team there are some of my closest friends. Those are a couple years I'll never forget."

•••

In Vancouver, Garrison met Cassidy, 27, who was filming there two years ago.

They both have demanding schedules — and plenty of travel — but Garrison said he has seen Cassidy in action. He was impressed how she and other actors memorize lines and "can become someone totally different" in character.

But with Garrison acknowledging Cassidy's business is more "worldwide" than his, it's easy to tell who gets noticed more by strangers when they're walking together on the street.

"It definitely ranges," Garrison said with a smile. "In Vancouver, it might be more me, but that might be the only place."

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 10.01.2014


Jonathan Drouin back on ice in first step toward return

Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 11:07pm

DALLAS — Lightning wing prospect Jonathan Drouin has been encouraged by progress with his fractured right thumb, making a small step Tuesday of taking the ice for practice in a red (no-contact) jersey.

Though Drouin, 19, is still limited — he watched most drills Tuesday — he hopes to be ready by the regular-season opener, Oct. 9 against the Panthers.

"I'm feeling better," he said. "There's still a little bit of pain, but we're going in the right direction. A couple weeks left and I'm sure I'll be fine by then. Progress has been really good."

Drouin, the No. 3 overall pick in 2013, injured his thumb on a freak fall on the ice the eve of Tampa Bay's first training camp practice (Sept. 18). Expected to miss 3-4 weeks, Drouin kept his conditioning up by skating on his own since, resisting the temptation not to try to push it when it comes to shooting.

"I want the home opener to be my goal," Drouin said. "If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. We've got a lot of time left to see what's going to go on with this, not going to rush anything."

Back it up: Veteran LW Brenden Morrow was limited for the second straight day with a stiff back, which he felt waking up Monday. Morrow, considered day to day, said he felt a little better but it's "still there." He wanted to play in another preseason game, especially Tuesday in Dallas, considering he is a former long-time Stars captain who got traded at the 2013 deadline. He has been back only once since.

"It's still kind of an awkward feeling being in that away locker room," Morrow said. "So I'd like to get there a few more times so it becomes comfortable."

C Steven Stamkos, D Victor Hedman, D Anton Stralman, D Matt Carle and RW Ryan Callahan also did not make the trip to Dallas Tuesday. Stamkos said he would golf for the second straight day; the team golfed together Monday and watched the Patriots-Chiefs game, part of their bonding on this trip.

Game details: The Lightning beat the Stars 5-1. G Ben Bishop stopped 21 of 22 shots, saying his wrist wasn't an issue. "This whole game, I felt like it was midseason," Bishop said. "I'm ready to go." C Jonathan Marchessault (assist, five shots), C Cedric Paquette (goal, assist) and C Vladislav Namestnikov (two assists) continued their strong preseason. "Guys are making it tough on us," coach Jon Cooper said. "It goes to show, we've got some nice depth here." RW Richard Panik, RW J.T. Brown (shorthanded), RW Nikita Kucherov, and RW Brett Connolly also scored against former Lightning G Anders Lindback. LW Ondrej Palat had six hits.

Taking steps: Assistant Steve Thomas praised Paquette. "I love his grit, his determination, playing with a little snot on his sleeve so to speak," Thomas said.

Thomas also noted the added strength of Namestnikov. "It was obvious," Thomas said. "You can see it. Just watching him on the power play and battling for pucks in corners, he's a different guy than he was last year. Last year he got knocked off the puck quite easily, and this year he's not."

Miscellany: iHeartMedia Tampa Bay announced a three-year deal to have games on WFLA 970-AM through 2016-17.



Injured Drouin still hopeful for home opener

Joe SmithJoe Smith, Times Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 12:02pm

Lightning touted wing prospect Jonathan Drouin has been encouraged by the progress with his fractured right thumb, making a small step Tuesday of taking the ice for practice in a red (non-contact) jersey.

Though Drouin is still limited - he watched most of the drills Tuesday - he's still hopeful he'll be ready by the opener Oct. 9 against the Panthers.

"I'm feeling better," he said. "There's still a little bit of pain, but we're going in the right direction. A couple weeks left and I'm sure I'll be fine by then. Progress has been really good."

Drouin, the No. 3 overall pick in 2013, injured his thumb on a freak fall on the ice the eve of Tampa Bay's first training camp practice (Sept. 18). He's kept his conditioning up skating on his own since, resisting the temptation not to try to push it when it comes to shooting. Drouin said it's been hard to watch the games, and a bit "frustrating," but likes where he's at.

"I want the home opener to be my goal," Drouin said. "If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. But that's around those days I'm thinking (of coming back). We've got a lot of time left to see what's going to go on with this, not going to rush anything obviously."

Assistant Steve Thomas said once Drouin is ready, he'll be a "big part" of their lineup.

Drouin said the plan for him is to skate in the red jersey the next few days in Estero, admitting he's bummed he can't join teammates on their golf outings down here.

"That's sad too," he said.

More from today's skate: G Ben Bishop is expected to play most, if not all, tonight's game in net against Dallas; that would mean G Evgeni Nabokov would probably play his full game Thursday and the two would split Saturday's exhibition finale...LW Brendan Morrow was limited for the second straight day due to a tight back, which he first felt waking up Monday morning. Morrow, considered day-to-day, said he felt a little better today but it's "still there." He wanted to play in another exhibition game, especially tonight in Dallas, considering he is a former long-time Stars captain. "I've only been there once (as a visitor)," Morrow said. "I broke my foot at the end of last year and didn't get to play that game. It's still kind of an awkward feeling being in that away lockeroom so I'd like to get there a few more times so it becomes comfortable."... Other than Morrow, C Steven Stamkos, D Victor Hedman, D Anton Stralman and RW Ryan Callahan are among those who won't play tonight. Stamkos said he's taking the opportunity to go golfing for a second straight day. Stamkos said the team golfed yesterday afternoon and watched the Monday Night Football Game together, part of the bonding of this Estero trip...Assistant Steve Thomas praised C Cedric Paquette, who is in a battle for a roster spot but impressed late last season. "I love his grit, his determination, playing with a little snot on his sleeve so to speak," Thomas said. "Our team is much better when we have a little bit more grit and when you play with grit like he does that makes us a harder team to play against.".. Thomas also noted the improvement in strength of C Vladislav Namestnikov. "It was obvious," Thomas said. "You can see it. Just watching him on the power play and battling for pucks in corners, he's a different guy than he was last year. Last year he got knocked off the puck quite easily, and this year he's not."


736987 Toronto Maple Leafs

Brandon Kozun looks to make big splash with Leafs

By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Tue Sep 30 2014

From Theoren Fleury to Cliff Ronning to Brian Gionta to Brendan Gallagher, the NHL has had its share of small players who bucked the odds and challenged traditional thinking that you have to be big to make it the NHL.

Now the Maple Leafs have Brandon Kozun, a five-foot-eight speedster who is turning heads at camp and giving himself his first true shot at NHL employment with physical play on top of his quickness.

“I’m a small guy,” said the 24-year-old Kozun. “But I want to play big.”

Kozun is among the 29 Maple Leafs enjoying some bonding time in Collingwood before final cuts come in the last week of camp. He is on the bubble, to be sure, one of 18 forwards hoping to land one of 13 or 14 spots, along with the likes of Josh Leivo, William Nylander, Carter Ashton, Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren.

“I’m just trying to get better every day,” said Kozun. “We’ll see where it goes. So far, so good.”

Like the smaller players who came before him, he doesn’t take no for an answer. And if you tell him he can’t do something, he’ll just go out and do it anyway, just to prove you wrong.

“The one thing I like about him is he has a chip on his shoulder and he wants to prove everybody wrong for all the right reasons,” says Dave Lowry, Kozun’s coach for three of his four years in major junior.

“The issue has always been his size and can he do it at the next level. We brought him into our team (the Calgary Hitmen) and he was the most dynamic player at that time in the league. He doesn’t take no for an answer. He goes to the areas to score.”

Kozun was a sixth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2009, after he’d scored 40 goals and 68 assists for the Hitmen. He won the WHL scoring championship in 2010 and represented Canada on its silver-medal winning world junior team.

Kozun took to heart Lowry’s advice when he was drafted: “Prove the guys right that drafted you, prove the guys wrong that overlooked you. The biggest challenge after getting drafted is how you handle it, how you advance your career. Every day you have to prove you belong.”

Kozun continued scoring in the AHL with the Kings’ top farm team, the Manchester Monarchs. Last season, the Leafs sent prospect Andrew Crescenzi to the Kings for Kozun, who continued scoring for the Marlies.

“I don’t think you can expect him to step in here and be an offensive force,” says Leafs coach Randy Carlyle. “He has to get comfortable in a role. He is a speedster and he’s a smart hockey player.”

Carlyle has repeatedly talked up Kozun; he likes his speed and the fact he can be an offensive threat. Carlyle’s concern is whether Kozun can get around NHL defencemen, who are bigger and faster and smarter than AHL defencemen.

So far, Kozun has fit in. Carlyle has given him a role with the penalty killers where his speed can be an effective tool. While the Leafs allowed two power play goals by Detroit on eight chances on Monday night, Kozun was not on the ice for any goals against.

And when Matt Frattin’s game went south, Kozun took over Frattin’s job on the top line with Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk.

Lowry, now coach of the Victoria Royals, had a long NHL career and remembers playing with Ronning, likening Ronning’s path with that of Kozun’s. Ronning played 1,137 NHL games and 20 seasons in the NHL.

“Cliff Ronning was told he was too small, couldn’t play in the NHL,” says Lowry. “He left for a year, went to Italy, came back and had a real successful career.”

Lowry says there’s no shame or no surprise that Kozun couldn’t crack the Kings’ powerful lineup.

“You look at that organization — they’ve been one of the best teams in the National Hockey League,” said Lowry. “It’s a tough lineup to crack. He was a victim of the organization he was in.

“He changes organizations, and with that comes opportunity. You hope he takes advantage of his opportunity.”

Toronto Star LOADED: 10.01.2014


Toronto Maple Leafs start Collingwood retreat with paintball fun

By: Mark Zwolinski Sports reporter, Published on Tue Sep 30 2014

The Toronto Maple Leafs spent their first day in Collingwood in meetings and on the paintball field.

“Everything we’re doing up here gives the players the opportunity to get to know each other more off the ice as opposed to on it,” Leafs assistant coach Steve Spott said.

Every player, including the injured Cody Franson and David Clarkson, made the trip that started Tuesday with group meetings where players “got the chance to put their voice in on what they feel our hockey club should be,” Spott added.

Toronto brought in nine new players in the off season and had at least seven young players make big impacts during training camp.

The idea behind the three-day Collingwood retreat was “team building,” but that included a little fun in the form of a paintball outing.

Spott said Clarkson is still hopeful to skate with the team by the end of the week, while Franson is “day to day” with a bruised knee.

Spott also said the Leafs will use their last pre-season game — at home Friday night against Detroit – as a final evaluation tool before making final cuts to the roster, which stands at 29 players and must get down to 23.

That game is especially important to the younger players in camp, including Brandon Kozun, Stuart Percy, and Korbinian Holzer.

“The good thing about that is the players have made it difficult for the coaching staff to make those decisions,” Spott said.

“We will take Friday’s game as a final evaluation to get to the final number to open the season.”

Toronto opens their season Oct. 8 at home against Montreal.

Toronto Star LOADED: 10.01.2014


Leafs' injured Clarkson 'won't change' his game

By Rob Longley, Toronto Sun

First posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 11:21 AM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 01:15 PM EDT

TORONTO - An upbeat David Clarkson was able to find some good news in the second derailment of his time in a Maple Leafs training camp.

About the broken orbital bone obtained from the left fist of Sabres enforcer Cordy McCormick last Friday, the Toronto winger took a positive spin based on the response of those close to him.

“My buddies are saying I didn’t go down and my daughter said I look OK,” Clarkson said in his first interview since the injury. “So I guess that’s the two plusses I’ll take out of it.”

Leafs coach Randy Carlyle doesn’t have such a rosy outlook, suggesting that there are times when players need to “turn the other cheek.” Clarkson, of course, is looking to rebound from an awful first season as a Maple Leaf.

The real plus for the 30-year-old Toronto native is that he should be back on the ice later this week and is expecting to be in Carlyle’s opening-night lineup next Wednesday.

“I’m not going to change my game because of something like that,” said Clarkson, who will need to wear a protective shield when he returns. “It’s the first time it happened to me. I was hitting that re-set button and getting ready and I’m still getting ready.”

Last year, Clarkson missed the first 10 games of the regular season because of a suspension against the same Sabres in an exhibition game. This year’s training camp started on a rough note as well when he missed the first week due to a lower body injury.

Because the punch landed below the eye - the bruise is still evident - Clarkson’s vision has not been affected and no surgery was required. He plans to be in practice this week and play in Friday’s final pre-season contest, giving him two appearances in the eight Leafs exhibition games.

“Something like this obviously sucks, but it’s how you come out of it,” Clarkson said. “I’m preparing to play Game 1.”

Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.01.2014


Maple Leafs look to bond on team getaway

By Rob Longley, Toronto Sun


COLLINGWOOD - With all due respect to Darryl Sutter’s deadpan line this week that “team bonding is best done in May and June,” there’s no need to remind anyone that the Maple Leafs haven’t had that luxury in a while.

It’s easy to poke fun at the concept when you are Stanley Cup champions, so the Los Angeles Kings coach can have his chuckle.

But while relaxing and recharging at a resort in the Blue Mountains, there is plenty that can be accomplished by Leafs players and coaches beyond trying to maim each other at the local paint ball grounds on Tuesday afternoon.

The grind of playing seven pre-season games in eight nights has surely left the leg-weary 29 who remain on coach Randy Carlyle’s roster in need of a welcome break.

The practical goal, however, is to develop and identify some spine in a team that searched for and couldn’t find it in the last meaningful month of games it played.

There were all sorts of reasons for the dramatic collapse last spring — injuries, dodgy goaltending and defensive breakdowns all contributed. But there is little question that the team lacked leadership and character when the going got tough — and then worse — something new president Brendan Shanahan and general manager Dave Nonis addressed in the off-season.

You can be sure the getaway won’t be singing around the campfire stuff and yes, with only one on-ice workout in three days, there may be an adult beverage or three consumed.

But the coaching staff and management want the players not only to get to know each other, but begin the process of accountability.

“Everything we are doing up here is going to give our players an opportunity to get to know each other more off the ice than on the ice,” assistant coach Steve Spott said. “There are several new faces and it’s important to spend time together in a family setting.

“I wasn’t a part of (what happened last spring), but collectively what we have agreed upon as a staff is that we are going to give the players that voice of what they want to be. It’s easy for coaches to put up slogans, but the feeling is we will let the players have a chance to create the identity of the hockey club.”

Presumably, in that process, some added leadership will begin to emerge. Nonis and Shanahan didn’t bring in players such as veteran defenceman Stephane Robidas and forward David Winnik solely for their reputation of being difficult to play against.

There will be some practical work to do as well, though not much. Off-ice workouts were scheduled for Wednesday and a proper practice (closed to the public) on Thursday heading into the final pre-season game the following night at the Air Canada Centre.

Implementation of the much talked about new defensive scheme has been slow to take in the pre-season, but the team will have plenty of practice time now and without a glut of players to complicate matters.

“We have some adjustments from last year’s system and some areas concern, so Thursday’s session will be a meaningful practice,” Spott said. “The challenge we’ve had is having a lot of games in a short period of time. You can do an awful lot of teaching on blackboards and in videos, but nothing can replicate practise and repetition.

“Now we have to take advantage of some of the practice time before (next Wednesday’s opener against Montreal.)”

Another more pleasurable order of business here is sorting through the final five cuts or so. Spott echoed the opinion of many in the organization when he raved at the impression pint-sized forward Brandon Kozun has made.

“It’s such a game of opportunity and on a night-to-night basis he has made an impact,” Spott said. “His speed is his weapon.

“The players management have brought in have made this a very difficult process. That’s what you want as a coach — you don’t want anyone feeling comfortable.

“We are going to use use Friday night’s game as the final evaluation. It’s an important game for a couple of guys to see if they can continue to do what they did the last couple of weeks.”



Maple Leafs hopeful Kozun turning heads

By Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun


TORONTO - Born near Hollywood, Brandon Kozun probably never heard of Collingwood.

But being part of the Maple Leafs’ bonding trip to cottage country was the most desirable destination the 24-year-old winger can think of right now in his hockey career.

“I’ve just never had the chance to be part of something like this with an NHL team,” the former Kings’ draft pick said as Toronto’s training camp survivors readied for the excursion.

Kozun hasn’t made the team yet, but he’s among the 29 whom general manager Dave Nonis and coach Randy Carlyle deemed worthy of inclusion for three days of practice, with office fun and games as filler.

“All the players who are coming, we feel have an opportunity to help us the rest of the year,” Nonis said. “You don’t want to do it when you’ve got 45 people in camp. When you have 25 to 27, it’s a very good likelihood that all of the players, or the majority of them, will have some sort of impact, even if they don’t make the team (right away).

“It’s tough in this shortened pre-season, having gone from 27 to 20 days. There used to be a lot of time to get the group together. But we’re fortunate this year that we’ve got two blocks of time, before our last game (Friday at home against Detroit) and some days after to get ready for our opener (Oct. 8 versus Montreal). So we get to go up and do some team building.”

Kozun, William Nylander, Matt Frattin, Josh Leivo and defencemen Stu Percy and Korbinian Holzer are all fighting for the last spots on the 23-man roster.

Kozun, born in Los Angeles to an American father and Canadian mother, helped his cause in Monday’s match against the Wings with some puck steals and scoring chances, using his wicked wheels.

The 5-foot-8 Kozun bumped Frattin from right wing alongside Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk as the game unfolded and Carlyle thought he deserved time in the absent Phil Kessel’s spot. Burying a few of his chances would have helped Kozun’s cause.

“Kozun’s a guy who scored 50 in junior (with Calgary) and he’s been productive at the AHL level (23 points in 46 games with the Marlies last year),” the coach noted. “But you can’t expect him to step in here and be an offensive force. He has to get comfortable. But he is a speedster and a smart player.”

DEMO DERBY ON DEFENCE

Training camp has become a demolition derby for the Leafs, particularly on defence. Stephane Robidas was already sidelined from contact drills to allow his broken leg to heal, then Henrik Tallinder (shoulder) and Cody Franson (knee) were hurt in the same game against Buffalo. On Monday, Percy was shoved into the boards by Czech rookie Tomas Nosek, who was ejected.

“This is so tough to see teammates go down, especially the way it has happened, with plays behind the net, falling into the boards,” Holzer said. “They’re dump-ins and the game nowadays is so quick that I don’t think anybody does it on purpose to run a guy. But there should be some caution by anybody going in the corner. It’s just so dangerous. You can lose an edge, step on a stick, whatever, or a little push like we saw with Franny. Were lucky that Percy got away (unscathed).”

Percy, whose ability to take a pounding at the NHL level will determine in part his future as a Leaf, was paired with Morgan Rielly on Monday. What appeared to be a closed shop on the Leafs blueline has opened a bit for himself, Holzer and Viktor Loov with the injuries.

“I guess that’s how some players break into the league, take their opportunity when they get it,” said Percy, a first-rounder from 2011. “It’s

always unfortunate to see a guy go down, but you have to step up and play even better to fill that hole.

“I’ve got a couple of games under my belt and some playoff experience with the Marlies. I’m trying to settle in, play my game. Guys are a lot more structured and in position (in the NHL), which makes it seem a whole lot faster.”

REIMER READY TO ROLL

James Reimer did not allow an even-strength goal on Monday, as Detroit managed just 17 shots in its 3-0 win, and just 16 on Reimer. But with Jonathan Bernier likely starting Friday and then the season opener the next week, Reimer’s next start is unclear. The Leafs do play back-to-back twice in the first two weeks of the schedule.

The subject of his last game at Joe Louis Arena in March was not raised on Monday, in the same rink where he struggled in a key playoff race loss and Carlyle’s candid comments on his play led to a media storm.

“(Monday) was one of those games where I wasn’t getting a lot of shots, but thought I was doing well and staying at the top of my crease, doing what I need to do,” Reimer said. “Definitely, I think I’m in a good place (entering the new season). I’ve got better in every practice and every game we’ve played. So I should be ready.”

LOOSE LEAFS

The Leafs are taking baby steps to improve their team dynamic and obviously putting a lot of stock in the benefits of the Collingwood trip. But chemistry is not an issue with the Stanley Cup champion Kings, whose plain-talking coach Darryl Sutter has little use for such getaways. “I’m not into that, what you hear about go climbing ropes and going to a fort somewhere,” Sutter told the L.A. Kings Insider. “You do most of your bonding in May and June.” ... Monday’s pairing of Roman Polak and Dion Phaneuf was interesting, in that the captain was taking his cue from the older Polak, who was a respected stay-at-home defenceman with the Blues. “We just played veteran guys together,” Carlyle said of the experiment. “We want Dion on the left side and thought that Polak (worked). We’ve paired Jake Gardiner with Holzer a lot of the time. Tonight, Morgan played the right side because of the injury to Franson. Those are the things you have on a scratch pad, but there aren’t many combinations you can stray away from when you only have six. We’ve added veterans and hopefully that translates into us playing a more solid brand of hockey.” ... Monday’s game was about the worst the Leafs played of their eight pre-season contests, a hot building, 16 power plays split among the teams and sloppy execution. “ We took some penalties that will be called all year, slashing on hands, holding in the offensive zone, reaching,” Carlyle said. “Those are the things that show we might be a little fatigued right now (playing three in four nights). But that’s why you play these, because there will be tests like this in the course of a season, back-to-backs and four in six nights.”



Why Toronto Maple Leafs’ luck was sure to run out: Hockey analytics explained

National Post Staff | September 30, 2014

In a recent column for Montreal’s The Gazette, Jack Todd referred to a provocative quote from NBC hockey analyst Pierre McGuire regarding the NHL’s full embrace of analytics (aka fancy stats).

Leafs never had an aversion to analytics, GM says: ‘We’ve used them. We’ve had them’

“Any coach that uses analytics to show a player what he did right or wrong, should be terminated on the spot,” McGuire said in Montreal radio interview, as quoted by Todd. Todd went on to quote analytics leader Rob Vollman, lead author of The Hockey Abstract, who sort of agreed, except for the firing part probably.

“The primary use is in the front office,” Vollman told the Calgary Herald. “Teams use [analytics] guys as a sober second thought, saying: ‘Does the data match our eyes? Is there something we’re missing?’ It’s either confirming or challenging the information you’ve reached from traditional analysis. The other side is: ‘Is there someone we’ve missed that we haven’t scouted or seen?’ Analytics is a way to find all of that information.”

To prepare for the regular season, which starts on Oct. 8, Postmedia sports columnist Scott Stinson breaks down how you can use hockey analytics concepts like Corsi to deepen your understanding of the game this season.


736993 Washington Capitals

Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky ‘playing like an NHL player’

By Alex Prewitt September 30 at 5:08 PM Follow @alex_prewitt

At some point over the next several days, before his self-imposed Friday deadline, Barry Trotz and his coaching staff will gather together, review their roster and make the decisions that so far have remained unclear. They will think about placing Tom Wilson and Dmitry Orlov on injured reserve. They will mull over the open defensive spots, and the open forwards spots, and the vacancy at second-line center. And they will decide what to do with Andre Burakovsky.

“Right now, he’s playing like an NHL player, yes,” Trotz said. “But I wouldn’t say he’s on the team, no.”

The 19-year-old Swedish forward has held his own throughout preseason practices and games, backing up the promise shown during development camp and rookie camp, when the Capitals first moved him to center. Trotz has expressed no issue with returning Burakovsky to the wing, should the situation arise, but Tuesday’s on-ice session was spent between Troy Brouwer and Brooks Laich on the second line.

Worst-case scenario, Burakovsky reports to Hershey for his first American Hockey League season, centers the Bears’ top line and remains atop the short list for call-ups. Both Trotz and General Manager Brian MacLellan have no desire to handle Burakovsky’s development like Wilson’s last season, when the forward played 82 NHL games during his rookie season but averaged fewer than eight minutes per game.

“Two trains of thought are, take the best players and as long as you can use young players at decent level, I have no problem with them playing,” Trotz said. “If you’re not going to use them at a decent level, then play them at the level where they’re going to get the most minutes and the most time.

“Then for some guys, like [Burakovsky] and guys like [Liam] O’Brien and even [Evgeny Kuznetsov] who’s a young guy, the more they can play at the National League level, even practice, helps them. That’s why you can have a young guy go down and play in junior or whatever, it just helps. Even practice, taking passes at the National Hockey League level, the speed, how quickly they get it over and think, it’s really good.”

Burakovsky, who will likely center the Brouwer-Laich line again Wednesday at Buffalo, said his comfort level has grown each game, culminating in a strong performance Sunday at Montreal, when he won a puck battle behind the net and set up Joel Ward’s game-winning goal.

“I felt much more comfortable tonight actually,” Burakovsky said. “I felt like I could really play my own game, take care of the puck all the time, do stuff with the puck and really play my game. Today I was feeling really comfortable out there.”

According to Trotz, Kuznetsov will center Jason Chimera and Ward against the Sabres, while Marcus Johansson, a one-time candidate for the second-line center job, will remain on the wing. At practice Tuesday, Johansson played on the fourth line alongside Michael Latta and Chris Brown.

“I thought Marcus played pretty well in Montreal,” Trotz said. “Started a little bit slowly. He’s getting better every game, which is what you want to see. Talking to the staff, talking to Mac who have been around with the organization for a long time, they said Marcus is traditionally a slow starter here, so that’s not unexpected from past history. I thought he was using his speed a little bit better last game. I thought he was playing a pretty solid game. I liked him much better last game than I did the game before.”

On Tuesday, Trotz divvied up the rosters into, first, veterans most likely making the Capitals and, second, players still needing to improve, for whom “the next two games are going to decide what happens.” That group included blue-line candidates Connor Carrick, Steven Oleksy and Patrick Wey, while veterans John Erskine and Jack Hillen practiced with the first group.

The full roster traveling to Buffalo is listed below:

Washington Post LOADED: 10.01.2014


Capitals’ Jay Beagle, Mike Green both day-to-day with upper body injuries


Defenseman Mike Green and forward Jay Beagle, recent additions to the list of preseason injuries afflicting the Capitals, missed practice Tuesday and remain day-to-day as the regular season draws near, Coach Barry Trotz said.

Officially listed with upper-body injuries, Green and Beagle both watched practice from the balcony above the practice rink and are expected to return before Washington’s opener on Oct. 9 versus Montreal at Verizon Center.

“Both, yes, I expect them to,” Trotz said. “I would probably say Beags is probably, if I had to guess, might be a little bit behind on Greenie in terms of the injuries. I don’t know Beags as well as you guys do, but I know he’s a heart and soul guy and he gets out there as quick as he can. Nothing would surprise me with Beags.”

Green, locked into a top-six defensive spot if healthy, suffered his injury Friday night in an overtime win versus Boston. Beagle got hurt on his second shift Sunday at Montreal and missed the rest of the game.

Defenseman Nate Schmidt, who took a brutal open-ice hit from Montreal’s Jarred Tinordi and was escorted into the locker room, passed NHL concussion protocol immediately after Washington’s 2-0 victory. He did not practice Tuesday either, but Trotz was hopeful Schmidt would practice Wednesday, when some Capitals head to Buffalo for their preseason road finale.

“He’s fine,” Trotz said. “He’s got cleared so you’ll probably see him back out here tomorrow.”

A less optimistic outlook faces defenseman Dmitry Orlov (broken wrist) and forward Tom Wilson (fractured fibula), both of whom have spent training camp recovering from offseason surgeries. Neither have practiced with their teammates, and though both skated and worked out regularly at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, they are not expected to be available for the opener.

“Yeah, I would say that right now,” Trotz said. “Unfortunately they’re probably not going to get in that first game, then we’ll see where that takes us after that. They’re tracking really well. Both of them are conditioning and all that. They’re tracking. It’ll take a little time there.”

According to the NHL’s latest collective bargaining agreement, players placed onto the injured reserve list must remain there for a minimum of seven days, though they still can practice and attend team meetings. The Capitals play four games in their first week, including three at home.

Trotz said no discussions have taken place about whether to put Wilson and Orlov on the injured reserve list, though he hinted at the expectation of a mid-October recovery shortly into the season.

“No, it’s something me, [general manager Brian MacLellan] and [assistant general manager Don Fishman] and the coaches will have to get together,” Trotz said. “As we get closer, we’ll have to make those decisions. I really look at it as for the first two games, then we can reset past that.”



Versatile forward Eric Fehr offers utility option for Trotz, Capitals


The most versatile forward on the Washington Capitals once played defense in youth hockey, until Eric Fehr’s coaches decided he rushed the puck too much, so they moved him up. Over the past two seasons, under then-coach Adam Oates, Fehr became a human pinball for the Capitals, shuttling between all four lines and all three forward positions.

“Kind of changed my game,” Fehr said Tuesday. “I think it was a change for the better. Even when I’m playing wing, I feel more confident on puck battles and when I do have to go down low, I know what I’m doing and I feel strong about going down low.”

Even this preseason, as Coach Barry Trotz tinkers with his forward lines, having a jack-of-all-trades such as Fehr has offered a safety net. Like a utility fielder in baseball, Trotz can slot Fehr onto the penalty kill and the power play, as a first-line winger or a third-line center.

“I think we’re trying to sort that out,” Trotz said. “Each game, I’m trying to put another piece in and take a look at it. We’ve got to lock things down those last four games, just load it up.”

The latest iteration, on Sunday night at Montreal, put Fehr beside Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on the top line, a move that made Trotz “really happy.” The good folks over at Japers’ Rink broke down the benefits of skating a first-line Fehr, the team’s best puck possession forward in two seasons under Oates, and it’s worth a read. The trio skated together again at practice Tuesday.

“It’s huge,” Trotz said “We’ve got three guys who can do a lot of that. Brooks [Laich] can do that, I think Eric can do that, I think [Joel] Wardo can do that. And I know [Andre] Burakovsky can. He’s a winger, he’s playing center and he’s doing very well. We’ve got a few guys that can do that. In the long haul, that pays dividends.”

This preseason, learning a new system, Fehr has tripled up on video study, pausing and rewinding tape to study each position.

“You have to break it down all three ways,” Fehr said. “I think it makes you better as a player, because when you’re on the ice you’re not always in your same position. Sometimes the rotation switches over and you’re in someone else’s spot and you have to know what you’re doing.”

With just three preseason games left until the Oct. 9 opener versus Montreal, little time remains for Trotz to finalize his lines. Based on Sunday’s 2-0 victory and Tuesday’s practice, the new bench boss seemed content with bumping Fehr to the top line, armed by the comfort

“I feel really confident with them,” Fehr said. “I played with Nickie a little 4-on-4. Ovie, you know what you’re getting. I know how to get the puck over to him. I probably had some really good almost chances in Montreal where our timing was a second or two off, but that’ll come.”



VIDEO: Brown looking for his place on the Caps

Staff

October 1, 2014, 12:30 am

CSNwashington.com

Chris Brown was drafted by the Coyotes, but is now in his second year in Washington and trying to make the big club. "I'm just trying to find my way to make the team," Brown said.



Burakovsky ready, but will Caps keep him?

Staff


With three games remaining in the preseason and nine days remaining before the start of the regular season, Andre Burakovsky is very much looking like an integral member of the 2014-15 Capitals.

“He’s played well,” Capitals head coach Barry Trotz said. “He’s gotten better every game.”

Well enough to be on the Capitals’ opening night roster on Oct. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens at Verizon Center?

“He’s playing like an NHL player, yes,” Trotz said. “But I didn’t say he’s on the team, no.”

Maybe not, but Burakovsky practiced Tuesday on a second line between veteran wingers Brooks Laich and Troy Brouwer, while 22-year-old rookie Evgeny Kuznetsov took shifts on a third line with Jason Chimera and Joel Ward.

Lost in the line shuffle was Marcus Johansson, who started training camp as a center but practiced Tuesday at left wing on a fourth line with center Michael Latta and right wing Chris Brown. Burakovsky has one goal and one assist and is a plus-1 in three preseason games, while Kuznetsov has one assist and is a minus-1 and Johansson has one assist and is a minus-2 in three games.

“I thought Marcus played pretty well in Montreal [Sunday night],” Trotz said. “I’m going to play him on the wing. He’s not going to play at center. “He started a little bit slowly, but he’s getting better every game, which is what you want to see. Just talking to the staff, and talking to [general manager Brian MacLellan] and people with the organization a long time, they say Marcus is traditionally a slow starter.

“I think he was using his speed a little better in the last game, much better than the game before.”

Johansson spent much of last season playing left wing on the Caps’ top line with Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin and finished the season with eight goals, 36 assists and a career-worst minus-21. Asked if there was a message to Johansson with his line placement, Trotz said, “Marcus is a good player. He has to adjust [to playing on the fourth line] and he will.”

If the forward lines remain they way they were at Tuesday’s practice – and barring injury there’s a good chance they will – Burakovsky will become the second player in two years to make the NHL jump at the age of 19. Tom Wilson did it last season, forgoing a season in the Ontario Hockey League to play all 82 games with the Caps.

“As long as you can use young players at a decent level I have no problem with them playing [in the NHL],” Trotz said. “If you’re not going to use them at a decent level you play them at the level where they’re going to get the most minutes.

“I think for guys like Burakovsky, Kuznetsov and [Liam] O’Brien, even practice at the NHL level helps them.”

Injury update: Defenseman Trotz said defenseman Mike Green [upper body] and center Jay Beagle [upper body] will miss the next two preseason games but that he hopes to have both players available for the season opener next Thursday. Trotz noted that Beagle is farther behind than Green, which could push back his return. Defenseman Nate Schmidt is still recovering from the elbow he took to the face from Montreal defenseman Jarred Tinordi Sunday night. “He’s not in Colorado, he’s in Washington, D.C.,” Trotz joked, saying he expects to see Schmidt back on the ice Wednesday. Tinordi, who received a five-minute major for elbowing, has not yet to receive supplementary discipline from the NHL. Meanwhile, Caps defenseman Dmitry Orlov [left wrist surgery] and right wing Tom Wilson [left ankle surgery] are expected to miss the season opener as they continue their rehabs. Neither player has been cleared for practice.

Here were the Caps’ line combinations on Tuesday:

Alex Ovechkin – Nicklas Backstrom – Eric Fehr

Brooks Laich – Andre Burakovsky – Troy Brouwer

Jason Chimera – Evgeny Kuznetsov – Joel Ward

Marcus Johansson – Michael Latta - Chris Brown



Burakovsky moves up, Johansson moves down

Staff


We’ll have more after we speak with Barry Trotz following the Caps’ second practice session, but here are some news and notes from the club’s first practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex:

There was an interesting shuffling of the forward lines, with 19-year-old rookie Andre Burakovsy centering a second line between Brooks Laoch and Troy Brouwer, Evgeny Kuznetsov centering a third line with Jason Chimera and Joel Ward, and Marcus Johansson being dropped to fourth line left wing with center Michal Latta and right wing Chris Brown.

Eric Fehr practiced on the top line with center Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin.

With Jay Beagle [upper body] sidelined, it is not a stretch to think those could be the Caps’ forward lines when they open the regular season Oct. 9 at home against the Montreal Canadiens.

Injury report: Mike Green [upper body] missed his third straight practice, while Nate Schmidt [upper body] also sat out after absorbing an elbow from Montreal defenseman Jarred Tinordi Sunday night. Defenseman Dmitry Orlov said his surgically repaired left wrist is healing nicely but he doesn’t have the mobility he’d like. He is taking soft shots but there is no timetable for when he will begin participating in practices.

Power play: The Caps’ first group worked on their power play after the morning session, with John Carlson working the point, Ovechkin in the left circle, Backstrom on the right halfwall, Johansson on the goal line and Brouwer in the slot.

Look ahead: The Caps will play their sixth of eight preseason games Wednesday night in Buffalo when they visit the Sabres. They’ll continue close out the preseason with home games against the Flyers on Thursday and the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.



Caps are killing it with blocked shots

Staff

September 30, 2014, 10:00 am

When Barry Trotz and his coaching staff met over the summer and pored over game tape after game tape, they made a checklist of things they’d like to correct and when they’d like to correct them.

Improving the penalty kill, which ranked 16th in the NHL at 82 percent, and reducing the number of shots against were high on that list.

“It’s something they’ve talked about since Day One,” said new Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik, who last season ranked 30th among NHL defensemen with 143 blocked shots.

“When you talk about sacrifice, you’ve got to have guys that are willing to take a few pucks in spots where it doesn’t feel too lovely. That’s just part of the role.

“I think guys that are good at it take a lot of pride in it. There’s always a chance you get injured. A lot of times when you see guys picking their feet up to try to get out of the way, that’s when you take it on the laces and you don’t take it on the shin pads.

“It never feels good, but it feels pretty good at the end of the day when the PK contributes to wins.”

After allowing four power-play goals against the Flyers in Philadelphia and another against the Bruins in Boston, the Caps devoted more practice time to the penalty kill, where last season they ranked last in the NHL in shots against and unblocked shots per 60 minutes of 4 on 5.

Since assistant coach Lane Lambert began focusing more attention on the Caps’ penalty kill, the team has killed off 13 of 14 power plays in preseason wins over the Bruins and Canadiens. Against the Bruins on Friday the Caps blocked six shots while shorthanded.

“The first few [exhibition] games you’re almost flying by the seat of your pants,” said Lambert, an assistant coach under Barry Trotz for three seasons in Nashville before joining him in Washington. “We’re trying to focus on forcing the opposition entries. Get the puck out of the other team’s hands.

“We’d like to be in position in order to have to not block shots, but when it comes time we want to get desperate and get in shot lanes, for sure.”

Under Trotz and Lambert last season, the Predators ranked 10th in the NHL in blocked shots with 1,230 and ranked 11th in shots against at 2,370. They were virtually even in shots for and against per game last season at 28.9 for and 29.0 against.

The Caps ranked 12th in the NHL in blocked shots [1,211] but 27th in shots against [2,750] and were outshot by an average margin of 33.5 to 29.4.

The Caps had two players, John Carlson [177] and Karl Alzner [158] ranked among the top 30 defensemen in the NHL in blocked shots. Mike Green was third on the team with 107 blocks, but there was a significant drop after that, with Joel Ward the leading forward in blocks with 67, followed by Nicklas Backstrom [54] and Troy Brouwer [39].

“There are certain individuals more willing to do it than others,” Lambert said. “That’s the nature of the beast. But I think players need to understand that the bigger you make yourself the better chance you’ll have to block the shot because you’re more of a deterrent.

“Go down on one knee, so the player who has the puck has the illusion he’s not going to get the puck through. Just by doing that you can deter a player from taking a shot. When it comes to blocking shots, that’s a mindset we have to have that filters through everybody.”

It’s only been a few months since he joined the Capitals’ coaching staff, but Lambert said he’s happy with his decision to move to Washington and remain on Trotz’s staff.

“I see this hockey club as having the potential to win and win now,” he said. “That’s really the deciding factor. You want to win. The opportunity came to

me through Barry and for me it was a no-brainer. I worked hand-in-hand with him for three years -- for eight years, really, when I was coaching the Milwaukee [Admirals] team.

“There’s always some importance when you come in as a new staff that there’s some chemistry and Barry and I are on the same page in terms of how we see the game and how we want to play. For me, it was an opportunity to come and be a part of something that I think is going to be special.”



One year later, Carrick awaits different news

Staff


The news will come in the next day or two.

Capitals coach Barry Trotz will call players into his office, thank them for the hard work they gave him during the past two weeks of training camp, and send them off to Hershey, Pa., for the start of the AHL season.

Barring a trade or unforeseen roster move, it will be a bittersweet day for defenseman Connor Carrick.

Exactly one year ago, Carrick was preparing to make his NHL debut near his hometown of Orland Park, Ill., against his hometown team, the Chicago Blackhawks. His parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, coaches and former teammates were in the stands. He remembers hearing the Blackhawks’ fight song and thinking it was the first time he’d never sung along.

It might have been the single-most exciting night in Carrick’s life, but in the opinion of Capitals new general manager Brian MacLellan it may not have been the best way to start his professional career.

“He’s 19 years old playing his first game at Joe Louis Arena,” MacLellan. “That’s a lot for a young defenseman. Probably too much.”

Ten days later Carrick was assigned to the Hershey Bears, beginning an odyssey of playing for three different teams [he also represented the U.S. in the World Junior Championships] over the course of seven months.

Today, Carrick is a year older and wiser and his path to the NHL is a little more difficult with the Capitals’ summer acquisitions of Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen. At best, Carrick currently ranks eighth on the Capitals’ defensive depth chart behind Jack Hillen and John Erskine, ninth if Dmitry Orlov’s surgically repaired left wrist heals properly.

“We’re deep on the defensive end, it’s no secret,” said Carrick, who is expected to be in the lineup Wednesday night when the Caps visit the Buffalo Sabres in their sixth of eight preseason games. “Most of these guys have been doing it for a while and every day you’re at this level it’s a privilege.”

“You hear the coaching staff talk about that. You see it on the T-shirts. But it really is. This is the pinnacle of the hockey world. There’s nothing greater. I’m blessed to be here.

Carrick played in 34 games for the Caps last season – more than any other rookie defenseman on the team – and finished with one goal, five assists and a minus-9 rating. He played another 13 games for the Bears, recording three assists and a minus-3 rating.

This year Carrick is targeted to begin the season under Troy Mann in Hershey. His assignment could come as soon as Thursday, but Barry Trotz says he’s still unsure which direction to take with his blue line.

Caps coach Barry Trotz said he’s not 100 percent sure which way he is heading on his opening night blue line.

RELATED:[Decision time for Trotz]

“As much as you thought you had it clear, the five through eight [on defense] that’s gotten muddled for me,” Trotz said. “We’ve got to get a little more clarity there. Guys are going to Hershey shortly here and I talked to guys and said, ‘Listen, I just gotta clear the deck. I don’t see you starting here.’ But the guys that get called up, Troy Mann will make that decision based on play. Anybody I let go early has as good a chance to be the first callup.”

Carrick said regardless of his fate, he’s thankful for the time spent with Caps assistant coach Todd Reirden.

“A lot of coaches will say, ‘OK, you have strengths and weakness; let’s work with your weaknesses,’’’ Carrick said. “These coaches work with you to be very good with your strengths. The strength in my game has always been my play with the puck and I need to be really good at that. The way Coach Reirden teaches, if I were to coach today, I’d be the exact same way.”

Carrick said one of the biggest points of emphasis in Trotz’s first training camp with the Caps has been gap control. He explains it this way:

“Gap control is when you can hold the forward at an offensive position that causes panic. If you’re able to challenge around the lines, you do it.

“When they’re breaking out, if you can get them by the offensive blue line, you get ‘em there. If not, your next deadline is the red line.

“If you can’t get ‘em by the red line, you wan to get ‘em by the blue line because every team talks about getting pucks in deep and not turning pucks over. Every team is so lethal offensively, but if you can disrupt and get in his grill with your stick and your body and your feet and really make him hear footsteps and create panic, that’s when guys won’t make plays.”

At 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, Carrick says he is no heavier than his playing weight of last season, but it’s clear from the breadth of his chest and shoulders that he put in a summer of hard training. His body fat went from 9.5 percent last season to 8 percent this year.

As for when Caps fans will see him again, Carrick said he’s trusting that Trotz will hold true to his word that the best players in Hershey will be the first to be recalled by the Capitals.

“It’s all about incentives,” Carrick said. “If you don’t believe you’re the guy that’s going to get called up if a guy gets hurt or traded, what true incentive do you have to bring it game in and game out?

“If it’s merit-based, which it should be because that s how prestigious the NHL is – you really will focus on bringing it every night.

“I trust the hockey minds that are in charge of this organization. They’re going to have my best interests at heart because the better I do, the better it is for them. That’s not just me, that goes for every player.”


737001 Winnipeg Jets

Confident Ehlers fighting to stay, pots first pre-season goal

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 10/1/2014 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

THE odds that he'll stay would seem to be longer as each day goes by, only because the task gets that much more difficult as the first games of the new NHL approach.

Left-winger Nikolaj Ehlers had something to say about that on Tuesday night.

When chatter was increasing that, having played all four of the Winnipeg Jets' exhibition games to date, he was starting to get low on fuel. Ehlers found the net for his first pre-season goal and it turned out to be the winner in a 2-1 Jets victory over the Ottawa Senators at the MTS Centre.

The 18-year-old first-round draft pick, taken ninth overall by Winnipeg last June, now has a goal and an assist for five pre-season outings.

He called for and received a clever pass from Tuesday's linemate Matt Halischuk (who did most of the hard work by deking Ottawa defender Curtis Lazar into the wrong spot) and then whipped a shot into the open side at 6:22 of the second period.

"I did (call for it)," Ehlers said after the game, still beaming about the goal. "And not just before the pass and after the pass, too. I was so happy to score that goal. It was pretty cool."

The 18-year-old from Aalborg, Denmark was clearly charged about the goal and for an offensive machine that churned out 104 points last season for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, he said he was a bit lost.

"I put it in and I had no idea how to celebrate," Ehlers said. "I was just standing there and just happy to score and it was amazing.

"But I went out there and played my game. We played good today, I think we played a really good game. We had them five against five."

Jets coach Paul Maurice paired Ehlers with Halischuk and Nic Petan for Tuesday's game and said the finally scoring in the pre-season is worth much confidence.

"An awful lot, especially the younger players because they put so much stock in their offence," Maurice said. "Most of these kids produce huge numbers so that's how they view themselves and value themselves as hockey players.

"So that first goal is more confidence and I'm glad to see him get it."

While the talk has been how his play might have been fading into a return to the Mooseheads soon, Ehlers said Tuesday he feels like he's been getting better every game.

"To be honest, I think it's been going better and better," he said. "I wouldn't say easier. This is the NHL. It doesn't get easy at all. The only way you can make it better for yourself is to go out there and play your game and work hard. I think I've been taking steps every single game I've played here. It felt pretty good out there today.

"So I'm really happy with that. We'll just see what happens."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.01.2014


Jets-Sens wrapup

Posted: 10/1/2014 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

-- Gary Lawless

3Senators 1 at Jets 2

First Period

1. Winnipeg, Slater 1 (Peluso, Pardy) 9:17.

Penalties -- Cowen Ott (high-sticking) 6:44, Bogosian Wpg (kneeing) 13:37.

Second Period

2. Winnipeg, Ehlers 1 (Halischuk, Petan) 6:22.

3. Ottawa, Robinson 1 (Johnson) 14:42.

Penalties -- Enstrom Wpg (closing hand on puck) 15:15, Neil Ott (charging) 19:44.

Third Period

No Scoring.

Penalties -- Neil Ott (fighting) 3:42, Peluso Wpg (fighting) 3:42, Smith Ott (high-sticking) 15:25, Wheeler Wpg (interference) 18:51.

3"Ø"Ø DON'T START WITH THAT YET:

3Jets coach Paul Maurice was asked a question about save percentage to this point in the pre-season. The coach made it clear he's not interested in being a participant in the ongoing debate about his team's goaltending.

"What was your question? Goaltending's going to be fine," said Maurice.

Goaltending has been an issue in Winnipeg and will be until proven otherwise. But Maurice is under no obligation to fuel the fire. He wants Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson to be feeling good about themselves when the season starts and hopefully carry that forward with strong play. Doesn't mean it's going to happen but one can understand why Maurice is singing from this particular song sheet right now.

"Ø"Ø WHAT ABOUT PAVS?

Another solid outing for the incumbent No. 1 with the only goal allowed coming on a breakaway. Pavelec has looked more steady than flashy in the pre-season but no one will complain about that. There's been a renewed effort to return to basics and build a foundation from strong positional play. More stopping, less flopping. So far so good. But most will reserve judgement until the real bullets start to fly.

"Ø"Ø UP NEXT:

The Jets head to Calgary to meet the Flames Thursday, 8 p.m. (TSN 3/TSN 1290) in game six of their seven-game pre-season schedule



Injuries force coach's hand

Jets NotebookBy: Tim Campbell

Posted: 09/30/2014 11:26 PM | Comments: 0

Paul Maurice’s plan for the Winnipeg Jets’ pre-season went off the rails Tuesday.

He had planned to use the team’s final three exhibition games this week as mostly a tuneup for his regular lineup, but was strapped for Tuesday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators because of the growing rash of minor injuries.

The Jets had nine injured or recently injured players who required condition updates on Tuesday.

They are:

• Left-winger T.J. Galiardi, out for a week after laser eye surgery;

• Right-winger Dustin Byfuglien, still out with a minor, lower-body issue. "He’s getting better every day," the coach said. "We’re just waiting for it, to get a real strong sense of it."

• Left-winger Eric Tangradi, day-to-day; suffered a minor lower-body injury Monday night;

• Centre Patrice Cormier, day-to-day; has no damage after taking a high stick on Monday;

• Centre Eric O’Dell, has been out a week with an unspecified injury. "He’s closing in getting on the ice," Maurice said;

• Defenceman Paul Postma skated Tuesday morning but hasn’t played yet. "It’s a matter of strength," the coach said. "These are all kinds of minor muscle issues that we’re waiting for them to feel good."

• Centre Bryan Little; day-to-day with bumps and bruises; skated Tuesday, didn’t play Tuesday;

• Left-winger Andrew Ladd: also out with minor issues, also didn’t skate Tuesday;

• Left-winger Evander Kane; missed several days late last week, was in the lineup Tuesday.

Maurice said Tuesday he hopes the plan will be back on track for Thursday’s pre-season game in Calgary.

"We’re hoping that our health says we’re pretty close to our lineup for the last two games," Maurice said. "I thought I’d have a little older lineup, little more veteran lineup here tonight. Knew we were going to be real young — the first four were kind of how we thought we were going to be.

"But we’ll be pretty thick with our team with the next two."

The Jets close the pre-season with a home game against Calgary on Saturday.

The coach also said Tuesday he believes Byfuglien, who played two periods of the first exhibition game but hasn’t been on the ice since, is not in jeopardy of missing next week’s season-opener in Arizona.

"O’Dell (maybe). We’ll see how far he comes along. A bunch of these you just project out. T.J., if he’s right at the end of this shutdown period, then he just goes full.

"So no, I don’t think there’s anybody here. We’re in that stretch of games now where we’ve got so many guys out you’ve got to be even a little more protective than you would be. If we were talking about regular season, I think four of these guys play tonight.

"But we’re not and we’re sitting in that eight and nine guys, you’ve got to make sure on the back-to-back nights, we’re a little more protective on certain guys.

"It’s about health, putting healthy bodies in the lineup and feeling very comfortable with tonight’s game, that the opportunity’s been given. And some of it wasn’t part of the grand design."

The road back from his off-season hip surgery has been a challenge, Jim Slater admitted Tuesday, but it’s looking pretty good.

Slater scored his first goal of the pre-season Tuesday night against the Sens, in his second outing. He first played Saturday in Minnesota after a vigorous rehab and training program after his May surgery.

"You put in a lot of time to get in shape and you play that first game and you feel like you didn’t do anything all summer," Slater said.

"It comes back, just a little slower than you’d like. But that’s why you have these pre-season games. Obviously we’re running a new system, and we’re trying to get that down so it’s comes natural."



Don't expect to see new-look blue-line

By: Gary Lawless

Posted: 09/30/2014 11:21 PM | Comments: 0

Josh Morrissey is likely heading back to junior unless something changes dramatically and that means a Winnipeg Jets blue-line that looks a lot like last year’s.

Head coach Paul Maurice has been steadfast in saying his team’s goals against are the top priority in terms of areas of improvement and this will have to happen with a defence corps that still has a lot to prove.

If Morrissey is indeed destined for a winter on the bus in the Western Hockey League, the Jets will start with a top pairing of Toby Enstrom and Zach Bogosian and a second unit of Mark Stuart and Jacob Trouba. Grant Clitsome and one of Adam Pardy, Paul Postma or Keaton Ellerby will make up the third pairing.

Bogosian will have to have a major bounce back this season to show he’s a top-pair defender. Stuart has attributes but playing him in the 20-minute range against top lines could prove to be a stretch.

None of the bottom pairing possibilities have consistently shown they are efficient NHL regulars to date. They are depth players so far afforded regular work because the Jets haven’t been able to replace them. Morrissey is at the top of the prospects list but it appears he’s not yet ready to push someone out of a job. That leaves the Jets with a thin blue-line that will have to overachieve in order to stabilize this team.

Morrissey was the wild card and potentially this season’s version of last year’s standout rookies Mark Schiefele and Trouba. A player with elite talent capable of pushing his way into the lineup and immediately making the Jets a better team. But it hasn’t happened.

Morrissey, who was very strong in his pro debut last spring with the St. John’s IceCaps during their Calder Cup run, has had a ragged camp.

For the Jets to keep him in the NHL and not send him back to the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders, he needed to start at a high level and get better as the games went on. Instead of building a case Jets management could not deny, he’s been inconsistent.

Heading into camp, there was a school of thought Morrissey would be afforded the opportunity to put some polish on his game while learning on the job in the NHL simply because he would prove to be a better option than anyone else the Jets had slotted for their final pairing.

The ability to skate quickly into his own zone and retrieve pucks before quickly making an effective first pass out of the zone was immediately apparent when Morrissey arrived in St. John’s last spring. His smoothness on the power play was also evident. But so far, he has shown none of this consistently in three NHL pre-season games. The impetus to burn a year of his entry-level contract and begin the clock on his march to eventual unrestricted free agency just isn’t there. Not yet.

So, the Jets are left with what they had last year. Enstrom moves the puck better than all but for a handful of NHL defencemen. He has elite vision and can produce offence. One can argue he’s not very good in his own end but the whole purpose of his game is to get the puck up the ice and keep it there. He has game and lots of it.

Stuart is steady but shouldn’t be overtaxed. After that, it’s a handful of question marks.

Bogosian must take a step forward. Trouba is in his second year and needs to avoid slippage. Clitsome can’t slip into a crisis of confidence. Pardy, Ellerby and Postma have been fringe players to date and remain as much.

Morrissey wasn’t going to be a cure-all for the Jets blue-line but he had the potential to give the bottom pairing some skill.

Now it’s down to a lot of people playing over their head. I’m not saying it can’t be done but almost all of these guys will have to raise their games.



Big battle to stay in Winnipeg

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 09/30/2014 12:59 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 09/30/2014 11:20 PM | Updates

Conscientious as ever, Matt Halischuk may be the Winnipeg Jets forward who’s done the most grabbing for a job in the team’s pre-season outings.

Halischuk said he had the pleasure of playing with two Nicks Tuesday night — actually a Nic (Petan) and a Nik (Ehlers) — and by setting up the game-winning goal in the 2-1 decision over the Ottawa Senators at the MTS Centre, finds himself as the Jets’ leading point-getter so far in exhibition games.

Halischuk has two goals and Tuesday’s important assist in four games.

"It’s always nice to chip in offensively but I’m just trying to play a solid game on both ends," the 26-year-old left-winger said. "I’ll just try to continue to get better every day and push for a spot. Obviously having the chance to play with the Nickys there is fun. They see the ice really well and they have a lot of speed and that was fun to play with them."

In addition to the points, Jets coach Paul Maurice called on Halischuk to help kill off a final-minute penalty, which also says a little about trust.

"For those of you who’ve spent some time with him, get to know what kind of person he is, he’s just a fantastic professional," Maurice said.

"His conditioning is never an issue. He’s worked all summer and he comes to every practice focused and those are the guys.... I had a guy in Jeff Daniels who won a Stanley Cup and spent a lot of years in Carolina, his name was kind of on the fringe ... and had a long career out of professionalism."

Halischuk surely is not the sexiest storyline of the Jets’ pre-season, but he’s surely made the most of this time in his bid to stay with the team as one of the regular-season’s 13 likely forwards.

Rookie strikes

From Halischuk’s stick at 6:22 of the second period came the cross-ice pass to the rookie Ehlers, who had no trouble depositing a short shot for the eventual game-winner and his first goal in an NHL competition.

Ehlers has played each one of the team’s five exhibition games so far (Jets are now 2-3) and has a goal and an assist.

Yes, that was Pavs

Ondrej Pavelec looked more than comfortable in handling 25 of the 26 shots Ottawa sent his way on Tuesday night.

Pavelec went the distance for the win and has now played seven pre-season periods.

"I felt pretty good the whole game long," said the Jets’ No. 1 goalie. "It’s just exhibition. Of course you want to win every game you play but in every game we did some good things and some bad things.

"The lineup is mixed up a little bit but it’s nice to get the win always."

Sharpness improving

The Jets had two lines in Tuesday night’s game that are likely to be part of their starting roster for the NHL season.

Coach Paul Maurice put Mark Scheifele with Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler in the game, and also used Jim Slater with Anthony Peluso and Chris Thorburn.

Slater clicked for his first pre-season goal in his second outing, a plus after a long summer rehabbing from his hip surgery in late May.

The Scheifele line had its moments of control and danger but didn’t hit the scoreboard.

Clock is ticking

Winnipeg now has just two games remaining in the warm-up season, Thursday night in Calgary and back here Saturday against the Flames.

From there, the Jets’ regular-season opener is a week Thursday in Arizona, the start of a challenging three-game road trip that also stops in San Jose and Los Angeles. The Jets’ home opener isn’t until Oct. 17 against Nashville.



Pavelec comes up big for Jets

By Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun

First posted: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 12:04 AM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 12:19 AM CDT

Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.

That seems to be the routine around this town, as hockey fans catch their breath over the one subject near and dear to everyone’s panic button.

Goaltending.

Let’s face it, with the NHL regular season just over a week away, the play of starter Ondrej Pavelec, in particular, is THE story to watch as the real games approach.

Pavelec doesn’t even have to play for the angst in Jets Nation to get cranked up.

Monday’s loss in Edmonton saw backup Michael Hutchinson allow a couple he’d like back, and you could almost feel the city-wide nervous twitch.

If Hutchinson can’t be a reasonable insurance policy, the thinking goes, what happens if and when Pavelec hits a bump in the road? And this is Winnipeg, after all. There are plenty of bumps in the road.

Which brings us to Tuesday night’s game down at Portage and Hargrave, against the Ottawa Senators.

Pavelec followed up a four-goal outing in his last game, Saturday in Minnesota, with a tidy, 2-1 win over the Sens.

There was nothing spectacular about it, even if the Jets PR department anointed him the No. 1 star.

These weren’t exactly the star-studded Senators of the past. More like the Binghampton Sens, with a few NHL additions.

Of course the Jets lineup was liberally sprinkled with future AHLers and juniors, too.

But none of that matters.

For Pavelec, every save, every goal, heck, every time he touches the puck, is under the microscope.

Oh, there were other things to watch.

First-round draft Nik Ehlers scored his first of the exhibition, supplying the easy finish to a tic-tac-toe exchange from Matt Halischuk and Nic Petan.

Halischuk continues to be one of the most impressive Jets of camp, and the 26-year-old Toronto native drew praise from head coach Paul Maurice, post-game.

“He’s just a fantastic professional,” Maurice said, no faint praise from the boss.

The Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler-Evander Kane line was worth watching, too, even if it coughed up the puck too often.

“They kind of get to making plays all over the ice, which is something they’re not really strong at,” is how Maurice put it. “It’s natural... you put three of your skill guys together and they just want to skill that game... the game doesn’t allow it. But they’ll be very good.”

A rugged Kane looked ready to start the season, slamming bodies around all night, setting up Wheeler in the slot (he hit The Post) and suggesting, post-game, they’re just saving the goals for the regular season.

Scheifele seemed to have a target on his back. Make that his front.

No. 55 was flattened by a couple of Ottawa freightliners, first by defenceman Alex Grant, then by tough guy Chris Neil, earning Neil an eventual dance with Anthony Peluso, who must be averaging a fight a game in the pre-season.

“The next group out got it right,” Maurice said of the retaliation.

Peluso teamed up with Jim Slater and Chris Thorburn to form an effective crash-and-bang unit, Slater’s goal as good a way as any to announce his official return from off-season hip surgery.

But this team can get all the secondary scoring and tough-guy play in the world, and it won’t mean a lick if it doesn’t get top-shelf goaltending.

Even if Maurice wants to downplay the issue, as he did in the morning when someone suggested goaltending might be a question mark.

“It was a question for you,” he said. “Goaltending’s going to be fine.”

It was, Tuesday.

Pavelec made the saves he should have, including a split-leg job to turn away Zach Smith on a breakaway.

The goal that beat him came on an earlier breakaway by Buddy Robinson, not exactly a household name, but it was a nice deke.

The keeper of the panic button finished with 25 saves on 26 shots.

“Pretty much whole game I feel really good,” Pavelec said. “I feel rested.

“It’s hard to play those games, because you never know what’s going to come...you never know what you’re going to get.

“It’s most important thing that I play and get the confidence. I felt really good.”

And a city exhaled.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 10.01.2014


Maurice training camp 'a challenge': Wheeler


First posted: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 12:13 AM CDT

So with the inaugural Camp Maurice winding down, was it as hellish as everybody expected?

Depends on whom you ask.

“It was challenging, for sure — I wouldn’t say it was over the top by any means,” was Blake Wheeler’s assessment. “Paul accomplished what he set out to accomplish, see where guys were. The goal was not to hurt people.”

The Jets got plenty of advance warning their new head coach was going to work them hard, beginning with the now-infamous bag skate late last season.

“Everything’s as difficult as you make it, based on your preparation and how you trained in the summer,” Wheeler said. “It’s going to be as easy or as hard as what you put into it. It was what I thought it was going to be. The first few days were going to be difficult. They were going to challenge us.”

Since then, Maurice has backed off, letting the heavy exhibition schedule play its role in conditioning.

Several players are out with various muscle pulls, and Maurice has had to be careful, not pushing too hard.

For some, it’s been plenty hard enough.

“My camp’s been a little different than some other guys, coming back from the hip surgery,” Jim Slater said. “It’s been tough, that’s for sure. Paul likes high-paced practices... we may not be out there for two hours, but for the hour, hour-and-10 minutes you’re out there it’s fast-paced.”

SICK BAY

Andrew Ladd has joined the ranks of the day-to-day with what Maurice terms a minor ailment.

The coach says Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Eric Tangradi and Paul Postma should all be ready for the regular-season opener in Phoenix, next Thursday.

Eric O’Dell (undisclosed) is one who remains questionable for Game 1, along with T.J. Galiardi (eye).

The Jets received some good news on Patrice Cormier’s eye injury, suffered in Edmonton, Monday.

“No damage,” Maurice said. “We don’t think it’s going to be that long.”



Winnnipeg Jets youngsters to get another good look against Senators


First posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 01:30 PM CDT | Updated: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 01:34 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Jets will go with a younger lineup than originally planned for tonight’s fifth game of the NHL pre-season against Ottawa.

Injuries continue to keep some veterans off the ice, Andrew Ladd today joining Dustin Byfuglien, Eric Tangradi, Paul Postma, Eric O’Dell, Patrice Cormier and T.J. Galiardi on the sidelines.

Head coach Paul Maurice described the injuries as minor, saying O’Dell (unspecified) and perhaps Galiardi (eye) are the only ones questionable for the regular-season opener, next Thursday in Phoenix.

“We’re right in that stretch of games now, where we’ve got so many guys out you have to be even more protective,” Maurice said. “If we were talking about regular season, four of these guys would be playing.

“And some of it, to be honest, wasn’t part of the grand design. You’ve got so many guys banged up... there are guys now that maybe were going to get one or two (games) are going to get three or four. So everybody gets a pretty hard look.”

Among the prospects in the lineup tonight: forwards Nik Ehlers, Nic Petan, J.C. Lipon and Carl Klingberg.

The veterans include the Mark Scheifele-Evander Kane-Blake Wheeler line, along with Jim Slater, Chris Thorburn and Matt Halischuk.

Others expected to play are up front are Anthony Peluso and John Albert.

Toby Enstrom and Zach Bogosian will pair on the blue line, joined by Adam Pardy, Grant Clitsome, Keaton Ellerby and Ben Chiarot.

Ondrej Pavelec is expected to play the entire game in goal, with Michael Hutchinson as the backup.

The Jets also received good news on Cormier’s eye injury, suffered in Edmonton last night.

“No damage,” Maurice said. “We don’t think it’s going to be that long.”

Maurice says the last two pre-season games will feature the bulk of players expected to open the regular season.

Winnipeg is in Calgary, Thursday, before hosting the Flames on Saturday.


737009 Vancouver Canucks

Deep roster up front pushes Matthias off centre for Canucks

By Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun September 30, 2014

Deep roster up front pushes Matthias off centre for Canucks

Vancouver Canucks forward Shawn Matthias is a natural centre, but the team’s depth will likely see him shifted to the wing.

Shawn Matthias has a head cold and he might have a headache as well, trying to figure out where he slots in with the Vancouver Canucks.

He is a centre by trade but has been moved to left wing by the new Canucks regime after the off-season acquisitions of Nick Bonino and Linden Vey. There is also the Bo Horvat factor.

So it’s crowded in the middle and Matthias has been crowded out. But it’s also crowded on left wing — given full health — with Daniel Sedin, Alex Burrows, Chris Higgins, Tom Sestito and top prospect Hunter Shinkaruk.

Matthias doesn’t need the Hubble telescope to see what’s happening and where he might be a fit. Is he concerned? Of course he is.

“Yeah, I think everyone somewhat thinks that. It’s just natural,” Matthias, 26, said. “But you have to be a good pro and do what you’re told and work hard at it. If I’m playing wing or whatever, I have to give it my all and just get better at it.”

Matthias has appeared in two of the Canucks’ five pre-season games. He has one assist, one shot on goal, two hits and has blocked two shots.

In Monday’s 4-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes, he took a hooking penalty in the second period and drew a penalty in the third that resulted in Vancouver’s only power play of the night — and a goal by Radim Vrbata.

Mostly, though, Matthias has struggled to be noticed despite being one of the largest Canucks at 6-4 and 216 pounds. He concedes the switch to left wing has been problematic.

“It’s definitely different and it’s going to take a little bit of time to get comfortable,” the native of Mississauga, Ont., said. “But, I mean, there are no excuses. At this level, you have to be better at it. We have a lot of practice time to improve on it before the season starts, another week to sharpen things up. I have to stop thinking out there and just play.”

Matthias was acquired, along with Jacob Markstrom, by the Mike Gillis regime on March 4 in the trade with Florida for Roberto Luongo. Perhaps Gillis and company had a different plan for Matthias — maybe a Manny Malhotra-type role — but that was then. This is now, and now means left wing.

“If it’s that way, I just have to keep working on it,” said Matthias, who is in the final year of a contract that carries a $1.75-million US cap hit. “Obviously I have played more centre in my career, so I just have to keep working every day on the things that left-wingers do, keep at it so when I go out for a game it’s just naturally coming to me … you know, just shut off my brain and play the game instead of over-thinking things.”

The most difficult adjustment moving from centre to the wing is invariably the breakout. As a centre, you are usually moving your feet deep in the defensive zone. As a winger, you’re stationary, waiting for a pass along the boards and keeping your eye on an opposing defenceman who could be pinching down and maybe throwing an elbow in the process.

“I think I just have to learn how wingers get the puck,” Matthias said. “Sometimes I still go into playing a little bit of centre and that’s not acceptable. I have to play my position and I have to work at it.”

Matthias played Monday on a line with Bonino and Burrows, the latter moving to the right side with Zack Kassian injured and Jannik Hansen a healthy scratch. As a line, they generated three shots on goal and attempted just five. Matthias didn’t give himself a very good mark.

“(Monday) wasn’t a great game,” he said. “I didn’t think I had a very good second period, and not the best first period either. The timing and feeling of the puck started to come in the third and I started to feel like my old self. So it takes a little bit of time. But there are no excuses.

“The good thing is it’s still pre-season. The next game I have to be better and the game after that I have to be better so, by the start of the season, I am playing at a level I want.”

Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins had this response when asked about Matthias: “I think he’s worked hard and I think he’s worked at it. I think he’s trying to find a spot.”

Hopefully for Matthias, that spot isn’t the press box when the Canucks open the regular season Oct. 8 in Calgary.

ICE CHIPS: The Canucks dispatched goalie Joacim Eriksson to the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets on Tuesday, leaving the big club with two netminders, eight defencemen and 17 forwards (including minor-leaguer Cal O’Reilly) … Defenceman Frank Corrado and two forwards, Zack Kassian and Brad Richardson, are injured … The Canucks did not practise Tuesday and return to the ice Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 10.01.2014


Kuzma: Linden Vey's off-ice story is one of grace, greatness and a brotherly bond

By Ben Kuzma, The Province September 30, 2014

Kuzma: Linden Vey's off-ice story is one of grace, greatness and a brotherly bond

Vancouver Canucks Linden Vey at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C., September 18, 2014.

Like any older brother, Shaun Vey would playfully stick it to his younger sibling.

A jab to the ribs of young Linden Vey during pickup games on the frozen pond at the family grain farm in Wakaw, Sask. A smack to the head just to get his attention and see if he had that fire of desire.

However, deep down there is nothing but admiration for that no-quit kid from a small town of 1,000 residents who has beaten long odds and is on the cusp of sticking in the NHL in a big Canadian city.

“What I’m most proud about my brother is the type of person he is,” Shaun Vey said Tuesday from Greensboro, N.C. where he’s representing Syngenta, a global agriculture supply company, in meetings as Canadian product manager.

“He’s respectful and has good values and has that determination. He kind of followed me around and we had road-hockey games with my older friends and he was never shy to join in.

“Sometimes I feel bad about how hard I was on him. Linden is never going to be the mean player, but he’s internally tough.

“I don’t think he’s ever been fearful as a kid and he’s never going to back down. And he’s not happy to just be there. He’s got the fire to be an impact player.”

That’s only part of a heartwarming family story.

The one on the ice is good, but the one off it is about grace, greatness and a brotherly bond.

The younger Vey looks up to his brother for good reason. Shaun Vey has dealt with testicular cancer and his son of nine months, Harper, has endured five surgeries including a cornea transplant to correct his vision. Suddenly, a scoring slump or a nagging injury seems trite by comparison.

“To think of him having cancer and the situations he’s been in, it just makes every one of us realize how lucky we are to play the game of hockey,” said the budding 23-year-old Vancouver Canucks centre.

“You can’t take anything for granted and anything can happen, and you learn to just keep going ahead. He helped me a lot because I know what to expect in any situation, and you take a lot of pieces from what he is doing and has done.

“Hockey is my life, but family is family. Last year, I was pretty fortunate to be there a couple of times for my brother when his son was having surgery in Toronto.”

The elder Vey, 27, is much more than just a big centre who played four WHL seasons — mostly with the Tri-City Americans after being drafted by and playing part of a season with the Vancouver Giants — and four more at the University of Saskatchewan.

He was diagnosed with cancer in February 2013 and was fortunate that it was detected early. He avoided surgery, radiation and chemotherapy and became an advocate for men to take charge of their health.

Tri-City hosted the Shaun Vey Aware Down There function so Vey could speak of his experience and participate in fundraising activities for the Cancer Center Foundation in Kennewick, Wash.

“Even when I got cancer, I always thought how I could help people,” he said.

“I want to put a positive spin on anything and with testicular cancer, young men are embarrassed to talk about it. And that’s one thing I didn’t want to

be. If I could help one young guy so he didn’t have to go through chemo or potentially lose his life, then that’s a success.”

Then there’s young Harper.

Born on Christmas Day, he was diagnosed early with Peters anomaly — a disease where you’re born with clouded corneas, which is akin to looking through a cloudy glass shower door.

Harper had a cornea transplant of his right eye at seven weeks, and Shaun and his wife Robyn have travelled to the Hospital For Sick Children in Toronto on numerous occasions.

There are likely more procedures because glaucoma is an ongoing concern. The strain on finances has been eased by family and the Kids Telemiracle charitable endeavour in Saskatchewan.

“It’s been the quite the adventure, but he’s been the greatest blessing in our lives and he’s such a happy-go-lucky boy,” said Shaun.

“We know we’re not finished yet, but he’s teaching us a lot about what to appreciate in life.

“It’s part of my upbringing. Growing up on a farm, you see lots of challenges and you can appreciate that every year on a farm is not a good one. You go through a lot of ups and downs and you have a choice to look at things through optimism.”

One look at Linden Vey and you can see that. He politely stands up for an interview request, he makes eye contact when you speak to him and thanks you for your time.

Maybe it’s all because growing up on that farm — and working beside his father Curtis — wasn’t really work, even at 7 a.m.

Yes, there was always some time in the winter to skate with Shaun and their sister Lindsay on a pond or lake or the town rink, but chores in the spring, summer and fall were never a burden.

“One thing the farm establishes, especially back in the day, is my grandpa used to work really hard on the farm, and then my dad,” he stressed.

“But working on the farm was like spending time with him. It’s something you learned to do. You learned to socialize while you were working and it’s something that we grew up to love and I still enjoy going back there when I can.”

When he graduated from high school and was to become a fourth-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Kings in 2009, Linden Vey chose to have a combined celebration at the farm.

After four WHL seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers — including a scoring title in 2010-11 with 46 goals and 70 assists — his three seasons in the AHL included 18 games with the Kings last season, and there was hope on the horizon.

He had five assists, but the obvious conclusion was that the Kings are loaded down the middle — with Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Tyler Toffoli, Jarret Stoll and Trevor Lewis.

And even before the Canucks would hire Vey’s former junior mentor Willie Desjardins, they saw something in the budding centre and sent the 50th pick in the 2014 draft — the one they acquired in moving Jason Garrison to the Tampa Bay Lightning — for the versatile forward.

When training camp opened, it was almost as if Vey had the keys to the company car. He was on the first power play unit at Whistler and didn’t have to play in the scrimmage.

Desjardins already knew what he had in Vey at the pro level and just needed him to shift some gears to be better defensively and better in the faceoff circle. He was just 6-for-19 but did collect an assist in a 4-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Monday, and he knows his shortcomings will be addressed by Desjardins at practice Wednesday.

“It helps a lot,” Vey said of knowing the coach.

“You don’t have to build a relationship. It’s good and bad. He knows what to expect from me and at some point, when you’re not playing at that level, he expects me to get back to it. And that’s a good thing.

“The past years I really didn’t come to camp in the best shape and as soon as I got traded here, Willie said, ‘This is your opportunity and make sure you’re in best possible situation to succeed and that starts with your fitness.’ I spent a lot of time work on that.”

It’s no secret the Canucks are going to have trouble matching up against big and skilled centres in the Pacific Division. Henrik Sedin, Nick Bonino, Vey and Brad Richardson aren’t going to strike fear into anybody in a physical sense, but don’t get the wrong read on the 6-foot, 190-pound Vey.

Even though the Canucks have never really replaced the healthy Manny Malhotra as a strong two-way, faceoff-winning, third-line pivot, Vey isn’t some shrinking violet, according to those who know him best.

“He’s got an edge inside him,” said Desjardins. “He’s not happy just to be here. He wants to be top six and then top three, and that’s just in his nature.

“It’s a process and you’ve got to work through it and everybody has their own internal drive or they wouldn’t be at this level. And he certainly has it.”

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 10.01.2014


Never say never: Brad Hunt could emerge as Edmonton Oilers' No. 7 defenceman

By Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal September 30, 2014

EDMONTON - Is there a scenario that one of the longest of long shots, Brad Hunt, could actually be the No. 7 defenceman here because he can coolly play the point on a second Edmonton Oilers power play, also distribute the puck to the right people at the right time with some effectiveness?

Yes, although the 5’9″, 188-pound Hunt is still in a training camp moshpit with his Monday partner Darnell Nurse, the much bigger Keith Aulie, Oscar Klefbom and others for work on the Edmonton blueline.

Hunt -- who was signed by the Oilers last season in large part because he had played for current GM Craig MacTavish when MacT was coaching the Vancouver Canucks AHL farm team, the Chicago Wolves -- was terrific in the Oilers’ 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Monday night.

He played 19 minutes, and at game’s end, assistant coach Craig Ramsay made a beeline for Hunt.

“Really good game,” said Ramsay, who’s been around the NHL block a few times.

Hunt played three Oilers games last season on a mid-season recall, with checkered results.

Solid B in his first game, but he struggled in game No. 3 when he made some errors, and his grade suffered before he was sent back to Oklahoma City.

While it’s true you can’t coach size, Hunt has a heart that would light up a hockey rink to go with a smile that never quits.

When Ramsay offered his post-game critique, Hunt was tickled, of course. Never hurts to win points with coaches, even if the games don’t count in pre-season.

“You cheer for guys like Huntzie,” said head knock Dallas Eakins, who earned his bones as a minor-league coach and was a journeyman pro defenceman moving from team to team.

He knows the trials and tribulations of guys on the bubble.

“He loves playing hockey and that kid can play," Eakins said after Monday's game. "He shoots it on the powerplay, he’s ready to tee it up, he knows when to move the puck, he knows when to jump into the play. He turned out to be an excellent partner for Darnell tonight. Rather than giving Darnell an NHL veteran guy every game, we have to see how Darnell does with a normal partner.”

Eakins admitted there’s room on every NHL roster for powerplay guys, no matter how big.

Torrey Krug proved that in Boston last year, becoming a top six guy with the Bruins and a rookie-of-the year contender.

Tyson Barrie isn’t big in Colorado, either. They’ve proven they’re NHLers; Hunt hasn’t got there yet. But as camp wears on he’s not going away.

He might still be assigned to Todd Nelson’s AHL squad when NHL rosters have to be finalized next Tuesday, but he’s making a case for himself.

“A pointman on the powerplay would be in Hunt’s back pocket for sure,” said Eakins, “and he’s going to have to push his way into 5-on-5 situations, but tonight he showed he can play at this level, right now. As you all know, the more you go along (camp) the games get quicker but I think Huntzie’s up to the challenge.”

Hunt admits that last year was deer-in-the-headlights stuff with partner Nick Schultz when he was summoned from OKC, where he and Taylor Fedun worked versions of the Barons’ AHL powerplay.

He had 50 points and was a second-team AHL all-star.

“I know everybody now and know what they expect, so it helps with your confidence,” said Hunt.

“The first NHL game I was so nervous because everything was so new. The first shift went by so fast, then holy smokes, it was the end of the first period. The second game I settled in but in the third I made a couple of mistakes and was nervous again.

"This year ... it’s just another game kind of thing. Last year, I was stuck with the experience of being around all the great players. It was a dream come true for me.”

Hunt said it gives him “hope” to see smaller defencemen on other NHL rosters.

“You have to play a different game obviously than a bigger player, smarter," he said. "I’m not out there banging bodies, I’m working positionally. I love seeing guys like Krug and Barrie in Colorado and (Tyler) Spurgeon in Minnesota. You try to model yourelf after those guys."

Nurse, who will likely have to make the top six because he has junior eligibility left, also had a strong night against Winnipeg.

He played 22:30, and had one interesting play in the third when he jumped in the air to try and keep a puck in, getting about three feet off the ice.

“Working on my vertical (leap). I tried to dunk on a basketball net this summer. I was surprised I got a piece of it (puck), actually. I need a couple more inches (height),” laughed Nurse.



'We missed it': Edmonton Oilers GM admits NHL team botched contract with Vladimir Tkachev


EDMONTON - The ink didn’t even have time to dry on the entry level contract that Vladimir Tkachev had signed with the Edmonton Oilers before it was tossed out by the National Hockey League.

The undrafted, undersized winger, who did nothing but turn heads at Oilers training camp, cannot sign with Edmonton or, for that matter, any NHL team, because he did not play a full season in North America.

The 141-pound winger will be tossed back into the draft pool in June.

“We felt he was eligible because he had played games last season in North America, but in talking to the NHL, the wording is clear that he had to have played a full season,” said Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish.

“We missed it. At no point was Tkachev eligible.”

The Russian prospect, who turns 19 on Sunday, had played two games with Omsk in the Kontintenal Hockey League while he waited for his IIHF release then headed to Moncton to play with the Wildcats in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

He played his first game on Jan. 21 then another 19 to close out the regular season.

The Oilers had offered him an amateur tryout contract following the NHL draft and, with it, an invitation to play at the annual rookie tournament in Penticton, B.C.

Tkachev parlayed that into a trip to the main camp after which he went out and earned a chance to play in three pre-season games.

“He was certainly deserving of the contract,” said MacTavish, who said they were operating under the premise that he had full CHL rights.

However, there are two sub-sections in the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, the second of which spells out that a player must have been with a team at the commencement of the major junior season.

What this means for Tkachev is that he will go back to Moncton — where he put up 30 points in 20 regular-season games — fully capable of putting up the kind of numbers that can’t be dismissed on draft day. If he happens to add some muscle, all the better.

“We still want to draft him, but it’s going to be a more competitive environment, I’d expect, next year,” MacTavish said. “We’ll have to see. He’s going back to Moncton with more notoriety than he came with to us in Penticton.”

In the three NHL pre-season games he played, Tkachev registered three assists.

“He looked more like a dressing room attendant,” Taylor Hall said of his first glimpse of the prospect. “But once he suits up and gets out there, he can skate well, move the puck well ... he thinks the game well. Those are the types of things that — no matter how small or big you are — you need to have to play in the NHL. Hopefully that happens for him someday.”

Tkachev, who has been leaning on Bogdan Yakimov and Nail Yakupov to do his talking for him, relayed through Yakupov on Tuesday, back when he thought he was with the Oilers, that he went into camp only intent on doing what he could.

“He kind of looks like this kid who showed up that we gave a bunch of men’s equipment to,” said head coach Dallas Eakins. “He has an incredible skill set: he has an ability to handle the puck, protect the puck, make plays, enter the zone under control; and he is not be intimidated by any kind of size. He’s impressive to watch.”

The Oilers will surely send Tkachev to Moncton sooner rather than after another pre-season game, given he is no longer their property.




By Rob Brodie, Postmedia News September 29, 2014


In home renovation terms, it goes way, way beyond merely adding a fresh coat of paint or two.

Let’s just say the folks at Rogers have gone much more than the extra mile in transforming a studio at the CBC Broadcasting Centre in Toronto into the most hi-tech of new hockey residences.

They finally took the wraps of Sportsnet’s new Hockey Central studio on Monday and, well … let’s just say $4.5 million can buy you a whole bunch of really fancy new toys. Like “Goliath,” for example — a 38-foot long ultra-high definition monitor that stands 11 feet tall and dominates the 11,000-square foot studio, which includes nine distinct sets. It’ll be unveiled to viewers on Oct.8, the opening night of the 2014-15 NHL season, which also marks the beginning of a 12-year contract for national NHL rights that cost Rogers a cool $5.2 billion. It’ll also be the new base for Hockey Night in Canada on Saturdays.

While the studio’s final pricetag isn’t exactly chump change, Rogers didn’t do this on the cheap, either. That sends a rather important message, said Scott Moore, Rogers’ president of Sportsnet and NHL.

“In some ways, studios and sets are a little bit like some nice wallpaper in your house,” he said. “But in others, they set a tone as to what you’re going to do. When our commentators walked in here a couple of weeks ago, they went ‘oh my God, these guys are serious.’ We could have spent $5.2 billion on the rights and then found inexpensive ways of doing production. We’re not doing that. It’s important for us as a company and it’s important for viewers to know that the game is going to be covered well for the next 12 years. I think when people tune in for the first time, they’ll see ‘hey, they’re serious.’

“I’ve told the story several times of the World Cup in 2010 when I was at CBC. We spent a lot of time and effort putting together a very nice set and at times, you think, why are we doing this? Are we doing this for ourselves? And soon after it debuted, I remember running into people who had nothing to do with the business and they said ‘wow, your coverage looks so big.’ It wasn’t that we were doing the coverage of the games any differently, it was that we had this great set that we could use to tell stories.”

There is ample space to do that — and then some. New Hockey Night in Canada host George Stroumboulopoulos has his familiar red chairs in one corner of the studio to do interviews. Across the way, you’ll find the space the Coach’s Corner duo of Ron MacLean and Don Cherry will do their regular Saturday night thing. That’s what figures to be the familiar for longtime viewers of HNIC.

But there will be lots of room for new, too. Like a Puck Wall, which features one disc for all 30 teams. Place one of them into a specially made cradle, and stats and info about that team pops up onto one of the 52 total screens in the studio. It’s a toy that really screams cool — and fun.

Moore’s favourite area of the studio includes a floor made of LED screens, which can be transformed into a faceoff circle or goalie’s crease for demonstrations.

There are also three separate ‘regional’ sets, two of them stacked one on top of the other. Given the schedule for the night, both could be operational at the same time. In fact, technology exists to shoot three live broadcasts in the studio at the same time for three or more networks. In all, nine channels are involved in delivering 550-plus Rogers NHL telecasts this season.

For some folks used to a little more simplicity — think CBC’s former Hockey Night studio — it might well be a jarring sight. But Moore believes, given time, viewers will warm up to something that is indeed completely different.

“I think you’re not doing your job if you’re not always looking for ways to keep it fresh,” he said. “When I was at Hockey Night (as the head of CBC Sports), we talked about how we were going to refresh, how we were going to do things differently. The change in rights ownership is a perfect time to sort of reset and say okay, let’s do things a little differently. Change is tough

and people don’t always embrace change right away, but I’d like to think people are going to say in two or three years, ‘yeah, that’s the standard.’ I think it may well happen a lot quicker.”



Canucks create three-headed monster in Utica, demote Joacim Eriksson

September 30, 2014. 11:28 am • Section: The White Towel

Patrick Johnston

We knew it would happen, now it’s official: Joacim Eriksson’s 2014 Canucks training camp is over, as the team announced Tuesday morning the goaltender is being re-assigned to Utica.

Eriksson spent almost all of 2013-14 as the Comets’ number one goalie (he had a taste of the NHL when Roberto Luongo was knocked out with a groin injury just before Christmas). Now he’ll split time with fellow Swede Jacob Markstrom.

jacobmarkstrom Canucks create three headed monster in Utica, demote Joacim Eriksson

Unless, of course, the Canucks find a taker for Markstrom; that doesn’t seem imminent, though, as the man traded for Roberto Luongo last winter passed through waivers on the weekend.

Joe Cannata is the third man in the Utica mix. It’s hard to see him sitting around, though – the easy move would be for him to be loaned to ECHL Kalamazoo, the bottom rung on the Canucks’ food chain. The other option would be for him to be loaned to another AHL team, where he’d at least face quality shooters.

I spoke to the Utica Observer-Dispatch’s John Pitarresi on Tuesday morning. Pitarresi says the team was tight-lipped this morning about their plans for this three-headed monster. He’s hoping to have more later on in the day.


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ESPN / Five NHL surprises ready to happen

By Scott Burnside

ESPN.com

Every NHL season has its surprises, and 2014-15 should be no different. Here are five poised to happen.

1. Patric Hornqvist, Pittsburgh Penguins: Almost all the talk about the deal that sent former Penguins sniper James Neal to the Nashville Predators was about Neal. He is good enough (or has the potential to be, at least) to set all kinds of Predators scoring records. The key piece coming back, though, was Hornqvist, the last player drafted in 2005 and a guy who will likely get a shot to play with Evgeni Malkin (or at times Sidney Crosby).

People bemoan Hornqvist's lack of foot speed, but he has a nose for the net, is a north-south player and had 12 goals and 23 points in his final 22 games last season for a Preds team that wasn't exactly chock-a-block with scoring talent. Playing with one of the two best centers in the world should give Hornqvist a shot at 35 goals.

2. Adam Henrique, New Jersey Devils: It seems like a long time ago Henrique burst on the scene with the Devils, becoming a finalist for rookie of the year in 2012 and helping New Jersey to a surprise berth in the Stanley Cup finals that season with 51 regular-season points and 13 more in the playoffs, including two series-clinching goals.

The Devils have missed the playoffs twice since then, but Henrique bounced back nicely after a disappointing sophomore season with 25 goals and 43 points last season, including 11 goals in his last 18 games. With sniper Mike Cammalleri, who also enjoyed a strong finish to the 2013-14 season, coming over as a free agent, we're looking for Henrique to continue his evolution as a go-to guy for New Jersey.

Chad Johnson

A change of scenery for Chad Johnson could mean changing fortunes for the Islanders.

3. Chad Johnson, New York Islanders: How many times last season did we (and legions of hockey observers) write or say that the Islanders needed to address their leaky goaltending if they were to follow up a nice run to the playoffs in 2013? One hundred? Five hundred? Well, GM Garth Snow finally got around to the task this offseason, signing Jaroslav Halak to a four-year deal. Halak will no doubt begin the season as the starter, but he's not particularly durable and, at times, has not been particularly consistent.

The guy who might make all the difference is former Boston Bruins backup Johnson, who was also brought in to provide relief for Halak (and presumably to play against the St. Louis Blues, whom Halak opted not to face late last season, but that's another story altogether). Johnson was an impressive 17-4-3 with a .925 save percentage backing up Vezina Trophy winner Tuukka Rask.

Yes, it's a small sample size and the Islanders are not the Bruins when it comes to team defense, but in 27 appearances, Johnson allowed more than three goals just three times. At one point, he went 14 straight decisions without incurring a regulation loss. In short, it would actually not surprise me at all if Johnson ends up with a sizable workload with the Isles. That might not be such a bad thing after all.

4. The Minnesota Wild: Everyone knows dozens of tumblers have to click into sequence in order for the safe to open and reveal a Stanley Cup. The Wild are no different in that regard, but there's a lot to like about the chances for them to take that nice, big step forward, provided their three-headed goalie monster doesn't become too unwieldy or simply fall apart. It started to do so even before training camp opened.

Josh Harding, an ongoing inspirational stories as he strives to play at a high level while battling multiple sclerosis, suffered a fractured foot in what was reported as an altercation with a teammate and was suspended by the team before camp started. That leaves Niklas Backstrom, who has his own ongoing durability issues to deal with but who entered training camp in good shape, and youngster Darcy Kuemper, who signed a two-year deal after the Harding mishap. There's also Ilya Bryzgalov, back in camp on a tryout basis

after coming on at the trade deadline last season and delivering quality starts for a team that upset the Colorado Avalanche in the first round and then gave the Chicago Blackhawks all it could handle in the second round.

The goaltending will be in the spotlight for the Wild, but look beyond and there is an enticing blend of youthful talent (Jonas Brodin, Erik Haula, Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle) and veteran experience (Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, Jason Pominville), and with sniper Thomas Vanek coming aboard, the sky really could be the limit, even in the toughest division in the league, the Central. Well, except for, you know, the goaltending. Maybe.

5. The Vancouver Canucks: How bad were the Canucks last season? Was it look-out-below-for-the-next-five-years bad, or was it that-wasn't-fun-and-it's-time-for-an-immediate-bounce-back bad? With a new GM in Jim Benning and a new coach in first-time head man Willie Desjardins -- who spurned the Penguins to take the Canucks job -- lots of people think it's the former as opposed to the latter.

Now, let's ask the same questions of Ryan Miller, the former Vezina Trophy winner and Olympic MVP who was supposed to lead the Blues to the promised land but instead lost four straight games after the Blues had built a 2-0 lead in the first round against Chicago.

Miller looked pretty ordinary as the Blues failed to close the deal, an unceremonious end to his time in St. Louis. He signed a three-year deal worth $6 million annually in the offseason to take over as the No. 1 goaltender in Vancouver, a position that is no stranger to drama and discontent in recent years.

With Ryan Kesler gone, the Canucks are a different team than they were a few short years ago, when they fell in seven games to Boston in the 2011 Stanley Cup finals. But how different? Miller will have a lot to say in that regard, as will twins Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin and newcomers Nick Bonino, Radim Vrbata and Linden Vey.

Still, a number of executives have suggested that maybe we have been a bit too hasty in closing the door on a Canucks team that, just three seasons ago, was the standard-bearer on both sides of the puck and went to Game 7 of the finals.

ESPN LOADED: 10.01.2014

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ESPN / Jason Spezza says Stars' offense could be 'headache' for foes

By Pierre LeBrun

New team, new city, new country, new school, new house, but luckily for Jason Spezza, at least one same linemate who ended the campaign with him in Ottawa last season.

Don't underestimate the importance of having Ales Hemsky on his right side as Spezza adjusts to playing for an NHL team other than the Ottawa Senators for the first time in his career.

"That's probably been the biggest thing so far," Spezza told ESPN.com on Tuesday from Dallas. "When you make such a big change, everything is new, except for the fact I'm playing with Hemmer still. It's really been a blessing to have a guy that I feel familiar with."

Spezza and Hemsky hit up an instant chemistry late last season after the Senators got the Czech winger in a trade from Edmonton. Ironically, it's because of that chemistry that Sens GM Bryan Murray was hoping to bring Hemsky back to play with Spezza. That was before learning that Spezza wanted out.

Jason Spezza

Jason Spezza is looking forward to suiting up for the high-flying Stars.

Hemsky instead followed Spezza to Dallas, giving the Stars a tantalizing one-two punch on their top two lines with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin on the top unit with sophomore Valeri Nichushkin. Erik Cole will likely begin the season complementing Spezza and Hemsky.

Questions remain as far as how this team will defend. But scoring goals? That should not be a problem.

"I think we can be a dynamic offensive team," Spezza said. "The fit is really good for me that way. [Head coach] Lindy [Ruff] wants us to play up-tempo, pressuring the puck, stuff that I'm comfortable doing. I think we're a team that can give other teams headaches nightly if we can take care of the puck in our end. Once we get on the attack, there aren't many teams that might be better than us that way."

For Spezza, it all lines up beautifully. After years of always drawing the toughest matchup from the other team as far as the top defense pair or the top checking line, he'll at least share that chore with Benn-Seguin, if not benefit most nights as other teams pick their poison and likely match up their best with Benn-Seguin.

Plus, the style of play Ruff wants to use suits Spezza just nicely.

"I really like the way Lindy wants us to play," Spezza said. "I think it really suits my game. The way he coaches is something that fits my game naturally. It's a nice starting point for sure."

According to a Western Conference scout, it could turn out to be a good fit, given the strengths of the teams out west.

"He is a big-body center, which helps in the Western Conference against the Getzlafs, Kopitars, Thorntons," the scout wrote in an email to ESPN.com. "He gives them a veteran presence for a young group, allows Ruff the ability to move Seguin's line around, [to] pack more offensive punch, which takes some pressure off Seguin ... . [He] will help balance their lineup and put guys into the right fits [and] is familiar with few players in that lineup, which helps. [He] has been a strong faceoff guy in Ottawa. [The] Stars' power play was just middle of the pack, so he can help that push upward in that category. He might just flourish with less pressure and [on a] non-Canadian team where the focus has been on him since day 1."

All in all, it should mean an increase in offensive productivity from Spezza, who tallied 66 points (23-43) in 75 games last season. Take the over this season on that point total.

And it just so happens he's in a contract year.

He would easily be the headliner next July 1 on what is otherwise a rather thin UFA crop when it comes to high-end talent, but whether or not he actually gets there, well, that remains to be seen.

The Stars intend on having Spezza hang around longer than one season.

"They've expressed that they want to talk [extension]," Spezza said. "And we have all intentions of talking. But it's just I want to get comfortable first, and get started. It's really not a big concern of mine right now. I'm not naive, I know as the season goes on it'll become more of a talking point. But at this point, I'm just worried about playing and getting comfortable. If we start winning games, it's going to be a good fit for both sides. It's just a matter of getting comfortable first. There's no point in rushing into anything."

Getting comfortable means off-ice, too. He's got kids ages 4, 2 and 4 months old. They moved into their house in Dallas in late August to begin their new life away from Canada's capital.

"I say it's been a pretty smooth transition, although it's my wife that's done most of the work," Spezza, 31, said with a chuckle. "We're settled. The kids are in school. Everyone is getting comfortable."

After years in the spotlight in hockey-crazed Ottawa, it's clear that Spezza appreciates the quiet life he's entering.

"It's been nice to come to the rink and work and nobody knows me here," he said. "It's been nice that way. We've enjoyed it."

Don't get him wrong -- he would never take back his years in Ottawa. But the time was right for a move.

"Ottawa is a great place to play, I really enjoyed playing in Canada and the scrutiny that came with it," Spezza said. "But you almost don't realize how much you go through day to day until you get away from it. You realize how much more laid-back it can be in another setting. I wouldn't change it, but I'm welcoming the change right now."

And so are the Stars.

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Sportsnet.ca / 30 Thoughts: Making sense of the Tkachev mess

Elliotte Friedman September 30, 2014, 11:08 PM

If you feel like reading through the NHL’s CBA, go to Article 8, Section 9, subsections ii-iv. That’s the legalese explaining why the Oilers cannot sign Vladimir Tkachev.

For those of us who don’t speak lawyer, it’s this simple: had Tkachev not played any games in Europe — he dressed for two with KHL’s Avangard Omsk — Edmonton’s contract offer was good. But, because he did, he can still be drafted next June.

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The same thing happened to Philadelphia with Tomas Hyka in 2011. The Flyers tried to sign him, were blocked and Los Angeles drafted Hyka in 2012. Washington pulled a different move with Nathan Walker in 2013, signing him to an AHL contract before taking him 89th last June. (The AHL deal put him in their system, but did not provide the Capitals with any control of Walker’s NHL rights. They still had to select him.)

Some of the twitterites asked why this was any different from Sergey Tolchinsky, a Russian winger who went undrafted in 2012-13, but signed with Carolina. Very simple answer: he played all of that season in Sault Ste. Marie, nothing overseas.

In a small bit of irony, Tkachev’s Edmonton contract was structured similarly to Tolchinsky’s, although the Oilers gave a bit more of a signing bonus.

It’s a mistake by both the team and the agent, an unfortunate one, because there’s no guarantee this marriage happens again. Edmonton had a nice find and Tkachev was happy. When he went unselected in June, two teams agreed to bring him in on a tryout. One, obviously, was the Oilers, at director of amateur scouting Stu MacGregor’s recommendation. Agent Rollie Hedges would not reveal the other club.

Why did Tkachev choose Edmonton? “Youth,” Hedges said. “A player his age would have an opportunity.” He certainly got it, and showed legit skill. He’ll go back to QMJHL Moncton and have a chance to light it up with St. Louis prospect Ivan Barbashev, who already has three goals in two games.

But it will be nine months before we know if the Oilers do get their man.

30 THOUGHTS

1. There’s no questioning Tkachev’s skill, but his size (141 pounds) is the big one. Before the contract was voided, he committed to spending more time in North America during the summers, allowing his workout routine to be closely monitored and supported.

2. The New York Rangers are at the maximum 50 contracts, with Anthony Duclair making a push for the roster. Because of his age (19) and when he signed (Jan. 2, 2014), his entry-level contact will not “slide” this season. So, he will burn the first year of that three-year deal in 2014-15 whether or not he plays in the NHL. Can’t pin down who, but there is no doubt the Rangers are trying to move at least one body so there is room if necessary.

3. New York took Duclair with its third third-round pick (80th overall) in 2013. There were teams who shied away, wondering why Colorado — picking 63rd — did not take him, since he played for Patrick Roy with the Quebec Remparts. Whatever the reason, the Rangers’ decision looks intelligent.

4. The waiver dance is an interesting one at this time. Most teams will tell you, if there’s a guy you still want in your organization, try to get him through as early as possible. That way, opponents are still looking at their guys. The later you go, the more likely someone feels their own players may not be what they hoped, so they’ll take a chance on one of yours.

5. For example, Vancouver put Jacob Markstrom on waivers the first day it was possible to do so. I do believe the Canucks called a few teams (New Jersey, Winnipeg, among others) to see if they could get a draft pick for him, but once that failed they decided the best shot to avoid losing him for nothing was waiving him right away. Colorado waited a little longer with Stefan

Elliott, and apparently were concerned about losing him, but you probably won’t see claims until later this week.

6. Like Vancouver with Markstrom, Toronto has asked around about Carter Ashton, trying to see if they can get a pick instead of going though the waiver route.

7. Two years ago, Florida came through Toronto late in the season, while giving Markstrom a run of starts. Their goalie coach, Rob Tallas, was excited about the opportunity for him and what it could do for his career. Last season, while Tallas never said a negative word, you could tell the enthusiasm was gone, that Markstrom did not take advantage. He’s still only 24. Will the knowledge he was unwanted give him the kick he needs?

8. One exec, watching to see what Chicago does, on Stan Bowman: “Just like Scotty, he believes you’d rather trade a player a year early than a year late.”

9. I was surprised to see the Blackhawks send down Adam Clendening, because word last summer was they thought he’s ready. He doesn’t need to clear waivers, probably a factor, but it also sounds like they’d like to see a little more improvement in his defensive game. According to several who saw him, his offensive instincts are NHL-level.

10. The Oilers still carry a pretty big group, as they are in a stretch of five games in seven nights. Barring a total meltdown, Leon Draisaitl is going to get a nine-game tryout at the beginning of the regular season. Edmonton may carry five centres, so is there also room for 19-year-old monster Bogdan Yakimov? He’s played very well, but would the Oilers want two young middlemen, since one probably has to sit?

11. Top scouting report on Draisaitl? “He doesn’t cheat.”

12. Sounds like both Edmonton and Carolina (after Jordan Staal’s injury) were approached by other teams to see if they were interested in centre help. Doesn’t seem like either club is excited about giving up an asset for what is available.

13. The night Staal was injured in Buffalo, assistant coach Rod Brind’Amour was cut by a puck in the pre-game warmup. He doesn’t usually watch them, but decided to that night. Don’t think we’ll be seeing him out there anytime soon.

14. As Columbus and agent Kurt Overhardt work hard to try and solve the Ryan Johansen stalemate, the other remaining RFA skirmish involves Dallas and Brenden Dillon. Wednesday is going to be a very important day. The Dallas Morning News’ Mike Heika reported Dillon’s agent, Jarrett Bousquet, asked for the same two-year deal ($1.9 million average) Cody Eakin got, but was rejected. Heika’s story confirmed Bousquet initially used Erik Gudbranson as a comparable. Gudbranson finished his entry-level contract with 21 points in 169 games. He played 17:58 per night last season, and signed an extension worth an average annual value of $2.5M. Dillon is at 25 points in 129 games, averaging 21:05. GM Jim Nill is using the full CBA leverage, just like St. Louis, Boston, Columbus and Dallas itself with Eakin. When numbers become public, there are hurt feelings. Dillon clearly is disappointed with how this is going.

15. Boy, that Stars’ power play. It had some sensational moments Monday against Florida. There were times we saw three right-hand shots on the left (Ales Hemsky, Tyler Seguin, Jason Spezza) and two left-hand shots on the weakside (Jamie Benn, Trevor Daley). Seguin scored once on a one-timer from the middle of the ice and a second when he went backdoor as Benn moved higher in the slot, taking the defence with him. Benn barely missed another after a ridiculous pass from Spezza to the crease. Coaches say you have to decide which two things you want to take away from your opponent’s powerplay. Good luck with that.

16. The Tampa Tribune’s Erik Erlendssen had some good stuff from the Lightning’s excellent owner, Jeff Vinik, at a team Fan Fest last weekend. Obviously, Steven Stamkos’ future is the big topic. After a goofy summer of stories about “favourited tweets,” you can be sure of one thing: Tampa can sign him to an extension on July 1, 2015 — and the Lightning are going to try everything possible to avoid a gong show and do it.

17. Ken Holland and Mike Babcock are going to meet soon to discuss the coach’s contract. If they are both 100 per cent convinced it’s the right time, go ahead. If not, why rush? Should they decide to wait, will it really be a distraction? If Babcock can handle winning two pressure-packed Olympic gold medals (one on Canadian soil), will he really be bothered by rumours about his future? The biggest concern I’d have for both men is it’s a changing team. Why not see how it goes? If things are good, you can still

talk in November or February. My favourite Lou Lamoriello saying: “If you have time, use it.”

18. One scout on Stephen Weiss: “The biggest question will be his stamina. He’s played 43 games in two years. I’ve seen him start strong and slow down in later periods. Can he get up to speed?”

19. The scout also relayed that word is Detroit feels it owes Daniel Alfredsson some real patience. First, he chose them last year during a difficult process, led them in scoring and was a great leader in season they needed veterans to step up. Second, he could have come to them in June for a new contract, but was honest about his injury and gave them cap flexibility. They are willing to let this play out.

20. Calgary’s got an interesting prospect in goalie Doug Carr. He won the job as a freshman at UMass-Lowell, then lost it to Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck two years later. It’s not that Carr was terrible, it’s that Hellebuyck is a stud. The Flames signed him as a free agent, and just sent him to the AHL. Age (25) is against him, but he’s got some ability.

21. John Tavares had to fight to hold it together a couple times as the Oshawa Generals retired his number 91 last Sunday. Most impressive thing: Five years since his departure, he continues his JT’s Junior Generals program, which gets young players free tickets to games.

22. Islanders GM Garth Snow on Tavares: “Whatever John’s perceived weakness is, he works at it. In practice, you see a lot of players who work at the things they good at, because it gives them confidence. John works on things that aren’t his strongest attribute. That’s the one thing that stands out to me, if there’s something in his mind he needs to get better at, there’s no stopping him.”

23. New York’s director of communications, Kimber Auerbach, had a great story about Tavares’ draft. They were trying to take him to the team suite and ended up on the concourse, where they were worried he’d be mobbed by fans. So, they had to stick him into (basically) a closet while figuring out where to go. The draft was in Montreal, and when the proper route was discovered, there was absolutely no one on the concourse — because it was time for the Canadiens to pick. Lovely closet, though.

24. The Islanders brought three jerseys to the draft. One was Tavares’. The others were Victor Hedman (who went second) and Matt Duchene (third). The joke was the staff figured Tavares was the choice because the other two sweaters were in side pockets. Snow said last week Tavares was unquestionably the pick right from the lottery. Why not just say it? “There’s a reason we have a draft on a certain day at a certain time,” he said. “If you’ve seen the video of our draft party…the electricity, the place erupted. You don’t get many moments like that. Some intrigue is good for the sport.”

25. I’m big on the jersey stories. For example, learned last week that in 2003, Carolina brought three to the draft. One was for Eric Staal, who the Hurricanes took second. The second was for Marc-Andre Fleury, who went first after Pittsburgh traded up. The third? Zach Parise, in case they traded down.

26. The Islanders tried Mikhail Grabovski on the wing with Tavares and Kyle Okposo last week. Snow said they talked about it with Grabovski when he signed, because he’d played there a little with Washington. How did it look? “They were very creative,” he answered. Not sure that’s a long-term plan, and the GM added he does want to find a more permanent solution, as opposed to rotating a third player with his top two forwards.

27. Finally, Snow on Josh Bailey: “We want him to be more selfish. Shoot the puck more. When you shoot the puck, you have the ability to get assists — on rebounds.”

28. One opponent on Ryan Kesler: “He knows what he’s there for…he’s trying to agitate in exhibition games. Trying to fit in right away.”

29. The Blackhawks are facing two lawsuits from fans who were hit by pucks in non-netted areas. That led to questions about more sections being covered, but in asking around last week, I couldn’t find any evidence that’s being discussed.

30. Is there anything funnier this week than Philadelphia bringing back IceGirls because crowds booed the IceGuys?

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Sportsnet.ca / Fan’s guide to picking an NHL team: Atlantic

Jeff Simmons September 30, 2014, 12:11 PM

Are you new to hockey? A disgruntled Leafs fan? Looking for a new team to root for this season? You’re in luck.

In our first edition of Icebreakers, we’ll provide the reasons why and why not to support NHL franchises. And for additional perspective, we’ll even compare NHL teams to other North American sports franchises.

To help guide your decision, ask yourself: what type of sports fan are you?

1. Frontrunner. While your friends and colleagues may not respect this approach, it’s the easiest path to success.

2. Do you like to be considered that crafty sports fan who jumps on an up-and-comer before the mainstream crowd? Then maybe you’re a sports hipster.

3. Are you looking for a rebuilding project? That route certainly isn’t for everyone, but if you want to avoid the dreaded “bandwagon hopper” label, this is the option for you.

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Icebreakers will be done in four separate articles. We’ll start with the eight teams in the Atlantic Division Sept. 30 and will follow up with the eight teams in the Metropolitan on Oct. 1. Then, the two divisions in the Western Conference will be published Oct. 2 and 3.

Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins

Last year’s record: 54-19-9 (1st in division)

Coach: Claude Julien | GM: Peter Chiarelli

Core players: Patrice Bergeron, Tuukka Rask, Zdeno Chara, David Krejci

Why this team? The Bruins are a contending team in the midst of a championship window. They’re built for the long haul with great goaltending, a good mix of youth and experience, and a hard-nosed physical style suited for playoff hockey.

Why not? Lockdown defender Zdeno Chara is getting old. He will be 38 in March. Once he declines, he’ll be next to impossible to replace. Yes, we know Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton are impressive young players. And another thing – those NHL 15 commercials with Patrice Bergeron are just terrible.

Other sport comparison: Pittsburgh Steelers – Both are known for their rugged identity and have a history of great players. They are among the most accomplished in their respective sports and happen to wear black and yellow. Can it get closer than that?!

Buffalo Sabres

Last year’s record: 21-51-10 (Last in division)

Coach: Ted Nolan | GM: Tim Murray

Core players: Matt Moulson, Cody Hodgson, Tyler Myers, Tyler Ennis

Why this team? It’s the perfect potential sports hipster scenario. Hop on the potential Connor McDavid team a year before everyone else. A veteran hockey man told me McDavid is already better than John Tavares.

Why not? There’s tons of risk here – especially if they don’t land one of the prized possessions in the upcoming draft. In the short term, expect the Sabres to struggle. Their roster is baaad. It’s difficult to find a single strength on the team right now.

Other sport comparison: Philadelphia 76ers – Both organizations have fallen on tough times. The two were among the worst in their sport last year and appear to be in the early stages of a long rebuild.

Detroit Red Wings

Last year’s record: 39-28-15 (4th in division)

Coach: Mike Babcock | GM: Ken Holland

Core players: Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Jimmy Howard, Niklas Kronwall, Gustav Nyquist

Why this team? The Red Wings are one of the model organizations. They find value everywhere – especially Europe – and continue to churn out good hockey teams. As they say, ownership wins in pro sports, and the Red Wings get an A in this department.

Why not? You may have missed the boat here. These Red Wings appear to be running out of gas. Pavel Datsyuk is already hurt. They can’t seem to attract any defencemen in free agency. And Mike Babcock’s contract is up after this season.

Other sport comparison: Atlanta Braves – Not many sports franchises over the last 20 years have had a better run of success than the Braves and Red Wings, but times are changing. Despite developing some good young players, the Wings need to fight to earn a playoff spot.

Florida Panthers


Coach: Gerard Gallant | GM: Dale Tallon

Core players: Jonathan Huberdeau, Aaron Ekblad, Roberto Luongo, Aleksander Barkov

Why this team? Other than the weather or Roberto Luongo’s Twitter account? There’s actually potential on this roster, despite some highly questionable free agent signings. Aaron Ekblad, Alexsander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad have the makings of a nice core down the road.

Why not? The Panthers are a tough squad to root for. They get limited coverage. They have to sign overpriced contracts (Dave Bolland) just to reach the salary cap floor, and their arena is in the middle of the nowhere – unless you enjoy shopping at overcrowded outlet malls with terrible parking.

Other sport comparison: Jacksonville Jaguars — Just like their Florida counterpart, the Panthers are a franchise with no identity. Both teams struggle to attract fans and haven’t had any real run of sustained success throughout their history.

Montreal Canadiens

Last year’s record: 46-28-8 (3rd in division)

Coach: Michel Therrien | GM: Marc Bergevin

Core players: Carey Price, P.K. Subban, Tomas Plekanec, Max Pacioretty

Why this team? The Habs have a pretty good thing going. They have a great goalie in his prime, a legitimate No. 1 defenceman, and all the Stanley Cups you could ever dream of. And you get to make fun of the Leafs – a lot.

Why not? Because their fan base can be insufferable. They like to brag about all of their titles, despite not winning anything since 1992-93. Talk about living in the past. Also, can we get the media to stop drooling over about every pre-game ceremony? It’s the same thing every time!

Other sport comparison: Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers don’t have quite the same history of winning as the Canadiens, but who does? Both are among the most revered franchises in their sport and have a polarizing star (Yasiel Puig, meet P.K. Subban).

Ottawa Senators


Coach: Paul MacLean | GM: Bryan Murray

Core players: Erik Karlsson, Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris, Jared Cowen

Why this team? There’s a few easy ones off the top. Paul MacLean’s mustache is a sight to behold, and sometimes you even get to see his doppelganger show up at games. Other than that, you get to watch Erik Karlsson play 82 games a year. He’s the most dynamic offensive force on the blue line the league has seen in years.

Why not? You may be too late. Daniel Alfredsson is gone. Jason Spezza is gone. And Bobby Ryan is hitting free agency after the year. Outside of Karlsson, there’s a clear lack of blue-chip players.

Other sport comparison: Tampa Bay Rays – Two franchises that lost their panache in tough divisions. Some of it comes down to financial issues. Because of that, they’ve struggled to retain their stars and haven’t been able to attract free agents.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Last year’s record: 46-27-9 (2nd in division)

Coach: Jon Cooper | GM: Steve Yzerman

Core players: Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Ben Bishop, Jonathan Drouin

Why this team? The Lightning have become a trendy Stanley Cup pick in the East. They have an up-and-coming head coach, a deep core of young players and a true superstar in Steven Stamkos, who may be the most likable player in all of hockey. Just think what could happen if Drouin lives up to expectations.

Why not? If you’re a sports hipster, this won’t work for you. The Lightning are already big in the mainstream, despite the non-traditional hockey market. There are tons of writers and publications banking on this team to make a deep playoff run.

Other sport comparison: Carolina Panthers — Both expansion clubs from the 1990s have star players that were drafted first overall. Stamkos and Cam Newton have vaulted their teams into immediate contention, even after losing iconic franchise staples (Steve Smith and Martin St. Louis) over the past year.

Toronto Maple Leafs


Coach: Randy Carlyle | GM: Dave Nonis

Core players: Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Morgan Rielly, James van Reimsdyk

Why this team? They are one of the classic franchises in the sport and finally appear headed in the right direction under new team president Brendan Shanahan. And Phil Kessel, because of his skill set and body type, is quickly becoming a cult hero.

Why not? Do you like stress? Even if you ignore the annoying fans or the history of inept ownership, there are significant issues on the ice. They have no real No. 1 centre. They don’t have a true No. 1 defenceman – although Dion Phaneuf is paid like it — and they’re paying David Clarkson $5.5 million for six more years.

Other sport comparison: The Tony Romo version of the Dallas Cowboys — Remember when Romo botched the snap to blow a playoff game? That’s what it feels like to be a Leafs fan. The two are identical in a lot of ways – big-money franchises with extensive history, unlikable leaders and monumental collapses.


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Sportsnet.ca / Gotta See It: Speedy Haggerty pots two beauties

Luke Fox September 30, 2014, 10:43 AM

The New York Rangers may have scooped themselves a late bloomer.

Granted it’s only one game, played against an average team’s preseason lineup, but 21-year-old Ryan Haggerty raised eyebrows and hopes Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

Haggerty, who grew up a Blueshirts fan in nearby Stamford, Conn., was never drafted into the NHL, but the six-foot, 200-pound power forward dominated for the RPI Engineers last season in the NCAA, scoring 28 goals and 43 points in 35 games. New York signed him as a free agent and threw him on a line with rookie Anthony Duclair and former Dallas Stars centre Chris Mueller. All three are in tough to crack the Stanley Cup finalist’s roster, but the line looked electric Monday night.

A product of the U.S. National Development Team, Haggerty scored two beat-his-man-wide, bust-to-the-net goals on Philadelphia Flyers No. 1 Steve Mason, and added an assist. He was awarded the game’s first star for his three-point effort.

“I felt like I had a lot of confidence out there, felt like I can make plays, felt like I can get pucks to the net,” Haggerty told reporters after the 6-3 preseason victory. “It’s something you’re never going to forget, even though it’s a preseason game.”

Speed of Duclair and Haggerty tore up the Flyers defense. Along with Hayes and Fast, they have really stood out in the crowd. #NYR

— Steven David (@Garts2point2) September 30, 2014

Really interested to see how Duclair, Haggerty, and Hayes play for another go around tonight

— King Hank (@KingHankNYR) September 30, 2014


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USA TODAY / New York Rangers preview: Second in Metropolitan

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 3:25 p.m. EDT September 30, 2014

2013-14 results: 45-31-6, second in Metropolitan

Story line: Is Lundqvist the answer to Rangers' problems?

Arrivals: D Dan Boyle, D Michael Kostka, C Matthew Lombardi, RW Lee Stempniak, LW Tanner Glass, C-RW Kevin Hayes (free agents)

MORE: Team power rankings

Departures: RW Derek Dorsett (traded to Vancouver Canucks); C Brad Richards (signed with Chicago Blackhawks), F Brian Boyle and D Anton Stralman (signed with Tampa Bay Lightning), LW Benoit Pouliot (signed with Edmonton Oilers), D Justin Falk (signed with Minnesota Wild)

Goaltending: Henrik Lundqvist (33-24-5, 2.36, .920) showed last season he could make a team look much stronger than it is. His save percentage is about .930 in his past 57 playoff games. Cam Talbot (12-6-1, 1.64, .941) is the backup.

USATODAY

NHL 2014-15 season predictions: Awards winners, division and Cup winners

Analysis: Buying out Richards improved the cap situation, but they couldn't significantly improve their team. Boyle, 38, is a skilled defenseman, but his best days are behind him. Stempniak and Lombardi are depth scorers. The Rangers again will rely on Derek Stepan (once he returns from injury), Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello, Rick Nash, Chris Kreider and others. Kreider is an X factor because he has the potential to be a 30-plus-goal scorer.The Rangers don't have a dominant scorer but have a collection of players who can score 20. They are an average power-play team and an exceptional penalty-killing team.

Breakthrough candidate: Carl Hagelin, 26, could go from 17 goals to 25. He could top 50 points.

Youngster to watch: Sought-after college free agent Hayes is 6-5, 225, and he scored 27 goals in 40 games for Boston College last season. He could step right into the lineup.

rick nash carl hagelin

What the team really needs: For Nash to play the way he did in 2008-09 when he had 40 goals and 79 points. He had half that many points last season.

USATODAY

U.S. prospects could dominate at 2015 NHL draft

Key question: Are the Rangers premium contenders? Their roster doesn't match those of the Kings, Blackhawks or Bruins. But their goaltending and defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal put them in the second tier.

Forecast: If you are a Rangers fan, you just root to get your team into the playoffs and hope Lundqvist can drive the bus.

Top returning leaders

Goals: Rick Nash, 26

Assists: Mats Zuccarello, Derek Stepan, 40

Points: Zuccarello, 59

Plus-minus: Chris Kreider, +14

Penalty minutes: Kreider, 72

Shots: Nash, 258

Projected Eastern Conference standings

Playoff team Division Non-playoff team Division

1. Boston Atlantic 9. Washington Metropolitan

2. Tampa Bay Atlantic 10. N.Y. Islanders Metropolitan

3. Pittsburgh Metropolitan 11. Toronto Atlantic

4. N.Y. Rangers Metropolitan 12. Florida Atlantic

5. Montreal Atlantic 13. New Jersey Metropolitan

6. Detroit Atlantic 14. Carolina Metropolitan

7. Columbus Metropolitan 15. Ottawa Atlantic

8. Philadelphia Metropolitan 16. Buffalo Atlantic

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USA TODAY / New York Islanders preview: Sixth in Metropolitan

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 8 a.m. EDT September 30, 2014

2013-14 results: 34-37-11, last in Metropolitan

Story line: Islanders bringing down curtain at Nassau Coliseum

Arrivals: G Jaroslav Halak (trade with St. Louis Blues); C Mikhail Grabovski, LW Nikolai Kulemin, LW Cory Conacher, RW Jack Skille, G Chad Johnson (free agents)

MORE: Team power rankings

Departures: G Evgeni Nabokov (signed with Tampa Bay Lightning)

Goaltending: Halak (29-13-7, 2.25, .921) is viewed as a missing piece acquisition. His .918 career save percentage looks golden to a group that has missed the playoffs in seven of the last nine seasons. Johnson (17-4-3, 2.10, .925) will back up.

Analysis: With John Tavares in his prime, the Islanders hope to make the playoffs before they move into Barclays Center next season. Tavares could be in Sidney Crosby's neighborhood in the scoring race. The Islanders will need Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo to continue to be highly productive and hope Josh Bailey becomes more productive. The Islanders could be an above-average team but will have to tidy up their defensive game to make the playoffs. Last season, they were the worst team in the league at holding a lead going into the third period. They won 55.6% of the time when they led after two.

USATODAY

NHL 2014-15 season predictions: Awards winners, division and Cup winners

Breakthrough candidate: C Brock Nelson, 22, showed plenty of promise last season when he scored 14 goals. No reason why he couldn't get 20 this season.

Youngster to watch: Griffin Reinhart, son of former NHL defenseman Paul Reinhart, is penciled in to play in the top six this season. The 6-4 shutdown defenseman is considered the organization's best prospect.

michael grabner capsule

The Islanders need Michael Grabner to return to form.(Photo: John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports)

What the team really needs: RW Michael Grabner to be closer to the 34 goals he scored in 2010-11 and not the 12 he scored last season.

Key question: Is the Islanders' defensive corps strong enough? Much will depend upon how ready Reinhart is and whether Lubomir Visnovsky can stay healthy. Travis Hamonic is a dependable 25-minute defenseman. The hope is Halak will make the defense better. The Islanders' defense has promise, but it remains a concern.

USATODAY

Pencil New York Islanders in as a sleeper team

Forecast: These Islanders won't remind fans of the 1980s Islanders, but they could make a run at one of the final playoff spots. Their range is seventh through 11th.

Top returning leaders

Goals: Kyle Okposo, 27

Assists: John Tavares, Okposo, 42

Points: Okposo, 69

Plus-minus: Thomas Hickey, +5

Penalty minutes: Matt Carkner, 149

Shots: Okposo, 195

Projected Eastern Conference standings

Playoff team Division Non-playoff team Division

1. Boston Atlantic 9. Washington Metropolitan

2. Tampa Bay Atlantic 10. N.Y. Islanders Metropolitan

3. Pittsburgh Metropolitan 11. Toronto Atlantic

4. N.Y. Rangers Metropolitan 12. Florida Atlantic

5. Montreal Atlantic 13. New Jersey Metropolitan

6. Detroit Atlantic 14. Carolina Metropolitan

7. Columbus Metropolitan 15. Ottawa Atlantic

8. Philadelphia Metropolitan 16. Buffalo Atlantic

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YAHOO SPORTS / Can helmet cameras improve NHL referee performances?

By Nicholas J. Cotsonika 18 hours ago Puck Daddy

DETROIT -- Watch this. Look through an official’s eyes. See the puck coming up the boards, Justin Abdelkader flying past. Imagine trying to keep up with the play and scan for rules violations as Abdelkader collects the puck in the corner and the Detroit Red Wings end up scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Different, isn’t it?

Your point of view isn’t a fixed position above the ice – a seat in the stands when you’re at the rink, a camera on a tripod when you’re watching on television. It’s moving. It’s on ice level. It isn’t detached; it’s in the thick of the action.

The NHL put GoPro cameras on the front of officials’ helmets to record that perspective twice last preseason (both in Toronto) and twice this preseason (in Buffalo and Detroit). It wasn’t for promotional purposes. It was for internal training.

The officials don’t like wearing the cameras – mounted with adhesive, blacked out with gaffer tape. But the cutting-edge footage is for education and improvement.

“You never really know what you’re going to get from it,” said Tom Masters, video manager, NHL officiating. “But hopefully there’s some teachable moments in there you can use going forward.”

The referees and linesmen consider themselves a team. They have to work together not just in groups of four, but as a larger group to enforce consistent standards across the league. Problem is, they aren’t together often. They hold a training camp each September and then scatter across North America. They held an extra mini-camp last season during the Olympic break.

The NHL uses video at camp. But the league also sends video electronically throughout the season for officials to watch on their own, going over certain situations, emphasizing certain points.

“We use video a lot when it comes to keeping the team on the same page,” Masters said.

There is normal game footage. There is footage Masters shoots with a handheld camera at ice level, isolating on officials, usually in Toronto. And now there is the preseason GoPro footage, which provides the sights an official will actually see and the sounds he will actually hear.

“A lot of it is just, ‘What are we doing on faceoffs?’” Masters said. “‘What’s a good faceoff? What’s not a good faceoff? How are we communicating with the players when they’re in the faceoff circle?’ ”

Last week in Buffalo, the GoPro cameras captured the enforcement of a new rule: After an icing, if a player from the defending team causes a faceoff violation to buy time to rest, he will not be kicked out. He will be warned. If he causes another violation on the same faceoff, he will receive a minor penalty.

“I’ve looked at the footage, and it looks great,” Masters said. “It’ll be a nice way of showing the guys, ‘Hey, here’s that new rule in action.’ ”

If only we could see through the officials’ eyes. We might have more respect for the difficulty of their jobs, and …

Well, wouldn’t you want to see and hear this? The officials were wearing GoPro helmets for the Buffalo-Toronto preseason game last year when Sabres enforcer John Scott went after Leafs sniper Phil Kessel, Kessel swung his stick at Scott and David Clarkson left the Toronto bench.

“That was a bit of a crazy game,” Masters said, smiling. “We got some great footage.”

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