Around the NHL News - Philadelphia Flyers

Transcription

SPORT-SCAN
DAILY BRIEF
NHL 2/21/2012
Anaheim Ducks
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Up next for the Ducks: Tuesday at Tampa Bay
Boston Bruins
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Bruins recall Carter Camper from Providence
Travel day for Bruins
Scoring slump weighs on B’s
Buffalo Sabres
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Trade deadline looms over Sabres
Gaustad: 'Winning here is one of my main goals'
Calgary Flames
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Flames anxious to avoid repeat of March meltdown
Wounded warrior Moss back on blades for Flames
Game Day: Edmonton at Calgary
Kiprusoff continues to wow Flames teammates
Trick now is for Flames to stay in top eight
Iggy rated a CBC role model
Singer Bentley suits up with Flames
What'll it take for Flames to land big fish before trade
deadline?
Burning Questions
Carolina Hurricanes
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Canes go category 5 in blowout against Capitals
Canes recall Murphy from Checkers
Big Canes win over Caps builds hopes
Chicago Blackhawks
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Red Wings at Blackhawks
Blackhawks' Sharp keeps on shooting
Viktor Stalberg has given Dave Bolland’s line a boost
Ugly power play still problem for Blackhawks
Turning Things Around: "Anything Little, it's Huge.."
We know what's next on the 'To Do' list
Colorado Avalanche
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Avalanche's Matt Duchene upbeat about return from injury
but needs more production
Columbus Blue Jackets
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Blue Jackets notebook: Howson waiting to hear the right
offer for Nash
Blue Jackets' rebuilding job will depend on quick feet, minds
Jackets-Sharks preview
Dallas Stars
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Jamie Benn, Sheldon Souray skate; Stars expect them to
face Chicago
Grossman's Stars departure brings opportunities for others
Stars at Canadians, 6:30 p.m.: Can Stars handle P.K.
Subban?
Weber's power-play goal sends Predators past Stars
GameDay: Dallas Stars at Montreal Canadiens
Wings cont'd
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Edmonton Oilers
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Red Wings draft pick Max Nicastro arrested on sexualassault charge
Monday's Red Wings trade rumors
Red Wings place goaltender Ty Conklin on waivers
Red Wings goalie Joey MacDonald ready for backup role
Red Wings' streak answers major questions
Wings draft pick Max Nicastro arrested on sexual assault
charge
Wings put Ty Conklin on waivers; Joey MacDonald is No. 2
goalie
Oilers goalie Khabibulin out seven to ten days
Renney not yet ready to return to Oilers bench
On second thought…about Kyle Brodziak
RNH feels close to ready
Khabibulin out a week with pull
Oilers’ Renney still recovering
Florida Panthers
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From uniform to suit: Former Florida Panther Bryan McCabe
tries scouting
Florida Panthers offensive woes stem from ailing
defensemen
With trade deadline approaching, Florida Panthers must
decide how much of a push to make
Los Angeles Kings
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Kings coach says he needs more from Dustin Brown and
Anze Kopitar
Dean Lombardi's job with Kings could be on the line
Up next for the Kings: Tuesday at Phoenix
Kings will try to avoid shutout record
Kings, Coyotes head for round 2?
Nolan gets unlikely high-profile chance
Can Stoll put up more points at center?
Minnesota Wild
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Going 2-for-2 is one rare event
Ending drought is relief, but Cullen wants more
Minnesota Wild send Jeff Taffe to Houston
Montreal Canadiens
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Detroit Red Wings
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Joey MacDonald earns permanent stay with Red Wings
Don Cherry's Red Wings argument is the pits
Detroit Red Wings' Ken Holland, Mike Babcock called NHL's
best GM/coach combo
Red Wings prospect Max Nicastro arrested on sexual
assault charge
Red Wings reward red-hot Joey MacDonald with permanent
backup job, as Ty Conklin waived
Red Wings trade talk: Big, shot-blocking Bryan Allen would
upgrade third defense pairing
Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk is best player in NHL,
according to poll of 250 players
Detroit Red Wings waive Ty Conklin, keep Joey MacDonald
Red Wings win record 23rd straight at home
Habs caught in limbo between buy, sell
Montreal Canadiens: Randy Cunneyworth performing
delicate balancing act
Montreal Canadiens' season has featured too many stinkers
Canadiens sleepwalk through listless matchup with the
Devils
Nashville Predators
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2014-15
Nashville Predators extend GM David Poile's contract
Tonight's game: Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks
David Poile's contract extended to 2015
New defenseman Hal Gill is a big presence on and off ice
Poile gets contract extension, will run Predators through
New Jersey Devils
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Dainius Zubrus says Devils have become a close-knit team
Martin Brodeur showing mental toughness to Devils
teammates
Devils' Anton Volchenkov, Bryce Salvador, Kurtis Foster rest
Devils' Martin Brodeur blocking out more than flying pucks
Devils eye Rangers
San Jose Sharks
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New York Islanders
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Islanders crushed by Senators in Monday matinee
Islanders crushed by Senators
Isles crushed, 6-0, at worst time possible
Flu keeps Evgeni Nabokov off the ice
New York Rangers
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NY Rangers' Wojtek Wolski hoping to make one last stand
with Blueshirts before NHL trade deadline
Rangers ride road to success
Blue Jackets ace deflects Ranger rumors
Rangers' Anisimov just winging it
Gross: Marian Gaborik's future with Rangers on thin ice?
Boyle, Rangers improving on faceoffs
NHL
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White Towel: Some big-name NHL players could be on the
block at trade deadline
White Towel: If Colorado Avalanche slide, trades possible
Avs rookie forward a Swedish delight
Holding our breath for the NHL’s first blockbuster trade
Theoren Fleury favours jail time for sex offender Graham
James
Playing for love, not money
Ottawa Senators
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Senators blank Islanders 6-0 in Presidents Day smackdown
Cheapseats: Melnyk won't break bank to make playoffs
Sens thump Islanders
Philadelphia Flyers
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Kubina wants to stay with Flyers
Phil Sheridan: Flyers touching third rail of fan relations
Kubina Hopes To Stick Around
Grossman eager to make an impact with Flyers
Road trip remedy for Flyers?
New acquistion Pavel Kubina interested in staying with the
Flyers
Phil Sheridan: Now it's Flyers touching third rail of fan
relations
Holmgren makes case for the defense
Kubina a boost for crucial road trip
Newest Flyer Pavel Kubina wants to be here to stay
McCAFFERY: Bryz deserves shot to find ‘peace’ in Philly
Flyers' concussed captain facing long-term longshot
recovery
Holmgren keeps digging up defensive help for Flyers
Kubina practices, finds new home with Flyers
Kubina 'honored' to play alongside Jagr
Flyers looking for a lift from road trip
Flyers' upgrades on D don't solve all issues
Boruk's top Flyers plays of the week
St Louis Blues
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Round 2? Coyotes meet Kings five days after penalty-filled
affair in Los Angeles
Pittsburgh Penguins
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Opponents targeting Penguins star Malkin with plenty of size
Penguins defense can't afford to rest in showdown against
Rangers
Numbers add up to difficult opponent for Penguins
No changes expected after Penguins loss
Blues send Bishop back, await Bruins
Bernie Bytes: Troubling trend for Blues
Blues have been tough at home, struggled on road
Bishop returns to Peoria after backing up Elliott
Blackhawks rally past Blues
Road woes continue for Blues
Tampa Bay Lightning
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Bolts' resolve on display in tough time
Yzerman not afraid to make moves
Lecavalier leaves practice due to injury
Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier out for Tuesday's
game with upper-body injury
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier (upper body
injury) will sit out against the Ducks
Tampa Bay Lightning players remain optimistic about playoff
chances
Vinny Lecavalier leaves Tampa Bay Lightning practice with
injury
Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier leaves practice with
upper-body injury
Toronto Maple Leafs
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What ails the Maple Leafs?
Reimer to debut new mask
Lupul, Gunnarsson set to play through the pain
Maple Leafs need five points this week from three home
games to stay on playoff pace
Gardiner no fan of rumours
Leafs unfazed by Connolly's lack of production
Leafs need to focus on wins, not trade rumours
Rick Nash trade talk is all very unusual
Rick Nash, James Reimer and other storylines for the Leafs’
playoff push
Vancouver Canucks
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Phoenix Coyotes
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San Jose Sharks: Marc-Edouard Vlasic hopes to play
Tuesday
San Jose Sharks fact box for Tuesday at Columbus Blue
Jackets
Sharks get some props from their peers
Havlat skating; more injury news
Canucks feeling right at home on the road
Canada’s Team No Match for Canada’s Best Team
Alex Burrows’ improbable run to 500
Canucks made right call in Booth
Burrows to play his 500th NHL game
Canucks' Hamhuis: Hal Gill adds to challenging Predators'
defence
Canucks Hat Trick: Three things for fans to ponder
White Towel: Nolan Baumgartner's years as pro player ‘gone
so fast’
Cory Schneider ignores Canucks trade rumours
White Towel: Q&A with Byron Bitz
Morning hat trick: Three things to think about ahead of
tonight’s Canucks-Predators game
Washington Capitals
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Open thread: Capitals at Hurricanes
Dale Hunter hints he may reunite fourth line of Halpern,
Beagle and Ward against Carolina
Capitals’ morning skate underway in Carolina
Capitals vs. Hurricanes: Washington gets dominated on the
road, 5-0
Alex Ovechkin limping after Capitals’ 5-0 loss to Hurricanes
Yanking of Vokoun fails to provide spark for Capitals
Capitals embarrassed by Hurricanes
Websites
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ESPN / It's been a long journey for Rinne
ESPN / Deadline Debate: Who's getting Nash?
NBCSports.com / Red Wings draft pick arrested on rape
charge
CNN/Sports Illustrated / INSIDE THE NHL Life in the NHL
meat market
Sportsnet.ca / Schenn calm, Reimer restless
USA TODAY / 10 intriguing names in NHL trade market
Winnipeg Jets
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Wheeler named an NHL star of the week
Big winger's rollin' like an 18-Wheeler
Jets Report
'This city might BURN DOWN...'
Highlight Reel
Wheeler named NHL 2nd star
Cranky Claude problems
Getting the biggest bang for Jets’ buck
SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129
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Anaheim Ducks
Up next for the Ducks: Tuesday at Tampa Bay
Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller is named the NHL's No. 1 star of the week, ahead
of Jets right wing Blake Wheeler and Senators center Jason Spezza. He
has helped guide the Ducks to within five points of a playoff spot.
By Lisa Dillman
6:40 PM PST, February 20, 2012
When: 4:30 PST.
Where: Tampa Bay Times Forum.
On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 830.
Records: Ducks 25-24-10, Lightning 26-26-6.
Update: Not surprisingly, the feats of Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller were
recognized on a broader scale when the NHL named him the No. 1 star of
the week, ahead of Jets right wing Blake Wheeler and Senators center
Jason Spezza. Hiller has helped guide the Ducks to within five points of a
playoff spot, and in four games last week was 3-0-1 with a goals-against
average of 0.98 and save percentage of .961. The last time the Ducks were
as close as five points in the standings from eighth place was Nov. 19. The
Ducks had their usual daily transaction with their American Hockey League
affiliate in Syracuse, N.Y., recalling defenseman Kyle Cumiskey and
sending down defenseman Nate Guenin.
LA Times: LOADED: 02.21.2012
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Boston Bruins
Bruins recall Carter Camper from Providence
February 20, 2012|Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff
ST. LOUIS — The Bruins have recalled Carter Camper from Providence.
The first-year pro is expected to practice tomorrow with the club at the
Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
This is Camper’s first NHL recall. Camper is Providence’s leading scorer
with 14 goals and 24 assists. Camper has been the team’s No. 1 center.
The Bruins signed Camper as a free agent on April 7, 2011. Camper was a
four-year star at Miami University.
Boston Globe LOADED: 02.21.2012
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Boston Bruins
Travel day for Bruins
February 20, 2012|Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff
ST.PAUL — The Bruins are traveling from St. Paul to St. Louis this
morning. They will not practice today. They will hit the Scottrade Center ice
tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. to prepare for Wednesday’s game against the
Blues.
“I sense there’s a lot of weight on their shoulders right now,” Claude Julien
said. “You can feel it. It’s heavy.”
Against the Blues, the Bruins will attempt to halt a two-game losing streak.
They have not lost three straight since late October.
“If we go into that game with the same kind of weight we have on our
shoulders lately, it might be a tough night,” Julien said. “Somehow we’ve
got to take that weight off our shoulders, just go out there and play, and
give it all you’ve got. You might be surprised at what you can come out with.
Sometimes a good opponent and going out there with that attitude can
make a lot of good things happen.”
Boston Globe LOADED: 02.21.2012
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Boston Bruins
Scoring slump weighs on B’s
By Steve Conroy | Tuesday, February 21, 2012 |
ST. PAUL, Minn. — One by one, the Bruins shuffled through the St. Paul
Hotel with travel bags in hand, ready to take off to the next stop on this sixcity road trip that is beginning to feel like a death march.
After a hard practice on Saturday that was followed by an exasperating 2-0
loss to the lowly Minnesota Wild on Sunday, the players were given an off
day — aside from traveling to St. Louis where they play the Blues tomorrow
night — to unplug and not think about hockey for 24 hours.
“When you’re not winning, you think practicing more will solve the problems,
but yet I sense there’s a lot of weight on their shoulders right now. You can
feel it. It’s heavy,” coach Claude Julien said.
Coaches never are afforded the luxury of checking out, however, and Julien
surely spent a good portion of the day mulling line combinations he hopes
can get his team out of a scoring funk that has seen it shut out in four of its
last nine games. In the B’s last 16 games, they’ve managed just three
regulation wins, four more in shootouts.
Every team hits a bad patch, and every team gets banged up. But the
Bruins’ game happened to go south just as the injury bug bit, with Nathan
Horton (concussion) and Rich Peverley (knee) in the midst of lengthy
absences.
In Sunday’s loss, Julien got creative in the third period and moved David
Krejci to the right wing and Chris Kelly between Krejci and Milan Lucic. It
didn’t produce goals, but it did yield more chances than when Krejci was
centering Lucic and Benoit Pouliot.
Pouliot moved to a line with center Josh Hennessy and Jordan Caron, while
the Merlot line of Shawn Thornton, Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille
became the de facto third line.
“Right now we’re just trying different things because we’re missing some
players and trying to find combinations that will give you some offense
when you’re not scoring,” Julien said. “I thought Kells is having a good year
so far, and when he plays with some guys that can score, he’s done pretty
well. I told David to go to the right side to see if that would give us anything,
and I thought they responded well and did some good things.
“So there’s a good chance we may go back with that. We’ve got a couple of
days to look over some things and make some decisions.”
Krejci, with one goal and no assists in nine games, didn’t mind the move.
“I felt we had some chances,” he said. “Chris is a great player and he does
all the little things right. I know I was on the right wing and I don’t play there
a lot, but we played in their zone a lot, we had some chances. But we have
to find a way to score.”
Whether the B’s get any help before Monday’s trade deadline remains to be
seen. It might be tough for general manager Peter Chiarelli to pull off
anything, considering he doesn’t have a second- or fourth-round pick, and
teams might want Tuukka Rask or to prospect Dougie Hamilton.
Julien will keep in regular contact with Chiarelli about any potential deals,
but he’s not waiting for the cavalry to arrive.
“I don’t weigh in too much with that stuff, because my job right now is to do
the best I can with what we’ve got here. If something gets done, you just
insert a player in and make the most of it,” Julien said. “But I certainly won’t
hang my coat on that and say, ‘Let’s just work through this until we can get
some help.’ I don’t think anyone in that dressing room expects it, and
neither do I. We’re a good enough team to be way better than we are.”
Julien is confident that, through work, his team will snap out of it.
“Tough times don’t last, but tough players do,” Julien said. “And we have a
bunch of tough players in there that will battle through it.”
Bruins notes
The B’s called up forward Carter Camper from Providence, and the Miami
(Ohio) product is expected to join the club in St. Louis.
Camper has 14 goals and 24 assists in 53 games for the team’s AHL
affiliate.
Boston Herald LOADED: 02.21.2012
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Buffalo Sabres
Trade deadline looms over Sabres
By Mike Harrington
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold knows the drill. He's been sent
packing at the trade deadline twice in his career, from Colorado to Calgary
in 2009 and from Florida to Pittsburgh in 2010. It's tough on the player,
even tougher on their families.
The final week countdown to the NHL's swap meet is on, as the deadline
looms next Monday at 3 p.m. The Sabres, who host the New York Islanders
tonight in First Niagara Center, are trying to play both sides. They can get
within five points of the final playoff spot with a win tonight but are still in
14th place in the Eastern Conference and likely to be sellers to create some
salary cap space.
The chatter is growing by the hour.
"It's changed a lot over the years as far as the access to blogs, rumors,
Twitter, television tickers on the bottom of the page," said Leopold. "The
whole thing has just evolved into a social media circus. You start reading all
that stuff and start believing it, you never know.
"It's absolutely crazy at that this time of year. As a player, the best thing you
can do is not read any of that stuff."
Sage advice from Leopold to Paul Gaustad, and the Sabres' center appears
to have already taken it to heart.
As a veteran who is seventh in the league in faceoff percentage, can kill
penalties and play against another team's top scoring line, Gaustad might
rank as one of the better rental players on the market. Basically, his name
is everywhere from major media outlets on both sides of the border to
Johnny's Blog from the Basement.
The "Goooose" calls have been heard in downtown Buffalo for seven
straight years. They could be in their final days.
"I'm not too focused on it. I don't really listen to guys on the radio or read
your newspaper articles." Gaustad said matter-of-factly Monday. "So it's not
too hard for me. It's focusing on our team. We've had some struggles and
that's what's tough on us."
Gaustad's four-year, $9.2 million deal expires after this year. He makes
$2.5 million this season and if he's acquired on deadline day, he would only
cost a new team about $497,000.
His value is only going up. Gaustad has seven points in his last 10 games
and has combined with Nathan Gerbe and Patrick Kaleta to stunt
opponents' top lines, notably Evgeni Malkin's unit in Sunday's 6-2 win over
Pittsburgh.
"He's a great teammate, a consistent teammate for us and we hope he
stays." said Gerbe. "You can't control the rumors. We have to control how
we play and Paul is doing a good job."
Gaustad said he spoke with General Manager Darcy Regier on Saturday
but that the conversation was mostly about this year's team. But he didn't
say it was entirely about it. Gaustad said Monday he'd like to stay with the
Sabres, or at least consider re-signing with them as a free agent on July 1 if
he's traded.
"I've always wanted to be a Sabre and win in Buffalo." he said. "I've come to
grow up here and my adult life has been in Western New York. Winning
here is one of my main goals."
Gaustad and Brad Boyes, also in the final year of his contract, could easily
be rented out. Players like Leopold, with one year left on his deal at a
reasonable $3 million, and Derek Roy (one year, $4 million) could be in
play.
For his part, Gaustad said he's solely focused on Buffalo's playoff push and
won't allow trade rumors to be a distraction. But is it really possible to avoid
everything said everywhere this week?
"You're asking a guy with three kids and watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse
all day long so it's pretty easy for me," cracked Leopold. "Hey, if you start
worrying about it, it starts to affect how you live your day-to-day life and you
don't need that."
The Sabres have three games left before the deadline. There's tonight's
game against an Islanders team that was blanked Monday by Ottawa, 6-0,
and sits one point ahead of Buffalo. And then there's this weekend's killer
back-to-back, Friday's visit by Boston and Saturday's trip to Madison
Square Garden to meet the New York Rangers.
The Sabres are 6-3-2 in their last 11 games. They still have 23 to go and
teams in front of them, notably Toronto and Washington, have been
struggling. That's keeping Buffalo in the race to the point that coach Lindy
Ruff didn't want to entertain trade questions Monday.
"I think we can put a run together and I told the team that before Pittsburgh,
'I still believe in you,'" Ruff said. "When we've been healthy and been on the
same page, we've been able to push ahead.
"One game you can be in 14th, then win a game and be in 10th or 11th."
Ruff said. "It creates hope. You can look at baseball, you can look at
football. There's teams that get in the playoffs the last day and that might
have to be us."
The Sabres have plenty of teams to leap over. Their only chance is to keep
winning.
"I kind of describe it like Frogger." Gaustad said of the old arcade game.
"You know it's cliche but have you to focus on just winning that one and
those two points and that works best."
Buffalo News LOADED: 02.21.2012
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Buffalo Sabres
Gaustad: 'Winning here is one of my main goals'
We're at one week and counting to the NHL's trade deadline, next Monday
at 3 p.m. And while the 14th-place Sabres still harbor playoff hopes
standing seven points out, the realistic view on the outside is that the team
should be selling, sooner rather than later. There are already plenty of
players whose names have churning in the rumor mill.
"It's changed a lot over the years as far as the access to blogs, rumors,
Twitter, television tickers on the bottom of the page," said defenseman
Jordan Leopold, who has been traded twice at the deadline (Colorado to
Calgary and Florida to Pittsburgh). "The whole thing has just evolved into a
social media circus. You start reading all that stuff and start believing it, you
never know. It's absolutely crazy at that this time of year. As a player, the
best thing you can do is not read any of that stuff."
The player with the biggest circus tent over his head right now is center
Paul Gaustad, an attractive faceoff man and penalty killer who will be an
unrestricted free agent after the season. Gaustad, who turned 30 earlier
this month and is in his seventh year as a regular in the Buffalo lineup,
downplayed trade talk after Sunday's win over Pittsburgh and do so again
today. He insists his focus continues to be on the team he's with, not some
other team he might be playing for next week.
"I've always wanted to be a Sabre and win in Buffalo," Gaustad said. "I've
come to grow up here and my adult life has been in Western New York.
Winning here is one of my main goals in hockey."
Gaustad, however, is getting more attractive by the day. He's got three
goals and seven points in his last 10 games and his line with Patrick Kaleta
and Nathan Gerbe has been driving opponents' top lines crazy.
"A lot of personal success comes from team success and we've played well
as a team," Gaustad said. "When the team plays well, the personal stuff
follows."
Click below to hear post-practice audio today from Gaustad and coach
Lindy Ruff, who agrees that Gaustad has been playing very well and insists
he's lost no belief in his team's ability to make the playoffs.
Paul Gaustad
Lindy Ruff
SCHEDULE NOTE: Be sure to join me here at 3 p.m. for our weekly On
The Beat chat. It should be interesting with the deadline looming.
---Mike Harrington
Buffalo News LOADED: 02.21.2012
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Calgary Flames
Complacency just doesn’t exist at this time of year, according to Jarome
Iginla.
Flames anxious to avoid repeat of March meltdown
“It’s back to business,” the captain said. “Phoenix and L.A. play (today), you
know someone is moving up. We have a chance to gain on someone, so
there’s no rest.”
By Vicki Hall
And no time for self-congratulatory pats on the back.
The rancher in Brent Sutter came out to play Monday during a giddy postpractice scrimmage with country star Dierks Bentley and members of his
band.
“I’ve always been a big country fan,” the Calgary Flames head coach said,
stating the obvious. “I like his music.
“It’s an exciting time for him just skating out here at the Dome. I’m not so
sure about having me out here skating with him, but . . . ”
So far this season, crooner Michael Buble practised with the Vancouver
Canucks and teen heartthrob Justin Bieber skated with the Toronto Maple
Leafs.
Trust Calgary to go country.
Dierks Bentley is definitely on Sutter’s playlist, although the coach is hardly
in the mood for sappy ballads thanks to the success of his surging hockey
team.
In spite of a rash of injuries to key regulars, the Flames have picked up at
least a point in each of their past eight games.
Technically, the Flames are deadlocked with the Los Angeles Kings for
eighth place in the Western Conference, each with 65 points. Calgary has
more wins (shootout victories do not count), and therefore takes the tiebreaker.
If the National Hockey League playoffs started today, Calgary would take
part for the first time in three years.
But recent history dictates playoff position in February and March means
nothing come the second week of April.
“Last year we did get to a certain point and then we let it get away from us,”
Sutter said. “Everything you go through you need to learn from.’’
“We can’t drop our guard. We’ve got to stay with it. There’s been absolutely
nothing accomplished. We’ve put ourselves in a position that we wanted to
be in at this point in time.
“Now, we have to take advantage.”
The Flames failed to take advantage of a similar run last season after going
10 games without a regulation loss — and amassing 18 of a possible 20
points during that span — to climb up to fifth place in the Western
Conference.
Suddenly, conversation in Calgary coffee houses turned to securing playoff
tickets — especially if the Flames locked down home-ice advantage.
Then came the 1-4-2 skid in mid-March that proved the Coup de Grace for
the Flames as they tumbled down the standings from fifth to 10th place.
“The bottom line is that last year we were in a good spot, and then we had a
tough patch,” said defenceman Mark Giordano. “You can’t have a losing
streak of three or four games at this time of year. It’s just going to bump you
right out.
“For us, we’ve been getting points in games lately, and that’s the main
thing.”
In other words, the Flames are happy to wake up in the morning — for the
first time in nearly a calendar year — above the post-season cut-off line.
But no one is toasting the accomplishment with Champagne and orange
juice just yet.
“We have a lot of hockey left,” said centre Michael Cammalleri. “If we sit
here content with where we sit right now, I don’t think we’ll be very content
soon in where we stand.
“We need to keep getting better. We need to keep working hard. We need
to be climbing, not worrying about just being in eighth spot.”
“We haven’t been discussing that in here today,” Iginla said. “It’s not like,
‘Hey man, we’re in eighth.’ We want to keep playing better. We think we’ve
been coming on for awhile. We want to keep that going and keep moving
up.
“We’re going to keep moving higher.”
According to Sutter, the best way to move higher is to reflect on the
mistakes of the not-so-distant past.
Otherwise, in the immortal words of Winston Churchill, those who fail to
learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
“It’s important to take care of your own business and worry about what you
can do and keep pushing forward,” Sutter said. “It’s a focused group. We
know we haven’t accomplished anything.
“We know we have to continue to push and move forward and treat each
game like what it is for us. It’s playoff hockey for us.”
With 23 games to go, the Flames have a new celebrity fan to cheer them on
in the quest to reach the post-season dance.
“We’ll be following these guys,” vowed Bentley, who performs tonight at the
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. “We know they’re in eighth place, and
they’re tied with L.A.
“It will be fun watching for the rest of the season, for sure.”
Calgary Herald: LOADED: 02.21.2012
614053
Calgary Flames
Wounded warrior Moss back on blades for Flames
By Vicki Hall
Finally, some encouraging news for the Calgary Flames on the injury front.
Forward David Moss skated Monday for the first time since undergoing
ankle surgery in December. Moss is not expected back for at least another
few weeks, but his mere presence on the ice is clearly a step in that
direction.
Joining Moss for the pre-practice twirl were left wing Curtis Glencross
(knee) and defenceman Derek Smith (ankle.) The Flames hope Glencross
will return some time in early March.
With 18 goals in 45 games, the return of Glencross can’t help but bolster
the offensive prowess of a team not exactly blessed in that area. Derek
Smith (high ankle sprain) will also give the Flames more options on the
back end.
But with all due respect, Brent Sutter refuses to let his mind wander to the
possible return of his six wounded players.
“I don’t,” the head coach said. “To be quite honest, no. Not for myself.
“The injured guys, when they’re healthy and ready to go, they’ll fit into the
mix. But at this point in time, the only ones you can focus in on – as far as
myself is concerned – are the healthy guys. The guys who are able to play
every night for you. “
Kiprusoff is Calgary’s ‘glue’
Monday turned into word association day in the Flames dressing room with
several reporters asking players and coaches for one word to describe
Miikka Kiprusoff.
“He’s been our glue,” Sutter said. “He gives us a tremendous chance every
night. I don’t think he gets enough credit, personally, outside around
Calgary like he should. He’s definitely one of the best goalies in the game.”
Does that disrespect bother Kiprusoff?
“No,” Sutter said, with a chuckle. “It doesn’t bother him. It probably bothers
everyone else – well, it does bother everyone else more than him.
“He probably prefers it his way.
Sutter ‘demanding,’ fine communicator
For the most part, the Flames flew under the radar this year in the annual
Hockey Night In Canada/NHLPA player poll. Jarome Iginla came in third,
behind Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews, in the category of “current
player who is the best role model.”
Brent Sutter finished a distant fifth – behind John Tortorella, Ken Hitchcock,
Mike Babcock and Dan Bylsma – in the “most demanding coach” category.
“He’s demanding,” Iginla said of his coach. “But he’s a good communicator.
I think a lot of good communicators come across as demanding. If you ask
players, you’d rather have that communication – know where you stand and
how the coach feels about your game – then not and all of a sudden you’re
sitting out and not playing.
“I think those kind of go hand-in-hand, a good communicator and
demanding.”
WHL recognizes Flames prospect
Flames prospect Michael Ferland is the Western Hockey League’s player of
the week. The Brandon Wheat Kings power forward collected nine goals
and 13 points in four games. Perhaps even more impressive: his plus-9
rating during that span.
Another Flames prospect, Sven Baertschi, is riding a streak of five games
with at least two points for the Portland Winterhawks.
614054
Calgary Flames
Game Day: Edmonton at Calgary
By Vicki Hall
Edmonton Oilers (22-30-6) at Calgary Flames (27-22-9)
7 p.m., Scotiabank Saddledome, SN 960 radio, Sportsnet-West
Flames player to watch
Miikka Kiprusoff — Brent Sutter calls the Finnish netminder “the glue.” Mark
Giordano labels him the MVP. Regardless of the name, Kiprusoff is the best
Flame. Full stop.
The Lines
A.Tanguay O.Jokinen J.Iginla
T.Kostopoulos M.Cammalleri B.Comeau
P.Byron R.Horak K.Kolanos
L.Bouma M.Stajan T.Jackman
The Pairings
from a concussion suffered from taking a puck in the head during practice a
few weeks back in Buffalo.”Doctors have recommended he miss the next
couple games,” general manager Steve Tambellini said Monday. “It’s very
hard for him not to be at the helm, but it’s best.”
*WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BATTLE OF ALBERTA? — The Flames have
simply dominated their provincial rivals in recent times with 10 straight wins
overall and 11 straight in the friendly confines of the Saddledome. The
Oilers haven’t won in Calgary since pulling out a 4-3 victory on Oct. 17,
2008,
BETWEEN THE PIPES: Devan Dubnyk gets the call for the Oilers after
Nikolai Khabibulin pulled his groin Saturday in the first period against
Vancouver. The injury comes at an unfortunate time for Edmonton with the
39-year-old Bulin Wall considered trade bait with the deadline fast
approaching. Dubnyk is still looking for his first career win over the Flames.
On the other end, the red-hot Miikka Kiprusoff obviously gets the start with
Henrik (the Calgary Tower) Karlsson serving as his back-up after a
conditioning stint in Abbotsford.
*RESPECTING THE OPPONENT —Tonight could be considered one of
those trap games for the Flames after a two-game road trip swing through
Phoenix and Los Angeles – both teams in the playoff race. Chris Butler, for
one, says the Flames must beware of the speedy, skilled Oilers who boast
the fourth-best power play in the league. Brent Sutter realizes Edmonton
would love nothing better than to spoil Calgary’s playoff aspirations. “Every
opponent we’re playing is going to be tough.” Sutter said. “Edmonton is our
No. 1 rival, so they’re going to be ready to play. We’ve got to keep pushing
forward here.”
T.J.Brodie C.Sarich
*HOME COOKING: Sitting in eighth spot in the Western Conference, the
Flames do indeed control their own destiny with 23 games left on the
docket. Fifteen of those games are at the Saddledome and only eight
remain on the road. If they can dominate their own domain, the Flames will
likely advance to the playoffs for the first time in three years.
The Goalies
C.Butler J.Bouwmeester
M.Giordano S.Hannan
M.Kiprusoff
L.Irving
The Injuries
D Derek Smith (ankle), C Mikael Backlund (shoulder), C Blair Jones (ankle),
LW Curtis Glencross (knee), RW David Moss (ankle), RW Lee Stempniak
(ankle)
Oilers player to watch
Jordan Eberle —The Calgary product leads the Oilers in goals (25), assists
(30), and points (55.) What sophomore jinx?
The Lines
T.Hall S.Gagner J.Eberle
M.Paajarvi A.Lander A.Hemsky
R.Smyth S.Horcoff R.Jones
B.Eager E.Belanger L.Petrell
The Pairings
L.Smid J.Petry
R.Whitney T.Gilbert
C.Barker A.Sutton
The Goalies
D.Dubnyk
N.Khabibulin
The Injuries
C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder), D Corey Potter (groin), D Theo
Peckham (concussion), G Nikolai Khabibulin (groin)
5 Things to Watch
1. SEARCHING FOR THAT ELUSIVE `W’ —Oilers associate head coach
Ralph Krueger is 0-5 behind the bench and will vie for his first NHL victory
tonight in relief of Tom Renney. The Oilers head coach is still recovering
614055
Calgary Flames
Kiprusoff continues to wow Flames teammates
By George Johnson
CALGARY — Most likely, it was merely a trick of the light. A refracted
reflection from the jumble of TV cameras insidiously crowding in on the first
stall to your immediate right upon entering the Calgary Flames’ inner
compound.
Nothing more than a brief hallucination, perhaps, or one of those crazy,
unexplained phenomena you occasionally hear of, like some guy in
Memphis swearing he saw Elvis’ profile outlined on a piece of cheese at the
corner Piggly Wiggly.
And yet ...
Mightn’t that actually have been a halo hovering over Miikka Kiprusoff’s
head?
“There seems to be something every game that sorta makes you lean back
and say, ‘Wow!’,” says defenceman Mark Giordano, one of those devout
believers.
Wow.
That pretty much nails it.
“He’s had some amazing years in the past,” lauds captain Jarome Iginla.
“But he’s playing as well this year as any year.
“All of us as players, we talk among each other, and some of the guys
who’ve come here say they’ve never had a goalie play that well that
consistently. We who have been here, well, you never take him for granted,
you’re always impressed, but ... you tend to get used to it.
“And truly, I think this is as good as he’s played. Right up there. Maybe
even better.”
There’s nothing much left to add about Miikka Kiprusoff, but he does keep
those of us who depend on words for a livelihood hopping, forcing us to
delve deeper and deeper in an attempt to find a fresh way of describing the
astonishing.
At 35, back to his human-pipe-cleaner best, bending his body — not to
mention logic — this way and that. Arguably better than ever.
Even sharper, more influential, many believe, than in 2005-06, the 42-win,
2.07-GAA, .923-save-percentage season that netted him (as of today) his
one and only Vezina Trophy.
The numbers this year may not quite match up with that one (although 27
wins, a 2.23 GAA and .924 save percentage is impressive enough in itself),
but circumstances in this town are vastly different. That team, coming out of
the lockout, had been a Stanley Cup finalist the previous season. Nobody is
mistaking this edition for the ’76 Habs, a debilitating rash of injuries are
decimating the lineup, and yet here we find the Flames, finally with a leg up
in the crowded playoff cluster.
Only serving to make Kiprusoff’s achievement all the more remarkable.
“I mean, I think he’s better,” agrees assistant to the GM Craig Conroy. “This
is the best hockey I’ve seen Kipper play. He looks so relaxed, so calm.
“When you look at the saves he makes, the timing. For me this is probably
his best year. Kipper just quietly goes about his business. His demeanour
hasn’t changed.
“People say: ‘Oh, he’s getting older.’ And I say: ‘Well, he might be getting
older. He’s not playing older.’
“For me, he’s hands-down the best goalie in the league.”
Kiprusoff himself won’t get into matching up the ’05-06 model with the
current one.
“Ah, that was a long time ago.” he protests. “I don’t know. It’s tough to
compare.”
Is Miikka Kiprusoff fully deserving of Vezina recognition this season?
Undoubtedly. In fact, taking the exact wording “most valuable TO HIS
TEAM” from the Hart Trophy criteria into account, there’s a serious,
unbiased case to be made for him there, too.
Will he be so honoured? Unlikely. Goaltenders on teams scrapping for
eighth in a conference rarely find themselves in contention for major
individual hardware. Henrik Lundqvist will be getting a ton of Big Apple love,
while you can wager large that Pekka Rinne’s heroics for the astounding
Nashville Predators won’t go unnoticed. The Hart Trophy, meanwhile,
invariably goes to a star on one of the regular-season front-runners.
But folks hereabouts know better.
“One word?” responds Giordano. “MVP. I know that’s not one word, it’s
three letters, but that’s the best explanation I have. I don’t how he flew
under the radar for so long this year, but he’s finally getting some muchdeserved recognition around the league.
“He’s one of the MVPs of the NHL this year.
“Sometimes people put too much into numbers. You watch him game in
and game out, you’d have no argument. Kip’s been pretty darned good the
whole time I’ve been here.
“Right now he’s in one of those zones. It’s pretty reassuring being a player
in front of him and knowing that he’s going to bail you out as much as he
does.”
Individual accolades have never been the spur that pushes Kiprusoff on.
Actually, the prospect of getting all dressed up like one of the Calgary zoo’s
new penguins, in a tux, and hobnobbing at the annual NHL Vegas Award
soiree is pretty much guaranteed to set his teeth on edge.
“Oh, he’s not coming back for it, even if he is a finalist,” laughs Conroy. “If
he’s in Finland, he’s staying in Finland. He’s not coming back.”
That isn’t to say that if the Flames do crack the Elite 8 for the first time in
three seasons, Miikka Kiprusoff — arguably better than ever before —
doesn’t have every right to be included among the favourites to reel in a
Vezina, and maybe even a bigger catch.
Wow.
Yes, that pretty much nails it.
“There’s a bunch of goalies that are playing very, very well,” acknowledges
Iginla. “We’re fortunate to have one of them. We appreciate him and I know
the city does, and people who see him nightly and play against him
definitely have a ton of respect for him.
“So I don’t think he’s too concerned about whether or not he wins the
Vezina.
“He just wants to win.”
614056
Calgary Flames
Trick now is for Flames to stay in top eight
RANDY SPORTAK, Calgary Sun
When asked following Monday’s practice how it felt to be sitting in eighth
spot in the NHL’s Western Conference, therefore in a playoff position for the
first time all season, the Calgary Flames head coach responded: “It’s a lot
better sitting where we’re at today than it was a month ago.”
True, but the real test is where the Flames are sitting seven weeks from
now, when the Stanley Cup chase begins. If the Flames are still in a playoff
spot, then they’ll have something to crow about.
For now, they’re remaining reserved about finally climbing into a spot
among the Western Conference’s elite eight thanks to Saturday night’s 1-0
win over the Los Angeles Kings, which vaulted them over the crew coached
by former Flames boss Darryl Sutter.
“It’s back to business,” Flames captain Jarome Iginla said. “After the game,
you enjoy the feeling of winning a four-point game, beating a team we’re
trying to catch. But today, it’s back to business.
“We have a game (Tuesday), and the Kings play (the) Phoenix (Coyotes),
so we’ve got to win so we can gain on one team, for sure. Otherwise, you’re
losing ground.”
The Flames will try to strengthen their hold on a playoff spot with just over
one-quarter of the season remaining when they play host to the Edmonton
Oilers (7 p.m., Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960) at the Saddledome in the
latest installment of the Battle of Alberta.
Considering it’s an Oilers squad which is doomed to another season near
the bottom of the standings and has lost five of six games, it does bode well
for the Flames maintaining a spot in the top eight.
However, the Flames were as high as fifth place last season only to miss
the playoffs, so they know plenty can happen before the campaign ends.
“It feels great to be in a playoff position today, but we’re still tied with L.A.,
even though they’re in ninth,” said Flames defenceman Mark Giordano. “As
far as the other teams around us, Chicago is going well, Phoenix is going
well, and those are the teams we have to keep pace with.
“We can’t be trying to hold off anybody. We have to catch teams ahead of
us.”
And do it while being chased.
Right now, only the Oilers andt he Columbus Blue Jackets are pretty much
done and dusted from playoff contention.
Sure, the Dallas Stars, the Colorado Avalanche and the Minnesota Wild
have all be struggling for the past month or more, but they are all still within
a few points of the Flames.
Plus the Anaheim Ducks are going strong enough to pull off another miracle
finish from the depths, which they did last season.
“It’s nice to be in a playoff position,” said Flames defenceman Chris Butler,
“But we have to maintain the same attitude we’ve had the past couple of
months, with the goal to continue going up the standings and try and
improve our position, wherever that may be.
“It’s good we’re in, but you have to stay in.”
That means not thinking about the out-of-town scores and just
concentrating on the next game, which just happens to be against a club
the Flames have won nine straight meetings.
“Those games are always fun to play,” Butler said. “When you’re in
Edmonton, you see a lot of Calgary jerseys, and you see a lot of Edmonton
fans here (at the Dome). It means a lot to the people, means a lot to the
organizations … It’s a fun rivalry, and you always want to get the best of
your opposition.
Added Sutter: “Every opponent we’re playing is going to be tough.
Edmonton is our No. 1 rival, so they’re going to be ready to play. We’ve got
to keep pushing forward here.”
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 02.21.2012
614057
Calgary Flames
Iggy rated a CBC role model
Jarome Iginla's stature in the city of Calgary is the same around the hockey
world.
Thats why the Flames captain was named among the top role models in a
poll of NHL players done by the CBC and NHLPA. Iginla was on the list
behind Nicklas Lidstrom, Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews.
"It's nice, but those are the same polls where you hear youre over-rated,"
Iginla said with a laugh. "You appreciate the nice things and throw out the
bad ones, but you dont think about it too much."
His teammates will attest to such praise.
"It speaks volumes to the type of player he is and the type of person he is,"
said Flames defenceman Chris Butler. "You look at how much he cares
about different individuals off the ice and how serious he takes his on-ice
play, what he can bring to the table night-in and night-out … you know
what youll get from him."
That;s a leader.
Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff was named fifth hardest goalie to beat, the
Saddledome was credited for No. 6 for the best ice and Flames head coach
Brent Sutter was sixth as the most demanding coach.
"He's demanding, but he's a good communicator, and I think good
communicators come across as demanding," Iginla said of Sutter. "You'd
rather have that communication and know where you stand."
GOOD NEWS ON ICE
The Flames expect D Derek Smith (ankle) to be the first player back among
their injured brigade, but RW David Moss took a big stride Monday by
skating for the first time since having surgery on his foot. LW Curtis
Glencross (knee) has skated the last four days.
ICE CHIPS
Edmonton Oilers G Nikolai Khabibulin is expected to miss more than a
week due to a groin injury. The Oilers summoned G Yann Danis, formerly of
the Montreal Canadiens, from the minors, so watch for Calgary product
Devan Dubnyk in net versus the Flames … Oilers head coach Tom Renney
will not be behind the bench due to the concussion he suffered.
614058
Calgary Flames
Singer Bentley suits up with Flames
Everything about Dierks Bentley’s trip to Calgary was perfect.
Everything except the timing of his actual concert.
Bentley, the country music star and die-hard hockey fan, took the
opportunity Monday to catch up with Calgary Flames head coach Brent
Sutter — whom he met last summer during a rodeo in Ponoka — and went
for a skate on the Saddledome ice with a handful of Flames players after
the team’s practice.
Unfortunately for Bentley, he’s due to hit the stage for his concert Tuesday
at the Jubilee Auditorium at 8:30 p.m., which is 90 minutes after the Flames
begin their clash with the Edmonton Oilers.
“Yeah, that’s bad timing,” Bentley said while watching the Flames practice
Monday in anticipation of hitting the ice. “Battle of Alberta, too.
“I’ve been to one game in Canada, a Canucks game, and the energy in the
building is so different than in the U.S., at least in Nashville. You go to a
game in Canada, it’s wild. I’m going to try and sneak over (to catch some of
Tuesday’s game), even just to watch the puck drop.”
Bentley, who is from Tempe, Ariz., and now lives in Nashville, took up the
game when the Predators joined the league. The singer with eight No. 1
singles to his name plays in a men’s league.
He brings his hockey equipment with him on tour — in an Edmonton Oilers
bag given to him by Sheldon Souray, although the Flames replaced it upon
seeing him enter the Saddledome — and has skated with junior and minor
pro teams in the past.
When the Flames finished practice, Bentley and one of his bandmates had
a half-ice pickup game with Sutter, Henrik Karlsson in one goal and skaters
T.J. Brodie, Paul Byron, Roman Horak and Lance Bouma.
“It’s something we were looking forward to,” said Bentley, who filled his oneday off in the past week by spending much of it at the Dome. “It’s really cool
to be on the ice. I’ve skated with a lot of people but never somebody like the
Calgary Flames. This is pretty legendary.”
As for how he fared against NHL players, Bentley said, “I had a couple
moves there, a couple of chances … The chance to shoot on an NHL goalie
is an incredible experience.”
The Flames also customized some of his equipment, putting the team’s
decals on his blue helmet.
“For the rest of the season, I’ll be following these guys,” Bentley added with
a big grin.
614059
Calgary Flames
F Dustin Penner, Los Angeles Kings
Age: 29; Cap hit: $4.25 million
What'll it take for Flames to land big fish before trade deadline?
STEVE MACFARLANE, Calgary Sun
Penner is in Darryl Sutter’s doghouse. He doesn’t work hard enough for the
Kings coach and has been sitting as a healthy scratch as a result. A change
of scenery might motivate the hefty winger, who is having the worst year of
his NHL career but used to play the Flames hard.
F Jason Blake, Anaheim Ducks
Forget the guys with the long-term contracts on the Columbus Blue Jackets
for a moment.
The NHL trade deadline has traditionally been about rentals.
Impending unrestricted free agents a franchise has no intention of resigning, or with whom contract talks are going poorly, are the most regularly
swapped commodities on deadline day.
Here’s the biggest problem in pinning down who may stay and who may go
… it’s nearly impossible to tell who will be selling and who is interested in
buying.
With arguably every team in the Eastern Conference still alive in the race
for the last seed, and at least a dozen of the Western Conference squads
able to suggest the same, the playoff picture is pretty cloudy.
In the case of the Calgary Flames, they have an impending UFA with plenty
of value in Olli Jokinen, but there’s no way they part ways with him — if he’d
even agree to it considering his no-movement clause — while sitting within
striking distance of the final few spots in the West.
So unless they drop every one of their next five games in regulation before
the deadline, chances are they’ll be looking to add some talent to the mix
for the final stretch of their playoff push.
With so many veteran forwards injured — and no guarantee they come
back anytime soon this season — scoring is the team’s biggest need.
Who’s available? Nobody really knows except the GMs quietly shopping
their wares or accepting calls.
But here are some pending UFA names to watch as the deadline nears:
F Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils
Age: 27; Cap hit: $6 million
It’s hard to believe the Devils will let their captain get away, but if they don’t
think they can sign him, they won’t let him walk away for nothing. He’s the
big fish on the pending UFA market.
F Brian Rolston, New York Islanders
Not sure he would fetch much unless a team sees value in his experience
and leadership and wants to add to the room in that regard with the hopes
he can contribute more than he has all season with the Isles. He’s been a
healthy scratch recently.
Age: 38 ; Cap hit: $4 million
When healthy this season, Blake might be the Ducks’ MVP. The team is 133-3 record with him in the lineup. In those 19 games, he has five goals and
nine points — largely racked up before his recent promotion to the top line.
If the asking price is right, he could provide value.
F Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks
Age: Cap hit: $4 million
Ignore his age. Selanne sure seems to. The wondrous winger probably
won’t go anywhere. And if he did, it would be to a serious contender with a
better chance of winning the Cup than the Flames.
F Brad Boyes, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 29; Cap hit: 4 million
The Sabres reportedly are looking to unload thanks to an extremely
disappointing season. So while many are looking at what it would take to
pry centre Derek Roy away with another year left on his contract, Boyes
could get some looks as a pure rental, too.
D Dennis Wideman, Washington Capitals
With Mike Green shelved all season, Wideman has been a bright spot on
the Caps blueline. His value would be sky-high in a trade right now. The
problem is they might not get enough in return to help them in their own
playoff race with Green’s short-term future still unsure
F David Jones, Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche are still in the race, but if they fall out of it in the coming
days, Jones may be the guy to target. The big winger has been hot in the
last few games amid all the trade rumours surrounding him.
F Andrei Kostitsyn, Montreal Canadiens
In the Habs bad books recently for what the coach says is untimely
turnovers, the Russian may find a new home by the deadline. He’s talented,
for sure, but probably wouldn’t fit into the Flames’ style of play.
F Ales Hemsky, Edmonton Oilers
D Michal Rozsival, Phoenix Coyotes
His skills are undeniable, but he wants a long-term deal the Oilers may not
be willing to sign him to, so there’s a good chance he could get shipped out.
He’s just what the Flames need in terms of playmaking prowess but the
price might be too high for a division rival to meet.
For a few teasing years, it seemed Rozsival would be a perennial 30-point
blueliner. But his play has tapered off dramatically the last couple of
seasons and he’s now no more than a depth guy for a team looking to bulk
up on the blueline.
F Ray Whitney, Phoenix Coyotes
F Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes
With a modified no-trade clause, Whitney has a lot of control in where he
lands, but he’s a guy who will be a hot commodity over the next couple of
weeks. If the Coyotes decide to sell, someone will overpay for the talented
winger’s temporary services.
Doubtful Doan is going anywhere. The loyal captain of the Coyotes might
finally be considering the benefits of moving on from the desert, but as long
as they’re in the hunt, he’d much rather try to win a Stanley Cup there.
F Daymond Langkow, Phoenix Coyotes
The former Flames warrior might actually have some appeal to them right
now considering all the injuries they’ve had down the middle. Again, the
Coyotes are in direct contention so unless that changes, it’s unlikely for any
swap to happen between them.
F Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals
The focus in Washington is currently on fellow pending UFA Mike Knuble,
who’s been a healthy scratch. But if a team is willing to take a chance on
the underperforming Semin, they could wind up with a heck of a rental who
has plenty of moves and scoring ability.
F Mikhail Grabovski, Toronto Maple Leafs
Too bad Grabovski played so poorly against the Flames during their game
Tuesday night at the Saddledome. He’s precisely what they need. A hardworking and speedy centre with loads of offensive upside. Not sure what
the price would be if they decide to let him walk.
F Paul Gaustad, Buffalo Sabres
He’s a third or fourth-liner, but the Flames could use the depth down the
middle. Gaustad has been a pretty solid if unspectacular player over the
last seven seasons in Buffalo, capable of chipping in a little offence.
F Mike Knuble, Washington Capitals
Age: 39; Cap hit $2 million
His time is probably up with the Caps, and he’s one of those guys who
would be a welcome addition to a team looking for forward depth. Whoever
grabs him will hope he can return to his high-scoring ways after plummeting
from the top line there.
F P-A Parenteau, New York Islanders
Doubt the Isles will want to deal the winger despite the fact he wants to
save contract talks for after the season. He wants to help the team make
the playoffs and doesn’t want the distraction. Expect him to stay unless
someone makes an offer that can’t be refused.
F Kyle Wellwood, Winnipeg Jets
Age: 28; Cap hit: $700,000
Wellwood never seems to go away, and he’s had quite a season with the
Jets. Considering his experience, he might be worth a shot for teams like
the Flames looking for centre help. He has 11 goals and 32 points in 56
games so far.
D Ryan Suter,
Nashville Predators
Not likely to move, the Preds want to show him both the money and the will
to win is there in Nashville to keep both he and partner Shea Weber
around. It might come back to bite the team, but tough to blame them for
not panicking and trying to keep him around long-term.
614060
Calgary Flames
Burning Questions
The Calgary Flames climbed into a playoff spot for the first time this NHL
season with so little fanfare.
They have put together an impressive 10-3-4 spree — yet when people talk
about hot clubs, it’s the Anaheim Ducks mentioned most, or the Detroit Red
Wings record-breaking home-ice winning streak.
Yet the Flames have defied all kinds of critics — and odds — to pull
themselves into one heck of a race.
(Let’s not forget the 8-1-1 streak by the Phoenix Coyotes, too, if we’re going
to mention unheralded tales of success.)
But, all it’s done for the Flames is put them in good stead among the mix of
clubs fighting for the last few spots in the top eight.
Can they keep it up?
Only time will tell, but here are five other burning questions we have
heading into this week’s action:
Can the big guns keep going?
To their credit, the Flames best players — as the cliche goes — have been
their best players. Not only has goalie Miikka Kiprusoff been outstanding,
but the top guns have come through offensively.
Yes, the bottom three lines must chip in a little more often, but the crew of
Jarome Iginla, Olli Jokinen, Alex Tanguay and Michael Cammalleri have
been pulling their way of late.
Over the last nine games, the Flames have scored 21 goals. Jokinen has
netted six, Iginla has five, Cammalleri has four and Tanguay has two.
Those players have all kinds of pressure to perform and deserve credit for
continuing to contribute.
Will the Flames keep burning the Oilers?
Admit it Flames fans, even if it’s not resulted in playoff trips and have
helped the Edmonton Oilers select Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
first overall in each of the last two drafts, it’s been fun watching the Flames
absolutely own the Battle of Alberta for the past while.
Heading into Tuesday’s clash at the Saddledome, the Flames have won
nine straight meetings, including all four this season, and taken 16 of the
last 17 clashes.
Who knows? Maybe this is the day that streak ends. The Oilers have all
kinds of young and speedy talent — we have to mention Jordan Eberle in
here, too — so it’s not like a win is guaranteed for the Flames.
You can bet there will be a charge in the air at puck-drop.
Will Dome cooking taste great?
All those road games this season (33) have the Flames staring at a homeheavy schedule over the last six weeks. The real crush of Saddledome
dates starts now.
The Flames have 15 home dates remaining, including nine of their next 12
outings.
So far, they’ve put together a respectable 16-8-2 mark in the Stampede
City. If the Flames can actually improve on that winning percentage, starting
with their four-game homestand, it would bode well for those playoff
dreams.
Can they bite back against the Dogs?
The Flames have lost five straight meetings with the Phoenix Coyotes,
including an overtime game nearly two weeks ago in the desert.
Right now, that game is the difference between the two clubs in the
standings.
The secret against the Desert Dogs is a quick enough start to get the lead.
If the Coyotes get ahead, they do an incredible job of shutting down the
opposition, backstopped by goalie Mike Smith, who has had a renaissance
season after struggling elsewhere in his NHL career.
Last year, the Flames struggled against teams which finished above the
.500 mark. The Coyotes, who have three more games against the Flames,
are among those clubs which were the difference between making and
missing the playoffs.
What’s with the Eastern Conference struggles?
There are only three Western Conference teams without a .500 or better
record against their East counterparts this season (well, .500 with the way
the NHL keeps track). The Flames are one of those clubs with sub-par
success against the Eastern Conference foes, with a 4-7-4 mark.
The Flames have three more games against teams from the other side of
the continent — all at home, starting with Saturday’s game against the
Philadelphia Flyers.
The Flames have fared well against the Flyers in recent years, and it’s
always an interesting game. After all, the Flyers boast the unique
personality of Ilya Bryzgalov for a goalie, a big set of wingers and forwards
and the up-and-coming star Claude Giroux.
Don’t miss this game.
614061
Carolina Hurricanes
Staal, who assisted on Stewart's goal, now has 18 goals for the season and
29 points in the past 22 games.
Canes go category 5 in blowout against Capitals
"He's a horse right now," Muller said. "When he goes, the whole team goes
and he's really elevated his game the last three weeks."
BY CHIP ALEXANDER - [email protected]
Staal's second goal came six minutes into the third, on a pass from Jaroslav
Spacek.
RALEIGH -- To say the Carolina Hurricanes played with a bit of a
patchwork lineup Monday against the Washington Capitals would be
accurate.
To say it didn't matter also would be accurate.
The Canes frustrated and beat the Caps all over the RBC Center ice, rolling
to a 5-0 victory to start a critical six-game homestand.
Eric Staal, who's playing his best hockey of the season, had two goals and
an assist while goaltender Justin Peters notched the first shutout of his NHL
career with 17 saves.
"That's a nice way to start," Canes coach Kirk Muller said. "I think our guys
were aware of how big tonight's game was and (against) a team we're
trying to catch.
"We came out hard. We were focused and it was a good performance by
everybody."
With Cam Ward out with a lower-body injury, Peters started in goal for the
Canes. Mike Murphy, called up Sunday from the Charlotte Checkers of the
AHL, was the backup. Forwards Jerome Samson and Drayson Bowman,
who have spent most of the season in Charlotte, again were in the lineup.
Derek Joslin, who has spent much of the season at defenseman for the
Canes, again was a fourth-line forward.
But the Canes (23-26-11) were the quicker, hungrier team. Staal scored
shorthanded and defenseman Justin Faulk on the power play. Anthony
Stewart, Andreas Nodl and Staal had even-strength goals for the Canes,
who led 3-0 after the first period and 4-0 after two.
"I went out there before the game and the building was full," Staal said. "I
think there was a little bit of excitement with that and we were ready to go
off the bat."
Peters made a good early save on a Mike Knuble shot and was steady the
rest of the way. The Caps (29-25-5), who have lost their past two, didn't get
a lot of good offensive chances and often misfired when they did Alexander Semin fanned on an open shot late in the second period.
Alex Ovechkin had just one shot on goal in a minus-2 game, muttering at
times on the bench.
"It was a full 60 minutes for us," Peters said. "Everybody talked about being
ready from the drop of the puck and it's safe to say we were." Joslin,
displaying toughness, was involved in two second-period fights with the
Caps' Matt Hendricks. Faulk, a 19-year-old rookie, made his NHL fighting
debut in the second against forward Troy Brouwer and got his punches in.
"It was all right, it was fun," Faulk said, smiling.
And the game?
"It was fun, it was a good atmosphere," Faulk said. "It's nice to show up like
that as a team."
Faulk delivered the first blow with his power-play score three minutes and
41 seconds into the game, and Stewart and Nodl both scored off wellexecuted rushes. Jiri Tlusty's steal led to Stewart scoring, and Nodl finished
off a three-on-two rush with 29.6 seconds left in the first period for the 3-0
lead.
Stewart's goal, barely five minutes into the game, ended the night for Caps
goalie Tomas Vokoun. He was relieved by Michal Neuvirth, who had 30
saves. Staal struck six minutes into the second for his first goal - the 12th
shorthanded goal of his career, breaking the franchise record held by Dave
Tippett.
On the Caps' power play, the puck got past a fallen Dennis Wideman at the
blue line. Staal had a breakaway and easily beat Neuvirth.
Staal and Tlusty, who had two assists, both extended point streaks - Tlusty
to eight games, a team-high this season, and Staal to six. Carolina, fighting
to get into the playoff mix in the NHL's Eastern Conference, began the
homestand with uncertainty about Ward, the Canes' star goaltender.
Ward started Saturday against the New York Islanders but left the game
after the second period. Muller said Monday morning he hoped Ward would
be able to return for the Canes' next game Thursday against Anaheim. With
Ward unavailable Monday, Peters again got the call.
"I felt pretty comfortable," Peters said. "I'm just trying to gain confidence
with every opportunity I get."
Odds are, he'll be getting more.
News Observer LOADED: 02.21.2012
614062
Carolina Hurricanes
Canes recall Murphy from Checkers
From staff reports
Mike Murphy has been recalled from the Checkers.
Goaltender Mike Murphy has been recalled from the Charlotte Checkers
(AHL) and will be available for the Hurricanes’ game tonight at the RBC
Center against the Washington Capitals.
Murphy is needed with starting goalie Cam Ward day-to-day with a lowerbody injury.
This marks the second NHL recall for Murphy, 23. He is 15-11-1 with a 2.71
goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 29 games for the
Checkers this season.
He made his NHL debut earlier this season when he played in relief of Cam
Ward on Dec. 6 at Calgary. He became the first goaltender in NHL history
to record his first NHL loss before allowing his first NHL goal.
614063
Carolina Hurricanes
Big Canes win over Caps builds hopes
By LUKE DECOCK
RALEIGH -- When Kirk Muller was asked Monday morning about the rivalry
between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals, he didn’t have
much of an answer.
Going into only his third game against the Caps as coach of the Hurricanes,
he shouldn’t be expected to have one.
The truth of the matter is there never has been much of a rivalry, not the
way one might expect given the proximity of the two teams and the
frequency visiting fans end up in the other team’s building.
Over the years, the Hurricanes and Capitals have had a few on-ice flareups. Jason Doig’s knee-to-knee hit on Kevyn Adams in 2004 probably
engendered the most enmity, including a NHL fine for Craig Adams’ throatslashing gesture directed toward Doig.
Alex Ovechkin was actually suspended for two games in 2009 for a similar
hit on Tim Gleason. Neither incident lingers as much of a flashpoint.
They’ve gone head-to-head for a playoff spot a few times, including the final
days of the 2007-08 season, when a Capitals win in Washington all but
settled the matter. Yet there’s never been any more spit and vinegar in this
matchup than any of the others in the Southeast Division, even if Derek
Joslin and Matt Hendricks did their best to inject some Monday with a
running feud of repeated fisticuffs.
It’s an odd situation. There should me more bile in this rivalry than there is.
It’s hard not to get the sense that Hurricanes fans are more interested in
games against Buffalo or Boston or New Jersey or Montreal, teams the
Hurricanes have faced in the playoffs over the years.
(Which makes last season’s missed opportunity all the more painful: If the
Hurricanes hadn’t lost on the season’s final day, they would have faced the
Capitals in the first round, which might have changed the dynamic forever.)
Maybe a playoff chase will do the trick, because if Monday’s convincing 5-0
win is any barometer, the Hurricanes are going to give it everything they
have to chase down the Capitals and the rest of the Southeast.
They’ve been playing solid hockey for more than a month now, sometimes
without the results to show for it, but they got all the results they could have
wanted Monday, and on national TV.
A Justin Faulk power-play goal to bolster his burgeoning Calder Trophy
campaign?
Check. An Eric Staal short-handed breakaway? Check. A beautiful end-toend, five-man sequence that ended with a pinpoint pass from Brandon
Sutter to Andreas Nodl for the goal? Check. Another goal from the Staal-Jiri
Tlusty combo? Yeah, that too.
The Hurricanes spent the first couple months of the season relying on Cam
Ward, hoping for the best and delivering the worst. Now, with Ward out
injured, they’re playing well enough that it doesn’t matter who’s in net.
(Justin Peters, to his credit, is playing the best hockey of his NHL career.
He was fantastic Monday.)
Can the Hurricanes pass seven teams, make up a seven-point gap and
make the playoffs?
Can they move from fifth to first in the Southeast, which would require only
two additional points? Maybe they can after all.
To have any chance at the playoffs, the Hurricanes are going to have to go
something like 15-4-3. In the words of Rocco Lampone, “difficult, not
impossible,” especially considering the Hurricanes are 11-6-5 over their
past 22 games.
If they can do that, they might end up knocking the Capitals out of the
picture in the process. And that might just turn this would-be rivalry into one
that actually is.
614064
Chicago Blackhawks
Red Wings at Blackhawks
TV/radio: 7 p.m. Tuesday; NBCSN/WGN-AM 720.
Series: Wings lead 2-1.
Last meeting: Wings won 3-2 in OT on Jan. 14 in Detroit.
Probable goalies rec, gaa
Wings, Jimmy Howard: 32-11-1, 2.03
Hawks, Corey Crawford: 21-14-5, 2.87
Team comparison
Averages per game (NHL rank)
WINGS (41-17-2) CATEGORY HAWKS (32-21-7)
3.05 (5) Goals for 3.08 (4)
2.30 (5) Goals against 2.92 (23)
17.5 (14) Power-play pct. 16.4 (19)
81.4 (20) Penalty-kill pct. 78.9 (26)
Statistics through Sunday
Storyline: The Hawks are riding a three-game winning streak that has come
on the heels of losing nine straight. Defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson and
Steve Montador are still sidelined with upper-body injuries. The Wings, who
have won six consecutive games, have the best record in the NHL. Winger
Danny Cleary is expected to return from a knee injury and Howard from a
broken finger.
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 02.21.2012
614065
Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks' Sharp keeps on shooting
Despite missing 8 games, he's 3rd in Western Conference with 199 shots
on goal
By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter
"Shooter" has gone to the dogs. Make that, the dog.
Patrick Sharp has passed his nickname to his beloved pet Basset Hound,
but that hasn't stopped the Blackhawks winger from putting pucks on net at
a frenetic pace this season.
"It's not my nickname anymore," the Blackhawks winger said with a quick
grin. "It's my dog's name."
Sharp has peppered opposing goaltenders with 199 shots, which ranks
third in the Western Conference and 12th in the league entering Tuesday's
play around the NHL — despite missing eight games last month with a
broken bone in his left wrist.
"It's tough in today's game to get scoring chances and get shots on net,"
said Sharp, who has a combined 11 shots during the Hawks' three-game
winning streak. "The harder I work and the faster I play that seems to be
coming to me more and more. You have to shoot the puck to score goals so
that's what I've been focusing on this year."
Sharp is on pace for 268 shots, which would match his career high set last
season. With the shots have been scoring chances and he has cashed in
with 24 goals, second on the Hawks behind Jonathan Toews' 29.
Sitting for eight games with a wrist injury suffered Jan. 8 against the Red
Wings — the team the Hawks will face Tuesday night at the United Center
— gave Sharp a reminder to keep shooting.
"You really notice it when you sit out a few games," Sharp, 30, said. "You
see oftentimes guys can put the puck on the net and it's never a bad play,
so that's something I always try to play by."
After playing center for the Hawks for much of the previous two seasons,
Sharp has played almost exclusively on the wing this season, and that has
him thinking shoot first, pass second — especially on his current line with
Toews and Patrick Kane.
"You've seen me pass the puck, so I think it's a good idea I shoot it," Sharp
deadpanned before adding, "whenever I'm in the middle I have the puck
more and I'm looking to make plays and help out my linemates. When I'm
on the wing, I'm up-and-down playing a grittier style of game and taking the
puck to the net and shooting more."
Stop sign: With several teams seemingly intent on roughing up some of the
Hawks' skill players of late, John Scott has been a mainstay in the lineup
with four consecutive starts.
"I'm just trying to stir some stuff up, maybe chip in offensively but mostly
just kind of calm the other team down," said Scott, who has 44 penalty
minutes in 26 games and is one of the most feared enforcers in the league.
"I hope it doesn't happen when I'm in the lineup, but definitely I'm a
deterrent either by taking runs at their star players or going after the guys
who are taking a run. That's my job to take care of and I look forward to
doing it."
Depth charge: With upper-body injuries to fellow defensemen Niklas
Hjalmarsson and Steve Montador, veteran Sean O'Donnell has played eight
consecutive games. At 40, O'Donnell said it's more difficult to develop
consistency than when he was younger.
"It's probably more up-and-down as opposed to when you're 25 or 30 and
you're more steady," O'Donnell said. "Consistency is something I'm
searching for personally. With my style, it seems like a lot of it is if the team
is playing well, then I seem to be pretty calm out there. If we're kind of
scattered as a team, it doesn't help someone like me."
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 02.21.2012
614066
Chicago Blackhawks
Viktor Stalberg has given Dave Bolland’s line a boost
By ADAM L. JAHNS
All season, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has said he wants to see
more of out Dave Bolland’s line. Just last week, he said, “that line has to be
more dependable and reliable and something we’ve seen in the past.”
The problem has been finding the right players to stick with Bolland, who
typically gets the checking-line assignment.
Enter Viktor Stalberg.
They’ve played together before this season. But with 22 games left, Bolland
isn’t battling a nagging foot injury, and Stalberg has a better grasp of
defensive responsibilities after being used solely in offensive roles
throughout his career.
“They’re controlling the play a lot,” Quenneville said. “They have the puck a
lot. Hopefully, that’s where they’re going to be at [the rest of the season].”
Bolland (17 goals) and Stalberg (16) also are motivated to reach the 20goal plateau for the first time.
The Hawks have needed a line to lessen the burden on their stars. Stalberg
and Bolland believe they can provide that.
“I try not to set so many goals,” said Bolland, whose pass to Patrick Kane
ricocheted off the St. Louis Blues’ David Backes for a goal Sunday. “I sort of
just let the season be its own path and let things come to me. But you do
set goals, and 20 goals is one that I’d like to hit.”
Twenty goals still is considered a big milestone for players, especially those
not considered stars. Last season, Stalberg scored 12 in his first full NHL
season. Bolland, who has battled injuries throughout his career, had 19 in
2008-09.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to score 20. I want to score 30,” Stalberg
said. “That’s something I think I can be in my career, a consistent 20-goal
scorer. The way the year is going and the guys I’m playing with, I should be
able to score more than 20, if I keep it up. We’ll see what happens, but I’ll
stay with it.”
Stalberg has played on every line this season, but he and Bolland make a
unique pairing, much like Bolland and Kris Versteeg did two seasons ago.
Bolland is considered one of the better checking centers in the league
because of his edginess, positioning and anticipation. Stalberg can
enhance that with his speed by being Bolland’s exit route in the defensive
zone. Stalberg’s speed also can cause problems on the forecheck if he
continues to be physical.
“Having Stalberg on my line is good and fun,” Bolland said. “You just have
to flip that puck over a few guys’ heads, and he’s gone and we’re in their
zone.”
Their play also has helped reinvigorate winger Bryan Bickell, who has been
more physical and assertive since the trio was assembled Feb. 14 against
the Nashville Predators. In four games, the line has combined for 22 shots
on goal, and the Hawks have gone 3-1.
Quenneville believes Bolland’s line has garnered “a ton of chances”
recently, and he likes how it has been maintaining possession. If that keeps
up, 20 goals or more might become a reality for Stalberg and Bolland.
“You can’t take things for granted,” Bolland said. “One little mistake, one
little break in the game, it’s huge, and a team will pounce on that. I think
we’ve been doing a great job by doing the right things and keeping it
simple.”
Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 02.21.2012
614067
Chicago Blackhawks
Ugly power play still problem for Blackhawks
By Tim Sassone
While the Blackhawks have shown progress toward correcting their teamdefense issues, there are no signs of them fixing their next biggest problem.
What to do with this ugly and unproductive power play?
Related articles
Crawford’s adjustment paying off for Hawks
The Hawks finished their nine-game road trip 0-for-24 on the power play
and returned home Sunday to go 0-for-3 in their victory over St. Louis.
The question is being asked all around the NHL: How does a team with
such dynamic offensive stars as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian
Hossa and Patrick Sharp, plus one of the game's top offensive defenseman
in Duncan Keith, have such a bad power play?
“It's kind of unacceptable to be where we are with the skill we have,” Kane
said.
With as much scouting and video work done by every team in the league,
it's clear the word is out on how to defend the Hawks' power play: pressure
the points and everything else will collapse.
Maybe it's why Hawks general manager Stan Bowman hasn't pulled the
trigger on a trade for a defenseman yet.
Perhaps he's not looking for the big and slow stay-at-home guys who
already have been traded such as Hal Gill and Pavel Kubina and instead is
seeking a puck mover who can quarterback the power play.
There has been some talk that Anaheim's Lubomir Visnovsky could be
available, and the Ducks did have two scouts at Sunday's game, but there
has been no connection so far to the Hawks.
Could Bowman be interested in Dallas' Sheldon Souray and his big shot
from the point, or Colorado's Kyle Quincey, or Toronto's Luke Schenn? It's
at least a possibility.
The Hawks last scored a power-play goal on Jan. 24 in a loss to Nashville.
“Tough stretch, tough stretch,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “That's got to
be something that we can rely on to ignite our offense, or score some timely
goals. We'll get it right.”
Meanwhile, one number Quenneville is happy about has nothing to do with
the power play. It's the 7 goals the Hawks have allowed in the last four
games.
“I think that, compared to what we were at, it's a marked improvement,”
Quenneville said. “The details part of our game has been enhanced over
the recent stretch. I always think there's enough offense in our group. I see
signs that everyone is committed.
“I think defensively we've been more aware. We've been better in areas,
starting in the offense zone, with our commitment to positioning, not always
on the offensive side of pucks.”
Four games doesn't mean the defense problem is solved, but the trend is
encouraging.
The Hawks will face another challenge on the defensive side of the puck
Tuesday night when Pavel Datsyuk and the Detroit Red Wings visit the
United Center.
“We really see how we need to play,” goalie Corey Crawford said. “We're
doing the little things right and we're not forcing anything. I think we've
come a long way. I think even the last couple games we lost on that streak
we were playing good hockey.”
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 02.21.2012
614068
Chicago Blackhawks
Turning Things Around: "Anything Little, it's Huge.."
CHRIS BODEN
The Blackhawks were already in the process of taking the proper steps to
get out of their losing streak. But as you and I and everyone else watched
last Tuesday night, there was one final punch in the gut in Nashville. They
had, by and large, played the type of road game needed against the type of
opponent they were facing. Six minutes away from earning at least one
point against one of the teams in front of them, Ryan Ellis' slap shot from
the point got just enough of Duncan Keith's stick to re-direct the puck past
Ray Emery.
"I thought Nashville was the kind of game that was a brutal ending. It was
almost like, eventually, this has got to go in our favor. We got a great start
in New York where maybe rock-bottom was Nashville coming out of it," said
Joel Quenneville Sunday afternoon. "We thought the guys tried to view the
next game in a positive fashion and brought energy to it, despite the
frustration and the emotions of going through that stretch. We were all in
the same place."
What happened next was the three-goal outburst in the first four minutes at
Madison Square Garden that could potentially be the difference between
this team struggling to make the playoffs these final seven weeks, or
solidifying its case in, and perhaps climbing up the Western Conference
playoff chase.
But as highlight-reel-worthy the three-in-four was, the Hawks have been
talking all season about how they need to tighten up at the opposite end of
the ice. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes six, seven straight bitter pills
before a team seriously rolls up its sleeves and gets to work in true Chicago
style.
"The 'details' part of our game has been enhanced through the recent
stretch. I always think there's enough offense in our group," Quenneville
continued after his team's third win in four days. "It's there, but it's the other
end where we can be better, and I see signs that everybody's committed."
Sunday showed it's still a work in progress, they just didn't get burned by it.
The Hawks' nine giveaways on the stat sheet surpassed their total from the
three previous games combined. That will definitely need to tighten up
again when Detroit comes knocking Tuesday night, but there's a greater
awareness now.
"I think that tough streak just taught us a lesson that we can't take things for
granted."
That's Dave Bolland, who's a plus-4 the last two games after being a minus7 the previous eight.
"One little mistake, one little break, a turnover," he said, and here's the
classic line from The Rat/Greyhound for its juxtaposition of words regarding
the sanctity of puck possession and awareness:
"Anything little, it's huge," Bolland said, without thinking twice. "A team will
pounce on that. I think we've been doing a good job of doing the right
things and keeping it simple."
Added Quenneville: "Defensively, we've been more aware, better in areas
starting in the offensive zone with commitment to our position - not only on
the offnsive side of pucks. I thought our defense played very well the last
three games, and 'Crow's' been rock-solid in net. You know, playing the
score, playing the time in the game, and then staying with it."
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.21.2012
614069
Chicago Blackhawks
We know what's next on the 'To Do' list
CHRIS BODEN
As the Blackhawks took Monday off before hosting a Detroit team that's
taken huge strides towards running away with the Central, there was a
sense of satisfaction over areas of recent improvement.
Corey Crawford's been the last line of an improved overall defensive effort
and quieted (at least temporarily) the public screeching for a deadline trade
for a new goalie. He's stopped 80 of 84 shots during the three-game
winning streak.
"I think with Steph (Goalie Coach Stephane Waite), they worked on
technical aspects to tighten up his game," said Head Coach Joel
Quenneville. "You get one win, with confidence, you can feed off that. I
thought he had a good week in that regard. We know the scrutiny
goaltenders are under. They're under the microscope, evaluated a lot more
than players in front of them - whether it's defensemen or forwards. They
come under fire when you're not winning and get some accolades when
you're doing alright."
Okay. So there's that. Then there's the penalty kill, which has been perfect
burning off 14 consecutive opponent power plays over the past five games.
So the area still left sticking (stinking?) out like a sore thumb is....the power
play. Or power-less play. As in 0-for-29 since its last conversion January
24th following Sunday's three failures, which generated just two shots and
didn't exactly make St. Louis shake in their skates.
"Tough stretch," understated the head coach. "I thought tonight (Sunday),
the third was better, each better than the prior one, but that's something
we've got to rely on to ignite our offense and score some timely goals. We'll
get it right."
The Blackhawks opened the season 5-for-57, rose into the league's top ten.
It begins the week 19th (16.4 percent) in the NHL as the slump's dragged
on.
614070
Colorado Avalanche
Avalanche's Matt Duchene upbeat about return from injury but needs more
production
By Adrian Dater
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — In the otherwise funereal atmosphere of the
Avalanche dressing room Sunday night, Matt Duchene briefly displayed an
upward lilt to his tone when asked how he felt in his first game back after
seven weeks on the injured list.
"I felt really good. I might be actually in better shape now than when I left,"
the Avalanche forward said after Colorado's 5-1 loss to Winnipeg.
Duchene, who suffered an injured left knee Dec. 29, played 18 minutes, 6
seconds in the game, skating at left wing on a line with Paul Stastny and
Milan Hejduk.
Though Duchene appeared quick on his skates and made a couple of pretty
passes that could have resulted in goals, he failed to put a shot on net. That
part of his night left him most critical of himself.
"We were close, we had some chances and I would have liked to have
gotten a few more shots on net. I was looking to pass too much tonight,"
Duchene said. "It was my first game back. I wish I could have made a bit
more of a difference out there, but I left it all out there. That much I can say
for sure."
Avs coach Joe Sacco described Duchene's performance as "OK."
"I thought he had pretty good energy to start the game. He made some
plays out there," Sacco said. "I didn't like his penalty in the third period — I
didn't like all our penalties in the third period. I thought they were
unnecessary. You can't take three penalties in a row, especially when you
have a four-minute power play, to nullify yours. But other than that I thought
he was pretty good. He tried; he worked."
Stastny and Hejduk had subpar games, finishing a combined minus-2 with
three shots on net. Rookie Gabriel Landeskog, by contrast, had nine shots
on goal.
It was Stastny's 11th time in the last 12 games he failed to score a goal.
Hejduk, with 13 goals overall, is in danger of failing to score at least 20 for
the first time since his 1998-99 rookie season.
"Yes, (Stastny) needs to be better, and so do a lot of other guys," Sacco
said. "There were just a bunch of guys who didn't play like we needed them
to play."
Roster status quo. The Avs will continue to have three goaltenders on the
roster, at least through Monday. With Jean-Sebastien Giguere still day to
day with a groin injury, Cedrick Desjardins will stick around on the active
roster.
Giguere's and Peter Mueller's (torso) statuses will be addressed after
practice today.
Denver Post: LOADED: 02.21.2012
614071
“I know it was tough for him to sit out, having to sit there in the dressing
room,” Richards said. “You could see it in his emotions after the game.
Blue Jackets notebook: Howson waiting to hear the right offer for Nash
“His response right away is that he’s going to play (tonight). That’s not a forsure thing; we’re going to have to see. But he’s trying. That’s his attitude.
He’s lobbying hard to play.”
By Aaron Portzline
Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 02.21.2012
Sources say that the Blue Jackets have had trade inquiries regarding
winger R.J. Umberger.
Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson continues to talk and listen.
With the NHL trade deadline looming next Monday, Howson hasn’t heard
what he wants to hear.
“We’re waiting for the right deals,” Howson said. “We’re getting closer. But
we’re not there yet.”
The Blue Jackets have two of the higher-profile forwards on the market.
They’re listening to offers for captain Rick Nash and openly shopping Jeff
Carter.
Howson has met with Philadelphia GM Paul Holmgren and Toronto GM
Brian Burke in the past week to discuss possibilities, but Boston, Los
Angeles and the New York Rangers also are said to be interested in Nash
and/or perhaps others on the Jackets’ roster.
The market is slow, Howson acknowledged, but all it takes is one deal to
accelerate an arms race.
If the Bruins, second in the Eastern Conference standings, make a deal for
a forward, the first-place Rangers or fifth-place Flyers could be forced to up
the ante.
“We’d like that,” Howson said with a smile.
Edmonton’s Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth, Buffalo’s Derek Roy and
possibly Tampa Bay’s Ryan Malone are available, but only a handful of
teams are clear-cut sellers at this point.
Howson has said that no player is off-limits, other than those with nomovement or no-trade clauses in their contracts.
Sources told The Dispatch that the Blue Jackets have had inquiries
regarding winger R.J. Umberger and center Derick Brassard.
Checking-line center Sammy Pahlsson can become an unrestricted free
agent, so any reasonable offer likely will be accepted.
Goaltender Curtis Sanford, also an unrestricted free agent, could be a
throw-in if the Blue Jackets strike a trade for a goaltender.
No distractions
The Blue Jackets had an optional skate yesterday — a chance to get away
from the ice and growing interest in Nash and the growing trade reports.
Not that it has affected the Blue Jackets, interim coach Todd Richards said.
“Rick’s had to answer a lot of questions,” Richards said. “Other guys have
had to answer questions, too.
“But I haven’t noticed much of a difference with the way the guys have been
practicing or playing. I think they’ve handled all this pretty well.”
Nikitin expected back
Defenseman Nikita Nikitin, out since slamming into the end boards and
suffering an injured left knee in Detroit on Jan. 21, is expected to return
tonight against the Sharks.
He has missed 12 games.
“It’s big for us,” Richards said. “He’s a guy we’ve missed back there. He
played big minutes right from the minute we brought him over in the trade
(from St. Louis).”
Wiz wants to play
Defenseman James Wisniewski was ruled out of Sunday’s game against
the New York Rangers late in the afternoon because of a groin injury, and
he wasn’t happy about it.
614072
Blue Jackets' rebuilding job will depend on quick feet, minds
By Aaron Portzline
The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday February 21, 2012 5:02 AM
Comments: 1
The Blue Jackets’ willingness to trade captain Rick Nash and their wish to
trade center Jeff Carter shows a desire by general manager Scott Howson
to dramatically change the team’s roster.
And as the NHL trade deadline looms on Monday and rumors fly, Howson
and his staff face a central question: What’s the new blueprint for Blue
Jackets hockey?
“Fast and competitive,” Howson said. “We want fast, and fast isn’t just a
player’s feet. It’s puck movement, it’s vision, it’s hockey sense, it’s hands,
it’s brains … it’s a lot of different things.
“When it comes to competitive players … we need more. I don’t think you
can ever have too many competitive guys, but we need more.”
In trade talks regarding Nash, the Blue Jackets are said to be asking for
young, proven NHL players and high-end prospects, all of whom play with
some measure of speed and tenacity.
The NHL flop of former first-round draft pick Nikita Filatov prompted the
Blue Jackets to reorder their list of criteria at the entry draft, with “skill”
tumbling way down the chart below “character” and “energy.”
This season’s debacle — the Jackets are 30th in the NHL heading into a
game tonight against San Jose at Nationwide Arena — might have
compelled Columbus to change its blueprint for success.
The Blue Jackets came into this season believing they had enough skill to
skate three “scoring” lines. (No, really, they did.) But after a 2-11-1 start to
the season that plan was scrapped in favor of a conservative, clog-themiddle approach.
Mostly, though, it has been a nondescript mess.
“We wanted to play faster,” Howson said. “A lot of people had off years. I
don’t want to say that they’re not fast or competitive people, but a lot of our
people had off years.
“You don’t win in this league without a good defense, and our defense has
been absolutely ravaged by injuries. We never got our defense to play
(together) for any stretch of time together.”
In the Blue Jackets’ 11 seasons on the ice, arguably only two of their clubs
managed to develop an identity.
The inaugural team — composed of has-beens and never-weres — played
with a speed and relentlessness that frustrated better teams. Despite an
$18.5 million payroll, the 2000-01 Jackets had 71 points.
The 2008-09 team was hammered into shape by former coach Ken
Hitchcock, who persuaded them to play a tight, checking style in front of
precocious rookie goaltender Steve Mason. It remains the only club to
reach the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Now it’s back to the drawing board.
The Blue Jackets like what they see in 37-year-old Vinny Prospal. They
signed him to a one-year, $2.5 million extension with a no-trade clause.
The tireless hustle of Derek Dorsett and Derek MacKenzie stands out, too,
as did the scene that played out late in a 6-1 loss to Chicago on Saturday.
Defenseman James Wisniewski blocked two shots in the final five minutes,
limped off the ice to the dressing room, then returned with his leg wrapped
to finish a game that had long since been a blowout.
“That type of competitiveness, bravery, that never-give-up attitude is
contagious,” Howson said. “We need more people like that.”
614073
Jackets-Sharks preview
It's T-minus seven days for the NHL trade deadline, which arrives at 3 p.m.
next Monday. Between 8 and 12 Blue Jackets gathered today for an
optional skate in Nationwide Arena. Even in an almost-empty rink there's an
air of nervousness and anticipation.
GM Scott Howson told The Dispatch today that no trade is immiment.
"We're waiting for the right deals," Howson said. "We're getting closer. But
we're not there yet."
The Jackets have three games to play before the big day, beginning with
Tuesday's game in Nationwide Arena against San Jose. The Sharks have
won all three games (two by 2-1 scores, another a 6-0 blowout), and all
three games have been chippy. You'll recall that Sharks defenseman Dan
Boyle beat up Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard during the 6-0 drubbing
last month in San Jose, and that in the meeting before that Blue Jackets
winger Dane Byers landed a punishable hit on Sharks grinder Andrew
Desjardins.
The Blue Jackets expect to get defenseman Nikita Niktin back in the lineup,
interim coach Todd Richards said. Niktin has been out since suffering a left
knee injury in Detroit on Jan. 21, missing 12 games.
"It's big for us," Richards said. "He gives us size on our blue line, which is
something we've really missed now with (defenseman Marc) Methot out,
too."
Side dishes:
-- The New York Rangers appeared to take a 3-1 lead with 00.2 seconds
remaining in the second period on Sunday, but the goal was disallowed by
NHL officials after review because the official game clock was at 00.0
before the goal was scored. That's right, the clock that nobody can see
other than off-ice officials and NHL employees in the video replay booth, is
the official clock. The clock on the scoreboard and the one "burned into"
local TV broadcasts, is not synched with the official game clock. "That
makes no sense to me," Richards said, even though his club benefitted
from the call. "Right after it was scored, we radioed back to our guy (Dan
Singleton), and I was told it was a good goal. When (the official) signaled
'no goal', I thought, 'Well, what happened?'"
-- G Curtis Sanford is feeling much better. Apparently the epidural he had
late last week did the trip. He should return later this week, but it will be
Steve Mason -- Allen York as the 1-2 punch vs. San Jose.
-- Aaron Portzline
Comments: 0
San Jose at Columbus
7 TONIGHT
TV: Fox Sports Net Radio: WWCD-FM (102.5)
Blue Jackets at a glance
• Past 10 games : 4-5-1
• Power play : 16.3 percent (20th in NHL)
• Penalty kill : 75.8 percent (30th)
• Injury update : D Nikita Nikitin (left knee) is probable; D James Wisniewski
(groin) is questionable; G Curtis Sanford (back), D Marc Methot (jaw), D
Radek Martinek (concussion), LW Kristian Huselius (groin) and RW Jared
Boll (right foot) are out.
Sharks at a glance
• Past 10 games : 4-5-1
• Power play : 21.1 percent (third in NHL)
• Penalty kill : 78.4 percent (27th)
• Injury update : D Marc-Edouard Vlasic (face) is questionable; D Douglas
Murray (throat) and RW Martin Havlat (left hamstring) are out.
614074
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn, Sheldon Souray skate; Stars expect them to face Chicago
Staff Report
Jamie Benn (leg) and Sheldon Souray (foot) both skated on Monday
morning in Frisco, but are not expected to play Tuesday at Montreal.
Both are on the two-game road trip and might be ready to play by Thursday
at Chicago.
"Chicago is realistic," Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said of Souray. "I think
that's what we'll be looking at."
Kari Lehtonen is expected to be in goal on Tuesday, his 10th game in 18
days. The plan is then to have Richard Bachman in goal on Thursday at
Chicago.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 02.21.2012
614075
Dallas Stars
Grossman's Stars departure brings opportunities for others
MIKE HEIKA
MONTREAL — Sports can be the ultimate reality show, and the producers
of the 2011-12 Stars season have just thrown three contestants a real
curveball.
When general manager Joe Nieuwendyk traded defenseman Nicklas
Grossman last week, he created an opportunity for Mark Fistric, Adam
Pardy and Philip Larsen. Each is at a different stage in his development, but
all three have an aching drive to seize this moment and become a sort of
“Survivor.”
“It’s a great chance for them, and you can see that with each one,” said
coach Glen Gulutzan. “We have confidence in all of them.”
Of course, with any good ratings-grabber, there has to be some drama and
some storytelling. In addition to trying to replace the 20 minutes a game that
Grossman ate up, the players also have to help the Stars win and gain
points in the battle to be one of the eight playoff teams in the Western
Conference. Dallas sits 10th entering Tuesday’s game against Montreal, so
the pressure has been dialed up to 11.
Fistric is certainly the most familiar contestant. The 25-year-old from
Edmonton has played 240 games in a Stars uniform. Drafted 28th overall in
2004, he has been up and down to the minors on countless occasions with
more healthy scratches than he would have liked. So he clearly gets the
first chance to prove himself.
“It’s definitely a different kind of opportunity for me, and I sense that,” Fistric
said. “I just have to take it and run with it. It’s definitely something I feel
confident that I can do.”
He has already had his minutes dialed up and is facing tougher competition
in the last two games, and he has made a couple of mistakes. However, he
said he can handle the pressure better now.
“I’m a little older now, and I’m able to think the game better and prepare
better,” he said. “I know what kind of player I am, and so I’m better able to
add the things that can help the team.”
Pardy is an interesting story in his own right. The 28-year-old signed with
the Stars as a free agent in the summer and is the most highly
compensated of the three at $2 million a season for this year and next. And
while players don’t always talk about that, his contract is going to give him a
chance. So far, Pardy has had a rough time in a Stars uniform. He has
played 25 games and is minus-7, but he sat out 15 straight games recently
as a healthy scratch.
However, he played 20:27 on Sunday and has looked good in three games
since the Grossman trade.
“It’s frustrating sitting there and watching so many games and not being
able to do anything about it. But, you just have stay focused and patient,
and be ready when you do get your chance,” Pardy said. “Something
always happens in this game — an injury, a trade, something — and then
you get your chance again. The thing is, you have to be ready when you get
that chance again.”
The future is bright for Larsen, 22, but Gulutzan said the Stars have to be
patient with the young puck-mover.
“Lars is a young guy, and he’s going to have games that are great or not so
great. That’s just part of the growth and development,” Gulutzan said. “I
think he’s going to be fine. He’s a great skater, and he’s learning, and he’s
only going to get better.”
Like most of the great reality shows, there has to be a twist — and this trio
seems to have one. Veteran Sheldon Souray has missed six games with a
bruised foot, but he could return as soon as Thursday against Chicago. So
which one of the three contestants might have to sit at that time?
It’s part of the drama.
“They know they have to be ready, and they have to work for their
opportunity,” Gulutzan said. “They’re all different, and they’re all dealing
with their own issues, but each one has to be mentally strong. It’s a
challenge, but they have to play with confidence and prove themselves.”
614076
Dallas Stars
Stars at Canadians, 6:30 p.m.: Can Stars handle P.K. Subban?
Dallas Stars at Montreal Canadiens: 6:30 p.m. today. TV: FSSW. Radio:
KTCK-AM (1310)
Key matchup: Mike Ribeiro vs. P.K. Subban
Ribeiro is a former Montreal player who will be returning to play there for
the first time since a 2006 trade to the Stars. Subban is a 22-year-old
defenseman who leads the Canadiens in time on ice at 23:44 and in penalty
minutes at 70.
Key stat: 8
That’s the point total for Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski in eight career
games against the Canadiens.
Injuries
Dallas: D Sheldon Souray (foot) is doubtful. C Jamie Benn (leg) and LW
Brenden Morrow (neck/back/shoulder) are out.
Montreal: LW Travis Moen (upper body) is questionable. RW Michael
Blunden (knee), RW Brian Gionta (bicep), D Andrei Markov (knee) and C
Petteri Nokelainen (upper body) are out.
Notable
Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen is expected to get his 10th start in the last 18
days. He is 3-4-2 in that span with a 2.50 GAA and .908 save percentage.
… Montreal goalie Carey Price is expected to start his ninth game in the
last 17 days. He is 5-2-1 in his last eight with a 2.08 GAA and a .933 save
percentage.
614077
Dallas Stars
Weber's power-play goal sends Predators past Stars
The Associated Press
DALLAS — The Nashville Predators celebrated a rare victory in Dallas.
Shea Weber scored on a power play with less than a second remaining in
the first period, Pekka Rinne stopped 22 shots, and the Predators beat the
Dallas Stars 3-2 on Sunday night.
Nashville improved to 6-19-1 in franchise history in Dallas.
"It's been a tough building," Predators coach Barry Trotz said.
Weber put the Predators ahead to stay 2-1 with his 12th goal of the season,
popping a loose puck into an open net with 0.2 seconds left in the first. The
goal was upheld after a video review showed the puck entered the net
before time expired.
"I saw it go in, I heard the horn ... so I assumed it was in, but I didn't realize
how close it was," Weber said.
The Stars won the season's first two meetings against the Predators by a
total score of 10-4. This time, the Predators dictated the kind of closechecking style they favor.
"We haven't played well against Dallas at all this year so it was good to get
the win," Weber said.
Gabriel Bourque and Colin Wilson added even-strength goals for Nashville,
3-3-2 in its last eight after a five-game winning streak.
Michael Ryder and Alex Goligoski scored for the Stars, coming off a 2-1
overtime loss in Phoenix on Saturday night. Dallas fell to 0-9-2 on the
second leg of back-to-backs this season.
"Another one-goal game," Goligoski said. "I think for the most part, we were
maybe outworked a little bit tonight. The difference is that we give them
maybe a freebie there at the end of the first. ... We were working hard, just
not hard enough."
Kari Lehtonen made 18 saves for the Stars, 2-4-2 in their last eight.
Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan thought his team played well in stretches, but
the Stars continue to slump as they try to climb into the top eight in the
West.
"As hard as it is to swallow, you've got to keep doing things right," Gulutzan
said. "The moment you veer away and start losing confidence, you're in
trouble. We're doing the little things right, we're not getting the result."
First-line center Jamie Benn, Dallas' only All-Star pick, missed his second
straight game with a knee injury and is day-to-day.
The Stars turned up the pressure in the third period, but Rinne made a
sprawling save on Tomas Vincour's close-range attempt with 17:22 left,
then denied Eric Nystrom's choice scoring chance with 15:30 remaining.
Goligoski got the Stars within one at 15:11 of the third period when his shot
from the edge of the left circle sneaked past Rinne for Goligoski's eighth of
the season.
Dallas went on the power play with 2:05 left when Nashville's Hal Gill went
to the penalty box for tripping. The Stars pulled Lehtonen with 1:25
remaining for a 6-on-4 advantage, but couldn't come up with the equalizer.
Gill, acquired in a trade with Montreal on Friday and making his debut for
the Predators, logged almost 17 minutes.
"I don't think there's a secret what my game is, what my strengths are: kill
penalties, move the puck quick, use my reach and try to control the front of
the net," Gill said.
Mike Fisher, Nashville's top goal-scorer with 17, was scratched due to
illness.
Ryder gave the Stars the lead at 6:49 of the opening period, notching his
team-best 23rd goal from the slot off Mike Ribeiro's centering pass.
Bourque's re-direct off David Legwand's setup for his third of the season
drew the Predators even at 1 at 15:39 of the first.
After Weber gave them the lead, the Predators thought they'd made it 3-1
midway through the second period when Matt Halischuk knocked in a
rebound. But the goal was disallowed when a video review showed that
Halischuk directed the puck into the net with his glove.
Wilson officially extended Nashville edge to 3-1 at 16:05 of the second
period on a backhander from the low slot, Wilson's 12th of the season.
NOTES: The last time Weber played in Dallas on Dec. 23, he sustained a
head injury on a hard hit by Stars defenseman Mark Fistric, forcing Weber
to miss four games. ... LW Brenden Morrow (neck, shoulder) and D
Sheldon Souray (foot) remain out for Dallas. ... In addition to Fisher, the
Predators were missing forwards Patric Hornqvist (upper body) and Brian
McGrattan (upper body). ... The Stars were 5-1-1 in their last seven at
home against Nashville. ... Rinne was credited with the second assist on
Wilson's goal.
Star-Telegram LOADED: 02.21.2012
614078
Dallas Stars
GameDay: Dallas Stars at Montreal Canadiens
Records: Stars 29-26-4, 62 pts.; Canadiens 24-26-10, 58 pts.
Notable: This is the only meeting this season between the teams.... After
winning three of their first five games following the All-Star break, the Stars
have gone 1-3-2 and slipped to 10th in the Western Conference
standings.... Montreal is 5-4-1 in its last 10 games and is tied for 11th in the
Eastern Conference standings.... Montreal and Dallas feature two of the
NHL's worst power-play units.... The Stars will be without Brenden Morrow
(neck/back) and are not expecting to use Jamie Benn (lacerated leg) or
Sheldon Souray (bruised foot) in Montreal.
Looking for c
Star-Telegram LOADED: 02.21.2012
614079
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings draft pick Max Nicastro arrested on sexual-assault charge
max nicastro
BOSTON — Boston University says Max Nicastro, a defenseman on its
men’s hockey team and a Detroit Red Wings draft pick, has been arrested
on a sexual-assault charge.
University police arrested Nicastro on Sunday on the Charles River
Campus. BU Police Chief Thomas Robbins says his department and the
Suffolk County district attorney’s office are investigating.
The university says a female student accused Nicastro of sexually
assaulting her. Robbins says the encountered happened on campus. Few
other details were released.
Nicastro, a junior from Thousand Oaks, Calif., is being held on $25,000
cash bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Brighton District
Court.
Athletic director Michael Lynch says Nicastro has been suspended from the
hockey team, pending the outcome of the investigation. A university
spokesman says he does not know whether Nicastro has a lawyer.
Nicastro was a third-round pick of the Wings in the 2008 draft (No. 91
overall).
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 02.21.2012
614080
Detroit Red Wings
Monday's Red Wings trade rumors
Rick Nash
With mere days to go before next Monday's NHL trade deadline, we're
rounding up the latest chatter from around the league, as it pertains to your
Detroit Red Wings. We vouch for none of the information, other than it
comes from somewhat reputable sources and we don't know it NOT to be
true. For your enjoyment:
• The Fourth Period: The Red Wings have been linked to forwards Ales
Hemsky of Edmonton, Travis Moen of Montreal and Paul Gaustad of
Buffalo.
• Pierre LeBrun, espn.com: "Bottom line? If Rick Nash moves before the
Feb. 27 deadline, it almost surely won't be to Detroit. I like the Rangers and
Kings as front-runners both in their desire to acquire Nash and their ability
to deliver on the assets the Blue Jackets require. I’d list Toronto, San Jose,
Vancouver and Philadelphia as wild cards on the Nash front. But an offseason trade? That might be a different story for a lot of teams, including
Detroit."
• Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star lists the Wings as a team he expects to
stand pat at the deadline. "The perfect team rarely finds a need to add at
the deadline," he wrote.
• Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch tweeted that the Wings were
scouting the Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Blackhawks game on Saturday.
• One player the Wings had been interested in was Tampa Bay Lightning
defenseman Pavel Kubina, who was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on
Saturday for a second-round draft pick in 2012 or 2013, a fourth-round pick
in 2013, and center Jon Kalinski. Kalinski played for its AHL team in
Adirondack.
614081
Detroit Red Wings
By George Sipple
The Detroit Red Wings placed goaltender Ty Conklin on waivers today. If
he clears waivers at noon Tuesday, he’ll be sent to the Grand Rapids
Griffins of the American Hockey League.
“Obviously, Joey’s been a great story for us,” general manager Ken Holland
said of Joey MacDonald, who won his sixth straight game for the Wings on
Sunday. “I still think Ty’s got some good hockey in him.”
MacDonald has been subbing for starter Jimmy Howard, who has a broken
finger. Howard is scheduled to return Tuesday at Chicago.
So why wouldn't the Wings send MacDonald down so he can play and stay
sharp?
“Well, I think Ty Conklin needs to play,” Holland said. “He’s never really got
her going. His starts have been sporadic, and his play’s probably been
sporadic.”
The move is not unexpected. MacDonald has a 1.66 goals-against average
and a .934 save percentage and is 6-1-1. Conklin has a 3.40 GAA, an .878
save percentage and is 3-5 in 11 games.
614082
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings goalie Joey MacDonald ready for backup role
By George Sipple
The Red Wings placed goaltender Ty Conklin on waivers Monday. He'll be
sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League if he
clears waivers at noon today.
"Obviously, we're running the risk by putting him on waivers that he gets
claimed," general manger Ken Holland said. "We're obviously prepared to
take that risk.
"Jimmy Howard ... we believe he's ready to roll. But you never know until
you really get at it."
Howard, out with a broken finger since Feb. 2, will start tonight at Chicago.
Joey MacDonald, 6-1-1 with a 1.66 goals-against average and .934 save
percentage, will serve as the No. 2 goaltender.
"Joey played great last year," Holland said. "We signed him to a two-year
contact. It was two-way this year. It's a one-way next year. ... You need
depth. Joey was happy in the organization after last year. I think he played
similar to this year, but I think we're scoring more for him this year."
MacDonald admitted he was disappointed to be sent to Grand Rapids early
in the season.
"To get back to where I wanted to be and play some, it's great," MacDonald
said. "It's a great opportunity.
"Last year I spent most of the year here, and you don't want to leave.
Started the season down (in Grand Rapids). I was sort of disappointed after
training camp. You just have to go down, work hard and be patient and wait
for your opportunity."
MacDonald knows he won't play a lot with Howard ready.
"That's the thing about a backup goalie -- you gotta be ready at all times,"
MacDonald said. "Whatever it is, it's next week or whenever my next start
is, just gotta be ready and just perform the same way I have been over the
last couple of weeks."
Conklin was 3-5-0 with a 3.40 GAA and an .878 save percentage in 11
games.
"He wants to play," Holland said. "Mike Babcock and I just talked to him. ...
He needs to play. He hasn't played a lot.
"His play has been sporadic, his opportunities have been sporadic, and with
the injury to Jimmy Howard, it was probably a chance for him to go on a
run, and the first game he gets in there he gives up three goals in nine
shots."
MacDonald then took advantage of his opportunity to play and won the past
six games at home to help the Wings set an NHL record for consecutive
home wins (23).
NOTEBOOK: Forward Danny Cleary, who has taken a cortisone shot and
twice had his knee drained since he last played Feb. 8, said the "game
plan" was for him to play tonight against the Blackhawks. "It's been a year
of injuries for me, for sure," Cleary said. "Started the season with broken
ribs for like six weeks. Then my knee hurt the start of December. Later, as it
went, it started to gradually get worse. That road trip after the All-Star break
is when it started to go downhill."
614083
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings' streak answers major questions
and greatness for the first time since the mid-90s. These guys deserve it.
But they also realize that the streak will fade away quickly if it’s not followed
up by playoff success. Many fans don’t remember what year certain regular
season milestones were achieved. But everyone remembers the Cup years.
Everyone.
By Jamie Samuelsen
What's stood out to you most about the Red Wings' 23-game home winning
streak?
When you are the most consistent franchise in professional sports and you
enter each season with the goal and expectation of winning the Stanley
Cup, nothing should really surprise fans when it comes to sustained
excellence. The Red Wings have the best coach, the best GM, the best
defensive player and perhaps the best offensive player in the sport, so
superlatives are nothing new for this bunch. But still, this streak is
preposterous on every level. It’s amazing that they’ve put it together in the
first place. But it’s even more amazing that they’ve done it the way they’ve
done it.
Coach Mike Babcock admitted before the season started he wasn’t exactly
sure where his team stacked up in the Western Conference. There were
more than a few question marks on the roster, and two straight exits to the
Sharks in the second round of the playoffs had some critics wondering if the
long Red Wings run was beginning to wind down. Now, they’re the frontrunners to win the 12th Stanley Cup in franchise history, and all of those
nagging questions have turned into strengths. The Wings have won 23
straight games at the Joe thanks to some of their stars. But they’ve also
done it by answering all of those preseason questions. That’s been the
most surprising and the most pleasant part of the streak.
Here’s what we feared about the Red Wings, and here’s how the questions
have been emphatically answered.
1. Goaltending
Jimmy Howard played well enough in his first two years as a starter to
establish himself as the No. 1. He had some solid games in the postseason
and he had some weak moments as well. Howard looked like he’d be good
enough for the Red Wings, but he also looked like he’d never be an
overriding strength. Well, that’s over. He was in goal for the first 17 games
of this winning streak and has overall numbers (32-11-1, 2.03 GAA) that put
him amongst the league leaders. In addition, thanks to Joey MacDonald,
the Wings now clearly have a No. 2 goaltender, too. As recently as two
weeks ago, the biggest story facing the Red Wings was the poor play of Ty
Conklin and whether or not Ken Holland would have to go after a backup at
the trade deadline. Those concerns are now officially in the past.
2. Defense
Last season, the Red Wings allowed 2.89 goals per game, 23rd in the NHL.
With Nicklas Lidstrom getting a year older and Brian Rafalski retiring, this
wasn’t necessarily supposed to get better. But thanks to an outstanding
season by free agent Ian White and another strong year from Lidstrom and
Niklas Kronwall, the Wings defense has flourished this year. Overall,
they’ve chopped more than a half a goal off their average (2.3 goals
allowed, tied for fourth in the NHL). During the home streak, they’ve allowed
exactly three goals just twice. In the other 21 games, they’ve allowed two
goals or less. Credit Howard and MacDonald who anchor the defense, but
credit the defensemen in front of them. This looks like all of the Wings
teams over the past 20 years -- teams that generate a lot of offense, but
teams that can suffocate opponents and now allow too many shots.
3. The Red Wings middle class
This has been a concern for the Red Wings for years. The elite players
make all the money and score all the big goals. But come playoff time,
when the Sharks were getting huge goals in past seasons from players like
Logan Couture or Devin Setoguchi (now with the Wild), the Wings younger
players weren’t breaking out. Holland said earlier this year that he need the
“20-somethings” to make a statement. They have. Players like Pavel
Datsyuk and Johan Franzen carry a load of the scoring, but in the past few
games alone, guys like Darren Helm, Drew Miller and Jiri Hudler have
scored big goals in these big-atmosphere games at the Joe. If that can
continue in the spring, the Cup aspirations can be realized.
Nothing should surprise us when the Red Wings excel. And the very best
part of the streak is that there’s a buzz back to the Wings that hasn’t been
there in a few years. Fans seem to appreciate regular season consistency
614084
Detroit Red Wings
Wings draft pick Max Nicastro arrested on sexual assault charge
By Associated Press
Boston — Boston University says Max Nicastro, a defenseman on its men's
hockey team, has been arrested on a sexual assault charge.
Nicastro was drafted by the Red Wings in the third round in 2008.
Campus. BU Police Chief Thomas Robbins says his department and the
Suffolk County district attorney's office are investigating.
assaulting her. Robbins says the encountered happened on campus. Few
Court.
hockey team pending the outcome of the investigation. A university
spokesman says he does not know if Nicastro has a lawyer.
Detroit News LOADED: 02.21.2012
614085
Detroit Red Wings
Wings put Ty Conklin on waivers; Joey MacDonald is No. 2 goalie
By TED KULFAN AND GREGG KRUPA
Detroit — Joey MacDonald played his way onto the Red Wings' roster.
The Wings put goalie Ty Conklin on waivers and have kept MacDonald as
the backup to No. 1 Jimmy Howard.
Howard, who has missed the last eight games with a broken right index
finger, will start Tuesday in Chicago.
MacDonald, 32, was 6-1 with a 1.66 goals-against average and .934 save
percentage since being called up Feb. 3, when Howard broke his finger the
night before in Vancouver.
"Ty knows Joey has been a great story for us," said Wings general
manager Ken Holland. "And I still think Ty's got some good hockey in him.
He's played some good games for us."
MacDonald was 11-11-3 with a 2.63 GAA and .913 save percentage in
Grand Rapids this season, overcoming a knee injury and concussion.
Conklin, 35, struggled to find any consistency with the Wings this season
after signing a one-year contract as an unrestricted free agent last summer.
He was 3-5 in 11 appearances, with a 3.40 GAA and .878 save percentage.
When asked why MacDonald was not sent down to keep him playing and
avoid exposing Conklin to waivers, Holland said that it is Conklin who needs
the playing time, now. With Howard back in net, it would be difficult to find
enough playing time for Conklin to work on his game.
"Ty needs to play," Holland said. "His starts have been sporadic, and I think
his play is probably sporadic. I think he's played some good games and
some games that are not so good."
Holland said that both he and Coach Mike Babcock met with Conklin
Monday morning.
The goalie agreed to report to Grand Rapids if another team does not pick
him up on waivers by noon Tuesday. Plenty of teams are hoping to improve
their goaltending heading into the playoffs, including the Wings' divisional
rivals and next opponent, the Blackhawks.
614086
Detroit Red Wings
"It's working," Howard said. "We continue to tinker. We tinkered with some
stuff this morning, before practice, and it seems like we've gotten a good
mix here.
Joey MacDonald earns permanent stay with Red Wings
"We're just trying to figure out ways it's more comfortable when I hold on to
the stick."
By Gregg Krupa
Howard said it has been about a week since vibrations from shots have
caused pain. He also said his return to the lineup is easier because he did
not stop skating for the 19 days since he appeared in a game.
Detroit — The Red Wings played eight games without all-star goalie Jimmy
Howard, and little changed with Joey MacDonald in goal.
"You don't lose your wind or anything like that," he said. "It's been real key
for me to go out there every day and skate."
So, it is MacDonald, not the former backup goalie Ty Conklin, who will stay
with the team now that Howard is slated to return today, against the
Blackhawks.
Cleary ready, too
MacDonald compiled a 6-1-1 record, 1.66 goals-against average and .934
save percentage, a phenomenal performance, since relieving Conklin on
Feb. 4. But the feats of the team likely solidified MacDonald's claim as
backup goalie.
After Howard's injury and his victory Feb. 2 against the Canucks, the Wings
were the best team in the NHL by two points and in first place in the
Western Conference. They compiled a 9-1 record in the previous 10 games
and had a two-game winning streak.
They also had 47 more goals than goals against, for the season.
After MacDonald's eight games, the Red Wings remain the best team by
two points and in first place in the Western Conference. They have an 8-1-1
record in their past 10 games and a six-game winning streak.
Much credit for the unwavering excellence goes to MacDonald, the
journeyman, 32-year-old goalie from Pictou, Nova Scotia.
Ken Holland and coach Mike Babcock told Conklin on Monday he would be
placed on waivers.
"Obviously, Joey's been a great story for us," Holland said. "I think Ty's still
got some good hockey in him. He's played some good games for us.
"He didn't play a lot and he didn't have a real chance to get her going."
With Howard returning, finding time for Conklin to straighten out his game
likely means sending him to Grand Rapids. But first, Conklin must clear
waivers. Teams have until noon today to claim him.
"I think Ty Conklin needs to play," Holland said, of the decision to demote
him, rather than MacDonald. "His starts have been sporadic and his play
has probably been sporadic.
"Obviously, we're running the risk, putting him on waivers, that (Conklin)
gets claimed. And, obviously, we're willing to run that risk."
Babcock agreed.
"All year long, he hasn't really had the opportunity," Babcock said. "So,
here's an opportunity to have him go play.
"And Mac's done a really good job. It's worked out good. He's played great."
MacDonald said it is a realization of his best hopes, after deciding against
playing in Europe in the offseason.
"I got a chance to come up and play and not sit on the bench, and that's
huge," MacDonald said after the Wings' practice. "This is where I've wanted
to be all year."
Conklin, who turns 36 March 30, had an outstanding season as a backup
for the Red Wings in 2008-09, with 25 wins, a 2.51 GAA and .909 save
percentage.
But after a season with 10 wins, a 2.48 GAA and a .921 save percentage
for the Blues in 2009-10, Conklin tailed off to eight wins, a 3.22 GAA and a
.881 save percentage last season.
With three wins, Conklin has a 3.40 GAA and a .878 save percentage this
season.
Howard said he will wear a brace supporting his broken right index finger.
The finger also is padded in the blocker glove.
Danny Cleary said he hopes to play today, too, after fluid was twice drained
from cysts behind a knee and he received a cortisone shot.
"My knee hurt in the start of December," he said. "I tried to play as long as I
could. The knee certainly feels better than it did a week ago."
614087
Detroit Red Wings
Toughness is Joey MacDonald finding a spot on the Red Wings' roster, at
age 32, after years of riding the boards in the AHL, and kicking around the
NHL.
Don Cherry's Red Wings argument is the pits
Fighting to win?
Gregg Krupa
Cherry compounds his error by handicapping the NHL playoffs on the basis
of fighting.
"It's going to be the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins in the
semifinals, Detroit and Vancouver in the semifinals," he said.
Detroit For the third time in six weeks, Don Cherry was at it again.
Cherry spent about half his Coach's Corner segment on "Hockey Night in
Canada" Saturday talking about the Red Wings' disinclination to fight. He
directed his comments at those who say the Wings are good enough to not
fight, and still win.
In late January, as the Wings played the Maple Leafs in Toronto, Cherry
asserted that they would not win the Stanley Cup without more fighting.
More recently, he criticized "these newspaper guys" for making assertions
to the contrary.
"I'm so sick and tired of hearing about Detroit," Cherry said Saturday,
renewing the attack.
"And Vancouver, you think they're not tough now? They've got (Maxim)
Lapierre. They've got (Dale) Weise. They've got (Aaron) Volpatti. They've
got (Byron) Bitz now," Cherry said, of Canucks who, at times, fight.
"Anyhow, they got a tough team. Boston's not going to push them around
anymore.
"And that's why I say when I hear this stuff about Detroit, that's their big
thing, the Europeans and that," Cherry said.
"For sure, they scout skill," said Cherry's co-host, Ron MacLean. "In fact,
they say they'll take a guy's skill and play puck possession, over the
others."
He mimicked those who believe in the Wings.
"What I'm saying," Cherry boomed, nonetheless, "is the three other teams?
They're packed. Their guys can play.
"'Detroit don't fight. Look how good they are. Kenny Holland and Babcock
got another way.'
"If you have these guys (who fight), they can play. And New York, and
Boston and Vancouver are right at the top in fighting.
"Detroit doesn't fight at all!" he bellowed. "They're not tough!"
"You have to be tough to play this game.
Apparently, Cherry believes the number of fighting penalties is the measure
of toughness.
"Fighting is part of this game. It always will be."
"You know the number one team in the league that fights? New York
Rangers," Cherry said. "And where are they?"
The Rangers have the third-most points in the NHL, two slots behind the
league-leading Red Wings.
He also mentioned the Bruins, sixth in the NHL, 12 points behind the
Wings.
The Rangers lead the NHL with 46 fights. The Bruins are second with 42.
I agree with much of what Cherry says, generally.
What about performance?
If Donald S. Cherry were in charge of player safety, there would be fewer
concussions and other injuries in the NHL. His "code" for playing with honor
is something all players should learn. And there is more.
But I strongly disagree that fighting is the measure of toughness, and that
all Canadian players are tougher than all Europeans.
After Cherry's earlier pronouncement, I reported that while the Wings fight
less in the past few years than previously, it does not affect their
performance. They were almost always last, or nearly last, in the NHL in
fighting going back to the first of four Stanley Cups they won recently (199697).
At that point this season, Jan. 30, the Wings had seven fights.
They fought four times in the next three games, and twice since. With 13
fights, they are tied with the Canadiens for last in the NHL, one behind the
Lightning and Hurricanes and three behind the Predators, Islanders and
Coyotes.
Now, toughness surely is Justin Abdelkader not backing down from bigger,
more experienced fighters, as he did again Sunday, against the Sharks.
But toughness also is Abdelkader delivering the heavy hip check that led to
the fight.
Toughness is Danny Cleary playing for two months on a painful knee,
before finally shutting down and then trying to play again, tonight.
It is Henrik Zetterberg playing against the Predators and Sharks while
receiving treatment for an apparent bad back.
It is Jimmy Howard stuffing his fractured index finger into a wrap, brace and
padding, so he can play again.
And that is something on which I completely agree with Cherry: Fighting is
part of the game, and it should be.
But the Red Wings fight. The comparatively fewer times they do it will not
deprive them of a Stanley Cup this season.
And it most certainly does not mean they are not tough.
614088
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings' Ken Holland, Mike Babcock called NHL's best
GM/coach combo
Brendan Savage
Ken Holland and Mike Babcock of the Detroit Red Wings team to form the
best general manager/coach duo in the National Hockey League, according
to a Philadelphia writer.
Comcast Sportsnet's John Boruk ranked all 30 GM/coach combos and put
the Red Wings bosses at the top of the heap.
He called Holland and Babcock the "The Gold Standard."
"The Wings haven't missed the playoffs since Holland took over in 1997,"
Boruk wrote on CSNPhilly.com. "Three Stanley Cups. Holland continues to
find hidden gems in the draft. Babcock has made three trips to the Finals
since 2003, winning his first and only Cup in 2008. "
Boruk said the big question mark surrounding the Red Wings is finding a
captain and No. 1 defenseman to replace Nicklas Lidstrom when he
decides to retire.
Boruk ranked Peter Chiarelli and Claude Julien of the Boston Bruins No. 2
behind Holland and Babcock while Ray Shero and Dan Bylsma of the
Pittsburgh Penguins came in third.
At the other end of the list, Scott Howson and Todd Richards were ranked
30th.
Holland and Babcock have the Red Wings (41-17-2) atop the NHL's overall
standings with 84 points. They're riding a 23-game home winning streak,
the longest in NHL history.
Michigan Live LOADED: 02.21.2012
614089
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings prospect Max Nicastro arrested on sexual assault charge
The Associated Press By The Associated Press
BOSTON -- Boston University says Max Nicastro, a defenseman on its
men's hockey team and a prospect for the Detroit Red Wings, has been
arrested on a sexual assault charge.
The Red Wings selected Nicastro (6-foot-3, 200) in the third round of the
2008 NHL entry draft (91st overall).
Campus. BU police chief Thomas Robbins says his department and the
Suffolk County district attorney's office are investigating.
assaulting her. Robbins says the encounter happened on campus. Few
Court.
hockey team pending the outcome of the investigation.
A university spokesman says he does not know if Nicastro has a lawyer.
614090
Detroit Red Wings
Said Babcock: “That's the game and what life's about, you get an
opportunity and you make good on it and good things happen. Good for him
and good for us. He's been great.''
Red Wings reward red-hot Joey MacDonald with permanent backup job, as
Ty Conklin waived
As far as how he will handle the workload, Babcock said, “I'm going to do
what we always do, we're going to try and win the games. Whoever's in a
better situation to help us win games, that's what we're going to do.''
Ansar Khan
Conklin was summoned from the ice shortly after the start of practice and
delivered the news. He was not available for comment.
DETROIT – For Joey MacDonald, it is better to be sitting on the bench most
nights for the Detroit Red Wings than between the pipes for the Grand
Rapids Griffins.
MacDonald was rewarded Monday for his outstanding run in relief of Jimmy
Howard. MacDonald will remain with the Red Wings as their backup
goaltender. The club waived Ty Conklin. If he clears by noon Tuesday, he
will be assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins.
MacDonald will be watching most games as Howard's backup, but he's fine
with that. Staying in the NHL is what matters most for the 32-year-old
journeyman.
“Last year I spent most of the year here and you don't want to leave,''
MacDonald said. “I started (this) season down there and was kind of
disappointed after training camp.
“You just got to go down, work hard and be patient and wait for your
opportunity.''
MacDonald maximized that chance, going 6-1-1, with a 1.66 goals-against
average and .934 save percentage since being recalled from the Griffins
after Howard broke his right index finger on Feb. 6.
MacDonald has won six games in a row but will be backing up Howard
Tuesday in Chicago.
“I've been around and I know what to expect,'' MacDonald said. “Last year
Howie was doing awesome and I just kind of waited and waited and waited
and got a start every now and then.
“That's the thing with a backup goalie, you got to be ready at all times. If it's
next week or whenever my next start is, I just got to be ready and perform
the same way I have over the last couple of weeks.''
Red Wings general manager Ken Holland called MacDonald “a great story,''
someone who seized the opportunity and deserves to stay.
Conklin has struggled this season (3-5-0, 3.40 GAA, .878 save percentage),
but Holland said he still has some good hockey in him. The club is hoping
he clears waivers and will get his game back with the Griffins.
“I think Ty Conklin needs to play,'' Holland said. “He hasn't really got it
going. His starts have been sporadic and I think his play has probably been
sporadic. He's played some good games and played some games not so
good.
“We're running a risk he'll get claimed on waivers. We've prepared to take
that risk.''
The Red Wings signed Conklin, 35, to a one-year, $750,000 free-agent
contract in July. They were hoping he would perform like he did in Detroit in
2008-09, when he went 25-11-2, with a 2.51 GAA and .909 save
percentage as Chris Osgood's backup.
Conklin spent the past two seasons as the backup in St. Louis.
As insurance, and for depth in Grand Rapids, the Red Wings signed
MacDonald to a two-year deal in July, the second year being one-way (NHL
salary only).
“(Coach) Mike Babcock and I just talked about it, Joey played real good for
us (last season) but we never gave him any run support,'' Holland said. “By
signing Joey to the two-year deal and bringing in Ty for a one year we felt
we had depth in goal in the organization. We felt between the two of them
they were going to do a good job at the backup position.
“(MacDonald) has really taken the ball and run. That's what pro sports are
all about. … It's the old 'what have you done for me lately?' and Joey
MacDonald has been an incredible story for us the last two weeks.''
“It’s always tough. It’s nothing that you want to see, but it is part of the
business,'' Howard said. “Knowing Ty, he’s going to go and work his rear
end off and he’s also excited to play in some games.”
614091
Detroit Red Wings
Ansar Khan |
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have waived goaltender Ty Conklin.
If he clears by noon Tuesday he will be assigned to the Grand Rapids
Griffins.
Joey MacDonald won the backup job by going 6-1-1, with a 1.66 goalsagainst average and .934 save percentage after stepping in for the injured
Jimmy Howard.
Conklin, 35, has struggled this season, going 3-5-0 with a 3.40 GAA and
.878 save percentage. The Red Wings signed him to a one-year, $750,000
free-agent contract in the summer.
Howard is scheduled to return to action Tuesday in Chicago (8:30 p.m., Fox
Sports Detroit), after breaking his right index finger in a 4-3 shootout win in
Vancouver on Feb. 2.
More details shortly.
614092
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings trade talk: Big, shot-blocking Bryan Allen would upgrade third
defense pairing
Ansar Khan |
(MLive.com periodically will profile a potential Detroit Red Wings trade
target until the Feb. 27 trading deadline.)
Bryan Allen
Team: Carolina
Position: Defense
Height/Weight: 6-5/226
Age: 31
Shoots: Left
2011-12 stats: 59 games, no goals, eight assists, eight points, plus-1 rating,
56 penalty minutes.
Career stats: 578 games, 28 goals, 84 assists, 112 points, plus-9 rating,
704 penalty minutes.
Contract: Final year, with a salary-cap hit of $2.9 million. He can become an
unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Strengths: A big, strong, physical shutdown defenseman, he's among the
NHL's top shot-blockers (126). He can be hard to play against. He has good
mobility for his size. He kills penalties.
Weaknesses: Virtually no offensive game. He hasn't missed a game this
season but has been injury-prone in years past. He lacks playoff
experience, with seven career postseason games, none since 2004.
Why he'd be a good fit with Red Wings: He would provide a sandpaper-like
quality on the third pairing, replacing young Jakub Kindl alongside Jonathan
Ericsson. Kindl started strong this season but hasn't been as consistent or
gritty of late.
What it might take to get him: Mid-level prospect or second-round draft pick.
Chances Red Wings will acquire him: They probably have kicked the tires,
and might will be among several teams making a pitch, as it appears the
buyers will outnumber the sellers at the trade deadline.
Would you rather have the experienced, abrasive Allen on the third pairing
or the inexperienced Kindl? Or is there another No. 5-6 defenseman Detroit
should pursue?
614093
Detroit Red Wings
Ansar Khan |
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have waived goaltender Ty Conklin.
If he clears by noon Tuesday he will be assigned to the Grand Rapids
Griffins.
Joey MacDonald won the backup job by going 6-1-1, with a 1.66 goalsagainst average and .934 save percentage after stepping in for the injured
Jimmy Howard.
Conklin, 35, has struggled this season, going 3-5-0 with a 3.40 GAA and
.878 save percentage. The Red Wings signed him to a one-year, $750,000
free-agent contract in the summer.
Howard is scheduled to return to action Tuesday in Chicago (8:30 p.m., Fox
Sports Detroit), after breaking his right index finger in a 4-3 shootout win in
Vancouver on Feb. 2.
More details shortly.
614094
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk is best player in NHL, according to poll of
250 players
Brendan Savage
Detroit Red Wings fans aren't the only people who appreciate forward Pavel
Datsyuk.
Datsyuk's peers hold him in high regard, too.
The National Hockey League Players Association and Hockey Night in
Canada teamed to poll 250 players about their thoughts on other players
and Datsyuk was ranked No. 1 in six of 15 categories.
The only other players who were ranked No. 1 in more than one category
were Marian Gaborik of the New York Rangers and Zdeno Chara of the
Boston Bruins.
No wonder Datsyuk is considered one of the leading contenders to win the
Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player.
Datsyuk was voted the smartest player with 45 percent of the vote, most
difficult to play against with 26 percent, hardest to take the puck from with
47 percent, toughest forward to play against with 25 percent, cleanest
player with 21 percent, and the most difficult to stop according to 24 percent
of goalies.
Datsyuk was also No. 3 when players were asked with whom they would
start a franchise. Red Wings' fan favorite Sidney Crosby was No. 1 in a
landslide.
The only other Red Wing to finish No. 1 in any category was defenseman
Nicklas Lidstrom. The Detroit captain was named the best role model by 23
percent of the players. He was also No. 3 among the toughest defenseman
to play against as well as smartest players.
Red Wings' forward Darren Helm was No. 5 among the best skaters while
Jimmy Howard was called the sixth most difficult goaltender to score on.
The Red Wings' Mike Babcock was No. 3 among coaches players would
most like to play for as well as coaches who are the most demanding.
Joe Louis Arena was No. 3 among favorite rinks to play in and No. 2 when it
came to the best ice.
Among teams players would most like to play for, the Red Wings were No.
2 behind the Chicago Blackhawks.
And when asked about banning fighting, 98 percent of the players said no.
614095
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings waive Ty Conklin, keep Joey MacDonald
the thing with a backup goalie, you’ve got to be ready at all times and
whatever it is, if it’s next week or whenever my next start is I’ve just got to
be ready and just perform the same way as I have been over the last
couple of weeks.”
The Wings have three sets of back-to-back games remaining this year.
By Chuck Pleiness
DETROIT – If you’re not an NHL superstar, it’s a ‘what have you done for
me lately’ kind of world for most players.
“I’m going to do what we always do, we’re going to try and win the games,”
Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “Whoever’s in a better situation to help us
win games that’s what we’re going to do. That’s what we’ve been doing
since Joey got here so that’s no different.”
Ins and outs
That point was proven Monday afternoon when the Wings placed Ty
Conklin on waivers and kept Joey MacDonald to backup Jimmy Howard.
Danny Cleary is expected to play after missing the last five games after
having fluid from his knee drained twice and a getting a cortisone shot.
“Obviously, Joey has been a great story for us,” Wings general manager
Ken Holland said. “I still think Ty has some good hockey in him and still has
some good games left in him. He hasn’t played a lot and hasn’t had a really
good chance to get it going. It opened a crack and Joey MacDonald
grabbed it.”
“It’s not going to be pain-free, probably won’t be for the rest of the season,”
Cleary said. “I don’t know if it’s going to be 100 per cent. It’s going to need
some more time than 10 days to rest it. It feels as good as it’s felt in 2 1/2
months. It’s time to get going.”
Howard, who has been out since fracturing his right index finger on Feb. 2,
will start Tuesday night in Chicago.
MacDonald, 32, has been an incredible story since being recalled from
Grand Rapids and relieving Conklin after one period in Edmonton on Feb.
4. He’s gone 6-1-1 with a 1.66 goals-against average and a .934 save
percentage.
“It feels great getting an opportunity to stay,” said MacDonald, who signed a
two-year deal this offseason to remain with the organization. “Last year I
spent most of the year here and you don’t want to leave. I started the
season down there and was kind of disappointed after training camp a little
bit. You’ve just got to go down, work hard and be patient and wait for your
opportunity.”
If Conklin isn’t claimed by noon Tuesday the Wings will send him to Grand
Rapids.
“I think Ty Conklin needs to play,” Holland said. “He hasn’t really got it
going. His starts have been sporadic and I think his play has probably been
sporadic. He’s played some good games and played some games not so
good.
“We’re running a risk he’ll get claimed on waivers,” Holland added. “We’re
prepared to take that risk. Jimmy Howard’s finger, we believe he’s ready to
roll, but we don’t know until he gets at it.”
Conklin had his chance to solidify himself as the backup in Edmonton but
gave up three goals on nine shots and never saw the ice again.
“He’s been sitting there watching what’s gone on the last two weeks,”
Holland said. “With the injury to Jimmy Howard it was probably a chance for
him to go on a run. The first game he gets in there and gives up three goals
on nine shots. Mike Babcock made the change. Joey shut the door in
Edmonton, they scored in the very last minute and we lost in a shootout. He
lost 2-1 in Phoenix and since he’s really taken the ball and run. That’s what
pro sports are all about.”
Detroit signed Conklin, 35, this offseason to a one-year deal worth
$750,000 hoping he could recapture the magic between the pipes he had
when he went 25-11-2 in the 2008-09 season as Chris Osgood’s backup.
That wasn’t the case as he went 3-5-0 with a 3.40 GAA and a .878 save
percentage.
“We felt going into this year, what Ty Conklin did for us three years ago, win
25 wins, and what Joey MacDonald has done, between the two of them
they’ve done a great job with the backup position for us,” Holland added.
“Now most of the body of work has been done by Joey MacDonald, but
from an organizational standpoint, coaching standpoint we really don’t care
who does the work as long as the work is getting done.”
With Howard back, MacDonald will be back on the bench backing up for the
time being.
“It’s tough when you’re sitting on the bench for a while and you get thrown
in, but that’s kind of the backup role for a goaltender,” MacDonald said.
“You’ve got to be ready at all times and it’s a lot easier once you know
you’re going to be playing night after night to get into a rhythm.
“Last year Howie was doing awesome and I just kind of waited and waited
and waited and got a start every now and then,” MacDonald added. “That’s
Earlier this year Cleary missed six weeks with broken ribs.
Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg both missed practice but are expected
to play against Chicago.
Jimmy Howard will use a modified stick to help relieve stress on his broken
finger.
“We’ve continued to tinker with it,” Howard said. “It’s with everything (glove
and notched stick), we’re just trying to find ways to make it more
comfortable with holding onto the stick and trying to be as realistic as
possible out there with it.”
Macomb Daily LOADED: 02.21.2012
614096
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings win record 23rd straight at home
By Chuck Pleiness
DETROIT — During many of the Red Wings’ 22 straight wins on home ice,
it was the third forward line coach Mike Babcock praises.
That again was the case Sunday afternoon.
Drew Miller and Darren Helm each scored to help lead the Wings to a 3-2
win over the San Jose Sharks at Joe Louis Arena, their 23rd consecutive
win on home ice this season, which adds to the NHL record they set on
Tuesday.
“They were good obviously,” said Babcock, whose team has outscored
opponents 89-34 in this home win streak. “They were good killing penalties
and they give us momentum every time they’re on the ice. They play fast
and hard.”
Henrik Zetterberg also scored for Detroit and Joey MacDonald made 31
saves.
Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau scored for the Sharks and Antti Niemi
stopped 25 shots.
“Sometimes in these games, because it’s so tight checking, your skill
people, who want to make plays every time down the ice, have a harder
time than the people that go straight ahead,” Babcock said. “Guys that went
straight ahead had success early and the other guys got with it and did the
same thing.”
The Sharks, who have eliminated Detroit from the playoffs each of the past
two seasons, had won the last five regular season meetings between the
teams.
Miller also had had an assist and Justin Abdelkader completed the line’s
Gordie Howe Hat Trick — a goal, assist and fight — squaring off with
Ryane Clowe with five minutes left in the third period.
“We work hard out there,” said Miller, who has a career-high 12 goals this
season. “That’s how we’re brought up here. You have to earn your ice time.
Now we’re getting a little more and getting a little more of a role on the team
and getting more of an opportunity to play. The puck’s going in for us. Good
for us and good for the team. You’ve got to have that secondary scoring
from your third and fourth lines.”
MacDonald, who was making his seventh straight start for an injured Jimmy
Howard, made 18 of his saves in the second period. He has won six games
in a row and has allowed just 10 goals in that stretch.
“Mac has done a real good job for us,” Babcock said. “Howie’s playing in
Chicago. If things weren’t going good, Howie would have been in two or
three games earlier. We gave him more time to get better. It’s worked out
real well.”
The Wings have a decision to make Monday on their goalie situation. They
could either send MacDonald back to Grand Rapids or waive Ty Conklin,
who was pulled after one period in Edmonton on Feb. 4 and hasn’t played
since.
“As a backup goalie, that’s your job, you’ve got to be ready at all times,”
MacDonald said. “If it’s three or four games, whatever it is, I think I’ve
proved I can play here. To start this many games in a row is huge for me.
What happens down the road, nobody knows. I think I gave a pretty good
effort. When you do that you leave it all on the ice and things take care of
themselves.”
Conklin, who’s 3-5-0 with a 3.50 goals-against average and a .878 save
percentage, would have to clear waivers if he is the one going to Grand
Rapids.
“It’s great to be the guy to get thrown in there every single night, to take
some of the pressure off Howie for a little bit,” MacDonald said. “Howie’s
been playing a lot. He had quite a streak going. He’ll be back here the next
game and just got to keep building on it and be ready for my next start.”
Zetterberg opened the scoring early in the first period after taking a pass
down low from Jonathan Ericsson. Zetterberg wheeled his way along the
boards and then out past the faceoff dot before letting a backhand go that
Niemi never saw. Jiri Hudler provided a screen down low.
Zetterberg now has four goals and seven assists over his last eight games.
“He’s playing good for us,” Babcock said. “He always gets better as the
year goes on. His best hockey is usually in the playoffs. We need him to be
an elite player if we’re going to be successful. He’s always good without the
puck, but it’s nice when he gets it going with the puck.”
The Wings went up 2-0 just past the midway point of the game and just
after killing off a penalty. MacDonald’s right pad save got out to Abdelkader
and it led to a 3-on-2 just as Johan Franzen got out of the penalty box.
Abdelkader took the initial shot and Miller was there to bury the rebound off
Niemi’s left pad.
San Jose got on the board with a strange power play goal four minutes
later.
Couture swiped at the puck with a high stick and bounced it off the top of
the net. As Abdelkader went behind MacDonald his stick clipped the puck
and it ended up in the Wings’ goal.
Helm built the Wings’ lead back to two goals starting the play at center ice
by taking the puck away from the Sharks and feeding a pass to Miller, who
got into San Jose’s zone and gave it right back to the speedy winger. Helm
rifled a slap shot over Niemi’s blocker.
“It’s important for everyone to contribute at different times,” Helm said. “You
can’t expect one or two guys or one or two lines to do it every night. We get
goals from guys when we need it most, it seems like.”
Macomb Daily LOADED: 02.21.2012
614097
Edmonton Oilers
Oilers goalie Khabibulin out seven to ten days
Veteran’s groin injury provides Dubnyk opportunity to shine
By Joanne Ireland
EDMONTON - By the time Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin
gets the go-ahead from the medical staff to return to the net, all the trade
talk should be exhausted, which would quite all right by him.
The veteran will be out seven to days with a groin injury, which will see him
return no sooner than the day before the National Hockey League’s Feb. 27
trade deadline.
“The results aren’t there this year again, but I think we’re on the right track.
And I really do like it here,” he said on Monday. “You do want to play games
that mean something and it would be nice to be in the playoffs but … I want
to see this team succeed.
“When that happens, I want to be a part of it.”
General manager Steve Tambellini said last week he expected to field
some calls from playoff-bound teams but didn’t want to move Khabibulin,
who still has one year remaining on his contract.
Now Khabibulin is out after tweaking his groin in the first period of Sunday’s
5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
Yann Danis, recalled from the Oklahoma City Barons, will meet the team in
Calgary and will back up Devan Dubnyk against the Flames. It will be up to
Dubnyk to make sure that Danis doesn’t have a chance to step in and show
off the game he’s been polishing in the American Hockey League.
The 30-year-old leads the AHL with 1.98 goals-against average and has a
record of 21-10-1 in 33 games with the Barons.
He has played 49 NHL games, starting with the Montreal Canadiens in
2005-06 and ending with a 20-minute relief appearance for the New Jersey
Devils on March 28, 2010 against the Philadelphia Flyers. In the off-season,
Danis signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Oilers and took over
from where Martin Gerber and Jeff Deslauriers left off.
Olivier Roy will move up from the Stockton Thunder while Danis is with the
Oilers.
“I’m going to play as if Khabby is back there. I’m going to continue to earn
starts,” said Dubnyk. “The only thing that’s important is to play some good
games for these guys.”
Dubnyk has played 29 games this season, six fewer than he played through
during the 2010-11 campaign. He’ll have at least four games to try to show
he’s ready to start taking on more starts.
He played a career-high stretch of six games last month, only to play
spectator for the next three.
“You do get in a rhythm,” he said. “Mistakes are going to happen, but it is a
little easier when you’re playing a lot. You can let it roll off a little easier
rather than thinking, ‘Ah, this is my one game in two weeks and then I go
and do that.’ ”
Khabibulin told Dubnyk during the first TV timeout in Sunday’s opening
period that he had a groin issue but he still doesn’t know what set it off.
He does, however, expect to be back sooner rather than later.
“It doesn’t feel too bad,” said Khabibulin. “I’ve had groin injuries in the past
and this one doesn’t feel as bad. I can’t really remember anything sticking
out that might have caused it. Just showed up. I probably could have
finished the game, but a decision was made not to push it.
“I don’t anticipate missing too much time.”
OIL DROPS: Centre Sam Gagner, who left Sunday’s game for a brief
stretch in the opening period after being whacked on the wrist by
Vancouver defenceman Kevin Bieksa, did not skate on Monday but is
expected to return to the lineup against the Flames … Ryan Nugent-
Hopkins practised with the team in Edmonton and travelled to Calgary, an
indication he’s close to returning from his shoulder injury.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 02.21.2012
614098
Edmonton Oilers
Renney not yet ready to return to Oilers bench
Head coach advised to take a few more days rest before rejoining team for
games
By Joanne Ireland, edmontonjournal.com February 20, 2012
EDMONTON - Tom Renney’s return to the Edmonton Oilers bench has
been postponed for a few more days. The head coach has been advised to
take a few more games off, but he will start easing his way back from the
post-concussion symptoms that have been plaguing him since Feb. 6.
Accordingly, he watched a period of Sunday’s game against the Vancouver
Canucks with general manager Steve Tambellini and on Monday, he did
take in a portion of practice.
Renney wasn’t on the ice, but he was on the bench.
“Tom sat with me for close to a period just to get that intensity, that feeling
again,” Tambellini said.
“It will be almost impossible for him to take a complete break. He has come
in the odd morning, but we are just trying to take him away from the day-today intensity of coaching.
“The best thing for him is to take some time. I know this is very hard on him
— to not be at the helm so to speak — but it’s the right thing.“
Associate coach Ralph Krueger will continue to oversee the team in
Renney’s absence. He stepped in for Renney in Toronto, hours after the
head coach was hit in the head with a puck during practice. He then ran the
bench for the game against the Colorado Avalanche as well as the Canucks
and he will do so again Tuesday when the Oilers face off against the
Calgary Flames in the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Krueger is still looking for his first win.
“Tom could be involved in some capacity (for Thursday’s game against the
Philadelphia Flyers), but I think it’s best for him at this point just to get more
comfortable with the intensity of coaching again,” Tambellini continued. “It’s
been recommended that we don’t rush him at this point.”
When he was hit, Renney required 12 stitches to close the cut and he was
examined for a concussion. He did not coach that night and stayed away
from the team the following day, returning for the Feb. 8 game against the
Detroit Red Wings. He admitted then he was still having symptoms.
It was decided last Friday, to keep him away for the weekend to see if it
would speed up his recovery.
“You could see he was having a tough time sometimes,” said goaltender
Devan Dubnyk. “He was trying not to let us see, he’s that kind of guy … but
there’s only so much you can do to hide it.”
“He’s making some progress,” said Tambellini, “but I know it’s driving him
crazy not to be a part of the day to day preparation.”
614099
Edmonton Oilers
On second thought…about Kyle Brodziak
Jim Matheson
OK, NHL teams all have deals they’d like back, trades they’ve made in a
weak moment or with not enough due diligence where a few years down
the road, they’re going “what was I thinking? Give your head a shake?”
With Kyle Brodziak’s new three-year deal in Minnesota ($2.5 mil, $3 mil, $3
mil) before he was to hit the open market as an unrestricted free-agency
July 1, I keep wondering what possessed the Oilers to say adios to
Brodziak, dealing him to Minnesota for a fourth and fifth-round draft pick at
the 2009 draft?
That was Chuck Fletcher’s first trade as Wild GM, in case you’re wondering.
The Oilers went and drafted another Kyle, defenceman Bigos, who was
playing junior A in Vernon and now is a junior at Merrimack College
(defensive, tough, 6’5″, 230-pounds and a small but acrobatic Quebec
League goalie Olivier Roy, who is in his first pro season (2.44 avg, 32
games, .927 save percentage) playing in Stockton, in the ECHL. The jury’s
out on both of those youngsters–they haven’t signed Bigos yet. Roy, in
today’s game, is undersized for a goalie where the average NHL height is
about 6’2″.
But, the real story is Brodziak. I know the Oilers thought Brodziak wasn’t
tough enough at 6’2″ 209 pounds, not as a checking centre. They wanted
more sandpaper in his game. True, he doesn’t show up at pucks in obvious
ill-humour, but he has evolved into a well-rounded two-way centre who can
play lots of minutes. He’s playing 18:40 a night for the Wild. He wins 51.1
percent of his face-offs and he’s taken two shy of 1,000 so he’s out there a
lot. He’s an excellent penalty-killer and he can slide up and down the gamenight roster. He’s got 15 goals, only four fewer than Dany Heatley and one
more than Devin Setoguchi.
Don’t get me wrong. Brodziak isn’t all-world. He’s only got 29 points, but if
the Oilers still had Brodziak, would they have gone out last summer to sign
free-agent centre Eric Belanger for three years? I think not, not if Brodziak
can win 51 percent of his draws. He’s 45th amongst centres on draws in the
league, certainly adequate.
Maybe Bigos is a player. Maybe Roy makes it to the NHL. That’s down the
road stuff.
But for now, I think Brodziak, only 27, would be just fine on the Oilers. Don’t
you?
614100
Edmonton Oilers
RNH feels close to ready
By Derek Van Diest ,Edmonton Sun
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was wearing the red sweater of impunity at practice
Monday, which gave the impression the Oilers rookie sensation was still off
limits.
In fact, Nugent-Hopkins has been cleared for contact and accompanied the
team to Calgary for tonight's encounter against the Flames.
"I was cleared for contact, but we didn't have a lot of contact drills
(Monday)," said Nugent-Hopkins, who's been out for two weeks with a
shoulder injury.
"But I feel good, I feel close and I think the training staff feels the same way.
"I'm not too sure if I'll be able to play (Tuesday), though."
The Oilers are handling the kid with, well, kid gloves.
Nugent-Hopkins originally hurt his shoulder in early January, falling into the
boards in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
He missed 13 games, then returned just over a month later, only to injure
the same shoulder two games into his comeback.
If he's unable to suit up against the Flames, Nugent-Hopkins could be back
to face either the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday or Phoenix Coyotes
Saturday at Rexall Place.
"It's tough to tell how the shoulder will hold up without having done some
real battles," Nugent-Hopkins said.
"Over the next couple of days we'll be able to determine when I'll be good to
go."
Prior to his first shoulder injury, Nugent-Hopkins was the runaway leader in
the league rookie scoring race. He has since been passed by New Jersey's
Adam Henrique.
When he does return, the toughest thing for Nugent-Hopkins might be trying
to get over the fact he's injured the same shoulder twice in his first NHL
season.
"It's definitely something that will be in my mind the first few shifts when I
get out there," he said.
"When I first came back against Detroit, the first few shifts might have been
like that, but it was also about getting into the game and getting my legs
going.
"After that, I felt like I hadn't missed any time at all."
Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 02.21.2012
614101
Edmonton Oilers
Khabibulin out a week with pull
It was a tweak that Nikolai Khabibulin and the Edmonton Oilers did not want
to become a tear.
So despite the fact the Oilers goaltender turned aside 15 of the 17 firstperiod shots he faced Sunday against the Vancouver Canucks, Khabibulin
made way for Devan Dubnyk in the second.
“It’s not too bad, I felt it early in the game, about two or three minutes in,”
Khabibulin said. “I kept playing and in the intermission, I went to the trainers
and told them, and they decided to pull me out.
“At first it was tight, but then the pain started to get a little sharper. I
probably could have finished the game, but I think, along with the trainers, it
would have been better off not to push it at that point.”
Khabibulin is expected to be out for a week-to-10 days with the injury. The
Oilers have called up Yann Danis from their AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City
to take his place.
“For goalies, groins are delicate, but it doesn’t feel too bad,” Khabibulin
said. “I’ve had groin injuries in the past, but this one doesn’t feel too bad. I
can’t really remember a particular play that caused it. It just kind of showed
up. I’ll take a few days off the ice and hopefully I won’t miss too much time.”
The Oilers would be well served to be particularly cautious with Khabibulin,
who has been the talk of trade speculation leading up to the Feb. 27
deadline.
Khabibulin has one year left on his contact after this season, but could be
an asset for a team needing goaltending insurance heading into the postseason.
For the Oilers, the post-season is a ship that has long since sailed.
“It’s always whatever happens, happens, but I like it here and even though
the results are not there again this year, I think we’re on the right track,”
Khabibulin said. “I think this team could be very good in the years to come
and I want to be part of it.”
Khabibulin has not seen playoff hockey since signing a four-year, freeagent deal with the Oilers back in 2009.
After a pair of sub-par years with the club, Khabibulin has resurged this
season and would be an attractive addition to a playoff-bound club.
Heading to a cup contender wouldn’t be a bad thing for Khabibulin either.
“For any athlete you want to play games that mean something,” he said. “It
would be nice to be in the playoffs, but having said that, I like this team, I
want to see this team succeed and when it happens, I want to be a part of
it.”
In Khabibulin’s absence, Dubnyk is expected to get the bulk of the work as
the Oilers return to host the Philadelphia Flyers and Phoenix Coyotes after
their encounter with the Calgary Flames Tuesday.
“It’s always unfortunate when there’s an injury,” Dubnyk said. “But, it’s an
opportunity to play some games in a row and try to get us going on a bit of
a roll. It’s exciting for me.”
Dubnyk gave up three goals on 14 shots in relief of Khabibulin in Sunday’s
5-2 loss to the Canucks.
“He told me at the first TV timeout that it was bugging him at bit,” Dubnyk
said. “I figured at that point he was going to finish the first period. I think if it
was really bugging him, he would have left the net. So I just started
preparing to go, right after the first I geared down and got on the bike to get
the legs going a little bit.”
614102
Edmonton Oilers
Oilers’ Renney still recovering
Watching the Edmonton Oilers play of late has not been good for anyone’s
health, but it’s been particularly hard on head coach Tom Renney.
Despite taking in a portion of practice from the bench Monday, Renney will
not be behind the bench Tuesday in Calgary when the Oilers take on the
Flames.
Renney is still suffering the aftereffects of being hit with a puck two weeks
ago in Toronto.
“Tom sat with me for close to a period during (Sunday) night’s game, just to
get that intensity feeling again,” said Oilers general manager Steve
Tambellini. “Doctors have recommended that he’ll most likely miss the next
couple of games. He could be involved with us in some capacity when we
come home. But I think it’s best for him at this point just to get more
comfortable with the intensity of coaching again.”
Renney has missed three games due to the incident, which occurred during
the morning skate in Toronto on Feb. 6.
The Oilers head coach was struck in the back of the head by a puck and
needed 12 stitches to close the gash.
He missed the game that night against the Maple Leafs, but did return two
nights later in Detroit and was again behind the bench in Ottawa against the
Senators.
However, Renney still did not feel right upon the team’s return from the
three-game road trip and stepped aside after Wednesday’s rematch with
the Maple Leafs at Rexall Place.
“It’s been recommended that we not rush him,” Tambellini said. “He’s
making some steps and I know it’s driving him crazy not to be part of the
day-to-day preparation and being on the bench. But I think the best thing for
him is to just take some time.
“This is hard on him, not being at the helm. But it’s the right thing and he
knows it’s the right thing to take a little more time off.”
Associate coach Ralph Krueger has taken over the head coaching duties in
Renney’s absence. Last year, Krueger took over when Renney missed a
pair of games attending his father’s funeral.
“It was a significant hit in the head,” Tambellini said. “If Tom could be here,
he would be here.”
Renney is not completely out of the picture, still involved in the process of
running the team. According to Krueger, Renney communicates with him on
a daily basis.
“I think it would be almost impossible for Tom to take a complete break,”
said Tambellini. “He’s come in the morning the odd time and voiced his
opinions and things like that. But we’re trying to take him away from the
day-to-day intensity of what NHL coaching is really like. That’s what he
needs, is a little bit of rest.”
Renney has been with the Oilers for the past three seasons, acting as an
associate to Pat Quinn before taking over the reins last year.
Despite Renney’s best efforts to battle through the injury, it became evident
he needed to take a step back.
“There were times when you noticed and you could tell — there is only so
much you can do to hide it — that he wasn’t feeling well,” said Oilers
goaltender Devan Dubnyk. “It’s too bad, it’s an unfortunate instance. He’s
our leader and we know that he would be here if he could.”
614103
Florida Panthers
suffered some sort of head injury. Florida could call up someone from its
AHL club in San Antonio on Tuesday.
From uniform to suit: Former Florida Panther Bryan McCabe tries scouting
• Defenseman Jason Garrison said Monday that he expects to return to the
ice on Tuesday. Garrison has been out since suffering an undisclosed lower
body injury on Feb. 11 against New Jersey.
By George Richards
Miami Herald LOADED: 02.21.2012
Bryan McCabe walked into the press box at the BankAtlantic Center much
like Joe Nieuwendyk did a few years back.
Freshly retired after playing more than 16 seasons in the NHL, McCabe
didn’t quite know where to go nor where he should be. The former Panthers
captain looked at the directory of assigned seats and boxes in the press
box before noticing a familiar face.
“I’m doing some scouting,’’ McCabe said, nattily dressed in a designer suit
while carrying a briefcase that hung uncomfortably from his right hand.
McCabe, like Nieuwendyk and many other former NHL players before him,
is trying on the front-office side of hockey for size. When Nieuwendyk
retired from the Panthers in 2006 because of back issues, he took some
time off before accepting Jacques Martin’s offer to work as a special
consultant to the Panthers. Nieuwendyk obviously took to it and, after
spending time with Florida and the Maple Leafs, was named general
manager of the Dallas Stars in 2009.
It’s definitely not a job for everyone.
“It has to be the right person. Just being an ex-player doesn’t mean you can
do this,’’ Panthers alternate governor and founder Bill Torrey said. “You
have to ask if someone has a willingness to go and sit in cold rinks and
watch a kid. Bryan is here, and he and Dale have good conversations. ...
Bryan is bright, smart, current and respected. We didn’t just bring him in
because he’s an ex-player. There’s just so much more to it than that.’’
It’s too early to see if McCabe will find the new gig to his liking, but with the
NHL trade deadline forthcoming, the Panthers appreciate his input. McCabe
started last season with the Panthers before being traded to the Rangers
before the deadline hit, so he knows a little about all but a very few players
in the league.
“I’m pretty fresh when it comes to this, so when it comes to players out on
the ice, I’m relevant,’’ McCabe said. “I hope to help out when it’s come to
that.’’
Panthers general manager Dale Tallon traded McCabe last year after the
Panthers’ season fell apart. Tallon has tremendous respect for McCabe and
is giving him a chance to see if he likes working on the personnel side.
McCabe has attended the past few Panthers home games and has spoken
to Tallon regarding different players the Panthers have interest in. The trade
deadline is Monday at 3 p.m., and Florida is looking to add pieces for a
postseason run.
“I’ve been in hockey my whole life, so it’s obviously something I would like
to stay around if possible,’’ said McCabe, who spent three seasons with the
Panthers after coming to South Florida, like Nieuwendyk, from Toronto.
“I’ve been fortunate to spend some time with Dale over the past few
months, and I hope that’s got my foot in the door.’’
McCabe is the latest former Florida player to join the organization over the
past few years. Brian Skrudland, the Panthers first captain in 1993, is the
team’s director of player development and works with the team’s prospects.
Cory Stillman, who like McCabe was traded from Florida at last year’s
deadline before retiring, was named the team’s assistant director of player
development over the summer.
Tallon likes working with people with whom he has had a previous
relationship, but also with people he respects and gets along with. McCabe,
who seems comfortable being back around his former teammates in
Florida, fits that bill.
“It’s important to embrace your past and utilize their knowledge and
contemporary attitude to move forward and get where we want to be,’’
Tallon said. “These guys know the players, know the systems.”
• Dineen reiterated that winger Matt Bradley is expected to miss some time
after crashing into a stanchion while trying to check Anaheim’s George
Parros near the Panthers bench on Sunday. Bradley is thought to have
614104
Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers offensive woes stem from ailing defensemen
Banged-up defenders has also hurt an offense that has managed just three
goals in three straight losses
Matsumoto leads the Rampage in scoring with 49 points in 55 games.
Repik has five goals and an assist on San Antonio's seven-game road trip.
He had five points in 16 games with Florida. …
Forward Tomas Kopecky didn't golf on Monday in order to rest his sore
back.
Versteeg fined; Bergenheim next?
By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel
Panthers winger Kris Versteeg was fined $2,500 by the NHL for his crosscheck on Jeff Halpern in Friday's 2-1 loss to Washington. Versteeg wasn't
penalized.
PARKLAND
Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau felt that Panthers' Sean Bergenheim
delivered a blindside hit to Niklas Hagman on Sunday and should face
discipline.
As the slumping Panthers prepared to smack some shots around the
Parkland Golf and Country Club at Monday's annual fundraiser, hobbled
defensemen Jason Garrison and Dmitry Kulikov were wearing sandals
instead of cleats.
That sums up part of the reason for the Panthers' offensive woes that has
seen them score three goals during a dismal three-loss homestand.
Just like the NBA and NFL, a hockey team's offense often stems from its
defense. And for much of the first half of the season, the Panthers blueliners were among the top three scoring back-end core in the NHL.
But with three of the Panthers' six defensemen ailing, the offense has
sputtered.
"They're not available,'' Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said. "They could
come out here, they can putt and chip, but they're not at the blue line
blasting shots from the point.
"You've got to adjust a little bit according to your personnel. We're confident
in the way we've scored and can score this year. We've got to get back to
that.''
Despite missing the last four games with a swollen ankle, Garrison still
leads all defensemen with 13 goals to go with his career-high 23 points.
Kulikov, out since undergoing knee surgery in late January, had already tied
his career high in assists with 20.
While Ed Jovanovski – who has been out the past 14 games with a busted
hand - has been missed more for his body-clearing prowess in the crease
area, his 57 career power-play goals still command attention from opposing
defenders.
So Dineen is forced to go with two AHL call-ups in Tyson Strachan and
Nolan Yonkman, as well as try rookie Erik Gudbranson at the point of a
struggling power play that has gone just 3-for-25 in the past eight games.
"You want to just start in your end and make sure you do everything right,''
said Garrison, who will skate Tuesday to test the ankle. "When the offense
comes you try to take advantage of it. The [reinforcements aren't] used to
some of the players and their habits or where to find guys.''
Defenseman Mike Weaver has picked up the slack with a career-high 14
assists, including four in the past eight games. Much of the offensive load
falls to defenseman Brian Campbell, who's second among NHL
defensemen with 40 points (37 assists) while leading all skaters in total time
on ice.
"You can't be a one-trick pony, get offense from one source; it can't be one
style,'' Dineen said. "You have to have a little diversity to your game.
There's numbers of ways we're exploring [in practice].''
Bradley sustains concussion
Panthers forward Matt Bradley sustained a concussion in the second period
of Sunday's 2-0 loss to the Ducks when he missed a check on George
Parros and slammed into the glass partition so hard it had to be repaired.
"It doesn't look like a short-term injury,'' Dineen said.
The Panthers will call up a forward from their AHL affiliate in San Antonio
for Tuesday's practice.
Dineen said they were deciding between forward Michal Repik, former
Lightning center James Wright or center Jon Matsumoto, who came over
from Carolina in a recent trade for a disenchanted Evgenii Dadonov.
Hagman missed several shifts before sealing the victory with an empty-net
goal, while Bergenheim wasn't penalized.
"Boudreau always has a good whine to him,'' Dineen said.
Sun Sentinel LOADED: 02.21.2012
614105
Florida Panthers
Getting key defensemen Jason Garrison, Ed Jovanovski and Dmitry Kulikov
back from injury should solve some of the Panthers' recent problems, Tallon
points out.
With trade deadline approaching, Florida Panthers must decide how much
of a push to make
Still, that might not happen soon enough. More action could be necessary
to get Weiss to his first postseason.
Star Stephen Weiss would like some help, but at what cost?
How important is it for this team to finish the job after doing so much to
restore a skeptical fan base?
Mike Berardino
"I'm not going to live and die on a daily basis on whether we're going to
make the playoffs or not," Tallon said. "It's about whether we're getting
better and our franchise is getting stronger."
PARKLAND – Stephen Weiss isn't the type to bang his fist on the table and
demand action.
In other words, when it comes to the trade deadline, don't get your hopes
up.
The longest-serving – suffering? – Panther is way too polite for that.
Sun Sentinel LOADED: 02.21.2012
Especially when it comes to offering unsolicited advice to his bosses.
However, the Panthers' top-line center and alternate captain doesn't shy
away when talk turns to the Feb. 27 NHL trade deadline.
What would Weiss say if Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon asked him
whether this injury-wracked, first-place team could use some
reinforcements for the final playoff push?
"If he asked me?" Weiss said Monday at the team's charity golf outing. "I
think every team would say, 'Yeah, sure.' We'd love to add anyone at any
position that could help us out, for sure. We're in position this year where
we're not selling, and it would be nice to get some guys to help out."
Too many times over the past decade, this time of year for Weiss has
meant watching the Panthers' roster get auctioned off for parts.
He's only 28, but the fourth overall pick in the 2001 draft has been through
enough rebuilding projects to feel like Bob Vila on ice skates.
So while Weiss admits it would "be great" to pick up a veteran piece or two,
he cautions against cutting into the current Panthers' core to achieve that
aim.
"It would be nice to keep everyone here and not having to wholesale guys
out or trade your buddies," he said. "If we can add a piece here or there
without breaking up the group we have, without destroying the chemistry,
that would be the best-case scenario."
Just last February, Tallon churned through the room at the deadline,
clearing dead weight and setting up a summer shopping spree.
This time Tallon must decide which future assets to shed, if any, in order to
give this team its best chance to end that NHL-record playoff drought at 10
seasons.
However, Tallon won't be tempted to take any shortcuts, not even after
watching his slumping creation drop three straight home games, scoring
three goals in five days.
"We're not going to do anything that doesn't make sense for us, not only
now but for the long term," Tallon said. "We're going to be very patient."
All that young talent Tallon has quickly stockpiled in the league's best farm
system? Much of it is untouchable, starting with forward Jonathan
Huberdeau and goalie Jacob Markstrom.
Drop down a peg or two in the prospect rankings – Quinton Howden?
Alexander Petrovic? -- and the Panthers still might have the type of pieces
to bring back a proven scorer.
"We have some assets," Weiss said, "that I'm sure we could use."
The Lightning just traded well-traveled center Dominic Moore to San Jose
for a second-rounder.
Columbus captain Rick Nash is on the block, but he has six years left on a
contract that would eat up close to $8 million annually. The Rangers might
overpay, but you get the feeling Tallon won't let himself be dragged down
that desperate road.
"Big picture," Tallon said. "That's the key."
Rental players? Tallon isn't too interested in them either, unless one of the
league's few confirmed sellers wants to give one away.
614106
Los Angeles Kings
Kings coach says he needs more from Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar
Darryl Sutter says Brown and Kopitar have become stale in terms of
production. Kopitar has three goals in his last 14 games, Brown one in the
same stretch.
By Lisa Dillman, Los Angeles Times
This time, the tough message wasn't aimed at struggling forward Dustin
Penner. Instead, Kings Coach Darryl Sutter directed it at his star players,
captain Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar, calling out the duo.
"These guys talk too much about the team," Sutter said Monday after
practice. "They should talk more about themselves. What they bring to the
table. If they were in any other environment, there'd be ..."
Sutter explained the rest of his thought.
"In terms of the responsibility that they have, in terms of their production,"
he said, "… Kopi and Brownie have been stale — from my standpoint — for
a little while, together."
Sutter has not been seeing much energy from Kopitar when he has the
puck. Kopitar has three goals in his last 14 games, and Brown has scored
once in that stretch.
"It's not that [Kopitar] is playing poorly," Sutter said. "If you didn't look at him
as a high-end offensive player, he's playing well enough in the three zones.
When he has the puck in the offensive zone, he's got to be a lot more
determined, purpose player.
"He does a really good job of getting there with it and helping everybody
else get there. But he has to do a better job when he has it there … up until
our trip, he was close to dominating in those areas. And then we went on
the trip and it started to slip in his game."
As for Brown, Sutter shouldered some of the responsibility, noting Brown
had scored once after moving to left wing about a month ago.
"He's a straight-line, up-and-down, go-to-the-net, shoot-the-puck, run-overpeople player," Sutter said. "So just break it down. If he's doing those four
or five things, he's effective. If he's not doing all those things, he's not
effective."
614107
Los Angeles Kings
Dean Lombardi's job with Kings could be on the line
General Manager Don Maloney and Coach Dave Tippett have done a
remarkable job keeping the Phoenix Coyotes competitive in the two-plus
years the club has been operated by the NHL, but their magic seemed to
have worn out this season.
The general manager faces a Monday deadline to try to acquire a scorer
who can help the struggling team. The only serious option may be
Columbus' Rick Nash.
They had no reserves to replace injured players and the team struggled
through the first half. Reinvigorated by the All-Star break, the Coyotes have
rebounded to assemble a 7-0-1 streak and climb from 12th to seventh in the
West.
By Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times
"We were just playing well enough to lose. Games were close but we
weren't getting that extra point," Maloney said. "Instead of leading the pack
we were chasing the pack. The last 2 1/2 weeks we've been able to at least
get back in the thick of the pack."
This could be the most important week of Dean Lombardi's six seasons as
general manager of the Kings.
If he acquires a high-impact scorer by the trade deadline of noon Pacific
time Monday, he can salvage a season that began with high expectations
but descended into a grim battle to score goals and make the playoffs.
Failure to reach the postseason could cost Lombardi his job and there
would be no reason to argue he should stay.
The only elite player available and able to deliver the necessary scoring jolt
is Columbus left wing Rick Nash, who reportedly listed the Kings among
teams he'd be willing to join in a trade. The Blue Jackets are asking a lot for
him. It's up to Lombardi to negotiate an acceptable price, and that's an iffy
proposition.
Columbus also offered center Jeff Carter but he's riskier because he's
signed through 2021-22 and has sulked since being traded from
Philadelphia to Columbus. So it looks like Nash or nothing significant
enough to make a difference.
The Kings have a bargaining chip in goaltender Jonathan Bernier, who's
NHL-ready but stuck behind Jonathan Quick. They can also trade
defenseman Jack Johnson but not skillful Slava Voynov too without
diminishing their defense corps. The New York Rangers, rumored to be the
front-runners for Nash, can spare young defensemen and forwards but not
a goalie, though that might not be a sticking point.
Ultimately it will be up to Nash. That doesn't bode well for the Kings, who
have repeatedly struck out with high-profile free agents.
Somehow, Lombardi has to get this right. Or get his resume ready.
Ducks' surge creates happy problem
Once 20 points out of a West playoff spot, the Ducks have cut their deficit to
five with a 15-3-4 turnaround since Jan. 1, including a current 6-0-3 points
streak. They've also moved from being sure sellers at the trade deadline to
straddling the fence.
General Manager Bob Murray, who said on Jan. 6 that he was prepared to
trade anyone except Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu, is initiating and
taking calls but it makes no sense for him dump assets if the Ducks are
close at the deadline.
"I know the players are making it a little more difficult for Bob to decide,"
Coach Bruce Boudreau said Monday. "It's a pretty long trek but we're still
pushing."
The reversal began when Jonas Hiller emerged from a funk to compile a
13-3-4 record and allow two goals or fewer in 17 of his last 20 appearances.
Their defense solidified and Corey Perry (29 goals), Ryan Getzlaf and
Bobby Ryan found the net again to support 41-year-old Selanne (20 goals,
53 points).
"And then the third and fourth line started chipping in where they weren't
earlier," Boudreau said. "It's a team effort but the No. 1 thing is the
goaltender has been incredible. … It's pretty special."
Their road remains tough because they must pass five teams. But they're
keeping it interesting with a 4-0-2 record on a trip that continues Tuesday at
Tampa and Thursday at Carolina.
"Whatever clicked in with them, they're playing good and hard now and they
believe," Boudreau said. "Whatever it is they believe they're capable of
doing it."
Coyotes healthy and howling
Maloney has room in his budget to make a trade or two only because he
scrimped by, sometimes carrying only one extra player.
"Any of the big names and sexier deals won't include the Coyotes but there
a couple of players we think we can fit in that would make us a little
stronger," he said.
Meanwhile, three groups reportedly remain interested in buying the
Coyotes. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the NHL is focused on
keeping the team in suburban Glendale "and to this point we have not
explored any alternatives that would involve a franchise relocation.
Obviously, at some point, we may have to begin going down that road, but
we haven't yet."
Maloney said the ownership saga isn't distracting him.
"I don't know if it's because we've become numb to it or we're used to being
an orphan of the state but it hasn't been as pressing to me," he said.
"Maybe it's because Winnipeg got the team and you don't have the
Canadian media making such an issue of it. … We just focus on the team
and trying to get to the playoffs and win in the playoffs because the better
we play the better chance we have of staying."
614108
Los Angeles Kings
Up next for the Kings: Tuesday at Phoenix
Dustin Brown returns to Kings practice after being sidelined for a day
because of flu.
By Lisa Dillman
6:45 PM PST, February 20, 2012
When: 6 PST.
Where: Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, Ariz.
On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 1150.
Records: Kings 27-21-11, Coyotes 29-21-9.
Record vs. Coyotes: 3-2.
Update: Kings captain Dustin Brown, who was sidelined Sunday because of
flu, was back at practice Monday. He said he had been feeling the
symptoms a couple of days before the Kings' last game against Phoenix on
Thursday. In that fight-filled game, Brown had a spirited scrap against
Coyotes captain Shane Doan. "We were talking to each other. It's like, 'Let's
get it done,'" Brown said Monday, joking that he didn't want Doan chasing
him all over the ice the rest of the game. Jarret Stoll (lower-body injury) is
expected to be activated off injured reserve for Tuesday's game. "It's totally
different when you get out there with practice," Stoll said. "Just battling with
your teammates a little bit and quick movements here and there. It was a
good couple of days of practice."
614109
Los Angeles Kings
Kings will try to avoid shutout record
Posted by Rich Hammond on 20 February 2012, 6:30 pm
The Kings will try to avoid history tomorrow. Never in franchise history have
the Kings suffered three consecutive regulation shutout losses. The Kings
have been shut out in three consecutive games, during the 1968-69
season, but two of those games were 0-0 ties. On Jan. 1, 1969, the Kings
and St. Louis Blues played to a 0-0 tie. Four nights later, the Kings and
Oakland Seals played to a 0-0 tie. On Jan. 7, the Kings lost 5-0 at St. Louis.
The Kings also lost the next three games. [credit to Nick Nickson for doing
the leg work on this stat.]
There have been plenty of back-to-back shutout losses, perhaps none more
grim than in 1975-76. The Kings lost their season opener to Montreal, 9-0,
then, three nights later, lost 7-0 to the New York Islanders. Oddly enough,
the Kings followed those games with a 10-2-0 run and finished that season
with 85 points in 80 games.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 02.21.2012
614110
Los Angeles Kings
Kings, Coyotes head for round 2?
Will tomorrow’s game be Round 2? The Dustup in the Desert? Acrimony in
Arizona? The Fracas near the Cactus? Probably not. The Kings are
Phoenix Coyotes are only four days removed from their meeting at Staples
Center, in which there were four fights and a handful of hits and that tiptoed the line of being questionable. The Coyotes picked up a huge 1-0
victory in that game, which will probably serve as more motivation for the
Kings than anything involving hits or fights. Darryl Sutter didn’t put much
stock in the suggestion that there might be some carryover, in terms of the
rough stuff, from the previous game.
SUTTER: “Other than the fighting, I don’t think it was (very physical). I don’t
think Mike Smith and Anze Kopitar is going to go down as one we’re going
to go to Vegas for. Heck, the way they talked about it afterward, it sounded
like they were buddies. I thought maybe there was something else going on
there. They were calling each other by their nicknames. That’s how physical
that was. [laughs] … That’s a real side story. The more important thing is,
we didn’t win the game. They scored a big goal and we didn’t.’’
614111
Los Angeles Kings
Nolan gets unlikely high-profile chance
If such a prop bet existed in Las Vegas, one could have made a lot of
money wagering that, on Feb. 20, Jordan Nolan would be Anze Kopitar’s
left winger. Nolan, a 2009 seventh-round draft pick, wasn’t even expected
to be in the NHL this season, at age 22, but after being called up last week,
Nolan played four games on the second line and now has been moved up
to play with Kopitar and Justin Williams. Part of the move is position-based.
Nolan had been playing right wing but is a natural left winger. Darryl Sutter
wanted to move Dustin Brown off the first line, and wanted to keep Mike
Richards and Dwight King together, so Nolan was the most-viable option to
move up.
SUTTER: “I think that’s totally interchangeable. We’re just trying to get
Kopitar to play. It’s got nothing to do with Jordan Nolan, or who that winger
is. That’s Jordan’s best position.’’
Nolan hasn’t been dynamic in his stint with the Kings thus far, but he’s
brought energy and hard work and has been mostly responsible away from
the puck. Also, Nolan is now going back to his preferred position. Nolan
said the move to the right side had been made in Manchester this season.
NOLAN: “I didn’t do too bad, so they kept me there. … I think (on left wing)
it’s a little easier for me to handle the pucks off the walls and break out of
our zone.’’
Nolan also talked about his unexpected rise this season, in the context of
having to work hard to prove himself after being a largely unheralded
prospect coming out of junior hockey.
NOLAN: “I wasn’t expected to get drafted, in my last year of junior. It was
definitely a surprise to get drafted in the seventh round, but also an honor to
get drafted. I had to work hard to get that contract. I had to work hard to get
to the American league and then I had to work hard to get called up here. It
feels good, to have your dream happen. It’s exciting, so I want to work as
hard as I can to stay here.’’
614112
Los Angeles Kings
Can Stoll put up more points at center?
Much attention, and rightfully so, has been paid to the need for improved
scoring from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. At a time in their career when
their offensive numbers should be rising, they are falling. That’s not to say
other players shouldn’t be under the microscope. Jarret Stoll scored 20
goals last season as a second-line center, and the thought, heading into
this season, was that a move to the third line would actually help Stoll, as
he would be matched up against less-strenuous opposition. It hasn’t worked
out. Stoll has five goals in 55 games this season. To be fair, he’s still
arguably the Kings’ top faceoff man, he’s a responsible defensive player
and he hasn’t exactly had a lot to work with this season, in terms of
linemates. Still, Stoll acknowledged today that he needs to be producing
more.
STOLL: “I try to do a lot of different things out there, and bring things to our
team in other areas. Obviously, in the last 23 games here, we all have to do
better, in creating opportunities and goals, assists, points, whatever. It’s
obviously not a great year, but I’m just trying to do things to help the team
win, and play my role and just try to play it consistently.’’
Will Stoll be playing center upon his return? Most recently, Stoll has been
filling a second-line right-wing role, but Stoll said today that he feels more
comfortable playing center. The Kings have Anze Kopitar and Mike
Richards on the first two lines, and Sutter has praised the overall play of the
third line, centered by Andrei Loktionov. It’s possible that Stoll will return as
a fourth-line center.
STOLL: “I like center. It’s my natural position, and where I feel more
comfortable, anyway. I’ve never played much wing, in a long, long time.
Some games were a struggle out there on the wing, but you’ve just got to
communicate with your linemates, talk with them and make sure you’re on
the same page. But yeah, center is where I like to be.’’
614113
Minnesota Wild
Going 2-for-2 is one rare event
If you were strangely giddy on Monday, dear sports fan, and you weren't
exactly sure why, we might have the answer: Winning feels good. More
specifically, if you follow the Wild and Wolves closely, you haven't had the
kind of feeling you had on Monday for more than 15 months.
Yes, you woke up Monday to the fact that both the local pro hockey and
basketball teams had earned victories on the same day. The Wild started it
with a shutout of Boston on Sunday afternoon, and Kevin Love's free
throws with 0.1 seconds left capped a perilous, infrequent daily double with
a one-point Wolves victory over the 76ers.
Before Sunday, the last time both teams won on the same day? Nov. 17,
2010, when the Wolves defeated the Clippers 113-111 and the Wild won 21 on overtime over Anaheim. Yeah, you ask, but how many times did they
actually play on the same date between those dual victories? The answer:
31.
You heard us. Thirty-one times. This is a good time to mention that we
didn't discriminate for shootout or overtime wins or losses. A win is a win. A
loss is a loss. Here are a few other facts about that one-year-plus span and
the seasons that preceded it:
• The breakdown of those 31 dates goes like this: On seven occasions, the
Wolves won but the Wild lost. On 11 occasions, the Wild won but the
Wolves lost. And on 13 occasions, both teams lost. So that's a combined
record of 18-44 (.290) for the two teams on those dates during that span. In
all other games in those 15 months, the two teams were a combined 65-96
(.404). Neither record is particularly good, but you can see that on those codates the teams have been especially bad.
• Nov. 17, 2010, was the only time last season both teams won on the same
date. In 2009-10, the teams played on the same date 32 times and both
won four times; in 2008-09, there were a whopping 41 shared dates -- and
six times when both of them earned victories. So going back to the start of
the 2008-09 season and counting Sunday, there have been 111 times when
both played on the same date, and 12 times when they both won. So on
average, one of every nine or so times you could count on both winning.
• The glory days? Well, that might have been back in 2002-03, the only year
in their shared history that both teams made the playoffs. The Wolves won
51 games and the Wild won 42 (back when there were ties). And of the final
24 times that season that they played on the same date, both teams won a
whopping nine times. Just as telling: Both teams lost on the same date only
twice in those 24 dates. Those, as they say, were the days. It could happen
again someday. Keep hope alive.
MICHAEL RAND
Star Tribune LOADED: 02.21.2012
614114
Minnesota Wild
Ending drought is relief, but Cullen wants more
Article by: MICHAEL RUSSO , Star Tribune
There are times lately you watch Matt Cullen and he looks like a man who
has the weight of the "State of Hockey" on his shoulders.
The veteran center has dried up offensively the past two months. That has
paralleled the Wild's downward slide in the standings.
"It's been a really tough stretch," said Cullen, who has scored four goals
and had nine assists in 28 games since Dec. 14. "You want to win really
bad, and you know you're supposed to provide some offense. It definitely
wears on you."
It's worn on Cullen so much that coach Mike Yeo thinks he has been
overcompensating and trying to do too much in games.
"If anyone who knows Matt Cullen ... he wants nothing more other than to
help this team win to the point where he almost hurts himself sometimes,"
Yeo said. "It's unfair that all the burden is on him to score all these goals.
"When we were winning a lot of games, I don't know how many goals he
had at that time, but he wasn't scoring a goal every time we won a game.
But what he was doing was going out and playing really well."
Cullen scored his first goal since Jan. 10 during Sunday's 2-0 victory over
the Boston Bruins. Maybe that'll relieve some of the pressure he has been
feeling.
"It's nice to get one," Cullen said. "It's important to keep going and continue
to try to do more."
Most important is that the Wild keeps racking up victories. One win over an
inconsistent Bruins team won't catapult the Wild back into the playoff
picture.
The team took Monday off and will practice the next two days before a
tough back-to-back stretch at Florida and Dallas. The Wild is 2-11-3 in its
past 16 road games with 17 goals scored.
"It's important that we don't sit here and pat ourselves on the back too
much," Cullen said. "We're happy and proud of the way we played, but we
have to continue to build here. We have an uphill climb ahead of us."
No fan of the Wild
Retired NHLer Scott Mellanby, an assistant with the St. Louis Blues, wasn't
happy with the Wild's extracurricular activities during its 4-0 loss at St. Louis
on Saturday.
In the game, Warren Peters crosschecked David Backes in the head to
draw a one-game suspension, and Cal Clutterbuck nailed Alex Pietrangelo
in the head. He avoided a suspension because the NHL felt he didn't
launch himself "up" into the player.
"I don't like the way they played," Mellanby told former NHLer Kelly Chase
on KMOX. "There's not a lot of courage in leaving your feet and hitting
guys. Some guys need to realize the amount of money they make is
because of the star players in the game and respect it a little.
"You've got fourth-line players crosschecking guys in the face, guys leaving
their feet to take out guys, it's not tough hockey."
Yeo said he wasn't happy with the Wild's "frustration level, but I also don't
want a team that just says, 'OK, go ahead, you guys can beat up on us.' So
we have to do it the right way, and the right way is not to be sitting in the
box the whole night. But at the same time, we should be a little bit angry
when things aren't going the right way."
Going the distance
Matt Kassian said he never had a longer fight than his 1 minute, 25 second
bout with Boston's Shawn Thornton.
"It just kept going and going," Kassian said. "He's in extremely good shape.
Not that I don't think I'm in good shape, but he, whoa, he just wanted that to
keep going and going.
"It gets tiring. That's when you take your five minutes in the box and breathe
deep."
A lot of coaches would not want one of his players obliging another fighter
two minutes into the third period with a 2-0 lead, but Yeo said, "That's his
job. We're a team that plays better when we have emotion. So I was OK
with it."
Etc.
• Niklas Backstrom's 48 saves were not only the most ever in a Wild
shutout, it was the most shots the Bruins, an Original Six franchise, have
ever taken in a shutout loss.
• Forward Jeff Taffe was sent back to Houston of the AHL on Monday.
Star Tribune LOADED: 02.21.2012
614115
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild send Jeff Taffe to Houston
By Bruce Brothers
[email protected]
Posted: 02/20/2012 12:01:00 AM CST
Updated: 02/20/2012 02:23:22 PM CST
The Minnesota Wild reassigned forward Jeff Taffe to the Houston Aeros of
the American Hockey League today, general manager Chuck Fletcher
announced.
Taffe has played five games for Minnesota this season, recording two
assists.
The 31-year-old from Hastings ranks third in points for the Aeros with 32
(10 goals) in 47 games.
The Wild, who defeated the Boston Bruins 2-0 Sunday at the Xcel Energy
Center, had a day off today before resuming practice for their next game,
which is against the Florida Panthers on Thursday night in Sunrise, Fla.
Pioneer Press LOADED: 02.21.2012
614116
Montreal Canadiens
The precepts of salary cap-ology dictate the also-rans will want to shed
their free-agent-to-be ballast by next Monday.
Habs caught in limbo between buy, sell
Montreal will almost certainly do that, but what if they were to sweep the
road trip?
SEAN GORDON
Their generous cap situation means the Habs could take on a sizable salary
or two if they suddenly were to become buyers.
It seems unfathomable, then again, markets are notoriously unpredictable.
Perhaps the situation is best described in economics-ese, by borrowing a
term like “seller’s dilemma.”
Whatever frame you choose, the Montreal Canadiens are in the full throes
of whatever “it” is.
In the countdown to the Feb. 27 NHL trade deadline, the Habs are six
points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and with three
games over the next six days – two of them against conference opponents,
including one with the faltering Washington Capitals – hope to narrow the
gap.
“We’re just so close,” forward Ryan White said, “and we know we can get
there.”
But whatever illusion of proximity remains concerning postseason hockey in
Montreal must be tempered by unforgiving statistical reality – the
mathematical models say the Habs have a one in 13 chance of racking up
enough points to get there.
They blew a chance last Sunday to draw within four points of eighth, and no
team since the 2004-05 lockout has made up a gap of six or more at this
stage in the season (although the St. Louis Blues did after being five out on
Feb. 20, 2009).
Hence the dilemma: Take your best shot now, or trade away some of the
players who would otherwise lead the charge in prime selling conditions.
That question is confronting at least a half-dozen or so NHL teams this
week.
And a half-dozen more, most of them tantalized by the availability of
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash, are wrestling with a corollary:
What price is too high for a piece that could nudge you over the finish line?
To mount an unlikely rally, the Habs probably need to win four out of every
five games the rest of the way (their current 5-2-1 string is a start). That
means their power play, which has roared to life and is 6-for-17 since Feb.
9, needs to keep cranking out goals.
But the odds remain vanishingly slim, and if they don’t cash in on pending
free agents who could have artificially-inflated value at the deadline –
defenceman Chris Campoli, forwards Andrei Kostitsyn, Travis Moen and
Mathieu Darche – they risk seeing them walk for nothing.
The cold-eyed business answer: Sell high, don’t look back.
The princely return general manager Pierre Gauthier got for veteran
defenceman Hal Gill – a second-round pick and two prospects from the
Nashville Predators – last week suggests the Habs are very much in “sell”
mode.
But hockey’s an emotional sport, and the players, to a man, remain
convinced they can get to the playoffs. It’s not in the athlete DNA to quit or
fret unduly about matters you don’t control.
“If you’re focused on the trade deadline, you’re focusing on the wrong
thing,” Campoli said.
What matters, the players say, is today, an attitude also expressed by head
coach Randy Cunneyworth. When asked if he’s started to think of the
development of his younger players in doling out ice time, he said: “I’m
more like a dog, I think in the present and what’s important right now.”
There was a bit of hopeful news at the team’s practice facility on Monday,
with word injured defenceman Andrei Markov, who hasn’t played in 15
months, will accompany the team on a three-game road trip this week.
(Moen, who is day-to-day with an “upper-body” injury, won’t.)
But Markov is, at bare minimum, a couple of weeks away from playing;
these next three games will have a much greater impact on this year than
the stylish Russian.
Toronto Globe And Mail LOADED: 02.21.2012
614117
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens: Randy Cunneyworth performing delicate balancing act
By PAT HICKEY
It gives the Canadiens head coach some added flexibility. He has an extra
defenceman in case of injury. He can double-shift one of his top forwards to
add some firepower to one of his bottom lines.
But it can also create some anxiety among the troops concerned about their
roles and their ice time. As the Canadiens prepared to meet the Dallas
Stars Tuesday night (7:30 p.m., TSN-A, RDS, TSN Radio-990),
Cunneyworth said he was trying to balance the ice time so that players
don’t get too tired nor get rusty sitting on the bench.
“I think that’s my intention almost every game,” Cunneyworth said Monday
after the Canadiens had an optional on-ice practice in Brossard. “Between
looking after a line or two coverage wise to make sure we match up, the
other part is to keep the other lines involved. Some of that depends on
penalties, which there haven’t a lot of lately on either side.”
The Canadiens didn’t have to kill any penalties in Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the
New Jersey Devils and Cunneyworth said that was a factor in Lars Eller
being limited to 10:39 of ice time.
“I know he wants more,” Cunneyworth said. “He’s in a penalty-killing role
and does a great job for us, but with only one or two penalties a night, his
workload is cut. He played more than 10 and that’s not bad ice in that role.
He has to work hard and make his shifts count.”
Eller, who is only 22, says this has been a frustrating year, but he said he
understands that Cunneyworth’s job is to make personnel decisions and his
job is to play.
But Eller’s role seems to have changed on occasions this season. He has
gone from a shutdown third-liner to a spare part and Cunneyworth seems to
have him on a short leash. In the Feb. 15 game against the Bruins, he
played fewer than six minutes. He was benched after taking a double-minor
for high-sticking.
Cunneyworth noted that Eller and Scott Gomez are both averaging more
than 14 minutes, but there are many followers that wonder why Gomez gets
time on the power play and has a spot on one of the top three lines. Eller
has 12 goals and 10 assists and is a plus-5 in 57 games. Gomez has
played only 30 games and has two goals and seven assists and is a minus4.
The use of seven defenceman can also create some confusion.
“You have your two top pairs that work against the best lines and then your
next pair becomes a threesome,” he noted.
The coach makes adjustments based on game situations and admits: “It’s
not a perfect system and guys want more, but they get what they get.”
Josh Gorges and P.K. Subban are the only constant pair, with the other five
players moving around.
Veteran Chris Campoli said the odd numbers create some uncertainty, but
he’s happy that he has been in the lineup for the past games.
“I think from the beginning my expectation was to come here and help this
team,” said Campoli, who has been limited to 22 games by injuries and
coaches’ decisions. “I didn’t come here not to play. It’s been a frustrating
year. There are challenges that present themselves when you’re dressing
seven defenceman. For me personally, I’ve been in the past nine games
and that helps with consistency, getting familiar day after day. Two weeks
between games can be tough.”
As the Canadiens battle for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern
Conference, the internal battle for ice time may be heating up.
While Cunneyworth noted that there is a cold bug running through the team,
it is getting healthier on several fronts.
Centre Petteri Nokelainen was on the ice Monday and could be in the
lineup when the Canadiens hit the road for games in Washington and
Florida. That could impact on Eller’s position because Nokelainen is a
centre with good faceoff numbers and Eller might find himself back on the
wing.
The rest of the medical news Monday was mixed. Cunneyworth said Travis
Moen will be out a little longer, which may impact any plans to trade him
before the Feb. 27 deadline, although there are some teams that are willing
to take him “as is.”
And defenceman Andrei Markov will make the team’s next road trip, which
begins Friday with game in Washington before stops in Florida and Tampa
Bay. Cunneyworth said it’s unlikely he will play, but he will be able to work
with his teammates and familiarize himself with the team’s systems.
“He hasn’t been cleared for contact, but when you see him getting some
contact, you’ll know he’s close,” Cunneyworth said.
Montreal Gazette LOADED: 02.21.2012
614118
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens' season has featured too many stinkers
Resurrection: “Ya-ku-pov! Ya-ku-pov!”
We’re No. 13! Monday’s Eastern Conference standings found the
Canadiens in 13th place with 58 points.
This is the team’s worst Feb. 20 predicament since the lockout.
By MIKE BOONE
MONTREAL - It’s one of the favourite one-liners in the Bell Centre press
box.
On Feb. 20 a year ago, the Canadiens were in sixth place with 69 points. In
2010, they entered the February Olympic break in eighth, with 64 points.
In 2009, the Canadiens were sixth with 67 points; and a year earlier, third at
75 points.
In 2007, the team’s 68 points on Feb. 20 were good for seventh place.
The remark is made after one of the Canadiens’ particularly bad periods or
full-game performances, of which there have been dismayingly many on
home ice this season. A pundit who can remember better days – usually
Journal de Montréal columnist Marc De Foy or Bertrand Raymond of RDS –
strolls by my seat and quips: “Ça sent la coupe.”
The closest to the current situation was the season following the lockout: 60
points for eighth place in 2005-06.
They’re being ironic.
Boorish fans: In his Sunday Boston Globe column, Bruins beat writer Kevin
Paul Dupont lamented the boorishness of Montreal fans who booed when
Zdeno Chara was felled by a shot that hit him in the face during his most
recent visit to the Bell Centre.
A smell has wafted through the air of the arena often this season. But it
hasn’t been the metallic tang of the Stanley Cup.
It is something earthier, something funkier, something not entirely pleasing
to the olfactory sensitivities of anyone unaccustomed to barnyards.
They could bottle the fragrance as Eau de Beauharnois or, for those who
remember the great Roy St. fish emporium, Midnight in Waldman’s.
The latest home-ice stinkeroo, a 3-1 loss to New Jersey on Sunday, left the
Canadiens gasping for oxygen. Sportsclubstats.com rates their chances of
making the playoffs at 7.5 per cent.
It’s starting to smell an awful lot like Over, with undertones of Finito.
After the Dallas Stars visit the Bell Centre Tuesday night, the Canadiens
play seven of nine games on the road – including a tough western swing
through Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
After Monday morning practice in Brossard, head coach Randy
Cunneyworth was asked if the team’s situation has him looking toward
greater utilization of players who are the future of the organization.
“No, I’m more like a dog,” the coach said. “I think in the present and what’s
important right now.”
Which explains why a potentially Great Dane is getting significantly less ice
time than Scott Gomez.
The jury may be out on Lars Eller, the 22-year-old centre the Canadiens
obtained in the trade that sent playoff hero Jaroslav Halak to St. Louis. I
think the kid has considerable upside, but that opinion is far from
unanimous.
The jury is in, however, on Gomez. The key man in one of the worst trades
in Canadiens history is 33, and the skills that got Gomez his preposterous
contract are a distant memory.
The saving grace of a losing season – and it’s bitter consolation – is the
opportunity to see what youngsters such as Eller and Louis Leblanc can do.
Let’s see if there’s hope for better seasons to come.
Playoff Math 101: The Canadiens are still mathematically alive for a playoff
spot. Their odds are better than the average 6/49 punter, but the woman
who shops at Addition Elle is clearing her throat and approaching the
microphone.
And Canadiens fans are coping with their own variation on Helen KublerRoss’s Stages of Grief, as posted to the Hockey Inside/Out Comments
section by Paul Deroulede:
Denial: “if we make the playoffs, it’ll mean we’re the hottest damn team in
the league.”
Anger: “Fire Pierre Gauthier! Don’t drink Molson’s!”
Bargaining: “Maybe we should trade Weber and Kostitsyn for Rick Nash.
Think they’ll go for it?”
Depression: “Now I know what it feels like to be a Leafs fan.”
Acceptance: “I missed the game. What happened? Took the wife to see the
Margaret Thatcher bio-pic. That Meryl Street is a great actress.”
The worst team this century, the 2000-01 Canadiens, had 49 pathetic points
on Feb. 20.
Dupont offered this trenchant take on the emotionalism of Canadiens fans:
“For many in Montreal, hockey isn’t what they watch, but what they breathe,
how they think, who they are. The game and their team are as intertwined
in their daily life as sleep, shower, commute, job, dinner. It’s the city of three
H’s: hockey, health, and hygiene. The fourth H, for hysteria, isn’t always
silent.”
This is not, however, the only city that dislikes the Bruins. And the hatred
has become really twisted in B.C.
Last summer, Vancouver native Milan Lucic took the Stanley Cup to Saint
Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church in Burnaby. Subsequent to the
visit, some sickos scrawled graffiti on the wall of the church that Lucic’s
family has attended.
A photo, taken by Lucic’s girlfriend, was posted to the Internet. The vandals
had written “(Expletive) Lucic. Go Canuks Go”, along with a crude drawing
of male genitals.
The perps can’t spell Canucks. One would assume this narrows the range
of suspects … but you never know.
I’m no fan of the federal government’s draconian crime legislation. But I’d
like to see this addition to the criminal code:
Anyone convicted of defacing a house of worship must spend an hour in a
locked room with Milan Lucic.
614119
Montreal Canadiens
Canadiens sleepwalk through listless matchup with the Devils
game, it's clear to everyone that for one reason or another, the effort isn't
there.
Or, they're simply not good enough.
By RED FISHER, The Gazette February 20, 2012
The Canadiens have only nine more home games following this 3-1 loss to
the New Jersey on Sunday, so what the math tells us is there are 13 still to
be played on the road.
A high mountain to climb for a No. 13 team six points behind No. 8 Toronto
with the Maple Leafs holding a game in hand, you say? No argument there,
but perhaps in the Canadiens' case, who have won only 11 of their 32
games at home, maybe it's a good thing.
I mean . what's there to say about a team that sleepwalked its way through
the first half of day of rest?
How would anybody find something positive to say about a team in yet
another "most important game" of the season when it trails by two goals
after the first two periods - and should have by three or four?
By now, most among us are aware that this Canadiens team has made a
case for being where it is. On too many nights at the Bell, they've been little
more than ordinary.
On other nights, poor - and team playing without the desperation it needs at
this stage of the season.
Where the Canadiens are is one point ahead of No. 14 Buffalo, which
handled Pittsburgh 6-2 on Sunday, and three ahead of No. 15 Carolina with both teams holding a game in hand.
And against this disciplined and talented Devils team, all of the warts were
on display.
Explain to me, for example, how Tomas Plekanec now is a horrid minus-17
after being on the ice for all of the Devils goals. Unhappily for Rene
Bourque and Mathieu Darche, they were on the ice with him for goals by
Zach Parise in the first, David Clarkson in the second and defenceman Matt
Taormina in the third.
Max Pacioretty was to score the only Canadiens goal in the second minute
of the final period on the power play in a tame affair in which the Devils
earned three minors and the Canadiens none.
The first minor was assessed only 2: 06 into the game. A great way to start,
right? Trouble is, when you're No. 28 with the man advantage, it's a
challenge even to post a shot - which was the case while Anton Volchenkov
was sitting out a hooking penalty.
Actually, on this night this team had a major problem getting a shot at any
time in the first period and the first half of the second.
For example, their third shot of the game came at the game's 1: 44 mark,
their fourth almost 18 minutes later. It's not what you could call a recipe for
success, and neither was it 10: 58 into the second period, at which point the
Canadiens had tested Martin Brodeur only twice.
Get the picture? What I'm saying is that the Canadiens were extremely
fortunate to go into the first intermission trailing by only a goal, and you can
pencil in Carey Price as being unfortunate to be beaten by a goal in each of
the first two periods.
Both were deflections - the first by Parise in the game's 19th minute on Ilya
Kovalchuk's shot a couple of steps inside the blue line. The second, with
only eight seconds remaining in the second period, deflected off David
Clarkson's body beyond a startled Price, who had a Patrik Elias shot in his
headlights until the puck struck Clarkson. This, after the gang that couldn't
shoot straight finally find their game with seven shots in the last half of the
period. Stuff happens.
Obviously, what the Canadiens lacked against the Devils is what has been
missing on far too many nights - particularly in the comfort of the Bell.
Almost to a man, they continue to insist that anything less than winning is
unacceptable, but when you're outshot 12-4 in the first period of a home
614120
Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators extend GM David Poile's contract
Staff Reports
Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile’s contract has been
extended through the 2014-15 season, chairman Tom Cigarran announced
today.
The contract of assistant GM Paul Fenton was also extended.
“Today’s announcement is further recognition by the Predators’ ownership
group of the outstanding job David has done as President of Hockey
Operations since the franchise’s inception,” Cigarran said. “The consistent
success of the Predators on the ice is directly attributed to his ability to
assemble and lead a team of management, coaches, scouts and
administrators who continually identify, draft, develop and motive an
exceptional group of experienced and young players.
“The ownership group believes that under his leadership, the Nashville
Predators will soon achieve its goal of winning the Stanley Cup.”
Poile was finalist for the NHL GM Award each of the past two seasons. He
is third on the all-time GM list for games won (1,049 entering this season)
and he will move into second place on the all-time GM list for games
(2,235) on March 17, when he will pass Harry Sinden and be only behind
Glen Sather.
The Predators are in the hunt for their seventh playoff appearance in the
last eight seasons.
“I appreciate ownership’s support and, as importantly, ownership’s
commitment to building a Stanley Cup winner here in Nashville,” Poile said.
“We are in our ‘window of opportunity’ and I look forward to working with
ownership, our staff and players to reach our goals.”
Fenton has been with the organization since 1998. He is in his sixth season
as assistant GM after eight seasons as director of player personnel.
“Paul’s vast experience in the game, from playing at the NHL level to
scouting and evaluation, combine to make him an integral and invaluable
member of our organization,” Poile said. “We’re thrilled that he will continue
to play a key role in our hockey operations.”
Tennessean LOADED: 02.21.2012
614121
Nashville Predators
Tonight's game: Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks
Greg Sullivan
PREDATORS VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
When/where: 7 p.m. today/Bridgestone Arena
TV/radio: Fox TN/102.5-FM
Season series: The Predators are 1-2-0 against the Canucks.
Canuck to watch: C Henrik Sedin leads Vancouver in points (64) and has
an NHL-leading 51 assists.
Canucks injuries: RW Byron Bitz (hip) and D Keith Ballard (neck) are
questionable.
Predators injuries: C Mike Fisher (flu) is expected to play. RW Patric
Hornqvist (upper body) is questionable. RW Brian McGrattan (upper body)
is out.
Nashville’s next game: 7 p.m. Thursday vs. St. Louis.
614122
Nashville Predators
David Poile's contract extended to 2015
Greg Sullivan
The Predators have shown remarkable continuity in their hockey
operations, and Monday they pledged to keep the trend going with the
announcement of a contract extension for General Manager David Poile
through the 2014-15 season.
Poile is the only general manager in the history of the franchise, which was
formed in 1998. The Predators are going for their seventh playoff berth in
the past eight seasons.
“I’m very pleased ownership wants to keep me here and allow us to get the
job done,” Poile said. “I think we’ve taken this expansion team and made it
a team that’s very competitive and a team that has a chance to win the
Stanley Cup.
“All I know for sure is there are only 30 of these jobs in the whole world, so I
feel fortunate to have the job. Every day’s a challenge. It’s a great job
because no two days are the same.”
Said Predators Chairman Tom Cigarran: “The ownership group believes
that under his leadership, the Nashville Predators will soon achieve its goal
of winning the Stanley Cup.”
Also getting a contract extension was assistant GM Paul Fenton. Along with
Poile, Fenton and Coach Barry Trotz have been with the Predators from the
beginning.
“The continuity within the organization, it’s fabulous,” Poile said. “The more
time you’re in a relationship, the more you’re on the same page. You
operate more effectively. You make better decisions more often.”
Poile, who last week turned 63, said he has not thought about retirement.
“You’re going to work as long as the job is rewarding and you’re happy
doing a job,” he said. “There’s nothing in the 30 years I’ve been doing the
job that makes me think that I’m anywhere near the end.”
Fenton, 52, is considered GM material.
“Paul has done a fabulous job, from drafting to player acquisition, to running
a farm club,” Poile said. “I’m sure he’s going to get to be a general manager
in the near future.”
Fenton said he would one day like to become a GM but is still enjoying his
time in Nashville.
“I’ve had the opportunity to grow with the organization from the very
beginning,” Fenton said. “… David is always a pleasure to work with. We
get along very well. I think from the organization’s standpoint, this was the
right thing to do.”
614123
Nashville Predators
New defenseman Hal Gill is a big presence on and off ice
Greg Sullivan
As a pack of local media swarmed new Predators defenseman Hal Gill, who
stood next to his locker for interviews Monday, it was quickly apparent how
big a pick-up Gill is for Nashville.
The Predators bounced back from a tough loss at Detroit last Friday with a
win at Dallas on Sunday.
“We’re trying to keep the momentum going,” goalie Pekka Rinne said. “It’s a
good test for us. If you want to be a top team in this league, you have to be
ready to play the best teams every single night, and that’s the kind of
challenge we face right now. It’s going to be fun.”
Fisher vs. flu: Mike Fisher did not practice Monday as he continues to
recover from the flu, but Trotz said he believed the veteran forward would
be able to play against the Canucks.
“He should be fine for (Tuesday),” Trotz said. “Fish is much better today
than he was yesterday, so hopefully he’ll be ready to go.”
Gill is huge.
Trotz said no call-ups are likely unless Fisher is unable to play today.
“I’ve got skates on. I try to wear the skates as much as possible,” said Gill,
smiling after his first practice on his new home ice.
Injuries: Forwards Patric Hornqvist and Brian McGrattan remain out with
upper-body injuries, but Trotz said he hopes to see both return to the lineup
soon.
Gill is 6-foot-7 without skates, but wearing them on Monday he was even
taller and looked like an NBA center in hockey gear as he dwarfed
everyone else in the room, particularly the non-athletes.
WKRN-2 reporter Dawn Davenport had to tilt her head almost straight up to
make eye contact with the now-tallest Predator.
Gill is by no means lanky — he’s listed at 241 pounds.
“I’m excited to come here,” Gill told reporters. “I love the city and I always
have. I kind of fit in around here, I think, I hope. But it’s a good team with a
lot of young guys and a good mixture of talent. It should be fun.”
Gill made his debut with the Predators on Sunday at Dallas, where
Nashville scored a 3-2 win. He played more than 16 minutes and finished
plus-2.
“He’s a big man,” Coach Barry Trotz said with a laugh. “You don’t realize
how big he is until you stand next to him and you go, ‘Oh, my Lord.’ He is a
big man. In Dallas the other day, he was standing between (Ryan) Ellis and
(Francis) Bouillon. It was up on the screen, and at first when I looked up, I
thought it was a father and his sons.”
As tall as Gill is, though, he seems pretty down to earth and excited to
explore Music City in the coming days as the Predators enjoy a four-game
home stand, their longest remaining home stretch this season.
“I’m a huge fan of music in general,” said Gill, who won a Stanley Cup with
the Penguins in 2009 and came over in a trade from the Canadiens last
week. “On the road, there’s nothing better than having a couple beers and
listening to some live music. That’s what I know of this city.
“I’m going to try to figure a lot of stuff out this week, try to get a car, get a
house, all that stuff. I’ll worry about hockey on game days, and on off days
I’ll try to figure out what I’m doing.
“I’ll learn a little bit more as we go, but it seems like everyone’s super nice
down here.”
Home stretch: The Predators have four consecutive home games with
Western Conference playoff contenders, starting with today’s 7 p.m. duel
with Vancouver.
That game is followed by visits from St. Louis (Thursday), San Jose
(Saturday) and Los Angeles (Monday). The stretch is Nashville’s longest
remaining homestand.
For players and coaches, the chance to put away the suitcases for a week
is a welcome change of pace.
“It’s always good,” Trotz said. “You can say what you want. We don’t stay in
bad hotels or anything, but it’s not home. The road is the road. One hotel is
like the other.”
All four games figure to be challenging.
“We’re trying to catch teams in front of us, and when you play at home you
want to win your home games and take advantage of your home ice,”
defenseman Ryan Suter said. “The West is so tight, the top 12, 13, 14
teams. Everyone’s right there. Every game’s so tight. You have to show up
and get points.”
“(Hornqvist)’s skating,” Trotz said. “He’s really day to day. He’s getting his
legs back under him. I’m saying probably Thursday would be a fairly good
call. I really won’t know until (Tuesday).
“Same thing (for McGrattan). He’s day to day, probably by the weekend.”
614124
Nashville Predators
Poile gets contract extension, will run Predators through 2014-15
By David Boclair
Apparently David Poile’s job does not hinge on whether or not he makes a
deal to add a forward for the playoff run.
The Nashville Predators announced Monday that Poile, the only general
manager in franchise history, signed a contract extension through the 201415 season. Assistant general manager Paul Fenton also agreed to a new
deal.
“[This] announcement is further recognition by the Predators’ ownership
group of the outstanding job David has done as President of Hockey
Operations since the franchise’s inception,” chairman Tom Cigarran said in
a release announcing the move. “The consistent success of the Predators
on the ice is directly attributed to his ability to assemble and lead a team of
management, coaches, scouts and administrators who continually identify,
draft, develop and motive an exceptional group of experienced and young
players. The ownership group believes that under his leadership, the
Nashville Predators will soon achieve its goal of winning the Stanley Cup.”
Poile has put together a team that has made the Stanley Cup playoffs six
times in the last seven seasons but has won just one playoff series in that
time.
He has been under increased pressure lately after captain Shea Weber
opted not to sign a long-term contract extension last summer, and
defenseman Ryan Suter has rejected similar opportunities throughout this
season.
Goalie Pekka Rinne, however, was signed to a seven-year, $49 million
contract in December, and last week’s trade for Hal Gill was a significant
addition in advance of next Monday’s NHL trade deadline.
Poile has said he hopes to acquire a veteran forward to enhance the team’s
playoff chances and to help entice Weber and Suter to commit to the
franchise for the long term.
Eight of the team’s top 10 scorers this season were drafted and developed
by the Predators.
“I appreciate ownership’s support and, as importantly, ownership’s
commitment to building a Stanley Cup winner here in Nashville,” Poile said
in the release. “We are in our window of opportunity and I look forward to
working with ownership, our staff and players to reach our goals.”
Nashville City Paper LOADED: 02.21.2012
614125
New Jersey Devils
Dainius Zubrus says Devils have become a close-knit team
Rich Chere/
TORONTO -- The Devils have become a close-knit team, a group of
players who respect each other and appear to have pulled together.
It is, perhaps, part of the formula for their winning.
“There is no recipe for that,” coach Pete DeBoer said today. “I think you can
create the environment where you hope that that jells and happens. Create
opportunities fort hem to get together, spend time with each other. But how
the personalities mesh year to year you never know.
“We’ve got a good group. They get along and respect each other. I think
they respect the process, too. Teams I’ve won with in the past, even back to
juniors, all had that type of feeling. I’ve had teams with that type of feeling
that haven’t won, too, so it’s not a guarante of success. But there are not
many teams that don’t have it that win.”
Some would call it chemistry.
“I like our locker room a lot. The mix of older and younger guys, I think, is a
good mix. We all mix pretty well together,” Dainius Zubrus said. “Playing in
New Jersey is not easy. You’re not on that road that much. It’s a better
travel schedule. But we have dinners together and we all hang out
together.”
*
Goalie Martin Brodeur isn’t the only Devils player who has dealt with
personal distractions over the last month.
When Druzhba ’78 youth hockey coach Ivan Pravilov was found dead in a
Philadelphia jail cell on Feb. 10 after being charged with molesting a 14year-old boy, it stunned Zubrus.
The Devils forward wanted to believe Pravilov, 48, wasn’t the person he
was accused of being. Zubrus was close to Pravilov, who coached him for
six years in the Ukraine between 1990 and ’96.
Although Zubrus initially refused to condemn Pravilov and still maintains he
never saw any abuse, he changed his opinions of the coach after the
apparent suicide and issued a statement saying the Ukrainian coach
appears to have been different than the person he knew.
“I’m okay. It’s still a process because I’m still in contact with a lot of kids,”
Zubrus said today.
“I’m happy that I have hockey so I can take my mind off it. I still have great
support from my family at home. I’m happy that I have that. And I come
here and get away from everything.”
He remains stunned by the series of events.
“Yes, it stunned me,” Zubrus said. “I’m in a group of a lot of people where
this whole situation was very surprising. I still talk to my parents about a lot
of things. These things take time. It touched a lot of people’s lives. A lot of
kids went through that system.”
I asked him if he has chosen to block anything from his own mind involving
Pravilov.
“It’s not that,” he said. “Honestly, the kids know my intention was always to
help them. It wasn’t my intention to help (Pravilov).”
The Associated Press reported that on Jan. 3 Pravilov allegedly brought
two 14-year-old Ukrainian boys to his Philadelphia apartment from a family
home in Wilmington, Del., and fondled one of them during the night. The
other boy was later threatened in a locker-room, authorities alleged. A host
parent contacted police.
Star Ledger LOADED: 02.21.2012
614126
New Jersey Devils
Martin Brodeur showing mental toughness to Devils teammates
"A few guys. It's my thing and nobody should get affected by that," Brodeur
said. "I didn't miss any time."
*
Bryce Salvador (stomach ailment), Kurtis Foster (stiff back) and Anton
Volchenkov (shot to the face) did not practice today.
Rich Chere/
"I imagine they'll play," DeBoer said of Salvador and Volchenkov. "Foster is
better today and he'll skate tomorrow morning. We'll make a decision then."
TORONTO -- Devils coach Pete DeBoer knew the issues facing Martin
Brodeur.
*
The goalie's 81-year-old father, Denis, had been diagnosed with a serious
problem that required brain surgery this past Friday. And yet, over the past
two weeks, Brodeur chose to backstop his team during its climb up the
Eastern Conference standings.
"It just reinforces, I think, what the hockey world knows about this guy's
mental toughness and the ability to block out distractions and pressure.
He's the best of all time," DeBoer said today.
Brodeur is 4-1 since his father was diagnosed. He flew home to Montreal
the day after he defeated the Rangers at the Garden on Feb. 7, but there
was never any thought about taking some time off.
The Devils have won their last six games on the road. Their last loss came
on Jan. 10 in Calgary.
"I think our structure on the road is very good. I don't have an explanation
why our special teams, especially our power play, is better on the road than
at home. Other than we maybe simplify things a little bit," DeBoer said.
"We're willing to shoot the puck a little more rather than look for an extra
pass. I think that carries over to 5-on-5 play, too.
"I think teams that are successful on the road play simple game and don't
beat themselves. That's been a key for us."
*
"In the conversations with him, it wasn't even an option," DeBoer said. "It
doesn't surprise me."
The Alexei Ponikarovsky-Dainius Zubrus-Steve Bernier line has been used
against the top opposing lines quite a bit, but DeBoer won't call it a
checking line.
After beating the Canadiens Sunday night at the Bell Centre, Brodeur could
have asked to stay in Montreal an extra day. But he chose to stay with the
team and practice today at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
"I don't like the term checking line," he said. "We haven't really deployed a
checking line. I call them a momentum line. You use them to start games,
the beginning of periods, the shift after goals.
He will start Tuesday night's game against the Maple Leafs, his father very
much on his mind.
"They are a line that is reliable and they're going to do the right thing
defensively and also play the majority of the game in the other team's end.
Because of their size and how hard they are to play against, they wear the
other team down. They are a momentum line for us-- after a goal against
and a goal for."
"He should be home tomorrow if everything goes well," Brodeur said. "He
started walking yesterday and he walked more today. It's amazing the
improvement. They said he'll recover as well as he was before. Even better
maybe.
"It's a difficult time with me not being there, but my brothers and sisters took
really good care of my dad. And now my mom, because she's really worried
about him. It's a family thing. He was happy. It couldn't have been better
timing for me to have been in Montreal. It worked out really well.
"We're happy that this was a big step and it went really well. I'm sure there
are going to be more things that he's going to have to deal with. It's
something pretty serious. It's not a broken bone."
The Devils had been looking for that kind of line and got it with the additions
of Ponikarovsky and Bernier.
"Key additions. Both big, hard on the puck. Hard to play against. Reliable
NHL veterans," DeBoer noted. "They know their roles and they're not trying
to do more than what we're asking them to do. They've bought into that and
taken pride in that. That's huge. We were looking for that for a while."
Just don't call them checkers.
"For sure. The day before (his father was diagnosed), Gary Carter passed
away," he said. "You're thinking about that."
"I think the way our team is built, I don't see us getting married to a
checking line," the coach explained. "Where the other team dictates how
much (Zach) Parise and (Ilya) Kovalchuk are going to play. We want to be
in a spot where I feel we can rely on four lines. If we get caught in a bad
matchup, we're still comfortable. I think we're getting close to that."
His teammates respected his privacy.
Make no mistake. The serious nature of his father's situation weighs heavily
on the 39-year-old goalie. His mind wanders.
"I didn't talk much to him about it," Dainius Zubrus said. "I would ask the last
few days how he was dealing with everything. If there's a person in the
league who can deal with stuff like this and be (focused) like he is in games,
it's him.
"I'm happy we won the game. It was a good night for us in Montreal."
David Clarkson agreed.
"You ask, 'How's everything going?' I've always been a big fan. This shows
what he's like," Clarkson said. "All season Marty has played unbelievable.
He's that type of professional."
Being on the ice can be a respite.
"You get away because you con concentrate on what you want to do for a
couple hours at least," he said. "You don't have to deal with phone calls and
worries and all that. You do what you do. That's kind of the beauty of our
sport, or any sport, I guess.
"Having people there helping him out and helping my mom out makes it
easier. It's not like I'm by myself and had to do everything. I have older
sister and brothers. They've been unbelievable with this situation so far."
Brodeur said he told some teammates, but didn't want to create a
distraction.
614127
New Jersey Devils
Devils' Anton Volchenkov, Bryce Salvador, Kurtis Foster rest
Rich Chere/
TORONTO -- Devils defensemen Anton Volchenkov, Bryce Salvador and
Kurtis Foster all sat out the team's practice today at the Air Canada Centre.
Foster took a short skate to rest his back and said it was "fair" and decided
not to practice. He missed the game in Montreal.
Salvador played two periods in Montreal with a stomach ailment and was
unable to play in the third period. He was at the ACC today and feels much
better but did not skate.
"He'll be fine," general manager Lou Lamoriello said.
Volchenkov was hit in the face by a Tomas Plekanec slap shot in the first
period Sunday night. He received three stitches near the corner of his
mouth and was back for the second period.
The Russian defenseman wanted to skate today but was told to rest. He
rode the stationary bike instead.
Lamoriello said Adam Larsson (bruised lower back) skated again today in
New Jersey.
However, Travis Zajac has yet to resume skating since taking some time off
with a sore Achilles tendon.
Goalie Martin Brodeur, whose father underwent brain surgery on Friday, did
not stay in Montreal. He is with the team in Toronto and practiced today.
Practice lines:
Zach Parise-Adam Henrique-Ilya Kovalchuk
Petr Sykora-Patrik Elias-David Clarkson
Alexei Ponikarovsky-Dainius Zubrus-Steve Bernier
Eric Boulton-Jacob Josefson-Nick Palmieri
Cam Janssen and Stephane Veilleux were extras.
Defensemen: Andy Greene, Mark Fayne, Matt Taormina, Peter Harrold
*
Sunday night's 3-1 victory over the Canadiens at the Bell Centre was the
Devils' eighth in a row in Montreal.
One week until the NHL trade deadline.
614128
New Jersey Devils
Devils' Martin Brodeur blocking out more than flying pucks
By TOM GULITTI
TORONTO – Over his 18 seasons with the Devils, goaltender Martin
Brodeur has had many moments that required great focus.
It would have been understandable over the last two weeks, however, if
Brodeur's mind wandered from his work as he worried about his father, who
was diagnosed with a serious condition that required brain surgery Friday.
Instead, Brodeur has played as well as he has all season and has been a
key cog in the Devils' 8-1-1 surge since the All-Star break that has vaulted
them into fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
"It just reinforces what the hockey world knows about this guy's mental
toughness and the ability to block out distractions and pressure," Devils
coach Pete DeBoer said Monday. "I mean, he's the best of all time."
Brodeur is 9-3-1 in his last 13 starts with a 1.75 goals-against average and
a .929 save percentage, including a 21-save performance in a 2-1 win in his
hometown of Montreal on Sunday that came just two days after his father's
surgery. He'll be in net again tonight when the Devils visit the Toronto
Maple Leafs.
Brodeur visited his father in the hospital Saturday evening and Sunday
morning, but had to leave Montreal with the Devils following Sunday's
game. As much as Brodeur would have liked to stay behind, the ice is the
one place he can think about something else.
"You get away because you concentrate on what you want to do," he said.
"I have a couple hours that I don't have to deal with phone calls or worries
and all that. You do what you do. That's kind of one of the beauties of our
sport or any sport, I guess."
In addition to DeBoer, Brodeur said he told "a few guys" on the team about
his father's diagnosis. After getting some questions in Montreal about why
his father, the former Canadiens team photographer, wasn't at Sunday's
game, he decided to tell the Devils' beat reporters.
"It's my thing and nobody should be affected by that," Brodeur said.
The good news is that Denis Brodeur might be released from the hospital
today.
"He should be home [today] if everything goes well," Brodeur said. "He
started walking [Sunday] and he walked more [Monday]. It's amazing the
improvement. When I saw him my first day when I was there [Saturday] to
the next morning, he was better. They say he'll recover as well as he was
before, even better maybe.
"It's a difficult time, me not being there, but my brothers and sisters are
there to take care of not as much my dad, but really my mom is worried
about him. It's a family thing."
BRIEFS: DeBoer said he expects to have D Bryce Salvador and D Anton
Volchenkov for tonight's game, though neither practiced Monday. Salvador
sat out the third period Sunday because of a stomach bug, but said he was
feeling "better" Monday. Volchenkov was hit in the mouth with a Tomas
Plekanec shot in the first period Sunday and returned to play the last two
periods after taking three stitches to close a cut on his upper lip. … D Kurtis
Foster, who missed Sunday's game with a stiff back, skated on his own
Monday and might be able to play tonight.
Bergen Record LOADED: 02.21.2012
614129
New Jersey Devils
Devils eye Rangers
By MARK EVERSON
TORONTO — A bunch with increasing aspirations, the Devils have done all
the climbing they can unless they surmount the Rangers, too. That means
they have their Manhattan rivals in their sights, albeit telescopic for now.
A season after missing the playoffs, the Devils stand fourth in the Eastern
Conference as they visit the Maple Leafs tonight.
The top three slots are automatically allotted to division winners, meaning
they have to take the Atlantic lead away from the Rangers.
“Why wouldn’t you?” Andy Greene said. “We don’t want to finish second,
third or fourth.
“When you play good hockey, you start catching teams.”
In one night, with Sunday’s 3-1 victory in Montreal, the Devils finally did
some catching. They passed both the Penguins and the Flyers to reach
second place in the Atlantic Division for the first time in 22 months.
The Devils stand 8-1-1 since the All-Star break, 22-8-3 in 33 games. They
seek a seventh straight road victory tonight, which would equal the thirdlongest road winning streak in their history.
The Rangers have a game in hand and a nine-point lead on the Devils, who
say it can be done.
“Keep your eye on the prize,” Martin Brodeur said. “Do what you need to.
Keep pace. And we play them three more times. It would be nice.”
Brodeur, 16-6-2 in his last 24 decisions, is to start his fifth straight game
and 14th of 16 tonight.
He chose not to remain behind in Montreal to attend to his father, expected
to be released from the hospital today after undergoing brain surgery
Friday.
“He was walking [Sunday] and more [yesterday]. He should recover to as
well as he was before, maybe better. But it was a difficult time, not being
there,” Brodeur said.
Brodeur said his mother, brothers and sister took the weight off his
shoulders by providing care for Denis, 81, the former team photographer for
the Canadiens and Expos.
Brodeur said hockey took his mind off the situation that was out of his
control.
“You get away and concentrate on what you do,” he said. “I have a couple
of hours when I don’t have to worry about phone calls. It’s one of the
beauties of our sport, or any sport.”
He said he told a few friends on the team, but didn’t want it to become a
distraction, for him or them.
“Like we always do here [with the Devils], we deal with it,” Brodeur said.
“I’m sure there will be more things to deal with because it’s pretty serious.
It’s the first time this happened for our family.”
New York Post LOADED: 02.21.2012
614130
New York Islanders
Islanders crushed by Senators in Monday matinee
Last Updated: 4:04 PM, February 20, 2012
Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza each scored twice, Craig Anderson made
28 saves and the Ottawa Senators beat the Islanders 6-0 on Monday for
their third straight win.
The Senators (31-22-8) moved within two points of first-place Boston in the
Northeast Division and one point behind Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for fifth
place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Karlsson opening the scoring 1:08 into the first period with his 11th of the
season on a sharp-angle shot from the corner to the left of Islanders
goaltender Kevin Poulin. Spezza, who has seven goals and eight assists in
his last six games, made it 2-0 just 27 seconds later.
Islanders coach Jack Capuano then yanked Poulin for Al Montoya but
Ottawa kept pouring it on.
Karlsson made it 3-0 at 14:03 of the first with a low shot from the slot. It was
the fourth career two-game game for the 21-year-old Karlsson, Ottawa's
first-round draft pick in 2008.
Chris Phillips added a power-play goal at 9:37 of the second and Brian Lee
became the third Senators defenseman to score with his first of the season
at 9:49 of the third. Spezza completed the scoring at 10:57 with a powerplay score for his team-leading 27th goal of the season.
Karlsson also had assists on the final two goals. The Swedish defenseman
leads the Senators with 45 assists.
It was the third shutout of the season for Anderson (28-19-6), who joined
Ottawa in a trade with Colorado a year ago. The 30-year-old Anderson also
moved into a tie with Henrik Lundqvist of the Rangers for fourth place in
goalie wins this season.
Ottawa improved to 16-11-5 on the road with its fourth win in five games
overall after a seven-game losing streak. It was the Senators' most lopsided
win of the season.
Ottawa also won 4-0 at Tampa Bay last Tuesday and 6-2 at Florida on
Thursday.
The inconsistent Islanders (25-26-8) squandered their fourth chance in their
last six games to move above the .500 mark for the first time since October.
The Islanders remained six points behind Toronto for the conference's
eighth and final playoff spot.
The Islanders, who also lost 6-0 at home against Boston on Nov. 19, were
seeking consecutive victories for the first time since winning 2-1 in overtime
at Ottawa on Feb. 3. They defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 at home on
Saturday.
The Islanders are 9-5-2 in their last 16 games and 14-9-2 in their last 25
contests, climbing back into the playoff race. They haven't reached the
postseason since 2007.
The Islanders at Buffalo on Tuesday while the Senators return home to play
the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
Read more:
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/islanders/islanders_crushed_by_senators_i
n_KcvFdiJqpp8vjMDutlFClJ#ixzz1mydi5q51
614131
New York Islanders
Islanders crushed by Senators
In a Presidents Day matinee, Nassau Coliseum turned into the White Flag
House.
The Islanders surrendered three first-period goals, routed from the start of a
6-0 loss yesterday to the Senators.
“There wasn’t any intensity in our game,” Islanders defenseman and
captain Mark Streit said. “We’ve had a couple of bad starts, but we topped it
today.”
The inconsistent Islanders (25-26-8) squandered their fourth chance in their
last six games to move above the .500 mark.
“This was very disappointing. We came with no physicality and stood
around and watched their best players,” Islander coach Jack Capuano said.
“You have to battle and compete and we didn’t.”
Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza scored in the opening 1:35 for the
Senators. Capuano then yanked goalie Kevin Poulin for Al Montoya, but
Ottawa kept pouring it on.
Karlsson and Spezza finished with two goals apiece and defensemen Chris
Phillips and Brian Lee also scored for the Senators.
The Islanders, 9-5-2 in their last 16 games, remained six points behind
Toronto for the conference’s final playoff spot.
614132
New York Islanders
Isles crushed, 6-0, at worst time possible
February 20, 2012 by ARTHUR STAPLE / [email protected]
They weren't ready.
In the biggest game so far this season, with a chance to be closer to a
playoff spot than they'd been since November, the Islanders failed to pass
the most basic test this time of the season, and the Ottawa Senators
reminded them of how costly it is to be unprepared.
Rookie goaltender Kevin Poulin allowed two goals in the first 85 seconds
Monday afternoon before being pulled, and the rest of his team was a step
behind even after Al Montoya entered. The 6-0 final in front of 15,818 at
Nassau Coliseum was never in doubt, leaving the Islanders six points
behind eighth-place Toronto and 12 points behind the Senators.
"You can't have the emotion we had on the bench tonight," Jack Capuano
said. "We needed some push-back after the first two goals, and I just didn't
see it in a lot of guys."
After working hard in January to get themselves back to the edge of the
Eastern Conference playoff race, the Islanders have failed to get any
momentum going in February. Monday marked the fifth time this month the
Islanders have followed a win with a loss, and the last four were in
regulation and were over well before the final horn sounded.
They've been outscored 17-4 in those four losses, Monday being the third
of those on home ice. This was the 10th time the Islanders have been shut
out, the sixth at home, tying a franchise record set in the 1972-73 season,
the organization's expansion year.
The Islanders get right back at it Tuesday night in Buffalo, but time is
growing short to keep taking small steps forward and backward.
"We keep doing this to ourselves," said Mark Streit, who was a minus-3.
"We have good games with a lot of energy, the people like it, we like it, the
coaches are happy. Then the next game, there's nothing. The intensity's
missing and we have bad starts."
Monday was one of the worst. Senators all-star defenseman Erik Karlsson,
who had two goals and two assists, corralled Matt Martin's breakout pass
and threw a no-angle shot from the boards that hit off Poulin's stick and
went behind him at 1:08 of the first.
On a delayed penalty 27 seconds later, Jason Spezza beat Poulin from the
slot, and the 21-year-old goaltender clearly was rattled by his initial mistake.
Capuano pulled him and inserted Montoya, but the Islanders' skaters
played as if the game already was decided -- passes went off skates
instead of sticks, Senators were left uncovered and there was no
forechecking pressure.
"Stand around and watch," was how Capuano described his team's
defensive-zone play. "You make good players look even better."
Karlsson scored again at 14:03 of the first as an Ottawa power play ended,
just after Michael Grabner failed to get a shot on net on a shorthanded
breakaway. Chris Phillips scored on an unscreened point shot on the power
play at 9:37 of the second. Brian Lee and Spezza scored in the third. The
shots were 27-10 in the Sens' favor after two periods, and they were not at
all misleading.
Aside from a Martin fight in the second, the only fire shown by an Islander
was negative -- P.A. Parenteau got 24 penalty minutes and was ejected
midway through the third for arguing with referee Gord Dwyer.
"We could have been four points out of the playoffs if we win this," Brian
Rolston said. "You've got to be consistent, and we let this one go."
Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 02.21.2012
614133
New York Islanders
Flu keeps Evgeni Nabokov off the ice
By ARTHUR STAPLE [email protected]
Evgeni Nabokov still didn't return to skating Monday and did not join his
teammates on their flight to Buffalo after the game.
Nabokov has been off the ice and away from the team since coming down
with the flu Thursday in St. Louis. Because he wasn't able to skate Monday,
there was little point in taking him on the trip for Tuesday night's game
against the Sabres.
He allowed three or more goals in only three of his last 11 starts before
falling ill. With Nabokov out, the Islanders have allowed at least three goals
in each of the last three games he's missed, going 1-2-0 during that stretch.
Hamonic goes for a spin
Travis Hamonic got back on the ice Monday, as planned. Now it's a matter
of whether Hamonic, out since a deflected puck broke his nose and sent
him to the hospital for surgery Feb. 4, can get enough workout time to build
his conditioning back up for a return Friday against the Rangers.
Mike Mottau (concussion) also skated Monday morning and appears ready
to return, even though there isn't a spot for him on defense.
Jack Capuano stuck with the defense pairs that finished Saturday's game,
with Mark Streit and Andrew MacDonald paired up. "Just a different look for
some of our breakouts," he said.
Streit and MacDonald were on for the two quick Senators goals to open
Monday's game.
Okposo shakes off flu
Kyle Okposo didn't skate Sunday because of the flu that had been going
around the locker room, but was well enough to play Monday. Tim Wallace
was the healthy scratch among the forwards . . . Hall of Famer Denis Potvin
was back in the Coliseum, doing color on the Senators' broadcast . . .
Former Islander Zenon Konopka also made his return, but only for warmups. He was a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game for Ottawa.
614134
New York Rangers
NY Rangers' Wojtek Wolski hoping to make one last stand with Blueshirts
before NHL trade deadline
Winger not letting trade talk get him down
By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
PITTSBURGH — Wojtek Wolski feels physically and mentally fresh for the
first time since late October. Now, the Rangers winger has to get past
Monday’s trade deadline.
“I know I’m supposed to be getting traded, I hear it all the time,” said Wolski,
who becomes a restricted free agent after his two-year, $7.6 million expires
at the end of the season. “I know I have a big contract. If they could trade
me and free some space and get some value, I’m sure it’s possible. But I
have no control over any of that.”
“You don’t want to go from a team that’s in first place, but if it happens I
have to be ready and prepared. Living in New York is awesome. It’s not a
place you ask to be traded from.”
Wolski also does not have control over whether he plays Tuesday night in
Pittsburgh, when the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers (38-14-5) visit
the sixth-seeded Penguins (33-21-5) at CONSOL Energy Center. But
Ruslan Fedotenko’s outlook — “every day there’s a chance” — is as foggy
as the team’s description of his injury on Feb. 9, and rookie Stu Bickel, who
has played right wing with John Mitchell and Mike Rupp in Fedotenko’s
absence, practiced at defense Monday afternoon.
Wolski likely would see limited playing time if he dresse for the first time
since Jan. 15, a disastrous minus-3 outing in Montreal, but he remains
eager to contribute, having missed 31 games to injury this season and 16
as a healthy scratch.
“It seemed like it took forever to get back to this point,” Wolski said of his
recovery from Nov. 8 groin surgery. “But now I feel fast, I have some jump.
It’s reassuring.”
Part of that recovery involved a two-week conditioning stint with the AHL’s
Connecticut Whale that ended Feb. 15. Wolski turned in three goals and
two assists in five games and the winger, who turns 26 on Friday, said that
after slowly acclimating, he felt his game coming back.
“The first three games or so I had to adjust to playing because I hadn’t
played in so long,” Wolski said. “But then my hands started feeling better,
then my legs, and my vision was getting back to what it had been.”
New York Daily News LOADED: 02.21.2012
614135
New York Rangers
Rangers ride road to success
By DAVID SATRIANO
Last Updated: 1:36 AM, February 21, 2012
Posted: 1:29 AM, February 21, 2012
As the saying goes, “There’s no place like home.” But for the Rangers,
playing on the road has been just as kind.
The team boasts almost identical home (19-7-2) and road (19-7-3) records
this season. Tonight, the Rangers begin a two-game road trip in Pittsburgh
(7:00, MSG, ESPN 1050 AM), where they have won their last five games.
The success on the road wasn’t evident from the start of the season, as the
Rangers dropped their first three games away from Madison Square
Garden — two of which came on a different continent (Europe).
“I think last year we were really good on the road and that kind of carried
into this year,” defenseman Marc Staal said after practice yesterday. “I think
our starts have been solid on the road. Not getting that crowd into it, making
sure we are ready to go when we step into someone else’s building and try
to take the momentum right off the start. Personally, I enjoy playing on the
road. I think it puts less pressure on you. You just go out there and play.”
The Rangers play seven of their next 10 games on the road. With a ninepoint lead in the Conference, they are a virtual lock for the playoffs. But the
difference between playoff teams and Stanley Cup-winning teams is the
ability to win on the road in the playoffs. Last year, the Rangers lost in five
games to the Capitals in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, dropping all
three games on the road.
Mike Rupp, one of three current Rangers who has won a Stanley Cup,
acknowledged the significance of road victories, even though he was on a
team that won the Stanley Cup despite a sub-par playoff road record of 4-7.
“I think it’s important to play well on the road,” he said. “When [the Devils]
won in 2003, we were 12-1 at home. And in the finals was all home teams
winning, but you don’t want it to be about that. You’ve got to find ways to
win on the road.”
The 19 road wins and 41 road points both rank second in the league to
Vancouver (20 wins, 42 points).
614136
New York Rangers
Blue Jackets ace deflects Ranger rumors
By ANDREW GROSS
Print | NEW YORK – Rick Nash stood outside the visiting Blue Jackets'
dressing room at the Garden, facing repetitive questions from some 25
media members about the trade rumors that have enveloped him and a
game against the Rangers, his potential future team.
"I just worry about today," said the Columbus captain and five-time All-Star.
"Right now I'm a Blue Jacket and that's what matters. I've played my whole
career here, and that's how I'm dealing with the game I've got to play in two
hours. That's all I'm worried about."
So it's left for others to fret and speculate whether Nash will be a Ranger by
the trade deadline, which is a week from today at 3 p.m.
"You're in different buildings every other night," Nash said about whether
playing at the Garden would make him think about possibly being a Ranger.
"It's just another game."
The Rangers and Blue Jackets have been in contact and Columbus scouts
have been a regular presence at Rangers' games this month.
Nash entered Sunday's game with 18 goals and 21 assists, and the twotime, 40-goal scorer had 277 goals and 250 assists in 650 games since
being the first overall pick in the 2002 NHL draft.
But Nash's contract carries a $7.8 million salary-cap hit through 2018, and
the Rangers also likely would have to surrender at least one first-round pick
as well as at least one NHL player and one or two top prospects.
"You know what? It's going to take care of itself," said Nash, 27."I'm a Blue
Jacket right now and we're playing great hockey."
Nash, who has a no-movement clause in his contract, would not comment
when asked whether he has put the Rangers on a list of teams to which
he'd accept a trade. He also responded with "no comment" when asked if
he would prefer to be dealt by the trade deadline and not have the rumors
persist into the summer. Nor would he say whether he could envision living
or playing in New York.
But Nash did say the media attention was not uncomfortable for him.
"I'm fine," Nash said. "I played the Olympics a couple of times for Canada,
so this is really nothing compared to that."
Business considerations aside, there's little doubt Nash's skill would bolster
the Rangers' lineup.
"He's real fast," said Rangers defenseman Marc Staal, comparing Nash's
play to that of his brother, the Hurricanes' Eric Staal. "He tries to wind up a
lot and he really tries to get a full head of steam, whether it's a shot or
carrying it into the zone.
"You've just got to watch where he is," Staal added. "If you get caught
sleeping at the blue line, you're going to be in trouble."
Left wing Mike Rupp, who played with Nash in Columbus, compared Nash
to ex-Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr.
"In the corner, you've got to play him a lot like Jagr," Rupp said. "It's not
necessarily the best play to take a big run at him. If he turns, you're in
trouble. He's a little more dangerous on the rush than Jagr."
BRIEFS: Ruslan Fedotenko, who missed his fifth straight game after taking
a high hit from former Lightning center Dominic Moore, participated in
Sunday's optional morning skate. It marked the first time the veteran left
wing has been on the ice since Tuesday at Boston. … Left wing Wojtek
Wolski and defensemen Jeff Woywitka remained the healthy scratches.
Wolski has not played since Jan. 15 and Woywitka last played Dec. 30.
614137
New York Rangers
Rangers' Anisimov just winging it
By ANDREW GROSS
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — It was the ninth game of this season when
Rangers coach John Tortorella moved Artem Anisimov to left wing, a
position the natural center had played – badly – for one period when he was
18 in Russia.
"I’ll be honest with you, sometimes you’re throwing it against the wall and
seeing if it sticks," Tortorella said after the Eastern Conference-leading
Rangers practiced Monday. "We were struggling offensively and we threw
some things together and you see how it happens and you have to make a
read from there."
It’s been an up-and-down season, but the 23-year-old Anisimov has
rediscovered his game the past eight games as he’s been reunited with
center Derek Stepan and Marian Gaborik. Anisimov has four goals and
three assists in that span entering tonight’s game at Pittsburgh, including a
goal in Sunday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Blue Jackets.
"I’m just trying to play my game all over the ice, defensively and to create
the offense," said Anisimov, who has 11 goals and 18 assists in the first
season of a two-year, $3.75 million deal. "For me, it’s comfortable right now.
"Right now, I can play both center and left wing," added Anisimov, who set
career highs last season, his second in the NHL, with 18 goals and 26
assists. "It’s good for me. It opens up more doors."
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Anisimov is particularly strong along the walls and,
a remnant of his time as a center, has been able to get the puck to Gaborik
effectively.
Along with Stepan, the trio first started a game together in the 12th game of
the season, a 5-3 win over the Canadiens on Nov. 5.
Tortorella essentially kept the line together until the 41st game on Jan. 12
before reuniting them on Feb. 5.
Now Tortorella has also gone the last six games with Brad Richards
centering left wing Carl Hagelin and captain Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle
on a third line with left wing Brandon Dubinsky, also a converted center,
and Brandon Prust.
"He’s adjusted to wing and I know that is not easy," Richards said of
Anisimov. "He’s a young guy learning a lot and playing a huge role for a
first-place team. Obviously, he’s growing up.
"If you get things rolling with the same lines, it’s a whole different world,"
Richards added. "I just went two and a half to three years on the same line
[with the Stars]. It’s a lot better."
BRIEFS: Left wing Ruslan Fedotenko, who has missed five games after
taking a high hit, skated for the second straight day and either he or
seldom-used Wojtek Wolski may play tonight. … Defenseman Steve
Eminger said he escaped injury when Blue Jackets center Samuel
Pahlsson fell across his leg in the third period Sunday.
614138
New York Rangers
Gross: Marian Gaborik's future with Rangers on thin ice?
The Record
Marian Gaborik is having a wonderful bounce-back season, one that not
only justifies the five-year, $37.5 million deal he received prior to the 200910 season but also allows him to officially be ranked as one of the
shrewdest signings in Glen Sather's tenure as Rangers general manager.
Yet, though the right wing, again voted the fastest and best skater by his
peers in an NHL Players Association poll, is only halfway through the rich
deal that lured him away from the Minnesota Wild, it's fair to question
whether he's suddenly gotten a lot closer to the end of his time with the
Rangers.
Gaborik, 30, currently carries the Rangers' highest salary-cap hit at $7.5
million annually. That would change if Sather goes for it and gives up
prospects, picks and players to acquire left wing Rick Nash from the Blue
Jackets.
Nash, 27, who counts $7.8 million against the cap through 2018, certainly
whetted the Rangers' appetite with his performance in the Blue Jackets' 3-2
overtime loss at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, tying the game
with 1:33 left in regulation as he blistered goalie Henrik Lundqvist with four
hard-to-handle shots in the game.
Squeezing Nash's contract under their tight salary cap would likely preclude
the Rangers from re-signing a then-32-year-old Gaborik as his deal is
completed.
Or, with the need to re-sign upcoming restricted free agent Michael Del
Zotto ($1.1 million) after this season and fellow young-core members Ryan
McDonagh ($1.3 million) and Derek Stepan ($875,000) after the 2012-13
season, while also presumably finding a spot for top prospect, current
Boston College left wing Chris Kreider — assuming none are dealt for Nash
— the Rangers may feel compelled to trade Gaborik sooner.
Plus, Gaborik, Nash and center Brad Richards ($6.7 million through 2020)
all work best with the puck. Richards and Gaborik already have not meshed
as linemates. Could the Rangers find the correct ice time for all three if they
each needed their own line?
Gaborik has 27 goals and 23 assists after slumping to 22 goals and 26
assists and has an outside chance to match the career-high 42 goals he
notched in his first season with the Rangers.
It might be his last chance.
614139
New York Rangers
Boyle, Rangers improving on faceoffs
By STEVE ZIPAY
PITTSBURGH -- Losing a faceoff in his own zone, a play that led to
Columbus winger Rick Nash's tying goal with 1:33 left in the third period
Sunday night, haunted Brian Boyle. "I didn't sleep at all last night," he said
Monday.
It was a tough draw, but Boyle, who won 11 of 18 faceoffs against the Blue
Jackets, has steadily improved, and coach John Tortorella told him not to
lose any shut-eye over it.
"I talked to Brian after practice and he is upset by it," Tortorella said. "But
just from the conversation, you can tell he was thinking throughout the
game about who he's going up against and not just going in to try to win.
What we try to stress is not always about a clean win, but everybody joins
in and tries to win it. That's what frustrated Brian; he didn't even get a tie. I
told him, 'You're doing much better; just continue to work at it.' I've been
using him quite a bit in our own zone because he's done a really good job."
The Rangers have won the majority of faceoffs in six of their last eight
games, ranging from 62 percent against the Capitals to 52 percent against
the Flyers. Boyle won at least 59 percent of his draws in five of those
games.
The recent success, when Boyle uses his 6-7 frame for leverage, has
vaulted him to 51.9 percent for the season, higher than Evgeni Malkin
(46.4) and Jordan Staal (49.9) of the Penguins, whom the Eastern
Conference-leading Rangers (38-14-5, 81 points) face Tuesday night at
Consol Energy Center.
"They're really strong at center. And now they have Joe Vitale. He's one of
the best guys out there. I played against him at Northeastern," said Boyle,
who attended Boston College. Indeed, Vitale wins 55.9 percent of his
draws.
"We're getting better," Tortorella said. "[Brad Richards] talked to me after
[Sunday's] game and said he thinks he's doing better on the offensive
draws versus the defensive draws."
Richards has taken the most draws on the team (902) and is at 51.7
percent. The team ranks 13th with a 50.3 percentage. The Bruins lead the
NHL at 55.2.
"What I like is that there's some constructive thinking about what I'm going
to do here" in the discussions, Tortorella said, but he warned that there's a
flow to the game that he doesn't want to inhibit. "There's a fine line. You
don't want to paralyze yourself . . . You can't overthink."
614140
NHL
White Towel: Some big-name NHL players could be on the block at trade
deadline
The New York Rangers, Chicago and Florida could also come calling for
Zidlicky.
EDMONTON OILERS
Ryan Smyth is staying, Ales Hemsky should be going and the trade
deadline should be uneventful unless it means better stocking a roster for
next season.
By Ben Kuzma,
The real work for the Oilers should come in the offseason.
For what seems like an eternity, the worst development in Calgary has
been a three-game win streak.
As much as they need a better supporting cast for the kids — Ryan NugentHopkins, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle — and it’s no surprise that they’ve all
been hurt this season in trying to carry the offensive load, that back end
needs addressing in the worst way and maybe the goaltending, too.
To their detractors, any spurt of consistency has provided false hope that
the Flames are indeed a playoff team. And the faith that ownership and
management have maintained in retaining the coveted Jarome Iginla and
Miikka Kiprusoff — instead of dealing the stars for a major retooling — will
keep the Flames in the hunt until they ultimately fall short again.
And while it didn’t register much on the Richter Scale, shipping former firstround pick Ryan O’Marra to Anaheim for minor-league blueliner Bryan
Rodney speaks volumes about the void behind the blueline.
It happened last season when Calgary went on a 27-11-9 run after
Christmas, yet fell three points shy of a postseason berth.
There’s much to suggest that could be happening again, but this story has
an interesting twist.
Beset by a bevy of injuries — Mikael Backlund (shoulder), Blair Jones
(ankle), Lee Stempniak (ankle), Curtis Glencross (knee), Derek Smith
(ankle), David Moss (ankle) — the 24th-ranked offence and what is
basically a one-line team with one hot goaltender is again banging at the
playoff door.
However, the rejuvenation of Olli Jokinen — must be the hair — and
playmaking ability of Alex Tanguay have turned Iginla into a dangerous
stretch-drive weapon again and the acquisition of Mike Cammalleri might
just provide enough sizzle for that steak on the power play.
And although general manager Jay Feaster has done a credible job in
shedding salary to open up room to re-sign Tanguay and absorb
Cammalleri’s deal, being at the cap ceiling means the Flames will have to
part with a roster player at the trade deadline or go with what they have to
get in the postseason.
For an organization that has little depth, the Flames are getting a push from
their Abbotsford Heat line of Lance Bouma, Roman Horak and Krys
Kolanos that has formed the third alignment.
Paul Byron provides a lot of try on the fourth line and T.J. Brodie may finally
be developing into a responsible blueliner.
That’s all fine, but those injuries to key players are of the long-term variety
and with five teams jockeying for the final conference playoff spot, the
Flames need help up front.
Question is, who if anybody is Feaster prepared to part with?
MINNESOTA WILD
Rookie coach Mike Yeo was saying all the right things and getting all the
right results in the fall.
It now seems like so long time ago, but when the Wild were actually winning
regularly and atop NHL standings — they even entered the new year right
on the Canucks’ heels — the acquisitions of Dany Heatley and Devin
Setoguchi and promoting minor-leaguers that Yeo was more than familiar
with seemed like the right route to travel.
Heatley and Setoguchi have done the expected, but injuries to Mikko Koivu,
Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Guillaume Latendresse only emphasized why
the Wild had the 29th-ranked offence and 24th-ranked power play entering
weekend play.
Void of offence and tired of those rah-rah speeches that often fell on deaf
ears, it all got the better of defenceman Marek Zidlicky, who was scratched
for four-consecutive games.
He wants out of Minny in the worst way and has waived his no-trade clause
in hopes of being dealt to the New Jersey Devils. With no goals and 13
assists through 39 games, Zidlicky was also a minus-7 but would still draw
considerable interest at or before the deadline.
“I can tell you for sure I’m planning to talk to other teams,” Wild general
manager Chuck Fletcher told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune of the 35-yearold blueliner who has another year left at a $4-million US cap hit.
Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.21.2012
614141
NHL
White Towel: If Colorado Avalanche slide, trades possible
By Ben Kuzma
Shane O’Brien pleaded the Fifth.
Asked to detail the context of an animated penalty-box exchange with Alex
Burrows on Feb. 4 in Denver, the outspoken and outgoing Colorado
Avalanche defenceman sided with the NHL’s version of the Fifth
Amendment and refused to answer because his response could provoke
self-incriminating evidence.
In other words, there is a certain code among players — especially former
teammates — that the gift of gab and those wicked verbal shots shouldn’t
be shared with the populace.
However, you don’t have to be a lip-reader to realize that the barbs from
O’Brien in the box that day had something to do with contracts and who has
more money. Ouch.
“I don’t know who was doing the camera work that night because he did a
good job,” laughed O’Brien. “All over Twitter, people were reading my lips.
Burr is a great guy. He gets under my skin and I like to let him know about
it.”
Said Burrows of the exchange: “It was a good one. We wanted to see who
had the best chirps and I won that battle.”
Maybe that’s why his new teammates have labelled O’Brien “a -beauty.”
From trying to get to the opposition and trying to get the Avalanche back to
the postseason, the one-year, $1.1 million US contract investment in
O’Brien has paid dividends. And there’s a good chance the Avalanche, who
could move the injured (groin strain) and -unrestricted Jean-Sebastien
Giguere and others at the deadline if they falter this week, may re-sign
O’Brien for all the right reasons.
He has improved his game, curbed his wayward ways and has even been a
mentor to young blueliners like Tyson Barrie and Stefan Elliott. He’s also
logging 19 minutes a night, ranks fourth on the club in hits and fifth in
blocked shots.
Then again, O’Brien’s value may never be higher in a trade scenario and if
the Avalanche are going to fall short of a postseason berth, he could be
dangled. However, the Avalanche are saying all the right things about
O’Brien and don’t sound like they were just pumping the trade tires.
“What Shane has brought has been nothing but positive,” said coach Joe
Sacco. “From what has happened to him in the past, he’s matured as a
player and a person and has been a good influence on our younger players.
They feel comfortable with him because he does communicate and makes
them feel pretty -comfortable on the ice. There’s no fear that somebody is
taking his [O’Brien’s] ice time.”
O’Brien is always going to rank first in gabbing or even grabbing. It was a
horse-collar crease tackle of Burrows that had the pair poised to scrap
before being banished to the box.
“He shows up,” said Burrows. “He wears his heart on his sleeve and likes to
compete and be a good teammate and do good things. He skates well and
makes good plays, but sometimes the emotions get the better of him and
sometimes that’s a good thing. But in pressure games and tight games it
can go south on you and we’ve seen that a few times. But overall, he was a
great -teammate.”
That’s what the Avalanche are also saying and O’Brien seems like the least
of their concerns. With a flood of free agents, the Avalanche could have
easily gone into sell mode with the trade deadline just eight days away.
However, the inconsistent yet resilient club has managed to keep treading
water and keep their playoff hopes alive which has somewhat shifted the
tide in the Mile High City. Especially if Matt Duchene can be effective after
missing 20 games with a knee injury.
“That’s a team I like,” said Canucks coach Alain Vigneault. “If you look at
the young offensive potential and their game where they let their defence
jump up and are assertive that way — they’re fighting for a playoff spot so
they’re very competitive.”
In the mad scramble for postseason positioning in the Western Conference,
the Avalanche have parlayed a penny-pinching approach to their roster —
they have $14.6 million US in available salary cap space — and could use
help up front and on the back end.
With 16 pending free agents, the Avalanche could easily move an
unrestricted grinder like Cody McLeod and give up on the restricted Erik
Johnson. They’re not expected to re-sign the unrestricted David Jones and
have a Calder Trophy candidate in hulking winger Gabriel Landeskog, the
second overall pick in the 2011 entry draft. He was not only fourth in club
scoring with 30 points (13-17) after 58 games, he was just six points shy of
the rookie lead. How good has he been?
“When people ask me that question, I always look at his minutes (18:22),
but more importantly the situations he plays in,” said Sacco.
“He’s on our first power-play unit, kills penalties and plays in 4-on-4
situations, plays when we’re up a goal late in games and when we’re down
a goal late in games. So that pretty much says it all. His progression has
been very good and his development curve is heading in the right direction
and he’s going to be a good solid player for a long time if he keeps it up.”
The Avalanche are far removed from their Cup winning ways but in
Landeskog, Duchene, Ryan O’Reilly and Paul Stastny they have something
to build upon up front. They could use another puck-rushing defenceman
and haven’t really filled that void in trading Kevin Shattenkirk last season,
but Barrie and Elliott provide hope for the future. And that’s something
they’re not expected to part with at the trade deadline.
“We’re definitely headed in the right direction,” said O’Brien. “I’ve bounced
around in my career and the coaching staff is giving me a good opportunity
here. Hopefully the business side will take care of itself.”
614142
NHL
Avs rookie forward a Swedish delight
paul waldie
When Sweden won the world junior hockey championship for the first time
in 30 years, Gabriel Landeskog should have been envious.
After all, the 19-year-old from Stockholm would have been a key part of that
team in January had he not been playing for the Colorado Avalanche.
So was he jealous? Nope. Not the slightest.
“I have a lot friends on that team and I am so happy for them,” Landeskog
said in Winnipeg, before the Avalanche lost 5-1 to the Jets at the MTS
Centre last Sunday. “But at the same time, this is a dream. This is where I
want to be and I wouldn’t trade it in for anything to be honest with you.”
Neither would the Avalanche.
Since being selected second overall by Colorado last summer in the NHL
entry draft, Landeskog has become a franchise cornerstone and helped
keep the Avs (29-27-4) in the hunt for a playoff position.
Head coach Joe Sacco didn’t even wait the available nine regular-season
games to tell Landeskog he’d made the team. Sacco put him on the squad
right after the preseason. And for good reason.
While a handful of other teenaged rookies also stuck with their teams –
such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Edmonton Oilers), Adam Larsson (New
Jersey Devils) and Sean Couturier (Philadelphia Flyers) – it can be argued
none have been as critical to their club as Landeskog.
“The only thing I need to tell you about him, that I tell other people, is look at
the situations that he plays in,” Sacco said. “He plays on arguably our top
line. He plays on the first power-play unit. He plays on penalty killing. He
plays on 4-on-4 situations. He plays when we’re up a goal late in games, he
plays when we are down a goal late in games.”
Not surprisingly, Landeskog averages 18 minutes 25 seconds per game in
ice time, more than any other rookie forward. He also has 15 goals and 33
points, ranking him tied for second and fourth, respectively, among rookies.
And he’s a plus-14, which also ties him for second among rookies.
But that’s not all. Landeskog leads all rookies in shots (190), and he has
154 hits, putting him in the top three.
“He just does everything well,” Sacco said. “We have a lot of trust in the
young player. And he’s gained that trust for himself.”
During the game last Sunday, Landeskog was the only bright spot for the
Avalanche. He scored Colorado’s lone goal on a power play and, while he
finished the game minus-1, he played nearly 20 minutes and led the team in
shots.
“I played against him in junior,” Jets forward Alexander Burmistrov said. “He
doesn’t play like a Swede. He plays like a Canadian.”
As a child, the 6-foot-1, 204-pound Landeskog dreamed of playing in the
NHL. He learned English from a young age as preparation, and bypassed
the Swedish professional leagues to head to the Kitchener Rangers of the
OHL at 16.
It may have been a stretch for some teenagers, but not Landeskog. Even
then he projected an ease and confidence far beyond his years. He spent
two years with the Rangers, becoming the club’s first European captain and
scoring 36 goals in his last season, despite playing in only 53 games
because of an injury.
The Avalanche wasted no time selecting Landeskog last summer, right after
Edmonton took Nugent-Hopkins with the first pick. He quickly found his
place on a young Denver team, which includes mainstays such as Matt
Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly, who are both 21.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” said Landeskog, who speaks easily with reporters
and without a trace of a Swedish accent. “I’m just trying to find some open
ice and keep a smile on my face and things usually work out.”
He credits his father, Tony, a former professional player in Sweden, for
much of his hockey acumen, adding, his father, who is in the insurance
business, stays up late to watch his son play on television. “I fly him over
once in a while,” Landeskog said.
He had no idea what to expect in his first NHL season, but Landeskog is
grateful for the extended ice time, saying it has helped him improve his
game in several areas, such as penalty killing. “Being out there in critical
situations is when you learn the most. You learn a lot from your mistakes,
too. And, not to hang myself out there, but I’ve been doing a lot of mistakes
especially early in the year, and you learn from some of those.”
Landeskog also knows he’ll have to work even harder this summer to avoid
any second-year lapse.
“You always want to stay on top,” he said. “You always know that there’s
younger players, rookies, coming up in the league and they want to get
better and take your spot. So you got to make sure you are working harder.”
614143
NHL
Holding our breath for the NHL’s first blockbuster trade
ROY MACGREGOR | Columnist profile | From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
There are times, and this is one of them, when describing Canada as a
“hockey-mad” nation is simply not strong enough.
If the world were actually to end in the spring of 2012, Canadians would
have to wait until the game was over to hear the news that everything was
over.
In the coming week, right up until 3 p.m. EST on Monday, Feb. 27, lunacy
will rule. Television screens will be filled with grown men in dark, serious
suits staring hard at their BlackBerries. Twitter will explode with speculation,
errors and schoolyard fights over who was first with what news about some
third-line winger no one has ever heard of before. There will be more instant
analysis offered up than if the government suddenly fell.
It does not matter that the salary cap and competitive parity have served to
make this rather anticlimactic in recent years. With few teams truly out of
the playoff picture, and even fewer teams with salary elasticity, the action
has been reduced largely to what Harry Sinden once called “moving-van
trades” – the only winner being the companies that truck the players’
furniture from the old city to the new one.
Commentators will, once again, overuse the phrase “traded for a bag of
pucks” when they could easily use a much superior example of a lowball
deal: Kris Draper from the Winnipeg Jets to the Detroit Red Wings in 1993
for a buck.
Talk about a dollar well spent. Draper went on to play more than 1,000
games for the Red Wings, win four Stanley Cups and be awarded the Selke
Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward.
(As The Hockey News smartly pointed out last week, a puck bag sells for
$24.99 and, filled with pucks, would cost $84.39 before taxes.)
Most speculation in recent days has concerned the destination of Rick
Nash, the huge and hugely talented captain of the lowly Columbus Blue
Jackets. Sadly for NHL marketing purposes, he will not be going to
Nashville, having apparently lifted his no-trade clause in favour of five
teams: Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Toronto
Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks.
Keith Jones once claimed he and a journeyman teammate on the
Philadelphia Flyers had their own unique no-trade clauses: “Nobody wants
us.”
There will be much talk, as there is each year at this time, about the 1980
trade that sent Butch Goring from the Kings to the New York Islanders,
thereby giving the Islanders that final piece of the puzzle that led to four
straight Stanley Cups.
Such genuine impact, however, is rare. There is the 1964 trade between
the Maple Leafs and Rangers that brought Andy Bathgate and Don
McKenney to Toronto (in exchange for five players including Dick Duff) and
helped produce the Leafs’ second-last Cup.
No matter how 2012 plays out, it will never compare to the trading action of
20 years ago. The Calgary Flames and the Maple Leafs launched 1992 by
swapping a total of 10 players, including Doug Gilmour, in a single deal. It
was also the year in which the Quebec Nordiques sent the rights to Eric
Lindros to the Flyers in exchange for five fine players, including future hallof-famer Peter Forsberg, $15-million in cash and two high draft picks.
Hindsight would suggest that bad trades are remembered far better than
good ones, and history argues that, contrary to popular belief, not all bad
hockey trades were made by the Islanders, though Zdeno Chara and the
draft pick that became Jason Spezza for the Ottawa Senators’ Alexei
Yashin, and Roberto Luongo for a couple of middling Florida Panthers hold
unique status.
Who can recall what the Bruins got from the Sharks for Joe Thornton in
2005?
What made the Chicago Blackhawks think the Buffalo Sabres’ Stéphane
Beauregard was fair exchange for unused goalie Dominik Hasek in 1992?
Or the Pittsburgh Penguins sending Markus Naslund to the Vancouver
Canucks for Alek Stojanov in 1996? (In the interest of fairness, it should be
pointed out that Vancouver also ended up on the short end of a deal in
1986 when it took Barry Pederson from Boston in exchange for a local
prospect named Cam Neely.)
While the experts will be quick this week to say which team won and which
team lost, it’s important to remember that, over time, some trades are
beyond measure. Who got the better deal in 1995 when the Dallas Stars
got Joe Nieuwendyk, and soon a Cup, from the Flames for an unknown
prospect named Jarome Iginla? And what about that “worst deal ever” that
brought Phil Kessel to Toronto for three high draft picks, one of whom
turned out to be Tyler Seguin?
Phil Kessel? Tyler Seguin? Kessel? Seguin? Seguin? Kessel? …
Such bar and water-cooler chatter is a waste of time.
But this is Canada, where two dates stand out above all others.
July 1, 1867, the birth of the country.
And Aug. 9, 1988, the day Wayne Gretzky was traded.
614144
NHL
Theoren Fleury favours jail time for sex offender Graham James
ROB DRINKWATER
Retired NHL star Theoren Fleury says it's common sense that his junior
hockey coach should get jail time for sexually abusing him when he was a
teenage player.
But Fleury also says he's already moved on — no matter what happens to
Graham James in court.
James is to appear at a sentencing hearing in Winnipeg on Wednesday. He
pleaded guilty via video link in December to repeated sexual assaults
against two former junior players: one of them Fleury and another who
cannot be named because of a court-ordered publication ban.
humanitarian award in Swift Current, Sask., over the weekend — the city
where James was his coach.
“With Greg, I feel for him that his case was stayed,” Kennedy continued. “I
think it's important that we stand up. It's not just me. We're standing
together.”
According to an agreed statement of facts, James started fondling Fleury in
September 1983 while the hockey player slept. The groping and fondling
escalated over a two-year period to a point where James would masturbate
in front of Fleury before performing oral sex.
The pattern was almost identical with the second victim. Those attacks took
place between 1989 and 1994.
Some legal experts have said James could get a conditional sentence to be
served in the community, since he has already done time for similar
offences during the same period.
Gilhooly said he's steeling himself for the possibility and questions a justice
system that would allow that.
The Crown and defence will make their sentence recommendations. The
hearing will also allow the victims to be heard.
“In many ways Graham is no different than (serial child killer) Clifford Olson,
except that Graham decided to leave his victims alive at the very end after
doing what he did with them,” he said.
Fleury won't attend as he'll be in Vancouver preparing to host the National
Aboriginal Achievement Awards later in the week. He's prepared a victim
impact statement, however, although he says he doesn't have any
expectations about what the judge's eventual sentencing decision will be.
“Graham is a serial pedophile, who picked and chose his victim, and then
moved on to the next, and the next, and the next. If our court system
believes that the sentence he received the first time is adequate, I say the
court system is an ass.”
“I have already moved past and I am the victor over sexual abuse,” Fleury
said from Calgary in an interview with The Canadian Press.
Kennedy said he believes James was offered a deal for pleading guilty or
for the charges related to Gilhooly being stayed.
“And my sole focus and sole purpose in my life — and for the remainder of
my life — is to support other victims who have come forth, or are yet to
come forth, and have started the journey and the path to healing.”
Crown attorney Colleen McDuff said in December that no plea deal was
struck and the Crown will be asking that he be sent to prison.
The latest convictions against James date from a period between 1983 and
1994. He has already served a 3 1/2-year sentence for abusing three other
former players about the same time, including former NHLer Sheldon
Kennedy.
Kennedy says he will be at the sentencing hearing. Also planning to attend
is Greg Gilhooly, even though charges relating to him were stayed when
James pleaded guilty in December.
In an e-mail, which also appears on Gilhooly's Facebook page, the former
goalie said the hearing in Winnipeg will be the first time he's seen James in
30 years.
“I have a ticket in hand and plan on being there, though I will admit that
some days I go back and forth on this,” said the e-mail from Gilhooly, now a
corporate lawyer in Ontario.
In an interview Monday, Gilhooly said he will definitely be in Winnipeg on
Wednesday.
“I'm ready and I believe it's important to show myself that he has no power
over me anymore,” he said.
James has been free on bail while awaiting his sentence.
Gilhooly, a Princeton University graduate with a law degree from the
University of Toronto, asked the court to remove the publication ban on his
name after the stay of charges in his case. He'd originally gone to police in
the spring of 2010 after discovering James had been quietly pardoned in
2007 for his earlier convictions.
He forwarded the revelation to The Canadian Press and the resulting
political firestorm led to changes in Canada's pardon system.
Gilhooly said it's important for him to attend the sentencing because he
doesn't want James or his lawyer to refer to him “in concept” only. He says
he doesn't know what to expect of James — or of himself.
“I've thought a lot about going to the sentencing hearing, but I haven't
visualized any aspects of it. I honestly don't know how I'm going to react
when I do see him.”
Kennedy said he wants to be at the hearing to support Gilhooly.
“It's a hard day to face your abuser in whatever type of abuse that is. For so
long you think it's your fault and most of the time these people are in a
position of power over you,” said Kennedy, who was honoured with a
But even if James gets more jail time, it won't matter that much to Gilhooly.
“Honestly, I don't think that it's going to help,” he said. “In the end, Graham
remains who he is, and he did what he did, and ... whether he gets jail or
not is not going to impact my recovery.”
Kennedy said even if the sentence is light, it would still help bring public
attention to the sexual abuse of children.
“If Graham does get a conditional sentence, there's going to be a lot of
people that aren't happy with that, and it will cause quite a ruckus. We need
to be able to make sure we direct that in a proper manner.”
Fleury suggested the judge is likely to reserve decision on the sentence. If
that's the case, he hopes to be able to make it to the actual sentencing.
“But the ‘final' has already happened for me. I'm already past it,” he said.
“I have taken my own personal journey, my own personal path, and I am in
a great place in my life. And the reason why I'm there is I get the
opportunity on a daily basis to help other people who have gone through
similar situations get where they need to go.”
614145
NHL
Playing for love, not money
By PAT HICKEY, The Gazette February 21, 2012 5:20 AM
I witnessed an entertaining hockey game Sunday.
It featured world-class athletes who have won world championships and
Olympic gold medals, but there wasn't a pampered millionaire in sight.
There weren't any thundering checks, but you couldn't mistake the passion
as the players skated up and down the ice.
By now, you've guessed I'm not writing about the Canadiens-Devils game,
which was a snorefest made more intolerable for local fans because
Montreal was on the short end of a 3-1 count.
I am writing about the Montreal Stars' 7-4 win over the Toronto Furies in a
Canadian Women's Hockey League at Centre Étienne Desmarteau.
The Stars and the CWHL are among the best-kept secrets in town. While
the Stars are in first place, the average attendance hovers around 600. But
general manager Meg Hewings said the sport is gaining acceptance.
"Last season, we'd have less than 100 fans a game and now we're up to
600," said Hewings, who describes her GM role as a full-time job as in "fulltime volunteer."
The reality is that the CWHL may be the women's equivalent to the National
Hockey League, but nobody is making money from playing women's
hockey. The Stars are a lean operation. There's some sponsorship funds
from Scotiabank, Bauer, Winsport, Blackstone and Molson. Tickets are a
bargain at $8 and the team also has a 50-50 draw, and sells T-shirts, pucks
and team pictures. In you want any of the memorabilia autographed, you
only to have show up in a corridor behind the stands where the players
greet fans, sign autographs and pose for pictures.
"Some of the players have part-time jobs and some are carded by the
government and receive money, but we're in this game because we love it,"
said Meghan Agosta.
She was the most valuable player when Canada won the gold medal at the
2010 winter Games in Vancouver and the Stars consider themselves
fortunate to have her in the lineup. She's a native of Ruthven, Ont., which is
35 kilometres south of Windsor, but her husband-to-be, Marco Marciano, is
a Montrealer.
Agosta would like to do some coaching and one-on-one training in
Montreal, but said she's busy preparing for her summer hockey camp in
Windsor and her coming nuptials.
Julie Chu says she's grateful the Stars have made room for her, but I
suspect the team is happy to have the all-time leading scorer in NCAA
women's hockey and a threetime U.S. Olympian. Chu, who has a
psychology degree from Harvard, has a job as an assistant coach at Union
College in Schenectady, N.Y., which keeps her busy Monday to Saturday,
but catches up to the Stars wherever they're playing on Sunday.
The veteran of the team is Caroline Ouellette, whose mother can usually be
found sitting behind the table that doubles as the team's box office. She's a
three-time Olympic gold medallist who works for RBC as part of its program
to employ elite athletes. She's happy to be part of a championship team,
but she also is proud of the team's outreach projects that include increasing
awareness of women's hockey and a fundraising effort that contributed
$15,000 to breast cancer research.
614146
Ottawa Senators
Senators blank Islanders 6-0 in Presidents Day smackdown
STUD: Erik Karlsson, Senators. His owner went on the radio Monday and
said he had to the potential to be “one of the great defencemen of all time.”
Jury’s still out on that one, but Karlsson did turn in a spectacular
performance.
Posted on 20 February 2012. By James Gordon
DUD: Kevin Poulin. When a goalie lasts just 1:35 in a game, there are two
common explanations. A) He was injured. B) He had a terrible game. Kevin
Poulin was not injured in this contest.
So much for rust.
Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean was asked several times over the
weekend how his team would respond to a four-day break between games,
to which he responded: “We’ll see.”
It didn’t take the Senators long to provide a crystal-clear answer.
They scored twice to chase New York Islanders goaltender Kevin Poulin
just 1:35 into the game Monday en route to a 6-0 victory — their third win in
a row.
Defenceman Erik Karlsson led the way with two goals and two assists for
the Senators, while Jason Spezza chipped in with two tallies of his own.
Chris Phillips (on the power play) and Brian Lee also found the back of the
net in the afternoon rout.
It wasn’t the way a surprisingly large Presidents Day crowd of 15,818 at the
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum envisioned things working out, but
MacLean certainly enjoyed the outing,
“I thought our team was really ready to play,” he said. “Obviously, scoring in
the first minute or the first 90 seconds, getting two goals was good. It was a
good sign of our preparation and our willingness to come here and compete
today against a team that we knew was going to be able to skate real well.”
Considering how badly the Senators stumbled out of January’s all-star
break and how well they played in wins last Tuesday and Wednesday,
some worried a lengthy layoff (including two days with no skating at all)
might hurt Ottawa’s performance.
Those concerns proved to be unfounded.
Erik Karlsson said getting off to a good start was the Senators’ main goal
heading in.
“We’ve had some days off, the coach has been nice to us in giving us some
complete days off, and we wanted to show him that we want more of
those.”
With his four-point afternoon, Karlsson pulled to within six points of Norm
Maciver’s franchise record of 63 by a defenceman.
Al Montoya stopped swept up after Poulin’s exit, allowing four goals on 27
shots, while Craig Anderson was solid again in Ottawa’s net. He turned
aside 28 shots for his third shutout of the season.
“I think we did a great job cleaning up rebounds when they were left
around,” Anderson said. “Keeping (the Islanders) to the outside, allowing
me to see the puck – that’s huge. When a goalie can see the puck, he’s
going to stop it more times than not.”
Karlsson started things off just 1:08 in, when he beat Poulin with a shot
from behind the goal-line that bounced off the goalie and into the net.
Seconds later, Spezza walked into the slot and wired a wrister that chased
the young keeper, who was standing in for flu-ridden No. 1 Evgeni
Nabokov.
The Islanders’ did have a chance to staunch the bleeding late in the first,
when Michael Grabner hopped on a turnover and skated in on a partial
breakaway. A hard-charging Milan Michalek caught up, however, and
managed to pester him just enough to prevent a decent shot.
The play turned back up the ice, where Karlsson one-timed his second goal
of the game and let the air out of the building for good.
*
WHY THEY WON: The Senators had a 2-0 lead before the Islanders knew
what hit them and didn’t let off the gas. If New York wasn’t ready to enter
sell mode ahead of the NHL trade deadline, this game was more evidence it
should be.
PARENTEAU SUPERVISION: The Islanders’ frustrations really boiled over
after Brian Lee made it 5-0 midway through the third period. P.A. Parenteau
felt he’d been interfered with earlier in the play, but the officials disagreed.
The goal against pushed him over the edge, and his hissy fit earned him an
immediate game misconduct.
Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 02.21.2012
614147
Ottawa Senators
Cheapseats: Melnyk won't break bank to make playoffs
By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Stay the course.
With the NHL trade deadline less than a week away, owner Eugene Melnyk
told Sportsnet Radio Fan 590 in Toronto on Monday that the club isn’t going
to go on a spending spree just to get into the playoffs.
Melnyk didn’t rule out GM Bryan Murray trying to move the contracts of
expensive veterans if they’re able to get young players who will grow with
the team.
That means defencemen Sergei Gonchar and Filip Kuba could be on the
move by 3 p.m. next Monday, although Melnyk said Murray told him no
changes are necessary.
“You have to stick to the plan,” said Melnyk. “You can never plan on where
you’ll end up as far as No. 13, No. 10 or No. 7. You do stick to the plan:
Growing from within and draft well. We came into this with a three-year
plan.
“We went the hard way. That’s the only way. You rid yourself, if you can, of
very expensive old players who aren’t producing. You bring in hungry young
kids that will do anything to continue with (their) NHL career.”
Melnyk said the club won’t overspend just to finish seventh and get
eliminated in the first round.
“As tempting as it may sound, nothing changes,” said Melnyk. “You spend a
boatload and you come in No. 9. You look like an idiot. You’ve got to be
prudent and patient. Continue to be focused.
“Do we want to be the belle of the ball? We want to. (But) we’re not going to
gamble the future for short-term gain. (We) won’t blow money to get to the
second round.”
TOUGH DAY FOR P.A.
Keep an eye on P.A. Parenteau. The 28-year-old Isles winger and Hull
native is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and contract
talks have been halted with hopes of making a deal in the off-season. While
the Isles would like to keep Parenteau, GM Garth Snow can’t afford to lose
him for nothing. The Senators, Kings, Sharks and Leafs are all looking for
depth at forward. “He’d be an unbelievable pickup,” said Senators C Zenon
Konopka, a former teammate of Parenteau. “He’s the most underrated
player in the league. He battles in all three zones. The puck is on his stick
most of the game. He controls the game. Johnny (Tavares) is the superstar,
but usually Parenteau is the playmaker. He’s a diamond in the rough for
whoever gets him. It’d be nice to see him in a Senators uniform.” Murray
and assistant Tim Murray were in Long Island. Parenteau didn’t do himself
any favours by taking a 10-minute and game misconduct in separate
incidents. He was thrown out in the third after he had his stick broken by
Kuba and then tossed it in a fit of rage.
THIS ’N’ THAT
It was game No. 1,111 for No. 11. Did Daniel Alfredsson know about the
unusual milestone? “It doesn’t really mean much unless I can score my No.
411 in my career,” Alfredsson said before the game. “What am I at? 409 ...
If I could get two.” The Senators captain did hit the post in the second and
missed the net on a breakaway in the third. So why did Alfredsson choose
No. 11? Was it because he was born on Dec. 11, 1972? “I could have
chosen No. 11 or No. 22 once I made the team (in 1995),” he said. “It was
Antti Tormanen and myself. I got to pick first so I chose No. 11 and he got
No. 22. That was the only options I had, really.” By the way, Alfredsson is
listed at 5-foot-11 ... Milan Michalek did a great job keeping Michael
Grabner from getting a shot off on a short-handed breakaway in the first.
“That was big,” said Senators goaltender Craig Anderson. “If they score
there, that’s a different game.”
AROUND THE BOARDS
How have the Senators got back on the winning track? Fast starts. They’ve
now scored the first goal in the past five games ... Isles fans gave former D
Denis Potvin a nice round of applause during a timeout on the 20th
anniversary of having his No. 5 retired. Potvin wanted to wear No. 7 when
he arrived on the Island in 1973, but it was taken ... D Chris Phillips had his
second power-play goal of the season to tie a career-high set in 2002-03.
THE FINAL BUZZER
D Brian Lee was relieved to score for the first time since Nov. 14, 2009 —
ending a 99-game drought. “It had been a long time. It was good to get that
off my back,” said Lee. “I never looked at (the stat) because it was a little
depressing. It just felt good to see it go in.” ... C Jason Spezza was named
the NHL’s third star of the week after scoring three goals and adding four
assists in the Sunshine State sweep.
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 02.21.2012
614148
Ottawa Senators
Sens thump Islanders
Karlsson lives up to Melnyk's lofty billing with 4-point effort
By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Before the puck was dropped Monday, Senators
owner Eugene Melnyk declared the sky is the limit for Erik Karlsson.
“He can only get better. Over time, he can go down in history with the great
defencemen of all-time. He is that good,” Melnyk told a Toronto radio
station.
It sure looked that way in this matinee.
Led by Karlsson’s two-goal, two-assist performance, along with Jason
Spezza’s two-goal effort, the Senators extended their winning streak to
three games with a 6-0 rout of the New York Islanders.
While it was Family Day in Ontario, the Senators were promoting
togetherness here as goalie Craig Anderson earned his third shutout of the
season with 28 saves, while blueliners Chris Phillips and Brian Lee also
scored.
But it was Karlsson who stole the show.
“The whole team played pretty smart and we were able to capitalize on their
mistakes,” said Karlsson, who is only six points shy of Norm Maciver’s
franchise record for points by a defenceman (63) set in 1992-93.
You sensed it was going to be a good day for Karlsson early. He scored his
second of the game at 14:03 of the first to give the Senators a 3-0 lead. His
first came from below the goal line just 1:08 in.
About the only thing Karlsson couldn’t accomplish was becoming the
second blueliner in franchise history — the first since Sami Salo in 1999 —
to record a hat trick.
Karlsson had to settle for setting up third-period goals by Lee and Spezza.
How badly did he want the hat trick?
“Not as much as I wanted the win,” said Karlsson.
Right answer.
The Senators wasted little time getting going after a four-day break.
Spezza scored 27 seconds after Karlsson to give the Senators a 2-0 lead at
1:35 of the first and chase Isles starter Kevin Poulin, who allowed the quick
goals on five shots.
Spezza continued his hot streak by firing a blast past replacement Al
Montoya at 10:57 of the third.
“The rest did us good,” said Spezza, who has five straight multiple-point
games. “We got some days off and we got some good work in as well. We
played a smart game, (Anderson) made some good saves and it was an allaround good effort.”
Anderson wasn’t busy until he faced 18 shots in the third. By then, the issue
had been decided.
“It was just a great effort by everybody,” said Anderson, who faced only 10
shots in the first 40 minutes. “We got a couple of early ones and then we
just stuck to our game.
“We just did a great job of limiting their opportunities and making sure they
didn’t get anything on the inside. We did a really good job winning the oneon-one battles.”
Offence from the defence didn’t hurt, either. Karlsson has been a consistent
contributor all season, while Lee scored his first goal in 99 games and
Phillips had his third of the season.
“When you look at the guys that did it maybe (it’s unexpected),” said Phillips
with a smile. “Myself and Brian aren’t expected to do that. It’s nice to chip
in.”
The Senators host the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, when they will
be shooting for their 32nd win to equal their total from last season.
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 02.21.2012
614149
Philadelphia Flyers
Kubina wants to stay with Flyers
By Marc Narducci
Pavel Kubina is happy to be a Flyer.
After his first practice on Monday at Voorhees following his acquisition
Saturday from the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kubina talked about how eager he
is to get things started with his new team. An unrestricted free agent after
the season, he also discussed his desire for a relationship with the Flyers
beyond the season and his anticipation about playing before the home fans.
As is life in the NHL, Kubina won't have much time to settle in. Following
practice the Flyers traveled to Winnipeg, where they begin a four-game
road trip on Tuesday.
The Flyers will be in Edmonton on Thursday, Calgary on Saturday and end
the trip on Feb. 28 at San Jose.
"It's good to go on the road and get to know the guys," Kubina said after
practice.
He also said he's looking forward to playing at the Wells Fargo Center.
"It was always hard to play in this building," he said. "They have passionate
fans and I am glad I can play for them now."
The 6-foot-4, 258-pound defenseman was acquired for second- and fourthround picks along with minor-league forward Jon Kalinski.
"It's a great organization and a great team and always has been one of the
top teams in the league," Kubina said. "I'm 34 years old and it's a great
opportunity to play for a team like that."
Kubina, who won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004, will be an
unrestricted free agent after this season. He hopes his stay in Philadelphia
lasts beyond this season.
"If I play well for this team and they want me, I don't want to go anywhere
and test the water," he said. "That is the way I am and hopefully, it will go
that way."
With Kubina and 6-4, 230-pound defenseman Nick Grossman, who was
acquired Thursday from Dallas, the Flyers have added another dimension.
"I think the guys we picked up more than anything bring size and
physicality," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said.
The Flyers coach then expanded on Kubina.
"He's a big, hulking type guy who provides a presence back there,"
Laviolette said. "He plays with a little bit of an edge."
Kubina is also the only righthanded Flyers defenseman.
"He's a righthanded shot so that is something different to our back unit that
we don't have," Laviolette said. "Plus his experience, he has won a cup
before and what he is able to bring to the table from a physical standpoint
will be an important fact."
Kubina's new teammates are glad they don't have to compete against him
anymore.
"It's just so tough to get to the net on him," said forward James van
Riemsdyk. "It's not only his size, but his experience, and he is a great
player with good pedigree."
Notes. Jakub Voracek left practice after sliding into the boards, but the
Flyers said there were no injuries to report. . . . Van Riemsdyk, who had
missed 15 games with a concussion before returning to play 14 minutes, 23
seconds in Saturday's 6-4 loss to visiting Pittsburgh, said he is feeling well.
"My timing could have been a little better but I played a lot and it was fun to
be out there," he said.
Forward Danny Briere on the two recent acquisitions: "Usually when you
have the team shaken up a little, it's a little bit of a wake-up call for
everybody . . . management is also doing their part for us to kind of get out
of that little funk we're in."
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 02.21.2012
614150
Philadelphia Flyers
Phil Sheridan: Flyers touching third rail of fan relations
Phil Sheridan, Inquirer Sports Columnist
Email Phil Sheridan, follow Phil Sheridan on It can be electrifying to play
professional sports in Philadelphia. As with real electricity, there are
negatives and positives involved.
When it means being energized by sellout crowds and a playoff atmosphere
every night in Citizens Bank Park, that is a positive thing. When it means
stepping on the figurative third rail by complaining about those same paying
customers, that's usually a negative. Although, if handled right, the polarity
can be reversed on that.
Players either embrace the passion and excel, or they are cowed by it and
wind up having to exit.
Right now, the Flyers are going through a classic case of this Philadelphia
rite of passage. The Eagles and the Phillies have wrestled with it in the
past. The Sixers, on the rebound from years of self-created fan apathy, are
still trying to get back to the point where the passion is hot enough to burn.
As the Flyers begin a much-needed break from playing in the Wells Fargo
Center, coach Peter Laviolette was asked about his team's uninspired
home record of 14-10-5.
"We'd certainly like to win at home," Laviolette said. "We haven't been able
to do that the way we want to. Now we get back on the road, get on a road
trip, and that can be a good thing at times."
One good time is when the players have stepped near or on that third rail.
After fans booed goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov - and frankly, Bryzgalov's play
has warranted the criticism - he said he was being made a "scapegoat."
"I will try to find peace in my soul to play in this city," Bryzgalov added.
Teammate James van Riemsdyk came to his goalie's defense.
"Yeah, you know what, I think those guys [fans] need to kind of keep quiet
up there," van Riemsdyk said after Saturday's 6-4 loss to Pittsburgh. "I
know they pay their money to see the team, but you win as a team and you
lose as a team."
Since it is 2012, van Riemsdyk later tweeted a clarification: "never said it
wasn't ok for fans to do that! My issue was with one guy getting singled out!
It's a team game and the best way to make someone feel
comfortable/confident is with support."
Now van Riemsdyk is as decent and good-hearted a guy as comes along in
pro sports. It would be unfortunate for fans to make too much of his kneejerk defense of a teammate.
But just a couple months ago, fans were less than thrilled when a couple of
new-to-Philadelphia Eagles got into it with some fans. Offensive linemen
Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce grazed the third rail by confronting fans who
had hung a banner critical of Andy Reid across from the entrance to the
NovaCare Fortress.
That was one example of how the negative charge can be turned into a
positive. Mathis and Kelce were open to having a dialogue about the issue,
and you really got the sense they learned something about fans and fans
got a glimpse of the players' humanity, too.
But it must also be noted that the Eagles' home record was 3-5 last season
and 4-5, including a playoff loss, the season before. You could argue that
they, too, need to find some peace in their souls to play in this city.
The Phillies, for the most part, have found the secret to harnessing that raw
energy. But it was a process, and it required a few jolts along the way. Most
notably, shortstop and oracle Jimmy Rollins called the fans "front-runners"
in a TV interview.
"When you're doing good," Rollins said, "they're on your side. When you're
doing bad, they're completely against you."
Rollins was the reigning National League MVP when he said that in August
2008. Two months later, he and his teammates delivered a World Series
title. Some fans may never forgive those comments, but you can make an
argument that by addressing the issue and making himself the lightning rod
(there's that electricity metaphor again), Rollins defused the pressure and
helped make that championship happen.
The Phillies went 7-0 at the Bank in the 2008 postseason. Their overall
home record since Rollins touched the third rail: 165-100. That's a winning
percentage of .623.
That tells you it is possible to win, even thrive, in front of Philadelphia fans.
It helps to be a really good team, of course. But we've also seen good
teams fold under pressure here; a couple of Eagles teams of the last
decade come to mind.
It's a matter of players getting their own competitive heart beating in sync
with the city's. Of course, that assumes the player has a competitive heart.
If not, this is probably the wrong city for him, and peace is going to be very
hard to find.
Read more:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20120220_Flyers_touching_third_r
ail_of_fan_relations.html#ixzz1myesqEgl
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614151
Philadelphia Flyers
Kubina Hopes To Stick Around
Pavel Kubina has been here for one practice with the Flyers and he hopes
that his stay with the team can go beyond this season.
An unrestricted free agent after the season, the 34-year-old Kubina was
acquired on Saturday from Tampa Bay for two draft picks and minor league
forward Jon Kalinski.
After his first practice today at Voorhees, Kubina said he hopes that things
work out not only this year, but beyond.
“I would like to stick around that is for sure,” he said.
The 6-foot-4, 258-pound defenseman said he was really happy to come to a
franchise with such strong fan support.
“It was always hard to play in this building and they have passionate fans
and I am glad I can play for them now,” he said.
He’d like to play well not only now, but well into the future.
“If I play well for this team and they want me, I don’t want to go anywhere
and test the water,” he said. “That is the way I am and hopefully it will go
that way.”
The Flyers now have a much more physical backline. Last Thursday the
Flyers acquired 6-4, 230-pound defenseman Nick Grossman from Dallas.
“I think the guys we picked up more than anything bring size and
physicality,” Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said.
***
Jakub Voracek left practice after sliding into the boards. The Flyers said
there weren’t any injuries to report, but this one bears watching.
***
James van Riemsdyk is certainly happy to be back on the ice after returning
for Saturday’s 6-4 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins. He missed 15
games due to a concussion.
“I feel good,” van Riemsdyk said after today’s practice. “My timing could
have been a little better but I played a lot and it was fun to be out there.”
JVR played 14 minutes and 43 seconds.
***
The Flyers begin a four-game road trip Tuesday night in Winnipeg. Entering
Monday the Flyers were tied for third in the NHL with 18 road wins, along
with the New Jersey Devils. Only Vancouver (20) and the New York
Rangers (19) have more.
The Flyers are 18-9-2 on the road and 14-10-5 at home.
Read more:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/139721283.html#ixzz1myezKM7C
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614152
Philadelphia Flyers
Grossman eager to make an impact with Flyers
"My kind of play is a defensive defenseman," Grossman said. "You want to
play physical and be a force. It's a fine line, from being too heavy and
grabbing guys. You've got to move your feet and be consistent. I try to use
my body out there to be physical. I want to be hard to play against."
Sestito out 6 to 8 weeks
Frank Seravalli , Daily News Sports Columnist
The Flyers announced yesterday that forward Tom Sestito will miss at least
6 to 8 weeks with surgery to repair a torn groin muscle. The surgery will be
performed on Tuesday.
Email Frank Seravalli , follow Frank Seravalli on Nick Grossman lay down
for his customary afternoon nap in Dallas Thursday afternoon, something
long a part of his pregame routine. The Stars were set to take on the visiting
Calgary Flames.
Sestito, 24, appeared to have injured himself in a fight with Buffalo's Zack
Kassian on Thursday night. He left the game grimacing, with what the
Flyers called a "lower-body" injury. Turns out, a source said, Sestito has
dealt with this injury for the better part of the season.
Some 18 hours later, Grossman was in South Jersey at the Flyers' practice
facility, pulling on a sweater that featured an emblem other than the
comfortable Stars logo for the first time in his 5 1/2-year career.
Sestito has played in only 14 games this season, but has racked up 83
minutes in penalties, mostly through fighting majors. Over the last few
weeks, however, Peter Laviolette had chosen Sestito's size over someone
with speed, such as Harry Zolnierczyk.
"It came out of the blue," Grossman said. "It was just a little bit shocking. I
had mixed feelings at first, but once everything settled down, it got real
exciting."
In a little more than a day's time, Grossman went from a Dallas team that
has an outside chance of making the playoffs to a Flyers team that took a
step closer toward closing the gap between themselves and the top seed in
the Eastern Conference with him in the lineup.
The Flyers' brass can't make Ilya Bryzgalov play any better in net. But they
can certainly acquire players to make it tougher to score in front of him.
Grossman does that. The first thing you notice about him is his 6-4, 227pound frame. And a face filled with more scars than Frankenstein. For sure,
Grossman looks more like Shrek than Brad Pitt - but that's a compliment. It
tends to suggest he plays his game with a nastiness and snarl that's been
big-time lacking in the Flyers' crease.
"He's a big defender," coach Peter Laviolette said. "You just look at him, the
size of him, he's a big guy. I think he'll help out in a lot of areas in our own
end. He makes a good first pass. Blocks shots. Penalty-killer. [He's] another
guy who will help defend back there."
To make room for him in the lineup, the Flyers reassigned rookie Erik
Gustafsson - who scored his first NHL goal Thursday against Buffalo - back
to Adirondack. Grossman's fellow Swede, teammate Andreas Lilja, will
likely sit out today against Pittsburgh as a healthy scratch.
Lilja remembered Grossman from his days in Detroit, when the Stars were
a more-frequent opponent.
"He's a really steady, hard-hitting, shot-blocking defenseman," Lilja said.
"We met a couple times when he played in Dallas. It's fun having him here.
He's a good guy, so he'll fit in well for sure."
How long will it take for Grossman to settle in? The general thought is that
defensemen - especially those less involved in the offensive end, such as
Grossman - have an easier time being thrown into the mix than a forward.
The normal defensive philosophies are the same.
Make no mistake: That is Grossman's philosophy. He has only three goals
in 333 career games and none this season.
"I think it's a little bit of an adjustment for anybody," Laviolette said. "We do
a little bit of different things in the neutral zone, in the offensive zone. I think
it takes a little bit of time, but usually guys jump right in and figure it out."
Even on his ride over to the Skate Zone, Grossman already figured out that
Philadelphia is a hockey town. That's just one of the big changes from
Dallas, as he will begin his audition for a new contract today against
Pittsburgh. Grossman's $1.65 million deal expires on July 1.
"It's a big hockey town; fans are real into it," Grossman said. "I'm taking
everything day-to-day. I just got the news yesterday. But so far, it's been a
great experience, with everything I've heard and the little things I've seen.
It's been good so far."
Grossman said he wants to "bring some toughness" to the Flyers' lineup.
Unlike other physical defensemen, Grossman prefers to play a clean style,
which will automatically help the Flyers' penalty kill, which might not have to
be out there as often. He plays the position right, using sound body
position, rather than trying to compensate by grabbing onto opponents.
Sestito was acquired around this time last year - on Feb. 28 - in a minor
deadline trade with Columbus in exchange for prospects Greg Moore and
Michael Chaput.
Slap shots
James van Riemsdyk, who has missed the last 15 games with a
concussion, said he would not rule out a return to the lineup against
Pittsburgh. Van Riemsdyk has practiced consistently throughout the week.
Officially, van Riemsdyk's "out indefinitely" status has not been updated by
the team . . . The Flyers did not provide an update for Danny Briere, who
left Thursday's game with an "upper-body" injury. Briere, who also missed
time with a concussion earlier this month, practiced yesterday, but wore a
gray, "non-contact" jersey. His status for today's game is unknown . . .
Either Eric Wellwood would need to be reassigned to Adirondack or Briere
would need to sit out to make room for van Riemsdyk's activation from the
injured reserve . . . Andrej Meszaros appears ready to return today after
sitting Thursday with an "upper-body" injury . . . Jaromir Jagr skated
yesterday for the first time since coming down with the flu on Tuesday. He
said, "Anybody who can walk, plays," after finishing a cup of hot tea in the
players' lounge.
Quotable
"I brought in an inflatable globe. I want Ilya Bryzgalov to tell me all about the
universe."
- One of 25 service members invited to the Flyers' locker room at practice
yesterday, as part of the Burlington County (N.J.) Military Affairs
Committee. Members of the Army, Air Force and Marines stationed at Joint
Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Wrightstown visited with the players and
coaches, getting autographs and trading souvenirs.
614153
Philadelphia Flyers
Road trip remedy for Flyers?
By ED BARKOWITZ
THE FLYERS hope a trip to western Canada can melt away the problems
that have caused them to slip to fifth place in the conference standings.
But if they do not succeed in the next four games, the environment at the
Wells Fargo Center will become more frigid than anything Winnipeg,
Edmonton or Calgary can throw at them.
"We're still in control, that's the nice part," Danny Briere said yesterday. "But
we were in better control a couple weeks ago. Hopefully, this road trip
comes at the right time. We get to bond a little bit and, for some reason, we
play really well on the road."
The Flyers are the third-best road team in the NHL, and the primary focus,
of course, will be on getting victories. But the indirect benefit of the fourgame journey, which starts tonight in Winnipeg and ends Feb. 28 in San
Jose, is that it will force the new guys to acclimate with their unfamiliar
teammates.
Agitated at the recent skid of losing six of their last eight, general manager
Paul Holmgren went out and acquired defensemen who might look better
as Eagles linebackers. Nicklas Grossman (6-4, 230 pounds) was picked up
on Thursday. Pavel Kubina (6-4, 258) was acquired Saturday. Kubina's first
practice with the Flyers was yesterday.
"He's a big, hulking guy that provides a presence back there. He plays with
an edge," coach Peter Laviolette said. "He's got a big righthanded shot,
which is something different for our unit. We don't have any righthanded
defensemen back there. His experience - he's won a Cup before - and what
he'll be able to bring to the table from a physical standpoint will be an
important factor. The guys we picked up, more than anything, bring us
some size and physicality."
Kubina, 34, was acquired from Tampa Bay, where he helped the Lightning
win the 2004 championship. They beat the Flyers in seven games in the
conference finals during what is known around here as the Primeau
playoffs. Kubina is a free agent at season's end and said he'd be open to
wearing orange and black beyond 2011-12.
"I would like to stick around," said Kubina, who is in the second year of a
$7.7 million deal. "I was never the type of guy who liked to test the [free
agent] waters. If I play well for this team and they want me, I don't have to
test the waters. That's the way I am, and, hopefully, it's going to go that
way."
Kubina was paired with Matt Carle during yesterday's practice, and
Grossman was with Andrej Meszaros. Laviolette wouldn't commit to those
pairings for tonight's game. After all, the new guys had to skate with
somebody.
Kubina has a limited trade clause in his contract that enables him to provide
a list of five teams to which he could be dealt. Lightning general manager
Steve Yzerman had asked for the list, but the deal with the Flyers came
through before Kubina could provide it. Fortunately, one of Kubina's five
teams was the Flyers, who surrendered a second-round pick in either 2012
or 2013, plus a fourth-rounder in 2013.
"This is an opportunity for me to be in the playoffs," Kubina said. "I've been
in the league for 14 years and made the playoffs [four] times. It's pretty
special to have a chance to be there again."
Tampa Bay is in 11th place in the East and would need an unforeseen push
to get into the postseason.
Whether the additions spur rejuvenation for the Flyers remains to be seen.
One thing not disputed was the message Holmgren sent.
"Usually, when you have some change, you get shaken up a little bit, and
it's a little bit of a wakeup call for everybody," Briere said. "There's a reason
why those trades were made. Management is doing their part to get us out
of that little funk that we're in. That's certainly a message and, hopefully, a
way to send us on our way."
Ice cubes
Jakub Voracek tripped over goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and fell awkwardly into
the boards during a drill yesterday. He got back up and briefly resumed
practice before leaving the ice earlier than his teammates. Claude Giroux
also departed ahead of everyone else, but he was not seen absorbing any
collision. Neither player was available after practice, and general manager
Paul Holmgren said the team had no new injuries. Presumably, both will be
in the lineup tonight . . . Zac Rinaldo is eligible to come off his two-game
suspension for flattening Detroit's Jonathan Ericsson on Feb. 12 . . . The
Jets are 3-0 against the Flyers this season, outscoring them 17-13. In the
one game at Winnipeg, on Nov. 19, the Jets won, 6-4.
614154
Philadelphia Flyers
New acquistion Pavel Kubina interested in staying with the Flyers
By Marc Narducci
Pavel Kubina is happy to be a Flyer.
After his first practice on Monday at Voorhees following his acquisition
Saturday from the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kubina talked about how eager he
is to get things started with his new team. An unrestricted free agent after
the season, he also discussed his desire for a relationship with the Flyers
beyond the season and his anticipation about playing before the home fans.
As is life in the NHL, Kubina won't have much time to settle in. Following
practice the Flyers traveled to Winnipeg, where they begin a four-game
road trip on Tuesday.
The Flyers will be in Edmonton on Thursday, Calgary on Saturday, and end
the trip on Feb. 28 at San Jose.
"It's good to go on the road and get to know the guys," Kubina said after
practice.
He also said he's looking forward to playing at the Wells Fargo Center.
"It was always hard to play in this building," he said. "They have passionate
fans and I am glad I can play for them now."
The 6-foot-4, 258-pound defenseman was acquired for second- and fourthround picks along with minor-league forward Jon Kalinski.
"It's a great organization and a great team and always has been one of the
top teams in the league," Kubina said. "I'm 34 years old and it's a great
opportunity to play for a team like that."
Kubina, who won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004, will be an
unrestricted free agent after this season. He hopes his stay in Philadelphia
lasts beyond this season.
"If I play well for this team and they want me, I don't want to go anywhere
and test the water," he said. "That is the way I am and hopefully, it will go
that way."
With Kubina and 6-4, 230-pound defenseman Nick Grossman, who was
acquired Thursday from Dallas, the Flyers have added another dimension.
"I think the guys we picked up more than anything bring size and
physicality," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said.
The Flyers coach then expanded on Kubina.
"He's a big, hulking type guy who provides a presence back there,"
Laviolette said. "He plays with a little bit of an edge."
Kubina is also the only righthanded Flyers defenseman.
"He's a righthanded shot so that is something different to our back unit that
we don't have," Laviolette said. "Plus his experience, he has won a cup
before and what he is able to bring to the table from a physical standpoint
will be an important fact."
Kubina's new teammates are glad they don't have to compete against him
anymore.
"It's just so tough to get to the net on him," said forward James van
Riemsdyk. "It's not only his size, but his experience, and he is a great
player with good pedigree."
Notes. Jakub Voracek left practice after sliding into the boards, but the
Flyers said there were no injuries to report. . . . Van Riemsdyk, who had
missed 15 games with a concussion before returning to play 14 minutes, 23
seconds in Saturday's 6-4 loss to visiting Pittsburgh, said he is feeling well.
"My timing could have been a little better but I played a lot and it was fun to
be out there," he said.
Forward Danny Briere on the two recent acquisitions: "Usually when you
have the team shaken up a little, it's a little bit of a wake-up call for
everybody . . . management is also doing their part for us to kind of get out
of that little funk we're in."
614155
Philadelphia Flyers
Phil Sheridan: Now it's Flyers touching third rail of fan relations
Phil Sheridan, Inquirer Sports Columnist
Email Phil Sheridan, follow Phil Sheridan on It can be electrifying to play
professional sports in Philadelphia. As with real electricity, there are
negatives and positives involved.
When it means being energized by sellout crowds and a playoff atmosphere
every night in Citizens Bank Park, that is a positive thing. When it means
stepping on the figurative third rail by complaining about those same paying
customers, that's usually a negative. Although, if handled right, the polarity
can be reversed on that.
Players either embrace the passion and excel, or they are cowed by it and
wind up having to exit.
Right now, the Flyers are going through a classic case of this Philadelphia
rite of passage. The Eagles and the Phillies have wrestled with it in the
past. The Sixers, on the rebound from years of self-created fan apathy, are
still trying to get back to the point where the passion is hot enough to burn.
As the Flyers begin a much-needed break from playing in the Wells Fargo
Center, coach Peter Laviolette was asked about his team's uninspired
home record of 14-10-5.
"We'd certainly like to win at home," Laviolette said. "We haven't been able
to do that the way we want to. Now we get back on the road, get on a road
trip, and that can be a good thing at times."
One good time is when the players have stepped near or on that third rail.
After fans booed goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov - and frankly, Bryzgalov's play
has warranted the criticism - he said he was being made a "scapegoat."
"I will try to find peace in my soul to play in this city," Bryzgalov added.
Teammate James van Riemsdyk came to his goalie's defense.
"Yeah, you know what, I think those guys [fans] need to kind of keep quiet
up there," van Riemsdyk said after Saturday's 6-4 loss to Pittsburgh. "I
know they pay their money to see the team, but you win as a team and you
lose as a team."
Since it is 2012, van Riemsdyk later tweeted a clarification: "never said it
wasn't ok for fans to do that! My issue was with one guy getting singled out!
It's a team game and the best way to make someone feel
comfortable/confident is with support."
Now van Riemsdyk is as decent and good-hearted a guy as comes along in
pro sports. It would be unfortunate for fans to make too much of his kneejerk defense of a teammate.
But just a couple months ago, fans were less than thrilled when a couple of
new-to-Philadelphia Eagles got into it with some fans. Offensive linemen
Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce grazed the third rail by confronting fans who
had hung a banner critical of Andy Reid across from the entrance to the
NovaCare Fortress.
That was one example of how the negative charge can be turned into a
positive. Mathis and Kelce were open to having a dialogue about the issue,
and you really got the sense they learned something about fans and fans
got a glimpse of the players' humanity, too.
But it must also be noted that the Eagles' home record was 3-5 last season
and 4-5, including a playoff loss, the season before. You could argue that
they, too, need to find some peace in their souls to play in this city.
The Phillies, for the most part, have found the secret to harnessing that raw
energy. But it was a process, and it required a few jolts along the way. Most
notably, shortstop and oracle Jimmy Rollins called the fans "front-runners"
in a TV interview.
"When you're doing good," Rollins said, "they're on your side. When you're
doing bad, they're completely against you."
Rollins was the reigning National League MVP when he said that in August
2008. Two months later, he and his teammates delivered a World Series
title. Some fans may never forgive those comments, but you can make an
argument that by addressing the issue and making himself the lightning rod
(there's that electricity metaphor again), Rollins defused the pressure and
helped make that championship happen.
The Phillies went 7-0 at the Bank in the 2008 postseason. Their overall
home record since Rollins touched the third rail: 165-100. That's a winning
percentage of .623.
That tells you it is possible to win, even thrive, in front of Philadelphia fans.
It helps to be a really good team, of course. But we've also seen good
teams fold under pressure here; a couple of Eagles teams of the last
decade come to mind.
It's a matter of players getting their own competitive heart beating in sync
with the city's. Of course, that assumes the player has a competitive heart.
If not, this is probably the wrong city for him, and peace is going to be very
hard to find.
614156
Philadelphia Flyers
Holmgren makes case for the defense
“Whether we can do something else to add that type of player, I don’t
know,’’ Holmgren said. “Max Talbot might be that player. He’s a defensiveminded guy who has played in a role like that and won a championship.
By Wayne Fish Staff writer | Posted: Monday, February 20, 2012 12:00 am
“Sean Couturier is really advanced for a 19-year-old and plays that
defensive style. I don’t think that is what he is going to be as he matures.
But he’s going to be a pretty solid two-way guy. We’re kicking around some
ideas. But I don’t know if there is anything imminent here or on the horizon.’’
Some say it might take two players to fill Chris Pronger’s skates and the
Flyers are about to find out shortly.
Holmgren said the Flyers are compliant with the salary cap. He added that
he wouldn’t enter into negotiations for contract extensions for either Kubina
or Grossman until they have played awhile and adjusted to the team and
the city.
Their latest acquisition, Pavel Kubina, joins Nicklas Grossman on a
Philadelphia roster trying to piece together a veteran backline for the
playoffs.
On Sunday, general manager Paul Holmgren looked back on the trades
with Tampa and Dallas, respectively, and acknowledged these were moves
that had to be made.
“It’s hard to replace Chris Pronger,’’ Holmgren said. “With the addition of
Nicklas and Pavel, we’ve certainly replaced some of the size and some of
maybe the nastiness that Chris had brought to our team. They’re both
experienced and big bodies and they both can do good things for our
hockey team.’’
No disrespect to veteran Andreas Lilja or rookies Erik Gustafsson and
Marc-Andre Bourdon, but with the Flyers’ goaltending situation so unsettled,
the team needs all the help it can get in front of the net.
And it doesn’t sound like Holmgren has any plans to make any changes
with his goaltending in the near future. He’s stuck with Ilya Bryzgalov’s big
contract and the difference between second-year man Sergei Bobrovsky
and career journeyman Michael Leighton (currently at Adirondack) is
probably a toss-up.
“I don’t think either of our goalies are very happy with their games of late,’’
Holmgren said. “It’s a recognition of that. They are both part of the team.
Players from time to time go through tough stretches.
“When you’re the goalie, it’s the last thing anyone remembers. I still think
we have two good goalies. Maybe they’re both struggling a little bit right
now. But I believe they both work hard and are committed.’’
Having Grossman and Kubina, along with Kimmo Timonen, Braydon
Coburn, Matt Carle and Andrej Meszaros in front of the goaltenders should
help.
Holmgren agreed that Bryzgalov might be struggling at times because of his
new environment — bigger market, more media, etc. He didn’t have to add
that a nine-year, $51 million contract brings its own pressure.
“When he went to Phoenix (from Anaheim), he was the main goalie ...
situations are different,’’ Holmgren said. “Coming here it’s a different team,
different atmosphere, different pressures on goalies, for lack of a better
word.
“I think there’s times where he’s played good. But I think there’s times
where he hasn’t played as well as we would have liked him to. I think Ilya is
aware of that. Both Sergei and Ilya are aware that we need them both to be
better.’’
Kubina is probably the Flyers’ highest-caliber right-handed shooting
defenseman since the retired Eric Desjardins.
“He’s something we don’t have,’’ Holmgren said. “He’s a right-handed shot.
He’s a big body who can help out on our power play and penalty killing.
He’s an all-situational defenseman, an experienced guy who has won a
Stanley Cup (with Tampa in ‘04).
“Over the last three days here we’ve added a couple bigger bodies there
who can help us in our own end in different areas of the game.’’
As the Feb. 27 trade deadline approaches, the Flyers’ focus now might turn
to adding a veteran with defensive prowess, leadership skills and some
energy. The Flyers have been giving up an alarming number of goals and
haven’t won back-to-back games since early January in part because of
that.
Would Holmgren go after that sort of player?
Burlington County Times LOADED: 02.21.2012
614157
Philadelphia Flyers
Kubina a boost for crucial road trip
“Jersey passing us last night, Pittsburgh tied ... but we’re still in control.
That’s the nice part. We were in better control a couple weeks ago.
Hopefully this road trip comes at a good time, we get to bond a little bit, we
play well on the road and hopefully that trend will continue.’’
Wayne Fish:
By Wayne Fish Staff writer | 0 comments
VOORHEES — With a crucial four-game western road trip starting Tuesday
night in Winnipeg, the Flyers could use a boost from a veteran like Pavel
Kubina.
The defenseman, just acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning, will make
his debut against the Jets, a team that has owned the Flyers (3-0 vs.
Philadelphia) this season.
Kubina disclosed that he wanted to wind up on a contending team such as
the Flyers because he made it known to Lightning management after
general manager Steve Yzerman asked him for a list of teams to which he
would waive his no-trade clause.
The Flyers can use his services in a number of areas, perhaps most notably
on the power play. With Chris Pronger and his booming slap shot from the
point missing indefinitely, Kubina might be able to fill that role.
“I can shoot a one-timer, use my shot, that was always my advantage,’’
Kubina said after Monday’s practice. “Hopefully I can bring that to this
team.’’
There were a lot of smiles from players around the locker room knowing
they now have two experienced defensemen — Nicklas Grossman the
other — on their side now.
“It’s a great organization and an opportunity for me to be in the playoffs,’’
Kubina said. “I’ve been in the league 14 years and I’ve made the playoffs
five times. So it’s pretty special to have a chance, be there again and play
for this team.’’
Kubina joins a growing contingent of Czechs and Slovaks on the Flyer
roster. He’s good friends with Jaromir Jagr and knows Jake Voracek and
Andrej Meszaros (Slovakia) fairly well.
“He (Jagr) is one of the best ever playing this game,’’ the 34-year-old
Kubina said. “He’s such a good guy, especially for a team with young guys.
It’s good for rookies to watch a guy like that in practice.
“Over those 10 years we played each other, we’ve had some battles. I was
happy when he left for Russia for a few years. But this (NHL) game missed
him and I’m honored to play with him.’’
Kubina understands why Tampa, now pretty much out of the playoff hunt,
had to unload his $3.8 million salary. He’s scheduled to become an
unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and there was no point
keeping him on the Lightning roster.
“I got drafted by Tampa Bay, I won a Stanley Cup there and that team will
always be special to me,’’ he said. “But when I got the phone call that this
team wants me, it’s a great opportunity.
“It (a trade) is always a shock. I’ve got a 5-year-old daughter (in Tampa).
But this is a business, it’s part of this game. This is the second time I’ve
been traded and I’m pretty sure 99 percent of the players in this league get
traded.’’
Kubina said he will miss the friendships of players such as Martin St. Louis
and Vincent Lecavalier. But he looks forward to this new challenge.
Who knows, he might even re-sign with the Flyers at the end of the season.
“I would like to stick around, that’s for sure,’’ he said. “I’m not the type of
guy who likes to test the (free agent) water. If I play well for this team and
they want me, I don’t have to (go anywhere else).’’
Meanwhile, the Flyers know they have to get moving again. The New
Jersey Devils have already moved past them into second place in the
Atlantic Division and the Penguins are virtually tied with Philadelphia.
Having Kubina and Grossman on board should help as the Flyers play at
Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and San Jose over the next week.
“I think it’s always good to have size and experience on defense,’’ Daniel
Briere said. “It’s definitely exciting to see them on our side now.
Burlington County Times LOADED: 02.21.2012
614158
Philadelphia Flyers
Newest Flyer Pavel Kubina wants to be here to stay
By ROB PARENT
VOORHEES, N.J. -- In town less than a day, Pavel Kubina was already
lobbying to stay.
After dutifully working through the Monday lunch hour for extended practice,
the newest Flyer eagerly complimented his teammates and played nice with
the media.
More importantly, Kubina promised good things to come.
“I'm going to bring whatever this team needs from me,” Kubina said.
“Whether it's penalty killing or power play or playing against the other
team's top guys, I'll be there for this team.”
Through 953 NHL games and not as many playoff games as a 13-year
league veteran would expect, Kubina has built a reputation for putting his 64, 258-pound frame to good use in the defensive zone. He also presents
something the Flyers haven’t had all year – a powerful, right-handed
slapshot on the power play.
And at 34, he wants everyone to know he intends to spend the next several
weeks building an identity with this team different from that of “rental player”
for the playoffs.
“I heard a lot of good things about this group,” Kubina said after his first
Flyers practice at Skate Zone. “They proved it today. Guys were working
hard in practice and having fun. This is a first-class organization and that's
what I've felt since I got here today. It seems like this is a team that I want
to play with.”
Kubina’s acquisition became official Saturday night, coming over from the
Tampa Bay Lightning team he still admits to being attached to in exchange
for minor leaguer Jon Kalinski, a conditional second-round draft pick and a
fourth-round pick in 2013. He was the second big-body defender picked up
in three days, joining 27-year-old Nick Grossman, who was brought in
Thursday from Dallas.
Though Grossman is seven years his junior, Kubina is of similar stature and
status – both players are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents July
1.
Unlike Grossman, however, Kubina isn’t picking from the standard “wait and
see” script when talking about the possibility of signing a contract extension
if one is offered, or otherwise eagerly looking forward to free agency.
Not this new Philly guy.
“I would like to stick around, that's for sure,” Kubina said. “I was never that
type of guy that likes to test the waters, you know what I mean? If I play well
for this team and they want me, I won't have to go anywhere and test the
waters. That's the way I am and hopefully it's going to go that way.”
First, though, Kubina and Grossman -- whose first Flyers game was
Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, when he probably played better
than his five defensive mates – have to concentrate on forming a bond. One
with their new teammates during a four-game road trip that begins tonight in
Winnipeg; one that could solidify the defensive foundation in front of
wavering goalies Ilya Bryzgalov and Sergei Bobrovsky.
“They’re veteran guys with size on the back end,” Flyers coach Peter
Laviolette said of Grossman and Kubina “That's a welcome addition …
We've become more inconsistent there. We've got to get back to winning
some games.”
In that regard, Kubina would be the first to raise his hand and sing, ‘Put me
in Coach!’”
He has to know something about winning, since he was a key member of
the 2004 Stanley Cup champion Lightning.
“We know what kind of player he is,” James van Riemsdyk said of Kubina.
“He's a tough guy to play against and he has good skills out there. It's good
to have him on our side.”
In two Tampa stints separated by three non-playoff seasons in Toronto,
however, Kubina is behind the curve when it comes to winning teams.
Noting he’s only been part of five playoff rides during his career, he said,
“it's pretty special to have the chance to be there again.”
Yet before he left the Bay area, Kubina set his emotions free when talking
about the trade in a televised interview, indicating he felt wronged after
signing a free agent deal with the Lightning last year and moving his family
back to Tampa.
“I have a daughter that's five years old and my wife, so it's always tough,”
Kubina said. “It’s a business and it's part of this game. It's hard because
you have great friends, on a team that you play with guys for years. You're
always shocked when you get moved.
“I got drafted by Tampa Bay. I won a Stanley Cup there. So that team is
always going to be a special team to me. But when I got a phone call and
heard that this team wants me, I knew it was a great organization and a
great team. So at 34 years old, it's a great opportunity to play for a team like
that.”
lll
NOTES: Claude Giroux left the practice ice early and wasn’t to be found
later, and Jakub Voracek seemed to take a hard hit on the boards and left
immediately for the locker room. But GM Paul Holmgren later said there
were no injuries to report. … Kubina is a fellow Czech who knows the
younger Voracek and considers Jaromir Jagr a good friend. He said he’ll
make it a point to get to know everyone else on this road trip. After that
comes the really fun part: “I'm looking forward to playing at home because it
was always hard to play (in Philadelphia). They are great fans … crazy
fans. I'm glad I can play for them now."
Delaware County Times LOADED: 02.21.2012
614159
Philadelphia Flyers
McCAFFERY: Bryz deserves shot to find ‘peace’ in Philly
The fans are booing him. The head coach is shaving his playing time. The
front office is wondering if he will be worthy of keeping, should the next
labor agreement allow for some contract amnesty. Comedians are making
fun of him. The press has not been positive.
And still, the Flyers made the right move by acquiring Ilya Bryzgalov.
Though the No. 1 mystery in sports is why the proper play, expertly run,
sometimes results in grave failure, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t the proper play.
The Flyers have made fools of themselves and their fans more often than
not since 1975, trying to win a Stanley Cup with ordinary goalkeeping. This
year, they vowed to acquire the best goalie available. It’s the way
responsible franchises are supposed to behave. So Bryzgalov it was.
“I’m trying to find peace in my soul,” he said, after playing about two-thirds
of a 6-4 loss to the Penguins, “to play in this city.”
He needs the chance, a full chance, a chance that Peter Laviolette has not
shown that he will ever give to a Flyers goaltender. The Flyers and their
coach must give Bryzgalov that chance because they called the play. They
owe it to themselves to see whether it works.
o
You get the short-pants-in-winter wardrobe choice?
o
Andy Reid has two years left on his contract and an owner who recently
grunted out a no when asked if it would be extended. Michael Vick is 31
and injury prone. And the Eagles front office never resists saying that it is
obsessed with winning a Super Bowl or two.
So exactly why would the Birds not include DeSean Jackson in their 2012
playbook?
It sounds like the Eagles will do that by fitting the wide receiver with a
franchise tag. It’s just that there have been enough reported noises that
there might be a Plan B.
This is it, though, for the franchise and the way it does things. Its philosophy
is to remain stable, employ the same coach until the matter reaches
absurdity, keep winning enough games to contend for a playoff spot and
expect that one year it will be swept to a championship on a favorable
postseason stream.
The Eagles have one more chance to prove that philosophy correct. That
means they need one more blast from Jackson, a once-in-a-generation
long-ball threat.
o
I don’t get the phrase, “I don’t disagree.” Agree?
o
Las Vegas has the Los Angeles Angels at about 6-to-1 to win the World
Series. Considering the investments that the franchise made in Albert
Pujols and C.J. Wilson, anything south of serious contention would be
unacceptable.
But should the Angels win another championship, then it will be time to
polish the plaque in Cooperstown, where someday Springfield High grad
Mike Scioscia will be a Hall of Fame manager.
The same rule applies to a National League team that is 6-to-1-ish to win it
all, too. Should the Phils win a world championship, Charlie Manuel, who
has never managed a team to less than a second-place finish and would
have two World Series victories, would be Cooperstown qualified, too.
n Free Pete Rose.
n Nadya Denise Doud-Suleman —- the Octomom who delivered the second
set of octuplets in recorded history —- won a split decision over Lisa Marie
of Secane in the main pillow fighting event last week at Warehouse 24 in
Woodlyn.
According to promoter Damon Feldman, the next such all-female bedroomaccessory-brawl will be March 16 at The Deck in Essington. But just
because Delaware County is about to become the world’s leading
distributor of pillow-fighting excellence, it doesn’t mean Feldman is, as
Delco resident and Associated Press sports writer Dan Gelston needles,
“going soft.”
“They tried to get me out of here, but I am back,” said Feldman, who is
searching for new pillow fighters. “And I am never leaving Delaware
County.”
o
Nicki Minaj? If you have to ask, you know the answer.
614160
Philadelphia Flyers
comfort in the conversations. ... You share experiences. They know my
situation. Although it doesn't heal you, it certainly is comforting."
Flyers' concussed captain facing long-term longshot recovery
Should Pronger reach out to him, Primeau said, he'd try to do the same for
Chris that others did for him -- talk about what needs to be talked about.
By ROB PARENT
"I know some of what he's going through," Primeau said. "It's a long
process."
PHILADELPHIA -- Chris Pronger was conspicuously absent Sunday as his
teammates did everything from sign autographs to flop feet-first into a dunk
tank.
It was the 35th Flyers Wives Fight For Lives Carnival, the third consecutive
one to be co-chaired by Lauren Pronger, who admitted she's had a lot on
her plate of late at home.
"We have lots of help right now because we need it," said Lauren, a mother
of three and a loving wife still very worried about her husband's health.
"We're dealing with a lot right now."
Now 37 and about four months removed from when he played his last
game, Chris Pronger is far from certain about his hockey playing future.
Though officially listed as being out for the season, and while no one has
been promoted to take his captaincy title for the Flyers, Pronger is nowhere
near even thinking about making a return for the playoffs.
Nor, his wife says, does it do him any good to speculate on his career
beyond the present.
"He has good days and bad days," Lauren says as she talks about Chris'
post-concussion symptoms that has changed their lives. "Unfortunately, I
can't report any major improvement. I certainly wish I could. It's very
disheartening.
"I see a lot of differences in Chris. So, (we’re) hoping to have a couple of
good days in a row and see him back to his normal self again. I know he
wants that, too. It's very frightening for him."
Chris spends mostly every day at home in Haddonfield, she says. He tries
to rest, tries to simply feel better. It isn't slow in coming, it’s simply
inconsistent. It comes, it goes.
"A lot of times he has to take naps," she says. "He needs the brain to heal.
So he does as much as he can. He's pretty much held back. He doesn't
leave the house very much at all. ... It's a shame. I know he misses the
camaraderie."
The headaches, the fatigue, the “foggy” feeling, it's not very different, just
that much deeper. She indicates he’s had concussions before, "but not this
level.
"He's not himself; that's what I would say," she said. "And it's not in a good
way. ... It's very very frightening for Chris. He's been able to battle through
so much and to come out of it, but this is different. This is really tough on
Chris because he wants to be out there more than anyone. This is what he
loves. This is his passion, and it's tough."
She is asked if she believes he'll get to the point of being able to resume his
career, and though she is prepared for the question she won't entertain it.
"That is not a fair question to ask -- I just want him to get better," Lauren
said. "We're taking it day to day. We'll see what happens. He still has a long
life ahead of him to live. He has three kids and a wife and everything. Right
now we're just hoping for his health to come back. That's the priority and
our main objective right now."
Lauren talked Sunday about how Chris may consult former Flyers captain
Keith Primeau, who has been dealing with post-concussion symptoms since
his retirement, saying, "There are a lot of parallels between the two. So I
think Chris now is starting to realize maybe he should be in communication
with him. I think the more insight you get the better off you are."
Primeau, a chain restaurant owner who spends his time dealing with
management work for the Las Vegans Wranglers of the ECHL and helps to
coach hockey at Bishop Eustace Prep, still lives in Voorhees Twp., N.J. At
the request of former GM Bob Clarke, Primeau has informally consulted
with area athletes on the effects of concussions since his retirement in
Sept. 2006.
"At first I was resistant," Primeau said. "I thought, 'I have a concussion, they
have a concussion, what are you going to share?’ But as I did it, I found
So while their lives are a lesson in faith and patience, Lauren has busied
herself with months of preparations for this Flyers charitable event that she
knew about long before the Prongers arrived in the Philadelphia area.
"It's very overwhelming," Lauren said. "I'd heard about it; it was a legendary
event. So when you first come here it kind of blows you away. By the
second year I was getting the hang of it, and now I feel like I'm an old hat at
this. It's a very special event, to see the support from the city and then at
the end of the day to see the numbers. To see how much we can raise to
give back to all these charities -- it really is very special."
She would have liked to have spent this day the way she had the previous
two -- helping to coordinate with Chris by her side. For now all they can do
is wait, and hope.
614161
Philadelphia Flyers
Holmgren keeps digging up defensive help for Flyers
By ROB PARENT
PHILADELPHIA — You might think the Flyers added their second tall and
hefty defensive acquisition of the week when they finally completed a deal
with Tampa Bay for the rental services of Pavel Kubina late Saturday night.
You might not know that the Kubina acquisition might have been introduced
as “... and now for something completely different.”
“He’s something we don’t have,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren
said of the 6-4, 258-pound veteran. “He’s a right-handed shot. He’s a big
body who can help out on our power play and penalty killing. He’s an allsituational defenseman, an experienced guy who has won a Stanley Cup.”
Kubina did that in 2004 while in his first stint with the Lightning. Helped
them roll over a veteran bunch of Flyers in the Eastern Conference
championship round. Made a big impression. What can he do eight years
later?
For starters, he joins the 6-4, 230-pound Nick Grossman in one mission:
Making up for the loss of concussed captain Chris Pronger. Or at least
they’ll try to do so.
Grossman, 27, was acquired Thursday for a second-round draft pick in
2012 and a third-rounder in 2013. Kubina, 34, was officially secured
Saturday for minor leaguer Jon Kalinski, a conditional second-round pick
(this year or next) and a fourth-rounder in 2013.
Both are pending unrestricted free agents. Kubina, listed at a $3.85 million
salary this year, likely would not be re-signed, though the Flyers might be
looking at Grossman ($1.6 million) as a guy for the long haul.
“Over the last three days here we’ve added a couple of bigger bodies there
who can help us in our own end in different areas of the game,” Holmgren
said. “It’s hard to replace Chris Pronger. With the addition of Nicklas and
Pavel, we’ve certainly replaced some of the size and some of maybe the
nastiness that Chris had brought to our team. They’re both experienced and
big bodies, and they both can do good things for our hockey team.”
Of course, neither of these guys are very experienced in net. But then,
maybe their presence alone could help the Flyers’ struggling goaltenders at
least get close to consistent acts of competency.
“I don’t think either of our goalies are very happy with their games of late,”
Holmgren said. “Players from time to time go through tough stretches.
When you’re the goalie, it’s the last thing anyone remembers. I still think we
have two good goalies. Maybe they’re both struggling a little bit right now,
but I believe they both work hard and are committed.
“Both Sergei (Bobrovsky) and Ilya (Brzygalov) are aware that we need them
both to be better.”
lll
NOTES: As expected, Holmgren demoted defenseman Marc-Andre
Bourdon to the Phantoms. He also put Tom Sestito on the long-term injury
list, bringing the number of contracts down to the maximum of 50 and also
keeping the Flyers below the salary cap. … Holmgren apparently didn’t
spend much time Sunday talking trades like he had Saturday on the phone
and in his office with Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott
Howson. Talks about Blue Jackets stud Rick Nash instead heated up with
Toronto Sunday. As for other trade ideas: “We’re kicking around some
ideas, but I don’t know if there is anything imminent here or on the horizon,”
Holmgren said. ... Holmgren all-but dismissed the idea of waiving or dealing
backup Sergei Bobrovsky and opting to bring up the Phantoms’ Michael
Leighton.
614162
Philadelphia Flyers
Kubina practices, finds new home with Flyers
“I’m trying to bring whatever this team’s going to need from me,” he said. “If
it’s penalty killing or power play or playing against the top guys [on the
opposition]. Whatever the team needs, I’ll be there for this team and I’ll try
to do my best every game.”
Recommend
Pavel Kubina wasn’t eager to leave the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the
veteran defenseman knew a move was coming.
Lightning GM Steve Yzerman called Kubina into his office and told him flat
out: The team wanted to trade him. Yzerman requested Kubina take some
time to brainstorm a list of five teams he’d be OK to depart Tampa for – but
things moved so fast, Kubina never had a chance to provide such a list.
He packed up his locker on Sunday and headed for Philadelphia, emotional
but fully cognizant of how things in the NHL work; it is a business, after all.
“I got drafted by Tampa Bay and I won a Stanley Cup over there so that
team is always going to be special for me,” he said. “But when I had the
phone call and I heard that this team [the Flyers] wants me, I heard that this
was a great organization. This team has always been one of the top teams
in the league. I’m 34-years-old and it’s a great opportunity to play for a team
like that.”
Kubina participated in his first Flyers practice Monday morning at Skate
Zone. He worked a little bit alongside Matt Carle, whom he will likely be
paired with in his Flyers debut Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets.
Even before he learned he would be moving to Philadelphia, Kubina was
friendly with a few of the Flyers. He’s known Jaromir Jagr for a while, he
said, and Jagr was a big proponent of his coming to the team (see story).
He’s also friends with Jakub Voracek.
That said, he still had a tough time leaving the city that had been his home
for a substantial amount of time. He had two separate stints on the
Lightning, parts of 10 seasons in total.
“It’s hard because you make friends on a team and you play with some
guys for years. … It’s always hard to leave that friendship and everything
else behind.”
The Flyers’ newest defenseman will have to wait a while before exploring
his new hometown – the Flyers took off for Winnipeg immediately after
Monday’s practice, and won’t play again at home until March 1 (see story).
But that might be a good thing.
“It could [help], because players spend more time together on the road,”
Coach Peter Laviolette said. “They go to dinner, they hang out, they go to
breakfast together. So there’s no question that they spend more time
together.”
And time together, it seems, is exactly what Kubina is after.
He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but
certainly gave the impression on Monday that he’s not one to want to move
around. He’s married and has a young daughter, and as long as he fits in
well enough in a Flyers uniform, he’d like to stay beyond this spring.
“I would like to stick around, that’s for sure,” he said. “I never was the type
of guy who likes to test the water. If I play well for this team and they want
me, I don’t have to go anywhere and test the water. That’s the way I am.”
The Flyers acquired Kubina just two days after picking up another
defenseman who had to leave a team he’d been with for a while, ex-Star
Nick Grossman. Together, the pair adds some much-needed size and
strength to the team’s defense. Goaltending has been the obvious target on
the Flyers as of late, but without Chris Pronger, the defense has faltered,
too.
Laviolette pointed to Kubina’s 6-foot-4 frame immediately when asked what
the new defenseman brings to the team.
“He’s a big, hulking type guy that provides a presence back there,”
Laviolette said. “He plays with a little bit of an edge. He’s got a big shot on
the back end, a right-handed shot. That’s something different to our back
unit. We don’t have any right-handed defenseman back there.”
Laviolette also pointed to Kubina’s experience – he’s been in the league
since 1998 and has won a Stanley Cup before – as a benefit to the Flyers.
As for Kubina, he’s simply set on helping out in any way he can.
614163
Philadelphia Flyers
Kubina 'honored' to play alongside Jagr
The Philadelphia Flyers aren’t exactly a tough sell to a player considering
waiving a no-trade clause. After all, they’re consistently near the top of the
standings and tend to make a playoff run every year. But these days, there’s another draw to considering a move to the Flyers,
and his name is Jaromir Jagr. Just ask the most recent player to waive a NMC to come here, new
defenseman Pavel Kubina.
“He’s one of the best ever to play in this game and he’s such a good guy,
especially for the young guys,” Kubina said. “A lot of rookies, for them to
watch a guy like that practice and do a little extra every day, it’s good for
them to see a guy like that. He’s a legend in the league.
“It wasn’t easy for me to play against him 1-on-1. It never was easy to
stop him. We had a few battles over those 10 years we played against each
other. I was pretty happy when he left for Russia. This game really missed
him and I’m honored to play with him.”
And as if Jagr’s presence on the team weren’t enough, the veteran winger,
who’s been a friend of Kubina’s for a while, talked up the city and the
organization when Kubina learned the Flyers were a possible new home for
him.
“I talked to Jags a few times and I know there is so much tradition,” Kubina
said. “He said it’s fun to play here and that it’s a first-class organization and
that’s what I’ve felt since I got here today. This is the team where I want to
play.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 02.21.2012
614164
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers looking for a lift from road trip
It has been a tough recent stretch for the Flyers. After setting a modest goal
of winning some games on home ice, they’ve gone 2-2-1 in their last five at
the Wells Fargo Center – and watched the New Jersey Devils pass them in
the standings while the Pittsburgh Penguins tied them, all in the space of
one weekend.
And that’s why the team is hoping their upcoming four-game road trip will
give them a much-needed lift, both emotionally and in the standings.
“Hopefully this road trip comes at the right time, we get to bond a little bit,”
Danny Briere said. “We’ve been playing well, for some reason, we play
really well on the road, so hopefully we can continue that trend.”
The Flyers, 18-9-2 when playing outside Philadelphia, are tied with New
Jersey for the third-most wins on the road in the NHL. Only the Vancouver
Canucks (20) and the New York Rangers (19) have more wins away from
their home arenas.
“There’s no question it’d be good to win some games, whether it’s home or
on the road,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “We’d certainly like to win at
home, and we haven’t been able to do that the way we want to. Now we’ll
go back on the road and get on a road trip, and that can be a good thing at
times.”
The Flyers boarded their charter plane and headed west Monday afternoon.
They’ll face the Winnipeg Jets, with whom they’ve struggled this season, on
Tuesday, before facing the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks.
They won’t return to the Wells Fargo Center until March 1, which leaves
plenty of time for the two new defensemen (Pavel Kubina and Nick
Grossman) to get acclimated to the team – and provides the opportunity for
the whole team to focus on earning some points in the standings as the
season begins to draw to a close.
Voracek, Giroux leave early
Both Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek left practice early on Monday.
It was unclear why Giroux left the ice, but Voracek crashed awkwardly into
the boards about halfway through practice. He slammed his stick angrily
against the boards before heading to the locker room, and was followed
close behind by one of the team’s trainers.
Despite that scary moment, however, general manager Paul Holmgren said
there were no injuries incurred at Monday’s practice.
Rookie Eric Wellwood, who scored his first NHL goal in Saturday's loss to
the Penguins, took Giroux's spot in practice when Giroux left. He will travel
with the Flyers on the upcoming road trip.
Sestito's surgery
Forward Tom Sestito will undergo surgery to repair a torn groin muscle on
Tuesday. As previously reported, Sestito will miss six to eight weeks while
he recovers.
Sestito didn't address the media, but he was at Skate Zone Monday.
Later, he tweeted: "Getting everything done before the surgery tomorrow
morning, and thank you to everyone for the well wishes, fan support in
Philly is the best"
614165
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers' upgrades on D don't solve all issues
Eric Desjardins spent 17 years in the National Hockey League on the blue
line.
He was a steady, fluid-skating defenseman who was a weapon on the
power play with a right-handed shot that the Flyers coveted.
Desjardins had 58 power play goals during his career.
Pavel Kubina, who brings a solid, right-handed shot along with a physical
presence, has 55 power play goals in his 14 seasons. Since Desjardins'
departure, there hasn’t been a Flyer defenseman with a right-hand shot of
consequence.
“Yeah, Eric Desjardins,” agreed general manager Paul Holmgren. “Probably
[others] of no consequence because I can’t remember.”
Since last Thursday, the Flyers have nicely upgraded on defense with the
acquisitions of Nicklas Grossman and now Kubina without losing a player
off their NHL roster.
They did send minor leaguer Jon Kalinski to Tampa Bay in the Kubina deal,
but only because they needed to comply with the 50-contract rule.
Chris Pronger has missed 39 games in succession with post-concussion
syndrome. His absence over the course of the season led to an eventual
thinning out along the blue line as rookies Marc-Andre Bourdon and Erik
Gustafsson hit a wall.
Holmgren had to upgrade on defense.
“I think that is fair to say and it’s hard to replace Chris Pronger,” Holmgren
said. “With the addition of Nicklas and Pavel, we’ve certainly replaced some
of the size and some of maybe the nastiness that Chris had brought to our
team. They’re both experienced and big bodies and they both can do good
things for our hockey team.
“[Kubina] is something we don’t have. He’s a right-handed shot. He’s a big
body who can help out on our power play and penalty killing. He’s an allsituational defenseman. An experienced guy who has won a Stanley Cup.
“Over the last three days here, we’ve added a couple bigger bodies who
can help us in our own end in different areas of the game.”
Now here’s the rub, as everyone already knows, neither Grossman nor
Kubina can play goal.
Since the beginning of February, the Flyers two goalies, Ilya Bryzgalov and
Sergei Bobrovsky, have been sieves in net.
Unless the goaltending improves significantly during the stretch run to the
playoffs, this is going to be a short post-season.
“I don’t think either of our goalies are very happy with their games of late,
either,” Holmgren said. “It’s a recognition of that. They are both part of the
team. Players from time to time go through tough stretches.
“When you’re the goalie, it’s the last thing anyone remembers. I still think
we have two good goalies. Maybe they’re both struggling a little bit right
now. But I believe they both work hard and are committed.”
Columbus would take Bobrovsky off the Flyers hands, but apparently only
in a larger deal that would send Rick Nash here. That deal would rob the
Flyers of talent -- namely, Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn. Cap-wise,
the deal no longer works.
There is a feeling the Flyers would move Bobrovsky if they could get a
cheap, reliable goalie to fall back on if Bryzgalov fails to pull himself
together. Evgeni Nabokov of the Islanders would be a perfect fit.
“I wouldn’t talk about any potential trade of our players, but I will say that
hasn’t been, well, let me rephrase that, I don’t like talking about stuff like
that,” Holmgren said when asked about moving Bobrovsky.
“I will say that thought hasn’t entered my mind ... I like our goalies. I believe
they are going to play better. They’re not happy with their performances,
either. It’s not like they’re not trying. They’re both good guys and work hard
in practice and realize they have to play better.”
They must play better or the Flyers are going nowhere this post-season.
The Devils’ bumped the Flyers down to the fifth seed in the Eastern
conference with their win over the Canadiens Sunday night.
The sixth spot is a realistic possibility if the Flyers don’t turn things around.
That said, their fate in post-season might be better served finishing sixth
rather than fourth or fifth.
It all hinges on Bryzgalov getting his game in gear. The thought exists that
he's having trouble handling the pressure of playing in Philadelphia.
“Well, I don’t know,” Holmgren admitted. “He’s been in Anaheim and
Phoenix and obviously, when he was in Anaheim, he was behind [J-S]
Giguere for the most part. When he went to Phoenix, he was the main
goalie.
“Situations are different. Coming here, it’s a different team, different
atmosphere, different pressures on goalies, for lack of a better word. I think
there’s times where he’s played good.
“But I think there’s times where he hasn’t played as well as we would have
liked him to. I think Ilya is aware of that. Both Sergei and Ilya are aware that
we need them both to be better.”
While Holmgren admits his scouting staff is still “kicking” around some ideas
to upgrade at forward, the fact remains, it’s not goals the Flyers need -- it’s
stops.
And Grossman and Kubina don’t wear goalie pads.
614166
Philadelphia Flyers
Boruk's top Flyers plays of the week
Here is a look at the Flyers' top three plays from the week of Feb. 13
through Feb. 19 that saw the Orange and Black finish with a 1-1 record.
3. Erik Gustafsson scores his first NHL goal
Leading 3-2 against Buffalo, the Flyers struck for four second-period goals,
including Erik Gustafsson scoring his first NHL goal on the Sabres’ Jhonas
Enroth, forcing coach Lindy Ruff to pull his goalie. Gustafsson was reassigned to the AHL the next day when the Flyers acquired defenseman
Nicklas Grossman.
2. Eric Wellwood’s extra effort nets his first NHL goal
Wellwood’s aggressive forechecking was rewarded late in the second
period of Saturday’s game vs. the Penguins when Pittsburgh defenseman
Deryk Engelland lost his edge and Wellwood’s extra effort allowed him to tie
the game, 3-3. Wellwood became the eighth different Flyer to score their
first NHL goal this season.
1. Wayne Simmonds scores two power play goals in a 3:17 span
The Flyers power forward turned a 2-1 deficit against the Sabres into a 3-2
Flyers lead with two power play goals in just over three minutes of action.
Most impressively, Simmonds took a puck to the face in pre-game warmups
that required 25 stitches to close.
After missing the first few minutes in the first period, Simmonds played with
a cage to his helmet and found the back of the cage twice, increasing his
season-high goal total to 20.
E-mail John Boruk
614167
Phoenix Coyotes
Round 2? Coyotes meet Kings five days after penalty-filled affair in Los
Angeles
By Jim Gintonio - Feb. 20, 2012 05:20 PM
Winning, as the Coyotes have proven over the past few weeks, can be
contagious. They have battled through injuries, overcome segments when
their play was not up to their standards and still have won eight of their past
10 games.
With the clock winding down on the regular season, goaltender Mike Smith
has been one of the main cogs, winning six in a row as the Coyotes moved
into seventh place in the Western Conference.
"Winning is a byproduct of how you play, and what we've done is we got
ourselves in a position where we've played some solid games, our
goaltending has been excellent," coach Dave Tippett said.
"We've had timely scoring. We've found different ways to win hockey
games, and when you do that you build the confidence, and you're in that
confidence (mind-set) that you can win every night."
Another key test comes Tuesday against the Kings. The last time the two
teams met, five days ago in Los Angeles, they combined for 62 penalty
minutes, 40 of those in the first period.
Smith was right in the thick of it, drawing a roughing penalty in a tussle with
Anze Kopitar.
"I'd expect the same atmosphere as we had in LA," Smith said. "We're
getting down into the 20s with games left and teams are still trying to get
points, and so are we. We've got to come with the same mind-set that it's
kind of do or die for every team right now. I wouldn't expect anything less
than another battle."
Tippett said he does not expect repercussions from last week's game but
knows that the Kings will come to town "trying to avenge that loss, and we
have to be ready for that.
The way the team is playing has given the Coyotes a huge boost, but Smith
said it's crucial to guard against overconfidence. Fortunes can change
quickly, he said, noting that the Coyotes were able to overcome some tense
moments in their last game, a 2-1 overtime win over the Dallas Stars.
"I think last game we kind of went back to our old ways a little bit as far as
the way we managed the game," Smith said. "We came out still with a win,
and we still moved up in the standings, and we can learn from that along
the way. We just have to ride the high that we're on right now and try to
keep moving up in the standings."
All hands on deck
With six players out of the lineup, there has been a lot of mixing and
matching, and the Coyotes' resolve will be tested down the stretch.
Tippett, however, has gotten the most out the players who have taken on
additional responsibilities, including defensemen Mike Stone, who played in
his first NHL game last week, and rookie Chris Summers.
"We need people like that to continue to step up for us," Tippett said. "The
key there is we have to play a strong team game. We can't be relying on
any one person to take us over the top. We've got to play well together, and
Smitty has played very well in goal for us."
Tippett said the team knows how it has to play to be successful, and it has
to stay in that mode despite the injuries.
Ice chip
Here's a rundown on the injured players: Center Martin Hanzal (lower body)
will be re-evaluated before game time; forward Taylor Pyatt (upper body)
could play later this week; defenseman Rusty Klesla and center Kyle
Chipchura (both upper body) did not skate Monday; defenseman David
Schlemko (foot) skated before practice but his status is undetermined.
Meanwhile, defenseman Derek Morris is on an indefinite leave of absence
due to a family illness.
Read more:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/2012/02/21/20120221phoe
nix-coyotes-los-angeles-kings-preview.html#ixzz1myhsf83E
Arizona Republic LOADED: 02.21.2012
614168
Pittsburgh Penguins
Opponents targeting Penguins star Malkin with plenty of size
By Chris Harlan, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin was targeted by the Buffalo Sabres' biggest
forward Sunday, a familiar approach for stopping the league's scoring
leader. But that strategy isn't working as well as it once did, coach Dan
Bylsma said Monday.
"Geno has done a real good job with guys who have targeted him
physically," he said. "In the past years, he may have responded after the
whistle in a way that was probably detrimental to his game. He's really been
focused."
The Sabres matched Malkin's line with forwards Paul Gaustad, Patrick
Kaleta and Nathan Gerbe, with the 6-foot-5, 212-pound Gaustad shadowing
the Penguins star. Malkin had five shots and assisted on Deryk Engelland's
goal, but it was his third straight game without a goal.
Bylsma said Malkin has learned to better use his body to create space and
protect the puck. At 6-3, Malkin is hardly small.
"He wins the physical battle a lot of times," Bylsma said. "That's something
that, playing against a bigger body like Gaustad, he's going to have to deal
with. But he still creates the room and still creates scoring opportunities."
>> Malkin, forwards James Neal and Matt Cooke and defenseman Brooks
Orpik did not participate in Monday's practice. Bylsma said they were
missing for maintenance days of "varying degrees" and are suffering from
"varying bumps and bruises" that might cause a lineup change today
against the New York Rangers. Cooke's left arm was hit by a Chris Kunitz
shot Sunday.
>> Forward Eric Tangradi was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
He's scoreless in 12 games with the Penguins this season.
>> As expected, captain Sidney Crosby did not practice with the team,
instead skating beforehand.
Tribune Review LOADED: 02.21.2012
614169
Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins defense can't afford to rest in showdown against Rangers
By Chris Harlan, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Zbynek Michalek didn`t sugarcoat the situation.
If the Penguins play lackluster defense again Tuesday night, the result will
be just as ugly as Sunday's 6-2 loss at Buffalo.
"Or it could be even worse," said Michalek, whose squad faces the Eastern
Conference-leading New York Rangers today at Consol Energy Center.
But Michalek has hope.
"I'm expecting our team to respond," the defenseman said Monday. "We're
a better team than we showed Sunday."
As proof, he could point to the Penguins' victory Saturday in Philadelphia,
but that's part of the problem. The Penguins of late have lacked
consistency, winning just four of nine games this month.
The up-and-down weekend felt much like one earlier this month: a 2-1
victory Feb. 4 at Boston, followed by a 5-2 loss the next day at New Jersey.
"That consistency level has not been there," coach Dan Bylsma said.
"That's an area we need to be better at."
To beat the Rangers, the Penguins will need the defensive play they
flashed in that victory at the Bruins, not what they showed against the
Sabres. And the Penguins can't sacrifice defense for offense.
"Allowing (the Buffalo game) to be free-wheeling was not in our favor and
not what we wanted to do," Bylsma said. "We got our fair chances of twoon-ones in that game, but we also gave them up and put our goaltender in
situations where he had to make three or four spectacular saves."
That probably won't work against the Rangers, who have allowed an NHLlow 116 goals.
"They're playing really solid hockey," center Jordan Staal said. "If we open
up the game a bit, it's going to be very difficult for us to find a way to win."
The Rangers lead the conference with 81 points and have won seven of 10.
They also own the best road record (19-7-3) in the East and have not lost to
the Penguins in four games at Consol Energy Center.
"I'm sure that emotions will be high like the game in Philly," Michalek said.
"You could see that everybody was pumped up for the game. The fans
were into it. I think you can expect the same kind of emotion playing the top
team in the league."
A 10-point gap separates the Penguins and Rangers, who lead the Atlantic
Division with 81 points. With 23 games left, the Penguins haven't given up
hope of catching them.
"We know how big this game is," Staal said. "If we have any chance of
catching them, we need to get hot."
The Penguins are 1-2 this season against the Rangers, including a 4-1
victory Jan. 19 at Madison Square Garden in the most recent meeting. After
today, the teams play twice more this season.
"There are still a lot of games to be played," Michalek said. "But the point is,
we have to play better just to have a chance."
Tribune Review LOADED: 02.21.2012
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Pittsburgh Penguins
Numbers add up to difficult opponent for Penguins
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
By Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The numbers say it still is possible.
That the Penguins not only could make up the 10-point gap separating
them from the New York Rangers, who will visit Consol Energy Center
tonight, but actually could end up 36 in front of the Rangers.
All it would take is for the Penguins to finish the season on a 23-0 roll, while
New York loses its final 25 games.
So, yeah, it's possible.
Scouting report
Matchup: New York Rangers at Penguins, 7:08 p.m. today, Consol Energy
Center.
TV, Radio: Root Sports, WXDX-FM (105.9).
Probable goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury for Penguins. Henrik Lundqvist
for Rangers.
Penguins: Are 6-5 in past 11 home games. ... C Evgeni Malkin's next assist
will be his 300th. ... Have scored three short-handed goals in past six
games, while allowing just one power-play goal.
Rangers: Have gone 9-2-1 in past 12 games. ... RW Ryan Callahan's next
goal will be his 100th in NHL. ... Are 7-2-2 in past 11 games against
Penguins.
Hidden stat: Rangers are league-best 28-1-2 when scoring first goal of
game.
Anyone willing to indulge in that kind of mathematical alchemy probably
shouldn't be preparing tax returns for a living, though.
For while no one -- not the Penguins or Philadelphia or New Jersey -- is
ready to concede first place in the Atlantic Division, let alone the Eastern
Conference, to New York, none of those clubs likely has placed an order for
a banner just yet, either.
"It gets tough," Penguins left winger Chris Kunitz said. "We have them a few
times and you can say those are four-point swings, but we still have to win
the other games.
"They've been one of the best teams in the league for a reason. They've
been doing it all year. We'd need for them to falter before we could do it.
"But we still have to turn this around. We've been playing, I think, a little
better than .500 hockey since Christmas. We have to be better as a team."
Faltering, it should be noted, is one of the few things New York hasn't done
well this season. The Rangers have lost consecutive games in regulation
just twice, and not since Dec. 13-15.
That means the chances of them dropping a few dozen in a row probably
aren't so good.
While there are plenty of reasons for the Rangers' success, the primary one
is goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who looks to be Evgeni Malkin's main
competition for the Hart Trophy as league MVP this season.
Lundqvist ranks first in the league in save percentage (.940) and shutouts
(7) and second in goals-against average (1.77), and his consistent
excellence gives his teammates the confidence to play the aggressive style
preached by coach John Tortorella.
And lately, Lundqvist has elevated his game beyond its usual rarefied level.
He is 8-1, with a 1.20 goals-against average and .955 save percentage in
his past nine appearances.
The Penguins, though, got the better of Lundqvist the previous time they
played New York, putting 3 of 35 shots behind him in a 4-1 victory Jan. 19
at Madison Square Garden.
Replicating their performance that night won't be easy, but it certainly
provides a template for defeating New York, something few teams have
managed in the past four-plus months.
"We were really hard to play against that game," defenseman Matt
Niskanen said. "We were really stingy, didn't give up a whole lot. We just
made it a hard game on them.
"They never really got a whole lot of offensive flow and we scored a couple
of key goals at the right time. It was a good overall team game for us."
The Penguins have had more than a few of those this season. Their
problem has come when they've tried to string a few together.
There was a pretty impressive eight-game winning streak in January, but
that came in the wake of six consecutive losses.
The simple truth is that for the most part, the Penguins have struggled to
produce 60 strong minutes, let alone a series of quality games.
Poor starts have been a recurring problem -- never mind that they won
three consecutive home games in which the visitors were spotted a 2-0 lead
-- and inconsistency has been an issue for long enough that it has become
a serious concern.
"It's something the guys in the locker room, and the coaches, have been
talking about," center Jordan Staal said. "We have to find a way every night
to play consistently throughout our whole game."
This probably would be a good night for the Penguins to do that,
considering how the Rangers can overrun opponents whose games are out
of sync.
"They're a team that's going to keep coming at you, and we have to be
ready for that," Bylsma said. "If you can't execute and you're not ready for
that, they will be on you and they will turn over pucks and then we see their
skill and their top lines take over and be effective."
And if that happens, the Atlantic Division numbers will add up to something
even more bleak for the Penguins than they do already.
Post Gazette LOADED: 02.21.2012
614171
Pittsburgh Penguins
No changes expected after Penguins loss
By Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Left winger Chris Kunitz, a member of arguably the top line in the NHL this
season, skated alongside Joe Vitale and Dustin Jeffrey during practice
Monday at Southpointe.
Asked why he fares worse on penalty shots, he shrugged and said, "I don't
do as well as in the shootout, for some reason."
Fedotenko might return
Former Penguins winger Ruslan Fedotenko, who has missed the past five
games because of an unspecified injury, might return to the Rangers' lineup
tonight.
Fedotenko was injured on a high hit from another Penguins alum, Dominic
Moore, who was then with Tampa Bay but subsequently was traded to San
Jose.
Fedotenko has seven goals and seven assists in 51 games this season.
That doesn't mean Penguins coach Dan Bylsma has decided to dismantle
his top line in the wake of the 6-2 loss Sunday in Buffalo, however.
Another ex-Penguin, Mike Rupp, has four goals and one assist in 35
games. He signed with New York as a free agent in July.
Just that Kunitz's usual linemates, Evgeni Malkin and James Neal, were
given the day off, as were left winger Matt Cooke and defenseman Brooks
Orpik.
Tip-ins
At this point, there's no evidence that any of the four will be unable to dress
when the Penguins face the New York Rangers tonight at Consol Energy
Center, although Bylsma was somewhat cryptic about their status after the
workout.
"We had maintenance days for several players who didn't go on the ice
today," he said. "Varying degrees and varying bumps and bruises. We'll see
what our lineup is [today]."
The Penguins added a little intrigue to the makeup of their team tonight
when they recalled left winger Eric Tangradi from their American Hockey
League team in Wilkes-Barre in late afternoon. He does not have a point in
12 NHL games this season.
Cooke was injured late in the first period Sunday, when a Kunitz slap shot
struck him on the left forearm.
Cooke, in obvious pain, immediately skated to the bench and proceeded
directly to the locker room.
He said Monday that the puck opened a gash that required stitches and
said he feared initially that his arm had been broken, but added that he
intends to play against the Rangers.
Cooke did, after being tended to, return to play the final two periods of the
game in Buffalo.
No buyer's remorse
Bylsma doesn't seem to be experiencing any buyer's remorse over that sixyear, $30 million contract the Penguins signed Neal to Sunday.
"James has shown this year what kind of goal-scorer he is on the wing, and
he's a Pittsburgh Penguin in how he plays," he said. "He's got speed, he's
an aggressive player, he's a physical player and his shot, his release, is
one of the best in the league.
"He's been an effective player for us. He's played alongside Evgeni for most
of the year. He's been a big cog in our power play. ... Maybe something we
didn't necessarily have in the past was a guy who's going to score the goal,
and he's done that for our power play."
Neal is second on the team to Malkin in goals (30), assists (27) and points
(57), but he's second to no one in penalty minutes, with 66.
Ordinary numbers
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has faced four penalty shots this season and
stopped two of them, including his rejection of Buffalo's Patrick Kaleta
Sunday in the second period.
Fleury didn't have much of a book on Kaleta -- "I couldn't remember from
before what he likes to do, so I just tried to stay patient," he said -- but still
managed to glove his shot to raise his save percentage on penalty shots
this season to .500.
That's pretty ordinary, at best, especially alongside his work in shootouts.
This season, Fleury has turned aside 26 of the 33 opponents he has faced
in shootouts, a save percentage of .788.
Fleury is keenly aware of that disparity, but doesn't have an explanation for
it.
Center Sidney Crosby worked out on the ice with conditioning coach Mike
Kadar before the Penguins practiced Monday. ... New York has won five
consecutive games in Pittsburgh, beginning with a 3-2 overtime victory Feb.
12, 2010, the Rangers' final visit to Mellon Arena.
Post Gazette LOADED: 02.21.2012
614172
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks: Marc-Edouard Vlasic hopes to play Tuesday
By David Pollak
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic may be softspoken and may look like he hasn't started shaving at age 24.
But the man is one tough hockey player who says he prefers pain to painkillers and scoffs at a facial cut that required only three stitches after he was
hit by a high-speed puck.
"I'm not a big fan of medication. I took Vicodin yesterday and didn't like it. I'd
rather deal with the pain," he said. "I don't like being hazy and weak and all
that."
Vlasic, in fact, said he could be in the lineup Tuesday night against the
Columbus Blue Jackets if the swelling under his left eye goes down and a
CT scan doesn't show any serious damage to his face after being injured in
the third period of Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
If the swelling isn't reduced, Vlasic said, he has trouble with peripheral
vision and would not be able to get a clear look at pucks near his skates.
"I would love to play," he said, "but if I'm not 100 percent I don't want to risk
it and I don't want to risk it for the team as well."
As for the stitches, three were needed to sew up the cut just above his lip to
the left of his nose."Doc told me that's all I needed," Vlasic said. "I was a
little disappointed. Three? It's nothing."
The puck struck Vlasic after a slap shot by Detroit defenseman Ian White hit
the back of Dan Boyle's skate and went straight for Vlasic. The fact that he
was wearing a visor minized the
damage.
"It could have been a lot worse," said Vlasic, who will wear a long-face visor
when he returns. "(The puck) just scraped my skin here, hit my nose. It
looks swollen. It's not anything too serious and should heal on its own."
That assessment, however, was before a formal report from doctors on the
results of the CT scan. Still, Vlasic and coach Todd McLellan sounded
optimistic.
Vlasic said he had no time to react on the play when he saw the puck
coming straight for his face.
"I was looking back door and when he shot it, I turned to kind of see where
it goes because you want to know where the puck is," he said. "It hit my
visor, came down and hit me."
While the Sharks may have Vlasic in the lineup, it's a certainty another
injured defenseman, Douglas Murray, won't be facing the Blue Jackets.
Coach Todd McLellan said Murray took a flight back to San Jose to be
examined by one of the team's doctors to assess the fractured Adam's
apple that Murray suffered when a puck caught him in the throat early in the
Feb. 16 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Murray is not in any pain, but doctors say that any swelling in the damaged
area could severely limit his ability to breath and he has already missed two
games as a precaution.
If the San Jose doctor gives the green light, McLellan said, Murray could
rejoin the team in Toronto and might be available for Thursday night's game
against the Maple Leafs.
Murray suffered the injury when he tried to block a pass from Vincent
Lecavalier and the puck ramped up Murray's own stick.
Joe Pavelski also took a puck to the head Sunday when he dropped to
block a third-period shot by Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom, Monday,
he said he was fine, allaying concerns that there might be after-effects.
Pavelski did miss about eight minutes of action. But he passed all the tests
called for in the NHL protocol dealing with possible concussions and did
return to the ice. Still, he noted that sometimes symptoms do not show up
for another day or two.
San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 02.21.2012
614173
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks fact box for Tuesday at Columbus Blue Jackets
By David Pollak
SHARKS AT COLUMBUS
Faceoff: 4 p.m. at Nationwide Arena
TV/Radio: CSNCA, 98.5, 102.1, 92.1
Blue Jackets update: The only suspense is off the ice, where Rick Nash's
future is the big mystery. He toyed with the New York media over the
weekend (Where would you like to end up by the end of this season? "With
a higher plus-minus rating. Mine's not so good"), but interim coach Todd
Richards said Monday that none of that has been a distraction. The
Columbus Dispatch has reported that San Jose is believed to be on Nash's
list of five acceptable destinations.
Sharks update: San Jose has earned a reputation over the past five
seasons as a strong road team. But over the past 10 away games, the
Sharks are 2-6-2, and their season-long, nine-game trip has started out 1-31. Most of the recent losses, coach Todd McLellan said Monday, have been
by "one goal for the most part. We're not that far off, but we're off. We now
look at the overall road game: Are we using our minutes properly? Do we
create momentum? Do we keep it? ... There are a number of players who
can do a better job in that area. That's the trick, to get them to do it."
Blue Jackets injuries: D Radek Martinek (concussion) and LW Kristian
Huselius (groin) are out; RW Jared Boll (foot), D James Wisniewski (groin)
and G Curtis Sanford (back) are questionable.
Sharks injuries:
RW Marty Havlat (hamstring), D Douglas Murray (throat) are out; D MarcEdouard Vlasic (face) is probable.
-- DAVID POLLAK
San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 02.21.2012=
614174
San Jose Sharks
Sharks get some props from their peers
Patrick Marleau's a heck of a good skater, Douglas Murray is tough to play
against, and it’s not very easy to take the puck away from Joe Thornton.
So says a poll of NHL players conducted by the NHLPA and CBC’s Hockey
Night in Canada.
The results of the annual survey were recently revealed, with several
Sharks players getting some props from their peers. Marleau was ranked as
the league’s third best skater; Thornton is the fifth hardest player “to take
the puck from,” while Murray is the sixth hardest blue liner to play against.
Todd McLellan was on the list, too, ranked sixth among coaches that the
players would most like to play for.
Read more: Sharks get some props from their peers
Tune to SportsNet Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet
Bay Area for more on this story
614175
San Jose Sharks
Havlat skating; more injury news
DETROIT - Injured Sharks forward Marty Havlat is scheduled to return to
action in mid-March, Todd McLellan said after the Sharks-Red Wings game
on Sunday afternoon.
Havlat has been out since mid-December with a partially torn hamstring and
is skating again in San Jose.
McLellan said the Sharks expect him to be an effective player come playoff
time.
“We’re counting on that. He’s going to have to take great pride in his fitness
and his preparation and I think he’s that type of guy,” McLellan said. “His
opportunity to play in games down the stretch is going to be real important.
He’ll have to be sharp, his practice time will be important, but we need him.
He’s an important piece and fills out our top six.”
In theory, getting Havlat back could be viewed as a trade deadline
acquisition. The Sharks aren’t expected to make any major moves in the
days leading up to the Feb. 27 cut-off date, but a healthy Havlat adds to
their depth at the forward position – something that’s been lacking in recent
months, especially before the recent acquisition of Dominic Moore.
When that hypothesis was offered up to McLellan, he said: “Yes and no.
You get a player that comes into your lineup that you haven’t had for a long,
long time and he’s a very good player. He’s ahead of a player that you
would trade for because he understands our philosophies, he knows his
teammates, he’s familiar with his environment.
“The difference with Marty when he comes back is he hasn’t been playing.
He’s going to have to find his game, and find it quickly."
Although he hasn’t been in the postseason since 2009, Havlat has had
success in the playoffs. In 67 career playoff games with Ottawa and
Chicago, Havlat has 19 goals and 30 assists for 49 points.
It’s been a season to forget so far, but there's still time for Havlat to have an
impact.
More injury news
Marc-Edouard Vlasic wasn’t made available to the media after taking a
puck to the face on Sunday in Detroit. An update is expected on the
defenseman on Monday, when the Sharks have an afternoon practice in
Columbus.
A bloodied Vlasic left the Red Wings game early in the third period and did
not return.
The Sharks expect to have an update on Douglas Murray, who has missed
the last two games with a fractured Adam’s apple, in the “next day or two,”
McLellan said on Sunday.
Whether or not Joe Pavelski skates today will be of note. The forward took
a slap shot to the helmet from Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom on Sunday and
although he returned, voiced some concerns after the game.
Read more: Havlat skating; more injury news
Tune to SportsNet Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet
Bay Area for more on this story
614176
St Louis Blues
Blues send Bishop back, await Bruins
DAN O'NEILL | Posted: Monday, February 20, 2012 10:21 am
It was a heckuva run, but goaltender Ben Bishop's time with the parent
Blues is up and he is headed back to Peoria.
Kidding aside, the St. Louis native was promoted to the Blues' roster when
Jaroslav Halak came down with the flu. Bishop was the backup goalie in a
Blues victory over Minnesota on Saturday and a loss at Chicago on
Sunday. In short, Bishop had the best seat in the house for those two
games, with Brian Elliott starting both.
With Halak feeling better today, the team has assigned Bishop to their
American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Peoria, where he has had an
outstanding season.
Bishop, 25, has appeared in 36 games with the Rivermen and leads AHL
goaltenders with a .929 save percentage and six shutouts. His 23 wins (2313-0) is tied for first and his 2.25 goals against average is fourth best. The
6-foot-7, 215-pound keeper recently was chosen MVP of the 2012 AHL AllStar Game.
Bishop originally was taken by the Blues in the third round of the 2005 NHL
Draft, the 85th player selected overall.
***
The Blues are not practicing today, as they recover from back to back
games over the weekend. The team will have another back-to-back series
on Wednesday-Thursday. The Blues play host to the Boston Bruins on
Wednesday, and put a 12-0-2 record against Eastern Conference teams on
the line. The team then plays at Nashville on Thursday, where it is 0-1-1
this season.
***
With the loss at Chicago, the team is now 1-7-2 in its last 10 road games
against Central Division teams. Yikes!
St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 02.21.2012
614177
St Louis Blues
— Bernie
Bernie Bytes: Troubling trend for Blues
By BERNIE MIKLASZ, Post-Dispatch Sports Columnist | Posted: Monday,
February 20, 2012 10:05 am
Let's get the new week started, and if you are off from work today, I hope
you are enjoying it ...
Reading Time 5 Minutes:
After another frustrating road loss, this time in Chicago, we have to say it
again: the Blues will have to do much better on the road to maximize their
potential. We keep harping on this, but for good reason. With the team
about to embark on a stretch that has them playing 13 road games and only
3 home games, the issue can't be ignored or downplayed. The road futility
isn't a mini-trend. It isn't a minor thing. It isn't random. And while it's
obviously true that all teams are better at home than on the road, the
extreme nature of the Blues' home/away splits is glaring.
• The Blues (10-13-3) are tied for 24th among the 30 NHL in road winning
percentage, .442. At home they're No. 2 in winning percentage, .848.
• The Blues' average of 1.96 goals per road game ranks 28th among 30
NHL teams. At home the Blues rank 11th in the league with an average of
2.94 goals per game.
• In even-strength situations the Blues are +1 on the road with 43 goals
scored and 42 goals allowed. At home, they are a spectacular +41 with 71
goals scored and only 30 allowed.
• The Blues' power play is dead last in the league in success rate on the
road; they are 7 for 79 for 8.9 percent. On home ice the Blues rank 9th in
PP success, scoring 26 times on 121 chances for a rate of 19 percent.
• In their 16 non-wins on the road (this includes OT and shootouts), the
Blues have averaged only 1.31 goals per game, and have scored 1 goal or
less in 9 of the 16.
• In their 16 non-wins on the road, the Blues have been outscored 16-7 in
the third period. But it's even more glaring as of late; in their last nine nonwins on the road the Blues have been outscored 8-1 in the third period. And
we're talking about a lot of close games here, so those third periods are
killers.
• It doesn't help that forward Alex Steen is out with a concussion; he was
easily the Blues' best player on the road this season before going down. In
18 road games, Steen had 7 goals, 7 assists and was a plus 7. Moreover,
he'd won 55 percent of his faceoffs on the road. Even though Steen hasn't
played a road game for the Blues since Dec. 27, he is still tied for the team
lead in road goals and points. Steen also gave the Blues a big dose of
those effective intangibles that can make a positive difference. With Steen
in the lineup the Blues were 7-8-3 on the road, including 4-2-2 in his last 8
games.
• Going by the plus-minus ratings, here are the Blues that have had the
least amount of success on the road: Alex Pietrangelo minus 7; T.J. Oshie
minus 7; David Backes minus 5; and Patrik Berglund minus 4. That's why
coach Ken Hitchcock was absolutely right in Chicago when he stated after
the game that the team needed more from their top players.
Before we wrap this up, here's something else to keep an eye on. Here's a
look at the Central Division and each team's record against divison rivals:
Nashville 13-3-2
Chicago 9-4-2
Detroit 10-5-0
St. Louis 5-8-2
Columbus 3-12-2
Thanks for reading. I don't want to be negative about the Blues, who are
having a very good season. But if I'm going to praise them, as I do often, it's
only fair to point out areas that clearly require improvement.
And Coach Hitchcock would undoubtedly agree.
614178
St Louis Blues
Blues have been tough at home, struggled on road
By DAN O'NEILL [email protected] > 314-340-8186 | Posted:
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 12:40 am
There are more urgent things on the horizon — such as the big, bad Boston
Bruins on Wednesday at Scottrade Center. But this insidious road infliction
has become more than annoying for the Blues.
A disappointing result Sunday in Chicago lowered the team's away record
to 10-13-3, unfavorable by any definition. But in the context of staying active
in April, it's much worse than that.
Specifically, the team is 4-13-3 on the road against Western Conference
opponents. More specifically, it has one "W" in its past 10 trips at opposing
Central Division locations (1-7-2).
With six weeks of the regular schedule remaining, the bracket might change
dramatically. But if the postseason tournament began tomorrow, the Blues
would face the Nashville Predators in the first round of the Western
Conference playoffs.
The Blues are 0-2-2 against the Preds, which includes 0-1-1 in Nashville
and 0-1-1 in St. Louis. They have been outscored 11-5 by the Smashville
Six. They have taken approximately 13,787 shots at hulking Nashville
netminder Pekka Rinne and like a Greek god, he swats them aside for
sport.
After receiving Boston, the Blues will visit Music City on Thursday to play
the "B" side of another back-to-back, home-away series. They are 3-5-1 in
the second games of back-to-back sequences. Moreover, they have travel
booked for 15 of their remaining 23 dates, including 12 at Western rinks.
If the Blues don't pack some Scottrade substance into their travel luggage,
the itinerary might end abruptly thereafter. In the aftermath of recent
washouts at Columbus and Chicago, the implication is increasingly
undeniable, at least inside Western Conference boundaries. With their
remarkable 26-3-4 home record, the Blues have been a one-trick pony.
"We've played this way for a little while on the road, and it's not good
enough," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "When you're out-worked and
outplayed, it's pretty revealing. We have just, for whatever reason, thrown
our sticks on the ice and tried to play on the road. And you're not going to
win games like that."
There is a chicken-or-egg factor when considering the individual data. If the
team was more successful on the road, the individual statistics would look
significantly better in kind. Many things can spoil the broth, collectively and
individually, in terms of assigning blame.
Do individual numbers reflect a team's struggle or the individual struggle? In
some cases, the answer clearly might be the former.
That disclaimer established, the Jeckyll & Hyde flavor of the home-away
numbers for Blues individuals makes for startling reading.
For instance, David Backes has 10 goals, 28 points and a plus-22 rating in
33 home games. In 26 road games, the skipper has seven goals, 14 points
and a minus-5 mark.
T. J. Oshie has 11 goals, 31 points and plus-20 in 32 games at home; in 25
roadies he has four goals, four assists and minus-7. Alex Pietrangelo has
eight goals, 28 points and plus-24 in 33 at home; two goals, six points and
minus-7 in 25 away games. Kevin Shattenkirk is plus-22 at home, plus-1 on
the road … and so on and so forth.
One thing seems apparent, goaltending isn't the issue.
Brian Elliott's record is 12-1-2 at home vs. 8-5-0 away, but his performance
grades are only marginally different. Elliott has a .946 save percentage at
home, .934 away. He has a 1.32 goals-against average at home, 1.86
away.
Jaroslav Halak's résumé is more radically different, but much of the contrast
can be traced to an October series in which he yielded 15 goals in a series
of four road starts. Halak is 14-2-2 with a .935 SP and 1.59 GAA at home;
2-8-3, .907 and 2.48 away.
In short, uniformity has been an elusive ingredient for the Blues. Veteran
forward Andy McDonald, a breath of fresh air since returning to action four
games ago, suggests the team has to toughen mentally.
"It's what good teams do," said McDonald, who had the team's goal in the
loss at Chicago and has goals in his past three games. "We've got a strong
team here, but there's been times when we let it slide for whatever reason
and we have to find a way to have that consistency.
"You watch the way Detroit plays; ... it's the same through three periods.
They don't stray too much from their game. We have to find that effort
where we're not having drop-off for however amount of time."
There have been numerous cases of seasonal patterns reversing
themselves when teams meet in the playoffs. But it seems paramount, if for
no other reason than their peace of mind, the Blues prove they can perform
in a hostile, rival environment, i.e. win in the opposition's building. No one is
suggesting it is easy.
"Nope, we know, " Pietrangelo added. "But we've got to find a way to win on
the road ..., because more than half our games left are on the road, and
we've got a big stretch coming up."
614179
St Louis Blues
Bishop returns to Peoria after backing up Elliott
By DAN O'NEILL • [email protected] > 314-340-8186 | Posted:
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 12:40 am
It was a heckuva run, but Ben Bishop is headed back to Peoria. More
seriously, the St. Louis native didn't actually get into a game upon being
promoted to replace flu-ridden Jaroslav Halak. Bishop was the backup
goalie in a Blues victory Saturday over Minnesota and a loss Sunday at
Chicago.
Mostly, he had the best seat in the house for those games, as Brian Elliott
started both. With Halak feeling better, the team assigned Bishop on
Monday to its American Hockey League affiliate in Peoria, Ill., where he has
had an exciting season. Bishop, 25, has appeared in 36 games with the
Rivermen and leads AHL goaltenders with a .929 save percentage and six
shutouts. His 23 wins (23-13-0) ties him for first, and his 2.25 goals against
average is fourth.
The 6-foot-7, 215-pound keeper was chosen MVP of the 2012 AHL All-Star
Game.
The Blues selected Bishop in the third round of the 2005 NHL draft, 85th
overall.
LINE 'EM UP
Blues coach Hitchcock recently made a point of complimenting the team's
fourth line, which on most nights features center Scott Nichol and wingers
Ryan Reaves and B. J. Crombeen.
"It's been arguably our best forechecking line, it's been a momentum line,
it's been a helluva line for us for a long time now," Hitchcock said. "They're
a line we're not afraid to play against anybody. They've been getting better
and better with the concept of puck support.
"When (Barret Jackman) and 'Reaver' scored (against Minnesota), the
whole bench for us was so excited, because these are warriors for us. They
have done the dirty work, done all the grind.
"Reaves has really made himself into a good hockey player. He's good on
the boards, he's great at reads. He's got a great stick. He's going to end up
in the league being a really good penalty killer at times, because he does it
in practice. For me, he and Crombeen, and Scotty, have really made
themselves big time contributors here."
'SHanny' heads to town
Brendan Shanahan, the NHL's discipline czar and a former 50-goal scorer
for the Blues, will visit the team today. "Shanny" is touring NHL dressing
rooms to communicate with players and discuss any possible issues.
614180
St Louis Blues
Blackhawks rally past Blues
Associated Press
Dave Bolland's centering attempt in the third period hit the stick of St. Louis
Blues' leading scorer David Backes and went in the net for the go-ahead
score Sunday as Chicago rallied with three final-period goals for a 3-1
victory over the Blues
"I saw Kaner (Patrick Kane) just to my left and tried to get it to him and it
went off Backes," Bolland said. "I'll take it. Those are the kind of goals we
need. We can't wait for pretty ones."
Chicago couldn't solve St. Louis goalie Brian Elliott for the first two periods
as he was working on his second straight shutout. But Duncan Keith scored
a tying goal on a one-timer and then Bolland -- or Backes -- put the
Blackhawks ahead. Marian Hossa added an empty-netter with 49 seconds
left.
The Blackhawks, coming off a nine-game road trip in which they won only
two games, captured their third straight victory. The modest streak comes
on the heels of a nine-game losing skid. Corey Crawford made 29 saves in
Chicago's first home game since Jan. 24
Andy McDonald scored in the first for the Blues and it looked as if Elliott
would make it hold up. He entered the game leading the NHL with a 1.55
goals against average.
Bolland took a pass from Keith at the left side of the net and directed the
puck toward the goal. It hit Backes' stick and went in at 13:03 of the period
to make it 2-1, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
"Tough luck but we should have had it out of the zone before that," Backes
said. "You don't make plays to get it and I put one in the back of our net. ...
We let them hang around, hang around. I'd like to have that back. Ells
played fantastic in nets and he deserves better."
Keith earlier took a pass from Patrick Sharp and sent a screaming onetimer from the slot past Elliott, tying the game at 4:52 of the final period.
"I didn't even see him. There were bodies there and sometimes those just
squeak through the crowd," said Elliott, who finished with 24 saves.
And on Bolland's goal, he had no problem with where Backes was
positioned.
"It's probably where he should be, just taking away the pass across and just
a bad bounce," Elliott added.
Shortly after Keith's tying goal in the third, two Blackhawks crashed into
Crawford as he was stopping a shot by McDonald and the collision
dislodged the net before the puck crossed the line. Another video review
followed and the call on the ice of no goal was upheld.
During a scrum in front of the Chicago goal with 24 seconds left in the first
period, the Blues' Jamie Langenbrunner kicked the puck toward the goal
and McDonald nudged it in past Crawford, a score upheld by video review.
St. Louis has allowed the fewest goals in the league, tied with the Rangers
at 114 entering the game. And the Blues made it tough for Chicago to
generate any offense, outshooting the Blackhawks 15-4 in that first period.
"They're always thinking defense. It's not a wide-open game," Keith said.
"We stuck with it. We learned a lot in that losing streak and brought those
lessons to this game. We were able to play a patient game and win it."
McDonald, who missed 51 games this season with a concussion, scored for
the third time since his return a week ago. He nearly converted earlier in the
first with the Blues short-handed.
Notes
Chicago is 2-1 against the Blues this season and the teams meet three
more times. ... St. Louis G Jaroslav Halak, who'd been slowed by flu-like
symptoms, was scratched from the lineup for a second straight game.
Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 02.21.2012
614181
St Louis Blues
Road woes continue for Blues
Staff and wire reports
If the St. Louis Blues have their sights set on a high playoff seed in the
Western Conference, they are going to have to locate answers to two main
issues: an inability to win on the road and an inability to win games in their
own division.
A 3-1 loss at Chicago on Sunday dropped the Blues' road record to 10-133, which stands in stark contrast to their 26-3-4 mark at Scottrade Center.
They have earned at least one point in a franchise-record 21 straight home
games, but things have not gone as smoothly on enemy ice.
The Blues (36-16-7) take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston
Bruins at home Wednesday, then face a rough stretch with 13 of their next
16 games on the road. That includes a six-game road trip from Thursday to
March 3.
Coach Ken Hitchcock's squad has won just two of its last six road contests
and is also mired in a slump against other teams in its division.
The Blues are virtually unbeatable against the Eastern Conference (12-0-2)
and have fared well against other teams in the Western Conference (19-73). However, they are only 5-8-2 against the Central Division with an 0-6-1
record in their last seven divisional games. Nashville is 13-3-2 against the
Central Division, Detroit is 10-5 and Chicago is 9-4-2.
On Sunday, the Blues took command of the first period and outshot the
Blackhawks 14-4. They got a 1-0 lead on a goal by Andy McDonald, but the
Blackhawks eventually tied it and got the game-winner in the third period
when a puck was deflected in off Blues captain David Backes.
It dropped the Blues' record to 25-2-1 when taking a lead into the third
period.
"Not only (did we) let them hang around, their best players dialed it up and
ours...their best players were their best players at the end of the night,"
Hitchcock told reporters after the game. "They were the guys that had the
puck, they were the guys that created the scoring chances. They dialed it
up and we didn't have an answer. You've got to play 60 (minutes) on the
road."
He got no argument from Backes, who praised the work done by other lines
but not his own.
"It's a case of not sticking to our game long enough," Backes said. "We felt
pretty good about that first period, we were on a roll. Andy McDonald's line
does a great job of sustaining pressure, getting pucks in there and then
battling at front of the net and Scotty Nichol's line the same, but the other
two lines just not enough. When you don't have even half of your forwards
going, and on the road, it's going to be tough to win and I think that's the
case."
Hot prospect
Blues forward prospect Ty Rattie scored two goals Monday, his 49th and
50th of the season, in Portland's 7-2 Western Hockey League victory over
Prince George. Rattie had two goals and an assist and leads the WHL in
scoring with 50 goals and 100 points in 56 games.
Rattie was the Blues' second-round pick in the 2011 draft, the 32nd overall
selection.
Peters suspended
Minnesota's Warren Peters got a one-game suspension from the NHL for
his cross-check to the head of Backes on Saturday in St. Louis.
Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 02.21.2012
614182
Tampa Bay Lightning
By Erik Erlendsson
Two streaking teams come together tonight hoping to write storybook
endings to their respective seasons.
The Anaheim Ducks make a visit to The Forum with a 15-2-4 record in the
past 21 games. They have crept into the playoff conversation in the
Western Conference. The resurgent Ducks have turned things around
under new head coach Bruce Boudreau, whose last visit to Tampa came
when the Lightning finished off a four-game sweep of the Washington
Capitals in the playoffs last season.
The Lightning are also undergoing a bit of a resurgence, entering on a 9-3-2
stretch that has brought Tampa Bay as close to a playoff spot as it has
been since Dec. 31. Climbing back into the playoff picture came somewhat
unexpectedly after the Lightning fell 10 points out of a playoff spot last week
following a loss to Ottawa. Two days later, Tampa Bay general manager
Steve Yzerman announced his intentions to trade defenseman Pavel
Kubina (which happened on Saturday) and dealt center Dominic Moore to
San Jose.
That was followed by a pair of character victories against San Jose and
Washington that has the Lightning thinking the playoffs could indeed be in
the picture.
"We've talked all last year and this year about being totally focused, about
reloading after good or bad moments and that's very easy to say but difficult
to do,'' head coach Guy Boucher said. "I think our players have taken the
action and shown the actions that lead to a focused team and we want to
stay that way.''
For Boucher, seeing the locker room come together is just a sign of what
type of players remain in the room.
"I just think that we have been in survival mode for a long time now and
whether we get one more, three more or five more adversities it just falls
into the same kind of attitude that we've had for a long time that no matter
what comes at us we have to take a slap and get up and bounce higher,''
Boucher said. "We had less of an intense practice but more of a thinking
one and the players were very, very focused, you could see it in their eye
that they are ready to get better and I thought we got better again.''
With four games remaining before the trade deadline on Feb. 27, should the
team continue to win games, it might alter the thinking of management.
While that doesn't mean Tampa Bay would reverse its thinking and
suddenly become a buyer at the deadline, perhaps it might mean there will
be no more selling.
"If this group continues to win and play, I'll let them keep going,'' Yzerman
said. "But I'm not going turn around and go and trade a pick for an
unrestricted free agent to help us get in the playoffs now. That would be
going around in circles.''
But no matter the decisions management makes, those in the locker room
know they can control only one thing and that's how they perform on the
ice.
"For us to put all that stuff (Kubina and Moore) aside and really focus on the
task at hand shows a lot of character and a couple of big wins are huge,''
center Nate Thompson said. "I still think we just have to have the mentality
of taking things one game at a time. If we get caught looking too far ahead
past the next game or the whole week ... you want to keep it in isolation and
just worry about one period at a time and really simplify things and try to
build off each game.''
Lecavalier leaves practice
Captain Vinny Lecavalier is the latest Lightning player to suffer an injury.
Lecavalier left practice early on Monday to undergo unspecified testing for
what the team is calling an upper-body injury. Lecavalier was injured at
some point during Saturday's victory against Washington. He did attempt to
practice but had to leave less than halfway through the 70-minute on-ice
session.
When asked about Lecavalier's status for Tuesday's game against
Anaheim, Boucher said, "We'll see, we're waiting on more information.''
Yzerman said via text message they were still awaiting the result of
whatever test Lecavalier underwent.
Lecavalier has appeared in all 58 games to this point in the season and is
second on the team with 21 goals and is third with 46 points. If he is unable
to play, the Lightning would need to make a call-up from Norfolk as the
team currently has only 20 healthy players on the roster, including
Lecavalier.
Tampa Tribune LOADED: 02.21.2012
614183
Tampa Bay Lightning
By Erik Erlendsson
Two streaking teams come together tonight hoping to write storybook
endings to their respective seasons.
The Anaheim Ducks make a visit to The Forum with a 15-2-4 record in the
past 21 games. They have crept into the playoff conversation in the
Western Conference. The resurgent Ducks have turned things around
under new head coach Bruce Boudreau, whose last visit to Tampa came
when the Lightning finished off a four-game sweep of the Washington
Capitals in the playoffs last season.
The Lightning are also undergoing a bit of a resurgence, entering on a 9-3-2
stretch that has brought Tampa Bay as close to a playoff spot as it has
been since Dec. 31. Climbing back into the playoff picture came somewhat
unexpectedly after the Lightning fell 10 points out of a playoff spot last week
following a loss to Ottawa. Two days later, Tampa Bay general manager
Steve Yzerman announced his intentions to trade defenseman Pavel
Kubina (which happened on Saturday) and dealt center Dominic Moore to
San Jose.
That was followed by a pair of character victories against San Jose and
Washington that has the Lightning thinking the playoffs could indeed be in
the picture.
"We've talked all last year and this year about being totally focused, about
reloading after good or bad moments and that's very easy to say but difficult
to do,'' head coach Guy Boucher said. "I think our players have taken the
action and shown the actions that lead to a focused team and we want to
stay that way.''
For Boucher, seeing the locker room come together is just a sign of what
type of players remain in the room.
"I just think that we have been in survival mode for a long time now and
whether we get one more, three more or five more adversities it just falls
into the same kind of attitude that we've had for a long time that no matter
what comes at us we have to take a slap and get up and bounce higher,''
Boucher said. "We had less of an intense practice but more of a thinking
one and the players were very, very focused, you could see it in their eye
that they are ready to get better and I thought we got better again.''
With four games remaining before the trade deadline on Feb. 27, should the
team continue to win games, it might alter the thinking of management.
While that doesn't mean Tampa Bay would reverse its thinking and
suddenly become a buyer at the deadline, perhaps it might mean there will
be no more selling.
"If this group continues to win and play, I'll let them keep going,'' Yzerman
said. "But I'm not going turn around and go and trade a pick for an
unrestricted free agent to help us get in the playoffs now. That would be
going around in circles.''
But no matter the decisions management makes, those in the locker room
know they can control only one thing and that's how they perform on the
ice.
"For us to put all that stuff (Kubina and Moore) aside and really focus on the
task at hand shows a lot of character and a couple of big wins are huge,''
center Nate Thompson said. "I still think we just have to have the mentality
of taking things one game at a time. If we get caught looking too far ahead
past the next game or the whole week ... you want to keep it in isolation and
just worry about one period at a time and really simplify things and try to
build off each game.''
Lecavalier leaves practice
Captain Vinny Lecavalier is the latest Lightning player to suffer an injury.
Lecavalier left practice early on Monday to undergo unspecified testing for
what the team is calling an upper-body injury. Lecavalier was injured at
some point during Saturday's victory against Washington. He did attempt to
practice but had to leave less than halfway through the 70-minute on-ice
session.
When asked about Lecavalier's status for Tuesday's game against
Anaheim, Boucher said, "We'll see, we're waiting on more information.''
Yzerman said via text message they were still awaiting the result of
whatever test Lecavalier underwent.
second on the team with 21 goals and is third with 46 points. If he is unable
to play, the Lightning would need to make a call-up from Norfolk as the
team currently has only 20 healthy players on the roster, including
Lecavalier.
614184
Tampa Bay Lightning
Yzerman not afraid to make moves
By Erik Erlendsson
TAMPA In less than two full seasons on the job, Lightning general manager
Steve Yzerman has already shown versatility when it comes to assessing
his team.
Whether the Bolts are thriving or well behind playoff contention, he has
shown he's willing to act in a prompt, yet thoughtful, manner.
Last season, when the Lightning surprised just about everybody – including
themselves – by sitting at or near the top of the conference and division for
a good part of the season, Yzerman didn't hesitate when it came to helping
the roster out. On New Year's Day 2011 he acquired Dwayne Roloson from
the New York Islanders to shore up the team's goaltending, a move that
paid off as Roloson was solid down the stretch and in the early parts of the
postseason.
Also last year, when Yzerman looked to shore up the team's defensive
corps he consummated a deal with St. Louis to bring in veteran
defenseman Eric Brewer, who brought strong leadership to the locker room
and solidified a role in the top two pairings on defense.
Both moves proved pivotal to the team's run to the Eastern Conference
Final, where the Lightning lost in Game 7 to eventual Stanley Cup
champion Boston.
This season, it's been the opposite as Tampa Bay has spent most of the
season closer to the basement in the conference standings than a playoff
position. And though the team on the ice has flirted with the possibility of a
late-season charge, after Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Ottawa – a loss that put
Tampa Bay 10 points out of playoff spot at the time – Yzerman symbolically
raised the white flag.
Though the circumstances are different this year, Yzerman has shown in
both instances a willingness to act at the appropriate time.
Before the Lightning hit the ice again following that loss to Ottawa, Yzerman
dealt C Dominic Moore, along with a seventh-round pick, to San Jose in
exchange for a second-round pick which was previously acquired by the
Sharks from Minnesota.
On the same day, Yzerman announced his intention to deal veteran D
Pavel Kubina, who has a limited no-trade clause. Kubina was held out of
Thursday's game against San Jose, did not practice on Friday and was
again held out Saturday against Washington.
The trade deadline is still just over a week away – Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. EST –
and more deals are likely between now and then.
Not every move that Yzerman – or any other general manager, for that
matter – makes will work out as planned. There are home runs and
strikeouts along the way.
But what Yzerman has shown in his short tenure in control of the franchise
is that he is control, his actions methodical in nature much like that of a
chess match where each move is plotted out well in advance. Then when
it's time to make a move that he believes is in the best interest of the team
or the organization, there is no hesitation because he's probably already
made the move dozens of times in his mind.
614185
Tampa Bay Lightning
Lecavalier leaves practice due to injury
By Erik Erlendsson
Captain Vinny Lecavalier is the latest Tampa Bay Lightning player to suffer
an injury.
Lecavalier left practice early on Monday and is expected to miss Tuesday's
game against Anaheim after undergoing unspecified testing for what the
team is calling an upper-body injury, according to general manager Steve
Yzerman.
Tampa Bay head coach Guy Boucher said something "popped up" with
Lecavalier during Saturday's victory against Washington. Lecavalier did
attempt to practice but had to leave less than halfway through the 70minute on-ice session. The team called up center Trevor Smith from Norfolk
of the American Hockey League on Monday.
Yzerman said via text message that Lecavalier will be listed as day-to-day.
second on the team with 21 goals and third with 46 points.
614186
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier out for Tuesday's game with
upper-body injury
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
TAMPA — The Lightning will be without captain Vinny Lecavalier tonight
against the Ducks because of an undisclosed upper-body injury coach Guy
Boucher said "popped up" Saturday against the Capitals.
Lecavalier left Monday's practice at the Tampa Bay Times Forum early and
had an MRI exam.
Boucher said "we'll see" when asked if Lecavalier, who didn't miss playing
time against Washington, would face Anaheim. But Lecavalier wrote in a
text Monday night that he will be out.
General manager Steve Yzerman texted that the center is day to day.
Lecavalier, 31, has played all of Tampa Bay's 58 games with 21 goals and
46 points.
Center Trevor Smith was recalled from AHL Norfolk.
614187
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier (upper body injury) will sit
out against the Ducks
The Tampa Bay Lightning will be without captain Vinny Lecavalier Tuesday
against the Ducks because of an undisclosed upper-body injury coach Guy
Boucher said “popped up” Saturday against the Capitals.
Lecavalier left Monday’s practice at the Tampa Bay Times Forum early and
had an MRI exam, and the Lightning recalled center Trevor Smith from AHL
Norfolk.
Boucher said “we’ll see” when asked if Lecavalier, who did not miss playing
time against Washington, would play against Anaheim. But Lecavalier wrote
in a text Monday night that he would be out. General manager Steve
Yzerman texted Lecavalier “likely” would not play and the center is day-today.
Lecavalier, 31, has played all of Tampa Bay’s 58 games with 21 goals and
46 points.
Posted by Damian Cristodero
614188
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning players remain optimistic about playoff chances
TAMPA — General manager Steve Yzerman said Saturday that if the
Lightning keeps winning he might adjust his strategy heading toward
Monday's trade deadline.
He probably wouldn't turn into a buyer, but instead of selling might just let
the players he has take a run at the playoffs.
"That's great," left wing Ryan Malone said, "if that's how it is."
"GMs are tricky," Malone added. "It's all a game for them to get the pieces
they want. If someone gets offered something they can't resist, he probably
will make the move."
There's one way for Tampa Bay to find out: make the most of its four games
before the deadline, starting Tuesday against the red-hot Ducks at the
Tampa Bay Times Forum.
With victories Thursday and Saturday over the Sharks and Capitals,
respectively, Tampa Bay, despite entering Monday just three points from
the bottom of the 15-team Eastern Conference, forced its way into the
fringe of the postseason conversation.
Eleventh in the East, the Lightning was just six points out of the eighth and
final playoff spot. It was seven points behind the first-place Panthers in the
Southeast Division.
"It's definitely in reach," center Nate Thompson said. "It's in our heads.
We're right there."
Well, perhaps not right there.
"We're knocking on the door, almost," Malone said. "We're walking up to the
door. It's exciting for us to see some results and making up some points.
We're in a hole still and have to stay focused on one game at a time."
A Lightning playoff run will be tough not so much because of the points it
must make up but because in the conference and division races it must
jump three teams, so it would help if those teams wouldn't win as much.
Even so, that the Lightning is in this position at all is admirable. It's not easy
to hear on Monday your general manager plans to be a seller at the trade
deadline and then play (and win) on consecutive nights in which teammates
were traded.
"Guys have said this, but we didn't lose two really good players, we lost two
really good people," Thompson said of the deals that sent center Dominic
Moore to the Sharks and defenseman Pavel Kubina to the Flyers.
"For us to set it aside and worry about what we have to worry about, what
we had to do, is huge — huge character wins for us. If we can just keep that
going and worry about just the next game, one game at a time, we're going
to be in good shape."
A possible glitch is the upper-body injury to captain Vinny Lecavalier, dayto-day after leaving Monday's practice early.
Coach Guy Boucher said his "very focused" players would be able to
overcome that, too.
"I just think that we've been in survival mode for a long time," Boucher said.
"Whatever we have — one more, two more, three more, five more
adversities we hadn't seen before — it just falls into the same kind of
attitude we've had for a long time that no matter what comes at us we have
to take a slap and get up and bounce higher. We've bounced higher lately."
It's tricky, but Yzerman has noticed.
St. Petersburg Times LOADED: 02.21.2012
614189
Tampa Bay Lightning
Vinny Lecavalier leaves Tampa Bay Lightning practice with injury
TAMPA — Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier left Monday's practice early
because of an upper-body injury coach Guy Boucher said "popped up"
during Saturday's 2-1 win over the Capitals.
Boucher hinted Lecavalier would have some sort of test. Asked if Lecavalier
will play Tuesday against the Ducks, Boucher said, "We'll see."
Lecavalier, 31, had 19:39 of ice time against Washington, 36 seconds more
than his average, with an assist, two shots on goal and three hits.
Officially, the center, with 10 goals and 27 points in his past 30 games, is
day-to-day.
He was unavailable for comment.
614190
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier leaves practice with upper-body
injury
When Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier left Monday's practice
early, not many eyebrows were raised. It is not uncommon for players this
time of year to take some time for "body maintenance." Right wing Steve
Downie sat out Monday for that reason.
But then the team started talking about an upper-body injury, something
coach Guy Boucher said "popped up" during Saturday's 2-1 win over the
Capitals. Lecavalier did not miss any time in that game. There also was a
hint Lecavalier was to have testing done on Monday, and when asked if the
whole thing was a concern, Boucher said, "We'll see."
We probably will have to wait until Tuesday to get any more details, but
losing Lecavalier would be a blow to a team fighting its way back into the
playoff conversation. The center has 10 goals and 27 points in his past 30
games.
Lecavalier, 31, was not available for comment after practice; he already had
left the arena, the team said. And the only update is that Lecavalier has an
upper-body injury and is day-to-day.
614191
Toronto Maple Leafs
What ails the Maple Leafs?
james myrtle
The problem is an obvious one. It’s right up on the scoreboard every night.
Where exactly the blame lies, however, isn’t always as clear.
After an ugly road trip through Western Canada that extended their slide to
1-5-0, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ goals-against average has once again
crept up to the three-per-game mark.
With 23 goals against in their last five games, the Leafs are now tied for
third last in the NHL in goals against – a trend that, more than any other,
threatens their bid for a playoff spot.
The team’s latest loss – 6-2 last Saturday to the Vancouver Canucks – in
particular, seems to have roused the fan base on the issue, with members
of Leafs Nation turning to radio call-in shows and social media to play the
blame game as it pertains to Toronto’s defensive woes.
Goaltenders James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson have become the most
popular targets after a few tough outings, although head coach Ron Wilson
and the team’s defence core are also drawing fire.
With the Maple Leafs about to begin a four-game homestand that starts
Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils, here’s a closer look at the guilty
parties and how they’ve contributed to far too many pucks in the net:
Is it the players?
Part of the problem comes down to personnel, as many of the core players
simply aren’t stalwarts on the defensive side of the puck.
Captain Dion Phaneuf, who leads the team in ice time, has had a couple
high-profile gaffes that have led to goals in recent games. Top forwards Phil
Kessel and Joffrey Lupul are offence-first types who have had issues with
coaches in the past over their defensive shortcomings.
The Leafs blueline, meanwhile, has had its shutdown types (mainly Mike
Komisarek, Keith Aulie and Luke Schenn) struggle to contain players in
front of their net.
“There’ve been too many slip-ups the last couple games,” defenceman
Cody Franson said. “They’ve ended up biting us. We’ve got to really kind of
focus in on our system.
“We know what we did wrong.”
Is it the goalies?
Goaltending has been a problem for the Leafs since the 2004-05 lockout,
with a revolving door of starters that included Andrew Raycroft and Vesa
Toskala.
This year, Reimer and Gustavsson have combined to give Toronto a .903
save percentage – 24th in the league in that category.
“If the team has a subpar game, the goaltender can either steal you a point
or even a win,” Reimer said. “We’d like to play solid [defensive] games, but
goaltending is a big part of that. … That’s our job. If the team didn’t break
down, we’d be out of a job pretty quick.”
A week after singling out Reimer as the main offender in a 5-0 loss to the
Montreal Canadiens, Wilson defended his goaltenders on Monday.
“We’ve got to play better in front of the goalies,” the coach said. “They know
what the situation is. They worked hard in practice today and hopefully they
can get the job done.”
Is it the coach?
Wilson may have been voted as the coach players would least like to play
for last season, but no one in the Leafs dressing room will ever openly
criticize the way the team’s staff does business.
Toronto, however, often looks disorganized in its own end and gives up
plenty of odd-man rushes, even as Wilson continues to preach a wide-open
style of play.
The Leafs defensive play appears to lack structure many nights, which
points to either the players not executing or the coaching staff missing the
mark on their game plan.
“We get caught up the ice in unwise situations,” Wilson acknowledged. “The
other night with Vancouver, you’re out against the top line, and we got
caught up the ice and it shouldn’t happen.
“Those quality players have to earn their goals – you don’t give them to
them. That’s what we’ve got to get better at.”
614192
Toronto Maple Leafs
Reimer to debut new mask
james myrtle
Perhaps a new mask will mean for better luck for James Reimer.
The Toronto Maple Leafs netminder said Monday he will wear a redesigned
helmet in one of his team's upcoming games, although what exactly it will
look like remains a closely guarded secret.
It's long been rumoured Reimer could adopt a Transformers themed design
due to his nickname, Optimus Reim.
"I still might," Reimer said. "There's one being painted right now. So
hopefully [I'll wear it] soon. Hopefully within the next week or two."
"A new bucket?" teammate Jonas Gustavsson said, picking up on what was
news to him.
Reimer then explained that Gustavsson's countryman, well known mask
artist Dave Gunnarsson, is doing the design. Some of his work, including
both Leafs goaltenders' current masks, is viewable on his website.
A year ago, Reimer changing his mask would have garnered much more
attention than it will now, as last February he was in the midst of a
remarkable start to his NHL career after several seasons in the minors.
Most of the questions the young goaltender is facing these days, however,
have little to do with his equipment.
After all, Reimer has struggled since returning from a concussion in early
December, with his latest setback coming on Saturday when he was pulled
after allowing four goals in a 6-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
Since suffering the head injury in Toronto's seventh game of the season,
Reimer has a 7-8-3 record with a 3.11 goals-against average and .900 save
percentage in 19 starts.
If Gustavsson has a strong start against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday,
it will likely mean more time on the bench for Reimer.
"I feel like I've been working hard; I feel like I'm in position most of the time,"
Reimer said. "I've had some great games and some games I'd like to
forget."
Saturday was definitely one of those, even if he didn't have a lot of help
from his teammates.
Leafs coach Ron Wilson defended Reimer after Monday's practice along
those lines, saying that the team has to play better in front of its
goaltenders.
"There is a development that a lot of goalies go through, and I've mentioned
this before," Wilson said.
"Whether it be Cam Ward or Carey Price - they've had their issues along
the way in their career. We've just got to support Reims and the Monster as
well as they work their way through a tough period."
614193
Toronto Maple Leafs
Gustavsson
Lupul, Gunnarsson set to play through the pain
james myrtle
After the butt kicking they absorbed in Vancouver, the Toronto Maple Leafs
could certainly use all hands on deck.
And it appears they're going to get that for Tuesday's game against the
New Jersey Devils.
Leafs defenceman Carl Gunnarsson and second leading scorer Joffrey
Lupul are both a little beat up at the moment, with Gunnarsson missing
three games with an ankle injury and Lupul taking a shot off the ankle
against the Canucks.
Gunnarsson, the team's best defensive defenceman, is at "95 or 96 per
cent" in his recovery, according to coach Ron Wilson. He is eligible to come
off injured reserve on Tuesday, which explains why Keith Aulie was sent
down.
"He's been improving rapidly," Wilson said of Gunnarsson. "I wouldn't play
him if I didn't think he could help us. He looked fine in practice today so I
expect him to play tomorrow."
Lupul, meanwhile, missed Monday's practice but his injury isn't considered
serious.
"He'll go for tomorrow," Wilson said.
It's a good thing, too, given the minutes both play and Toronto's current 1-50 slide. Gunnarsson is second on the Leafs with 22:12 a game, while Lupul
is second among forwards with 18:43.
Neither have missed much time, continuing a season-long trend where
Toronto's top skaters have been healthy almost every night. Combined, the
foursome of Phil Kessel, Lupul, Dion Phaneuf and Gunnarsson have
missed only four games.
Notebook
- Jonas Gustavsson gets the start against New Jersey on Tuesday, a team
that is red hot with a 8-1-1 record in their last 10 games. Wilson said the
decision was in part due to Gustavsson winning the last time he faced the
Devils.
- Wilson on dealing with the incessant trade deadline rumours around the
team today: "We've talked to the whole group about that. I think most of our
guys understand it's business. Burkie's talked individually with a lot of guys
about [how] there's rumours. Every day somebody calls your team and says
they'd be interested in somebody; that doesn't mean that we reciprocate or
say that this player's available."
- Adding to the speculation? The fact there's apparently a scout from the
Columbus Blue Jackets at Monday's afternoon game between the Toronto
Marlies and Lake Erie Monsters. This after Leafs GM Brian Burke had a
meeting with Jackets GM Scott Howson on Sunday in New York.
- Wilson on his team potentially being tired after its West Coast swing:
"February's usually the dog days of the season, and it's hard to be
energized. That's why we had nothing but just a high tempo kind of skating
practice. No standing around. We want to mimic what we're going to do
tomorrow - we've got to get our legs going. But every team's in the same
situation we are."
Projected lineup
Lupul - Bozak - Kessel
MacArthur - Grabovski - Kulemin
Lombardi - Connolly - Armstrong/Crabb
Brown - Steckel - Boyce
Gunnarsson - Phaneuf
Gardiner - Schenn
Liles - Franson
614194
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs need five points this week from three home games to stay on
playoff pace
STAR STAFF
By our reckoning, they are one point behind the pace needed to get 93
points after falling behind two weeks ago.
The Leafs got the number of points we expected last week (1-2-0) from a
tough road trip out West.
They are tied with Winnipeg for eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, one
point ahead of Washington prior to Monday night’s game.
A look ahead at the coming week:
Opponents: Tuesday, home to the Devils; Thursday home to the Sharks;
Saturday, home to the Capitals.
Outlook: 2-1-0
Skinny: Beating New Jersey and Washington would have more meaning
than beating a team from the Western Conference. Goalie Jonas
Gustavsson has won his last three meetings against the Devils.
Toronto Star LOADED: 02.21.2012
614195
Toronto Maple Leafs
Gardiner no fan of rumours
ROB LONGLEY, Toronto Sun
Like the rest of his teammates, rookie defenceman Jake Gardiner has
heard his name associated with potential trade talk, quite a compliment for
a player who a year ago was playing NCAA hockey for the University of
Wisconsin. Not that he wants to go anywhere, but you can be sure any rival
general manager that Maple Leafs boss Brian Burke talks to as the trade
deadline approaches has Gardiner on his wish list.
“Any time your name comes up in a rumour, you don’t like it,” Gardiner said
Monday following practice at the MasterCard Centre. “Everything is a
rumour. I don’t know what’s true and what’s not.”
Gardiner already has been traded once — albeit while still in college —
when he was sent here last year along with Joffrey Lupul in the deal that
shipped defenceman Francois Beauchemin to Anaheim.
One of the other Leafs players most often mentioned in trade talks, fellow
defenceman Luke Schenn, seems to be handling the hype well.
“It’s talked about every day and asked about every day, it’s part of playing
in Toronto,” Schenn said. “It’s my fourth deadline right now and every one
gets more hyped. I think it’s bigger in Canada than Canada Day is. It’s like
an annual holiday now.”
DEVIL OF A TIME
The Leafs may be desperate to return to the win column Tuesday against
the Devils, but they will have to do it against one of the hottest teams in the
Eastern Conference, not to mention one of the more pesky to play against.
The Devils aren’t likely to run down the New York Rangers for the top seed
in the conference, but they are making a strong run to claim No. 4 and
home-ice advantage in the first round.
“They clog the middle very well, so we’re going to have to utilize our
wingers and get pucks in deep and not turn pucks over,” Leafs centre David
Steckel said.
A big part of the Devils’ nice run has been the play of veteran goaltender
Martin Brodeur, who is on his hottest streak in recent memory. In his past
13 starts, Brodeur is 9-3-1 with a 1.75 goals-against average.
PICK IT UP
The Leafs have found out too often lately the damage done by a slow start,
something they will try to rectify against the Devils. Part of the challenge is
finding their legs after a week in western Canadian time zones.
“February are usually the dog days of the season and it’s hard to be
energized,” Leafs head coach Ron Wilson said. “That’s why we had nothing
but just a high tempo kind of skating practice. No standing around. We want
to mimic what we’re going to do (Tuesday) — we’ve got to get our legs
going.
“It’s just that time of year. But seeing where we are in the standings, there’s
no excuse for us not to have energy.”
QUICK HITS
With Carl Gunnarsson healthy enough to return to the Leafs lineup against
the Devils, Keith Aulie was returned to the AHL Marlies on Monday and was
in the lineup for their afternoon game against Lake Erie. “I wouldn’t play him
if I didn’t think he could help us,” Wilson said of Gunnarsson. “He looked
fine in practice so I expect him to play.” ... Given their tight-checking ways,
it’s no surprise that the Devils are often in tight games. In fact, they lead the
NHL with 13 shootout games and another league-high 10 wins in those
situations ... Winger Colby Armstrong skated on the Leafs’ top line with Phil
Kessel and Tyler Bozak at Monday’s practice as winger Joffrey Lupul sat
out with a minor injury. Wilson said Lupul took a shot in the foot or high
ankle Saturday in the Leafs’ 6-2 loss to Vancouver but will be fine for the
Devils. “Just a maintenance day,” Wilson said of Lupul’s absence. “He’s a
full-go for (Tuesday).”
Toronto Sun LOADED: 02.21.2012
614196
Toronto Maple Leafs
whatever’s the best to win games, is fine with me. Our power play has been
around the top all year long, so to take a back seat in that department is not
really an issue for me.”
Leafs unfazed by Connolly's lack of production
Connolly had been asked a few times this season if he has any regrets
signing with the Leafs, and his answer continues to be the same.
By Steve Buffery ,Toronto Sun
“Really, I couldn’t be happier,” he insisted. “Right now we’re in eighth place
and we’ve got a shot at the playoffs. And that’s the goal, to get the playoffs.
And then from there, anything can happen.
In the spirit of Family Day, Ron Wilson took on the role of a tolerant Ward
Cleaver on Monday. And not even the mention of Tim Connolly could get
the Maple Leafs head coach riled up.
“I just like to take it one day at a time and focus on the task at hand and
things that you can control,” he said. “And that’s just going out and playing
and trying to win hockey games.”
In fact, it was just the opposite.
When asked if he was down on the underperforming Connolly, Wilson
launched into a fairly passionate defence of his third-line centre, which is a
bit surprising because if you take an objective look at Connolly’s numbers,
you might think Wilson would be down on him.
Connolly has got talent to burn, but his stats are lagging from previous
seasons and he seems to disappear for long stretches during games.
After scoring the overtime winner last Wednesday against the Edmonton
Oilers (following a bad defensive play), Connolly went into Vancouver on
Saturday and laid an egg, finishing the game a minus-1, with no shots on
net.
Neither of his linemates, Matthew Lombardi and Colby Armstrong,
managed a shot on Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo either.
But that’s the way it’s been with the 30-year-old Connolly this season. A
good game, followed by far too many mediocre outings.
He’s seventh in Leafs’ scoring — with 26 points in 47 games — and
generally centring the third line, despite the fact that he was the Leafs’
prized free-agent signing in the summer.
By most accounts, it seems to have been a lost season for Connolly.
Yet despite the struggles and inconsistency, Wilson has only positive things
to say about the veteran NHL centre.
Last week, the coach was asked about Connolly’s offensive struggles, and
he suggested that Connolly’s linemates (Lombardi and Joey Crabb) needed
to step up to help him out of his slump. And then following practice on
Family Day, Wilson was again magnanimous when asked about Connolly.
“Not at all,” he said, when asked if he was down on No.12. “If I was down
on him, I wouldn’t put him out on the ice in overtime.”
Wilson had been known for throwing slackers under the bus in years past.
But he was having none of that with Connolly, perhaps because it was
Family Day — though he jokingly quipped: “Thank God you’re not in my
family” upon spotting a certain reporter at the MasterCard Centre.
“He’s really only off a little on his career numbers,” Wilson said, adding that
there’s more to Connolly’s inconsistencies this season than meets the eye.
“Unfortunately, he missed a part of training camp in the first couple of
weeks, and has had little dings that sometimes we haven’t published that I
think has affected some of the things that have happened on the ice for
him.
“But he’s done a great job killing penalties. And I didn’t foresee him really
being our top penalty killer, or one of them, though I expected, I suppose,
some more offence,” Wilson added.
There was a feeling heading into the 2011-12 season that Connolly, who
posted 65 and 55-point seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, would be a key
man on the Leafs power play, at least on the second unit. That hasn’t
panned out (he is ninth on the team in overall time on the PP and has two
goals with the extra man), though Wilson has given him more shifts on the
power play recently in place of the struggling Nikolai Kulemin.
For his part, Connolly won’t let his numbers, or his ice time, throw him for a
loop.
“I’m in different position this year than I have been in the past, which is fine
with me,” said Connolly, when asked about his time on the power play.
“Wherever I’m needed to be utilized, whatever’s best to help the team,
614197
Toronto Maple Leafs
Leafs need to focus on wins, not trade rumours
With trade rumours swirling, hard for Leafs not to lose sight of goals
By Rob Longley ,Toronto Sun
The noise and distractions are being fired at the Maple Leafs from every
direction these days, making it difficult to know which way to look.
On Monday, defenceman Luke Schenn kept alive his streak of having to
address trade rumours by joking about how easy it is to get on and off the
various “trade bait” lists out there.
“Make one bad pass and you’re back on,” Schenn said after practice at the
Mastercard Centre where he was once again asked about the Feb. 27 NHL
trade deadline.
Looking back, the Leafs are in the midst of their ugliest stretch of the
season, losers in five of their past six games, three of those in
embarrassing blowout fashion. They had the day off Sunday to let the 6-2
defeat in Vancouver sink in, but with a crucial stretch ahead, there is no
time to dwell on it.
Like the rest of his teammates, safe to say Schenn is looking forward to
next Tuesday when trade speculation will be yesterday’s news and the only
concern is finding a way to remain a player in the Eastern Conference
playoff race.
Such is the hockey life in a Canadian city where, as the fourth-year Leafs
blueliner says, trade deadline day is starting to rival Canada Day in terms of
national interest.
So while news like Sunday’s Brian Burke meeting with Columbus Blue
Jackets general manager — and Rick Nash vendor — Scott Howson or that
apparently the Jackets had a scout at Ricoh Coliseum for Monday
afternoon’s Marlies game swirls around them, the Leafs most important task
is maintaining focus.
With a four-game homestand beginning Tuesday night against the New
Jersey Devils, the Leafs can waste no more energy sweating the trade talk.
If you count the Washington Capitals (who are here Saturday night), 10 of
the Leafs next 11 games are against teams in the thick of playoff
contention. What happened in Western Canada or what takes place before
the closing bell next Monday is officially out of the control of those on the
current Leafs roster.
“It’s how we play for the next 20 games we have left that’s going to
determine if we make the playoffs,” centre David Steckel said on Monday.
“We still have it in our hands, so we’ve got to approach it like that.
“We all know what happened on the road. We didn’t play very well and
we’re at home now. The points are valuable and when you have home
games, you have to use them to your advantage.”
Whether an extended run at the Air Canada Centre will be enough to snap
the Leafs out of their recent funk, at least they have been decent enough at
home this season, winning three of their past four with a record of 16-9-4.
On the other hand, if you take away the win over lowly Edmonton last
Wednesday, the Leafs have been outscored 16-3 in their three most recent
losses. Goaltending has been suspect during that slide with defensive
breakdowns in either end of the rink making the problem that much worse.
“The amazing thing right now is that we are still in a playoff position, so
that’s the good news for us,” said Schenn, who was a healthy scratch in
Edmonton. “Obviously, we’ve gone through a tough stretch here. We’ve got
to stop the bleeding right now.”
Making some hay at home will be crucial — but not easy — starting with the
Devils, who arrived in town on an 8-1-1 run that has them at 72 points, eight
more than the Leafs. On Thursday, it’s the San Jose Sharks in town
followed by the struggling Capitals who nonetheless are the Leafs prime
opponent for eighth place in the East.
Also in that race are the Winnipeg Jets, who are two games into their own
eight-game homestand, winning the first two to pull into a tie with the
Toronto at 64 points, though the Leafs have two games in hand. And by
now everyone is aware at the damage the Jets can do in their own noisy
barn.
As for the task at hand, Leafs coach Ron Wilson said Jonas Gustavsson
will get the call in net Tuesday night while defenceman Carl Gunnarsson
will return to the lineup after missing three games with an ankle sprain.
Forward Joffrey Lupul, meanwhile, was absent from practice Monday after
taking a puck in the leg on Saturday. Wilson said it was just a “maintenance
day” and that Lupul will be in the lineup against the Devils.
To Wilson’s credit, the coach recognizes that the loud noise surrounding the
trade deadline can not be ignored. With that in mind you get the impression
that, like his players, Tuesday can’t arrive soon enough for Wilson.
“We talked to the whole group about it,” Wilson said. “I think most of our
guys understand it’s a business (but) it’s human nature (to worry.) It’s
something you try to put in the back of your mind. It’s hard though, not to all
it to affect your game.”
GOALTENDING NOT GOOD ENOUGH
Leafs coach Ron Wilson isn’t about to throw his goaltenders under the bus
just yet, but he’s not about to let them off the hook either given the recent
struggles in the Toronto net.
“They know what the situation is,” Wilson said of the ongoing inability of
James Reimer or Jonas Gustavsson to make a clear-cut case to be the
team’s leading man in net.
“There’s nothing more we can do. You can’t sit back and have five guys
standing by the goalies trying to block every shot. We’ve got to play better
defensively in front of our goaltenders and give them a chance to get into
the game.”
For Tuesday’s date against New Jersey at the Air Canada Centre, Wilson
will go back to Jonas Gustavsson for no other reason than the Monster has
a win against the Devils already this season. Reimer got the hook midway
through Saturday’s 6-2 loss in Vancouver, letting another opportunity get
away to seize the No. 1 role.
Prior to Monday’s NHL action, only four teams in the league had worse
goals-against averages than the Leafs’ 2.96, a standing that will hold them
back in the stretch run should it continue. In their past three losses, the
Leafs have given up 16 goals.
“When your goaltending is sub-par it makes it hard to win,” Reimer
acknowledged on Monday. “A goaltender can steal you a point or a win.
Yes, we need to play good defence, but we also need good goaltending.”
614198
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rick Nash trade talk is all very unusual
Bruce Arthur Feb 20, 2012 – 6:30 PM ET | Last Updated: Feb 20, 2012
7:13 PM ET
Toronto does not make sense as a destination for Rick Nash, if only
because the Leafs seem to lack the requisite assets, and need to fix their
slip-’n-slide-defence and their goaltending auditioning system before the
offence.
Columns For The Impatient Reader, Vol. 1, Part XXVII
Rick Nash. Rick Nash. Rick Nash. That is the talk in the National Hockey
League right now, to the point that it is surprising TSN has not assigned a
full-time camera crew to just follow Columbus Blue Jackets general
manager Scott Howson around as he carries out his traveling salesman
routine.
Saturday night it was reported Howson spent 45 minutes chatting with
Philadelphia’s Paul Holmgren and Flyers executive Bobby Clarke; Sunday,
Howson just happened to run into Toronto’s Brian Burke at a hotel in New
York City before chatting with Rangers godfather Glen Sather prior to the
Blue Jackets-Rangers game. On Twitter there have been breathless
sightings of Columbus scouts, Columbus assistant general managers,
Columbus men of mystery, all presumably lurking in shadows, in teambranded trench coats and hats.
But Howson is the show, because his 27-year-old winger is the show.
Howson surely has a Jeff Carter contract for sale in his suitcase, but Nash
is the big-ticket item, in every possible way.
“We’re waiting for the right deals,” Howson told Aaron Portzline of The
Columbus Dispatch Monday. “We’re getting closer. But we’re not there yet.”
The right deals depend on the dealer, of course, but this is all very unusual.
Nash is the first NHL superstar to be placed on the auction block during the
regular season since Joe Thornton was sold by Boston in 2005, and that
wasn’t so much an auction as a fire sale. Coincidentally, Bruins general
manager Mike O’Connell was fired four months later. The next full-time GM
was one Peter Chiarelli, so you can’t say Joe Thornton never had a hand in
a Stanley Cup.
Howson is almost certainly headed down a similarly doomed path, having
constructed the league’s worst team with the league’s ninth-highest payroll
in a market that bleeds money. His asking price is said to be too high all
around, which makes sense; if Howson is trading the square-jawed face of
the franchise, he had better get it right.
Still, Nash is a desirable commodity: a Canadian Olympian, big and skilled
and probably dragged down by the disposable furniture that has been
stacked around him in Columbus. Other than the fact that Nash will cost
you US$7.8-million against the cap every year until 2018, and has never
reached the 80-point plateau — wait, now it makes sense that the price
could be too high — who wouldn’t want him? Well, besides the Rangers
fans who chanted “We don’t want you!” at Madison Square Garden Sunday
night, for a moment, after Nash scored the tying goal with 1:33 left.
Columbus lost that game, of course, and we were one day closer to a
decision, whatever it might be.
Toronto does not make sense, if only because the Leafs seem to lack the
requisite assets, and need to fix their slip-’n-slide-defence and their
goaltending auditioning system before the offence, which entered Monday
seventh in the league in goals scored per game. The Rangers, meanwhile,
have depth and assets and Sather’s historical love of contracts that allow
men to buy their own islands, and they have a team capable of a deep
playoff run to boot.
And finally, the Los Angeles Kings have assets (goaltender Jonathan
Bernier, defenceman Jack Johnson, a young forward here or there) and are
currently the Scott Gomez of NHL teams, to boot. The Kings are just barely
on pace to be the first team to score under two goals per game since the
2001-2002 Blue Jackets, who drafted one Rick Nash first overall the
following summer. If the circle closes anywhere, it should probably be there.
***
One quarter of the season left to go, and it’s gotten to the point that for
some teams, every game is a big game. Toronto sits tied for eighth in the
Eastern Conference, and is falling without actually falling. Winnipeg is also
tied for eighth, and plays nine of its next 11 games in the thundering barn
on Portage, where the reborn Jets have posted the third-best home record
in the East. Washington, without the injured Nicklas Backstrom (and, until
Saturday, Mike Green) is drifting along aimlessly, or in the case of
Alexander Ovechkin — who was taking 3.82 shots per game before
Monday night’s game, versus a career high of 6.68 three years ago and a
career average of 5.32 before this season — lethargically.
But in today’s NHL everyone has a shot, right up until they don’t. The mad
compression of the NHL standings has resulted in one inarguable thing — it
makes it difficult to fall all the way out of mathematical contention, if you
look at the numbers alone. Toronto is six points clear of the Canadiens,
who are the 26th-best team in the league, and who three weeks ago were
still having the term “must-win” attached to their games.
Fully a third of the league has between 60 and 65 points, which is the
magical realm of possible playoff contention; the slightest edge, the
smallest bounce, could make the difference between the playoffs and the
abyss. Now just imagine, if you could, if players like Nash were available
every year, and the frenzy — and interest — that would result. If you were
Bell and Rogers, the future co-owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs and
purveyors of trade deadline coverage so vast that even I will be sitting in the
back corner of the TSN studio, you might make player movement a priority
of the next collective bargaining agreement, if only for the ratings that could
result.
***
Via Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe, some numbers on the Boston
Bruins, who had three losses in regulation in November and December
combined: 7-9-1 since Jan. 14, with 17 deficits to start the third period in
those 19 games. As a part of this lull, since Tim Thomas snubbed the White
House visit in favour of an oddly capitalized Facebook manifesto on Jan.
23, the Bruins are 4-7, with two wins in the lottery of the shootout, and four
shutout losses this month alone. Which means that on the plus side, they’re
not losing as Individuals. They are losing as a Team.
National Post LOADED: 02.21.2012
614199
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rick Nash, James Reimer and other storylines for the Leafs’ playoff push
• The Rick Nash talk Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott
Howson is reportedly working with a short list of teams to which he might
deal winger Rick Nash. Among teams reported to have at least a
reservation at the bargaining table: the New York Rangers, the Los Angeles
Kings, the San Jose Sharks and the Leafs.
Sean Fitz-Gerald Feb 20, 2012 – 11:55 AM ET | Last Updated: Feb 20,
2012 8:46 PM ET
An interesting twist developed over the weekend when it was reported
Burke appeared in New York for a meeting with Howson. Nash, 27, is under
contract through the 2017-18 season, with an annual cap hit of US$7.8million.
James Reimer has allowed at least three goals in each of the five games he
has played since he shut out the Senators in early February.
The cap hit — and the hit the Leafs’ roster, their farm system and/or their
collection of draft picks might take — would suggest Toronto is a long shot
to land Nash, but with Burke you never know.
On one of the all-sports radio stations, they were talking about frustration,
then anger and exasperation. On the other, the host was preaching to his
audience to be patient and pragmatic, suggesting general manager Brian
Burke remain steadfast in his long-term plans to rebuild the Toronto Maple
Leafs and avoid any short-term temptation.
“Right now I’m a Blue Jacket and that’s what matters,” Nash said on
Sunday, quoted by espn.com. “I’ve played my whole career here, and I’m
dealing with a game I have to play in two hours, so that’s all I’m worrying
about.”
It was a statutory holiday across Ontario on Monday, but not for the hockey
team, and not for its legion of supporters who have reason to feel unsettled
as the Leafs head toward the final quarter of their regular-season schedule.
On morning radio, it felt like the entire city was talking, nervously, about the
Leafs.
Toronto lost two of three games last week. Its goaltending has softened. Its
playoff hopes have become slightly more brittle. And with the NHL’s trade
deadline less than a week away, at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 27, the noise around
the team will almost certainly reach an in-season crescendo.
“It seems to get more and more hype as the years go on,” Leafs
defenceman Luke Schenn said with a smile. “It’s a bigger day in Canada
than Canada Day, I think. It’s like an annual holiday now. It’s obviously
really talked about and, at the end of the day, it’s completely out of our
control as players.”
Here are some of the main talking points as the Leafs cross into the final 20
games of the season later this week:
• The goaltending Two months after returning from an (officially)
undisclosed upper body injury that kept him out of the lineup for 18 games,
James Reimer appeared to return to form with back-to-back shutouts to
open the month of February. It was only a brief return, though.
The 23-year-old was pulled midway through Saturday night’s 6-2 loss in
Vancouver after allowing four goals on 18 shots. It was the second time
Reimer had been pulled in his last three starts. He has allowed at least
three goals in the five games he has played since that second shutout to
open the month, and is 7-8-3 since returning from his injury on Dec. 3.
Is he still dealing with residual effects from the injury? Is it just a sophomore
slump? Or is there a chance the rookie who went 20-10-5 last season might
not be the team’s long-term starter, after all?
“I feel like I’m in position most of the time,” Reimer said Monday. “I’ve had
some great games, and some games I’d like to forget. For me, I think you
just want to get in there and get a string of a couple of good games
together.”
Jonas Gustavsson is expected to start Tuesday against New Jerse.
• The post-season hopes With the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay
Lightning having joined a queue of teams lining up to sell assets before the
Feb. 27 deadline, the Leafs would appear to be fighting four teams for one
of two available playoff spots.
The Ottawa Senators staked a stronger claim to one of those spots on
Monday with a 6-0 blowout of the New York Islanders. It was Ottawa’s third
straight win, strengthening its hold on seventh place in the Eastern
Conference, with 70 points. Toronto (64 points) still has two games in hand,
but was in danger of falling from eighth place Monday night.
The Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets are the other
three teams in the race. One of those teams will win the Southeast Division
and a top-three seed in the conference, leaving the other two to fight for a
lower seed. On Monday, Washington had the chance to jump into eighth
spot with a win over the lowly Carolina Hurricanes.
Before the Capitals played, the website sportsclubstats.com gave the Leafs
a 53.2% chance of making the playoffs. The Capitals? 61.5%.
• The schedule It has already been ugly. The Leafs have lost five of their
last six games — with each of those losses coming in regulation — and
they will end the month with games against five teams with playoff
aspirations. Toronto will host New Jersey on Tuesday, followed by a string
of difficult home games against San Jose (Thursday), Washington
(Saturday) and Florida (Feb. 28). The Leafs will travel to Chicago on Feb.
29.
There is another ugly stretch in March, when the Leafs will play seven
games in 11 days, including five straight on the road.
“There’s no time to look back and focus on those games that you lost,”
Leafs defenceman Cody Franson said. “We made mistakes that we
shouldn’t have made in those games, and we know that.”
National Post LOADED: 02.21.2012
614200
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks feeling right at home on the road
Notebook: Vancouver leads NHL with 20 road wins this season
By Brad Ziemer
EDMONTON — The Vancouver Canucks log more miles than any other
NHL team and they win more away from home as well.
Last season, the Canucks set a franchise record with 27 road wins, which
was the most in the NHL. This season, they lead the league with 20 road
victories.
"We don't change anything when we go on the road," defenceman Kevin
Bieksa said Monday before the team left Edmonton for a long flight to
Nashville. "Some teams change their style of play, maybe get pucks deep,
do this, do that. We play the exact same way at home and on the road.
"And I think beyond that we're a pretty mentally strong team. I don't think a
whole lot fazes us. Regardless of what the polls say, we don't get
intimidated, we don't shy away from things, we just go out and go about our
business and do our jobs."
But what about all that arduous travel? The team's current six-game trip, for
example, takes the Canucks on a virtual tour of North America. It started
when the Canucks headed north for Sunday night's game in Edmonton. On
Monday, they headed southeast to Nashville and from there it's on to
Detroit, New Jersey, Dallas and Phoenix.
We'll leave it to Bieksa to put it into perspective.
"It's not like we are travelling commercial in a middle seat between two
large people," he said. "We're pretty comfortable and the team takes care of
us pretty well."
With 10 road games remaining, the Canucks face a tall order to improve
upon last year's road record. They'd have to win eight of those 10 games to
reach 28 road wins.
DEFENCE ON OFFENSIVE: The Canucks continue to get nice offensive
contributions from their top four defencemen.
Bieksa and Sami Salo both scored in Sunday night's 5-2 win over the
Oilers.
Bieksa has goals in back-to-back games for the first time in his NHL career.
With seven goals and 33 points, he has a chance to challenge his career
best numbers of 11 goals and 43 points in 2008-09.
"We're having a good year on the back end," Bieksa said. "The forwards
are using us a lot more now. It takes away a lot of pressure when you have
defencemen jumping up in the play and getting pucks on net. That's the
way the game is these days."
Alex Edler leads Canuck defencemen with 39 points and heading into
Monday's schedule stood third among NHL defencemen. Bieksa was tied
for 11th, while Dan Hamhuis (26 points) was tied for 26th.
POWER TIME: Tuesday’s game against the Predators (5 p.m., Sportsnet
Pacific, Team 1040) will feature a meeting of the NHL's two top power
plays. The Canucks lead the league with an efficiency rate of 22.3 per cent.
The Preds are clicking at a rate of 21.5.
Daniel Sedin leads the Canucks with nine power-play goals. Defenceman
Shea Weber leads Nashville with seven power-play goals.
DOWN ON THE FARM: The Chicago Wolves, Vancouver's AHL farm team,
have been almost as hot as the Canucks of late. The Wolves, who are on a
four-game winning streak, have won nine of their last 11 games.
Goalie Eddie Lack, who had a bit of slow start this season, has had two
shutouts while winning five of his last six games. Lack has surrendered just
eight goals, five while the team was short-handed, in that stretch. His
numbers over the past six games: a 1.32 goals-against average and .958
save percentage.
Wolves captain Nolan Baumgartner will play in his 1,000th professional
game on Friday night when Chicago meets the Rockford Ice Dogs.
ICE CHIPS: Winger Alex Burrows needed three stitches on his nose to
close a cut suffered when he collided with referee Dennis LaRue in
Saturday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs … Coach Alain Vigneault
continues to spread out the ice time. In both weekend games, everyone in
the lineup played at least 10 minutes.
Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 02.21.2012
614201
Vancouver Canucks
Canada’s Team No Match for Canada’s Best Team
Criticallycanuck
In what was likely, from a ratings perspective, the marquee match-up of the
regular season for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, “Canada’s Team” (the
perennially beleaguered Toronto Maple Leafs) received another beat down
from Canada’s best, who according to a CBC players’ poll are also the
NHL’s “most overrated”, team.
And the result should have been no surprise to anyone despite the Leafs
supposedly being a threat for a playoff spot this year and with the Canucks,
while still consistently winning, not having dominated a team for 60 minutes
in nearly two months.
These days, a Saturday night beat down of the Leafs, still looking for their
first Stanley Cup Final appearance since the league expanded beyond six
teams, is a sure bet. Toronto has not beaten Vancouver in nearly nine
years (the same season they last made the playoffs), either home or away.
And in recent years, the Leafs can’t even keep the score close. Perhaps
it’s the ghost of Mats Sundin. You see since the Canucks beat the Leafs
with Sundin scoring the shootout winner for Vancouver, they have won all
six meetings by a combined score of 28-13.
For a Canucks’ fan, it just doesn’t get any better. Of course, the CBC
broadcast the game at 4pm PDT to accommodate all the Leaf Lovers in the
centre of the universe, most of whom had likely turned the game off in the
second period. And Ron MacLean’s whipping boy, Alex Burrows, once
again delivered the most appropriate response to MacLean’s unforgivable
hatchet job of two seasons ago with a lovely two goal performance. And to
top things off, Don Cherry was trumpeting the Canucks’ toughness during
Coach’s Corner.
But the CBC, and the rest of the country, will seemingly never have enough
love for the Canucks despite their long run as the best team in Canada. We
saw this story before with the last consistently successful Canadian team,
the Ottawa Senators, who, despite playing in the nation’s capital, were
roundly ignored by the CBC in favour of the Leafs and Montreal Canadiens
and garnered little following outside the capital region.
But the facts are that the Canucks are the last Canadian team be in a
Stanley Cup Final, not to mention the last Canadian team to appear in two
Finals. They are the best regular season Canadian team of this century.
And since the end of the 70′s, have outperformed the mostly hapless Maple
Leafs 22 times in 31 seasons.
And despite being one win away from a Stanley Cup and on the verge of a
possible second straight President`s Trophy, the Canucks have now been
anointed as the most overrated team in the NHL (in a poll conducted by the
CBC, of course).
So it seems, for the time being, the Leafs will continue as the national
disgrace while Vancouver, outside the fanaticism of Canuck Nation, will get
no respect.
614202
Vancouver Canucks
Alex Burrows’ improbable run to 500
Vancouver Canucks star winger plays milestone NHL game Tuesday, not
far from where his pro career started a decade ago
By Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun February 20, 2012
EDMONTON — About a six-hour drive southeast of Nashville, where Alex
Burrows will play his 500th NHL game on Tuesday, is Greenville, South
Carolina.
It's a million miles from the NHL, but it's where Burrows' improbable
professional hockey journey began nearly a decade ago.
Hockey wasn't big in Greenville, or for that matter Baton Rouge, La., or
Columbia, S.C., the other two stops Burrows made in the East Coast
Hockey League.
He remembers long bus rides, punctuated by stops at places like
McDonald's and Subway to help the players stretch their paltry per diems.
And he remembers that all anyone seemed to care about in those places
was college football and basketball. A hockey puck was a foreign object.
It was a tough environment in which to chase your NHL dream, especially
for a player like Burrows who had been passed up in the NHL draft.
"It was always a dream to play in the NHL and it was really a big dream
sometimes with those long bus rides," Burrows said before the Canucks
departed Monday for Nashville. "You are going to games where there are
no scouts and no one really cares about hockey. It's all about college
football, college basketball, that's all people really care about. It's tough to
get out of there."
But Burrows did and here he is 500 games into a NHL career that has
exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Everyone has got their own story, has their own journey," Burrows said.
"Everyone has to work hard to get to 500 games even if you are a firstrounder or not drafted. But for me, it's nice. I'm really happy with the way
things have gone. We're a Stanley Cup-contending team, we're feeling
good about our game, it's fun to win and play with two of the best players in
the world. It couldn't be any better."
Sometimes in the those East Coast days, Burrows wondered if it could get
any worse. The Greenville Growl, Baton Rouge Kingfish and Columbia
Inferno played in some interesting venues.
"The one in Columbia where we played, the rink, it wasn't even a NHL
standard ice rink," Burrows said. "It was an old basketball arena that they
decided to make into a hockey arena. It was much smaller than a normal
rink, so we had a really tough team and tried to scare everyone out of the
building."
Think Slapshot in South Carolina and Burrows, not surprisingly, was in the
thick of much of the rough stuff. He had 194 penalty minutes in his one full
season in Columbia. The previous year he combined for more than 265
minutes in Greenville and Baton Rouge.
Unlike a fellow French Canadian, goalie Denis Lemieux, Burrows did not
"feel shame" for all the time he spent in the penalty box. It was part of life in
the East Coast League. You played hard, did what you had to do and
prayed that someone noticed.
Craig Heisinger did. The former Manitoba Moose general manager, now an
assistant GM with the Winnipeg Jets, is the guy who gave Burrows his first
big break, or in Slapshot terms, set him free.
"I owe him so much," Burrows said. "He really trusted in me."
Burrows got a two-game look with the Moose in the 2003-04 season and
became a Moose regular the following season during the NHL lockout.
"They had the rule change in the AHL and teams could carry 12 forwards,"
Burrow said. "That opened up one more roster spot and I was able to grab
it."
"I'd like to be able to say we saw in Alex what he has become today but the
truth of the matter is we didn't," Heisinger said Monday. "We thought Alex
would be a good replacement for Jimmy Roy, who was an absolute (bleep)disturber and that's how Alex played.
"To say that we projected him to be a first-line winger on one of the best
lines in the NHL, that would be very much of a stretch. He's the one who
has taken advantage of the opportunity."
Burrows broke in with the Moose at the same time as defenceman Kevin
Bieksa, a fifth-round Canuck draft pick who had just finished his collegiate
career at Bowling Green University in Ohio. Bieksa had never heard of
Burrows.
"I don't know if you want my first impressions," Bieksa said Monday with a
laugh of Burrows, whom he now counts as one of his best friends. "You
know what, at the time I think I noticed his work ethic right away. He started
that year in the East Coast League and got called up five or six games into
the year. And when he came up he played the same way he does now. He
worked tirelessly, he hounded the puck, he had a good stick and scored
some big goals.
"I have always said he is one of the smartest players I have ever played
with. And he's obviously very opportunistic."
Burrows, who happens to be a member of the Canadian Ball Hockey Hall of
Fame, also counts Canucks coach Alain Vigneault as one of those who
helped get him to the NHL. Vigneault coached the Moose in 2005-06 and
helped convince then-Canucks coach Marc Crawford and general manager
Dave Nonis to take a look at him later that season.
"I remember when Dave and Marc called and they asked me who our best
player at that time was and it was Alex," Vigneault said. "He got called up
and he has been in the NHL ever since.
"One thing with Alex is he's got great hockey sense and he's got a lot more
skill than people give him credit for. Combine those two and you've usually
got a pretty good player."
Burrows, of course, has been a very good player for the Canucks. He has
cracked the 20-goal mark for the fourth straight season and with 22 goals
has a chance to surpass 30 for the second time. Most of his 133 goals as a
Canuck have come the hard way, at even-strength. He has more
shorthanded goals (15) than he does power-play markers (9).
With one more year remaining on a contract that pays him $2 million per
season, Burrows is truly one of the NHL's best bargains. He may be
underpaid by NHL standards, but Burrows still feels blessed on so many
levels.
He gets to play with Daniel and Henrik Sedin and yes, they have certainly
helped his career. But the flip side of that is that Burrows helps make the
twins better.
At home, Burrows and his wife Nancy have a little girl, Victoria, who was
born during last year's playoff run.
"It puts everything back in perspective with the family now," he said. "That's
the best part. I have a healthy little girl at home and that is the most
important thing."
All that's missing is a Stanley Cup.
"That would be another dream come true," he said.
And Alex Burrows knows better than most that sometimes that happens.
614203
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks made right call in Booth
By Ed Willes, The Province February 20, 2012
“He’s one of the hardest-working players I’ve ever been around,” says
Ballard.
Ballard also says it was telling that Booth, a congenital rink rat, wasn’t
around the Panthers after he suffered the concussions. He tried to come
back early after the Richards hit — “I wanted to make the (U.S.) Olympic
team,” he says — but was concussed again in March on a hit by the Habs’
Jaro Spacek.
This time he was shut down for the season.
VANCOUVER — The trade makes no sense if you just look at the back of
David Booth’s hockey card.
The Florida Panthers, whose track record for drafting and developing
players is deplorable, took Booth in the third round of the 2004 draft, then
watched as he scored 22 goals in his first full NHL season and 31 in his
second.
At that point he was 24 and poised to become a breakout star for a
franchise which desperately needed one. He would suffer an injury the next
year, but came back to play 82 games in 2010-11 before he was traded to
the Vancouver Canucks six games into this season for a couple of spare
parts in Marco Sturm and Mikael Samuelsson.
Even when you factor in Booth’s ticket — $4.25 million US in each of the
next three years — and the expiring contracts for Sturm and Samuelsson, it
doesn’t begin to explain how a young player who scored 31 goals became
available at such a cheap price.
It’s only when you consider Booth’s injury was a concussion — the NHL’s
equivalent to the scarlet letter — that you begin to understand why the
Panthers let him go and how the Canucks were able to pick him up.
“I can’t say if (the Panthers) thought David would never come back,” says
former NHL goalie Mike Liut, Booth’s agent. “But you can logically conclude
what they thought by that trade.”
“I try not to look at the negative,” Booth says. “My take was the Vancouver
Canucks wanted me, not the Florida Panthers didn’t want me. I look back at
it now and I see God had a plan for my life. It’s kind of cool to see His hand
working.”
Booth’s career, of course, was changed dramatically and irrevocably on
Oct. 24, 2009, when he crossed the Philadelphia Flyers’ blue line, dropped
the puck to teammate Stephen Weiss, then was knocked cold by Mike
Richards’ late, blind-side hit.
In addition to becoming an instant flashpoint to the debate on head injuries
and head shots, the blow, coupled with a second concussion suffered later
in the season, threw a black cloud over Booth’s promising career.
Now, 2 1/2 years later, the cloud is finally lifting.
Booth has 11 goals and 11 assists in 33 games with the Canucks this
season, but those numbers tell only a part of the story. For GM Mike Gillis
and the organization, the larger development is the return of the fearless
power game Booth played before the concussions.
The Panthers, clearly, thought that player would never return. The Canucks,
who scouted Booth extensively in the early part of the season with pro
scout Eric Crawford, believed he might. The cost — Booth’s contract plus
Steven Reinprecht’s $2-million deal — was significant.
But the Canucks also believed the potential reward justified the risk.
“We felt pretty strongly about David,” said Gillis.
And there’s a reason for that.
Talk to anyone in the game who’s come across Booth and a picture quickly
emerges of a relentlessly positive teammate who trains like a Navy SEAL
and whose lifestyle is consistent with his Christian beliefs.
“He’s a kid who loves the game,” says Ryan Kesler, who played midget
hockey with Booth in the Detroit area.
“Just a great kid,” says Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves, who coached Booth
in the USA U18 program and on the gold medal-winning American team at
the 2004 world junior championship. “His bad days are most people’s good
days.”
Canucks defenceman Keith Ballard was Booth’s teammate in Florida and
recalls pulling into the parking lot at the Panthers’ home arena and watching
Booth doing wind sprints in the 90-degree heat.
He would return and play those 82 games in 2010-11, scoring 23 goals
while going minus-31 on a dreadful Panthers team. Then came the trade.
Then came a new beginning for Booth.
“There were two considerations with David,” said an NHL source. “One,
was he susceptible to another concussion and, two, had the injury affected
his style of play. Clearly, Florida thought it had.”
Booth, for his part, now says he feels like he’s all the way back. Yes, there
were some dark nights of the soul. There always are with concussions. But
he’s now played the better part of two seasons without a recurrence and the
doubts have given way to a sense of confidence.
“It was hard,” he says. “You lose your sense of what’s normal.
“But that was so long ago. Now I’m feeling like I was before. It just doesn’t
come back the first game. It takes time.”
And now time, once again, is on his side.
614204
Vancouver Canucks
Burrows to play his 500th NHL game
Montreal boy has come a long way from his yars with the Greenville
Grrrowl.
“I think once you’re satisfied, you can only go downhill. If you keep working
on your game, trying to improve every day, that’s going to permit you to
stick around in this league and be successful.
“What started off as grinding it out on the fourth line, being an agitator with
Kes if you want to call it that, and now playing with two of the smartest and
best players in the world, it’s like a dream.
“Especially now that we’re a Stanley Cup contender.”
By Gordon McIntyre,
NASHVILLE — It’s one thing if your team name has a bunch of the same
letters in a row when you’re playing in the Finnish Elite League.
But when it’s the Greenville Grrrowl of the ECHL, you’re typically on a train
to nowhere hockey-wise.
Yet that was where Alex Burrows was not long ago, riding buses and
hoarding Burger King coupons to stretch $450 a week in the East Coast
League.
Tuesday night, he’ll dress for his 500th career NHL game, a remarkable
achievement for a Montreal boy who once was better known as a ballhockey player than the bladed kind.
“It’s been a fun ride, that’s for sure,” Burrows said. “I never thought I’d make
it to this point when I look back to my time in the ECHL.”
Undrafted out of junior, Burrows had bounced between three ECHL teams
and, at 23, faced making a life-altering decision when Manitoba Moose
general manager Craig Heisinger came calling in the late fall of 2004.
“My third year in the ECHL I remember telling my parents, ‘If I’m still with
the [Columbia] Inferno at Christmas, I’m going to have to pull the plug and
go back to school, find something else for a career,’” Burrows said.
The rest, as they say, is well-documented history.
Because of his ECHL background, Burrows was pooh-poohed in a lot of
corners by so-called media experts when he arrived with the Canucks.
And there were the other sides to his game that distracted people from his
hockey ability: The hair pulling, finger biting, the taunting after whistles, the
histrionics and head-snaps after being hit.
Indeed, from junior onward 35 goals was his lifetime best in a season.
So no one saw a 35-goal year coming in 2009-10 or that Burrows would
score at a clip that averages 31 goals the past four seasons.
But he has proved he is a very skilled player, a consistent goal scorer who
rarely gets power-play time, and a smart player who figures out what part of
the ice he should go to.
Put it this way: Split his NHL career in two and he’s scored triple the
number of goals in his last 250 games than in the first 250, and added twice
the number of assists in the second half than he had in the first half.
His name even gets dropped into the mix as a possible 12th or 13th forward
for the Sochi Games.
“He’s probably the smartest player I’ve ever played with,” said Kevin
Bieksa, who along with Ryan Kesler has been a teammate of Burrows for
eight years. “He really understands the game and you’d probably hear that
from a lot of guys in this room. Watch how he plays, he thinks the game so
well.
“He understands all the Xs and Os, he understands where other people
should be.”
Through it all, Burrows has remained humble, one of the league’s best
bargains at $2 million a year through next season.
The only difference Bieksa sees, he said with a smile, is Burrows isn’t quite
as cheap as he once was.
What got Burrows this far and what keeps his head screwed on straight is
advice a coach in junior once gave him: Satisfaction is the beginning of
regression.
“It stuck with me from the moment he said it,” Burrows said. “I take that
quote seriously.
614205
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks' Hamhuis: Hal Gill adds to challenging Predators' defence
By Ben Kuzma,
If Dan Hamhuis took as long initiating the transition as he does responding
to a question, he'd be turning over pucks on a regular basis and be
plastered to the boards like an advertisement.
With his uncanny ability to quickly read the game, execute long passes and
remain positionally sound while Kevin Bieksa jumps up into the play, you
seldom notice Hamhuis because the Vancouver Canucks blueliner doesn't
make many mistakes. And that reserved demeanour shouldn't be taken the
wrong way.
All Hamhuis wants to do is win. For six seasons, he elevated the Nashville
Predators to playoff mainstay and if anybody knows what the acquisition of
Hal Gill means to that back end when it attempts to corral the Canucks on
Tuesday, it's Hamhuis. Already icing one of the league's best shutdown
tandems in unrestricted free agent Ryan Suter and the restricted Shea
Weber, the Predators are putting up a giant wall of resistance after trading
for the 6-foot-7, 241-pound Gill on Friday.
"He'll really take some of the minutes and weight off Suter and Weber," said
Hamhuis. "He's a pretty steady defenceman who can handle top lines.
They're having a great season are very hard working and sound defensively
and that's hard to play against for 60 minutes. It can be frustrating and
really challenges you to be patient and stay in your system."
If the Predators add a veteran forward by the trade deadline, being ranked
second on the power play and having nine players in double-goal digits —
despite nobody in top 50 league scoring — will mean more in the
postseason because they can grind you to death. With contract uncertainty
surrounding Suter and Weber, letting Blake Geoffrion and Robert Slaney go
in the Gill deal with Montreal sends the right message. And for coach Barry
Trotz, knowing the franchise is committed to winning now means giving his
top tandem a support system in Gill. Ownership must be impressed
because general manager David Poile received a contract extension
Monday that runs through the 2014-15 season.
Gill played 16:23 in his Predators debut Sunday. While his 124 blocked
shots rank 13th and he was a reason why the Canadiens rank first in
penalty kill, Gill has delivered just 49 hits. That ranks 319th and says
something about being 36 and relying more on positioning than mobility.
"It's a good team with a lot of young guys and a good mixture of talent," said
Gill. "I'm a huge fan of music in general and on the road there's nothing
better than having a couple of beers and listening to some live music.
That's what I know of this city."
If Gill provides leadership to a young core as a Stanley Cup champion with
more than 1,110 regular season and playoff games on his resume, they'll
soon sing a country song about his big presence. Especially if the Predators
can get to the conference final.
"When he's on the ice, he sort of engulfs you," said Trotz. "He kills the
cycle. He's more about substance than style, but he is really effective."
The Canucks have allowed just six goals in their last four games and have
improved to sixth in goals against and the penalty kill. A lot of that has to do
with the steadiness of Hamhuis and Bieksa who struggled like the rest of
the team through October but have returned to top form. For the normally
durable Hamhuis, who suffered two concussions in a seven-week span last
season and needed offseason sports hernia surgery following a sideboards
hip check on Milan Lucic in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final, he's more
aware of the physical demands of his position.
Hamhuis can hold his own but his head is more on a swivel when a forward
has him in the crosshairs near the end boards.
"You're always aware of that and one of the hardest plays is going back for
pucks," he said. "You've got to make the play but you also have to protect
yourself. That's something I try to work on all the time — shoulder checking
and knowing where their forwards are and as a defence partner talking and
getting into a good spot.
"We're playing a better team defence and it helps everybody. And it makes
everybody look better when you've got forwards coming back."
Had they been healthier last June, the Canucks are convinced they would
have captured the franchise's first Stanley Cup. But with Hamhuis out,
Aaron Rome suspended, Alex Edler playing Game 7 with two broken
fingers and Christian Ehrhoff ineffective with a bad shoulder, they were a
shadow of themselves. Especially without Hamhuis.
"It's his consistency and the way he's able to read the forecheck and just
slide away and find that outlet pass," said Canucks coach Alain Vigneault.
"We spend so little time in our zone when he's out there."
614206
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks Hat Trick: Three things for fans to ponder
By Jim Jamieson
So much for the Stanley Cup hangover.
1) Sure, that was a common talking point to start the season for the
Canucks and, indeed, well into November when last season's Cup finalist
was mired at .500 (9-9-1) after an emabarrassing 5-1 home ice loss to the
hated Blackhawks.
Yes, there was an acknowledgment that it would be hard to match the
magic of last season – this was a team that finished with a league-leading
117 points and had just about everything going it, including timing of
injuries.
But look where we are now.
After hammering the Leafs and then the Oilers on the weekend, this
Canucks team – now in a 10-0-3 run -- is now 38-15-6 for 82 points. That is
just one point behind the pace of last year's team after the same 59 games.
Sure, this team has had its flaws in the last six weeks – a rare Sedin slump
(until the weekend), an absent Mason Raymond and uneven play in its own
end – but excellent goaltending from Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider
has more than made up the difference.
Of course, the weekend's work was at the expense of a couple of
incomplete teams (Toronto, Edmonton), so the Canucks will have more of a
challenge on Tuesday in Nashville. But then again Vancouver is now the
league's best road team.
2) The concerning tidbit coming out of Sunday's 5-2 win in Edmonton on
Sunday was that right winger Byron Bitz was a scratch, reportedly due to a
sore hip flexor. Dale Weise got back in the lineup and played well, doing a
nice screen job on Kevin Bieksa's goal. He needs to, as Bitz was very
impressive in his seven games in Vancouver with a goal and three assists,
decisions in two fights and some momentum-changing hits.
In short, Bitz – who'd been out since September – looked like the player the
Canucks were ikely needing to acquire at the trade deadline.
Bitz, as we all know by now, has been a terrific story – fighting back from
four surgeries on his hip/abdominal area in a 12 month period to get back to
the NHL. Certainly, anyone who's been away from the day to day physical
grind of playing pro hockey for the 21 months that Bitz was before joining
the Chicago Wolves in January, is likely going to have some hip flexor
challenges at some point. For Bitz' sake, let's hope that's all it is.
3) Chris Tanev made a nice return to the NHL on the weekend. The Toronto
native, who just turned 22, played 18:38 and was a plus-1 in the Canucks'
6-2 win over Toronto on Saturday and played 16:21 and was minus-1 in
16:21 in the 5-2 win over Edmonton on Sunday. He solid in both games and
showcased his high-end ability to move the puck.
Tanev has clearly benefitted from spending much of this season in the AHL.
Let's hope he's here for the duration, although that's likely going to depend
on Keith Ballard's status.
614207
Vancouver Canucks
Baumgartner knows he hasn’t been a prospect for a while and embraces
the mentor role. But don’t think he’s given up on his NHL dream, even now.
White Towel: Nolan Baumgartner's years as pro player ‘gone so fast’
“I think you always have to have the belief in yourself and in your skill set
that you can still play the game at the highest level,” said Baumgartner.
By Jim Jamieson,
“I still believe that if I were to get called up today that I could step into the
lineup tomorrow and I’d be OK. You’re a competitor and you compete to be
at the highest level so if you’re not doing that then why are you playing the
game?”
It might not be the life Nolan Baumgartner envisioned for himself when he
started his professional hockey career, but it’s turned out pretty well.
Baumgartner had a rough start to his pro career, missing all but eight
games in the 1996-97 season, with surgery on both shoulders.
Really well, actually. You could call it Baumer’s Excellent Adventure.
His time in the Washington organization was up after four seasons and just
18 NHL games.
Drafted in the first round by Washington in 1994, Baumgartner could never
quite stick in the NHL, but he’s had a remarkable career at the minor league
level and on Friday in Chicago as a member of the Canucks’ AHL farm club
will be recognized for playing his 1,000th pro game.
It’s a journey that includes 143 NHL games — 70 of which were with the
Canucks in his only full year in the NHL — 16 seasons, 10 cities and
countless memories. Most of them, by the way, are good.
“It’s gone so fast,” said the player most everyone knows as ‘Baumer.’ “To
think it’s 16 years already that I’ve been playing and it’s gone so fast. You
hear every guy say that, but it’s true.
“The way I look at it, pretty much everything I have in my life right now I owe
to the game of hockey. I met my wife because I was playing hockey, I own
a house, I have a child. It’s not just a pretty good life, it’s a really good life.
You get paid to go out there and play a game. Not too many people can say
they have a job like that.”
Baumgartner, who turns 36 on March 23, is captain of the Chicago Wolves.
He was also captain of the Kamloops Blazers, where he won back-to-back
Memorial Cups in junior, Canada’s world junior team with whom he won
back-to-back gold medals, at Norfolk and twice for the Manitoba Moose in
the AHL.
But the time there was notable in a much larger way. It was where he met
his wife, currently of nine years, Elizabeth.
“I met her in Annapolis when a couple of us got called up for the playoffs in
1998, the year Washington went to the final,” said Baumgartner.
It’s hard to know what was more interesting for Baumgartner — that
Elizabeth’s family had no familiarity with hockey or that her father, Philip
Anselmo was a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral who once was commander of the
iconic USS Constellation.
“It’s kind of funny going into that situation where somebody doesn’t really
know much about the game,” said Baumgartner.
What did the Admiral think about his daughter dating a hockey player?
“I don’t think he was sure about me at first, but I think I won him over after a
couple of days,” laughed Baumgartner.
Baumgartner and Elizabeth, along with their 21-month-old son Jake, now
make their permanent off-season home in Winnipeg, where he played
seven seasons in three separate stints with the Canucks’ AHL farm club.
They own a house and have put down roots in the community.
“We’ve got a lot of friends outside of hockey there,” he said.
Just about anybody he’s played with or been coached by talks about the
leadership and work ethic that Baumgartner brings.
“It’s a great place to raise a family.”
Those are traits that coaches love, because they rub off all through the
lineup.
How long will he keep playing? Hay called Baumgartner in the summer and
offered him a job as an assistant coach with the Giants. Baumgartner
politely declined.
“The best compliment I can give Nolan is that he was born to be a hockey
player,” said Mike Keane, who played three seasons with Baumgartner on
the Moose at the end of a long, distinguished NHL career.
“Obviously, everyone dreams about the big picture, playing in the NHL, but
he absolutely loves the game. He cares about his teammates, he cares
about wins and losses, he’ll play hurt. It’s all those things I learned from
Larry Robinson, Bob Gainey, Guy Carbonneau, players who know all about
the way the game should be played.”
Vancouver Giants head coach Don Hay coached Baumgartner with the
WHL Kamloops Blazers in the mid-1990s.He said the youngster oozed
leadership from the moment he showed up in Kamloops as a 16-year-old.
Canucks defenceman Kevin -Bieksa who broke in as a pro in 2004-5 with
the Moose in Manitoba said Baumgartner helped him make the -transition
from college hockey.
He’s still got some hockey to play.
“It was very surprising and nice to know he thought of me, but I’m just not
ready for that side of it yet,” said Baumgartner.
“I feel great. I really think I’ve got a few more years. You always hear that
you shouldn’t stop playing until you have to because you’ll miss it when it’s
gone. I’m having way too much fun being a player.”He said the youngster
oozed leadership from the moment he showed up in Kamloops as a 16year-old.
“Just watching him — and he was our captain and our best D-man that year
— and he was a guy that I looked up to,” said Bieksa.
“He was a great leader on the ice, he said the right things in the dressing
room, he blocked shots in a 5-0 game.
“For me, coming from college and not really knowing much about the pro
game, to watch him, how professional he was, always on time, always
working his butt off, respectful of everybody, he was great role model for
me.”
me.”
Baumgartner credits his parents, Dennis and Brenda, for a no-nonsense
upbringing in Calgary.
“They were hard-working people and I’m an only child and I grew up with
them teaching me the values of hard work, that nothing is ever given to
you,” he says.
“If I wanted a new hockey stick I had to work for it.”
you,” he says.
at the highest level so if you’re not doing that, then why are you playing the
game?”
game?”
18 NHL games.
18 NHL games.
politely declined.
politely declined.
me.”
me.”
you,” he says.
you,” he says.
game?”
18 NHL games.
18 NHL games.
politely declined.
politely declined.
me.”
me.”
you,” he says.
you,” he says.
game?”
game?”
18 NHL games.
politely declined.
politely declined.
me.”
me.”
you,” he says.
you,” he says.
game?”
game?”
18 NHL games.
18 NHL games.
politely declined.
gone. I’m having way too much fun being a player.”
614208
Vancouver Canucks
Cory Schneider ignores Canucks trade rumours
By Gordon McIntyre, The Province February 20, 2012
EDMONTON – The work borders on tedious, with sudden bursts of heartpounding action, followed by uncertainty and more tedium.
But it’s a job and Cody Schneider happens to like it.
It’s not going to be the job he’ll always have — one day soon he’ll be the
starting goalie himself.
But for now, with Roberto Luongo and the Canucks winning the way they
have been, Schneider is content with his lot.
“For me it’s all about wins,” Schneider said before lacing up for his 22nd
game Sunday night at Rexall Place. “The other numbers are nice, but that’s
not what I’m too worried about.
“For a guy who doesn’t play too often, I want to win, I want to come in and
help my team out, not be the guy who throws us off the track.
“It would be tough to not play as much if I was losing all the time, so winning
is my priority.”
It was only his fourth start in 40 days, but he’s close to the 25 games he got
into last season in sharing the Jennings.
And the quality of his starts has improved, too — Boston, San Jose, Detroit
and, a couple of times, Chicago, back when Chicago had the best record in
the West.
With the Canucks in a string of seven games in 11 nights, which began on
Saturday against Toronto, Schneider will likely get a couple more games in
by the time the Canucks return from the six-game road trip that began at
Edmonton.
Since Schneider backstopped the Canucks to victory in that emotional
game back in his hometown of Boston, Luongo has been 8-1-3 with a 2.10
goals-against average and .935 save percentage.
Schneider over the same stretch was 3-0-0 heading into Sunday’s game,
with 2.67 GAA and .915 save percentage.
“My role on this team this year is what it is,” Schneider said. “All I can do is
control the opportunities I do get and not worry about the ones I’m not
getting.
“If we were losing a lot or it seemed more unfair than it is then, yeah, maybe
it would be a little frustrating. But Roberto has been one of the best goalies
in hockey over the last three months.
“For me, it’s fun to sit there and watch him and watch the team win. There’s
not a whole lot to be upset about or complain about.
“I’m fine with my role, with what I’m doing now. It’s an important job, I take it
seriously.”
What he doesn’t take seriously, at least what he tries not to, are the
constant mentions of his name in trade rumours.
Yes, he wants to be a starting goalie, but not really until after the summer.
“It’s all speculation, rumour,” said Schneider, who will turn 26 in a month.
“It’s easy to do, it’s easy to pick names and say, ‘This makes sense.’
“I haven’t heard anything from the team in that regard, I don’t expect to.
“Until Mike Gillis comes and tells me I’m not a part of the team anymore, I’m
just going to go about my business and be a good teammate, work as hard
as I can for this team.
“[The trade deadline] is coming up and maybe some guys are anxious or
maybe more so excited to see what’s going to happen, who’s going to go
where, but I think as far as this room goes we’re all pretty comfortable and
content with how our room is.”
614209
Vancouver Canucks
White Towel: Q&A with Byron Bitz
By Gord McIntyre, The Province February 20, 2012
Province sports writer Gord McIntyre sat down with Canucks' Bryron Bitz for
a Q&A.
McIntyre: Your son Wyatt just turned one, he and your wife Christina are
back in Saskatoon.
Bitz: Both our families are there. It makes it easier for her to be there with
the little guy. We make our home there. Her parents have a cabin at Wakaw
and we go there once in a while in the summer.
McIntyre: You went from Saskatoon to Nanaimo, to Ithaca, then
Providence, Boston, Florida, Chicago and now you’re in Vancouver. Some
pretty nice places, but it sounds like you always get drawn back to
Saskatchewan.
McIntyre: You finally played a game at Rogers Arena this week, leaving just
Rexall Place [site of today’s game vs. the Oilers] as the only NHL arena you
haven’t played in. Ironic, given you’re from Saskatoon, a six-hour drive from
Edmonton.
Bitz: I do. I was on the East Coast for a long time, played on the Island, now
I’m here. I’ve seen a lot of interesting places in North America. I was excited
to leave home at first, but I think the more you travel, for me anyway, you
appreciate what home has to offer. My wife is a registered nurse. Whenever
I’m done, I’ll find something to do and Saskatoon is where we’ll make our
home.
Bitz: The rink closest to home, yep.
McIntyre: I grew up in Saskatoon. I left in 1980, four years before you were
born.
Bitz: Oh, yeah? Whereabouts?
McIntyre: Mt. Royal. As a kid it was bald prairie across the street; now it’s
houses for miles. The population was about 180,000, now it’s about
270,000. The neighbourhood where you live, Stonebridge, that sure never
existed. There was nothing on that side of the Trans-Canada/Yellowhead.
Bitz: Just a field.
McIntyre: The homes obstruct the view of Mt. Blackstrap [elevation 45
metres].
Bitz: Ha ha. There are about 15,000 people, I think, in Stonebridge, houses
going up all over the place.
McIntyre: Saskatoon had the third biggest population gain since 2006, after
Calgary and Edmonton, according to the latest census.
Bitz: It’s like it’s blowing up. There’s a lot of mining and oil.
McIntyre: And wheat. You enjoy working on your uncle’s farm in Allan [pop.
641].
Bitz: It’s 30 minutes east of the city, there’s a big potash mine there. If I’m
home in the spring I help him with seeding, driving the tractor, loading up
the seeder. Just doing whatever he needs to do. It’s not very labourintensive, it’s sitting on equipment and driving the equipment. I find it
therapeutic after the season ends, just sitting there. Outside of the
equipment being on, you can’t hear anything, there’s nothing around. It’s
pretty peaceful. [Province columnist Ed Willes interjects: There’s no scenery
to distract you.]
Bitz: It’s flat, it’s peaceful and I enjoy it.
McIntyre: People laugh at Saskatchewan because it’s so flat, but there is a
stark beauty to it, isn’t there?
Bitz: Yeah, there is, there is. You appreciate that. You think 100 years ago,
the courage it took to homestead there, living in mud huts, wood shacks,
with 40-below temperatures in the winter. It took a lot of courage to get that
province started.
McIntyre: Think about those brides arriving from England, what they were
thinking when they got off the train.
Bitz: Yeah. The whole story of the settlement of the West is fascinating.
Just the hard work it took to set up those towns, the different farming
communities.
McIntyre: You wear No. 34. Are you a Roughriders fan?
Bitz: Not really, I’m ashamed to say. I get disowned back home, but I’m not
a big fan.
McIntyre: Ever hear of George Reed? The George and Ronnie [Lancaster]
show?
Bitz: Yep.
McIntyre: Reed wore No. 34.
Bitz: OK.
614210
Vancouver Canucks
Morning hat trick: Three things to think about ahead of tonight’s CanucksPredators game
Gordon McIntyre
Every point is precious and that includes shootoutsPosted on Feb 6, 2012
1. Alex Burrows playing his 500th NHL game: “He was overlooked a lot of
times,” Ryank Kesler said. “We’re lucky to have him. We’ve played together
for eight years. We basically grew up in this league playing together and
he’s excelled ever since he first got called up.
“He’s still got that motivation where he works hard, he knows what got him
here.
“Five hundred games for a guy like that, it’s pretty special.”
2. The most ‘overrated’ team against the most ‘underrated’: Twenty-four
percent of anonymous NHL respondents to a HNIC poll said the Canucks
are the most overrated team in hockey. They’ve only won more games than
any other team over the past two seasons and went to Game 7 of the
Stanley Cup final.
And then there’s that whole thing about Daniel and Henrik Sedin being the
second and third most-easily intimidated players in the league.
“Overrated?” Kevin Bieksa said incredulously.
But like most Canucks, that poll didn’t bother him as much as the SI one.
“More than anything I’m disappointed in Sports Illustrated for first of all
asking the players these questions. There were a lot more than just the
negative questions – who’s the fastest skater, what’s the best building to
play in – but they’re going public with all the negative questions.
“I think the players who participated probably regret it now. It’s ridiculous.
There are so many good players around this league and the twins are two
of them.
“I don’t know why we’re focusing on the negatives.
“Who knows even who participated. If everyone wants to bring out these
polls, then put your name on it. Don’t be anonymous, don’t be a coward. If
you’ve got something to say, say it publically.
“Everybody in the league has the opportunity to voice their opinion with a
microphone. Say it, you don’t have to hide behind an anonymous Sports
Illustrated poll. It’s cowardly.”
3. It’s gonna be loud: The Bridge, as Bridgestone Arena is called here, is
one of the loudest in the league. Fans may not know their hockey, but they
know how to cheer.
And this season it’s been louder than ever. Looking forward to the twominute ear-splitting ovations during the TV timeouts.
614211
Washington Capitals
Open thread: Capitals at Hurricanes
By Post Sports Editors
Based on warmup here is what the lineup should look like against the
Hurricanes:
Forwards
Ovechkin-Perreault-Brouwer
Chimera-Johansson-Semin
Hendricks-Laich-Knuble
Beagle-Halpern-Ward
Defense
Alzner-Carlson
Hamrlik-Wideman
Schultz-Green
Goal
Vokoun
Neuvirth
Scratches: Dmitry Orlov (ill) and John Erskine.
Injured reserve: Nicklas Backstrom (concussion).
Washington Post LOADED: 02.21.2012
614212
Washington Capitals
Dale Hunter hints he may reunite fourth line of Halpern, Beagle and Ward
against Carolina
By Katie Carrera
While Coach Dale Hunter rarely tips his hand about the Capitals’ lineup, he
made it sound like he may reunite the fourth line unit of Jay Beagle, Jeff
Halpern and Joel Ward against the Hurricanes Monday night.
The group was easily the Capitals’ most consistent in a 2-1 victory over the
Florida Panthers Friday night, but when Mike Green returned against
Tampa Bay the coaching staff wanted to manage his minutes. Jay Beagle
sat as a healthy scratch so the team could use seven defensemen.
Asked if it would be useful to reunite the hard-working line, Hunter hinted
that it was a strong possibility.
“You’re coachin’ now are ya? You’re in my brain aren’t ya?” Hunter said
with a laugh. “Definitely the way they played there was very positive and
one of our better lines and created a lot of scoring chances. So, you could
be bang on.”
If Hunter does put that unit back together it will allow the Capitals to roll four
lines consistently, which can be an important element on the road. Part of
the choice comes down to how confident the coaching and training staff are
that Mike Green can play a regular shift, though.
Green was in a chipper mood at RBC Center said he feels good and is
looking forward to playing more. If he is indeed ready for that next step the
Capitals could go with 12 forwards. If not, it most likely will be a similar
scenario as the one they used against the Lightning with 11 forwards and
seven defensemen.
John Erskine took part in extra work this morning so he will likely be
scratched regardless how many defensemen the Capitals dress. What’s
unclear is who would be the other odd man out should Hunter opt to go with
six.
“They’re all NHL guys, they all want to play makes it always a tough
decision,” Hunter said. “They all want to play so it makes it always a tough
decision, which is a good decision. You know if it was an easy decision,
then we don’t have the depth. But we have great depth. All of them can
play.”
--Tomas Vokoun gets the nod in net tonight and will oppose Justin Peters,
who will be making his fifth appearance of the season because former
Conn-Smythe winner Cam Ward is out with a lower-body injury.
Peters came into Saturday’s game at the Islanders in the third period after
Ward suffered his injury and allowed one goal on 10 shots en route to
Carolina’s 4-3 loss. Friday night, however, Peters stopped 35 of 37 shots as
the Hurricanes defeated San Jose 3-2. Prior to that game Peters hadn’t
played since Jan. 7.
By Katie Carrera | 01:30 PM ET, 02/20/2012
614213
Washington Capitals
Capitals’ morning skate underway in Carolina
By Katie Carrera
The Capitals’ morning skate in Raleigh is underway at RBC Center, where
they will take on the Carolina Hurricanes Monday night in the third contest
of this four-game road trip.
Carolina sits last in the Eastern Conference heading into this tilt and will be
without No. 1 goaltender Cam Ward, who suffered a lower body injury over
the weekend. The Hurricanes are expected to go with 25-year-old Justin
Peters in net tonight against Washington.
Peters, who has served as the backup since Brian Boucher was placed on
injured reserve back in December, has appeared in only four games this
season going 1-3-0 with a .911 save percentage and 3.65 goals-against
average. So if there’s ever a game for the Capitals to find their offensive
groove, tonight might be it.
Every player, excluding Nicklas Backstrom (concussion), who is not on the
trip, is on the ice for the morning skate including Mike Green. The
defensemen didn’t skate in pairs this morning but Green is expected to face
the Hurricanes.
Here is what the lines looked like during rushes(and don’t forget that
tonight’s game is a 7:30 p.m. start):
Ovechkin-Perreault-Brouwer
Hendricks-Laich-Knuble
Chimera-Johansson-Semin
Beagle-Halpern-Ward
By Katie Carrera | 11:42 AM ET, 02/20/2012
614214
Washington Capitals
Capitals vs. Hurricanes: Washington gets dominated on the road, 5-0
By Katie Carrera,
RALEIGH, N.C. — For days, the Washington Capitals have discussed a
desperation to play themselves back into the Eastern Conference playoff
race. When it came time to back those words up with action against the
worst team in the conference, however, they came up with a grossly
inadequate showing.
The Capitals fell, 5-0, to the Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Center in a game
riddled with turnovers, sloppy passes, ill-advised plays, odd-man rushes
and a lack of any tenacity as they squandered a game that, if won, would
have pushed them into a playoff position.
Rather than taking advantage of that opportunity, the game seemed out of
reach from the start. Washington remains in 10th place following the loss
with 63 points, one out of eighth, and sits in third in the Southeast Division
standings with 23 games to play in its 2011-12 regular season.
“Embarassing effort, right from the start,” Troy Brouwer said. “We weren’t
ready to play. Gave up chances, gave the puck away, didn’t get the puck in
deep. Just all around embarrassing.”
in the middle of the game, bad at the end of the game. That’s really all there
is. We were just bad all night.”
In the final 40 minutes, although Brouwer and Matt Hendricks (twice) would
drop the gloves out of frustration the Capitals never showed an ability to
fight their way back into the contest as a group.
On their earliest opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the second, a
power play with Derek Joslin in the box for elbowing, the Capitals instead
gave up another goal. Dennis Wideman fell down at the point, springing
Staal on a breakaway. The Carolina captain beat Neuvirth five-hole to make
it 4-0 5:56 into the second.
Staal scored again 5:51 into the third, when no one covered him back door
on the right-hand side of the net.
All told, the Capitals were outhustled, outshot 40-17 and out-hit 24-16 in
their most lopsided loss since Nov. 19, when they fell 7-1 at Toronto. These
are the types of games the players know they can’t afford if they want to
reach the postseason.
“This time of year you’ve got to be playing good hockey, to come out and
just stink right out of the gate — play sloppy, not characteristic of how we’re
gonna play — it’s very disappointing for our group,” Knuble said. “That
being said, you can’t feel sorry. There’s another game. We’re still in the
thick of things, we still have a chance to have a .500 trip with a win in
Ottawa. It’s hard to say move on — forget, move on, but the next task is a
big game and hopefully a big win in Ottawa.”
Carolina entered the contest shorthanded. Top goalie and former Conn
Smythe winner Cam Ward was out with a lower body injury. Rather than
immediately challenging seldom-used backup Justin Peters, Washington
gave up a pair of goals in the first 5 minutes 9 seconds.
Capitals notes: Rookie defenseman Dmitry Orlov was scratched because of
an illness, according to the team. . . . Alex Ovechkin missed the final
6:02 of the second period with what the team said was a skate problem but
he was seen limping after the game. He returned to the game for the start
of the third period, finishing with 15:43 played. Brooks Laich didn’t play the
last 10:23 and it’s possible he aggravated the left knee injury he suffered
Feb. 2 against Boston.
By game’s end, all Peters needed for his first NHL shutout was 17 saves.
It marked his first shutout at any level since Dec. 11, 2009, when he shut
out the Hershey Bears while playing for the Albany River Rats of the AHL.
Hurricanes rookie defenseman Justin Faulk kicked off the rout with a
power-play goal 3:41 into the first, making Monday’s tilt the fifth consecutive
game that Washington has given up the first goal.
Only 1:28 later, Carolina made it 2-0 on a rush created by a bad turnover at
the Capitals’ blue line. Marcus Johansson was carrying the puck when Jiri
Tlusty knocked him down to gain possession.
Mike Green couldn’t cover the Hurricanes’ center quickly enough to prevent
Tlusty from passing to Eric Staal on the right wing boards and creating a 3on-2 rush. Staal centered to Anthony Stewart, who beat Tomas Vokoun on
Carolina’s seventh shot of the game.
It was the final shot Vokoun faced, as Coach Dale Hunter pulled the veteran
netminder immediately after the tally and brought in Michal Neuvirth in an
effort to shake up the team.
“Change momentum more than anything and slow down the game and get
Neuvy in and just change momentum,” Hunter said when asked why he
gave Vokoun the hook so quickly.
The alteration didn’t have the desired effect, as the Capitals were decidedly
flat for the duration of the contest.
The trends illustrated in those first five-plus minutes, where Washington
didn’t protect the puck, failed to chase it down to gain possession or win
battles along the boards, extended long after the change in net.
A turnover in the offensive zone late in the period, caused by Alex Ovechkin
knocking the puck off Brouwer’s stick and breaking up the start of a cycle,
sent the Hurricanes the other direction on another odd-man rush. Andreas
Nodl fired a one-timer past Neuvirth with 29 seconds left before the
intermission to make it 3-0.
By the end of the first, in addition to trailing by three, Washington had been
outshot 16-5 with only three players — Mike Knuble (2), Alexander Semin
(2) and Marcus Johansson — managing to shoot on Peters.
“You want to do something [to respond] but you never even have a
chance,” Jeff Halpern said. “We were bad at the beginning of the game, bad
614215
Washington Capitals
Alex Ovechkin limping after Capitals’ 5-0 loss to Hurricanes
By Katie Carrera
Another loss for the Capitals, another opportunity to move up into the
Eastern Conference playoff picture squandered. Monday night the defeat
came in spectacular fashion as Washington never truly contended for the
two points up for grabs en route to a 5-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
“Embarassing effort, right from the start,” said a noticeably steamed Troy
Brouwer. “We weren’t ready to play. Gave up chances, gave the puck away
didn’t get the puck in deep just all around embarrassing.
“They’re a hot team right now,” Brouwer continued, “We can’t let teams like
that get a good start on us especially when we need these points they’re so
crucial. Florida lost [Sunday], we were looking good, we were excited about
today and then we come out and just flat, just terrible.”
It was a contest riddled with mistakes, turnovers and sloppy overall play,
which you can read more in the game story for Tuesday’s paper. A concern
in addition to the poor play, though, is that Alex Ovechkin may have been
injured in the second period against the Hurricanes.
Both Coach Dale Hunter and Ovechkin attributed the captain’s absence in
the second period to a skate problem, but the star left wing was limping
when he emerged from a private area of the dressing room to speak with
reporters.
“Just a skate,” Ovechkin said.
Hunter added: “It was equipment issues there, he was back in the third.”
Alex Ovechkin has the puck poked away by Carolina’s Brandon Sutter, with
the Hurricanes’ Tim Gleason nearby in the first quarter on Monday night.
(Karl B DeBlaker - Associated Press) With 6 minutes 2 seconds remaining
in the second period Ovechkin left the game and didn’t return until the start
of the third. He took only five shifts in the third period, one of which was two
seconds long, and didn’t take a shift in the final 5:45 of regulation.
It’s unclear when exactly Ovechkin might have suffered an injury. Based on
video replay of the contest, it may have been when Ovechkin absorbed a
hip check from Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason roughly eight minutes
into the second period. The hit appeared to cause some strain on
Ovechkin’s left leg upon impact.
CSN Washington’s broadcast of the game caught Ovechkin bent over on
the bench, his head on the boards hidden in his hands, just eight seconds
after his last shift concluded. (H/T to Japers’ Rink for the screen shot)
Asked after the game what was going through his mind at that point,
Ovechkin didn’t share much: “Nothing, I was just like very mad about
myself.”
All told, Ovechkin finished with 15:43 in ice time – his second lowest total of
the season
614216
Washington Capitals
Yanking of Vokoun fails to provide spark for Capitals
Attempt to ‘change momentum’ doesn’t work in loss at Carolina.
By Stephen Whyno
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Washington Capitals will very likely ride Tomas
Vokoun the rest of the season, putting their playoff hopes on the 35-yearold goaltender’s shoulders. But the ride Monday night lasted just over five
minutes.
It took seven shots and two goals, perhaps one of which could be blamed
on Vokoun, for his night to come to an abrupt halt. Just 5:09 into the first
period of a 5-0 embarrassment to the Carolina Hurricanes, Michal Neuvirth
replaced Vokoun.
“Change momentum, more than anything and slow down the game and get
Neuvy in and just change momentum,” coach Dale Hunter said.
Did it work?
“Not really,” he admitted.
It was an attempt at a spark for a Caps team that came out “flat,” according
to right wing Troy Brouwer. Vokoun allowed a big rebound on Justin Faulk’s
power-play goal that opened the scoring but couldn’t be faulted for the
second one, the result of a Marcus Johansson turnover.
“I don’t think he got pulled because of his play; I think he got pulled because
we needed to get a spark,” Brouwer said. “Our effort after that, again, back
to it, embarrassing.”
The quick hook on Vokoun was supposed to create that spark — “Yeah,
you would think so,” Brouwer said.
“Just the game itself should’ve led to a spark,” forward Jeff Halpern said.
“But it wasn’t Tomas, the whole team was just bad.”
Neuvirth allowed three goals on 33 shots.
“Five — we gave up five, it could’ve been a little bit more, too,” right wing
Mike Knuble said. “Michal had to make some saves.”
If it wasn’t over at 1-0, it was certainly over at 2-0, as there wasn’t much of
a chance for the Caps to rebound in this one.
“It’s one of those they jumped on us on the power play. That started it all
there. We give up a rebound, and it was in the net, and then we made a
mistake right after again,” Hunter said. “It’s one of those things where you
make mistakes and a team that’s jumping, they were jumping good tonight,
you’re going to get burnt.”
Washington Times LOADED: 02.21.2012
614217
Washington Capitals
Capitals embarrassed by Hurricanes
Washington’s 5-0 loss is worst defeat under Hunter
By Stephen Whyno
RALEIGH, N.C. — Matt Hendricks and Troy Brouwer dropped the gloves
and tried to go down fighting. Too bad the rest of the Washington Capitals
went down without a fight well before that.
Or barely showed up.
On Monday night in yet another crucial game, the Caps lacked just about
any element that could lead to road success. It was an empty effort that led
to a humiliating 5-0 loss at RBC Center to the last-place Carolina
Hurricanes.
“Embarrassing effort, right from the start,” a steaming Brouwer said. “We
weren’t ready to play, gave up chances, gave the puck away, didn’t get the
puck in deep. Just all-around embarrassing.”
It was the kind of game that ordinarily gets coaches fired, similar to
performances at the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs in November
that ultimately cost Bruce Boudreau his job. It was the most lopsided defeat
of Dale Hunter’s tenure.
“I think it was pretty bad play by our team,” captain Alex Ovechkin said. “We
didn’t get any shots on net, we didn’t get any puck deep. We don’t cycle it,
and we don’t play our game.”
The Caps knew going in, just as they’ve known for a while, the importance
of getting the first goal. Not only did the Caps not score first, but they
allowed two Hurricanes goals in the first 5:09, the first a result of a big
rebound and the second the result of a turnover by Marcus Johansson.
Seven shots, two goals and goaltender Tomas Vokoun’s night was swiftly
over.
Hunter hoped the switch would “change momentum” and provide a spark. It
wasn’t there.
“Just the game itself should’ve led to a spark,” forward Jeff Halpern said.
“But it wasn’t Tomas, the whole team was just bad.”
But the Caps’ rough night was just getting under way. They fell behind 3-0
by the end of the first and were getting outskated and outworked by a team
with nothing to play for.
Every game has so much value for Washington now, amid a chase for a
playoff spot and a Southeast Division title. There are still 23 games left, but
the Caps team that took the ice Monday night doesn’t look like one that
belongs in a tournament for the Stanley Cup.
Monday night’s showing was certainly troubling, not just because of one
night’s result but because of the recent trend of losing.
“We’re not in a playoff spot. Of course there’s concern,” Halpern said. “We
still have confidence, but of course there’s concern.
This group fell to 10-17-3 on the road with their second straight shutout loss
to the Hurricanes in Raleigh. They failed to make up ground on the firstplace Florida Panthers, who have lost three straight.
Florida’s struggles and the inability for the Toronto Maple Leafs to put much
of a run together seems to logically mean the Caps just need to play
adequate hockey to make the playoffs. Monday was far from that.
“We keep getting breaks and other teams are helping us. Florida loses
yesterday and Toronto loses the night before in Vancouver,” right wing Mike
Knuble said. “You watch the standings, and it’s like nobody wants it. And
that’s what’s frustrating. Because it’s right there for us, and it’s in our
control, and somebody’s got to take it.”
By the third period, Ovechkin could barely watch, his head down while
sitting on the bench. His head rested on the boards as the time ticked away
toward another devastating loss.
He didn’t want to share much what was going through his mind at the time.
“Nothing. I was just like very mad about myself,” Ovechkin said. “That’s all I
can say.”
Hard to say much else after a loss like this — one the Caps hope to
distance themselves from quickly.
“It’s very, very disappointing for our group. That being said, you can’t feel
sorry,” Knuble said. “It was another game, and we’re still in the thick of
things and have a chance to have a .500 trip with a win in Ottawa. I think
you want to, it’s hard to say move on. Forget move on, but the next task is a
big game and hopefully a big win in Ottawa.”
Washington Times LOADED: 02.21.2012
614218
Winnipeg Jets
Wheeler named an NHL star of the week
By: Ed Tait
Blake Wheeler’s brilliant work over the last week has not gone unnoticed by
the National Hockey League.
The NHL named the Winnipeg Jets’ winger one of its three stars of the
week after he led all scorers with eight points (one goal, seven assists) over
the last four games, three of them wins.
Wheeler was named the second star after Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender
Jonas Hiller while Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza was the third star
(see NHL press release below).
"He deserves it, he’s playing well," said Claude Noel. "He’s had some big
impact on games and he had a big night last night with four assists. It’s nice
to see him get some recognition."
Wheeler did not speak to all media after Monday’s optional skate, but did
say after Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche that individual
honours — he eclipsed a personal best with his 46 point Sunday — are of
little interest to him.
"I really am not wrapped up in the individual statistic thing, man," Wheeler
said. "Our whole line’s playing really well. When we were put together after
the all-star break we made a conscious effort to try and make this thing
work, similar to how we did last year in Atlanta. I think we’re going really
well right now. We’re trying to win puck battles and keep things simple and
it’s turning into some good chances for us and it’s translating into some big
goals for us."
Asked if he is doing anything different – remember, Wheeler went 18
games without scoring to open the season – Noel downplayed any dramatic
shift in the big winger’s approach.
"Not really," Noel said. "I think his game has changed from the early going,
but I don’t think that’s by design. It’s maturity. He’s enjoying playing, he’s
enjoying having success and his line looked good again last night."
The Jets continue their long homestand against the Philadelphia Flyers
Tuesday night (6 p.m.; TSN Jets/TSN Sports Radio) and will again be
without defenceman Zach Bogosian, who remains day to day. He has been
skating, but has yet to practice with the club.
"It’s longer than we figured," Noel said of Bogosian. "It’s maintenance stuff
and we’re just trying to get him through therapy. I’m shooting for Thursday
(against Tampa). It depends on how he feels. Every day it seems he’s a
little bit better."
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 02.21.2012
614219
Winnipeg Jets
Big winger's rollin' like an 18-Wheeler
Named NHL's second star with 8 points in four games
By: Ed Tait
Take a bow, Blake Wheeler.
The NHL named the Winnipeg Jets winger one of its three stars of the week
after he led all scorers with eight points (one goal, seven assists) over the
last four games, three of them wins. Wheeler was named the second star
after Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller, while Ottawa Senators centre
Jason Spezza was the third star.
"He deserves it, he's playing well," said Jets coach Claude Noel. "He's had
some big impact on games and he had a big night (Sunday) with four
assists. It's nice to see him get some recognition."
Wheeler's four points in Sunday's 5-1 win over Colorado eclipsed a career
high. He now has 46 on 11 goals and 35 helpers.
"I really am not wrapped up in the individual statistics thing, man," Wheeler
said. "Our whole line's playing really well. When we were put together after
the all-star break we made a conscious effort to try and make this thing
work, similar to how we did last year in Atlanta. I think we're going really
well right now. We're trying to win puck battles and keep things simple and
it's turning into some good chances for us and translating into some big
goals."
Asked if he is doing anything different -- remember, Wheeler went 18
games without scoring to open the season -- Noel downplayed any
dramatic shift in the big winger's approach.
"Not really," Noel said. "I think his game has changed from the early going,
but I don't think that's by design. It's maturity. He's enjoying playing, he's
enjoying having success."
WORRY WART? Here's Noel on the Jets' recent offensive boom: "We've
had a couple games where we've scored some more goals. That's good.
That's more fun. But what you have to be careful of is you start thinking
you're a five- six-goal team every night. You're always fearful of
overconfidence.
"It seems every time I feel good about things, I'm fearful about something
else. Now we score goals and I'm fearful we're going to be playing another
8-5 game (like the loss to Pittsburgh on Feb. 11). It's no rest for the wicked."
SICK BAY UPDATE: Defenceman Zach Bogosian has been skating, but
has yet to practise with the club and will not be in the lineup against the
Flyers.
"It's longer than we figured," Noel said. "It's maintenance stuff and we're just
trying to get him through therapy. I'm shooting for Thursday (against
Tampa). It depends on how he feels. Every day it seems he's a little bit
better."
GOALTENDER ALERT: True North Sports unveiled their new goalie
training centre, the MTS IceLab, at the MTS Iceplex on Monday. It features
the biggest ice surface for goalie training in the province and includes the
latest hockey technology, like bio-mechanical analysis software, a high-def
camera and 63-inch monitors. The IceLab offers an overall score after each
session and each lesson is archived and provided to students at the end of
five sessions. For more info, visit
www.mtsiceplex.ca.
JUICY NUMBERS: Evander Kane is one of six NHL players with more than
20 goals and 120 hits this season. The list includes Kane (22, 125), Ryan
Callahan (23, 203), Alex Ovechkin (24, 146), Erik Cole (22, 146), Milan
Lucic (20, 131) and David Clarkson (22, 129)... Bryan Little's first goal
against the Avs was his team-leading sixth game winner... Dustin Byfuglien
has nine points (2G, 7A) over the past six games... Mark Stuart leads the
Jets with 139 blocked shots, which ties him for fifth in the NHL.
QUOTABLE: "Unfortunately, I can't report any major improvement. It's very
disheartening... he's not himself, and it's not in a good way. We're just
hoping to have a couple good days in a row and see him back to his normal
self again. I know he wants that, too. It's very frightening for him as well." -Lauren Pronger, wife of Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger, on his battles
with post-concussion syndrome.
614220
Winnipeg Jets
Jets Report
By: Ed Tait
Have reeled off three straight wins, including two at home, in arguably their
most critical stretch of the season... This is the third of an eight-game
homestand that includes games against Tampa, St. Louis, Edmonton,
Florida and Buffalo... The Jets play nine of their next 11 at MTS Centre...
Blake Wheeler has eight points (1G, 7A) in his last four games... Bryan
Little has four goals in his last two games... Winnipeg has won its three
previous meetings with the Flyers: 9-8 on Oct. 27; 6-4 on Nov. 19 and 2-1
on Jan. 31... Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec reached a career high in wins with
his 22nd against the Avalanche on Sunday.
About the Flyers
Have traded for two defencemen, Nicklas Grossman and Pavel Kubina, in
an attempt to offset the loss of Chris Pronger, gone for the season with a
concussion... Are just 3-5-2 in their last 10 after falling 6-4 to Pittsburgh on
the weekend... Philly's 18-9-2 road record is third best in the NHL, behind
only Vancouver and the Rangers... Claude Giroux trails Evgeni Malkin by
only three points for the NHL scoring lead and is attempting to become the
first Flyer to win the Art Ross Trophy as the top point man... The Flyers are
12-12-4 since mid-December and 1-7-1 against NHL powers Boston,
Detroit, Pittsburgh and the Rangers.
614221
Winnipeg Jets
'This city might BURN DOWN...'
Playoffs? Jets fans would go wild (in a good way)
By: Ed Tait
It's the right answer, of course. The Winnipeg Jets are supposed to live in
the here and now and spit out clichés about their next game being their
biggest game, about taking it one game at a time and blah de blah, blah.
But the big picture -- the one that comes into focus when the team allows
itself to think beyond tonight's matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers -- can
also serve as a powerful motivator. And so when a squad piles up three
straight wins to feed an already-rabid fan base, well, just imagine how good
it feels to those at the centre of it all. Imagine how much fun it is to come to
the rink, to hang out with the guys in the dressing room, to...
"Right now, it's just plain fun to LIVE here," said Jets forward Tim Stapleton.
"It's fun to walk around this city. These fans are so loyal and to see them
and the passion they have and to see them being happy... it carries into
everything. It's definitely more fun coming to the rink and enjoying the
game.
"I think about the playoffs all the time. All the time. Aside from a few of the
guys that came from the Blackhawks (Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien)
and a couple others, most of us haven't played in the playoffs. We want to
experience that and that's a motivation, knowing the support we have. We
know what it would be like to play here if we made the playoffs.
"This city might burn down. It would be awesome."
Now, to suggest the Jets have undergone a dramatic transformation in the
last week -- and to attempt to connect the dots to captain Andrew Ladd's
declaration that the team's best players had to rise up after a loss to the
New York Islanders -- might be a little dramatic. In fact, when we asked
Chris Thorburn if we were jumping to too many conclusions with that theory,
the gritty winger didn't hesitate.
"Yeah, I think so," he said with a grin. "It's simple: As a team, we knew we
had a chance to win that game (against the Islanders), but we didn't have
our best performance. We understand we've got to limit chances against us
and capitalize on ours. And against the Islanders we didn't capitalize. Now it
seems that when we get those chances we're burying them."
But the timing of Ladd's declaration, and how the Jets have responded,
does seem to be more than a coincidence. The Jets have scored 12 goals
in their last three games, with the Top 6 of Ladd, Bryan Little, Blake
Wheeler and Evander Kane, Alex Burmistrov, Kyle Wellwood accounting for
all 12 and racking up 29 points combined.
And to hear Stapleton tell it, the postmortem after the Islanders' loss didn't
include heated arguments or grand statements. Instead, it was all about
rallying. Live in the moment and maybe, just maybe, the spring will bring
what they are all chasing: playoff hockey.
"What happened after that game wasn't a panic thing, it was a professional
thing because we knew it was a game we should have had, especially at
home," said Stapleton. "We've taken an approach lately that we have to
hold ourselves accountable, but we're staying positive about it. It's that time
of the year where you can't allow negativity to creep in.
"But (Ladd's) our captain and I think what he said was a very important
point. Other guys step up at times and your third and fourth lines can chip in
once in awhile, but your leaders have to be your leaders. Like he said, it's
the right time right now."
But the margin of error is still so thin. The good vibe that was emanating
from the locker-room on Monday could go sour as soon as tonight against
the Flyers or Thursday when Tampa rolls into town. And that's why many of
this team's experienced voices are pushing to prevent the highs and lows
from becoming too dramatic.
"We've got to stick with it, because once you get too comfortable about
being on a roll it turns on you and you're right back to being a team that's
struggling," said defenceman Mark Stuart. "We need to continue to do what
we're doing: learn from these three games but not be satisfied with it."
And then this from Stuart, when asked if the Flyer game will determine
whether the Jets are the 'real deal' or not:
"I think we're the real deal," he said. "I believe in this team."
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Winnipeg Jets
Highlight Reel
By: Staff Writer
JETS 5 AVALANCHE 1
The big picture
A three-game win streak can breathe some life into a team's playoff
dreams, particularly at this time of year. The Jets weren't perfect against the
Avs Sunday night, but their top players jumped off the page and, as a
result, the team remains very much in the Eastern Conference playoff
picture. Winnipeg is unbeaten in the first two games of a critical eight-game
homestand.
The litle picture
The Little-Ladd-Wheeler line combined for three goals and eight points and
the second line of Kane-Burmistrov-Wellwood also scored twice and
finished with five points. That's huge production from the Top 6. The other
added bonus were the two third-period power-play goals, ending a fourgame drought that saw the unit go 0-for-9.
Game breaker
Avs' rookie Gabriel Landeskog had cut into a Jets lead with a power-play
goal to pull Colorado within 2-1 midway through the second period when 46
seconds later Kyle Wellwood grabbed a rebound off the end boards and
stuffed it past Semyon Varlamov to restore Winnipeg's two-goal lead. A
critical answer at a crucial time.
Free press
1. Blake Wheeler, RW, Jets -- The big man finished with four assists, giving
him 46 points this season (11 G, 35A) and a new career high.
2. Ondrej Pavelec, G, Jets -- Winnipeg was outshot 20-8 in the second, but
Pavelec was spectacular in preserving the lead and the win.
3. Andrew Ladd, LW, Jets -- Ended a 13-game goal drought with his 17th of
the season and chipped in with an assist.
UP NEXT
The Jets continue their eight-game homestand with the third contest at MTS
Centre tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers. Please note the 6 p.m. start
time (TSN Jets/TSN Sports Radio).
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Winnipeg Jets
Wheeler named NHL 2nd star
By Kirk Penton ,Winnipeg Sun
It took nearly five months and 19 weeks, but a member of the Winnipeg
Jets has finally been honoured as one of the NHL’s weekly stars.
Right- winger Blake Wheeler was named the league’s second star on
Monday after notching a goal and seven assists in four games. He has a
career-high 46 points with 21 games remaining.
“He’s stepped up this year,” captain Andrew Ladd said. “He wants to be a
leader for us and be a go-to guy. He’s done that. Every time he has the
puck he’s dangerous. His speed is evident every night. Like I said last
week: Our top guys gotta be our top guys, and we need that from him every
night.”
Anaheim’s Jonas Hiller and Ottawa’s Jason Spezza were the first and third
stars, respectively.
LUCKY 13?: For the fourth time in his career, Jets left-winger Andrew Ladd
ended a 13-game goal drought. He did it on Sunday night when he scored
on the power play against the Colorado Avalanche.
“It’s good to know my limit’s 14,” Ladd said with a laugh. “I know what my
game is and what I need to do. If I’m doing the right things and I’m not
scoring, that’s one thing. I can deal with that.
“If I’m not playing as well, that’s something I have a harder time with. But it
was definitely nice to get one.”
TOUGH CUSTOMER: Jets right- winger Chris Thorburn received a nasty
gash just below his left eye in the first period on Sunday night when he took
a high stick from Avalanche forward Paul Stastny. Then, late in the third
period, Thorburn decided to drop the mitts with Binscarth product Cody
McLeod. The blood continued to leak.
So why would a guy with an open wound on his face decide to fight as well?
“It looks weird, I guess, but not really,” Thorburn said. “It’s part of it. Your
adrenalin’s going so much, that you don’t really feel anything.”
Thorburn needed four stitches after the game to close the gash, and he
didn’t like that one bit. “I’ve just got this thing with needles,” he said. “They
kind of make me nauseous.”
SECOND-LINE SUCCESS: Members of the Jets’ second line have six of
Winnipeg’s 12 goals during its three-game winning streak. Evander Kane
has three, Alex Burmistrov has two, and the old guy, Kyle Wellwood, has
one.
“We’ve had good chemistry so far,” said Wellwood, who is sporting an 11stitch gash on his lip. “Burmi’s brought a lot of jump and enthusiasm to our
line, and it seems to energize Kane. When Kane’s shooting and skating the
way he can, it’s easy to be the third guy.”
IN THE HANGAR: Wellwood on Tuesday has a chance to play against his
younger brother Eric, a forward with the Flyers, but Eric wasn’t among the
top four lines at Monday’s practice, say reports out of Philadelphia … Jets
defenceman Zach Bogosian (upper body) is unlikely to play on Tuesday.
“I’m shooting for Thursday (against Tampa Bay),” head coach Claude Noel
said … Flyers defenceman Matt Carle is minus-5 in three games against
Winnipeg … Jets centre Nik Antropov has two goals and three assists in
three games against Philadelphia … Flyers forward Scott Hartnell has three
goals in three games versus Winnipeg … Wheeler has five assists in three
games against Philadelphia … The Jets have won back-to-back regulation
games for the first time since early December … If Winnipeg can beat
Philadelphia, it would match its season-high streak of four wins in a row.
Winnipeg Sun LOADED 02.21.2012
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Winnipeg Jets
Cranky Claude problems
A popular and humorous hash tag on Twitter these days is
#richpeopleproblems, where Tweeters come up with concerns only those
with gobs of money could possibly have.
For example: Don’t you hate it when your private plane is late?
#richpeopleproblems.
We bring this up only because Jets head coach Claude Noel on Monday
sounded like a coach who had it too good but was still finding ways to
complain. He’s happy his team is scoring goals lately, but now he’s worried
the players’ heads will get too big.
“What you have to be careful of is now you don’t start thinking that you’re
going to have a five- or six-goal team every night,” Noel said. “On one hand
you plug this hole and then you create this hole. So you’re always fearful of
maybe over-confidence.
“It seems like every time I feel good about things I’m fearful of something
else. So now we score goals, and now I’m fearful that we’re going to be
playing another 8-5 game. There’s no rest for the wicked.”
Sounds like it’s time for a hash tag called #winningcoachproblems. If the
Jets win on Tuesday night, they will take over top spot in the Southeast
Division from Florida and own the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Panthers, however, would have four games in hand.
So Noel should relax a bit. His team has dented the twine 12 times in the
last three games, which is a cornucopia of goals for a team that is in the
lower third of the league when it comes to offence. In fact, the Jets are
riding one of their most productive stretches of the season.
The problem for Noel is he still has the aforementioned 8-5 loss to
Pittsburgh in his mind. It’s the game that haunts him and will continue to
haunt him for some time. He won’t stop bringing it up, likely as a friendly
reminder to his players that he never, ever, wants to see one of those
efforts again.
What Noel needs to realize, however, is the Jets are perfectly capable of
winning games when they’re pumping them in. In fact, the Jets are 13-2-1
this season when they score four goals or more. At this point you’re saying,
well, duh! A team wins when it scores a lot of goals? No kidding, Sherlock.
And you would be right.
So why is Noel so worried about thinking his team is going to score five or
six every game? I’m sorry, but don’t you want your team thinking that every
night?
That’s what’s wrong with the NHL these days. Defence first. Bor-ing.
Loosen the reins a bit and let the horses loose. Noel has seen over the last
five days that his team can score. Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little and Evander
Kane are flying all over the ice and putting opposing teams on their heels.
I’m in the large group that thinks the Jets don’t have the offensive talent to
compete for a playoff spot, but watching the young gunslingers with the
fighter jets on their chests over the last week is starting to make me wonder
if they are simply products of an offensively prohibitive system. Or are they
maturing? Or is it just another stretch of three games where they get hot
and that’s it?
The timing of these questions could not be more interesting. The
Philadelphia Flyers will invade MTS Centre on Tuesday night, and the Jets
have scored 16 goals in three wins against them this season. The first
game was 9-8, and the last one was 2-1 in a shootout.
So what’s it going to be on Tuesday? If Noel has his way, it’ll be 2-1.
Everyone else probably wants to see a little more, and the Jets have shown
they are capable of doing just that.
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Winnipeg Jets
ERIC FEHR
Cap Hit: $2.2 million
Getting the biggest bang for Jets’ buck
GP: 32 G: 1 A: 1 P: 2
With 61 games in the books, the Sun looks at who’s proving their worth
+/-: -6
Analysis: It’s been a nightmare for the Winkler product, first because of offseason shoulder surgery and then a stick that has gone absolutely cold. He
has been a very expensive healthy scratch.
Sun salary: $600,000
Boom or bust?
JIM SLATER
ONDREJ PAVELEC
Cap Hit: $1 million
GP: 57 G: 8 A: 5 P: 13
GP: 50 W: 22 L: 20 OT: 6
+/-: -4
GAA: 2.73 Sv %: .911 SO: 3
Analysis: We love the way the checking line centre plays, and on some
nights he’s been the best Jet. He does a lot of the little things right, is the
top face-off man and would be a good guy to re-sign.
Analysis: The Czech has simply been the team’s most valuable player and
will be getting a hefty raise this summer. He has kept his team in numerous
low-scoring, one-goal games.
Sun salary: $1.8 million
Sun salary: $5 million
ANDREW LADD
CHRIS MASON
GP: 61 G: 17 A: 14 P: 31
GP: 16 W: 7 L: 6 OTL: 0
+/-: +1
GAA: 2.30 Sv %: .910 SO: 2
Analysis: The captain has bounced between the first and second line, so his
offensive numbers should be better. He’s also had trouble with turnovers
and offensive zone penalties at bad times.
Analysis: The backup has been more than reliable, owning a winning record
on a team that is technically under .500 and has only one fewer shutout in
37 fewer starts than Pavelec.
RANDY JONES
TOBY ENSTROM
GP: 25 G: 1 A: 0 P: 1
GP: 41 G: 4 A: 17 P: 21
+/-: 0
+/-: +1
Analysis: He hasn’t played much because of injury and being the odd man
out, but he’s been a trustworthy defenceman when in the game.
Analysis: He missed a month and a half with a broken collarbone, but he
has slipped off his usual offensive pace from the past couple of seasons.
Defensively, you rarely hear his name and “turnover” in the same sentence,
and he leads the team in ice time.
Sun salary: $700,000
TIM STAPLETON
Cap Hit: $525,000
CHRIS THORBURN
Cap Hit: $866,667
GP: 60 G: 3 A: 4 P: 7
+/-: -9
Analysis: The donut in the goal column for the first 49 games of the season
was well documented, but all it took was one for him to get back to his
normal offensive pace. He fights, he hits, and he’s a guy players look up to
in the dressing room.
GP: 42 G: 8 A: 8 P: 16
+/-: -6
Analysis: The centre has scored a career-high in goals and is second on
the team with four power-play tallies. He’s no force physically, but he has
good hands and is lightning quick. He’s been a pleasant surprise.
BRYAN LITTLE
GP: 53 G: 18 A: 12 P: 30
EVANDER KANE
+/-: -2
GP: 53 G: 22 A: 16 P: 38
Analysis: The offensive output simply should be a bit better for the No. 1
centre, considering he’s always been grouped with the team’s top talents.
Then again, a foot injury hampered him and he is on pace for 25 goals.
+/-: +7
Analysis: The 20-year-old, already in his third NHL season, has been
seated next to Burmistrov on the roller-coaster this season. The only
difference with Kane is he’s had higher highs, and that makes him worth
every penny thus far -- and a little more.
TANNER GLASS
+/-: -9
Cap Hit: $750,000
GP: 61 G: 4 A: 9 P: 13
Analysis: The rugged winger from Saskatchewan is another character
player in the dressing room who is a perfect fit for the checking line. His
offence has cooled off lately, but he’s delivered what has been asked of
him.
MARK STUART
GP: 59 G: 3 A: 5 P: 8
+/-: -4
Analysis: A heart-and-soul guy, the Minnesota product blocks shots, fights
and stares at people with a steely glare. He has blocked a whopping 139
shots and is second on the team with 150 hits.
KYLE WELLWOOD
Cap Hit: $700,000
GP: 59 G: 12 A: 24 P: 36
+/-: +5
Analysis: Signed just before training camp, the well-travelled winger has
soft hands, is disciplined and has played on every line. He has become
known as a fixer of sorts.
JOHNNY ODUYA
GP: 60 G: 2 A: 11 P: 13
+/-: -10
Analysis: He had an inauspicious start to the season but has proved to be a
dependable blue-liner who has the skills to contribute offensively as well.
His ticket, however, is a little too high for the return.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Each year NHL general managers have to tell a player how much they’re
going to pay them before they actually go out and play for them. That can
sometimes be a rewarding process. Other times, a disaster.
We figured with the Jets passing the 60-game mark over the weekend that
it would be fine time to use hindsight to determine which Jets have given
GM Kevin Cheveldayoff the biggest bang for his buck and which ones have
not.
Forget about tenure, forget about age and forget about how they’ve played
in the past. Our “Sun salary” is based on this season and this season alone.
Hey, we’re on to something here. Maybe in the future they should just do
arbitration hearings at the end of the season. The player, the GM and an
arbitrator go in to a room and come out half an hour later with a salary for
the player.
On second thought, scratch that. There might be a little too much blood
spilled.
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ESPN / It's been a long journey for Rinne
By Scott Burnside
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- You have to go to the sub-Arctic Finnish city of Oulu
to begin to understand why Nashville Predators GM David Poile felt
confident -- as confident as any GM can be when making the biggest
financial commitment in a team's history -- that Pekka Rinne was the right
guy.
You have to consider the northern coastal city of fewer than 150,000 when
wondering whether Rinne is one of those rare players who will not be
overwhelmed -- paralyzed -- by the expectations that always bear down on
those blessed with big money and long-term security.
During the winter in Oulu, it snows like crazy.
During the summer, which is when Rinne returns, it is much more
hospitable.
"It's not too far away from the North Pole. It's pretty up north," Rinne told
ESPN.com recently. "Obviously, I'm lucky because I get to spend only the
summers over there. We have a couple of weeks where the sun won't go
down. It's pretty amazing."
Rinne's father managed a construction company and his mother worked in
a factory, making small parts for cellular phones. His father still attends all
of the games of the local teams for whom Rinne played growing up. And of
course he watches all Nashville Predators games.
"He's the biggest hockey fan," Rinne said.
His father didn't play the game but insisted to his son that dreams are
easier to achieve if you work hard.
It was to Oulu -- which is farther north than Reykjavik, Iceland -- that thenassistant GM Ray Shero, now the general manager of the Pittsburgh
Penguins, was summoned by Nashville's top European scout, Janne
Kekalainen, during the 2003-04 season to see Rinne.
Kekalainen was insistent that Shero see the big netminder, but the catch
was he had to get there early -- for warmups -- because the 6-foot-5 Rinne
rarely played, given that the starting netminder was Nicklas Backstrom, who
would go on to win the William Jennings Trophy with the Minnesota Wild.
Rinne represents one of the three pillars on which the team's future is
meant to be built. Defensive stalwarts Shea Weber and Ryan Suter are of
course the other two, and their future with the team remains uncertain
because of their pending free agency. In some ways, then, the signing of
Rinne was the easy part, if it's ever easy to commit $49 million to a
netminder.
Poile acknowledges that historically goaltenders who have earned the big
dollars haven't necessarily led their teams to postseason success. Detroit
has enjoyed success without breaking the bank on its goaltending. Chicago
and Philadelphia met in the 2010 Stanley Cup finals with bargain-basement
goaltending in the form of Antti Niemi, Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton.
Conversely, Roberto Luongo, in spite of going to the finals last year, has
struggled at times in the playoffs while bearing the burden of a 12-year
contract. Ilya Bryzgalov, the biggest free-agent fish last summer landed by
the Philadelphia Flyers, might not even be the Flyers' best goalie in spite of
signing a nine-year deal that pays him $10 million this season. Cristobal
Huet signed a four-year deal with the Blackhawks in 2008 worth in excess
of $22 million, and is now playing in Europe. And on it goes.
But Rinne represented a pretty simple question for Poile when it came time
to lock him up long term: "If we don't give it to him, then where are we?"
"He is the right guy, we all know that," Poile told ESPN.com.
Certainty and long-term contracts are not necessarily mutually inclusive
ideas. Never mind goaltenders, but how many players sign big deals and
then find they are crushed by the weight of expectations that come with
such deals?
Pekka Rinne has been a reliable stalwart for the Predators.
Canadiens center Scott Gomez went more than a year without scoring a
goal, his seven-year contract a constant millstone around his neck. Ville
Leino appears immobilized by the six-year, $27 million contract he signed in
Buffalo last offseason.
Fair or not in the salary-cap NHL, a player is defined by his contract. It
becomes a part of him. Being able to adjust to that kind of pressure goes a
long way toward defining him as well.
Rinne acknowledged that it took time to get his head around what the deal
meant for him.
"Absolutely," he said. "I think it's almost better if you don't really realize the
size of the contract and all that stuff. For sure it's something that's hard to
kind of realize what's going to happen when you sign a deal like that. It took
a while after signing just to kind of stop worrying about it so much. Stop
worrying about what other people think and all that other stuff.
Shero recalls several things from that trip.
"But, obviously, I couldn't be more happy and I'm going to try to every single
day and every game try to be worth it. Just prove it to everybody else too."
First, it was cold.
At one point Rinne considered a shorter, five-year deal.
Second, it was really cold. So cold, in fact, that he had to buy a hat when he
got there.
"He really wrestled with this. He was really concerned because it seemed
like forever," goaltending coach Mitch Korn told ESPN.com. "I think he felt
in his mind that it was too restricting. He was actually willing to leave $14
million the table in order to feel more comfortable."
The rink wasn't open when he arrived, so he watched his first game of
bandy, a popular Scandinavian game played with rounded sticks and a ball
on an outdoor ice surface the size of a football field.
Then, once inside the rink, during warmups, he watched Rinne.
"I don't remember if he saved 10 or let in 10 in warmup, just that he was
huge," Shero said. "I told Janne it was his call."
That June at the draft, Shero stopped by another team's draft table to chat
with an assistant GM who'd been in Oulu at the same time watching one of
his team's draft picks. Shero remarked on how they'd drafted the backup
goalie from that day with the 258th pick in the draft, in the eighth round (a
round that no longer exists).
The other assistant GM, whose drafted player had never left the bench
during the game in Oulu, rolled his eyes as if to say, good luck, you'll need
it.
Not too long ago, Rinne signed what was the longest, most lucrative deal
ever awarded by the Nashville Predators, seven years at $7 million per
year. We are just three-quarters of the way through the season before the
contract kicks in.
"It hasn't even started yet," Poile said with a smile while watching a recent
morning skate in Nashville. "But it's been an excellent start."
He didn't, of course, but the fact it was a consideration suggests the
thoughtfulness of the man and the significant burden that comes with such
contracts.
Rinne still rents a home in Nashville. He has a longtime girlfriend but is not
married. And while we do not for a moment suggest Rinne has commitment
issues, signing this contract was a seminal moment for him.
But if there is a player with the personality that seems a perfect fit for both
this contract and this franchise, it is Rinne.
"I think you have to respect your teammates and everybody else, respect
the fans, respect the coaches, I mean everybody," Rinne said. "I don't think
that's ever going to be a problem. When that fire is gone, I think it's pretty
dangerous and it's time to do something else. But I'm not worried about
that. I always set my goals extremely high and always expect myself to be
at the top of my game. There's no excuses, never."
He is one of the best goaltenders in the world if not the best, Korn said.
"And yet he's a better person," he said. "And with that comes great karma
and great respect."
The Predators, in part because they are a team that hasn't historically been
able to afford high-end free agents, has had to be particularly adroit at
assessing the character of the players they do draft, develop and acquire.
The 29-year-old is active in the community and he has delivered MVP-like
performances between the pipes.
What more can you ask, really?
"He has been a workhorse and a very consistent one," Korn said. "In
general, he's brought it every night."
Former NHL netminder Glenn Healy, now a national TV analyst in Canada,
loves pretty much every aspect of Rinne's game, from his size to his
athleticism to his compete level.
"I love his attitude," Healy told ESPN.com. "He's a phenomenal kid.
"You'd better make sure you put the puck in the back of the net because he
won't quit on a puck."
Even when he isn't fully on his game, Healy said, Rinne's size makes
scoring on him a challenge.
The human tendency, when rewarded with something like a $49 million
contract and long-term security, is to exhale, to relax. Yet Rinne seems to
have moved seamlessly through this period.
Heading into Tuesday's clash with the high-flying Vancouver Canucks,
Rinne had a 32-13-6 record on the season, his 32 wins tied with Detroit's
Jimmy Howard. He was second in the league in saves, shots against and
appearances.
He won 11 straight games from early January to early February and is one
of only four goalies to achieve such a streak since the 1998-99 season. His
24 shutouts since the start of the 2008 season are the most in the NHL.
The day he signed his contract, Nov. 3 (his birthday, by the way), he shut
out the Phoenix Coyotes 3-0.
Sitting back to enjoy that new deal? Not quite.
"It's hard to kind of put in words," he said. "Obviously, you work so hard for
your time here in the NHL just to get this spot. Especially for goalies.
There's 30 No. 1 goalies and 30 backup goalies, there's so many good
goalies, just to get a good chance you need to be lucky, you need to work
extremely hard. And obviously in a situation like this, when I sign a sevenyear deal, it's a pretty amazing feeling.
"That obviously brings a lot of security but also I don't want to change
anything that I do or how I think about things, and just try to enjoy the game
as I always do."
ESPN LOADED: 02.21.2012
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ESPN / Deadline Debate: Who's getting Nash?
By Pierre LeBrun
For one week only, we will dissect trade rumors, trying to guide you with
what we know. Daily Debate will return next week.
How else can we begin but with Rick Nash, the Columbus Blue Jackets
captain who is available via trade but certainly not for less than a stellar
package. Three NHL sources told ESPN.com this past week that the deal
would have to include three to five assets. A look at the options out there:
New York Rangers: The Blue Jackets almost certainly want one of young
stud Rangers blueliners Michael Del Zotto or Ryan McDonagh as part of the
package, and that’s a tough pill to swallow for the Blueshirts, who have no
interest in moving either one. The Rangers, I think, would rather blow away
the Jackets mostly with top prospects off their NHL roster, the likes of Chris
Kreider, J.T. Miller or Tim Erixon, plus throw in a first-round pick. The
Rangers would have to add an NHL player in the mix to help make the math
work under the cap, and Brandon Dubinsky is the solution cited most often.
There’s no denying the Rangers’ interest in Nash and the obvious fit he
brings for the goal-challenged team. But can the Blueshirts get Columbus to
take their idea of a suitable package, or will the Jackets win out in what
they’d rather bring home?
Philadelphia Flyers: My TSN colleague Darren Dreger reported Saturday
night that any Flyers package the Jackets would accept would have to
include either of prized rookies Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier, plus the
likes of Sergei Bobrovsky and James van Riemsdyk. I think the Flyers
would be extremely reticent to include Couturier or Schenn in any deal.
JVR’s name has been in play, though, notably in talks with Toronto last
month. Frankly, the Flyers’ most pressing issue right now, especially after
shoring up the blue line with the acquisition of Nicklas Grossman and Pavel
Kubina, is to sort out their goaltending. Go figure. No question Nash would
look terrific on a line with Claude Giroux, but is this really what Philadelphia
should be focused on right now? Or is this more about blocking the rival
Rangers? One Flyers source told ESPN.com on Saturday night that he
didn’t feel his team was a front-runner for Nash but allowed that anything
can change at a moment’s notice.
Los Angeles Kings: I’m pretty sure the Kings weren’t even on Nash’s
famous short list when all this began, but no matter, L.A. GM Dean
Lombardi has had a few conversations with the Jackets nonetheless. After
all, list or no list, the Jackets need to determine what the best offer is out
there, then see how Nash feels about it. The Kings have some pretty
attractive assets, including young goalie Jonathan Bernier and blueliner
Jack Johnson. More importantly, there’s incredible pressure on Lombardi to
find a fix for his goal-starved team, which remains last in the NHL in
offense. If he strikes out on Nash, Jeff Carter could be the consolation
prize.
Toronto Maple Leafs: For the Jackets, the conversation has to start with
impressive Toronto rookie blueliner Jake Gardiner as part of any package,
which I believe is a total nonstarter for the Maple Leafs. Toronto believes
Gardiner is on his way to becoming one of the league’s truly special
defensemen and does not want to include him. No question Leafs GM Brian
Burke covets Nash and would love to bring him back to his hometown (he's
from suburban Brampton), but Toronto -- from what other league sources
have told me -- is extremely hesitant to empty the organization cupboards in
a deal that would cost the team its three or four top young assets after
carefully restocking the shelves for four years. Now, if the Jackets would
live with Luke Schenn as being the start of a package, Toronto would begin
to warm up to that idea.
The Jackets, sources have confirmed, have also reached out to the likes of
Vancouver, Boston and San Jose but those three clubs can’t really get
involved until the offseason. Detroit also has interest but also would want to
wait until June to get involved.
In the end, Nash might not move at all before next Monday’s 3 p.m. ET
trade deadline, not unless the Jackets feel they get what they feel is fair
value -- and not unless Nash, with his no-movement clause, signs off on it.
A June transaction would easily double the list of suitors in my opinion. But
can the Jackets afford to wait that long? Can embattled Jackets GM Scott
Howson wait that long?
We’ll find out over the next week whether one of the clubs mentioned above
will pay a bigger price than it ever thought it would to get Nash or whether
Columbus will drop its demands just a tad to get a deal done.
ESPN LOADED: 02.21.2012
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NBCSports.com / Red Wings draft pick arrested on rape charge
Mike Halford
According to the Boston Globe, Boston University defenseman Max
Nicastro — a 2008 draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings — has been arrested
for allegedly raping a female student on campus.
Nicastro, 21, was taken into custody Sunday and booked with a rape
charge. He was held on $25,000 cash bail pending his arraignment and has
been suspended from the hockey team indefinitely.
This is the second sexual assault allegation to hit the Terriers men’s hockey
team in 10 weeks. Previously, BU’s leading scorer — Corey Trivino, a
second-round pick of the Islanders in 2008 — was arrested in December on
numerous charges after he allegedly broke into a woman’s room at night.
Trivino pleaded not guilty to the charges, but was thrown off the team.
The Globe reports that aside from Boston police assisting in booking and
jailing Nicastro, few other details of the case are known. Boston University
Dean of students Ken Elmore spoke briefly about the situation.
“First and foremost, we want to be sure to take care of the person who is
the alleged victim here,’’ Elmore said. “We want to make sure she is OK
and also make sure we investigate the case as swiftly, as fairly, and as
thoroughly as we can.’’
NBCSports.com / LOADED: 02.21.2012
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CNN/Sports Illustrated / INSIDE THE NHL Life in the NHL meat market
Michael Farber
No, wait.
That was the trade rumor d'hier -- or yesterday, for those who remember
high school French.
In February, the United States celebrates National Black History Month,
National Wise Mental Health Consumer Month and National Women's Heart
Month.
In February, Canada celebrates National NHL Trading Deadline Month.
The big wind-up, an undeclared holiday for the puck obsessed, occurs Feb.
27 when a pair of Canadian sports network, TSN and Sportsnet, scurry to
break trades and mightily attempt to one-up each other with instant
analysis, giving fans a reason to keep hitting the refresh key on their
computers or the "last" button on the remote.
(Note: On deadline day, I will be part of TSN's The Reporters panel. We
were once dubbed, on-air, "the back panel" by fellow analyst and ex-coach
Mike Keenan in a condescending reference to Dave Hodge's noisy group of
sportswriters that throws spitballs and talks in class without raising their
hands.)
But as occasionally intriguing as 10 non-stop hours of bloviating about
trades and near trades can be, those shows are just the climax to a monthlong celebration of rumor and speculation that grips the hockey parts of
North America. And honestly, four weeks of this kind of chatter is way more
entertaining than watching Columbus goalies wrestle pucks into submission
or the Montreal Canadiens bungle power plays.
Gill wants to make sure you know that. No complaints. He understands
better than anyone that if the players whose names float in the Internet
ether really are just pieces of meat, they are prime filet mignon if not
actually Kobe beef. Gill makes $2.25 million this season.
But attachments do form. You can fall in love with a city or a team, even
one that has only a slightly better chance of winning the Stanley Cup this
spring than the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers. If you play looking over your
shoulder, or looking at the tube or online for your next possible employer,
you are not doing everything you can to put your current team in the
optimum situation. Says Gill, "I really don't think anyone wants to leave."
Gill has left at the deadline before. He was in Toronto, seemingly the one
Maple Leafs player who, in the hard winter of 2008, had not heard he was
on the trading block. He settled in for a post-practice nap. His wife,
watching television, heard he had been traded to Pittsburgh. Gill says he
was "sorta blindsided" by the deal but thus learned the first rule of February:
if everyone is talking about it, it probably won't happen. Fifteen months
later, he and Rob Scuderi formed the unlikely shutdown pair that helped
stifle the Red Wings and lift the Penguins to the Stanley Cup.
Chris Campoli, another Montreal defenseman, has been traded twice in
February. In 2009, the New York Islanders, who had drafted him, offloaded
him to Ottawa. In 2011, the Senators wheeled him to the Blackhawks on
deadline day. In both cases he was departing scuffling teams for ones that
had more than a glimmer of playoff promise. As it turned out, Campoli was
not a difference-maker. Neither of his new teams advanced past the first
round. In 13 playoff games with the Senators and Hawks, Campoli had just
three assists while averaging a little more than 19 minutes per game.
"There's a business side of the game that I really didn't understand my first
four years," says the 27-year-old Campoli, who perfectly fits the profile of a
rental defenseman -- impending UFA, a relatively manageable $1.75 million
annual salary, second power-play unit skills. "I know my name's been
floating around out there now. My feeling is that if you're moved at the
deadline, if you do go somewhere, at least somebody wants you. That's not
always the worst thing. For a married guy (like Gill, who has three children
under the age of eight), I'd think it would be way tougher than it is for me. I
just get furnished places. Walk in. Walk out.
Like a Nuke LaLoosh fastball, a hockey trade rumor can bean you at any
time. They come via the networks and newspapers and sports talk radio
and the blogosphere, often couched in plausible deniability with modifiers
such as "could" or "might" or "possible" or "potentially" or "a defenseman
like (fill in the blank)" or other weasel words.
"It can still get to you. You can't avoid it. Last year (on the morning of the
deadline), my brother, who's really into it, calls me and tells me he heard I
was going to Toronto, where my family is. I told him it was the wrong day to
screw around with me. I get home, turn on TSN and five minutes later hear
that I've been traded to Chicago."
HACKEL: Nash may be biggest deadline deal
The pieces of meat there are excellent.
Even without being privilege to insider gossip, you can play the home
version of the Trade Game. The beginner's version is to find a list of players
without no-trade clauses who can become potential unrestricted free agents
July 1 and currently play for also-rans, the so-called "sellers". Then match
these players with a playoff-bound team that has a conspicuous hole at that
position. So you take defensemen like Carolina's Bryan Allen or Montreal's
Hal Gill and pair them with, say, the Philadelphia Flyers. And there you go.
Your rumor is as good as anyone else's, and it might even come true before
the deadline. (Indeed, Gill was traded...to Nashville, not Philly, on Feb. 17.)
CNN/Sports Illustrated LOADED: 02.21.2012
(The advanced version of the game involves stars on non-playoff teams
with long-term deals, which can make the exercise tricky even for the pros.
Think about the toxic contract of Columbus' Jeff Carter, who has looked
uncomfortable in the heartland since the Flyers shocked him by shipping
him out of Philly last June.)
The show provides a great source of amusement for hockey day traders
and the rest of us typists until the playoff push starts in earnest on March 1.
"Ales Hemsky, C'mon Down!"
"Who Wants to be a Blackhawk?"
And "A King for Two Months."
What the meat thinks
Of course, they are not necessarily a source of cheer to the teams that are
on tenterhooks and the players whose lives are directly affected by all the
noise.
"(In the dressing) room you hear a lot of joking about how we're all just
pieces of meat," says Gill. "And maybe it does feel that way at times. But
we're all pretty well paid to be in that situation. The paychecks keep coming.
It's not like you're playing in a pick-up league where you can just say I've
had enough, I'm going home."
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Websites
Sportsnet.ca / Schenn calm, Reimer restless
Mike Brophy
One more week.
One more week of speculation and rumors for Maple Leafs defenceman
Luke Schenn who always seems to be at the centre of trade talks in
Toronto. For the 22-year-old Saskatoon, Sask., native, talking about
potentially being traded has become a way of life and it gets worse as the
Feb. 27 trade deadline draws nearer.
"It’s talked about every day," Schenn said. "You’re asked about it every day.
It’s all part of playing in Toronto. This is my fourth deadline and there seems
to be more and more hype each year. I think it’s a bigger day in Canada
than Canada Day is. It’s like an annual holiday. At the end of the day it’s
completely out of our control as players – unless you have a no-trade
clause. There’s obviously a lot of speculation and a lot of talk, but we, as
players, can’t do anything about it. It’s a reality that lots of trades happen so
we’ll see what happens."
even a win. We need to play some good defence, but we also need good
goaltending."
Reimer said both he and Gustavsson need to be there when the rest of the
team struggles defensively.
"That’s our job," he said. "If the team didn’t break down now and then they
wouldn’t need us. When there’s a big breakdown or a 2-on-0 or a 5-on-0,
you want to be there to make a big save to get your team going or keep
your team in it. That’s our job and hopefully we can keep doing it down the
road."
Wilson isn’t about to put all the team’s struggles on the goaltenders.
"First, we have to play better in front of them," he said. "They know what the
situation is. They worked hard in practice today and hopefully they can get
the job done. There’s nothing more we can do. You can’t sit back and have
five guys standing around the goalies trying to block every shot. We’ve got
to make sure we’re not giving up some of the chances that we’ve been
giving up."
Reimer, who is 11-8-4 this season after going 20-10-5 last season, was
pulled after allowing four goals against the Canucks Saturday. While there
is no question the 23-year old has a decent upside, the reality is the Leafs
need him to be good now. Young forwards and defencemen are given time
to develop, but when you are a goalie, there is more urgency to find your
game sooner.
The fact of the matter is the Maple Leafs are very much a work in progress
and to get better, they may have to part with some of their young talent.
That could be Nazem Kadri or Joe Colborne, both of whom are currently
playing in the American Hockey League with the Marlies, or it could be a
roster player such as Schenn or perhaps Jake Gardiner.
"I think that’s why sometimes goalies break into the league a little later
because they need to be good from their first game on," Reimer said. "Your
goaltender is such an integral par of the team; he can lose you a game real
quick. He needs to be good. When your goaltending is sub-par it makes it
hard to win"
Schenn seems to take things in stride.
Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 02.21.2012
"It’s a bit repetitive," he said. "You could take it a couple of ways. If you’re
being talked about, I guess it means other teams want you. At the same
time, I love it here in Toronto and I want to stay. The team is on the
upswing. We’ve gone through the rebuilding phase and the tough times and
obviously you want to be part of the good times here. It’s out of my control.
"You learn to have thick skin playing in Toronto. If you make a mistake on
the ice or you don’t have a great game, it’s a lot different playing here than
it is down south where a guy could be going through the same thing, but
nobody knows about it."
The Maple Leafs begin a four-game home stand Tuesday night when they
host the New Jersey Devils who have won three straight and are 8-1-1 in
their past 10 games. Toronto has dropped five of its past six games and
was thoroughly embarrassed 6-2 by the Canucks in Vancouver last
Saturday. A home sweep would go a long way toward getting the Maple
Leafs into the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.
"I think we have to get back to basics," Schenn said. "I think we’re cheating
a bit trying to score goals. When you’re cheating and not playing well
defensively that’s when bad things happen. The amazing thing is we’re still
in a playoff position. Obviously we’ve gone through a tough stretch, but we
have to stop the bleeding now. We have a good opportunity this week."
IN THE LOOP: Joffrey Lupul was absent from practice Monday, but Leafs
coach Ron Wilson said he expects the left winger to be in the lineup
Tuesday against the Devils. Lupul, who is eighth in NHL scoring with 23
goals and 61 points, suffered an upper ankle injury after getting in the way
of a shot in the game against the Canucks.
GUNNER GOOD TO GO: Defenceman Carl Gunnarsson missed three
games with a sore ankle, but will play Tuesday against the Devils. "He said
he felt about 95 or 96 per cent," Wilson said. "He’s improving rapidly so he’s
a go for tomorrow."
The Leafs sent defenceman Keith Aulie down to the Marlies.
GRILLING THE GOALIE: Do the Leafs have good enough goaltending to
make the playoffs this season?
That is a question GM Brian Burke must be asking himself with the trade
deadline one week away. The Leafs rank 27th as a team in goals-against
average and both James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson have struggled of
late. Wilson said Gustavsson will get the start against the Devils.
"Goaltending is a huge part of any team’s success or failure," Reimer said.
"When a team has a sub-par game, a goaltender can steal you a point or
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USA TODAY / 10 intriguing names in NHL trade market
By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY
The three defensemen who moved last week — Pavel Kubina (from Tampa
Bay Lightning to Philadelphia Flyers), Nicklas Grossman (Dallas Stars to
Philadelphia) and Hal Gill (Montreal Canadiens to Nashville Predators) all
tipped the scales at 225 pounds or more. Kubina is nearly 260 pounds.
With the Winnipeg Jets and the Anaheim Ducks climbing into playoff
contention, there could be fewer sellers in the market place. But some
interesting names are still being discussed:
1. Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Rick Nash: He's the marquee name, but
the Blue Jackets must decide whether to trade him now or wait until just
before the draft when teams wouldn't be constrained by cap considerations
or the need to keep all of their core players in a bid to win the Stanley Cup.
The Blue Jackets are looking for a minimum of one exceptional youngster
off the roster, plus two high-grade prospects and a first-round pick.
2. Carolina Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu: He is injured but is expected
to be back early in March. The Hurricanes would like to re-sign Ruutu, and
they are waiting to hear back from his agent. "I've gone through a process
over the last seven to 10 days," said Carolina general manager Jim
Rutherford. "And I would expect we will bring this to an end pretty soon."
3. Carolina defenseman Jaroslav Spacek: Now that the bigger defensemen
have moved, the veteran Spacek looks more attractive for a team seeking
to plug a hole with a solid performer. He will be an unrestricted free agent
this summer
4. Winnipeg defenseman Johnny Oduya: With the Jets moving into the
playoff race, they have to consider whether they want to move the potential
unrestricted free agent. If they do, he would draw interest because of his
mobility.
5. Edmonton Oilers forward Ales Hemsky: Most contenders probably would
prefer teammate Ryan Smyth, but the Oilers don't seem like they will move
the potential unrestricted free agent. The Oilers have talked to Hemsky
about a new deal, but it seems likely that he will be moved.
6. Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier: With Jonathan Quick
entrenched in net, Bernier could be the asset that helps the Kings land the
offensive help they desperately need.
7. Columbus center Jeff Carter: His 10-year contract scares away most
suitors, but it might be a good fit for a team looking for a centerpiece on a
retooling effort.
8. Columbus center Samuel Pahlsson: He helped Anaheim win a Stanley
Cup in 2007. He can influence a playoff series with his checking ability.
9. Montreal Canadiens left wing Travis Moen: Proven rugged role players,
especially those with a Stanley Cup ring, always move at this time of year.
10. Minnesota Wild defenseman Marek Zidlicky. He has a fractured
relationship with coach Mike Yeo, but he played in Sunday's 2-0 win against
the Boston Bruins. Presumably, the puck-moving defenseman will be
moved somewhere.
USA TODAY LOADED: 02.21.2012

Around the NHL News - Philadelphia Flyers

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