SPORT-SCAN
DAILY BRIEF
NHL 10/5/2013
Anaheim Ducks
719465
719466
Ducks will sit Selanne on Saturday
Ducks' Selanne to sit out against Minnesota
Boston Bruins
719467
719468
719469
719470
719471
719472
Prepping for the Red Wings
Opening Night: Bruins give Seidenberg 4-year deal
Bruins brace for a visit by Red Wings
Red Wings land in B’s division
Bruins prep for Red Wings
Claude Julien: 'We still have some work to do'
Dallas Stars
719507
719508
719509
719510
719511
719512
Buffalo Sabres
719473
719474
719475
719476
719477
Razor-thin loss leaves a sting for Sabres
Suffering is optional, so just enjoy the ride
Fighting ban idea is unpopular with Sabres
Sabres' John Scott would be fine with banning fighting in
NHL -- staged fights, that is
Larsson a center of attention for tonight's home opener
Calgary Flames
719478
719479
719480
719481
719482
719483
719484
Johnson: Galiardi makes amends for opening stumble
Green centres help Flames hold off Blue Jackets
MacDonald in; maybe Colborne, too
Joey MacDonald to get the start for the Calgary Flames in
Columbus
Sean Monahan pots first NHL goal, lifts Calgary Flames over
Columbus Blue Jackets
Six Calgary Flames who could make an impact this season
Colborne got chills ... Galiardi turns things around ... Golden
Bear makes an appearance
Carolina Hurricanes
719485
719486
719487
Red Wings spoil Hurricanes’ opener with 3-2 win in overtime
The more things change for the Canes, the more they stay
the same
NC State, Hurricanes reach scheduling agreement
Chicago Blackhawks
719488
719489
719490
719491
719492
719493
719494
719495
719496
719497
Hawks' Hjalmarsson growing up on, off ice
aturday's matchup: Lightning at Blackhawks
Hawks lineup will remain in flux early in season
Patrick Sharp in good frame of mind on and off the ice
Hawks must try to slow high-scoring Stamkos
Blackhawks scouting report
Can Northwestern take advantage of monster opportunity?
Quenneville looking to get everyone in early
Blackhawks' Sharp's perseverance pays off big
Blackhawks' Smith to make season debut against Lightning
Colorado Avalanche
719498
719499
2-0
719500
719501
719502
Avalanche's Marc-Andre Cliche plays in second NHL game,
collects assist vs. Predators
Colorado Avalanche tops Nashville Predators, improves to
Avs' Marc-Andre Cliche to see ice time Friday with Gabe
Landeskog out
Avalanche lines and D pairings vs. Nashville Predators
Avs too much for Predators in 3-1 victory
Columbus Blue Jackets
719503
719504
719505
719506
Blue Jackets stumble out of the gate
Flames 4, Blue Jackets 3: Disappointing start
Michael Arace commentary: Blue Jackets don’t do what
helped them win
Blue Jackets notebook: Savard gets call to fill in for Tyutin
Gosselin: Stars defenseman Sergei Gonchar ranks all-time
Russian team; Zubov makes cut
Friday practice update: Rich Peverley ready to return
Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff: There's no excuse to give up
39 shots
There are no plans to shuffle line combinations, Dallas Stars
coach Lindy Ruff says
Stars defenseman Sergei Gonchar ranks all-time Russian
team; Zubov makes cut
GameDay: Washington Capitals at Stars
Detroit Red Wings
719513
719514
719515
719516
719517
719518
719519
719520
719521
719522
719523
719524
719525
719526
719527
719528
719529
Red Wings 3, Hurricanes 2 (OT): Why the Red Wings won
on Friday night
With roster makeover, Detroit Red Wings want power play to
be 'spot on'
Detroit 3, Carolina 2 (OT): Henrik Zetterberg, Stephen Weiss
rally Red Wings to victory
Game thread: Zetterberg's heroics have Wings, Canes tied
2-2 in OT
Detroit Red Wings learning about Carolina Hurricanes - but
know all about Staals
Detroit Red Wings took too many penalties: 'We've got to
clean that up'
Red Wings rally late, win in overtime
Healthy Samuelsson is no joke for Red Wings
Stephen Weiss scores in overtime to lift Red Wings to 3-2
victory over Carolina Hurricanes
Steve Yzerman wants NHL to hand out game misconducts
for fighting or ban it all together
Stephen Weiss witnesses firsthand Red Wings' character
and resiliency in comeback victory (with video)
Red Wings' Mikael Samuelsson determined to show he can
be productive following injury-plagued year
Blog recap: Detroit Red Wings score three unanswered
goals to win in overtime
Detroit Red Wings Gameday: Has rivalry with Carolina
Hurricanes been underrated?
Red Wings expecting Hurricanes to storm out of the gate
tonight in their season opener
Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk underrated, Niklas Kronwall
among dirtiest players in ESPN poll
Some Red Wings believe fighting has place in game, as
debate about banning fisticuffs heats up
Edmonton Oilers
719530
719531
719532
719533
Edmonton Oilers coach Dallas Eakins focussing on win, not
retribution, in game against Vancouver Canucks
Oilers should keep Taylor Hall at centre even with The Nuge
returning
Nugent-Hopkins set to return to Oilers lineup on Monday
Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins coming back early
after shoulder surgery
Florida Panthers
719534
719535
719536
719537
719538
719539
With goal, Florida Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov makes mark
in first game
BLOCKAGE: Erik Gudbranson and Panthers Get Down and
Dirty to Beat Stars in Opener
YOUTH ON PARADE: Aleksander Barkov Youngest to
Score in NHL Since World War II
Panthers have several stars in season-opening 4-2 victory
over Stars
Preview: Panthers at Blues, Saturday
Panthers rookie Barkov is youngest NHL player to score first
goal since 1942
Los Angeles Kings
719540
719541
719542
719543
719544
719545
719546
719547
719548
Kings fall to Jets, 5-3, and Jonathan Quick gets the hook
Published: Oct. 4, 2013 Updated: 11:50 p.m.
October 4 postgame quotes: Quick, Scrivens
Game 2: Los Angeles at Winnipeg
Behold: MTS Centre
Game 2 Preview: Los Angeles at Winnipeg
October 4 morning skate quotes: Darryl Sutter
Waking up with the Kings: October 4
Good morning, Winnipeg
Minnesota Wild
719549
719550
719551
719552
719553
719554
719555
Upon further review Wild still had good game, bad result
Wild-Anaheim gameday preview
Wild still optimistic after Thursday's loss, preparing for Ducks
Upon further review, Granlund is Minnesota Wild's points
leader
Minnesota Wild's Kyle Brodziak hits 'refresh button'
Minnesota Wild need young players to take next step
Minnesota Wild: Matt Dumba's roster spot in jeopardy
Montreal Canadiens
719556
719557
719558
719559
Brière ready to face old teammates
Emphasis on toughness might hurt Habs
‘It’s not a normal game,’ Brière says of facing Flyers
Pacioretty, Moen back on the ice at Friday practice
Nashville Predators
719560
719561
Nashville Predators hint at payback for big hit to Roman
Josi's head
Preds' scoreboard: no wins, few goals
New Jersey Devils
719562
719563
719564
719565
719566
719567
719568
719569
719570
719571
719572
719573
719574
719575
719576
719577
719578
Devils' Pete DeBoer: Three goals should be enough to win
Devils fall to Islanders, 4-3, in shootout
Devils couldn't get one past Evgeni Nabokov in shootout
As they play: Devils vs. Islanders
Devils: A slimmer, hungrier Martin Brodeur in net; more line
changes
Devils: Mark Fayne deals with being the odd man out on
defense
Pete DeBoer pleased with Jaromir Jagr's debut
Devils open season with 3-0 loss to Penguins as goal
scoring is an immediate concern
A younger Jaromir Jagr wouldn't have liked Devils' strict
rules
Devils goalie Martin Brodeur: 'I felt for Marc-Andre Fleury
during playoffs'
Devils lose Alex Urbom on waivers to Washington; Patrik
Elias activated
Patrik Elias will be in lineup for regular-season opener
against Penguins
Jaromir Jagr set to make Devils debut in Pittsburgh, where it
all began
Devils notes: Goaltender Martin Brodeur on his relationship
with Cory Schneider
Devils fall to Islanders, 4-3, in a six-round shootout
Shootout goal from Matt Moulson lifts Islanders past Devils
Devils’ Brodeur shaky in shootout loss
New York Islanders
719579
719580
719581
719582
719583
Islanders Win Opener, Edging Devils
Moulson Gives Isles 4-3 Win Over Devils
Islanders top Devils in shootout to cap sloppy game
Isles' Michael Grabner in full flight against New Jersey
Matt Moulson's shootout goal gives Islanders win over Devils
New York Rangers
719584
719585
719586
719587
719588
719589
Richards’s New Start as Rangers Left Wing Begins Well
Time with Rangers could be over fast for rookie ‘Quickie’
It’s early, but Rangers are consistently inconsistent
Rangers' Ryan Callahan expected to play Monday
Ryan Callahan set to return to Rangers on Monday
Rangers-Coyotes in review
NHL
719590
719591
Jets take off after first period to beat Kings home opener
Brian Burke: To Russia, with pride
Ottawa Senators
719592
719593
719594
719595
719596
719597
719598
719599
719600
719601
Anderson outduels Miller as Sens win opener
Philippe Trudeau stands tall
Senators prediction panel: Game 1
Too many penalties early on sink 67's
Ottawa Senators knock off Sabres in season opener
Ottawa Senators simply trying to survive tough start to
season
Binghamton Senators coach Luke Richardson ready for
second season with AHL club
Ottawa Senators forward Chris Neil has no plans to join
fellow tough guys in media
Ottawa Senators forward Cory Conacher visits younger
brother at old college prior to opener
Ottawa Senators' veteran defenceman Joe Corvo a healthy
scratch for opener
Philadelphia Flyers
719602
719603
719604
719605
719606
719607
719608
719609
719610
719611
719612
Laviolettes sue Bank of America alleging fraud in mortgage
proposal
Briere preparing to face his former Flyers teammates
Inside the Flyers: Success should come with better
even-strength play
Flyers coach suing Bank of America
Flyers coach experimenting with lines
Hockey doesn't need fighting
Briere, now with Montreal, faces Flyers on Saturday
Home sweet Habs: Flyers prepare for Briere, Canadiens
Danny Briere: Facing the Flyers won't be easy
Flyers' focus in practice: Hitting the net more
Briere ready to face his former team
Phoenix Coyotes
719613
719614
719615
719616
Phoenix Coyotes wing Radim Vrbata trusts in his play to
speak for him
Plenty of positives for Coyotes in Game 1
Coyotes season preview: No more excuses
Mike Smith has a new recipe for success
Pittsburgh Penguins
719617
719618
719619
719620
Neal injury means shuffling for Malkin line
New hybrid icing rule pain to Penguins' Glass
Penguins notebook: Neal out indefinitely; 3 try to fill his
skates
Injury could keep Penguins right winger James Neal out for
weeks
San Jose Sharks
719621
719622
719623
719624
719625
719626
Sharks' Justin Braun ends goal-less drought
San Jose Sharks defenseman feels relief after he scores
Fight debate starts early this season
Braun makes no excuses as goal drought ends
Sharks not panicking over game one power outage
Sharks recall McCarthy, send Pelech to Worcester
St Louis Blues
719627
719628
719629
719630
719631
719632
Blues face teams from East again
Steen misses practice but will play Saturday
Blues-Panthers matchup box
Blues' Steen misses practice but he'll be OK
Blues' No. 1 line lives up to its billing in season-opening win
Morrow gets to play for the Blues; updates on Paajarvi and
Roy
Tampa Bay Lightning
719633
719634
Bolts need more blue-collar goals
Lightning assesses power-play issues
Toronto Maple Leafs
719635
719636
719637
719638
719639
719640
719641
719642
719643
719644
719645
719646
719647
719648
719649
719650
719651
Rielly adjusting to life in the spotlight with Leaf debut on the
horizon
Maple Leafs battle lines drawn, from Reimer to Rielly:
Feschuk
Maple Leafs games always better in person
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators: Saturday game
preview
Maple Leafs demote Nazem Kadri to third line
New-look Marlies open AHL season
Maple Leafs goaltending battle not an impossible situation,
ex-NHLers say
Maple Leafs: Who should start in net for home opener?
Reimer or Bernier?
Maple Leafs home openers: Sometimes boring, but always
special
Maple Leafs’ Joffrey Lupul’s five tips to be a sharp-dressed
man
Morgan Rielly has outgrown junior hockey: Feschuk
Leafs' Fraser on injured reserve
Why do NHL peers keep bashing Maple Leafs' Dion
Phaneuf?
Morgan Rielly to make NHL debut in Maple Leafs home
opener vs. Senators
Marlies happy to have John-Michael Liles in the fold
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly expected to make NHL
debut against Ottawa Senators
After Toronto Maple Leafs demotion, John-Michael Liles
takes on minor-league duties with healthy dose of profe
Vancouver Canucks
719663
719664
719665
Canucks give Alex Burrows day off from practice but he’s
expected to play Saturday versus Oilers
Canucks lose opener. Here’s what we learned
Will Canucks winger Dale Weise be a centrepiece of
Edmonton’s visit Saturday for his hit on Hall?
Washington Capitals
719652
719653
719654
Braden Holtby on making adjustments to his game this
season
Jack Hillen will undergo surgery Friday, expected to miss
months
Five thoughts on the Capitals’ win over the Flames
Websites
719666
719667
ESPN / Don't forget names Trouba and Scheifele
CNN/Sports Illustrated / NHL working to halt scoring drought,
but more must be done
Winnipeg Jets
719655
719656
719657
719658
719659
719660
719661
719662
5-3 win shows Jets can hold court with Kings
Jets off to a flying start
Afterburner
Carter's metamorphosis
Some Oilers accusing Trouba of head-hunting
Jets snapshots: Pass the glow sticks
Jets play ‘the right way’ to advance past Kings 5-3 in home
opener
Jets' Evander Kane pops the question
SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129
719465
Anaheim Ducks
Ducks will sit Selanne on Saturday
By ERIC STEPHENS
2013-10-04 17:24:26
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The plan all along was to rest Teemu Selanne on
occasion in his final NHL season. The Ducks are sticking to it before the first
weekend is played.
Selanne will sit out Saturday night's game against Minnesota as the plan is
for the winger to rest in one of the 12 sets on contests on consecutive nights.
It will be Selanne's choice as to which game he wants to play on those
back-to-back sets and there is plenty of motivation for him to play Sunday.
The Ducks will play at Winnipeg, which will mark the final time he plays in the
city he started his legendary career.
“The way I now look back at last year, I was a little bit stubborn about taking
days off and nights off,” Selanne said. “I try to be smarter this season. I know
it's a long season again. Even last year was so tough but it was hard to take
days off.
“We decided right away. It doesn't matter what happens.”
Selanne, 43, faded after a strong start to the shortened 2012-13 season. His
contention was the condensed 48-game schedule necessitated by the
lockout left him little time to gain proper rest between games.
Coach Bruce Boudreau said the plan was hatched as soon as the 2013-14
schedule was released during the summer, even though Selanne had yet to
commit to playing one final season. Boudreau also warned that “everything is
subject to change.”
“Looking at the schedule, we thought that if he'd miss 12 games during the
course of the year on back-to-backs, we would keep him fresh for
everything,” Boudreau said. “If you look at that numbers, then he'd play in 70.
“I think 70 good games from Teemu would be really good. And it has nothing
to do with (performance). I thought he was maybe our best forward the other
night (against Colorado). It’s the plan that we had and we're going to continue
with that.”
Boudreau also factored in the Ducks arriving in Winnipeg about 2 a.m.
Sunday following the game against the Wild. It is expected to again be an
emotional night for Selanne, as it was two years ago when he played his first
game in the city since 1996.
“Winnipeg might be a pretty big night for him,” Boudreau said, snickering.
“I’ve got to believe it's going to be a pretty big deal for him. They love him
there and rightfully so. They should love him.”
WHO’S IN?
One option to replace Selanne against Minnesota could be Dustin Penner,
who was a healthy scratch in the opener against Colorado instead of playing
on the top with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry like the Ducks envisioned.
Penner signed a one-year, $2 million deal in July but had a sluggish training
camp. The coaching staff has been working the big winger hard over the past
few days to get him to a point where he can handle top-six minutes.
“We want to get to a different level as far as having the ability to play with
Corey and Ryan and play to those types of minutes,” Penner said. “I have to
put more work in than I have in previous years.”
Penner acknowledged he has to put in the conditioning work and being
benched by Boudreau in the opener “is nothing I dwell on.”
“I don’t see it as a story or anything,” he said. “For me, what’s best for the
team is what’s best for me. I don’t really do any good playing six, seven, eight
minutes a night especially when they got me to play 15, 16, 17, 18 minutes a
night.
“I have to get to that level so I can maintain that. Be more of a help as
opposed to a detriment. This is what I need and what I want.”
Orange County Register: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719466
Anaheim Ducks
Ducks' Selanne to sit out against Minnesota
October 4th, 2013, 2:25 pm ·
posted by ERIC STEPHENS
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The plan all along was to rest Teemu Selanne on
occasion in his final NHL season and the Ducks are sticking to it before the
first weekend is played.
Selanne will sit out Saturday night's game against Minnesota as the plan is
for the winger to rest in one of the 12 sets on contests on consecutive nights.
It will be Selanne's choice as to which game he wants to play on those
back-to-back sets and there is plenty of motivation for him to sit and play on
Sunday night. The Ducks will play at Winnipeg, which will mark the final time
he plays in the city he started his legendary career.
"The way I how look back at last year, I was a little bit stubborn about taking
days off and nights off. I try to be smarter this season. I know it's a long
season again. Even last year was so tough but it was hard to take days off.
"We decided right away. It doesn't matter what happens."
Selanne, 43, faded after a strong start to the shortened 2012-13 season. His
contention was the condensed 48-game schedule due to the lockout left him
little time to gain proper rest between games.
Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said that the plan was hatched as soon as the
2013-14 schedule was released during the summer, even though Selanne
had yet to commit to playing one final season. Boudreau also warned that
"everything is subject to change."
"Looking at the schedule, we thought that if he'd miss 12 games during the
course of the year on back-to-backs, we would keep him fresh for everything.
If you look at that numbers, then he'd play in 70.
"I think 70 good games from Teemu would be really good. And it has nothing
to do with [performance]. I thought he was maybe our best forward the other
night [against Colorado]. It's the plan that we had and we're going to continue
with that."
Boudreau also factored in that the Ducks will be arriving in Winnipeg after
about 2 a.m. Sunday following their game against the Wild. It is expected to
again be an emotional night for Selanne, as it was two years ago when he
played his first game in the city since 1996.
"Winnipeg might be a pretty big night for him," Boudreau snickered. "I’ve got
to believe it's going to be a pretty big deal for him. They love him there and
rightfully so. They should love him."
Orange County Register: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719467
Boston Bruins
Prepping for the Red Wings
Posted by Amalie Benjamin October 4, 2013 01:36 PM
The Bruins were back on the ice this morning for a 45-minute practice after
taking their season opener from the Lightning Thursday night.
Next up for the B's? The Red Wings, who move east this season and into the
Atlantic Division.
Detroit -- and its two-decade-long playoff streak -- brings significant talent to
the division, and is likely to be battling Boston all season for a chance to head
back to the postseason.
“I think they’re an elite team,” coach Claude Julien said. “They always have
been.
They’re a good, experienced team. They’re a smart team, they play a good,
smart game. That’ll certainly bring an element of an even bigger challenge for
all the teams in our conference right now to add them in there.”
The Bruins rolled out the same lines as Thursday, with Carl Soderberg
(ankle) still not on the ice. Jordan Caron skated in his place.
Soderberg appears to be getting better, but it isn't clear when he'll be back in
the lineup.
“It’s a hard injury to say, listen, he’s going to be in on Sunday or Monday,”
Julien said. “It’s hard to really pinpoint with that type of injury, but he is
definitely getting better every day. I think he really is getting close. Hopefully,
if there’s no setbacks, he should be on the ice soon.”
Boston Globe LOADED: 10.05.2013
719468
Boston Bruins
Opening Night: Bruins give Seidenberg 4-year deal
By JIMMY GOLEN
Boston Bruins signed defenseman Dennis Seidenberg to a contract
extension, rewarding the defensemen that twice helped them reach the
Stanley Cup finals with $16 million over the next four years.
The team announced the deal Thursday between periods of its opening night
game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
‘‘He’s been one of our core guys since we got him,’’ general manager Peter
Chiarelli told reporters. ‘‘'D’ like Dennis are hard to find. The way that he
plays, it’s hard to find.’’
The deal, which has an average cap value of $4 million, would keep
Seidenberg in Boston through the 2017-18 season. He said it gives him a
no-trade clause for the first 30 months, with a limited no-trade clause over the
next 30 months.
Chiarelli said this week that signing Seidenberg, who could have become a
free agent at the end of the season, was the organization’s top priority.
‘‘I wanted to be here. They wanted me here. Both sides gave a little bit,’’
Seidenberg said after the Bruins opened with a 3-1 victory over the Lightning.
‘‘I'm really happy to be here for five years.’’
In 10 NHL seasons, plus one game, Seidenberg has 34 goals and 154
assists. As Zdeno Chara’s partner on the Bruins’ No. 1 defensive pairing,
Seidenberg helped Boston win the Stanley Cup in 2011.
Seidenberg was sixth in the NHL in blocked shots and was third among
defensemen with a plus-18 last season, when the Bruins returned to the
finals, losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games.
Boston Globe LOADED: 10.05.2013
719469
Boston Bruins
Bruins brace for a visit by Red Wings
By Amalie Benjamin
October 05, 2013
It could have been Detroit.
Before the Blackhawks faced the Kings in the Western Conference Finals
last season, the Red Wings took Chicago to seven games before bowing out,
putting a scare into the eventual Stanley Cup champions.
Now, with realignment, the Red Wings have moved east — and become a
significant stumbling block as the Bruins attempt to defend their Eastern
Conference title.
“Who knows? They might have won the Stanley Cup,” said Bruins center
Chris Kelly. “They’re a team that you need to get up for.”
And now they’re a division foe. The Red Wings, along with the Lightning and
Panthers, have joined the Bruins in the newly formed Atlantic Division, and
they come to town Saturday for their first meeting of the season with Boston.
“I think they’re an elite team,” coach Claude Julien said. “They always have
been.
“They’re a good, experienced team. They’re a smart team, they play a good,
smart game. That’ll certainly bring an element of an even bigger challenge for
all the teams in our conference right now to add them in there.”
As Julien pointed out, the Red Wings aren’t exactly a new franchise coming
in, one that will be playing out the string in the basement. They’ll be
competing to win the division. They’ll make life tough for the Bruins.
“I think it’s good for our game,” Julien said. “I think it’s good for the fans here
to see those teams a little bit more. An Original Six team is always welcome
in the cities that have seen those teams for years.”
With the Red Wings comes Daniel Alfredsson, the former Senators captain
who entertained the idea of coming to Boston this offseason. They also bring
Pavel Datsyuk, one of the best two-way players in the NHL, along with
Patrice Bergeron.
“Two great two-way players,” Julien said. “You saw Datsyuk in action here
that one night [in the preseason] when we didn’t have Patrice in the lineup.
You could see the type of damage he could do.
“There’s no doubt he’s an elite player. But we’re fortunate to have Patrice,
who we feel is an elite player as well.”
Traditionally, the Red Wings are a team built on high-end skill players, as
Julien said. They play a puck-control game, much more so than the Bruins.
It’s something the Bruins admire — even if they play their own style.
“As much as we envy them, there’s a lot of things that they envy from us,”
said Julien. “I don’t think we should have an inferiority complex here. But you
do respect the way they play. They’ve been like that for many, many years.”
Sibling rivalry
There was a near-miss for Reilly Smith and his brother Brendan in the 2010
Frozen Four. Had Reilly’s Miami (Ohio) team not lost to Boston College in the
semifinals, it would have gone to the final against Wisconsin — Brendan’s
team.
The pair, however, will square off Saturday with the Red Wings in town. They
did see each other in Detroit for a preseason game, but this time it will matter.
“I think my parents are pretty happy about it,” said Reilly, who added that his
parents won’t be at the Garden Saturday. “Might have to see them a little
more because I think they’re planning a lot more road trips.
“Usually it’s pretty competitive against each other on the ice. We’ll see what
happens.”
Reilly said the two have always been that way, whether it was hockey or
basketball or lacrosse.
“It’s kind of just carried over into everything we’ve done,” Reilly said.
No rush on Soderberg
Carl Soderberg is making progress as he comes back from a left ankle injury,
which he suffered in the Bruins’ final preseason game Sept. 27. He was
placed on injured reserve and is eligible to come off for Saturday’s game,
though Jordan Caron’s play in the season opener gives the Bruins more
leeway. “It’s a hard injury to say, ‘Listen, he’s going to be in on Sunday or
Monday,’ ” Julien said. “It’s hard to really pinpoint with that type of injury, but
he is definitely getting better every day. I think he really is getting close.
Hopefully, if there’s no setbacks, he should be on the ice soon.” . . . The
second line of Brad Marchand, Bergeron, and Loui Eriksson is still finding its
way. Bergeron said he’s not worried, that it will simply take time. “It’s like
anyone going to another system, you need to adjust,” Bergeron said of
Eriksson. “After a while, when you’re used to that system, you don’t think, you
just execute. I think that’s what he’s doing right now. He’s used to something
different, he just needs to get used to it. You can tell how good he is as a
player.” . . . Julien said he might talk to Red Wings coach Mike Babcock
about Team Canada while Detroit is in town. The two are serving together on
the coaching staff for the upcoming Olympics in Sochi, Russia, in February.
Boston Globe LOADED: 10.05.2013
719470
Boston Bruins
Red Wings land in B’s division
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Stephen Harris
A Garden visit by the Detroit Red Wings in years past has been a rare and
special event, a test for the Bruins against one of the NHL’s elite franchises.
Now, the matchup will become routine.
That’s good news for fans, who should see some high-class hockey between
the Original Six rivals, but it makes the playoff chase in the East just a little
more crowded at the top.
The Red Wings, who this season switch into the Eastern Conference, play
their first of two games in Boston tonight. Overall, the clubs will meet four
times in the coming months, and it’s a fair bet they’ll be chasing the top
playoff seeds at season’s end.
“They’re an elite team (and) they always have been,” Bruins coach Claude
Julien said after his team’s 45-minute skate at the Garden yesterday.
“You have to look, for example, at their third line,” said Julien. “When you
have guys like (Dan) Cleary and (Todd) Bertuzzi on your third line, you’ve got
some pretty good depth.
“They’re a good, experienced team. They’re a smart team and they play a
good, smart game. They will certainly bring a bigger challenge for all the
teams in our conference. This is a team that’s at the top of the league almost
every year. They don’t win the Stanley Cup every year, but they’re always a
contender.”
Julien spoke about how the Wings over the years have sought fast and highly
skilled players, many from Sweden or other European countries, including
current superstars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.
But he noted that as much as the Wings try to play a high-level,
puck-possession style of hockey, they also emulate some of the grittier
attributes of a team like the Bruins.
“I’ve worked with Babs (Detroit coach Mike Babcock) and (spent time) in the
summer chatting,” Julien said. “They’re trying to do some of the same things
as us. As much as we envy them, there are a lot of things they envy from us.
I don’t think we should have an inferiority complex here.
“They really go for guys with high-end skills who will control the puck as much
as they can. You see them trying to hang onto the puck a little bit more. But
that doesn’t mean they don’t try to do a lot of the same things other teams
do.”
Indeed, it’s a reasonable assumption that as much as the Bruins view
tonight’s game as a major test, so do the Red Wings. Preseason games
mean little, but the B’s did play their heavy style of hockey very effectively in
shutting down the Red Wings in Detroit on Sept. 21.
It won’t be as easy tonight to forecheck and defend as well as in that game.
The B’s perhaps get a slight edge in that the Wings played last night in
Carolina.
The Bruins played OK, but not great in their season-opening 3-1 win over
Tampa Bay on Thursday.
“It’s nice to get that first game out of the way, but also to get the first win,”
center Patrice Bergeron said. “We obviously had some things to work on and
we did that (yesterday). But we can build from (Game 1) and be ready for a
big game (tonight).
“Our transition has got to be a little quicker. Also collectively we have to close
a little quicker on their forwards in our zone. Those are things that should
come back on their own. We should be fine.”
The fascinating battle within the battle will be the matchup of Bergeron and
Datsyuk, two of the finest all-around centers in the game.
“He’s a very smart player and tough to play against,” Bergeron said. “So it’s
going to be a good challenge to play them, and a good challenge to play
against him.”
B’s notes
Julien will be a Team Canada assistant coach for Babcock at February’s
Sochi Olympics, and said he may try to find time to speak with him about
what they’ve seen early in the new season. . . .
Winger Carl Soderberg (ankle injury) will not play. Julien said he is close to
skating, but declined to speculate when that may happen. In the opener,
Jordan Caron took good advantage of filling Soderberg’s third-line slot,
playing quite well. . . .
New winger Loui Eriksson hasn’t yet shown Bruins fans the quality of play of
which he’s capable. But linemate Bergeron figures it’s just a matter of
growing accustomed to a new team.
“He’s used to something different, so he just getting used to it,” Bergeron
said. “You can tell how good he is as a player and how smart he is. I’m
excited to have him on my right wing.” . . .
Julien hopes young defensemen Dougie Hamilton, Torey Krug and Matt
Bartkowski didn’t regard Dennis Seidenberg’s four-year contract extension
as bad news for them.
“I think all three of those young players right now are in the NHL for good; if
it’s not here it’ll be somewhere else,” Julien said. “They shouldn’t look at this
is a negative thing; they should look at (it as) a real positive thing. They
should say, ‘Listen, we’ve got an opportunity here to see a defenseman who
is reliable, durable and has been around the league a long time. I can
probably learn and make myself better because of that.’ ”
Boston Herald LOADED: 10.05.2013
719471
Boston Bruins
Bruins prep for Red Wings
Friday, October 4, 2013 -- Stephen Harris
The Bruins, who played okay but not great in their season-opening 3-1 win
vs. Tampa last night, are looking forward to the Garden visit by the Detroit
Red Wings tomorrow night. The Wings, of course, have moved this year into
the Eastern Conference -- making life a bit tougher for the Bruins and each
other club in the East.
"They're an elite team (and) they always have been," said Bruins coach
Claude Julien after the team's 45-minute skate at the Garden this morning.
"You have to look, for example, at their third line. When you have guys like
(Dan) Cleary and (Todd) Bertuzzi on your third line, you've got some pretty
good depth. They're a good, experienced team. They're a smart team and
they play a good, smart game.They will certainly bring a bigger challenge for
all the teams in our conference. This is a team that's at the top of the league
almost every year. They don't win the Stanley Cup year, but they're always a
contender."
Julien spoke about how the Wings have sought fast and highly-skilled
players, many from Sweden or other European countries. But he noted that
as much as the Wings try to play a high-level, puck-possession style of
hockey, they also emulate some of the grittier attributes of a team like the
Bruins.
"I've worked with Babs (Detroit coach Mike Babcock) and (spent time) in the
summer chatting," said Julien. "They're trying to do some of the same things
as us. As much as we envy them, there are a lot of things they envy from us.
I don't think we should have an inferiority complex here."
Julien will be a Team Canada assistant to Babcock at next year's Olympics,
and said he may find time to speak with him about what they've seen early in
the new season. The B's coach said injured winger Carl Soderberg (ankle) is
close to skating, but no firm day is set.
Boston Herald LOADED: 10.05.2013
719472
Boston Bruins
Claude Julien: 'We still have some work to do'
Thursday, October 3, 2013 -- Mark Daniels
The Bruins started off this new season with a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay
Lightning, but head coach Claude Julien said there’s a lot of work that needs
to be done.
The B’s got two shorthanded goals by Chris Kelly and Patrice Bergeron and
another by Milan Lucic to outlast the Lightning tonight at the Garden. Julien
noted that the team got off to a slow start, getting outshot 15-6 to in the first
period.
He said some of the rustiness was to be expected.
“Yeah I think so. That first half anyways, and maybe even a little more,” Julien
said. “We had some penalties we had to kill and certainly gave them some
life and some momentum but I thought maybe the last five minutes of the
second and the third period we were a little but more like the team that we
want to be. So it was nice to see our team get better as the game went on.”
Tuukka Rask & Co. survived two 5-on-3 penalties that ended up being
another story of the game. The first happened at the end of the first period
and the next in the third. Julien wasn’t happy about the penalties but said it
was good to see the penalty kill in top form.
“Those 5-on-3’s, I thought the guys did a great job killing them,” Julien said.
“Tuukka made a couple of big saves when he had to. So those are really
positive signs for our team and the fact that we were able to score a couple
shorthanded goals as well. But again, it’s the first game, it’s the first game for
a lot of those guys that were in the lineup tonight; real game I guess. Overall,
happy with the win and we know we still have some work to do.”
Boston Herald LOADED: 10.05.2013
719473
Buffalo Sabres
Razor-thin loss leaves a sting for Sabres
Buffalo lost defenseman Henrik Tallinder to an upper-body injury, and
blue-liner Alexander Sulzer was summoned from the Amerks, according to
the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Miller is expected to get tonight off in favor of backup Jhonas Enroth, and the
starting goalie hopes the team can stay upbeat despite the setbacks.
on October 4, 2013 - 10:22 PM
“There’s room to improve in a lot of areas, and we just have to come together
as a group,” Miller said. “It’s part of the process here in a young season, and
we have to stay positive. We have to stay true to the plan here.”
updated October 5, 2013 at 1:28 AM
Buffalo News LOADED: 10.05.2013
By John Vogl
The Sabres opened their season in Buffalo with a packed house that cheered
record-setting saves, gasped at great scoring chances and moaned when
the home team lost with 95 seconds left. Despite the 1-0 setback to Ottawa,
the fans seemed to like what they saw.
Ron Rolston admired almost none of it.
“We didn’t play a very good hockey game at the end of the day,” the Sabres’
coach said in First Niagara Center. “The compete’s got to be way, way, way,
way higher at this level. … We’re in trouble in terms of elite in this league, so
we’ve got to fix some things.”
Rolston bemoaned the lack of intensity shown by his top two lines. The
team’s puck movement peeved him. What else didn’t he like?
“Pretty much everything,” he said.
So far, the Sabres have shown they are just good enough to lose by one
goal. Their coach wants more. He concedes it’ll be a learning process that
won’t be complete by the time Buffalo (0-2) plays its third game of the season
tonight in Pittsburgh.
“We’ve got to take baby steps at this point,” Rolston said.
They certainly took steps from Wednesday’s 2-1 loss in Detroit. The biggest
one was increasing their shot total from 20 to 35, but Senators goaltender
Craig Anderson outdueled Ryan Miller by stopping them all.
“It’s not a fun way to lose, especially in our opener,” said Miller, who was
fantastic with 45 saves. “I just needed to make one more save there. It’s
disappointing.”
The goaltenders dominated the shooters right from the start, which was
especially impressive considering all the opportunities generated.
Miller made 23 saves in the opening 20 minutes, including 10 during the
Senators’ three power-play chances. Anderson answered with 16 stops, all
but three coming at even strength.
It was a historic performance. The 39 combined shots were the most in a
scoreless period in the NHL’s expansion era (1967-present).
“We gave them too many shots, and Millsie stood on his head,” alternate
captain Christian Ehrhoff said. “We didn’t reward him for his good efforts.”
Erik Karlsson ruined the night for the 19,070 fans when he scored on
Ottawa’s 45th shot.
The defenseman slipped behind the defense and put a cross-ice pass from
Clarke MacArthur between Miller’s pads.
“I thought we had coverage,” Miller said. “I thought it was going to be junk
thrown to the net, so I kind of searched for it with one knee down. When he
held it a little longer, I caught a glimpse of him passing it.”
It was a testament to the goalies’ talent that Karlsson’s shot was the only one
that found the net.
The Sabres took their 30th shot of the game with 12:25 left. The Senators
passed the 40 mark with more than eight minutes to play.
Buffalo helped Anderson by missing the net or shooting into him on
numerous open-net chances.
“I’m not trying to hit him, but you’ve got to give him credit,” said Sabres
co-captain Thomas Vanek, who led all players with nine shots.
“Both teams deserved a point. We were the first team to break at the end,
which is disappointing.”
719474
Buffalo Sabres
Suffering is optional, so just enjoy the ride
By Mike Harrington
on October 5, 2013 - 12:54 AM
updated October 5, 2013 at 2:03 AM
You can’t read a national website or hockey magazine that has the Sabres
within a sniff of a playoff spot this year. Most sites peg them for the bottom
five in the league, and that was before the Florida Panthers – a new Atlantic
Division cousin, remember – went out and added a huge X-factor guy in
goaltender Tim Thomas.
You may be a bottom-line person but there’s no way to be that way with this
team. Not this year.
Yes, Terry Pegula talked Stanley Cup when he walked in the door. Yes,
Darcy Regier has more lives than any other GM on the planet but he’s not
going anywhere, so there really shouldn’t be any more breath or newspaper
ink wasted on that subject. What’s the old saying? It is what it is.
This season can be fun. You really don’t have to suffer. The assumption is
you will when you look at the standings, and punches to the gut like Friday’s
1-0 heartbreaker against Ottawa certainly stink. Fair enough.
But you’re looking deeper when you go to Orchard Park. Why can’t you do it
when you come downtown?
The Bills have been wild fun so far until, of course, EJ Manuel forgot he was
supposed to be a quarterback and run out of bounds Thursday night in
Cleveland. They’re 2-3. They could be 5-0. They could be 0-5. Their season
is gauged in progress more than wins and losses, at least for this year.
Especially now that it’s all about a wounded knee.
The Sabres’ season can be viewed through the same prism, especially since
there’s no telling how long Ryan Miller or Thomas Vanek will be here.
Miller and Ottawa’s Craig Anderson played Friday’s home opener like they
were in the UFC cage battling for the Team USA starting job in Sochi.
Everyone else on the ice wasn’t worthy. Rarely can a scoreless game
through 58 minutes be so much fun. Does that make me some sort of
cockeyed optimist or apologist? Nah.
The coaches, of course, hated it. Ottawa’s Paul MacLean said a lot of guys
on each bench “played for both teams,” in a funny reference to all the
turnovers being made.
Sabres coach Ron Rolston wasn’t laughing. At all. And I get it.
“It’s a simple game,” a clench-jawed Rolston said. “We don’t have enough
guys playing the right way right now early in the season so we’re back to
square one.”
He’s right. The power play is an 0-for-11 train wreck with too many players
allergic to winning battles for the puck with the man advantage. Drew Stafford
has played 39 minutes in the two games and has two shots on goal. (Memo
to Marcus Foligno: Please get healthy so Stafford can join me upstairs).
Rolston didn’t want to hear much about Mikhail Grigorenko, who had a strong
enough offensive game that he spent time on the second line. He did say that
the line of Kevin Porter between Zemgus Girgensons and Brian Flynn was
the team’s best. That’s true and the Sabres aren’t winning many games if
that’s the best trio.
Rolston’s ire was clearly directed at his veterans. Thus far, I’ve been about as
much a No. 1 center as Cody Hodgson has. Not much from Tyler Ennis
either. Vanek had nine shots on goal but also had some terrible giveaways
and made a fatal mistake in coverage on Erik Karlsson’s winning goal.
On one sequence in the second period, old friend Clarke MacArthur
outworked a pair of Sabres to gain control of the puck and help his team clear
it – even though he had given his stick to defenseman Chris Phillips and was
simply kicking at it with his skate. Can’t happen.
The good news is that the recent No. 1 draft choices are playing to their
labels. Rasmus Ristolainen is, quite simply, a stud on defense. And it’s pretty
obvious to see how Mark Pysyk was a top pick and captained a
championship team in junior hockey. Just a heady, heady player.
Ristolainen made a great maneuver on an Ottawa two-on-one break in the
second period, cooly standing his ground in the middle of the ice to stop the
pass and allow Miller to make a save. How many two-on-one’s the last
couple of years have produced easy tap-ins? Far too many because the
Buffalo defense would stray too early.
Girgensons had the only goal Wednesday in Detroit and has been bouncing
his body around like he did during the playoffs last year in Rochester. He
almost had the winner Friday, too, as Anderson whipped him with the glove
on a laser from the slot with 2:07 left.
Hockey can be a game of mistakes. Watch how the kids bounce back from
them. They’re doing well in that area so far. Some veterans could take a hint.
“I think our young guys can take a lot from tonight,” said co-captain Steve Ott.
“It was a great learning experience. Even though we lost – and we hate losing
– we’re sticking with one of the best teams in the league playing chance for
chance.”
Barring major surprises, the Sabres aren’t likely to win a ton the next six
months. That’s well-established. Look for small nuggets. They’re there. You
don’t have to suffer for every second of 82 games.
Buffalo News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719475
Buffalo Sabres
Fighting ban idea is unpopular with Sabres
By John Vogl
on October 5, 2013 - 12:52 AM
bigger, stronger guys who are taking advantage of your smaller, skill guys.
You need guys like John or Webby, who will step in there and stick up for
you.”
Besides, Flynn said, even penalizing fights with game misconducts wouldn’t
eliminate them.
“I’m sure guys would still do it,” Flynn said. “I guess they’d get a suspension
for it or refs would step in right away, but there’s no way guys wouldn’t step in
for each other for a bad hit or something like that.”
Buffalo News LOADED: 10.05.2013
The annual argument is back – should the NHL ban fighting? – and this time
the pacifists have heavyweights throwing punches. Scotty Bowman and
Steve Yzerman have come out in favor of getting rid of fisticuffs, leading
many to believe real change might be coming.
Those people don’t hang out in the Buffalo Sabres’ dressing room.
“It’s been a part of hockey for a long time, and I think it’s going to be a part of
hockey,” coach Ron Rolston said Friday.
Serious injuries to the Sabres’ Corey Tropp (broken jaw) and Montreal’s
George Parros (concussion) have revived the fighting debate.
Cringe-inducing video of Parros crashing forehead first to the ice and getting
knocked out Tuesday caused the latest outcry.
“I believe a player should get a game misconduct for fighting,” Yzerman,
Tampa Bay’s general manager, told TSN.ca. “We penalize and suspend
players for making contact with the head while checking in an effort to reduce
head injuries, yet we still allow fighting.
“We’re stuck in the middle and need to decide what kind of sport do we want
to be. Either anything goes and we accept the consequences, or take the
next step and eliminate fighting.”
Bowman tweeted his support of Yzerman, Carolina’s Jim Rutherford and
Pittsburgh’s Ray Shero, other GMs who said fighting should be abolished.
“It’s funny when people say that because then you look at their teams and
they have fighters on their team,” Sabres enforcer John Scott said in First
Niagara Center. “I don’t think when Stevie was playing he was saying that
because he had guys protecting him. It’s the same game, and I just don’t
know if they’ve forgot how it was or what’s going on, but it’s kind of annoying.
“They’ve been in hockey their whole life, and now they’re trying to take my job
away and other guys’ jobs away just because they don’t like it now. But when
they played, it was perfectly fine. It’s a little annoying.”
Scott, who’d had 34 bouts in the NHL entering Friday’s 1-0 loss to Ottawa, is
actually an unlikely ally to those who want to abolish fights in one case. Scott
says no to certain fights every game. He thinks they’re stupid, and he’d be
fine if they were outlawed.
Staged fights, that is.
“The staged fighting, the fights that don’t really mean anything, I can do
without those,” Scott said. “I know I’ve been in a few of those in my career,
but there’s a time and place for every fight. Sometimes they don’t really
matter. I can see where the league is coming from and the fans are coming
from.”
As for battles that take place in the heat of the moment, Scott says those are
ingrained in the sport and belong. He’s got company.
“It’s one of those things that in hockey I believe we do need it,” said Buffalo
defenseman Mike Weber, who’s had 13 NHL fights. “I believe it’s one of
those things that can change momentum. It’s the last thing that we can
control in the aspect of policing ourselves.
“Every year it’s something. They’re trying to change our game. We have a
pretty great game, and I think it should be left alone. A lot of the things are
trying to make it safer for us, but they end up not working out the way they
planned. I feel you take fighting out of the game, we’ve lost all opportunity to
police ourselves and control the atmosphere on the ice. It’s going to lead to
more altercations, more scrums, more big open-ice hits, then that’s going to
put a lot more pressure on the NHL for suspensions.”
Sabres right wing Brian Flynn has only been in one fight – he was bloodied
during preseason after Scott and Toronto’s Phil Kessel began punching and
swinging sticks – but he agrees fisticuffs belong in the game.
“I think it does,” Flynn said. “I’m not a guy that fights, but I still think it does.
You have guys like John who stick up for your teammates when they have
719476
Buffalo Sabres
Sabres' John Scott would be fine with banning fighting in NHL -- staged
fights, that is
October 4, 2013 - 1:40 PM
By John Vogl
John Scott says no to fights every game. He thinks they're stupid, and he'd
be fine if they were outlawed.
Staged fights, that is.
"The staged fighting, the fights that don’t really mean anything, I can do
without those," the Sabres' enforcer told The News today. "I know I’ve been
in a few of those in my career, but there’s a time and place for every fight.
Sometimes they don’t really matter. I can see where the league is coming
from and the fans are coming from."
Fighting has once again become a hotly debated topic around the NHL after
bad injuries to the Sabres' Corey Tropp and Montreal's George Parros.
Hockey legends such as Steve Yzerman and Scotty Bowman have said it's
time for fighting to go.
Scott agrees with only part of it and says heat-of-the-moment battles still
have a place.
"It’s hard to get fighting out of the game. It’s so ingrained in the culture," Scott
said. "I don’t think when Stevie was playing he was saying that because he
had guys protecting him. It’s the same game, and I just don’t know if they’ve
forgot how it was or what’s going on, but it’s kind of annoying. They’ve been
in hockey their whole life, and now they’re trying to take my job away and
other guys’ jobs away just because they don’t like it now. But when they
played, it was perfectly fine. It’s a little annoying."
Scott has been in 34 NHL fights, and as he said some have been staged.
Teammate Mike Weber has fought 13 times, and probably all have been tilts
brought on by emotional plays.
"It’s one of those things that in hockey I believe we do need it," Weber told
The News. "I believe it’s one of those things that can change momentum. It’s
the last thing that we can control in the aspect of policing ourselves.
"Every year it’s something. They’re trying to change our game. We have a
pretty great game, and I think it should be left alone. A lot of the things are
trying to make it safer for us, but they end up not working out the way they
planned. I feel you take fighting out of the game, we’ve lost all opportunity to
police ourselves and control the atmosphere on the ice. It’s going to lead to
more altercations, more scrums, more big open-ice hits, then that’s going to
put a lot more pressure on the NHL for suspensions."
Sabres right wing Brian Flynn has only been in one fight -- he was bloodied
during preseason after Scott and Toronto's Phil Kessel began punching and
swinging sticks -- but he agrees fisticuffs belong in the game.
"I think it does," Flynn said. "I’m not a guy that fights, but I still think it does.
You have guys like John who stick up for your teammates when they have
bigger, stronger guys who are taking advantage of your smaller, skill guys.
You need guys like John or Webby, who will step in there and stick up for
you."
Besides, Flynn said, even penalizing fights with game misconducts wouldn't
eliminate them.
"I’m sure guys would still do it," Flynn said. "I guess they’d get a suspension
for it or refs would step in right away, but there’s no way guys wouldn’t step in
for each other for a bad hit or something like that."
Sabres coach Ron Rolston is intrigued by the debate and the steps taken to
curb fighting, but he also thinks it'll be around awhile.
"It’s been a part of hockey for a long time, and I think it’s going to be a part of
hockey," Rolston said. "It’s going to be interesting how it continues to go in
hockey because now you’ve added a visor rule, you’ve added rules with
taking helmets off, so it’s going to be interesting where it goes from here with
some of those rules, I think, but I think it’s always going to be a part of things."
Buffalo News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719477
Buffalo Sabres
Larsson a center of attention for tonight's home opener
October 4, 2013 - 12:02 PM
By Mike Harrington
Much of training camp and the buildup to the season opener in Detroit was
spent on the debuts of first-round draft picks Rasmus Ristolainen and
Zemgus Girgensons. Tonight's home opener against the Ottawa Senators
will mark the Buffalo debut of 21-year-old center Johan Larsson, another
player the Sabres have high hopes for as a future building block.
With Ville Leino injured and Tyler Ennis shifted to wing, Larsson will take the
ice as Buffalo's No. 2 center tonight between Ennis and Steve Ott.
"I'm really excited to go out and play," Larsson said today. "Camp was pretty
good for me and that helped me build the confidence to do some work. they
are two good players but they just told me to go out there and play my style
and that's what I want to do.
Larsson, of course, was acquired from Minnesota last year as part of the
Jason Pominville trade that also brought Matt Hackett and, as it turned out,
Nikita Zadorov. His career will be closely watched as a main guy acquired in
the deal for a captain.
"They really wanted me I think," Larsson said. "They told me to go out and
play my style. That's the only thing I have to do. It's a great group of guys here
to help me out. [Henrik] Tallinder helps me out. He's from Sweden too. You
just go out, have fun."
"He's going to be a great center man in this league," Ott said. "You already
see great instincts. Give the kid time, let him mature into a good professional
player like Jason did when he started here."
This will be Larsson's second NHL game. He spent most of last year with
Houston of the AHL but played one game for the Minnesota Wild before the
trade, then finished the season in Rochester.
The lines for tonight will be:
Vanek-Hodgson-Stafford
Ennis-Larsson-Ott
Girgensons-Grigorenko-Flynn
Scott-Porter-Kaleta
The defense pairs will be:
Tallinder-Myers
Ehrhoff-Pysyk
Weber-Ristolainen
The scratches will be Cody McCormick and Jamie McBain. Coach Ron
Rolston is expected to spot Scott in the lineup this season, based on the
rough-and-tumble nature of the opposition. No real need for him against
Detroit, but a real need for him against Ottawa with the likes of Matt Kassian
and old adversary Chris Neil in the Senators' lineup.
Tonight's game is Ottawa's season opener and the official passing of the
torch from the Daniel Alfredsson era. Jason Spezza has taken over as
captain and this is the first game without Alfredsson as a member of the
Ottawa organization since May 3, 1995.
"They're a real good team. They're similar to Detroit, a little bit different
makeup in terms of personnel but they play a similar style," said Rolston.
"They have quick forwards up front so you see a lot of similiarties. They've
got key players like (defenseman Erik) Karlsson, who you have to know
where he is at all times. He's a catylst for them from the back end."
It will be Ryan Miller in goal against Craig Anderson. Rolston doesn't tip his
hand but it's likely Jhonas Enroth will make his season debut Saturday night
in Pittsburgh.
Be sure to go back to this post for John Vogl's look at a unique element of
tonight's pregame ceremonies.
Buffalo News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719478
Calgary Flames
Johnson: Galiardi makes amends for opening stumble
By George Johnson, Calgary Herald October 4, 2013 10:00 PM
desperate, fruitless pursuit, and left reigning Vezina Trophy winner Sergei
Bobrovsky searching for his reputation on a wonderful
forehand-to-backhand/stick-it-upstairs deke.
“I kinda had an idea the D-man was going to try and go D to D there. Lucky
enough he gave it to me and I was able to walk in. It’s one of those moves
you do in the summer all the time and then finally in a game you’ve just got to
buckle down and try do something besides shoot it into his pads.
“I’m just glad it worked out.
No apologies necessary on this night.
Only 24 hours earlier after manning up and saying sorry, T.J. Galiardi settled
an outstanding debt.
Consider it: Paid In Full.
“Honestly, I don’t care how they go in. I just want to help the team out. I think
I’ve got to be more offensive for our team to be successful.’’
Success in the state of Ohio being something that’s proven elusive in recent
seasons.
“T.J. Galiardi, from goat to hero!” loudly chortled mishievious defenceman
Shane O’Brien, showing off that winner’s confident stride as he made his way
through the visiting dressing quarters at Nationwide Arena. “T.J. Galiardi,
from goat to hero!”
“It’s a tough building to play in,” agreed Galiardi. “It just shows our team isn’t
going to have any excuses. We could easily have come in and said ‘Ah, you
know what? Back-to-back on the road to the start the year, hard building,
tough team to play against ...’ We could’ve packed it in, slowed down in the
third and let them take the points.
Hey, such keen instincts to find the hot-button lead for a yarn may just make
for a career in the sports-writing dodge for that O’Brien fellow one day. If he’s
up to taking a massive cut in pay, that is.
“But how we responded just shows the kind of character we have in here. I
know its early but we’re confident in our group.”
But the mantra of resilience and — a commitment to short memories, moving
on, bouncing back from adversity — will have to become a theme for this
young Calgary Flames bunch because, as boss Bob Hartley so eloquently
summed up recently:
“---- happens.”
Indeed it do. Particularly when you’re starting from scratch, attempting to
forge a new identity, living with a lot of kids learning on a very unforgiving job
site.
Thursday in Washington, Galiardi’s unprovoked cuff to the mask of
goaltender Michal Neuvrith let the home standing Caps off the hook, a
subsequent powerplay goal with him banished to solitary confinement paving
the way for an eventual 5-4 SO loss at the Verizon Center.
Afterwards, he owned up to the blunder.
Friday at Nationwide, putting the stain of Washington behind him, Galiardi
cashed a splendid breakaway goal, added an assist and drew the
game-clinching interference penalty with 1:09 left on sheer hustle, forcing
Blue Jackets’ defenceman Jack Johnson to bowl him over as the two raced
for a loose puck with the Columbus net empty in favour of a sixth attacker.
That’s what’s called making amends.
“We’re going to make mistakes throughout the season, all of us,” Galiardi
said afterwards. “But it’s all in how we respond. Maybe in my younger days I
would’ve let something like that stick with me a little. Now, right away, I just
wanted to get back out there and play, and help.
“I just wanted to respond because that’s what good pros, too.”
For the Flames, given the potentially crushing details of Thursday’s
curtain-raising loss, the. After the disappointment of Washington they
could’ve curled up in a fetal position.
“We’re not going to sit on success or failures,” vowed Hartley. “We’re paid to
move on in this business. We’re trying to create accountability, for everyone.”
T.J. Galiardi was a model for precisely that on Friday.
“I thought he was one of our best players tonight,” praised captain Mark
Giordano. “Pretty sweet finish on the goal. Take the goal out, though, and he
was hard on the puck all night, hard on the forecheck, blocking shots. I
thought he played great last night, too, just sometimes in hockey things
happens so fast.
“Good for him. He’s a resilient guy. We’re learning that quick.
“But that has to be us a team, too. Resilient. After games, and during them,
as well. Things are going to happen during games that don’t go our way and
if we want to be successful we have to learn to deal with them in the right
way. It’s a process. But we’ve already shown we’re willing to.”
Galiardi opened his Flames’ account with an absolute beaut to provide the
visitors with their second lead, 2-1, at 7:56 of a four-goal first period. Stepping
in just as Jackets’ defenceman Ryan Murray sought to slip a diagonal pass
across to partner James Wisniewski, he broke away, with Wisniewski in
It is a confidence that will be put to trial, often, over the next few months. Be
absolutely sure of that. But this start, three points out of four, against an
Eastern Conference favourite and in a town, a building, against a team
they’ve historically struggled to master, is cautiously encouraging.
“Another great game by the guys,” praised Giordano, who doesn’t have to
warm up to his role of lettered leader. “Their barn. Their home opener. And I
thought we did a really good job at the end, after they got to within one. We
just stuck to our plan and saw the rest of the game out.
“That’s one of the hardest-working teams in the NHL. We knew it dating back
to last year. We knew we had to match that, and exceed it. The intensity was
high all night.
“So, all in all, yeah, sweet. A pretty good win for the boys.”
Calgary Herald: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719479
Calgary Flames
Green centres help Flames hold off Blue Jackets
Which, officially, includes Colborne now.
“Chills — it was a very cool experience,” the Calgary native said of his debut.
“The guys were all hooting and hollering when I did it. Huge honour to wear
that jersey.”
That said, Colborne certainly didn’t go overboard about his performance.
By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald October 4, 2013 9:49 PM
COLUMBUS, OHIO -- To answer Ben Street’s question, math is required.
But not too much of it.
Toted up, the Calgary Flames’ four centres have made 199 appearances in
the National Hockey League — and that includes Friday’s ticks.
Street’s assumption about the total — “Probably not overwhelming” — turned
out to be correct.
With Matt Stajan — and his 653 games’ worth of experience — unavailable
because of a deep-leg contusion, the Flames had no choice but to trot out the
following gents at Nationwide Arena:
* Mikael Backlund, the wise old man of the staff.
* Sean Monahan, in his second big-league skirmish.
* Joe Colborne, in his first game with new employers.
* Street.
The Columbus Blue Jackets may not have quaked. But they did lose.
The Flames, thanks in no small part to the unheralded pivots, yanked out a
4-3 victory.
In the dying minutes, coach Bob Hartley deployed during one stretch —
Monahan, then Street, then Backlund, then Street.
“We did a pretty good job,” said Street. “There’s a lot of responsibility on the
centre, especially in this system. We’re down low. We’re breaking pucks out.
The way that team — and a lot of teams — play, they put a lot of pressure on
the defencemen, so you need to be an outlet. A lot of times, you have the
puck pretty low in your zone.
“As a young NHL player, it’s not exactly the most comfortable position to be
in, but I thought we all did a pretty good job.”
Monahan, who turns 19 next week, is a natural place to start. After garnering
his first NHL point the night before, the kid went back to work, tapping in a
rebound only 147 seconds into the contest.
“A relief” is how Monahan described the goal. “Once it went in, I was pretty
happy. It was a great feeling. To get it in my second game is pretty awesome.
Everything is going so quickly right now. I’m taking it, I guess, one day at a
time and, on the ice, one shift at a time.”
(Friday, there had been 18 shifts to take one at a time.)
In the morning, Hartley had noted that he witnessed some “junior stuff” in
Monahan’s display in Washington. That, it would appear, is evaporating.
Post-game, Monahan received the firefighter’s helmet from appreciative
teammates — the hat fitting a little cockeyed, given his lumpy noggin and the
half-dozen stitches over his right eyebrow — and rave reviews from an
admiring skipper.
“He played with confidence,” said Hartley. “He had jump in his game.”
Of course, coach’s compliments were directed into every corner of the
dressing room.
T.J. Galiardi, Jiri Hudler, Curtis Glencross also scored — the latter two in the
decisive third period — while Jack Johnson, Marian Gaborik and Artem
Anisimov replied for the hosts.
Goalie Joey MacDonald picked up the dubya, while rearguard Dennis
Wideman shouldered a Bouwmeesterian amount of ice time — 29:08.
“There’s no more divisions on the team,” said Hartley. “Everyone’s (been)
warned that we’re not going to tolerate this, from the ownership down to the
video coach. We preach every day that we’re going to be a team. That’s how
we want to create this new chapter. This is the new edition of the Calgary
Flames.”
“I was thinking too much . . . I wasn’t too much help for my linemates,” said
the 23-year-old, who, playing nearly 13 minutes, recorded four hits and went
2-for-10 at the dot. “Going forward now will be a lot easier.”
On this night, Hartley had no complaints — there were his four centres.
And not one of them was about to ignore a tap on the shoulder, no matter
how tight the proceedings.
“A little bit trial by fire,” said Street. “We haven’t played that many games, and
we’re up the middle centring some pretty good guys, against some pretty
good guys. Defensively, I’m not sure what the chances-against will show, but
it never felt like we got too overwhelmed.
“That’s a credit to everybody, but a lot of it can go to the centres, too.”
Calgary Herald: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719480
Calgary Flames
MacDonald in; maybe Colborne, too
October 4, 2013. 10:09 am • Section: Flames Insider
Staff
The Calgary Flames, a single game into their season, already have injury
concerns.
Coach Bob Hartley wouldn’t say who or what, but one player in particular is a
game-time decision this evening against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“We have a few bumps, but nothing is sure yet,” he said. “There’s nothing
major going on.”
That said — depending on that one forward’s availability (Hartley referred to
him as “questionable”) — C Joe Colborne could draw in for his first
appearance for the Flames.
“The challenge is much bigger for Joe,” said Hartley. “It’s kind of an unfair
situation because he didn’t get the three weeks of training camp, he didn’t get
all the video sessions. Obviously, we sat with him and we were very clear that
we would fast-forward him in order to cover the three weeks of camp. That’s
one of the reasons he didn’t play last night. We sat him with Craig Conroy
and Dominic Pittis — they were commentating the entire game to get him to
realize (the Flames’ system).
“But we made a trade. That’s part of our business — (partly) for me I need to
adjust, (partly) for him also. We will help him. Obviously, I need to put him in a
situation where he can feel good.”
Also, Joey MacDonald gets the start in goal.
“The goalie battle is not set yet,” said Hartley. “No one in this organization
has come out and said, ‘One guy is clearly our No. 1.’ The battle keeps going
on. That’s exactly the message we gave Reto Berra also. I thought we were
very clear with the three goalies. We don’t have an established No. 1 yet.
We’re still looking.
Hartley was asked about Karri Ramo’s debut Thursday in Washington. The
Finn allowed four goals on 39 shots. Both shootout attempts eluded him.
“He was OK, he was OK,” Hartley said. “I thought that he had a good start. I
can’t fault him on any goals. I can’t blame him at all.”
And, at any rate, Hartley is more than ready to leave the season-opening 5-4
shootout loss in the past.
“I’m always a guy looking forward,” he said. “We know what happened. We
know all the great stuff we did. And we also know some parts of the game
where we couldn’t contain Ovechkin . . . and we made some bad decisions.
“But Elvis is dead and the Beatles have split, it’s time to move on.”
Calgary Herald: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719481
Calgary Flames
Joey MacDonald to get the start for the Calgary Flames in Columbus
By WES GILBERTSON,Calgary Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 10:03 AM MDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 10:13 AM MDT
Flames (0-0-1) at Blue Jackets (0-0-0)
TIME: 5 p.m.
TV: Sportsnet West
RADIO: Sportsnet Fan 960
THE MAIN STORYLINE: Joey MacDonald makes his first start of the season
in Calgary's crease. The 33-year-old puck-stopper seemed to fall behind both
Karri Ramo and Reto Berra — currently the starter for the AHL's Abbotsford
Heat — during training camp and was the backup in Thursday's
season-opener. He had an 8-9-1 record for the Flames last season with a
2.87 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.
LINEUP NOTES: Fresh off Thursday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington
Capitals, the Flames had an optional morning skate in Columbus. Their
lineup is a mystery due to what head coach Bob Hartley called “bumps and
bruises,” but don't be surprised if Calgary-raised centre Joe Colborne makes
his first appearance for his hometown team. The Blue Jackets will give rookie
left-winger Boone Jenner an opportunity to skate with Brandon Dubinsky and
Marian Gaborik on their top line. The hosts will be without defenceman Fedor
Tyutin, who has been bothered by a lower-body issue.
BURNING QUESTION: Can Flames fourth-liner Lance Bouma — with goals
in five straight games, four in exhibition and another in the second period of
Thursday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals — extend his
scoring spree?
PLAYER TO WATCH: Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky had his name
engraved on the Vezina Trophy after the shortened season. He surrendered
five goals in two starts — a win and an overtime loss — against the Flames
last season.
FAST FACT: Golf legend Jack Nicklaus, an 18-time major champion who
hails from Columbus, will drop the puck prior to Friday's game. Nicklaus is the
quasi-host of the 2013 Presidents Cup, the team showdown between the
U.S. and International squad at Muirfield Village, which is about a half-hour
drive from Nationwide Arena.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “The goalie battle is not set yet. Nobody in this
organization has come out and said one guy is clearly our No. 1. The battle
keeps going on, and that's exactly the message we gave Reto Berra also. We
were very clear with the three goalies — we don't have an established No. 1
yet. We're still looking for one.” — Flames head coach Bob Hartley
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719482
Calgary Flames
Sean Monahan pots first NHL goal, lifts Calgary Flames over Columbus Blue
Jackets
Asked after Thursday’s optional morning skate in Columbus for his early
assessment of the 6-foot-2, 200-lb. pivot, head coach Bob Hartley admitted
he “saw some junior stuff in his game.”
You can’t argue with the production, though.
With Thursday’s assist, Monahan became just the fourth guy in Flames
franchise history to hit the scoresheet as an 18-year-old.
By WES GILBERTSON,Calgary Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 12:56 PM MDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 07:53 PM MDT
COLUMBUS, OH - COLUMBUS — You get the feeling Calgary Flames
rookie Sean Monahan will eventually think back to this 27-hour whirlwind,
including his goal in Friday’s 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, and
realize how special it truly was.
First NHL game? Check.
In Washington, no less, against superstar wrecking-ball Alex Ovechkin and
the rest of the Capitals.
First NHL assist? Check.
The result of neutral-zone puck battle in D.C., with Flames winger David
Jones racing away and ripping one top-shelf.
First NHL scar? Check.
Monahan has about a half-dozen stitches above his right eye, a future
reminder of a run-in with an unknown opponent.
And now this ...
Just 2:27 after Friday’s opening faceoff at Nationwide Arena in Columbus,
the 18-year-old Flames centre crashed the crease and shovelled Lee
Stempniak’s leftovers over the goal-line for his first big-league tally.
“I guess it’s a relief,” Monahan said. “To get it in my second game, it’s pretty
awesome.”
And as part of his first victory as a member of the Flames, to boot.
TJ Galiardi, Jiri Hudler and Curtis Glencross also scored and Joey
MacDonald kicked aside 29 shots in Friday’s triumph over the Blue Jackets,
an impressive effort from the Flames on the second half of a back-to-back
road-set.
Despite fumbling away a three-goal lead in Thursday’s 5-4 shootout loss to
the Capitals, the Flames’ two-games-in-two-nights road-trip was undoubtedly
a success.
They’ll host the Vancouver Canucks in Sunday’s home-opener at the
Saddledome (6 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Fan 960).
“It’s huge for us. Confidence goes a long way in this league,” Galiardi said
with a grin after a two-point effort, including a dandy breakaway goal in the
opening period for his first goal in a Flames jersey.
“I knew, with a young team like we are, we were going to have to come in and
have a strong start. It’s only two games, but two hard buildings to play in and
to come out with three out of four ...
“We could have easily had four out of four points, but we’re going to build off
of it.”
Monahan, too, has something to build on.
Remember, he’s still a week shy of his 19th birthday — Oct. 12 is the big day
— and is eligible to be returned to the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s.
When Monahan celebrated his first goal on his first shift of Friday’s clash,
he’d logged exactly 11:56 of NHL icetime.
Career.
Imagine that ... A goal, an assist and a scar in such a short span of time.
Make no mistake, Monahan certainly hasn’t been perfect in his first two
appearances for the Flames, the squad that made him the sixth-overall
selection in the 2013 NHL Draft.
When he scored Friday against the Blue Jackets, he became just the second
— joining Dan Quinn (1983-84) — to score multiple regular-season points for
the Flames before his 19th birthday. Jarome Iginla had points in each of his
first two playoff games as an 18-year-old.
To top it off, Monahan was conducting Friday’s post-game interviews in the
Flames’ firefighting helmet, awarded by teammates for an exceptional effort
after any victory.
They, without a doubt, understand what the talented teen accomplished in
this memorable two-night span.
“Monny, I felt that this game tonight was much much better than (Thursday)
night,” said Flames head coach Bob Hartley. “He played with confidence. He
had jump in his game. Obviously, scoring early, that’s always a good boost.
But at the same time, he made some plays than an NHL player makes.”
Jack Johnson, Marian Gaborik and Artem Anisimov had the Blue Jackets’
goals in their home-opener.
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719483
Calgary Flames
Six Calgary Flames who could make an impact this season
By WES GILBERTSON
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 04:56 PM MDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 05:02 PM MDT
Sean Monahan might the name on the marquee, but he’s not the only face of
the future for the Calgary Flames.
Monahan made his NHL debut — and collected his first point at hockey’s
highest level — in Thursday’s 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals
at Verizon Center, but the sixth-overall selection certainly won’t be the only
Flames prospect given a big-league opportunity this season.
Here are a half-dozen others likely to get a taste of NHL action sometime
soon ...
C Corban Knight
The Flames hinted at their high expectations for Knight when they
announced the acquisition of the 6-foot-2, 195-lb. pivot in June, with GM Jay
Feaster stating in the press release that day that Calgary’s brass “look
forward to his debut in a Flames’ sweater this fall.” Knight will start his
professional career with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat, but it’s only a matter of
time before the 23-year-old is summoned to the Saddledome. The addition of
Joe Colborne alleviates a bit of pressure on Knight as he tries to make the
jump from the University of North Dakota to NHL regular.
G Reto Berra
Berra was Calgary’s second-best goalie during training camp, but it doesn’t
do him much good to sit on the bench at the Saddledome, which is why the
26-year-old will start the season in Abbotsford. Berra has size on his side —
at 6-foot-4, he covers a lot of net — and seems determined to make a speedy
transition from standout in Switzerland’s National A League to a starter in the
best hockey league in the world. Signed to only a one-year deal before
becoming a restricted free agent next summer, the Flames will want to see
Berra face shots from the best on the globe.
LW Johnny Gaudreau
Flames fans will have to wait until at least April for their first glimpse of
Gaudreau in regular-season action. The decision-makers at the Saddledome
certainly don’t want to wait any longer than that. Arguably the most
electrifying offensive player in the U.S. college ranks, Gaudreau has twice
declined offers from the Flames to turn pro. ‘Johnny Hockey’ enters his junior
season with the Boston College Eagles as the favourite to win the Hobey
Baker Award. If the 5-foot-8 forward doesn’t sign with the Flames this spring,
there will be legitimate concerns he could bolt as a free agent in 2015.
D Patrick Sieloff
An in-your-face sort, Sieloff was oh-so-close to sticking with the Flames as
their seventh defenceman. The 19-year-old blueliner will instead work a
regular shift in Abbotsford, where he’ll log a ton of icetime and make a few
new enemies. Sieloff is listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 lb., but has the attitude that
he’s the biggest guy on the ice. There will be some growing pains in his first
professional season, but he could become the most feared hitter on the
Flames’ roster as soon as he is recalled. He’ll battle with Mark Cundari (23),
John Ramage (22) and Tyler Wotherspoon (20) to be the first rearguard up
from the AHL.
LW Michael Ferland
The Flames are thrilled with Ferland’s commitment to improving his fitness —
he’s dropped about 25 lb. since last December — and it wouldn’t be a
surprise if the 6-foot-2, 215 lb. left-winger is rewarded with a call-up to
Calgary sometime this season. The Flames believe Ferland can blossom into
a bonafide power forward and, with a lack of big bodies on their current
roster, he could be fast-tracked to the NHL if there’s an injury to a physical
winger. In the meantime, the 21-year-old will get every opportunity to become
a key contributor for the Heat.
LW Kenny Agostino
Agostino was offered a contract last spring, but the 21-year-old left-winger
wanted to return for his senior season with the defending NCAA champion
Yale University Bulldogs and finish off his Ivy League education. A
point-per-game guy for the past two seasons at Yale, Agostino impressed
during Calgary’s summer development camp and the 6-foot-1, 200-lb. sniper
should get an opportunity to showcase his skills at the Saddledome
immediately after his final college campaign. Ben Hanowski, the other
prospect acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the Jarome Iginla
trade, scored in his first big-league outing. Your move, Kenny.
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719484
Calgary Flames
Colborne got chills ... Galiardi turns things around ... Golden Bear makes an
appearance
By WES GILBERTSON,Calgary Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 10:35 PM MDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 11:06 PM MDT
COLUMBUS -- Joe Colborne never wants to forget this night.
Most of it, anyway.
The Calgary-raised centre realized a childhood dream by donning a Flames
jersey for Friday's 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide
Arena, although he was fairly critical of his first appearance for his new team.
"Chills. It was a very cool experience," Colborne said, trying to describe the
feeling of tugging on a Flames jersey for the first time before logging 12:41
and tossing four hits against the Blue Jackets.
"The guys were all hooting and hollering when I did it. Just a great
atmosphere. It'll be something I remember ... Hopefully, not the way I played
today, but it's something I can build on. It's a huge honour to wear that
jersey."
Colborne has been getting a crash course on the Flames' systems since
arriving less than a week ago in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He was pressed into action Friday as a replacement for Matt Stajan, the
first-line centre who is officially week-to-week with what the team
characterized as a "deep leg contusion."
With Stajan and skilled winger Michael Cammalleri (hand) both missing in
action, the Flames' lineup for Friday's tilt with the Blue Jackets included five
forwards with less than 50 NHL appearances under their skates.
In fact, that group -- Colborne, Sven Baertschi, Lance Bouma, Sean
Monahan and Ben Street -- have COMBINED for just 99 big-league outings.
And yes, that includes Friday's game.
With Colborne, Monahan and Street joining Mikael Backlund up the middle,
the Flames had just 199 games of NHL experience among their four centres.
"You obviously miss a guy like Staj. He's part of the backbone of this team
and we definitely want him back as soon as possible," Colborne said. "But
we'll do our best to hold down the fort while he's gone."
Around the boards
Eleven forwards dressed for the Flames on both nights of the two-game trip
to Washington and Columbus, and every single one of them notched at least
one point ... What a turnaround for Flames LW TJ Galiardi, who apologized to
teammates after taking a costly penalty in Washington but made amends
with a terrific performance against the Blue Jackets. The 25-year-old had a
goal and an assist and drew a penalty that squashed any hopes of a
comeback by the hosts ... Pointed out by somebody way smarter than me:
Almost every time Flames head coach Bob Hartley addresses his
puck-stopping situation, he mentions G Reto Berra. As long as Berra doesn't
bomb during his stint with the AHL's Abbotsford Heat, he'll get a shot at the
Saddledome sooner than later ... By the way, LW Ben Hanowski scored a
pair, LW Paul Byron and C Josh Jooris each had a two-point night and Berra
made 31 saves as the Heat posted a 5-2 road victory over the Lake Erie
Monsters in Friday's season-opener.
Off the glass (golf edition)
Flames captain Mark Giordano isn't a regular at the dot, but he wasn't going
to give up his ceremonial faceoff duties with golf legend Jack Nicklaus -- the
sorta-host of the 2013 Presidents Cup at nearby Muirfield Village -- dropping
the puck prior to Friday's date at Nationwide Arena. "A lot of the guys have
been asking if they can take it instead of me," Giordano said. So were there
any appealing offers? "Nothing that is going to make me give it up," he
replied. "It's going to be a cool moment" ... Canada's up-and-coming golf star
Graham DeLaet, of Weyburn, Sask., is an avid Flames fan and planned to
attend Friday's game ... Blue Jackets D James Wisniewski was the best
golfer on skates on this night. In fact, the man they call 'Wiz' was the men's
club champion last summer at Muirfield Village.
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719485
Carolina Hurricanes
Red Wings spoil Hurricanes’ opener with 3-2 win in overtime
Published: October 4, 2013 Updated 1 hour ago
By Jack Daly — Correspondent
RALEIGH — With 81 games still to go, the Carolina Hurricanes took solace in
all that they liked Friday night about their effort in their season opener against
the Detroit Red Wings.
Newcomers Radek Dvorak and Nathan Gerbe scored goals. Justin Faulk
and the revamped defense looked relatively solid, negating many of the Red
Wings’ most dangerous chances. And when Detroit’s forwards got past the
defense, goaltender Cam Ward generally looked confident while making 35
saves.
“I thought we did a lot of good things,” Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller said.
Alas, there’s a significant asterisk attached to any discussion about what the
Hurricanes did well Friday night.
Just as Carolina was trying to put the finishing touches on what would have
been a satisfying first-game victory, Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg scored with
16.4 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. And then, 3:13 into
the extra session, Stephen Weiss scored the winner to allow the Red Wings
to come all the way back from a two-goal deficit and sneak away with a 3-2
victory at PNC Arena.
“I think there are a lot of positive things to take away from this game,”
Carolina defenseman Jay Harrison said. “I think we skated very well, and we
controlled a good portion of that hockey game.
“I think we were in pretty good control of that game. I don’t think too many
people would argue with that. I think it’s a good start for our club. We’re not
satisfied obviously with dropping the lead in the third period, but there were a
lot of good things to build on.”
For the longest time, it appeared Dvorak and Gerbe or maybe Faulk and the
defense or even Ward would be the stories of the game.
Newcomers were something of a theme for the Hurricanes on opening night,
with Dvorak, Gerbe, first-round pick Elias Lindholm, defenseman Andrej
Sekera and defenseman Ron Hainsey all making their Carolina debuts
(defenseman Mike Komisarek, a free-agent signing, was a healthy scratch.)
Dvorak, who is playing in his 18th NHL season, came into training camp
without a contract, but he played well enough to earn a one-year deal
Wednesday.
Even though he no longer had to play for his immediate future, Dvorak
scored the Hurricanes’ first goal, putting the finishing touches on a
well-developed play from Faulk and Jeff Skinner.
After taking a pass from Riley Nash, Faulk skated out of the zone and found
Skinner along the boards. Just as he crossed the blue line, Skinner skidded
the puck beyond Detroit defenseman Kyle Quincey toward the Red Wings’
net. Dvorak swiped at the puck just before it got to goaltender Jimmy
Howard, knocking it above Howard’s shoulder.
Gerbe, meanwhile, played in Buffalo last season and was signed by the
Hurricanes in July. The diminutive winger had a strong training camp,
building a rapport on a line with Jordan Staal and Patrick Dwyer.
And while that relationship could pay dividends as the regular season
progresses, Gerbe actually scored on the power play in the second period,
quickly sweeping the puck past Howard after a Faulk shot from the point was
deflected right to him.
Gerbe’s goal gave the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead through two periods, but the
Red Wings scored 42 seconds into the third period when a Zetterberg pass
from the left boards deflected off the stick of Faulk and ricocheted directly to
Justin Abdelkader, who beat Ward between the legs from near the right
faceoff circle.
Oftentimes last season, a goal allowed by the Hurricanes in the opening
minutes of the third period would open the floodgates for opponents.
But that wasn’t the case Friday – Carolina didn’t allow many Detroit chances
until the final seconds when the Red Wings pulled their goaltender for an
extra skater.
Moments before Zetterberg scored, Daniel Alfredsson actually had a golden
chance for the Red Wings, causing Ward to lose his stick. The puck came out
to Zetterberg at the top of the slot; spinning around, Zetterberg managed to
get the puck on his forehand and snap it past the sprawling Ward.
“We had the numbers, we had the guys in front – we just weren’t able to get a
handle on it and get it out,” Muller said.
The winner then came when a streaking Weiss found the puck open in the
crease.
“With the team we have, I think we’re going to be in opportunities to close
games out like that and have leads going into the third,” Faulk said. “Along
the way, we’re going to have to learn how to win those games, I think. Game
1 – I think that’s something we can learn from.”
News Observer LOADED: 10.05.2013
719486
Carolina Hurricanes
The more things change for the Canes, the more they stay the same
Published: October 4, 2013 Updated 1 hour ago
By Luke DeCock -
RALEIGH — They were 16 seconds away – 16.4 to be exact – from the kind
of season-opening win that would provide justification for everything Kirk
Muller has tried to preach since arriving here.
All the Carolina Hurricanes had to do was hold a one-goal lead with the
Detroit Red Wings net empty and a minute to go, and they would walk away
with the win, the points and the kind of positive reinforcement that only
winning can deliver.
And then the Red Wings did what the Red Wings do, putting six uber-talented
skaters on the ice, and with Cam Ward down and without his stick, Henrik
Zetterberg gathered up a loose puck in the slot and scored.
The eventual overtime game-winner seemed inevitable at that point. Stephen
Weiss tapped in a loose puck at the post after Ron Hainsey was unable to
clear the crease.
Instead of the optimism of a new season, there was that old sinking feeling.
Unable to hold a two-goal lead going into the third, the Hurricanes lost 3-2 in
overtime, getting a consolation point that provided little consolation on a night
when they appeared headed for a resounding, crowd-pleasing victory.
“Those are games we need to close out and win,” said Hurricanes
defenseman Justin Faulk, who had a spectacular game despite the result.
“It’s something to learn from.”
You’d think the Hurricanes, even with all the new faces, would have had
enough blown leads to learn from, but this one particularly stung. They fought
through a first period when the Red Wings had the edge and came away with
the early lead, thanks to a strong opening performance by Ward and an
opportunistic goal by newcomer Radek Dvorak. They dominated large
swaths of the second, tacking on a power-play goal.
It was the style, the tenacity, that really distinguished those two periods from
so many others over the past few years. Whatever message Kirk Muller
wanted to get across in his first real training camp, it was coming through on
the ice.
“In the second period, we came out and saw what kind of team we are,” said
Nathan Gerbe, who also scored in his Hurricanes debut. “We’re quick, we get
it in and we outwork opponents.”
The Red Wings scored early in the third to make a game of it, then piled on
the pressure in the final three minutes, getting chance after chance, with first
Faulk and then Ward disarming the best of them. It came down to the final
faceoff, Jimmy Howard on the bench, Detroit’s six best skaters on the ice:
Daniel Alfredsson, Pavel Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall, Weiss, Johan
Franzen. Those trump cards did the trick.
It was reminiscent, in a way, of the game-tying goal in Game 3 of the 2002
Stanley Cup finals, when the Red Wings put six Hall of Famers on the ice for
a crucial faceoff in the final minutes. Steve Yzerman to Nicklas Lidstrom to
Brett Hull to three overtimes to posterity.
That’s ancient history now. The present offered reasons for optimism, a
game that demonstrated the kind of reliable goaltending and opportunistic
offense that will bring the Hurricanes whatever success they will have this
season.
It also raised the same old questions about this team’s mental toughness –
its ability not to get a lead, but to hold it. Muller still has so much work ahead
of him there.
News Observer LOADED: 10.05.2013
719487
Carolina Hurricanes
NC State, Hurricanes reach scheduling agreement
Published: October 4, 2013
By Jack Daly
RALEIGH — N.C. State and the Carolina Hurricanes have settled their cold
war over winter sports scheduling.
The two sides announced a scheduling agreement Friday that gives the
Wolfpack the priority to schedule games at PNC Arena on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Saturdays during the ACC basketball season – defined as
Jan. 1 through the second week in March.
In return, N.C. State will release all but three Fridays from the last week
ofAugust through the second week of March to Gale Force Holdings, the
parent company of Hurricanes. That gives Gale Force the ability to schedule
hockey games and concerts heading intoweekends during the ACC season.
The Hurricanes also will be able to schedule Saturday home games during
the Wolfpack’s nonconference season.
“We worked out a pathway for us to schedule that we both think benefits both
of our organizations,” N.C. State chancellor Randy Woodson said. “And
makes it easier for us and frankly more consistent year-in and year-out for us
to be able to set our schedules.”
The relationship between the two sides grew testy this summer when
Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford complained in a letter to the
Centennial Authority, which oversees the arena, that N.C. State wanted to
hold out 129 dates in a 214-day span for 23 basketball and football games. A
string of communication between Rutherford and authority officials
suggested the relationship had grown contentious.
In those letters, Rutherford appeared to be particularly frustrated with
Wolfpack athletics director Debbie Yow and men’s basketball coach Mark
Gottfried.
Woodson and Rutherford began negotiating directly in the summer against
that backdrop.
Progress in the discussions followed in relatively short order.
“At the end of the day, this is a partnership,” Woodson said. “It’s in our own
best interest and the city’s interest and the county that this building be
successful.”
For the Hurricanes, one of the primary benefits will be receiving clarity during
the schedule-making process.
Another key condition of the agreement is that N.C. State will release three
dates from Nov. 1-April 1 at Gale Force’s request to allow for concerts or
other single-day events that gross in excess of $500,000.
With the agreement in hand, Rutherford appeared to be more at ease than he
was this summer, when the Hurricanes faced potential fines from the NHL for
turning in the availability of PNC Arena late.
“When the Hurricanes first moved here, and the building was being built and
we were trying to make it work for both teams and the colors in the building,
there were certainly some tough times,” Rutherford said. “I remember the
seat color. That had to be fixed.
“The fact of the matter, for a long time, going back maybe after a year or two
that we’ve been here, we’ve had a great relationship with the university.
Some people like to create a controversy of some kind. It’s not there. It hasn’t
been there since the early going.”
News Observer LOADED: 10.05.2013
719488
Chicago Blackhawks
Hawks' Hjalmarsson growing up on, off ice
By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter
8:50 PM CDT, October 4, 2013
It was a more mature Niklas Hjalmarsson who stood in the middle of the
Blackhawks dressing room and recalled a time when he wasn't so mature.
During his first few NHL seasons, the defenseman didn't always handle
failure well and found the more he dwelled on mistakes, the more it affected
his game.
"It's something that I was really bad at in the beginning," Hjalmarsson said
Friday. "If I had one mistake and they scored or if I had a bad game, I thought
about that a lot.
"Now, even if I have a really good game or a bad game, I try to stay as even
as I can and don't get too high or too low. That's why the next day after a
game, I try not to think too much about that game. I'm just trying to focus on
the next one instead."
It wouldn't be bad for Hjalmarsson to think a little more about his last game
after a top-notch performance during the Hawks' season-opening 6-4 victory
over the Capitals on Tuesday. He had two assists, three blocks and a
plus-four rating in 20 minutes, 57 seconds of ice time — second-most on the
Hawks.
"It's always nice to get off to a strong start," Hjalmarsson said. "You always
want to try to be better than you were last year."
Hjalmarsson appears poised to do just that as he looks to build on a calm,
positive outlook on life sparked by an offseason to remember. The
26-year-old got married during the summer, and the couple are expecting
their first baby.
Those events have helped ground Hjalmarsson, who realizes taking hockey
too seriously can be a detriment.
"You're just trying to do too much and being tense and think about it too
much," he said. "Having a family might relax me in the off time so I don't focus
too much on the hockey."
Also having a calming effect is that Hjalmarsson has made the transition to
being an almost full-time resident of Chicago after spending most of his life in
Sweden.
"Me and my wife (Elina) call this home," said Hjalmarsson, a native of Eksjo,
Sweden. "We're not home in Sweden for that long. We've been making the
playoffs every year — which obviously we want. We just spend two or three
months in Sweden, and the rest we stay here. ... I can't really think about
another city in the U.S. where it's better to play hockey right now."
Hjalmarsson's development and contributions to the Hawks defense aren't
lost on coach Joel Quenneville.
"You can't underestimate how important it is having one of those
defensemen, game in and game out, who is effective," Quenneville said.
(Hjalmarsson is) reliable, predictable, efficient, he kills plays, sees plays
(and) blocks shots."
Offensively, Hjalmarsson is a work in progress that's trending in a positive
direction. He is looking to shoot more and has improved his passing, as
evidenced by his two assists Tuesday.
"It seems like he's a little more friendly with the puck with direct plays coming
out of our end and in the neutral zone," Quenneville said. "If he can keep
improving in that area, it only complements a real dependable defensive
defenseman."
Several of Hjalmarsson's teammates recently have joined the ranks of
fatherhood.
"It's another chapter in my life and something I'm really looking forward to,"
he said. "It's a big difference from 2010, when I think maybe one or two guys
had kids. Now, I think they have to rebuild the family room (at the United
Center) to make space for all the kids."
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 10.05.2013
719489
Chicago Blackhawks
aturday's matchup: Lightning at Blackhawks
7:04 PM CDT, October 4, 2013
Staff
TV/radio: 7 p.m. Saturday; CSN, WGN-AM 720.
Series: First meeting.
Last meeting: Lightning won 5-4 in overtime Nov. 4, 2011 at home.
Probable goaltenders: Lightning, Anders Lindback, 0-1-0, 3.10 goals-against
average; Hawks, Corey Crawford, 1-0-0, 4.00
Team comparison
Averages per game (NHL rank)
LIGHTNING (0-1-0) CATEGORY
HAWKS (1-0-0)
1.00 (20) Goals for 6.00 (1)
3.00 (17) Goals against
4.00 (20)
0.00 (15) Power-play pct.
25.0 (7)
100.0 (1) Penalty-kill pct.
50.0 (22)
Statistics through Thursday.
Storyline: Lightning continue a tough stretch to start the season as they fell to
the defending Eastern Conference champion Bruins in Boston on Thursday
night. Lightning defenseman Sami Salo is questionable with an upper-body
injury.
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 10.05.2013
719490
Chicago Blackhawks
Hawks lineup will remain in flux early in season
By Chris Kuc
6:50 PM CDT, October 4, 2013
Coach Joel Quenneville plans to make full use of the Blackhawks roster early
in the season. To that end, he said he will insert Ben Smith into the lineup
when the Hawks face the Lightning on Saturday night at the United Center.
After securing a job during training camp, Smith was a healthy scratch for the
Hawks' opening 6-4 victory over the Capitals on Tuesday. Jimmy Hayes
played in that game, but in the two practices since, Hayes has been skating
outside the top four lines while Smith has been on the third line.
"We want to get everybody in here the next few games before we get too far
into the season," Quenneville said after practice Friday. "When you aren't
playing, you have to make sure you keep yourself sharp and into it. We have
ways of making sure the extras skate and keep them game ready. We know
they're going to be useful very soon."
Smith and Hayes likely will rotate in and out of the lineup unless either plays
well enough to claim a regular spot.
"It's going to continue well on through the year," Smith said. "We just have to
play our best every day and hope that the opportunities keep coming."
Back at it: Center Michal Handzus returned to practice after skipping
Thursday's session and is fine to play against the Lightning.
Handzus sat out all six exhibition games while recovering from wrist and
knee injuries suffered last season and briefly left Tuesday's game with an
undisclosed injury before returning.
The veteran said he's still trying to find his timing after missing the exhibition
games.
"The timing wasn't there (Tuesday)," Handzus said. "To be effective I need to
get my legs moving, and I have to work on that part a little bit more.
Timing-wise … get the puck to (Patrick) Sharp and (Marian) Hossa wasn't
there, so I have to get better at that."
So far, so good: Hossa said he felt no ill effects from Tuesday's game on the
back injury that caused him to miss the exhibition slate. The Hawks' light
schedule to start the season has worked in his favor.
"It's good we had three days off between, and after (Saturday's) game there
are a few days again, so that definitely helps," Hossa said. "We'll see when
there are back-to-back games and the schedule becomes tighter. That will be
the true test."
Bolt action: A game after facing the Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, the Hawks have
another lethal scorer to deal with in the Lightning's Steven Stamkos. The
winger had 29 goals in 48 games last season and has one of the NHL's best
shots — especially off one-timers.
"Definitely when guys like that are on the ice, you're aware of it," Hawks
goalie Corey Crawford said.
Heads up: Quenneville showed quick reflexes during practice when he
ducked out of the way of a puck that deflected off the stick of defenseman
Niklas Hjalmarsson and headed toward the coach's head.
"As a coach, there are certain things you have to be on top of your game,"
Quenneville said with a laugh. "That's the most important thing — flying
pucks."
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 10.05.2013
719491
Chicago Blackhawks
Michal Handzus returned to practice and expects to play Saturday, too.
Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
Patrick Sharp in good frame of mind on and off the ice
BY MARK LAZERUS Staff Reporter October 4, 2013 9:44PM
The thick beige liquid in Patrick Sharp’s water bottle didn’t look terribly
appetizing, and Sharp acknowledged it wasn’t. But drinking nasty protein
shakes is as much a part of being a professional athlete these days as lifting
weights and sweating on a stationary bike.
It wasn’t long ago that NHL locker rooms looked more like the one at a local
gym; Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux were hardly flawless physical
specimens. Now, nearly everyone in the league is cut, with hardly any body
fat. It takes an extraordinary amount of work to reach that point, but there’s a
reason the Blackhawks do what strength and conditioning coach Paul
Goodman says: It works.
‘‘I probably started around 25 or 26; that’s when I got real serious about it,’’
Sharp said. ‘‘That’s when the fitness craze came into the league. Now you
see players training at 13 or 14 years old with personal trainers. That’s
definitely something I wasn’t doing. When Paul Goodman came in [before the
2008-09 season], we sat down and laid out a plan. Every summer I improve
physically because of Paulie.’’
That’s why Sharp believes he’s in the best shape of his life — and arguably
playing the best hockey of his life — as he approaches his 32nd birthday.
While his buddy and linemate, 35-year-old Marian Hossa, talks about how
he’s feeling the effects of his age and how he has to come in early every day
just to loosen up for a simple practice, Sharp feels he’s in the physical sweet
spot of his career.
He proved it during training camp, outperforming Duncan Keith, Niklas
Hjalmarsson and all the other fitness freaks on the team to win the label of
‘‘Fittest Blackhawk’’ after the grueling testing.
‘‘Come on, I’m not that old; I’m not Marian Hossa-old,” Sharp said with a sly
grin.
It’s no surprise Sharp came into this season particularly motivated. A
shoulder injury allowed him to play only 28 games last season and ended his
streak of 20-goal seasons at six. But despite having only six goals and 14
assists in the short regular season, Sharp was the Hawks’ most consistent
forward during their Stanley Cup run, posting a league-high 10 goals and six
assists.
He’s also playing to
secure a spot on Team Canada for the Olympics in February. Sharp was left
off the team in 2010 and has made no secret of his desire to play for his
country in
Sochi, Russia.
Coach Joel Quenneville likes what he has seen so far.
‘‘He had a great camp,’’ Quenneville said. ‘‘He’s skating as good as I’ve ever
seen him skate. Every single time he’s hit the ice, it seems he’s at a different
pace this year. He’s approached the season in a real positive way. It’s good.
We expect him to be producing at a real nice
rate here.’’
Sharp got off to a strong start in the season opener Tuesday against the
Washington Capitals, firing a team-high five shots on goal, delivering three
hits, blocking a shot and creating a takeaway.
‘‘I’m looking forward to picking up where I left off in the playoffs last year,’’
Sharp said. ‘‘Not only helping out offensively but being good in all areas.’’
It can’t get much better these days in all areas. Sharp is in the best shape of
his life, he’s coming off his second Stanley Cup title and he has a second
child on the way.
‘‘It’s a good time to be me, I guess,’’ he said, laughing. ‘‘I’m very lucky.’’
NOTE: Ben Smith will make his season debut Saturday against the Tampa
Bay Lightning, taking right wing Jimmy Hayes’ spot on the third line. Center
719492
Chicago Blackhawks
Hawks must try to slow high-scoring Stamkos
By Tim Sassone
First it was Alex Ovechkin. Now it's Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos coming to
town for the Blackhawks to try and contain.
Stamkos, a former 60-goal scorer, had 29 in last year's shortened 48-game
season as part of the NHL's third-best offense.
The Hawks and Lightning play Saturday night at the United Center.
"Definitely, when guys like that are on the ice you're aware of it," Hawks
goalie Corey Crawford said. "You have to be aware that they're out there.
They have a couple of guys who score."
Martin St. Louis, last season's NHL scoring champion, would be the other.
Stamkos and St. Louis give Tampa Bay a power play the Hawks must be
concerned about.
The Capitals scored 3 power-play goals against the Hawks in Tuesday's
opener.
"Comparable," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said when asked if stopping
Stamkos was similar to stopping Ovechkin. "They have a real good power
play and it's going to be something that is a big threat for us to be concerned
with and a weapon for them.
"(Stamkos) is top scorer, he's dangerous and they feed him. He's got the
great one-timer where he can pound it and load it up. We've got to do a better
job of staying out of the box because he's a key weapon."
It was hardly the kind of debut rookie right wing Joakim Nordstrom hoped for
Tuesday. He was on the ice for 2 of Washington's 3 power-play goals.
"I didn't mind his 5-on-5 game," Quenneville said. "I thought he did a lot of
good things. Penalty killing, we can all assume some responsibility for what
went on. Maybe we were a little too deliberate in our thinking and positioning.
It was his first game, too. I didn't mind his game. It's early too and he's only
going to get better."
Third-line change:
Ben Smith will get his chance at right wing on the third line Saturday against
Tampa Bay.
It figures to be a back-and-forth platoon situation most of the season between
Smith and Jimmy Hayes.
"It's part of the sport, part of the job," Smith said. "You're always competing
against a lot of guys. It's not going to be just training camp. As I said during
camp, it's going to continue well on during the year and you just have to play
your best every day and hope the opportunities keep coming."
Joel Quenneville would like to get all 23 of his players into a game sooner
than later.
"We want to get everybody in here the next few games before we get too far
into the season," Quenneville said. "It's just a matter of time before we get
everybody in. They're all part of it."
With Smith getting his first opportunity to play, it would leave only
defensemen Sheldon Brookbank and Mike Kostka and goalie Nikolai
Khabibulin to appear in their first games.
Getting their rest:
After Saturday, the Hawks don't play again until Wednesday's early-season
showdown with the Blues in St. Louis.
"I'd rather play and take the rest later in the season," Patrick Sharp said. "But
it gives us an opportunity to practice, so that's a positive. We can get out
there and implement our system with Joel (Quenneville). The guys who have
been here understand it, but we've got a number of new players. You take the
schedule for what it is and adjust accordingly."
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
719493
Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks scouting report
By Tim Sassone
Today's faceoff
Blackhawks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center, 7 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WGN-AM 720
The skinny: The Lightning lost their opener at Boston on Thursday. They
were third in the NHL in offense last season led by Martin St. Louis and
Steven Stamkos. Stamkos had a hat trick the last time the two teams met in
2011.
Next: St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center, 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
719494
Chicago Blackhawks
Can Northwestern take advantage of monster opportunity?
The hits keep coming:
Little disappointed there wasn't some push-back against Washington for the
big hit to the head absorbed by Jonathan Toews in the opener.
These hits to the Captain's noggin have got to stop.
Staff
Prediction:
Bears 27, Saints 24.
So will a sold-out house, big, bad Ohio State, and a national TV audience
watching Saturday's prime-timer from Evanston.
Bad, bad memory:
Now they've got the spotlight.
Will never forget when the Saints came to town shortly after Hurricane
Katrina had devastated New Orleans, and we had the privilege of seeing a
couple of goofs at Soldier Field smiling proudly while displaying a sign that
read: "Bears finishing what Katrina started."
Let's hope they can take advantage of it.
Still makes me cringe.
Question:
Question:
Will a close-but-no-cigar result be enough?
Is there anything more fun than driving by gas stations and seeing the prices
continually going down?
This is just what the folks at Northwestern have wanted for, well, forever.
Good, but …:
Yeah, I'm pretty sure there is, but hey, it's still fun.
It was proven again during the banner raising ceremony that no organization
— not one — puts on a better show than the Blackhawks.
Paging Anthony Michael Hall:
But it wouldn't be me if I didn't have one minor complaint, and it's not about
the ceremony itself. It's about when the Hawks take the ice each period.
What do you get when you lose Bill Hayder, Jason Sudeikis and Fred
Armisen?
For some reason, the music used explicitly to pump up the place is
immediately drowned out by a drum machine and a goal horn for about 15
seconds.
A lost season for SNL.
Annoying.
Question:
How does Bedford Park have all that water?
Good times:
It's nice to see all those smiles around the Wolves' den these days.
Having John Anderson back on the bench will do that for an organization.
He'd be fine:
It's so interesting how people hook into one managerial candidate and just
won't let go.
I'm pretty sure I'm one of the few not overly enamored with Joe Girardi.
I think he'd be fine, but I certainly wouldn't be crushed if they found a
candidate they thought was a better fit.
Question:
Does some of the same criteria used in the dismissal of Dale Sveum apply to
Jed Hoyer as well?
Not saying Hoyer should be fired by any means, just wondering.
Royal trump:
Good to see Sveum get a new gig as a coach with the Royals.
That cat was in a no-win situation here.
Tan, rested and ready …:
Lou Piniella, come on down!
On second thought, nah.
A moment of silence:
For Ford Frick Award nominee Hawk Harrelson and all the moments of
silence he has given us over the years.
Seriously, though, good luck to Hawk.
Bruuuuuce:
Ever since reading his book a few years back, I've been a huge fan of Bruce
Boudreau. So it was a pleasure to see the Anaheim coach standing up to the
attempted bullying by Avs' rookie coach Patrick Roy on Wednesday.
Don't stop rolling now:
NIU football.
Too. Much. Fun.
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
719495
Chicago Blackhawks
Quenneville looking to get everyone in early
Posted by TimS on Fri, 10/04/2013 - 12:46
Ben Smith will get his chance at right wing on the third line on Saturday when
the Blackhawks face the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center.
It figures to be a back-and-forth platoon situation most of the season between
Smith and Jimmy Hayes.
"It's part of the sport, part of the job," Smith said. "You're always competing
against a lot of guys. It's not going to be just training camp. As I said during
camp it's going to continue well on during the year and you just have to play
your best everyday and hope the opportunities keep coming."
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville would like to get all 23 of his players into a
game sooner than later.
"We want to get everybody in here the next few games before we get too far
into the season," Quenneville said after practice on Friday. "You've got 23
guys and over the course of a season you're going to wish you had 23 guys.
It's just a matter of time before we get everybody in. They're all part of it."
With Smith getting in a game it would leave only defensemen Sheldon
Brookbank and Mike Kostka and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin to play their first
games.
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
719496
Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks' Sharp's perseverance pays off big
October 4, 2013, 3:30 pm
Tracey Myers
Patrick Sharp has a pretty enviable life.
The Chicago Blackhawks forward is fresh off celebrating his second Stanley
Cup, and his production in the postseason was pivotal. He was tops among
his teammates in the pre-training camp physical testing, had a great camp
and he and his wife will welcome their second child any day now.
“It’s a good time to be me, I guess,” Sharp said. “I’m lucky.”
Luck has only a small part to do with it, however. Sharp’s career is what it is
because of his hard work and his determination. His 2012-13 regular season
was a tough one, as he spent a good deal of it sidelined by a shoulder injury.
But he took off in the postseason, recording 10 goals and six assists in 23
games. And that is what Sharp wants to build off of in 2013-14.
“I’m looking forward to picking up where I left off in the playoffs last year, not
only offensively but defensively and just being good and responsible in all
areas,” said Sharp, who had five shots on goal, and three hits, in the
Blackhawks’ 6-4 victory over Washington on Tuesday.
“Had a couple of scoring chances. I probably could’ve skated a little better,
could’ve been involved physically a little more but for the first game we’ll take
it,” Sharp said. “But I’m definitely planning to be better moving forward.”
It’s interesting that Sharp knocked his own skating on Tuesday, since that’s
what coach Joel Quenneville said he’s elevated this season.
“He’s skating as good as I’ve ever seen him skate. Every single time he’s a
hit the ice he’s at a different pace,” Quenneville said of Sharp. “He’s
approached the season in a positive way. We expect him to produce at a nice
rate but we like what he’s bringing with his speed. It’s been very noticeable.”
Sharp had a tough go in 2012-13, when a shoulder injury sidelined him for
more than a month in the lockout-shortened season. He was still nearly at a
point a game, with 20 points in the 28 games he played. Now healthy and
with a full slate of games, Sharp could again score 30-plus goals much like
he did in 2010-11 and 11-12.
[ALSO: Blackhawks Notes: Penalty killing improvements, Perreault's faceoff
solutions]
The Blackhawks’ left wing is in a good place right now. At 31 he’s won two
Cups. He’s got a chance to make the 2014 Team Canada roster and perhaps
play in the Winter Olympics for the first time in his career. Health is great.
Family is great – and growing. Sharp is ready to add another fine season to
all of that, and there’s no reason to think he can’t.
“It’s pretty good time in my life, I can’t argue that. Personally, everything’s
going well, too,” he said. “Playing for the Blackhawks is pretty special.
They’ve taken care of us. And being a part of such a great team with a
chance to win every year is more than I could ask for.”
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.05.2013
719497
Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks' Smith to make season debut against Lightning
October 4, 2013, 3:30 pm
Tracey Myers
The Chicago Blackhawks have ample bodies on their roster, and coach Joel
Quenneville wants to get as many of those bodies into the lineup as possible,
especially in these early games.
So on Saturday night, it’s Ben Smith’s turn to get in there.
Smith will play on Saturday when the Blackhawks host the Tampa Bay
Lightning at the United Center. Smith has skated the past two days on the
Blackhawks’ third line with Brandon Saad and Andrew Shaw. Jimmy Hayes
was in that right wing spot on Tuesday night.
“We want to get everyone in here over the next few games before we get too
far into the season, and (Smith) is likely to play,” Quenneville said. “We have
23 guys; over the course of the season you wish you had 23 guys. Everybody
usually gets into the lineup and plays, and it’s just a matter of time before we
get everyone in and they’re all a part of it. And when you’re not playing, keep
yourself sharp.”
Smith will be with familiar faces, as he, Shaw and Saad played together in
Rockford during the lockout last season.
“Having that familiarity is nice, being predictable for each other and knowing
what our job is out there,” said Smith, who admits the competition to play
never ends, even when training camp does.
“No, it won’t. The competition’s always there,” he said. “Guys who went to
Rockford are looking for a shot up here, too. You always need to show what
you can do and perform and play well. That’s what I’m looking to do when I
get the opportunity again.”
HANDZUS’ HEALTH
Michal Handzus practiced on Friday and will play against Tampa Bay on
Saturday night. The second-line center missed part of Tuesday’s game with
an undisclosed injury, although he did return to finish in the Blackhawks’ 6-4
victory over Washington. Handzus, who suffered several injuries during last
postseason, said dealing with the bumps and bruises is just part of the job at
this point in his career.
“It’s all about knowing your body and doing the rest in between,” he said.
Marian Hossa, who’s also had to be mindful of injuries adding up, is
impressed with what Handzus goes through to remain healthy.
“It’s amazing to see what he went through last year and pretty much all
summer, just rehabbing after surgeries and in camp and still icing lots of
different things. It’s amazing when you see him back there,” Hossa said. “It is
what it is and he wants to play, and that’s good for us.”
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.05.2013
719498
Colorado Avalanche
Avalanche's Marc-Andre Cliche plays in second NHL game, collects assist
vs. Predators
By Adrian Dater
Posted:
10/05/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT
Updated:
10/05/2013 12:56:25 AM MDT
Marc-André Cliche has more than 300 games of pro hockey experience.
Only one of them, however, has been in the NHL.
That number changed to two Friday night, when Cliche skated for the
Avalanche, collecting an assist in its 3-1 win against the Nashville Predators
at the Pepsi Center.
With Avs captain Gabe Landeskog out on a day-to-day basis with a leg injury,
the Avs moved John Mitchell from fourth-line center to left wing on a line with
Paul Stastny and Alex Tanguay, and Cliche took on Mitchell's former role.
"I'm pretty nervous, actually. I didn't get much sleep last night," said Cliche
(pronounced "Klish") before the game. "I'm just excited to get in and get a
chance to show what I can do."
Cliche was
drafted 56th overall by the New York Rangers in 2005 but has spent most of
his pro career in the Los Angeles Kings organization. Unfortunately for him,
he spent almost all of it with the team's AHL affiliate in Manchester, N.H.
Cliche had some good years with the Monarchs, serving as team captain the
past four seasons. But the Kings never seemed to have an opening for him,
save for one game he played in the 2009-10 season, against the Dallas
Stars.
"I think I'm defensive-minded first, but can create chances by getting in on the
forecheck," Cliche said.
Cliche, 26, likely will spend some time on the penalty-killing unit as well,
coach Patrick Roy said.
Landeskog out. Roy said Landeskog will resume skating Sunday and will
travel with the team on its three-game road trip next week.
Roy said Landeskog was feeling "much better" than he did Thursday.
Footnotes. Nick Holden and Matt Hunwick were healthy scratches for the
Avs. ... Defenseman Ryan Wilson (knee) remains on track to return next
week. The Avs hope he'll return Saturday at Washington against the
Capitals.
Denver Post: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719499
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche tops Nashville Predators, improves to 2-0
fight in the third period with Nashville's Eric Nystrom and took a high stick to
the
eye from Craig Smith earlier, which drew a penalty.
By Adrian Dater
Nashville wasn't happy over the hit by Downie, which Gaustad called “just a
dumb hit,” while Preds coach Barry Trotz said he expects Downie to receive
a suspension.
Posted:
But Roy doesn't think so.
Updated:
10/04/2013 09:43:40 PM MDT
10/05/2013 01:32:27 AM MDT
It wasn't the goal party of Wednesday's season-opener, but when the final
horn sounded there was still the same celebratory feel inside the Pepsi
Center Friday night.
Don't look now, but Patrick Roy's Avalanche team is 2-0, after Friday's 3-1
win over the Nashville Predators.
The Avs rode P.A. Parenteau's two goals to the tough win, needing an
empty-net goal from him with 1:12 left to seal it, seconds after former Denver
resident and top draft pick Seth Jones just missed on a tying bid.
“We played a full 60 minutes. Aside from a couple mistakes defensively, I
thought we played a real strong game against a real tough team to play
against. If we can get more confident from games like that, we'll be
dangerous down
the road,” Parenteau said.
For the second straight game, the Avs got away with something of a slow
start, as the Predators had a few excellent scoring chances in the opening
minutes and had them pinned in their zone.
Goalie Semyon Varlamov made the stops to keep it scoreless, until
Parenteau broke the deadlock with his first goal of the season. Varlamov
stopped 26-of-27 shots for his second straight game of allowing just one
goal.
“He was rock solid again for us,” Avs coach Patrick Roy said.
Parenteau scored with 1:10 left in the period, putting home a rebound in the
left crease past Predators goalie Pekka Rinne.
Rookie Nathan MacKinnon picked up an assist, his third point in two games.
MacKinnon played his first game against Nashville fellow draft lottery pick,
former Denver resident Seth Jones.
“It's a nice storyline with the Memorial Cup we battled hard and world juniors
and stuff and we went back and forth with the No. 1 ranking. I think it's the
past now,” MacKinnon said. “We are two players playing against each other
in the National Hockey League, it happened to be the same draft year. He's
an unbelievable defensemen, you saw that tonight, he's got great poise and a
good shot and he's used out there as well so he is doing a great job in
Nashville.”
The Avs took a 2-0 lead at the 7:54 mark of the second period, after the fourth
line was rewarded with a great shift. The hardest worker, Patrick Bordeleau,
got the goal, tipping a Nate Guenin shot past Rinne.
Bordeleau kept a couple of loose pucks still in the Predators zone before the
puck went back to the point to Guenin, who put a slapper on net that
Bordeleau redirected. Marc-Andre Cliche recorded an assist, his first NHL
point after many years in the minors.
“"We did pretty good as a line tonight, even though we didn't play that much.
We didn't play as good as we did as a team Wednesday night, but we
found a way to win which is the important thing. Everyone worked their tails
off,” Bordeleau said.
But the Predators weren't about to go quietly. They cut the lead to 2-1 at
14:10 of the second on Paul Gaustad's first of the season.
Avalanche winger Steve Downie was a physical presence in the game. He
injured Nashville defenseman Roman Josi with a big hit, and was assessed a
charging penalty that might draw the attention of NHL director of player
safety Brendan Shanahan in the coming day.
Downie retaliated after Nashville defenseman Shea Weber jabbed Matt
Duchene in the face a couple times with his glove. Downie was involved in a
“That was a great hit I thought. I don't know, I need to re-look at it, but I
thought it was a fair check. What I like about Steve is: he's a great leader right
now on this team. He's playing hard,” Roy said. “Everybody is rattled by him,
but he stays calm, he stays focused. I'm not sure he is, but he says 'Patty, I'm
under control, I'm under control.' I said, 'OK, let's keep going then.'”
Avs Recap
THE POST'S THREE STARS
1. Patrick Bordeleau. Avs' fourth-line winger scored game-winning goal after
hardworking shift.
2. P.A. Parenteau. Scored two goals for Avs, including empty-netter.
3. Semyon Varlamov. Was outstanding again for Avs in net.
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
Prized Nashville rookie Seth Jones played well overall, but finished a
minus-1 in his first game against Colorado.
UP NEXT
At Toronto, Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Denver Post: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719500
Colorado Avalanche
Avs' Marc-Andre Cliche to see ice time Friday with Gabe Landeskog out
By Adrian Dater
Posted:
Updated:
10/04/2013 12:22:52 PM MDT
10/04/2013 03:25:22 PM MDT
Marc-Andre Cliche has more than 300 games of pro hockey experience.
Only one of them, however, has been in the NHL.
That number will change to two Friday night, when Cliche skates for the
Avalanche against the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center.
With Avs captain Gabe Landeskog out on a day-to-day basis with a leg injury,
the Avs will move John Mitchell from fourth-line center to left wing on a line
with Paul Stastny and Alex Tanguay, and Cliche will take on Mitchell's former
role.
"I'm pretty nervous actually. I didn't get much sleep last night," said Cliche
(pronounced "Klish"). "I'm just excited to get in and get a chance to show
what I can do."
Cliche was drafted 56th overall by the New York Rangers in
Avs F Marc-Andre Cliche 2013
Avalanche center Marc-Andre Cliche (Karl Gehring, Denver Post file)
2005, but has spent most of his pro career in the Los Angeles Kings
organization. Unfortunately for him, he spent almost all of it with the team's
AHL affiliate in Manchester, N.H.
Cliche had some good years with the Monarchs, serving as team captain the
past four seasons. But the Kings never seemed to have an opening for him,
save for one game he played in the 2009-10 season, against Dallas.
"I think I'm defensive-minded first, but can create chances by getting in on the
forecheck," Cliche said.
Cliche, 26, likely will spend some time on the penalty-killing unit as well,
coach Patrick Roy said.
Landeskog out. Landeskog will miss Friday's game with the injury, suffered in
the season opener against Anaheim. But Roy said he will resume skating
Sunday and will travel with the team on its three-game road trip next week.
Roy said Landeskog was feeling "much better" than Thursday.
Denver Post: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719501
Colorado Avalanche
Avalanche lines and D pairings vs. Nashville Predators
By Adrian Dater
With captain Gabe Landeskog (leg) out tonight, and on a day-to-day recovery
timetable, these are your lines for Friday’s game against Nashville:
Mitchell-Stastny-Tanguay
O’Reilly-Duchene-Downie
McGinn-MacKinnon-Parenteau
McLeod-Cliche-Bordeleau
Johnson-Hejda
Barrie-Guenin
Sarich-Benoit
Varlamov
Patrick Roy said Landeskog is feeling “much better” today, that he will
resume skating Sunday and will come on the team’s three-game road trip
next week.
Denver Post: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719502
Colorado Avalanche
Avs too much for Predators in 3-1 victory
The Associated Press • Updated: October 4, 2013 at 10:28 pm • Published:
October 4, 2013 • 0
DENVER — Semyon Varlamov stopped 26 shots, P.A. Parenteau scored
two goals the Colorado Avalanche beat the Nashville Predators 3-1 on Friday
night.
Patrick Bordeleau had a goal and rookie Nathan MacKinnon had an assist for
the Avalanche, who have won their first two games under new coach Patrick
Roy.
Pekka Rinne had 33 saves and Paul Gaustad scored for the Predators, who
lost for the second time in as many nights.
The game featured two of the top four picks in last June’s draft. MacKinnon
was taken first overall and Seth Jones, a Denver native, was picked fourth by
the Predators.
The Avalanche struck first for the second straight game. Jamie McGinn, who
had two goals in Wednesday’s win, gloved the puck in the slot and fired a
shot on Rinne, who made the initial save.
Parenteau jumped on the rebound and knocked it in to give Colorado a 1-0
lead with 1:10 left in the first period.
Colorado made it 2-0 at 7:54 of the second with a goal from the fourth line.
Bordeleau, the team’s enforcer, tipped in a shot from the point by Nate
Guenin for his third career goal.
Things got physical later in the period when Colorado winger Steve Downie
left his skates to hit Predators defenseman Roman Josi. Shea Weber and
Gabriel Bourque went after Downie before the officials broke it up.
Josi didn’t play the rest of the game.
Nashville cut the lead in half with a goal at the end of a power play. Gaustad
spun and used Avalanche defenseman Jan Hejda as a screen to beat
Varlamov with 5:50 left in the second.
The Predators couldn’t get the equalizer, but they got back at Downie when
defenseman Victor Bartley checked him into the Nashville goal at the end of
a play midway through the third.
Parenteau put the game away with an empty-net goal with 1:12 left. NOTES:
Avalanche C Gabriel Landeskog (leg) was scratched. He is day to day. ...
Rinne is 11-3-1 against Colorado in his career. ... Nashville C Filip Forsberg
was scratched with a lower body injury.
Colorado Springs Gazette: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719503
Columbus Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets stumble out of the gate
By Shawn Mitchell
The Columbus Dispatch Saturday October 5, 2013 5:20 AM
The Blue Jackets, along with the Buffalo Sabres, have the youngest roster in
the NHL. The average age on both teams is 26.3 years.
Last night, in the season opener against the Calgary Flames in front of a
sellout crowd at Nationwide Arena, the sloppy exuberance that comes with
such youth was on full display. At times, it was dismaying. At times, it was
delightful. Ultimately, it was not enough.
Consecutive goals by the Flames’ Jiri Hudler and former Blue Jacket Curtis
Glencross late in the third period provided a two-goal cushion for Calgary,
which staved off a late charge for a 4-3 victory.
“It was a bit reminiscent of our start last year,” Blue Jackets coach Todd
Richards said, recalling a fitful 5-12-2 stretch. “As you move along, young
players are going to make some mistakes. But what we have to do is coach
them. We can’t have mistakes like that again.”
There will be no time for quick repairs. The Jackets will play at the New York
Islanders tonight, where they hope to avoid the turnover-filled exhibition of
speedskating that was their opener.
“We just got caught playing the run-and-gun game,” Blue Jackets
defenseman James Wisniewski said. “That’s not in our repertoire. I wasn’t
sharp. No excuses, but I was just trying to get used to the speed again after
eight days off (since the last exhibition game).”
There were odd-man rushes and turnovers galore. Systems broke down.
Execution was lacking. Richards’ opening lines were jumbled by the second
period. The Flames opened their season with a shootout loss at Washington
on Thursday night and were a step ahead of the Blue Jackets, who came in
cold.
Richards’ fears that his team would be caught off guard were warranted,
although their ability to get pucks to the net — 14 shots in the first period —
allowed the Blue Jackets to keep pace early. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky
was beaten by Flames rookie Sean Monahan on the third shot he faced.
Monahan scored his first NHL goal just 2:27 into the game.
Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson answered with a power-play goal at
5:57. Flames forward TJ Galiardi pounced on a Ryan Murray turnover and
beat Bobrovsky with a backhand shot to make it 2-1 almost two minutes later.
Marian Gaborik tied the score at 2 with an even-strength goal at 15:20 of the
first. After a scoreless second period, Hudler and Glencross scored 42
seconds apart, sending some of an announced crowd of 18,151 toward the
exits.
Blue Jackets center Artem Anisimov slipped the puck past Flames goalie
Joey MacDonald to make it 4-3 with 4:13 remaining, but a late charge with an
extra skater was stifled when Johnson took an interference penalty to
prevent an empty-net goal with 1:09 left.
“We were sloppy,” Blue Jackets forward Mark Letestu said. “… We’re
disappointed. But you don’t win the Stanley Cup on Day One, and you don’t
lose it on Day One, either.”
Murray, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2012, made his NHL debut, as did
Boone Jenner, who began the game on the No. 1 line but was moved down
after three shifts and played a team-low 10:27.
Richards said the game looked fast for both.
“I thought I started a little bit shy, a little bit nervous, and that’s not the way to
play,” Murray said.
Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 10.05.2013
719504
Columbus Blue Jackets
Flames 4, Blue Jackets 3: Disappointing start
Wearing a No. 18 jersey — the Blue Jackets chose that to represent the
number of major tournaments he has won in his sport — Nicklaus dropped
the puck like he was bettering his lie.
If only the Blue Jackets’ performance had been so meticulous.
Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 10.05.2013
By Aaron Portzline
The Columbus Dispatch Saturday October 5, 2013 5:19 AM
To usher in the most-anticipated season in franchise history, the Blue
Jackets arranged for golf legend and native son Jack Nicklaus to step away
from the Presidents Cup in Dublin to drop the ceremonial puck in Nationwide
Arena before last night’s season opener.
Nicklaus drew a standing ovation from a sold-out crowd of 18,151, many of
whom were already hoarse and breathless from screaming through the
raucous player introductions.
By the end of the evening, the Blue Jackets were wishing Nicklaus could
have provided them with one more favor: a mulligan.
The Jackets put forth a sloppy, sobering effort, losing 4-3 to a Calgary
Flames club many believe to be among the worst in the NHL this season.
“It wasn’t our style of hockey,” Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said. “I
expected something different tonight.”
So did the jersey-clad loyals. For many of them, the anticipation of this
season began at the very moment last season ended in heartbreaking
fashion. The Blue Jackets were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs by
a single point, losing on a tiebreaker to the Minnesota Wild on the final day of
the season.
“I’ve been counting the days since I sat there in the arena and watched them
get eliminated,” said 36-year-old Ed Shields of Columbus, a computer tech
and a season-ticket holder for the past six seasons. “That was surreal,
because I was so excited for that team and the way they played, but so
crushed that they didn’t pull it off in the end.
“I’ve never looked forward to a season like this one, not even after we made
the playoffs (in 2008-09). This time, it felt like we were ramping up to
something special, like it’s real this time.”
Shields was part of a crowd that began forming at the R-Bar Arena about
6 a.m. yesterday.
“I’ve never made so many Bloody Marys,” bartender Rebecca Alexander
said.
The crowd peaked at about 100 strong by 7 a.m., then began to fade by
mid-morning.
“They went home to rest,” owner Mike Darr said. “We’ll be packed by
mid-afternoon again. Fans look forward to every season, but this one … it’s
all anybody’s talked about in here for months now.”
The Blue Jackets sold more than 2,000 new season tickets this summer,
while boasting a
93 percent renewal rate with their existing ticket holders, their highest rate in
several seasons.
The move to the Eastern Conference — where they will face Pittsburgh, the
New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Toronto, Buffalo and Detroit, and play
almost all of their games before 9 p.m. — has been a boon, too. But nothing
engendered more excitement than the 19-5-5 finish to last season. It gave
Blue Jackets fans what they’d longed for most: hope.
“Last season brought a lot of people back, and there’s a genuine excitement
about hockey in this city,” Richards said. “We’ve got people interested and
engaged. Now, we have to go out and prove ourselves again.”
Sadly, the highlight of last night might have been the pregame. Players came
skating through fog and onto the ice as they were introduced one by one, a
giant web of green laser lights casting a web across the bowl and tracer lights
burning around the perimeter of the ice.
Nicklaus seemed oddly placed against this backdrop. Green jackets, maybe.
But not green lasers and thumping heavy metal.
719505
Columbus Blue Jackets
Michael Arace commentary: Blue Jackets don’t do what helped them win
Saturday October 5, 2013 5:15 AM
Michael Arace
It is the opening-night extravaganza in Nationwide Arena.
The Blue Jackets are introduced in a dark house amid a laser-light show.
Jack Nicklaus, wearing a Jackets jersey with No. 18, drops the ceremonial
first puck. Nicklaus walks down the bench and wishes each of the lads well.
Nice touch. The two national anthems were belted out. The house is full and
it is alive. Enough already. Let’s play hockey.
The Jackets were one of the two or three best teams in the NHL over the last
two months of last season. Sergei Bobrovsky won the Vezina. Columbus has
been waiting for opening night. The team was moving to the Eastern
Conference. The kids were a year older. Anticipation was high. For the love
of Bob, let’s play hockey.
This year will be different … beginning with game two.
The Blue Jackets looked nothing like last season’s team last night. Check
that. They looked nothing like the team that closed at 19-5-5, but they looked
a lot like the team that started 5-12-2. They were disjointed. Their cycle game
was invisible. They were, how shall we say, charitable with the puck. They
were almost Arniel-ian.
They got what they deserved, a 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames.
Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards offered the best summation: “When
you’re moving slow and turning the puck over, that’s not a good recipe.”
It started early.
James Wisniewski, on his first shift, lost his man’s stick in front of the net, and
Bobrovsky was beaten on a rebound just 2 minutes, 27 seconds into the
season. The Flames led 1-0 and, later in the first, 2-1. The Jackets’ rookies
were nervous, Boone Jenner palpably so. Ryan Murray set up the Flames’
second goal with a bad pass that led to a breakaway. So it went.
This, of course, was not a shock. The Blue Jackets had not played in eight
days. The Flames had played the night before, in Washington, where they
lost to the Capitals in a shootout. The Flames had some rhythm. The Jackets
tried to score three goals on every shift.
“Not good enough, it’s that simple,” center Brandon Dubinsky said. “We didn’t
take care of the puck. Too many times we were caught cheating. We gave up
too many odd-man rushes. We didn’t win enough battles. It’s tough to win a
game like that.”
This was not the Jackets team that fans came to love last season. Their
aggressive, tight-checking game was virtually nonexistent. Their senses
were dull. And Bobrovsky allowed four goals. He was a victim, to some
extent, of the way his team played in front of him. Yet, he was not Bob.
“Sometimes it happens, bad games,” Bobrovsky said. “It will be better — and
it better be better. I felt … OK. Obviously, I have to be better.”
Richards started mixing up his lines in a strained effort to find combinations
that worked. Jenner played five shifts in the second period and two in the
third. Blake Comeau moved up to join Dubinsky and Marian Gaborik on the
top line. As poorly as the Jackets played, they stayed in it.
The score was the same, 2-2, at the end of the first and second periods. The
fat man danced in the middle of the third. Then, the Flames sucker- punched
him in the gut. They scored two goals in 42 seconds to take a 4-2 lead. The
Jackets cut into the lead with a goal by Artem Anisimov, but a late-game
penalty by Jack Johnson sealed their fate.
“Eighty-one to go,” Johnson said.
True, that.
“We have to think forward,” Bobrovsky said. “We don’t have time to be
disappointed.”
It would be silly to get too bent over one game. That said, game two can’t get
here fast enough for the Jackets. It is tonight, against the New York Islanders
in Uniondale, N.Y.
Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 10.05.2013
719506
Columbus Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets notebook: Savard gets call to fill in for Tyutin
By Shawn Mitchell
The Columbus Dispatch Saturday October 5, 2013 5:14 AM
It didn’t take long for the Blue Jackets to tap what is thought to be a deep well
of defensemen.
David Savard, who spent most of training camp on the roster bubble, was in
the lineup for the season opener last night against the Calgary Flames, filling
in for injured veteran Fedor Tyutin (lower body).
It was a mild surprise, considering that Savard appeared to be a strong
candidate to open the season with minor-league Springfield, but coach Todd
Richards liked what he saw during the exhibition games.
“We all felt as a coaching staff that David had a better camp than Tim
(Erixon),” Richards said, explaining his decision to pair Savard, instead of
Erixon, with Nikita Nikitin.
Savard, 22, played in only four NHL games last season after playing 31 as a
rookie in the 2011-12 season. Erixon played in 31 games for the Jackets last
season. But Savard, bothered by a hernia the final four months of last
season, had surgery in May and showed up for camp in fine shape.
“It looks like he invested over the summer as far as his training,” Richards
said. “It looks like he dropped some weight, which is something it looked like
he needed to do. His game was better in the exhibition season.”
Savard’s previous NHL game was one of his most forgettable. He was
recalled from Springfield for a game on April 18 at Los Angeles. The Jackets
lost 2-1 and Savard struggled. He called it “probably my worst game ever in
the NHL.”
“Everything seems way better now,” Savard said. “Last year was a grind.
Every day hurt. Some days I could barely skate. But I had to keep going.
Once I made the decision (to delay surgery) I wanted to finish it off.”
Savard and Erixon are among eight defensemen on the roster. Richards said
before the game that was he unsure if Tyutin would travel to New York for a
game at the Islanders tonight. Savard would have to clear waivers to return to
Springfield.
Awaiting Islanders
Richards adores big-game atmospheres and said he was looking forward to
playing the Islanders, a new Metropolitan Division rival, at Nassau Coliseum
despite it being the second game of a season-opening back-to-back.
“I’m excited that we get to go to New York and it’s their home opener,”
Richards said. “It should be another great environment. They have a lot of
momentum and things to build off of there.”
The Islanders finished eighth in the Eastern Conference last season and
made the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
Slap shots
Last night’s game was the 600th in the NHL career of left wing R.J.
Umberger, who has played 372 for the Blue Jackets. Flames left wing Curtis
Glencross played in his 400th game. He played 43 of those for the Jackets in
the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons. … The Blue Jackets added radio
affiliates in Cambridge and Mansfield, Ohio, and announced that former
play-by-play voice George Matthews will return to the booth for 12 games this
season.
Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 10.05.2013
719507
Dallas Stars
because not every coach liked that style from a defenseman. He was doing
something different that people weren’t used to. You have to respect him for
that. He belongs at the top of this list.”
Gosselin: Stars defenseman Sergei Gonchar ranks all-time Russian team;
Zubov makes cut
Zubov is the second-highest scoring Russian defenseman in NHL history.
Only Gonchar is ahead of him.
Rick Gosselin
“Zubov controlled the puck on the breakouts and power play,” Gonchar said.
“He had the rare ability not only to see everything but to control the pace of
the game. He could slow it down or speed it up. That’s not easy to do,
especially at this level.”
Published: 04 October 2013 11:41 PM
Updated: 05 October 2013 01:01 AM
There was only one choice in nets — Tretiak, another member of the Hockey
Hall of Fame despite never having played in the NHL. The first Russian so
honored, in fact.
FRISCO — The eyes of Stars defenseman Sergei Gonchar provide a
window to Russian hockey.
“I’m told he was one of the game’s greatest workers and one of its greatest
Gonchar grew up watching Vladislav Tretiak, Valeri Kharlamov and the KLM
line win world championships and Olympic gold medals. Gonchar himself
became a first-round NHL draft pick in the 1990s and went on to play against
the next generation of Soviet greats: Pavel Bure, Sergei Zubov, Alexander
Mogilny and the Russian Five in Detroit.
Gonchar, 39, has seen his countrymen enshrined in the Hockey Hall of
Fame. He’s seen them capture league and playoff MVP honors. He’s seen
them win NHL scoring titles and rookie of the year acclaim. Name a Russian
great, and he’s in Gonchar’s mental Rolodex.
So I asked Gonchar the other day to pick his all-time Russian team. I gave
him a list of a top five at each position and another list of the top 15 Russian
scorers in the NHL.
“Wow,” Gonchar said, studying the lists. “Tough choices. They’re all great.
You’d have to put together two units. How can you choose between … say a
[Sergei] Fedorov and [Pavel] Datsyuk?
“And what about [Evgeni] Malkin? He’s just getting into his prime’ and he’s
already a great player. How can you judge him now? Same with [Alexander]
Ovechkin. It’s unfair to judge those guys because they are so young and
haven’t achieved as much yet as, say, a Fedorov. They still have some great
years ahead of them.”
students
— plus that natural talent,” Gonchar said. “Put those three things together,
and you’ve got a great mix.”
Even though Gonchar is the only Russian defenseman to score 200 goals in
the NHL, he declined to assign himself a place on this team.
“We’ll talk about it in a few more years,” he said.
Honors to Russians
Hall of Fame: G Vladislav Tretiak, RW Valeri Kharlamov, C Igor Larionov, D
Viacheslav Fetisov, RW Pavel Bure
MVP: C Sergei Fedorov (1994), RW Alexander Ovechkin (2008, 2009,
2013), C Evgeni Malkin (2012)
Playoff MVP: Malkin (2009)
Scoring champion: Ovechkin (2008), Malkin (2009, 2012).
Vezina Trophy (top goalie): Sergei Bobrovsky (2013)
Rookie of the Year: RW Sergei Makarov (1990), Bure (1992), LW Sergei
Samsonov (1998), G Evgeni Nabokov (2001), Ovechkin (2006), Malkin
(2007)
But, when pressed, Gonchar did choose. He gave me his starting lineup, and
he’ll be playing against one of them Saturday night — Ovechkin of the
Washington Capitals. Gonchar gave him the nod over Mogilny at right wing.
Ovechkin was the NHL’s rookie of the year in 2006 and has won three league
MVP awards and a scoring title.
TOP RUSSIAN SCORERS
“Great shot, great power,” Gonchar said. “He has an ability to go through a
defense with his energy and power.”
Seasons
Over at left wing, Gonchar chose Kharlamov over Ilya Kovalchuk, who ranks
fifth all-time among Russian scorers with 417 goals and 816 points.
Kharmalov never played in the NHL, but he is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He
was the best player on either side in the historic Summit Series between
Canada and the Soviet Union in 1972.
“The guy could win games by himself,” Gonchar said. “He was doing things
with the puck that no one else could do.”
Center was another tough call. Pittsburgh’s Malkin has been feted as the
NHL’s rookie of the year, leading scorer, MVP and playoff MVP. And he didn’t
even make Gonchar’s final two at the position.
The top 15 Russian scorers in NHL history:
Rank, Player
Pts
G
A
1, Sergei Federov
1990-2009
1,179
483
696
Gonchar mulled a pair of legendary Red Wings, Fedorov and Datsyuk,
because of both their offensive creativity and completeness of their games.
Gonchar pondered this position the longest and then gave the nod to
Fedorov, the NHL’s all-time leading Russian scorer and another former
league MVP.
2, Alexander Mogilny
“He’s probably the best pure skater we’ve ever sent over here,” Gonchar
said.
473
On defense, Gonchar talked himself through the merits of three players and
wound up choosing Viacheslav Fetisov and former Star Sergei Zubov,
leaving former Red Wing Vladimir Konstantinov behind. That was difficult
because the “Vladinator” was the best defender of the group.
3, Alexei Kovalev
Fetisov also is in the Hockey Hall of Fame despite spending his prime in
Russia. He didn’t arrive in the NHL until he was 31.
“Fetisov changed the game back home with the way he jumped in and
created offense by joining the rush,” Gonchar said. “That was tough for him,
1989-2006
1,032
559
1992-2013
1,029
430
599
4, Slava Kozlov
644
1992-2010
169
853
475
356
14, Sergei Samsonov
497
1997-2011
5, Ilya Kovalchuk
571
2001-2013
235
816
336
417
15, Evgeni Malkin
399
2006-2013
6, Alexei Yashin
560
1993-2007
217
781
343
337
2013-14 games not included
444
With the Stars
7, Pavel Bure
Defenseman Sergei Gonchar is the third all-time Russian great to play for the
Stars. Defenseman Sergei Zubov played 12 seasons for the Stars between
1996-97 and 2008-09. Sergei Makarov, who was a member of Russia’s
famed KLM line with Igor Larionov and Vladimir Krutov, played four games
with Dallas in 1996-97.
1991-2003
779
437
342
8, Sergei Gonchar
1994-2013
775
217
558
9, Sergei Zubov
1992-2009
771
152
619
10, Pavel Datsyuk
2001-2013
767
255
512
11, Alexander Ovechkin
2005-2013
735
371
364
12, Alexei Zhamnov
1992-2006
719
249
470
13, Igor Larionov
1989-2004
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719508
Dallas Stars
Friday practice update: Rich Peverley ready to return
By Mike Heika
2:18 pm on October 4, 2013
Cody Eastwood captures the excitement of today’s practice in Frisco. Check
it out here.
If you want some insight into Washington’s bright young coach Adam Oates,
check out his daily media scrum from Friday.
Stars center Rich Peverley took the red safety jersey off at practice on Friday
and looks ready to return to the lineup. Peverley received treatment for an
irregular heartbeat following his pre-camp physical and has not been able to
participate in full contract drills until Friday.
But he said he’s ready to play Saturday against Washington.
“I think I’m good to go,” Peverley said.
Peverley is a talented player who should become an important part of the
Stars’ lineup. The 31-year-old plays mostly center, but also can play the
wing. He will be slotted in on the fourth line in the center position. However,
he’s right-handed and is great at faceoffs, so he could be scaled up at times
just to help with draws.
“I don’t think it’s fair to expect him to do it right off the start, but he makes
good plays and he has good hands,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. “It would
have been nice to get some games in, but that wasn’t available to us.”
Peverley said coming in with no pre-season action and little live action in
practice will be a challenge.
“Just the repetition of a game, you can’t simulate the intensity of a shift,”
Peverley said when asked what his biggest challenge will be. “If I am in, I’ll
just have to keep my shifts short and try to get in the pace as quickly as
possible.”
Ruff put Peverley as the fourth line center and dropped out Chris Mueller.
Otherwise, he didn’t change his lineup after Thursday’s 4-2 loss to Florida.
It should look like this Saturday against the Capitals:
Jamie Benn-Tyler Seguin-Erik Cole
Ray Whitney-Cody Eakin-Alex Chiasson
Shawn Horcoff-Vern Fiddler-Valeri Nichushkin
Antoine Roussel-Rich Peverley-Ryan Garbutt
Alex Goligoski-Sergei Gonchar
Brenden Dillon-Stephane Robidas
Trevor Daley-Jordie Benn
Kari Lehtonen
“That would be an early shuffle,” Ruff said when asked about a possible
change. “The patience is going to be at a minimum, I can tell you that. I
expect more out of some of the players than the type of game they gave us
last night.”
Asked about the performance, where the Stars allowed 39 shots on goal,
Ruff said he wasn’t happy.
“I hate 39 shots,” Ruff said. “For me, there’s no excuse for that. Our puck
management, some of the things we did with the puck, we didn’t do even in
camp. Some of the high-risk stuff, you’re not going to win games playing like
that. We know that. The good part is that the players know that. They’re
angry today, as well they should be.”
He said he expects the team to fix a lot of things on Saturday.
“Our support with our defense with the puck in our own end wasn’t very
good,” he said. “We had a couple breakdowns obviously that cost us goals,
breakdowns that we really hadn’t seen. I think we got excited to get ahead of
the play a few times. The biggest thing for me was our forwards were getting
50-60 feet ahead of our defensemen, and our attack wasn’t coming together.
If we come deep and we come together we played really good hockey.”
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719509
Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff: There's no excuse to give up 39 shots
MIKE HEIKA
Published: 05 October 2013 12:13 AM
Updated: 05 October 2013 01:05 AM
One of the key stats for Dallas in recent seasons has been allowing too many
shots on goal. So when the Stars allowed 39 in Game 1, tied for worst in the
NHL, Ruff said he was concerned.
"I hate 39 shots," Ruff said. "For me, there's no excuse for that. Our puck
management, some of the things we did with the puck, we didn't do even in
camp. Some of the high-risk stuff, you're not going to win games playing like
that. We know that. The good part is that the players know that. They're angry
today, as well they should be."
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719510
Dallas Stars
There are no plans to shuffle line combinations, Dallas Stars coach Lindy
Ruff says
MIKE HEIKA
Published: 05 October 2013 12:11 AM
Updated: 05 October 2013 01:06 AM
Ruff said he does not plan to shuffle his line combinations after Thursday's
4-2 loss to Florida. Peverley will replace Chris Mueller, but the lines will
otherwise stay the same.
Ruff said shuffling after the first game would be pretty early in the season, but
he added that he's ready to change if Saturday's game doesn't go well.
"The patience is going to be at a minimum, I can tell you that," he said. "I
expect more out of some of the players than the type of game they gave us
[Thursday] night."
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719511
Dallas Stars
because not every coach liked that style from a defenseman. He was doing
something different that people weren’t used to. You have to respect him for
that. He belongs at the top of this list.”
Stars defenseman Sergei Gonchar ranks all-time Russian team; Zubov
makes cut
Zubov is the second-highest scoring Russian defenseman in NHL history.
Only Gonchar is ahead of him.
Rick Gosselin
“Zubov controlled the puck on the breakouts and power play,” Gonchar said.
“He had the rare ability not only to see everything but to control the pace of
the game. He could slow it down or speed it up. That’s not easy to do,
especially at this level.”
Published: 04 October 2013 11:41 PM
Updated: 05 October 2013 01:01 AM
There was only one choice in nets — Tretiak, another member of the Hockey
Hall of Fame despite never having played in the NHL. The first Russian so
honored, in fact.
FRISCO — The eyes of Stars defenseman Sergei Gonchar provide a
window to Russian hockey.
“I’m told he was one of the game’s greatest workers and one of its greatest
students — plus that natural talent,” Gonchar said. “Put those three things
together, and you’ve got a great mix.”
Gonchar grew up watching Vladislav Tretiak, Valeri Kharlamov and the KLM
line win world championships and Olympic gold medals. Gonchar himself
became a first-round NHL draft pick in the 1990s and went on to play against
the next generation of Soviet greats: Pavel Bure, Sergei Zubov, Alexander
Mogilny and the Russian Five in Detroit.
Even though Gonchar is the only Russian defenseman to score 200 goals in
the NHL, he declined to assign himself a place on this team.
“We’ll talk about it in a few more years,” he said.
Gonchar, 39, has seen his countrymen enshrined in the Hockey Hall of
Fame. He’s seen them capture league and playoff MVP honors. He’s seen
them win NHL scoring titles and rookie of the year acclaim. Name a Russian
great, and he’s in Gonchar’s mental Rolodex.
Honors to Russians
So I asked Gonchar the other day to pick his all-time Russian team. I gave
him a list of a top five at each position and another list of the top 15 Russian
scorers in the NHL.
MVP: C Sergei Fedorov (1994), RW Alexander Ovechkin (2008, 2009,
2013), C Evgeni Malkin (2012)
“Wow,” Gonchar said, studying the lists. “Tough choices. They’re all great.
You’d have to put together two units. How can you choose between … say a
[Sergei] Fedorov and [Pavel] Datsyuk?
Hall of Fame: G Vladislav Tretiak, RW Valeri Kharlamov, C Igor Larionov, D
Viacheslav Fetisov, RW Pavel Bure
Playoff MVP: Malkin (2009)
Scoring champion: Ovechkin (2008), Malkin (2009, 2012).
Vezina Trophy (top goalie): Sergei Bobrovsky (2013)
“And what about [Evgeni] Malkin? He’s just getting into his prime’ and he’s
already a great player. How can you judge him now? Same with [Alexander]
Ovechkin. It’s unfair to judge those guys because they are so young and
haven’t achieved as much yet as, say, a Fedorov. They still have some great
years ahead of them.”
Rookie of the Year: RW Sergei Makarov (1990), Bure (1992), LW Sergei
Samsonov (1998), G Evgeni Nabokov (2001), Ovechkin (2006), Malkin
(2007)
But, when pressed, Gonchar did choose. He gave me his starting lineup, and
he’ll be playing against one of them Saturday night — Ovechkin of the
Washington Capitals. Gonchar gave him the nod over Mogilny at right wing.
Ovechkin was the NHL’s rookie of the year in 2006 and has won three league
MVP awards and a scoring title.
The top 15 Russian scorers in NHL history:
“Great shot, great power,” Gonchar said. “He has an ability to go through a
defense with his energy and power.”
Over at left wing, Gonchar chose Kharlamov over Ilya Kovalchuk, who ranks
fifth all-time among Russian scorers with 417 goals and 816 points.
Kharmalov never played in the NHL, but he is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He
was the best player on either side in the historic Summit Series between
Canada and the Soviet Union in 1972.
“The guy could win games by himself,” Gonchar said. “He was doing things
with the puck that no one else could do.”
Center was another tough call. Pittsburgh’s Malkin has been feted as the
NHL’s rookie of the year, leading scorer, MVP and playoff MVP. And he didn’t
even make Gonchar’s final two at the position.
Gonchar mulled a pair of legendary Red Wings, Fedorov and Datsyuk,
because of both their offensive creativity and completeness of their games.
Gonchar pondered this position the longest and then gave the nod to
Fedorov, the NHL’s all-time leading Russian scorer and another former
league MVP.
“He’s probably the best pure skater we’ve ever sent over here,” Gonchar
said.
TOP RUSSIAN SCORERS
Rank, Player
Seasons
Pts
G
A
1, Sergei Federov
1990-2009
1,179
483
696
2, Alexander Mogilny
1989-2006
1,032
473
559
3, Alexei Kovalev
On defense, Gonchar talked himself through the merits of three players and
wound up choosing Viacheslav Fetisov and former Star Sergei Zubov,
leaving former Red Wing Vladimir Konstantinov behind. That was difficult
because the “Vladinator” was the best defender of the group.
1992-2013
Fetisov also is in the Hockey Hall of Fame despite spending his prime in
Russia. He didn’t arrive in the NHL until he was 31.
599
“Fetisov changed the game back home with the way he jumped in and
created offense by joining the rush,” Gonchar said. “That was tough for him,
1,029
430
4, Slava Kozlov
1992-2010
853
475
356
14, Sergei Samsonov
497
1997-2011
5, Ilya Kovalchuk
571
2001-2013
235
816
336
417
15, Evgeni Malkin
399
2006-2013
6, Alexei Yashin
560
1993-2007
217
781
343
337
2013-14 games not included
444
With the Stars
7, Pavel Bure
Defenseman Sergei Gonchar is the third all-time Russian great to play for the
Stars. Defenseman Sergei Zubov played 12 seasons for the Stars between
1996-97 and 2008-09. Sergei Makarov, who was a member of Russia’s
famed KLM line with Igor Larionov and Vladimir Krutov, played four games
with Dallas in 1996-97.
1991-2003
779
437
342
8, Sergei Gonchar
1994-2013
775
217
558
9, Sergei Zubov
1992-2009
771
152
619
10, Pavel Datsyuk
2001-2013
767
255
512
11, Alexander Ovechkin
2005-2013
735
371
364
12, Alexei Zhamnov
1992-2006
719
249
470
13, Igor Larionov
1989-2004
644
169
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719512
Dallas Stars
GameDay: Washington Capitals at Stars
Posted Friday, Oct. 04, 2013
Staff
Washington Capitals at Stars
7 p.m. Saturday, American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: KTXA/21 Radio: KTCK 1310/AM
Records: Stars 0-1-0, 0 points; Capitals 1-1-0, 2 pts.
About the Stars: Forward Rich Peverley, who has been sidelined with an
irregular heartbeat, is expected to play against Washington. ... The Stars had
5:08 of power-play time in Thursday’s 4-2 home loss against Florida and had
no power-play shots on goal. ... The Stars were 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. ...
The loss to the Panthers spoiled the debut of Stars general manager Jim Nill,
coach Lindy Ruff, prize acquisition Tyler Seguin and the new “Victory Green”
uniforms.
About the Capitals: The Caps are 5-for-9 (55.6%) on the power play this
season. ... Alex Ovechkin and Mikhail Grabovski share the team lead in
scoring with 5 points. ... Washington claimed defenseman Alexander Urbom
off waivers from New Jersey. ... The Capitals won Thursday’s home opener
5-4 in a shootout over Calgary despite trailing 3-0 and having goalie Braden
Holtby pulled in the first period.
Star-Telegram LOADED: 10.05.2013
719513
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings 3, Hurricanes 2 (OT): Why the Red Wings won on Friday night
October 5, 2013
By Helene St. James
At PNC Arena, Raleigh, N.C.
■ IN THE FIRST PERIOD: The Hurricanes, in their season opener, sprinted
into Detroit’s zone off the opening face-off and nearly scored a minute in but
Riley Nash’s backhander dinged off a goalpost. An early Wings power play
had good puck possession but not much directed at Cam Ward. ... The
Hurricanes converted on their third shot on net at 13:30. Streaking up the left
boards, Jeff Skinner sent the puck cross-ice. Kyle Quincey missed
intercepting it by an inch, and Radek Dvorak was able to get his stick on a
redirect for a 1-0 lead. The Wings had eight shots on net to Carolina’s four.
■ IN THE SECOND: Todd Bertuzzi put a slap shot on Ward later in the
period, but 16 shots in, the Wings still had nothing. Jimmy Howard made a
big save on Patrick Dwyer with about 5 minutes left as Dwyer attempted to
poke the puck in from just outside the crease. Brendan Smith was penalized
for holding at 16:28 — at which point the ’Canes had 11 shots on net — but
Pavel Datsyuk was the one with the offense, forcing a save from Ward on a
breakaway. ... Nathan Gerbe converted on a power play with 1:49 left when
Justin Faulk’s shot bounced off Danny DeKeyser and onto Gerbe’s stick,
making it 2-0. The Wings had a 17-14 edge in shots.
■ IN THE THIRD: Justin Abdelkader scored at the 42-second mark after
taking a pass from Henrik Zetterberg that careened through traffic. The
Wings kept battling, breaking only to kill another power play. The Hurricanes
showed good resilience, keeping up cycles in Detroit’s zone and making
Howard work hard for his teammates. The Wings called a time-out with 1:17
to go, pulled Howard, and got rewarded. Zetterberg collected a puck last
touched by Daniel Alfredsson, held the puck for a second, and made sure he
got off a good shot. With 17 seconds left, the Wings had a 2-2 game. Shots
after three periods were 34-24 for the Wings.
■ IN OVERTIME: Zetterberg was denied on a backhand, Alfredsson had one
attempt turned away and Johan Franzen another. Stephen Weiss scored at
3:13, deflecting Franzen’s shot.
■ QUOTABLE: Zetterberg said: “We just wanted to keep doing what we were
doing. Nothing more than we can do than just go out and keep playing and
keep putting the puck at their goalie.” ... Mike Babcock said: “I thought we
started great, had an excellent first period. We really felt like we didn’t
deserve to be down, 1-0, but that’s the way hockey is. They were better in the
second. At the start of the third, we didn’t execute, but we found a way to dig
in and get it done.”
■ UP NEXT: Tonight at Boston.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.05.2013
719514
Detroit Red Wings
With roster makeover, Detroit Red Wings want power play to be 'spot on'
October 5, 2013
By Helene St. James
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Detroit Red Wings have shown what a good penalty
kill can do for a team, and are frustrated their power play has yet to show
equal improvement.
They dropped to 0-for-6 after falling short on three attempts in Friday’s 3-2
overtime victory against the Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
“Our power play wasn’t good enough,” coach Mike Babcock said. “I really
liked it in game one, I didn’t like it tonight, so we’ll make a couple of changes
there. Just, not enough, period.”
That might include personnel changes; Babcock said he’d look at it on the
plane to Boston. Having a popping power play against a team like the Bruins
would be a boon, because “when you are playing a good defensive team, it
makes it even more important,” Johan Franzen said.
The Wings’ power play has been something of a sore point for two seasons
now, despite having some incredibly skilled personnel. Hopes remain that
this season will see a resurgence, thanks to some new faces. Daniel
Alfredsson is new to the right point, as is, really, Mikael Samuelsson, who
was with the team last season but injured start to finish.
Stephen Weiss is new to the second unit, where he’s with big wingers Todd
Bertuzzi and Daniel Cleary. The top forward group has Pavel Datsyuk with
Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen.
“You want your power play to be spot on,” Babcock said. “Obviously
Alfredsson, the way he shoots the puck, really brings a dimension that way.
We need Samuelsson to do the same. We need all five guys on there
working hard and shooting the puck and getting pucks back.”
Of Weiss’ group, Babcock said, “I would like to see them get it to the top and
just shoot the puck. We should have good retrievals and a lot of crowding at
the net with those two guys.”
Niklas Kronwall and, most often, Jakub Kindl, man the left points.
“It’s a lot of skill and guys that can read off of the penalty kill and take what
they give us,” Alfredsson said “My role is pretty simple - if I get a lane, I’m
going to shoot the net. If you have me and Kronner shooting from the point,
sooner or later, they are going to have to respect that and open things up
down low.”
The Wings have gone 9-for-10 on penalty kills, including 7-for-7 in the
season opener.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.05.2013
719515
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit 3, Carolina 2 (OT): Henrik Zetterberg, Stephen Weiss rally Red Wings
to victory
11:03 PM, October 4, 2013
By Helene St. James
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Detroit Red Wings showed what their coach likes to
call stick-to-it-ness, patiently working away until they could party.
Stephen Weiss completed a well-deserved rally when he scored with 1:47
left in overtime at PNC Arena Friday night, capping a 3-2 victory for the
Wings after a 2-0 deficit. Henrik Zetterberg got the Wings past regulation with
a mad-scramble goal that stopped the clock with 16.4 seconds left, a minute
after Jimmy Howard had left his station.
■ Box score
At the end of the night, the Wings had a 2-0 start to their season as they
packed their bag, Detroit Tigers playoff game on in the background, and
headed to Boston for Saturday's game against the Bruins.
"We did a lot of good things," Zetterberg said. "I thought we should be able to
score more than three goals, but we'll take it."
Zetterberg set up Justin Abdelkader's goal in the opening minute of the third
period, after Radek Dvorak and Nathan Gerbe had scored twice on
Carolina's first 12 shots.
"I thought it was a real good win for us and it was a real good morale win,"
coach Mike Babcock said, "because you understand if you just do good
things, good things happen."
Babcock cited pressure in the offensive zone as a continuing concern,
saying, "we're not hanging onto the puck long enough, not getting inside
enough, to make it hard enough on the goalie for 60 minutes."
The Wings, who finished with 38 shots, showed how it's done in overtime,
swarming around Cam Ward. Zetterberg threw a backhand on net, Daniel
Alfredsson, who earned his first assist setting up Zetterberg's goal, trie on a
wrist shot and Johan Franzen kept Ward busy with a deflection attempt.
Weiss picked up his first goal as a Wing when he made good on Franzen's
rebound.
"First one is always big," Weiss said. "And especially being overtime, it's
extra special. I'll remember that one for a long time."
The game was Carolina's long-awaited season opener, coming four nights
after the some NHL teams got underway, but also against a crowd-drawing
opponent. The Hurricanes had a good first shift but most of the period was
dictated by the Wings, who got eight shots on Ward to the four seen by
Howard.
Even so, the Wings fell behind when Dvorak scored after being left
unattended to rush up the right side while Jeff Skinner carried the puck up the
left boards, sending it across the ice, past Kyle Quincey's stick by a hair.
Gerbe doubled up Carolina's lead late in the second period. Justin Faulk sent
a puck down low, where it bounced off Danny DeKeyser and straight to
Gerbe, who dispatched it into Detroit's net.
The Wings finally saw something go in the opening minute of the third period.
Zetterberg picked up a pass from Jonathan Ericsson in the neutral zone,
maneuvered into Carolina's zone and up the left flank before firing a pass that
shifted through traffic across the ice to Abdelkader, for a five-hole goal and a
2-1 score.
"Z was trying to find me," Abdelkader said. "I got the puck there and I just
wanted to make sure I got it on net. It was bouncing a little bit, so I had to
handle it for a second. Fortunate for it enough to go in.
"After that, we started to get some more chances, and we really came on. We
did a lot of good things. We made a few mistakes, but it's early in the season.
It was good to grind out a win."
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.05.2013
719516
Detroit Red Wings
Game thread: Zetterberg's heroics have Wings, Canes tied 2-2 in OT
By Posted by Brian Manzullo
9:30 PM, Oct. 4, 2013
The Detroit Red Wings look to start a winning streak tonight in Raleigh, N.C.,
as they play the Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m., FSD).
The Wings are coming off a season-opening 2-1 win against the Buffalo
Sabres on Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, are
making their season debut.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.05.2013
719517
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings learning about Carolina Hurricanes - but know all about
Staals
3:57 PM, October 4, 2013
By Helene St. James
RALEIGH, N.C. — Years have passed since the Detroit Red Wings last
played at Carolina, so tonight will need a bit of a primer.
The Wings take on the Hurricanes at PNC Arena (7 p.m., FSD), in what is the
season opener for Carolina and the second game of the season for the
Wings. The Wings are going with the same lineup that got them a 2-1 victory
over Buffalo on Wednesday.
The Hurricanes are led by the Staal brothers, centers Eric and Jordan and
goaltender Cam Ward. The defense is missing its biggest name, as Joni
Pitkanen is sidelined by a broken heel.
Former Florida Panther Stephen Weiss said the key to the Staal brothers is
that "you've got to work to earn your ice against them and be aware of them
defensively."
The Wings haven't been here since April 6, 2011, thanks to formerly being in
the Western Conference. So until there's more familiarity, there's
outsourcing.
"You go through exhibition games and tendencies we know from the past,
and then we go to our pro scouts, who know the players real well," coach
Mike Babcock said after the morning skate. "We think we've got a pretty good
handle on them. But until you've gone head-to-head, you don't really know.
So you watch the morning skate and see who they're playing with and get
prepared."
The Wings have Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader as
their answer to Carolina's top grouping of Eric Staal centering Jiri Tlusty and
Alexander Semin. "Semin is a world-class talent," Babcock said. "He can
really pass the puck and shoot the puck, and he's a big body. It's a good
group."
Jimmy Howard is starting in goal for Detroit. The Wings’ lineup shapes up as
follows:
Forwards
Henrik Zetterberg - Pavel Datsyuk - Justin Abdelkader
Johan Franzen - Stephen Weiss - Daniel Alfredsson
Todd Bertuzzi - Joakim Andersson - Daniel Cleary
Drew Miller - Cory Emmerton - Mikael Samuelsson
Defense
Niklas Kronwall - Jonathan Ericsson
Kyle Quincey - Brendan Smith
Danny DeKeyser - Jakub Kindl
Cam Ward gets the start in goal for Carolina, with the rest of the Hurricanes’
lineup expected to be:
Forwards
Jiri Tlusty - Eric Staal - Alexander Semin
Nathan Gerbe - Jordan Staal - Patrick Dwyer
Jeff Skinner - Riley Nash - Radek Dvorak
Drayson Bowman - Brett Sutter - Elias Lindholm
Defense
Andrej Sekera - Justin Faulk
Jay Harrison - Ryan Murphy
Ron Hainsey - Brett Bellemore
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.05.2013
719518
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings took too many penalties: 'We've got to clean that up'
8:45 AM, October 4, 2013
By Helene St. James
As encouraging as it is to know their penalty killers are primed, the Detroit
Red Wings have a goal for their upcoming games: Spend less time
shorthanded.
The Wings head into Carolina tonight with a penalty kill of 100% after
debuting at 7-for-7. Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson each logged
nearly 6 minutes killing penalties Wednesday while dispatching Buffalo, 2-1,
and three other Wings topped 4 minutes.
The worst stretches — or finest — were after Ericsson was called for closing
his hand on the puck and Cory Emmerton for shooting the puck over the
glass, which set up lengthy 5-on-3s. The Sabres got just two shots on net
during their total of 2:22 of two-man power plays.
“We should put these guys away right away,” Johan Franzen said Thursday.
“There’s no reason giving them life — well, they didn’t get any life, but they
could have gotten some.”
Other Detroit calls included goaltender interference on Daniel Cleary for
bumping Ryan Miller after he had come out of his crease. The call came as
the puck went into Buffalo’s net. By the end of the second period, the Wings
had been shorthanded for 11:36.
“We were in the box way too much,” coach Mike Babcock said. “You know at
the start of the year they’re going to call it tight. Covering the puck with the
hand, shooting it out are two for sure. I thought Danny Cleary’s penalty for
bumping the goalie was no goal, but no penalty. We’ve got to clean that up.”
The first 5-on-3 against the Wings, which lasted 91 seconds, came while
Henrik Zetterberg was in the box, and he’s normally the go-to forward for
such stretches. But Joakim Andersson looked at home getting into lanes and
blocking shots.
Still, there are less strenuous ways to win games, and a better path lies
through five-on-five play — or power plays.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 10.05.2013
719519
Detroit Red Wings
Extra scouting
Red Wings rally late, win in overtime
Babcock was up against three potential Team Canada players he could be
coaching in February at the Sochi Games — Carolina goaltender Ward and
forwards Eric and Jordan Staal.
Ted Kulfan
For Babcock, there isn’t much difference between scouting opponents or
Team Canada candidates.
“You just do your job,” Babcock said.
Raleigh, N.C. — There really wasn’t a better time for Stephen Weiss to score
his first goal as a Red Wing.
Weiss scored at 3 minutes 13 seconds of overtime, tapping in a rebound goal
past goalie Cam Ward, capping a dramatic comeback in the Red Wings 3-2
victory over Carolina.
Weather the storm
It could be a tired group of Red Wings who arrive in Boston for a third game in
four nights Saturday, so Abdelkader feels the early part of the game will be
crucial.
“The first one is always big, and especially it being overtime, that makes it
extra special,” Weiss said. “I’ll remember that for a long time.”
"We just have the weather the storm early," Abdelkader said. "Anytime you're
on the road early, you want to get off to a good start and minimize the crowd
and the loudness the arena as much as you can."
Before Weiss, it was Henrik Zetterberg who got the Red Wings into overtime.
Friday's dramatic win will help, though.
Zetterberg set up Justin Abdelkader early in the third period, then scored with
16.8 seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime.
"This was a good win," Abdelkader said. "A come from behind win, it'll help us
as we move forward."
Zetterberg’s shot through a maze of players in front of Ward found the back
of the net and sucked the air of a sellout crowd at PNC Arena.
Red Wings at Bruins
“I just wanted to take a little extra time and get a good shot away,” Zetterberg
said of his tying goal. “The first two (shots) I didn’t do that. I just tried to aim for
the corner but it went through.”
Goalie Jimmy Howard made 23 saves to earn the victory.
The victory was the Red Wings’ second consecutive to open the season.
More importantly, though, might have been the way they won, showing
character and persistence on a night in which a loss seemed imminent.
“Ton of character,” Weiss said. “When you’re down 2-0 and there’s no panic
in the dressing room, you know you have guys who’ve been there before and
trust the system, trust the process it’s going to take to come back in a game
like this.”
“Sometimes it won’t happen and sometimes it is and tonight was one of those
games where it was good enough.”
Radek Dvorak and Oxford native Nathan Gerbe (power play) scored for the
Hurricanes (0-0-1), both scoring in their first games with their new team.
“It was a real good win for us, good morale win,” coach Mike Babcock said. “If
you keep doing good things, good things will happen, the game is 60 minutes
long.
“We started great, had an excellent first period. We felt like we didn’t deserve
to be down 1-0. But that’s the way hockey is. I didn’t think we were as good in
the second.”
Abdelkader’s goal 42 seconds into the third period got the Red Wings to
within 2-1 and put pressure on the Hurricanes
Zetterberg carried the puck into the Hurricanes’ zone, and found Abdelkader
alone near the hashmarks.
Abdelkader shot a puck that appeared to be rolling past Ward, quickly getting
the Red Wings back in the game.
“I wanted to make sure I got the puck, and it was bouncing a bit, but
fortunately I got enough to have it go in,” Abdelkader said. “We wanted to get
that first one to get things going. We started to get more chances, really came
on, and huge goal there at the end.”
Not all was positive.
The Red Wings were scoreless on the power play for the second consecutive
game, matching Wednesday’s 0-for-3 effort.
“Our power play wasn’t good enough,” Babcock said. “I like it in the first
game, I didn’t like in this game. Just not enough (retrieval, shots), period.”
Babcock also feels the Red Wings still need to be harder on the puck, carry
the puck deeper into the zone, and weren’t as crisp coming out of their zone
against Carolina.
But a victory is a victory, especially a hard-earned one as this one was.
“That was a big win, a good character win,” Weiss said.
Faceoff: 7 p.m. Saturday, TD Band Garden, Boston
TV/radio: FSD/1270
Outlook: The first of two games within a nine-day span between the Red
Wings and defending Eastern Conference champion Bruins. ... Boston beat
Tampa Bay, 3-1, in its opener. ... D Zdeno Chara, C Patrice Bergeron and G
Tuukka Rask lead a powerful Bruins lineup.
Detroit News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719520
Detroit Red Wings
Babcock was up against three potential Team Canada players he could be
coaching February in Russia, in Carolina goalie Cam Ward and forwards Eric
and Jordan Staal.
Healthy Samuelsson is no joke for Red Wings
Scouting Red Wings opponents or players on Team Canada, there isn't
much difference in the two responsibilities.
Ted Kulfan
"You just do your job," Babcock said. "I have to know who the other team's
good players are, on any of the teams. They have a lot of good guy there (the
Hurricanes). You'd have to know them whether coaching Team Canada or
not."
Raleigh, N.C. —The way Mikael Samuelsson fell flat onto the ice, it couldn’t
been scripted any better.
As the Red Wings were walking onto the ice at PNC Arena for their Friday
morning skate, Samuelsson forgot to take off his soakers and as he stepped,
fell onto the ice to the thunderous catcalls and cheers of teammates.
"Just wanted to get a laugh out of them," said Samuelsson, unconvincingly.
"At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it."
There was a smile and laughter to his answer, something Samuelsson was
missing last season because of numerous injuries.
The fact Samuelsson made it through
training
camp without any injuries, then scored the Red Wings' first goal of the
season on opening night gives him optimism going forward.
"So far, so good," Samuelsson said. "But it's only one game. You need to be
healthy in this game. You need to be healthy, or you have no business in this
league.
"You have to play. It's a long season but it's good to be healthy.
"It feels good to be part of the team."
The Red Wings feel Samuelsson can be an asset if he stays healthy. He still
has one of the hardest shots on the team, he has size and plays with a bit of
an edge to his game, along with a veteran's presence, that can be of help.
But Samuelsson has to find a way to stay in the lineup.
"The reality is he didn't play last year," coach Mike Babcock said, noting
Samuelsson's four games in the regular season and five in the playoffs. "He's
been away for a couple of years prior to that (having left via free agency). We
need him to be an impact player."
Samuelsson is in a battle for playing time with several forwards who could be
forced out once Darren Helm (back) and Patrick Eaves (knee, ankle sprain)
return from the long-term injured list.
"They're battling for jobs," Babcock said. "Getting off to a good start is
important for those guys."
As long as he's healthy, Samuelsson feels he can earn himself a job.
"If I don't believe in myself, nobody else is," Samuelsson said. "People can
say what they want, but I haven't forgotten how to play hockey. I couldn't do
what I normally do last season but I had reasons (injuries). You can't
contribute the way you want when you're not healthy.
"But I feel good now when I wake up in the morning and that's a good
feeling."
Alfredsson a go
Forward Daniel Alfredsson (groin) took part in the morning skate and
pronounced himself ready to play against Carolina.
Alfredsson didn't practice Thursday back in Detroit because of a tender groin.
"I feel good, ready to go," Alfredsson said.
One of the reasons the Red Wings are optimistic the power play will thrive
more so than last season is because of Alfredsson's powerful shot from the
point.
The Red Wings didn't convert in the season opener but opportunities were
created because of Alfredsson's shot.
"He adds a dimension," Babcock said.
Olympic tryout
Detroit News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719521
Detroit Red Wings
Stephen Weiss scores in overtime to lift Red Wings to 3-2 victory over
Carolina Hurricanes
Ansar Khan
on October 04, 2013 at 9:35 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 10:26 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. – Stephen Weiss picked a good time to score his first goal as
a Detroit Red Wing.
Weiss scored with 1:47 to play in overtime Friday, lifting the Red Wings to a
3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
Weiss followed up on a play by driving to the net and burying a loose puck.
The Red Wings grabbed two points when it appeared they wouldn’t get any.
Henrik Zetterberg scored with 16.4 seconds to play in the third period to force
overtime.
Zetterberg scored during a wild scramble in front of the net, after the Red
Wings had pulled goaltender Jimmy Howard for the extra skater. Zetterberg
spun around in the slot and fired a shot past Cam Ward.
Ward stopped 35 shots in his team’s season opener. Radek Dvorak and
Nathan Gerbe scored for the Hurricanes. Justin Abdelkader also scored for
Detroit.
The Red Wings (2-0) have scored five goals in two games. Offense is an
area the club needed to improve upon after finishing 19th in the NHL in goals
per game last season (2.54).
Abdelkader broke the ice for the Red Wings 42 seconds into the third period,
whipping a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle past Ward. Zetterberg set
him up with a nice cross-ice pass.
The goal sparked the Red Wings for a bit as they generated a few scoring
chances afterward. Abdelkader came close to tying it on a couple of
occasions.
Gerbe’s power-play goal gave Carolina a 2-0 lead at 18:11 of the second
period.
Justin Faulk’s shot deflected off Danny DeKeyser and right to a wide-open
Gerbe in front of the net. He fired it past Howard, as Kyle Quincey couldn’t
recover in time.
The Hurricanes, despite being outshot 8-4, led 1-0 after one period on a
strange goal by Dvorak.
Jeff Skinner skated up to the blue line and laid the puck into the zone for
Dvorak. Quincey just missed poking it away before Dvorak stretched and,
with one hand on his stick, poked it over Howard’s left shoulder at 13:30.
Howard missed on his poke-check attempt.
Quincey made the wrong read on the play, straying away from Dvorak, to
cover Drayson Bowman in the middle. It left Dvorak an open lane down the
right wing.
Detroit hadn’t played Carolina since March 24, 2012 (5-4 win at Joe Louis
Arena). The Red Wings’ last visit to Carolina resulted in a 3-0 loss to Ward on
April 6, 2011.
The Red Wings wrap up the short road trip Saturday night in Boston against
the defending Eastern Conference champion Bruins, who registered a
season-opening victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Michigan Live LOADED: 10.05.2013
719522
Detroit Red Wings
Steve Yzerman wants NHL to hand out game misconducts for fighting or ban
it all together
Brendan Savage
on October 03, 2013 at 4:01 PM, updated October 03, 2013 at 4:05 PM
DETROIT – The way Steve Yzerman sees it, five minutes in the penalty box
isn't a severe enough penalty for NHL players who fight.
The Tampa Bay general manager and Detroit Red Wings legend thinks
players who fight should be given a game misconduct and he even went one
step further and suggested that fighting be banned from the NHL all together.
This is coming from a guy who played directly alongside legendary NHL
fighter – and Yzerman's personal bodyguard – Bob Probert during the early
years of his career.
"Yes, I believe a player should get a game misconduct for fighting," Yzerman
told TSN.ca's Darren Dreger. "We penalize and suspend players for making
contact with the head while checking, in an effort to reduce head injuries, yet
we still allow fighting.
"We're stuck in the middle and need to decide what kind of sport do we want
to be. Either anything goes and we accept the consequences, or take the
next step and eliminate fighting."
General mangagers Ray Shero of Philadelphia and Jim Rutherford of
Carolina agreed with Yzerman's view while Scotty Bowman – who coached
Yzerman in Detroit – supported it to a degree.
Bowman told the Chicago Tribune that the NHL needs to do more than the
recent rule it enacted penalizing players who take off their helmets before a
fight. Bowman is also against staged fights.
That said, Bowman thinks fighting still has a place in hockey and agrees with
those who say it's a necessity in order to protect stars who might otherwise
be in danger of getting abused physically by less-skilled players.
"It's such a complex issue that I couldn't categorically say (fighting) should be
removed completely," Bowman told The Tribune's Chris Kuc. "I don't think
that's the issue. The issue to me is the safety of the players. They don't want
to be falling backward to the hard ice surface with no protection. At the same
time, you don't want skill players being run at continuously without retribution
"In some cases, (a fight) has a big effect because you're playing against
some teams that have different makeups than others. When you want to
build a championship team, you want to have a team for all seasons. You
want to be able to play a skilled game and you want to be able not to back up
when you're being taken advantage of."
Yzerman's comments were a result of an incident Tuesday night, when
Montreal's George Parros was wheeled off the ice on a stretcher after
slamming face-first into the ice during a fight with Toronto's Coltin Orr.
Parros suffered a concussion.
Michigan Live LOADED: 10.05.2013
719523
Detroit Red Wings
Stephen Weiss witnesses firsthand Red Wings' character and resiliency in
comeback victory (with video)
Ansar Khan
on October 04, 2013 at 10:42 PM, updated October 05, 2013 at 12:14 AM
They face a huge test Saturday night in Boston against the defending
Eastern Conference champion Bruins. Babcock said Howard will start in goal
and there might be a couple of lineup changes with games on back-to-back
nights.
Mikael Samuelsson likely will sit after possibly pulling his groin. He logged
only two shifts in the third period and did not play in the final 17 minutes of
regulation or in overtime. Tomas Tatar probably will make his season debut.
"We did a lot of good things It was good to grind out a win,’’ Abdelkader said.
“Now we got to get ready for Boston on back-to-back nights.’’
Michigan Live LOADED: 10.05.2013
RALEIGH, N.C. – Stephen Weiss was well aware of the Red Wings’
resiliency, the character and confidence they often display in clutch
situations, before he arrived in Detroit.
He saw it firsthand on Friday. In fact, he played a starring role.
Weiss’ first goal as a Red Wing was a big one. He scored at 3:13 of overtime
in a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
The Red Wings battled back from a two-goal deficit, getting a goal from
Henrik Zetterberg with 16.4 seconds remaining in the third period, to improve
to 2-0.
“First one’s always big, especially being in overtime is extra special,’’ Weiss
said. “I’ll remember that for a long time.’’
The Red Wings signed Weiss to a five-year, $24.5 million contract in the
off-season, expecting him to provide an offensive boost as the second-line
center. His fellow free agent and linemate Daniel Alfredsson, who had a
couple of chances to score in overtime, assisted on Zetterberg’s goal for his
first point as a Red Wing.
“Ton of character,’’ Weiss said. “We were down 2-0 (after two periods), there
was no panic in the dressing room. We got some guys who have been there
before, guys who trust the system and trust the process it’s going to take to
come back in a game like that.’’
Weiss came off the bench to score against Cam Ward, spoiling the
Hurricanes’ season opener.
“I don’t know how it got wide to (Niklas Kronwall), and Mule (Johan Franzen)
went to the net, great job by him,’’ Weiss said. “Kronner threw it in there,
(Franzen) banged away at it, I followed up and it squirted out to me and I was
able to get a stick on it.’’
Coach Mike Babcock said his team found a way to dig in and get it done.
"We got guys who have been there before, trust the system and process it's
going to take to come back in a game like that.’’ -- Stephen Weiss
“It’s good for Weiss to get a big goal,’’ Babcock said. “Anytime you come to a
new place you like to get the monkey off your back.’’
Zetterberg, who assisted on Justin Abdelkader’s goal 42 seconds into third
period, made Weiss’ goal possible by spinning in the slot and firing the puck
past Ward during a scramble in the waning seconds after his club pulled
goaltender Jimmy Howard for the extra skater.
“I had at least two or three whacks at it before it went through,’’ Zetterberg
said. “I just wanted to take a little extra time to make sure I got a good shot
away. I tried to aim for the corner, but it just went through.’’
Weiss said they had been working on six-on-five drills in practice.
“A lot of determination on his part,’’ Weiss said. “It was all around the net, he
had a few whacks in the slot, it just kept coming back to him. Good job by all
the boys, just hacking away at the net, keeping pucks alive.’’
Getting Abdelkader’s goal early in the period was huge.
“I wanted to make sure I got it on net; it was bouncing a little,’’ Abdelkader
said. “We wanted to get that first one to get things going.’’
The Red Wings fell behind on goals by Radek Dvorak at 13:30 of the first
period – he drove to the net and, with one hand on his stick, chipped the puck
over Howard – and Nathan Gerbe at 18:11 of the second, on the power play.
But the Red Wings were resilient, skating away with two points when it
appeared they wouldn’t get any. They outshot Carolina 38-25.
“I thought it was a real good morale win because you understand if you do
good things good things happen, just keep on playing,’’ Babcock said.
719524
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings' Mikael Samuelsson determined to show he can be productive
following injury-plagued year
Ansar Khan
on October 04, 2013 at 5:55 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 7:20 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. – Mikael Samuelsson stepped onto the ice Friday morning at
PNC Arena and immediately took a tumble.
Teammates tapped their sticks and roared in laughter.
The 36-year-old veteran of 12 seasons forgot to remove the blade covers
from his skates.
Perhaps that’s not surprising, considering Samuelsson hasn’t played much
hockey in the past 18 months, appearing in only four regular season and five
playoff games coming into this season due to a variety of injuries (pulled
groin, broken finger, strained pectoral muscle).
But he’s healthy now and determined to be a productive player.
“Last year was last year; I have a mindset that it's a new year,’’ Samuelsson
said. “I have to start off fresh, back to square one and I have to work for my
spot.
“I don't have any doubts I can still play and have a pretty good year. It's easy
standing here and talking. Hopefully, I'll show it on the ice.’’
He got off a good start by scoring the team’s first goal of the season
Wednesday, driving the middle of the ice and redirecting a pass from Cory
Emmerton in the 2-1 win over Buffalo.
“It was nice to get that goal after last year,’’ Samuelsson said. “It could go
both ways; you could struggle in the start and then who knows. You look
around the room and there are a lot of good forwards here. You have to earn
your ice time.’’
Samuelsson is a regular for now, playing on the fourth line with Emmerton
and Drew Miller. The Red Wings value Samuelsson’s right-handed shot on
the second power play unit as well.
But he is not assured of a spot. He must continue to show he belongs in the
lineup.
Young Tomas Tatar is battling for a spot and did everything he could in the
preseason to earn a job, but his age and lack of experience worked against
him on a team that favors veterans.
Right wing Jordin Tootoo (bruised shoulder) is close to returning. The club
hopes right wing Patrick Eaves (sprained MCL, ankle) and center Darren
Helm (back) will be back next month.
Coach Mike Babcock envisions a season-long competition for the final few
forward spots in the lineup.
“I haven’t seen (Samuelsson) in a long time; reality is he didn’t play for us last
year and he’s been away for a couple of years prior to that,’’ Babcock said.
“So we need him to be an impact.
“He’s like anybody else, they’re battling for jobs. We got two guys on LTI that
plan on playing on our team (Eaves and Helm). So getting off to a good start
is important for those guys.’’
Defenseman Niklas Kronwall said a healthy Samuelsson can make a
difference.
“He brings leadership, works really hard, good attitude,’’ Kronwall said. “He’s
really good on the power play, has a really good shot. We know that the more
he’s going to play the more he’s going to mean to our team.’’
Samuelsson said he is “more hungry than ever’’ to play some good hockey.
“I have to fight for a spot and contribute,’’ Samuelsson said. “In my mind, I
know that I can still play good hockey.
“That’s what comes with injuries; you realize how much fun it is when you’re
out there. I haven’t been out there that much lately, so that’s what I’m looking
forward to. You definitely miss it.”
Michigan Live LOADED: 10.05.2013
719525
Detroit Red Wings
Blog recap: Detroit Red Wings score three unanswered goals to win in
overtime
Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 (19:59 remaining): Carolina wins the draw and
the Red Wings-Hurricanes are underway again at PNC Arena. Detroit had
four scoring chances in the first period to Carolina's two.
FIRST PERIOD
Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 (0:00 remaining): Red Wings outshoot Carolina
9-4.
Brendan Savage on October 04, 2013 at 6:00 PM, updated October 04, 2013
at 9:35 PM
(If you're viewing this on MLive's mobile app, click here for the full version,
where you can get regular updates and comment.)
FINAL
Red Wings 3, Hurricanes 2 (1:47 remaining): Stephen Weiss puts back a
rebound with 1:47 left in overtime to cap Red Wings comeback from 2-0
deficit.
Red Wings, 2 Hurricanes 2 (19:59 remaining): Carolina wins the draw and
OT is underway at PNC Arena. Zetterberg with nine shots on goal in
regulation as Red Wings post 34-24 edge in first three periods.
Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 (4:00 remaining): Red Wings have five of the last
six shots but Carolina made its count. SOG: Detroit 7-2.
Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 (6:30 remaining): Radek Dvorak tips it up and
past Howard, who found the puck just out of his reach.
Red Wings 0, Hurricanes 0 (9:47 remaining): Not many scoring chances as
both teams only have two shots. Carolina outhitting the Wings 6-2.
Red Wings 0, Hurricanes 0 (11:50 remaining): Zetterberg hits the post after
zig-zagging through three Carolina defenders.
Red Wings 0, Hurricanes 0 (17:39 remaining): Red Wings get the first power
play when Skinner goes off for hooking Smith.
Red Wings 0, Hurricanes 0 (19:59 remaining): Datsyuk wins the draw and
they're underway at PNC Arena.
THIRD PERIOD
PREGAME
Red Wings 2, Hurricanes 2 (0:00 remaining): Headed to overtime.
It worked in Wednesday's opener so why change anything for the first road
game of the year?
Red Wings 2, Hurricanes 2 (0:16.4 remaining): Red Wings have several
chances as they swarm the net before Zetterberg buries it from the slot
between about five players while Ward is without his stick. Alfredsson and
Datsyuk with the assists.
The Detroit Red Wings will visit the Carolina Hurricanes tonight and employ
the same lineup that produced Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Buffalo
Sabres in the season opener at Joe Louis Arena.
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 1 (1:17 remaining): Detroit uses its timeout.
Jimmy Howard will once again start in goal.
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 1 (1:20 remaining): Howard heads to the Red
Wings bench for an extra attacker.
The game marks the first time the teams have met since March 24, 2012,
when the Red Wings posted a 5-4 victory at Joe Louis Arena in a game that
marked Nicklas Lidstrom's return to the lineup after missing four weeks with a
deep ankle bruise.
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 1 (3:42 remaining): Both teams with 11 shots in the
third, more than they ahd in either of the first two periods.
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 1 (9:44 remaining): Aldfredsson goes off for
hooking Semin.
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 1 (12:00 remaining): Red Wings look a little more
energized offensively. Have 6-5 edge in shots this period.
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 1 (15:00 remaining): Carolina kills the penalty.
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 1 (17:00 remaining): Good chance for the Red
Wings, who go back on the power play when Faulk gets called for holding
Zetterberg.
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 1 (19:18 remaining): Abdelkader scores on Red
Wings' second shot of the period.
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 0 (19:59 remaining): Carolina wins the draw and
the third period is underway at PNC Arena. Red Wings have eight scoring
chances to Carolina's seven.
SECOND PERIOD
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 0 (0:00 remaining): End of two.
Hurricanes 2, Red Wings 1 (1:49 remaining): Gerbe scores with 17 seconds
left on the power play. Goals late in the period are usually killers.
Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 (2:43 remaining): Datsyuk on a short-handed
breakaway but Ward makes the save.
Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 (3:32 remaining): Carolina back on the power
play when Smith goes off for holding Skinner.
Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 (5:18 remaining): Only one of the Carolina
players (Gerbe) has more than one shot on goal yet the Hurricanes lead.
Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 (10:25 remaining): Carolina gets first power play
when Ericsson goes off for boarding Eric Staal.
Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 (11:30 remaining): Red Wings have had nine
shots blocked.
Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 (13:14 remaining): Red Wings get their second
power play when Eric Staal goes off for tripping Abdelkader.
The Red Wings and Hurricanes didn't play last year because of the NHL
lockout. Detroit's entire 48-game schedule was played against Western
Conference opponents.
But now that the Red Wings are back in the Eastern Conference, they'll be
playing Carolina four times this season.
After tonight, they'll meet again Nov. 21 in Detroit and April 11 at Joe Louis
Arena.
Michigan Live LOADED: 10.05.2013
719526
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings Gameday: Has rivalry with Carolina Hurricanes been
underrated?
Brendan Savage
on October 04, 2013 at 3:00 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 3:11 PM
GAME INFORMATION
• Who: Detroit Red Wings (1-0) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (0-0)
• Faceoff: 7 p.m. at PNC Arena
• Live coverage: Join the MLive conversation at 6 p.m. ET and follow Ansar
Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) and Brendan Savage (@BrendanSavage) on
Twitter.
• TV: Fox Sports Detroit
• WXYT-FM (97.1), WXYT-AM (1270) and the Red Wings Radio Network
• Latest line: Red Wings -1.5 (5.5)
THE STORYLINE
Carolina might not rank up there with the Maple Leafs, Avalanche and
Blackhawks when it comes to some of the Red Wings top rivals, but there is a
bit of a history.
Who doesn't remember the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals, when the Red Wings
beat the Hurricanes in five games to win their third championship in six
years?
And the head-to-head series over the years has been surprisingly
competitive. (But more about that later).
Tonight marks the first road game of 2013-14 for the Red Wings, who opened
the season Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Carolina is
one of four teams that have yet to play a game this season.
Tomas Tatar and Brian Lashoff are healthy scratches from the Red Wings'
lineup tonight. Jimmy Howard will start in goal.
After tonight's game, the Red Wings will visit Boston Saturday before
heading home for back-to-back games Thursday against Phoenix and
Saturday against Philadelphia.
HISTORY
The Red Wings lead the all-time series with Carolina 33-26-8 and have
earned 74 point to the Hurricanes' 61 in head-to-head meetings.
The last time the teams met was March 24, 2012. The Red Wings won 5-4 at
Joe Louis Arena, when Henrik Zetterberg scored twice and Nicklas Lidstrom
returned to the lineup after a four-week absence because of a deep bone
bruise in his ankle.
Michigan Live LOADED: 10.05.2013
719527
Detroit Red Wings
Petr Mrazek
Here is Carolina's anticipated lineup:
Red Wings expecting Hurricanes to storm out of the gate tonight in their
season opener
Jiri Tlusty-Eric Staal-Alexander Semin
Nathan Gerbe-Jordan Staal-Patrick Dwyer
Jeff Skinner-Riley Nash-Radek Dvorak
Ansar Khan
on October 04, 2013 at 12:54 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 1:11 PM
Drayson Bowman-Brett Sutter-Elias Lindholm
Andrej Sekera-Justin Faulk
Jay Harrison-Ryan Murphy
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes are another Eastern Conference
club the Detroit Red Wings aren’t too familiar with, so they can turn to Daniel
Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss for a breakdown.
Ron Hainsey-Brett Bellmore
The Red Wings (1-0) play Carolina tonight at PNC Arena in the Hurricanes’
season opener.
Anton Khudobin
“They play an aggressive style, especially at home,’’ Alfredsson said. “Being
their home opener, I expect them to come out hard, be aggressive on their
forecheck and pinching their (defense), so we’re going to have to be moving
the puck well early on. If we can be good at executing in our own end we’ll be
able to take advantage.’’
Said Weiss: “They’re a fast club, they have some forwards who can move.
The key against them is usually the first 5-10 minutes of the game. They
come out really hard and try to get on top of you early. So if we’re good in the
first 5-10 minutes it’ll bode well for us the rest of the night.’’
The Red Wings will use the same line combinations and defense pairings as
they did in their season-opening 2-1 win vs. Buffalo.
Detroit hasn’t played Carolina since March 24, 2012 (5-4 win at Joe Louis
Arena). The Red Wings’ last visit to Carolina resulted in a 3-0 loss to Cam
Ward on April 6, 2011. Ward starts tonight.
This will be the Red Wings’ first game against Carolina since it acquired
center Jordan Staal from Pittsburgh and signed free-agent right wing
Alexander Semin, formerly of Washington, last season.
Jordan joins his brother Eric, giving the Hurricanes a strong 1-2 punch at
center.
“Jordan is very smart player overall, good in the faceoff circle, kills penalties,
plays on the power play, big body,’’ Alfredsson said. “Eric is more dynamic
with his speed and offensive abilities. He creates a lot of chances for himself
and his linemates. They’re two guys that carry one line each. Turn the puck
over and they’re going to create a lot of chances.’’
Added Weiss, “They’re both big and strong and have a lot of skill. They’re
good at both ends of the ice. You got to work and earn your ice against them
and be aware of them defensively. Try to make them play in their zone as
much as possible.’’
Eric Staal centers a line with Jiri Tlusty and Semin. Jordan Staal centers
Nathan Gerbe and Patrick Dwyer.
“I thought Tlusty played real well in exhibition,’’ Red Wings coach Mike
Babcock said. “I know Eric real well, he’s a good player, and then you add
Semin into the mix. He’s a world-class talent. He can pass the puck and
shoot the puck, big body. It’s a good group.’’
Here are the Red Wings' lines and defense pairings for tonight:
Henrik Zetterberg-Pavel Datsyuk-Justin Abdelkader
Johan Franzen-Stephen Weiss-Daniel Alfredsson
Daniel Cleary-Joakim Andersson-Todd Bertuzzi
Drew Miller-Cory Emmerton-Mikael Samuelsson
Tomas Tatar is a healthy scratch. Jordin Tootoo and Darren Helm (both on
injured reserve) also skated.
Niklas Kronwall-Jonathan Ericsson
Danny DeKeyser-Jakub Kindl
Kyle Quincey-Brendan Smith
Brian Lashoff (scratched)
Jimmy Howard (starting)
Cam Ward (starting)
Michigan Live LOADED: 10.05.2013
719528
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk underrated, Niklas Kronwall among dirtiest
players in ESPN poll
Brendan Savage
on October 04, 2013 at 6:30 AM, updated October 04, 2013 at 6:35 AM
Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk is one of the most underrated
players in the NHL and defenseman Niklas Kronwall is one of the dirtiest,
according to an ESPN The Magazine poll of 30 "star" players who were
allowed to remain anonymous.
Datsyuk tied for second in voting for the most underrated player behind
Alexander Steen of the St. Louis Blues. Steen got 13.3 percent of the vote
while Datsyuk and Nicklas Backstrom of the Washington Capitals both got 10
percent.
Kronwall tied for second behind Minnesota's Matt Cooke in voting for the
dirtiest player. Cook was an easy winner with 30 percent of the vote while
Kronwall and Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien got seven percent apiece.
The Red Wings' Mike Babcock tied for second in voting for the smartest
coach. Dan Blysma of Pittsburgh was first with 26.7 percent of the vote while
Babcock and Chicago's Joel Quenneville had 20 percent each.
Dion Phaneuf of Toronto was voted the most overrated player followed by
New York Rangers teammates Henrik Lundqvist and Carl Hagelin.
Perhaps the most interesting category involving the Red Wings was the one
that asked which team will benefit the most and the least from four-division
realignment. The Red Wings were No. 1 in both categories.
Figure that one out.
The Red Wings got 13.3 percent of the vote when it came to teams that will
be helped by realignment while Columbus, Philadelphia and Winnipeg were
all a distant second with 3.3 percent apiece.
As far as being hurt by realignment, the Red Wings again were No. 1 with
20.8 percent of the vote. Winnipeg again finished in a second-place tie but
this time the Jet were dead even with all of the Eastern Conference teams at
16.7 percent.
Again, figure that one out.
Eighty percent of players think teammates are not taking performance
enhancing drugs, 60 percent think the instigator rule should be abolished,
56.7 percent would like to see expansion, 56.6 percent said they would not
play in the KHL, 88 percent think NHL players in the Olympics should show
support for gay rights while in Russia, 63.3 percent like the current size of
goalie pads, and Seattle finished No. 1 with 37 percent of the vote when it
comes to cities deserving an NHL expansion team.
Michigan Live LOADED: 10.05.2013
719529
Detroit Red Wings
Some Red Wings believe fighting has place in game, as debate about
banning fisticuffs heats up
Ansar Khan
on October 03, 2013 at 6:01 PM, updated October 03, 2013 at 6:07 PM
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have fought less than any team in the
NHL over the past dozen years, but many players feel fisticuffs have a place
in the game.
The age-old debate about whether the league should ban fighting is heating
up again, just two days into the season. It was sparked by a scary incident
Tuesday, when Montreal Canadiens enforcer George Parros hit his head on
the ice during a fight with Toronto's Colton Orr. Parros suffered a concussion
and had to be carried off on a stretcher.
Incidents like that prompted Tampa Bay Lightning general manager and
former long-time Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman to declare that game
misconducts should be issued for fighting -- he even supported a ban on
fighting altogether.
Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said “for sure'' he envisions a day when the
NHL will ban fighting.
Players on the Red Wings, some who scrap and some who don't, can't
picture that happening.
“If you did a study over the last few years of how many guys have been hurt
really badly from fighting, I don't know if it's that many,'' defenseman Niklas
Kronwall said. “But there's always going to be incidents. The one that
happened with George Parros is just bad luck.
“I think fighting has a place in hockey. Can you do something with the rules?
Game misconduct or something like that? That might be an option.''
Jordin Tootoo, who led the Red Wings with eight fighting majors last season,
sees many advantages to keeping fisticuffs in the game.
“Fighting has been a part of the game since Day 1,'' Tootoo said. “It's about
having respect for each other and … what's called changing momentum of a
game. It's a difference-maker, but at the same time you're not going out to
intentionally hurt the guy.
“Fighting has been a part of the game since Day 1. It's about having respect
for each other.'' -- Jordin Tootoo
“For me, I play a pretty rambunctious style of hockey that allows other teams
to have a hate on me and I got to be able to back it up. I do, and I feel
comfortable in doing that.''
Justin Abdelkader sees no problem with fights that occur in the heat of battle.
“I think there's still a place for fighting,'' Abdelkader said. “I think what they're
trying to do is take out the staged part of the fighting, but I think it's still part of
the game, part of the history.''
Drew Miller believes enforcers play an important role, but he acknowledged
safety concerns, particularly to a player's life after hockey.
“You have to respect the guys that do it on a night-to-night basis,'' Miller said.
“I think it does create a spark when needed, momentum shifts, but I don’t
know where you draw the line where that’s more beneficial than someone’s
health.
“If it was all gone it would be different and weird. But with a transition period
maybe it would become normal eventually.''
Babcock called what happened in the Canadiens-Maple Leafs game “a
farce.''
“We’re talking about taking all of the head shots out of the NHL and that
stuff’s going on?'' Babcock said.
“So everyone will tell you that (fighting) has a place in the game. There’s lots
and lots of hard games (other sports) that don’t allow fighting. I don’t have all
the answers, I just know the way we’ve made it now, some guys with visors
and some don’t and they’re taking them off, and not taking them off. To me
that’s not two guys mad fighting, that’s something else.''
The NHL has taken measures to reduce head shots, doling out stiffer
suspensions for illegal hits.
“When your league is this much against head shots and the penalties are so
severe -- fighting is a head shot, isn’t it?'' Babcock said. “I don’t know where
the fine line is there. I don’t know how you take head shots out of the game
and allow scrapping.''
Michigan Live LOADED: 10.05.2013
719530
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers coach Dallas Eakins focussing on win, not retribution, in
game against Vancouver Canucks
October 4, 2013. 5:03 pm
Joanne Ireland
There have been some uncomfortable adjustments that Sam Gagner has
had to make since Zack Kassian swung his stick into his face, knocking out
four teeth and fracturing the jaw.
He’s had the surgery and he can get out onto the ice to keep his conditioning
but he is still struggling with his limited food options. Chewing down on a
steak is just not an option right now.
“I’m getting a little tired of fish and soup,” he said Friday.
As for the idea the the Oilers will be looking retribution in Vancouver, not only
for Kassian’s blow but also for the head shot Dale Weise laid on Taylor Hall,
don’t bank on it.
Kassian is still serving an eight suspension (he is eligible to return Oct. 12)
and as far as Oilers coach Dallas Eakins is concerned, the league dealt with
Weise as well by making him sit for the remainder of the pre-season.
“I don’t know if we even think about that,” said Eakins. “We’ve instructed our
guys to play hard every night and every shift but we’re not going to look for
guys who have made dumb plays. The league handled it and we’re good with
it.”
Gagner will be able to return – with a full faceshield – when the fracture has
healed to the point where the plate won’t move under pressure.
“The biggest thing is that when my jaw is ready, I’ll be ready to play,” he said.
“With a lot of injuries it’s a long process to get back. I had a week off the ice
and a week off from working out and you can lose a lot just in a week so it’s
nice to just get back on the ice.”
Gagner lost almost 10 pounds but is back up to 198 pounds, which is about
four pounds under his playing weight.
Meanwhile, defenceman Denis Grebeshkov, who has been out of the lineup
with a groin injury, is hopeful he’ll be able to start practicing next week. He did
some work on another sheet of ice on Friday, along with Gagner, while the
team readied itself for its game against the Canucks.
“I’m doing everything I can to get back,” said Grebeshkov, who has spent the
last three seasons in the KHL. Fellow Russian Anton Belov, who is an NHL
rookie, played in the opener and will play with Nick Schultz again Saturday
against the Canucks.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719531
Edmonton Oilers
Oilers should keep Taylor Hall at centre even with The Nuge returning
October 4, 2013. 1:16 pm
Jim Matheson
Centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will return to the Edmonton Oilers lineup on
Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, against the New Jersey Devils. Nugent-Hopkins has
been out of the lineup since the spring; he had shoulder surgery on April 23.
I know Taylor Hall at centre was the Edmonton Oilers’ lab experiment from
the not-so-mad scientist Dallas Eakins because Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was
going to miss all of pre-season and maybe all of the first month of
regular-season.
But now that RNH is coming back Monday against New Jersey, why can’t
they keep Hall where he is, at least until Sam Gagner’s busted jaw heals and
he returns in a month?
Haven’t we all wanted to see how a tag-team of RNH and Hall would be at
centre, giving them a little more beef in the middle? Kind of like Gretzky and
Messier in the bygone days.
Nothing against the natural centre Gagner, who is 195 pounds, but couldn’t
he play the wing? He works the boards well and he’s got lots of ice savvy. A
lot more centres move to the wing than the other way around. Keep the Hall
experiment going for awhile longer.
It’s no secret the Oilers are much deeper on the wing than at centre. They’ve
got Jordan Eberle and Ales Hemsky on right-wing ,and David Perron, Nail
Yakupov (who can play either side) and Ryan Smyth on LW on the first two
two lines, with Finn Jesse Joensuu stepping up big-time as a top-nine winger,
too.
Keeping Hall at centre would screw things up for Mark Arcobello, mind you.
Boyd Gordon is the perfect third-line centre, who took 26 face-offs on
opening night against Winnipeg; he looks a lot like the new Shawn Horcoff
with the multitude of draws. Will Acton did a nice job as the fourth-line centre
between Mike Brown and Luke Gazdic against the Jets.
Hall prefers left-wing, getting his speed going against defencemen. He
should have been a second-team NHL all-star there but for a screwed up
vote from the hockey writers. But he also seems to have embraced the move
to the middle.
I say keep him there and see how a Nuge-Hall tag-team looks.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719532
Edmonton Oilers
Nugent-Hopkins set to return to Oilers lineup on Monday
By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal October 4, 2013
“I definitely want to make a big jump from last year,” he said. “I made some
steps in my defensive game, but I definitely thought, offensively, I could have
produced more.
“I’m just going to try to get involved physically (on Monday), get a shot on net
... I need to get involved in the game right away. I’ve been working on the
faceoffs pretty much every day and it feels strong. That’s a good indicator
right there.”
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 10.05.2013
LEDUC — After his last practice as an auxiliary part, a routine Ryan
Nugent-Hopkins has endured for a couple of weeks, Edmonton Oilers
teammate Ryan Smyth delivered a couple of sprightly checks.
The star centre will return to the lineup on Monday when the Oilers host the
New Jersey Devils at Rexall Place.
“Yeah, a couple of guys were giving it to me, just to see how it felt,” said
Nugent-Hopkins, who was the centre of attention on Friday.
He travelled with the Oilers to Vancouver, where he is expected to take part
in the warm-up just to get back into the routine, then he’ll prepare for the
Devils’ game.
The Oilers are 0-1 after an opening-day 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The
Canucks are also 0-1.
Nugent-Hopkins last played on April 19, then had surgery four days later to
repair his left shoulder. The long-range return date was Nov. 1, but he has
been taking part in practices for a couple of weeks and passed the required
medical inspections.
He even flew into Cleveland to see his surgeon earlier this week.
“It’s definitely a little earlier than first thought because they say five to six
months, and then it’s usually closer to six. The last month is about getting
your strength back and it’s there now,” said the Oilers’ 2011 No. 1 draft pick,
who signed a seven-year, $42-million contract extension last month.
“It’s awesome that I only have to miss a couple of games. The biggest thing is
that I’m confident with it right now. I wouldn’t come back if I wasn’t.”
Nugent-Hopkins said again on Friday that he wasn’t fast-tracking his return
because Sam Gagner was knocked out of the lineup after getting hit in the
face by Canucks forward Zack Kassian’s stick during a pre-season game on
Sept. 21. Nugent-Hopkins said he had reported to training camp hopeful he’d
be back soon.
Kassian is still serving a suspension for his careless act against Gagner and
will not play against the Oilers on Saturday. Gagner, who suffered a broken
jaw on the play, has started skating but will not return to practice until the
fracture has set.
“It was tough seeing Gags get hurt like that and, obviously, it was a big hit to
the team, but as far as I was concerned, I had to make sure I was 100 per
cent ready, no matter what,” said Nugent-Hopkins. “It’s definitely a bonus I
am coming back early.
“Coming into camp, I wasn’t quite sure when I’d be back because I hadn’t
talked to the doctors much. And at the start of camp, my strength wasn’t quite
there, so I knew I had to work on that. I got it to where it needed to be.”
Head coach Dallas Eakins has not ruled out the possibility of keeping Taylor
Hall at centre, although that debate will continue through the weekend.
Hall will play between Ryan Smyth and Ales Hemsky against the Canucks
while Mark Acobello centres David Perron and Nail Yakupov.
Jordan Eberle, who skated with Perron and Arcobello against the Jets, is
playing with Boyd Gordon and Jesse Joensuu.
“It’s something we started talking about this morning,” Eakins said. “I’m on
the tightrope either way, (but) suddenly, it’s a nice problem to have.
Arcobello, I thought, had a pretty good game against Winnipeg, so it’s nice to
have options when you’re missing such an important piece of your team in
Sam Gagner.”
Nugent-Hopkins said last week that he didn’t want to use his injured shoulder
as an excuse, but that he wasn’t playing with confidence last season and
could have been much better than he was. He scored four goals and 20
assists in 40 games.
He has set the bar much higher for this campaign.
719533
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins coming back early after shoulder
surgery
Max Maudie and Derek Van Diest, Edmonton Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 12:47 PM MDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 04:24 PM MDT
Edmonton Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is returning to regular play early,
suiting up on Monday against the New Jersey Devils.
"It's very exciting, I can't wait to get playing on Monday. It's been a long
recovery, definitely well worth it, feeling really good," Nugent-Hopkins said at
practice in Leduc Friday, where he took the ice.
Edmonton Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins announced the surprise move
after practice.
Nugent-Hopkins had once been scheduled to return Nov. 1.
"It's definitely a little bit earlier than I thought, because they said five or six
months and it's usually closer to six," said Nugent-Hopkins. "It's definitely a
positive thing and I'm definitely excited to get back.
The 20-year-old spent all of last season playing with the bad shoulder. He
tallied four goals and twenty assists in 40 games.
"I just got my strength up, the healing is done, my strength is up where it
needs to be," said Nugent-Hopkins. "Obviously I need to get some contact in,
I've had a couple of weeks of that and everything has felt really good. Once I
got the strength up, it was just a matter of when I was able to go.
The 0-1 Oilers visit the Vancouver Canucks Saturday. The puck drops at 8
p.m. Edmonton time. The Copper and Blue lost their opener 5-4 after a late
surge by the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.
The Canucks are also 0-1 after losing to 4-1 to San Jose on Thursday.
Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719534
Florida Panthers
With goal, Florida Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov makes mark in first game
By George Richards
Posted on Sat, Oct. 05, 2013
The Panthers made a little NHL history on Thursday night when rookie center
Aleksander Barkov became the youngest player to score in almost 70 years.
Barkov was the second overall pick of the Panthers in the 2013 NHL Draft
and made his debut on Thursday. Barkov’s goal was big at the time, as it
came with 9:28 left in the third period and tied the score at 2.
Marcel Goc scored two more after Barkov’s goal to help Florida win its
season opener 4-2 over the host Dallas Stars.
Ted Kennedy was four days younger than Barkov when he scored a goal for
the Maple Leafs on Jan. 8, 1944. Barkov was 18 years and 31 days old at the
time of his goal.
“Isn’t that a great stat? That’s something to be incredibly proud of,” coach
Kevin Dineen said. “There are a lot of stats out there, but that’s a pretty neat
one. He didn’t look out of place. He went out there and established himself
and played his best game in a Panthers uniform.”
Barkov has spent the past two years playing professionally in Finland and
said he didn’t feel any nerves in playing in his first NHL game.
“I was just excited,” Barkov said. “I had a lot of fun.”
As is custom, the Panthers collected the puck he scored his first goal on and
will have it — along with the lineup card from his first game — framed.
Barkov’s goal came on his third shot of the night; last season, Jonathan
Huberdeau scored a goal on his first shot in his first NHL game. Barkov is the
eighth-youngest player in NHL history to score his first NHL goal, according
to research from Elias Sports Bureau.
Other Florida players to score in their first game include Stephen Weiss and
Shawn Matthias.
“I’m not thinking about that; I’m just trying to concentrate on the next game,”
said Barkov, who played 15:34 off 21 shifts in his opener. “I was just trying to
put the puck on the net. Sometimes it goes through.”
Blockade
Dineen was extremely happy with the teamwork the Panthers showed
Thursday as Florida had 24 blocked shots.
“That is our overall identity,” Dineen said. “It’s something we acknowledged
with our players and is something we take pride in.”
Defenseman Erik Gudbranson made the biggest block of the game when he
dove to the ice and got in front of a hard slap shot from Dallas’ Brenden
Dillon.
The score was tied 2-2 at the time and had that puck gone in, the Panthers
could be 0-1 going into Saturday’s game in St. Louis instead of the other way
around. Marcel Goc scored the first of his two goals 25 seconds after
Gudbranson’s huge block.
Gudbranson, who said he took the shot in the midsection, briefly left
Thursday’s game but finished it by playing on four shifts in the final seven
minutes.
“I’m fine,” Gudbranson said after participating in Friday’s practice.
“Guys made the sacrifices,” Panthers goalie Tim Thomas said after the
game. “If Gudbranson doesn’t block that shot, we don’t win the game.”
• Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov was ejected from Thursday’s game along with
Dallas’ Ryan Garbutt for starting a fight while another fight was going on.
Kulikov said Friday he didn’t know that teammate Mike Weaver was already
battling Antoine Roussel at the time.
“As soon as [Thomas] got the puck, I started pulling [Garbutt] away, and I
didn’t know what was going on with Weaver and the other guy,” Kulikov said.
“I thought it would be a 10-minute misconduct. I didn’t know it would be the
game. I felt bad leaving five [defensemen] out there.”
Miami Herald LOADED: 10.05.2013
719535
Florida Panthers
BLOCKAGE: Erik Gudbranson and Panthers Get Down and Dirty to Beat
Stars in Opener
Posted by George Richards at 06:09 PM
ST. LOUIS -- Coach Kevin Dineen was extremely happy with the teamwork
the Panthers showed on Thursday as Florida had 24 blocked shots.
"That is our overall identity,'' Dineen said. "It's something we acknowledged
with our players and is something we take pride in.''
Defenseman Erik Gudbranson made the biggest block of the game when he
dove to the ice and got in front of a hard slap shot from Dallas' Brenden
Dillon.
The score was tied 2-2 at the time and had that puck gone in, the Panthers
could be 0-1 going into Saturday's game in St. Louis instead of the other way
around. Marcel Goc scored the first of his two goals 25 seconds after
Gudbranson's huge block.
Gudbranson, who said he took the shot in the midsection, briefly left
Thursday's game but finished it by playing on four shifts in the final seven
minutes.
"I'm fine,'' Gudbranson said after participating in Friday's practice.
"Guys made the sacrifices,'' Panthers goalie Tim Thomas said after the
game. "If Gudbranson doesn't block that shot, we don't win the game.''
-- Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov was ejected from Thursday's game along with
Dallas' Ryan Garbutt for starting a fight while another fight was going on.
Kulikov said on Friday that he didn't know that teammate Mike Weaver was
already battling Antoine Roussel at the time.
"As soon as [Thomas] got the puck I started pulling [Garbutt] away and I
didn't know what was going on with Weaver and the other guy,'' Kulikov said.
"I thought it would be a 10-minute misconduct. I didn't know it would be the
game. I felt bad leaving five D out there.''
SATURDAY: PANTHERS AT BLUES
When, Where: 8:30 p.m.; Scottrade Center, St. Louis
TV/Radio: FSN; WSBR-740
The series: Blues lead 15-7-3
Scouting report: Both teams are 1-0 to start the year with the Blues kicking off
a five-game homestand with a 4-2 win over Nashville. The Blues have won
the past two over Florida with the Panthers winning just three of 13 in St.
Louis.
Miami Herald LOADED: 10.05.2013
719536
Florida Panthers
YOUTH ON PARADE: Aleksander Barkov Youngest to Score in NHL Since
World War II
Posted by George Richards at 06:02 PM
ST. LOUIS -- The Panthers made a little NHL history on Thursday night when
rookie center Aleksander Barkov became the youngest player to score in
almost 70 years.
Barkov was the second overall pick of the Panthers in the 2013 NHL draft
and made his debut on Thursday. Barkov's goal was big at the time as it
came with 9:28 left in the third period and tied the score at 2.
Marcel Goc scored two more after Barkov's goal to help Florida win its
season opener 4-2 over host Dallas.
Ted Kennedy was four days younger than Barkov when he scored a goal for
the Maple Leafs on Jan. 8, 1944. Barkov was 18 years (and 31 days) old at
the time of his goal.
"Isn't that a great stat? That's something to be incredibly proud of,'' coach
Kevin Dineen said. "There are a lot of stats out there, but that's a pretty neat
one. He didn't look out of place. He went out there and established himself
and played his best game in a Panthers uniform.''
Barkov has spent the past two years playing professionally in Finland and
said he didn't feel any nerves in playing in his first NHL game. "I was just
excited,'' Barkov said. "I had a lot of fun.''
As is custom, the Panthers collected the puck he scored his first goal on and
will have it -- along with the lineup from his first game -- framed.
Barkov's goal came on his third shot of the night; last season, Jonathan
Huberdeau scored a goal on his first shot in his first NHL game. Barkov is the
eighth-youngest player in NHL history to score his first NHL goal according to
research from Elias Sports Bureau.
Other Florida players to score in their first game include Stephen Weiss and
Shawn Matthias.
"I'm not thinking about that, I'm just trying to concentrate on the next game,''
said Barkov, who played 15:34 off 21 shifts in his opener. "I was just trying to
put the puck on the net. Sometimes it goes through.''
Miami Herald LOADED: 10.05.2013
719537
Florida Panthers
Panthers have several stars in season-opening 4-2 victory over Stars
"Look at the way [Gudbranson] didn't hesitate when he went down and
blocked that shot that would've been a huge goal for them. It's a great start, a
great finish and I thought a great team-building experience that hopefully the
guys will remember and carry into game two.''
Barkov low key
By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel
7:10 p.m. EDT, October 4, 2013
While the youngest and oldest Panthers – goalie Tim Thomas and rookie
Aleksander Barkov – deserved most of the media attention following a
season-opening 4-2 victory over the Dallas Stars, coach Kevin Dineen
singled out two defensemen who repeatedly used their bodies as human
shields to prevent goals.
Barkov, whose broken English hasn't caught up to his on-ice skill, didn't
seem fazed by being the eighth youngest player to score his first goal and the
youngest to score any goal since Jan. 8, 1944 when Ted Kennedy did it
(according to Elias Sports Bureau).
"[It means] nothing, I'm concentrating on the next game,'' said Barkov, who
was 18 year old and 31 days when he made history. "Not now, maybe after
my career.''
Barkov matched his roommate, Jonathan Huberdeau, who also scored a
goal in his first NHL game last year.
Of course, Thomas, 39, who was playing in his first game that mattered in
more than 17 months, deserved the No. 1 Star post-game honor for notching
25 saves, several of the spectacular variety. However, that didn't include the
24 shots that never reached him as veteran defenseman Mike Weaver had
six blocks, not to mention a battered face after he and defenseman Dmitry
Kulikov stuck up for Thomas with their fists in simultaneous brawls in the first
period.
"Yeah, but not on my first shot,'' joked Barkov, recalling Huberdeau's feat.
Kulikov, who missed last year's opener after a contract dispute didn't allow
him to practice enough, was tossed out for being involved in a secondary
fight with Ryan Garbut (also ejected).
"Tim Thomas come in there giving us stability and the different age of the
spectrum, veterans versus youth and the balance we're trying to find
between those two players.
"I was shocked,'' said Kulikov, who only played 3:37. "I thought maybe 10
minute misconduct. It was good to be on the ice for whatever, better than last
year. Obviously, I was disappointed and felt bad for leaving the guys with five
defensemen out there.''
"Still there's a learning curve and we'll be patient with him. He certainly
understands he's got a wonderful opportunity to play with highly skilled
players. There are no guarantees in our business. He's earning his time right
now.''
No block was more important to the victory when five minutes after Barkov,
18, tied it at 2-2 with a backhander through a maze of bodies in front of Stars
goalie Kari Lehtonen at 10:32 in the third period to become the youngest
player in 69 years to score his first NHL goal, young defenseman Erik
Gudbranson saved the two points with one of his four blocks.
Barkov was a plus-1 with four shots on net, one giveaway, one blocked shot
and 3-10 on faceoffs in 15:34 of ice time.
First, Gudbranson blocked a shot by Erik Cole that caromed to Stars rookie
defenseman Brendan Dillon, who had a vacated net until the third-year
blueliner threw himself in front of the shot like a war hero diving on a grenade.
It struck him in his chest and doubled him over.
"My ribs hurt when I saw that shot,'' Dineen said. "That's a sign of what we're
trying to establish here, you're playing for the team and there's not better
example than that one. It got [Gudbranson] in the midsection and that's a
long way from his heart, so he'll be all right.''
About a minute later Tomas Fleischmann raced up ice and deftly dropped a
no-look pass to trailing centerman Marcel Goc, who flipped it in for the game
winner. Goc, playing on the top line, added an empty-netter for the icing on
the Panthers' third consecutive season-opening victory under Dineen.
It was just the second multiple-goal game of Goc's nine-year career and first
since Nov. 18, 2010 when he was on the Predators.
"I don't remember the last time [I scored twice],'' Goc said after practice
Friday afternoon at Scottrade Center. "Flash could've taken the shot so I
thanked him. We did a lot of good things but we still got to clean up a few
details in our own end and the neutral zone, and keep doing good stuff.''
Dineen was more impressed with Goc's 16-4 faceoff advantage and his part
in killing off all three Stars' power plays – along with Weaver and Jesse
Winchester – without giving up at shot.
"Every summer I look at it and say we're a good team if Marcel is [our
third-line center] and doing his regular job, and at the end of the day he's
such a versatile, cerebral player and person, he just keeps popping up into
the forefront in situations,'' Dineen said.
Weaver missed much of last season with a knee injury, but he led the
Panthers with 137 blocks in 2011-12 and with 132 in 2010-11, as well as
leading St. Louis (127) in 2009-10. He said an inspirational speech given by
new owner Vincent Viola last week really struck a chord regarding team unity
and sacrifice.
"He said we travel in packs and that really hit home for the boys, so when
somebody getsa shot at our goalie everybody was right there,'' Weaver said.
"We have to create that atmosphere every game to not only pay attention to
detail but to sacrifice your body for the team.''
Dineen was impressed with the Elias stat, but isn't ready to put Barkov into
the Hall of Fame.
"That's a great stat, something to be incredibly proud of,'' Dineen said. "He
didn't look out of place between him going out there establishing his game,
probably playing his best game yet in a Panthers' uniform.
Sun Sentinel LOADED: 10.05.2013
719538
Florida Panthers
Preview: Panthers at Blues, Saturday
By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel
6:40 p.m. EDT, October 4, 2013
When/Where: 8 p.m., Scottrade Center, St. Louis
TV: FSN; Radio: 740-WSBR
Scouting report: After winning their third straight season opener under coach
Kevin Dineen, the Panthers face a sterner test in the Blues. They've been
bounced out of the playoffs by the Kings in two straight years, but many
pundits have tabbed them for a Stanley Cup run. The Blues are coming off a
home-opening 4-2 win over Nashville in which they chased Predators G
Pekka Rinne in the first period after two goals by Vladimir Sobotka and T.J.
Oshie. The Blues lost top-six F Andy McDonald to retirement, but signed
top-six C Derek Roy. Their defense, which allowed the second fewest goals
last season, is anchored by former Panthers D Jay Bouwmeester and G
Jaroslav Halak, who's 7-1 with an 1.86 GAA vs. Florida. The Panthers are
3-9-1 in St. Louis. Panthers F Sean Bergenheim (groin) is getting closer, but
D Ed Jovanovski (hip) is out.
Sun Sentinel LOADED: 10.05.2013
719539
Florida Panthers
Panthers rookie Barkov is youngest NHL player to score first goal since 1942
By Harvey Fialkov Sun Sentinel
1:25 p.m. EDT, October 4, 2013
Panthers rookie Aleksander Barkov not only scored the tying goal in the third
period that ignited a three-goal outburst and 4-2 season-opening victory over
the host Dallas Stars Thursday, but he made NHL history.
At 18, 31 days, Barkov became the youngest player to score his first NHL
goal ssince Don Raleigh, at age 17 years, 147 days, scored for the New York
Rangers in a 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs on Nov. 21, 1943, according to Elias
Sports Bureau.
He's the eighth youngest to score his first goal, and the youngest to score a
goal of any kind since Ted Kennedy scored on Jan. 8, 1944, during World
War II when the NHL was filled with 17 year olds.
However, Barkov, the second overall pick in June, is the youngest to do it
since the expansion era began in 1967-68. He surpasses Grant Mulvey of
the Blackhawks and Jordan Staal of the Penguins, by one day. They were 18
years, 32 days old when they scored their first NHL goals. Mulvey's came in a
game Oct. 1974 against the Blues, while Staal scored Oct. 12, 2006 against
the Rangers
Sun Sentinel LOADED: 10.05.2013
719540
Los Angeles Kings
Kings fall to Jets, 5-3, and Jonathan Quick gets the hook
By Lisa Dillman
10:31 PM PDT, October 4, 2013
WINNIPEG, Canada – Reasons to pull a goalie in only his second start of the
season?
Let us go over them after Winnipeg beat the Kings, 5-3, in the Jets' home
opener at MTS Center on Friday night. The offensively gifted Jets have
scored 10 goals in two games and Devin Setoguchi and Evander Kane
combined for six points against the Kings.
Kings Coach Darryl Sutter, who is usually loath to make a goalie switch
in-game, did just that in the third period, pulling starter Jonathan Quick after
he gave up a goal on a wraparound by Setoguchi at 5:19 that widened the
Jets' lead to 4-1.
"Three reasons to pull goalies from a coaching standpoint," Sutter said. "No.
1: momentum. No. 2: goalie's performance. No. 3: team's performance."
GAME SUMMARY: Jets 5, Kings 3
If you guessed door No. 1, you would be correct. Though Quick lacked his
usual sharpness, he didn't get a lot of help in front from his teammates. For
instance, Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin was a minus-three.
"I think at that stage, I'd say momentum," Sutter said.
It nearly worked. In came backup Ben Scrivens, who was acquired by the
Kings in the Jonathan Bernier deal in June.
After the goalie change, Jeff Carter and Justin Williams each scored on the
power play, cutting Winnipeg's lead to 4-3, and the Kings were pressing hard
late for the equalizer. With Scrivens pulled for an extra attacker, the Jets
scored an empty-netter, by Bryan Little, with 48 seconds remaining.
"Ultimately I think they picked up the play and they got stronger as the game
wore on," Williams said. "We wilted a little bit in the second and early in the
third.
"We wanted to have the same type of response we did in Minnesota. We
were in the same position. But we didn't get the same result."
Said Scrivens: "Obviously it's a worst-case scenario. Once you don't start,
you don't want to go in because that means you're down or there's an injury.
You never wish ill will on anyone.
"Obviously it was unfortunate that I had to go in. A couple of good penalty kills
and we made it close and exciting but we just couldn't find that last one."
The Kings played and won in a shootout at Minnesota on Thursday night, and
Friday it looked as though they were running on fumes in the second period
after a strong opening 20 minutes. They outshot the Jets, 18-7, and entered
the second period tied, 1-1. Defenseman Matt Greene scored for the Kings
and the dynamic, hard-hitting Kane had the Jets' goal.
Olli Jokinen, one of Sutter's favorite former players, started the surge in the
second period with a rebound from the right circle at 12:54 that made it 2-1
Winnipeg. Then Setoguchi scored twice in the third — his first actually went
in off Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr — and that was it for Quick.
"I didn't feel like I was fighting it," Quick said. "They get three cheesy ones
and the puck is rolling. I think if you ask the shooters they didn't know where it
was going. There's three right there for you, and they get one underneath me.
"I didn't hear a whistle. So I thought it was around me. I start looking around
for it and it was underneath me. Obviously if you give up four goals, you've
got to [get] better. We've got work to do."
Even though it's only two games, some early signs are concerning.
"We gave up seven goals in two games," Quick said. "We've got to get better
than that, obviously. We start from there, clean that up. It gives our team a
better chance to win."
LA Times: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719541
Los Angeles Kings
Setoguchi's linemate Mark Scheifele picked up an assist, while Setoguchi
also set up a goal. The line accounted for most of the pressure and scoring
chances the Jets created in the first period.
Published: Oct. 4, 2013 Updated: 11:50 p.m.
The Jets came on strong in the second.
Staff
Wheeler scored what could have been the go-ahead goal on a power play,
except that the L.A. net was off its moorings. It took a call to Toronto by the
officials, but the goal was disallowed.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The Winnipeg Jets overcame a slow start to win their
home opener.
Devin Setoguchi had two goals in the third period and linemate Evander
Kane also scored and Winnipeg earned a 5-3 win over the Kings on Friday
night.
The Jets got going in the second period, after being swarmed by the Kings in
the first.
Kane was given credit for a goal early in the third period that was switched to
Setoguchi after the game ended.
“That was a lucky one,” said Setoguchi, describing the shot by Kane that
glanced off his stick.
He teamed with Kane for his second goal as well.
“It was nice to get the other one on the wraparound, but the main thing is we
won the game.”
Kane even took a five-minute penalty for fighting in a physical game.
“You need to let them know you're not going to be run out of your own
building,” he said. “I thought we did a pretty good job of sticking up for each
other.”
Olli Jokinen and Bryan Little also scored for the Jets. Blake Wheeler had a
goal called back in the second because the net was off its moorings.
Matt Greene, Jeff Carter and Justin Williams scored for the Kings, who
outshot the Jets 18-7 in the first, with goalie Ondrej Pavelec keeping
Winnipeg in the game.
The Jets went into the game saying it would be a good test. The Kings are
one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference, where the Jets are
playing this season.
Despite the slow start, the Jets were leading 4-1 in the third when the Kings
rallied.
They got within one with two quick power-play goals, before Little scored into
an empty net.
“We have a way of making games exciting,” Jets coach Claude Noel said.
“It's not something we want to get in a habit of doing.”
But he saw things he liked, besides the two points in the standings.
“We had some good games from a lot of people,” he said. “We started off
slow again and I thought the game changed a little bit in in the second period
and the third period. I thought we were quite a bit better. I thought we did
some simple things.”
One of those was getting shots, which didn't happen in the first, and not
turning over the puck in the neutral zone.
Coach Darryl Sutter said the Kings weren't tired after two games in two
nights. They beat the Minnesota Wild in a shootout Thursday.
Added Kings' forward Dwight King: “We wanted to have a good start, I think
we got out to a good start, obviously we got a lot of pucks on the net. It kind of
fell off a bit and they took advantage. … We tried to fight back at the end, but
it wasn't enough.”
Failing to control the puck in their own zone cost both the Jets and Kings in
the first period, although the Kings put on most of the pressure.
Greene was first to score at 14:17 of the first, glancing one off Dustin
Byfuglien after intercepting Byfuglien's failed attempt to clear the puck from in
front of the net.
But then Kane tied it up by dumping it in from the other side of the blue line,
catching it on the rebound off Greene and sending it high past Jonathan
Quick's glove at 15:45.
Jokinen put the Jets ahead at 12:54 of the second when he lifted Michael
Frolik's rebound high to the right side of the net as Quick went low to the left.
Noel juggled his third line Friday night, putting Jokinen between Eric
Tangradi and Frolik, who scored a pair in the Jets opener in Edmonton.
Noel liked what he saw, but said he doesn't know yet how long they will stay
together.
Setoguchi scored his first on a power play at 2:21 of the third period on a shot
from Kane. He tallied again at 5:19 to make it 4-1 when Quick managed to
stop Kane's rush and Setoguchi swept behind the net and stuffed it in the
other side.
Sutter put Ben Scrivens in net. Quick stopped 23 of 27 shots.
Carter scored the Kings' second goal of the night at 11:00 of the third, a few
seconds into a power play from a tripping penalty called against Jets
defenseman Jacob Trouba.
The Jets were ahead on shots until the last seven minutes of the third when
the Kings found new life after Carter's goal.
Williams brought the Kings within one on the power play at 15:44 when he
caught the left corner of the Jets' net from the faceoff circle, but Little sealed
the win with a breakaway into an empty net in the final minute.
NOTES
This was only the second time the Jets have played the Kings. Their first
meeting, in 2011 and also at MTS Centre, was settled in overtime when
Evander Kane made it 1-0. Now that the Jets are in the Western Conference,
they will meet the Kings three times.
Orange County Register: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719542
Los Angeles Kings
October 4 postgame quotes: Quick, Scrivens
Posted by JonRosen on October 4, 2013
Jonathan Quick, on whether he was “fighting it,” and how he felt during the
game:
No, I didn’t feel like I was fighting it. They get three cheezy ones – pucks
rolling. I’m sure if you ask the o, they didn’t know where it was going. There’s
three right there for you, and then they got one that was underneath me. I
didn’t hear a whistle, so I thought it was around me. I started looking for it,
and it was underneath me. You’ve got to better. Obviously, you give up four
goals, you’ve got to be better. We’ve got work to do.
Quick, on the net leaving the moorings for an extended period of time:
They come off pretty often. [Reporter: But where it was unnoticed for such a
long time.] I don’t recal the exact moent where they came off. When you se it,
though, the puck was clearly going to go wide. What are you going to do?
Quick, on what the team takes from a 1-1 road trip:
Two points shorts. We came here to get four, and we got two. So we’ve got to
get better. [Reporter: Anything that you want to see the team get better at in
advance of Monday’s game?] We gave up seven goals in two games, so
we’ve got to get better at that, obviously. We start from there, we clean that
up, it gives our team a better chance to win.
Ben Scrivens, on the feeling of entering a game midway through the third
period:
Obviously it’s tough. Any time you don’t start, you don’t want to go in,
because it means either one or two thing: we‘re down, or the other guy got
hurt. You never really want to go in when it gets past the opening faceoff, but
that being said, when you do, you’ve got to be ready to go, and I felt pretty
good out there. I made a couple saves on the power play. The first one I
bobbled a little bit. I think just nerves getting the legs back under you after
sitting for so long. But I settled in after that and just tried to give the guys a
chance to come back.
Scrivens, on whether his teammates gave him any encouragement when he
entered:
I don’t know, and I don’t know if it would have made any difference if they
had. You’ve got to be ready to go either way, and you’ve just got to play your
game, and like I said, give the guys a chance. That’s all you can do at that
point.
Scrivens, on what he saw from the first two games of the season:
It’s a really good team. Just a couple of mistakes here and there, and I think
they got some fortuitous bounces tonight, a couple of rolling pucks that the
releases were weird, and some dipping and diving pucks. Anytime you can
split on the road is something good, but we’re obviously aiming for higher.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719543
Los Angeles Kings
Game 2: Los Angeles at Winnipeg
Posted by JonRosen on October 4, 2013
October 4, 2013 4:56 pm
Winnipeg Jets 5, Los Angeles Kings 3
Final
Radio Feed
Box Score
Ice Tracker
SOG: LAK – 36; WPG – 33
PP: LAK – 2/5; WPG – 1/6
First Period
1) LAK – Matt Greene (1) (Jeff Carter), 14:17
2) WPG – Evander Kane (1) (Mark Scheifele, Devin Setoguchi), 15:25
Second Period
3) WPG – Olli Jokinen (1) (Michael Frolik, Tobias Enstrom), 12:54
Third Period
4) WPG PPG – Evander Kane (2) (Devin Setoguchi, Dustin Byfuglien), 2:22
5) WPG – Devin Setoguchi (1) (Evander Kane, Olli Jokinen), 5:19
6) LAK PPG – Jeff Carter (2) (Jake Muzzin, Mike Richards), 11:00
7) LAK PPG – Justin Williams (1) (Matt Frattin, Willie Mitchell), 15:44
8) WPG ENG – Bryan Little (2) (Andrew Ladd), 19:12
LAK scratches: D Keaton Ellerby, F Daniel Carcillo, D Alec Martinez
LAK starting lineup: G Jonathan Quick, D Robyn Regehr, D Drew Doughty,
LW Matt Frattin, C Mike Richards, RW Jeff Carter
WPG scratches: D Adam Pardy, F Anthony Peluso, F Matt Halischuk
WPG starting lineup:G Ondrej Pavelec, D Tobias Enstrom, D Dustin
Byfuglien, LW Eric Tangradi, C Olli Jokinen, RW Michael Frolik
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719544
Los Angeles Kings
Behold: MTS Centre
Staff
October 4, 2013 3:23 pm
Behold MTS Centre, the home of the Winnipeg Jets since 2011 and the
AHL’s Manitoba Moose from 2004-11.
Though banners commemorating the 2004-05 North Division Championship,
the 2008-09 Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy, and the 2008-09 North Division
Championship and Western Conference Championship salute the history
etched out by the Moose, there isn’t a nod in the rafters to the previous
incarnation of the Jets. At Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona, the names
and numbers of former Jets Bobby Hull, Dale Hawerchuk and Thomas Steen
are represented as part of the Coyotes’ Ring of Honor.
The modern day Jets are 1-0 on the season and return to Friendly Manitoba
for their home opener, which should raise the decibel levels inside what is
already regarded as the loudest arena in the National Hockey League. After
handing the Minnesota Wild their first-ever loss in a home opener, can the
Kings crash the Jets’ party? Bob Miller and Jim Fox will be on hand to offer a
firsthand account as part of the first FOX Sports West broadcast of the
season. Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans will also return to KTLK AM 1150,
where they’ll remain for the rest of the season. Game two of 82 starts in just
under two hours.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719545
Los Angeles Kings
Game 2 Preview: Los Angeles at Winnipeg
good alongside his familiar linemates. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daniel
Carcillo make his Los Angeles debut during this tight schedule, but for whom
is unclear. Kyle Clifford is doubtful to leave the lineup, and adjustments at
center would have to be made if he were to replace Colin Fraser. Keaton
Ellerby could also take warm-ups as an extra skater, though I’m projecting
the same defensive alignments.
October 4, 2013 1:52 pm
-Los Angeles visits Winnipeg for the second time since the franchise’s
relocation from Atlanta during the 2011 off-season. The Jets defeated the
Kings 1-0 on an Evander Kane overtime game-winner one week after Darryl
Sutter made his debut as head coach.
Los Angeles Kings (1-0-0) at Winnipeg Jets (1-0-0)
“I remember we didn’t score a whole lot of goals coming in, and it was no
different,” Anze Kopitar said of the December 29, 2011 affair.
Posted by JonRosen on October 4, 2013
Friday, October 4, 2013, 7:00 p.m. CT
MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Referees: #18 Greg Kimmerly, #13 Dan O’Halloran
Linesmen: #73 Vaughan Rody, #82 Ryan Galloway
Los Angeles Projected Starting Goaltender – Jonathan Quick
2013-14 Season: 1 GP (1 GS) / 1-0-0 / 1.85 GAA / .931 Sv% / 0 SHO
Career vs Winnipeg / Atlanta: 3 (3) / 1-1-0 / 4.13 / .868 / 0
Last Game vs Winnipeg / Atlanta: 10/12/10 / 60 MP / 31/32 shots / 3-1 W
2013-14, Away: 1 (1) / 1-0-0 / 1.85 / .931 / 0
Winnipeg Projected Starting Goaltender – Ondrej Pavelec
MTS Centre’s reputation precedes itself. The setting is known as one of the
more raucous environments around the National Hockey League, which can
be looked at one of two ways. Either it will be exceptionally loud during the
home opener, or it will be just like any other game played in the league’s
smallest and most intimate arena. Darryl Sutter likely leans towards the
latter.
“We played last night in a building where the team had never lost the home
opener, and we know that every night in here is like a home opener,” he said.
-Pleased with receiving two points in the standings, the Kings weren’t exactly
satisfied with their overall play in Thursday’s season opener.
“We felt like we got away with one,” Anze Kopitar said. “It definitely shows
character. Even though we didn’t play our best game, we battled, scored the
late goal and won in a shootout.”
2013-14 Season: 1 GP (1 GS) / 1-0-0 / 4.00 GAA / .895 Sv% / 0 SHO
When asked about what needs to come together to generate wins away from
home, Sutter referenced his chat with the media the previous day.
Career vs Los Angeles: 1 (1) / 1-0-0 / 0.00 / 1.00 / 1 SHO
“It’s like you asked yesterday about
Last Game vs Los Angeles: 11/13/09 / 60 MP / 38/38 shots / 7-0 W
training
2013-14, Home: No stats
camp, what I learned from training camp. Well, I didn’t learn [anything] from
training camp, because I’ve seen most of these players in tough situations,”
Sutter said. “Winning situations. We’re playoff battle tested, so it’s the guys
coming in that you’ve got to fight and figure out if they can. It’s the same thing
when you’re asking about consistency and all that stuff. Well, you learn that
through doing it over and over. Three or four of our older players last night
and all of our new players were not very good players for us. At the end of the
day, we get two [points], they get one.”
2013-14 Los Angeles Leaders
Total Points: Doughty, Kopitar, Frattin, Voynov, Regehr, Carter tied (1)
Goals: Drew Doughty (1-0=1), Jeff Carter (1-0=1)
Assists: Kopitar, Frattin, Voynov, Regehr tied (1)
Plus/Minus: Slava Voynov (+1; 0-1=1), Robyn Regehr (+1; 0-1=1)
Penalty Minutes: Kyle Clifford (9; 0-0=0)
2013-14 Winnipeg Leaders:
Total Points: Dustin Byfuglien (0-3=3)
Goals: Michael Frolik (2-0=2)
Assists: Dustin Byfuglien (0-3=3)
Plus/Minus: Trouba, Jokinen, Bogosian, Frolik tied (+2)
Penalty Minutes: Dustin Byfuglien (6; 0-3=3)
Los Angeles Projected Lines:
Dustin Brown – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams
Matt Frattin – Mike Richards – Jeff Carter
Dwight King – Jarret Stoll – Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford – Colin Fraser – Jordan Nolan
Robyn Regehr – Drew Doughty
Willie Mitchell – Slava Voynov
Jake Muzzin – Matt Greene
Jonathan Quick
Ben Scrivens
Level of confidence in projected lines: B. It’s the second game of a
back-to-back, and only three skaters – Carcillo, Ellerby and Martinez – took
the ice with Ben Scrivens for the morning skate. Quick will be in. King may
see shifts with Kopitar and Williams, but I’m projecting Brown to return for
A unique challenge will be presented on Friday night as the Kings will face a
team they have seen only once in the last two seasons, and without the
benefit of comprehensive video sessions as they play on the second night of
a back-to-back set.
Kopitar revealed the methods in which the team familiarizes itself with an
unfamiliar opponent when ample video sessions don’t fit into the schedule.
“Well, you get some pointers, and there’s a video running in the room all the
time,” he said. “You see that, but really in this time of the year, I guess, you’ve
got to focus on your game, too. I think if we play our strong game, a solid
game, we should be fine.”
Travis Golby / National Hockey League
Winnipeg Projected Lines:
Andrew Ladd – Bryan Little – Blake Wheeler
Evander Kane – Mark Scheifele – Devin Setoguchi
Eric Tangradi – Olli Jokinen – Michael Frolik
James Wright – Jim Slater – Chris Thorburn
Tobias Enstrom – Dustin Byfuglien
Zach Bogosian – Jacob Trouba
Mark Stuart – Paul Postma
Ondrej Pavelec
Al Montoya
Notes: Line projections courtesy of NHL.com’s At the Rink blog. … In his first
career regular season NHL game, 19-year-old defenseman Jacob Trouba
recorded a goal, an assist and four blocked shots in 25:02 of ice time. … Olli
Jokinen, selected third overall in the 1997 NHL Draft by Los Angeles, is one
goal away from 300 and two assists away from 400 in his NHL career. He
was traded by the Kings to the New York Islanders along with Mathieu Biron,
Josh Green and a 1999 first round draft pick on June 20, 1999 in exchange
for Ziggy Palffy, Bryan Smolinski, Marcel Cousineau and a 1999 fourth round
draft pick. Jokinen, who turns 35 in December, played 74 of his 1,088 NHL
games with Los Angeles. … Winnipeg’s first two home games will be against
teams playing on the second night of a back-to-back set. They’ll face the
Ducks on October 6 after Anaheim plays at Minnesota on October 5. … The
teams won’t play again until March, with Winnipeg visiting Los Angeles on
March 6, 2014, and the Kings paying the Jets a return visit on March 29,
2014.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719546
Los Angeles Kings
October 4 morning skate quotes: Darryl Sutter
October 4, 2013 12:57 pm
Posted by JonRosen on October 4, 2013
On the challenge of playing on the second night of a back-to-back:
That is the challenge that teams out west face all the time, a back-to-back
with lots of travel. We do it 12 times. We did it once in preseason, so
hopefully we’ve rehearsed it a little bit. It’s tough. You get used to the
back-to-backs. Your players get used to it, and they learn how to handle it,
and you have to use everybody. It’s not like you use a short bench. That’s
always your toughest challenge. Hey, the Jets are used to that, too, playing in
the other side and all the travel they had last year. Get ready for another
home opener.
On what to expect from a Jets team that is “pretty much the same as last
year”:
Not really. They brought in a pretty good young centerman. It’s a significant
difference. And a defenseman, also. It’s not the same team when you put in
two players like that. One, somebody that plays 20 minutes – somebody on
the back – and somebody who almost plays that up front. That’s a big
difference. It’s two significant players to that team.
On the challenge of developing the identity of a team that is difficult to play
against:
It basically comes from the accountability from your players, and your
leadership, and your top players, and that pretty much leaves it right there.
[Reporter: Can you teach that?] I think the top players and your leadership
and your group teaches it.
On Jeff Carter being more than “a guy that just wanted to score goals”:
Well, I think that reputation was created by somebody that didn’t know Jeff
Carter. It’s funny, I told Jeff and Mike when we got in here last night that even
though we played in a game here – one of my first games I coached with the
Kings was here – but one of my best moments of remembering those guys
was the World Junior tournament, and if you were here watching, you would
have said Jeff Carter was a pretty impactful player…and Jeff’s been that.
Look what he did in Philly, and the numbers he put up, and then he was
traded, and really never got going in Columbus. Quite honest, he was hurt for
most of that time. And then we got him. He was a big part of our cup team.
Scored big goals, played two positions, played lots of minutes, killed
penalties, played on the power play, and then last year in the lockout he was
the leading goal scorer in the Western Conference, so it speaks for itself.
On Carter being able to score from the outside:
Actually, he scores most of his goals from around the net, which is something
that nobody talks about. You look at the highlights because of his speed and
his shot – that’s what you see. But most of his goals are all- [Reporter: The
goal last night was in the slot.] And that’s where he wants to play. You know
what? Those are the types of players you’re looking for, in today’s game,
anyways. Guys who don’t take penalties and play hard.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719547
Los Angeles Kings
Waking up with the Kings: October 4
October 4, 2013 8:44 am
Posted by JonRosen on October 4, 2013
-It was a two-point night for the Los Angeles Kings after they snuck out of the
Xcel Energy Center having cooked up the ingredients necessary to steal a
win on the road. For L.A., opportunity was key. The Kings didn’t generate a
bevy of scoring opportunities, but when there were chances, there were often
goals. Jonathan Quick kept his team in it by stopping the final 18 shots of the
game – including 13 in a bland second period – before Jeff Carter pounced
on a rebound in front of the net with 6:46 to play after Mike Richards shook off
Ryan Suter with some nice separation to set the game-tying goal in motion.
Minnesota appears to have a strong number one power play unit, and credit
the Kings for withstanding a late Wild power play after Willie Mitchell’s
“marginal” interference call gave the home team an opportunity to win the
game late in regulation. The Kings were 4-of-5 on the penalty kill, with the
fourth successful kill the most important and timely of the evening.
-Credit Jonathan Quick and the team’s experienced composure in replying
quickly after a questionable goal call stood in the early moments of the game.
6:36 after Matt Cooke’s purposeful redirect, Drew Doughty’s power play blast
off some give-and-take with Slava Voynov evened the score at one. There
are so many full-sheet-of-ice aspects the defenseman has added to his game
since then, but the last time Doughty scored in the opening month of the
season came in the 2009-10 season opener. I really liked the composure the
team showed after Cooke’s goal 1:04 in was determined to be legitimate. The
Kings were quickly able to generate some A-scoring chances as Jeff Carter
and Matt Frattin forced Nicklas Backstrom to make several outstanding
saves before Doughty one-timed Voynov’s feed past the Finnish netminder.
With a pair of righthanded shooters on the point, Voynov is able to put those
types of feeds right into Doughty’s wheelhouse.
-It wasn’t the finest display of puck possession and dictating play by Los
Angeles, which was somewhat to be expected when facing a quality
opponent in its home opener. For the first two periods time of possession
heavily favored the Wild before the Kings were able to steal some
momentum through stretches of the third period. Minnesota eventually
padded its shots on goal advantage with a late power play and heavy
pressure over the waning minutes of regulation – credit Jonathan Quick and
Trevor Lewis for preserving the late tie – before settling for a plus-11 shot
discrepancy. Los Angeles finished third in the league with an average of 25
shots against per game a season ago and was rarely on the wrong end of a
minus-11 shot differential. The Kings faced a minus-11 shot differential only
twice in 2012-13 while outshooting their opponents by at least 11 shots 13
times.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719548
Los Angeles Kings
Good morning, Winnipeg
October 4, 2013 7:27 am
Staff
Good morning from the intersection of Portage and Main in central Winnipeg.
This intersection – colloquially known as the “coldest and windiest” in
Canada, which carries a bit of weight, let me tell you – is referenced in the
Neil Young & Randy Bachman song, Prairie Town.
The temperatures have dipped since departing balmy and damp Minnesota,
with the expected high in Manitoba’s capital expected to rise to 46
degrees
.Enough of the weather report. The Kings will look to crash a party for the
second time in as many nights. While Minnesota’s home opener raised the
decibel levels, we’re all excited to visit what may be the loudest and most
intimate venue in the entire National Hockey League. The only time these
teams have met – and this is referring to the 2011 expansion Jets, of course
– was a 1-0 overtime loss in Winnipeg on December 29, 2011, one week
after Darryl Sutter made his Los Angeles coaching debut. Chris Mason and
Jonathan Bernier battled to a scoreless tie through 61 minutes and nine
seconds of action in that game before Evander Kane scored the
game-winner by harnessing a loose puck in the low slot and chipping it past
Bernier.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719549
Minnesota Wild
up that guy and we win 2-1, you never know. It’s just little things that really
matter.”
Upon further review Wild still had good game, bad result
“That’s the thing you end up living with a little bit with young players,” Yeo
said. ‘‘Young players, a lot of times they think they’ve got a guy, they’re close
to a guy, but they don’t really have him.”
Article by: Michael Russo
But Yeo added the Wild can’t “accept it,” and it’s up to the coaches to correct
those mistakes.
October 5, 2013 - 12:20 AM
Often coaches have a take after a game, sleep on it, Watch video and
change their tune the next morning.
That wasn’t the case Friday with coach Mike Yeo, who still felt the Wild
outplayed the Los Angeles Kings in Thursday’s season opener and deserved
better than the one point received in a shootout loss.
“We played a really good game, but obviously it wasn’t enough, so let’s be
prepared to play a great game [Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks],” Yeo
said, adding later: “I don’t think we should sit here and just pat ourselves on
the back too much. Bottom line is we didn’t win.
“We played a good game, and I know if we continue to play better and grow
every part of our game, then the wins will come.”
There were plenty of good signs Thursday. The Wild controlled large portions
of the game. The team scored a power-play goal, registered 10 power-play
shots, held the Kings to 11 shots through two periods and showed signs of a
faster, more aggressive offense.
Yeo was happy with checking-line center Kyle Brodziak, who is looking to
rebound after last year’s tough season. He assisted on Matt Cooke’s goal,
had three hits, three shots and won seven of nine faceoffs.
“I was really happy to see him, the way he was skating, he looked really
confident out there, winning his battles,” Yeo said of Brodziak. “He has to be
physical, and he had a couple real good hits and that has to be part of his
game.
“We can only say it so many times, ‘Let’s hit the reset button and everything,’
but we’re kidding ourselves if we think it’s not in the back of our minds. For
him to get off to a good start, I think that really allows him to hit that refresh
button and focus on this year now.”
Linemate Mikael Granlund also impressed the coach, as he did much of the
preseason. Granlund assisted on both goals, skated well, was often first or
second in on the forecheck and blocked two shots, including one that led to a
quick rush up ice and drawn power play that could have won the game.
“He’s learned some other tricks,” Yeo said. “He’s adapting, and that’s what
he needed.”
Second-year defenseman Jonas Brodin, looking to contribute more
offensively after a terrific rookie year, scored a power-play goal.
It already makes for an interesting coaching decision for Yeo. Brodin was on
the second power-play unit because rookie Matt Dumba was scratched.
Veteran Clayton Stoner played instead of Dumba and “complemented [Keith
Ballard] well” in a strong game.
Yeo wasn’t saying yet if Dumba will make his NHL debut against the Ducks,
but if he does, it sounds as if Brodin will continue on that second unit. Yeo
liked Brodin’s overall play on the man advantage and said, “It’s tough to take
off a guy that’s scoring goals.”
The Wild went back to work in Friday’s practice, and the tone was set early
when power-play consultant Andrew Brunette took a puck to the chin. He
received four stitches inside his mouth and eight outside.
“I’ve had enough stitches to stitch a baseball in my career. I thought when I
retired, ‘That’s it,’ ” Brunette said.
The Wild moved on without Brunette and worked on the “little things” that
needed repair from Thursday. The tying goal by Jeff Carter came after Coyle
was skated around in the neutral zone by Mike Richards. Coyle then glided
into the zone and didn’t pick up Carter in time after a rebound.
It put a damper on an otherwise solid game for Coyle.
“You think you’re there, but you’re not,” Coyle said. “Just those little things,
those inches. They play a big part in the game. Those things are huge. I pick
“It was a solid game for the most part, so we’re not going to hang our heads,”
Coyle said.
Star Tribune LOADED: 10.05.2013
719550
Minnesota Wild
Wild-Anaheim gameday preview
MICHAEL RUSSO
October 4, 2013 - 9:37 PM
wild gameday
7 P.M. VS. Anaheim • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Wild is coming off its first home-opener loss ever, having been
defeated Thursday in a shootout by Los Angeles. The Ducks, one of the
surprise teams in the West last year, should be surly, having lost their first
game 6-1 at Colorado on Wednesday.
Players to watch: Wild C Mikko Koivu is two points short of 400 for his career
and is one goal from passing Andrew Brunette for first in Wild history. RW
Mikael Granlund assisted on both Minnesota goals Thursday for the first
multiple-point game of his career. RW Dany Heatley has scored 10 goals and
22 points in 26 games vs. Anaheim. Ducks RW Corey Perry and C Ryan
Getzlaf each has 28 points in 29 games vs. the Wild.
Numbers: The Wild is 23-20-4 all-time vs. the Ducks, 13-7-3 at home. … At
home, Minnesota has lost three consecutive one-goal games to Anaheim
after beating the Ducks the previous five times.
Injuries: Wild LW Mike Rupp (knee) is out. Ducks RW Teemu Selanne, 43, is
getting the game off. Coach Bruce Boudreau says Selanne will split some
back-to-backs this season and the Ducks play in Winnipeg, where he used to
play, Sunday.
Star Tribune LOADED: 10.05.2013
719551
Minnesota Wild
Frankly though, unless you're Craig Leipold, you don't need to care about
those numbers. The one that matters is his salary-cap hit, $5.6 million, which
is the average of the contract -- $28 million by five years.
Wild still optimistic after Thursday's loss, preparing for Ducks
Again, GM Chuck Fletcher said the Pominville deal doesn't inhibit the Wild
from re-signing its own players or pursuing other free agents.
Blog Post by: Michael Russo
OK, need to run and get Selanne for a story.
October 4, 2013 - 2:06 PM
Talk to you after Saturday's morning skate.
Star Tribune LOADED: 10.05.2013
Afternoon from the X, where scrappy Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau is
currently below on the ice surface putting Teemu Selanne, Corey Perry,
Ryan Getzlaf and the rest of the Anaheim gang through a practice.
The Wild coaches are in the stands watching. The Ducks coaches, including
some goalie coach who looks strangely like Dwayne Roloson, did the same
during Minnesota's workout.
Painful start to practice. You know how coaches ask players to "pay the
price." Well, the coaches apparently do, too.
Andrew Brunette, who once upon a time -- actually in two different stints -wore a Wild sweater, took a puck to the chin immediately at the start of
practice. Afterward, Bruno emerged with a chin the size of Jay Leno's, four
stitches on the inside of his mouth and eight on the outside.
“I’ve had enough stitches to stitch a baseball in my career. I thought when I
retired, ‘That’s it,’” Brunette said.
The Wild moved on with practice without Brunette and Yeo put the Wild
through battle drills and execution drills. They worked on the "little things."
Charlie Coyle, who had a solid game at junctures, also had some young
mistakes. On Jeff Carter's tying goal, he was walked in the neutral zone and
then was slow to get into the zone and pick up Carter.
Coyle took a swan dive on the knife today and basically said if he picks up his
guy, the Wild maybe wins 2-1.
Still, the atmosphere was good Friday after playing well Thursday.
Yeo was real happy with guys like Kyle Brodziak, who had a stellar game
(probably would have loved to bury that goal with a minute left), and Mikael
Granlund, who assisted on both Wild goals, was often first or second in on
the forecheck, blocked two shots and drew a power play that could have won
the game in the final minutes.
"He maturing in a lot of ways," Yeo said.
Niklas Backstrom will start vs. the Ducks. Yeo wouldn't say yet if Matt Dumba
will make his NHL debut. Clayton Stoner played well yesterday alongside
Keith Ballard and Jonas Brodin played well and scored a goal on the second
power-play unit.
My gut though is Dumba plays for Stoner. I just get the sense that the Wild
doesn't want to have Dumba sitting for long. At some point you want him to
debut and probably at home, not on the road. Plus, I think the team flew in
Dumba's folks for these games.
Everybody practiced today. Yeo admitted the top line looked tired late in
yesterday's game, but he also said so did L.A.'s top line and those are
"heavy, hard minutes" when you go head to head vs. Anze Kopitar.
If you want to get a laugh, I was pretty surly on Twitter today with some folks.
Go take a gander. Just seems to be silly season on Twitter and some of the
comments got to me.
It's one game folks, a game in which the Wild outplayed one of the best
teams in the league for the majority of it.
Just an fyi: I put out a tweet last night that had an error with Year 1/4
salary/bonuses for Jason Pominville's contract.
The correct numbers are:
2014-15 $6 M
2015-16 $5.75 M
2016-17 $6.25 M
2017-18 $5 M
2018-19 $5 M
719552
Minnesota Wild
Upon further review, Granlund is Minnesota Wild's points leader
By Chad Graff
Posted:
Updated:
10/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT
10/04/2013 09:05:10 PM CDT
About 12 hours after Thursday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings,
Mikael Granlund became the Wild's points leader.
As coach Mike Yeo watched video of the game, he noticed that Granlund
should have been credited with an assist on Jonas Brodin's first-period goal.
The Wild notified the league, which reviewed the play and gave an assist to
Granlund, his second of the season opener.
Still a loss
Yeo said he felt his team played well Thursday night, but he was hesitant to
declare it a success.
"I don't think that we should just sit here and pat ourselves on the back too
much, either," Yeo said. "The bottom line is we didn't win. We played a good
game and I know if we continue to play better and continue to develop and
grow every part of our game then the wins will come."
Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.05.2013
719553
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild's Kyle Brodziak hits 'refresh button'
By Chad Graff
Posted:
Updated:
10/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT
10/04/2013 07:12:40 PM CDT
As much as coach Mike Yeo said Kyle Brodziak's down performance last
season was a fluke due to a number of factors, there was always a hint of
doubt in the back of his mind -- of everyone's mind.
It was easy to discount last season after Brodziak entered the season sick
and never recovered in a shortened season.
But Brodziak stuck out in a good way on the first night of the 2013-14 season,
impressing Yeo and the staff with his skating ability alongside new third line
forwards Matt Cooke and Mikael Granlund.
"I think it's really big because we can only say so many times, 'Let's hit the
re-set button,' " Yeo said. "But we're kidding ourselves if we think that (last
season) isn't in the back of our minds. For him to get off to a good start, I think
that really allows him to hit that refresh button and just focus on this year
now."
Brodziak brought on offensive element Thursday night and was the main
reason Cooke scored the season's first goal 64 seconds into the game, when
he fired a shot toward the net that banked off Cooke and past Kings
goaltender Jonathan Quick.
But more important, in Yeo's eyes, was the way his third line center played
physically and defensively.
"He looked really confident out there winning his battles," Yeo said. "I think
that he has to be physical, and he had a couple real good hits and that has to
be part of his game. I liked the way he played."
Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.05.2013
719554
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild need young players to take next step
By Chad Graff
Posted:
Updated:
10/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT
10/04/2013 10:58:08 PM CDT
When Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick looked up after
surrendering his second goal of the first period Thursday night, Jonas Brodin
was huddled with Wild teammates celebrating his power-play goal.
To Brodin's right was Jared Spurgeon, to his left Charlie Coyle and between
them were Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund. That's a unit of three
21-year-olds with 20-year-old Brodin and wily veteran Jared Spurgeon, 23.
They made some head-turning plays in training camp, and at times in the
Wild's first game of the season, a 3-2 shootout loss to the Kings at the Xcel
Energy Center.
Later, however, the growing pains were felt when Coyle left his man
unmarked and Jeff Carter scored the tying goal late in the third period.
The Wild played some of their young players last season and got mixed
returns. Now they're going to rely on them to take the next step.
There will be good times such as Brodin's goal, and bad ones such as when
Coyle lost track of Carter.
"That goal was a good example of that," coach Mike Yeo said. "We're close to
him, but that doesn't mean that you have him (covered), and these are some
of the things you have to deal with."
All of the young players who dressed Thursday made plays. Niederreiter fed
a nice pass to Brodin on the goal, and Granlund drew a late penalty. Coyle
won battles along the wall to set up chances for Niederreiter.
That foursome doesn't include defenseman Mathew Dumba, 19, a healthy
scratch for the opener, and Jason Zucker, 21, who's with the AHL team in
Des Moines.
Until more consistent play comes, the Wild have to live with the occasional
mistake from young players.
"I think that's part of it," Yeo said. "I think part of it is the early season, too. I
don't think that we should just accept it either. We'll show it and we'll talk
about it, but it's up to us to make sure that we continue to get better and get
those things out."
Coyle, for instance, played in his first NHL game at
center and was whistled for a faceoff violation after he used his hand to brush
back a puck on a defensive zone draw.
"It was just a stupid play," Coyle said. "I've got to know that. It was just a
reaction."
The high-priced top line of Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville
can alleviate some of that inconsistency.
"We are going to have a young team mixed with some veteran guys," Parise
said. "And I don't like to put a lot of pressure on the young players by saying
we expect them to do something. They have to develop at their own rate."
The more quickly they do, the better for the Wild.
General manager Chuck Fletcher said in the offseason that the team doesn't
need all of its young players to make big contributions -- but they do need a
few in order to take the next step.
Coyle, Brodin, Granlund and Niederreiter seem the likeliest candidates to
make that move. Zucker and Dumba likely will get chances, too.
"I thought we came out really good and obviously we didn't win (Thursday),
but we're happy with what we came out with," Coyle said. "I think if we keep
that energy up and just stick to our system, we'll be OK."
Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.05.2013
719555
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild: Matt Dumba's roster spot in jeopardy
By Chad Graff
Posted:
Updated:
10/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT
10/04/2013 04:00:04 PM CDT
Mathew Dumba watched from the press box Thursday night as Jonas Brodin
scored a goal from the power-play spot Dumba occupied most of training
camp. He watched Clayton Stoner play well in his defensive spot alongside
Keith Ballard on the third defensive pairing.
Because of that, Dumba's spot appears to be even more up in the air
After Dumba looked "jittery," according to coach Mike Yeo, in the days
leading up to the Wild's season-opening 3-2 shootout loss to the Kings, the
curtain may be closing on his audition.
The Wild have nine more games to make a decision on whether the
19-year-old defenseman keeps his place on the roster or heads back to his
junior team the rest of the season. The Wild's 2012 first-round draft pick isn't
eligible for the American Hockey League because of his age.
Yeo didn't say whether Dumba would play in Saturday's home game against
the Anaheim Ducks, revealing only that "we've got a pretty good idea" of what
they'll do with him.
Part of the reasoning to keep Dumba was because of the offense he provides
from the blue line. But with Dumba a healthy scratch in the season opener
Thursday, Brodin took his spot on the second power-play unit and produced
a first-period goal off a nifty feed from Nino Niederreiter.
"It's tough to take off a guy who is scoring goals," Yeo said of Brodin. "So if he
continues to go out and do that ... I saw a lot of good things, not just from the
goal he scored, but the puck movement in the zone. (But) what you do one
night, what you see one night, doesn't necessarily determine what you see
the next night too."
Pioneer Press LOADED: 10.05.2013
719556
Montreal Canadiens
Brière ready to face old teammates
By Pat Hickey, THE GAZETTE October 4, 2013
MONTREAL — Daniel Brière would like to thank the National Hockey
League for scheduling the first meeting between the Canadiens and
Philadelphia Flyers early in the season.
And he sends out a second thank you for scheduling Saturday’s game in the
Bell Centre (7 p.m., CBC, RDS, TSN Radio 690).
“(The scheduling) makes it a little bit easier on the preparation, because for
me — because personally — it’s not a normal game,” said Brière, who signed
with the Canadiens this summer as a free agent after spending the past six
seasons with the Flyers. “You’re facing your ex-teammates. I have a lot of
friends there. It’ll be a little tougher, but I really believe that playing it in
Montreal makes it a little easier.”
Brière, who says he still experiences butterflies after 14 years in the National
Hockey League, said the friendships he cultivated during his years in
Philadelphia will be on hold for at least a few hours.
“I don’t expect any breaks from any of them,” he said. “You try to approach
the game like it’s any other one but, obviously, there’s a little bit more on the
line with your friends and trying to prove something among them. I’m sure
little battles here and there are going to happen. On Saturday night, I face my
friends, but once the puck drops they have a job to do and so do we. You
have to leave the friendships behind until after the game.”
This isn’t the first time Brière has faced his former team. He moved from
Phoenix to Buffalo and then to Philadelphia, and said he’s hoping the third
time will be easier.
“From what I remember, those games were tough to play in,” he said. “At
times, it’s tougher to focus, but I’m hoping with being a little bit more mature
that experience is going to help me when the puck drops. Hopefully,
everything is behind you and you can focus on your game. I can’t wait for the
first period to be over. I think after the first period it’ll be a little easier to move
on and the first step will be taken.”
Brière hasn’t always felt comfortable in the Bell Centre. The Canadiens
courted him in 2007 when he became a free agent in Buffalo, but he decided
to sign with the Flyers. He was booed on each of his subsequent visits to
Montreal.
This time around, the boos will be reserved for Vincent Lecavalier, although
they may not be deserved. Montreal showed some interest in Lecavalier after
Tampa Bay bought him out this summer, but his failure to land in Montreal
was probably more a case of the Canadiens’ reluctance to make a long-term
commitment.
The Flyers signed Lecavalier after buying out the final two seasons of
Brière’s contract. But the 36-year-old Brière said there are no hard feelings
over the split.
“There’s no extra friction with the Flyers because of it,” he said. “They treated
me with a lot of class. It’s reality. It’s part of the game. They were within their
rights. On my side, it turned out really well. I get to play for my childhood
team. I’m not sure it turns out so great for every player.”
Brière said he enjoyed playing in Buffalo and Philadelphia, but noted he
spent a longer time in Philly and “the family’s still there.”
He was referring to his three sons, who he noted are “100 per cent Montreal
Canadiens (fans) now, which is happy to see.”
Coach Michel Therrien said George Parros “is looking good,” but the forward
still has headaches as the result of the concussion he suffered during a fight
Tuesday in the season-opening 4-3 loss to Toronto. Ryan White and Michael
Bournival both worked on the fourth line at practice Friday and Therrien said
he would defer his decision until Saturday on which one will play. White is
likely to get the nod because he’s a better fit against the physical Flyers.
After Saturday’s game, the Canadiens will get ready to head to Calgary for
the start of a four-game Western Canada swing on Wednesday.
Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.05.2013
719557
Montreal Canadiens
Emphasis on toughness might hurt Habs
By Pat Hickey, THE GAZETTE October 4, 2013
MONTREAL - Grit.
That was a buzzword for the Canadiens heading into the new season. The
team bulked up over the summer with the addition of George Parros and
Douglas Murray (both of whom are now injured) and the Canadiens showed
they won’t be pushed around as they engaged in five fights during Tuesday’s
season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
But Max Pacioretty, the Canadiens’ leading scorer in each of the past two
seasons, says the new emphasis on toughness might have hurt the team in
the 4-3 loss to the Leafs.
“I think we got away from what we do best,” Pacioretty said. “We’re a speedy
group of players and we have to use our speed to create chances.”
Pacioretty said the added toughness is fine, but “we have to stay away from
the after-the-whistle stuff.”
The Canadiens found themselves short-handed seven times in the Leafs
game and Toronto scored once on the power play. When teams take a lot of
penalties, it takes away from the rhythm of the game, but Pacioretty refused
to use that as an excuse for his performance. The 24-year-old veteran holds
himself to a high standard and wasn’t happy he was held off the scoresheet
and was on the ice for a Toronto short-handed goal, finishing minus-2 on the
night.
“Just speaking for myself, I’m not happy with the way I played,” he said.
Pacioretty did have a legitimate excuse because he left the game in the first
period for some medical treatment on an upper-body injury. The one thing we
can tell you is that Pacioretty played the final two periods with an injury that
might have been a strain or a bruise on his hand or wrist, or any combination
of the above. We do know he didn’t suffer a cut.
Pacioretty took a therapy day Thursday while his teammates travelled to
Lac-Mégantic. He was back on the ice for practice Friday in Brossard, but
Pacioretty and coach Michel Therrien said no decision had been made on
whether he would face the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday night.
“I hope I’m ready to go,” said Pacioretty, who has a reputation for bouncing
back from injuries.
But Therrien said there’s more involved than sucking it up and playing with
pain.
“It’s not about being 100 per cent, it’s about being able to compete,” Therrien
said. “I’ll talk with our medical people and we’ll make a decision tomorrow.”
When a reporter noted that Pacioretty has been unlucky when it comes to
injuries, he offered an interesting perspective when he said luck has nothing
to do with it.
“I think you make your own luck,” said Pacioretty, who went on to suggest he
has to be more aware of when he puts himself in a vulnerable position.
That might be easier said than done when you’re an elite player who is being
targeted by the opposition.
Montreal Gazette LOADED: 10.05.2013
719558
Montreal Canadiens
‘It’s not a normal game,’ Brière says of facing Flyers
Posted by Stu Cowan
Playing against former teammates is nothing new for the Canadiens’ Daniel
Brière. He did it after he left the Phoenix Coyotes and again after he left the
Buffalo Sabres. And he’ll do it for a third time Saturday when he faces his old
teammates from the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CBC,
RDS, TSN Radio 690).
“(The scheduling) makes it a little bit easier on the preparation, because for
me — because personally — it’s not a normal game,” Brière, who is happy
to get it over with early in the season, told reporters after practice Friday in
Brossard. “You’re facing your ex-teammates. I have a lot of friends there. It’ll
be a little tougher, but I really believe that playing it in Montreal makes it a
little easier.”
Brière added that the friendships he cultivated during his years in
Philadelphia will be on hold for at least a few hours.
“I don’t expect any breaks from any of them,” he said. “You try to approach
the game like it’s any other one but, obviously, there’s a little bit more on the
line with your friends and trying to prove something among them. I’m sure
little battles here and there are going to happen. On Saturday night, I face my
friends, but once the puck drops they have a job to do and so do we. You
have to leave the friendships behind until after the game.”
On the other side of the ice, Hal Gill is looking forward to being back in
Montreal and seeing his old Canadiens teammates.
“You never know and that’s what makes Montreal so great,” Gill, who made
the Flyers after signing a tryout contract, told The Gazette’s Dave Stubbs
about the reception he will get from Canadiens fans. “The fans are awesome,
but I’m on the bad guys now.
“I loved my time in Montreal and my family loved it,” Gill added, “so I would
expect nothing but huge cheers like P.K. (Subban) gets.”
GM Marc Bergevin announced Friday evening that the Canadiens have
recalled defenceman Nathan Beaulieu from the Hamilton Bulldogs. Beaulieu
appeared in one AHL preseason game with Hamilton, picking up an assist on
Sven Andrighetto’s game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over the Utica Comets on
Thursday. The 20-year-old split last season between Hamilton and Montreal.
Montreal Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
719559
Montreal Canadiens
Pacioretty, Moen back on the ice at Friday practice
Posted by Stu Cowan
A day after missing practice in Lac Mégantic, Max Pacioretty and Brandon
Prust were both back on the ice Friday in Brossard as the Canadiens
prepared to face the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday night at the Bell Centre (7
p.m., CBC, RDS, TSN Radio 690).
Pacioretty, who appeared to suffer an upper-body injury during the
season-opening 4-3 loss to Toronto on Tuesday, took a “therapy day”
Thursday, while Prust missed practice for family reasons.
With George Parros out indefinitely after suffering a concussion in a
season-opening fight with the Maple Leafs’ Colton Orr, rookie Michael
Bournival and Ryan White took turns playing centre on the fourth line at
Friday’s practice between Prust and Travis Moen. Coach Michel Therrien
said he will decide Saturday morning which player will get the start at centre
against the Flyers.
Therrien also said he met with Parros for the first time since the enforcer
suffered a concussion and indicated he is doing well, but is still suffering from
headaches.
For Canadiens fans who enjoyed the 24CH show last season, the first
episode of the second season will air Saturday night at 6:30 on Canal D and
at 10:30 on RDS.
Here’s how the lines looked at practice:
Pacioretty-Desharnais-Briere
Bourque-Plekanec-Gionta
Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher
Prust-White-Bournival-Moen
Diaz-Markov
Gorges-Subban
Tinordi-Bouillon
Montreal Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
719560
Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators hint at payback for big hit to Roman Josi's head
Oct. 5, 2013
Josh Cooper
DENVER — The Predators were not exactly thrilled with Steve Downie’s
flying hit toward Roman Josi’s head that knocked Nashville’s blueliner out of
Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Avalanche with an upper-body injury.
In fact, they were downright disgusted with it.
“I take issue with that,” Predators forward Paul Gaustad said. “He’s one of
those players who looks for the crowd to cheer him on or something like that.
I don’t know … it was a dumb hit and we know who did it. We play these guys
several times this year.”
Midway through the second period, Downie left his feet and led with his
hands toward Josi’s head and neck in the Predators defensive zone. Josi
was knocked down and appeared dazed, but he left the ice under his own
power. Defenseman Shea Weber and forward Gabriel Bourque immediately
jumped on Downie for retribution.
“I haven’t seen a replay yet. It looks like he left his feet on the ice, but (I) have
to watch it,” Weber said.
Predators coach Barry Trotz was hopeful the NHL would examine the hit. On
the play, Downie was given a two-minute minor for charging, and Weber was
given a double minor for roughing.
“We’re trying to get all that out of the game, launching yourself with the head
shots and stuff like that,” Trotz said. “We’re trying to get that out of the
league.”
The Predators said Josi will be re-evaluated Sunday. He was seen walking
around Nashville’s locker room after the game in his street clothes.
Big minutes for Jones: Rookie defenseman Seth Jones looked like a sturdy
veteran Friday night. The 19-year-old led all players with 25:46 of ice time.
It was Jones’ first game in Colorado, against the team that decided not to
take him with the No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft. Jones was rated first by many
scouting services.
“It was definitely tough,” Jones said of his high ice-time, “but those are the
kinds of things you have to battle through, and those are the kinds of things
that win hockey games for you.”
Colorado rookie Nathan MacKinnon, who went No. 1 overall, notched an
assist.
Rinne all the way: Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne played the full 60
minutes in the loss – his first full game since April.
Rinne did not play a full game in the preseason and was pulled midway
through the first period of Nashville’s loss Thursday at St. Louis. Rinne made
33 saves on 35 shots.
“Personally I felt good, and I’m just happy to be back out there,” Rinne said.
“Everything is feeling good.”
Injury updates: Trotz said forward Viktor Stalberg had started skating in his
recovery from a shoulder injury. Stalberg is supposed to miss three to four
weeks.
Trotz also said forward Filip Forsberg continues to skate as he recovers from
a lower-body injury.
Tennessean LOADED: 10.05.2013
719561
Nashville Predators
Preds' scoreboard: no wins, few goals
Oct. 5, 2013
Staff
DENVER — The question asked about the Predators before the season was
simple: Can they score enough goals to win?
Nashville had solid defense and goaltending, but it didn’t seem to have
enough finishers up front. Through two games, that question seems to have
been justified.
Nashville simply hasn’t had enough offense to pick up any points, and it
showed again Friday night in the Predators’ second straight loss — a 3-1
defeat to the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.
Through two games, the Predators (0-2-0) have scored a total of three goals.
The team’s skill players, such as Matt Cullen, Colin Wilson, Craig Smith,
Gabriel Bourque and Patric Hornqvist, have yet to find the back of the net.
“I don’t know if I can get them going. It’s up to them to get them going,” coach
Barry Trotz said of his forwards, without naming names. “There’s no magic
dust I can throw over them and say you have to produce. They need to
produce. That’s part of their role on this team, so they have to produce.”
The Predators’ lone goal came when forward Mike Fisher found Paul
Gaustad in front of the Colorado net. Gaustad fired a shot high over the
goalie’s glove to make the score 2-1 in favor of Colorado with 5:50 left in the
second period.
The Predators had several other scoring chances, including a close
opportunity by rookie Seth Jones in the last two minutes. Jones fired the puck
wide, and Colorado then scored on the empty net on the ensuing rush.
Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne made 32 saves on 35 shots one day after
being pulled. In the previous game, Rinne allowed three goals on six shots by
the St. Louis Blues.
“We’ve had some chances in both games,” Gaustad said. “I don’t know the
solution for scoring. I’m not the guy that’s a pure sniper, but I think one of the
things is if we keep getting pucks at the net and getting guys driving in and
over time pucks will go in that way. I think for a lot of guys that’s the recipe
and we have to stick with it.”
The Predators now head home for a five-game homestand without anything
to show for their two road games against divisional opponents St. Louis and
Colorado. Next up is Minnesota at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Tennessean LOADED: 10.05.2013
719562
New Jersey Devils
Devils' Pete DeBoer: Three goals should be enough to win
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 04, 2013 at 11:46 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 11:49 PM
Although the Devils scored three goals in their home opener, they had to
settle for one point in their shootout loss to the Islanders.
"Three goals for us should mean a win,” coach Pete DeBoer said.
Forward Patrik Elias felt the Devils took a slight step backwards, even though
they were shut out Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
“To be honest, I thought we played a better game in Pittsburgh, especially in
the last two periods, than we did the whole game tonight,” Elias said. “We did
some good things in the second period and some good things in the third.
But, again, we gave them so many opportunities. We have to get that down.”
How did DeBoer feel?
“I probably would agree with that,” the coach said.
He was disapointed with the defensive breakdowns and did some juggling
with his defense pairings.
“I didn’t like what we were seeing. We were a little loose defensively tonight.
A small byproduct of that is probably the back-to-backs a little bit. At the
same time, we have enough of these back-to-backs (this was the first of 22)
we have to learn to play a little bit smarter game in these situations because
these are going to be critical points moving forward.
“I thought our defensive zone coverage was pretty good. Our neutral zone a
little loose and sloppy. It aws pretty good in Pittsburgh, especially in the
second and third. It didn’t carry into tonight. Some credit to them. They throw
a lot of speed at you.”
Goalie Martin Brodeur agreed.
“A lot of good things we have to build on,” Brodeur said. “Definitely we didn’t
play as tight as we’d like in our own zone but offensively we again created
good chances. The last two periods in Pittsburgh were pretty good but I
thought most of the game today was good. We were looser defensively than
we were in Pittsburgh.”
DeBoer said he was happy to see the three goals—two from Damien Brunner
and one from Michael Ryder.
“I’m sure we’re going to be able to score goals,” DeBoer said. “The guys we
have and the chances we created—even in Pittsburgh when we got shut
out—we were creating chances. We’re going to score some goals. We have
to get some of the other parts of the ice cleaned up.”
Jaromir Jagr, 41, played in both games of the back-to-backs.
He had 23 shifts for 15:40 of iec time in Pittsburgh and 18 shifts for 14:30
against the Islanders. Jagr had one shot on goal in each game.
“He didn’t play in any exhibition games. He missed training camp. Tough spot
to throw him into. He gave us some good shifts in overtime down the stretch,”
DeBoer said.
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719563
New Jersey Devils
Devils fall to Islanders, 4-3, in shootout
Particularly when new owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer dropped the
ceremonial pucks. Blitzer wore a Brodeur jersey.
"I kind of noticed that," Brodeur said. "I have to ask for a job. I met one right
after the game. They’re a class act."
He doesn’t need to ask for a job just yet.
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 04, 2013 at 9:57 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 11:25 PM
Devils coach Pete DeBoer saw something in Martin Brodeur before the
41-year-old goaltender strapped on his pads, emerged from the Zamboni
entrance during player introductions and started his 19th consecutive home
opener.
"He’s in the best shape I think he’s been in conditioning-wise and weight-wise
in a long time," DeBoer said. "He looks hungry and ready."
Brodeur wasn’t perfect, but he came through with several vintage-type saves
as the Devils picked up their first point of the new season in a 4-3 six-round
shootout loss to the Islanders Friday night before a non-sellout crowd of
16,624 at Prudential Center.
"I haven’t played a game in two weeks, let alone an NHL game that counts,"
said Brodeur, who made 23 saves and stopped the first five shots he faced in
the shootout before Matt Moulson became the first player to score.
"So for me it was good. I enjoyed the way I played. I’d like to get one goal
back. I think I made the right decision on the first goal (by Michael Grabner),
but I just didn’t get lucky there, and the puck slipped through my pad."
Grabner scored two goals and assisted on one by Frans Nielsen.
"The first one I surprised him. I think he just lost the puck and it went through
me," Brodeur said. "The second one he kind of made a seeing-eye shot
through my legs. I’d like to get that one back. It’s amazing how many
breakaways that guy gets. We said it before the game, and he still got three
or four of them."
There was reason for optimism from the Devils, who saw Swiss winger
Damien Brunner make his debut with the team by scoring a pair of goals.
"It’s good when you get some goals early in the season. It gives you
confidence," Brunner said.
Michael Ryder, another free-agent signing, also scored his first goal for the
Devils.
"You don’t want to wait too long and feel pressure," Ryder said, "but it would
be better if we’d come up on the winning side and got two points."
Brunner’s second goal tied the score, 3-3, at 7:34 of the third period.
Seconds after a Devils power play had ended, Anton Volchenkov’s shot was
tipped in front by Ryane Clowe and the puck dropped for Brunner, who lifted
it over goalie Evgeni Nabokov’s right pad.
The Devils needed Brodeur to send it into overtime and then the shootout.
Grabner, looking for a hat trick, skated in alone at 9:12 of the third but was
robbed by Brodeur. Then, with 6:28 left, he made a save on Pierre-Marc
Bouchard, who was in the clear.
In OT, Brodeur’s big save came on John Tavares.
"That’s a big point. We have to start somewhere," Brodeur said. "A lot of new
guys. You could tell a little bit with the shuffling and in the shootout. New face
after new face. It’s going to take a little bit of time. We need to give ourselves
some time. I think it’s a great thing we’re going on the road. Get to know each
other.
"It’s a slow process. I think everybody wants it to be a fast process, but the
fact is it’s a lot of new players learning a lot of different things about our
system and jelling as lines and teammates. This was not a bad game
whatsoever. It would’ve been a lot more fun to get two points. It didn’t
happen. We’ve got to move on to the road and get some points over there."
Although the Devils were unable to get two points, it was a memorable home
opener.
"It was pretty cool. It’s a real nice arena and the fans can get loud," Brunner
said. "It was cool with the team presentation. It was definitely something
special."
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719564
New Jersey Devils
Devils couldn't get one past Evgeni Nabokov in shootout
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 04, 2013 at 11:19 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 11:22 PM
When Damien Brunner, Ryane Clowe, Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac, Michael
Ryder and Jaromir Jagr all failed to score in the Devils’ first shootout of the
season, coach Pete DeBoer hoped it would continue into a seventh round.
“We still had a few options,” DeBoer said. “There were still some guys who
didn’t get a chance to shoot. (Adam) Henrique was the next guy. We have
some depth of options. We were hoping someone would end it.”
Someone did, but it was Matt Moulson of the Islanders. The Devils couldn’t
get one past goalie Evgeni Nabokov.
“No one could score for some reason,” Ryder said after the 4-3 loss.
Brunner was the first shooter and was stopped.
“I still had time maybe to lift it up. Sometimes when the poke check comes
fast you’re not thinking,” Brunner said. “When I shot low I knew it was not
going in,” Brunner said.
Elias had the same trouble.
“I made the right move. I had him lying on his stomach,” Elias said. “I just
didn’t put it high.”
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719565
New Jersey Devils
As they play: Devils vs. Islanders
Brunner's second goal tied the score, 3-3, at 7:34. Just after the Devils'
power play ended, took a Volchenkov shot that was tipped in front by Clowe.
The puck dropped for Brunner, who lifted it over Nabokov's right pad.
Grabner skated in alone with 10:48 left and was robbed by Brodeur.
Carter took a hooking penalty at 10:04.
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
The attendance was 16,624, a non-sellout.
on October 04, 2013 at 6:48 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 9:47 PM
Nabokov made a save on Gionta's chance at 11:37 with the Devils
shorthanded.
Martin Brodeur started his 19th straight home opener as the Devils hosted
the Islanders Friday night at Prudential Center.
Brodeur stopped Bouchard with 6:28 to go.
Evgeni Nabokov was in net for the Islanders.
End of period: Devils 3, Islanders 3
Jacob Josefson, Rostislav Olesz and Mark Fayne were scratches. Mattias
Tedenby is on non-roster IR.
SECOND PERIOD
Devils lines:
Nabokov stopped Harrold's shot after 25 seconds and Ryder couldn't score
on the rebound.
Ryane Clowe-Patrik Elias-Jaromir Jagr
Harrold knocked Kyle Okposo down with a hit in the corner at 4:25.
Adam Henrique-Travis Zajac-Michael Ryder
Ryder's first goal for the Devils snapped the 1-1 tie at 4:46. Salvador's shot
was blocked and the puck came out to Ryder in the left circle, where he fired
a shot past Nabokov.
Dainius Zubrus-Andrei Loktionov-Damien Brunner
Ryan Carter-Stephen Gionta-Steve Bernier
Defense pairings:
Bryce Salvador-Marek Zidlicky
Andy Greene-Adam Larsson
Anton Volchenkov-Peter Harrold
SHOOTOUT
Brunner was stopped
Nielsen missed with a backhander
Clowe was stopped with a blocker save
The Devils were outshooting the Islanders, 28-25.
The Devils went on the power play at 5:49 when Pierre-Marc Bouchard was
called for interference.
Brodeur protected the slim lead at 8:09 when he stopped a 20-foot slapper
from Okposo.
Nabokov answered at 10:48 when he robbed Brunner, who redirected
centering pass from Elias.
Jagr was moved to right wing with Carter and Gionta as Bernier moved up
with Zubrus and Loktionov. New defense pairings: Greene and Harrold,
Volchenkov and Larsson.
Grabner's second goal of the game evened the score, 2-2, at 13:43. Josh
Bailey's pass from just inside his own end sent Grabner away for a shot from
the right circle that went under Brodeur's left pad.
Bouchard slowed down and Brodeur made a glove save
Jagr couldn't handle a cross-slot pass in the right circle with 2:36 to go.
Elias stopped on a backhander
The Devils were outshooting the Islanders, 20-16.
Tavares was stopped
End of period: Devils 2, Islanders 2
Zajac was stopped
FIRST PERIOD
Bailey hit the post
Ryder failed to score on his backhand
Before the game began, new owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer dropped
ceremonial pucks. Blitzer wore a Brodeur jersey.
Okposo was stopped with a pad save
Andrew MacDonald fired a shot past the net from the left point 33 seconds in.
Jagr was stopped
Clowe had a scoring chance from in close at 1:16 but couldn't bury the shot.
Moulson wins it
Brunner scored the Devils' first goal of the season at 2:59. Zubrus took the
initial shot, which deflected off Nabokov's glove and into the crossbar.
Brunner tapped it in from near the right post.
OVERTIME
Nabokov stopped a shot from Elias after 29 seconds.
Zajac's shot at 2:01 was stopped and Bernier put the rebound over the
crossbar.
The Devils have changed the song they play after a Devils goal to one which
does not invite inappropriate chants, but it didn't go over well with the crowd,
which sang: "Change it back."
Brodeur stopped John Tavares with 1:01 to go.
Carter hit the left post at 5:20.
The Devils outshot the Islanders, 29-26.
The Islanders tied the score at 8:07 when Michael Grabner used his speed to
catch the Devils off guard. It appeared Salvador was going for a change
when Grabner took a pass from Travis Hamonic and skated through the
middle past Larsson.
End of OT: Devils 3, Islanders 3
THIRD PERIOD
Nabokov made a big save and the Islanders broke up ice to score the
go-ahead goal at 1:01. Frans Nielsen took a long pass from Matt Donovan
and carried the puck into the offensive zone. After dropping a pass to
Grabner, Nielsen drove to the net and backhanded a shot through Brodeur's
legs.
Moulson took a hooking penalty on Bernier at 5:26.
Brodeur went down to make the stop, but Grabner was able to slide the puck
underneath the goalie and into the net.
Brunner took a hooking penalty at 9:05.
Brodeur turned the puck over to Matt Moulson with 2:40 left, but neither
Moulson nor Peter Regin were able to scored before the goalie got back into
position.
The Islanders outshot the Devils, 9-7.
End of period: Devils 1, Islanders 1
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719566
New Jersey Devils
Devils: A slimmer, hungrier Martin Brodeur in net; more line changes
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 04, 2013 at 5:10 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 5:51 PM
Devils coach Pete DeBoer said goalie Martin Brodeur is ready for the team’s
home opener against the Islanders.
It will be Brodeur’s 19th consecutive home opener and the coach says he is
slimmer and hungrier.
“I think he’s good. He skated this morning and he’s ready,” DeBoer said.
“He’s in the best shape I think he’s been in conditioning-wise and weight-wise
in a long time. He looks hungry and ready.”
DeBoer wasn’t thrilled by his team’s performance in a 3-0 loss to the
Penguins.
“Any coach will tell you this time of year there are a lot of areas you want to
clean up,” he said. “To put it in a little box for you: I thought we did some
things very well, some areas we were good, the handful of mistakes we made
they capitalized on.
“They’re that kind of team and so is the team we’re playing tonight. We have
to be prepared for that. You make mistakes against teams with Malkin,
Crosby, Tavares it’s going to cost you.”
DeBoer did some line tinkering in Pittsburgh and will shake things up again
tonight.
“We’re going to flip some more things around today,” the coach revealed.
“We kind of juggled the lines again and we’re going to keep doing that until
we get some type of chemistry that we like.”
Travis Zajac won’t be skating on the same line with Jaromir Jagr.
“I thought they had some good moments together,” DeBoer said. “But we
didn’t score a goal as a group. There wasn’t one combination there that really
blew me away.”
Other than Brodeur instead of Cory Schneider, there will be no other lineup
changes for the Devils. Jacob Josefson, Mark Fayne and Mattias Tedenby
will be scratches.
The Devils will introduce their new slogan before the game: "We are Jersey."
Andy Greene will wear the second 'A' in tonight's game. Zajac said he doesn't
know if it will be a strict policy where he wears the letter for road games and
Greene has it for home games.
"I don't know. If I have one on in the next game (in Winnipeg), I'll tell you,"
Zajac said. "I don't see it as being a big deal to either of us."
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719567
New Jersey Devils
Devils: Mark Fayne deals with being the odd man out on defense
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 04, 2013 at 1:48 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 2:51 PM
Sixteen months ago Mark Fayne was one of two Devils defenseman who
played in all 82 regular-season games prior to figuring prominently in the
club’s run to the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.
Captain Bryce Salvador was the other.
But as the Devils opened their 31st season, Fayne was the odd man out on
defense. He was scratched from Thursday night’s season-opening 3-0 loss
in Pittsburgh and isn’t in the lineup again for tonight’s home opener at
Prudential Center.
“We’ve got seven capable D and a few more down in the minors right now. I
don’t think any spots are solid,” Fayne said after a grueling morning practice
with assistant coach Mike Foligno. “I think I’m going to have to earn a spot
through practice and these conditioning skates and try to get back out there.
“I know that once I get in there my job is to not come out. Right now I just have
to have the mindset of just getting back into a game. You can’t worry about
too much or look down the line because that will just get in your head and ruin
your confidence. Right now I have to think back on the Stanley Cup run and
all the other good memories I’ve had playing and draw from those.”
Fayne, 26, seemed to be on the verge of a steady spot in the lineup as one of
the Devils’ top defensemen. But last season he dealt with a couple of injuries
while appearing in 31 of 48 games.
The coaching staff seemed to lose a little faith in the Nashua, N.H., native.
“I got hurt at the end of last year, so I was out for the last eight games or so. I
think that is what they were going off (coming into training camp). Then they
made decisions off what they saw in camp. I just have to deal with it and fix
it,” Fayne said.
“I think I had a solid camp, but I think everyone did. I think it was very
competitive all the way to the end having (Alex) Urbom staying up and having
(Eric) Gelinas and (Jon) Merrill sent down at the very end. With the number of
D we had, it was very close. That’s what you want in camp. You want
everbody pushing each other. I don’t think there is much separation from the
top to bottom. As a team that’s what you want. As an individual it makes
everybody stay on top of their game.”
Fayne said he is “perfectly” healthy now.
Interestingly, the Devils kept eight defensemen after training camp. To clear
enough roster space they had to put Urbom on waivers with the hope of
slipping him through and sending him back to Albany (AHL).
But the Washington Capitals claimed Urbom on Thursday. He will have a
spot on coach Adam Oates’ club for at least a month.
Fayne could have viewed the loss of Urbom as a plus for himself, but he was
happier for the 22-year-old Swede.
“To be honest, I was happy for him because that means he has to stay up for
a month. I don’t think he’s really had that opportunity yet of being with a team
for a full month,” Fayne said. “I think that’s going to give him an opportunity to
show what he has. I know Oatsie liked him back when he was here. I think it’s
good he’s goingto get a legitimate 30-day trial. I’m confident he’s going to
stay all year.”
The Devils will begin a five-game Canadian road trip Monday night in
Edmonton. Fayne would figure to get back into the lineup at some point
during the trip, with a chance to reclaim his spot as a regular.
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719568
New Jersey Devils
Pete DeBoer pleased with Jaromir Jagr's debut
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 03, 2013 at 10:46 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 1:02 AM
PITTSBURGH -- Jaromir Jagr was booed by Penguins fans every time he
touched the puck Thursday night at Consol Energy Center, but the big winger
was cheered by his coach after making his Devils debut.
“I thought he was excellent,” Pete DeBoer said of Jagr. “He worked his butt
off.”
Jagr, of course, did not play a preseason game, so this was his true debut.
He skated on a line with Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique.
“I felt okay,” Jagr said. “We had the puck most of the night and tried to cycle.
It’s going to get better when we get to know each other a little more. So you
can do it on a quicker speed so you don’t have to think about where the guy
is, you’ll know where he is.
“We just gave then too many odd-man rushes. They were just waiting for
their chances, coming a hundred miles an hour through the neutral zone just
waiting for any mistakes you make.
"I felt like we were getting better in the second and third periods. But you're
down, 2-0, so you have to open it up a little. It's a long season. There are a lot
of new pieces to this team. We have to learn to play together."
Defenseman Anton Volchenkov, who fell down along the left wing boards in
the offensive zone before Pittsburgh's first goal, said he was knocked down.
"It looked like (Chris) Kunitz pushed me in the back," Volchenkov said.
Volchenkov, like Jagr, wasn't discouraged by the 3-0 loss.
"It's just the start of the season," he said. "There are still 81 to go."
Ryane Clowe, involved in a first period fight with Tanner Glass, had two cuts
above his right eyebrow.
"No stitches. Just a shiner. First game, I like that," Clowe said.
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719569
New Jersey Devils
Devils open season with 3-0 loss to Penguins as goal scoring is an
immediate concern
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 03, 2013 at 9:29 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 10:30 AM
PITTSBURGH — After a turbulent summer in which the Devils lost Ilya
Kovalchuk and David Clarkson, the immediate concern was scoring goals.
That didn’t change on opening night as the Devils were shut out by
Marc-Andre Fleury and the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-0, Thursday night at
Consol Energy Center.
It was the second time the Devils have been shut out in an opener, the first by
the Flyers on Oct. 8, 2011. They were shut out four times during last season’s
abbreviated 48-game schedule.
Cory Schneider, making his Devils debut in goal, suffered the loss as the
Penguins scored twice in the opening period.
Still hopeful of a comeback, the Devils saw the game slip away when Craig
Adams, playing in his 800th career NHL game, gave the Penguins a 3-0 lead
at 11:42 of the third period.
Get Adobe Flash player
Tanner Glass started the breakout from his own end and it was Evgeni
Malkin’s cross-ice pass that allowed Adams to beat Schneider on his glove
side from just above the right circle.
When Adam Henrique was pulled down by Penguins defenseman Matt
Niskanen with 3:59 remaining, he was awarded a penalty shot. Fleury made
a right pad save on Henrique to preserve the shutout.
With 2:25 to go, Marek Zidlicky put a shot on net and Clowe tried to jam the
rebound inside the left post. Fleury made another pad save.
Jaromir Jagr, Damien Brunner, Michael Ryder and Ryane Clowe all made
their Devils debuts in the loss.
"I know the media doesn’t give us many chances to make the playoffs but I
think we can prove a lot of people wrong," Jagr said of the Devils’ chances
this season.
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719570
New Jersey Devils
A younger Jaromir Jagr wouldn't have liked Devils' strict rules
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 03, 2013 at 3:54 PM, updated October 03, 2013 at 3:58 PM
PITTSBURGH—Over the years, Jaromir Jagr has heard stories about the
Devils and general manager Lou Lamoriello’s strict rules.
Consequently, playing for the Devils when he was young had no appeal to
Jagr.
“I heard a lot of rumors about how the Devils run their organization. I knew
there were strict rules everybody has to follow,” Jagr said today. “I don’t mind
that at all. Maybe it would be different for me 15 years ago, but I agree with
that. Whatever Lou tries to do, he wants everybody on the team to feel
important.”
Jagr’s viewpoint has changed.
“I think you’re more selfish when you’re younger,” he said. “There is more
pressure on you. You have to produce. You want to be treated differently. At
least that’s the way I was, I guess. Now I see I was wrong.”
In his first game for the Devils, Jagr was set to skate at right wing with Travis
Zajac and Adam Henrique.
Henrique was born eight months before Jagr broke into the NHL with the
Penguins in 1990.
“It’s pretty funny,” Henrique said. “He’s a legend. Having him and Marty
(Brodeur) as teammates is pretty cool. He’s a guy you talk to and try to learn
as much a possible if you can because he’s been in every situation. He’s
won. When he speaks, you listen. If you have questions, you ask him. I try to
avoid the age thing, but I bug him once in a while about it.”
Jagr is 41.
“It’s pretty neat to have a chance to play with him. Whether this is his last year
or not, to be able to be his teammate is pretty cool,” Henrique said. “It’s only
my third year in the league. You try to talk to those guys and learn as much as
possible from them. You can learn so many little things by just watching them
and listening to them and talking to them.”
Zajac said that as a kid he watched Jagr play for the Pens.
“Hopefully he’s not going to watch me anymore. I need help. I need big help,”
Jagr joked.
Jagr said he hopes his younger linemates don’t look to feed him the puck all
the time. He joked that he’s had the puck plenty for 25 years.
“I don’t think you can just keep trying to look for one guy out there on the ice.
If you do, I think it takes away from the whole line,” Henrique noted. “If the
play is there, you make the play. If it’s not, you have to get pucks in and
create chances for ourselves. That’s something I want to work on with my
own game, getting more shot opportunities and chances. I think we just have
to go out there and play. As we do that, I think the chemistry will build.
Hopefully we can find that right away.”
Jagr was questioned by the Pittsburgh media about his time with the
Penguins. He was asked if he’d like to see his No. 68 retired by the team.
“It’s not up to me. I’m not thinking about retirement yet,” he said. “It’s up to the
organization how they feel. Lately the fans don’t really appreciate me here. I
don’t know if it would be a good idea or not.”
Has he had issues with Pittsburgh fans?
“I never really had any issues with the fans. They supported us so well over
the years I was here,” Jagr said. “We made the playoffs every year, so they
were even more excited. They’re crazy sports fans and that’s good.”
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719571
New Jersey Devils
Devils goalie Martin Brodeur: 'I felt for Marc-Andre Fleury during playoffs'
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 03, 2013 at 3:07 PM, updated October 03, 2013 at 3:14 PM
PITTSBURGH— Over a career in which he has won 669 games, the NHL
record, Devils goalie Martin Brodeur has never endured too many low points.
But he felt for Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who wound up struggling
in the playoffs last season and lost his job to Tomas Vokoun. Worse, Fleury
was asked to see a psychologist during the offseason and the Penguins
brought in a new goalie coach in Mike Bales.
“Good thing they never asked me (to do) that. I could’ve been there for a long
time,” Brodeur joked about a psychologist.
As for Fleury, Brodeur said: “I like the way he plays. I like his style of play. It’s
always tough when you don’t perform the way people think you can. Your
expectations snowball on you a little bit.
“It’s unfortunate. I felt for him when it happened. He’s a good friend of mine,
but it’s part of being a goalie. Consistency is a big thing. You can be good one
year, but you need to be good every year.”
Brodeur didn’t take notes on Fleury, but he has an idea what might have
happened. The goalie seemed unsure about the play in front of him.
“I haven’t really watched much, but I think you can tell by how he exploded
out of control sometimes,” Brodeur explained. “That means he doesn’t really
know what is going on. He’s just kind of moving as quick as possible and
getting himself out of position.
“When he had teams that were maybe a little more tight, you don’t have to
make those type of saves. I know. I’ve played on teams that got chaotic and
at one point you lose yourself and it snowballs. You can’t play your game.
Maybe that’s what happened to him.”
Brodeur said Fleury, who starts in goal tonight against Cory Schneider and
the Devils, should bounce back.
“He’s shown that he’s able to play well. You don’t make two trips to the
Stanley Cup Finals and then you should be pulled in the playoff series,” he
said. “It worked out well for (the Penguins) because of the way Vokoun
played, but it’s unfortunate for him. I hope he gets back on track.”
The new goalie coach could help Fleury.
“For me it’s not much technique. It’s more of a mental game and my
approach to the game that I rely on my goalie coach. I think nobody can really
teach the way I play anyway. It’s a little too late to change, too,” Brodeur
joked. “Maybe at this stage (for Fleury) a new voice is good.”
As for his own mental state in seeing his streak of 18 straight opening night
starts, Brodeur said he is fine.
“When I come in every season and I’m still healthy, my streak is still alive for
me, even though I’m not playing tonight,” he said, adding: “It’s not my choice
I’m not playing.”
Asked about what he envisions for the Devils this season, Brodeur said some
added offense.
“I think it’s a different makeup than a lot of years. We have a lot of depth that
can score goals on different lines,” he said. “Before we relied a lot on the first
line and a little bit on the second. That’s why we never really scored many
goals. I think this year we feel we’re a little more well-rounded as far as our
four lines to be able to cointribute offensively.
“Our system hasn’t changed much. We tweaked a few little things. Since
Pete came, for a goalie you know what to expect.”
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719572
New Jersey Devils
Devils lose Alex Urbom on waivers to Washington; Patrik Elias activated
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 03, 2013 at 12:48 PM, updated October 03, 2013 at 1:03 PM
PITTSBURGH -- The Devils lost a top prospect today when the Washington
Capitals claimed defenseman Alex Urbom off waivers.
Urbom, 22, was the Devils' third pick (73rd overall) in the 2009 entry draft.
"You make these decisions and you don't look back," general manager Lou
Lamoriello said. "It's a compliment to the depth we have. No question he's a
bright prospect."
The Devils activated Patrik Elias off injured reserve.
Although Lamoriello and coach Pete DeBoer said before and during training
camp that several young defensemen were knocking at the door to make the
team, no one did.
"It just worked out that way. A couple of veterans made it so they didn't allow
the change to be made," Lamoriello explained. "But they'll (young prospects)
be in there before it's over."
DeBoer said of losing Urbom: "Anytime somebody you've poured time,
energy and resources into potentially moves on, that's not easy. It also bodes
to the depth of the organization at that position."
Forwards Rostislav Olesz and Jacob Josefson, along with defenseman Mark
Fayne, will be scratches in tonight's opener.
"It was a tough decision," DeBoer said. "I met with the four guys at the end of
the pregame skate today. I think all four of those guys played well in
preseason and made the decision tonight tough. I think that's a strength with
this group, the depth. We're going to have to rely on all those guys at different
points and maybe sooner than later."
Mattias Tedenby, on the trip, remains on non-roster IR.
Changes could be made for the home opener,
"We could. We're going to take the night (to decide) but when you have
quality people like that sitting on the sidelines, it's definitely an option,"
DeBoer said.
Travis Zajac, centering a line with wingers Adam Henrique and Jaromir Jagr,
said when he was a kid he watched Jagr play for the Penguins.
"Hopefully he's not going to watch me anymore," Jagr joked. "I need help. I
need big help>'
Henrique was born four months before Jagr broke into the NHL in 1990.
"It's pretty funny. He's a legend," Henrique said. "Having him and Marty
(Brodeur) as teammates is pretty cool."
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719573
New Jersey Devils
Patrik Elias will be in lineup for regular-season opener against Penguins
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 03, 2013 at 11:22 AM, updated October 03, 2013 at 11:49 AM
PITTSBURGH-- The Devils will activate Patrik Elias today as they await their
regular season opener against the Penguins at Consol Energy Center.
Cory Schneider will start in goal for the Devils tonight against Marc-Andre
Fleury of the Penguins.
The Devils' lines in the morning skate:
Ryane Clowe-Patrik Elias-Damien Brunner
Adam Henrique-Travis Zajac-Jaromir Jagr
Dainius Zubrus-Andrei Loktionov-Michael Ryder
Ryan Carter-Stephen Gionta-Steve Bernier
Rostislav Olesz-Jacob Josefson-Mattias Tedenby
Coch Pete DeBoer called Olesz, Josefson, Mark Fayne and Tedenby over at
the end of teh skate. They will be scratches.
Tedenby, who is on non-roster injured reserve, is with the club.
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719574
New Jersey Devils
Jaromir Jagr set to make Devils debut in Pittsburgh, where it all began
Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on October 03, 2013 at 9:23 AM, updated October 03, 2013 at 9:42 AM
PITTSBURGH – Along with Mario Lemieux, it was Jaromir Jagr who
spearheaded the Pittsburgh Penguins’ two Stanley Cup championships in
1991 and ’92.
But Jagr, who will make his Devils debut Thursday night at Consol Energy
Center, knows the reception he’ll get from Pittsburgh fans.
“They’re going to boo me,” Jagr said with a smile.
Jagr suggested that many current fans were young when he played for the
Penguins and they might not even know he was a star for the team for 11
seasons before he was traded to the Washington Capitals with Frantisek
Kucera for Kris Beech, Michal Sivek, Ross Lupaschuk and future
considerations on July 11, 2001.
He is being modest. Penguins fans, among the best in hockey, are well
aware that Jagr won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player in
1999 and led the league in scoring four times.
Jagr’s days in Pittsburgh spanned more than just the championship days.
“There were different eras in Pittsburgh,” he recalled. “We had a great team,
then we went through the bankruptcy, so we had 11 guys from the minors.
There were different challenges in Pittsburgh. Every year was a different
challenge.
“When we had a good team with talent, we wanted to win the Stanley Cup.
Then, with bankruptcy, money was tight. They gave 11 guys from the minors
a chance. They rose to the challenge and worked hard and we made the
playoffs and went to the second round.”
Jagr, 41, acknowledged that he “played my best hockey” in Pittsburgh, but he
also played for some teams that could have won. The Boston Bruins came
close last spring.
Does he feel he should have won more than the two Cups he did win,
particularly in Pittsburgh?
“We had good teams, but there were a lot of good teams,” Jagr said. “There
were 30 teams fighting for one Cup. Sometimes even when you have the
best team there is no guarantee you’re going to win the Stanley Cup. So
many great players on teams never won it.”
Jagr is no longer the dominant player he was in his Pittsburgh days, but he is
still viewed as a big-time player by some.
The big winger said he is still feeling his way with the Devils, having missed
all six preseason games.
“I don’t look at myself like I’m a big time player,” he said with conviction. “Any
start with any team is tough for anybody. You have to learn the system. I
didn’t play in any (preseason) games. Even in practices we (the Devils) play
differently than most teams, so you’re kind of thinking more than playing.”
He returns with the Devils to the place where his NHL career began. Jagr has
had many “homecomings” to Pittsburgh over the years and points out he’s
played longer wearing other jerseys than as a Penguin.
Perhaps Penguins fans will realize this could be Jagr’s final NHL season.
Maybe he won’t be booed as he gives the Devils whatever he has left.
“I always want to play the best I can play. I did everything to be good. Some
things you cannot control, but I’m going to give my best,” he said.
Star Ledger LOADED: 10.05.2013
719575
New Jersey Devils
Devils notes: Goaltender Martin Brodeur on his relationship with Cory
Schneider
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Tom Gulitti
Budding friendship
Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur said his relationship with Cory Schneider,
who was acquired from Vancouver on June 30 to be his eventual successor,
is still forming.
Because neither dressed for the preseason games the other played in and
they often ended up in different practice groups, they didn’t really spend that
much time together during training camp.
"I think it’s going to come naturally as we get to know each other," Brodeur
said. "I don’t know him. Maybe he doesn’t want me to tell him something
about [Sidney] Crosby. Maybe he doesn’t feel comfortable asking me. You
get to know the guy and the next thing you know you build a relationship. I
just met the guy three weeks ago. These are things that will grow."
New owners drop by
New Devils’ owners Josh Harris and David Blizter dropped the puck for the
ceremonial opening faceoff. Harris and Blizter completed the purchase of the
team from Jeff Vanderbeek on Aug. 15.
Blitzer wore a No. 30 Brodeur jersey for the ceremonial faceoff.
"I kind of noticed that. I’m going to have to ask for a job," Brodeur joked. "I
met one [of the owners] right after the game. They’re just a class act. It’s
been a great transition from the old ownership to the new one."
Line juggling
Other than Brodeur in net, the Devils played the same lineup as Thursday,
scratching defenseman Mark Fayne, center Jacob Josefson, left wing
Rostislav Olesz and right wing Mattias Tedenby (suspected groin strain).
Coach Pete DeBoer juggled his line combinations throughout, though.
DeBoer began the game with his two Czech stars, center Patrik Elias and
right wing Jaromir Jagr, on the same line, but by the end of the game Jagr
has been dropped to the fourth line.
"We kind of juggled the lines again and we’re going to keep doing that until
we get some type of chemistry that we like," DeBoer said.
Bergen Record LOADED: 10.05.2013
719576
New Jersey Devils
Devils fall to Islanders, 4-3, in a six-round shootout
Friday, October 4, 2013
AM
Last updated: Saturday October 5, 2013, 12:08
BY TOM GULITTI
NEWARK – Damien Brunner was happy about scoring two goals in his first
home game as a Devil.
Afterward, though, Brunner was thinking more about his missed opportunity
in the shootout against Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov.
Brunner’s second goal of the night pulled the Devils even 7:34 into the third
period and eventually got them their first point of the season when the game
went to overtime.
Nabokov stopped all six Devils he faced in the shootout, however, as the
Islanders spoiled the Devils’ home opener by pulling out a 4-3 victory Friday
night at Prudential Center.
Matt Moulson was the only player to score in the tiebreaker, beating
goaltender Martin Brodeur to the stick side in the bottom of the sudden-death
sixth round.
“Obviously, when you score you set yourself up for the next game with a lot of
confidence,” Brunner said. “But I would have been more happy if I scored in
the shootout.”
Brunner, who signed a two-year contract after a brief training camp tryout, led
off for the Devils in the tiebreaker Friday, but Nabokov threw him off with a
poke-check attempt and then made a right pad save.
“He did a pretty good poke-check,” Brunner said. “I still would have had time
maybe to lift it up, but sometimes when the poke-check comes fast, you’re
not thinking. When I shot low, I knew it was not going in.”
Nabokov also stopped Ryane Clowe, Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac, Michael
Ryder and Jaromir Jagr before Moulson finally ended it by being patient
against Brodeur.
“He waited me out, so I got deep in my net a little bit and then he got it up
quick,” Brodeur said. “He was pretty close to me. It was a good shot.”
Brodeur was up and down in his first start of the season after watching Cory
Schneider play in Thursday’s 3-0 season-opening loss in Pittsburgh. Brodeur
(23 saves) had not played since Devils’ preseason game in Montreal on
Sept. 23 and was away from the team for four days during that stretch after
the death of his father.
He showed some rust, but was at his best after Brunner’s second goal tied it,
denying Michael Grabner’s hat-trick bid with a blocker save on a breakaway
attempt at 9:19. He then threw up his catching glove to get a piece of
Pierre-Marc Bouchard’s shot and deflect it over the crossbar with 6:27
remaining.
“I hadn’t played a game in two weeks, let alone a real NHL game that counts,
so for me it was good,” Brodeur said. “I enjoyed the way I played.”
The Devils now head off on a five-game Canadian road trip that begins
Monday in Edmonton. With a host of new players, they feel the trip can help
them come together.
“We’ve got to start somewhere,” Brodeur said. “We have a lot of new guys.
You could tell the shuffling in the shootout, just new faces after new faces.It’s
going to take time a little bit. We need to give ourselves a little time here and
I think it’s a great thing that we’re going on the road to get to know each other,
get to learn how to play with each other and living some experiences.”
The Devils got contributions from two of their new players Friday with
Brunner’s two goals and a goal by Ryder, another free-agent signing, who
gave them a 2-1 lead 4:46 into the second period.
But they made too many mistakes in their neutral zone play, which led to
numerous breakaways for Grabner, who scored on one 8:07 into the first
period and another 13:43 into the second.
Grabner also set up Frans Nielsen’s goal on the rush that gave the Isles a 3-2
lead 1:01 into the third.
“Three goals for us should mean a win,” Devils coach Pete DeBoer said. “We
were a little loose defensively tonight. A small byproduct of that was probably
the back-to-back [games], but at the same time we’ve got enough of these
back-to-backs [22 sets] that we have to learn to play a little bit smarter game
in these situations because these are going to be critical points moving
forward.”
Bergen Record LOADED: 10.05.2013
719577
New Jersey Devils
Shootout goal from Matt Moulson lifts Islanders past Devils
By Stephen Lorenzo / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Friday, October 4, 2013, 9:57 PM
In the sixth round of the shootout, Matt Moulson gets one by Devils goalie
Martin Brodeur.
ISLANDERS 4, DEVILS 3 (SHOOUTOUT)
It was far from pretty, but the Islanders won’t complain about a win in the first
game of their season.
The Isles beat the Devils, 4-3, Friday night at the Rock in Newark, looking
plenty sloppy in their season opener before Matt Moulson’s shootout goal in
the sixth round proved to be the difference. Moulson beat Martin Brodeur
high stick side.
“I don’t know if (coach Jack Capuano) was saving my legs or what,” Moulson
joked. “It was good to be out there. You want to be in those situations where
you can have a chance to win a game for your team, especially when I didn’t
think our line played great today. To help out that way was good because I
didn’t help out much during the game.”
Equally as important to the effort was Michael Grabner, who tallied two goals
and an assist, and goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, who turned away all six
Devils in the shootout to allow for Moulson’s game-winner.
“Part of it is luck,” said Nabokov, who had 26 saves in regulation and OT;
Brodeur, playing for the first time since his father Denis, a famed hockey
photographer, died Sept. 26, had 23. “Sometimes they couldn’t raise the
puck and sometimes I read them and knew what they were going to do. Luck
is a big part of the shootouts, but I was trying to follow the puck and make
sure my gaps were good.”
The game was tied three times in regulation, but play was hardly crisp on
either side. The Devils gained a point and got two goals from recently
acquired free agent Damien Brunner, but are winless in two games.
“It was a little sloppy for us,” Moulson said. “The (Frans) Nielsen line played
great. We had some young guys play well, Nabby played terrific. For us to be
successful this season we’ll need to win ugly games sometimes. I don’t think
we were that sharp. You expect that to a certain extent in your first game. . . .
We’ll be a lot better (Saturday, in the home opener against Columbus), I’ll
guarantee that.”
New York Daily News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719578
New Jersey Devils
Devils’ Brodeur shaky in shootout loss
By David Satriano
October 4, 2013 | 11:35pm
When he was in the prime of his career, the Devils scoring three goals with
Martin Brodeur in net would almost surely result in a win. But the 41-year-old
future Hall of Famer, whose career could end after this season, was unable
to make two one-goal leads stand up Friday night in a 4-3 shootout loss to the
Islanders at the Prudential Center in Newark.
Of the three goals Brodeur allowed in regulation, two were through his
five-hole, with the other finding its way over his stacked pads on a Michael
Grabner breakaway.
“I’d like to get one goal back. I think I made the right decision on the first goal,
I was just unlucky and the puck kind of snuck through my pad there,” Brodeur
said. “Apart from that, I made the saves that were important in the hockey
game.
“It’s amazing how many breakaways that guy gets,” Brodeur added referring
to Grabner who had four shots, three on beak aways.
Starting in his NHL-record 19th consecutive home opener, a streak that
began in 1993, Brodeur looked shaky in the first period, but kept the Devils in
the game in the third period and the shootout with 10 saves and five more in
the shootout. Head coach Pete DeBoer wasn’t blaming the loss on his goalie.
“He gave us a chance to win,” DeBoer said. “He found another level there in
the third period to let us hang around and give us a chance. Stopped five of
six in the shootout. He’s doing everything he can to try and get two points.”
The question now will be how many games will Brodeur start this season,
after the Devils acquired Cory Schneider from the Canucks in the offseason.
Schneider started the Devils’ first game, a 3-0 loss to the Penguins on
Thursday, and could end up playing more games than Brodeur, something
that hasn’t happened in Brodeur’s entire career. He has the most wins in NHL
history, owns numerous other records, and will be a shoo-in for the Hall of
Fame when he is eligible.
But Brodeur saw the positives in the game, despite not getting the two points.
“It’s a big point. We’ve got to start somewhere,” he said. “Shuffling a little bit
in the shootout. New faces after new faces. It’s going to take time a little bit.
We need to give ourselves a little time here.”
New York Post LOADED: 10.05.2013
719579
New York Islanders
Islanders Win Opener, Edging Devils
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 4, 2013
Matt Moulson’s goal in the sixth round of a shootout lifted the visiting
Islanders to a season-opening 4-3 victory over the Devils on Friday night.
Evgeni Nabokov made 26 saves and stopped all six Devils attempts in the
shootout as the Islanders won an opener for the first time since 2007.
Michael Grabner had two goals and an assist for the Islanders.
The recently signed free agent Damien Brunner scored twice for the Devils,
and Martin Brodeur had 23 saves in his first game of the season. Cory
Schneider was in goal in the Devils’ 3-0 loss in Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Brodeur stopped the Islanders’ first five shootout attempts before Moulson
beat him just under the crossbar. Moulson joked that he told Coach Jack
Capuano that he should have shot earlier in the shootout.
“The puck kind of hopped up, and luckily I chipped it up,” Moulson said.
SENATORS 1, SABRES 0 Erik Karlsson sneaked a one-timer under Ryan
Miller’s legs with 1 minute 35 seconds left in the third period, giving Ottawa a
victory at Buffalo. Craig Anderson stopped 35 shots to earn his 23rd career
shutout. Miller made 45 saves for the Sabres.
RED WINGS 3, HURRICANES 2 Stephen Weiss scored at 3:13 of overtime,
lifting Detroit to a comeback win at Carolina. The Red Wings captain Henrik
Zetterberg’s goal with 16.4 seconds left in regulation forced the extra period.
FLAMES 4, BLUE JACKETS 3 Jiri Hudler and Curtis Glencross scored 42
seconds apart in the third period to lead visiting Calgary past Columbus. The
Flames rookie Sean Monahan recorded his first N.H.L. goal, and T. J.
Galiardi added a goal and an assist.
JETS 5, KINGS 3 Devin Setoguchi scored two goals in the third as host
Winnipeg beat Los Angeles. Ondrej Pavelec had 33 saves for the Jets.
AVALANCHE 3, PREDATORS 1 P. A. Parenteau had two goals in
Colorado’s home win over Nashville.
New York Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
719580
New York Islanders
Moulson Gives Isles 4-3 Win Over Devils
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 4, 2013 at 10:15 PM ET
NEWARK, N.J. — Matt Moulson scored the only goal of the shootout in the
sixth round and the New York Islanders opened the season with a 4-3 victory
over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night.
Evgeni Nabokov made 26 saves and stopped all six Devils shots in the
shootout as the Islanders won a season opener for the first time since 2007.
Michael Grabner scored two goals and set up another by Frans Nielsen for
the Islanders.
Recently signed free agent Damien Brunner scored twice for the Devils,
while fellow newcomer Michael Ryder had the other.
Martin Brodeur, whose father, Denis, died last week, had 23 saves in his first
game of the season. Cory Schneider was in goal in the Devils' 3-0 loss in
Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Brodeur stopped the Islanders first five shootout attempts before Moulson
put a shot just under the crossbar.
Josh Bailey almost won the shootout in the fourth round, but his shot hit off
the post.
Brunner tied the game at 3-all at 7:34 of the third period with his second goal
of the game. It came shortly after a Devils power play expired. Defenseman
Anton Volchenkov came off the bench and shot the puck toward the net. It
deflected to Brunner and he slid it into an open net.
The Islanders took their first lead of the game early in the third period when
Nielsen worked a give and go with Grabner and lifted a backhand between
Brodeur's pads as the goaltender tried to poke check the puck off his stick.
Both teams had scoring chances after Brunner tied the game at 3-all. Kyle
Okposo of the Islanders hit the post about a minute after Brunner's second
goal and Brodeur came up with close-in stops on Grabner and Pierre-Marc
Bouchard on breakaways.
Nabokov stopped a short-handed shot by Stephen Gionta and a close-in
attempt by Steve Bernier.
The Devils twice took the lead in their home opener and Grabner responded
for the Islanders each time.
Grabner's second of the game came on a shot from the right circle that beat
Brodeur on the short side at 13:43 of the middle period. Bailey had forced a
turnover at center ice and made a pass that sent the speedy right wing into
the Devils' zone.
Ryder, who is wearing the No. 17 jersey that Ilya Kovalchuk had before
returning to Russia after last season, rekindled memories of the Russian
superstar by snapping a shot past Nabokov a little less than five minutes into
the second period. It was his first goal with the Devils.
Brunner, who had a team-high eight shots in Pittsburgh, gave the Devils the
lead 2:59 after the opening faceoff. Nabokov couldn't control a shot by
Dainius Zubrus from the slot and Brunner tapped the loose puck into an open
net for his first goal as a Devil.
Grabner, who was stopped on an early breakaway by Brodeur before the
Brunner goal, didn't miss his second one-on-one. He took a pass from
defenseman Travis Hamonic in stride and slid the puck under Brodeur to tie
the game at 8:07.
NOTES: Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who head the group that bought the
Devils this summer, dropped pucks at the ceremonial opening faceoff. ...This
was the first of five regular-season games between teams. Islanders won last
year's season series 3-2. ...Brock Nelson, the Islanders' first-round draft pick
in 2010, made his NHL regular-season debut. He appeared in a playoff game
last year. ... Other than Brodeur in goal, the Devils used the same lineup they
did in Pittsburgh on Thursday.
New York Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
719581
New York Islanders
Islanders top Devils in shootout to cap sloppy game
By Brett Cyrgalis
October 4, 2013 | 10:17pm
No, it was not the prettiest, but in the end, it’s not as if the Islanders care.
On Friday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, the Islanders managed to
open their season with a 4-3 shootout win over the Devils in a game that was
not very convincing in proving that the preseason was over.
“It was a little bit more wide-open than I anticipated,” said coach Jack
Capuano, insistent his team created enough offense to be happy about.
“From game to game, you don’t know what to expect. But I thought it was a
real good hockey game.”
It ended when Matt Moulson lifted one over Martin Brodeur’s right shoulder in
the sixth round of the shootout, with neither team managing to net one before
that moment in the skills competition. It ended anticlimactically for what
seemed to be shaping into a night of redemption for Brodeur, who started his
19th consecutive home-opener, only mildly bittersweet because the night
before his streak of season-openers ended at an NHL record of 18, with Cory
Schneider playing in a 3-0 loss to the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
“The puck kind of hopped up,” Moulson said about the winning tally, “and I
found a way to chip it in.”
It seemed almost appropriate, as both teams had their stars shut down —
most notably John Tavares’ Islanders line, which had very little time and
space — and teetered back and forth by the play of both goaltenders.
“I feel like I’m supposed to feel in the first game, I guess,” said the Islanders’
Evgeni Nabokov, who finished with 26 saves, some of them spectacular, and
who was unsure if he’s going to play the second part of this back-to-back
Saturday night in the Coliseum against the Blue Jackets.
“You can play as many preseason games as you want, but at the end of the
day, when you start, it’s a different game. The adrenaline is flowing, it’s hot
out there and you’re battling and the game is fast, but that’s where your focus
comes in.
“I was trying to concentrate and just make a save for the guys when I can,” he
continued. “Sometimes you’re able to, sometimes you not.”
Nabokov especially had trouble with new addition Damien Brunner, who
scored his first two goals as a Devil, the second with 7:34 gone by in the third
to tie it 3-3. His two goals were negated on the Isles’ side by Michael
Grabner, the speedster opening his season with a two-goal performance of
his own, which could have easily been a hat trick if he buried yet another
breakaway with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
“It was our first regular season game, and there is some stuff we can be
better at, especially in the ‘D’ zone,” Grabner. said “But we did some good
things too.”
Grabner also had a primary assist on Frans Neilsen’s third-period goal, a
nice give-and-go that gave the Islanders their first lead at 3-2, when Brodeur
whiffed on a poke check. The early part of the game was not Brodeur’s finest
work, as leads of 1-0 and 2-1 (in the second period from Michael Ryder’s first
goal as a Devil) both evaporated.
Yet, even in the overtime there were chances aplenty, chances that went for
naught until Moulson tied a bow on the proceedings in the shootout.
“Some of the wins we got last year were a lot like tonight,” Moulson said. “Not
necessarily our best game, but we find ways to win.”
New York Post LOADED: 10.05.2013
719582
New York Islanders
Isles' Michael Grabner in full flight against New Jersey
Originally published: October 4, 2013 10:18 PM
Updated: October 5, 2013 12:01 AM
By JOHN JEANSONNE
NEWARK -- One game into the season, a thoroughly unscientific, informal
and unofficial evaluation of the 2013-14 Islanders might go something like
this:
They certainly could use a full season of wing Michael Grabner's ability to
repeatedly materialize with the puck on the dead run, as he did in last night's
4-3 shootout victory over the Devils.
A pair of flashing drives by the swift Grabner, steaming from the blue line to
the net, produced the Islanders' first two goals at the team's most nervous
moments.
He beat Martin Brodeur along the ice at 8:07 of the first period, with the
Islanders down 1-0, and put a high shot past Brodeur on a similar breakaway
at 13:43 of the second, after the Islanders had fallen behind 2-1. And it was
Grabner's give-and-go return pass to Frans Nielsen that set up the Islanders'
go-ahead goal early in the third period.
But the lead did not stand up. And when the shootout cycled into the sixth
round without a goal, Grabner kidded that his turn "probably would have
come right after Nabokov'' -- as in goalie Evgeni Nabokov.
"I didn't want to shoot,'' he said. "It seems easy, one-on-one with the goalie.
But like you saw in the shootout, it's not that easy to score."
Still, the sight of Grabner, who turns 26 Saturday, setting off on high-speed
forays into the attacking zone was an encouraging one for the Islanders,
similar to the kind of threat the Austrian flyer presented when he came to the
team as a free agent in 2010 and scored 34 goals.
He slipped to 20 in 2011-12 and scored 16 during last year's
lockout-abbreviated schedule. On Friday night, his
right-place-at-the-right-time presence, working with Nielsen and Josh Bailey,
rendered them the most dangerous Islanders line.
John Tavares, already the team's center of gravity at 23, had four shots on
goal -- two in the first 30 seconds -- and appeared to be missing the deft
dog-whistle communication demonstrated in the past with longtime running
mate Matt Moulson.
"I'm just trying to use my speed to get to some open ice," Grabner said. "It's
not something I worked on specifically. It's always been there. I don't think I'm
getting faster. Maybe maturing. Or maybe because they played already
[Friday night's game was the second of back-to-back games for the Devils]."
The opening game after the lockout-shortened season didn't settle much,
merely that the Islanders are one step closer to Brooklyn, not necessarily on
the road to greatness.
Against the Devils, they had to be rescued more than once by Nabokov and
Grabner. But whatever that foretells cannot yet be certain.
Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719583
New York Islanders
Matt Moulson's shootout goal gives Islanders win over Devils
Originally published: October 4, 2013 10:18 PM
Updated: October 5, 2013 1:28 AM
By ARTHUR STAPLE
NEWARK -- Perhaps the biggest change from last season and the season
before is how the Islanders react to their results.
Once there was an occasional feeling of moral victory in losses. Now the
Islanders feel they can be hard on themselves while gaining two points.
That was the case in their opener Friday night when they overcame some
sloppy play around their net and an off night from John Tavares to grab a 4-3
shootout win over the Devils, the Islanders' first opening-night win since the
2007-08 season.
Michael Grabner more than made up for Tavares' rocky start to the season,
scoring the Islanders' first two goals and setting up Frans Nielsen's go-ahead
score 61 seconds into the third.
The Devils tied it and the game went through overtime and to a six-round
shootout. Matt Moulson beat Martin Brodeur to end it in extra shootout
innings after the first 11 shooters were denied.
"We weren't very good," Tavares said of his line, which included Moulson and
Kyle Okposo. "We had some good shifts early but we couldn't get much
going. We tried to be too cute at times."
The Isles' failures came at both blue lines. The inability to clear their own
zone cost them on the Devils' tying goal at 7:34 of the third, just after a Devils
power play expired, when Damien Brunner popped a loose puck past Evgeni
Nabokov for his second goal of the game.
There also was inconsistency in getting pucks in deep behind the Devils'
defense, which led to some overstayed shifts and tired players trying to
defend.
"Basically, guys were exhausted [on the Devils' goals] because we weren't
moving or playing as a five-man unit," Travis Hamonic said. "We were
making mistakes we wouldn't make if we were playing better together."
But there were bursts, usually of the speedy variety from Grabner.
After Brunner opened the scoring 2:59 into the game off a scramble in front of
Nabokov, Grabner took a deflected pass in stride, blazed past Devils
defenseman Adam Larsson and slid the puck under Brodeur at 8:07 of the
first.
Answering another Devils goal in the second -- this one by Michael Ryder
after Josh Bailey's shot block landed neatly on Ryder's stick for a quick wrist
shot at 4:46 -- Grabner raced on to Bailey's pass and beat Brodeur between
the pads at 13:43 of the second.
Grabner had two other breakaway chances denied by Brodeur, who also
made the save of the game when he got his glove on Pierre-Marc Bouchard's
tip shot with 6:25 to go in the third.
"It was a little more wide open than we thought it would be," said Jack
Capuano, who wasn't as displeased with his team's performance as his
players said they were. "We had more chances tonight than we had in a long
time [against them]."
The Islanders get right back to work Saturday night, hosting the Blue Jackets
in the Coliseum opener. Also, unlike first games in recent seasons, the Isles
want to have no regrets about wasting points in October when the season
begins to wind down.
"We've been in that situation before where we look back in March or April and
think about the points we didn't get in October and November," Hamonic
said. "It's a good way to start changing that."
Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719584
New York Rangers
Richards’s New Start as Rangers Left Wing Begins Well
By JEFF Z. KLEIN
Published: October 4, 2013
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Brad Richards was annoyed at the question, which he
has been asked repeatedly for the past few weeks.
“Will this season be different for you, coming off a bad season last year?”
Richards seemed as if he was about to glare at the questioner, but he
answered it anyway because it is part of his job, and he is not one to shirk his
duty.
“I’ve done everything I can to get ready,” he said. “It’s a new beginning. As
much as you guys want to keep bringing up last year, a new season’s
different, and I can’t think like that. I’m in my 14th year. I’ll keep doing what
I’ve always done and try to get on track right away.”
It was after the Rangers’ comprehensive 4-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes in
their season opener Thursday night, only the first of 82 games. But Richards,
33, is on the clock, and time is already running out.
He has entered the third year of a nine-year, $58.5 million contract. The
Rangers chose not to buy out Richards in the off-season, but they are
expected to at the end of this season.
In July 2011 Richards was the most sought free agent in the N.H.L., a
playmaking center with a Stanley Cup on his résumé and a reputation for
quiet leadership. His first season with the Rangers went well, with 66 points
in 82 games and a trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
But last season was a disaster. He scored 34 points in 46 games and slid
down the depth chart. The power play he quarterbacked sputtered and
dropped to among the worst in the league. By the time the Rangers reached
the playoffs, he was the No. 4 center, benched for long periods by John
Tortorella, the coach he won the Cup with at Tampa Bay in 2004 and the man
who lobbied hardest to bring him to the Rangers.
To make matters worse, Tortorella suggested that Richards started the
lockout-shortened season out of shape. Richards acknowledged that, and
during training camp last month, even with Tortorella gone, Richards
continued to accept that particular criticism. In a recent interview on
Canadian television, Tortorella called the damaged relationship with
Richards one of the regrets of his time in New York.
“It snowballed,” Richards said Thursday of the problems he had last season,
“and I probably didn’t handle it the right way in the environment I was in. It’s
over.”
This summer Richards trained with the Connecticut-based strength and
conditioning coach Ben Prentiss, who has worked with Martin St. Louis,
Jonathan Quick and other N.H.L. players.
Richards needs a great season to avoid a buyout, and for now he has the
confidence of Coach Alain Vigneault, who has kept him on the power play.
He has also moved Richards from center to left wing on the top line,
alongside Derek Stepan and Rick Nash.
“You look at your top six forwards as far as skill level, and the guys that
should be able to play a little bit more of an offensive role,” Vigneault said. “I
felt Richie should be in the top six, and left wing was available.”
Richards accepts some of the blame for the Rangers’ weak power play last
season. But that includes a certain amount of veiled criticism of the way
Tortorella and his assistant, Mike Sullivan, coached it.
“Our power play wasn’t good last year — it goes both ways: I could have
helped if I was playing better,” he said. “But our whole power play wasn’t so
good.”
The problem, he said, was that the Rangers tried all kinds of players in all
kinds of positions.
“Last year we played everywhere,” he said. “I’ll be honest, I can’t remember
so many looks as we had last year. But to us it now has a different feel: we
know what we want to do. We have a common area of the ice we want the
puck to get to set up certain players.”
On Thursday the Rangers’ power play, with Richards on the point, scored
once in four attempts. It was about the only bright spot in a thorough loss.
The Rangers next play Monday at the Los Angeles Kings as they continue a
nine-game trip because of renovations to Madison Square Garden. Their
next four opponents were Western Conference playoff teams last season.
Richards was one of the few Rangers who played reasonably well against
Phoenix. He led the team with four shots and logged more ice time than any
other forward. With the score tied, 1-1, in the second period, he was robbed
of a goal on a sprawling save from Phoenix goalie Mike Smith. It might have
changed the game.
“I’d still like to score on that shot,” Richards said afterward, dutifully
answering questions as the clock started ticking on what could be his last
season as a Ranger.
New York Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
719585
New York Rangers
Time with Rangers could be over fast for rookie ‘Quickie’
By Larry Brooks
October 4, 2013 | 10:36pm
LOS ANGELES — Rangers coach Alain Vigneault’s nickname for Jesper
Fast is “Quickie.”
And it could be just that for the lone Rangers rookie.
The fresh-faced freshman, who logged 10:13 in his NHL debut in the
Rangers’ 4-1 defeat on Thursday at Phoenix, likely will be bumped from the
lineup on Monday against the Kings if Ryan Callahan gets final clearance to
go from the medical staff.
“I didn’t perform as well as I wanted to,” said the 21-year-old Fast, who was
credited with one shot and one hit. “I don’t say it was good or bad — it was
average.
“I didn’t do anything to earn my spot. Hopefully I will get another chance and
do more.”
Fast, who admitted to being nervous through the first period (“It was tough to
get through it”), said he had trouble adjusting to long stretches on the bench
created by the use of power play and penalty killing units of which he is not a
member.
The winger, who skated as a fourth-line alternate at Friday’s practice while
Callahan slid into his spot on the unit with Brian Boyle and Taylor Pyatt, sat
for a stretch of nearly five minutes in the first period and over six-and-a-half
minutes in the second.
“It was harder for me to get into [the flow], but that’s part of the game. I can’t
have that as an excuse,” Fast said. “Of course in the regular season, the best
[players] should play, I can’t say I should have played more.
“If I get another chance, I have to get used to that.”
New York Post LOADED: 10.05.2013
719586
New York Rangers
It’s early, but Rangers are consistently inconsistent
By Larry Brooks
October 4, 2013 | 8:11pm
LOS ANGELES — Through six exhibition matches and one game that
counted for real, Thursday’s 4-1 defeat at Phoenix, the Rangers have
consistently been unable to develop consistency in their game.
They have been unable to sustain good moments and have too easily
squandered momentum. The Blueshirts have barely been able to string
together more than a couple of good shifts at a time, let alone play at the
required level for 60 minutes.
The Rangers recovered from a spotty start Thursday to seize control late in
the first period, but faltered following a series of mistake-filled shifts in the
second and never could quite make a game of it again once the Coyotes
grabbed a 2-1 lead midway through the contest.
“I agree that we’ve looked good at different points, but we haven’t been able
to put together a full period or a full game,” coach Alain Vigneault said after
Friday’s one-hour practice session. “I don’t want to give our team an excuse,
but a lot of that has to do with our challenging training camp schedule.
“The game in Phoenix was only the second time we had even close to our full
lineup together — we had most of the group in the [exhibition] game in
Vancouver — and that’s made it difficult,” he said. “Everything takes time.
This is no different.
“Having said that, I’m confident that the 48-hour window we’ve given the guys
before our next practice on Sunday will be very beneficial to getting the team
to play at the pace we need to sustain.”
The tempo that has come and gone and the hard forecheck game that has
been absent both should be bolstered, if not remedied, by Ryan Callahan’s
expected return against the Kings. The captain said he will be “100 percent
when I come back,” unencumbered after undergoing surgery to repair a torn
labrum immediately after last season’s playoffs.
Callahan will not immediately reclaim a top-six forward spot, the coach
choosing instead to leave his top two lines intact while moving the captain to
the right side with Brian Boyle and Taylor Pyatt. That bumps rookie Jesper
Fast down and almost certainly out. (Yes, that was quick).
Vigneault said he doesn’t want to give too much too soon to Callahan after
watching Derek Stepan struggle while centering the top line on Thursday
after missing nearly all of camp and the entire exhibition schedule.
“If I could have been fairer to Step [Derek Stepan], I’d have done with him
what I’m doing with Cally, and I don’t want to say play him in a lesser
[offensive] role,” the coach said. “I know Step’s intentions were good, but he
didn’t play in any games, and he’s got a guy right in his face, turns it over and
the puck goes right into our net.
“We have to play these guys into shape.”
Stepan was on for Phoenix’s first and fourth goals, the latter a four-on-four
score while going minus-two in 19:35. Brad Richards, playing left wing on the
line, was likely the Blueshirts’ best forward in the opener, but Rick Nash was
ineffective on the right side, barely noticeable until he avenged a hard and
legal Martin Hanzal check on Stepan late in the match by dropping his gloves
and engaging in his first fight since midway through 2009-10.
“From the standpoint of team respect and awareness, I thought [the fight]
was real good,” Vigneault said. “But we need Rick to play like Rick Nash, and
he will.”
The Rangers need to play with structure they can maintain. They need to
control the pace. They need to operate on instinct. They need to be able to
once and for all leave behind a contrived training camp schedule that turned
the preseason into a counter-productive exercise.
“We all know that hockey is a game of details,” Richards said. “With the travel
out West and back home, and then back out here to California, it’s been a
challenge.
“But the way the schedule is set up now, we should be good. We’re working
hard. We’ll be ready.”
New York Post LOADED: 10.05.2013
719587
New York Rangers
Rangers' Ryan Callahan expected to play Monday
Saturday, October 5, 2013
BY ANDREW GROSS
Ryan Callahan’s absence from the Rangers’ lineup at the start of the season
will not be a long one.
Coach Alain Vigneault told the media Friday in Los Angeles the plan is for the
captain to be back in the Rangers’ lineup for their next game, Monday against
the Kings. Callahan underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left
shoulder on May 31 and was expected to miss four to five months. He was
cleared for contact on Sept. 26 but sat out Thursday’s season-opening 4-1
loss at Phoenix.
"If it would have been up to him he would’ve played but this gives him almost
an extra four days, including two days of contact in practice," Vigneault told
the media. "He’s ready to go. He’s cleared to play."
Vigneault placed Callahan on Brian Boyle’s third line with Taylor Pyatt at
Friday’s practice with rookie Jesper Fast appearing to be the odd man out of
the lineup.
Bergen Record LOADED: 10.05.2013
719588
New York Rangers
Ryan Callahan set to return to Rangers on Monday
Published: October 4, 2013 9:22 PM
By STEVE ZIPAY
LOS ANGELES - -- Rangers captain Ryan Callahan, sidelined since he had
surgery in late May to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, will return to
the lineup on Monday night against the Kings.
After the Rangers practiced Friday, when Callahan skated on a line with
center Brian Boyle and left wing Taylor Pyatt, coach Alain Vigneault was
asked if Callahan would be in the lineup for the team's second game of the
season. "Yes," Vigneault replied.
A few moments before that, Callahan said he was targeting Monday. "That's
my hope," he said. "It has to be 100 percent and right now, I feel good. I've
been cleared for contact for a while."
Callahan, who was named captain before the 2011-12 season, injured the
shoulder in a fight with Max Talbot of the Flyers last Jan. 29 but played
through the injury the rest of the season, finishing with 31 points in 45 games.
He had two goals and five points in 12 playoff games.
Vigneault again noted that if the decision had been up to Callahan, the right
wing would have been playing by now.
Vigneault said he prefers to keep his top two lines -- Brad Richards-Derek
Stepan-Rick Nash and Benoit Pouliot-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello -together and work Callahan into another line.
Presumably, Callahan also will be deployed on the penalty-kill, which was
stretched thin against the Coyotes Thursday night. Last season, he averaged
2:33 per game shorthanded, one of the highest numbers among NHL
forwards, and scored two goals.
Callahan, who will return from injured reserve, is much further along than
Carl Hagelin, who had the same procedure on the same day. Hagelin, on
long-term injured reserve, is ineligible for another nine games.
Callahan's comeback means rookie Jesper Fast, who played on the third line
in Thursday night's 4-1 loss to the Coyotes in Phoenix, could be scratched or
moved to the fourth line.
Fast, 21, who played 10:13, said he had "a pretty tough game" and found it
hard to find a rhythm when he played so few minutes compared to the
preseason games.
"That's not an excuse, though,'' he said. "Hopefully, if I get a chance to play
again, I have to do better."
Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719589
New York Rangers
1. Marc Staal.
2. Mats Zuccarello.
Rangers-Coyotes in review
3. J.T. Miller.
The real Kenny Albert’s Three Rangers Stars:
04 October 2013, 8:17 am by Carp
1. Brad Richards.
2. Marc Staal.
New York Rangers v Phoenix Coyotes
3. Mats Zuccarello.
Thoughts:
Gravy’s Three Rangers Stars:
1) The Rangers’ pace was much, much better than in past years, and will be
a more enjoyable watch … if and only if it’s successful. And if they can
maintain it against more gifted offensive teams. For those keeping score at
home, it’s now 10 goals in seven games under Alain Vigneault … and I know,
the preseason games don’t and shouldn’t count. But when are the goals
going to arrive? I mean, are they coming by boat?
1. Marc Staal – best of the worst; showed some good offensive instincts,
2) The power play bodies and pucks to net philosphy was pretty evident, eh?
And the top guys made some pretty good plays on the PPG by Marc Staal
and on some of the chances on the other power plays. Very cool pass by
Nash to Staal.
3. Rick Nash – bit of a stretch, but defending a teammate always scores
3) That first goal, fourth line vs. Your New NYR first line … geez. And Henrik
Lundqvist’s got to be better than that with the puck behind the net. But also
Derek Stepan—playing his first preseason game—lost the puck in front and
Nash had a chance to take the scorer, Chipchura, and didn’t. Despite the
assist, Nash—who sleep-walked through the preseason—was god-awful
most of the night.New York Rangers v Phoenix Coyotes That lost puck that
directly led to the fourth goal … then risking injury in a fight … though he gets
points from me for sticking up for Stepan.
4) How often are we going to hear, again this year, how the Rangers lost
momentum when they took a penalty? Every time they take a penalty? And,
so, is this going to be another year of “we have to stay out of the box.”
Because, you know, you really can’t play that way, not taking penalties
ever, and having every one bite you in the butt.
5) Tell me your heart didn’t stop when Ryan McDonagh took that puck to the
mug.
6) Gotta say that I didn’t mind Brad Richards game on the wing, for the most
part. I thought he did some good things, and we know he can shoot it from the
circles. His skating wasn’t noticeably bad. Good signs?
7) But I thought Stepan was way behind the play. As probably should have
been expected.
8) Boy, that hybrid icing is an exciting play.New York Rangers v Phoenix
Coyotes
9) By the way, this notion that Staal never got PP time … well, he kinda
missed a ton of games the last few years. I remember him being really good
when he got chances on the power play, and I seem to remember him
scoring a huge playoff goal on the power play. The guy made, like, one
mistake all game last night, and was pretty sensational.
10) Actually, I thought all six defensemen were pretty darn good … given the
new system and all. The second goal, it would be tough to blame them after
the long, long shift, and given that Dan Girardi had his man physically tied up.
11) That penalty against Girardi in the third=Pansification.
12) MSG didn’t even wait for the first puck to drop before hitting us with a
Knicks promo. Some things don’t change. Then it was a constant assault.
13) It almost seemed as if there were no lockout at all this year.
14) Good gosh, is Phoenix really that much more skilled than the Rangers,
too? Is Radim Vrbata that much better than Nash or Richards? And did
Derick Brassard play? Mike Smith was the best player in the game, and that
pass he made to force Girardi and McDonagh and John Moore to stay on the
ice for the second goal was an enormous play in the game.
15) The upcoming three in four nights against the California powerhouses,
followed by a fourth in six nights in St. Louis, might be a tad difficult for ya
boys.
*************************************New York Rangers v Phoenix Coyotes
My Three Rangers Stars:
threw some decent checks, but was a little sloppy on some coverage.
2. Brad Richards – resembled the player from two years ago; had and set
up some good scoring opportunities, plus no blue line drop passes.
points and he did set up Staal.
Your poll vote for Three Rangers Stars:
1. Marc Staal.
2. Brad Richards.
3. tie, Rick Nash and Derek Stepan.
Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719590
NHL
Jets take off after first period to beat Kings home opener
JAMES BRADSHAW
WINNIPEG — The Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Oct. 04 2013, 11:15 PM EDT
Last updated Saturday, Oct. 05 2013, 1:44 AM EDT
The Winnipeg Jets weathered a late barrage by the Los Angeles Kings, riding
Devin Setoguchi’s first two goals as a Jet to their second straight win to start
the new season on Friday night.
Evander Kane, Olli Jokinen and Bryan Little also scored for the Jets, who
capitalized on an uncharacteristically wobbly performance by star Kings
goaltender Jonathan Quick, chasing him from the net in the third period and
hanging on to take their home opener 5-3.
After outshooting the Jets 18-7 in the first period, the visiting Kings seemed to
go flat, having notched a shootout win in Minnesota one night earlier, and
struggled to test Jets netminder Ondrej Pavelec for long stretches. But they
came alive again with a pair of power-play goals in the latter half of the third
period, setting up a nervous finish for Winnipeg.
It was the Jets’ second close call to start the season after mounting a late
comeback to beat the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, but they nearly found
the roles reversed on Friday.
“Well, we have a way of making games exciting,” said Jets’ head coach
Claude Noel. “It’s not something that we want to get in the habit of doing. I
thought we started off slow again, and I thought the game changed a little bit
in the second period and the third period. I thought we were quite a bit better.”
Fired up by the always raucous Winnipeg crowd at the MTS Centre, the Jets
came out roaring in the opening minutes, hitting everything in a Kings
uniform, but were fortunate to get out of the first period tied at 1-1.
The Kings got on the board first, just after a tripping penalty to Jets’
defenceman Paul Postma expired. Dustin Byfuglien whiffed on a clearing
attempt, sending the puck bouncing to the point, where Matt Greene
corralled it and blasted a slap shot off Byfuglien and past Pavelec.
But less than a minute and a half later, the Jets drew even when a
harmless-looking wrist shot from Kane handcuffed Quick, beating him over
his glove.
“We played our game after the first period and we’ve got to learn to do that
right off the bat and get better starts,” Setoguchi said.
The Jets appeared to take the lead on a power play in the second period,
when Blake Wheeler one-timed an Andrew Ladd feed, beating Quick over
the right pad. But the goal was disallowed when video review showed the net
had been off its moorings – a bizarre turn of events as the goal came off the
rush and no one had been near it, which had escaped the notice of the on-ice
officials.
But the Jets kept pressing, and after another harmless puck took an odd
bounce off Quick, who seemed unsettled all night, Olli Jokinen pounced on a
blocked Michael Frolik shot and lifted a fluttering puck over Quick as he
sprawled to his left, giving the Jets a 2-1 lead going into the second
intermission.
Setoguchi broke the game open 2:22 into the third period with a power-play
goal, neatly deflecting a shot off the stick of Kane, with Greene looking on
from the penalty box. The assist gave Kane a Gordie Howe hat trick, having
also dropped the gloves with Colin Fraser earlier on.
Less than three minutes later, with the Kings reeling, Setoguchi struck again,
tucking a wrap-around past a swimming Quick. The goal gave the Jets at 4-1
lead and ushered in Kings backup Ben Scrivens, newly acquired from the
Toronto Maple Leafs, for his first regular season action for Los Angeles.
The forward line of Setoguchi, Kane and youngster Mark Scheifele combined
for seven points on the night, notching their second strong outing the start the
season.
“When you enjoy the guys you’re playing with, it makes it even easier,” Kane
said. “Obviously, me and [Setoguchi] definitely have some chemistry and
[Scheifele] has done a really good job of coming in the middle and kind of
being part of that trio. So hopefully we can continue to get better and continue
to produce.”
Jeff Carter, who scored the tying goal and shootout winner against
Minnesota a night earlier, sparked the Kings’ comeback attempt with nine
minutes remaining, slipping a wrist shot through Pavelec’s five-hole off an
offensive zone faceoff. Then, with just over four minutes left, a Matt Frattin
shot rattled off the post and onto the stick of Justin Williams, who potted his
first of the season to bring the Kings within a goal.
But a late tripping penalty to Robyn Regehr sapped the Kings’ momentum
and the Winnipeg faithful breathed a collective sigh of relief when Ladd fed a
pass to Little for an empty-net goal, sealing the victory.
“We made it close and exciting, but we just couldn’t find that last one,”
Scrivens said. “It’s something to build off of. So, that’s what you play hockey
for.”
The Jets will host the Anaheim Ducks Sunday night, while Los Angeles
heads home to host the New York Rangers on Monday.
Globe And Mail LOADED: 10.05.2013
719591
NHL
Brian Burke: To Russia, with pride
Gary Mason
The Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Oct. 04 2013, 6:00 AM EDT
Last updated Friday, Oct. 04 2013, 6:00 AM EDT
The noisy position Brian Burke has taken against Russia’s anti-gay laws is
rooted in feelings that run deep. That’s why he will refuse to be silent about
the matter when he touches down in Sochi next February for the 2014 Winter
Olympics.
“Nope,” Mr. Burke told me this week, “when I’m asked about it, I’m going to
say how I feel. Something this repugnant should not be left untouched. There
should be outrage about something this offensive.
“The law is reprehensible.”
This won’t shock anyone who’s known Mr. Burke for several years, as I have.
The newly appointed president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames
(and former Hartford, Vancouver, Anaheim and Toronto GM) has never
backed down from a fight, although I’m not sure he’s ever taken on an entire
country before. He’s certainly never been shy of the big stage or the public
glare, and the Olympics will offer him a soap box of titanic proportions from
which to press his case.
No one who knows Mr. Burke’s personal connection to this issue can be
surprised by his passion. He became publicly pro-gay after his youngest son,
Brendan, came out. “I had a million and one reasons to love and admire
Brendan,” Mr. Burke said in 2009. “This news didn’t alter any of them.”
Tragically, Brendan Burke was killed in a car accident in 2010.
Soon, Mr. Burke was appearing at Pride events in homage to his son. The
paradox his presence highlighted was evident to all: Over his career, Mr.
Burke had become a walking, talking embodiment of the macho world of the
NHL. He often played to his rough, tough and gruff persona. His public image
seemed, at times, to be almost a parody.
But people would soon discover that his beliefs about gay issues were
deep-seated and sincere. His older son, Patrick, started up the You Can Play
organization to honour Brendan. It’s dedicated to the eradication of
homophobia in sports, professional and otherwise. Brian Burke sits on the
board.
The Russian law criminalizes any public behaviour deemed to be pro-gay,
including holding hands in public with someone of the same sex. For this,
someone can spend up to two weeks in prison. Not surprisingly, Mr. Burke
finds this distasteful. He says the law criminalizes pursuits that many parents
of a gay child would wish to undertake.
“They have eliminated my ability to be a parent,” Mr. Burke told me. “If my
son were still alive, it’s made activities such as public support and
demonstration of affection and support for those in the LGBT community
illegal.
“Even in his memory, supporting what You Can Play does or doing other
things to respect Brendan [such as marching in a Pride parade] would be
illegal. That’s wrong.”
Mr. Burke believes we should be outraged that the Russian government is, in
his view, targeting and setting out to destroy a minority group. A history buff,
he says the past has taught us that left unchallenged and rebuffed, bigotry
escalates. The world has a responsibility to voice its objection.
Many people have called for a boycott of the Games. Not Mr. Burke, who will
be in Sochi as an executive with the U.S. men’s hockey team. He believes
that would only be punishing athletes who have trained for years for an
Olympic opportunity. Plus, he says, the law was introduced well after Sochi
was awarded the Games. But he thinks that sports organizations should
refuse to stage any future international competitions in Russia until the law is
repealed.
He’s urging Olympic athletes in Sochi to wear rainbow pins, in solidarity with
gay people around the world and their fellow competitors. He hopes that if
athletes acquire a few words of Russian before heading to the Games, they’ll
include how to say: “I am pro-gay.” He’s said that You Can Play will outfit any
athlete in apparel promoting the organization’s cause.
Mr. Burke will be decked out in the stuff. It’s uncertain whether that
constitutes a violation of the new law, but he says he doesn’t care. He doesn’t
intend to stop talking about the anti-gay law any time soon either.
“The pressure to do the right thing doesn’t end with the closing ceremony,” he
said. “We have to get rid of laws based on bigotry and ignorance because
until they are, people they’re aimed at will suffer.”
Globe And Mail LOADED: 10.05.2013
719592
Ottawa Senators
Anderson outduels Miller as Sens win opener
by Wayne Scanlan
on October 4, 2013
For a home-opening pre-game ceremony that didn’t suffer from
self-indulgence. Quick, painless, proper, making way for a memorable goalie
battle.
JEERS
To officials swallowing whistles. After calling a tight first period, referees Mike
Hasenfratz and Tim Peel “let the boys play” thereafter, as clutches and grabs
reduced scoring chances. Neither power play generated much when it did
get down to work.
MATCH GAME
BUFFALO — After waiting a week to play a game, the Senators waited most
of the night to score a goal.
It was worth the wait, as Erik Karlsson’s goal in the final two minutes of the
third period gave Ottawa a 1-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in the
Senators’ first game of the season.
So much for Craig Anderson and Ryan Miller not thinking about the U.S.
Olympic team.
If this was an audition for Sochi selectors, and Anderson of the Senators and
Miller of the Sabres both made a strong pitch. Against the other team’s best
— Jason Spezza and Bobby Ryan for Ottawa and Thomas Vanek of the
Sabres — Miller and Anderson were at their best.
Vanek and Spezza each suffered heartache after being robbed of what
seemed like sure goals. So spectacular were Miller and Anderson that
longtime NHL coach and broadcaster Harry Neale spotted Senators goalie
coach Rick Wamsley after a scoreless 40 minutes and cracked: “You must
be coaching both goalies.”
After an entertaining first period, in which the Senators tested Miller 23 times,
both benches were anxious to break the deadlock. No line was pushing
harder than Ottawa’s top trio of Jason Spezza, Bobby Ryan and Milan
Michalek, together in a regular season game for the first time.
Ryan was involved, taking a couple of minor penalties and firing shots on
goal every chance he had, even from long range.
It was a strange game, a little unfamiliar to those who have been watching
Sabres-Senators hockey for a long time. Maybe it had something to do with
the missing persons. Namely, Lindy Ruff and Daniel Alfredsson.
This was the Sabres’ first home opener without Ruff behind the bench since
1997. And the Ron Rolston-coached Buffalo team was facing a Senators
club that has had Alfredsson on the roster since the fall of 1995.
Different times. Both teams are embarking on a journey — the Sabres in the
early stages of a massive rebuild and the Senators, under new captain
Spezza, trying to show that learned enough from old No. 11 to carry on
contending without him.
Both the Sabres and Senators were guilty of admiring the goalie show for the
first 20 minutes, as Miller and Anderson took turns making routine saves,
with occasional gusts to the spectacular.
Most notable was a sliding pad save by Anderson to rob Bryan Flynn, who
was driving to the net with a pass from Mikhail Grigorenko, one of three
teenagers in the Sabres lineup.
Anderson also stopped Buffalo captain Thomas Vanek, twice, in close.
Ottawa’s best early chance came on the game’s first power play with Tyler
Ennis off for hooking. Defenceman Patrick Wiercioch cranked a slapshot off
the far post.
Ottawa outshot the hosts 23-16 in the first period, with nothing to show for it.
The combined 39 shots were the most by two teams in a scoreless first
period in any game since the NHL expanded from the Original Six. Yes, that
long.
GAME FILE
WHY THEY WON
Patience. The virtue. The Senators survived trading chances with the Sabres
and finally got the overlap they needed as Karlsson took a Clarke MacArthur
pass and buried a low shot past Miller.
CHEERS
Winning the game is motivation enough, but Craig Anderson also got a kick
of out trading saves all night with Miller. “When you watch the other guy at the
other end make big save after big save, it just gives you a little fire under your
butt to kind of return the favour.”
Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 10.05.2013
719593
Ottawa Senators
Philippe Trudeau stands tall
Acquisition of 6-6 goalie helping 67’s improve
“Then Chris phoned my agent, my agent called me and I was pretty excited. I
didn’t know much about the situation here other than this was a big year to
develop the team again and I just knew this was where I wanted to go.”
Oddly enough, Trudeau gets his height from his mother, Isabelle Tetreault,
who is 6-2 and a women’s basketball legend at Concordia
University
By DON CAMPBELL, Ottawa Citizen October 4, 2013
You can’t fool veterans for long, and those on the Ottawa 67’s figured out
pretty quickly head coach Chris Byrne was spinning them a tall tale.
When he told his players he had acquired a new goaltender, Byrne painted
the new puckstopper as something akin to the second coming of Darren
Pang, the vertically-challenged yet highly-successful former 67 (1982-84).
“All Byrnie told us was he had got this new goalie and he was really small, like
5-5 ... and that he couldn’t speak a word of English,” laughed 67’s alternate
captain Taylor Fielding, coming up on the two-week mark since the arrival of
Philippe Trudeau to the 67’s net.
“Next thing, there’s half the team sitting in the stands, watching goalie drills
before practice, all of us just staring at him and watching what he can do. We
all wanted to see what Brynie had picked up,” Fielding said. “Usually you get
a guy and someone on the team either has played with him or knows him. We
knew nothing about Trudes ... not a thing.”
Well, in the short time he’s been here, the 67’s have learned a thing of two
about the veteran of exactly 100 games with three different teams in the
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
He is 5-5 ... on his knees. Upright he stands 6-6. He grows to 6-9 on skates
and he covers a lot of net.
After just three games, the Trudeau name is also found among the top 10
goalies in the Ontario Hockey League, something the 67’s haven’t had since
Petr Mrazek. He has averaged 32 saves a game through three starts and his
save-percentage is .914, comparable to Mrazek’s .917 in his final year in
2011-12.
In essence, Trudeau gives the 67’s a fighting chance every night he plays,
and that’s something they didn’t have last year.
Oh, and his English is better than advertised, something Trudeau could not
have said in his rookie year in 2010-11. He started in Moncton, N.B. as a
fifth-round draft pick before being traded to Cape Breton at Christmas. He
had to learn English or go hungry.
Trudeau is also nobody’s fool and takes his game very seriously. He could be
the difference between the 67’s moving toward their goal of becoming the
most-improved team in the OHL or just repeating what transpired in 2012-13.
Bryne had hoped to take a European goalie in the import draft, but when the
Canadian Hockey League nixed that in an effort to keep the CHL jobs for
North Americans, Plan B became to find a goalie who was already out there
and could play.
That player never emerged, so the 67’s were forced to start the season with
the duo they had when they spiralled out of control to the bottom of the OHL:
The likable overage Clint Windsor, unable to take the net and run with it, and
18-year-old Jacob Blair, the local product more suited for 20-25 games and
not ready to be No. 1.
It wasn’t a good message to the rest of the team, being unable to improve the
weakest position.
Enter Trudeau, who already had his plane ticket bought to head to the
Central Hockey League in Quad Cities, Illinois. If Byrne hadn’t made the call,
Trudeau would have flown there Friday.
Byrne first heard of Trudeau from a contact who saw him at the Vancouver
Canucks development camp in the summer.
The Canucks told Trudeau to go back to junior. Only the phone wasn’t
ringing, not even in Val d’Or, where he finished so strong last season.
“I trained all summer, but all the jobs in the Q got filled at the draft,” said
Trudeau, who will soon sport an old Patrick Roy-like mask. “I expected to go
to Val d’Or’s camp but they didn’t invite me. They had made their choice.
going back to the late 1980s.
Trudeau remembers being 6-2 as a 14-year-old, then shooting up four more
inches in a hurry, which might explain why he was passed over his first time
through the minor midget draft.
His body had to catch up to his talent, which sometimes still plagues him
today.
Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 10.05.2013
719594
Ottawa Senators
Exact scores predicted: 4
Jeremy Milks (@BlackAcesOtt), writer/editor, Black Aces blog
Senators prediction panel: Game 1
Senators 3, Sabres 2
by James Gordon
If there’s one thing we’ve been able to count on over the years, it’s the
Senators domination of the Sabres. I don’t think Buffalo fans will enjoy Bobby
Ryan any more than they did Daniel Alfredsson.
on October 4, 2013
Record last season: 38-20
Exact scores predicted: 4
The Ottawa Senators kick off their season with a game in Buffalo against the
Sabres. Which team will come out on top? Our prediction panel weighs in.
Eric Doty (@BonksMullet), writer/editor, BonksMullet.com and founder of
SensMOTB
Ottawa Senators (0-0-0) at Buffalo Sabres (0-1-0)
Senators 4, Sabres 2
James Gordon (@SensReporter), Citizen Sports/SenatorsExtra Editor
It’s truly an honour to have been selected to predict for the Senators Extra
organization. All I can do now is go hard to the keyboard, throw shots at
Steve Lloyd, and give 110% better predictions than Mendes. The chance of
noted Sabre-slayer Daniel Alfredsson making a pass through Buffalo without
having an impact on a game is next to zero. Given that Alfie was held off the
scoresheet in Detroit’s 2-1 victory over the Sabres on Wednesday, it would
be unwise of me to predict anything other than Alfie’s lingering presence
handing Ottawa the win. After a long-winded opening ceremony, Ottawa
scores early when Buffalo gets off to a sluggish start.
Senators 4, Sabres 3
For a little while, Senators vs. Sabres appeared ready to surpass the Battle of
Ontario as the best rivalry in the now-defunct Northeast Division. That was a
long time ago, kids.
Record last season: 32-26
Exact scored predicted: 3
Wayne Scanlan (@HockeyScanner), Citizen Hockey Columnist and
defending panel champion
Senators 5, Sabres 2
In the past 10 years, Buffalo’s HSBC Arena (now First Niagara Center) has
more or less been the friendly confines. With the Sabres in the midst of a
large rebuild, I don’t expect that to change, although the Senators would be
wise to pay attention Friday.
Record last season: 40-18
Exact scores predicted: 3
Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes), TSN 1200 The Drive host
Senators 4, Sabres 2
Anybody who tries to have a justification or solid rationale behind their pick
on opening night needs help.
Record last season: 31-27
Exact scores predicted: 3
Graeme Nichols (@6thSens), writer/editor, The 6th Sens blog and podcast
Senators 4, Sabres 2
The Sabres can name two captains but they can’t double their talent level.
Record last season: 32-24
Exact scores predicted: 2
Steve Lloyd (@TSNSteveLloyd), host, In the Box on TSN 1200
Senators 3, Sabres 1
The Sens are one of only four teams that have yet to play a game. That
means we’ve all had enough of talking about Spezza’s groin, Ryan’s ability to
fit in, Da Costa….yadayadayada. After three hard practices, this team is
champing at the bit to get going. They take advantage of a Sabres team still
trying to forge a new identity.
Record last season: 32-25
Exact scores predicted: 2
Peter Raaymakers (@silversevensens), writer/editor, Silver Seven Sens
blog
Senators 4, Sabres 2
The Ottawa Senators FEARLESSly head into Buffalo to take on the Sabres,
and thanks to a two-goal night from Cory Conacher, they leave town with a
couple of points in the bank.
Record last season: 32-26
Record: 0-0
Exact scores predicted: 0
Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 10.05.2013
719595
Ottawa Senators
Too many penalties early on sink 67's
Ottawa was better in third period, but damage was done
By Don Campbell, Ottawa CitizenOctober 4, 2013
Hounds 4, 67's 1
Sean Monahan can still draw a large cheer at the big rink in Kanata, no
matter its name. Even from almost 1,000 kilometres away in the U.S. Capital.
And even with almost noone in it.
Unfortunately, the Ottawa 67's teammates Monahan left behind have more
trouble getting the fans to put their hands together.
On a night their leader was making his NHL debut in Washington wearing a
Calgary Flames jersey, the 67's put themselves behind the eight-ball with
minor penalty after minor penalty in falling to the Sheldon Keefe-coached
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in front of a meagre turnout of just 1,561 at the
Canadian Tire Centre Thursday night.
Two power-play goals by the Hounds and another short-handed were the
difference and the most exciting moment for the small crowd came partway
through the first when in-house announcer Dan Mooney told them Monahan
had picked up an assist on the Flames first goal of the season.
After that, it was pretty much all Greyhounds, though the 67's came to life
outshooting the Hounds 14-3 in the third. They just couldn't convert on any of
five power-play chances - three of them late - against a stingy Matt Murray in
the Soo net.
"Every time we seemed to get it going we took an other needless penalty,"
said 67's head coach Chris Byrne. "We continue to put ourselves down in a
hole that way. We started great. The kids were excited. They want to do well.
We just need to show more composure from the start.
"I thought we had a ton of chances but then we had to keep killing penalties."
The penalty margin was 5-2 to the 67's disadvantage over the first 40
minutes and if it only seems it's like that every time they play, it's because it
is.
The 67's go right back to work Friday night in Kingston and it's hard to tell if
that's a good thing or a bad thing.
Less than 48 hours later, they have another home game Sunday afternoon at
2 p.m. against the Peterborough Petes as the 67's just try and keep close to
the pack in the East Division.
Super rookie Travis Konecny opened the game's scoring with his third in five
games just over eight minutes in.
But the 67's couldn't set the pace and the Greyhounds struck with a
power-play goal by Patrick Watling and a goal by Andrew Fritsch 1:50 apart
and never looked back.
Tyler Gaudet made it 3-1, again on the power play, banking one in off a 67's
defenceman 14 minutes into the second.
Jared McCann scored short-handed on a breakaway with three minutes to
play to ice it.
Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 10.05.2013
719596
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators knock off Sabres in season opener
THREE STARS:
Craig Anderson (OTT) Stops everything fired his way, including a
game-high nine shots from Thomas Vanek.
Ryan Miller (BUF) A full game's worth of saves in the first alone, as Miller
duels his fellow U.S. Olympic team hopeful at the other end.
By Don Brennan
,Ottawa Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 10:01 PM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 10:16 PM EDT
BUFFALO - Always quick with a quip, former Buffalo broadcaster Harry
Neale had some kind words for his old friend Rick Wamsley in the elevator
during the second intermission at First Niagara Center Friday night.
"Obviously," Neale said with a smile, "you've coached both those goalies."
Wamsley, of course, is just the mentor of Senators puck stoppers, not those
in Buffalo colours. But while he had a chuckle at Neale's remark, smiling
somewhere else had to be Dan Bylsma.
The coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins will also be the bench boss of the U.S.
team at the Olympics in Sochi. And he had to be more than happy with the
performances put on by Americans Craig Anderson of the Senators and
Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres.
The two candidates for the national squad engaged in a brilliant dual before
Erik Karlsson one-timed a pass from Clarke MacArthur through Miller's legs
with 95 seconds left in the game to give the Senators a 1-0 victory in their
season opener.
"I was thinking we were headed for a 20-man shootout," MacArthur said.
Anderson wound up making 35 stops for the shutout, while Miller blocked 45
attempts.
While Anderson had a brilliant effort, he was passing on the praise to
Karlsson.
"Karl is our superstar," Anderson said. "We love him. You know what you're
going to get every night."
Erik Karlsson (OTT) Thwarted Sabres chances in his own end and
provides the game's only goal.
THUMBS UP: Sens come out firing with all sorts of chances created on
all four lines. The combo of Turris between MacArthur and Conacher finding
immediate chemistry.
THUMBS DOWN: After peppering the Sabres net with 46 shots, the
game is still up for grabs until the final 95 seconds, with most shots coming
from the outside and few second-effort chances.
TURNING POINT: Karlsson scores the game's only goal after Turris
shows nice patience in the offensive zone, with MacArthur finding Karlsson
with a crisp cross-ice pass.
FIRST PERIOD: Senators come out with guns blazing, with Wiercioch
nailing the post on early power-play... Anderson makes a huge save on
Vanek slapshot... Sabres get 24 second 5-on-3 with Anderson swallowing up
an Ehrhoff slap shot... Flynn robbed in front by Anderson... post-to-post save
on Vanek on a Sabres 2-on-1... Pageau stopped on a shorthanded break...
Sens outshoot Sabres 23-16.
SECOND PERIOD: MacArthur shows off his soccer skills on the PK after
handing his lumber to stick-less Phillips... Smith fires one into the crest with
Neil crashing the crease... Spezza gets a chance and Ryan is hauled down
on his way to the rebound... Anderson covers up quickly after Gryba gives it
away in front of Sens net... Vanek robbed yet again. Sens hold 10-9 edge in
shots.
THIRD PERIOD: Karlsson races back in time to sweep the puck off
Vanek's stick as the Sens give up a 2-on-0... Anderson comes up huge as
Vanek loads up again on a Sabres 3-on-1... Conacher misses wide on a
prime setup... Wiercioch stopped on a 3-on-2... Miller makes an unbelievable
toe save on Condra with a wide-open net... Anderson flashes the leather on
Girgensons... A perfect play finally beats Miller with Karlsson getting the goal.
Sens outshoot Sabres 13-10 in the period and 46-35 in the game.
The way Miller was playing, Anderson knew he couldn't make a mistake.
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
"When you watch the other guy at the other end make big save after big save,
it just kind of gives you a little fire under your butt to return the favour,"
Anderson said. "It's one of those battles you enjoy to be in.
"In baseball, (pitchers) need run support. In hockey, goalies need goal
support. Your job as a pitcher or goalie is just to make sure your team is in
there at the end."
The Senators power play was 0-for-3 on the night, blowing a couple of
opportunities before the game was six minutes old.
The Sabres, who were 0-for-7 with the man-advantage in their opener
against Detroit, failed to take advantage of four chances against the
Senators.
Karlsson showed Norris Trophy form with some big defensive plays,
including a dive to knock the puck off Thomas Vanek's stick during a
breakaway early in the third period.
"He's the one and only," Anderson said of Karlsson. "He may get out of
position, but he's so fast and so smart that he's able to get back and make
huge plays for us. If he doesn't work as hard as he did, he doesn't get back
and maybe Vanek scores there and we lose the game."
Anderson's most spectacular save was a glove snag off the stick of rookie
Zemgus Girgensons late in the third.
One of the best saves Anderson made in the second period was off Drew
Stafford, who was wearing a smart Kyle Turris on his back as he took a low
shot at the corner. Down but not completely out, Anderson managed to get a
pad on the puck.
Another was off Vanek, on one of far too many odd-man rushes for the
Sabres. Anderson's body was contorted as he somehow held his ground long
enough to block the one-timer.
The Senators left immediately after the game for Toronto, where they take on
the 2-0 Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre Saturday night.
719597
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators simply trying to survive tough start to season
By Don Brennan
,Ottawa Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 09:26 PM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 09:38 PM EDT
chime in. "Good host, bad guest," he retweeted. Bob, of course, is Shawn's
dad ... It was Jim Watson, not Gilbert Perreault, who scored the first goal in
Sabres history. I wouldn't have bet that at a casino ... Great night Thursday at
Bada Bing sports bar in downtown Buffalo. The Bills game was on one TV,
Major League Baseball playoffs on another, and NHL hockey on yet another.
Plus, through Twitter, I was also able to get updates from the final game of
the New Brunswick senior baseball championship. The Chatham Ironmen
defeated the Fredericton Royals 8-3 to claim the title. Coaching the Ironmen
was Greg Morris, father of Senators director of communications Brian Morris.
Batting sixth in the Royals lineup was former major leaguer Matt Stairs.
BITS AND BYTES
BUFFALO - Gary Bettman and his people finally allowed the Senators to start
the regular season like everyone else on Friday night.
Not only were the Senators, the Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes
and New York Islanders the last teams to play Game 1, but with six on the
road (including a gruelling four-game trip to California and Arizona) before
Ottawa's first on home ice, it's clear Bryan Murray or Eugene Melnyk did
something to tick off the schedule makers.
They play 'em one at a time, of course, but if you told the Senators Friday
morning they'd be 3-3 when they finally opened at the Canadian Tire Centre
Oct. 17, they'd happily take it, right?
"If you can come back from that .500, I think you're not ultimately satisfied,
but you're OK," winger Bobby Ryan said hours before making his regular
season debut with Ottawa. "You're getting back to your comfort zone and
you're at a .500 level.
"But I think our expectations are going to be to win four or five. That's what
you should be feeling going in to that trip. Obviously, the travel is tough on
that (Western) side. You're flying up to come back to go over. It's not easy by
any means.
"I think these (first) two games aside, we're just going to look at it as a
four-game road trip. Go on that one and try to get three games out of that."
Maybe, but I still think they should be ecstatic with 3-3 when, judging by the
first period against the Buffalo Sabres Friday, they could also start 1-5.
Not that they were outright horrible during the early going at First Niagara
Center, but against a young team that could very well end up with the first
overall pick in 2014, I expected them to be up by three at the intermission.
If not for Craig Anderson, they could have been down by three.
BETWEEN PERIODS
A conversation with our new favourite Sabre in the team dressing room
following the morning skate was interrupted when Patrick Kaleta jumped up
and walked over to greet the muscular, long-haired dude who had just
walked through the door. It was WWE star Rob Van Dam. "I started watching
wrestling when I was younger," Kaleta said later. "I'd go over to my
grandparents' house and myself and my gramma, that was our thing,
wrestling. We'd call each other every time it was on and figure out what was
going to happen, what was going on. She unfortunately passed away a few
years back, but I still try to continue the tradition. I think it's pretty fun." Van
Dam, who was born Robert "Rob" Alex Szatkowski 44 years ago in Battle
Creek Mich., was in town to promote a pay-per-view event this weekend ...
Friday's Senators-Sabres tilt was only the second hockey game he had ever
seen live. Try and guess which part of the sport most appeals to him. "I like
watching the fights," RVD said in a world exclusive with Cheapseats. "It's
always exciting, watching them go at it until they hit the ice, and the ref
breaks it up. I like that." Told of the age-old debate of whether fighting should
be banished from the game, RVD said he was not surprised. "It's a valid
concern," he said of the potential for serious injury. "That's what's
entertaining about watching it ... it's like, oh my god, this is allowed?"
"I had a friend that was a referee. He told me that the rules were for them not
to break it up unless they go down and hit the ice. If they're standing up, let
them go. I was like, wow that's amazing. That kind of made me pay attention
a bit more. It goes against the way of thinking that they actually accept that is
part of the game. It's like trying to hit the puck into the goal, trying to punch
the guy's face out before he gets you. Love it."
STARTS AND STOPS
In case you have yet to notice, Shawn McKenzie has taken over from Ian
Mendes as Sportsnet's reporter on the Senators beat. When Mendes
tweeted Friday afternoon that he was hosting his first pre-game show on TSN
1200 and would open it with the usual Bob McKenzie segment, Shawn had to
Eric Gryba shaved once after the playoffs, and once more in July. He hasn't
taken a razor to it since. "I liked it and I'm keeping it," he said of a beard that
now has to rank as one of the most impressive in the NHL. "There's really no
rhyme or reason behind it, it's just one of those things where I always wanted
to grow a beard and I'm finally old enough, it's thick enough." ... Not all the
Sabres can grow a beard. Three of them are still teenagers. They call
themselves the youngest team in the league, and I'm going to take their word
for it. "They're excited to come to the rink every day," defenceman Mike
Weber said after the A.M. skate. "When I think back to the first time I played
in the NHL, seven years ago, you're excited to be here ... as you get older
sometimes it turns into maybe a job. The young guys are still treating it as the
game they love. That kind of feeds and bleeds into the other guys. We feed
off that energy too." ... Sabres coach Ron Rolston said he had Big John Scott
in the game because "we're just going lineup to lineup." Maybe he thought
the Senators would be dressing Matt Kassian.
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
719598
Ottawa Senators
Shane Prince-Jim O'Brien-Andre Petersson
Mike Hoffman-Derek Grant-David Dziurzynski
Binghamton Senators coach Luke Richardson ready for second season with
AHL club
Corey Cowick-Wacey Hamilton-Cole Schneider
x-Buddy Robinson, Darren Kramer, Jakub Culek
DEFENCE
By Aedan Helmer
,Ottawa Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 07:44 PM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 07:50 PM EDT
Mark Borowiecki-Cody Ceci
Michael Sdao-Chris Wideman
Fredrik Claesson-Troy Rutkowski
A whole new set of challenges awaits Luke Richardson in his second season
behind the Binghamton Senators bench.
Last year at this time, two weeks into a protracted NHL lockout, the B-Sens
weren't just the only show in town -- they were the only option for burgeoning
talent like Mika Zibanejad, Jared Cowen, Robin Lehner and Jean-Gabriel
Pageau.
Once the NHL season resumed, Richardson could only watch and wave
goodbye as each one boarded a bus bound for big-league dreams in Ottawa.
With the B-Sens set to begin the AHL season Saturday against the visiting
Syracuse Crunch, the team's top two centres -- Zibanejad and Jim O'Brien -both spent significant time in the NHL last season.
A full complement of players on the cusp of reaching that next level -- Mark
Stone, Mike Hoffman, Mark Borowiecki, Derek Grant and Dave Dziurzynski -have already made their NHL debut.
"Last year the guys were all here and they all knew they were going to be
here, so I had a great chance to start on a positive note and build those
relationships," said Richardson.
"The best thing in my favour now is that I know these guys and they trust in
me to be truthful with them. I may not always have the right answer, but at
least we can communicate and we can work together to get right back on
track so they can reach their dream."
Richardson has put in some face time with each of his charges, and said
there's no issue with bruised egos or sour attitudes.
"They all had some disappointment, but they've all had success here, too,"
he said. "The practices have all been upbeat, they realize we're here to help
them get to that next level, and there's been no sulking or guys dragging their
butts around on the ice."
That's exactly the attitude management will be looking for when the inevitable
call-ups are made, and no one needs to look any further for an on-ice
example than Borowiecki.
"Everyone's pretty positive right now," he said. "It always stings a little at first,
you're a professional and your goal is to play in the NHL and it sucks getting
sent down, but pouting is not going to do anything for you. You have to make
the most of it."
Besides, with Bingo's first five games against divisional foes in the Crunch
and Norfolk Admirals, who accounted for the past two Eastern Conference
titles, there won't be much time to sit around and sulk.
The returning veterans are out with something to prove after finishing with a
44-24-0-8 record, only to have the season come crashing down in a
first-round playoff sweep.
Borowiecki called the experience "a tough lesson that we can turn into a
positive."
Only 24, Borowiecki is a grizzled veteran compared to the young core, with
new recruits Cody Ceci and Matt Puempel making the jump from stellar junior
careers to the daily grind of pro life.
"They just have to know it's going to be a battle every night," said Borowiecki.
"Pro hockey is a grind, and everyone is looking to take that next step, so you
can't take any nights off."
STARTING OFF
B-Sens opening night roster
FORWARDS
Matt Puempel--Mika Zibanejad--Mark Stone
x-Tyler Eckford, Ben Blood
GOALTENDERS
Nathan Lawson
Andrew Hammond
x-extras
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
719599
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators forward Chris Neil has no plans to join fellow tough guys in
media
By Don Brennan
,Ottawa Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 07:40 PM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 07:43 PM EDT
To drop by the Buffalo Sabres' house on a game day is to run into a couple of
the team's former tough guys.
Both Rob Ray and Andrew Peters now work in the Buffalo media, the former
in TV and the latter in radio. Kinda makes you wonder if Chris Neil has similar
plans when his NHL days come to an end.
"I think I've got a face for a (newspaper) reporter," Neil joked after the
morning skate. "No TV for me."
Neil, who is a hard 34 years old, also has no plans for retirement. The team's
career penalty minutes leader has two years left on his contract after this
one. As of now, he hopes it isn't his last.
"Hopefully, I've got a lot of years left in me," said Neil. "I'm going to play as
long as I can."
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
719600
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators forward Cory Conacher visits younger brother at old college
prior to opener
By Don Brennan
,Ottawa Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 07:34 PM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 07:39 PM EDT
BUFFALO - Cory Conacher spent the night before the Senators season
opener in his old dorm. Not for a video game tournament or anything, but to
hang out with his little brother.
Shane Conacher plays hockey for Canisius College in Buffalo, just as his
older sibling did.
"I had dinner with the (Senators) team but then I went to visit (Shane) in his
dorm room," the Senators' Conacher said Friday. "It was kind of fun to go
check out the old stomping grounds."
A Senators game in these parts inevitably ends up as a Conacher family
reunion that includes a number of Cory's friends, as well.
While many of his supporters were here Friday, only a lucky few of them will
be at Saturday's game against the Leafs.
"It's a lot cheaper to come here than Toronto," said Conacher, who is from
Burlington. "I didn't have to get tickets. They already got their tickets ... a
bunch of aunts, uncles, brothers. It's a good set up we have here."
While his mother is on a vacation, Conacher's dad had a busy hockey
weekend ahead of him. He will be at both Senators games then on Sunday
will drive to Canisius to watch Shane play an exhibition for the Golden
Griffins.
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
719601
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators' veteran defenceman Joe Corvo a healthy scratch for
opener
By Don Brennan
,Ottawa Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 07:14 PM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 07:23 PM EDT
BUFFALO - Joe Corvo was relegated to the role of insurance policy Friday.
Listening to him talk, it may be his primary function with the Senators this
season.
While most assumed, from practices during the week, that the veteran
defenceman would play alongside Chris Phillips against the Buffalo Sabres,
coach Paul MacLean had a different plan.
He had Corvo take part in the pre-game warmup to be ready just in case Eric
Gryba's back -- which sidelined him in training camp -- acted up again.
Signed as a free agent in the off-season, Corvo wound up a healthy scratch
for Game 1 of his second coming with the Senators.
"I've had good discussions with Paul," Corvo, at 36 the oldest player on the
team, said following the morning skate at First Niagara Center. "We've
discussed what he expects of me this year, and where I fit, and I have a total
understanding about that. I'm not surprised, no.
"It could go either way every night. I'm just supposed to be ready."
Gryba, who didn't play a single pre-season game, faced the Sabres as
Phillips' partner on the Senators' third pairing.
"We're looking forward to having him in the lineup," MacLean said hours prior
to puck drop. "He's worked hard since early in training camp and we feel we
need him in the lineup tonight."
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
719602
Philadelphia Flyers
Laviolettes sue Bank of America alleging fraud in mortgage proposal
FRANK SERAVALLI, Daily News Staff Writer seravaf@phillynews.com
Posted: Sunday, October 6, 2013, 3:01 AM
FLYERS COACH Peter Laviolette recently filed a $3 million lawsuit alleging
fraud against Bank of America.
The lawsuit, filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, alleges that Bank of
America convinced Laviolette and his wife, Kristen, to mortgage three of his
properties in an "investment scheme that would build great wealth with
minimum risk."
The suit was first reported by Courthouse News. Through a Flyers
spokesman, Laviolette declined to comment to the Daily News last night.
According to the suit, Laviolette was first approached by Banc of America
Securities - a Bank of America subsidiary - shortly after winning the Stanley
Cup as coach of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. At the time, and currently,
the Laviolettes owned their house in Raleigh, N.C., and two properties in
Florida.
Bank of America's 12-page proposal presented to the Laviolettes advised
them to "leverage all of the available equity in their properties" through
"several high-interest loans and then to invest these proceeds in other
purportedly sound, but ultimately, high-risk investments."
The proposal was projected to increase the Laviolettes net worth from $8.1
million to $22.0 million in a span of 30 years, the complaint states.
According to the suit, the bank's projections included additional monthly fund
injections, but relied on "artificially inflated values for their properties" and
"not only failed to produce the projected high rate of return needed to cover
the loan interest, they utterly collapsed, resulting in a loss of the principal as
well."
In addition to seeking $3 million in damages, the Laviolettes are seeking
rescission of all three loans.
Laviolette, 49, has been the coach of the Flyers since December 2009. He
signed a "multiyear" contract extension on Aug. 1, 2012, that is expected to
take him through the 2014-15 season.
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719603
Philadelphia Flyers
Briere preparing to face his former Flyers teammates
FRANK SERAVALLI, Daily News Staff Writer seravaf@phillynews.com
Posted: Sunday, October 6, 2013, 3:01 AM
DANIEL BRIERE has come to appreciate modern technology.
It is the one thing that will allow Briere, 35, to keep in touch with his three
hockey-mad sons while he is in Montreal with the Canadiens. Briere's sons,
Cameron, Carson and Caelan, will continue to live in South Jersey with his
ex-wife while he forges a new chapter in his career.
There is Apple's FaceTime and even Skype to shorten the distance between
visits.
"Playing in Europe last year during the lockout gave me a little taste," Briere
said. "We're making it work."
Modern technology has also allowed Briere one Canadiens record: He is the
first player in Montreal's 104-year history to have his last name correctly
accented on his jersey with Briére.
(By the way, he prefers to be called "Daniel" now instead of "Danny," as he
was known in Philly.)
Yet, it is the Canadiens' old-world charms that drew Briere to the franchise he
grew up cheering for in Quebec. Minutes before the puck dropped in
Tuesday night's Bell Centre opener against Toronto, Hall of Famer Guy
Lafleur passed the torch to Briere first - before it moved to the rest of his
teammates - to represent the Canadiens' next French hope.
Briere signed a 2-year, $8 million deal with the Habs just days after being
bought out by the Flyers last summer. Tonight is his first game against his
former team, which features two players (Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier)
whom Briere invited to live with his family as rookies.
"It's kind of a weird feeling," Briere said before practice yesterday. "I'm facing
guys I was with for a lot of years. You're excited to see them, but it's also
weird to have to face them. They're tough games, mentally, to get ready for.
On the ice, you have to shut off the fact that they're your buddies and you
have to move on for that 3-hour span."
His toughest adjustment to Montreal? Interviews in both French and English,
which he said would have been tough to deal with as a 21- or 22-year-old. He
was booed almost every time he returned to Montreal after spurning the
Canadiens in 2007 to sign with the Flyers. Now, he is revered.
When he takes the ice tonight, it will also mark the first time the Flyers are
paying a player they're playing against. The Flyers will pay Briere $833,333
each year until 2017.
The Flyers got their money's worth with Briere. He was the marquee
free-agent signing of 2007, a player who helped usher in a new era in Flyers
hockey. In his six seasons with the Flyers, they won at least one round in the
playoffs five times - advanced to the conference finals twice and the Stanley
Cup final once.
Briere produced 283 points in 364 games with the Flyers, an average of 0.77
points per game. He was even better in the playoffs, with 72 points in 68
games. Briere is one of 34 players in NHL history to score better than a point
per game player in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a minimum of 50 games
played.
Actively, only Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Martin St. Louis
and Claude Giroux are better playoff performers.
"He was a great player for us, the whole time I was here," coach Peter
Laviolette said. "Certainly in the playoffs, he made his noise. And he made
his noise really loud."
Bryz Vegas
The Flyers' other offseason buyout victim, Ilya Bryzgalov, will be back playing
hockey for the first time since being let go by the team last June.
Bryzgalov, 33, signed a tryout contract with the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers
yesterday. No NHL, Russian, or even AHL team was willing to give Bryzgalov
a shot after the Flyers paid him $23 million to leave.
Las Vegas, which is one of the few ECHL teams without an NHL affiliation,
doesn't start its season for another 2 weeks. Bryzgalov was still living in
South Jersey as recently as last week, while his two children attend school.
In a statement, he said he will not be giving interviews, to allow the Wranglers
to focus on training camp.
"I intend to return to the NHL, and to be ready for game action when an NHL
opportunity opens up," Bryzgalov said. "I intend to work hard while I am here
in Las Vegas, and to return the support I have received from my family, the
many fans who have reached out to me with words of encouragement, and
the Wranglers organization with actions, not words. This is a unique
opportunity for me to be an example to my own children, to the young fans
who have supported me, to my new teammates, and eventually to the NHL
teammates who will come to rely on me again."
Slap shots
With Chris Pronger on the long-term injury list, the Flyers have approximately
$4 million in bonus cushion room to add a player if they choose. Scouts from
13 of the 14 Western Conference teams were at the Wells Fargo Center on
Wednesday . . . Twenty of the Flyers' 72 attempts at the net against Toronto
missed the net, something Laviolette would like to see change this weekend .
. . Sidney Crosby's goal in Thursday's Penguins opener was his 666th career
point - and it came against the Devils. By the way, Cory Schneider ended
Martin Brodeur's streak of starting 18 consecutive openers in that game . . . In
an ESPN poll of 30 anonymous NHL players, 80 percent responded and said
they did not believe they had a teammate who took performance enhancing
drugs
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719604
Philadelphia Flyers
Inside the Flyers: Success should come with better even-strength play
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Sunday, October 6, 2013, 3:01 AM
MONTREAL - The Flyers, hoping the new campaign brings them
redemption, would be wise to use last season as a blueprint for what to avoid.
For the Flyers, the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign was, in a word, bizarre.
It seems almost incomprehensible for a team to have the NHL's best overall
special teams and still miss qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs, but that's
what happened to the Flyers.
You don't have to be a descendant of the late, great Fred Shero to
understand the reason for their failure: lousy even-strength play.
The Flyers' lack of five-on-five success negated the fact they finished third in
the NHL on the power play (21.6 percent success rate) and fifth on the
penalty kill (85.9 percent success rate).
They were the only team in the top five in each of those categories.
But they also were near the bottom in five-on-five situations, scoring just 0.86
goals for every one allowed in five-on-five play. Only Colorado, Calgary, and
Florida - three teams that also missed the playoffs - were worse.
By comparison, Chicago scored 1.52 goals for every goal it allowed in
five-on-five spots.
On paper, the Flyers should be much improved in even-strength situations.
Adding 6-foot-4, 215-pound Vinny Lecavalier gives them some much-needed
size up the middle and will help them in matchups. They should also be
helped by the addition of puck-moving defenseman Mark Streit, who should
jump-start the offense.
Another difference: They have beefy defensemen Braydon Coburn, Nick
Grossmann, and Andrej Meszaros back in the lineup after injury-filled 2013
seasons. Their size will help in board battles.
The Flyers are also better in an under-the-radar area - puckhandling by their
goaltenders. Steve Mason and Ray Emery are much better than Ilya
Bryzgalov in that facet of the game, and it should help the Flyers exit their
zone much quicker than last season.
Again, these improvements look good on paper, but that doesn't mean they
always translate on the ice.
Take the Flyers' season-opener, for instance. In that 3-1 loss to Toronto, the
Flyers had many more scoring chances and had the puck in their offensive
end at least 60 percent of the night. Problem was, they had a couple of
even-strength defensive breakdowns - and couldn't get the puck past nearly
flawless goalie Jonathan Bernier in five-on-five situations.
The results looked like last season: The Flyers' goal was on the power play,
and they were outscored, 2-0, in five-on-five situations.
You could argue that the Flyers were actually better than the Maple Leafs
when the teams were at even strength, but just fell victim to a hot goaltender.
That said, the Flyers need to be vastly improved from last year in five-on-five
situations. It's no coincidence that two of the NHL's best five-on-five teams in
2013 - Chicago (1.52 ratio, tops in the NHL) and Boston (fourth at 1.30) went
to the Stanley Cup Finals.
"It's all about winning more battles," captain Claude Giroux said when asked
what the Flyers needed to do to improve their even-strength play. "When you
go in the corners and win battles, that's when you get scoring chances. . . .
You can make plays, move the puck around."
Or as the late Shero, who led the Flyers to consecutive Stanley Cups in the
1970s and will be inducted into the hockey Hall of Fame next month, once
said: "Take the shortest route to the puck carrier and arrive in ill humor."
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719605
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers coach suing Bank of America
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Saturday, October 5, 2013, 2:02 AM
MONTREAL - Peter Laviolette is seeking at least $3 million in damages for
fraud from Bank of America, it was confirmed Friday night by a Florida
attorney whose firm is representing the Flyers coach.
Contacted in Montreal, where his team is getting ready to play the Canadiens
on Saturday night, Laviolette said he did not want to comment.
In court last week, Laviolette claimed Bank of America convinced him to
mortgage his properties and invest the proceeds in high-risk funds that
"utterly collapsed," Courthouse News (CN) reported.
The investments were apparently made shortly after Laviolette led the
Carolina Hurricanes to the 2006 Stanley Cup.
According to the lawsuit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, Bank of
America laid out the plan in a 12-page brochure that included projections of
real-estate values and investment values to substantiate its return on
investment claims.
One such document projected that by leveraging the properties, the
Laviolettes would increase their net worth resulting from these assets from
$8.1 million after 30 years to almost $22.1 million - a gain of nearly $14
million, the complaint states, according to the Florida attorney.
At the time, Laviolette and his wife, Kristen, owned a home in Raleigh, N.C.,
and two homes in Florida. They still own all three.
The Laviolettes, CN reported, said they later learned that the high-return
investment projections relied on "artificially inflated values for their properties
and an unreasonable rate of return."
The couple is seeking seeks at least $3 million and rescission of the three
loans, according to CN.
Laviolettes is represented by Eric Horbey of Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella and
Yedid in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Reached Friday, a representative from the firm confirmed the CN report and
said he would not have any further comment at this time.
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719606
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers coach experimenting with lines
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Saturday, October 5, 2013, 3:01 AM
MONTREAL - Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said he put high-scoring Jake
Voracek on the third line Wednesday partly because he wanted him to help
jump-start center Sean Couturier and partly because of the winger's recent
back injury.
"We're trying to get balance throughout the lineup," Laviolette said after
Friday's practice in Voorhees.
The Flyers, trying to rebound from Wednesday's 3-1 opening-night loss to
visiting Toronto, play in Montreal on Saturday night.
Laviolette didn't reveal whether Voracek will return to Claude Giroux's top
line Saturday, but he sounded like he would still experiment with him on the
third unit with Couturier and Max Talbot - and that Brayden Schenn will
remain on the No. 1 line.
"There was a lot of success" when Voracek, Talbot and Couturier played
together two years ago, Laviolette said. "It gives us a little bit of balance, but
nothing is set in stone. We're just looking at things."
Voracek, who led the Flyers with 22 goals last year, said he is fully recovered
from injuring his lower back in a preseason game, but that he is still rounding
into shape because of the time he missed.
"I hadn't skated for a week, so I feel can still work on things to get to my level,"
he said.
In Wednesday's defeat, the Flyers fired 73 shots (32 on net), compared with
Toronto's 43 (25 on net).
"I'd be a lot more concerned if we weren't getting the opportunities," general
manager Paul Holmgren said. "I think we played a good game, certainly well
enough to win it, but the bottom line is we didn't. Now we have to find a way to
get back on the winning side. I think we made a couple of mistakes in key
times that cost us. We have to eliminate those."
"We're not happy with the result," Giroux said of the loss, "but there were a lot
of positives out there."
Breakaways
Goalie Steve Mason was the loser in the opener, and Laviolette is expected
to turn to Ray Emery on Saturday. . . .Former Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov
signed a tryout contract with Las Vegas of the ECHL, hoping it leads to an
NHL job. . . .The #hartnelldown Foundation, a charity established by Flyers
winger Scott Hartnell, is holding an event at Spasso Italian Grill in Old City on
Nov. 3. Hartnell will attend what is being called "#chowdown" and will have
dinner with guests and hold a question-and-answer session. For more info,
call 218-340-7696.
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719607
Philadelphia Flyers
Hockey doesn't need fighting
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Columnist
Posted: Saturday, October 5, 2013, 3:01 AM
Professional hockey is not alone in its pummeling of common sense. It's just
that hockey's long disregard for what's so obviously wrong leads the pack
among this country's major professional sports.
Fighting, an ice hockey tradition that dates to the 19th century, received
some unwanted attention on opening night in the NHL when Montreal's
George Parros suffered a concussion after falling face first into the ice during
a Tuesday altercation with Toronto's Colton Orr. That's the same Colton Orr
who once knocked former Flyer Todd Fedoruk unconscious.
As hockey fights go, this one wasn't overly violent. Only a few punches were
thrown, which is often the case for scuffles on skates, and none landed flush.
At the conclusion of the exchange, Orr slipped as each man held onto the
other's jersey. The 6-foot-5 Parros crashed to the ice with the force of a giant
Oak. His face bloodied, Parros was removed on a stretcher.
He will not play Saturday night against the Flyers at the Bell Centre and is out
indefinitely.
Concussions, of course, happen in all sports and hockey is not the only
professional sport with fighting. It is, however, the only one that condones it
and fears its removal. It has been argued that if you take away fighting, you
take away the sport's fan base. If that's the case, then it's a weak sport to
begin with.
It is not the case. Hockey is good enough to stand on its own without fighting.
No more proof than the Olympics is needed, but if you want more, look to
college hockey. It's a quality product without the fisticuffs.
So much happens away from the puck that it's not the best made-for-TV
sport, but attend a live game and you are likely to fall in love forever. Attend a
live playoff game and you're sure to fall in love forever because no
postseason is played with more pace and passion.
Look up the word tough and you'll find a photograph of a hockey player. Not
because they fight, but because they play without fear of injury and with
injuries that would sideline athletes in other sports. NFL players have been
conditioned to practically skip the preseason, but NHL players are right in the
mix during their final preseason games as they get ready for a season that
will not end for some until the beginning of summer.
Hockey players always give their fans an honest effort. They shouldn't have
to give them boxing on ice, too.
You'll get arguments from a lot of players, past and present, that fighting is a
necessary evil for other reasons, the primary one being that it helps prevent
bigger players from taking cheap shots at the game's smaller, faster and
more skilled players who score the majority of goals.
Aren't the referees and league office supposed to do that? You'll get the
argument that referees can't see everything, but video cameras can. If
players are taking cheap shots, then the league needs to crack down with
harsh fines and suspensions. A significant enough hit to the wallet would be a
greater deterrent than a punch to the jaw.
Ninety-eight percent of the players voted for fighting to remain in the game
during a 2011-12 poll conducted by their union. A far lower percentage of
players actually get involved in the fights, but the enforcers obviously have
incentive to keep the combat mentality going, too. Without it, they do not
have jobs.
Parros and Orr, two guys who only have jobs because they know how to use
their fists, have a combined 30 goals in 877 career games.
The NHL has implemented rules - third-man in is ejected, instigators get an
extra two minutes of penalty time - over the years in an effort to curtail the
all-out brawls we used to see during the Broad Street Bullies and Big Bad
Bruins days.
Commissioner Gary Bettman, however, is on record as saying he is not in
favor of banning the fight club. Do you think he likes the fact that there's a
website called hockeyfights.com? Do you think he likes that you can go on
YouTube and find almost any classic fight from the NHL's past? It's free
advertising for the league.
Here's a comical quote from the commissioner shortly after Fedoruk's fight
with Orr in 2007: "The discussion that we've been having is about player
safety and injuries. We've had a number of injuries resulting from fighting
recently. The question is whether or not that's an aberration or whether or not
it's something we need to be concerned about."
People got hurt fighting? You're kidding. Why should the commissioner be
concerned? And just how many goals do you get for winning a fight in the
NHL?
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719608
Philadelphia Flyers
Briere, now with Montreal, faces Flyers on Saturday
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Saturday, October 5, 2013, 2:02 AM
MONTREAL - After a bumpy start with the Flyers six years ago, fiercely
competitive Danny Briere became a fan favorite, emerging as one of the
NHL's most dominating playoff performers, and steering his team - one that
snuck into the postseason with a last-game shootout victory - to within two
wins of the 2010 Stanley Cup.
Now, with his Flyers legacy in the rearview mirror, the diminutive Briere is a
Montreal Canadien, wearing the famed bleu-blanc-et-rouge sweater, and
preparing to face his ex-teammates Saturday night at the Bell Centre.
"It'll be a fun game, but a tough game, also," the veteran center said in a
conference call with reporters on Friday morning.
Briere, whose injuries affected his effectiveness in his last two seasons with
the Flyers, was not only one of the team's top leaders, but he took the
younger players under his wing. At different times, Claude Giroux and Sean
Couturier lived with him and his three boys in Haddonfield.
"I'm facing guys I was with for a lot of years. . . . It's kind of a weird feeling,"
said Briere, who kept his Haddonfield house and plans to move back there
when his career is over. "You're excited to see them, but it's also weird to
have to face them. We all know when the puck drops, it gets competitive. And
these guys are the same way - they're not going to give me an inch out there."
Earlier in camp, Couturier, 20, acknowledged he "leaned" on the
almost-36-year-old Briere for advice when they were teammates. They were
housemates for 11/2 years.
"I was with him almost 24/7, so it should be a special game for both of us,"
Couturier said. " . . . Since day one, he kind of took me under his wing and
adopted me, and I felt like a big brother for his boys. It was a fun experience,
to be sure."
Briere said when he signed with the Flyers and played his first few contests
against another former team, Buffalo, "they were tough games, mentally, to
get ready for. And on the ice you have to shut off the fact that they're your
buddies and you have to move on for that three-hour span."
The Flyers and Canadiens are each 0-1; each lost to Toronto.
Before his Montreal debut against the Leafs, Briere was involved in an
emotional ceremony with one of the Canadiens' legends.
"It was a pretty special feeling," Briere said. "The Montreal Canadiens
organization showed a lot of class by giving me a chance to be the first one to
get the torch from one of the all-time greats in Guy Lefleur."
Voracek experiment. Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said he put high-scoring
Jake Voracek on the third line Wednesday partly because he wanted him to
help jump-start center Couturier and partly because of the winger's recent
back injury.
"We're trying to get balance throughout the lineup," Laviolette said after
Friday's practice in Voorhees.
Laviolette didn't reveal whether Voracek will return to Claude Giroux's top
line Saturday, but he sounded like he would still experiment with him on the
third unit with Couturier and Max Talbot - and that Brayden Schenn will
remain on the No. 1 line.
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 10.05.2013
719609
Philadelphia Flyers
Home sweet Habs: Flyers prepare for Briere, Canadiens
By Rob Parent, Delaware County Daily Times
Posted: 10/04/13, 8:27 PM EDT
Danny Briere’s kids still live and go to school in South Jersey, even as he is
reliving a little bit of youth, playing hockey in his home province of Quebec.
Briere, now a member of the Montreal Canadiens, will welcome back his old
Flyers teammates Saturday before squaring off against them at the Bell
Centre. He’s been following them as much as he can, says he’s confident
their various problems can be ironed out and that they’ll have a good season.
He doesn’t want that to start quite yet.
“It’s kind of a weird feeling,” Briere said Friday in a conference call from
Montreal. “You’re excited to see them, but it’s also weird to face them. We all
know when the puck drops it gets competitive.”
Briere knows the Flyers had a poor preseason, saw that they were only
1-for-7 in their Wednesday opener against Toronto on the power play, which
Briere was a big part of for much of the last six seasons.
He still thinks his old team’s issues will clear up — hopefully not until after
Saturday.
“You can’t lose faith too quickly,” Briere said. “I think they have a lot of
firepower. It’s not going to be too long for them to get going. ... But hopefully it
lasts one more game.”
Although he was booed heavily and often when visiting Montreal while a
member of the Flyers — Canadiens fans felt he should have signed with their
team as a free agent in 2007, when he left Buffalo and went to Philadelphia
— Briere is now a returning hero of sorts after signing a two-year, $8 million
deal last summer.
That money was on top of the approximately $2.2 million (spread over 14
years) Briere will receive as the first of two compliance buyouts the Flyers
used after last season for cap relief. Current Las Vegas Wranglers goalie
gambler Ilya Bryzgalov was the other.
With a $5 million cap hit, and a front-loaded contract that was down to a $2
million salary level, he was an obvious choice to be released. Briere had two
years left on his Philly deal at the time.
“No hard feelings,” he said. “They were very respectful. It was agreed upon, it
was fair. ... I understood completely.”
One of Briere’s sons is with him for the weekend to watch him face his old
team. He’ll also welcome back a familiar friend — Sean Couturier, who lived
with Briere and his family the first 18 months he was a Flyer.
“We talked once in a while and we’re still in touch; he’s a good friend,”
Couturier said. “It’s a special game for both of us. ... Since Day 1, he took me
under his wing and kind of adopted me. I felt like a big brother to his kids. It
was a fun experience.”
Jake Voracek also acknowledged the void created by Briere’s departure, but
has been around long enough to grow accustomed to the ever increasing
player movement in the league.
“Obviously it’s going to be a little weird,” Voracek said, “but it’s hockey. The
players come and go. It’s a business; that’s what it is. We’re happy for him
that he got signed in Montreal. There’s a lot of history there.”
Briere felt it almost immediately. As the Canadiens opened their season at
home Tuesday night, the traditional passing of the torch in Montreal saw him
receive it from one of the Canadiens’ living icons.
“It was a pretty special feeling and a very special night,” Briere said, “to be the
first one to get the torch from one of the all-time greats in Guy LeFleur.”
Voracek seemed to be a little out of his element during even strength
situations Wednesday against the Maple Leafs, as he was playing on a third
line with Couturier and Max Talbot rather than next to old top-line partners
Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell. But Voracek doesn’t think it’s such a bad
idea.
“Claude is always going to play against top defensemen; their shutdown
defensemen,” Voracek said. “That should be an advantage for me. I don’t
want to say I’m playing against worse players than Claude’s playing against,
but not playing against top defensemen, we can take advantage of that.
That’s what (coach Peter Laviolette) wants ... spread out that lineup and try to
get the offense going.”
Meanwhile, head coach Peter Laviolette would like to see a few pucks start
going toward the net.
“I’d like to see 75 more attempts in Montreal and see better results from that,”
the cheerful one said. He thinks his third line can contribute to that effort.
“There’s a lot of success with Jake and Sean and Max, when they played
together a couple of years ago,” Laviolette said. “But there’s nothing set in
stone. We’re looking at it right now.
“We’re looking at things right now and trying to find a little balance throughout
the lineup.”
Delaware County Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
719610
Philadelphia Flyers
“We all have different personalities. It works for certain guys and doesn’t
work as well for other guys. I really believe it is easier as you get older and
get to know yourself better. You’re a little bit more mature.”
Danny Briere: Facing the Flyers won't be easy
He’s had one major adjustment in Montreal from Philly.
Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux both lived with Danny Briere for a time.
“Having to do interviews in French and English,” he said. “Whatever it takes,
15-20 minutes, you have to double that. I was coming in knowing that and
expecting it from the start. At my age, too, it might be easier to face that, deal
with that than if I were 20, 21, 22 years old.”
Couturier, however, was his housemate, along with Briere’s three boys, for
18 months.
“We talked once in a while and are still in touch -- he’s a good friend,”
Couturier said. “It’s a special game for both of us.
“You are with him almost 24/7. Since Day One, he took me under his wing
and kind of adopted me. I felt like a big brother to his kids, his boys. It was a
fun experience.”
It’s one thing to go up against former teammates, but imagine how awkward
it’s going to be Saturday in Montreal for all three players when the Flyers
meet the Canadiens for the first time this season.
“Facing guys I have been with a lot of years, the past few seasons, guys I had
a chance to live with, it’s kind of a weird feeling,” Briere said. “You’re excited
to see them, but it’s also weird to face them. We all know when the puck
drops, it gets competitive. I know these guys are the same way. They’re not
going to give me an inch out there.
“It’s never easy when you face ex-teammates. I remember my first few
games facing Buffalo with the Flyers, they were always tough games,
mentally to get ready for and also on the ice. You have to shut off the fact
they’re you buddies and try to move on for that three-hour span.”
The Flyers bought Briere out of the final two years of his contract last June.
He was owed just $5 million in real dollars (not salary cap dollars). Briere
ended up signing a two-year deal with Montreal worth $8 million overall.
“There’s no hard feelings,” he said. “I said it the day I talked to you guys after
the Flyers bought me out. There are no hard feelings. They were very
respectful ... Honestly, I have no complaints. It was agreed upon, it was fair
and the Flyers needed to get under the cap. I understand. You move on.”
Briere spent much of August training with the Flyers at Skate Zone in
Voorhees. His boys live in Haddonfield, NJ, with his ex-wife. They will get to
fly back and forth to Montreal as their school schedule, plus the Canadiens'
schedule, permits.
“It’s working out good,” Briere said. “In today’s world with all the
communications that we have, it’s a lot easier to communicate and stay in
touch. Last year, I got a little taste of it with playing in Europe during the
lockout. It’s not ideal but we make it work.”
Briere had been the Flyers' biggest offensive threat in the playoffs during his
six years here. Besides leading the NHL in the 2010 playoffs with 30 points,
Briere compiled 37 goals, 35 assists for 72 points in 68 playoff games -better than a point-a-game player as a Flyer.
Briere was minus-1 in Montreal’s season-opening 4-3 loss to Toronto. He
played on David Desharnais’ line with Max Pacioretty.
He was honored pregame when Montreal allowed him to accept the torch
from Habs legend Guy Lafleur, a tradition before every hockey season
symbolizing handing the reins of leadership of the team.
“Yeah, it was a pretty special feeling and very special night,” Briere said. “I
think the Montreal Canadiens organization showed a lot of class by giving me
that chance to be the first one to get that torch from one of the all-time greats
in Guy Lafleur.
It’s different being a French-Canadien playing in Quebec than being
American or even a Canadian from another province.
When he didn’t sign with Montreal as a free agent after leaving Buffalo seven
years ago, people in Quebec felt betrayed. Briere was booed every time he
touched the puck during the six years he was a Flyer.
Back then, he was younger -- had not even turned 30 -- and admitted he
didn’t want the pressure of playing in Montreal. Now it’s different. He’s older
-- turns 36 in two days -- and far more mature.
“Everyone is different,” he said. “There are players out there that it doesn’t
affect them. The media pressure just won’t affect them. Other guys would
rather stay away from it. They’d rather play in a quiet place and do their job
and not be bothered.
The Flyers had trouble scoring goals last season, had trouble scoring goals
this preseason, and got just one against the Maple Leafs.
Briere said there was too much offensive talent on the Flyers for scoring to
become a serious issue with them. He did add …
“Hopefully, it lasts one more game."
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.05.2013
719611
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers' focus in practice: Hitting the net more
The gang that couldn’t shoot straight.
That pretty much describes the Flyers this week, not just in their
season-opening loss to Toronto, but in practice as well.
Coach Peter Laviolette isn’t impressed with 73 attempted shots when 21 of
them were errant. So many of the drills in the two days that have followed the
3-1 loss emphasize shooting on net.
“I’d like to see us shooting the puck a little bit more. Even more to the point,
I’d like to see us hit the net a little more,” Laviolette said. “Even in practice
here. We’re firing scud missiles from the slot or coming off the rush. They’re
smashing off the glass.
“If we can put it between the red bars somewhere, there might be a second
opportunity or third opportunity that follows off the glass or around the
corners. And now you are working on puck possession again. I’d like to see
us working on hitting that net a little more than we have.”
He’ll have a chance to see whether the shooting practice and focus sessions
had any impact this weekend as the Flyers play in Montreal on Saturday and
then Sunday afternoon in Carolina.
It’s the first back-to-back sequence of games for the Flyers this season in
what will be a relatively light month of October – 11 games, with just two
back-to-backs.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.05.2013
719612
Philadelphia Flyers
Briere ready to face his former team
Oct. 4, 2013 11:16 PM
|
Written by
Dave Isaac
MONTREAL — Before he went to training camp in September, Danny Briere
said he was nervous about how Canadiens fans would welcome him.
“I hope they don’t boo me,” Briere said with a smile after one of his last visits
to the Flyers Skate Zone over the summer.
He was all too used to that treatment in this French-speaking city.
The former Flyer was booed every time he touched the puck in Montreal after
he opted for Philadelphia over the team he grew up rooting for when he was a
free agent in July 2007.
Tuesday night, the two sides made amends. Montreal opened its season with
a ceremony in which Briere was the first player to accept a torch from Hall of
Famer Guy Lafleur.
The crowd went crazy.
“It was a pretty special feeling, a very special night, also,” Briere said on a
conference call. “I think the Montreal Canadiens organization showed a lot of
class by giving me that chance to be the first one and to get the torch from
one of the all-time greats in Guy Lafleur.”
The 35-year-old forward signed with Montreal for two years at $8 million in
July. The Flyers will still pay him $833,333 for the next four seasons to
compensate for the final two years of his contract they bought out.
Now comes the next test for Briere: playing against his former team.
“I’m facing guys I’ve been with for a lot of years, a lot of time the past few
seasons, guys I’ve had the chance to live with,” Briere said. “It’s a weird
feeling. You’re excited to see them, but it’s also weird to have to face them.”
Across six seasons, Briere played 364 regular-season games as a Flyer,
notching 124 goals and 159 assists. He was usually the best Flyer in the
playoffs, scoring 37 goals and 35 assists in 68 games played.
“He was a good player for us, certainly for the whole time I was here and
especially in the playoffs he made his noise,” coach Peter Laviolette said.
“You look at some of the big series that he had and that run to the Cup, his
line was an intricate role in that. It’s good that he’s landed somewhere and
that he’s happy. I’m sure he’ll be excited to play his old team.”
Once the puck drops, Briere says the Flyers are “not gonna give me an inch
out there.”
He hosted Claude Giroux in his Haddonfield home one year and Sean
Couturier the next. It will definitely be a strange feeling.
“You have to shut off the fact that they’re your buddies, and you have to move
on for that one game, that three-hour span,” Briere said.
One of Briere’s three sons will be with him tonight when the Flyers come to
town. The boys stayed home in Haddonfield with their mother while their
father plays for the Habs. They use Internet video messaging to keep in
touch, just like they did when Briere played in Germany during last year’s
lockout.
Throughout the season, the boys will come up to Montreal when their school
and Canadiens’ playing schedules allow. When he sits at home on off nights,
Briere will look to watch Flyers games first before anything else.
Unlike some former Flyers, Briere has no angst against his former team.
Even in accepting a buyout, Briere showed there was no hard feelings.
Courier-Post LOADED: 10.05.2013
719613
Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes wing Radim Vrbata trusts in his play to speak for him
“I heard somewhere where Brett Hull said, ‘If you celebrate too much, the
opposing team notices and they will cover you more,’ ” Vrbata said. “I guess
there is something to it.”
UP NEXT:
Who: Coyotes at Sharks.
By Sarah McLellan azcentral sports Sat Oct 5, 2013 1:31 AM
When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Where: SAP Center at San Jose.
The only indication Coyotes wing Radim Vrbata gave that he just completed
a natural hat trick in Thursday’s opening game was a slight raise of his hands
and a subtle fist pump.
No laughter.
No cheering.
No exuberant celebration for guiding the Coyotes to a 4-1 win over the New
York Rangers.
“People around me tell me that I should smile when I score a goal, but on the
inside, of course, I’m smiling,” Vrbata said. “I’m happy, but I don’t want to
draw too much attention to me.”
That plan seems to be working. In the four seasons before this one, Vrbata
has scored 90 goals — more than any Coyotes player in that span. And yet
his performance hasn’t made him one of the more recognizable players in the
league.
His reputation is understated, just like he is. He’s probably underrated, too.
“He’s just focusing on the game and trying to be professional,” center Martin
Hanzal said.
That’s why the Coyotes and Vrbata’s agent, Rich Evans, have shelved
negotiations on a contract extension until the end of the season. Vrbata is in
the final year of a three-year contract worth $9 million.
“Radim’s intent at this time is to focus on playing,” Evans said. “We had some
discussion with the team. I’m not going to get into details, but we had
discussions with them up until the day before the season started and when it
didn’t lead to a new deal, we made it clear that from that point forward Radim
was going to focus on playing.
“So any type of contract discussion would be a distraction for him. It’s an
important season for him and an important season for the Coyotes, and he’s
focused on playing the game and helping his team win.”
Vrbata had hoped to receive an extension during training camp. He wants to
stick with the Coyotes, but pricing out his value obviously isn’t a quick
process.
“If he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’s going to get paid more,” General
Manager Don Maloney said. “We have no problem paying on performance.
We’ve always been able to find ways, for the most part, to keep the people
we want to keep. So he seems comfortable with it and if (Thursday) night is
any indication, he’s going to have a monster year, and I hope he does.”
Vrbata certainly appears primed to chase after the career-high 35-goal mark
set in 2011-12. He’s healthy after struggling with a cracked bone in his foot
last season, which caused him to miss 14 games. Even then, he still
managed 12 goals and 28 points.
That point-per-game ratio would have amounted to approximately 67 points
in a normal 82-game season, which would have set a new career-high for the
32-year-old.
“He’s really smart,” Hanzal said. “Usually when somebody’s taking a shot, he
knows where the puck is going to be after the shot. He finds the spot, and
that’s how he scores so many goals.”
Last season and one game into this one, Vrbata has found ways to produce
without a premier playmaker on his line. His release is quick enough that
most goalies don’t have time to react to the shot. But he’s also a strong
puck-handler, which enables him to be slick in tight areas.
He does all this without putting pressure on himself. He simply goes to work.
“You always want to play your best,” he said. “I don’t want to be thinking
about proving something or setting some personal goals. I want to play my
best.”
And deliberately, it seems, without a smile.
TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM 620.
Sharks update: The Sharks started their season by beating the Vancouver
Canucks 4-1 Thursday. All four goals came five-on-five with the Sharks
unable to convert on eight power-play chances. The Sharks had four different
goal scorers. Rookie Tomas Hertl wasn’t one of them, but he had a solid NHL
debut with an assist, two shots and two hits. Also, keep an eye on captain
Joe Thornton. He has 67 points in 62 career games against the Coyotes.
Last season, the Sharks won the season series 3-2.
Arizona Republic LOADED: 10.05.2013
719614
Phoenix Coyotes
Plenty of positives for Coyotes in Game 1
Posted on October 4, 2013 9:08 am by Sarah McLellan
One down, 81 to go.
Actually, the Coyotes hope they have more than 81 games remaining. If they
continue to play like the way they did in Thursday’s opener against the New
York Rangers, they probably will.
“We were just solid from the drop of the puck on through the game,” goalie
Mike Smith said. “I thought we did a lot of good things really well. Obviously
there are lots of things we can improve on, but I think that’s just part of the
game.
“You take the good things out of it and learn from those, and you take the
stuff you want to improve on and work on that. But I think for the start of the
season, the new ownership here and the crowd we had, it was a good way to
start.”
These were some of the positives from Game 1:
-Smith was solid and looked like the player he was in 2011-2012. That’s what
the Coyotes expected to see when they handed Smith a six-year, $34 million
extension this summer. He had 23 saves, a few of which could land on a
highlight reel.
He made a sprawling arm save in the first on the penalty kill and then not long
after that, he came up with a sliding glove save on Brad Richards.
1002130448EL Coyotes1004“I actually didn’t feel unbelievable tonight,”
Smith said. “I don’t know if it was just because I hadn’t played in a week, but
I felt like I was seeing the puck well. I didn’t feel like I was moving the best I
can. But like we talked about before in the past, when you’re not feeling your
best those are the games that test you the most because you have to be
really sharp mentally and don’t let it affect you. I thought I did that pretty well
tonight.”
-The power play went 1-for-3.
“Pretty good puck movement,” coach Dave Tippett said. “We missed a few
really good opportunities on it that could have capitalized on, but there are
some positive signs on it.”
The most noticeable improvement was the momentum the power plays
garnered. The first two goals both came after strong efforts with the
man-advantage. That’s something center Mike Ribeiro, who was brought in
to revitalize the power play, said during training camp will be key for the unit.
It doesn’t always have to score, but it can’t lose momentum. It has to keep it.
The Coyotes were able to do that against the Rangers.
“We kept the momentum from the power play, and I don’t think it was a power
play goal that second one but we kept the momentum and scored the power
play goal early in the third,” winger Radim Vrbata said. “That always helps.
Last coupe years, we were always talking about that one extra goal on the
power play that would help and that did tonight.”
-Obviously, Vrbata recording a natural hat trick was a plus for the Coyotes. It
was the fifth hat trick of his career and second in consecutive regular season
games. He had one in the 2013 season finale against the Anaheim Ducks.
According to Coyotes stats guru Greg Dillard, Vrbata is the second Coyotes
player to accomplish that feat of back-to-back hat tricks. Jeremy Roenick did
it Nov. 25-26, 1999.
Vrbata is the first Coyotes player to score a hat trick in a season opener. Last
year’s opening game against the Dallas Stars, Vrbata had two goals.
He’s also the first NHL player to have a hat trick in a season finale and then in
the season opener for same team since Luc Robitaille did it in 1988.
“We’d be alright if he only got one next game instead of three,” Tippett said.
“We can work with that.”
Overall, Tippett was impressed with the entire Vrbata line.
“I thought (Martin) Hanzal and Vrbata and (Lauri Korpikoski) were really
good tonight,” he said. “They played a lot against the Rangers top line there.
They were really solid. Korpi gives you that really sold two-way game. He’s
not a creative player like (Ray) Whitney was, but he’s a really serviceable
player in the game playing in the hard areas and when you’re matching up
lines, that’s not bad to have. Obviously the line did some some good things
tonight, and we’ll see where it goes.”
-Winger Lucas Lessio played 9:22 in his NHL debut. He had a shot, a hit and
a roughing penalty. But he also drew two penalties.
“You could tell he was a little nervous early, but he’s relentless on loose
pucks,” Tippett said. “He drew two penalties. There is no quit. There’s a puck
battle and he’s in it and he’s in it the whole way, and he’s such a great kid.
He’s passionate about playing, and I thought as the game went on he got
better and better. He’s going to be a really good NHL player.”
Arizona Republic LOADED: 10.05.2013
719615
Phoenix Coyotes
1. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Zbynek Michalek
2. Keith Yandle and Derek Morris
Coyotes season preview: No more excuses
3. David Rundblad and David Schlemko
4. Michael Stone and Chris Summers
CRAIG MORGAN
* - Rostislav Klesla will begin the season on injured reserve
GOALTENDING TANDEM
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- George Gosbee, Craig Stewart and Anthony LeBlanc
attended their first NHL Board of Governor's meeting on Sept. 23 in New
York.
Mike Smith and Thomas Greiss
"The simple fact of being there was pretty exhilarating," said LeBlanc, the
Coyotes' new president and CEO. "It's moments like that where you sit back
and say, 'wow, we actually did get this thing done and buy this team.'"
Frequent flyers: The Coyotes will travel the second most miles in the NHL
this season (52,633), second only to San Jose's 57,612 miles, which is nearly
double the miles the Coyotes' opening night opponent, the New York
Rangers (29,839) will travel.
If you came along for that lengthy and bumpy ride, you know it wasn't easy,
but the task ahead may be even more daunting. The oft-repeated theme
throughout training camp and the preseason is that the Coyotes are out of
excuses.
They have ownership, general manager Don Maloney carries more than
hopes and prayers in his wallet, coach Dave Tippett, goalie Mike Smith and
captain Shane Doan stayed put and the play-making center this franchise
has coveted for so long finally arrived when Mike Ribeiro signed a four-year,
$22 million deal three days after the Glendale City Council approved a
15-year, $225 million arena lease agreement.
The Coyotes may even have one more trick up their sleeves if they can
acquire a left wing for the second line. This doesn't mean the Coyotes are
suddenly a free-spending cap team, but the hockey the hard way mentality is
simply not reality any more.
"There’s a lot of teams that can say they have the underdog mentality
because people base that on payroll," Tippett said "But for us, it’s about
doing everything right now, from the style of play, to the players we bring and
put in different roles, to how we develop players, to how our minor league
system plays, to how we use our resources to the maximize our potential.
"You have to do a good job in each of those areas if you’re going to be a good
organization and a lot of those things are in place now so the pressure’s on
us to do well on the ice and get results."
The Coyotes open the season Thursday at Jobing.com Arena against the
New York Rangers as members of the new and improved Pacific Division.
That realignment will also present challenges but at long last, it's finally time
to talk about hockey so we're diving into several aspects of the on-ice
product.
Of course, it all starts with goaltender Mike Smith, he of the freshly minted
six-year, $34 million contract. But one player does not a successful season
make.
>> Here are our five keys to a prosperous 2013-14.
Roster reset
WHO'S NEW
C Mike Ribeiro: Free agency (Washington)
Odds and ends
Hybrid icing is here: Hybrid icing was tested in exhibition games and
approved on Monday by the NHLPA this week. The new rule eliminates
potentially dangerous races to the end boards when icing seems imminent.
The linesman must judge whether the offensive player or defensive player
will win a race to an imaginary line across the faceoff dots and touch the puck
first. If the linesman judges that the defensive player will reach the puck first,
he'll blow his whistle, signaling icing. If he judges that the offensive player will
reach the puck first, play will continue. If the play is too close to judge when
the first player has reached the faceoff dots, icing will be called. Here is a link
to other rules changes for the 2013-2014 season:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=684940
New rivalries: The Dallas Stars are gone, the Vancouver Canucks,
Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are in as the realigned Pacific division
swells to seven teams. The additions will be interesting from a style
perspective since Vancouver and Edmonton play more of a skating game,
while Phoenix, Los Angles and San Jose rely on structure. From a revenue
standpoint, the changes should pay dividends. The Stars never drew well;
the Canadian teams do because there are lots of Canadian snowbirds in the
Valley.
New playoff format: With realignment comes a new playoff format. The top
three teams in each division will qualify for the postseason. The final two
playoff spots will be filled by wild-card teams with the next best records. It's a
nice balance of ensuring the importance of finishing well in your division and
making sure deserving teams don't get cheated. When the postseason
begins, the division winner with the most points in the conference will be
matched against the wild-card team with the fewest points; the division
winner with the second-most points in the conference will play the wild-card
team with the second-fewest points. The teams finishing second and third in
each division will play intra-divisional series in the first round of the playoffs.
Teams will not be re-seeded after the first round.
Everybody plays everybody again: The regular season was adjusted to
account for the new conference alignments. Each team plays either four or
five games against the other teams in its division (29 games in the Western
Conference, 30 games in the Eastern Conference) as well as playing all
non-divisional teams in its own conference three times (21 games in the
West, 24 games in the East). The remaining games are inter-conference play
(32 in the west, 28 in the east), allowing every team in the league to play
every other team twice. That means the Coyotes are guaranteed visits from
all those popular teams from the East like the Rangers, Bruins and Penguins.
G Thomas Greiss: Free agency (San Jose)
RW Chris Brown: Second round (36th overall), 2009 draft
LW Lucas Lessio: Second round (56th overall) 2011 draft
D David Rundblad: From Ottawa (along with a second round pick) for Kyle
Turris
PROJECTED FORWARD LINES*
1. LW Mikkel Boedker, C Mike Ribeiro, RW Shane Doan
2. LW Lauri Korpikoski, C Martin Hanzal, RW Radim Vrbata
3. LW Lucas Lessio, C Antoine Vermette, RW David Moss
4. LW Rob Klinkhammer, C Kyle Chipchura, RW Chris Brown
* - Paul Bissonnette is suspended for the first three games
PROJECTED DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS*
Six outdoor games: Watered down or more of a good thing? We think the
latter as the NHL gets set to stage six outdoor games this season, building on
the Winter Classic's mass appeal. The New Year's Day Winter Classic
returns with the Toronto Maple Leafs facing the Detroit Red Wings at the Big
House, Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. In addition, the league announced its
inaugural Stadium Series, with four games in baseball or football fields in Los
Angeles, New York and Chicago. The Los Angeles Kings will host the
Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium on January 25, the New Jersey Devils
will play the New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 26, the New York
Islanders will face the Rangers at Yankee Stadium on Jan. 29, and the
Chicago Blackhawks will host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field on
March 1, The Heritage Classic also returns, with the Ottawa Senators visiting
the Vancouver Canucks at B.C. Place on March 1. Maybe some day,
Phoenix fans.
To Russia, with gloves: There will be no All-Star Game in 2014 due to the
NHL's participation in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, where Team
Canada hopes to successfully defend its 2010 gold medal. That is always
good theater, but an equally big storyline will be how much the Olympics
impact the NHL players who participate. The 2010 Winter Olympics were in
Vancouver, which is in the Pacific time zone. Sochi is eight hours ahead of
Eastern Standard Time; 11 hours ahead of Pacific. Talk about jet lag.
foxsportsarizona.com LOADED: 10.05.2013
719616
Phoenix Coyotes
Mike Smith has a new recipe for success
CRAIG MORGAN
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- There have been many theories floated for why Coyotes
goalie Mike Smith didn't replicate his breakout 2011-12 season. Here are the
most common ones.
The lockout: "I played shinny hockey for four months, and then I jumped into
a regular season in January with less than a week of training camp. Camp is
to work out the kinks so when the season starts you can be peaking. Without
that, a lot of bad habits crept into my game, and I got off to a slow start,"
Smith said.
Injuries: Smith battled a groin injury during the season. Missing time, both in
games and in practice, set him back and prevented him from ever
establishing continuity and consistency in his game.
The condensed schedule: Smith talked early in the season and again before
this season about how draining the schedule was mentally, and how it limited
practice time to work out bad habits. The Western Conference's top five
seeds (Chicago, Anaheim, Vancouver, St. Louis, Los Angeles) all used their
No. 2 goalies liberally to keep their No. 1 fresh and give them practice time for
coaching. Phoenix did not, partly because the staff lost faith in backup Jason
LaBarbera. The decision might have cost the Coyotes a fresh and healthy
Smith.
Contract limbo: Smith insists it wasn't a distraction knowing he was in the
final year of his deal; GM Don Maloney and coach Dave Tippett aren't sure.
The team in front of him wasn't as good: The Coyotes lost leading point
producer Ray Whitney in free agency, so their margin for error got even
slimmer. The team wasn't finishing its chances early in the year and wasn't
getting as many later in the year. All of that can impact a goalie's
performance and magnify his mistakes.
Confidence: Smith lost it early in the year and wasn't able to regain it.
Confidence is key for any athlete; for a goalie it's vital.
It's undeniable that Smith's performance slipped. His save percentage
dropped from .930 to .910, and Tippett pointed to that as one of the major
factors in the team missing the playoffs.
"It was probably a combination things," goalie coach Sean Burke said. "Last
year was a strange season, so when you look at that type of year, I think you
throw it out the window."
Burke is paid to help instill confidence in his player, and he's had a ridiculous
amount of success since taking over as the Coyotes goalie coach, both with
Ilya Bryzgalov and Smith. The man fans call the goalie whisperer is confident
his star pupil is ready and motivated as the season begins. Here is a
corresponding set of theories why Smith will shine this year.
Security: Smith signed a six-year, $34 million deal in the offseason. "It is a
breath of fresh air," he said. "You know you’re going to be in one city for a
long time, hopefully for the rest of my career. My family loves it here. It
removes all of the outside stuff, so now I can just go and play."
He's healthy: That can change in an instant, but Smith feels mentally and
physically sharp as the Coyotes open the regular season. That wasn't the
case last season when he was still trying to round into shape.
He's eating quinoa: OK, that's not really the reason, but Smith did make
some changes to his diet and his off-ice work in the offseason. "I'm not going
to lie," he said. "For the past many years I probably haven't been the guy who
had his body in tip-top shape. I think I've really matured in recent years."
Smith said much of his off-ice work this summer in Vancouver was focused
on injury prevention and core strengthening. As for the bland, slightly bitter
quinoa, he is eating that along with several other foods recommended by
strength and conditioning coordinator Tommy Powers. And he insists it's not
bland. "You're just not cooking it right," he quipped.
The blue line is elite and deep: The Coyotes have two top-tier, puck-moving
defensemen in Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle and two solid
veterans in Rusty Klesla and Derek Morris. Younger players Michael Stone
and David Schlemko have also matured with playing time, while David
Rundblad showed flashes of offensive prowess in the preseason. The
Coyotes don't really have a banger who can move traffic out from in front of
their net, but what they have are guys who can handle the puck and get it out
of the defensive zone quickly. Possession is everything in today's NHL. More
possession time means less opponent chances for Smith to stop.
Confidence has been restored: When the 2013 season ended, Smith was
discombobulated. He hadn't played well, he was entering contract
negotiations, his family was facing uncertainty and he was wrestling with a
decision to play for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship. By the
time that tournament ended, Smith had re-established himself as an elite
goalie with .944 save percentage. Then the dominoes started to fall. The
Coyotes re-signed coach Dave Tippett and re-signed Smith, affirming their
belief in him (and perhaps acknowledging a weak free-agent market). The
team was sold, the roster was upgraded, and Smith was one of five goalies
Team Canada invited to its orientation camp in preparation for the 2014
Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Smith isn't searching for his game any
more. He's found it, and he can't wait to show it off.
"He's a good player, a good person who fits well in our chemistry, fits well in
our group of defensemen," Tippett said. "You need a backbone, and I have
trust in him. I know how he can play, and we think he gives us our best
chance to be successful."
foxsportsarizona.com LOADED: 10.05.2013
719617
Pittsburgh Penguins
Neal injury means shuffling for Malkin line
Note: The Penguins' opener Thursday, part of which was broadcast opposite
the Pirates' playoff game, drew an 8.8 rating for Root Sports, Nielsen Media
Research reported. About 275,000 viewers watched the game in Western
Pennsylvania.
Tribune Review LOADED: 10.05.2013
By Rob Rossi
Updated 5 hours ago
The real deal for Evgeni Malkin is he could be skating with a lot of different
linemates for a while.
James Neal, the regular right winger on a second line centered by Malkin, is
week-to-week with an unspecified upper-body injury, Penguins coach Dan
Bylsma said Friday.
Neal has not practiced since Sunday. He took only five shifts and played
fewer than four minutes in the Penguins' 3-0 season-opening home victory
over New Jersey on Thursday.
No opponent — certainly not the Sabres, who visit Consol Energy Center on
Saturday night — will feel sorry for such a blow to the Penguins' offense.
Malkin, after all, is one of two former scoring champions (Sidney Crosby) on
a roster that also includes wingers Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis — a
top-line duo that combined for 133 goals the past three seasons.
Still, Bylsma conceded Friday that his Penguins lack any one player to
replace what Neal can bring.
“I don't think a replacement or a guy next to (Malkin) should think about trying
to be a James Neal,” Bylsma said. “He scores 40 and does certain things for
a reason.”
A big reason — and this is a point Malkin and Neal repeatedly have stressed
over the past three years — is an on-ice bond so strong that often one of
Bylsma's biggest challenges is finding a left winger for his second line.
Jussi Jokinen had convinced coaches he was the fit for that opening, and the
Penguins' lines during practice on Friday suggested he would remain to
Malkin's left.
To Malkin's right at practice was Beau Bennett, who as a rookie last season
occasionally was the left winger with Malkin and Neal.
Bennett, the Penguins' 2010 first-round pick, has progressed rapidly in the
view of coaches, who had viewed him as offensive catalyst on a third line
alongside center Brandon Sutter.
Bylsma did not commit to Bennett staying to the right of Malkin's in Neal's
absence. He also said the opener against New Jersey likely provided a
blueprint for how the Penguins will use Malkin while Neal is out.
After Neal left that game, Malkin skated four shifts as the right winger with
Crosby and Kunitz. Malkin also centered a line with Tanner Glass to his left
and Craig Adams on the right.
“That will probably continue,” Bylsma said.
Malkin said last week he felt “ready” to reassert himself as one of the NHL's
dominant offensive forces. Various injuries limited him to 31 games (out of
48) last season, though he still averaged a point per game with nine goals
and 24 assists.
The last time the NHL staged a full season, Malkin ran away with his second
scoring title and won the MVP after scoring 50 goals and producing 109
points. That season was his first with Neal as a linemate, and Neal had 40
goals and 81 points.
Neal has said the secret to his success with Malkin is “giving him the puck
and getting open because he will find you.”
Malkin said Neal often does not give himself enough credit, citing Neal's
knack for finding soft spots in the offensive zone, Neal's deceptive speed and
a shot that New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur described as “one of best in the
NHL.”
“Neal is more than just a great shooter,” Brodeur said last season. “But,
obviously, his shot is something special and when he's with Malkin, that
makes (the Penguins) really dangerous.”
719618
Pittsburgh Penguins
New hybrid icing rule pain to Penguins' Glass
Hard-hitting forward dislikes change, pressure it puts on linesmen
Late in the first period, Glass hit Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador in the
corner -- near the boards, but not into them, a clean hit with no penalty called.
That induced Clowe to confront Glass, and the two fought.
"You see a hit. Didn't know if it was clean or not," Clowe said. "I knew who it
was. It was Glass, obviously. I don't usually like when guys take liberties or hit
that way."
That's OK with Glass.
October 5, 2013 12:10 am
By Shelly Anderson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Anytime I'm being physical, you're going to draw attention," he said. "I got a
good hit on Salvador, and Clowe took exception. He's a good, honest player
and a tougher player, too. I don't mind that at all. I think it's part of our game -a necessary part of our game."
If anyone was looking for a classic example of a one-on-one race that
illustrates the NHL's new hybrid icing rule, they might be tempted to watch
footage from the third period of the Penguins game Thursday against New
Jersey.
Glass had four hits, two blocked shots and an assist. Last season, his first
with the Penguins, it took until the 41st game for him to get a point, an assist.
He finished with one goal, one assist in 48 games in the lockout-shortened
season.
A pass by Craig Adams in his offensive zone bypassed everyone and
headed toward the corner in the far end. Linemate Tanner Glass took off in
pursuit of the puck. It became a sprint between him and Devils defenseman
Peter Harrold.
"That's how it goes," he said. "My game doesn't change much from night to
night and from year to year. Two years ago in Winnipeg, I had a point [an
assist] in the second game of the season, and this year the first game of the
season. It's nice to get that one early, but it's just a number, and nothing
changes on my part."
Previously, the two would have chased until one touched the puck. Now, it
was a matter of a linesman determining which player would reach the puck
first, based on their positioning at the nearest faceoff dot. Because the
players were side-by-side, that made it a race to the left dot.
Scouting report
Matchup:
There was just one flaw in the presentation of the play, as Glass saw it: He
gained on, then moved slightly ahead of, Harrold before the two got to the
dot, yet Harrold was ruled the "winner," and the Penguins were charged with
icing.
Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres, 7:08 p.m. today, Consol Energy Center.
That gave the puck to New Jersey for a faceoff in the Penguins end, and
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma used his only timeout to give the players on the
ice a breather because they are not allowed to change after an icing. That
underscored Glass' hatred of the new rule.
Probable goaltenders:
"There you go. Right there," Glass said Friday after the Penguins practiced at
Consol Energy Center.
It was the 12th and final icing call in the Thursday game. There no doubt will
be icing plays tonight when Buffalo visits Consol Energy Center.
Glass' take: Play on. Dump the hybrid icing, which was adopted just before
the regular season after the NHL and the NHL Players Association voted it in.
Glass was firmly on the dissenting side.
"It's a tough call for the linesman," Glass said. "He's on the other side of the
ice. He doesn't have the angle to get there. The play happens fast. He's got
to go from his position on the blue line down to the goal line to get a good
angle on that. He doesn't have the angle.
"He sees it as a tie, but I'm clearly ahead. That's one of the reasons I voted
against it. It's too much responsibility for the linesman. I don't blame the guy.
He's doing his best. It's just not the right call."
Glass was told that a tie goes to the defenseman, but that didn't console him
because he felt he beat Harrold to the dot. He wasn't the only one.
"Our guy got to the puck first, probably was leading at the dot, but the
linesman has to make the judgment call at the dot," Bylsma said. "So be it."
The hybrid icing rule is meant to forestall injuries, perhaps major ones, that
can or might happen when players chasing the puck at high speeds collide
along the end boards. Glass isn't buying it.
"It annoys me. It really does," he said. "There's no reason to change it. A
couple of guys got hurt. That's it. We get paid really well to play this game.
You can probably count those injuries on one hand or two hands.
"I know it's a dangerous part of the game, but that's the game we play. It's a
man's game. We don't need to be putting more responsibility in the
linesmen's hands and making unnecessary rules to make it safe."
It's not as if Glass, a fourth-line player, is the type of guy to shy from the
physical aspects, either. Grit is high on his job description.
Outside of his disgust over the icing ruling, Glass had a satisfying opener.
One accomplishment apparently was getting under the skin of New Jersey's
Ryane Clowe, another gritty player.
TV, Radio:
Root Sports; WXDX-FM (105.9).
Marc-Andre Fleury for Penguins. Jhonas Enroth for Sabres.
Penguins:
Won season opener, 3-0, against New Jersey. ... Chris Kunitz had 1 goal,
4 points in 3 games vs. Sabres last season. ... Sidney Crosby has 12 goals,
32 points in 22 career games vs. Buffalo, Evgeni Malkin 9 goals, 31 points in
21games.
Sabres:
Lost, 2-1, to Detroit in opener and played Ottawa Friday. ... Were 2-1 vs.
Penguins last season with 11-7 goal edge. ... Were 3-5-1 in second of
back-to-back games last season, with one of the wins vs. Penguins.
Hidden stat:
Dating to last season, the Penguins are 16-2 in their past 18 home
games.
Post Gazette LOADED: 10.05.2013
719619
Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins notebook: Neal out indefinitely; 3 try to fill his skates
"I think that's the cool part, to think that I've taken that many faceoffs," he
said.
Adams one up on Dupuis
There was a time when Penguins wingers Craig Adams and Pascal Dupuis
had played the same number of NHL games.
October 5, 2013 12:08 am
By Shelly Anderson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"We were tied until three years ago, but I had a baby," Dupuis recalled of
missing a game in the 2010-11 season. Neither has missed a game since.
So, one game after Adams played in his 800th game, Dupuis will do so
tonight. He's proud of reaching that round number.
Throughout Penguins training camp, there was a question of whether Jussi
Jokinen or Beau Bennett would earn a shot at playing on the line centered by
Evgeni Malkin.
Turns out, they might both be there, at least for a chunk of the season.
James Neal, a fixture as Malkin's right winger, is dealing with an unspecified
injury that has rendered his status "more week-to-week than it is day-to-day,"
according to coach Dan Bylsma Friday, although Bylsma prefaced that by
noting that Neal needs further medical evaluation before a firm timetable can
be established.
Neal, a sniper who has a 40-goal season on his resume and great rapport
with Malkin, missed practice Wednesday and the game-day skate Thursday
because of his injury, which, at that point, was considered minor. Neal was in
the lineup for season opener, a 3-0 home win Thursday night against New
Jersey, but left in the first period after aggravating the injury.
Beginning tonight, when the Penguins meet Buffalo at Consol Energy
Center, Jokinen and Bennett are expected to flank Malkin, although speedy
Chuck Kobasew also could see time on Malkin's right wing, and Malkin -- a
former NHL scoring champion and MVP -- might be used in other
combinations at times, Bylsma said.
Bylsma readily admits no one on the roster will flat-out replace Neal.
"When you think about Evgeni's line, [Neal] is a staple on the right," Bylsma
said. "They go together, how they play together and what James does in
support of [Malkin]. Obviously, that's not going to be there."
Neither does Bylsma want or expect Bennett or whoever plays on that line to
try to replicate Neal's game.
"I don't think anybody going into that spot should be thinking about playing or
doing what James does," Bylsma said. "They have to play their own game.
It's going to be a different dynamic for that line and for [Malkin]."
Jokinen, 30, surpassed Bennett in the preseason competition to play on
Malkin's left wing.
"Jussi, as a smart player, has a good understanding of how to play with a real
skilled player," Bylsma said. "He's shown that. He's going to continue to get
that opportunity."
Bennett, 21, lacks a ton of NHL experience but has skill and has added a
measure of physical play this season.
"Beau's going to get an opportunity," Bylsma said. "It may be a mixture of
Beau and Chuck Kobasew, who has a different element of speed."
Crosby and faceoffs
Center Sidney Crosby not only tore up the faceoff circles Thursday, winning
15 of 22 draws (68.2 percent), but he also surpassed 5,000 career faceoff
wins. He is 5,011-4,648 (51.9 percent).
That wasn't something he was tracking.
"Faceoffs are important, but it's kind of always about the next one that you've
got to win," he said. "I don't think it really matters about the ones you have
won."
Crosby won 45.5 percent of his faceoffs as a rookie in 2005-06, although he
spent a significant amount of that season as a winger on Mario Lemieux's
line. For the past six seasons, he has been better than 50 percent, with a high
of 55.9 percent in 2009-10. He won 54.3 percent last season.
Crosby sometimes is sent onto the ice specifically to take a faceoff and then
exit, particularly in some short-handed situations. He feels strongest when
he's taking a draw on his backhand.
While eclipsing 5,000 faceoff wins caught him by surprise, he zeroed in on
the fact that he has taken nearly 10,000.
"Sure. Especially with being undrafted, 800 is pretty good," Dupuis, 34, said.
Adams celebrated No. 800 with a goal against New Jersey. It remains to be
seen if Dupuis can match it.
Post Gazette LOADED: 10.05.2013
719620
Pittsburgh Penguins
Injury could keep Penguins right winger James Neal out for weeks
October 4, 2013 1:06 pm
By Shelly Anderson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Penguins right winger James Neal could be out for an extended amount of
time because of an injury.
Coach Dan Bylsma said today that while Neal needs more medical
evaluation for a firm timetable to be set, he appears closer to being out
week-to-week than day-to-day.
Neal missed practice Wednesday and the team's game-day skate Thursday
because of the problem but was in the lineup that night in the season opener.
He left the game in the first period, and Bylsma said it was an aggravation of
the same issue, which he did not specify.
Neal, who has a 40-goal season on his resume, will likely be replaced by
Beau Bennett on a forward line with center Evgeni Malkin and left winger
Jussi Jokinen.
Those three practiced together today.
Post Gazette LOADED: 10.05.2013
719621
San Jose Sharks
Sharks' Justin Braun ends goal-less drought
By David Pollak
dpollak@mercurynews.com
Posted:
Updated:
10/04/2013 03:37:13 PM PDT
10/04/2013 10:04:57 PM PDT
SAN JOSE -- Justin Braun has developed into one of the Sharks' top
shutdown defensemen, so it wasn't as if he had been fixating on the 85-game
goal drought that ended in San Jose's 4-1 opening night victory over the
Vancouver Canucks.
But, yes, there was a sense of relief.
"It was good to get that out of the way early," the 26-year-old defenseman
said Friday, whose drought included 16 playoff games. "I didn't want to go
another 20, 30, 40 games to get that off my back."
The goal ended up being the game winner Thursday, and if more come,
that's fine. But Braun has had other priorities.
"I just wanted to play good defense and shut guys down," he said. "That's
what I want to continue to do. If goals keep coming, they'll keep coming, but
strong defense first."
Braun had surgery during the offseason to repair a hand injury suffered a
year ago when he played in Finland during the lockout. He said he didn't think
that had an impact on his ability to shoot the puck, but coach Todd McLellan
thought otherwise.
"Last year he had great legs and was really well positioned," McLellan said.
"But there were moments when the puck and stick didn't agree all the time. ...
I think that part of his game is getting better, the ability to get the shot through
and not blocked; crisper, cleaner passes coming out of our end."
Braun was drafted 201st overall in 2007, then spent three more years at
UMass-Amherst. He was paired last season with Marc-Edouard Vlasic, the
blue-liners McLellan relied on most heavily to shut down the top opposing
scorers.
"He's grown so much," Vlasic said. "He's strong, he plays hard, he's a fast
skater, he's getting shots through. The poise with the puck as well -- not
saying he didn't have it at the beginning, but the evolution, the growth has
been there, and I see it now."
McLellan wasn't ready to rearrange his power play before Saturday night's
game against the Phoenix Coyotes despite the fact the Sharks were 0 for 7
with a man advantage.
"The 0-for is not a good thing," the coach said, "yet when we looked at it
today, there were some really good looks. A couple posts and that kind of
stuff, but the puck still has to find its way in."
Midgame, he added, there was talk of mixing up the second unit of Brent
Burns, Tomas Hertl, Tyler Kennedy, Jason Demers and Matt Irwin.
"But, no, it was let them work through it. Give them some time," McLellan
said. "They have to get familiar with each other and understand what each
other's tendencies may be."
Rookie Matt Nieto didn't let his NHL debut be spoiled by the fact he was
whistled to the penalty box for interfering with Canucks forward Alex
Burrows.
"It rolled off me," Nieto, 20, said Friday. "I'm not a guy that ever gets in
penalty trouble, so I'm not worried about that."
And the overall experience?
"I thought it was awesome," the California native said.
Injured defenseman Brad Stuart is getting closer to the lineup, but McLellan
stopped short of saying the veteran would play Saturday night.
There is at least one change coming for Saturday, as Matt Pelech was
reassigned to Worcester and John McCarthy was called up to San Jose.
San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719622
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks defenseman feels relief after he scores
By David Pollak
dpollak@mercurynews.com
Posted:
Updated:
10/04/2013 02:19:32 PM PDT
10/04/2013 02:58:37 PM PDT
SAN JOSE — Justin Braun has developed into one of the Sharks top
shutdown defensemen, so it wasn't as if he had been fixating on the 86-game
goal drought that ended in San Jose's 4-1 opening night victory over the
Vancouver Canucks.
But, yes, there was a sense of relief.
"It was good to get that out of the way early. I didn't want to go another 20, 30,
40 games to get that off my back," the 26-year-old defenseman said
Saturday. "It's nice to get that, and help the team win."
The goal ended up being the game winner, and if more come, that's fine. But
Braun has had other priorities.
"I just wanted to play good defense and shut guys down," he said. "That's
what I want to continue to do. If goals keep coming, they'll keep coming, but
strong defense first."
Braun had surgery during the off-season to repair a hand injury suffered
when he played in Finland during the lockout. He played down the impact
that had on his ability to shoot the puck last season, but Coach Todd
McLellan thought there was an effect.
"Last year he had great legs and was really well positioned," McLellan said.
"But there were moments when the puck and stick didn't agree all the time. .
. . I think that part of his game is getting better, the ability to get the shot
through and not blocked, crisper cleaner passes coming out of our end."
Braun has come a long way after being drafted 201st overall in 2001, then
spending four years at UMass-Amherst. Paired last season with
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, the two became the blue-liners McLellan relied on
most heavily to shut down the top opposing scorers.
"He's grown so much," Vlasic said. "He's strong, he plays hard, he's a fast
skater, he's getting shots through. The poise with the puck as well -- not
saying he didn't have it at the beginning, but the evolution, the growth has
been there and I see it now."
Braun credits hall-of-fame defenseman Larry Robinson's presence as an
associate coach for some of that growth.
How has Larry helped?
"He's a great guy to have on the bench," Braun said. "He's not going to come
down on you too hard, he's going to work with you. You're not intimidated to
go talk to him. It's a good relationship I think he has with all the D."
In his case, Braun said, Robinson improved his on-ice posture.
"Just getting my chest up when I get the puck," Braun said, "so I have more
vision."
San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719623
San Jose Sharks
4. Flames 48,970 miles
5. Ducks 48,568 miles
Fight debate starts early this season
Less frequent fliers
1. Rangers 29,839 miles
Ross McKeon
2. Islanders 29,933 miles
Updated 10:34 pm, Friday, October 4, 2013
3. Devils 33,151 miles
4. Sabres 34,812 miles
As quickly as the first gloves dropped in the NHL season, the debate about
whether to ban fighting began.
We're not hearing anything new, and it's hard to judge whether today's
undercurrent is strong enough to trigger change. Ultimately and quite simply,
money will decide the issue - whether the league can make more with fighting
in the game or more by removing it.
Meanwhile, the league added a rule this year mandating that players wear a
helmet or risk a two-minute penalty for removing the lid before fighting. Any
player who enters the league now is also required to wear a face shield - a
rule the players' association agreed to - so draw your own conclusion about
where all this is headed.
Yet, leaving his helmet on didn't prevent Montreal enforcer George Parros
from being knocked out when he hit the ice face first Tuesday. Nothing like
the scary visual of Parros getting carted off on a stretcher on Opening Night.
"Looking at that a number of times, it's strange because it seems he even had
a chance to turn his head a bit and let the helmet absorb it," Edmonton Oilers
scout Dave Semenko said. "That could happen to two players wrestling on
the top line. Or one guy trips over another and has a freak accident."
Semenko knows something about fighting. He was one of the most feared
enforcers in the NHL from 1979 to '88, commonly referred to as Wayne
Gretzky's bodyguard. Semenko was credited with 61 regular-season scraps
by HockeyFights.com during his nine NHL seasons.
And he definitely has an opinion on fighting.
"To ban fighting might allow an uglier element to creep in," Semenko said. "A
lot of guys could become a lot braver, or a lot dirtier without repercussions.
They're going to get away with fooling the officials. Who knows what that will
lead to? It's something I'm totally against."
Semenko, who played without a helmet, like most during his era, said this
kind of talk always spikes when fighting becomes the focus, and he's right.
"How do you reverse it and say fighting is good, which no one really wants to
say," Semenko asked. "Until it's gone, no one can determine how the game is
going to go."
Good news, bad news: The fact that every team will visit each city at least
once this season is great for the fans - the New York Rangers come to San
Jose on Tuesday for the first time since 2010-11 - but the added travel comes
at a price for the Sharks. In fact, no other team will log as many air travel
miles as San Jose's 57,612 this season.
Ex-Shark Ryane Clowe noticed the difference after getting dealt to the
Rangers late last season and now skating for the New Jersey Devils.
"Out West, you're flying into nice cities with hot weather, but you don't get
back until late (2:30 a.m.)," Clowe said. "But here, you are in and out, you're
home and in your own bed most of the time. I think San Jose has the
toughest schedule in the NHL this year."
The Sharks' angle: Nathan MacKinnon was the first player drafted in June,
and it didn't take Colorado's super-teen long to make an impact. His two
assists Wednesday during the Avalanche's season-opening win made
MacKinnon (18 years and 31 days old) the youngest NHL player to record
two or more points in a game in 71 years. MacKinnon is the youngest player
to skate for the Colorado/Quebec franchise since Owen Nolan in 1990,
beating the ex-Shark by 204 days.
NHL's frequent fliers this season
1. Sharks 57,612 miles
2. Coyotes 52,633 miles
3. Avalanche 49,007 miles
5. Senators 34,850 miles
San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 10.05.2013
719624
San Jose Sharks
Braun makes no excuses as goal drought ends
SAN JOSE -- Sharks defenseman Justin Braun wasn’t making any excuses
for going 85 straight regular season and playoff games without a goal. But,
he probably could have made at least one.
The 26-year-old dealt with a broken hamate bone in his left hand last season,
getting hurt while playing in Finland during the NHL lockout. He wore a cast
and bone stimulator for five weeks beginning in December, and although he
was able to play in the Sharks’ season opener on Jan. 20, the injury hindered
Braun’s play with the puck.
[Instant Replay: Sharks open 2013-14 with 4-1 win]
“I felt a little uncomfortable. If the puck was a little farther out, to shoot it, you
really didn’t have that wrist strength,” Braun said on Friday. “Now, I can push
it out, pull it in, and feel a little stronger doing stuff like that and getting good
velocity on it.”
Todd McLellan said: “I thought last year he had great legs and was really well
positioned, but there were moments when the puck and stick didn’t agree all
the time, and that was due to an injury that he had.”
Minor offseason surgery was required, and in the Sharks’ 4-1 win over
Vancouver on Thursday, Braun’s second period goal broke a 1-1 tie and
ended up being the game-winner. The shot deflected off of a Canucks player,
through Logan Couture's legs, and past Roberto Luongo.
It felt good to get that monkey off of his back. Braun’s most recent goal before
that was on Feb. 10, 2012 against Chicago.
“It was good to get that out of the way early. I didn’t want to go another 20, 30,
40 games to get that off my back,” he said. “It’s nice to get that, and help the
team win.”
Of course, offense isn’t the primary reason why Braun is in the NHL, or why
he’s been able to cement his position in one of the Sharks’ top two pairs on
the blue line. Partnered with the steady Marc-Edouard Vlasic for much of the
second half of last season, that tandem was routinely seeing the best
opposing forwards down the stretch and into the postseason.
That was no different in Thursday’s season opener, as Braun and Vlasic
skated primarily against either the Sedin twins and Ryan Kesler’s second
line.
“He’s grown a lot,” Vlasic said. “Now he’s a regular, playing 20 minutes a
game. He’s grown so much. He’s strong, he plays hard, he’s a fast skater and
he’s got a great shot, too.”
Vlasic continued: “Last year was the first year together, and it was great.
Throughout training camp and even last game, we complement each other
pretty well. I like playing with him.”
Braun, who has 30 points in 136 career NHL games, knows that his overall
performance won’t be judged in terms of goals and assists.
“I just want to play good defense and shut guys down,” he said. “That’s what
I want to continue to do. If goals keep coming, they’ll keep coming, but strong
defense first.”
***
There was a scary moment Thursday when Vlasic was hit in the face by Chris
Higgins' skate late in the second period. The Sharks defenseman went down,
got up after a few moments, and skated immediately to the dressing room
after accidental kick.
Fortunately, the injury had nothing to do with Higgins' skate blade, but it was
still a significant blow.
"The visor did what it was supposed to do," Vlasic said. "That’s why I have a
scrape, basically. It’s just like you fell off your bike and scrape yourself. I’m
going to say it’s no big deal, but it still hurts today."
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.05.2013
719625
San Jose Sharks
Sharks not panicking over game one power outage
SAN JOSE – No, the Sharks aren’t gnawing on their fingernails just yet when
it comes to the power play, after taking an 0-for-7 on Thursday night against
Vancouver and failing to score on a full two minute, two man advantage.
But they don't want to make that power outage a habit.
“I thought we had some really good looks,” Dan Boyle said. “Obviously, at the
end of the day it’s all about the result, and I guess it was [0-for-7]. I thought
we looked dangerous on a couple of them. The five-on-three, obviously you
want to score there."
Todd McLellan said: “The [0-for-7] is not a good thing, yet when we looked at
it today, there were some really good looks. A couple posts and that kind of
stuff, but the puck still has to find its way in.”
The Sharks’ best power play was its first one, and included captain Joe
Thornton ripping a wrist shot off of the cross bar less than five minutes into
the game. San Jose’s top unit of Thornton, Boyle, Logan Couture, Joe
Pavelski and Patrick Marleau has been together long enough that there is no
reason to think it won’t get its fair amount of goals with a man advantage.
The second unit, which struggled to produce last season, is of much more
concern and will be a work in progress. On Thursday, Jason Demers, Matt
Irwin, Tyler Kennedy, Tomas Hertl and Brent Burns that made up the Sharks’
second five-some.
That unit got about half the time as the top unit, though. In fact, on the lengthy
five-on-three, when a line change could have been made midway through,
the Sharks’ coaches opted to keep the top unit out there for all but 14
seconds.
McLellan talked on Friday about his power play philosophy. While the first
unit will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future, the head coach could
mix and match on the second unit if need be.
“The first unit has a good idea of where everybody’s going to be and what
they’re going to do. I thought there were times they got a little too cute, to tell
you the truth. They had chances to be a little more meat and potatoes, and
they weren’t, and we can fix that. And they know they can fix that.”
“We’ll try and establish a second unit, but if we feel we have to move guys in,
we definitely will. There was talk on the bench. We’re in night one, and they
haven’t even gotten to play through the exhibition season, and maybe we
should do this or do that. But, no, it was let them work through it. Give them
some time. They have to get familiar with each other and understand what
each other’s tendencies may be.”
The Sharks would like to continue to get goals from different sources, no
matter how they come. Defenseman Justin Braun broke an 85-game
goalless drought with what turned out to be the game-winner late in the
second period, while third-liner Tommy Wingels put the game away with a
late score in the third.
Boyle said: “We got some goals from a couple guys, Brauner and Tommy,
you don’t see on the scoresheet every night. That’s what it takes to win, so
overall, a pretty good start.”
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.05.2013
719626
San Jose Sharks
Sharks recall McCarthy, send Pelech to Worcester
SAN JOSE -- The Sharks have re-assigned forward Matt Pelech to their AHL
affiliate in Worcester, and recalled forward John McCarthy.
Pelech played in San Jose’s season opener against Vancouver, logging just
five minutes and one second of ice time in a fourth line role.
McCarthy, 27, had nine goals and 16 assists in 65 games with Worcester last
season. He is the Worcester Sharks’ captain.
In 51 career NHL games over three seasons, all with the Sharks, McCarthy
has two goals and two assists for four points and 18 penalty minutes.
McCarthy got the call ahead of 21-year-old rookie Freddie Hamilton, who will
have to wait to make his NHL debut.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 10.05.2013
719627
St Louis Blues
Blues face teams from East again
The Blues have enjoyed success against the East in recent years, posting a
record of 25-6-5 in 2011-12 and 2010-11 combined. But in the last 1½ years,
rosters have changed and there are new faces, including the one on the
Blues’ bench.
Hitchcock acknowledged that his club might need to make adjustments when
playing against the East, but not until later in the season.
3 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford jrutherford@post-dispatch.com
314-444-7135
“I don’t think it matters early, but if you go long stretches without playing them
…” Hitchcock said. “It’s more about the tempo of the games right now.”
Perhaps also benefiting the Blues is that not all the faces are new.
With the Blues’ season opener in the rearview mirror, the pomp and
pageantry will be put aside tonight at Scottrade Center. But while a game
against Florida won’t be the first on the club’s calendar, it will mark the return
of hockey in one manner.
The Western and Eastern conferences are back battling each other again.
The Blues have not faced an East opponent in the regular season since a 3-1
victory over Tampa Bay on March 17, 2012. That’s a span of 20 months and
a stretch of 73 games, including the playoffs.
The NHL lockout last season limited the league to a 48-game schedule, and
when the puck finally dropped in January, there was only enough time left for
intra-conference play. The first meeting between the West and East came in
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals between Chicago and Boston, a series
eventually won by the Blackhawks.
Now, following an offseason of realignment, the two conferences are ready to
renew acquaintances in the regular season. In fact, teams are guaranteed to
see each other twice in 2013-14, once in each other’s arena.
“To have a year off from playing them and then play everybody home and
home, it changes it up a little bit,” Blues defenseman Barret Jackman said.
“It’s a fresh look at the rest of the competition and the other side of the NHL.”
With 16 teams in the Eastern Conference — Detroit and Columbus have left
for the East and Winnipeg has joined the West — the Blues’ 32 matchups
outside their conference will be a marked increase from the 18 played each
season from 2008-12. That number had dipped to just 10 from 2005-08,
when the league emphasized division rivalries.
“A few years back, you were playing teams in your own division like eight
times a year and it was just too much,” Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester
said. “Then they cut it down to six and you played the other teams a little bit
more. But as a player, you like playing everybody and you like going to
different buildings.
“I think it’s good for fans, too. There’s marquee players on a lot of different
teams all over the place, and if people don’t get to see (Pittsburgh’s) Sidney
Crosby, I don’t think that’s a very good way of promoting your game. I think
it’s good for everyone.”
Florida has a couple of the game’s top young talented players in forward
Jonathan Huberdeau, who was the No. 3 overall pick in 2011 and rookie of
the year last season, and forward Aleksander Barkov, who was the No. 2
overall pick last summer. Barkov scored in the Panthers’ 4-2 win over Dallas
on Thursday.
“I know Dallas is fast but they got outskated (by Florida) and that was really
surprising to me,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. “Then when you look at
the (Panthers’) personnel and the way they’ve built their team, their forwards
are quick. They transition the puck really quickly and they’ve got speed.
Controlling their speed is going to be the challenge for us.”
In recent years, the East has been considered the speedier of the two
conferences, with teams playing a more free-wheeling offense. In the West,
clubs are known to play a tighter-checking game with more physicality.
“It’s weird because way back, the East was big and strong and kind of wore
you down and the West was the Detroits and Colorados … they were skilled
and fast,” said Bouwmeester, who once played for Florida. “It’s kind of almost
changed, where the East is a little bit more open and the West has all these
teams that play like us and LA.”
New Blues winger Brenden Morrow noticed the difference last season when
the career Western Conference player, who spent 13 seasons in Dallas,
joined Pittsburgh for the stretch run.
“I didn’t play every team, but the experience I did have, it was a lot more kind
of puck plays and speed … always head-manning the puck,” Morrow said.
“It’s a really fast tempo and that kind of plays into this team’s hands.”
Former Blues’ 40-goal scorer Brad Boyes, who played in St. Louis from
2007-11, and defenseman Mike Weaver (2008-10) will be in Florida’s lineup
tonight. They stopped in front of the Blues’ locker room Friday to greet
ex-teammates.
“There’s still a lot of guys that I played with here,” said Boyes, whom the
Blues originally traded to Buffalo. “It’s good to chat with them. I loved it here,
I had a great time and it’s always good to come back.”
Now on the other side, though, they’ll receive little love in return.
“There’s a few guys that we know,” Jackman said. “It’s going to be fun to play
them hard and take two points against them.”
St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.05.2013
719628
St Louis Blues
Steen misses practice but will play Saturday
3 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford jrutherford@post-dispatch.com
314-444-7135
Blues left winger Alexander Steen was not at practice Friday, spending the
time instead at the dentist’s office.
In Thursday’s 4-2 win over Nashville, Steen was high-sticked by the
Predators’ Victor Bartley in the third period, drawing a four-minute
double-minor penalty.
“He’s fine,” Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock said. “He just got his tooth
looked at. He’ll be back at the skate (today), ready to go.”
The Blues may lose a few teeth this season, but they don’t want to lose
anyone off the line of Steen, David Backes and T.J. Oshie following
Thursday’s performance.
Backes and Steen each had power-play goals, and the trio accounted for
Oshie’s 5-on-5 goal. They combined for seven of the Blues’ 28 shots.
“Yeah, it was good,” Hitchcock said. “(The line) was probably better
offensively than most people thought. We need a little better work without the
puck, but I liked their diligence, I liked their competitiveness ... and where
they were really good was both ends of the special teams. Those guys really
contributed in a huge way.”
Backes, a notorious slow starter offensively, had a goal and an assist for a
two-point night in the opener.
“It’s one game, and things kind of went well for us,” Backes said. “It’s not
going to be perfect every night, but we have to find a way to contribute,
however that is. When we’re winning games, it doesn’t matter how we score.”
lappy yapping
Most Blues fans are familiar with Maxim Lapierre’s personality on the ice.
The former Vancouver Canuck likes to talk to opposing players and fans saw
that Thursday, as Lapierre literally glided along with Nashville players during
stoppages in play and yapped in their ear.
“There’s an art to it,” Blues defenseman Barret Jackman said. “Some guys
have it, some guys can be witty the entire game and some guys can get
under your skin. You make a bad play and all of the sudden there’s a guy
chirping you every time you do it. It’s a very effective tool for some guys and
‘Lappy’ is pretty (dang) good at it.”
balanced ice time
The leader in ice for the Blues on Thursday night was no surprise. Alex
Pietrangelo finished with 25 minutes, 10 seconds, following by Jay
Bouwmeester (23:50).
That much will be expected this season, but what may be more important to
watch is the Blues’ balance of ice time throughout the rest of the roster.
Ryan Reaves was the only Blues player Thursday to finish with less than 10
minutes (8:13). The rest of the lineup played 11:32 or better, and the 11:32
belonged to Brenden Morrow, who flew back to St. Louis from Detroit on
Thursday after taking care of his visa issues.
“I thought the big thing for us was we played with good energy in the third
(period) because we were able to keep good balance,” Hitchcock said. “If you
look, we had one player who played less than double-digit minutes, which to
me is really important moving forward.”
bluenotes
Jaroslav Halak, who had 28 saves for the win Thursday, will be back in net
tonight against Florida. ... The Panthers’ roster includes defenseman Ryan
Whitney, who had a camp tryout with the Blues.
St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.05.2013
719629
St Louis Blues
Blues-Panthers matchup box
4 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford jrutherford@post-dispatch.com
314-444-7135
BLUES VS. PANTHERS
When • Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where • Scottrade Center
TV, radio • FSM, KMOX (1120 AM)
Blues • The Blues continue a season-opening, five-game homestand tonight
against Florida. It will mark the return of competition between the Western
and Eastern conferences, following an intraconference schedule. Jaroslav
Halak will get the start in goal tonight for the Blues. In the club’s last meeting
against Florida, Halak made 20 saves for a 4-1 victory over the Panthers on
Nov. 17, 2011.
Panthers • Florida is 1-0 after a 4-2 victory over Dallas on Thursday. Marcel
Goc had two goals and rookie Aleksander Barkov, the No. 3 overall pick in
last summer’s draft, scored in his NHL debut. The Panthers’ goaltender is
former Boston Bruin Tim Thomas, who sat out the entire 2012-13 season.
Thomas, who turns 40 in April, made 25 saves against the Stars in his first
NHL game in 17 months.
Injuries • Blues — none. Panthers — D Ed Jovanovski (hip), questionable; F
Nick Bjugstad (concussion), F Steven Pinizzotto (hip) and F Sean
Bergenheim (hip, abdomen), out.
Jeremy Rutherford
St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.05.2013
719630
St Louis Blues
Blues' Steen misses practice but he'll be OK
look, we had one player who played less than double-digit minutes, which to
me is really important moving forward."
***
ODDS & ENDS
17 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford jrutherford@post-dispatch.com
314-444-7135
Blues left winger Alexander Steen was not a practice Friday, spending the
time instead at the dentist's office.
In Thursday's 4-2 win over Nashville, Steen was high-sticked by the
Predators' Victor Bartley in the third period, drawing a four-minute
double-minor penalty.
"He's fine," Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock said. "He just got his tooth
looked at. He'll be back at the skate (Saturday), ready to go."
The Blues may lose a few teeth this season, but they don't want to lose
anyone off the line of Steen, David Backes and T.J. Oshie, after the group's
fine performance Thursday.
Backes and Steen each had power-play goals, but the trio also accounted for
a nifty 5-on-5 goal. They accounted for seven of the Blues' 28 shots.
"Yeah, it was good," Hitchcock said. "(The line) was probably better
offensively than most people thought. We need a little better work without the
puck, but I liked their diligence, I liked their competitiveness... and where they
were really good was both ends of the special teams. Those guys really
contributed in a huge way.
Backes, a notorious slow-start offensively, had a goal and an assist, for a
two-point night in the opener.
"It's one game, and things kind of went well for us," Backes said. "It's not
going to be perfect every night, but we have to find a way to contribute,
however that is. When we're winning games, it doesn't matter how we score."
That was no more evident than on the line's even-strength goal. Backes fed
Steen, who had a wide-open net but gave the puck to Oshie, who squeezed it
into a tiny slit.
"Originally, I thought it was going to be an empty-net (for Steen)," Oshie said.
"I was going to celebrate and then he slid it across. I didn't know what to do,
but luckily I was able to get to the post before (Nashville goalie Pekka) Rinne.
***
LAPPY YAPPING
Most fans are familiar with Maxim Lapierre's personality on the ice. The
former Vancouver Canuck likes to yap at opposing players and we saw that
Thursday night, literally gliding along with Nashville players during stoppages
and talking in their ear the entire time.
"There's an art to it," Blues defenseman Barret Jackman said. "Some guys
have it, some guys can be witty the entire game and some guys can get
under your skin. You make a bad play and all of the sudden there's a guy
chirping you every time you do it. It's a very effective tool for some guys and
'Lappy' is pretty (dang) good at it."
***
BALANCED ICE TIME
The leader in ice for the Blues Thursday night was no surprise. Alex
Pietrangelo finished with 25 minutes, 10 seconds, following by Jay
Bouwmeester (23:50).
Everyone knows they will be the team leaders, if healthy, so what may be
more important to watch is the balance of ice time throughout the rest of the
roster.
Ryan Reaves was the only Blues' player in Thursday's game to finish with
less than 10 minutes, with 8:13. The rest had 11:32 or better, and the 11:32
belonged to Brenden Morrow, who had limited preseason action and flew
back to St. Louis from Detroit Thursday after taking care of his visa issues.
"I thought the big thing for us was we played with good energy in the third
(period) because we were able to keep good balance," Hitchcock said. "If you
• Jaroslav Halak, who made 28 saves in Thursday's victory, will get the start
again Saturday against Florida.
• The Florida Panthers arrived in St. Louis Friday and two former Blues —
Brad Boyes and Mike Weaver — spent quite a bit of time chatting with
ex-teammates outside the locker room.
• Brenden Morrow said today that he didn't know which Nashville player he
got with his reverse hit in the second period. It turned out to be Mike Fisher,
who retaliated, leading to a Blues' man-advantage and a power-play goal by
Alexander Steen for a 4-2 lead.
St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 10.05.2013
719631
St Louis Blues
Blues' No. 1 line lives up to its billing in season-opening win
Published: October 5, 2013 Updated 4 hours ago
By NORM SANDERS — News-Democrat
ST. LOUIS — They comprise the St. Louis Blues' top line and Thursday night
at Scottrade Center, there was no denying the value of David Backes, T.J.
Oshie and Alexander Steen.
All three had a goal and Steen and Backes added assists as they generally
imposed their will --especially early --in a 4-2 season-opening win over
Nashville.
"As a line we feel like we've got some responsibility to set the tone and set the
bar for work ethic," said Backes, a two-time 31-goal scorer who had only six
in last year's abbreivated season. "With the skill that those two guys have and
me getting in the other team's way, it seems to work out for some offensive
prowess as well."
The veteran trio are among the team's most versatile players. They see time
on the power play and penalty kill and typically take the ice against the other
team's top line.
Hitchcock had harped about needing the Blues to finish off more scoring
chances around the net and the goals by Backes and Oshie were perfect
examples.
"We've got workers right now," Hitchcock said. "We want to make power
forwards out of some of our workers. I think there's guys capable of scoring
20, 25 or 30 goals here. If we get them to play with a higher level of finish and
tenacity around the net, I think we're going to be in good shape."
The Florida Panthers visit the Blues on Saturday for the second leg of a
five-game homestand to open the season.
"You've got to be good at home and squeak out some on the road," Backes
said. "We've had some great history in this barn and the fans were fantastic
(Thursday). I thought the roof was going to come off a couple times. It gives
you a little extra energy."
The Blues scored on their first two power plays and were 2-for-4 on the night.
They also killed off all four Nashville power plays.
Jaroslav Halak will be back in goal against Florida after winning the opener.
Familiar faces
Former Blues Brad Boyes and Mike Weaver will revisit their former hockey
home Saturday night as members of the Florida Panthers.
Boyes signed a one-year deal with the Panthers on Sept. 28 after netting 10
goals and points last season with the New York Islanders. He came to camp
on a pro tryout contract.
Boyes had his best two NHL seasons with the Blues from 2007-09, racking
up 76 goals and 137 points in 164 games. That include a 43-goal outburst in
2007-08, but since scoring 33 goals in 2008-09 Boyes has never scored
more than 14 again.
Weaver was with the Blues from 2008-10.
The Panthers got a goal from 18-year old rookie Aleksander Barkov and two
from Marcel Goc on Thursday in a 4-2 victory at Dallas. Barkov was the
second overall pick in the recent NHL draft.
The Panthers also signed veteran defenseman Ryan Whitney, who was in
camp with the Blues on a pro tryout contract before being let go.
Florida's goaltender is Tim Thomas, the former Boston Bruins standout who
is 39. Thomas hadn't played in the NHL since April 2012, before collecting
the win on Thursday.
Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 10.05.2013
719632
St Louis Blues
Morrow gets to play for the Blues; updates on Paajarvi and Roy
Published: October 4, 2013 Updated 18 hours ago
By NORM SANDERS — News-Democrat
ST. LOUIS — Veteran winger Brenden Morrow got his work visa issues
worked out and was in the opening night lineup Thursday for the St. Louis
Blues.
At the Blues' morning skate Thursday, winger Magnus Paajarvi skated in
Morrow's place on the second line with Derek Roy and Chris Stewart.
Morrow missed the morning skate, but was there when it counted for the
opener.
Earlier, Hitchcock was hopeful of seeing Morrow in the opening night lineup.
"I don't know," Hitchcock said. "It's up to the government."
Morrow said Wednesday that he began the application process for a new
work visa last May. He had no idea about the reason for the delay, but the
U.S. Government shutdown this week may not have helped expedite things.
Paajarvi was ready to step in if needed, but was a healthy scratch. He was
asked about a game plan in case he was in the lineup.
"Do my thing and try to do that 100 percent," Paajarvi said. "That's good
speed offensively and defensively, create space for them and create space
for myself and maybe get a goal or two. I want to do my thing and do it 100
percent.
"If the chemistry is there, it's there."
The system Paajarvi comes from in Edmonton is a vastly difference from
Hitchcock's tight checking with speed and aggressiveness in St. Louis.
"It is a big difference," Paajarvi said. "You have to be professional though, it's
not the first time I've had to change systems. You just have to acclimate
yourself and I've had a whole training camp for that. Hopefully it's just instinct
right now."
Roy draws $10K fine
Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy made his NHL coaching debut with the
Colorado Avalanche a memorable one Wednesday. And not just because of
a 6-1 win over Anaheim.
Roy became upset with the Ducks about a hit by Ben Lovejoy on Avalanche
rookie Nathan McKinnon and then turned his anger toward Ducks coach
Bruce Boudreau.
Roy, whose junior coaching days included plenty of intensity, began shoving
the glass partition between himself and Boudreau on the bench until it started
to lean over.
"(Boudreau) could have had a new middle name -- 'Pancake,''' Hitchcock
said Thursday. "He could have got smooshed. If that thing goes any further
Bruce has got the best weight loss program going. Wow."
Hitchcock hopes that type of over-the-top behavior won't continue.
"That's junior hockey, it's got no place in our game," Hitchcock said. "You
can't be pushing barriers down or whatever. It's just got no place in our game.
I've been involved in some of those instances a long, long time ago and they
are really scary."
Around the rink
*Making his debut for the Predators on Thursday was rookie defenseman
Seth Jones, the son of former Murray State and NBA basketball player
Popeye Jones. Seth Jones was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft.
*Millstadt resident Tom Calhoun was in his familiar seat at center ice and is
handling Blues public address announcer duties for another season.
Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 10.05.2013
719633
Tampa Bay Lightning
Bolts need more blue-collar goals
By Erik Erlendsson | Tribune Staff
Published: October 4, 2013
CHICAGO — At one point during practice at the United Center on Friday,
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper pulled one of the power-play units to
center ice to offer a polite reminder heading into tonight’s matchup with the
defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.
“To me, playing on the power play is a privilege and not a right,” Cooper said.
Part of the message Cooper was delivering was that not every goal has to
show up on a highlight reel.
“Guys tend to try to make that low-percentage play, because maybe it looks a
little better, when ultimately not many times that happens,” Cooper said. “We
have to get some blue-collar goals.”
That was evident in Thursday’s season opener at Boston in which Tampa
Bay finished 0-for-5 on the power play and failed to convert on two lengthy
five-on-three opportunities. To rub some salt into that wound, the Bruins
scored a pair of shorthanded goals in what accounted for the difference in a
3-1 loss for the Lightning.
With Tampa Bay’s offensive talent, having that two-man advantage for nearly
two minutes on two occasions, the odds would seem to be stacked in the
Lightning’s favor that a goal would result. Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis,
Ryan Malone, Valtteri Filppula and Teddy Purcell are all 20-plus goal scorers
and saw a majority of the ice time during the two-man advantage
opportunities.
How do offensive talents such as that fail to find a way to score, even against
one of the top penalty kill teams in the league, when they have two extra men
on the ice?
“Let’s not dissect it after game one, we just didn’t get it done,” St. Louis said.
“It’s one game we didn’t get it done. If that game was game number 38, it
would be like ‘Yeah the power play didn’t get the job done.’ Well, it’s game
one and the power play didn’t get the job done.”
A member of the top power-play unit was not on the ice Thursday, as
defenseman Sami Salo was a surprise late scratch with an undisclosed
upper-body injury. Throughout training camp, Salo worked the top point
position on the 5-on-4 and 5-on-3 power plays. His last-minute absence
meant adjustments had to be made that were not worked on during training
camp or preseason games.
Salo remained off the ice for practice Friday. His status, as general manager
Steve Yzerman described it, remains “hour-to-hour,” so Cooper shuffled in
Andrej Sustr, Mark Barberio and Matt Carle to rotate through the power play
drills.
A big emphasis during those drills was getting shots on net.
“It’s just simplifying things, you need to get more pucks in the dirty areas and
you can’t be looking for cute plays,” Carle said. “Sami is one of those guys
that is very capable and very good at teeing it up, so that’s a big loss for us.
But it starts with everybody, and we all need to have that mentality of ...
looking for rebounds and those dirty goals. They’re not all going to be
back-door tap-ins and highlight-reel goals.”
But after one game, Lightning players concede it’s far from a reason to be
overly concerned with one bad night.
“I know with the personnel that we have,” Stamkos said, “we will find a way to
bounce back.”
Tampa Tribune LOADED: 10.05.2013
719634
Tampa Bay Lightning
Lightning assesses power-play issues
Key stats: The Lightning has not played in Chicago since April 3, 2011, a 2-0
victory. … C Steven Stamkos has seven goals in five games against the
Blackhawks. … D Eric Brewer's six career goals against Chicago are tied for
his most against any team.
Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 4, 2013 10:45pm
CHICAGO — There was a point during Friday's practice at the United Center
that Lightning coach Jon Cooper had had enough.
Work on the power play was lagging. There were too many passes and not
enough pucks on net. And after the team's special-teams failures in
Thursday's 3-1 season-opening loss to the Bruins, that was unacceptable.
So Cooper gathered the offending players and reminded them, "It's a
privilege to be on the power play. Don't (mess) it up."
The language, of course, has been sanitized.
"Playing the power play is a privilege, not a right," Cooper said later. "You
should make a point of it to execute what we're trying to accomplish."
Tampa Bay was 0-for-5 on the power play against Boston, including 3:25 of
five-on-three. It also allowed two game-changing shorthanded goals.
Granted, the Bruins, last season's Eastern Conference champs, are a
talented penalty-killing team, goalie Tuukka Rask had a fine game and the
late scratch of Lightning defenseman Sami Salo with an upper-body injury
meant shuffling both power-play units.
But, as Cooper acknowledged, with the Lightning's offensive skills,
converting a five-on-three advantage into a goal should be automatic.
"It has to be, and it wasn't," he said, "Hopefully, that was a mulligan."
What needs to be fixed before tonight's game with the Blackhawks, last
season's Stanley Cup champions? Several things.
Boston did a good job of taking away some of Tampa Bay's set plays, but the
Lightning did not react to find other options. Captain Marty St. Louis said
perhaps Tampa Bay even "froze a little bit" against the pressure "and just
didn't adjust."
"That," he added, "is on the players."
Defenseman Matt Carle, who replaced Salo on the first unit, said the Bruins'
penalty kill simply worked harder than the Lightning's power play.
And for Cooper, Tampa Bay too often looked for perfect plays instead of
getting pucks on net. Losing Salo and his big shot might have hurt there as
well. Salo was not with the team Friday, perhaps getting tested, and might
not play tonight, either.
"Some guys tend to make too cute a play or try and make the low-percentage
play because it looks better, when ultimately, not many times that happens,"
Cooper said. "You have to get some blue-collar goals, and sometimes we get
caught up into every goal has to be a beauty."
There is the notion, though, that all this hand-wringing about the power play
is too much too soon.
"Let's not dissect it after Game 1," St. Louis said. "If that was Game 38, we'd
be like, 'Yeah, the power play didn't get the job done.' It's Game 1. Just get it
done."
"The more you play, the more you get familiar, and the more you get to
practice, that's going to help us a lot," center Valtteri Filppula said. "You don't
want to be too hard on yourself, either. It's just one game."
All the same, he added, "The only way is up from what we did last game."
Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@tampabay.com. View his
blog at lightning.tampabay.com. Follow him on Twitter at @LightningTimes.
. Tonight
Lightning at Blackhawks
When/where: 8; United Center, Chicago
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM
719635
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rielly adjusting to life in the spotlight with Leaf debut on the horizon
DAVID SHOALTS
TORONTO — The Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Oct. 04 2013, 2:06 PM EDT
Last updated Friday, Oct. 04 2013, 10:18 PM EDT
Morgan Rielly knew he was no longer in Moose Jaw – and in a hockey
spotlight like no other – when he was walking back to his downtown hotel
from the Air Canada Centre recently after a Toronto Maple Leafs morning
skate.
The prize teenage defence prospect was waiting to cross the street when he
heard the two guys standing next to him talking about him.
“They were talking about what should happen to me,” Rielly said Friday. “One
guy said I should be sent back to junior. I kept walking. If he had said
something good about me, I would have stopped and said thanks.”
But at the same instant, the fellow who thought Rielly should be sent back to
the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL looked up and recognized the blonde
19-year-old striding away from him. “He noticed me and apologized,” Rielly
said.
It was the most unusual example of what Rielly has discovered in his first
NHL training camp: Maple Leafs fans are so immersed in their team they can
recognize the most obscure training-camp hopefuls. As the fifth pick overall
in the 2012 NHL entry draft, Rielly has a little more visibility than most, which
he quickly discovered as fans stopped him for autographs and photos
practically every time he ventured out in the city.
“You get the same kind of thing in Moose Jaw but nothing like it is here,”
Rielly said, shaking his head in wonderment.
His visibility factor is about to take a big leap forward, as a knee injury to
veteran defenceman Mark Fraser means he will make his NHL debut
Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. Even Rielly recognized the familiar
storyline of the youngster getting his big chance thanks to an established
player’s misfortune.
“You know what? That’s pretty cliché, but as a kid you dream about that kind
of opportunity,” he said after the Leafs’ practice Friday. “If I got a chance to
play in a Leafs home opener on Hockey Night in Canada that would be pretty
special. If I get that chance I’ll be pretty lucky.”
Rielly kept saying “if” because Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle had not said
anything about his plans for replacing Fraser, who went on the long-term
injured reserve list. Fraser will be lost for a minimum of 10 games, which
means he cannot return before the Leafs play the Edmonton Oilers on Oct.
29.
Players who are still eligible for junior hockey can play nine games before
their team has to decide if they will stay in the NHL for the season or go back
to junior. While Fraser’s injury complicates things, Carlyle has always said
the decision will be based on what’s best for Rielly and the Leafs.
“I haven’t even heard anything from the coaches,” Rielly told a group of
reporters. “It’s just been you guys talking about it, so I’m not sure it’s going to
happen. If I get a chance to play, that’s pretty exciting for me.”
Nevertheless, it seems he is preparing to have his parents, Andy and Shirley,
fly to Toronto from West Vancouver in time for Saturday’s home opener at
the ACC. “If I get a chance to go, I’m sure my parents will be here,” Rielly
said.
It will be a moment he has been dreaming about since he was about 14, and
made the decision to leave home for the most famous high-school team in
hockey, the Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox, Sask. It was a path taken by an
earlier generation of Leafs stars, most notably Wendel Clark, Gary Leeman
and Russ Courtnall.
“I think when I was in Grade 8, I made the choice to go to school on the
prairies and play for the Hounds,” Rielly said. “It was tough but I told my
parents I wanted to do that. It was pretty hard on my mom.
“But I had a great year and got drafted by Moose Jaw and told myself I
wanted to be a player. It’s all been going well, but I haven’t proved anything
yet.”
It is not clear who will be Rielly’s blueline partner against the Senators. He
played with Jake Gardiner in Friday’s practice, but Gardiner, 23, is also an
offensive defenceman, not to mention inexperienced as well. Carlyle said
they were together in practice simply because both of them can play on the
power play.
All Rielly needs to worry about is concentrating on what he does well, the
coach said. And there are a lot of things he does well.
“He plays the game with his head and his legs,” Carlyle said. “He’s got all
three assets that separate him from other people.
“He’s a strong puck-mover, he can get the puck through on the point on the
power play, he’s got great wheels to get up and down the ice and he’s smart
in his reads so I don’t know what more I can say that doesn’t put an
exclamation point on the type of player he is.”
Globe And Mail LOADED: 10.05.2013
719636
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs battle lines drawn, from Reimer to Rielly: Feschuk
By: Dave Feschuk Sports Columnist, Published on Fri Oct 04 2013
There will probably be nights when figuring out who’ll start in goal for the
Maple Leafs will turn into a torturous, probing voyage into the mind and heart
of head coach Randy Carlyle.
Saturday night isn’t one of those nights. Barring 11th-hour injury, it’s a lock
James Reimer will get the nod to protect both the home net and Toronto’s 2-0
win-loss record in the Air Canada Centre opener. There are a couple of
obvious reasons for this. For one, the opponent is the Ottawa Senators, and
Reimer has owned no team like he’s owned the Senators. In 10 career
games against them he’s 8-1-1 with a .949 save percentage, his best mark
against any Eastern team. Jonathan Bernier, even if he performed
demonstrably better in his one start this season than Reimer did in his, has
never faced the Senators.
But if you were looking for confirmation from Friday’s post-practice scrums
with the press, consider Randy Carlyle’s only comment on the matter: “That
decision was made a long time ago.”
Unless Carlyle was saying that he’d decided long ago to ignore both logic
and Reimer’s sterling record against the Senators, Reimer’s the guy.
Still, anything can happen. And this isn’t to say there aren’t some intriguing
rotational decisions facing Toronto’s coaching staff. Perhaps it’s fitting that
the Maple Leafs spent much of Friday’s practice working on one-on-one
battle drills — mano-a-mano, teammate versus teammate. The competition
within the Leafs dressing room doesn’t begin and end with the pair of
would-be No. 1 netminders.
So as we await the latest chapter in the Battle of Ontario, let us also consider
the battles internal for a raft of prestigious positions, including . .
SECOND-LINE CENTREMAN: Carlyle tsk-tsked the media for making “too
much” of the events of Wednesday night, when Dave Bolland scored two
goals in a win over Philadelphia in which he displaced Nazem Kadri (and
inherited some of Kadri’s ice time) in this role. Answering questions about
how Bolland was moved on to the second line with Joffrey Lupul and Nikolai
Kulemin — with whom he was still teamed in Friday’s practice, this while
Kadri skated with Mason Raymond and Troy Bodie — the coach claimed it
was a non-story. He had a point given that he’s an eternal tinkerer who could
be on to other combinations by Saturday night’s first TV timeout.
“I think there’s a lot of expectations that have been heaped upon Nazem to
be a second-line centre here . . . well, that’s not reality,” said Carlyle.
Kadri, ever a contrarian, said he “welcomes” people to keep those
expectations a-heaping. And the truth is, Kadri will need to blossom into a top
centre if the Maple Leafs are ever going to make a competitive jump from
borderline playoff team to something more substantial as currently
constructed.
“I like that. If people expect me to be a top guy, my expectations are higher
than anyone else’s are. I set expectations for myself,” Kadri said. “My
learning curve isn’t over yet. I’m still a young guy trying to get the hang of
being a No. 1 or No. 2 guy.”
NEXT GREAT YOUNG DEFENCEMAN: Everyone knows of Jake Gardiner’s
upside. But it’s not exactly hard to see why, at age 23, he’s already been
traded once (by the Ducks to the Leafs) and may not last much longer in
these parts. Gardiner’s reputation as a high-risk, high-maintenance
commodity wasn’t helped by last season’s sprouting of the “Free Jake
Gardiner” movement. And Toronto GM Dave Nonis has already been
maddened enough by the American’s penchant for defensive gaffes that he
has coined a phrase for them — they’re “Jake mistakes” in the GM’s
parlance, and there’s a feeling around the team that Gardiner simply isn’t
learning fast enough from them.
Nobody connected to the franchise, in stark contrast, is doing anything but
gushing about Morgan Rielly, the 19-year-old from West Vancouver who is
expected to play in his first NHL game on Saturday night. Maybe the
overwhelmingly rave reviews are simply a function of being new. Maybe
there will be enumerations of his many faults soon enough. But not on Friday.
“He plays the game with his head and his legs and his hands. He’s got all
three assets that separate him from other people in his age group,” Carlyle
said of Rielly. “He’s a strong puck mover. He can get the puck through the
point on the power play. He’s got great wheels to get up and down the ice.
He’s smart with reads. I don’t know what more I can say that doesn’t put an
exclamation point on the type of player we think he can be.”
In other words, the team sees him as everything Gardiner is and more, but
without the annoying faults. It could make Gardiner an intriguing trade chip.
TEAM LEADER: There’s a reason why Phil Kessel signed on the eve of the
season and Dion Phaneuf, an impending unrestricted free agent, still doesn’t
have a contract. The Leafs didn’t have an obvious heir to the team’s top
scorer, but they have plenty of promising depth on the blue line. In the first
couple of games of the season, Cody Franson has been logging heavy
minutes and looking assured as an offensive threat. It’s not hard to imagine
him as the team’s No. 1 defenceman down the road.
And the Leafs are chock full, too, with possible replacement captains. David
Clarkson is the Las Vegas futures favourite to sew on the “C” if Phaneuf
eventually departs. Lupul could make a case for the latter. Ditto Jay
McClement. And back on defence Franson is a strong-minded character who
never ducks accountability.
“I’m trying to develop that leadership end of my role as much as I can and be
a guy who young guys like Riles can come and talk to and hang out with or go
for dinner, or whatever it takes to make him feel comfortable or at home
here,” Franson said.
Piling on Phaneuf has long been a fashionable pastime. This week ESPN
released a poll of 30 “star” NHLers in which Phaneuf was voted the most
overrated player in the league — a title he’s been bestowed in the past —
and the mantle couldn’t be less apt. Is he the league’s least liked character?
There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence to that end, but it’s a vicious business
and Phaneuf doesn’t come to the rink to make friends. Still, his pay grade and
the fact he’s been miscast as captain mean he’s far from irreplaceable.
SHOOTOUT PARTICIPANT:Witness a scene from practice on Friday. Five
pucks were placed on either blue line. Two teams were assembled to take
breakaways. The first team to put all five pucks in the net won the drill.
“Losers have to skate more!” hollered Carlyle.
On paper it seemed like a mismatch. One team included the defence corps
and the line of Kadri, Raymond and Bodie. The other team was stacked with
the likes of Kessel, Lupul, Clarkson and more. Oddsmakers be damned, the
team led by the blue-liners won the day. Rielly was among the rearguards to
score.
And if you’re reading into it even more, consider this: The team with Kessel et
al was repeatedly stymied by Reimer. The winning squad scored in quick
succession on Bernier.
“I guess we’re going to have to have a couple of D-men in the shootout the
next time,” Kadri said. Or, by that logic, a certain goaltender.
Toronto Star LOADED: 10.05.2013
719637
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs games always better in person
By: Raju Mudhar Tech Reporter, Published on Fri Oct 04 2013
Admit it, you want to be there Saturday night.
It’s become trendy for big name columnists to talk about how much better it is
to watch a sports game at home, in front of your giant HD television, with your
buddies and bevvies of choice, and being in complete control of your
environment.
In the past few years, it’s an argument made by the likes of Bill Simmons,
Darren Rovell and even our own Cathal Kelly.
But I just don’t buy it.
Look at the people making that argument: they have gorged on so many
sporting events in their life that absolutely a little bit of jadedness has seeped
in. I would love to have that problem. Besides all those guys got into this
business to get paid to go to games.
Part of every columnist’s job is to be contrarian, and it is easy to poke holes
into the live experience.
Don’t get me wrong, I do love watching sports at home, but even the greatest
picture offered by the newest, most expensive 4K or OLED TVs isn’t as good
as being there.
There are absolutely a number of issues with getting tickets, fighting traffic to
make it to a crowded stadium, sitting in cramped seats, buying expensive
food and beer and the always unknown of sitting next to the great unwashed
— which could literally be someone who hasn’t washed.
But there are indelible memories to be had, and for most of us, due to rising
ticket prices and the business of life, it has become a much more rarefied
experience.
In talking this out with many of my sports loving friends, who seem to fall on
both sides of the argument, one of the keys is just the vast amount of
information that is available at home, not to mention the significant
investments made in home theatres systems and man caves.
Beyond just being plugged into Twitter watching comments fly by, the
televised experience of any game features so much more information than
going. Experienced commentators can absolutely add something, Also, love
him or hate him, who doesn’t want to see what Don Cherry has to say?
But the biggest selling point is the benefit of the copious amount of instant
replay. One friend who was live and in person at last week’s Leaf brawl said
that in the stadium, few realized David Clarkson left the bench and most were
left wondering what was going on.
On TV, what had happened was immediately shown.
There are replays in the stadium, but they are limited by stoppages in play, as
well as other marketing initiatives run by teams on the Jumbotrons.
The in-game operations just don’t hold a candle to the level of those being
created by the crackerjack editors in the TV booth.
Rovell has talked about the growing phenomena of many who go to the
game, only to return home and watch the same game on their PVR to see
what they missed.
A co-worker who is a huge Minnesota Vikings fan talked about how he saw
Adrian Peterson do a 70-yard run, but due to the at-game distractions, he
thought it was pedestrian, only to realize how amazing it was watching the
highlights afterward.
There are also some problems with watching any sport on TV, and in
particular watching hockey at home in a way minimizes how hard it is by
making it look easy. The camera’s field of view doesn’t let you see all the
players on the ice, and it does a disservice to just how fast the players are
zipping up the ice. Or how big they are and how powerful their shots are.
If you are actually there, you can also see if anyone is really dogging it away
from the action.
The truth is that for the majority of people in the city, it’s not even an option to
go see the Leafs in person, as 95 per cent of the Air Canada Centre is taken
up by season ticket holders. Taking a look at Stubhub.com on Friday, the
cheapest seats available for the Battle for Ontario are in section 312, Balcony
Standing room only for $99.81. And that’s in a no-drinking zone! At the top
end, it is $662.50 in section 121, 3rd row which is right at one of the nets.
With new management at the head of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment,
it is clear that there is change afoot for the “in-game experience.” Just like
during last year’s playoff run, MLSE is hosting a tailgate in Maple Leaf
Square for the home opener, which is a smart way to extend the fan
experience outside of the building and extend the communal feeling that is
the best part of being there: The “we are all in it together” feeling of fandom.
As well, new MLSE president CEO Tim Leiweke told a season ticket holders
meeting that the company is looking at cheaper beer. That sounds crazy, and
I’ll believe it when I am there and drinking it.
We all wish we were there, simple as that.
So this last part, I’ll address to those who are lucky enough to actually be
there, particularly the blessed folks in the platinum seats. How many times
has a game started and those seats are empty, because people are still
enjoying themselves in the swanky lounges under the seats?
Players have lamented that the ACC is one of the quietest stadiums, and the
atmosphere doesn’t compare to some of the other churches of hockey. You
are the lucky ones. Obviously this town lives and dies with the Leafs and
sports fandom is about irrational love. Maybe it’s time you guys acted like it.
That’s something I’d really like to see when I’m stuck watching from the
“comfort” of my couch.
Toronto Star LOADED: 10.05.2013
719638
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators: Saturday game preview
By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Fri Oct 04 2013
AIR CANADA CENTRE
TIME: 7 p.m.
TV: CBC
RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The Fan
LEAFS INJURIES
F Frazer McLaren (finger)
D Mark Fraser (knee)
SENATORS INJURIES
C Jason Spezza (groin)
D Eric Gryba (upper body)
SCOUTING REPORT
The Senators played their first game of the season on Friday night against
Buffalo . . . Colin Greening led all Ottawa scorers against Toronto last year
with two goals and two assists . . . Ottawa G Craig Anderson went 0-2-0
against the Leafs with a 3.00 GAA and .880 save percentage . . . C Nazem
Kadri led all Leaf scorers with five goals and two assists in five games against
Ottawa . . . G James Reimer was 3-0-0, with a 1.68 GAA and .960 save
percentage . . . The Sens outshot the Leafs 193-130 over five games last
year, but the Leafs won four of them.
UP NEXT
Tuesday, Avs at Maple Leafs, 7 p.m., TSN
Toronto Star LOADED: 10.05.2013
719639
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs demote Nazem Kadri to third line
By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Fri Oct 04 2013
Dave Bolland worked out on the Maple Leafs so-called second line with
Joffrey Lupul and Nikolai Kulemin while Nazem Kadri took his demotion to
the third line with Mason Raymond and Troy Bodie in stride.
“That’s just something that’s going to happen,” said Kadri. “Juggling lines, it’s
not going to be the last time you see it. Every guy is good on this team, no
matter what role you’re given. It means you have to pick it up a little more.”
Leafs coach Randy Carlyle got a little testy when asked about the
Kadri-Bolland switch — which happened Wednesday in Philadelphia.
“You guys (the media) read too much into it, looking for negativity,” said
Carlyle. “I don’t look at it that way. We have two very talented young players,
one is more on the veteran side.
“There has been a lot of expectations on Kadri to be a second-line centre,
coming off his point production last year. Does he have the talent? For sure
he does. He’s a young player trying to find his way in the NHL.
“Because we moved him from one position to the next, it seems like it news.
We’re just putting people in situations where we feel they can give us the best
chance to win.”
The top line remained intact, with Tyler Bozak working out with James van
Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel. The fourth line consisted of Jay McClement,
Carter Ashton and Colton Orr. Jamie Devane and David Clarkson
(suspended) were spares.
Meanwhile Morgan Rielly was paired with Jake Gardiner in anticipation of his
first NHL game.
“I’m not even sure if I’m playing yet,” said Rielly. “I haven’t heard anything
from the coaches.
“But if I got a chance to play it would be pretty exciting.”
Rielly gets a chance to play because the Leafs put Mark Fraser on the
long-term injury list with an undisclosed injury, believed to be his knee.
Fraser must now sit for the shorter of 10 games or 24 days.
Fraser’s first game to be eligible to return appears to be the Leafs in
Edmonton on Oct. 29.
The Leafs can play Rielly up to nine games before burning the first year of his
three-year entry level contract.
Toronto Star LOADED: 10.05.2013
719640
Toronto Maple Leafs
New-look Marlies open AHL season
By: Ronnie Shuker The Canadian Press, Published on Fri Oct 04 2013
Two hundred and fifty-four. That’s how many steps separate the Toronto
Marlies from the big-league Maple Leafs.
Steve Spott knows this, because he counted the paces from his office to
Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle’s at the teams’ practice facility.
That’s the kind of attention to detail he brings to his job as the new head
coach of the American Hockey League’s Marlies from his days as an
elementary schoolteacher.
“That must be my teaching background,” Spott said. “There’ll be no balls
dropped here… I pride myself in details. For me, it’s knowing just how far
away the Leafs are from these players. Those 254 paces are miles because
of the fact that, as close as it is, it’s still extremely far away and the boys have
a lot of work to do before they get there.”
The number 254 will be prominently displayed in the Marlies dressing room
at Ricoh Coliseum, where Spott will have 20-plus new pupils after taking over
for new Edmonton Oilers coach Dallas Eakins.
The Marlies are trending younger for 2013-14 after an exodus of veterans in
the off-season. Gone are Will Acton (26), Tim Connolly (32), captain Ryan
Hamilton (28), Mike Mottau (35), Greg Scott (25) and Mike Zigomanis (32).
Moving up the depth chart are Tyler Biggs (20), David Broll (20), Josh Leivo
(20), Andrew MacWilliam (23), Stuart Percy (20) and Garret Sparks (20) —
all of whom played less than 10 games with the Marlies last season.
“You’re going to see more of a youthful look to our club this year,” Spott said.
“We’re going to have a lot of new faces and probably a lot more prospects for
the Leafs as opposed to some of the American League-type veterans that
we’ve had in the past.”
Spott fits seamlessly into the Marlies’ makeover with his history of developing
prospects into pros. He spent the past five seasons as head coach of the
Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers, where he helped young stars
like Jeff Skinner and Gabriel Landeskog jump straight to the NHL from junior
as 18-year-olds. Others, like Ryan Murphy and Radek Faksa, have become
first-round NHL draft picks or highly touted prospects.
“We as a group thought Steve Spott was one of the top young coaches
available,” said Dave Poulin, Toronto’s vice-president of hockey operations.
“Our decision to replace (Eakins) with Steve fits the development piece of it…
We had an excellent list of candidates. Steve stood out as someone who
understood what we wanted to do.”
The departure of so many veterans leaves leadership roles vacant on the
Marlies roster. But Spott already has idea who he’d like to fill those positions.
“Gregg McKegg and Jerry D’Amigo are two players that come to mind that
we’re going to count on early for their leadership,” Spott said. “Both those
players understand the demands of playing professional hockey on and off
the ice. Those are two guys right off the bat that I’ll lean on and I know that
our kids will lean on to definitely lead the way.”
This is D’Amigo’s fourth season with the Marlies, but he’s still just 22. He
came to Toronto as a 19-year-old out of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
(RPI) from the NCAA, and he’s primarily played a
penalty-killing/checking-line role. He’s now the second-longest tenured
Marlie, after Korbinian Holzer, and relishes the opportunity to take on a
greater role.
“I’m ready for that,” D’Amigo said. “A lot of guys aren’t ready for that role or
don’t want to take it upon themselves to do it. But for me, I love it. I want to be
that guy. I’m ready for it if it comes to me.”
With the injection of youth into the Marlies, particularly up front, management
brought back Drew MacIntyre, who at 30 years old will be the oldest player on
the team. He shone in 21 games last season, posting a 13-5-3 record, 1.83
goals-against average and .931 save percentage.
“We’re going to need his game to be at the top of his level because of the fact
we’re going to rely on him,” Spott said. “We are going to make some mistakes
and we’re going to need Drew to be there to mop up some of the messes that
eventually could happen. He’s going to be critical for us.”
Under Eakins, the Marlies finished second in the Western Conference each
of his past two seasons, reaching the Calder Cup final in 2012. With the team
in transition, Toronto brass is tempering expectations for 2013-14, even as
they push the Marlies to make those 254 steps up to becoming Leafs.
“I don’t think you can quantify (this season) in terms of wins and losses,
because we’re all-in on the development side,” Poulin said. “While we had
successful years, we also developed players to play on the big club during
those years… If we continue to develop players and continue to push the
players at each position and push up through the system, then it’ll be a
successful year.”
Toronto Star LOADED: 10.05.2013
719641
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs goaltending battle not an impossible situation, ex-NHLers say
By: Mark Zwolinski Sports reporter, Published on Fri Oct 04 2013
As part of two of the most successful goalie tandems in history, Andy Moog
understands how a two-goalie system can work — and fail.
Moog, who teamed with Grant Fuhr on the Edmonton Oiler dynasty in the
1980s and with Reggie Lemelin on the 1989-90 Bruins, found the
experiences very positive. But the timing in his career and his unwavering
respect for his goalie “partner” were key ingredients behind the success.
“I think for Grant and I, we were both at an age where expectations weren’t as
great on us as they were later on in our careers,” said Moog, who now works
Dallas Stars broadcasts for Fox Sports.
“We didn’t have expectations of 60 to 70 games, we were just competing to
get into the net. We didn’t have much in the way of systems, we relied on
each other a lot. I thought cooperating and being supportive was more
important than trying to top him.”
Will that be the case for the Leafs with Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer
on the depth charts? For certain, the expectations on both Leaf goalies are
that each is poised to become a No. 1 goalie — a different dynamic than
Moog faced in Edmonton with Fuhr.
In fact Bernier has been billed as a certain No. 1 for the past two seasons, a
goalie ready emerge from the shadow of Jonathan Quick in Los Angeles. He
was stellar in his 14 outings last season, finishing up the lockout-shortened
season as one of only four goalies with an above .920 save percentage, and
a GAA lower than 2.00. He was stellar in Wednesday’s win over the Flyers.
Reimer has survived the high-pressure atmosphere in Toronto. While he was
minding the net when in that stunning game 7 collapse against Boston last
spring, he’d stopped 72 of 74 shots in games 5 and 6. Reimer was in net for
the season-opening win over the Canadiens.
So far, the two goalies have just begun their relationship, but it couldn’t have
been easy for the likeable Reimer to endure a summer where the Leafs
targeted Bernier, spurring talk that he wouldn’t survive a two-goalie system.
Moog stresses a positive, supportive relationship between the two goalies,
should the Leafs or any team opt to equally divide the workload between two
goalies.
Moog played 46 games for the Bruins in 89-90, and ranked fourth in the
league with a 2.89 GAA; Lemelin was third with a 2.81 mark in 43 games. In
Edmonton, Moog started anywhere from 30 to 50-plus games, posting GAAs
no lower than 3.30 and logging a save percentage below .900 in the Stanley
Cup years.
Moog said the Oilers coaching staff helped make the goalie tandem work,
even though head coach Glen Sather ranted at both goalies, perhaps
keeping up a veneer of disappointment that he may have wanted his players
to see.
“The coaches left us alone mostly,” Moog said.
“Slats was hard on us, but he knew we had the type of team that would
expose goalies time to time. Muck (assistant coach John Muckler) and Ted
Green propped us back up afterwards. I think a coaching staff has to work
hard to communicate to goalies, the head coach has to communicate to both
guys, make sure there’s a clear line open to both guys. It’s a position not like
any other on the team. And you need to support each other as goalies in that
system.”
Toronto goalie coach Rick St. Croix has quietly been credited with turning
Reimer around, and stabilizing the goalie position in Toronto after a rough
period at the end of Ron Wilson’s coaching tenure.
If the Leafs do employ a two-goalie system, it will be critical to communicate a
schedule to both goalies. Beyond that, should one of the two Leaf goalies get
relegated to backup duties, it will be incumbent on him to fill a certain role in
the dressing room.
Former NHL goalie Darren Pang believes the key in a two-goalie system is
for the lesser-used goalie to make himself eminently likeable to the rest of the
team.
Pang, who works broadcasts for the St. Louis Blues, witnessed that dynamic
firsthand: The Blues have emerged as the NHL’s pre-eminent club in the
judicious use of a two-goalie system. Both Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott
set a record for that system, collectively posting 15 shutouts two seasons
ago.
But Pang warns that the Blues were one of the NHL’s most “complete”
teams. That, too, is a pivotal factor in the success of a two-goalie system.
“When you see that number — 15 shutouts two years ago, you see that the
Blues are the most complete team in the league. They block shots, their
centers play goal line to goal line, so having that system was an easy sell for
Hitch (coach Ken Hitchcock) when he came in.”
Pang, though, alluded to the fact the Blues were somewhat lucky to have a
goalie package where Elliott brought a likeable personality and attitude.
In his own experience, Pang had a strong relationship with Bob Mason on the
Chicago Blackhawks in the early 1990’s, and a rough one with Ed Belfour in
Chicago a few years later.
“My first full year was in Chicago with Bob Mason. Bob had that amazing
triple overtime game against the Islanders in the playoffs the year before
(with Washington) and they (Chicago) signed him as a No. 1. I was the
backup and by the end of the season I played most of the games and started
in the playoffs. I learned that as competitive as I was, I still had respect for my
partner. Sure, when I got the net, I didn’t want to give it up to him or anyone.
Lets face it, we’re (goalies) individuals in a team sport, that’s what goalies
are. If you are not selfish that way, you are in the wrong sport.
“But Bob and I roomed together and our wives hung out, we all went to
dinner. I also had Ed Belfour and he only wanted the net. At one point it came
to him pushing me out of the net in practice. We actually came to blows in
practice, that’s how much he wanted it.”
Reimer, who is deeply religious and universally supportive of his teammates,
is not likely to come to blows with Bernier. But his confidence could take
another serious hit should Bernier grab the No. 1 job.
Reimer’s confidence levels will be key to the Leafs if Reimer ends up in a
backup role. And the Leafs, while they have two No. 1 goalies in waiting,
appear to be setting the table for one of them to claim the top job.
Can a two goalie system work?
“If we have two goalies that are good, then it’s better for us … if we have a
guy who takes the ball and runs with it, that’s better for us,” coach Randy
Carlyle said.
“I’ve said in the past, win and you’re in . . . but if we play three games in four
nights, then there are some variables there to consider. We think it’s healthy
to have competition. Most of the situations I’ve been in (as coach) we’ve had
competition, and most of the time it finds a way of working things out. Usually
their play indicates things to you . . . but I like to say 1A and 1B because we
they’re both good goalies.”
Toronto Star LOADED: 10.05.2013
719642
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs: Who should start in net for home opener? Reimer or Bernier?
By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Fri Oct 04 2013
James Reimer or Jonathan Bernier?
Who should play in net on Saturday in the Maple Leafs home opener — a
Battle of Ontario game — against the Ottawa Senators?
Leafs coach Randy Carlyle never tips his hand on starting goalies. The only
hint is the day of the game: the goalie working out in the Leafs net for the first
and third periods is typically the game starter.
The case in favour of Reimer.
He’s the incumbent and has done nothing to lose the job. . . . He won the
season-opener in Montreal and is more used to pressure situations than
Bernier. . . Reimer was 3-0-0 with a 1.68 GAA and .960 save percentage...
The case in favour of Bernier
As good as Reimer was against Montreal, Bernier was better against
Philadelphia when the Leafs were badly outshot. The Senators managed
almost 40 shots a game against the Leafs last season. . . . Reimer got the
coveted season-opener. Nothing wrong with spreading the “coveted” jobs
around and the home opener on Hockey Night in Canada is pretty big.
Meanwhile, it looks as if Morgan Rielly will get his first taste of NHL action on
Saturday night in the Maple Leafs home opener against the Ottawa
Senators.
Rielly — one of six healthy Leaf defencemen who took the ice for practice on
Friday — is the logical replacement for Mark Fraser, who was placed on the
long-term injured reserve list with a hurt knee.
Reilly practised with Jake Gardiner.
The Leafs also called up winger Jamie Devane on Friday.
Rielly fit right in during the pre-season games. Leafs coach Randy Carlyle
has made it clear that his preference is for Rielly not to play every game.
Carlyle feels it’s just as important to Rielly’s development if he practises and
travels with the team.
At 19, the Leafs only choices for him are to keep him on the NHL roster or
send him back to major junior. The AHL is not an option for teenagers.
Rielly can play as many as nine games this season before kick-starting his
three-year entry-level contract. If he plays a 10th game this season, his
contract kicks, in which fast-tracks him down the road towards his second
contract, salary arbitration and ultimately free agency.
He can be on the roster indefinitely. It’s only games played that matters.
Carlyle had hinted the Leafs would play Rielly sparingly in the fall, then
release him for the Canadian entry into the world junior tournament.
It is possible, of course, for Rielly to shine and earn a spot. Both Jake
Gardiner and Paul Ranger have had their struggles in the first two games.
Gardiner has made a few defensive blunders. Ranger has taken too many
penalties, evidence that he made need some time to catch up to the speed of
the NHL having been away from the league for four years.
Toronto Star LOADED: 10.05.2013
719643
Toronto Maple Leafs
with that of Hap Day, in a pre-game ceremony. The 48th Highlanders
performed and Prime Minister Stephen Harper dutifully sat through the entire
game.
Maple Leafs home openers: Sometimes boring, but always special
Oct. 11, 2003
By: Curtis Rush News reporter, Published on Fri Oct 04 2013
In a solemn occasion, front-line health workers were summoned to perform
the ceremonial faceoff.
Oct, 4, 1999
There is usually something special, something sentimental, about NHL home
openers, and none more so than in the original NHL cities of Montreal and
Toronto.
When the Canadiens hosted the Leafs on Tuesday night, Montreal brought
back the legendary Guy Lafleur, who passed the torch to Canadiens
newcomer Daniel Briere — and the tradition-loving fans, as usual, lapped it
up.
The Leafs, by contrast, don’t always go for pomp in home opening
ceremonies, and if you’re old enough, you’ll remember that was especially
the case in the Harold Ballard ownership era.
The last home opener of the millennium was a solemn occasion when the
Leafs paid tribute to a deceased loyal fan. At the ceremony, Amber Van Ryan
and sister Megan choked back tears prior to opening faceoff held to honour
their father, Rudy, who was a big fan in Alberta before he was killed in truck
crash.
The two girls, who were flown by the Leafs to Toronto, were invited to drop
the puck by then Leafs president Ken Dryden after he learned about the
death in a senseless truck crash.
When Rudy was buried the previous March, his family tucked a blue Leafs’
team jersey, bearing No. 17 and donated by Wendel Clark, into the coffin with
him.
Back in 1973, at the Maple Leafs’ home opener, Ballard himself was front
and centre — for all the wrong reasons.
All was not solemn that night.
During the day, the owner had learned he was granted parole after serving
one year of a three-year sentence for theft and fraud involving $205,000 of
Gardens money.
During the ceremony, there also was a celebration of Paul Morris, who had
retired the previous spring after 38 years as the Leafs’ public address
announcer.
The Star reported at the time that while at the game on a daypass from a
halfway house, Ballard perpetuated another fraud by promising his team
would be in the final.
He received a rousing ovation from Air Canada Centre crowd.
Those were the days.
As a final farewell, Morris announced the last minute of play in the third.
Even now, many fans who want their hockey — and want it now — prefer to
skip the opening ceremonies when watching at home because, well, they
tend to drag on.
The Leafs have given no hint at anything really special for Saturday night at
the Air Canada Centre against the Ottawa Senators.
Maybe they’ll surprise us.
Of course, a mainstay, the 48th Highlanders, will perform, and a lucky fan will
drop the puck. That fan will be the winner of the Leafs’ ongoing contest on
mapleleafs.com.
However, the Leafs are not immune from making a big opening-night
production.
They’ve hit a sentimental chord in the past by bringing back legends like
Johnny Bower and Borje Salming to stir up the faithful and set a winning tone
for the season.
However, home-opening ceremonies in Toronto have not always been a lot
of fun.
Often, they can be solemn occasions, like commemorating a death.
They have even been, dare we say, boring? Like the time they trotted out
former Premier Mike Harris to drop the puck. (no, offence, Mr. Harris.).
Last season’s opening ceremony proved to be one of the memorable
occasions largely because fans were already giddy with anticipation after the
lockout ended.
It wasn’t until Jan 21 that the Leafs got to see hockey in Toronto, and the
Leafs seized the moment with an out-of-this-world experience.
They treated the fans to a ceremonial faceoff from astronaut Chris Hadfield,
who “dropped” the puck from outer space.
The puck “dropped” into former goalie Felix Potvin’s glove. It was shared by
Potvin, Darcy Tucker, Darryl Sittler and finally Johnny Bower, who dropped it
at centre ice.
Here are some of the highlights of other home openers:
Oct, 4, 2006
The jerseys of Hap Day, Red Kelly and Borje Salming were retired. Kelly
gave a witty pre-game speech and Salming got a huge ovation as the two
had their numbers — 4 and 21, respectively — raised to the rafters, along
Maple Leafs fans also gave Andy Frost the thumbs up in his debut that night
as the new public address announcer.
Oct. 11, 1995
Wendel Clark, who became one of the most popular Leafs when he hit the ice
for his first shift in 1985-86, received an outburst of affection when he
appeared as a New York Islander to face the Leafs in their 1995-96 home
opener.
The reaction wasn’t quite as strong for Ontario Premier Mike Harris, who was
asked to perform the ceremonial first puck drop.
Jan. 25, 1995
At the Maple Leafs’ sold-out home opener against the Vancouver Canucks,
dollar hot dogs were among the ways the club thanked for their loyalty during
the 105-day work stoppage.
The teams began a 48-game season.
Canadian world champion figure skater Elvis Stojko and national women’s
champ Nettie Kim were on hand to drop the puck while John McDermott sang
the Canadian anthem.
Nov. 12, 1931
At Maple Leaf Gardens, the 48th Highlanders performed to the crowd of
13,000 during the opening ceremonies in a tradition that continues to this
day. The game also marked the beginning of Foster Hewitt’s Hockey Night in
Canada radio broadcasts and began a Saturday night tradition that continues
on television.
Toronto Star LOADED: 10.05.2013
719644
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs’ Joffrey Lupul’s five tips to be a sharp-dressed man
By: Mark Zwolinski Sports reporter, Published on Fri Oct 04 2013
Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul was getting the movie star treatment —
makeup, lights, professional photographers, you name it — Thursday for a
photo shoot that will be available on his Lupulstyle.com website.
Lupul has partnered with noted Toronto clothier GOTSTYLE to form
GameDay, a style forum where fans can vote on whether they like Lupul’s
look for that particular day when the Leafs play.
For each fan vote, Gotstyle and Lupul’s charity, Lupe’s Troops, will make a
donation to the True Patriot Love Foundation in support of military families
across Canada.
Lupul took time out from the photo shoot to lend some fashion tips he’s
learned along the way:
1. Budget: “Find a good tailor. Not necessarily (too expensive), but get
clothes that fit you. Lots of people, that’s the first mistake they make, so make
sure clothes fit.”
2. Colour: “I’m personally more conservative, but different things look good
on different people. I think the best thing is figure out what looks best on you
. . . be honest with yourself. I think it’s great to experiment a bit but not to the
point where you’re too loud and you look like a rodeo clown. But it’s always
good to experiment.”
3. Hats: “I end up wearing hats a lot myself, with the hope of not getting
recognized around town. So I’ve got a good collection of hats. I think if you’re
walking around town, just shopping or something, a baseball cap will always
look good on you.”
4. Shoes: “Certainly, this is a four season city so you should dress yourself in
shoes for comfort. I have three or four different pairs of boots, black and
brown, and they’re broken in very well so they’re very comfortable for me.
They’re good for when there’s rain or snow on the ground, and let’s face it,
you don’t want to be uncomfortable when the weather is like that.”
5. Bling: “I love watches and I think one mistake people make is they have a
certain budget for a watch and then they wear that watch every day, for every
occasion. I think it’s important to have a different watch for different
occasions . . . maybe a rubber band watch for activities, for instance, but
definitely have different watches for different things.”
Toronto Star LOADED: 10.05.2013
719645
Toronto Maple Leafs
Morgan Rielly has outgrown junior hockey: Feschuk
By: Dave Feschuk Sports Columnist, Published on Fri Oct 04 2013
When Morgan Rielly missed most of his second season of junior hockey
rehabbing from knee surgery, he also missed the bleary-eyed loop of bus
trips through the prairie winter.
“I understand the CHL doesn’t want to lose its star players. That’s really what
it is,” Poulin said. “But maybe on a limited basis you would have an option to
do that with a player.”
David Branch, the president of the CHL, said he’s of the belief that the current
system serves both his owners and their players.
“If you’re exceptional, you play in the NHL. If not, you return to junior hockey,”
Branch said. “As more and more junior age players play in the NHL, hockey
people certainly recognize the importance of not skimming off the next layer
of talent to put them in minor professional settings.”
Branch and Stothers rejected the idea that heading back to junior would do
harm to Rielly’s progress.
But that didn’t keep Rielly from waiting at the bus stop. While his Moose Jaw
Warrior teammates would be rolling home through the snow, Rielly made a
habit of waking to his alarm in the wee hours. He’d pull on a parka over his
flannel pyjamas. He would drive to the rink around the time the team was set
to arrive. Once there, he’d happily help unload equipment and chat with pals.
“There’s nothing to say that he won’t be as good (playing this season in
junior) as he would have been if he’d gone to the AHL. You might even argue
he could be better,” Branch said. “The risk of serious injury as a 19-year-old
playing against grown men in the American Hockey League is significantly
greater. There’s a lot of what ifs and wherefores.”
Never mind that it was the middle of the night, or that he was months away
from strapping on skates. The best player on the squad just wanted to be part
of the group.
Rielly, mind you, played 18 regular-season games and eight playoff matches
in the AHL last season — this after Moose Jaw’s campaign concluded with
the Warriors out of the playoffs. Rielly looked, in Poulin’s estimation, “very
comfortable.”
“You’ve got to love a kid who’d do that,” Mike Stothers, the Moose Jaw coach
and ex-Leaf defenceman, was saying this week. “It meant a lot to the guys.”
Two games into what may or may not be his first season with the Maple
Leafs, Rielly has yet to play a shift. But the slick-skating defenceman, drafted
fifth overall by Toronto in 2012, has been enthusiastically making himself part
of the group. He has marvelled at the amenities at the team’s practice
facilities — “All the coconut water you can drink,” he said with a giddy laugh a
while back. He has gushed about the A-1 catering on the team’s charter jet:
“All that food ...” The other day in Montreal he engaged in a competitive
two-man workout with David Clarkson, Toronto’s other non-playing roster
fixture of the moment.
With Thursday’s news that Leafs defenceman Mark Fraser has been placed
on injured reserved with a sore knee, Rielly is expected to draw into the
lineup in Saturday night’s home opener against the Ottawa Senators.
“He’s very close to playing,” Dave Poulin, Toronto’s vice-president of hockey
operations, said on Thursday. “If and when he’s given an opportunity, he’ll
make the most of it.”
While the Leafs are off to a 2-0 start, they’ve hardly been flawless on the back
end. Strong goaltending has patched more than a few cracks in the defensive
corps, and it’s no secret that Maple Leafs management is more than a little
high on the idea of the highly skilled kid from Vancouver getting ice time.
“Morgan Rielly has looked to me like he’s come in here and ready to take a
job,” Leafs GM Dave Nonis told a gathering of the team’s season-ticket
holders last week. “I don’t have a problem keeping a 19-year-old player here,
none whatsoever.”
Still, as bullish as Nonis has sounded, the GM has vowed that
experience-favouring head coach Randy Carlyle will make the final decision
on player selection.
“Randy has to be comfortable that (Rielly is) going to play, maybe not every
night, but a lot of the nights, and he’s going to play 12, 15 minutes a night,”
Nonis said in the meeting with subscribers last week. “That’s something we
feel is going to happen.
The Leafs can get a look at Rielly for a maximum of nine NHL games without
triggering the first year of his entry-level contract. Beyond that, their only
option would be to send him back to Moose Jaw to play his fourth season in
the WHL. The either-or scenario raises an obvious question, to wit: Wouldn’t
it be best for Rielly’s development if there was a third alternative —
specifically, a chance to play with the American Hockey League’s Toronto
Marlies. Alas, that choice is currently prohibited by an agreement between
the NHL and the Canadian Hockey League.
“Would it be nice to have another option? Of course it would,” said Poulin. “In
a perfect world, if a 19-year-old had already played three years of major
junior (as Rielly has), would it be nice to have the option of the American
Hockey League on an earned individual basis? Of course.”
Poulin, in the same breath, acknowledges that scenario would pose an
immediate problem for owners of junior franchises.
Said Rielly during training camp: “If I go back to junior I’m going to keep
working hard, keep trying to get better. Obviously my goal is to play here in
Toronto this year. But I’ll be happy either way.”
He’ll be happy even if he’s not being ideally served by a system Poulin called
“imperfect.”
Said Poulin: “You don’t dwell on something you can’t have. But are there
conversations about (tweaking the system)? Yes.”
Stothers, for his part, said he would clearly welcome Rielly back in Moose
Jaw should the Leafs decide that’s what’s best for him. But the Warriors
coach, who played 18 games on defence for his hometown Maple Leafs back
in the late-1980s, sounded as though he wouldn’t be surprised if Rielly never
again rode a bus with a team of fellow teenagers.
“He’s an awesome kid, an absolute gem,” Stothers said. “The thing with
Morgs is, the more you hang around him, the more you want to hang around
him. That’s actually my fear. The longer he’s there, the more the Leafs are
going to learn to love him.”
Toronto Star LOADED: 10.05.2013
719646
Toronto Maple Leafs
Leafs' Fraser on injured reserve
By Terry Koshan
,Toronto Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 08:32 PM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 08:38 PM EDT
TORONTO - Mark Fraser is down for the count.
The Maple Leafs placed the defenceman on long-term injured reserve on
Friday, meaning he is out of action for the next 10 games or 24 days.
Fraser suffered a suspected knee injury during the Leafs' win in Philadelphia
against the Flyers on Wednesday.
"(The) normal (recovery) is three-to-four weeks, whatever the magic number
turns out to be," Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said on Friday.
"He will be gone from our hockey club for an extended period of time."
Rookie Morgan Rielly will make his National Hockey League debut on
Saturday.
The Leafs did make a roster move, recalling forward Jamie Devane from the
Toronto Marlies. Devane did not practise on a set line on Friday, instead
joining David Clarkson without a centre.
"We just felt we needed another forward," Carlyle said. "Jamie had a good
training camp. He has size and is a big man and we will see where that takes
us."
GUESS THE GOALIE
James Reimer isn't one for giving up secrets.
Did he know the goaltending assignment for the Leafs' home opener against
the Ottawa Senators?
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't," Reimer said with a grin. "I'd love to answer the
question, but I don't know what Randy would want me to say."
Jonathan Bernier was excellent in a 3-1 victory against the Flyers on
Wednesday, making 31 saves. A night earlier, Reimer stopped 34 shots in a
4-3 Leafs win versus the Montreal Canadiens in the regular-season opener.
On the day before a game, Carlyle never publicly acknowledges which goalie
gets the nod.
"That decision was made a long time ago," was all Carlyle would say on
Friday.
Bet on Reimer getting the call. He has owned the Senators in his career,
going 8-1-1 with three shutouts, a .949 save percentage and a 1.69
goals-against average.
Bernier has never faced the Senators.
"I don't think there is anything wrong with having whatever you call it, two
number twos or two number ones," Bernier said. "As long as we are doing the
job, that's what matters, and getting the wins."
SENS ON TAP
What can the Leafs expect from the Senators, who finally started their
season on Friday in Buffalo against the Sabres?
"Every game we play against them has been intense," Carlyle said. "It will be
a fast-paced, skating game. It will be hard-hitting -- all of the things that the
Battle of Ontario has lived up to over the years. Last year was my first
opportunity to be involved in it, the pace of the game, the electricity that is in
the buildings, is something that separates it from other games."
Said Reimer: "They're a good puck-possession team. They move the puck
well, they work well as a five-man unit."
LOOSE LEAFS
The Leafs' best defenceman through two games was Cody Franson, who
missed all but the final two pre-season games because of a contract dispute.
"Franny is playing the game with a lot of confidence," Carlyle said. "Probably
shoots the theory that a player needs a full training camp (to be ready for the
regular season). I don't want to see it, but I am sure somewhere along the line
we will see some of that rust come back ... When Chris Kelly of the Boston
Bruins scored on a penalty shot on Thursday in his team's 3-1 win against the
Tampa Bay Lightning, it marked the second time in NHL history that a team's
first goal of the season came on a penalty shot. The other time it happened
was on Oct. 4, 2006, when Mats Sundin, then the Leafs captain, scored
against Ottawa. The Leafs lost 4-1 against the Sens that night.
Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
719647
Toronto Maple Leafs
high-school pals married a Hollywood actress, who’s to say I wouldn’t
harbour some deep-seated jealousies?
Why do NHL peers keep bashing Maple Leafs' Dion Phaneuf?
Why Phaneuf keeps being voted the most overrated player in the NHL is
probably based on a lot of petty B.S. and not because anyone in this market
has proclaimed him to be the second coming of Eddie Shore.
By Steve Buffery
Sometimes being the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs isn’t all it’s cracked
up to be.
,Toronto Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 06:05 PM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 06:31 PM EDT
Yet again, Dion Phaneuf is not getting any love from his peers.
In an ESPN poll published this week, the Leafs defenceman was voted the
most overrated player in the NHL by his fellow players.
Last year, in a poll of NHL players conducted by Sports Illustrated, Phaneuf
was voted the most overrated. The same thing the year before.
So what’s going on? Why is Phaneuf constantly getting dissed around the
NHL? Is it his on-ice demeanour? His pay grade? The fact that he’s the
captain of the storied Toronto Maple Leafs? Is it because he’s married to a
Hollywood actress? Or is he sneaking into guys’ kitchens in the morning and
doing unspeakable things to their cornflakes? It has to be something.
Phaneuf has said in the past that he doesn’t care about polls (and, frankly,
many of the sample sizes are ridiculously small), and that’s fine. But all this
Dion bashing is getting a bit ridiculous. After all, what exactly does overrated
mean?
To be overrated, don’t you have to be on some kind of pedestal to start with?
Don’t you have to be considered some kind of superstar to be considered
overrated? Not a lot of fourth-line guys are deemed to be overrated. In
Phaneuf’s case, I haven’t heard too many writers or fans in this market put
him on a pedestal. Generally, it’s the opposite.
Leafs fans seem to complain about Phaneuf much more than praise him. Yet
he keeps being voted overrated.
Poll after poll, it’s the same thing. Last year, in a poll of 161 NHL players
conducted by SI, Phaneuf was named the most overrated guy in 20 ballots.
This week, in an ESPN The Magazine poll of 30 “star” NHL players, Phaneuf
was again voted the most overrated player, gaining 13.3% of the vote.
Surely there’s something else at play here. There has to be a reason why the
Leafs D-man keeps getting knocked on his ass by his peers. As far as I know,
the man doesn’t run around the Leafs dressing room telling everyone how
great he is. Maybe it has little to do with how great Phaneuf is perceived to be
(or not). Maybe it’s just a lot of unfair, petty crap which has nothing to do with
his play. Perhaps it something to do with the following:
1. He plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs: Phaneuf skates for the most storied
franchise in the NHL, which means he gets a lot more ink and air time than
most guys of his skill set in the league, meaning that there’s likely some
resentment amongst his fellow players.
2. He’s captain of the Maple Leafs: This, of course, brings up unfair
comparisons to past Leafs captains. And when you’re the captain of the
Leafs, let’s face it, you’re on an awfully high pedestal, whether you like it or
not, even if that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the best player on the team.
It means you’re supposed to be a leader. In Phaneuf’s case, it’s a cross he
has to bear.
3. Phaneuf makes a lot of money ($6.5 million this season): In these times,
when you make big money in pro sports, you’re supposed to be great.
Phaneuf probably is overpaid, but is that his fault? Perhaps to some people,
that makes him overrated.
4. He’s a defenceman who once scored 20 goals: In his rookie season, no
less. For years, he’s had to live up that.
5. He gets on other players’ nerves: Phaneuf is often in the mix when things
go sour and he’s known to yap at the opposition as well. He’s also been
accused of being a dirty player at times. All of that certainly doesn’t win him
any popularity contests with his peers.
6. Perhaps it’s his name ... Dion: Kind of a splashy, showbiz type moniker
(remember Dion and the Belmonts?) Maybe if his name was Butch or Rocky
or Bill, he’d garner a little more respect.
7. Hot wife, lots of jealousy: Maybe it has something to do with the fact that
he’s now married to a Hollywood actress (Elisha Cuthbert). Hey, if one of my
Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
719648
Toronto Maple Leafs
The idea that he could make a living as an NHL player crystallized for Rielly
when he was about to enter high school.
Morgan Rielly to make NHL debut in Maple Leafs home opener vs. Senators
“I made a choice to go to the Prairies and play for the Notre Dame Hounds (in
Wilcox, Sask.), got drafted by Moose Jaw and told myself that I wanted to be
a player,” Rielly said.
By Terry Koshan
“I think it has all been going well, but I have not proven a whole lot yet. I have
to keep working hard and I have quite a bit of work to do yet.”
,Toronto Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 11:46 AM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 06:05 PM EDT
On Saturday night, as a nation watches, that work resumes in earnest.
A DREAM COME TRUE FOR RIELLY
Morgan Rielly couldn’t help but eavesdrop on a busy Toronto street corner a
couple of weeks ago.
He has not played in a game and already Morgan Rielly has made an impact
on his Maple Leafs teammates.
The rookie Maple Leafs defenceman was walking back to his hotel following
a morning skate and heard a couple of twenty-somethings talking Leafs.
“You can see how much fun he is having, it’s his dream come true,” Cody
Franson, whose locker is beside Rielly’s at the MasterCard Centre practice
facility, said on Friday.
“The one guy said he thought the team should put me back in junior,” Rielly
said, remembering the conversation with a smile, “and that hurt my
confidence a little bit.”
Consider Rielly’s confidence back on an even keel. The 19-year-old,
selected fifth overall by the Leafs in the 2012 draft, will make his NHL debut
on Saturday night when the Leafs, in their home opener, play host to the
Ottawa Senators as the Battle of Ontario resumes for the 2013-14 season.
Rielly’s mom and dad, Andy and Shirley, were scheduled to be on an early
flight Saturday morning out of Vancouver and in the stands at the Air Canada
Centre for their youngest son’s debut. But only after some quick packing and
dropping Morgan’s dog off at the kennel.
“I’m hoping he’s less nervous than me,” Andy Rielly said by telephone on
Friday afternoon. “But he seems to be fine with it. We’re so happy for him. It’s
a great chance.”
There had been speculation Rielly would play on Saturday night no matter
the status of the other Leafs defencemen, but the door to opportunity was
kicked open when coach Randy Carlyle confirmed that Mark Fraser, dealing
with a suspected knee injury, will be out of the lineup for up to four weeks.
As the saying goes, there’s never been a better chance, and Rielly is being
counted on make the most of it.
“Just go out and play,” Carlyle said by way of advice. “Do your thing. He is a
talented young hockey player. Don’t get caught up in the moment too much
about this game or that game. He has played in the world junior, he has
played in high-pressure situations, but it is always special when you play your
first game in the NHL.”
Rielly was paired with Jake Gardiner during practice on Friday, but Carlyle
indicated that the two youngsters will not play as a duo against the Sens. It
could be that Rielly winds up with Cody Franson.
The Leafs have nine games in which to evaluate Rielly and make a decision
on his hockey future. If he plays in a 10th, the first year of his entry-level deal
goes into motion and he will be staying put. The other option is to send him
back to Moose Jaw of the Western Hockey League.
“He plays the game with his head and his legs and his hands,” Carlyle said.
“He has all three assets that separate him from other people in his age group.
He is a strong puck-mover, he can get the puck through from the point on the
power play, he has great wheels to get up and down the ice, he is smart in his
reads.
“I don’t know what more I can say that does not put an exclamation point on
the type of player we think he is and what he can be.”
Communication in pro sports being what it is, Rielly had not been told in
certain terms by the coaching staff he would be playing. But no news usually
is good news.
“It’s pretty cliche, but as a kid you dream about that kind of opportunity,”
Rielly said about playing on Hockey Night in Canada on a Saturday night.
“If I got a chance to play in Leafs home opener on Hockey Night in Canada, it
would be pretty special.
“I don’t really know what the next two weeks are going to bring, but it’s kind of
a weird experience that I have never had before ... I’m not going to take
anything for granted.”
“Everybody goes through that process and sometimes when you have been
here for a while, you forget that, you start focusing on being more important
and trying to develop your game and being a bigger piece. Sometimes you
get so focused on your work, you forget what you are actually doing and how
great it is.
“Seeing him walk around here with a big smile on his face is good for all of
us.”
The poise that Rielly has on the ice carries similar weight away from the rink.
“He seems like one of those guys who is pretty cool no matter the
circumstance,” Franson said. “Every time you talk to him or joke around with
him, he is all for it. He is taking it all in. He is excited.”
Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
719649
Toronto Maple Leafs
Marlies happy to have John-Michael Liles in the fold
“We have a lot of good first- and second-year players here and once they
figure the little things out about the AHL, we’re going to do well,” Smith said.
John-Michael Liles and Jerry D’Amigo will be the alternate captains at home,
Korbinian Holzer and Andrew MacWilliam get the “A” on the road.
Toronto Sun LOADED: 10.05.2013
By Lance Hornby
,Toronto Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 09:34 PM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 09:41 PM EDT
Steve Spott can’t wait to get in his first Marlies game, while John-Michael
Liles could have done with a long delay.
But the American Hockey League season opens Saturday for Toronto’s farm
team and the two men are committed to making it work for mutual benefit and
that of many younger players.
Spott, who has never coached at the pro level, goes behind the Marlies
bench at 3 p.m. against Grand Rapids at Ricoh Coliseum. One of the
veterans he’ll be relying upon the most is Liles, whose big-ticket salary was
partially buried by the Maple Leafs in a salary cap move.
“I wasn’t sure how John-Michael was going to react to it, but he has made it
easy on us,” Spott said Friday. “He knows he’s being challenged. He also
knows this isn’t foreign ice to him, that he is still in Toronto. And we want to
help him make it back to the National Hockey League.”
Outside of five season-ending games with the Hershey Bears in 2003 when
he graduated from Michigan State, Liles didn’t see any minor-league action
in 621 games with Colorado and Toronto. But his four-year, $15.5 million
U.S. commitment to the Leafs in January of 2012 came just before coach
Ron Wilson’s firing and, a year later, the dismissal of general manager Brian
Burke. The offensive-minded Liles is a good player, but just not one who fits
Randy Carlyle’s plan.
“I think he appreciates we’ll need him a lot,” Spott said. “It’s great for us to
have him and (fellow NHL veterans) T.J. Brennan and Korbinian Holzer
here.”
For now, Liles will partner Petter Granberg, a 2010 pick from Sweden who
didn’t do as well at camp as expected and needs a mentor.
The Toronto-born Spott has invited many friends and family to his debut, as
well as pals from his primary OHL base in Kitchener. The coach of the 2013
Canadian junior team is being entrusted with a much more inexperienced
lineup than predecessor Dallas Eakins, who made the 2012 Calder Cup final
and took a few veterans with him to the Edmonton organization in the
summer.
Spott’s projected lines are almost all high-round Leaf picks. He also has
projected Leafs Stuart Percy, Andrew MacWilliam and Granberg on defence.
Drew MacIntyre starts in goal against the Griffins, while promising junior
Garret Sparks is the backup. It’s expected Sparks or third man Christopher
Gibson will eventually join Toronto’s new ECHL affiliate in Orlando. Training
camp tryouts Kory Nagy and Michael Neal (brother of James) are headed
down there already.
SMITH NAMED MARLIES CAPTAIN
New Marlies captain Trevor Smith might have to give up the ‘C’ for a couple
of trips to the ACC.
“I want to put to bed the notion that being captain of a farm team is not the
ultimate curse of making the NHL,” said Marlies coach Steve Spott. “If the
Leafs need a responsible third- or fourth-line forward, then Trevor will be
there. It happened for Ryan (Hamilton) last year and it will be a great
motivation for everyone on the Marlies if Trevor is there.
Smith, a 28-year-old Ottawa native, has played 24 NHL games with
Pittsburgh, the Islanders and Tampa Bay, gaining six points. He was in a
game as recently as last year with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.
“I’m not exactly a prospect anymore, but I’m not too old, either,” said Smith,
who was named captain on Friday at Ricoh Coliseum. “I think I had a great
camp with the Leafs as it went on.”
Spott, who has not coached at the pro level, wanted a captain familiar with
promotions and demotions to help a young Marlies team — a “surrogate
coach” in a way.
719650
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly expected to make NHL debut against
Ottawa Senators
Michael Traikos | 04/10/13 | Last Updated: 04/10/13 1:39 PM ET
Morgan Rielly moved one step closer to making his NHL debut with the
Toronto Maple Leafs.
What we have learned from the Leafs' first two games
The 19-year-old, who sat out the first two games of the season as a healthy
scratch, was paired with Jake Gardiner at practice amongst the team’s
top-six defencemen on Friday. With Mark Fraser (hamstring) on long-term
injury reserve — meaning he must miss 24 days or 10 games — Rielly is
expected to play his first game against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
“What are my expectations? Just go out and play,” said head coach Randy
Carlyle. “Do your thing. He’s a talented young hockey player … he’s played in
world juniors, he’s played in pressure situations, but it’s always special when
it’s your first game in the NHL.
“I just think that he plays the game with his head and his legs and his hands.
He’s got all three assets that separate him from other people in his age
group.”
If Rielly plays nine games, his entry-level contract would kick in and he would
likely not be returned to junior. Because of his age, he cannot be sent down
to the minors.
Although Rielly was paired with Gardiner at practice on Friday, Carlyle said
that could change for Saturday’s game.
The Leafs also recalled forward Jamie Devane from the Toronto Marlies,
although it is unclear whether he will be in the lineup on Saturday.
National Post LOADED: 10.05.2013
719651
Toronto Maple Leafs
After Toronto Maple Leafs demotion, John-Michael Liles takes on
minor-league duties with healthy dose of professionalism and hope
Michael Traikos | 04/10/13 | Last Updated: 04/10/13 9:07 AM ET
TORONTO — John-Michael Liles was a senior in college the last time he
played in the minors. Ten years later, after carving out a successful NHL
career as an offensive defenceman, he is back.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ eight-year deal with Phil Kessel: What it all means
And though the long bus rides from city to city are still the same, there are
slight upgrades from the last time he was down here.
“I think I get my own seat on the bus now,” the 32-year-old said with a smile.
“I remember being wedged in pretty good 10 years ago.”
A victim of the shrinking salary cap in the first full season under the new
collective bargaining agreement, Liles was placed on waivers and then
assigned to the Toronto Marlies earlier this week. It allowed the Maple Leafs,
who were hard against the cap, to remove US$925,000 of his
US$3.875-million cap hit. He knew all along it was going to happen. But for
someone who had logged more than 600 games in the NHL and still believes
he can be a regular top-six defenceman, it did not make it easier to digest.
“It’s never easy,” Liles said. “It’s not something you plan on, but for me it’s to
make the most of the opportunity. I think we have a great group of guys here
— a young group — and hopefully I can bring something to the team.”
What Liles brings to the team is veteran leadership. “A little bit of old man
knowledge,” he said. He also brings a reminder that the NHL is not always
fair.
Two years ago, the Leafs made a four-year, US$15.5-million commitment to
Liles to become their power-play quarterback. The following year, he spent a
third of the season as a healthy scratch. Now, like Jeff Finger, Tim Connolly
and Mike Komisarek before him, he is yet another overpaid mistake that the
team has to bury in the minors.
Liles is a victim of circumstance more than anything else. There are those
within the organization who believe he is more than able to play in the NHL.
But the Leafs have an abundance of left-handed, puck-moving defencemen.
They remain so tight against the cap they are carrying just one reserve
player.
“There’s a lot of factors involved,” said Dave Poulin, Leafs vice-president of
hockey operations, whose history with Liles goes back to when he tried to
recruit the Indiana native to play for the University of Notre Dame as a
16-year-old.
“There’s a tremendous amount of respect there. But he’s a true professional
when talking about this. I can only imagine that he’s coming down here ready
to work.”
Liles said he does not hold any grudges against the Leafs. He watched both
of the team’s games this week and was happy that his former teammates are
playing well without him. But he is also hoping that he can join the team
sometime soon, a possibility with defenceman Mark Fraser being placed on
injured reserve because of a reported hamstring injury (although the team
told the National Post on Thursday that it would not be calling anyone up right
away).
“Starting off the season 2-0 is never a bad thing,” Liles said. “It’s early in the
season, so there’s good points and bad points. If you ask anybody in that
room, I’m sure they’d say the same thing. I thought both [James] Reimer and
[Jonathan] Bernier played really well, and like I said, starting off the season
2-0 is never a bad thing.”
For now, Liles is trying to make the most of the situation in the AHL and
hopes it can be a springboard back to where he believes he belongs. That is
what Komisarek did after spending the end of last season in the minors. Now
signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, Komisarek spoke to Liles shortly after
he was assigned to the Marlies and told him this can be an opportunity to
something bigger if he views it the right way.
“We shared the same attitude in the sense that you can control what you can
control,” Liles said of speaking with Komisarek. “I would love to be back in the
NHL. I don’t feel like I’m done playing in the NHL, but for now I’m here, I’m
just going to work hard and make the most of the opportunity here.”
That begins on the ice, where Marlies head coach Steve Spott is expecting
big things from the seasoned pro when the season begins on Saturday.
“I’m expecting him to be a dominant player,” Spott said. “He just has to be.
The way he skates, the way he handles the puck, we expect him to be a
dominant American Hockey League defenceman, as he should be. He’s a
very good NHL defenceman, so it should only translate to him being great at
this level.
“My challenge is to get [Liles] back to the National Hockey League.”
National Post LOADED: 10.05.2013
719652
Washington Capitals
Braden Holtby on making adjustments to his game this season
By Katie Carrera, Updated: October 4, 2013
Through two games and less than four full periods of play, Braden Holtby has
allowed eight goals on 45 shots — a disappointing start but one that hasn’t
shaken the confidence of his teammates.
Holtby read the game-winning shot incorrectly in the season opener against
the Blackhawks, but he also turned away breakaway attempts by both
Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp to keep the Capitals in the contest. While he
didn’t appear as poised as usual against the Flames, there was little he could
do to prevent Lee Stempniak’s tally, and he didn’t see Jiri Hudler shot on the
power play.
Holtby remains the Capitals main option in net, though, as evidenced by
Coach Adam Oates’s decision to go back to him for Saturday’s game in
Dallas. Oates told Holtby he would face the Stars before the dust settled on
Thursday night’s home opener. Oates isn’t the only one comfortable going
back to Holtby after the goaltender was pulled before the end of the first
period against Calgary.
“I’ve got nothing but confidence in him,” Jason Chimera said. “We’re not
worried about that.”
The 24-year-old netminder said that during training camp and the preseason
he has worked with goaltending coach Olie Kolzig to make some tweaks to
his game. They’re changes in his footwork and positioning – nothing that is
fundamentally altering his style, but adjustments that take time nonetheless.
“I think any changes you make that you haven’t used your whole life take a
little bit of work,” Holtby said. “It’s not drastic changes just a little bit of
positioning, a little bit of making it so I have a better chance of staying under
control in scramble situations and better chance to make saves — the saves
you’re not supposed to make –- the cross crease and backdoor and whatnot
[by] trying to position your feet in different ways. It’s just one of those things
that when you start to struggle you go back to your old ways and get in even
more trouble.”
Holtby is in the middle stage between new habits and old ones, the key is
reaching the point where the adjustments become his natural instinct.
“I think the first two games,” Holtby said, “I was thinking a bit too much about
what I was doing positionally and not thinking about the basics of the game
as much as I should have.”
Until he reaches that point, Holtby wants to makes sure he studies his
mistakes and find a way to resolve those problems.
“It’s been a bit of a learning curve this camp,” Holtby said. “Trying to change a
few things and [seeing] those goals [scored against] are what is going to
make those changes easier to see what you can do better, what you did good
or whatever and to make sure it doesn’t happen on a consistent basis.”
Washington Post LOADED: 10.05.2013
719653
Washington Capitals
Jack Hillen will undergo surgery Friday, expected to miss months
By Katie Carrera, Updated: October 4, 2013
After suffering an apparent injury to his left leg in Thursday’s home opener,
defenseman Jack Hillen will undergo surgery Friday, Coach Adam Oates
said.
Oates doesn’t believe Hillen’s injury is career-threatening, but he did say he
expects the 27-year-old blueliner to miss months. The exact nature of Hillen’s
injury is unknown. The Capitals will describe his condition only as a lower
body injury.
Pressed on the length of time Hillen is expected to miss, Oates said he
wouldn’t go so far as to say it is a season-threatening injury.
“I wouldn’t say that right now, I think it’s too early to tell,” Oates said. “But it’s
going to be an extended period of time.”
Video of the hit by Lance Bouma on Jack Hillen
Lance Bouma’s check that ultimately injured Hillen wasn’t a dirty hit, but
simply caught the defenseman mid-stride when he was vulnerable to having
his leg twisted in an awkward fashion.
“It was ugly to see. You can’t fault the guy that hit him at all, it’s a hockey play.
He did the right thing as far as the game’s concerned,” Braden Holtby said.
“You just never want to see a guy hit in an awkward situation like that. It’s bad
for Hills. Obviously he’s had a bit of rough luck [at] the start of years here the
last couple.”
Where the Capitals go from here in terms of organizing their defensive depth
is still a little up in the air. Oates said he hasn’t decided whether to play
waiver-wire pickup Alexander Urbom or to put Steve Oleksy, who sat out the
first two contests as a healthy scratch, on Saturday in Dallas.
Oates prefers players to skate on their strong side. He doesn’t like when
defensemen skate on their weak side, because of how it can make certain
routine plays more complicated or inefficient. Urbom is a left-handed shot,
like Hillen. Oleksy is a right-handed shot and would have to play his off-side.
“I don’t like it. It puts guys in a difficult position. I’ve got to talk to Calle
[Johansson] more today as we go to Dallas and talk to [Urbom] more,” Oates
said. “I haven’t really had a chance too long to sit down with him about how
he’s feeling.”
The Capitals held an optional practice Friday. Those who elected not to skate
were: Troy Brouwer, Mike Green, John Carlson, Karl Alzner and John
Erskine. It was an opportunity for the defensemen, who played heavy
minutes Thursday night after Hillen left the game with the injury, to rest.
Brouwer was “stiff” this morning Oates said.
Washington Post LOADED: 10.05.2013
719654
Washington Capitals
Five thoughts on the Capitals’ win over the Flames
4. Even strength questions. The Capitals have been outscored 8-3 at even
strength through two games and some of the same problems they
experienced in Chicago were evident early against Calgary. Turnovers were
abundant, the defense wasn’t as well orchestrated as it should be and those
factors caught up to them. They’ll continue to do so if Washington can’t clean
up its game in the defensive zone.
By Katie Carrera, Updated: October 4, 2013
But when the power play is 5-for-9 through two games it can be easy to rely
on that unit, even if Oates would rather the team not make it the primary
focus.
Thursday night certainly wasn’t the way anyone would have drawn up a win,
but the Capitals will take it.
“I’m so leery about focusing so much on our power play,” Oates said. “You
don’t want the guys thinking oh we can wait until we get a power play. No
you’ve got to play hockey. You get three power plays a game that’s 6
minutes. There’s 54 minutes you’re not focused on. To me, I want our power
play to be solid but we have to have all aspects of our game solid.”
After spotting the Calgary Flames a 3-0 lead and looking remarkably out of
sorts for the first period, Washington found its footing in the final 40 minutes.
Connor Carrick started the comeback with his first NHL goal, Alex Ovechkin
posted two of his own and Nicklas Backstrom scored to tie the contest with
5:50 remaining in regulation. In the shootout, Mikhail Grabovski and
Ovechkin scored to secure two points.
And while it wasn’t perfect, getting that first win out of the way is never a bad
thing.
Five thoughts on the Capitals’ victory over the Flames.
1. Holtby’s short night. Braden Holtby made a second consecutive start but
this appearance didn’t last long. He allowed three goals on 11 shots in the
first 16:22 of the contest. Of the three, the first goal by David Jones was
arguably the most preventable on Holtby’s part as the shot beat him high
right corner after he appeared to dropped down into the butterfly early.
Oates acknowledged that after the three goals against the Flames, and the
fluky goal Holtby allowed in Chicago he “wasn’t sure where [Holtby] was
mentally” but said that the move was more to spark the team.
“You’re looking for some sort of momentum change, the time it takes to do
that maybe the guys start talking amongst themselves,” Oates said. “Some
coaches yell, I kind of just said things to guys. You’re just looking for them to
regroup really.”
Through two games Holtby has allowed eight goals on 45 shots. While it’s a
different season, it’s worth noting that last year in his first two starts Holtby
allowed 10 goals on 73 shots.
Asked if he would go back to Holtby for Saturday’s game in Dallas, Oates
was blunt.
“Absolutely. Already told him,” Oates said. “Everybody has hiccups –
everybody. And he’s got to understand that to me, that’s what it is.”
2. Neuvirth in relief. Michal Neuvirth made his first appearance of the season
when he entered the game late in the first period. He stopped 27 of the 28
shots he faced and was solid — aside from a miscue when he tried to play
the puck, which ultimately led to Lance Bouma scoring Calgary’s fourth goal.
“Neuvy was great. He’s got something to prove,” Karl Alzner said. “A lot of
people are counting him out and a lot of attention is going to Holtsy.
Sometimes people forget how good of a goalie Neuvy is and we needed that
big time out of him.”
The coaching staff has asked Neuvirth to work on his puck-handling skills
and during the preseason there was a definite improvement. But in the
second period when he ventured behind the net to corral the puck he tripped
on his way around the net. That mistake allowed Brian McGrattan to gain
possession of the puck and send it out in front to Bouma, who shot into an
empty net.
“After I gave up that goal it kind of crush my confidence with the puck but just
another experience,” Neuvirth said. “I’ve got to learn from the mistakes, keep
working in practice and try to get better every day. “
3. Redemption for Carrick. The rookie defenseman wanted a better
all-around performance in his second game and he delivered. After taking a
hooking penalty in the second period, Carrick stepped out of the penalty box
to receive a head-man pass from Marcus Johansson. Carrick skated in alone
on net, pulled the puck around Karri Ramo’s toe and put the Capitals on the
board.
Then he was treated to the rite of passage that is having Alex Ovechkin
smash a towel full of shaving cream in your face afterwards.
“That was more how I imagined my first game going, not so much the goal,
but managing the puck – being good defensively,” Carrick said. “I was happy
to get back on the horse and have a performance that I felt I could build on.”
5. Shots. Alex Ovechkin took 11 shots on goal against the Flames, bringing
him to a two-game total of 20. Looking at attempted shots that were either
blocked or missed the target, Ovechkin has 11 more between the two
contests. Remember back to the 2011-12 season when Ovechkin recorded
only 303 shots on goal? It was a relatively down year for him – he took 220 to
lead the league once again in the lockout shortened season. Oates has
talked a lot about Ovechkin getting more touches, more time with the puck,
more opportunity to shoot. Looks like he’s taking advantage.
Washington Times LOADED: 10.05.2013
719655
Winnipeg Jets
5-3 win shows Jets can hold court with Kings
"We had a nice chat, talked about Game 1. We said, ‘Guys, keep on going.
You’ll get the opportunities as you deserve them and as they come,’" the Jets
GM told LeBrun. "They’re both very humble kids, but they’re both showing a
lot more maturity than a lot of 19-year and 20-year-olds."
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.05.2013
By: Ed Tait
Posted: 10/4/2013 12:02 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 10/4/2013 11:09
PM | Updates
They are really digging their new neighbourhood among the tall trees in the
National Hockey League’s Western Conference.
And while there were some iffy moments down the stretch — the Jets held a
4-1 advantage before a pair of late power-play goals by the Kings made
things far more interesting than the home side wanted — they did improve to
2-0 courtesy some big-time contributions from some of the usual faces.
Evander Kane scored twice, Ondrej Pavelec was outstanding, Dustin
Byfuglien was a force, Bryan Little and Olli Jokinen were solid, while the work
of new faces like Devin Setoguchi, Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba was
also critical in the win.
Most importantly, the Jets fulfilled one of their primary objectives heading into
the season: to be hard to play against.
"I think we’ve stressed we need to play the right way on a nightly basis," said
captain Andrew Lad. "That’s the biggest thing. We’ve seen it in spurts over
the last couple of years, and being on the outside looking in we’ve realized
that’s not good enough. What we’ve come up with as a group is that we want
that every night and we’ve stressed that. I think you’ve seen that so far."
Home debut redux
The home-opener win was the Jets’ first since their rebirth in Winnipeg after
serving up two duds in their first attempts — the 5-1 stinker to Montreal in
Year 1 and last season’s 4-1 yawner against Ottawa. And, just FYI, the last
time this franchise opened a campaign with consecutive wins was 2009-10
when the Atlanta Thrashers knocked off Tampa and St. Louis.
On Friday both Kane and Blake Wheeler pointed to using their speed and
physical play to key a home-ice turnaround this season — the Jets had just
the 21st-best home record last season — and while they were outshot 18-7 in
the first period, the two clubs were knotted at 1-1 and Winnipeg had
dominated the hit parade 13-7.
"You put the puck in the net in this building and you get to feed off the crowd,"
Ladd said. "The energy was awesome. We need to keep putting the puck in
the net here because it’s fun to play here when the crowd is energized."
Engaged, all right
With apologies to Pavelec, who was outstanding — especially early — the
best player on the ice was Kane. Interestingly, his engagement to longtime
girlfriend Ashley Chamberland was all over social media late Thursday and
No. 9 was certainly engaged against the Kings. His stat line was absolutely
gaudy: two goals, one assist, eight shots, five hits, nine minutes in penalties
— including a second-period scrap with Colin Fraser — along with one
blocked shot in 14 minutes and 38 second of ice time.
"We got to the body early and against a team like L.A. you have to let them
know you’re not going to be run out of your own building," said Kane. "We did
a good job of sticking up for each other and being physical. Those kinds of
things lead to turnovers and people second guessing themselves."
The kids are all right
The Jets may be concerned about all the hype surrounding Trouba and
Scheifele, but the two first-rounders are already staples on the second line
and second defence pairing. Scheifele, who looks far more comfy now than
in the pre-season, picked up an assist, drew a couple of penalties and was
plus-2 while Trouba played 20:53 and was solid through 40 minutes before a
pair of giveaways in the third period.
Interestingly, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun, Jets GM Kevin
Cheveldayoff and head coach Claude Noel had a little chat with both
youngsters on Thursday to pat them on the back for their work in the
opening-night win against Edmonton, stress the importance of rest and
nutrition and then hammered home that the season is a marathon, not a
sprint.
719656
Winnipeg Jets
Jets off to a flying start
Fans get taste of what team might be able to accomplish
By: Ed Tait
Posted: 10/5/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0
Interestingly, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, Jets GM Kevin
Cheveldayoff and head coach Claude Noel had a little chat with both
youngsters on Thursday to pat them on the back for their work in the
opening-night win against Edmonton, stress the importance of rest and
nutrition and then hammered home that the season is a marathon, not a
sprint.
"We had a nice chat, talked about Game 1. We said, 'Guys, keep on going.
You'll get the opportunities as you deserve them and as they come,'" the Jets
GM told LeBrun. "They're both very humble kids, but they're both showing a
lot more maturity than a lot of 19-year and 20-year-olds."
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.05.2013
There are boxes to unpack and some settling in to do yet. And, yes, it's way
too early to be making any concrete conclusions.
But it's also not a stretch to say this after the Winnipeg Jets knocked off the
Los Angeles Kings 5-3 in their 2013-14 home opener in front of another
raucous MTS Centre crowd Friday night:
They are really digging their new neighbourhood among the tall trees in the
National Hockey League's Western Conference.
And while there were some iffy moments down the stretch -- the Jets held a
4-1 advantage before a pair of late power-play goals by the Kings made
things far more interesting than the home side wanted -- they did improve to
2-0 courtesy some big-time contributions from some of the usual faces.
Evander Kane scored twice, Ondrej Pavelec was outstanding, Dustin
Byfuglien was a force, Bryan Little and Olli Jokinen were solid, while the work
of new faces like Devin Setoguchi, Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba was
also critical in the win.
Most importantly, the Jets fulfilled one of their primary objectives heading into
the season: to be hard to play against.
"I think we've stressed we need to play the right way on a nightly basis," said
captain Andrew Lad. "That's the biggest thing. We've seen it in spurts over
the last couple of years, and being on the outside looking in we've realized
that's not good enough. What we've come up with as a group is that we want
that every night and we've stressed that. I think you've seen that so far."
Home debut redux
The home-opener win was the Jets' first since their rebirth in Winnipeg after
serving up two duds in their first attempts -- the 5-1 stinker to Montreal in
Year 1 and last season's 4-1 yawner against Ottawa. And, just FYI, the last
time this franchise opened a campaign with consecutive wins was 2009-10
when the Atlanta Thrashers knocked off Tampa and St. Louis.
On Friday both Kane and Blake Wheeler pointed to using their speed and
physical play to key a home-ice turnaround this season -- the Jets had just
the 21st-best home record last season -- and while they were outshot 18-7 in
the first period, the two clubs were knotted at 1-1 and Winnipeg had
dominated the hit parade 13-7.
"You put the puck in the net in this building and you get to feed off the crowd,"
Ladd said. "The energy was awesome. We need to keep putting the puck in
the net here because it's fun to play here when the crowd is energized."
Engaged, all right
With apologies to Pavelec, who was outstanding -- especially early -- the best
player on the ice was Kane. Interestingly, his engagement to longtime
girlfriend Ashley Chamberland was all over social media late Thursday and
No. 9 was certainly engaged against the Kings. His stat line was absolutely
gaudy: two goals, one assist, eight shots, five hits, nine minutes in penalties
-- including a second-period scrap with Colin Fraser -- along with one blocked
shot in 14 minutes and 38 second of ice time.
"We got to the body early and against a team like L.A. you have to let them
know you're not going to be run out of your own building," said Kane. "We did
a good job of sticking up for each other and being physical. Those kinds of
things lead to turnovers and people second guessing themselves."
The kids are all right
The Jets may be concerned about all the hype surrounding Trouba and
Scheifele, but the two first-rounders are already staples on the second line
and second defence pairing. Scheifele, who looks far more comfy now than
in the pre-season, picked up an assist, drew a couple of penalties and was
plus-2 while Trouba played 20:53 and was solid through 40 minutes before a
pair of giveaways in the third period.
719657
Winnipeg Jets
Afterburner
By: Staff Writer
Posted: 10/5/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0
SUMMARY
Kings 3 at Jets 5
First Period
1. Los Angeles, Greene 1 (unassisted) 14:17.
2. Winnipeg, Kane 1 (Setoguchi, Scheifele) 15:45.
Penalties: Kane Wpg (roughing) 8:21, Brown LA (interference) 9:48, Postma
Wpg (tripping) 12:08.
Second Period
3. Winnipeg, Jokinen 1 (Frolik, Enstrom) 12:54.
Penalties: Byfuglien Wpg (hooking) 0:44, Kane Wpg (fighting) 3:04, Fraser
LA (fighting) 3:04, King LA (hooking) 4:55, Greene LA (roughing) 13:50.
Third Period
4. Winnipeg, Kane 2 (Setoguchi, Byfuglien) 2:22 (pp).
5. Winnipeg, Setoguchi 1 (Kane, Jokinen) 5:19.
6. Los Angeles, Carter 2 (Muzzin, Richards) 11:00 (pp).
7. Los Angeles, Williams 1 (Frattin, Mitchell) 15:44 (pp).
8. Winnipeg, Little 2 (Ladd) 19:12 (en).
Penalties: Greene LA (holding) 2:09, Richards LA (slashing) 5:28, Trouba
Wpg (tripping) 10:55, Kane Wpg (high-sticking) 13:48, Regehr LA (tripping)
15:55.
Referees -- Greg Kimmerly, Dan O'Halloran.
Linesmen -- Ryan Galloway, Vaughan Rody.
Attendance -- 15,004.
"Ø"Ø THE HARD WAY:
There was great risk in the way the Jets trailed the speed of the game in the
first. They also overcame another big obstacle - the Kings owned the faceoff
circle on Friday. L.A. won the faceoff match in every period, by counts of
15-6, 12-8 and 13-9. Jim Slater was the Jets' only plus man, at 9-for- 17. It's
very difficult to win in the NHL when you're not starting with the puck.
THE HARD WAY II:
In going 2-0 to start the season, the Jets have bucked the odds. For a second
straight night, they lost the special-teams battle to their opponents and came
out with a clean two points. The Kings, with their third-period surge on Friday,
wound up two-for-five on the power play. Winnipeg went one-for-six.
UP NEXT:
Ducks at Jets
Sunday, 7 p.m., MTS Centre
TSN Jets, TSN 1290
-- Tim Campbell
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.05.2013
719658
Winnipeg Jets
Richards says Carter is only now reaching the height of his powers and it's
coming from a change within.
Flyers, Jackets gave up on Kings sniper way too early
"He's put a bigger emphasis on his fitness. He came in this year and he was
top-three on the team in testing. That wasn't expected from him in prior
years," said Richards. "He was so naturally gifted coming into the NHL he
didn't need it. He works out after every practice... He's so powerful now, and
it makes him better."
By: Gary Lawless
A request to speak with Carter for this story was made but he wouldn't
comply Friday morning prior to the game.
Carter's metamorphosis
Posted: 10/5/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0
One man's beat-up Samsonite is another's Louis Vuitton. Meet Jeff Carter
and his Stanley Cup-pedigreed baggage.
Some luggage has style and value and stays in the family for years. Some
finds its way to the end of the driveway on a drizzly garbage day.
The Philadelphia Flyers decided a little too early to put Carter on the baggage
tram to nowhere. So did the Columbus Blue Jackets.
But Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi went and rescued Carter from a
short stint in Columbus to team him with his old Flyers running mate, Mike
Richards.
The move came early in the winter of 2013 and put the final piece in place for
a team that would go on to win the Stanley Cup that spring.
Carter was labelled a malcontent in Philadelphia and Columbus. In Los
Angeles he became a Cup winner and a reborn sniper with a ticket to Sochi
just waiting to get punched.
"I've known him a long time. When he got to Philly, I was working there and
he used to get rides to the rink from me because we were staying in the same
area. I knew he was a good kid," said Lombardi Friday.
"The stuff they said about him in Philly, he was just a kid being a kid. We give
these kids all this money and don't expect them to go through some changes.
It doesn't work that way. He had to grow up like anyone else. He's getting
better right now."
Since breaking into the NHL in 2005-06, only 14 players have collected more
goals than Carter's 229. Last season he pumped in 26 in just 48 games to
lead the Western Conference. Carter had a 46-goal season with the Flyers in
2008-09 and signed an 11-year contract worth $58 million. He was expected
to be a Flyer for life. Same with Richards. Then boom. They were both
shipped out and the whispers of bad behaviour became loud shots in the
media. Carter didn't like it in Columbus, and in the end, Columbus didn't like
him. Diva was an easy label to tag on him.
But since arriving in Los Angeles, he's been one of the game's most
dangerous players, as Jets fans saw Friday night, when he potted his second
goal of the season in the third period.
"People that gave him that reputation, they didn't know Jeff Carter. He's a
talent. He was a big part of our Cup team. Scored big goals. Played two
positions. Played lots of minutes. Killed penalties, played power play," said
Kings coach Darryl Sutter. "Last year he was the leading scorer in the
Western Conference. His play speaks for itself."
Lombardi, who was in the player personnel department with the Flyers when
Carter broke in, says he's seen a change in the man and the player.
"The last couple of years he's taken a huge jump. I think it's a reflection of his
growth and maturity as much as a person as a player. He's one of the leaders
in our room now. The last couple of years he's spent a lot of time in the
summer in L.A. training. That wasn't always Jeff's MO when he was
younger," said Lombardi.
Carter is the ultimate right place at the right time guy and that's no easy trick.
Not only does he have the instinct and speed to put him in prime scoring
areas but also possesses the hands to convert.
"He's a goal scorer. He's a shooter. In my opinion, top two or three in the
league. Maybe (Alex) Ovechkin has a better shot," said Richards. "He has
the knack of finding the holes. Some people will say it was a lucky bounce
and it came right to you. You have to work hard to be in the right position and
then you have to finish. He has the best release I've ever seen and he shoots
it hard."
Richards knows Carter maybe better than anyone in hockey. They play on
the same line and rely on each other night after night. The Kenora-born
"He's quiet. Media-wise he's not going to come out here and open up to you.
But the more you get to know him, the more he'll open up," said Richards.
"And you see it here. He's become a leader. More vocal on the bench and in
the room. He never complains. He just puts his head down and goes about
his business."
Baggage? Certainly. But we all have that. More telling and pertinent is that
Carter continues to soar.
Maybe he checked his luggage and then just left it behind for others to fuss
about.
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.05.2013
719659
Winnipeg Jets
"It doesn't matter," Enstrom said on Friday. "I'm just sticking to my game."
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 10.05.2013
Some Oilers accusing Trouba of head-hunting
By: Tim Campbell
Posted: 10/5/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0
A bit of bleating by bloggers in Edmonton this week over something that
didn't happen, ignoring something that did.
Apparently the Oilers were upset Tuesday when Jets rookie defenceman
Jacob Trouba barely missed a hard check on Edmonton forward Taylor Hall,
calling it a head hunt.
"I don't see that," Jets coach Claude Noel said. "He's a player that plays with
bite."
Trouba shook his head at the accusation.
"I don't know," he said. "I didn't even hit him. How's that head-hunting? Don't
think I did anything wrong."
Trouba took his run, but nothing came of it.
A player who didn't miss earlier in the game was Oilers defenceman Ladislav
Smid, who smacked Mark Scheifele's head into the glass, from behind, not
once but twice.
-- -- -It's been a very Trouba week in Winnipeg after Game 1 and Noel sounded
Friday like he's had about his fill of the subject.
Asked if he' had been "worried" about what might happen to the rookie after
he played so well in Game 1, Noel summed it up nicely.
"I think it's too early to tell," Noel said about the young defenceman. "I don't
worry too much about Jacob right now. He's played pretty well. He's a
confident guy.
"The biggest thing we have to recognize is that he's a 19-year-old player. We
have to keep things in perspective. He's going to have ups and downs. This
happens with all players. We've only played one game. We're talking too
much about him in my opinion."
-- -- -The game notes for the Kings on Friday night mentioned that Anze Kopitar
holds the team record for consecutive games, 330.
Better news for the Kings: Friday marked consecutive game No. 2 for
defenceman Will Mitchell, who's back in the lineup after missing the entire
lockout campaign because of concussion issues.
Mitchell played 24:28 seconds in Thursday's shootout win in Minnesota.
Friday night he played 19:52 and didn't look rusty. With 721 career NHL
games in 14 seasons, the 36-year-old defenceman will make the Kings back
end better, if that's possible, if he's back to complete health this season.
-- -- -Make of this what you will, but good teams will make their energy the
difference when their opponents come in front out of town, having played the
night before.
Friday marked the first of nine such occasions this season for the Jets, when
the Kings paid a visit after playing Thursday in Minnesota.
Four of them come this month, the next Sunday night against the Ducks.
Anaheim plays Saturday in Minnesota.
-- -- -With Grant Clitsome still hurt, the Jets have at least delayed their shift of
defence pairings. During training camp, there was both talk and evidence
each member of the team's former No. 1 duo of Toby Enstrom and Dustin
Byfuglien were bound for other partners this season.
Clitsome was to draw Byfuglien, and Enstrom would move over with Zach
Bogosian, but early on, it's been Enstrom and Byfuglien together still.
719660
Winnipeg Jets
It took an off-ice review from NHL headquarters to get the call right.
Rule 78.5, if you’re wondering.
Jets snapshots: Pass the glow sticks
By Paul Friesen
,Winnipeg Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 10:44 PM CDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 11:33 PM CDT
OH, OLLI: It took Olli Jokinen 11 games, but he finally got goal No. 300 of his
career, lofting a rebound past Quick to give the Jets a 2-1 lead in the second.
Kane made sure he got the puck as a souvenir.
The monkey off his back Jokinen hopes he never sees again.
FIRST STAR: Highlight of a solid first period by Ondrej Pavelec might have
been his quick glove on Mike Richards with about six minutes to go.
Just when you thought the Winnipeg Jets were going to do things the easy
way, by winning a game going away, they put everybody on their edges of
their seats in the third period, Friday night.
Trouble is, his teammates followed that by losing the ensuing faceoff (Jim
Slater), throwing the puck blindly up the middle (Dustin Byfuglien), then
sticking out a skate to deflect a point shot into his own net (Byfuglien, again)
— a shot that would have been way wide.
A 4-1 lead in the third against the Los Angeles Kings, who’d played the night
before, would have you home and cooled, you’d think.
THE PRELIMS: The Jets still have a ways to go before they’re in the same
league as The Habs when it comes to opening ceremonies.
But 4-1 quickly became 4-3, thanks to two Kings power play goals, and
collars were tight on the Jets bench right up until Bryan Little’s empty-net goal
in the final minute.
Then again, there’s not a lot of history to celebrate, is there? Especially when
their history is Atlanta’s.
That’s two games with plenty of warts to pick at, but also four early-season
points in the bank.
It’s a hell of a lot better than bleeding your way into a hole, and trying to climb
out of it later.
Among the things we learned in this one: the Jets remain slow starters, as
they looked like the ones who’d played the night before, not L.A.
“We played our game after the first period, and we’ve got to do that right off
the bat,” said Devin Setoguchi, whose two third-period goals less than three
minutes apart blew open a 2-1 game.
Evander Kane initially got credit for one of those, but Setoguchi didn’t mind
stealing his linemate’s thunder, which was rumbling all night.
“The kid scores a lot of goals, so I wouldn’t mind taking that one,” he said.
ENGAGED, ALL RIGHT: Kane had an eventful night, making it two in a row.
The Jets winger scored a goal in the first, got into a fight with Colin Fraser in
the second and seemed to have a special affinity for a certain section of the
rink, sending a wave in that direction during his pre-game introduction and
again after his goal.
We can only presume it was aimed at his girlfriend-turned-fiancee, who’d
agreed to get married some 24 hours earlier. A photo of the bauble on her
finger was making the rounds on the web, Friday.
Kane was quite a force, throwing his weight at Kings defencemen whenever
he could and beating Jonathan Quick with a quick wrist shot from near the
blue line in the first period.
But he wasn’t himself on a two-on-one with Jacob Trouba, making a rare
decision to pass up the shot.
His pass was less successful than his proposal.
ABOUT THAT CALDER: Trouba had a rough night, compared to his
rookie-of-the-year type performance in Game 1.
The second period caught Trouba in a couple of mistakes, roaming in his
own zone and forced to make a great recovery to prevent a sure goal in one
instance, then holding onto the puck too long and having his pocket picked by
Trevor Lewis, forcing Ondrej Pavelec to make a tough stop.
More of the same came in the third.
Alas, a couple of reminders the guy is a teenaged rookie.
Trouba’s play to create the two-on-one with Kane, though, was another
example of the heady play of this 19-year-old.
He jumped into the play when most rookies would have held back, seeing the
opportunity others wouldn’t.
THE RIGHT CALL: A bizarre sequence in the second period started with the
net coming well off its moorings behind Quick.
Play went the other way, but the officials didn’t notice. At least, not until the
Jets came back on the rush, Blake Wheeler taking full advantage of the
extra-yawning cage to score from a bad angle.
What are they going to do, bring back Ilya Kovalchuk or Scott Mellanby for
the show?
When you don’t have torches to pass, I guess glow-sticks have to do.
Winnipeg Sun LOADED 10.05.2013
719661
Winnipeg Jets
Jets play ‘the right way’ to advance past Kings 5-3 in home opener
Ultimately, the Jets showed some improvement but also got a glimpse of just
how committed they need to be to hang with the Big Boys of the Wild West.
“If we want to win the games against tough teams like L.A. we have to be
better,” said Pavelec. “No question.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
By Ken Wiebe
,Winnipeg Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 10:18 PM CDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 11:33 PM CDT
Measuring stick game, you say?
Although it’s a tad early to start planning the parade route, the Winnipeg Jets
passed this stiff test, earning a 5-3 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings on
Friday night in their home opener before 15,004 adoring fans inside MTS
Centre.
This marked the first time in three tries that the Jets were able to send their
fans away happy in a home opener, following losses to the Montreal
Canadiens and Ottawa Senators.
Things got interesting late as the Kings scored a pair of power-play goals just
under five minutes apart to make it a one-goal goal but captain Andrew Ladd
made an unselfish play to free linemate Bryan Little for an empty-net goal
with 47.3 seconds left to salt this one away and help the Jets improve to 2-0
on the young season.
How did the Jets measure up against one of the elite teams in the Western
Conference?
“We did a good job, for the most part, of sticking up for each other and playing
physical,” said Evander Kane, who had a goal, two assists, eight shots, five
hits, a blocked shot and a fight to round out his modern-day Gordie Howe hat
trick. “We got to the body early and against a team like L.A. that is a heavy
team, you have to let them know you’re not going to be run out of your own
building.”
If the season-opening 5-4 loss was marred by mistakes and costly turnovers,
Friday’s game was more about playing “the right way” — as Ladd frequently
calls it.
The Jets’ priorities were basic: protect the puck better, take the body and use
their speed.
Finding a way to enforce your will on the Kings is not an easy thing to do and
not surprisingly, it was the Kings who came out strong, looking nothing like a
team that had played the night before and flown in from Minnesota.
Just past the midway point of the second period, the Jets turned the tables,
getting a rebound goal from Olli Jokinen (the 300th of his NHL career) at
12:54 to give them a lead that would be expanded to 4-1 after tip-in and
wraparound goals from Devin Setoguchi, who had three points in the game.
“Our second periods in this building seem to be our best period,” said Kane.
“We’d like them all to be, but we got more pucks to the net, guys were hungry
down low and we put the pressure on them. You can’t sit back when you
have leads and you have to continue to put pressure on them, no matter what
the score is in the game.”
After giving up four goals in the opener, Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec was
sharp, especially early, as he helped his team stay in the game during a first
period that saw the Kings carry a decisive edge in play.
The Kings scored first, taking advantage of a costly turnover up the middle by
Dustin Byfuglien and a slapper from the right point from Matt Greene that
caromed in off the left skate of Byfuglien.
Jeff Carter’s goal in the third also seemed to change direction off the skate of
Jets defenceman Mark Stuart and Justin Williams scored at 15:44 on a
point-blank shot (with five seconds left in a high-sticking minor to Kane)
Pavelec still finished with 33 saves and the Jets wouldn’t have won this game
without him.
“He held us in the game early on and that was the difference,” said
Setoguchi.
Kings goalie Jonathan Quick didn’t even get to finish the game, yanked by
Kings head coach Darryl Sutter after giving up four goals on 27 shots and
giving way to backup Ben Scrivens.
Winnipeg Sun LOADED 10.05.2013
719662
Winnipeg Jets
Jets' Evander Kane pops the question
By David Larkins
,Winnipeg Sun
First posted: Friday, October 04, 2013 11:02 AM CDT | Updated: Friday,
October 04, 2013 05:57 PM CDT
The Winnipeg Jets think they've found suitable linemates to play with
Evander Kane.
Now the star right-winger is confident he's done the same in his personal life.
Social media heated up late Thursday night with news Kane had popped the
question to his longtime girlfriend, Ashley Chamberland, at Hy's Steakhouse.
The news was uncovered when the bride-to-be's friend, Kirsten Jantunen,
congratulated Chamberland and posted a photo of what is purportedly the
engagement ring on her Instagram account.
"My best friend got engaged," Jantunen posted.
A short time later, Jantunen retweeted a tweet of congratulations from Hy's.
A manager at Hy's reached on Friday said he could not confirm Kane
proposed to Chamberland, but did confirm he was dining at the restaurant
Thursday night and said he is a fairly frequent customer.
A spokesman at jeweler W.K. Chan said is difficult to discern much detail
from the Instagram image because it's not entirely clear. He said, however,
that it is a double-halo design and said it is "a fairly large stone, probably a
few carats at least."
Kane and Chamberland are both from B.C. They've been a couple since
before the Atlanta Thrashers were moved to Winnipeg to become the Jets.
Kane has been no stranger to social media since the Thrashers became the
Jets in 2011.
In the Jets' first year back in Winnipeg, rumours swirled that the
then-20-year-old had been skipping out on tabs and that a concussion he
suffered was a result of being in a fight at a nightclub. Both of those incidents,
the Jets said, were investigated and found to be false.
In 2012, Kane posted a photo of him holding a money phone as a reference
to boxer Floyd Mayweather, but the image hit the wrong tone with some fans
who didn't think a millionaire should be flashing stacks while the league was
in lockout.
In the summer, Kane again rubbed some fans the wrong way by tweeting that
NBA star Chris Bosh "looked like a fairy" during the NBA Finals in June, a
tweet some construed as homophobic. He apologized soon after.
Winnipeg Sun LOADED 10.05.2013
719663
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks give Alex Burrows day off from practice but he’s expected to play
Saturday versus Oilers
October 4, 2013. 1:45 pm
Posted by:
Steve Ewen
First-line winger Alex Burrows didn’t skate with the Vancouver Canucks at
practice on Friday at Rogers Arena and coach John Tortorella said after that
he was receiving a “body maintenance day.”
Burrows is expected to play Saturday, when the Edmonton Oilers come to
town. There were reports that Burrows was on the limp after the
season-opener Thursday against the San Jose Sharks.
Suspended winger Zack Kassian took Burrows’ spot skating with Henrik and
Daniel Sedin on Friday.
Vancouver Province: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719664
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks lose opener. Here’s what we learned
5. Sedins will be fine shorthanded.
It may not look it on the stat sheet, but the twins had a good night. As you’d
expect they were the Canucks most dangerous line, even though neither
Alex Burrows nor Daniel Sedin managed a shot on net.
Ya, rough night all around.
October 4, 2013. 1:42 pm
They also were Vancouver’s best penalty killers.
Posted by:
Jason Botchford
“I thought we played well there,” Daniel said. “I though we put a lot of
pressure on them and that’s a really good power play.”
1. Jason Garrison should score goals, and there should be lots of them.
Though, it should be noted, their assignment was generally defending the
Sharks PP2. Still, this Canucks team was burned for seven power play goals
in four games in the postseason.
But even with Garrison, and his power play goal which exposed last year’s
coaching staff to appropriate derision, the man advantage unit remains a
work in progress under Torts.
The Sharks did manage 13 shots on their seven power plays, but Bieksa
pointed out a lot of those were from angles in which Roberto Luongo could
make easier saves.
The Canucks managed just two shots with six opportunities (more than
seven minutes).
“We’re tight on the penalty kill right now,” Kevin Bieksa said. “We’re blocking
a lot of shots and not letting much through.
Shooting the puck has been a big point of emphasis here, but it was under
the old regime too.
“We’re taking care of our net, so all the shots that are coming, are coming
from the angles we want.
Daniel Sedin said he wants to get three or four shots a game. He had none
last night.
“If we can get comfortable and confident on the penalty kill, it’s going to allow
us to play even more aggressive.”
2. The Canucks have been delinquent in putting together their bottom six.
Vancouver Province: LOADED: 10.05.2013
Sure, they were playing a stacked team in San Jose, but the Canucks third
and fourth lines got shredded.
Mike Santorelli was on the ice for 12 shots against and Zac Dalpe was on the
ice for five. That’s 17 shots, nearly half of the Sharks total (35) for two centres
who combined for just 17:29 of ice time.
It was awful.
Expect Brad Richardson to centre the third line tomorrow, but again with
Santorelli and David Booth. Just an average third line here would be an
upgrade.
Wouldn’t it be something if what closes the window on the Sedins, Kesler,
Luongo and this core is a pasted together bottom six forward group, from
which you’d have a hard time making one decent fourth line, let alone a third.
We all know where this is going, right?
Another draft pick and prospect traded for a centre on an expiring contract.
3. Players are going to get hurt blocking shots
The Canucks are going to block a lot of shots. Last night, they had 22. The
most they had in any of the playoff games last season was 17. In two of those
games, they had 11. And those were playoff games.
Alex Burrows was limping after the game from blocking a shot and missed
Friday’s practice.
Tortorella said he’s banged up but expects him to play against Edmonton.
This is going to be an ongoing theme all season.
4. Tortorella is fitting right in
What greets you outside Rogers Arena is a statue of Roger Nielsen, raising a
stick high in the air with a towel draped on the butt end like a white flag.
It’s like saying to every fan on their way in: “Your team didn’t lose, it got
screwed.”
Tortorella gets it. Like, Jarome Iginla fighting to fit in with Boston, Tortorella
was calling out the refs in Vancouver the day after an opening night in which
they had to kill seven penalties.
“Quite honestly, some of the penalties, weren’t penalties,” Tortorella said.
“Two of Kesler’s penalties weren’t penalties.
“Pavelski throws his head back, it’s not a penalty. I will never have a player
stop going to the net, I don’t think that was a penalty as far as Kes going to
the net.
“I disagree with some of the calls.”
Keep this up, and the playoffs should be fun times.
719665
Vancouver Canucks
Will Canucks winger Dale Weise be a centrepiece of Edmonton’s visit
Saturday for his hit on Hall?
October 4, 2013. 1:37 pm
Posted by:
Steve Ewen
One of the storylines sure to crop up Saturday when the Edmonton Oilers
visit the Vancouver Canucks is whether there’s any sort of carryover
regarding Canuck winger Dale Weise.
Weise, the Canucks winger, was suspended three preseason games for his
hit to the head on Edmonton star forward Taylor Hall in that Sept. 21
encounter. Weise fought Edmonton forward Mike Brown later in the game.
Hall was not seriously injured.
The same night, Vancouver winger Zack Kassian broke Sam Gagner’s jaw,
thanks to catching the Edmonton centre with an errant stick. Kassian was
suspended three preseason games and is in the midst of sitting out five
regular season ones.
“I had to miss the rest of the preseason and Zack got eight games and I think
that’s fair,” Weise said after a brief Canuck practice on Friday at Rogers
Arena. “I answered the bell when I had to. I don’t think there’s going to be any
repercussions after that, but who knows? For us, I’m going to play the same
way and we’ll see what happens.”
Weise has been critical of staged fights but Edmonton has been vocal about
what happened in that game. Edmonton winger Ben Eager was quoted as
saying, “We’re going to go after their skill players also,” and coach Dallas
Eakins called the Kassian episode, “a disturbing play by a disturbing player.”
(Eager, oddly enough, was placed on waivers earlier this week.)
Edmonton then went out and added mammoth tough guy Steve MacIntyre to
their roster. He promptly hurt his knee trying to hit Luke Gazdic of the Dallas
Stars, and, oddly enough, Edmonton picked up Gazdic off waivers to replace
MacIntyre.
Gazdic, a left winger listed at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, had four goals, 11
points and 80 penalty minutes for the AHL’s Dallas Stars last season.
He fought Winnipeg Jet centre Chris Thorburn in his Edmonton debut on
Tuesday.
So, if something happens Saturday, doesn’t that seem premeditated, Dale?
“I think so,” said Weise. “I’m not the type of guy that goes in expecting to fight
this guy or that guy. I’ve told you guys that before.
“I guess they’ve got a new guy that’s trying to earn a spot on the team. I’m
sure he’s going to be looking to make a name for himself.
“He had a pretty good first game there. I guess we’ll see what happens.”
Vancouver Province: LOADED: 10.05.2013
719666
Websites
The 39-year-old made 25 saves in a 4-2 win by the Panthers at Dallas in his
first start since the 2011-12 season. Thursday night's performance was
highlighted by his trademark brand of saves.
ESPN / Don't forget names Trouba and Scheifele
The opposing team took notice.
By Pierre LeBrun
"He was his old self," Stars GM Jim Nill told ESPN.com Friday. "He competed
and tracked pucks well. There was no rust to his game."
As far as first impressions go in this young NHL season, Jacob Trouba
certainly opened some eyes.
The 19-year-old rookie blueliner from Michigan played a whopping 25:02 in
his first NHL game Tuesday night. Oh, and he had a goal and an assist with a
plus-2 rating in Winnipeg’s season-opening win at Edmonton.
But what impressed me the most was the poise he played with.
"We certainly hope that that trend continues, and that’s what we saw in
preseason," Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff told ESPN.com on Friday. "And he
got better every preseason game. He played high minutes in each of those
games. The coaching staff tried to expose him in preseason to the other
team’s best players to try and gauge where he was at. That was good. And
obviously the first game, you don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself, but it
was nice for all parties involved to see, for sure."
Trouba was drafted ninth overall in the first round in 2012 and certainly
impressed in January at the world junior championships for Team USA,
collecting nine points (4-5) in seven games.
Nashville Predators assistant coach Phil Housley was head coach for Team
USA at the world juniors and got a firsthand view of Trouba’s talents. He had
him again in the spring at the IIHF men’s worlds in Stockholm and Helsinki
when Housley was the assistant coach.
"I’m not surprised," Housley told ESPN.com on Friday when asked about
Trouba’s NHL debut. "Jacob has done a great job of continuing to develop as
a defenseman. At the world juniors, he played in all situations for us, PK,
power play, even strength. He was a dominant force in that tournament. And
what I really liked was his edge to his game; anyone going into his corner
would pay the price. I know he’s playing against men right now, but he was a
big factor on our team.
"And even at the men’s worlds in Finland and Sweden, he really proved
himself again. Just learning the pace of the game, I’m sure that was the
fastest pace he had seen yet. He had some bumps, but he battled back.
That’s what a true pro does. I’m not surprised by his first game against
Edmonton. He’s a terrific player and, better yet, a terrific young man."
If Dustin Byfuglien, Tobias Enstrom and Zach Bogosian can stay healthy
after all missing big chunks of last season -- plus Trouba continues to make
strides in his rookie season -- suddenly that's a Winnipeg back end that
stacks up pretty darn well with a lot of teams. Trouba has begun the season
on the second pairing with Bogosian.
Up front, another rookie delivered an important statement early: No. 2 center
Mark Scheifele. The 20-year-old also scored a goal in the opener.
It’s such an important storyline for the Jets this season to get that second line
going and have a center on that unit who can get the most out of Evander
Kane in particular.
Cheveldayoff and coach Claude Noel sat down with Trouba and Scheifele on
Thursday to chat about what a grind an 82-game season is in the NHL and
what to expect moving forward. In other words, their opening efforts were
terrific, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
"It’s important for younger players who haven’t been through it to understand
about nutrition and understand about rest and recovery," said Cheveldayoff.
"The days off between games are going to be as much if not more important
than the actual game days themselves for a rest and recovery period."
"We had a nice chat, talked about Game 1. We said, 'Guys, keep on going.
You’ll get the opportunities as you deserve them and as they come,'" the Jets
GM added. "They’re both very humble kids, but they’re both showing a lot
more maturity than a lot of 19-year and 20-year-olds."
It’s incredibly early, folks, but don’t forget the names of Trouba and Scheifele
as the Calder talk evolves this season.
Panthers forward Scottie Upshall told my pal George Richards of the Miami
Herald: "I said after the first, 'How good is Thomas?' He makes the saves,
catches the puck. He’s the backbone of this team."
Colleague Craig Custance had more on the Panthers in his Friday blog post
(paywall warning).
Sens' secondary scoring
All eyes are on the Jason Spezza-Bobby Ryan connection this season on the
big line for Ottawa (along with Milan Michalek), but if the Senators are going
to reach the high expectations that many have for them, the team needs to
generate secondary scoring.
The second line of Kyle Turris between Clarke MacArthur and Cory
Conacher will be integral, especially on nights when Spezza’s unit is shut
down by a tough, top defensive pair.
"We’re very encouraged by the play of Kyle Turris, Clarke MacArthur and
Cory Conacher through the exhibition as far as consistently giving us that
secondary offensive threat," Senators coach Paul MacLean told ESPN.com
on Friday morning ahead of his team’s season opener in Buffalo. "I think
that’s going to be important for our team, like any team, is to have people who
can come behind that first group and be a threat."
The Sens also have some offensive options in their bottom-six forward
group, such as training camp surprise Stephane Da Costa and last spring’s
playoff revelation Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- both centers.
"The people we have down the middle we feel are going to be able to
generate offense on all our forward lines," said MacLean, the reigning Jack
Adams Award winner as NHL coach of the year.
Aside from health, which can’t be ignored in Ottawa after what happened last
season, secondary scoring is absolutely going to be a huge story, good or
bad, in Canada’s capital this season.
Leafs' Rielly set for debut
The fifth overall pick from the 2012 draft appears set for his NHL debut
Saturday night.
Mark Fraser's knee injury opens the door for 19-year-old Morgan Rielly, who
survived camp to get an early-season trial with the big club before the Leafs
have to decide whether to send him back to juniors (nine games max before
that decision).
I was surprised that he didn’t play Wednesday night in Philadelphia after
sitting out the opener in Montreal, because I felt Paul Ranger and Jake
Gardiner both struggled against the Canadiens. But coach Randy Carlyle
stuck with a winning lineup, and who can argue with a 2-0-0 start.
The Leafs have to give Rielly some games. There’s no benefit in him sitting in
the press box when it comes to his development.
Rielly got a taste of pro hockey last season, playing in 22 AHL games with the
Marlies (regular season and playoffs combined).
I reached out to an NHL scout from a Western Conference club to get his
view on Rielly. His assessment (via text message): "Stronger skater. Good
strength and good head in battles. No edge but good compete level. Like his
sense with and without the puck. Will make some big gaffes with the puck
and they will have to stay patient and positive with him. I don’t think he’s in
the Doughty-Karlsson-Letang potential, more of a No. 3-4 D. [Think] Paul
Martin-plus in his prime."
Hey, Martin-plus in his prime is not bad at all. But the Leafs view him with a
higher upside than that. Personally, I think he's going to be better than that,
but it's certainly interesting to hear how different people view him.
Kudos to the Habs
Timmy's old self
Tip of the hat to the Montreal Canadiens organization for bringing the club to
Lac-Megantic, Quebec, a town still healing after a tragic train explosion killed
47 people.
It’s one game, sure, but as far as openers go, how about Tim Thomas?
ESPN LOADED: 10.05.2013
719667
Websites
CNN/Sports Illustrated / NHL working to halt scoring drought, but more must
be done
Michael Farber>INSIDE THE NHL
On a Sunday in early September, Kay Whitmore helped his family in
Sudbury, Ont., jar 13 bushels of tomatoes, drove four hours to his house near
Toronto, ate dinner, changed clothes and then continued to the NHL's
downtown offices, where he started work shortly before 9 p.m. Whitmore has
an office on the 10th floor but conducts much of his business one floor up, in
a storeroom near the elevators. Some 50 boxes, many empty, others filled
with goalie pads or chest protectors, clutter the room. With the tools of his
singular -profession—box cutter, calipers, tape measure, paper clips,
Sharpies, loose-leaf binder and a stand constructed on four-inch tubing that
looks like something a pediatrician might use to check a toddler's
height—Whitmore measures every piece of equipment for every professional
goaltender in North America. His title is senior manager of Hockey
Operations. Informally he is the goalie cop, and he walks his beat alone.
When Whitmore determines that a leg pad conforms with Rule 11 governing
goalie equipment (and he has had to play UPS Ping-Pong with
manufacturers until gear has met specifications), he writes kw nhl lds 45 and
the date at the bottom of the pad with a black, gold or silver Sharpie and
readies the equipment for shipping. The meanings of kw and nhl are
self-evident. lds stands for limiting distance size, which is the maximum
height of each goalie's leg pads and is determined by some simple math. In
August the league and the players' association agreed that leg pads could
extend only up to 45% of the way from the center of a goalie's knee to his
pelvis, down from 55%. Now the formula for determining LDS, devised by
Whitmore and his friend Walter Karabin, an architect and engineer, is:
FK (floor-to-knee length) + 0.45 x KP (knee-to-pelvis length) + 4 (inches from
the ice to the top of the skate tongue, a constant for all goalies).
For you history majors out there, think of it like this. To you, Corey Crawford
is the Blackhawks' 6' 2" Stanley Cup-winning goalie, right? To Whitmore,
Crawford is a 22-1⁄2-inch floor-to-knee, 21-inch knee-to-pelvis guy whose
measurements now oblige him to wear 35.95-inch pads, which the goalie
found incredibly short when he first strapped them on. (His old pads were
38.05 inches.) You know the Devils' 6' 2" Martin Brodeur as the alltime wins
and shutouts leader, but in Whitmore's world he is a 21-1⁄2-inch
floor-to-knee, 21-inch knee-to--pelvis guy whose pads must be no taller than
34.95 inches. Because the Canadiens' 6' 3" Carey Price has a long torso and
short legs, his pads are 34.79 inches.
The x-factors in the equation are how, and how quickly, goalies will adjust.
In an effort to boost scoring this season, most goalies will lose roughly two
inches off the height of their pads. (The range is zero to 2-1⁄2 inches.) Even a
goalie who drops into a perfect butterfly to hermetically seal his five hole is
theoretically leaving an extra four inches of shooting space at the bottom of
the six-foot-wide net. But this is just the start of a chain reaction. Maybe some
goalies will compensate by dropping into the butterfly more quickly, which will
leave more time for shooters to go top shelf. Or maybe some goalies will
once again need their sticks to help close the five hole, meaning they won't
be able to tuck their elbows into their sides, which in recent years has closed
the seven hole, the space between the hip and the blocker. Or if a goalie is
worried about covering post-and-in shots, he might inch farther out from the
net, which makes him vulnerable to late cross-ice passes. "The five hole is
now a 5.2 hole," Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer told reporters.
Whitmore plans to be on the road at least two weeks every month this season
to make random postgame checks of goalies' equipment. "The league was
worried about the width of pads," he says (they were trimmed from 12 to 11
inches in 2005), "[but] because pretty much all goalies butterfly, length was
the real issue."
resolved (at least for five years) when the NHL sold its ward to IceArizona
Acquisition Co. for $170 million on Aug. 5. With New Jersey in a precarious
state during the summer, drowning in a reported $200 million of debt,
Bettman found new ownership for the Devils in a New York minute. (76ers
owners Josh Harris led a group that paid $320 million.) The salary cap is
down to $64.3 million from the $70.2 million it would have been for a full
2012--13, but a glut of six outdoor games, including a Jan. 1 match at
Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor between the Red Wings and Toronto should
goose revenues for a league that now routinely produces hype and
hypothermia.
Realignment should enhance playoff rivalries, echoes of the wonderfully
brutish springs of the old Norris and Adams divisions. The most intriguing
individual rivalry, Sidney Crosby versus Alexander Ovechkin, has been
reignited by Ovechkin's strong close to the 2013 season, in which he edged
the Penguins' captain for the Hart Trophy, won his third goal-scoring title (32
goals) and performed so brilliantly that members of the Professional Hockey
Writers' Association voted the Capitals' offensive wizard an All-Star
twice—as the first-team right wing and as the second-team left wing.
There are some red flags: 215 man-games were lost to reported concussions
or concussionlike symptoms in the shortened season, and Ilya Kovalchuk's
"retirement" in New Jersey and subsequent move to St. Petersburg of the
KHL deprived the league of one of its most dynamic forwards. But all in all,
2013-14 looks like blue skies.
The nagging pebble in the NHL's skate remains scoring. As former Sabres
president Larry Quinn told SI last winter, "The U.S. is looking for offen-sive
hockey. So is TV. People became hockey fans because of Bobby Orr,
Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Gilbert Perreault." Despite rules changes
and reconfigurations after the 2004-05 lockout—new officiating standards for
obstruction fouls, the installation of the trapezoid behind the nets (which
limited how much goalies were able to handle the puck) and the removal of
the red line for purposes of two-line passes—offense has been sclerotic.
Since 2000-01 there have been 22 50-goal seasons. In 1992-93 and '93-94
combined there were 23. While the flow of the game has improved since the
'04-05 crackdown on hooking and holding, hockey's red-light district (the red
goal light flashing, the siren, the roar, the celebration) is not the fun place it
was in the not-so-distant past.
"The NHL has been getting fans to the edge of their seats," says former
goalie Glenn Healy, now an analyst for Hockey Night in Canada on the CBC.
"It wouldn't hurt if they could get fans out of their seats a couple of more times
a game."
At their meetings in Boston during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, general
managers stressed to players' association representatives that the size of
goalie pads had to be reduced immediately. "They said we would be ruining
the game if we didn't get this done," says Mathieu Schneider, the NHLPA's
special assistant to the executive director. Many of Schneider's constituents
agreed, although without the pearl-clutching melodrama of the GM's. The
NHLPA posted two polls on its internal website in June, one for skaters and
another for goalies. The question: Should goalie equipment be shrunk? The
skaters were in favor. And to Schneider's surprise, so were a "sizable
minority" of goalies. "I thought it would be only two or three guys," Schneider
says. "It wasn't that." Voilà! The 45% solution followed soon after, leaving
manufacturers scrambling and some goalies grumpy. (Phoenix's Mike Smith
on the change: "Horrible.")
There have been other nips and tucks in the league's 2013-14 face-lift to help
boost scoring. The NHL has reduced the depth of the goal from 44 to 40
inches, which will give nifty forwards such as Crosby and Chicago's Patrick
Kane more room to maneuver when they set up in Wayne Gretzky's old
office. The league also trimmed the goal frame, which includes the side
skirting, from 96 to 88 inches, which should allow lanky players such as the
Kings' Anze Kopitar a better angle for wraparounds and open passing lanes
to forwards who have stationed themselves in prime scoring positions. The
stretch pass never did touch off a scoring explosion, but maybe hockey will
prove to be a game of inches.
Good times return
"If we can only get another goal and a half..." says one senior league official.
Teams produced an average of 5.31 goals per game in 2013, the fewest
since '03-04. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of .31 of a goal per game,
you were not watching the Panthers last season.
The NHL is practically all rainbows and unicorns at the start of 2013--14. The
third lockout in Gary Bettman's two decades as commissioner produced an
agreement last January that could bring as much as a decade of labor peace.
The truncated season ended with a scintillating Stanley Cup finals between
the Blackhawks and the Bruins that pulled in some of the best TV numbers in
the league's history. The ongoing embarrassment of the Coyotes was
In 1968 Cardinals ace Bob Gibson had a 1.12 ERA and 13 shutouts.
Baseball's collective ERA was 2.98. Carl Yastrzemski's .301 batting average
led the American League. Responding to the imbalance between pitching
and hitting, Major League Baseball lowered the mound to 10 inches from 15.
A year later ERA rose by .63 and Rod Carew won the AL batting title with a
.332 average.
The NHL has no quick fix for scoring like MLB's monkeying with the mound.
Maybe no slow fix, either. From an average of 7.94 goals per game in
1985-86, the league meandered into the wasteland of the Dead Puck era,
which officially began in '97-98 with a goals-per-game average of 5.28, down
by more than half a goal from the previous year. Only once since '95-96 has
the average topped six goals: the 6.05 goals per game in '05-06, the first
season of the new officiating standards, which was driven by a
post-expansion record of 11.67 power plays per game. Despite periodic
musings about expanding the four-by-six-foot nets, NHL executives concede
there is no genuine appetite for it. Do not even suggest the nuclear option,
four-on-four for 60 minutes.
While Crosby favors the paring down of goalie gear, he says that if the NHL
"wanted to increase scoring, [it should start] with the game. When you look at
penalties, the more they crack down on obstruction and hooking, it opens
things up for skill." Crosby began to develop his once-in-a-generation talent
as a boy in Nova Scotia by playing Timbits, a youth-hockey program
supported by Tim Hortons, a restaurant chain specializing in coffee and
doughnuts. With the popularity of the neutral-zone trap on the wane across
the NHL, Crosby actually might again be playing Timbits. An elite version of
it, anyway.
Timbits Hockey. The phrase is Paul MacLean's. MacLean is the Jack Adams
Award-winning coach of the Senators, who scored more than 30 goals eight
times in a career that stretched from 1981 to '91—the dying days of the
Stand-Up Age, when a goalie would put weight on his left foot to move his
right and MacLean would score by shooting at the weight-bearing foot.
Alternating three-on-twos ruled, the study of video was a novelty and players
scanned rosters before out-of-conference- games to figure out who was on
the opposing team. In MacLean's view, goalie equipment has not choked
scoring as much as video, goalie coaching and systems have.
"I compare the game now to when my son first played Timbits," MacLean
says in his office at Ottawa's Canadian Tire Centre. "Puck on the ice, all 10
kids chasing it, trying to whack at it. If you watch an NHL game now, it's
basically high-speed, high-skilled Timbits. Stop the videotape. You'll often
see all 10 [skaters] in the picture. With the [neutral-zone] trap, it was one guy.
Now it's pressure. Pressure on the puck. Almost everybody plays like that,
because it works. There simply isn't the time or space available for players to
score like we used to."
MacLean moves the tutorial to an anteroom with a giant screen and theater
seating, across the hall from the Senators' dressing room. Forty years ago
Scotty Bowman won a Stanley Cup in Montreal without an assistant coach.
MacLean has four, including a goaltending coach, Rick Wamsley. Video
coach Tim Pattyson cues up a series of clips from 2013. When he freezes a
frame that reveals a thicket of players in the vicinity of the puck, MacLean
says, "Timbits."
Perhaps the most revealing clip is of a promising Canadiens two-on-one
against Ottawa defenseman Andre Benoit. Montreal winger Colby Armstrong
is lugging the puck down the right flank as Erik Cole steams down the left.
Instead of Benoit drifting toward Armstrong, as coaches once taught, the
blueliner drifts toward Cole and allows backchecking defenseman Erik
Karlsson—"tracking," in Senators parlance—to chase down Armstrong. The
positions of both Karlsson's stick and his body remove the option of a
cross-ice pass to Cole or, more dangerous, a drop pass to the Canadiens'
late man, center David Desharnais. The two-on-one turns into a harmless
chance from a hurried Armstrong at the right face-off circle. Goalie Craig
Anderson, and almost all goalies in a league in which the average save
percentage is .909, floss with shots from the dot.
"During the [2004-05] lockout they brought some of us [players] to a GM's
meeting," says Hall of Fame winger Brendan Shanahan, now the NHL's
senior VP of player safety. "GM's were talking about creating more
two-on-ones, outnumbered rushes, more open spaces. Then [Hall of Fame
defenseman] Scott Niedermayer said that with all the video and coaching,
you can't teach us a smarter way of playing hockey and not expect us to do it.
He said, 'You're not going to make players at this level stupid.' That's always
stayed with me."
Scoring is down not only because the goalies got bigger, but so did hockey's
IQ.
Let's get small
Goalie equipment has room to shrink. The blockers are too thick, the trappers
too generous, and the ample pants can make goalies—who are bigger and
more athletic than ever—look like rodeo clowns in barrels. Brian Hayward,
who shared three Jennings trophies (for fewest goals allowed) with Patrick
Roy in Montreal in the late 1980s, has proposed that goalies be measured by
sitting in a chair with their legs bent at 90 degrees- and then be sized for pads
that extend only three inches above their kneecaps. With the 45% rule, the
new thigh rise for goalies is about eight inches. "Right now the NHL is not
even close to doing what needs to be done," says Hayward, a TV analyst for
the Ducks. "Three or four inches are protection. The rest is fluff and filler."
Carey Price is convinced that shorter pads might prove a blessing, because
sometimes his longer pads overlap when he drops into his butterfly. The 45%
solution might be more problematic for someone like Crawford, who looked
like he could have fished for bass in his old hip waders. "We had Crawford
sitting in the dressing room in one of our pregame shots during the playoffs,"
says Hockey Night in Canada analyst Kelly Hrudey, who had 271 regular
season wins as an NHL goaltender from 1984 to '98. "He was a little
slouched, but the pads were up to his shoulders. I'm thinking, They have to
get this under control."
"We'll see how we all handle it," Brodeur says. "I guarantee you one thing:
Guys'll try to cheat."
Although scofflaws face a two-game suspension plus a fine for the team and
the equipment manager, the past suggests that goalies will explore the dark
arts. There is indeed an inglorious history of goalie cheating. Butterfly
pioneer Tony Esposito brazenly sewed webbing between his pant legs.
Healy used Velcro straps to slim down the sides of his pads in order to
conform to code. Following inspections he would release the straps, allowing
the pads to puff out like a man's stomach when he loosens his belt after
Thanksgiving dinner. Former goalies remember that Mike Palmateer once
showed up with extra material that ran from the outside of the thumb to the
wrist of his glove, padding that instantly was dubbed a "cheater." The
cheater—the name stuck—became standard equipment within weeks.
"I think the reason the puck doesn't go in the net as much is because of how
talented these [goalies] are, how hard they work at their craft," says Flames
forward Michael Cammalleri, who took part in the league's competition
committee meetings this summer. "But I do think that the equipment allows
them to do things that they don't necessarily need to [do to] be goaltenders in
the NHL."
Unleashing Crosby and Kane might be a Herculean task in an age when the
goalies are so good, the systems so aggressive and the coaching so
detailed. But mucking the Augean stables began with a single shovel.
Shorter pads could be a start. After all, give a goalie an inch. . . .
CNN/Sports Illustrated LOADED: 10.05.2013