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Updated 2024-11-25 21:45
Bruins ink Halak to 1-year, $2.25M extension
The Boston Bruins signed goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a one-year extension worth $2.25 million, the team announced Friday.Halak earned $2.75 million this season and was scheduled for unrestricted free agency at the conclusion of the campaign.The Bruins have other key contributors who were playing on an expiring contract this season. Torey Krug and captain Zdeno Chara are also UFA's, while Jake DeBrusk and Matt Grzelcyk are RFA's.Since joining the Bruins in 2018, Halak has helped form arguably the NHL's top goaltender duo alongside starter Tuukka Rask. In 71 appearances with Boston, Halak owns a .921 save percentage and a 40-17-10 record.The soon-to-be 35-year-old previously had stints with the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, and New York Islanders.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Gretzky picks McDavid, Ovechkin as dream linemates in current NHL
Wayne Gretzky painted quite a picture when asked which two current NHLers he'd want as linemates if he could play today.Jamie Drysdale, a projected top-five draft pick, posed the question to The Great One in a video chat with a collection of 2020 prospects. Gretzky's answer would be a dream scenario for hockey fans."There are so many players, that's a tough question," Gretzky said."But for me, probably Connor (McDavid) because of his speed, he would open up the ice," he added. "And then (Alex) Ovechkin, because if you get him the puck you know he's going to hit the net or at least have a chance to score. Those two guys would be fun to play with."Gretzky also referenced Sidney Crosby, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Leon Draisaitl while mulling over his answer, but ultimately settled on his heir in Edmonton and the man chasing down his all-time goals record.No. 99's dream line has accumulated a combined 1,762 goals and 4,604 points, and 13 MVP awards.Good luck slowing that trio down.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Report: Sharks front-runners to land Russian goalie Alexei Melnichuk
The San Jose Sharks are "in the lead right now" to land KHL goalie Alexei Melnichuk, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. However, no deal is done yet, and there reportedly remains tons of NHL interest in the 21-year-old netminder.Melnichuk went 8-5-1 with a .930 save percentage and a 1.68 goals-against average with SKA Saint Petersburg in 2019-20. He was the youngest of SKA's three primary goalies and put up the best numbers of the trio.Goaltending is a pressing organizational need for the Sharks. Starter Martin Jones is coming off his second straight abysmal season with a sub-.900 save percentage, but he's signed for four more years with a $5.75-million cap hit. With limited cap space, the Sharks can't splurge on a new puck-stopper. Backup Aaron Dell is a pending UFA.Melnichuk would likely need some seasoning before contending for the starting gig, but the numbers indicate his potential.One factor that could play into San Jose's ability to persuade Melnichuk to choose the Sharks is Evgeni Nabokov. The longtime NHL netminder is now the Sharks goalie coach. Not only is he a fellow Russian, but he also played for SKA during the 2010-11 season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
QUIZ: Test your knowledge of multi-sport athletes
Only an exclusive group of superhuman athletes have ever truly excelled at various sports during their careers. How much do you know about these multi-sport icons? Take our quiz below to find out.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
10 one-hit wonders who briefly excelled in the NHL
More than a handful of NHL players have burst onto the scene with an elite season, or produced a terrific campaign that significantly outshined the rest of their career.Each of these forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders looked like stars for a year before falling back down to earth.Here are 10 players who put together one outstanding campaign but never reached that level of production again:Jim CareyCarey became known as "The Net Detective" by virtue of sharing a name with a certain Hollywood star who played Ace Ventura. The netminder debuted with the Washington Capitals not long after the film was released in 1994, winning the Vezina Trophy in 1995-96 after going 35-24-9 with a .906 save percentage, 12.68 goals saved above average, and nine shutouts across 71 games in only his second NHL season. He parlayed that performance into an ill-fated four-year, $11-million contract.He had shown promise in his rookie year, going 18-6-3 with a .913 save percentage, but he made only 28 appearances in that lockout-shortened 1994-95 campaign. Carey also never came close to equaling his 1995-96 performance, and injuries caused his workload to steadily decline before he was out of the NHL by 1999.Jonathan Cheechoo Don Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyCheechoo had more than one solid NHL season, but none of them compared to 2005-06, when he amassed a league-best 56 goals to go along with 93 points while playing all 82 games for the San Jose Sharks.Skating alongside elite playmaker Joe Thornton clearly aided his offensive explosion, as Cheechoo piled up 49 of those markers and 78 of those points in the 58 games that followed the Thornton trade. Cheechoo collected 37 goals and 69 points in 2006-07, but his production decreased in every season after 2005-06 until he played his final NHL game in 2010.Andrew RaycroftRaycroft arrived in style, winning the Calder Trophy after posting a .926 save percentage and a 24.24 GSAA across 57 contests with the Boston Bruins in 2003-04.However, it was all downhill from there, as the goaltender struggled in the following campaign before the Bruins traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the now-infamous Tuukka Rask deal in June 2006. Raycroft tied Toronto's record for wins in a season in 2006-07, but that was mainly because he played a whopping 72 games and recorded three shootout wins, which didn't exist before 2005-06. He allowed a league-high 205 goals in 2006-07 while authoring a GSAA of -22.02.The netminder bounced around with a few more teams before his NHL career ended in 2011-12, and he ultimately played two campaigns in Europe before retiring.Scott BjugstadThe uncle of current Pittsburgh Penguins forward Nick Bjugstad poured in 43 goals and 76 points across 80 games in 1985-86 with the Minnesota North Stars, but never again managed more than 10 markers and 22 points. He collected only 33 markers and 35 assists in the 237 career games outside of his stellar season, landing with the Penguins and Los Angeles Kings before ending his career in the IHL.Nikolai Borschevsky B Winkler / Bruce Bennett / GettyBorschevsky played nine years in Russia before the Leafs drafted him at age 27 in 1992 on the strength of a couple of encouraging campaigns. The winger made an immediate impact, notching 34 goals and 74 points in 78 games while helping Toronto get to Game 7 of the Campbell Conference Final in 1993.However, the wheels soon fell off, as Borschevsky produced 14 goals and 34 points across 45 contests in 1993-94 before managing just one marker and 13 helpers over 39 games in the next two seasons split between the Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Dallas Stars. He played his final NHL game at age 30 in November 1995.Wayne BabychThe St. Louis Blues had high hopes for Babych after drafting him third overall in 1978, and the winger showed promise in his first two seasons, burying 27 and 26 goals, respectively, while collecting 63 and then 61 points. He busted out with 54 goals and 96 points in 1980-81, leading the NHL (including Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy) in even-strength markers with a remarkable 40.However, Babych couldn't match that production in the following years, failing to surpass the 20-goal or 54-point marks, both of which he notched in 1984-85. His career was over by 1987.Warren YoungOne year before Bjugstad's outlier campaign, Young had a similarly surprising season in 1984-85, as the center piled up 40 goals and 72 points across 80 games for the Penguins. He hadn't played more than 15 games or scored more than a single marker in the three previous (albeit extremely abbreviated) campaigns, and his 22-goal output in 1985-86 was the closest he came to duplicating his one impressive season. Young was out of the league by 1988.Fernando Pisani Dave Sandford / Getty Images Sport / GettyEdmonton Oilers fans surely remember Pisani for his incredible playoff output in 2006. The depth player wasn't known for his scoring ability throughout his eight-year career, except for during that postseason, when he racked up a league-leading 14 goals in 24 games while helping the Oilers get to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.Pisani produced a career-high 18 goals during the regular season, but that was over an 80-game span. He never managed to replicate the offensive prowess he enjoyed that spring, and he played his final NHL game in 2011.Brad MaxwellFollowing a 47-point season as a rookie in 1977-78, Maxwell - a defenseman - failed to match that production until he exploded for 73 points across 78 games with the North Stars in 1983-84. However, he never came close to duplicating that success and was out of the league by 1987.Doug LidsterLidster, another blue-liner, played 16 NHL seasons and twice hoisted the Stanley Cup. However, he barely played during either of those title runs (four games and only 32 minutes in the 1999 playoffs, and only nine games in the 1994 postseason). Lidster produced 343 points in 897 career contests, averaging only 21 points per campaign.But something clicked for him in 1986-87 with the last-place Vancouver Canucks, as he poured in 51 assists and 63 points across 80 games. He hadn't broken 30 points beforehand, and a 38-point season in 1990-91 was the best he could do after his breakout.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Jets' Laine: 'I took a big step' toward becoming more consistent this year
Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine believes he elevated his game this season with improvements all around."I was really happy with the way that I was able to play and not just the points and the goals," Laine said to Sportsnet's Sean Reynolds. "I think this year I took a big step towards a really consistent player. I was able to close the gap between a good and a bad night. I think that was the biggest thing for me."He jokingly added: "It's always nice to reach that 30-goal mark and I wasn't quite there yet this year. It was actually the first year ever that I had more assists than goals so that's kind of embarrassing for me ... but maybe that's who I am in the future."Consistency has plagued Laine early in his career, often scoring goals in bunches while going on long cold streaks. In 2018-19, Laine scored a solid 30 goals - but 18 of them came in November alone.The former second overall pick changed things up during the 2019-20 season. At the time of the season's pause, he was averaging career highs in time on ice (19:25), assists (35), and hits (97). Even with the improvements to his 200-foot game, Laine was still on pace to pot an impressive 34 goals.The Finnish winger attributed a lot of his growth and success this season to the two-year bridge deal he signed last summer. He believes the short contract has ultimately helped him improve his game."It obviously adds a little bit more pressure on me for the upcoming couple of seasons that I gotta play well. But that's just another challenge, and I like challenges," Laine said."Right now, I'm not really thinking about a new deal. Just try to work on my game and it'll come at some point. When you play well and you're proving to everyone that you're worth the big bucks, so that's kind of my focus right now - that I want to play well and I want to help the team to win."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Senators sign Russian D-man Artem Zub to 1-year deal
The Ottawa Senators signed Russian defenseman Artem Zub to a one-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Friday.Zub, a 24-year-old, right-handed-shooting blue-liner, spent last season with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, collecting a career-high 13 goals and nine assists in 57 games."We're pleased that Artem has elected to pursue an NHL career here in Ottawa," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. "Artem is a smart defensive defenseman who moves the puck well and who utilizes his strength and mobility to make plays. His extensive international resume will help him transition to a North American style of play but his key attribute is his sound ability to defend."Zub has represented Russia several times on the international stage. In the 2018 Winter Games, he collected four assists in six games en route to the Olympic Athletes from Russia's gold-medal triumph."He’s got good size and range," NBC’s Pierre McGuire, who saw the 6-foot-2 rearguard play in PyeongChang, told The Ottawa Sun in March. "He plays a simple, smart defensive game, a stabilizing player in his own zone. He’s very solid, useful, and mature player. He should be able to crack the top four and it shouldn’t be much of an adjustment for him to play on the small ice surfaces."The Senators have plenty of openings on their blue line, with Thomas Chabot and Nikita Zaitsev seemingly the only defensemen with guaranteed spots on next season's roster.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Bettman: NHL would consider December start to 2020-21 if necessary
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the idea of beginning the next NHL campaign two months later than usual isn't out of the realm of possibility."We have a great deal of flexibility in terms of when we can start," Bettman told the NHL Network on Thursday. "There's no magic for next season of starting in October as we traditionally do. If we have to start in November or December, that's something that will be under consideration."Bettman also made it clear there's still no definitive timeline for a resumption of the currently paused season."I don't think anybody knows for certain," he said. "We're going to have to take things one step at a time, because the health and well-being of our players is paramount to anything we're focused on."It was reported earlier this week that the league discussed the possibility of pushing the start of next season until December and that it still wanted to play a full 82-game slate next campaign.That followed a report that suggested the NHL would be willing to delay the opening of the season until November to complete the current one.On Wednesday night, the NHL and NHLPA said in a joint statement that they may be able to move on to "Phase 2" of a return-to-play plan - which would involve reopening team facilities - by mid-to-late May if conditions continue to progress.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Laraque tests positive for COVID-19
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Georges Laraque has been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.The former NHL enforcer revealed as much Thursday on Twitter and Instagram.
NHL 20 Players League: Schedule, streams
In the absence of real-life hockey, the NHL launched a 32-team virtual experience that sees each club represented by a maximum of two players in NHL 20. The event will also include the 2021-22 expansion Seattle franchise. The best-of-three series will run over the course of four weeks and be announced every Thursday and Saturday. The National Hockey League Foundation and Electronic Arts will donate a combined $100,000 in support of the CDC Foundation's COVID-19 relief efforts.Select contests will be aired on NBC Sports Network and Sportsnet One with NBCSN televising Calgary versus Ottawa and Columbus against Winnipeg on April 30 starting at 5 p.m. ET. All matches will be streamed on the NHL's Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.Check back for updated schedules and standings once games have been announced and completed.Schedule (all times ET)Week 1 Thursday, April 30Matthew Tkachuk (CGY) & Brady Tkachuk (OTT) vs. Noah Hanifin (CGY)Stephen Johns & Jamie Oleksiak (DAL) vs. Zach Aston-Reese & Bryan Rust (PIT)Anthony Bitetto & Kyle Connor (WPG) vs. Elvis Merzlikins & Zach Werenski (CBJ)Saturday, May 2Filip Forsberg (NSH) vs. J.T. Compher (COL) (3 p.m.)Representatives TeamPlayer(s)Anaheim DucksCam FowlerArizona CoyotesConor Garland/Clayton KellerBoston BruinsJake DeBrusk/Charlie McAvoyBuffalo SabresBrandon MontourCalgary FlamesNoah Hanifin/Matthew TkachukCarolina HurricanesWarren FoegeleChicago BlackhawksDrake Caggiula/Alex DeBrincatColumbus Blue JacketsElvis Merzlikins/Zach WerenskiColorado AvalancheJ.T. CompherDallas StarsStephen Johns/Jamie OleksiakDetroit Red WingsMadison Bowey/Anthony ManthaEdmonton OilersCaleb Jones/Darnell NurseFlorida PanthersJonathan HuberdeauLos Angeles KingsMichael Amadio/Blake LizotteMinnesota WildDevan Dubnyk/Jordan GreenwayMontreal CanadiensVictor Mete/Nick SuzukiNashville PredatorsFilip ForsbergNew Jersey DevilsMackenzie BlackwoodNew York IslandersMatt MartinNew York RangersChris KreiderOttawa SenatorsBrady Tkachuk/Chris TierneyPhiladelphia FlyersJames van RiemsdykPittsburgh PenguinsZach Aston-Reese/Bryan RustSan Jose SharksEvander Kane/Marcus SorensenSeattleLuke Willson (Seahawks TE)St. Louis BluesColton Parayko/Robert ThomasTampa Bay LightningTyler JohnsonToronto Maple LeafsZach HymanVancouver CanucksThatcher Demko/Adam GaudetteVegas Golden KnightsRyan Reaves/Alex TuchWashington CapitalsEvgeny KuznetsovWinnipeg JetsAnthony Bitetto/Kyle ConnorCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
8 of the worst award snubs in NHL history
Few topics incite debate in hockey circles like individual awards. Potential winners are debated all season long, and when the hardware finally gets handed out, discussions continue to rage on about whether voters got it right.While the banter can become exhausting, there's one thing everybody can agree on: The voters don't always get it right.One player might've made the playoffs while his competition didn't, or perhaps another player's case was tarnished due to his superior linemates. No matter the cause, hopefuls coming off of elite seasons routinely get hosed.With this in mind, let's take a look at some of the worst snubs of all time.Pavel Bure - 2001 Hart Rick Stewart / National Hockey League / Getty2000-01 stats: 82 GP, 59 G, 33 A
Report: Senators nearing 1-year deal with Artyom Zub
The Ottawa Senators are ready to sign KHL defenseman Artyom Zub to a one-year, entry-level contract, reports TSN's Darren Dreger, who adds that no delays are expected, so the pact should soon be finalized.In early April, Dreger reported the Senators remained the front-runners to land Zub.The 24-year-old posted a career-high 22 points in 57 games with SKA Saint Petersburg this season. He won gold with Russia at the 2018 Olympics and helped Saint Petersburg win the Gagarin Cup in 2017.The KHL canceled its season in late March amid the coronavirus pandemic, with Zub and SKA having played one playoff game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Subban: Crosby's strength 'separates him from everybody'
New Jersey Devils blue-liner P.K. Subban has had to defend against the league's best over the last decade, but Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is the one player who has stood out the most to him."Whether it's natural, whether it's his commitment to working out - his leg and core strength separates him from everybody," Subban told Sportsnet's Ron MacLean on "In Conversation." "He's one of those guys that's literally impossible to pin down low. You have to contain and have a good stick."When you play against him enough you understand his tendencies, but as far as leg strength goes, I don't think there's been anybody other than maybe he or (Jaromir) Jagr that have been as good as protecting the puck as those two guys, they're unbelievable at it."Subban and Crosby have engaged in their fair share of battles over the years. The two famously got into a heated exchange during Game 3 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, after which Subban said Crosby told him his breath smelled. Crosby denied it and Subban later said his claim was intended as a joke, but the incident was highly sensationalized in the media.Regardless, the former Norris Trophy winner is well aware of Crosby's incredible accomplishments on the ice."I know that Sid and I have had battles in the playoffs - I have such respect for him," Subban said."I don't want to take anything away from the Connor McDavid's of the world and these guys, because these are elite players. ... But just in my time of playing in the league and the past 11 years that I've played, I've played against Sidney Crosby consistently in the East and in the playoffs, and what he's accomplished as a player ... it's second to none."Crosby has enjoyed enormous success since his NHL debut in 2005-06. He's captured three Stanley Cups and won the Hart, Art Ross, Maurice "Rocket" Richard, and Conn Smythe trophies two times apiece. He's also won two Olympic gold medals as a member of Team Canada.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Oilers legends praise McDavid, Draisaitl: 'Beautiful to watch'
Hockey Hall of Famers Paul Coffey and Grant Fuhr dominated the league with the Edmonton Oilers for much of the 1980s, and they like what they see today in franchise stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl."Those two guys, they're just beautiful to watch," Coffey said, according to NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika.Coffey added, "If you're a defenseman and you've got a guy coming down on you like (McDavid), that means, 'Feet don't fail me now.' You're not going to shut him down. You're just going to try to limit what he can do. And a lot of times, he's going to burn you anyway, and you can't do a thing about it."And that's where I just look over my shoulder and say, 'Fuhrsie! He's coming!'"Coffey and Fuhr were teammates on the Oilers from 1981 to 1987, reaching four Stanley Cup Finals and winning three. Coffey, a three-time Norris Trophy winner, recognizes what makes Draisaitl a dangerous complementary player to McDavid."You've got a guy like Leon who's just a horse out there, is becoming a better player every single game he plays. ... Leon's vision and passing and his strength is incredible. It's just a treat to watch those two play," Coffey added.Fuhr, who won a Vezina Trophy and ranks 12th all-time in wins with 403, echoed Coffey's sentiment, adding he's happy that he's not tasked with playing against them.Draisaitl and McDavid were first and second in league scoring with 110 and 97 points, respectively, when the NHL hit pause on March 12. Since the 2017-18 season, McDavid ranks first in the league with 320 points, while Draisaitl sits fourth with 283.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Crosby reflects on 2011 concussion after receiving advocacy award
Sidney Crosby received the American Brain Foundation's Commitment to Cures award Wednesday for his advocacy for concussion awareness, and the Pittsburgh Penguins star opened up about his recovery from his 2011 head injury."Missing a year of hockey taught me a lot," Crosby said during the virtual awards event, per the NHLPA. "In particular, to not take anything for granted. I thought I loved the game before I got hurt - and trust me, I loved the game. But I love it even more (now), being able to come back and play the game that I love every day."Crosby suffered a concussion in January 2011 that forced him to miss the rest of that season and limited him to just 22 games the following campaign. With the NHL's most prized talent on the sidelines for an extended period, conversations surrounding the seriousness of head injuries increased significantly.“I think there was important dialogue, important education that happened because of this injury," Crosby said. "I think that moving forward, we've gotten much better at educating ourselves and understanding what it is, as far as necessary steps with concussions."The 32-year-old pivot also expressed his gratitude towards his close circle of family, friends, and medical personnel throughout his road to recovery."My friends and family were a huge support over the course of my injury. It wasn’t always easy to relate, not always easy to explain a good day from a bad one, but they were always there to help and listen and support in any way that they could," he added. "My team, the National Hockey League, the National Hockey League Players' Association, and, as well, all the amazing doctors I was fortunate enough to work with, were also very instrumental to me getting better."Since his recovery, Crosby has captured two Stanley Cups, a pair of Conn Smythe Trophies, two Ted Lindsay Awards, one Art Ross Trophy, one Hart Trophy, and one Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Red Wings' Yzerman: 'I haven't heard a good reason' to hold early draft
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman doesn't see the necessity of holding the draft before the conclusion of the NHL season."Obviously the draft has never taken place prior to the end of a Stanley Cup or the end of a season," Yzerman said during a Facebook Live Wednesday.The 2020 draft was originally set to be held in Montreal in June. The league has discussed the idea of holding the draft virtually in the same month, regardless of if and when the season concludes."My thought is: Why would you do that? Why would you need to do that?" Yzerman said. "There's a lot of things that are affected, obviously. The draft position hasn't been established; we don't know who's in the playoffs, who's out of the playoffs, in some cases."So there's a lot of questions, and ultimately if it needs to be done prior to, we'll figure it out. But at this time, my own opinion is, I haven't heard a good reason why we should do it prior to the end of the season if we do conclude the season over the course of the summer."When the season was paused March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red Wings held an NHL-worst record of 17-49-5. With 11 games remaining on their schedule, they were guaranteed to finish in last place and had secured the top odds of winning the draft lottery.The Red Wings also possess three second-round picks and two selections in the third round. With hockey leagues no longer playing, Yzerman understands he will have to work with what his scouts have already gathered."We can only make a decision on the information we have," Yzerman said. "Had we gone through all the junior, college, European playoffs - the U-18 tournament, which would've been held in Plymouth - that's more information.He added: "Looks like right now, we won't get to watch these kids anymore. ... It goes for all the teams."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Scheifele says Eichel should win Hart Trophy: 'He can do it all'
Mark Scheifele gave Jack Eichel one of the greatest compliments the Buffalo Sabres captain could receive from a peer when the Winnipeg Jets forward said Eichel should win the Hart Trophy for the 2019-20 campaign."Whenever we play Buffalo, he's the first guy we look to try to nullify," Scheifele wrote of Eichel for a Players' Tribune article naming his award winners for the season. "He's a monster in the offensive end and an absolute pain to play against when you're trying to score. He can do it all. He's one of the most complete forwards in the game. And he doesn't take a shift off."The Hart Trophy recognizes "the player judged to be the most valuable to his team," and Scheifele notes that although there were several deserving talents, Eichel was his pick based on that description."I've been watching a lot of the Sabres this year whenever I get the time because of how dominant he is when he's on the ice," Scheifele said. "Every time he steps out there he seems like he's just got another gear over everyone else. To do that night in and night out? That's impressive."Eichel has been sensational for the Sabres this season, netting a career-high 36 goals in 68 games. His 78 points are 28 more than his next-closest teammate and his nine game-winning goals rank second in the NHL. Eichel's 17-game point streak was also the longest in the league this season.When the season was suspended in March, the 23-year-old center was on pace for a career-best 93 points. That would have marked the highest single-season total by a Sabres player since Daniel Briere notched 95 during the 2006-07 campaign.Scheifele also named his picks for a couple of other awards, selecting Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes as his Calder Trophy winner and Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck as the Vezina Trophy winner.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Ranking Canada's Olympic hockey teams from 1998 to 2014
The IIHF unveiled groups for the 2022 Beijing Olympics last week. While it's far from a guarantee the NHL will be participating after skipping out in 2018, it's fair to say Canada would be the favorite if the league decides to partake. After all, Canada has dominated in Olympics featuring NHL players, winning three of a possible five gold medals.Below, we rank all five of Canada's Olympic men's hockey teams from 1998 to 2014, prioritizing results over personnel.5. Turin 2006 DON EMMERT / AFP / GettyGM: Wayne Gretzky
NHL hopes to open facilities in mid-to-late May
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The NHL could move on to the second stage of an eventual return over the next month."While the precise date ... remains tentative and as yet undetermined, we do feel that we may be able - provided we continue to trend favorably - to move to 'Phase 2' at some point in the mid-to-later portion of May," deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote in a memo to the league's teams and players Wednesday, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.The document also addressed those who've been staying in locations other than their club cities while the season remains paused amid the COVID-19 pandemic."Players and club staff who may currently be sheltering outside of the club's home city should consider whether to plan to return to their club cities, understanding the attendant travel restrictions and self-quarantine measures that may either be imposed by the NHL/NHLPA or remain applicable in certain jurisdictions," Daly said, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. "For example, some jurisdictions continue to require a strict 14-day home quarantine following international travel."The NHL and NHLPA later clarified that they haven't made any decisions or established a timeline for a potential return, though the joint statement from the two echoes Daly's phrasing about the possibility of reopening facilities in mid-to-late May.Players, coaches, and team staff were most recently asked to self-quarantine through April 30. That end date has been extended three times during the hiatus.It was reported last week that at least one NHL team informed its players to get ready to report for informal workouts beginning May 15.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Canucks' Markstrom cleared to play if season resumes
Jacob Markstrom is on the mend.The Vancouver Canucks' No. 1 goaltender has been given the green light to return, general manager Jim Benning said Wednesday.Markstrom underwent a minor procedure in late February after suffering an injury against the Boston Bruins. Benning said at the time that the netminder could miss three-to-four weeks.The NHL paused its season March 12 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Markstrom, a pending unrestricted free agent, said last week that he hopes to sign a long-term deal with the Canucks, but he stressed that hockey is secondary at the moment.The Swede was in the midst of his best NHL campaign to date when he was hurt, having posted a .918 save percentage in 43 games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
3 NHL teams to back in 2020-21
Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Our way-too-early look at next season began earlier in April with a look at three teams that could make for good fades.On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are teams that underachieved for whatever reason - or simply weren't as good as advertised - this season and should be offered to bettors at a significant discount in 2020-21.These are three teams that you will likely find me betting on early and often next season, as I believe big things are in store.New York RangersThe run the Rangers put together in January and February is a harbinger of things to come. Those on the bandwagon ahead of this season were a year too early, but the team should be capable of competing with the best the Metropolitan Division has to offer in 2020-21.The Rangers' best players - Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad - have just entered their prime, and there's an almost overwhelming amount of young talent that's only set to get better on the team. Guys like Pavel Buchnevich and Kaapo Kakko up front, Tony DeAngelo and Adam Fox on defense, and Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Gorgiev in goal are reason enough to believe this team is in line for a massive step forward.All the key contributors on this team fall between the ages of 18-28, with the bulk of them on the lower end of that range. General manager Jeff Gorton has a terrific core to work with, as well as some decent salary-cap flexibility this offseason.Minnesota WildThere is plenty to like about the way Bill Guerin is turning things around in Minnesota. Since taking over as Wild GM a little over eight months ago, the Massachusetts native has instilled a much-needed culture change at Xcel Energy Center. Guerin's no-nonsense approach has won the respect of his players.Minnesota was consistently improving during his first season in charge. The Wild were on an 8-3 run - and on the verge of a playoff spot - when the season was suspended.There are some good pieces on this team, including breakout star Kevin Fiala, and with around $15 million to spend this summer, we can expect the Wild to continue their upwards trajectory.Montreal CanadiensAfter narrowly missing out on a playoff spot in 2018-19, the Canadiens took a step back this season. Injuries certainly played a role - most notably the long-term absence of Jonathan Drouin, who'd gotten off to a torrid start - but an inability to win close games was the biggest issue for Claude Julien's team. Excluding empty-net goals, 27 of Montreal's 40 losses were in one-goal games. There's simply too much variance in close games to expect that to continue next season.There is so much young talent on this Canadiens team that a down year shouldn't come as such a shock. A rebound in 2020-21 shouldn't, either. Getting Drouin back and healthy will be huge - many forget he just turned 24 years old - and there's reason to believe young forwards Max Domi and Jesperi Kotkaniemi should take a step forward after experiencing some growing pains this year. Nick Suzuki was impressive as a rookie and should only get better, while adding Alex Romanov should provide a boost on defense.GM Marc Bergevin has to re-sign Domi and Victor Mete, but that should still leave him with over $15 million in cap space (more if the cap rises as high as some expect) to make a splash in free agency or via the trade market, bringing in some much-needed star power up front.Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
QUIZ: Test your knowledge of blockbuster trades
From one-sided deals to moves that worked out for both teams, there have been plenty of massive trades throughout sports history. But how much do you know about some of these blockbusters? Take our quiz below to find out.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Bruins' Krug: Chara 'one of the most influential people in my career'
Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug has enjoyed success at the NHL level since his rookie season in 2013-14, and he gives a lot of credit for that to team captain Zdeno Chara."In all honesty, he's been one of the most influential people in my career as a professional hockey player, especially in this town," Krug said of Chara, according to NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "It's funny, people always ask if I can really look at him and learn things from him - him being 6-foot-9 and I'm a whole foot shorter than him at 5-9. It's like, 'how can you learn stuff from him on the ice?'""His professionalism, the way he prepares, is something that I've noticed from Day 1 and I try to do things that he does, just to prepare for games and practices."Krug is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season. He said earlier in April that he hoped he hasn't played his last game with the Bruins if the campaign is ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Though Krug said there have been no discussions between his camp and the team regarding an extension, the 29-year-old blue-liner doubled down on his intention to stay with the Bruins."As I've said all along, I want to be part of this group and part of this locker room and part of this city. It's become home for us and we love it," he said. "You heard Fenway bark earlier - we named our dog Fenway. How much more Boston can it get?"Krug has amassed 67 goals and 337 points in 523 career games with the Bruins.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Canucks ink Hoglander to 3-year, entry-level contract
The Vancouver Canucks signed forward Nils Hoglander to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday.Vancouver drafted Hoglander 40th overall in 2019. The 19-year-old spent his last two seasons with Rogle BK of the Swedish Hockey League, collecting 16 goals and 30 points in 91 games."Nils is a dynamic player with a high skill level and a strong work ethic," Canucks general manager Jim Benning said. "He's a creative playmaker with great hands and goal-scoring abilities. We're pleased to sign Nils today and look forward to seeing continued development in his game next season."Hoglander impressed at the 2020 World Junior Championship, racking up five goals and 11 points while helping guide Sweden to a bronze-medal finish.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Flames sign Swedish D Johannes Kinnvall to 2-year deal
The Calgary Flames have inked Swedish defenseman Johannes Kinnvall to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday.Kinnvall, 22, will remain in Sweden next season and come to North America ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.The right-handed-shooting blue-liner recorded career highs in assists (29) and points (40) while also netting 11 goals through 51 games for HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League this season. Kinnvall has totaled 23 goals and 62 points in 121 games through three campaigns overseas.The Flames also signed 2018 sixth-round pick Emilio Pettersen to a three-year, entry-level deal Monday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Lindholm apprehensive about empty arenas: Fans are 'pretty much the whole game'
Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm isn't high on the idea of playing without spectators if the NHL season resumes."That's going to be tough," Lindholm told Sportsnet 960's "Boomer in The Morning" on Tuesday. "The fans is pretty much the whole game. Without the fans, there wouldn’t be any games."The NHL reportedly discussed finishing the season in up to four different hub cities that are not considered coronavirus hotspots. However, fans would not be permitted to attend games due to public health and safety concerns.Lindholm is used to a packed house at the Scotiabank Saddledome, as Calgary ranks sixth in attendance this season, drawing 18,751 spectators per game, according to ESPN. The 25-year-old believes it would be difficult to replicate the same level of energy and intensity on the ice in a much quieter environment."I think every time you go and play in front of a full building, you're pumped up and fired up, and when you're playing in front of just a couple thousand, you kind of have to motivate yourself for that," Lindholm said. "Now without fans, I don't know. … It's tough to imagine playing without fans. It's going to be a tough thing to do for sure."Other figures around the league have shared similar sentiments. Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon said games without fans would "be called the YMCA." Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand said playing in an empty arena would "be like a practice," per CLNS Media's Mike Petraglia.On the flip side, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper thinks players wouldn't even notice the lack of spectators in the heat of the game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Injury-prone? Unlucky? For Ryan Murray, it's all about attitude
If you were to play a word association game using prominent Columbus Blue Jackets players as subjects, it would probably go down something like this:Zach Werenski: rover. Nick Foligno: leadership. Josh Anderson: fierce. Cam Atkinson: goals. Seth Jones: elite. Pierre-Luc Dubois: bull. Ryan Murray: injuries.Being hurt is baked so deeply into the arc of Murray's NHL career that when you call up the 6-foot-1 defenseman's HockeyDB profile, your eyes are immediately yanked to the games-played column, where the number 82 in 2015-16 jumps off the screen. Over seven years, Murray has appeared in just 358 of a possible 589 regular-season and playoff games due to various ailments.Francois Lacasse / Getty ImagesThis run of misfortune - which includes Murray's return from a back injury on March 1, only for the NHL to indefinitely suspend operations three games and 11 days later because of the coronavirus - grants him a free pass to be a tad pessimistic ... right?Well, Murray doesn't take a pessimistic view, maintaining that the pain and frustration from knee, ankle, leg, foot, hand, groin, and back injuries helped him grow as a human being."You can't really ask anything of the game of hockey. You have to take whatever it gives you," Murray said last week while doing some yard work in Saskatchewan. "Sometimes it gives you negative experiences, sometimes they're great. I've had a bit of both. I think that you take it and learn from it."Indeed, Murray's had his moments since being selected second overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2012 NHL Draft. An effortless skater with tremendous vision, he's established himself as a smart, two-way blue-liner. Coach John Tortorella has consistently slotted him in Columbus' top four, and Murray has flirted with or surpassed 20 minutes of ice time in four of his seven seasons.In 2018-19, he looked like a legitimate All-Star, recording a career-high 29 points in only 56 games. He's also represented Canada with distinction in five international tournaments, most notably winning a gold medal at the 2016 world championships.Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesDespite these gains, the injury narrative has followed Murray around like a pair of forechecking forwards. It's always been present in some form and, on numerous occasions, has led to social media backlash and trade rumors."People will say whatever they want. There's critics of all types of athletes and at all different levels. You see the (New England) Patriots, they have critics every single year. You take criticism pretty lightly when it comes from outside sources," Murray said."It's about who you are as a person and a human being first. If you're a good person, and you treat people well and they treat you well, and you've got plenty of friends, you're going to have a good life, regardless of if you're playing in the NHL."I know that sounds kind of cheesy," the 26-year-old conceded, "but I guess when you want this long, successful career and you've hit all of these speed bumps, you can't really sit there saying, 'Oh, I'm behind, I'm behind, I'm behind.' You've just got to live your life one day at a time and live in the present as much as you can. I think I've learned how to do that pretty well."Murray is currently self-isolating in his offseason house in Regina Beach, a resort town about 40 minutes northwest of his hometown of Regina. He's spending time with his Australian shepherd, Jake; reading "11 Rings" by NBA coach Phil Jackson; watching Netflix; and doing whatever he can to stay in shape without access to weights, such as stair runs, pushups, and core workouts.He's in a pretty good place mentally, all things considered. Parts of his past, though, haven't been so kind. There have been pronounced low points behind the scenes, including shedding tears with Blue Jackets head athletic trainer Mike Vogt and confiding in mental coaches. "I've definitely had my fair share of negative emotions," Murray said.With his latest back injury, Murray credits renowned back specialist Dr. Stuart McGill for helping him tackle a list of physical and mental challenges. He's learned how to approach everyday movement - such as getting out of bed - with proper technique, while also being mindful of the pros and cons of every predicament. If Murray hadn't been shelved for two months earlier this season, for instance, he probably wouldn't have adopted Jake, who kept him company.Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesMurray, who's perhaps more philosophical than the average NHLer, brings up a soundbite from billionaire Elon Musk - "Happiness equals reality minus expectations" - as a mantra he follows on and off the ice."If you can manage your expectations, you can feel a little happier about things," Murray said. "The mind stuff and the brain stuff is going to be a major study of this era of hockey, and life in general. … Our generation and the past generation have gotten our bodies into peak physical condition. And moving forward, tuning the mind to be just as ready to go and as sharp as it can be (will be) a pretty important tool, too."When 28-year-old NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly hung up his cleats in January, adding to the growing number of high-profile athletes who've retired before 30, Murray wondered if he might be next. Would it be in his best long-term interests to keep competing? Halfway through a two-year, $9.2-million deal, he'll be an unrestricted free agent for the first time next summer."From all of the information that we've gathered, there's been no reason so far to call it," Murray said. "We've definitely had those conversations with the doctors, those tough conversations that you have to have."He added, "Guys get beat up, and you make your choices, and once you make them, you have to live with them. I'm only 26 years old, so I'm sitting here thinking you've got to do what you've got to do but you also have to take care of yourself. Right now, I'm still looking at a positive future."John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Report: Red Wings sign Swedish forward Mathias Brome
The Detroit Red Wings have inked Mathias Brome to a one-year, two-way contract, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.It's an entry-level deal, according to MLive's Ansar Khan.Multiple NHL clubs, including the Vancouver Canucks and Washington Capitals, were reportedly interested in the undrafted forward, who'll turn 26 in July.Brome produced 17 goals and 43 points in 52 games with Orebro in the Swedish Hockey League this season.His is the second deal for a European player since the NHL extended its transfer agreements with IIHF member leagues and federations Tuesday. The Arizona Coyotes signed 2019 fourth-round pick Matias Maccelli to an ELC in the afternoon.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Report: NHL considering December start to 2020-21 season
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The NHL is exploring the idea of pushing the beginning of next season by two months.It has discussed with teams starting the 2020-21 campaign in December, sources told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.The league reportedly still hopes to hold an 82-game season even if the schedule begins later than what is traditional.LeBrun previously reported the NHL believed it could play a full campaign starting in November. As was the case with that scenario, the December start would involve scrapping All-Star weekend, getting rid of bye weeks, shortening the holiday break, and tightening the entire schedule wherever possible.There are two main reasons a December start has been discussed, according to LeBrun: The time it will take to finish 2019-20 if it's ultimately resumed and the fact many teams want to play in front of fans next season.NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in March the league wants to avoid any plans that would prevent it from holding a full season following this one.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Leafs' Muzzin ready to return from broken hand if season resumes
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have their full blue line intact if the NHL is able to return this season. Jake Muzzin, who missed the last six games before the pause due to a broken hand, is ready to play."The hand is feeling great, the body is feeling good. I'd say pretty much 100 percent ready to go," Muzzin told NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger on Tuesday. "Been getting treatment and staying ready like everyone else."The Leafs were also without Morgan Rielly for 23 games, but he returned to the lineup for the final game before the league went on pause. Since Muzzin missed nearly a month earlier in the season due to a broken foot, the Leafs haven't played a game with both Rielly and Muzzin - their top two defensemen - in the lineup since Dec. 27.Muzzin has 23 points in 53 games this season, playing primarily shutdown minutes against other teams' top lines alongside Justin Holl. Despite the tough competition, the pairing posted impressive underlying numbers, garnering 56.3% of the expected goals while the two were on the ice together at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.In February, the Leafs inked Muzzin to a four-year extension carrying an average annual value of $5.625 million.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Oilers hand Haas 1-year extension
The Edmonton Oilers signed forward Gaetan Haas to a one-year extension, the team announced Tuesday.Haas will earn $915,000 in 2020-21, reports TSN's Ryan Rishaug.After a lengthy career overseas in the Swiss league, Haas joined the Oilers for the 2019-20 campaign on a one-year deal. The 28-year-old rookie tallied five goals and five assists in 58 games before the NHL suspended its season.The right-handed-shooting center spent the majority of the season on Edmonton's fourth line, averaging less than 10 minutes per game while seeing little time on special teams.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
NHL, IIHF extend transfer agreements
The NHL has prolonged its player-movement pacts with many of the governing hockey bodies in Europe and North America.The moves include a one-year extension of the existing transfer agreements with all IIHF member federations and leagues in Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.As a result, NHL clubs can now ink European players in accordance with the relevant transfer rules.Additionally, the league hammered out a new one-year transfer agreement with the Swiss Ice Hockey Association and the Swiss League, and a one-year extension of its existing deal with the Canadian Hockey League and its constituent organizations, the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL.Several signings had been on hold pending the finalization of these terms.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Flyers' Lindblom to undergo final cancer treatments
Philadelphia Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom is set to undergo his final treatments as he continues to make progress in his fight against a rare bone cancer.Lindblom, 23, was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in December and missed the rest of the suspended season."Oskar’s going through his last treatments coming up here, but everything I’ve been told from Jimmy (McCrossin, the team's trainer) has been very positive," Flyers assistant general manager Brett Flahr said Monday, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Sam Carchidi. "He feels great, considering the condition he’s in. He's such a great kid and he's determined. His focus is to play as soon as possible."The Swedish winger has been undergoing treatments at the University of Pennsylvania. Lindblom has continued to train, but whether or not he'll be able to return next season remains unknown."For all the stuff this guy has been through, he looks terrific," Flahr said. "The last time I saw him, he looked good. He had that smile on his face. He's doing things like cardio (workouts) to keep up his strength as much as he can. I think as soon as he gets his last treatments, the worst is over for him."It couldn’t have gone any better for him," Flahr said Lindblom's doctor's told the young talent.Following the difficult news, the hockey world came together to show their support for Lindblom. On Dec. 17, the Flyers presented a video tribute that was greeted with love and support from thousands inside the Wells Fargo Center.
Hlinka Gretzky Cup canceled amid pandemic
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The 2020 Hlinka Gretzky Cup has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hockey Canada announced Tuesday.“The health and safety of players, staff, officials, fans, family, volunteers, and the general public is of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada, and although this was a difficult decision to make, we believe it is in the best interest of everyone involved given the uncertainty at this time," chief executive officer Tom Renney and president and chief operating officer Scott Smith said in a statement.The International tournament was scheduled to take place Aug. 3-8 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. It's held annually to showcase the sport's top under-18 talent.The event was also reportedly canceled in part because the Edmonton Oilers want to keep their arena available for the NHL's possible return this summer, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.Canada has captured gold at the event 22 times since the tournament's inception in 1991 but was defeated by Russia in last year's final.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Evander Kane: Rivalry with Reaves 'makes it entertaining for fans'
San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane and Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves haven't been shy about their hatred for one another over the last couple of seasons, but Kane believes their feud is ultimately good for the game."I think our rivalry started when I moved to San Jose and it was part of the Vegas-San Jose rivalry ... It's fun, I enjoy it. I think it makes it entertaining for fans," Kane told Sportsnet's Gene Principe. "I think you need more of that in hockey, especially when you talk about the playoffs, right?"To have that type of hatred between not just the teams, but the organizations, players, coaches. Some of it plays out in the media, some of it doesn't."The two have exchanged jabs both on and off the ice ever since Kane arrived in San Jose in February 2018. The two took their rivalry to another level in last year's first-round playoff matchup between the Sharks and Golden Knights, going at it all series long.Some of the most memorable moments in their rivalry include their first fight in Game 3 of that postseason series, Kane calling Reaves the "Muffin Man," and Reaves taking a jab at Kane while officiating a wedding in Vegas.Despite the bad blood, Kane is proud of what he and Reaves have been able to contribute to the entertainment value of games between their teams."Obviously, you watch the on-ice product and it made - for my money - the most entertaining series last year, by far," Kane said. "It was fun to be a part of, they're a great team."Kane, 28, has racked up 946 penalty minutes in 713 career games while the 33-year-old Reaves has amassed 910 penalty minutes in 649 contests.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Tkachuk, Hughes brothers set to face off in charity NHL 20 game
Two of the league's most entertaining pairs of brothers will go up against each other in a livestreamed game of NHL 20 on Wednesday for charity.Matthew and Brady Tkachuk will take on Quinn and Jack Hughes as a part of the Hockey2Help initiative, which was started by Twitch and YouTube personality Nasher.
With hockey on hold, online creators head back to the drawing board
On Easter Sunday, Shannon Skanes stood in front of a dry-erase board in the basement of his Vancouver-area home and talked into a camera for 19 minutes. The Hockey Guy, as he's called, had filmed this way countless times. However, this particular video - titled "Lessons Learned Over the Last Month" - was not part of the regularly scheduled programming.Skanes, who makes a living covering hockey thanks to the support of 137,000 YouTube subscribers, had printed five pandemic-related topics on the board:
Rinne using pause to reflect, recharge: 'I haven't had the strongest season'
With the NHL season suspended, Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne is using the hiatus to recharge in the hopes that he'll have an opportunity to salvage what's been a trying campaign."I realize the fact that I haven't had the strongest season so far, but at the same time I try to use this time to my advantage," Rinne said, according to NHL.com's Jon Lane. "I used the first couple of weeks to wind down and reflect back on the season and then start preparing again, start preparing to be ready this season."If that's not happening, I feel like it's a head start for next season and training for next season."The Predators' longtime puck-stopper is just two years removed from winning the Vezina Trophy as the league's top netminder but has struggled between the pipes in 2019-20. Rinne has posted career lows in both goals-against average (3.17) and save percentage (.895) while winning just half of his 36 appearances this season.The 37-year-old's contract is set to expire at the end of the 2020-21 campaign, and with young netminder Juuse Saros playing his way into the starting role, Rinne hopes to see this season through as his window to win a Stanley Cup continues to shrink. Nashville owned the Western Conference's second wild-card berth when play halted."It is my goal, it's our goal," Rinne said. "I'm still hopeful. I'm still positive that we're going to get back playing and we have a chance to compete again. For sure, right now, we're missing out, but everybody in the league, they're in the same situation."Everybody is dealing with it differently but we're all in it together. Hopefully soon, we have a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup."The league continues to explore all options for a return to action. The latest proposal would reportedly see NHL teams stationed in up to four hub cities that are not deemed to be coronavirus hotspots in order to play out the remainder of games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Report: AHL season 'quite likely' to be canceled
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.It's "quite likely" the American Hockey League will cancel its season because of the coronavirus pandemic, a person with direct knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Monday.The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because they're not authorized to discuss the league's plans.The AHL wouldn't confirm or deny the report, stating there is "nothing imminent."The league suspended its season March 12, the same day the NHL did.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Blackhawks fire president/CEO John McDonough
The Chicago Blackhawks made a stunning front-office decision Monday, releasing John McDonough from his role as president and CEO, the organization announced.McDonough was with the club for 13 years, including three Stanley Cups. He was originally hired as president before CEO was added to his title in 2011."Thirteen years ago, I recruited John to the Blackhawks because of his leadership, direction, and vision," Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said. "John brought all of that to the table and more. His contributions went well beyond leading the team to three Stanley Cup championships. He rebuilt the front office and helped guide the organization toward a winning vision."Wirtz added, "As difficult as this is, we believe it was the right decision for the future of the organization and its fans."McDonough, who specializes in marketing, overtook a team that ranked second-last in the NHL in attendance, averaging 12,727 fans per game in 2006-07, according to ESPN. Before the 2019-20 campaign was suspended, the Blackhawks had a 531-game sell-out streak despite sitting last in the Central Division this season.In 2009, before Chicago's first Stanley Cup, Forbes called the organization "the greatest sports-business turnaround ever," giving McDonough a large chunk of the credit, even though he had only been on the job for two years.Prior to his tenure with the Blackhawks, McDonough worked for the Chicago Cubs for 24 years.In March, Wirtz said that McDonough, general manager Stan Bowman, and head coach Jeremy Colliton would all return next season.The search for McDonough's successor is underway. Danny Wirtz, Rocky's son and current vice president of the team, will fill the role on an interim basis.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Makar: Barrie said 'it's an easy league' to ease nerves before 1st NHL game
It's understandable to be anxious before making your NHL debut, but doing so in the postseason meant nerves were flying high for Colorado Avalanche phenom Cale Makar.Luckily for Makar, he had the steadying veteran presence of Tyson Barrie to help ease those nerves. When asked for his "welcome to the NHL moment" during a video conference call Monday, Makar recounted Barrie's advice."I think the first moment that kind of comes to mind is I was getting ready just for warmups (before Game 3 in Colorado's first-round series against the Calgary Flames). Obviously, you're pretty nervous, you don't know what to expect," Makar recalled. "And then we're lined up in the hallway, and I think Tyson Barrie just comes up to me and just pats me on the shoulder and goes, 'It's an easy league, kid.'"Makar made it look easy, scoring a goal in Colorado's 6-2 win over the Flames. He went on to play 10 postseason games during the 2019 playoffs, racking up six points.Ironically, Makar's emergence as a right-handed, offensive defenseman made Barrie expendable. Barrie was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer along with Alexander Kerfoot and a sixth-round pick in exchange for Nazem Kadri, Calle Rosen, and a third-rounder.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Hurricanes owner: Games with no fans would be called 'the YMCA'
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon knows fans are essential to sports and emphasized the importance of their presence in the stands."I think the start of next season, everybody has to be careful with (it) because I think you need fans," Dundon told 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "And so if it means pushing back the start of the season for any sport, then they should consider that, because what's the point of having sports if you don't have fans, right? They wouldn't exist."They'd be called the YMCA."The NHL's 2019-20 season has been on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 12. Preliminary talks are ongoing about a potential return to the ice, but chances are slim that fans will be able to attend for at least the remainder of the season.With only a handful of regular-season games and the playoffs left to complete the 2019-20 season, Dundon thinks the 2020-21 campaign should be delayed as long as possible if fans can't be in attendance."I would think it's a pretty good idea to push it back as long as you need to, to make sure you can have your buildings occupied," Dundon added. "Whether that's 100% or 50%, I have no idea. (If) it's zero, I don't know why anyone would want to start a new league season with no fans, but my vote doesn't count for much."Talks between the NHL and NHLPA have reportedly intensified regarding the exploration of using two-to-four hub cities to act as hosts to play out the remainder of the 2019-20 season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Malkin family makes donation to Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin and his wife, Anna, made a monetary donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh to help the charity purchase supplies, food, and games, the team announced Monday.The organization, which currently houses 20 families with hospitalized children, had a wish list of various pantry items. Malkin's donation ensured that everything on the list could be purchased and families can continue to receive hot meals.
QUIZ: Test your knowledge of sports dynasties
How much do you know about some of the greatest teams in sports history?With "The Last Dance" celebrating the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s, take the quiz below to see how your knowledge of the best pro squads of all time stacks up against the competition.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Joel Ward announces retirement after 11 NHL seasons
Joel Ward, who played 11 seasons in the NHL, officially announced his retirement on Monday with a post for The Players' Tribune.Ward hasn't played since the 2017-18 campaign when he suited up for the San Jose Sharks. Overall, he spent three seasons with San Jose, four with the Washington Capitals, three with the Nashville Predators, and one with the Minnesota Wild."I know I didn't play the last two years, but I tried. I did. I wish I could have gone out in a bit of a different way," Ward wrote. "But, you know, just thinking about it all - all 726 games - I realized something. 'Who am I to wish for any more time?' I got what I wanted. I'm one of the lucky ones."The 39-year-old wasn't selected in the 1999 draft, but he later signed a contract with the ECHL's Florida Everblades in 2005 and eventually worked his way through the AHL to the NHL."I just wanted a chance, a shot. I didn't have, relatively, a whole lot of skills," Ward wrote. "I wasn't a smooth skater. I wasn’t a fighter or a grinder really. I was just me, Joel. What I did have, though, was some hockey IQ because I watched so much hockey growing up."Ward would go on to amass 133 goals and 171 assists during his career. He also appeared in 83 playoff games, racking up an impressive 22 goals and 30 assists in those contests.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
5 hockey documentaries we'd love to see
With ESPN's "The Last Dance" whetting the appetite of folks desperate for any sort of sports content, theScore editors have joined forces to look back at some of the most captivating narratives that deserve similar treatment to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty.Today, we're looking at five hockey documentaries we'd love to see:'Bad Blood'No NHL teams enjoyed more success in the late 1990s than the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings. From '96 to '98, the two Western Conference powerhouses combined for three Stanley Cup victories and a pair of Presidents' Trophies. Both clubs were loaded with future Hall of Famers, and each franchise produced moments that have been etched in hockey lore.
Humboldt's Graysen Cameron commits to Northland College
Humboldt Broncos captain Graysen Cameron has committed to Division III Northland College, he announced Sunday.Cameron's announcement comes just two years after he suffered a broken back during the tragic 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash in which 16 people died."I'm proud to announce my commitment to Northland College," Cameron tweeted. "Thanks to all my coaches, trainers, teammates, friends, the Humboldt Broncos, and most importantly all my family for helping me over the last year and a half get back on the ice and play ... Dream come true."The 20-year-old forward finished with five goals and 13 points through 46 games for the Broncos in the SJHL this season. Cameron's efforts helped the club secure a playoff berth before it ultimately fell to the top-ranked Flin Flon Bombers."His perseverance speaks for itself," Northland head coach and athletic director Seamus Gregory said, according to Discover Humboldt's Rory McGouran.He added: "Having had a great relationship with (former Broncos head coach Darcy Haugan) and growing friendship with (current head coach Scott Barney), we know the character men they have and want in their locker room, and Graysen is one of those exemplary human beings."The Broncos organization retired Cameron's No. 9 in the rafters of the Elgar Peterson Arena.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Stamkos: I'll be ready to return if season resumes
Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos, who's been recovering from core muscle surgery, says he'll be ready to play if the NHL season resumes."With the timing of all this, it was devastating at the beginning, because I thought I would be possibly missing some (Stanley Cup) Playoff games," Stamkos said, according to NHL.com's Mike Battaglino. "And the stoppage happened, we didn't know how long it was going to be, so the kind of silver lining in that was I'll be ready when we resume."Stamkos underwent surgery March 2, causing him to miss the club's last seven games before the current hiatus."I've been able to still use this time to rehab," Stamkos said. "I've been going to the rink three times a week to skate, and just start feeling normal again. So, I guess I have a chance to get out of the house and do that, obviously safely, with all the guidelines we have within our community."Stamkos ranks second on the team in both goals (29) and points (66) through 57 games. The Lightning sit second in the Atlantic Division.The 30-year-old Lightning captain isn't the only player who's benefited from the stoppage in play. Carolina Hurricanes blue-liner Dougie Hamilton also said he'll be ready to return after suffering a broken fibula in January, while Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan expects forward Jake Guentzel to be back in the lineup following shoulder surgery in December.The NHL and NHLPA have reportedly intensified talks regarding a potential plan to finish the season that would see teams play in up to four NHL cities that are not deemed to be coronavirus hotspots. Toronto and Columbus are apparently the leading contenders to become host cities.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Game 7s to remember: Bourque goes out a champion in 2001
The NHL should be deep into postseason action, but with the start of 2019-20 playoffs delayed, theScore's hockey editors are picking their favorite Game 7s from years past.On Sunday, we're looking back at the conclusion of the 2001 Stanley Cup Final, which will be remembered most for a legendary defenseman finally winning it all.The setupThe New Jersey Devils were the defending Stanley Cup champions and remained a formidable squad. They led the NHL in scoring, ranked among the league's best in goals against, and finished atop the Atlantic Division with the Eastern Conference's best record.The Devils defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in six games in the opening round of the playoffs, required seven to edge the seventh-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs, and then dispatched the Pittsburgh Penguins in five in the conference final.The Colorado Avalanche, meanwhile, clinched the Presidents' Trophy with a league-best mark of 52-16-10, led by captain Joe Sakic's 54 goals and 118 points, both of which ranked second in the NHL.The Avalanche swept the Vancouver Canucks in Round 1, snuck past the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Kings in seven games, and then eliminated the St. Louis Blues in five to advance to the Cup Final.The seriesThe Avalanche cruised to a 5-0 win in Game 1, but the Devils prevailed 2-1 in Game 2. Two nights later, Ray Bourque scored the game-winner as Colorado earned a 3-1 victory and a 2-1 series lead.New Jersey stormed back by grinding out a 3-2 win on home ice in Game 4, then followed it with a 4-1 road victory in Game 5 that put the club within a single win of capturing consecutive championships.But the Avalanche weren't finished. They forced Game 7 by shutting out the Devils 4-0 - in New Jersey, no less - on the strength of a three-point night from defenseman Adam Foote.The gameHyoung Chang / Denver Post / GettyThe stars: In a series pitting two of the greatest goaltenders ever against each other, Patrick Roy outplayed Martin Brodeur over the first six contests. Brodeur had a pedestrian .871 save percentage over that span, while Roy entered Game 7 with a stellar .934 mark.That trend continued in the decisive matchup: Roy stopped 25 of 26 shots he faced in a 3-1 victory, and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for an NHL-record third time.Sakic also stepped up when it mattered most, setting up Colorado's second goal before lighting the lamp himself on a power play later in the second period.Bourque played more than any other skater on either club except Foote (by nine seconds) in Game 7, logging a remarkable 29:35 at the age of 40.The X-factor: Colorado was forced to play the winner-take-all affair without Peter Forsberg, the club's second-leading point producer during the regular season, who remained out with an injury as he had been since the conference final.In his absence, on the biggest stage and with the season hanging in the balance, 21-year-old winger Alex Tanguay buried two of the Avalanche's three goals and helped to set up the other. Tanguay's big night didn't come out of nowhere - the winger produced 27 goals and 77 points in his second NHL campaign before the playoffs began. But the young forward had his best performance of the postseason in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and his star-caliber effort was critical to Colorado's triumph.Brian Bahr / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe key moment: While Tanguay's contributions were instrumental, Sakic's marker was the dagger. His league-leading 13th goal of the playoffs gave the Avalanche a 3-0 cushion, and it came less than 90 seconds after Tanguay's second of the game, swinging the momentum fully in Colorado's favor.It was a dose of brilliance from "Burnaby Joe," who faked a shot from the faceoff circle and then wired home a perfect wrister up high on Brodeur.The highlightThis game was loaded with future Hall of Famers, and as such, featured its share of skilled plays. However, it's most remembered for what happened once it was over.After receiving the Stanley Cup from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Sakic immediately handed it to Bourque to lift, in what remains one of hockey's most enduring scenes.Bourque had waited longer to do that for the first time than any other Cup-winning player in the history of the trophy, and no one can say he didn't earn it.The falloutDarren McCollester / Getty Images Sport / GettyBourque retired shortly after bringing the Cup back to Boston, where he spent the majority of his career. Sakic won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP, as well as the Ted Lindsay Award and the Lady Byng.Colorado reached the Western Conference Final in 2002, but lost to the Detroit Red Wings in seven. Every game in that matchup was decided by two goals or fewer until Game 7, when the Red Wings crushed the Avalanche 7-0. Colorado was never the same after that, as head coach Bob Hartley was fired in December 2002, and Roy retired in May 2003.The Avalanche made the playoffs in six of the eight years after winning their second title, but haven't qualified for the conference final since doing so in 2002. Meanwhile, the Devils avenged their Game 7 loss by claiming the Cup two years later with the same core. Impressively, they did so without their leading 2000-01 goal-scorer, Alexander Mogilny, who parlayed his 43-goal campaign into a four-year pact with Toronto.New Jersey made 13 straight trips to the postseason from 1997 to 2010, though it took them until 2012 to return to the Cup Final, and the club hasn't won it all since 2003.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Blue Jackets GM: Players 'learn to appreciate' Tortorella
Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen believes that while head coach John Tortorella may be tough on his players, he gets the job done effectively."Rick Nash puts it in a good way when I talk to him about Torts - and they were together in New York - and Rick Nash said that you always know where you're at with John Tortorella," Kekalainen said Sunday on the NHL's "Executive Suite" podcast. "There's no gray area, there's no wondering, 'What does he think of me?' He'll let you know what you do right, what you do wrong, and I think that's a real good quality."Tortorella has long been known for his outspoken nature, which has led to him publicly criticizing his players. Most recently, he called out Anthony Duclair last season for being "off the rails," adding he was unsure if the winger knows how to play hockey."I think that players, at the end of the day, they appreciate it, and I've heard a lot of guys talk about Torts a lot more fondly in the past tense," Kekalainen added. "They learn to appreciate how he was like after the fact, after he had coached them because then they get into other situations and they realize the coach is telling one thing in front and the other thing behind your back, and that's something that I know that the players do not appreciate."The veteran coach has been at the helm in Columbus since the 2015-16 campaign. He's led the club to the postseason the last three years, including its first playoff series win last season against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He won the Jack Adams Award in 2004 and 2017.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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